bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on an in-patient medical unit associated with unrecognized exposures in common areas—Epidemiological and whole-genome sequencing investigation
Authors: Kain Dylan C. , Isabel Sandra , Abdulnoor Mariana , Boissinot Karel , De Borja Richard , Filkin Amanda , Lam Bernard , Li Jason , Lungu Ilinca , McCreight Liz , McGeer Allison , Mazzulli Tony , Paterson Aimee , Zuzarte Philip , Vincelli Felicia , Bergwerff Cassandra , Fattouh Ramzi , Simpson Jared T. , Johnstone Jennie
Published: March 2023

Objective:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) hospital outbreaks have been common and devastating during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in these environments is critical for preventing and managing outbreaks.

Design:

Outbreak investigation through epidemiological mapping and whole-genome sequencing phylogeny.

Setting:

Hospital in-patient medical unit outbreak in Toronto, Canada, from November 2020 to January 2021.

Participants:

The outbreak involved 8 patients and 10 staff and was associated with 3 patient deaths.

Results:

Patients being cared for in geriatric chairs at the nursing station were at high risk for both acquiring and transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to other patients and staff. Furthermore, given the informal nature of these transmissions, they were not initially recognized, which led to further transmission and missing the opportunity for preventative COVID-19 therapies.

Conclusions:

During outbreak prevention and management, the risk of informal patient care settings, such as geriatric chairs, should be considered. During high-risk periods or during outbreaks, efforts should be made to care for patients in their rooms when possible.
Solitary Swedish Sinologists: Three Hundred and Fifty Years of Swedish China Studies
Authors: Cassel Pär
Published: March 2023

This article gives an analytic survey of Sinology in the Swedish-speaking world from the mid-seventeenth century through the present and it draws on a wide range of primary and secondary sources from the same time period. It argues that while Swedish Sinology has been characterized by strong individuals who have made consequential contributions to the study of China, Swedish Sinology now faces important challenges of an institutional and linguistic nature.
From Roadside Stops to the Courthouse Stairs: Defendant Race and the Attorney’s Role in Routine Cases
Authors: Collins Todd A. , Baker Matthew E.
Published: March 2023

Latinos, especially those who recently immigrated, face many obstacles in navigating the political and judicial environment in the United States. While prior scholarship suggests that racial minorities are more likely to be stopped by law enforcement for traffic violations and face harsher penalties for major crimes, little research has explored whether a defendant’s characteristics are influential in routine traffic court cases. Using an original database, this paper examines disparate treatment in speeding ticket reductions. The results indicate that Latino defendants are less likely to receive meaningful reductions to their charges. However, attorney representation greatly lessens the likelihood of disparate treatment for Latino drivers. As traffic court proceedings often represent the only interaction most people have with the judicial system, these findings have significant implications for racial equality, the administration of justice, attorney representation, and public opinion of the judiciary.
The Bruss–Robertson–Steele inequality
Authors: Rogers L. C. G.
Published: March 2023

The Bruss–Robertson–Steele (BRS) inequality bounds the expected number of items of random size which can be packed into a given suitcase. Remarkably, no independence assumptions are needed on the random sizes, which points to a simple explanation; the inequality is the integrated form of an
$\omega$
-by-
$\omega$
inequality, as this note proves.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of iodine nutrition in modern vegan and vegetarian diets
Authors: Eveleigh Elizabeth Rose , Coneyworth Lisa , Welham Simon J. M.
Published: March 2023

Vegan and vegetarian diets are widely supported and adopted, but individuals following such diets remain at greater risk of iodine deficiency. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the iodine intake and status in adults following a vegan or vegetarian diet in the modern day. A systematic review and quality assessment were conducted from October 2020 to December 2022 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidance. Studies were identified in Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. Eleven articles were eligible for review containing 4421 adults (aged ≥ 18 years). Vegan groups had the lowest median urinary iodine concentration (mUIC) (12·2/l). None of the dietary groups had mUIC within the optimal range for iodine status (100–200 µg/l) (WHO). Vegan diets had the poorest iodine intake (17·3 µg/d) and were strongly associated with lower iodine intake (P = < 0·001) compared with omnivorous diets. Lower intake in vegan diets was influenced by sex (P = 0·007), the presence of voluntary or absence of Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) programmes (P = 0·01 & P = < 0·001), and living in a country with adequate iodine nutrition (P = < 0·001). Vegetarians and particularly vegans living in countries with no current USI programme continue to have increased risk of low iodine status, iodine deficiency and inadequate iodine intake. Further research into the usefulness of mandatory fortification of vegan appropriate foods is required.
Ultra-processed foods in a rural Ecuadorian community: associations with child anthropometry and bone maturation
Authors: Gyimah Emmanuel A. , Nicholas Jennifer L. , Waters William F. , Gallegos-Riofrío Carlos Andres , Chapnick Melissa , Blackmore Ivy , Douglas Katherine E. , Iannotti Lora L.
Published: March 2023

