bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distance to destination and export price variation within agri-food firms
Authors: Fiankor Dela-Dem Doe
Published: September 2022

This paper assesses how bilateral distance affects within-firm-product variation in free-on-board (FOB) export prices across destinations. I estimate linear models that regress firm-product-destination-time FOB unit values on distance, firm-product-time fixed effects and destination country controls. If distance doubles, the average Swiss agri-food firm increases its FOB export price by 2.3 per cent. However, the positive distance elasticity of export prices reflects product quality differences and/or variable markups. I disentangle both mechanisms and show that, for a given product quality, exporting firms charge higher markups in distant markets. Nevertheless, this form of price discrimination is less pronounced for higher-quality products.
Changes in healthy and unhealthy working life expectancies among older working-age people in Finland, 2000–2017
Authors: Laaksonen Mikko , Elovainio Marko , Kainulainen Sakari , Leinonen Taina , Jääskeläinen Tuija , Rissanen Harri , Koskinen Seppo
Published: September 2022

Background

Raising the statutory retirement age has been a common policy response to population ageing, but health problems may restrict labour force participation in older ages. We examined the development of healthy and unhealthy working life expectancies in Finland from 2000 to 2017 using different measures of health problems.

Methods

Healthy and unhealthy working life expectancies were calculated for the age range 50–65 years using the Sullivan method. The health measures were limiting long-standing illness, self-rated health, mental health problems and self-assessed work ability.

Results

Healthy working life expectancy was highest when health was measured by work ability. From 2000 to 2017, working years in full ability between the ages 50–65 increased from 6.2 (95% confidence interval 5.9–6.4) to 8.2 (8.0–8.5). Healthy working life expectancy increased also when measured by the other indicators. Unhealthy working years also increased, except when health problems were measured by limiting long-standing illness. The share of years in work increased both within the healthy and the unhealthy years, the increase being larger or equally large for the latter. Within the healthy and unhealthy years measured by the other three indicators, the share of working years increased irrespective of whether work ability was full or limited, but the increase was larger for limited work ability.

Conclusions

In Finland, healthy working life expectancy has increased irrespective of how health is measured but also working with health problems has become more prevalent. The estimates for healthy working years are highest when a direct measure of work ability is used.
SARS-CoV-2 transmission by asymptomatic healthcare workers positive to screening swab: an Italian study
Authors: Palese Francesca , Arnoldo Luca , Brunelli Laura , Buzancic Silvana , De Giusti Valentina Anna , Ferrazzano Alberto , Gallo Tolinda , Iob Andrea , Mauro Katia , Pipan Corrado , Polonia Marta , Ruscio Edoardo , Treleani Maurizio , Conte Alessandro
Published: September 2022

Background

SARS-CoV-2 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets of symptomatic individuals. With respect to asymptomatic individuals, there are conflicting results in the literature and a lack of studies specifically examining transmission in healthcare settings.

Methods

The aim of this retrospective study, conducted in a northeastern Italian region, was to estimate the contagiousness of asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Asymptomatic HCWs who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) at a regular screening nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab between 1 February 2020 and 15 September 2020 were considered index cases. Contacts who were at high risk of infection and had follow-up swabs were included. Contacts were considered infected if they had a positive follow-up swab and/or symptoms associated with COVID-19 confirmed by a positive test within 14 days of exposure. Information was taken from records previously collected to identify contacts. Infectivity was estimated using the attack rate (AR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

Thirty-eight asymptomatic HCWs who were positive at the screening swab and 778 contacts were identified. Contacts included 63.8% of colleagues, 25.6% of patients, 7.7% of family members and 3.0% of other contacts. Seven contacts tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (AR: 0.91%, 95% CI: 0.89–0.93). Five of them were family members (AR: 8.3%), one was a colleague (0.2%) and one was a contact of other type (4.2%).

Conclusions

Viral spread by asymptomatic HCWs was less than in other settings. Identification of risk factors for transmission and reliable indicators of infectivity would be important to prioritize preventive measures.
Emancipation and Constitutional Patriotism: The Centralverein and the Weimar Republican Order
Authors: Rybak Jan
Published: September 2022

The article explores the conceptualization of Jewish emancipation and the republican order of state by activists of the Central Association of German Citizens of the Jewish Faith (Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens, CV) in the Weimar years. It argues that activists adopted a liberal conception of constitutional patriotism and involved themselves in a republican nation-building project that went substantially beyond its traditional tasks of defence (Abwehr) and enlightenment (Aufklärung) against antisemitism. This entailed rallying fellow republicans to the defence of the order of state, advocating for the spirit of the constitution and rule of law and actively participating in the development of the republican society. In doing so, the CV rethought what it meant to be ‘German’ and came to understand it in a distinctively republican form, arguing that identification with the constitution and the republican ideals were the truest expression of Germanness. As ‘German’ came to be understood as the free expression of the people’s spirit and will, Jews’ belonging to Germany was seen as the result of a teleological process of the materialization of the ‘German spirit’, manifested in the republic. The article therefore reads the history of the Centralverein during the Weimar Republic not only in regard to its role for the Jewish community but crucially as one of the liberal movements that aimed to develop and defend the German republic.
Multicenter, Multivendor Validation of an FDA-approved Algorithm for Mammography Triage
Authors: Retson Tara A , Watanabe Alyssa T , Vu Hoanh , Chim Chi Yung
Published: September 2022

Objective

Artificial intelligence (AI)–based triage algorithms may improve cancer detection and expedite radiologist workflow. To this end, the performance of a commercial AI-based triage algorithm on screening mammograms was evaluated across breast densities and lesion types.

