bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projection based inverse reinforcement learning for the analysis of dynamic treatment regimes
Authors: Shah Syed Ihtesham Hussain , De Pietro Giuseppe , Paragliola Giovanni , Coronato Antonio
Published: October 2022

Dynamic Treatment Regimes (DTRs) are adaptive treatment strategies that allow clinicians to personalize dynamically the treatment for each patient based on their step-by-step response to their treatment. There are a series of predefined alternative treatments for each disease and any patient may associate with one of these treatments according to his/her demographics. DTRs for a certain disease are studied and evaluated by means of statistical approaches where patients are randomized at each step of the treatment and their responses are observed. Recently, the Reinforcement Learning (RL) paradigm has also been applied to determine DTRs. However, such approaches may be limited by the need to design a true reward function, which may be difficult to formalize when the expert knowledge is not well assessed, as when the DTR is in the design phase. To address this limitation, an extension of the RL paradigm, namely Inverse Reinforcement Learning (IRL), has been adopted to learn the reward function from data, such as those derived from DTR trials. In this paper, we define a Projection Based Inverse Reinforcement Learning (PB-IRL) approach to learn the true underlying reward function for given demonstrations (DTR trials). Such a reward function can be used both to evaluate the set of DTRs determined for a certain disease, as well as to enable an RL-based intelligent agent to self-learn the best way and then act as a decision support system for the clinician.
The Intensity of Formal Child-Care Attendance Decreases the Shared Environment Contribution to School Readiness: A Twin Study
Authors: Gagnon Eloi , Boivin Michel , Mimeau Catherine , Feng Bei , Morneau-Vaillancourt Genevieve , Aubé Sophie , Brendgen Mara , Vitaro Frank , Dionne Ginette
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore if child-care intensity (hours/weeks) and age of onset could moderate genetic and environmental contributions to school readiness. A sample of 648 (85% Whites; 50% Females) pairs of twins was used to compute a GxE, CxE and ExE interaction analyses. The moderation model showed that shared environment explains 48% of individual differences in school readiness for children not attending formal child-care, and decreased gradually to a mere 3% for children attending formal child-care full time, e.g., 40 h per week. Age of onset exerted no moderation effect. The results support the hypothesis that child-care acts as a normalizing environment, possibly buffering negative effects from low-quality home environments on school readiness.
Situating a sustainable bioeconomy strategy on a map of justice: a solution and its problems
Authors: Häyry Matti , Laihonen Maarit
Published: October 2022

The European Union’s 2018 updated bioeconomy strategy A Sustainable Bioeconomy for Europe: Strengthening the connection between economy, society and the environment aims to fulfill the requirements of sustainability and justice while transitioning economy from fossil-based to bio-based. We ask whether and to what extent the economically ambitious strategy succeeds in achieving its non-economic goals. We present a map of justice that shows the tensions and alliances between key interpretations of equality, identify the definition of sustainability informing the strategy, and show how this definition steers the strategy toward a limited view of justice that is geared to ignore social and ecological concerns. The governance framework that the strategy adheres to is the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals approach, which is an outgrowth of the 1987 Brundtland Commission’s view on sustainability. Since this framework forms the basis of many other international environmental agreements, our observations are largely applicable to them, too. From the viewpoint of justice, comprehensively understood, the whole system is, and has since the Brundtland Report been, fundamentally flawed.
Regression-type analysis for multivariate extreme values
Authors: de Carvalho Miguel , Kumukova Alina , dos Reis Gonçalo
Published: October 2022

This paper devises a regression-type model for the situation where both the response and covariates are extreme. The proposed approach is designed for the setting where the response and covariates are modeled as multivariate extreme values, and thus contrarily to standard regression methods it takes into account the key fact that the limiting distribution of suitably standardized componentwise maxima is an extreme value copula. An important target in the proposed framework is the regression manifold, which consists of a family of regression lines obeying the latter asymptotic result. To learn about the proposed model from data, we employ a Bernstein polynomial prior on the space of angular densities which leads to an induced prior on the space of regression manifolds. Numerical studies suggest a good performance of the proposed methods, and a finance real-data illustration reveals interesting aspects on the conditional risk of extreme losses in two leading international stock markets.
Agreement between cardiac output estimation by multi-beat analysis of arterial blood pressure waveforms and continuous thermodilution in post cardiac surgery intensive care unit patients
Authors: Khanna Ashish K. , Nosow Lillian , Sands Lauren , Saha Amit K. , Agashe Harshavardhan , Harris Lynnette , Martin R. Shayn , Marchant Bryan
Published: October 2022

