bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ArthroRad trial: multicentric prospective and randomized single-blinded trial on the effect of low-dose radiotherapy for painful osteoarthritis depending on the dose—results after 3 months’ follow-up
Authors: Niewald Marcus , Müller Lara Natalie , Hautmann Matthias G. , Dzierma Yvonne , Melchior Patrick , Gräber Stefan , Rübe Christian , Fleckenstein Jochen ,   working group “Benign diseases” of the DEGRO (German Society for Radiation Oncology)
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Randomized comparison of the effect of radiotherapy on painful osteoarthritis (OA) applying a standard-dose vs. a very-low-dose regime

Patients and methods

Patients with OA of the hand and knee joints were included. Further inclusion criteria: symptoms for more than 3 months, favorable general health status, age above 40 years. Patients with prior local radiotherapy, trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, or vascular diseases were excluded. After randomization (every joint was randomized separately), the following protocols were applied: standard arm: total dose 3.0 Gy, single fractions of 0.5 Gy twice weekly; experimental arm: total dose 0.3 Gy, single fractions of 0.05 Gy twice weekly. The dosage was not known to the patients. The patients were examined 3 and 12 months after radiotherapy. Scores like VAS (visual analogue scale), KOOS-SF (the knee injugy and osteoarthritis outcome score), SF-SACRAH (short form score for the assessment and quantification of chronic rheumatic affections of the hands), and SF-12 (short form 12) were used.

Results

A total of 64 knees and 172 hands were randomized. 3.0 Gy was applied to 87 hands and 34 knees, 0.3 Gy was given to 85 hands and 30 knees. After 3 months, we observed good pain relief after 3 Gy and after 0.3 Gy, there was no statistically significant difference. Side effects were not recorded. The trial was closed prematurely due to slow recruitment.

Conclusion

We found favorable pain relief and a limited response in the functional and quality of life scores in both arms. The effect of low doses such as 0.3 Gy on pain is widely unknown. Further trials are necessary to compare a conventional dose to placebo and to further explore the effect of low doses on inflammatory disorders.
The value of brachytherapy in the age of advanced external beam radiotherapy: a review of the literature in terms of dosimetry
Authors: Major Tibor , Fröhlich Georgina , Ágoston Péter , Polgár Csaba , Takácsi-Nagy Zoltán
Published: November 2021

Brachytherapy (BT) has long been used for successful treatment of various tumour entities, including prostate, breast and gynaecological cancer. However, particularly due to advances in modern external beam techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volume modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), there are concerns about its future. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this article aims to summarize the role of BT in cancer treatment and highlight its particular dosimetric advantages. The authors conclude that image-guided BT supported by inverse dose planning will successfully compete with high-tech EBRT in the future and continue to serve as a valuable modality for cancer treatment.
The birth of piRNAs: how mammalian piRNAs are produced, originated, and evolved
Authors: Sun Yu H. , Lee Brent , Li Xin Zhiguo
Published: November 2021

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), small noncoding RNAs 24–35 nucleotides long, are essential for animal fertility. They play critical roles in a range of functions, including transposable element suppression, gene expression regulation, imprinting, and viral defense. In mammals, piRNAs are the most abundant small RNAs in adult testes and the only small RNAs that direct epigenetic modification of chromatin in the nucleus. The production of piRNAs is a complex process from transcription to post-transcription, requiring unique machinery often distinct from the biogenesis of other RNAs. In mice, piRNA biogenesis occurs in specialized subcellular locations, involves dynamic developmental regulation, and displays sexual dimorphism. Furthermore, the genomic loci and sequences of piRNAs evolve much more rapidly than most of the genomic regions. Understanding piRNA biogenesis should reveal novel RNA regulations recognizing and processing piRNA precursors and the forces driving the gain and loss of piRNAs during animal evolution. Such findings may provide the basis for the development of engineered piRNAs capable of modulating epigenetic regulation, thereby offering possible single-dose RNA therapy without changing the genomic DNA. In this review, we focus on the biogenesis of piRNAs in mammalian adult testes that are derived from long non-coding RNAs. Although piRNA biogenesis is believed to be evolutionarily conserved from fruit flies to humans, recent studies argue for the existence of diverse, mammalian-specific RNA-processing pathways that convert precursor RNAs into piRNAs, perhaps associated with the unique features of mammalian piRNAs or germ cell development. We end with the discussion of major questions in the field, including substrate recognition and the birth of new piRNAs.
An ABAQUS® plug-in for generating virtual data required for inverse analysis of unidirectional composites using artificial neural networks
Authors: Ismail Yaser , Wan Lei , Chen Jiayun , Ye Jianqiao , Yang Dongmin
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a robust ABAQUS® plug-in called Virtual Data Generator (VDGen) for generating virtual data for identifying the uncertain material properties in unidirectional lamina through artificial neural networks (ANNs). The plug-in supports the 3D finite element models of unit cells with square and hexagonal fibre arrays, uses Latin-Hypercube sampling methods and robustly imposes periodic boundary conditions. Using the data generated from the plug-in, ANN is demonstrated to explicitly and accurately parameterise the relationship between fibre mechanical properties and fibre/matrix interphase parameters at microscale and the mechanical properties of a UD lamina at macroscale. The plug-in tool is applicable to general unidirectional lamina and enables easy establishment of high-fidelity micromechanical finite element models with identified material properties.
Varicella zoster virus-induced neurological disease after COVID-19 vaccination: a retrospective monocentric study
Authors: Abu-Rumeileh Samir , Mayer Benjamin , Still Veronika , Tumani Hayrettin , Otto Markus , Senel Makbule
Published: November 2021

