bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulating Gamma Oscillations Promotes Brain Connectivity to Improve Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Liu Chunyan , Han Tao , Xu Zhexue , Liu Jianghong , Zhang Mo , Du Jialin , Zhou Qilin , Duan Yiran , Li Yuanyuan , Wang Jiaojian , Cui Dehua , Wang Yuping
Published: September 2021

Dementia causes a substantial global economic burden, but effective treatment is lacking. Recently, studies have revealed that gamma-band waves of electrical brain activity, particularly 40 Hz oscillations, are closely associated with high-order cognitive functions and can activate microglia to clear amyloid-β deposition. Here, we found that compared with sham stimulation, applying 40-Hz high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the bilateral angular gyrus in patients with probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD; n = 37) resulted in up to 8 weeks of significantly improved cognitive function. Power spectral density analysis of the resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) demonstrated that 40-Hz rTMS modulated gamma-band oscillations in the left posterior temporoparietal region. Further testing with magnetic resonance imaging and TMS-EEG revealed the following: 40-Hz rTMS 1) prevented gray matter volume loss, 2) enhanced local functional integration within bilateral angular gyrus, as well as global functional integration in bilateral angular gyrus and the left middle frontal gyrus, 3) strengthened information flow from the left posterior temporoparietal region to the frontal areas and strengthened the dynamic connectivity between anterior and posterior brain regions. These findings demonstrate that modulating gamma-band oscillations effectively improves cognitive function in patients with probable AD by promoting local, long-range, and dynamic connectivity within the brain.
An Evaluation of Hepatitis E Virus Molecular Typing Methods
Authors: Baylis Sally A , Adlhoch Cornelia , Childs Liam ,   and the HEV Sequencing Study Group, Stühler Anett , Karlsson Marie , Molier Michel , Suin Vanessa , Lamoral Sophie , Nasheri Neda , Harlow Jennifer , Rešetnjak Irina , Abravanel Florence , Lhomme Sebastien , Izopet Jacques , Pavio Nicole , Pellerin Marie , Eiden Martin , Boettcher Birke , Kaiser Marco , Schilling-Loeffler Katja , Johne Reimar , Schwarz Tatjana , Corman Victor M , Wenzel Jürgen J , Klein Jasmin , Bennett Charlene , DeGascun Cillian , Dean Jonathan , Ciccaglione Anna Rita , Villano Umbertina , Bruni Roberto , Di Bartolo Ilaria , De Sabato Luca , La Rosa Giuseppina , Ferraro Giusy Bonanno , Mancini Pamela , Suffredini Elisabetta , Garbuglia Anna Rosa , Boxman Ingeborg , Dirks René , Zwartkruis-Nahuis Ans , Hogema Boris , de Sousa Rita , Velebit Branko , Avellón Ana , Sánchez Gloria , Cuevas-Ferrando Enric , Norder Heléne , Bachofen Claudia , Vonlanthen Isabelle , Kubacki Jakub , Lacher David , Mammel Mark , Kulka Michael
Published: September 2021

Background

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis. Better understanding of HEV subtypes involved in hepatitis E infections is essential. Investigation of sources and routes of transmission and the identification of potential clusters/outbreaks rely upon molecular typing of viral strains. A study was carried out to evaluate the ability of laboratories to undertake molecular typing with genotype and subtype determination.

Methods

A blinded panel of 11 different Orthohepevirus A strains was distributed to 28 laboratories performing HEV sequence analysis. Laboratories used their routine HEV sequencing and genotyping methods.

Results

Results were returned by 25 laboratories. Overall, 93% samples were assigned to the correct genotype and 81% were assigned to the correct subtype. Fragments amplified for typing ranged in size and the sequencing assays targeted both the structural and non-structural protein-coding regions. There was good agreement between the reported sequences where methods targeted overlapping fragments. In some cases, incorrect genotypes/subtypes were reported, including those not contained in the panel, and in one case, a genotype was reported for a blinded control sample containing Zika virus; collectively these data indicate contamination problems.

Conclusions

In general, identification of genotypes was good; however, in a small number of cases, there was a failure to generate sequences from some of the samples. There was generally broad agreement between the use of online typing tools such as the one provided by HEVnet and curated lists of published HEV reference sequences; however, going forward harmonization between these resources is essential.
An Event-B-Based Approach to Model and Verify Behaviors for Component-Based Applications
Authors: Mammar Amel , Hamel Lazhar , Graiet Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Many disciplines have adopted component-based principles to avail themselves of the many advantages they bring, especially component reusability. In a short time, the component-based architecture became a renown branch in the IT world and the center of interest of many researchers. Much work has been conducted in this context for the verification of component-based applications (CBAs). However, the main focus has been on the structural aspect of such compositions, while the behavioral aspect has seldom been dealt with. In this paper, our goal is to close this gap and propose a formal approach to verify the behavioral correctness of CBAs. We first define a set of requirements to be satisfied by the structure and the behavior of a CBA, represented by a set of interactions that may occur between their components. Then, we build a formal Event-B model to represent these requirements in a rigorous and non-ambiguous way. The use of the Event-B refinement technique allows us to master the complexity of CBAs by introducing their elements in an incremental manner. The correctness of the development is ensured by establishing a set of proof obligations, under the Rodin platform, and also by animating it with the ProB animator/model checker. The approach is illustrated by a running example.
A model of indirect contagion based on a news similarity network
Authors: Cajueiro Daniel O , Bastos Saulo B , Pereira Camila C , Andrade Roberto F S
Published: September 2021

