bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Animal group size variation in a minimal attraction-repulsion agent-based model
Authors: Eikelboom Jasper A.J. , Doelman Arjen , van Langevelde Frank , de Knegt Henrik J.
Published: March 2024

Grouping behaviour of prey animals is thought to be mainly driven by fear of predation and resource scarcity. Fear of predation often leads to small inter-individual distances, while resource scarcity leads to the opposite. Consequently, it is believed that the number of individuals in a group (group size) is an emergent property of the trade-off between acquiring scarce resources and preventing predation. We analysed whether group size can be reliably used as a proxy for this trade-off, using a deterministic attraction-repulsion agent-based model in a homogeneous area. In our model, each individual experiences distancedependent attraction and repulsion to all others in the area, where varying degrees of grouping behaviour emerge from the number and distance of intersections between the attraction and repulsion functions. We show that the coefficient of variation of group size generally lies between 50 and 150%, depending on both animal density and the trade-off between resource scarcity and predation. Given that the variations of group size are already this large in homogeneous and deterministic scenarios, we urge researchers to be cautious in using group size as a proxy for the resources/predation trade-off and consider inter-individual distance as a more direct and potentially more reliable alternative.
A method for focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation with simultaneous electroencephalogram recordings in awake, head-fixed mice with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Cornelssen Carena , Brown Braden , Finlinson Eli , Blair Skyler , Senthilkumar Sharayu , Kubanek Jan , Wilcox Karen S.
Published: March 2024

Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) may be a promising neuromodulation technology for treating people with epilepsy whose seizures are drug resistant. Prior studies have shown seizure suppression in animal studies using FUS. However, most of these studies were performed in evoked seizure models and not in animal models of epilepsy. Evoked seizure models do not exhibit the pathophysiology of epilepsy and do not exhibit spontaneous recurrent seizures, which define epilepsy. For translation to humans, there is a critical need to determine the specific FUS stimulation parameters that reduce spontaneous recurrent seizures in a chronic disease model of epilepsy. To achieve this goal, we developed and optimized an approach to determine the effects of ultrasonic stimulation on metrics of seizure-like events (SLEs) in awake, head-fixed mice within the intrahippocampal kainate (IHK) mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). A proof-of-principle study demonstrated that two target (bilateral and contralateral to the kainic acid injection site) stimulation conditions and two FUS parameter sets (low and high pressure) could be combined with the ability to simultaneously record hippocampal electroencephalograms. We also provide a method for analysis of the effects of FUS stimulation on the metrics of SLEs (interevent duration, SLE duration, and spike frequency).
Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase EFK-1/eEF2K promotes starvation resistance by preventing oxidative damage inC. elegans
Authors: Yan Junran , Bhanshali Forum , Shuzenji Chiaki , Mendenhall Tsultrim T. , Cheng Xuanjin , Bai Pamela , Diwan Gahan , Seraj Donna , Meyer Joel N. , Sorensen Poul H. , Hartman Jessica H. , Taubert Stefan
Published: March 2024

Cells and organisms frequently experience starvation. To adapt and survive, they mount an evolutionarily conserved stress response. A vital component in the mammalian starvation response is eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) kinase (eEF2K), which responds to starvation by phosphorylating and inactivating the translation elongation driver eEF2, thus shutting down translation and facilitating survival.C. elegans efk-1/eEF2Kphosphorylates EEF-2/eEF2 on a conserved residue and is required for starvation survival, but how it promotes survival remains unclear. Surprisingly, we found that eEF2 phosphorylation is unchanged in starvedC. elegans, suggesting thatefk-1promotes survival via a noncanonical pathway. We show thatefk-1upregulates transcription of the DNA repair pathways, nucleotide excision repair (NER) and base excision repair (BER), to promote starvation survival. Furthermore,efk-1suppresses oxygen consumption and ROS production in starvation to prevent oxidative stress. Thus,efk-1enables starvation survival by protecting animals from starvation-induced oxidative damage through a translation-independent pathway.
Detection of Drug Effect Signals Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Using Propensity Score Matching at Scale
Authors: Hwang Yeon Mi , Piekos Samantha N. , Wei Qi , Price Nathan D. , Hood Leroy , Hadlock Jennifer J.
Published: March 2024

Objective

We applied propensity score matching method at scale on patient records to confirm signals of known drug effects on preterm birth and detect previously unidentified potential drug effects.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective study on women who had continuity of care at Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH) both before and after pregnancy and delivered live births between 2013/01/01 and 2022/12/31 (n=365,075). Our exposures of interest were all outpatient medications prescribed during pregnancy. We limited our analyses to medication that met the minimal sample size (n=600). The primary outcome of interest was preterm birth. Secondary outcomes of interest were small for gestational age and low birth weight. We used propensity score matching at scale to evaluate the risk of these adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with drug exposure after adjusting for demographics, pregnancy characteristics, and comorbidities.

Results

The total medication prescription rate increased from 58.5% to 75.3% (P<0.0001) from 2013 to 2022. The prevalence rate of preterm birth was 7.7%. 175 out of 1329 prenatally prescribed outpatient medications met the minimum sample size. We identified 58 medications statistically significantly associated with the risk of preterm birth (P≤0.1; decreased: 12, increased: 46).

