bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulated-Scenario and Peer-Mentorship Curriculum to Train Prehospital Providers in the Practice of Mass Gathering Medicine
Authors: Plaitano Enzo G. , Pate Bianca L. , Everett Elana F. , Golden Sarah K. , Levy Raymond A. , Ryan Kevin M.
Published: November 2021

Objective:

A mass gathering medicine training program was established for a 7,200-seat arena. The objectives of this study were to describe the program schema and determine its impact in preparing novice emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to manage the difficulties of large-venue emergency medical services (EMS).

Methods:

Optional, anonymous surveys were administered to EMTs. Novice EMTs were assessed pre-/post-program implementation, and both novice and experienced EMTs completed self-reported Likert scales. Data were analyzed with nonparametric methods.

Results:

A total of 43/56 responses (response rate = 76.8%) were received. Only 37.2% of providers felt prepared to work mass gatherings before the training, and 60.5% stated that their previous education did not prepare them for large-venue challenges. After the training program, novice EMTs were significantly associated with increased knowledge of large-venue EMS procedures (P = 0.0170), higher proficiency using extrication equipment (P = 0.0248), increased patient care skills (P = 0.0438), and both increased confidence working events (P = 0.0002) and better teamwork during patient encounters (P = 0.0001). The majority of EMTs reported the program as beneficial.

Conclusion:

Upon hire, EMS providers felt unprepared to work large-venue EMS. The analyses demonstrated that this training program improved select large-venue emergency skills for prehospital providers and may fill a gap in the education system regarding mass gathering medicine.
Determination of tissue-specific interaction between vitamin C and vitamin Ein vivousing senescence marker protein-30 knockout mice as a vitamin C synthesis deficiency model
Authors: Sato Ayami , Takino Yuka , Yano Tomohiro , Fukui Koji , Ishigami Akihito
Published: November 2021

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol; VE) is known to be regenerated from VE radicals by vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid; VC)in vitro. However, theirin vivointeraction in various tissues is still unclear. Therefore, we alternatively examined thein vivointeraction of VC and VE by measurement of their concentrations in various tissues of senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30) knockout (KO) mice as a VC synthesis deficiency model. Male SMP30-KO mice were divided into four groups (VC+/VE+, VC+/VE–, VC–/VE+ and VC–/VE–), fed diets with or without 500 mg/kg VE and given water with or without 1·5 g/l VCad libitum. Then, VC and VE concentrations in the plasma and various tissues were determined. Further, gene expression levels of transporters associated with VC and VE, such asα-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP) and sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters (SVCTs), were examined. These results showed that the VE levels in the VC-depleted (VC–/VE+) group were significantly lower than those in the VC+/VE+ group in the liver and heart; the VC levels in the VE-depleted (VC+/VE–) group were significantly lower than those in the VC+/VE+ group in the kidneys. Theα-TTP gene expression in the liver and kidneys was decreased by VC and/or VE depletion. Moreover, SVCT1 gene expression in the liver was decreased by both VC and VE depletion. In conclusion, these results indicate that VC spares VE mainly in the liver and heart and that VE spares VC in the kidneys of SMP30-KO mice. Thus, interaction between VC and VE is likely to be tissue specific.
First whole-genome analysis of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) obtained from COVID-19 patients from five districts in Western Serbia
Authors: Vidanović Dejan , Tešović Bojana , Volkening Jeremy D. , Afonso Claudio L. , Quick Joshua , Šekler Milanko , Knežević Aleksandra , Janković Marko , Jovanović Tanja , Petrović Tamaš , Đeri Bojana Banović
Published: November 2021

This study was endeavoured to contribute in furthering our understanding of the molecular epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by sequencing and analysing the first full-length genome sequences obtained from 48 coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients in five districts in Western Serbia in the period April 2020–July 2020. SARS-CoV-2 sequences in Western Serbia distinguished from the Wuhan sequence in 128 SNPs in total. The phylogenetic structure of local SARS-CoV-2 isolates suggested the existence of at least four distinct groups of SARS-CoV-2 strains in Western Serbia. The first group is the most similar to the strain from Italy. These isolates included two 20A sequences and 15−30 20B sequences that displayed a newly occurring set of four conjoined mutations. The second group is the most similar to the strain from France, carrying two mutations and belonged to 20A clade. The third group is the most similar to the strain from Switzerland carrying four co-occurring mutations and belonging to 20B clade. The fourth group is the most similar to another strain from France, displaying one mutation that gave rise to a single local isolate that belonged to 20A clade.
Impact of front-of-pack labels on the perceived healthfulness of a sweetened fruit drink: a randomised experiment in five countries
Authors: Jáuregui Alejandra , White Christine M , Vanderlee Lana , Hall Marissa G , Contreras-Manzano Alejandra , Nieto Claudia , Sacks Gary , Thrasher James F , Hammond David , Barquera Simón
Published: November 2021

Objective:

Front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labelling is a globally recommended strategy to encourage healthier food choices. We evaluated the effect of FOP labels on the perceived healthfulness of a sweetened fruit drink in an international sample of adult consumers.

