bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multiplex Noninvasive Salivary Antibody Assay for SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Its Application in a Population-Based Survey by Mail
Authors: Egorov Andrey I. , Griffin Shannon M. , Fuzawa Miyu , Kobylanski Jason , Grindstaff Rachel , Padgett William , Simmons Steven , Hallinger Daniel R. , Styles Jennifer N. , Wickersham Lindsay , Sams Elizabeth , Hudgens Edward , Wade Timothy J.
Published: September 2021

Given the enormous impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, developing tools for population surveillance of infection is of paramount importance. This article describes the development of a multiplex immunoassay on a Luminex platform to measure salivary immunoglobulin G responses to the spike protein, its two subunits and receptor binding domain, and the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2.
Beyond the Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Paradigm: Genome-Wide Coexpression Networks Connect Clustered and Unclustered Transcription Factors to Secondary Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Kwon Min Jin , Steiniger Charlotte , Cairns Timothy C. , Wisecaver Jennifer H. , Lind Abigail L. , Pohl Carsten , Regner Carmen , Rokas Antonis , Meyer Vera
Published: September 2021

There is an urgent need for novel bioactive molecules in both agriculture and medicine. The genomes of fungi are thought to contain vast numbers of metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites with diverse bioactivities.
Grass Carp Reovirus VP56 Allies VP4, Recruits, Blocks, and Degrades RIG-I to More Effectively Attenuate IFN Responses and Facilitate Viral Evasion
Authors: Su Hang , Liao Zhiwei , Yang Chunrong , Zhang Yongan , Su Jianguo
Published: September 2021

Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) fibrin VP56 and major outer capsid protein VP4 inlay and locate on the outer surface of GCRV-II and GCRV-III, which causes tremendous loss in grass carp and black carp industries. Fibrin is involved in cell attachment and plays an important role in reovirus infection.
Tigecycline Heteroresistance and Resistance Mechanism in Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Jo Jeongwoo , Ko Kwan Soo
Published: September 2021

The evidence that antibiotic heteroresistance is responsible for treatment failure in clinical settings is increasing. Thus, detection and characterization of heteroresistance would be important for appropriate therapeutic guidance to treat bacterial infections.
Supplemental Material: Spatio-temporal evolution of the Christiana-Santorini-Kolumbo volcanic field, Aegean Sea
Authors: Preine Jonas , al. et
Published: September 2021

Acquisition and processing parameters, as well as velocity, thickness, and age estimation.
Factors associated with severe respiratory syncytial virus disease in hospitalised children: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Anderson Jeremy , Oeum Michelle , Verkolf Eva , Licciardi Paul V , Mulholland Kim , Nguyen Cattram , Chow Kim , Waller Gregory , Costa Anna-Maria , Daley Andrew , Crawford Nigel W , Babl Franz E , Duke Trevor , Do Lien Anh Ha , Wurzel Danielle
Published: September 2021

Background

Early recognition of children at risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection is important as it informs management decisions. We aimed to evaluate factors associated with severe disease among young children hospitalised with RSV infection.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all children <2 years of age hospitalised for RSV lower respiratory tract infection at a single tertiary paediatric hospital over three RSV seasons (January 2017–December 2019). We classified children as having ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ disease based on the level of respiratory intervention and used univariable and multivariable regression models to determine factors associated with severe disease.

Results

Of 970 hospitalised children, 386 (40%) were classified as having ‘severe’ and 584 (60%) as having ‘moderate’ RSV disease. On multivariable analyses, age <2 months (OR: 2.3, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.3, p<0.0001), prematurity (OR: 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4, p=0.02) and RSV–parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3) codetection (OR: 2.6, 95% CI 1.05 to 6.5, p=0.04) were independently associated with severe disease.

Conclusion

Younger age, prematurity and PIV3 codetection were associated with severe RSV disease in children <2 years of age hospitalised with RSV infection. The association between PIV3 and severe RSV disease is a novel finding and warrants further investigation.
Screening and prevention of colorectal cancer
Authors: Kanth Priyanka , Inadomi John M
Published: September 2021

Mortality from colorectal cancer is reduced through screening and early detection; moreover, removal of neoplastic lesions can reduce cancer incidence. While understanding of the risk factors, pathogenesis, and precursor lesions of colorectal cancer has advanced, the cause of the recent increase in cancer among young adults is largely unknown. Multiple invasive, semi- and non-invasive screening modalities have emerged over the past decade. The current emphasis on quality of colonoscopy has improved the effectiveness of screening and prevention, and the role of new technologies in detection of neoplasia, such as artificial intelligence, is rapidly emerging. The overall screening rates in the US, however, are suboptimal, and few interventions have been shown to increase screening uptake. This review provides an overview of colorectal cancer, the current status of screening efforts, and the tools available to reduce mortality from colorectal cancer.
A household-based community health worker programme for non-communicable disease, malnutrition, tuberculosis, HIV and maternal health: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial in Neno District, Malawi
Authors: Wroe Emily B , Nhlema Basimenye , Dunbar Elizabeth L , Kulinkina Alexandra V , Kachimanga Chiyembekezo , Aron Moses , Dullie Luckson , Makungwa Henry , Chabwera Benson , Phiri Benson , Nazimera Lawrence , Ndarama Enoch P L , Michaelis Annie , McBain Ryan , Brown Celia , Palazuelos Daniel , Lilford Richard , Watson Samuel I
Published: September 2021

Background

Community health worker (CHW) programmes are a valuable component of primary care in resource-poor settings. The evidence supporting their effectiveness generally shows improvements in disease-specific outcomes relative to the absence of a CHW programme. In this study, we evaluated expanding an existing HIV and tuberculosis (TB) disease-specific CHW programme into a polyvalent, household-based model that subsequently included non-communicable diseases (NCDs), malnutrition and TB screening, as well as family planning and antenatal care (ANC).

