bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Genomics Reveals Evolutionary Drivers of Sessile Life and Left-Right Shell Asymmetry in Bivalves
Authors: Zhang Yang , Mao Fan , Xiao Shu , Yu Haiyan , Xiang Zhiming , Xu Fei , Li Jun , Wang Lili , Xiong Yuanyan , Chen Mengqiu , Bao Yongbo , Deng Yuewen , Huo Quan , Zhang Lvping , Liu Wenguang , Li Xuming , Ma Haitao , Zhang Yuehuan , Mu Xiyu , Liu Min , Zheng Hongkun , Wong Nai-Kei , Yu Ziniu
Published: January 2022

Bivalves are species-rich mollusks with prominent protective roles in coastal ecosystems. Across these ancient lineages, colony-founding larvae anchor themselves either by byssus production or by cemented attachment. The latter mode of sessile life is strongly molded by left-right shell asymmetry during larval development of Ostreoida oysters such as Crassostrea hongkongensis. Here, we sequenced the genome of C. hongkongensis in high resolution and compared it to reference bivalve genomes to unveil genomic determinants driving cemented attachment and shell asymmetry. Importantly, loss of the homeobox gene Antennapedia (Antp) and broad expansion of lineage-specific extracellular gene families are implicated in a shift from byssal to cemented attachment in bivalves. Comparative transcriptomic analysis shows a conspicuous divergence between left-right asymmetrical C. hongkongensis and symmetrical Pinctada fucata in their expression profiles. Especially, a couple of orthologous transcription factor genes and lineage-specific shell-related gene families including that encoding tyrosinases are elevated, and may cooperatively govern asymmetrical shell formation in Ostreoida oysters.
The Central Ohio Archaeological Digitization Survey
Authors: Nolan Kevin C. , Shott Michael J. , Olson Eric
Published: January 2022

Significant parts of the archaeological record are in private hands, including those of responsible and responsive stewards (RRS). This is not necessarily a bad thing. The Central Ohio Archaeological Digitization Survey (COADS) engages RRS in collaborative study of central Ohio prehistory. COADS leverages the mass of RRS data constructively to add depth and breadth to a regional archaeological record. We recorded over 12,000 diagnostic points and about 5,000 other stone tools from 32 RRS collections. All were scanned as two-dimensional (2D) images, and a sample as three-dimensional (3D) models for landmark-based geometric morphometric (LGM) analysis and GIS analysis of prehistoric land use. The resulting dataset is >4.7 times the number of diagnostics recorded in the Ohio SHPO database for the region, shedding new light on land use and tool use over millennia. In addition to academic research, COADS creates an accessible collection of 3D models available to RRS colleagues and to society at large. This reciprocal sharing mutually benefits professionals and the RRS community. Professionals are not the only ones who research the cultural past; the more and better we collaborate with RRS and others with legitimate interests, the better our common understanding of that past.
Ought to believe, simpliciter
Authors: Booth Anthony Robert
Published: January 2022

According to many philosophers there are only pro tanto oughts to believe relative to a standard of assessment: there are epistemic oughts to believe, moral oughts to believe, prudential oughts to believe etc. But there are no oughts to believe simpliciter. Many of the same philosophers who hold this view, also hold that ought to believe is to be understood deontologically – such that if S violates such an ought without excuse, S is blameworthy for doing so. I here argue that on a deontological understanding of ought to believe there must be ought to believe simpliciter and that it is the violation of this ought that determines whether we are to blame for our beliefs.
Intellectual Honesty and Intellectual Transparency
Authors: Byerly T. Ryan
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this paper is to advance understanding of intellectually virtuous honesty, by examining the relationship between a recent account of intellectual honesty and a recent account of intellectual transparency. The account of intellectual honesty comes from Nathan King, who adapts the work of Christian Miller on moral honesty, while the account of intellectual transparency comes from T. Ryan Byerly. After introducing the respective accounts, I identify four potential differences between intellectual honesty and intellectual transparency as understood by these accounts. I then turn to the question of how to think about the relationship between these traits in light of these potential differences. I make the case that intellectual transparency can either be regarded as an exceptionally strong or ideal variety of intellectual honesty, or it can be regarded as a distinct virtue from intellectual honesty which is a more cardinal virtue than the latter. Along the way, I also note some places where a case can be made that Miller's and King's accounts of honesty and intellectual honesty are in need of refinement or clarification.
Discretization and perturbations in the simulation of localized turbulence in a pipe with a sudden expansion
Authors: Luciano Rafaello D. , Chen X.B. , Bergstrom D.J.
Published: January 2022