Methods

This retrospective, IRB-exempt, multicenter, multivendor study examined 1255 screening 4-view mammograms (400 positive and 855 negative studies). Images were anonymized by providing institutions and analyzed by a commercially available AI algorithm (cmTriage, CureMetrix, La Jolla, CA) that performed retrospective triage at the study level by flagging exams as “suspicious” or not. Sensitivities and specificities with confidence intervals were derived from area under the curve (AUC) calculations.

Results

The algorithm demonstrated an AUC of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.94–0.96) for case identification. Area under the curve held across densities (0.95) and lesion types (masses: 0.94 [95% CI: 0.92–0.96] or microcalcifications: 0.97 [95% CI: 0.96–0.99]). The algorithm has a default sensitivity of 93% (95% CI: 95.6%–90.5%) with specificity of 76.3% (95% CI: 79.2%–73.4%). To evaluate real-world performance, a sensitivity of 86.9% (95% CI: 83.6%–90.2%) was tested, as observed for practicing radiologists by the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) study. The resulting specificity was 88.5% (95% CI: 86.4%–90.7%), similar to the BCSC specificity of 88.9%, indicating performance comparable to real-world results.

Conclusion

When tested for lesion detection, an AI-based triage software can perform at the level of practicing radiologists. Drawing attention to suspicious exams may improve reader specificity and help streamline radiologist workflow, enabling faster turnaround times and improving care.
Towards an Internet of Energy for smart and distributed generation: applications, strategies, and challenges
Authors: Gu Qifeng , Qu Qiang
Published: September 2022

The global demands for clean and sustainable energy are rapidly increasing because of population and economic growth. The future of energy essentially requires novel thinking and new systems to transform energy generation, distribution, and consumption. The Internet of Energy (IoE), as a new concept, transforms the way of energy production, supply, and consumption to fulfill high-energy demands via a smart network of industrial energy producers and consumers. The main objective of this paper is to address how the Internet of Things (IoT) would meet the requirements of smart and distributed power generation. We did a comprehensive literature review to provide insights into the IoE applications and enlighten the current challenges. Furthermore, the paper provides deep insights into the existing research challenges to address the current limitations of the IoE security issues, and potential directions are also pointed for future work. The findings of this study include identifying the requirements and enabler factors influencing the IoT-based distributed generation that would be useful for policymakers and decision-makers in the field.
Is Your Sample Truly Mediating? Bayesian Analysis of Heterogeneous Mediation (BAHM)
Authors: Dyachenko Tatiana L , Allenby Greg M
Published: September 2022

Mediation analysis is used to study the relationship between stimulus and response in the presence of intermediate, generative variables. The traditional approach to the analysis utilizes the results of an aggregate regression model, which assumes that all respondents go through the same data-generating mechanism. We introduce a new approach that is able to uncover the heterogeneity in mediating mechanisms and provides more informative insights from mediation studies. The proposed approach provides individual-specific probabilities to mediate as well as a new measure of the degree of mediation as the prevalence of mediation in the sample. Covariates in the proposed model help describe the variation in the probability to mediate among respondents. The empirical examination of published studies demonstrates the presence of heterogeneity in mediating processes and supports the need for this new approach. We present evidence that the results of our more flexible heterogeneous mediation analysis do not necessarily agree with the traditional aggregate measures. We find that the conclusions from the aggregate analysis are neither sufficient nor necessary to claim mediation in the presence of heterogeneity. A web-based application allowing researchers to analyze the data with the proposed model in a user-friendly environment is developed.
The single-sample network module biomarkers (sNMB) method reveals the pre-deterioration stage of disease progression
Authors: Zhong Jiayuan , Liu Huisheng , Chen Pei
Published: September 2022

The progression of complex diseases generally involves a pre-deterioration stage that occurs during the transition from a healthy state to disease deterioration, at which a drastic and qualitative shift occurs. The development of an effective approach is urgently needed to identify such a pre-deterioration stage or critical state just before disease deterioration, which allows the timely implementation of appropriate measures to prevent a catastrophic transition. However, identifying the pre-deterioration stage is a challenging task in clinical medicine, especially when only a single sample is available for most patients, which is responsible for the failure of most statistical methods. In this study, a novel computational method, called single-sample network module biomarkers (sNMB), is presented to predict the pre-deterioration stage or critical point using only a single sample. Specifically, the proposed single-sample index effectively quantifies the disturbance caused by a single sample against a group of given reference samples. Our method successfully detected the early warning signal of the critical transitions when applied to both a numerical simulation and four real datasets, including acute lung injury, stomach adenocarcinoma, esophageal carcinoma, and rectum adenocarcinoma. In addition, it provides signaling biomarkers for further practical application, which helps to discover prognostic indicators and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms of disease progression.
Housing and Cancer Care and Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Fan Qinjin , Nogueira Leticia , Yabroff K Robin , Hussaini S M Qasim , Pollack Craig E
Published: September 2022

