bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stacked metasurfaces for enhancing the emission and extraction rate of single nitrogen-vacancy centers in nanodiamond
Authors: Khokhar Megha , Singh Nitesh , Nair Rajesh V
Published: December 2021

Dielectric metasurfaces with unique possibilities of manipulating light–matter interaction lead to new insights in exploring spontaneous emission control using single quantum emitters. Here, we study the stacked metasurfaces in one- (1D) and two-dimensions (2D) to enhance the emission rate of a single quantum emitter using the associated optical resonances. The 1D structures with stacked bilayers are investigated to exhibit Tamm plasmon resonance optimized at the zero phonon line (ZPL) of the negative nitrogen-vacancy (NV−) center. The 2D stacked metasurface comprising of two-slots silicon nano-disks is studied for the Kerker condition at ZPL wavelength. The far-field radiation plots for the 1D and 2D stacked metasurfaces show an increased extraction efficiency rate for the NV− center at ZPL wavelength that reciprocates the localized electric field intensity. The modified local density of optical states results in large Purcell enhancement of 3.8 times and 25 times for the single NV− center integrated with 1D and 2D stacked metasurface, respectively. These results have implications in exploring stacked metasurfaces for applications such as single photon generation and CMOS compatible light sources for on-demand chip integration.
Stabilizing the heavily-doped and metallic phase of MoS2 monolayers with surface functionalization
Authors: Zhang Hanyu , Koledin Tamara D , Wang Xiang , Hao Ji , Nanayakkara Sanjini U , Attanayake Nuwan H , Li Zhaodong , Mirkin Michael V , Miller Elisa M
Published: December 2021

Monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is one of the most studied two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides that is being investigated for various optoelectronic properties, such as catalysis, sensors, photovoltaics, and batteries. One such property that makes this material attractive is the ease in which 2D MoS2 can be converted between the semiconducting (2H) and metallic/semi-metallic (1T/1T′) phases or heavily n-type doped 2H phase with ion intercalation, strain, or excess negative charge. Using n-butyl lithium (BuLi) immersion treatments, we achieve 2H MoS2 monolayers that are heavily n-type doped with shorter immersion times (10–120 mins) or conversion to the 1T/1T′ phase with longer immersion times (6–24 h); however, these doped/converted monolayers are not stable and promptly revert back to the initial 2H phase upon exposure to air. To overcome this issue and maintain the modification of the monolayer MoS2 upon air exposure, we use BuLi treatments plus surface functionalization p-(CH3CH2)2NPh-MoS2 (Et2N-MoS2)—to maintain heavily n-type doped 2H phase or the 1T/1T′ phase, which is preserved for over two weeks when on indium tin oxide or sapphire substrates. We also determine that the low sheet resistance and metallic-like properties correlate with the BuLi immersion times. These modified MoS2 materials are characterized with confocal Raman/photoluminescence, absorption, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as scanning Kelvin probe microscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy, and four-point probe sheet resistance measurements to quantify the differences in the monolayer optoelectronic properties. We will demonstrate chemical methodologies to control the modified monolayer MoS2 that likely extend to other 2D transition metal dichalcogenides, which will greatly expand the uses for these nanomaterials.
Visualizing band structure hybridization and superlattice effects in twisted MoS2/WS2 heterobilayers
Authors: Jones Alfred J H , Muzzio Ryan , Pakdel Sahar , Biswas Deepnarayan , Curcio Davide , Lanatà Nicola , Hofmann Philip , McCreary Kathleen M , Jonker Berend T , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Singh Simranjeet , Koch Roland J , Jozwiak Chris , Rotenberg Eli , Bostwick Aaron , Miwa Jill A , Katoch Jyoti , Ulstrup Søren
Published: December 2021

A mismatch of atomic registries between single-layer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) in a two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals heterostructure produces a moiré superlattice with a periodic potential, which can be fine-tuned by introducing a twist angle between the materials. This approach is promising both for controlling the interactions between the TMDs and for engineering their electronic band structures, yet direct observation of the changes to the electronic structure introduced with varying twist angle has so far been missing. Here, we probe heterobilayers comprised of single-layer MoS2 and WS2 with twist angles ranging from 2∘ to 20∘ and determine the twist angle-dependent evolution of the electronic band structure using micro-focused angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We find strong interlayer hybridization between MoS2 and WS2 electronic states at the

Γ
ˉ

-point of the Brillouin zone, leading to a shift of the valence band maximum in the heterostructure. Replicas of the hybridized states are observed at the center of twist angle-dependent moiré mini Brillouin zones. We confirm that these replica features arise from the inherent moiré potential by comparing our experimental observations with density functional theory calculations of the superlattice dispersion. Our direct visualization of these features underscores the potential of using twisted heterobilayer semiconductors to engineer hybrid electronic states and superlattices that alter the electronic and optical properties of 2D heterostructures for a wide range of twist angles.
Sensitive and quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from vaccinated serum by MoS2-field effect transistor
Authors: Wei Junqing , Zhao Zhihan , Luo Fengting , Lan Kuibo , Chen Ruibing , Qin Guoxuan
Published: December 2021

