bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of multi-omics data to inform genomic prediction of heifer fertility traits
Authors: Tahir Muhammad S , Porto-Neto Laercio R , Reverter-Gomez Toni , Olasege Babatunde S , Sajid Mirza R , Wockner Kimberley B , Tan Andre W L , Fortes Marina R S
Published: October 2022

Biologically informed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) impact genomic prediction accuracy of the target traits. Our previous genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics work identified candidate genes related to puberty and fertility in Brahman heifers. We aimed to test this biological information for capturing heritability and predicting heifer fertility traits in another breed i.e., Tropical Composite. The SNP from the identified genes including 10 kilobases (kb) region on either side were selected as biologically informed SNP set. The SNP from the rest of the Bos taurus genes including 10-kb region on either side were selected as biologically uninformed SNP set. Bovine high-density (HD) complete SNP set (628,323 SNP) was used as a control. Two populations—Tropical Composites (N = 1331) and Brahman (N = 2310)—had records for three traits: pregnancy after first mating season (PREG1, binary), first conception score (FCS, score 1 to 3), and rebreeding score (REB, score 1 to 3.5). Using the best linear unbiased prediction method, effectiveness of each SNP set to predict the traits was tested in two scenarios: a 5-fold cross-validation within Tropical Composites using biological information from Brahman studies, and application of prediction equations from one breed to the other. The accuracy of prediction was calculated as the correlation between genomic estimated breeding values and adjusted phenotypes. Results show that biologically informed SNP set estimated heritabilities not significantly better than the control HD complete SNP set in Tropical Composites; however, it captured all the observed genetic variance in PREG1 and FCS when modeled together with the biologically uninformed SNP set. In 5-fold cross-validation within Tropical Composites, the biologically informed SNP set performed marginally better (statistically insignificant) in terms of prediction accuracies (PREG1: 0.20, FCS: 0.13, and REB: 0.12) as compared to HD complete SNP set (PREG1: 0.17, FCS: 0.10, and REB: 0.11), and biologically uninformed SNP set (PREG1: 0.16, FCS: 0.10, and REB: 0.11). Across-breed use of prediction equations still remained a challenge: accuracies by all SNP sets dropped to around zero for all traits. The performance of biologically informed SNP was not significantly better than other sets in Tropical Composites. However, results indicate that biological information obtained from Brahman was successful to predict the fertility traits in Tropical Composite population.
Breast Cancer Among Transgender and Nonbinary Patients: Paradigms for Improving Data Collection and Inclusion in Breast Imaging Settings
Authors: Ly David , Hoyt Anne C , Weimer Amy , Chang Emery H , Capiro Nina , Xie Christine , Chow Lucy
Published: October 2022

Breast cancer incidence among transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) individuals is not well characterized owing to the absence of robust data collection among this patient population. Consequently, breast cancer risks are largely unknown, and screening guidelines are not based on robust evidence. Additionally, TGNB patients experience barriers to access health care. A first step in improving data collection, research, and ultimately care of TGNB individuals is the identification of group members and demonstration to patients that our breast imaging centers are champions of LGBTQ+ health. At our institution, patients who present for breast imaging complete an iPad-administered breast imaging history and breast cancer risk assessment survey. Using the modified Tyrer-Cuzick model, the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is estimated, and additional key history that may impact breast care and future breast imaging is collected. Under the previous clinic workflow, patients are identified as either “male” or “female” and complete a corresponding gender-specific survey. To improve care, we revised the survey using gender-inclusive language and developed four versions to allow patients to separately self-report their sex assigned at birth and gender identity. Relevant queries relating to hormone use and gender-affirming chest/breast surgery that are concordant with six gender-identity groups were added. Long-term collection of these inclusive data by imaging centers has the potential to enhance the data set available to improve breast care and better understand breast cancer risk and outcomes among TGNB populations.
Occurrence of the Sylvatic Yellow Fever Vector Mosquito Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Diptera: Culicidae) in an Atlantic Forest Fragment of the Touristic State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Silva Shayenne Olsson Freitas , de Mello Cecilia Ferreira , Érico Guimarães Anthony , José Leite Paulo , Alencar Jeronimo
Published: October 2022

