bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing trajectories of anxiety, depression, and criminal offending in male adolescents over the 5 years following their first arrest
Authors: Baker Amanda E. , Padgaonkar Namita Tanya , Galván Adriana , Frick Paul J. , Steinberg Laurence , Cauffman Elizabeth
Published: February 2022

Youth in the juvenile justice system evince high rates of mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression. How these symptom profiles change after first contact with the justice system and – importantly – how they are related to re-offending remains unclear. Here, we use latent growth curve modeling to characterize univariate and multivariate growth of anxiety, depression, and re-offending in 1216 male adolescents over 5 years following their first arrest. Overall, the group showed significant linear and quadratic growth in internalizing symptoms and offending behaviors over time such that levels decreased initially after first arrest followed by a small but significant upturn occurring a few years later. Crucially, multivariate growth models revealed strong positive relationships between the rates of growth in internalizing symptoms and offending behaviors such that improvements in mental health related to greater decreases in offending, and vice versa. These results highlight the reciprocal nature of internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescence, underscoring the importance of considering mental health alongside offending in the juvenile justice system.
Processional melodies in the Old Hispanic rite
Authors: HORNBY EMMA , ANDRÉS FERNÁNDEZ DAVID , GUTIÉRREZ CARMEN JULIA , SCULLIN DIANNE
Published: February 2022

Old Hispanic liturgy was practised across much of medieval Iberia untilc.1080. In this article we analyse the extant Old Hispanic processional antiphons, focusing on: the presence or absence of verses; amount of text and relationship with the Bible; cadence placement; number of notes per chant (melodic density) and per syllable; and melodic repetition within and between chants. We demonstrate that the processional antiphons are neither a homogenous corpus nor clearly differentiated stylistically from other Old Hispanic antiphons. In a short case study of the Good Friday Veneration of the Cross, we situate the processional antiphons within their wider ritual context, including their likely staging in the ecclesiastical architecture. As we show, the interaction between melody and ritual directed the antiphon texts towards a particular devotional end.
Sustained improvement in fellows’ echocardiographic completeness through the coronavirus pandemic with a standardised imaging protocol
Authors: White Brian R. , Chaszczewski Kasey J. , Lemley Bethan , Natarajan Shobha S. , Rogers Lindsay S.
Published: February 2022

First-year cardiology fellows must quickly learn basic competency in echocardiography during fellowship orientation. This educational process was disrupted in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, as our hands-on echocardiography teaching transitioned from practice on paediatric volunteers to simulation-based training. We previously described an improvement in echocardiographic completeness after implementation of a standardised imaging protocol for the performance of acute assessments of ventricular function. Herein, we assessed whether this improvement could be sustained over the two subsequent years, including the fellowship year affected by the pandemic. Echocardiograms performed by first-year paediatric cardiology fellows to assess ventricular function were reviewed for completeness. The frequency with which each requested component was included was measured. A total demographic score (out of 7) and total imaging score (out of 23) were calculated. The pre-protocol years (2015–2017) were compared to the post-protocol years (2018–2020), and the pre-COVID years (2018–2019) were compared to the year affected by COVID (2020). There was a sustained improvement in completeness after protocol implementation with improvement in the demographic score (median increasing from 6 to 7, p < 0.001) and imaging score (median increasing from 13 to 16, p < 0.001). More individual components showed a statistically significant increase in frequency compared to our prior publication. The COVID pandemic resulted in very few differences in completeness. Demographic reporting improved modestly (p = 0.04); the imaging score was unchanged (p = 0.59). The only view obtained less frequently was the apical two-chamber view. A standardised imaging protocol allowed sustained improvements in echocardiographic completeness despite the disruption of fellowship orientation by COVID-19.
Choosing Reviewers: Predictors of Undergraduate Manuscript Evaluations
Authors: Walker Christina P. , Towner Terri L. , Hilliker Lea
Published: February 2022

There is a substantial amount of research examining bias in the peer-review process and its influence on the quality and content of political science journal articles. However, there is limited research examining how students peer review other undergraduate research for publication. To better understand the predictors of manuscript evaluations and build on prior literature, this study examines seven years of undergraduate peer evaluations submitted to the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics from 2013 to 2020. Empirical analyses reveal that a peer reviewer’s prior service on the editorial board (i.e., experience) and race are consistently and significantly associated with manuscript evaluations. By examining how undergraduate peer reviewers assess anonymized manuscripts, this research reveals potential biases in the political science peer-review process. Additionally, the benefits of undergraduate students participating in the peer-review process are explored and discussed.
Deconstructing the ‘Yoshida Doctrine’
Authors: Hoshiro Hiroyuki
Published: February 2022

