bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A reproducible method for biochemical, histological and functional assessment of the effects of ischaemia–reperfusion syndrome in the lower limbs
Authors: Cearra Iñigo , Herrero de la Parte Borja , Moreno-Franco Diana Isabel , García-Alonso Ignacio
Published: September 2021

Current methodology described to mimic lower limb ischaemia–reperfusion injury (LL-IRI) does not accurately define the procedures and pressures exerted to induce and maintain ischaemia. In this piece of work, we propose a well-defined and detailed rat model that simulates the conditions established in clinical practice guidelines for tourniquet application and allows us to test treatments that aim to prevent/reduce LL-IRI. Eighty-six male WAG/RijHsd rats were subjected to hind limb IRI (LL-IRI), using a mechanical system applying a 1 kg tension to induce and maintain ischemia for 2 or 3 h, and assessed the damage caused by reperfusion at biochemical and muscular levels at different time points. At the biochemical level, both 2 and 3 h of ischemia induced changes (except for electrolyte levels); 3 h of ischemia induced greater changes in specific markers of muscular damage: creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). At the histopathological level, 3 h of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion was associated with an increase in hind limb girth, cross-sectional area, and weight and presence of neutrophils, as well as histological damage in more than 60% of muscle fibres. Our model allows to reliably reproduce the damage associated with the use of a pneumatic tourniquet. CK and LDH, as well as measures of tissue damage, allow to define and characterize the response to LL-IRI-related damage. A period of 3 h of ischemia followed by 3 h of reperfusion caused only local damage but showed greater sensitivity to detect differences in future studies on prophylactic treatments against LL-IRI.
Air seal performance of personalized and statistically shaped 3D-printed face masks compared with market-available surgical and FFP2 masks
Authors: Nold Julian , Metzger Marc C. , Schwarz Steffen , Wesemann Christian , Wemken Gregor , Pieralli Stefano , Kernen Florian , Weingart Julia , Schirmeister Carl G. , Schumann Stefan , Schlager Stefan , Spies Benedikt C.
Published: September 2021

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has revealed alarming shortages of personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare professionals and the general public. Therefore, a 3D-printable mask frame was developed, and its air seal performance was evaluated and compared. Personalized masks (PM) based on individual face scans (n = 8) and a statistically shaped mask (SSM) based on a standardized facial soft tissue shape computed from 190 face scans were designed. Subsequently, the masks were additively manufactured, and in a second step, the PM and SSM were compared to surgical masks (SM) and FFP2 masks (FFP2) in terms of air seal performance. 3D-printed face models allowed for air leakage evaluation by measuring the pressure inside the mask in sealed and unsealed conditions during a breathing simulation. The PM demonstrated the lowest leak flow (p < 0.01) of inspired or expired unfiltered air of approximately 10.4 ± 16.4%, whereas the SM showed the highest (p < 0.01) leakage with 84.9 ± 7.7%. The FFP2 and SSM had similar values of 34.9 ± 18.5% leakage (p > 0.68). The developed framework allows for the time- and resource-efficient, on-demand, and in-house production of masks. For the best seal performance, an individually personalized mask design might be recommended.
Intensified recovery of switchable hydrophilicity solvents in flow
Authors: Han Suyong , Ibrahim Malek Y. S. , Abolhasani Milad
Published: September 2021

Intensified continuous extraction and recovery of switchable hydrophilicity solvents is presented, offering an energy-efficient solvent utilization strategy for green synthesis.
Electrochemical behaviour of uranium at a tripolyphosphate modified ITO electrode
Authors: Hou Xiangyang , McLachlan Jeffrey R. , Dares Christopher J.
Published: September 2021

Tripolyphosphate modified mesoporous indium tin-doped oxide electrodes (nanoITO|P3) electrocatalyze the interconversion of bound UO22+ and U4+.
Enantioselective Au(i)-catalyzed dearomatization of 1-naphthols with allenamides through Tethered Counterion-Directed Catalysis
Authors: Yu Yunliang , Zhang Zhenhao , Voituriez Arnaud , Rabasso Nicolas , Frison Gilles , Marinetti Angela , Guinchard Xavier
Published: September 2021

The Tethered Counterion-Directed Catalysis approach has been applied to the enantioselective Au(i) catalyzed dearomatizations of 1-naphthols with allenamides.
Suitable acid groups and density in electrolytes to facilitate proton conduction
Authors: Ogawa Takaya , Ohashi Hidenori , Anilkumar Gopinathan M. , Tamaki Takanori , Yamaguchi Takeo
Published: September 2021

Suitable acid groups and density are proposed to overcome the drawback of proton conducting materials that suffer from low proton conductivity under low-relative humidity conditions.
Interactions in protein solutions close to liquid–liquid phase separation: ethanol reduces attractions via changes of the dielectric solution properties
Authors: Hansen Jan , Uthayakumar Rajeevann , Pedersen Jan Skov , Egelhaaf Stefan U. , Platten Florian
Published: September 2021

Adding a moderate amount of ethanol to a protein solution weakens the net inter-protein attraction and thus changes the LLPS binodal and the SAXS intensity. The effect can be entirely accounted for by considering the dielectric solution properties.
Ultrafast evolution of the complex dielectric function of monolayer WS2 after photoexcitation
Authors: Calati Stefano , Li Qiuyang , Zhu Xiaoyang , Stähler Julia
Published: September 2021

