bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of aromatic amides in printed food contact materials: analysis of potential cleavage to primary aromatic amines during simulated passage through the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Bittner Nataly , Boon Andy , Delbanco Evert H. , Walter Christof , Mally Angela
Published: March 2022

Recent analyses conducted by German official food control reported detection of the aromatic amides N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)acetamide (NDPA), N-acetoacetyl-m-xylidine (NAAX) and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthanilide (Naphthol AS) in cold water extracts from certain food contact materials made from paper or cardboard, including paper straws, paper napkins, and cupcake liners. Because aromatic amides may be cleaved to potentially genotoxic primary amines upon oral intake, these findings raise concern that transfer of NDPA, NAAX and Naphthol AS from food contact materials into food may present a risk to human health. The aim of the present work was to assess the stability of NDPA, NAAX and Naphthol AS and potential cleavage to 2,4-dimethylaniline (2,4-DMA) and aniline during simulated passage through the gastrointestinal tract using static in vitro digestion models. Using the digestion model established by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM, Bilthoven, NL) and a protocol recommended by the European Food Safety Authority, potential hydrolysis of the aromatic amides to the respective aromatic amines was assessed by LC–MS/MS following incubation of the aromatic amides with digestive fluid simulants. Time-dependent hydrolysis of NDPA and NAAX resulting in formation of the primary aromatic amine 2,4-DMA was consistently observed in both models. The highest rate of cleavage of NDPA and NAAX was recorded following 4 h incubation with 0.07 M HCl as gastric-juice simulant, and amounted to 0.21% and 0.053%, respectively. Incubation of Naphthol AS with digestive fluid simulants did not give rise to an increase in the concentration of aniline above the background that resulted from the presence of aniline as an impurity of the test compound. Considering the lack of evidence for aniline formation from Naphthol AS and the extremely low rate of hydrolysis of the amide bonds of NDPA and NAAX during simulated passage through the gastrointestinal tract that gives rise to only very minor amounts of the potentially mutagenic and/or carcinogenic aromatic amine 2,4-DMA, risk assessment based on assumption of 100% cleavage to the primary aromatic amines would appear to overestimate health risks related to the presence of aromatic amides in food contact materials.
Neuropsychiatric Comorbidity in Primary Hyperparathyroidism Before and After Parathyroidectomy: A Population Study
Authors: Koman A. , Bränström R. , Pernow Y. , Bränström R. , Nilsson I.‐L. , Granath Fredrik
Published: March 2022

Background

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is often accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptoms. This study aimed to map out psychiatric comorbidity as reflected by medical treatment for psychiatric symptoms.

Methods

A retrospective case–control analysis and a prospective cohort analysis of psychotropic drug utilization before and after PTX. A total of 8279 PHPT patients treated with parathyroidectomy in Sweden between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2017 compared to a matched control cohort from the total population (n = 82,790). Information on filled prescriptions was collected from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register (SDR). Socioeconomic data and diagnoses were added by linkage to national patient and population registers. Regression analyses were used to calculate relative drug utilization (OR) within 3 years prior to PTX and relative incidence of drug treatment (RR) within 3 years postoperatively.

Results

Utilization of antidepressant, anxiolytic and sleep medication was more comprehensive in PHPT patients compared with the controls prior to PTX. The most common were benzodiazepines [OR 1.40 (95% CI: 1.31–1.50)] and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRI; OR 1.38 (95% CI: 1.30–1.47)]. Postoperatively, the excess prescription rate for anxiolytic benzodiazepines decreased within three years from a 30 to 19% excess and for benzodiazepines for sleep from 31 to 14%. No corresponding decrease in excess prescription rate was observed for SSRI.

Conclusion

PHPT is associated with increased utilization of antidepressive medications and benzodiazepines before PTX. This study implies that psychiatric symptoms should be considered in PHPT patients and continuous medication should be reevaluated after PTX.
Phase 1b trial of anti-VEGF/PDGFR vorolanib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Bagegni Nusayba A. , Park Haeseong , Kraft Katlyn , O-Toole Maura , Gao Feng , Waqar Saiama N. , Ratner Lee , Morgensztern Daniel , Devarakonda Siddhartha , Amin Manik , Baggstrom Maria Q. , Liang Chris , Selvaggi Giovanni , Wang-Gillam Andrea
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Vorolanib is a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor with anti-angiogenic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the tolerability, safety and efficacy of vorolanib when added to checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Methods

We conducted a phase 1b study of vorolanib (300 or 400 mg orally once daily) plus pembrolizumab or nivolumab using a standard 3 + 3 design to determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). The endpoints included safety, toxicity and objective response rate, according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1).

