bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethics of digital contact tracing wearables
Authors: Schaefer G Owen , Ballantyne Angela
Published: May 2021

The success of digital COVID-19 contact tracing requires a strategy that successfully addresses the digital divide—inequitable access to technology such as smartphones. Lack of access both undermines the degree of social benefit achieved by the use of tracing apps, and exacerbates existing social and health inequities because those who lack access are likely to already be disadvantaged. Recently, Singapore has introduced portable tracing wearables (with the same functionality as a contact tracing app) to address the equity gap and promote public health. We argue that governments have an ethical obligation to ensure fair access to the protective benefits of contract tracing during the pandemic and that wearables are an effective way of addressing some important equity issues. The most contentious issues about contact tracing apps have been the potential infringements of privacy and individual liberty, especially where the use of apps or other technology (such as wearables or QR codes) is required for access to certain spaces. Here we argue that wearables, as opposed to apps alone, will make a digital contact tracing mandate more practical and explain some conditions under which such a mandate would be justified. We focus on Singapore as a case study that has recently deployed contact tracing wearables nationally, but also reference debate about wearables in Australia and New Zealand. Our analysis will be relevant to counties trialling similar portable tracing wearables.
Randomised controlled trials in medical AI: ethical considerations
Authors: Grote Thomas
Published: May 2021

In recent years, there has been a surge of high-profile publications on applications of artificial intelligence (AI) systems for medical diagnosis and prognosis. While AI provides various opportunities for medical practice, there is an emerging consensus that the existing studies show considerable deficits and are unable to establish the clinical benefit of AI systems. Hence, the view that the clinical benefit of AI systems needs to be studied in clinical trials—particularly randomised controlled trials (RCTs)—is gaining ground. However, an issue that has been overlooked so far in the debate is that, compared with drug RCTs, AI RCTs require methodological adjustments, which entail ethical challenges. This paper sets out to develop a systematic account of the ethics of AI RCTs by focusing on the moral principles of clinical equipoise, informed consent and fairness. This way, the objective is to animate further debate on the (research) ethics of medical AI.
Fraud and retraction in perioperative medicine publications: what we learned and what can be implemented to prevent future recurrence
Authors: Nato Consolato Gianluca , Tabacco Leonardo , Bilotta Federico
Published: May 2021

Fraud in medical publications is an increasing concern. In particular, disciplines related to perioperative medicine—including anaesthesia and critical care—currently hold the highest rankings in terms of retracted papers for research misconduct. The dominance of this dubious achievement is attributable to a limited number of researchers who have repeatedly committed scientific fraud. In the last three decades, six researchers have authored 421 of the 475 papers retracted in perioperative medicine. This narrative review reports on six cases of fabricated publication in perioperative medicine that resulted in the paper’s retraction. The process that led to the unveiling of the fraud, the impact on clinical practice, and changes in regulatory mechanisms of scientific companies and governmental agencies’ policies are also presented. Fraud in medical publications is a growing concern that affects perioperative medicine requiring a substantial number of papers to be retracted. The continuous control elicited by readers, by local institutional review boards, scientific journal reviewers, scientific societies and government agencies can play an important role in preserving the ‘pact of trust’ between authors, professionals and ultimately the relationship between doctors and patients.
Use of historical high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T levels to rule out myocardial infarction
Authors: Roos Andreas , Holzmann Martin J
Published: May 2021

Objective

Several high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn)-based strategies exist for rule-out of myocardial infarction (MI). It is unknown whether historical hs-cTnT concentrations can be used. This study aim to evaluate the performance of a rule-out strategy based on the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1-hour algorithm, using historical hs-cTnT concentrations.

Methods

All visits among patients with chest pain in the emergency department at nine different hospitals in Sweden from 2012 to 2016 were eligible (221 490 visits). We enrolled patients with a 0-hour hs-cTnT of <12 ng/L, a second hs-cTnT measured within 3.5 hours, and ≥1 historical hs-cTnT available. We calculated the risks of MI and all-cause mortality using two rule-out strategies: (1) a delta hs-cTnT of <3 ng/L between the 0-hour hs-cTnT and the second hs-cTnT (modified ESC algorithm) and (2) a historical hs-cTnT <12 ng/L and a delta hs-cTnT of <3 ng/L in relation to the 0-hour hs-cTnT (historical-hs-cTnT algorithm).

Results

A total of 8432 patients were included, of whom 84 (1.0%) had an MI. The modified ESC algorithm triaged 8100 (96%) patients toward ruled-out, for whom 30-day MI risk and negative predictive value (NPV) for MI (95% CI) were 0.4% (0.3% to 0.6%) and 99.6% (99.4% to 99.7%), respectively. The historical-hs-cTnT algorithm ruled out 6700 (80%) patients, with a 30-day MI risk of 0.5% (0.4% to 0.8%) and NPV of 99.5% (99.2% to 99.6%).

