bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dopaminergic manipulations affect the modulation and meta-modulation of movement speed: evidence from two pharmacological interventions
Authors: Hickman Lydia J. , Sowden Sophie L. , Fraser Dagmar S. , Schuster Bianca A. , Rybicki Alicia J. , Galea Joseph M. , Cook Jennifer L.
Published: July 2023

A body of research implicates dopamine in the average speed of simple movements. However, naturalistic movements span a range of different shaped trajectories and rarely proceed at a single constant speed; instead, speed is reduced when drawing“corners”compared to“straights”(i.e., speed-modulation), and the extent of this slowing down is dependent upon the global shape of the movement trajectory (i.e., speed-meta-modulation) – for example whether the shape is an ellipse or a rounded square. By employing two pharmacological intervention studies – individuals with Parkinson’s both ON and OFF dopaminergic medication (N = 32) and members of the general population on a D2 receptor blocker (haloperidol) versus placebo (N = 43) – we implicate dopamine in speed, speed-modulation and speed-meta-modulation. Our findings move beyond vigour models implicating dopamine in average movement speed, and towards a conceptualisation that involves the modulation of speed as a function of contextual information.
Compositae-ParaLoss-1272: Complementary sunflower specific probe-set reduces issues with paralogs in complex systems
Authors: Moore-Pollard Erika R. , Jones Daniel S. , Mandel Jennifer R.
Published: July 2023

Premise

The sunflower family specific probe set, Compositae-1061, has enabled family-wide phylogenomic studies and investigations at lower-taxonomic levels by targeting 1,000+ genes. However, it generally lacks resolution at the genus to species level, especially in groups with complex evolutionary histories including polyploidy and hybridization.

Methods

In this study, we developed a new Hyb-Seq probe set, Compositae-ParaLoss-1272, designed to target orthologous loci in Asteraceae family members. We tested its efficiency across the family by simulating target-enrichment sequencing in silico. Additionally, we tested its effectiveness at lower taxonomic levels in genusPackerawhich has a complex evolutionary and taxonomic history. We performed Hyb-Seq with Compositae-ParaLoss-1272 for 19 taxa which were previously studied using the Compositae-1061 probe set. Sequences from both probe sets were used to generate phylogenies, compare topologies, and assess node support.

Results

We report that Compositae-ParaLoss-1272 captured loci across all tested Asteraceae members. Additionally, Compositae-ParaLoss-1272 had less gene tree discordance, recovered considerably fewer paralogous sequences, and retained longer loci than Compositae-1061.

Discussion

Given the complexity of plant evolutionary histories, assigning orthology for phylogenomic analyses will continue to be challenging. However, we anticipate this new probe set will provide improved resolution and utility for studies at lower-taxonomic levels and complex groups in the sunflower family.
Effects of psychedelics on neurogenesis and brain plasticity: A systematic review
Authors: Lima da Cruz Rafael V , Leao Richardson N , Moulin Thiago C
Published: July 2023

In the mammalian brain, new neurons continue to be generated throughout life in a process known as adult neurogenesis. The role of adult-generated neurons has been broadly studied across laboratories, and mounting evidence suggests a strong link to the HPA axis and concomitant malfunctions in patients diagnosed with mood disorders. Psychedelic compounds, such as phenethylamines, tryptamines, cannabinoids, and a variety of ever-growing chemical categories, have emerged as therapeutic options for neuropsychiatric disorders, while numerous reports link their effects to increased adult neurogenesis. In this systematic review, we examine studies assessing neurogenesis or neurogenesis-associated brain plasticity after psychedelic interventions and aim to provide a comprehensive picture of how this vast category of compounds regulates the generation of new neurons. We conducted a literature search on PubMed and Science Direct databases, considering all articles published until January 31, 2023, and selected articles containing both the terms "neurogenesis" and "psychedelics". We analyzed experimental studies using either in vivo or in vitro models, employing classical or atypical psychedelics at all ontogenetic windows, as well as human studies referring to neurogenesis-associated plasticity. Of a total of 205 articles, 68 met all the necessary conditions for further review. Our findings were divided into five main categories of psychedelics: CB1 agonists, NMDA antagonists, harmala alkaloids, tryptamines, and entactogens. We described the outcomes of neurogenesis assessments and investigated related results on the effects of psychedelics on brain plasticity and behavior within our sample. In summary, this review presents an extensive study into how different psychedelics may affect the birth of new neurons and other brain-related processes. Such knowledge may be valuable for future research on novel therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Pupil size reveals arousal level dynamics in human sleep
Authors: Carro-Domínguez Manuel , Huwiler Stephanie , Oberlin Stella , Oesch Timona Leandra , Badii Gabriela , Lüthi Anita , Wenderoth Nicole , Meissner Sarah Nadine , Lustenberger Caroline
Published: July 2023

