bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On four-way CP model estimation efficiency
Authors: Simonacci Violetta , Gallo Michele
Published: August 2022

The latent structure of four-dimensional tensors can be investigated by means of the four-way CANDECOMP/PARAFAC model. This technique is seldom used because its estimating design is challenging from an algorithmic and interpretational standpoint. Parameter estimation with a least-squares approach can be computationally costly, especially under difficult conditions such as factor collinearity and model over-specification. In this work, we implement a 4th-order extension of the efficient trilinear procedure INT-2 to tackle estimating setbacks and test it in a simulation study.
Interposition arthroplasty for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the elbow: a systematic review
Authors: Lanzerath Fabian , Hackl Michael , Pucher Christoph-Johannes , Leschinger Tim , Uschok Stephan , Müller Lars P. , Wegmann Kilian
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Interposition arthroplasty for the post-traumatic osteoarthritic elbow is a salvage procedure used in young and active patients and remains a rare and unexplored therapeutic option.

Methods

We systematically reviewed the available literature searching electronic databases, MEDLINE using the PubMed interface and EMBASE. The primary objective was to synthesize functional outcomes and to investigate revision frequencies, but also complication and subsequent surgery rates among patients with surviving grafts. The preferred reporting guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines were applied.

Results

Five studies were left for inclusion, all retrospective in design, comprising 67 patients. The mean age was 40 years, the mean follow-up period was 61 months, and 68.2% of the patients treated were male. Eleven patients (16.4%) were treated with fascia lata autografts, and 56 patients (83.6%) were treated with Achilles tendon allografts. The graft survived in 53 patients (79.1%); the post-operative Mayo Elbow Performance Score averaged 69 points. Fourteen patients (20.9%) required revision surgery. In the setting of graft survival, 39.1% of patients had complications not requiring further surgical treatment and 5.7% of patients with surviving grafts needed subsequent operative treatment within the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Given graft survival, this systematic review demonstrated satisfactory functional outcomes following interposition arthroplasty of the post-traumatic osteoarthritic elbow, however, associated with a cumulative complication and subsequent operative treatment rate of 44.8%. In addition, a revision rate of 20.9% needs to be expected. Varus-valgus instability in the pre-operative clinical assessment seems to be associated with unsatisfactory post-operative elbow function. The superiority of either of the two main reported graft methods (fascia lata autograft and Achilles tendon allograft) remains pending, and the role of an external fixator in preventing post-operative instability remains unresolved.
Microvascular capillaroscopic abnormalities and occurrence of antinuclear autoantibodies in patients with sarcoidosis
Authors: Cattelan Francesco , Hysa Elvis , Gotelli Emanuele , Pizzorni Carmen , Bica Pietro Francesco , Grosso Marco , Barisione Emanuela , Paolino Sabrina , Carmisciano Luca , Sulli Alberto , Smith Vanessa , Cutolo Maurizio
Published: August 2022

We described nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) findings and estimated the prevalence of serum anti-nuclear (ANA) and extractable nuclear antigen autoantibodies (ENA) in a cohort of sarcoidosis patients, comparing them with adequate healthy controls (HCs) and with primary Raynaud’s phenomenon patients (PRPs). NVC findings were also correlated with the occurrence of autoantibodies, current treatment, laboratory parameters, variables of lung function and whole-body imaging data. Twenty-six patients with sarcoidosis were assessed through NVC, laboratory parameters, pulmonary function tests, chest-X ray and 18- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. The NVC parameters and ANA/ENA dosage were recorded also in 30 PRPs and 30 HCs. Sarcoidosis patients showed a higher rate of capillary dilations and nonspecific abnormalities and a lower mean capillary absolute number than PRPs and HCs (p < 0.01 for all comparisons). The prevalence of ANA positivity was higher in patients with sarcoidosis compared with PRPs and HCs (p < 0.02 for both), whereas ENA positivity was detected in one sarcoidosis patient (Ro52). Among sarcoidosis patients, the mean capillary absolute number negatively correlated with the C-reactive protein concentrations and was positively associated with the forced vital capacity percentage. Instead, a negative correlation was detected between serum ACE levels and the presence of capillary dilations (all p < 0.05). Our findings suggest a microvascular involvement in sarcoidosis whose investigation by NVC might be useful for the follow-up of patients displaying RP. Autoantibody positivity in sarcoidosis might suggest autoimmune implications in the disease or the production of autoantibodies reactive to tissue damage.
Simulationsgestützte Designoptimierung zur Reduktion des Winkelfehlers bei miniaturisierten thermischen Windsensoren
Authors: Talic Almir , Beigelbeck Roman , Kohl Franz , Cerimovic Samir , Keplinger Franz , Sauter Thilo
Published: August 2022

