bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of greenhouse warming on mesoscale eddy characteristics in high-resolution climate simulations
Authors: Yun Junghee , Ha Kyung-Ja , Lee Sun-Seon
Published: November 2023

Mesoscale eddies are prevalent throughout the global ocean and have significant implications on the exchange of heat, salt, volume, and biogeochemical properties. These small-scale features can potentially influence regional and global climate systems. However, the effects of climate change on ocean eddies remain uncertain due to limited long-term observational data. To address this knowledge gap, our study focuses on examining the impact of greenhouse warming on surface mesoscale eddy characteristics, utilizing a high-resolution climate simulation project. Our model experiments provided valuable insights into the potential effects of greenhouse warming on mesoscale eddies, suggesting that mesoscale eddies will likely become more frequent under greenhouse warming conditions and exhibit larger amplitudes and radii, especially in regions characterized by strong ocean currents such as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and western boundary currents. However, a distinctive pattern emerged in the Gulf Stream, with increases in eddy occurrence and radius and significant decreases in eddy amplitude. This phenomenon can be attributed to the relationship between eddy lifespans and their properties. Specifically, in the Kuroshio Current, the amplitude of eddies increased due to the increased occurrence of long-lived eddies. In contrast, in the Gulf Stream, the amplitude of eddies decreased significantly due to the decreased occurrence of long-lived eddies. This distinction arises from the fact that long-lived eddies can accumulate more energy than shorter-lived eddies throughout their lifetime. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of mesoscale eddies in a warming world.
Brown algae invasions and bloom events need routine monitoring for effective adaptation
Authors: Almela Victoria Dominguez , Tompkins Emma L , Dash Jadu , Tonon Thierry
Published: November 2023

Brown algae blooms and invasions have affected 29% of the Earth’s coast, yet there is sparse evidence of the impacts and adaptations of these events. Through a systematic review of empirical literature on these blooms and invasions, we explore the prevalence of conventional analyses of environmental, economic, and social impacts, as well as opportunities for adaptation and valorisation. The study reveals crucial inconsistencies in the current evidence base on algae impacts: fragmented metrics for quantifying blooms and their effects; inconsistent application and testing of prevention measures (e.g. forecasting, early warning systems); reliance on removal as a management approach with limited evidence of associated costs; and scant evidence of the effectiveness of impact mitigation or adaptation strategies. With a focus on economic and societal dimensions of algae events, we introduce emerging opportunities within the blue economy for bloom utilization. The findings highlight the crucial need for harmonized monitoring protocols, robust cost-benefit analysis of management and adaptation options, and evidence of pathways to valorisation of algae biomass.
A study of pulsed high voltage driven hollow-cathode electron beam sources through synchronous optical trigger
Authors: HUO 霍 Weijie 卫杰 , HE 贺 Weiguo 伟国 , HAN 韩 Luofeng 罗峰 , ZHU 朱 Kangwu 康武 , WANG 王 Feng 锋
Published: November 2023

In this study, a pulsed, high voltage driven hollow-cathode electron beam sources through an optical trigger is designed with characteristics of simple structure, low cost, and easy triggering. To validate the new design, the characteristics of hollow-cathode discharge and electron beam characterization under pulsed high voltage drive are studied experimentally and discussed by discharge characteristics and analyses of waveform details, respectively. The validation experiments indicate that the pulsed high voltage supply significantly improves the frequency and stability of the discharge, which provides a new solution for the realization of a high-frequency, high-energy electron beam source. The peak current amplitude in the high-energy electron beam increases from 6.2 A to 79.6 A, which indicates the pulsed power mode significantly improves the electron beam performance. Besides, increasing the capacitance significantly affects the high-current, lower-energy electron beam more than the high-energy electron beam.
BatmanNet: bi-branch masked graph transformer autoencoder for molecular representation
Authors: Wang Zhen , Feng Zheng , Li Yanjun , Li Bowen , Wang Yongrui , Sha Chulin , He Min , Li Xiaolin
Published: November 2023

