bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the association of room features with healthcare-facility–onset Clostridioides difficile: An exploratory study
Authors: Root Elisabeth Dowling , Lindstrom Megan , Xie Amy , Mangino Julie E. , Moffatt-Bruce Susan , Hebert Courtney
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To investigate hospital room and patient-level risk factors associated with increased risk of healthcare-facility–onset Clostridioides difficile infection (HO-CDI).

Design:

The study used a retrospective cohort design that included patient data from the institution’s electronic health record, existing surveillance data on HO-CDI, and a walk-through survey of hospital rooms to identify potential room-level risk factors. The primary outcome was HO-CDI diagnosis.

Setting:

A large academic medical center.

Patients and participants:

All adult patients admitted between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016 were eligible for inclusion. Prisoners were excluded. Patients who only stayed in rooms that were not surveyed were excluded.

Results:

The hospital room survey collected room-level data on 806 rooms. Included in the study were 17,034 patients without HO-CDI and 251 with HO-CDI nested within 535 unique rooms. In this exploratory study, room-level risk factors associated with the outcome in the multivariate model included wear on furniture and flooring and antibiotic use by the prior room occupant. Hand hygiene devices and fixed in-room computers were associated with reduced odds of a HO-CDI. Differences between hospital buildings were also detected. The only individual patient factors that were associated with increased odds of HO-CDI were antibiotic use and comorbidity score.

Conclusion:

Combining a hospital-room walk-through data collection survey, EHR data, and CDI surveillance data, we were able to develop a model to investigate room and patient-level risks for HO-CDI.
Spatio-temporal variability of surface mass balance in the accumulation zone of the Mer de Glace, French Alps, from multitemporal terrestrial LiDAR measurements
Authors: Réveillet Marion , Vincent Christian , Six Delphine , Rabatel Antoine , Sanchez Olivier , Piard Luc , Laarman Olivier
Published: December 2020

Spatio-temporal variability of the winter surface mass balance is a major uncertainty in the modelling of annual surface mass balance. Moreover, its measurement at high spatio-temporal resolution (sub-200 m) is very useful to force, calibrate or validate models. This study presents the results of year-round field campaigns to study the evolution of the surface mass balance in a ~2 km2 portion of the accumulation zone of the Mer de Glace (France). It is based on repeated LiDAR acquisitions, submergence-velocity measurements and meteorological records. The two methods used to quantify submergence velocities show good agreement. They present a linear temporal evolution without significant seasonal changes but display significant spatial variability. We conclude that a dense network of submergence velocity measurements is required to reduce the uncertainties when computing winter and annual surface mass balance from digital elevation model differencing. Finally, a hight spatio-temporal variability of the winter surface mass balance is highlighted (e.g., a std dev. of 0.92 m in April) even though the topography is homogeneous (std dev. of 25 m). Attempts to relate this variability to different morpho-topographic variables and wind-related indexes show the need for studies conducted at the snowfall event scale to obtain a better understanding of the variability in mass balance at the glacier scale.
Process vs. Outcome? How to Evaluate the Effects of Participatory Processes on Legitimacy Perceptions
Authors: Werner Hannah , Marien Sofie
Published: December 2020

The potential for participatory processes to address deficits in perceptions of legitimacy is strongly debated. This letter discusses how to evaluate the effects of participatory procedures. It argues that participatory processes should not be compared to normative ideals about how citizens should behave, but rather to the status quo of representative decision making. The authors use the example of winner–loser gaps in perceptions of fairness to illustrate the importance of evaluation frameworks, drawing on twelve experiments from the Netherlands and Sweden (total N = 5,352). The study shows that the choice of benchmarks matters substantially for the interpretation of process effects. When comparing participatory processes to the status quo of representative decision making, it finds higher fairness perceptions for a participatory process than for a representative process across all twelve experiments, even when the outcomes are unfavourable.
Efficacy of halofuginone products to prevent or treat cryptosporidiosis in bovine calves: a systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Brainard Julii , Hammer Charlotte C. , Hunter Paul R. , Katzer Frank , Hurle Georgina , Tyler Kevin
Published: December 2020

A prior systematic review on the efficacy of halofuginone (HFG) treatment to prevent or treat cryptosporidiosis in bovine calves was inconclusive. We undertook an updated synthesis and meta-analyses on key outcomes for the treatment of calves with HFG. Evaluated outcomes were oocyst shedding, diarrhoea, mortality and weight gain. Experiments had to describe results for same age animals in contemporary arms. Most doses were 100–150 mcg kg−1 day−1. Results were subgrouped by study design, experiments with the lowest risk of bias and lack of industry funding. Eighteen articles were found that described 25 experiments. Most evidence came from randomized controlled trials in Europe. Significantly lower incidence of oocyst shedding, diarrhoea burden and mortality was reported when treatment started before calves were 5 days old. Most studies reported on outcomes for animals up to at least 28 days old. Publication bias was possible in all outcomes and seemed especially likely for diarrhoea outcomes. Beneficial results when HFG treatment was initiated in calves older than 5 days were also found. Prophylactic treatment to prevent cryptosporidiosis is effective in preventing multiple negative outcomes and is beneficial to calf health and will result in a reduction of environmental contamination by Cryptosporidium oocysts.
Order effects in PTSD network analysis: important implications for diagnostic conceptualization, treatment refinement, and research
Authors: Trachik Benjamin , Elliman Toby D. , Ganulin Michelle L. , Dretsch Michael N. , Riviere Lyndon A. , Cabrera Oscar A. , Thomas Jeffrey L. , Hoge Charles W.
Published: December 2020

Background

For decades confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) has been the preeminent method to study the underlying structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, methodological limitations of CFA have led to the emergence of other analytic approaches. In particular, network analysis has become a gold standard to investigate the structure and relationships between PTSD symptoms. A key methodological limitation, however, which has significant clinical implications, is the lack of data on the potential impact of item order effects on the conclusions reached through network analyses.

