bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using menopausal hormone therapy after a cancer diagnosis in Ireland
Authors: Donohoe Fionán , O’Meara Yvonne , Roberts Aidin , Comerford Louise , Kelly Catherine M. , Walshe Janice M. , Lundy Deirdre , Hickey Martha , Brennan Donal J.
Published: February 2022

Background

Menopause may cause a constellation of symptoms that affect quality of life. Many women will have menopause induced or exacerbated by treatment for cancer whether that be through surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or anti-endocrine therapy. As treatments advance, the number of people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis is set to increase over the coming years meaning more people will be dealing with the after effects of cancer and its treatment.

Aims

This review aims to summarise available data to guide clinicians treating women with menopausal symptoms after the common cancer diagnoses encountered in Ireland. The use of menopausal hormone therapy is discussed as well as non-hormonal and non-pharmacological options.

Conclusions

Managing menopausal symptoms is an important consideration for all physicians involved in the care of people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. High-quality data may not be available to guide treatment decisions, and, thus, it is essential to take into account the impact of the symptoms on quality of life as well as the likelihood of recurrence in each individual case.
Non-fatal strangulation and COVID-19 common symptoms and signs: considerations for medical and forensic assessment
Authors: Bugeja Lyndal , Rowse Janine , Cunningham Nicola , Parkin Jo Ann
Published: February 2022

Emerging evidence suggests that an onset or escalation of interpersonal violence has been occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among persons in intimate or familial relationships. Strangulation (or neck compression) is a common form of interpersonal violence and can result in serious adverse health outcomes, including death. The identification and attribution of injuries from non-fatal strangulation are complex, as there may be an absence of external signs of injury and their appearance may be delayed by many days. There is a heavy reliance on clinician identification of ‘red flag’ symptoms and signs, the presence of which necessitates urgent further assessment. Additional challenges arise when acute non-fatal strangulation symptoms and signs are shared with other clinical conditions. In such cases, differentiating between the conditions based on the symptoms and signs alone is problematic. We present the diagnostic challenges faced when conducting forensic assessments of COVID-19-positive and suspected COVID-19 (S/COVID) patients following allegations of non-fatal strangulation in the setting of physical and sexual assaults. The implications of shared symptoms and signs, for forensic clinicians, primary healthcare, and emergency practitioners, as well as other frontline service providers, are discussed.
Twenty Years of Law Journal Publishing: A Comparative Analysis of International Publication Trends
Authors: Christián László , Háló Gergő , Demeter Márton
Published: February 2022

The analyses of publishing trends are gaining importance across various disciplines, yet we have limited knowledge on the extent to which international publication processes have developed within the field of legal studies. Based on bibliometric and network analyses focusing on the past two decades, our research investigates publishing and internationalization processes in the pool of Scopus-indexed law journals, as well as the publication patterns of the most prolific Law scholars. Results indicate that most legal studies journals are concentrated in the hands of a few global publishers and university presses, and, while the number of Scopus-indexed law journals are high, the level of internationalization is relatively low. Consequently, further efforts are prompted to enhance geographical diversity and increase the level of international collaboration.
Peridynamic Simulation of a Mixed-Mode Fracture Experiment in PMMA Utilizing an Adaptive-Time Stepping for an Explicit Solver
Authors: Willberg Christian , Hesse Jan-Timo , Heinecke Falk
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a benchmark analysis of a peridynamic correspondence energy-based damage model is presented. The benchmark is an experimental setup of a Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plate with a hole. The plate has a minotch and is subject to a compressive load. With increasing loads, a crack initiates at the tip of the notch and continuously grows. The benchmark is modeled utilizing the peridynamic correspondence formulation as a two-dimensional problem. To reduce numerical issues due to bond failure, an adaptive time-stepping method for a Verlet time integration schema is proposed. The method limits the maximum number of broken bonds per material point by adapting the time-step size. This allows the correspondence formulation to be significantly more stable. The benchmark involves a sensitivity analysis based on the Morris method, which is performed in this context. As a result, uncertainties and the impact of geometrical, numerical and material parameters are evaluated and discussed.
Anesthetic implications of morbid obesity during pregnancy; a literature based review
Authors: Mossie Addisu , Ali Siraj Ahmed , Tesema Hailemariam Getachew
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

The prevalence of maternal obesity has increased globally and more than 70% of overweight pregnant women occurred in upper middle income and lower middle income countries. In Ethiopia, the proportion of overweight and obesity among women has increased from 3% in 2000 to 8% in 2016. This indicates that the prevalence of maternal obesity is increasing both globally and in our country. This review summarized recent findings on anesthetic implications of morbid obesity in pregnancy.

Objectives:

This study aimed to identify the clinical implication of morbid obesity during pregnancy on anesthesia management for pregnant women.

Methodology:

Literature was searched from electronic databases (including PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and Cochrane database of systematic reviews that are published in English language from 2010 to 2021.