Our objective is to model indirect contagion among companies. We use pieces of news about companies to measure the similarities between them. We assume that two companies are similar if we may associate a story about one company with the story about another company and vice-versa. First, after statistically eliminating arbitrary similarities between companies, we introduce a network based on the news similarities. Second, we evaluate a vector of stationary probabilities associated with the process of contagion that takes place in the network and we use these pieces of information to define the notion of centrality. Third, we use this vector of stationary probabilities to build an associated graph that reveals the most important paths of information contagion. Finally, we build a model of indirect contagion and evaluate the size of the information avalanches that take place in the similarity network.
Populations size estimations using SS-PSE among MSM in four European cities: how many MSM are living with HIV?
Authors: Johnston Lisa Grazina , McLaughlin Katherine R , Gios Lorenzo , Cordioli Maddalena , Staneková Danica Valkovičová , Blondeel Karel , Toskin Igor , Mirandola Massimo ,   for The SIALON II Network*
Published: September 2021

Background

Although men who have sex with men (MSM) are considered at high risk for transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, there are few studies estimating the population size of MSM in Europe. We used network data from a survey of MSM in four cities to perform successive sampling–population size estimations (SS-PSE) to estimate MSM population sizes.

Methods

Data were collected in 2013–14 in Bratislava, Bucharest, Verona and Vilnius using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). SS-PSE uses a Bayesian framework to approximate the RDS sampling structure via a successive sampling model and uses the selection order of the sample to provide information about the distribution of network sizes over the population members of MSM.

Results

We estimate roughly 4600 MSM in Bratislava, 25 300 MSM in Bucharest, 7200 in Verona and 2900 in Vilnius. This represents 2.9% of the estimated adult male population in Bratislava, 2.3% in Bucharest, 2.7% in Verona and 1.5% in Vilnius. The number of MSM living with HIV would roughly be 200 in Bratislava, 4554 in Bucharest, 690 in Verona and 100 in Vilnius.

Conclusions

Benefits of this method are that no additional information from an RDS survey needs to be collected, that the sizes can be calculated ex post facto a survey and that there is a software programme that can run the SS-PSE models. However, this method relies on having reliable priors. Although many countries are estimating the sizes of their vulnerable populations, European countries have yet to incorporate similar and novel methods.
The zinc-finger protein OEF-1 stabilizes histone modification patterns and promotes efficient splicing in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline
Authors: McManus Catherine E , Mazzetto Mariateresa , Wei Guifeng , Han Mei , Reinke Valerie
Published: September 2021

To ensure stable transmission of genetic information to the next generation, germ cells frequently silence sex chromosomes, as well as autosomal loci that promote inappropriate differentiation programs. In Caenorhabditis elegans, silenced and active genomic domains are established in germ cells by the histone modification complexes MES-2/3/6 and MES-4, which promote silent and active chromatin states, respectively. These states are generally mutually exclusive and modulation of one state influences the pattern of the other. Here, we identify the zinc-finger protein OEF-1 as a novel modifier of this epigenetic balance in the C. elegans germline. Loss of oef-1 genetically enhances mes mutant phenotypes. Moreover, OEF-1 binding correlates with the active modification H3K36me3 and sustains H3K36me3 levels in the absence of MES-4 activity. OEF-1 also promotes efficient mRNA splicing activity, a process that is influenced by H3K36me3 levels. Finally, OEF-1 limits deposition of the silencing modification H3K27me3 on the X chromosome and at repressed autosomal loci. We propose that OEF-1 might act as an intermediary to mediate the downstream effects of H3K36me3 that promote transcript integrity, and indirectly affect gene silencing as a consequence.
Changes in Older Adults’ Social Contact During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Freedman Vicki A , Hu Mengyao , Kasper Judith D
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To understand changes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in weekly contact with nonresident family and friends for U.S. adults aged 70 and older in residential care and community settings.

Methods

Participants in the National Health and Aging Trends Study COVID-19 mail supplement (N = 3,098) reported frequency of phone, electronic, video, and in-person contact with nonresident family and friends in a typical week before and during the pandemic. We examined less than weekly contact by mode for those in residential care settings and community residents with and without limitations. We estimated multinomial logit models to examine predictors of change to less than weekly contact (vs. maintaining weekly or more contact) by mode, overall, and stratified by setting.

