bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging-polarimetric properties of the white-light inner corona during the 2017 total solar eclipse
Authors: Liang Yu , Qu Zhongquan , Hao Lei , Xu Zhi , Zhong Yue
Published: November 2022

We carried out the polarimetric observation of the white-light inner corona during the 2017 total solar eclipse in the United States. Degree of linear polarization (DLP) of the inner corona is obtained by the modulated polarized data. The electron density is inferred from the normalized white-light polarization brightness data. According to the observational results, we find that: (1) The DLP of the white-light corona increases with the height, peaking at approximately $1.3 \sim 1.35\, {\rm R}_{\odot }$ and then slightly decreases. In the coronal streamer region, DLP peaks at approximately 1.35 R⊙ and its value is about 40  per cent, whereas in the coronal hole region, DLP peaks at approximately 1.3 R⊙ and its value is about 35  per cent. (2) The azimuth angle of polarization sin (2χ) is symmetrical around the solar disk center. It can be easily found that the gradients of the angle of polarization, representing the direction of oscillations of the electric vector E, are tangential. Above the active region, the DLP distribution changes significantly, whereas the azimuth distribution is stable. This proves that the polarization of white-light corona is mainly caused by scattering polarization. (3) The electron density and the K-corona have similar distributions of properties. Electron density decreases from 6 × 107cm−3 to 2 × 106cm−3, whereas the height increases from $1.1\, {\rm R}_{\odot }$ to $1.85\, {\rm R}_{\odot }$. (4) An interesting finding is that, in the cavity region, there may be other polarization-induced mechanisms besides scattering, which can affect the value of the white-light DLP.
Single-station meteor detection filtering using machine learning on MOROI data
Authors: Anghel Simon , Nedelcu Dan A , Birlan Mirel , Boaca Ioana
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, extensive data are collected in an automated regime. Combining this, with the increase in accessible computational power, led to large-scale implementations of machine learning (ML). This is also the case of meteor science, where object detection often requires tracking of a moving light source between frames, and the number of false positives can be up to an order of magnitude higher than true meteoric phenomena. While spatiotemporal coincidence of events recorded by close, multiple cameras can eliminate most of the false positives, single-station detections in some camera networks are currently discarded. In this paper, we explore a set of ML models aiming to find an optimal method for re-analysis of this single-station observations, in order to identify and extract real meteors. A set of 15 ML models were trained on features extracted from the meteor movement. Upon testing, we found a top accuracy score of 98,2 per cent, and a recall (i.e. percentage of meteors correctly classified) score of 96 per cent for the best performing models. When combined with the spatiotemporal coincidence of the detection, the recall increases to 99.92 per cent. These 15 ML techniques were selected according to their ability classify tabular data, hence the bundle can be applied to other studies. The same goes for the computed features, which are independent on the camera configuration, thus, the process can be scaled and applied to other networks. These methods are to be implemented to re-analyze the events recorded by the larger, FRIPON network.
Air pollution in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, assessed by plant comet assay
Authors: Hasanovic Mujo , Cetkovic Tamara , Pourrut Bertrand , Caluk Klacar Lejla , Hadzic Omanovic Maida , Durmic-Pasic Adaleta , Haveric Sanin , Haveric Anja
Published: November 2022

Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is among the European countries with the highest rate of air pollution-related death cases and the poorest air quality. The main causes are solid fuel consumption, traffic, and the poorly developed or implemented air pollution reduction policies. In addition, the city of Sarajevo, the capital of B&H, suffers temperature inversion episodes in autumn/winter months, which sustain air pollution. Human biomonitoring studies may be confounded by the lifestyle of subjects or possible metabolic alterations. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate Ligustrum vulgare L. as a model for air pollution monitoring by measuring DNA damage at one rural and two urban sites. DNA damage was measured as tail intensity (TI) in L. vulgare leaves, considering seasonal, sampling period, leaf position and staging, and spatial (urban versus rural) variation. Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on TI were assessed by periodical monitoring at one of the selected sites, while in-house grown L. vulgare plants were used to test differences between outdoor and indoor air pollution effects for the same sampling period. Significantly higher TI was generally observed in leaves collected in Campus in December 2020 and 2021 compared with March (P < 0.0001). Outer and adult leaves showed higher TI values, except for the rural site where no differences for these categories were found. Leaves collected in the proximity of the intensive traffic showed significantly higher TI values (P < 0.001), regardless of the sampling period and the stage of growth. In regards to the COVID-19 lockdown, higher TI (P < 0.001) was registered in December 2020, after the lockdown period, than in periods before COVID-19 outbreak or immediately after the lockdown in 2020. This also reflects mild air pollution conditions in summer. TI values for the in-house grown leaves were significantly lower compared to those in situ. Results showed that L. vulgare may present a consistent model for the air pollution biomonitoring but further studies are needed to establish the best association between L. vulgare physiology, air quality data, and air pollution effects.
Sweet Syndrome Imitating Cutaneous Cryptococcal Disease
Authors: Jordan Ariel A , Graciaa Daniel S , Gopalsamy Srinivasa N , Neill Stewart G , Parker Douglas C , Aspey Laura D , Collins Jeffrey M
Published: November 2022