We sought to assess agreement of cardiac output estimation between continuous pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) guided thermodilution (CO-CTD) and a novel pulse wave analysis (PWA) method that performs an analysis of multiple beats of the arterial blood pressure waveform (CO-MBA) in post-operative cardiac surgery patients. PAC obtained CO-CTD measurements were compared with CO-MBA measurements from the Argos monitor (Retia Medical; Valhalla, NY, USA), in prospectively enrolled adult cardiac surgical intensive care unit patients. Agreement was assessed via Bland-Altman analysis. Subgroup analysis was performed on data segments identified as arrhythmia, or with low CO (less than 5 L/min). 927 hours of monitoring data from 79 patients was analyzed, of which 26 had arrhythmia. Mean CO-CTD was 5.29 ± 1.14 L/min (bias ± precision), whereas mean CO-MBA was 5.36 ± 1.33 L/min, (4.95 ± 0.80 L/min and 5.04 ± 1.07 L/min in the arrhythmia subgroup). Mean of differences was 0.04 ± 1.04 L/min with an error of 38.2%. In the arrhythmia subgroup, mean of differences was 0.14 ± 0.90 L/min with an error of 35.4%. In the low CO subgroup, mean of differences was 0.26 ± 0.89 L/min with an error of 40.4%. In adult patients after cardiac surgery, including those with low cardiac output and arrhythmia CO-MBA is not interchangeable with the continuous thermodilution method via a PAC, when using a 30% error threshold.
Cox regression can be collapsible and Aalen regression can be non-collapsible
Authors: Samuelsen Sven Ove
Published: October 2022

It is well-known that the additive hazards model is collapsible, in the sense that when omitting one covariate from a model with two independent covariates, the marginal model is still an additive hazards model with the same regression coefficient or function for the remaining covariate. In contrast, for the proportional hazards model under the same covariate assumption, the marginal model is no longer a proportional hazards model and is not collapsible. These results, however, relate to the model specification and not to the regression parameter estimators. We point out that if covariates in risk sets at all event times are independent then both Cox and Aalen regression estimators are collapsible, in the sense that the parameter estimators in the full and marginal models are consistent for the same value. Vice-versa, if this assumption fails, then the estimates will change systematically both for Cox and Aalen regression. In particular, if the data are generated by an Aalen model with censoring independent of covariates both Cox and Aalen regression is collapsible, but if generated by a proportional hazards model neither estimators are. We will also discuss settings where survival times are generated by proportional hazards models with censoring patterns providing uncorrelated covariates and hence collapsible Cox and Aalen regression estimates. Furthermore, possible consequences for instrumental variable analyses are discussed.
Impact of a Community Health Worker (CHW) Home Visiting Intervention on Any and Adequate Prenatal Care Among Ethno-Racially Diverse Pregnant Women of the US Southwest
Authors: McCue Kelly , Sabo Samantha , Wightman Patrick , Butler Matthew , Pilling Vern , Jiménez Dulce , Annorbah Rebecca , Rumann Sara
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Social and structural barriers drive disparities in prenatal care utilization among minoritized women in the United States. This study examined the impact of Arizona’s Health Start Program, a community health worker (CHW) home visiting intervention, on prenatal care utilization among an ethno-racially and geographically diverse cohort of women.

Methods

We used Health Start administrative and state birth certificate data to identify women enrolled in the program during 2006–2016 (n = 7,117). Propensity score matching was used to generate a statistically-similar comparison group (n = 53,213) of women who did not participate in the program. Odds ratios were used to compare rates of prenatal care utilization. The process was repeated for select subgroups, with post-match regression adjustments applied where necessary.

Results

Health Start participants were more likely to report any (OR 1.24, 95%CI 1.02–1.50) and adequate (OR 1.08, 95%CI 1.01–1.16) prenatal care, compared to controls. Additional specific subgroups were significantly more likely to receive any prenatal care: American Indian women (OR 2.22, 95%CI 1.07–4.60), primipara women (OR 1.64, 95%CI 1.13–2.38), teens (OR 1.58, 95%CI 1.02–2.45), women in rural border counties (OR 1.45, 95%CI 1.05–1.98); and adequate prenatal care: teens (OR 1.31, 95%CI 1.11–1.55), women in rural border counties (OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.05–1.33), primipara women (OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.05–1.32), women with less than high school education (OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.00-1.27).

Conclusions for Practice:

A CHW-led perinatal home visiting intervention operated through a state health department can improve prenatal care utilization among demographically and socioeconomically disadvantaged women and reduce maternal and child health inequity.
Sustainment of an Evidence-Based, Behavioral Health Curriculum in Schools
Authors: Combs Katie Massey , Drewelow Karen M. , Lain Marion Amanda , Håbesland Marian , Ippolito Amy , Finigan-Carr Nadine
Published: October 2022

The development of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) for the prevention of behavioral health problems is well supported. However, limited data exist on the sustainability of EBIs once initial support has ceased. The current study assessed, at 2 years after initial start-up support: (1) What percent of schools sustained EBI implementation? (2) To what degree did sustaining schools implement the EBI with fidelity? (3) What were the primary reasons for not sustaining the EBI? (4) What theoretical and contextual factors during initial start-up support predicted sustainment of the EBI? The study used process evaluation data from the dissemination of the Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) middle school program in 158 school districts (including 419 schools). Fifty-one percent of districts sustained the EBI and most of these sustaining districts reported following key fidelity guidelines. Primary reasons for discontinuing centered around low teacher or administrative support and turnover. Significant predictors of sustaining LST were higher ratings of LST’s complexity, benefit, and compatibility by teachers; more positive perceptions of organizational support from administrators; and smaller proportions of Black students. Results show that EBI sustainment and fidelity of implementation post-initial startup support are feasible, though likely not for all schools. Findings also suggest that cultivating support for the EBI among staff during start-up support may be helpful for sustainment and that social determinants of a school have a complex relationship with EBI sustainment. Future research should explore true causes of differences due to race/ethnicity as well as COVID-19 effects.
Zeros of hypergeometric functions in the p-adic setting
Authors: Saikia Neelam
Published: October 2022