Recently, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally with major impact on public health. Novel methods that enable fast and efficient detection of the virus and the associated biomarkers, such as SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, may provide alterative opportunities for early diagnosis, disease status monitoring, and the development of vaccines. Here, we report the fabrication of a functionalized MoS2-field effect transistor (FET) for sensitive and quantitative detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (S-RBD) in vaccinated serum specimens. The device was modified by SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD fusion protein on the surface and enabled rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. In addition, an on-chip calibration method was established for quantitative measurement. Furthermore, this method was applied to measure the levels of S-RBD antibodies in serum specimens from vaccinated donors. The devices showed no response to negative control samples from individuals who did not receive vaccination, suggesting the high specificity of this method. This study illustrated the successful fabrication of S-RBD functionalized MoS2-FET with potential clinical applications to facilitate vaccine development and efficacy evaluation.
Oxidation of soot promoted by Fe-based spinel catalysts
Authors: Chen Haoming , Li Tianle , Xu Zhiming , Wang Wenju , Wang Haihou
Published: December 2021

Diesel engine has attracted much attention because of its good power performance, fuel economy, reliability and durability, but the exhaust gas containing soot has significant impact on environment and human health. Catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CDPF) that reduces the activation energy of soot oxidation by catalysts are used to eliminate soot. In this work, MFe2O4 spinel (M = Cu, Ni and Co) was synthesized by sol-gel method to catalyze the oxidation of soot. The characterization results of MFe2O4 showed that CuFe2O4 possessed the smallest average grain size (65.6 nm) and the best redox performance. The activity tests of the catalysts showed that the activity order of the catalyst is CuFe2O4 (330 °C > CoFe2O4 (411 °C > NiFe2O4 (464 °C. DFT results showed that soot is more easily adsorbed on the O-terminal surface of CuFe2O4 and reacts with oxygen vacancies, resulting in the promotion of soot oxidation by the diffusion of oxygen from the inside to the surface. It also proves that CuFe2O4 has the best catalytic effect on soot.
The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties improvement of the AZ61 alloy by adding Sc
Authors: Zhang Honggang , Wang Jinhui , Ma Hongbin , Yuan Yuan , Li Yongfeng , Liu Yanzhuo , Zhang Lei , Jin Peipeng
Published: December 2021

The improvement of mechanical properties and the microstructure evolution through adding Sc to AZ61magnesium alloy were studied. The results indicated that the Mg17Al12 phase in the extruded AZ61 alloy was mainly distributed around the sub-structured and fine deformed grains, resulting in the nonuniform microstructure. The addition of Sc could effectively suppress the band-like precipitation of Mg17Al12 phase and improve the uniformity of microstructure. The grain sizes of the extruded alloys showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing with the increase of Sc, which was mainly attributed to the secondary phase. The AZ61–0.5Sc alloy exhibited the best mechanical properties, its ultimate tensile strength and yield strength were 14.8MPa and 40.8MPa higher than those of the extruded AZ61 alloy, respectively, which was ascribed to the fine grains and abundant secondary phase in the alloy.
Enhancement of the near-band-edge electroluminescence from the active ZnO layer in the ZnO/GaN-based light emitting diodes using AlN-ZnO/ZnO/AlN-ZnO double heterojunction structure
Authors: Huang Bo-Rui , You Kui-Shou , Yang Kai-Chao , Liu Day-Shan
Published: December 2021

In this work, an AlN-ZnO/ZnO/AlN-ZnO double heterojunction (DH) structure prepared using the cosputtering technology was deposited onto the p-type GaN epitaxial layer. The indiffusion of the oxygen atoms to the p-GaN epilayer was obstructed as the cosputtered AlN-ZnO film inset between n-ZnO/p-GaN interface. The near-ultraviolet (UV) emission from this ZnO/GaN-based light emitting diode (LED) was greatly improved as compared to an n-type ZnO film directly deposited onto the p-GaN epilayer. Meanwhile, the native defects in the n-ZnO layer associated with the green luminescence was less likely to form while it was sandwiched by the cosputtered AlN-ZnO film. As the thickness of the active n-ZnO layer in the DH structure reached 10 nm, the near-band-edge (NBE) emission became the predominated luminescence over the resulting LED spectrum.
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from electronic scrap by chemical reduction
Authors: Najafi Abolhassan , Khoeini Mahdi , Khalaj Gholamreza , Sahebgharan Amirhossein
Published: December 2021

In the present research, the use of electronic waste in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles was investigated. For this purpose, electronic scraps were used as a consumable part to synthesize silver nanoparticles. The results revealed that by optimizing the time and temperature of the dissolution process using nitric acid solution up to 90%, silver can be extracted from these parts. The results indicated that the concentration of initial silver nitrate had a significant impact on the quality of the final product, so that the best conditions for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles with suitable properties were provided at 1 molar concentration. Phase studies indicated that the main phase of the synthesized silver particles had an FCC structure and no unwanted phase was observed. Ultraviolet–visible analysis of the synthesized powder revealed that the main peak for the silver nanoparticles appeared in the wavelength range of 400 to 450 nm. DLS analysis revealed that precursor’s particles inside the sol were below 15 nm. Based on AFM and TEM investigations, the particles synthesized under these conditions had nanometric spherical morphology with uniform particle size distribution.
Hybrid fiber-reinforced composite with carbon, glass, basalt, and para-aramid fibers for light use applications
Authors: Cho Jinwon , Park Jaehyeung
Published: December 2021

