bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of preoperative education interventions on improving perioperative outcomes of adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ng Si Xian , Wang Wenru , Shen Qu , Toh Zheng An , He Hong Gu
Published: December 2021

Background

Cardiac surgeries pose as an emotional experience for patients. Preoperative education is known to positively alter people’s perceptions, emotions, and mitigate surgical distress. However, this intervention’s effectiveness in improving perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing cardiac surgery lacked rigorous statistical synthesis and remains inconclusive.

Aims

The aim was to synthesize the effectiveness of preoperative education on improving perioperative outcomes [anxiety, depression, knowledge, pain intensity, pain interference with daily activities, postoperative complications, length of hospitalization, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, satisfaction with the intervention and care, and health-related quality of life] among patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis conducted a comprehensive search of nine electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ERIC) and grey literature for randomized controlled trials examining the preoperative educational interventional effects on patients undergoing cardiac surgery from inception to 31 December 2020. The studies’ quality was evaluated using Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool 1 (RoB1). Meta-analyses via RevMan 5.4 software synthesized interventional effects.

Results

Twenty-two trials involving 3167 participants were included. Preoperative education had large significant effects on reducing post-intervention preoperative anxiety (P = 0.02), length of ICU stay (P = 0.02), and improving knowledge (P < 0.00001), but small significant effect sizes on lowering postoperative anxiety (P < 0.0001), depression (P = 0.03), and enhancing satisfaction (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

This review indicates the feasibility of preoperative education in clinical use to enhance health outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Future studies need to explore knowledge outcomes in-depth and more innovative technologies in preoperative education delivery.
Contest of Best Practices tackling social inequalities in cancer prevention: an iPAAC initiative
Authors: Hernández-García Marta , Salas-Trejo Dolores , Anttila Ahti , Lipponen Satu , Molina-Barceló Ana
Published: December 2021

Current health promotion and early cancer detection programmes yield different results depending on the social group and have a different impact among individuals. Thus, they may generate social inequalities in health. The Contest of Best Practices tackling social inequalities in cancer prevention is an initiative that emerged in the framework of the Innovative Partnership for Action Against Cancer Joint Action. This contest identifies interventions that have proven to be effective in reducing social inequalities in cancer prevention in European countries, with the aim of sharing lessons learned and inspiring solutions, as well as facilitating replication in other health systems and similar social settings.
Unlocking the potential of deep learning for marine ecology: overview, applications, and outlook
Authors: Goodwin Morten , Halvorsen Kim Tallaksen , Jiao Lei , Knausgård Kristian Muri , Martin Angela Helen , Moyano Marta , Oomen Rebekah A , Rasmussen Jeppe Have , Sørdalen Tonje Knutsen , Thorbjørnsen Susanna Huneide
Published: December 2021

The deep learning (DL) revolution is touching all scientific disciplines and corners of our lives as a means of harnessing the power of big data. Marine ecology is no exception. New methods provide analysis of data from sensors, cameras, and acoustic recorders, even in real time, in ways that are reproducible and rapid. Off-the-shelf algorithms find, count, and classify species from digital images or video and detect cryptic patterns in noisy data. These endeavours require collaboration across ecological and data science disciplines, which can be challenging to initiate. To promote the use of DL towards ecosystem-based management of the sea, this paper aims to bridge the gap between marine ecologists and computer scientists. We provide insight into popular DL approaches for ecological data analysis, focusing on supervised learning techniques with deep neural networks, and illustrate challenges and opportunities through established and emerging applications of DL to marine ecology. We present case studies on plankton, fish, marine mammals, pollution, and nutrient cycling that involve object detection, classification, tracking, and segmentation of visualized data. We conclude with a broad outlook of the field’s opportunities and challenges, including potential technological advances and issues with managing complex data sets.
Structural and Functional Abnormalities of Olfactory-Related Regions in Subjective Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Chen Ben , Wang Qiang , Zhong Xiaomei , Mai Naikeng , Zhang Min , Zhou Huarong , Haehner Antje , Chen Xinru , Wu Zhangying , Auber Lavinia Alberi , Rao Dongping , Liu Wentao , Zheng Jinhong , Lin Lijing , Li Nanxi , Chen Sihao , Chen Bingxin , Hummel Thomas , Ning Yuping
Published: December 2021

Background

Odor identification (OI) dysfunction is an early marker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but it remains unclear how olfactory-related regions change from stages of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD dementia.

Methods

Two hundred and sixty-nine individuals were recruited in the present study. The olfactory-related regions were defined as the regions of interest, and the grey matter volume (GMV), low-frequency fluctuation, regional homogeneity (ReHo), and functional connectivity (FC) were compared for exploring the changing pattern of structural and functional abnormalities across AD, MCI, SCD, and normal controls.

