bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observational bias within a hospital-wide hand hygiene program
Authors: Badwaik Amy E. , Tucker Robert P. , Leung Peggy , Klompas Michael
Published: September 2021

We assessed the extent to which healthcare workers report more favorable hand hygiene rates when observing members of their own professional group versus other groups’ observations of them. Healthcare workers consistently reported higher compliance rates for their own group compared to others’ observations of them (97 vs 92%; P ≤ .001).
A unified model for transient subglacial water pressure and basal sliding
Authors: Tsai Victor C. , Smith Laurence C. , Gardner Alex S. , Seroussi Helene
Published: September 2021

Changes in water pressure at the beds of glaciers greatly modify their sliding rate, affecting rates of ice mass loss and sea level change. However, there is still no agreement about the physics of subglacial sliding or how water affects it. Here, we present a new simplified physical model for the effect of transient subglacial hydrology on basal ice velocity. This model assumes that a fraction of the glacier bed is connected by an active hydrologic system that, when averaged over an appropriate scale, is governed by two parameters with limited spatial variability. The sliding model is reminiscent of Budd's empirical sliding law but with fundamental differences including a dependence on the fractional area of the active hydrologic system. With periodic surface meltwater forcing, the model displays classic diffusion-wave behavior, with a downstream time lag and decay of subglacial water pressure perturbations. Testing the model against Greenland observations suggests that, despite its simplicity, it captures key features of observed proglacial discharges and ice velocities with reasonable physical parameter values. Given these encouraging findings, including this sliding model in predictive ice-sheet models may improve their ability to predict time-evolving velocities and associated sea level change and reduce the related uncertainties.
A restitution method to reconstruct the 2001–13 surface evolution of Hurd Glacier, Livingston Island, Antarctica, using surface mass balance data
Authors: Mensah Darlington , Lapazaran Javier J. , Otero Jaime , Recio-Blitz Cayetana
Published: September 2021

The surface restitution method we present reconstructs the evolution of a glacier surface between two time-separated surface topographies using seasonal surface mass balance (SMB) data. A conservative and systematic error analysis is included, based on the availability of surface elevation measurements within the period. The method is applied from 2001 to 2013 at Hurd Glacier (a 4 km2 glacier), where we have sufficient SMB and elevation data. We estimate surface elevation changes in two steps: (1) elevation change due to SMB and (2) elevation change due to glacier dynamics. Four different models of the method are compared depending on whether or not accumulation is memorised at each time step and whether they employ balance profiles or SMB maps. Models are validated by comparing a set of surface measurements retrieved in 2007 with the corresponding restituted elevations. Although surface elevation change between 2001 and 2007 was larger than 10 m, more than 80% of the points restituted by the four models showed errors below ±1 m compared to only 33% when predicted by a linear interpolator. As error estimates between models differ by 0.10 m, we recommend the simplest model, which does not memorise accumulation and interpolates SMB by elevation profiles.
Yoga instructions in Polish and Russian as directive speech acts: a cognitive linguistic perspective
Authors: GÓRALCZYK IWONA , ŁOZIŃSKA JOANNA
Published: September 2021

abstract

This paper offers an account of within- and between-language differences in the grammatical encoding of directive meaning as represented in yoga discourse in two cognate languages: Polish and Russian. Specifically, the focus is put on three constructions: the imperative and the imperfective non-past indicative in both languages, and the indicative past, which is utilised only in Russian. In the analysis, we make an eclectic selection of methodological tools, drawing on a few models of illocution which have been put forward within Cognitive Linguistics. As is shown, even if yoga instructions are generally assessed as relatively weak directives, there are fine-grained differences in some aspects of construal evoked by the examined constructions resulting in differences in the force impact among the respective patterns and in their distribution. In the analysis, we consider such aspects of construal as: (i) the actuality or virtuality of the event presented in the utterance; (ii) the presence or absence of the speaker in the onstage region; and (iii) the aspectual opposition between an ongoing or completed event. The analysis, which is both qualitative and quantitative, has been based on a corpus of 300 randomly selected instructions in each language (600 in total).
This One’s for the Boys: How Gendered Political Socialization Limits Girls’ Political Ambition and Interest
Authors: BOS ANGELA L. , GREENLEE JILL S. , HOLMAN MIRYA R. , OXLEY ZOE M. , LAY J. CELESTE
Published: September 2021

This article develops and tests a new theoretical framework, gendered political socialization, which offers important insights into how children perceive gender in politics and the consequences of these perceptions on sex differences in political interest and ambition. Based on data from 1,604 children who live in four different regions across the United States, we find that children not only perceive politics to be a male-dominated space, but with age, girls increasingly see political leadership as a “man’s world.” Simultaneously, as children grow older, they internalize gendered expectations, which direct their interests toward professions that embody the gendered traits that fit with their own sex. One result of this mismatch between women and politics is that girls express lower levels of interest and ambition in politics than do boys.
Laughter in early China: The Zhuangzi and beyond
Authors: Yuan Ai
Published: September 2021

