bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of crab burrows on soil‐water dynamics in mangroves
Authors: Arnaud Marie , Baird Andy J. , Morris Paul J. , Taylor Adam , Dang Thuong Huyen , Tran Hong Hanh , Dinh Quang Thoai , Nguyen Tai Tue , Polsenaere Pierre
Published: February 2022

Many mangrove ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, are closely linked to mangrove soil water content, which in turn is thought to depend on animal burrow density and the properties of the sediment in which the burrows are constructed. We measured the water content in the sediment matrix between crab burrows across 26 plots in a typical, fine‐grained (clay), mangrove soil in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. We found that the water content of the sediment matrix remained more or less constant throughout the tidal cycle, and was independent of burrow density. Our results suggest that there is little exchange of water between the burrows and the associated sediment matrix and that burrows act as an independent pipe network transporting water through the mangrove soil. To check and extend our findings, we used a numerical groundwater model to simulate an idealized burrow in a range of sediment types. The model results confirmed that fine‐grained mangrove sediments do not drain readily into adjacent animal burrows because of their very low permeability. Our results have important implications for understanding and forecasting mangrove carbon dynamics with sea level rise.
From the voices of supervisees: What is reflective supervision and how does it support their work? (Part I)
Authors: Barron Carla C. , Dayton Carolyn J. , Goletz Jess L.
Published: February 2022

Reflective supervision/consultation (RS/C) is a relationship for learning that embraces reflection and reflective practice strategies. It is considered best practice within the infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) field. Based on research with supervisors, essential components of RS/C have been operationalized and used to develop evaluative tools. Little is known, however, about the essential components that supervisees find most useful. This paper, part I of a two‐part series, describes the essential components that supervisees identify as fundamental and ways they believe their work is supported by participation in RS/C. Fifty IECMH professionals located in the United States who received RS/C participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Data were analyzed using a Grounded Theory approach. Essential components of RS/C from the supervisee perspective included supervisee feelings of safety, the development of trust, holding a non‐judgmental stance, being available and present, and consistency and predictability. Additionally, supervisees identified outcomes of RS/C that included components of professional wellness, personal growth, and infant and family engagement. This study adds the supervisee's voice to the identification and operationalization of essential RS/C components and elucidates outcomes of RS/C that supervisees view as connected to their professional role.
Identification of novel inhibitors for Prp protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by structure based drug design, and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Rajasekhar Sreerama , Das Soumyadip , Karuppasamy Ramanathan , Musuvathi Motilal Balamurali , Chanda Kaushik
Published: February 2022

In this study, we assess the effective inhibition of a series of thiazolidine derivatives (1a–1q) were adopting structure‐based drug design. Thiazolidine is a five‐membered ring structure with thioether and amino groups at positions 1 and 3. Although, thiazolidine may bind to a wide range of protein targets, it is a major heterocyclic core in medicinal chemistry. Different scoring utilities including AutoDock Vina, Glide, and MM/GBSA analysis were performed to commensurate the improvement of screening progress. The evaluated binding affinities were validated by molecular dynamics simulations over a period of 20 ns for the interactions between the Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein PrpR with three novel scaffolds (1b, 1j, and 1k). All the scaffolds exhibited distinct stable interactions with the significant residues like Arg169, Arg197, Tyr248, Arg308, and Gly311 respectively. Further, the inhibitory activities of scaffolds were predicted and evaluated by machine learning based algorithm to rank the above proposed compounds. This study reveals the potential of 1k and 1j as effective inhibitor candidates for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Expression and clinical significance of circular RNA hsa_circ_0003416 in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease
Authors: Huang Yanyun , Su Danyan , Ye Bingbing , Huang Yuqin , Qin Suyuan , Chen Cheng , Zhao Yijue , Pang Yusheng
Published: February 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to be involved in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, their diagnostic value in pediatric PAH remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the characteristic expression of the circRNA hsa_circ_0003416 in the plasma of children with PAH caused by congenital heart disease (CHD); the potential of hsa_circ_0003416 as a diagnostic biomarker was also investigated.

Methods

The plasma expression levels of hsa_circ_0003416 were determined via quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction in 50 CHD patients, 50 PAH patients, and 20 healthy subjects; the associations between hsa_circ_0003416 levels and clinical data were analyzed thereafter. Receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to determine the diagnostic capacity of this circRNA.

Results

Expression levels of hsa_circ_0003416 in plasma were lower in the PAH‐CHD group than in the CHD and healthy control groups (p = 0.009 vs. healthy control group, p = 0.026 vs. CHD group). Moreover, hsa_circ_0003416 was found to be negatively associated with B‐type natriuretic peptide (r = −0.342, p = 0.013). In addition, the area under the curve of hsa_circ_0003416 levels in plasma was 0.721 (95% confidence intervals = 0.585–0.857, p = 0.004), suggesting that it has a promising diagnostic value.

