bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Similar Environmental Conditions are Associated with Walleye and Yellow Perch Recruitment Success in Wisconsin Lakes
Authors: Brandt Ethan J. , Feiner Zachary S. , Latzka Alexander W. , Isermann Daniel A.
Published: January 2022

Since the mid-2000s, recruitment of Walleye Sander vitreus in some northern Wisconsin lakes has declined, potentially because of climate-induced changes in lake environments. Yellow Perch Perca flavescens is also an ecologically and culturally important fish species in this region, but mechanisms driving Yellow Perch recruitment are unclear because of a lack of targeted sampling. Previous studies have suggested that recruitment of these two species may be regulated by similar factors, and observed declines in Walleye recruitment may be cause for concern about Yellow Perch recruitment. Our objectives were to determine if abiotic factors related to recruitment success were similar between Walleye and Yellow Perch populations in northern Wisconsin lakes and if the probability of successful Walleye recruitment was related to estimates of juvenile Yellow Perch abundance before Walleye recruitment declines were observed. We addressed these objectives using historical data from Wisconsin lakes. Random forest analysis incorporating lake-specific averages of predictor variables indicated that winter conditions (duration or severity), growing degree days, variation in spring temperatures, peak summer temperature, and Secchi depth were important predictors of recruitment success for both species. Logistic regression indicated that before Walleye recruitment declines were observed on some lakes (2000–2006), Walleye recruitment success was related to relative abundance of juvenile Yellow Perch in mini-fyke-net sampling. Our results indicate that landscape-level patterns in recruitment success for the two species are likely similar and additional research to understand Yellow Perch recruitment trends is warranted. Better information on Yellow Perch recruitment could contribute to a better understanding of Walleye recruitment trends as declines in Yellow Perch could influence prey availability and survival of age-0 Walleye. Furthermore, potential declines in Yellow Perch could lead to changes in the numbers and size of Yellow Perch caught by anglers, which may have implications for harvest management.
The relations of inattention and hyperactivity to academic cheating in adolescents with executive functioning problems
Authors: Anderman Eric M. , Gilman Richard , Liu Xingfeiyue , Ha Seung Yon
Published: January 2022

We examine the relationships of executive functioning problems (EFP) to academic cheating in a sample of 855 adolescents. Participants completed assessments of inattention, hyperactivity, and depression using the BASC‐2, as well as peer‐reports of externalizing behavior. After controlling for known predictors of cheating (e.g., demographics and depression), multiple regression analyses indicated that inattention emerged as a predictor of greater cheating behaviors (R2 = 0.20). We also found that the positive relation between inattention and cheating was mediated by hyperactivity.
Vertical GaN and Vertical Ga2O3Power Transistors: Status and Challenges
Authors: Gupta Chirag , Pasayat Shubhra S.
Published: January 2022

Wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) are rapidly making inroads into the power semiconductor markets dominated by the incumbent silicon (Si). However, the performance of these WBG semiconductors has not reached the ideal material limits and thus, leaves significant room for improvement. In this regard, for medium voltage (600–1700 V)/high current (>50 A) applications, with a high Baliga figure of merit (BFOM) and architectural advantages, vertical GaN offers a highly energy‐efficient solution. Similarly, for high‐voltage applications (>1700 V), ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors with their high BFOM present a strong case. Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) has emerged as the UWBG material for next‐generation power electronics. Together vertical GaN and vertical Ga2O3have the potential to serve a large range of power switching applications. These technologies are both at different junctures and face different challenges to become commercially viable. Herein, a comprehensive review of all major vertical GaN and Ga2O3power transistors is provided while discussing their features, advantages, and challenges that need to be solved. Finally, the critical material and device advancements that are needed to push these technologies further are also discussed.
Photoelectric Generation Coefficient of B‐Gallium Oxide during Exposure to High‐Energy Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Goodman Kevin , McHenry Sam , Titus Jeff , Cooper Robert , Ghadi Hemant , Ringel Steve , Nomoto Kazuki , Li Wenshen , Bossev Dobrin P. , Jena Debdeep , Xing Huili Grace , Gadlage Matthew J. , Halstead Matthew R.
Published: January 2022

For utilization in environments where radiation causes concern, a material's photogeneration coefficient proves essential for device designers. To extract this parameter for gallium oxide, which exhibits higher breakdown voltage characteristics compared with other commonly used semiconductor materials, making it desirable for high‐power applications, Schottky diodes receive high‐dose‐rate radiation from an electron linear accelerator. Monitoring photogenerated charge versus dose rate reveals a photogeneration coefficient of 2.4 × 1015 pairs (cm−3‐rad(Si)−1) for epitaxially grown β‐phase gallium oxide.
The Role of Magnetic Interaction on the Thermoelectric Performance of ZrNiSn Half‐Heusler Alloys
Authors: Johari Kishor Kumar , Bathula Sivaiah , Gahtori Bhasker
Published: January 2022

