bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical X-ray beam spectrometry with cadmium telluride detector in 10–300 kVp range at Czech Metrology Institute. Part I. Instrumentation
Authors: Šolc J. , Dryák P. , Rusňák J. , Sochor V. , Vykydal Z.
Published: October 2022

The paper describes instrumentation used at Czech Metrology Institute for measurement of photon fluence spectra directly in X-ray beams. Detector with a cadmium telluride (CdTe) sensor was characterized by means of energy resolution and precise energy calibration. The hole trapping effect in CdTe causing full-energy peak deformations in measured spectra was adopted consisting of analytical models of incomplete charge collection and carrier trapping based on Hecht equation. The detector collimator provided by the manufacturer was modified with additional tungsten shielding that effectively absorbs the majority of photons scattered in the collimator body resulting in significant improvement of the consistency of measured and Monte Carlo simulated detector response. The purpose-made alignment platform increased the accuracy of orientation of the collimator axis improving the measurement in high photon fluence rate beams using collimation disks with very small apertures (down to 100 μm in diameter). The adopted instrumentation and methods for X-ray beam spectrometry enabled to fulfil the requirements of the new ISO 4037:2019-ed.2.0 standard for reference metrology laboratories. Software-focused part dealing with Monte Carlo simulations and procedures for photon fluence spectra unfolding is summarized in [1].
Downwind control of oceanic air by land: the land wake and its sensitivity to CO2
Authors: Laguë Marysa M , Quetin Gregory R , Boos William R
Published: October 2022

Oceans are well-known to be directly altered by global climate forcings such as greenhouse gas changes, but how oceans are indirectly influenced by land and its response to such forcings remains less explored. Here, we assess the present-day and projected future state of a little-explored feature of the climate system—a ‘land wake’ in relative humidity downwind of the east coast of North America, consisting of low-humidity continental air extending roughly 1000 km over the Atlantic ocean. The wake exists throughout the year, but is supported by high continental temperatures in summer and low continental moisture in winter. The wake is well represented in an ensemble of global climate models (GCMs), qualitatively matching reanalysis data. Under increasing atmospheric CO2, the land wake intensifies in GCM simulations through two pathways: the radiative effects of CO2 on surface temperatures, and the biogeochemical effect of CO2 on terrestrial vegetation. Vegetation responses to increased CO2 alter the summer wake from Florida to Newfoundland, and both the radiative and biogeochemical effects of CO2 drive reductions in coastal cloud cover. These changes illustrate the potential of rapidly changing terrestrial climate to influence coastal regions and the ocean environment downwind of continents through both light conditions and the energy balance of the surface ocean.
Sustainable nutrition: a spatially explicit modeling approach for urban land use planning
Authors: Valencia Torres Angélica , Tiwari Chetan , Atkinson Samuel F
Published: October 2022

Rapid urbanization has influenced the transformation of local and global food systems, altering the availability, access to, and distribution of healthy food. Micronutrient deficiency and hunger have been exacerbated worldwide. Balancing social, economic, and environmental needs and demands is complex, and often presents tradeoffs between nutritional security and sustainable practices. While various frameworks have been developed to support policy and decision makers in prioritizing tradeoffs that impact urbanization and food production, they are not easily operationalized due to complexities of implementation stemming from the availability of data, place-specific nuances, and methodological difficulties, among others. There is a need to develop analytical approaches to enable researchers, planners, and policymakers to better understand the impact of land use choices on sustainable local food production. The foodshed approach can be a powerful tool to improve the sustainability of regional and local food systems. This research proposes a simulation strategy to evaluate the impact of agricultural land use and crop choices on nutritional production in rapidly growing urban areas. The application of this framework for decision-making is exemplified in the Toluca Metropolitan Zone, Mexico by showing how tradeoffs between macronutrient and micronutrient daily requirements could be explored under a variety of land use scenarios. This analytical framework can be used to understand options for providing nutritional security to the local population.
Electron sheaths near a positively biased plate subjected to a weak electron beam
Authors: LIU Qi , WEI Zian , MA Jinxiu , YI Kaiyang , TAO Wan , LI Zhengyuan
Published: October 2022

Electron sheaths have previously only been measured near a positively biased small electrode, in which a potential dip was often observed. In this paper, we present an experimental study on the electron sheath near a stainless steel plate in the presence of a weak electron beam. It is shown that the electron beam, though its density is much lower than that of the background plasma, will substantially alter the sheath structure, i.e., it causes the disappearance of the potential dip when the beam energy just exceeds the ionization potential of the neutral gas but later enhances the dip for higher energies. It is also shown that proper biases on the plate and chamber wall are the key to the formation of the electron sheath and the dip. For a fixed plate bias but with different electron beam energy, the measured thickness of the ion-free Child–Langmuir sheath agrees well with that of the theoretical model.
Synaptic behaviour in ferroelectric epitaxial rhombohedral Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin films
Authors: Wei Yingfen , Vats Gaurav , Noheda Beatriz
Published: October 2022

