bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of cost of capital in the electricity sector
Authors: Steffen Bjarne , Waidelich Paul
Published: June 2022

In the electricity sector, the cost of capital (CoC) has a major impact on the competitiveness of different technologies and on overall electricity system cost. While the awareness of CoC differences between countries and technologies has increased over the past years, the understanding of the underlying drivers for these differences remains limited. In this Perspective, we present a systematic review of the literature on CoC determinants, aggregating conceptual and empirical insights from 43 academic articles. Based on the review, we then develop a holistic framework of CoC determinants on four hierarchical levels. Particularly, our framework highlights the importance of technology level drivers for the CoC, and of less-noted CoC drivers on the financial sector level. In addition, it illustrates that CoC drivers differ between corporate finance and project finance structures, and that they interact with determinants on different levels through multiple feedback channels. Drawing on our findings, we argue that policy decisions can strongly influence the CoC of energy projects, though any potential intervention to alter the CoC needs to consider all relevant determinants across sectors and policy domains. Researchers can support policymakers by addressing research gaps concerning CoC determinants in developing countries and the grid sector, and by further quantifying the effects of CoC determinants and their interactions.
Review of electrofuel feasibility—cost and environmental impact
Authors: Grahn Maria , Malmgren Elin , Korberg Andrei D , Taljegard Maria , Anderson James E , Brynolf Selma , Hansson Julia , Skov Iva Ridjan , Wallington Timothy J
Published: June 2022

Electrofuels, fuels produced from electricity, water, and carbon or nitrogen, are of interest as substitutes for fossil fuels in all energy and chemical sectors. This paper focuses on electrofuels for transportation, where some can be used in existing vehicle/vessel/aircraft fleets and fueling infrastructure. The aim of this study is to review publications on electrofuels and summarize costs and environmental performance. A special case, denoted as bio-electrofuels, involves hydrogen supplementing existing biomethane production (e.g. anaerobic digestion) to generate additional or different fuels. We use costs, identified in the literature, to calculate harmonized production costs for a range of electrofuels and bio-electrofuels. Results from the harmonized calculations show that bio-electrofuels generally have lower costs than electrofuels produced using captured carbon. Lowest costs are found for liquefied bio-electro-methane, bio-electro-methanol, and bio-electro-dimethyl ether. The highest cost is for electro-jet fuel. All analyzed fuels have the potential for long-term production costs in the range 90–160 € MWh−1. Dominant factors impacting production costs are electrolyzer and electricity costs, the latter connected to capacity factors (CFs) and cost for hydrogen storage. Electrofuel production costs also depend on regional conditions for renewable electricity generation, which are analyzed in sensitivity analyses using corresponding CFs in four European regions. Results show a production cost range for electro-methanol of 76–118 € MWh−1 depending on scenario and region assuming an electrolyzer CAPEX of 300–450 € kWelec
−1 and CFs of 45%–65%. Lowest production costs are found in regions with good conditions for renewable electricity, such as Ireland and western Spain. The choice of system boundary has a large impact on the environmental assessments. The literature is not consistent regarding the environmental impact from different CO2 sources. The literature, however, points to the fact that renewable energy sources are required to achieve low global warming impact over the electrofuel life cycle.
Heat exposure and resilience planning in Atlanta, Georgia
Authors: Muse Nkosi , Iwaniec David M , Wyczalkowski Chris , Mach Katharine J
Published: June 2022

The City of Atlanta, Georgia, is a fast-growing urban area with substantial economic and racial inequalities, subject to the impacts of climate change and intensifying heat extremes. Here, we analyze the magnitude, distribution, and predictors of heat exposure across the City of Atlanta, within the boundaries of Fulton County. Additionally, we evaluate the extent to which identified heat exposure is addressed in Atlanta climate resilience governance. First, land surface temperature (LST) was mapped to identify the spatial patterns of heat exposure, and potential socioeconomic and biophysical predictors of heat exposure were assessed. Second, government and city planning documents and policies were analyzed to assess whether the identified heat exposure and risks are addressed in Atlanta climate resilience planning. The average LST of Atlanta’s 305 block groups ranges from 23.7 °C (low heat exposure) in vegetated areas to 31.5 °C (high heat exposure) in developed areas across 13 summer days used to evaluate the spatial patterns of heat exposure (June–August, 2013–2019). In contrast to nationwide patterns, census block groups with larger historically marginalized populations (predominantly Black, less education, lower income) outside of Atlanta’s urban core display weaker relationships with LST (slopes ≈ 0) and are among the cooler regions of the city. Climate governance analysis revealed that although there are few strategies for heat resilience in Atlanta (n = 12), the majority are focused on the city’s warmest region, the urban core, characterized by the city’s largest extent of impervious surface. These strategies prioritize protecting and expanding the city’s urban tree canopy, which has kept most of Atlanta’s marginalized communities under lower levels of outdoor heat exposure. Such a tree canopy can serve as an example of heat resilience for many cities across the United States and the globe.
Component-by-component construction of randomized rank-1 lattice rules achieving almost the optimal randomized error rate
Authors: Dick Josef , Goda Takashi , Suzuki Kosuke
Published: June 2022

We study a randomized quadrature algorithm to approximate the integral of periodic functions defined over the high-dimensional unit cube. Recent work by Kritzer, Kuo, Nuyens and Ullrich [J. Approx. Theory 240 (2019), pp. 96–113] shows that rank-1 lattice rules with a randomly chosen number of points and good generating vector achieve almost the optimal order of the randomized error in weighted Korobov spaces, and moreover, that the error is bounded independently of the dimension if the weight parameters,γj\gamma _j, satisfy the summability condition∑j=1∞γj1/α>∞\sum _{j=1}^{\infty }\gamma _j^{1/\alpha }>\infty, whereα\alphais a smoothness parameter. The argument is based on the existence result that at least half of the possible generating vectors yield almost the optimal order of the worst-case error in the same function spaces.