Methods

The current study, involving a large sample (N = 5055) of active duty army soldiers following deployment to Iraq, assessed the vulnerability of network analyses and prevalence rate to item order effects. This was done by comparing symptom networks of the DSM-IV PTSD checklist items to these same items distributed in random order. Half of the participants rated their symptoms on traditionally ordered items and half the participants rated the same items, but in random order and interspersed between items from other validated scales. Differences in prevalence rate and network composition were examined.

Results

The prevalence rate differed between the ordered and random item samples. Network analyses using the ordered survey closely replicated the conclusions reached in the existing network analyses literature. However, in the random item survey, network composition differed considerably.

Conclusion

Order effects appear to have a significant impact on conclusions reached from PTSD network analysis. Prevalence rates were also impacted by order effects. These findings have important diagnostic and clinical treatment implications.
Improved exponential weighted moving average based measurement noise estimation for strapdown inertial navigation system/doppler velocity log integrated system
Authors: Hou Lanhua , Xu Xiaosu , Yao Yiqing , Wang Di , Tong Jinwu
Published: December 2020

The strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) with integrated Doppler velocity log (DVL) is widely utilised in underwater navigation. In the complex underwater environment, however, the DVL information may be corrupted, and as a result the accuracy of the Kalman filter in the SINS/DVL integrated system degrades. To solve this, an adaptive Kalman filter (AKF) with measurement noise estimator to provide noise statistical characteristics is generally applied. However, existing methods like moving windows (MW) and exponential weighted moving average (EWMA) cannot adapt to a dynamic environment, which results in unsatisfactory noise estimation performance. Moreover, the forgetting factor has to be determined empirically. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved EWMA (IEWMA) method with adaptive forgetting factor for measurement noise estimation. First, the model for a SINS/DVL integrated system is established, then the MW and EWMA based measurement noise estimators are illustrated. Subsequently, the proposed IEWMA method which is adaptive to the various environments without experience is introduced. Finally, simulation and vehicle tests are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Results show that the proposed method outperforms the MW and EWMA methods in terms of measurement noise estimation and navigation accuracy.
Availability analysis of GNSS signals above GNSSs constellation
Authors: Yang Jie , Wang Xinlong , Shen Liangliang , Chen Ding
Published: December 2020

In view of many problems associated with the availability of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals in high-altitude space, this paper presents a comprehensive and systematic analysis. First, the coverage and strength characteristics of GNSS signals in high-altitude space (i.e., space above the GNSS constellation) are presented, and the visibility of GNSS signals is evaluated by combining these two factors. Second, the geometric configuration and geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) of visible GNSS satellites are analysed. Then, the Doppler shift range of the GNSS signals is deduced based on the dynamic performance of high-altitude spacecraft. Finally, taking GaoFen-4 (GF-4) as the application object, the availability of GNSS signals is simulated and evaluated. GNSS signals in high-altitude space are generally weak, and the visible GNSS satellites are concentrated in the high-elevation range. The combination of main and side lobe signals and compatibility of multiple constellations can increase the number of visible satellites, improve the geometry configuration, reduce GDOP, and thus improve the availability of GNSS signals. The results of this research can provide technical support for the design and development of GNSS receivers suitable for high-altitude space.
Use of Mullins sheath to prevent prolapse of Gore Cardioform ASD Occluder in a child with severe scoliosis
Authors: Herron Christopher , Kobayashi Daisuke
Published: December 2020

Transcatheter device closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) may require an additional supportive technique in challenging cases. We report a 15-year-old male with moderate-sized ASD and severe scoliosis. In spite of adequate positioning of the Gore Cardioform ASD occluder, the device was pulled into the right atrium by a retrieval cord due to the acute release of strong tension between the delivery catheter and its device upon locking. This phenomenon was prevented by the use of Mullins sheath, resulting in a successful release of the device. The use of a Mullins sheath may be considered to deliver a Gore Cardioform ASD device in selected cases.
Impact of the use of the internet on quality of life in older adults: review of literature
Authors: Aggarwal Bhumika , Xiong Qian , Schroeder-Butterfill Elisabeth
Published: December 2020

Aim:

Given the paucity of data on the use of internet and quality of life (QoL), this literature review aimed to identify the motivations and barriers for internet use and the impact on QoL on older adults using the internet.

Background:

Even though older adults are increasingly using information technology, the numbers remain quite small globally. Currently published research primarily focuses on the various ways and methods of information technology use by older adults and the factors influencing use rather than on the impact of information technology on QoL of older adults.