Conclusions

The application of algorithm resulted in similar MI risk and NPV to an established algorithm. The usefulness of historical hs-cTnT concentrations should merit further attention.
Depression after stroke
Authors: Facucho-Oliveira João , Esteves-Sousa Daniel , Espada-Santos Pedro , Moura Nuno , Albuquerque Margarida , Fraga Ana Margarida , Sousa Sandra , Cintra Pedro , Mendonça Luis , Pita Fernando
Published: May 2021

Stroke treatment has dramatically improved in recent decades. However, although new treatments have reduced its mortality and the severity of its physical and cognitive sequelae, many people still have incapacitating disabilities following a stroke. Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder following stroke; it is important to recognise and treat as it limits motor and cognitive rehabilitation. Antidepressant medication is an effective treatment and can improve adherence to clinically recommended physical and cognitive tasks, thereby enhancing functional remodelling of neuronal pathways and improving rehabilitation outcomes.
Hospital safety-net burden is associated with increased inpatient mortality after elective total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective multistate review, 2007–2018
Authors: Kelleher Deirdre Clare , Lippell Ryan , Lui Briana , Ma Xiaoyue , Tedore Tiffany , Weinberg Roniel , White Robert S
Published: May 2021

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is among the most common surgical procedures performed in the USA and comprises an outsized proportion of Medicare expenditures. Previous work-associated higher safety-net burden hospitals with increased morbidity and in-hospital mortality following total hip arthroplasty. Here, we examine the association of safety-net burden on postoperative outcomes after TKA.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 1 141 587 patients aged ≥18 years undergoing isolated elective TKA using data from the State Inpatient Databases for Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York and Washington from 2007 through 2018. Hospitals were grouped into tertiles by safety-net burden status, defined by the proportion of inpatient cases billed to Medicaid or unpaid (low: 0%–16.83%, medium: 16.84%–30.45%, high: ≥30.45%). Using generalized estimating equation models, we assessed the association of hospital safety-net burden status on in-hospital mortality, patient complications and length of stay (LOS). We also analyzed outcomes by anesthesia type in New York State (NYS), the only state with this data.

Results

Most TKA procedures were performed at medium safety-net burden hospitals (n=6 16 915, 54%), while high-burden hospitals performed the fewest (n=2 04 784, 17.9%). Overall in-patient mortality was low (0.056%), however, patients undergoing TKA at medium-burden hospitals were 40% more likely to die when compared with patients at low-burden hospitals (low: 0.043% vs medium: 0.061%, adjusted OR (aOR): 1.40, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.79, p=0.008). Patients who underwent TKA at medium or high safety-net burden hospitals were more likely to experience intraoperative complications (low: 0.2% vs medium: 0.3%, aOR: 1.94, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.83, p<0.001; low: 0.2% vs high: 0.4%, aOR: 1.91, 95% CI 1.35 to 2.72, p<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in other postoperative complications or LOS between the different safety-net levels. In NYS, TKA performed at high safety-net burden hospitals was more likely to use general rather than regional anesthesia (low: 26.7% vs high: 59.5%, aOR: 4.04, 95% CI 1.05 to 15.5, p=0.042).

Conclusions

Patients undergoing TKA at higher safety-net burden hospitals are associated with higher odds of in-patient mortality than those at low safety-net burden hospitals. The source of this mortality differential is unknown but could be related to the increased risk of intraoperative complications at higher burden centers.
One-year results from a randomized comparative trial of targeted steroid injection via epidural catheter versus standard transforaminal epidural injection for the treatment of unilateral cervical radicular pain
Authors: Conger Aaron , Kendall Richard W , Sperry Beau P , Petersen Russell , Salazar Fabio , Cunningham Shellie , Henrie A Michael , Bisson Erica F , Teramoto Masaru , McCormick Zachary L
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of catheter-directed cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection with triamcinolone compared with cervical transforaminal steroid injection with dexamethasone for the treatment of refractory unilateral radicular pain.

Design

Prospective, randomized, comparative trial.

Methods

The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with ≥50% Numeric Rating Scale ‘dominant pain’ (the greater of arm vs neck) reduction from baseline. Secondary outcomes included ≥30% Neck Disability Index reduction and Patient Global Impression of Change response indicating ‘much improved’ or ‘very much improved’.

Results

Data from 117 participants (55.6% women; 52.3±12.5 years of age; body mass index, 28.2±6.5 kg/m
2
) were analyzed. The proportion of participants who experienced ≥50% pain reduction at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months has been previously reported. At 1 year, 61.2% (95% CI, 46.9% to 73.9%) of the catheter group compared with 51.9% (95% CI, 38.4% to 65.2%) of the transforaminal group reported ≥50% ‘dominant’ pain reduction (p=0.35). The proportion of participants who experienced ≥30% improvement in Neck Disability Index score was 60.4% (95% CI, 45.9% to 73.3%) and 47.1% (95% CI, 33.7% to 60.8%) in the catheter and transforaminal groups (p=0.18). Patient Global Impression of Change improvement was similar in both groups: 60.5% (95% CI, 44.2% to 74.8%) and 57.5% (95% CI, 41.7% to 71.9%) of the catheter and transforaminal groups reported being ‘much improved’ or ‘very much improved’, respectively (p=0.79).