Conclusion:

Obesity and pregnancy are both factors that complicate anesthesia management. Airway management is a challenge for all obese parturients because their short safe apnea time and altered anatomical changes. Apneic oxygenation and ramped position create better intubating condition by increasing safe apnea time and improved the laryngeal view. Use of a hierarchical, opioid-sparing pain management approach to provide effective analgesia in morbidly obese parturients as opioids has increased risk of respiratory complications and abdominal field blocks may technically difficult.

Highlights
Cyclic hardening/softening experimental data in nano-clay-composite and aluminum alloy under high-temperature strain-controlled loading
Authors: Azadi Mohammad , Bahmanabadi Hamed , Gruen Florian , Winter Gerhard , Seisenbacher Benjamin
Published: February 2022

This article presents cyclic hardening/softening behaviors (experimental data) of the heat-treated aluminum-matrix nano-clay-composite (AlSi_N_HT6), compared to those of the piston aluminum alloy (AlSi) under strain-controlled loading. For such an objective, standard samples were fabricated by gravity and stir-casting methods. Low-cycle fatigue experiments were carried out under different strain amplitudes (0.20–0.45%) and at various temperatures (25–300°C). Obtained results implied that no obvious change was observed on material properties of aluminum alloy by reinforcements, but a decrement was observed due to increasing the temperature. Results also indicated that the increase of the temperature from 25°C to 200°C has changed the cyclic behavior of both materials (AlSi_N_HT6 and AlSi) from hardening to softening. Moreover, the temperature effect was more significant than the total strain amplitude influences in cyclic behaviors.
Cover time for branching random walks on regular trees
Authors: Roberts Matthew I.
Published: February 2022

Let T be the regular tree in which every vertex has exactly
$d\ge 3$
neighbours. Run a branching random walk on T, in which at each time step every particle gives birth to a random number of children with mean d and finite variance, and each of these children moves independently to a uniformly chosen neighbour of its parent. We show that, starting with one particle at some vertex 0 and conditionally on survival of the process, the time it takes for every vertex within distance r of 0 to be hit by a particle of the branching random walk is
$r + ({2}/{\log(3/2)})\log\log r + {\mathrm{o}}(\log\log r)$
.
Stapedotomy using skeeter drill and self-retaining ear canal retractor: a single surgeon's 1000-plus surgical procedure experience
Authors: Vishnu Swaroop Reddy N , Sharma M , Shekhar S , Sharma Priyanka , Narapareddy Rushil , Sharma Punit
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term hearing outcomes in stapedotomy surgery using skeeter oto-drill and to assess safety in difficult situations.

Method

A retrospective study was conducted with 944 patients who underwent 1007 stapedotomy procedures over 16 years, performed by a single surgeon using a trans-canal approach and a self-retaining ear canal retractor. Hearing thresholds were calculated over four frequencies. Air–bone conduction hearing thresholds were obtained at 1, 5 and 10 years post-operatively and compared to the pre-operative records.

Results

Out of 1007 operated ears with one year follow up, 98.61 per cent of cases showed a negligible air–bone gap of equal to or less than 5 dB, 1.19 per cent of cases showed an air–bone gap equal to or more than 5 dB but less than 10 dB, and only 0.2 per cent of cases showed an air–bone gap of more than 10 dB.

Conclusion

In this study, using skeeter drill with a 0.6 mm diamond burr to make the fenestra was constant in all the cases and one of the safest techniques, showing persistent long-term hearing results.
Porn use and men's and women's sexual performance: evidence from a large longitudinal sample
Authors: Sommet Nicolas , Berent Jacques
Published: February 2022

Background

We examined whether young men and women differ in the relation between porn use and sexual performance (sexual self-competence, sexual functioning, and partner-reported sexual satisfaction).

Methods

We conducted a three-wave longitudinal study (spanning 2015-16-17) that involved a very large number of men and women in their early 20s (100 000 + French-speaking individuals; 4000 + heterosexual couples).

Results

The results revealed a twofold phenomenon. Among men, a higher frequency of porn use (wave 1) and increased porn use over time (waves 1–3) were associated with lower levels of sexual self-competence, impaired sexual functioning, and decreased partner-reported sexual satisfaction. In contrast, among women, higher and increasing frequencies of porn use were associated with higher levels of sexual self-competence, improved sexual functioning, and enhanced partner-reported sexual satisfaction (for some aspects).