Results

Sixteen patients (9 in pembrolizumab arm, 7 in nivolumab arm) with gastrointestinal or lung cancers were enrolled. All patients had at least 1 treatment-related adverse event (TRAE). The most common TRAEs across all cohorts were lymphopenia (n = 7), leukopenia (n = 5), fatigue (n = 5), and alanine aminotransferase elevation (n = 5); most toxicities were grade (G) 1–2. DLTs were reported in 3 patients at vorolanib 400 mg dose level, with G3 aspartate aminotransferase elevation, G3 rectal hemorrhage, and G3 rash. Of 13 total response-evaluable patients, 2 patients had confirmed partial responses (1 rectal squamous cell cancer and 1 small cell lung cancer). Two patients achieved prolonged stable disease. Vorolanib 300 mg daily was determined to be the RP2D for either pembrolizumab or nivolumab.

Conclusion

Combination vorolanib 300 mg orally once daily plus CPI appears to be a feasible regimen with manageable toxicity and promising efficacy in select tumor types. NCT03511222. Date of Registration: April 18, 2018.
SCL, Encoding a Chloroplast Signal Recognition Particle Receptor, Affects Chlorophyll Synthesis and Chloroplast Development in Rice
Authors: Ye Jing , Ye Shenghai , Zhai Rongrong , Wu Mingming , Yu Faming , Zhu Guofu , Zhang Xiaoming
Published: March 2022

Crop yield is largely determined by the solar energy utilization efficiency of photosynthesis; plants with long stay-green periods have greater total photosynthetic production levels and crop yields. Here, a novel seedling chlorosis and lethality (scl) mutant exhibiting a yellow leaf and seedling-lethal phenotype was identified in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The mutant had deformed chloroplasts and almost no protein complexes in thylakoid membranes. The expression levels of photosynthesis-associated genes were significantly down-regulated in scl compared with the wild-type (WT). Positive transgenic lines generated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of the scl mutant with a complementation vector harboring SCL cDNA exhibited the normal green leaf phenotype, whereas the scl seedling harboring the empty vector displayed the yellow leaf phenotype, indicating that SCL is LOC_Os01g72800. A fusion protein expressing SCL with green fluorescent protein revealed the fluorescence signal localized to chloroplasts. The expression patterns of chloroplast development and chlorophyll biosynthesis and degradation-related genes were disordered in scl mutant, possibly resulting in the yellow leaf phenotype. These results indicated that the SCL loss of function impaired chloroplast development, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and light-harvesting chlorophyll-binding protein transportation in rice.
An adaptive approach to quantify weather-within-climate rainfall characteristics
Authors: Martinez Carlos , Muñoz Ángel G. , Goddard Lisa , Kushnir Yochanan , Ting Mingfang
Published: March 2022

Knowledge of subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) rainfall characteristics such as onset, duration, and demise of the rainfall cycle, and characteristics of dry periods that are between rainfall seasons, can provide important insight for the agriculture, health, disaster, and energy industries. Several methods have attempted to calculate temporal characteristics of rainfall and few have worked with intermittent dry periods and calculate intermittent dry period characteristics. Issues arise when applying these methods for complex rainfall regimes, or regions that have one or more of the following: (1) multiple rainfall seasons in a given year, (2) a relatively wet dry season, (3) unclear transitions between wet and dry seasons. This study develops a new and comprehensive method for calculating S2S rainfall characteristics, especially for regions that have complex annual rainfall cycles. The method consists of three steps: (1) create the annual cycle climatology of rainfall and classify its modality by the presence or absence of intermittent dry period(s), (2) identify seasonal windows of the rainfall cycle based on its climatological modality, (3) calculate yearly intermittent dry period characteristics and calculate temporal rainfall characteristics for each year using information on daily rainfall amount and the concurrent rate of change. Application and results of the method are given for the Caribbean, which exhibits the properties of a region with complex rainfall regimes. The method can be utilized under a meteorological or agronomical lens and is able to delineate false meteorological and agronomical onsets and demises. Meteorological onsets and demises that are calculated via each year’s Early-Rainy Season (ERS) and Late-Rainy Season (LRS) mean thresholds effectively characterize the seasonal evolution of mean onsets and demises in the Caribbean. The year-to-year variability of Mid-Summer Drought (MSD) characteristics, and onsets and demises that are calculated by climatological ERS and LRS mean thresholds resemble the variability of seasonal rainfall totals in the Caribbean and are statistically significantly correlated with the identified dynamical processes that impact each seasonal component of the rainfall cycle. The method has important implications for prediction, modeling capabilities, and understanding the variability of rainfall across timescales.
Continuing versus withholding angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)/calcium channel blocker (CCB) combination tablets during perioperative periods in patients undergoing minor surgery: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Takeuchi Kazuyo , Hayashida Masakazu , Kudoh Osamu , Niimi Naoko , Kataoka Kumi , Kakemizu-Watanabe Maho , Yamamoto Makiko , Hara Atsuko , Kawagoe Izumi , Yamaguchi Keisuke
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This trial was conducted to compare effects of continuing versus withholding single-pill combination tablets consisting of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) on perioperative hemodynamics and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Patients undergoing minor abdominal or urological surgery (n = 106) were randomly assigned to Group C, in which ARB/CCB combination tablets were continued until surgery, or Group W, in which they were withheld within 24 h of surgery. Perioperative hemodynamics and clinical outcomes were compared between the Groups.