The yellow fever virus is estimated to cause 30,000 deaths each year worldwide, with the majority of cases and deaths occurring in Africa. The virus is also endemic to Central and South America, including northern and western Brazil. The sylvatic cycle of the virus is related to wild and rural areas, with nonhuman primates as the primary host and wild mosquitoes, specifically from the genera Haemagogus, as vectors. The diversity of the mosquito community plays a significant role in the increase of pathogen transmission to humans. In the present study, we detected fluctuation in populations of vector mosquitoes using ovitraps for Culicidae egg collection. The study area is a forest fragment of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in Brazil. This biome has been suffering significant deforestation due to anthropic activity. Worryingly, the proximity of human populations to forest environments increases the risk of spreading disease from forest fragments to urban areas. Our findings showed that the highest egg abundance occurred in December 2019, with a significant difference (p = 0.005) between rainy and dry seasons. Most eggs were collected during the rainy period. Subsequent quantification of specimens from epidemiologically relevant species hatched from field-collected eggs resulted in 1,131 (86%) Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Dyar & Shannon, 1924), 111 (8%) Aedes terrens (Walker, 1856), 47 (4%) Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894), and 21 (2%) Haemagogus janthinomys (Dyar, 1921). Finally, we assessed the behavior of different vector species performing oviposition on the same breeding site. The highest correlation coefficient was observed between Ae. albopictus and Ae. terrens (rho = 0.52) concerning other Culicidae species. Therefore, we believe that Culicidae population surveillance is crucial for disease monitoring since the increase in specimens of a number of vector species influences the emergence of yellow fever cases in nonhuman primates and human populations.
Climbing the Velvet Drainpipe: Class Background and Career Progression within the UK Civil Service
Authors: Friedman Sam
Published: October 2022

Although the theory of representative bureaucracy originates from concerns about the class composition of the public sector workforce, questions of class background have been notably absent in subsequent scholarship. In this article, I take advantage of new data on the class backgrounds of UK civil servants (N = 308, 566) to, first, explore descriptively how class shapes the composition of the civil service, both vertically in terms of occupational grade and horizontally in terms of department, location, and profession. I show that those from working-class backgrounds are not only under-represented in the Civil Service as a whole but also this skew is particularly acute in propulsive departments like the Treasury, locations like London and in the Senior Civil Service. This initial descriptive analysis then acts as the staging point for the central qualitative component of my analysis, drawing on 104 in-depth interviews across 4 case-study departments. Here, I identify three unwritten rules of career progression that tend to act as barriers for those from working-class backgrounds; access to accelerator jobs; organizational ambiguity in promotion processes; and sorting into operational (versus policy) tracks that have progression bottlenecks. This analysis highlights the need for more work on class representation, as well as underlining how representative bureaucracy may be impeded by patterns of horizontal as well as vertical segregation, particularly in work areas that have an outsized influence on policy design.
How can Mexican migrants reduce the risk of being abandoned by smugglers while clandestinely crossing the US–Mexico border?
Authors: Hernández Campos Carlos , Torre Cantalapiedra Eduardo
Published: October 2022

This article analyzes the abandonments of Mexican migrants by their smugglers while crossing clandestinely the US–Mexico border. Drawing on the Emif-Norte survey, we examine the diversity of forms of abandonments and their adverse impacts to migrants while crossing the border; we discuss the agency capacity of migrants to anticipate and control the migration process in order to manage the risks of clandestine travel; and we use a logistic regression model to analyze the role played by the selection of the smuggler and the physical fitness of migrants in the risk of migrants to be abandoned by smugglers. Our findings suggest the presence of migrants with profiles vulnerable to abandonment (i.e. women, not having previous migration experience to the USA, hiring smugglers in border towns, or paying low smuggler fees), and preventive and protective strategies to reduce such risk (i.e. hiring smugglers in the place of origin, physical training prior to the journey or traveling accompanied by family members and friends), which are within the reach of some migrants more than others.
Promoting Military Women’s Health Through Research Design
Authors: Iobst Stacey E , Best Natasha , Smith Denise C , Phillips Major Angela K , Wilson Candy , Trego Lori
Published: October 2022

Although active duty women (ADW) represent over 17% of the total U.S. Armed Forces, there are few evidence-based guidelines to promote the health of women who serve in contemporary military roles. The existing body of evidence does not support guideline development because much of the evidence is not generalizable to ADW. The authors of this commentary recently conducted seven scoping reviews of the literature relevant to ADW’s health and healthcare. While completing the literature reviews, it was noted that a substantial proportion of military studies either do not include ADW as research participants or fail to examine findings according to sex and/or active duty status. The authors of this commentary outline a rigorous, step-by-step approach to research design in which ADW are accounted for at every stage of the process. Furthermore, this team of authors identifies opportunities for key stakeholders to provide oversight of the research process to ensure rigorous methodology that includes ADW. Implementing these strategies is critical to building the evidence on which to support the health and healthcare of ADW, who represent a substantial and growing component of the U.S. Military. Optimizing the health of this population is critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of our U.S. Armed Forces.
The multiwavelength afterglow emission of magnetar giant flare-like event GRB 200415A
Authors: Li Hua-Yang , He Hao-Ning , Wei Da-Ming , Jin Zhi-Ping
Published: October 2022