The discovery of ferroelectricity in HfO2-based thin films brings tremendous opportunities for emerging ferroelectric memories as well as for synaptic devices. The origin of ferroelectricity in this material is widely attributed to the presence of a polar orthorhombic phase. However, a new ferroelectric rhombohedral phase displaying large polarization with no need of pre-cycling, has more recently been reported in epitaxial Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO). In this work, the switching mechanism of the rhombohedral phase of HZO films is characterized by a two-stage process. In addition, the synaptic behaviour of this phase is presented, comparing it with previous reports on orthorhombic or non-epitaxial films. Unexpected similarities have been found between these structurally distinct systems. Even though the epitaxial films present a larger coercive field, the ration between the activation field for intrinsic polarization switching and the coercive field (F
a/E
c) has been found to be close to 2, in agreement with that reported for other hafnia samples. This is about 5 times smaller than in most other ferroelectrics, confirming this characteristic as a unique feature of hafnia-based ferroelectrics.
Renin: Measurements, Correlates, and Associations With Long-Term Adverse Kidney Outcomes
Authors: Blum Matthew F , Chen Jingsha , Surapaneni Aditya , Turner Stephen T , Ballantyne Christie M , Welling Paul A , Köttgen Anna , Coresh Josef , Crews Deidra C , Grams Morgan E
Published: October 2022

Background

The association of renin with adverse kidney outcomes is largely unknown, and renin measurement strategies vary. We aimed to measure the clinical correlates of different renin measurements and the association between renin and incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and mortality.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort analysis of 9,420 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study followed from 1996 to 1998 through 2019. We estimated longitudinal associations of renin measured using SomaScan modified nucleotide aptamer assay with incident CKD, ESKD, and death using Cox proportional hazards models. Using samples from a subsequent study visit, we compared SomaScan renin with plasma renin activity (PRA) and renin level from Olink, and estimated associations with covariates using univariate and multivariable regression.

Results

Higher SomaScan renin levels were associated with a higher risk of incident CKD (hazard ratio per two-fold higher [HR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 1.20), ESKD (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.41), and mortality (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.13) in analyses adjusted for demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic covariates. SomaScan renin was moderately correlated with PRA (r = 0.61) and highly correlated with Olink renin (r = 0.94). SomaScan renin and PRA had similar clinical correlates except for divergent associations with age and beta-blocker use, both of which correlated positively with SomaScan renin but negatively with PRA.

Conclusions

SomaScan aptamer-based renin level was associated with a higher risk of CKD, ESKD, and mortality. It was moderately correlated with PRA, sharing generally similar clinical covariate associations.
Second-hand Smoke Exposure Among Home Care Workers (HCWs) in Scotland
Authors: Dobson Ruaraidh , O’Donnell Rachel , McGibbon Mary , Semple Sean
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) is a serious cause of ill-health, and concern around SHS exposure at work has driven legislation in public places. In Scotland, most workers are now protected from SHS at work. However, home care workers (HCWs) may still be exposed, as they enter private homes where smoking is unregulated. In this study, we aimed to understand the extent, duration and intensity of that exposure among HCWs in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Methods

We surveyed HCWs in four organisations involved in providing care at home: a public healthcare agency (NHS Lanarkshire), two local government entities and a private healthcare company. We also conducted personal exposure monitoring (PEM) of exposure to airborne nicotine and SHS-related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with 32 HCWs.

Results

The vast majority of HCWs surveyed reported being exposed to SHS at work (395/537, 74%), and 50% of those who reported exposure in the home indicated daily exposure. We conducted PEM over 82 home visits, with 21% (17) demonstrating PM2.5 concentrations in excess of the WHO’s 2010 air quality guideline limit for 24 h exposure. Duration of exposure to SHS tended to be short and as a result all nicotine samples were below the limit of quantification.

Conclusions

Most HCWs are exposed to minimal levels of SHS at work. However, a minority may be exposed to concentrations which affect health. Policies to mitigate this exposure should be considered, such as the use of respiratory protective equipment, improved ventilation during visits, and interventions to reduce smoking in homes.
Party crashers: issues in identifying parties and others bound by arbitration agreements
Authors: Allison Simon , Dharmananda Kanaga
Published: October 2022

The determination of the law governing arbitration agreements has been the subject of recent close attention. The relationship of third parties to arbitration agreements is sensitive to an increasingly unwieldly array of factors, including the subject matter of a dispute, the nature of the purported basis for the transfer of an arbitration agreement, and the wording of the original instrument containing the arbitration clause. A rising question is whether third parties are to be considered parties or non-parties otherwise bound by arbitration agreements. In addition, there is an issue of timing: when are the arbitration agreements or relevant awards to be impugned, and does the third-party issue pertain to the validity or just the scope of an arbitration agreement. This article seeks to address these issues.
Predicting the structure of unexplored novel fentanyl analogues by deep learning model
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Jiang Qiaoyan , Li Ling , Li Zutan , Xu Zhihui , Chen Yuanyuan , Sun Yang , Liu Cheng , Mao Zhengsheng , Chen Feng , Li Hualan , Cao Yue , Pian Cong
Published: October 2022