This study provides the basis for the reliable and quantitative comparison of experimentally determined exciton dynamics in TMDCs from independent femtosecond time-resolved optical spectroscopy experiments on different samples and substrates.
Factors determining surface oxygen vacancy formation energy in ternary spinel structure oxides with zinc
Authors: Hinuma Yoyo , Mine Shinya , Toyao Takashi , Kamachi Takashi , Shimizu Ken-ichi
Published: September 2021

Surface oxygen vacancy formation energy in ternary spinel-structure oxides with zinc correlates well with the bulk formation energy.
Evidence for “cocktail”-type catalysis in Buchwald–Hartwig reaction. A mechanistic study
Authors: Prima Darya O. , Madiyeva Malena , Burykina Julia V. , Minyaev Mikhail E. , Boiko Daniil A. , Ananikov Valentine P.
Published: September 2021

The mechanism of the C–N cross-coupling reaction, catalyzed by Pd/NHC, was evaluated at the molecular and nanoscale levels. The first evidence for the involvement of a “cocktail”-type system in the Buchwald–Hartwig reaction is provided.
Printing fabrication of large-area non-fullerene organic solar cells
Authors: Xue Peiyao , Cheng Pei , Han Ray P. S. , Zhan Xiaowei
Published: September 2021

This review summarizes the fabrication technology and recent progress of large-area organic solar cells based on non-fullerene electron acceptors.
Assembly of discrete and oligomeric structures of organotin double-decker silsesquioxanes: inherent stability studies
Authors: Loganathan Pushparaj , Pillai Renjith S. , Jeevananthan Velusamy , David Ezhumalai , Palanisami Nallasamy , Bhuvanesh Nattamai S. P. , Shanmugan Swaminathan
Published: September 2021

Discrete and oligomeric organotin DDSQs have been synthesized and characterized, both experimentally and through computational study. The stability of these compounds remains intrigued with the organization of their structure in the crystal lattice.
Iron(iii) chelated paramagnetic polymeric nanoparticle formulation as a next-generationT1-weighted MRI contrast agent
Authors: Marasini Ramesh , Rayamajhi Sagar , Moreno-Sanchez Anthony , Aryal Santosh
Published: September 2021

In pursuit of safer alternatives to Gd-based MRI contrast agents due to its toxicity and organ deposition, herein, we developed a safer and efficient clinically relevant iron(iii) chelated polymeric nanoparticle as aT1-weighted MRI contrast agent.
Formulation of re-dispersible dry o/w emulsions using cellulose nanocrystals decorated with metal/metal oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Shaheen Tharwat I. , Capron Isabelle
Published: September 2021

Schematic diagram for the detailed preparation of dry eicosane o/w emulsions.
Overlayer deposition-induced control of oxide ion concentration in SrFe0.5Co0.5O2.5 oxygen sponges
Authors: Lee Joonhyuk , Kim Younghak , Cho Jinhyung , Ohta Hiromichi , Jeen Hyoungjeen
Published: September 2021

We form flat oxide-interfaces, i.e. manganite- and titanate-oxygen sponges, and observe peculiar oxygen transport behaviors relying on chemical potential difference at the interfaces. Oxygen transport into oxygen-sponge leads weak ferromagnetism.
Fabrication of multi-layered structures for proton conducting ceramic cells
Authors: Deibert Wendelin , Ivanova Mariya E. , Huang Yuanye , Merkle Rotraut , Maier Joachim , Meulenberg Wilhelm A.
Published: September 2021

We show manufacturing of 25 cm2 BZCY half-cells by tape-casting of assemblies with electrolyte thickness 10–20 μm. BaY2NiO5 transient liquid phase formation is analysed and proton conductivity with values of σ = 0.003 S cm−1 at 600 °C is shown.
A new type of flexible energy harvesting device working with micro water droplets achieving high output
Authors: Gao Dan , Liu Changhong , Fan Shoushan
Published: September 2021

When a drop of tap water was added onto the hybrid device, the parts of Al–air battery and hydrocapacitor would start working successively using the tap water as electrolyte.
The Impact of Music Training and Working Memory on Speech Recognition in Older Age
Authors: Mussoi Bruna S.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Music training has been proposed as a possible tool for auditory training in older adults, as it may improve both auditory and cognitive skills. However, the evidence to support such benefits is mixed. The goal of this study was to determine the differential effects of lifelong musical training and working memory on speech recognition in noise, in older adults.

Method

A total of 31 musicians and nonmusicians aged 65–78 years took part in this cross-sectional study. Participants had a normal pure-tone average, with most having high-frequency hearing loss. Working memory (memory capacity) was assessed with the backward Digit Span test, and speech recognition in noise was assessed with three clinical tests (Quick Speech in Noise, Hearing in Noise Test, and Revised Speech Perception in Noise).

Results

Findings from this sample of older adults indicate that neither music training nor working memory was associated with differences on the speech recognition in noise measures used in this study. Similarly, duration of music training was not associated with speech-in-noise recognition.

