bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Hα survey of the host environments of 77 type IIn supernovae within z < 0.02
Authors: Ransome C L , Habergham-Mawson S M , Darnley M J , James P A , Percival S M
Published: April 2022

Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn) are an uncommon and highly heterogeneous class of SN where the SN ejecta interact with pre-existing circumstellar media (CSM). Previous studies have found a mass ladder in terms of the association of the SN location with H α emission and the progenitor masses of SN classes. In this paper, we present the largest environmental study of SNe IIn. We analyse the H α environments of 77 type SNeIIn using continuum subtracted H α images. We use the pixel statistics technique, normalized cumulative ranking (NCR), to associate SN pixels with H α emission. We find that our 77 SNe IIn do not follow the H α emission. This is not consistent with the proposed progenitors of SNe IIn, luminous blue variables (LBVs) as LBVs are high-mass stars that undergo dramatic episodic mass loss. However, a subset of the NCR values follow the H α emission, suggesting a population of high-mass progenitors. This suggests there may be multiple progenitor paths with ∼60 per cent having non-zero NCR values with a distribution consistent with high-mass progenitors such as LBVs and ∼40 per cent of these SNe not being associated with H α emission. We discuss the possible progenitor routes of SNe IIn, especially for the zero NCR value population. We also investigate the radial distribution of the SNe in their hosts in terms of H α and r′-band flux.
Radio Galaxy Zoo: using semi-supervised learning to leverage large unlabelled data sets for radio galaxy classification under data set shift
Authors: Slijepcevic Inigo V , Scaife Anna M M , Walmsley Mike , Bowles Micah , Wong O Ivy , Shabala Stanislav S , Tang Hongming
Published: April 2022

In this work, we examine the classification accuracy and robustness of a state-of-the-art semi-supervised learning (SSL) algorithm applied to the morphological classification of radio galaxies. We test if SSL with fewer labels can achieve test accuracies comparable to the supervised state of the art and whether this holds when incorporating previously unseen data. We find that for the radio galaxy classification problem considered, SSL provides additional regularization and outperforms the baseline test accuracy. However, in contrast to model performance metrics reported on computer science benchmarking data sets, we find that improvement is limited to a narrow range of label volumes, with performance falling off rapidly at low label volumes. Additionally, we show that SSL does not improve model calibration, regardless of whether classification is improved. Moreover, we find that when different underlying catalogues drawn from the same radio survey are used to provide the labelled and unlabelled data sets required for SSL, a significant drop in classification performance is observed, highlighting the difficulty of applying SSL techniques under data set shift. We show that a class-imbalanced unlabelled data pool negatively affects performance through prior probability shift, which we suggest may explain this performance drop, and that using the Fréchet distance between labelled and unlabelled data sets as a measure of data set shift can provide a prediction of model performance, but that for typical radio galaxy data sets with labelled sample volumes of $\mathcal {O}(10^3)$, the sample variance associated with this technique is high and the technique is in general not sufficiently robust to replace a train–test cycle.
Four new deeply eclipsing white dwarfs in Zwicky Transient Facility
Authors: Kosakowski A , Kilic M , Brown W R , Bergeron P , Kupfer T
Published: April 2022

We present the results of a search for deeply eclipsing white dwarfs in the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) Data Release 4 (DR4). We identify nine deeply eclipsing white dwarf candidates, four of which we followed up with high-cadence photometry and spectroscopy. Three of these systems show total eclipses in the ZTF data and our follow-up Apache Point Observatory 3.5 m telescope observations. Even though the eclipse duration is consistent with sub-stellar companions, our analysis shows that all four systems contain a white dwarf with low-mass stellar companions of ∼0.1 M⊙. We provide mass and radius constraints for both stars in each system based on our photometric and spectroscopic fitting. Finally, we present a list of 41 additional eclipsing WD+M candidates identified in a preliminary search of ZTF DR7, including 12 previously studied systems. We identify two new candidate short-period, eclipsing, white dwarf–brown dwarf binaries within our sample of 41 WD+M candidates based on Pan-STARRS colours.
NIHAO – XXVII. Crossing the green valley
Authors: Blank Marvin , Macciò Andrea V , Kang Xi , Dixon Keri L , Soliman Nadine H
Published: April 2022

The transition of high-mass galaxies from being blue and star-forming to being red and dead is a crucial step in galaxy evolution, yet not fully understood. In this work, we use the NIHAO (Numerical Investigation of a Hundred Astrophysical Objects) suite of galaxy simulations to investigate the relation between the transition time through the green valley and other galaxy properties. The typical green valley crossing time of our galaxies is approximately 400 Myr, somewhat shorter than observational estimates. The crossing of the green valley is triggered by the onset of active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback and the subsequent shutdown of star formation. Interestingly, the time spent in the green valley is not related to any other galaxy properties, such as stellar age or metallicity, or the time at which the star formation quenching takes place. The crossing time is set by two main contributions: the ageing of the current stellar population and the residual star formation in the green valley. These effects are of comparable magnitude, while major and minor mergers have a negligible contribution. Most interestingly, we find the time that a galaxy spends to travel through the green valley is twice the e-folding time of the star formation quenching. This result is stable against galaxy properties and the exact numerical implementation of AGN feedback in the simulation. Assuming a typical crossing time of about 1 Gyr inferred from observations, our results imply that any mechanism or process aiming to quench star formation must do it on a typical time-scale of 500 Myr.
TYC 2990-127-1: An Algol-type SB2 binary system of subgiant and red giant with a probable ongoing mass-transfer
Authors: Kovalev Mikhail , Li Zhenwei , Zhang Xiaobin , Li Jiangdan , Chen Xuefei , Han Zhanwen
Published: April 2022