Results

The incidence of hypotension during anesthesia requiring repeated treatment with vasoconstrictors was higher in Group C than Group W (p = 0.0052). Blood pressure during anesthesia was generally lower in Group C than Group W (p < 0.05) despite significantly more doses of ephedrine and phenylephrine administrated in Group C (p = 0.0246 and p = 0.0327, respectively). The incidence of postoperative hypertension did not differ between Groups (p = 0.3793). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on the preoperative day did not differ between Groups (p = 0.7045), while eGFR was slightly lower in Group C than Group W on the first and third postoperative days (p = 0.0400 and p = 0.0088, respectively), although clinically relevant acute kidney injury did not develop.

Conclusions

Continuing ARB/CCB combination tablets preoperatively in patients undergoing minor surgery increased the incidence of hypotension during anesthesia, increased requirements of vasoconstrictors to treat hypotension, and might deteriorate postoperative renal function, albeit slightly. These results suggest that withholding ARB/CCB tablets preoperatively is preferable to continuing them.

Clinical trial registration

This trial is registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT) at Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (Trial ID: jRCT1031190027).
Omen: discovering sequential patterns with reliable prediction delays
Authors: Cüppers Joscha , Kalofolias Janis , Vreeken Jilles
Published: March 2022

Suppose we are given a discrete-valued time series$$X $$Xof observed events and an equally long binary sequence$$Y $$Ythat indicates whether something of interest happened at that particular point in time. We consider the problem of mining serial episodes, sequential patterns allowing for gaps, from$$X $$Xthat reliably predict those interesting events. Withreliablewe mean patterns that not only predictthatan interesting event is likely to follow, but in particular that we can also accurately tell howhow longuntil that event will happen. In other words, we are specifically interested in patterns with a highly skewed distribution of delays between pattern occurrences and predicted events. As it is unlikely that a single pattern can explain a complex real-world progress, we are after the smallest, least redundant set of such patterns that together explain the interesting events well. We formally define this problem in terms of the Minimum Description Length principle, by which we identify the best patterns as those that describe the occurrences of interesting events$$Y $$Ymost succinctly given the data over$$X $$X. As neither discovering the optimal explanation of$$Y $$Ygiven a set of patterns, nor the discovery of optimal pattern set are problems that allow for straightforward optimization, we break the problem in two and propose effective heuristics for both. Through extensive empirical evaluation, we show that both our main method,Omen, and its fast approximationfOmen, work well in practice and both quantitatively and qualitatively beat the state of the art.
The HIV Cascade of Care and Service Utilisation at Sex Work Programmes Among Female Sex Workers in South Africa
Authors: Jaffer Maya , Christofides Nicola , Hlongwane Khuthadzo , Otwombe Kennedy , Milovanovic Minja , Hopkins Kathryn L. , Matuludi Mokgadi , Mbowane Venice , Abdullah Fareed , Gray Glenda , Jewkes Rachel , Coetzee Jenny
Published: March 2022

Female sex workers (FSWs) in South Africa experience a uniquely high prevalence of HIV. We describe the HIV cascade of care (CoC) in FSWs in South Africa, and explored service utilisation at sex work programmes. A cross-sectional, study enrolled FSWs across 12 sites in South Africa. Participants were recruited using chain-referral method. Inclusion criteria: ≥ 18 years, cis-gender female, sold/transacted in sex, HIV positive. 1862 HIV positive FSWs were enrolled. 92% were known positive, 87% were on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Of those on ART, 74% were virally suppressed. Younger FSWs were significantly less likely to be on ART or virally suppressed. Female sex workers using HIV services from specialised programs were 1.4 times more likely to be virally suppressed than non-program users. The pre-COVID-19 pandemic HIV CoC amongst FSWs in South Africa shows striking improvement from previous estimates, and approaches achievement of 90:90:90 goals.
Impaired Emotion Processing and Panic Disorder After Left Anterior Temporal Lobectomy: A Case Report of Successful Psychotherapeutic Intervention
Authors: Halder Theresa , Michl Petra , Flanagin Virginia , Schenk Thomas
Published: March 2022

Background

Over the last decades, brain surgery became a more frequently applied treatment for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Despite its success, several studies found de-novo post-operative psychiatric symptoms in TLE surgery patients. Cognitive behavioural therapy is effective to treat brain healthy psychiatric patients but might not be translatable to patients with resections in emotion regulating networks as these areas seem to be essentially involved in successful psychotherapeutic treatment.

Methods

Here we report the case of a female patient with medically refractory medial temporal lobe epilepsy resulting in left anterior temporal lobectomy at age 35. Post operation she did not show adequate fearful response but at the same time manifested symptoms of a severe panic disorder. We investigated if this patient, despite lesions in emotion-behaviour brain circuits, can benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy.

