bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hearing Sensitivity in Adults Screened for Selected Risk Factors
Authors: Wiley Terry L. , Torre Peter , Cruickshanks Karen J. , Nondahl David M. , Tweed Ted S.
Published: March 2022

As a means of partially distinguishing age effects and other risk factors in presbyacusis, hearing thresholds for 56– to 65–year-old participants screened for exclusion of selected risk factors were compared with thresholds for 48– to 55–year-old participants without the same risk factors. Hearing thresholds for both age groups were also compared with age-appropriate International Standards Organization (ISO) norms. Even after screening participants for exclusion of selected risk factors, differences in hearing sensitivity remained across age groups. Across the male and female groups, thresholds were generally better (lower) for 48 to 55 year olds than for 56 to 65 year olds. ISO norms generally underestimated the degree of hearing loss for participants of comparable age in the present study. The underestimation was small at lower test frequencies, was generally greater for men, and was largest at test frequencies above 2000 Hz.

Abbreviations: ANSI = American National Standards Institute, EHLS = Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study, ISO = International Standards Organization
Evaluation of a Cognitive Test Battery in Young and Elderly Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Persons
Authors: Hällgren Mathias , Larsby Birgitta , Lyxell Björn , Arlinger Stig
Published: March 2022

A cognitive test battery sensitive to processes important for speech understanding was developed and investigated. Test stimuli are presented as text or in an auditory or audiovisual modality. The tests investigate phonologic processing and verbal information processing. Four subject groups, young/elderly with normal-hearing and young/elderly with hearing impairment, each including 12 subjects, participated in the study. The only significant effect in the text modality was an age effect in the speed of performance, seen also in the auditory and audiovisual modalities. In the auditory and audiovisual modalities, the effects of hearing status and modality were seen in accuracy parameters. Interactions between hearing status and modality, both in accuracy and in reaction times, show that hearing-impaired subjects have difficulties without visual cues. Performing the test battery in noise made the tasks more difficult, especially in the auditory modality and for the elderly, affecting both accuracy and speed. Test-retest measurements showed learning effects and a modality-dependent variability. The test battery has proven useful in assessing the relative contribution of different input signals and the effects of age, hearing impairment, and visual contribution on functions important for speech processing.

Abbreviations: ANOVA = analysis of variance, PTA = pure-tone average, SNR = signal-to-noise ratio, SVIPS = speech and visual information processing system, TIPS = text information processing system
Effects of Speech Babble on Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Normal-Hearing Adults
Authors: Smith Sally , Kei Joseph , McPherson Bradley , Smyth Veronica
Published: March 2022

The results of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) have been found to be adversely affected by noise. However, there are few investigations into the specific effect of background noise on TEOAEs. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of increasing levels of speech babble and the recording method on TEOAEs using the ILO88 Otodynamics instrumentation. Subjects were 30 normal-hearing adults (15 males and 15 females), aged between 18 and 32 years. TEOAE recordings were obtained from both ears of each subject under five different levels of speech babble delivered via a loudspeaker in sound field using both the default and Quickscreen methods of data collection. The results indicated that both the whole-wave reproducibility (WWR) and mean signal-to-noise ratio (MSNR), averaged across frequencies from about 2 to 4 kHz, decreased with increasing speech babble levels. The results also showed that the Quickscreen mode was less susceptible to noise than the default mode. The pass percentage, using either WWR >50 percent or an MSNR >3 dB as a pass criterion, also decreased with increasing speech babble levels. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the use of the WWR pass criterion resulted in a high failure rate under high levels of speech babble. In contrast, the MSNR pass criterion was robust to speech babble levels of up to 70 dBA in the Quickscreen mode and 65 dBA in the default setting. The clinical implications of these findings, as applied to non-sound-treated environments, are discussed.

Abbreviations: ANOVA = analysis of variance, MSNR = mean signal-to-noise ratio, NRL = noise rejection level, OAE = otoacoustic emission, SNR = signal-to-noise ratio, TEOAE = transient evoked otoacoustic emission, WWR = whole-wave reproducibility
Metastable dynamics of neural circuits and networks
Authors: Brinkman B. A. W. , Yan H. , Maffei A. , Park I. M. , Fontanini A. , Wang J. , La Camera G.
Published: March 2022