There is a consensus that the post-war Japanese foreign policy is based on theYoshida DoctrineorYoshida Line, which refers to the strategies of former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, who relied upon US military security, and maintained limited defense forces while focusing on economic recovery and growth. This paper reconsidered the Yoshida Doctrine, referencing multiple related arguments and evidence, reaching a conclusion that post-war Japanese foreign policy should not be called the Yoshida Doctrine or Yoshida Line. The Yoshida Doctrine is an analytical concept created by researchers in the 1980s to justify Japanese foreign policy. This was done in response to the domestic and foreign criticism of low-level military spending, despite the flourishing economy. The Yoshida Doctrine differs from other foreign policy doctrines and has no merit for being called a doctrine. Furthermore, the ideas supporting this doctrine are not based on definitive proof; rather, they merely represent Yoshida's image, and a spurious correlation, drawn between limited defense spending and high-economic growth. The analysis carried out in this study reveals that the Yoshida Doctrine is fundamentally flawed. As a result, this study insists that it is necessary to abandon the Yoshida Doctrine as a base for future research on Japanese diplomacy.
Tapping into German Adjective Variation: A Variationist Sociolinguistic Approach
Authors: Stratton James M.
Published: February 2022

Following the Labovian paradigm, the present study uses variationist quantitative methods to examine the linguistic and social factors influencing adjective choices in German. By focusing on adjectives of positive evaluation (such ascool‘cool’,toll/geil‘great’), an analysis of over 3,000 tokens reveals that the choice of using one adjective over a competing counterpart is structured systematically. This choice is heavily constrained by the social factorage, withgenderalso influencing variation to varying degrees. The syntactic position of the adjective also conditions use, with some adjectives favoring predicative position and others favoring attributive or stand-alone position. Comparisons across apparent time, as well as with previous research, indicate that the semantic field of positive evaluation is a perpetually changing locus of variation. By applying variationist methods to German data, the present study illustrates how German lexis can index social meaning, paving the way for future research on German lexical variation. More broadly speaking, this study also contributes to ongoing variationist sociolinguistic research on German language variation and change.*
Transient perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery (TIPIC)	syndrome
Authors: Micieli Evy , Voci Davide , Mumoli Nicola , Mastroiacovo Daniela , Grigorean Alexandru , Obadia Michael , de Champfleur Nicolas Menjot , Naggara Olivier , Carsin Béatrice , Amor-Sahli Malika , Cottier Jean Philippe , Bensoussan Jérémie , Auffray-Calvier Elisabeth , Varoquaux Arthur , Bonneville Fabrice , Sadik Jean Claude , Kucher Nils , Lecler Augustin , Barco Stefano
Published: February 2022

Summary: Background: The Transient Perivascular Inflammation of the Carotid artery (TIPIC) syndrome is presumably a very rare disease characterized by a local transient inflammation of the tissue around the carotid artery. Its pathophysiology remains unknown. We performed an updated study of TIPIC syndrome cases in the setting of a multinational collaborative study. Methods: This study was conducted as an observational multinational retrospective individual patient level cohort study. Information from all known cases diagnosed with TIPIC syndrome in the literature (2005–2020) was collected after a semi-structured literature search of PubMed and Web of Science. We also collected unpublished information of patients from French, Swiss, and Italian vascular medicine or radiology departments. Results: A total of 72 patients were included and served for data analysis: 42 (58.3%) were women; the mean age was 47.9 (SD=11.4) years. Symptoms were unilateral in 92% of patients and 81.4% required pain killers. At baseline, irrespective of the imaging method used, the median thickness of the carotid lesions was 5 (Q1–Q3: 4–7; range: 2–11) mm and the median length of the lesion was 20 (Q1–Q3: 10–30; range: 3–50) mm. We found a positive linear correlation between thickness and length. At follow-up, the thickness of the carotid lesions decreased to a median of 2 (Q1–Q3: 1–3; range: 0–6) mm; the length decreased to a median 10 (Q1–Q3: 5–15; range: 0–41) mm. A linear correlation between baseline and follow-up values was observed for both thickness and length measurements. Symptoms disappeared after a median of 14 (Q1–Q3: 10–15) days. Thirteen patients experienced a recurrence after a median follow-up of 6 (Q1–Q3: 2–12) months. Conclusions: The present analysis elucidates clinical and sonographic characteristics of TIPIC syndrome, indicating the benign nature of this condition. A future international registry will study the long-term course of the disease.
Variability and Changes of Unfrozen Soils Below Snowpack
Authors: Gao Lun , Ebtehaj Ardeshir , Cohen Judah , Wigneron Jean‐Pierre
Published: February 2022

Using four reanalysis data sets and ground‐based observations, this paper uncovers that on average, 30% of the time, Northern Hemisphere snow cover experiences unfrozen bottom soil. It is demonstrated that the probability of occurrence of unfrozen soils is correlated with the snow types and is maximum over the ephemeral followed by the maritime and prairie snow. The results based on reanalysis data unveil that the seasonal evolution of the unfrozen soil areas is not synchronous with the snow cover extent and exhibits sub‐annual bi‐modality with two annual maxima in April and October. Interannual trend analyses indicate that shrinkage of spring snow in the past few decades has been accompanied by an increase in the proportion of unfrozen bottom soils, more significantly over polar climate regimes dominated by the tundra and taiga snow. The findings imply that the snowpack basal melting could have increased due to global warming.
Long‐Distance Lateral Magma Propagation and Pamir Plateau Uplift
Authors: Tang Gong‐Jian , Wyman Derek A. , Wang Qiang , Yin Ji‐Yuan , Dan Wei
Published: February 2022