McCarthy (Pac J Math 261(1):219–236, 2013) defined hypergeometric functions in the p-adic setting over finite fields using p-adic gamma functions. These functions possess many properties that are analogous to classical hypergeometric type identities. In this paper, we investigate values of two generic families of these hypergeometric functions that we denote by $${_nG_n}(t)_p$$

n

G
n

(
t
)

p

and $${_n{\widetilde{G}}_n}(t)_p$$

n

G
~

n

(
t
)

p

for $$n\ge 3$$

n
≥
3

, and $$t\in {\mathbb {F}}_p$$

t
∈

F
p

, the finite field with p elements. These results generalize special cases of p-adic analogues of Whipple’s theorem and Dixon’s theorem of classical hypergeometric series. We also examine zeros of the functions $${_nG_n}(t)_p$$

n

G
n

(
t
)

p

, and $${_n{\widetilde{G}}_n}(t)_p$$

n

G
~

n

(
t
)

p

over $${\mathbb {F}}_p$$

F
p

. Moreover, we classify the values of t for which $${_nG_n}(t)_p=0$$

n

G
n

(
t
)

p

=
0

for infinitely many primes. For example, we show that there are infinitely many primes for which $${_{2k}G_{2k}}(-1)_p=0$$

2
k

G

2
k

(
-
1
)

p

=
0

. In contrast, for $$t\ne 0$$

t
≠
0

there are no primes for which $${_{2k}{\widetilde{G}}_{2k}}(t)_p=0$$

2
k

G
~

2
k

(
t
)

p

=
0

.
Truth in interactive fiction
Authors: Fisher Alex
Published: October 2022

This paper provides an account of truth in interactive fiction. Interactive fiction allows the audience to make choices, resulting in many different possible fictions within each interactive fiction, unlike in literary fiction where there is just one. Adequately capturing this feature of interactive fiction requires us to address familiar issues regarding impossible fiction and the nature of time in fiction. Truth in interactive fiction thus requires a complex account to capture its multitude of fictions. It is argued that a full account of truth in interactive fiction requires distinguishing two works for each interactive fiction, which contain distinct fictional truths. The actual work encompasses what is in fact represented as fictional (hence mistakes can be fictionally true in this work), whilst in the implied work, truth in fiction is governed by authorial intention, hence mistakes are not fictionally true. This dual account best captures our aesthetic evaluation of interactive fictions, for which we often need to distinguish how the work actually is from how it was intended to be.
Anomalous Wear Behavior of UHMWPE During Sliding Against CoCrMo Under Varying Cross-Shear and Contact Pressure
Authors: Dreyer Michael J. , Taylor William R. , Wasmer Kilian , Imwinkelried Thomas , Heuberger Roman , Weisse Bernhard , Crockett Rowena
Published: October 2022

Wear of ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in joint implant applications has been shown to increase with cross-shear (CS, i.e., multidirectional sliding) but decrease with higher contact pressure (CP). Moreover, structural changes, resulting in protrusions, are known to occur to the surface of the pin following multidirectional sliding. However, these phenomena are not yet fully understood. In this study, we simultaneously varied CP and CS to derive an empirical formula for the wear factor as a function of these parameters. The wear factor increased when going from unidirectional sliding to multidirectional sliding but decreased with increasing CP, as has been previously observed. Following these tests, the protrusions on the pin surface were chemically and mechanically characterized to gain insights into both their origin and influence on wear behavior. Micro-FT-IR confirmed that the structures consist of polyethylene, rather than adsorbed, denatured proteins. It also allowed the crystallinity of both the protrusions and unaffected UHMWPE to be estimated, showing a strong positive correlation with the hardness of these different areas on the surface. Time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry was used to probe the chemistry of the surface and near-surface region and indicated the presence of contamination from the test fluid within the structure. This suggests that the protrusions are formed by the folding of UHMWPE following plastic deformation. It is also suggested that the higher hardness of the protrusions affords some protection of the surface, leading to the observed anomalous behavior, whereby wear increases with decreasing CP.

Graphical Abstract
Brain and Its Universal Logical Model of Multi-Agent Biological Systems
Authors: Król Jerzy , Schumann Andrew , Bielas Krzysztof
Published: October 2022

We build a topological model, based on intuitionistic logic, for multi-agent biological systems (such asPhysarum polycephalum, bacterial colonies or any other swarm), reacting to external nourishment stimuli. Our construction follows the topological description of brain activity, where particles (neurons) are activated by an external environment, represented by a topological spaceXwith an open cover$$\{U_i:i\in I\}$${Ui:i∈I}. The brain builds the model of this external space via the nerve (trace) of a topological spaceX. Here the body ofPhysarum polycephalumor a swarm made of networks of tubular structures represents a nerve (trace) ofXalso which means thatPhysarum polycephalumor a swarm gains orientation in the space of external stimuli even in the absence of any neural system. The logic of living organisms is based on open subsets ofXand thus can be represented by Heyting algebra (i.e. intuitionistically). We also consider the generalisation of the nerve construction to a categorical context, where the category is determined by the network structures of multi-agent biological system. This model can be generalised up to simulating the behaviour of any swarm by means of intuitionistic logic.
Schutzkonzepte in Jugendverbänden
Authors: Riedl Sonja , Wolff Mechthild
Published: October 2022

Schutzkonzepte zur Sicherstellung der persönlichen Rechte junger Menschen in Jugendverbänden müssen partizipativ von jungen Menschen mitgestaltet werden und non-formale Peer-Strukturen berücksichtigen. Der Beitrag zeigt praxisnahe Anknüpfungspunkte für die partizipative Weiterentwicklung von Schutzkonzepten in Jugendverbänden aus dem Projekt SchutzNorm auf.
The relationship of serum gastrin-17 and oral mucositis in head and neck carcinoma patients receiving radiotherapy
Authors: Wu Congye , Liu Yehong , Shi Feiyue , Chen Fei , Zhao Youcai , Zhao Huanyu
Published: October 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of serum gastrin-17 (G-17) and oral mucositis in head and neck carcinoma (HNC) patients receiving radiotherapy.