Discussion

We narrowed down from 1329 medications to 58 medications that showed statistically significant association with the risk of preterm birth even after addressing numerous covariates through propensity score matching.

Conclusion

This data-driven approach demonstrated that multiple testable hypotheses in pregnancy pharmacology can be prioritized at scale, laying the foundation for application in other pregnancy outcomes.
A Novel Sentence Transformer-based Natural Language Processing Approach for Schema Mapping of Electronic Health Records to the OMOP Common Data Model
Authors: Zhou Xinyu , Dhingra Lovedeep Singh , Aminorroaya Arya , Adejumo Philip , Khera Rohan
Published: March 2024

Mapping electronic health records (EHR) data to common data models (CDMs) enables the standardization of clinical records, enhancing interoperability and enabling large-scale, multi-centered clinical investigations. Using 2 large publicly available datasets, we developed transformer-based natural language processing models to map medication-related concepts from the EHR at a large and diverse healthcare system to standard concepts in OMOP CDM. We validated the model outputs against standard concepts manually mapped by clinicians. Our best model reached out-of-box accuracies of 96.5% in mapping the 200 most common drugs and 83.0% in mapping 200 random drugs in the EHR. For these tasks, this model outperformed a state-of-the-art large language model (SFR-Embedding-Mistral, 89.5% and 66.5% in accuracy for the two tasks), a widely-used software for schema mapping (Usagi, 90.0% and 70.0% in accuracy), and direct string match (7.5% and 7.5% accuracy). Transformer-based deep learning models outperform existing approaches in the standardized mapping of EHR elements and can facilitate an end-to-end automated EHR transformation pipeline.
Cost-effectiveness of RSVpreF vaccine and nirsevimab for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus disease in Canadian infants
Authors: Gebretekle Gebremedhin B. , Yeung Man Wah , Ximenes Raphael , Cernat Alexandra , Simmons Alison E. , Killikelly April , Siu Winnie , Rafferty Ellen , Brousseau Nicholas , Tunis Matthew , Tuite Ashleigh R.
Published: March 2024

Background

Health Canada recently authorized the RSVpreF pregnancy vaccine and nirsevimab to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease.

Objective

Assess the cost-effectiveness of RSVpreF and nirsevimab programs in preventing RSV disease in infants, compared to a palivizumab program.

Methods

We used a static cohort model of a Canadian birth cohort during their first RSV season to estimate sequential incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in 2023 Canadian dollars per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) for nine strategies implemented over a one-year time period, from the health system and societal perspectives. Sensitivity and scenario analyses were conducted to explore the impact of uncertainties on the results.

Results

All-infants nirsevimab programs averted more RSV-related outcomes than year-round RSVpreF programs, with the most RSV cases averted in seasonal nirsevimab programs. Assuming list prices for these immunizing agents, all-infants nirsevimab and year-round RSVpreF programs were never cost-effective, with ICERs far exceeding commonly used cost-effectiveness thresholds. Seasonal nirsevimab with catch-up was cost-effective if prioritized for infants at moderate/high-risk (ICER <$28,000 per QALY) or those living in settings with higher RSV burden and healthcare costs (ICER of $5,700 per QALY). Using a $50,000 per QALY threshold, an all-infants nirsevimab program could be optimal if nirsevimab is priced at <$110-190 per dose. A year-round RSVpreF for all pregnant women/pregnant people plus nirsevimab for infants at high-risk was optimal if nirsevimab is priced at >$110-190 and RSVpreF priced at <$60-125.

Interpretation

Prophylactic interventions can substantially reduce RSV disease in infants, and targeted nirsevimab programs are the most cost-effective option at current product prices.
Axonal degeneration serum markers and temporal lobe atrophy in Alzheimer’s dementia continuum: a longitudinal study of plasma neurofilament light and tensor-based morphometry
Authors: Khodadadi Amirhossein , Amirkhani Nikan , Nouri Zahra , Adlparvar Tanin , Eskandari Sanaz , Barzgar Rezvan , Sojoudi Pouya , Mayeli Mahsa
Published: March 2024

The plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL), an axonal cytoskeleton protein, increases in Alzheimer’s disease and was therefore proposed as a blood-based biomarker of the disease. Tensor-based morphometry (TBM) is an MR based modality that identifies local volume changes in the brain. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether plasma NfL measures can predict TBM findings derived from temporal lobe of brain in a one-year follow-up and which biomarker can predict cognitive function. A total of 480 participants with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and normal cognition (CN) were found eligible for inclusion from The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. There was a significant negative association between plasma NfL and TBM only when all subjects were pooled together at baseline (β = -0.139,P=0.004). After one-year follow-up, 30 subjects with MCI converted to AD (MCI-AD) and others remained unchanged (CN, MCI, AD). Plasma NfL levels elevated significantly only in MCI group after one year (P<0.001). We found a significant reduction in TBM measurements at first-year compared to baseline in all groups (P<0.001 for all groups). Additionally, TBM average change rate was significantly higher in MCI-AD and AD groups (P<0.001 for both); however, plasma NfL average change rate was not significantly different between groups. TBM was significantly correlated with MMSE, MoCA, ADAS-11 and ADAS-13 scores in both MCI and AD patients at baseline and after one year, whereas plasma NfL was not. Overall, our findings indicate that plasma NfL is not reliably associated with TBM, and is less effective and sensitive than TBM in predicting dementia progression and cognitive performance. Hence, TBM reduction is not reflected in plasma NfL increment after one year follow-up.
The Functional Communication Checklist for People Living with Primary Progressive Aphasia: Study Protocol
Authors: Gallée Jeanne , Cartwright Jade , Henry Maya L , Mooney Aimee , Stark Brielle C , Volkmer Anna , Nakano Connie , Fredericksen Rob J , Domoto-Reilly Kimiko , Crane Paul K
Published: March 2024