In diesem Artikel wird die simulationsgestützte Designoptimierung von miniaturisierten kalorimetrischen Windsensoren hinsichtlich der Reduktion des Winkelfehlers untersucht. Im ersten Schritt wird gezeigt, warum die naheliegende, einfache Zusammenfassung von zwei orthogonal angeordneten länglichen Strömungssensoren auf einer einzelnen Membran keine gute Lösung ist und welche Nachteile sich daraus ergeben. Im zweiten Schritt wird ein neues Sensordesign mithilfe von FEM-Simulationen so evaluiert und optimiert, dass sich ein Winkelfehler von weit unter 1° ergibt. Auf Basis von diesem Design wurde ein mikromechanischer thermischer Strömungssensor gefertigt und messtechnisch charakterisiert. Die Unzulänglichkeiten des verwendeten Messaufbaus verursachen eine Störung des Fluidflusses in bestimmten, beschränkten Winkelbereichen, was einen erhöhten Winkelfehler bedingt. In den ungestörten Bereichen liegt der Winkelfehler im Rahmen der Messgenauigkeit, was den Erfolg der Optimierungsmethode unterstreicht.
Patient-reported supportive care needs among Asian American cancer patients
Authors: Wang Katarina , Ma Carmen , Li Feng Ming , Truong Angeline , Shariff-Marco Salma , Chu Janet N. , Oh Debora L. , Allen Laura , Kuo Mei-Chin , Wong Ching , Bui Hoan , Chen Junlin , Gomez Scarlett L. , Nguyen Tung T. , Tsoh Janice Y.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Cancer is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans. However, few studies have documented supportive care needs from the perspective of Asian American cancer patients. This study describes the needs reported by Asian American patients with colorectal, liver, or lung cancer over a 6-month period during their treatment.

Methods

Participants were recruited through the Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry and from cancer care providers in San Francisco. Participants self-identified as Asian or Asian American; were age 21 or older; spoke English, Chinese, or Vietnamese; and had stage I–III colon, rectum, liver, or lung cancer. Participants were matched with a language concordant patient navigator who provided support during a 6-month period. Needs were assessed by surveys at baseline, 3, and 6 months.

Results

Among 24 participants, 58% were 65 years or older, 42% did not complete high school, and 75% had limited English proficiency (LEP). At baseline, the most prevalent needs were cancer information (79%), nutrition and physical activity (67%), language assistance (54%), and daily living (50%). At the 3- and 6-month follow-up surveys, there was a higher reported need for mental health resources and healthcare access among participants.

Conclusion

In this pilot study of Asian American cancer patients who predominantly had LEP, participants reported many needs, with cancer information and language assistance as the most prominent. The findings highlight the importance of culturally and linguistically appropriate patient navigators in addressing supportive care needs among cancer patients with LEP.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03867916.
Addressing modern and practical challenges in machine learning: a survey of online federated and transfer learning
Authors: Dai Shuang , Meng Fanlin
Published: August 2022

Online federated learning (OFL) and online transfer learning (OTL) are two collaborative paradigms for overcoming modern machine learning challenges such as data silos, streaming data, and data security. This survey explores OFL and OTL throughout their major evolutionary routes to enhance understanding of online federated and transfer learning. Practical aspects of popular datasets and cutting-edge applications for online federated and transfer learning are also highlighted in this work. Furthermore, this survey provides insight into potential future research areas and aims to serve as a resource for professionals developing online federated and transfer learning frameworks.
Omission of axillary surgery for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence with negative nodes after previous breast-conserving surgery: is it oncologically safe?
Authors: Qu Fei-Lin , Lin Cai-Jin , Liu Zhe-Bin , Cao A.-Yong , Wu Jiong , Liu Guang-Yu , Yu Ke-Da , Di Gen-Hong , Li Jun-Jie , Shao Zhi-Ming
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Salvage mastectomy is traditionally recommended for patients who developed ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) in light of previous breast irradiation. However, it remains controversial whether surgical axillary staging (SAS) is necessary for IBTR patients with negative nodes. This study aimed to evaluate the oncologic safety of omitting SAS for IBTR.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients who developed invasive IBTR with negative nodes after undergoing breast-conserving surgery (BCS) from 2010 to 2018. Patterns of care in nodal staging were analyzed based on prior axillary staging status. Clinicopathologic characteristics and adjuvant treatment of the initial tumor, as well as the IBTR, were compared between the SAS and no SAS groups. Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model were utilized to compare the locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) rates after IBTR removal between the two groups.

Results

A total of 154 IBTR patients were eligible for final analysis. Compared to the no SAS group, SAS group was less likely to undergo ALND (15.1 vs 73.3%, p < 0.001) at initial BCS, had a longer recurrence interval (2.8 vs 2.1 years, p = 0.03), and were more likely to have discordant molecular subtype (35.8 vs 12.9%, p = 0.001) and different quadrant location (37.7 vs 19.8%, p = 0.02) with primary tumor. However, the extent of axillary staging did not affect systemic or radiation recommendations. In the subgroup of patients without previous ALND, the clinicopathologic characteristics were roughly comparable. No significant differences were observed in LRRFS, DMFS or OS between the two groups.

