bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overview of R and RStudio
Authors: Hair Joseph F. , Hult G. Tomas M. , Ringle Christian M. , Sarstedt Marko , Danks Nicholas P. , Ray Soumya
Published: November 2021

Computational statistics is now an increasingly popular method of analysis for researchers that combines a vast array of algorithms, statistical methods, and the power of functional coding. The R programming language, in particular, has benefitted from this development alongside of traditional graphical user interface (GUI) software. Today, it has become the language of choice for empirical researchers. In this chapter, we introduce the R programming language as well as its popular development environment in the form of RStudio. We walk the reader through downloading both the R language and the RStudio integrated development environment (IDE). Then, we discuss the software layout and demonstrate how to interact with the software. Finally, we address creating and managing R projects and scripts, gaining access to documentation and help via various sources. This chapter is not intended as a tutorial on the writing of code in the R programming language. We do, however, provide useful open-source resources for learning R, which can be accessed from the R console RStudio environment.
The SEMinR Package
Authors: Hair Joseph F. , Hult G. Tomas M. , Ringle Christian M. , Sarstedt Marko , Danks Nicholas P. , Ray Soumya
Published: November 2021

SEMinR is a software package developed for the R statistical environment (R Core Team, 2021). The package includes a user-friendly syntax for creating and estimating structural equation models using estimators such as partial least squares. In this chapter, we introduce the syntax to create, estimate, and report structural equation models using SEMinR. We demonstrate the four steps to specifying and estimating a structural equation model: (1) loading and cleaning the data, (2) specifying the measurement models, (3) specifying the structural model, and (4) estimating, bootstrapping, and summarizing the model. This chapter also describes how to export results and figures from R for professional, publication-quality reporting.
Evaluation of the Structural Model
Authors: Hair Joseph F. , Hult G. Tomas M. , Ringle Christian M. , Sarstedt Marko , Danks Nicholas P. , Ray Soumya
Published: November 2021

Structural model assessment in PLS-SEM focuses on evaluating the significance and relevance of path coefficients, followed by the model’s explanatory and predictive power. In this chapter, we discuss the key metrics relevant to structural model assessment in PLS-SEM. We also discuss model comparisons and introduce key criteria for assessing and selecting a model given the data and a set of competing models.
Moderation Analysis
Authors: Hair Joseph F. , Hult G. Tomas M. , Ringle Christian M. , Sarstedt Marko , Danks Nicholas P. , Ray Soumya
Published: November 2021

When moderation is present, the strength and even the direction of a relationship between two constructs depend on a third construct (i.e., the moderator). In other words, the strength of the relationship between two constructs changes as the levels of the moderator construct change. As an example, the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty may not be the same for all customers but may differ depending on moderators such as income, age, or switching costs. As such, moderation can (and should) be viewed as a means of accounting for heterogeneity in the data. In this chapter, we explain the moderation analysis procedure first. We then illustrate its application in PLS-SEM using the SEMinR package and the corporate reputation model example.
blocks_3d: software for general 3d conformal blocks
Authors: Erramilli Rajeev S. , Iliesiu Luca V. , Kravchuk Petr , Landry Walter , Poland David , Simmons-Duffin David
Published: November 2021

Abstract

We introduce the software blocks_3d for computing four-point conformal blocks of operators with arbitrary Lorentz representations in 3d CFTs. It uses Zamolodchikov-like recursion relations to numerically compute derivatives of blocks around a crossing-symmetric configuration. It is implemented as a heavily optimized, multi-threaded, C++ application. We give performance benchmarks for correlators containing scalars, fermions, and stress tensors. As an example application, we recompute bootstrap bounds on four-point functions of fermions and study whether a previously observed sharp jump can be explained using the “fake primary” effect. We conclude that the fake primary effect cannot fully explain the jump and the possible existence of a “dead-end” CFT near the jump merits further study.
Voting behavior under outside pressure: promoting true majorities with sequential voting?
Authors: Bolle Friedel , Otto Philipp E.
Published: November 2021

When including outside pressure on voters as individual costs, sequential voting (as in roll call votes) is theoretically preferable to simultaneous voting (as in recorded ballots). Under complete information, sequential voting has a unique subgame perfect equilibrium with a simple equilibrium strategy guaranteeing true majority results. Simultaneous voting suffers from a plethora of equilibria, often contradicting true majorities. Experimental results, however, show severe deviations from the equilibrium strategy in sequential voting with not significantly more true majority results than in simultaneous voting. Social considerations under sequential voting—based on emotional reactions toward the behaviors of the previous players—seem to distort subgame perfect equilibria.
Cell composition at the vitreomacular interface in traumatic macular holes
Authors: Guenther Stefanie R. , Schumann Ricarda G. , Zaytseva Yulia , Hagenau Felix , Wolf Armin , Priglinger Siegfried G. , Vogt Denise
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To describe characteristics of the vitreomacular interface (VMI) in traumatic macular holes (TMH) compared to idiopathic macular holes (IMH) using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, and to correlate with clinical data.