The description of every possible adverse effect or event related to vaccines is mandatory during the ongoing worldwide COVID-19 vaccination program. Although cases of cutaneous varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation after COVID-19 vaccination have been increasingly reported in literature and database sets, a description of VZV-induced neurological disease (VZV-ND) is still lacking. In the present study, we retrospectively evaluated patients admitted to our clinic and diagnosed with VZV-ND during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign (January–April 2021) and in the same months in the previous two years. We identified three patients with VZV-ND after COVID-19 vaccination and 19 unvaccinated VZV-ND cases as controls. In the case–control analysis, the two groups showed no difference in clinical features, results of diagnostic investigations, and outcome. Thus, VZV reactivation with neurological involvement might be a possible event triggered by COVID-19 vaccination, but the benefit following COVID-19 vaccination overcomes significantly the potential risk associated with a VZV reactivation.
GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells for the treatment of refractory and/or recurrent neuroblastoma in pediatric patients
Authors: Yu Lihua , Huang Lulu , Lin Danna , Lai Xiaorong , Wu Li , Liao Xu , Liu Jiale , Zeng Yinghua , Liang Lichan , Zhang Guanmei , Wang Bin , Wu Zhu , Tao Shaohua , Liu Yuchen , Jiao Cheng , Chang Lung-Ji , Yang Lihua
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) disialoganglioside 2 (GD2)-specific (4SCAR-GD2) T cells for treatment of refractory and/or recurrent neuroblastoma (NB) in pediatric patients.

Experimental design

A phase I clinical study using 4SCAR-GD2 T cells for the treatment of NB in pediatric patients was conducted. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02765243). A lentiviral CAR with the signaling domains of CD28/4-1BB/CD3ζ-iCasp9 was transduced into activated T cells. The response to 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell treatment, and 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell expansion and persistence in patients were evaluated. Toxicities were determined based on the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03.

Results

Twelve patients were enrolled and finally ten patients were included in this clinical trial which started from January 1, 2016, to August 1, 2017. These patients had progressive disease (PD) before CAR T-cell infusion. After 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell treatment, 6 (6/10) had stable disease (SD) at 6 months, and 4 (4/10) remained SD at 1 year and alive after 3–4 years of follow-up. Six patients died due to disease progression by the end of July 1, 2020. The median overall survival (OS) time was 25 months (95% CI, 0.00–59.43), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 8 months (95% CI, 0.25–15.75). Grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicities were the common adverse events frequently occurred after fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (Flu/cy) chemotherapy. Grade 1–2 toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neuropathic pain were common, but were transient and mild.

Conclusions

The 4SCAR-GD2 T-cell therapy demonstrated antitumor effect and manageable toxicities, indicating its potential to benefit children with refractory and/or recurrent NB.
Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration via choledochotomy with primary closure for the management of acute cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones
Authors: Wang Yanjun , Huang Youbao , Shi Chunfeng , Wang Linpei , Liu Shengwei , Zhang Jiawei , Wang Wei
Published: November 2021

Background

T-tube drainage after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has been demonstrated to be safe and effective for patients with acute cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones (CBDSs). The outcomes after LCBDE with primary closure in patients with CBDS-related acute cholangitis are unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LCBDE with primary closure for the management of acute cholangitis caused by CBDSs.

Methods

Between June 2015 and June 2020, 368 consecutive patients with choledocholithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) + LCBDE in our department, were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 193 patients with CBDS-related acute cholangitis underwent LC + LCBDE with primary closure of the CBD (PC group) and 62 patients underwent LC + LCBDE followed by T-tube placement (T-tube group). A total of 113 patients who did not have cholangitis were excluded. The clinical data were compared and analyzed.

Results

There was no mortality in either group. No significant differences were noted in morbidity, bile leakage rate, retained CBD stones, or readmission rate within 30 days between the two groups. Compared with the T-tube group, the PC group avoided T-tube-related complications and had a shorter operative time (121.12 min vs. 143.37 min) and length of postoperative hospital stay (6.59 days vs. 8.81 days). Moreover, the hospital expenses in the PC group were significantly lower than those in the T-tube group ($4844.47 vs. $5717.22). No biliary stricture occurred during a median follow-up of 18 months in any patient. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the rate of stone recurrence.