This study protocol describes the development of the first instrument of functional communication for people living with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), with future applications to other progressive conditions, with expert validation, item-level reliability analyses, and stakeholder input and outcomes. Progressive conditions like PPA require monitoring, and as such, re-assessment. Re-assessment poses the high risk of being burdensome, destructive, and of little use to the patient. As such, there is a significant need to establish a validated and reliable measure that (1) poses minimal patient burden and (2) captures communication ability in a strengths-based manner that is representative of daily communication needs and challenges. A strengths-based approach to assessment is widely recognized as the optimal way to promote patient autonomy, minimize harm, and implement functional treatment protocols and strategies. To date, there are no strengths-based assessment tools that were developed for people living with PPA. This study protocol describes our work to address this gap in clinical practice and research.
Extended culture of 2D gastruloids to model human mesoderm development
Authors: Chen Bohan , Khan Hina , Yu Zhiyuan , Yao LiAng , Freeburne Emily , Jo Kyoung , Johnson Craig , Heemskerk Idse
Published: March 2024

Micropatterned human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) treated with BMP4 (2D gastruloids) are among the most widely used stem cell models for human gastrulation. Due to its simplicity and reproducibility, this system is ideal for high throughput quantitative studies of tissue patterning and has led to many insights into the mechanisms of mammalian gastrulation. However, 2D gastruloids have only been studied up to 48h. Here we extended this system to 96h. We discovered a phase of highly reproducible morphogenesis during which directed migration from the primitive streak-like region gives rise to a mesodermal layer beneath an epiblast-like layer. Multiple types of mesoderm arise with striking spatial organization including lateral mesoderm-like cells on the colony border and paraxial mesoderm-like further inside the colony. Single cell transcriptomics showed strong similarity of these cells to mesoderm in human and non-human primate embryos. However, our data suggest that the annotation of the reference human embryo may need to be revised. This illustrates that extended culture of 2D gastruloids provides a powerful model for human mesoderm differentiation and morphogenesis.
Paraneoplastic renal dysfunction in fly cancer models driven by inflammatory activation of stem cells
Authors: Kwok Sze Hang , Liu Yuejiang , Bilder David , Kim Jung
Published: March 2024

Tumors can induce systemic disturbances in distant organs, leading to physiological changes that enhance host morbidity. In Drosophila cancer models, tumors have been known for decades to cause hypervolemic ‘bloating’ of the abdominal cavity. Here we use allograft and transgenic tumors to show that hosts display fluid retention associated with autonomously defective secretory capacity of fly renal tubules, which function analogous to those of the human kidney. Excretion from these organs is blocked by abnormal cells that originate from inappropriate activation of normally quiescent renal stem cells (RSCs). Blockage is initiated by IL-6-like oncokines that perturb renal water-transporting cells, and trigger a damage response in RSCs that proceeds pathologically. Thus, a chronic inflammatory state produced by the tumor causes paraneoplastic fluid dysregulation by altering cellular homeostasis of host renal units.

Significance Statement

Tumors cause pathophysiological changes to host tissues, including distant organs. Here we use fruit fly cancer models to uncover mechanisms underlying paraneoplastic renal dysfunction. IL-6-like signaling from the tumor induces inflammatory signaling in renal tubule cells. Defects in these cells are sensed by normally quiescent renal stem cells, leading to inappropriate proliferation in a damage-like response. Chronic activation in the tumor context results in physical obstruction of tubule ducts and thus failures in fluid clearance. This fly work can prompt investigation of analogous mechanisms underlying renal dysfunction in cancer patients.
Overview of prognostic factors in adult glioma; a 10-year experience at a single institution
Authors: Behrooz Amir Barzegar , Ramandi Hadi Darzi , Latifi-Navid Hamid , Peymani Payam , Tarharoudi Rahil , Momeni Nasrin , Sabaghpour Azarian Mohammad Mehdi , Eltonsy Sherif , Pour-Rashidi Ahmad , Ghavami Saeid
Published: March 2024

Objective

The most prevalent central nervous system (CNS) neoplasm arising from glial cells is glioma, which diffusely invades brain tissue. Among gliomas, Glioblastoma (GBM) is a glioma of the highest grade and associated with a grim prognosis, with a median overall survival of 15 months with and 3-4 months without therapy. We examined how clinical variables and molecular profiles may have affected overall survival (OS) at Sina Hospital in Tehran over the past ten years.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at Sina Hospital in Tehran, Iran, and examined patients ≥ 11 years with confirmed glioma diagnoses between 2012 and 2020. We evaluated the correlation between OS in GBM patients and sociodemographic as well as clinical factors, including age, gender, extent of tumor resection, tumor location, chemo/radiotherapy, and molecular profiling based on IDH1, MGMT, TERT, and EGFR status. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess patient survival.

