bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Density functional theory of superfluid helium at finite temperatures
Authors: Long Austin , Eloranta Jussi
Published: August 2021

A density functional theory-based method is developed to describe the static and dynamic response of superfluid helium at finite temperatures. The model relies on the well-established 0 K Orsay–Trento functional, which has been extensively used to study the response of bulk superfluid helium as well as superfluid helium droplets. By including a phenomenological stochastic term in this model, it is possible to obtain thermodynamic equilibrium corresponding to a given temperature by propagating the system in imaginary time. The temperature dependence of thermodynamic quantities, such as the internal energy and entropy, is computed and is compared well with experimental reference data for the bulk liquid up to about 2 K, but begins to gradually deviate above that temperature. Inspection of pseudovorticity during real-time evolution of the system near 2 K reveals the presence of roton quasiparticles, which are suggested to be precursors for quantized vortex rings (Onsager’s ghosts), as well as weaker analogs of extended vortex loops.
AENET–LAMMPS and AENET–TINKER: Interfaces for accurate and efficient molecular dynamics simulations with machine learning potentials
Authors: Chen Michael S. , Morawietz Tobias , Mori Hideki , Markland Thomas E. , Artrith Nongnuch
Published: August 2021

Machine-learning potentials (MLPs) trained on data from quantum-mechanics based first-principles methods can approach the accuracy of the reference method at a fraction of the computational cost. To facilitate efficient MLP-based molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, an integration of the MLPs with sampling software is needed. Here, we develop two interfaces that link the atomic energy network (ænet) MLP package with the popular sampling packages TINKER and LAMMPS. The three packages, ænet, TINKER, and LAMMPS, are free and open-source software that enable, in combination, accurate simulations of large and complex systems with low computational cost that scales linearly with the number of atoms. Scaling tests show that the parallel efficiency of the ænet–TINKER interface is nearly optimal but is limited to shared-memory systems. The ænet–LAMMPS interface achieves excellent parallel efficiency on highly parallel distributed-memory systems and benefits from the highly optimized neighbor list implemented in LAMMPS. We demonstrate the utility of the two MLP interfaces for two relevant example applications: the investigation of diffusion phenomena in liquid water and the equilibration of nanostructured amorphous battery materials.
United States Family Medicine research collaborations associated with higher citation and funding rates
Authors: Jiang Vivian , Petterson Stephen , Wilkinson Elizabeth , Shmerling Alison , Jabbarpour Yalda , Bazemore Andrew , Liaw Winston
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Among academic medical disciplines, Family Medicine (FM) research is notable for its breadth of health-care content areas, making it particularly susceptible to interdisciplinary collaboration. AIM This study characterises the degree and typology of such collaborations, and determines whether collaboration patterns are associated with citation frequency and funding. METHODS This cross-sectional study describes collaboration patterns for publications from 2015 indexed in Web of Science and authored by faculty from United States (US) departments of family medicine (DFMs). We determined mean number of total and FM authors per publication, and percentage of publications with FM first or last authors. Publications were categorised by inclusion of non-FM faculty author(s) and number of DFMs represented. RESULTS Overall, 919 FM faculty from 109 DFMs authored a total of 1872 unique publications in 2015. There was an average of 6.8 authors per publication with 1.4 authors being FM faculty. FM faculty were first author on 26.2% and last author on 29.2% of publications. Of all publications, 0.9% were single FM Author; 1.0% were same DFM; 0.3% were multiple DFMs; 72.4% were single FM Author+non-FM; 19.3% were same DFM+non-FM; 6.0% were multiple DFMs+non-FM. FM publications with non-FM faculty authors showed higher citation rates, higher rates of funding, and lower rates of having no funding source. DISCUSSION Most FM publications involved non-FM faculty authors. Collaborations involving non-FM authors were correlated with higher impact publications and projects that were more likely to have been funded.
Drivers and suppressors of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Wu Wanfu , Warner Margaret , Wang Li , He Wei-Wei , Zhao Ruipeng , Guan Xiaoxiang , Botero Cindy , Huang Bo , Ion Charlotte , Coombes Charles , Gustafsson Jan-Ake
Published: August 2021

Significance

In the search for druggable targets to treat TNBC, ERβ, an estrogen receptor and tumor suppressor, has been suggested because it is found in 30% of TNBCs. In the present study, we found that except for SP1, the other tethering partners of ERβ (Fos, Jun, Fra1) are down-regulated in TNBC, meaning that the tumor-suppressive functions of ERβ are severely compromised. However, RNA seq revealed other driver pathways such as CYPs involved in the synthesis of fatty acid epoxides and in the inactivation of calcitriol and retinoic acid. Thus, ERβ agonists are unlikely to be useful in the treatment of TNBC. Instead, there is the danger that at estrogen response elements, ERβ may be acting as ERα does, and increase proliferation.
Karl Tekusch (1890–1977), his concept of Sprachechtheit, and the purism movement in Austria
Authors: Pfalzgraf Falco
Published: August 2021