Cortical neurons emit seemingly erratic trains of action potentials or “spikes,” and neural network dynamics emerge from the coordinated spiking activity within neural circuits. These rich dynamics manifest themselves in a variety of patterns, which emerge spontaneously or in response to incoming activity produced by sensory inputs. In this Review, we focus on neural dynamics that is best understood as a sequence of repeated activations of a number of discrete hidden states. These transiently occupied states are termed “metastable” and have been linked to important sensory and cognitive functions. In the rodent gustatory cortex, for instance, metastable dynamics have been associated with stimulus coding, with states of expectation, and with decision making. In frontal, parietal, and motor areas of macaques, metastable activity has been related to behavioral performance, choice behavior, task difficulty, and attention. In this article, we review the experimental evidence for neural metastable dynamics together with theoretical approaches to the study of metastable activity in neural circuits. These approaches include (i) a theoretical framework based on non-equilibrium statistical physics for network dynamics; (ii) statistical approaches to extract information about metastable states from a variety of neural signals; and (iii) recent neural network approaches, informed by experimental results, to model the emergence of metastable dynamics. By discussing these topics, we aim to provide a cohesive view of how transitions between different states of activity may provide the neural underpinnings for essential functions such as perception, memory, expectation, or decision making, and more generally, how the study of metastable neural activity may advance our understanding of neural circuit function in health and disease.
Non-contact torque sensor based on magnetostrictive Fe30Co70 alloy
Authors: Niu Xiaodong , Li Mingming , Wang Qian , Liu Mengfei , Wang Bowen , Huang Wenmei , Weng Ling , Sun Ying
Published: March 2022

A non-contact torque sensor based on a magnetostrictive Fe30Co70 rod wound with an excitation coil and a pickup coil is proposed in this paper. In the magnetic field range 0–30 kA/m, the changing rate and linearity of magnetostriction with a loading magnetic field of Fe30Co70 samples are significantly improved after heat treatment. Maximum magnetostriction is 103 ppm in the annealed sample in the parallel direction, while its tensile strength and allowable shear stress are 608 and 194.56 MPa, respectively. According to the mathematical model presented in this work, there is a linear relationship between the output voltage and torque. An apparent increase in the induced voltage signal (peak voltage) of 48.23 mV is observed as the torque increases to 20 Nm in the case of applying sinusoidal excitation signals. In addition, the experimental results are consistent with the calculated values within the torque range 0–16 Nm, and a good sensitivity of 2.87 mV/Nm is obtained. This work shows the prospect of Fe30Co70 alloy for non-contact torque sensing for the appropriate magnetostrictive property with no orientation requirement.
Partial replacement of sugarcane with cactus (Opuntia stricta) cladodes improves milk yield and composition in Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Sánchez B. M. S. , Véras A. S. C. , Freitas E. V. , Farias L. R. , Albuquerque J. G. S. S. , Almeida G. A. P. , Mora-Luna R. E. , Monteiro C. C. F. , Gama M. A. S. , Ferreira M. A.
Published: March 2022

Context Sugarcane is widely used as a forage source for dairy production in tropical areas worldwide. However, due to its low fibre degradability, large amounts of concentrates are needed to meet the energy requirements of high-producing cows, increasing production costs. Aims To evaluate how partially replacing sugarcane with cactus (Opuntia stricta [Haw.] Haw) cladodes affects nutrient intake and digestibility, feeding behaviour, protein efficiency, milk yield, and milk composition of Holstein dairy cows. Methods Ten lactating Holstein cows producing 22.04 kg/day (s.d. ± 1.94) were assigned to one of five diets in a duplicated 5 × 5 Latin square design. The diets were a control diet of sorghum silage and concentrates and four dietary treatments containing different proportions of cactus cladodes as a substitute for sugarcane (replacement levels of 0%, 17%, 34%, 52% on a DM basis). Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous, and the roughage:concentrate ratio was 64:36 on a DM basis. Key results Milk yield and energy-corrected milk yield increased quadratically with an increasing amount of cactus cladodes in the diet. Maximum yields of 23.7 kg milk/day and 26.1 kg energy-corrected milk/day were achieved when 34.6% and 37.6% of sugarcane was replaced with cactus cladodes respectively. Milk protein and solids contents increased linearly, and there was no impact on fat and lactose content. Feed intake changed in a quadratic manner in response to an increased cactus cladode content, with maximum intakes being observed when cactus cladodes replaced 30% of sugarcane in the diet. Nutrient digestibility was unaffected by dietary treatments. Time spent on feeding was reduced and idling time was increased as the concentration of cactus cladodes increased in the diet. Conclusion Partial replacement of sugarcane with cactus cladodes can increase dairy cows’ milk yield without causing any detrimental effects on milk composition or other production-related variables. Implications Cactus cladodes can be an important forage source for dairy cows and other ruminants in the semiarid region of Brazil and other drylands across the globe.
Effects of stranded heavy fuel oil subacute exposure on the fitness-related traits of sea urchin
Authors: Wang Xuanbo , Li Xishan , Xiong Deqi , Chen Huishu , Ren Hang
Published: March 2022

In this study, we investigated the behavioural, morphological and physiological responses of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) after subacute exposure to stranded heavy fuel oil (HFO) at oil loadings of 600, 1200, 2400 and 4800 μg oil g−1 gravel for 21 days. No significant differences in the survival rate and body size of S. intermedius were found following subacute exposure to stranded HFO at various oil loadings. Differently, the food consumption, covering behaviour, righting response and gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed obvious adverse effects at higher oil loadings, manifested as a low level of food consumption, reduced covering ability, slower righting speed and decreased GSI compared with the control. This study indicated that subacute exposure to the stranded HFO could cause an adverse effect on the fitness-related traits of sea urchins and provide new insights into the impact of oil spill pollution on benthic organisms.
The relationship among intra‐group communication, transactive memory systems, collective efficacy and team performance: A structural equation model analysis with Elite Footballers
Authors: Leo Francisco M. , Filho Edson , López‐Gajardo Miguel A. , García‐Calvo Tomás , González‐Ponce Inmaculada
Published: March 2022