In this paper we provide a component-by-component construction algorithm of such randomized rank-1 lattice rules, without any need to check whether the constructed generating vectors satisfy a desired worst-case error bound. Similarly to the above-mentioned work, we prove that our algorithm achieves almost the optimal order of the randomized error and that the error bound is independent of the dimension if the same condition∑j=1∞γj1/α>∞\sum _{j=1}^{\infty }\gamma _j^{1/\alpha }>\inftyholds. We also provide analogous results for tent-transformed lattice rules for weighted half-period cosine spaces and for polynomial lattice rules in weighted Walsh spaces, respectively.
1080 NURSES’ PREFERENCE FOR TOOLS TO IDENTIFY FRAILTY IN MAJOR TRAUMA PATIENTS: FINDINGS FROM THE FRAIL-T IN MAJOR TRAUMA STUDY
Authors: Jarman H , Crouch R , Baxter M , Wang C , Cole E
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Early assessment of frailty in older major trauma patients is important to providing appropriate care that goes beyond chronological age. Guidance exists that this assessment should be completed as early as possible in the Emergency Department (ED). To increase rates of frailty screening in this group the measurement tool needs to be quick to complete and easy to use. This study aimed to ascertain the preference of nursing staff completing frailty assessment in older major trauma patients in the ED.

Method

This prospective multi-centre study recruited from five UK MTCs between June 2019 and March 2020. Eligible patients were aged 65 or over requiring ‘trauma team activation’ and admitted to hospital. Patients were assessed for frailty by nurses trained to use three different frailty screening tools—the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), the PRISMA-7 tool, and the Trauma Specific Frailty Index (TSFI). Completion rates for each of the tools were calculated and nurses were asked to rate their preference for each of the tools and the reasons for non-completion if relevant.

Results

Data were analysed from 370 patients. Completion rates for each of the tools varied with highest degree of compliance using the CFS (98.9%). TSFI was least likely to be completed with ‘lack of available information to complete questions’ as the most cited reason. Nurses showed a clear preference for the CFS with 57.3% ranking this as first choice (PRISMA-7 32.16%; TSFI 10.54%). Both PRISMA-7 and CFS were both rated highly as ‘extremely easy to complete’ (PRISMA-7 58.5%, CFS 59.61%).

Conclusion

User acceptability is an important consideration in the selection of a frailty measurement tool for use in major trauma patients. Our study shows the Clinical Frailty Scale has high rates of completion and acceptability and can be implemented in practice for assessment of frailty in major trauma.
932 A QI PROJECT TO IMPROVE USE OF BOWEL CHARTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Authors: Bharmal A , McGowan T
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Bowel movements are vital to decision making, but are frequently overlooked in practice due to the fast-paced nature of medical ward rounds, impacting on patient care. This was felt to be exacerbated locally by the difficulties of finding the information in the nursing notes.

Aim To improve the documentation of bowel movements.

Method

We performed a closed loop audit examining how well patients’ bowel movements are documented in nursing and medical notes across 3 wards at a district general hospital. We collected snapshot data on whether a bowel chart was present, whether bowel movements were recorded regularly and whether doctors documented bowel movements during ward rounds. We then changed the colour of bowel chart paper from white to yellow, with identical contents. This data was prospectively collected again 5 weeks later for comparison.

Results

The sample size included 62 inpatients. Prior to the change in bowel chart, 79% of patients’ nursing folders had a bowel chart. Documentation of bowel movements in nursing and medical notes was 25% and 30% respectively. Following the introduction of yellow coloured bowel charts, 90% of patients’ nursing notes had a bowel chart present, with an increase in documentation in nursing and medical notes to 74% and 69% respectively.

Conclusion

(s) The importance of good bowel movements is essential to management decisions and discharge planning. Locally, this has been inhibited by the difficulties of locating white bowel charts in a folder of white paper, leading to incomplete documentation and poor recognition of problems in bowel movements. Changing the colour of the bowel charts made it easier to recognise the bowel chart, allowing nurses and doctors to use the bowel chart more efficiently, hopefully improving patient care. This change has been recognised as effective and has been rolled out trust wide.
971 PERIOPERATIVE MEDICINE PRESCRIBING IN OLDER ADULTS - IMPROVING PRESCRIBING ACCURACY USING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT METHODOLOGY
Authors: Kiang J , Shamsiddinova A , Jegard J
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Accurate medication prescribing perioperatively is an essential component of peri-operative optimisation. Older adults are uniquely vulnerable due to polypharmacy and age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Barriers to this include the urgency of surgery, unclear drug history and poor knowledge of how to manage the patient’s medications. This quality improvement project aimed to improve the accuracy of regular medications prescribed in older adults undergoing emergency laparotomy.