Conclusions

Results from this study do not support the hypothesis that lifelong music training benefits speech recognition in noise. Similarly, an effect of working memory (memory capacity) was not apparent. While these findings may be related to the relatively small sample size, results across previous studies that investigated these effects have also been mixed. Prospective randomized music training studies may be able to better control for variability in outcomes associated with pre-existing and music training factors, as well as to examine the differential impact of music training and working memory for speech-in-noise recognition in older adults.
Les standards dits durables appauvrissent-ils les planteurs de cacao ? Interactions entre déforestation en Côte d’Ivoire et au Libéria, crédit à l’achat d’engrais et baisse des cours
Authors: Ruf François
Published: September 2021

Pendant des siècles, combinés avec le travail de migrants, la forêt et la rente forêt ont été les principaux facteurs de production du cacao. C’est le modèle universel du cacao, qui a fait de la Côte d’Ivoire le premier producteur mondial. Mais le niveau de déforestation est tel qu’une partie des planteurs doivent trouver des alternatives à la rente forêt, notamment l’engrais minéral. Cet intrant chimique est de fait un facteur d’amélioration des rendements eta priorides revenus. Cependant, si la consommation d’engrais chimique est poussée par le « système », composé des Transnational Corporations (TNC) du cacao, des coopératives, des agences de crédit, des organisations non gouvernementales internationales et des labels de cacao dit « durables », n’y a-t-il pas danger d’effets inverses : contribution à l’excès d’offre de cacao, baisse du cours mondial, endettement et appauvrissement des planteurs ? À partir de trois enquêtes auprès de 150 à 250 planteurs entre 2013 et 2017, d’une enquête auprès de 41 coopératives en 2017 et d’un suivi des prix du cacao et de l’engrais sur 30 ans, l’étude aborde le rôle du prix relatif cacao/engrais et du crédit sur la consommation d’engrais, et leur impact sur la chute du cours du cacao en 2016–2017. L’impact est certain, même si le processus d’expansion cacaoyère par le binôme migration-déforestation reste le facteur essentiel de la hausse de l’offre et de la chute du cours. Le discours selon lequel les gains de rendement vont créer un « cacao durable » et dissuader les planteurs de défricher les forêts reste un mythe. Les migrations continuent aux dépens des toutes dernières forêts classées du pays, à l’est vers Abengourou, à l’ouest vers Blolequin, Man et Touba. Là encore, en dépit de leur communication sur la durabilité, les certifications ont totalement échoué : le cacao de Côte d’Ivoire dépend encore beaucoup de la déforestation. Enfin, de l’autre côté du fleuve Cavally, la grande forêt dense du Libéria disparaît à son tour, sur la voie d’un nouveau boom du cacao. Même si les responsabilités sont partagées avec les politiques publiques, que reste-t-il de « durable » dans la certification et les actions de la majorité des TNC ? Le fossé entre leur communication virtuelle et la réalité n’a jamais été aussi grand.
Induction Chemotherapy for Orbit Preservation in Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lilly Gabriela , Geltzeiler Mathew
Published: September 2021

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy which often presents at an advanced stage. The gold-standard treatment includes negative-margin surgical resection plus adjuvant therapy. In cases of orbital invasion, surgery requires orbital exenteration which can carry significant morbidity and result in decreased quality of life. In selected patients, induction chemotherapy (IC) can allow for orbit preservation without compromising oncologic outcomes. The available literature will be briefly discussed.
Can students be encouraged to read? Experimental evidence from a large lecture
Authors: Breunig Christian , Klüser K. Jonathan , Yang Qixuan
Published: September 2021

One of the structural problems of introductory lectures is that students’ learning progress is primarily assessed by taking a final exam. Weekly preparation and reading are driven only by self-motivation. Can a student’s decision to complete her weekly assignments be influenced by a simple reminder? In a pre-registered experimental design, we test if personalised reminders from the instructor delivered via text messages contribute to learning outcomes. We assess formative learning via regular quizzes at the beginning of each class, and summative learning via grades in a final exam. We do not find statistically significant differences in learning outcomes, and discuss how design features potentially drive this result. In the conclusion, we stress the importance of experimental design in assessing innovative and new learning techniques.
Dynamic transition of nanosilicon from indirect to direct-like nature by strain-induced structural relaxation
Authors: Mantey Kevin , Morgan Huw , Boparai Jack , Yamani Zain , Bahceci Ersin , Nayfeh Munir Hasan
Published: September 2021

Silicon nanoclusters exhibit light emission with direct-like ns–µs time dynamics; however, they show variable synthesis and structure, optical, and electronic characteristics. The widely adopted model is a core–shell in which the core is an indirect tetrahedral absorbing Si phase, while the shell is a network of re-structured direct-like H–Si–Si–H molecular emitting phases, with the two connected via back Si–Si tetrahedral bonds, exhibiting a potential barrier, which significantly hinders emission. We carried out first-principles atomistic computations of a 1-nm Si nanoparticle to discern the variabilities. Enlarging the network reduces the potential barrier monotonically to a finite limit not sufficient for strong emission to proceed while inducing a path to quenching of emission via a conical crossing between the excited and ground states. However, enlarging the network is found to induce strain and structural instability, which causes structural relaxation that creates a direct path for emission without crossing the barrier. Following emission, the particle relaxes back to the indirect ground structure, which completes the cycle. The results also confirm the pivotal role of HF/H2O2 etching in synthesizing the core–shells and affording control over the molecular network. Measurements using synchrotron and laboratory UV excitation of thin films of 1-nm Si particles show good agreement with the simulation results. It is plausible that the relaxation is behind the stimulated emission, gain, or microscopic laser action, reported earlier in macroscopic distributions of 1- and 3-nm Si nanoparticles.
Surface chemistry of bovine serum albumin with hematite nanoparticles and its effect on arsenate adsorption
Authors: Eid A. M. , Kraemer Shea , Al-Abadleh Hind A.
Published: September 2021