Conclusions

Overall, hsa_circ_0003416 was found to be significantly downregulated in children with PAH‐CHD and to be potent as a biomarker for PAH‐CHD diagnosis.
Brown adipose tissue activation is not related to hypermetabolism in emphysematous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Authors: Sanders Karin J.C. , Wierts Roel , van Marken Lichtenbelt Wouter D. , de Vos‐Geelen Judith , Plasqui Guy , Kelders Marco C.J.M. , Schrauwen‐Hinderling Vera B. , Bucerius Jan , Dingemans Anne‐Marie C. , Mottaghy Felix M. , Schols Annemie M.W.J.
Published: February 2022

Background

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been primarily researched as a potential target for mitigating obesity. However, the physiological significance of BAT in relation to cachexia remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the putative contribution of BAT on different components of energy metabolism in emphysematous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Methods

Twenty COPD patients (mean ± SD age 62 ± 6, 50% female, median [range] BMI 22.4 [15.1–32.5] kg/m2 and 85% low FFMI) were studied. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) was assessed by ventilated hood, total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) by doubly labelled water and physical activity by triaxial accelerometry. BMR was adjusted for fat‐free mass (FFM) as assessed by deuterium dilution. Analysis of BAT and WAT was conducted in a subset of ten patients and six age‐matched, gender‐matched and BMI‐matched healthy controls. BAT glucose uptake was assessed by means of cold‐stimulated integrated [18F]FDG positron‐emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. WAT was collected from subcutaneous abdominal biopsies to analyse metabolic and inflammatory gene expression levels. Lung function was assessed by spirometry and body plethysmography and systemic inflammation by high sensitivity C‐reactive protein.

Results

Mean TDEE was 2209 ± 394 kcal/day, and mean BMR was 1449 ± 214 kcal/day corresponding to 120% of predicted. FFM‐adjusted BMR did not correlate with lung function or C‐reactive protein. Upon cooling, energy expenditure increased, resulting in a non‐shivering thermogenesis of (median [range]) 20.1% [3.3–41.3] in patients and controls. Mean BAT glucose uptake was comparable between COPD and controls (1.5 [0.1–6.2] vs. 1.1 [0.7–3.9]). In addition, no correlation was found between BMR adjusted for FFM and BAT activity or between cold‐induced non‐shivering energy expenditure and BAT activity. Gene expression levels of the brown adipocyte or beige markers were also comparable between the groups. No (serious) adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

Although COPD patients were hypermetabolic at rest, no correlation was found between BMR or TDEE and BAT activity. Furthermore, both BAT activity and gene expression levels of the brown adipocyte or beige markers were comparable between COPD patients and controls.
The ring‐legged earwig Euborellia annulipes as a new model for oogenesis and development studies in insects
Authors: Núñez‐Pascual Valentina , Calleja Felipe , Pardo Renato V. , Sarrazin Andres F. , Irles Paula
Published: February 2022

Insects are the dominant group of animals on Earth. Despite this abundance, most of our knowledge about many aspects of their biology and development come from a unique model, the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Nevertheless, in the last years, the advances in molecular tools and imaging techniques have allowed the emergence of new insect models, adding valuable information to decipher the morphogenetic bases behind the formation and evolution of the vast diversity of shapes, sizes, and patterns that characterize them. Earwigs belong to Dermaptera which is a small order clustered in the Polyneopteran group. They are hemimetabolous insects with a flattened body, characteristic abdominal pincers, and maternal care behavior. This last feature and their role in agroecosystems have been studied in cosmopolitan species such as Forficula auricularia and Euborellia annulipes; however, their reproduction and embryonic development have been poorly addressed in laboratory conditions. In response, here we describe the ring‐legged earwig Euborellia annulipes embryogenesis and life cycle from nymphal to adult stages, its reproduction, and essential morphological and behavioral characters. Additionally, using confocal and transmission electron microscopy we analyzed in detail the morphogenesis of its peculiar meroistic polytrophic ovary. Our aim is to provide an emerging model system to perform comparative studies on insect oogenesis, development, and morphological evolution.
Forgotten frontline workers: Environmental health service employees' perspectives on working during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Jordan Sarah R. , Daddato Andrea E. , Patel Hemali P. , Jones Christine D.
Published: February 2022

Background

Environmental Health Service employees (EVS) sanitize healthcare facilities and are critical to preventing infection, but are under‐resourced during the COVID‐19 pandemic and at risk of burnout.

Objective

Understand demands on EVS’ work and strain on resources during COVID‐19.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study conducted in winter 2020–2021.

Setting

One quaternary care academic medical center in Colorado.

Participants

A convenience sample of 16 EVS out of 305 eligible at the medical center. Fifty percent identified as Black, 31% as Hispanic, 6% as Asian, and 6% as White (another 6% identified as mixed race). Sixty‐nine percent were female, and half were born in a country outside the United States.

Measures

Semistructured telephone interviews. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes.

Results

Four themes illustrate EVS experiences with job strain and support during COVID‐19: (1) Needs for ongoing training/education, (2) Emotional challenges of patient care, (3) Resource/staffing barriers, and (4) Lack of recognition as frontline responders. Despite feeling unrecognized during the pandemic, EVS identified structural supports with potential to mitigate job strain, including opportunities for increased communication with interdisciplinary colleagues, intentional acknowledgment, and education for those who speak languages other than English. Strategies that can increase physical and emotional resources and reduce job demands have potential to combat EVS burnout.