Conclusion

Both cervical catheter-directed interlaminar epidural injection and cervical transforaminal steroid injection were effective in reducing pain and disability in the majority of participants with refractory unilateral cervical radiculopathy for up to 1 year.
Infiltration between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the knee (IPACK) block in knee surgery: a narrative review
Authors: Chan Edmund , Howle Ryan , Onwochei Desire , Desai Neel
Published: May 2021

Background

The infiltration between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the knee (IPACK) block has been described as an alternative analgesic strategy for knee pain.

Objective

Our aim was to perform a narrative review to examine the place and value that the IPACK block has in comparison to and in conjunction with other regional anesthesia modalities.

Evidence review

Following an extensive search of electronic databases, we included anatomical studies, letters, comparative observational studies, and non-randomized and randomized controlled trials that examined the IPACK block in relation to surgery on the knee under general or neuraxial anesthesia.

Findings

In all, 35 articles were included. Cadaveric studies demonstrated the potential for injected dye to spread to the nerves responsible for the innervation of the posterior as well as anteromedial and anterolateral aspects of the knee. Of the comparative observational studies (n=15) and non-randomized (n=1) and randomized controlled trials (n=13), 2 and 27 were conducted in the context of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and knee replacement surgery, respectively. The role of the IPACK block with each different permutation of regional anesthesia techniques was investigated by a small number of studies. Clinical studies, in the setting of knee replacement surgery, revealed variation in the manner in which the IPACK block was performed, and indicated the possible superiority of distal injection at the level of the femoral condyles for the management of posterior knee pain. Evidence suggested the following: the IPACK block in combination with single shot adductor canal block (ACB) may be beneficial for analgesic and functional outcomes; in conjunction with single shot or continuous ACB, the IPACK block might be superior to local infiltration analgesia (LIA); and functional outcomes may be improved with the supplementation of continuous ACB and LIA with the IPACK block. The IPACK block did not commonly result in the occurrence of foot drop. Relative to tibial nerve block (TNB), the IPACK block reduced the occurrence of foot drop and increased the proportion of patients who were able to be discharged on the third postoperative day.

Conclusions

The IPACK block was potentially complementary to the ACB and might be preferable to the TNB as a motor-sparing regional anesthesia technique in knee surgery. Definitive recommendations were not reached in the presence of the heterogeneous and limited evidence base.
Does the addition of iPACK to adductor canal block in the presence or absence of periarticular local anesthetic infiltration improve analgesic and functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hussain Nasir , Brull Richard , Sheehy Brendan , Dasu Michael , Weaver Tristan , Abdallah Faraj W
Published: May 2021

Background

When combined with adductor canal block (ACB), local anesthetic infiltration between popliteal artery and capsule of knee (iPACK) is purported to improve pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the analgesic benefits of adding iPACK to ACB in the setting of surgeon-administered periarticular local infiltration analgesia (LIA) are unclear.

Objectives

To evaluate the analgesic benefits of adding iPACK to ACB, compared with ACB alone, in the setting of LIA following TKA.

Evidence review

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing the effects of adding iPACK block to ACB versus ACB alone on pain severity at 6 hours postoperatively in adult patients undergoing TKA. We a priori planned to stratify analysis for use of LIA. Opioid consumption at 24 hours, functional recovery, and iPACK-related complications were secondary outcomes.

Findings

Fourteen trials (1044 patients) were analyzed. For the primary outcome comparison in thepresenceof LIA (four trials, 273 patients), adding iPACK to ACB did not improve postoperative pain at 6 hours. However, in theabsenceof LIA (eight trials, 631 patients), adding iPACK to ACB reduced pain by a weighted mean difference (WMD) (95% CI) of −1.33 cm (−1.57 to –1.09) (p<0.00001). For the secondary outcome comparisons in thepresenceof LIA, adding iPACK to ACB did not improve postoperative pain at all other time points, opioid consumption or functional recovery. In contrast, in theabsenceof LIA, adding iPACK to ACB reduced pain at 12 hours, and 24 hours by a WMD (95% CI) of −0.98 (−1.79 to –0.17) (p=0.02) and −0.69 (−1.18 to –0.20) (p=0.006), respectively, when compared with ACB alone, but did not reduce opioid consumption. Functional recovery was also improved by a log(odds ratio) (95% CI) of 1.28 (0.45 to 2.11) (p=0.003). No iPACK-related complications were reported.