Conclusion

For node-negative IBTR patients, we observed selection bias on the basis of prior ALND, shorter recurrence interval, and concordant molecular subtype favoring no SAS but comparable LRRFS, DMFS, and OS. These results support a wider consideration of sparing SAS in the management of IBTR, especially in patients without previous ALND.
Temporal trends in calls for suicide attempts to poison control centers in France during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide study
Authors: Jollant Fabrice , Blanc-Brisset Ingrid , Cellier Morgane , Ambar Akkaoui Marine , Tran Viet Chi , Hamel Jean-François , Piot Marie-Aude , Nourredine Mikail , Nisse Patrick ,   The French Poison Center Control Research Group, Hawton Keith , Descatha Alexis , Vodovar Dominique
Published: August 2022

Concerns have been raised about early vs. later impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal behavior. However, data remain sparse to date. We investigated all calls for intentional drug or other toxic ingestions to the eight Poison Control Centers in France between 1st January 2018 and 31st May 2022. Data were extracted from the French National Database of Poisonings. Calls during the study period were analyzed using time trends and time series analyses with SARIMA models (based on the first two years). Breakpoints were determined using Chow test. These analyses were performed together with examination of age groups (≤ 11, 12–24, 25–64, ≥ 65 years) and gender effects when possible. Over the studied period, 66,589 calls for suicide attempts were received. Overall, there was a downward trend from 2018, which slowed down in October 2019 and was followed by an increase from November 2020. Number of calls observed during the COVID period were above what was expected. However, important differences were found according to age and gender. The increase in calls from mid-2020 was particularly observed in young females, while middle-aged adults showed a persisting decrease. An increase in older-aged people was observed from mid-2019 and persisted during the pandemic. The pandemic may therefore have exacerbated a pre-existing fragile situation in adolescents and old-aged people. This study emphasizes the rapidly evolving situation regarding suicidal behaviour during the pandemic, the possibility of age and gender differences in impact, and the value of having access to real-time information to monitor suicidal acts.
Influence of chemically synthesized powder addition on K0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramic’s properties
Authors: Migliori Emanuele , Mercadelli Elisa , Beltrami Ruben , Mariani Marco , Baldisserri Carlo , Galassi Carmen , Lecis Nora
Published: August 2022

A new strategy to produce lead-free K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) piezoceramics with reliable and improved piezoelectric performance is presented for the first time. KNN powders were synthesized using two distinct synthesis routes: a mechanochemical activation-assisted solid-state route (KNNSSR) and a sol–gel modified Pechini method (KNNchem). KNNchem powders were mixed with KNNSSR at different weight ratios (0, 3, 5, 10 and 20 wt%), and the mixtures were conventionally consolidated and sintered at 1130 °C for 2 h. It was found that KNNchem powders influence crystal phase, microstructure and piezoelectric properties of the sintered pellets. Gradually increasing KNNchem content promotes the conversion of the undesired phase present in KNNSSR into the stoichiometric one. It is also proved that the addition of KNNchem between 5 and 10 wt% improves piezoelectric properties, eventually leading to a d33 piezoelectric charge constant value of 113–115 pC/N. These values are among the highest reported for undoped KNN ceramics obtained by conventional sintering.
How landscape and biotic interactions shape a Mediterranean reptile community
Authors: Romano Antonio , Rosa Giacomo , Salvidio Sebastiano , Novaga Riccardo , Costa Andrea
Published: August 2022

Context

Disentangling the effect of environment and biological interaction on community composition with observational data, within the environmental filtering framework, is challenging because the two processes produce non independent results.

Objectives

Adopting community N-mixture models with symmetric interactions, we aimed at estimating differential effects of landscape structure and biotic interactions on the local abundance of a Mediterranean reptile community including four lizards (Lacerta bilineata; Podarcis siculus; P. muralis; Chalcides chalcides) and two snakes (Hierophis viridiflavus; Natrix Helvetica).

Methods

We sampled reptiles for three consecutive years (2019–2021; 4 surveys/year) on 52 linear transects on a Mediterranean coastal landscape. We analyzed count data by means of a multi-species N-mixture model with symmetric interactions. Interactions within pair of species were estimated from the residual correlation of their realized abundances, after accounting for four landscape features: landscape heterogeneity calculated from land cover data, edge density of woody vegetation patches, tree cover density, net primary productivity.

Results

Most species displayed very low detection probability (p ~ 0.10). All species responded with different intensity and sensitivity to landscape predictors. Two biological interactions resulted significant:L. bilineataandP. siculusshowed a positive interaction, whileP. muralisandC. chalcidesdisplayed a negative interaction.

Conclusions

Using community N-mixture models we demonstrated that, also with observational data obtained from a realized community, partitioning the filtering process of the landscape from the one of biotic interactions is possible.
Introgression of the RppQ gene from field corn improves southern rust resistance in sweet corn
Authors: Zhang Nan , Qi Xitao , Li Xiaofeng , Li Guangyu , Li Gaoke , Hu Jianguang
Published: August 2022