The discovery of Karl Tekusch as a key player and significant link in the history of Austrian and German linguistic purism is the subject of this article. Tekusch was the last chairman of the Vienna Branch of the Deutscher Sprachverein (DSV), from the Austrian Anschluss until its dissolution, and he was also the first chairman of its post-WWII successor, the Viennese Verein Muttersprache, which is still active today. The existence of the hitherto lesser-known Germanischer Sprachverein, founded and chaired by Tekusch for 15 years, proves that the alleged ’gap’ in organised Austrian linguistic purism does in fact not exist, and that Austrian linguistic purism must indeed be regarded as a continuous phenomenon. Strongly influenced by the völkisch movement and later the national socialists, Tekusch had developed and continuously worked on his concept of Sprachechtheit, ‘linguistic authenticity’. The concept was very influential on purist organisations in Austria and Germany until at least the late 1970s. Moreover, Sprachechtheit was discussed beyond the realm of linguistics purism, by academics in German Philology, Sociology, Social Psychology, and German Folklore Studies / European Ethnology.
Material-dependent submicrometer particle trapping in capacitively-coupled plasma sheaths in an intermediate collision regime
Authors: Ono Toshisato , Kortshagen Uwe R , Hogan Christopher J
Published: August 2021

Understanding submicrometer particle behavior in non-thermal capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs) is important in the application of CCP reactors in thin-film vapor deposition; nucleated and resuspended particles can deposit on thin films, forming defects. Prior studies of supermicrometer particle behavior in CCP reactors have revealed that particles are trapped in the pre-sheath or sheath regions near electrodes, but have examined in detail neither the trapping of submicrometer particles, nor the influence of particle material properties on trapping. Using laser light scattering (LLS), we examined trapping of submicrometer metal oxide particles (radii in the 211 nm–565?nm range) of 6 distinct material compositions in the pre-sheath/sheath region of a CCP reactor operated at pressures in the 0.5–2.0 Torr range. We specifically focus on trapping near the upper electrode of a horizontally-oriented reactor. In this instance, trapping is brought about by a balance between electrostatic forces and gravitational forces driving particles away from the electrode, with ion drag forces driving particles toward the electrode. LLS measurements reveal that submicrometer particles are trapped near the upper electrode for all particle sizes, types, and operating pressures, with the trapping location at an increased distance away from the electrode with decreased CCP reactor pressure. Interestingly, we find the trapping location shifts slightly farther from the top electrode with increasing material dielectric constant. This suggests that the ion drag force is influenced by particle material properties, though in an unclarified manner. Measured trapping locations are also compared to model predictions where particle charge levels and the ion drag force are calculated using expressions based on ion trajectory calculations in a plasma sheath accounting for ion–neutral collisions. Predicted ion densities required for trapping are a factor of 6–16 higher than calculated at the observed particle trapping locations when applying a dissipative ion–particle encounter model, with more substantial disagreement found when considering a non-dissipative encounter model. In total, our results confirm that submicrometer particle trapping occurs at the upper electrode of CCP reactors, which must be facilitated by a balance largely between electrostatic and gravitational forces opposed by ion drag forces, but suggest future studies will be required to understand how particle material properties affect forces on particles on the plasma volume boundary, and how the ion drag force is sufficiently high to facilitate trapping.
Vacuum birefringence at x-ray free-electron lasers
Authors: Karbstein Felix , Sundqvist Chantal , Schulze Kai S , Uschmann Ingo , Gies Holger , Paulus Gerhard G
Published: August 2021

We study the perspectives of measuring the phenomenon of vacuum birefringence predicted by quantum electrodynamics using an x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) alone. We devise an experimental scheme allowing two consecutive XFEL pulses to collide under a finite angle, and thus act as both pump and probe field for the effect. The signature of vacuum birefringence is encoded in polarization-flipped signal photons to be detected with high-purity x-ray polarimetry. Our findings for idealized scenarios underline that the discovery potential of solely XFEL-based setups can be comparable to those involving optical high-intensity lasers. For currently achievable scenarios, we identify several key details of the x-ray optical ingredients that exert a strong influence on the magnitude of the desired signatures.
Quantum brachistochrone for multiple qubits
Authors: Wang Ding , Shi Haowei , Lan Yueheng
Published: August 2021

Efficient control of qubits plays a key role in quantum information processing. In the current work, an alternative set of differential equations are derived for an optimal quantum control of single or multiple qubits with or without interaction. The new formulation enables a great reduction of the computation load by eliminating possible redundant complexity involved in previous algorithms. A relaxation technique is designed for numerically detecting optimal paths involving entanglement. Interesting continuous symmetries are identified in the Lagrangian, which indicates the existence of physically equivalent classes of paths and may be utilized to remove neutral directions in the Jacobian of the evolution. In the ‘ground state’ solution among the set of optimal paths, the time-reversal symmetry of the system shows up, which is expected to be universal for the symmetry-related initial and final state.
Creep feed grinding induced gradient microstructures in the superficial layer of turbine blade root of single crystal nickel-based superalloy
Authors: Miao Qing , Ding Wenfeng , Xu Jiuhua , Cao Lijie , Wang Hongcai , Yin Zhen , Dai Chenwei , Kuang Weijie
Published: August 2021