The half‐Heusler (HH)‐based materials are appealing for mid‐high temperature thermoelectric (TE) applications. Herein, the effect of Mn doping on the TE properties of ZrNiSn HH alloy is explored. The samples of ZrNi1−xMnxSn (x = 0.01–0.03) are prepared via the fast‐processing route comprising arc melting along with spark plasma sintering and then characterized for structural as well as TE properties. The Seebeck coefficient at room temperature with Mn doping is realized to be increased as a result of increased carrier effective mass, which might be due to the charge carrier–magnetic moment interaction. The improved power factor of ≈3.8 × 10−3 Wm−1 K−2 at ≈873 K is noticed for the composition ZrNi0.97Mn0.03Sn. The figure of merit is observed to be more or less unaltered with Mn concentration due to the simultaneously increased thermal conductivity.
Risk factors for depression and anxiety during COVID‐19 in Israel: A two‐wave study before and during the pandemic
Authors: Gilbar Ohad , Gelkopf Marc , Berger Rony , Greene Talya
Published: January 2022

Research indicates that mental health problems increased across the globe after the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, there is a need for research examining specific risk factors for mental health problems, while accounting for symptoms before the pandemic. This study examined risk factors for depression and anxiety symptoms among Israeli adults following the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Israel, above and beyond depression and anxiety symptoms reported 3 years before the pandemic. We performed a two‐wave 3‐year longitudinal study (W1 July–September 2017; W2 May–June 2020). The final sample included 578 participants who completed anxiety and depression self‐report questionnaires at both waves. The W2 assessment additionally included being considered high‐risk for COVID‐19, and measures regarding loneliness, perceived stress, and COVID‐19 worries. Both anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly higher at W2 during the pandemic. Worries related to COVID‐19, perceived stress, loneliness, and prior mental health symptoms predicted depression and anxiety in W2. Additionally, being younger was associated with W2 anxiety. The current study highlights risk factors for psychological distress in light of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Attention of clinicians and policy makers should be given to the important role of loneliness when screening and treating people during this pandemic.
Asymmetrical organization of oral structures in the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices in rats: An optical imaging study
Authors: Kirihara Yuki , Zama Manabu , Fujita Satoshi , Ogisawa Shouhei , Nishikubo Shuichi , Tonogi Morio , Kobayashi Masayuki
Published: January 2022

In rodents, the representation of the body surface in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) forms a mirror image along the ventral border of the S1 in the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2). Sensory information from the oral region is processed in the S1 and the border region between the S2 and insular oral region (IOR). We examined the relationship between somatosensory representations in the S1 and S2/IOR using optical imaging with a voltage‐sensitive dye in urethane‐anesthetized rats. In reference to the rhinal fissure and middle cerebral artery, we made a somatosensory map by applying electrical or air puff stimulation. The initial neural excitation in the S1 to facial structures, including the eyebrow, cornea, pinna, whisker pad, nasal tip, and nasal mucosa, spread toward the ventral area, putatively the S2. The initial cortical responses in the S1 to oral structures, including the lower lip, tongue, and teeth, were spatially separated from those in the S2/IOR. The representation of the tongue center, tongue tip, mandibular molar pulp, mandibular incisor pulp, and mandibular incisor periodontal ligament were almost linearly arranged from caudal to rostral in both S1 and S2/IOR. The lower lip was represented in the dorsal area from the representation of teeth and tongue in both S1 and S2/IOR. The representations of maxillary teeth were caudal and dorsal to the representations of mandibular teeth in the S1 and S2/IOR, respectively. These results suggest that the representation of oral structures in the S1 formed a non‐mirror image, not a mirror image, in the S2/IOR.
Scripting Analyses of Genomes in Ensembl Plants
Authors: Contreras-Moreira Bruno , Naamati Guy , Rosello Marc , Allen James E. , Hunt Sarah E. , Muffato Matthieu , Gall Astrid , Flicek Paul
Published: January 2022

Ensembl Plants (http://plants.ensembl.org) offers genome-scale information for plants, with four releases per year. As of release 47 (April 2020) it features 79 species and includes genome sequence, gene models, and functional annotation. Comparative analyses help reconstruct the evolutionary history of gene families, genomes, and components of polyploid genomes. Some species have gene expression baseline reports or variation across genotypes. While the data can be accessed through the Ensembl genome browser, here we review specifically how our plant genomes can be interrogated programmatically and the data downloaded in bulk. These access routes are generally consistent across Ensembl for other non-plant species, including plant pathogens, pests, and pollinators.
CyVerse for Reproducible Research: RNA-Seq Analysis
Authors: Williams Jason
Published: January 2022