Conclusions

LCBDE with primary closure is a safe and effective treatment for cholangitis caused by CBDSs. LCBDE with primary closure is not inferior to T-tube drainage for the management of CBDS-related acute cholangitis in suitable patients.
Importance of environmental factors on plantings of wild-simulated American Ginseng
Authors: Sheban Karam C. , Woodbury David J. , Duguid Marlyse C.
Published: November 2021

American ginseng (Panax quinquefoliusL.) is an herbaceous perennial plant native to the forests of eastern North America with a long history of use and harvest, and with a significant international market. To supply international demand, the plant is grown in the USA and Canada under artificial shade cloth. However, wild and wild-appearing ginseng roots command prices up to 100 times greater than roots cultivated in a field: $550–2200 (US$ dry kg) vs. $20–70 (US$ dry kg). Growing ginseng in a forested environment using a “wild-simulated” forest farming approach, where growers introduce ginseng into a forested environment and then let it grow with little to no intervention, allows forest farmers to access these higher prices and meet international demand. As climate change shifts growing conditions globally, there will be increasing opportunities for the forest farming of American ginseng internationally. In this study, we examined the main drivers of ginseng growth and development in a wild-simulated ginseng forest farm. We measured the range of environmental conditions and built statistical models to examine which factors were most important for ginseng vigor. We found that the amount of sunlight, even under highly shaded conditions, was the most important driver of ginseng establishment on the landscape, as well as ginseng plant size and development. Prior research indicates that additional factors including soil nutrient levels, moisture, and texture are important for the survival, growth, and development of wild and planted American ginseng, but our study did not show significant patterns of importance at this site. Our findings suggest that integrating silvicultural techniques such as forest thinning may enhance the productivity of wild-simulated ginseng operations while providing additional forest-based income with minimal impact on natural forest ecosystems.
A Scoping Review of Associations Between Cannabis Use and Anxiety in Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Stiles-Shields Colleen , Archer Joseph , Zhang Jim , Burnside Amanda , Draxler Janel , Potthoff Lauren M. , Reyes Karen M. , Summersett Williams Faith , Westrick Jennifer , Karnik Niranjan S.
Published: November 2021

Cannabis and anxiety are both rising issues that impact young people. This review seeks to explore the association between anxiety and cannabis in adolescents and young adults (AYA). A database search was run retrospectively from July 2020 through calendar year 2013. Articles had to present outcomes examining cannabis use and symptoms of anxiety, be written in English, contain samples with ≥ 50% who are age 25 or younger, and be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Forty-seven studies were identified that examined the relationship between anxiety and cannabis use. Twenty-three studies found a positive association that greater anxiety among AYA was associated with greater cannabis use. In contrast, seven studies found a negative association that greater anxiety was related to less cannabis use. And finally, 17 studies found no clear association between anxiety and cannabis use. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between anxiety and cannabis use.
Development of a multiplex microsatellite marker set for the study of the solitary red mason bee, Osmia bicornis (Megachilidae)
Authors: Van Eeckhoven Jens , Horsburgh Gavin J. , Dawson Deborah A. , Mayer Kathryn , Bretman Amanda , Duncan Elizabeth J.
Published: November 2021

Background

Solitary bees, such as the red mason bee (Osmia bicornis), provide important ecosystem services including pollination. In the face of global declines of pollinator abundance, such haplodiploid Hymenopterans have a compounded extinction risk due to the potential for limited genetic diversity. In order to assess the genetic diversity of Osmia bicornis populations, we developed microsatellite markers and characterised them in two populations.

Methods and results

Microsatellite sequences were mined from the recently published Osmia bicornis genome, which was assembled from DNA extracted from a single male bee originating from the United Kingdom. Sequences were identified that contained dinucleotide, trinucleotide, and tetranucleotide repeat regions. Seventeen polymorphic microsatellite markers were designed and tested, sixteen of which were developed into four multiplex PCR sets to facilitate cheap, fast and efficient genotyping and were characterised in unrelated females from Germany (n = 19) and England (n = 14).

Conclusions

The microsatellite markers are highly informative, with a combined exclusion probability of 0.997 (first parent), which will enable studies of genetic structure and diversity to inform conservation efforts in this bee.
A Battle in the Statistics Wars: a simulation-based comparison of Bayesian, Frequentist and Williamsonian methodologies
Authors: Radzvilas Mantas , Peden William , De Pretis Francesco
Published: November 2021

The debates between Bayesian, frequentist, and other methodologies of statistics have tended to focus on conceptual justifications, sociological arguments, or mathematical proofs of their long run properties. Both Bayesian statistics and frequentist (“classical”) statistics have strong cases on these grounds. In this article, we instead approach the debates in the “Statistics Wars” from a largely unexplored angle: simulations of different methodologies’ performance in the short to medium run. We used Big Data methods to conduct a large number of simulations using a straightforward decision problem based around tossing a coin with unknown bias and then placing bets. In this simulation, we programmed four players, inspired by Bayesian statistics, frequentist statistics, Jon Williamson’s version of Objective Bayesianism, and a player who simply extrapolates from observed frequencies to general frequencies. The last player served a benchmark function: any worthwhile statistical methodology should at least match the performance of simplistic induction. We focused on the performance of these methodologies in guiding the players towards good decisions. Unlike an earlier simulation study of this type, we found no systematic difference in performance between the Bayesian and frequentist players, provided the Bayesian used a flat prior and the frequentist used a low confidence level. The Williamsonian player was also able to perform well given a low confidence level. However, the frequentist and Williamsonian players performed poorly with high confidence levels, while the Bayesian was surprisingly harmed by biased priors. Our study indicates that all three methodologies should be taken seriously by philosophers and practitioners of statistics.
Imagining one experience to be another
Authors: Nanay Bence
Published: November 2021