Design:

Six-arm randomised controlled experiment to examine the impact of FOP labels (no label control, Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA), Multiple Traffic Lights, the Health Star Ratings (HSR), Health Warning Labels, and ‘High-in’ Warning Labels (HIWL)) on the perceived healthfulness of the drink. Linear regression models by country examined healthfulness perceptions on FOP nutrition labels, testing for interactions by demographic characteristics.

Setting:

Online survey in 2018 among participants from Australia, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom (UK) and United States.

Participants:

Adults (≥18 years, n 22 140).

Results:

Compared with control, HIWL had the greatest impact in lowering perceived healthfulness (β from −0·62 to −1·71) across all countries. The HIWL and the HSR had a similar effect in Australia. Other labels were effective in decreasing the perceived healthfulness of the drink within some countries only, but to a lower extent. The GDA did not reduce perceived healthfulness in most countries. In the UK, the effect of HIWL differed by age group, with greater impact among older participants (> 40 years). There were no other variations across key demographic characteristics.

Conclusions:

HIWL, which communicates clear, non-quantitative messages about high levels of nutrients of concern, demonstrated the greatest efficacy to decrease the perceived healthfulness of a sweetened fruit drink across countries. This effect was similar across demographic characteristics.
BOUNDS ON THE CRITICAL TIMES FOR THE GENERAL FISHER–KPP EQUATION
Authors: RODRIGO MARIANITO R.
Published: November 2021

The Fisher–Kolmogorov–Petrovsky–Piskunov (Fisher–KPP) equation is one of the prototypical reaction–diffusion equations and is encountered in many areas, primarily in population dynamics. An important consideration for the phenomena modelled by diffusion equations is the length of the diffusive process. In this paper, three definitions of the critical time are given, and bounds are obtained by a careful construction of the upper and lower solutions. The comparison functions satisfy the nonlinear, but linearizable, partial differential equations of Fisher–KPP type. Results of the numerical simulations are displayed. Extensions to some classes of reaction–diffusion systems and an application to a spatially heterogeneous harvesting model are also presented.
Refactoring the Whitby Intelligent Tutoring System for Clean Architecture
Authors: BROWN PAUL S. , DIMITROVA VANIA , HART GLEN , COHN ANTHONY G. , MOURA PAULO
Published: November 2021

Whitby is the server-side of an Intelligent Tutoring System application for learning System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA), a methodology used to ensure the safety of anything that can be represented with a systems model. The underlying logic driving the reasoning behind Whitby is Situation Calculus, which is a many-sorted logic with situation, action, and object sorts. The Situation Calculus is applied to Ontology Authoring and Contingent Scaffolding: the primary activities within Whitby. Thus many fluents and actions are aggregated in Whitby from these two sub-applications and from Whitby itself, but all are available through a common situation query interface that does not depend upon any of the fluents or actions. Each STPA project in Whitby is a single situation term, which is queried for fluents that include the ontology, and to determine what pedagogical interventions to offer. Initially Whitby was written in Prolog using a module system. In the interest of a cleaner architecture and implementation with improved code reuse and extensibility, the initial application was refactored into Logtalk. This refactoring includes decoupling the Situation Calculus reasoner, Ontology Authoring framework, and Contingent Scaffolding framework into third-party libraries that can be reused in other applications. This extraction was achieved by inverting dependencies via Logtalk protocols and categories, which are reusable interfaces and components that provide functionally cohesive sets of predicate declarations and predicate definitions. In this paper the architectures of two iterations of Whitby are evaluated with respect to the motivations behind the refactor: clean architecture enabling code reuse and extensibility.
1898 and Its Aftermath: America’s Imperial Influence
Authors: Cortez Jonathan
Published: November 2021

Throughout the late nineteenth century, Cubans and Filipinos led calls for independence against Spanish colonial rule. In 1898 the United States entered the conflict under the guise of supporting liberty and democracy abroad, declaring war on Spain. The Treaty of Paris of 1898, which ended the war as well as Spanish colonial rule, resulted in the U.S. acquisition of territories off its coasts. This microsyllabus, 1898 and Its Aftermath: America’s Imperial Influence, collects articles that use the 1898 Spanish-Cuban-American War as a jumping-off point to understand how issues such as labor, citizenship, weather, and sports were impacted by America’s racism and white supremacy across the globe.
Where Did This Come From?
Authors: Tyler-Wolfe Jae
Published: November 2021

The protests that erupted after the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor in the summer of 2020 took the country by storm. The rapid spread of activist organizing was breathtaking to see. Over the span of a few months, no state in the country was left untouched, and more conversations began to approach acts of racial violence as an institutional problem rather than as a series of isolated incidents. Even six months prior, such widespread activism would have been unimaginable.
Summer Could Be Earthquake Season on Mars
Authors: Cutts Elise
Published: November 2021

InSight data hint that shifting carbon dioxide ice loads, illumination changes, or solar tides could drive an uptick in marsquakes during northern summer—a “marsquake season.”
Electron Pitch Angle Distributions in Compressional Pc5 Waves by THEMIS‐A Observations
Authors: Ma X. , Tian A. M. , Shi Q. Q. , Bai S. C. , Yao S. T. , Shen X. C. , Sun W. J. , Guo R. L. , Nowada M. , Degeling A. W. , Liu J. , Li L. , Zhang S. , Li W.
Published: October 2021