Methods:

The studies included in this literature review were searched in three databases: WEB of Science, GoogleScholar and PubMed. English language articles were searched using the terms ‘older’, ‘elderly’, ‘senior’, ‘well-being’, ‘life satisfaction’, ‘quality of life’, ‘internet’ and “computer”.

Findings:

The review demonstrated the association of internet use on QoL in older adults. The majority of the studies substantiate the advantages of internet use by older adults including the ability to communicate with family and friends, maintain a wide social network, have access to information and participate in online leisure activities. There are some studies, though less in number, which did not find a relationship between well-being and use of internet by older adults. The policy implications of this review advocate a multidimensional strategy to support internet use by the older people incorporating internet training and education, financial issues, technical support and access needs to be developed.
Development and application of molecular diagnostics and proteomics to bovine respiratory disease (BRD)
Authors: Loy John Dustin
Published: December 2020

Advances in molecular and proteomic technologies and methods have enabled new diagnostic tools for bovine respiratory pathogens that are high-throughput, rapid, and extremely sensitive. Classically, diagnostic testing for these pathogens required culture-based approaches that required days to weeks and highly trained technical staff to conduct. However, new advances such as multiplex hydrolysis probe-based real-time PCR technology have enabled enhanced and rapid detection of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) pathogens in a variety of clinical specimens. These tools provide many advantages and have shown superiority over culture for co-infections/co-detections where multiple pathogens are present. Additionally, the integration of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MS) into veterinary diagnostic labs has revolutionized the ability to rapidly identify bacterial pathogens associated with BRD. Recent applications of this technology include the ability to type these opportunistic pathogens to the sub-species level (specifically Mannheimia haemolytica) using MS-based biomarkers, to allow for the identification of bacterial genotypes associated with BRD versus genotypes that are more likely to be commensal in nature.
The Multi-Tool Nature of Active Labour Market Policy and its Implications for Partisan Politics in Advanced Democracies
Authors: Cronert Axel
Published: December 2020

Active labour market policy (ALMP) has emerged as a major topic of inquiry among comparative scholars in recent decades, alongside other social investments. However, few conclusive results have been produced regarding the political explanations of these policies, and not least the role of partisan politics. To help remedy this problem, this article proposes a new understanding of ALMP as a profoundly versatile set of ‘multi-purpose tools’ that policymakers across the political spectrum can use as a means to very different distributional ends. Specifically, it highlights how ALMP programmes vary in terms of 1) their target groups, 2) their intended labour market outcomes, and 3) their modes of production in politically salient ways. Informed by the new framework and by recent research, the article then develops a refined theory about how governments with different left–right placement, operating under economic and institutional constraints, affect ALMP development in different directions.
Multiple Episodes of Fluid Infiltration Along a Single Metasomatic Channel in Metacarbonates (Mogok Metamorphic Belt, Myanmar) and Implications for CO2 Release in Orogenic Belts
Authors: Guo Shun , Chu Xu , Hermann Joerg , Chen Yi , Li Qiuli , Wu Fuyuan , Liu Chuanzhou , Sein Kyaing
Published: December 2020

Fluid infiltration into metacarbonates is a key mechanism to induce orogenic decarbonation, which influences the global carbon cycle and long‐term climate evolution. Little is known regarding the fluid pathways during episodic infiltration events and how flow patterns control time‐integrated CO2 outflux. We investigate the “vein‐like” polycrystalline mineral reaction zones (PMRZs) in dolomite marbles (Mogok metamorphic belt, Myanmar), which are formed by metasomatism via the infiltration of Si–Al–K–Ti–Zr‐bearing fluids. The petrographic textures and mineral U–Pb chronology reveal three episodes of fluid influx in a single PMRZ: (1) the initial episode (Stage‐I) transformed most dolomite into Mg‐rich silicates/oxides and calcite at ∼35–36 Ma indicated by baddeleyite cores; (2) baddeleyite rims gave ages of ∼23–24 Ma, representing a subsequent infiltration episode (Stage‐II) that modified Stage‐I minerals via a dissolution–precipitation mechanism; (3) the final episode (Stage‐III) is recorded by zircon replacing baddeleyite, which yielded ages of ∼17 Ma. Stage‐III fluid has a higher SiO2 activity and [CO2/(CO2 + H2O)] than Stage‐I/Stage‐II fluids. Thermodynamic and mass‐balance analyses indicate that Stage‐I infiltration causes >62–67% loss of CO2 by both dolomite‐consuming reactions and calcite dissolution, whereas the latter two infiltration episodes induce <12–18% loss of CO2 via calcite dissolution. Our results provide compelling evidence that repeated episodes of infiltration (each separated in time by 7–13 Ma) occurred along a single channel in marbles. The initial infiltration episode may create high‐permeability regions, offering favorable channels for later‐stage fluids that transfer obviously less CO2 than the initial metasomatism. This considerably complicates a quantitative assessment of CO2 liberation from metacarbonates during orogenesis.
Widespread Persistent Extreme Cold Events Over South‐East China: Mechanisms, Trends, and Attribution
Authors: Freychet N. , Tett S. F. B. , Abatan A. A. , Schurer A. , Feng Z.
Published: December 2020