Conclusions

The findings reveal the irony that porn – a male-dominated industry that targets a male-dominated audience – is associated with the erosion of the quality of men's sex lives and the improvement of women's sex lives.
‘It's overwhelming at the start’: transitioning to public transit use as an older adult
Authors: Ravensbergen Léa , Newbold K. Bruce , Ganann Rebecca
Published: February 2022

Independent mobility is an important component of healthy ageing. Public transit may be an affordable way to achieve independent mobility, and yet little is known about older adults’ transition to public transit. This paper addresses this research gap by providing an exploration of older adults’ experiences transitioning to public transit use, and by comparing these experiences to those of older people who have always travelled using transit. Twenty-four older adults (65+) living in Hamilton, Canada, who use public transit completed semi-structured interviews during which they discussed their experiences when they first began to use transit. These experiences are framed herein with the concept self-efficacy, i.e. how one's belief in their ability to complete a task shapes their ability to complete said task. Results indicate that most older adults acquire skills to transition to public transit, such as trip planning, boarding, knowing where to sit and exiting the bus. These skills are developed through practice. As one gains experience, one becomes more confident in their ability to meet their daily travel needs using transit. Therefore, the transition to public transit as an older adult can be more challenging for those with little experience using public transit. This paper highlights the danger of assuming all older adults will effortlessly take up transit and stresses the importance of older adults gaining experience using public transit.
A salutogenesis approach to ageing with impairment: the managing and coping experiences of older people ageing with deafblindness
Authors: Simcock Peter , Manthorpe Jill , Tinker Anthea
Published: February 2022

An understanding of the psychosocial impact of deafblindness on older people is impoverished by a dearth of research in the field. Particularly limited are studies adopting a salutogenesis perspective, in which older deafblind people's coping capacities are explored. Much research focuses on vulnerability to unfavourable outcomes, which may perpetuate negative stereotypes of deafblind people as passive and dependent. Identifying deafblind people as a vulnerable group gives rise to misunderstanding of the impairment, perceptions of incapability and neglect of deafblind people's agency. This paper draws on data from the first United Kingdom-based study of vulnerability from the perspectives of older adults ageing with deafblindness. Findings presented here relate to participants’ experiences of managing and coping with their felt vulnerability and ageing with deafblindness. The study adopted interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as its qualitative approach. In-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken between October 2014 and July 2016 with eight participants, aged between 48 and 83 years. Data were analysed using an iterative six-step IPA process. Three superordinate themes were identified: taking action to protect self; psychological coping strategies; and accessing and using care and support. Participants’ managing and coping strategies, and the care and support they value, respond to elements identified as generating felt vulnerability. Professionals should seek to bolster coping capacity and provide support in ways valued by those ageing with deafblindness.
The contribution of alternative types of care on life satisfaction among disabled older persons in China
Authors: Fan Hongli , Qi Rui , Peng Zixuan , Zhang Xiaohui , Coyte Peter C.
Published: February 2022

Long-term care given to disabled older adults takes many forms, with each impacting life satisfaction through different ways. Drawing data from the 2011–2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey, this article explores the effects of various care types on life satisfaction, with a particular focus on disabled older persons. Estimates derived from a fixed effects model with propensity score matching show that compared with formal care, informal care has significant positive effects on life satisfaction for disabled older adults. In addition, informal care has its greatest positive effect on life satisfaction on those who are mildly disabled, men and rural residents compared to their counterparts, while formal care addresses the needs of individuals with severe disability. We find that the main channels of effect occur through reduced loneliness and unhappiness, increased participation in social activities and improved physical health. This work contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating how various care types affect life satisfaction in China where filial piety, the central pillar of the Confucian ethics, is one of the common shared values among residents. These findings highlight the benefits derived from policies that promote and support the provision of informal care for older individuals. Moreover, there is a pressing need to buttress the formal care provision as a supplement to support severely disabled older adults in China.
Calibration dilemmas in the ethics of distribution
Authors: Nebel Jacob M. , Stefánsson H. Orri
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a new kind of problem in the ethics of distribution. The problem takes the form of several ‘calibration dilemmas’, in which intuitively reasonable aversion to small-stakes inequalities requires leading theories of distribution to recommend intuitively unreasonable aversion to large-stakes inequalities. We first lay out a series of such dilemmas for prioritarian theories. We then consider a widely endorsed family of egalitarian views and show that they are subject to even more forceful calibration dilemmas than prioritarian theories. Finally, we show that our results challenge common utilitarian accounts of the badness of inequalities in resources.
Synthesizing quantitative and qualitative information on multiple comparisons of health interventions to facilitate knowledge transfer: an example from an EUnetHTA multi-HTA
Authors: Formoso Giulio , Jeroncic Ana , Bonvicini Laura , Djuric Olivera , Erdos Judit , Pezzarossi Annamaria , Ballini Luciana
Published: February 2022

Objective

Presenting an approach to synthesize quantitative and qualitative information from systematic reviews of multiple health interventions.

Methods

Within the context of an EUnetHTA multi-health technology assessment of twenty-three surgical techniques, we developed synthetic single tables, using color gradients and abbreviations, with information on which technologies had been compared, estimates of the size of differences for available comparisons, their clinical relevance, and certainty of the related evidence.