I can imagine a banana to be a phone receiver. I can also imagine the flapping of my arms to be flying. So it is possible to imagine one thing to be another—at least for some types of ‘things’. I will argue that although it is possible to imagine an object to be another object and it is also possible to imagine an activity to be a different activity, one cannot imagine one’s present sensory experience to be a different sensory experience with different qualitative character. This claim will have some important consequences beyond the philosophy of imagination, for example, for some accounts of depiction.
Generics: some (non) specifics
Authors: Bosse Anne
Published: November 2021

This paper is about an underappreciated aspect of generics: their non-specificity. Many uses of generics, utterances like ‘Seagulls swoop down to steal food’, express non-specific generalisations which do not specify their quantificational force or flavour. I consider whether this non-specificity arises as a by-product of context-sensitivity or semantic incompleteness but argue instead that generics semantically express non-specific generalisations by default as a result of quantifying existentially over more specific ones.
Causality and determination revisited
Authors: Ometto Dawa
Published: November 2021

It seems to be a platitude that there must be a close connection between causality and the laws of nature: the laws somehow cover in general what happens in each specific case of causation. But so-called singularists disagree, and it is often thought that the locus classicus for that kind of dissent is Anscombe's famous Causality & Determination. Moreover, it is often thought that Anscombe's rejection of determinism is premised on singularism. In this paper, I show that this is a mistake: Anscombe is not a singularist, but in fact only objects to a very specific, Humean understanding of the generality of laws of nature and their importance to causality. I argue that Anscombe provides us with the contours of a radically different understanding of the generality of the laws, which I suggest can be fruitfully developed in terms of recently popular dispositional accounts. And as I will show, it is this account of laws of nature (and not singularism) that allows for the possibility of indeterminism.
Scoring model to predict risk of chronic kidney disease in Chinese health screening examinees with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Cao Xia , Yang Binfang , Zhou Jiansong
Published: November 2021

Purpose

As health screening continues to increase in China, there is an opportunity to integrate a large number of demographic as well as subjective and objective clinical data into risk prediction modeling. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a prediction model for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Chinese health screening examinees with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study consisting of 2051 Chinese T2DM patients between 35 and 78 years old who were enrolled in the XY3CKD Follow-up Program between 2009 and 2010. All participants were randomly assigned into a derivation set or a validation set at a 2:1 ratio. Cox proportional hazards regression model was selected for the analysis of risk factors for the development of the proposed risk model of CKD. We established a prediction model with a scoring system following the steps proposed by the Framingham Heart Study.

Results

The mean follow-up was 8.52 years, with a total of 315 (23.20%) and 189 (27.27%) incident CKD cases in the derivation set and validation set, respectively. We identified the following risk factors: age, gender, body mass index, duration of type 2 diabetes, variation of fasting blood glucose, stroke, and hypertension. The points were summed to obtain individual scores (from 0 to 15). The areas under the curve of 3-, 5- and 10-year CKD risks were 0.843, 0.799 and 0.780 in the derivation set and 0.871, 0.803 and 0.785 in the validation set, respectively.

Conclusions

The proposed scoring system is a promising tool for further application of assisting Chinese medical staff for early prevention of T2DM complications among health screening examinees.
Slag Properties in the Primary Production Process of Mn-Ferroalloys
Authors: Tangstad Merete , Bublik Sergey , Haghdani Shokouh , Einarsrud Kristian Etienne , Tang Kai
Published: November 2021

The thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the carbothermic reduction of MnO in the five-component slag, MnO-SiO2-CaO-MgO-Al2O3, is critical in the production process of Mn-ferroalloys. While the reduction rate is mainly dependent on the presence of a solid MnO phase in the slag for Mn-Fe-alloys, the rate for the Mn-Si-Fe alloys has two distinct steps, a slow step followed by a fast step. The extent of the slow step has been shown to be dependent on the S content in the slag. The thermo-physical properties of viscosity, density, interfacial tension and electrical resistivity is reviewed, and these properties are mainly determined by the total basicity.
Frail by different measures: a comparison of 8-year mortality in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)
Authors: Romero-Ortuno Roman , Hartley Peter , Kenny Rose Anne , O’Halloran Aisling M.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

We compared the ability of four frailty identification tools (frailty phenotype: FP; FRAIL scale; 32-item Frailty Index: FI; and Clinical Frailty Scale: CFS) to predict 8-year mortality in TILDA.

Methods

We included wave 1 (2010) participants with data for all four tools. Mortality was ascertained at wave 5 (2018). Age, sex and education-adjusted binary logistic regression models were computed.