Conclusion

Adding iPACK to ACB in the setting of periarticular LIA does not improve analgesic outcomes following TKA. In the absence of LIA, adding iPACK to ACB reduces pain up to 24 hours and enhances functional recovery. Our findings do not support the addition of iPACK to ACB when LIA is routinely administered.
The articular cartilage preservative effects of genistein in an experimental model of knees osteoarthritis
Authors: Cheng Xiangjun , Xu Peilian
Published: May 2021

The study aimed to investigate the preservative effects of genistein on articular cartilage in an experimental model of knee osteoarthritis in rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were assigned to 3 equal groups: sham group, osteoarthritis control group (OAG), and genistein-treated osteoarthritis group (GTG). Intra-articular injections of monosodium iodoacetate were used for osteoarthritis induction. After 2 weeks of rest for the induction of the inflammatory process, genistein (30 mg/kg/day) vs. saline gavage was administered for 8 weeks. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and MMP-13, Sox5/Sox6, Indian hedgehog (IHH), and Col2 were evaluated in medial femoral condyle sections by immunohistochemical staining. The number of chondrocytes and cartilage thicknesses were also measured and compared among the groups. No significant change in cartilage thickness was observed in GTG compared with OAG (p = 0.188). Chondrocyte count was significantly higher in the articular cartilage of GTG compared with OAG (p = 0.006). Induction of osteoarthritis significantly increased the expression of MMP-8, MMP-13, and IHH, but decreased Col2, Sox5, and Sox6 expression (p < 0.001); these were partially prevented in the GTG. Our findings support the effectiveness of genistein treatment in the prevention of articular cartilage damage in the experimental model of knee osteoarthritis. The proposed mechanism of action is through the suppression of the MMP, IHH, and Col2 pathways, besides the induction of Sox5 and Sox6 expression.

Novelty: Genistein prevents articular cartilage damage in the experimental model of knee osteoarthritis. The osteoprotective effect is manifested by the modulation of expression of MMP, Sox, IHH, and Col2 proteins.
Geology of the Mesoproterozoic Pillar Lake Volcanics and Inspiration Sill, Armstrong, Ontario: evidence of early Midcontinent Rift magmatism in the northwestern Nipigon Embayment
Authors: Hollings Pete , Smyk Mark , Bleeker Wouter , Hamilton Mike , Cundari Robert , Easton Michael
Published: May 2021

The Midcontinent Rift System of North America is a ∼1.1 Ga large igneous province comprising mainly flood basalts and intrusive rocks. We present new data for the Pillar Lake Volcanics and Inspiration Sill from the northern edge of the Midcontinent Rift in the northwestern Nipigon Embayment. The Pillar Lake Volcanics comprise a ∼20–40 m thick, flat-lying sequence of mafic pillowed and massive flows, pillowed flow breccia, and hyaloclastite breccia. They are characterized by SiO2 of 52–54 wt%, TiO2 of 1.2–1.3 wt%, and K2O of 0.9–1.1 wt%. They are light rare earth element (LREE) enriched, with La/Smn of 3.0–4.4 with fractionated heavy rare earth elements (HREE) (Gd/Ybn = 1.4–1.7). The Inspiration diabase sill is ≤ 50 m thick and is in direct contact with the underlying Pillar Lake Volcanics. Baddeleyite and zircon data from the Inspiration Sill yield a combined U–Pb upper intercept age of 1105.6 ± 1.6 Ma. The Inspiration Sill is characterized by uniform SiO2 of 52–53 wt%, TiO2 of 1.1–1.2 wt%, and K2O of 0.9–1.2 wt%. Inspiration Sill samples are LREE enriched with La/Smn of 3.2–3.3 and fractionated HREE (Gd/Ybn = 1.6). The Pillar Lake Volcanics are at least 1120 Ma, and perhaps as old as 1130 Ma, and represent an early, thin, and restricted mafic volcanic sequence, largely preserved below the younger Inspiration Sill. The Pillar Lake Volcanics and Inspiration Sill display a marked geochemical similarity, suggesting that they may represent magmatism associated with the earliest stages of Midcontinent rifting.
Surface water with more natural temperatures promotes physiological and endocrine changes in landlocked Atlantic salmon smolts
Authors: Regish Amy M. , Ardren William R. , Staats Nicholas R. , Bouchard Henry , Withers Jonah L. , Castro-Santos Theodore , McCormick Stephen D.
Published: May 2021

Hatchery salmonid smolts are often reared using groundwater with elevated temperatures to maximize growth. Previous work has shown that rearing hatchery smolts in surface water with a more natural thermal regime resulted in increased return rates of adult landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). We evaluated whether landlocked Atlantic salmon reared in surface water with a natural temperature regime have altered physiological smolt characteristics compared with fish reared in groundwater with elevated winter temperatures. Hatchery fish were sampled three consecutive years from January to May. Additional fish were released as smolts, recaptured, and compared with fry-stocked smolts. Surface water smolts had earlier peaks of plasma T4, lower T3 levels, later peak cortisol, and lower gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity as compared with groundwater smolts. After release and recapture, surface water fish had elevated plasma T4 and gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity compared with groundwater fish, but less than stream-reared fish. Elevated plasma T4 in surface water fish in the hatchery and after release may have promoted imprinting and other aspects of smolt development, contributing to the higher adult return rates of a cohort reared in surface water.
Partition function and thermodynamic quantities with atomic data of Ag XLIV
Authors: Kumar Ravinder , Singh Narendra , Goyal Arun
Published: May 2021

