bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of an electronic algorithm to identify appropriate antibiotic use for community-acquired pneumonia in children
Authors: Chiotos Kathleen , Grundmeier Robert , Meyahnwi Didien , Dutcher Lauren , Lautenbach Ebbing , Neuhauser Melinda , Hamilton Keith , Jaskowiak Anne , Cressman Leigh , Szymczak Julia , Muller Brandi , Gerbe Jeffrey
Published: September 2023

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common indication for antibiotic use in hospitalized children and is a key target for pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). Building upon prior work, we developed and refined an electronic algorithm to identify children hospitalized with CAP and to evaluate the appropriateness of initial antibiotic choice and duration. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study including children 6 months to 17 years hospitalized for CAP between January 1, 2019, and October 31, 2022, at a tertiary-care children’s hospital. CAP was defined electronically as an International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code for pneumonia, a chest radiograph or chest computed tomography scan (CT) performed within 48 hours of admission, and systemic antibiotics administered within the first 48 hours of hospitalization and continued for at least 2 days. We applied the following exclusion criteria: patients transferred from another healthcare setting, those who died within 48 hours of hospitalization, children with complex chronic conditions, and those with intensive care unit stays >48 hours. Criteria for appropriate antibiotic choice and duration were defined based on established guidelines. Two physicians performed independent medical record reviews of 80 randomly selected patients (10% sample) to evaluate the performance of the electronic algorithm in (1) identifying patients treated for clinician-diagnosed CAP and (2) classifying antibiotic choice and duration as appropriate. A third physician resolved discrepancies. The electronic algorithm was compared to this medical record review, which served as the reference standard. Results: Of 80 children identified by the electronic algorithm, 79 (99%) were diagnosed with CAP based on medical record review. Antibiotic use was classified as the appropriate choice in 75 (94%) of 80 cases, and appropriate duration in 16 (20%) of 80 cases. The sensitivity of the electronic algorithm for identifying appropriate initial antibiotic choice was 94%; specificity could not be calculated because no events of inappropriate antibiotic choice were identified based on chart review. The sensitivity and specificity for determining appropriate duration were 88% and 97%, respectively (Table 1).

Conclusions: The electronic algorithm accurately identified children hospitalized with CAP and demonstrated acceptable performance for identifying appropriate antibiotic choice and duration. Use of this electronic algorithm may improve the efficiency of stewardship activities and could facilitate alignment with updated accreditation standards. Future studies validating this algorithm at other centers are needed.

Disclosures: None
Proposing the “continuum of UTI” for a nuanced approach to antimicrobial stewardship
Authors: Advani Sonali , Turner Nicholas , North Rebecca , Moehring Rebekah , Nelson Alicia , Vaughn Valerie , Scales Charles , Siddiqui Nazema , Schmader Kenneth , Anderson Deverick
Published: September 2023

Background: Historically, diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) has been divided into 3 categories based on symptoms and urine culture results: not UTI, asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), or UTI. However, some populations (eg, older adults, catheterized patients) may not present with signs or symptoms referrable to the urinary tract or have chronic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), making the diagnosis of UTI challenging. We sought to understand the clinical presentation of patients who receive urine tests in a cohort of diverse hospitals. Methods: This retrospective descriptive cohort study included all adult noncatheterized inpatient and ED encounters with paired urinalysis and urine cultures (24 hours apart) from 5 community and academic hospitals in 3 states (NC, VA, GA) between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. Trained abstractors collected clinical and demographic data using a 60-question REDCap survey. The study group met with multidisciplinary experts (ID, geriatrics, urology) to define the “continuum of UTI” (Table 1), which includes 2 new categories: (1) LUTS to capture patients with chronic lower urinary tract symptoms and (2) bacteriuria of unclear significance (BUS) to capture patients who do not clinically meet criteria for ASB or UTI (eg, older adults who present with delirium and bacteriuria). The newly defined categories were compared to current guideline-based categories. We further compared ASB, BUS, and UTI categories using a lower bacterial threshold of 1,000 colony-forming units. Results: In total, 220,531 encounters met study criteria. After using a random number generator and removing duplicates, 3,392 encounters were included. Based on current IDSA guidelines, the prevalence of ASB was 32.1% (n = 975), and prevalence of patients with “not UTI” was 1,614 (53%). Applying the expert panel’s new “continuum of UTI” definitions, the prevalence of “not UTI” patients decreased to 1,147 (37.7%), due to reassignment of 467 patients (15.3%)to LUTS. The prevalence of ASB decreased by 24% due to reassignment to BUS. Lowering the bacterial threshold had a slight impact on the number of definitive UTIs (14.9 vs 15.9%) (Table 1). Conclusions: Our rigorous review of laboratory and symptom data from a diverse population dataset revealed that diagnostic uncertainty exists when assessing patients with suspicion for UTI. We propose moving away from dichotomous approach of ASB versus UTI and using the “continuum of UTI” for stewardship conversations. This approach will allow us to develop nuanced deprescribing interventions for patients with LUTS or BUS (eg, watchful waiting, shorter course therapy) that account for the unique characteristics of these populations.