We present a study of the spectroscopic binary TYC 2990-127-1 from the LAMOST survey. We use full-spectrum fitting to derive radial velocities and spectral parameters. The high mass ratio indicates that the system underwent mass transfer in the past. We compute the orbital solution and find that it is a very close sub-giant/red giant pair on circular orbit, slightly inclined to the sky-plane. Fitting of the TESS photometrical data confirms this and suggests an inclination of i ∼ 39.8°. The light curve and spectrum around Hα show signs of irregular variability, which supports ongoing mass transfer. The binary evolution simulations suggest that the binary may experience non-conservative mass transfer with accretion efficiency 0.3, and the binary will enter into common envelope (CE) phase in the subsequent evolution. The remnant product after the ejection of CE may be a detached double helium white dwarf (He WD) or a merger.
Climate Warming Since the Holocene Accelerates West–East Communication for the Eurasian Temperate Water Strider SpeciesAquarius paludum
Authors: Ye Zhen , Yuan Juanjuan , Damgaard Jakob , Berchi Gavril Marius , Cianferoni Fabio , Pintar Matthew R. , Olosutean Horea , Zhu Xiuxiu , Jiang Kun , Yang Xin , Fu Siying , Bu Wenjun
Published: April 2022

Holocene climate warming has dramatically altered biological diversity and distributions. Recent human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases will exacerbate global warming and thus induce threats to cold-adapted taxa. However, the impacts of this major climate change on transcontinental temperate species are still poorly understood. Here, we generated extensive genomic datasets for a water strider, Aquarius paludum, which was sampled across its entire distribution in Eurasia and used these datasets in combination with ecological niche modeling (ENM) to elucidate the influence of the Holocene and future climate warming on its population structure and demographic history. We found that A. paludum consisted of two phylogeographic lineages that diverged in the middle Pleistocene, which resulted in a “west–east component” genetic pattern that was probably triggered by Central Asia-Mongoxin aridification and Pleistocene glaciations. The diverged western and eastern lineages had a second contact in the Holocene, which shaped a temporary hybrid zone located at the boundary of the arid–semiarid regions of China. Future predictions detected a potentially novel northern corridor to connect the western and eastern populations, indicating west–east gene flow would possibly continue to intensify under future warming climate conditions. Further integrating phylogeographic and ENM analyses of multiple Eurasian temperate taxa based on published studies reinforced our findings on the “west–east component” genetic pattern and the predicted future northern corridor for A. paludum. Our study provided a detailed paradigm from a phylogeographic perspective of how transcontinental temperate species differ from cold-adapted taxa in their response to climate warming.
Business Education for Music Therapists: A Qualitative Exploration
Authors: Wilhelm Kyle , Wilhelm Lindsey
Published: April 2022

The number of music therapy private practices in the United States is growing. While it is thought that improving business skills can improve business success, it is not clear what business education was received by music therapy business owners (MTBOs). The purpose of this qualitative inquiry was to explore MTBOs business education in the United States and their views on business education for music therapists and music therapy students. Following an interpretivist theoretical framework, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 MTBOs representing all seven regions of the American Music Therapy Association. Using thematic analysis, we created five themes with supporting subthemes. Our findings indicate that the amount of business education participants received as students did not match the amount of business education they perceived necessary to be business owners, and that they sought out additional training from a variety of sources. Participants’ views on music therapy business education and skills important for business ownership in the field of music therapy are explored.
A loosened gating mechanism of RIG-I leads to autoimmune disorders
Authors: Lei Yixuan , Fei Panyu , Song Bin , Shi Wenjia , Luo Cheng , Luo Dahai , Li Dan , Chen Wei , Zheng Jie
Published: April 2022

DDX58 encodes RIG-I, a cytosolic RNA sensor that ensures immune surveillance of nonself RNAs. Individuals with RIG-IE510V and RIG-IQ517H mutations have increased susceptibility to Singleton-Merten syndrome (SMS) defects, resulting in tissue-specific (mild) and classic (severe) phenotypes. The coupling between RNA recognition and conformational changes is central to RIG-I RNA proofreading, but the molecular determinants leading to dissociated disease phenotypes remain unknown. Herein, we employed hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and single molecule magnetic tweezers (MT) to precisely examine how subtle conformational changes in the helicase insertion domain (HEL2i) promote impaired ATPase and erroneous RNA proofreading activities. We showed that the mutations cause a loosened latch-gate engagement in apo RIG-I, which in turn gradually dampens its self RNA (Cap2 moiety:m7G cap and N1-2-2′-O-methylation RNA) proofreading ability, leading to increased immunopathy. These results reveal HEL2i as a unique checkpoint directing two specialized functions, i.e. stabilizing the CARD2-HEL2i interface and gating the helicase from incoming self RNAs; thus, these findings add new insights into the role of HEL2i in the control of antiviral innate immunity and autoimmunity diseases.
Guillain-Barre syndrome complicating Neisseria meningitidis infection
Authors: Khangarot Digvijay , Panegyres Peter K
Published: April 2022