Conclusions

As the surge of COVID‐19 cases continues to overwhelm healthcare facilities, healthcare systems and interdisciplinary colleagues can adopt policies and practices that ensure lower‐wage healthcare workers have access to resources, education, and emotional support.
Hospital characteristics by proportion of patients from disadvantaged neighborhoods
Authors: Hansmann Kellia J. , Powell W. Ryan , Golden Blair P. , Kind Amy J. H.
Published: February 2022

Neighborhood disadvantage reflects historic and ongoing systemic injustices. Without addressing these upstream social determinants of health, hospitals may face different risk profiles for important quality metrics. Our objective was to assess differences in hospital characteristics where the proportion of patients residing in severely disadvantaged neighborhoods was high versus low. Using Medicare fee‐for‐service claims between January 1, 2014 and November 30, 2014 (5,807,499 hospital stays), we calculated area disadvantage share (ADS), the proportion of each hospital's discharges to severely disadvantaged neighborhoods, for 4528 hospitals. We examined hospital characteristics by a distribution of ADS and by risk‐adjusted 30‐day readmission. Hospitals in the highest decile cared for a higher proportion of Black patients, were more often located in rural areas, and had a higher patient risk of 30‐day readmission compared with all other deciles. Hospitals face unequal burdens of neighborhood disadvantage, a factor distinct from other social determinants such as rurality.
Evaluating the Impact of Peer Review on the Completeness of Reporting in Imaging Diagnostic Test Accuracy Research
Authors: Kazi Sakib , Frank Robert A. , Salameh Jean‐Paul , Fabiano Nicholas , Absi Marissa , Pozdnyakov Alex , Islam Nayaar , Korevaar Daniël A. , Cohen Jérémie F. , Bossuyt Patrick M. , Leeflang Mariska M.G. , Cobey Kelly D. , Moher David , Schweitzer Mark , Menu Yves , Patlas Michael , McInnes Matthew D.F.
Published: February 2022

Background

Despite the nearly ubiquitous reported use of peer review among reputable medical journals, there is limited evidence to support the use of peer review to improve the quality of biomedical research and in particular, imaging diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) research.

Purpose

To evaluate whether peer review of DTA studies published by imaging journals is associated with changes in completeness of reporting, transparency for risk of bias assessment, and spin.

Study Type

Retrospective cross‐sectional study.

Study Sample

Cross‐sectional study of articles published in Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (JMRI), Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal (CARJ), and European Radiology (EuRad) before March 31, 2020.

Assessment

Initial submitted and final versions of manuscripts were evaluated for completeness of reporting using the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) 2015 and STARD for Abstracts guidelines, transparency of reporting for risk of bias assessment based on Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS‐2), and actual and potential spin using modified published criteria.

Statistical Tests

Two‐tailed paired t‐tests and paired Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were used for comparisons. A P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

We included 84 diagnostic accuracy studies accepted by three journals between 2014 and 2020 (JMRI = 30, CARJ = 23, and EuRad = 31) of the 692 which were screened. Completeness of reporting according to STARD 2015 increased significantly between initial submissions and final accepted versions (average reported items: 16.67 vs. 17.47, change of 0.80 [95% confidence interval 0.25–1.17]). No significant difference was found for the reporting of STARD for Abstracts (5.28 vs. 5.25, change of −0.03 [−0.15 to 0.11], P = 0.74), QUADAS‐2 (6.08 vs. 6.11, change of 0.03 [−1.00 to 0.50], P = 0.92), actual “spin” (2.36 vs. 2.40, change of 0.04 [0.00 to 1.00], P = 0.39) or potential “spin” (2.93 vs. 2.81, change of −0.12 [−1.00 to 0.00], P = 0.23) practices.

Conclusion

Peer review is associated with a marginal improvement in completeness of reporting in published imaging DTA studies, but not with improvement in transparency for risk of bias assessment or reduction in spin.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

1
Benefits of using multiple Raman laser wavelengths for characterizing defects in a UO2 matrix
Authors: Karcher Samuel , Mohun Ritesh , Olds Travis , Weber Marc , Kriegsman Kyle , Zhao Xiaodong , Guo Xiaofeng , Corkhill Claire , Field David , McCloy John
Published: February 2022