Background

Access to stable and affordable housing is an important social determinant of health in the United States. However, research addressing housing and cancer care, diagnosis, and outcomes has not been synthesized.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of studies examining associations of housing and cancer care and outcomes using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL. Included studies were conducted in the United States and published in English between 1980 and 2021. Study characteristics and key findings were abstracted and qualitatively synthesized.

Results

A total of 31 studies were identified. Housing-related measures were reported at the individual level in 20 studies (65%) and area level in 11 studies (35%). Study populations and housing measures were heterogeneous. The most common housing measures were area-level housing discrimination (8 studies, 26%), individual-level housing status (8 studies, 26%), and individual-level housing concerns (7 studies, 23%). The most common cancer outcomes were screening (12 studies, 39%) and mortality (9 studies, 29%). Few studies assessed multiple dimensions of housing. Most studies found that exposure to housing insecurity was statistically significantly associated with worse cancer care (11 studies) or outcomes (10 studies).

Conclusions

Housing insecurity is adversely associated with cancer care and outcomes, underscoring the importance of screening for housing needs and supporting systemic changes to advance equitable access to care. Additional research is needed to develop and test provider- and policy-level housing interventions that can effectively address the needs of individuals throughout the cancer care continuum.
Adaptation and Evolution of Pathogens in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung
Authors: Planet Paul J
Published: September 2022

As opposed to acute respiratory infections, the persistent bacterial infections of the lung that characterize cystic fibrosis (CF) provide ample time for bacteria to evolve and adapt. The process of adaptation is recorded in mutations that accumulate over time in the genomes of the infecting bacteria. Some of these mutations lead to obvious phenotypic differences such as antibiotic resistance or the well-known mucoid phenotype of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Other mutations may be just as important but harder to detect such as increased mutation rates, cell surface changes, and shifts in metabolism and nutrient acquisition. Remarkably, many of the adaptations occur again and again in different patients, signaling that bacteria are adapting to solve specific challenges in the CF respiratory tract. This parallel evolution even extends across distinct bacterial species. This review addresses the bacterial systems that are known to change in long-term CF infections with a special emphasis on cross-species comparisons. Consideration is given to how adaptation may impact health in CF, and the possible evolutionary mechanisms that lead to the repeated parallel adaptations.
Genome editing of SlMYB3R3, a cell cycle transcription factor gene of tomato, induces elongated fruit shape
Authors: Zheng Qingyou , Takei-Hoshi Rie , Okumura Hitomi , Ito Masaki , Kawaguchi Kohei , Otagaki Shungo , Matsumoto Shogo , Luo Zhengrong , Zhang Qinglin , Shiratake Katsuhiro
Published: September 2022

Fruit shape is an important trait that attracts consumers, and the regulation of genes related to cell division is crucial for shaping multicellular organs. In Arabidopsis, MYB3R transcription factors, which harbor three imperfect repeats in the N-terminus, control organ growth by regulating cell division. However, the function of MYB3Rs in tomato remains unknown. Here, we characterized tomato SlMYB3R3, which was preferentially expressed in flowers and placed in a subclade with two Arabidopsis cell cycle suppressors (MYB3R3/5). slmyb3r3 knockout mutants were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Morphological observation of the slmyb3r3 mutants showed that fruits that were elongated and occasionally peanut-like in shape were formed, which was caused by significantly increased cell numbers in the longitudinal direction. Transcriptome and yeast one-hybrid assay results suggested that SlMYB3R3 acted as a suppressor of cell-cycle-related genes by binding to the mitosis-specific activator (MSA) motifs in their promoters. Taken together, knock out of the suppressor SlMYB3R3 leads to elongated fruit, which results from the altered cell division pattern at the ovary stage, by regulating cell-cycle-related genes in an MSA-dependent manner. Our results suggest that SlMYB3R3 and its orthologs have the potential to change fruit shape as part of the molecular breeding of fruit crops.
A new demethylase gene, OsDML4, is involved in high temperature-increased grain chalkiness in rice
Authors: Yan Yan , Li Chao , Liu Zhen , Zhuang Jun-Jie , Kong Jia-Rui , Yang Zhen-Kun , Yu Jie , Shah Alam Mohammad , Ruan Cheng-Cheng , Zhang Heng-Mu , Xu Jian-Hong
Published: September 2022