Posing complex research questions poses complex reproducibility challenges. Datasets may need to be managed over long periods of time. Reliable and secure repositories are needed for data storage. Sharing big data requires advance planning and becomes complex when collaborators are spread across institutions and countries. Many complex analyses require the larger compute resources only provided by cloud and high-performance computing infrastructure. Finally at publication, funder and publisher requirements must be met for data availability and accessibility and computational reproducibility. For all of these reasons, cloud-based cyberinfrastructures are an important component for satisfying the needs of data-intensive research. Learning how to incorporate these technologies into your research skill set will allow you to work with data analysis challenges that are often beyond the resources of individual research institutions. One of the advantages of CyVerse is that there are many solutions for high-powered analyses that do not require knowledge of command line (i.e., Linux) computing. In this chapter we will highlight CyVerse capabilities by analyzing RNA-Seq data. The lessons learned will translate to doing RNA-Seq in other computing environments and will focus on how CyVerse infrastructure supports reproducibility goals (e.g., metadata management, containers), team science (e.g., data sharing features), and flexible computing environments (e.g., interactive computing, scaling).
The use of Bayesian methodology in the development and validation of a tiered assessment approach towards prediction of rat acute oral toxicity
Authors: Firman James W. , Cronin Mark T. D. , Rowe Philip H. , Semenova Elizaveta , Doe John E.
Published: January 2022

There exists consensus that the traditional means by which safety of chemicals is assessed—namely through reliance upon apical outcomes obtained following in vivo testing—is increasingly unfit for purpose. Whilst efforts in development of suitable alternatives continue, few have achieved levels of robustness required for regulatory acceptance. An array of “new approach methodologies” (NAM) for determining toxic effect, spanning in vitro and in silico spheres, have by now emerged. It has been suggested, intuitively, that combining data obtained from across these sources might serve to enhance overall confidence in derived judgment. This concept may be formalised in the “tiered assessment” approach, whereby evidence gathered through a sequential NAM testing strategy is exploited so to infer the properties of a compound of interest. Our intention has been to provide an illustration of how such a scheme might be developed and applied within a practical setting—adopting for this purpose the endpoint of rat acute oral lethality. Bayesian statistical inference is drawn upon to enable quantification of degree of confidence that a substance might ultimately belong to one of five LD50-associated toxicity categories. Informing this is evidence acquired both from existing in silico and in vitro resources, alongside a purposely-constructed random forest model and structural alert set. Results indicate that the combination of in silico methodologies provides moderately conservative estimations of hazard, conducive for application in safety assessment, and for which levels of certainty are defined. Accordingly, scope for potential extension of approach to further toxicological endpoints is demonstrated.
Analysis of recreational psychedelic substance use experiences classified by substance
Authors: Hase Adrian , Erdmann Max , Limbach Verena , Hasler Gregor
Published: January 2022

Rationale and objectives

Differences among psychedelic substances regarding their subjective experiences are clinically and scientifically interesting. Quantitative linguistic analysis is a powerful tool to examine such differences. This study compared five psychedelic substance report groups and a non-psychedelic report group on quantitative linguistic markers of psychological states and processes derived from recreational use-based online experience reports.

Methods

Using 2947 publicly available online reports, we compared Ayahuasca and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT, analyzed together), ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin (mushroom), and antidepressant drug use experiences. We examined word frequencies related to various psychological states and processes and semantic proximity to psychedelic and mystical experience scales.

Results

Linguistic markers of psychological function indicated distinct effect profiles. For example, MDMA experience reports featured an emotionally intensifying profile accompanied by many cognitive process words and dynamic-personal language. In contrast, Ayahuasca and DMT experience reports involved relatively little emotional language, few cognitive process words, increased analytical thinking-associated language, and the most semantic similarity with psychedelic and mystical experience descriptions. LSD, psilocybin mushroom, and ketamine reports showed only small differences on the emotion-, analytical thinking-, psychedelic, and mystical experience-related language outcomes. Antidepressant reports featured more negative emotional and cognitive process-related words, fewer positive emotional and analytical thinking-related words, and were generally not similar to mystical and psychedelic language.

Conclusion

This article addresses an existing research gap regarding the comparison of different psychedelic drugs on linguistic profiles of psychological states, processes, and experiences. The large sample of experience reports involving multiple psychedelic drugs provides valuable information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. The results could inform experimental research into psychedelic drug effects in healthy populations and clinical trials for psychedelic treatments of psychiatric problems.
Global surface features contribute to human haptic roughness estimations
Authors: Li Huazhi , Yang Jiajia , Yu Yinghua , Wang Wu , Liu Yulong , Zhou Mengni , Li Qingqing , Yang Jingjing , Shao Shiping , Takahashi Satoshi , Ejima Yoshimichi , Wu Jinglong
Published: January 2022

Previous studies have paid special attention to the relationship between local features (e.g., raised dots) and human roughness perception. However, the relationship between global features (e.g., curved surface) and haptic roughness perception is still unclear. In the present study, a series of roughness estimation experiments was performed to investigate how global features affect human roughness perception. In each experiment, participants were asked to estimate the roughness of a series of haptic stimuli that combined local features (raised dots) and global features (sinusoidal-like curves). Experiments were designed to reveal whether global features changed their haptic roughness estimation. Furthermore, the present study tested whether the exploration method (direct, indirect, and static) changed haptic roughness estimations and examined the contribution of global features to roughness estimations. The results showed that sinusoidal-like curved surfaces with small periods were perceived to be rougher than those with large periods, while the direction of finger movement and indirect exploration did not change this phenomenon. Furthermore, the influence of global features on roughness was modulated by local features, regardless of whether raised-dot surfaces or smooth surfaces were used. Taken together, these findings suggested that an object’s global features contribute to haptic roughness perceptions, while local features change the weight of the contribution that global features make to haptic roughness perceptions.
Pancreatic cancer survival prediction via inflammatory serum markers
Authors: Lanki Mira , Seppänen Hanna , Mustonen Harri , Salmiheimo Aino , Stenman Ulf-Håkan , Salmi Marko , Jalkanen Sirpa , Haglund Caj
Published: January 2022