Frequent ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is consistently associated with poor health outcomes. Little is known about UPF intake during early childhood and its effects on growth. We assessed UPF in relation to child anthropometry, bone maturation, and their nutrition profiles in a rural Ecuadorian community. Covariate-adjusted regression models estimated relationships between UPF intake from a 24-hour Food Frequency Questionnaire and three outcomes: linear growth, weight status and bone maturation. Nutrient Profiling Models (NPM) evaluated a convenience sample of UPF (n 28) consumed by children in the community. In this cohort (n 125; mean age = 33·92 (sd 1·75) months), 92·8 % consumed some form of UPF the previous day. On average, children consuming UPF four to twelve times per day (highest tertile) had lower height-for-age z-scores than those with none or a single instance of UPF intake (lowest tertile) (β = –0·43 [se 0·18]; P = 0·02). Adjusted stunting odds were significantly higher in the highest tertile relative to the lowest tertile (OR: 3·07, 95 % CI 1·11, 9·09). Children in the highest tertile had significantly higher bone age z-scores (BAZ) on average compared with the lowest tertile (β = 0·58 [se 0·25]; P = 0·03). Intake of savoury UPF was negatively associated with weight-for-height z-scores (β = –0·30 [se 0·14]; P = 0·04) but positively associated with BAZ (β = 0·77 [se 0·23]; P < 0·001). NPM indicated the availability of unhealthy UPF to children, with excessive amounts of saturated fats, free sugars and sodium. Findings suggest that frequent UPF intake during early childhood may be linked to stunted growth (after controlling for bone age and additional covariates), despite paradoxical associations with bone maturation.
AN EMENDATION TO PLINY, PANEGYRIC 95.4
Authors: Power Tristan
Published: March 2023

This paper suggests a new emendation to the text of the final passage of Pliny's Panegyric, where a small lacuna has long been suspected after substiti.
AUTOPSY AND DIDACTIC AUTHORITY: RETHINKING THE PROLOGUE OF THE PERIODOS TO NICOMEDES
Authors: Hanigan Daniel R. , Kynaston Grant R.
Published: March 2023

All modern critics have read verses 128–36 of Pseudo-Scymnus’ iambic Periodos to Nicomedes (c.133–110/109 b.c.e.) as a description of the personal autopsies of the author. However, close analysis of both the literary dynamics of the poem and the syntax of the lacunose text that precedes this passage shows that this cannot be the case. This article proposes that Timaeus of Tauromenium (c.350–260 b.c.e.) is a superior candidate for the referent of these lines, and offers a coherent approach to emending the manifestly corrupt text. This reinterpretation makes better sense of the extant text of the Periodos, and allows these verses to be read as a second-century witness to Timaeus’ autoptic prowess.
Some characterizations of expanding and steady Ricci solitons
Authors: Santos Márcio S.
Published: March 2023

In this short note, we deal with complete noncompact expanding and steady Ricci solitons of dimension
$n\geq 3.$
More precisely, under an integrability assumption, we obtain a characterization for the generalized cigar Ricci soliton and the Gaussian Ricci soliton.
Validation of magnetized gas-jet experiments to investigate the effects of an external magnetic field on laser-plasma instabilities
Authors: Bailly-Grandvaux M. , Winjum B.J. , Manuel M.J.-E. , Bolaños S. , Walsh C.A. , Saret J. , Bogale A. , Strehlow J. , Lee R. , Tsung F. , Mori W. , Froula D.H. , Filkins T. , Beg F.N.
Published: March 2023

Laser-plasma instabilities (LPI) play a detrimental role in energy coupling to the target in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). The recent development of applied strong magnetic fields for use in ICF and laboratory astrophysics experiments has opened opportunities to investigate the role of external magnetic fields on LPIs. Recent numerical studies have shown that stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) can be mitigated by external magnetic fields in the kinetic regime of the instability and warrant systematic experimental studies to validate modelling. To this end, we design experiments at the OMEGA-EP laser facility to investigate the effect of an external perpendicular

$B$

-field of 5–30 T on the backscattered light spectrum from a gas-jet target. We present measurements from a proof-of-principle experiment, where the backward-SRS (BSRS) is in the kinetic regime, for which the magnetization is expected to produce the greatest effects on instability growth. New simulations motivated by this experiment are used to inform the proposal of an upgraded experimental design. Our simulation predictions show that the new design is suited to experimentally demonstrating BSRS mitigation by an external magnetic field, despite the magnetization effects on the hydrodynamics, as well as the inherent temporal and spatial variations in plasma conditions.
On the concept of leadership and the office of Leader of the Zoroastrians (hu-dēnān pēšōbāy) in Abbasid Zoroastrianism
Authors: Rezania Kianoosh
Published: March 2023

Like many other religions, Zoroastrianism frequently restructured its priestly organization during its long history, largely because of the environmental changes to which it was exposed. A major shift in status – from being the state religion in the Sasanian Empire to holding only a minor position in the early Islamic period – challenged the Zoroastrian hierarchy of authority. The Abbasid state provided Zoroastrianism with an opportunity to initiate a new office, which was calledhu-dēnān pēšōbāy“Leader of the Zoroastrians”. This article is the first to deal with this office in detail and scrutinizes the concept of leadership (pēšōbāyīh) in Sasanian and Abbasid Zoroastrianism. It sheds some light on the priestly structure of Zoroastrianism in this period and investigates the position of the office within the overall religious organization. It re-examines, moreover, evidence for the officiating Zoroastrian theologians in this office at the Abbasid court in Baghdad. Finally, it searches for the parallels between this office and that of the East-Syrian catholicos and the Jewish exilarch.
Examining linguistic and experimenter biases through “non-native” versus “native” speech
Authors: Weissler Rachel Elizabeth , Drake Shiloh , Kampf Ksenia , Diantoro Carissa , Foster Kurtis , Kirkpatrick Audrey , Preligera Isabel , Wesson Orion , Wood Anna , Baese-Berk Melissa M.
Published: March 2023