Fentanyl and its analogues are psychoactive substances and the concern of fentanyl abuse has been existed in decades. Because the structure of fentanyl is easy to be modified, criminals may synthesize new fentanyl analogues to avoid supervision. The drug supervision is based on the structure matching to the database and too few kinds of fentanyl analogues are included in the database, so it is necessary to find out more potential fentanyl analogues and expand the sample space of fentanyl analogues. In this study, we introduced two deep generative models (SeqGAN and MolGPT) to generate potential fentanyl analogues, and a total of 11 041 valid molecules were obtained. The results showed that not only can we generate molecules with similar property distribution of original data, but the generated molecules also contain potential fentanyl analogues that are not pretty similar to any of original data. Ten molecules based on the rules of fentanyl analogues were selected for NMR, MS and IR validation. The results indicated that these molecules are all unreported fentanyl analogues. Furthermore, this study is the first to apply the deep learning to the generation of fentanyl analogues, greatly expands the exploring space of fentanyl analogues and provides help for the supervision of fentanyl.
statgenMPP: an R package implementing an IBD-based mixed model approach for QTL mapping in a wide range of multi-parent populations
Authors: Li Wenhao , Boer Martin P , van Rossum Bart-Jan , Zheng Chaozhi , Joosen Ronny V L , van Eeuwijk Fred A
Published: October 2022

Motivation

Multi-parent populations (MPPs) are popular for QTL mapping because they combine wide genetic diversity in parents with easy control of population structure, but a limited number of software tools for QTL mapping are specifically developed for general MPP designs.

Results

We developed an R package called statgenMPP, adopting a unified identity-by-descent (IBD)-based mixed model approach for QTL analysis in MPPs. The package offers easy-to-use functionalities of IBD calculations, mixed model solutions and visualizations for QTL mapping in a wide range of MPP designs, including diallele, nested-association mapping populations, multi-parent advanced genetic inter-cross populations and other complicated MPPs with known crossing schemes.

Availability and implementation

The R package statgenMPP is open-source and freely available on CRAN at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=statgenMPP

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Rapid transcriptomic and physiological changes in the freshwater pennate diatomMayamaea pseudoterrestrisin response to copper exposure
Authors: Suzuki Shigekatsu , Ota Shuhei , Yamagishi Takahiro , Tuji Akihiro , Yamaguchi Haruyo , Kawachi Masanobu
Published: October 2022

Diatoms function as major primary producers, accumulating large amounts of biomass in most aquatic environments. Given their rapid responses to changes in environmental conditions, diatoms are used for the biological monitoring of water quality and for performing ecotoxicological tests in aquatic ecosystems. However, the molecular basis for their toxicity to chemical compounds remains largely unknown. Here, we sequenced the genome of a freshwater diatom, Mayamaea pseudoterrestris NIES-4280, which has been proposed as an alternative strain of Navicula pelliculosa UTEX 664 for performing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ecotoxicological test. This study shows that M. pseudoterrestris has a small genome and carries the lowest number of genes among freshwater diatoms. The gene content of M. pseudoterrestris is similar to that of the model marine diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Genes related to cell motility, polysaccharide metabolism, oxidative stress alleviation, intracellular calcium signalling, and reactive compound detoxification showed rapid changes in their expression patterns in response to copper exposure. Active gliding motility was observed in response to copper addition, and copper exposure decreased intracellular calcium concentration. These findings enhance our understanding of the environmental adaptation of diatoms, and elucidate the molecular basis of toxicity of chemical compounds in algae.
Comparison of treatment outcomes between endoscopic submucosal dissection with the needle-type knife and insulated-tip knife for superficial esophageal neoplasms
Authors: Esaki Mitsuru , Yoshida Masao , Takizawa Kohei , Notsu Akifumi , Nonaka Satoru , Shichijo Satoki , Suzuki Sho , Sato Chiko , Komori Hiroyuki , Minagawa Takeyoshi , Oda Ichiro , Uedo Noriya , Hirasawa Kingo , Matsumoto Kenshi , Sumiyoshi Tetsuya , Abe Seiichiro , Gotoda Takuji , Ono Hiroyuki
Published: October 2022