Recent animal research has revealed the intricate dynamics of arousal levels that are potentially crucial for maintaining proper sleep resilience and memory consolidation. Also in humans, changes in arousal level are believed to be a determining characteristic of healthy and pathological sleep but tracking arousal fluctuations has been methodologically challenging. Here we measured pupil size, an established indicator of arousal levels, during overnight sleep and tested whether the arousal level affects cortical response to auditory stimulation. We show that pupil size dynamics change as a function of sleep macrostructure and microstructural events. In particular, pupil size is inversely related to the occurrence of sleep spindle clusters, a marker of sleep resilience. Additionally, pupil size prior to auditory stimulation influences the evoked response, most notably in delta power, a marker of several restorative and regenerative functions of sleep. Recording pupil size dynamics provides novel insights into the interplay between arousal levels and sleep oscillations, opening new avenues for future research and clinical applications in diagnosing and treating pathological sleep associated with abnormal arousal levels.
Passaging Human Tauopathy Patient Samples in Cells Generates Heterogeneous Fibrils with a Subpopulation Adopting Disease Folds
Authors: Zeng Zhikai , Tsay Karen , Vijayan Vishnu , Frost Matthew P. , Prakash Shikhar , Quddus Athena , Albert Alexa , Vigers Michael , Srivastava Madhur , Woerman Amanda L. , Han Songi
Published: July 2023

Abstract

The discovery by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) that the neu-ropathological hallmarks of different tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease, corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), are caused by unique misfolded conformations of the protein tau is among the most profound developments in neurodegenerative disease research. To capitalize on these discoveries for therapeutic development, one must achievein vitroreplication of tau fibrils that adopt the representative tauopathy disease folds, which represents a grand challenge for the field. A widely used approach has been seeded propagation using pathological tau fibrils derived from post-mortem patient samples in biosensor cells that expresses a fragment of the tau protein known as K18, or Tau4RD, containing the microtubule-binding repeat domain of tau as the substrate. The new insights from cryo-EM raised the question of whether the Tau4RD fragment is capable of adopting characteristic tau folds found in CBD and PSP patient fibrils, and whether cell-passaged and amplified tau fibrils can be used as seeds to achieve cell-free assembly of recombinant 4R tau into fibrils without the addition of cofactors. Using Double Electron Electron Resonance (DEER) spectroscopy, we discovered that cell-passaged pathological seeds generate heterogeneous fibrils that are, however, distinct between the CBD and PSP lysate-seeded fibrils, and vastly different from heparin-induced tau fibril structures. Moreover, the lysate-seeded fibrils contain a characteristic sub-population that resembles the disease fold corresponding to the respective starting patient sample. These findings indicate that templated propagation using CBD and PSP patient-derived fibrils is possible with a tau fragment that does not contain the entire pathological fibril core, but also that additional mechanisms must be tuned to converge on a homogeneous fibril population.
Expectancy-related changes in firing of dopamine neurons depend on hippocampus
Authors: Takahashi Yuji K. , Zhang Zhewei , Montesinos-Cartegena Marlian , Kahnt Thorsten , Langdon Angela J. , Schoenbaum Geoffrey
Published: July 2023

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and hippocampus (HC) are both implicated in forming the cognitive or task maps that support flexible behavior. Previously, we used the dopamine neurons as a sensor or tool to measure the functional effects of OFC lesions (Takahashi et al., 2011). We recorded midbrain dopamine neurons as rats performed an odor-based choice task, in which errors in the prediction of reward were induced by manipulating the number or timing of the expected rewards across blocks of trials. We found that OFC lesions ipsilateral to the recording electrodes caused prediction errors to be degraded consistent with a loss in the resolution of the task states, particularly under conditions where hidden information was critical to sharpening the predictions. Here we have repeated this experiment, along with computational modeling of the results, in rats with ipsilateral HC lesions. The results show HC also shapes the map of our task, however unlike OFC, which provides information local to the trial, the HC appears to be necessary for estimating the upper-level hidden states based on the information that is discontinuous or separated by longer timescales. The results contrast the respective roles of the OFC and HC in cognitive mapping and add to evidence that the dopamine neurons access a rich information set from distributed regions regarding the predictive structure of the environment, potentially enabling this powerful teaching signal to support complex learning and behavior.
Intrinsic and synaptic determinants of receptive field plasticity in Purkinje cells of the mouse cerebellum
Authors: Lin Ting-Feng , Busch Silas E. , Hansel Christian
Published: July 2023

Non-synaptic (‘intrinsic’) plasticity of membrane excitability contributes to aspects of memory formation, but it remains unclear whether it merely facilitates synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP), or whether it plays a permissive role in determining the impact of synaptic weight increase. We use tactile stimulation and electrical activation of parallel fibers to probe intrinsic and synaptic contributions to receptive field (RF) plasticity in awake mice during two-photon calcium imaging of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Repetitive activation of both stimuli induced response potentiation that is impaired in mice with selective deficits in either intrinsic plasticity (SK2 KO) or LTP (CaMKII TT305/6VA). Intrinsic, but not synaptic, plasticity expands the local, dendritic RF representation. Simultaneous dendrite and axon initial segment recordings confirm that these dendritic events affect axonal output. Our findings support the hypothesis that intrinsic plasticity provides an amplification mechanism that exerts a permissive control over the impact of LTP on neuronal responsiveness.
Unveiling the Odor Representation in the Inner Brain ofDrosophilathrough Compressed Sensing
Authors: Choi Kiri , Kim Won Kyu , Hyeon Changbong
Published: July 2023