Method

Multiple Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycles were conducted at Southend University Hospital. Patients over 65 undergoing emergency laparotomy were included. Regular medications were retrospectively analysed to assess whether they were continued or suspended appropriately in the perioperative period, according to UKCPA guidelines. The initial cycle analysed prescribing practices for nine medications which were pre-defined as ‘high risk’ of causing adverse effects when prescribed inappropriately. Subsequent cycles scoped all regular medications. Our interventions aimed to increase conscious prescribing by improving prescriber education. Interventions included introducing joint Geriatrician & Surgeon-led teaching sessions, and dissemination of a poster guide with links to resources to aid decision making.

Results

First cycle (September—November 2020): 32 patients included. Only 30% of all regular medications were within the ‘high risk’ group; 50% of which were prescribed appropriately. Second cycle (May—July 2021): 26 patients included. 72% appropriately prescribed regular medications. Third cycle (September—October 2021): 13 patients included. Sustained improvement in prescribing accuracy to 75%. Problems identified include 1) delay in prescribing 2) regular medications not prescribed 3) prescribed but not administered.

Conclusion

Improvement in prescribing accuracy amongst doctors is achievable following education-focused intervention. The goal is active decision making with every drug prescribed. Integrating this inter-departmental teaching session into Induction teaching is a sustainable method to improve prescribing practice. This can be translated to every surgical department.
987 TACKLING OVERPRESCRIBING; WHAT ABOUT THE HABITUAL OFFENDER, PPI?
Authors: Eastwood A , Deng J , Dwivedi R
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Overprescribing is a serious problem in health systems internationally and can lead to preventable hospital assessments and admissions, even premature deaths1. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed in older people. They are associated with risk of C difficile infection, hypomagnesemia, osteoporosis, hypergastrinaemia, and are considered falls risk increasing drugs (FRID). Unfortunately, there isn’t a guideline which unifies the various indications of PPIs.

Method

303 discharges were screened from 2 acute geriatric wards between 01/10/2020 and 31/12/2020. After exclusions (34 deaths, 5 readmissions), 264 notes were reviewed. Those with a PPI mentioned on their discharge summaries were audited against both NICE dyspepsia guidelines and our hospital trust guidelines (PPI usage in those on co-medications), assessing whether long term use was advocated. Additional information was obtained from our hospital systems including digital health records.

Results

153/264(58%) patients had PPIs listed on their discharge summaries. Of those using PPIs, 146 (95%) had polypharmacy and 140(92%) had a CFS ≥5. More PPIs were commenced (18) than discontinued (16). Against NICE dyspepsia guidelines, 46/153(30%) patients did not require long term PPI treatment. 81/153 (53%) patients had a PPI prescribed due to anticoagulation, however, 37/81 (46%) did not fulfil our trust criteria for co-prescription.

Conclusion

PPI usage is prevalent in older people and often continued without a valid indication which could result in preventable harm in an already vulnerable cohort. There is a need to actively deprescribe PPIs within all healthcare settings. Our findings have been widely shared with our departmental colleagues and other relevant specialties and a guideline on long term use of PPIs in older people (>65) has been developed. Going forward, we plan to re-audit against this new guideline in 6 months to assess improvement.

References 1. Good for you, good for us, good for everybody. Published 22/9/21.
1029 EVEN LIMITED GERIATRICIAN INVOLVEMENT REDUCES LENGTH OF STAY FOR ALL-AGE ACUTE GENERAL SURGERY PATIENTS
Authors: Luo R , Hudson M , Cepeda V , Reese G , Sritharan G , Peck G , Morgan C , Koizia L , Fertleman M
Published: June 2022

Background

More than half of patients undergoing emergency general surgery are older than 651. The Emergency Laparotomy and Frailty (ELF) study identified that frail patients (CFS ≥5) were vulnerable to adverse outcomes and longer hospital stays and should be reviewed by a geriatrician2. The 2021 National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) found that only 27% were reviewed by a geriatrician1. Local problem A local hospital had no routine geriatrician input to perioperative care of older people admitted under the care of general surgeons.

Method/Intervention

In one month prior to intervention, we noted CFS recorded once and a geriatrician involved in only 3 patients over the age of 65 (n = 35). We introduced a service comprising twice-weekly geriatrician-led multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings of all-age patients followed by selected patient ward rounds. This equated to 2.5 Programmed Activity’s (PA) per week. After another month we measured the number of patients having CFS recorded, those who had geriatrician involvement and length of stay. We also surveyed members of the MDT.

Results

All 31 patients aged over 65 received geriatrician input with 93.5% having a CFS recorded. Length of stay of all-age patients (n = 75) was reduced from 12.8 to 8.8 days, with the most significant reduction of 6.5 days in over 65’s (16.7 to 10.2); >200 bed days saved for older people. The MDT comments included: ‘improved MDT communication’, ‘early identification of discharge barriers’ and ‘pro-active approach’.