Results

The proposed methodology provided, through a single depiction, information normally included in multiple figures/tables such as network plots, league tables, and summary of findings tables.

Conclusion

Transferring information on benefits, risks, and certainty of the available evidence on health interventions may be challenging, especially when assessing multiple treatments: more pieces of information need to be integrated in order to show an overall picture for each of the chosen outcomes, and usual reporting tools may be targeted to researchers more than to different kinds of decision makers. While more in-depth layers of information can always be added to satisfy needs of different audiences, the proposed tools could favor a quick interpretation of articulated scientific data by both decision makers and researchers.
Increased interstage morbidity and mortality following stage 1 palliation in patients with genetic abnormalities
Authors: Pierick Alyson R. , Pierick Trudy A. , Scholz Thomas D. , Zimmerman M. Bridget , Reinking Benjamin E.
Published: February 2022

Background:

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome and single ventricle variants with aortic hypoplasia are commonly classified as severe forms of CHD. We hypothesised patients with these severe defects and reported genetic abnormalities have increased morbidity and mortality during the interstage period.

Methods and Results:

This was a retrospective review of the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative Phase I registry. Three patient groups were identified: major syndromes, other genetic abnormalities, and no reported genetic abnormality. Tukey post hoc test was applied for pairwise group comparisons of length of stay, death, and combined outcome of death, not a candidate for stage 2 palliation, and heart transplant. Participating centres received a survey to establish genetic testing and reporting practices. Of the 2182 patients, 110 (5%) had major genetic syndromes, 126 (6%) had other genetic abnormalities, and 1946 (89%) had no genetic abnormality. Those with major genetic syndromes weighed less at birth and stage 1 palliation. Patients with no reported genetic abnormalities reached full oral feeds sooner and discharged earlier. The combined outcome of death, not a candidate for stage 2 palliation, and heart transplant was more common in those with major syndromes. Survey response was low (n = 23, 38%) with only 14 (61%) routinely performing and reporting genetic testing.

Conclusions:

Patients with genetic abnormalities experienced greater morbidity and mortality during the interstage period than those with no reported genetic abnormalities. Genetic testing and reporting practices vary significantly between participating centres.
Intersectionality and belonging: Muslims in the census of British Asia
Authors: Formichi Chiara
Published: February 2022

The British territories of greater Southeast Asia were administratively connected to London and Calcutta, and while local censuses show that these centres could exert some influence at the furthest peripheries of the Empire, a close analysis of the ways in which race and religion were approached in the classification of colonial subjects in Southeast Asia shows peculiarities specific to the region.

In this article I argue that the demographic and socio-political contexts of British Burma and Malaya (with references to Hong Kong) led to a framing of ‘race’ that challenged European ‘scientific’ definitions and embraced instead the interweaving of multiple aspects of an individual's identity, most prominently religion. This shift, potentially empowering as reflective of local understandings of belonging, and an improvement from the period's anthropometric framework, was to backfire, however. With the emergence of nationalism, majoritarian identities came to be homogenised in these ethno-religious intersectional communities, marginalising and excluding those who did not fit.
Automated Crystal Orientation Mapping in py4DSTEM using Sparse Correlation Matching
Authors: Ophus Colin , Zeltmann Steven E. , Bruefach Alexandra , Rakowski Alexander , Savitzky Benjamin H. , Minor Andrew M. , Scott Mary C.
Published: February 2022

Crystalline materials used in technological applications are often complex assemblies composed of multiple phases and differently oriented grains. Robust identification of the phases and orientation relationships from these samples is crucial, but the information extracted from the diffraction condition probed by an electron beam is often incomplete. We have developed an automated crystal orientation mapping (ACOM) procedure which uses a converged electron probe to collect diffraction patterns from multiple locations across a complex sample. We provide an algorithm to determine the orientation of each diffraction pattern based on a fast sparse correlation method. We demonstrate the speed and accuracy of our method by indexing diffraction patterns generated using both kinematical and dynamical simulations. We have also measured orientation maps from an experimental dataset consisting of a complex polycrystalline twisted helical AuAgPd nanowire. From these maps we identify twin planes between adjacent grains, which may be responsible for the twisted helical structure. All of our methods are made freely available as open source code, including tutorials which can be easily adapted to perform ACOM measurements on diffraction pattern datasets.
Atmospheric Sciences Perspectives on Integrated, Coordinated, Open, Networked (ICON) Science
Authors: Blanken P. D. , Brunet D. , Dominguez C. , Goursaud Oger S. , Hussain S. , Jain M. , Koren G. , Mu Y. , Ray P. , Saxena P. , Sonwani S. , Sur D.
Published: February 2022