Methods

Serum G-17 were detected in patients before and after radiotherapy. Patients were divided into high G-17 group (baseline serum G-17 ≥ 5pmol/L) and low G-17 group (baseline serum G-17 < 5pmol/L). The severity of oral mucositis was analyzed between the two groups. Other complications such as dysphagia, salivary gland, mandible, thyroid function, larynx, pain, and weight loss were also investigated.

Results

Forty-two patients were analyzed in this study. The level of serum G-17 had a significant decrease after radiotherapy (7.29 ± 5.70pmol/L versus 4.93 ± 4.46pmol/L, P = 0.038). In low serum G-17 group, the incidences of grade 0, 1–2 and 3–4 of oral mucositis were 0%, 30.4%, and 69.6%, respectively. In high serum G-17 group, the incidences of grade 0, 1–2 and 3–4 of oral mucositis were 0%, 63.2%, and 36.8%, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum G-17 was negatively correlated with oral mucositis (r=-0.595, P < 0.01). Weight loss of low G-17 group was more serious than that of high G-17 group.

Conclusion

Serum G-17 has a close relationship with oral mucositis. Baseline serum G-17 may be a potential predictor for the severity of oral mucositis in HNC patients receiving radiotherapy.
Harvestable tumour spheroids initiated in a gelatin-carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel for cancer targeting and imaging with fluorescent gold nanoclusters
Authors: Dashtarzheneh Ashkan Kamali , Afrashtehpour Amir , Ramesh Bala Subramaniyam , Loizidou Marilena
Published: October 2022

Cancer cell spheroids are the simplest 3D in vitro cancer models and have been extensively used for cancer research. More recently, models have been becoming complex, with the introduction of a matrix and non-cancer cell types to mimic specific tumour aspects. However, applying drugs or agents in matrix-embedded cancer spheroids can be problematic. Most matrices can impede and also bind drugs or visualizing agents non-specifically, in the vicinity of the embedded spheroids. This may interfere with imaging or further analysis without breaking apart the 3D model into its constituents. Here, we developed a combined gelatin-carboxymethyl cellulose (G-CMC) hydrogel for initiating cancer spheroids that enabled intact harvesting pre/post treatment for further investigation, such as targeting and imaging. We combined CMC (1.25%) and gelatin (2.5%) at 25 °C and initiated polymerisation after autoclaving (121 °C) to obtain a mechanical strength (sheer stress) of 38 Pas versus 1.28 Pas for CMC alone. These matrix conditions facilitated separation of the spheroids from the G-CMC, using low centrifugation (100 g). We described growth of colorectal and breast cancer spheroids within the G-CMC matrix (with average diameters of 220 mm and 180 μm for representative cell lines HT29 and MCF7 at 10 days, respectively). As the cancer cells express the surface biomarker calreticulin (CRT), we manufactured anti-calreticulin IgG (anti-CRT) conjugated to fluorescent gold nanoclusters (anti-CRT-AuNC) as a probe. We harvested cancer spheroids and incubated live with the nanoclusters. Imaging demonstrated strong binding of CRT-targeted AuNCs compared to control AuNCs. This novel model preserves cancer spheroid integrity upon isolation and is well suited for targeted imaging and drug delivery of cancer in 3D.
Economics of Smaller Aberdeen-Derived Beef Cows
Authors: DeVuyst Eric A. , Munson Meredith , Brorsen B. Wade , Lalman David , Hanna Lauren L. Hulsman , Swanson Kendall , Ringwall Kris
Published: October 2022

We investigate differences in profitability of three Aberdeen-influenced breeds, Angus, Red Angus, and American Aberdeen. Using data from North Dakota, we measure differences in birth weights, calving intervals, weaning weights, cow weights, and profitability. Weaning weights differ between breeds, setting up a trade-off between lower feed costs for smaller cows and higher revenue for larger cows. American Aberdeen-influenced cows bred to Red Angus bulls have $1–$6 per acre higher returns than Angus or Red Angus-influenced cows. Aberdeen sires have the lowest returning calves.
Metabolic signatures of immune cells in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Li Jie , Yang Yi , Wang Yanan , Li Qing , He Fan
Published: October 2022