Southern rust, one of the most destructive foliar diseases of sweet corn (Zea mays convar. saccharata var. rugosa), is caused by Puccinia polysora Underw. and leads to enormous yield losses and reduced quality of sweet corn in China. Utilization of resistance genes is an effective and environmentally friendly strategy for improving southern rust resistance of sweet corn. However, improvement is hampered by a lack of resistance genes in Chinese sweet corn germplasm. In this study, we introgress the southern rust resistance gene RppQ from Qi319, an inbred line of southern rust–resistant field corn, into four elite sweet corn inbred lines (1401, 1413, 1434, and 1445) using marker-assisted backcross breeding. These are parental inbred lines of four popular sweet corn varieties: Yuetian 28, Yuetian 13, Yuetian 26, and Yuetian 27. We developed five RppQ-based markers (M0607, M0801, M0903, M3301, and M3402) and employed these markers for foreground selection; 92.3 to 97.9% of the recurrent parent genomes were recovered following three or four rounds of backcrossing. The four newly developed sweet corn lines all showed significant improvement of southern rust resistance compared with their respective parent lines. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in phenotypic data for agronomic traits. In addition, reconstituted hybrids derived from the converted lines retained resistance to southern rust, while other agronomic traits and sugar content remained unchanged. Our study provides an example of successful development of southern rust–resistant sweet corn using a resistance gene from field corn.
Signatures of intramolecular vibrational and vibronic Q$$_{\mathrm{x}}$$–Q$$_{\mathrm{y}}$$ coupling effects in absorption and CD spectra of chlorophyll dimers
Authors: Seibt Joachim , Lindorfer Dominik , Renger Thomas
Published: August 2022

An electron-vibrational coupling model that includes the vibronic (non-adiabatic) coupling between the Q$$_{\mathrm{y}}$$

y

and Q$$_{\mathrm{x}}$$

x

transitions of chlorophyll (Chl), created by Reimers and coworkers (Scientific Rep. 3, 2761, 2013) is extended here to chlorophyll dimers with interchlorophyll excitonic coupling. The model is applied to a Chl a dimer of the water-soluble chlorophyll binding protein (WSCP). As for isolated chlorophyll, the vibronic coupling is found to have a strong influence on the high-frequency vibrational sideband in the absorption spectrum, giving rise to a band splitting. In contrast, in the CD spectrum the interplay of vibronic coupling and static disorder leads to a strong suppression of the vibrational sideband in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The conservative nature of the CD spectrum in the low-energy region is found to be caused by a delicate balance of the intermonomer excitonic coupling between the purely electronic Q$$_{\mathrm{y}}$$

y

transition and the Q$$_{\mathrm{y}}$$

y

transition involving intramolecular vibrational excitations on one hand and the coupling to higher-energy electronic transitions on the other hand.
Enhancing stock market anomalies with machine learning
Authors: Azevedo Vitor , Hoegner Christopher
Published: August 2022

We examine the predictability of 299 capital market anomalies enhanced by 30 machine learning approaches and over 250 models in a dataset with more than 500 million firm-month anomaly observations. We find significant monthly (out-of-sample) returns of around 1.8–2.0%, and over 80% of the models yield returns equal to or larger than our linearly constructed baseline factor. For the best performing models, the risk-adjusted returns are significant across alternative asset pricing models, considering transaction costs with round-trip costs of up to 2% and including only anomalies after publication. Our results indicate that non-linear models can reveal market inefficiencies (mispricing) that are hard to conciliate with risk-based explanations.
Dual versus triple therapy in treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Authors: Bishai Nevine , Nabawy Walid el , Fiki Mohamed El , Ibrahim Mohamed , Garem Nouman El
Published: August 2022

Background

The goal of HCV treatment is eradication of the virus to prevent complications associated with the disease and decrease all-cause mortality. This work compared sustained viral response (SVR) 12 weeks after end of treatment of chronic HCV patients with different treatment regimens, namely 4 regimens. Two hundred treatment naive chronic HCV patients were selected and divided into 4 equal groups as follows: group A received pegylated interferon (peg IFN) and ribavirin (RBV); group B received peg IFN, RBV, and sofosbuvir (SOF); group C received RBV and SOF; group D received SOF, daclatasvir (DCV), and RBV.

Results

The sustained viral response after 12 months of treatment is 57.23%, 72.09%, 64.40%, and 96.42% of patients in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Hence, group D regimen showed the best results.

Conclusion

SOF and DCV and RBV have the highest SVR12 and least side effects compared to other treatment regimens. Although group D patients initially had poor pretreatment investigations relative to other groups, they proved to have the highest tolerability to this regimen. Such findings hold promising line of treatment and better prognosis even for chronic HCV patients with poor liver condition.
Social Care Recommendations in National Diabetes Treatment Guidelines
Authors: Aceves Benjamin , Gunn Rose , Pisciotta Maura , Razon Na’amah , Cottrell Erika , Hessler Danielle , Gold Rachel , Gottlieb Laura M.
Published: August 2022

Purpose of Review

An expanding body of research documents associations between socioeconomic circumstances and health outcomes, which has led health care institutions to invest in new activities to identify and address patients’ social circumstances in the context of care delivery. Despite growing national investment in these “social care” initiatives, the extent to which social care activities are routinely incorporated into care for patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2D), specifically, is unknown. We conducted a scoping review of existing T2D treatment and management guidelines to explore whether and how these guidelines incorporate recommendations that reflect social care practice categories.

Recent Findings

We applied search terms to locate all T2D treatment and management guidelines for adults published in the US from 1977 to 2021. The search captured 158 national guidelines. We subsequently applied the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine framework to search each guideline for recommendations related to five social care activities: Awareness, Adjustment, Assistance, Advocacy, and Alignment. The majority of guidelines (122; 77%) did not recommend any social care activities. The remainder (36; 23%) referred to one or more social care activities. In the guidelines that referred to at least one type of social care activity, adjustments to medical treatment based on social risk were most common [34/36 (94%)].