This collaborative article discusses the opportunities and challenges of adopting integrated, coordinated, open, and networked (ICON) principles in atmospheric sciences. From the global nature of the atmosphere, there has always been a need for atmospheric science to be an ICON science. With the help of evolving technology, it is possible to go further in implementing and spreading the ICON principles for productive global collaboration. In particular, technology transfer and applications could be approached with reproducibility in mind, and data‐sharing infrastructure could enable easier and better international collaboration. There are, however, various challenges in following the ICON principles in the acquisition, quality control, and maintenance of data, and the publication of results in a systematic way. Moreover, the extent of such issues varies geographically and hence poses different challenges to implementing ICON principles. In this commentary article, we briefly state our perspectives on the state of ICON, challenges we have met, and future opportunities. Furthermore, we describe how atmospheric science researchers have benefited from these collaborative multi‐dimensional approaches that fulfill the core goal of ICON.
3D Reconnection Geometries With Magnetic Nulls: Multispacecraft Observations and Reconstructions
Authors: Guo Ruilong , Pu Zuyin , Wang Xiaogang , Xiao Chijie , He Jiansen
Published: February 2022

Magnetic reconnection is universal in various plasma environments like the solar atmosphere, planetary magnetosphere, and laboratory to trigger explosive phenomena. Its nature and magnetic structure in two dimensions (2D) have been abundantly analyzed. The three‐dimensional (3D) characteristics of reconnection are different from 2D, and the mysteries of its 3D geometry are under exploration. A critical character in 3D is the presence of magnetic nulls, which is essential when the magnetic field topology is changing. The four identical spacecraft from the Cluster mission enable several methods for analyzing and visualizing the 3D nature of the magnetic structure. In this paper, we focus on reviewing the magnetic topology of the reconnection geometry containing 3D magnetic null points. Applying the fitting‐reconstruction method to Cluster data, magnetic null pairs or multiple magnetic nulls linked by separators or helically wrapped spines are found in the reconnection diffusion region and turbulent outflow region. The reconstructed magnetic structures show that the 2D features are parts of local approximations of the 3D geometries. The 2D regimes of antiparallel and component reconnection can simultaneously occur in 3D separator reconnection. The flux ropes are formed along the spine line or in a region enclosed by wrapped fan surfaces in the presence of spiral null points.
Constraints on Crustal Structure in the Vicinity of the Adriatic Indenter (European Alps) From Vp and Vp/Vs Local Earthquake Tomography
Authors: Jozi Najafabadi Azam , Haberland Christian , Le Breton Eline , Handy Mark R. , Verwater Vincent F. , Heit Benjamin , Weber Michael ,   the AlpArray and AlpArray SWATH‐D Working Groups
Published: February 2022

In this study, 3‐D models of P‐wave velocity (Vp) and P‐wave and S‐wave ratio (Vp/Vs) of the crust and upper mantle in the Eastern and eastern Southern Alps (northern Italy and southern Austria) were calculated using local earthquake tomography (LET). The data set includes high‐quality arrival times from well‐constrained hypocenters observed by the dense, temporary seismic networks of the AlpArray AASN and SWATH‐D. The resolution of the LET was checked by synthetic tests and analysis of the model resolution matrix. The small inter‐station spacing (average of ∼15 km within the SWATH‐D network) allowed us to image crustal structure at unprecedented resolution across a key part of the Alps. The derived P velocity model revealed a highly heterogeneous crustal structure in the target area. One of the main findings is that the lower crust is thickened, forming a bulge at 30–50 km depth just south of and beneath the Periadriatic Fault and the Tauern Window. This indicates that the lower crust decoupled both from its mantle substratum as well as from its upper crust. The Moho, taken to be the iso‐velocity contour of Vp = 7.25 km/s, agrees with the Moho depth from previous studies in the European and Adriatic forelands. It is shallower on the Adriatic side than on the European side. This is interpreted to indicate that the European Plate is subducted beneath the Adriatic Plate in the Eastern and eastern Southern Alps.
Regional Geology of the Hypanis Valles System, Mars
Authors: Adler Jacob B. , Bell James F. , Warner Nicholas H. , Dobrea Eldar Noe , Harrison Tanya N.
Published: February 2022

We present a geomorphic map of the Hypanis Valles watershed and a geomorphic map of the Hypanis deposit region at its terminus. We mapped these two regions at different scales: 1:2,000,000 for the catchment map (−5° to 10°N and 300°–315°E) and 1:500,000 for the Hypanis deposit map (10°–13.0°N and 313°–316.5°E). Our mapping provides new morphologic insights beyond previous efforts which used lower spatial resolution data. We defined units based on morphology, albedo, thermal inertia, elevation, and spectral parameters. We propose that episodic volcanism and aqueous activity filled the Chryse basin from the early Noachian. Hypanis Valles was active during the Noachian, forming the Hypanis terminal deposits in the southern Chryse region. Hundreds of kilometer‐sized mounds and cones stratigraphically post‐date Hypanis fluvial deposition as these features appear to have erupted or effused through all other major map units. We propose sedimentary diapirism or mud volcanism may be responsible for these features, a hypothesis consistent with the compressional wrinkle ridge tectonism in a sedimentary basin. Future work could further investigate the formation of these cones and mounds and better assess their astrobiologic importance.
Machine Learning Emulation of Urban Land Surface Processes
Authors: Meyer David , Grimmond Sue , Dueben Peter , Hogan Robin , van Reeuwijk Maarten
Published: February 2022