Results

Following a comprehensive evaluation of medical records, 186 patients were enrolled in the study. The median OS was 20 months, with a 2-year survival rate of 62.5%. Among the 132 patients with available IDH measurements, 105 (79.5%) exhibited IDH1 wild-type tumors. Of the 132 patients with assessed MGMT methylation, 94 (71.2%) had MGMT methylated tumors. TERT promoter methylation was detected in 112 out of 132 cases (84.8%), while no methylation was observed in 20 cases (15.2%). Analyses using multivariable models revealed that age at histological grade (P< 0.0001), adjuvant radiotherapy (P< 0.014), IDH1 status (P< 0.026), and TERT promoter status (P< 0.030) were independently associated with OS.

Conclusion

The findings of this study demonstrate that patients with higher tumor histological grades who had received adjuvant radiotherapy, exhibited IDH1 mutations, or presented with TERT promoter mutations, experienced improved OS. The median survival time was 20 months, with 15.6% and 46.9% of patients surviving at 12 and 24 months, respectively.
Polygenic susceptibility for multiple sclerosis is associated with working memory in low-performing young adults
Authors: Petrovska J. , Coynel D. , Freytag V. , de Quervain D. J.-F. , Papassotiropoulos A.
Published: March 2024

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a genetically complex disease with substantial heritability estimates. Besides typical clinical manifestations such as motor and sensory deficits, and fatigue, MS is characterized by structural and functional brain abnormalities, and by cognitive impairment such as decreased working memory (WM) performance.

Objectives

This study investigates the possible link between the polygenic risk for MS and WM performance in healthy adults aged 18 – 35 years. Additionally, it addresses in the same population the relationship between polygenic risk for MS and brain white matter properties, as represented by measures of fractional anisotropy (FA).

Methods

We generated a polygenic risk score (PRS) of MS and investigated its association with WM performance in a population of 3282 healthy adults, which consisted of two subsamples (N1=1803,N2=1479). The association between MS-PRS and FA was studied in the second subsample.

Results

MS-PRS was significantly associated with WM performance within the 10% lowest WM-performing individuals (p= 0.001;pFDR= 0.018). It was not significantly associated with any of the investigated FA measurements.

Conclusions

By identifying a genetic link between MS and WM performance, this study contributes to the understanding of the genetic complexity of MS, and hopefully to the possible identification of molecular pathways linked to cognitive deficits in MS.
Repeatability of RRate measurements in children during triage in two Ugandan hospitals
Authors: Asdo Ahmad , Mawji Alishah , Omara Isaac , Aye Ishebukara Ivan Aine , Komugisha Clare , Novakowski Stefanie K. , Pillay Yashodani , Wiens Matthew O. , Akech Samuel , Oyella Florence , Tagoola Abner , Kissoon Niranjan , Ansermino J. Mark , Dunsmuir Dustin
Published: March 2024

Background

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children globally. In low- and middle-income countries the diagnosis of pneumonia relies heavily on an accurate assessment of respiratory rate, which can be unreliable in nurses and clinicians with less advanced training. In order to inform more accurate measurements, we investigate the repeatability of the RRate app used by nurses in district hospitals in Uganda.

Methods

This secondary analysis included 3679 children aged 0-5 years. The dataset had two sequential measurements of respiratory rate using the RRate app. We measured the agreement between respiratory rate observations and clustering around fixed thresholds defined by WHO for fast breathing, which are 60 breaths per minute (bpm) for under two months (Age-1), 50 bpm for two to 12 months (Age-2), and 40 bpm for 12.1 to 60 months (Age-3). We then assessed the repeatability of the paired measurements using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).

Results

The respiratory rate measurement took less than 15 seconds for 7,277 (98.9%) of the measurements. Despite respiratory rates clustering around the WHO fast-breathing thresholds, the breathing classification based on the thresholds was changed in only 12.6% of children. The mean (SD) respiratory rate by age group was 60 (13.1) bpm for Age-1, 49 (11.9) bpm for Age-2, and 38 (10.1) for Age-3, and the bias (Limits of Agreements) were 0.3 (-10.8 – 11.3), 0.4 (-8.5 – 9.3), and 0.1 (-6.8, 7.0) for Age-1, Age-2, and Age-3 respectively. Most importantly, the repeatability of the two respiratory rate measurements for the 3,679 children was high, with an ICC value (95% CI) of 0.95 (0.94 – 0.95).