Disclosures: None
Changes in US long-term care facility antibiotic prescribing, 2013–2021
Authors: Gouin Katryna , Creasy Stephen , Beckerson Mary , Wdowicki Marti , Hicks Lauri , Kabbani Sarah
Published: September 2023

Background: Antibiotic use (AU) data are needed to improve prescribing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). CMS requires AU tracking in LTCFs (effective 2017). Although most LTCFs have limited resources for AU tracking, LTCFs contract with LTCF pharmacies to dispense, monitor, and review medications. The objective of our analysis was to report LTCF antibiotic prescribing and characterize temporal changes from 2013 to 2021. Methods: We estimated annual systemic AU rates using prescription dispenses and resident census data from PharMerica, a LTCF-pharmacy services provider that covers ~20% of LTCFs nationwide, although the number of LTCFs and residents serviced by PharMerica varied over time (Fig. 1). We included LTCFs with ≥4 months of antibiotic dispensing and 12 months of census data. We identified courses by collapsing the same drug dispensed to the same resident within 3 days of the preceding end date. Course duration was calculated as the difference between the end and dispense dates. We reported yearly AU rates as courses per 1,000 residents and days of therapy (DOT) per 1,000 resident days from 2013 to 2021. We compared AU rates (percentage change) and antibiotic courses by class and agent (absolute percent difference) between 2013 and 2021. Results: From 2013 to 2021, AU course rates reported as antibiotic courses per 1,000 residents decreased (percentage change, −28%), with a notable increase in 2020 (Fig. 1). However, the median course duration remained the same (Table 1). The AU decline was mostly driven by decreases in fluoroquinolone courses (absolute difference, −10%, most commonly levofloxacin) and macrolide courses (−2%, most commonly azithromycin) (Figs. 2 and 3). Increases in cephalosporin courses (absolute difference, +7%, most commonly cephalexin) and tetracycline courses (+5%, most commonly doxycycline) were also observed (Figs. 2 and 3). During this period, AU DOT rates reported as DOT per 1,000 resident days decreased (percentage change, −13%) (Table 1). Conclusions: The LTCF AU rates, especially for fluoroquinolones, have decreased in recent years with associated shifts in the distribution of antibiotic classes. This finding may be due to CMS stewardship requirements and increased awareness of adverse events, including the FDA fluoroquinolone warnings. The observed increase in 2020 could be secondary to changes in prescribing practices and resident population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities to improve prescribing in LTCFs include optimizing treatment duration and leveraging LTCF-pharmacy resources to provide stewardship expertise and support AU tracking and reporting.

Disclosures: None
Active surveillance and contact precautions for preventing MRSA healthcare-associated infections during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: McCauley Brian , Evans Martin , Simbartl Loretta , Jones Makoto , Roselle Gary , Harris Anthony , Perencevich Eli , Rubin Michael , Kralovic Stephen , Flarida Linda , Hicks Natalie
Published: September 2023

Background: Statistically significant decreases in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occurred in Veterans Health Administration (VA) facilities from 2007 to 2019 using active surveillance for facility admissions and contact precautions for patients colonized (CPC) or infected (CPI) with MRSA, but the value of these interventions is controversial. Objective: To determine the impact of active surveillance, CPC, and CPI on prevention MRSA HAIs, we conducted a prospective cohort study between July 2020 and June 2022 in all 123 acute-care VA medical facilities. In April 2020, all facilities were given the option to suspend any combination of active surveillance, CPC, or CPI to free up laboratory resources for COVID-19 testing and conserve personal protective equipment. We measured MRSA HAIs (cases per 1,000 patient days) in intensive care units (ICUs) and non-ICUs by the infection control policy. Results: During the analysis period, there were 917,591 admissions, 5,225,174 patient days, and 568 MRSA HAIs. Only 20% of facilities continued all 3 MRSA infection control measures in July 2020, but this rate increased to 57% by June 2022. The MRSA HAI rate for all infection sites in non-ICUs was 0.07 (95% CI, 0.05–0.08) for facilities practicing active surveillance plus CPC plus CPI compared to 0.12 (95% CI, 0.08–0.19; P = .01) for those not practicing any of these strategies, and in ICUs the MRSA HAI rates were 0.20 (95% CI, 0.15–0.26) and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.41–0.98; P < .001) for the respective policies. Similar differences were seen when the analyses were restricted to MRSA bloodstream HAIs. Accounting for monthly COVID-19 admissions to facilities over the analysis period using a negative binomial regression model did not change the relationships between facility policy and MRSA HAI rates in the ICUs or non-ICUs. There was no statistically significant difference in monthly facility urinary catheter-associated infection rates, a nonequivalent dependent variable, in the categories during the analysis period in either ICUs or non-ICUs. Conclusions: In Veterans Affairs medical centers, there were fewer MRSA HAIs when facilities practiced active surveillance and contact precautions for colonized or infected patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effect was greater in ICUs than non-ICUs.