There is a consensus in psycholinguistic research that listening to unfamiliar speech constitutes a challenging listening situation. In this commentary, we explore the problems with the construct ofnon-nativeand ask whether using this construct in research is useful, specifically to shift the communicative burden from the language learner to the perceiver, who often occupies a position of power. We examine what factors affect perception of non-native talkers. We frame this question by addressing the observation that not all “difficult” listening conditions provide equal challenges. Given this, we ask how cognitive and social factors impact perception of unfamiliar accents and ask what our psycholinguistic measurements are capturing. We close by making recommendations for future work. We propose that the issue is less with the terminology ofnativeversusnon-native, but rather how our unexamined biases affect the methodological assumptions that we make. We propose that we can use the existing dichotomy to create research programs that focus on teaching perceivers to better understand talkers more generally. Finally, we call on perceivers and researchers alike to question the idea of speech being “native,” “non-native,” “unfamiliar,” and “accented” to better align with reality as opposed to our inherently biased views.
Shaping rhythm: timing and sound in five groove-based genres
Authors: Danielsen Anne , Johansson Mats , Brøvig Ragnhild , Sandvik Bjørnar , Bøhler Kjetil Klette
Published: March 2023

Shaping events at the microlevel of rhythm is an important aspect of many groove-based musics. In the present study, we explore the interconnectedness of musical parameters such as timing, attack shape, timbre and relative intensity in creating groove through investigating musicians and producers’ discourse in five genres (jazz, samba, electronic dance music, hip-hop and traditional Scandinavian fiddle music). Through semi-structured interviews, we found both genre-specific accounts of how such musical features interact at the microlevel of rhythm and a cross-generic focus on inducing movement by shaping sound and generating rhythmic friction. The study empirically substantiates the multiparameter nature of musical performance and experience, and that particular genre-typical configurations of temporal and sonic features are needed to create the experience of groove. It thereby adds to the scholarly discourse on groove, which has often taken a more general and time-oriented view of rhythm.
Serum-soluble suppression of tumourigenicity-2 as a biomarker in children with congestive heart failure
Authors: Amer Eslam , El Amrousy Doaa , Hazaa Sahar , Zoair Amr
Published: March 2023

Background:

We aimed to evaluate serum soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 in children with congestive heart failure, to assess the diagnostic and prognostic values of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 in these patients, and to correlate its levels with various clinical and echocardiographic data.

Methods:

We included 60 children with congestive heart failure as the patient group. Sixty healthy children of matched age and sex served as the control group. Patients were evaluated clinically and by echocardiography. Serum level of suppression of tumorigenicity-2 was measured for patients at admission. All patients were followed up for death or readmission for a period of one year.

Results:

Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 was significantly higher in children with congestive heart failure as compared to the control group. Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 was significantly increased in patients with higher severity of congestive heart failure. There was a significant increase in soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 in patients with bad prognosis compared to those with good prognosis. There was a significant positive correlation between soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 and respiratory rate, heart rate, and clinical stage of congenital heart failure, while there was a significant negative correlation between soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. The best cut-off of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 to diagnose congestive heart failure was > 3.6 with 87% sensitivity and 79% specificity. The cut-off point of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 to diagnose congestive heart failure in children was ≥ 31.56 ng/ml, with 95% sensitivity and 91.37% specificity. Moreover, the cut-off point of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 to predict bad prognosis in children with congestive heart failure was ≥ 255.5 ng/ml, with 92% sensitivity and 89.0% specificity.

Conclusion:

Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 is a good diagnostic and predictive biomarker in children with congestive heart failure.
Efficacy of Fascia Iliaca Compartment Blocks in Proximal Femoral Fractures in the Prehospital Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Slade Sabrina , Hanna Evan , Pohlkamp-Hartt Josh , Savage David W. , Ohle Robert
Published: March 2023

Introduction:

Proximal femoral fractures are characterized as one of the most common and most painful injuries sustained by patients of all ages and are associated with high rates of oligoanalgesia in the prehospital setting. Current treatments include oral and parenteral opiates and sedative agents, however regional anesthesia techniques for pain relief may provide superior analgesia with lower risk of side effects during patient transportation. The fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) is an inexpensive treatment which is performed with minimal additional equipment, ultimately making it suitable in prehospital settings.

Problem:

In adult patients sustaining proximal femoral fractures in the prehospital setting, what is the effect of the FICB on non-verbal pain scores (NVPS), patient satisfaction, success rate, and adverse events compared to traditional analgesic techniques?