We explored the relationship among intra‐group communication, collective efficacy, transactive memory systems and team performance. One hundred and seventy soccer players, aged between 14 and 38 years (M = 18.35, SD = 4.71), from eight national teams participated in this study. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. First, our analysis revealed that intra‐group communication was positively related to transactive memory systems. Second, transactive memory systems was positively associated with collective efficacy and team performance. Third, our analysis revealed that collective efficacy mediated the relationship between transactive memory systems and performance. Altogether, our findings advance the literature by highlighting the relationship among intra‐group communication, collective efficacy, transactive memory systems and team performance team processes. From an applied perspective, our findings suggest that systemic interventions simultaneously targeting various team constructs are important to enhance team functioning.

Highlights

The relationship among intra‐group communication, collective efficacy, transactive memory systems and team performance were examined in national football teams.

A cross‐sectional design was developed and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Playerś perceptions of high intra‐group communication were positively associated with the development of transactive memory systems.

Higher levels of transactive memory systems and collective efficacy were associated with better team performance.
Effects of caffeine chewing gum supplementation on exercise performance: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Barreto G. , Loureiro L. M. R. , Reis C. E. G. , Saunders B.
Published: March 2022

The aim of this systematic review with meta‐analysis was to determine the effect of caffeine gum (Caff‐gum) on exercise performance‐related outcomes. Several databases were searched for studies assessing the effect of Caff‐gum in placebo‐controlled protocols involving healthy adults. Random‐effects meta‐analyses using standardized mean differences (SMD) were performed to determine the effect of Caff‐gum on exercise outcomes with several sub‐analyses (training status, exercise type, timing and dose) for potential modifying factors. 14 studies were included, totalling 200 participants. There was a significant overall effect of Caff‐gum compared to placebo (SMD = 0.21, 95%CI: 0.10–0.32; p = 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed improved performance for trained (SMD = 0.23, 95%CI: 0.08–0.37; p = 0.004), but not for untrained (SMD = 0.14, 95%CI: −0.02–0.29; p = 0.07) individuals. Caff‐gum improved both endurance (SMD = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.12–0.42; p = 0.002) and strength/power (SMD = 0.20, 95%CI: 0.03–0.37; p = 0.03) performance outcomes. Caff‐gum was ergogenic when consumed within 15 min prior to initiating exercise (SMD = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.07–0.4; p = 0.01), but not when provided >15 min prior (SMD = −0.48, 95%CI = −1.7–0.82; p = 0.25). There was no significant effect of Caff‐gum with doses <3 mg/kg body mass (BM) (SMD = 0.20, 95%CI: −0.03–0.43; p = 0.07), but there was a significant effect when the dose was ≥3 mg/kg BM (SMD = 0.22, 95%CI: 0.07–0.37; p = 0.01). Caff‐gum supplementation may be an effective ergogenic strategy for trained athletes involved in both endurance and strength/power exercise, using a recommended dose of ≥3 mg/kg BM consumed within 15 min of initiating exercise.

Highlights

This study determined the effect of Caff‐gum on exercise performance, using a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Fourteen studies, totalling 200 participants performing a variety of endurance and strength/power exercise tests were included. The relative Caff‐gum dose ranged from 1.27‐4.26 mg/kg BM and timing ranged from 120 min prior to exercise up to intra‐test application.

Caff‐gum was shown to be an effective ergogenic aid for trained individuals involved in both endurance and strength/power exercise.

Supplement dose and timing modified the efficacy of Caff‐gum. Supplementation with Caff‐gum was effective when provided in doses ≥3 mg/kg BM and within 15 min prior to initiating exercise.

Trained endurance or strength/power athletes seeking to benefit from caffeine in the form of chewing gum should supplement within 15 min prior to initiating an exercise task, in doses ≥3 mg/kg BM.
How long does it take to implement a projective measurement?
Authors: Strasberg Philipp , Modi Kavan , Skotiniotis Michalis
Published: March 2022

According to the Schrödinger equation, a closed quantum system evolves continuously in time. If it is subject to a measurement however, its state changes randomly and discontinuously, which is mathematically described by the projection postulate. But how long does it take for this discontinuous change to occur? Based on simple estimates, whose validity rests solely on the fact that all fundamental forces in nature are finite-ranged, we show that the implementation of a quantum measurement requires a minimum time. This time scales proportionally with the diameter of the quantum mechanical object, on which the measured observable acts non-trivially, with the proportionality constant being around 10−5 s m−1. We confirm our bound by comparison with experimentally reported measurement times for different platforms. We give a pedagogical exposition of our argumentation introducing along the way modern concepts such as ancilla-based measurements, the quantum speed limit, and Lieb–Robinson velocity bounds.
X-ray signature of antistars in the Galaxy
Authors: Bondar A.E. , Blinnikov S.I. , Bykov A.M. , Dolgov A.D. , Postnov K.A.
Published: March 2022