Traditionally, in both East and West, laughter, and in particular its causes, have been studied under the category of humour. However, ideas on and practices of laughter itself have been largely ignored. This paper intends to lead readers beyond the topic of humour and focus on the act of laughter in the Zhuangzi as a starting point for the study of laughter in early China. It examines frequently ignored areas, such as how laughter draws readers into the text; how it functions to exclude people with different social value judgements; how it is used as a tool to challenge political power; how it serves rhetorical functions as a means to construct a conversation among people of different social or political status; and how it is used as an important signal and marker for a change of perspective. By examining questions such as: “What are the types of laughter?”, “What are the functions of laughter?”, and “How does laughter operate in different situations, and between different persons?” we can see a new idea of laughter in the Zhuangzi with multi-layered philosophical significance. Using the Zhuangzi as a case study, we can envision a series of well-crafted, intentional practices of laughter for various purposes throughout early Chinese texts.
On-board cable attitude measurement and controller for outdoor aerial transportation
Authors: Prajapati Pratik , Parekh Sagar , Vashista Vineet
Published: September 2021

Deploying quadcopters for aerial transportation can be cost effective in impromptu material handling applications. However, such applications are limited mainly due to the requirement of onboard localization sensors and associated computation. The current work presents a human-controlled modality to successfully execute spontaneous outdoor flight of a quadcopter with a cable-suspended payload. Stable and smooth flights are achieved through an onboard integration of a custom-built sensor system and a controller to minimize payload oscillations. The feasibility of the proposed modality is demonstrated by conducting outdoor experiments and a case study in an unstructured environment.
The characteristics of and responses to the two COVID-19 outbreak waves in Hebei Province of China, January 2020 to February 2021
Authors: Cheng Xiaomin , Li Yifan , Zhang Yali , Lu Jiahai
Published: September 2021

Hebei Province was affected by two coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak waves during the period 22 January 2020 through 27 February 2020 (wave 1) and 2 January 2021 through 14 February 2021 (wave 2). To evaluate and compare the epidemiological characteristics, containment delay, cluster events and social activity, as well as non-pharmaceutical interventions of the two COVID-19 outbreak waves, we examined real-time update information on all COVID-19-confirmed cases from a publicly available database. Wave 1 was closely linked with the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, whereas wave 2 was triggered, to a certain extent, by the increasing social activities such as weddings, multi-household gatherings and church events during the slack agricultural period. In wave 2, the epidemic spread undetected in the rural areas, and people living in the rural areas had a higher incidence rate than those living in the urban areas (5.3 vs. 22.0 per 1 000 000). Furthermore, Rt was greater than 1 in the early stage of the two outbreak waves, and decreased substantially after massive non-pharmaceutical interventions were implemented. In China's ‘new-normal’ situation, development of targeted and effective intervention remains key for COVID-19 control in consideration of the potential threat of new coronavirus strains.
Evaluating animal models comprising direct and maternal effects associated with growth rates and the Kleiber ratio in Harnali sheep
Authors: Chauhan Ashish , Dahiya S.P. , Magotra Ankit , Bangar Yogesh C.
Published: September 2021

The present work evaluated animal models comprising direct and maternal effects to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters of growth rates and Kleiber ratio in Harnali sheep. The information on pedigree and targeted traits of 1862 lambs born to 144 sires and 591 dams was collected for the period from 1998 to 2018. The traits studied were average daily gain from birth to 3 months of age (ADG1), 3 months to 6 months of age (ADG2), and 6 months to 12 months of age (ADG3) and their corresponding Kleiber ratios as KR1, KR2 and KR3, respectively. The statistical methods included the general linear model for analyzing the effects of fixed factors and animal models for deriving variance components for targeted traits. According to best model evaluated on the basis of likelihood ratio test, the estimated direct heritability was low in magnitude and ranged from 0.04 to 0.14. Direct heritability estimates for ADG1, ADG2, ADG3, KR1, KR2 and KR3 were 0.06, 0.14, 0.05, 0.04, 0.11 and 0.05, respectively. The maternal genetic effects contributed (4–7%) significantly for ADG1, KR1 and KR2 traits. The genetic correlations ranged from −0.35 ± 0.11 (ADG1-KR2) to 0.98 ± 0.01 (ADG2-KR2 and ADG3-KR3) and phenotypic correlations ranged from −0.36 ± 0.02 to 0.98 ± 0.01 for ADG1-KR2 and ADG2-KR2, respectively. The significant maternal effects along with low levels of direct effects for average daily gain and Kleiber ratio at different age group should be considered while setting selection and managerial strategies to achieve anticipated growth rates in Harnali sheep.
Estimation of genetic parameters for early reproduction traits in Beetal goat
Authors: Bangar Yogesh C. , Magotra Ankit , Yadav A.S. , Chauhan Ashish
Published: September 2021