Results

From the SCD, MCI to AD groups, the reduced GMV, increased low-frequency fluctuation, increased ReHo, and reduced FC of olfactory-related regions became increasingly severe, and only the degree of reduced GMV of hippocampus and caudate nucleus clearly distinguished the 3 groups. SCD participants exhibited reduced GMV (hippocampus, etc.), increased ReHo (caudate nucleus), and reduced FC (hippocampus-hippocampus and hippocampus-parahippocampus) in olfactory-related regions compared with normal controls. Additionally, reduced GMV of the bilateral hippocampus and increased ReHo of the right caudate nucleus were associated with OI dysfunction and global cognitive impairment, and they exhibited partially mediated effects on the relationships between OI and global cognition across all participants.

Conclusion

Structural and functional abnormalities of olfactory-related regions present early with SCD and deepen with disease severity in the AD spectrum. The hippocampus and caudate nucleus may be the hub joining OI and cognitive function in the AD spectrum.
Pharmacist and physician perception of pharmacogenetic testing
Authors: Bruno Xuereb Althea Marie , Wirth Francesca , Mifsud Buhagiar Luana , Camilleri Liberato , Azzopardi Lilian M , Serracino-Inglott Anthony
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To assess the perception of pharmacists and physicians towards pharmacogenetic testing.

Methods

A self-administered questionnaire was developed, validated, tested for reliability and disseminated to pharmacists and physicians in Malta.

Key findings

The study population consisted of 292 participants; 61% pharmacists (64% female, 38% practicing >10 years) and 39% physicians (50% female, 54% practicing >10 years). Pharmacists and physicians felt they lack sufficient competence in the area (95.0% and 97.4%, respectively; P > 0.05) and agreed that further training is required (92.7% and 91.2%, respectively; P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The need for further training was identified by the participants to support competency development and sustain confidence on the topic, hence facilitating the clinical implementation of pharmacogenetic testing.
A qualitative analysis of communication workflows between adult day service centers and primary care providers
Authors: Zhong Jie , Boafo Jonelle , Brody Abraham A , Wu Bei , Sadarangani and Tina
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Our study documented communication workflows across adult day care centers (ADCs) and primary care providers (PCPs) around complex needs of persons living with dementia (PLWD). We also identified barriers and facilitators to productive communication in clinical decision support and clinical information systems.

Materials and Methods

We conducted 6 focus groups with ADC staff (N = 33) and individual semistructured interviews with PCPs (N = 22) in California. The eHealth Enhanced Chronic Care Model was used to frame the directed qualitative content analysis.

Results

Our results captured cumbersome and ineffective workflows currently used to exchange information across PCPs and ADCs. Stakeholders characterized current communication as (1) infrequent, (2) delayed, (3) incomplete, (4) unreliable, (5) irrelevant, and (6) generic. Conversely, communication that was bidirectional, relevant, succinct, and interdisciplinary was needed to elevate the standard of care for PLWD.

Discussion and Conclusion

ADCs possess a wealth of information that can support clinical decision-making across community-based providers involved in the care of PLWD, especially PCPs. However, effective information exchange is mired by complicated workflows that rely on antiquated technologies (eg, facsimile) and standard templates. Current information exchange largely focuses on satisfying regulatory guidelines rather than supporting clinical decision-making. Integrating community-based services into the health care continuum is a necessary step in elevating the standard of care for PLWD. In the absence of interoperable electronic health records, which may not be financially viable for ADCs, other options, such as mobile health, should be explored to facilitate productive information exchange of personalized relevant information.
Physicochemical Parameters of Yak Meat during Massaging and Salt Pickling
Authors: Uzakov Yasin M , Kaimbayeva Leila A , Dikhanbayeva Fatima T , Koshoeva Tolgonai R , Smailova Zhulduz Zh
Published: December 2021

Background

Yak meat can facilitate the development of new branches of animal husbandry and the meat industry. To improve the functional and technological properties of raw meat materials and improve the quality of premade products, a promising direction is the creation of new technological solutions based on the targeted use of natural food additives in the process of salt pickling.

Objective

To study the physicochemical parameters of yak meat (longissimus dorsi muscles) in the process of salt pickling and continuous massaging in a cyclic mode. The pH, moisture, fat, protein, and sodium chloride content was taken as the basis for the study of physicochemical parameters.

Methods

To determine the effect of massage, various methods were implemented, such as analysis, observation, accelerated method, etc. The protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method on a Kjel-Foss-16200 device.

Results

The study found that in fibers containing a large amount of glycine, the salting takes place faster. This process occurs due to the high permeability of the membranes. It has been determined that the longer the muscles, the faster the distribution process is. It was found that when massaging for up to 60 min, an increase in muscle fibers occurs along with the homogenisation of the protein mass. If the process is continued for up to 120 min, then the membrane begins to collapse in the meat, and the sarcolemma ruptures.

Conclusion

Based on the study, it was found that the most optimal massaging time is 90 min, which helps to reduce the production cycle.