In this work, the atomic parameters of Ag XLIV (Be-like Ag) are examined and evaluated by implementing the GRASP2K package with the multi-configuration Dirac–Hartree–Fock (MCDHF) method for the calculation of wave-functions. We have listed fine structure energy levels of the lowest 170 levels with radiative data for multipole moments, such as electric dipole (E1), electric quadrupole (E2), magnetic dipole (M1), and magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions, that lie in the region of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-ray (SXR) for Ag XLIV from the ground state within the lowest 170 levels. We have compared our GRASP2K and FAC results with theoretical results available in the literature for some levels. Additionally, we have also calculated partition function and thermodynamic quantities for temperature ranges from 104 to 107 K. We believe that our presented details and data may be beneficial not only in plasma modeling but also in imaging of nanostructure as well as in medicine, semiconductors, and EUV and SXR laser applications.
The Phytoclast Group as a tracer of palaeoenvironmental changes in the early Toarcian
Authors: Rodrigues Bruno , Silva Ricardo L. , Mendonça Filho João Graciano , Reolid Matías , Sadki Driss , Comas-Rengifo Maria José , Goy Antonio , Duarte Luís V.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we present a detailed review of upper Pliensbachian–lower Toarcian kerogen assemblages from the southern areas of the West Tethys shelf (between Morocco and northern Spain) and demonstrate the use of the Phytoclast Group as a tracer of palaeoenvironmental changes in the early Toarcian. The kerogen assemblages in the studied sections from the southern areas of the West Tethys shelf are dominated by the Phytoclast Group and terrestrial palynomorphs, although punctual increases in amorphous organic matter, freshwater (
Botryococcus
) and marine microplankton (dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs and prasinophyte algae) were observed at specific stratigraphic intervals. The opaque/non-opaque phytoclasts ratio was used to trace changes in palaeoclimate and other palaeoenvironmental parameters and reflect climate gradients associated with water availability during early Toarcian. During the Pliensbachian–Toarcian and Jenkyns events, changes in kerogen assemblages in the southern areas of the West Tethys shelf correlated with changes in the northern Tethys and Panthalassa shelf. The acceleration of the hydrological cycle associated with the aforementioned events was less intense in the northern Gondwana, southern and western Iberian basins, a reflection of the palaeogeographic position of these basins within the semi-arid climate belt when compared with the northern Iberian region and other northern areas of the West Tethys and Panthalassa shelf, inserted in winter-wet and warm temperate climate belts. Amorphous organic matter enrichment associated with the Pliensbachian–Toarcian and Jenkyns events reflects an increase in primary productivity linked with increased continental weathering, fluvial runoff and riverine organic matter, and nutrient input into marine areas, inducing water column stratification and promoting the preservation of organic matter.
Artificial Intelligence in Action: Addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic with Natural Language Processing
Authors: Chen Qingyu , Leaman Robert , Allot Alexis , Luo Ling , Wei Chih-Hsuan , Yan Shankai , Lu Zhiyong
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has had a significant impact on society, both because of the serious health effects of COVID-19 and because of public health measures implemented to slow its spread. Many of these difficulties are fundamentally information needs; attempts to address these needs have caused an information overload for both researchers and the public. Natural language processing (NLP)—the branch of artificial intelligence that interprets human language—can be applied to address many of the information needs made urgent by the COVID-19 pandemic. This review surveys approximately 150 NLP studies and more than 50 systems and datasets addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. We detail work on four core NLP tasks: information retrieval, named entity recognition, literature-based discovery, and question answering. We also describe work that directly addresses aspects of the pandemic through four additional tasks: topic modeling, sentiment and emotion analysis, caseload forecasting, and misinformation detection. We conclude by discussing observable trends and remaining challenges.
Food Deserts: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Zhen Chen
Published: May 2021

In 2010, the White House announced the goal of eradicating food deserts—low-income neighborhoods without nearby supermarkets—in seven years. The efficacy of this initiative is premised on the presumption, mostly untested in 2010, that food deserts significantly contribute to health disparities in low-resourced communities. We synthesize the post-2010 line of research that seeks to establish causality in the relationship between food access and nutrition/health. All things considered, there is so far little evidence that food deserts have a causal effect of meaningful magnitude on health and nutrition disparities. The causes of diet quality disparity lie more on the side of food demand than on supply. Therefore, from the public health perspective, policies that lower the relative price of healthy food or change the “deep parameters” of preferences in favor of healthy food would be more appealing than eliminating food deserts.
Waste Biomass Derived Active Carbon as Cost-Effective and Environment-Friendly Cathode Material for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Wan Weihua , Yu Shuang , Wu Yuanguo , Qin Jin , Chen Ting , Wang Yu , Lü Zhe , Dai Changsong , Zhu Xingbao
Published: May 2021

Due to the development needs of electric transportation as well as sustainability and physical health, lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs) have attracted much attention with its superior theoretical specific energy density. In this study, we report our findings on a biomass material, oak-derived carbon (ODC), which is served as an efficient cathodic catalyst in LOBs system for the first time. In contrast to traditional commercial carbon catalysts, biomaterials are abundant in heteroatoms, such as N, P and S, leading to a substantial increase in electrochemical activity of cathodes. Compared with functional doped carbon, natural biomass carbon with abundant and uniform heteroatoms is easy to obtain and low in price. In this work, LOBs with the optimized ODC cathodes present the highest discharge capacity of 37000 mAh g−1, the number of which is among the best, and the batteries keep stable over 400 cycles, suggesting a great prospect.
BAG3 expression and sarcomere localization in the human heart are linked to HSF-1 and are differentially affected by sex and disease
Authors: Martin Thomas G. , Tawfik Sara , Moravec Christine S. , Pak Toni R. , Kirk Jonathan A.
Published: May 2021

