bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental Management
Authors: Lame Marc , Marcantonio Richard
Published: November 2022

This contemporary textbook and manual for aspiring or new environmental managers provides the theory and practical examples needed to understand current environmental issues and trends. Each chapter explains the specific skills and concepts needed for today's successful environmental manager, and provides skill development exercises that allow students to relate theory to practice in the profession. Readers will obtain an understanding not only of the field, but also of how professional accountability, evolving science, social equity, and politics affect their work. This foundational textbook provides the scaffolds to allow students to understand the environmental regulatory infrastructure, and how to create partnerships to solve environmental problems ethically and implement successful environmental programs.
Montesquieu
Authors: Volpilhac-Auger Catherine
Published: November 2022

Since the last biography of Montesquieu in English (Shackleton, Oxford, 1961) Montesquieu scholarship has been entirely renewed, culminating in a critical edition of his complete works in twenty-two volumes that is nearing completion. Since 1998, this new edition of the complete works has considerably modified what was known about Montesquieu and his procedures, eliciting new translations and further studies. Additionally, several thousand manuscript pages were made public in 1994 and continue to generate further scholarly inquiry. The author of this compact biography, originally published by Gallimard 2017, is the director of the critical edition of the works and the most qualified scholar of Montesquieu. At once an introduction to Montesquieu's thought and a synthesis of current knowledge about his life and work, this book is full of insights and revised judgements about Montesquieu and how his political philosophy helped thrust Enlightenment onto the European agenda.
Where angels fear to tread? The art librarian as MFA thesis ‘midwife’
Authors: Ahmed Nedda H.
Published: November 2022

As any art librarian who works with MFA students can attest, many artists loathe writing. It's unsurprising, then, that the thesis paper is one of the most stressful, angst-ridden experiences in an art graduate student's career. This paper explores a possible new role for the art librarian as an editor and writing coach – a ‘midwife’ for students working through the thesis writing process. The author shares information on establishing this role and offers guidance for colleagues who may wish to try similar efforts at their institutions.
The distribution of carbonaceous molecules and SiN around the S-type AGB star W Aquilae
Authors: Danilovich T. , Van de Sande M. , Richards A. M. S. ,   the ATOMIUM Consortium
Published: November 2022

S-type AGB stars, with C/O ratios close to 1, are expected to have a mixed circumstellar chemistry as they transition from being oxygen-rich stars to carbon-rich stars. Recently, several different carbonaceous molecules, thought to be more characteristic of carbon stars, have been found in the circumstellar envelope of the S-type AGB star W Aql. We have obtained new high spatial resolution ALMA images of some of these molecules, specifically HC3N, SiC2 and SiC, and SiN, which we present here. We report diverse behaviour for these molecules, with SiC2 being seen with a symmetric spatial distribution around the star, SiN and SiC being asymmetrically distributed to the north-east of the star, and HC3N being seen in a broken shell to the south-west. These differing distributions point to complex dynamics in the circumstellar envelope of W Aql.
Tracing the inner regions of circumstellar envelopes via high-excitation water transitions
Authors: Etoka Sandra , Baudry Alain , Richards Anita M.S. , Gray Malcolm D. , Decin Leen ,   the ATOMIUM consortium
Published: November 2022

Water is a ubiquitous molecule in circumstellar envelopes (CSEs). Its emission has been detected at a wide range of distances from the central oxygen-rich evolved star. In particular, the water maser transition at 22 GHz, typically extending from about 5–20 stellar radii to as far as several hundred stellar radii from the star, has been commonly used to probe the structure and dynamics of the intermediate regions of the CSE where dust is condensing and the inner wind is being accelerated. The advent of ALMA has opened the door to high-angular resolution mapping of much higher excitation transitions of water, probing the inner regions of the CSEs, some of which are anticipated to exhibit maser action. The ALMA ATOMIUM large program observed many such transitions towards a sample of AGB stars & red supergiants. The preliminary results show that while some transitions depart only slightly from LTE, others clearly show signs of maser action. The Gaussian fitting of the non-diffuse/compact part of some of the (quasi) thermal & maser transitions reveal interesting velocity gradients, signatures of outflowing and infalling motions hence providing important constraints for stellar wind models.
North Atlantic Current and European Slope Current Circulation in the Rockall Trough Observed Using Moorings and Gliders
Authors: Fraser Neil J. , Cunningham Stuart A. , Drysdale Lewis A. , Inall Mark E. , Johnson Clare , Jones Sam C. , Burmeister Kristin , Fox Alan D. , Dumont Estelle , Porter Marie , Holliday N. Penny
Published: November 2022