Highlights

Yak meat can facilitate the development of new branches of the meat industry. Highly efficient meat processing technologies are the main factor contributing to the increase in the competitiveness of meat products. The use of protein-vegetable compositions in brines makes it possible to improve organoleptic characteristics.
Quantification of Lactose in Lactose-Free and Low-Lactose Milk and Milk Products by BIOMILK 300 Lac Biosensor: First Action 2020.09
Authors: Garate Jone , Ortiz de Zarate Itziar , Gonzalez Roberto , Jaureguibeitia Arrate , Salleres Sandra
Published: December 2021

Background

In 2018, the AOAC Stakeholder Panel on Strategic Food Analytical Methods approved Standard Method Performance Requirement (SMPR®) 2018.009, for lactose in low-lactose or lactose-free milk, milk products, and products containing dairy ingredients, establishing the minimum recommended performance characteristics to be addressed during the evaluation of methods. Subsequently, AOAC INTERNATIONAL opened a call for methods under the Official Method of AnalysisSM program with the aim of finding a candidate method for confirming compliance with regulatory standards and dispute resolution.

Objective

A biosensor-based analytical method, BIOMILK 300 LAC, was developed by BIOLAN Microbiosensores S.L. (www.biolanmb.com) to rapidly, easily, and accurately quantify lactose in free or low-lactose dairy products. In response to the AOAC call for methods, BIOLAN performed a single laboratory validation of this method against SMPR 2018.009. Several different matrixes were tested, including: milk, sugary plain yogurt, fruit plain yogurt, flavored liquid yogurt, Greek yogurt, cream, soft cheese, infant formula, café latte, chocolate milk, and high-protein milk shake. Evaluated method parameters included: linearity, selectivity, matrix effect, recovery, accuracy, repeatability, intermediate reproducibility, robustness, reagent lot-to-lot consistency, and stability.

Methods

The method is based on the use of the Biotest gold electrode together with the BIOMILK 300 biosensor reader, for the quantification of residual levels of lactose in dairy samples via an enzymatic recognition/electrochemical transduction system.

Results

Assay linearity, applicability to different matrixes, recovery, and precision demonstrated that the method is fit for purpose. The method proved to be robust, consistent, and stable, under conditions detailed in the Instructions For Use guide.

Conclusion

The overall results were within requirements stated by SMPR 2018.009 for low-lactose and lactose-free milk, milk products and products containing dairy ingredients.

Highlights

The BIOMILK 300 LAC method enables the quantification of reduced levels of lactose in less than 5 min, without the requirement for expert technicians, toxic solvents or intricate procedures, maintaining a high degree of precision and accuracy in the results. BIOMILK 300 LAC was adopted as a First Action Official MethodSM by the Expert Review Panel of Low-lactose Methods in April 2020 after rigorous review.
Maintaining, Enhancing and Restoring the Peatlands of Wales: Unearthing the Challenges of Law and Sustainable Land Management
Authors: Jenkins Victoria , Walker Jonathan
Published: December 2021

Peatlands are essential to environmental imperatives with respect to achieving net zero and nature recovery. Sustainable Peatland Management (SPM) can help to restore, maintain and enhance peatlands to ensure they meet their potential in delivering multiple ecosystem benefits. SPM has attracted a great deal of attention in policy and practice but there has been no attempt to carry out a comprehensive review of the law and governance issues in this context. This article does so with reference to an exemplar of an area of deep peat in the southeast corner of the Brecon Beacons National Park, in Wales. Mapping the boundaries of law and governance here reveals a pressing need to amend these systems to facilitate effective SPM. It also unearths broader challenges regarding the legal frameworks for sustainable land management that will require a more fundamental response.
Inherited regulation for advanced ARTs: comparing jurisdictions’ applications of existing governance regimes to emerging reproductive technologies
Authors: Johnson Walter G , Bowman Diana M
Published: December 2021

Over the past 5 years, advanced assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), such as mitochondrial replacement therapies (MRTs) and heritable human genome editing (HHGE), have raised global policy concerns and fears of ‘unregulated’ proliferation. Yet, few innovations are ever truly unregulated and more often fall within the scope of one or more pre-existing regulatory regimes, a process referred to as ‘inherited regulation’. While the United Kingdom has enacted new legislation to specifically authorize and closely regulate MRTs, many jurisdictions will likely default to current oversight systems to manage advanced ARTs. This article evaluates and compares how several jurisdictions have already used four types of inherited regulatory regimes to manage MRTs and HHGE. Cases are drawn from jurisdictions where inherited regulatory interventions on advanced ARTs have taken place (USA, Greece, Ukraine, China, and Russia) and include jurisdictions closely connected with those cases (Mexico and Spain). When accounting for political, cultural, and religious contexts, many of these inherited regimes offer promise as starting points for governance of advanced ARTs, yet each will require further adjustments and tailoring to adequately manage the benefits and risks of these powerful innovations.
Red foxes at their northern edge: competition with the Arctic fox and winter movements
Authors: Lai Sandra , Warret Rodrigues Chloé , Gallant Daniel , Roth James D , Berteaux Dominique
Published: December 2021