The existence of macroscopic objects from antimatter (antistars) is envisaged in some models of baryogenesis. Searches for antistars have been usually carried out in gamma-rays originated from hadronic annihilation of matter. In astrophysically plausible cases of the interaction of neutral atmospheres or winds from antistars with ionized interstellar gas, the formation of excited pp̅ and Hep̅ atoms precedes
the hadronic annihilation. These atoms rapidly cascade down to low levels before annihilation giving rise to a series of narrow lines which can be associated with the hadronic annihilation gamma-ray emission.
The most significant are L (3p-2p) 1.73 keV line (yield more than 90%) from pp̅ atoms, and M (4–3) 4.86 keV (yield ∼ 60%) and L (3–2) 11.13 keV (yield about 25%) lines from 4Hep̅ atoms. These lines can be searched for in dedicated observations by the forthcoming sensitive X-ray spectroscopic missions XRISM, Athena and Lynx and in wide-field X-ray surveys like SRG/eROSITA all-sky survey.
Axion-gauge field dynamics with backreaction
Authors: Ishiwata Koji , Komatsu Eiichiro , Obata Ippei
Published: March 2022

Phenomenological success of inflation models with axion and SU(2) gauge fields relies crucially on control of backreaction from particle production. Most of the previous study only demanded the backreaction terms in equations of motion for axion and gauge fields be small on the basis of order-of-magnitude estimation. In this paper, we solve the equations of motion with backreaction for a wide range of parameters of the spectator axion-SU(2) model. First, we find a new slow-roll solution of the axion-SU(2) system in the absence of backreaction. Next, we obtain accurate conditions for stable slow-roll solutions in the presence of backreaction. Finally, we show that the amplitude of primordial gravitational waves sourced by the gauge fields can exceed that of quantum vacuum fluctuations in spacetime by a large factor, without backreaction spoiling slow-roll dynamics. Imposing additional constraints on the power spectra of scalar and tensor modes measured at CMB scales, we find that the sourced contribution can be more than ten times the vacuum one. Imposing further a constraint of scalar modes non-linearly sourced by tensor modes, the two contributions can still be comparable.
First-principles study of a new BP2 two-dimensional material
Authors: Gu Zhizheng , Yu Shuang , Xu Zhirong , Wang Qi , Duan Tianxiang , Wang Xinxin , Liu Shijie , Wang Hui , Du Hui
Published: March 2022

Two-dimensional materials have a wide range of applications in many aspects due to their unique properties. Here we carry out a detailed structural search and design of the BP2 using the first principles method, and find a new PMM2 sheet. The analysis of the phonon dispersive curves shows that the 2D PMM2 is dynamic stable. The study of molecular dynamics shows that the 2D PMM2 can be stable under high temperature, even at 600 K. Most importantly, when a suitable strain is applied, the structure can exhibit other electronic properties such as direct band gap semiconductor. In addition, the small strain can tune the band gap value of the PMM2 structure to around 1.4 eV, which is very close to the ideal band gap of solar materials. Therefore, the 2D PMM2 may have potential applications in the field of photovoltaic materials.
The case of the biased quenched trap model in two dimensions with diverging mean dwell times
Authors: Shafir Dan , Burov Stanislav
Published: March 2022

We investigate the biased quenched trap model on top of a two-dimensional lattice in the case of diverging expected dwell times. By utilizing the double-subordination approach and calculating the return probability in 2D, we explicitly obtain the disorder averaged probability density function of the particle’s position as a function of time (for any given bias) in the limit of large times (t → ∞). The first and second moments are calculated, and a formula for a general μth moment is found. The behavior of the first moment, i.e. ⟨x(t)⟩, presents non-linear response both in time and in the applied external force F
0. While the non-linearity in time occurs for any measurement time t, the non-linearity in F
0 is expected only when

t

≳

F

0

ln

(

F

0

)

−
2
/
α

where α = T/T
g, for temperatures T < T
g. We support our analytic results by comparison to numerical simulations.
Unexpected side effects of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation call for global cooperation on greening the shipbreaking industry
Authors: Lin Lin , Feng Kuishuang , Wan Zheng , Wang Peng , Kong Xianghui , Zhang Ning , Hubacek Klaus , Li Jiashuo
Published: March 2022

The recent European Union Ship Recycling Regulation and other existing conventions aimed to reduce harmful environmental and health impacts of ship shipbreaking, may push the shipbreaking industry further to South Asian countries, where ecosystem and public health are threatened due to the lack of monitoring for dirty beaching methods for ship breaking. Such unsustainable patterns may continue to expand due to the mismatch of economic beneficiaries and environmental costs in the shipbreaking industry, the ineffectiveness of existing conventions and regulations, and the prospect of a large number of ships to be dismantled in the near future. Our study focuses on these emerging issues and raises the urgency of joint actions for the shipbreaking industry.
Dyson gas on a curved contour
Authors: Wiegmann P , Zabrodin A
Published: March 2022