Myofilament BAG3 expression decreases in male patients with nonischemic DCM but is preserved in female patients with DCM. BAG3 expression in the human heart is tightly linked to HSF-1 expression and nuclear translocation. HSF-1 localizes to the sarcomere Z-disc in the human heart. HSF-1 expression in the myofilament fraction decreases in male patients with DCM and positively correlates with myofilament BAG3.
Aerobic exercise training reduces cardiac function and coronary flow-induced vasodilation in mice lacking adiponectin
Authors: Caldwell Jacob T. , Jones Karissa M. Dieseldorff , Park Hyerim , Pinto Jose R. , Ghosh Payal , Reid-Foley Emily C. , Ulrich Brody , Delp Michael D. , Behnke Brad J. , Muller-Delp Judy M.
Published: May 2021

We report that compensatory mechanisms contribute to the maintenance of cardiac and coronary microvascular function in sedentary mice in which adiponectin has been deleted; however, when mice lacking adiponectin are subjected to the physiological stress of exercise training, beneficial coronary microvascular and cardiac adaptations are compromised or absent.
Neuregulin-1 compensates for endothelial nitric oxide synthase deficiency
Authors: Shakeri Hadis , Boen Jente R. A. , De Moudt Sofie , Hendrickx Jhana O. , Leloup Arthur J. A. , Jacobs Griet , De Meyer Guido R. Y. , De Keulenaer Gilles W. , Guns Pieter-Jan D. F. , Segers Vincent F. M.
Published: May 2021

ECs compensate for eNOS deficiency by increasing the secretion of NRG1. NRG1 administration prevents cardiac and renal hypertrophy and fibrosis caused by ANG II infusion and eNOS deficiency. NRG1 expression is regulated by miR-134.
Guidelines for the measurement of vascular function and structure in isolated arteries and veins
Authors: Wenceslau Camilla F. , McCarthy Cameron G. , Earley Scott , England Sarah K. , Filosa Jessica A. , Goulopoulou Styliani , Gutterman David D. , Isakson Brant E. , Kanagy Nancy L. , Martinez-Lemus Luis A. , Sonkusare Swapnil K. , Thakore Pratish , Trask Aaron J. , Watts Stephanie W. , Webb R. Clinton
Published: May 2021

The measurement of vascular function in isolated vessels has revealed important insights into the structural, functional, and biomechanical features of the normal and diseased cardiovascular system and has provided a molecular understanding of the cells that constitutes arteries and veins and their interaction. Further, this approach has allowed the discovery of vital pharmacological treatments for cardiovascular diseases. However, the expansion of the vascular physiology field has also brought new concerns over scientific rigor and reproducibility. Therefore, it is appropriate to set guidelines for the best practices of evaluating vascular function in isolated vessels. These guidelines are a comprehensive document detailing the best practices and pitfalls for the assessment of function in large and small arteries and veins. Herein, we bring together experts in the field of vascular physiology with the purpose of developing guidelines for evaluating ex vivo vascular function. By using this document, vascular physiologists will have consistency among methodological approaches, producing more reliable and reproducible results.
Anderson–Fabry Disease: From Endothelial Dysfunction to Emerging Therapies
Authors: Stamerra Cosimo A. , Del Pinto Rita , di Giosia Paolo , Ferri Claudio , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: May 2021

The Anderson–Fabry disease is a rare, X-linked, multisystemic, progressive lysosomal storage disease caused by α-galactosidase A total or partial deficiency. The resulting syndrome is mainly characterized by early-onset autonomic neuropathy and life-threatening multiorgan involvement, including renal insufficiency, heart disease, and early stroke. The enzyme deficiency leads to tissue accumulation of the glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide and its analogues, but the mechanisms linking such accumulation to organ damage are only partially understood. In contrast, enzyme replacement and chaperone therapies are already fully available to patients and allow substantial amelioration of quality and quantity of life. Substrate reduction, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based, and gene therapies are also on the horizon. In this review, the clinical scenario and molecular aspects of Anderson–Fabry disease are described, along with updates on disease mechanisms and emerging therapies.
Simulation and Computational Study of CFD on Tube MBR Membrane Assembly
Authors: Feng Kun , Li Chunqing , Zhang Ming , Liu Xuting
Published: May 2021