Environmental context Hematite nanoparticles are efficient adsorbents for proteins and pollutants in environmental and biological systems. Hematite and the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used as models to investigate the surface chemistry and competitive role of BSA in arsenate adsorption. Results show that surface BSA inhibits arsenate adsorption, potentially altering its mobility and bioavailability. Abstract The surface chemistry of metal oxide nanomaterials controls their health impacts and fate in environmental and biological systems. These systems contain proteins capable of binding to nanoparticles, which forms a protein corona that modifies the surface properties of the nanoparticles and reactivity towards pollutants. Using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, we investigate the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and quantify the competitive effect of BSA on the adsorption kinetics of arsenate, AsV, to hematite nanoparticles. Experiments were conducted in the flow mode at pH 7. BSA was first adsorbed on hematite, then AsV was allowed to flow over the BSA/hematite thin film. Adsorption kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated using a modified Langmuir adsorption model for both BSA and AsV. The adsorption thermodynamic model showed that BSA binds through two active sites with a binding energy of –41 kJ mol−1, which corresponds to the spontaneous formation of chemisorbed and physisorbed species. When AsV flowed over the BSA/hematite film, only 11 % of surface BSA was desorbed by AsV. This result highlights the inhibitory effect of BSA for AsV adsorption. Structural analysis of BSA revealed changes to the local conformational geometry upon adsorption to and desorption from hematite nanoparticles. Molecular docking simulations showed that the binding free energy of a modelled hematite nanoparticle towards the BSA surface is –6.8 kcal mol−1 (−28.5 kJ mol−1) owing to the formation of various bonds, which agrees with the adsorption kinetics modelling. Overall, surface BSA inhibits arsenate adsorption and therefore increases its mobility and bioavailability.
“It is in the nation-state that democracy resides”
Authors: Alekseev Alexander
Published: September 2021

This article exploreshowthe concept of democracy is constructed, conveyed, and instrumentalised in the discourses of the populist radical right in the current EU context. The comparative analysis of the speeches of the leaders of two dissimilar PRR parties in government (PolishPrawo i Sprawiedliwość) and in opposition (FrenchRassemblement National) in the run-up to the 2019 European elections using tools of the discourse-historical and discourse-conceptual approaches to CDS highlights the common core of PRR interpretations of democracy, influenced by the shared axiological, institutional, and discursive framework of the EU. It shows that in the EU the PRR constructs the concept of democracy as an ideological complex, by diluting itsessentially populistinterpretation of democracy withliberal democraticelements. Only by advancingnativistandauthoritarianinterpretations of the people, does the PRR bring the concept of democracy in line with its ideological core ofnativism, authoritarianism,andpopulism.
Character degrees in separable groups
Authors: Navarro Gabriel , Rizo Noelia , Sanus Lucía
Published: September 2021

Under some separability conditions, many results on character degrees of finite groups can be unified in a single statement.
Isolation, characterization, and genome assembly of Barnettozyma botsteinii sp. nov. and novel strains of Kurtzmaniella quercitrusa isolated from the intestinal tract of the termite Macrotermes bellicosus
Authors: Arrey Gerard , Li Guangshuo , Murphy Robert , Guimaraes Leandro , Alizadeh Sefa , Poulsen Michael , Regenberg Birgitte
Published: September 2021

Bioconversion of hemicelluloses into simpler sugars leads to the production of a significant amount of pentose sugars, such as d-xylose. However, efficient utilization of pentoses by conventional yeast production strains remains challenging. Wild yeast strains can provide new industrially relevant characteristics and efficiently utilize pentose sugars. To explore this strategy, we isolated gut-residing yeasts from the termite Macrotermes bellicosus collected in Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. The yeasts were classified through their Internal Transcribed Spacer/Large Subunit sequence, and their genomes were sequenced and annotated. We identified a novel yeast species, which we name Barnettozyma botsteinii sp. nov. 1118T (MycoBank: 833563, CBS 16679T and IBT 710) and two new strains of Kurtzmaniella quercitrusa: var. comoensis (CBS 16678, IBT 709) and var. filamentosus (CBS 16680, IBT 711). The two K. quercitrusa strains grow 15% faster on synthetic glucose medium than Saccharomyces cerevisiae CEN.PKT in acidic conditions (pH = 3.2) and both strains grow on d-xylose as the sole carbon source at a rate of 0.35 h−1. At neutral pH, the yeast form of K. quercitrusa var. filamentosus, but not var. comoensis, switched to filamentous growth in a carbon source-dependent manner. Their genomes are 11.0–13.2 Mb in size and contain between 4888 and 5475 predicted genes. Together with closely related species, we did not find any relationship between gene content and ability to grow on xylose. Besides its metabolism, K. quercitrusa var. filamentosus has a large potential as a production organism, because of its capacity to grow at low pH and to undergo a dimorphic shift.
A natural language processing pipeline to synthesize patient-generated notes toward improving remote care and chronic disease management: a cystic fibrosis case study
Authors: Hussain Syed-Amad , Sezgin Emre , Krivchenia Katelyn , Luna John , Rust Steve , Huang Yungui
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Patient-generated health data (PGHD) are important for tracking and monitoring out of clinic health events and supporting shared clinical decisions. Unstructured text as PGHD (eg, medical diary notes and transcriptions) may encapsulate rich information through narratives which can be critical to better understand a patient’s condition. We propose a natural language processing (NLP) supported data synthesis pipeline for unstructured PGHD, focusing on children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN), and demonstrate it with a case study on cystic fibrosis (CF).