We introduce and study a model of a logarithmic gas with inverse temperature β on an arbitrary smooth closed contour in the plane. This model generalizes Dyson’s gas (the β-ensemble) on the unit circle. We compute the non-vanishing terms of the large N expansion of the free energy (N is the number of particles) by iterating the ‘loop equation’ that is the Ward identity with respect to reparametrizations and dilatation of the contour. We show that the main contribution to the free energy is expressed through the spectral determinant of the Neumann jump operator associated with the contour, or equivalently through the Fredholm determinant of the Neumann–Poincare (double layer) operator. This result connects the statistical mechanics of the Dyson gas to the spectral geometry of the interior and exterior domains of the supporting contour.
Closed-form multi-dimensional solutions and asymptotic behaviours for subdiffusive processes with crossovers: II. Accelerating case
Authors: Awad Emad , Metzler Ralf
Published: March 2022

Anomalous diffusion with a power-law time dependence

⟨

|
R

|

2

(

t

)

⟩

≃

t

α

i

of the mean squared displacement occurs quite ubiquitously in numerous complex systems. Often, this anomalous diffusion is characterised by crossovers between regimes with different anomalous diffusion exponents α

i
. Here we consider the case when such a crossover occurs from a first regime with α
1 to a second regime with α
2 such that α
2 > α
1, i.e., accelerating anomalous diffusion. A widely used framework to describe such crossovers in a one-dimensional setting is the bi-fractional diffusion equation of the so-called modified type, involving two time-fractional derivatives defined in the Riemann–Liouville sense. We here generalise this bi-fractional diffusion equation to higher dimensions and derive its multidimensional propagator (Green’s function) for the general case when also a space fractional derivative is present, taking into consideration long-ranged jumps (Lévy flights). We derive the asymptotic behaviours for this propagator in both the short- and long-time as well the short- and long-distance regimes. Finally, we also calculate the mean squared displacement, skewness and kurtosis in all dimensions, demonstrating that in the general case the non-Gaussian shape of the probability density function changes.
Microdroplet-tin plasma sources of EUV radiation driven by solid-state-lasers (Topical Review)
Authors: Versolato O O , Sheil J , Witte S , Ubachs W , Hoekstra R
Published: March 2022

Plasma produced from molten-tin microdroplets generates extreme ultraviolet light for state-of-the-art nanolithography. Currently, CO2 lasers are used to drive the plasma. In the future, solid-state mid-infrared lasers may instead be used to efficiently pump the plasma. Such laser systems have promise to be more compact, better scalable, and have higher wall-plug efficiency. In this Topical Review, we present recent findings made at the Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL) on using 1 and 2 µm wavelength solid-state lasers for tin target preparation and for driving hot and dense plasma. The ARCNL research ranges from advanced laser development, studies of fluid dynamic response of droplets to impact, radiation-hydrodynamics calculations of, e.g. ion ‘debris’, (EUV) spectroscopic studies of tin laser-produced-plasma as well as high-conversion efficiency operation of 2 µm wavelength driven plasma.
Flexible source of correlated photons based on LNOI rib waveguides
Authors: Ebers L , Ferreri A , Hammer M , Albert M , Meier C , Förstner J , Sharapova P R
Published: March 2022

Lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) material has great potential for photonic integrated circuits, providing substantial versatility in design of various integrated components. To properly use these components in the implementation of different quantum protocols, photons with different properties are required. In this paper, we theoretically demonstrate a flexible source of correlated photons built on the LNOI waveguide with a special geometry. This source is based on the parametric down-conversion (PDC) process, in which the signal and idler photons are generated at the telecom wavelength and have different spatial profiles and polarizations, but the same group velocities. Distinguishability in polarizations and spatial profiles facilitates the routing and manipulating individual photons, while the equality of their group velocities leads to the absence of temporal walk-off between photons. We show how the spectral properties of the generated photons and the number of their frequency modes can be controlled depending on the pump characteristics and the waveguide length. Finally, we discuss special regimes, in which narrowband light with strong frequency correlations and polarization-entangled Bell states are generated at the telecom wavelength.
Advance care plans in UK care home residents: a service evaluation using a stepped wedge design
Authors: Garden Gill , Usman Adeela , Readman Donna , Storey Lesley , Wilkinson Lindsey , Wilson Graham , Dening Tom , Gordon Adam L , Gladman John R F
Published: March 2022

Introduction

advance care planning (ACP) in care homes has high acceptance, increases the proportion of residents dying in place and reduces hospital admissions in research. We investigated whether ACP had similar outcomes when introduced during real-world service implementation.

Methods

a service undertaking ACP in Lincoln, UK care homes was evaluated using routine data. Outcomes were proportion of care homes and residents participating in ACP; characteristics of residents choosing/declining ACP and place of death for those with/without ACP. Hospital admissions were analysed using mixed-effects Poisson regression for number of admissions, and a mixed-effects negative binomial model for number of occupied hospital bed days.