Results

The intervention, customized to the specific resources and difficulties of the patient, was effective in stopping panic attacks and improving social functioning.

Conclusions

This case shows that MTL brain surgery patients may benefit from CBT and demonstrates the important and if yet still somewhat mysterious role of the amygdala in emotion regulation processes.
A Reading Group for Science Educators: an Approach for Developing Personal and Collective Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Science Education
Authors: Cooper Rebecca , Fitzgerald Angela , Carpendale Jared
Published: March 2022

Reading, at its core, is a basic yet critical way to undertake learning and growth. This paper shares a professional learning and development initiative for science educators, which was underpinned by the popularity and premise of the reading group. In moving from simply being a vehicle for targeted discussion, the reading group facilitators sought to support the participants in taking a deeper dive into their practice with the impact ultimately being changes to their personal pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for science. This small-scale qualitative study was informed by the voices of three science educators at different stages and career trajectories, who participated in interviews. The data revealed that their participation in the reading group informed the development of their personal and collective PCK by (a) creating conditions that encouraged meaningful links to be made between theory and practice, (b) encouraging the adoption of an inquiry stance as a means for engaging purposively with professional knowledge, and (c) initiating a transformation in their contemporary understandings of science and science education. By drawing on the participants’ narratives, this study brings to the fore both the simplicity and depth of complexity that can be achieved through a reading group focused on professional learning and development. The implications of this research are wide reaching as the reading group as a concept can be applied to a variety of contexts and shaped to reach a variety of educational needs.
Formation of pure $$\tau$$-phase in Mn–Al–C by fast annealing using spark plasma sintering
Authors: Maccari F. , Aubert A. , Ener S. , Bruder E. , Radulov I. , Skokov K. , Gutfleisch O.
Published: March 2022

Mn–Al–C is intended to be one of the “gap magnets” with magnetic performance in-between ferrites and Nd-Fe-B. These magnets are based on the metastable ferromagnetic $$\tau$$
τ
-phase with L1$$_0$$

0

structure, which requires well controlled synthesis to prevent the formation of secondary phases, detrimental for magnetic properties. Here, we investigate the formation of $$\tau$$
τ
-phase in Mn–Al–C using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and compare with conventional annealing. The effect of SPS parameters (pressure and electric current) on the phase formation is also studied. Single $$\tau$$
τ
-phase is obtained for annealing 5 min at $$500~^\circ \hbox {C}$$

500

∘

C

  with SPS. In addition, we show that the initial grain size of the $$\epsilon$$
ϵ
-phase is influencing the $$\tau$$
τ
-phase transformation and fraction at a given annealing condition, independently of the annealing method used. A faster transformation was observed for smaller initial $$\epsilon$$
ϵ
-grains. The samples obtained by SPS showed comparable magnetic properties with the conventional annealed ones, reaching coercivity of 0.18 T and saturation magnetization of 114 Am$$^2$$

2

/kg in the optimized samples. The similarity in coercivity is related to the microstructure, as we reveal the presence of structure defects like twin boundaries and dislocations in both materials.

Graphical abstract
Unique Ways in Which the Quality of Friendships Matter for Life Satisfaction
Authors: Kaufman Victor , Rodriguez Anthony , Walsh Lisa C. , Shafranske Edward , Harrell Shelly P.
Published: March 2022

The quality of individuals’ social relationships consistently predicts greater well-being. But little is known about the relative importance of different relationship types for life satisfaction, including the relative importance of friendships compared to other types of relationships. Some have theorized that one intimate relationship is all you need. However, romantic partners, family, and friends may contribute uniquely or interactively to well-being. The current study assessed life satisfaction and relationship satisfaction in survey data collected from a large, diverse sample of respondents. Satisfaction with each type of relationship was significantly and independently associated with life satisfaction, over and above other variables in the model. Friendship (not family) interacted with intimate relationships: when respondents were highly satisfied with their intimate relationships, they were happy with their lives regardless of friendship quality. But when they were unhappy with their intimate relationships, they were only happy with their lives if they had good friends.
Analogue Models and Universal Machines. Paradigms of Epistemic Transparency in Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Greif Hajo
Published: March 2022

The problem of epistemic opacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often characterised as a problem of intransparent algorithms that give rise to intransparent models. However, the degrees of transparency of an AI model should not be taken as an absolute measure of the properties of its algorithms but of the model’s degree of intelligibility to human users. Its epistemically relevant elements are to be specified on various levels above and beyond the computational one. In order to elucidate this claim, I first contrast computer models and their claims to algorithm-based universality with cybernetics-style analogue models and their claims to structural isomorphism between elements of model and target system (in: Black, Models and metaphors, 1962). While analogue models aim at perceptually or conceptually accessible model-target relations, computer models give rise to a specific kind of underdetermination in these relations that needs to be addressed in specific ways. I then undertake a comparison between two contemporary AI approaches that, although related, distinctly align with the above modelling paradigms and represent distinct strategies towards model intelligibility: Deep Neural Networks and Predictive Processing. I conclude that their respective degrees of epistemic transparency primarily depend on the underlying purposes of modelling, not on their computational properties.
Warfarin dosing strategies evolution and its progress in the era of precision medicine, a narrative review
Authors: Fahmi Amr Mohamed , Elewa Hazem , El Jilany Islam
Published: March 2022