Results

At baseline, there were 5700 participants (mean age 63, range 50–98, 54% women). Frailty prevalences were 2.3% by FRAIL, 3.8% by FP, 10.9% by CFS, and 12.8% by FI. Mortality was 41.2%, 44.9%, 25.3% and 27.0%, respectively. The highest adjusted OR for mortality was for FRAIL (OR 4.48, 95% CI 2.93–6.85, P < 0.001), followed by FP (OR 3.55, 95% CI 2.52–5.00, P < 0.001), FI (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.68–2.62, P < 0.001), and CFS (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.48–2.38, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

All tools significantly predicted mortality, but FRAIL and FP seemed more specific.
‘Driven Insane by Eddyism’: Christian Science, Popular Psychopathology, and a Turn-of-the-Century Contest over Faith and Madness
Authors: Prince Alexandra
Published: November 2021

At the turn of the twentieth century, Christian Scientists contended with ongoing allegations that their faith was more of a mental pathology than a religion. This article analyzes how the Church of Christ, Scientist, in particular its public relations branch the Committee on Publication, systematically contended with popular portrayals of Christian Science as a source or indicator of insanity. Two highly profiled court cases, both predicated on the purported insanity of a Christian Science woman and her attendant inability to manage her business affairs, are explored for their cultural effect on the promotion of the causal association between Christian Science and madness. This study employs newspaper clippings collected and archived by the Church's Committee on Publication as well as court records to argue for the salience of the insanity charge in shaping the early history of Christian Science and its public perception. As a religious tradition premised on divine healing and health, popular psychopathological interpretations of Christian Science were particularly subversive and functioned not only to discredit and undermine the religion's claims to healing but to forward societal fears that Christian Science study posed a unique threat to women's health. This examination draws attention to a dynamic historical exchange between the press and a new religious movement, as well as the polyvalent gendered presumptions embedded in popular charges of insanity in association with religion.
Neuropsychological differences between treatment-resistant and treatment-responsive schizophrenia: a meta-analysis
Authors: Millgate Edward , Hide Olga , Lawrie Stephen M , Murray Robin M , MacCabe James H , Kravariti Eugenia
Published: November 2021

Antipsychotic treatment resistance affects up to a third of individuals with schizophrenia. Of those affected, 70–84% are reported to be treatment resistant from the outset. This raises the possibility that the neurobiological mechanisms of treatment resistance emerge before the onset of psychosis and have a neurodevelopmental origin. Neuropsychological investigations can offer important insights into the nature, origin and pathophysiology of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), but methodological limitations in a still emergent field of research have obscured the neuropsychological discriminability of TRS. We report on the first systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate neuropsychological differences between TRS patients and treatment-responsive controls across 17 published studies (1864 participants). Five meta-analyses were performed in relation to (1) executive function, (2) general cognitive function, (3) attention, working memory and processing speed, (4) verbal memory and learning, and (5) visual−spatial memory and learning. Small-to-moderate effect sizes emerged for all domains. Similarly to previous comparisons between unselected, drug-naïve and first-episode schizophrenia samples v. healthy controls in the literature, the largest effect size was observed in verbal memory and learning [dl = −0.53; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.29 to −0.76; z = 4.42; p < 0.001]. A sub-analysis of language-related functions, extracted from across the primary domains, yielded a comparable effect size (dl = −0.53, 95% CI −0.82 to −0.23; z = 3.45; p < 0.001). Manipulating our sampling strategy to include or exclude samples selected for clozapine response did not affect the pattern of findings. Our findings are discussed in relation to possible aetiological contributions to TRS.
Q2DW‐Tide and ‐Ionosphere Interactions as Observed From ICON and Ground‐Based Radars
Authors: Forbes Jeffrey M. , Heelis Roderick , Zhang Xiaoli , Englert Christoph R. , Harding Brian J. , He Maosheng , Chau Jorge L. , Stoneback Russell , Harlander John M. , Marr Kenneth D. , Makela Jonathan J. , Immel Thomas J.
Published: November 2021

A quasi‐2‐day wave (Q2DW) event during January‐February, 2020, is investigated in terms of its propagation from 96 to 250 km as a function of latitude (10°S to 30°N), its nonlinear interactions with migrating tides to produce 16 and 9.6‐h secondary waves (SWs), and the plasma drift and density perturbations that it produces in the topside F‐region (590–607 km) between magnetic latitudes 18°S and 18°N. This is accomplished through analysis of coincident Ionospheric Connections Explorer (ICON) measurements of neutral winds, plasma drifts and ion densities, and wind measurements from four low‐latitude (±15°) specular meteor radars (SMRs). The Q2DW westward‐propagating components that existed during this period consist of zonal wavenumberss = 2 ands = 3, that is, Q2DW+2 and Q2DW+3 (e.g., He, Chau et al., 2021,https://doi.org/10.1029/93jd00380). SWs in the ICON measurements are inferred from Q2DW+2 and Q2DW+3 characteristics derived from traditional longitude‐UT fits that potentially contain aliasing contributions from SWs (“apparent” Q2DWs), from fits to space‐based zonal wavenumbers that each reflect the aggregate signature of either Q2DW+2 or Q2DW+3 and its SWs combined (“effective” Q2DWs), and based on information contained in published numerical simulations. The total Q2DW ionospheric responses consists of F‐region field‐aligned and meridional drifts of order ±25 ms−1and ±5–7 ms−1, respectively, and total ion density perturbations of order (±10%–25%). It is shown that the SWs can sometimes make substantial contributions to the Q2DW winds, drifts, and plasma densities.
Biogeography of the large intestinal mucosal and luminal microbiome in cynomolgus macaques with depressive-like behavior
Authors: Teng Teng , Clarke Gerard , Maes Michael , Jiang Yuanliang , Wang Jun , Li Xuemei , Yin Bangmin , Xiang Yajie , Fan Li , Liu Xueer , Wang Jie , Liu Shouhuan , Huang Yunqing , Licinio Julio , Zhou Xinyu , Xie Peng
Published: November 2021