Giant flares are the brightest and rarest outbursts from magnetars, with isotropic energies of 1044–1046 erg. GRB 200415A is suggested as a magnetar giant flare from NGC 253. Fermi Large Area Telescope detected the GeV afterglow emission from the flare, which is the first time that the GeV emission is detected from a giant flare. In this paper, we study the multiwavelength afterglow radiation of electrons accelerated by the forward and reverse shocks, produced via interactions between the ejecta and the circumburst medium in the afterglow phase of GRB 200415A. We found that in the GeV band, the forward shock emission is usually higher than the reverse shock emission, and can explain observations well, while in the optical and infrared bands, contributions from the forward and reverse shocks can be comparable for reasonable parameter sets, and the brightness of the forward-shock emission can reach 20 mag (AB). We predict that future telescopes such as Wide Field Survey Telescope, Chinese Space Station Telescope, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, and James Webb Space Telescope can detect the optical and infrared afterglow emission from giant flares similar to GRB 200415A. In addition, we consider two cases where the ejecta are dominated by protons or electron–positron pairs. We find that the reverse shock emission is comparable in these two cases for a hard electron spectrum, while for a soft electron spectrum, the reverse shock emission is much weaker in the pair-dominating case..
Inner third-body perturbations including the inclination and eccentricity of the perturbing body
Authors: Cinelli Marco
Published: October 2022

In the field of the orbital perturbations dealt with an approach based on the mean orbital elements theory, the outer third-body gravitational attraction has been widely investigated. On the contrary, since it represents a less common case in the Solar system, the inner third-body perturbation has only recently been considered. The aim of this paper is to provide a more rigorous formulation of the inner third-body perturbation using a double-averaged analytical model. The disturbing potential function of the inner third-body is expanded in Legendre polynomials up to the second order. Afterwards, it is averaged first with respect to the orbital period of the disturbing body and then with respect to the orbital period of the probe. This procedure eliminates the short periodic motion terms. By applying to the double-averaged disturbing potential, the Lagrange planetary equations, the equations which describe the long-term and the secular variations of the classical orbital elements have been obtained: they present an analogy with those related to the planetary oblateness. Lastly, several cases of inner third-body perturbation in the Solar system are discussed, with the conclusion that this is a disturbance of relevance for binary asteroidal systems.
Global accretion properties of black hole X-ray binaries: A phenomenological perspective
Authors: Jana Arghajit
Published: October 2022

Black hole X-ray binaries (BHXBs) show rich phenomenology in the spectral and timing properties. We collected the spectral data of 20 BHXBs from the literature across different spectral states. The spectral properties are studied in the forms of the inner disc temperature (Tin), photon index (Γ), hot electron temperature (kTe), X-ray flux (FX), and luminosity (LX). We studied various correlations among different spectral parameters to understand the accretion process on a global scale. In the thermal soft states (TSS), we find most of the sources followed $F_{\rm disc} \propto T_{\rm in}^4$ relation. A ‘V’-shaped correlation is found between Γ and total luminosity (Ltot) in the hard Comptonized state (HCS). The Comptonized luminosity is observed to be correlated with the disc luminosity in the HCS and TSS. No notable correlation is observed in the intermediate state (IMS). The evolution of the inner disc radius (Rin) is unclear in the HCS and IMS. We also discuss how the hot electron temperature changes with other spectral parameters. We observe that the iron line flux correlates with disc and Comptonized fluxes. The strength of the reprocessed emission is found to vary across spectral states.
Establishing the accuracy of asteroseismic mass and radius estimates of giant stars – II. Revised stellar masses and radii for KIC 8430105
Authors: Thomsen J S , Brogaard K , Arentoft T , Slumstrup D , Lund M N , Grundahl F , Miglio A , Jessen-Hansen J , Frandsen S
Published: October 2022

Asteroseismic scaling relations can provide high-precision measurements of mass and radius for red giant (RG) stars displaying solar-like oscillations. Their accuracy can be validated and potentially improved using independent and accurate observations of mass, radius, effective temperature and metallicity. We seek to achieve this using long period SB2 eclipsing binaries hosting oscillating RGs. We explore KIC 8430105, for which a previous study found significant asteroseismic overestimation of mass and radius when compared with eclipsing binary measurements. We measured dynamical masses and radii for both components to be significantly lower than previously established, increasing the discrepancy between asteroseismic and dynamical measurements. Our dynamical measurements of the RG component were compared to corresponding measurements of mass and radius using asteroseismic scaling relations. Uncorrected scaling relations overestimated the mass of the RG by $26{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, the radius by $11{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, and the average density by $7{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, in agreement with studies for other systems. However, using a theoretical correction to Δν, we managed to obtain an asteroseismic average density that is 1σ consistent with our dynamical result. We obtained several measurements of νmax that are not fully consistent. With νmax = 76.78 ± 0.81 $\mu$Hz, the Δν correction provided 2σ consistent mass and radius for the giant. The age of the system was estimated to be 3.7 ± 0.4 Gyr.
Constraints on compact dark matter from lensing of gravitational waves for the third-generation gravitational wave detector
Authors: Zhou Huan , Li Zhengxiang , Liao Kai , Huang Zhiqi
Published: October 2022