Raman spectroscopy is one of the most useful techniques for studying the structure of UO2 and changes due to specific defects caused by doping, changes in stoichiometry, irradiation, or heating under oxidizing conditions. In this paper, we illustrate several aspects of the application of Raman techniques to the study of UO2, including the use of wavelength‐dependent excitation (455, 532, and 785 nm) to assess the effects of doping (Nd, Th, and Zr), ion irradiation, and in situ heating and oxidation (UO2 to U3O8). Additionally, we show examples of how correlative microscopy is possible using electron backscatter diffraction combined with Raman maps of specific vibration bands or of laser‐induced luminescence generated by rare‐earth dopants in the matrix. For each of these applications, we suggest optimal excitation wavelengths that vary depending on the desired data. Blue (455 nm) excitation tends to promote oxidation even at low powers, but because Raman spectra change little with doping, irradiation‐induced changes are easier to observe. Green (532 nm) excitation is optimal for observing electron–phonon resonance effects in UO2 and offers a good compromise for high‐temperature oxidation experiments, delivering high‐quality spectra for both UO2 and U3O8. Infrared (785 nm) excitation is best for observing “defect” bands associated with doping in UO2, as changes with irradiation are small. Raman spectroscopy is particularly suited for studying the stability of UO2 towards oxidation in the presence of dopants simulating fission products, where electron–phonon resonant effects, dopant ion luminescence, and mapping can be used together to investigate structural rearrangement as a function of temperature. These techniques can offer insight into microstructural changes in UO2 fuels at higher burnups envisioned in future reactors.
Operative technique in laryngeal paraganglioma: A case series and literature review
Authors: Ananthapadmanabhan Saikrishna , Jabbour Joe , Tseros Evangelos , Sivapathasingam Vanaja , Smith Mark , Riffat Faruque , Sritharan Niranjan
Published: February 2022

Background

Laryngeal paragangliomas (LP) comprise a rare subset of head and neck neoplasms and are an important differential in the patient with a submucosal laryngeal mass.

Methods

We discuss an operative technique using coblation assisted excision via laryngofissure in the cases of four confirmed LPs and discuss the current literature with respect to diagnosis and management of these patients.

Results

Our case series of four patients demonstrate the laryngofissure approach for LP is safe, provides oncological cure and preserves laryngeal function. This technique with coblation has not been previously discussed in the surgical management of LPs. Patient‐reported postoperative voice and swallowing outcomes were excellent in all patients. Whole body imaging techniques were utilized in all patients, with octreotide scintigraphy demonstrating synchronous lesions in two of the four patients—one had a retroperitoneal lesion, whilst another patient had multiple lesions in the skull base, paravertebral region, liver, and adrenal gland.

Conclusions

Our cases also highlight the changing clinical paradigms in the diagnostic approach of LPs and an emerging role for octreotide scintigraphy in the workup of these patients. Coblation assisted excision via laryngofissure is efficient and effective in the surgical resection of LP. In patients with multicentric forms of LP, the size, side, and anatomic location of synchronous lesions should be considered in surgical planning to determine feasibility and safety of operative management.

Level of Evidence

IV
Multifunctional sustainable quercetin polyphenol/functionalized carbon nanotubes; semi‐transparent conductive films and 3D printing inks
Authors: Fares Mohammad M. , Radaydeh Samah K.
Published: February 2022

Semi‐transparent conductive films (semi‐TCFs) were fabricated from sustainable onion quercetin polyphenol and functionalized carbon nanotubes (F‐CNTs) in presence of different metal ion crosslinking agents via layer‐by‐layer technique. Layer‐by‐layer semi‐TCFs were fabricated in presence of metal ion crosslinking agents of Ca2+, Ti2+, Sn2+, and Fe3+ ions. Optical transmittance values was in the range of 41%–67%, sheet resistance in 17–1567 kΩ/sq, and σdc/σop in 0.0005–0.02 range, which confirm their semi‐TCFs characteristics. Optimum performance of single‐layer F‐CNTs semi‐TCFs was as follows; transmittance = 46.6%, sheet resistance = 6.5 kΩ/sq, and σdc/σop = 0.06. 3D printing inks and injectable hydrogels were also fabricated from multifunctional sustainable onion/F‐CNTs in presence gelatin. Proposed mechanism of gelation was established for the 3D printing ink, and the semi‐Interpenetrating network hydrogel was verified using spectroscopic ATR‐FTIR technique. The injectable hydrogel showed promising characteristics of robustness, elasticity, anti‐microbial activity, biocompatibility, and stretchable low cost multifunctional materials that adapt them to be successfully employed in biomedical and surgical applications. Characteristic peaks that demonstrate chemical structure of quercetin and successful functionalization of F‐CNTs were observed in 1H‐NMR and ATR‐FTIR spectra. High thermal stability of F‐CNTs was observed (694°C) in TGA and DTG thermograms, and two C(002) and C(100) crystal structures of F‐CNTs were result. Topologic nanostructure of F‐CNTs and spherical shape clusters of quercetin were demonstrated using optical and scanning electron microscope images.
Enhancing immobilization of iron oxide particles on various polymer surfaces
Authors: Lupínková Simona , Benkocká Monika , Ryšánek Petr , Kolská Zdeňka
Published: February 2022

