bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-guided post-pyloric feeding tube insertion in peri-operative cardiac infants
Authors: Hamadah Hussam K. , Elsaoudi Ahmed R.F , Faraji Mohammad A. , Kabbani Mohamed S.
Published: October 2021

Delivery of enteral nutrition in critical infants post-paediatric cardiac surgery is sometimes hampered, necessitating direct feeding into the small intestine. This study is highlighting the role of ultrasound-guided post-pyloric feeding tube insertion performed by the paediatric cardiac ICU intensivist in critically ill infants.

Methods:

We carried out a prospective pilot observational experimental study in peri-operative cardiac infants with feeding intolerance between 2019 and 2021. Feeding tube insertion depends on a combination of ultrasound and gastric insufflation with air-saline mixture. Insertion was confirmed by bedside abdominal X-ray.

Results:

Out of 500 peri-operative cardiac infants, 15 needed post-pyloric feeding tube insertion in median 15 postoperative day. All were under 6 months of age with average weight of 3 ± 0.2 kg. Median Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery Categories was 4. Median insertion time was 15 minutes. No complications have been reported. First pass success rate was 87%, while a second successful insertion attempt was needed in 2 cases (13%). Target daily calorie intake was achieved within average of 3.5 ± 0.4 days. Mean post-pyloric feeding tube stay was 20 ± 3 days. Out of 15 infants, 3 patients died, 1 patient needed gastrostomy tube, and 11 patients were discharged home on oral feeds.

Conclusions:

Ultrasound-guided post-pyloric feeding tube insertion using gastric insufflation with air-saline mixture in peri-operative cardiac infants with feeding intolerance is a useful and practical bedside tool, and it can be performed by a trained paediatric cardiac ICU intensivist. It may have potential positive effects on morbidity and outcome.
Correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume with severity of carditis in children with rheumatic fever
Authors: Aryani I Gusti Ayu D. , Yantie Ni Putu V. K. , Gunawijaya Eka , Gustawan I Wayan
Published: October 2021

Background:

The most serious manifestation of rheumatic fever is carditis, as it can lead to chronic rheumatic heart disease. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume have been accepted as novel indicators of the continuing inflammation that is correlated with the severity of valvular involvement in patients with rheumatic carditis.

Objective:

As a diagnostic study to investigate the correlation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume with the severity of carditis in children with rheumatic fever.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study at Sanglah Hospital, Bali. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records. Severity of carditis was characterised by a clinical, audible murmur during physical examination and demonstration of valvular involvement by echocardiography. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume were calculated from complete blood count. The correlation between parameters was assessed using Spearman’s correlation tests.

Results:

From January 2018 to December 2020, we found 45 cases admitted to Sanglah Hospital. Carditis was present in 40 (88.9%) subjects. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio had a strong positive correlation with severity of carditis (r = 0.66, p = 0.001), while platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio had a weak positive correlation with the severity of carditis (r = 0.23, p = 0.13) and mean platelet volume had a very weak negative correlation with the severity of carditis (r = −0.01, p = 0.95). Using a cut-off of 3.4, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicted severe carditis with a sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 91.3%.

Conclusion:

There was a positive correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and severity of carditis in children with rheumatic fever. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio might be used as a diagnostic tool to predict the diagnosis of carditis severity.
Rural community-based nurses’ self-reported knowledge and skills in the provision of psychosocial care to palliative and end-of-life clients and carers
Authors: Ristevski Eli , Leach Michael , Bolton Ellen , Spargo Melissa , Byrne Anny , Khalil Hanan
Published: October 2021

Objective

This study examined rural community-based nurses' self-reported knowledge and skills in the provision of psychosocial care to rural residing palliative and end-of-life clients and carers. We further sought to determine correlates of knowledge gaps to inform workforce education and planning.

Method

Nurses from a rural area of Victoria, Australia, were invited to complete an electronic questionnaire rating their knowledge against 6 national palliative care standards and 10 screening and assessment tools. A 5-point scale of (1) No experience to (5) Can teach others was used to rate knowledge. Results were classified into three categories: practice gaps, areas of consolidation, and strengths. Descriptive and logistical regression was used to analyze data.

Results

A total of 122 of 165 nurses (response rate = 74%) completed the survey. Of these nurses, 87% were Registered Nurses, 43% had ≥10 years' experience in palliative care, and 40% had palliative care training. The majority of practices across the standards and screening and assessment tools were rated as knowledge strengths (N = 55/67, 82%). Gaps and areas of consolidation were in the use of client and carer assessment tools, the care of specific populations such as children, supporting carers with appropriate referrals, resources, and grief, and facilitating the processes of reporting a death to the coroner. Lack of formal training and lower years of experience were found to be associated with practice gaps.