Conclusion

NELA highlights that consistent geriatrician input remains generally poor. Even a limited geriatrician-led service can be highly effective at guaranteeing review of appropriate patients in line with recommendations from NELA. Alongside targeted patient review geriatricians can support and lead decision making of all-age patients. This cost-effective strategy can reduce length of stay for young and old alike and gained excellent feedback from the MDT.
1058 ESTABLISHING A VIRTUAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEETING FOR CARE HOME RESIDENTS IN NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE
Authors: Collins N , Madhra M , Noble J
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Care home (CH) residents are frail with complex physical and mental health needs. Healthcare provided is often by different organisations and fragmented. Optimising quality of life and reducing avoidable hospital attendance is crucial. The Newcastle Specialist Care Home Support Team (SCHST) provides care for 2,482 residents across 55 Newcastle CHs. Between April 2019–2020, there were 2,428 unplanned hospital attendances in this cohort. SCHST looked to establish multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings to streamline care by collaboration and integrating pre-existing services. We aimed to establish weekly virtual MDT meetings to facilitate coordinated care for CH residents, reduce unplanned hospital attendances and improve communications between services, reducing need for additional referrals.

Method

Members identified to comprise the MDT included SCHST staff, Geriatricians, Old Age Psychiatrists, Pharmacists and GPs. Weekly meetings via Microsoft Teams were established, with the SCHST undertaking initial assessments of those referred. Management plans were formulated and actioned with feedback to GPs, CH staff and relatives. Residents were either discharged, planned for MDT re-review, or planned for in-person CH review. Interventions include medications optimisation, CH staff education, psychiatric and comprehensive geriatric assessments.

Results

From April-Nov 2021, 77 residents were referred to MDT. The number of reviews ranged from 1–6 (median = 2). All residents received an initial assessment by SCHST, with only 18 requiring in-person geriatrician input. Analysis of 22 residents showed fewer unplanned admissions in the 6 months following MDT review, compared to 6 months before. (Pre-MDT median 2 (range 0–6); post-MDT 0 (0–9); p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Preliminary data suggest that the virtual Care Home MDT may reduce the number of unplanned hospital admissions of care home residents, with less than one quarter requiring face-to-face geriatrician reviews. The CH MDT has shown to provide effective delivery of care, whilst reducing workload and improving efficiency, through collaborative interdisciplinary working.
Influence of Obesity on Blood Pressure Responses to Antihypertensive Drug Therapy in an Urban Hypertension Specialty Clinic
Authors: Bhandari Priyanka , Prakash Vivek , Flack John M
Published: June 2022

Background

Previous studies have reported that lean hypertensives have worse clinical outcomes than obese hypertensives as obesity confers pharmacological resistance to antihypertensive therapy. We explored whether the higher prescribed doses of antihypertensives in obese hypertensives were adequate for the attainment of similar on-treatment blood pressure (BP) versus leaner hypertensives.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of predominantly African American females from a deidentified urban referral clinic was conducted (N = 851; median follow-up = 11.3 months). Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was categorized as either below or above or equal to 30. Antihypertensive therapeutic intensity score (TIS) was calculated as the total daily antihypertensive dose/maximum United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved daily dose, summed across all hypertensive drugs. General linear models were used to estimate the significance of continuous variables across BMI categories.

Results

At baseline, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was similar between groups (P = 0.14), though 2.7 mm Hg higher in the highest BMI group. Antihypertensive TIS was greater in the highest BMI category at both baseline and end of follow-up (both P < 0.001). After covariate adjustment end of follow-up SBP and diastolic blood pressure was higher in the obese group by 3.4 (0.6–6.1) and 1.8 (0.1–3.53) mm Hg, respectively (P = 0.02, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Attained on-treatment BP is higher in obese than non-obese hypertensives despite greater prescription of antihypertensive medications. Whether even more prescription of medications or other interventions will equalize BP responses relative to non obese hypertensives merits further study.
Objective Cognitive Outcomes and Subjective Emotional Sequelae in Litigating Adults with a Traumatic Brain Injury: The Impact of Performance and Symptom Validity Measures
Authors: Uiterwijk Daniel , Stargatt Robyn , Crowe Simon F
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study examined the relative contribution of performance and symptom validity in litigating adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI), as a function of TBI severity, and examined the relationship between self-reported emotional symptoms and cognitive tests scores while controlling for validity test performance.

Method

Participants underwent neuropsychological assessment between January 2012 and June 2021 in the context of compensation-seeking claims related to a TBI. All participants completed a cognitive test battery, the Personality Assessment Inventory (including symptom validity tests; SVTs), and multiple performance validity tests (PVTs). Data analyses included independent t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, correlation analyses, and hierarchical multiple regression.

Results

A total of 370 participants were included. Atypical PVT and SVT performance were associated with poorer cognitive test performance and higher emotional symptom report, irrespective of TBI severity. PVTs and SVTs had an additive effect on cognitive test performance for uncomplicated mTBI, but less so for more severe TBI. The relationship between emotional symptoms and cognitive test performance diminished substantially when validity test performance was controlled, and validity test performance had a substantially larger impact than emotional symptoms on cognitive test performance.