Although compressional Pc5 waves are well known in the energy conversion and regulation of charged particles in the magnetosphere, the detailed features of associated electron pitch angle distributions (ePADs) are poorly understood. Based on Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) observations from 2010 to 2016, ePADs in the magnetic decreases (troughs) of compressional Pc5 waves are classified into three types: cigar, butterfly, and pancake. They are found in the electrons with respective energy ranges of 100–1,000 eV (larger than 10 keV), 1–10 keV (larger than 1 keV), and 6–30 keV (100 eV–10 keV) in (non)whistler‐type compressional Pc5 waves, that is, cases where whistler‐mode waves are present (absent) in the magnetic troughs. These statistical ePAD features observed in the whistler‐ and nonwhistler‐type waves are suggested to be associated with the Landau resonance of whistler‐mode waves and drift‐shell splitting effect.
Absolute characterization of high numerical aperture microscope objectives utilizing a dipole scatterer
Authors: Eismann Jörg S. , Neugebauer Martin , Mantel Klaus , Banzer Peter
Published: November 2021

Measuring the aberrations of optical systems is an essential step in the fabrication of high precision optical components. Such a characterization is usually based on comparing the device under investigation with a calibrated reference object. However, when working at the cutting-edge of technology, it is increasingly difficult to provide an even better or well-known reference device. In this manuscript we present a method for the characterization of high numerical aperture microscope objectives, functioning without the need of calibrated reference optics. The technique constitutes a nanoparticle, acting as a dipole-like scatterer, that is placed in the focal volume of the microscope objective. The light that is scattered by the particle can be measured individually and serves as the reference wave in our system. Utilizing the well-characterized scattered light as nearly perfect reference wave is the main idea behind this manuscript.
Fluorescence lifetime imaging for studying DNA compaction and gene activities
Authors: Levchenko Svitlana M. , Pliss Artem , Peng Xiao , Prasad Paras N. , Qu Junle
Published: November 2021

Optical imaging is a most useful and widespread technique for the investigation of the structure and function of the cellular genomes. However, an analysis of immensely convoluted and irregularly compacted DNA polymer is highly challenging even by modern super-resolution microscopy approaches. Here we propose fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) for the advancement of studies of genomic structure including DNA compaction, replication as well as monitoring of gene expression. The proposed FLIM assay employs two independent mechanisms for DNA compaction sensing. One mechanism relies on the inverse quadratic relation between the fluorescence lifetimes of fluorescence probes incorporated into DNA and their local refractive index, variable due to DNA compaction density. Another mechanism is based on the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process between the donor and the acceptor fluorophores, both incorporated into DNA. Both these proposed mechanisms were validated in cultured cells. The obtained data unravel a significant difference in compaction of the gene-rich and gene-poor pools of genomic DNA. We show that the gene-rich DNA is loosely compacted compared to the dense DNA domains devoid of active genes.
Localized extension in megathrust hanging wall following great earthquakes in western Nepal
Authors: Riesner Magali , Bollinger Laurent , Hubbard Judith , Guérin Cyrielle , Lefèvre Marthe , Vallage Amaury , Basnet Shah Chanda , Kandel Thakur Prasad , Haines Samuel , Sapkota Soma Nath
Published: November 2021

The largest (M8+) known earthquakes in the Himalaya have ruptured the upper locked section of the Main Himalayan Thrust zone, offsetting the ground surface along the Main Frontal Thrust at the range front. However, out-of-sequence active structures have received less attention. One of the most impressive examples of such faults is the active fault that generally follows the surface trace of the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). This fault has generated a clear geomorphological signature of recent deformation in eastern and western Nepal, as well as further west in India. We focus on western Nepal, between the municipalities of Surkhet and Gorahi where this fault is well expressed. Although the fault system as a whole is accommodating contraction, across most of its length, this particular fault appears geomorphologically as a normal fault, indicating crustal extension in the hanging wall of the MHT. We focus this study on the reactivation of the MBT along the Surkhet-Gorahi segment of the surface trace of the newly named Reactivated Boundary Fault, which is ~ 120 km long. We first generate a high-resolution Digital Elevation Model from triplets of high-resolution Pleiades images and use this to map the fault scarp and its geomorphological lateral variation. For most of its length, normal motion slip is observed with a dip varying between 20° and 60° and a maximum cumulative vertical offset of 27 m. We then present evidence for recent normal faulting in a trench located in the village of Sukhetal. Radiocarbon dating of detrital charcoals sampled in the hanging wall of the fault, including the main colluvial wedge and overlying sedimentary layers, suggest that the last event occurred in the early sixteenth century. This period saw the devastating 1505 earthquake, which produced ~ 23 m of slip on the Main Frontal Thrust. Linked or not, the ruptures on the MFT and MBT happened within a short time period compared to the centuries of quiescence of the faults that followed. We suggest that episodic normal-sense activity of the MBT could be related to large earthquakes rupturing the MFT, given its proximity, the sense of motion, and the large distance that separates the MBT from the downdip end of the locked fault zone of the MHT fault system. We discuss these results and their implications for the frontal Himalayan thrust system.
Hypoxia induces stress fiber formation in adipocytes in the early stage of obesity
Authors: Anvari Golnaz , Bellas Evangelia
Published: November 2021