The Rockall Trough (RT) accommodates the warmest and saltiest branch of the North Atlantic Current, which delivers water from the Gulf Stream into the marine environment around western Europe. In addition, the European Slope Current (ESC) carries warm water northward along the eastern boundary of the RT, and exchange between the ESC and the continental shelf is a dominant factor in determining the oceanographic conditions around the British Isles. However, the picture of the mean circulation and variability in the RT is still emerging, with a continuous observational campaign still in its relative infancy. The ESC, in particular, is poorly constrained by ship‐based, mooring, and satellite observations. In this paper, we examine the RT circulation and volume transport using a temporally extended and spatially expanded observing network. Six years of continuous mooring occupation reveal that a large‐amplitude, basin‐scale freshening event, previously detected south of Iceland around 2015, impacted the RT around 2017. Geostrophic transport was greatly reduced during this period, driven by a concurrent subsurface temperature increase at the western boundary. The circulation regained strength during the latter part of the record. We gathered 110 glider transects over 22 months which capture the ESC velocity field in unprecedented detail. The data are sufficient to characterize both the mean state and the emergent seasonal variability of the ESC, and reveal the year‐round presence of a southward countercurrent at depth. Variability in the strength and structure of this previously unstudied feature modulates net northward transport in the eastern boundary current system.
WRF‐CHEM Simulations of Unhealthy PM10 Concentrations During Four Dust Events in Senegal
Authors: Jenkins G. S. , McCauley K. , Thompson T. , Diokhane A. M.
Published: November 2022

Winter season Saharan dust aerosols are transported into West Africa and pose as a natural hazard with individual dust events significantly reducing air quality. We simulate four multi‐day dust events using the Weather, Research and Forecasting Chemistry (WRF‐CHEM) in Senegal during December 2016, December 2017, February 2019, and March 2019. We use Geospatial Informational System mapping to estimate PM10 concentrations for the 14 administrative districts within Senegal. Saharan dust events are evaluated using surface PM10 concentrations at Dakar, Senegal, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer Aerosol Optical Depth, Aerosol Robotic Network, and the WRF‐CHEM model to evaluate dust concentrations across Senegal. We show that a north to south pressure gradient associated with the southward movement of the Azores high into North Africa are responsible for dust generation and transport into Senegal during 2016 and 2017. Conversely, Saharan depressions moving across the Sahara Desert are responsible for the two high‐impact dust events in February and March of 2019. Based on our analysis, the most severe of the four dust events impacting Senegal occurred in December 2017, with hazardous PM10 concentrations simulated for 7 days affecting an estimated 86% of Senegal's population. Furthermore, the February 2019 dust event occurred during the presidential elections, potentially exposing many voters to poor air quality. A network of surface dust observations and dust forecasts are critical for protecting the Sahelian public from dangerous dust events. Together, they allow for preventative measures to minimize harmful PM10 concentration exposure, especially for children under 5, the elderly, and those with existing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Seasonal Variation in Gravity Wave Momentum and Heat Fluxes in the Mesopause Region Observed by Sodium Lidar
Authors: Li Tao , Ban Chao , Fang Xin , Li Feng , Cen Yetao , Lai Dexin , Sun Cong , Sun Leilei , Zhang Jialing , Xu Caiwen
Published: November 2022

The seasonal variations in gravity wave (GW) vertical fluxes of zonal momentum and heat in the mesopause region are calculated using nearly 10 years (from 2012 to 2021) of temperature and wind observations by a narrowband sodium lidar located in Hefei, China (32°N, 117°E). Except in summer, the GW zonal momentum fluxes are mostly westward, with ∼80% contributed by the short‐period (10 min–1 hr) GWs, and anticorrelate with the eastward zonal wind. The mean westward zonal momentum fluxes in spring and winter are −2.55  and −1.78 m2/s2, respectively, which are much stronger than −0.98 m2/s2 in fall. The momentum flux in summer is primarily eastward, dominated by long‐period (1–16 hr) GWs. These seasonal variations in zonal momentum fluxes are mainly due to the filtering of GWs by the mean background wind at lower altitudes. The annual mean zonal momentum flux is westward with a value of −1.08 m2/s2. The calculated acceleration from flux divergence is westward below 93 km, opposite to the eastward mean zonal wind. The heat flux below 94 km is downward throughout the year, with no apparent seasonal variation. The annual mean heat flux is primarily downward, with a cooling rate of ∼−35 K/day between 87 and 95 km.
Molecular mechanisms of exercise contributing to tissue regeneration
Authors: Chen Jibao , Zhou Ren , Feng Ye , Cheng Lin
Published: November 2022

Physical activity has been known as an essential element to promote human health for centuries. Thus, exercise intervention is encouraged to battle against sedentary lifestyle. Recent rapid advances in molecular biotechnology have demonstrated that both endurance and resistance exercise training, two traditional types of exercise, trigger a series of physiological responses, unraveling the mechanisms of exercise regulating on the human body. Therefore, exercise has been expected as a candidate approach of alleviating a wide range of diseases, such as metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, tumors, and cardiovascular diseases. In particular, the capacity of exercise to promote tissue regeneration has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent decades. Since most adult human organs have a weak regenerative capacity, it is currently a key challenge in regenerative medicine to improve the efficiency of tissue regeneration. As research progresses, exercise-induced tissue regeneration seems to provide a novel approach for fighting against injury or senescence, establishing strong theoretical basis for more and more “exercise mimetics.” These drugs are acting as the pharmaceutical alternatives of those individuals who cannot experience the benefits of exercise. Here, we comprehensively provide a description of the benefits of exercise on tissue regeneration in diverse organs, mainly focusing on musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. We also discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with the regenerative effects of exercise and emerging therapeutic exercise mimetics for regeneration, as well as the associated opportunities and challenges. We aim to describe an integrated perspective on the current advances of distinct physiological mechanisms associated with exercise-induced tissue regeneration on various organs and facilitate the development of drugs that mimics the benefits of exercise.
Using coding and non-coding rare variants to target candidate genes in patients with severe tinnitus
Authors: Gallego-Martinez Alvaro , Escalera-Balsera Alba , Trpchevska Natalia , Robles-Bolivar Paula , Roman-Naranjo Pablo , Frejo Lidia , Perez-Carpena Patricia , Bulla Jan , Gallus Silvano , Canlon Barbara , Cederroth Christopher R. , Lopez-Escamez Jose A.
Published: November 2022

