bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A transcriptomic axis predicts state modulation of cortical interneurons
Authors: Bugeon Stephane , Duffield Joshua , Dipoppa Mario , Ritoux Anne , Prankerd Isabelle , Nicolout-sopoulos Dimitris , Orme David , Shinn Maxwell , Peng Han , Forrest Hamish , Viduolyte Aiste , Reddy Charu Bai , Isogai Yoh , Carandini Matteo , Harris Kenneth D.
Published: October 2021

Transcriptomics has revealed the exquisite diversity of cortical inhibitory neurons1–7, but it is not known whether these fine molecular subtypes have correspondingly diverse activity patterns in the living brain. Here, we show that inhibitory subtypes in primary visual cortex (V1) have diverse correlates with brain state, but that this diversity is organized by a single factor: position along their main axis of transcriptomic variation. We combined in vivo 2-photon calcium imaging of mouse V1 with a novel transcriptomic method to identify mRNAs for 72 selected genes in ex vivo slices. We used transcriptomic clusters (t-types)4 to classify inhibitory neurons imaged in layers 1-3 using a three-level hierarchy of 5 Families, 11 Classes, and 35 t-types. Visual responses differed significantly only across Families, but modulation by brain state differed at all three hierarchical levels. Nevertheless, this diversity could be predicted from the first transcriptomic principal component, which predicted a cell type’s brain state modulation and correlations with simultaneously recorded cells. Inhibitory t-types with narrower spikes, lower input resistance, weaker adaptation, and less axon in layer 1 as determined in vitro8 fired more in resting, oscillatory brain states. Transcriptomic types with the opposite properties fired more during arousal. The former cells had more inhibitory cholinergic receptors, and the latter more excitatory receptors. Thus, despite the diversity of V1 inhibitory neurons, a simple principle determines how their joint activity shapes state-dependent cortical processing.
Fast and parallel nanoscale 3D tracking of heterogeneous mammalian chromatin dynamics
Authors: Gustavsson Anna-Karin , Ghosh Rajarshi P. , Petrov Petar N. , Liphardt Jan T. , Moerner W. E.
Published: October 2021

Chromatin organization and dynamics are critical for gene regulation. In this work we present a methodology for fast and parallel 3D tracking of multiple chromosomal loci of choice over many thousands of frames on various time scales. We achieved this by developing and combining fluorogenic and replenishable nanobody arrays, engineered point spread functions, and light sheet illumination. The result is gentle live-cell 3D tracking with excellent spatiotemporal resolution throughout the mammalian cell nucleus. Correction for both sample drift and nuclear translation facilitated accurate long-term tracking of the chromatin dynamics. We demonstrate tracking of both fast dynamics (50 Hz) and over time scales extending to several hours, and we find both large heterogeneity between cells and apparent anisotropy in the dynamics in the axial direction. We further quantify the effect of inhibiting actin polymerization on the dynamics and find an overall increase in both the apparent diffusion coefficient D* and anomalous diffusion exponent α, and a transition to more isotropic dynamics in 3D after such treatment. We think that our methodology in the future will allow researchers to obtain a better fundamental understanding of chromatin dynamics and how it is altered during disease progression and after perturbations of cellular function.
Finding structure during incremental speech comprehension
Authors: Lyu Bingjiang , Marslen-Wilson William D. , Fang Yuxing , Tyler Lorraine K.
Published: October 2021

A core aspect of human speech comprehension is the ability to incrementally integrate consecutive words into a structured and coherent interpretation, aligning with the speaker’s intended meaning. This rapid process is subject to multi-dimensional probabilistic constraints, including both linguistic knowledge and non-linguistic information within specific contexts, and it is their interpretative coherence that drives successful comprehension. To study the neural substrates of this process, we extract word-by-word measures of sentential structure from BERT, a deep language model, which effectively approximates the coherent outcomes of the dynamic interplay among various types of constraints. Using representational similarity analysis, we tested BERT parse depths and relevant corpus-based measures against the spatiotemporally resolved brain activity recorded by electro/magnetoencephalography when participants were listening to the same sentences. Our results provide a detailed picture of the neurobiological processes involved in the incremental construction of structured interpretations. These findings show when and where coherent interpretations emerge through the evaluation and integration of multifaceted constraints in the brain, which engages bilateral brain regions extending beyond the classical fronto-temporal language system. Furthermore, this study provides empirical evidence supporting the use artificial neural networks as computational models for revealing the neural dynamics underpinning complex cognitive processes in the brain.
Uncertainty and precaution in hunting wolves twice in a year
Authors: Treves Adrian , Louchouarn Naomi X.
Published: October 2021