Long‐distance lateral magma propagation may reflect the complex interaction between regional tectonics and crustal uplift. Here, we report observations on the Taxkorgan intrusive complex (TIC) of the Central Pamir. TIC is a 70 km long, 10–18 km wide, north‐northwest–elongated body intruded into mid‐upper crust in parallel with, and close to, the Kongur Shan Extensional System. New zircon U‐Pb dating shows that syenite samples exhibit a clear younging pattern from south to north along the pluton axis within an interval between 11.5 and 10.3 Ma, which is interpreted as lateral magma propagation from a single feeder zone at its northwestern margin. The lateral magma propagation was caused by a combination of crustal rigidity differences, and a topography‐induced pressure gradient that is nearly orthogonal to the least compressive stress. We propose that long‐distance lateral magma propagation plays an important role in plateau expansion, restraining the thickness and elevation of the Pamir Plateau.
MMSTN: A Multi‐Modal Spatial‐Temporal Network for Tropical Cyclone Short‐Term Prediction
Authors: Huang Cheng , Bai Cong , Chan Sixian , Zhang Jinglin
Published: February 2022

Forecasting the trajectory and intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs) is important in disaster mitigation as TC usually causes huge damages. However, it remains a substantial challenge due to the limited understanding of TC complexity. Still, TCs have been observed and recorded for several decades, and so can be predicted if viewed as a spatial‐temporal prediction problem with a huge amount of existing data. We propose a novel TC trajectory and intensity short‐term prediction method: Multi‐Modal Spatial‐temporal Networks (MMSTN). It not only predicts the TC's central pressure, winds, and the location of its center, but also forecasts the TC's varied possible tendencies. Experiments were conducted on the China Meteorological Administration Tropical Cyclone Best Track Dataset. Experimental results show that the proposed MMSTN outperformed state‐of‐the‐art methods as well as the official prediction method of the China Central Meteorological Observatory, in intensity prediction and 6 hr trajectory prediction.
Significance of the Terrestrial Sink in the Biogeochemical Sulfur Cycle
Authors: Joo Young Ji , Sim Min Sub , Elwood Madden Megan E. , Soreghan Gerilyn S.
Published: February 2022

An imbalance in pyrite weathering and burial is a primary mechanism responsible for oxygenation of the atmosphere and oceans, but key processes governing the terrestrial sulfur cycle remain nebulous. Here, we investigate components of the terrestrial sulfur cycle in a highly productive, glacier‐fed catchment, and use a global mass balance model to constrain riverine sulfur fluxes. Chemistry of stream water and plant debris in the Jostedal watershed, Norway suggests sulfur isotope discrimination is occurring in the porewater. Global models also corroborate additional, previously overlooked pyrite burial with a modest isotope fractionation (<20‰), similar to values reported from freshwater ecosystems. Collectively, our results indicate that a significant amount of sulfate produced by weathering remains trapped in terrestrial environments. This terrestrial sulfur sink might have waxed and waned over geologic time in response to major biogeochemical events such as terrestrial afforestation.
Asymmetrical Shift Toward Less Light and More Heavy Precipitation in an Urban Agglomeration of East China: Intensification by Urbanization
Authors: Yu Xiaojie , Gu Xihui , Kong Dongdong , Zhang Qiang , Cao Qian , Slater Louise J. , Ren Guoyu , Luo Ming , Li Jianfeng , Liu Jianyu , Cheng Jianmei , Li Yanan
Published: February 2022

Under global warming, projected changes in precipitation have shown an asymmetrical shift from light to heavy precipitation over China. However, the role of urbanization in this shift remains unknown. Here, we show that increases in total rainy‐season (May‐September) precipitation over the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration of East China are characterized by decreasing light precipitation and increasing heavy precipitation during 1961–2019. This asymmetrical shift toward heavier precipitation is even more prominent in urban than rural areas. Areas with faster urban expansion rates exhibit stronger negative (positive) trends in light (heavy) precipitation. Urbanization contributes to 44.4% (26.4%) of the decreasing (increasing) light (heavy) precipitation in the urban areas of the YRD. We suggest that urban managers should consider potential adverse impacts of this asymmetrical shift, which may favor increases in both the frequency of heatwaves and waterlogging.
The 2021 South Sandwich Island Mw 8.2 Earthquake: A Slow Event Sandwiched Between Regular Ruptures
Authors: Jia Zhe , Zhan Zhongwen , Kanamori Hiroo
Published: February 2022

We determined the rupture sequence of the 12 August 2021 Mw 8.2 South Sandwich Island earthquake which appears to be a complex sequence in both time and space. Notable tsunamis were recorded by tide gauges at global distances. Given the complexity of this event, we conducted a multiple subevent inversion on broadband seismograms, to resolve its complex variations of fault geometry, location, depth, and temporal characteristics. We found that the rupture initiated as a regular deep thrust earthquake; it then ruptured shallower and triggered a silent and dominantly slow subevent extending ∼200 km to the south, and ended with two other regular subevents. The total duration is ∼260 s, unusually long for an Mw 8.2 event. Our result is qualitatively consistent with other moment tensor solutions and the deviant mB–Mw and MS–Mw relations, and provides a more quantitative space‐temporal pattern of this unusual sequence.
Submesoscale Ageostrophic Motions Within and Below the Mixed Layer of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Cao Haijin , Jing Zhiyou
Published: February 2022