Background For decades, vitamin K antagonists and specifically warfarin, have been the sole agents used orally to manage thromboembolic conditions, including stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Several factors lead to warfarin dose variability, including genetic and non-genetic factors which made warfarin management challenging especially at the initiation phase. To overcome the challenges with warfarin dosing at initiation, strategies other than conventional or fixed dosing were introduced and explored. Aim In this narrative review, we aim to discuss and critique the different dosing strategies for warfarin at initiation with more focus on genotype-guided warfarin dosing and the most recent supporting evidence for and against its use. Method Medline database was searched from 1965 to July 2021. Articles addressing different warfarin dosing methods were screened for inclusion. Results A number of methods exist for warfarin initiation. Studies comparing different dosing methods for initiation yielded conflicting outcomes due to differences in study design, population studied, comparator, and outcomes measured. Conclusions Looking at the big picture, the use of genetic dosing for warfarin initiation can lead to better outcomes. Whether these better outcomes are clinically or economically beneficial remains controversial.
Influence of short-term surface temperature dynamics on tree orchards energy balance fluxes
Authors: Ramírez-Cuesta Juan Miguel , Consoli Simona , Longo Domenico , Longo-Minnolo Giuseppe , Intrigliolo Diego S. , Vanella Daniela
Published: March 2022

Land surface temperature (LST) plays an essential role in developing and applying precision agriculture protocols, especially for calculating crop evapotranspiration (ETc) by surface energy balance (SEB) approaches; and for determining crop water status. However, LST is quite dependent on the meteorological conditions, which can rapidly vary. This variability, together with the limited meterological data acquisition frequency in most weather stations, can lead to the miscalculation of the SEB components, especially relevant when used for irrigation purposes.

The present study assessed the temporal dynamic of LST in a very short period of time (20-minutes) through the acquisition of multiple thermal imagery. Additionally, a combination of SEB approach with Eddy Covariance technique was performed for quantifying the effect that LST variations have on the sensible (H) and latent (LE) heat fluxes.

Even under steady meteorological conditions, temporal variations in LST of 3.5 and 4.0 K were observed for tree canopy and sunny bare soil surfaces, respectively. These LST oscillations reached values of about 7.8 and 17.9 K for tree canopies and bare soil when heterogeneous meteorological conditions were observed (i.e. cloud presence). Such LST differences translated into H and LE differences of about 26 and 19%, respectively; with variations up to 5 (for H) and 2.7 times (for LE) under fast-varying meteorological conditions.

The obtained results suggest the necessity of acquiring thermal imagery when steady meteorological conditions exist or, otherwise, ensuring the collection of instantaneous meteorological data for applying post-processing corrections. This is of importance when incorporating the obtained ETc maps into precision irrigation protocols.
Are female scientists less inclined to publish alone? The gender solo research gap
Authors: Kwiek Marek , Roszka Wojciech
Published: March 2022

In solo research, scientists compete individually for prestige, sending clear signals about their research ability, avoiding problems in credit allocation, and reducing conflicts about authorship. We examine to what extent male and female scientists differ in their use of solo publishing across various dimensions. This research is the first to comprehensively study the “gender solo research gap” among all internationally visible scientists within a whole national higher education system. We examine the gap through mean “individual solo publishing rates” found in “individual publication portfolios” constructed for each Polish university professor. We use the practical significance/statistical significance difference (based on the effect-sizercoefficient) and our analyses indicate that while some gender differences are statistically significant, they have no practical significance. Using a partial effects of fractional logistic regression approach, we estimate the probability of conducting solo research. In none of the models does gender explain the variability of the individual solo publishing rate. The strongest predictor of individual solo publishing rate is the average team size, publishing in STEM fields negatively affects the rate, publishing in male-dominated disciplines positively affects it, and the influence of international collaboration is negative. The gender solo research gap in Poland is much weaker than expected: within a more general trend toward team research and international research, gender differences in solo research are much weaker and less relevant than initially assumed. We use our unique biographical, administrative, publication, and citation database (“Polish Science Observatory”) with metadata on all Polish scientists present in Scopus (N = 25,463) and their 158,743 Scopus-indexed articles published in 2009–2018, including 18,900 solo articles.
Impacts of dietary supplementation with nano-iron and methionine on growth, blood chemistry, liver biomarkers, and tissue histology of heat-stressed broiler chickens
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Haidy G. , Alian Heba A. , Mahmoud Manal M. A.
Published: March 2022