The putative dimension of a space spanned by chemical stimuli is deemed enormous; however, when odorant molecules are bound to a finite number of receptor types and their information is transmitted and projected to a perceptual odor space in the brain, a substantial reduction in dimensionality is made. Compressed sensing (CS) is an algorithm that enables recovery of high-dimensional signals from the data compressed in a lower dimension when the representation of such signals is sufficiently sparse. By analyzing the recentDrosophilaconnectomics data, we find that theDrosophilaolfactory system effectively meets the prerequisites for CS to work. The neural activity profile of projection neurons (PNs) can be faithfully recovered from a low-dimensional response profile of mushroom body output neurons (MBONs) which can be reconstructed using the electro-physiological recordings to a wide range of odorants. By leveraging the residuals calculated between the measured and the predicted MBON responses, we visualize the perceptual odor space by means of residual spectrum and discuss the differentiability of an odor from others. Our study highlights the sparse coding of odor to the receptor space as an essential component for odor identifiability, clarifying the concentration-dependent odor percept. Further, a simultaneous exposure of the olfactory system to many different odorants saturates the neural activity profile of PNs, significantly degrading the capacity of signal recovery, resulting in a perceptual state analogous to “olfactory white.” Our study applying the CS to the connectomics data provides novel and quantitative insights into the odor representation in the inner brain ofDrosophila.
MERTK Coordinates Efferocytosis by Regulating Integrin Localization and Activation
Authors: Dickson Brandon H , Tasnim Tarannum , Lam Austin L , Vreize Angela , Blythe Eoin N , Dekaban Gregory A , Heit Bryan
Published: July 2023

Efferocytosis – the phagocytic removal of apoptotic cells – is a central component of tissue homeostasis, and in many tissues is mediated by the efferocytic receptor MERTK expressed by macrophages. Although MERTK is critical for efferocytosis, the mechanism by which it directs the engulfment of apoptotic cells is largely unknown. Using immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and super-resolution microscopy, we have identified a pre-formed receptor complex on the macrophage plasma membrane comprised of ∼180 nm clusters of MERTK, β2integrins, and multiple signaling molecules including Src-family kinases, PI3-kinases, and the integrin regulatory proteins ILK and FAK. MERTK is unable to mediate efferocytosis in the absence of β2integrins or their opsonins, while β2integrins require activation via MERTK signaling to induce the engulfment of apoptotic cells. Using FRET microscopy, we determined that MERTK directly induces the conformational change of β2integrins from the low to high-affinity form via a PI3-kinase-dependent signaling pathway. MERTK and β2integrins then form a highly structured synapse in which MERTK is retained by ligand-induced clustering in the synapse centre, while β2integrins and actin form a Src family kinase-, ILK- and FAK-dependent expanding ring which defines the leading edge of the synapse that ultimately engulfs the apoptotic cell. The identification of the MERTK membrane-proximal signaling pathway and the role of β2integrins in this pathway provides new insights into the function of this critical homeostatic receptor and provides new insights into how MERTK mutations and signaling defects may contribute to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Associations between COVID-19 and putative markers of neuroinflammation: A diffusion basis spectrum imaging study
Authors: Zhang Wei , Gorelik Aaron J , Wang Qing , Norton Sara A , Hershey Tamara , Agrawal Arpana , Bijsterbosch Janine D , Bogdan Ryan
Published: July 2023

COVID-19 remains a significant international public health concern. Yet, the mechanisms through which symptomatology emerges remain poorly understood. While SARS-CoV-2 infection may induce prolonged inflammation within the central nervous system, the evidence primarily stems from limited small-scale case investigations. To address this gap, our study capitalized on longitudinal UK Biobank neuroimaging data acquired prior to and following COVID-19 testing (N=416 including n=224 COVID-19 cases; Mage=58.6). Putative neuroinflammation was assessed in gray matter structures and white matter tracts using non-invasive Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging (DBSI), which estimates inflammation-related cellularity (DBSI-restricted fraction; DBSI-RF) and vasogenic edema (DBSI-hindered fraction; DBSI-HF).We hypothesized that COVID-19 case status would be associated with increases in DBSI markers after accounting for potential confound (age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking frequency, and data acquisition interval) and multiple testing.

COVID-19 case status was not significantly associated with DBSI-RF (|β|’s<0.28, pFDR>0.05), but with greater DBSI-HF in left pre- and post-central gyri and right middle frontal gyrus (β’s>0.3, all pFDR=0.03). Intriguingly, the brain areas exhibiting increased putative vasogenic edema had previously been linked to COVID-19-related functional and structural alterations, whereas brain regions displaying subtle differences in cellularity between COVID-19 cases and controls included regions within or functionally connected to the olfactory network, which has been implicated in COVID-19 psychopathology.