The service performance of the turbine blade root of an aero-engine depends on the microstructures in its superficial layer. This work investigated the surface deformation structures of turbine blade root of single crystal nickel-based superalloy produced under different creep feed grinding conditions. Gradient microstructures in the superficial layer were clarified and composed of a severely deformed layer (DFL) with nano-sized grains (48–67 nm) at the topmost surface, a DFL with submicron-sized grains (66–158 nm) and micron-sized laminated structures at the subsurface, and a dislocation accumulated layer extending to the bulk material. The formation of such gradient microstructures was found to be related to the graded variations in the plastic strain and strain rate induced in the creep feed grinding process, which were as high as 6.67 and 8.17 × 107 s−1, respectively. In the current study, the evolution of surface gradient microstructures was essentially a transition process from a coarse single crystal to nano-sized grains and, simultaneously, from one orientation of a single crystal to random orientations of polycrystals, during which the dislocation slips dominated the creep feed grinding induced microstructure deformation of single crystal nickel-based superalloy.
Performance Evaluation of Parametric and Nonparametric Methods When Assessing Effect Measure Modification
Authors: Conzuelo Rodriguez Gabriel , Bodnar Lisa M , Brooks Maria M , Wahed Abdus , Kennedy Edward H , Schisterman Enrique , Naimi Ashley I
Published: August 2021

Effect measure modification is often evaluated using parametric models. These models, although efficient when correctly specified, make strong parametric assumptions. While nonparametric models avoid important functional form assumptions, they often require larger samples to achieve a given accuracy. We conducted a simulation study to evaluate performance tradeoffs between correctly specified parametric and nonparametric models to detect effect modification of a binary exposure by both binary and continuous modifiers. We evaluated generalized linear models and doubly robust (DR) estimators, with and without sample splitting. Continuous modifiers were modeled with cubic splines, fractional polynomials, and nonparametric DR-learner. For binary modifiers, generalized linear models showed the greatest power to detect effect modification, ranging from 0.42 to 1.00 in the worst and best scenario, respectively. Augmented inverse probability weighting had the lowest power, with an increase of 23% when using sample splitting. For continuous modifiers, the DR-learner was comparable to flexible parametric models in capturing quadratic and nonlinear monotonic functions. However, for nonlinear, nonmonotonic functions, the DR-learner had lower integrated bias than splines and fractional polynomials, with values of 141.3, 251.7, and 209.0, respectively. Our findings suggest comparable performance between nonparametric and correctly specified parametric models in evaluating effect modification.
BIONDA: a free database for a fast information on published biomarkers
Authors: Turewicz Michael , Frericks-Zipper Anika , Stepath Markus , Schork Karin , Ramesh Spoorti , Marcus Katrin , Eisenacher Martin
Published: August 2021

Because of the steadily increasing and already manually unmanageable total number of biomarker-related articles in biomedical research, there is a need for intelligent systems that extract all relevant information from biomedical texts and provide it as structured information to researchers in a user-friendly way. To address this, BIONDA was implemented as a free text mining-based online database for molecular biomarkers including genes, proteins and miRNAs and for all kinds of diseases. The contained structured information on published biomarkers is extracted automatically from Europe PMC publication abstracts and high-quality sources like UniProt and Disease Ontology. This allows frequent content updates.

Availability and implementation

BIONDA is freely accessible via a user-friendly web application at http://bionda.mpc.ruhr-uni-bochum.de. The current BIONDA code is available at GitHub via https://github.com/mpc-bioinformatics/bionda.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
Identifying anti-TNF response biomarkers in ulcerative colitis using a diffusion-based signalling model
Authors: Singh Amrinder , Anderssen Endre , Fenton Christopher G , Paulssen Ruth H
Published: August 2021

Motivation

Resistance to anti-TNF therapy in subgroups of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients is a major challenge and incurs significant treatment costs. Identification of patients at risk of nonresponse to anti-TNF is of major clinical importance. To date, no quantitative computational framework exists to develop a complex biomarker for the prognosis of UC treatment. Modelling patient-wise receptor to transcription factor (TF) network connectivity may enable personalized treatment.

Results

We present an approach for quantitative diffusion analysis between receptors and TFs using gene expression data. Key TFs were identified using pandaR. Network connectivities between immune-specific receptor-TF pairs were quantified using network diffusion in UC patients and controls. The patient-specific network could be considered a complex biomarker that separates anti-TNF treatment-resistant and responder patients both in the gene expression dataset used for model development and separate independent test datasets. The model was further validated in rheumatoid arthritis where it successfully discriminated resistant and responder patients to tocilizumab treatment. Our model may contribute to prognostic biomarkers that may identify treatment-resistant and responder subpopulations of UC patients.