Methods

For immunocytochemical and ultrastructural analyses, premacular tissue with internal limiting membrane (ILM) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) was harvested during vitrectomy from 5 eyes with TMH and 5 eyes with IMH. All specimens were processed as flat mounts for phase-contrast microscopy, interference and fluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Primary antibodies were used against microglial and macroglial cells. Clinical data was retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Surgically excised premacular tissue of eyes with TMH showed a less pronounced positive immunoreactivity for anti-glutamine synthetase, anti-vimentin and anti-IBA1 compared to eyes with IMH. Cell nuclei staining of the flat-mounted specimens as well as TEM presented a lower cell count in eyes with TMH compared to IMH. All detected cells were found on the vitreal side of the ILM. No collagen fibrils were seen in specimens of TMH. According to patients’ age, intraoperative data as well as spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) analysis revealed an attached posterior vitreous in the majority of TMH cases (60%), whereas all eyes with IMH presented posterior vitreous detachment.

Conclusion

The vitreomacular interface in TMH and IMH shows significant differences. In TMH, glial cells are a rare finding on the vitreal side of the ILM.
Collective capabilities shape the co-production of nature’s contributions to people in the alpine agricultural system of the Maurienne valley, France
Authors: Grosinger Julia , Vallet Améline , Palomo Ignacio , Buclet Nicolas , Lavorel Sandra
Published: November 2021

Nature’s contributions to people (NCP) do not flow automatically from ecosystems to society, but they result from a co-production process of interactions between societal and ecological systems. In this study, we used the collective capabilities approach to address the social dimensions of co-production of the material NCP of cheese. These are the benefits collective structures retrieve from social-ecological interactions that individuals could not have achieved on their own and which frequently exceed pure instrumental values. Collective structures mobilise different types of social capitals in order to generate these collective capabilities. Here, we specifically investigated linkages between collective capabilities and their contributions to common perceptions and local identities. We conducted 44 semi-structured interviews with two distinct different actors’ groups in a French Alpine agricultural system surrounding the production of the quality labelled Beaufort cow cheese. We analysed the interviews qualitatively and conducted quantitative analyses as well as content and sentiment analysis to identify the different levels and types of collective investment mobilised by actors to generate collective capabilities. We found that collective capabilities involved in NCP co-production contributed to common perceptions and to specific dimensions of local identities. These can be viewed as the results of relational value construction. Further, the analysis suggests that collective capability relies on dense social interactions between actors that contribute to a good quality of life in itself. This study advances previous attempts to further investigate the role of intra-societal relations for NCP co-production.
Endoscopic Stent Placement Can Successfully Treat Gastric Leak Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy If and Only If an Esophagoduodenal Megastent Is Used
Authors: Billmann Franck , Pfeiffer Aylin , Sauer Peter , Billeter Adrian , Rupp Christian , Koschny Ronald , Nickel Felix , von Frankenberg Moritz , Müller-Stich Beat Peter , Schaible Anja
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Gastric staple line leakage (GL) is a serious complication of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), with a specific mortality ranging from 0.2 to 3.7%. The current treatment of choice is stent insertion. However, it is unclear whether the type of stent which is inserted affects treatment outcome. Therefore, we aimed not only to determine the effectiveness of stent treatment for GL but also to specifically clarify whether treatment outcome was dependent on the type of stent (small- (SS) or megastent (MS)) which was used.

Patients and Methods

A single-centre retrospective study of 23 consecutive patients was conducted to compare the outcomes of SS (n = 12) and MS (n = 11) for the treatment of GL following LSG. The primary outcome measure was the success rate of stenting, defined as complete healing of the GL without changing the treatment strategy. Treatment change or death were both coded as failure.

Results

The success rate of MS was 91% (10/11) compared to only 50% (6/12) for SS (p = 0.006). An average of 2.3 ± 0.5 and 6.8 ± 3.7 endoscopies were required to achieve healing in the MS and SS groups respectively (p < 0.001). The average time to resumption of oral nutrition was shorter in the MS group (1.4 ± 1.1 days vs. 23.1 ± 33.1 days, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Stent therapy is only effective and safe for the treatment of GL after LSG if a MS is used. Treatment with a MS may not only increase treatment success rates but may also facilitate earlier resumption of oral nutrition and shorten the duration of hospitalization.

