bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological Predictors of Pupal Survival in a Common North American Butterfly
Authors: Brackley Allison , Lill John , Weiss Martha
Published: July 2022

All holometabolous insects undergo a pupal life stage, a transformative period during which the insects are immobile and thus particularly vulnerable to both natural enemies and harmful abiotic conditions. For multivoltine species like the silver-spotted skipper [Epargyreus clarus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)], which produces both diapausing and nondiapausing generations throughout much of its range, both the duration of the pupal stage and the ecological challenges faced by pupae can differ among generations. We conducted a set of field experiments to investigate the seasonal and annual variation in pupal mortality for E. clarus pupae experiencing different biotic and abiotic conditions. We also examined the behavioral and ecological factors influencing the construction and persistence of pupal shelters by prepupal larvae. Surprisingly, measures of both cumulative and daily pupal predation were significantly higher during the relatively short (10–14 d) nondiapausing (summer) generations, compared with the diapausing (winter) generations, despite a nearly 20-fold longer pupal duration recorded for the latter. Indirect evidence from field censuses suggested that this intergenerational difference in mortality was due to seasonal variation in consumption of pupae by generalist vertebrate predators. The presence of a shelter increased survival in summer, though not in winter, perhaps because winter pupae were likely to be buried under autumnal leaf litter, regardless of initial shelter status. When constructing their shelters, prepupal E. clarus larvae did not prefer host leaves over nonhost leaves, suggesting that induced preferences are unlikely to play an important role in this process. Despite finding marked differences in the decomposition rates of shelter leaves derived from host vs. nonhost plants, several lines of evidence suggest that these differences are unlikely to impact E. clarus pupal mortality during either the summer or winter generations.
Successful recovery from refractory hypoxia due to right-to-left shunting associated with iatrogenic atrial septal defect after catheter ablation in a patient with a left-ventricular assist device: a case report
Authors: Komeyama Shotaro , Watanabe Takuya , Yamagata Kenichiro , Fukushima Norihide
Published: July 2022

Background

Catheter ablation (CA) has been reported to be an effective therapeutic option for ventricular arrhythmias, even in patients with a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD). However, the issues of right-to-left shunting due to iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) associated with procedures for CA have not been well documented. We describe a rare case of refractory hypoxia associated with right-to-left shunting via iASD after CA through the transseptal approach in an LVAD patient.

Case summary

A 52-year-old Asian man with a continuous-flow implantable LVAD and progressive right ventricular (RV) dysfunction was admitted because of refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) and subsequent right heart failure. Since VT could not be controlled by intravenous administration of multiple antiarrhythmic drugs, VT ablation via the transseptal approach was performed. Ventricular tachycardia was terminated to the sinus rhythm after VT ablation; however, hypoxia associated with significant right-to-left shunting across the iASD was detected. Intensive medical management, such as an adjusted mechanical ventilator to increase pulmonary vascular compliance and adjustment of LVAD pump speed, as well as the use of intravenous inotropes to support impaired RV function successfully stabilized the haemodynamic and improved hypoxia for the disappearance of right-to-left shunting. Echocardiography at 7 months after CA showed that the significant iASD and right-to-left shunting had disappeared.

Discussion

The evaluation of RV function prior to VT ablation via the transseptal approach is important in the postoperative management of patients with LVAD, because RV dysfunction may cause refractory hypoxia due to iASD.
Complete resection of a pulmonary artery sarcoma involving the pulmonary valve and right ventricle outflow tract: a case report
Authors: Song Wu , Zhong Zhaoji , Liu Sheng
Published: July 2022

Background

Pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS) is an extremely rare tumour, preferably treated by surgery. However, the surgical management remains largely debatable, as only less than half of patients with PAS can undergo thorough excision.

Case summary

A 32-year-old man with a tumour involving the right ventricle outflow tract, pulmonary trunk extending into the bifurcation, and right pulmonary arteries underwent complete resection using a homologous pulmonary valve and vascular grafts for reconstruction, combined with right pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) for potential seeding metastasis. Histopathological examination demonstrated undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma with surgical margins free of disease. The patient remains asymptomatic, and follow-up computed tomography 5 months after surgery indicated no recurrence or metastasis.

Discussion

Radical resection of a PAS with reconstruction using pulmonary valve allograft and polytetrafluoroethylene vascular grafts is technically feasible and successful. Additionally, PEA may eliminate the potential intima implantation metastasis.
The relationship between physical activity and severity of COVID-19 symptoms in non-hospitalized individuals
Authors: Mitropoulos Alexandros , Goodwill Simon , Copeland Robert , Klonizakis Markos
Published: July 2022

Background

The study explored the relationship between physical activity (PA) behaviour and severity of symptoms in people infected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods

Five hundred and thirty-three people [16% males, mean age: 45 ± 11 years, body mass index (BMI): 23.3 ± 20] took part in the study. All participants were post-COVID-19 infection. An online questionnaire was used to gather data on; participants demographics, comorbidities and treatment, symptomatology of COVID-19, quality of life (QoL) and pre- and post-COVID-19 infection PA.