Our study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes between endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with an insulated-tip knife (ESD-IT) and a needle-type knife (ESD-N) for large superficial esophageal neoplasms, as no study of this kind has been previously reported. We used the dataset of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial that compared conventional ESD (C-ESD) and traction-assisted ESD (TA-ESD) for superficial esophageal neoplasms. We compared the procedural outcomes between ESD-IT and ESD-N in a post hoc analysis and conducted sub-analyses based on traction assistance and electrical knife type. We included 223 (EST-IT, n = 169; ESD-N, n = 54) patients with no significant differences in baseline characteristics. The operator handover rate due to ESD difficulties was significantly higher in ESD-N (ESD-IT = 0.6% vs. ESD-N = 13.0%, P = 0.001), while the injection volume was significantly higher in ESD-IT than in ESD-N (40.0 vs. 20.5 mL, P < 0.001). Other outcomes were comparable between both groups (procedural time: 51.0 vs. 49.5 minute, P = 0.89; complete resection: 90.5% vs. 90.7%, P > 0.99; and complication rate: 1.8% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.60 for ESD-IT and ESD-N, respectively). In the sub-analyses, the handover rate was significantly lower with TA-ESD than with C-ESD for ESD-N (3.2% vs. 26.1%, P = 0.034), and a significantly smaller injection volume was used in TA-ESD than in C-ESD for ESD-IT (31.5 vs. 47.0 mL, P < 0.01). ESD with either endoscopic device achieved favorable treatment outcomes with low complication rates. The handover rate in ESD-N and the injection volume in ESD-IT improved with the traction method.
COVID-19 in a patient implanted with a total artificial heart: a case report
Authors: Lutun Juliette , Fauvel Charles , Gay Arnaud , Bauer Fabrice
Published: October 2022

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first identified in December 2019 and is currently still a public health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. Heart failure patients are known to be at higher risk of morbidity and mortality in this case. Yet, few data exist concerning COVID-19 among patients with a left ventricular assistance device, and even less among those with a total artificial heart (TAH).

Case summary

A 27-year-old man with Marfan syndrome underwent prophylactic ascending aorta replacement. Shortly after surgery completion, he developed refractory cardiogenic shock with biventricular dysfunction leading to veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) implantation. In the context of no appropriate eligible donor during the following 10 days while waiting on the heart transplantation list, the patient was scheduled for a TAH as a bridge to transplantation. Meanwhile, he developed an acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to SARS-CoV-2. The patient was successfully treated with corticosteroids, prone positioning and mechanical ventilation, and heart transplantation occurred 5 weeks after COVID-19 onset.

Discussion

Here, we report the first case of a patient presenting with COVID-19 infection following TAH implantation in a bridge to transplantation. We highlight that (i) cardiogenic shock patients simultaneously infected by COVID-19 should be treated instantly with all-time available technology to ensure best outcomes, including TAH and prone positioning, (ii) heart transplantation safety 5 weeks after COVID-19 onset.
Regional implementation of atrial fibrillation screening: benefits and pitfalls
Authors: Theunissen Luc J H J , Abdalrahim Reyan B E M , Dekker Lukas R C , Thijssen Eric J M , de Jong Sylvie F A M S , Polak Peter E , van de Voort Pepijn H , Smits Geert , Scheele Karin , Lucas Annelies , van Veghel Dennis P A , Cremers Henricus-Paul , van de Pol Jeroen A A , Kemps Hareld M C
Published: October 2022

Aims

Despite general awareness that screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) could reduce health hazards, large-scale implementation is lagging behind technological developments. As the successful implementation of a screening programme remains challenging, this study aims to identify facilitating and inhibiting factors from healthcare providers’ perspectives.

Methods and results

A mixed-methods approach was used to gather data among practice nurses in primary care in the southern region of the Netherlands to evaluate the implementation of an ongoing single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)-based AF screening programme. Potential facilitating and inhibiting factors were evaluated using online questionnaires (N = 74/75%) and 14 (of 24) semi-structured in-depth interviews (58.3%). All analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0. In total, 16 682 screenings were performed on an eligible population of 64 000, and 100 new AF cases were detected. Facilitating factors included ‘receiving clear instructions’ (mean ± SD; 4.12 ± 1.05), ‘easy use of the ECG-based device’ (4.58 ± 0.68), and ‘patient satisfaction’ (4.22 ± 0.65). Inhibiting factors were ‘time availability’ (3.20 ± 1.10), ‘insufficient feedback to the practice nurse’ (2.15 ± 0.89), ‘absence of coordination’ (54%), and the ‘lack of fitting policy’ (32%).

Conclusion

Large-scale regional implementation of an AF screening programme in primary care resulted in a low participation of all eligible patients. Based on the perceived barriers by healthcare providers, future AF screening programmes should create preconditions to fit the intervention into daily routines, appointing an overall project lead and a General Practitioner (GP) as a coordinator within every GP practice.
Depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, and all-cause mortality among REGARDS participants with heart failure
Authors: Khodneva Yulia , Ringel Joanna Bryan , Rajan Mangala , Goyal Parag , Jackson Elizabeth A , Sterling Madeline R , Cherrington Andrea , Oparil Suzanne , Durant Raegan , Safford Monika M , Levitan Emily B
Published: October 2022

Aims

To ascertain whether depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment (CI) are associated with mortality among patients with heart failure (HF), adjusting for sociodemographic, comorbidities, and biomarkers.