Availability and implementation

Software is available at https://github.com/Amy3100/receptor2tfDiffusion.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
coronaSPAdes: from biosynthetic gene clusters to RNA viral assemblies
Authors: Meleshko Dmitry , Hajirasouliha Iman , Korobeynikov Anton
Published: August 2021

Motivation

The COVID-19 pandemic has ignited a broad scientific interest in viral research in general and coronavirus research in particular. The identification and characterization of viral species in natural reservoirs typically involves de novo assembly. However, existing genome, metagenome and transcriptome assemblers often are not able to assemble many viruses (including coronaviruses) into a single contig. Coverage variation between datasets and within dataset, presence of close strains, splice variants and contamination set a high bar for assemblers to process viral datasets with diverse properties.

Results

We developed coronaSPAdes, a novel assembler for RNA viral species recovery in general and coronaviruses in particular. coronaSPAdes leverages the knowledge about viral genome structures to improve assembly extending ideas initially implemented in biosyntheticSPAdes. We have shown that coronaSPAdes outperforms existing SPAdes modes and other popular short-read metagenome and viral assemblers in the recovery of full-length RNA viral genomes.

Availability and implementation

coronaSPAdes version used in this article is a part of SPAdes 3.15 release and is freely available at http://cab.spbu.ru/software/spades.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
De novo protein design by an energy function based on series expansion in distance and orientation dependence
Authors: Liang Shide , Li Zhixiu , Zhan Jian , Zhou Yaoqi
Published: August 2021

Motivation

Despite many successes, de novo protein design is not yet a solved problem as its success rate remains low. The low success rate is largely because we do not yet have an accurate energy function for describing the solvent-mediated interaction between amino acid residues in a protein chain. Previous studies showed that an energy function based on series expansions with its parameters optimized for side-chain and loop conformations can lead to one of the most accurate methods for side chain (OSCAR) and loop prediction (LEAP). Following the same strategy, we developed an energy function based on series expansions with the parameters optimized in four separate stages (recovering single-residue types without and with orientation dependence, selecting loop decoys and maintaining the composition of amino acids). We tested the energy function for de novo design by using Monte Carlo simulated annealing.

Results

The method for protein design (OSCAR-Design) is found to be as accurate as OSCAR and LEAP for side-chain and loop prediction, respectively. In de novo design, it can recover native residue types ranging from 38% to 43% depending on test sets, conserve hydrophobic/hydrophilic residues at ∼75%, and yield the overall similarity in amino acid compositions at more than 90%. These performance measures are all statistically significantly better than several protein design programs compared. Moreover, the largest hydrophobic patch areas in designed proteins are near or smaller than those in native proteins. Thus, an energy function based on series expansion can be made useful for protein design.

Availability and implementation

The Linux executable version is freely available for academic users at http://zhouyq-lab.szbl.ac.cn/resources/.
The Invisible Frontier: Practitioner Perspectives on the Privacy Implications of Utilising Social Media in Mental Health Social Work Practice
Authors: Thornton-Rice Arnold , Moran Nicola
Published: August 2021

In the digital age, traditional approaches to accessing information are disrupted by the ‘public’ nature of social media. The notion of accessing service users’ social media in social work practice is fraught with ethical issues around privacy and boundaries, yet lacks clear guidance from existing law and policy. This qualitative study sought to identify how mental health social workers were navigating these issues and how they thought practice could be developed. Ten mental health social workers, from one NHS Trust in England, were interviewed about their views and experiences around accessing service users’ social media without express permission. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Practitioners shared a variety of justifications for utilising social media, based upon statutory responsibility and professional values, but felt direct guidance/legislation and training would be helpful. A process of ‘digital reflexivity’ was outlined, which balanced reasons to access social media against considerations of privacy and the potential effects on the therapeutic relationship. Implications include the need for definitive guidance and training around if, when and how to access service users’ social media; inclusion of digital reflexivity in supervision and multidisciplinary meetings; educating service users about privacy controls; and a potential reconfiguration of theoretical boundaries to include the ‘public’ domain.
Tackling the content of a course for academic legal purposes
Authors: Kampouri Smaragda
Published: August 2021

This article addresses the practices that English for academic legal purposes (EALP) teachers employ to tackle law subject content. It draws on research that took place in a British university pre-sessional course for third-year undergraduate and postgraduate law students. The data come from tutorials, legal skills classroom observations and semi-structured interviews. The original study examined four EALP teachers; here I focus on the findings regarding one EALP teacher with sound experience of teaching EAP but no specific law background. The results of the study show that in EALP, as well as wider English for specific academic purposes (ESAP) contexts, limited subject-content knowledge (SCK) can lead to the frustration and lack of confidence of the ESAP teacher, and suggest utilizing the SCK of experienced colleagues and students to address this.
Perturbation of kinetochore function using GFP-binding protein in fission yeast
Authors: Deng Da-Jie , Xia Qian-Cheng , Jia Guo-Song , Suo Fang , Chen Jia-Li , Sun Li , Wang Jin-Qing , Wang Shuang-Min , Du Li-Lin , Wang Yamei , Jin Quan-Wen
Published: August 2021