The evaluation of early reproduction traits in Beetal goat was performed for possible effects of genetic and non-genetic factors on litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter weight at birth (LWB), litter weight at weaning (LWW) and age at first kidding (AFK). The data records consisted of information of pedigree and targeted traits pertained to 223 does born to 25 sires and 122 dams between the years 2004 to 2019. A general linear model was used for assessment of non-genetic factors such as period of birth, type of birth and dam’s weight at kidding on studied traits. Genetic evaluation of targeted traits was done to estimate variance components and genetic parameters under dyadic mixed modelling. The estimates of least-square means for LSB, LSW, LWB, LWW and AFK were observed as 1.27 ± 0.03, 1.25 ± 0.03, 3.24 ± 0.07 kg, 13.08 ± 0.30 kg and 27.56 ± 0.58 months, respectively. Only the period of birth showed significant (P < 0.05) effects for targeted traits in this study. The estimates of direct heritability for LSB, LSW, LWB, LWW and AFK were low in magnitude as 0.08, 0.03, 0.10, 0.03 and 0.06, respectively. The moderate to high genetic and phenotypic correlations among litter traits indicate simultaneous improvement for these traits. It was concluded that low ranged direct heritability estimates for targeted traits indicated modest scope for genetic improvement of reproductive efficiency in Beetal goat through selection and, therefore, adoption of improved managerial practices is necessary to improve reproductive efficiency of Beetal goat.
Alpha-blockade during congenital heart surgery admissions: analysis from national database
Authors: Lee Brian , Villarreal Enrique G. , Mossad Emad B. , Rausa Jacqueline , Bronicki Ronald A. , Flores Saul , Loomba Rohit S.
Published: September 2021

Introduction:

The effects of alpha-blockade on haemodynamics during and following congenital heart surgery are well documented, but data on patient outcomes, mortality, and hospital charges are limited. The purpose of this study was to characterise the use of alpha-blockade during congenital heart surgery admissions and to determine its association with common clinical outcomes.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Pediatric Health Information System database. De-identified data for patients under 18 years of age with a cardiac diagnosis who underwent congenital heart surgery were obtained from 2004 to 2015. Patients were subdivided on the basis of receiving alpha-blockade with either phenoxybenzamine or phentolamine during admission or not. Continuous and categorical variables were analysed using Mann−Whitney U-tests and Fisher exact tests, respectively. Characteristics between subgroups were compared using univariate analysis. Regression analyses were conducted to determine the impact of alpha-blockade on ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, billed charges, and mortality.

Results:

Of the 81,313 admissions, 4309 (5.3%) utilised alpha-blockade. Phentolamine was utilised in 4290 admissions. In univariate analysis, ICU length of stay, total length of stay, inpatient mortality, and billed charges were all significantly higher in the alpha-blockade admissions. However, regression analyses demonstrated that other factors were behind these increased. Alpha-blockade was significantly, independently associated with a 1.5 days reduction in ICU length of stay (p < 0.01) and a 3.5 days reduction in total length of stay (p < 0.01). Alpha-blockade was significantly, independently associated with a reduction in mortality (odds ratio 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.7−0.9). Alpha-blockade was not independently associated with any significant change in billed charges.

Conclusions:

Alpha-blockade is used in a subset of paediatric cardiac surgeries and is independently associated with significant reductions in ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, and mortality without significantly altering billed charges.
When Wild Weather Blew Old Sea Ice South
Authors: Chapman Andrew
Published: September 2021

Last winter, an unprecedented high-pressure system over the Arctic drove nearly a quarter of old sea ice into warmer waters, putting it at greater risk of melting.
Ambient Measurements of Heterogeneous Ozone Oxidation Rates of Oleic, Elaidic, and Linoleic Acid Using a Relative Rate Constant Approach in an Urban Environment
Authors: Wang Qiongqiong , Yu Jian Zhen
Published: September 2021

Long‐chain unsaturated fatty acids (uFAs), such as oleic acid, undergo rapid degradation via heterogeneous reactions with atmospheric oxidants upon emission. The oxidation mechanism and kinetics have been extensively studied in laboratory experiments. However, quantitative knowledge of degradation rates under real‐world atmospheric conditions is scarce. We obtained the nighttime decay rates of three cooking‐related uFAs using a relative rate approach applied to bihourly measured data in urban Shanghai. The estimated lifetime of oleic acid was 6 h under conditions of ∼12 ppb ozone and 60%–100% relative humidity encountered at our urban location or an inferred ∼2 h at a higher ozone level of ∼40 ppb. The decay rates of elaidic and linoleic acid are determined to be 0.62 and 1.37 that of oleic acid, respectively. This work provides the first kinetic data pertaining to real‐world conditions. They are valuable for constraining the modeling of heterogeneous aging of ambient organic aerosols.
From Interseismic Deformation With Near‐Repeating Earthquakes to Co‐Seismic Rupture: A Unified View of the 2020 Mw6.8 Sivrice (Elazığ) Eastern Turkey Earthquake
Authors: Konca A. Özgün , Karabulut Hayrullah , Güvercin Sezim Ezgi , Eskiköy Figen , Özarpacı Seda , Özdemir Alpay , Floyd Michael , Ergintav Semih , Doğan Uğur
Published: September 2021