Results

Weekly in-person contact fell substantially (from 61% to 39%) and more so in residential care (from 56% to 22%), where nearly 4 in 10 transitioned to less than weekly in-person contact (doubling to 8 out of 10). Weekly or more contact was largely stable for electronic and telephone modes across settings. Weekly or more video contact increased mainly for community residents without limitations. Compared to community residents without limitations, those in assisted living or nursing homes had more than 5 times the odds (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.3; p = .01) of changing to less than weekly in-person contact; those in independent living also had higher odds of changing to less than weekly in-person (AOR = 2.6; p = .01) and video (AOR = 3.4; p = .01) contact.

Discussion

The pandemic revealed the importance of ensuring that communication technologies to maintain social ties are available to and usable by older adults, particularly for those living in residential care settings.
Public finance of universal routine childhood immunization in India: district-level cost estimates
Authors: Schueller Emily , Nandi Arindam , Summan Amit , Chatterjee Susmita , Ray Arindam , Haldar Pradeep , Laxminarayan Ramanan
Published: September 2021

India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is among the largest routine childhood vaccination programmes in the world. However, only an estimated 65% of Indian children under the age 2 years were fully vaccinated in 2019. We estimated the cost of raising childhood vaccination coverage to a minimum of 90% in each district in India. We obtained vaccine price data from India’s comprehensive multi-year strategic plan for immunization. Cost of vaccine delivery by district was derived from a 2018 field study in 24 districts. We used propensity score matching methods to match the remaining Indian districts with these 24, based on indicators from the National Family Health Survey (2015–16). We assumed the same unit cost of vaccine delivery in matched pair districts and estimated the total and incremental cost of providing routine vaccines to 90% of the current cohort of children in each district. The estimated national cost of providing basic vaccinations—one dose each of Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) and measles vaccines, and three doses each of oral polio (OPV) and diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccines—was $784.91 million (2020 US$). Considering all childhood vaccines included in UIP during 2018–22 (one dose each of BCG, hepatitis B and measles–rubella; four doses of OPV; two doses of inactivated polio; and three doses each of rotavirus, pneumococcal and pentavalent vaccines), the estimated national cost of vaccines and delivery to 90% of target children in each district was $1.73 billion. The 2018 UIP budget for vaccinating children, pregnant women and adults was $1.17 billion (2020 US$). In comparison, $1.73 billion would be needed to vaccinate 90% of children in all Indian districts with the recommended schedule of routine childhood vaccines. Additional costs for infrastructural investments and communication activities, not incorporated in this study, may also be necessary.
Neuroligin-3 and neuroligin-4X form nanoscopic clusters and regulate growth cone organization and size
Authors: Gatford Nicholas J F , Deans P J Michael , Duarte Rodrigo R R , Chennell George , Sellers Katherine J , Raval Pooja , Srivastava Deepak P
Published: September 2021

The cell-adhesion proteins neuroligin-3 and neuroligin-4X (NLGN3/4X) have well described roles in synapse formation. NLGN3/4X are also expressed highly during neurodevelopment. However, the role these proteins play during this period is unknown. Here we show that NLGN3/4X localized to the leading edge of growth cones where it promoted neuritogenesis in immature human neurons. Super-resolution microscopy revealed that NLGN3/4X clustering induced growth cone enlargement and influenced actin filament organization. Critically, these morphological effects were not induced by autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-associated NLGN3/4X variants. Finally, actin regulators p21-activated kinase 1 and cofilin were found to be activated by NLGN3/4X and involved in mediating the effects of these adhesion proteins on actin filaments, growth cones and neuritogenesis. These data reveal a novel role for NLGN3 and NLGN4X in the development of neuronal architecture, which may be altered in the presence of ASD-associated variants.
Before the Gig Economy: UK Employment Policy and the Casual Labour Question
Authors: Whiteside Noel
Published: September 2021

Focussing on the UK, this paper considers how employment has been understood and identifies the policies pursued to promote specific models of working life over the course of the twentieth century. In recent decades, jobs on offer in Britain have become increasingly precarious, a trend actively promoted by governments of all political complexions. Labour markets have been deregulated, flexibility of employment promoted. As work is consistently identified as the sole route out of poverty, a category of ‘working poor’ has emerged. Such government strategies present as a volte face to the politics of the early twentieth century, when social investigation exposed irregular work as a cause of poverty, not its cure, and as the main factor causing a rising incidence of social dependency. The UK’s earliest labour market policies sought to eradicate casual work and to encourage permanent employment—policies promoted assiduously for most of the twentieth century. Using convention theory, this paper examines these historical dimensions, to explain why and how governments sought to structure labour market operations—and the legacies bequeathed to us as a result. The principal object of the paper is the analysis of public policy—its rationale and its shortcomings—on which current employment law is founded. The paper exposes how our current understanding of ‘traditional’ or ‘regular’ job contracts came to be constructed and why ‘work on demand’ is understood as ‘irregular’, that is, as a deviant form of established employment norms.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates and syndromic treatment of men with urethral discharge in Kingston, Jamaica, 2018–19
Authors: Cameron-McDermott Suzette M , Barrow Geoffrey J , Webster Alicia M , De La Haye Carrington O , Wood Denise H E , Lewis Violet M , Nicholson Alison , Reynolds-Campbell Glendee Y , Thoms-Rodriguez Camille-Ann A , Roye-Green Karen J , Otto-Stewart Nakeisha , Miller Zahra N , Tomlinson Jennifer A , Skyers Nicola , Unemo Magnus , Anzinger Joshua J
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To quantitatively determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from men with urethral discharge in Jamaica and to describe the syndromic treatment therapies administered.

