bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water and Geological Assessment in the Micro-Watersheds of the Alkaline Rocks of Tanguá and Soarinho in Rio de Janeiro State
Authors: De Barros Marcos Caldeira , Da Hora Mônica De Aquino Galeano Massera , Dos Santos Anderson Costa , Salomão Marcelo Dos Santos , Da Hora Antonio Ferreira , Teodoro Marco Aurélio Maia
Published: June 2023

Alkaline bodies of Tanguá and Soarinho in Rio de Janeiro present drainage areas that form the sources of the Soarinho and Caceribu Rivers. Due to its water and geological importance, we sought to investigate the relation between alkaline rocks and water bodies and the possible consequences of mining activity, as well as the use and occupation of land in water quality. Initially, the magnetometric profile was traced to confirm whether the locations selected for sample collection were located in the alkaline region. Then, water and sediment collections were carried out from the bed at three points on the Soarinho River and one point on the Caceribu River, all inserted in the drainages of the Soarinho and Tanguá alkaline massifs. Parameters necessary to calculate the Water Quality Index (WQI) and those related to contamination by mining activities were analyzed. Chemical analysis of the bed material sought to identify the deposition of contaminants. The context of alkaline rock interaction and water influence is confirmed through geophysical and lithogeochemical techniques through location maps and comparative results of bed material and direct samples of alkaline rocks that showed similar constitutions. In general, the WQI presented a median result, meeting the main requirements for appropriate water for conventional treatment aimed at public supply, and no indicators of contamination by mining activities were found, however, at point P3, representative of the headwaters of the Soarinho River, there were significant changes in BOD and fecal coliforms indicating direct discharge of domestic sewage in a nearby location. The results of the analyzes downstream of this point demonstrate the water bodies dilution capacity.
System-Reliability-Based Disaster Resilience Analysis of Infrastructure Networks and Causality-Based Importance Measure
Authors: Kwon Youngjun , Song Junho
Published: June 2023

Civil infrastructure systems become highly complex and thus get more vulnerable to disasters. The concept of disaster resilience, the overall capability of a system to manage risks posed by catastrophic events, is emerging to address the challenge. Recently, a system-reliability-based disaster resilience analysis framework was proposed for a holistic assessment of the components' reliability, the system's redundancy, and the society's ability to recover the system functionality. The proposed framework was applied to individual structures to produce diagrams visualizing the pairs of the reliability index (β) and the redundancy index (π) defined to quantify the likelihood of each initial disruption scenario and the corresponding system-level failure probability, respectively. This paper develops methods to apply the β-π analysis framework to infrastructure networks and demonstrates its capability to evaluate the disaster resilience of networks from a system reliability viewpoint. We also propose a new causality-based importance measure of network components based on the β-π analysis and a causal diagram model that can consider the causality mechanism of the system failure. Compared with importance measures in the literature, the proposed measure can evaluate a component's relative importance through a well-balanced consideration of network topology and reliability. The proposed measure is expected to provide helpful guidelines for making optimal decisions to secure the disaster resilience of infrastructure networks.
The Use of Recovery Strategies in Gaelic Games: A Mixed-Methods Analysis
Authors: Daly Lorcan S. , Catháin Ciarán Ó. , Kelly David T.
Published: June 2023

Purpose: This study investigated Gaelic games players’ (1) use of postexercise recovery strategies; (2) recovery strategies according to sport, biological sex, and playing standard; and (3) recovery strategy periodization. Methods: Participants were a total of 1178 Gaelic players (n = 574 female), age 24.6 (6.6) years. These players completed a questionnaire investigating postexercise recovery strategies. Participants were further dichotomized by playing standard into developmental (club/collegiate; n = 869) and national (intercounty; n = 309) levels and by sporting codes: Gaelic football (n = 813), Camogie/hurling (n = 342), and handball (n = 23). Results: Active recovery (90.4%), cold temperature exposure (79.5%), regular sleep routine (79.1%), strategic nutritional intake (72.3%), and massage (68.8%) were the most commonly used recovery strategies. Recovery strategy use was periodized by 30% of players. A significantly larger proportion of national-level players apply cold temperatures (86.7% vs 73.1%; P = .001) and nutritional strategies (80.1% vs 69.2%; P = .012) when compared with developmental players. A significantly larger proportion of female players have a regular sleep routine (82.6% vs 75.1%; P = .037), apply external heat (63.4% vs 48.5%; P = .002), and perform stretching (76.5% vs 66.4%; P = .002) postexercise when compared with male players. A significantly larger proportion of male players employ nutritional strategies (77.6% vs 67.5%; P = .007) and consume a combination of protein and carbohydrate (62.1% vs 28.0%; P < .001) postexercise when compared with female players. Conclusion: Gaelic games players regularly implement a range of postexercise recovery strategies in an attempt to expediate the return of performance capacity and psychophysiological status to preexercise levels. The current findings may support practitioners who seek to prescribe effective and periodized recovery interventions targeting optimized preference/compliance.
Quantum metric nonlinear Hall effect in a topological antiferromagnetic heterostructure
Authors: Gao Anyuan , Liu Yu-Fei , Qiu Jian-Xiang , Ghosh Barun , V. Trevisan Thaís , Onishi Yugo , Hu Chaowei , Qian Tiema , Tien Hung-Ju , Chen Shao-Wen , Huang Mengqi , Bérubé Damien , Li Houchen , Tzschaschel Christian , Dinh Thao , Sun Zhe , Ho Sheng-Chin , Lien Shang-Wei , Singh Bahadur , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Bell David C. , Lin Hsin , Chang Tay-Rong , Du Chunhui Rita , Bansil Arun , Fu Liang , Ni Ni , Orth Peter P. , Ma Qiong , Xu Su-Yang
Published: June 2023