The East Anatolian Fault (EAF) is a left‐lateral transform fault accommodating the relative motion between the Anatolian and Arabian plates. On January 24, 2020, Mw6.8 Sivrice (Elazığ) earthquake is the largest event that occurred along the EAF since the nineteenth century. The earthquake provides a unique opportunity to capture a critical stage of the seismic cycle from the interseismic deformation to co‐seismic rupture. In this study, we examine the relationship between the interseismic fault activity and co‐seismic behavior of the earthquake. A kinematic model of the earthquake obtained from strong‐motion, GNSS and teleseismic waveforms along with static displacements from GNSS and InSAR data shows that the mainshock ruptured only 45 km of the 95 km long Sivrice‐Pütürge segment. Rupture initiated adjacent to the interseismically weakly coupled northeastern section and propagated unilaterally toward southwest with a rupture velocity of ∼2.5 km/s, stopping ∼30 km before the southwestern segment boundary. The earthquake did not generate any surface offsets. We identified 4 long‐term near‐repeating earthquake clusters beneath the highest co‐seismic slip zone adjacent to the northeastern creeping section. The mainshock was dynamically triggered by a M ∼ 5.4 foreshock located within the zone of near‐repeating earthquakes. We suggest that creep along the weakly coupled section of the fault loaded the neighboring locked section leading to the repeating earthquakes below the locked zone. The earthquake partially ruptured a fault segment characterized by high rate of diffuse seismicity, structural complexities and heterogeneous coupling, leading to a source characterized by a complex source time function with relatively slow rupture velocity.
Low‐Frequency Seismic Properties of Olivine‐Orthopyroxene Mixtures
Authors: Qu Tongzhang , Jackson Ian , Faul Ulrich H.
Published: September 2021

Although the seismic properties of polycrystalline olivine have been the subject of systematic and comprehensive study at seismic frequencies, the role of orthopyroxene as the major secondary phase in the shallow parts of the Earth's upper mantle has so far received little attention. Accordingly, we have newly prepared three synthetic melt‐free polycrystalline specimens containing different proportions of olivine (Ol, Fo90) and orthopyroxene (Px, En90) by hot pressing precursor powders produced with the solution‐gelation method at 1,200°C and 300 MPa. The resulting specimens (of Ol95Px5, Ol70Px30, and Ol5Px95 phase proportions) were mechanically tested by torsional forced‐oscillation from 1,300 or 1,200–400°C during staged cooling under a confining pressure of 200 MPa. Within the observational window (1–1,000 s), the shear modulus and dissipation vary monotonically with period and temperature for each of the tested specimens. There is no evidence of the superimposed high‐temperature dissipation peak reported by Sundberg and Cooper (2010, https://doi.org/10.1080/14786431003746656) for an Ol60Px40 specimen derived from natural precursor material and containing ∼1.5% melt. The forced‐oscillation data for each specimen are well‐described by a model based on an extended Burgers‐type creep function. The findings suggest that an olivine‐based model for high‐temperature viscoelasticity in upper mantle olivine requires only modest adjustment of the unrelaxed shear modulus to accommodate the role of orthopyroxene.
Solar Origins of August 26, 2018 Geomagnetic Storm: Responses of the Interplanetary Medium and Equatorial/Low‐Latitude Ionosphere to the Storm
Authors: Akala A. O. , Oyedokun O. J. , Amaechi P. O. , Simi K. G. , Ogwala A. , Arowolo O. A.
Published: September 2021

This study investigates the solar origins of August 26, 2018 geomagnetic storm and the responses of the interplanetary medium and equatorial/low‐latitude ionosphere to it. We used a multiinstrument approach, with observations right from the solar surface to the Earth. Our results showed that the G3 geomagnetic storm of August 26, 2018 was initiated by a solar filament eruption of August 20, 2018. The storm was driven by an aggregation of weak Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) transients and Corotating Interaction Regions/High Speed Streams (CIR/HSSs). The solar wind energy which got transferred into the magnetosphere drove electrical currents, that penetrated down into the ionosphere to produce weak Prompt Penetration Electric Field (PPEF) (0.3 mV/m). For this reason, during the storm, at daytime, plasma densities of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) crests were localized within the inner flank of ±15° magnetic latitude strip. We attributed this to the extreme quietness of year 2018. There was a clear hemispherical asymmetry, with higher Total Electron Content (TEC) in the northern hemisphere. The major determining factors of the ionospheric responses during the various phases of this storm were the local time of the storm's onset, local time of storm's minimum SYM‐H, and changes in thermospheric O/N2.
Aseismic Multifissure Modeling in Unfaulted Heavily Pumped Basins: Mechanisms and Applications
Authors: Li Yueting , Teatini Pietro , Yu Jun , Franceschini Andrea , Frigo Matteo , Zoccarato Claudia , Ye Shujun
Published: September 2021

Aseismic earth fissures are among the most dangerous by‐products of excessive groundwater exploitation in many subsiding sedimentary basins. Improving our understanding of the mechanisms of earth fissuring is important for land planning and risk management. We employ an advanced finite‐element interface‐element modeling approach to understand the generation and propagation of multiple fissures in unfaulted basins. Almost parallel earth fissures at a relative short distance (on the order of tens of meters) generally develop above impermeable and/or incompressible ridges buried by the compacting sedimentary units. Initially, we investigate the effect of the ridge slope on a simplified geological setting sketched from the Luke salt dome, Arizona. Then, we apply the model to the hydrogeologic setting at Guangming village, Wuxi, China. In both analyses, the model simulates the formation of multifissures above the ridge, as observed at the sites. The earth fissures initiate at land surface and propagate downward. They are caused by the combination of tensile stress (bending condition) and shear stress (shearing conditions) accumulation around and above the tip and the slopes of the ridge, respectively. The steeper the ridge, the more concentrated stress zone develops above the ridge tip, favoring the formation of fissures with significant opening and small or null offset. The opposite facilitates a widening of the stress accumulation area, with less‐deep fissures characterized by larger sliding and smaller opening. At Guangming, the model suggests that fissures propagate down to 20–50‐m depth, with maximum opening and sliding of ∼50 cm.
Potent pro-apoptotic combination therapy is highly effective in a broad range of cancers
Authors: Montinaro Antonella , Areso Zubiaur Itziar , Saggau Julia , Kretz Anna-Laura , Ferreira Rute M. M. , Hassan Omar , Kitzig Ella , Müller Ines , El-Bahrawy Mona A. , von Karstedt Silvia , Kulms Dagmar , Liccardi Gianmaria , Lemke Johannes , Walczak Henning
Published: September 2021