Methods

Urethral eSwabs (Copan) were collected from 175 men presenting with urethral discharge to the Comprehensive Health Centre STI Clinic, Kingston, Jamaica. Clinical information was collected and MICs of eight antimicrobials were determined for N. gonorrhoeae isolates (n = 96) using Etest and interpreted using CLSI criteria.

Results

The median age of the subjects was 28 years (range: 18–73 years) with a median of 2 sexual partners (range: 1–25) per male in the previous 3 months. All examined N. gonorrhoeae isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone (96/96), azithromycin (91/91), cefixime (91/91) and spectinomycin (91/91). For ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, respectively, 98.9% (91/92) and 91.3% (84/92) of the isolates were susceptible and 1.1% (1/92) and 8.7% (8/92) showed intermediate susceptibility/resistance. For tetracycline and benzylpenicillin, respectively, 38.0% (35/92) and 22.0% (20/91) of the isolates were susceptible, 52.2% (48/92) and 74.7% (68/91) showed intermediate susceptibility/resistance and 9.8% (9/92) and 3.3% (3/91) were resistant. Syndromic treatment was administered as follows: 93.1% received 250 mg of ceftriaxone intramuscularly plus 100 mg of doxycycline orally q12h for 1–2 weeks and 6.9% received 500 mg of ciprofloxacin orally plus 100 mg of doxycycline orally q12h for 1 week.

Conclusions

Ceftriaxone (250 mg) remains appropriate for gonorrhoea treatment in the examined population of men in Kingston, Jamaica. Surveillance of N. gonorrhoeae AMR should be expanded in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries to guide evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Trajectory of genetic alterations associated with colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii during an in-hospital outbreak of infection
Authors: Yoon Eun-Jeong , Kim Hyun Soo , Woo Heungjeong , Choi You Jeong , Won Dongju , Choi Jong Rak , Kim Young Ah , Jeong Seok Hoon
Published: September 2021

Background

As carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is dominant in clinical settings, the old polymyxin antibiotic colistin has been revived as a therapeutic option. The development of colistin resistance during treatment is becoming a growing concern.

Objectives

To access low- to mid-level colistin-resistant A. baumannii blood isolates recovered from an outbreak in a tertiary care hospital from a national antimicrobial surveillance study.

Methods

The entire bacterial genome was sequenced through long-read sequencing methodology. Quantitative RT–PCR was carried out to determine the level of gene expression. Relative growth rates were determined to estimate fitness costs of each isolate caused by the genetic alterations.

Results

The A. baumannii isolates belonged to global clone 2 harbouring two intrinsic phosphoethanolamine transferases. Cumulative alterations continuing the colistin resistance were observed. PmrC overproduction caused by the PmrBA226T alteration was identified in A. baumannii isolates with low-level colistin resistance and an additional PmrCR109H substitution led to mid-level colistin resistance. Truncation of the PmrC enzyme by insertion of ISAba59 was compensated by ISAba10-mediated overproduction of EptA and, in the last isolate, the complete PmrAB two-component regulatory system was eliminated to restore the biological cost of the bacterial host.

Conclusions

During the in-hospital outbreak, a trajectory of genetic modification in colistin-resistant A. baumannii isolates was observed for survival in the harsh conditions imposed by life-threatening drugs with the clear purpose of maintaining drug resistance above a certain level with a reasonable fitness cost.
Tolerance to Glucose and Lipid High Metabolic Reactions After Burns in an Obese Rat Model
Authors: Yu Huiting , Nie Chan , Zhou Yanna , Wang Xue , Wang Haiyan , Shi Xiuquan
Published: September 2021

The goal of this study was to determine what effect obese body weight and a burn injury can have on the metabolism of glucose and lipids in rats. We used a 3 * 3 factorial model design to provide basic glucose and lipid metabolic data characterizing the interaction between different weight and burn injury groups. Two hundred Sprague Dawley rats were categorized into three weight groups (normal, overweight, obese) and then further divided into control, second-degree, and third-degree burn groups. Our model compared interactions between weight and burn injury factors according to the above groups. Blood glucose and lipid metabolism indicators were monitored on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 14th days after burn injury occurred, and burned skin and blood samples were collected for testing. Compared with the normal weight group, the overweight group’s fast blood glucose, fast insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were higher (P < .05), and FBG in the obese group was higher than the normal weight group (P < .05). Burn injuries combined with obese body weight had an interactive effect on fast blood glucose, fast insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance after burn injury (P < .05). Burn injury combined with obese body weight had an interaction on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on the 3rd day after burn injury (P < .05). Burn injury combined with obese weight had no interaction on triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P > .05). Rats in the overweight and obese weight groups were observed to develop an adaptation and tolerance to a higher metabolic rate after burn injuries occurred.
Microbial valorization of underutilized and nonconventional waste streams
Authors: Lad Beena C , Coleman Sarah M , Alper Hal S
Published: September 2021