Using genetic mutations to study protein functions in vivo is a central paradigm of modern biology. Single-domain camelid antibodies generated against GFP have been engineered as nanobodies or GFP-binding proteins (GBPs) that can bind GFP as well as some GFP variants with high affinity and selectivity. In this study, we have used GBP-mCherry fusion protein as a tool to perturb the natural functions of a few kinetochore proteins in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We found that cells simultaneously expressing GBP-mCherry and the GFP-tagged inner kinetochore protein Cnp1 are sensitive to high temperature and microtubule drug thiabendazole (TBZ). In addition, kinetochore-targeted GBP-mCherry by a few major kinetochore proteins with GFP tags causes defects in faithful chromosome segregation. Thus, this setting compromises the functions of kinetochores and renders cells to behave like conditional mutants. Our study highlights the potential of using GBP as a general tool to perturb the function of some GFP-tagged proteins in vivo with the objective of understanding their functional relevance to certain physiological processes, not only in yeasts, but also potentially in other model systems.
Heat sensitivity of mariculture species in China
Authors: Ma Chao-yi , Zhu Xiao-lu , Liao Ming-ling , Dong Shuang-lin , Dong Yun-wei
Published: August 2021

China's mariculture is an indispensable part of the world's aquaculture and helps address food security issues in China and around the globe. However, this industry is facing a grand challenge from global warming. Therefore, it is urgent to assess the sensitivity of the main mariculture species and production modes to the increasing temperature. Here, we first extracted the coastal temperature data from 1465 grid cells (0.25 × 0.25 arcdegree) in the mariculture regions, and then compiled an upper thermal limit as well as culturing modes dataset of forty-two commercially important mariculture species. With these two datasets, we calculated the thermal safety margin (TSM) for each species across its aquaculture regions. Our results showed that several species with low TSMs were particularly sensitive to the current conditions and future warming, and some culturing regions face catastrophic consequences caused by high temperature and potential heatwaves. It is also noted that several mariculture modes like pond farming and mudflat ranching were more vulnerable compared to other mariculture modes. In summary, China's mariculture industry is sensitive to global warming at present and in the future. Our present study also provided tools to assess the risks in mariculture production and suggested solutions for future mitigation and adaptations.
BCS Insights 2021
Authors: Runciman Brian
Published: August 2021

How a diverse and inclusive IT industry can help find solutions to the world’s biggest problems, including the climate crisis, political oppression and existential threats to the internet’s fabric. BCS Insights 2021 explores how we can all help make IT good for society.
From Gold Coins to Cryptocurrencies: A History of Money In 10 Minutes
Authors:   BCS Financial Services Specialist Group
Published: August 2021

The BCS Financial Services Specialist Group compresses over 2,000 years of history and explains how we moved from using gold coins to being on the brink of governments issuing their own central bank digital currencies.
How Open Banking is Democratising Finance
Authors: Cooper Martin
Published: August 2021

Open banking is fuelling a fintech revolution and fostering a wave of apps which give customers more control of their money and insight into their finances. Martin Cooper MBCS interviews Constanza Castro Feijóo, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at the Open Banking Implementation Entity.
The Big Interview: How Money Laundering Works
Authors: Demetis Dionysios
Published: August 2021

How and why do cyber criminals hide their money's source? Dr Dionysios Demetis, Senior Lecturer in Management Systems at Hull University, explains.
Utah prairie dog population dynamics on the Awapa Plateau: precipitation, elevation, and plague
Authors: Eads David A , Biggins Dean E
Published: August 2021

Utah prairie dogs (UPDs, Cynomys parvidens) are colonial, herbivorous rodents listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened. Little is known about UPD population dynamics at higher elevations in the species’ range. From 2013 through 2016, we studied UPDs on five colonies at 2,645 to 2,873 m elevation on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA. Primary production increases with precipitation and precipitation increases with elevation on the plateau. We hypothesized that UPD body condition, reproduction, survival, and population growth all would vary directly with precipitation and elevation. Each year, we live-trapped UPDs from late-Jun through Aug, weighing each UPD, aging it as adult or pup, measuring its right hind foot, marking it for unique identification, and releasing it at point of capture. Fleas from live-trapped UPDs and opportunistically collected rodent carcasses, and rodent carcasses themselves, were tested for the agent of sylvatic plague (Yersinia pestis), a lethal invasive pathogen. Adult UPD body condition (mass:foot) increased with elevation. In addition, UPD reproduction (pups:adults) and population growth (λ) increased with precipitation. Annual survival declined from 0.49 in 2013–2014 to 0.24 in 2015–2016. We captured 421 UPDs in 2013 but only 149 in 2016. Sylvatic plague may have contributed to population declines. Notwithstanding, plague detection (yes/no by colony and year) had no statistical effect on population growth or annual survival, raising suspicion about the predictive value of binary plague detection variables. Generally speaking, efforts to conserve UPDs may benefit from the restoration and preservation of large colonies at mesic sites.
The C4 cycle and beyond: diverse metabolic adaptations accompany dual-cell photosynthetic functions in Setaria
Authors: Calace Paula , Tonetti Tomás , Margarit Ezequiel , Figueroa Carlos M , Lobertti Carlos , Andreo Carlos S , Gerrard Wheeler Mariel C , Saigo Mariana
Published: August 2021