Disclosures: None
There Is No Such Thing as Expected Moral Choice-Worthiness
Authors: Côté Nicolas
Published: September 2023

This paper presents some impossibility results for certain views about what you should do when you are uncertain about which moral theory is true. I show that under reasonable and extremely minimal ways of defining what a moral theory is, it follows that the concept of expected moral choiceworthiness is undefined, and more generally that any theory of decision-making under moral uncertainty must generate pathological results.
Media Reflect! Policy, the Public, and the News
Authors: WLEZIEN CHRISTOPHER , SOROKA STUART
Published: September 2023

Mass media are often portrayed as having large effects on democratic politics. Media content is not simply an exogenous influence on publics and policymakers, however. There is reason to think that this content reflects publics and politics as much as—if not more than—it affects them. This letter examines those possibilities, focusing on interactions between news coverage, budgetary policy, and public preferences in the defense, welfare, and health-care domains in the United States. Results indicate that media play a largely reflective role. Taking this role into account, we suggest, leads to a fundamentally different perspective on how media content matters in politics.
From Rents to Welfare: Why Are Some Oil-Rich States Generous to Their People?
Authors: EIBL FERDINAND , HERTOG STEFFEN
Published: September 2023

Why do some, but not all oil-rich states provide generous welfare to their populations? Building on a case study of Oman in the 1960s and 1970s, we argue that anti-systemic subversive threats motivate ruling elites in oil states to use welfare as a tool of mass co-optation. We use the generalized synthetic control method and difference-in-difference regressions for a global quantitative test of our argument, assessing the effect of different types of subversion on a range of long-term welfare outcomes in oil-rich and oil-poor states. We demonstrate that the positive effect of subversion appears limited to center-seeking subversive threats in oil-rich countries. The paper addresses a key puzzle in the literature on resource-rich states, which makes contradictory predictions about the impact of resource rents on welfare provision.
Histories and Futures of Business in a Turbulent World
Authors: Clavin Patricia
Published: September 2023

When it comes to events that have marked turning points in the relationship between global governance and business history, I have focused on the role of international crises to understand the forces shaping relations between firms, states, and global governance frameworks. Such an approach stems from the fact that I am primarily an historian of international relations, and much of my research and writing is concentrated on European and global history in the period from about 1880 to 1950. For me, the origins and course of the two world wars and the Cold War have been as important as crises of capitalism, such as the Great Depression.
Governing Global Capitalism: A Lawyer's Perspective
Authors: Perrone Nicolás M.
Published: September 2023

In April 1959, editor-in-chief of Time magazine, Henry Luce, spoke vehemently to the World Congress of the International Chamber of Commerce, encouraging business leaders “to unite [their] energies on something which is really fundamental—fundamental to civilization and economic progress. That something is the advancement of the rule of law.” Together with lawyers, business leaders had “the responsibility to see that the rule of law prevails in every corner of the business world.” Luce insisted that international trade needs “legal certainty” and business leaders would do better by focusing less on “certain rules and regulations” and more on “basic and universal rules under which all business could prosper.” One of the proposals he asked the audience to endorse was German banker and politician Hermann Abs's Magna Carta (a formative proposal to enact what is known today as investor-state dispute settlement, or ISDS).
The emergence, implementation, and future growth of pharmacogenomics in psychiatry: a narrative review
Authors: Bousman Chad A. , Maruf Abdullah Al , Marques Diogo Ferri , Brown Lisa C. , Müller Daniel J.
Published: September 2023

Psychotropic medication efficacy and tolerability are critical treatment issues faced by individuals with psychiatric disorders and their healthcare providers. For some people, it can take months to years of a trial-and-error process to identify a medication with the ideal efficacy and tolerability profile. Current strategies (e.g. clinical practice guidelines, treatment algorithms) for addressing this issue can be useful at the population level, but often fall short at the individual level. This is, in part, attributed to interindividual variation in genes that are involved in pharmacokinetic (i.e. absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination) and pharmacodynamic (e.g. receptors, signaling pathways) processes that in large part, determine whether a medication will be efficacious or tolerable. A precision prescribing strategy know as pharmacogenomics (PGx) assesses these genomic variations, and uses it to inform selection and dosing of certain psychotropic medications. In this review, we describe the path that led to the emergence of PGx in psychiatry, the current evidence base and implementation status of PGx in the psychiatric clinic, and finally, the future growth potential of precision psychiatry via the convergence of the PGx-guided strategy with emerging technologies and approaches (i.e. pharmacoepigenomics, pharmacomicrobiomics, pharmacotranscriptomics, pharmacoproteomics, pharmacometabolomics) to personalize treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Properties of LoTs: The footprints or the bear itself?
Authors: McGrath Sam Whitman , Russin Jacob , Pavlick Ellie , Feiman Roman
Published: September 2023

There are two ways to understand any proposed properties of language-of-thoughts (LoTs): As diagnostic or constitutive. We argue that this choice is critical. If candidate properties are diagnostic, their homeostatic clustering requires explanation via an underlying homeostatic mechanism. If constitutive, there is no clustering, only the properties themselves. Whether deep neural networks (DNNs) are alternatives to LoTs or potential implementations turn on this choice.
Lower bounds on the maximal number of rational points on curves over finite fields
Authors: BERGSTRÖM JONAS , HOWE EVERETT W. , LORENZO GARCÍA ELISA , RITZENTHALER CHRISTOPHE
Published: September 2023