High temperature (HT) can affect the accumulation of seed storage materials and cause adverse effects on the yield and quality of rice. DNA methylation plays an important role in plant growth and development. Here, we identified a new demethylase gene OsDML4 and discovered its function in cytosine demethylation to affect endosperm formation. Loss of function of OsDML4 induced chalky endosperm only under HT and dramatically reduced the transcription and accumulation of glutelins and 16 kDa prolamin. The expression of two transcription factor genes RISBZ1 and RPBF was significantly decreased in the osdml4 mutants, which caused adverse effects on the formation of protein bodies (PBs) with greatly decreased PB-II number, and incomplete and abnormally shaped PB-IIs. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analysis of seeds at 15 d after pollination revealed much higher global methylation levels of CG, CHG, and CHH contexts in the osdml4 mutants compared with the wild type. Moreover, the RISBZ1 promoter was hypermethylated but the RPBF promoter was almost unchanged under HT. No significant difference was detected between the wild type and osdml4 mutants under normal temperature. Our study demonstrated a novel OsDML4-mediated DNA methylation involved in the formation of chalky endosperm only under HT and provided a new perspective in regulating endosperm development and the accumulation of seed storage proteins in rice.
Limitations of the invertible-map equivalences
Authors: Dawar Anuj , Grädel Erich , Lichter Moritz
Published: September 2022

This note draws conclusions that arise by combining two recent papers, by Anuj Dawar, Erich Grädel and Wied Pakusa, published at ICALP 2019, and by Moritz Lichter, published at LICS 2021. In both papers, the main technical results rely on the combinatorial and algebraic analysis of the invertible-map equivalences ${\equiv ^{\text {IM}}_{k, Q}}$ on certain variants of Cai–Fürer–Immerman structures (CFI-structures for short). These ${\equiv ^{\text {IM}}_{k, Q}}$-equivalences, for a natural number $k$ and a set of primes $Q$, refine the well-known Weisfeiler–Leman equivalences used in algorithms for graph isomorphism. The intuition is that two graphs $G{\equiv ^{\text {IM}}_{k, Q}}H$ cannot be distinguished by iterative refinements of equivalences on $k$-tuples defined via linear operators on vector spaces over fields of characteristic $p \in Q$. In the first paper it has been shown, using considerable algebraic machinery, that for a prime $q \notin Q$, the ${\equiv ^{\text {IM}}_{k, Q}}$ equivalences are not strong enough to distinguish between non-isomorphic CFI-structures over the field $\mathbb {F}_q$. In the second paper, a similar but not identical construction for CFI-structures over the rings $\mathbb {Z}_{2^i}$ has, again by rather involved combinatorial and algebraic arguments, been shown to be indistinguishable with respect to ${\equiv ^{\text {IM}}_{k, \{2\}}}$. Together with an earlier work on rank logic, this second result suffices to separate rank logic from polynomial time. We show here that the two approaches can be unified to prove that CFI-structures over the rings $\mathbb {Z}_{2^i}$ are in fact indistinguishable with respect to ${\equiv ^{\text {IM}}_{k, {\mathbb {P}}}}$, for the set ${\mathbb {P}}$ of all primes. In particular, this implies the following two results. First, there is no fixed $k$ such that the invertible-map equivalence ${\equiv ^{\text {IM}}_{k, {\mathbb {P}}}}$ coincides with isomorphism on all finite graphs. Second, no extension of fixed-point logic by linear-algebraic operators over fields can capture polynomial time.
GRMHD simulations of accreting neutron stars I: Non-rotating dipoles
Authors: Çıkıntoğlu Sercan , Ekşi K Yavuz , Rezzolla Luciano
Published: September 2022

We study the general-relativistic dynamics of matter being accreted on to and ejected by a magnetized and non-rotating neutron star. The dynamics is followed in the framework of fully general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD) within the ideal-MHD limit and in two spatial dimensions. More specifically, making use of the numerical code BHAC, we follow the evolution of a geometrically thick matter torus driven into accretion by the development of a magnetorotational instability. By making use of a number of simulations in which we vary the strength of the stellar dipolar magnetic field, we can determine self-consistently the location of the magnetospheric (or Alfvén) radius rmsph and study how it depends on the magnetic moment μ and on the accretion rate. Overall, we recover the analytic Newtonian scaling relation, i.e. rmsph ∝ B4/7, but also find that the dependence on the accretion rate is very weak. Furthermore, we find that the material torque correlates linearly with the mass-accretion rate, although both of them exhibit rapid fluctuations. Interestingly, the total torque fluctuates drastically in strong magnetic field simulations and these unsteady torques observed in the simulations could be associated with the spin fluctuations observed in X-ray pulsars.
Optical properties of the solar gravity lens
Authors: Engeli Sara , Saha Prasenjit
Published: September 2022