Results

Logistic regression revealed that only a high BMI (>25) increased the severity of (odds ratio 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.03) symptoms from none to mild-to-moderate. Weekly PA behaviour (min/week) did not affect the primary outcome (symptom severity) as a predictor variable and neither differ (P > 0.05) between symptomatology for both moderate (no symptoms: 181.3 ± 202.1 vs. mild-to-moderate symptoms: 173 ± 210.3) and vigorous (no symptoms: 89.2 ± 147 vs. mild-to-moderate symptoms: 88.9 ± 148.3) PA. QoL (i.e. mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression and perceived health) was significantly (P < 0.05) worse post-COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions

Our findings did not present an association between PA levels and mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms. However, all participants exceeded the lower limit of the World Health Organization recommended, adult PA dose. This might explain the lack of PA effect, on mild-to-moderate symptoms post-COVID-19 infection. Future studies should explore the effects of PA levels in more severe cases (e.g. hospitalizations) and assess the effectiveness of PA to reduce hospitalizations, and mortality rates as a result of COVID-19 infection.
Conserved developmental trajectories of the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens in a field study
Authors: Kers Jannigje G , Velkers Francisca C , Fischer Egil A J , Stegeman J Arjan , Smidt Hauke , Hermes Gerben D A
Published: July 2022

There is great interest in identifying gut microbiota development patterns and underlying assembly rules that can inform strategies to improve broiler health and performance. Microbiota stratification using community types helps to simplify complex and dynamic ecosystem principles of the intestinal microbiota. This study aimed to identify community types to increase insight in intestinal microbiota variation between broilers and to identify factors that explain this variation. A total of 10 well-performing poultry flocks on four farms were followed. From each flock, the cecal content of nine broilers was collected at 7, 14, and 35 days posthatch. A total of two robust community types were observed using different clustering methods, one of which was dominated by 7-day-old broilers, and one by 35-day-old broilers. Broilers, 14-day-old, were divided across both community types. This is the first study that showed conserved cecal microbiota development trajectories in commercial broiler flocks. In addition to the temporal development with age, the cecal microbiota variation between broilers was explained by the flock, body weight, and the different feed components. Our data support a conserved development of cecal microbiota, despite strong influence of environmental factors. Further investigation of mechanisms underlying microbiota development and function is required to facilitate intestinal health promoting management, diagnostics, and nutritional interventions.
Differential associations between nucleotide polymorphisms and physiological traits in Norway spruce (Picea abiesKarst.) plants under contrasting water regimes
Authors: Hrivnák Matúš , Krajmerová Diana , Kurjak Daniel , Konôpková Alena , Magni Federica , Scaglione Davide , Ditmarová Ľubica , Jamnická Gabriela , Marešová Jana , Gömöry Dušan
Published: July 2022

Norway spruce is an ecologically and commercially important species, which currently suffers from climate change and is expected to decline because of heat and drought stress. A manipulative experiment with drought-stressed and well-watered (control) seedlings was established, comprising five populations of Norway spruce coming from a small territory but distributed along a steep elevational transect from 550 to 1280 m.a.s.l. Plants were phenotyped at physiological traits (content of phytohormones and monoterpenes, chlorophyll a fluorescence, gas exchange and hyperspectral indices) and genotyped using ddRAD sequencing. After filtering, 34 127 polymorphisms (SNPs) were retained and used for analysis. Association tests revealed 42 SNP-variable pairs located across 29 scaffolds exhibiting significant associations, among them 20 were found for drought-stressed seedlings and 22 for control (watered) plants. However, there was no consistency between drought-stressed and control plants, no SNP-trait pair was common for both treatments. The study demonstrated that the identified genotype–phenotype associations can only be interpreted in the context of environmental setup preceding the assessment of phenotypic traits.
A distinct P-body-like granule is induced in response to the disruption of microtubule integrity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hurst Zachary , Liu Wenfang , Shi Qian , Herman Paul K
Published: July 2022

The Processing-body is a conserved membraneless organelle that has been implicated in the storage and/or decay of mRNAs. Although Processing-bodies have been shown to be induced by a variety of conditions, the mechanisms controlling their assembly and their precise physiological roles in eukaryotic cells are still being worked out. In this study, we find that a distinct subtype of Processing-body is induced in response to conditions that disrupt microtubule integrity in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. For example, treatment with the microtubule-destabilizing agent, benomyl, led to the induction of these novel ribonucleoprotein granules. A link to microtubules had been noted previously and the observations here extend our understanding by demonstrating that the induced foci differ from traditional P-bodies in a number of significant ways. These include differences in overall granule morphology, protein composition, and the manner in which their induction is regulated. Of particular note, several key Processing-body constituents are absent from these benomyl-induced granules, including the Pat1 protein that is normally required for efficient Processing-body assembly. However, these novel ribonucleoprotein structures still contain many known Processing-body proteins and exhibit similar hallmarks of a liquid-like compartment. In all, the data suggest that the disruption of microtubule integrity leads to the formation of a novel type of Processing-body granule that may have distinct biological activities in the cell. Future work will aim to identify the biological activities of these benomyl-induced granules and to determine, in turn, whether these Processing-body-like granules have any role in the regulation of microtubule dynamics.
Pandemic Diaries: Lived Experiences of Loneliness, Loss, and Hope Among Older Adults During COVID-19
Authors: Neves Barbara Barbosa , Colón Cabrera David , Sanders Alexandra , Warren Narelle
Published: July 2022