Methods and results

We utilized Medicare-linked data from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study, a biracial prospective ongoing cohort of 30 239 US community-dwelling adults, recruited in 2003–07. HF diagnosis was ascertained in claims analysis. Depressive symptoms were defined as a score ≥4 on the four-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of ≤4 on the six-item screener that assessed three-item recall and orientation to year, month, and day of the week. Sequentially adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of death. We analyzed 1059 REGARDS participants (mean age 73, 48%—African American) with HF; of those 146 (14%) reported depressive symptoms, 136 (13%) had CI and 31 (3%) had both. Over the median follow-up of 6.8 years (interquartile range, 3.4–10.3), 785 (74%) died. In the socio-demographics-adjusted model, CI was significantly associated with increased mortality, hazard ratio 1.24 (95% confidence interval 1.01–1.52), compared with persons with neither depressive symptoms nor CI, but this association was attenuated after further adjustment. Neither depressive symptoms alone nor their comorbidity with CI was associated with mortality. Risk factors of all-cause mortality included: low income, comorbidities, smoking, physical inactivity, and severity of HF.

Conclusion

Depressive symptoms, CI, or their comorbidity was not associated with mortality in HF in this study. Treatment of HF in elderly needs to be tailored to cognitive status and includes focus on medical comorbidities.
Will wonders never cease? The viola bastarda at the Ferrarese court
Authors: Morton Joëlle
Published: October 2022

Music for the viola bastarda was composed over a period of approximately one hundred years, from the mid 16th to mid 17th century. Initially arising in Italy, it was later transferred to regions north of the Alps in German and Polish regions and across the English Channel. There is interesting variety to the music, with details that prove challenging to modern players and that do not easily align with the previously accepted definition. A particularly large and influential group of composers, performers and patrons coalesced in the second half of the 16th century, centred on the Este court in the Duchy of Ferrara. In exclusive and elite settings, it was sometimes women of high rank who performed this virtuosic music that was composed specially for them, in some cases using particularly large instruments. The nature of this repertory conveyed a true sense of maraviglia and was considered extremely ‘affective’.
eHealth technology use and eHealth literacy after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Ramstad K J , Brørs G , Pettersen T R , Deaton C , Palm P , Rotevatn S , Wentzel-Larsen T , Norekvål T M
Published: October 2022

Aims

Electronic health (eHealth) sources have great potential to improve patients’ access to health information for self-management of secondary prevention after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It remains unclear, however, whether patients are health-related digitally active and whether they have sufficient eHealth literacy. This study aimed to determine the extent to which patients after PCI are health-related digitally active at baseline, 2 and 6 months after PCI, and to determine the association between patients’ eHealth literacy and their health-related digital activity.

Methods and results

This multicentre cohort study included patients at three large referral PCI centres in Norway (n = 1970). Data were collected from medical records, national registries, and patients’ self-reports. The eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) assessed patients’ eHealth literacy. At baseline, 67% had used the internet to find health information. The mean eHEALS score was 25.71 (standard deviation 6.22), illustrating a lower level of eHealth literacy. There were substantial associations between eHealth literacy and use of the internet to find health information [coefficient 10.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.05–14.57]. At the 2-month follow-up, there were substantial associations between baseline eHealth literacy and use of the internet to find information about health, prevention, illness, or treatment [odds ratio (OR) 1.19, 95% CI 1.14–1.24] and use of health applications (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.08–1.22).

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that patients’ level of eHealth literacy after PCI is associated to how patients use, and can make use of, eHealth technology for health information.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03810612).
Job Characteristics Associated With Intent to Quit Among Nursing Home Employees and Managers
Authors: Kennedy Katherine A , Mohr David C
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives

High turnover and recruitment challenges of nursing home employees and managers are an ongoing concern. This study’s objective was to examine intent to quit among all staff and assess the roles of job characteristics and job satisfaction. Employees and managers within one nursing home chain working in direct patient care or nursing were compared.

Research Design and Methods

Data came from the Work, Family, Health Network 18-month follow-up survey in 2012 (total = 1,000, managers = 101, employees = 899). A cumulative logit model controlling for demographics was estimated for intent to quit. Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory of Work Motivation guided the study.

Results

Employees scored significantly lower on family-supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSBs), schedule control, and decision authority than managers. Employees and managers did not differ on job satisfaction, intent to quit, or job demands. Satisfied workers had an 83% decrease in the odds of reporting an intent to quit compared to workers who were neutral or disagreed (odds ratio [OR] = 0.17, p < .0001). Decision authority (OR = 3.49) and schedule control (OR = 5.18) were independently related to greater odds of reporting an intent to quit. In contrast, FSSBs (OR = 0.69), safety compliance (OR = 0.71), and the combination of high decision authority with high schedule control (OR = 0.72) were related to lower odds of reporting an intent to quit.

