bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating stakeholder engagement in collaborative research: co-producing knowledge for climate resilience
Authors: Singletary Loretta , Koebele Elizabeth , Evans William , Copp Christopher J. , Hockaday Shelby , Rego Jesse Jo
Published: August 2022

This study describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of an initial stakeholder engagement experience designed to facilitate knowledge co-production. The engagement experience is part of a collaborative research framework (CRF), which facilitates iterative interactions among diverse researchers and stakeholders around the topic of enhanced climate resilience. Here, we describe the: (1) need for and development of a CRF as it relates to stakeholder engagement and knowledge co-production; (2) implementation of the initial engagement experience, focused around individual semi-structured interviews, in the context of a snow-dependent, arid river basin where historical water over allocation, climate change, and diversified water uses challenge the basin’s resilience; and (3) formative evaluation of the engagement experience using an online survey to inform the development of more effective engagement practices. Results of the evaluation indicate that, after participating, most stakeholders understand and recognize the importance of research goals, demonstrate positive attitudes toward collaborative research and researchers, view their contribution of knowledge and expertise as critical to research, and perceive researchers as eager to use their expertise. Moreover, stakeholders emphasized various context-specific goals for knowledge co-production, such as finding innovative ways to adapt to increased competition for diminishing water supplies. To achieve these goals, stakeholders suggested researchers learn about their basin, including its water allocation history and agricultural practices. These results highlight the importance of centering stakeholder engagement experiences within a broader CRF and formatively evaluating such experiences to adapt them to achieve research goals.
Grid Performance Enhancement Study Under Restricted Placement and Sizing of PV Distributed Generation
Authors: Soliman Ayman. M. , Emara Safaa. M. , Nashed Maged N. F.
Published: August 2022

Increasing power demand and encouragement of renewable energy generation appear the importance of Distributed Generation (DG). The Photovoltaic (PV) is considered a resource of distributed generation. The integration of PV-DG unit into the grid has a significant effect on reducing real power losses, operating costs, and enhancing voltage stability. Most of the current researches handle this issue from the point of optimizing the PV-DG unit size and location to enhance the grid performance. In fact and due to optimal design criteria, PV location and size are selected, implemented, and no luxury for a change. In this research, specific selection of sizing and placement of PV-DG unit in radial distribution systems was previously determined and installed. The main goal of this research is to study the grid performance enhancement under these conditions. IEEE 15 bus system has been taken to perform this study based on a MATLAB environment. The idea of this study is to analyze the grid performance when connecting the PV-DG unit to each bus across the transmission line to find the optimally connected bus considering the available transfer capacity of the existing network. For optimal grid performance enhancement, results show that PV-DG unit fragmentation into small units to be connected to all buses was the best solution.
A Critical Review of Communications in Multi-robot Systems
Authors: Gielis Jennifer , Shankar Ajay , Prorok Amanda
Published: August 2022

Purpose of Review

This review summarizes the broad roles that communication formats and technologies have played in enabling multi-robot systems. We approach this field from two perspectives: of robotic applications that need communication capabilities in order to accomplish tasks, and of networking technologies that have enabled newer and more advanced multi-robot systems.

Recent Findings

Through this review, we identify a dearth of work that holistically tackles the problem of co-design and co-optimization of robots and the networks they employ. We also highlight the role that data-driven and machine learning approaches play in evolving communication pipelines for multi-robot systems. In particular, we refer to recent work that diverges from hand-designed communication patterns, and also discuss the “sim-to-real” gap in this context.

We present a critical view of the way robotic algorithms and their networking systems have evolved, and make the case for a more synergistic approach. Finally, we also identify four broad Open Problems for research and development, while offering a data-driven perspective for solving some of them.
Identifying and Exploring Sustainability Determinants of Mental Health Recovery-Oriented Interventions: A Mixed Methods Study Protocol
Authors: Sofouli Eleni , Wiltsey-Stirman Shannon , Groleau Danielle , Perreault Michel , Piat Myra
Published: August 2022

Mental health recovery is the new paradigm in the mental health service delivery system worldwide. Recovery-oriented services go beyond traditional clinical care that is centered on symptom remission, aiming to help people: restore social connections with other individuals and the community; develop hope and optimism for the future; reconstruct an identity beyond that of a “mental patient”; discover meaning in life; and feel empowered to gain control over treatment (CHIME framework). Over the last ten years, several efforts at implementation of recovery-oriented interventions have been documented in the scientific literature. However, little attention has been given to their sustainability, even though it is reported that not all health interventions can fully sustain their activities beyond the initial implementation phase. The aim of this mixed methods case study is to better understand the factors that determine the sustainability of two recovery-oriented interventions (peer support and recovery training) after their roll-out in four organizations in Canada that provide community housing for adults with mental health challenges. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected from managers, service providers, and implementation team members that oversaw the implementation process along with organizational documents. Data collection and analysis will be guided by the Consolidated Framework for Sustainability Constructs in Healthcare, the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications, and the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool. Findings will expand our current evidence base on the intersection of sustainability and mental health recovery interventions that remains under-explored.
The understanding of abstract concepts: a perspective from distributed models of conceptual representation
Authors: Khatin-Zadeh Omid , Farsani Danyal
Published: August 2022