Nevertheless, our study might not have captured acute and transitory neuroinflammatory effects linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection, possibly due to symptom resolution before the imaging scan. Future research is warranted to explore the potential time- and symptom-dependent neuroinflammatory relationship with COVID-19.
Coenzyme Q4is a functional substitute for coenzyme Q10and can be targeted to the mitochondria
Authors: Steenberge Laura H. , Sung Andrew Y. , Fan Jing , Pagliarini David J.
Published: July 2023

Coenzyme Q10(CoQ10) is an important cofactor and antioxidant for numerous cellular processes, and its deficiency has been linked to human disorders including mitochondrial disease, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, and hypertension. Unfortunately, treatment with exogenous oral CoQ10is often ineffective, likely due to the extreme hydrophobicity and high molecular weight of CoQ10. Here, we show that less hydrophobic CoQ species with shorter isoprenoid tails can serve as viable substitutes for CoQ10in human cells. We demonstrate that CoQ4can perform multiple functions of CoQ10in CoQ-deficient cells at markedly lower treatment concentrations, motivating further investigation of CoQ4as a supplement for CoQ10deficiencies. In addition, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of an initial set of compounds designed to target CoQ4selectively to mitochondria using triphenylphosphonium (TPP). Our results indicate that select versions of these compounds can successfully be delivered to mitochondria in a cell model and be cleaved to produce CoQ4, laying the groundwork for further development.
Besting Monarchy: The Anti‐Classism Argument
Authors: Benn Alex
Published: July 2023

Following the death of a monarch and the crowning of another, this article considers monarchy as a topic in political theory. It seeks to revitalise the topic, which has been given limited attention by political theorists in recent years. It identifies traditional objections to monarchy, alongside newer objections that attack it (particularly the British institution) for being racist and imperialist. However, those objections—though increasingly common—are not fatal to monarchy as an idea. This article develops an argument against monarchy based on the concept of classism: discrimination based on a person's class. Reframing familiar criticisms of monarchy for being elitist and snobbish, the anti‐classism argument draws on discrimination theory to outline the best objection to monarchy at the conceptual level.
Personalized cancer avatars for patients with thymic malignancies: A pilot study with circulating tumor cell‐derived organoids
Authors: Wu Yuan‐Hung , Chao Heng‐sheng , Chiang Chi‐Lu , Luo Yung‐Hung , Chiu Chao‐Hua , Yen Sang‐Hue , Liu Chun‐Yu , Chiou Jeng‐Fong , Burnouf Thierry , Chen Yin‐Ju , Wang Peng‐Yuan , Chao Tsu‐Yi , Hsu Shih‐Ming , Lu Long‐Sheng
Published: July 2023

Background

Systemic therapy is the primary treatment for advanced thymic malignancies. However, there is an urgent need to improve clinical outcome. Personalized treatment based on predictive biomarkers is a potential approach to address this requirement. In this study, we aimed to show the correlation between drug sensitivity tests on CTCs‐derived organoids and clinical response in patients with thymic malignancies. This approach carries the potential to create personalized cancer avatars and improve treatment outcome for patients.

Methods

We previously reported potential treatment outcome prediction with patient‐derived organoids (cancer avatars) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. To further investigate the feasibility of this approach in advanced thymic malignancies, we conducted a study in which 12 patients were enrolled and 21 liquid biopsies were performed.

Results

Cancer avatars were successfully derived in 16 out of 21 samples (success rate 76.2%). We found a sensitivity of 1.0 and specificity of 0.6 for drug sensitivity tests on the cancer avatars, and a two‐tailed Fisher's exact test revealed a significant correlation between drug sensitivity tests and clinical responses (p = 0.0275).

Conclusion

This study supports the potential of circulating tumor cell‐derived organoids to inform personalized treatment for advanced thymic malignancies. Further validation of this proof of concept finding is ongoing.
Pressure‐controlled versus manual facemask ventilation for anaesthetic induction in adults: A randomised controlled non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Edmark Lennart , Englund Emma‐Karin , Jonsson Alexandra Schöttle , Zilic Almira Teskeredzic , Cajander Per , Östberg Erland
Published: July 2023

Background

Pressure‐controlled face mask ventilation (PC‐FMV) with positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) after apnoea following induction of general anaesthesia prolongs safe apnoea time and reduces atelectasis formation. However, depending on the set inspiratory pressure, a delayed confirmation of a patent airway might occur. We hypothesised that by lowering the peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) when using PC‐FMV with PEEP, confirmation of a patent airway would not be delayed as studied by the first return of CO2, compared with manual face mask ventilation (Manual FMV).

Methods

This was a single‐centre, randomised controlled non‐inferiority trial. Seventy adult patients scheduled for elective day‐case surgery under general anaesthesia with body mass index between 18.5 and 29.9 kg m−2, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classes I–III, and without anticipated difficult FMV, were included. Before the start of pre‐oxygenation and induction of general anaesthesia, participants were randomly allocated to receive ventilation with either PC‐FMV with PEEP, at a PIP of 11 and a PEEP of 6 cmH2O or Manual FMV, with the adjustable pressure‐limiting valve set at 11 cmH2O. The primary outcome variable was the number of ventilatory attempts needed until confirmation of a patent airway, defined as the return of at least 1.3 kPa CO2.

Results

The return of ≥1.3 kPa CO2 on the capnography curve was observed after mean ± SD, 3.6 ± 4.2 and 2.5 ± 1.9 ventilatory attempts/breaths with PC‐FMV with PEEP and Manual FMV, respectively. The difference in means (1.1 ventilatory attempts/breaths) had a 99% CI of −1.0 to 3.1, within the accepted upper margin of four breaths for non‐inferiority.