Background

For prognostic evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the only well-established serum marker is carbohydrate antigen CA19-9. To improve the accuracy of survival prediction, we tested the efficacy of inflammatory serum markers.

Methods

A preoperative serum panel comprising 48 cytokines plus high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) was analyzed in 173 stage I–III PDAC patients. Analysis of the effect of serum markers on survival utilized the Cox regression model, with the most promising cytokines chosen with the aid of the lasso method. We formed a reference model comprising age, gender, tumor stage, adjuvant chemotherapy status, and CA19-9 level. Our prognostic study model incorporated these data plus hs-CRP and the cytokines. We constructed time-dependent ROC curves and calculated an integrated time-averaged area under the curve (iAUC) for both models from 1 to 10 years after surgery.

Results

Hs-CRP and the cytokines CTACK, MIF, IL-1β, IL-3, GRO-α, M-CSF, and SCF, were our choices for the prognostic study model, in which the iAUC was 0.837 (95% CI 0.796–0.902), compared to the reference model’s 0.759 (95% CI 0.691–0.836, NS). These models divided the patients into two groups based on the maximum value of Youden’s index at 7.5 years. In our study model, 60th percentile survival times were 4.5 (95% CI 3.7–NA) years (predicted high-survival group, n = 34) and 1.3 (95% CI 1.0–1.7) years (predicted low-survival group, n = 128), log rank p < 0.001. By the reference model, the 60th percentile survival times were 2.8 (95% CI 2.1–4.4) years (predicted high-survival group, n = 44) and 1.3 (95% CI 1.0–1.7) years (predicted low-survival group, n = 118), log rank p < 0.001.

Conclusion

Hs-CRP and the seven cytokines added to the reference model including CA19-9 are potential prognostic factors for improved survival prediction for PDAC patients.
Global tree-ring response and inferred climate variation following the mid-thirteenth century Samalas eruption
Authors: Büntgen Ulf , Smith Sylvie Hodgson , Wagner Sebastian , Krusic Paul , Esper Jan , Piermattei Alma , Crivellaro Alan , Reinig Frederick , Tegel Willy , Kirdyanov Alexander , Trnka Mirek , Oppenheimer Clive
Published: January 2022

The largest explosive volcanic eruption of the Common Era in terms of estimated sulphur yield to the stratosphere was identified in glaciochemical records 40 years ago, and dates to the mid-thirteenth century. Despite eventual attribution to the Samalas (Rinjani) volcano in Indonesia, the eruption date remains uncertain, and the climate response only partially understood. Seeking a more global perspective on summer surface temperature and hydroclimate change following the eruption, we present an analysis of 249 tree-ring chronologies spanning the thirteenth century and representing all continents except Antarctica. Of the 170 predominantly temperature sensitive high-frequency chronologies, the earliest hints of boreal summer cooling are the growth depressions found at sites in the western US and Canada in 1257 CE. If this response is a result of Samalas, it would be consistent with an eruption window of circa May–July 1257 CE. More widespread summer cooling across the mid-latitudes of North America and Eurasia is pronounced in 1258, while records from Scandinavia and Siberia reveal peak cooling in 1259. In contrast to the marked post-Samalas temperature response at high-elevation sites in the Northern Hemisphere, no strong hydroclimatic anomalies emerge from the 79 precipitation-sensitive chronologies. Although our findings remain spatially biased towards the western US and central Europe, and growth-climate response patterns are not always dominated by a single meteorological factor, this study offers a global proxy framework for the evaluation of paleoclimate model simulations.
Amino acid intake and plasma concentrations and their interplay with gut microbiota in vegans and omnivores in Germany
Authors: Dietrich Stefan , Trefflich Iris , Ueland Per Magne , Menzel Juliane , Penczynski Katharina J. , Abraham Klaus , Weikert Cornelia
Published: January 2022

Purpose

It has been estimated that most vegans meet the total protein requirements, but whether this is also true for individual essential amino acids (AAs) is unclear. Furthermore, a shift in protein intake is suggested to alter microbiota composition, but this association is unknown in terms of veganism or individual AAs. This cross-sectional study compared vegans and omnivores regarding dietary intake and plasma concentration of AAs. The prevalence of insufficient intake of essential AAs among vegans was determined using estimated average requirements (EAR) of WHO. Moreover, correlations between AAs intake and gut microbiota were investigated.