Recommended adjustments included decreasing medication costs to accommodate financial strain, changing literacy level or language of handouts, and providing virtual visits to accommodate transportation insecurity. Ensuring that practice guidelines more consistently reflect social care best practices may improve outcomes for patients living with T2D.
Weight Loss Interventions and Skeletal Health in Persons with Diabetes
Authors: Zhao Qi , Khedkar Sonal V. , Johnson Karen C.
Published: August 2022

Purpose of Review

Weight loss is recommended for improving glycemic control and reducing cardiovascular risk factors in persons with diabetes. However, both diabetes and weight loss have been associated with detrimental skeletal health. This review aims to summarize recent study findings on the effects of lifestyle interventions for weight loss on skeletal health among persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Recent Findings

A few large-scale observational studies have demonstrated an increased fragility fracture risk associated with weight loss among persons with T2D. Randomized control trials in persons with T2D also have shown that intentional lifestyle interventions for weight loss are associated with a greater decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and an increase in the risk of fracture. The biological mechanisms underlying the compromised bone health during lifestyle interventions for weight loss are complex and not yet conclusive. However, there is evidence to suggest that bone loss and increased fracture risk during intentional weight loss may be mitigated by some intervention approaches, such as high protein intake, calcium supplementation, and resistance and balance training.

There is still a lack of studies investigating the effects of different interventions for weight loss on skeletal health among persons with T2D. However, certain types of diet and physical activity intervention combined with bone monitoring and fracture risk prediction may help achieve weight loss goals and maintain skeletal health among persons with T2D during intentional weight loss.
The α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibition Capacity of Grape Pomace: A Review
Authors: Cisneros-Yupanqui Miluska , Lante Anna , Mihaylova Dasha , Krastanov Albert I. , Rizzi Corrado
Published: August 2022

The concept of functional foods is gaining more importance due to its role in maintaining a healthy status and preventing some metabolic diseases. The control of diabetes, in particular type-2 (T2DM), could be considered a big challenge since it involves other factors such as eating habits. From the pharmacological point of view, inhibiting digestive enzymes, such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase, is one of the mechanisms mainly used by synthetic drugs to control this disease; however, several side effects are described. For that reason, using bioactive compounds may appear as an alternative without presenting the complications synthetic drugs available on the market have. The winemaking industry generates tons of waste annually, and grape pomace (GP) is the most important. GP is recognized for its nutritional value and as a source of bioactive compounds that are helpful for human health. This review highlights the importance of GP as a possible source of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors. Also, it is emphasized the components involved in this bioactivity and the possible interactions among them. Especially, some phenolic compounds and fiber of GP are the main ones responsible for interfering with the human digestive enzymes. Preliminary studies in vitro confirmed this bioactivity; however, further information is required to allow the specific use of GP as a functional ingredient inside the market of products recommended for people with diabetes.

Graphical abstract
Ribosomenbiogenese in Archaeen
Authors: Jüttner Michael , Ferreira-Cerca Sébastien
Published: August 2022

The ribosome is a universally conserved macromolecular machine responsible for the translation of mRNAs into proteins. The synthesis of ribosomes is a crucial task that has been well characterized in bacteria and eukarya, but not in archaea. Here we summarize our current understanding of ribosome biogenesis in archaea and how it might help to further answer evolutionary questions.
Organizational support, training and equipment are key determinants of burnout among dialysis healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Pawłowicz-Szlarska Ewa , Forycka Joanna , Harendarz Karolina , Stanisławska Martyna , Makówka Agnieszka , Nowicki Michał
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Burnout was already found to be an important factor in the professional landscape of nephrology prior to the COVID-19 outbreak and is expected to worsen during the pandemic.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to assess pandemic experiences, perceptions, and burnout among Polish dialysis unit professionals in the COVID-19 period.

Participants and methods

A survey, which consisted of a Pandemic Experiences and Perceptions Survey (PEPS) and a Maslach Burnout Inventory was distributed online to Polish dialysis units. The study group comprised 379 participants (215 nurses, 148 physicians, and 16 respondents of other professions).

Results

The pandemic largely affected or completely dominated the work of dialysis units according to 53.4% and 25.5% of nurses responding to the PEPS, respectively. Among physicians, the prevalence was 55.5% and 15.4% of participants, respectively. Serious or life-threatening risk was perceived by 72.1% and 11.9% of dialysis healthcare professionals, respectively. Furthermore, 74.6% of the study participants stated that their work in a dialysis setting amidst the pandemic was felt to be associated with serious risk for their relatives. Adequate personal protective equipment and information from management decreased burnout among dialysis staff. Burnout was lower in all dimensions among those participants who felt more in control of their exposure to infection, provided by proper training, equipment, and support (p = 0.0004 for emotional exhaustion,p = 0.0007 for depersonalization, andp < 0.0001 for feelings of personal accomplishment).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic has largely affected the work in dialysis units. Providing proper training, equipment, and support may decrease burnout among dialysis staff.