When using tubular MBR to treat sewage, the water production is an important parameter to measure the efficiency of the tubular MBR system. The problem to be solved in this paper is to calculate the water yield of the tubular MBR system, so as to evaluate the sewage treatment efficiency of the MBR system. This research uses the CFD simulation software ANSYS 16.0 to study the water yield of the tubular MBR system. The MBR model of a single membrane filament tube was established using the ICEM CFD preprocessor in ANSYS 16.0, and the structured grid was divided to obtain a grid file. Then, the fluid solver was used to solve the mesh file and through the flow monitoring window to obtain the water output of the tubular MBR system. Finally, the CFD postprocessor in ANSYS 16.0 was used to visualize the calculation results and compare them with the waste-water treatment results of some actual MBR systems. The results show that the water yield calculated by the fluent solver is basically the same as that of the actual MBR system. This research realizes the purpose of calculating the water yield of the tubular MBR system with CFD technology, solves the problem of evaluating the working efficiency of the tubular MBR system with water consumption, and realizes the MBR before deployment The evaluation of the working efficiency of the system has certain reference value for the planning, design, and deployment of MBR.
Digital Twin‐Enabled Online Battlefield Learning with Random Finite Sets
Authors: Wang Peng , Yang Mei , Zhu Jiancheng , Peng Yong , Li Ge
Published: May 2021

The digital twin is becoming the most promising emerging technology in the field of unmanned combat and has the potential to innovate future combat styles. Online battlefield learning is one of the key technologies for supporting the successful application of digital twin in unmanned combat. Since there is an urgent need for effective algorithms for online learning the battlefield states in real time, a new random finite set‐ (RFS‐) based algorithm is proposed in the presence of detection uncertainty including clutters, missed detection, and noises. The system architecture and operational mode for implementing the digital twin‐enabled online battlefield learning are provided. The unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is employed as the experimental subject for systematically describing the proposed algorithm. The system architecture for implementing the digital twin‐enabled online battlefield learning is firstly given, and its operational mode is also described in detail. The RFS‐based digital twin models including the battlefield state model, UGV motion model, and sensor model are designed. The Bayesian inference is adopted, and the probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter is modified to implement the online learning process. At last, a group of experiments are conducted to verify the performance and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The research work in this paper will provide a good demonstration of the application of digital twin in unmanned combat.
A Lyapunov–Krasovskii Functional Approach to Stability and Linear Feedback Synchronization Control for Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems with Mixed Time Delays
Authors: Stephen A. , Raja R. , Alzabut J. , Zhu Q. , Niezabitowski M. , Lim C. P.
Published: May 2021

This study focuses on mixed time delayed, both leaderless and leader-follower problems of nonlinear multi-agent systems. Here, we find the stability criteria for multi-agent systems (MASs) by utilizing a proposed lemma, the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functions, analytical techniques, Kronecker product, and some general specifications to obtain the asymptotic stability for the constructed MASs. Furthermore, the criteria to establish the synchronization of leader-follower multiagent systems with linear feedback controllers are discussed. Finally, we provide two numerical calculations along with the computational simulations to check the validity of the theoretical findings reported for both leaderless and leader-follower problem in this study.
Possible Benefit of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers in COVID-19 Patients: A Case Series
Authors: Lee Su Jin , Kim Taehwa , Cho Woo Hyun , Jeon Doosoo , Lim Seungjin
Published: May 2021

Introduction. Dysfunction in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has been observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is presumed that the effect of reducing interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels by angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) by RAAS modulation. We investigated changes in angiotensin II and IL-6 levels in four COVID-19 patients treated with ARBs. Case Presentation. Cases 1 and 2 were who had not received ARBs before and were newly administered ARBs. Case 3 restarted ARBs after discontinuation for 7 days, and case 4 received an increased dose of ARBs. The mean in angiotensin II levels (607.5 pg/mL, range: 488–850 pg/mL, [Formula: see text]), C-reactive protein (CRP) (10.58 mg/dL, range 4.45-18.05 mg/dL), and IL-6 (55.78 pg/mL, range: 12.86–144.82 pg/mL, [Formula: see text]) was observed at the admission in all patients. Upon clinical improvement, the mean decrease in CRP (1.02 mg/dL, range 0.06-3.78 mg/dL) and IL-6 (5.63 pg/mL, range 0.17-20.87 pg/mL) was observed in all patients. Conversely, angiotensin II levels gradually increased. Conclusion. This report supports the potential benefit of ARBs to improve the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients by controlling RAAS dysfunction.
Cigarette Smoking and Estrogen-Related Cancer
Authors: Baron John A. , Nichols Hazel B. , Anderson Chelsea , Safe Stephen
Published: May 2021