Quantum geometry in condensed-matter physics has two components: the real part quantum metric and the imaginary part Berry curvature. Whereas the effects of Berry curvature have been observed through phenomena such as the quantum Hall effect in two-dimensional electron gases and the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in ferromagnets, the quantum metric has rarely been explored. Here, we report a nonlinear Hall effect induced by the quantum metric dipole by interfacing even-layered MnBi
2
Te
4
with black phosphorus. The quantum metric nonlinear Hall effect switches direction upon reversing the antiferromagnetic (AFM) spins and exhibits distinct scaling that is independent of the scattering time. Our results open the door to discovering quantum metric responses predicted theoretically and pave the way for applications that bridge nonlinear electronics with AFM spintronics.
The increasing effects of light pollution on professional and amateur astronomy
Authors: Varela Perez Antonia M.
Published: June 2023

The starry sky has been a source of inspiration throughout human history. Astronomy has been a common element in all cultures and civilizations, being used to establish calendars, navigate and discover new lands, and drive numerous scientific and technical breakthroughs. This Review discusses how it is becoming increasingly difficult for professional and amateur astronomers to observe the night sky because of light pollution. Artificial light at night, radio interference, and the deployment of satellite constellations are all rapidly increasing and are having adverse impacts on astronomical observations, limiting scientific discoveries, cultural connections to the night sky, and opportunities presented by astrotourism. Potential mitigation strategies to preserve the night sky are discussed.
Diberyllocene, a stable compound of Be(I) with a Be–Be bond
Authors: Boronski Josef T. , Crumpton Agamemnon E. , Wales Lewis L. , Aldridge Simon
Published: June 2023

The complex diberyllocene, CpBeBeCp (Cp, cyclopentadienyl anion), has been the subject of numerous chemical investigations over the past five decades yet has eluded experimental characterization. We report the preparation and isolation of the compound by the reduction of beryllocene (BeCp
2
) with a dimeric magnesium(I) complex and determination of its structure in the solid state by means of x-ray crystallography. Diberyllocene acts as a reductant in reactions that form beryllium-aluminum and beryllium-zinc bonds. Quantum chemical calculations indicate parallels between the electronic structure of diberyllocene and the simple homodiatomic species diberyllium (Be
2
).
Nine lives
The Cat’s Meow: How Cats Evolved From the Savanna to Your Sofa
Jonathan B. Losos
Viking, 2023. 400 pp.
Authors: Larson Greger
Published: June 2023

A biologist explores the cat’s origins, evolution, and complicated history with humans
In Other Journals
Authors: McCartney Melissa , Ray L. Bryan , Kelly Priscilla N. , Stern Peter , Uzogara Ekeoma , Suleymanov Yury , Szuromi Phil
Published: June 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
DOE lab would probe climate effects on poor communities
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: June 2023

New national lab would go to a historically Black institution
After Ukrainian dam breach, war hampers study of ecological toll
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: June 2023

Mines and active combat make fieldwork too risky
Escherichia ruysiae May Serve as a Reservoir of Antibiotic Resistance Genes across Multiple Settings and Regions
Authors: Campos-Madueno Edgar I. , Aldeia Claudia , Sendi Parham , Endimiani Andrea
Published: June 2023

Escherichia ruysiae
is a recently described species of the cryptic clades III and IV of the genus
Escherichia
and is commonly found in animals and the environment. This work highlights the zoonotic potential of
E. ruysiae
, as it has been shown to colonize the human intestinal tract.
Three-dimensional glacial isostatic adjustment modeling reconciles conflicting geographic trends in North American marine isotope stage 5a relative sea level observations
Authors: Thompson Schmitty B. , Creveling Jessica R. , Latychev Konstantin , Mitrovica Jerry X.
Published: June 2023

Glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) simulations using earth models that vary viscoelastic structure with depth alone cannot simultaneously fit geographic trends in the elevation of marine isotope stage (MIS) 5a relative sea level (RSL) indicators across continental North America and the Caribbean and yield conflicting estimates of global mean sea level (GMSL). We present simulations with a GIA model that incorporates three-dimensional (3-D) variation in North American viscoelastic earth structure constructed by combining high-resolution seismic tomographic imaging with a new method for mapping this imaging into lateral variations in lithospheric thickness and mantle viscosity. We pair this earth model with a global ice history based on updated constraints on ice volume and geometry. The GIA prediction provides the first simultaneous reconciliation of MIS 5a North American and Caribbean RSL highstands and strengthens arguments that MIS 5a peak GMSL reached values close to that of the Last Interglacial. This result highlights the necessity of incorporating realistic 3-D earth structure into GIA predictions with continent-scale RSL data sets.
Supplemental Material: Establishing an ethic of sampling for future generations of geoscientists
Authors: Chan Marjorie A. , Mogk David W.
Published: June 2023

Includes bar graphs showing responses to the GSA Survey on Ethics of Sampling and small group GSAT forum discussions for the Culture and Ethics of Geologic Sampling. 
What tests and measures accurately diagnose persisting post-concussive symptoms in children, adolescents and adults following sport-related concussion? A systematic review
Authors: Yeates Keith Owen , Räisänen Anu M , Premji Zahra , Debert Chantel T , Frémont Pierre , Hinds Sidney , Smirl Jonathan D , Barlow Karen , Davis Gavin A , Echemendia Ruben J , Feddermann-Demont Nina , Fuller Colm , Gagnon Isabelle , Giza Christopher C , Iverson Grant L , Makdissi Michael , Schneider Kathryn J
Published: June 2023

Objective

To determine what tests and measures accurately diagnose persisting post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) in children, adolescents and adults following sport-related concussion (SRC).

Design

A systematic literature review.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus through March 2022.

Eligibility criteria

Original, empirical, peer-reviewed findings (cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies and case series) published in English and focused on SRC. Studies needed to compare individuals with PPCS to a comparison group or their own baseline prior to concussion, on tests or measures potentially affected by concussion or associated with PPCS. Results: Of 3298 records screened, 26 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis, including 1016 participants with concussion and 531 in comparison groups; 7 studies involved adults, 8 involved children and adolescents and 11 spanned both age groups. No studies focused on diagnostic accuracy. Studies were heterogeneous in participant characteristics, definitions of concussion and PPCS, timing of assessment and the tests and measures examined. Some studies found differences between individuals with PPCS and comparison groups or their own pre-injury assessments, but definitive conclusions were not possible because most studies had small convenience samples, cross-sectional designs and were rated high risk of bias.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of PPCS continues to rely on symptom report, preferably using standardised symptom rating scales. The existing research does not indicate that any other specific tool or measure has satisfactory accuracy for clinical diagnosis. Future research drawing on prospective, longitudinal cohort studies could help inform clinical practice.
Acute evaluation of sport-related concussion and implications for the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6) for adults, adolescents and children: a systematic review
Authors: Echemendia Ruben J , Burma Joel S , Bruce Jared M , Davis Gavin A , Giza Christopher C , Guskiewicz Kevin M , Naidu Dhiren , Black Amanda Marie , Broglio Steven , Kemp Simon , Patricios Jon S , Putukian Margot , Zemek Roger , Arango-Lasprilla Juan Carlos , Bailey Christopher M , Brett Benjamin L , Didehbani Nyaz , Gioia Gerry , Herring Stanley A , Howell David , Master Christina L , Valovich McLeod Tamara C , Meehan William P , Premji Zahra , Salmon Danielle , van Ierssel Jacqueline , Bhathela Neil , Makdissi Michael , Walton Samuel R , Kissick James , Pardini Jamie , Schneider Kathryn J
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To systematically review the scientific literature regarding the acute assessment of sport-related concussion (SRC) and provide recommendations for improving the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6).

Data sources

Systematic searches of seven databases from 2001 to 2022 using key words and controlled vocabulary relevant to concussion, sports, SCAT, and acute evaluation.

Eligibility criteria

(1) Original research articles, cohort studies, case–control studies, and case series with a sample of >10; (2) ≥80% SRC; and (3) studies using a screening tool/technology to assess SRC acutely (<7 days), and/or studies containing psychometric/normative data for common tools used to assess SRC.

Data extraction

Separate reviews were conducted involving six subdomains: Cognition, Balance/Postural Stability, Oculomotor/Cervical/Vestibular, Emerging Technologies, and Neurological Examination/Autonomic Dysfunction. Paediatric/Child studies were included in each subdomain. Risk of Bias and study quality were rated by coauthors using a modified SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) tool.

Results

Out of 12 192 articles screened, 612 were included (189 normative data and 423 SRC assessment studies). Of these, 183 focused on cognition, 126 balance/postural stability, 76 oculomotor/cervical/vestibular, 142 emerging technologies, 13 neurological examination/autonomic dysfunction, and 23 paediatric/child SCAT. The SCAT discriminates between concussed and non-concussed athletes within 72 hours of injury with diminishing utility up to 7 days post injury. Ceiling effects were apparent on the 5-word list learning and concentration subtests. More challenging tests, including the 10-word list, were recommended. Test–retest data revealed limitations in temporal stability. Studies primarily originated in North America with scant data on children.