Primary or acquired therapy resistance is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of cancer. Resistance to apoptosis has long been thought to contribute to therapy resistance. We show here that recombinant TRAIL and CDK9 inhibition cooperate in killing cells derived from a broad range of cancers, importantly without inducing detectable adverse events. Remarkably, the combination of TRAIL with CDK9 inhibition was also highly effective on cancers resistant to both, standard-of-care chemotherapy and various targeted therapeutic approaches. Dynamic BH3 profiling revealed that, mechanistically, combining TRAIL with CDK9 inhibition induced a drastic increase in the mitochondrial priming of cancer cells. Intriguingly, this increase occurred irrespective of whether the cancer cells were sensitive or resistant to chemo- or targeted therapy. We conclude that this pro-apoptotic combination therapy has the potential to serve as a highly effective new treatment option for a variety of different cancers. Notably, this includes cancers that are resistant to currently available treatment modalities.
Axonal degeneration induces distinct patterns of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine externalization
Authors: Faris Hannah , Almasieh Mohammadali , Levin Leonard A.
Published: September 2021

Axonal degeneration is a common feature of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, yet the mechanisms underlying its various manifestations are incompletely understood. We previously demonstrated that axonal degeneration is associated with externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), which precedes morphological evidence of degeneration, is redox-sensitive, and is delayed in Wallerian degeneration slow (WldS) mutant animals. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is the other major membrane phospholipid in the inner leaflet of the cell membrane, and given that PS signals apoptosis, phagocytosis, and degeneration, we hypothesized that PS and PE membrane dynamics play distinct roles in axonal degeneration. To test this hypothesis, axonal degeneration was induced with calcium ionophores in postnatal rat retinal ganglion cells, and PS- and PE-specific fluorescent probes used to measure their externalization over time. In untreated cells, cell-surface PS was prominent in the cell body alone. Elevation of intracellular calcium with calcium ionophores resulted in significantly increased levels of PS externalization in the cell body, axon, and axon growth cone. Unlike PS, cell-surface PE was diffusely distributed in untreated cells, with comparable levels across the soma, axons, and axon terminals. After exposure to calcium ionophores, PE externalization significantly increased in the cell body and axon. Elevated intracellular calcium also resulted in the formation of axonal blebs which exclusively contained externalized PS, but not PE. Together, these results indicated distinct patterns of externalized PS and PE in normal and degenerating neurons, suggesting a differential role for these phospholipids in transducing neuronal injury.
Estimating the activation energy of bond hydrolysis by time-resolved weighing of dissolving crystals
Authors: Ackerer Philippe , Bouissonnié Arnaud , di Chiara Roupert Raphael , Daval Damien
Published: September 2021

Bond-breaking activation energy EB is nowadays a key parameter for understanding and modeling crystal dissolution processes. However, a methodology to estimate EB based on classical dissolution experiments still does not exist. We developed a new method based on the calibration of a Kossel type dissolution model on measured dissolution rates obtained by mass (or volume) variations over time. The dissolution model does not depend on the geometry of the crystal surface but only on the density of the different types of sites (kink, step, terrace, bulk). The calibration method was applied to different experimental setups (flow through and batch) with different ways of estimating the dissolution rates (solute concentration in the fluid, surface topography) for calcite crystals. Despite the variety of experimental conditions, the estimated bond-breaking activation energies were very close to each other (between 31 and 35 kJ/mol) and in good agreement with ab initio calculations.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation entrains alpha oscillatory activity in occipital cortex
Authors: Lin Yong-Jun , Shukla Lavanya , Dugué Laura , Valero-Cabré Antoni , Carrasco Marisa
Published: September 2021

Parieto-occipital alpha rhythms (8–12 Hz) underlie cortical excitability and influence visual performance. Whether the synchrony of intrinsic alpha rhythms in the occipital cortex can be entrained by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an open question. We applied 4-pulse, 10-Hz rhythmic TMS to entrain intrinsic alpha oscillators targeting right V1/V2, and tested four predictions with concurrent electroencephalogram (EEG): (1) progressive enhancement of entrainment across time windows, (2) output frequency specificity, (3) dependence on the intrinsic oscillation phase, and (4) input frequency specificity to individual alpha frequency (IAF) in the neural signatures. Two control conditions with an equal number of pulses and duration were arrhythmic-active and rhythmic-sham stimulation. The results confirmed the first three predictions. Rhythmic TMS bursts significantly entrained local neural activity. Near the stimulation site, evoked oscillation amplitude and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) were increased for 2 and 3 cycles, respectively, after the last TMS pulse. Critically, ITPC following entrainment positively correlated with IAF rather than with the degree of similarity between IAF and the input frequency (10 Hz). Thus, we entrained alpha-band activity in occipital cortex for ~ 3 cycles (~ 300 ms), and IAF predicts the strength of entrained occipital alpha phase synchrony indexed by ITPC.
Associations of clinical, psychological, and socioeconomic characteristics with nicotine dependence in smokers
Authors: Sim Yun Su , Yoo Seunghee , Lee Kang-Sook , Rhee Chin Kook , Kim Young Kyoon
Published: September 2021