Materials and Methods

The proposed unstructured data synthesis and information extraction pipeline extract a broad range of health information by combining rule-based approaches with pretrained deep-learning models. Particularly, we build upon the scispaCy biomedical model suite, leveraging its named entity recognition capabilities to identify and link clinically relevant entities to established ontologies such as Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) and RXNORM. We then use scispaCy’s syntax (grammar) parsing tools to retrieve phrases associated with the entities in medication, dose, therapies, symptoms, bowel movements, and nutrition ontological categories. The pipeline is illustrated and tested with simulated CF patient notes.

Results

The proposed hybrid deep-learning rule-based approach can operate over a variety of natural language note types and allow customization for a given patient or cohort. Viable information was successfully extracted from simulated CF notes. This hybrid pipeline is robust to misspellings and varied word representations and can be tailored to accommodate the needs of a specific patient, cohort, or clinician.

Discussion

The NLP pipeline can extract predefined or ontology-based entities from free-text PGHD, aiming to facilitate remote care and improve chronic disease management. Our implementation makes use of open source models, allowing for this solution to be easily replicated and integrated in different health systems. Outside of the clinic, the use of the NLP pipeline may increase the amount of clinical data recorded by families of CSHCN and ease the process to identify health events from the notes. Similarly, care coordinators, nurses and clinicians would be able to track adherence with medications, identify symptoms, and effectively intervene to improve clinical care. Furthermore, visualization tools can be applied to digest the structured data produced by the pipeline in support of the decision-making process for a patient, caregiver, or provider.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that an NLP pipeline can be used to create an automated analysis and reporting mechanism for unstructured PGHD. Further studies are suggested with real-world data to assess pipeline performance and further implications.
Calliphoridae (Diptera) on Decomposing Pig Carcasses and Human Cadavers in the Upper Midwest of North America
Authors: Hildebrand Correy S , Cervenka Valerie J , Moon Roger D , Thomson Robin E
Published: September 2021

The geographic ranges of forensically informative taxa on decomposing remains vary across regions. To determine which calliphorid flies would be expected to occur in Minnesota and the upper Midwest, individual freshly killed pig carcasses (Sus scrofa L.) were placed in the field in St. Paul, MN, at monthly intervals from May to October 2017 and May to September 2018. Aerial nets, forceps, and pitfall traps were used to collect and preserve associated adult and immature insects. Sixty-four forensically informative insect taxa were recorded, representing three insect orders and 14 families. Ten informative calliphorid species were recorded on carcasses, adding four new Minnesota records. Comparison of species lists from 26 human forensic cases indicated agreement between the two lists, except for Lucilia coeruleiviridis Macquart, Calliphora vomitoria (L.), and Cynomya cadaverina Robineau-Desvoidy, which occurred on pig carcasses but not human remains, and Calliphora livida Hall, which occurred on human remains, but not carcasses. The composite fauna list from cadavers agreed largely with the 2-yr list from pig carcasses.
Expanding Family Forest Owner Options to Keep Their Land in Forest Use
Authors: Catanzaro Paul , Markowski-Lindsay Marla
Published: September 2021

Family forest owners (FFOs) own the majority of US forests and 47% of forests in the Northeast. Over 90% of northeastern FFOs want their land to stay wooded. Maintaining forest-based ecosystem services necessitates finding ways to help FFOs achieve goals for keeping their land undeveloped. Conservation easements (CEs) prohibit residential and commercial development, typically in perpetuity, but are currently underused. Understanding what drives CE interest may help maximize their potential as a conservation tool. We explored northeastern FFOs’ likelihood of CE adoption through contingent behavior responses to permanent and temporary CE scenarios. For each commitment length, we tested a range of financial compensation amounts and FFO characteristics. Increased financial compensation did not increase CE adoption likelihood for either commitment length, whereas attitudinal variables strongly influenced intention for both. Respondents did not appear to prefer temporary to permanent easements but were equally likely to consider adoption, suggesting that providing both tools may be in order. Providing FFOs with more options to keep their land in forest use, especially when there is currently high interest in this goal but low participation, has the potential to attract new and different segments of FFOs, thereby sustaining the essential ecosystem services derived from forests.
Xylazine Spreads Across the US: A Growing Component of the Increasingly Synthetic and Polysubstance Overdose Crisis
Authors: Friedman Joseph , Castillo Fernando Montero , Bourgois Phillippe , Wahbi Rafik , Dye Daniel , Goodman David , Shover Chelsea
Published: September 2021

Background

Recent sharp exacerbations of the US overdose crisis have been linked to systemic polysubstance use and potent synthetic compounds in numerous drug classes. Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer, long noted in the opioid supply of Puerto Rico, and more recently Philadelphia. Yet its national growth over time, geographic distribution, and potential role in the shifting US overdose risk environment are poorly characterized.