Methods

We conducted a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial in Neno District, Malawi. Six clusters of approximately 20 000 residents were formed from the catchment areas of 11 healthcare facilities. The intervention roll-out was staggered every 3 months over 18 months, with CHWs receiving a 5-day foundational training for their new tasks and assigned 20–40 households for monthly (or more frequent) visits.

Findings

The intervention resulted in a decrease of approximately 20% in the rate of patients defaulting from chronic NCD care each month (−0.8 percentage points (pp) (95% credible interval: −2.5 to 0.5)) while maintaining the already low default rates for HIV patients (0.0 pp, 95% CI: −0.6 to 0.5). First trimester ANC attendance increased by approximately 30% (6.5pp (−0.3, 15.8)) and paediatric malnutrition case finding declined by 10% (−0.6 per 1000 (95% CI −2.5 to 0.8)). There were no changes in TB programme outcomes, potentially due to data challenges.

Interpretation

CHW programmes can be successfully expanded to more comprehensively address health needs in a population, although programmes should be carefully tailored to CHW and health system capacity.
Attitudes, stressors and work outcomes related to the COVID-19 pandemic among dental assistants in Germany: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dreher Annegret , Pietrowsky Reinhard , Loerbroks Adrian
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed great challenges to medical professionals worldwide. Dental assistants (DAs) are at exceptionally high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 due to frequent and close patient contact and involvement in various high-risk dental procedures. This study aimed to investigate attitudes, stressors and work outcomes among DAs from all over Germany at the peak of cases in spring 2020.

Design

Cross-sectional study. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression.

Setting

Dental, maxillofacial surgery and orthodontic practices across Germany, April 2020.

Participants

Participants aged 18 years and above and currently working as DAs in Germany.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

A self-devised online questionnaire was employed comprising questions on SARS-CoV-2-related attitudes, stressors and work outcomes. Validated scales assessed symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Results

Among 1481 participating DAs (median age 35 years, 98.4% female, 91.8% working in dental practices), major stressors were uncertainty about the pandemic’s temporal scope (97.9% agreement, n=1450), uncertainty about one’s financial situation (87.8%, n=1301), uncertainty about how to act correctly (87.6%, n=1298) and thoughts about a possible infection during work (83.8%, n=1241). Forty-two per cent of DAs (n=622) felt sufficiently prepared for dealing with patients with SARS-CoV-2. Only 17.5% (n=259) agreed that material for personal protection was sufficiently available. Multivariable logistic regression analyses suggested that working in a dental practice, compared with orthodontic and maxillofacial surgery practices, was significantly associated with uncertainty about one’s financial situation (OR 2.13 (95% CI 1.33 to 3.44)) and with the reported availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) (0.55 (0.36 to 0.84)).

Conclusions

Training about correct behaviour of DAs during future infectious disease outbreaks is needed, especially for DAs working in dental practices. In the future, it will also be necessary to strengthen supply chains to ensure that PPE is sufficiently available in a timely manner.
Treatment patterns and survival outcomes for patients with non-small cell lung cancer in the UK in the preimmunology era: a REAL-Oncology database analysis from the I-O Optimise initiative
Authors: Snee Michael , Cheeseman Sue , Thompson Matthew , Riaz Majid , Sopwith Will , Lacoin Laure , Chaib Carlos , Daumont Melinda J , Penrod John R , Hall Geoff
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To report characteristics, treatment and overall survival (OS) trends, by stage and pathology, of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust in 2007–2018.

Design

Retrospective cohort study based on electronic medical records.

Setting

Large NHS university hospital in Leeds.

Participants

3739 adult patients diagnosed with incident NSCLC from January 2007 to August 2017, followed up until March 2018.

Main outcome measures

Patient characteristics at diagnosis, treatment patterns and OS.

Results

34.3% of patients with NSCLC were clinically diagnosed (without pathological confirmation). Among patients with known pathology, 45.2% had non-squamous cell carcinoma (NSQ) and 33.3% had squamous cell carcinoma (SQ). The proportion of patients diagnosed at stage I increased (16.4%–27.7% in 2010–2017); those diagnosed at stage IV decreased (57.0%–39.1%). Surgery was the most common initial treatment for patients with pathologically confirmed stage I NSCLC. Use of radiotherapy alone increased over time in patients with clinically diagnosed stage I NSCLC (39.1%–60.3%); chemoradiation increased in patients with stage IIIA NSQ (21.6%–33.3%) and SQ (24.2%–31.9%). Initial treatment with systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) increased in patients with stages IIIB–IV NSQ (49.0%–67.5%); the proportion of untreated patients decreased (30.6%–15.0%). Median OS improved for patients diagnosed with stage I NSQ and SQ and stage IIIA NSQ over time. Median OS for patients with stages IIIB–IV NSQ and SQ remained stable, <10% patients were alive 3 years after diagnosis. Median OS for clinically diagnosed stages IIIB–IV patients was 1.2 months in both periods.