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor of mortality and morbidity from various cancerous, respiratory, and myocardial diseases. Nicotine dependence is assessed based on the degree of physical dependence. We aimed to determine the clinical, socioeconomic and psychological factors associated with the smoking status and degree of nicotine dependence of smokers. From April 2009 to September 2010, we retrospectively collected data from 17,577 subjects aged ≥ 18 years who had undergone a general health examination at a health promotion center. The instruments used included the Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Stress Response Inventory (SRI), and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Of the current smokers (N = 3946), 2345 (59%), 1154 (29%), and 447 (12%) had low, moderate, and high nicotine dependence, respectively. In multiple logistic analysis, predictors of high nicotine dependence were male sex (odds ratio [OR] 3.705, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.997–6.945), older age (≥ 65 years) (OR 1.016, 95% CI 1.004–1.029), higher body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.048, 95% CI 1.018–1.078), diabetes (OR 1.870, 95% CI 1.251–2.794), single marital status (OR 1.575, 95% CI 1.186–2.092), lower education level (OR 1.887, 95% CI 1.463–2.433), and a higher stress level (OR 1.018, 95% CI 1.997–6.945). Thus, clinical, psychological, socioeconomic status including male, older age, higher BMI, diabetes, single marital status, lower education, and higher stress should be taken into consideration by promoting smoking cessation.
Towards environmental friendly multi-step processing of efficient mixed-cation mixed halide perovskite solar cells from chemically bath deposited lead sulphide
Authors: Gozalzadeh Sahel , Nasirpouri Farzad , Seok Sang Il
Published: September 2021

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite is the most promising active layer for new generation of solar cells. Despite of highly efficient perovskite active layer conventionally fabricated by spin coating methods, the need for using toxic solvents like dimethylformamide (DMF) required for dissolving low soluble metal precursors as well as the difficulties for upscaling the process have restricted their practical development. To deal with these shortcomings, in this work, lead sulphide as the lead metal precursor was produced by aqueous chemical bath deposition. Subsequently, PbS films were chemically converted to PbI2 and finally to mixed-cation mixed halide perovskite films. The microstructural, optical and solar cell performance of mixed cation mixed halide perovskite films were examined. Results show that controlling the morphology of PbI2 platelets achieved from PbS precursor films enabled efficient conversion to final perovskite films. Using this processing technique, smooth and pin hole-free perovskite films having columnar grains of about 800 nm and a bandgap of 1.55 eV were produced. The solar cell performance consisting of such perovskite layers gave rise to a notable power conversion efficiency of 11.35% under standard solar conditions. The proposed processing technique is very promising towards an environmentally friendly method for the production of large-scale high efficient perovskite solar cells.
Improving the robustness of MOLLI T1 maps with a dedicated motion correction algorithm
Authors: Delso Gaspar , Farré Laura , Ortiz-Pérez José T. , Prat Susanna , Doltra Adelina , Perea Rosario J. , Caralt Teresa M. , Lorenzatti Daniel , Vega Julián , Sotes Santi , Janich Martin A. , Sitges Marta
Published: September 2021

Myocardial tissue T1 constitutes a reliable indicator of several heart diseases related to extracellular changes (e.g. edema, fibrosis) as well as fat, iron and amyloid content. Magnetic resonance (MR) T1-mapping is typically achieved by pixel-wise exponential fitting of a series of inversion or saturation recovery measurements. Good anatomical alignment between these measurements is essential for accurate T1 estimation. Motion correction is recommended to improve alignment. However, in the case of inversion recovery sequences, this correction is compromised by the intrinsic contrast variation between frames. A model-based, non-rigid motion correction method for MOLLI series was implemented and validated on a large database of cardiac clinical cases (n = 186). The method relies on a dedicated similarity metric that accounts for the intensity changes caused by T1 magnetization relaxation. The results were compared to uncorrected series and to the standard motion correction included in the scanner. To automate the quantitative analysis of results, a custom data alignment metric was defined. Qualitative evaluation was performed on a subset of cases to confirm the validity of the new metric. Motion correction caused noticeable (i.e. > 5%) performance degradation in 12% of cases with the standard method, compared to 0.3% with the new dedicated method. The average alignment quality was 85% ± 9% with the default correction and 90% ± 7% with the new method. The results of the qualitative evaluation were found to correlate with the quantitative metric. In conclusion, a dedicated motion correction method for T1 mapping MOLLI series has been evaluated on a large database of clinical cardiac MR cases, confirming its increased robustness with respect to the standard method implemented in the scanner.
Cigarette smoke extract and heated tobacco products promote ferritin cleavage and iron accumulation in human corneal epithelial cells
Authors: Otsu Wataru , Ishida Kodai , Chinen Naoki , Nakamura Shinsuke , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Tsusaki Hideshi , Hara Hideaki
Published: September 2021