We report the approach of successful immobilization of iron oxide particles (IOPs) on UV‐activated surface of polymers. PA6 (polyamide 6), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), UHMWPE (ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene), and PP (polypropylene) foils were studied. The surface of polymers was firstly activated by UV radiation and subsequently grafted with IOPs. We have also investigated the effect of surface pre‐grafting with chitosan and triethanolamine on subsequent IOPs grafting. IOPs have been synthesized by co‐precipitation method of ferric and ferrous ions. The changes in surface properties of modified polymer foils before/after individual steps of modification were characterized by contact angle determination, electrokinetic analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The contact angle decreased after UV activation due to the formation of oxygen polar groups. The presence of iron on the polymer surfaces, revealed by XPS, showed that IOPs were successfully bound to the polymer surfaces. XRD analysis confirmed that the prepared IOPs were in the form of magnetite (Fe3O4). The best results were obtained for the procedure containing UV surface activation, chitosan grafting, and subsequent IOPs immobilization.
Cutting the cord? Parenting emerging adults with chronic pain
Authors: Lunde Claire E. , Fisher Emma , Donovan Elizabeth , Serbic Danijela , Sieberg Christine B.
Published: February 2022

The role of parent factors, such as distress and protective behaviors, on pain and functional outcomes of emerging adults living with chronic pain has been largely unexplored. The effects of helicopter parenting and developmental changes occurring during this transition period between adolescence and adulthood (commonly defined as the ages between 18 and 30 years) may exacerbate the pain experience and have the potential to influence chronic pain management. Clinical practice, with an additional focus on supporting the parent(s), may aid in meeting the needs of this population. In this paper, we review the available literature on (a) the socio‐cultural shift in parenting over the past decade with a focus on helicopter parenting; (b) the impact of this parenting style on the pain experience and outcomes of emerging adults living with chronic pain; (c) provide recommendations for chronic pain management with a focus on the parent‐emerging adult dyad; and (d) conclude with future research recommendations. This narrative review is the first to consider the impacts and outcomes of helicopter parenting on emerging adults with chronic pain.
Stapled peptides as potential inhibitors of SARS‐CoV‐2 binding to the hACE2 receptor
Authors: Tzotzos Susan
Published: February 2022

Stapled peptides are synthetic peptidomimetics of bioactive sites in folded proteins which carry chemical links, introduced during peptide synthesis, designed to retain the secondary structure in the native protein molecule. Stapled peptides have been investigated as potential modulators of protein–protein interactions for over two decades. The potential use of stapled peptides as inhibitors of viral entry, and therefore as antiviral therapeutics, has been established for several important viruses causing disease in humans, such as the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus. Several independent research initiatives have investigated the inhibitory effect of stapled peptides on binding of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the causative agent of COVID‐19, to its receptor, angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme 2 (ACE2). These stapled peptides, which mimic Helix 1 of the human ACE2 receptor, have demonstrated mixed ability to prevent infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 in cell‐based studies.
First‐Principles Calculations of Pressure Effects on the Structural, Electronic, Elastic, and Thermodynamic Properties of Rb2MF6 (M = Si, Ni, Pd) Crystals
Authors: Brik Mikhail G. , Piasecki Michal , Avram Nicolae M.
Published: February 2022

Three double perovskite crystals Rb2MF6 (M = Si, Ni, Pd) are studied using the first‐principles methods. Their structural, electronic, elastic, and thermodynamic properties are calculated; effects of external hydrostatic pressure in the range from 0 to 10 GPa are analyzed. A remarkable feature of all studied compounds is the complicated structure of the valence bands, which consist of several sub‐bands separated by gaps that may produce intraband luminescence. Dependencies of the band gaps, unit cell volumes, and chemical bond lengths on pressure are calculated. It is observed that the Rb–F bonds are about 20 times more compressible than the M–F bonds. The influence of partially filled 3d orbitals of Ni in Rb2NiF6 and 4d orbitals of Pd in Rb2PdF6 on the electronic properties of these materials is analyzed by calculating the crystal field strength parameter 10Dq at varying hydrostatic pressure. Estimations of the Debye temperature from the calculated elastic constants yield the values of 198 K (Rb2SiF6), 199 K (Rb2NiF6), and 180 K (Rb2PdF6). The results of this investigation highlight the importance of systematic first‐principles calculations of physical properties for isostructural compounds and expands the existing databases of physical properties of double perovskite crystals.
Severe IgA vasculitis with features of remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome in a 60‐year‐old male treated with plasmapheresis
Authors: Mathew Shawn , Goyal Rohan , Gupta Nealansh , Joks Rauno
Published: February 2022

Objective: To explore a possible association between systemic immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis and RS3PE syndrome and to investigate specific treatment regimens for adults who present with IgA vasculitis with renal involvement.

Methods: The patient was treated with plasmapheresis and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) every other day with 1g methylprednisolone daily for three days followed by oral prednisone taper. Mycophenolate mofetil twice daily and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole for Pneumocystis jirovecii prophylaxis was started. In total the patient received two cycles of plasmapheresis and fresh frozen plasma.

Results: The patient's renal function drastically improved with resolution of both abdominal pain and nausea.