Methods

In this sequential mixed methods study, xylazine was increasingly observed by our ethnographic team over many years of intensive participant observation fieldwork in Philadelphia among drug sellers and people who inject drugs (PWID). Subsequently, we systematically searched for records describing xylazine-involved overdose mortality across the US and assessed time trends and overlap with other drugs.

Results

In 10 jurisdictions—representing all 4 US Census Regions—xylazine was found to be increasingly implicated in overdose mortality, rising from 0.36% of deaths in 2015 to 6.7% in 2020. The highest xylazine prevalence in the recent data was observed in Philadelphia, (25.8% of deaths), followed by Maryland (19.3%) and Connecticut (10.2%). Illicitly-manufactured-fentanyls were present in 98.4% of xylazine-involved-overdose-deaths— suggesting a strong ecological link—as well as cocaine (45.4%), benzodiazepines (28.4%), heroin (23.3%), and alcohol (19.7%). PWID in Philadelphia described xylazine as a sought-after adulterant that improves euphoria and lengthens the short duration of fentanyl injections, in particular. They also linked it to increased risk of soft tissue infection and overdose.

Conclusions

We summarize evidence that xylazine is increasingly implicated in overdose deaths across the US and is linked to the proliferation of illicitly-manufactured-fentanyls. We document hypothesis-generating ethnographic accounts linking it to health risks for PWID. Nevertheless, many jurisdictions do not routinely test for xylazine, and it is not tracked in federal overdose statistics. Further efforts are needed to provide PWID with services that can help to minimize additional risks associated with a shifting drug supply.
Oral, similar to intranasal, administration of oxytocin decreases top-down social attention
Authors: Zhuang Qian , Zheng Xiaoxiao , Yao Shuxia , Zhao Weihua , Becker Benjamin , Xu Xiaolei , Kendrick Keith M.
Published: September 2021

The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) modulates social cognition by increasing attention towards social cues and may have therapeutic potential for impaired social attention in disorders such as autism. Intranasal administration of OXT is widely used to examine its functional effects in both adults and children and is assumed to enter the brain directly via this route. However, OXT can also influence brain function via increased blood concentrations and we have recently shown that orally (lingual) administered OXT also modulates neural responses to emotional faces and may be better tolerated for therapeutic use. Here, we examined if 24IU OXT administered orally can facilitate social attention. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, pharmacological study we used a validated emotional anti-saccade eye-tracking paradigm to explore effects of oral OXT on bottom-up and top-down attention processing in 80 healthy male subjects. Our findings showed in terms of top-down attention, oral OXT increased errors for both social (angry, fearful, happy, sad and neutral emotion faces) and non-social stimuli (oval shapes) in the anti-saccade condition but only increased response latencies in the social condition. It also significantly reduced post-task state anxiety but this was not correlated with task performance. Comparison with our previous intranasal OXT study using the same task revealed both routes have a similar effect on increasing anti-saccade errors and response latencies and reducing state anxiety. Overall, findings suggest that oral administration of OXT produces similar effects on top-down social attention control and anxiety as intranasal administration and may therefore have therapeutic utility.
rsRNASP: A residue-separation-based statistical potential for RNA 3D structure evaluation
Authors: Tan Ya-Lan , Wang Xunxun , Shi Ya-Zhou , Zhang Wenbing , Tan Zhi-Jie
Published: September 2021

Knowledge-based statistical potentials have been shown to be rather effective in protein 3-dimensional (3D) structure evaluation and prediction. Recently, several statistical potentials have been developed for RNA 3D structure evaluation, while their performances are either still at low level for the test datasets from structure prediction models or dependent on the “black-box” process through neural networks. In this work, we have developed an all-atom distance-dependent statistical potential based on residue separation for RNA 3D structure evaluation, namely rsRNASP, which is composed of short- and long-ranged potentials distinguished by residue separation. The extensive examinations against available RNA test datasets show that, rsRNASP has apparently higher performance than the existing statistical potentials for the realistic test datasets with large RNAs from structure prediction models including the newly released RNA-Puzzles dataset, and is comparable to the existing top statistical potentials for the test datasets with small RNAs or near-native decoys. Additionally, rsRNASP is also superior to RNA3DCNN, a recently developed scoring function through 3D convolutional neural networks. rsRNASP and the relevant databases are available at website https://github.com/Tan-group/rsRNASP.

SIGNIFICANCE

RNAs play crucial roles in catalyzing biochemical reactions and regulating gene expression, and the biological functions of RNAs are generally coupled to their structures. Complementary to experiments, developing computational models to predict RNA 3D structures can be very helpful for understanding RNA biology functions. For a computational model, a reliable energy function is essentially important either for guiding conformational folding or for structure evaluation. For this purpose, we developed a residue-separation-based distance-dependent statistical potential, named rsRNASP which distinguishes the short- and long-ranged interactions, for RNA 3D structure evaluation. Our rsRNASP were examined against extensive test sets and shows overall superior performance over existing top traditional statistical potentials and a recently developed scoring function through 3D convolutional neural networks, especially for realistic test set from various computational structure prediction models.
Functional components of a community of practice to improve community health worker performance: A qualitative study
Authors: Hennein Rachel , Ggita Joseph M. , Turimumahoro Patricia , Ochom Emmanuel , Gupta Amanda J. , Katamba Achilles , Armstrong-Hough Mari , Davis J. Lucian
Published: September 2021

Background

Communities of Practice (CoPs) are a low-cost strategy for health workers to share and create knowledge through social interactions to improve the delivery of high-quality care. However, there remain critical gaps in understanding the behavioral mechanisms through which CoPs can facilitate community health worker’s (CHWs) performance. Therefore, we carried out a qualitative study of a CoP to identify the behavior change techniques (BCTs) and intervention functions that improved CHWs’ performance.