Discussion and Implications

Among nursing home staff, lower intent to quit may be achieved through improving job satisfaction, the quality of supervision, safety culture, and job enrichment through more schedule control and decision-making power.
Pathogenic variants inGCSHencoding the moonlighting H-protein cause combined nonketotic hyperglycinemia and lipoate deficiency
Authors: Arribas-Carreira Laura , Dallabona Cristina , Swanson Michael A , Farris Joseph , Østergaard Elsebet , Tsiakas Konstantinos , Hempel Maja , Aquaviva-Bourdain Cecile , Koutsoukos Stefanos , Stence Nicholas V , Magistrati Martina , Spector Elaine B , Kronquist Kathryn , Christensen Mette , Karstensen Helena G , Feichtinger René G , Achleitner Melanie T , Lawrence Merritt II J , Pérez Belén , Ugarte Magdalena , Grünewald Stephanie , Riela Anthony R , Julve Natalia , Arnoux Jean-Baptiste , Haldar Kasturi , Donnini Claudia , Santer René , Lund Allan M , Mayr Johannes A , Rodriguez-Pombo Pilar , Van Hove Johan L K
Published: October 2022

Maintaining protein lipoylation is vital for cell metabolism. The H-protein encoded by GCSH has a dual role in protein lipoylation required for bioenergetic enzymes including pyruvate dehydrogenase and 2-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and in the one-carbon metabolism through its involvement in glycine cleavage enzyme system, intersecting two vital roles for cell survival. Here, we report six patients with biallelic pathogenic variants in GCSH and a broad clinical spectrum ranging from neonatal fatal glycine encephalopathy to an attenuated phenotype of developmental delay, behavioral problems, limited epilepsy and variable movement problems. The mutational spectrum includes one insertion c.293-2_293–1insT, one deletion c.122_(228 + 1_229–1) del, one duplication of exons 4 and 5, one nonsense variant p.Gln76*and four missense p.His57Arg, p.Pro115Leu and p.Thr148Pro and the previously described p.Met1?. Via functional studies in patient’s fibroblasts, molecular modeling, expression analysis in GCSH knockdown COS7 cells and yeast, and in vitro protein studies, we demonstrate for the first time that most variants identified in our cohort produced a hypomorphic effect on both mitochondrial activities, protein lipoylation and glycine metabolism, causing combined deficiency, whereas some missense variants affect primarily one function only. The clinical features of the patients reflect the impact of the GCSH changes on any of the two functions analyzed. Our analysis illustrates the complex interplay of functional and clinical impact when pathogenic variants affect a multifunctional protein involved in two metabolic pathways and emphasizes the value of the functional assays to select the treatment and investigate new personalized options.
Efficacy of psychological interventions for mental health and pregnancy rates among individuals with infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dube Loveness , Bright Katherine , Hayden K Alix , Gordon Jennifer L
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among individuals struggling with infertility. Thus, numerous psychological interventions have been adapted to infertility, with the aim of relieving distress as well as increasing pregnancy rates.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of psychological interventions on infertility-related distress and pregnancy rates among individuals and/or couples with infertility and to analyse their overall effect. It also sought to examine potential treatment moderators, including intervention length, format and therapeutic approach.

SEARCH METHODS

An electronic search of 11 databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, was performed for studies published until January 2022. The inclusion criteria were RCTs conducted on humans and published in English. Psychological outcomes of interest included anxiety, depression, infertility-related distress, wellbeing and marital satisfaction. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess study quality, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation was used to assess the overall quality of the research evidence.

OUTCOMES

There were 58 RCTs in total, including 54 which included psychological outcomes and 21 which assessed pregnancy rates. Studies originated from all regions of the world, but nearly half of the studies were from the Middle East. Although a beneficial effect on combined psychological outcomes was found (Hedge’s g = 0.82, P < 0.0001), it was moderated by region (P < 0.00001) such that studies from the Middle East exhibited large effects (g = 1.40, P < 0.0001), while the effects were small among studies conducted elsewhere (g = 0.23, P < 0.0001). Statistically adjusting for study region in a meta-regression, neither intervention length, therapeutic approach, therapy format, nor participant gender (P > 0.05) moderated the effect of treatment. A beneficial treatment effect on pregnancy (RR (95% CI) = 1.25 (1.07–1.47), P = 0.005) was not moderated by region, treatment length, approach or format (P > 0.05). Largely due to the lack of high quality RCTs, the quality of the available evidence was rated as low to moderate.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

This is the first meta-analysis of RCTs testing the effect of psychological interventions on infertility-related distress and pregnancy rates. These findings suggest that in most regions of the world, psychological interventions are associated with small reductions in distress and modest effects on conception, suggesting the need for more effective interventions. These findings must be considered in light of the fact that the majority of the included RCTs were deemed to be at high risk of bias. Rigorously conducted trials are needed.
The Dense Breast Clinic: Initial Experience of a Patient-Centered Breast Imaging Clinic
Authors: Robinson Kristin A , Staack Sasha O , Patel Bhavika K , Lorans Roxanne , Sharpe Richard E , Kling Juliana M , Maimone Santo , Pizzitola Victor J
Published: October 2022

Objective

Establish a radiologist-run consultation clinic to review breast density and supplemental screening exams (SSEs) directly with patients in response to breast density reporting laws.

Methods

Breast radiologists opened and staffed a clinic for formal patient consultations regarding breast density and SSEs. An IRB-approved questionnaire assessed patient knowledge of breast density, SSEs, and encounter satisfaction. Comparative statistical analyses were performed on knowledge-based questions.