Methods

Data of 36 vegans and 36 omnivores (30–60 years) were analysed. AA intake, AA plasma concentrations and gut microbiota were ascertained by three-day weighed food protocols, gas/liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA sequencing, respectively.

Results

At almost the same energy intake, the intake of 9 AAs in vegans was significantly lower than in omnivores, with median differences of − 27.0% to − 51.9%. However, only one female vegan showed total protein and lysine intake below the EAR. Vegans showed lower lysine (− 25.0%), but higher glycine (+ 25.4%) and glutamate (+ 13.1%) plasma concentrations than omnivores. Correlation patterns between AA intake and bacterial microbiota differed between vegans and omnivores. In vegans 19 species and in omnivores 5 species showed correlations with AA intake.

Conclusion

Vegans consumed apparently sufficient but lower AAs than omnivores. In addition, the different AAs intake seems to influence the microbiota composition. The use of short-term dietary data without considering usual intake limits these findings.
Prognostic significance of CTNNB1 mutation in early stage endometrial carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Travaglino Antonio , Raffone Antonio , Raimondo Diego , Reppuccia Sabrina , Ruggiero Alessandro , Arena Alessandro , Casadio Paolo , Zullo Fulvio , Insabato Luigi , Seracchioli Renato , Mollo Antonio
Published: January 2022

Background

In the last years, mutations in the exon 3 of CTNNB1 have emerged as a possible prognostic factor for recurrence in early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, especially in cases with no specific molecular profile (NSMP).

Objective

To define the prognostic value of CTNNB1 mutations in early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched from their inception to November 2020 for all studies assessing the prognostic value of CTNNB1 mutation in early stage (FIGO I–II) endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. Odds ratio (OR) for tumor recurrence and hazard ratio (HR) for disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated with a significant p value < 0.05.

Results

Seven studies with 1031 patients were included. Four studies were suitable for meta-analysis of OR and showed significant association between CTNNB1 mutation and the absolute number of recurrence (OR = 3.000; p = 0.019); the association became stronger after excluding patients with known molecular status other than NSMP (HR = 5.953; p = 0.012). Three studies were suitable for meta-analysis of HR and showed no significant association between CTNNB1 mutation and decreased DFS (HR = 1.847; p = 0.303); the association became significant after excluding patients with known molecular status other than NSMP (HR = 2.831; p = 0.026).

Conclusion

CTNNB1 mutation is significantly associated with recurrence in early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinomas, especially in the NSMP, appearing potentially useful in directing adjuvant treatment.
Frequency reallocation based on cochlear place frequencies in cochlear implants: a pilot study
Authors: Di Maro Flavia , Carner Marco , Sacchetto Andrea , Soloperto Davide , Marchioni Daniele
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate speech perception outcomes after a frequency reallocation performed through the creation of an anatomically based map obtained with Otoplan®, a tablet-based software that allows the cochlear duct length to be calculated starting from CT images.

Methods

Ten postlingually deafened patients who underwent cochlear implantation with MED-EL company devices from 2015 to 2019 in the Tertiary referral center University Hospital of Verona have been included in a retrospective study. The postoperative CT scans were evaluated with Otoplan®; the position of the intracochlear electrodes was obtained, an anatomical mapping was carried out and then it was submitted to the patients.

All patients underwent pure tonal and speech audiometry before and after the reallocation and the audiological results were processed considering the Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT), the Speech Awareness Threshold (SAT) and the Pure Tone Average (PTA). The differences in the PTA, SAT and SRT values before and after the reallocation were determined. The results were statistically processed using the software Stata with a significance value of α < 0.05.

Results

The mean values of SRT (61.25 dB versus 51.25 dB) and SAT (49 dB versus 41 dB) were significantly lower (p: 0.02 and p: 0.04, respectively) after the reallocation. No significant difference was found between PTA values (41.5 dB versus 39.25 dB; p: 0.18).

Conclusions

Our preliminary results demonstrate better speech discrimination and rapid adaptation in implanted postlingually deaf patients after anatomic mapping and subsequent frequency reallocation.
Efficacy and safety of VNS therapy or continued medication management for treatment of adults with drug-resistant epilepsy: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Batson Sarah , Shankar Rohit , Conry Joan , Boggs Jane , Radtke Rodney , Mitchell Stephen , Barion Francesca , Murphy Joanna , Danielson Vanessa
Published: January 2022