When humanity confronts the risk of extinction of species, many people invoke precautions, especially in the face of uncertainty. Although precautionary approaches are value judgments, the optimal design and effect of precautions or lack thereof are scientific questions. We investigated Wisconsin gray wolvesCanis lupusfacing a second wolf-hunt in November 2021 and use three legal thresholds as the societal value judgments about precautions: (1) the 1999 population goal, 350 wolves, (2) the threshold for statutory listing under the state threatened and endangered species act, 250 wolves; and (3) state extirpation <2 wolves. This allows us to explore the quantitative relationship between precaution and uncertainty. Working from estimates of the size wolf population in April 2021 and reproduction to November, we constructed a simple linear model with uninformative priors for the period April 2021-April 2022 including an uncertain wolf-hunt in November 2021. Our first result is that the state government under-counted wolf deaths in the year preceding both wolf-hunts. We recommend better scientific analysis be used when setting wolf-hunt quotas. We find official recommendations for a quota for the November 2021 wolf-hunt risk undesirable outcomes. Even a quota of zero has a 13% chance of crossing threshold 1. Therefore, a zero death toll would be precautionary. Proponents for high quotas bear the burden of proof that their estimates are accurate, precise, and reproducible. We discuss why our approach is transferable to non-wolves. We show how scientists have the tools and concepts for quantifying and explaining the probabilities of crossing thresholds set by laws or other social norms. We recommend that scientists grapple with data gaps by explaining what the uncertainty means for policy and the public including the consequences of being wrong.
Influences on unstable hydraulic fractures: propagation of adjacent multiple perforations and bedded interfaces in multilayered reservoir via FE-DE model
Authors: Wang Yongliang , Liu Nana , Zhang Xin , Liu Xuguang , Wang Juan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Simultaneous hydrofracturing of multiple perforation clusters in vertical wells has been applied in the stimulation of hydrocarbon resources reservoirs. This technology is significantly impeded due to the challenges in its application to the multilayered reservoirs that comprise multiple interlayers. One of the challenges is the accurate understanding and characterization of propagation and deflection of the multiple hydraulic fractures between reservoirs and embedded interlayers.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical models of the tight multilayered reservoirs containing multiple interlayers were established to study hydrofracturing of multiple perforation clusters and its influencing factors on unstable propagation and deflection of hydraulic fractures. Brittle and plastic multilayered reservoirs fully considering the influences of different in situ stress ratio and physical attributes for reservoir and interlayer strata on propagations of hydraulic fractures were investigated. The combined finite element–discrete element method and mesh refinement strategy were adopted to guarantee the accuracy of stress solutions and reliability of fracture path in computation.

Findings

Results show that the shear stress fields between adjacent multiple hydraulic fractures are superposed to cause fractures deflection. Stress shadows induce the shielding effects of hydraulic fractures and inhibit fractures growth to emerge unstable propagation behaviors, and a main single fracture and several minor fractures develop. As the in situ stress ratio increases, hydraulic fractures more easily deflect toward the direction of maximum in situ stress, and stress shadow and mutual interaction effects between them are intensified. Compared to brittle reservoir, plastic-enhanced reservoir may limit fracture growth and cannot form long fracture length; nevertheless, plastic properties of reservoir are prone to induce more microseismic events with larger magnitude.

Originality/value

The obtained fracturing behaviors and mechanisms based on engineering-scale multilayered reservoir may provide effective schemes for controlling and estimating the unstable propagation of multiple hydraulic fractures.
The role of criminal expertise in serial sexual offending: a comparison to “novices”
Authors: Reale Kylie S. , Beauregard Eric , Chopin Julien
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Serial offenders have been described as more forensically aware, better able to control their victim, and ultimately, more adept at eluding detection. Despite these assertions, there is a lack of research examining differences in “criminal expertise” (i.e. offense-related skills and competencies) between serial and non-serial offenders. The purpose of the current study is to address this empirical research gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study uses binary logistic regression to examine a sample of 83 serial offenses and 322 offenses involving “novices” (i.e. offenders without a previous criminal history) to determine whether criminal expertise is a distinctive feature of the crime-commission process of serial offenders, compared to novices.

Findings

Binary logistic regression findings indicated that offenders who did not verbally reassure their victim, who brought a weapon to the offense and who selected a victim who was walking were more likely to be serial. Taken together, these behaviors do not suggest that serial offenders are “experts” at avoiding detection, but rather, indicate some general offense competencies and skills related to violent offending.

Originality/value

The current study offers the first direct application of the criminal expertise framework to serial sexual offending. The findings offer new insights for the treatment and management of offenders who possess offense-related competencies and skills, which can offer a complementary view to more deficit-based models.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong nexus in grassroots collective actions amid Sino-Anglo interface, 1841 to 1927
Authors: Wan Kent
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper provides an analytical account detailing the historical linkages between Chinese on both sides of the Sino-Hong Kong border from 1841 onwards and examining important incidents of collective actions in the colony and Canton.

Design/methodology/approach

Using annual reports published by the colonial administration in Hong Kong, especially those focusing on years that witnessed major incidents of anti-colonial agitations, this paper analyzes how British policymakers were confronted by collective actions mounted by Chinese in Canton and Hong Kong. Building on the works of prominent historians and utilizing the theoretical frameworks of analysts such as Charles Tilly (1978), the author examines if a Cantonese regional solidarity served as the foundation for popular movements, which in turn consolidated a rising Chinese nationalism when Canton and Hong Kong were the focal points of mass actions against imperialism.