Significance of results

Our study found rural nurses were confident in their knowledge and skills in the majority of psychosocial care. As generalist nurses make up the majority of the rural nursing workforce, further research should be undertaken on what educational strategies are needed to support and upskill rural community-based nurses to undertake formal training in palliative care.
Prophylaxis and treatment of cancer-related dyspnea with pharmacologic agents: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Chow Ronald , Hui David , Caini Saverio , Simone Charles B. , Prsic Elizabeth , Boldt Gabriel , Lock Michael
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Cancer-related dyspnea is a common symptom in patients with cancer. It has also been reported to be a predictor of poorer prognosis, which can then change clinical treatment and advance care planning. Currently, no definitive recommendation for pharmacologic agents for cancer-related dyspnea exists. The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis is to compare pharmacologic agents for the prophylaxis and treatment of cancer-related dyspnea.

Methods

A search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL through May 2021. Standardized mean differences (SMDs), as reported by studies or calculated from baseline and follow-up dyspnea scores, were amalgamated into a summary SMD and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a restricted maximum likelihood multivariate network meta-analysis.

Results

Twelve studies were included in this review; six reported on prophylaxis of exertional dyspnea, five on treatment of everyday dyspnea, and one on treatment of episodic dyspnea. Morphine sulfate was better at controlling everyday dyspnea than placebo (SMD 1.210; 95% CI: 0.415–2.005). Heterogeneity in study design and comparisons, however, led to some concerns with the underlying consistency assumption in network meta-analysis design.

Conclusion

Optimal pharmacologic interventions for cancer-related dyspnea could not be determined based on this analysis. Further trials are needed to report on the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions for the prophylaxis and treatment of cancer-related dyspnea.
Representants and international orders
Authors: Drieschova Alena
Published: October 2021

The paper introduces a new explanation of international order that focuses on representants. Representants are practices, artifacts, and language that stand in for the international system's units in international fora. They are crucial for International Relations (IR), given that IR deal with a macro-realm that can never be fully present, but needs to be made concrete in specific localities. Representants have four interrelated effects: (1) they define the units of the international system; (2) they legitimize them; (3) they provide them with differential degrees of power; and (4) they serve as tools for governing. When representants are seriously challenged, orders are in crisis; when new representants emerge, a new order has taken hold. The paper develops a mechanism of change emerging from struggles over representants. It studies the transition from the medieval order of universal monarchy to an order of divine right absolutism. Representants, such as gothic cathedrals, the mass, and coronation rituals maintained the medieval hierarchical order with the pope/emperor at the apex. The Reformation provided the last step in kings' challenge to the medieval order. Kings adapted existing representants, so that they would portray the independence of kings from the papacy/emperor, and simultaneously position kings above feudal lords.
Kinetics and Mechanisms of Acid‐pH Weathering of Pyroxenes
Authors: Monasterio‐Guillot L. , Rodriguez‐Navarro C. , Ruiz‐Agudo E.
Published: October 2021

Weathering of primary silicate minerals under acidic conditions occurs in contexts as varied as acid mine drainage, volcanic environments, soils, stone monuments subjected to acid rain or Geological Carbon Storage (GCS). Considering the abundance of pyroxenes on the Earth crust, knowledge of their weathering kinetics and mechanisms may help to optimize carbonate yield in GCS. Here we report experimental results from the reaction of the clinopyroxenes augite and diopside in acidic solutions. Dissolution at far‐from‐equilibrium conditions results in the formation of etch pits where crack initiate and propagate by stress corrosion and pressure exerted by swelling of an amorphous, gel‐like Si‐rich phase, which precipitates despite the undersaturation of the bulk solution and whose formation is highly controlled by the heterogeneity of the mineral surface and the local transport mechanism. These precipitates are commonly localized within deep etch pits and cracks, characterized by a low fluid renewal where high Si‐concentrations can be reached locally, so that supersaturation with respect to amorphous silica can occur. Cracks and silica precipitates are most abundant in the case of augite weathered in flow‐through experiments. This is related to its faster reaction rate compared to diopside, most likely due to its higher iron content. Finally, in the case of diopside an amorphous magnesium silicate hydrate (M‐S‐H) precursor forms, which represents an indirect evidence of the high pH conditions prevailing at the diopside‐solution interface during dissolution.
Resolving Simulated Sequences of Earthquakes and Fault Interactions: Implications for Physics‐Based Seismic Hazard Assessment
Authors: Lambert Valère , Lapusta Nadia
Published: October 2021