For a given genus
$g \geq 1$
, we give lower bounds for the maximal number of rational points on a smooth projective absolutely irreducible curve of genus g over
$\mathbb{F}_q$
. As a consequence of Katz–Sarnak theory, we first get for any given
$g>0$
, any
$\varepsilon>0$
and all q large enough, the existence of a curve of genus g over
$\mathbb{F}_q$
with at least
$1+q+ (2g-\varepsilon) \sqrt{q}$
rational points. Then using sums of powers of traces of Frobenius of hyperelliptic curves, we get a lower bound of the form
$1+q+1.71 \sqrt{q}$
valid for
$g \geq 3$
and odd
$q \geq 11$
. Finally, explicit constructions of towers of curves improve this result: We show that the bound
$1+q+4 \sqrt{q} -32$
is valid for all
$g\ge 2$
and for all q.
At the Epicentre of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada: Experiences and Recommendations of Family Care Partners of an Older Person Living in a Long-Term Care Home
Authors: Bourbonnais Anne , Lachance Geneviève , Baumbusch Jennifer , Hsu Amy , Daneau Stéphanie , Macaulay Susan
Published: September 2023

The roles of family care partners of older persons living in long-term care homes (LTCH) were severely disrupted during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Our aim was to describe their experiences and to solicit their recommendations for supportive actions. We conducted a critical ethnography with 24 care partners who cared or had cared for an older person living in an LTCH in Québec during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data during interviews and used Spradley’s method to analyse them. Care partners experienced a forced separation from the older persons they cared for, which resulted in significant distress. Care, including post-mortem care, was considered inadequate and sometimes even inhumane. Communication was inconsistent, and this variability was also noted in visitation rules. Care partners perceived LTCHs as a neglected community. Supportive actions were recommended. The results illustrated the essential contribution of care partners, and the supportive actions they recommended must be a catalyst for change toward more humane care in LTCH settings.
Updating PAJID Scores for State Supreme Court Justices (1970–2019)
Authors: Hughes David A. , Wilhelm Teena , Wang Xuan
Published: September 2023

We build upon Brace, Langer, and Hall’s (2000, The Journal of Politics 62: 387–413) original measure of American state supreme court justice ideology – the PAJID scores. To do so, we gather new data on 1,666 state supreme court justices who served between 1970 and 2019 and update the PAJID scores throughout this period. Testing indicates that PAJID scores are a valid measure of state supreme court justices’ policy preferences and compare favorably, though less efficiently, to others such as Bonica and Woodruff (2015, The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization 31: 472–98) and Windett, Harden, and Hall (2015, Political Analysis 23: 461–9). Given limited data availability for other ideological measures pre-1990 and post-2010, we conclude that these updated PAJID scores should prove attractive to scholars studying state courts during these periods and among those who desire additional state supreme court ideological data for robustness checks.
Data‐Driven Fuzzy Weights‐Of‐Evidence Model for Identification of Potential Zeolite‐Bearing Environments on Mars
Authors: Kodikara Gayantha R. L. , McHenry Lindsay J.
Published: September 2023

The evolution of the climate and hydrochemistry of Mars is still a mystery but it must have been at least occasionally warm and wet to have formed the ancient fluvial and lacustrine landforms observed today. Terrestrial examples and geochemical modeling under proposed early Mars conditions show that zeolite minerals are likely to have formed under alkaline (pH > 8) conditions with low water/rock ratio and surface temperatures below 150°C. The identification and spatial association of zeolites on the surface of Mars could thus be used to reconstruct the paleoclimate, paleohydrochemistry, and geological evolution of some locations on Mars. Previous studies identified the zeolite analcime and discuss the difficulties of identifying other zeolite species on the surface of Mars using orbital spectroscopy. We used published global mineralogical, geological, geomorphological, hydrological, physical, and elemental abundance maps and the locations of hydrous minerals detected and mapped using orbital data to create a map that delineates favorable areas to look for zeolites on Mars. We used the data‐driven fuzzy‐based Weights‐of‐Evidence method to identify and map favorable areas for zeolites on the surface of Mars up to ±40° latitude toward the poles. The final map shows that the eastern and western Arabia deposits, some sites in the Medusae Fossae formation, and some areas within and near Valles Marineris, Mawrth Vallis, highlands north of Hellas, and the Terra Cimmeria and Terra Sirenum regions would be favorable areas to look for zeolites using targeted orbital spectral analysis or future in situ observations.
Vertical Variations in Thermospheric O/N2 and the Relationship Between O and N2 Perturbations During a Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Yu Tingting , Wang Wenbin , Ren Zhipeng , Cai Xuguang , He Maosheng
Published: September 2023

The ratio of O to N2 number densities (O/N2) at different altitudes is an important parameter in describing thermospheric neutral composition changes and their effects on the ionosphere during geomagnetic storms. However, storm‐induced vertical variations in O/N2 and its dependence on the O and N2 perturbations are still not fully understood. Here, the Thermosphere/Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model simulations were used to investigate the responses of thermospheric composition at different pressure levels to the super geomagnetic storm occurred on November 20 and 21 in 2003. Our analysis shows that the behaviors of O/N2 perturbations on different pressure levels are similar above ∼180 km altitude. In the middle and low thermosphere of below ∼300 km, the storm‐time O/N2 decrease is mainly caused by a large reduction of O number density. However, N2 enhancement plays a vital role in O/N2 decreases in the upper thermosphere. The O/N2 enhancement is mainly attributed to the N2 decreases at all pressure levels. The changes of O and N2 number densities at a constant pressure level can be explained by the perturbations of their mass mixing ratio (mmr) and total mass density (ρ). The regions of the O/N2 decrease are characterized by the O mmr decrease and N2 mmr enhancement, whereas the regions of the O/N2 increase are characterized by the O mmr increase and N2 mmr decrease. The ρ value that shows the decrease globally at most pressure levels during the storm either enhance or reduce the O and N2 perturbations.
Correspondence of Pi2 Pulsations, Aurora Luminosity, and Plasma Flux Fluctuation Near a Substorm Brightening Aurora: Arase Observations
Authors: Chen L. , Shiokawa K. , Miyoshi Y. , Oyama S. , Jun C.‐W. , Ogawa Y. , Hosokawa K. , Kazama Y. , Wang S. Y. , Tam S. W. Y. , Chang T. F. , Wang B. J. , Asamura K. , Kasahara S. , Yokota S. , Hori T. , Keika K. , Kasaba Y. , Kumamoto A. , Tsuchiya F. , Shoji M. , Kasahara Y. , Matsuoka A. , Shinohara I. , Nakamura S.
Published: September 2023