Findings

Hong Kong Chinese workers were vanguards of the modern Chinese revolutions that transformed not just their homeland, but their lives, allegiances, and aspirations as Chinese in a domain under foreign jurisdiction on Chinese soil, as their actions were emulated by their compatriots outside of South China, thus starting a chain reaction that culminated in the establishment of the Nanjing regime.

Originality/value

This paper reveals that popular movements of Hong Kong Chinese possessed national and international importance, especially when they were supported by their Cantonese compatriots and the two leading Chinese political parties, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Annular plaques mimicking Rowell’s syndrome in the course of coronavirus disease 2019 mRNA vaccines: An overlooked phenomenon?
Authors: Niebel Dennis , Wilhelmi Jasmin , De Vos Luka , Ziob Jana , Jaschke Kristel , Bieber Thomas , Wenzel Joerg , Braegelmann Christine
Published: October 2021

Effective vaccines for prevention of severe course and lethal outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 have been developed and approved in regulatory rolling and fast‐track procedures; they are now widely distributed worldwide. Data about cutaneous side‐effects of the new mRNA‐type vaccines is scant, however. We herein report two similar cases of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADR) mimicking Rowell’s syndrome that occurred after the first dose of BNT162b2 and mRNA‐1273, respectively. Both patients achieved prompt clinical improvement with a short pulse of oral prednisolone and non‐steroidal inflammatory drugs. We suspect this phenomenon to occur in a timeframe of 7–14 days after vaccination due to an interferon‐γ‐driven shift towards type I immunity in susceptible individuals. As rheumatic patients were excluded from phase III clinical trials and as most countries prioritized the elderly population to receive the vaccinations first, cutaneous ADR might become more frequent once the younger part of the population is vaccinated over the course of 2021. Atypical cutaneous ADR might be misinterpreted or overlooked by non‐dermatologists. Further studies are required to determine the best suitable vaccine types for individual groups of patients.
Spatiotemporal distribution of bacterial dimethylsulfoniopropionate producing and catabolic genes in the Changjiang Estuary
Authors: Sun Hao , Liu Ji , Tan Siyin , Zheng Yanfen , Wang Xiaolei , Liang Jinchang , Todd Jonathan D. , Zhang Xiao‐Hua
Published: October 2021

The osmolyte dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is produced in petagram amounts by marine microorganisms. Estuaries provide natural gradients in salinity and nutrients, factors known to regulate DMSP production; yet there have been no molecular studies of DMSP production and cycling across these gradients. Here, we study the abundance, distribution and transcription of key DMSP synthesis (e.g. dsyB and mmtN) and catabolic (e.g. dddP and dmdA) genes along the salinity gradient of the Changjiang Estuary. DMSP levels did not correlate with Chl a across the salinity gradient. In contrast, DMSP concentration, abundance of bacterial DMSP producers and their dsyB and mmtN transcripts were lowest in the freshwater samples and increased abruptly with salinity in the transitional and seawater samples. Metagenomics analysis suggests bacterial DMSP‐producers were more abundant than their algal equivalents and were more prominent in summer than winter samples. Bacterial DMSP catabolic genes and their transcripts followed the same trend of being greatly enhanced in transitional and seawater samples with higher DMSP levels than freshwater samples. DMSP cleavage was likely the dominant catabolic pathway, with DMSP lyase genes being ~4.3‐fold more abundant than the demethylase gene dmdA. This is an exemplar study for future research on microbial DMSP cycling in estuary environments.
One‐off wealth taxes: theory and evidence
Authors: O'Donovan Nick
Published: October 2021

In periods where the national public debt has grown rapidly beyond ‘normal’ levels, the idea of drawing on the stock of national private wealth in order to pay down that debt, whether in whole or in part, has gained currency. ‘Capital levies’ or ‘one‐off wealth taxes’ involve a one‐time charge based upon wealth, normally assessed across a broad range of asset classes (such as savings, investments, property and pensions). The goal of this paper is to outline, and to expand upon, the evidence base available to policymakers contemplating one‐off wealth taxes. It outlines key features of one‐off wealth taxes, relative to somewhat more commonplace recurring wealth taxes. Using a comparative case study methodology, the paper analyses historical examples of one‐off wealth taxation, which have attracted relatively little scholarly attention to date. It explores practical details of tax design and tax administration, as well as aspects of the political and economic context in which these measures were introduced. In so doing, it identifies factors that make one‐off wealth taxes more or less likely to succeed in raising revenue while also minimising any negative social and economic consequences.
Valuation for the purposes of a wealth tax
Authors: Daly Stephen , Hughson Helen , Loutzenhiser Glen
Published: October 2021