This theoretical article looks at the process of understanding abstract concepts from the perspective of distributed models of conceptual representation. According to these models, meanings of concepts are essentially componential; that is, the meaning of any concept is represented by small units of meaning, which are called semantic features. Based on these models, this article suggests that scope of interpretation and range of associated semantic features are two key differences between abstract and concrete concepts. While abstract concepts are interpreted within wide scopes and in association with large sets of semantic features, concrete concepts are interpreted within narrower scopes and in association with relatively smaller sets of semantic features. Extending the discussion into the metaphoric understanding of abstract concepts in terms of concrete concepts, it is suggested that when an abstract concept is processed, the activation of low-level sub-features may take place in a variety of ways.
The role of procalcitonin and Clinical Pulmonary for Infection Score (CPIS) score to reduce inappropriate antibiotics use among moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia: A quasi-experimental multicenter study
Authors: Sathitakorn Ornnicha , Chansirikarnjana Siriththin , Jantarathaneewat Kittiya , Weber David J. , Warren David K. , Apisarnthanarak Piyaporn , Tantiyavarong Pichaya , Apisarnthanarak Anucha
Published: August 2022

In this quasi-experimental study, implementing a procalcitonin and Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) successfully reduced inappropriate antibiotic use among severely-to-critically ill COVID-19 patients, multidrug-resistant organisms, and invasive fungal infections during the intervention period in 2 medical centers. However, this strategy did not improve inappropriate antibiotic use among mildly-to-moderately ill COVID-19 patients.
BDNF-related mutations in major depressive disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Hartig Johannes , Nemeş Bogdan
Published: August 2022

Objective:

A better understanding of the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its association with neuroplasticity could play a pivotal role in finding future therapeutic targets for novel drugs in major depressive disorder (MDD). Because there are conflicting results regarding the exact role of BDNF polymorphisms in MDD still, we set out to systematically review the current evidence regarding BDNF-related mutations in MDD.

Methods:

We conducted a keyword-guided search of the PubMed and Embase databases, using ‘BDNF’ or ‘brain-derived neurotrophic factor’ and ‘major depressive disorder’ and ’single-nucleotide polymorphism’. We included all publications in line with our exclusion and inclusion criteria that focused on BDNF-related mutations in the context of MDD.

Results:

Our search yielded 427 records in total. After screening and application of our eligibility criteria, 71 studies were included in final analysis. According to present overall scientific data, there is a possibly major pathophysiological role for BDNF neurotrophic systems to play in MDD. However, on the one hand, the synthesis of evidence makes clear that likely no overall association of BDNF-related mutations with MDD exists. On the other hand, it can be appreciated that solidifying evidence emerged on specific significant sub-conditions and stratifications based on various demographic, clinico-phenotypical and neuromorphological variables.

Conclusions:

Further research should elucidate specific BDNF-MDD associations based on demographic, clinico-phenotypical and neuromorphological variables. Furthermore, biomarker approaches, specifically combinatory ones, involving BDNF should be further investigated.
Roles of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors in the modulation of psychostimulant responses
Authors: Gobira P.H. , Joca S.R. , Moreira F.A.
Published: August 2022

Addiction to psychostimulant drugs, such as cocaine, D-amphetamine, and methamphetamine, is a public health issue that substantially contributes to the global burden of disease. Psychostimulant drugs promote an increase in dopamine levels within the mesocorticolimbic system, which is central to the rewarding properties of such drugs. Cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R) are expressed in the main areas of this system and implicated in the neuronal mechanisms underlying the rewarding effect of psychostimulant drugs. Here, we reviewed studies focusing on pharmacological intervention targeting cannabinoid CB1R and CB2R and their interaction in the modulation of psychostimulant responses.
A blood digestion scoring method for poultry red mites, Dermanyssus gallinae
Authors: Ma Yuyun , Liu Qi , Liu Boxing , Wang Penglong , Wang Xu , Sun Weiwei , Pan Baoliang
Published: August 2022

The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, is one of the most detrimental ectoparasite on poultry farms worldwide. The blood fed on birds provides the mites with nutrition and energy for their activities, development and reproduction. In the evaluation of the efficacy of novel drugs or vaccines against PRMs, their effects on blood digestion are generally used as a key parameter. The blood digestion of haematophagous arthropods (including D. gallinae) is usually assessed by weighing; however, this method shows some limitations. The main objective of the present study was to develop a scoring method that can quickly and visually evaluate the blood digestion status of PRMs. A 0–4 point scoring criterion was established to describe the blood digestion status of D. gallinae based on the changes in appearance in the intestinal tract of PRMs during the blood digestion process. There was a good consistency between the results obtained by the blood digestion scoring and the weighing, indicating the reliability of this new method. The results obtained from volunteers were consistent with the results from researchers with low coefficient of variation, indicating that the scoring method has good practicability. The applicability of the scoring method was confirmed in an efficacy study, where it was found that doramectin could significantly inhibit the blood digestion of PRMs, lowering the blood digestion score.
Cross-generational transmission of genetic risk for alcohol and drug use disorders: the impact of substance availability on the specificity of genetic risk
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S. , Abrahamsson Linda , Ohlsson Henrik , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: August 2022

Background

Among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and drug use disorder (DUD), is their genetic liability and its specificity moderated by substance availability?