The growing burden of waste disposal coupled with natural resource scarcity has renewed interest in the remediation, valorization, and/or repurposing of waste. Traditional approaches such as composting, anaerobic digestion, use in fertilizers or animal feed, or incineration for energy production extract very little value out of these waste streams. In contrast, waste valorization into fuels and other biochemicals via microbial fermentation is an area of growing interest. In this review, we discuss microbial valorization of nonconventional, aqueous waste streams such as food processing effluents, wastewater streams, and other industrial wastes. We categorize these waste streams as carbohydrate-rich food wastes, lipid-rich wastes, and other industrial wastes. Recent advances in microbial valorization of these nonconventional waste streams are highlighted, along with a discussion of the specific challenges and opportunities associated with impurities, nitrogen content, toxicity, and low productivity.
The Value of Confidential Policy Information: Persuasion, Transparency, and Influence
Authors: Minaudier Clement
Published: September 2021

Transparency of the lobbying process is hailed as an effective means to limit the influence of special interest groups, but should transparency also apply to the information obtained by policy makers (PMs)? This article extends theories of informational lobbying by explicitly modeling the choice of PMs to obtain information before interacting with lobbyists. This approach reveals a new channel for the value of confidentiality: extracting evidence from special interest groups. It shows that, counter-intuitively, the influence of special interest groups can increase as PMs become more expert. These results shed light on the relationship between confidentiality, good governance, and influence.
Lipid-Lowering Drug Use and Cancer Incidence and Mortality in the ARIC Study
Authors: Marrone Michael T , Mondul Alison M , Prizment Anna E , Couper David , Barber John R , Chappidi Meera R , Joshu Corinne E , Platz Elizabeth A
Published: September 2021

Background

Lipid-lowering drugs, particularly statins, are associated with reduced incidence of certain cancers in some studies. Associations with cancer mortality are not well studied, and whether associations are similar across race is unknown.

Methods

We conducted a prospective analysis of 12 997 cancer-free participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study who were never users at visit 1 (1987-1989). Ever use, duration of use, and age at first use were modeled as time-dependent variables using Cox regression to estimate associations with total, obesity- and smoking-associated, bladder, breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer incidence and mortality.

Results

We ascertained 3869 cancer cases and 1661 cancer deaths in 237 999 or more person-years. At 6 years of follow-up, 70.8% of lipid-lowering drug use was a statin. Compared with never use, ever use was associated with lower total, obesity- and smoking-associated cancer mortality and with colorectal cancer mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.32 to 0.79) and incidence (HR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.53 to 0.92). Inverse associations were consistent by sex and race. Shorter-term use was associated with bladder cancer incidence in men (<10 years: HR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.02 to 2.73). First use at age 60 years or older was inversely associated with: total mortality, obesity- and smoking-associated mortality, and colorectal cancer mortality; and total incidence, obesity- and smoking-associated incidence, and breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer incidence.

Conclusions

This study provides additional evidence for inverse associations between lipid-lowering drug use and cancer incidence and mortality but a positive association with bladder cancer incidence in men. Evaluation of the impact of chemoprevention strategies that include lipid-lowering drugs on population-level cancer burden is needed.
Problem-Solving Skills Groups for Female Syrian Refugees in Lebanon: A Study of a Mental Health Intervention
Authors: Khoury Brigitte , Daouk Sariah
Published: September 2021

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Lebanon has witnessed an influx of over one million refugees. This has placed a serious strain on Lebanon’s mental healthcare system, creating the need for an efficient intervention for refugees. Health workers were recruited from various centres and trained to deliver a module of 12 sessions in problem-solving skills in group format. Then, they recruited female Syrian refugees and Lebanese women to form groups and deliver the intervention in the host communities. Results showed that levels of anxiety and depression, as reported by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist screening tool, seemed to decrease significantly after the intervention. An additional outcome was that most of the participants felt supported by other women. These results demonstrated that a direct and short intervention with female refugees can lead to measurable improvements in their mental1 health and was perceived by participants as highly beneficial.
Trans-aortic left ventricular thrombo-embolectomy following COVID-19 infection
Authors: Janula Michael , Navarro Andre , Bonello John , Schembri Kevin , Borg Alex
Published: September 2021