Most previous studies in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) focused on fecal samples, which limit the identification of the gut mucosal and luminal microbiome in depression. Here, we address this knowledge gap. Male cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were randomly assigned to a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) group, or to an unstressed control group. Behavioral tests were completed in both groups. At endpoint, microbe composition of paired mucosal and luminal samples from cecum, ascending, transverse, and descending colons were determined by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. The levels of 34 metabolites involved in carbohydrate or energy metabolism in luminal samples were measured by targeted metabolomics profiling. CUMS macaques demonstrated significantly more depressive-like behaviors than controls. We found differences in mucosal and luminal microbial composition between the two groups, which were characterized by Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes at the phylum level, as well as Prevotellaceae and Lachnospiraceae at the family level. The majority of discriminative microbes correlated with the depressive-like behavioral phenotype. In addition, we found 27 significantly different microbiome community functions between the two groups in mucosa, and one in lumen, which were mainly involved in carbohydrate and energy metabolism. A total of nine metabolites involved in these pathways were depleted in CUMS animals. Together, CUMS macaques with depressive-like behaviors associated with distinct alterations of covarying microbiota, carbohydrate and energy metabolism in mucosa and lumen. Further studies should focus on the mucosal and luminal microbiome to provide a deeper spatiotemporal perspective of microbial alterations in the pathogenesis of MDD.
A draft genome, resequencing, and metabolomes reveal the genetic background and molecular basis of the nutritional and medicinal properties of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl)
Authors: Wang Yunsheng
Published: November 2021

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a popular fruit and medicinal plant. Here, a high-quality draft genome of theE. japonica‘Big Five-pointed Star’ cultivar that covers ~98% (733.32 Mb) of the estimated genome size (749.25 Mb) and contains a total of 45,492 protein-coding genes is reported. Comparative genomic analysis suggests that the loquat genome has evolved a unique genetic mechanism of chromosome repair. Resequencing data from 52 loquat cultivars, including 16 white-fleshed and 36 yellow-fleshed variants, were analyzed, and the flower, leaf, and root metabolomes of ‘Big Five-pointed Star’ were determined using a UPLC-ESI-MS/M system. A genome-wide association study identified several candidate genes associated with flesh color inE. japonica, linking these phenotypes to sugar metabolism. A total of 577 metabolites, including 98 phenolic acids, 95 flavonoids, and 28 terpenoids, were found, and 191 metabolites, including 46 phenolic acids, 33 flavonoids, and 7 terpenoids, showed no differences in concentration among the leaves, roots, and flowers. Candidate genes related to the biosynthesis of various medicinal ingredients, such as phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides, were identified. Some of these genes were confirmed to be members of expanding gene families, suggesting that the high concentrations of beneficial metabolites in loquat may be associated with the number of biosynthetic genes in this plant. In summary, this study provides fundamental molecular insights into the nutritional and medical properties ofE. japonica.
Influence of coffee brewing methods on the chromatographic and spectroscopic profiles, antioxidant and sensory properties
Authors: Stanek Natalia , Zarębska Magdalena , Biłos Łukasz , Barabosz Krzysztof , Nowakowska-Bogdan Ewa , Semeniuk Izabela , Błaszkiewicz Justyna , Kulesza Renata , Matejuk Rafał , Szkutnik Krzysztof
Published: November 2021

Cold brewing coffee has gained increasing popularity as a novel brewing method. A completely different flavour profile during cold brewing extraction (smooth and mild) is a result of the low-energy process, prolonged water-grind contact times and long preparation time. The aim of our research was to compare coffee drinks obtained with an innovative device for a faster, dynamic cold coffee extraction process (Hardtank) to drinks prepared traditionally in 24 h and hot brewed drinks. This study investigated the differences in chemical composition (volatile, non-volatile and lipid compounds), sensory properties and antioxidant capacity of coffee drinks from various extraction processes carried out at variable brewing temperatures, times and percolation modes. The results showed that the new cold maceration technique using coffee bed percolation (Hardtank) improved the quality of cold coffee drinks, making them similar in taste to hot coffee drinks. Among the studied extractions, the combination of a lower temperature (19.3 °C) and percolation process appeared to be the ideal setting for the most efficient extraction of compounds such as chlorogenic acids, gallic acid, caffeine, trigonelline, 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural and lipids and consequently for their intake. In addition, FTIR spectra indicated an even 4 times greater quantity of lipids in Hardtank drinks than in classic cold brew and up to 5 times more lipids than in hot brew coffee, which contribute to the formation of the aroma and flavour. The decreased extraction time and use of coffee bed percolation could be beneficial for the quality and taste of cold brew products.
Efficient conversion of orbital Hall current to spin current for spin-orbit torque switching
Authors: Lee Soogil , Kang Min-Gu , Go Dongwook , Kim Dohyoung , Kang Jun-Ho , Lee Taekhyeon , Lee Geun-Hee , Kang Jaimin , Lee Nyun Jong , Mokrousov Yuriy , Kim Sanghoon , Kim Kab-Jin , Lee Kyung-Jin , Park Byong-Guk
Published: November 2021