Conclusion

Support exists for using the SCAT within the acute phase of injury. Maximal utility occurs within the first 72 hours and then diminishes up to 7 days after injury. The SCAT has limited utility as a return to play tool beyond 7 days. Empirical data are limited in pre-adolescents, women, sport type, geographical and culturally diverse populations and para athletes.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020154787.
Beyond acute concussion assessment to office management: a systematic review informing the development of a Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6) for adults and children
Authors: Patricios Jon S , Schneider Geoff M , van Ierssel Jacqueline , Purcell Laura K , Davis Gavin A , Echemendia Ruben J , Fremont Pierre , Fuller Gordon Ward , Herring Stanley A , Harmon Kimberly G , Holte Kirsten , Loosemore Mike , Makdissi Michael , McCrea Michael , Meehan William P , O'Halloran Patrick , Premji Zahra , Putukian Margot , Shill Isla Jordan , Turner Michael , Vaandering Kenzie , Webborn Nick , Yeates Keith Owen , Schneider Kathryn J
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To systematically review the scientific literature regarding the assessment of sport-related concussion (SRC) in the subacute phase (3–30 days) and provide recommendations for developing a Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6).

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science searched from 2001 to 2022. Data extracted included study design, population, definition of SRC diagnosis, outcome measure(s) and results.

Eligibility criteria

(1) Original research, cohort studies, case–control studies, diagnostic accuracy and case series with samples >10; (2) SRC; (3) screening/technology that assessed SRC in the subacute period and (4) low risk of bias (ROB). ROB was performed using adapted Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy classification.

Results

Of 9913 studies screened, 127 met inclusion, assessing 12 overlapping domains. Results were summarised narratively. Studies of acceptable (81) or high (2) quality were used to inform the SCOAT6, finding sufficient evidence for including the assessment of autonomic function, dual gait, vestibular ocular motor screening (VOMS) and mental health screening.

Conclusion

Current SRC tools have limited utility beyond 72 hours. Incorporation of a multimodal clinical assessment in the subacute phase of SRC may include symptom evaluation, orthostatic hypotension screen, verbal neurocognitive tests, cervical spine evaluation, neurological screen, Modified Balance Error Scoring System, single/dual task tandem gait, modified VOMS and provocative exercise tests. Screens for sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression are recommended. Studies to evaluate the psychometric properties, clinical feasibility in different environments and time frames are needed.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020154787.
Evaluating the limits of AI in medical specialisation: ChatGPT’s performance on the UK Neurology Specialty Certificate Examination
Authors: Giannos Panagiotis
Published: June 2023

Background

Large language models such as ChatGPT have demonstrated potential as innovative tools for medical education and practice, with studies showing their ability to perform at or near the passing threshold in general medical examinations and standardised admission tests. However, no studies have assessed their performance in the UK medical education context, particularly at a specialty level, and specifically in the field of neurology and neuroscience.

Methods

We evaluated the performance of ChatGPT in higher specialty training for neurology and neuroscience using 69 questions from the Pool—Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) Neurology Web Questions bank. The dataset primarily focused on neurology (80%). The questions spanned subtopics such as symptoms and signs, diagnosis, interpretation and management with some questions addressing specific patient populations. The performance of ChatGPT 3.5 Legacy, ChatGPT 3.5 Default and ChatGPT-4 models was evaluated and compared.

Results

ChatGPT 3.5 Legacy and ChatGPT 3.5 Default displayed overall accuracies of 42% and 57%, respectively, falling short of the passing threshold of 58% for the 2022 SCE neurology examination. ChatGPT-4, on the other hand, achieved the highest accuracy of 64%, surpassing the passing threshold and outperforming its predecessors across disciplines and subtopics.

Conclusions

The advancements in ChatGPT-4’s performance compared with its predecessors demonstrate the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) models in specialised medical education and practice. However, our findings also highlight the need for ongoing development and collaboration between AI developers and medical experts to ensure the models’ relevance and reliability in the rapidly evolving field of medicine.
Risk assessment and stratification of mild cognitive impairment among the Chinese elderly: attention to modifiable risk factors
Authors: Wang Qiong , Zhou Shuai , Zhang Jingya , Wang Qing , Hou Fangfang , Han Xiao , Shen Guodong , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2023

Background

The early identification of individuals at risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has major public health implications for Alzheimer’s disease prevention.

Objective

This study aims to develop and validate a risk assessment tool for MCI with a focus on modifiable factors and a suggested risk stratification strategy.

Methods

Modifiable risk factors were selected from recent reviews, and risk scores were obtained from the literature or calculated based on the Rothman-Keller model. Simulated data of 10 000 subjects with the exposure rates of the selected factors were generated, and the risk stratifications were determined by the theoretical incidences of MCI. The performance of the tool was verified using cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets from a population-based Chinese elderly cohort.

Results

Nine modifiable risk factors (social isolation, less education, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, smoking, drinking, physical inactivity and depression) were selected for the predictive model. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.71 in the training set and 0.72 in the validation set for the cross-sectional dataset. The AUCs were 0.70 and 0.64 in the training and validation sets, respectively, for the longitudinal dataset. A combined risk score of 0.95 and 1.86 was used as the threshold to categorise MCI risk as ‘low’, ‘moderate’ and ‘high’.