Since the first gravitational wave (GW) event from binary black hole (BBH) was detected by LIGO-Virgo, GWs have become a useful probe on astrophysics and cosmology. If compact dark matter (DM) objects e.g. primordial black holes, contribute a significant fraction of DM at wide mass range, they will cause microlensing in the GW signals with long wavelengths that are distinct from the lensing effects of electromagnetic signals from astrophysical objects. In this paper, we apply the lensing effect of GW from BBH to derive constraints on the abundance of compact DM for the Cosmic Explorer, a third-generation ground-based GW detector. We first consider two channels of formation of BBH that contribute to low- and high-redshift GW sources, including the astrophysical origin BBH scenario, and the primordial origin BBH scenario. Secondly, comparing with the method of optical depth, we use the Bayesian analysis to derive constraints on the abundance of compact DM with different mass function of lens taken into consideration. For a null search with 1000 detected GW events of BBH, we find that the abundance of compact DM could be constrained to $\lesssim 0.1\,\mathrm{ per}\,\mathrm{ cent}$ in the mass range $\ge 500\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ at 68 per cent confidence level. In addition, if a GW event lensed by a compact DM object with $M_{\rm l}\in [100\, {\rm M}_{\odot },300\, {\rm M}_{\odot }]$ is detected in 100 detected GW events of BBH, we can derive that the estimation of the abundance of compact DM is from $2.3$ to $25.2$ per cent in this mass range with the Bayesian analysis.
Broad-band spectral analysis of Mrk 926 using multi-epoch X-ray observations
Authors: Chalise S , Lohfink A M , Chauhan J , Russell T D , Buisson D J K , Mallick L
Published: October 2022

The X-ray spectra of some active galactic nuclei (AGNs) show a soft X-ray excess, emission in excess to the extrapolated primary X-ray continuum below 2 keV. Recent studies have shown that this soft excess can be described well as originating from either a relativistic ionized reflection, the extreme blurring of the reprocessed emission from the innermost region of the accretion disc, or Comptonization from an optically thick and warm region called the ‘warm corona’, in which electron scattering is the dominant source of opacity. To constrain the origin of the soft excess in the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 926, we carry out a multi-epoch X-ray spectral study using observations from Suzaku (2009), XMM–Newton and NuSTAR (2016), and NuSTAR and Swift-XRT (2021). The broad-band X-ray spectra of Mrk 926 contains a thermally Comptonized primary continuum, a variable soft excess, and distant reflection. We find that in Mrk 926 as in so many sources, it is difficult to make a definite statement as to what is causing the observed soft excess. A warm coronal-like component is slightly preferred by the data but a reflection origin is also possible. Using archival radio data, we detect an optically thin radio component in our broad-band study of Mrk 926. While this component is consistent with an optically thin radio jet, future multiwavelength observations including high spatial resolution radio observations at multiple frequencies are required to probe the origin of the radio emission in more detail.
Magnetic field evolution in cosmic filaments with LOFAR data
Authors: Carretti E , O’Sullivan S P , Vacca V , Vazza F , Gheller C , Vernstrom T , Bonafede A
Published: October 2022

Measuring the magnetic field in cosmic filaments reveals how the Universe is magnetized and the process that magnetized it. Using the Rotation Measures (RM) at 144 MHz from the LoTSS DR2 data, we analyse the rms of the RM extragalactic component as a function of redshift to investigate the evolution with redshift of the magnetic field in filaments. From previous results, we find that the extragalactic term of the RM rms at 144 MHz is dominated by the contribution from filaments (more than 90 per cent). Including an error term to account for the minor contribution local to the sources, we fit the data with a model of the physical filament magnetic field, evolving as $B_f = B_{f,0}\, (1+z)^\alpha$ and with a density drawn from cosmological simulations of five magnetogenesis scenarios. We find that the best-fitting slope is in the range α = [ − 0.2, 0.1] with uncertainty of σα = 0.4–0.5, which is consistent with no evolution. The comoving field decreases with redshift with a slope of γ = α − 2 = [ − 2.2, −1.9]. The mean field strength at z = 0 is in the range Bf, 0 = 39–84 nG. For a typical filament gas overdensity of δg = 10 the filament field strength at z = 0 is in the range $B_{f,0}^{10}=8$–26 nG. A primordial stochastic magnetic field model with initial comoving field of BMpc = 0.04–0.11 nG is favoured. The primordial uniform field model is rejected.
Flat-topped NIR profiles originating from an unmixed helium shell in the Type IIb SN 2020acat
Authors: Medler K , Mazzali P A , Ashall C , Teffs J , Shahbandeh M , Shappee B
Published: October 2022

The Near Infrared (NIR) spectra of the Type IIb supernova (SN IIb) SN 2020acat, obtained at various times throughout the optical follow-up campaign, are presented here. The dominant He i 1.0830 and 2.0581 $\mu$m features are seen to develop flat-topped P-Cygni profiles as the NIR spectra evolve towards the nebular phase. The nature of the NIR helium peaks imply that there was a lack of mixing between the helium shell and the heavier inner ejecta in SN 2020acat. Analysis of the flat-top features showed that the boundary of the lower velocity of the helium shell was ∼3 − 4 × 103 km s−1. The NIR spectra of SN 2020acat were compared to both SN 2008ax and SN 2011dh to determine the uniqueness of the flat-topped helium features. While SN 2011dh lacked a flat-topped NIR helium profile, SN 2008ax displayed NIR helium features that were very similar to those seen in SN 2020acat, suggesting that the flat-topped feature is not unique to SN 2020acat and may be the product of the progenitors structure.
Exploiting radiation immunostimulatory effects to improve glioblastoma outcome
Authors: Awada Hala , Paris François , Pecqueur Claire
Published: October 2022

Cancer treatment protocols depend on tumor type, localization, grade, and patient. Despite aggressive treatments, median survival of patients with Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary brain tumor in adults, does not exceed 18 months, and all patients eventually relapse. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed.