Results

About 15/24 (63%) eligible homes supported the service, in which 404/508 (79.5%) participants chose ACP. Residents choosing ACP were older, frailer, more cognitively impaired and malnourished; 384/404 (95%) residents choosing ACP recorded their care home as their preferred place of death: 380/404 (94%) declined cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Among deceased residents, 219/248 (88%) and 33/49 (67%) with and without advance care plan respectively died in their care home (relative risk 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–1.6, P < 0.001). Hospital admission rates and bed occupancy did not differ after implementation.

Discussion

About 79.5% participants chose ACP. Those doing so were more likely to die at home. Many homes were unwilling or unable to support the service. Hospital admissions were not reduced. Further research should consider how to enlist the support of all homes and to explore why hospital admissions were not reduced.
Nitrogen concentration and physical properties are key drivers of woody tissue respiration
Authors: Westerband Andrea C , Wright Ian J , Eller Allyson S D , Cernusak Lucas A , Reich Peter B , Perez-Priego Oscar , Chhajed Shubham S , Hutley Lindsay B , Lehmann Caroline E R
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

Despite the critical role of woody tissues in determining net carbon exchange of terrestrial ecosystems, relatively little is known regarding the drivers of sapwood and bark respiration.

Methods

Using one of the most comprehensive wood respiration datasets to date (82 species from Australian rainforest, savanna and temperate forest), we quantified relationships between tissue respiration rates (Rd) measured in vitro (i.e. ‘respiration potential’) and physical properties of bark and sapwood, and nitrogen concentration (Nmass) of leaves, sapwood and bark.

Key Results

Across all sites, tissue density and thickness explained similar, and in some cases more, variation in bark and sapwood Rd than did Nmass. Higher density bark and sapwood tissues had lower Rd for a given Nmass than lower density tissues. Rd–Nmass slopes were less steep in thicker compared with thinner-barked species and less steep in sapwood than in bark. Including the interactive effects of Nmass, density and thickness significantly increased the explanatory power for bark and sapwood respiration in branches. Among these models, Nmass contributed more to explanatory power in trunks than in branches, and in sapwood than in bark. Our findings were largely consistent across sites, which varied in their climate, soils and dominant vegetation type, suggesting generality in the observed trait relationships. Compared with a global compilation of leaf, stem and root data, Australian species showed generally lower Rd and Nmass, and less steep Rd–Nmass relationships.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report control of respiration–nitrogen relationships by physical properties of tissues, and one of few to report respiration–nitrogen relationships in bark and sapwood. Together, our findings indicate a potential path towards improving current estimates of autotrophic respiration by integrating variation across distinct plant tissues.
Formation scheme and some properties of a thiamine-derived pigment, pyrizepine, formed through the Maillard reaction
Authors: Kitayama Sachiko , Igoshi Asuka , Shimamura Yuko , Noda Kyoko , Murata Masatsune
Published: March 2022

Recently, a yellow Maillard pigment named pyrizepine was identified from a heated solution containing thiamine and glucose. Here, we examined the formation scheme of this pigment and some biological properties. The mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance data of pyrizepine prepared from [6-13C] glucose showed that the carbon at 6-position of glucose was inserted at 2 different positions of pyrizepine. 5-(Aminomethyl)-2-methylpyridin-4-amine (AMPA), a degradation product of thiamine, was detected in the reaction solution. The pigment also formed in the solution containing AMPA in place of thiamine. These results showed that pyrizepine formed from AMPA and C4 fragments derived from glucose. Pyrizepine showed antioxidative activities in the superoxide dismutase, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and H-ORAC assays. The pigment did not show mutagenicity with the Ames test. A trace amount of the pigment was detected in a pan-fried ground pork sample added glucose using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AbAdapt: an adaptive approach to predicting antibody–antigen complex structures from sequence
Authors: Davila Ana , Xu Zichang , Li Songling , Rozewicki John , Wilamowski Jan , Kotelnikov Sergei , Kozakov Dima , Teraguchi Shunsuke , Standley Daron M
Published: March 2022

Motivation

The scoring of antibody–antigen docked poses starting from unbound homology models has not been systematically optimized for a large and diverse set of input sequences.

Results

To address this need, we have developed AbAdapt, a webserver that accepts antibody and antigen sequences, models their 3D structures, predicts epitope and paratope, and then docks the modeled structures using two established docking engines (Piper and Hex). Each of the key steps has been optimized by developing and training new machine-learning models. The sequences from a diverse set of 622 antibody–antigen pairs with known structure were used as inputs for leave-one-out cross-validation. The final set of cluster representatives included at least one ‘Adequate’ pose for 550/622 (88.4%) of the queries. The median (interquartile range) ranks of these ‘Adequate’ poses were 22 (5–77). Similar results were obtained on a holdout set of 100 unrelated antibody–antigen pairs. When epitopes were repredicted using docking-derived features for specific antibodies, the median ROC AUC increased from 0.679 to 0.720 in cross-validation and from 0.694 to 0.730 in the holdout set.