Left ventricular thrombosis is a known complication of myocardial infarction. COVID 19 has been shown to produce a procoagulant state resulting in venous and less commonly arterial thrombosis. Here, we describe a patient who presented with a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), in the context of a COVID 19 infection. This NSTEMI resulted in the formation of a large pedunculated apical thrombus, which was initially managed conservatively, however ultimately required surgical thromboembolectomy. Access to the left ventricle was gained via the transaortic route in order to avoid ventriculotomy in a patient with a reduced LV systolic function. Post-operative imaging confirmed complete resection of thrombus.
POWDERY MILDEW RESISTENT4-dependent cell wall deposition is a consequence but not the cause of temperature-induced autoimmunity
Authors: Hessler Giuliana , Portheine Stephan M , Gerlach Eva-Maria , Lienemann Tim , Koch Gerald , Voigt Christian A , Hoth Stefan
Published: September 2021

Plants possess a well-balanced immune system that is required for defense against pathogen infections. In autoimmune mutants or necrotic crosses, an intrinsic temperature-dependent imbalance leads to constitutive immune activation, resulting in severe damage or even death of plants. Recently, cell wall deposition was described as one of the symptoms following induction of the autoimmune phenotype in Arabidopsis saul1-1 mutants. However, the regulation and function of this deposition remained unclear. Here, we show that cell wall deposits, containing lignin and callose, were a common autoimmune feature and occurred in proportion to the severity of the autoimmune phenotype at reduced ambient temperatures. When plants were exposed to reduced temperature for periods insufficient to induce an autoimmune phenotype, the cell wall deposits were not present. After low temperature intervals, sufficient to induce autoimmune responses, cell wall deposits correlated with a point of no return in saul1-1 autoimmunity. Although cell wall deposition was largely abolished in saul1-1 pmr4-1 double mutants lacking SAUL1 and the callose synthase gene GSL5/PMR4, their phenotype remained unchanged compared with that of the saul1-1 single mutant. Our data showed that cell wall deposition generally occurs in autoimmunity, but appears not to be the cause of autoimmune phenotypes.
Supernovae producing unbound binaries and triples
Authors: Kochanek C S
Published: September 2021

The fraction of stars that are in binaries or triples at the time of stellar death and the fraction of these systems that survive the supernova explosion are crucial constraints for evolution models and predictions for gravitational wave source populations. These fractions are also subject to direct observational determination. Here, we search 10 supernova remnants containing compact objects with proper motions for unbound binaries or triples using Gaia EDR3 and new statistical methods and tests for false positives. We confirm the one known example of an unbound binary, HD 37424 in G180.0−01.7, and find no other examples. Combining this with our previous searches for bound and unbound binaries, and assuming no bias in favour of finding interacting binaries, we find that 72.0 per cent (52.2–86.4 per cent, 90 per cent confidence) of supernova producing neutron stars are not binaries at the time of explosion, 13.9 per cent (5.4–27.2 per cent) produce bound binaries, and 12.5 per cent (2.8–31.3 per cent) produce unbound binaries. With a strong bias in favour of finding interacting binaries, the medians shift to 76.0 per cent were not binaries at death, 9.5 per cent leave bound binaries, and 13.2 per cent leave unbound binaries. Of explosions that do not leave binaries, ${\lt}18.9{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ can be fully unbound triples. These limits are conservatively for $M\gt 5\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ companions, although the mass limits for some individual systems are significantly stronger. At birth, the progenitor of PSR J0538+2817 was probably a 13–$19\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ star, and at the time of explosion, it was probably a Roche limited, partially stripped star transferring mass to HD 37424 and then producing a Type IIL or IIb supernova.
Gmunu: paralleled, grid-adaptive, general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamics in curvilinear geometries in dynamical space–times
Authors: Cheong Patrick Chi-Kit , Lam Alan Tsz-Lok , Ng Harry Ho-Yin , Li Tjonnie Guang Feng
Published: September 2021

We present an update on the General-relativistic multigrid numerical (Gmunu) code, a parallelized, multidimensional curvilinear, general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics code with an efficient non-linear cell-centred multigrid elliptic solver, which is fully coupled with an efficient block-based adaptive mesh refinement module. To date, as described in this paper, Gmunu is able to solve the elliptic metric equations in the conformally flat condition approximation with the multigrid approach and the equations of ideal general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamics by means of high-resolution shock-capturing finite-volume method with reference metric formularised multidimensionally in Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical geometries. To guarantee the absence of magnetic monopoles during the evolution, we have developed an elliptical divergence cleaning method by using the multigrid solver. In this paper, we present the methodology, full evolution equations and implementation details of Gmunu and its properties and performance in some benchmarking and challenging relativistic magnetohydrodynamics problems.
On the scarcity of redshifted OH and millimetre-band molecular absorption
Authors: Curran S J
Published: September 2021