Tinnitus is the phantom percept of an internal non-verbal set of noises and tones. It is reported by 15% of the population and it is usually associated with hearing and/or brain disorders. The role of structural variants (SVs) in coding and non-coding regions has not been investigated in patients with severe tinnitus. In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing in 97 unrelated Swedish individuals with chronic tinnitus (TIGER cohort). Rare single nucleotide variants (SNV), large structural variants (LSV), and copy number variations (CNV) were retrieved to perform a gene enrichment analysis in TIGER and in a subgroup of patients with severe tinnitus (SEVTIN, n = 34), according to the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores. An independent exome sequencing dataset of 147 Swedish tinnitus patients was used as a replication cohort (JAGUAR cohort) and population-specific datasets from Sweden (SweGen) and Non-Finish Europeans (NFE) from gnomAD were used as control groups. SEVTIN patients showed a higher prevalence of hyperacusis, hearing loss, and anxiety when they were compared to individuals in the TIGER cohort. We found an enrichment of rare missense variants in 6 and 8 high-constraint genes in SEVTIN and TIGER cohorts, respectively. Of note, an enrichment of missense variants was found in the CACNA1E gene in both SEVTIN and TIGER. We replicated the burden of missense variants in 9 high-constrained genes in the JAGUAR cohort, including the gene NAV2, when data were compared with NFE. Moreover, LSVs in constrained regions overlapping CACNA1E, NAV2, and TMEM132D genes were observed in TIGER and SEVTIN.
Non-human primate to human immunobridging demonstrates a protective effect of Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine against Ebola
Authors: Bockstal Viki , Leyssen Maarten , Heerwegh Dirk , Spiessens Bart , Robinson Cynthia , Stoop Jeroen N. , Roozendaal Ramon , Van Effelterre Thierry , Gaddah Auguste , Van Roey Griet A. , Solforosi Laura , Zahn Roland , Callendret Benoit , Hendriks Jenny , Luhn Kerstin , Douoguih Macaya , Schuitemaker Hanneke , Van Hoof Johan
Published: November 2022

Without clinical efficacy data, vaccine protective effect may be extrapolated from animals to humans using an immunologic marker that correlates with protection in animals. This immunobridging approach was used for the two-dose Ebola vaccine regimen Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo. Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein binding antibody data obtained from 764 vaccinated healthy adults in five clinical studies (NCT02416453, NCT02564523, NCT02509494, NCT02543567, NCT02543268) were used to calculate mean predicted survival probability (with preplanned 95% confidence interval [CI]). We used a logistic regression model based on EBOV glycoprotein binding antibody responses in vaccinated non-human primates (NHPs) and NHP survival after EBOV challenge. While the protective effect of the vaccine regimen in humans can be inferred in this fashion, the extrapolated survival probability cannot be directly translated into vaccine efficacy. The primary immunobridging analysis evaluated the lower limit of the CI against predefined success criterion of 20% and passed with mean predicted survival probability of 53.4% (95% CI: 36.7–67.4).
A highly immunogenic vaccine platform against encapsulated pathogens using chimeric probiotic Escherichia coli membrane vesicles
Authors: Nakao Ryoma , Kobayashi Hirotaka , Iwabuchi Yusuke , Kawahara Kazuyoshi , Hirayama Satoru , Ramstedt Madeleine , Sasaki Yuki , Kataoka Michiyo , Akeda Yukihiro , Ohnishi Makoto
Published: November 2022

Vaccines against infectious diseases should elicit potent and long-lasting immunity, ideally even in those with age-related decline in immune response. Here we report a rational polysaccharide vaccine platform using probiotic Escherichia coli-derived membrane vesicles (MVs). First, we constructed a probiotic E. coli clone harboring the genetic locus responsible for biogenesis of serotype 14 pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides (CPS14) as a model antigen. CPS14 was found to be polymerized and mainly localized on the outer membrane of the E. coli cells. The glycine-induced MVs displayed the exogenous CPS14 at high density on the outermost surface, on which the CPS14 moiety was covalently tethered to a lipid A-core oligosaccharide anchor. In in vivo immunization experiments, CPS14+MVs, but not a mixture of free CPS14 and empty MVs, strongly elicited IgG class-switch recombination with a Th1/Th2-balanced IgG subclass distribution without any adjuvant. In addition, CPS14+MVs were structurally stable with heat treatment and immunization with the heat-treated MVs-elicited CPS14-specific antibody responses in mouse serum to levels comparable to those of non-treated CPS14+MVs. Notably, the immunogenicity of CPS14+MVs was significantly stronger than those of two currently licensed vaccines against pneumococci. The CPS14+MV-elicited humoral immune responses persisted for 1 year in both blood and lung. Furthermore, the CPS14+MV vaccine was widely efficacious in mice of different ages. Even in aged mice, vaccination resulted in robust production of CPS14-specific IgG that bound to the pneumococcal cell surface. Taken together, the present probiotic E. coli MVs-based vaccine platform offers a promising, generalizable solution against encapsulated pathogens.
Deglacial increase of seasonal temperature variability in the tropical ocean
Authors: Wörmer Lars , Wendt Jenny , Boehman Brenna , Haug Gerald H. , Hinrichs Kai-Uwe
Published: November 2022