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)—an immune-mediated condition—is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis, since the elimination of poliomyelitis. We present a case of GBS as a rare complication of meningococcal meningitis based on clinical features, nerve conduction studies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. GBS has rarely been described after meningitis. This case is unique in that our findings show that GBS may be observed after meningococcal meningitis.
Topical Endoxifen for Mammographic Density Reduction—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bäcklund Magnus , Eriksson Mikael , Gabrielson Marike , Hammarström Mattias , Quay Steve , Bergqvist Jenny , Hellgren Roxanna , Czene Kamila , Hall Per
Published: April 2022

Although breast cancer incidence is increasing, there are few primary preventive initiatives. Tamoxifen can reduce breast cancer incidence but is rarely used for primary prevention due to adverse events and tolerance issues. We tested if endoxifen, a tamoxifen metabolite, applied directly to the skin of the breast, could reduce mammographic density, a proxy for therapy response. Ninety women were randomized to placebo, 10 and 20 mg of topical Z-endoxifen for 6 months. Mammographic density and symptoms were measured at baseline and study exit. Despite a high discontinuation rate, driven by skin rashes, we found a significant mammographic density decrease, a dose-dependent increase in the concentration of plasma Z-endoxifen but no systemic side effects. Topical application of tamoxifen metabolites has the potential to decrease breast cancer incidence without major systemic side effects. However, endoxifen may not be suitable for topical administration and is unlikely to be used for breast cancer prevention.
SAUR15 interaction with BRI1 activates plasma membrane H+-ATPase to promote organ development of Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Mengzhan , Liu Chunli , Hepworth Shelley R , Ma Chaofan , Li Hong , Li Jia , Wang Suo-Min , Yin Hongju
Published: April 2022

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are an important group of plant steroid hormones that regulate growth and development. Several members of the SMALL AUXIN UP RNA (SAUR) family have roles in BR-regulated hypocotyl elongation and root growth. However, the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that SAUR15 interacts with cell surface receptor-like kinase BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) in BR-treated plants, resulting in enhanced BRI1 phosphorylation status and recruitment of the co-receptor BRI1-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE 1. Genetic and phenotypic assays indicated that the SAUR15 effect on BRI1 can be uncoupled from BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 2 activity. Instead, we show that SAUR15 promotes BRI1 direct activation of plasma membrane H+-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase) via phosphorylation. Consequently, SAUR15–BRI1–PM H+-ATPase acts as a direct, PM-based mode of BR signaling that drives cell expansion to promote the growth and development of various organs. These data define an alternate mode of BR signaling in plants.
Transcription factors BBX11 and HY5 interdependently regulate the molecular and metabolic responses to UV-B
Authors: Job Nikhil , Lingwan Maneesh , Masakapalli Shyam Kumar , Datta Sourav
Published: April 2022

UV-B radiation acts as a developmental cue and a stress factor for plants, depending on dose. Activation of the transcription factor ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) in a UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8)-dependent manner leads to the induction of a broad set of genes under UV-B. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating this process are less understood. Here, we use molecular, biochemical, genetic, and metabolomic tools to identify the B-BOX transcription factor B-BOX PROTEIN 11 (BBX11) as a component of the molecular response to UV-B in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). BBX11 expression is induced by UV-B in a dose-dependent manner. Under low UV-B, BBX11 regulates hypocotyl growth suppression, whereas it protects plants exposed to high UV-B radiation by promoting the accumulation of photo-protective phenolics and antioxidants, and inducing DNA repair genes. Our genetic studies indicate that BBX11 regulates hypocotyl elongation under UV-B partially dependent on HY5. Overexpression of BBX11 can partially rescue the high UV-B sensitivity of hy5, suggesting that HY5-mediated UV-B stress tolerance is partially dependent on BBX11. HY5 regulates the UV-B-mediated induction of BBX11 by directly binding to its promoter. BBX11 reciprocally regulates the mRNA and protein levels of HY5. We report here the role of a BBX11-HY5 feedback loop in regulating photomorphogenesis and stress tolerance under UV-B.
Graph Convolutional Networks Reveal Network-Level Functional Dysconnectivity in Schizophrenia
Authors: Lei Du , Qin Kun , Pinaya Walter H L , Young Jonathan , Van Amelsvoort Therese , Marcelis Machteld , Donohoe Gary , Mothersill David O , Corvin Aiden , Vieira Sandra , Lui Su , Scarpazza Cristina , Arango Celso , Bullmore Ed , Gong Qiyong , McGuire Philip , Mechelli Andrea
Published: April 2022

Background and Hypothesis

Schizophrenia is increasingly understood as a disorder of brain dysconnectivity. Recently, graph-based approaches such as graph convolutional network (GCN) have been leveraged to explore complex pairwise similarities in imaging features among brain regions, which can reveal abstract and complex relationships within brain networks.