Availability and implementation

AbAdapt and related data are available at https://sysimm.org/abadapt/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
Phylogeography of the tepui brush finch, Atlapetes personatus (Passeriformes: Passerellidae): extensive differentiation on the sky islands of the Venezuelan Pantepui
Authors: Barrowclough George F , Jablonski Bartek , Lai Jonas E , Groth Jeff G
Published: March 2022

The biogeography and genetic structure of species endemic to the high-elevation sky islands (tepuis) of the Guiana Shield in eastern and southern Venezuela and adjacent areas of Brazil and Guyana are poorly known. We investigated the phylogeography and population structure of the tepui brush finch (Atlapetes personatus) as an exemplar of that biota. Mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed three monophyletic clades that correspond to major morphological subspecies groups occurring in eastern, southern and north-western regions of the Pantepui. Differentiation among the clades accounted for 95% of the total genetic variance. DNA sequences from three nuclear loci also showed marked divergence among those three regions. Estimates of gene flow between regions and sampled populations were all less than one individual per generation. Consequently, these subspecies groups ought to be recognized as species-level taxa. The results suggest there is more large-scale biogeographical structure within the Pantepui region than generally recognized. Additionally, within two of the three regions, genetic variance among tepuis was substantial at both mitochondrial and nuclear loci. Many of the sampled populations appear to be genetically independent units that are almost cryptic morphologically. The sampled tepuis might be islands of habitat for this taxon and for conservation purposes.
Comparing survival between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by open or thoracoscopic oesophagectomy in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Hui-Shan , Lin Ching-Hsiung , Wu Shiao-Chi , Wang Bing-Yen
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to investigate the overall survival between open and thoracoscopic oesophagectomy in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT).

METHODS

The Taiwan Cancer Registry was queried for ESCC from 2008 to 2016. We enrolled 2250 patients with ESCC receiving NCRT plus open (n = 487) or thoracoscopic (n = 1763) oesophagectomy. One-to-two propensity score matching between open and thoracoscopic oesophagectomy was performed. Overall survival was compared between the 2 groups before and after propensity score matching. Univariable analysis and multivariable analysis were performed to identify prognostic factors.

RESULTS

After one-to-two propensity score matching, 353 patients were in the open group and 706 patients were in the thoracoscopic group. The 3-year overall survival rates for matched patients treated with open or thoracoscopic oesophagectomy were similar (39.18% vs 44.33%, p = 0.11). Better overall survival was associated with thoracoscopic oesophagectomy for the patients in the y-pathological complete response stage (pCR) (57.26% vs 65.19%, p = 0.045), y-pathological III stage (12.78% vs 22.31%, p = 0.028) and y-pathological T0N+ stage (15.79% vs 41.01%, p = 0.010). In multivariable analysis, surgical approach was an independent prognostic factor only before propensity score matching. After matching, surgical approach was not an independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS

This propensity-matched study demonstrated that open and thoracoscopic oesophagectomies are associated with similar long-term survival in patients with ESCC undergoing NCRT. Stage-specific comparisons showed that thoracoscopic oesophagectomy is associated with better survival than open oesophagectomy in patients with the pathological complete response, y-pathological III and y-pathological T0N+ stages and with similar survival in y-pathological I/II patients.
The Ideology of Form: Surrealism and the Crisis of the Generation of ’27
Authors: Geist Anthony L
Published: March 2022

In the late 1920s, a number of poets of the fabled Generation of ’27 turn to Surrealism as the expression of a personal, generational, and poetic crisis. Alberti, Lorca, Cernuda, and Aleixandre’s Surrealist phase marks an axis or hinge between their ‘dehumanized’ poetry of the early 20s and their socially and politically committed texts of the 1930s. Drawing on critical theory ranging from Marcuse, Bürger, Jameson, and Benjamin to Lacan and Foucault, as well as articles and books devoted to the study of Spanish Surrealism in addition to the individual poets under consideration, this article offers a close reading of five canonical books of Spanish Surrealist poetry and reveals the ideological nature of apparently ahistorical, non-ideological texts.
Taking flight: an educational primer for use with “A novel mechanism for activation of myosin regulatory light chain by protein kinase C-delta in Drosophila”
Authors: Nowak Scott J , Dobi Krista C
Published: March 2022

Muscles are required for animal movement, feeding, heartbeat, and reproduction. Disruption of muscle function can lead to mobility impairments and diseases like muscular dystrophy and cardiac myopathy; therefore, research in this area has significant implications for public health. Recent work by Vaziri and colleagues has taken genetic, cell biological, and biochemical approaches to identify Protein kinase C-d (Pkcδ) as a novel regulator of the essential myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) by phosphorylation. The authors determine which residues of MLC2 are modified by Pkcδ and show that phosphorylation by Pkcδ is required for proper sarcomere assembly and function. This study underscores the importance of Drosophila melanogaster as a model system for muscle function and highlights how protein phosphorylation is a vital part of post-translational gene regulation.
Fisher’s historic 1922 paper On the dominance ratio
Authors: Charlesworth Brian
Published: March 2022