C4 photosynthesis is typically characterized by the spatial compartmentalization of the photosynthetic reactions into mesophyll (M) and bundle sheath (BS) cells. Initial carbon fixation within M cells gives rise to C4 acids, which are transported to the BS cells. There, C4 acids are decarboxylated so that the resulting CO2 is incorporated into the Calvin cycle. This work is focused on the study of Setaria viridis, a C4 model plant, closely related to several major feed and bioenergy grasses. First, we performed the heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of Setaria isoforms for chloroplastic NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) and mitochondrial NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME). The kinetic parameters obtained agree with a major role for NADP-ME in the decarboxylation of the C4 acid malate in the chloroplasts of BS cells. In addition, mitochondria-located NAD-ME showed regulatory properties that could be important in the context of the operation of the C4 carbon shuttle. Secondly, we compared the proteomes of M and BS compartments and found 825 differentially accumulated proteins that could support different metabolic scenarios. Most interestingly, we found evidence of metabolic strategies to insulate the C4 core avoiding the leakage of intermediates by either up-regulation or down-regulation of chloroplastic, mitochondrial, and peroxisomal proteins. Overall, the results presented in this work provide novel data concerning the complexity of C4 metabolism, uncovering future lines of research that will undoubtedly contribute to the expansion of knowledge on this topic.
Detection of nearly periodic spin period reversals in Vela X-1 on long time-scales: inkling of solar-like cycle in the donor star?
Authors: Chandra Amar Deo , Roy Jayashree , Agrawal P C , Choudhury Manojendu
Published: August 2021

We explore the long-term evolution of the spin period of the high-mass X-ray binary pulsar Vela X-1 over a period of 46 yr. Our analysis indicates nearly periodic variations in the spin period of the pulsar on time-scales of about 5.9 yr. There is suggestion of an overall spin-down behaviour of the pulsar though it is noticed that the source appears to stay near its equilibrium period 283.4 s since MJD 51000, with rather erratic spin-up/spin-down episodes around this value. Our study suggests nearly cyclic turnover in the spin behaviour of the pulsar from spin-up to spin-down regimes on time-scales of about 17–19 yr. To our knowledge, this is the first report of periodic variation in the spin behaviour of a wind-fed accreting pulsar. We also observe erratic episodes of spin-up and spin-down behaviour on relatively shorter time-scales that is a well-known archetype of this wind-fed X-ray pulsar. We investigate whether nearly periodic long-term spin period changes in the pulsar can be explained by using known mechanisms of torque reversals in the accretion powered neutron stars. It appears that changes in the accretion environment of the pulsar using current ideas can probably lead to long-term spin period changes in this X-ray pulsar.
Interim Federal Health Program: Survey of access and utilization by paediatric health care providers
Authors: Leps Caroline , Monteiro Jessica , Barozzino Tony , Bowry Ashna , Rashid Meb , Sgro Michael , Suleman Shazeen
Published: August 2021

Background

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides health care coverage to refugees and refugee claimants, yet remains underused by providers. The objective of this study was to assess Canadian paediatricians’ current understanding and utilization of the IFHP, and perceived barriers to utilization.

Methods

A one-time survey was administered via the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program in February 2020. In addition to descriptive statistics, multinomial logistic regressions were built to examine paediatrician use of the IFHP, and characteristics associated with registration and use.

Results

Of the 2,753 physicians surveyed, there were 1,006 respondents (general paediatricians and subspecialists). 52.2% of respondents had provided care to IFHP-eligible patients in the previous 6 months. Of those participants, only 26.4% were registered IFHP providers, and just 16% could identify 80% or more of IFHP-covered services. Knowledge of 80% or more of IFHP-covered services was associated with registration status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.92; 95%CI 1.09 to 3.37). Among those who knew they were not registered, 70.2% indicated they did not know they had to register. aOR demonstrated that those with fewer years of practice had higher odds of not knowing that they had to register (aOR 1.22; 95%CI 1.01 to 1.49).

Conclusions

We demonstrate that IFHP is poorly utilized by paediatric providers, with low registration rates and poor understanding of IFHP-covered supplemental services, even among those who have recently provided care to IFHP-eligible patients. Efforts to improve registration and knowledge of IFHP are essential to improving access to health care for refugee children and youth.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pathologies in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorder—A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Campana Mattia , Strauß Johanna , Münz Susanne , Oviedo-Salcedo Tatiana , Fernando Piyumi , Eichhorn Peter , Falkai Peter , Hasan Alkomiet , Wagner Elias
Published: August 2021

Background

The role of inflammatory processes in the etiology of schizophrenia is increasingly being investigated. A link between psychosis and inflammation measured with different biomarkers has been reported in the literature and needs to be further explored. To investigate the presence of inflammatory biomarkers in first-episode psychosis (FEP) we analyzed the largest available FEP cohort to date regarding routine CSF and blood diagnostics.