Conclusion

Following induction of general anaesthesia, PC‐FMV with PEEP was used without delaying a patent airway as confirmed with capnography, if moderate pressures were used.
Dismantling the diorama: A case study in “unknowable” human remains
Authors: Lans Aja M. , Boza Cuadros Maria Fernanda
Published: July 2023

Black Americans have long been disproportionately represented among the victims of state‐sanctioned violence. In response, the Black community has mobilized around movements like Black Lives Matter and Say Her Name. However, the exploitation, objectification, and anonymization of Black bodies persists. In many academic disciplines, Black death and suffering are regularly presented as acceptable research findings. Here, we consider the role objectified Black bodies have played in upholding white supremacy within the context of the museum by piecing together the suspect itinerary of the individual whose skull is contained within Lion Attacking a Dromedary. This diorama, currently housed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, exemplifies how scientific institutions have perpetuated imperial scientific ideologies in their ongoing exhibitions. By engaging with Black feminism and decolonial frameworks, we present a path forward for such artifacts and consider how museums can truly support the Movement for Black Lives.
Cognitive phenotype of juvenile absence epilepsy: An investigation of patients and unaffected siblings
Authors: Caciagli Lorenzo , Ratcliffe Corey , Xiao Fenglai , van Graan Louis A. , Trimmel Karin , Vollmar Christian , Centeno Maria , Duncan John S. , Thompson Pamela J. , Baxendale Sallie , Koepp Matthias J. , Wandschneider Britta
Published: July 2023

Objective

The cognitive profile of juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE) remains largely uncharacterized. This study aimed to: (1) elucidate the neuropsychological profile of JAE; (2) identify familial cognitive traits by investigating unaffected JAE siblings; (3) establish the clinical meaningfulness of JAE‐associated cognitive traits; (4) determine whether cognitive traits across the idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) spectrum are shared or syndrome‐specific, by comparing JAE to juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME); and (5) identify relationships between cognitive abilities and clinical characteristics.

Methods

We investigated 123 participants—23 patients with JAE, 16 unaffected siblings of JAE patients, 45 healthy controls, and 39 patients with JME—who underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery including measures within four cognitive domains: attention/psychomotor speed, language, memory, and executive function. We correlated clinical measures with cognitive performance data to decode effects of age at onset and duration of epilepsy.

Results

Cognitive performance in individuals with JAE was reduced compared to controls across attention/psychomotor speed, language, and executive function domains; those with ongoing seizures additionally showed lower memory scores. Patients with JAE and their unaffected siblings had similar language impairment compared to controls. Individuals with JME had worse response inhibition than those with JAE. Across all patients, those with older age at onset had better attention/psychomotor speed performance.

Significance

JAE is associated with wide‐ranging cognitive difficulties that encompass domains reliant on frontal lobe processing, including language, attention, and executive function. JAE siblings share impairment with patients on linguistic measures, indicative of a familial trait. Executive function subdomains may be differentially affected across the IGE spectrum. Cognitive abilities are detrimentally modulated by an early age at seizure onset.
Biogeographic pattern of living vegetation carbon turnover time in mature forests across continents
Authors: Yu Kailiang , Ciais Philippe , Bloom Anthony A. , Wang Jinsong , Liu Zhihua , Chen Han Y. H. , Wang Yilong , Chen Yizhao , Ballantyne Ashley P.
Published: July 2023

Aim

Theoretically, woody biomass turnover time () quantified using outflux (i.e. tree mortality) predicts biomass dynamics better than using influx (i.e. productivity). This study aims at using forest inventory data to empirically test the outflux approach and generate a spatially explicit understanding of woody in mature forests. We further compared woody estimates with dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) and with a data assimilation product of C stocks and fluxes—CARDAMOM.

Location

Continents.

Time Period

Historic from 1951 to 2018.

Major Taxa Studied

Trees and forests.

Methods

We compared the approaches of using outflux versus influx for estimating woody and predicting biomass accumulation rates. We investigated abiotic and biotic drivers of spatial woody and generated a spatially explicit map of woody at a 0.25‐degree resolution across continents using machine learning. We further examined whether six DGVMs and CARDAMOM generally captured the observational pattern of woody .

Results

Woody quantified by the outflux approach better (with R2 0.4–0.5) predicted the biomass accumulation rates than the influx approach (with R2 0.1–0.4) across continents. We found large spatial variations of woody for mature forests, with highest values in temperate forests (98.8 ± 2.6 y) followed by boreal forests (73.9 ± 3.6 y) and tropical forests. The map of woody extrapolated from plot data showed higher values in wetter eastern and pacific coast USA, Africa and eastern Amazon. Climate (temperature and aridity index) and vegetation structure (tree density and forest age) were the dominant drivers of woody across continents. The highest woody in temperate forests was not captured by either DGVMs or CARDAMOM.