Immune cells play a key role in maintaining renal dynamic balance and dealing with renal injury. The physiological and pathological functions of immune cells are intricately connected to their metabolic characteristics. However, immunometabolism in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not fully understood. Pathophysiologically, disruption of kidney immune cells homeostasis causes inflammation and tissue damage via triggering metabolic reprogramming. The diverse metabolic characteristics of immune cells at different stages of CKD are strongly associated with their different pathological effect. In this work, we reviewed the metabolic characteristics of immune cells (macrophages, natural killer cells, T cells, natural killer T cells and B cells) and several non-immune cells, as well as potential treatments targeting immunometabolism in CKD. We attempt to elaborate on the metabolic signatures of immune cells and their intimate correlation with non-immune cells in CKD.
NEVER ENDING STORY: SOME NEWS ABOUT THE GANG FROM URUK
Authors: Tarasewicz Radosław
Published: October 2022

This paper studies a new record (FLP 1596) relating to a criminal gang that operated in Uruk in the fourteenth year of Nabonidus. It examines the form of the record and its unusual terminology. Above all, however, it seeks to relate an episode described in FLP 1596 to the broader history of this gang's activities presented in 2014 by M. Sandowicz.
An almost subharmonic instability in the flow past rectangular cylinders
Authors: Chiarini Alessandro , Quadrio Maurizio , Auteri Franco
Published: October 2022

The three-dimensional instability of the flow past a 5 : 1 rectangular cylinder is investigated via Floquet analysis and direct numerical simulations. A quasi-subharmonic (QS) unstable mode is detected, marking an important difference with the flow past bodies with lower aspect ratio and/or with smooth leading edge. The QS mode becomes unstable at Reynolds number (based on the cylinder thickness and free-stream velocity)

$Re \approx 480$

; its spanwise wavelength is approximately three times the cylinder thickness. The structural sensitivity locates the wavemaker region over the longitudinal sides of the cylinder, indicating that the instability is triggered by the mutual inviscid interaction of vortices generated by the leading edge shear layer.
Shaping Electoral Outcomes: Intra- and Anti-systemic Violence in Indian Assembly Elections
Authors: Harbers Imke , Richetta Cécile , van Wingerden Enrike
Published: October 2022

Electoral violence is perpetrated by anti-systemic actors opposed to the democratic system, as well as by those vying for power through the electoral process. Even though the motivations for violent tactics are distinct, we do not know whether intra- and anti-systemic violence differ in their effects. Focusing on state-level elections in India – a country that combines nationwide elections with persistent political violence – we demonstrate that the distinction is crucial for understanding spatial patterns of electoral violence and effects on election outcomes. Based on an original dataset of violence in legislative assembly elections between 1985 and 2008, we show that both tactics depress turnout overall but that the effect is larger for anti-systemic violence. Intra-systemic violence not only appears to be more selectively targeted, as it is more likely to occur in constituencies where the incumbent belongs to the state-level opposition, but also generates electoral benefits for the party in control of state government.
On competing indexicalities in southern Peninsular Spanish. A sociophonetic and perceptual analysis of affricate [ts] through time
Authors: Vida-Castro Matilde
Published: October 2022

This paper examines linguistic, cognitive, and social factors in the development of an ongoing sound change in Andalusian Spanish related to the crosslinguistically well-known process of syllable coda lenition. The resyllabification of word internal /-s/ when followed by dental plosive /t/, in words such aslingüística[liŋ⋅ˈgujs⋅ti⋅ka] ‘linguistics’ realized as [liŋ⋅ˈguj⋅tsi⋅ka], results in an affricate sound [ts] that may be indexed in different ways within the speech community. Findings are reported from a trend study of two sample surveys separated by a twenty-year time gap, acoustic analysis, and two perception experiments. Acoustic phonetics, historical linguistics, theoretical phonology, and sociolinguistic studies provide the theoretical background to help explain the development of this sound change and its connection with other phonological features of Andalusian Spanish. Development of the affricate allophone is a natural outcome consistent with universal constraints boosted by the recent emergence of a regional koine, where its indexicality is undetermined.
The bidirectional association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia
Authors: Jawad Muhammad Youshay , Meshkat Shakila , Tabassum Aniqa , Mckenzie Andrea , Di Vincenzo Joshua D. , Guo Ziji , Musavi Nabiha Batool , Phan Lee , Ceban Felicia , Kwan Angela TH , Ramachandra Ranuk , Le Gia Han , Mansur Rodrigo B. , Rosenblat Joshua D. , Ho Roger , Rhee Taeho Greg , McIntyre Roger S.
Published: October 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex metabolic-inflammatory disease associated with poor outcomes and decreased quality of life. NAFLD is overrepresented in patients with psychiatric disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia; however, a comprehensive review on NAFLD and psychiatric disorders remains to be delineated. This review endeavors to investigate the association of NAFLD with psychiatric disorders, including shared pathogenesis and future clinical derivatives. Extant literature suggests that patients with psychiatric disorders (in particular, mood disorders) are more susceptible to the development of NAFLD due to multiple reasons, including but not limited to hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysregulation, metabolic syndrome, and chronic perceived stress. Moreover, the clinical manifestations of mood disorders (e.g., anhedonia, psychomotor retardation, lifestyle modification, etc.), and potentially long-term treatment with weight-gaining agents, differentially affect these patients, making them more prone to NAFLD. Considering the increased morbidity associated with both mood disorders and NAFLD, our review recommends regular screenings for NAFLD in select patients with mood disorders exhibiting signs of increased risk (i.e., obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or family history of NAFLD) for better diagnosis and holistic care of both potentially interrelated conditions.
Language performance as a prognostic factor for developing Alzheimer’s clinical syndrome and mild cognitive impairment: Results from the population-based HELIAD cohort
Authors: Folia Vasiliki , Liampas Ioannis , Siokas Vasileios , Silva Susana , Ntanasi Eva , Yannakoulia Mary , Sakka Paraskevi , Hadjigeorgiou Georgios , Scarmeas Nikolaos , Dardiotis Efthimios , Kosmidis Mary H.
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

There is limited research on the prognostic value of language tasks regarding mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s clinical syndrome (ACS) development in the cognitively normal (CN) elderly, as well as MCI to ACS conversion.