At low Reynolds numbers, the flow through a pipe with a sudden expansion is characterized by the localized occurrence of flow instabilities, with the formation of a so-called turbulence puff. In the literature, physical experiments typically predict earlier occurrence of turbulence than computational fluid dynamics simulations. However, the behaviour of ‘natural’ transition to turbulence without perturbations, and the dependence of transition to turbulence on perturbations, are not yet fully understood, particularly for the simulations. The purpose of the present study is therefore to investigate this flow, including possible sources of perturbation in numerical simulations, and to evaluate their effect on transition to turbulence. Through the exploration of different flow rates, numerical settings and inlet perturbation amplitudes, and by evaluating coarse and refined simulations, insights into low-Reynolds-number transitional turbulent flows are obtained. The turbulence kinetic energy budget of the turbulence puff or slug characteristic of this flow is also evaluated. In conclusion, even when perturbations are not intentionally added, there can still be significant sources of numerical perturbation and error that trigger turbulence in simulations, but perturbations will need to be added in refined simulations in order to produce turbulence. Finally, the results agree with the notion that there may not be a scenario where the flow transitions naturally to turbulence without any perturbation.
On the existence and formation of multi-scale particle streaks in turbulent channel flows
Authors: Jie Yucheng , Cui Zhiwen , Xu Chunxiao , Zhao Lihao
Published: January 2022

Direct numerical simulations of particle-laden turbulent channel flows at friction Reynolds number

$Re_\tau$

from

$600$

to

$2000$

have been performed to examine the near-wall particle streaks. Different from the well-observed small-scale particle streaks in near-wall turbulence of low

$Re_\tau$

, the present results show large-scale particle streaks through the computational domain formed for relatively high-inertia particles at high

$Re_\tau$

. Transferred by large-scale sweep and ejection events (

$Q^-$

), these high-inertia particles preferentially accumulate in near-wall regions beneath the large-scale low-speed flow streaks observed in the logarithmic region. The corresponding Stokes numbers are associated with the lifetime of large-scale

$Q^-$

structures, which increases as the Reynolds number grows. The small-scale particle streaks with a typical Stokes number

$St_\nu \approx 30$

are mainly driven by the

$Q^-$

structures in the buffer layer, whose lifetime is approximately

$30$

in viscous time unit. Therefore, we propose a new structure-based Stokes number normalized by the lifetime of

$Q^-$

structures of different scales. The relevant flow scales that control the formation of the large-scale particle streaks are parameterized by the structure-based Stokes number. The small-scale (large-scale) particle streaks are most prominent when the buffer-layer (large-scale) structure-based Stokes number approaches unity. The present findings reveal that formation of near-wall particle streaks is governed by the

$Q^-$

structures of different scales, and the particles with different inertia respond efficiently to the

$Q^-$

structures of corresponding scales with respect to the particle translational motion.
Remote working: a double-edged sword for workers' personal and professional well-being
Authors: Gillet Nicolas , Huyghebaert-Zouaghi Tiphaine , Austin Stéphanie , Fernet Claude , Morin Alexandre J. S.
Published: January 2022

While research suggests that work centrality has a positive effect on work engagement and a negative influence on family satisfaction, these relations may differ as a function of one's work setting (onsite vs. remote working). In the present study, we examined the direct and indirect – through work-family conflict (WFC), family-work conflict (FWC), work-family enrichment (WFE), and family-work enrichment (FWE) – effects of work centrality on work engagement and family satisfaction. We also examined whether these effects of work centrality on work engagement and family satisfaction differed between onsite and remote employees. We used a cross-sectional survey design to test our hypotheses among a total of 432 employees, including 152 always working onsite and 280 working remotely. As expected, our results revealed that work centrality was positively related to work engagement and negatively to family satisfaction. Moreover, the indirect effects (IE) of work centrality on work engagement were significantly mediated by WFE, whereas the IE of work centrality on family satisfaction were significantly mediated by FWC, WFE, and FWE. Finally, the relations between work centrality and the outcomes (work engagement and family satisfaction) were stronger among onsite employees than among remote employees. These results revealed that remote working may act as a double-edged sword by buffering the negative effects of work centrality on family satisfaction but also limiting the positive effects of work centrality on work engagement. Organizations and managers should thus consider addressing employees' work centrality and work type in their efforts to promote employees' professional and personal well-being.
Managers and telework in public sector organizations during a crisis
Authors: Dandalt Ed
Published: January 2022