Although substantial efforts have been made using graph neural networks (GNNs) for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery, effective molecular representation learning remains an open challenge, especially in the case of insufficient labeled molecules. Recent studies suggest that big GNN models pre-trained by self-supervised learning on unlabeled datasets enable better transfer performance in downstream molecular property prediction tasks. However, the approaches in these studies require multiple complex self-supervised tasks and large-scale datasets , which are time-consuming, computationally expensive and difficult to pre-train end-to-end. Here, we design a simple yet effective self-supervised strategy to simultaneously learn local and global information about molecules, and further propose a novel bi-branch masked graph transformer autoencoder (BatmanNet) to learn molecular representations. BatmanNet features two tailored complementary and asymmetric graph autoencoders to reconstruct the missing nodes and edges, respectively, from a masked molecular graph. With this design, BatmanNet can effectively capture the underlying structure and semantic information of molecules, thus improving the performance of molecular representation. BatmanNet achieves state-of-the-art results for multiple drug discovery tasks, including molecular properties prediction, drug–drug interaction and drug–target interaction, on 13 benchmark datasets, demonstrating its great potential and superiority in molecular representation learning.
Hemispheric lateralization of language processing: insights from network-based symptom mapping and patient subgroups
Authors: Dai Zhiyun , Song Luping , Luo Chongjing , Liu Di , Li Mingyang , Han Zaizhu
Published: November 2023

The hemispheric laterality of language processing has become a hot topic in modern neuroscience. Although most previous studies have reported left-lateralized language processing, other studies found it to be bilateral. A previous neurocomputational model has proposed a unified framework to explain that the above discrepancy might be from healthy and patient individuals. This model posits an initial symmetry but imbalanced capacity in language processing for healthy individuals, with this imbalance contributing to language recovery disparities following different hemispheric injuries. The present study investigated this model by analyzing the lateralization patterns of language subnetworks across multiple attributes with a group of 99 patients (compared to nonlanguage processing) and examining the lateralization patterns of language subnetworks in subgroups with damage to different hemispheres. Subnetworks were identified using a whole-brain network-based lesion-symptom mapping method, and the lateralization index was quantitatively measured. We found that all the subnetworks in language processing were left-lateralized, while subnetworks in nonlanguage processing had different lateralization patterns. Moreover, diverse hemisphere-injury subgroups exhibited distinct language recovery effects. These findings provide robust support for the proposed neurocomputational model of language processing.
EEG microstates analysis after TMS in patients with subacute stroke during the resting state
Authors: Zhang Hongmei , Yang Xue , Yao Liqing , Liu Qian , Lu Yihuan , Chen Xueting , Wang Tianling
Published: November 2023

To investigate whether intermittent theta burst stimulation over the cerebellum induces changes in resting-state electroencephalography microstates in patients with subacute stroke and its correlation with cognitive and emotional function. Twenty-four stroke patients and 17 healthy controls were included in this study. Patients and healthy controls were assessed at baseline, including resting-state electroencephalography and neuropsychological scales. Fifteen patients received lateral cerebellar intermittent theta burst stimulation as well as routine rehabilitation training (intermittent theta burst stimulation–RRT group), whereas 9 patients received only conventional rehabilitation training (routine rehabilitation training group). After 2 wk, baseline data were recorded again in both groups. Stroke patients exhibited reduced parameters in microstate D and increased parameters in microstate C compared with healthy controls. However, after the administration of intermittent theta burst stimulation over the lateral cerebellum, significant alterations were observed in the majority of metrics for both microstates D and C. Lateral cerebellar intermittent theta burst stimulation combined with conventional rehabilitation has a stronger tendency to improve emotional and cognitive function in patients with subacute stroke than conventional rehabilitation. The improvement of mood and cognitive function was significantly associated with microstates C and D. We identified electroencephalography microstate spatiotemporal dynamics associated with clinical improvement following a course of intermittent theta burst stimulation therapy.
Impact of Maternal Smoking, Offspring Smoking, and Genetic Susceptibility on Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Hu Linmin , Wu Siqing , Shu Yuelong , Su Kai , Wang Chunliang , Wang Danni , He Qiangsheng , Chen Xinyu , Li Wenjing , Mi Ningning , Xie Peng , Zhao Jinyu , Zhang Shiyong , Yuan Jinqiu , Xiang Jianbang , Xia Bin
Published: November 2023