Spin Hall effect, an electric generation of spin current, allows for efficient control of magnetization. Recent theory revealed that orbital Hall effect creates orbital current, which can be much larger than spin-Hall-induced spin current. However, orbital current cannot directly exert a torque on a ferromagnet, requiring a conversion process from orbital current to spin current. Here, we report two effective methods of the conversion through spin-orbit coupling engineering, which allows us to unambiguously demonstrate orbital-current-induced spin torque, or orbital Hall torque. We find that orbital Hall torque is greatly enhanced by introducing either a rare-earth ferromagnet Gd or a Pt interfacial layer with strong spin-orbit coupling in Cr/ferromagnet structures, indicating that the orbital current generated in Cr is efficiently converted into spin current in the Gd or Pt layer. Our results offer a pathway to utilize the orbital current to further enhance the magnetization switching efficiency in spin-orbit-torque-based spintronic devices.
Synthesis optimization of rich-urea carbon-dots and application in the determination of H2S in rich- and barren-liquids of desulphurizing solutions
Authors: Wen Rong , Li Qiao-Hui , Li Yong-Sheng , Luo Ya-Xiong , Zhao Xia , Gao Xiu-Feng
Published: November 2021

In the research of carbon dots (CDs) containing various nitrogen sources, it was first found that urea/citric acid-CDs showed a selective discolouration reaction with sulphide ions.
Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensors for dopamine and cholesterol: recent advances, challenges and strategies
Authors: Thakur Neha , Gupta Divyani , Mandal Debaprasad , Nagaiah Tharamani C.
Published: November 2021

Ultrasensitive dopamine and cholesterol detection necessitate critical analysis of challenges, advancements and probable strategies for real time applicability in point of care diagnostics. Here we summarized these for target analytes of interest.
Structural insights on Li+ doped P6̄ crystals of upconverting NaYF4:Yb3+/M3+ (M3+ = Er3+ or Tm3+) through extensive synchrotron radiation-based X-ray probing
Authors: Verma Preeti , Sarkar Debasish , Rajput Parasmani , Singh Manvendra Narayan , Sharma Rajendra , Giri Supratim
Published: November 2021

Intensification of upconversion luminescence (UCL) from a single phase NIR-upconverting (UC) crystal due to perturbation of the local symmetry field may not always manifest through average structural attributes like lattice parameters.
Hydration and counterion binding of aqueous acetylcholine chloride and carbamoylcholine chloride
Authors: Friesen Sergej , Fedotova Marina V. , Kruchinin Sergey E. , Bešter-Rogač Marija , Podlipnik Črtomir , Buchner Richard
Published: November 2021

Weak hydration and weak counterion binding enable Janus behaviour of acetylcholine.
Advanced cobalt-free cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Chu Shiyong , Guo Shaohua , Zhou Haoshen
Published: November 2021

This review summarizes and discusses the advances, challenges, and construction strategies of high-performance cobalt-free cathodes for advanced SIBs.
Correction: Ni, Co hydroxide triggers electrocatalytic production of high-purity benzoic acid over 400 mA cm−2
Authors: Huang Hongling , Yu Chang , Han Xiaotong , Huang Huawei , Wei Qianbing , Guo Wei , Wang Zhao , Qiu Jieshan
Published: November 2021

Correction for ‘Ni, Co hydroxide triggers electrocatalytic production of high-purity benzoic acid over 400 mA cm−2’ by Hongling Huang et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2020, 13, 4990–4999, DOI: 10/1039/D0EE02607G.
Microfluidic technologies for nanoparticle formation
Authors: Tian Fei , Cai Lili , Liu Chao , Sun Jiashu
Published: November 2021

In this review, we summarize recent advances in mixing-, droplet-, and multiple field-based microfluidic reactors for fabrication of a variety of functional nanoparticles.
A microfluidic chip with a serpentine channel enabling high-throughput cell separation using surface acoustic waves
Authors: Ning Shupeng , Liu Shuchang , Xiao Yunjie , Zhang Guanyu , Cui Weiwei , Reed Mark
Published: November 2021

We demonstrate a label-free, high-throughput cell separation method via a SSAW-based acoustofluidic device with a serpentine channel for clinical diagnosis and point-of-care analysis.
Mitigating mass transport limitations: hierarchical nanoporous gold flow-through electrodes for electrochemical CO2 reduction
Authors: Qi Zhen , Hawks Steven A. , Horwood Corie , Biener Juergen , Biener Monika M.
Published: November 2021