Can we improve the modeling of urban land surface processes with machine learning (ML)? A prior comparison of urban land surface models (ULSMs) found that no single model is “best” at predicting all common surface fluxes. Here, we develop an urban neural network (UNN) trained on the mean predicted fluxes from 22 ULSMs at one site. The UNN emulates the mean output of ULSMs accurately. When compared to a reference ULSM (Town Energy Balance; TEB), the UNN has greater accuracy relative to flux observations, less computational cost, and requires fewer input parameters. When coupled to the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model using TensorFlow bindings, WRF‐UNN is stable and more accurate than the reference WRF‐TEB. Although the application is currently constrained by the training data (1 site), we show a novel approach to improve the modeling of surface fluxes by combining the strengths of several ULSMs into one using ML.
Controls of the Foreland Deformation Pattern in the Orogen‐Foreland Shortening System: Constraints From High‐Resolution Geodynamic Models
Authors: Liu Sibiao , Sobolev Stephan V. , Babeyko Andrey Y. , Pons Michael
Published: February 2022

Controls on the deformation pattern (shortening mode and tectonic style) of orogenic forelands during lithospheric shortening remain poorly understood. Here, we use high‐resolution 2D thermomechanical models to demonstrate that orogenic crustal thickness and foreland lithospheric thickness significantly control the shortening mode in the foreland. Pure‐shear shortening occurs when the orogenic crust is not thicker than the foreland crust or thick, but the foreland lithosphere is thin (<70–80 km, as in the Puna foreland case). Conversely, simple‐shear shortening, characterized by foreland underthrusting beneath the orogen, arises when the orogenic crust is much thicker. This thickened crust results in high gravitational potential energy in the orogen, which triggers the migration of deformation to the foreland under further shortening. Our models present fully thick‐skinned, fully thin‐skinned, and intermediate tectonic styles in the foreland. The first tectonics forms in a pure‐shear shortening mode whereas the others require a simple‐shear mode and the presence of thick (>∼4 km) sediments that are mechanically weak (friction coefficient <∼0.05) or weakened rapidly during deformation. The formation of fully thin‐skinned tectonics in thick and weak foreland sediments, as in the Subandean Ranges, requires the strength of the orogenic upper lithosphere to be less than one‐third as strong as that of the foreland upper lithosphere. Our models successfully reproduce foreland deformation patterns in the Central and Southern Andes and the Laramide province.
A construction classification system database for understanding resource use in building construction
Authors: Guven Gursans , Arceo Aldrick , Bennett Allison , Tham Melanie , Olanrewaju Bolaji , McGrail Molly , Isin Kaan , Olson Alexander W. , Saxe Shoshanna
Published: February 2022

The building sector is a voracious consumer of primary materials. However, the study of building material use and associated impacts is challenged by the paucity of publicly available data in the field and the heterogeneity of data organization and classification between published studies. This paper makes two main contributions. First, we propose and demonstrate a building material data structure adapted from UniFormat and MasterFormat, two widely used construction classification systems in North America. Second, the dataset included provides fine grained material data for 70 buildings in North America. The dataset was developed by collecting design or construction drawings for the studied buildings and performing material takeoffs based on these drawings. The ontology is based on UniFormat and MasterFormat to facilitate interoperability with existing construction management practices, and to suggest a standardized structure for future material intensity studies. The data structure supports investigation into how form and building design are driving material use, opportunities to reduce construction material consumption and better understanding of how materials are used in buildings.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive impairment in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Authors: Aoun Sebaiti Mehdi , Hainselin Mathieu , Gounden Yannick , Sirbu Carmen Adella , Sekulic Slobodan , Lorusso Lorenzo , Nacul Luis , Authier François Jérôme
Published: February 2022

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is commonly associated with cognitive complaints. To bring out the neuropsychological symptomatology inherent to ME/CFS, we conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines of the literature through the analysis of 764 studies published between 1988 and 2019 by using PubMed Central website and Clarivate analytics platform. We performed a meta-analysis to delineate an idea of the neuropsychological profile inherent in ME/CFS. The clinical picture typically affects visuo-spatial immediate memory (g = − 0.55, p = 0.007), reading speed (g = − 0.82, p = 0.0001) and graphics gesture (g = − 0.59, p = 0.0001). Analysis also revealed difficulties in several processes inherent in episodic verbal memory (storage, retrieval, recognition) and visual memory (recovery) and a low efficiency in attentional abilities. Executive functions seemed to be little or not affected and instrumental functions appeared constantly preserved. With regard to the complexity and heterogeneity of the cognitive phenotype, it turns out that determining a sound clinical picture of ME/CFS cognitive profile must go through a neuropsychological examination allowing a complete evaluation integrating the notion of agreement between the choice and the number of tests and the complexity intrinsic to the pathology.
The visualization of low-molecule phenol (LMP) and copper naphthenate on treated wood using X-ray microtomography
Authors: Apsari Ayuni Nur , Sudoyo Eko , Alamsyah Eka Mulya , Kobayashi Kenji , Tanaka Takashi
Published: February 2022