This paper considers the scale and prevalence of valuation issues under a wealth tax. Valuation issues are frequently cited in the literature as the most difficult aspect of wealth taxes. We examine some of the most problematic asset types from a valuation perspective. We also consider a range of solutions to manage these concerns, drawing on international experience and the approaches already taken for other taxes within the UK system. We conclude that satisfactory options for arriving at a value for wealth tax purposes are available even for the most problematic assets. We also estimate that the absolute number of taxpayers likely to pay substantial valuation fees is small, and that, in aggregate, valuation costs could be contained to around 0.1 per cent or less of total chargeable assets, even if they are substantial for some individual taxpayers.
Debiased lasso for generalized linear models with a diverging number of covariates
Authors: Xia Lu , Nan Bin , Li Yi
Published: October 2021

Modeling and drawing inference on the joint associations between single‐nucleotide polymorphisms and a disease has sparked interest in genome‐wide associations studies. In the motivating Boston Lung Cancer Survival Cohort (BLCSC) data, the presence of a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms of interest, though smaller than the sample size, challenges inference on their joint associations with the disease outcome. In similar settings, we find that neither the debiased lasso approach (van de Geer et al., 2014), which assumes sparsity on the inverse information matrix, nor the standard maximum likelihood method can yield confidence intervals with satisfactory coverage probabilities for generalized linear models. Under this “large n, diverging p” scenario, we propose an alternative debiased lasso approach by directly inverting the Hessian matrix without imposing the matrix sparsity assumption, which further reduces bias compared to the original debiased lasso and ensures valid confidence intervals with nominal coverage probabilities. We establish the asymptotic distributions of any linear combinations of the parameter estimates, which lays the theoretical ground for drawing inference. Simulations show that the proposed refined debiased estimating method performs well in removing bias and yields honest confidence interval coverage. We use the proposed method to analyze the aforementioned BLCSC data, a large‐scale hospital‐based epidemiology cohort study investigating the joint effects of genetic variants on lung cancer risks.
Distributional independent component analysis for diverse neuroimaging modalities
Authors: Wu Ben , Pal Subhadip , Kang Jian , Guo Ying
Published: October 2021

Recent advances in neuroimaging technologies have provided opportunities to acquire brain images of different modalities for studying human brain organization from both functional and structural perspectives. Analysis of images derived from various modalities involves some common goals such as dimension reduction, denoising, and feature extraction. However, since these modalities have vastly different data characteristics, the current analysis is usually performed using distinct analytical tools that are only suitable for a specific imaging modality. In this paper, we present a Distributional Independent Component Analysis (DICA) that represents a new approach that performs decomposition on the distribution level, providing a unified framework for extracting features across imaging modalities with different scales and representations. When applying DICA to fMRI images, we successfully recover well‐established brain functional networks in neuroscience literature, providing empirical validation that DICA delivers neurologically relevant findings. More importantly, we discover several structural network components when applying DICA to DTI images. Through fiber tracking, we find these DICA‐derived structural components correspond to several major white fiber bundles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time these fiber bundles are successfully identified via blind source separation on single subject DTI images. We also evaluate the performance of DICA as compared with existing ICA methods through extensive simulation studies.
Influence of variable decoupling between vertically separated fault populations on structural inheritance – The Laminaria High, NW Shelf of Australia
Authors: Phillips Thomas B. , McCaffrey Ken , Magarinos Luke
Published: October 2021

When extension events are greatly separated in time, older faults may be buried and stratigraphically separated from newly developing faults at shallower depths. During rifting, the buried structures may reactivate and propagate upwards to be expressed within the shallow system. The degree of linkage between structural levels determines the influence that the deeper structures can exert over the geometry and evolution of the incipient fault system. In this study we use 3D seismic reflection data to examine how a deep fault population across the Laminaria High, NW shelf of Australia influences the development of a younger fault system at shallow depths. These fault populations are non‐parallel and decoupled across a mechanically weak interval. The majority of shallow faults are not linked to those at depth. However, the reactivation and upward propagation of some of the deeper faults produce anomalously oriented structures at shallow depths, hard‐linked to the deeper structures. One fault in particular shows along‐strike variability, with the deep segment reactivated and present at shallow depths in the west. To the east, the shallow and deep fault segments become decoupled across the mechanically weak interval, although some soft‐linkage and strain transfer still occurs. We suggest that this switch in the degree of coupling along the fault is due to the geometry of the deeper structure, with the transition corresponding to a prominent relay ramp. We show how the geometry of a deeper fault may affect its propensity to reactivate during subsequent extensional events, ultimately affecting the degree of structural inheritance that is expressed within younger, shallower fault populations.
Genetic diversity and functional connectivity of a critically endangered salamander
Authors: Sunny Armando , López‐Sánchez Monserrat , Ramírez‐Corona Fabiola , Suárez‐Atilano Marco , González‐Fernández Andrea
Published: October 2021