The relatively stable Holocene climate was preceded by a pronounced event of abrupt warming in the Northern Hemisphere, the termination of the Younger Dryas (YD) cold period1,2. Although this transition has been intensively studied, its imprint on low-latitude ocean temperature is still controversial and its effects on sub-annual to decadal climate variability remain poorly understood1,3,4. Sea surface temperature (SST) variability at these timescales in the tropical Atlantic is expected to intensify under current and future global warming and has considerable consequences for environmental conditions in Africa and South America, and for tropical Pacific climate5–8. Here we present a 100-µm-resolution record obtained by mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) of long-chain alkenones in sediments from the Cariaco Basin9–11 and find that annually averaged SST remained stable during the transition into the Holocene. However, seasonality increased more than twofold and approached modern values of 1.6 °C, probably driven by the position and/or annual range of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). We further observe that interannual variability intensified during the early Holocene. Our results demonstrate that sub-decadal-scale SST variability in the tropical Atlantic is sensitive to abrupt changes in climate background, such as those witnessed during the most recent glacial to interglacial transition.
Global hotspots of salt marsh change and carbon emissions
Authors: Campbell Anthony D. , Fatoyinbo Lola , Goldberg Liza , Lagomasino David
Published: November 2022

Salt marshes provide ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration1, coastal protection2, sea-level-rise (SLR) adaptation3 and recreation4. SLR5, storm events6, drainage7 and mangrove encroachment8 are known drivers of salt marsh loss. However, the global magnitude and location of changes in salt marsh extent remains uncertain. Here we conduct a global and systematic change analysis of Landsat satellite imagery from the years 2000–2019 to quantify the loss, gain and recovery of salt marsh ecosystems and then estimate the impact of these changes on blue carbon stocks. We show a net salt marsh loss globally, equivalent to an area double the size of Singapore (719 km2), with a loss rate of 0.28% year−1 from 2000 to 2019. Net global losses resulted in 16.3 (0.4–33.2, 90% confidence interval) Tg CO2e year−1 emissions from 2000 to 2019 and a 0.045 (−0.14–0.115) Tg CO2e year−1 reduction of carbon burial. Russia and the USA accounted for 64% of salt marsh losses, driven by hurricanes and coastal erosion. Our findings highlight the vulnerability of salt marsh systems to climatic changes such as SLR and intensification of storms and cyclones.
Ras drives malignancy through stem cell crosstalk with the microenvironment
Authors: Yuan Shaopeng , Stewart Katherine S. , Yang Yihao , Abdusselamoglu Merve Deniz , Parigi S. Martina , Feinberg Tamar Y. , Tumaneng Karen , Yang Hanseul , Levorse John M. , Polak Lisa , Ng David , Fuchs Elaine
Published: November 2022

Squamous cell carcinomas are triggered by marked elevation of RAS–MAPK signalling and progression from benign papilloma to invasive malignancy1–4. At tumour–stromal interfaces, a subset of tumour-initiating progenitors, the cancer stem cells, obtain increased resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy along this pathway5,6. The distribution and changes in cancer stem cells during progression from a benign state to invasive squamous cell carcinoma remain unclear. Here we show in mice that, after oncogenic RAS activation, cancer stem cells rewire their gene expression program and trigger self-propelling, aberrant signalling crosstalk with their tissue microenvironment that drives their malignant progression. The non-genetic, dynamic cascade of intercellular exchanges involves downstream pathways that are often mutated in advanced metastatic squamous cell carcinomas with high mutational burden7. Coupling our clonal skin HRASG12V mouse model with single-cell transcriptomics, chromatin landscaping, lentiviral reporters and lineage tracing, we show that aberrant crosstalk between cancer stem cells and their microenvironment triggers angiogenesis and TGFβ signalling, creating conditions that are conducive for hijacking leptin and leptin receptor signalling, which in turn launches downstream phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)–AKT–mTOR signalling during the benign-to-malignant transition. By functionally examining each step in this pathway, we reveal how dynamic temporal crosstalk with the microenvironment orchestrated by the stem cells profoundly fuels this path to malignancy. These insights suggest broad implications for cancer therapeutics.
Social trauma engages lateral septum circuitry to occlude social reward
Authors: Li Long , Durand-de Cuttoli Romain , Aubry Antonio V. , Burnett C. Joseph , Cathomas Flurin , Parise Lyonna F. , Chan Kenny L. , Morel Carole , Yuan Chongzhen , Shimo Yusuke , Lin Hsiao-yun , Wang Jun , Russo Scott J.
Published: November 2022