Cryptococcoid Sweet syndrome is a rare histologic variant of the neutrophilic dermatosis presenting clinically with skin lesions typical of classical Sweet syndrome but with yeast-like structures suggestive of Cryptococcus on histopathology. Histochemical stains for fungus and cultures are negative whereas staining for myeloperoxidase is positive. We present 2 cases of cryptococcoid Sweet syndrome with atypical skin manifestations, including hemorrhagic bullae and plaques, and provide a brief review of the literature. Clinicians should be aware that this variant of Sweet syndrome can present with uncommon clinical findings and has histopathologic findings suggestive of Cryptococcus species.
Towards a Phenomenology of Rasa
Authors: Kaur Inderjit N.
Published: November 2022

Rasa (flavor, essence), as a concept in the Indian aesthetics of performance, is as widely known as the notions of raga and tala. Yet, the lived experience of rasa in the everyday remains seriously underexplored. This essay pursues a phenomenology of rasa by presenting an ethnographic investigation of the phenomenon of ras (rasa’s vernacular counterpart) in the practice of Sikh sabad kīrtan (sung scriptural verse). It proposes that ras can be understood as an interrelational experience that emerges in a phenomenal field co-constituted by people, objects, sound, food, ideas, memory, and aspirations. Focusing on what I call the “ethical flavors” of non-Othering in har-ras (divine-ras) and resilience in vīr-ras (heroic-ras), the essay explicates ras as the body’s mode of inhabiting the lived world. It illuminates the epistemic value of ras in gaining knowledge of self, community, and the divine, and explores the temporal dimension of ras as it accretes in the body to continue to be productive in the overlapping phenomenal fields of everyday social and political life.
XVIINew Literatures
Authors: Egbunike Louisa Uchum , Lorre-Johnston Christine , Manzo Kerry , McNeill Dougal , Miller Benjamin , Narumi Naruse Cheryl , NivesjÖ Sanja , Niblett Michael , Raja Ira , Sharrad Paul , GARCÍA Zarranz Libe , Zirra Maria
Published: November 2022

This chapter has seven sections: 1. Africa; 2. Australia; 3. Canada; 4. The Caribbean; 5. South Asia: The Indian Subcontinent and Sri Lanka; 6. New Zealand and Pacific; 7. Southeast Asia. Section 1 is by Louisa Uchum Egbunike, Kerry Manzo, Sanja Nivesjö, and Maria Zirra; section 2 is by Benjamin Miller and Paul Sharrad; section 3 is by Christine Lorre-Johnston and Libe García Zarranz; section 4 is by Michael Niblett; section 5 is by Ira Raja; section 6 is by Dougal McNeill; section 7 is by Cheryl Narumi Naruse.
Completeness and Mismatch of Patient-Important Outcomes After Trauma
Authors: James Arthur , Ravaud Philippe , Riveros Carolina , Raux Mathieu , Tran Viet-Thi
Published: November 2022

Background:

To assess the completeness of the collection of patient-important outcomes and the mismatch between outcomes measured in research and patients’ important issues after trauma.

Summary Background Data:

To date, severe trauma has mainly been assessed using in-hospital mortality. Yet, with 80 to 90% survivors discharged from hospital, it is critical to assess the collection of patient important long-term outcomes of trauma.

Methods:

Mixed methods study combining a systematic review of outcomes and their comparison with domains elicited by patients during a qualitative study. We searched Medline, EMBASE and clinicaltrials.gov from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2019 and extracted all outcomes from reports including severe trauma. We compared these outcomes with 97 domains that matter to trauma survivors identified in a previous qualitative study. We defined as patient-important outcome as the 10 most frequently elicited domains in the qualitative study. We assessed the number of domains captured in each report to illustrate the completeness of the collection of patient-important outcomes. We also assessed the mismatch between outcomes collected and what matters to patients.

Findings:

Among the 116 reports included in the systematic review, we identified 403 outcomes collected with 154 unique measurements tools. Beside mortality, measurement tools most frequently used were the Glasgow Outcome Scale (31.0%, n=36), questions on patients’ return to work (20,7%, n=24) and the EQ-5D (19.0%, n=22). The comparison between the outcomes identified in the systematic review and the domains from the qualitative study found that 10.3% (n=12) reports did not collect any patient-important domains and one collected all 10 patient-important domains. By examining each of the 10 patient-important domains, none was collected in more than 72% of reports and only five were among the ten most frequently measured domains in studies.

Conclusion:

The completeness of the collection of the long-term patient-important outcomes after trauma can be improved. There was a mismatch between the domains used in the literature and those considered important by patients during a qualitative study.
Patient Education on Scarring Following Mohs Micrographic Surgery: Patient Preference for Information Delivery
Authors: Aleisa Abdullah , Veldhuizen Inge J. , Rossi Anthony M. , Nehal Kishwer S. , Lee Erica H.
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

There are multiple modalities for patient education ranging from written to audiovisual formats. However, little is known regarding which modality is optimal.