Study Design

We used GCN to investigate topological abnormalities of functional brain networks in schizophrenia. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from 505 individuals with schizophrenia and 907 controls across 6 sites. Whole-brain functional connectivity matrix was extracted for each individual. We examined the performance of GCN relative to support vector machine (SVM), extracted the most salient regions contributing to both classification models, investigated the topological profiles of identified salient regions, and explored correlation between nodal topological properties of each salient region and severity of symptom.

Study Results

GCN enabled nominally higher classification accuracy (85.8%) compared with SVM (80.9%). Based on the saliency map, the most discriminative brain regions were located in a distributed network including striatal areas (ie, putamen, pallidum, and caudate) and the amygdala. Significant differences in the nodal efficiency of bilateral putamen and pallidum between patients and controls and its correlations with negative symptoms were detected in post hoc analysis.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that GCN allows classification of schizophrenia at the individual level with high accuracy, indicating a promising direction for detection of individual patients with schizophrenia. Functional topological deficits of striatal areas may represent a focal neural deficit of negative symptomatology in schizophrenia.
The Social Scientific Turn in Modern British History
Authors: Butler Lise
Published: April 2022

In recent decades, scholars of modern British history have increasingly revisited the classic social science of the post-war period. Within this ‘social scientific turn’ in modern British history we can discern closely-related but distinct strands of work. One group of historians, influenced by intellectual history and political history methods, have examined how post-war social science and social scientists have shaped modern British politics and culture. Other historians have engaged closely with the original research materials of post-war social science as source bases for understanding lived experience, and explored the gulf between how sociologists and researchers talked about people, and how they understood themselves. Understanding the different aims and methods with which modern British historians have engaged with post-war social research is essential to understanding the methodology and value of the ‘social scientific turn’ in modern British history today.
Systematics and phylogeography of western Mediterranean tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae)
Authors: Korba Jan , Opatova Vera , Calatayud-Mascarell Arnau , Enguídanos Alba , Bellvert Adrià , Adrián Silvia , Sánchez-Vialas Alberto , Arnedo Miquel A
Published: April 2022

Theraphosidae is the most diversified family of mygalomorph spiders, commonly known as tarantulas. Two genera inhabit the Mediterranean region: Chaetopelma in the east and Ischnocolus mostly in the western part of the Basin. Their phylogenetic position and the validity of some Ischnocolus species remain unclear. We implemented a multilocus target approach to shed new light on the position of both genera and further integrated molecular data with additional lines of evidence (morphology and ecology) to explore species boundaries in western Mediterranean Ischnocolus. Our results reveal that Ischnocolus and Chaetopelma are not closely related. Chaetopelma formed a clade with the African subfamily Eumenophorinae and Ischnocolus was recovered in a clade comprising all remaining theraphosids. The western Mediterranean Ischnocolus comprises two deeply divergent clades that separated during the Early Miocene and differ in both morphology and lifestyle. We found molecular, morphological and ecological evidence to restore the name Ischnocolus mogadorensis and revalidate this species. We also uncovered distinct allopatric lineages in Ischnocolus elongatus. However, the lack of males, the uniform morphology of females and low within-clade support hampered the assessment of their status and boundaries. Finally, our data support that I. elongatus should be considered a senior synonym of Ischnocolus hancocki and Harpactirella insidiosa.
Improvement of Sphaeropsis Shoot Blight Disease Resistance by Applying the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Hymenochaete sp. Rl and Mycorrhizal Helper Bacterium Bacillus pumilus HR10 to Pinus thunbergii
Authors: Wang Ya-Hui , Dai Yun , Kong Wei-Liang , Zhu Mei-Ling , Wu Xiao-Qin
Published: April 2022

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMFs) form symbioses with plant roots to promote nutrient uptake by plants but it is controversial as to whether they induce disease resistance in plants. Here, we inoculated pine seedlings with Sphaeropsis sapinea, which was presymbiotic with the EMF Hymenochaete sp. Rl, and the mycorrhizal helper bacterium (MHB) Bacillus pumilus HR10, which promotes the formation of Pinus thunbergia–Hymenochaete sp. Rl mycorrhizae. The results showed that inoculation with Hymenochaete sp. Rl, B. pumilus HR10, and the consortium significantly reduced pine shoot blight disease caused by S. sapinea. After inoculation with pathogenic fungi, callose deposition was significantly increased in needles of pine seedlings inoculated with Hymenochaete sp. Rl, B. pumilus HR10, and the consortium, together with an increase in enzymatic and nonenzymatic systemic antioxidant activity as well as early priming for upregulated expression of PR3 and PR5 genes. Our findings suggest that ectomycorrhizal colonization enhances the resistance of pine seedlings to Sphaeropsis shoot blight by triggering a systemic defense response and that interactions between EMFs and MHBs are essential for mycorrhizal-induced disease resistance.
Mechanisms Driving Postgraduate Health and Social Science Students’ Cultural Competence: An Integrated Systematic Review
Authors: Lie Ken Jie Christopher , Finn Yvonne F. , Bish Melanie , Carlson Elisabeth , Kumlien Christine , Chan E. Angela , Leung Doris Y.L.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a global urgency to address health care provision disparities, which have largely been influenced by systematic racism in federal and state policies. The World Health Organization recommends educational institutions train clinicians in cultural competence (CC); however, the mechanisms and interacting social structures that influence individuals to achieve CC have received little attention. This review investigates how postgraduate health and social science education approaches CC and how it accomplishes (or not) its goals.