Background and Objectives

While research on loneliness in later life has increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we still lack diverse qualitative approaches capturing lived experiences of lonely older adults. Approaches to research with older adults instead of on them are also scant in gerontological literature on loneliness. Through solicited diaries, this study aimed to explore how older Australians who were already lonely before the pandemic managed lockdowns (stay-at-home orders) in Victoria, Australia, which lived through one of the longest lockdowns in the world.

Research Design and Methods

This article is based on qualitative diaries completed by 32 older adults (aged 65 and older). Diaries provide a ‘live’ document where participants become active research partners, recording and sharing their perceptions and experiences. This method is useful to capture sensitive issues, but to the best of our knowledge has not been employed in loneliness studies. Data were thematically analyzed through the identification of themes within and across diaries.

Results

Loneliness was defined by participants as a detrimental absence of companionship and meaningful social interactions. For most, lockdowns exacerbated loneliness, presented new triggers, and upended coping strategies. The disruption of the ‘emotion work’ involved with managing loneliness led to a reconfiguration of response strategies, including through digital technology, which brought both challenges (e.g., digital ageism) and opportunities (e.g., novel communication forms).

Discussion and Implications

Understanding how older people living alone define and respond to loneliness in diverse contexts―for example, before and during a pandemic that restricts social interaction―provides critical insights to inform interventions to tackle loneliness.
Excitation of Rayleigh and Love waves in double-layered half-space
Authors: Zhang Yutong , Zhang Haiming
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we report on the seismogram synthesis of Rayleigh and Love waves in horizontally double-layered elastic half-space. For purpose of analytically extracting surface wave components from full-wavefield, we first derive a compact expression of Green’s function in this medium, from which the excitation formulae of Rayleigh and Love waves are then obtained. Secondly, adopting a set of medium parameters close to those of the Earth, and with Rayleigh poles and Love poles solved in complex domain, we manage to compute synthetic seismograms of the two surface waves separately. Their phase-velocity dispersion and particle motion are also explored. For Rayleigh wave, the senior modes behave rather differently from the fundamental mode. While different Love modes share similar patterns, which are generally in conformity with the classic picture.
Context and priorities for health systems strengthening for pain and disability in low- and middle-income countries: a secondary qualitative study and content analysis of health policies
Authors: Briggs Andrew M , Jordan Joanne E , Sharma Saurab , Young James J , Chua Jason , Foster Helen E , Haq Syed Atiqul , Huckel Schneider Carmen , Jain Anil , Joshipura Manjul , Kalla Asgar Ali , Kopansky-Giles Deborah , March Lyn , Reis Felipe J J , Reyes Katherine Ann V , Soriano Enrique R , Slater Helen
Published: July 2022

Musculoskeletal (MSK) health impairments contribute substantially to the pain and disability burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet health systems strengthening (HSS) responses are nascent in these settings. We aimed to explore the contemporary context, framed as challenges and opportunities, for improving population-level prevention and management of MSK health in LMICs using secondary qualitative data from a previous study exploring HSS priorities for MSK health globally and (2) to contextualize these findings through a primary analysis of health policies for integrated management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in select LMICs. Part 1: 12 transcripts of interviews with LMIC-based key informants (KIs) were inductively analysed. Part 2: systematic content analysis of health policies for integrated care of NCDs where KIs were resident (Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines and South Africa). A thematic framework of LMIC-relevant challenges and opportunities was empirically derived and organized around five meta-themes: (1) MSK health is a low priority; (2) social determinants adversely affect MSK health; (3) healthcare system issues de-prioritize MSK health; (4) economic constraints restrict system capacity to direct and mobilize resources to MSK health; and (5) build research capacity. Twelve policy documents were included, describing explicit foci on cardiovascular disease (100%), diabetes (100%), respiratory conditions (100%) and cancer (89%); none explicitly focused on MSK health. Policy strategies were coded into three categories: (1) general principles for people-centred NCD care, (2) service delivery and (3) system strengthening. Four policies described strategies to address MSK health in some way, mostly related to injury care. Priorities and opportunities for HSS for MSK health identified by KIs aligned with broader strategies targeting NCDs identified in the policies. MSK health is not currently prioritized in NCD health policies among selected LMICs. However, opportunities to address the MSK-attributed disability burden exist through integrating MSK-specific HSS initiatives with initiatives targeting NCDs generally and injury and trauma care.
The lncRNA KTN1-AS1 co-regulates a variety of Myc-target genes and enhances proliferation of Burkitt lymphoma cells
Authors: Winkle Melanie , Tayari Mina M , Kok Klaas , Duns Gerben , Grot Natalia , Kazimierska Marta , Seitz Annika , de Jong Debora , Koerts Jasper , Diepstra Arjan , Dzikiewicz-Krawczyk Agnieszka , Steidl Christian , Kluiver Joost , van den Berg Anke
Published: July 2022