R.A. Fisher’s 1922 paper On the dominance ratio has a strong claim to be the foundation paper for modern population genetics. It greatly influenced subsequent work by Haldane and Wright, and contributed 3 major innovations to the study of evolution at the genetic level. First, the introduction of a general model of selection at a single locus, which showed how variability could be maintained by heterozygote advantage. Second, the use of the branching process approach to show that a beneficial mutation has a substantial chance of loss from the population, even when the population size is extremely large. Third, the invention of the concept of a probability distribution of allele frequency, caused by random sampling of allele frequencies due to finite population size, and the first use of a diffusion equation to investigate the properties of such a distribution. Although Fisher was motivated by an inference that later turned out to lack strong empirical support (a substantial contribution of dominance to quantitative trait variability), and his use of a diffusion equation was marred by a technical mistake, the paper introduced concepts and methods that pervade much subsequent work in population genetics.
Feasibility of open chest management with modified negative pressure wound therapy immediately after cardiac surgery
Authors: Kurazumi Hiroshi , Suzuki Ryo , Nawata Ryosuke , Yokoyama Toshiki , Tsubone Sarii , Matsuno Yutaro , Mikamo Akihito , Hamano Kimikazu
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility of open chest management with our modified negative pressure wound therapy immediately after cardiac surgery as a therapy for atypical tamponade.

METHODS

Open chest with modified negative pressure wound therapy was performed immediately after cardiac surgery. The surface of the heart and the vessels were covered with non-adherent siliconized gauze. The sternal halves were stented using edge-cut disposable syringes to maintain a larger mediastinal cavity. Approximately 45 mm of distance was kept between the sternal edges. A trimmed sterile polyvinyl foam sponge was inserted into the mediastinum, the entire wound was sealed and negative pressure (−50 to −75 mmHg) was applied using a suction generator. Delayed chest closure was performed in a standard manner once the haemodynamic status was stabilizsed.

RESULTS

The mortality rate was 3/15 (20%) patients. Deep sternal wound infection occurred in 1/15 (6.7%) patients. Five patients were extubated during the open chest management. Sternal closure was delayed for median of 3 days after the initial surgery. There was no incidence of bleeding complications or need for additional haemostatic procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative pressure wound therapy performed immediately after cardiac surgery was feasible in our small number of patients.

Clinical registration number

Study ID: 2020-149.
DiploSim: A Flexible Framework for Diplomatic Simulations in International Relations
Authors: Maass Richard W
Published: March 2022

Although educators increasingly appreciate the pedagogical benefits of active learning techniques including simulations, many still see implementing them in their own classroom as a daunting task. The formidable time investment required often deters instructors from designing new simulations, and many find published simulations to be an imperfect fit. This article seeks to reduce the barriers to entry for instructors who are interested in designing personalized simulations yet hesitant in the face of real-world constraints. It does so by introducing a flexible framework for diplomatic simulations (DiploSim) that is firmly rooted in the design principles of drama, immersion, and reflection yet also easily customizable to fit instructors’ preferred thematic content, negotiating format, schedule, and class size. By combining research and role play within a straightforward and pedagogically sound structure, DiploSim offers instructors a useful gateway into the world of simulations.
Exploratory analysis of novel electronic health record variables for quantification of healthcare delivery strain, prediction of mortality, and prediction of imminent discharge
Authors: Lee Catherine , Lawson Brian L , Mann Ariana J , Liu Vincent X , Myers Laura C , Schuler Alejandro , Escobar Gabriel J
Published: March 2022

Objective

To explore the relationship between novel, time-varying predictors for healthcare delivery strain (eg, counts of patient orders per hour) and imminent discharge and in-hospital mortality.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from adults hospitalized at 21 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals between November 1, 2015 and October 31, 2020 and the nurses caring for them. Patient data extracted included demographics, diagnoses, severity measures, occupancy metrics, and process of care metrics (eg, counts of intravenous drip orders per hour). We linked these data to individual registered nurse records and created multiple dynamic, time-varying predictors (eg, mean acute severity of illness for all patients cared for by a nurse during a given hour). All analyses were stratified by patients’ initial hospital unit (ward, stepdown unit, or intensive care unit). We used discrete-time hazard regression to assess the association between each novel time-varying predictor and the outcomes of discharge and mortality, separately.

Results

Our dataset consisted of 84 162 161 hourly records from 954 477 hospitalizations. Many novel time-varying predictors had strong associations with the 2 study outcomes. However, most of the predictors did not merely track patients’ severity of illness; instead, many of them only had weak correlations with severity, often with complex relationships over time.

Discussion

Increasing availability of process of care data from automated electronic health records will permit better quantification of healthcare delivery strain. This could result in enhanced prediction of adverse outcomes and service delays.

Conclusion

New conceptual models will be needed to use these new data elements.