Main Conclusions

Our study empirically demonstrated the preference of using outflux over influx to estimate woody for predicting biomass accumulation rates. The spatially explicit map of woody and the underlying drivers provide valuable information to improve the representation of forest demography and carbon turnover processes in DGVMs.
Exploring the perceived influence of social media use on disordered eating in nutrition and dietetics students
Authors: Law Rebecca , Jevons Emily F. P.
Published: July 2023

Background

Social media use (SMU) is increasingly widespread. More recently, SMU has been associated with increases in disordered eating; however, few qualitative studies have explored this issue in nutrition and dietetics students specifically, where susceptibility to disordered eating may be particularly high. The present study therefore aimed to investigate the perceived impact of SMU on disordered eating in nutrition and dietetics students.

Methods

One‐to‐one, in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with nutrition and dietetics students from universities across the UK. Interviews explored students’ views on the potential influence of SMU on their eating‐related thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Data were thematically analysed to identify key themes.

Results

The findings suggested that SMU may provide students with a useful tool for the exploration of new recipes, ingredients and health‐related information, thus enabling them to improve their eating behaviour and diet quality. However, students also showed high levels of objective awareness regarding the problems associated with SMU, including the presence of misinformation, body image dissatisfaction, social pressures and disordered eating. Interestingly, despite enabling them to detect sources of misinformation, students also discussed the negative impact that their course had on their eating habits, suggesting course content may be an additional risk factor for the development of disordered eating for this particular group.

Conclusions

Future research should investigate ways to mitigate the negative impact of SMU and course content on disordered eating in nutrition and dietetics students.
Physiological and pathophysiological roles of the KCNK3 potassium channel in the pulmonary circulation and the heart
Authors: Saint‐Martin Willer Anaïs , Santos‐Gomes Joana , Adão Rui , Brás‐Silva Carmen , Eyries Mélanie , Pérez‐Vizcaino Francisco , Capuano Véronique , Montani David , Antigny Fabrice
Published: July 2023

Potassium channel subfamily K member 3 (KCNK3), encoded by the KCNK3 gene, is part of the two‐pore domain potassium channel family, constitutively active at resting membrane potentials in excitable cells, including smooth muscle and cardiac cells. Several physiological and pharmacological mediators, such as intracellular signalling pathways, extracellular pH, hypoxia and anaesthetics, regulate KCNK3 channel function. Recent studies show that modulation of KCNK3 channel expression and function strongly influences pulmonary vascular cell and cardiomyocyte function. The altered activity of KCNK3 in pathological situations such as atrial fibrillation, pulmonary arterial hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction demonstrates the crucial role of KCNK3 in cardiovascular homeostasis. Furthermore, loss of function variants of KCNK3 have been identified in patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension and atrial fibrillation. This review focuses on current knowledge of the role of the KCNK3 channel in pulmonary circulation and the heart, in healthy and pathological conditions.

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Is vaccine response to SARS-CoV-2 preserved after switching to anti-CD20 therapies in patients with multiple sclerosis or related disorders?
Authors: Jeantin Lina , Abdi Basma , Soulié Cathia , Sterlin Delphine , Maillart Elisabeth , Beigneux Ysoline , Hippolyte Amandine , Belin Lisa , Marcelin Anne-Geneviève , Pourcher Valérie , Louapre Céline
Published: July 2023

Background

Although vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is recommended prior to introducing anti-CD20 therapies, limited data are available regarding the evolution of post-vaccinal immunity.

Methods

This retrospective study compared anti-Spike antibody titres at 6 and 12 months from SARS-CoV-2 vaccination between patients vaccinated before switching to anti-CD20 (‘Switch’) and two control groups: (1) patients vaccinated under disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) other than fingolimod and anti-CD20 (‘Other DMTs’); (2) patients vaccinated on anti-CD20 (‘Anti-CD20’). Anti-Spike-specific T-cell responses were compared between ‘Switch’ and ‘Anti-CD20’ groups.

Results

Fifty-three patients were included in the ‘Switch’ group, 54 in the ‘Other DMTs’ group and 141 in the ‘Anti-CD20’ group. At 6 months, in the subset of patients who received a booster dose, the ‘Switch’ group had lower anti-Spike titres compared with the ‘Other DMTs’ group (median 241.0 IQR (88.0; 504.0) BAU/mL vs 2034 (1155; 4634) BAU/mL, p<0.001), and less patients in the ‘Switch’ group reached the protective threshold of 264 BAU/mL. The ‘Switch’ group had higher anti-Spike titres than the ‘Anti-CD20’ group (7.5 (0.0; 62.1) BAU/mL, p=0.001). Anti-Spike titres were not different between the ‘Switch’ and ‘Other DMTs’ groups before booster administration. These results were similar at 12 months. Spike-specific T-cell positivity was similar between the ‘Switch’ and ‘Anti-CD20’ groups at 6 and 12 months (60.4% vs 61.0%, p=0.53, and 79.4% vs 87.5%, p=0.31, respectively).

Conclusions

Despite a primary vaccination performed before the first anti-CD20 cycle, our results suggest weaker immune responses at 6 and 12 months and decreased booster efficacy after introducing anti-CD20. Patients vaccinated prior to anti-CD20 introduction might falsely be considered as fully protected by vaccination.
Effect of e-cigarette taxes on e-cigarette and cigarette retail prices and sales, USA, 2014–2019
Authors: Diaz Megan C , Donovan Emily , Tauras John , Stephens Daniel , Schillo Barbara , Phillips Serena , Chaloupka Frank J , Pesko Michael
Published: July 2023

Objective

To use a standardised e-cigarette tax measure to examine the impact of e-cigarette taxes on the price and sales of e-cigarettes and cigarettes in the USA.