This study explores the possibility of incorporating carbon fibers (CFs), basalt fibers, glass fibers, and p-aramid reinforcement fibers into carbon fiber–reinforced composites for light use applications. Hybrid composites can overcome the weakness of CFs and provide flexibility to design materials with the desired properties. The mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and puncture impact properties) of the prepared hybrid composite were evaluated according to the standards ASTM D3039, ASTM D790, and ISO 6603-2, respectively. The inherent properties of reinforcement fibers, weaving density, and impregnation of a thermoplastic matrix into the composite considerably impact the mechanical performance of the hybrid composite materials.
Preparation and performance of CuFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4 magnetic nanocrystals
Authors: Jia Q G , Liang S H , Wang Q X
Published: December 2021

Based on the coprecipitation of FeSO4(NH4)2SO4 with CuCl2 and ZnSO4, CuFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4 nanocrystals were successfully synthesized. The morphology and the crystal structures of the nanoparticles were studied via SEM, TEM and XRD, which showed that MFe2O4 samples were formed aggregated nanoparticles with crystal sizes of 16 ∼ 20 nm with a narrow dispersion in size. The samples had the typical spinel structures. Magnetic analyses demonstrated that the CuFe2O4 sample had the saturation magnetization (Ms) of 10.10 emu g−1 with the coercivity of 92.18 Oe, while the ZnFe2O4 sample had the Ms of 8.27 emu g−1 with the coercivity of 25.42 Oe at room temperature, respectively.
Influence of the sintering temperature on the microstructure, mechanical properties and densification characteristics of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 composite
Authors: Hu Zheng-Yang , Peng Hai-Chun , Zhang Zhao-Hui , Song Peng , Chen Ming , Ding Yu-Sheng , Liang Yue-Ying , Li Shao-min
Published: December 2021

A hybrid of TiB whiskers and TiC particles reinforced TC4 matrix composites were in situ synthesized by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using a TC4-0.6wt.% B4C powder mixture at temperatures range from 550 °C to 1150 °C. The effect of sintering temperature on microstructure, grain size, mechanical properties and densification process of the (TiB + TiC)/ TC4 matrix composites were investigated. The composite sintered at 1050 °C has the highest tensile strength (1129.0 MPa), yield strength (1077.8 MPa) and plasticity (7.1%). The aspect ratio of TiB whiskers increases almost linearly below 1050 °C and its highest value is 33.2. The grain size of TiC increases with the increase of sintering temperature, and rapid growth occurs in the range of 850 °C to 950 °C. The composite sintered body appears four shrinkage stages before applying sintering pressure. The corresponding peak temperatures are 663 °C, 758 °C, 840 °C and 994 °C, respectively.
Exploring polynomial based interpolation schemes for photoacoustic tomographic image reconstruction
Authors: Paul Avijit , Warbal Pankaj , Mukherjee Amrita , Paul Subhadip , Saha Ratan K
Published: December 2021

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) imaging employing polynomial-based interpolation methods is discussed. Nearest-neighbor, bilinear, bicubic and biquintic algorithms were implemented for the construction of the model matrix, and images were formed using the Tikhonov regularization and total variation (TV) minimization procedures. The performance of the interpolation methods was assessed by comparing the reconstructed images of three numerical and two experimental phantoms. The numerical and experimental studies demonstrate that the performance of the interpolation schemes is nearly equal for large PA sources. The simplest nearest-neighbor technique provides better image reconstruction for a sparse source compared to the others. The nearest-neighbor protocol may be adopted in practice for vascular imaging using PAT.
Direct impact of solar farm deployment on surface longwave radiation
Authors: Fan Chongxing , Huang Xianglei
Published: December 2021

Motivated by a previous study of using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS) observations to quantify changes in surface shortwave spectral reflectances caused by six solar farms in the southwest United States, here we used a similar method to study the longwave effects of the same six solar farms, with emphases on surface emissivities and land surface temperature (LST). Two MODIS surface products were examined: one relying on generalized split-window algorithm while assuming emissivities from land cover classifications (MYD11A2), the other based on Temperature Emissivity Separation algorithm capable of dynamically retrieving emissivities (MYD21A2). Both products suggest that, compared to adjacent regions without changes before and after solar farm constructions, the solar farm sites have reduced outgoing radiances in three MODIS infrared window channels. Such reduction in upward longwave radiation is consistent with previous in situ measurements. The MYD11A2 results show constant emissivities before and after solar farm constructions because its land type classification algorithm is not aware of the presence of solar farms. The estimated daytime and nighttime LST reduction due to solar farm deployment are ∼1–4K and ∼0.2–0.9K, respectively. The MYD21A2 results indicate a decrease in Band 31 (10.78–11.28 μm) emissivity up to −0.01 and little change in Band 32 (11.77–12.27 μm) emissivity. The LST decreases in the MYD21A2 is slightly smaller than its counterpart in the MYD11A2. Laboratory and in situ measurements indicate the longwave emissivity of solar panels can be as low as 0.83, considerably smaller than MODIS retrieved surface emissivity over the solar farm sites. The contribution of exposed and shaded ground within the solar farm to the upward longwave radiation needs to be considered to fully explain the results. A synthesis of MODIS observations and published in situ measurements is presented. Implication for parameterizing such solar farm longwave effect in the climate models is also discussed.
Diversity in the observed functionality of dams and reservoirs
Authors: Kam Jonghun
Published: December 2021