Discussion

The RRate measurements were both efficient and repeatable. The simplicity, repeatability, and efficiency of the RRate app used by healthcare workers in LMICs supports more widespread adoption for clinical use.
Estimating individual risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections using explainable artificial intelligence on clinical data
Authors: Sufriyana Herdiantri , Chen Chieh , Chiu Hua-Sheng , Sumazin Pavel , Yang Po-Yu , Kang Jiunn-Horng , Su Emily Chia-Yu
Published: March 2024

Background

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) significantly increase clinical burdens. Identifying patients at high-risk of CA-UTIs is crucial in clinical practice. In this study, we developed and externally validated an explainable, prognostic prediction model of CA-UTIs among hospitalized individuals receiving urinary catheterization.

Methods

We applied a retrospective cohort paradigm to select data from a clinical research database covering three hospitals in Taiwan. We developed a prediction model using data from two hospitals and used the third hospital’s data for external validation. We selected predictors by a multivariate regression analysis through applying a Cox proportional-hazards model. Both statistical and computational machine learning algorithms were applied for predictive modeling: (1) ridge regression; (2) decision tree; (3) random forest (RF); (4) extreme gradient boosting; and (5) deep-insight visible neural network. We evaluated the calibration, clinical utility, and discrimination ability to choose the best model by the validation set. The Shapley additive explanation was used to assess the explainability of the best model.

Results

We included 122,417 instances from 20-to-75-year-old subjects with multiple visits (n=26,401) and multiple orders of urine catheterization per visit (n=35,230). Fourteen predictors were selected from 20 candidate variables. The best prediction model was the RF for predicting CA-UTIs within 6 days. It detected 97.63% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 97.57%, 97.69%) CA-UTI positive, and 97.36% (95% CI: 97.29%, 97.42%) of individuals that were predicted to be CA-UTI negative were true negatives. Among those predicted to be CA-UTI positives, we expected 22.85% (95% CI: 22.79%, 22.92%) of them to truly be high-risk individuals. We also provide a web-based application and a paper-based nomogram for using the best model.

Conclusions

Our prediction model was clinically accurate by detecting most CA-UTI positive cases, while most predicted negative individuals were correctly ruled out. However, future studies are needed to prospectively evaluate the implementation, validity, and reliability of this prediction model among users of the web application and nomogram, and the model’s impacts on patient outcomes.
Acute multi-level response to defective de novo chromatin assembly in S-phase
Authors: Dreyer Jan , Ricci Giulia , van den Berg Jeroen , Bhardwaj Vivek , Funk Janina , Armstrong Claire , van Batenburg Vincent , Sine Chance , Vaninsberghe Michael A. , Marsman Richard , Mandemaker Imke K. , di Sanzo Simone , Costantini Juliette , Manzo Stefano , Biran Alva , Burny Claire , Voelker-Albert Moritz , Groth Anja , Spencer Sabrina L , van Oudenaarden Alexander , Mattiroli Francesca
Published: March 2024

Long-term perturbation of de novo chromatin assembly during DNA replication has profound effects on epigenome maintenance and cell fate. The early mechanistic origin of these defects is unknown. Here, we combine acute degradation of Chromatin Assembly Factor 1 (CAF-1), a key player in de novo chromatin assembly, with single-cell genomics, quantitative proteomics, and live-microscopy to uncover these initiating mechanisms in human cells. CAF-1 loss immediately slows down DNA replication speed and renders nascent DNA hyper-accessible. A rapid cellular response, distinct from canonical DNA damage signaling, is triggered and lowers histone mRNAs. As a result, histone variants usage and their modifications are altered, limiting transcriptional fidelity and delaying chromatin maturation within a single S-phase. This multi-level response induces a cell-cycle arrest after mitosis. Our work reveals the immediate consequences of defective de novo chromatin assembly during DNA replication, explaining how at later times the epigenome and cell fate can be altered.
Comparing Cadence vs. Machine Learning based Physical Activity Intensity Classifications: Variations in the Associations of Physical Activity with Mortality
Authors: Wei Le , Ahmadi Matthew N. , Biswas Raaj Kishore , Trost Stewart G. , Stamatakis Emmanuel
Published: March 2024

Background

Step cadence-based and machine-learning (ML) methods have been used to classify physical activity (PA) intensity in health-related research. This study examined the association of intensity-specific PA daily duration with all-cause (ACM) and CVD mortality varied among cadence-based and ML methods in 68,561 UK Biobank participants.

Methods

The two-stage-ML method categorized activity type and then intensity. The one-level-cadence method (1LC) derived intensity duration using all detected steps and cadence thresholds of ≥100 steps/min (moderate intensity) and ≥130 steps/min (vigorous intensity). The two-level-cadence method (2LC) detected ambulatory activities and then steps with the same cadence thresholds.

Results

The 2LC exhibited the most pronounced association at the lower end of the duration, e.g., the 2LC showed the smallest minimum moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) duration (amount associated with 50% of optimal risk reduction) (2LC vs 1LC vs ML, 2.8 minutes/day [95% CI: 2.6, 2.8] vs 11.1 [10.8, 11.4] vs 14.9 [14.6, 15.2]) while exhibiting similar corresponding ACM hazard ratio (HR) among methods (HR: 0.83 [95% CI: 0.78, 0.88] vs 0.80 [0.76, 0.85] vs 0.82 [0.76, 0.87]). The ML elicited the greatest mortality risk reduction, e.g., for VPA-ACM association, 2LC vs 1LC vs ML: median, 2.0 minutes/day [95% CI: 2.0, 2.0] vs 6.9 [6.9, 7.0] vs 3.2 [3.2, 3.2]; HR, 0.69 [0.61, 0.79] vs 0.68 [0.60, 0.77] vs 0.53 [0.44, 0.64]. After standardizing duration, the ML exhibited the most pronounced associations, e.g., for MPA-CVD mortality, 2LC vs 1LC vs ML, standardized minimum-duration: -0.77 vs - 0.85 vs -0.94; HR 0.82 [0.72, 0.92] vs 0.79 [0.69, 0.90] vs 0.77 [0.69, 0.85].