Methods:

Participants were drawn from the population-based Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet (HELIAD) cohort. Language performance was evaluated via verbal fluency [semantic (SVF) and phonemic (PVF)], confrontation naming [Boston Naming Test short form (BNTsf)], verbal comprehension, and repetition tasks. An additional language index was estimated using both verbal fluency tasks: SVF-PVF discrepancy. Cox proportional hazards analyses adjusted for important sociodemographic parameters (age, sex, education, main occupation, and socioeconomic status) and global cognitive status [Mini Mental State Examination score (MMSE)] were performed.

Results:

A total of 959 CN and 118 MCI older (>64 years) individuals had follow-up investigations after a mean of ∼3 years. Regarding the CN group, each standard deviation increase in the composite language score reduced the risk of ACS and MCI by 49% (8–72%) and 32% (8–50%), respectively; better SVF and BNTsf performance were also independently associated with reduced risk of ACS and MCI. On the other hand, using the smaller MCI participant set, no language measurement was related to the risk of MCI to ACS conversion.

Conclusions:

Impaired language performance is associated with elevated risk of ACS and MCI development. Better SVF and BNTsf performance are associated with reduced risk of ACS and MCI in CN individuals, independent of age, sex, education, main occupation, socioeconomic status, and MMSE scores at baseline.
Content of lunchboxes of Dutch primary school children and their perceptions of alternative healthy school lunch concepts
Authors: Rongen Frédérique C , van Kleef Ellen , Vingerhoeds Monique H , Seidell Jacob C , Dijkstra Sanne Coosje
Published: October 2022

Objective:

To investigate the content of lunchboxes of primary school children and to examine children’s support and preferences for alternative healthy school lunch concepts.

Design:

A cross-sectional study among Dutch children from seven primary schools. The content of the lunchboxes was assessed by photographs. Support and preferences for alternative lunch concepts were examined via a self-reported questionnaire. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between children’s support and preferences and sex, educational group and migration background.

Setting:

The Netherlands.

Participants:

Primary school children.

Results:

A total of 660 children were included (average 9·9 years old). Most lunchboxes contained sandwiches and a drink. Few lunchboxes contained fruit or vegetables. The alternative school lunch concepts elicited mixed support among children. The lunch concepts ‘Sandwiches prepared by the children themselves’ and a ‘hot lunch buffet’ had the highest mean support, while the concept ‘a healthy lunch brought from home’ was the most preferred concept. Small significant differences were observed depending on sex, educational group and migration background.

Conclusion:

Lunchboxes of Dutch children contained sandwiches and a drink but rarely fruit and vegetables. Among different alternatives, children reported the highest support for the preparation of their own sandwiches in class or a hot lunch buffet. Future studies should investigate if these alternative lunch concepts improve the dietary intake of children.
Barriers to Panel Composition in RTA Dispute Settlement: Evaluating Solutions to a Perennial Problem
Authors: Falls Scott
Published: October 2022

In the wake of the demise of the WTO's Appellate Body, there has been a growing trend of states resorting to the dispute settlement mechanisms under their regional trade agreements (RTAs) to resolve international trade disputes. While the vast majority of these mechanisms have never been used, many contain defective procedural provisions that are likely to slow down or completely derail the dispute settlement process should those provisions be invoked. This is particularly true of mechanisms that effectively permit a respondent to block or delay the composition of a panel to hear a dispute. This article examines the issues of ‘panel blocking’ and panel composition delay tactics in RTA dispute settlement with reference to both past and present practice, and provides a textual analysis of a cross-section of existing RTAs to identify procedural defects and prescribe solutions for ensuring timely panel composition in future disputes.
Measuring economic freedom during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Miozzi Vincent J. , Powell Benjamin
Published: October 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 led to extensive new government regulations and lockdown policies that, according to some prominent definitions, severely reduced economic freedom. However, many of these new pandemic-related regulatory restrictions on economic freedom are largely missed by the Economic Freedom of the World Report (EFW). This paper first adjusts the Our World in Data Covid-19 Stringency Index into a measure of lockdown regulatory freedom and then merges it into the EFW index to better measure countries' 2020 cross-sectional relative economic freedom. We find significant differences in the relative ranking of economic freedom between countries once we adjust for lockdown regulatory restrictions.
Strong coupling induced notched bands of UWB antennas using meta-surfaces
Authors: Zhu Jinbiao , Jiang Wen , Liu Yuquan , Yin Pengyu , Guo Lili
Published: October 2022