Submesoscale dynamics below the mixed layer (ML) and their mechanisms are still unclear. By a series of nested simulations in the Pacific Northwest with high horizontal resolution of ∼500 m, this study reveals that there exist strong submesoscale ageostrophic motions in the upper pycnocline of the Kuroshio Extension region. These motions exhibit enhanced lateral buoyancy gradient and vigorous vertical velocity but with weak vertical vorticity distinct from the ML submesoscale activities. The vertical velocity in the high‐resolution simulation reaches tens of meters per day, consistent with recent observations (e.g., SubMESI and OSMOSIS). Our analysis shows that the enhanced vertical velocity is mostly attributed to the along‐isopycnal motions at the Kuroshio front, but in the region nearby the large vertical velocity mostly arises from the wave‐like vertical movement of isopycnals. To understand the mechanisms for the large vertical velocity, this paper further examined the instability of the flow and the frequency‐wavenumber spectra of vertical vorticity, lateral divergence, lateral buoyancy gradient, and vertical velocity. A criterion based on the ratio between divergence and vorticity variance in spectral space is used to roughly identify the upper bound of unbalanced submesoscales. The results suggest that the high‐frequency, high‐wavenumber processes dominate the vertical motions within and below the ML and significantly enhance the net vertical heat transport between the ML and the ocean interior. This study seeks to provide comprehension of the submesoscale ageostrophic motions below the ML and their impacts on the upper ocean.
Dynamical Impacts of Stratospheric QBO on the Global Circulation up to the Lower Thermosphere
Authors: Koval A. V. , Gavrilov N. M. , Pogoreltsev A. I. , Kandieva K. K.
Published: February 2022

To estimate reaction of the atmospheric circulation in the middle and upper atmosphere to changes in phases of equatorial stratospheric quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO), the three‐dimensional nonlinear middle and upper atmosphere model (MUAM) is used. This model allows continuous simulations of atmospheric wave propagation from the ground to the thermosphere (300 km and above). The main atmospheric hydrodynamic fields (wind and temperature), components of residual meridional circulation (RMC), and fluxes of mass are calculated based on ensembles containing 16 pairs of model runs for initial conditions corresponding to easterly and westerly QBO phases. To minimize uncertainties in determination of the QBO phases, an approach based on the usage of empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) is applied. Statistically significant results are obtained illustrating how changes in the planetary waves (PWs) structures promote the spread of QBO effects to polar latitudes and to the thermosphere, through changes in the Eliassen‐Palm (EP) flux and its divergence, or through the formation of an eddy meridional circulation. The main contribution to the cooling of the polar winter stratosphere during the westerly QBO is made by the weakening of wave activity, in particular, the weakening of the vertical EP flux, which leads to a weakening of the poleward heat flux. The sensitivity of the wave‐induced eddy circulation to changes in the QBO phase is higher than that of the RMC, demonstrating that PWs propagating from the lower troposphere are the most important mechanism for the transfer of global circulation disturbances from the equatorial QBO region to polar latitudes.
Subglacial Water Flow Over an Antarctic Palaeo‐Ice Stream Bed
Authors: Hogan K. A. , Arnold N. S. , Larter R. D. , Kirkham J. D. , Noormets R. , Ó Cofaigh C. , Golledge N. R. , Dowdeswell J. A.
Published: February 2022

The subglacial hydrological system exerts a critical control on the dynamic behavior of the overlying ice because its configuration affects the degree of basal lubrication between the ice and the bed. Yet, this component of the glaciological system is notoriously hard to access and observe, particularly over timescales longer than the satellite era. In Antarctica, abundant evidence for past subglacial water flow over former ice‐sheet beds exists around the peripheries of the ice sheet including networks of huge channels carved into bedrock (now submarine) on the Pacific margin of West Antarctica. Here, we combine detailed bathymetric investigations of a channel system in Marguerite Trough, a major palaeo‐ice stream bed, with numerical hydrological modeling to explore subglacial water accumulation, routing and potential for erosion over decadal‐centennial timescales. Detailed channel morphologies from remotely operated vehicle surveys indicate multiple stages of localized incision, and the occurrence of potholes, some gigantic in scale, suggests incision by turbulent water carrying a significant bedload. Further, the modeling indicates that subglacial water is available during deglaciation and was likely released in episodic drainage events, from subglacial lakes, varying in magnitude over time. Our observations support previous assertions that these huge bedrock channel systems were incised over multiple glacial cycles through episodic subglacial lake drainage events; however, here we present a viable pattern for subglacial drainage at times when the ice sheet existed over the continental shelf and was capable of continuing to erode the bedrock substrate.
Senescence and impaired DNA damage responses in alpha-synucleinopathy models
Authors: Yoon Ye-Seul , You Jueng Soo , Kim Tae-Kyung , Ahn Woo Jung , Kim Myoung Jun , Son Keun Hong , Ricarte Diadem , Ortiz Darlene , Lee Seung-Jae , Lee He-Jin
Published: February 2022