Conclusion

The 2LC exhibited the most pronounced association with mortality at the lower end of the duration. The ML method provided the most pronounced association with mortality after standardizing the durations.
Persistence of S1 Spike Protein in CD16+ Monocytes up to 245 Days in SARS-CoV-2 Negative Post COVID-19 Vaccination Individuals with Post-Acute Sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC)-Like Symptoms
Authors: Patterson Bruce K. , Yogendra Ram , Francisco Edgar B. , Long Emily , Pise Amruta , Osgood Eric , Bream John , Kreimer Mark , Jeffers Devon , Beaty Christopher , Heide Richard Vander , Guevara-Coto Jose , Mora-Rodríguez Rodrigo A
Published: March 2024

There have been concerning reports about people experiencing new onset persistent complications (greater than 30 days) following approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (BNT162b2 (Pfizer), mRNA-1273 (Moderna), Janssen (Johnson and Johnson), and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca)). We sought to determine the immunologic abnormalities in these patients and to investigate whether the potential etiology was similar to Post-Acute Sequalae of COVID (PASC), or long COVID.

We studied 50 individuals who received one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines and who experienced new onset PASC-like symptoms along with 45 individuals post-vaccination without symptoms as controls. We performed multiplex cytokine/chemokine profiling with machine learning as well as SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein detection on CD16+ monocyte subsets using flow cytometry and mass spectrometry. We determined that post-vaccination individuals with PASC- like symptoms had similar symptoms to PASC patients. When analyzing their immune profile, Post-vaccination individuals had statistically significant elevations of sCD40L (p<0.001), CCL5 (p=0.017), IL-6 (p=0.043), and IL-8 (p=0.022). Machine learning characterized these individuals as PASC using previously developed algorithms. Of the S1 positive post-vaccination patients, we demonstrated by liquid chromatography/ mass spectrometry that these CD16+ cells from post-vaccination patients from all 4 vaccine manufacturers contained S1, S1 mutant and S2 peptide sequences. Post-COVID vaccination individuals with PASC-like symptoms exhibit markers of platelet activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, which may be driven by the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 S1 proteins in intermediate and non-classical monocytes. The data from this study also cannot make any inferences on epidemiology and prevalence for persistent post-COVID vaccine symptoms. Thus, further studies and research need to be done to understand the risk factors, likelihood and prevalence of these symptoms.

SARS CoV-2 S1 Protein in CD16+ Monocytes Post-Vaccination
A multicellular developmental program in a close animal relative
Authors: Olivetta Marine , Bhickta Chandni , Chiaruttini Nicolas , Burns John , Dudin Omaya
Published: March 2024

All animals develop from a single-celled zygote into a complex multicellular organism through a series of precisely orchestrated processes. Despite the remarkable conservation of early embryogenesis across animals, the evolutionary origins of this process remain elusive. By combining time-resolved imaging and transcriptomic profiling, we show that single cells of the ichthyosporeanChromosphaera perkinsii -a close relative that diverged from animals approximately 1 billion years ago - undergo symmetry breaking and develop through cleavage divisions to produce a prolonged multicellular colony with distinct co-existing cell types. Our findings about the autonomous developmental program ofC. perkinsii, hint that such animal-like multicellular development is either much older than previously thought or evolved convergently in ichthyosporeans.

One-Sentence Summary

The ichthyosporeanC. perkinsiidevelops via symmetry breaking, cleavage divisions, and forms spatially-organized colonies with distinct cell types.
Holographic study on QCD phase transition and phase diagram with two flavors
Authors: Liu Xin-Yi , Peng Xiao-Chang , Wu Yue-Liang , Fang Zhen
Published: March 2024

We investigate the chemical potential effects of the equation of state and the chiral transition in an Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton-scalar system, which is obtained from an improved soft-wall anti–de Sitter/QCD model coupled with an Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton system. The equations of state obtained from the model are in quantitative agreement with the lattice results at both zero and nonzero chemical potentials. The sensible chiral transition behaviors can be realized in the model. The QCD phase diagram with a critical end point has also been obtained from the model.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Enhanced contribution of the pairing gap to the QCD equation of state at large isospin chemical potential
Authors: Fujimoto Yuki
Published: March 2024