Physics‐based numerical modeling of earthquake source processes strives to predict quantities of interest for seismic hazard, such as the probability of an earthquake rupture jumping between fault segments. How to assess the predictive power of numerical models remains a topic of ongoing debate. Here, we investigate how sensitive the outcomes of numerical simulations of sequences of earthquakes and aseismic slip are to choices in numerical discretization and treatment of inertial effects, using a simplified 2‐D crustal fault model with two co‐planar segments separated by a creeping barrier. Our simulations demonstrate that simplifying inertial effects and using oversized cells significantly affects the resulting earthquake sequences, including the rate of two‐segment ruptures. We find that fault models with different properties and modeling assumptions can produce similar frequency‐magnitude statistics and static stress drops but have different rates of two‐segment ruptures. For sufficiently long faults, we find that long‐term sequences of events can substantially differ even among simulations that are well resolved by standard considerations. In such simulations, some outcomes, such as static stress drops, are similar among adequately resolved simulations, whereas others, such as the rate of two‐segment ruptures, can be highly sensitive to numerical procedures and modeling assumptions. While it is possible that the response of models with additional ingredients ‐Realistic fault geometry, fluid effects, etc. ‐Would be less sensitive to numerical procedures, our results emphasize the need to examine the potential dependence of simulation outcomes on the modeling procedures and resolution, particularly when assessing their predictive value for seismic hazard assessment.
Historical Interstation Pattern Referencing (HIPR): An Application to PcP Waves Recorded in the Antarctic for ULVZ Imaging
Authors: Hansen Samantha E. , Garnero Edward J. , Rost Sebastian
Published: October 2021

Much of our knowledge on deep Earth structure is based on detailed analyses of seismic waveforms that often have small amplitude arrivals on seismograms; therefore, stacking is essential to obtain reliable signals above the noise level. We present a new iterative stacking scheme that incorporates Historical Interstation Pattern Referencing (HIPR) to improve data quality assessment. HIPR involves comparing travel‐time and data quality measurements between every station for every recorded event to establish historical patterns, which are then compared to individual measurements. Weights are determined based on the individual interstation measurement differences and their similarity to historical averages, and these weights are then used in our stacking algorithm. This approach not only refines the stacks made from high‐quality data but also allows some lower‐quality events that may have been dismissed with more traditional stacking approaches to contribute to our study. Our HIPR‐based stacking routine is illustrated through an application to core‐reflected PcP phases recorded by the Transantarctic Mountains Northern Network to investigate ultra‐low velocity zones (ULVZs). We focus on ULVZ structure to the east of New Zealand because this region is well‐sampled by our data set and also coincides with the boundary of the Pacific Large Low Shear Velocity Province (LLSVP), thereby allowing us to further assess possible ULVZ‐LLSVP relationships. The HIPR‐refined stacks display strong ULVZ evidence, and associated synthetic modeling suggests that the ULVZs in this region are likely associated with compositionally distinct material that has perhaps been swept by mantle convection currents to accumulate along the LLSVP boundary.
The ascending arousal system shapes neural dynamics to mediate awareness of cognitive states
Authors: Munn Brandon R. , Müller Eli J. , Wainstein Gabriel , Shine James M.
Published: October 2021

Models of cognitive function typically focus on the cerebral cortex and hence overlook functional links to subcortical structures. This view does not consider the role of the highly-conserved ascending arousal system’s role and the computational capacities it provides the brain. We test the hypothesis that the ascending arousal system modulates cortical neural gain to alter the low-dimensional energy landscape of cortical dynamics. Here we use spontaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging data to study phasic bursts in both locus coeruleus and basal forebrain, demonstrating precise time-locked relationships between brainstem activity, low-dimensional energy landscapes, network topology, and spatiotemporal travelling waves. We extend our analysis to a cohort of experienced meditators and demonstrate locus coeruleus-mediated network dynamics were associated with internal shifts in conscious awareness. Together, these results present a view of brain organization that highlights the ascending arousal system’s role in shaping both the dynamics of the cerebral cortex and conscious awareness.
Diurnal oscillations in gut bacterial load and composition eclipse seasonal and lifetime dynamics in wild meerkats
Authors: Risely Alice , Wilhelm Kerstin , Clutton-Brock Tim , Manser Marta B. , Sommer Simone
Published: October 2021

Circadian rhythms in gut microbiota composition are crucial for metabolic function, yet the extent to which they govern microbial dynamics compared to seasonal and lifetime processes remains unknown. Here, we investigate gut bacterial dynamics in wild meerkats (Suricata suricatta) over a 20-year period to compare diurnal, seasonal, and lifetime processes in concert, applying ratios of absolute abundance. We found that diurnal oscillations in bacterial load and composition eclipsed seasonal and lifetime dynamics. Diurnal oscillations were characterised by a peak in Clostridium abundance at dawn, were associated with temperature-constrained foraging schedules, and did not decay with age. Some genera exhibited seasonal fluctuations, whilst others developed with age, although we found little support for microbial senescence in very old meerkats. Strong microbial circadian rhythms in this species may reflect the extreme daily temperature fluctuations typical of arid-zone climates. Our findings demonstrate that accounting for circadian rhythms is essential for future gut microbiome research.
Systematic coarse-graining of epoxy resins with machine learning-informed energy renormalization
Authors: Giuntoli Andrea , Hansoge Nitin K. , van Beek Anton , Meng Zhaoxu , Chen Wei , Keten Sinan
Published: October 2021