Through the use of a narrative-interview approach and contingency theory as research methods, this study explores the teleworking behaviors of N = 41 public managers when remotely managing and leading their organizations as virtual bureaucracies during the Covid-19 lockdown. Its findings suggest that their role set was underscored by communal and supervisory tasks. Managers were confronted with environmental challenges of emotional nature (e.g., anxieties). But they also associated teleworking with improving their work-life balance and staffing work process. Simply put, teleworking was perceived with having both positive and negative organizational outcomes. Drawing from the implications of these findings, this study proposes recommendations for future research.
A DEDEKIND-STYLE AXIOMATIZATION AND THE CORRESPONDING UNIVERSAL PROPERTY OF AN ORDINAL NUMBER SYSTEM
Authors: JANELIDZE ZURAB , VAN DER BERG INEKE
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we give an axiomatization of the ordinal number system, in the style of Dedekind’s axiomatization of the natural number system. The latter is based on a structure
$(N,0,s)$
consisting of a set N, a distinguished element
$0\in N$
and a function
$s\colon N\to N$
. The structure in our axiomatization is a triple
$(O,L,s)$
, where O is a class, L is a class function defined on all s-closed ‘subsets’ of O, and s is a class function
$s\colon O\to O$
. In fact, we develop the theory relative to a Grothendieck-style universe (minus the power set axiom), as a way of bringing the natural and the ordinal cases under one framework. We also establish a universal property for the ordinal number system, analogous to the well-known universal property for the natural number system.
Error bounds for the asymptotic expansions of the Hermite polynomials
Authors: Shi Wei , Nemes Gergő , Wang Xiang-Sheng , Wong Roderick
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we present explicit and computable error bounds for the asymptotic expansions of the Hermite polynomials with Plancherel–Rotach scale. Three cases, depending on whether the scaled variable lies in the outer or oscillatory interval, or it is the turning point, are considered separately. We introduce the ‘branch cut’ technique to express the error terms as integrals on the contour taken as the one-sided limit of curves approaching the branch cut. This new technique enables us to derive simple error bounds in terms of elementary functions. We also provide recursive procedures for the computation of the coefficients appearing in the asymptotic expansions.
Plasma flow suppression by the linear helical mirror system
Authors: Sudnikov Anton V. , Ivanov Ivan A. , Inzhevatkina Anna A. , Larichkin Mikhail V. , Lomov Konstantin A. , Postupaev Vladimir V. , Tolkachev Mikhail S. , Ustyuzhanin Viktor O.
Published: January 2022

The paper presents experimental results from the SMOLA device that is the first facility with a helical mirror section of the magnetic system. This device was built in the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics for the verification of the helical mirror confinement idea that is the technique of an active control of axial losses from a confinement zone. Theory predicts that, with rotating plasma, a helical mirror will provide suppression of the axial plasma flow and, simultaneously, density pinching to the axis. Experiments demonstrated the increase in plasma density in the entrance trap by a factor of 1.6 in the helical configuration. The integral axial flux from the transport section drops severalfold. The effective mirror ratio of the helical section was

$R_{eff} > 10$

. Particle flux returning by the helical mirror section towards the confinement zone was observed. At high corrugation ratios, the axial flux direction is different at the magnetic axis and in the periphery of the plasma in the helical section. All axial fluxes scale linearly with the plasma density, even if the ion mean free path is comparable to the total length of the helical section. Good agreement of the experimental results with theoretical predictions is found.
A review of the current status of Cryptosporidium in fish
Authors: Couso-Pérez Seila , Ares-Mazás Elvira , Gómez-Couso Hipólito
Published: January 2022

Species of the genus Cryptosporidium (phylum Apicomplexa) infect the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract of several vertebrate hosts, including humans and domestic and wild animals. In the past 20 years, several studies have focused on Cryptosporidium in fish. To date, a total of four piscine-host-specific species (Cryptosporidium molnari, Cryptosporidium huwi, Cryptosporidium bollandi and Cryptosporidium abrahamseni), nine piscine genotypes and more than 29 unnamed genotypes have been described in fish hosts. In addition, Cryptosporidium species and genotypes typical of other groups of vertebrates have also been identified. This review summarizes the history, biology, pathology and clinical manifestations, as well as the transmission, prevalence and molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in wild, cultured and ornamental fish from both marine and freshwater environments. Finally, the potential role of piscine hosts as a reservoir of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species is also discussed.
Evaluation of delay discounting as a transdiagnostic research domain criteria indicator in 1388 general community adults
Authors: Levitt E. E. , Oshri A. , Amlung M. , Ray L. A. , Sanchez-Roige S. , Palmer A. A. , MacKillop J.
Published: January 2022

Background

The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) approach proposes a novel psychiatric nosology using transdiagnostic dimensional mechanistic constructs. One candidate RDoC indicator is delay discounting (DD), a behavioral economic measure of impulsivity, based predominantly on studies examining DD and individual conditions. The current study sought to evaluate the transdiagnostic significance of DD in relation to several psychiatric conditions concurrently.

Methods

Participants were 1388 community adults (18–65) who completed an in-person assessment, including measures of DD, substance use, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Relations between DD and psychopathology were examined with three strategies: first, examining differences by individual condition using clinical cut-offs; second, examining DD in relation to latent psychopathology variables via principal components analysis (PCA); and third, examining DD and all psychopathology simultaneously via structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results

Individual analyses revealed elevations in DD were present in participants screening positive for multiple substance use disorders (tobacco, cannabis, and drug use disorder), ADHD, major depressive disorder (MDD), and an anxiety disorder (ps < 0.05–0.001). The PCA produced two latent components (substance involvement v. the other mental health indicators) and DD was significantly associated with both (ps < 0.001). In the SEM, unique significant positive associations were observed between the DD latent variable and tobacco, cannabis, and MDD (ps < 0.05–0.001).