Methods:

A librarian-assisted literature search was conducted of the Cochrane Database, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science indexes. Additionally, reference lists for potential review articles from the British Journal of Anesthesia, the College of Anesthetists of Ireland, the Journal of Prehospital Emergency Care, Annales Francaises d’Anesthesie et Réanimation, and the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation, and Emergency Medicine were reviewed. Databases and journals were searched during the period from January 1, 1980 through July 1, 2022. Each study was scrutinized for quality and validity and was assigned a level of evidence as per Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines.

Results:

Five studies involving 340 patients were included (ie, two randomized control trials [RCTs], two observational studies, and one prospective observational study). Pain scores decreased after prehospital FICB across all included studies by a mean of 6.65 points (5.25 - 7.5) on the NVPS. Out of the total 257 FICBs conducted, there was a success rate of 230 (89.3%). Of these, only two serious adverse events were recorded, both of which related to local analgesia toxicity. Neither resulted in long-term sequelae and only one required treatment.

Conclusion:

Use of FICBs results in a significant decrease in NVPS in the prehospital setting, and they are ultimately suitable as regional analgesic techniques for proximal femur fractures. It carries a low risk of adverse events and may be performed by health care practitioners of various backgrounds with suitable training. The results suggest that FICBs are more effective for pain management than parenteral or oral opiates and sedative agents alone and can be used as an appropriate adjunct to pain management.
Creative Life Orientations in Socially Diverse Groups: Research Review
Authors: Cudowska Agata
Published: March 2023

This article presents the results of many years of research on creative life orientations carried out in socially diverse groups – among secondary school students, university students, and teachers – as regards their socio-demographic characteristics. It describes the theoretical assumptions of analyses, being part of the author’s original concept of creative life orientations. It discusses the understanding of this category, its interdisciplinary sources, and the specificity of life orientations in the creative versus conservative dimension. The methodological basis for the field research is explained, including the description of the original research tool, the Creative Life Orientation Preference Scale. The article then presents the generalized results of research on the respondents’ preferences for creative life orientations obtained as part of several research projects. These analyses are the basis for conclusions from research concerning the respondents’ preferences for creative, ambivalent and conservative life orientations, as well as their determinants.
Effectiveness and long-term stability of outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for children and adolescents with anxiety and depressive disorders under routine care conditions
Authors: Walter Daniel , Behrendt Ulrike , Matthias Eva Katharina , Hellmich Martin , Dachs Lydia , Goletz Hildegard , Goertz-Dorten Anja , Perri Daniela , Rademacher Christiane , Schuermann Stephanie , Woitecki Katrin , Wolff Metternich-Kaizman Tanja , Doepfner Manfred
Published: March 2023

Background:

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have provided considerable evidence for the short-term efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in children and adolescents with depressive and anxiety disorders. However, the effectiveness and long-term stability of treatment effects under routine care conditions remain unproven.

Aims:

This observational study investigates the effectiveness and stability of CBT under routine care conditions within a large sample of clinically referred youth with depressive and anxiety disorders.

Method:

Two hundred and twenty former patients (age 6–18 years at start of treatment) underwent a follow-up assessment (follow-up interval: M=5.3 years, SD=2.47). Parent and self-ratings of behavioural and emotional problems were obtained at the beginning and end of treatment and at follow-up. Additionally, at follow-up, a telephone interview and questionnaires exploring other mental symptoms and life satisfaction were administered.

Results:

A repeated measures ANOVA yielded statistically significant, medium to large pre– post symptom reductions (ηp2=.15 to ηp²=.47) and small to medium post-follow-up symptom reductions (ηp²=.03 to ηp²=.19). At follow-up, between 57 and 70% of the sample reported a decrease in different emotional symptoms since the end of treatment, and 80% reported improved life satisfaction.

Conclusions:

These findings provide evidence for the effectiveness and stability of treatment effects of CBT in youth with depressive and anxiety disorders under routine care conditions. Due to the lack of a direct control condition and a substantial proportion of missing data, the results must be interpreted with caution.
Prevalence and socio-economic determinates of food insecurity in Veterans: findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Robbins Ronna , Porter Starr Kathryn N , Addison Odessa , Parker Elizabeth A , Wherry Sarah J , Ikpe Sunday , Serra Monica C
Published: March 2023

Objective:

To determine predictors of the association between being a Veteran and adult food security, as well as to examine the relation of potential covariates to this relationship.

Design:

Data collected during 2011–2012, 2013–2014 and 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were pooled for analyses. Veterans (self-reported) were matched to non-Veterans on age, race/ethnicity, sex and education. Adjusted logistic regression was used to determine the odds of Veterans having high food security v. the combination of marginal, low and very low food security compared with non-Veterans.

Setting:

2011–2012, 2013–2014 and 2015–2016 NHANES.

Participants:

1227 Veterans; 2432 non-Veterans.

Results:

Veteran status had no effect on the proportion of food insecurities between Veterans and non-Veterans reporting high (Veterans v. non-Veteran: 79 % v. 80 %), marginal (9 % v. 8 %), low (5 % v. 6 %) and very low (8 % v. 6 %) food security (P = 0·11). However, after controlling for covariates, Veterans tended to be less likely to have high food security (OR: 0·82 (95 % CI 0·66, 1·02), P = 0·07). Further, non-Hispanic White Veterans (OR: 0·72 (95 % CI 0·55, 0·95), P = 0·02) and Veterans completing some college (OR: 0·71 (95 % CI 0·50, 0·99), P < 0·05) were significantly less likely to experience high food security compared with non-Veterans.