Habitat loss and fragmentation are among the greatest threats to biodiversity since unsuitable habitat can be a significant barrier to gene flow, disrupting the connectivity of populations. In this scenario, landscape genetic approaches have been applied as invaluable tools to demonstrate how contemporary habitat alterations affect gene flow. In this study, we used nine microsatellite genotypes to determine the landscape features driving genetic diversity, structure, and functional connectivity among eleven sampling sites of a micro‐endemic, and critically endangered salamander (Pseudoeurycea robertsi) in the Nevado de Toluca Volcano. We also modelled the ecological niche ofP.robertsito assess the most important habitat features associated with its probability of presence and analyzed the corridor network to identify important core areas and corridors to keep the network connected, as well as points where the network connection is lost or tightened. Moreover, we performed a redundancy analysis to assess the effect of genetic distance and habitat resistances on gene flow. We found the highest levels of genetic diversity and connectivity at the northwestern part of the Volcano. Meson Viejo sampling site was of especial importance to overall network connectivity. We found low levels of migration rates and low levels of genetic structure. The most important habitat feature associated with probability of presence ofPseudoeurycea robertsiwas theAbiesforest, and two models were significant under the RDA analysis:Abiesforest andAbiesforest+Grasslands. We recommend prioritizing the areas of the northwestern and central parts of the volcano in conservation programs.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Adjunctive everolimus therapy for tuberous sclerosis complex‐associated refractory seizures: Results from the postextension phase of EXIST‐3
Authors: Franz David N. , Lawson John A. , Yapici Zuhal , Ikeda Hiroko , Polster Tilman , Nabbout Rima , Curatolo Paolo , de Vries Petrus J. , Dlugos Dennis J. , Herbst Fabian , Peyrard Severine , Pelov Diana , French Jacqueline A.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Epilepsy is highly prevalent in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Everolimus showed higher efficacy than placebo for seizures in the primary analysis of the EXIST‐3 study. Here, we present the long‐term outcomes of everolimus at the end of the postextension phase (PEP; data cutoff date: October 25, 2017).

Methods

After completion of the extension phase, patients were invited to continue everolimus in the PEP with everolimus (targeted trough concentration = 5–15 ng/ml, investigator‐judged). Efficacy assessments included changes in seizure status during the PEP collected at 12‐week intervals as parent/caregiver‐reported data through a structured questionnaire.

Results

Among 361 patients, 343 entered the extension phase and 249 entered the PEP. After 12 weeks in the PEP, 18.9% (46/244) of patients were seizure‐free since the last visit of the extension phase and 64.8% (158/244) had a stable/improved seizure status. At 24 weeks, the corresponding percentages were 18.2% (42/231) and 64.5% (149/231). Among 244 patients, the response rate was 32.8% (80/244) during the 12‐week maintenance period of the core phase and 63.9% (156/244) at the end of the extension phase. Of the 149 responders at the end of the extension phase, 70.5% were seizure‐free or had stable/improved seizure status. Long‐term efficacy data showed persistent responses were observed in 183 of 361 patients (50.7%); 63.9% of these patients had a response that lasted at least 48 weeks. The most frequent Grade 3–4 adverse events (≥2% incidence) reported throughout the study were pneumonia, status epilepticus, seizure, stomatitis, neutropenia, and gastroenteritis. Four patients died during the study.

Significance

The final analysis of EXIST‐3 demonstrated the sustained efficacy of everolimus as adjunctive therapy in patients with TSC‐associated treatment‐refractory seizures, with a tolerable safety profile.
Application of a semianalytical strain assessment and multiaxial fatigue analysis to compare rolling contact fatigue in twin‐disk and full‐scale wheel/rail contact conditions
Authors: Zani Nicola , Ekh Magnus , Ekberg Anders , Mazzù Angelo
Published: October 2021

A semianalytical model is introduced to assess rolling contact fatigue problems in railway applications. The constitutive law is based on the nonlinear kinematic and isotropic hardening model of Chaboche–Lemaitre, which allows the cyclic elastoplastic strain under the contact surface to be evaluated. The much higher computational effectiveness in comparison with finite element (FE) analyses is quantified. The Dang Van multiaxial fatigue criterion is implemented to evaluate the rolling contact fatigue in the subsurface elastic region where cracking is relatively rare but more dangerous than surface cracks. The influence of the presence of sulfides in the wheel matrix in decreasing fatigue strength is also assessed by means of Murakami's approach. The model is used to compare conditions under small‐scale twin‐disk experiments to full‐scale wheel/rail contact conditions. It is found that, for the same Hertzian pressure, the small‐scale contact is more conservative in that it causes a deeper plasticized layer as compared with the elliptical full‐scale contact. In the investigated cases, crack initiation is also not expected according to Dang Van criterion in neither of the studied contact conditions.
Tracheal trauma in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Kezar Sarah , Shroyer Monica , Doyle‐Meyers Lara , Gilbert Margaret , Russell‐Lodrigue Kasi
Published: October 2021

Tracheal disruption is a previously unreported complication of nonhuman primate social trauma. Two cases were identified in rhesus macaques with subcutaneous emphysema. These cases resolved with medical management and demonstrate that the combined use of radiography and tracheoscopy allows rapid assessment and diagnosis of tracheal trauma in nonhuman primates.
Association between cognitive function and self‐reported antihypertensive medication adherence among middle‐aged and older hypertensive women
Authors: Chou Cheng‐Chen , Chien Li‐Yin , Liaw Jen‐Jiuan , Wang Chi‐Jane , Liu Ping‐Yen
Published: October 2021

Design

This study applied a cross‐sectional, descriptive correlational design.