OBJECTIVE

To assess patient preference for educational materials about scar care following surgery for facial skin cancer using the FACE-Q Skin Cancer patient reported outcome measure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

On the day of Mohs surgery, patients were given a written handout or viewed a 3-minute animation video regarding best practices in scar improvement. Afterward, patients received the FACE-Q Skin Cancer—Satisfaction with Information: Appearance scale. Three months later, patients were called and given the same scale and additional questions regarding scar care.

RESULTS

A total of 75 patients were enrolled. There was no difference between the 2 groups' preoperative information scores (p = .85) and the three-month postoperative scores (p = .37). The change in preoperative and postoperative score showed no significant difference between the 2 groups (p = .21); but there was a trend of higher satisfaction in the video group on the day of Mohs surgery. After the 3-month timepoint, there was a higher satisfaction trend observed with the written handout group.

CONCLUSION

Patient preferences in information delivery and accessibility will contribute to greater information retention and satisfaction.
Bupivacaine to Reduce Pain and Narcotic Use After Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Authors: Voss Vanessa B. , Oh Clara , Veerabagu Surya , Nugent Shannon , Giordano Cerrene , Golda Nicholas J.
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Limited data exists for bupivacaine injection after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate how bupivacaine affects postoperative pain and narcotic use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this multicenter, single-blinded, prospective randomized controlled trial, patients received bupivacaine or saline (placebo) immediately after MMS with flap reconstructions identified by American Academy of Dermatology expert consensus as high-risk for pain and narcotic use. For 48 hours postoperatively, patients logged analgesic use, pain scores (0–10), and whether pain was controlled.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-four patients were included. Narcotic analgesic use was higher in the placebo group during the first 24 hours (odds ratio 2.18; confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–4.41; p = .03), second 24 hours (odds ratio 2.18; CI: 0.91–5.29; p = .08), and 48 hours combined (odds ratio 2.58; CI: 1.28–5.24; p < .01). Pain scores were lower in the bupivacaine group during the first 8 hours (mean difference 1.6; CI: 0.73–2.38; p < .001). Overall analgesic use (narcotic and non-narcotic) and percentage of patients reporting pain under control were similar between groups. There were no significant differences in demographics or surgical characteristics. No adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSION

Single-dose bupivacaine decreased postoperative pain and narcotic analgesic use after MMS with reconstructions likely to cause significant pain. Bupivacaine may have a role in postoperative pain management and reducing narcotic use in this population.
High Patient Satisfaction for up to 6 Months With OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment for Upper Facial Lines
Authors: Cohen Joel L. , Fagien Steven , Ogilvie Patricia , De Boulle Koenraad , Carruthers Jean , Cox Sue Ellen , Kelly Regina , Garcia Julia K. , Sangha Sara
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

OnabotulinumtoxinA safety and efficacy are well established for upper facial lines (UFL), including forehead lines (FHL), glabellar lines (GL), and crow's feet lines (CFL).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of onabotulinumtoxinA efficacy with patient-reported psychological impacts and satisfaction in UFL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A pooled analysis of data from 4 pivotal Phase 3 trials (onabotulinumtoxinA vs placebo in FHL ± GL, FHL + GL ± CFL, CFL, and CFL + GL for ≤180 days) evaluated investigator-assessed ≥1-grade severity improvement on the Allergan Facial Wrinkle Scale at Day 30 (responders). Facial Line Outcomes (FLO-11) Questionnaire, Facial Line Satisfaction Questionnaire (FLSQ), and Subject Assessment of Satisfaction of Appearance (SASA) were used to evaluate responder appearance-related psychological impacts and satisfaction.

RESULTS

OnabotulinumtoxinA patients, by primary study focus (FHL, GL, or CFL), totaled 921, 921, and 833, respectively; 786 patients received placebo. Most patients were female, White, and aged 45 to 50 years (median). Through 150 days, >42% FHL, >43% GL, and ≥32% CFL patients were onabotulinumtoxinA responders. Responders reported improvements in appearance-related psychological impacts (FLO-11) and high satisfaction (FLSQ and SASA), sustained through ≥150 days.

CONCLUSION

A ≥1-grade improvement with onabotulinumtoxinA is a clinically meaningful outcome in UFL, associated with long-lasting improved patient-reported psychological impacts and high satisfaction.
Risk factors for mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Analysis of adult and pediatric cohorts in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Chien-Chih , Sun Yi-Syuan , Chen Wei-Sheng , Liao Hsien-Tzung , Chen Ming-Han , Tsai Chang-Youh , Huang De-Feng , Chou Chung-Tei , Chang Deh-Ming
Published: November 2022

Background:

Overall survival of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients significantly increased in recent decades, however, the relative risk of mortality is still high. Long-term survival outcome of pediatric SLE remains unclear. This study aims to explore the long-term survival rate and its predictors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods:

A retrospective, hospital-based cohort study was performed between 2004 and 2018 in a tertiary referral medical center in Taiwan. Data on comorbidities, medications, and causes of admission were collected for risk factor analysis using time-dependent multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:

A total of 2392 adults and 115 pediatric SLE patients were enrolled (female, n = 2157 and 95, respectively). The 10-year survival rates were 93.2%, 90.2%, 98.9%, and 100% in adult women, adult men, girls, and boys with SLE, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 2.09 case/100 patient-years (PY) for male SLE and 1.39 case/100 PY for female SLE patients. Male SLE patients did not have a statistically significantly higher mortality rate than female SLE patients in each age stratification. Infectious disease (n = 119), heart failure (n = 21), and cerebrovascular accident (n = 14) were the leading causes of death in adult SLE patients. Advanced age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.05), treatment with mean dosage of systemic glucocorticoid equivalent to >10 mg/d of prednisolone (HR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.14-2.57), comorbidities with malignancy (HR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.22-3.09), chronic kidney disease (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.25-2.77), hypertension (HR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01-1.98), and admission due to bacterial pneumonia (HR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12-3.31) and sepsis (HR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.51-5.13) were independent risk factors for mortality in SLE patients.

Conclusion:

SLE patients with advanced age, malignancy, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, treated with a higher average dosage of glucocorticoids, and admission due to bacterial pneumonia and sepsis have an increased risk of mortality.
The requirements of nucleic acid test for COVID-19 during public health emergency: Current regulatory in Taiwan, Singapore, and the United States
Authors: Fan Yin-Ting , Lee Jin-Yu , Cheng Yu-Che , Lin Hsin-Hui , Chien Chia-Hung , Tu Pei-Weng , Chung Hui-Wen
Published: November 2022

In mid-2022, the COVID-19 cases have reached close to 562 million, but its overall infection rate is hard to confirm. Even with effective vaccines, break-through infections with new variants occur, and safe and reliable testing still plays a critical role in isolation of infected individuals and in control of an outbreak of a COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this urgent need, the diagnostic tests for COVID-19 are rapidly evolving and improving these days. The health authorities of many countries issued requirements for detecting SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis tests during the pandemic and have timely access to these tests to ensure safety and effectiveness. In this study, we compared the requirements of EUA in Taiwan, Singapore, and the United States. For the performance evaluations of nucleic acid extraction, inclusivity, limit of detection (LoD), cross-reactivity, interference, cutoff, and stability, the requirements are similar in the three countries. The use of natural clinical specimens is needed for clinical evaluation in Taiwan and the United States. However, carry-over and cross-contamination studies can be exempted in Taiwan and the United States but are required in Singapore. This review outlines requirements and insight to guide the test developers on the development of IVDs. Considering the rapidly evolving viruses and severe pandemic of COVID-19, timely and accurate diagnostic testing is imperative to the management of diseases. As noted above, the performance requirements for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid tests are similar between Taiwan, Singapore and the United States. The differences are mainly in two points: the recommended microorganisms for cross-reactivity study, and the specimen requirement for clinical evaluation. This study provides an overview of current requirements of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid tests in Taiwan, Singapore, and the United States.
An all-arthroscopic surgery technique for snapping popliteal tendon syndrome: A case report and literature review
Authors: Ryu Ji Hyun , Lee Se-Won , Lee Dong Hwan
Published: November 2022

Rationale:

The incidence of snapping popliteus tendon syndrome, a type of lateral knee snapping, is not high, so making an accurate diagnosis is difficult. A proper treatment following an accurate diagnosis is essential for improvement. Very few cases have been reported of its treatment.

Patient concerns:

An 18-year-old male patient had experienced painful popping in the lateral part of the knee during knee flexion for 3 years before his hospital visit.

Diagnoses:

Snapping popliteus tendon syndrome.

Interventions:

The patient underwent an all-arthroscopic surgery. Tendon debulking and tissue debridement around the popliteus tendon was conducted, but the snapping did not resolve. The enlarged tubercle was excised through an arthroscopic procedure using a burr, and the surgery was finished after confirming that snapping was resolved.

Outcomes:

Full range of motion (ROM) was recovered 6 weeks after surgery and the snapping did not recur.

Lessons:

Snapping popliteus tendon syndrome is a disease that is hardly recognized due to its low prevalence and difficulty in diagnosis, and it requires close observation of the patient before surgery. The location of the tenderness and the snapping occurrence must also be carefully identified. Our procedure is an entirely arthroscopic technique; as it has the prominent advantage of a speedy recovery and easy rehabilitation, it could also be helpful to set treatment standards for this disease in the future.
Efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors combined anti-angiogenic therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis
Authors: Xian Feng , Wu Cailiang , Zhang Guojun , Xu Guohui
Published: November 2022

Background:

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with antiangiogenic agents in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:

We conducted a systematic literature search of articles published between the establishment of the database and February 2022. Data were extracted and analyzed using STATA 14.0.

Results:

Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (980 patients for combination therapy and 565 patients for monotherapy) and 5 single-arm studies (246 patients for ICIs combination therapy) were enrolled. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 26% and 70%, respectively, after ICIs combination therapy. Compared with monotherapy in RCTs, ICIs combination therapy resulted in higher progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), but also increased the incidence of adverse events (AEs). Increased incidences of fatigue, hypertension, hyperbilirubinemia, proteinuria, and nausea were more common after ICIs combination therapy.