The cornea is directly exposed to cigarette smoke, and smoking is a risk factor for several corneal diseases including dry eye syndrome. Currently, heated tobacco products (HTPs) are widely used as substitutes for cigarette smoking around the world. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanism(s) leading to cellular injury induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or HTPs. Exposure to CSE perturbed the formation of tight junctions, leading to an increase in cell volume, a decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) in the human corneal epithelial cell-transformed (HCE-T) cell line. Moreover, CSE exposure induced both lipid peroxidation and ferrous [Fe(II)] ion accumulation in autolysosomal compartments. Interestingly, a cleaved form of ferritin appeared when HCE-T cells were incubated with CSE. This aberrant ferritin processing was suppressed by treatment with autophagy inhibitors. Furthermore, the CSE-induced cell death was suppressed by either ferrostatin-1 or deferoxamine (DFO). CSE exposure also promoted the expression of cytokines whereas DFO treatment inhibited the CSE-induced expression of these cytokines. Exposure to HTPs also induced both HCE-T cell death and cleaved ferritin accumulation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. These results indicated that CSE or HTPs activated the ferroptosis signaling pathway, which contributed to corneal epithelial cell injury.
GenNet framework: interpretable deep learning for predicting phenotypes from genetic data
Authors: van Hilten Arno , Kushner Steven A. , Kayser Manfred , Ikram M. Arfan , Adams Hieab H. H. , Klaver Caroline C. W. , Niessen Wiro J. , Roshchupkin Gennady V.
Published: September 2021

Applying deep learning in population genomics is challenging because of computational issues and lack of interpretable models. Here, we propose GenNet, a novel open-source deep learning framework for predicting phenotypes from genetic variants. In this framework, interpretable and memory-efficient neural network architectures are constructed by embedding biologically knowledge from public databases, resulting in neural networks that contain only biologically plausible connections. We applied the framework to seventeen phenotypes and found well-replicated genes such as HERC2 and OCA2 for hair and eye color, and novel genes such as ZNF773 and PCNT for schizophrenia. Additionally, the framework identified ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, endocrine system and viral infectious diseases as most predictive biological pathways for schizophrenia. GenNet is a freely available, end-to-end deep learning framework that allows researchers to develop and use interpretable neural networks to obtain novel insights into the genetic architecture of complex traits and diseases.
A glutamine sensor that directly activates TORC1
Authors: Tanigawa Mirai , Yamamoto Katsuyoshi , Nagatoishi Satoru , Nagata Koji , Noshiro Daisuke , Noda Nobuo N. , Tsumoto Kouhei , Maeda Tatsuya
Published: September 2021

TOR complex 1 (TORC1) is an evolutionarily-conserved protein kinase that controls cell growth and metabolism in response to nutrients, particularly amino acids. In mammals, several amino acid sensors have been identified that converge on the multi-layered machinery regulating Rag GTPases to trigger TORC1 activation; however, these sensors are not conserved in many other organisms including yeast. Previously, we reported that glutamine activates yeast TORC1 via a Gtr (Rag ortholog)-independent mechanism involving the vacuolar protein Pib2, although the identity of the supposed glutamine sensor and the exact TORC1 activation mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we successfully reconstituted glutamine-responsive TORC1 activation in vitro using only purified Pib2 and TORC1. In addition, we found that glutamine specifically induced a change in the folding state of Pib2. These findings indicate that Pib2 is a glutamine sensor that directly activates TORC1, providing a new model for the metabolic control of cells.
The antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection persists over at least 8 months in symptomatic patients
Authors: Levi Riccardo , Ubaldi Leonardo , Pozzi Chiara , Angelotti Giovanni , Sandri Maria Teresa , Azzolini Elena , Salvatici Michela , Savevski Victor , Mantovani Alberto , Rescigno Maria
Published: September 2021

Background

Persistence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 viral infection may depend on several factors and may be related to the severity of disease or to the different symptoms.

Methods

We evaluated the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in personnel from 9 healthcare facilities and an international medical school and its association with individuals’ characteristics and COVID-19 symptoms in an observational cohort study. We enrolled 4735 subjects (corresponding to 80% of all personnel) for three time points over a period of 8–10 months. For each participant, we determined the rate of antibody increase or decrease over time in relation to 93 features analyzed in univariate and multivariate analyses through a machine learning approach.

Results

Here we show in individuals positive for IgG (≥12 AU/mL) at the beginning of the study an increase [p = 0.0002] in antibody response in paucisymptomatic or symptomatic subjects, particularly with loss of taste or smell (anosmia/dysgeusia: OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.753 – 4.301), in a multivariate logistic regression analysis in the first three months. The antibody response persists for at least 8–10 months.