Graphical Abstract
Ctenium bennae (Poaceae; Chloridoideae), a new rheophytic species from Guinea-Conakry
Authors: Xanthos Martin , Konomou Gbamon , Haba Pepe M. , van der Burgt Xander M.
Published: November 2021

Ctenium bennae Xanthos is described and illustrated as the only rheophytic species in the genus. The new species is known from a single waterfall on the Benna Plateau, at the border between Forecariah and Kindia Prefectures in Guinea Conakry. Ctenium bennae is here assessed as Near Threatened according to the categories and criteria of IUCN.
Insights into lipid-protein interactions from computer simulations
Authors: Tieleman D. P. , Sejdiu B. I. , Cino E. A. , Smith P. , Barreto-Ojeda E. , Khan H. M. , Corradi V.
Published: November 2021

Lipid-protein interactions play an important direct role in the function of many membrane proteins. We argue they are key players in membrane structure, modulate membrane proteins in more subtle ways than direct binding, and are important for understanding the mechanism of classes of hydrophobic drugs. By directly comparing membrane proteins from different families in the same, complex lipid mixture, we found a unique lipid environment for every protein. Extending this work, we identified both differences and similarities in the lipid environment of GPCRs, dependent on which family they belong to and in some cases their conformational state, with particular emphasis on the distribution of cholesterol. More recently, we have been studying modes of coupling between protein conformation and local membrane properties using model proteins. In more applied approaches, we have used similar methods to investigate specific hypotheses on interactions of lipid and lipid-like molecules with ion channels. We conclude this perspective with some considerations for future work, including a new more sophisticated coarse-grained force field (Martini 3), an interactive visual exploration framework, and opportunities to improve sampling.
Rawls’s Original Position and Algorithmic Fairness
Authors: Franke Ulrik
Published: November 2021

Modern society makes extensive use of automated algorithmic decisions, fueled by advances in artificial intelligence. However, since these systems are not perfect, questions about fairness are increasingly investigated in the literature. In particular, many authors take a Rawlsian approach to algorithmic fairness. This article aims to identify some complications with this approach: Under which circumstances can Rawls’s original position reasonably be applied to algorithmic fairness decisions? First, it is argued that there are important differences between Rawls’s original position and a parallel algorithmic fairness original position with respect to risk attitudes. Second, it is argued that the application of Rawls’s original position to algorithmic fairness faces a boundary problem in defining relevant stakeholders. Third, it is observed that the definition of the least advantaged, necessary for applying the difference principle, requires some attention in the context of algorithmic fairness. Finally, it is argued that appropriate deliberation in algorithmic fairness contexts often require more knowledge about probabilities than the Rawlsian original position allows. Provided that these complications are duly considered, the thought-experiment of the Rawlsian original position can be useful in algorithmic fairness decisions.
How do food businesses provide information on allergens in non-prepacked foods? A cross-sectional survey in Switzerland
Authors: Eisenblätter Julia , Schumacher Gerry , Hirt Marie , Wild Janine , Catalano Loan , Schoenberg Sonja , Baru Brigitte , Jent Sandra
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This project aimed to investigate allergen information practices of food businesses selling non-prepacked foods after the implementation of the new Swiss food law in May 2017.

Methods

A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted with food businesses selling non-prepacked foods in Switzerland. A short, standardised questionnaire was developed in German, based on previous research and literature. It was subsequently translated into French and Italian. Altogether, 882 businesses (restaurants, dairies, butcher shops and bakeries) were contacted, of which 387 were willing to participate. SPSS® (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analyses.

Results

The vast majority (86.0%) of food businesses provides oral allergen information. Only 14.0% currently provide written allergen information to the customer, either upfront or on request. The most frequently used labelling system in written allergen declaration was naming all ingredients (35.2%). A significant number (39.8%) do not place a notice on how to obtain allergen information, although this is a legal requirement in Switzerland when not providing written information upfront.

Conclusion

So far, not all food businesses have been complying with the new Swiss food law on allergen information of non-prepacked food. Therefore, awareness of the legal obligations around communicating allergen information as well as the verification of its implementation should be enhanced. To meet the needs of consumers and avoid reactions, some form of written allergen information should be promoted. Giving this information on request might encourage communication between customer and staff, thus providing an extra measure of verification.
Estimating ocean wave directional spreading using wave following buoys: a comparison of experimental buoy and gauge data
Authors: Lin Zhaoxian , Adcock Thomas A. A. , McAllister Mark L.
Published: November 2021

Directional spreading of ocean waves plays an important role in various aspects of ocean engineering, such as wave-induced loads, nonlinear wave evolution, and wave breaking. Wave following buoys, which are widely deployed across the oceans, offer the potential to measure directional wave properties. To assess the accuracy of directional spreading estimates made using buoy measurements, we compared estimates based on experimentally obtained buoy and wave gauge measurements, first presented in McAllister and van den Bremer (J Phys Oceanogr 50:399–414, 2020) Buoy and gauge measurements were recorded at the same locations and in identical sea states, allowing for a like-for-like comparison. We examine experiments with both following (unimodal in direction) and crossing (bimodal in direction) sea states. In addition to this, we use synthetic wave data to investigate the effects of wave generation and nonlinearity on spreading estimates. Our results show that while directional estimates produced using buoy measurements are reasonably accurate in following sea states, they struggle to identify distinct directional peaks in crossing sea states. We find that spreading estimates made using buoy measurements tend to underestimate the degree of directional spreading by approximately $$9-14\%$$