Conclusion:

This study supports previous research findings that after controlling for covariates, Veterans tend to be less likely to have high food security. It also highlights ethnicity and level of education as important socio-economic determinates of food security status in Veterans.
A symmetric bar chart-shape microwave sensor with high Q-factor for permittivity determination of fluidics
Authors: Navaei Moein , Rezaei Pejman , Kiani Sina
Published: March 2023

This paper introduces a symmetric bar chart-shape (SBCS) microwave sensor for measuring permittivity of fluidic samples. For designing purposes, the introduced sensor was used based on the field changes between the SBCS and rectangular loop microstrip (RLM) structure. When a sample is placed on the sensing location, interaction between SBCS and RLM varies the field intensity. The vinegar samples were combined with water and then they are placed on the sensor. The change in field intensity changes the resonance frequency. However, there is a relationship between the permittivity of samples and the resonance frequencies. The proposed sensor is implemented on the substrate of RO4003C. The relative permittivity of samples changed from 59 to 77 and the resonance frequencies changed from 2.3 to 1.4 GHz. The quality factor is 3544 and the sensitivity is 2.2%.
Global environmental and social spillover effects of EU's food trade
Authors: Malik Arunima , Lafortune Guillaume , Dahir Salma , Wendling Zachary A. , Kroll Christian , Carter Sarah , Li Mengyu , Lenzen Manfred
Published: March 2023

Non-technical summary

Globalisation has narrowed the gap between producers and consumers. Nations are increasingly relying on commodities produced outside of their borders for satisfying their consumption. This is particularly the case for the European Union (EU). This study assesses spillover effects, i.e. impacts taking place outside of the EU borders, resulting from the EU's demand for food products, in terms of environmental and social indicators.

Technical summary

Human demand for agri-food products contributes to environmental degradation in the form of land-use impacts and emissions into the atmosphere. Development and implementation of suitable policy instruments to mitigate these impacts requires robust and timely statistics at sectoral, regional and global levels. In this study, we aim to assess the environmental and social impacts embodied in European Union's (EU's) demand for agri-food products. To this end, we select a range of indicators: emissions (carbon dioxide, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide), land use, employment and income. We trace these environmental and social impacts across EU's trading partners to identify specific sectors and regions as hotspots of international spillovers embodied in EU's food supply chains and find that these hotspots are wide-ranging in all continents. EU's food demand is responsible for 5% of the EU's total CO2 consumption-based footprint, 9% of the total NOX footprint, 16% of the total PM footprint, 6% of the total SO2 footprint, 46% of the total land-use footprint, 13% of the total employment footprint and 5% of the total income footprint. Our results serve to inform future reforms in the EU for aligning policies and strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Social media summary

Significant environmental and social spillover effects embodied in the EU's food supply chains.
Pro197 and Trp574 substitutions in the acetolactate synthase of corn marigold (Glebionis segetum) and their impact on competitive ability against barley
Authors: Papapanagiotou Aristeidis P. , Spanos Theodore , Zarrougui Nour E. , Livieratos Ioannis C. , Eleftherohorinos Ilias G.
Published: March 2023

Three suspected resistant (R1, R2, and R3) corn marigold populations collected from winter cereal fields located in central Greece were studied to confirm and elucidate the mechanisms of resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors and their competitive ability against barley. Whole-plant dose–response assays proved that the three suspected R populations were highly cross-resistant to the ALS inhibitors tribenuron, pyroxsulam + florasulam, and imazamox, whereas their control with synthetic auxin plus ALS inhibitors co-formulated mixtures was increased in the order of tritosulfuron + dicamba < florasulam + clopyralid < tribenuron + mecoprop-P < florasulam + aminopyralid. The ALS gene sequence revealed a point mutation in 11 plants of the R1, R2, and R3 populations, which resulted in the substitution of Pro-197-Thr or Trp-574-Leu. By contrast, all three sequenced plants of the susceptible (S) population were found with the wild-type allele encoding Pro-197 and Trp-574. This is the first report of ALS-inhibitor resistance in corn marigold. The competition study between barley and four densities of the S, R2, or R3 populations indicated similar biomass rates for all three populations, suggesting lack of association between the competitive ability of the R populations and the target-site resistance mechanism, which was also confirmed by the similar biomass reduction rates of barley grown in competition with S or R populations.
Enhanced Ecosystem Water‐Use Efficiency Under the More Diffuse Radiation Conditions
Authors: Wang Bin , Yue Xu , Zhou Hao , Lu Xiaofei , Zhu Jun
Published: March 2023