South‐East China usually experiences mild winter temperatures but can also be impacted by large‐scale and long‐lasting cold events. Here, we investigate how this category of events has changed during the past 6 decades and why, using both observation and climate model ensembles. We first show that models can reproduce the observed largescale dynamics associated with cold events. A dynamical advection of cold air is mostly responsible not only to trigger cold surges but also we found strong feedback from shortwave radiation, decreasing due to enhanced cloud cover. Recent trends are more difficult to evaluate. Models show a large internal variability and intermodel spread, while observation also indicates large uncertainties in its trend due to high internal variability. Our analysis indicates that even if cold events are likely to have been reduced due to greenhouse gases, trends cannot be attributed with high confidence to any anthropogenic signal alone. However, in the next few decades, the frequency of long‐lasting cold events are expected to quickly reduce due to the emerging greenhouse gases signal and possibly weakening aerosol effect over South‐East China. We also found that most of the trends are due to the change in the mean temperature. Thus, indirectly, there is no clear evidence that the change in cold event frequency is due to a change in the circulation.
Comparative characterization of PCDH19 missense and truncating variants in PCDH19-related epilepsy
Authors: Shibata Mami , Ishii Atsushi , Goto Ayako , Hirose Shinichi
Published: December 2020

Missense and truncating variants in protocadherin 19 (PCDH19) cause PCDH19-related epilepsy. In this study, we aimed to investigate variations in distributional characteristics and the clinical implications of variant type in PCDH19-related epilepsy. We comprehensively collected PCDH19 missense and truncating variants from the literature and by sequencing six exons and intron–exon boundaries of PCDH19 in our cohort. We investigated the distribution of each type of variant using the cumulative distribution function and tested for associations between variant types and phenotypes. The distribution of missense variants in patients was clearly different from that of healthy individuals and was uniform throughout the extracellular cadherin (EC) domain, which consisted of six highly conserved domains. Truncating variants showed two types of distributions: (1) located from EC domain 1 to EC domain 4, and (2) located from EC domain 5 to the cytoplasmic domain. Furthermore, we also found that later onset seizures and milder intellectual disability occurred in patients with truncating variants located from EC domain 5 to the cytoplasmic domain compared with those of patients with other variants. Our findings provide the first evidence of two types of truncating variants in the PCDH19 gene with regard to distribution and the resulting clinical phenotype.
Shared neuroimmune and oxidative pathways underpinning Chagas disease and major depressive disorder
Authors: Duarte-Silva Eduardo , Maes Michael , Macedo Danielle , Savino Wilson , Peixoto Christina Alves
Published: December 2020

The cellular and molecular basis to understand the relationship between Chagas disease (CD), a infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, and depression, a common psychiatric comorbidity in CD patients, is largely unknown. Clinical studies show an association between CD and depression and preclinical evidence suggests that depressive-like behaviors in T. cruzi infected mice are due, at least partially, to immune dysregulation. However, mechanistic studies regarding this issue are still lacking. Herein, we present and discuss the state of art of data on CD and depression, and revise the mechanisms that may explain the development of depression in CD. We also discuss how the knowledge generated by current and future data may contribute to the discovery of new mechanisms underlying depressive symptoms associated with CD and, hence, to the identification of new therapeutic targets, which ultimately may change the way we see and treat CD and its psychiatric comorbidities.
Telomeric injury by KML001 in human T cells induces mitochondrial dysfunction through the p53-PGC-1α pathway
Authors: Schank Madison , Zhao Juan , Wang Ling , Li Zhengke , Cao Dechao , Nguyen Lam Nhat , Dang Xindi , Khanal Sushant , Nguyen Lam Ngoc Thao , Thakuri Bal Krishna Chand , Ogbu Stella C. , Lu Zeyuan , Zhang Jinyu , Wu Xiao Y. , Morrison Zheng D. , El Gazzar Mohamed , Ning Shunbin , Moorman Jonathan P. , Yao Zhi Q.
Published: December 2020

Telomere erosion and mitochondrial dysfunction are prominent features of aging cells with progressive declines of cellular functions. Whether telomere injury induces mitochondrial dysfunction in human T lymphocytes, the major component of adaptive host immunity against infection and malignancy, remains unclear. We have recently shown that disruption of telomere integrity by KML001, a telomere-targeting drug, induces T cell senescence and apoptosis via the telomeric DNA damage response (DDR). In this study, we used KML001 to further investigate the role and mechanism of telomere injury in mitochondrial dysregulation in aging T cells. We demonstrate that targeting telomeres by KML001 induces mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by increased mitochondrial swelling and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial DNA content, mitochondrial respiration, oxygen consumption, glycolysis, and ATP energy production. Mechanistically, we found that the KML001-induced telomeric DDR activated p53 signaling, which in turn repressed the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) and nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1), leading to T cell mitochondrial dysfunction. These results, forging a direct link between telomeric and mitochondrial biology, shed new light on the human T cell aging network, and demonstrate that the p53-PGC-1α-NRF-1 axis contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction in the setting of telomeric DDR. This study suggests that targeting this axis may offer an alternative, novel approach to prevent telomere damage-mediated mitochondrial and T cell dysfunctions to combat a wide range of immune aging-associated human diseases.
Immunological mechanisms and therapeutic targets of fatty liver diseases
Authors: Wang Hua , Mehal Wajahat , Nagy Laura E. , Rotman Yaron
Published: December 2020