Radiotherapy (RT) induces a multitude of alterations within the tumor ecosystem, ultimately modifying the degree of tumor immunogenicity at GBM relapse. The present manuscript reviews the diverse effects of RT radiotherapy on tumors, with a special focus on its immunomodulatory impact to finally discuss how RT could be exploited in GBM treatment through immunotherapy targeting. Indeed, while further experimental and clinical studies are definitively required to successfully translate preclinical results in clinical trials, current studies highlight the therapeutic potential of immunotherapy to uncover novel avenues to fight GBM.
Lifestyle coaching is feasible in fatigued brain tumor patients: A phase I/feasibility, multi-center, mixed-methods randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rooney Alasdair G , Hewins William , Walker Amie , Mackinnon Mairi , Withington Lisa , Robson Sara , Torrens Claire , Hopcroft Lisa E M , Clark Antony , Anderson Garry , Bulbeck Helen , Dunlop Joanna , Welsh Michelle , Dyson Aimee , Emerson Julie , Cochrane Carol , Hill Robert , Carruthers Jade , Day Julia , Gillespie David , Hewitt Christopher , Molinari Emanuela , Wells Mary , McBain Catherine , Chalmers Anthony J , Grant Robin
Published: October 2022

Background

There are no effective treatments for brain tumor-related fatigue. We studied the feasibility of two novel lifestyle coaching interventions in fatigued brain tumor patients.

Methods

This phase I/feasibility multi-center RCT recruited patients with a clinically stable primary brain tumor and significant fatigue (mean Brief Fatigue Inventory [BFI] score ≥ 4/10). Participants were randomized in a 1–1–1 allocation ratio to: Control (usual care); Health Coaching (“HC”, an eight-week program targeting lifestyle behaviors); or HC plus Activation Coaching (“HC + AC”, further targeting self-efficacy). The primary outcome was feasibility of recruitment and retention. Secondary outcomes were intervention acceptability, which was evaluated via qualitative interview, and safety. Exploratory quantitative outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), post-interventions (T1, 10 weeks), and endpoint (T2, 16 weeks).

Results

n = 46 fatigued brain tumor patients (T0 BFI mean = 6.8/10) were recruited and 34 were retained to endpoint, establishing feasibility. Engagement with interventions was sustained over time. Qualitative interviews (n = 21) suggested that coaching interventions were broadly acceptable, although mediated by participant outlook and prior lifestyle. Coaching led to significant improvements in fatigue (improvement in BFI versus control at T1: HC=2.2 points [95% CI 0.6, 3.8], HC + AC = 1.8 [0.1, 3.4], Cohen’s d [HC] = 1.9; improvement in FACIT-Fatigue: HC = 4.8 points [−3.7, 13.3]; HC + AC = 12 [3.5, 20.5], d [HC and AC] = 0.9). Coaching also improved depressive and mental health outcomes. Modeling suggested a potential limiting effect of higher baseline depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Lifestyle coaching interventions are feasible to deliver to fatigued brain tumor patients. They were manageable, acceptable, and safe, with preliminary evidence of benefit on fatigue and mental health outcomes. Larger trials of efficacy are justified.
A unified superatomic-molecule theory for local aromaticity in π-conjugated systems
Authors: Li Dan , Yang Jinlong , Cheng Longjiu
Published: October 2022

Aromaticity is one of the most important concepts in chemistry. However, there is still no unified chemical insight for various systems with conjugated sp2 carbon. Herein, we proposed a superatomic-molecule theory to build a generalized electron rule for polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons, fullerenes and 2D periodic materials. Taking benzenoid units as 2D superatoms, polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons and C60 can be seen as superatomic molecules consisting of bonded superatoms, resulting in local aromaticity. In superatomic molecules, π electrons are not totally delocalized, but localized in a single superatom forming superatomic lone pairs or shared by two atoms forming a superatomic bond, mimicking rules in classical valence bond theory. Moreover, two 2D superatomic crystals (C18H6 and C54H18) are predicted to have fairly large band gaps (∼1.8 eV), although the π electrons are conjugated and delocalized. The proposed superatomic-molecule theory provides generalized chemical insights into the nature of local aromaticity, which can be qualitatively evaluated by the chemical intuition given by superatomic Lewis structures.
Challenges and opportunities for engineering thermochemistry in carbon-neutralization technologies
Authors: Xu Guangwen , Bai Dingrong , Xu Chunming , He Mingyuan
Published: October 2022

Engineering thermochemistry is the science and technology that studies, innovates, and engineers heat-induced or heat-driven thermochemical reactions and can potentially lead to reductions of five-plus billion tons of CO2 emissions effectively and economically.
Trends in Education-Related Smoking Disparities Among U.S. Black or African American and White Adults: Intersections of Race, Sex, and Region
Authors: Choi Kelvin , Jones Jamal T , Ruybal Andrea L , McNeel Timothy S , Duarte Danielle A , Webb Hooper Monica
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Despite its overall decline in the United States, trends in cigarette smoking could vary by intersection with demographic characteristics. We explored trends in education-related disparities in current smoking among U.S. adults by race (Black or African American and White), sex, and U.S. census region.