Graphical abstract
Our Long Walk to Economic Freedom
Authors: Fourie Johan
Published: August 2022

Our Long Walk to Economic Freedom is an entertaining and engaging guide to global economic history told for the first time from an African perspective. In thirty-five short chapters Johan Fourie tells the story of 100,000 years of human history spanning humankind's migration out of Africa to the Covid-19 pandemic. His unique account reveals just how much we can learn by asking unexpected questions such as 'How could a movie embarrass Stalin?', 'Why do the Japanese play rugby?' and 'What do an Indonesian volcano, Frankenstein and Shaka Zulu have in common?'. The book sheds new light on urgent debates about the roots and reasons for prosperity, the march of opportunity versus the crushing boot of exploitation, and why it is the builders of society – rather than the burglars –who ultimately win out.
Truncated versions of three identities of Euler and Gauss
Authors: Yao Olivia X.M.
Published: August 2022

In 2012, Andrews and Merca proved a truncated theorem on Euler's pentagonal number theorem. Motivated by the works of Andrews and Merca, Guo and Zeng deduced truncated versions for two other classical theta series identities of Gauss. Very recently, Xia et al. proved new truncated theorems of the three classical theta series identities by taking different truncated series than the ones chosen by Andrews–Merca and Guo–Zeng. In this paper, we provide a unified treatment to establish new truncated versions for the three identities of Euler and Gauss based on a Bailey pair due to Lovejoy. These new truncated identities imply the results proved by Andrews–Merca, Wang–Yee, and Xia–Yee–Zhao.
Potential response from selection schemes based on progeny testing and genomic selection for the Chilean dairy cattle under pastoral systems: a deterministic simulation
Authors: Lembeye Felipe , López-Villalobos Nicolás , Uribe Héctor
Published: August 2022

Recently, a selection index called Valor Económico Lechero (VEL) was developed for Chilean dairy cattle under pasture. However, a specific selection scheme has not yet been implemented. This study aimed to estimate genetic progress from selection on the VEL selection index based on selection schemes using progeny testing (PT) and genomic selection (GS). Under a PT-scheme, estimated genetic progress was 41.50, 3.44, and 2.33 kg/year for milk, fat, and protein yield, respectively. The realised genetic gain takes eight-year after the PT-scheme implementation, which may be a disincentive for implementing a PT-scheme, suggesting that importing frozen semen of proven bulls could be a preferred alternative. In this case, an option may be to conduct the genetic evaluation of those bulls using their progeny in Chile for the traits included in VEL selection index. In the case of implementing a specific selection scheme, compared to PT, a more profitable alternative might be the implementation of a GS-scheme, that would result in a faster genetic gain in the aggregate breeding value or merit for all the traits included in the selection objective (0.323–0.371 vs. 0.194 σg/year).
The persistence of nutrition impact symptoms in cancer survivors’ post-treatment
Authors: O'Callaghan N. , Douglas P. , Keaver L.
Published: August 2022

This abstract was awarded the student prize for best poster presentation.
The Identitarian movement and fashwave music: The nostalgia and anger of the new far right in Denmark
Authors: Larsen Jeppe Fuglsang
Published: August 2022

Through perspectives from the sociology of emotions and multimodality as an analytical tool, this article analyses the cultural aspects of the Identitarian movement through the case of the Danish Generation Identitær (GI) and its online videos. The analysis shows that the group shares an understanding of societal problems and emotions of nostalgia and anger connected to this worldview and demonstrates that the group's use of fashwave music style fits its worldview and emotions. Furthermore, the article argues that the coded language associated with fashwave music is part of what defines the community of GI and that the music binds its members to a collective consciousness. Therefore, this article presents an analysis of the cultural style of fashwave, an important contribution to the study of the broader cultural and social ecology of newer far-right groups and milieus, such as the Identitarian movement.
Habitat use by mixed-species bird flocks in tropical forests of the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Hariharan Priyanka , Bangal Priti , Sridhar Hari , Shanker Kartik
Published: August 2022

While mixed-species flocks of birds (hereafter ‘flocks’) have been widely studied, few studies have looked at the effect of habitat structure on flock presence and flocking propensity within a site. Here, we employ a use-availability approach in locations with flocks and random locations to ask whether habitat characteristics influence the presence of flocks, and whether structurally similar microhabitats support compositionally similar flocks. We also examine the effect of habitat on flock size and species richness, and the effect of intraspecifically gregarious flock participants on habitat selection. We find that flocks use a narrow subset of available tree density and canopy cover variation and prefer relatively less-dense areas with large trees and a complex foliage structure. Similar microhabitats do not result in compositionally similar flocks, and while foliage complexity was associated with flock size, no habitat characteristics influenced species richness. Flocks led by the intraspecifically gregarious western crowned warbler (Phylloscopus occipitalis), a potential nuclear species, showed preference for high foliage complexity and tree density. Thus, habitat preferences of intraspecifically gregarious species, which are followed by other species, could play a strong role in habitat selection in flocks. This suggests that degraded forests that cannot provide a suitable range of tree density, canopy cover, and/or complex vegetation structure may not support some core flock species around which flocks form, which may lead to decreased flocking in those patches.
30 years’ experience with the arterial switch operation: risk of pulmonary stenosis and its impact on post-operative prognosis
Authors: Sobczak-Budlewska Katarzyna , Łubisz Monika , Moll Maciej , Moszura Tomasz , Moll Jadwiga A. , Korabiewska-Pluta Sara , Moll Jacek J. , Michalak Krzysztof W.
Published: August 2022

Pulmonary stenosis is one of the most common complications in patients with transposition of the great arteries after the arterial switch operation. The reason for this is multifactorial and related to the anterior shift of the pulmonary trunk during the LeCompte manoeuvre, the complex suture line required to fill the gaps after harvesting the coronary arteries, and the need for patch implantation to maintain a tensionless anastomosis.