α-Synuclein is a crucial element in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related neurological diseases. Although numerous studies have presented potential mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis, the understanding of α-synuclein-mediated neurodegeneration remains far from complete. Here, we show that overexpression of α-synuclein leads to impaired DNA repair and cellular senescence. Transcriptome analysis showed that α-synuclein overexpression led to cellular senescence with activation of the p53 pathway and DNA damage responses (DDRs). Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses using p53 and γH2AX, chromosomal markers of DNA damage, revealed that these proteins bind to promoters and regulate the expression of DDR and cellular senescence genes. Cellular marker analyses confirmed cellular senescence and the accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks. The non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway was activated in α-synuclein-overexpressing cells. However, the expression of MRE11, a key component of the DSB repair system, was reduced, suggesting that the repair pathway induction was incomplete. Neuropathological examination of α-synuclein transgenic mice showed increased levels of phospho-α-synuclein and DNA double-strand breaks, as well as markers of cellular senescence, at an early, presymptomatic stage. These results suggest that the accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and cellular senescence are intermediaries of α-synuclein-induced pathogenesis in PD.
Probing the orbital angular momentum of intense vortex pulses with strong-field ionization
Authors: Fang Yiqi , Guo Zhenning , Ge Peipei , Dou Yankun , Deng Yongkai , Gong Qihuang , Liu Yunquan
Published: February 2022

With the rapid development of femtosecond lasers, the generation and application of optical vortices have been extended to the regime of intense-light-matter interaction. The characterization of the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of intense vortex pulses is very critical. Here, we propose and demonstrate a novel photoelectron-based scheme that can in situ distinguish the OAM of the focused intense femtosecond optical vortices without the modification of light helical phase. We employ two-color co-rotating intense circular fields in the strong-field photoionization experiment, in which one color light field is a plane wave serving as the probing pulses and the other one is the vortex pulses whose OAM needs to be characterized. We show that by controlling the spatial profile of the probing pulses, the OAM of the vortex pulses can be clearly identified by measuring the corresponding photoelectron momentum distributions or angle-resolved yields. This work provides a novel in situ detection scenario for the light pulse vorticity and has implications for the studies of ultrafast and intense complex light fields with optical OAM.
Wearable multichannel pulse condition monitoring system based on flexible pressure sensor arrays
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhu Yirun , Wu Zhiyong , Zhang Yunlin , Lin Jian , Chen Tao , Liu Huicong , Wang Fengxia , Sun Lining
Published: February 2022

Pulse diagnosis is an irreplaceable part of traditional Chinese medical science. However, application of the traditional pulse monitoring method was restricted in the modernization of Chinese medical science since it was difficult to capture real signals and integrate obscure feelings with a modern data platform. Herein, a novel multichannel pulse monitoring platform based on traditional Chinese medical science pulse theory and wearable electronics was proposed. The pulse sensing platform simultaneously detected pulse conditions at three pulse positions (Chi, Cun, and Guan). These signals were fitted to smooth surfaces to enable 3-dimensional pulse mapping, which vividly revealed the shape of the pulse length and width and compensated for the shortcomings of traditional single-point pulse sensors. Moreover, the pulse sensing system could measure the pulse signals from different individuals with different conditions and distinguish the differences in pulse signals. In addition, this system could provide full information on the temporal and spatial dimensions of a person’s pulse waveform, which is similar to the true feelings of doctors’ fingertips. This innovative, cost-effective, easily designed pulse monitoring platform based on flexible pressure sensor arrays may provide novel applications in modernization of Chinese medical science or intelligent health care.
The amplitude of fNIRS hemodynamic response in the visual cortex unmasks autistic traits in typically developing children
Authors: Mazziotti Raffaele , Scaffei Elena , Conti Eugenia , Marchi Viviana , Rizzi Riccardo , Cioni Giovanni , Battini Roberta , Baroncelli Laura
Published: February 2022

Autistic traits represent a continuum dimension across the population, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) being the extreme end of the distribution. Accumulating evidence shows that neuroanatomical and neurofunctional profiles described in relatives of ASD individuals reflect an intermediate neurobiological pattern between the clinical population and healthy controls. This suggests that quantitative measures detecting autistic traits in the general population represent potential candidates for the development of biomarkers identifying early pathophysiological processes associated with ASD. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has been extensively employed to investigate neural development and function. In contrast, the potential of fNIRS to define reliable biomarkers of brain activity has been barely explored. Features of non-invasiveness, portability, ease of administration, and low-operating costs make fNIRS a suitable instrument to assess brain function for differential diagnosis, follow-up, analysis of treatment outcomes, and personalized medicine in several neurological conditions. Here, we introduce a novel standardized procedure with high entertaining value to measure hemodynamic responses (HDR) in the occipital cortex of adult subjects and children. We found that the variability of evoked HDR correlates with the autistic traits of children, assessed by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. Interestingly, HDR amplitude was especially linked to social and communication features, representing the core symptoms of ASD. These findings establish a quick and easy strategy for measuring visually-evoked cortical activity with fNIRS that optimize the compliance of young subjects, setting the background for testing the diagnostic value of fNIRS visual measurements in the ASD clinical population.
Optimized cyclosporine starting dose may reduce risk of acute GvHD after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: a single-center cohort study
Authors: Héritier Jérémie , Medinger Michael , Heim Dominik , Baldomero Helen , Arranto Christian , Halter Jörg P. , Passweg Jakob R. , Kleber Martina
Published: February 2022