Results

From February 2019 to February 2021, 294 reimbursable consultations were performed with 215 patients completing pre- and post-consultation questionnaires (survey response rate, 73%). Median patient age was 58 years (range, 34–86 years) and 9% (19/210) had a personal history of breast cancer. An increase in patient knowledge of breast density and SSEs was observed as follows: breast density categories (9% correct pre-consultation (20/215), 86% correct post-consultation (185/215), P < 0.001), dense breast effects on cancer risk (39% correct pre-consultation (83/215), 84% post-consultation (180/215)), mammogram sensitivity (90% correct pre-consultation (193/215), 94% post-consultation (201/215)), and increased cancer detection with SSEs (82% correct pre-consultation (177/215), 95% post-consultation (205/215)) (P < 0.001). Post-consultation, 96% (200/209) were satisfied with the usefulness of information, 89% (186/209) strongly agreed they had sufficient knowledge of SSEs, and 81% (167/205) agreed they would like future opportunities to meet with a breast radiologist.

Conclusion

A consultation clinic staffed by breast radiologists focused on breast density and supplemental breast cancer screening can provide personalized patient counseling, engage patients in shared decision making, assist referring clinicians, and support high quality patient-centered care.
Structured Reporting: An Intervention to Improve Procedure Documentation in Breast Imaging
Authors: Floore Tyann L , Kuzmiak Cherie M , Lee Sheila S , Rivers Lana M , Eltilib Mohamed Taj , Benefield Thad , Jordan Sheryl G
Published: October 2022

Objective

To evaluate intervention of structured reporting after wrong-site surgery that occurred after localization of an incorrect breast biopsy marker.

Methods

An IRB-exempt retrospective database review identified patients who underwent core-needle biopsy of a breast lesion from July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2020. They were divided into three cohorts: 2014 pre-intervention/pre-sentinel, 2017 pre-intervention/post-sentinel, and 2019 post-intervention of structured reports. One hundred reports per cohort were reviewed for documentation of marker and shape. Statistical analysis was performed with mixed-effects logistic regression model and chi-squared test with P < 0.05 considered significant.

Results

The 2014 cohort consisted of 100 patients with 122 biopsies. Twenty-seven (22.1%) were excluded: 5/122 (4.1%) lesion resolution, 22/122 (18.0%) no documentation whether marker was/was not placed. Of the 95 biopsies remaining, 4/95 (4.2%) had no marker placed, 62/95 (65.3%) reported marker only, and 29/95 (30.5%) reported marker and shape. In the 2017 cohort, 100 patients underwent 108 biopsies. Four/108 (3.7%) were excluded: lesion resolution. Of the 104, 10/104 (9.6%) had no marker placed, 22/104 (21.2%) reported marker only, and 72/104 (69.2%) reported marker and shape. In the 2019 cohort, 100 patients underwent 114 biopsies. Two/114 (1.8%) were excluded: lesion resolution. Of the 112, 3/112 (2.7%) had no marker placed, 3/112 (2.7%) reported marker only, and 106/112 (94.6%) reported marker and shape. The predicted probability of both marker placement and shape described were statistically greater for 2019 compared to the other cohorts (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Using structured reports facilitates and improves documentation of breast biopsy markers and may potentially reduce the risk of medical errors.
DNA Barcoding of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) From Thailand Reveals Taxonomic Inconsistencies and Novel Diversity Among Reported Sequences
Authors: Gopurenko David , Bellis Glenn , Pengsakul Theerakamol , Siriyasatien Padet , Thepparat Arunrat
Published: October 2022

Recent focus on Culicoides species diversity in Thailand was prompted by a need to identify vectors responsible for the transmission of African Horse Sickness in that country. To assist rapid genetic identification of species, we sampled mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA barcodes (N = 78) from 40 species of Culicoides biting midge from Thailand, including 17 species for which DNA barcodes were previously unavailable. The DNA barcodes were assigned to 39 Barcode Identification Numbers (BINs) representing terminal genetic clusters at the Barcode of Life Data systems (BOLD). BINs assisted with comparisons to published conspecific DNA barcodes and allowed partial barcodes obtained from seven specimens to be associated with BINs by their similarity. Some taxonomic issues were revealed and attributed to the possible misidentification of earlier reported specimens as well as a potential synonymy of C. elbeli Wirth & Hubert and C. menglaensis Chu & Liu. Comparison with published BINs also revealed genetic evidence of divergent population processes and or potentially cryptic species in 16 described taxa, flagged by their high levels of COI sequence difference among conspecifics. We recommend the BOLD BIN system to researchers preparing DNA barcodes of vouchered species for public release. This will alert them to taxonomic incongruencies between their records and publicly released DNA barcodes, and also flag genetically deep and potentially novel diversity in described species.
Comparing Satellite and Ground-Based Measurements of Environmental Suitability for Vector Mosquitoes in an Urban Landscape
Authors: McMahon Andrea , França Caio M B , Wimberly Michael C
Published: October 2022