The meta-surface is introduced into the design of band-notched monopole antennas with single/dual/triple notched bands around 3.6/5.5/7.2 GHz for ultra-wideband (UWB) communication. We show that strong coupling effects between the meta-surface and the antenna would be created through tuning the orientations of the meta-cells according to the field distributions on the antenna surface, and eventually, filter the unwanted radiations of the antenna. Especially, by simply attaching different meta-surfaces on the back of the antenna, the band-notched properties are shown to be changeable without hurting the original structure of the antenna. Both simulation and measurement results demonstrate the monopole with replaceable meta-surfaces has achieved an UWB operating band ranging from 3 to 9 GHz for voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) ≤ 2 with single/dual/triple notched bands covering frequencies around 3.6/5.5/7.2 GHz. Such a design would obtain significant notched performances for the desired bands and maintain the good radiations in the operating frequency, which make it a suitable candidate for UWB applications.
Tolerance of peppermint to tiafenacil applied postharvest
Authors: Meyers Stephen L. , Arana Jeanine , Woolam Brandi C.
Published: October 2022

Trials were conducted in two experimental runs at the Purdue University Horticulture Greenhouses, West Lafayette, IN, to determine ‘Redefined Murray Mitcham’ peppermint tolerance to tiafenacil. Established peppermint in 20-cm-diameter polyethylene pots was subjected to a simulated harvest by removing aboveground biomass at the substrate surface; then, tiafenacil was applied at 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 g ai ha−1. Visible crop injury, height, and aboveground dry biomass data were subjected to regression analysis to generate predictive models. At 2 wk after treatment (WAT), peppermint injury increased from 63% to 86% and from 25% to 76% in Experimental Run 1 and 2, respectively, as tiafenacil rate increased from 25 to 200 g ha−1. At 4 WAT, injury increased from 0% to 63% and from 4% to 37% in Experimental Run 1 and 2, respectively, as tiafenacil rate increased from 25 to 200 g ha−1. By 7 WAT (both experimental runs), injury increased from 0% to 17% as tiafenacil rate increased from 25 to 200 g ha−1. At 4 WAT, height decreased from 23.0 to 8.6 cm and from 17.6 to 10.3 cm in Experimental Run 1 and 2, respectively, as tiafenacil rate increased from 0 to 200 g ha−1. At 7 WAT, height decreased from 28.1 to 21.4 cm as tiafenacil rate increased from 0 to 200 g ha−1. Aboveground dry weight of the nontreated check was 20.3 g pot−1 and decreased from 19.3 to 7.0 g pot−1 as tiafenacil rate increased from 25 to 200 g ha−1. Despite acute necrosis, injury from tiafenacil at lower rates was not persistent. The proposed 1X rate of tiafenacil for peppermint, 25 g ha−1, resulted in ≤4% injury 4 and 7 WAT and in only a 3% reduction in plant height and a 4.7% reduction in aboveground dry weight compared to the nontreated check.
4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibiting herbicides: past, present, and future
Authors: Jhala Amit J. , Kumar Vipan , Yadav Ramawatar , Jha Prashant , Jugulam Mithila , Williams Martin M. , Hausman Nicholas E. , Dayan Franck E. , Burton Paul M. , Dale Richard P. , Norsworthy Jason K.
Published: October 2022

The herbicides that inhibit 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) are primarily used for weed control in corn, barley, oat, rice, sorghum, sugarcane, and wheat production fields in the United States. The objectives of this review were to summarize 1) the history of HPPD-inhibitor herbicides and their use in the United States; 2) HPPD-inhibitor resistant weeds, their mechanism of resistance, and management; 3) interaction of HPPD-inhibitor herbicides with other herbicides; and 4) the future of HPPD-inhibitor-resistant crops. As of 2022, three broadleaf weeds (Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, and wild radish) have evolved resistance to the HPPD inhibitor. The predominance of metabolic resistance to HPPD inhibitor was found in aforementioned three weed species. Management of HPPD-inhibitor-resistant weeds can be accomplished using alternate herbicides such as glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, or dicamba; however, metabolic resistance poses a serious challenge, because the weeds may be cross-resistant to other herbicide sites of action, leading to limited herbicide options. An HPPD-inhibitor herbicide is commonly applied with a photosystem II (PS II) inhibitor to increase efficacy and weed control spectrum. The synergism with an HPPD inhibitor arises from depletion of plastoquinones, which allows increased binding of a PS II inhibitor to the D1 protein. New HPPD inhibitors from the azole carboxamides class are in development and expected to be available in the near future. HPPD-inhibitor-resistant crops have been developed through overexpression of a resistant bacterial HPPD enzyme in plants and the overexpression of transgenes for HPPD and a microbial gene that enhances the production of the HPPD substrate. Isoxaflutole-resistant soybean is commercially available, and it is expected that soybean resistant to other HPPD inhibitor herbicides such as mesotrione, stacked with resistance to other herbicides, will be available in the near future.
Naturbasierte Therapie (NBT)
Authors: Adevi Anna A. , Breznik Melitta
Published: October 2022