A 28-day study was done to explore the impact of nano-iron alone or combined with methionine on growth, blood chemistry, liver biomarkers, and tissue histology of heat-stressed chicken. One-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to three groups. Each group was divided into three replicates (13 chicks/replicate). The first group was the control one that was fed a basal diet without supplementation (T0). The second group was fed a basal diet with nano-iron 4 mg kg−1diet (T1). The third group was fed a basal diet with nano-iron 4 mg kg−1diet plus methionine 4 g kg−1diet (T2). The results showed that the birds in the control group had significantly (p < 0.05) higher final weights. Also, a partial relief of heat stress adverse effects was observed on growth by T1 compared to T2. The T2 showed a significantly increased (p < 0.05) free iron (Fe) level and transferrin saturation index. Likewise, T2 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin level in comparison with T0 and T1. Also, hepatic impairment and inflammatory response were observed in the T2 group when compared to T0 and T1, besides a bad lipid profile. Further, T2 showed raised levels of Fe and ferritin in their hepatic tissues compared to those T1 and T0. A significant increment of thiobarbituric acid reactive and decrement of reduced glutathione levels in the hepatic tissues of T2 and T1 versus T0 levels were recorded. It is concluded that nano-iron at the level of 4 mg kg−1in this study is highly absorbed, leading to harmful effects. Further investigations are needed to detect the proper supplemental level.
Senescent macrophages in the human adipose tissue as a source of inflammaging
Authors: Matacchione Giulia , Perugini Jessica , Di Mercurio Eleonora , Sabbatinelli Jacopo , Prattichizzo Francesco , Senzacqua Martina , Storci Gianluca , Dani Christian , Lezoche Giovanni , Guerrieri Mario , Giordano Antonio , Bonafè Massimiliano , Olivieri Fabiola
Published: March 2022

Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and a trigger of chronic and systemic inflammation. Recent evidence suggests that an increased burden of senescent cells (SCs) in the adipose tissue of obese/diabetic animal models might underlie such pro-inflammatory phenotype. However, the role of macrophages as candidate SCs, their phenotype, the distribution of SCs among fat depots, and clinical relevance are debated. The senescence marker β-galactosidase and the macrophage marker CD68 were scored in visceral (vWAT) and subcutaneous (scWAT) adipose tissue from obese patients (n=17) undergoing bariatric surgery and control patients (n=4) subjected to cholecystectomy. A correlation was made between the number of SCs and BMI, serum insulin, and the insulin resistance (IR) index HOMA. The monocyte cell line (THP-1) was cultured in vitro in high glucose milieu (60 mM D-glucose) and subsequently co-cultured with human adipocytes (hMADS) to investigate the reciprocal inflammatory activation. In obese patients, a significantly higher number of SCs was observed in vWAT compared to scWAT; about 70% of these cells expressed the macrophage marker CD68; and the number of SCs in vWAT, but not in scWAT, positively correlated with BMI, HOMA-IR, and insulin. THP-1 cultured in vitro in high glucose milieu acquired a senescent-like phenotype (HgSMs), characterized by a polarization toward a mixed M1/M2-like secretory phenotype. Co-culturing HgSMs with hMADS elicited pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in both cell types, and defective insulin signaling in hMADS. In morbid obesity, expansion of visceral adipose depots involves an increased burden of macrophages with senescent-like phenotype that may promote a pro-inflammatory profile and impair insulin signaling in adipocytes, supporting a framework where senescent macrophages fuel obesity-induced systemic inflammation and possibly contribute to the development of IR.
Macroeconomic dynamics under bounded rationality: on the impact of consumers’ forecast heuristics
Authors: Jang Tae-Seok , Sacht Stephen
Published: March 2022

This paper considers various types of forecast heuristics to examine the effects of boundedly rational agents on macroeconomic dynamics. Given the baseline New Keynesian model, we seek to find the expectation formation process that is most suitable in describing economic adjustments over the business cycle. In particular, impulse response analysis is used to compare the performances of the macroeconomic model under bounded rationality and under rational expectations. The results show that the fluctuations in consumer confidence mainly explain the degree of persistence in consumption. We conclude that a model under bounded rationality with a heuristic-induced switching process can qualitatively provide a good fit to the data that is equivalent to a model under rational expectations.
A pilot randomised control trial of the efficacy of stability-based training with visualisation for people with chronic ankle instability
Authors: Forsyth L. , Bonacci J. , Childs C.
Published: March 2022

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is associated with recurring symptoms that inhibit daily activity. Stability-based rehabilitative training is recommended for CAI. Visualisation (VIS) produces real-time feedback using motion capture and virtual reality. This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility, adherence, safety, and efficacy of incorporating VIS into stability training for people with CAI. Efficacy was examined through effect of VIS training on dynamic stability, perception of stability, and rehabilitative experience. Individuals with CAI completed a 4-week stability-based training programme with VIS, or without visualisation (NO-VIS). Participants completed the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) prior to, and after training. Enjoyment of training was recorded using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES-8). Of 17 participants (VIS = 10, NO-VIS = 7), there were 2 drop outs (VIS = 1, NO-VIS = 1). No adverse events were reported, and participant drop-out was due to injury unrelated to the study. The VIS group showed a significantly greater increase in average SEBT reach distance (d = 1.7, p = 0.02). No significant differences were reported for the CAIT or PACES-8. This study supports the feasibility and safety of stability-based training with VIS in those with CAI. The enhanced performance outcome on the SEBT suggests VIS may enhance stability-based training.