Conclusion:

The analysis results reveal that ICI-combined anti-angiogenesis therapy has higher efficacy than either ICIs or anti-angiogenesis options for unresectable HCC, but it is necessary to manage the AEs.
Three-year recurrence of Dupuytren’s contracture after needle fasciotomy or collagenase injection: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jørgensen Rasmus W , Jensen Claus H , Jørring Stig
Published: November 2022

Background:

In this randomized controlled trial, we compared the recurrence of Dupuytren’s disease at 3-years following needle fasciotomy or collagenase injection treatment for isolated metacarpophalangeal joint contractures.

Methods:

The study was conducted between 2013 and 2015. The study design was a single centre randomized controlled clinical trial with an independent blinded observer. Patients were randomized between collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections (Xiapex®) and percutaneous needle fasciotomy (CCH vs PNF). A total of 36 patients were followed in the PNF group and 32 in the CCH group.

Results:

Patients who were treated with CCH had a significantly lower recurrence rate than patients treated with PNF during the three-year period (p = 0.007). Of the 36 patients who were followed in the PNF group, 47% (n=17) had recurrence of extension deficit or progression of the disease leading to further treatment. Of the 32 patients who were followed in the CCH group, 19% (n=6) had recurrence or progression. No serious adverse event was reported in any of the patients.

Conclusions:

In this randomized controlled trial, we find less recurrence and progression of Dupuytren’s disease using collagenase injection as compared to percutaneous needle fasciotomy three years following treatment for isolated metacarpophalangeal joint contractures.

Level of evidence: I
18F-FDG and 18F-Fluciclovine Uptake in Poorly Differentiated Lung Adenocarcinoma in the Setting of Biochemically Recurrent Prostatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Trak Joseph , Hasanovic Adnan , Gavane Somali
Published: November 2022

A 64-year-old man with a history of Gleason 7 (3 + 4) pT2cN0 prostatic adenocarcinoma status post prostatectomy underwent a fluciclovine PET/CT that showed a tracer-avid right upper lobe spiculated solitary pulmonary nodule. Follow-up FDG PET/CT showed a hypermetabolic right upper lobe spiculated solitary pulmonary nodule. Fine-needle aspiration was consistent with primary lung adenocarcinoma. Subsequently, right upper lobectomy was performed, and poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinoma was confirmed.
Impact of a Multidisciplinary Simulation-Based Training Program on the Multiple Techniques of Intraosseous Access
Authors: Alkhalil Rania , Ouersighni Amina , Kenway Philippe , Breque Cyril , Oriot Denis , Ghazali Daniel Aiham
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess intraosseous (IO) access placement performance during a multidisciplinary simulation-based training (SBT) program according to the professional status, experience of caregivers, and the setting of the course.

Method

This prospective, multicentric study included emergency physicians, residents, certified registered nurse anesthetists, registered nurses, and students. It was carried out between April 6, 2020 and April 30, 2021 in emergency medical services, an emergency department, and a simulation center. Trainee performance was evaluated by 2 independent observers using a validated scale, before and after SBT. Self-assessment of satisfaction was carried out. Interobserver reproducibility was analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient. The continuous variables were compared using a Student t test or a nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. Comparative analysis between the different groups used analysis of variance. Correlation analysis was performed by a nonparametric Spearman test. A P value of 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Ninety-eight participants were included. Intraclass correlation coefficient between the 2 observers was 0.96. Performance significantly increased after training, regardless of the site or device used (for the semiautomatic device, P = 0.004 in tibia and P = 0.001 in humeral; for the manual device, P < 0.001). Simulation-based training significantly reduced time for IO access (P = 0.02). After SBT, no difference was found according to professional status and the setting of the course. Performance was not correlated with professional experience. All trainees were satisfied with the training.

Conclusions

Simulation-based training improved the IO access using a semiautomatic or a manual device, regardless of the experience or status of the trainees. Simulation-based training would work for many disciplines regardless of locations (simulation or clinical facilities).
Fast ion shuttling which is robust versus oscillatory perturbations
Authors: Espinós H. , Echanobe J. , Lu X.-J. , Muga J. G.
Published: November 2022

Shuttling protocols designed by shortcut-to-adiabaticity techniques may suffer from perturbations and imperfect implementations. We study the motional excitation of a single ion shuttled in harmonic traps with time-dependent, ‘systematic’ oscillatory perturbations around the nominal parameters. These elementary perturbations could form any other by superposition. Robust shuttling strategies are proposed and compared, and optimizations are performed.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Shortcuts to adiabaticity: theoretical, experimental and interdisciplinary perspectives’.
Counterdiabatic formalism of shortcuts to adiabaticity
Authors: Nakahara Mikio
Published: November 2022

A pedagogical introduction to counterdiabatic formalism of shortcuts to adiabaticity is given so that readers can access some of the more specialized articles in the rest of this theme issue without any barriers. A guide to references is given so that this article also serves as a mini-review.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Shortcuts to adiabaticity: theoretical, experimental and interdisciplinary perspectives’.
Experimental demonstration of robustness under scaling errors for superadiabatic population transfer in a superconducting circuit
Authors: Dogra Shruti , Vepsäläinen Antti , Paraoanu Gheorghe Sorin
Published: November 2022