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in many normal and oncogenic pathways through a diverse repertoire of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms. LncRNAs that are under tight regulation of well-known oncogenic transcription factors such as c-Myc (Myc) are likely to be functionally involved in their disease-promoting mechanisms. Myc is a major driver of many subsets of B cell lymphoma and to date remains an undruggable target. We identified three Myc-induced and four Myc-repressed lncRNAs by use of multiple in vitro models of Myc-driven Burkitt lymphoma and detailed analysis of Myc binding profiles. We show that the top Myc-induced lncRNA KTN1-AS1 is strongly upregulated in different types of B cell lymphoma compared with their normal counterparts. We used CRISPR-mediated genome editing to confirm that the direct induction of KTN1-AS1 by Myc is dependent on the presence of a Myc E-box-binding motif. Knockdown of KTN1-AS1 revealed a strong negative effect on the growth of three BL cell lines. Global gene expression analysis upon KTN1-AS1 depletion shows a strong enrichment of key genes in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway as well as co-regulation of many Myc-target genes, including a moderate negative effect on the levels of Myc itself. Our study suggests a critical role for KTN1-AS1 in supporting BL cell growth by mediating co-regulation of a variety of Myc-target genes and co-activating key genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Therefore, KTN1-AS1 may represent a putative novel therapeutic target in lymphoma.
Ecomechanics and the Rules of Life: A Critical Conduit between the Physical and Natural Sciences
Authors: Ferry Lara A , Higham Timothy E
Published: July 2022

Nature provides the parameters, or boundaries, within which organisms must cope in order to survive. Therefore, ecological conditions have an unequivocal influence on the ability of organisms to perform the necessary functions for survival. Biomechanics brings together physics and biology to understand how an organism will function under a suite of conditions. Despite a relatively rich recent history linking physiology and morphology with ecology, less attention has been paid to the linkage between biomechanics and ecology. This linkage, however, could provide key insights into patterns and processes of evolution. Ecomechanics, also known as ecological biomechanics or mechanical ecology, is not necessarily new, but has received far less attention than ecophysiology or ecomorphology. Here, we briefly review the history of ecomechanics, and then identify what we believe are grand challenges for the discipline and how they can inform some of the most pressing questions in science today, such as how organisms will cope with global change.
Vertebrate Phenological Plasticity: From Molecular Mechanisms to Ecological and Evolutionary Implications
Authors: Aubry Lise M , Williams Cory T
Published: July 2022

Seasonal variation in the availability of essential resources is one of the most important drivers of natural selection on the phasing and duration of annually recurring life-cycle events. Shifts in seasonal timing are among the most commonly reported responses to climate change and the capacity of organisms to adjust their timing, either through phenotypic plasticity or evolution, is a critical component of resilience. Despite growing interest in documenting and forecasting the impacts of climate change on phenology, our ability to predict how individuals, populations, and species might alter their seasonal timing in response to their changing environments is constrained by limited knowledge regarding the cues animals use to adjust timing, the endogenous genetic and molecular mechanisms that transduce cues into neural and endocrine signals, and the inherent capacity of animals to alter their timing and phasing within annual cycles. Further, the fitness consequences of phenological responses are often due to biotic interactions within and across trophic levels, rather than being simple outcomes of responses to changes in the abiotic environment. Here, we review the current state of knowledge regarding the mechanisms that control seasonal timing in vertebrates, as well as the ecological and evolutionary consequences of individual, population, and species-level variation in phenological responsiveness. Understanding the causes and consequences of climate-driven phenological shifts requires combining ecological, evolutionary, and mechanistic approaches at individual, populational, and community scales. Thus, to make progress in forecasting phenological responses and demographic consequences, we need to further develop interdisciplinary networks focused on climate change science.
Auxiliary social governance system based on knowledge graph: application in carbon reduction
Authors: Lyu Shun , Zhang Tianle , Zhang Junting
Published: July 2022