Methods

We organized CHWs from two tuberculosis (TB) clinics in Kampala, Uganda into a CoP from February to August 2018. We conducted interviews with CoP members to understand their perceptions of how the CoP influenced delivery of TB contact investigation. Using an abductive approach, we first applied inductive codes characterizing CHWs’ perceptions of how the CoP activities affected their delivery of contact investigation. We then systematically mapped these codes into their functional categories using the BCT Taxonomy and Behavior Change Wheel framework. We triangulated all interview findings with detailed field notes.

Results

All eight members of the CoP agreed to participate in the interviews. CHWs identified five CoP activities as improving the quality of their work: (1) individual review of feedback reports, (2) collaborative improvement meetings, (3) real-time communications among members, (4) didactic education sessions, and (5) clinic-wide staff meetings. These activities represented nine different BCTs and five distinct intervention functions. Taken together, CoP meetings enabled members to foster social support, problem solving, and knowledge sharing. The CoP enabled CHWs to identify barriers they face in the field and develop solutions. The CoP was motivating, strengthened their social and professional identities within and outside of the group, and improved their self-efficacy.

Conclusions

We identified several behavioral mechanisms through which CoPs may improve CHW performance. Future studies should evaluate the importance of these mechanisms in mediating the effects of CoPs on program effectiveness.
Impact of vaccine hesitancy on secondary COVID-19 outbreaks in the US
Authors: de Miguel Arribas Alfonso , Aleta Alberto , Moreno Yamir
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 outbreak has become the worst pandemic in at least a century. To fight this disease, a global effort led to the development of several vaccines at an unprecedented rate. There have been, however, several logistic issues with its deployment, from their production and transport, to the hesitancy of the population to be vaccinated. For different reasons, an important amount of individuals is reluctant to get the vaccine, something that hinders our ability to control and - eventually - eradicate the disease. In this work, we analyze the impact that this hesitancy might have in a context in which a more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern spreads through a partially vaccinated population. We use age-stratified data from surveys on vaccination acceptance, together with age-contact matrices to inform an age-structured SIR model set in the US. Our results clearly show that higher vaccine hesitancy ratios led to larger outbreaks. A closer inspection of the stratified infection rates also reveals the important role played by the youngest groups. Our results could shed some light on the role that hesitancy will play in the near future and inform policy-makers and the general public of the importance of reducing it.
Molecular network analyses implicate death-associated protein kinase 3 (DAPK3) as a key factor in colitis-associated dysplasia progression
Authors: Chen Huey-Miin , MacDonald Justin A.
Published: September 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a progressive disorder that elevates the risk of cancer development through a colitis-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence. Differential gene expression (DEGs) profiles of three UC clinical subtypes and healthy controls were developed for the GSE47908 microarray dataset [n = 15 (healthy controls), n = 20 (left-sided colitis), n = 19 (pancolitis), and n = 6 (colitis-associated dysplasia, CAD)] using limma R. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed a shift in transcriptome landscape as UC progressed from left-sided colitis to pancolitis to CAD, from being immune-centric to being cytoskeleton-dependent. Hippo signaling (via Yes-associated protein, YAP) and Ephrin receptor signaling were the top canonical pathways progressively altered in concert with the pathogenic progression of UC. Molecular interaction network analysis of DEGs in left-sided colitis, pancolitis, and CAD revealed one pairwise line or edge that was topologically important to the network structure. This edge was found to be highly enriched in actin-based processes, and death-associated protein kinase 3 (DAPK3) was a critical member and sole protein kinase associated with this edge. DAPK3 is a regulator of actin-cytoskeleton reorganization that controls proliferation and apoptosis. Differential correlation analyses revealed a negative correlation for DAPK3-YAP in healthy controls which flipped to positive in left-sided colitis. With UC progression to CAD, the DAPK3-YAP correlation grew progressively more positive. In summary, DAPK3 was identified as a candidate gene involved in UC progression to dysplasia.
Who is at risk of poor mental health following COVID-19 outpatient management?
Authors: Hüfner Katharina , Tymoszuk Piotr , Ausserhofer Dietmar , Sahanic Sabina , Pizzini Alex , Rass Verena , Galffy Matyas , Böhm Anna , Kurz Katharina , Sonnweber Thomas , Tancevski Ivan , Kiechl Stefan , Huber Andreas , Plagg Barbara , Wiedermann Christian , Bellmann-Weiler Rosa , Bachler Herbert , Weiss Günter , Piccoliori Giuliano , Helbok Raimund , Löffler-Ragg Judith , Sperner-Unterweger Barbara
Published: September 2021

Background

COVID-19 convalescents are at risk of developing a de novo mental health disorder or of worsening of a pre-existing one. The objectives of our study was to phenotype individuals at highest risk of mental health disorders among COVID-19 outpatients.