In this paper QCD at large isospin density is studied, which is known to be in the superfluid state with Cooper pairs carrying the same quantum number as pions. The gap equation derived from the perturbation theory up to the next-to-leading-order corrections is solved. The pairing gap at large isospin chemical potential is found to be enhanced compared to the color-superconducting gap at large baryon chemical potential due to the 2 difference in the exponent arising from the stronger attraction in one-gluon exchange in the singlet channel. Then, using the gap function, the contribution of the condensation energy of the superfluid state to the QCD equation of state is evaluated. At isospin chemical potential of a few GeV, where the lattice QCD and the perturbative QCD can be both applied, the effect of the condensation energy becomes dominant even compared to the next-to-leading order corrections to the pressure in the perturbation theory. It resolves the discrepancy between the recent lattice QCD results and the perturbative QCD result.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Can rooted staggered fermions describe nonzero baryon density at low temperatures?
Authors: Borsányi Szabolcs , Fodor Zoltán , Giordano Matteo , Guenther Jana N. , Katz Sándor D. , Pásztor Attila , Wong Chik Him
Published: March 2024

Research on the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) phase diagram with lattice field theory methods is dominated by the use of rooted staggered fermions, as they are the computationally cheapest discretization available. We show that rooted staggered fermions at a nonzero baryochemical potential μB predict a sharp rise in the baryon density at low temperatures and μB≳3mπ/2, where mπ is the Goldstone pion mass. We elucidate the nature of the nonanalyticity behind this sharp rise in the density by a comparison of reweighting results with a Taylor expansion of high order. While at first sight this nonanalytic behavior becomes apparent at the same position where the pion condensation transition takes place in the phase-quenched theory, the nature of the nonanalyticity in the two theories appears to be quite different: While at nonzero isospin density the data are consistent with a genuine thermodynamic (branch-point) singularity, the results at nonzero baryon density point to an essential singularity at μB=0. The effect is absent for four flavors of degenerate quarks, where rooting is not used. For the two-flavor case, we show numerical evidence that the magnitude of the effect diminishes on finer lattices. We discuss the implications of this technical complication on future studies of the QCD phase diagram.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Holographic three-point functions from higher curvature gravities in arbitrary dimensions
Authors: Chen Fei-Yu , Lü H.
Published: March 2024

The three-point function of the energy-momentum tensor in a conformal field theory is completely determined by three parameters, called A, B, C. We carry out a holographic calculation of these three parameters in general d≥4 dimensions from higher curvature gravities up to and including the quartic order. The result is valid both for massless and perturbative higher curvature gravities. It is known that in four dimensional conformal field theory (CFT) the a-charge is a linear combination of A, B, C, our result reproduces this but also shows that a similar relation does not exist for general d>4. We then compute the Weyl anomaly in d=6 and found all the three c-charges are linear combinations of A, B, C, which is consistent with that the a-charge is not. We also find the previously conjectured relation between t2, t4, h′′ does not hold in general massless gravities.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Multiple Lattice Instabilities and Complex Ground State in
Cs2AgBiBr6
Authors: He Xing , Krogstad Matthew , Gupta Mayanak K. , Lanigan-Atkins Tyson , Mao Chengjie , Ye Feng , Liu Yaohua , Hong Tao , Chi Songxue , Wei Haotong , Huang Jinsong , Rosenkranz Stephan , Osborn Raymond , Delaire Olivier
Published: March 2024

Metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) are attracting considerable interest for optoelectronic applications, with Cs2AgBiBr6 one of the main contenders among lead-free systems. Cs2AgBiBr6 crystallizes in a nominally double-perovskite structure, but exhibits a soft lattice with large atomic fluctuations characteristic of MHPs. While crucial to understand electron-phonon and phonon-phonon couplings, the spatiotemporal correlations of these fluctuations remain largely unknown. Here, we reveal these correlations using comprehensive neutron and x-ray scattering measurements on Cs2AgBiBr6 single crystals, complemented with first-principles simulations augmented with machine-learned neural-network potentials. We report the discovery of an unexpected complex modulated ground-state structure containing several hundred atoms, arising from a soft-phonon instability of the low-temperature tetragonal phase. Further, our experiments and simulations both reveal extensive correlated two-dimensional fluctuations of Br octahedra at finite temperature, arising from soft optic phonons that are strongly broadened by anhamonicity, reflecting very shallow potential wells. These results provide new insights into the atomic structure and fluctuations in MHPs, critical to understand and control their thermal and optoelectronic properties.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The impact of outdoor environments in public rental housing complexes on residents’ psychological restoration
Authors: Lee Seunghee , Kim Suk-Kyung
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study examines the impact of outdoor environments in public rental housing complexes on residents’ psychological restoration, taking into account the interconnectedness of physical and psychological factors in human health. Drawing on Kaplan and Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory and Ulrich’s Supportive Design Theory, the research investigates the factors influencing residents’ psychological restoration within these outdoor spaces.

Design/methodology/approach

The Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), which is based on the Attention Restoration Theory and the Zuckerman Inventory of Personal Reactions (ZIPERS) are used to assess residents’ restorative experiences. Field research was conducted to collect data on the outdoor environments, and surveys were administered to the residents. The study analyzes the data using SPSS, including both factor and correlation analyses, to explore the relationship between the restorative effect and emotional factors.