Conclusions

These results provide some support for DD as a transdiagnostic indicator, but also suggest that studies of individual syndromes may include confounding via comorbidities. Further systematic investigation of DD as an RDoC indicator is warranted.
The intellectual and institutional challenges for International Political Economy in the UK: Findings from Practitioner Survey Data
Authors: Nunn Alex , Shields Stuart
Published: January 2022

This article asks whether there is a discrepancy between the field of International Political Economy (IPE) as we know it from recent debates about its role, distinctiveness, and contribution compared to the experience of its practitioners on the ground? Intellectually IPE is needed more than ever to engage real world events but faces constraining institutional imperatives. We have two interrelated objectives related to this: (1) to assess the extent to which the patterns in recent interventions are replicated when you ask those who self-identify as IPE scholars in the UK (2) to appraise survey data on the reproduction of a particular community of practice within the field as it evolves intellectually and institutionally. Rather than imposing our interpretation of IPE through publications, citation practices, conference attendance, or textbook content we offer two distinct contributions. First, to report new empirical data on IPE as a ‘field of inquiry’ in UK universities; and, second, to develop a critical intervention on the indisciplined nature of IPE as a field of inquiry in the UK. We conclude that the widely acknowledged and long-standing fertile intellectual advantages of IPE's ‘open range’, unlimited intellectual borders and transgressive enquiry bring institutional disadvantages with them.
Increasing the impact of budget impact analysis: incorporating uncertainty for decision-makers in small markets
Authors: Hofmeister Mark , Clement Fiona
Published: January 2022

For decision-makers considering new medicines for reimbursement and public use, both value for money and affordability are important considerations. Whereas a cost-effectiveness model provides information aboutvalue for money, a budget impact assessment (BIA) is customized to a specific context and estimates the total investment needed; one part ofaffordability. Both analytic approaches have parameter uncertainty within them, yet comparatively little attention is given to parameter uncertainty in BIA. Currently, within BIA, uncertainty exploration is limited to point estimates for plausible scenarios, prompting the question: can a decision-maker be confident in point estimates? Within this paper, our intent is to revitalize the discussion of uncertainty in BIA. In the context of health technology assessments submitted to support reimbursement decision-making, we propose reliance on probabilistic sensitivity analysis conducted in the cost-effectiveness model. If assumptions made in a cost-effectiveness model are valid, probabilistic cost estimates from the model, with the same perspective adopted as the BIA, should also inform BIA. Mean and variance of population outcomes, given parameter uncertainty in model inputs, are estimable from model outputs. As sufficiently large random samples are drawn from a population, the distribution of sample means will follow an approximately normal distribution. Therefore, when drawing samples from the model to inform estimates of budget impact, the assumption of an approximately normal distribution for costs is reasonable. We propose that the variance in mean costs from the cost-effectiveness model also reflects the variance in budget impact estimates and should be used to estimate budget impact confidence intervals.
Some stochastic comparisons of lower records and lower record spacings
Authors: Balakrishnan Narayanaswamy , Castaño-Martínez Antonia , Sordo Miguel A.
Published: January 2022

We obtain here sufficient conditions for increasing concave order and location independent more riskier order of lower record values based on stochastic comparisons of minimum order statistics. We further discuss stochastic orderings of lower record spacings. In particular, we show that increasing convex order of adjacent spacings between minimum order statistics is a sufficient condition for increasing convex order of adjacent spacings of their lower records.
Chemical and Structural Alterations in the Amorphous Structure of Obsidian due to Nanolites
Authors: Kennedy Ellis , Sari Bengisu , Scott Mary C.
Published: January 2022

Obsidian is volcanic glass that results from the rapid cooling of silica-rich melt. Nanoscale crystallites precipitate out of the melt prior to solidification and remain embedded in the amorphous matrix. These crystallites provide information on the flow kinetics and composition of the melt. Due to the sparsity and size of nanolites, studies often focus on supramicron crystallites. This research takes advantage of the conchoidal fracture of obsidian by knapping samples with nanometer-thin edges for transmission electron microscopy characterization. Nanolites in the amorphous matrix are studied using energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron diffraction. Certain alkali and alkaline-earth cations exhibit patterns of depletion near Fe-oxide nanolites. EDS is used to identify nanolites and variations in the composition of the matrix. Parallel beam diffraction and radial distribution function analysis of nearest-neighbor distances determine average bond lengths in the matrix near nanolites, showing that nanolites influence the nearby short-range ordering and atomic character of the matrix. Analysis reveals decreased mean nearest-neighbor distances in the matrix adjacent to nanolites compared to the bulk. Our methods exhibit the required sensitivity to detect variations in the composition and structure near nanolites, and our findings indicate that obsidian nanolites contribute to quantifiable localized changes in the amorphous structure.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of Interstitial Cells in the Smooth Muscle Layer of Murine Vas Deferens Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and FIB/SEM
Authors: Hiroshige Tasuku , Uemura Kei-Ichiro , Hirashima Shingo , Hino Kiyosato , Togo Akinobu , Ohta Keisuke , Igawa Tsukasa , Nakamura Kei-Ichiro
Published: January 2022