In obese adipose tissue (AT), hypertrophic expansion of adipocytes is not matched by new vessel formation, leading to AT hypoxia. As a result, hypoxia inducible factor-1⍺ (HIF-1⍺) accumulates in adipocytes inducing a transcriptional program that upregulates profibrotic genes and biosynthetic enzymes such as lysyl oxidase (LOX) synthesis. This excess synthesis and crosslinking of extracellular matrix (ECM) components cause AT fibrosis. Although fibrosis is a hallmark of obese AT, the role of fibroblasts, cells known to regulate fibrosis in other fibrosis-prone tissues, is not well studied. Here we have developed an in vitro model of AT to study adipocyte-fibroblast crosstalk in a hypoxic environment. Further, this in vitro model was used to investigate the effect of hypoxia on adipocyte mechanical properties via ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil kinases (ROCK) signaling pathways. We confirmed that hypoxia creates a diseased phenotype by inhibiting adipocyte maturation and inducing actin stress fiber formation facilitated by myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A/MKL1) nuclear translocation. This work presents new potential therapeutic targets for obesity by improving adipocyte maturation and limiting mechanical stress in obese AT.
The educational community and its knowledge and perceptions of native and invasive alien species
Authors: Sosa Alejandro J. , Jiménez Nadia L. , Faltlhauser Ana C. , Righetti Tomás , Mc Kay Fernando , Bruzzone Octavio A. , Stiers Iris , Fernández Souto Adriana
Published: November 2021

Environmental education seeks to foster an appreciation for nature and the impact of humans on it while introducing citizens to scientific thinking. Biological invasions affect different aspects of life on earth and mandate urgent management actions. Education and public awareness are strongly recommended for successful prevention and management of invasive alien species (IAS). This work presents a study on knowledge and perception of the educational community of Argentina about native species and IAS. We designed an on-line semi-structured questionnaire to examine perception of the environment, recognition of native species and IAS and awareness about biological invasions. Educators recognised an important number of biotic components, mostly represented by trees, birds and mammals. Recognition of native species and IAS, and awareness of biological invasions were different between NST (Natural Science Teachers) and non-NST. Respondents had different performances when they were exposed to recognising native species though written names or photographs. Out of 532 respondents, 56% knew what biological invasions are, 21% answered “Maybe” and 23% had never heard about them. We need to foster capacity-building and encourage a two-way communication between educators and scientists, formally and informally, to engage the participation of the whole society in recognition, prevention and management of IAS.
Adaptive auditory brightness perception
Authors: Siedenburg Kai , Barg Feline Malin , Schepker Henning
Published: November 2021

Perception adapts to the properties of prior stimulation, as illustrated by phenomena such as visual color constancy or speech context effects. In the auditory domain, only little is known about adaptive processes when it comes to the attribute of auditory brightness. Here, we report an experiment that tests whether listeners adapt to spectral colorations imposed on naturalistic music and speech excerpts. Our results indicate consistent contrastive adaptation of auditory brightness judgments on a trial-by-trial basis. The pattern of results suggests that these effects tend to grow with an increase in the duration of the adaptor context but level off after around 8 trials of 2 s duration. A simple model of the response criterion yields a correlation of r = .97 with the measured data and corroborates the notion that brightness perception adapts on timescales that fall in the range of auditory short-term memory. Effects turn out to be similar for spectral filtering based on linear spectral filter slopes and filtering based on a measured transfer function from a commercially available hearing device. Overall, our findings demonstrate the adaptivity of auditory brightness perception under realistic acoustical conditions.
Decreased mortality and increased side effects in COVID-19 patients treated with IL-6 receptor antagonists: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Malgie Jishnu , Schoones Jan W. , Zeegers Maurice P. , Pijls Bart G.
Published: November 2021

There is controversy whether IL-6 (receptor) antagonists are beneficial in treating COVID-19 patients. We therefore update our systematic review to answer the following research questions: (1) Do patients hospitalized for COVID-19 treated with IL-6 (receptor) antagonists have lower mortality compared to standard of care? (2) Do patients hospitalized for COVID-19 treated with IL-6 (receptor) antagonists have more side effects compared to standard of care? The following databases were search up to December 1st 2020: PubMed, PMC PubMed Central, MEDLINE, WHO COVID-19 Database, Embase, Web-of-Science, COCHRANE LIBRARY, Emcare and Academic Search Premier. In order to pool the risk ratio (RR) and risk difference of individual studies we used random effects meta-analysis. The search strategy retrieved 2975 unique titles of which 71 studies (9 RCTs and 62 observational) studies comprising 29,495 patients were included. Mortality (RR 0.75) and mechanical ventilation (RR 0.78) were lower and the risk of neutropenia (RR 7.3), impaired liver function (RR 1.67) and secondary infections (RR 1.26) were higher for patients treated with IL-6 (receptor) antagonists compared to patients not treated with treated with IL-6 (receptor) antagonists. Our results showed that IL-6 (receptor) antagonists are effective in reducing mortality in COVID-19 patients, while the risk of side effects was higher. The baseline risk of mortality was an important effect modifier: IL-6 (receptor) antagonists were effective when the baseline mortality risk was high (e.g. ICU setting), while they could be harmful when the baseline mortality risk was low.
A unique amphiphilic triblock copolymer, nontoxic to human blood and potential supramolecular drug delivery system for dexamethasone
Authors: Mushtaq Irrum , Akhter Zareen , Farooq Muhammad , Jabeen Farukh , Rehman Ashfaq Ur , Rehman Sadia , Ayub Sidra , Mirza Bushra , Siddiq Muhammad , Zaman Farasat
Published: November 2021