Conclusion: We illustrate a possible association between systemic IgA vasculitis and RS3PE syndrome, and this case demonstrates IgA vasculitis with renal involvement that acutely resolved with high‐dose glucocorticoids and plasmapheresis. Additionally, our specific treatment regimen can be a potential standard of care for adults who present with IgA vasculitis with renal involvement.
Human leukocyte antigen B polymorphism and association between HLA‐B27 and endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 rs30187 SNP in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Bangladesh
Authors: Sajib Md Kamrul H. , Ahmed Shamim , Haq Syed A. , Choudhury Minhaj R. , Uddin Mohammed , Uddin Furkan , Khan Muhammad S. A. , Zaman Mohammad M.
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To determine the association of Human leukocyte antigen B (HLA‑B) alleles with ankylosing spondylitis and the allelic association of HLA‐B27 with endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs30187 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

We studied 48 consecutively enrolled well‐defined AS patients and 48 healthy controls recruited from the outpatient clinic of the rheumatology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. To genotype HLA‐B alleles from peripheral blood DNA, we designed sequence‐specific primers for polymerase chain reaction. Sanger's sequencing method was used to detect the ERAP1 rs30187 SNP. The HLA‐B allele distributions were compared between cases and controls. To infer an allelic association between HLA‐B27 and ERAP1, allele distributions from both loci were compared using cross‐tabulations. Chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test was used to quantify the association, and their strength of association was tested by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The frequency of HLA‐B27 was found to be higher in AS patients (60.4%) than in healthy controls (8.3%). HLA‐B27 allele had an OR of 16.8 (95% CI = 5.2–54.4) for the development of AS. Overall, 4% of AS patients had both HLA‐B27 and HLA‐B40. No significant association was found between ERAP1 rs30187 SNP and HLA‐B27 in patients with AS (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 0.5–5.6).

Conclusions

HLA‐B27 was significantly associated with AS in patients in Bangladesh. However, no association between ERAP1 rs30187 SNP and HLA‐B27 was observed.
PFAS Experts Symposium 2: Statements on available in situ remediation technologies
Authors: Abrams Stewart , McGregor Rick , Burns Matthew , Galasso John , Havranek Timothy , Hesemann John , Longsworth Jeffrey , McDonough Jeffrey , Mora Rebecca
Published: February 2022

As a follow‐up to the PFAS Experts Symposium 2 held on June 30 and July 1, 2021, the In situ Remediation Technologies Committee prepared a technical and regulatory review of in situ technologies that are potentially applicable to sites with per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The technologies included in the review were limited to those that are deemed commercially available and potentially applicable to sites with soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment contamination. While the scope of commercially available in situ remediation technologies for PFAS remains limited, some in situ adsorption technologies, most notably activated carbon‐based technologies, can be considered fully commercialized. Though questions remain regarding the long‐term effectiveness of these technologies, field applications deployed for at least a half‐decade or more continue to demonstrate effectiveness.
Decentralized fixed‐time control for state‐constrained stochastic systems via nonlinear state‐dependent function approach
Authors: Yao Yangang , Tan Jieqing , Wu Jian , Zhang Xu
Published: February 2022

The issue of event‐triggered‐based decentralized fuzzy control of stochastic interconnected large‐scale nonlinear systems with full‐state constraints is studied in this article. By means of the fixed‐time command filtered dynamic surface control technology with the newly error compensating signals, a newly decentralized event‐triggered control scheme is proposed. Under the proposed scheme, the problem of “curse of dimensionality” that often occurs in the conventional backstepping design process is overcome, and the influence of filtering error on transient performance is effectively reduced. Meanwhile, the asymmetric time‐varying state constraints are dealt with by introducing the nonlinear state‐dependent functions. Compared with the conventional schemes of dealing with state constraints, the limitation that the virtual control functions need to satisfy the feasibility conditions is eliminated. In addition, a novel smooth function is constructed to deal with the obstacles caused by unknown interconnections. Simulation results verify the scheme developed.
Estimating misclassification errors in the reporting of maternal mortality in national civil registration vital statistics systems: A Bayesian hierarchical bivariate random walk model to estimate sensitivity and specificity for multiple countries and years with missing data
Authors: Peterson Emily , Chou Doris , Moller Ann‐Beth , Gemmill Alison , Say Lale , Alkema Leontine
Published: February 2022

Civil registration vital statistics (CRVS) systems provide data on maternal mortality that can be used for monitoring trends and to inform policies and programs. However, CRVS maternal mortality data may be subject to substantial reporting errors due to misclassification of maternal deaths. Information on misclassification is available for selected countries and periods only. We developed a Bayesian hierarchical bivariate random walk model to estimate sensitivity and specificity for multiple populations and years and used the model to estimate misclassification errors in the reporting of maternal mortality in CRVS systems. The proposed Bayesian misclassification (BMis) model captures differences in sensitivity and specificity across populations and over time, allows for extrapolations to periods with missing data, and includes an exact likelihood function for data provided in aggregated form. Validation exercises using maternal mortality data suggest that BMis is reasonably well calibrated and improves upon the CRVS‐adjustment approach used until 2018 by the UN Maternal Mortality Inter‐Agency Group (UN‐MMEIG) to account for bias in CRVS data resulting from misclassification error. Since 2019, BMis is used by the UN‐MMEIG to account for misclassification errors when estimating maternal mortality using CRVS data.
Inference about ratios of age‐standardized rates with sampling errors in the population denominators for estimating both rates
Authors: Jiang Jiming , Li Yuanyuan , Nguyen Thuan , Yu Mandi
Published: February 2022