Das Praxisbuch führt in die «Naturbasierte Therapie» (NBT) als neueren Therapieansatz zur Behandlung von Stressfolgeerkrankungen ein. Die Autorinnen mit langjährigen Erfahrungen in den Bereichen der Psychosomatik und Gartentherapie setzen die NBT als Erweiterung der Gartentherapie und Landschaftsmedizin ein. Sie stellen die theoretischen Grundlagen dar und begründen die Nutzung der Natur als therapeutischen Raum. Sie zeigen Hintergründe der Anwendungen aus den Bereichen Stressforschung, Psycho-Neuro-Immunologie, Epigenetik, Persönlichkeitspsychologie und Lebensstilforschung auf. In 20 Fallbeschreibungen stellen sie den Einsatz konkreter Therapiebausteine dar. Sie beschreiben jeden Baustein mit vorbereitender Naturanamnese, Kernthemen, Zielen, Materialien und Übungen. Sie bieten Therapiebausteine zu den folgenden Behandlungsschwerpunkten und -themen an: Achtsamkeit, nonverbale Kommunikation, therapeutische Metaphern, Wachstum und Lebenszyklus und -rhythmus der Pflanzen, Verhaltensänderung, Selbstregulation, Identität und Selbstwert, multisensorische Stimulation, Kontrollempfinden, Selbsthilfe, Geschicklichkeitstraining, Stimmungsregulierung, Verantwortung, Trost und Hoffnung, sanfte und liebevolle Einstellung, Zusammenhalt, Gruppendynamik, soziale Unterstützung, Interaktion, Gleichgesinnte sowie Neutralität des Gärtners, Freude und Neugierde, Bedeutsamkeit und Neuorientierung. - Zusammengefasst bereichern sie die Therapie von Stressfolgeerkrankungen um einen wichtigen Ansatz, der die Natur als therapeutischen Raum und therapeutisches Medium integriert.
Potassium Isotopes in Herbaceous Plants: A Potential New Tool for C3 and C4 Plant Research
Authors: Qu Rui , Han Guilin
Published: October 2022

Plants play a critical role in the surficial environment, influencing energy transfer, the global carbon cycle, and climate change. Potassium (K) controls many essential plant physiological features like photosynthesis, cell osmosis adjustment, and enzyme activity. However, few plant species of K isotopes have been investigated and knowledge regarding the mechanism of isotopic fractionations in biological processes is still limited. This study investigated foliar K isotopic compositions of C3 and C4 vegetation and soil in the typical karst region of Guizhou Province, Southwest China. The results showed that: (a) The δ41K of soil ranged from −0.04‰ to −0.08‰, with no K isotope ratios change between topsoil and subsoil. (b) Foliar δ41K of C3 vegetation ranged from −1.06 ± 0.06‰ to −0.15 ± 0.06‰ and foliar δ41K of C4 vegetation varied from 0.28 ± 0.05‰ to 1.15 ± 0.06‰. (c) Foliar δ41K was negatively related to foliar K concentration (R2 = 0.78; p < 0.01); The significant K isotope differences between C3 and C4 vegetation are likely attributed to their different mechanisms for drought stress or their different foliar K concentration. This study firstly documented the potential of K isotopes as a novel tool for biological processes to distinguish between C3 and C4 plants and also shed light on the potential future application of K isotope signatures in soil‐plant interactions.
Launch Notes
Authors: Thomsen M. F.
Published: October 2022

This is the story of my launch into space physics, including how I was rescued from early discouragement by the excitement of a planetary encounter. I recall some of the mentors who taught me, supported me, and promoted me. Finally, I offer a few lessons I have learned from these and many other people I have been privileged to work with over a 50‐year career. These include a commitment to scientific significance, integrity, communication, and humility.
How Slab Age and Width Combine to Dictate the Dynamics and Evolution of Subduction Systems: A 3‐D Spherical Study
Authors: Chen Fangqin , Davies D. Rhodri , Goes Saskia , Suchoy Lior , Kramer Stephan C.
Published: October 2022

Many of the factors expected to control the dynamics and evolution of Earth's subduction zones are under‐explored in an Earth‐like spherical geometry. Here, we simulate multi‐material free‐subduction of a complex rheology slab in a 3‐D spherical shell domain, to investigate the effect of plate age (simulated by covarying plate thickness and density) and width on the evolution of subduction systems. We find that the first‐order predictions of our spherical cases are generally consistent with existing Cartesian studies: (a) as subducting plate age increases, slabs retreat more and subduct at a shallower dip angle, due to increased bending resistance and sinking rates; and (b) wider slabs can develop along‐strike variations in trench curvature due to toroidal flow at slab edges, trending toward a “W”‐shaped trench with increasing slab width. We find, however, that these along‐strike variations are restricted to older, stronger, retreating slabs: Younger slabs that drive minimal trench motion remain relatively straight along the length of the subduction zone. We summarize our results into a regime diagram, which highlights how slab age modulates the effect of slab width, and present examples of the evolutionary history of subduction zones that are consistent with our model predictions.
A GeoHealth Call to Action: Moving Beyond Identifying Environmental Injustices to Co‐Creating Solutions
Authors: Hoffman‐Hall A. , Gorris M. E. , Anenberg S. , Bredder A. E. , Dhaliwal J. K. , Diaz M. A. , Fortner S. K. , McAdoo B. G. , Reano D. , Rehr R. C. , Roop H. A. , Zaitchik B. F.
Published: October 2022

As marginalized communities continue to bear disproportionate impacts from environmental hazards, we urgently call for researchers and institutions to elevate the principles of Environmental Justice. The American Geophysical Union (AGU) GeoHealth section supports members' engagement in health‐related community‐engaged and community‐led transdisciplinary research. We highlight intersectional research that provides examples and actions for both individuals and organizations on community science and trust building, removing barriers created by scientific agency priorities and career expectations, and opportunities in education and policy. Justice does not start or end at one meeting; this is ongoing work that is active, evolving, and an ethical responsibility of AGU's membership.