Background and Aims

The long-term impact of maternal smoking during pregnancy [MSDP] on the risk of Crohn’s disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] in adult offspring remains uncertain. The present study aimed to investigate the individual and combined effects of early life exposure [MSDP], offspring personal behaviour [smoking], and genetic risk on the development of CD and UC in adult offspring.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study using UK Biobank data, including 334 083 participants recruited between 2006 and 2010, with follow-up until December 31, 2021. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to evaluate the associations of genetic factors, maternal and personal smoking, and their combination with CD and UC.

Results

Participants exposed to MSDP had an 18% increased risk of CD compared to those without MSDP (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.39). However, no significant association was found between MSDP and UC risk [HR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.92–1.16]. Personal smoking increased the risk of CD and UC, and had a numerically amplified effect with MSDP. Participants with high genetic risk and MSDP had a 2.01-fold [95% CI = 1.53–2.65] and a 2.45-fold [95% CI = 2.00–2.99] increased risk of CD and UC, respectively, compared to participants without MSDP and with low genetic risk.

Conclusions

Our prospective cohort study provides evidence that MSDP increases the risk of CD in adult offspring, whereas no evidence supports their causal association. Additionally, smoking and genetic susceptibility had a numerically amplified effect with MSDP on CD and UC, but the interaction lacked statistical significance.
Clinical and biochemical associations of urinary metabolites: quantitative epidemiological approach on renal-cardiometabolic biomarkers
Authors: Li Tianqi , Ihanus Andrei , Ohukainen Pauli , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Kähönen Mika , Kettunen Johannes , Raitakari Olli T , Lehtimäki Terho , Mäkinen Ville-Petteri , Tynkkynen Tuulia , Ala-Korpela Mika
Published: November 2023

Background

Urinary metabolomics has demonstrated considerable potential to assess kidney function and its metabolic corollaries in health and disease. However, applications in epidemiology remain sparse due to technical challenges.

Methods

We added 17 metabolites to an open-access urinary nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics platform, extending the panel to 61 metabolites (n = 994). We also introduced automated quantification for 11 metabolites, extending the panel to 12 metabolites (+creatinine). Epidemiological associations between these 12 metabolites and 49 clinical measures were studied in three independent cohorts (up to 5989 participants). Detailed regression analyses with various confounding factors are presented for body mass index (BMI) and smoking.

Results

Sex-specific population reference concentrations and distributions are provided for 61 urinary metabolites (419 men and 575 women), together with methodological intra-assay metabolite variations as well as the biological intra-individual and epidemiological population variations. For the 12 metabolites, 362 associations were found. These are mostly novel and reflect potential molecular proxies to estimate kidney function, as the associations cannot be simply explained by estimated glomerular filtration rate. Unspecific renal excretion results in leakage of amino acids (and glucose) to urine in all individuals. Seven urinary metabolites associated with smoking, providing questionnaire-independent proxy measures of smoking status in epidemiological studies. Common confounders did not affect metabolite associations with smoking, but insulin had a clear effect on most associations with BMI, including strong effects on 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, valine, alanine, trigonelline and hippurate.

Conclusions

Urinary metabolomics provides new insight on kidney function and related biomarkers on the renal-cardiometabolic system, supporting large-scale applications in epidemiology.
Low Prevalence of Antimalarial Resistance Mutations in India During 2014–2015: Impact of Combining First-line Therapy With Primaquine
Authors: Ali Nazia A , Nema Shrikant , Schneider Kristan A , Krishna Sri , Verma Anil Kumar , Das Aparup , Bharti Praveen Kumar
Published: November 2023

Background

Antimalarial drug resistance surveillance and containment are crucial for countries aiming to eliminate malaria. Monitoring resistance evolution through studies before and after treatment policy changes is essential.