Design

We used State Line versions of NielsenIQ Retail Scanner data from quarter 4 of 2014 through quarter 4 of 2019 to calculate e-cigarette and cigarette prices and sales in 23 US states. We then estimated how these outcomes are associated with standardised state-level e-cigarette taxes, controlling for state fixed effects, quarter-by-year fixed effects, cigarette taxes, other tobacco control policies and other state-level time-varying characteristics.

Results

A real $1 increase in the e-cigarette standardised tax increases the price of 1 mL of e-liquid between $0.43 and $0.59 depending on specification. Controlling for fixed effects and cigarette taxes, a 10% increase in e-cigarette taxes is estimated to reduce e-cigarette sales by 0.5% and increase cigarette sales by 0.1%, though both results are attenuated and statistically insignificant in a model with full controls.

Conclusions

Our study finds that e-cigarette taxes increase e-cigarette retail prices by approximately half of the tax. Further, e-cigarette taxes are associated with reduced sales of e-cigarettes and increased sales of cigarettes in some specifications. Our estimates are sizably lower than from other studies using sales and survey data.
Analysis of kinematic characteristics of 2-P(RPS + UPS) parallel mechanism with six degrees of freedom
Authors: Wang Yu , Ma Xuejian , Xu Yundou , Wu Jiabin , Yao Jiantao , Zhao Yongsheng
Published: July 2023

At present, there is an increasing demand for the workspace required for the assembly of components, and a parallel mechanism with a large workspace is urgently needed to make up for it. Therefore, in this paper, a 2-P(RPS + UPS) parallel mechanism (where S, P, R, and U represent spherical, prismatic, revolute, and universal joints) with four branched chains and six degrees of freedom is proposed and its kinematic characteristics are analyzed. First, the speed of the 2-P(RPS + UPS) parallel mechanism is numerically derived and verified by simulation using ADAMS software. Then, the motion decoupling characteristics of the mechanism are analyzed from the expression of the speed and position relationship between the input and output of the mechanism. To minimize the force on each branch in the workspace, scale optimization of the 2-P(RPS + UPS) mechanism and the Stewart mechanism is performed. Further, analysis of the dexterity, singularity, and workspace of the 2-P(RPS + UPS) mechanism is conducted, and the performance of the mechanism is compared with that of the Stewart mechanism. The proposed parallel mechanism has fewer branches, a simple kinematic model, strong motion decoupling, a high bearing capacity, a large workspace, and a low initial position height. Moreover, it can be conveniently transported and stored. Therefore, it has good application prospects in assembly and posture adjustment scenes requiring large workspaces.
On associated graded modules of maximal Cohen–Macaulay modules over hypersurface rings
Authors: Mishra Ankit , Puthenpurakal Tony J.
Published: July 2023

Let [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] be a complete regular local ring of dimension [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] an MCM [Formula: see text]-module with [Formula: see text] then we prove that [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is a complete hypersurface ring of dimension [Formula: see text] with infinite residue field and [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be an MCM [Formula: see text]-module with [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] then we prove that [Formula: see text]. Our paper is the first systematic study of depth of associated graded modules of MCM modules over hypersurface rings.
On characterizations of approximation types using MacLane–Vaquié chains
Authors: Mavi Sneha , Bishnoi Anuj
Published: July 2023

For a nontrivial approximation type [Formula: see text] over a valued field [Formula: see text] it is known that there is an extension [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is realized by [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] In this paper, we show that [Formula: see text] is determined by the first step [Formula: see text] of any MacLane–Vaquié chain of [Formula: see text] Also, the properties of [Formula: see text] as an approximation type are reflected in the valuative properties of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]
Beyond Smart Homes: An In-Depth Analysis of Smart Aging Care System Security
Authors: Yamout Youssef , Yeasar Tashaffi Samin , Iqbal Shahrear , Zulkernine Mohammad
Published: July 2023

The upward trend in the percentage of the population older than 65 has made smart aging more relevant than ever before. Growing old in a traditional assisted living facility can take a toll on the mental well-being of the elderly individual, on top of other factors like extravagant costs, potential negligence from caregivers, and a ceaseless demand for healthcare personnel. Aging in one’s own space instead of a senior residence is the desirable alternative thanks to enabling technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT facilitates connected healthcare, safety, entertainment, and social well-being of the older population. However, it suffers from a multitude of security vulnerabilities. Although researchers have investigated the security challenges of several IoT ecosystems, IoT systems in the context of smart aging care have not been well studied from a security perspective. In this article, we present an in-depth analysis of smart aging care system security issues. A smart aging care system is essentially a superset of smart homes and healthcare monitoring systems. The sheer variety of technologies at play and the amount of data generated, combined with physical vulnerabilities and a lack of technological exposure of the intended occupant group put smart aging care systems at great risk. Attacks against relatively benign smart home devices can bring serious consequences because of the context in which these devices are employed. Thus, the purpose of our study is four-fold: (i) defining the components and functionalities of a smart aging care system, (ii) identifying security vulnerabilities and outlining suitable countermeasures for them, (iii) analyzing how the attacks uniquely impact senior users’ Quality of Life (QoL), (iv) highlighting avenues for future research and how the threat landscape in smart aging care systems differ from general smart homes.
Towards Smart Education through Internet of Things: A Survey
Authors: Badshah Afzal , Ghani Anwar , Daud Ali , Jalal Ateeqa , Bilal Muhammad , Crowcroft Jon
Published: July 2023