The smooth muscle contraction of the vas deferens has the important function of transporting sperm. Interstitial cells (ICs) play a critical role in the pacing and modulation of various smooth muscle organs by interactions with nerves and smooth muscle. Elucidating the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of ICs is important for understanding their spatial relationship on the mesoscale between ICs, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and nerves. In this study, the 3D ultrastructure of ICs in the smooth muscle layer of murine vas deferens and the spatial relationships between ICs, nerves, and smooth muscles were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy. ICs have sheet-like structures as demonstrated by 3D observation using modern analytical techniques. Sheet-like ICs have two types of 3D structures, one flattened and the other curled. Multiple extracellular vesicle (EV)-like structures were frequently observed in ICs. Various spatial relations were observed in areas between ICs, nerves, and SMCs, which formed a complex 3D network with each other. These results suggest that ICs in the smooth muscle layer of murine vas deferens may have two subtypes with different sheet-like structures and may be involved in neuromuscular signal transmission via physical interaction and EVs.
Correlations among spiritual care competence, spiritual care perceptions and spiritual health of Chinese nurses: A cross-sectional correlational study
Authors: Wang Zhangyi , Zhao Haomei , Zhang Siai , Wang Yue , Zhang Yajun , Wang Zhao , Li Xuechun , Xiao Luwei , Zhu Yue , Han Guanghong , Yan Yishan , Wang Jing , Zhang Yujing , Pang Xiaoli
Published: January 2022

Background

The significance of spiritual care competence among nurses has been emphasized across countries and cultures in many studies. However, there were few studies on correlations among spiritual care competence, spiritual care perceptions, and spiritual health of nurses in China.

Objective

To investigate spiritual care competence, spiritual care perceptions, and spiritual health, and examine the correlations among spiritual care competence, spiritual care perceptions and spiritual health, and the mediating role of spiritual health between other two variables of Chinese nurses.

Methods

A cross-sectional and correlational design was implemented, and the STROBE Checklist was used to report the study. A convenience sample of 2,181 nurses were selected from 17 hospitals in 3 provinces, China. Participants provided data on sociodemographic by completing the Chinese Version of the Spiritual Care Competence Scale, the Chinese Version of the Spiritual Care-Giving Scale, and the Spiritual Health Scale Short Form. Descriptive statistics, univariate, multiple linear regression, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze data.

Results

The total scores of spiritual care competence, spiritual care perceptions, and spiritual health were 58.25 ± 16.21, 144.49 ± 16.87, and 84.88 ± 10.57, respectively, which both were moderate. Spiritual care competence was positively correlated with spiritual care perceptions (r = 0.653, p < 0.01) and spiritual health (r = 0.587, p < 0.01). And spiritual health played a mediating role between the other two variables (accounting for 35.6%).

Significance of results

The spiritual care competence, spiritual care perceptions, and spiritual health of Chinese nurses need to be improved. It is recommended that nursing managers should pay attention to spiritual care education of nurses, and improve spiritual care perceptions and spiritual health in multiple ways, so as to improve their spiritual care competence and to maximize the satisfy spiritual care needs of patients in China.
Race and prevalence of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes in patients with advanced dementia
Authors: Henao David , Gregory Chere , Walters Gloria , Stinson Charles , Dixon Yvonne
Published: January 2022

Objective

Millions of Americans may face hard decisions when it comes to providing nutrition for their loved ones with advanced dementia. This study aimed to ascertain whether there is a difference in feeding tube placement between White and Black patients with advanced dementia and whether this potential difference varied by patient's other demographic and clinical characteristics.

Method

This is a retrospective, observational study conducted at Novant Health, a 15-hospital system in the southeastern United States. Data were obtained from Epic systems and included all hospital admissions with a diagnosis of advanced dementia, a total of 21,939, between July 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018. Descriptive statistics and logistics analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between receiving percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and race, controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results

Among patients admitted with advanced dementia, the multivariable logistic regression, controlled for age, gender, LOS, palliative care, and vascular etiology showed that Blacks had higher odds of having PEG tubes inserted than White patients (OR 1.97; CI 1.51–2.55; P < 0.001). Patients with longer stays had higher odds of PEG tube insertion. Females had lower odds of PEG tube insertion than males. There was no statistical significance in PEG insertion based on age, etiology, and palliative care consult.