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the two major types of chronic liver disease worldwide. Inflammatory processes play key roles in the pathogeneses of fatty liver diseases, and continuous inflammation promotes the progression of alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although both ALD and NAFLD are closely related to inflammation, their respective developmental mechanisms differ to some extent. Here, we review the roles of multiple immunological mechanisms and therapeutic targets related to the inflammation associated with fatty liver diseases and the differences in the progression of ASH and NASH. Multiple cell types in the liver, including macrophages, neutrophils, other immune cell types and hepatocytes, are involved in fatty liver disease inflammation. In addition, microRNAs (miRNAs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), and complement also contribute to the inflammatory process, as does intertissue crosstalk between the liver and the intestine, adipose tissue, and the nervous system. We point out that inflammation also plays important roles in promoting liver repair and controlling bacterial infections. Understanding the complex regulatory process of disrupted homeostasis during the development of fatty liver diseases may lead to the development of improved targeted therapeutic intervention strategies.
CD103+ cDC1 and endogenous CD8+ T cells are necessary for improved CD40L-overexpressing CAR T cell antitumor function
Authors: Kuhn Nicholas F. , Lopez Andrea V. , Li Xinghuo , Cai Winson , Daniyan Anthony F. , Brentjens Renier J.
Published: December 2020

While effective in specific settings, adoptive chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for cancer requires further improvement and optimization. Our previous results show that CD40L-overexpressing CAR T cells mobilize endogenous immune effectors, resulting in improved antitumor immunity. However, the cell populations required for this protective effect remain to be identified. Here we show, by analyzing Batf3−/− mice lacking the CD103+ conventional dendritic cell type 1 (cDC1) subpopulation important for antigen cross-presentation, that CD40L-overexpressing CAR T cells elicit an impaired antitumor response in the absence of cDC1s. We further find that CD40L-overexpressing CAR T cells stimulate tumor-resident CD11b−CD103− double-negative (DN) cDCs to proliferate and differentiate into cDC1s in wild-type mice. Finally, re-challenge experiments show that endogenous CD8+ T cells are required for protective antitumor memory in this setting. Our findings thus demonstrate the stimulatory effect of CD40L-overexpressing CAR T cells on innate and adaptive immune cells, and provide a rationale for using CD40L-overexpressing CAR T cells to improve immunotherapy responses.
Quantized thermoelectric Hall effect induces giant power factor in a topological semimetal
Authors: Han Fei , Andrejevic Nina , Nguyen Thanh , Kozii Vladyslav , Nguyen Quynh T. , Hogan Tom , Ding Zhiwei , Pablo-Pedro Ricardo , Parjan Shreya , Skinner Brian , Alatas Ahmet , Alp Ercan , Chi Songxue , Fernandez-Baca Jaime , Huang Shengxi , Fu Liang , Li Mingda
Published: December 2020

Thermoelectrics are promising by directly generating electricity from waste heat. However, (sub-)room-temperature thermoelectrics have been a long-standing challenge due to vanishing electronic entropy at low temperatures. Topological materials offer a new avenue for energy harvesting applications. Recent theories predicted that topological semimetals at the quantum limit can lead to a large, non-saturating thermopower and a quantized thermoelectric Hall conductivity approaching a universal value. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the non-saturating thermopower and quantized thermoelectric Hall effect in the topological Weyl semimetal (WSM) tantalum phosphide (TaP). An ultrahigh longitudinal thermopower $$S_{xx} \sim 1.1 \times 10^3 \, \mu \, {\mathrm{V}} \, {\mathrm{K}}^{ - 1}$$

S

x
x

~
1.1
×
1

0

3

μ

V

K

−
1

and giant power factor $$\sim 525 \, \mu \, {\mathrm{W}} \, {\mathrm{cm}}^{ - 1} \, {\mathrm{K}}^{ - 2}$$
~
525

μ

W

cm

−
1

K

−
2

are observed at ~40 K, which is largely attributed to the quantized thermoelectric Hall effect. Our work highlights the unique quantized thermoelectric Hall effect realized in a WSM toward low-temperature energy harvesting applications.
Astrocyte deletion of α2-Na/K ATPase triggers episodic motor paralysis in mice via a metabolic pathway
Authors: Smith Sarah E. , Chen Xiaoying , Brier Lindsey M. , Bumstead Jonathan R. , Rensing Nicholas R. , Ringel Alison E. , Shin Haewon , Oldenborg Anna , Crowley Jan R. , Bice Annie R. , Dikranian Krikor , Ippolito Joseph E. , Haigis Marcia C. , Papouin Thomas , Zhao Guoyan , Wong Michael , Culver Joseph P. , Bonni Azad
Published: December 2020