Knowledge and modeling of the observed functionality of dams and reservoirs are desirable for better water resources management. In this study, we examine the functionality of dams and reservoirs over much of the globe through a hydroclimate assessment over 990 Global Runoff Data Center stations that have at least one dam/reservoir over the corresponding drainage areas and available streamflow records of at least 25 years. To quantify the potential capacity of human disturbance/alteration, annual cumulative maximum storage (CMS) of the dams are computed and then annual potential changes in the residence time of water (PRT; CMS divided by annual mean monthly flow) are assessed. In addition, the Man–Kendall tests for annual maximum, mean, and minimum monthly streamflow, and drainage area-averaged precipitation are conducted. Results show that the size of CMS and the main purpose have an explanatory power of the designed hydrologic response (i.e., flattening of the seasonality) while 6% of dam-affected stations experienced the opposite hydrologic response (intensifying of the seasonality) due to the overwhelming impact of anthropogenic climate change. This study finds that the magnitude of PRT is a potential indicator to identify a considerable impact of dams and reservoirs for the regional hydrologic regime. The findings of this study suggest diversity in the observed functionality of dams and reservoirs, which is still a challenge in global hydrological modeling.
Surfaces with canonical map of maximum degree
Authors: Rito Carlos
Published: December 2021

We use the Borisov-Keum equations of a fake projective plane and the Borisov-Yeung equations of the Cartwright-Steger surface to show the existence of a regular surface with canonical map of degree 36 and of an irregular surface with canonical map of degree 27. As a by-product, we get equations (over a finite field) for the

Z

/

3

\mathbb {Z}/3

-invariant fibres of the Albanese fibration of the Cartwright-Steger surface and show that they are smooth.
Extension of cohomology classes and holomorphic sections defined on subvarieties
Authors: Zhou Xiangyu , Zhu Langfeng
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we obtain two extension theorems for cohomology classes and holomorphic sections defined on analytic subvarieties, which are defined as the supports of the quotient sheaves of multiplier ideal sheaves of quasi-plurisubharmonic functions with arbitrary singularities. The first result gives a positive answer to a question posed by Cao-Demailly-Matsumura and unifies a few well-known injectivity theorems. The second result generalizes and optimizes a general

L
2

L^2

extension theorem obtained by Demailly.
Challenges and Opportunities in Using Twitter as a Pedagogical Tool in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Education
Authors: Tushir Abhimanyu , Duy Nguyen Tung , Biehl Colton , Mirza Kamran M
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Even though the benefits of using Twitter for teaching and information exchange within the pathology community are primarily undisputed, a fair number of users refrain from sharing educational content on this social media platform. The survey aims to identify challenges in using Twitter as a pedagogical tool and discuss ways of converting those challenges into opportunities.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional survey-based study involving 174 participants from the pathology community on Twitter.

Results

The results demonstrated that procurement of content was the major challenge faced by 36.2% of the participants, with most participants being concerned or very concerned regarding institutional policies and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act issues. Content procurement concerns were followed by social media inertia, stated by 23% of the participants as an obstacle to posting educational content on Twitter.

Conclusions

The report helps elicit some common obstacles faced by the pathology and laboratory medicine community and allows us to recommend solutions to overcome these obstacles.
Morphologically Normal-Appearing Adrenal Glands as a Prevalent Source of Aldosterone Production in Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Parksook Wasita W , Yozamp Nicholas , Hundemer Gregory L , Moussa Marwan , Underhill Jonathan , Fudim Tali , Sacks Barry , Vaidya Anand
Published: December 2021

Background

Normal-appearing adrenal glands on cross-sectional imaging may still be the source of aldosterone production in primary aldosteronism (PA).

Methods

We evaluated the prevalence of aldosterone production among morphologically normal-appearing adrenal glands and the impact of this phenomenon on interpretations of localization studies and treatment decisions. We performed a retrospective cohort study of PA patients with at least 1 normal adrenal gland and reanalyzed contemporary studies to assess interpretations of imaging and adrenal venous sampling (AVS) at the individual patient and adrenal levels.