Aims and Methods

Data were from U.S. civilian non-institutionalized adults (aged ≥18 years) who self-identified as Black or African American and White and participated in the 1995–2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. We estimated average annual percent changes in current cigarette smoking by the intersections of race, sex, census region, and educational attainment. We calculated educated-related prevalence differences in current cigarette smoking by subtracting the prevalence of bachelor’s degrees from that of <high school in 1995–1996 and 2018–2019, then examined their variations by the intersection of sex, race, and region. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to test education*survey year interactions across sexes, races, and regions.

Results

Education-related disparities in current cigarette smoking increased over time, especially among Black or African American male (PD1995–1996 = 22.8%; PD2018–2019 = 27.2%) and female adults (PD1995–1996 = 12.1%; PD2018–2019 = 16.5%). By region, Black or African American male adults in the Midwest showed the largest increase in education-related current cigarette smoking disparities, followed by Black or African American male and female adults in the South, and White male and female adults in the Midwest. These findings were because of small to no declines in the prevalence of current cigarette smoking among those with <high school education.

Conclusion and Relevance

The gap in the prevalence of current cigarette smoking by education widened over time, especially among Black or African American adults in certain regions.

Implications

Despite the decline in the prevalence of current cigarette smoking in the U.S. population overall, such public health gain may not benefit all individuals equally. Using the data from a U.S. representative serial cross-sectional survey study during 1995–2019, we found that disparities in current cigarette smoking prevalence between those with <high school versus bachelor’s degree education widened especially among Black or African American adults. Future research to investigate the barriers to progress among Black or African American adults with <high school education could inform interventions to reduce racial and education-related cigarette smoking disparities.
Association between dietary patterns and depression: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and intervention trials
Authors: Gianfredi Vincenza , Dinu Monica , Nucci Daniele , Eussen Simone J P M , Amerio Andrea , Schram Miranda T , Schaper Nicolaas , Odone Anna
Published: October 2022

Context

Depression is the most common causes of disease burden worldwide (GBD 2017 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2018;392:1789–1858).

Objective

An umbrella review has been performed to assess the strength and validity of the available observational and trial evidence for the association between a variety of dietary patterns and depression.

Data Sources

MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Database were searched.

Data Extraction

The Joanna Briggs Institute Umbrella Review Methodology was used.

Data Analysis

The review included 19 articles, covering a relatively wide range of dietary patterns: healthy dietary patterns (n = 8), Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) (n = 6), Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) (n = 5), Western diet (n = 4), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) (n = 2), vegetarian diets (n = 4), and other dietary interventions (n = 2). The methodological quality of the included meta-analyses was generally low or critically low. The strength of the evidence was generally weak, although convincing or suggestive evidence was found for an inverse relationship between MedDiet/DII and depression. Higher adherence to the MedDiet and lower DII score were significantly associated with lower risk of depression.

Conclusion

Considering the generally high heterogeneity and low quality of the available evidence, further studies adopting more coherent and uniform methodologies are needed.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020223376.
Reducing Repeat Blood Cultures in Febrile Neutropenia: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Robinson Evan D , Keng Michael K , Thomas Tanya D , Cox Heather L , Park Stacy C , Mathers Amy J
Published: October 2022

Background

Limited data exist to guide blood culture ordering in persistent febrile neutropenia (FN), resulting in substantial variation in practice. Unnecessary repeat blood cultures have been associated with patient harm including increased antimicrobial exposure, hospital length of stay, catheter removal, and overall cost.

Methods

We conducted a single-center study of adult hematology-oncology patients with ≥3 days of FN. The yield of blood cultures was first evaluated in a 2-year historical cohort. Additionally, a pilot pre-/postintervention study was performed in non–stem cell transplant (SCT) patients following a change in our population clinical practice guideline from a recommendation of daily blood cultures to a clinically guided approach. The primary outcome was cultures collected per days of FN after day 3 of persistent FN.

Results

One hundred forty-six episodes of ≥3 days of FN in 108 patients were identified during the historical period. Day 1 blood cultures were positive in 23 of 146 (16%) episodes. Blood cultures were drawn on 374 of 513 (73%) subsequent episode-days (day 2–12) and were negative in 366 of 374 (98%). After the intervention, a 53% decrease was observed in the rate of total blood cultures collected (1.4 preintervention vs 0.7 postintervention; P = .03). Blood cultures obtained after 48 hours rarely yielded clinically significant organisms.