Rapid range expansion of boreal forest predators onto the tundra may disrupt local ecological processes, notably through competition with ecologically similar species. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have expanded their range northwards throughout the Canadian Arctic, inducing competition with endemic Arctic foxes (V. lagopus). We studied competition between Arctic and red foxes, with a focus on interference competition, and winter movements of red foxes using satellite telemetry and den occupancy data from both species. We worked at Bylot Island (Nunavut) and Herschel Island (northern Yukon), two sites at the northern limit of the red fox’s range. As expected, red fox home ranges were 56% larger on average than Arctic fox home ranges. However, red foxes did not exclude Arctic foxes regionally nor did they prevent them from breeding successfully in their vicinity. On Bylot Island, Arctic foxes did not spatially avoid red foxes more than their conspecifics, as evidenced by similar intra- and interspecific home-range overlaps. On Herschel Island, the red fox pair’s home range extensively overlapped the home range of their Arctic fox neighbors. While red foxes tracked on Bylot Island survived several winters without expanding or leaving their home ranges, those on Herschel Island moved onto the sea ice and died. Overall, our results demonstrate low levels of interference competition between the two species in the High Canadian Arctic. When red fox density is low, as in our study areas where land protection prevents predator subsidization by anthropogenic food sources, Arctic and red foxes may be able to co-exist with limited antagonistic interactions. Our sample sizes were limited by the naturally low density of red foxes at their northernmost edge. Replication therefore is needed to fully understand winter space use and intraguild interactions in this species at its northern range limit.
From “More is Better” to “Less is More”: A Commentary on Antimicrobial Use in Pediatric Oncology
Authors: Wattier Rachel L , Esbenshade Adam J
Published: December 2021

Reducing avoidable antimicrobial exposure to pediatric patients with cancer is achievable and necessary to promote optimal short- and long-term outcomes. Multiple evidence-based practices are already well established but should be more consistently implemented. Important opportunities exist to further improve the evidence to guide selective antimicrobial use in pediatric oncology.
Diverticulitis complicated by colovenous fistula formation and pylephlebitis
Authors: Krzak Ada Maria , Townson Adam , Malam Yogeshkumar , Mathews John
Published: December 2021

Acute diverticulitis is associated with a range of complications including fistula formation. Colovenous fistula formation, where there is a fistula between the inferior mesenteric vein and colon, is an extremely rare and serious complication of diverticulitis. Pylephlebitis, which is defined as infective suppurative thrombosis of the portal vein, is another uncommon complication of any intra-abdominal source of infection, including diverticulitis. Both complications are independently associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a patient with acute diverticulitis who subsequently developed both colo-venous fistula and pylephlebitis and was successfully managed conservatively.
Neighborhood Bootstrap for Respondent-Driven Sampling
Authors: Yauck Mamadou , Moodie Erica E M , Apelian Herak , Fourmigue Alain , Grace Daniel , Hart Trevor A , Lambert Gilles , Cox Joseph
Published: December 2021

Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a form of link-tracing sampling, a sampling technique used for “hard-to-reach” populations that aims to leverage individuals’ social relationships to reach potential participants. There is a growing interest in the estimation of uncertainty for RDS as recent findings suggest that most variance estimators underestimate variability. Recently, Baraff et al. proposed the tree bootstrap method based on resampling the RDS recruitment tree, and empirically showed that this method outperforms current bootstrap methods. However, some findings suggest that the tree bootstrap (severely) overestimates uncertainty. In this article, we propose the neighborhood bootstrap method for quantifying uncertainty in RDS. We prove the consistency of our method under some conditions and investigate its finite sample performance, through a simulation study, under realistic RDS sampling assumptions.
DECORAS: detection and characterization of radio-astronomical sources using deep learning
Authors: Rezaei S , McKean J P , Biehl M , Javadpour A
Published: December 2021

We present DECORAS, a deep-learning-based approach to detect both point and extended sources from Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations. Our approach is based on an encoder-decoder neural network architecture that uses a low number of convolutional layers to provide a scalable solution for source detection. In addition, DECORAS performs source characterization in terms of the position, effective radius, and peak brightness of the detected sources. We have trained and tested the network with images that are based on realistic Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations at 20 cm. Also, these images have not gone through any prior de-convolution step and are directly related to the visibility data via a Fourier transform. We find that the source catalogue generated by DECORAS has a better overall completeness and purity, when compared to a traditional source detection algorithm. DECORAS is complete at the 7.5σ level, and has an almost factor of 2 improvement in purity at 5.5σ. We find that DECORAS can recover the position of the detected sources to within 0.61 ± 0.69 mas, and the effective radius and peak surface brightness are recovered to within 20 per cent for 98 and 94 per cent of the sources, respectively. Overall, we find that DECORAS provides a reliable source detection and characterization solution for future wide-field VLBI surveys.
zELDA: fitting Lyman alpha line profiles using deep learning
Authors: Gurung-López Siddhartha , Gronke Max , Saito Shun , Bonoli Silvia , Orsi Álvaro A
Published: December 2021