Conclusion

Validity test performance has a significant impact on the neuropsychological profiles of people with TBI, irrespective of TBI severity, and plays a significant role in the relationship between emotional symptoms and cognitive test performance. Adequate validity testing should be incorporated into every neuropsychological assessment, and associations between emotional symptoms and cognitive outcomes that do not consider validity testing should be interpreted with extreme caution.
Stimulating native seizures with neural resonance: a new approach to localize the seizure onset zone
Authors: Smith Rachel J , Hays Mark A , Kamali Golnoosh , Coogan Christopher , Crone Nathan E , Kang Joon Y , Sarma Sridevi V
Published: June 2022

Successful outcomes in epilepsy surgery rely on the accurate localization of the seizure onset zone. Localizing the seizure onset zone is often a costly and time-consuming process wherein a patient undergoes intracranial EEG monitoring, and a team of clinicians wait for seizures to occur. Clinicians then analyse the intracranial EEG before each seizure onset to identify the seizure onset zone and localization accuracy increases when more seizures are captured. In this study, we develop a new approach to guide clinicians to actively elicit seizures with electrical stimulation. We propose that a brain region belongs to the seizure onset zone if a periodic stimulation at a particular frequency produces large amplitude oscillations in the intracranial EEG network that propagate seizure activity. Such responses occur when there is ‘resonance’ in the intracranial EEG network, and the resonant frequency can be detected by observing a sharp peak in the magnitude versus frequency response curve, called a Bode plot. To test our hypothesis, we analysed single-pulse electrical stimulation response data in 32 epilepsy patients undergoing intracranial EEG monitoring. For each patient and each stimulated brain region, we constructed a Bode plot by estimating a transfer function model from the intracranial EEG ‘impulse’ or single-pulse electrical stimulation response. The Bode plots were then analysed for evidence of resonance. First, we showed that when Bode plot features were used as a marker of the seizure onset zone, it distinguished successful from failed surgical outcomes with an area under the curve of 0.83, an accuracy that surpassed current methods of analysis with cortico-cortical evoked potential amplitude and cortico-cortical spectral responses. Then, we retrospectively showed that three out of five native seizures accidentally triggered in four patients during routine periodic stimulation at a given frequency corresponded to a resonant peak in the Bode plot. Last, we prospectively stimulated peak resonant frequencies gleaned from the Bode plots to elicit seizures in six patients, and this resulted in an induction of three seizures and three auras in these patients. These findings suggest neural resonance as a new biomarker of the seizure onset zone that can guide clinicians in eliciting native seizures to more quickly and accurately localize the seizure onset zone.
Right coronary artery originating from the left ventricular outflow tract diagnosed after a Ross procedure: a case report
Authors: Venkatesh Prashanth , Tan Weiyi , Bravo-Jaimes Katia , Aboulhosn Jamil
Published: June 2022

Background

Anomalous coronary origin from the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) is an exceedingly rare condition thought to be associated with the bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). While the malignant presentation of this entity has been described, its pathophysiology and diagnostic evaluation are poorly understood.

Case summary

A 33-year-old woman status post Ross procedure in childhood for congenital aortic stenosis due to BAV with presumed common origin of right and left coronary arteries based on single coronary ostium seen on aortic valve inspection, presented with symptomatic pulmonary regurgitation and stenosis. Invasive left coronary angiography revealed retrograde filling of the right coronary artery (RCA) with systolic washout of contrast indicating a patent RCA ostium. No RCA ostium was found on aortic root injection, but an injection into the LVOT revealed an RCA ostium below the aortic valve. Selective RCA angiography revealed pulsatile antegrade flow down the RCA occurring during systole. There was no anatomic RCA stenosis. We proceeded with valve-in-valve TcPVR. The patient had significant improvement of symptoms and RCA reimplantation was hence deferred.

Discussion

This case is the first of an anomalous coronary artery arising from the LVOT diagnosed in a patient after the Ross procedure. Our angiograms shed light on the unusual physiology of coronary filling during systole and ischaemia arising from inadequate perfusion gradient between the left ventricle and the coronary during systole, leading to collateralization despite the lack of anatomic stenosis. We urge consideration of this potentially malignant entity in any symptomatic patient, especially with concomitant BAV.
Impact of lactic acid bacteria on the control of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods
Authors: Webb Laura , Ma Luyao , Lu Xiaonan
Published: June 2022

Due to the increased demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) minimally processed foods, alternatives to chemical and thermal preservation methods to maintain food safety are highly demanded. A significant safety hazard in RTE food products is the growth of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). After processing, recontamination or cross-contamination of L. monocytogenes in RTE food products may occur and the lack of cooking can lead to an increased risk of listeriosis. Further, some RTE food products (e.g. cheese and cured meat) can have a long processing period and shelf life, thus allowing for the growth and proliferation of L. monocytogenes in the food matrix. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are generally recognized as safe probiotics and have been proposed as a biological control approach to eliminate foodborne pathogens including L. monocytogenes. LAB have been reported to extend the shelf life of food products and inhibit pathogen proliferation via growth competition and metabolite production. LAB are native microflora of many RTE foods, but only certain LAB may inhibit pathogen growth. Therefore, the specificity of LAB species should be employed in their use in RTE foods. This review will discuss the antimicrobial mechanisms of LAB against L. monocytogenes, selective use of LAB in food matrices, and their uses in food processing and packaging.
QTLViewer: an interactive webtool for genetic analysis in the Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred mouse populations
Authors: Vincent Matthew , Gerdes Gyuricza Isabela , Keele Gregory R , Gatti Daniel M , Keller Mark P , Broman Karl W , Churchill Gary A
Published: June 2022