Significance of results

The reasons for the observed higher odds of receiving PEG tubes among Black patients than White patients are likely multifactorial and embedded in a different approach to end-of-life care conversations by providers and caregivers of Black and White patients. Providers may need to be more aware of potential unconscious biases when talking to caregivers, especially in race-discordant relationships, have courageous conversations with caregivers, and be more aware of the importance of keeping in mind families’ and caregivers’ culture, including spirituality, when making end-of-life decisions.
Specific and cumulative lifetime stressors in the aetiology of major depression: A longitudinal community-based population study
Authors: Su Y. Y. , D'Arcy C. , Li M. , O'Donnell K. J. , Caron J. , Meaney M. J. , Meng X.
Published: January 2022

Aims

Early-life stressful circumstances (i.e. childhood maltreatment) coupled with stressful events later in life increase the likelihood of subsequent depression. However, very few studies have been conducted to examine the specific and cumulative effects of these stressors in the development of depression. There is also a paucity of research that simultaneously considers the role of biological factors combined with psychosocial stressors in the aetiology of depression. Guided by the biopsychosocial model proposed by Engel, the present study aims to examine to what extent the experience of stressors across the lifespan is associated with depression while taking into account the role of genetic predispositions.

Methods

Data analysed were from the Social and Psychiatric Epidemiology Catchment Area of the Southwest of Montreal (ZEPSOM), a large-scale, longitudinal community-based cohort study. A total of 1351 participants with complete information on the lifetime diagnoses of depression over a 10-year follow-up period were included in the study. Stressful events across the lifespan were operationalised as specific, cumulative and latent profiles of stressful experiences. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to explore the clustering of studied stressors including childhood maltreatment, poor parent–child relationship, and stressful life events. A polygenetic risk score was calculated for each participant to provide information on genetic liability. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between specific, cumulative and latent profiles of stressors and subsequent depression.

Results

We found that different subtypes of childhood maltreatment, child–parent bonding and stressful life events predicted subsequent depression. Furthermore, a significant association between combined effects of cumulative stressful experiences and depression was found [odds ratio (OR) = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12–1.28]. Three latent profiles of lifetime stressors were identified in the present study and named as ‘low-level of stress’ (75.1%), ‘moderate-level of stress’ (6.8%) and ‘high-level of stress’ (18.1%). Individuals with a ‘high-level of stress’ had a substantially higher risk of depression (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.08–3.00) than the other two profiles after adjusting for genetic predispositions, socio-demographic characteristics, and health-related factors.

Conclusions

While controlling for genetic predispositions, the present study provides robust evidence to support the independent and cumulative as well as compositional effects of early- and later-on lifetime psychosocial stressors in the subsequent development of depression. Consequently, mental illness prevention and mental health promotion should target the occurrence of stressful events as well as build resilience in people so they can better cope with stress when it inevitably occurs.
Resonant Alfvén Waves in the Lower Auroral Ionosphere: Evidence for the Nonlinear Evolution of the Ionospheric Feedback Instability
Authors: Akbari Hassanali , Pfaff Robert , Clemmons James , Freudenreich Henry , Rowland Douglas , Streltsov Anatoly
Published: January 2022

During the “Auroral Jets” experiment from Poker Flat, Alaska on 2 March 2017, two NASA sounding rockets were simultaneously launched into the active auroral ionosphere. The rockets were equipped with instrumentation to measure DC and AC electric fields, magnetic fields, energetic electrons, plasma density, and neutral winds and achieved apogees of 190 and 330 km. A prominent feature of the electric and magnetic field observations is the presence of localized large‐amplitude (±40 mV/m and ±100 nT) small‐scale (λ⊥∼ 1 km) Alfvén wave structures at altitudes as low as 150 km in the vicinity of up‐ and down‐ward current regions. We interpret the oscillations as representing standing waves associated with the ionospheric Alfvén resonator formed between the ionosphere and the lower magnetosphere. The electric field components of the Alfvén waves show signatures of wave steepening in correlation with electron precipitation and large variations of the background plasma density. The signatures are discussed in the context of nonlinear evolution of the ionospheric feedback instability.
Observed Surface Drag Coefficient Under High Wind Speed Conditions and the Relationship With Coherent Structures
Authors: Shao Xin , Zhang Ning , Peng Zhen , Zhao Kun , Luo Yanhong , Song Xiaoquan
Published: January 2022

The drag coefficient is a crucial parameter in the interaction between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere because it directly determines the momentum flux. This study examines the variation in the drag coefficient with wind speed over the land surface using observations from two typhoon cases and one cold front case. The analysis shows a significant decrease in the drag coefficient, roughness length, and zero plane displacement when the wind speed is greater than approximately 15 m s−1. The drag coefficient is proven to be positively related to the coherence of the turbulent structures. The momentum transport modes changed at 15 m s−1. By regarding the large eddies as scales larger than observation height, it is found that large‐scale coherent structures dominate the momentum transfer in strong wind conditions, while small eddies contribute significantly in low to moderate wind conditions. Momentum transport in such large coherent eddies is inefficient, leading to the reduction of the surface drag. The results suggest that the formation of inefficient large coherent eddies is likely due to the existence of inverse energy cascade.
Denitrification and DNRA in Urban Accidental Wetlands in Phoenix, Arizona
Authors: Handler Amalia M. , Suchy Amanda K. , Grimm Nancy B.
Published: January 2022

Denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) both require low oxygen and high organic carbon conditions common in wetland ecosystems. Denitrification permanently removes nitrogen from the ecosystem as a gas while DNRA recycles nitrogen within the ecosystem via production of ammonium. The relative prevalence of denitrification versus DNRA has implications for the fate of nitrate in ecosystems. Unplanned and unmanaged urban accidental wetlands in the Salt River channel near downtown Phoenix, Arizona, USA receive high nitrate relative to non‐urban wetlands and have a high capacity for denitrification, but unknown capacity for DNRA. We conducted in‐situ push‐pull tests with isotopically labeled nitrate to measure denitrification and DNRA rates in three of the dominant vegetative patch types in these urban accidental wetlands. DNRA accounted for between 2% and 40% of nitrate reduction (DNRA plus denitrification) with the highest rates measured in patches of Ludwigia peploides compared to Typha spp. and non‐vegetated patches. The wetland patches were similar with respect to dissolved organic carbon concentration but may have differed in carbon lability or strength of reducing conditions due to a combination of litter decomposition and oxygen supply via diffusion and aerenchyma. The ratio of DNRA to denitrification was negatively correlated with nitrate concentration, indicating that DNRA may become a more important pathway for nitrate attenuation at low nitrate concentration. Although DNRA was generally lower than denitrification, this pathway was an important component of nitrate attenuation within certain patches in these unmanaged urban accidental wetlands.
Paleozoic Subduction‐Accretion in the Southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Insights From the Wuwamen Accretionary Complex of the Chinese South Tianshan
Authors: Wang Xin‐Shui , Klemd Reiner , Li Ji‐Lei , Gao Jun , Jiang Tuo , Zong Ke‐Qing , Xue Sheng‐Chao
Published: January 2022

Accretionary complexes are a major component of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and are important for understanding its architecture and evolution. The Wuwamen accretionary complex in the Chinese South Tianshan contains a tectonic mélange that witnessed the dynamic evolution from early accretion to final collision of the western CAOB with the Tarim Craton. We present geochronological and geochemical studies on the exotic blocks and metasedimentary matrix of the tectonic mélange in order to refine the subduction‐accretion processes in the CAOB. Geochemical and age data reveal that the exotic blocks are of diverse origins, including arc‐related granite and arc basalt‐like garnet amphibolite from the upper plate, and MORB‐like amphibolite from the subducting slab. The blocks underwent subduction‐related high‐temperature metamorphism between ca. 397 and 340 Ma. Detrital zircons in the metasedimentary matrix are dominated by Paleozoic ages corresponding to the continuous arc magmatism in the Yili‐Central Tianshan Block. This finding is consistent with the accretion of the Wuwamen complex on the southern margin of the Yili‐Central Tianshan Block above the northward subducting South Tianshan Ocean. A ca. 307 Ma post‐accretion granite dyke intruded the Wuwamen complex, thereby providing a minimum age limit for its terminal accretion. In conjunction with subduction‐related magmatism, metamorphism, and sedimentation, the accretion of the Wuwamen accretionary complex was active during the early Ordovician to the late Carboniferous. Our new results reiterate that long‐lasting accretionary processes in the South Tianshan Ocean and the terminal collision due to its closure exert a major control on the architecture of the southwestern CAOB.
Dysregulated gene expression associated with inflammatory and translation pathways in activated monocytes from children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hughes Heather K. , Rowland Megan E. , Onore Charity E. , Rogers Sally , Ciernia Annie Vogel , Ashwood Paul
Published: January 2022

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions, communication, and stereotypical behaviors. Immune dysfunction is a common co-morbidity seen in ASD, with innate immune activation seen both in the brain and periphery. We previously identified significant differences in peripheral monocyte cytokine responses after stimulation with lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which activate toll-like receptors (TLR)−2 and 4 respectively. However, an unbiased examination of monocyte gene expression in response to these stimulants had not yet been performed. To identify how TLR activation impacts gene expression in ASD monocytes, we isolated peripheral blood monocytes from 26 children diagnosed with autistic disorder (AD) or pervasive developmental disorder—not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) and 22 typically developing (TD) children and cultured them with LTA or LPS for 24 h, then performed RNA sequencing. Activation of both TLR2 and TLR4 induced expression of immune genes, with a subset that were differentially regulated in AD compared to TD samples. In response to LPS, monocytes from AD children showed a unique increase in KEGG pathways and GO terms that include key immune regulator genes. In contrast, monocytes from TD children showed a consistent decrease in expression of genes associated with translation in response to TLR stimulation. This decrease was not observed in AD or PDDNOS monocytes, suggesting a failure to properly downregulate a prolonged immune response in monocytes from children with ASD. As monocytes are involved in early orchestration of the immune response, our findings will help elucidate the mechanisms regulating immune dysfunction in ASD.
Variant pathogenic prediction by locus variability: the importance of the current picture of evolution
Authors: Cabrera-Alarcon José Luis , Martinez Jorge García , Enríquez José Antonio , Sánchez-Cabo Fátima
Published: January 2022