We present zELDA (redshift Estimator for Line profiles of Distant Lyman Alpha emitters), an open source code to fit Lyman α (Ly α) line profiles. The main motivation is to provide the community with an easy to use and fast tool to analyse Ly α line profiles uniformly to improve the understating of Ly α emitting galaxies. zELDA is based on line profiles of the commonly used ‘shell-model’ pre-computed with the full Monte Carlo radiative transfer code LyaRT. Via interpolation between these spectra and the addition of noise, we assemble a suite of realistic Ly α spectra which we use to train a deep neural network.We show that the neural network can predict the model parameters to high accuracy (e.g. ≲ 0.34 dex H i column density for R ∼ 12 000) and thus allows for a significant speedup over existing fitting methods. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate the potential of zELDA by fitting 97 observed Ly α line profiles from the LASD data base. Comparing the fitted value with the measured systemic redshift of these sources, we find that Ly α determines their rest frame Ly α wavelength with a remarkable good accuracy of ∼0.3 Å ($\sim 75\,\, {\rm km\, s}^{-1}$). Comparing the predicted outflow properties and the observed Ly α luminosity and equivalent width, we find several possible trends. For example, we find an anticorrelation between the Ly α luminosity and the outflow neutral hydrogen column density, which might be explained by the radiative transfer process within galaxies.
Formation of galactic bulges from the cold gas filaments in high-redshift dark matter haloes
Authors: Noguchi Masafumi
Published: December 2021

Formation process(es) of galactic bulges are not yet clarified, although several mechanisms have been proposed. In a previous study, we suggested one possibility that galactic bulges have been formed from the cold gas inflowing through surrounding hot halo gas in massive dark matter haloes at high redshifts. It was shown that this scenario leads to the bulge-to-total stellar mass ratio increasing with the galaxy mass, in agreement with the well-known observed trend. We here indicate that it also reproduces recent observational results that the mean stellar age of the bulge increases with the galaxy mass while the age gradient across the bulge decreases. We infer that this formation path applies mainly to high-mass galaxies and the bulges in lower mass galaxies have different origins such as secular formation from the disc material.
Near-infrared detection of H2 flows in the core of the Mon R1 association
Authors: Magakian T Yu , Tatarnikov A M , Movsessian T A , Andreasyan H R
Published: December 2021

We report the discovery of four new H2 jets in the Mon R1 star-forming region in images obtained with the 2.5-m telescope of the Caucasian Mountain Observatory of Sternberg Astronomical Institute (SAI), Moscow State University (MSU) through a filter centred on the H2 1–0 S(1) emission line. This discovery confirms the nature of these flows, the existence of which was previously suspected from archival Spitzer GLIMPSE360 and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) survey images. Also, two infrared reflection nebulae were revealed. On Herschel Photodetecting Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) survey images, we found a small group of far-infrared sources, mostly unknown ones; among them are the possible exciting objects of these outflows. Spectral energy distributions of the new sources show their extremely red colour and bolometric luminosities reaching 3 L⊙ and even 10 L⊙. They are thought to be pre-main-sequence (PMS) objects in the very early evolutionary stages.
Characterizing the turbulent multiphase haloes with periodic box simulations
Authors: Mohapatra Rajsekhar , Jetti Mrinal , Sharma Prateek , Federrath Christoph
Published: December 2021

Turbulence in the intracluster medium (ICM) is driven by active galactic nuclei (AGNs) jets, by mergers, and in the wakes of infalling galaxies. It not only governs gas motion but also plays a key role in the ICM thermodynamics. Turbulence can help seed thermal instability by generating density fluctuations, and mix the hot and cold phases together to produce intermediate temperature gas (104–107 K) with short cooling times. We conduct high resolution (3843–7683 resolution elements) idealized simulations of the multiphase ICM and study the effects of turbulence strength, characterized by fturb (0.001–1.0), the ratio of turbulent forcing power to the net radiative cooling rate. We analyse density and temperature distribution, amplitude and nature of gas perturbations, and probability of transitions across the temperature phases. We also study the effects of mass and volume weighted thermal heating and weak ICM magnetic fields. For low fturb, the gas is distribution is bimodal between the hot and cold phases. The mixing between different phases becomes more efficient with increasing fturb, producing larger amounts of the intermediate temperature gas. Strong turbulence (fturb ≥ 0.5) generates larger density fluctuations and faster cooling, The rms logarithmic pressure fluctuation scaling with Mach number $\sigma _{\ln {\bar{P}}}^2\approx \ln (1+b^2\gamma ^2\mathcal {M}^4)$ is unaffected by thermal instability and is the same as in hydro turbulence. In contrast, the density fluctuations characterized by $\sigma _s^2$ are much larger, especially for $\mathcal {M}\lesssim 0.5$. In magnetohydrodynamic runs, magnetic fields provide significant pressure support in the cold phase but do not have any strong effects on the diffuse gas distribution, and nature and amplitude of fluctuations.
Hierarchical generative models for star clusters from hydrodynamical simulations
Authors: Torniamenti Stefano , Pasquato Mario , Di Cintio Pierfrancesco , Ballone Alessandro , Iorio Giuliano , Artale M Celeste , Mapelli Michela
Published: December 2021