Methods

A total of 939 Plasmodium falciparum-positive blood samples were collected between 2014 and 2015 across 10 sites in India, categorized into 4 geographic clusters. Polymerase chain reaction-amplified products were sequenced to identify point mutations at drug resistance-conferring genes (Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, Pfmdr1, and Pfk13).

Results

Triple Pfdhfr mutants were found only in northeast India bordering Myanmar, while the wild type (WT) was dominant in central India. Pfdhps WTs were prevalent in all areas, and no double mutants were found. Except in northwest India, Pfmdr1 WT was dominant in all clusters. Nonsynonymous double mutations were only found in northwest India. Only synonymous mutations occurred in Pfk13. These were found in central India at a low frequency. The pattern of linkage disequilibrium and principal component analysis reflects low pressure for drug resistance and heterogeneity between the geographic clusters.

Conclusions

Resistance levels were highest in northeast India, close to the Myanmar border, where resistance is common. Primaquine has been widely used as a gametocidal and schizonticidal drug, likely contributing to maintaining low drug resistance levels and preventing strong selection for resistance.
Dephosphorylation of NFAT by Calcineurin inhibits Skp2-mediated degradation
Authors: Hanaki Shunsuke , Habara Makoto , Sato Yuki , Tomiyasu Haruki , Miki Yosei , Shibutani Shusaku , Shimada Midori
Published: November 2023

The transcription factor NFAT plays key roles in multiple biological activities, such as immune responses, tissue development and malignant transformation. NFAT is dephosphorylated by calcineurin, which is activated by intracellular calcium levels, and translocated into the nucleus, resulting in transcriptional activation. Calcineurin dephosphorylates various target proteins and regulates their functions. However, the regulation of NFAT degradation is largely unknown, and it is unclear whether calcineurin contributes to the stability of NFAT. We investigated the effect of calcineurin inhibition on NFAT protein stability and found that the dephosphorylation of NFAT by calcineurin promotes the NFAT stabilization, whereas calcineurin mutant that is defective in phosphatase activity was unable to stabilize NFAT. Increased intracellular calcium ion concentration, which is essential for calcineurin activation, also induced NFAT stability. In addition, we identified S-phase kinase associated protein 2 (Skp2), an F-box protein of the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex, as a factor mediating degradation of NFAT when calcineurin was depleted. In summary, these findings revealed that the dephosphorylation of NFAT by calcineurin protects NFAT from degradation by Skp2 and promotes its protein stability.
Exploring the photometric variability of ultra-cool dwarfs with TESS
Authors: Petrucci Romina P , Gómez Maqueo Chew Yilen , Jofré Emiliano , Segura Antígona , Ferrero Leticia V
Published: November 2023

We present a photometric characterization of 208 ultra-cool dwarfs (UCDs) with spectral types between M4 and L4, from 20-s and 2-min cadence TESS light curves. We determine rotation periods for 87 objects ($\sim 42~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) and identify 778 flare events in 103 UCDs ($\sim 49.5~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$). For 777 flaring events (corresponding to 102 objects), we derive bolometric energies between 2.1 × 1030 and $1.1 \times 10^{34}\ \mathrm{erg}$, with 56 superflare events. No transiting planets or eclipsing binaries were identified. We find that the fraction of UCDs with rotation and flaring activity is, at least, 20 per cent higher in M4–M6 spectral types than in later UCDs (M7–L4). For spectral types between M4 and L0, we measure the slope of the flare bolometric energy–duration correlation to be γ = 0.497 ± 0.058, which agrees with that found in previous studies for solar-type and M dwarfs. Moreover, we determine the slope of the flare frequency distribution to be α = −1.75 ± 0.04 for M4–M5 dwarfs, α = −1.69 ± 0.04 and α = −1.72 ± 0.1 for M6–M7 and M8–L0 dwarfs, respectively, which are consistent with previous works that exclusively analysed UCDs. These results support the idea that independently of the physical mechanisms that produce magnetic activity, the characteristics of the rotational modulation and flares are similar for both fully convective UCDs and partially convective solar-type and early-M stars. Based on the measured UCD flare distributions, we find that ultraviolet radiation emitted from flares does not have the potential to start prebiotic chemistry.
Unveiling the RNA-mediated allosteric activation discloses functional hotspots in CRISPR-Cas13a
Authors: Sinha Souvik , Molina Vargas Adrian M , Arantes Pablo R , Patel Amun , O’Connell Mitchell R , Palermo Giulia
Published: November 2023