Methods

Offspring (born 1960–1995) and their biological parents from three family types [not-lived-with (NLW) biological father, mother and adoptive] and their AUD and DUD diagnoses were ascertained from Swedish national registers. Parent–offspring resemblance was calculated by tetrachoric correlation.

Results

In Swedes born from 1960 to 1995, prevalence rates of AUD were stable while DUD rates increased substantially. Best-estimate tetrachoric correlations (±95% confidence intervals) between AUD in biological parents and AUD and DUD in their offspring were, respectively, +0.19 (0.18–0.20) and +0.18 (0.17–0.20). Parallel results from DUD in parents to AUD and DUD in children were +0.12 (0.10–0.13) and +0.27 (0.26–0.28). When divided into older and younger cohorts, the specificity of DUD transmission increased substantially over time, while the genetic correlation between AUD and DUD significantly decreased.

Conclusions

Raised when alcohol was the preferred substance of abuse and illicit drugs highly stigmatized, AUD in parents reflected a general liability to substance use disorders, as they transmitted similar genetic risk for AUD and DUD to their children raised when both substances were widely available and relatively acceptable. DUD in parents, by contrast, reflected a more specific liability to DUD and, when transmitted to offspring, produced a considerably stronger risk for DUD than for AUD that increased over time. The magnitude and specificity of the genetic liability to psychoactive substances can be influenced by the availability of that substance.
On the profinite rigidity of lattices in higher rank Lie groups
Authors: KAMMEYER HOLGER , KIONKE STEFFEN
Published: August 2022

We investigate which higher rank simple Lie groups admit profinitely but not abstractly commensurable lattices. We show that no such examples exist for the complex forms of type
$E_8$
,
$F_4$
, and
$G_2$
. In contrast, there are arbitrarily many such examples in all other higher rank Lie groups, except possibly
$\textrm{SL}_{2n+1}(\mathbb{R})$
,
$\textrm{SL}_{2n+1}(\mathbb{C})$
,
$\textrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{H})$
, or groups of type
$E_6$
.
Use of pulsars for ship navigation: an alternative to the sextant
Authors: Adamson Janusz
Published: August 2022

A new method is proposed for determining a ship's position at sea using naturally occurring pulsar signals to provide an alternative to the sextant. Use is made of four distinct pulsar radio signals whose timing stabilities are comparable to atomic clocks and whose characteristic signatures can be used as natural radio navigation beacons. Pulse peak time difference measurements, accurate to within 10−5 and 10−6 s, were generated for a key reference observatory which provides long-term pulsar timing observations and for the unknown ship location. These time differences when multiplied by the velocity of light provide a distance value that is fundamental in calculating the ship's position. Resultant simulations provided a position accuracy to ≈1⋅1 km (≈0⋅6 nm) for the higher timing difference measurement. A single-pulsar-based approach, which gave a position accuracy to ≈2⋅8 km (≈1⋅5 nm), was also investigated for affordable equipment solutions and comparison with NASA space-based navigation experiments.
Bentham's Mugging
Authors: Gustafsson Johan E.
Published: August 2022

A dialogue, in three parts, on utilitarian vulnerability to exploitation.
Noonan syndrome associated with hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Lawrence Kendall M. , Burstein Danielle S. , Ahrens-Nicklas Rebecca , Gaynor J. William , Nuri Muhammad A.
Published: August 2022

Noonan syndrome is an inherited disorder caused by alterations in the RAS-MAPK pathway. There have been several identified genotype–phenotype associations made with respect to congenital cardiac lesions and Noonan syndrome variants, but limited data exist regarding single ventricle disease in this population. Here, we report two patients with PTPN11-related Noonan syndrome and hypoplastic left heart syndrome variants.
Defining the optimal historical control group for a phase 1 trial of mesenchymal stromal cell delivery through cardiopulmonary bypass in neonates and infants
Authors: Kobayashi Kei , Higgins Tessa , Liu Christopher , Ayodeji Mobolanle , Wernovsky Gil , Jonas Richard A. , Ishibashi Nobuyuki
Published: August 2022

Objective:

The Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Delivery through Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery study is a prospective, open-label, single-centre, dose-escalation phase 1 trial assessing the safety/feasibility of delivering mesenchymal stromal cells to neonates/infants during cardiac surgery. Outcomes will be compared with historical data from a similar population. We aim to define an optimal control group for use in the Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Delivery through Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery trial.

Methods:

Consecutive patients who underwent a two-ventricle repair without aortic arch reconstruction within the first 6 months of life between 2015 and 2020 were studied using the same inclusion/exclusion criteria as the Phase 1 Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Delivery through Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery trial (n = 169). Patients were allocated into one of three diagnostic groups: ventricular septal defect type, Tetralogy of Fallot type, and transposition of the great arteries type. To determine era effect, patients were analysed in two groups: Group A (2015–2017) and B (2018–2020). In addition to biological markers, three post-operative scoring methods (inotropic and vasoactive-inotropic scores and the Pediatric Risk of Mortality-III) were assessed.