Star formation in molecular clouds is clumpy, hierarchically subclustered. Fractal structure also emerges in hydrodynamical simulations of star-forming clouds. Simulating the formation of realistic star clusters with hydrodynamical simulations is a computational challenge, considering that only the statistically averaged results of large batches of simulations are reliable, due to the chaotic nature of the gravitational N-body problem. While large sets of initial conditions for N-body runs can be produced by hydrodynamical simulations of star formation, this is prohibitively expensive in terms of computational time. Here, we address this issue by introducing a new technique for generating many sets of new initial conditions from a given set of star masses, positions, and velocities from a hydrodynamical simulation. We use hierarchical clustering in phase space to inform a tree representation of the spatial and kinematic relations between stars. This constitutes the basis for the random generation of new sets of stars which share the clustering structure of the original ones but have individually different masses, positions, and velocities. We apply this method to the output of a number of hydrodynamical star-formation simulations, comparing the generated initial conditions to the original ones through a series of quantitative tests, including comparing mass and velocity distributions and fractal dimension. Finally, we evolve both the original and the generated star clusters using a direct N-body code, obtaining a qualitatively similar evolution.
The interaction between the Spt6-tSH2 domain and Rpb1 affects multiple functions of RNA Polymerase II
Authors: Connell Zaily , Parnell Timothy J , McCullough Laura L , Hill Christopher P , Formosa Tim
Published: December 2021

The conserved transcription elongation factor Spt6 makes several contacts with the RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) complex, including a high-affinity interaction between the Spt6 tandem SH2 domain (Spt6-tSH2) and phosphorylated residues of the Rpb1 subunit in the linker between the catalytic core and the C-terminal domain (CTD) heptad repeats. This interaction contributes to generic localization of Spt6, but we show here that it also has gene-specific roles. Disrupting the interface affected transcription start site selection at a subset of genes whose expression is regulated by this choice, and this was accompanied by changes in a distinct pattern of Spt6 accumulation at these sites. Splicing efficiency was also diminished, as was apparent progression through introns that encode snoRNAs. Chromatin-mediated repression was impaired, and a distinct role in maintaining +1 nucleosomes was identified, especially at ribosomal protein genes. The Spt6-tSH2:Rpb1 interface therefore has both genome-wide functions and local roles at subsets of genes where dynamic decisions regarding initiation, transcript processing, or termination are made. We propose that the interaction modulates the availability or activity of the core elongation and histone chaperone functions of Spt6, contributing to coordination between RNAPII and its accessory factors as varying local conditions call for dynamic responses.
Recent Experimental Philosophy on Joint Action: Do We Need a New Normativism About Collective Action?
Authors: Löhr Guido
Published: December 2021

There are two general views that social ontologists currently defend concerning the nature of joint intentional action. According to ‘non-normativists’, for a joint action to be established, we need to align certain psychological states in certain ways. ‘Normativists’ argue that joint action essentially involves normative relations that cannot be reduced to the intentional states of individuals. In two ground-breaking publications, Javier Gomez-Lavin and Matthew Rachar empirically investigate the relation between normativity and joint action in several survey studies. They argue that people's intuitions support neither current normativists nor current non-normativists. They suggest that there is a need for a ‘new normativism of joint action’. I first explore what a new normativism could amount to and conclude that the authors’ findings cannot support a demand for such a view. Finally, I suggest some ideas about how to move the field forward.
Seropositivity to Shiga toxin 2 among Argentinian urban and rural residents. Association with sociodemographic and exposure factors
Authors: Rivero Mariana Alejandra , Krüger Alejandra , Rodríguez Edgardo Mario , Signorini Porchietto Marcelo Lisandro , Lucchesi Paula María Alejandra
Published: December 2021

Background

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are enteric pathogens that cause hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Ruminants, especially cattle, are their main reservoir. This study describes the seroepidemiology of STEC in rural and urban populations in Argentina, a country with a high HUS incidence.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in patients without gastrointestinal symptoms. IgG antibodies against Stx2 were detected by western blotting.

Results

Anti-Stx2 antibodies were detected in 14.56% of serum samples, more frequently in rural (19.38%) than urban residents (12%). Seropositivity was associated with lower socioeconomic status (SES). Among the other variables considered, thawing homemade hamburgers before cooking them, and the lack of knowledge about HUS were also associated with seropositivity. A multivariate logistic regression analysis performed with the variables that were statistically significant showed that only the SES index remained significant. As SES was measured based on several variables, we further analyzed each one of them and found that the lack of a high education level was statistically associated with seropositivity.