The drug delivery system (DDS) often causes toxicity, triggering undesired cellular injuries. Thus, developing supramolecules used as DDS with tunable self-assembly and nontoxic behavior is highly desired. To address this, we aimed to develop a tunable amphiphilic ABA-type triblock copolymer that is nontoxic to human blood cells but also capable of self-assembling, binding and releasing the clinically used drug dexamethasone. We synthesized an ABA-type amphiphilic triblock copolymer (P2L) by incorporating tetra(aniline) TANI as a hydrophobic and redox active segment along with monomethoxy end-capped polyethylene glycol (mPEG2k; Mw = 2000 g mol−1) as biocompatible, flexible and hydrophilic part. Cell cytotoxicity was measured in whole human blood in vitro and lung cancer cells. Polymer-drug interactions were investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy and computational analysis. Our synthesized copolymer P2L exhibited tuned self-assembly behavior with and without external stimuli and showed no toxicity in human blood samples. Computational analysis showed that P2L can encapsulate the clinically used drug dexamethasone and that drug uptake or release can also be triggered under oxidation or low pH conditions. In conclusion, copolymer P2L is nontoxic to human blood cells with the potential to carry and release anticancer/anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone. These findings may open up further investigations into implantable drug delivery systems/devices with precise drug administration and controlled release at specific locations.
Hierarchical climate-driven dynamics of the active channel length in temporary streams
Authors: Botter Gianluca , Vingiani Filippo , Senatore Alfonso , Jensen Carrie , Weiler Markus , McGuire Kevin , Mendicino Giuseppe , Durighetto Nicola
Published: November 2021

Looking across a landscape, river networks appear deceptively static. However, flowing streams expand and contract following ever-changing hydrological conditions of the surrounding environment. Despite the ecological and biogeochemical value of rivers with discontinuous flow, deciphering the temporary nature of streams and quantifying their extent remains challenging. Using a unique observational dataset spanning diverse geomorphoclimatic settings, we demonstrate the existence of a general hierarchical structuring of river network dynamics. Specifically, temporary stream activation follows a fixed and repeatable sequence, in which the least persistent sections activate only when the most persistent ones are already flowing. This hierarchical phenomenon not only facilitates monitoring activities, but enables the development of a general mathematical framework that elucidates how climate drives temporal variations in the active stream length. As the climate gets drier, the average fraction of the flowing network decreases while its relative variability increases. Our study provides a novel conceptual basis for characterizing temporary streams and quantifying their ecological and biogeochemical impacts.
Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in COVID-19 compared with Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Prozan Lior , Shusterman Eden , Ablin Jacob , Mitelpunkt Alexis , Weiss-Meilik Ahuva , Adler Amos , Choshen Guy , Kehat Orli
Published: November 2021

A high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is considered an unfavorable prognostic factor in various diseases, including COVID-19. The prognostic value of NLR in other respiratory viral infections, such as Influenza, has not hitherto been extensively studied. We aimed to compare the prognostic value of NLR in COVID-19, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection (RSV). A retrospective cohort of COVID-19, Influenza and RSV patients admitted to the Tel Aviv Medical Center from January 2010 to October 2020 was analyzed. Laboratory, demographic, and clinical parameters were collected. Two way analyses of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the association between NLR values and poor outcomes among the three groups. ROC curve analyses for each virus was applied to test the discrimination ability of NLR. 722 COVID-19, 2213 influenza and 482 RSV patients were included. Above the age of 50, NLR at admission was significantly lower among COVID-19 patients (P < 0.001). NLR was associated with poor clinical outcome only in the COVID-19 group. ROC curve analysis was performed; the area under curve of poor outcomes for COVID-19 was 0.68, compared with 0.57 and 0.58 for Influenza and RSV respectively. In the COVID-19 group, multivariate logistic regression identified a high NLR (defined as a value above 6.82) to be a prognostic factor for poor clinical outcome, after adjusting for age, sex and Charlson comorbidity score (odds ratio of 2.9, P < 0.001). NLR at admission is lower and has more prognostic value in COVID-19 patients, when compared to Influenza and RSV.
Large voltage-induced coercivity change in Pt/Co/CoO/amorphous TiOx structure and heavy metal insertion effect
Authors: Nozaki Tomohiro , Tamaru Shingo , Konoto Makoto , Nozaki Takayuki , Kubota Hitoshi , Fukushima Akio , Yuasa Shinji
Published: November 2021