Diffuse and direct radiation can affect ecosystem gross primary production (GPP) and evapotranspiration (ET) differently, leading to their confounding impacts on ecosystem water‐use efficiency (WUE). Currently, how these two types of radiation affect ecosystem WUE through their different impacts on GPP and ET are still not fully understood. Here, we explored how diffuse and direct radiation affects ecosystem WUE at 133 FLUXENT sites taking advantage of a newly derived diffuse radiation fraction (Kd) data set. We found that increases in Kd consistently improved WUE for all vegetation types, but the process varied with Kd levels: when Kd ≤ 0.45, the improved WUE attributed to the greater increase in GPP than ET; when Kd in 0.45–0.51, the increase in GPP and decrease in ET jointly improved WUE; when Kd ≥ 0.51, the deeper decline in ET than GPP led to a continuously increasing WUE. Furthermore, by dividing radiation during growing seasons into diffuse (Kd ≥ 0.75) and direct (Kd ≤ 0.25) dominated conditions, the average GPP, ET, and WUE under diffuse conditions were respectively 1.18 ± 0.16, 1.10 ± 0.19, and 1.10 ± 0.21 times higher (P < 0.001) than those under direct conditions for 133 sites. By using a random forest method, we further found that diffuse radiation dominated the variations of GPP, while direct radiation was the most important factor for ET. We suggest that future research on the ecosystem carbon‐water relationship should distinguish the different roles of diffuse and direct radiation on carbon and water fluxes, especially under high scattering conditions with severe aerosol pollution and cloudy skies.
Global Occurrence of Higher‐Bands ECH Waves in Radiation Belts Based on a Novel Noise Reduction Algorithm (NORA)
Authors: Zhou Qinghua , Li Jiang , Xiao Fuliang , Zhang Sai , Liu Si , Yang Chang , He Yihua , Gao Zhonglei
Published: March 2023

Electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves which can efficiently produce scattering loss of electrons, are frequently observed in the first band. Here we present new results on the global occurrence of higher‐band ECH waves in the radiation belts from Van Allen Probes data. We develop a novel noise reduction algorithm which can be widely applied to various plasma waves to better identify naturally occurring waves during periods of instrument interference. The occurrence rate of ECH waves in higher harmonic bands is comparable to that in the first harmonic band, except in the noon‐to‐dusk sector. As the level of geomagnetic activity increases, ECH waves in all bands can be observed at lower L‐shells. The occurrence rates of weak (moderate, strong) waves in all four bands increase 3–4 (4–6, 5–10) times during disturbed periods compared to those during quiet periods. The current results may provide better understanding of ECH‐driven magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling.
B cell-derived anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I antibody mediates hyperhomocysteinemia-aggravated hypertensive glomerular lesions by triggering ferroptosis
Authors: Du Xing , Ma Xiaolong , Tan Ying , Shao Fangyu , Li Chun , Zhao Yang , Miao Yutong , Han Lulu , Dang Guohui , Song Yuwei , Yang Dongmin , Deng Zhenling , Wang Yue , Jiang Changtao , Kong Wei , Feng Juan , Wang Xian
Published: March 2023

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a risk factor for chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) that affects about 85% CKD patients. HHcy stimulates B cells to secrete pathological antibodies, although it is unknown whether this pathway mediates kidney injury. In HHcy-treated 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) hypertensive murine model, HHcy-activated B cells secreted anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI) antibodies that deposited in glomerular endothelial cells (GECs), exacerbating glomerulosclerosis and reducing renal function. Mechanistically, HHcy 2K1C mice increased phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (18:0/20:4, 18:0/22:6, 16:0/20:4) in kidney tissue, as determined by lipidomics. GECs oxidative lipidomics validated the increase of oxidized phospholipids upon Hcy-activated B cells culture medium (Hcy-B CM) treatment, including PE (18:0/20:4 + 3[O], PE (18:0a/22:4 + 1[O], PE (18:0/22:4 + 2[O] and PE (18:0/22:4 + 3[O]). PE synthases ethanolamine kinase 2 (etnk2) and ethanolamine-phosphate cytidylyltransferase 2 (pcyt2) were increased in the kidney GECs of HHcy 2K1C mice and facilitated polyunsaturated PE synthesis to act as lipid peroxidation substrates. In HHcy 2K1C mice and Hcy-B CM-treated GECs, the oxidative environment induced by iron accumulation and the insufficient clearance of lipid peroxides caused by transferrin receptor (TFR) elevation and down-regulation of SLC7A11/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) contributed to GECs ferroptosis of the kidneys. In vivo, pharmacological depletion of B cells or inhibition of ferroptosis mitigated the HHcy-aggravated hypertensive renal injury. Consequently, our findings uncovered a novel mechanism by which B cell-derived pathogenic anti-β2GPI IgG generated by HHcy exacerbated hypertensive kidney damage by inducing GECs ferroptosis. Targeting B cells or ferroptosis may be viable therapeutic strategies for ameliorating lipid peroxidative renal injury in HHcy patients with hypertensive nephropathy.
An artificial neural network for surrogate modeling of stress fields in viscoplastic polycrystalline materials
Authors: Khorrami Mohammad S. , Mianroodi Jaber R. , Siboni Nima H. , Goyal Pawan , Svendsen Bob , Benner Peter , Raabe Dierk
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this work is the development of a trained artificial neural network for surrogate modeling of the mechanical response of elasto-viscoplastic grain microstructures. To this end, a U-Net-based convolutional neural network (CNN) is trained using results for the von Mises stress field from the numerical solution of initial-boundary-value problems (IBVPs) for mechanical equilibrium in such microstructures subject to quasi-static uniaxial extension. The resulting trained CNN (tCNN) accurately reproduces the von Mises stress field about 500 times faster than numerical solutions of the corresponding IBVP based on spectral methods. Application of the tCNN to test cases based on microstructure morphologies and boundary conditions not contained in the training dataset is also investigated and discussed.
Design and synthesis of novel cytotoxic fluoroquinolone analogs through topoisomerase inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis
Authors: Elanany Mohamed A. , Osman Essam Eldin A. , Gedawy Ehab Mohamed , Abou-Seri Sahar M.
Published: March 2023