Conclusions

Repeat blood cultures are low-yield in persistent FN without new clinical change. A pilot intervention in non-SCT patients successfully reduced the frequency of blood culture collection.
The Role of Systemic Therapy in Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sonbol Mohamad Bassam , Siddiqi Rabbia , Uson Pedro Luiz Serrano , Pathak Surabhi , Firwana Belal , Botrus Gehan , Almader-Douglas Diana , Ahn Daniel H , Borad Mitesh J , Starr Jason , Jones Jeremy , Stucky Chee-Chee , Smoot Rory , Riaz Irbaz Bin , Bekaii-Saab Tanios
Published: October 2022

Background

Despite multiple randomized trials, the role of perioperative chemotherapy in colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) is still under debate. In this systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA), we aim to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative systemic therapies for patients with CRLM.

Methods

We searched various databases for abstracts and full-text articles published from database inception through May 2021.We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the addition of perioperative (post, pre, or both) systemic therapies to surgery alone in patients with CRLM. The outcomes were compared according to the chemotherapy regimen using a random effects model. Outcomes of interest included disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Seven RCTs with a total of 1504 patients with CRLM were included. Six studies included post-operative treatment and one evaluated perioperative (pre- and postoperative) therapy. Fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy was the most used systemic therapy. NMA showed benefit of adding perioperative therapy to surgery in terms of DFS (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.84). However, these findings did not translate into a statistically significant OS benefit (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.05). NMA did not show any advantage of one regimen over another including oxaliplatin or irinotecan.

Conclusions

This systematic review and NMA of 7 RCTs found that the addition of perioperative systemic treatment for resectable CRLM could improve disease-free survival but not overall survival. Based on the findings, addition of perioperative treatment in resectable CRLM should be individualized weighing the risks and benefits.
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Immunogenicity in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer Receiving Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy
Authors: Lau David K , Aresu Maria , Planche Timothy , Tran Amina , Lazaro-Alcausi Retchel , Duncan Julie , Kidd Shannon , Cromarty Susan , Begum Ruwaida , Rana Isma , Li Su , Suwaidan Ali Abdulnabi , Monahan Irene , Clark David J , Eckersley Nicholas , Staines Henry M , Groppelli Elisabetta , Krishna Sanjeev , Mayora-Neto Martin , Temperton Nigel , Fribbens Charlotte , Watkins David , Starling Naureen , Chau Ian , Cunningham David , Rao Sheela
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers have an increased risk of serious complications and death from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The immunogenicity of vaccines in patients with GI cancers receiving anti-cancer therapies is unclear. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies in a cohort of GI cancer patients receiving chemotherapy following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Materials and Methods

Between September 2020 and April 2021, patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy were enrolled. At baseline (day 0), days 28, 56, and 84, we assessed serum antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike (anti-S) and anti-nucleocapsid (anti-NP) and concomitantly assessed virus neutralization using a pseudovirus neutralization assay. Patients received either the Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2, or the Oxford/AstraZeneca ChAdOx1 vaccine.

Results

All 152 patients enrolled had a prior diagnosis of cancer; colorectal (n = 80, 52.6%), oesophagogastric (n = 38, 25.0%), and hepato pancreatic biliary (n = 22, 12.5%). Nearly all were receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy (99.3%). Of the 51 patients who did not receive a vaccination prior to, or during the study, 5 patients had detectable anti-NP antibodies. Ninety-nine patients received at least one dose of vaccine prior to, or during the study. Within 19 days following the first dose of vaccine, 30.0% had anti-S detected in serum which increased to 70.2% at days 20-39. In the 19 days following a second dose, anti-S positivity was 84.2% (32/38). However, pseudovirus neutralization titers (pVNT80) decreased from days 20 to 39.

Conclusion

Despite the immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy, 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are able to elicit a protective immune response in patients’ ongoing treatment for gastrointestinal cancers. Decreases in pseudoviral neutralization were observed after 20-39 days, re-affirming the current recommendation for vaccine booster doses.

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT04427280.
The soft X-ray background with Suzaku. I. Milky Way halo
Authors: Ueda Masaki , Sugiyama Hayato , Kobayashi Shogo B , Fukushima Kotaro , Yamasaki Noriko Y , Sato Kosuke , Matsushita Kyoko
Published: October 2022