We study experimentally and theoretically the transfer of population between the ground state and the second excited state in a transmon circuit by the use of superadiabatic stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (saSTIRAP). We show that the transfer is remarkably resilient against variations in the amplitudes of the pulses (scaling errors), thus demostrating that the superadiabatic process inherits certain robustness features from the adiabatic one. In particular, we provide new evidence of a plateau that appears at high values of the counterdiabatic pulse strength, which goes beyond the usual framework of saSTIRAP.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Shortcuts to adiabaticity: theoretical, experimental and interdisciplinary perspectives’.
Non-adiabatic quantum control of quantum dot arrays with fixed exchange using Cartan decomposition
Authors: Kanaar David W. , Güngördü Utkan , Kestner J. P.
Published: November 2022

In semiconductor spin qubits which typically interact through short-range exchange coupling, shuttling of spin is a practical way to generate quantum operations between distant qubits. Although the exchange is often tunable through voltages applied to gate electrodes, its minimal value can be significantly large, which hinders the applicability of existing shuttling protocols to such devices, requiring a different approach. In this work, we extend our previous results for double- and triple-dot systems, and describe a method for implementing spin state transfer in long chains of singly occupied quantum dots in a non-adiabatic manner. We make use of Cartan decomposition to break down the interacting problem into simpler problems in a systematic way, and use dynamical invariants to design smooth non-adiabatic pulses that can be implemented in devices with modest control bandwidth. Finally, we discuss the extensibility of our results to directed shuttling of spin states on two-dimensional lattices of quantum dots with fixed coupling.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Shortcuts to adiabaticity: theoretical, experimental and interdisciplinary perspectives’.
Optimizing counterdiabaticity by variational quantum circuits
Authors: Sun Dan , Chandarana Pranav , Xin Zi-Hua , Chen Xi
Published: November 2022

Using counterdiabatic (CD) driving—aiming at suppression of diabatic transition—in digitized adiabatic evolution has garnered immense interest in quantum protocols and algorithms. However, improving the approximate CD terms with a nested commutator ansatz is a challenging task. In this work, we propose a technique of finding optimal coefficients of the CD terms using a variational quantum circuit. By classical optimization routines, the parameters of this circuit are optimized to provide the coefficients corresponding to the CD terms. Then their improved performance is exemplified in Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger state preparation on the nearest-neighbour Ising model. Finally, we also show the advantage over the usual quantum approximation optimization algorithm, in terms of fidelity with bounded time.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Shortcuts to adiabaticity: theoretical, experimental and interdisciplinary perspectives’.
Optimal shortcuts of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage in the presence of dissipation
Authors: Stefanatos D. , Paspalakis E.
Published: November 2022

We use optimal control theory to obtain shortcuts to adiabaticity which maximize population transfer in a three-level stimulated Raman adiabatic passage system, for a given finite duration of the process and a specified dissipation rate at the intermediate state. We fix the sum of the intensities of the pump and Stokes pulses and use the mixing angle of the fields as the sole control variable. We determine the optimal variation of this angle and reveal the role of the singular arc in the optimal trajectory, in order to minimize the effect of dissipation.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Shortcuts to adiabaticity: theoretical, experimental and interdisciplinary perspectives’.
Disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 in a large US city
Authors: Fox Spencer J. , Javan Emily , Pasco Remy , Gibson Graham C. , Betke Briana , Diestra José-Luis Herrera , Woody Spencer , Pierce Kelly , Johnson Kaitlyn E. , Johnson-León Maureen , Lachmann Michael , Meyers Lauren Ancel
Published: November 2022

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted individuals depending on where they live and work, and based on their race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Studies have documented catastrophic disparities at critical points throughout the pandemic, but have not yet systematically tracked their severity through time. Using anonymized hospitalization data from March 11, 2020 to June 1, 2021, we estimate the time-varying burden of COVID-19 by age group and ZIP code in Austin, Texas. During this 15-month period, we estimate an overall 16.9% (95% CrI: 16.1-17.8%) infection rate and 34.1% (95% CrI: 32.4-35.8%) case reporting rate. Individuals over 65 were less likely to be infected than younger age groups (8.0% [95% CrI: 7.5-8.6%] vs 18.1% [95% CrI: 17.2-19.2%]), but more likely to be hospitalized (1,381 per 100,000 vs 319 per 100,000) and have their infections reported (51% [95% CrI: 48-55%] vs 33% [95% CrI: 31-35%]). Children under 18, who make up 20.3% of the local population, accounted for only 5.5% (95% CrI: 3.8-7.7%) of all infections between March 1 and May 1, 2020 compared with 20.4% (95% CrI: 17.3-23.9%) between December 1, 2020 and February 1, 2021. We compared ZIP codes ranking in the 75th percentile of vulnerability to those in the 25th percentile, and found that the more vulnerable communities had 2.5 (95% CrI: 2.0-3.0) times the infection rate and only 70% (95% CrI: 61%-82%) the reporting rate compared to the less vulnerable communities. Inequality persisted but declined significantly over the 15-month study period. For example, the ratio in infection rates between the more and less vulnerable communities declined from 12.3 (95% CrI: 8.8-17.1) to 4.0 (95% CrI: 3.0-5.3) to 2.7 (95% CrI: 2.0-3.6), from April to August to December of 2020, respectively. Our results suggest that public health efforts to mitigate COVID-19 disparities were only partially effective and that the CDC’s social vulnerability index may serve as a reliable predictor of risk on a local scale when surveillance data are limited.
Fine scale human mobility changes in 26 US cities in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with distance and income
Authors: Arambepola Rohan , Schaber Kathryn L , Schluth Catherine , Huang Angkana T , Labrique Alain B , Mehta Shruti H , Solomon Sunil S , Cummings Derek A T , Wesolowski Amy
Published: November 2022