Method

The authors used critical realism and Whittemore and Knafl’s methods to conduct a systematic integrated review. Seven databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and ERIC) were searched from 2000 to 2020 for original research studies. Inclusion criteria were: the use of the term “cultural competence” and/or any one of Campinha-Bacote’s 5 CC factors, being about postgraduate health and/or social science students, and being about a postgraduate curriculum or a component of it. Thematic analysis was used to reveal the mechanisms and interacting social structures underlying CC.

Results

Thirty-two studies were included and 2 approaches to CC (themes) were identified. The first theme was professionalized pedagogy, which had 2 subthemes: othering and labeling. The second theme was becoming culturally competent, which had 2 subthemes: a safe CC teaching environment and social interactions that cultivate reflexivity.

Conclusions

CC conceptualizations in postgraduate health and social science education tend to view cultural differences as a problem and CC skills as a way to mitigate differences to enhance patient care. However, this generates a focus on the other, rather than a focus on the self. Future research should explore the extent to which insight, cognitive flexibility, and reflexivity, taught in safe teaching environments, are associated with increasing students’ cultural safety, cultural humility, and CC.
Blastic Indeterminate Dendritic Cell Tumor Associated With Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Authors: Ellis Austin , Elbaz Younes Ismail , Shao Haipeng , Zhang Xiaohui
Published: April 2022

Indeterminate dendritic cell tumor (IDCT) is an exceedingly rare neoplasm that can be associated with hematopoietic malignancies. We report a case of multifocal cutaneous blastic indeterminate dendritic cell tumor (BIDCT) in a 75-year-old man with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia showing blastic histiocytoid morphology, positivity for CD1a and S100, and no expression of langerin. We present a literature review on the 11 reported cases of IDCTs/BIDCTs associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), including this case. The clinicopathological characteristics have been summarized. The IDCT and CMML cells are clonally related in 4 tested cases. Patients with IDCT/BIDCT associated with CMML seem to have worse clinical outcomes compared with patients with IDCT not associated with CMML.
Diagnostic Performance of Optical Coherence Tomography for Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma
Authors: Ozcelik-Kose Alev , Yıldız Merve Beyza , Imamoglu Serhat
Published: April 2022

Precis:

LC thickness and LCCI had comparable diagnostic performances with RNFL thickness in distinguishing eyes with PXG from those with PXS. BMO-MRW showed the lowest diagnostic performance among all geometric parameters derived from OCT scans we evaluated.

Objective:

To compare the diagnostic performance of different geometric parameters derived from optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans (retinal nerve fiber layer [RNFL] thickness, lamina cribrosa [LC] thickness, LC curvature index [LCCI] and Bruch’s membrane opening-minimum rim width [BMO-MRW]) for distinguishing eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) from pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) and healthy eyes.

Methods:

Fifty-five eyes of 55 patients with PXG, 55 eyes of 55 patients with PXS, and 50 healthy subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of RNFL thickness, LC thickness, LCCI and BMO-MRW were calculated and compared.

Results:

In discriminating between eyes with PXG from those with PXS, LC thickness (0.930 [95% CI: 0.883–0.978]) and global RNFL thickness (0.974 [95% CI: 0.947–0.992]) presented comparable AUCs (P=0.244). In distinguishing subjects wiht PXG from healthy controls, both LC thickness (0.972 [95% CI: 0.948–0.997]) and LCCI (0.983 [95% CI: 0.968–0.998]) had comparable AUCs with global RNFL thickness (0.988 [95% CI: 0.974–1.000]) (P=0.094 andP=0.239, respectively). Global BMO-MRW had lower AUCs than RNFL thickness (0.839 [95% CI: 0.759–0.920] and 0.897 [95% CI: 0.836–0.958], respectively) in distinguishing PXG from both PXS and healthy controls (P=0.001 andP=0.002, respectively). BMO-MRW also had significantly lower AUCs than both LC thickness and LCCI in distinguishing PXG from healthy controls (P=0.034 andP=0.001, respectively).