Results

Among 243 patients, 43 (18%) had bilateral normal-appearing adrenals and 200 (82%) had a unilateral normal-appearing adrenal, for a total of 286 normal-appearing adrenal glands. 38% of these normal-appearing adrenal glands were a source of aldosteronism on AVS, resulting in discordance between imaging and AVS findings in 31% of patients. Most patients with lateralizing PA underwent curative unilateral treatment (80%); however, curative treatment was pursued in 92% of patients who had concordant imaging-AVS results but in only 38% who had discordant results (P < 0.05). In young patients, imaging-AVS discordance was detected in 32% of those under 45 years and 21% of those under 35 years. Among 20 contemporary studies (including 4,904 patients and 6,934 normal-appearing adrenal glands), up to 64% of normal-appearing adrenals were a source of aldosteronism resulting in 31% of patients having discordant results.

Conclusions

Morphologically normal-appearing adrenal glands are commonly the source of aldosterone production in PA, even among young patients. The lack of awareness of this issue may result in inappropriate treatment recommendations.
The role of enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan in treatment of advanced bladder cancer
Authors: Hanna Kirollos S , Larson Samantha , Nguyen Jenny , Boudreau Jenna , Bulin Jennifer , Rolf Mallory
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The treatment landscape of advanced bladder cancer continues to evolve with novel therapeutics approved in recent years and many in the pipeline. Here we review the role of the novel agents enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan in treatment of advanced disease.

Patients with advanced bladder cancer often first receive platinum-based therapy, while immune checkpoint inhibitors offer a maintenance option following cytotoxic chemotherapy or a second-line option. Despite various first- and second-line options, patients with significant comorbidities and treatment-related adverse events will experience disease progression requiring alternative treatment. Enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan are novel antibody-drug conjugates approved in patients with advanced bladder cancer following platinum-based and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Following platinum-based therapy and immunotherapy in patients with advanced bladder cancer, enfortumab vedotin, targeting Nectin-4, improves overall survival while sacituzumab govitecan, targeting Trop-2, is associated with a 27% response rate. With these new approaches to disease management, however, it remains critical to understand safety, efficacy, and operational considerations to optimize outcomes.

Conclusion

When selecting an antibody-drug conjugate to treat patients with bladder cancer, it is important to note the adverse event profile of each agent to optimize outcomes and safety for patients.
Influencers of Immediate Postmastectomy Reconstruction: A National Cancer Database Analysis
Authors: Danko Dora , Liu Yuan , Geng Feifei , Gillespie Theresa W
Published: December 2021

Background

The literature examining decision-making related to treatment and reconstruction for women with breast cancer has established that patient, clinical, and facility factors all play a role.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to use the National Cancer Database to determine how patient, clinical, and facility factors influence: (1) the receipt of immediate breast reconstruction; and (2) the type of immediate breast reconstruction received (implant-based, autologous, or a combination).

Methods

A total of 638,772 female patients with breast cancers (Tis-T3, N0-N1, or M0) who between 2004 and 2017 received immediate reconstruction following mastectomy were identified in the National Cancer Database. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to identify characteristics associated with immediate breast reconstruction and type of reconstruction.

Results

Immediate breast reconstruction was more frequently associated with patients of White race, younger age, with private insurance, with lesser comorbidities, who resided in zip codes with higher median incomes or higher rates of high-school graduation, in urban areas, with Tis to T2 disease, or with involvement of <4 lymph nodes (all odds ratios [ORs] > 1.1). Negative predictors of immediate breast reconstruction were insurance status with Medicaid, Medicare, other government insurance, and none or unknown insurance (all ORs < 0.79). Implant-based reconstruction was associated with non-Black race, uninsured status, completion of higher education, undifferentiated disease, and stage T0 disease (all ORs > 1.10).

Conclusions

These findings confirm some previous studies on what patient, clinical, and facility factors affect decision-making, but also raise new questions that relate to the impact of third-party payer on receipt and type of reconstruction postmastectomy for breast cancer.
Causal inference for semi-competing risks data
Authors: Nevo Daniel , Gorfine Malka
Published: December 2021

The causal effects of Apolipoprotein E $\epsilon4$ allele (APOE) on late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and death are complicated to define because AD may occur under one intervention but not under the other, and because AD occurrence may affect age of death. In this article, this dual outcome scenario is studied using the semi-competing risks framework for time-to-event data. Two event times are of interest: a nonterminal event time (age at AD diagnosis), and a terminal event time (age at death). AD diagnosis time is observed only if it precedes death, which may occur before or after AD. We propose new estimands for capturing the causal effect of APOE on AD and death. Our proposal is based on a stratification of the population with respect to the order of the two events. We present a novel assumption utilizing the time-to-event nature of the data, which is more flexible than the often-invoked monotonicity assumption. We derive results on partial identifiability, suggest a sensitivity analysis approach, and give conditions under which full identification is possible. Finally, we present and implement nonparametric and semiparametric estimation methods under right-censored semi-competing risks data for studying the complex effect of APOE on AD and death.
iCAV: an integrative database of cancer-associated viruses
Authors: Liu Bo , Zhang Qingfeng , Wang Jingou , Cao Shumin , Zhou Zhiyuan , Liu Ze-Xian , Cheng Han
Published: December 2021