Human mobility patterns changed greatly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite many analyses investigating general mobility trends, there has been less work characterising changes in mobility on a fine spatial scale and developing frameworks to model these changes. We analyse zip code-level mobility data from 26 US cities between February 2 – August 31, 2020. We use Bayesian models to characterise the initial decrease in mobility and mobility patterns between June - August at this fine spatial scale. There were similar temporal trends across cities but large variations in the magnitude of mobility reductions. Long-distance routes and higher-income subscribers, but not age, were associated with greater mobility reductions. At the city level, mobility rates around early April, when mobility was lowest, and over summer showed little association with non-pharmaceutical interventions or case rates. Changes in mobility patterns lasted until the end of the study period, despite overall numbers of trips recovering to near baseline levels in many cities.
Dynamics of Mitochondrial NAD+Import Reveal Preference for Oxidized Ligand and Substrate Led Transport
Authors: Goyal Shivansh , Cambronne Xiaolu A.
Published: November 2022

SLC25A51 is a member of the mitochondrial carrier family (MCF) but lacks key residues that have been attributed to the mechanism of other nucleotide MCF transporters. Thus, how SLC25A51 transports NAD+across the inner mitochondrial membrane remains unclear. To elucidate its mechanism, we used Molecular Dynamic simulations to study reconstituted SLC25A51 homology models in lipid bilayers. We observed spontaneous binding of cardiolipin phospholipids to three distinct sites on the exterior of SLC25A51’s central pore and found that mutation of these sites impaired transporter activity. We also observed that stable formation of the required matrix gate was controlled by a single salt bridge. Using simulation data and in-cell activity assays we identified binding sites in SLC25A51 for NAD+and showed that its binding was guided by an electrostatic interaction between NAD+and a negatively charged patch in the pore. In turn, interaction of NAD+with interior residue E132 guided the ligand to dynamically engage and weaken the salt bridge gate, representing a ligand-induced initiation of transport.

Significance

NAD+is an intermediary metabolite whose multiple functions are entwined with respiration, catabolism, and stress responses in cells. Previous sensor measurements had indicated that its continuous biosynthesis was required to sustain mitochondrial matrix levels in respiring cells, and SLC25A51 was identified as the required importer of NAD+across the inner mitochondrial membrane. However, SLC25A51 has little homology to other nucleotide carriers at its substrate binding site. By combining modeling approaches and experimental assays, this work provides mechanistic insight into how human SLC25A51 recognizes its ligand, how the transporter can be regulated by its lipid environment, and an observation of ligand-induced gate opening. This represents the first description of the ligand binding site for an NAD+mitochondrial carrier.
Structural basis of bifunctionality ofSinorhizobium melilotiClr, a cAMP and cGMP receptor protein
Authors: Werel Laura , Farmani Neda , Krol Elizaveta , Serrania Javier , Essen Lars-Oliver , Becker Anke
Published: November 2022

In bacteria, Crp-Fnr superfamily transcription factors are the most ubiquitous receptor proteins of 3’,5’-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 3’,5’-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The prototypicEscherichia coliCAP protein represents the main CRP subclass and is known to bind cAMP and cGMP, but to mediate transcription activation only in its cAMP-bound state. In contrast, both cyclic nucleotides mediate transcription activation by CRP subclass G protein Clr ofSinorhizobium meliloti. We present crystal structures of apo-Clr, and Clr•cAMP and Clr•cGMP bound to the core motif of the palindromic Clr DNA binding site (CBS). We show that both cyclic nucleotides shift ternary Clr•cNMP•CBS-DNA complexes to almost identical active conformations. Unlike the situation known for theE. coliCAP•cNMP complex, in the Clr•cNMP complex, the nucleobases of cGMP and cAMP are in thesyn-andanti-conformation, respectively, allowing a shift to the active conformations in both cases. Isothermal titration calorimetry measured similar affinities of cAMP and cGMP binding to Clr in presence of CBS core motif DNA (KDcNMP16 μM). However, different affinities were determined in absence of this DNA (KDcGMP24 μM; KDcGMP6 μM). Sequencing of Clr co-immunoprecipitated DNA as well as Electrophoretic Mobility Shift and promoter-probe assays expanded the list of experimentally proven Clr-regulated promoters and CBS. This comprehensive set of CBS features conserved nucleobases, which are in agreement with the sequence readout through interactions of Clr amino acid residues with these nucleobases, as revealed by the Clr•cNMP•CBS-DNA crystal structures.