Despite much searching, redshifted decimetre- and millimetre-band absorption by molecular gas remains very rare, limited to just six systems at zabs ≳ 0.05. Detection of these transitions can yield precise diagnostics of the conditions of the star-forming gas in the earlier Universe, the hydroxyl (OH) radical being of particular interest as in the λ = 18 cm ground state there are four different transitions located close to neutral hydrogen 21- cm and thus detectable with the Square Kilometre Array and its pathfinders. The four transitions of OH have very different dependences on the fundamental constants, thus having much potential in testing for any evolution in these over large look-back times. By collating the photometry in a uniform manner, we confirm our previous hypothesis that the normalized OH absorption strength is correlated with the optical–near-infrared red colour of the sightline. Applying this to the published searches, we find that all, but one (J0414+054), have simply not been searched sufficiently deeply. We suggest that this is due to the standard selection of sources with reliable optical redshifts introducing a bias against those with enough dust with which to shield the molecular gas. For the single source searched to sufficient depth, we have reason to suspect that the high degree of reddening arises from another system along the sightline, thus not being inconsistent with our hypothesis. We also show that the same optical redshift bias can account for the scarcity of millimetre-band absorption.
A maximum-likelihood estimate of the parameters of the fast radio burst population
Authors: Bhattacharyya Siddhartha , Tiwari Himanshu , Bharadwaj Somnath , Majumdar Suman
Published: September 2021

We consider a sample of 82 non-repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) detected at Parkes, ASKAP, CHIME, and UTMOST, each of which operates over a different frequency range and has a different detection criterion. Using simulations, we perform a maximum-likelihood analysis to determine the FRB population model that best fits these data. Our analysis shows that models where the pulse scatter broadening increases moderately with redshift (z) are preferred to those where this increases very sharply or where scattering is absent. Further, models where the comoving event rate density is constant over z are preferred to those where it follows the cosmological star formation rate. Two models for the host dispersion measure (DMHost) distribution (a fixed and a random DMHost) are found to predict comparable results. We obtain the best-fitting parameter values $\alpha =-1.53^{+0.29}_{-0.19}$, $\overline{E}_{33}=1.55^{+0.26}_{-0.22}$, and γ = 0.77 ± 0.24. Here α is the spectral index, γ is the exponent of the Schechter luminosity function, and $\overline{E}_{33}$ is the mean FRB energy in units of $10^{33} \, {\rm J}$ across 2128–2848 MHz in the FRB rest frame.
VannoPortal: multiscale functional annotation of human genetic variants for interrogating molecular mechanism of traits and diseases
Authors: Huang Dandan , Zhou Yao , Yi Xianfu , Fan Xutong , Wang Jianhua , Yao Hongcheng , Sham Pak Chung , Hao Jihui , Chen Kexin , Li Mulin Jun
Published: September 2021

Interpreting the molecular mechanism of genomic variations and their causal relationship with diseases/traits are important and challenging problems in the human genetic study. To provide comprehensive and context-specific variant annotations for biologists and clinicians, here, by systematically integrating over 4TB genomic/epigenomic profiles and frequently-used annotation databases from various biological domains, we develop a variant annotation database, called VannoPortal. In general, the database has following major features: (i) systematically integrates 40 genome-wide variant annotations and prediction scores regarding allele frequency, linkage disequilibrium, evolutionary signature, disease/trait association, tissue/cell type-specific epigenome, base-wise functional prediction, allelic imbalance and pathogenicity; (ii) equips with our recent novel index system and parallel random-sweep searching algorithms for efficient management of backend databases and information extraction; (iii) greatly expands context-dependent variant annotation to incorporate large-scale epigenomic maps and regulatory profiles (such as EpiMap) across over 33 tissue/cell types; (iv) compiles many genome-scale base-wise prediction scores for regulatory/pathogenic variant classification beyond protein-coding region; (v) enables fast retrieval and direct comparison of functional evidence among linked variants using highly interactive web panel in addition to plain table; (vi) introduces many visualization functions for more efficient identification and interpretation of functional variants in single web page. VannoPortal is freely available at http://mulinlab.org/vportal.
Serum catalytic iron and progression of chronic kidney disease: findings from the ICKD study
Authors: Yadav Ashok K , Ghosh Arpita , Divyaveer Smita , Mukhopadhyay Banibrata , Kundu Monica , Kumar Vivek , Lele Suhas S , Rajapurkar Mohan M , Jha Vivekanand ,   the Indian Chronic Kidney Disease Study Group, Baid-Agrawal Seema Prabhjot , Kaur Kajal , Kamboj Sishir , Gang Gopesh , Modi Sreejith , Parameswaran Narayan , Prasad Manisha , Sahay Santosh , Varughese N , Gopalakrishnan Shivendra , Singh Dipankar , Sircar Sanjay , Vikrant Ajay , Jaryal  
Published: September 2021

Background

The non-transferrin-bound catalytic iron moiety catalyses production of toxic reactive oxygen species and is associated with adverse outcomes. We hypothesized that serum catalytic iron (SCI) is associated with progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

Baseline samples of the Indian chronic kidney disease (ICKD) Study participants with at least one follow-up visit were tested for total iron, iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation (TSAT), SCI, ferritin and hepcidin. SCI was measured using the bleomycin-detectable iron assay that detects biologically active iron. Association with the incidence of major kidney endpoints [major adverse kidney event (MAKE), a composite of kidney death, kidney failure or >40% loss of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)] was examined using Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for sex and age.