As Chinese socialism evolves into a new era, the government’s concept of social governance has undergone profound and significant changes. Since the planned economy’s inception, relying entirely on the government to implement a top-down, all-inclusive administrative management model has gradually proven incapable of adapting fully to the time requirements for development. Notably, the fourth plenary session of the party’s 19th Central Committee adopted a major strategic decision to advance the country’s governance system and capabilities for modernization, informatization and intelligence. This manuscript aims to integrate social events based on encyclopedias, national standards, social events extracted from social networks and social events discovered by the general public in order to realize modern social governance. By establishing a massive knowledge network, it is possible to analyze and manage the hierarchical classification of events, things and organizations, as well as make flexible decisions about social events through a combination of automation, semi-automation and manual processes, ensuring that events are quickly and accurately pushed to appropriate staff for survey, processing and real-time feedback. This study is expected to be more effective in assisting social governance and facilitating the simultaneous transfer of urban management information among all participants. Simultaneously, the system will be used for carbon emission reduction management, enabling intelligent carbon emission reduction management, enhancing carbon emission reduction management efficiency and injecting new impetus into the world’s new path of green development in the post-epidemic era, thereby affecting international carbon emission reduction action, global industrial development patterns and even geopolitical economic ecology.
Investigating community pharmacists’ perceptions of delivering chlamydia screening to young people: a qualitative study using normalisation process theory to understand professional practice
Authors: Ahmaro Lara , Lindsey Laura , Forrest Simon , Whittlesea Cate
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Some community pharmacies in England provide free chlamydia testing to young people, yet testing activity in the setting is low. This study aims to increase understanding of why that is, by investigating community pharmacists’ perceptions of barriers to delivering the service, and the reasons why some do not offer testing.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 community pharmacists in North East England between November 2018 and May 2019. The sample comprised both those who provided and did not provide chlamydia testing at the time of the interview. Data were subjected to thematic analysis, utilising the constructs of the normalisation process theory.

Key findings

Pharmacists found it challenging to sustain delivery of chlamydia testing, as very few young people either requested the test or accepted it when it was offered during consultations on other sexual health services. Pharmacists were cautious about offering the test, having concerns about making clients feel uncomfortable. They identified the value of training to enable them to communicate confidently with clients about testing. Pharmacists supported the suggestion that treatment for chlamydia be offered as part of a ‘test and treat’ package, as they felt that it aligned to their role in the provision of medicines advice.

Conclusions

Community pharmacies are well-placed to deliver chlamydia testing but are not operating as effectively as they might do. The provision of training on communicating with young people, integrating testing with more sexual health services, and providing ‘test and treatment’ for chlamydia could contribute to greater testing activity.
Extemporaneous compounding confidence progression from undergraduate to practice: a pharmacy education perspective
Authors: Duong Quang Hung , Xin Charles Wei-Dong , Pang Gabrielle Jin Rou , Roy Rachel , Caliph Suzanne
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study examined how undergraduate students, graduate interns and registered pharmacists perceived their competence in extemporaneous compounding.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a self-administered survey and participants ranked how confident they felt about compounding certain products using a Likert’s scale and free-text responses.

Key findings

Pharmacy students perceived to be as confident as the interns and pharmacists in preparing ‘simple’ products, such as solutions, suspensions, creams and ointments. A lack of frequent practice was related to poor confidence by all three groups.

Conclusion

Integration of theoretical, legal and ethical and patient counselling aspects in extemporaneous compounding curriculum could enhance learning and outcomes.
Representations and Tensor Product Growth
Authors: Larsen Michael , Shalev Aner , Tiep Pham Huu
Published: July 2022

The deep theory of approximate subgroups establishes three-step product growth for subsets of finite simple groups $G$ of Lie type of bounded rank. In this paper, we obtain two-step growth results for representations of such groups $G$ (including those of unbounded rank), where products of subsets are replaced by tensor products of representations. Let $G$ be a finite simple group of Lie type and $\chi $ a character of $G$. Let $|\chi |$ denote the sum of the squares of the degrees of all (distinct) irreducible characters of $G$ that are constituents of $\chi $. We show that for all $\delta>0$, there exists $\epsilon>0$, independent of $G$, such that if $\chi $ is an irreducible character of $G$ satisfying $|\chi | \le |G|^{1-\delta }$, then $|\chi ^2| \ge |\chi |^{1+\epsilon }$. We also obtain results for reducible characters and establish faster growth in the case where $|\chi | \le |G|^{\delta }$. In another direction, we explore covering phenomena, namely situations where every irreducible character of $G$ occurs as a constituent of certain products of characters. For example, we prove that if $|\chi _1| \cdots |\chi _m|$ is a high enough power of $|G|$, then every irreducible character of $G$ appears in $\chi _1\cdots \chi _m$. Finally, we obtain growth results for compact semisimple Lie groups.
Torsion Subgroups of Modular Jacobian Varieties Over Splitting Fields of Cuspidal Subgroups
Authors: Ren Yuan
Published: July 2022

For any positive integer $N$, let $J_0(N)$ be the Jacobian variety of the modular curve $X_0(N)$ over ${\mathbb {Q}}$ and ${\mathcal {C}}_N$ its cuspidal subgroup. Let $F_N$ denote the splitting field of ${\mathcal {C}}_N$, which is the smallest number field whose absolute Galois group acts trivially on ${\mathcal {C}}_N$. Let ${\mathcal {J}}_N=J_0(N)(F_{N})_{\textrm {tor}}$ be the torsion subgroup of the group of $F_N$-rational points on $J_0(N)$. We prove that ${\mathcal {J}}_N$ coincides with ${\mathcal {C}}_N$ outside $6N[F_N:{\mathbb {Q}}]$.
The Boko Haram Conflict and Food Insecurity: Does Resilience Capacity Matter?
Authors: Agwu George Abuchi
Published: July 2022