Conclusions

OS for stage I and IIIA patients improved over time, likely due to increased use of stereotactic ablative radiation, surgery (stage I) and chemoradiation (stage IIIA). Conversely, OS outcomes remained poor for stage IIIB–IV patients despite increasing use of SACT for NSQ. Many patients with advanced-stage disease remained untreated.
Multimorbidity and mortality in an older, rural black South African population cohort with high prevalence of HIV findings from the HAALSI Study
Authors: Wade Alisha N , Payne Collin F , Berkman Lisa , Chang Angela , Gómez-Olivé F Xavier , Kabudula Chodziwadziwa , Kahn Kathleen , Salomon Joshua A , Tollman Stephen , Witham Miles , Davies Justine
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Multimorbidity is associated with mortality in high-income countries. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between multimorbidity (≥2 of the following chronic medical conditions: hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, anaemia, HIV, angina, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol dependence) and all-cause mortality in an older, rural black South African population. We further investigated the relationship between HIV multimorbidity (HIV as part of the multimorbidity cluster) and mortality, while testing for the effect of frailty in all models.

Design

Population cohort study.

Setting

Agincourt subdistrict of Mpumalanga province, South Africa.

Participants

4455 individuals (54.7% female), aged ≥40 years (median age 61 years, IQR 52–71) and resident in the study area.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was time to death and the secondary outcome measure was likelihood of death within 2 years of the initial study visit. Mortality was determined during annual population surveillance updates.

Results

3157 individuals (70.9%) had multimorbidity; 29% of these had HIV. In models adjusted for age and sociodemographic factors, multimorbidity was associated with greater risk of death (women: HR 1.72; 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.50; men: HR 1.46; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.95) and greater odds of dying within 2 years (women: OR 2.34; 95% CI: 1.32 to 4.16; men: OR 1.51; 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.24). HIV multimorbidity was associated with increased risk of death compared with non-HIV multimorbidity in men (HR 1.93; 95% CI: 1.05 to 3.54), but was not statistically significant in women (HR 1.85; 95% CI: 0.85 to 4.04); when detectable, HIV viral loads were higher in men (p=0.021). Further adjustment for frailty slightly attenuated the associations between multimorbidity and mortality risk (women: HR 1.55; 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.26; men: HR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.82), but slightly increased associations between HIV multimorbidity and mortality risk.

Conclusions

Multimorbidity is associated with mortality in this older black South African population. Health systems which currently focus on HIV should be reorganised to optimise identification and management of other prevalent chronic diseases.
Economic burden of road traffic injuries in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of existing literature
Authors: Ryan-Coker Marcella Farrelle Dorothea , Davies Justine , Rinaldi Giulia , Hasselberg Marie , Marke Dennis H , Necchi Marco , Haghparast-Bidgoli Hassan
Published: September 2021

Objective

This systematic review aims to explore and synthesise existing literature on the direct and indirect costs from road traffic injuries (RTIs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the quality of existing evidence, methods used to estimate and report these costs, and the factors that drive the costs.

Methodology

MEDLINE, SCOPUS, ProQuest Central, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, Embase, World Bank Group e-Library, Econlit, Google Scholar and WHO webpages were searched for relevant literature. References of selected papers were also examined for related articles. Screening was done following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles were included in this review if they were published by March 2019, written in English, conducted in SSA and reported original findings on the cost of illness or economic burden of RTIs. The results were systematically examined, and the quality assessed by two reviewers using a modified Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist.

Results

Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. RTIs can cost between INT$119 and 178 634 per injury and INT$486 and 12 845 per hospitalisation. Findings show variability in costing methods and inadequacies in the quality of existing evidence. Prolonged hospital stays, surgical sundries and severity of injury were the most common factors associated with cost.

Conclusion

While available data are limited, evidence shows that the economic burden of RTIs in SSA is high. Poor quality of existing evidence and heterogeneity in costing methods limit the generalisability of costs reported.
Cohort profile: The ‘Children’s Health in Care in Scotland’ (CHiCS) study—a longitudinal dataset to compare health outcomes for care experienced children and general population children
Authors: Allik Mirjam , Brown Denise , Taylor Browne Lūka Courtney , Macintyre Cecilia , Leyland Alastair H , Henderson Marion
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The Children’s Health in Care in Scotland Cohorts were set up to provide first population-wide evidence on the health outcomes of care experienced children (CEC) compared with children in the general population (CGP). To date, there are no data on how objective health outcomes, mortality and pregnancies for CEC are different from CGP in Scotland.