It is well known that the solar gravitational field can be considered as a telescope with a prime focus at locations beyond 550 au. In this work, we present a new derivation of the wave-optical properties of the system by adapting the arrival-time formalism from gravitational lensing. At the diffraction limit, the angular resolution is similar to that of a notional telescope with the diameter of the Sun, and the maximum light amplification is 8π4GM⊙/(c2λ), enough to detect a $1\,$W laser on Proxima Centauri b pointed in the general direction of the Sun. Extended sources, however, would be blurred by the wings of the point spread function into the geometrical-optics regime of gravitational lensing. Broad-band sources would have to further contend with the solar corona. Imaging an exoplanet surface as advocated in the literature, without attempting to reach the diffraction limit, appears achievable. For diffraction-limited imaging (sub-km scales from 100 pc), nearby neutron stars appear to be most plausible targets.
Binary parameters from astrometric and spectroscopic errors – candidate hierarchical triples and massive dark companions in Gaia DR3
Authors: Andrew Shion , Penoyre Zephyr , Belokurov Vasily , Evans N Wyn , Oh Semyeong
Published: September 2022

We show how astrometric and spectroscopic errors introduced by an unresolved binary system can be combined to give estimates of the binary period and mass ratio. This can be performed analytically if we assume we see one or more full orbits over our observational baseline, or numerically for all other cases. We apply this method to Gaia DR3 data, combining the most recent astrometric and spectroscopic data. We compare inferred periods and mass ratios calculated using our method with orbital parameters measured for non-single stars in Gaia DR3 and find good agreement. Finally, we use this method to search the subset of the Gaia DR3 RVS data set with rv_method_used = 1 for compact object candidates. We select sources with significant astrometric and spectroscopic errors (RUWEast > 1.25 and RUWEspec > 2), large inferred mass ratios, and large inferred companion masses (q > 1 and m2 > 3M⊙) giving a catalogue of 4641 candidate hierarchical triples and Main Sequence + Compact Object pairs. We apply more stringent cuts, and impose low levels of photometric variability to remove likely triples (RUWEphot < 2), producing a gold sample of 45 candidates.
Making BEASTies: dynamical formation of planetary systems around massive stars
Authors: Parker Richard J , Daffern-Powell Emma C
Published: September 2022

Exoplanets display incredible diversity, from planetary system architectures around Sun-like stars that are very different from our Solar system, to planets orbiting post-main-sequence stars or stellar remnants. Recently, the B-star Exoplanet Abundance STudy (BEAST) reported the discovery of at least two super-Jovian planets orbiting massive stars in the Sco Cen OB association. Whilst such massive stars do have Keplerian discs, it is hard to envisage gas giant planets being able to form in such hostile environments. We use N-body simulations of star-forming regions to show that these systems can instead form from the capture of a free-floating planet or the direct theft of a planet from one star to another, more massive star. We find that this occurs on average once in the first 10 Myr of an association’s evolution, and that the semimajor axes of the hitherto confirmed BEAST planets (290 and 556 au) are more consistent with capture than theft. Our results lend further credence to the notion that planets on more distant (>100 au) orbits may not be orbiting their parent star.
The High Mutational Sensitivity of ccdA Antitoxin Is Linked to Codon Optimality
Authors: Chandra Soumyanetra , Gupta Kritika , Khare Shruti , Kohli Pehu , Asok Aparna , Mohan Sonali Vishwa , Gowda Harsha , Varadarajan Raghavan
Published: September 2022

Deep mutational scanning studies suggest that synonymous mutations are typically silent and that most exposed, nonactive-site residues are tolerant to mutations. Here, we show that the ccdA antitoxin component of the Escherichia coli ccdAB toxin–antitoxin system is unusually sensitive to mutations when studied in the operonic context. A large fraction (∼80%) of single-codon mutations, including many synonymous mutations in the ccdA gene shows inactive phenotype, but they retain native-like binding affinity towards cognate toxin, CcdB. Therefore, the observed phenotypic effects are largely not due to alterations in protein structure/stability, consistent with a large region of CcdA being intrinsically disordered. E. coli codon preference and strength of ribosome-binding associated with translation of downstream ccdB gene are found to be major contributors of the observed ccdA mutant phenotypes. In select cases, proteomics studies reveal altered ratios of CcdA:CcdB protein levels in vivo, suggesting that the ccdA mutations likely alter relative translation efficiencies of the two genes in the operon. We extend these results by studying single-site synonymous mutations that lead to loss of function phenotypes in the relBE operon upon introduction of rarer codons. Thus, in their operonic context, genes are likely to be more sensitive to both synonymous and nonsynonymous point mutations than inferred previously.
Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers on cardiovascular outcomes in dialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Georgianos Panagiotis I , Tziatzios Georgios , Roumeliotis Stefanos , Vaios Vasilios , Sgouropoulou Vasiliki , Tsalikakis Dimitrios G , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Agarwal Rajiv
Published: September 2022

Background

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are recommended by guidelines as first-line antihypertensive therapies in the general population or in patients with earlier stages of kidney disease. However, the cardioprotective benefit of these agents among patients on dialysis remains uncertain.

Methods

We searched the MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane databases from inception through February 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of ACEIs/ARBs relative to placebo or no add-on treatment in patients receiving dialysis. RCTs were eligible if they assessed fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events as a primary efficacy endpoint.