A persistent challenge in molecular modeling of thermoset polymers is capturing the effects of chemical composition and degree of crosslinking (DC) on dynamical and mechanical properties with high computational efficiency. We established a coarse-graining (CG) approach combining the energy renormalization method with Gaussian process surrogate models of molecular dynamics simulations. This allows a machine-learning informed functional calibration of DC-dependent CG force field parameters. Taking versatile epoxy resins consisting of Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether combined with curing agent of either 4,4-Diaminodicyclohexylmethane or polyoxypropylene diamines, we demonstrated excellent agreement between all-atom and CG predictions for density, Debye-Waller factor, Young’s modulus, and yield stress at any DC. We further introduced a surrogate model-enabled simplification of the functional forms of 14 non-bonded calibration parameters by quantifying the uncertainty of a candidate set of calibration functions. The framework established provides an efficient methodology for chemistry-specific, large-scale investigations of the dynamics and mechanics of epoxy resins.
Serum calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in relation to longevity, cardiovascular disease and cancer: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Baron John A. , Michaëlsson Karl , Larsson Susanna C.
Published: October 2021

Associations of serum calcium (S-Ca) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) concentrations with longevity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer are not clear. We conducted a Mendelian randomization study to examine the associations of S-Ca and S-25(OH)D with longevity and risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The primary genetic instruments for S-Ca and S-25(OH)D were obtained from genome-wide association meta-analyses that included 61,054 individuals for S-Ca and up to 79,366 individuals for S-25(OH)D. Genetic variants associated with S-Ca and S-25(OH)D in the UK Biobank were used as confirmatory instruments. We obtained summary-level data for associations of these instruments with individual survival later than the 90th versus at most the 60th percentile of expected age at death from a genome-wide association meta-analysis including 11,262 cases and 25,483 controls, and with parental longevity (both parents in top 10% percentile) from the UK Biobank including 7,182 cases and 79,767 controls. Data for cardiovascular disease (111,108 cases and 107,684 controls) and cancer (38,036 cases and 180,756 controls) were obtained from the FinnGen consortium. A one standard deviation increase in genetically-predicted S-Ca concentration was associated with lower odds of longevity (odds ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55-0.95) and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.20). The associations were consistent in confirmatory analyses. There was no evidence supporting an association between genetically-predicted S-Ca and cancer, and no associations of genetically-predicted S-25(OH)D with the studied outcomes. Lifelong higher levels of S-Ca but not S-25(OH)D may shorten life expectancy and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Electrospun bundled carbon nanofibers for skin-inspired tactile sensing, proprioception and gesture tracking applications
Authors: Sengupta Debarun , Romano Joshua , Kottapalli Ajay Giri Prakash
Published: October 2021

In this work, we report a class of wearable, stitchable, and sensitive carbon nanofiber (CNF)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite-based piezoresistive sensors realized by carbonizing electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers and subsequently embedding in PDMS elastomeric thin films. Electro-mechanical tactile sensing characterization of the resulting piezoresistive strain sensors revealed a linear response with an average force sensitivity of ~1.82 kN−1 for normal forces up to 20 N. The real-time functionality of the CNF-PDMS composite sensors in wearable body sensor networks and advanced bionic skin applications was demonstrated through human motion and gesture monitoring experiments. A skin-inspired artificial soft sensor capable of demonstrating proprioceptive and tactile sensory perception utilizing CNF bundles has been shown. Furthermore, a 16-point pressure-sensitive flexible sensor array mimicking slow adapting low threshold mechanoreceptors of glabrous skin was demonstrated. Such devices in tandem with neuromorphic circuits can potentially recreate the sense of touch in robotic arms and restore somatosensory perception in amputees.
Self-testing quantum systems of arbitrary local dimension with minimal number of measurements
Authors: Sarkar Shubhayan , Saha Debashis , Kaniewski Jędrzej , Augusiak Remigiusz
Published: October 2021

Bell nonlocality as a resource for device-independent certification schemes has been studied extensively in recent years. The strongest form of device-independent certification is referred to as self-testing, which given a device, certifies the promised quantum state as well as quantum measurements performed on it without any knowledge of the internal workings of the device. In spite of various results on self-testing protocols, it remains a highly nontrivial problem to propose a certification scheme of qudit–qudit entangled states based on violation of a single d-outcome Bell inequality. Here we address this problem and propose a self-testing protocol for the maximally entangled state of any local dimension using the minimum number of measurements possible, i.e., two per subsystem. Our self-testing result can be used to establish unbounded randomness expansion, $${{{\mathrm{log}}}\,}_{2}d$$

log

2

d

perfect random bits, while it requires only one random bit to encode the measurement choice.
Improvement of the froth flotation of LiAlO2 and melilite solid solution via pre-functionalization
Authors: Qiu Hao , Kersebaum Jule , Wollmann Annett , Feuge Niklas , Haas Andrea , Goldmann Daniel , Wilhelm René
Published: October 2021