Aims and objectives

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between cognitive function and self‐reported antihypertensive medication adherence in middle‐aged and older hypertensive women.

Background

Although medication adherence is an essential key for preventing complications from hypertension, poor medication adherence is common among middle‐aged and older hypertensive women. Taking medications involves a cognitive process. Little is known about the contribution of cognitive function to adherence to antihypertensive medication in middle‐aged and older women.

Methods

This study used a convenience sample of 137 women aged ≥50 years recruited from a medical centre in southern Taiwan. Participants completed a survey of demographic and clinical information and self‐reported medication adherence, and received cognitive function tests. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between cognitive function and medication adherence. This study followed the STROBE guidelines.

Results

More than one‐fourth of the women (27%) reported poor adherence. Women with poor adherence appeared to have a significantly lower memory than women with good adherence. Memory was positively associated with antihypertensive medication adherence after controlling for age, blood pressure and duration of hypertension. Working memory, executive function and psychomotor speed were not significantly related to antihypertensive medication adherence.

Conclusions

Reduced memory function was associated with poorer antihypertensive medication adherence among middle‐aged and older women. Middle‐aged and older women with hypertension and poor memory performance are at risk of poor medication adherence. Future prospective studies examining the causal relationship between cognitive function and antihypertensive medication adherence are warranted.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses could evaluate the memory of middle‐aged and older hypertensive women when assessing antihypertensive medication adherence in clinical practice and provide relevant interventions.
The great powers in Central America: US response to Chinese activities in the region
Authors: Rod Zdeněk , Himmer Michal
Published: October 2021

Recent scholarship has argued that the People's Republic of China is paving its way into Central America, which is considered a US strategic area of interest. As the current evidence suggests, there will be a competition between the two great powers in the region. China has not only a business interest, but also a political one. In the past few years, Panama and El Salvador dismantled their diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognized the PRC instead. It remains unclear whether the United States seeks to use its foreign policy tools to respond in the region. This article analyzes what types of policy tools the United States applies toward its allies to maintain its position in Central America. The first part reviews the literature on foreign policy toolkits and presents the research design. The empirical section then analyzes three existing forms of foreign policy tools (military, economic, and diplomatic) in the chosen countries. The article concludes that the United States uses its policy tools there, with certain limitations.
Local hormones and growth factors to enhance orthodontic tooth movement: A systematic review of animal studies
Authors: Parcianello Roberta Gaia , Amerio Ettore , Giner Tarrida Lluís , Nart José , Flores Mir Carlos , Puigdollers Pérez Andreu
Published: October 2021

Background

Prolonged treatment times are the main reason capable of affecting patient compliance with orthodontic treatment.

Objectives

A systematic review was made to determine whether the local administration of hormones and growth factors effectively enhances orthodontic tooth movement, and to identify possible adverse effects in animal studies.

Materials and methods

Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) were checked for experimental studies reporting one of the following outcomes: orthodontic tooth movement, histological outcomes and side effects. After data extraction, orthodontic tooth movement linked to adjunctive substances was analysed using forest plots. The risk of bias and the quality of evidence were determined with the SYRCLE tool and the GRADE tool, respectively.

Results

Twenty‐four studies were included in the systematic review. On a specific dose level, epidermal growth factor + liposomes, fibroblast growth factor and prostaglandin E2 + Ca were supported by a moderate level of evidence and rated as highly effective in increasing tooth movement in animal models. Likewise, there was histological evidence of increased bone remodelling after the administration of these substances. Other compounds were supported by a low to very low level of evidence.

Conclusions

Hormones and growth factors may have a relevant impact upon orthodontic tooth movement rate. In specific formulations, prostaglandin E2, fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor showed promising results.
Do natural enemies mediate conspecific negative distance‐ and density‐dependence of trees? A meta‐analysis of exclusion experiments
Authors: Song Xiaoyang , Corlett Richard T.
Published: October 2021

Conspecific negative distance‐ and density‐dependence is believed to be one of the most important mechanisms controlling forest community assembly and species diversity globally. Plant pathogens, and insect and mammalian herbivores, are the most common natural enemy types that have been implicated in this phenomenon, but their general effects at different plant life stages are still unclear. Here, we conduct a meta‐analysis of studies that involved robust manipulative experiments, using fungicides, insecticides or exclosures, to assess the contributions of different natural enemy types to distance‐ and density‐dependent effects at seed and seedling stages. We found that conspecific negative distance‐ and density‐dependence was more common at the seedling stage. Only 30% of studies showed significant conspecific negative distance‐ and density‐dependence. Among those studies, applying fungicides significantly reduced the effect of conspecific negative distance‐dependent mortality. Excluding large mammals reduced the effect of conspecifics, but with only marginal significance (p < 0.1). Our study confirms that plant pathogens have a significant impact on distance‐dependent mortality and suggests that the impacts of herbivores on seedlings have been understudied. At the seed stage, large and small mammals, respectively, appear to weaken and enhance negative conspecific distance‐dependent mortality. Future research should identify specific agents of mortality, investigate the interactions among different enemy types, and assess how global change may affect natural enemies and thus influence the strength of conspecific distance‐ and density‐dependence.
Fluid reservoir thickness and aberration relationship in keratoconic eyes with scleral lenses
Authors: Balakrishnan Akshaya C , Badrinarayanan Aparna , Sivaraman Viswanathan , Kumar Ramar Mahesh , Iqbal Asif
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To investigate the effect of varying the fluid reservoir (FR) thickness of scleral lenses (SL) on corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), contrast sensitivity (CS) and higher‐order aberrations (HOAs) in keratoconic eyes.