Conclusion:

LC thickness and LCCI had better diagnostic performance than BMO-MRW in distinguishing PXG from PXS and healthy controls, which were comparable to RNFL thickness.
Acute Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders as a Multifactorial Pharmacodynamic Drug Interaction Between Methylphenidate and Risperidone in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Mohamoud Mohamed , Chen Qi , Croteau David , Cheng Carmen , Burkhart Keith , Volpe Donna A. , Kortepeter Cindy , Demczar Dorothy , Stone Marc
Published: April 2022

Purpose/Background

Acute hyperkinetic movement disorders have been reported with the concomitant use of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) stimulants and antipsychotics in children and adolescents. We analyzed postmarketing reports of suspected acute hyperkinetic movement disorder associated with concomitant use of ADHD stimulants and antipsychotics.

Methods/Procedures

We searched for postmarketing reports of acute hyperkinetic movement disorders associated with concomitant use of ADHD stimulants-antipsychotics in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System through December 6, 2019. PubMed and EMBASE were also searched for acute hyperkinetic movement reports with the concomitant use of ADHD stimulants-antipsychotics through January 13, 2020.

Findings/Results

We identified 36 cases resulting in acute hyperkinetic movement disorder associated with the concomitant use of ADHD stimulants-antipsychotics, 19 of which were also identified in the medical literature. From an ADHD stimulant perspective, methylphenidate products accounted for the largest number of cases (n = 23 [64%]), followed by amphetamine products (n = 9 [25%]) and atomoxetine (n = 4 [11%]). From an antipsychotic perspective, all 36 cases were reported with second-generation antipsychotics, particularly risperidone (n = 20 [56%]). Most of the cases were reported in boys (n = 31 [86%]) aged 6 to 12 years (n = 27 [75%]). Approximately 53% of the cases reported a time to onset within 24 hours of the drug change. Acute dystonic reactions (n = 27 [75%]) were the most frequently reported movement disorder.

Implications/Conclusions

As outlined in changes to the US prescribing information for all methylphenidate and risperidone products, health care professionals should be aware that changes to this combination may be associated with a pharmacodynamic drug-drug interaction resulting in acute hyperkinetic movement disorder.
Central Nervous System Trial Failures
Authors: Grabb Margaret C. , Potter William Z.
Published: April 2022

Purpose/Background

Drug trials of the central nervous system(CNS) have been plagued with uninformative failures, often because of the difficulties of knowing definitively whether dosing achieved was sufficient to modulate the intended CNS target at adequate concentrations to produce pharmacodynamic or dose-related changes in readouts of brain function. Key design elements can be introduced into early-stage trials to get at this issue.

Methods/Procedures

This commentary builds on a review of earlier clinical studies in Fragile X syndrome to explore the extent to which the chain of evidence is in place to allow for interpretation of the results as ruling in or out the utility of modulating one or another molecular target to treat this disorder. Recent and current biomarker studies in Fragile X syndrome occurring subsequent to the clinical studies are reviewed to see if they might address any chain of evidence gaps.

Findings/Results

Despite the strong preclinical basis for targeting molecular mechanisms, the lack of efficacy seen in clinical studies remains uninterpretable, with regard to ruling in or out the utility of targeting the mechanism in a clinical population, given the absence of studies, which address whether doses of administered drug impacted the targeted brain mechanism.

Implications/Conclusions

The value of pursuing clinical studies of compounds targeted to novel mechanisms in the absence of clinical pharmacological evidence of some anticipated mediating pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic signals is questionable. One or more biomarkers of a drug effect on brain function are needed to establish dose dependent CNS effects that allow one to interpret clinical results as ruling in or out a mechanism and providing a firm basis for continuing or not, as well as informing dose selection in any clinical efficacy trials. Initiatives to address this general need in pediatric psychopharmacology are highlighted.
Place of Birth Preferences and Relationship to Maternal and Newborn Outcomes Within the American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry, 2007-2020
Authors: Jolles Diana R. , Montgomery Tiffany M. , Blankstein Breman Rachel , George Erin , Craddock Jaih , Sanders Sarah , Niemcyzk Nancy , Stapleton Susan , Bauer Kate , Wright Jennifer
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to describe sociodemographic variations in client preference for birthplace and relationships to perinatal health outcomes.

Methods:

Descriptive data analysis (raw number, percentages, and means) showed that preference for birthplace varied across racial and ethnic categories as well as sociodemographic categories including educational status, body mass index, payer status, marital status, and gravidity. A subsample of medically low-risk childbearing people, qualified for birth center admission in labor, was analyzed to assess variations in maternal and newborn outcomes by site of first admission in labor.

Results:

While overall clinical outcomes exceeded national benchmarks across all places of admission in the sample, disparities were noted including higher cesarean birth rates among Black and Hispanic people. This variation was larger within the population of people who preferred to be admitted to the hospital in labor in the absence of medical indication.

Conclusion:

This study supports that the birth center model provides safe delivery care across the intersections of US sociodemographics. Findings from this study highlight the importance of increased access and choice in place of birth for improving health equity, including decreasing cesarean birth and increasing breastfeeding initiation.
Targeted Implementation of HIV Self-Testing Increases Testing Uptake Among Partners of Index Persons Known to Have HIV in Kenya
Authors: Zewdie Kidist , Kiptinness Catherine , Ngure Kenneth , Kipkurui Nicholas , Wairimu Njeri , Ambiyo Faith , Mugo Nelly R. , Baeten Jared M. , Mugwanya Kenneth K.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Partners of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are at a high risk of HIV acquisition, particularly if PLHIV are newly diagnosed or not virally suppressed. A focused partner HIV testing strategy could stimulate efficient identification of persons for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs.