9
-
14
%

in following sea states, which is most apparent in narrowly spread conditions.
Perturbation analysis of baroclinic torque in low-Mach-number flows
Authors: Zhang Shengqi , Xia Zhenhua , Chen Shiyi
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we propose a series expansion of the baroclinic torque in low-Mach-number flows, so that the accuracy and universality of any buoyancy term could be examined analytically, and new types of buoyancy terms could be constructed and validated. We first demonstrate that the purpose of introducing a buoyancy term is to approximate the baroclinic torque, and straightforwardly the error of any buoyancy term could be defined with the deviation of its curl from the corresponding baroclinic torque. Then a regular perturbation method is introduced for the elliptic equation of the hydrodynamic pressure in low-Mach-number flows, resulting in a sequence of Poisson equations, whose solutions lead to the series representation of the baroclinic torque and the new types of buoyancy terms. It is found that the frame invariance of the momentum equation is maintained with one of the new types of buoyancy terms. With the error definition of buoyancy terms and the series representation of the baroclinic torque, the validity and accuracy of previous and new buoyancy terms are examined. Finally, numerical simulations confirm that, with a decreasing density variation or an increasing order of our new buoyancy term, the simplified equations can converge to the original low-Mach-number equations.
Turbulent thermohaline hydraulic jumps
Authors: Baddour Raouf Emile
Published: November 2021

Turbulent entrainment properties of thermohaline internal hydraulic jumps in quiescent ambient water are investigated. Underflow and overflow jumps are considered. The study is mainly concerned with thermohaline buoyancy effects on flow development. The thermohaline buoyancy is determined from a seawater equation of state, which is nonlinear in temperature and linear in salinity, and is accurate throughout the range of temperature and salinity of interest (T = 0 to 40 °C and S = 0 to 40 ppt). The results indicate that thermohaline buoyancy produces smaller less diluted underflow jumps and larger more diluted overflow jumps. These nonlinear buoyancy effects are particularly significant when buoyancy arising from temperature and salinity act in opposite directions. Hydraulic controls by vertical and/or horizontal constrictions downstream reveal, using a matching technique, unique stationary miscible jump solutions.
A multimodal electrochemical approach to measure the effect of zinc on vesicular content and exocytosis in a single cell model of ischemia
Authors: Wang Ying , Gu Chaoyi , Ewing Andrew G.
Published: November 2021

Zinc ion is essential for normal brain function that modulates synaptic activity and neuronal plasticity and it is associated with memory formation. Zinc is considered to be a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of ischemia, but the association between zinc and ischemia on vesicular exocytosis is unclear. In this study, we used a combination of chemical analysis methods and a cell model of ischemia/reperfusion to investigate exocytotic release and vesicular content, as well as the effect of zinc alteration on vesicular exocytosis. Oxygen–glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGDR) was used as an in vitro model of ischemia in a model cell line. Exocytotic release and vesicular storage of catecholamine content were increased following OGDR, resulting in a higher fraction of release during exocytosis. However, zinc eliminated these increases following OGDR and the fraction of release remained unchanged. Understanding the consequences of zinc accumulation on vesicular exocytosis at the early stage of OGDR should aid in the development of therapeutic strategies to reduce ischemic brain injury. As the fraction released has been suggested to be related to presynaptic plasticity, insights are gained towards deciphering ischemia related memory impairment.
Sexual debut among college students in China: effects of family context
Authors: Shi Yu , Liu Ruoheng , Yu Hongfei , Fu Zhihui , Guo Wei
Published: November 2021

This study examines family context and sexual debut among young people in China. Using data from the 2018 Panel Study of Chinese University Students (PSCUS), it explores how the family is correlated with sexual debut among young people in China aged 18–24 years. The Kaplan–Meier method was adopted to detect a survival function for different family factors and related demographic variables. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was adopted to calculate hazard ratios for the timing of sexual debut. The average age of sexual debut among the college students was 18.39 years. The Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that sexual intercourse initiation was earlier for female students who had no siblings, and those who had a mother with senior high school (including technical school) education or higher family income, but this correlation was insignificant among male students. The multivariate hazard regression analysis revealed that living in a family with a higher level of fathers’ education, having a lower level of family income and having siblings had positive correlations with later sexual debut among the college students. Moreover, family factors showed gender differences in their associations with the timing of sexual debut, typically parent’s education level, family income and left-behind experience. This study provides a comprehensive perspective on the role of family influences in timing of sexual debut among youth in China.
Withdrawn from Use: Silence, listening and undoing
Authors: Hegarty Sebastiane
Published: November 2021