We reviewed all patients with transposition of the great arteries operated on at our institute between 1991 and 2020 to establish the frequency of pulmonary stenosis during post-operative follow-up, reinterventions, and reoperations related to pulmonary stenosis and its potential risk factors.

During the analysed period, we performed 848 arterial switch operations for simple and complex cases of transposition of the great arteries. The overall early mortality was 6.96%, and the late mortality was 2.53%. Among all study groups, 243 (28.66%) patients developed mild pulmonary stenosis, 43 patients (5.07%) developed moderate, and 45 patients (5.31%) developed severe pulmonary stenosis. During follow-up, 21 patients required interventions related to pulmonary stenosis. Pulmonary reconstruction with patches, aortic arch anomalies, and ventricular septal defects associated with transposition of the great arteries were significant risk factors. Nine patients required reoperation because of pulmonary artery stenosis with patch reconstruction of the pulmonary artery, aortic arch anomalies, and aortic cross-clamping time, increasing the risk of reoperation.

Pulmonary stenosis in patients with transposition of the great arteries after the arterial switch operation is a common complication. If significant, it occurs early after surgery and is the most frequent reason for post-operative interventions and reoperations.
Optimizing Competing Instrument Needs with an Objective Metric
Authors: Rehnberg Morgan
Published: August 2022

Intrinsic dimensionality can quantify the level of information obtainable for various possible instrument configurations.
Improving the Treatment of Subgrid Cloud Variability in Warm Rain Simulation in CESM2
Authors: Wang Hao , Wang Minghuai , Zhang Zhibo , Larson Vincent E. , Griffin Brian M. , Guo Zhun , Zhu Yannian , Rosenfeld Daniel , Cao Yang , Bai Heming
Published: August 2022

Representing subgrid variability of cloud properties has always been a challenge in global climate models (GCMs). In many cloud microphysics schemes, the warm rain non‐linear process rates calculated based on grid‐mean cloud properties are usually scaled by an enhancement factor (EF) to account for the effects of subgrid cloud variability. In our study, we find that the EF derived from Cloud Layers Unified by Binormals in Community Atmosphere Model version 6 (CAM6) is severely overestimated in most of the cloudy oceanic areas, which leads to strong overestimation of the autoconversion rate. We improve the EF in warm rain simulation by developing a new formula for in‐cloud subgrid cloud water variance. With the updated subgrid cloud water variance and EF treatment, the liquid cloud fraction (LCF) and cloud optical thickness (COT) increases noticeably for marine stratocumulus, and the shortwave cloud forcing (SWCF) matches better with observations. The updated formula improves the relationship between autoconversion rate and cloud droplet number concentration, and it decreases the sensitivity of autoconversion rate to aerosols. The sensitivity of liquid water path to aerosols decreases noticeably and is in better agreement with that in MODIS. Although the sensitivity of COT is similar to that in MODIS, CAM6 underestimates the sensitivity of grid‐mean SWCF to aerosols because of the underestimation in the sensitivities of LCF and in‐cloud SWCF. Our results indicate the importance of representing reasonable subgrid cloud variability in the simulation of cloud properties and aerosol‐cloud interaction in GCMs.
Assessing the Physical Realism of Deep Learning Hydrologic Model Projections Under Climate Change
Authors: Wi Sungwook , Steinschneider Scott
Published: August 2022

This study examines whether deep learning models can produce reliable future projections of streamflow under warming. We train a regional long short‐term memory network (LSTM) to daily streamflow in 15 watersheds in California and develop three process models (HYMOD, SAC‐SMA, and VIC) as benchmarks. We force all models with scenarios of warming and assess their hydrologic response, including shifts in the hydrograph and total runoff ratio. All process models show a shift to more winter runoff, reduced summer runoff, and a decline in the runoff ratio due to increased evapotranspiration. The LSTM predicts similar hydrograph shifts but in some watersheds predicts an unrealistic increase in the runoff ratio. We then test two alternative versions of the LSTM in which process model outputs are used as either additional training targets (i.e., multi‐output LSTM) or input features. Results indicate that the multi‐output LSTM does not correct the unrealistic streamflow projections under warming. The hybrid LSTM using estimates of evapotranspiration from SAC‐SMA as an additional input feature produces more realistic streamflow projections, but this does not hold for VIC or HYMOD. This suggests that the hybrid method depends on the fidelity of the process model. Finally, we test climate change responses under an LSTM trained to over 500 watersheds across the United States and find more realistic streamflow projections under warming. Ultimately, this work suggests that hybrid modeling may support the use of LSTMs for hydrologic projections under climate change, but so may training LSTMs to a large, diverse set of watersheds.
MicroRNA-375 is a therapeutic target for castration-resistant prostate cancer through the PTPN4/STAT3 axis
Authors: Gan Junqing , Liu Shan , Zhang Yu , He Liangzi , Bai Lu , Liao Ran , Zhao Juan , Guo Madi , Jiang Wei , Li Jiade , Li Qi , Mu Guannan , Wu Yangjiazi , Wang Xinling , Zhang Xingli , Zhou Dan , Lv Huimin , Wang Zhengfeng , Zhang Yanqiao , Qian Cheng , Feng MeiYan , Chen Hui , Meng Qingwei , Huang Xiaoyi
Published: August 2022