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) Therapy® is an adjunctive neurostimulation treatment for people with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) who are unwilling to undergo resective surgery, have had unsuccessful surgery or are unsuitable for surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the treatment effects of VNS Therapy as an adjunct to anti-seizure medications (ASMs) for the management of adults with DRE. A literature search was performed in August 2020 of the Medline®, Medline® Epub Ahead of Print, Embase, and the Cochrane library databases. Outcomes examined included reduction in seizure frequency, seizure freedom, ASM load, discontinuations, and serious adverse events (SAEs). Comparators included best medical practice, ASMs, low-stimulation or sham VNS Therapy. Four RCTs and six comparative observational studies were identified for inclusion. Against comparators, individuals treated with VNS had a significantly better odds of experiencing a ≥ 50% reduction in seizure frequency (OR: 2.27 [95% CI 1.47, 3.51]; p = 0.0002), a ≥ 75% reduction in seizure frequency (OR: 3.56 [95% CI 1.59, 7.98]; p = 0.002) and a reduced risk for increased ASM load (risk ratio: 0.36 [95% CI 0.21, 0.62]; p = 0.0002). There was no difference in the odds of discontinuation or the rate of SAEs between VNS versus comparators. This meta-analysis demonstrated the benefits of VNS Therapy in people with DRE, which included improvement in seizure frequency without an increase in the rate of SAEs or discontinuations, thereby supporting the consideration of VNS Therapy for people who are not responding to ASMs and those unsuitable or unwilling to undergo surgery.
New kids on the CPET: age-appropriate outdoor cardiopulmonary exercise testing in preschoolers
Authors: Rottermann Kathrin , Weigelt Annika , Stäbler Tim , Ehrlich Benedikt , Dittrich Sven , Schöffl Isabelle
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in preschoolers (4–6 years) represents a challenge. Most studies investigating CPET have been limited to older children (> 8 year). However, knowledge of the performance of small children is essential for evaluating their cardiorespiratory fitness. This study strives to compare a modified Bruce protocol with a new age-appropriate incremental CPET during natural movement running outdoors, using a mobile device.

Methods

A group of 22 4–6-year-old healthy children was tested indoor on a treadmill (TM) using the modified Bruce protocol. The results were compared with a self-paced incremental running test, using a mobile CPET device in an outdoor park. The speeds were described as (1) slow walking, (2) slow running, (3) regular running, and (4) running with full speed as long as possible.

Results

Mean exercise time outdoors (6,57 min) was significantly shorter than on the treadmill (11,20 min), $$\dot{V}{O}_{2peak}$$

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(51.1 ml/min/kg vs. 40.1 ml/min/kg), RER (1.1 vs. 0.98) and important CPET parameters such as $$\dot{V}E$$

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max, O2pulse, heart rate and breath rate were significantly higher outdoors. The submaximal parameter OUES was comparable between both the tests.

Conclusions

Testing very young children with a mobile device is a new alternative to treadmill testing. With a significantly shorter test duration, significantly higher values for almost all cardiopulmonary variables can be achieved without losing the ability to determine VT1 and VT2. It avoids common treadmill problems and allows for individualized exercise testing. The aim is to standardize exercise times with individual protocols instead of standardizing protocols with individual exercise times, allowing for better comparability.
Aortic haemodynamics: the effects of habitual endurance exercise, age and muscle sympathetic vasomotor outflow in healthy men
Authors: Wakeham Denis J. , Dawkins Tony G. , Lord Rachel N. , Talbot Jack S. , Lodge Freya M. , Curry Bryony A. , Simpson Lydia L. , Pugh Christopher J. A. , Shave Robert E. , Moore Jonathan P.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

We determined the effect of habitual endurance exercise and age on aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), augmentation pressure (AP) and systolic blood pressure (aSBP), with statistical adjustments of aPWV and AP for heart rate and aortic mean arterial pressure, when appropriate. Furthermore, we assessed whether muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) correlates with AP in young and middle-aged men.

Methods

Aortic PWV, AP, aortic blood pressure (applanation tonometry; SphygmoCor) and MSNA (peroneal microneurography) were recorded in 46 normotensive men who were either young or middle-aged and endurance-trained runners or recreationally active nonrunners (10 nonrunners and 13 runners within each age-group). Between-group differences and relationships between variables were assessed via ANOVA/ANCOVA and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients, respectively.

Results

Adjusted aPWV and adjusted AP were similar between runners and nonrunners in both age groups (all, P > 0.05), but higher with age (all, P < 0.001), with a greater effect size for the age-related difference in AP in runners (Hedges’ g, 3.6 vs 2.6). aSBP was lower in young (P = 0.009; g = 2.6), but not middle-aged (P = 0.341; g = 1.1), runners compared to nonrunners. MSNA burst frequency did not correlate with AP in either age group (young: r = 0.00, P = 0.994; middle-aged: r = − 0.11, P = 0.604).

Conclusion

There is an age-dependent effect of habitual exercise on aortic haemodynamics, with lower aSBP in young runners compared to nonrunners only. Statistical adjustment of aPWV and AP markedly influenced the outcomes of this study, highlighting the importance of performing these analyses. Further, peripheral sympathetic vasomotor outflow and AP were not correlated in young or middle-aged normotensive men.
Cold stress and freezing tolerance negatively affect the fitness of Arabidopsis thaliana accessions under field and controlled conditions
Authors: Boinot Maximilian , Karakas Esra , Koehl Karin , Pagter Majken , Zuther Ellen
Published: January 2022

Main conclusion

Higher acclimated freezing tolerance improved winter survival, but reduced reproductive fitness of Arabidopsis thaliana accessions under field and controlled conditions.