There is urgent need for spintronics materials exhibiting a large voltage modulation effect to fulfill the great demand for high-speed, low-power-consumption information processing systems. Fcc-Co (111)-based systems are a promising option for research on the voltage effect, on account of their large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and high degree of freedom in structure. Aiming to observe a large voltage effect in a fcc-Co (111)-based system at room temperature, we investigated the voltage-induced coercivity (Hc) change of perpendicularly magnetized Pt/heavy metal/Co/CoO/amorphous TiOx structures. The thin CoO layer in the structure was the result of the surface oxidation of Co. We observed a large voltage-induced Hc change of 20.2 mT by applying 2 V (0.32 V/nm) to a sample without heavy metal insertion, and an Hc change of 15.4 mT by applying 1.8 V (0.29 V/nm) to an Ir-inserted sample. The relative thick Co thickness, Co surface oxidation, and large dielectric constant of TiOx layer could be related to the large voltage-induced Hc change. Furthermore, we demonstrated the separate adjustment of Hc and a voltage-induced Hc change by utilizing both upper and lower interfaces of Co.
Indirect impact of Covid-19 on hospital care pathways in Italy
Authors: Spadea Teresa , Di Girolamo Chiara , Landriscina Tania , Leoni Olivia , Forni Silvia , Colais Paola , Fanizza Caterina , Allotta Alessandra , Onorati Roberta , Gnavi Roberto ,   the Mimico-19 working group, Spadea Teresa , Gnavi Roberto , Landriscina Tania , Onorati Roberta , Migliardi Alessandro , Costa Giuseppe , Leoni Olivia , Ercolanoni Michele , Di Girolamo Chiara , Berti Elena , Caranci Nicola , Moro Maria Luisa , Forni Silvia , Di Fabrizio Valeria , D’Arienzo Sara , Gemmi Fabrizio , Colais Paola , Pinnarelli Luigi , D’Ovidio Mariangela , Balducci Maria , Davoli Marina , Fanizza Caterina , Petrarolo Vito , Piepoli Giulia , Bisceglia Lucia , Allotta Alessandra , Cernigliaro Achille , Scondotto Salvatore
Published: November 2021

Earlier in 2020, seven Italian regions, which cover 62% of the Italian population, set up the Mimico-19 network to monitor the side effects of the restrictive measures against Covid-19 on volumes and quality of care. To this aim, we retrospectively analysed hospital discharges data, computing twelve indicators of volume and performance in three clinical areas: cardiology, oncology, and orthopaedics. Weekly indicators for the period January–July 2020 were compared with the corresponding average for 2018–2019; comparisons were performed within 3 sub-periods: pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown. The weekly trend of hospitalisations for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) showed a 40% reduction, but the proportion of STEMI patients with a primary PTCA did not significantly change from previous years. Malignant neoplasms surgery volumes differed substantially by site, with a limited reduction for lung cancer (< 20%) and greater declines (30–40%) for breast and prostate cancers. The percentage of timely surgery for femoral neck in the elderly remained constantly higher than the previous 2 years whereas hip and knee replacements fell dramatically. Hospitalisations have generally decreased, but the capacity of a timely and effective response in time-dependent pathways of care was not jeopardized throughout the period. General trends did not show important differences across regions, regardless of the different burden of Covid-19. Preventive and primary care services should adopt a pro-active approach, moving towards the identification of at-risk conditions that were neglected during the pandemic and timely addressing patients to the secondary care system.
Self-powered bifunctional sensor based on tribotronic planar graphene transistors
Authors: Meng Yanfang , Gao Guoyun , Zhu Jiaxue
Published: November 2021

With the development of material science, micro-nano-fabrication and microelectronics, the higher level requirements are posed on the electronic skins (E-skin). The lower energy consumption and multiple functions are the imperative requirements to spurred scientists and mechanists to make joint efforts to meet. To achieve lower energy consumption, a promising energy-harvesting style of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) is incorporated into the field effect transistors (FETs) to play the important role for sensor. For bifunctional sensor, to harness the difficult for reflecting the magnitude of frequency, we resorted to synaptic transistors to achieve more intelligentization. Furthermore, with regards to the configuration of FET, we continued previous work: using the electrolyte gate dielectrics of FET—ion gel as the electrification layer to achieve high efficient, compact and extensively adoption for mechanosensation. The working principle of the GFET was based on the coupling effects of the FET and the TENG. This newly emerged self-powered sensor would offer a new platform for lower power consumption sensor for human–machine interface and intelligent robot.
Short high fat diet triggers reversible and region specific effects in DCX+ hippocampal immature neurons of adolescent male mice
Authors: Chiazza Fausto , Bondi Heather , Masante Irene , Ugazio Federico , Bortolotto Valeria , Canonico Pier Luigi , Grilli Mariagrazia
Published: November 2021

Adolescence represents a crucial period for maturation of brain structures involved in cognition. Early in life unhealthy dietary patterns are associated with inferior cognitive outcomes at later ages; conversely, healthy diet is associated with better cognitive results. In this study we analyzed the effects of a short period of hypercaloric diet on newborn hippocampal doublecortin+ (DCX) immature neurons in adolescent mice. Male mice received high fat diet (HFD) or control low fat diet (LFD) from the 5th week of age for 1 or 2 weeks, or 1 week HFD followed by 1 week LFD. After diet supply, mice were either perfused for immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis or their hippocampi were dissected for biochemical assays. Detailed morphometric analysis was performed in DCX+ cells that displayed features of immature neurons. We report that 1 week-HFD was sufficient to dramatically reduce dendritic tree complexity of DCX+ cells. This effect occurred specifically in dorsal and not ventral hippocampus and correlated with reduced BDNF expression levels in dorsal hippocampus. Both structural and biochemical changes were reversed by a return to LFD. Altogether these studies increase our current knowledge on potential consequences of hypercaloric diet on brain and in particular on dorsal hippocampal neuroplasticity.
Optimizing and evaluating PCR-based pooled screening during COVID-19 pandemics
Authors: Yu Jiali , Huang Yiduo , Shen Zuo-Jun
Published: November 2021