The Collaborative Cross and the Diversity Outbred mouse populations are related multiparental populations, derived from the same 8 isogenic founder strains. They carry >50 M known genetic variants, which makes them ideal tools for mapping genetic loci that regulate phenotypes, including physiological and molecular traits. Mapping quantitative trait loci requires statistical and computational training, which can present a barrier to access for some researchers. The QTLViewer software allows users to graphically explore Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred quantitative trait locus mapping and related analyses performed through the R/qtl2 package. Additionally, the QTLViewer website serves as a repository for published Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred studies, increasing the accessibility of these genetic resources to the broader scientific community.
A decade of GigaScience: the importance of community organizations for open and FAIR efforts in neuroinformatics
Authors: Martone Maryann E
Published: June 2022

Neuroscience has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, becoming an increasingly open and FAIR discipline. I provide personal perspectives on the importance of two community organizations, FORCE11: The Future of Research Communications and e-Scholarship and INCF: The International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility in providing the intellectual and community environment where ideas and open sharing of data and code were incubated and tried.
BoALG10, an α-1,2 glycosyltransferase, plays an essential role in maintaining leaf margin shape in ornamental kale
Authors: Feng Xin , Yang Xinru , Zhong Meiqin , Li Xin , Zhu Pengfang
Published: June 2022

The morphological diversity of leaf margin shapes is an identifying characteristic of many plant species. In our previous work, BoALG10 (α-1,2 glycosyltransferase) was predicted to be a key regulator of leaf margin shape in ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala). An alanine and a leucine residue in the conserved domain of the smooth-margined S0835 were replaced by an aspartate and a phenylalanine, respectively, in the corresponding positions of the feathered-margined F0819. However, the expression pattern and function of this gene remain unclear. Here, we examined the expression patterns of BoALG10 using quantitative real-time PCR, and found that statistically significant differences in expression existed between F0819 and S0835 in nine developmental stages. The BoALG10 protein localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. The function of BoALG10 was then examined using complementary mutant assays. The overexpression strains phenocopied the smooth leaf margin after introduction of BoALG10S0835 into the feathered-margined inbred line F0819. Simultaneously, irregular dissections appeared in the leaf margins of knockout mutants KO-1 and KO-2, which were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 technology from the smooth-margined inbred line S0835. Microscopic observation showed that the leaf margin cells of the smooth-margined plants S0835 and OE-3 were arranged regularly, while the cells of the feathered-margined plants F0819 and KO-1 were of inconsistent size and distributed in an irregular manner, particularly around the indentations of the leaf. This elucidation of BoALG10 function provides a novel insight into the morphological regulation of leaf margin shape.
Weak Approximation for del Pezzo Surfaces of Low Degree
Authors: Demeio Julian , Streeter Sam
Published: June 2022

We prove, via an “arithmetic surjectivity” approach inspired by work of Denef, that weak weak approximation holds for surfaces with two conic fibrations satisfying a general assumption. In particular, weak weak approximation holds for general del Pezzo surfaces of degrees $1$ or $2$ with a conic fibration.
Mosquito Diversity in an Experimental Township in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Visa Shalini P , Shriram A N , Elango A , Natarajan R , Vijayakumar B , Raju K H K , Dengel Lucas , Gunasekaran K , Kumar Ashwani
Published: June 2022

To glean more information on mosquito diversity and distribution in Auroville, a cross-sectional study was carried out by mapping the distribution of water bodies and habitats supporting immature stages on the one hand and the distribution of water bodies/habitats supporting mosquito immature stages on the other. A satellite image covering an area of 8.08 km2 was overlaid with a grid of 500 × 500 m. Fifteen modules were selected and the area of each module served as the sampling site for the entomological survey. Adult and larval stages were sampled. Diversity indices were analyzed to compare mosquito diversity. Rarefaction estimations were used to compare abundance and richness of the mosquito species between different zones. In total, 750 mosquito larvae and 84 resting adults were sampled. Eighteen species of mosquitoes belonging to 11 subgenera and 7 genera were documented. Genera included Aedes (Johann Wilhelm Meigen 1818, Diptera, Culicidae), Anopheles (Johann Wilhelm Meigen 1818, Diptera, Culicidae), Armigeres (Theobald 1901, Diptera, Culicidae), Culex (Carl Linnaeus 1758, Diptera, Culicidae), Lutzia (Theobald 1903, Diptera, Culicidae), and Mimomyia (Theobald 1903, Diptera, Culicidae). Of the 18 mosquito species identified, 8 species are new records for Auroville. The Alpha (α) biodiversity indices show that the mosquito fauna is diverse (S = 18; DMg = 2.732 [95% CI: 2.732–2.732]). The Shannon-Weiner (Hʹ = 2.199 [95% CI: 2.133–2.276]) and Simpson indices (λ = 0.8619 [95% CI: 0.8496–0.8723]) measured species richness, evenness, and dominance. The values of these indices suggest high species richness, evenness, and dominance. Prevailing conditions can provide suitable environment for establishment of different mosquito species in this ecosystem. Given the sociodemographic characteristics of this area, research on mosquito diversity and risk of vector-borne diseases will be of great use.
Characterizing beam errors for radio interferometric observations of reionization
Authors: Nasirudin Ainulnabilah , Prelogovic David , Murray Steven G , Mesinger Andrei , Bernardi Gianni
Published: June 2022