Results:

All values for three scoring systems were consistent with complexity of cardiac anomalies. Max inotropic and vasoactive-inotropic scores demonstrated significant differences between all diagnosis groups, confirming high sensitivity. Despite no differences in surgical factors between era groups, we observed lower inotropic and vasoactive-inotropic scores in group B, consistent with improved post-operative course in recent years at our centre.

Conclusions:

Our studies confirm max inotropic and vasoactive-inotropic scores as important quantitative measures after neonatal/infant cardiac surgery. Clinical outcomes should be compared within diagnostic groupings. The optimal control group should include only patients from a recent era. This initial study will help to determine the sample size of future efficacy/effectiveness studies.
Hazelnut growth and weed control in response to selected preemergence herbicides
Authors: Pedroso Rafael M. , Moretti Marcelo L.
Published: August 2022

Hazelnut hectarage is expanding in Oregon. Weed competition in young orchards can severely reduce the growth and survival of plants. New orchards replace crops, including grass seed fields, which often are infested with herbicide-resistant weeds, including Italian ryegrass. This research evaluated hazelnut tolerance to pronamide, pyroxasulfone, and S-metolachlor. Three multi-year field experiments were conducted at newly planted orchards in the Willamette Valley during 2019 and 2020. Treatments compared pyroxasulfone (0.24 kg ai ha–1), pronamide (2.3 kg ai ha–1), and S-metolachlor (1.39 kg ai ha–1) applied at the reference rate, and at 2× and 4× that rate, compared to weed-free check. Treatments were applied within 2 wk after the winter transplant and reapplied the following year. Hazelnuts showed a high tolerance to all herbicides tested, with negligible injury noted (<3%). No changes in leaf chlorophyll were noted, averaging 242, 179, and 225 mg m–2 on each study site. Tree growth was similar among treatments as measured by trunk cross-sectional area, canopy volume, and internode length. A separate study evaluated the control of Italian ryegrass. Pronamide and pyroxasulfone provide 100% control of Italian ryegrass, and weed dry weight was reduced by up to 79 % compared to the grower standard. This study documents that hazelnuts are tolerant to pronamide, pyroxasulfone, and S-metolachlor, and that these herbicides can improve weed management in young orchards.
Control of glyphosate-resistant horseweed with Group 4 herbicides in soybean
Authors: Soltani Nader , Shropshire Christy , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: August 2022

Little information is available on the relative efficacy of Group 4 herbicides for glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed management in soybean. Five field research experiments were conducted in growers’ fields from 2020 to 2021 to determine GR horseweed control with Group 4 herbicides applied preplant (PP) alone and in a mixture. There was minimal soybean injury (≤4%) with herbicides evaluated. Dicamba, 2,4-D, or halauxifen-methyl applied PP controlled GR horseweed 92% to 96%, 73% to 76%, and 85% to 89%, respectively. The mixtures of dicamba + 2,4-D, dicamba + halauxifen-methyl and dicamba + 2,4-D + halauxifen-methyl provided 97% to 99% control of GR horseweed, similar to dicamba applied alone. The mixture of 2,4-D + halauxifen-methyl provided 93% to 94% control of GR horseweed. Dicamba + saflufenacil controlled GR horseweed at 98%. Dicamba alone, dicamba + 2,4-D ester, dicamba + halauxifen-methyl, and dicamba + 2,4-D ester + halauxifen-methyl decreased GR horseweed density 97%, 99%, 99%, and 98%, respectively, similar to a 98% density reduction with dicamba + saflufenacil. Other herbicide treatments had no effect on GR horseweed density. Dicamba, 2,4-D, and halauxifen-methyl applied PP decreased GR horseweed dry biomass by 99%, 76%, and 72%, respectively. The mixtures of dicamba + 2,4-D, dicamba + halauxifen-methyl, and dicamba + 2,4-D + halauxifen-methyl decreased GR horseweed dry biomass by 99% to 100%, similar to a 99% dry biomass reduction with dicamba + saflufenacil. The mixture of 2,4-D + halauxifen-methyl decreased GR horseweed dry biomass by 94%. Soybean yield was decreased by 61% when GR horseweed was left uncontrolled. Results show that Group 4 herbicides that include dicamba applied PP can be very effective in managing GR horseweed in soybean.
Zielgerichtete Kommunikation
Authors: Winkelmann Claudia , Helmer-Denzel Andrea
Published: August 2022

CanMEDS in der Gesundheitsversorgung 

Fachliche Expertise, klinische Kompetenz und Outcome-Orientierung sind die Zielvorgaben für die Mitarbeitenden der Gesundheitsberufe, um eine qualitativ hohe Gesundheitsversorgung im interdisziplinären Team sicher zu stellen. Dies gelingt ihnen in ihren Rollen als Medical Expert, Health Advocate, Professional, Collaborator, Communicator, Scholar, Manager (CanMEDS-Rollenkonzept). In der klinischen Praxis ist es immer ein Mix an Kompetenzen, der zur Problemlösung führt.
Nach einer Einführung zu CanMEDS orientieren sich die Bände der Reihe an den Tätigkeiten der Berufsgruppen. Strukturell sind die Bände mit Grafiken und Fallbeispielen übersichtlich gestaltet. Die Autorinnen sind Expertinnen in der Praxis der Gesundheitsversorgung sowie in der Forschung und Lehre. 