Graphical abstract
Dissecting the Neural Circuitry for Pain Modulation and Chronic Pain: Insights from Optogenetics
Authors: Guo Fang , Du Yu , Qu Feng-Hui , Lin Shi-Da , Chen Zhong , Zhang Shi-Hong
Published: March 2022

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage. The processing of pain involves complicated modulation at the levels of the periphery, spinal cord, and brain. The pathogenesis of chronic pain is still not fully understood, which makes the clinical treatment challenging. Optogenetics, which combines optical and genetic technologies, can precisely intervene in the activity of specific groups of neurons and elements of the related circuits. Taking advantage of optogenetics, researchers have achieved a body of new findings that shed light on the cellular and circuit mechanisms of pain transmission, pain modulation, and chronic pain both in the periphery and the central nervous system. In this review, we summarize recent findings in pain research using optogenetic approaches and discuss their significance in understanding the pathogenesis of chronic pain.
Cerebellar Grey Matter Volumes in Reactive Aggression and Impulsivity in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Wolfs Elze M. L. , Klaus Jana , Schutter Dennis J. L. G.
Published: March 2022

Several lines of evidence point towards the involvement of the cerebellum in reactive aggression. In addition to the posterior cerebellar hemisphere, the vermis has been suggested to play a prominent role in impulse regulation. In the present study, we set out to further examine the relationships between cerebellar grey matter volumes, aggression, and impulsivity in 201 healthy volunteers. 3 T structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired to investigate grey matter volumes of the cerebellar vermis and the anterior and posterior lobules. Aggression was assessed with the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire and impulsivity was measured with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11. Results showed that impulsivity was positively associated with grey matter volumes of the cerebellar vermis and inversely correlated with grey matter volumes of the right posterior lobule. In addition, smaller volumes of the right posterior lobules were associated with higher physical aggression. Exploratory analyses indicated that for the right hemisphere, this association was driven by grey matter volumes of lobules VIIb and VIIIa. Our findings provide correlational evidence in healthy volunteers for the involvement of the cerebellar vermis and posterior lobules in a cortico-limbic-cerebellar circuit of aggression.
Old Southern Codes in New Legal Bottles? Sexual Harassment, Race, and Masculinity
Authors: Butler John Sibley , Schmidtke James M. , Brown Letisha Engracia Cardoso , Stephens Bryan
Published: March 2022

Historically, old southern codes were used to regulate the interactions between black males and white females. We draw parallels between these codes and current sexual harassment laws to examine the perceptions of sexual behavior that crosses racial lines. Specifically, we examine how white and black female targets perceived and reacted to the behavior of males of the same and different race than their own. Our results indicate that white women perceive the behavior committed by a man of another race as more sexually harassing than when a white male commits the behavior. Conversely, black women perceive the behavior committed by black men as more sexually harassing than when a man of a different race engages in the same behavior. Further, a similar pattern emerges for reporting sexual harassment. Implications for research and the management of sexual harassment are discussed.
Coalition Formation Under Dominance Invariance
Authors: Kimya Mert
Published: March 2022

An abstract game satisfies Dominance Invariance if the indirect and the direct dominance relations, or myopic and farsighted dominance, are equivalent. Mauleon et al. (Int J Game Theory 43(4):925–943, 2014) study Dominance Invariance as an attractive condition that eliminates the differences between a farsighted solution concept and its myopic counterpart. We show that Dominance Invariance can also be used to eliminate the differences between various farsighted solution concepts in any abstract game. Together with an additional condition called No Infinite Chains, Dominance Invariance implies the existence and uniqueness of the farsighted stable set, its equivalence to the largest consistent set and its equivalence to the (strong) rational expectations farsighted stable set when the latter exists. This also implies that both the farsighted stable set and the largest consistent set do not suffer from the problem of maximality under these conditions.
Zombies in the Loop? Humans Trust Untrustworthy AI-Advisors for Ethical Decisions
Authors: Krügel Sebastian , Ostermaier Andreas , Uhl Matthias
Published: March 2022