IMPORTANCE

Cyclic 3’,5’-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic 3’,5’-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are both long known as important nucleotide second messenger in eukaryotes. This is also the case for cAMP in prokaryotes, whereas a signaling role for cGMP in this domain of life has been recognized only recently. Catabolite repressor proteins (CRPs) are the most ubiquitous bacterial cAMP receptor proteins.Escherichia coliCAP, the prototypic transcription regulator of the main CRP subclass, binds both cyclic mononucleotides, but only the CAP•cAMP complex promotes transcription activation. In contrast, CRP subclass G proteins studied so far, are activated by cGMP, or both by cAMP and cGMP. Here, we report a structural analysis of the bifunctional cAMP- and cGMP-activatable Clr fromSinorhizobium meliloti, how binding of cAMP and cGMP shifts Clr to its active conformation, and the structural basis of its DNA binding site specificity.
Neural Entrainment to Musical Pulse In Naturalistic Music Is Preserved In Aging: Implications for Music-Based Interventions
Authors: Tichko Parker , Page Nicole , Kim Ji Chul , Large Edward , Loui Psyche
Published: November 2022

Neural entrainment to musical rhythm is thought to underlie the perception and production of music. In aging populations, the strength of neural entrainment to rhythm has been found to be attenuated, particularly during attentive listening to auditory streams. However, previous studies on neural entrainment to rhythm and aging have often employed artificial auditory rhythms or limited pieces of recorded, naturalistic music, failing to account for the diversity of rhythmic structures found in natural music. As part of larger project assessing a novel music-based intervention for healthy aging, we investigated neural entrainment to musical rhythms in the electroencephalogram (EEG) while participants listened to self-selected musical recordings across a sample of younger and older adults. We specifically measured neural entrainment to the level of musical pulse—quantified here as the phase-locking value (PLV)—after normalizing the PLVs to each musical recording’s detected pulse frequency. As predicted, we observed strong neural phase-locking to musical pulse, and to the sub-harmonic and harmonic levels of musical meter. Overall, PLVs were not significantly different between older and younger adults. This preserved neural entrainment to musical pulse and rhythm could support the design of music-based interventions that aim to modulate endogenous brain activity via self-selected music for healthy cognitive aging.
Functional characterization of cardiac fibroblasts in response to hemodynamic alteration
Authors: Shiraishi Manabu , Suzuki Ken , Yamaguchi Atsushi
Published: November 2022

Excess deposition of extracellular matrix in the myocardium is a predictor of reduced left ventricular function. Although reducing the hemodynamic load is known to improve myocardial fibrosis, the mechanisms underlying reversal of the fibrosis have not been elucidated. We modeled normal myocardium, fibrotic myocardium and myocardium with reduced fibrosisin vitro. Fibroblasts differentiated into activated or fibrinolytic types in response to the pericellular environment. Comprehensive gene expression analysis of fibroblasts in eachin vitrocondition showedSelenbp1to be one of the genes responsible for regulating differentiation of fibroblasts.In vitroknockdown ofSelenbp1enhanced fibroblast activation and inhibited conversion to the fibrinolytic form.In vivoknockdown ofSelenbp1resulted in structural changes in the left ventricle associated with progressive tissue fibrosis and left ventricular diastolic failure. Selenbp1 is involved in regulating fibroblast differentiation and appears to be one of the major molecules regulating collagen turnover in cardiac fibrosis.
Complex third-party effects in theDictyostelium-Paraburkholderiasymbiosis: prey bacteria that are eaten, carried, or left behind
Authors: Scott Trey J. , Queller David C. , Strassmann Joan E.
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Symbiotic interactions may change depending on the abundance of third parties like predators, prey, or pathogens. Third-party interactions with prey bacteria are central to the symbiosis betweenDictyostelium discoideumsocial amoeba hosts andParaburkholderiafacultative bacterial symbionts. Symbiosis with inedibleParaburkholderiaallows hostD. discoideumto carry prey bacteria through the dispersal stage where host amoebae aggregate and develop into fruiting bodies that disperse spores. Carrying prey bacteria benefits hosts when prey bacteria are scarce but harms hosts when prey bacteria are plentiful. Symbiont-carrying hosts leave some bacteria behind; this could explain the harm to hosts if left-behind bacteria include uneaten prey bacteria. Thus, understanding both benefits and costs in this symbiosis requires measuring how many prey bacteria are eaten, carried, and left behind by infected hosts. We found thatParaburkholderiainfection makes hosts leave behind both symbionts and prey bacteria. However, the number of prey bacteria left uneaten was small and did not explain why infected hosts produced fewer spores than uninfected hosts. Turning to the bacteria that are carried, we found that hosts carry more prey bacteria after developing in prey- poor environments than in prey-rich ones. This suggests that carriage is actively modified to ensure hosts have prey in the harshest conditions. Our results show that multifaceted interactions with third parties shape the evolution of symbioses in complex ways.