Population screening played a substantial role in safely reopening the economy and avoiding new outbreaks of COVID-19. PCR-based pooled screening makes it possible to test the population with limited resources by pooling multiple individual samples. Our study compared different population-wide screening methods as transmission-mitigating interventions, including pooled PCR, individual PCR, and antigen screening. Incorporating testing-isolation process and individual-level viral load trajectories into an epidemic model, we further studied the impacts of testing-isolation on test sensitivities. Results show that the testing-isolation process could maintain a stable test sensitivity during the outbreak by removing most infected individuals, especially during the epidemic decline. Moreover, we compared the efficiency, accuracy, and cost of different screening methods during the pandemic. Our results show that PCR-based pooled screening is cost-effective in reversing the pandemic at low prevalence. When the prevalence is high, PCR-based pooled screening may not stop the outbreak. In contrast, antigen screening with sufficient frequency could reverse the epidemic, despite the high cost and the large numbers of false positives in the screening process.
Anticancer properties of dried-pericarp water extracts of Camellia japonica L. fermented with Aspergillus oryzae through regulation of IGFBP-2/mTOR pathway
Authors: Cho Eugene , Kim Jin , Jeong Da Hye , Kim Hyoun Woo
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of dried-pericarp water extract offermented C. japonicus(CJ). The dried-pericarp water extracts of CJ were fermented usingAspergillus oryzaeandSaccharomyces cerevisiaeat 30 °C and 35 °C. The anticancer activities of both water extracts fermented at 30 °C and 35 °C usingA. oryzaeagainst FaDu cells were remarkably changed compared with unfermented dried-pericarp water extract of CJ, which has no anticancer activity. Cleaved-PARP, caspase 3, and apoptotic cells stained with annexin V/PI were significantly increased by treatment withA. oryzaeextracts fermented at 30 °C. The insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) protein level and mTOR phosphorylation byA. oryzaefermented extracts (AOFE) were dramatically reduced, and the expression levels of IGFBP-2 and phosphorylated mTOR were significantly increased depending on the glucose concentrations in FaDu cells. These results suggested that the cell viabilities in AOFE were restored as the glucose concentrations increased. Furthermore, it was confirmed LC/MS/MS that the content of gallic acid was increased by fermentation ofAspergillus oryzae(5.596 ± 0.1746 μg/mg) compared to the unfermented extract (1.620 ± 0.0432 μg/mg). Based on these results, the anticancer effect of AOFE was achieved through inhibition of the IGFBP-2/mTOR signaling pathway. These results suggest that AOFE may be a potential treatment for head and neck cancer.
One-step upgrading of bio-based furfural to γ-valerolactone via HfCl4-mediated bifunctional catalysis
Authors: Li Mingrui , Liu Yixuan , Lin Xialing , Tan Jinyu , Yang Song , Li Hu
Published: November 2021

The one-pot multi-step conversion of biomass-derived furfural to γ-valerolactone (GVL) with 64.5% yield is achieved via acid–base bifunctional catalysis enabled by HfCl4 in 2-propanol, and the recovered solid is active for transfer hydrogenation.
Optimized energetic HNTO/AN co-crystal and its thermal decomposition kinetics in the presence of energetic coordination nanomaterials based on functionalized graphene oxide and cobalt
Authors: Hanafi Sabrina , Trache Djalal , Mezroua Abderrahmane , Boukeciat Hani , Meziani Redha , Tarchoun Ahmed Fouzi , Abdelaziz Amir
Published: November 2021

A new co-crystal based on AN and HNTO has been developed and its thermal decomposition behavior through the incorporation of energetic coordination nanomaterials based on functionalized graphene oxide and cobalt has been elucidated.
BSA–MnO2–SAL multifunctional nanoparticle-mediated M1 macrophages polarization for glioblastoma therapy
Authors: Liang Fuming , Zhu Ling , Wang Chen , Yang Yanlian , He Zhaohui
Published: November 2021

Schematic illustration of BMS induced M1 macrophage polarization and the antitumor effect.
Aquatherapie –Therapeutisches Schwimmen bei
Hunden
Authors: Alexander Cécile-Simone
Published: November 2021

Schwimmen ist eine gängige Methode in der Rehabilitation, aber auch zur
Behandlung jedweder Bewegungsstörungen, um eine gute Beweglichkeit
wiederherzustellen. Tatsächlich kann es ein wichtiges Therapiemittel
sein, aber vielfach auch kontraproduktiv wirken. Was sollten Sie bei der
Indikationsstellung beachten, und wie gehen Sie richtig vor, um einen optimalen
Trainingseffekt zu erzielen?
Fire mosaics in south-west Australian forest landscapes
Authors: Burrows Neil , Stephens Connor , Wills Allan , Densmore Valerie
Published: October 2021