In humans, traumatic social experiences can contribute to psychiatric disorders1. It is suggested that social trauma impairs brain reward function such that social behaviour is no longer rewarding, leading to severe social avoidance2,3. In rodents, the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model has been used to understand the neurobiology underlying stress susceptibility versus resilience following social trauma, yet little is known regarding its impact on social reward4,5. Here we show that, following CSDS, a subset of male and female mice, termed susceptible (SUS), avoid social interaction with non-aggressive, same-sex juvenile C57BL/6J mice and do not develop context-dependent social reward following encounters with them. Non-social stressors have no effect on social reward in either sex. Next, using whole-brain Fos mapping, in vivo Ca2+ imaging and whole-cell recordings, we identified a population of stress/threat-responsive lateral septum neurotensin (NTLS) neurons that are activated by juvenile social interactions only in SUS mice, but not in resilient or unstressed control mice. Optogenetic or chemogenetic manipulation of NTLS neurons and their downstream connections modulates social interaction and social reward. Together, these data suggest that previously rewarding social targets are possibly perceived as social threats in SUS mice, resulting from hyperactive NTLS neurons that occlude social reward processing.
A database of water chemistry in eastern Siberian rivers
Authors: Liu Shiqi , Wang Ping , Huang Qiwei , Gabysheva Olga I. , Li Zehong , Zhang Jialing , Kazak Ekaterina S. , Liu Yu , Bazarzhapov Tcogto Zh. , Shpakova Raisa N. , Gabyshev Viktor A. , Pozdniakov Sergey P. , Frolova Natalia L.
Published: November 2022

Permafrost degradation leads to considerable changes in river ecosystems. The Eastern Siberian River Chemistry (ESRC) database was constructed to create a spatially extensive river chemistry database to assess climate warming-induced changes in freshwater systems in permafrost-dominated eastern Siberia. The database includes 9487 major ion (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, SO42− and HCO3−) data of chemical results from 1434 water samples collected mainly in six large river basins in eastern Siberia spanning 1940–2019. Data were obtained from public databases, scientific literature in English and Russian, and researchers and were formatted with a consistent table structure. The database is transparent and reproducible. Climate variable (air temperature and precipitation) data, discharge data, trace element concentration data, and isotope data at the basin and subbasin scales are also provided. This database enhances knowledge about the water chemistry of the permafrost region, especially in eastern Siberia, where data are scarce. The database will be useful to those assessing spatiotemporal changes in river water chemistry associated with permafrost degradation or other environmental stressors in a warmer climate.
Numerical study of lateral coolant jet on heat reduction over nose cone with double-aerodome at hypersonic flow
Authors: Ghanbari Mehdi , Maddah Soroush , Alinejad Javad
Published: November 2022

One of the main challenges in designing a supersonic forebody is thermal protection. The application of the mechanical spike mounted at the nose considerably decreases the heat load on the main body. In this investigation, the hybrid technique of mechanical spike and coolant injection are examined to reduce the thermal load on the nose cone in the supersonic air stream. A three-dimensional model of a double aerodisked spike with different cooling systems is provided to find the efficient cooling injection system for reducing the heat load on the nose cone. Computational studies have been done on investigating a cooling mechanism in the proposed injection systems. This study has tried to present valuable information on flow features and shock interaction nearby the nose. The influence of different coolant gas on the thermal performance of the proposed configurations is comprehensively explained. Our results indicate that the cooling performance of single carbon dioxide is 85% more than helium jet in lateral injection. According to our findings, the cooling performance of lateral multi-jets is 90% more than opposing ones.
Fatigue, sleep quality and mental health symptoms in Brazilian women during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal study
Authors: dos Santos Gabriel Bernardi , Beleza Ana Carolina Sartorato , Sato Tatiana de Oliveira , Carvalho Cristiano , Serrão Paula Regina Mendes da Silva
Published: November 2022

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the variables of sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in healthy Brazilian women. Longitudinal observational study conducted through an online questionnaire with women in 2020 and 2021. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used. The data were analyzed descriptively and the comparison between the data obtained in the first and second evaluation was performed using the McNemar test. A logistic regression was applied to test the association between the variables that showed a significant difference. A total of 235 women responded to the questionnaires. There was a significant increase in fatigue between the two moments (p < 0.05). In the first assessment, depression (OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.14–4.99), anxiety (OR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.37–5.22) and sleep quality (OR: 4.01; 95% CI: 1.71–9.67) were associated with fatigue. In the second assessment, depression (OR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.19–7.18) and anxiety (OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.27–5.71) were associated with fatigue. There was an impact on biopsychosocial aspects during the COVID-19 pandemic, with worsening of fatigue symptoms within a 6-month interval. In addition, fatigue was associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and worse sleep quality in the first year of the pandemic, remaining associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in the second year of the pandemic in the country.
Self-reported changes in sleep patterns and behavior in children and adolescents during COVID-19
Authors: Bothe Kathrin , Schabus Manuel , Eigl Esther-Sevil , Kerbl Reinhold , Hoedlmoser Kerstin
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns worldwide forced children and adolescents to change and adapt their lives to an unprecedented situation. Using an online survey, we investigated whether they showed changes in sleep quality and other related factors due to this event. Between February 21st, 2021 and April 19th, 2021, a total of 2,290 Austrian children and adolescents (6–18 years) reported their sleep habits and quality of sleep as well as physical activity, daylight exposure and usage of media devices during and, retrospectively, before the pandemic. Results showed an overall delay of sleep and wake times. Almost twice as many respondents reported having sleeping problems during the pandemic as compared to before, with insomnia, nightmares and daytime sleepiness being the most prevalent problems. Furthermore, sleeping problems and poor quality of sleep correlated positively with COVID-19 related anxiety. Lastly, results showed a change from regular to irregular bedtimes during COVID-19, higher napping rates, a strong to very strong decrease in physical activity and daylight exposure, as well as a high to very high increase in media consumption. We conclude that the increase in sleeping problems in children and adolescent during COVID-19 is concerning. Thus, health promoting measures and programs should be implemented and enforced.
Serum vitamin D levels and acute kidney injury: a systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Huanran , Jiang Yan , Shi Nan , Lu Yuan-Qiang
Published: November 2022