A liquid phase flow-through hierarchical electrode is reported for electrochemical CO2 reduction where the CO2-to-CO Faraday efficiency increases with increasing flow rate and the conversion efficiency reaches a maximum of 25%.
Functionalized resorcinarenes effectively disrupt the aggregation of αA66-80 crystallin peptide related to cataracts
Authors: Twum Kwaku , Bhattacharjee Avik , Laryea Erving T. , Esposto Josephine , Omolloh George , Mortensen Shaelyn , Jaradi Maya , Stock Naomi L. , Schileru Nicholas , Elias Bianca , Pszenica Elan , McCormick Theresa M. , Martic Sanela , Beyeh Ngong Kodiah
Published: November 2021

Ionic resorcinarenes successfully disrupt the aggregation of αA66-80 crystallin peptide related to cataracts. The results show functionalized resorcinarenes as potential agents to reverse the aggregation of α-crystallin dominant in eye cataracts.
Texture Consumption Patterns of 8- to 12-Month-Old Infants: A Reflection of Typical Feeding Development
Authors: Delaney Amy L. , Van Hoorn Megan , Staskiewicz Sarah , Feuling Mary Beth , Pladies Stephanie , Bansal Naveen K. , Goday Praveen S.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The lack of age-appropriate expectations for the acquisition of feeding skills and consumption of textured food in early childhood inhibits early and accurate identification of developmental delay in feeding and pediatric feeding disorder. The objective of this study was to describe texture intake patterns in a cohort of typically developing infants between 8 and 12 months of age, with the aim of informing future research to establish targets for feeding skill acquisition.

Method

Using cross-sectional methodology, we studied the presence of liquid and solid textures and drinking methods in the diet, consumption patterns by texture and drinking methods, and caloric intake by texture via caregiver questionnaire and 3-day dietary intake record in 63 healthy infants between 8 and 12 months of age. Descriptive statistics and a one-way analysis of variance were conducted to compare the effect of age on texture intake patterns.

Results

Findings reveal rapid advancement of intake patterns for texture overall and for energy intake by texture between 8 and 12 months of age. Whereas liquids continue to provide a large proportion of total energy through this time, solids contribute an equal proportion of energy by 12 months of age.

Conclusions

This study describes texture intake patterns in a cohort of typically developing infants between 8 and 12 months of age by examining the presence of texture and drinking methods, liquid and solid consumption patterns, and energy intake by texture. When applied to data from a future population sample, findings will provide a threshold for age expectations for typical and disordered feeding development to aid in the detection of developmental delay in feeding and pediatric feeding disorder.

What Is Known:

Expectations regarding early feeding development have been focused on nutrition parameters.

Lack of standardized, age-appropriate expectations for texture progression in infancy and early childhood inhibits early and accurate identification and treatment of pediatric feeding disorder.

What Is New:

We have described changes in dietary composition by texture and drinking method in healthy infants.

Together with nutritional composition, this study describes a more comprehensive assessment of infant feeding, particularly to clinicians who need to diagnose feeding skill deficits.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16879615
Relationships Across Clinical Measures of Vocal Quality and Functioning and Their Relationship With Patient Perception
Authors: Houle Nichole , Johnson Aaron M.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among subjective auditory-perceptual ratings of vocal quality, objective acoustic and aerodynamic measures of vocal function, and patient-perceived severity of their vocal complaint.

Method

This study was a retrospective chart review of adult patients evaluated at a single outpatient center over a 1.5-year time period. Twenty-two clinical objective and subjective measures of voice were extracted from 676 charts (310 males, 366 females). To identify the underlying concepts addressed in an initial voice assessment, principal component analyses were conducted for males and females to account for sex differences. Linear regression models were conducted to examine the relationship between the principal components and patient perceived severity.

Results

Seven principal components were identified for both sexes and accounted for 75% and 71% of the variance in the clinical measures, respectively. Of these seven principal components, only two predicted male patient perceived severity, which accounted for 22% of the variance. In contrast, four principal components predicted female patient perceived severity of their voice disorder and accounted for 19% of the variance.

Conclusions

The results highlight the underlying aspects of vocal quality and functioning that are evaluated during an initial assessment. Male and female patients differ in which of these components may contribute self-perceived severity of a voice disorder. Identifying these underlying components may support clinical decision making when developing a clinical protocol and highlights the overlap between patient concerns and clinical measures.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16879603
Angular-radial integrability of Coulomb-like potentials in Dirac equations
Authors: Fabbri Luca , Campos Andre G.
Published: November 2021

We consider the Dirac equation, written in polar formalism, in the presence of general Coulomb-like potentials, that is, potentials arising from the time component of the vector potential and depending only on the radial coordinate, in order to study the conditions of integrability, given as some specific form for the solution: we find that the angular dependence can always be integrated, while the radial dependence is reduced to finding the solution of a Riccati equation so that it is always possible, at least in principle. We exhibit the known case of the Coulomb potential and one special generalization as examples to show the versatility of the method.
An index for two-dimensional SPT states
Authors: Sopenko Nikita
Published: November 2021

We define an index for 2D G-invariant invertible states of bosonic lattice systems in the thermodynamic limit for a finite symmetry group G with a unitary action. We show that this index is an invariant of the symmetry protected phase.