To date, various studies have found that the occurrence of cancer may be related to viral infections. Therefore, it is important to explore the relationship between viruses and diseases. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has defined six types of viruses as Class 1 human carcinogens, including Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus, human herpesvirus 8 and human papillomavirus, while Merkel cell polyomavirus is classified as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’ (Group 2A). Therefore, in-depth research on these viruses will help clarify their relationship with diseases, and substantial efforts have been made to sequence their genomes. However, there is no complete database documenting these cancer-associated viruses, and researchers are not able to easily access and retrieve the published genomes. In this study, we developed iCAV, a database that integrates the genomes of cancer-related viruses and the corresponding phenotypes. We collected a total of 18 649 genome sequences from seven human disease-related viruses, and each virus was further classified by the associated disease, sample and country. iCAV is a comprehensive resource of cancer-associated viruses that provides browse and download functions for viral genomes.

Database URL: http://icav.omicsbio.info/
Artificial intelligence-based detection of aortic stenosis from chest radiographs
Authors: Ueda Daiju , Yamamoto Akira , Ehara Shoichi , Iwata Shinichi , Abo Koji , Walston Shannon L , Matsumoto Toshimasa , Shimazaki Akitoshi , Yoshiyama Minoru , Miki Yukio
Published: December 2021

Aims

We aimed to develop models to detect aortic stenosis (AS) from chest radiographs—one of the most basic imaging tests—with artificial intelligence.

Methods and results

We used 10 433 retrospectively collected digital chest radiographs from 5638 patients to train, validate, and test three deep learning models. Chest radiographs were collected from patients who had also undergone echocardiography at a single institution between July 2016 and May 2019. These were labelled from the corresponding echocardiography assessments as AS-positive or AS-negative. The radiographs were separated on a patient basis into training [8327 images from 4512 patients, mean age 65 ±  (standard deviation) 15 years], validation (1041 images from 563 patients, mean age 65 ± 14 years), and test (1065 images from 563 patients, mean age 65 ± 14 years) datasets. The soft voting-based ensemble of the three developed models had the best overall performance for predicting AS with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.77–0.88), 0.78 (0.67–0.86), 0.71 (0.68–0.73), 0.71 (0.68–0.74), 0.18 (0.14–0.23), and 0.97 (0.96–0.98), respectively, in the validation dataset and 0.83 (0.78–0.88), 0.83 (0.74–0.90), 0.69 (0.66–0.72), 0.71 (0.68–0.73), 0.23 (0.19–0.28), and 0.97 (0.96–0.98), respectively, in the test dataset.

Conclusion

Deep learning models using chest radiographs have the potential to differentiate between radiographs of patients with and without AS.

Lay Summary

We created artificial intelligence (AI) models using deep learning to identify aortic stenosis (AS) from chest radiographs. Three AI models were developed and evaluated with 10 433 retrospectively collected radiographs and labelled from echocardiography reports. The ensemble AI model could detect AS in a test dataset with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.78–0.88). Since chest radiography is a cost-effective and widely available imaging test, our model can provide an additive resource for the detection of AS.
Heterogeneous Dynasties and Long-Run Mobility*
Authors: Benhabib Jess , Bisin Alberto , Fernholz Ricardo T
Published: December 2021

Recent empirical work has demonstrated a positive correlation between grandparent-child wealth rank, even after controlling for parent-child wealth rank, and a positive correlation between dynastic wealth ranks across almost six hundred years. We show that a simple heterogeneous agents model with idiosyncratic wealth returns generates a realistic wealth distribution, but fails to capture these long-run patterns of wealth mobility. An auto-correlated returns specification of this model also fails to capture both short- and long-run mobility. However, an extension of the heterogeneous agents model that includes permanent heterogeneity in wealth returns is able to simultaneously match the wealth distribution and short- and long-run wealth mobility.
Genomic signatures and insights into host niche adaptation of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium humberi
Authors: Iwanicki Natasha Sant′Anna , Botelho Ana Beatriz Riguetti Zanardo , Klingen Ingeborg , Júnior Italo Delalibera , Rossmann Simeon , Lysøe Erik
Published: December 2021

The genus Metarhizium is composed of species used in biological control programs of agricultural pests worldwide. This genus includes common fungal pathogen of many insects and mites and endophytes that can increase plant growth. Metarhizium humberi was recently described as a new species. This species is highly virulent against some insect pests and promotes growth in sugarcane, strawberry, and soybean crops. In this study, we sequenced the genome of M. humberi, isolate ESALQ1638, and performed a functional analysis to determine its genomic signatures and highlight the genes and biological processes associated with its lifestyle. The genome annotation predicted 10633 genes in M. humberi, of which 92.0% are assigned putative functions, and ∼17% of the genome was annotated as repetitive sequences. We found that 18.5% of the M. humberi genome is similar to experimentally validated proteins associated with pathogen–host interaction. Compared to the genomes of eight Metarhizium species, the M. humberi ESALQ1638 genome revealed some unique traits that stood out, e.g., more genes functionally annotated as polyketide synthases (PKSs), overrepresended GO-terms associated to transport of ions, organic and amino acid, a higher percentage of repetitive elements, and higher levels of RIP-induced point mutations. The M. humberi genome will serve as a resource for promoting studies on genome structure and evolution that can contribute to research on biological control and plant biostimulation. Thus, the genomic data supported the broad host range of this species within the generalist PARB clade and suggested that M. humberi ESALQ1638 might be particularly good at producing secondary metabolites and might be more efficient in transporting amino acids and organic compounds.
Ameliorating Effects of Lifelong Physical Activity on Healthy Aging and Mitochondrial Function in Human White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Gudiksen Anders , Qoqaj Albina , Ringholm Stine , Wojtaszewski Jørgen , Plomgaard Peter , Pilegaard Henriette
Published: December 2021