Cigarette smoking is a known cause of many cancers, yet epidemiologic studies have found protective associations with the risk of four “estrogen-related” malignancies: endometrial cancer, endometrioid and clear cell ovarian cancers, and thyroid cancer. This review considers epidemiologic and biological aspects of these associations, focusing particularly on estrogen signaling, and contrasts them with those for breast cancer, another estrogen-related malignancy. The observational findings regarding the inverse associations are consistent and remain after adjustment for possible confounding factors. In general, women who smoke do not have lower circulating estrogen levels than nonsmokers, eliminating one possible explanation for reduced risks of these malignancies. For endometrial and endometrioid ovarian cancer, the negative associations could plausibly be explained by interference with signaling through the estrogen receptor α. However, this is unlikely to explain the lower risks of thyroid and clear cell ovarian cancers. For thyroid cancer, an anti-inflammatory effect of nicotine and reduced TSH levels from smoking have been proposed explanations for the inverse association, but both lack convincing evidence. While the overall impact of cigarette smoking is overwhelmingly negative, protective associations such as those discussed here can provide potential clues to disease etiology, treatment, and prevention.
CDK4/6 Inhibition Promotes Antitumor Immunity through the Induction of T-cell Memory
Authors: Lelliott Emily J. , Kong Isabella Y. , Zethoven Magnus , Ramsbottom Kelly M. , Martelotto Luciano G. , Meyran Deborah , Zhu Joe Jiang , Costacurta Matteo , Kirby Laura , Sandow Jarrod J. , Lim Lydia , Dominguez Pilar M. , Todorovski Izabela , Haynes Nicole M. , Beavis Paul A. , Neeson Paul J. , Hawkins Edwin D. , McArthur Grant A. , Parish Ian A. , Johnstone Ricky W. , Oliaro Jane , Sheppard Karen E. , Kearney Conor J. , Vervoort Stephin J.
Published: May 2021

Pharmacologic inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) are an approved treatment for hormone receptor–positive breast cancer and are currently under evaluation across hundreds of clinical trials for other cancer types. The clinical success of these inhibitors is largely attributed to well-defined tumor-intrinsic cytostatic mechanisms, whereas their emerging role as immunomodulatory agents is less understood. Using integrated epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses, we demonstrated a novel action of CDK4/6 inhibitors in promoting the phenotypic and functional acquisition of immunologic T-cell memory. Short-term priming with a CDK4/6 inhibitor promoted long-term endogenous antitumor T-cell immunity in mice, enhanced the persistence and therapeutic efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and induced a retinoblastoma-dependent T-cell phenotype supportive of favorable responses to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with melanoma. Together, these mechanistic insights significantly broaden the prospective utility of CDK4/6 inhibitors as clinical tools to boost antitumor T-cell immunity.

Significance:

Immunologic memory is critical for sustained antitumor immunity. Our discovery that CDK4/6 inhibitors drive T-cell memory fate commitment sheds new light on their clinical activity, which is essential for the design of clinical trial protocols incorporating these agents, particularly in combination with immunotherapy, for the treatment of cancer.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2355
Exploring 4D Image Sets of Early Heart Development Using Gesture and
an Immersive, Spatial Operating Environment
Authors: Carpenter John , Lansford Rusty
Published: May 2021

Scientists today can collect more data than they can perceive using traditional visualization methods. New technologies and sensors allow researchers to gather dynamic, complex multidimensional datasets—all of which must be carefully studied to reveal hidden patterns and narratives. The authors used an immersive platform to design a new visualization for real-time, intuitive spatial manipulations of time-based volumetric datasets via a wand-based gestural interface. The resulting work resolves microscopic tissue structures at a human scale in a room-based pixel space, facilitating research, discovery and in-person teaching and collaboration.
Three new species of the subgenus Jaynesia Allen, 1969 of the genus Tiphia Fabricius, 1775 (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae: Tiphiinae) from China, with a key to all known species
Authors: HAN QIAN , CHEN BIN , LI TING-JING
Published: May 2021

In this study, three new species of the subgenus Jaynesia Allen from China are described and illustrated, namely T. hohehotensis sp. nov. from Inner Mongolia, T. displicata sp. nov. from Sichuan, and T. rotunda sp. nov. from Gansu. A key to all known species of Jaynesia is also provided.
Understanding Black, Asian, Latinx, and White College Students’ Views of Nature: Frequent Thoughts About Wild, Remote, Rural, and Urban Landscapes
Authors: Taylor Dorceta E.
Published: May 2021

Nature and landscapes are essential elements of American culture. Consequently, many scholars have examined the public’s perceptions of nature and landscapes. Some posit that Blacks are averse to wildlands and prefer urban settings. Despite the plethora of research, few studies investigate what comes to people’s minds when contemplating nature. This study of 287 American college students examines what students think about when they reflect on nature. Furthermore, the study investigates whether there are significant racial/ethnic differences in the way students think about nature. The study also investigates how gender, social class, age, educational attainment, and academic interests are related to what students think about when they reflect on nature. Data presented here were collected in 2017 from a national sample of students who attend colleges and universities all over the country. The study used a purposive sampling technique to identify students in various majors. The sample contains undergraduates and graduate students. It comprises 102 Whites, 63 Asians, 62 Blacks, and 60 Latinx/other students. The study found that respondents from all racial backgrounds reported thinking about urban landscapes when they contemplated nature. Though the racial differences were significant, the results show that ethnic minority students do not fixate on urban landscapes; less than half of the students of color said they thought about urban landscapes regularly when they thought about nature. Instead, more than 90% of the respondents regularly thought about the wild, wilderness, and untamed lands when they cogitated nature. Respondents were also much more likely to say that they thought about connectedness to nature rather than disconnection from it. The article found that the students’ educational attainment and parental/guardian education were significant in more multivariate models than other explanatory variables. The article urges researchers to investigate a broader range of explanatory variables in future studies.