Conclusions

The present findings have implications for STEC prevention efforts, highlighting the importance of considering SES and risks factors linked to different SES levels when targeting consumer-level public health interventions.
Long-Term Outcomes of First-Admission Psychosis: A Naturalistic 21-Year Follow-Up Study of Symptomatic, Functional and Personal Recovery and Their Baseline Predictors
Authors: Peralta Victor , García de Jalón Elena , Moreno-Izco Lucía , Peralta David , Janda Lucía , Sánchez-Torres Ana M , Cuesta Manuel J ,   SEGPEPs Group, Ballesteros A , Gil-Berrozpe G , Hernández R , Lorente R , Fañanás L , Papiol S , Ribeiro M , Rosero A , Zandio M
Published: December 2021

This study was aimed at characterizing long-term outcomes of first-admission psychosis and examining their baseline predictors. Participants were assessed at baseline for 38 candidate predictors and re-assessed after a median follow-up of 21 years for symptomatic, functional, and personal recovery. Associations between the predictors and the outcomes were examined using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. At baseline, 623 subjects were assessed for eligibility, 510 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and 243 were successfully followed-up (57.3% of the survivors). At follow-up, the percentages of subjects achieving symptomatic, functional, and personal recovery were 51.9%, 52.7%, and 51.9%, respectively; 74.2% met at least one recovery criterion and 32.5% met all three recovery criteria. Univariate analysis showed that outcomes were predicted by a broad range of variables, including sociodemographics, familial risk, early risk factors, premorbid functioning, triggering factors, illness-onset features, neurological abnormalities, deficit symptoms and early response to treatment. Many of the univariate predictors became nonsignificant when entered into a hierarchical multivariate model, indicating a substantial degree of interdependence. Each single outcome component was independently predicted by parental socioeconomic status, family history of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, early developmental delay, childhood adversity, and mild drug use. Spontaneous dyskinesia/parkinsonism, neurological soft signs and completion of high school remained specific predictors of symptomatic, functional, and personal outcomes, respectively. Predictors explained between 27.5% and 34.3% of the variance in the outcomes. In conclusion, our results indicate a strong potential for background and first-episode characteristics in predicting long-term outcomes of psychotic disorders, which may inform future intervention research.
Like worker, like union? Labor market risk exposure, white-collar predominance and trade unions’ policy advocacy
Authors: Cronert Axel , Forsén Richard
Published: December 2021

This study seeks to advance the scholarship on trade union heterogeneity. Expanding on previous research, we develop a theoretical framework that distinguishes unions along two dimensions—members’ labor market risk exposure and the predominance of white-collar workers—that help shape their labor market policy preferences and advocacy. The framework is then assessed in a within-country mixed-methods analysis. We first document how members in 35 Swedish unions map onto the two dimensions, using fine-grained survey data, and then qualitatively analyze the advocacy of seven unions with different membership characteristics. Our results confirm the relevance of isolating the two dimensions in analyses of both membership preferences and elite advocacy. These findings contrast with existing accounts of the contemporary Swedish union movement and carry implications for many other countries with fragmented union landscapes. They particularly demonstrate the importance of disaggregating union membership in micro- and macro-level research involving unions and their power resources.
Microstructural Properties of Human Brain Revealed by Fractional Anisotropy Can Predict the After-Effect of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation
Authors: Kimura Ikko , Oishi Hiroki , Hayashi Masamichi J , Amano Kaoru
Published: December 2021

Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) delivered by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) produces a long-term potentiation-like after-effect useful for investigations of cortical function and of potential therapeutic value. However, the iTBS after-effect over the primary motor cortex (M1) as measured by changes in motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude exhibits a largely unexplained variability across individuals. Here, we present evidence that individual differences in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) microstructural properties revealed by fractional anisotropy (FA) predict the magnitude of the iTBS-induced after-effect over M1. The MEP amplitude change in the early phase (5–10 min post-iTBS) was associated with FA values in WM tracts such as right superior longitudinal fasciculus and corpus callosum. By contrast, the MEP amplitude change in the late phase (15–30 min post-iTBS) was associated with FA in GM, primarily in right frontal cortex. These results suggest that the microstructural properties of regions connected directly or indirectly to the target region (M1) are crucial determinants of the iTBS after-effect. FA values indicative of these microstructural differences can predict the potential effectiveness of repetitive TMS for both investigational use and clinical application.
Are Ayurvedic medications store house of heavy metals?
Authors: Bhalla A , Pannu A K
Published: December 2021