A rate ratio (RR) is an important metric for comparing cancer risks among different subpopulations. Inference for RR becomes complicated when populations used for calculating age‐standardized cancer rates involve sampling errors, a situation that arises increasingly often when sample surveys must be used to obtain the population data. We compare a few strategies of estimating the standardized RR and propose bias‐corrected ratio estimators as well as the corresponding variance estimators and confidence intervals that simultaneously consider the sampling error in estimating populations and the traditional Poisson error in the occurrence of cancer case or death. Performance of the proposed methods is evaluated empirically based on simulation studies. An application to immigration disparities in cancer mortality among Hispanic Americans is discussed. Our simulation studies show that a bias‐corrected RR estimator performs the best in reducing the bias without increasing the coefficient of variation; the proposed variance estimators for the RR estimators and associated confidence intervals are fairly accurate. Finding of our application study are both interesting and consistent with the common sense as well as the results of our simulation studies.
Mechanism and regulation of filamentous algal‐bacterial symbiosis based on microbiological quorum sensing
Authors: Kuizu Su , Ruiyu Wu , Hui Zhou , Wei Wang , Tianwei Hao
Published: February 2022

In algae‐bacteria symbiotic systems, algae and bacteria work cooperatively to reduce aeration demand and carbon emissions during wastewater treatment. However, controlling and stabilizing microbial communities in the conventional algae‐bacteria symbiotic systems are complicated and unstable. We, therefore, developed a novel sewage treatment system based on a filamentous algae‐bacterial symbiotic granule system (AB) in a photo‐sequencing batch reactor (PSBR). The exogenous signal molecules (i.e., N‐acyl‐homoserine lactones [AHLs]) were applied to promote the algae‐bacteria consortia formation. The characteristics and performance of the mature algae‐bacterial granular consortia were investigated and then compared with that of the activated sludge (AS) system under identical operating conditions. The chemical oxidation demand (COD) removal efficiencies were greater than 90% in the dynamic synergistic investigation, even without aeration. However, the addition of AHLs (5, 50, and 200 nmol/L) had a negligible effect on treatment performance. In static conditions, 10−9 nmol/L of AHLs can significantly regulate the algae‐bacteria symbiotic system, and AHLs (<50 nmol/L) improved COD and NH4+ removal efficiencies by up to 90%. Moreover, the addition of AHLs augmented polysaccharide secretion but had little effect on protein secretion. In comparison to the AS system, the AB system demonstrated promise in terms of pollution removal efficiency and microbial diversity enhancement.

Practitioner Points

Oscillatoria can serve as an excellent biological carrier for immobilizing bacteria.

AHLs (10−9 mol/L) regulated the operation state of algae‐bacteria symbiotic system.

AHLs altered the composition and content of EPS in the algae‐bacteria system.
“Everybody Knows”: Reading from Screens
Authors: Richardson John T. E.
Published: February 2022

This chapter discusses the increased use of screen-based reading in education and in daily life generally, noting that readers usually have the option of printing off screen-based material to be read on paper. Some existing typefaces were taken over for use in computer systems, while other serif and sans serif typefaces were developed specifically for on-screen use. The chapter discusses the legibility of serif and sans serif typefaces projected using older technology such as slide projectors, overhead projectors, and PowerPoint. Finally, the chapter describes some of the technical issues concerning the way that images are displayed using cathode-ray tubes and liquid crystal displays.
The Legibility of Letters and Words
Authors: Richardson John T. E.
Published: February 2022

As with reading from print, the earliest research on the legibility of different typefaces when reading from screens was concerned with recognising individual letters and words under different conditions. Here, too, visual confusions were originally considered to be a primary determinant of the legibility of serif and sans serif typefaces.
“Everybody Knows”: Reading from Paper
Authors: Richardson John T. E.
Published: February 2022

This chapter introduces Part I by summarising the attitudes of 20th-century typographers, who almost without exception considered that serif typefaces were easier to read than sans serif typefaces when printed on paper. In the twenty-first century, any dissenting voices have mainly come from journal editors, who have tended to recommend the use of sans serif typefaces without providing any supporting evidence. This chapter also considers but dismisses the idea that serifs are purely decorative and superfluous to the task of identifying individual letters.
The Legibility of Letters and Words
Authors: Richardson John T. E.
Published: February 2022

The earliest research on the legibility of different typefaces was concerned with recognising individual letters and words under different conditions. The vertical “stripiness” of individual words can be defined in terms of their horizontal autocorrelation, and this seems to affect how quickly they can be read. Visual confusions among different letters were considered to be a primary determinant of legibility. There is a separate line of research concerned with evaluating visual acuity, going back to the construction of optical charts in the middle of the nineteenth century.
General Conclusions to Part I
Authors: Richardson John T. E.
Published: February 2022