Steven Connor’s book Giving Way begins with a list of unappreciated qualities, the first of which is a capitalised: ‘SILENCE’. Shyness, reserve, withdrawal and holding back accompany silence in a long sentence of qualities, which ‘tend to be marked with disapproval, sympathy or revulsion’, and some of which are, as Connor notes, ‘characterized as a mental disorder, in the form of social anxiety or social phobia’ (Connor 2019: 1). Silence is often seen as a lack of agency, an anti-social and suspect unwillingness to participate. But as a sound artist working with field-recording, I am aware that silence, withdrawal and holding back can also be a form or method of practice and participation. Since 2004, my creative practice has included a series of physical and imagined silent releases. This article draws on these works and their documentation to explore silence as a potential, shared and communal space; an immediate composition that invites both listener and non-listener into its congress. Listening in on the conversation of telephone pauses and the closed paragraphs of library shelves, silence can be heard undoing purposeful agency, shyly engaging us in the anti-social practice of inaction, so that we might not participate together.
Distributed Participatory Design: The challenges of designing with physically disabled musicians during a global pandemic
Authors: Schroeder Franziska , Lucas Alex
Published: November 2021

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been an extraordinary situation. Social distancing has impacted the vast majority of people, reorganising society, physically separating us from friends, family and colleagues. Collectively we found ourselves in a distributed state, reliant upon digital technologies to maintain social and professional connections. Some activities can translate unabated to a digital medium, with benefits, such as the convenience inherent in many online shopping and banking services. Other activities, particularly those which are socially engaged, including inclusive music-making or design, may need to be re-framed and re-thought due to the absence of in-person contact.

In Northern Ireland, the Performance Without Barriers (PwB) research group works with disabled artists from the Drake Music Project Northern Ireland (DMNI) to identify ways in which technology can remove access barriers to music-making. Since disabled people are experts in their unique lived experience of disability, they must be involved in the design process, an approach known as participatory design. At the end of 2020, many of us are still adjusting to the new normal, only beginning to understand the impact of distributed digital living. In this article, we examine how the socially engaged work of PwB has been affected, changed and adapted during the pandemic throughout 2019 to 2020, expanding ideas of distributed creativity to the notion of distributed design. The authors formalise the concept of socially engaged distributed participatory design, an approach that classifies PwB’s current research activities in the area of accessible music technology design and improvised musicking. Consideration is given to the impact the notion of ‘distribution’ has on degrees of participation.
Distributing Authorship at a Localised Scale: Developing public engagement in sound mapping
Authors: McCafferty Conor
Published: November 2021

Sound maps, particularly the web-based examples that have proliferated since the early 2000s, have proven compelling and valuable as means of conveying diverse perspectives of urban, rural and wilderness sound environments, while opening the creative process of mapping through field recording to non-expert user groups. As such, sound maps hold the promise of broad public engagement with everyday sonic experience and spatial typologies. Yet this straightforward participatory aim is prone to complication in terms of participatory frameworks and scale of analysis. Drawing on a catalogue of sound maps by the author, this article problematises the participatory norms of sound mapping and, in tandem, calls for a more nuanced approach to scale than typically seen to date in sound maps based on geospatial mapping APIs. A sound mapping workshop in Lisbon with a multidisciplinary participant group provided the opportunity to ‘re-prototype’ sound maps at the scale of a local neighbourhood using multimodal means of representation; the results highlighted questions of form, scale, representation, authorship and purpose in sound mapping and demonstrated its continuing potential as a participatory practice.
Sonic Sentimentality and the Unification of the Listening Space: Exploring the intersections of oral history and sonic art
Authors: Devito A. M.
Published: November 2021

This article aims to explore how the theoretical and pedagogical intersections of sonic art and creative oral history may work together to enhance the public response of socially engaged, interdisciplinary artwork. The main topics of discussion will include Panos Amelides’s paper ‘Acousmatic Storytelling’, the socio theoretical approach suggested by Salome Voegelin in her paper ‘Sonic Memory Material as “Pathetic Trigger”’, the behavioral study from the oral history sound installation by Dr Luis Sotelo Castro called Not Being Able to Speak is Torture, and the Deep Listening and Sonic Meditation practices and teachings of Pauline Oliveros, as well as compositions by Yves Daoust, Hildegard Westerkamp and Trevor Wishart. One consistent theme revealed through these investigations was that socially engaged, aurally focused artwork informed and woven by familiar and documented ‘life’ sounds or nostalgic sound events increases emotional triggers for the audience, creating a deeper engagement with the art piece or performance. Furthermore, an informed and host-led directive encouraging participatory and attentive listening through either meditation or discussion increases audience reception and takeaway, thus inspiring and unifying mass group empathy. This article suggests that the application of these techniques by electroacoustic composers, sonic artists, oral historians and interdisciplinary artists will create informed, passionate and empathetic listening spaces that live beyond the insular, creative experience itself.
Depressive symptoms among primary healthcare workers during the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic in the Muscat governorate
Authors: Al Lawati Anwaar , Al Ghafri Thamra , Anwar Huda , Al Ajmi Fatma , Al Hasani Said , Chan Moon Fai , Mahadevan Sangeetha , Al-Adawi Samir
Published: November 2021

Background:

With the unprecedented spread of the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) are having to shoulder the increasing weight of this ongoing pandemic.