Conclusion

A risk assessment tool for MCI with appropriate accuracy was developed in this study, and risk stratification thresholds were also suggested. The tool might have significant public health implications for the primary prevention of MCI in elderly individuals in China.
Genotype–phenotype associations in Alström syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bea-Mascato Brais , Valverde Diana
Published: June 2023

Background

Alström syndrome (ALMS; #203800) is an ultrarare monogenic recessive disease. This syndrome is associated with variants in theALMS1gene, which encodes a centrosome-associated protein involved in the regulation of several ciliary and extraciliary processes, such as centrosome cohesion, apoptosis, cell cycle control and receptor trafficking. The type of variant associated with ALMS is mostly complete loss-of-function variants (97%) and they are mainly located in exons 8, 10 and 16 of the gene. Other studies in the literature have tried to establish a genotype–phenotype correlation in this syndrome with limited success. The difficulty in recruiting a large cohort in rare diseases is the main barrier to conducting this type of study.

Methods

In this study we collected all cases of ALMS published to date. We created a database of patients who had a genetic diagnosis and an individualised clinical history. Lastly, we attempted to establish a genotype–phenotype correlation using the truncation site of the patient’s longest allele as a grouping criteria.

Results

We collected a total of 357 patients, of whom 227 had complete clinical information, complete genetic diagnosis and meta-information on sex and age. We have seen that there are five variants with high frequency, with p.(Arg2722Ter) being the most common variant, with 28 alleles. No gender differences in disease progression were detected. Finally, truncating variants in exon 10 seem to be correlated with a higher prevalence of liver disorders in patients with ALMS.

Conclusion

Pathogenic variants in exon 10 of theALMS1gene were associated with a higher prevalence of liver disease. However, the location of the variant in theALMS1gene does not have a major impact on the phenotype developed by the patient.
Diffusion-based structural connectivity patterns of multiple sclerosis phenotypes
Authors: Martinez-Heras Eloy , Solana Elisabeth , Vivó Francesc , Lopez-Soley Elisabet , Calvi Alberto , Alba-Arbalat Salut , Schoonheim Menno M , Strijbis Eva M , Vrenken Hugo , Barkhof Frederik , Rocca Maria A , Filippi Massimo , Pagani Elisabetta , Groppa Sergiu , Fleischer Vinzenz , Dineen Robert A , Bellenberg Barbara , Lukas Carsten , Pareto Deborah , Rovira Alex , Sastre-Garriga Jaume , Collorone Sara , Prados Ferran , Toosy Ahmed , Ciccarelli Olga , Saiz Albert , Blanco Yolanda , Llufriu Sara
Published: June 2023

Background

We aimed to describe the severity of the changes in brain diffusion-based connectivity as multiple sclerosis (MS) progresses and the microstructural characteristics of these networks that are associated with distinct MS phenotypes.

Methods

Clinical information and brain MRIs were collected from 221 healthy individuals and 823 people with MS at 8 MAGNIMS centres. The patients were divided into four clinical phenotypes: clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive and primary progressive. Advanced tractography methods were used to obtain connectivity matrices. Then, differences in whole-brain and nodal graph-derived measures, and in the fractional anisotropy of connections between groups were analysed. Support vector machine algorithms were used to classify groups.

Results

Clinically isolated syndrome and relapsing-remitting patients shared similar network changes relative to controls. However, most global and local network properties differed in secondary progressive patients compared with the other groups, with lower fractional anisotropy in most connections. Primary progressive participants had fewer differences in global and local graph measures compared with clinically isolated syndrome and relapsing-remitting patients, and reductions in fractional anisotropy were only evident for a few connections. The accuracy of support vector machine to discriminate patients from healthy controls based on connection was 81%, and ranged between 64% and 74% in distinguishing among the clinical phenotypes.

Conclusions

In conclusion, brain connectivity is disrupted in MS and has differential patterns according to the phenotype. Secondary progressive is associated with more widespread changes in connectivity. Additionally, classification tasks can distinguish between MS types, with subcortical connections being the most important factor.
Analysis of serum proteomics data identifies a quantitative association between beta-defensin 2 at baseline and clinical response to IL-17 blockade in psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Cardner Mathias , Tuckwell Danny , Kostikova Anna , Forrer Pascal , Siegel Richard M , Marti Alain , Vandemeulebroecke Marc , Ferrero Enrico
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Despite several effective targeted therapies, biomarkers that predict whether a patient with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) will respond to a particular treatment are currently lacking.

Methods

We analysed proteomics data from serum samples of nearly 2000 patients with PsA in placebo-controlled phase-III clinical trials of the interleukin-17 inhibitor secukinumab. To discover predictive biomarkers of clinical response, we used statistical learning with controlled feature selection. The top candidate was validated using an ELISA and was separately assessed in a trial of almost 800 patients with PsA treated with secukinumab or the tumour necrosis factor inhibitor adalimumab.