Drawing from a robust identification strategy and household panel data collected before and after households were exposed to the Boko Haram conflict, this paper addresses the question of whether resilience capacity is an important factor in mitigating household risks of food insecurity due to conflict shocks. Using the non-parametric difference-in-differences framework, the paper identifies that the shocks negatively affect food security, but resilience capacity attenuates the effects. While resilience actively protects households from the adverse stressors, the paper observes that the pillars of resilience were also significantly decimated by the conflict, thereby weakening households’ long-run capacity to withstand future shocks. The results are prescriptively unchanged after adjusting the operating spatial distance of exposure or switching the measure of conflict exposure to conflict intensity represented as battle fatalities. These estimates align well with the various hypotheses of the resilience approach to sustainable development. It is, therefore, recommended that conflict intervention programs incorporate rebuilding resilience, which might help restore households’ ability to overcome future shocks.
Optimizing the dynamic treatment regime of in-hospital warfarin anticoagulation in patients after surgical valve replacement using reinforcement learning
Authors: Zeng Juntong , Shao Jianzhun , Lin Shen , Zhang Hongchang , Su Xiaoting , Lian Xiaocong , Zhao Yan , Ji Xiangyang , Zheng Zhe
Published: July 2022

Objective

Warfarin anticoagulation management requires sequential decision-making to adjust dosages based on patients’ evolving states continuously. We aimed to leverage reinforcement learning (RL) to optimize the dynamic in-hospital warfarin dosing in patients after surgical valve replacement (SVR).

Materials and Methods

10 408 SVR cases with warfarin dosage–response data were retrospectively collected to develop and test an RL algorithm that can continuously recommend daily warfarin doses based on patients’ evolving multidimensional states. The RL algorithm was compared with clinicians’ actual practice and other machine learning and clinical decision rule-based algorithms. The primary outcome was the ratio of patients without in-hospital INRs >3.0 and the INR at discharge within the target range (1.8–2.5) (excellent responders). The secondary outcomes were the safety responder ratio (no INRs >3.0) and the target responder ratio (the discharge INR within 1.8–2.5).

Results

In the test set (n = 1260), the excellent responder ratio under clinicians’ guidance was significantly lower than the RL algorithm: 41.6% versus 80.8% (relative risk [RR], 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48–0.55), also the safety responder ratio: 83.1% versus 99.5% (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.81–0.86), and the target responder ratio: 49.7% versus 81.1% (RR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.58–0.65). The RL algorithms performed significantly better than all the other algorithms. Compared with clinicians’ actual practice, the RL-optimized INR trajectory reached and maintained within the target range significantly faster and longer.

Discussion

RL could offer interactive, practical clinical decision support for sequential decision-making tasks and is potentially adaptable for varied clinical scenarios. Prospective validation is needed.

Conclusion

An RL algorithm significantly optimized the post-operation warfarin anticoagulation quality compared with clinicians’ actual practice, suggesting its potential for challenging sequential decision-making tasks.
Association between state payment parity policies and telehealth usage at community health centers during COVID-19
Authors: Erikson Clese , Herring Jordan , Park Yoon Hong , Luo Qian , Burke Guenevere
Published: July 2022

Objective

We study the association between payment parity policies and telehealth utilization at community health centers (CHCs) before, during, and after the onset of the pandemic.

Materials and Methods

We use aggregated, de-identified data from FAIR Health for privately insured patients at CHC sites. Descriptive statistics and time trends are calculated. Logistic regression models were used to quantify the factors associated with telehealth utilization for each of our time periods: 1) pre-pandemic (March-June 2019), 2) immediate pandemic response (March-June 2020), and 3) sustained pandemic response (March-June 2021).

Results

Telehealth usage rates at CHC sites surged to approximately 61% in April 2020. By April 2021, only 29% of CHC sites in states without payment parity policies used telehealth versus 42% in states with payment parity policies. Controlling for other characteristics, we find that CHC sites in states with payment parity were more likely to utilize telehealth one year after the onset of the pandemic (OR:1.740, p<0.001) than states without, but did not find this association in 2019 or 2020.

Discussion

The public health emergency drove widespread use of telehealth, making the virtual care environment inherently different in 2021 than in 2019. Due to the unique fiscal constraints facing CHCs, the financial sustainability of telehealth may be highly relevant to the relationship between telehealth utilization and payment parity we find in this paper.

Conclusion

Supportive payment policy and continued investments in broadband availability in rural and undeserved communities should enable CHCs to offer telehealth services to populations in these areas.
Substantial impact of mobility restrictions on reducing COVID-19 incidence in Italy in 2020
Authors: Vinceti Marco , Balboni Erica , Rothman Kenneth J , Teggi Sergio , Bellino Stefania , Pezzotti Patrizio , Ferrari Fabrizio , Orsini Nicola , Filippini Tommaso
Published: July 2022

Background

Italy was the first country after China to be severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in early 2020. The country responded swiftly to the outbreak with a nationwide two-step lockdown, the first one light and the second one tight. By analyzing 2020 national mobile phone movements, we assessed how lockdown compliance influenced its efficacy.