Recently, the plywood industry has been using low-molecule phenol (LMP) to enhance the dimensional stability of inferior-quality wood, along with copper naphthenate to increase veneer durability against staining fungi as a wood preservative. Non-destructive X-ray microtomography is a promising visualization method for reviewing the distribution of these materials. This study aimed to determine the applicability of X-ray microtomography for observing the distribution of LMP and Cu in two-and three-dimensional visualizations. The distribution mechanisms of these materials were investigated using X-ray images and image plot profiles. Six hardwood (wood from broad-leaved trees) and one softwood (wood from conifer trees) species were used for the experiments. An impregnation process was used to treat the wood samples with LMP, and copper naphthenate was added by dipping the wood in the compound for 1 s. A 10 mm2 sample of each wood species was scanned using X-ray microtomography, and the distribution of LMP and Cu was successfully visualized using X-ray microtomography with the same settings. The LMP was displayed approximately evenly throughout the veneer, whereas the copper naphthenate existed mainly on the veneer surface. The X-ray images successfully showed penetration at the microscopic scale.
British surname origins, population structure and health outcomes—an observational study of hospital admissions
Authors: Petersen Jakob , Kandt Jens , Longley Paul A.
Published: February 2022

Population structure is a confounder on pathways linking genotypes to health outcomes. This study examines whether the historical, geographical origins of British surnames are associated with health outcomes today. We coded hospital admissions of over 30 million patients in England between 1999 and 2013 to their British surname origin and divided their diagnoses into 125 major disease categories (of which 94 were complete-case). A base population was constructed with patients’ first admission of any kind. Age- and sex-standardised odds ratios were calculated with logistic regression using patients with ubiquitous English surnames such as “Smith” as reference (alpha = .05; Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) = .05). The results were scanned for “signals”, where a branch of related surname origins all had significantly higher or lower risk. Age- and sex-standardised admission (alpha = .05) was calculated for each signal across area deprivation and surname origin density quintiles. Signals included three branches of English surnames (disorders of teeth and jaw, fractures, upper gastrointestinal disorders). Although the signal with fractures was considered unusual overall, 2 out of the 9 origins in the branch would only be significant at a FDR > .05: OR 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.86–0.98) and 0.70 (0.55–0.90). The risk was only different in the quintile with the highest density of that group. Differential risk remained when studied across quintiles of area deprivation. The study shows that surname origins are associated with diverse health outcomes and thus act as markers of population structure over and above area deprivation.
Evidence that large vessels do affect near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Seddone Stefano , Ermini Leonardo , Policastro Piero , Mesin Luca , Roatta Silvestro
Published: February 2022

The influence of large vessels on near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurement is generally considered negligible. Aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that changes in the vessel size, by varying the amount of absorbed NIR light, could profoundly affect NIRS blood volume indexes. Changes in haemoglobin concentration (tHb) and in tissue haemoglobin index (THI) were monitored over the basilic vein (BV) and over the biceps muscle belly, in 11 subjects (7 M – 4 F; age 31 ± 8 year) with simultaneous ultrasound monitoring of BV size. The arm was subjected to venous occlusion, according to two pressure profiles: slow (from 0 to 60 mmHg in 135 s) and rapid (0 to 40 mmHg maintained for 30 s). Both tHb and THI detected a larger blood volume increase (1.7 to 4 fold; p < 0.01) and exhibited a faster increase and a greater convexity on the BV than on the muscle. In addition, NIRS signals from BV exhibited higher correlation with changes in BV size than from muscle (r = 0.91 vs 0.55, p < 0.001 for THI). A collection of individual relevant recordings is also included. These results challenge the long-standing belief that the NIRS measurement is unaffected by large vessels and support the concept that large veins may be a major determinant of blood volume changes in multiple experimental conditions.
Brain information processing capacity modeling
Authors: Li Tongtong , Zheng Yu , Wang Zhe , Zhu David C. , Ren Jian , Liu Taosheng , Friston Karl
Published: February 2022