Results

Serum levels of beta-defensin 2 (BD-2) at baseline were found to be robustly associated with subsequent clinical response (eg, American College of Rheumatology definition of 20%, 50% and 70% improvement) to secukinumab, but not to placebo. This finding was validated in two independent clinical studies not used for discovery. Although BD-2 is known to be associated with psoriasis severity, the predictivity of BD-2 was independent of baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. The association between BD-2 and response to secukinumab was observed as early as 4 weeks and maintained up to 52 weeks. BD-2 was also found to predict response to treatment with adalimumab. Unlike in PsA, BD-2 was not predictive of response to secukinumab in rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusions

In PsA, BD-2 at baseline is quantitatively associated with clinical response to secukinumab. Patients with high levels of BD-2 at baseline reach and sustain higher rates of clinical response after treatment with secukinumab.
Undrained cyclic loading behavior of stiff Eocene-to-Jurassic plastic, high-OCR clays
Authors: Pan K. , Zhou G.Y. , Yang Z.X. , Jardine R.J.
Published: June 2023

Assessing foundation response to cyclic loading is vital when designing transport infrastructure, such as road pavements and rail tracks, as well as offshore, port, and tall tower structures. While detailed guidance is available on characterizing many soil types’ cyclic behavior, relatively few studies have been reported on stiff, geologically aged, plastic clays. This paper addresses this gap in knowledge by reporting cyclic loading experiments on three natural stiff UK clays that were deposited and buried between the Jurassic Age and Eocene Epoch before geological unloading to their currently heavily over-consolidated states. High-quality samples taken at relatively shallow depths were reconsolidated to nominally in situ K0 stresses in triaxial and hollow cylinder apparatus before imposing cyclic loading. The completely stable, metastable, or unstable outcomes invoked by different levels of undrained cyclic loading are interpreted within a kinematic yielding framework that is compatible with monotonic control experiments’ outcomes. The cyclic limits marking the onset of significant changes in permanent strain accumulation, pore pressure development, and stress–strain hysteresis demonstrate that the weathered Gault clay offers the lowest cyclic resistance. The experiments show that energy considerations provide a promising way of evaluating undrained pore pressure generation and stiffness degradation. They also provide a basis for developing cyclic constitutive models and analysis procedures for cyclic foundation design in stiff, high-OCR, plastic clay strata.
Ecological restoration research in Canada: who, what, where, when, why, and how?
Authors: Alamenciak Tim , Pomezanski Dorian , Shackelford Nancy , Murphy Stephen D. , Cooke Steven J. , Rochefort Line , Voicescu Sonia , Higgs Eric
Published: June 2023

Much has been achieved by research into ecological restoration as a nature-based solution to the destruction of ecosystems, particularly in Canada. We conducted a national-level synthesis of Canadian restoration ecology research to understand strengths and gaps. This synthesis answers the following questions: Who is studying restoration? What ecosystem types are studied? Where is restoration studied? Which themes has restoration research focused on? Why is restoration happening? And how is restoration monitored and evaluated? We employed systematic searching for this review. Our results show that restoration research is conducted mainly by academics. Forest, peatland, grassland, and lake ecosystem types were the most commonly studied. There was a concentration of research in four provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia). Research into restoration has changed its thematic focus over time from reforestation to climate change. Legislation was the most common reason given for restoration. Restoration research frequently documented results of less than 5 years of monitoring and included one category of response variable (e.g., plant response but not animal response). Future research could investigate the outcomes of restoration prompted by legislation. At the dawn of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, this work demonstrates Canada's momentum and provides a model for synthesis in other countries.
Paeoniflorin Coordinates Macrophage Polarization and Mitigates Liver Inflammation and Fibrogenesis by Targeting the NF-κB/HIF-1α Pathway in CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Liu Yang , He Chun-Yu , Yang Xue-Mei , Chen Wei-Cong , Zhang Ming-Jia , Zhong Xiao-Dan , Chen Wei-Guang , Zhong Bing-Lian , He Song-Qi , Sun Hai-Tao
Published: June 2023

Liver fibrosis is a disease largely driven by resident and recruited macrophages. The phenotypic switch of hepatic macrophages can be achieved by chemo-attractants and cytokines. During a screening of plants traditionally used to treat liver diseases in China, paeoniflorin was identified as a potential drug that affects the polarization of macrophages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of paeoniflorin in an animal model of liver fibrosis and explore its underlying mechanisms. Liver fibrosis was induced in Wistar rats via an intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. In addition, the RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in the presence of CoCl2 to simulate a hypoxic microenvironment of fibrotic livers in vitro. The modeled rats were treated daily with either paeoniflorin (100, 150, and 200[Formula: see text]mg/kg) or YC-1 (2[Formula: see text]mg/kg) for 8 weeks. Hepatic function, inflammation and fibrosis, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were assessed in the in vivo and in vitro models. The expression levels of M1 and M2 macrophage markers and the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway factors were measured using standard assays. Paeoniflorin significantly alleviated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, as well as hepatocyte necrosis in the CCl4-induced fibrosis model. Furthermore, paeoniflorin also inhibited HSC activation and reduced ECM deposition both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, paeoniflorin restrained M1 macrophage polarization and induced M2 polarization in the fibrotic liver tissues as well as in the RAW264.7 cells grown under hypoxic conditions by inactivating the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1[Formula: see text] signaling pathway. In conclusion, paeoniflorin exerts its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in the liver by coordinating macrophage polarization through the NF-[Formula: see text]B/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway.
Low Power and Fully Nonvolatile Full-Adder Based on STT-SHE-MRAM
Authors: Adelkhani Morteza , Aminian Mahdi
Published: June 2023