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces a long lasting antibody response that increases in the first months, particularly in individuals with anosmia/dysgeusia. This may be linked to the lingering of SARS-CoV-2 in the olfactory bulb.
Optimized detection of lung IL-6 via enzymatic liquefaction of low respiratory tract samples: application for managing ventilated patients
Authors: Clemente Antonio , Alba-Patiño Alejandra , Santopolo Giulia , Barón Enrique , Rojo-Molinero Estrella , Oliver Antonio , Pérez-Bárcena Jon , Merino de Cos Paz , Aranda María , del Castillo Alberto , Socias Antonia , Borges Marcio , de la Rica Roberto
Published: September 2021

IL-6 immunodetection in respiratory samples is boosted using an enzymatic method for liquefying samples prior to analysis. This increases the predictive power of lung IL-6 as a biomarker of respiratory function.
Two Cd(ii)-based metal–organic frameworks for the highly effective detection of Fe3+ions and levofloxacin in aqueous media
Authors: Fu Miao-Miao , Liu Ce , Dong Gui-Ying
Published: September 2021

Two new Cd(ii)-MOFs are hydrothermally synthesized and can be applied as dual-response sensors to identify Fe3+and levofloxacin (LVX) with high selectivity, sensitivity and excellent reusability.
Synthesis and structure of a phosphinoboronic ester in a fused bicyclic framework
Authors: Kano Naokazu , O'Brien Nathan J. , Aoki Kosuke , Matsuda Yui , Morofuji Tatsuya
Published: September 2021

The first phosphinoboronic ester bearing a fused bicyclic framework was synthesized. The P–B bond shared within the two fused six-membered rings is remarkably short because of the geometrical requirement and high s-character of the boron.
A multiplexed ion-exchange membrane-based miRNA (MIX·miR) detection platform for rapid diagnosis of myocardial infarction
Authors: Ren Xiang , Ellis Bradley W. , Ronan George , Blood Stuart Ryan , DeShetler Cameron , Senapati Satyajyoti , March Keith L. , Handberg Eileen , Anderson David , Pepine Carl , Chang Hsueh-Chia , Zorlutuna Pinar
Published: September 2021

This work reports a multiplexed ion-exchange membrane-based miRNA sensor, namely MIX·miR, for detection of multiple specific cardiac-associated exosomal miRNA markers in clinical plasma samples with concentrations as low as 1 pM.
Solar light driven photocurrent generation and catalytic disintegration of toxic compounds and ions using Au@Sn, F-doped In2O3 core–shell nanostructure
Authors: Misra Mrinmoy , Roy Chowdhury Shambo , Singh Narinder
Published: September 2021

A detailed description of the catalytic activity and charge carrier generation in Au@tin and fluorine-doped In2O3 core-shell nanoparticles.
Biomass waste-derived recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for aqueous aldol reaction and depolymerization of PET waste
Authors: Laldinpuii Z. T. , Lalmuanpuia Chhakchhuak , Lalhmangaihzuala Samson , Khiangte Vanlalngaihawma , Pachuau Zodinpuia , Vanlaldinpuia Khiangte
Published: September 2021

Eco-friendly biomass waste-derived recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for aldol reaction in water and for methanolysis of PET waste.
Copper-catalyzed three-component formal [3 + 1 + 2] annulations for the synthesis of 2-aminopyrimidines from O-acyl ketoximes
Authors: Xu Zhenhua , Chen Hongbiao , Deng Guo-Jun , Huang Huawen
Published: September 2021

A copper-based catalytic system has been developed to enable formal [3 + 1 + 2] annulations of ketoxime acetates, aldehydes, and cyanamides.
Autoimmune-mediated renal disease and hypertension
Authors: Boesen Erika I. , Kakalij Rahul M.
Published: September 2021

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and mortality. Troublingly, hypertension is highly prevalent in patients with autoimmune renal disease and hastens renal functional decline. Although progress has been made over the past two decades in understanding the inflammatory contributions to essential hypertension more broadly, the mechanisms active in autoimmune-mediated renal diseases remain grossly understudied. This Review provides an overview of the pathogenesis of each of the major autoimmune diseases affecting the kidney that are associated with hypertension, and describes the current state of knowledge regarding hypertension in these diseases and their management. Specifically, discussion focuses on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Lupus Nephritis (LN), Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Nephropathy, Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy (IMN), Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis, and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP). A summary of disease-specific animal models found to exhibit hypertension is also included to highlight opportunities for much needed further investigation of underlying mechanisms and novel therapeutic approaches.
The Brazilian Phonoaudiology Association Responds to Challenges Brought by COVID-19
Authors: Fernandes Fernanda Dreux M. , Lopes Leonardo Wanderley , Behlau Mara
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The pandemic created new and urgent challenges to professionals in the field of communication sciences and disorders known as Phonoaudiology in Brazil. The Brazilian Association of Phonoaudiology has the second-largest group of professionals in this field. This article presents actions and projects of the scientific association taken to support clinical and teaching practices in Brazil to face of the challenges posed by the pandemic. In addition, broad strategies were implemented to address the current and future challenges to speech therapists in Brazil.

Conclusions

The Brazilian Association of Phonoaudiology heard the demands of the phonoaudiologists and reacted quickly using all available resources to face the unprecedented challenges imposed by the pandemic. Immediate and future challenges included being present in the life of the average phonoaudiologist, as a scientific and professional robust network, and enlarging the number of members to represent all of Brazil, a country with geographic, racial, linguistic, and economic complex diversity.