This chapter concludes Part I by summarising and discussing the key findings. Are there any differences in the legibility of serif and sans serif typefaces when they are used to generate printed material? Are there any differences in readers’ preferences and connotations between serif and sans serif typefaces when they are used to generate printed material? Where does this leave previously stated assumptions about the legibility of serif and sans serif typefaces? The chapter concludes by assessing the position adopted in the latest edition of the American Psychological Association’s Publication Manual.
The joy of factorization at large N: five-dimensional indices and AdS black holes
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Morteza , Yaakov Itamar , Zaffaroni Alberto
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We discuss the large N factorization properties of five-dimensional supersymmetric partition functions for CFT with a holographic dual. We consider partition functions on manifolds of the form $$ \mathrm{\mathcal{M}}={\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}_3\times {S}_{\upepsilon}^2 $$
ℳ
=

ℳ
3

×

S
ϵ
2

, where ϵ is an equivariant parameter for rotation. We show that, when ℳ3 is a squashed three-sphere, the large N partition functions can be obtained by gluing elementary blocks associated with simple physical quantities. The same is true for various observables of the theories on $$ {\mathrm{\mathcal{M}}}_3={\Sigma}_{\mathfrak{g}}\times {S}^1 $$

ℳ
3

=

Σ
g

×

S
1

, where $$ {\Sigma}_{\mathfrak{g}} $$

Σ
g

is a Riemann surface of genus 𝔤, and, with a natural assumption on the form of the saddle point, also for the partition function, corresponding to either the topologically twisted index or a mixed one. This generalizes results in three and four dimensions and correctly reproduces the entropy of known black objects in AdS6×wS4 and AdS7× S4. We also provide the supersymmetric background and explicitly perform localization for the mixed index on $$ {\Sigma}_{\mathfrak{g}}\times {S}^1\times {S}_{\upepsilon}^2 $$

Σ
g

×

S
1

×

S
ϵ
2

, filling a gap in the literature.
Constraints on axions from cosmic distance measurements
Authors: Buen-Abad Manuel A. , Fan JiJi , Sun Chen
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Axion couplings to photons could induce photon-axion conversion in the presence of magnetic fields in the Universe. This conversion could impact various cosmic distance measurements, such as luminosity distances to type Ia supernovae and angular distances to galaxy clusters, in different ways. In this paper we consider different combinations of the most up-to-date distance measurements to constrain the axion-photon coupling. Employing the conservative cell magnetic field model for the magnetic fields in the intergalactic medium (IGM) and ignoring the conversion in the intracluster medium (ICM), we find the upper bounds on axion-photon couplings to be around 5×10−12 (nG/B) $$ \sqrt{\mathrm{Mpc}/s} $$

Mpc
/
s

GeV–1 for axion masses ma below 10−13 eV, where B is the strength of the IGM magnetic field, and s is the comoving size of the magnetic domains. When including the conversion in the ICM, the upper bound is lowered and could reach 5 × 10−13 GeV−1 for ma< 5 × 10−12 eV. While this stronger bound depends on the ICM modeling, it is independent of the strength of the IGM magnetic field, for which there is no direct evidence yet. These constraints could be placed on firmer footing with an enhanced understanding and control of the astrophysical uncertainties associated with the IGM and ICM. All the bounds are determined by the shape of the Hubble rate as a function of redshift reconstructable from various distance measurements, and insensitive to today’s Hubble rate, of which there is a tension between early and late cosmological measurements. As an appendix, we discuss the model building challenges of the use of photon-axion conversion to make type Ia supernovae brighter to alleviate the Hubble problem/crisis.
Duality invariant string beta functions at two loops
Authors: Bonezzi Roberto , Codina Tomas , Hohm Olaf
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We compute, for cosmological backgrounds, the O(d, d; ℝ) invariant beta functions for the sigma model of the bosonic string at two loops. This yields an independent first-principle derivation of the order α′ corrections to the cosmological target-space equations. To this end we revisit the quantum consistency of Tseytlin’s duality invariant formulation of the worldsheet theory. While we confirm the absence of gravitational (and hence Lorentz) anomalies, our results show that the minimal subtraction scheme is not applicable, implying significant technical complications at higher loops. To circumvent these we then change gears and use the Polyakov action for cosmological backgrounds, applying a suitable perturbation scheme that, although not O(d, d; ℝ) invariant, allows one to efficiently determine the O(d, d; ℝ) invariant beta functions.
Gauging the superconformal group with a graded dual operator
Authors: Alvarez P. D. , Chavez R. A. , Zanelli J.
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Based on the superconformal algebra we construct a dual operator that introduces a grading among bosonic generators independent of the boson/fermion grading of the superalgebra. This dual operator allows us to construct an action that is gauge invariant under the grading even bosonic generators. We provide a self-dual notion based on the dual operator. We use the definition of the dual operator to contruct a model with gauge invariance SO(1, 3) × SU(N) × U(1) ⊂ SU(2, 2|N). The choice of a graded dual operator allows us to overcome technical difficulties of U(N) unified theories based on the superconformal group. The gravity action reproduces the Einstein-Hilbert action in certain sector of the theory. The definition of the dual operator allows us to include fermionic matter in the gauge connection in a geometric manner. We give a summary with possible phenomenological parameters that are included in the model.