To exploit the advantageous properties of approved drugs to hasten anticancer drug discovery, we designed and synthesized a series of fluoroquinolone (FQ) analogs via functionalization of the acid hydrazides of moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. Under the NCI-60 Human Tumor Cell Line Screening Assay, (IIIf) was the most potent among moxifloxacin derivatives, whereas (VIb) was the only ofloxacin derivative with significant effects and ciprofloxacin derivatives were devoid of activity. (IIIf) and (VIb) were further selected for five-dose evaluation, where they showed potent growth inhibition with a mean GI50of 1.78 and 1.45 µM, respectively. (VIb) elicited a more potent effect reaching sub-micromolar level on many cell lines, including MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines (GI50 = 0.41 and 0.42 µM, respectively), NSCLC cell line HOP-92 (GI50 = 0.50 µM) and CNS cell lines SNB-19 and U-251 (GI50 = 0.51 and 0.61 µM, respectively). (IIIf) and (VIb) arrested MCF-7 cells at G1/S and G1, respectively, and induced apoptosis mainly through the intrinsic pathway as shown by the increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-9 with a lesser activation of the extrinsic pathway through caspase-8. Both compounds inhibited topoisomerase (Topo) with preferential activity on type II over type I and (VIb) was marginally more potent than (IIIf). Docking study suggests that (IIIf) and (VIb) bind differently to Topo II compared to etoposide. (IIIf) and (VIb) possess high potential for oral absorption, low CNS permeability and low binding to plasma proteins as suggested by in silico ADME calculations. Collectively, (IIIf) and (VIb) represent excellent lead molecules for the development of cytotoxic agents from quinolone scaffolds.
Renal toxicity and biokinetics models after repeated uranium instillation
Authors: De Castro Laurie , Manoury Annabelle , Claude Olivier , Simoneau Bastien , Monceau Virginie , Suhard David , Elie Christelle , Magneron Victor , Roy Laurence , Bouvier-Capely Céline , Ibanez Chrystelle , Davesne Estelle , Guéguen Yann
Published: March 2023

During nuclear fuel processing, workers can potentially be exposed to repeated inhalations of uranium compounds. Uranium nephrotoxicity is well documented after acute uranium intake, but it is controversial after long-term or protracted exposure. This study aims to analyze the nephrotoxicity threshold after repeated uranium exposure through upper airways and to investigate the resulting uranium biokinetics in comparison to reference models. Mice (C57BL/6J) were exposed to uranyl nitrate (0.03–3 mg/kg/day) via intranasal instillation four times a week for two weeks. Concentrations of uranium in urines and tissues were measured at regular time points (from day 1 to 91 post-exposure). At each exposure level, the amount of uranium retained in organs/tissues (kidney, lung, bone, nasal compartment, carcass) and excreta (urine, feces) reflected the two consecutive weeks of instillation except for renal uranium retention for the highest uranium dose. Nephrotoxicity biomarkers, KIM-1, clusterin and osteopontin, are induced from day 4 to day 21 and associated with changes in renal function (arterial fluxes) measured using non-invasive functional imaging (Doppler-ultrasonography) and confirmed by renal histopathological analysis. These results suggest that specific biokinetic models should be developed to consider altered uranium excretion and retention in kidney due to nephrotoxicity. The threshold is between 0.25 and 1 mg/kg/day after repeated exposure to uranium via upper airways.
The association between childhood motor performance and developmental trajectories of sport participation over 5 years in Danish students aged 6–16-year-old
Authors: Lykkegaard Charlotte Raadkjær , Andersen Helene Støttrup , Wehberg Sonja , Holden Sinead , Waldorff Frans Boch , Søndergaard Jens , Larsen Lisbeth Runge , Klakk Heidi , Wedderkopp Niels
Published: March 2023

Sports participation has potential to promote physical activity in youth. Unfortunately, sports participation and physical activity may decline from childhood to adolescence and into adulthood. Globally, only 20% of 13–15-year-olds meet the World Health Organisation recommendations for physical activity. This study aimed to investigate the 5-year trajectories of sports participation and their association with baseline motor performance in Danish school children as part of the Childhood Health Activity and Motor Performance School Study-Denmark (CHAMPS-DK), a school-based physical activity intervention study which investigated the health benefits of increased physical education lessons. Five distinct trajectories were identified, with group 1 maintained a stable trajectory of little to no sports participation, and group 2 showing a low decreasing trend. Group 3–5, the most sports active, demonstrated increasing sport participation at different rates. Baseline motor performance score was associated with the two most active sports participation groups. Students who were more physically active during school hours participated less in organised leisure time sports. This suggest focusing on improving motor performance in youth may support future sports participation and thus health-related physical activity. But also, that it might be necessary to engage and maintain children and adolescents in leisure time sports while implementing physical activity promotion interventions.
Screening and identification of key biomarkers of depression using bioinformatics
Authors: Kong Xinru , Wang Chuang , Wu Qiaolan , Wang Ziyue , Han Yu , Teng Jing , Qi Xianghua
Published: March 2023