Participants

The CEC cohort includes school-aged children who were on the 2009/2010 Scottish Government’s Children Looked After Statistics (CLAS) return and on the 2009 Pupil Census (PC). The children in the general population cohort includes those who were on the 2009 PC and not on any of the CLAS returns between 1 April 2007 and 31 July 2016.

Findings to date

Data on a variety of health outcomes, including mortality, prescriptions, hospitalisations, pregnancies, and Accident & Emergency attendances, were obtained for the period 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2016 for both cohorts. Data on socioeconomic status (SES) for both cohorts were available from the Birth Registrations and a small area deprivation measure was available from the PC. CEC have, on average, lower SES at birth and live in areas of higher deprivation compared with CGP. A higher proportion of CEC have recorded events across all health data sets, and they experienced higher average rates of mortality, prescriptions and hospitalisations during the study period. The reasons for contacting health services vary between cohorts.

Future plans

Age-standardised rates for the two cohorts by sex and area deprivation will be calculated to provide evidence on population-wide prevalence of main causes of death, reasons for hospitalisation and types of prescription. Event history analysis will be used on matched cohorts to investigate the impact of placement histories and socioeconomic factors on health.
Utility of the Infantile Hemangioma Referral Score (IHReS) as a decision-making tool for referral to treatment
Authors: Chitpiromsak Kanokporn , Techasatian Leelawadee , Jetsrisuparb Charoon
Published: September 2021

Background

The general paediatricians and primary care physicians sometimes face immense difficulty in referral judgements regarding which infantile hemangiomas (IHs) require referrals and when is the appropriate time to refer IHs for treatment. This resulted in the treatment being delayed beyond IHs’ critical timeframe. The Infantile Hemangioma Referral Score (IHReS) has been recently developed, with the aim to solve this problem.

Objectives

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the reliability of IHReS and to assess the possibility of using this instrument in our country where a similar problem of delaying treatment of IHs is currently existing.

Methods

The present study was a prospective, cross-sectional study. Thirteen selected clinical cases were used to assess the reliability of IHReS among physicians who may have had the chance to deal with patients with IHs. The target physicians across the country were asked to participate in the study via an online platform (Google Forms) to decide whether to refer patients with IHs for treatment or observe. There were 3 steps of assessment: step 1, usual practice evaluation; step 2, using IHReS; step 3, retesting by using IHReS.

Results

Substantial agreement was observed after using IHReS (step 2) for interrater reliability, with Fleiss’ Kappa values of 0.80 and 0.78 among IH experts and non-expert physicians, respectively. Regarding repeatability, in the test–retest assessments, Cohen’s Kappa coefficient values revealed almost perfect agreement in intrarater repeatability for both experts and non-expert physicians (1.00).

Conclusion

IHReS is a simple, easy-to-assess tool for non-expert physicians. The benefit in the increase of interrater agreement was found in both IH experts and non-expert physicians. It has had the reliability to be used in making referral decisions regarding patients with IH for treatment among Thai physicians. Using IHReS can improve clinical outcomes by identifying which patient needs early intervention to minimise the possible complications.
Effectiveness of ENDS, NRT and medication for smoking cessation among cigarette-only users: a longitudinal analysis of PATH Study wave 3 (2015–2016) and 4 (2016–2017), adult data
Authors: Kaplan Bekir , Galiatsatos Panagis , Breland Alison , Eissenberg Thomas , Cohen Joanna E
Published: September 2021

Background

Research is inconclusive on the effectiveness of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) as cigarette cessation aids compared with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or non-NRT medication. This study compared the cigarette cessation rates for ENDS, NRT and non-NRT medication.

Method

Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study wave 3 cigarette-only users who used ENDS, NRT or non-NRT medication (varenicline and bupropion) to quit smoking between wave 3 and 4 were included. ‘Cessation’ was defined as being a former cigarette smoker in wave 4. χ2, logistic regression, and a sensitivity analysis with Bayes factor assessed the association between quitting smoking and method used.

Results

Among 6794 cigarette-only users, 532 used ENDS (n=75), NRT (n=289), non-NRT medication (n=68), or a combination of NRT and non-NRT medication (n=100) to quit smoking between wave 3 and 4. The percentages of quitting smoking among those who used ENDS, NRT, non-NRT medication, and a combination of NRT and non-NRT medication were 16.2% (n=14), 16.1% (n=47), 17.7% (n=13), and 14.8% (n=12), respectively (p=0.97). None of the cigarette-only users who used ENDS to quit smoking became ENDS-only users in wave 4; 37.6% became dual users of ENDS and cigarettes.