Results

We identified five RCTs involving 1582 dialysis patients. Compared with placebo or no add-on treatment, the use of ACEIs/ARBs was not associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events {risk ratio [RR] 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57–1.11]}. Furthermore, there was no benefit in cardiovascular mortality [RR 0.82 (95% CI 0.59–1.14)] and all-cause mortality [RR 0.86 (95% CI 0.64–1.15)]. These results were consistent when the included RCTs were stratified by subgroups, including hypertension, ethnicity, sample size, duration of follow-up and quality.

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis showed that among patients on dialysis, the use of ACEIs/ARBs is not associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality as compared with placebo or no add-on treatment.
The emotional journey of neuro-oncology: Primary brain tumor patients share their experience during this life-threatening disease
Authors: Loughan Ashlee R , Reid Morgan , Willis Kelcie D , Barrett Sarah , Lo Karen
Published: September 2022

Background

To achieve patient-centric quality care in neuro-oncology, all aspects of the disease and its impact on quality survival need to be considered. This includes the psychological consequences of a brain tumor diagnosis and subsequent life-altering experiences. Far too often the voice of our patients is unheard. Empowering patients to advocate for their own psychological needs is essential.

Methods

Data were derived from four focus groups with adult patients with brain tumors (N = 15; Mage = 46 years, 53% female). A trained moderator led each 90-min group and posed semi-structured questions regarding patients’ care needs throughout their neuro-oncological disease trajectory. Emphasis was placed on the quality of life and distress reduction. Common themes were identified via thematic content analysis using NVivo software. A high inter-rater reliability (Mkappa = 0.92, range = 0.85–0.93) was achieved. Two themes are presented here: Emotional Response to Stressors and Existential Considerations.

Results

Of the two themes presented, 14 codes emerged. Codes were classified into three broad categories: Fear, Despair, and Resilience. The frequency of each category ranged from 31.4% to 34.7%. Example quotes and a discussion of each category follows.

Conclusions

It is imperative that we include the patient perspective in the development of neuro-oncology programs, thereby considering the quality of survival in addition to quantity. Neuro-oncology quality care must be driven by our patients' experiences and should integrate support for emotional distress while promoting resilience throughout this life-threatening illness.
Magma–Shale Interaction in Large Igneous Provinces: Implications for Climate Warming and Sulfide Genesis
Authors: Deegan Frances M , Bédard Jean H , Grasby Stephen E , Dewing Keith , Geiger Harri , Misiti Valeria , Capriolo Manfredo , Callegaro Sara , Svensen Henrik H , Yakymchuk Chris , Aradi László E , Freda Carmela , Troll Valentin R
Published: September 2022

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) whose magma plumbing systems intersect sedimentary basins are linked to upheavals of Earth’s carbon and sulfur cycles and thus climate and life history. However, the underlying mechanistic links between these phenomena are elusive. We address this knowledge gap through short time-scale petrological experiments (1200°C and 150 MPa) that explore interaction between basaltic melt and carbonaceous shale (mudstone) using starting materials from the Canadian High Arctic LIP and the Sverdrup Basin in which it intrudes. Here we show that entrainment of shale xenoliths in basaltic melt causes shale to shatter due to incipient thermal stress and devolatilization, which accelerates assimilation by increasing reactive surface area. Shale assimilation therefore facilitates transfer of sediment-derived volatile elements to LIP magma plumbing systems, whereupon carbon dominates the vapor phase while sulfur is partitioned into sulfide melt droplets. This study reveals that although carbon and sulfur are efficiently mobilized as a consequence of shale assimilation, sulfides can sequester sulfur—an important climate cooling agent—thus enhancing net emissions of climate warming greenhouse gases by shale-intersecting LIPs.
The short-term effects of planktivorous fish foraging in the presence of artificial light at night on lake zooplankton
Authors: Tałanda Joanna , Maszczyk Piotr , Babkiewicz Ewa , Rutkowska Katarzyna , Ślusarczyk Mirosław
Published: September 2022

Numerous studies have revealed that artificial light at night alters the natural patterns of light in space and time and may have various ecological impacts at different ecological levels. However, only a few studies have assessed its effect on interactions between organisms in aquatic environments, including predator–prey interactions in lakes. To fill this gap, we performed a preliminary enclosure experiment in which we compared the foraging effect of juvenile perch (Perca fluviatilis) on a natural lake zooplankton community in the absence and presence of light of high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps mimicking artificial light emitted by a boat. The results revealed that even short-lasting exposure to HPS lamps may result in increasing fish predation, which in turn decreased the mean body size in zooplankton populations (e.g. Bosmina thersites) and affected the relative proportion between different taxa in zooplankton communities.
The Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention Integrated with Physical Therapy (MIND-PT) for Postsurgical Rehabilitation After Lumbar Surgery: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial as Part of the Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program
Authors: Fritz Julie M , Rhon Daniel I , Garland Eric L , Hanley Adam W , Greenlee Tina , Fino Nora , Martin Brook , Highland Krista B , Greene Tom
Published: September 2022

Background

Improving pain management for persons with chronic low back pain (LBP) undergoing surgery is an important consideration in improving patient-centered outcomes and reducing the risk of persistent opioid use after surgery. Nonpharmacological treatments, including physical therapy and mindfulness, are beneficial for nonsurgical LBP through complementary biopsychosocial mechanisms, but their integration and application for persons undergoing surgery for LBP have not been examined. This study (MIND-PT) is a multisite randomized trial that compares an enriched pain management (EPM) pathway that integrates physical therapy and mindfulness vs usual-care pain management (UC) for persons undergoing surgery for LBP.