Methods

We conducted a binational online survey study with adult non-hospitalized COVID-19 convalescents (Austria/AT: n=1157, Italy/IT: n= 893). Primary endpoints were positive screening for depression and anxiety (PHQ-4, Patient Health Questionnaire) and self-perceived overall mental health and quality of life rated with 4 point Likert scales. Psychosocial stress was surveyed with a modified PHQ stress module. Associations of the mental health with socio-demographic variables, COVID-19 course and recovery data were assessed by multi-parameter random forest and serial univariable modeling. Mental disorder risk subsets were defined by self-organizing map and hierarchical clustering algorithms. The survey analyses are publicly available (https://im2-ibk.shinyapps.io/mental_health_dashboard/).

Results

In the study cohorts, 4.6 (IT)/6% (AT) of participants reported depression and/or anxiety before to infection. At a median of 79 days (AT)/96 days (IT) post COVID-19 onset, 12.4 (AT)/19.3% (IT) of subjects were screened positive for anxiety and 17.3 (AT)/23.2% (IT) for depression. Over one-fifth of the respondents rated their overall mental health (AT: 21.8%, IT: 24.1%) or quality of life (AT: 20.3%, IT: 25.9%) as fair or poor. In both study collectives, psychosocial stress, high numbers of acute and persistent COVID-19 complaints and the presence of acute neurocognitive symptoms (impaired concentration, confusion, forgetfulness) were the strongest correlates of deteriorating mental health and poor quality of life. In clustering analysis, these variables defined a ‘high risk’ subset with particularly high propensity of post-COVID-19 mental health impairment and decreased quality of life. Pre-existing depression or anxiety was associated with an increased symptom burden during acute COVID-19 and recovery.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a bidirectional relationship between COVID-19 symptoms and mental health. We put forward specific acute symptoms of the disease as ‘red flags’ of mental health deterioration which should prompt general practitioners to identify COVID-19 patients who may benefit from early psychological and psychiatric intervention.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04661462.
Preliminary Report of Academic CAR-T (ISIKOK-19) Cell Clinical Trial in Turkey: Characterization of Product and Outcomes of Clinical Application
Authors: Erdogan Ebru , Yalcin Koray , Hemsinlioglu Cansu , Sezgin Aslihan , Seyis Utku , Kancagi Derya Dilek , Tastan Cihan , Yurtsever Bulut , Turan Raife Dilek , Cakirsoy Didem , Abanuz Selen , Karakus Gozde Sir , Elek Muhammer , Bekoz Huseyin Saffet , Gemici Ali İhsan , Sargin Deniz , Arat Mutlu , Ferhanoglu Burhan , Pekguc Ebru , Ornek Serdar , Buyuktas Deram , Birgen Nur , Ratip Siret , Ovali Ercument
Published: September 2021

Objective

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies already made an impact on the treatment of B cell malignancies. Although CAR-T cell therapies are promising, there are concerns with commercial products regarding their affordability and sustainability. In this preliminary study, results of the first productional and clinical data of academic CAR-T cell (ISIKOK-19) from Turkey are presented.

Materials and Methods

A pilot clinical trial (NCT04206943) designed to assess the safety and feasibility of ISIKOK-19 T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed and refractory CD19+ tumors was conducted and participating patients received ISIKOK-19 infusions between October 2019 and July 2021. Production data of the first 8 patients and the clinical outcome of 7 patients who received ISIKOK-19 cell infusion is presented in this study.

Results

Nine patients were enrolled for the trial (ALL n=5 and NHL n=4) but only 7 patients could receive the treatment. Two out of three ALL patients and three out of four NHL patients had complete/partial response (ORR 72%). Four patients (57%) had CAR-T-related toxicities (CRS, CRES, and pancytopenia). Two patients were unresponsive and had progressive disease following CAR-T therapy. Two patients with partial response had progressive disease during follow-up.

Conclusion

Production efficacy and fulfilling the criteria of quality control were satisfactory for academic production. Response rates and toxicity profiles are acceptable for this heavily pretreated/refractory patient group. ISIKOK-19 cells appear to be a safe, economical, and efficient treatment option for CD19 positive tumors. The findings of this study need to be supported by the currently ongoing clinical trial of ISIKOK-19.
Lactoferricins access the cytosol of Escherichia coli within few seconds
Authors: Semeraro Enrico F. , Marx Lisa , Mandl Johannes , Letofsky-Papst Ilse , Mayrhofer Claudia , Frewein Moritz P. K. , Scott Haden L. , Prévost Sylvain , Bergler Helmut , Lohner Karl , Pabst Georg
Published: September 2021

We report the real-time response of E. coli to lactoferricin-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on length-scales bridging microscopic cell-sizes to nanoscopic lipid packing using millisecond time-resolved synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering. Coupling a multi-scale scattering data analysis to biophysical assays for peptide partitioning revealed that the AMPs rapidly saturate the bacterial envelope and reach the cytosol within less than three seconds—much faster than previously considered. Final cytosolic AMP concentrations of ~ 100 mM suggest an efficient shut-down of metabolism as primary cause for bacterial killing. On the other hand, the damage of the cell envelope is a collateral effect of AMP activity that does not kill the bacteria. This implies that the impairment of the membrane barrier is a necessary but not sufficient condition for microbial killing by lactoferricins. The most efficient AMP studied exceeds others in both speed of reaching cytoplasm and lowest cytosolic peptide concentration.