A limiting systematic effect in 21-cm interferometric experiments is the chromaticity due to the coupling between the sky and the instrument. This coupling is sourced by the instrument primary beam; therefore it is important to know the beam to extremely high precision. Here, we demonstrate how known beam uncertainties can be characterized using data bases of beam models. In this introductory work, we focus on beam errors arising from physically offset and/or broken antennas within a station. We use the public code oskar to generate an ‘ideal’ SKA beam formed from 256 antennas regularly spaced in a 35-m circle, as well as a large data base of ‘perturbed’ beams sampling distributions of broken/offset antennas. We decompose the beam errors (‘ideal’ minus ‘perturbed’) using principal component analysis (PCA) and Kernel PCA (KPCA). Using 20 components, we find that PCA/KPCA can reduce the residual of the beam in our data sets by $60\!-\!90{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ compared with the assumption of an ideal beam. Using a simulated observation of the cosmic signal plus foregrounds, we find that assuming the ideal beam can result in $1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ error in the epoch of reionization (EoR) window and $10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ in the wedge of the 2D power spectrum. When PCA/KPCA is used to characterize the beam uncertainties, the error in the power spectrum shrinks to below $0.01{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ in the EoR window and $\le 1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ in the wedge. Our framework can be used to characterize and then marginalize over uncertainties in the beam for robust next-generation 21-cm parameter estimation.
The effect of returning radiation on relativistic reflection
Authors: Dauser T , García J A , Joyce A , Licklederer S , Connors R M T , Ingram A , Reynolds C S , Wilms J
Published: June 2022

We study the effect of returning radiation on the shape of the X-ray reflection spectrum in the case of thin accretion discs. We show that the returning radiation mainly influences the observed reflection spectrum for a large black hole spin (a > 0.9) and a compact primary source of radiation close to the black hole at height h < 5rg, and that it dominates the reflected flux for extreme values of spin and compactness. The main effect of the returning radiation is to increase the irradiating flux on to the outer parts of the accretion disc, leading to stronger reflection and a flatter overall emissivity profile. By analysing simulated observations we show that neglecting returning radiation in existing studies of reflection-dominated sources has likely resulted in overestimating the height of the corona above the black hole. An updated version of the publicly available relxill suite of relativistic reflection models which includes returning radiation is also presented.
An MCMC approach to the three-dimensional structure of the Milky Way bulge using OGLE-IV δ Scuti stars
Authors: Deka Mami , Deb Sukanta , Kurbah Kerdaris
Published: June 2022

We present an analysis of high-latitude δ Scuti stars (|b| > 1°) in the Galactic bulge region (−8${_{.}^{\circ}}$3 < l < 9${_{.}^{\circ}}$4) using a clean sample of the photometric data of 7440 stars recently released by the OGLE-IV project. The geometrical parameters of the bulge are determined based on Maximum Likelihood (ML) analysis in five-dimensional parameter space. More refined values of these parameters as well as their uncertainties are obtained from a fully Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analysis. Approximating the bulge as an ellipsoid, the distribution of the number density of stars as a function of Galacto-centric distance has been modelled using three distribution functions: two Exponential ($\rm E_{1},\rm E_{2}$) types and one Gaussian ($\rm G$) type. Based on the AIC and BIC values, the exponential model $\rm E_{1}$ is chosen as the best statistical model for the parameter values obtained from the MCMC analysis. The MCMC analysis yields the following results: the mean distance to the Galactic Centre (GC) is found to be R0 = 8.034 ± 0.012stat ± 0.586sys kpc; the bulge δ Scuti distribution has a triaxial shape with normalized (a ≡ 1) axes ratios (a: b: c) as 1.000 ± 0.005: 0.348 ± 0.002: 0.421 ± 0.002. Here a is the semi-major axis lying in the Galactic plane and pointing towards us; b and c are the two semi-minor axes, the former lying in the Galactic plane and the later perpendicular to it. Smaller values of b as compared to a obtained for Galacto-centric distances R ≥ 2.0 kpc indicate the presence of a bar-like structure of the bulge with a bar angle of 22${_{.}^{\circ}}$006 ± 2${_{.}^{\circ}}$078.
reXcor: a model of the X-ray spectrum of active galactic nuclei that combines ionized reflection and a warm corona
Authors: Xiang X , Ballantyne D R , Bianchi S , De Rosa A , Matt G , Middei R , Petrucci P-O , Różańska A , Ursini F
Published: June 2022