Methods

We measured individual mobility during the first epidemic wave with mobile phone movements tracked through carrier networks, and related this mobility to daily new SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospital admissions, intensive care admissions and deaths attributed to COVID-19, taking into account reason for travel (work-related or not) and the means of transport.

Results

The tight lockdown resulted in an 82% reduction in mobility for the entire country and was effective in swiftly curbing the outbreak as indicated by a shorter time-to-peak of all health outcomes, particularly for provinces with the highest mobility reductions and the most intense COVID-19 spread. Reduction of work-related mobility was accompanied by a nearly linear benefit in outbreak containment; work-unrelated movements had a similar effect only for restrictions exceeding 50%. Reduction in mobility by car and by airplane was nearly linearly associated with a decrease in most COVID-19 health outcomes, while for train travel reductions exceeding 55% had no additional beneficial effects. The absence of viral variants and vaccine availability during the study period eliminated confounding from these two sources.

Conclusions

Adherence to the COVID-19 tight lockdown during the first wave in Italy was high and effective in curtailing the outbreak. Any work-related mobility reduction was effective, but only high reductions in work-unrelated mobility restrictions were effective. For train travel, there was a threshold above which no further benefit occurred. These findings could be particular to the spread of SARS-CoV-2, but might also apply to other communicable infections with comparable transmission dynamics.
In vitro and in vivo efficacies of Dectin-1-Fc(IgG)(s) fusion proteins against invasive fungal infections
Authors: Ruiz Mendoza Susana , Liedke Susie Coutinho , Rodriguez de La Noval Claudia , Ferreira Marina da Silva , Gomes Kamilla Xavier , Honorato Leandro , Nimrichter Leonardo , Peralta José Mauro , Guimarães Allan Jefferson
Published: July 2022

Fungal infections have increased in the last years, particularly associated to an increment in the number of immunocompromised individuals and the emergence of known or new resistant species, despite the difficulties in the often time-consuming diagnosis. The controversial efficacy of the currently available strategies for their clinical management, apart from their high toxicity and severe side effects, has renewed the interest in the research and development of new broad antifungal alternatives. These encompass vaccines and passive immunization strategies with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), recognizing ubiquitous fungal targets, such as fungal cell wall β-1,3-glucan polysaccharides, which could be used in early therapeutic intervention without the need for the diagnosis at species level. As additional alternatives, based on the Dectin-1 great affinity to β-1,3-glucan, our group developed broad antibody-like Dectin1-Fc(IgG)(s) from distinct subclasses (IgG2a and IgG2b) and compared their antifungal in vitro and passive immunizations in vivo performances. Dectin1-Fc(IgG2a) and Dectin1-Fc(IgG2b) demonstrated high affinity to laminarin and the fungal cell wall by ELISA, flow cytometry, and microscopy. Both Dectin-1-Fc(IgG)(s) inhibited Histoplasma capsulatum and Cryptococcus neoformans growth in a dose-dependent fashion. For Candida albicans, such inhibitory effect was observed with concentrations as low as 0.098 and 0.049 μg/ml, respectively, which correlated with the impairment of the kinetics and lengths of germ tubes in comparison to controls. Previous opsonization with Dectin-1-Fc(IgG)(s) enhanced considerably the macrophage antifungal effector functions, increasing the fungi macrophages interactions and significantly reducing the intraphagosome fungal survival, as lower CFUs were observed. The administration of both Dectin1-Fc(IgG)(s) reduced the fungal burden and mortality in murine histoplasmosis and candidiasis models, in accordance with previous evaluations in aspergillosis model. These results altogether strongly suggested that therapeutic interventions with Dectin-1-Fc(IgG)(s) fusion proteins could directly impact the innate immunity and disease outcome in favor of the host, by direct neutralization, opsonization, phagocytosis, and fungal elimination, providing interesting information on the potential of these new strategies for the control of invasive fungal infections.

Lay Summary

Mycoses have increased worldwide, and new efficient therapeutics are needed. Passive immunizations targeting universally the fungal cell would allow early interventions without the species-level diagnosis. Lectins with affinity to carbohydrates could be used to engineer ‘antibody-like’ strategies.
Long-term X-ray spectral variation of the Wolf–Rayet binary WR 102-1 in the Galactic bulge: evidence for wind distortion in the binary
Authors: Nagatsuka Tomoki , Sugawara Yasuharu , Ebisawa Ken
Published: July 2022

WR 102-1 was detected by Suzaku as a conspicuous point source in the 6.7 keV intensity map of the central region of the Milky Way. The source was suggested as a possible Wolf–Rayet binary based on its X-ray and infrared spectral characteristics. The iron line emission is expected to originate in the Wolf–Rayet star’s dynamic stellar wind when colliding the companion’s mild stellar wind. Here, we report the result of a long-term X-ray monitoring of WR 102-1 since 1998 using archival data of ASCA, XMM–Newton, Chandra, Suzaku, and Swift to reveal variations of the iron K-emission line and the circumstellar absorption. Consequently, we have detected significant redshifts of the iron K-emission line from the XMM–Newton observation in 2003 March and the Suzaku observation in 2006 September. Furthermore, when the redshift was observed, which suggests that the Wolf–Rayet star was in front of the companion star, the circumstellar absorption values were smaller than other periods. These results appear contrary to the expectation if the Wolf–Rayet’s stellar wind is spherically symmetric, but may be understood if the Wolf–Rayet star’s stellar wind is significantly distorted due to the rapid orbital motion near the periastron.
TeraHertz desorption emission spectroscopy (THz DES) of space relevant ices
Authors: Auriacombe Olivier , Rea S , Ioppolo S , Oldfield M , Parkes S , Ellison B , Fraser H J
Published: July 2022