Aims:

This study explored the rate and covariates of depressive symptoms among PHCWs in the Muscat governorate.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 10 May to 10 June 2020 among PHCWs working in all primary healthcares across the Muscat governorate. Data on sociodemographic and risk factors of having at least one underlying physical health condition, a psychiatric history, family history of psychiatric disorders, and direct involvement with COVID-19 positive patients were sought. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was then used to solicit the presence of depressive symptoms. Those with a cutoff point ≥10 were considered as showing depressive symptoms. Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors associated with depressive symptoms in PHCWs after adjusting for all sociodemographic factors.

Findings:

A total of 432 (72%) out of 600 PHCWs with an average age of 39.2 years (SD = 7.8 years) ranging between 25.0 and 75.0 years responded to the survey. There were more females (n = 281, 65.3%) than males, and more than 45% (n = 195) of them were physicians. Additionally, more than 78% (n = 338) had been in contact with COVID-19 patients. There was a significant association between different age groups and profession (P < .001), having at least one underlying physical health condition (P = 0.001) and depressive symptom status (P = 0.038). A total of 78 out of the 423 subjects (18.1%) were considered to have depressive symptoms. After adjusting for all factors, the logistic regression model showed that an age of 34 years or below (OR = 2.079, P = 0.021) and having at least one underlying physical health condition (OR = 2.216, P = 0.007) were factors contributing significantly to depressive symptoms among the PHCWs.
Frequency‐Magnitude Statistics of Laboratory Foreshocks Vary With Shear Velocity, Fault Slip Rate, and Shear Stress
Authors: Bolton David C. , Shreedharan Srisharan , Rivière Jacques , Marone Chris
Published: November 2021

Understanding the temporal evolution of foreshocks and their relation to earthquake nucleation is important for earthquake early warning systems, earthquake hazard assessment, and earthquake physics. Laboratory experiments on intact rock and rough fractures have demonstrated that the number and size of acoustic emission (AE) events increase and that the Gutenberg‐Richter b‐value decreases prior to coseismic failure. However, for lab fault zones of finite width, where shear occurs within gouge, the physical processes that dictate temporal variations in frequency‐magnitude (F/M) statistics of lab foreshocks are unclear. Here, we report on a series of laboratory experiments to illuminate the physical processes that govern temporal variations in b‐value and AE size. We record AE data continuously for hundreds of lab seismic cycles and report F/M statistics. Our foreshock catalogs include cases where F/M data are not exponentially distributed, but we retain the concept of b‐value for comparison with other works. We find that b‐value decreases as the fault approaches failure, consistent with previous works. We also find that b‐value scales inversely with shear velocity and fault slip rate, suggesting that fault slip acceleration during earthquake nucleation could impact foreshock F/M statistics. We propose that fault zone dilation and grain mobilization have a strong influence on foreshock magnitude. Fault dilation at higher shearing rates increases porosity and results in larger foreshocks and smaller b‐values. Our observations suggest that lab earthquakes are preceded by a preparatory nucleation phase with systematic variations in AE and fault zone properties.
Satellite‐Based Sea Surface Salinity Designed for Ocean and Climate Studies
Authors: Boutin J. , Reul N. , Koehler J. , Martin A. , Catany R. , Guimbard S. , Rouffi F. , Vergely J. L. , Arias M. , Chakroun M. , Corato G. , Estella‐Perez V. , Hasson A. , Josey S. , Khvorostyanov D. , Kolodziejczyk N. , Mignot J. , Olivier L. , Reverdin G. , Stammer D. , Supply A. , Thouvenin‐Masson C. , Turiel A. , Vialard J. , Cipollini P. , Donlon C. , Sabia R. , Mecklenburg S.
Published: November 2021

Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) is an increasingly used Essential Ocean and Climate Variable. The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS), Aquarius, and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite missions all provide SSS measurements, with very different instrumental features leading to specific measurement characteristics. The Climate Change Initiative Salinity project (CCI + SSS) aims to produce a SSS Climate Data Record (CDR) that addresses well‐established user needs based on those satellite measurements. To generate a homogeneous CDR, instrumental differences are carefully adjusted based on in‐depth analysis of the measurements themselves, together with some limited use of independent reference data. An optimal interpolation in the time domain without temporal relaxation to reference data or spatial smoothing is applied. This allows preserving the original datasets variability. SSS CCI fields are well suited for monitoring weekly to interannual signals, at spatial scales ranging from 50 km to the basin scale. They display large year‐to‐year seasonal variations over the 2010–2019 decade, sometimes by more than ±0.4 over large regions. The robust standard deviation of the monthly CCI SSS minus in situ Argo salinities is 0.15 globally, while it is at least 0.20 with individual satellite SSS fields. r2 is 0.97, similar or better than with original datasets. The correlation with independent ship thermosalinographs SSS further highlights the CCI data set excellent performance, especially near land areas. During the SMOS‐Aquarius period, when the representativity uncertainties are the largest, r2 is 0.84 with CCI while it is 0.48 with the Aquarius original data set. SSS CCI data are freely available and will be updated and extended as more satellite data become available.
A non-ACE2 competing human single-domain antibody confers broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 and circulating variants
Authors: Yang Zhenlin , Wang Yulu , Jin Yujia , Zhu Yuanfei , Wu Yanling , Li Cheng , Kong Yu , Song Wenping , Tian Xiaolong , Zhan Wuqiang , Huang Ailing , Zhou Shanshan , Xia Shuai , Tian Xiaoxu , Peng Chao , Chen Cuicui , Shi Yibing , Hu Gaowei , Du Shujuan , Wang Yuyan , Xie Youhua , Jiang Shibo , Lu Lu , Sun Lei , Song Yuanlin , Ying Tianlei
Published: November 2021