Although many substorm‐related observations have been made, we still have limited insight into propagation of the plasma and field perturbations in Pi2 frequencies (∼7–25 mHz) in association with substorm aurora, particularly from the auroral source region in the inner magnetosphere to the ground. In this study, we present conjugate observations of a substorm brightening aurora using an all‐sky camera and an inner‐magnetospheric satellite Arase at L ∼ 5. A camera at Gakona (62.39°N, 214.78°E), Alaska, observed a substorm auroral brightening on 28 December 2018, and the footprint of the satellite was located just equatorward of the aurora. Around the timing of the auroral brightening, the satellite observed a series of quasi‐periodic variations in the electric and magnetic fields and in the energy flux of electrons and ions. We demonstrate that the diamagnetic variations of thermal pressure and medium‐energy ion energy flux in the inner magnetosphere show approximately one‐to‐one correspondence with the oscillations in luminosity of the substorm brightening aurora and high‐latitudinal Pi2 pulsations on the ground. We also found their anti‐correlation with low‐energy electrons. Cavity‐type Pi2 pulsations were observed at mid‐ and low‐latitudinal stations. Based on these observations, we suggest that a wave phenomenon in the substorm auroral source region, like ballooning type instability, play an important role in the development of substorm and related auroral brightening and high‐latitude Pi2, and that the variation of the auroral luminosity was directly driven by keV electrons which were modulated by Alfven waves in the inner magnetosphere.
Temperature-responsive peristome-structured smart surface for the unidirectional controllable motion of large droplets
Authors: Song Yunyun , Yang Jialei , Zhang Xu , Zhang Zhongqiang , Hu Xinghao , Cheng Guanggui , Liu Yan , Lv Guojun , Ding Jianning
Published: September 2023

The manipulation of fast, unidirectional motion for large droplets shows important applications in the fields of fog collection and biochemical reactions. However, driving large droplets (>5 μL) to move directionally and quickly remains challenging due to the nonnegligible volume force. Herein, we fabricated a scalable, bionic peristome substrate with a microcavity width of 180 μm using a 3D printing method, which could unidirectionally drive a large water droplet (~8 μL) at a speed reaching 12.5 mm/s by temperature-responsive wettability. The substrate surface was grafted with PNIPAAm, which could reversibly change its wettability in response to temperature, thereby enabling a temperature-responsive smart surface that could regulate droplet movement in real-time by changing the temperature. A series of temperature-responsive smart patterns were designed to induce water transport along specific paths to further realize controllable droplet motion with the antibacterial treatment of predesignated areas. The ability to achieve temperature-responsive unidirectional motion and dynamic control of droplet movement could allow programmable fluidic biosensors and precision medical devices.
Emerging roles of ferroptosis in male reproductive diseases
Authors: Yuan Wenzheng , Sun Zhibin , Ji Guojie , Hu Huanhuan
Published: September 2023

Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation that leads to excessive lipid peroxidation in different cells. Ferroptosis is distinct from other forms of cell death and is associated with various diseases. Iron is essential for spermatogenesis and male reproductive function. Therefore, it is not surprising that new evidence supports the role of ferroptosis in testicular injury. Although the molecular mechanism by which ferroptosis induces disease is unknown, several genes and pathways associated with ferroptosis have been linked to testicular dysfunction. In this review, we discuss iron metabolism, ferroptosis, and related regulatory pathways. In addition, we analyze the endogenous and exogenous factors of ferroptosis in terms of iron metabolism and testicular dysfunction, as well as summarize the relationship between ferroptosis and male reproductive dysfunction. Finally, we discuss potential strategies to target ferroptosis for treating male reproductive diseases and provide new directions for preventing male reproductive diseases.
Identifying immune checkpoint-related lncRNA biomarkers for immunotherapy response and prognosis in cancers
Authors: Gao Yue , Wang Xinyue , Dong Longlong , Qu Changfan , Lu Qianyi , Wang Peng , Xin Mengyu , Zheng Wen , Liu Chenyu , Ning Shangwei
Published: September 2023