Results

A total of 2002 subjects (mean ± standard deviation age 49.9 ± 11.6 years, 68.1% males, baseline eGFR 41.01 mL/min/1.73 m2) were enrolled. After a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 12.6 (12.2–16.7) months, the composite MAKE occurred in 280 (14%). After adjusting for age and sex, increase from 25th to 75th percentile in SCI, TSAT, ferritin and hepcidin were associated with 78% (43–122%), 34% (10–62%), 57% (24–100%) and 74% (35–124%) increase in hazard of MAKE, respectively. SCI was associated with MAKE and kidney failure after adjustment for occupational exposure, hypertension, diabetes, tobacco, alcohol use, history of acute kidney injury, baseline eGFR and urine albumin to creatinine ratio, and allowing baseline hazard to vary by centre.

Conclusions

SCI is strongly and independently associated with composite MAKE in patients with mild-to-moderate CKD. Confirmation in other studies will allow consideration of SCI as a risk marker and treatment target.
Ethnic differences in risk of severe Covid-19: To what extent are they driven by exposure?
Authors: Edge Rhiannon , van der Plaat Diana A , Parsons Vaughan , Coggon David , van Tongeren Martie , Muiry Rupert , Cullinan Paul , Madan Ira
Published: September 2021

Background

This study quantifies the risk of Covid-19 among ethnic groups of healthcare staff during the first pandemic wave in England.

Methods

We analysed data on 959 356 employees employed by 191 National Health Service trusts during 1 January 2019 to 31 July 2020, comparing rates of Covid-19 sickness absence in different ethnic groups.

Results

In comparison with White ethnic groups, the risk of short-duration Covid-19 sickness absence was modestly elevated in South Asian but not Black groups. However, all Black and ethnic minority groups were at higher risk of prolonged Covid-19 sickness absence. Odds ratios (ORs) relative to White ethnicity were more than doubled in South Asian groups (Indian OR 2.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.36–2.63; Pakistani OR 2.38, 2.15–2.64; Bangladeshi OR 2.38, 1.98–2.86), while that for Black African ethnicity was 1.82 (1.71–1.93). In nursing/midwifery staff, the association of ethnicity with prolonged Covid-19 sickness absence was strong; the odds of South Asian nurses/midwives having a prolonged episode of Covid-19 sickness absence were increased 3-fold (OR 3.05, 2.82–3.30).

Conclusions

Residual differences in risk of short term Covid-19 sickness absences among ethnic groups may reflect differences in non-occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Our results indicate ethnic differences in vulnerability to Covid-19, which may be only partly explained by medical comorbidities.
Are Directors Rewarded for Excellence? Evidence from Reputation Shocks and Career Outcomes
Authors: Chen Mark A , Tran Hai , Wu Qinxi , Zhivotova Evgenia
Published: September 2021

This study examines whether the labor market rewards directors for individual excellence. We use national director awards to capture large, positive shocks to individual reputation. We find strong evidence that the labor market recognizes and rewards “superstar” directors. Award events lead to positive announcement returns and increase awardees’ chances of gaining new board seats at prestigious firms. Consistent with theories of career concerns and labor market signaling, the reputational effects are greater for younger directors and for nonoverboarded directors. Overall, our findings offer new insights into the nature of reputation and rewards in the upper echelon of the director labor market. (JEL G30, G34, G39)

Received August 15, 2020; editorial decision May 11, 2021 by Editor Andrew Ellul. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Research evaluations for an energy transition? Insights from a review of Swedish research evaluation reports
Authors: Sandin Sofie , Benner Mats
Published: September 2021

Energy efficiency is identified as a vital area for addressing sustainability challenges of our time. Governments throughout the world invest vast amounts of resources in research, for advancing knowledge on energy efficiency, and for fostering innovations that can support a transition towards a more sustainable energy system. Evaluation can be an important component in transition processes, for setting directions, assessing outcomes, and enhancing learning. In Sweden, evaluations are undertaken to assess the contribution of energy research to national goals and are also regularly undertaken for individual research programmes and institutions to assess processes and effects. Thus, in a context where evaluations are conducted at different levels and with different objectives, the connectivity between them becomes complex and often unclear. This study focuses on how research is evaluated and how individual evaluations frame and relate the evaluand to an energy transition. By reviewing 20 Swedish evaluations of research for energy efficiency in buildings, we seek to provide insights on the operationalization, analysis, and assessment of the evaluations. The results reveal that evaluations often deploy a systems perspective that frames the initiatives in a larger societal perspective, crucial for supporting a transition. They also highlight a heterogeneity within the undertaking of the evaluation: from a generally wide operationalization—to a more narrow analysis focusing on programme level outcomes—to a wider assessment of impacts and relevance for society and different actors. In all, the full potential of individual research evaluations is still to be harnessed through deliberate evaluation approaches.