The current COVID-19 pandemic has heavily burdened the global public health system and may keep simmering for years. The frequent emergence of immune escape variants have spurred the search for prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic antibodies that confer broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here we show that the bivalency of an affinity maturated fully human single-domain antibody (n3113.1-Fc) exhibits exquisite neutralizing potency against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, and confers effective prophylactic and therapeutic protection against authentic SARS-CoV-2 in the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) humanized mice. The crystal structure of n3113 in complex with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, combined with the cryo-EM structures of n3113 and spike ecto-domain, reveals that n3113 binds to the side surface of up-state RBD with no competition with ACE2. The binding of n3113 to this novel epitope stabilizes spike in up-state conformations but inhibits SARS-CoV-2 S mediated membrane fusion, expanding our recognition of neutralization by antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Binding assay and pseudovirus neutralization assay show no evasion of recently prevalent SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), and Delta (B.1.617.2) for n3113.1-Fc with Y58L mutation, demonstrating the potential of n3113.1-Fc (Y58L) as a promising candidate for clinical development to treat COVID-19.
Mechanisms underlying interactions between two abundant oral commensal bacteria
Authors: Perera Dasith , McLean Anthony , Morillo-López Viviana , Cloutier-Leblanc Kaileigh , Almeida Eric , Cabana Kiana , Mark Welch Jessica , Ramsey Matthew
Published: November 2021

Complex polymicrobial biofilm communities are abundant in nature particularly in the human oral cavity where their composition and fitness can affect health. While the study of these communities during disease is essential and prevalent, little is known about interactions within the healthy plaque community. Here we describe interactions between two of the most abundant species in this healthy microbiome, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Streptococcus mitis. We discovered that H. parainfluenzae typically exists adjacent to mitis group streptococci in vivo with which it is also positively correlated based on microbiome data. By comparing in vitro coculture data to ex vivo microscopy we revealed that this co-occurrence is density dependent and further influenced by H2O2 production. We discovered that H. parainfluenzae utilizes a more redundant, multifactorial response to H2O2 than related microorganisms and that this system’s integrity enhances streptococcal fitness. Our results indicate that mitis group streptococci are likely the in vivo source of NAD for H. parainfluenzae and also evoke patterns of carbon utilization in vitro for H. parainfluenzae similar to those observed in vivo. Our findings describe mechanistic interactions between two of the most abundant and prevalent members of healthy supragingival plaque that contribute to their in vivo survival.
Carbon ion radiotherapy boosts anti-tumour immune responses by inhibiting myeloid-derived suppressor cells in melanoma-bearing mice
Authors: Zhou Heng , Yang Pengfei , Li Haining , Zhang Liying , Li Jin , Zhang Tianyi , Sheng Chengyan , Wang Jufang
Published: November 2021

Numerous studies have shown that carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) induces anti-cancer immune responses in melanoma patients, yet the mechanism remains elusive. The abundance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in the tumour microenvironment is associated with therapeutic efficacy and disease outcome. This study analysed the changes in the immune contexture in response to the carbon ion treatment. The murine melanoma B16, MelanA, and S91 tumour models were established in syngeneic immunocompetent mice. Then, the tumours were irradiated with carbon ion beams, and flow cytometry was utilised to observe the immune contexture changes in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, spleen, and tumours. The immune infiltrates in the tumour tissues were further assessed using haematoxylin/eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. The immunoblot detected the expression of proteins associated with the JAK/STAT signalling pathway. The secretion of immune-related cytokines was examined using ELISA. Compared to conventional radiotherapy, particle beams have distinct advantages in cancer therapy. Here, the use of carbon ion beams (5 GyE) for melanoma-bearing mice was found to reduce the population of MDSC in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and spleen of the animals via a JAK2/STAT3-dependent mechanism. The percentage of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells increased after radiation, resulting in reduced tumour growth and prolonged overall survival in the three different mouse models of melanoma. This study, therefore, substantiated that CIRT boosts anti-tumour immune responses via the inhibition of MDSC.
The associations of previous influenza/upper respiratory infection with COVID-19 susceptibility/morbidity/mortality: a nationwide cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Kim So Young , Kim Joo-Hee , Kim Miyoung , Wee Jee Hye , Jung Younghee , Min Chanyang , Yoo Dae Myoung , Sim Songyong , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: November 2021