Low temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors influencing plant fitness and geographical distribution. In addition, cold stress is known to influence crop yield and is therefore of great economic importance. Increased freezing tolerance can be acquired by the process of cold acclimation, but this may be associated with a fitness cost. To assess the influence of cold stress on the fitness of plants, long-term field trials over 5 years were performed with six natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana ranging from very tolerant to very sensitive to freezing. Fitness parameters, as seed yield and 1000 seed mass, were measured and correlation analyses with temperature and freezing tolerance data performed. The results were compared with fitness parameters from controlled chamber experiments over 3 years with application of cold priming and triggering conditions. Winter survival and seed yield per plant were positively correlated with temperature in field experiments. In addition, winter survival and 1000 seed mass were correlated with the cold-acclimated freezing tolerance of the selected Arabidopsis accessions. The results provide strong evidence for a trade-off between higher freezing tolerance and reproductive fitness in A. thaliana, which might have ecological impacts in the context of global warming.
Different scales of gene duplications occurring at different times have jointly shaped the NBS-LRR genes in Prunus species
Authors: Zhong Yan , Chen Zhao , Cheng Zong-Ming
Published: January 2022

In this study, genome-wide identification, phylogenetic relationships, duplication time and selective pressure of the NBS-LRR genes, an important group of plant disease-resistance genes (R genes), were performed to uncover their genetic evolutionary patterns in the six Prunus species. A total of 1946 NBS-LRR genes were identified; specifically, 589, 361, 284, 281, 318, and 113 were identified in Prunus yedoensis, P. domestica, P. avium, P. dulcis, P. persica and P. yedoensis var. nudiflora, respectively. Two NBS-LRR gene subclasses, TIR-NBS-LRR (TNL) and non-TIR-NBS-LRR (non-TNL), were also discovered. In total, 435 TNL and 1511 non-TNL genes were identified and could be classified into 30/55/75 and 103/158/191 multi-gene families, respectively, according to three different criteria. Higher Ks and Ka/Ks values were detected in TNL gene families than in non-TNL gene families. These results indicated that the TNL genes had more members involved in relatively ancient duplications and were affected by stronger selection pressure than the non-TNL genes. In general, the NBS-LRR genes were shaped by species-specific duplications, and lineage-specific duplications occurred at recent and relatively ancient periods among the six Prunus species. Therefore, different duplicated copies of NBS-LRRs can resist specific pathogens and will provide an R-gene library for resistance breeding in Prunus species.
Shared decision-making and the lessons learned about decision regret in cancer patients
Authors: Chichua Mariam , Brivio Eleonora , Mazzoni Davide , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: January 2022

The commentary presents reflections on the literature on post-treatment cancer patient regret. Even though a lot of effort has been made to increase patient satisfaction by engaging them in medical decisions, patient regret remains present in clinical settings. In our commentary, we identify three main aspects of shared decision-making that previously have been shown to predict patient regret. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for physicians involved in the shared decision-making process. In addition, we make methodological suggestions for future research in the field.
Semi-discrete optimal transport methods for the semi-geostrophic equations
Authors: Bourne David P. , Egan Charlie P. , Pelloni Beatrice , Wilkinson Mark
Published: January 2022

We give a new and constructive proof of the existence of global-in-time weak solutions of the 3-dimensional incompressible semi-geostrophic equations (SG) in geostrophic coordinates, for arbitrary initial measures with compact support. This new proof, based on semi-discrete optimal transport techniques, works by characterising discrete solutions of SG in geostrophic coordinates in terms of trajectories satisfying an ordinary differential equation. It is advantageous in its simplicity and its explicit relation to Eulerian coordinates through the use of Laguerre tessellations. Using our method, we obtain improved time-regularity for a large class of discrete initial measures, and we compute explicitly two discrete solutions. The method naturally gives rise to an efficient numerical method, which we illustrate by presenting simulations of a 2-dimensional semi-geostrophic flow in geostrophic coordinates generated using a numerical solver for the semi-discrete optimal transport problem coupled with an ordinary differential equation solver.
On the definition of solution to the total variation flow
Authors: Kinnunen Juha , Scheven Christoph
Published: January 2022

We show that the notions of weak solution to the total variation flow based on the Anzellotti pairing and the variational inequality coincide under some restrictions on the boundary data. The key ingredient in the argument is a duality result for the total variation functional, which is based on an approximation of the total variation by area-type functionals.
Equivariant Yamabe problem with boundary
Authors: Ho Pak Tung , Shin Jinwoo
Published: January 2022

As a generalization of the Yamabe problem, Hebey and Vaugon considered the equivariant Yamabe problem: for a subgroupGof the isometry group, find aG-invariant metric whose scalar curvature is constant in a given conformal class. In this paper, we study the equivariant Yamabe problem with boundary.
Genetic management on the brink of extinction: sequencing microsatellites does not improve estimates of inbreeding in wild and captive Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis)
Authors: Barrett Kimberley G. , Amaral Geneviève , Elphinstone Melanie , McAdie Malcolm L. , Davis Corey S. , Janes Jasmine K. , Carnio John , Moehrenschlager Axel , Gorrell Jamieson C.
Published: January 2022