Numerous researches have evaluated the prevalence and clinical outcome of vitamin D deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). But the quantitative vitamin D status in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients and its relationship with prognosis remains controversial. We conducted this systemic review and meta-analysis to assess the quantitative difference of vitamin D status, including serum 25(OH) D and 1,25(OH)2D levels, between AKI patients and non-AKI controls, and further explore whether vitamin D status can be clearly correlated with the mortality of AKI. Major databases, including PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO, were searched until 1st September 2021. All published observational studies related to vitamin D and AKI According to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were extracted. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3.5. Four studies including five cohorts were included with a total of 413 patients. The serum 25(OH)D levels showed no statistically significant difference in AKI patients and non-AKI controls. On the other hand, the serum 1,25(OH)2D levels were significant lower in AKI patients than in non-AKI controls (MD =  − 17.79, 95% CI =  − 32.73 to − 2.85, P = 0.02). As for the relationship between serum vitamin D status and AKI patients’ mortality, we were unable to give a consistent conclusion based on current limited and conflict study results. Our meta-analysis suggested that serum 1,25(OH)2D levels, rather than 25(OH)D, is significantly lower in AKI patients. The relationship between vitamin D status and clinical outcome of AKI remains controversial based on current evidence. Future comprehensive studies are required to confirm these relations and to elucidate potential mechanisms.
Diagnostic performance of attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for detecting COVID-19 from routine nasopharyngeal swab samples
Authors: Heino Helinä , Rieppo Lassi , Männistö Tuija , Sillanpää Mikko J. , Mäntynen Vesa , Saarakkala Simo
Published: November 2022

Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with machine learning-based partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was applied to study if severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could be detected from nasopharyngeal swab samples originally collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Our retrospective study included 558 positive and 558 negative samples collected from Northern Finland. Overall, we found moderate diagnostic performance for ATR-FTIR when PCR analysis was used as the gold standard: the average area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) was 0.67–0.68 (min. 0.65, max. 0.69) with 20, 10 and 5 k-fold cross validations. Mean accuracy, sensitivity and specificity was 0.62–0.63 (min. 0.60, max. 0.65), 0.61 (min. 0.58, max. 0.65) and 0.64 (min. 0.59, max. 0.67) with 20, 10 and 5 k-fold cross validations. As a conclusion, our study with relatively large sample set clearly indicate that measured ATR-FTIR spectrum contains specific information for SARS-CoV-2 infection (P < 0.001 for AUROC in label permutation test). However, the diagnostic performance of ATR-FTIR remained only moderate, potentially due to low concentration of viral particles in the transport medium. Further studies are needed before ATR-FTIR can be recommended for fast screening of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swab samples.
Integrated taxonomy reveals new threatened freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Hyriidae: Westralunio) from southwestern Australia
Authors: Klunzinger Michael W. , Whisson Corey , Zieritz Alexandra , Benson Justin A. , Stewart Barbara A. , Kirkendale Lisa
Published: November 2022

The freshwater musselWestralunio carteri(Iredale, 1934) has long been considered the soleWestraluniospecies in Australia, limited to the Southwest and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and under Australian legislation. Here, we used species delimitation models based on COI mtDNA sequences to confirm existence of three evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) within this taxon and conducted morphometric analyses to investigate whether shell shape differed significantly among these ESUs. “W. carteri” I was found to be significantly larger and more elongated than “W. carteri” II and “W. carteri” II + III combined, but not different from “W. carteri” III alone. We recognise and redescribe “W. carteri” I asWestralunio carteri(Iredale, 1934) from western coastal drainages and describe “W. carteri” II and “W. carteri” III asWestralunio inbisisp. nov. from southern and lower southwestern drainages. Two subspecies are further delineated: “W. carteri” II is formally described asWestralunio inbisi inbisisubsp. nov. from southern coastal drainages, and “W. carteri” III asWestralunio inbisi meridiemussubsp. nov. from the southwestern corner. Because this study profoundly compresses the range ofWestralunio carterinorthward and introduces additional southern and southwestern taxa with restricted distributions, new threatened species nominations are necessary.
Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Sea Lavender (Limonium pruinosum L. Chaz.) extract: characterization, evaluation of anti-skin cancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials
Authors: Naiel Bassant , Fawzy Manal , Halmy Marwa Waseem A. , Mahmoud Alaa El Din
Published: November 2022