Conclusion

No differences were found when cessation rates of ENDS, NRT or non-NRT medication were compared. Given uncertainty about the long-term health effect of ENDS and the likelihood of becoming dual users, people who smoke and need assistance quitting should be encouraged to use current Food and Drug Administration-approved cessation methods until more effective methods are developed.
Artificial intelligence in nutrition research: perspectives on current and future applications
Authors: Côté Mélina , Lamarche Benoît
Published: September 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving area that offers unparalleled opportunities of progress and applications in many healthcare fields. In this review, we provide an overview of the main and latest applications of AI in nutrition research and identify gaps to address to potentialize this emerging field. AI algorithms may help better understand and predict the complex and non-linear interactions between nutrition-related data and health outcomes, particularly when large amounts of data need to be structured and integrated, such as in metabolomics. AI-based approaches, including image recognition, may also improve dietary assessment by maximizing efficiency and addressing systematic and random errors associated with self-reported measurements of dietary intakes. Finally, AI applications can extract, structure and analyze large amounts of data from social media platforms to better understand dietary behaviours and perceptions among the population. In summary, AI-based approaches will likely improve and advance nutrition research as well as help explore new applications. However, further research is needed to identify areas where AI does deliver added value compared with traditional approaches, and other areas where AI is simply not likely to advance the field.

Novelty: Artificial intelligence offers unparalleled opportunities of progress and applications in nutrition. There remain gaps to address to potentialize this emerging field.
Modelling dissolved phosphorus losses from accumulated soil phosphorus and applied fertilizer and manure for a national risk indicator
Authors: Reid Keith , Schneider Kimberley
Published: September 2021

Balancing the weighting of various components of phosphorus loss in models is a critical but often overlooked step in accurate estimation of risk of P loss under field conditions. This study compared the P loss coefficients used to predict dissolved P losses from desorption from accumulated P in the soil, and those incidental to applications of P as fertilizer or manure, with extraction coefficients determined from actual P losses reported in literature for sites in Canada, with the addition of some sites with similar soils and climate from some northern states. The extraction coefficients for dissolved P measured in runoff water were 6.5× greater in year-round edge-of-field (EoF) measurements than in runoff boxes, indicating that models using P extraction coefficients derived from runoff box experiments will be underestimating the magnitude of losses from P accumulation in soil. Differences among the measurement methods (runoff box, rainfall simulator, or EoF) were not evident for incidental losses from applied P, but current models appear to overpredict the losses of applied P. Good agreement between measured and predicted dissolved P (DP) concentrations using the equations in the Annual Phosphorous Loss Estimator model were achieved by applying coefficients of 0.275 to the fertilizer equations and 0.219 to the manure equations, implying that 72.5% of fertilizer P and 78% of manure P are not available for runoff. This study underlines the importance of considering the relative weights of the various components of P loss as new models are developed and validated.
Decay of baryon inhomogeneities in an expanding universe
Authors: Das Pratik K. , Sau Sovan , Saha Abhisek , Sanyal Soma
Published: September 2021

Baryon inhomogeneities are generated early in the universe. These inhomogeneities affect the phase transition dynamics of subsequent phase transitions, they also affect the nucleosynthesis calculations. We study the decay of the inhomogeneities in the early universe using the diffusion equation in the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker metric. We calculate the interaction cross section of the quarks with the neutrinos, the electrons and the muons and obtain the diffusion coefficients. The diffusion coefficients are temperature dependent. We find that the expansion of the universe causes the inhomogeneities to decay at a faster rate. We find that the baryon inhomogeneities generated at the electroweak epoch have low amplitudes at the time of the quark hadron transition and hence will not affect the phase transition dynamics unless they are generated with a amplitude greater than $$10^{5}$$

10
5

times the background density. After the quark hadron transition, we include the interaction of the muons with the hadrons till 100 MeV. We find that large density inhomogeneities generated during the quark hadron transition with sizes of the order of 1 km must have amplitudes greater than $$10^{5} $$

10
5

times the background density to survive upto the nucleosynthesis epoch. This puts constraints on any models that generate these inhomogeneities
Kaon generalized parton distributions and light-front wave functions in the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model
Authors: Zhang Jin-Li , Ping Jia-Lun
Published: September 2021

Kaon generalized parton distributions (GPDs) and the leading Fock state light-front wave functions are investigated in the framework of Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model with proper time regularization. In addition, we compared the form factors, parton distribution functions, and generalized form factors obtained from them, respectively. The first Mellin moments of GPDs result in the form factors of local currents. The second Mellin moments of vector GPDs are related to gravitational form factors, the quark mass distribution $$\theta _2$$

θ
2

and the quark pressure distribution $$\theta _1$$

θ
1

. When taking a Fourier transform of GPDs in impact parameter space, we can get the mean-squared impact parameter for the quarks of the kaon: $$\langle {\varvec{b}}_{\bot }^2\rangle _K^u=0.149$$

⟨

b

⊥

2

⟩

K
u

=
0.149

fm$$^2$$

2

, $$\langle {\varvec{b}}_{\bot }^2\rangle _K^s=0.088$$

⟨

b

⊥

2

⟩

K
s

=
0.088

fm$$^2$$

2

. This means that the kaon s quark is nearer to the center of transverse momentum than the u quark. We also give the light-cone energy radius for the quarks of the kaon from the mass distribution $$\theta _2$$