Methods

Forty eyes with keratoconus were fitted with a diagnostic Boston Sight SL having three different FR thicknesses. CDVA, CS and HOAs were measured before and after 30 min of lens wear. An i‐Trace aberrometer and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) were used to measure HOAs and FR thickness, respectively.

Results

Statistically significant improvements in CDVA and CS were seen with different FR thickness lenses (p < 0.01). Baseline CDVA (0.22 ± 0.15) improved to 0.03 ± 0.06, 0.04 ± 0.07 and 0.07 ± 0.08 with low, standard and high FR lenses, respectively. Post‐hoc testing showed better CDVA with low (p = 0.006) and standard FR (p = 0.009) lenses compared to high FR lenses. Before lens wear, CS was 1.27 ± 0.27, which improved to 1.67 ± 0.11, 1.73 ± 0.12 and 1.66 ± 0.89 with low, standard and high FR lenses, respectively. Lenses with standard FR showed better CS compared with those having low (p = 0.009) and high FRs (p < 0.001). A statistically significant reduction of higher order‐root mean square aberrations (HO‐RMS), coma, spherical aberration, secondary astigmatism and trefoil were found with all FR thickness lenses compared to baseline (p < 0.01). No significant difference was noted between lenses (p = 0.01). All three lenses corrected almost equal amount of HOAs. A moderate positive correlation was observed between CDVA and HO‐RMS (r = 0.61, p < 0.001) for low FR lenses.

Conclusions

BostonSight SCLERALs were found to be very effective in improving vision, CS and reducing HOAs in keratoconus. Lenses with varying FR thickness showed equal effectiveness in visual performance and reducing HOAs. FR thickness should be considered an important factor to provide better vision and CS by minimising HOAs, as well as to maintain the normal physiology of eyes with keratoconus.
Prior's puzzle generalized
Authors: D'Ambrosio Justin
Published: October 2021

Prior's puzzle is standardly taken to be the puzzle of why, given the assumption thatthat‐clauses denote propositions, substitution of the proposition that for that within the complements of many propositional attitude verbs is invalid. I show that Prior's puzzle is much more general than is ordinarily supposed. There are two variants on the substitutional form of the puzzle—a quantificational variant and a pronominal variant—and all three forms of the puzzle arise in a wide range of verbal complements, rather than merely in the complements of propositional attitude verbs. The generalized puzzle shows that a range of proposed solutions to the original puzzle fail, or are radically incomplete, and also reveals the connections between Prior's puzzle and debates over the nature of semantic types and higher‐order quantification. I go on to develop a novel, higher‐order solution to the generalized form of the puzzle, and I argue that this higher‐approach is superior to its first‐order alternatives.
Development of binaural temporal fine structure sensitivity in children
Authors: Flanagan Sheila A. , Moore Brian C. J. , Wilson Angela M. , Gabrielczyk Fiona C. , MacFarlane Annabel , Mandke Kanad , Goswami Usha
Published: October 2021

The highest frequency for which the temporal fine structure (TFS) of a sinewave can be compared across ears varies between listeners with an upper limit of about 1400 Hz for young normal-hearing adults (YNHA). In this study, binaural TFS sensitivity was investigated for 63 typically developing children, aged 5 years, 6 months to 9 years, 4 months using the temporal fine structure-adaptive frequency (TFS-AF) test of Füllgrabe, Harland, Sęk, and Moore [Int. J. Audiol. 56, 926–935 (2017)]. The test assesses the highest frequency at which an interaural phase difference (IPD) of ϕ° can be distinguished from an IPD of 0°. The values of ϕ were 30° and 180°. The starting frequency was 200 Hz. The thresholds for the children were significantly lower (worse) than the thresholds reported by Füllgrabe, Harland, Sęk, and Moore [Int. J. Audiol. 56, 926–935 (2017)] for YNHA. For both values of ϕ, the median age at which children performed above chance level was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than for those who performed at chance. For the subgroup of 40 children who performed above chance for ϕ = 180°, the linear regression analyses showed that the thresholds for ϕ = 180° increased (improved) significantly with increasing age (p < 0.001) with adult-like thresholds predicted to be reached at 10 years, 2 months of age. The implications for spatial release from masking are discussed.
Can Interferon Therapy Change the Natural Course of Hepatitis Delta Infection?: a Clinical and Pathological Study
Authors: Bakkaloglu Oguz Kagan , Yildirim Ozgen , Cavus Bilger , Evirgen Sami , Gokturk Suut , Ormeci Asli , Soyer Ozlem , Akyuz Filiz , Demir Kadir , Kaymakoglu Sabahattin , Gulluoglu Mine , Karaca Cetin
Published: October 2021