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is commonly used for Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) prophylaxis at a recommended starting dose of 3 mg/kg/d: Evidence for the effect of different CsA starting doses on GvHD risk is limited. We therefore estimated the association of 5 mg/kg/d (CsA5) and 3 mg/kg/d (CsA3) CsA starting doses with GvHD risk in two consecutive cohorts of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) patients, exploring potential risk factors for incident acute GvHD, with a focus on CsA starting dose. We analyzed 519 patients within CsA5 (n = 153) and CsA3 (n = 366). The cumulative incidence function of acute GvHD grade ≥2 was higher in the CsA3 compared to the CsA5 group (41% vs. 33%, respectively; p = 0.043), without impacting chronic GvHD. In multivariable analysis, a CsA starting dose of 3 mg/kg/d, no ATG use, unrelated donor and high to very high disease risk index were significantly associated with acute GvHD grade ≥2. A higher CsA starting dose of 5 mg/kg/d was independently associated with lower acute GvHD risk, and higher CsA levels in the early period after allo-HCT were reached.
PTBP3 modulates P53 expression and promotes colorectal cancer cell proliferation by maintaining UBE4A mRNA stability
Authors: Xie Canbin , Long Fei , Li Liang , Li Xiaorong , Ma Min , Lu Zhixing , Wu Runliu , Zhang Yi , Huang Lihua , Chou Jing , Gong Ni , Hu Gui , Lin Changwei
Published: February 2022

The RNA binding protein PTBP3 was recently reported to play a critical role in multiple cancers, and the molecular mechanisms involved RNA splicing, 3′ end processing and translation. However, the role of PTBP3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains poorly explored. Herein, PTBP3 was upregulated in CRC and associated with a poor prognosis. PTBP3 knockdown in colorectal cancer cell lines restricted CRC proliferative capacities in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PTBP3 regulated the expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBE4A by binding the 3′ UTR of its mRNA, preventing its degradation. UBE4A participated in P53 degradation, and PTBP3 knockdown in colorectal cancer cell lines showed increased P53 expression. UBE4A overexpression rescued PTBP3 knockdown-induced inhibition of CRC cell proliferation and P53 expression. Our results demonstrated that PTBP3 plays an essential role in CRC cell proliferation by stabilizing UBE4A to regulate P53 expression and may serve as a new prognostic biomarker and effective therapeutic target for CRC.
Myocardin/microRNA-30a/Beclin1 signaling controls the phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating autophagy
Authors: Shi Danyang , Ding Jinhua , Xie Shouqiang , Huang Lei , Zhang Hongmin , Chen Xiaojie , Ren Xuejun , Zhou Sa , He Hongpeng , Ma Wenjian , Zhang Tongcun , Wang Nan
Published: February 2022

Upon vascular injury, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) change from a contractile phenotype to a synthetic phenotype, thereby leading to atherogenesis and arterial restenosis. Myocardin (MYOCD) is essential for maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. Deletion of MYOCD in VSMCs triggers autophagy. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of MYOCD on autophagy is not clear. In this study, knockdown of MYOCD in human aortic VSMCs (HA-VSMCs) triggered autophagy and diminished the expression of SMC contractile proteins. Inhibition of autophagy in MYOCD-knockdown cells restored the expression of contractile proteins. MYOCD activated the transcription of miR-30a by binding to the CArG box present in its promoter, as confirmed by luciferase reporter and chromatin immune coprecipitation assays, while miR-30a decreased the expression of autophagy protein-6 (ATG6, also known as beclin1) by targeting its 3′UTR. Restoring the expression of miR-30a in MYOCD-knockdown cells upregulated the levels of contractile proteins. Treatment of VSMCs with platelet-derived growth factor type BB (PDGF-BB) resulted in the transformation of VSMCs to a proliferative phenotype. A low level of miR-30a was observed in PDGF-BB-treated HA-VSMCs, and re-expression of miR-30a led to a decrease in proliferative marker expression. Furthermore, using a wire injury mouse model, we found that miR-30a expression was significantly downregulated in the arterial tissues of mice and that restoration of miR-30a expression at the injured site abolished neointimal formation. Herein, MYOCD could inhibit autophagy by activating the transcription of miR-30a and that miR-30a-mediated autophagy defects could inhibit intimal hyperplasia in a carotid arterial injury model.
Attenuation of ischemia–reperfusion injury by intracoronary chelating agent administration
Authors: Han Donghoon , Kang Si-Hyuck , Yoon Chang-Hwan , Youn Tae-Jin , Chae In-Ho
Published: February 2022

Ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury accelerates myocardial injury sustained during the myocardial ischemic period and thus abrogates the benefit of reperfusion therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction. We investigated the efficacy of intracoronary ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) administration as an adjunctive treatment to coronary intervention to reduce IR injury in a swine model. We occluded the left anterior descending artery for 1 h. From the time of reperfusion, we infused 50 mL of EDTA-based chelating agent via the coronary artery in the EDTA group and normal saline in the control group. IR injury was identified by myocardial edema on echocardiography. Tetrazolium chloride assay revealed that the infarct size was significantly lower in the EDTA group than in the control group, and the salvage percentage was higher. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the mitochondrial loss in the cardiomyocytes of the infarcted area was significantly lower in the EDTA group than in the control group. Echocardiography after 4 weeks showed that the remodeling of the left ventricle was significantly less in the EDTA group than in the control group: end-diastolic dimension 38.8 ± 3.3 mm vs. 43.9 ± 3.7 mm (n = 10, p = 0.0089). Left ventricular ejection fraction was higher in the EDTA group (45.3 ± 10.3 vs. 34.4 ± 11.8, n = 10, respectively, p = 0.031). In a swine model, intracoronary administration of an EDTA chelating agent reduced infarct size, mitochondrial damage, and post-infarct remodeling. This result warrants further clinical study evaluating the efficacy of the EDTA chelating agent in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
Rapid assembly of colorless antimicrobial and anti-odor coatings from polyphenols and silver
Authors: Richardson Joseph J. , Liao Wenting , Li Jincai , Cheng Bohan , Wang Chenyu , Maruyama Taku , Tardy Blaise L. , Guo Junling , Zhao Lingyun , Aw Wanping , Ejima Hirotaka
Published: February 2022

The development of antimicrobial fabrics and textiles that can sustainably inhibit a broad spectrum of microbes is crucial for protecting against pathogens in various environments. However, engineering antimicrobial textiles is challenging due to issues with discoloration and inhibited breathability, the use of harmful or harsh reagents and synthesis conditions, and complex and/or time-consuming processing. Herein, we develop a facile and rapid approach to deposit antimicrobial coatings using universally adherent plant polyphenols and antimicrobial silver ions. Importantly, the coatings are colorless, thin (< 10 nm), rapidly assembled (< 20 min), and can be deposited via immersion or spraying. We demonstrate that these metal-phenolic coatings on textiles can inhibit lipid-enveloped viruses over one thousand times more efficiently than coatings composed of other metal ions, while maintaining their efficacy even after 5 washes. Moreover, the coatings also inhibit Gram positive and negative bacteria, and fungi, and can prevent odors on clothes for at least 10 washes. Collectively, the ease of synthesis, use of simple and safe precursors, and amenability to at-home and industrial application suggests that the coatings will find practical application in various settings.
Energy allocation shifts from sperm production to self-maintenance at low temperatures in male bats
Authors: Komar Ewa , Fasel Nicolas J. , Szafrańska Paulina A. , Dechmann D. K. N. , Zegarek Marcin , Ruczyński Ireneusz
Published: February 2022

The ability of animals to produce endogenous heat provides a buffer against environmental changes but also incurs high energetic costs. Especially small endothermic mammals have high energy demands. Some temperate-zone species (heterotherms) regularly use torpor, which slows down their entire metabolism but also potentially delays reproduction, to compensate for this. We used a unique experimental approach to test the consequences of extended low and high ambient temperatures on the trade-off in energy allocation to body mass maintenance, thermoregulation effort and seasonal sexual maturation in temperate zone male bats. We showed that long exposure to low ambient temperature shifts energy allocation away from sexual maturation to self-maintenance and results in a delay of sperm maturation by as much as an entire month. This effect was partially buffered by higher body mass. Heavier bats were able to afford more intensive thermoregulation and consequently speed up maturation. Interestingly, bats at constant high temperatures avoided deep torpor and matured faster than those at low temperatures, but sperm production was also slower than under natural conditions. Our results show that not only low, but also constant high ambient temperatures are detrimental during seasonal sexual maturation and the trade-off between investing into self-maintenance and fitness is a finely tuned compromise.
Application of a robotics path planning algorithm to assess the risk of mobile bearing dislocation in lateral unicompartmental knee replacement
Authors: Yang Irene , Gammell Jonathan D. , Murray David W. , Mellon Stephen J.
Published: February 2022

Due to ligament laxity, bearing dislocation occurs in 1–6% of Oxford Domed Lateral (ODL) replacements with most dislocations occurring medially. Dislocations were studied using a previously built mechanical rig, however testing using the rig was inefficient. The aim of this study was to develop a better tool that was more reliable and efficient. An established robotics software package, the Open Motion Planning Library, was modified to accept the ODL components. Using a robotics path planning algorithm, the mobile bearing was allowed to find a way out from between the femoral and tibial components i.e. to dislocate. Testing assessed a range of clinically relevant positions of the femoral component relative to the tibial component. Dislocations were labelled as medial, lateral, anterior or posterior depending on the dislocation direction. The Distraction to Dislocation (DD) measured the minimum vertical distraction of the femoral component from the tibial component for a dislocation to occur. Results were validated against the mechanical rig. Statistical analysis of medial dislocation showed excellent agreement with an intraclass correlation value of 0.993 (95% CI 0.982–0.998). All DDs from the dislocation analysis tool were within 1 mm of the mechanical rig DDs with results sharing a remarkably similar trend. The robotics dislocation analysis tool output DDs which were marginally higher than the manual mechanical rig: 0.50 mm anteriorly, 0.25 mm posteriorly and 0.50 mm laterally. Medially, the computational DD differed on average by 0.09 mm (stand deviation: 0.2026 mm). Our study describes the development and validation of a novel robotics dislocation analysis tool, which allows mobile bearing dislocation risk quantification. The tool may also be used to improve surgical implantation parameters and to assess new implant designs that aim to reduce the medial dislocation risk to an acceptable level.
p38 activation occurs mainly in microglia in the P301S Tauopathy mouse model
Authors: Perea Juan R. , García Esther , Vallés-Saiz Laura , Cuadros Raquel , Hernández Félix , Bolós Marta , Avila Jesús
Published: February 2022

Tauopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein in the brain. Many of these pathologies also present an inflammatory component determined by the activation of microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. p38 MAPK is one of the molecular pathways involved in neuroinflammation. Although this kinase is expressed mainly in glia, its activation in certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease has been associated with its ability to phosphorylate tau in neurons. Using the P301S Tauopathy mouse model, here we show that p38 activation increases during aging and that this occurs mainly in microglia of the hippocampus rather than in neurons. Furthermore, we have observed that these mice present an activated microglial variant called rod microglia. Interestingly, p38 activation in this subpopulation of microglia is decreased. On the basis of our findings, we propose that rod microglia might have a neuroprotective phenotype in the context of tau pathology.
Effects of rare earth elements on bacteria in rhizosphere, root, phyllosphere and leaf of soil–rice ecosystem
Authors: Zhang Xinzhuan , Hu Zhongjun , Pan Huahua , Bai Yijun , Hu Ying , Jin Shulan
Published: February 2022

The effects of rare earth mining on rice biomass, rare earth element (REE) content and bacterial community structure was studied through pot experiment. The research shows that the REE content in rice roots, shoots and grains was significantly positive correlated with that in soil, and the dry weight of rice roots, shoots and grains was highly correlated with soil physical and chemical properties, nutrient elements and REE contents; The exploitation of rare earth minerals inhibited a-diversity of endophytic bacteria in rhizosphere, root, phyllosphere and leaf of rice, significantly reduced the abundance index, OTU number, Chao, Ace index and also significantly reduced the diversity index–Shannon index, and also reduced uniformity index: Pielou’s evenness index, which caused β-diversity of bacteria to be quite different. The exploitation of rare earth minerals reduces the diversity of bacteria, but forms dominant bacteria, such as Burkholderia, Bacillus, Buttiauxella, Acinetobacter, Bradyrhizobium, Candida koribacter, which can degrade the pollutants formed by exploitation of rare earth minerals, alleviate the compound pollution of rare earth and ammonia nitrogen, and also has the function of fixing nitrogen and resisting rare earth stress; The content of soil available phosphorus in no-mining area is lower, and the dominant bacteria of Pantoea formed in such soil, which has the function of improving soil phosphorus availability. Rare earth elements and physical and chemical properties of soil affect the community structure of bacteria in rhizosphere and phyllosphere of rice, promote the parallel movement of some bacteria in rhizosphere, root, phyllosphere and leaf of rice, promote the construction of community structure of bacteria in rhizosphere and phyllosphere of rice, give full play to the growth promoting function of Endophytes, and promote the growth of rice. The results showed that the exploitation of rare earth minerals has formed the dominant endophytic bacteria of rice and ensured the yield of rice in the mining area, however, the mining of mineral resources causes the compound pollution of rare earth and ammonia nitrogen, which makes REE content of rice in mining area significantly higher than that in non-mining area, and the excessive rare earth element may enter the human body through the food chain and affect human health, so the food security in the REE mining area deserves more attention.
Thoracolumbar epidural stimulation effects on bladder and bowel function in uninjured and chronic transected anesthetized rats
Authors: Hoey Robert F. , Medina-Aguiñaga Daniel , Khalifa Fahmi , Ugiliweneza Beatrice , Wang Dengzhi , Zdunowski Sharon , Fell Jason , Naglah Ahmed , El-Baz Ayman S. , Herrity April N. , Harkema Susan J. , Hubscher Charles H.
Published: February 2022

Pre-clinical studies have shown that spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) at the level of pelvic and pudendal nerve inputs/outputs (L5-S1) alters storage and/or emptying functions of both the bladder and bowel. The current mapping experiments were conducted to investigate scES efficacy at the level of hypogastric nerve inputs/outputs (T13-L2) in male and female rats under urethane anesthesia. As found with L5-S1 scES, T13-L2 scES at select frequencies and intensities of stimulation produced an increase in inter-contraction interval (ICI) in non-injured female rats but a short-latency void in chronic T9 transected rats, as well as reduced rectal activity in all groups. However, the detrusor pressure during the lengthened ICI (i.e., urinary hold) remained at a low pressure and was not elevated as seen with L5-S1 scES, an effect that’s critical for translation to the clinic as high fill pressures can damage the kidneys. Furthermore, T13-L2 scES was shown to stimulate voiding post-transection by increasing bladder activity while also directly inhibiting the external urethral sphincter, a pattern necessary to overcome detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Additionally, select scES parameters at T13-L2 also increased distal colon activity in all groups. Together, the current findings suggest that optimization of scES for bladder and bowel will likely require multiple electrode cohorts at different locations that target circuitries coordinating sympathetic, parasympathetic and somatic outputs.