Methods

We report a retrospective analysis of clinical data from all inpatients that were admitted to our tertiary care hospital with a ICD-10 diagnosis of F2x (schizophrenia-spectrum) between January 1, 2008 and August 1, 2018 and underwent a lumbar puncture.

Results

A total of n = 314 FEP patients were included in our sample. 42.7% patients (134/314) showed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) alterations. Oligoclonal bands in the CSF were present in 21.8% of patients (67/307) with 12.4% (27/217) of patients presenting OCBs type 2 or 3. 15.8% (49/310) of our cohort revealed signs of blood-brain-barrier (BBB) dysfunction with increased albumin ratios. Mean serum CRP levels were 2.4 mg/l (SD = 9.5). CRP elevation was present in 116/280 cases (41.4%).

Conclusions

This large retrospective analysis on FEP cohort greatly enriches the clinical data available on this population and contributes to the discussion around inflammation in psychosis. Of note, even though several inflammatory alterations were found both in CSF and in blood tests, we found no evidence for a significant relationship between peripheral inflammation and inflammatory CSF. Furthermore, no significant relationship between CSF alterations and peripheral inflammation measured with CRP could be established.
Unemployment and Opioid-Related Mortality Rates in U.S. Counties: Investigating Social Capital and Social Isolation-Smoking Pathways
Authors: Yang Tse-Chuan , Kim Seulki , Matthews Stephen A
Published: August 2021

We examine two mechanisms–social capital and socio-behavior–potentially linking unemployment rates to opioid-related mortality and investigate whether the mechanisms differ geographically by the pace of the opioid crisis. Applying path analysis techniques to 2015–2017 opioid-related mortality in U.S. counties (N=2,648), we find that (1) high unemployment rates are not directly associated with opioid-related mortality rates; (2) high unemployment rates are negatively associated with social capital, and low social capital contributes to high opioid-related mortality; (3) high unemployment rates increase social isolation and the prevalence of smoking, which is positively related to opioid-related mortality; and (4) the pathways are stronger among counties in the states experiencing a rapid growth in opioid-related mortality rates than among those states that are not. Our findings offer insight into how unemployment rates shape the opioid crisis and suggest that the relationship between unemployment and opioid-related mortality is complex.
US-situs foundations
Authors: Mayo Todd D , Staehr Amy M , Sanborn Von
Published: August 2021

In the United States, two states that have been at the vanguard of developing and enacting modern trust laws—New Hampshire and Wyoming—have recently enacted laws allowing foundations. For families seeking a US-situs foundation, both states provide similar, well-developed statutory regimes for foundations. The statutes have many common elements. One such element is the flexibility that families have when designing foundations. While that flexibility should enable most families to achieve their objectives in either state, some families may find that one state’s statutory regime is better suited to their particular situation and objectives. The present article presents the reader with a detailed comparative outline of the New Hampshire and Wyoming foundation laws.
Establishing a province-wide referral network to improve access to gender-affirming primary healthcare services
Authors: Lane Jennifer , McCarthy Christopher , Dart Garry , Furlotte Kirk
Published: August 2021

It is possible and necessary to provide trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals with gender-affirming care (GAC) in primary care settings. A known risk of increased suicidality among TGNC individuals and a lack of provider training on prescribing gender-affirming hormones (GAH) in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia highlighted a need for building capacity around GAC delivery. A referral network was established across the province, which reduced wait times to access GAH by several months.
The Association of Asymmetric Skinfolds and the Diagnosis of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Infants
Authors: Liu Bing , Hu Xiaoyun , Li Lianyong , Gao Shuxi
Published: August 2021

Background:

The clinical finding of asymmetric skinfolds (ASF) in infants is used to indicate the possibility of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The association of ASF and a diagnosis of DDH remains unknown.

Purpose:

To determine the association of ASF in the gluteal and femoral regions with a diagnosis of DDH.

Methods:

The correlation of ASF and other physical examination findings with DDH was compared retrospectively. The medical records of infants who underwent DDH screening in the clinic were analyzed. The physical examination findings were reviewed and categorized as ASF, clunk of the hip, limb-length discrepancy, hip abduction limitation, combined conditions of musculoskeletal disorders, and regular screening for DDH. The hip conditions were classified by Graf's ultrasound method. Type IIb and higher classifications were defined as DDH. The diagnosed rate and severity of DDH based on physical examination findings were calculated and compared.

Results:

Clinical data of 3266 infants aged up to 6 months were reviewed, and 194 infants were diagnosed with DDH by ultrasound examination. ASF was the most common indication for DDH screening (64.5%; 2107/3266). However, this was poorly correlated with a diagnosis of DDH (4.79%; P < .0001). No difference was found between the Graf classification severity and various indications (P = .079).

Implications for Practice:

Clinicians should recognize that, although ASF is the most common reason for DDH screening in infants, ASF does not correlate with a diagnosis of DDH.