Methods:

We sequentially implemented 2 partner testing strategies at 2 Kenyan HIV clinics: (1) an invitation for clinic-based testing and (2) HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits distribution to index PLHIV. For each testing strategy, we enrolled approximately 150 consecutive index PLHIV with partners of unknown HIV status, not on ART, <6 months on ART, or who had detectable viral load. We compared partner engagement, testing uptake, and linkage for ART or PrEP between the 2 testing strategies.

Results:

Of 313 index PLHIV enrolled (160 in invitation, 153 in HIVST), the median age was 32 years (interquartile range 26–40) and 76% were women. Overall, 73% of participants (229) discussed HIV testing with their partners: 76% (121) in the invitation strategy vs 71% (108) in the HIVST strategy [adjusted odds ratio (adjOR): 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.31 to 0.97]. Overall, 52% (79) partners in the HIVST strategy tested vs 38% (60) in the invitation strategy (adjOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.78). Among partners engaged, 73% in the HIVST strategy vs 50% in the invitation tested (adjOR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.46 to 4.96); 25% (35/139) tested positive for HIV. Eighty-nine percentage (31/35) who tested positive initiated treatment, but only 21% (20/93) who tested negative initiated PrEP.

Conclusions:

HIVST kit distribution to PLHIV with partners of unknown HIV status effectively increased partner testing. Only one-fifth of partners who tested negative initiated PrEP—thus innovations to link to prevention services are urgently needed.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent mental health: a natural experiment
Authors: Mansfield Rosie , Santos Joao , Deighton Jessica , Hayes Daniel , Velikonja Tjasa , Boehnke Jan R. , Patalay Praveetha
Published: April 2022

Despite widespread concern about the impact of COVID-19 on adolescent mental health, there remains limited empirical evidence that can causally attribute changes to the pandemic. The current study aimed to overcome existing methodological limitations by exploiting a serendipitously occurring natural experiment within two ongoing, multi-phase cluster randomized controlled trials. Depressive symptoms (primary outcome), externalizing difficulties and life satisfaction (secondary outcomes) were assessed at baseline (phase 1 [pre-COVID-19 group]: September – October 2018, phase 2 [COVID-19 group]: September – October 2019) and 1-year follow-up (pre-COVID-19 group: January – March 2020, COVID-19 group: February – April 2021). Participants in phase 1 (
N
= 6419) acted as controls. In phase 2, participants (
N
= 5031) were exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic between the baseline and follow-up assessments providing a natural experimental design. The primary analysis used a random intercept linear multivariable regression model with phase (exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic) included as the key predictor while controlling for baseline scores and individual and school-level covariates. Depressive symptoms were higher and life satisfaction scores lower in the group exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Had the COVID-19 pandemic not occurred, we estimate that there would be 6% fewer adolescents with high depressive symptoms. No effect of exposure to the pandemic on externalizing difficulties was found. Exploratory analyses to examine subgroup differences in impacts suggest that the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent mental health may have been greater for females than males. Given the widespread concern over rising adolescent mental health difficulties prior to the pandemic, this paper quantifies the additional impacts of the pandemic. A properly resourced, multi-level, multi-sector public health approach for improving adolescent mental health is necessary. Following in-principle acceptance, the approved Stage 1 version of this manuscript was preregistered on the OSF at
https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/B25DH
. This preregistration was performed prior to data analysis.
Interference in the shared-Stroop task: a comparison of self- and other-monitoring
Authors: Pickering Martin J. , McLean Janet F. , Gambi Chiara
Published: April 2022

Co-actors represent and integrate each other's actions, even when they need not monitor one another. However, monitoring is important for successful interactions, particularly those involving language, and monitoring others' utterances probably relies on similar mechanisms as monitoring one's own. We investigated the effect of monitoring on the integration of self- and other-generated utterances in the shared-Stroop task. In a solo version of the Stroop task (with a single participant responding to all stimuli; Experiment 1), participants named the ink colour of mismatching colour words (incongruent stimuli) more slowly than matching colour words (congruent). In the shared-Stroop task, one participant named the ink colour of words in one colour (e.g. red), while ignoring stimuli in the other colour (e.g. green); the other participant either named the other ink colour or did not respond. Crucially, participants either provided feedback about the correctness of their partner's response (Experiment 3) or did not (Experiment 2). Interference was greater when both participants responded than when they did not, but only when their partners provided feedback. We argue that feedback increased interference because monitoring one's partner enhanced representations of the partner's target utterance, which in turn interfered with self-monitoring of the participant's own utterance.
Rapid diversification of vascular architecture underlies the Carboniferous fern radiation
Authors: Suissa Jacob S. , Friedman William E.
Published: April 2022