Gesundheitsberufe sind Beziehungsberufe! 
Eine wertschätzende, verlässliche und transparente Kommunikation ist die Basis für Vertrauen und Adhärenz und somit die Grundlage einer optimalen Gesundheitsversorgung. Die beiden Autorinnen beschreiben die Rolle des Communicators und die Entwicklung hin zu einer zielgerichteten Kommunikation in sieben Phasen. Die nötigen Tools zur Umsetzung sind grafisch gestaltet und laden zur Anwendung ein.
Handbuch Psychopharmaka
Authors: Bleich Stefan , Dabbert Dominik , Kropp Stefan , Neyazi Alexandra , Seifert Johanna , Toto Sermin , Bandelow Borwin
Published: August 2022

Die umfassende Neubearbeitung des Handbuches liefert kompakte und klare Informationen zu allen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz erhältlichen Psychopharmaka. Die Einteilung der Psychopharmaka erfolgt nach dem jeweiligen Anwendungsbereich. So werden u.a. Antidepressiva, Antipsychotika, Anxiolytika, Hypnotika, Phasenprophylaktika, Substanzen zur Behandlung der ADHS und des Substanzmissbrauchs, Antidementiva, missbräuchlich verwendete Substanzen und triebdämpfende Arzneimittel in all ihren psychopharmakologischen Eigenschaften und Wechselwirkungen dargestellt.
Im Buch wird mit verschiedenen Icons zu Indikationen und Kontraindikationen, Dosierung, Pharmakokinetik, unerwünschten Arzneimittelwirkungen, Absetzphänomenen, Hinweisen für die Pflege, Wechselwirkungen etc. gearbeitet. Leserinnen und Leser des Handbuches können dadurch schnell die für sie relevanten Informationen zu einem bestimmten Psychopharmakon auffinden. Auch nichtpharmakologische Therapieverfahren wie die Repetitive Transkranielle Magnetstimulation oder die Lichttherapie werden ausführlich behandelt. Zusätzlich zum Handbuch werden über 90 Seiten Patienteninformationen über häufig angewendete Psychopharmaka zur Verfügung gestellt, die nach erfolgter Registrierung von der Hogrefe Website heruntergeladen und den Patientinnen und Patienten mit nach Hause gegeben werden können. Dank der Übersichtlichkeit und leichten Zugänglichkeit der Informationen stellt das Handbuch ein praxisorientiertes und aktuelles Nachschlagewerk für alle im psychiatrischen Bereich tätigen Berufsgruppen dar.
Slowdown and Recovery of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and a Persistent North Atlantic Warming Hole Induced by Arctic Sea Ice Decline
Authors: Ferster Brady S. , Simon Amélie , Fedorov Alexey , Mignot Juliette , Guilyardi Eric
Published: August 2022

We investigate the impact of Arctic sea ice loss on the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and North Atlantic climate in a coupled general circulation model (IPSL‐CM5A2) perturbation experiment, wherein Arctic sea ice is reduced until reaching an equilibrium of an ice‐free summer. After several decades we observe AMOC weakening caused by reduced dense water formation in the Iceland basin due to the warming of surface waters, and later compensated by intensification of dense water formation in the Western Subpolar North Atlantic. Consequently, AMOC slightly weakens in deep, dense waters but recovers through shallower, less dense waters overturning. In parallel, wind‐driven intensification and southeastward expansion of the subpolar gyre cause a depth‐extended cold anomaly ∼2°C around 50°N that resembles the North Atlantic “warming hole.” We conclude that compensating dense water formations drive AMOC changes following sea ice retreat and that a warming hole can develop independently of the AMOC modulation.
Rheology of Naturally Deformed Antigorite Serpentinite: Strain and Strain‐Rate Dependence at Mantle‐Wedge Conditions
Authors: Tulley C. J. , Fagereng Å. , Ujiie K. , Piazolo S. , Tarling M. S. , Mori Y.
Published: August 2022

Antigorite serpentinite is expected to occur in parts of subduction plate boundaries, and may suppress earthquake slip, but the dominant deformation mechanisms and resultant rheology of antigorite are unclear. An exhumed plate boundary shear zone exposed near Nagasaki, Japan, contains antigorite deformed at 474°C ± 30°C. Observations indicate that a foliation defined by (001) crystal facets developed during plate‐boundary shear. Microstructures indicating grain‐scale dissolution at high‐stress interfaces and precipitation in low‐stress regions suggest that dissolution‐precipitation creep contributed to foliation development. Analysis of crystal orientations indicate a small contribution from dislocation activity. We suggest a frictional‐viscous rheology for antigorite, where dissolution‐precipitation produces a foliation defined by (001) crystal facets and acts to resolve strain incompatibilities, allowing for efficient face‐to‐face sliding between facets. This rheology can not only explain aseismic behavior at ambient plate boundary conditions, but also some of the contrasting behaviors shown by previous field and laboratory studies.
Quantifying the Link Between the Detrital Zircon Record and Tectonic Settings
Authors: Jian Dongchuan , Williams Simon E. , Yu Shan , Zhao Guochun
Published: August 2022