Exposure to mosquito-borne diseases is influenced by landscape patterns and microclimates associated with land cover. These influences can be particularly strong in heterogeneous urban landscapes where human populations are concentrated. We investigated how land cover and climate influenced abundances of Ae. albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Norman, Oklahoma (United States). From June–October 2019 and May–October 2020 we sampled mosquitoes along an urban-rural gradient using CO2 baited BG Sentinel traps. Microclimate sensors at these sites measured temperature and humidity. We mapped environmental variables using satellite images from Landsat, Sentinel-2, and VIIRS, and the CHIRPS rainfall dataset. We also obtained meteorological data from the closest weather station. We compared statistical models of mosquito abundance based on microclimate, satellite, weather station, and land cover data. Mosquitoes were more abundant on trap days with higher temperature and relative humidity. Rainfall 2 wk prior to the trap day negatively affected mosquito abundances. Impervious surface cover was positively associated with Cx. quinquefasciatus and tree cover was negatively associated with Ae. albopictus. Among the data sources, models based on satellite variables and land cover data had the best fits for Ae. albopictus (R2 = 0.7) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (R2 = 0.51). Models based on weather station or microclimate data had weaker fits (R2 between 0.09 and 0.17) but were improved by adding land cover variables (R2 between 0.44 and 0.61). These results demonstrate the potential for using satellite remote sensing for mosquito habitat analyses in urban areas.
Theorizing Multilevel Closure Structures Guiding Forum Participation
Authors: Fried Harrison , Hamilton Matthew , Berardo Ramiro
Published: October 2022

Understanding how stakeholders choose to participate in different policy forums is central to research on complex, polycentric governance systems. In this article, we draw upon the Ecology of Games Theory (EGT) to develop theoretical expectations about how four incentive structures may guide how actors navigate the world of policy forums. We test these expectations using unique data on a three-mode network of actors, forums, and issues related to climate change adaption in the state of Ohio, in the US Midwest. Results of an exponential random graph model suggest that multilevel closure structures, which are a function of transaction costs and direct benefits, guide actors’ forum participation in ways that can either reinforce sub-optimal, ineffective governance arrangements, or conversely, encourage opportunities for innovation, increase diversity in representation, and facilitate policy learning. From a methodological standpoint, our research highlights the benefits of examining complex governance systems through the more precise approach allowed by three-mode network analysis, which has not been frequently used in research on polycentric governance systems up to this point.
Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE) protect human RPE cells from t-BHP-induced oxidative stress and necrosis by activating the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defence
Authors: Li Yue , Zhu Xue , Wang Ke , Zhu Ling , Murray Michael , Zhou Fanfan
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prevalent ocular disease. Dry AMD accounts for most cases of blindness associated with AMD but there are no treatments. Oxidative stress-induced damage to retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of dry AMD. This study investigated the protective actions of Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE) in human RPE cells subjected to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-mediated oxidative stress.

Methods

The human ARPE-19 cells were pre-treated with or without GBE before the exposure to t-BHP. Cell viability, cell death profile and lipid peroxidation were assessed. The findings were verified using human primary RPE cultures.

Key findings

GBE pre-treatment prevented the increase in lipid peroxidation and necrosis/ferroptosis, and the concurrent viability decrease in RPE cells exposed to t-BHP. It enabled the pronounced activation of Nrf2 and its downstream genes. We found that ERK1/2 phosphorylation was increased to a similar extent by t-BHP and GBE.

Conclusion

This study revealed that GBE pre-treatment attenuates pro-oxidant stress and protects human RPE cells from oxidative injury by modulating ERK1/2-Nrf2 axis. These findings suggest that GBE has the potential to be developed as a agent that may be valuable in decreasing AMD progression.
Cosmic evolution of grain size distribution in galaxies using the ν2GC semi-analytical model
Authors: Makiya Ryu , Hirashita Hiroyuki
Published: October 2022

We investigate the cosmological evolution of interstellar dust with a semi-analytical galaxy formation model (ν2GC), focusing on the evolution of grain size distribution. The model predicts the statistical properties of dust mass and grain size distribution in galaxies across cosmic history. We confirm that the model reproduces the relation between dust-to-gas ratio and metallicity in the local Universe, and that the grain size distributions of the Milky Way (MW)-like sample become similar to the so-called Mathis, Rumpl & Nordsieck (MRN) distribution that reproduces the observed MW extinction curve. Our model, however, tends to overpredict the dust mass function at the massive end at redshift z ≲ 0.8 while it reproduces the abundance of dusty galaxies at higher redshifts. We also examine the correlation between grain size distribution and galaxy properties (metallicity, specific star formation rate, gas fraction, and stellar mass), and observe a clear trend of large-grain-dominated, small-grain-dominated, and MRN-like grain size distributions from unevolved to evolved stages. As a consequence, the extinction curve shapes are flat, steep, and intermediate (MW-like) from the unevolved to evolved phases. At a fixed metallicity, the grain size distribution tends to have larger fractions of small grains at lower redshift; accordingly, the extinction curve tends to be steeper at lower redshift. We also predict that supersolar-metallicity objects at high redshift have flat extinction curves with weak 2175 Å bump strength.