Familial hemiplegic migraine is an episodic neurological disorder characterized by transient sensory and motor symptoms and signs. Mutations of the ion pump α2-Na/K ATPase cause familial hemiplegic migraine, but the mechanisms by which α2-Na/K ATPase mutations lead to the migraine phenotype remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that mice in which α2-Na/K ATPase is conditionally deleted in astrocytes display episodic paralysis. Functional neuroimaging reveals that conditional α2-Na/K ATPase knockout triggers spontaneous cortical spreading depression events that are associated with EEG low voltage activity events, which correlate with transient motor impairment in these mice. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses show that α2-Na/K ATPase loss alters metabolic gene expression with consequent serine and glycine elevation in the brain. A serine- and glycine-free diet rescues the transient motor impairment in conditional α2-Na/K ATPase knockout mice. Together, our findings define a metabolic mechanism regulated by astrocytic α2-Na/K ATPase that triggers episodic motor paralysis in mice.
Distributed control of motor circuits for backward walking in Drosophila
Authors: Feng Kai , Sen Rajyashree , Minegishi Ryo , Dübbert Michael , Bockemühl Till , Büschges Ansgar , Dickson Barry J.
Published: December 2020

How do descending inputs from the brain control leg motor circuits to change how an animal walks? Conceptually, descending neurons are thought to function either as command-type neurons, in which a single type of descending neuron exerts a high-level control to elicit a coordinated change in motor output, or through a population coding mechanism, whereby a group of neurons, each with local effects, act in combination to elicit a global motor response. The Drosophila Moonwalker Descending Neurons (MDNs), which alter leg motor circuit dynamics so that the fly walks backwards, exemplify the command-type mechanism. Here, we identify several dozen MDN target neurons within the leg motor circuits, and show that two of them mediate distinct and highly-specific changes in leg muscle activity during backward walking: LBL40 neurons provide the hindleg power stroke during stance phase; LUL130 neurons lift the legs at the end of stance to initiate swing. Through these two effector neurons, MDN directly controls both the stance and swing phases of the backward stepping cycle. These findings suggest that command-type descending neurons can also operate through the distributed control of local motor circuits.
Author Correction: Clearance of HIV infection by selective elimination of host cells capable of producing HIV
Authors: Li Min , Liu Wei , Bauch Tonya , Graviss Edward A. , Arduino Roberto C. , Kimata Jason T. , Chen Min , Wang Jin
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20218-9
Author Correction: Near-real-time monitoring of global CO2 emissions reveals the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Liu Zhu , Ciais Philippe , Deng Zhu , Lei Ruixue , Davis Steven J. , Feng Sha , Zheng Bo , Cui Duo , Dou Xinyu , Zhu Biqing , Guo Rui , Ke Piyu , Sun Taochun , Lu Chenxi , He Pan , Wang Yuan , Yue Xu , Wang Yilong , Lei Yadong , Zhou Hao , Cai Zhaonan , Wu Yuhui , Guo Runtao , Han Tingxuan , Xue Jinjun , Boucher Olivier , Boucher Eulalie , Chevallier Frédéric , Tanaka Katsumasa , Wei Yiming , Zhong Haiwang , Kang Chongqing , Zhang Ning , Chen Bin , Xi Fengming , Liu Miaomiao , Bréon François-Marie , Lu Yonglong , Zhang Qiang , Guan Dabo , Gong Peng , Kammen Daniel M. , He Kebin , Schellnhuber Hans Joachim
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20254-5
Author Correction: Benchmarking of cell type deconvolution pipelines for transcriptomics data
Authors: Cobos Francisco Avila , Alquicira-Hernandez José , Powell Joseph E. , Mestdagh Pieter , De Preter Katleen
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20288-9
Experimental adaptive Bayesian estimation of multiple phases with limited data
Authors: Valeri Mauro , Polino Emanuele , Poderini Davide , Gianani Ilaria , Corrielli Giacomo , Crespi Andrea , Osellame Roberto , Spagnolo Nicolò , Sciarrino Fabio
Published: December 2020

Achieving ultimate bounds in estimation processes is the main objective of quantum metrology. In this context, several problems require measurement of multiple parameters by employing only a limited amount of resources. To this end, adaptive protocols, exploiting additional control parameters, provide a tool to optimize the performance of a quantum sensor to work in such limited data regime. Finding the optimal strategies to tune the control parameters during the estimation process is a non-trivial problem, and machine learning techniques are a natural solution to address such task. Here, we investigate and implement experimentally an adaptive Bayesian multiparameter estimation technique tailored to reach optimal performances with very limited data. We employ a compact and flexible integrated photonic circuit, fabricated by femtosecond laser writing, which allows to implement different strategies with high degree of control. The obtained results show that adaptive strategies can become a viable approach for realistic sensors working with a limited amount of resources.
Enhancing senior high school student engagement and academic performance using an inclusive and scalable inquiry-based program
Authors: Davenport Huyer Locke , Callaghan Neal I. , Dicks Sara , Scherer Edward , Shukalyuk Andrey I. , Jou Margaret , Kilkenny Dawn M.
Published: December 2020