In this work froth flotation studies with LiAlO2(lithium-containing phase) and Melilite solid solution (gangue phase) are presented. The system was optimized with standard collectors and with compounds so far not applied as collectors. Furthermore, the principle of self-assembled monolayers was introduced to a froth flotation process for the first time resulting in excellent yields and selectivities.
Global implication of mesoproterozoic (~ 1.4 Ga) magmatism within the Sette-Daban Range (Southeast Siberia)
Authors: Malyshev Sergey V. , Ivanov Alexei V. , Khudoley Andrey K. , Marfin Alexander E. , Kamenetsky Vadim S. , Kamenetsky Maya B. , Lebedeva Olga Yu.
Published: October 2021

Mesoproterozoic period included several global tectonic events like break-up of Nuna and formation of Rodinia. However, although Siberia is a significant piece of both supercontinents, Mesoproterozoic time is marked by quiescence of magmatic and tectonic activity in it. We report here a mafic dyke (named Gornostakh dyke) in the southeastern Siberian Craton dated at 1419 ± 32 Ma by LA-ICPMS U–Pb geochronology of apatite. The dyke has tholeiitic compositions with high MgO and alkaline content, low-Ti, and arc-like trace element pattern. Due to the absence of subduction tectonics in the study area, geochemical data could be attributed to a significant contribution from metasomatically enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle previously modified by subduction processes. That kind of composition is common for low-Ti dykes of intraplate flood basalt provinces similar to, for example, Permian–Triassic Siberian large igneous province (LIP). Paleogeographic reconstructions suggest that Siberia was connected to Laurentia and Baltica and their reconfiguration interrupts a prolonged tectonic quiescence in the Siberian Craton from ca. 1.88 Ga reflecting a transition from Nuna to Rodinia configuration. The mafic magmatism on 1419 Ma on the southeastern margin of the Siberian Craton together with coeval extensional tectonics observed in the structure of the Sette-Daban ridge proposes a hypothetical LIP which may be a direct consequence of the beginning of this transition.
Genetic and chemodiversity in native populations of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi along the Brazilian Atlantic forest
Authors: Velasques Jannaina , Crispim Bruno do Amaral , Vasconcelos Adrielle Ayumi de , Bajay Miklos Maximiliano , Cardoso Claudia Andrea Lima , Barufatti Alexeia , do Carmo Vieira Maria
Published: October 2021

Schinus terebinthifolia is a species native to different ecoregions in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The plant is listed on the National Relation of Medicinal Plants and recommended as phytomedicine, however while extractive exploitation prevails as the main route of raw material a significant variation of compounds will be detected. To assure the expansion of productive chain it is important to start by studying population diversity and chemical variations. We used SSR markers for studies of genetic structure among populations from dense ombrophilous forest (ES); the deciduous seasonal forest (SM); the savanna (DOU) and the sandbanks (ITA and MSP), and compared the results to their chemical profiles of essential oil. Genetic structure revealed differences among populations and significant fixation rates. Pairwise studies and Bayesian analysis showed similarities between ITA and SM and between DOU and MSP, proving that the patterns of distribution for the species do not follow the isolation by distance or similarity by environmental conditions. The comparison between PCA of genotypes and chemodiversity reinforces the unique profile for each population despite the environmental similarity observed and genetic analysis. The most divergent genotype and chemical group was found at the ombrophilous forest, strong evidence that we should undertake conservation efforts to prevent losses of biodiversity in that area.
Multiple channels with interconnected pores in a bioceramic scaffold promote bone tissue formation
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Nie Ziyan , Chang Jia , Lu Michael L. , Kang Yunqing
Published: October 2021

Insufficient nutrition exchange and limited transportation of blood supply in a porous only scaffold often hinder bone formation, even though the porous scaffold is loaded with cells or growth factors. To overcome these issues, we developed a cell- and growth factor-free approach to induce bone formation in a critical-size bone defect by using an interconnected porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold with multiple channels. In vitro cell experimental results showed that multiple channels significantly promoted cell attachment and proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, stimulated their alkaline phosphatase activity, and up-regulated the osteogenic gene expression. Multiple channels also considerably stimulated the expression of various mechanosensing markers of the cells, such as focal adhesion kinase, filamentous actin, and Yes-associated protein-1 at both static and dynamic culturing conditions. The in vivo bone defect implantation results demonstrated more bone formation inside multiple-channeled scaffolds compared to non-channeled scaffolds. Multiple channels prominently accelerated collagen type I, bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin protein expression. Fluorochrome images and angiogenic marker CD31 staining exhibited more mineral deposition and longer vasculature structures in multiple-channeled scaffolds, compared to non-channeled scaffolds. All the findings suggested that the creation of interconnected multiple channels in the porous β-TCP scaffold is a very promising approach to promote bone tissue regeneration.
Brain MRI in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients with newly developed neurological manifestations suggestive of brain involvement
Authors: Alonazi Batil , Farghaly Ahmed M. , Mostafa Mohamed A. , Al-Watban Jehad A. , Zindani Salah A. , Altaimi Feras , Fagiry Moram A. , Mahmoud Mustafa Z.
Published: October 2021