Accurate detection of pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) is a key challenge in whole exome and whole genome sequencing studies. To date, several in silico tools have been developed to predict deleterious variants from this type of data. However, these tools have limited power to detect new pathogenic variants, especially in non-coding regions. In this study, we evaluate the use of a new metric, the Shannon Entropy of Locus Variability (SELV), calculated as the Shannon entropy of the variant frequencies reported in genome-wide population studies at a given locus, as a new predictor of potentially pathogenic variants in non-coding nuclear and mitochondrial DNA and also in coding regions with a selective pressure other than that imposed by the genetic code, e.g splice-sites. For benchmarking, SELV was compared to predictors of pathogenicity in different genomic contexts. In nuclear non-coding DNA, SELV outperformed CDTS (AUCSELV = 0.97 in ROC curve and PR-AUCSELV = 0.96 in Precision-recall curve). For non-coding mitochondrial variants (AUCSELV = 0.98 in ROC curve and PR-AUCSELV = 1.00 in Precision-recall curve) SELV outperformed HmtVar. Moreover, SELV was compared against two state-of-the-art ensemble predictors of pathogenicity in splice-sites, ada-score, and rf-score, matching their overall performance both in ROC (AUCSELV = 0.95) and Precision-recall curves (PR-AUC = 0.97), with the advantage that SELV can be easily calculated for every position in the genome, as opposite to ada-score and rf-score. Therefore, we suggest that the information about the observed genetic variability in a locus reported from large scale population studies could improve the prioritization of SNVs in splice-sites and in non-coding regions.
Onset of criticality in hyper-auxetic polymer networks
Authors: Ninarello Andrea , Ruiz-Franco José , Zaccarelli Emanuela
Published: January 2022

Against common sense, auxetic materials expand or contract perpendicularly when stretched or compressed, respectively, by uniaxial strain, being characterized by a negative Poisson’s ratioν. The amount of deformation in response to the applied force can be at most equal to the imposed one, so thatν = − 1 is the lowest bound for the mechanical stability of solids, a condition here defined as “hyper-auxeticity”. In this work, we numerically show that ultra-low-crosslinked polymer networks under tension display hyper-auxetic behavior at a finite crosslinker concentration. At this point, the nearby mechanical instability triggers the onset of a critical-like transition between two states of different densities. This phenomenon displays similar features as well as important differences with respect to gas-liquid phase separation. Since our model is able to faithfully describe real-world hydrogels, the present results can be readily tested in laboratory experiments, paving the way to explore this unconventional phase behavior.
Targeted activation of midbrain neurons restores locomotor function in mouse models of parkinsonism
Authors: Masini Débora , Kiehn Ole
Published: January 2022

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is a locomotor command area containing glutamatergic neurons that control locomotor initiation and maintenance. These motor actions are deficient in Parkinson’s disease (PD), where dopaminergic neurodegeneration alters basal ganglia activity. Being downstream of the basal ganglia, the PPN may be a suitable target for ameliorating parkinsonian motor symptoms. Here, we use in vivo cell-type specific PPN activation to restore motor function in two mouse models of parkinsonism made by acute pharmacological blockage of dopamine transmission. With a combination of chemo- and opto-genetics, we show that excitation of caudal glutamatergic PPN neurons can normalize the otherwise severe locomotor deficit in PD, whereas targeting the local GABAergic population only leads to recovery of slow locomotion. The motor rescue driven by glutamatergic PPN activation is independent of activity in nearby locomotor promoting glutamatergic Cuneiform neurons. Our observations point to caudal glutamatergic PPN neurons as a potential target for neuromodulatory restoration of locomotor function in PD.
Application of magnetically actuated self-clearing catheter for rapid in situ blood clot clearance in hemorrhagic stroke treatment
Authors: Yang Qi , Enríquez Ángel , Devathasan Dillon , Thompson Craig A. , Nayee Dillan , Harris Ryan , Satoski Douglas , Obeng-Gyasi Barnabas , Lee Albert , Bentley R. Timothy , Lee Hyowon
Published: January 2022

Maintaining the patency of indwelling drainage devices is critical in preventing further complications following an intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and other chronic disease management. Surgeons often use drainage devices to remove blood and cerebrospinal fluid but these catheters frequently become occluded with hematoma. Using an implantable magnetic microactuator, we created a self-clearing catheter that can generate large enough forces to break down obstructive blood clots by applying time-varying magnetic fields. In a blood-circulating model, our self-clearing catheters demonstrated a > 7x longer functionality than traditional catheters (211 vs. 27 min) and maintained a low pressure for longer periods (239 vs. 79 min). Using a porcine IVH model, the self-clearing catheters showed a greater survival rate than control catheters (86% vs. 0%) over the course of 6 weeks. The treated animals also had significantly smaller ventricle sizes 1 week after implantation compared to the control animals with traditional catheters. Our results suggest that these magnetic microactuator-embedded smart catheters can expedite the removal of blood from the ventricles and potentially improve the outcomes of critical patients suffering from often deadly IVH.