Design

Participants from military treatment facilities will be enrolled before surgery and individually randomized to the EPM or UC pain management pathways. Participants assigned to EPM will receive presurgical biopsychosocial education and mindfulness instruction. After surgery, the EPM group will receive 10 sessions of physical therapy with integrated mindfulness techniques. Participants assigned to the UC group will receive usual pain management care after surgery. The primary outcome will be the pain impact, assessed with the Pain, Enjoyment, and General Activity (PEG) scale. Time to opioid discontinuation is the main secondary outcome.

This trial is part of the National Institutes of Health Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative, which is focused on providing scientific solutions to the opioid crisis. The MIND-PT study will examine an innovative program combining nonpharmacological treatments designed to improve outcomes and reduce opioid overreliance in persons undergoing lumbar surgery.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in inflammatory arthritis patients: serial surveys from a large longitudinal national Australian cohort
Authors: McMaster Christopher , Liew David F L , Lester Susan , Rischin Adam , Black Rachel J , Chand Vibhasha , Fletcher Ashley , Lassere Marissa N , March Lyn , Robinson Philip C , Buchbinder Rachelle , Hill Catherine L
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To determine COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy rates in inflammatory arthritis patients and identify factors associated with changing vaccine hesitancy over time.

Methods

This investigation was a prospective cohort study of inflammatory arthritis patients from community and public hospital outpatient rheumatology clinics enrolled in the Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD). Two surveys were conducted, one immediately prior to (pre-pandemic) and another approximately 1 year after the start of the pandemic (follow-up). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy was measured at follow-up, and general vaccine hesitancy was inferred pre-pandemic; these were used to identify factors associated with fixed and changing vaccine beliefs, including sources of information and broader beliefs about medication.

Results

Of the 594 participants who completed both surveys, 74 (12%) were COVID-19 vaccine hesitant. This was associated with pre-pandemic beliefs about medications being harmful (P < 0.001) and overused (P = 0.002), with stronger beliefs resulting in vaccine hesitancy persistent over two time points (P = 0.008, P = 0.005). For those not vaccine hesitant pre-pandemic, the development of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was associated with a lower likelihood of seeking out vaccine information from health-care professionals (P < 0.001). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was not associated with new influenza vaccine hesitancy (P = 0.138).

Conclusion

In this study of vaccine beliefs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in inflammatory arthritis patients varied, depending on vaccine attitudes immediately prior to the start of the pandemic. Fixed beliefs reflected broader views about medications, while fluid beliefs were highly influenced by whether they sought out information from health-care professionals, including rheumatologists.
Paranormal Beliefs, Vaccine Confidence, and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake
Authors: Corcoran Katie E , Scheitle Christopher P , DiGregorio Bernard D
Published: September 2022

Conservative religious ideologies have been linked to vaccine hesitancy. Yet, little is known about how paranormal beliefs relate to vaccine confidence and uptake. We hypothesize that paranormal beliefs will be negatively related to both confidence and uptake due to their association with lower levels of trust in science and a greater acceptance of conspiratorial beliefs. We test this hypothesis using a new nationally representative sample of U.S. adults fielded in May and June of 2021 by NORC. Using regression models with a sample of 1,734, we find that paranormal beliefs are negatively associated with general vaccine confidence, COVID-19 vaccine confidence, and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. These associations are partially or fully attenuated net of trust in science and conspiratorial belief. Although not a focus of the study, we also find that Christian nationalism’s negative association with the outcomes is fully accounted for by measures of trust in science and conspiratorial beliefs.
The relative area of vessels in xylem correlates with stem embolism resistance within and between genera
Authors: Avila Rodrigo T , Kane Cade N , Batz Timothy A , Trabi Christophe , Damatta Fábio M , Jansen Steven , McAdam Scott A M
Published: September 2022

The resistance of xylem conduits to embolism is a major factor defining drought tolerance and can set the distributional limits of species across rainfall gradients. Recent work suggests that the proximity of vessels to neighbors increases the vulnerability of a conduit. We therefore investigated whether the relative vessel area of xylem correlates with intra- and inter-generic variation in xylem embolism resistance in species pairs or triplets from the genera Acer, Cinnamomum, Ilex, Quercus and Persea, adapted to environments differing in aridity. We used the optical vulnerability method to assess embolism resistance in stems and conducted anatomical measurements on the xylem in which embolism resistance was quantified. Vessel lumen fraction (VLF) correlated with xylem embolism resistance across and within genera. A low VLF likely increases the resistance to gas movement between conduits, by diffusion or advection, whereas a high VLF enhances gas transport thorough increased conduit-to-conduit connectivity and reduced distances between conduits and therefore the likelihood of embolism propagation. We suggest that the rate of gas movement due to local pressure differences and xylem network connectivity is a central driver of embolism propagation in angiosperm vessels.
Patterns of cutaneous leishmaniasis during the COVID-19 pandemic in four endemic regions of Iran
Authors: Mazaherifar Samaneh , Solhjoo Kavous , Rasti Sima , Heidarnejadi Seyede Manizhe , Abdoli Amir
Published: September 2022