Full‐plate reconstructions describe the history of past continental motions and how plate boundaries have evolved to accommodate these motions. Traditionally, tectonic reconstructions relied on geophysical data from the oceans and paleomagnetism as the primary quantitative constraints. However, these data do not directly constrain the paths of subduction zones or other plate boundaries, so reconstructing the complete configurations of tectonic plates in the past must rely on alternative methods. Here, we investigate the applicability of detrital zircon age spectra to characterize tectonic settings in deep time using a much larger data set than previously considered. We analyzed the proximity between reconstructed plate boundaries and sample sites assigned to different tectonic categorizations based on the proportion of zircon ages close to the depositional age and found that the categorization has an ∼70% success rate in distinguishing convergent settings. Results are not strongly influenced by factors such as the number of zircon grains available within each detrital sample or uncertainty in the depositional age of the sample. The ability of the categorization to define extensional settings, such as rift basins, is less clear. Nonetheless, the broader pattern of results at the scale of Pangea shows that categorized zircon samples form a coherent pattern, where samples with dominantly young zircons lie at the supercontinent periphery while samples in the core of Pangea are dominated by grains much older than the age of deposition. This result suggests that zircon data could help to quantify uncertainties in full‐plate reconstructions and discriminate between competing models for Proterozoic supercontinents.
Monte Carlo Simulations of Shear‐Thinning Flow in Geological Fractures
Authors: Lenci A. , Méheust Y. , Putti M. , Di Federico V.
Published: August 2022

The hydraulic behavior of fractured rocks under shear‐thinning flow is a challenging topic of interest in several fields, related either to environmental remediation or to natural resources recovery. The compound effect of fluid rheology and medium heterogeneity strongly affects flow and transport in fractured geological formations. Here, a stochastic analysis is conducted via Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the flow of shear‐thinning fluids in fractures subjected to both natural and forced flow, considering different fracture dimensions, for a spatial correlation of the fracture that is an intrinsic parameter of the geological formation, independent of the fracture size. Considering the lubrication approximation, a generalized Reynolds equation for shear‐thinning fluids is solved using an ad hoc, finite volume‐based, numerical scheme. The influence of the rheology and aperture field heterogeneity on ensemble statistics of the velocity components and magnitude, as well as apparent fracture‐scale transmissivity, is quantified over 103 fracture realizations. The probability density functions (PDFs) and relative confidence intervals, obtained by averaging over the statistics, are analyzed to characterize the apparent transmissivity transition from Newtonian to shear‐thinning regime. The autocorrelation functions of velocity components are computed to understand the impact of rheology on spatial correlations the flow. Velocity components exhibit narrow PDFs with nearly exponential decay. More elevated pressure gradients emphasize the shear‐thinning behavior, inducing a more pronounced flow localization, under otherwise identical conditions. This translates at the scale of the fracture into a larger apparent transmissivity as compared to the same configuration with Newtonian rheology, by orders of magnitude.
Investigation on urban greenspace in relation to sociodemographic factors and health inequity based on different greenspace metrics in 3 US urban communities
Authors: Heo Seulkee , Bell Michelle L.
Published: August 2022

Background

Study results are inconclusive regarding how access to greenspace differs by sociodemographic status potentially due to lack of consideration of varying dimensions of greenspace.

Objective

We investigated how provision of greenspace by sociodemographic status varies by greenspace metrics reflecting coverage and accessibility of greenspace.

Methods

We used vegetation levels measured by Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), percent of greenspace, percent tree cover, percent tree cover along walkable roads, and percent of people living ≤500 m of a park entrance (park accessibility). We considered data for 2008–2013 in Census block groups in 3 US regions: New Haven, Connecticut; Baltimore, Maryland; and Durham, North Carolina. We examined geographical distribution of greenspace metrics and their associations with indicators of income, education, linguistic isolation, race/ethnicity, and age. We used logistic regression to examine associations between these greenspace metrics and age-standardized mortality controlling for sociodemographic indicators.

Results

Which region had the highest greenspace depended on the greenspace metric used. An interquartile range (33.6%) increase in low-income persons was associated with a 6.2% (95% CI: 3.1, 9.3) increase in park accessibility, whereas it was associated with 0.03 (95% CI: −0.035, −0.025) to 7.3% (95% CI: −8.7, −5.9) decreases in other greenspace metrics. A 15.5% increase in the lower-education population was associated with a 2.1% increase (95% CI: −0.3%, 4.6%) in park accessibility but decreases with other greenspace metrics (0.02 to 5.0%). These results were consistent across the 3 study areas. The odds of mortality rate more than the 75th percentile rate were inversely associated with all greenspace metrics except for annual average EVI (OR 1.27, 95% CI: 0.43, 3.79) and park accessibility (OR 1.40, 95% CI: 0.52, 3.75).

Significance

Environmental justice concerns regarding greenspace differ by the form of natural resources, and pathways of health benefits can differ by form of greenspace and socioeconomic status within communities.