We present an experimental instrument that performs laboratory-based gas-phase Terahertz Desorption Emission Spectroscopy (THz-DES) experiments in support of astrochemistry. The measurement system combines a terahertz heterodyne radiometer that uses room temperature semiconductor mixer diode technology previously developed for the purposes of Earth observation, with a high-vacuum desorption gas cell and high-speed digital sampling circuitry to enable high spectral and temporal resolution spectroscopy of molecular species with thermal discrimination. During use, molecules are condensed on to a liquid nitrogen cooled metal finger to emulate ice structures that may be present in space. Following deposition, thermal desorption is controlled and initiated by means of a heater and monitored via a temperature sensor. The ‘rest frequency’ spectral signatures of molecules released into the vacuum cell environment are detected by the heterodyne radiometer in real-time and characterized with high spectral resolution. To demonstrate the viability of the instrument, we have studied Nitrous Oxide (N2O). This molecule strongly emits within the terahertz (sub-millimetre wavelength) range and provide a suitable test gas and we compare the results obtained with more traditional techniques such as quadrupole mass spectrometry. The results obtained allow us to fully characterize the measurement method and we discuss its potential use as a laboratory tool in support of astrochemical observations of molecular species in the interstellar medium and the Solar System.
Dark Energy Survey Year 3 results: Imprints of cosmic voids and superclusters in the Planck CMB lensing map
Authors: Kovács A , Vielzeuf P , Ferrero I , Fosalba P , Demirbozan U , Miquel R , Chang C , Hamaus N , Pollina G , Bechtol K , Becker M , Carnero Rosell A , Carrasco Kind M , Cawthon R , Crocce M , Drlica-Wagner A , Elvin-Poole J , Gatti M , Giannini G , Gruendl R A , Porredon A , Ross A J , Rykoff E S , Sevilla-Noarbe I , Sheldon E , Yanny B , Abbott T , Aguena M , Allam S , Annis J , Bacon D , Bernstein G , Bertin E , Bocquet S , Brooks D , Burke D , Carretero J , Castander F J , Costanzi M , da Costa L N , Pereira M E S , De Vicente J , Desai S , Diehl H T , Dietrich J , Ferté A , Flaugher B , Frieman J , Garcia-Bellido J , Gaztañaga E , Gerdes D , Giannantonio T , Gruen D , Gschwend J , Gutierrez G , Hinton S , Hollowood D L , Honscheid K , Huterer D , Kuehn K , Lahav O , Lima M , March M , Marshall J , Melchior P , Menanteau F , Morgan R , Muir J , Ogando R , Palmese A , Paz-Chinchon F , Pieres A , Plazas Malagón A , Rodriguez Monroy M , Roodman A , Sanchez E , Schubnell M , Serrano S , Smith M , Suchyta E , Tarle G , Thomas D , To C-H , Varga T N , Weller (The DES Collaboration) J
Published: July 2022

The CMB lensing signal from cosmic voids and superclusters probes the growth of structure in the low-redshift cosmic web. In this analysis, we cross-correlated the Planck CMB lensing map with voids detected in the Dark Energy Survey Year 3 (Y3) data set (∼5000 deg2), expanding on previous measurements that used Y1 catalogues (∼1300 deg2). Given the increased statistical power compared to Y1 data, we report a 6.6σ detection of negative CMB convergence (κ) imprints using approximately 3600 voids detected from a redMaGiC luminous red galaxy sample. However, the measured signal is lower than expected from the MICE N-body simulation that is based on the ΛCDM model (parameters Ωm = 0.25, σ8 = 0.8), and the discrepancy is associated mostly with the void centre region. Considering the full void lensing profile, we fit an amplitude $A_{\kappa }=\kappa _{{\rm DES}}/\kappa _{{\rm MICE}}$ to a simulation-based template with fixed shape and found a moderate 2σ deviation in the signal with Aκ ≈ 0.79 ± 0.12. We also examined the WebSky simulation that is based on a Planck 2018 ΛCDM cosmology, but the results were even less consistent given the slightly higher matter density fluctuations than in MICE. We then identified superclusters in the DES and the MICE catalogues, and detected their imprints at the 8.4σ level; again with a lower-than-expected Aκ = 0.84 ± 0.10 amplitude. The combination of voids and superclusters yields a 10.3σ detection with an Aκ = 0.82 ± 0.08 constraint on the CMB lensing amplitude, thus the overall signal is 2.3σ weaker than expected from MICE.