Vascular plants account for 93% of Earth's terrestrial flora. Xylem and phloem, vital for transporting water and nutrients through the plant, unite this diverse clade. Three-dimensional arrangements of these tissues (vascular architecture) are manifold across living and extinct species. However, the evolutionary processes underlying this variation remain elusive. Using ferns, a diverse clade with multiple radiations over theirca400-million-year history, we synthesized data across 3339 species to explore the tempo and mode of vascular evolution and to contextualize dynamics of phenotypic innovation during major fern diversification events. Our results reveal three paradigm shifts in our understanding of fern vascular evolution. (i) The canonical theory on the stepwise and unidirectional evolution of vascular architecture does not capture the complexities of character evolution among ferns. Rather, a new model permitting additional transitions, rate heterogeneity and multiple reversions is more likely. (ii) Major shifts in vascular architecture correspond to developmental changes in body size, not regional water availability. (iii) The early Carboniferous radiation of crown-group ferns was characterized by an explosion of phenotypic innovation. By contrast, during the Cretaceous and Cenozoic rise of eupolypods, rates of vascular evolution were dramatically low and seemingly decoupled from lineage diversification.
Cooperation as a signal of time preferences
Authors: Lie-Panis Julien , André Jean-Baptiste
Published: April 2022

Many evolutionary models explain why we cooperate with non-kin, but few explain why cooperative behaviour and trust vary. Here, we introduce a model of cooperation as a signal of time preferences, which addresses this variability. At equilibrium in our model (i) future-oriented individuals are more motivated to cooperate, (ii) future-oriented populations have access to a wider range of cooperative opportunities, and (iii) spontaneous and inconspicuous cooperation reveal stronger preference for the future, and therefore inspire more trust. Our theory sheds light on the variability of cooperative behaviour and trust. Since affluence tends to align with time preferences, results (i) and (ii) explain why cooperation is often associated with affluence, in surveys and field studies. Time preferences also explain why we trust others based on proxies for impulsivity, and, following result (iii), why uncalculating, subtle and one-shot cooperators are deemed particularly trustworthy. Time preferences provide a powerful and parsimonious explanatory lens, through which we can better understand the variability of trust and cooperation.
Nonlinear vocal phenomena affect human perceptions of distress, size and dominance in puppy whines
Authors: Massenet Mathilde , Anikin Andrey , Pisanski Katarzyna , Reynaud Karine , Mathevon Nicolas , Reby David
Published: April 2022

While nonlinear phenomena (NLP) are widely reported in animal vocalizations, often causing perceptual harshness and roughness, their communicative function remains debated. Several hypotheses have been put forward: attention-grabbing, communication of distress, exaggeration of body size and dominance. Here, we use state-of-the-art sound synthesis to investigate how NLP affect the perception of puppy whines by human listeners. Listeners assessed the distress, size or dominance conveyed by synthetic puppy whines with manipulated NLP, including frequency jumps and varying proportions of subharmonics, sidebands and deterministic chaos. We found that the presence of chaos increased the puppy's perceived level of distress and that this effect held across a range of representative fundamental frequency (
f
o
) levels. Adding sidebands and subharmonics also increased perceived distress among listeners who have extensive caregiving experience with pre-weaned puppies (e.g. breeders, veterinarians). Finally, we found that whines with added chaos, subharmonics or sidebands were associated with larger and more dominant puppies, although these biases were attenuated in experienced caregivers. Together, our results show that nonlinear phenomena in puppy whines can convey rich information to human listeners and therefore may be crucial for offspring survival during breeding of a domesticated species.
Consumer behaviour towards storage, disposal and recycling of e-waste: systematic review and future research prospects
Authors: Thukral Sonal , Shree Deep , Singhal Shakshi
Published: April 2022

Purpose

With the rapid increase in the consumption of electrical and electronic innovations, responsible management and recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been a significant concern for the governments, stakeholders, researchers and industry practitioners around the world. Consumer awareness, disposal behaviour and perception are chief facets of designing sustainable management strategies. Although researchers have widely studied e-waste over many years, the research focusing on consumer awareness about e-waste recycling has gained momentum recently. This paper aims to systematise the existing literature and explore future research prospects on household e-waste sorting behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Web of science (WoS) core collection was searched using selected keywords to identify relevant articles published from 2001 to 2021. The search resulted in 1,156 research articles published from 2001 to 2021. After a detailed study, 85 articles were shortlisted for in-depth review. The review was conducted based on global trends, top journals, most prolific authors, most active e-waste research countries, and institutions centring on consumer participation in e-waste disposal and recycling behaviour. The present research has also identified around eleven factors that seem to have a bearing on consumer behaviour towards storage, disposal and recycling of e-waste.

Findings

E-waste research has gained increased attention in the last five years. The majority of the studies has focused on motivational factors and ignore the risks associated with handling e-waste. The present study reports the pertinent issue of lack of awareness among the masses about e-waste handling and disposal. Thus, bringing to the fore the lack of awareness programmes and initiatives. The analysis presents the gaps in the literature and future research agendas.

Originality/value

The review article will help in providing an in-depth understanding of consumer behaviour towards storage, disposal and recycling of e-waste and delineates the future direction of research that may be undertaken in this field of study.