We aimed to identify the molecular biomarkers of MDD disease progression to uncover potential mechanisms of major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, three microarray data sets, GSE44593, GSE12654, and GSE54563, were cited from the Gene Expression Omnibus database for performance evaluation. To perform molecular functional enrichment analyses, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and a protein–protein interaction network was configured using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins and Cytoscape. To assess multi-purpose functions and pathways, such as signal transduction, plasma membrane, protein binding, and cancer pathways, a total of 220 DEGs, including 143 upregulated and 77 downregulated genes, were selected. Additionally, six central genes were observed, including electron transport system variant transcription factor 6, FMS-related receptor tyrosine kinase 3, carnosine synthetase 1, solute carrier family 22 member 13, prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase 2, and protein serine kinase H1, which had a significant impact on cell proliferation, extracellular exosome, protein binding, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the occurrence and progression of MDD and provides candidate targets for its diagnosis and treatment.
Simulations approaching data: cortical slow waves in inferred models of the whole hemisphere of mouse
Authors: Capone Cristiano , De Luca Chiara , De Bonis Giulia , Gutzen Robin , Bernava Irene , Pastorelli Elena , Simula Francesco , Lupo Cosimo , Tonielli Leonardo , Resta Francesco , Allegra Mascaro Anna Letizia , Pavone Francesco , Denker Michael , Paolucci Pier Stanislao
Published: March 2023

The development of novel techniques to record wide-field brain activity enables estimation of data-driven models from thousands of recording channels and hence across large regions of cortex. These in turn improve our understanding of the modulation of brain states and the richness of traveling waves dynamics. Here, we infer data-driven models from high-resolution in-vivo recordings of mouse brain obtained from wide-field calcium imaging. We then assimilate experimental and simulated data through the characterization of the spatio-temporal features of cortical waves in experimental recordings. Inference is built in two steps: an inner loop that optimizes a mean-field model by likelihood maximization, and an outer loop that optimizes a periodic neuro-modulation via direct comparison of observables that characterize cortical slow waves. The model reproduces most of the features of the non-stationary and non-linear dynamics present in the high-resolution in-vivo recordings of the mouse brain. The proposed approach offers new methods of characterizing and understanding cortical waves for experimental and computational neuroscientists.
Impact of Pacific Ocean heatwaves on phytoplankton community composition
Authors: Arteaga Lionel A. , Rousseaux Cecile S.
Published: March 2023

Since 2013, marine heatwaves have become recurrent throughout the equatorial and northeastern Pacific Ocean and are expected to increase in intensity relative to historic norms. Among the ecological ramifications associated with these high temperature anomalies are increased mortality of higher trophic organisms such as marine mammals and seabirds, which are likely triggered by changes in the composition of phytoplankton, the base of the marine trophic food web. Here, we assimilated satellite ocean color data into an ocean biogeochemical model to describe changes in the abundance of phytoplankton functional types (PFTs) during the last decade’s (2010s) warm anomalies in the equatorial and northeastern Pacific Ocean. We find important changes associated with the “Blob” warm anomaly in the Gulf of Alaska, where reduced silica supply led to a switch in community composition from diatoms to dinoflagellates, resulting in an increase in surface ocean chlorophyll during the Summer–Fall of 2014. A more dramatic change was observed in the equatorial Pacific, where the extreme warm conditions of the 2016 El Niño resulted in a major decline of about 40% in surface chlorophyll, which was associated with a nearly total collapse in diatoms.
Evaluation of post-hoc interpretability methods in time-series classification
Authors: Turbé Hugues , Bjelogrlic Mina , Lovis Christian , Mengaldo Gianmarco
Published: March 2023

Post-hoc interpretability methods are critical tools to explain neural-network results. Several post-hoc methods have emerged in recent years but they produce different results when applied to a given task, raising the question of which method is the most suitable to provide accurate post-hoc interpretability. To understand the performance of each method, quantitative evaluation of interpretability methods is essential; however, currently available frameworks have several drawbacks that hinder the adoption of post-hoc interpretability methods, especially in high-risk sectors. In this work we propose a framework with quantitative metrics to assess the performance of existing post-hoc interpretability methods, particularly in time-series classification. We show that several drawbacks identified in the literature are addressed, namely, the dependence on human judgement, retraining and the shift in the data distribution when occluding samples. We also design a synthetic dataset with known discriminative features and tunable complexity. The proposed methodology and quantitative metrics can be used to understand the reliability of interpretability methods results obtained in practical applications. In turn, they can be embedded within operational workflows in critical fields that require accurate interpretability results for, example, regulatory policies.