The increased frequency of neurological manifestations, including central nervous system (CNS) manifestations, in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is consistent with the virus's neurotropic nature. In most patients, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive imaging modality in the diagnosis of viral encephalitides in the brain. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of brain lesion patterns on brain MRI in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia patients who developed focal and non-focal neurological manifestations. In addition, it will compare the impact of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) as an index of deteriorating cerebral function on positive brain MRIs in both neurological manifestations. This retrospective study included an examination of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmation, admitted with clinicoradiologic evidence of COVID-19 pneumonia, and who were candidates for brain MRI due to neurological manifestations suggesting brain involvement. Brain imaging acquired on a 3.0 T MRI system (Skyra; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) with a 20-channel receive head coil. Brain MRI revealed lesions in 38 (82.6%) of the total 46 patients for analysis and was negative in the remaining eight (17.4%) of all finally enclosed patients with RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Twenty-nine (63%) patients had focal neurological manifestations, while the remaining 17 (37%) patients had non-focal neurological manifestations. The patients had a highly significant difference (p = 0.0006) in GCS, but no significant difference (p = 0.4) in the number of comorbidities they had. Brain MRI is a feasible and important imaging modality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who develop neurological manifestations suggestive of brain involvement, particularly in patients with non-focal manifestations and a decline in GCS.
Relationship between stereopsis and vision-related quality of life following intravitreal ranibizumab injections for central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Okamoto Fumiki , Tomioka Mizuki , Murakami Tomoya , Morikawa Shohei , Sugiura Yoshimi , Hiraoka Takahiro , Oshika Tetsuro
Published: October 2021

The study aimed to evaluate changes in stereopsis and vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) following intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR) and investigate the relationship between stereopsis and VR-QOL. This study included 23 treatment-naïve patients with non-ischemic CRVO and 13 age-matched normal controls. Stereopsis, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), VR-QOL, and retinal microstructures were examined pre-treatment and 12 months post-treatment. The Titmus Stereo Test (TST) and TNO stereotest (TNO) were used to evaluate stereopsis. VR-QOL was evaluated using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). IVR immediately and significantly improved the TST values, TNO values, composite VFQ-25 score, BCVA, and central foveal thickness in patients with CRVO. The 12-month post-treatment TST and TNO values were significantly worse in the CRVO group compared to those in the normal group. At the baseline, the composite VFQ-25 score significantly correlated only with the TST value. Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between the 12-month post-treatment composite VFQ-25 score and the baseline and 12-month post-treatment TNO values. In conclusion, IVR immediately improved stereopsis in CRVO, albeit below normal levels. Stereopsis (not visual acuity) was associated with pre- and post-treatment VR-QOL in patients with CRVO.
Coral-like silicone nanofilament coatings with extremely low ice adhesion
Authors: Bottone Davide , Donadei Valentina , Niemelä Henna , Koivuluoto Heli , Seeger Stefan
Published: October 2021

Passive icephobic surfaces can provide a cost and energy efficient solution to many icing problems that are currently handled with expensive active strategies. Water-repellent surface treatments are promising candidates for this goal, but commonly studied systems, such as superhydrophobic surfaces and Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPS), still face challenges in the stability and durability of their properties in icing environments. In this work, environmental icing conditions are simulated using an Icing Wind Tunnel, and ice adhesion is evaluated with a Centrifugal Adhesion Test. We show that superhydrophobic coral-like Silicone Nanofilament (SNF) coatings exhibit extremely low ice adhesion, to the point of spontaneous ice detachment, and good durability against successive icing cycles. Moreover, SNFs-based SLIPS show stably low ice adhesion for the whole duration of the icing test. Stability of surface properties in a cold environment is further investigated with water wettability at sub-zero surface temperature, highlighting the effect of surface chemistry on superhydrophobicity under icing conditions.
Thermally activated intermittent dynamics of creeping crack fronts along disordered interfaces
Authors: Vincent-Dospital Tom , Cochard Alain , Santucci Stéphane , Måløy Knut Jørgen , Toussaint Renaud
Published: October 2021