Background

Both zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) and anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic in different regions of Iran. It is important to know the type of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) for prevention strategies. On the other hand, Iran is one of the countries that was severely affected by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, little is known about the causative agents of CL during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

Methods

In this study, a total of 181 samples were isolated from patients with CL lesions in four different endemic cities of Iran (Jahrom, Juyom, Kashan and Shoushtar) during the COVID-19 pandemic (the summer and autumn of 2021). The nested-PCR targeting kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles was applied for species identification of the parasite and the internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1) gene was applied for sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Molecular detection of kDNA minicircles revealed that all isolates from the four cities were Leishmania major, indicating the ZCL pattern. Ten isolates were sequenced by the ITS-1 gene and deposited in GenBank [accession numbers: OL627363–72]. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis displayed a high similarity rate of the isolates with sequences from other parts of Iran and Iraq. Over half of the patients (53.59%) had a single lesion, while 17.12, 14.92, 2.21 and 12.16% of cases had two, three, four and more than four lesions, respectively. About half of the patients (50.27%) had lesions on their hands, while the rest had lesions on multiple locations (19.34%), legs (16.58%), face (9.94%), ears (1.66%) and waist (2.21%).

Conclusions

This study revealed the occurrence of ZCL during the COVID-19 pandemic in four endemic regions of Iran. Strategies for prevention and control of the disease should be considered to mitigate the occurrence of ZCL.
Approach to the patient with a palpable breast mass
Authors: Jackson Toni , Carmichael Caroline , Lovett Katie , Scott Morgan , Shakya Sabrina , Sotak Megan
Published: September 2022

Breast mass is a common finding in patients presenting to primary care, women's health, or urgent care clinics. There are multiple etiologies that can cause a palpable breast mass both benign and malignant. PAs must know how to approach a patient with a palpable breast mass as well as what appropriate diagnostic evaluation is needed.
Improving hospital sepsis care using PAs and NPs on a rapid response team
Authors: Dooley Kristi , Guzik Whitney , Rooker Gabi , Beecher Luke , Hiniker Caitlin , Olson Andrew
Published: September 2022

Sepsis carries a high mortality in the United States. Hospitals across the country are working to find new ways to recognize, treat, and streamline care for patients with sepsis. At an academic medical center in the Midwest, a quality improvement project was developed using a sepsis rapid response team with physician associates/assistants (PAs) and NPs. This improved hospital adherence to sepsis evaluation and order set use from 48% to 86%. The added evaluation of the patient by a PA or NP, along with ensuring adherence to the sepsis order set, made an effective first step to improve care of patients with sepsis in this hospital.
Medium-term and Long-term Follow-up Surgical Outcomes of the 1-stage Posterior-only Lumbosacral Hemivertebra Resection With Short-segment Fusion in Children
Authors: Gao Rongxuan , Zhang Xuejun , Guo Dong , Cao Jun , Yao Ziming , Bai Yunsong , Sun Baosheng
Published: September 2022

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the medium-term and long-term surgical outcomes of the 1-stage posterior-only lumbosacral hemivertebra resection with short-segment fusion in children.

Methods:

This retrospective chart review included 21 children with congenital scoliosis due to lumbosacral hemivertebra who received 1-stage posterior-only hemivertebra resection with short-segment fusion from 2012 to 2016 with at least 5 years of follow-up. Standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the spine were compared preoperatively, postoperatively, and at last follow-up. Radiographic evaluation included measured changes in segmental scoliosis and lordosis, compensatory scoliosis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, trunk shift, and sagittal spinopelvic alignment.

Results:

There were 12 boys and 9 girls with a mean age of 6.5±3.2 years. The mean follow-up period was 6.7±1.3 years. The mean fusion level was 2.7±0.9 segments. The mean segmental scoliosis was 29±6 degrees preoperatively, 9±3 degrees (correction rate of 71%) postoperatively (P<0.05), and 7±3 degrees (correction rate of 76%) at the latest follow-up. The compensatory curve of 26±12 degrees was spontaneously corrected to 14±8 degrees (correction rate of 47%) at last follow-up (P<0.05). Trunk shift was significantly improved on both coronal (53%) and sagittal (56%) planes after surgery (P

0.05) and stable at follow-up. The sagittal spinopelvic alignment was balanced in all cases. There were no neurological or infectious complications.

Conclusions:

It is safe and effective to perform 1-stage posterior-only lumbosacral hemivertebra resection with short-segment fusion, which can significantly correct the segmental scoliosis, prevent the compensatory curve progress and improve the trunk shift. This strategy also can save motion segments and avoid long lumbar fusion. Medium-term and long-term follow-up outcomes are satisfactory.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.