Implications for Research:

Additional research should examine the relationship between DDH and ASF in other populations.
Subversion of Endoscopic Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Authors: Liang Faqing , Wen Nan , Xie Yanyan , Wang Yao , Zhang Songbo , Lv Qing , Du Zhenggui
Published: August 2021

Our team has created a novel endoscopic technique (ET) to solve the problems of the former minimally invasive surgery (Inconvenient operation for ET, high cost for robotic technique, long-operation time for both) for breast cancer patients requiring nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction (BR) with a latissimus dorsi flap/latissimus dorsi flap and implant. This easy-to-grasp method will benefit more patients.
Resectability of Pancreatic Cancer Is in the Eye of the Observer
Authors: Giannone Fabio , Capretti Giovanni , Abu Hilal Mohammed , Boggi Ugo , Campra Donata , Cappelli Carla , Casadei Riccardo , De Luca Raffaele , Falconi Massimo , Giannotti Gabriele , Gianotti Luca , Girelli Roberto , Gollini Paola , Ippolito Davide , Limerutti Giorgio , Maganuco Lorenzo , Malagnino Valeria , Malleo Giuseppe , Morone Mario , Mosconi Cristina , Mrakic Federica , Palumbo Diego , Salvia Roberto , Sgroi Salvatore , Zerbi Alessandro , Balzano Gianpaolo
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

To determine the reproducibility of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) resectability status classification for pancreatic cancer.

Background:

The NCCN classification defines 3 resectability classes (resectable, borderline resectable, locally advanced), according to vascular invasion. It is used to recommend different approaches and stratify patients during clinical trials.

Methods:

Prospective, multicenter, observational study (trial ID: NCT03673423). Main outcome measure was the interobserver agreement of tumor assignment to different resectability classes and quantification of vascular invasion degrees. Agreement was measured by Fleiss’ k (k = 1 perfect agreement; k = 0 agreement by chance). Sixty-nine computed tomography (CT) scans of pathologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma were independently reviewed in a blinded fashion by 22 observers from 11 hospitals (11 surgeons and 11 radiologists). Rating differences between surgeons or radiologists and between hospitals with different volumes (≥60 or <60 resections/year) were assessed.

Results:

Complete agreement among 22 observers was recorded in 5 CT scans (7.2%), whereas 25 CT scans (36.2%) were variously assigned to all 3 resectability classes. Interobserver agreement varied from fair to moderate (Fleiss’ k range: 0.282–0.555), with the lowest agreement for borderline resectable tumors. Assessing vascular contact ≤180° had the lowest agreement for all vessels (k range: 0.196–0.362). The highest concordance was recorded for venous invasion >180° (k range: 0.619–0.756). Neither reviewers’ specialty nor hospital volume influenced the agreement.

Conclusions:

There is high variability in the assignment to resectability categories, which may compromise the reliability of treatments recommendations and the evidence of trials stratifying patients in resectability classes. Criteria should be revised to allow a reproducible classification.
Congenital Posteromedial Bowing of Tibia: Comparison of Early and Late Lengthening
Authors: Sagade Bhushan , Jagani Naeem , Chaudhary Ishani , Chaudhary Milind
Published: August 2021

Background:

Congenital posteromedial bowing of tibia (CPMBT), a rare anomaly, is characterized by a decreasing deformity and a gradually increasing limb shortening. Lengthening in CPMBT has not been studied extensively. Our series compares the duration and complications of lengthening in younger versus older children to determine early lengthening safety and benefits.

Methods:

We studied 28 tibial lengthenings performed by a single surgeon in 23 patients, divided into 2 equal groups of 14 segments: group A 5 years or younger (preschool) and group B above 5 years. All were lengthened with circular external fixators, of which 3 were lengthened over a nail. We measured preoperative (bo) and postoperative (po) sagittal, coronal, and oblique plane deformities, initial limb length discrepancy (LLD), percentage LLD (% LLD), amount of lengthening (AmtL), percentage lengthening (%L), external fixator duration (EFD), and external fixator index (EFI). We graded complications by Lascombes’ criteria, results by Association for the Study and Application of the Methods of Ilizarov bone score.

Results:

The mean age was 8.8±7.1 years; the mean follow-up was 7.9 years. Group A had significantly greater bo-sagittal, coronal, and oblique plane deformities. Mean LLD (3.4 cm in group A vs. 4.1 cm in group B) was similar in both. Expected LLD at maturity (LLDM) using the multiplier method was greater than previously reported (mean, range in group A: 7.2 cm, 4.4 to 9.5 cm; group B: 5 cm, 2.5 to 9.7 cm). Though AmtL (3.5 and 4.1 cm) was similar in both, %L was 24% in group A and 15.7% in group B (P=0.002). EFD (116.6 days) and EFI (33.7 days/cm) were lesser in group A compared with group B (200.3 days, P=0.001; 50.2 days/cm, P=0.01). Lascombes’ triple contract was fulfilled in 11/14 lengthenings in group A versus 3/14 in group B. Association for the Study and Application of the Methods of Ilizarov bone score was good and excellent in both groups (P=0.44).

Conclusions:

In a large series of lengthenings in CPMBT, we found younger children presenting with large deformities and large projected length discrepancies could be safely lengthened with significantly lesser EFD and complications than in older children.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—therapeutic study.