We present a subcritical fracture growth model, coupled with the elastic redistribution of the acting mechanical stress along rugous rupture fronts. We show the ability of this model to quantitatively reproduce the intermittent dynamics of cracks propagating along weak disordered interfaces. To this end, we assume that the fracture energy of such interfaces (in the sense of a critical energy release rate) follows a spatially correlated normal distribution. We compare various statistical features from the obtained fracture dynamics to that from cracks propagating in sintered polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) interfaces. In previous works, it has been demonstrated that such an approach could reproduce the mean advance of fractures and their local front velocity distribution. Here, we go further by showing that the proposed model also quantitatively accounts for the complex self-affine scaling morphology of crack fronts and their temporal evolution, for the spatial and temporal correlations of the local velocity fields and for the avalanches size distribution of the intermittent growth dynamics. We thus provide new evidence that an Arrhenius-like subcritical growth is particularly suitable for the description of creeping cracks.
Elevated wildlife-vehicle collision rates during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Abraham Joel O. , Mumma Matthew A.
Published: October 2021

Wildlife-vehicle collisions threaten both humans and wildlife, but we still lack information about the relationship between traffic volume and wildlife-vehicle collisions. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed us to investigate the effects of traffic volume on wildlife-vehicle collisions in the United States. We observed decreased traffic nationwide, particularly in densely populated states with low or high disease burdens. Despite reduced traffic, total collisions were unchanged; wildlife-vehicle collisions did decline at the start of the pandemic, but increased as the pandemic progressed, ultimately exceeding collisions in the previous year. As a result, nationwide collision rates were higher during the pandemic. We suggest that increased wildlife road use offsets the effects of decreased traffic volume on wildlife-vehicle collisions. Thus, decreased traffic volume will not always reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.
Global gene expression analysis of systemic sclerosis myofibroblasts demonstrates a marked increase in the expression of multiple NBPF genes
Authors: Abignano Giuseppina , Hermes Heidi , Piera-Velazquez Sonsoles , Addya Sankar , Del Galdo Francesco , Jimenez Sergio A.
Published: October 2021

Myofibroblasts are the key effector cells responsible for the exaggerated tissue fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Despite their importance to SSc pathogenesis, the specific transcriptome of SSc myofibroblasts has not been described. The purpose of this study was to identify transcriptome differences between SSc myofibroblasts and non-myofibroblastic cells. Alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expressing myofibroblasts and α-SMA negative cells were isolated employing laser capture microdissection from dermal cell cultures from four patients with diffuse SSc of recent onset. Total mRNA was extracted from both cell populations, amplified and analyzed employing microarrays. Results for specific genes were validated by Western blots and by immunohistochemistry. Transcriptome analysis revealed 97 differentially expressed transcripts in SSc myofibroblasts compared with non-myofibroblasts. Annotation clustering of the SSc myofibroblast-specific transcripts failed to show a TGF-β signature. The most represented transcripts corresponded to several different genes from the Neuroblastoma Breakpoint Family (NBPF) of genes. NBPF genes are highly expanded in humans but are not present in murine or rat genomes. In vitro studies employing cultured SSc dermal fibroblasts and immunohistochemistry of affected SSc skin confirmed increased NBPF expression in SSc. These results indicate that SSc myofibroblasts represent a unique cell lineage expressing a specific transcriptome that includes very high levels of transcripts corresponding to numerous NBPF genes. Elevated expression of NBPF genes in SSc myofibroblasts suggests that NBPF gene products may play a role in SSc pathogenesis and may represent a novel therapeutic target.
The flowering of Atlantic Forest Pleroma trees
Authors: Wagner Fabien H.
Published: October 2021

Mapping the spatial distribution of a plant is a current challenge in ecology. Here, a convolutional neural network (CNN) and 33,798 Sentinel-2 satellite images were used to detect and map forest stands dominated by trees of the genusPleromaby their magenta-to-deep-purple blossoms in the entire Brazilian Atlantic Forest domain, from June 2016 to July 2020. ThePleromagenus, known for its pioneer behaviour, was detected in an area representing 10.8% of the Atlantic Forest, associated negatively with temperature and positively with elevation, slope, tree cover and precipitation. The detection of another genus by the model, 18% of all the detections contained only pink bloomingHandroanthustrees, highlighted that botanical identification from space must be taken with caution, particularly outside the known distribution range of the species. ThePleromablossom seasonality occurred over a period of ~5–6 months centered on the March equinox and populations with distinct blossom timings were found. Our results indicate that in the Atlantic Forest, the remaining natural forest is less diverse than expected but is at least recovering from degradation. Our study suggests a method to produce ecological-domain scale maps of tree genera and species based on their blossoms that could be used for tree studies and biodiversity assessments.
Effects of government policies on the spread of COVID-19 worldwide
Authors: Chung Hye Won , Apio Catherine , Goo Taewan , Heo Gyujin , Han Kyulhee , Kim Taehyun , Kim Hakyong , Ko Yeonghyeon , Lee Doeun , Lim Jisun , Lee Seungyeoun , Park Taesung
Published: October 2021