θ
2

: $$r_{E,LC}^{u,K}=0.187 $$

r

E
,
L
C

u
,
K

=
0.187

fm, $$ r_{E,LC}^{s,K}=0.167$$

r

E
,
L
C

s
,
K

=
0.167

fm, and the light-cone charge radius from quark form factors of the kaon: $$r_{c,LC}^{u,K}=0.390 $$

r

c
,
L
C

u
,
K

=
0.390

fm, $$r_{c,LC}^{s,K}=0.296 $$

r

c
,
L
C

s
,
K

=
0.296

fm, which means that the s quark has a smaller extent than the u quark. The light-front transverse-spin distributions $$\rho _u^1\left( {\varvec{b}}_{\bot },{\varvec{s}}_{\perp }\right) $$

ρ
u
1

b

⊥

,

s

⊥

and $$\rho _u^2\left( {\varvec{b}}_{\bot },{\varvec{s}}_{\perp }\right) $$

ρ
u
2

b

⊥

,

s

⊥

show distortions, the average shift are $$\langle b_{\bot }^y\rangle _1^u=0.116$$

⟨

b

⊥

y

⟩

1
u

=
0.116

fm and $$\langle b_{\bot }^y\rangle _2^u=0.083$$

⟨

b

⊥

y

⟩

2
u

=
0.083

fm. On the kinematic domain associated with the valence-quark dominance, the unpolarized Wigner distribution from light-front wave functions is sharply peaked. It extends as the transverse position variable increases in magnitude and has a domain of negative support. Through the comparison of distributions from the two methods, we find that they give the same multi-dimensional mapping of the kaon in the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model.
Probing the spin correlations of $$t{\bar{t}} $$ production at NLO QCD+EW
Authors: Frederix Rikkert , Tsinikos Ioannis , Vitos Timea
Published: September 2021

In this work we investigate the NLO QCD+EW corrections to the top quark pair production and their effects on the spin correlation coefficients and asymmetries at fixed-order top quark pair production and LO decay in the dilepton channel, within the narrow-width approximation. The spin correlations are implicitly measured through the lepton kinematics. Moreover we study the EW effects to the leptonic differential distributions. We find that the EW corrections to the $$t {\bar{t}}$$

t

t

¯

production are within the NLO QCD theoretical uncertainties for the spin correlation coefficients and the leptonic asymmetries. On the other hand, for the differential distributions we find that the EW corrections exceed the NLO QCD scale uncertainty band in the high rapidity regimes and are of the order of the NLO QCD scale uncertainty in the case of invariant mass and transverse momentum distributions.
Geochemical exploration for buried sandstone-hosted uranium mineralization using mobile U and Pb isotopes: case study of the REB deposit, Great Divide Basin, Wyoming
Authors: Abzalov M. Z.
Published: September 2021

Mobile radiogenic lead isotopes (
206
Pb,
207
Pb,
208
Pb and
210
Pb) represent products of radioactive decay of their parental uranium and thorium isotopes (
238
U,
235
U,
232
Th), and are considered potential geochemical pathfinders of buried sandstone-type uranium deposits. Soil samples collected along a geochemical traverse intersecting buried uranium roll front mineralization at the REB deposit in the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming, USA were studied. Mineralization of this deposit is hosted in weakly lithified arkosic sands, at a depth of 120–200 m, without a strong surficial expression of its presence at depth, which makes discovery of this deposit type difficult, slow and expensive. All soil samples have been analysed for ratios of the mobile long-lived Pb isotopes and their parental U and Th isotopes, determined from partial leach products obtained using a weak acid leaching technique. The samples were also analysed for trace elements, assayed both in the partial leach products and using conventional whole-soil sample assays. Ratios of the mobile radiogenic Pb isotopes to their parental U and Th isotopes (
206
Pb/
238
U,
207
Pb/
235
U and
208
Pb/
232
Th) determined in the partial leach products exhibit anomalous contents in the soil samples collected above the uranium rolls. The anomalous values are several times greater than background values, to lateral distances of 350–400 m outside of the roll fronts. Notably, conventional whole-soil assays have failed to detect the anomalies that were detected using mobile Pb isotopes.

Supplementary material
: Minor and trace elements assays of the geochemical samples are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5610980
A cGAS-dependent response links DNA damage and senescence in alveolar epithelial cells: a potential drug target in IPF
Authors: Schuliga Michael , Kanwal Amama , Read Jane , Blokland Kaj E. C. , Burgess Janette K. , Prêle Cecilia M. , Mutsaers Steven E. , Grainge Christopher , Thomson Claire , James Allen , Bartlett Nathan W. , Knight Darryl A.
Published: September 2021

Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) senescence is implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Mitochondrial dysfunction including release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a feature of senescence, which led us to investigate the role of the DNA-sensing guanine monophosphate-adenine monophosphate (GMP-AMP) synthase (cGAS) in IPF, with a focus on AEC senescence. cGAS expression in fibrotic tissue from lungs of patients with IPF was detected within cells immunoreactive for epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and p21, epithelial and senescence markers, respectively. Submerged primary cultures of AECs isolated from lung tissue of patients with IPF (IPF-AECs, n = 5) exhibited higher baseline senescence than AECs from control donors (Ctrl-AECs, n = 5–7), as assessed by increased nuclear histone 2AXγ phosphorylation, p21 mRNA, and expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) cytokines. Pharmacological cGAS inhibition using RU.521 diminished IPF-AEC senescence in culture and attenuated induction of Ctrl-AEC senescence following etoposide-induced DNA damage. Short interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of cGAS also attenuated etoposide-induced senescence of the AEC line, A549. Higher levels of mtDNA were detected in the cytosol and culture supernatants of primary IPF- and etoposide-treated Ctrl-AECs when compared with Ctrl-AECs at baseline. Furthermore, ectopic mtDNA augmented cGAS-dependent senescence of Ctrl-AECs, whereas DNAse I treatment diminished IPF-AEC senescence. This study provides evidence that a self-DNA-driven, cGAS-dependent response augments AEC senescence, identifying cGAS as a potential therapeutic target for IPF.
Therapeutic effects of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid in severe Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in ex vivo perfused human lungs
Authors: Zhang Xiwen , Sugita Shinji , Liu Airan , Naito Yoshifumi , Hwang Wonjung , Qiu Haibo , Sakamoto Atsuhiro , Sawa Teiji , Matthay Michael A. , Lee Jae-Woo
Published: September 2021

We previously reported that extracellular vesicles (EVs) released during Escherichia coli ( E. coli) bacterial pneumonia were inflammatory, and administration of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW HA) suppressed several indices of acute lung injury (ALI) from E. coli pneumonia by binding to these inflammatory EVs. The current study was undertaken to study the therapeutic effects of HMW HA in ex vivo perfused human lungs injured with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA)103 bacterial pneumonia. For lungs with baseline alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) <10%/h, HMW HA 1 or 2 mg was injected intravenously after 1 h ( n = 4–9), and EVs released during PA pneumonia were collected from the perfusate over 6 h. For lungs with baseline AFC > 10%/h, HMW HA 2 mg was injected intravenously after 1 h ( n = 6). In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of HA on inflammation and bacterial phagocytosis. For lungs with AFC < 10%/h, administration of HMW HA intravenously significantly restored AFC and numerically decreased protein permeability and alveolar inflammation from PA103 pneumonia but had no effect on bacterial counts at 6 h. However, HMW HA improved bacterial phagocytosis by human monocytes and neutrophils and suppressed the inflammatory properties of EVs released during pneumonia on monocytes. For lungs with AFC > 10%/h, administration of HMW HA intravenously improved AFC from PA103 pneumonia but had no significant effects on protein permeability, inflammation, or bacterial counts. In the presence of impaired alveolar epithelial transport capacity, administration of HMW HA improved the resolution of pulmonary edema from Pseudomonas PA103 bacterial pneumonia.
Contribution of tetrodotoxin-sensitive, voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV1) to action potential discharge from mouse esophageal tension mechanoreceptors
Authors: Hadley Stephen , Patil Mayur J. , Pavelkova Nikoleta , Kollarik Marian , Taylor-Clark Thomas E.
Published: September 2021

Action potentials depend on voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV1s), which have nine α subtypes. NaV1 inhibition is a target for pathologies involving excitable cells such as pain. However, because NaV1 subtypes are widely expressed, inhibitors may inhibit regulatory sensory systems. Here, we investigated specific NaV1s and their inhibition in mouse esophageal mechanoreceptors—non-nociceptive vagal sensory afferents that are stimulated by low threshold mechanical distension, which regulate esophageal motility. Using single fiber electrophysiology, we found mechanoreceptor responses to esophageal distension were abolished by tetrodotoxin. Single-cell RT-PCR revealed that esophageal-labeled TRPV1-negative vagal neurons expressed multiple tetrodotoxin-sensitive NaV1s: NaV1.7 (almost all neurons) and NaV1.1, NaV1.2, and NaV1.6 (in ∼50% of neurons). Inhibition of NaV1.7, using PF-05089771, had a small inhibitory effect on mechanoreceptor responses to distension. Inhibition of NaV1.1 and NaV1.6, using ICA-121341, had a similar small inhibitory effect. The combination of PF-05089771 and ICA-121341 inhibited but did not eliminate mechanoreceptor responses. Inhibition of NaV1.2, NaV1.6, and NaV1.7 using LSN-3049227 inhibited but did not eliminate mechanoreceptor responses. Thus, all four tetrodotoxin-sensitive NaV1s contribute to action potential initiation from esophageal mechanoreceptors terminals. This is different to those NaV1s necessary for vagal action potential conduction, as demonstrated using GCaMP6s imaging of esophageal vagal neurons during electrical stimulation. Tetrodotoxin-sensitive conduction was abolished in many esophageal neurons by PF-05089771 alone, indicating a critical role of NaV1.7. In summary, multiple NaV1 subtypes contribute to electrical signaling in esophageal mechanoreceptors. Thus, inhibition of individual NaV1s would likely have minimal effect on afferent regulation of esophageal motility.
Motor skill training without online visual feedback enhances feedforward control
Authors: Raichin Adi , Shkedy Rabani Anat , Shmuelof Lior
Published: September 2021