Impact statement

Comparisons of exposure to greenspace between different greenspace metrics should be incorporated in decision-making within local contexts.
Natural immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and breakthrough infections in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients with cancer
Authors: Cortellini Alessio , Aguilar-Company Juan , Salazar Ramon , Bower Mark , Sita-Lumsden Ailsa , Plaja Andrea , Lee Alvin J. X. , Bertuzzi Alexia , Tondini Carlo , Diamantis Nikolaos , Martinez-Vila Clara , Prat Aleix , Apthorp Eleanor , Gennari Alessandra , Pinato David J.
Published: August 2022

Background

Consolidated evidence suggests spontaneous immunity from SARS-CoV-2 is not durable, leading to the risk of reinfection, especially in the context of newly emerging viral strains. In patients with cancer who survive COVID-19 prevalence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections are unknown.

Methods

We aimed to document natural history and outcome from SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in patients recruited to OnCovid (NCT04393974), an active European registry enrolling consecutive patients with a history of solid or haematologic malignancy diagnosed with COVID-19.

Results

As of December 2021, out of 3108 eligible participants, 1806 COVID-19 survivors were subsequently followed at participating institutions. Among them, 34 reinfections (1.9%) were reported after a median time of 152 days (range: 40–620) from the first COVID-19 diagnosis, and with a median observation period from the second infection of 115 days (95% CI: 27–196). Most of the first infections were diagnosed in 2020 (27, 79.4%), while most of reinfections in 2021 (25, 73.5%). Haematological malignancies were the most frequent primary tumour (12, 35%). Compared to first infections, second infections had lower prevalence of COVID-19 symptoms (52.9% vs 91.2%, P = 0.0008) and required less COVID-19-specific therapy (11.8% vs 50%, P = 0.0013). Overall, 11 patients (32.4%) and 3 (8.8%) were fully and partially vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 before the second infection, respectively. The 14-day case fatality rate was 11.8%, with four death events, none of which among fully vaccinated patients.

Conclusion

This study shows that reinfections in COVID-19 survivors with cancer are possible and more common in patients with haematological malignancies. Reinfections carry a 11% risk of mortality, which rises to 15% among unvaccinated patients, highlighting the importance of universal vaccination of patients with cancer.
A Japanese family with dystonia due to a pathogenic variant in SGCE
Authors: Morikawa Takuya , Miura Shiroh , Fan Luoming , Watanabe Emina , Fujioka Ryuta , Motooka Hiromichi , Yasumoto Shingo , Uchiyama Yusuke , Shibata Hiroki
Published: August 2022

Dystonia (DYT) is a heterogeneous neurological disorder, and there are many types of DYT depending on the responsible genes. DYT11 is an autosomal dominant DYT caused by functional variants in the SGCE gene. We examined a Japanese patient with myoclonic dystonia. By using exome analysis, we identified a rare variant in the SGCE gene, NM_003919.3: c.304C > T [Arg102*], in this patient. Therefore, this patient has been molecularly diagnosed with DYT11. By Sanger sequencing, we confirmed that this variant was paternally inherited in this patient. By allele-specific PCR, we confirmed that the maternally inherited normal allele of SGCE was silenced, and only the paternally inherited variant allele was expressed in this patient. Despite the pathogenicity, identical variants have been recurrently reported in eight independent families from different ethnicities, suggesting recurrent mutations at this mutational hotspot in SGCE.
Extending the low-temperature operation of sodium metal batteries combining linear and cyclic ether-based electrolyte solutions
Authors: Wang Chuanlong , Thenuwara Akila C. , Luo Jianmin , Shetty Pralav P. , McDowell Matthew T. , Zhu Haoyu , Posada-Pérez Sergio , Xiong Hui , Hautier Geoffroy , Li Weiyang
Published: August 2022

Nonaqueous sodium-based batteries are ideal candidates for the next generation of electrochemical energy storage devices. However, despite the promising performance at ambient temperature, their low-temperature (e.g., < 0 °C) operation is detrimentally affected by the increase in the electrolyte resistance and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) instability. Here, to circumvent these issues, we propose specific electrolyte formulations comprising linear and cyclic ether-based solvents and sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate salt that are thermally stable down to −150 °C and enable the formation of a stable SEI at low temperatures. When tested in the Na||Na coin cell configuration, the low-temperature electrolytes enable long-term cycling down to −80 °C. Via ex situ physicochemical (e.g., X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy) electrode measurements and density functional theory calculations, we investigate the mechanisms responsible for efficient low-temperature electrochemical performance. We also report the assembly and testing between −20 °C and −60 °C of full Na||Na3V2(PO4)3 coin cells. The cell tested at −40 °C shows an initial discharge capacity of 68 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of approximately 94% after 100 cycles at 22 mA g−1.
Ultramicroporous material based parallel and extended paraffin nano-trap for benchmark olefin purification
Authors: Zhang Peixin , Yang Lifeng , Liu Xing , Wang Jun , Suo Xian , Chen Liyuan , Cui Xili , Xing Huabin
Published: August 2022