Captive breeding is often a last resort management option in the conservation of endangered species which can in turn lead to increased risk of inbreeding depression and loss of genetic diversity. Thus, recording breeding events via studbook for the purpose of estimating relatedness, and facilitating mating pair selection to minimize inbreeding, is common practice. However, as founder relatedness is often unknown, loss of genetic variation and inbreeding cannot be entirely avoided. Molecular genotyping is slowly being adopted in captive breeding programs, however achieving sufficient resolution can be challenging in small, low diversity, populations. Here, we evaluate the success of the Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis; VIM; among the worlds most endangered mammals) captive breeding program in preventing inbreeding and maintaining genetic diversity. We explored the use of high-throughput amplicon sequencing of microsatellite regions to assay greater genetic variation in both captive and wild populations than traditional length-based fragment analysis. Contrary to other studies, this method did not considerably increase diversity estimates, suggesting: (1) that the technique does not universally improve resolution, and (2) VIM have exceedingly low diversity. Studbook estimates of pairwise relatedness and inbreeding in the current population were weakly, but positively, correlated to molecular estimates. Thus, current studbooks are moderately effective at predicting genetic similarity when founder relatedness is known. Finally, we found that captive and wild populations did not differ in allelic frequencies, and conservation efforts to maintain diversity have been successful with no significant decrease in diversity over the last three generations.
From Full Day Learning to 30 Minutes a Day: A Descriptive Study of Early Learning During the First COVID-19 Pandemic School Shutdown in Ontario
Authors: Spadafora Natalie , Reid-Westoby Caroline , Pottruff Molly , Wang Jade , Janus Magdalena
Published: January 2022

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, the lives of families all over the world were disrupted. Many adults found themselves working from home while their children were unable to go to school. To better understand the potential impact of these educational disruptions, it is important to establish what learning looked like during the first school shutdown in the spring of 2020, particularly for the youngest learners who may feel the longest lasting impacts from this pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of the current descriptive study was to gather information on how kindergarten teaching and learning occurred during this time, what the biggest barriers were, and what concerns educators had regarding returning in person to the classroom setting. The sample for the current study was 2569 kindergarten educators (97.6% female; 74.2% teachers, 25.8% early childhood educators) in Ontario, Canada. Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of both quantitative scales and qualitative open-ended questions. Educators reported that parents most often contacted them regarding technological issues or how to effectively support their child. The largest barrier to learning was the ability of both parents and educators to balance work, home life, and online learning/teaching. With regards to returning to school, educators were most concerned about the lack of ability of kindergarten aged children to do tasks independently and to follow safety protocols. Our findings highlight unique challenges associated with teaching kindergarten during the pandemic, contributing to our understanding of the learning that occurred in Ontario during the first COVID-19 shutdown.
Flexible scheduling of diagnostic tests in automotive manufacturing
Authors: König Simone , Reihn Maximilian , Abujamra Felipe Gelinski , Novy Alexander , Vogel-Heuser Birgit
Published: January 2022

The car of the future will be driven by software and offer a variety of customisation options. Enabling these customisation options forces modern automotive manufacturers to update their standardised scheduling concepts for testing and commissioning cars. A flexible scheduling concept means that every chosen customer configuration code must have its own testing procedure. This concept is essential to provide individual testing workflows where the time and resources are optimised for every car. Manual scheduling is complicated due to constraints on time, predecessor-successor relationships, mutual exclusion criteria, resources and status conditions on the car engineering and assembly line. Applied methods to handle the mathematical formulation for the corresponding industrial optimisation problem and its implementation are not yet available. This paper presents a procedure for automated and non-preemptive scheduling in the testing and commissioning of cars, which is built on a Boolean satisfiability problem on parallel and identical machines with temporal and resource constraints. The presented method is successfully implemented and evaluated on a variant assembly line of an automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer. This paper is the starting point for an automated workflow planning and scheduling process in automotive manufacturing.
Evolving cellular automata schemes for protein folding modeling using the Rosetta atomic representation
Authors: Varela Daniel , Santos José
Published: January 2022

Protein folding is the dynamic process by which a protein folds into its final native structure. This is different to the traditional problem of the prediction of the final protein structure, since it requires a modeling of how protein components interact over time to obtain the final folded structure. In this study we test whether a model of the folding process can be obtained exclusively through machine learning. To this end, protein folding is considered as an emergent process and the cellular automata tool is used to model the folding process. A neural cellular automaton is defined, using a connectionist model that acts as a cellular automaton through the protein chain to define the dynamic folding. Differential evolution is used to automatically obtain the optimized neural cellular automata that provide protein folding. We tested the methods with the Rosetta coarse-grained atomic model of protein representation, using different proteins to analyze the modeling of folding and the structure refinement that the modeling can provide, showing the potential advantages that such methods offer, but also difficulties that arise.