Becoming a skillful player requires both executing reliable movements and being able to efficiently control them online. We study here how training with and without online visual feedback affects feedforward and feedback control improvement in a drawing task that requires high precision. We show that training with online feedback suppresses improvement in feedforward control and leads to inferior performance in fast movements.
A Simulation Study on the Swelling and Shrinking Behaviors of Nanosized Montmorillonite Based on Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Tong Kaiwen , Guo Jianhua , Chen Shanxiong , Yu Fei , Li Shichang , Dai Zhangjun
Published: September 2021

Montmorillonite is the main mineral source for the swelling and shrinking of expansive soils. The macroscopic phenomena of soil are affected by the action of deep-level nanosized minerals. In order to illustrate the nanoscale mechanism from the molecular level, a combination of Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics was used to explore the swelling and shrinking characteristics of montmorillonite. The results showed that the basal spacing, free swelling ratio, and void ratio were positively correlated with water content but were inversely proportional to the change of CEC. The hysteresis phenomena of swelling and shrinking were the most significant at a water content of 40%. Compared with the expansive soil, the nanoscale shrinkage curve of montmorillonite also included three stages of normal shrinkage, residual shrinkage, and no shrinkage. The relative concentration of water molecules conveyed information such as the thickness and position of the hydration film and explained the difference in swelling and shrinking caused by the above variables. The changes in the number and length of hydrogen bonds revealed the order of formation and the process of destruction of hydrogen bonds during the reaction. The similarity of the trends between the basal spacing, binding energy, and the number of hydrogen bonds indicated that the swelling and shrinking of the crystal layer are a reflection of the molecular interaction, and the hydrogen bonding is particularly critical.
Distributed Energy Management of the Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid with High Penetration of Distributed Energy Resources Based on ADMM
Authors: Chen Yaling , Hao Luxi , Yin Gaowen
Published: September 2021

This paper aims to investigate energy management of the hybrid AC/DC microgrid with the high penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as electrical vehicles, heat pumps, and photovoltaics. In the previous studies, energy management of the hybrid microgrid is usually carried out by the system operator in a centralized manner, which suffers from the compromise of privacy information protection and the risk of single‐point failure. Therefore, this paper proposes a distributed energy management scheme of the hybrid microgrid using the projection function‐based alternating direction method of multipliers (P‐ADMM), which allows each subgrid, i.e., AC subgrid and DC subgrid, to make day‐ahead schedules independently with information exchanges while obtaining the optimal energy management solution. The energy management problem of the hybrid microgrid is formulated as a mixed‐integer quadratic programming (MIQP) model, considering DER and energy storage system operation constraints, system operation constraints, and converter operation constraints. Then, the MIQP model is decomposed and distributed into smaller‐scale QP models between subgrids using the P‐ADMM algorithm, which can handle binary variables through projection functions. The numerical results conducted on the hybrid microgrid demonstrate that the proposed distributed scheme can effectively achieve optimal energy management for the hybrid AC/DC microgrid in a distributed manner.
Unlocking the Sustainable Development Path of China’s Nonferrous Metal Industry Based on Collaborative Innovation
Authors: Zhang Jing , Lu Yuanyuan , Zhang Xiangmin
Published: September 2021

The sustainable development of an industry is an important topic of technological innovation. To unlock the path dependence of industrial development, it is critical to identify the evolution law of the industrial collaborative innovation network. Taking China’s nonferrous metal industry as an example, this paper establishes two collaborative innovation networks from the time and space dimensions, respectively. The networks cover both the macroenvironment and the microinnovative subjects of the industry and fully consider the collaborative relationships between these subjects. Through multilevel and multidimensional analysis, the authors drew the following conclusions: the macropolicies and technology paradigm can create a window of opportunity for the industry, which directly drives the breeding of new industries and the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries; the interaction between the macroenvironment and microinnovative subjects leads to the differentiation of the industrial innovation path; the provinces can enter the first echelon of interprovincial innovation collaboration and realize sustainable development of the industry through the unlocking path, which consists of path continuation, path expansion, path implantation, and path diversification.
Adrenal Insufficiency in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-Infected Patients without Preexisting Adrenal Diseases: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Vakhshoori Mehrbod , Heidarpour Maryam , Bondariyan Niloofar , Sadeghpour Niyousha , Mousavi Zohreh
Published: September 2021

Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) manifestations varied completely from its time of emergence. However, the assessment of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in this pandemic is lacking. In this review, we aimed to evaluate the status of AI among COVID-19-infected individuals. Methods. A systematic literature screening in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed until May 23, 2021. We collected relevant published peer-reviewed studies that reported AI occurrence in patients who suffered from COVID-19. Results. A total of 10 records (cross-sectional studies: 3, N = 256, males: 176 (68.7%), and case reports: 7, N = 7, males: 4 (57.1%)) were recruited. The age spectrum ranged from 22 to 96 years. AI was diagnosed with laboratory assessment or radiologic findings. The AI prevalence ranged from 3.1% to as high as 64.3% in different studies. Except for one patient, all other patients were discharged in stable conditions in published case reports. Conclusion. This review indicates that AI occurrence in the COVID-19 pandemic seems quite probable; however, the extent and type (primary, secondary, and functional) need to be clarified yet. Appropriate early diagnostic and therapeutic interventions should be done, especially in critically ill patients, to prevent lethal outcomes.