We aimed to investigate the associations of previous influenza/URI with the susceptibility of COVID-19 patients compared to that of non-COVID-19 participants. A nationwide COVID-19 cohort database was collected by the Korea National Health Insurance Corporation. A total of 8,070 COVID-19 patients (1 January 2020 through 4 June 2020) were matched with 32,280 control participants. Severe COVID-19 morbidity was defined based on the treatment histories of the intensive care unit, invasive ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and death. The susceptibility/morbidity/mortality associated with prior histories of 1–14, 1–30, 1–90, 15–45, 15–90, and 31–90 days before COVID-19 onset were analyzed using conditional/unconditional logistic regression. Prior influenza infection was related to increased susceptibility to COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 3.07 [1.61–5.85] for 1–14 days and 1.91 [1.54–2.37] for 1–90 days). Prior URI was also associated with increased susceptibility to COVID-19 (6.95 [6.38–7.58] for 1–14 days, 4.99 [4.64–5.37] for 1–30 days, and 2.70 [2.55–2.86] for 1–90 days). COVID-19 morbidity was positively associated with influenza (3.64 [1.55–9.21] and 3.59 [1.42–9.05]) and URI (1.40 [1.11–1.78] and 1.28 [1.02–1.61]) at 1–14 days and 1–30 days, respectively. Overall, previous influenza/URI did not show an association with COVID-19 mortality. Previous influenza/URI histories were associated with increased COVID-19 susceptibility and morbidity. Our findings indicate why controlling influenza/URI is important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spousal associations of serum metabolomic profiles by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Al Rashid Karema , Goulding Neil , Taylor Amy , Lumsden Mary Ann , Lawlor Deborah A. , Nelson Scott M.
Published: November 2021

Phenotype-based assortative mating is well established in humans, with the potential for further convergence through a shared environment. To assess the correlation within infertile couples of physical, social, and behavioural characteristics and 155 circulating metabolic measures. Cross sectional study at a tertiary medical center of 326 couples undertaking IVF. Serum lipids, lipoprotein subclasses, and low-molecular weight metabolites as quantified by NMR spectroscopy (155 metabolic measures). Multivariable and quantile regression correlations within couples of metabolite profiles. Couples exhibited statistical correlations of varying strength for most physical, social, and behavioural characteristics including age, height, alcohol consumption, education, smoking status, physical activity, family history and ethnicity, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.22 to 0.73. There was no evidence of within couple associations for BMI and weight, where the correlation coefficients were − 0.03 (95% CI − 0.14, 0.08) and 0.01 (95% CI − 0.10, 0.12), respectively. Within spousal associations of the metabolite measurements were all positive but with weak to modest magnitudes, with the median correlation coefficient across all 155 measures being 0.12 (range 0.01–0.37 and interquartile range 0.10–0.18). With just four having associations stronger than 0.3: docosahexaenoic acid (0.37, 95% CI 0.22, 0.52), omega-3 fatty acids (0.32, 95% CI 0.20, 0.43) histidine (0.32, 95% CI 0.23, 0.41) and pyruvate (0.32, 95% CI 0.22, 0.43). Infertile couples exhibit spousal similarities for a range of demographic and serum metabolite measures, supporting initial assortative mating, with diet-derived metabolites suggesting possible subsequent convergence of their individual metabolic profile.
Sperm lacking Bindin are infertile but are otherwise indistinguishable from wildtype sperm
Authors: Wessel Gary M. , Wada Yuuko , Yajima Mamiko , Kiyomoto Masato
Published: November 2021

Cell–cell fusion is limited to only a few cell types in the body of most organisms and sperm and eggs are paradigmatic in this process. The specialized cellular mechanism of fertilization includes the timely exposure of gamete–specific interaction proteins by the sperm as it approaches the egg. Bindin in sea urchin sperm is one such gamete interaction protein and it enables species–specific interaction with a homotypic egg. We recently showed that Bindin is essential for fertilization by use of Cas9 targeted gene inactivation in the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. Here we show phenotypic details of Bindin-minus sperm. Sperm lacking Bindin do not bind to nor fertilize eggs at even high concentrations, yet they otherwise have wildtype morphology and function. These features include head shape, tail length and beating frequency, an acrosomal vesicle, a nuclear fossa, and they undergo an acrosomal reaction. The only phenotypic differences between wildtype and Bindin-minus sperm identified is that Bindin-minus sperm have a slightly shorter head, likely as a result of an acrosome lacking Bindin. These data, and the observation that Bindin-minus embryos develop normally and metamorphose into normal functioning adults, support the contention that Bindin functions are limited to species–specific sperm–egg interactions. We conclude that the evolutionary divergence of Bindin is not constrained by any other biological roles.