Ayurvedic formulations are widely used and perceived as safer medicine and subjected to be self-prescribed. However, recent reports have demonstrated adulterating these drugs with toxic quantities of heavy metals. To study the magnitude of the problem in Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medications, we randomly collected common over-the-counter Ayurvedic preparations from the licensed Ayurvedic shops in the local markets of Chandigarh in 2017. The samples were analyzed to identify and quantify eight metal ions, including mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, zinc, iron, copper, and chromium, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. The permissible limit set by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) for herbal medicines was followed to define the high metal concentrations. Out of 43 Ayurvedic preparations, 42 were analyzed. Heavy metals were detected in all formulations. The median (range) concentrations (in μg/g or mg/kg) of the metals were quantified as follows- mercury, 13.52 (0.00–61 095.99); arsenic, 0.00 (0.00–1038.83); lead, 1.40 (0.00–57.09); zinc, 84.2200 (26.48–22 519.03); iron, 1356.21 (128.24–136 835.25); copper, 17.1450 (0.00–12 756.86) and chromium, 20.9050 (0.00–2717.58). The metal contents above the FAO/WHO-mandated limit for zinc, mercury, arsenic, and lead were detected in 35, 29, 6, and 2 formulations, respectively. All medications contained detectable quantities of zinc and iron. Copper was detected in all except one. Cadmium was not found in any sample. Ayurvedic medications have a high prevalence of heavy metals. An evaluation of the sources of contamination and the necessary drug safety regulations are required.
Buckeye Rot of Tomato in India: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Research Perspectives
Authors: Gupta Satish Kumar , Sharma Monica , Mukherjee Santanu
Published: December 2021

Tomato in India is commonly exposed to various diseases of fungal, bacterial, and viral origin, resulting in substantial yield losses (≥50%). Buckeye rot (caused by Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica) is among the major constraints in the successful cultivation of tomato crops in various parts of the world, including the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh state, India. The fruit rot becomes more devastating under high humidity and wet soils. Symptoms generally appear on green fruit as alternate dark- and light-brown concentric rings. The genome size of P. nicotianae var. parasitica is 82 Mb with >23,000 predicted genes. High humidity (>60%) and optimal temperatures (20 to 25°C), along with rainfall (≥10 mm), help to disperse the pathogen because the inoculum reaches the fruit through splashing rain. Sporangia germinate indirectly by producing zoospores at 20 to 25°C or directly via germ tubes at >25°C. In the absence of suitable resistant varieties, no single management practice is sufficient to keep the disease below the economic threshold level; therefore, integration of cultural and chemical methods is preferable. This article aims to focus on the etiology and management challenges of buckeye rot. We recommend innovative disease management strategies such as identification and deployment of resistant cultivars as well as spraying of synthetic chemical fungicides, biocontrol agents, and use of abiotic chemicals that induce resistance for developing sustainable crop production practices.
Genetic Diversity and Potential Inoculum Sources of Fusarium Species Causing Cankers in Bareroot-Propagated Almond Trees in California Nurseries
Authors: Stack Abigail J. , Marek Stephen M. , Gordon Thomas R. , Bostock Richard M.
Published: December 2021

Previous research determined that Fusarium acuminatum and F. avenaceum are important causal agents of a canker disease in bareroot-propagated fruit and nut trees in California that emerges during cold storage or after transplanting. The disease largely disappeared after 2001, but it reemerged in 2011 in almond trees in at least one nursery. This motivated further study of the etiology and epidemiology of the disease by undertaking studies to determine distribution of the pathogens throughout almond nursery propagation systems and trace possible sources of inoculum. Research initiated in 2013 detected pathogenic Fusarium spp. throughout the almond propagation system, including in healthy trees, in soils, on wheat rotation crops, on equipment, and in the cold-storage facility air. In addition to the two Fusarium spp. implicated previously, F. brachygibbosum and a new Fusarium species, F. californicum, were found to be pathogenic on almond trees. Multilocus sequence typing and somatic compatibility testing confirmed that isolates within a species collected from different materials in the nursery were all highly genetically similar and likely of one clonal lineage. These findings affirm that equipment surfaces, wheat rotation crops, soil, cold-storage facility air, and asymptomatic almond tree materials (i.e., rootstock cuttings, budwood, and scions) can potentially contribute inoculum to increase disease prevalence and severity.
A Loop-Mediated Isothermal DNA Amplification (LAMP) Assay for Detection of the Clubroot Pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae
Authors: Yang Xinyu , Sun Lin , Sun Huiying , Hong Yingzhe , Xia Zihao , Pang Wenxing , Piao Zhongyun , Feng Jie , Liang Yue
Published: December 2021

Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is a serious threat to cruciferous crops around the world. The resting spores of P. brassicae are a primary source of infection and can survive in soil for many years. Detection of resting spores in soil is essential for forecasting clubroot prevalence. Detection of P. brassicae has been relying on plant bioassays or PCR-based methods. The loop-mediated isothermal DNA amplification (LAMP) is a promising approach for microorganism detection with the advantage of high sensitivity, accuracy, and convenience in viewing. In this study, we developed a LAMP assay for detection of P. brassicae in soil, roots, and seeds. This method can detect P. brassicae at a minimal amount of 1 fg of plasmid DNA or 10 resting spores in the soil. Compared with conventional PCR, the LAMP was more sensitive in detection of P. brassicae at the lower levels in soil samples. In conclusion, we elaborated a sensitive, accurate, and easy-to-use LAMP assay to detect P. brassicae, which will facilitate sustainable clubroot management and planning.