Cas13a is a recent addition to the CRISPR-Cas toolkit that exclusively targets RNA, which makes it a promising tool for RNA detection. It utilizes a CRISPR RNA (crRNA) to target RNA sequences and trigger a composite active site formed by two ‘Higher Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes Nucleotide’ (HEPN) domains, cleaving any solvent-exposed RNA. In this system, an intriguing form of allosteric communication controls the RNA cleavage activity, yet its molecular details are unknown. Here, multiple-microsecond molecular dynamics simulations are combined with graph theory to decipher this intricate activation mechanism. We show that the binding of a target RNA acts as an allosteric effector, by amplifying the communication signals over the dynamical noise through interactions of the crRNA at the buried HEPN1-2 interface. By introducing a novel Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of communication efficiency, we reveal critical allosteric residues—R377, N378, and R973—that rearrange their interactions upon target RNA binding. Alanine mutation of these residues is shown to select target RNA over an extended complementary sequence beyond guide-target duplex for RNA cleavage, establishing the functional significance of these hotspots. Collectively our findings offer a fundamental understanding of the Cas13a mechanism of action and pave new avenues for the development of highly selective RNA-based cleavage and detection tools.
The 2024Nucleic Acids Researchdatabase issue and the online molecular biology database collection
Authors: Rigden Daniel J , Fernández Xosé M
Published: November 2023

The 2024 Nucleic Acids Research database issue contains 180 papers from across biology and neighbouring disciplines. There are 90 papers reporting on new databases and 83 updates from resources previously published in the Issue. Updates from databases most recently published elsewhere account for a further seven. Nucleic acid databases include the new NAKB for structural information and updates from Genbank, ENA, GEO, Tarbase and JASPAR. The Issue's Breakthrough Article concerns NMPFamsDB for novel prokaryotic protein families and the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database has an important update. Metabolism is covered by updates from Reactome, Wikipathways and Metabolights. Microbes are covered by RefSeq, UNITE, SPIRE and P10K; viruses by ViralZone and PhageScope. Medically-oriented databases include the familiar COSMIC, Drugbank and TTD. Genomics-related resources include Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser and Monarch. New arrivals cover plant imaging (OPIA and PlantPAD) and crop plants (SoyMD, TCOD and CropGS-Hub). The entire Database Issue is freely available online on the Nucleic Acids Research website (https://academic.oup.com/nar). Over the last year the NAR online Molecular Biology Database Collection has been updated, reviewing 1060 entries, adding 97 new resources and eliminating 388 discontinued URLs bringing the current total to 1959 databases. It is available at http://www.oxfordjournals.org/nar/database/c/.
‘To get freedom, one went abroad a lot’: British Homosexual Men and Continental Europe as a Site of Emancipation, 1950–75
Authors: Maclachlan Julia Andrea Erika
Published: November 2023