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) could modulate expression of immune checkpoints (ICPs) in tumor-immune. However, precise functions in immunity and potential for predicting ICP inhibitors (ICI) response have been described for only a few lncRNAs. Here, a multiple-step pipeline was developed to identify cancer- and immune-context ICP and lncRNA cooperative regulation pairs (ICPaLncCRPs) across cancers. Immune-related ICPs and lncRNAs were extracted follow immune cell lines and immunologic constant of rejection groups. ICPaLncCRP networks were constructed, which likely to modulate tumor-immune by specific patterns. Common and specific hub ICPaLncs such as MIR155HG, TRG-AS1 and PCED1B-AS1 maybe play central roles in prognosis and circulating. Moreover, these hub ICPaLncs were significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration based on bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data. Some ICPaLncCRPs such as IDO1-MIR155HG could predict three- and five-year prognosis of melanoma in two independent datasets. We also validated that some ICPaLncCRPs could effectively predict ICI-response follow six independent datasets. Collectively, this study will enhance our understanding of lncRNA functions and accelerate discovery of lncRNA-based biomarkers in ICI treatment.
Acoustic Characterization of Edzna: A Measurement Dataset
Authors: Navas-Reascos Gustavo , Wilhelm-deAlba Guillermo , Alonso-Valerdi Luz María , Ibarra-Zarate David I.
Published: September 2023

Acoustic characterizations of different locations are necessary to obtain relevant information on their behavior, particularly in the case of places that have not been fully understood or which purpose is still unknown since they are from cultures that no longer exist. Acoustic measurements were conducted in the archaeological zone of Edzna to obtain useful information to better understand the customs and practices of its past inhabitants. The information obtained from these acoustic measurements is presented in a dataset, which includes measurements taken at 32 points around the entire archaeological zone, with special attention given to the Main Plaza, the Great Acropolis, and the Little Acropolis. Two recording systems were used for this purpose: a microphone and a binaural head. As a result, a measurement database with the following characteristics was obtained: it comprises a total of 32 measurement points with 4 different sound source positions. In total, there are 297 files divided into separate folders. The sampling frequency used was 96 kHz, and the files are in mat format.
Thermodynamic evaluation of viscosity behavior for CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–MgO slag systems examined at the temperatures range from 1500 to 1700 °C
Authors: Pereira Augusto Lachini , Morales Pereira Julio Aníbal , Bielefeldt Wagner Viana , Faria Vilela Antônio Cezar
Published: September 2023

This work showed an application of computational tools to understand systematically the behavior of viscosity on CSAM systems relevant to industrial uses. Consequently in this study, the viscosity experimental data obtained from the literature were compared with the thermodynamic calculated results via the software FactSage v.7.3 for melts in CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–MgO slag system with the range of compositions slags cover 0–100 wt% CaO, 0–100 wt% SiO2, 0–100 wt% Al2O3 and 0–15 wt% MgO at temperature ranges of 1500–1700 °C. Using open-source software in Python, the results of viscosity, liquid, and solid fraction of the slag, as a function of composition and temperature, are represented by multiple color maps and by iso-viscosity contours. The results of the viscosity values indicated that the effect of all the oxides in the CSAM slag system follows the well-known behavior trend observed in the literature. Viscosities of the slag were found to increase with increasing SiO2 contents and decrease with increasing basicities (high CaO). The increase in Al2O3 content increases the viscosity values. An increase of 0–15% MgO depolymerized the slag melt and decreases the viscosity. However, above 5% MgO content occur a decrease in the liquid zone (single phase) and a liquid fraction (two-phase region) of the slag. For a constant MgO concentration, the increase in temperature generates an expansion of low-viscosity zones associated with an increase in the liquid phase of the slag. From the comparison between the calculated and experimental viscosities data keeps up within 30% average relative deviation (Δ), the predictions are considered acceptable for viscosity in the CSAM slag system at high temperatures.
Morphometric and volumetric analysis of lacrimal glands in patients with thyroid eye disease
Authors: Starčević Ana , Radojičić Zoran , Djurić Stefanović Aleksandra , Trivić Aleksandar , Milić Ivan , Milić Marina , Matić Dragan , Andrejic Jovana , Djulejic Vuk , Djoric Igor
Published: September 2023

Assessment of morphometric and volumetric changes in lacrimal glands in thyroid eye disease, its clinical manifestations in relation of disease progression. Retrospective volumetric analysis included both genders and was performed on total of 183 patients - 91 patients with diagnosed Grave’s disease and thyroid eye disease and 92 patients without Grave’s disease and thyroid eye disease who underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examination in routine daily work according to other medical indications. In the group of females, there was statistical significance between patients with thyroid eye disease and controls who were smoking and had body weight gain. We found statistical significance in volumetric enlargements for both orbits in both genders for the patients group when compared to controls. There was also statistical significance in morphometric characteristics for the lacrimal gland diameters measured. Determination planimetric morphometric parameters of importance were coronary height of lacrimal gland of the right eye, coronary height of lacrimal gland of the left eye and coronary width of lacrimal gland of the left eye for the group of males. In a group of females the established determination parameters of importance were the coronary height of lacrimal gland of the left eye, the axial width of lacrimal gland of the left eye, volume of lacrimal gland of the right eye and the volume of lacrimal gland of the left eye. When we compared the displaced lacrimal gland coming forward (proptosis) in time progressing disease between group of patients and controls, we also found statistical significant connection. Evaluation of lacrimal gland volumetric and morphometric data may increase validity of defining this anatomical substrate and its morphology disruption as liable tool for thyroid eye disease progression follow up and treatment planning and outcome.
Phase-shifting the circadian glucocorticoid profile induces disordered feeding behaviour by dysregulating hypothalamic neuropeptide gene expression
Authors: Yoshimura Mitsuhiro , Flynn Benjamin P. , Kershaw Yvonne M. , Zhao Zidong , Ueta Yoichi , Lightman Stafford L. , Conway-Campbell Becky L.
Published: September 2023