In the present study, a green, sustainable, simple and low-cost method was adopted for the synthesis of ZnO NPs, for the first time, using the aqueous extract of sea lavender, Limonium pruinosum (L.) Chaz., as a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent. The obtained ZnO NPs were characterized using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–VIS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The UV–Vis spectra of the green synthesized ZnO NPs showed a strong absorption peak at about 370 nm. Both electron microscopy and XRD confirmed the hexagonal/cubic crystalline structure of ZnO NPs with an average size ~ 41 nm. It is worth noting that the cytotoxic effect of the ZnO NPs on the investigated cancer cells is dose-dependent. The IC50 of skin cancer was obtained at 409.7 µg/ml ZnO NPs. Also, the phyto-synthesized nanoparticles exhibited potent antibacterial and antifungal activity particularly against Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans (ATCC 10221). Furthermore, they showed considerable antioxidant potential. Thus, making them a promising biocompatible candidate for pharmacological and therapeutic applications.
Regulatory T cells in psoriatic arthritis: an IL-17A-producing, Foxp3intCD161 + RORγt + ICOS + phenotype, that associates with the presence of ADAMTSL5 autoantibodies
Authors: Pouw Juliëtte N. , Olde Nordkamp Michel A. M. , van Kempen Tessa , Concepcion Arno N. , van Laar Jacob M. , van Wijk Femke , Spierings Julia , Leijten Emmerik F. A. , Boes Marianne
Published: November 2022

In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), predisposing class I HLA alleles, the presence of synovial clonally proliferated CD8 + T cells and autoantibodies all point towards the loss of immune tolerance. However, the key mechanisms that lead to immune dysregulation are not fully understood. In other types of inflammatory arthritis, T regulatory cell (Treg) dysfunction and plasticity at sites of inflammation were suggested to negatively affect peripheral tolerance. We here addressed if Treg variances associate with psoriatic disease. We collected clinical data, sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 13 healthy controls, 21 psoriasis and 21 PsA patients. In addition, we obtained synovial fluid mononuclear cells from 6 PsA patients. We studied characteristics of CD4 + CD25 + CD127loFoxp3 + Tregs by flow cytometry and used ELISA to quantify antibodies against ADAMTSL5, a recently discovered autoantigen in psoriatic disease. In comparison with their circulating counterparts, Tregs from inflamed joints express increased levels of ICOS, CTLA-4 and TIGIT. Furthermore, synovial fluid-derived Tregs have a distinct phenotype, characterized by IL-17A production and upregulation of CD161 and RORγt. We identified a subset of Tregs with intermediate Foxp3 expression as the major cytokine producer. Furthermore, ICOS + Tregs associate with PsA disease activity as measured by PASDAS. Lastly, we observed that presence of the Foxp3int Tregs associates with an increased abundance of anti-ADAMTSL5 autoantibodies. Tregs derived from the inflammatory environment of inflamed PsA joints exhibit a distinct phenotype, which associates with loss of peripheral immune tolerance in psoriatic disease.
Shaping the spin wave spectra of planar 1D magnonic crystals by the geometrical constraints
Authors: Rychły-Gruszecka Justyna , Walowski Jakob , Denker Christian , Tubandt Tobias , Münzenberg Markus , Kłos Jarosław W.
Published: November 2022

We present experimental and numerical studies demonstrating the influence of geometrical parameters on the fundamental spin-wave mode in planar 1D magnonic crystals. The investigated magnonic crystals consist of flat stripes separated by air gaps. The adjustment of geometrical parameters allows tailoring of the spin-wave frequencies. The width of stripes and the width of gaps between them affect spin-wave frequencies in two ways. First, directly by geometrical constraints confining the spin waves inside the stripes. Second, indirectly by spin-wave pinning, freeing the spin waves to a different extent on the edges of stripes. Experimentally, the fundamental spin-wave mode frequencies are measured using an all-optical pump-probe time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr-effect setup. Our studies address the problem of spin-wave confinement and spin-wave dipolar pinning in an array of coupled stripes. We show that the frequency of fundamental mode can be tuned to a large extent by adjusting the width of the stripes and the width of gaps between them.
Single-cell multiomics reveals the complexity of TGFβ signalling to chromatin in iPSC-derived kidney organoids
Authors: Davis Jessica L. , Kennedy Ciaran , Clerkin Shane , Treacy Niall J. , Dodd Thomas , Moss Catherine , Murphy Alison , Brazil Derek P. , Cagney Gerard , Brougham Dermot F. , Murad Rabi , Finlay Darren , Vuori Kristiina , Crean John
Published: November 2022

TGFβ1 plays a regulatory role in the determination of renal cell fate and the progression of renal fibrosis. Here we show an association between SMAD3 and the histone methyltransferase, EZH2, during cell differentiation; ChIP-seq revealed that SMAD3 and EZH2 co-occupy the genome in iPSCs and in iPSC-derived nephron progenitors. Through integration of single cell gene expression and epigenome profiling, we identified de novo ACTA2+ve/POSTN+vemyofibroblasts in kidney organoids treated with TGFβ1, characterised by increased SMAD3-dependentcischromatin accessibility and gene expression associated with fibroblast activation. We have identified fibrosis-associated regulons characterised by enrichment of SMAD3, AP1, the ETS family of transcription factors, and NUAK1, CREB3L1, and RARG, corresponding to enriched motifs at accessible loci identified by scATACseq. Treatment with the EZH2 specific inhibitor GSK343, blocked SMAD3-dependentcisco-accessibility and inhibited myofibroblast activation. This mechanism, through which TGFβ signals directly to chromatin, represents a critical determinant of fibrotic, differentiated states.
A pipeline for malignancy and therapy agnostic assessment of cancer drug response using cell mass measurements
Authors: Kimmerling Robert J. , Stevens Mark M. , Olcum Selim , Minnah Anthony , Vacha Madeleine , LaBella Rachel , Ferri Matthew , Wasserman Steven C. , Fujii Juanita , Shaheen Zayna , Sundaresan Srividya , Ribadeneyra Drew , Jayabalan David S. , Agte Sarita , Aleman Adolfo , Criscitiello Joseph A. , Niesvizky Ruben , Luskin Marlise R. , Parekh Samir , Rosenbaum Cara A. , Tamrazi Anobel , Reid Clifford A.
Published: November 2022