Chronic delta hepatitis (CDH) has a worse outcome than other types of viral hepatitis. High-dose, long-term alpha interferon (IFN-α) is the approved treatment and may ameliorate the course of infection.
Generation of False-Positive SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Results with Testing Conditions outside Manufacturer Recommendations: A Scientific Approach to Pandemic Misinformation
Authors: Patriquin Glenn , Davidson Ross J. , Hatchette Todd F. , Head Breanne M. , Mejia Edgard , Becker Michael G. , Meyers Adrienne , Sandstrom Paul , Hatchette Jacob , Block Ava , Smith Nicole , Ross John , LeBlanc Jason J.
Published: October 2021

With the Panbio severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen test being deployed in over 120 countries worldwide, understanding conditions required for its ideal performance is critical. Recently on social media, this kit was shown to generate false positives when manufacturer recommendations were not followed.
Hip pain attributable to a ganglion of the psoas tendon: a common cyst in an uncommon region—the first case reported in a child
Authors: Gokhale Sandeep , Mullaney Peter , Thomas Phillip , Carpenter Eleanor C
Published: October 2021

Ganglion cysts of the psoas tendon are uncommon and rarely reported in the literature. Often they remain asymptomatic and are found incidentally or can be a cause of atypical groin/hip pain. We present a rare case of ganglion cyst in a child arising from the psoas tendon, causing symptomatic hip pain, which failed non-surgical treatment and eventually successfully treated with surgical excision.
Catastrophic chemotherapy toxicity leading to diagnosis of Fanconi anaemia due to FANCD1/BRCA2 during adulthood: description of an emerging phenotype
Authors: Ip Emilia , McNeil Catriona , Grimison Peter , Scheinberg Tahlia , Tudini Emma , Ho Gladys , Scott Rodney J , Brown Christina , Sandroussi Charbel , Guitera Pascale , Spurdle Amanda B , Goodwin Annabel
Published: October 2021

Fanconi anaemia due to biallelic loss of BRCA2 (Fanconi anaemia subtype D1) is traditionally diagnosed during childhood with cancer rates historically reported as 97% by 5.2 years. This report describes an adult woman with a history of primary ovarian failure, who was diagnosed with gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma and BRCA2-associated Fanconi anaemia at 23 years of age, only after she suffered severe chemotherapy toxicity. The diagnostic challenges include atypical presentation, initial false-negative chromosome fragility testing and variant classification. It highlights gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma as a consideration for adults with biallelic BRCA2 pathogenic variants with implications for surveillance. After over 4 years, the patient has no evidence of gastrointestinal cancer recurrence although the tumour was initially considered only borderline resectable. The use of platinum-based chemotherapy, to which heterozygous BRCA2 carriers are known to respond, may have had a beneficial anticancer effect, but caution is advised given its extreme immediate toxicity at standard dosing. Fanconi anaemia should be considered as a cause for women with primary ovarian failure of unknown cause and referral to cancer genetic services recommended when there is a family history of cancer in the hereditary breast/ovarian cancer spectrum.
Generation of ultrafast, transient, highly acidic pH spikes in the radiolysis of water at very high dose rates: relevance for FLASH radiotherapy
Authors: Sultana Abida , Alanazi Ahmed , Meesungnoen Jintana , Jay-Gerin Jean-Paul
Published: October 2021

Monte Carlo multi-track chemistry simulations were carried out to study the effects of high dose rates on the transient yields of hydronium ions (H3O+) formed during low linear energy transfer (LET) radiolysis of both pure, deaerated and aerated liquid water at 25 °C, in the interval ∼1 ps – 10 μs. Our simulation model consisted of randomly irradiating water with N interactive tracks of 300-MeV incident protons (LET ∼ 0.3 keV/µm), which simultaneously impact perpendicularly on the water within a circular surface. The effect of the dose rate was studied by varying N. Our calculations showed that the radiolytic formation of H3O+ causes the entire irradiated volume to temporarily become very acidic. The magnitude and duration of this abrupt “acid-spike” response depend on the value of N. It is most intense at times less than ∼10–100 ns, equal to ∼3.4 and 2.8 for N = 500 and 2000 (i.e., for dose rates of ∼1.9 × 109 and 8.7 × 109 Gy/s, respectively). At longer times, the pH gradually increases for all N values and eventually returns to the neutral value of seven, which corresponds to the non-radiolytic, pre-irradiation concentration of H3O+. It is worth noting that these early acidic pH responses are very little dependent on the presence or absence of oxygen. Finally, given the importance of pH for many cellular functions, this study suggests that these acidic pH spikes may contribute to the normal tissue-sparing effect of FLASH radiotherapy.