Here we demonstrate, in rodents, how the timing of feeding behaviour becomes disordered when circulating glucocorticoid rhythms are dissociated from lighting cues; a phenomenon most commonly associated with shift-work and transmeridian travel ‘jetlag’. Adrenalectomized rats are infused with physiological patterns of corticosterone modelled on the endogenous adrenal secretory profile, either in-phase or out-of-phase with lighting cues. For the in-phase group, food intake is significantly greater during the rats’ active period compared to their inactive period; a feeding pattern similar to adrenal-intact control rats. In contrast, the feeding pattern of the out-of-phase group is significantly dysregulated. Consistent with a direct hypothalamic modulation of feeding behaviour, this altered timing is accompanied by dysregulated timing of anorexigenic and orexigenic neuropeptide gene expression. For Neuropeptide Y (Npy), we report a glucocorticoid-dependent direct transcriptional regulation mechanism mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Taken together, our data highlight the adverse behavioural outcomes that can arise when two circadian systems have anti-phasic cues, in this case impacting on the glucocorticoid-regulation of a process as fundamental to health as feeding behaviour. Our findings further highlight the need for development of rational approaches in the prevention of metabolic dysfunction in circadian-disrupting activities such as transmeridian travel and shift-work.
POT1a deficiency in mesenchymal niches perturbs B-lymphopoiesis
Authors: Nakashima Kentaro , Kunisaki Yuya , Hosokawa Kentaro , Gotoh Kazuhito , Yao Hisayuki , Yuta Ryosuke , Semba Yuichiro , Nogami Jumpei , Kikushige Yoshikane , Stumpf Patrick S. , MacArthur Ben D. , Kang Dongchon , Akashi Koichi , Ohga Shouichi , Arai Fumio
Published: September 2023

Protection of telomeres 1a (POT1a) is a telomere binding protein. A decrease of POT1a is related to myeloid-skewed haematopoiesis with ageing, suggesting that protection of telomeres is essential to sustain multi-potency. Since mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a constituent of the hematopoietic niche in bone marrow, their dysfunction is associated with haematopoietic failure. However, the importance of telomere protection in MSCs has yet to be elucidated. Here, we show that genetic deletion of POT1a in MSCs leads to intracellular accumulation of fatty acids and excessive ROS and DNA damage, resulting in impaired osteogenic-differentiation. Furthermore, MSC-specific POT1a deficient mice exhibited skeletal retardation due to reduction of IL-7 producing bone lining osteoblasts. Single-cell gene expression profiling of bone marrow from POT1a deficient mice revealed that B-lymphopoiesis was selectively impaired. These results demonstrate that bone marrow microenvironments composed of POT1a deficient MSCs fail to support B-lymphopoiesis, which may underpin age-related myeloid-bias in haematopoiesis.
Turquoise Hydrogen: Methane Pyrolysis as a Low-CO2 Source of H2
Authors: Patzschke Clemens F. , Parkinson Brett , Raman Sumathy , Dankworth Dave C. , Hellgardt Klaus
Published: September 2023

Methane pyrolysis offers a promising route for large-scale H2 production with carbon sequestration from natural gas. Earlier works have focused on gas-phase pyrolysis. However, the removal of the deposited carbon from the reactor without burning, the fouling of heat transfer surfaces and reactor blockages have limited commercialization of the technology. Liquid-phase pyrolysis, in which the gas is decomposed in molten metal or molten salt, may facilitate easier carbon separation and heat transfer, but often results in significant amounts of the liquid media species being trapped in the carbon. The high operating temperatures needed for the thermal decomposition also pose significant engineering challenges. The temperatures can be lowered by the use of catalysts. However, deactivation, loss of catalysts and their costs require further innovative solutions for the process to become economic. This chapter details the current status of the different pyrolysis variants, their reaction routes and pyrolysis performances, and discusses potential ways forward.
Graphene cladded cobalt phosphide nanoparticles with a sandwich structure by plasma for lithium and sodium storage
Authors: Sun Bingxue , Chen Hui , Li Guoling
Published: September 2023

Graphene cladded cobalt phosphide nanoparticles with a sandwich structure are synthesized by Ar-H2-P plasma and exhibit excellent lithium/sodium storage performance.
Predicting and analyzing organic reaction pathways by combining machine learning and reaction network approaches
Authors: Ida Tomonori , Kojima Honoka , Hori Yuta
Published: September 2023

By training 50 fundamental organic reactions, the learning model predicted the products and pathways of 35 test reactions. The model identified the key fragment structures of the reaction intermediates.
Anisotropic pressure effects on nanoconfined water within narrow graphene slit pores
Authors: Ruiz-Barragan Sergi , Forbert Harald , Marx Dominik
Published: September 2023