The X-ray spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) often exhibit an excess of emission above the primary power law at energies ≲2 keV. Two models for the origin of this ‘soft excess’ are ionized relativistic reflection from the inner accretion disc and Comptonization of thermal emission in a warm corona. Here, we introduce reXcor, a new AGN X-ray (0.3–100 keV) spectral fitting model that self-consistently combines the effects of both ionized relativistic reflection and the emission from a warm corona. In this model, the accretion energy liberated in the inner disc is distributed between a warm corona, a lamppost X-ray source, and the accretion disc. The emission and ionized reflection spectrum from the inner 400 rg of the disc is computed, incorporating the effects of relativistic light-bending and blurring. The resulting spectra predict a variety of soft excess shapes and sizes that depend on the fraction of energy dissipated in the warm corona and lamppost. We illustrate the use of reXcor by fitting to the joint XMM–Newton and NuSTAR observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxies HE 1143-1820 and NGC 4593, and find that both objects require a warm corona contribution to the soft excess. Eight reXcor table models, covering different values of accretion rate, lamppost height, and black hole spin, are publicly available through the xspec website. Systematic use of reXcor will provide insight into the distribution of energy in AGN accretion flows.
Predictors of Adherence Among Vulnerable Populations of Adults Assigned to Smoke Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes
Authors: Morgan Snell L , Reed G L , Tidey J , Bunn J Y , Harfmann R F , Heil S H , Sigmon S C , Gaalema D , Higgins S T
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Regulators are considering reducing the nicotine content in cigarettes to a minimally addictive level. This could particularly benefit smokers from populations vulnerable to heavy smoking and difficulties quitting. We assessed predictors of adherence among adults from vulnerable populations assigned to use very low nicotine content cigarettes (VLNCs) in randomized clinical trials, to identify characteristics of those who require additional assistance if a nicotine reduction policy were implemented.

Aims and Methods

Data came from three populations of vulnerable adult smokers assigned to use VLNC cigarettes (0.4 mg/g nicotine) during 12-week randomized controlled trials (n = 286): Socioeconomically disadvantaged women of reproductive age, opioid-maintained adults, and adults with affective disorders. Logistic and linear regressions modeled predictors of adherence based on changes in cotinine at week-6 and week-12 assessments relative to baseline, and as a 90% reduction in cotinine relative to baseline (full adherence: yes/no). Predictors included satisfaction with study cigarettes, craving, nicotine dependence severity, withdrawal, population membership, baseline affective-disorder symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Dependence severity was negatively associated with both adherence measures at week 6 (p < .01), whereas increased satisfaction with study cigarettes and age were positively associated with both measures at weeks 6 and 12 (p < .01). Opioid-maintained adults exhibited reduced adherence and were less likely to reach full adherence at week 12 compared to disadvantaged women (p = .02).

Conclusions

Factors associated with VLNC adherence in vulnerable populations are similar to those in the general population of smokers. Furthermore, studies are indicated investigating nicotine supplements (e.g., e-cigarettes, NRT) to support highly dependent adults faced with using VLNCs.

Implications

This study identified factors predicting difficulty maintaining adherence to a regimen of very low nicotine content cigarettes (VLNC) among adults from vulnerable populations. Findings suggested that factors predicting difficulty maintaining adherence (greater nicotine dependence and low satisfaction with study-provided VLNC) were common across vulnerable smokers and the general population of adults who smoke. Furthermore, research should investigate alternatives to support highly dependent adults, such as pairing VLNC with supplemental, noncombusted nicotine. Some vulnerable populations (e.g., opioid-maintained adults) may be especially in need of supplemental, noncombusted nicotine.
Ubiquitinated DA1 negatively regulates vascular cambium activity through modulating the stability of WOX4 in Populus
Authors: Tang Xianfeng , Wang Congpeng , Chai Guohua , Wang Dian , Xu Hua , Liu Yu , He Guo , Liu Shuqing , Zhang Yiran , Kong Yingzhen , Li Shengjun , Lu Mengzhu , Sederoff Ronald R , Li Quanzi , Zhou Gongke
Published: June 2022

Activity of the vascular cambium gives rise to secondary xylem for wood formation in trees. The transcription factor WUSCHEL-related HOMEOBOX4 (WOX4) is a central regulator downstream of the hormone and peptide signaling pathways that maintain cambial activity. However, the genetic regulatory network underlying WOX4-mediated wood formation at the post-transcriptional level remains to be elucidated. In this study, we identified the ubiquitin receptor PagDA1 in hybrid poplar (Populus alba × Populus glandulosa clone 84K) as a negative regulator of wood formation, which restricts cambial activity during secondary growth. Overexpression of PagDA1 in poplar resulted in a relatively reduced xylem due to decreased cambial cell division. By contrast, mutation of PagDA1 by CRISPR/Cas9 resulted in an increased cambial cell activity and promoted xylem formation. Genetic analysis demonstrated that PagDA1 functions antagonistically in a common pathway as PagWOX4 to regulate cambial activity. We propose that PagDA1 physically associates with PagWOX4 and modulates the degradation of PagWOX4 by the 26S proteasome. Moreover, genetic analysis revealed that PagDA1 exerts its negative effect on cambial development by modulating the stability of PagWOX4 in a ubiquitin-dependent manner mediated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase PagDA2. In sum, we have identified a cambial regulatory protein complex, PagDA1–PagWOX4, as a potential target for wood biomass improvement.