The functional role of microRNA-375 (miR-375) in the development of prostate cancer (PCa) remains controversial. Previously, we found that plasma exosomal miR-375 is significantly elevated in castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) patients compared with castration-sensitive PCa patients. Here, we aimed to determine how miR-375 modulates CRPC progression and thereafter to evaluate the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hucMSC)-derived exosomes loaded with miR-375 antisense oligonucleotides (e-375i). We used miRNA in situ hybridization technique to evaluate miR-375 expression in PCa tissues, gain- and loss-of-function experiments to determine miR-375 function, and bioinformatic methods, dual-luciferase reporter assay, qPCR, IHC and western blotting to determine and validate the target as well as the effects of miR-375 at the molecular level. Then, e-375i complexes were assessed for their antagonizing effects against miR-375. We found that the expression of miR-375 was elevated in PCa tissues and cancer exosomes, correlating with the Gleason score. Forced expression of miR-375 enhanced the expression of EMT markers and AR but suppressed apoptosis markers, leading to enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and enzalutamide resistance and decreased apoptosis of PCa cells. These effects could be reversed by miR-375 silencing. Mechanistically, miR-375 directly interfered with the expression of phosphatase nonreceptor type 4 (PTPN4), which in turn stabilized phosphorylated STAT3. Application of e-375i could inhibit miR-375, upregulate PTPN4 and downregulate p-STAT3, eventually repressing the growth of PCa. Collectively, we identified a novel miR-375 target, PTPN4, that functions upstream of STAT3, and targeting miR-375 may be an alternative therapeutic for PCa, especially for CRPC with high AR levels.
Mitochondria DNA copy number, mitochondria DNA total somatic deletions, Complex I activity, synapse number, and synaptic mitochondria number are altered in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: Das Sujan C. , Hjelm Brooke E. , Rollins Brandi L. , Sequeira Adolfo , Morgan Ling , Omidsalar Audrey A. , Schatzberg Alan F. , Barchas Jack D. , Lee Francis S. , Myers Richard M. , Watson Stanley J. , Akil Huda , Bunney William E. , Vawter Marquis P.
Published: August 2022

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a neurobiological phenomenon implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that can synergistically affect synaptic neurotransmission. We hypothesized that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share molecular alterations at the mitochondrial and synaptic levels. Mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) copy number (CN), mtDNA common deletion (CD), mtDNA total deletion, complex I activity, synapse number, and synaptic mitochondria number were studied in the postmortem human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), superior temporal gyrus (STG), primary visual cortex (V1), and nucleus accumbens (NAc) of controls (CON), and subjects with schizophrenia (SZ), and bipolar disorder (BD). The results showed (i) the mtDNA CN is significantly higher in DLPFC of both SZ and BD, decreased in the STG of BD, and unaltered in V1 and NAc of both SZ and BD; (ii) the mtDNA CD is significantly higher in DLPFC of BD while unaltered in STG, V1, and NAc of both SZ and BD; (iii) The total deletion burden is significantly higher in DLPFC in both SZ and BD while unaltered in STG, V1, and NAc of SZ and BD; (iv) Complex I activity is significantly lower in DLPFC of both SZ and BD, which is driven by the presence of medications, with no alteration in STG, V1, and NAc. In addition, complex I protein concentration, by ELISA, was decreased across three cortical regions of SZ and BD subjects; (v) The number of synapses is decreased in DLPFC of both SZ and BD, while the synaptic mitochondria number was significantly lower in female SZ and female BD compared to female controls. Overall, these findings will pave the way to understand better the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder for therapeutic interventions.
Structural basis for shape-selective recognition and aminoacylation of a D-armless human mitochondrial tRNA
Authors: Kuhle Bernhard , Hirschi Marscha , Doerfel Lili K. , Lander Gabriel C. , Schimmel Paul
Published: August 2022

Human mitochondrial gene expression relies on the specific recognition and aminoacylation of mitochondrial tRNAs (mtRNAs) by nuclear-encoded mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (mt-aaRSs). Despite their essential role in cellular energy homeostasis, strong mutation pressure and genetic drift have led to an unparalleled sequence erosion of animal mtRNAs. The structural and functional consequences of this erosion are not understood. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of the human mitochondrial seryl-tRNA synthetase (mSerRS) in complex with mtRNASer(GCU). These structures reveal a unique mechanism of substrate recognition and aminoacylation. The mtRNASer(GCU) is highly degenerated, having lost the entire D-arm, tertiary core, and stable L-shaped fold that define canonical tRNAs. Instead, mtRNASer(GCU) evolved unique structural innovations, including a radically altered T-arm topology that serves as critical identity determinant in an unusual shape-selective readout mechanism by mSerRS. Our results provide a molecular framework to understand the principles of mito-nuclear co-evolution and specialized mechanisms of tRNA recognition in mammalian mitochondrial gene expression.