The multi-disciplinary nature of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers often renders difficulty for high school students navigating from classroom knowledge to post-secondary pursuits. Discrepancies between the knowledge-based high school learning approach and the experiential approach of future studies leaves some students disillusioned by STEM. We present Discovery, a term-long inquiry-focused learning model delivered by STEM graduate students in collaboration with high school teachers, in the context of biomedical engineering. Entire classes of high school STEM students representing diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds engaged in iterative, problem-based learning designed to emphasize critical thinking concomitantly within the secondary school and university environments. Assessment of grades and survey data suggested positive impact of this learning model on students’ STEM interests and engagement, notably in under-performing cohorts, as well as repeating cohorts that engage in the program on more than one occasion. Discovery presents a scalable platform that stimulates persistence in STEM learning, providing valuable learning opportunities and capturing cohorts of students that might otherwise be under-engaged in STEM.
Spatial Release From Masking in Bimodal and Bilateral Pediatric Cochlear Implant Recipients
Authors: King Kaylene , Dillon Margaret T. , O'Connell Brendan P. , Brown Kevin D. , Park Lisa R.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Traditional clinical measures of cochlear implant (CI) recipient performance may not fully evaluate the benefit of bimodal listening (hearing aid contralateral to a CI). The clinical assessment of spatial release from masking (SRM) may be a sensitive measure of the benefit of listening with bimodal stimulation. This study compared the SRM of pediatric bimodal and bilateral CI listeners using a clinically feasible method, and investigated variables that may contribute to speech recognition performance with spatially separated maskers.

Method

Forty pediatric bimodal (
N
= 20) and bilateral CI (
N
= 20) participants were assessed in their best aided listening condition on sentence recognition in a four-talker masker. Testing was completed with target and masker colocated at 0° azimuth, and with the masker directed at 90° to either ear. SRM was calculated as the difference in performance between the colocated and each 90° condition. A two-way mixed-methods analysis of variance was used to compare performance between groups in the three masker conditions. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate potential predictors for SRM asymmetry including hearing history, unaided thresholds, word recognition, duration of device use, and acoustic bandwidth.

Results

Both groups demonstrated SRM, with significantly better recognition in each 90° condition as compared to the colocated condition. The groups did not differ significantly in SRM. The multiple regression analyses did not reveal any significant predictors of SRM asymmetry.

Conclusions

Bimodal and bilateral CI listeners demonstrated similar amounts of SRM. While no specific variables predicted SRM asymmetry in bimodal listeners, pediatric bimodal and bilateral CI recipients should expect similar amounts of SRM regardless of the side of the masker. SRM asymmetry in pediatric bimodal listeners may signal a need for consideration of a second CI.
Cortical Neurophysiologic Correlates of Auditory Threshold in Adults and Children With Normal Hearing and Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Cardon Garrett , Sharma Anu
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Auditory threshold estimation using the auditory brainstem response or auditory steady state response is limited in some populations (e.g., individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder [ANSD] or those who have difficulty remaining still during testing and cannot tolerate general anesthetic). However, cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) can be recorded in many such patients and have been employed in threshold approximation. Thus, we studied CAEP estimates of auditory thresholds in participants with normal hearing, sensorineural hearing loss, and ANSD.

Method

We recorded CAEPs at varying intensity levels to speech (i.e., /ba/) and tones (i.e., 1 kHz) to estimate auditory thresholds in normal-hearing adults (
n
= 10) and children (
n
= 10) and case studies of children with sensorineural hearing loss and ANSD.

Results

Results showed a pattern of CAEP amplitude decrease and latency increase as stimulus intensities declined until waveform components disappeared near auditory threshold levels. Overall, CAEP thresholds were within 10 dB HL of behavioral thresholds for both stimuli.

Conclusions

The above findings suggest that CAEPs may be clinically useful in estimating auditory threshold in populations for whom such a method does not currently exist. Physiologic threshold estimation in difficult-to-test clinical populations could lead to earlier intervention and improved outcomes.
Micro‐pore structure characteristics and macro‐mechanical properties of PP fibre reinforced coal gangue ceramsite concrete
Authors: Qiu Jisheng , Xing Min , Yang Zhanlu , Zhang Chenghua , Guan Xiao
Published: December 2020

Adding polypropene (PP) fibre can enhance the mechanical properties of coal gangue ceramsite concrete (CGCC), which is a kind of green concrete for solid waste utilisation. However, there is a lack of data concerning the effects of PP fibre content on the micro‐pore structure characteristics and macro‐mechanical properties of CGCC. This investigation aims at exploring the optimum PP fibre content and establishing the relationship between micro‐pore structure characteristics and macro‐mechanical properties, which provides a reference for optimising the mixture ratio. Based on low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance technology and mechanical strength test, micro‐pore structure characteristics and macro‐mechanical properties of CGCC with different PP fibre content of 0, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 kg m−3, respectively, were studied. The results showed that when the fibre content was 0.6kg m−3, the mechanical strength was the highest and the increase of splitting tensile strength was the largest. Moreover, PP fibre can effectively reduce the most probable pore diameter and can transform harmful pores to harmless pores with the optimum content of 0.6 kg m−3. In conclusion, appropriate PP fibre addition has a significantly improving effect on the micro‐pore structure characteristics and macro‐mechanical properties of CGCC.
Roughness optimisation of textured surface for the gap seal hydraulic cylinder
Authors: Chen Xiaolan , Yu Guoming , Fang Jian , Lv Zean
Published: December 2020