Neurophysiological measurements suggest that human information processing is evinced by neuronal activity. However, the quantitative relationship between the activity of a brain region and its information processing capacity remains unclear. We introduce and validate a mathematical model of the information processing capacity of a brain region in terms of neuronal activity, input storage capacity, and the arrival rate of afferent information. We applied the model to fMRI data obtained from a flanker paradigm in young and old subjects. Our analysis showed that—for a given cognitive task and subject—higher information processing capacity leads to lower neuronal activity and faster responses. Crucially, processing capacity—as estimated from fMRI data—predicted task and age-related differences in reaction times, speaking to the model’s predictive validity. This model offers a framework for modelling of brain dynamics in terms of information processing capacity, and may be exploited for studies of predictive coding and Bayes-optimal decision-making.
Kinetic and isotherm insights of Diclofenac removal by sludge derived hydrochar
Authors: Oumabady Sadish , Selvaraj Paul Sebastian , Periasamy Kalaiselvi , Veeraswamy Davamani , Ramesh Paulian Thankanadathi , Palanisami Thava , Ramasamy Sangeetha Piriya
Published: February 2022

Recently, hydrothermal carbonization emerges as the most viable option for the management of solid waste with high moisture content. Sludge derived hydrochar is used as an adsorbent for emerging contaminants or micro-pollutants in the domain of sustainability. Current study demonstrates the KOH activation of hydrochar produced from paper board mill sludge and evaluates its removal potential of a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Diclofenac from aqueous solution. The activated hydrochars exhibited porous, spherical micro-structures with higher fraction of oxygenated functional groups paving way for the efficient adsorption of Diclofenac. The effect of initial Diclofenac concentration and contact time was ascertained using adsorption kinetics and isotherms. The adsorption kinetics exhibited second-order reaction for all adsorbents indicating higher coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.9). The Diclofenac adsorption on hydrochars followed Langmuir isotherm model with the post-activated hydrochar recording a highest adsorption capacity of 37.23 mg g−1 in 40 mg L−1 initial Diclofenac concentration at 15 h equilibrium time.
Investigating the development of diarrhoea through gene expression analysis in sheep genetically resistant to gastrointestinal helminth infection
Authors: Hassan Shamshad Ul , Chua Eng Guan , Paz Erwin A. , Kaur Parwinder , Tay Chin Yen , Greeff Johan C. , Liu Shimin , Martin Graeme B.
Published: February 2022

Gastrointestinal helminths infect livestock causing health problems including severe diarrhoea. To explore the underlying biological mechanisms relating to development and control of diarrhoea, we compared 4 sheep that were susceptible to development of diarrhoea with 4 sheep that were diarrhoea-resistant. Transcriptomes in the tissues where the parasites were located were analyzed using RNASeq. By considering low-diarrhoea sheep as control, we identified 114 genes that were down-regulated and 552 genes that were up-regulated genes in the high-diarrhoea phenotype. Functional analysis of DEGs and PPI sub-network analysis showed that down-regulated genes in the high-diarrhoea phenotype were linked to biological processes and pathways that include suppression of ‘antigen processing and presentation’, ‘immune response’, and a list of biological functional terms related to ‘suppression in immune tolerance’. On the other hand, up-regulated genes in the high-diarrhoea phenotype probably contribute to repair processes associated with tissue damage, including ‘extracellular matrix organization’, ‘collagen fibril organization’, ‘tissue morphogenesis’, ‘circulatory system development’, ‘morphogenesis of an epithelium’, and ‘focal adhesion’. The genes with important roles in the responses to helminth infection could be targeted in breeding programs to prevent diarrhoea.
Sox9 is involved in the thyroid differentiation program and is regulated by crosstalk between TSH, TGFβ and thyroid transcription factors
Authors: López-Márquez Arístides , Carrasco-López Carlos , Martínez-Cano Andrea , Lemoine Pascale , Pierreux Christophe E. , Santisteban Pilar
Published: February 2022

While the signaling pathways and transcription factors involved in the differentiation of thyroid follicular cells, both in embryonic and adult life, are increasingly well understood, the underlying mechanisms and potential crosstalk between the thyroid transcription factors Nkx2.1, Foxe1 and Pax8 and inductive signals remain unclear. Here, we focused on the transcription factor Sox9, which is expressed in Nkx2.1-positive embryonic thyroid precursor cells and is maintained from embryonic development to adulthood, but its function and control are unknown. We show that two of the main signals regulating thyroid differentiation, TSH and TGFβ, modulate Sox9 expression. Specifically, TSH stimulates the cAMP/PKA pathway to transcriptionally upregulate Sox9 mRNA and protein expression, a mechanism that is mediated by the binding of CREB to a CRE site within the Sox9 promoter. Contrastingly, TGFβ signals through Smad proteins to inhibit TSH-induced Sox9 transcription. Our data also reveal that Sox9 transcription is regulated by the thyroid transcription factors, particularly Pax8. Interestingly, Sox9 significantly increased the transcriptional activation of Pax8 and Foxe1 promoters and, consequently, their expression, but had no effect on Nkx2.1. Our study establishes the involvement of Sox9 in thyroid follicular cell differentiation and broadens our understanding of transcription factor regulation of thyroid function.