Selective paraffin capture from olefin/paraffin mixtures could afford high-purity olefins directly, but suffers from the issues of low separation selectivity and olefin productivity. Herein, we report an ultramicroporous material (PCP-IPA) with parallel-aligned linearly extending isophthalic acid units along the one-dimensional channel, realizing the efficient production of ultra-high purity C2H4 and C3H6 (99.99%). The periodically expanded and parallel-aligned aromatic-based units served as a paraffin nano-trap to contact with the exposed hydrogen atoms of both C2H6 and C3H8, as demonstrated by the simulation studies. PCP-IPA exhibits record separation selectivity of 2.48 and separation potential of 1.20 mol/L for C3H8/C3H6 (50/50) mixture, meanwhile the excellent C2H6/C2H4 mixture separation performance. Ultra-high purity C3H6 (99.99%) and C2H4 (99.99%) can be directly obtained through fixed-bed column from C3H8/C3H6 and C2H6/C2H4 mixtures, respectively. The record C3H6 productivity is up to 15.23 L/kg from the equimolar of C3H8/C3H6, which is 3.85 times of the previous benchmark material, demonstrating its great potential for those important industrial separations.
Fixed-point oblivious quantum amplitude-amplification algorithm
Authors: Yan Bao , Wei Shijie , Jiang Haocong , Wang Hong , Duan Qianheng , Ma Zhi , Long Gui-Lu
Published: August 2022

The quantum amplitude amplification algorithms based on Grover’s rotation operator need to perform phase flips for both the initial state and the target state. When the initial state is oblivious, the phase flips will be intractable, and we need to adopt oblivious amplitude amplification algorithm to handle. Without knowing exactly how many target items there are, oblivious amplitude amplification also suffers the “soufflé problem”, in which iterating too little “undercooks” the state and too much “overcooks” the state, both resulting in a mostly non-target final state. In this work, we present a fixed-point oblivious quantum amplitude-amplification (FOQA) algorithm by introducing damping based on methods proposed by A. Mizel. Moreover, we construct the quantum circuit to implement our algorithm under the framework of duality quantum computing. Our algorithm can avoid the “soufflé problem”, meanwhile keep the square speedup of quantum search, serving as a subroutine to improve the performance of quantum algorithms containing oblivious amplitude amplification procedure.
Honghua extract mediated potent inhibition of COVID-19 host cell pathways
Authors: Madikyzy Malika , Tilegen Meruyert , Nazarbek Guldan , Mu Chenglin , Kutzhanova Aidana , Li Xugang , Ma Cuiping , Xie Yingqiu
Published: August 2022

Honghua (Carthami flos) and Xihonghua (Croci stigma) have been used in anti-COVID-19 as Traditional Chinese Medicine, but the mechanism is unclear. In this study, we applied network pharmacology by analysis of active compounds and compound-targets networks, enzyme kinetics assay, signaling pathway analysis and investigated the potential mechanisms of anti-COVID-19. We found that both herbs act on signaling including kinases, response to inflammation and virus. Moreover, crocin likely has an antiviral effect due to its high affinity towards the human ACE2 receptor by simulation. The extract of Honghua and Xihonghua exhibited nanozyme/herbzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase, with distinct fluorescence. Thus, our data suggest the great potential of Honghua in the development of anti-COVID-19 agents.
Antibacterial and in vivo toxicological studies of Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite synthesized via cost effective methods
Authors: Qayyum Asifa , Batool Zahida , Fatima Mahvish , Buzdar Saeed Ahmad , Ullah Hafeez , Nazir Aalia , Jabeen Qaiser , Siddique Sofia , Imran Rimsha
Published: August 2022

In this research work, Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites have been synthesized via an eco-friendly green synthesis technique, solgel route and co-precipitation method respectively for the assessment of antibacterial activity as well as in vivo toxicity. The XRD patterns confirm the formation of Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites showing monoclinic structures. Crystallite size and lattice strain are calculated by Scherrer equation, Scherrer plot and Willimson Hall plot methods. Average crystallite size measured for Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites by Scherrer equation, Scherrer plot and WH-plot methods are (5.1, 13.9, 11.5)nm, (5.4, 14.2, 11.3)nm and (5.2, 13.5, 12.0)nm respectively. Optical properties such as absorption peaks and band-gap energies are studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. The FTIR peaks at 513 cm−1, 553 cm−1and 855 cm−1confirms the successful synthesis of Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites. The antibacterial activity of synthesized Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites is examined against two gram-negative (Escherichia coliand pseudomonas) as well as gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereusandStaphylococcus aureus) at dose 25 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg by disk diffusion technique. Zone of inhibition for Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO at dose 40 mg/kg againstE. coli(gram − ve) are 12 mm, 17 mm and 18 mm respectively and againstPseudomonas(gram − ve) are 28 mm, 19 mm and 21 mm respectively. While the zone of inhibition for Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO at dose 40 mg/kg againstB. cereus(gram + ve) are 8 mm and 8.5 mm respectively and againstS. aureus(gram + ve) are 5 mm and 10.5 mm respectively. These amazing results reveal that Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite as a kind of antibacterial content, have enormous potential for biomedical applications. In addition, the in vivo toxicity of synthesized Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite is investigated onSwiss Albinomice at dose of 20 mg/kg by evaluating immune response, hematology and biochemistry at the time period of 2, 7, 14 and 30 days. No severe damage is observed in mice during whole treatment. Thepvalue calculated by statistical analysis of hematological and biochemistry tests is nonsignificant which ensures that synthesized nanocomposites are safe and non-toxic as they do not affect mice significantly. This study proves that Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites are biocompatible and can be explored further for different biomedical applications.