Findings

The study verified a significant influence of positive emotions in ZIPERS on PRS’ overall restorative effect, thus supporting the utilization of both PRS and ZIPERS factors together to assess comprehensively the impact of outdoor environments on residents’ psychological restoration.

Originality/value

By employing a multidimensional approach involving residents’ experiences and emotions, this study quantified emotional and psychological data, which were hard to quantify. These results provide a basis for developing more objective restoration environment design guidelines and programs in the future.
Understanding discontinuance behavior on short-video platform: the effects of perceived overload, dissatisfaction, flow experience and regret
Authors: Gan Chunmei
Published: March 2024

Purpose

User discontinuance on short-video platform has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Short-video discontinuance refers to reduced use, controlled use or suspended use of the short-video platform. In this study, we examined factors associated with discontinuance behavior on short-video platform.

Design/methodology/approach

From the perspective of stressor–strain–outcome (SSO), we put forward a theoretical model integrating perceived information overload and perceived system feature overload (stressors), dissatisfaction (psychological strain), flow experience and regret to explain discontinuance behavior on short-video platform (behavioral outcome). We collected 482 survey data from Douyin users in China, and empirically examined the proposed research model via Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.

Findings

Our results demonstrated that perceived system feature overload exerts a positive effect on perceived information overload. Perceived system feature overload has a stronger influence on dissatisfaction than perceived information overload. Regret increases user dissatisfaction, while flow experience decreases user dissatisfaction. We also discovered that dissatisfaction and regret have significant positive effects on discontinuance behavior. Interestingly, flow exerts no significant influence on discontinuance behavior.

Originality/value

This study enriches the body of knowledge on social media discontinuance by revealing the interaction and effects of flow experience, dissatisfaction and regret on discontinuance. This study also extends the understanding on the complex role of flow experience in leading to social media discontinuance. Additionally, this study deepens the research on the interaction between perceived system feature overload and perceived information overload as well as their different influences on negative emotion.
A case of AA amyloidosis complicated by proliferating pilomatricoma and a review of the literature
Authors: Obara Koya , Amoh Yasuyuki
Published: March 2024

Although AA amyloidosis is primarily caused by inflammatory conditions, associations between AA amyloidosis and solid cancers have occasionally been described. Herein, we report the case of a 48‐year‐old man in whom resection of a proliferating pilomatricoma with deposition of AA amyloid resulted in remission of concomitant AA gastrointestinal amyloidosis. A rapidly growing, giant, reddish, ulcerated tumor measuring 16 × 13 cm in size was identified on the upper left arm on a visit to our hospital. Gastrointestinal AA amyloidosis was diagnosed from colorectal mucosal biopsy at the same time, and weight loss and profuse diarrhea were clinically evident. As treatment, the tumor was resected with a 10‐mm surgical margin. Histologically, the tumor predominantly comprised a lobular proliferation of basophilic cells peripherally, filled with eosinophilic, cornified material and shadow cells with mitoses observed in basophilic cells. Specimens revealed eosinophilic, homogeneous deposits around tumor nests, which were confirmed as amyloid deposits by positive staining with Congo red stain. These deposits were immunohistochemically positive on staining with anti‐serum amyloid A antibody. Collectively, proliferating pilomatricoma with AA amyloidosis was diagnosed. After tumor resection, chronic diarrhea resolved and no amyloid deposition was apparent in colorectal biopsy. It is important to remember that if amyloid deposition is present in a tumor, aggressive tumor excision may alleviate systemic amyloidosis.
The impact of boldness on demographic rates and life‐history outcomes in the wandering albatross
Authors: Van de Walle Joanie , Sun Ruijiao , Fay Rémi , Patrick Samantha C. , Barbraud Christophe , Delord Karine , Weimerkirch Henri , Jenouvrier Stephanie
Published: March 2024

Differences among individuals within a population are ubiquitous. Those differences are known to affect the entire life cycle with important consequences for all demographic rates and outcomes. One source of among‐individual phenotypic variation that has received little attention from a demographic perspective is animal personality, which is defined as consistent and heritable behavioural differences between individuals. While many studies have shown that individual variation in individual personality can generate individual differences in survival and reproductive rates, the impact of personality on all demographic rates and outcomes remains to be assessed empirically.

Here, we used a unique, long‐term, dataset coupling demography and personality of wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) in the Crozet Archipelago and a comprehensive analysis based on a suite of approaches (capture‐mark‐recapture statistical models, Markov chains models and structured matrix population models). We assessed the effect of boldness on annual demographic rates (survival, breeding probability, breeding success), life‐history outcomes (life expectancy, lifetime reproductive outcome, occupancy times), and an integrative demographic outcome (population growth rate).

We found that boldness had little impact on female demographic rates, but was very likely associated with lower breeding probabilities in males. By integrating the effects of boldness over the entire life cycle, we found that bolder males had slightly lower lifetime reproductive success compared to shyer males. Indeed, bolder males spent a greater proportion of their lifetime as non‐breeders, which suggests longer inter‐breeding intervals due to higher reproductive allocation.

Our results reveal that the link between boldness and demography is more complex than anticipated by the pace‐of‐life literature and highlight the importance of considering the entire life cycle with a comprehensive approach when assessing the role of personality on individual performance and demography.