In fire-prone environments, prescribed burning is important for achieving many public land management objectives including protecting communities and the environment from damaging bushfires. There is evidence that in some biomes, reducing the size of burnt patches and creating a fine-scale mosaic of vegetation at different times since last fire (seral stages) may benefit biodiversity. However, planning and implementing an ongoing burning program to achieve this is problematic. To advance an understanding of the factors affecting burn patch size and seral diversity metrics, a novel experimental management trial that aimed to create and quantify a fine-scale fire mosaic was implemented in a south-west Australian forest landscape. The 10-year trial demonstrated that the fire mosaic characteristics, including diversity of seral stages, burnt patch size, patch distribution and patch connectedness, can be managed to a large extent by ignition frequency, which affects landscape fuel flammability, and the timing of the introduction of fire with respect to weather conditions. In this trial, the frequent introduction of fire under low to moderate Forest Fire Danger Indices resulted in a landscape comprising a quantifiably higher diversity of seral stages and smaller burnt patches than adjacent areas treated by fuel reduction prescribed burns and by a high intensity bushfire.
A molecular structure-informed viscoelastic constitutive model for natural rubber materials
Authors: Jung Jiwon , Park Chanwook , Ryu Myung Shin , Yun Gun Jin
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a molecular structure-informed viscoelastic constitutive equation that adopts the Doi–Edward’s tube model with coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation and primitive path analysis. Since this model contains polymer physics-related parameters directly obtained from molecular simulations, it can reflect molecular information in predictions of the viscoelastic behavior of elastomers, unlike other empirical models. The proposed incremental formulations and constitutive stiffness matrix were implemented into implicit finite element analysis codes as a user-supplied material model and viscoelastic properties (storage, loss modulus, and

tan
δ

) were calculated from the constitutive equation. While obtaining polymer dynamics parameter of the molecular system, a relationship between self-diffusivity coefficient (

D

c

) and the polymerization degree of the polymer was confirmed. Furthermore, a series of parametric studies showed that increase of the primitive path length (L) and decrease of

D

c

have led to the strengthening of moduli and decrease of

tan
δ

peak. Moreover, under the same condition, the shift of

tan
δ

peak to low-frequency domain was observed, which implies a decline in free volume in the molecular system and an increase in the glass transition temperature.
Development of an integrated structural biology platform specialized for sub-100 kDa protein complexes to support biologics discovery and rational engineering
Authors: Iozzo Yuri , Svidritskiy Egor , Qiu Yu , Xu Albert , Park Anna , Wendt Maria , Zhou Yanfeng
Published: October 2021

Background

Developing a biologic medicine requires successful decision making during selection and optimization in addition to the pool of candidates at early research stages. Knowing structural information and binding patterns between drug target and discovery candidates greatly increases the probability of success.

Methods

With the cryo-EM resolution revolution and rapid development of computational software, we have evaluated and integrated various tools in structural biology and the computation field and established a highly cost-effective platform which allows us to obtain fast and accurate structural information for nearly all our biologics projects with a close to 100% success rate and as fast as weeks turn-around time.

Results

Here we report four case studies selected from 38 different protein structures and share how we integrate cryo-EM structure determination, computational structure modeling, and molecular dynamics simulation. With proper decision making and strategic planning, the platform allows us to obtain quality results within days to weeks, including sub-100 kDa complexes which are usually considered a challenge due to their small size.

Conclusions

Our utilization of this differential approach and multiple software packages allows us to manage priorities and resources to achieve goals quickly and efficiently. We demonstrate how to effectively overcome particle orientation bias by altering complex composition. In several of our examples, we use glycan density to facilitate interpretation of low-resolution 3D reconstruction and epitope mapping. Protein information plays an important role in our cryo-EM projects, especially in cases where we see significant challenges in obtaining high-resolution 3D maps.
Heavy Chain Disease Reviewed on MALDI-TOF
Authors: Ewaisha Radwa , Dispenzieri Angela , Willrich Maria , Kohlhagen Mindy , Murray David
Published: October 2021

Heavy Chain Disease (HCD) is a group of rare B-cell proliferative disorders. Diagnosis depends on the detection of a truncated heavy chain with no associated light chain, often done by serum or urine immunofixation. This approach has been reported to have low specificity, since associated light chain bands are sometimes not visible and heavy chain bands can be mistaken for polyclonal bands. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) offers improved sensitivity in detecting monoclonal immunoglobulins. Truncation is thought to happen in the constant heavy chain (CH1) region, detected as a fragment of mass 27,000 Da on MALDI-TOF. Other mass patterns have not been reported in the literature. In this study, frozen serum samples from 8 heavy chain disease patients were analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Spectra were reviewed on Mass-Fix software and visually inspected for monoclonal peaks. We detected two types of patterns for the IgG heavy chain disease. One pattern shows an IgG heavy chain with truncated mass (27,000 Da vs. 50,000 Da) and another in which the mass of the IgG heavy chain is greater than normal (65,000 Da). Follow-up work demonstrates that these are most likely dimers of truncated heavy chains. Thus, mass spectrometry-based immunofixation can provide new insights into heavy chain disease biology, mechanism, and progression, which are not identified by traditional diagnostic methods.