For bilayer water in graphene slit pores a thermodynamic point is found where the pressure tensor of the nanoconfined water is effectively isotropic; this can serve as a reference state to compare the properties of nanoconfined liquids to those of the corresponding bulk.
Growth characteristics and the mass transfer mechanism of single bubble on a photoelectrode at different electrolyte concentrations
Authors: Wang Mengsha , Xu Qiang , Nie Tengfei , Luo Xinyi , She Yonglu , Guo Liejin
Published: September 2023

Under both conditions, the average mass transfer coefficients of single-phase natural convection k̄s and total k̄e increase with the electrolyte concentration, while the average mass transfer coefficient of bubble-induced convection k̄b decreases.
Current status of Fe-based MOFs in biomedical applications
Authors: Yang Hanping , Liao Donghui , Cai Zhidong , Zhang Yuelin , Nezamzadeh-Ejhieh Alireza , Zheng Mingbin , Liu Jianqiang , Bai Zhi , Song Hailiang
Published: September 2023

This article summarizes the applications of iron-based MOFs in three significant fields: chemodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy and MRI, suggesting logical routes to new strategies.
Le Centre d’accueil d’évaluation et d’orientation (CAdEO) : une porte d’entrée territoriale dans les soins en santé mentale
Authors: Franck Nicolas , Cuisniak Alexia , Cadranel Marion , Gonthier Laurent , Bennasar Estelle , Belluard Brice , El Oussoul Sofia
Published: September 2023

Un premier Centre d’accueil d’évaluation et d’orientation (CAdEO) a été créé à Lyon début juin 2020 dans le but de faciliter l’accès aux soins en santé mentale. Cette structure permet à toute personne qui la sollicite d’accéder à une consultation psychiatrique dans les quelques jours qui suivent. Elle ne met pas en œuvre de suivi, mais elle lui permet d’être rapidement dirigée vers la structure ou le professionnel, d’exercice public ou privé, qui pourra déployer la prise en charge dont elle a besoin.

Pour argumenter ses avis, le CAdEO s’appuie sur une équipe multidisciplinaire, qui comprend des psychiatres, des psychologues et des infirmiers (dont un infirmier en pratique avancée). Son secrétariat est ouvert du lundi au vendredi. Le CAdEO, qui est implanté en centre-ville, travaille en partenariat étroit avec les médecins généralistes de son territoire de santé, ainsi qu’avec tous les dispositifs sanitaires, médico-sociaux et sociaux intervenant dans le domaine de la santé mentale.

Parmi ses consultants, environ 4 personnes sur 5 sont orientées vers le libéral ou l’associatif. Une personne sur 5 est orientée vers les autres dispositifs du secteur de psychiatrie générale dont le CAdEO constitue en ce cas la porte d’entrée.
Circadian ribosome profiling reveals a role for the
Period2
upstream open reading frame in sleep
Authors: Millius Arthur , Yamada Rikuhiro G. , Fujishima Hiroshi , Maeda Kazuhiko , Standley Daron M. , Sumiyama Kenta , Perrin Dimitri , Ueda Hiroki R.
Published: September 2023

Many mammalian proteins have circadian cycles of production and degradation, and many of these rhythms are altered posttranscriptionally. We used ribosome profiling to examine posttranscriptional control of circadian rhythms by quantifying RNA translation in the liver over a 24-h period from circadian-entrained mice transferred to constant darkness conditions and by comparing ribosome binding levels to protein levels for 16 circadian proteins. We observed large differences in ribosome binding levels compared to protein levels, and we observed delays between peak ribosome binding and peak protein abundance. We found extensive binding of ribosomes to upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in circadian mRNAs, including the core clock gene
Period2 (Per2)
. An increase in the number of uORFs in the 5′UTR was associated with a decrease in ribosome binding in the main coding sequence and a reduction in expression of synthetic reporter constructs. Mutation of the
Per2
uORF increased luciferase and fluorescence reporter expression in 3T3 cells and increased luciferase expression in PER2:LUC MEF cells. Mutation of the
Per2
uORF in mice increased
Per2
mRNA expression, enhanced ribosome binding on
Per2
, and reduced total sleep time compared to that in wild-type mice. These results suggest that uORFs affect mRNA posttranscriptionally, which can impact physiological rhythms and sleep.
The competition dynamics of approach and avoidance motivations following interpersonal transgression
Authors: Shen Bo , Chen Yang , He Zhewen , Li Weijian , Yu Hongbo , Zhou Xiaolin
Published: September 2023

Two behavioral motivations coexist in transgressors following an interpersonal transgression—approaching and compensating the victim and avoiding the victim. Little is known about how these motivations arise, compete, and drive transgressors’ decisions. The present study adopted a social interaction task to manipulate participants’ (i.e., the transgressor) responsibility for another’s (i.e., the victim) monetary loss and measure the participants’ tradeoff between compensating the victim and avoiding face-to-face interactions with the victim. Following each transgression, participants used a computer mouse to choose between two options differing in the amount of compensation to the victim and the probability of face-to-face contact with the victim. Results showed that as participants’ responsibility increased, 1) the decision weights on contact avoidance relative to compensation increased, and 2) the onset of the contact-avoidance attribute was expedited and that of the compensation attribute was delayed. These results demonstrate how competing social motivations following transgression evolve and determine social decision-making and shed light on how social-affective state modulates the dynamics of decision-making in general.