The outbreak of novel COVID-19 disease elicited a wide range of anti-contagion and economic policies like school closure, income support, contact tracing, and so forth, in the mitigation and suppression of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, a systematic evaluation of these policies has not been made. Here, 17 implemented policies from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker dataset employed in 90 countries from December 31, 2019, to August 31, 2020, were analyzed. A Poisson regression model was applied to analyze the relationship between policies and daily confirmed cases using a generalized estimating equations approach. A lag is a fixed time displacement in time series data. With that, lagging (0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days) was also considered during the analysis since the effects of policies implemented on a given day may affect the number of confirmed cases several days after implementation. The countries were divided into three groups depending on the number of waves of the pandemic observed in each country. Through subgroup analysis, we showed that with and without lagging, contact tracing and containment policies were significant for countries with two waves, while closing, economic, and health policies were significant for countries with three waves. Wave-specific analysis for each wave showed that significant health, economic, and containment policies varied across waves of the pandemic. Emergency investment in healthcare was consistently significant among the three groups of countries, while the Stringency index was significant among all waves of the pandemic. These findings may help in making informed decisions regarding whether, which, or when these policies should be intensified or lifted.
Interindividual differences in environmentally relevant positive trait affect impacts sustainable behavior in everyday life
Authors: Doell Kimberly C. , Conte Beatrice , Brosch Tobias
Published: October 2021

Emotions are powerful drivers of human behavior that may make people aware of the urgency to act to mitigate climate change and provide a motivational basis to engage in sustainable action. However, attempts to leverage emotions via climate communications have yielded unsatisfactory results, with many interventions failing to produce the desired behaviors. It is important to understand the underlying affective mechanisms when designing communications, rather than treating emotions as simple behavioral levers that directly impact behavior. Across two field experiments, we show that individual predispositions to experience positive emotions in an environmental context (trait affect) predict pro-environmental actions and corresponding shifts in affective states (towards personal as well as witnessed pro-environmental actions). Moreover, trait affect predicts the individual behavioral impact of positively valenced emotion-based intervention strategies from environmental messages. These findings have important implications for the targeted design of affect-based interventions aiming to promote sustainable behavior and may be of interest within other domains that utilize similar intervention strategies (e.g., within the health domain).
Influence of PICALM and CLU risk variants on beta EEG activity in Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: Maturana-Candelas Aarón , Gómez Carlos , Poza Jesús , Rodríguez-González Víctor , Pablo Vìctor Gutiérrez-de , Lopes Alexandra M. , Pinto Nadia , Hornero Roberto
Published: October 2021

PICALMandCLUgenes have been linked to alterations in brain biochemical processes that may have an impact on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) development and neurophysiological dynamics. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and thePICALMandCLUalleles described as conferring risk or protective effects on AD patients and healthy controls. For this purpose, EEG activity was acquired from: 18 AD patients and 12 controls carrying risk alleles of bothPICALMandCLUgenes, and 35 AD patients and 12 controls carrying both protective alleles. Relative power (RP) in the conventional EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma) was computed to quantify the brain activity at source level. In addition, spatial entropy (SE) was calculated in each band to characterize the regional distribution of the RP values throughout the brain. Statistically significant differences in global RP and SE at beta band (p-values < 0.05, Mann–WhitneyU-test) were found between genotypes in the AD group. Furthermore, RP showed statistically significant differences in 58 cortical regions out of the 68 analyzed in AD. No statistically significant differences were found in the control group at any frequency band. Our results suggest thatPICALMandCLUAD-inducing genotypes are involved in physiological processes related to disruption in beta power, which may be associated with physiological disturbances such as alterations in beta-amyloid and neurotransmitter metabolism.
A trajectory-based loss function to learn missing terms in bifurcating dynamical systems
Authors: Vortmeyer-Kley Rahel , Nieters Pascal , Pipa Gordon
Published: October 2021

Missing terms in dynamical systems are a challenging problem for modeling. Recent developments in the combination of machine learning and dynamical system theory open possibilities for a solution. We show how physics-informed differential equations and machine learning—combined in the Universal Differential Equation (UDE) framework by Rackauckas et al.—can be modified to discover missing terms in systems that undergo sudden fundamental changes in their dynamical behavior called bifurcations. With this we enable the application of the UDE approach to a wider class of problems which are common in many real world applications. The choice of the loss function, which compares the training data trajectory in state space and the current estimated solution trajectory of the UDE to optimize the solution, plays a crucial role within this approach. The Mean Square Error as loss function contains the risk of a reconstruction which completely misses the dynamical behavior of the training data. By contrast, our suggested trajectory-based loss function which optimizes two largely independent components, the length and angle of state space vectors of the training data, performs reliable well in examples of systems from neuroscience, chemistry and biology showing Saddle-Node, Pitchfork, Hopf and Period-doubling bifurcations.