We present measurements of the soft X-ray background emission for 130 Suzaku observations at 75° < l < 285° and |b| > 15° obtained from 2005 to 2015, covering nearly one solar cycle. In addition to the standard soft X-ray background model consisting of the local hot bubble and the Milky Way Halo (MWH), we include a hot collisional-ionization-equilibrium component with a temperature of ∼0.8 keV to reproduce spectra of a significant fraction of the lines of sight. Then, the scatter in the relation between the emission measure vs. temperature of the MWH component is reduced. Here, we exclude time ranges with high count rates to minimize the effect of the solar wind charge exchange (SWCX). However, the spectra of almost the same lines of sight are inconsistent. The heliospheric SWCX emissions likely contaminate and give a bias in measurements of temperature and the emission measure of the MWH. Excluding the data around the solar maximum and using the data taken before the end of 2009, at |b| > 35° and 105° < l < 255°, the temperature (0.22 keV) and emission measure (2 × 10−3 cm−6 pc) of the MWH are fairly uniform. The increase of the emission measure toward the lower Galactic latitude at |b| < 35° indicates the presence of a disk-like morphology component. A composite model which consists of disk-like and spherical-morphology components also reproduces the observed emission measure distribution of MWH. In this case, the hydrostatic mass at a few tens of kiloparsec from the Galactic center agrees with the gravitational mass of the Milky Way. The plasma with the virial temperature likely fills the Milky Way halo in nearly hydrostatic equilibrium. Assuming a gas metallicity of 0.3 solar, the upper limit of the gas mass of the spherical component out to 250 kpc, or the virial radius, is ∼ a few × 1010 M⊙.
Comparison of Polynucleotide, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Crosslinked Sodium Hyaluronate for the Management of Painful Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Study
Authors: Moon Jee Youn , Kim Jeongsoo , Lee Jin Young , Ko Youngkwon , Park Hue Jung , Jeon Young Hoon
Published: October 2022

Objective

To compare the clinical effectiveness of sodium polynucleotide, classic hyaluronic acid, and crosslinked hyaluronic acid for the management of painful knee osteoarthritis.

Design

Randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial.

Setting

Multicenter study.

Subjects

Patients with chronic painful knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

Ninety patients were selected and randomized into polynucleotide, classic hyaluronic acid, and crosslinked hyaluronic acid groups (30 per group). Intra-articular injections of the viscosupplement for each group were administered to the patients three times at one-week intervals. The primary outcome was differences in changes of weight-bearing pain scores at 16 weeks between the groups. The secondary outcomes were changes in the intensity of knee pain during weight-bearing, walking, and rest, and functional disability, quality of life, and adverse events during the 16-week follow-up period.

Results

At 16 weeks, the polynucleotide group showed a higher reduction in pain score using a Visual Analog Scale score (0–100) than the classic hyaluronic acid (−17.6 [95% CI = −35.1 to −0.1]; P = .048) and crosslinked hyaluronic acid (−22.4 [95% CI = −41.5 to −3.3]; P = .016) groups. The polynucleotide and crosslinked hyaluronic acid groups showed an early-onset reduction in knee pain during weight-bearing, walking, and rest. All three groups showed reductions in functional disability and improved quality of life at 16 weeks without inter-group differences. No severe adverse events were reported throughout the study period.

Conclusion

Polynucleotide significantly relieves pain more and relieves pain faster in patients with knee osteoarthritis than classic and crosslinked hyaluronic acid, with improved health-related quality of life.
The lifetime of charged dust in the atmosphere
Authors: Méndez Harper Joshua , Harvey Dana , Huang Tianshu , McGrath Jake , Meer David , Burton Justin C
Published: October 2022

Wind-blown dust plays a critical role in numerous geophysical and biological systems, yet current models fail to explain the transport of coarse-mode particles (>5 μm) to great distances from their sources. For particles larger than a few microns, electrostatic effects have been invoked to account for longer-than-predicted atmospheric residence times. Although much effort has focused on elucidating the charging processes, comparatively little effort has been expended understanding the stability of charge on particles once electrified. Overall, electrostatic-driven transport requires that charge remain present on particles for days to weeks. Here, we present a set of experiments designed to explore the longevity of electrostatic charge on levitated airborne particles after a single charging event. Using an acoustic levitator, we measured the charge on particles of different material compositions suspended in atmospheric conditions for long periods of time. In dry environments, the total charge on particles decayed in over 1 week. The decay timescale decreased to days in humid environments. These results were independent of particle material and charge polarity. However, exposure to UV radiation could both increase and decrease the decay time depending on polarity. Our work suggests that the rate of charge decay on airborne particles is solely determined by ion capture from the air. Furthermore, using a one-dimensional sedimentation model, we predict that atmospheric dust of order 10 μm will experience the largest change in residence time due to electrostatic forces.
The strings of the ‘golden straitjacket’: sovereign ratings and the welfare state in developed countries
Authors: Johnston Alison , Barta Zsófia
Published: October 2022

Do sovereign ratings influence social spending in developed countries? Ratings are highly publicized and fiscally consequential assessments of countries’ creditworthiness shown to penalize welfare-largesse. We hypothesize that downgrades induce governments to retrench social spending, and test this hypothesis via panel-analyses of 23 OECD countries between 1995 and 2019. Our event-study shows that downgrades are associated with spending reductions, but upgrades have no effect. Our error-correction models demonstrate that, since the global financial crisis, spending on social services and transfers is reduced after downgrades, with reductions in social transfers occurring over the longer run. Reductions are particularly pronounced in country-years with high public debt and social–democratic executives but are independent of elections. We conclude that ratings became a binding constraint on social spending since the crisis drove home developed countries’ fallibility in international debt markets.