The circular micro‐texture is constructed on the inner surface of the gap seal hydraulic cylinders. The coupling relationship of the surface roughness and micro‐texture is studied and solved by the equivalent flow method. At the same time, the tribological experiment is carried out with 45 steel materials commonly used as hydraulic cylinders, and the testing results are compared. The results show that the roughness has a very significant effect on the frictional properties of the annular textured surface. The coupling effect is generated and makes the friction coefficient first decrease and then increase. There are optimal roughness and optimal gap which make the further improvement of the frictional properties on the cylinder surface. This helps to improve the response frequency of the hydraulic cylinder, thereby improving the hydraulic system efficiency. Also, it has positive effects on the improvement of the working efficiency in the hydraulic system.
Mycotoxins in food – how to prevent and what to do when things go bad
Authors: Šarkanj Bojan , Šarkanj Ivana Dodlek , Shamtsyan Mark
Published: December 2020

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of microscopic moulds with pronounced toxic properties. Moulds infect products of plant and animal origin at any stage of their receipt, transportation and storage, in industrial and home conditions. Mycotoxins are more commonly found in plant foods. Their biosynthesis by fungi occurs during the ripening and harvesting period under unfavourable meteorological conditions and improper grain storage. Untimely harvesting or insufficient drying of the crop before storage, storage and transportation of products with insufficient protection against moisture leads to the multiplication of microorganisms and the formation of toxic substances in food products.
Chitin-chitosan complex from Rhizopus oryzae obtained on a pea culture medium, and some of its physicochemical properties
Authors: Beliaeva Anna , Nianikova Galina , Rostovtseva Polina
Published: December 2020

The article provides information about the way of obtaining chitin-chitosan biosorbents from the fungus Rhizopus oryzae, using mild deacetylation and demineralization conditions. Such physicochemical properties as deacetylation degree, total ash, weight loss on drying etc. were determined. Method of obtaining the chitin-chitosan complex, shown in the current study, allows to obtain a pure biosorbent with a high degree of deacetylation possible to be further used as entero-and hemosorbent.
Experience and overall satisfaction of foreign patients with the health care services received in Latvia
Authors: Behmane Daiga , Batraga Anda , Greve Mara , Rutitis Didzis
Published: December 2020

The study evaluates foreign patients' experience and satisfaction in relation to the health care received in Latvia. By applying the gap model of service evaluation, the study reveals the difference between expected and received service outcome in Latvia, and draws conclusions about the importance of individual and patient experience factors related to the overall patient satisfaction. The study concludes that in all groups of factors matrix proposed in the study: (1) general travel or destination factors; (2) communication factors; (3) factors related to the choice of service and (4) factors related to the choice of health care institution, patients evaluated the perceived health care outcome higher than the expected outcome. The results of the study lead to the conclusion that there is a significant gap in foreign patients' knowledge regarding the possibilities of receiving a high-level health care service in Latvia. The results also reveal the most important determinants of patient experience and related satisfaction.
Experimentelle Evaluation des Adhear, eines neuen transkutanen Knochenleitungshörgeräts
Authors: Dobrev Ivo , Farahmandi Tahmine Sadat , Huber Alexander M. , Röösli Christof
Published: December 2020

Hintergrund Es sind unterschiedliche Knochenleitungshörgeräte (KLHG) verfügbar, die auf unterschiedliche Art mit dem Stimulationsort in Kontakt stehen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist eine experimentelle Evaluation eines neuen transkutanen KLHG, das ohne Anpressdruck an die Haut angekoppelt wird.

Material und Methoden Die Messungen wurden an einem Thiel-konservierten Ganzkopfkadaver durchgeführt. Zur Stimulation zwischen 0,1 und 10 kHz wurde ein Adhear verwendet, das über einen Signalgenerator und Verstärker direkt mit 1Vrms aktiviert wurde. Die Kopplung des KLHG erfolgte am Mastoid über ein Hautpflaster. Die Vibrationen des Schädels wurden am ipsi- und kontralateralen Promontorium und an der ipsi-, top- und kontralateralen Schädeloberfläche mittels 3D-Laser-Doppler-Vibrometers registriert. Insgesamt wurden ~200 Punkte auf der Schädeloberfläche (~15–20 mm Abstand) gemessen. Die Daten wurden mit entsprechenden Messungen verglichen, bei denen ein Baha Power als KLHG verwendet wurde. Dieses wurde am Mastoid über einen 5-Newton-Stahlbügel an die Haut gekoppelt.

Ergebnisse Die ipsi- und kontralateralen promontorialen Vibrationen bei Stimulation mit dem Adhear sind in ihrer frequenzspezifischen Amplitude und Phase wie auch in der Zusammensetzung der Bewegungskomponenten mit der Stimulation mittels Baha Power am Stahlbügel vergleichbar. Ebenso erfährt die Schädeloberfläche unter beiden Ankopplungsarten eine vergleichbare komplexe räumliche Bewegung.

Schlussfolgerungen Obwohl das Adhear ohne Anpressdruck und das Baha Power am Stahlband mit 5N an die Haut über dem Mastoid gekoppelt werden, unterscheiden sich die untersuchten Parameter kaum.