Functional precision medicine offers a promising complement to genomics-based cancer therapy guidance by testing drug efficacy directly on a patient’s tumor cells. Here, we describe a workflow that utilizes single-cell mass measurements with inline brightfield imaging and machine-learning based image classification to broaden the clinical utility of such functional testing for cancer. Using these image-curated mass measurements, we characterize mass response signals for 60 different drugs with various mechanisms of action across twelve different cell types, demonstrating an improved ability to detect response for several slow acting drugs as compared with standard cell viability assays. Furthermore, we use this workflow to assess drug responses for various primary tumor specimen formats including blood, bone marrow, fine needle aspirates (FNA), and malignant fluids, all with reports generated within two days and with results consistent with patient clinical responses. The combination of high-resolution measurement, broad drug and malignancy applicability, and rapid return of results offered by this workflow suggests that it is well-suited to performing clinically relevant functional assessment of cancer drug response.
Proteogenomic landscape and clinical characterization of GH-producing pituitary adenomas/somatotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Yamato Azusa , Nagano Hidekazu , Gao Yue , Matsuda Tatsuma , Hashimoto Naoko , Nakayama Akitoshi , Yamagata Kazuyuki , Yokoyama Masataka , Gong Yingbo , Shi Xiaoyan , Zhahara Siti Nurul , Kono Takashi , Taki Yuki , Furuki Naoto , Nishimura Motoi , Horiguchi Kentaro , Iwadate Yasuo , Fukuyo Masaki , Rahmutulla Bahityar , Kaneda Atsushi , Hasegawa Yoshinori , Kawashima Yusuke , Ohara Osamu , Ishikawa Tetsuo , Kawakami Eiryo , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Inoshita Naoko , Yamada Shozo , Fukuhara Noriaki , Nishioka Hiroshi , Tanaka Tomoaki
Published: November 2022

The clinical characteristics of growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary adenomas/somatotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (GHomas/somatotroph PitNETs) vary across patients. In this study, we aimed to integrate the genetic alterations, protein expression profiles, transcriptomes, and clinical characteristics of GHomas/somatotroph PitNETs to identify molecules associated with acromegaly characteristics. Targeted capture sequencing and copy number analysis of 36 genes and nontargeted proteomics analysis were performed on fresh-frozen samples from 121 sporadic GHomas/somatotroph PitNETs. Targeted capture sequencing revealed GNAS as the only driver gene, as previously reported. Classification by consensus clustering using both RNA sequencing and proteomics revealed many similarities between the proteome and the transcriptome. Gene ontology analysis was performed for differentially expressed proteins between wild-type and mutant GNAS samples identified by nontargeted proteomics and involved in G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways. The results suggested that GNAS mutations impact endocrinological features in acromegaly through GPCR pathway induction. ATP2A2 and ARID5B correlated with the GH change rate in the octreotide loading test, and WWC3, SERINC1, and ZFAND3 correlated with the tumor volume change rate after somatostatin analog treatment. These results identified a biological connection between GNAS mutations and the clinical and biochemical characteristics of acromegaly, revealing molecules associated with acromegaly that may affect medical treatment efficacy.
Strain-tuned topological phase transition and unconventional Zeeman effect in ZrTe5 microcrystals
Authors: Gaikwad Apurva , Sun Song , Wang Peipei , Zhang Liyuan , Cano Jennifer , Dai Xi , Du Xu
Published: November 2022

The geometric phase of an electronic wave function, also known as Berry phase, is the fundamental basis of the topological properties in solids. This phase can be tuned by modulating the band structure of a material, providing a way to drive a topological phase transition. However, despite significant efforts in designing and understanding topological materials, it remains still challenging to tune a given material across different topological phases while tracing the impact of the Berry phase on its quantum transport properties. Here, we report these two effects in a magnetotransport study of ZrTe5. By tuning the band structure with uniaxial strain, we use quantum oscillations to directly map a weak-to-strong topological insulator phase transition through a gapless Dirac semimetal phase. Moreover, we demonstrate the impact of the strain-tunable spin-dependent Berry phase on the Zeeman effect through the amplitude of the quantum oscillations. We show that such a spin-dependent Berry phase, largely neglected in solid-state systems, is critical in modeling quantum oscillations in Dirac bands of topological materials.
Heterobimetallic block copolymers with a combined main-chain/side-chain topology
Authors: Sha Ye , Zhou Zhou , Zhang Jiale , Chen Xiaofan , Luo Zhenyang , Li Xiang
Published: November 2022

We report for the first time the synthesis of heterobimetallic block copolymers with a combined main-chain/side-chain topology.