Growing old is patently among the most prominent risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases and deterioration in physical performance. Aging in particular affects mitochondrial homeostasis, and maintaining a well-functioning mitochondrial pool is imperative in order to avoid age-associated metabolic decline. White adipose tissue (WAT) is a key organ in energy balance, and impaired mitochondrial function in adipocytes has been associated with increased low-grade inflammation, altered metabolism, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and an accelerated aging phenotype. Exercise training improves mitochondrial health but whether lifelong exercise training can sufficiently maintain WAT mitochondrial function is currently unknown. Therefore, to dissect the role and dose-dependence of lifelong exercise training on aging WAT metabolic parameters and mitochondrial function, young and older untrained, as well as moderately and highly exercise trained older male subjects were recruited and abdominal subcutaneous (s)WAT biopsies and venous blood samples were obtained to measure mitochondrial function and key metabolic factors in WAT and plasma. Mitochondrial intrinsic respiratory capacity was lower in sWAT from older than from young subjects. In spite of this, maximal mitochondrial respiration per wet weight, markers of oxidative capacity, and mitophagic capacity were higher in sWAT from the lifelong highly exercise trained group than all other groups. Furthermore, ROS emission was generally lower in sWAT from lifelong highly exercise trained subjects than older untrained subjects. Taken together, aging reduces intrinsic mitochondrial respiration in human sWAT, but lifelong high-volume exercise training increases oxidative capacity by increasing mitochondrial volume likely contributing to healthy aging.
Comparing Effects of FOXO3 and Residing in Urban Areas on Longevity: A Gene–Environment Interaction Study
Authors: Ji John S , Liu Linxin , Yan Lijing L , Zeng Yi
Published: December 2021

Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) is a candidate longevity gene. Urban residents are also positively associated with longer life expectancy. We conducted a gene–environment interaction to assess the synergistic effect of FOXO3 and urban/rural environments on mortality. We included 3 085 older adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. We used single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2253310, rs2802292, and rs4946936 to identify the FOXO3 gene and classified residential locations as “urban” and “rural.” Given the open cohort design, we used the Cox-proportional hazard regression models to assess the mortality risk. We found the minor allele homozygotes of FOXO3 to have a protective effect on mortality (HR [95% CI] for rs4946936 TT vs CC: 0.807 [0.653–0.996]; rs2802292 GG vs TT: 0.812 [0.67–0.985]; rs2253310 CC vs GG: 0.808 [0.667–0.978]). Participants living in urban areas had a lower risk of mortality (HR of the urban vs the rural: 0.854 [0.759–0.962]). The interaction between FOXO3 and urban and rural regions was statistically significant (pinteraction < .01). Higher air pollution (fine particulate matter: PM2.5) and lower residential greenness (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index [NDVI]) both contributed to higher mortality. After adjusting for NDVI and PM2.5, the protective effect size of FOXO3 SNPs was slightly attenuated while the protective effect size of living in an urban environment increased. The effect size of the beneficial effect of FOXO3 on mortality is roughly equivalent to that of living in urban areas. Our research findings indicate that the effect of places of residence and genetic predisposition of longevity are intertwined.
Self-Perceptions of Aging Moderate Associations of Within- and Between-Persons Perceived Stress and Physical Health Symptoms
Authors: Witzel Dakota D , Turner Shelbie G , Hooker Karen
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To examine how self-perceptions of aging (SPA) moderated within- and between-persons perceived stress associations with physical health symptoms.

Methods

A community-dwelling sample of 103 adults (Meanage = 63, range = 52–88) participated in an online microlongitudinal study for 100 days (Noccasions = 7,064). Participants completed baseline surveys consisting of SPA, social connections, and demographics followed by 100 daily surveys including information about daily stress perceptions and physical health. Utilizing generalized multilevel models, we examined whether daily fluctuations and average levels of perceived stress over 100 days affected physical health symptoms and whether these associations varied by SPA.

Results

Adults who had higher perceived stress, on average across 100 days, reported significantly more physical health symptoms compared to individuals with lower perceived stress on average (p < .05). On days when individuals reported higher perceived stress than their own average, they had a higher likelihood of reporting more physical health symptoms compared to days when their perceived stress was lower than their own average (p < .05). Further, SPA significantly moderated associations between both within- and between-persons perceived stress and physical health symptoms (ps < .05). Individuals with more positive SPA were less affected by high levels of perceived stress—both on average and on days when perceived stress was higher than their own average.