Departing from the claim that AI needs to be trustworthy, we find that ethical advice from an AI-powered algorithm is trusted even when its users know nothing about its training data and when they learn information about it that warrants distrust. We conducted online experiments where the subjects took the role of decision-makers who received advice from an algorithm on how to deal with an ethical dilemma. We manipulated the information about the algorithm and studied its influence. Our findings suggest that AI is overtrusted rather than distrusted. We suggest digital literacy as a potential remedy to ensure the responsible use of AI.
SARS-2 COVID-19-induced immunity response, a new prognostic marker for the pregnant population correlates inversely with neonatal Apgar score
Authors: Marwah M. , Shokr H. , Demitry A. , Wang K. , Ahmad S. , Marwah S. , Wandroo F.
Published: March 2022

Background

The COVID-19 infection has impacted pregnancy outcomes; however, few studies have assessed the association between haematological parameters and virus-related pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. We hypothesised differences in routine haematology indices in pregnant and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients as well as COVID-19-negative pregnant subjects and observed neonatal outcomes in all pregnant populations. Further, we tested if pattern identification in the COVID-19 pregnant population would facilitate prediction of neonates with a poor Apgar score.

Methods

We tested our hypothesis in 327 patients (111 COVID-19-positive pregnant females, 169 COVID-19-negative pregnant females and 47 COVID-19-positive non-pregnant females) in whom standard routine laboratory indices were collected on admission.

Results

Pregnant COVID-19-positive patients exhibited higher WBC, neutrophil, monocyte counts as well as neutrophil/lymphocyte and neutrophil/eosinophil ratio compared to non-pregnant COVID-19-positive patients (p = 0.00001,p = 0.0023,p = 0.00002,p = 0.0402,p = 0.0161,p = 0.0352, respectively). Preterm delivery was more prevalent in COVID-19-positive pregnant patients accompanied with a significantly lower birth weight (2894.37 (± 67.50) g compared with 3194.16 (± 50.61) g,p = 0.02) in COVID-19-negative pregnant patients. The COVID-19-Induced Immunity Response (CIIR) was defined as (WBC × neutrophil) / eosinophil; Apgar scores were significantly and inversely correlated with the CIIR index (r =—0.162).

Interpretation

Pregnancy appears to give rise to an increased immune response to COVID-19 which appears to protect the mother, however may give rise to complications during labour as well as neonatal concerns. CIIR is a simple metric that predicts neonatal distress to aid clinicians in determining the prognosis of COVID-19 and help provide early intensive intervention to reduce complications.
Was Alpha deadlier than wild-type COVID? Analysis in rural England
Authors: Brainard Julii , Grossi Sampedro Carlota Maria , Sweeting Anna , Fordham Ric
Published: March 2022

Background

It is useful to document whether each newly dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern was more or less dangerous than preceding dominant variant(s). We assessed if the emergence of the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant in autumn 2020 could be linked to higher case fatality rates, compared to original wild-type COVID-19, subgrouping by age band, sex, deprivation or month of diagnosis as potential risk factors.

Methods

Observational study and secondary analysis were conducted of SARS-CoV-2 cases diagnosed due to medical need or occupational exposure in an administrative area of Eastern England, UK (base population 1 million), who first tested positive in the period 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2021. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine relationships of age group, sex, deprivation group and month of diagnosis with case fatality rates within 28 days of diagnosis. Marginal probabilities for risk of dying were calculated separately for the first two main ‘wave’ periods of the English pandemic.

Results

Older age and male sex consistently raised the risk of mortality in both wave periods. Higher deprivation was linked to mortality risk in the first wave period, but not in the second wave. Mortality decreased over time during the first wave period, but slightly increased over time during the second wave. Cases were younger in the second wave, and median age of the deceased varied little between waves.

Interpretation

The Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 did not lead to higher mortality rates for any age, deprivation or sex group, compared to case fatality rates in the early part of the pandemic period.
Aerodynamic characteristics of a high-speed train crossing the wake of a bridge tower from moving model experiments
Authors: Wu Jinfeng , Li Xiaozhen , Cai C. S. , Liu Dejun
Published: March 2022

In a strong crosswind, the wake of a bridge tower will lead to an abrupt change of the aerodynamic forces acting on a vehicle passing through it, which may result in problems related to the transportation safety. This study investigates the transient aerodynamic characteristics of a high-speed train moving in a truss girder bridge and passing by a bridge tower in a wind tunnel. The scaled ratio of the train, bridge, and tower are 1:30. Effects of various parameters such as the incoming wind speed, train speed, and yaw angle on the aerodynamic performance of the train were considered. Then the sudden change mechanism of aerodynamic loads on the train when it crosses over the tower was further discussed. The results show that the bridge tower has an apparent shielding effect on the train passing through it, with the influencing width being larger than the width of the tower. The train speed is the main factor affecting the influencing width of aerodynamic coefficients, and the mutation amplitude is mainly related to the yaw angle obtained by changing the incoming wind speed or train speed. The vehicle movement introduces an asymmetry of loading on the train in the process of approaching and leaving the wake of the bridge tower, which should not be neglected.