Currently, static circuit power is becoming a major concern, dominating the total power consumption due to the scaling down of CMOS technology. The smaller sizes drastically affect the leakage current, which integrated circuit designers attempt to overcome this issue. Hence, several methods and technologies have been proposed to prevail this phenomenon. One of these methods is using memory structures in logic designs. A Hybrid MTJ/CMOS circuit is one of these promising techniques to design low-power nonvolatile circuits with power gating ability and low overhead for reconfigurable possibilities. In this paper, we have proposed a fully nonvolatile, low-power Full-Adder based on MTJs that uses the spin transfer torque method assisted by the spin hall effect. Simulation results of these designs by HSPICE show that they can work fast with low-power consumption compared to other state-of-the-art nonvolatile full-adders.
Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Authors: Chan Dennis Tin Ho , So Ho
Published: June 2023

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder with multiple organ involvement. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is particularly significant as it is the leading cause of death in SSc patients. The clinical course of SSc-ILD is highly variable. It can progress rapidly or remain stable without treatment. Disease progression can occur both early and late in the course of the disease. This heterogeneity exemplifies the need to identify those who are at risk of developing ILD and those who are at risk of deterioration. In this article, we will review the latest evidence on the prevalence of SSc-ILD, the predictors of SSc-ILD development, and the risk factors for its progression.
“What's Your Name Again?”: How Race and Gender Dynamics Impact Codesign Processes and Output
Authors: Uchidiuno Judith Odili , Solyst Jaemarie , Kemper Jonaya , Harpstead Erik , Higashi Ross , Hammer Jessica
Published: June 2023

Creating technology products using codesign techniques often results in higher end-user engagement compared to expert-driven designs. Codesign sessions are typically structured in flexible and informal ways to achieve equal design partnerships, especially in adult-child interactions. This generally leads to better design output, however, it may also increase the enactment of socially constructed stereotypes and biases in ways that negatively affect the experiences of racial minorities and girls/women in design spaces. We codesigned a video game with a K-5 afterschool program located in a working-class, rural, predominantly white county over 20 weeks. We uncover ways that the codesign process and different activity types can create a permissive environment for enacting behaviors that are harmful to minorities. We discuss ways to manage and restructure codesign programs to be more conducive for children and adults from diverse backgrounds, ultimately leading to healthier design partnerships.
A Model and Survey of Distributed Data-Intensive Systems
Authors: Margara Alessandro , Cugola Gianpaolo , Felicioni Nicolò , Cilloni Stefano
Published: June 2023

Data is a precious resource in today’s society, and it is generated at an unprecedented and constantly growing pace. The need to store, analyze, and make data promptly available to a multitude of users introduces formidable challenges in modern software platforms. These challenges radically impacted the research fields that gravitate around data management and processing, with the introduction of distributed data-intensive systems that offer innovative programming models and implementation strategies to handle data characteristics such as its volume, the rate at which it is produced, its heterogeneity, and its distribution. Each data-intensive system brings its specific choices in terms of data model, usage assumptions, synchronization, processing strategy, deployment, guarantees in terms of consistency, fault tolerance, and ordering. Yet, the problems data-intensive systems face and the solutions they propose are frequently overlapping. This article proposes a unifying model that dissects the core functionalities of data-intensive systems, and discusses alternative design and implementation strategies, pointing out their assumptions and implications. The model offers a common ground to understand and compare highly heterogeneous solutions, with the potential of fostering cross-fertilization across research communities. We apply our model by classifying tens of systems: an exercise that brings to interesting observations on the current trends in the domain of data-intensive systems and suggests open research directions.
Optogenetic urothelial cell stimulation induces bladder contractions and pelvic nerve afferent firing
Authors: Robilotto Gabriella L. , Yang Olivia J. , Alom Firoj , Johnson Richard D. , Mickle Aaron D.
Published: June 2023

Urothelial cells play a sensory role in bladder function. However, it has been particularly challenging to study this communication as both sensory neurons and urothelial cells express similar sensory receptors. Here we demonstrate using an optogenetic technique, that specific urothelial stimulation alone resulted in bladder contractions. This approach will have a long-lasting impact on how we study urothelial-to-sensory neuron communication and the changes that occur under disease conditions.
Acute kidney injury biomarkers and hydration assessments following prolonged mild hypohydration in healthy young adults
Authors: Chapman Christopher L. , Holt Sadie M. , O’Connell Cameron T. , Brazelton Shaun C. , Howells William A. B. , Medved Hannah N. , Reed Emma L. , Needham Karen Wiedenfeld , Halliwill John R. , Minson Christopher T.
Published: June 2023