IoT is a fundamental enabling technology for creating smart spaces, which can assist the effective face-to-face and online education systems. The transition to smart education (integrating IoT and AI into the education system) is appealing, which has a concrete impact on learners’ engagement, motivation, attendance, and deep learning. Traditional education faces many challenges, including administration, pedagogy, assessment, and classroom supervision. Recent developments in ICT (e.g., IoT, AI, and 5G) have yielded lots of smart solutions for various aspects of life; however, smart solutions are not well integrated into the education system. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic situation had further emphasized the adoption of new smart solutions in education. This study reviews the related studies and addresses the (i) problems in the traditional education system with possible solutions, (ii) the transition towards smart education, and (iii) research challenges in the transition to smart education (i.e., computational and social resistance). Considering these studies, smart solutions (e.g., smart pedagogy, smart assessment, smart classroom, smart administration) are introduced to the problems of the traditional system. This exploratory study opens new trends for scholars and the market to integrate ICT, IoT, and AI into smart education.
Weight-Length and Length-Length Relationships of the Endangered Zebra Pleco Hypancistrus zebra (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the Xingu River, Amazon, Brazil
Authors: Barros Fábio J. T. , Rodrigues Edilberto L. C. , Moura Mayllon C. de S. , Torres Rayane de A. , Paula Eris A. , Sousa Leandro M.
Published: July 2023

Hypancistrus zebra is a Loricariid endemic to a very limited stretch of the Xingu River and has a high value in the ornamental fish trade. The natural populations have experienced high fishing pressure since the late 80s and were recently impacted by the construction of the third largest hydroelectric dam complex in the world, the Belo Monte Project. Since 2004, it has been considered critically endangered and had its capture and trade forbidden. Even with its capture and trade prohibited since 2004, the species continues to be one of the most trafficked fish in the world. The biometric knowledge of the species is essential for monitoring its natural populations and management in ex situ environments. This work aims to establish the weight-length relationship (WLR) and length-length relationship (LLR) of the species and to evaluate the condition factor (K) of H. zebra rescued from trafficking. The study was conducted at the Laboratório de Aquicultura de Peixes Ornamentais do Xingu from February 2022 to June 2022, estimating the parameters of WLR and LLR of 1165 specimens divided into four simple linear regression (SLR) models: all specimens, only juveniles, only females, and only males. The K of 190 specimens rescued from trafficking by the Brazilian Federal Police was evaluated. The WLRs and LLRs were estimated using SLR. The difference between the allometry coefficients (b) and between the residuals of the models (juveniles, females, and males) was evaluated using the ANOVA significance test. The total length of the species ranged from 1.6 to 9.3 cm. The coefficient of allometry (b) of the WLR of the species is 3.22 and of the LLR is 1.04, demonstrating that H. zebra presents positive allometric growth. The evaluation of the residuals of the models showed differences between ontogenetic stages and between sexes. The development of juveniles is isometric until the first sexual maturation phase and differs in negative allometric for females and positive allometric for males, showing sexual dimorphism in the species. Among the specimens rescued from trafficking, 54.74% were underweight, and 13.16% were under 60% of the expected K value, demonstrating the poor conditions in which these animals are transported by trafficking.
Performance Evaluation of the Lightning Imaging Sensor on the International Space Station
Authors: Zhang Daile , Cummins Kenneth L. , Lang Timothy J. , Buechler Dennis , Rudlosky Scott
Published: July 2023

Optical lightning observations from low-Earth orbit play an important role in our understanding of long-term global lightning trends. Lightning Imaging Sensors (LIS) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite (1997–2015) and International Space Station (2017–present) capture optical emissions produced by lightning. This study uses the well-documented TRMM LIS performance to determine if the ISS LIS performs well enough to bridge the gap between TRMM LIS and the new generation of Geostationary Lightning Mappers (GLMs). The average events per group and groups per flash for ISS LIS are 3.6 and 9.9, which are 18% and 10% lower than TRMM LIS, respectively. ISS LIS has 30% lower mean group energy density and 30%–50% lower mean flash energy density than TRMM LIS in their common (±38°) latitude range. These differences are likely the result of larger pixel areas for ISS LIS over most of the field of view due to off-nadir pointing, combined with viewing obstructions and possible engineering differences. For both instruments, radiometric sensitivity decreases radially from the center of the array to the edges. ISS LIS sensitivity falls off faster and more variably, contributed to by the off-nadir pointing. Event energy density analysis indicate some anomalous hotspot pixels in the ISS LIS pixel array that were not present with the TRMM LIS. Despite these differences, ISS LIS provides similar parameter values to TRMM LIS with the expectation of somewhat lower lightning detection capability. In addition, recalculation of the event, group, and flash areas for both LIS datasets are strongly recommended since the archived values in the current release versions have significant errors.