Discussion

More positive SPA significantly dampened the impact of perceived stress, suggesting the importance of SPA as an individual characteristic within stress processes. Future work should examine how daily changes in SPA may exacerbate or mitigate the impacts of daily stress processes and health outcomes.
Health literacy as a social vaccine in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Okan Orkan , Messer Melanie , Levin-Zamir Diane , Paakkari Leena , Sørensen Kristine
Published: December 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel virus in the coronavirus family, causing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Biomedical vaccines are key but alongside biomedical vaccines, a social vaccine can be similarly useful to prevent infection from SARS-CoV-2, if applied as a health promotion strategy. In order to slow down and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, applying the social vaccine concept should be considered in parallel. From a health promotion perspective, a social vaccine is a process of social and political mobilization driven by governmental and non-governmental organizations aiming at populations by applying interventions such as health communication, education and mass media campaigns as well as determinant-based programs to address environmental factors influencing personal behavior and community capacities to cope with and overcome the societal burdens of COVID-19. In this context, health literacy is significant, as seen in the role it plays in empowering citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic and enabling them to deal with health information considering COVID-19. As a public health strategy, health literacy as a social vaccine will enable individuals and communities to mitigate the spread of the virus by understanding and applying information as provided through governments and health authorities. The aim of this article is to explore health literacy as a promising social vaccine and opportunity to utilize social vaccination and thus be considered as a key public health approach—both bottom-up and top-down—to support the combat of COVID-19 and future states of emergency.
Predictors of Plasmodium falciparum Infection in the First Trimester Among Nulliparous Women From Kenya, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Leuba Sequoia I , Westreich Daniel , Bose Carl L , Powers Kimberly A , Olshan Andy , Taylor Steve M , Tshefu Antoinette , Lokangaka Adrien , Carlo Waldemar A , Chomba Elwyn , Liechty Edward A , Bucher Sherri L , Esamai Fabian , Jessani Saleem , Saleem Sarah , Goldenberg Robert L , Moore Janet , Nolen Tracy , Hemingway-Foday Jennifer , McClure Elizabeth M , Koso-Thomas Marion , Derman Richard J , Hoffman Matthew , Bauserman Melissa
Published: December 2021

Background

Malaria can have deleterious effects early in pregnancy, during placentation. However, malaria testing and treatment are rarely initiated until the second trimester, leaving pregnancies unprotected in the first trimester. To inform potential early intervention approaches, we sought to identify clinical and demographic predictors of first-trimester malaria.

Methods

We prospectively recruited women from sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, and Zambia who participated in the ASPIRIN (Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated risk Reduction In Nulliparas) trial. Nulliparous women were tested for first-trimester Plasmodium falciparum infection by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We evaluated predictors using descriptive statistics.

Results

First-trimester malaria prevalence among 1513 nulliparous pregnant women was 6.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.7%–8.8%] in the Zambian site, 37.8% (95% CI, 34.2%–41.5%) in the Kenyan site, and 62.9% (95% CI, 58.6%–67.2%) in the DRC site. First-trimester malaria was associated with shorter height and younger age in Kenyan women in site-stratified analyses, and with lower educational attainment in analyses combining all 3 sites. No other predictors were identified.

Conclusions

First-trimester malaria prevalence varied by study site in sub-Saharan Africa. The absence of consistent predictors suggests that routine parasite screening in early pregnancy may be needed to mitigate first-trimester malaria in high-prevalence settings.
Effects of Climate on the Variation in Abundance of Three Tick Species in Illinois
Authors: Bacon E A , Kopsco H , Gronemeyer P , Mateus-Pinilla N , Smith R L
Published: December 2021

The range of ticks in North America has been steadily increasing likely, in part, due to climate change. Along with it, there has been a rise in cases of tick-borne disease. Among those medically important tick species of particular concern are Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), Dermacentor variabilis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), and Amblyomma americanum Linneaus (Acari: Ixodidae). The aim of this study was to determine if climate factors explain existing differences in abundance of the three aforementioned tick species between two climatically different regions of Illinois (Central and Southern), and if climate variables impact each species differently. We used both zero-inflated regression approaches and Bayesian network analyses to assess relationships among environmental variables and tick abundance. Results suggested that the maximum average temperature and total precipitation are associated with differential impact on species abundance and that this difference varied by region. Results also reinforced a differential level of resistance to desiccation among these tick species. Our findings help to further define risk periods of tick exposure for the general public, and reinforce the importance of responding to each tick species differently.
The Rare Books of the Galway Poor Clares
Authors: Goodrich Jaime
Published: December 2021

The Poor Clares of Galway are the oldest surviving convent in Ireland, maintaining a small but important collection of rare books from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This essay offers a bibliographical analysis of these rare books in order to sketch the role of reading within the convent from the seventeenth through the twentieth centuries. By analysing material evidence of reading and circulation practices—signatures, readers’ marks, marginalia, and bookmarks—broader patterns of book usage among the Galway Poor Clares are reconstructed for the first four centuries of existence. The essay concludes with a short bibliographical catalogue of the convent’s special collections.