This study found that prolonged mild hypohydration in healthy young adults increased the Food and Drug Administration approved acute kidney injury (AKI) biomarker urinary insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 [IGFBP7·TIMP-2]. Urine osmolality and specific gravity demonstrated an excellent ability to discriminate positive AKI risk. These findings emphasize the importance of hydration in protecting renal health and lend early support for hydration assessment as an accessible tool to assess AKI risk.
Renal, but not platelet or skin, extracellular vesicles decrease oxidative stress, enhance nascent peptide synthesis, and protect from ischemic renal injury
Authors: Dominguez Jesus H. , Xie Danhui , Kelly K. J.
Published: June 2023

Acute kidney injury is common and deadly, yet the only approved treatment is dialysis. Thus, a better understanding of injury mechanisms and potential therapies is needed. We found that organ-specific, but not extrarenal, extracellular vesicles improved renal function and structure postischemia when given after renal failure occurred. Oxidative stress was decreased and anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 increased with renal, but not skin or platelet, exosomes. We also propose enhanced nascent peptide synthesis as a novel protective mechanism.
Stability Analysis of Cohen–Grossberg Type BAM Neural Network with Piecewise Constant Argument
Authors: Zheng Wenqing , Xie Tao , Fang Wenxiang
Published: June 2023

This paper introduces the stability problems of Cohen–Grossberg type BAM neural network (BAMCGNN) with piecewise constant argument (PCA). By employing the homeomorphism theory, sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium point are obtained; using inequality technique and Lyapunov method, sufficient stability criteria for BAMCGNN with PCA are presented. Finally, a numerical case shows the significance of the results of this paper.
Investigation of the Effect of Axial Gap on the Mechanical Response of a Cartridge-Loaded CMDB Propellant Grain under Vibration Loads
Authors: Zhang Yiming , Wang Ningfei , Chen Xiaoxu , Wang Ran , Bai Long , Dang Jinfeng , Wu Yi
Published: June 2023

In this study, the effect of the axial gap on the mechanical response of a cartridge-loaded propellant grain under vibration loads is investigated. The wide strain rate range of uniaxial compression tests (

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) on the composite modified double base (CMDB) propellant was carried out by using a universal testing machine, a hydraulic testing machine, and a split Hopkinson pressure bar system, respectively. A linear viscoelastic constitutive model of the CMDB propellant was developed by using the experimental measurements. The results show the studied CMDB propellant has a strong strain rate dependence, exhibiting an initial linear elasticity followed by a strain hardening region. The dynamic process of collision between the propellant grain and the motor case in the axial direction induced by vibration loads was simulated with the developed constitutive model by using the finite element method. The effects of the gap size between the propellant grain and the case and the vibration frequency on the mechanical response of the grain were studied. This shows that with a constant vibration frequency, the stress of the grain increases first and then decreases with increasing gap size. Moreover, the stress increases with increasing vibration loads.
A Clustering-Based Routing Protocol Using Path Pattern Discovery Method to Minimize Delay in VANET
Authors: Xie Xiaoyun , Navaei Yahya Dorostkar , Einy Sajad
Published: June 2023

In vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications can link vehicles to each other, and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) messaging and communications can link roadside infrastructure such as routers. The vehicles in these networks act as relays that transmit critical messages in the network. Due to the high-speed movement of vehicles on the road, real-time messaging and minimizing the delay in sending messages is one of the most important objectives of VANET developers. On the other hand, the high mobility of vehicles causes communication interruptions and decreases the data delivery rate in VANET. To overcome this issue, predicting the path of vehicles can play an important role in sending data from the source to the destination. When an accident occurs on the road, the messages that are sensed by the imbedded sensors in the vehicles need to be sent, and if they are sent by the vehicles that change their route, these messages will not be sent to the destination and the performance of the network will be disturbed. Previous methods in the literature for data transmission in intervehicular networks have focused more on reliability and trust, and little attention has been paid to the prediction of vehicle movement paths in these types of networks. Therefore, for fast and reliable data transmission in VANET, accurate prediction of vehicle movement and creation of movement patterns can be effective in message transmission delay and data delivery rate. In this paper, we present an approach using a combination of cluster-based routing protocols and pattern discovery methods to minimize latency in VANETs. The outline of the proposed method has four modules: primary data collection and analysis, primary data preparation and analysis, pattern extraction and vehicle route discovery, and vehicle clustering and data/information transmission routing. The simulation results show that the proposed method with a delivery rate of 88.56% has significantly improved compared to the previous methods in terms of package delivery rate. Also, the proposed method with a total delay of 24.566 ms has a shorter delay than the previous methods in terms of message sending delay in the network.