This article traces the leisure travel of British homosexual men in continental Europe between 1950 and 1975. The aim of this article is to challenge narratives of British post-war sexual rights discourses as isolated from continental Europe. Taking a transnational approach, which examines the ways in which Britain was embedded in processes of social and cultural change across Europe, it charts informal encounters and networks of cultural communication forged by homosexual men themselves during the post-war tourist boom. Using Oral Histories deposited at the British Library Sound Archive, I emphasize the role of homosocial spaces in the production and performance of the sexual self and establish how affluence provided access to spaces for sexual self-development during a period when homosexuality remained criminalized in Britain. It explores two distinct types of holidays taken by homosexual travellers, examined via a life writing approach—the Amsterdam city break and the southern European beach holiday—and shows how these experiences shaped their self-conception and hopes for a more tolerant society at home. In revealing how foreign forms of homosexual sociability influenced domestic politics, I argue for a stronger emphasis on British entanglements with continental Europe when tracing political and social transformations during the post-war period.
Parent Guidance on Alcohol Use for Youth With Chronic Medical Conditions
Authors: Calihan Jessica B. , Minegishi Machiko , Levy Sharon , Weitzman Elissa R.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Youth with chronic medical conditions are vulnerable to unique alcohol-related health consequences, yet there are few prevention strategies targeting this group. Youth with chronic medical conditions parents’ beliefs and provision of alcohol-related guidance have not yet been explored, which limits the development of effective family-based interventions.

Methods

We evaluated baseline surveys of youth with chronic medical conditions and their parents (n = 268 dyads) enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a psychoeducational intervention to reduce alcohol use by youth with chronic medical conditions. Surveys evaluated youth alcohol use, parent beliefs about their child’s alcohol use, and parental provision of alcohol guidance, including disease-related and disease-independent (ie, “drinking and driving”) topics. Paired bivariate tests (χ2, Fisher exact) were used to measure associations between youth with chronic medical conditions alcohol use and parent alcohol-related beliefs and provision of alcohol-related guidance.

Results

In this study of 268 parent-youth dyads, many parents did not provide guidance on disease-specific topics, such as mixing alcohol with medications (47.8%) or risk of flares (37.6%). Furthermore, youth with chronic medical conditions whose parents had expectant beliefs about alcohol use (ie, alcohol use is “inevitable” or “OK with supervision”) were more likely to report alcohol use (all P values <0.05).

Discussion

These findings suggest parent beliefs may influence youth with chronic medical conditions alcohol use. Proactive, disease-specific education from medical providers to parents of youth with chronic medical conditions may help to reduce adverse consequences of alcohol use in these vulnerable youth.
Right Ventricular Failure
Authors: Chen Leon L. , Zuma Danielle
Published: November 2023

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is a critical condition that significantly impacts morbidity and mortality in affected patients. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of RVF by discussing its background, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, medical treatment, and mechanical assistive devices.
An Unusual Cause of Complete Heart Block
Authors: O'Rourke Kerry , Ma Terilyn , Bojko Kevin , Chen Leon
Published: November 2023

Mercury poisoning is most frequently associated with multiorgan toxicity involving the brain, lungs, and kidneys. Cardiotoxic effects of mercury are rare and often overlooked. We demonstrate mercury poisoning–induced cardiotoxicity through a case study and then provide a review of the incidence, pathophysiology, and associated management plans. This case illustrates the importance of thorough history-taking to promote early recognition of toxicity.
Universal Difference-in-Differences for Causal Inference in Epidemiology
Authors: Tchetgen Tchetgen Eric J. , Park Chan , Richardson David B.
Published: November 2023

Difference-in-differences is undoubtedly one of the most widely used methods for evaluating the causal effect of an intervention in observational (i.e., nonrandomized) settings. The approach is typically used when pre- and postexposure outcome measurements are available, and one can reasonably assume that the association of the unobserved confounder with the outcome has the same absolute magnitude in the two exposure arms and is constant over time; a so-called parallel trends assumption. The parallel trends assumption may not be credible in many practical settings, for example, if the outcome is binary, a count, or polytomous, as well as when an uncontrolled confounder exhibits nonadditive effects on the distribution of the outcome, even if such effects are constant over time. We introduce an alternative approach that replaces the parallel trends assumption with an odds ratio equi-confounding assumption under which an association between treatment and the potential outcome under no treatment is identified with a well-specified generalized linear model relating the pre-exposure outcome and the exposure. Because the proposed method identifies any causal effect that is conceivably identified in the absence of confounding bias, including nonlinear effects such as quantile treatment effects, the approach is aptly called universal difference-in-differences. We describe and illustrate both fully parametric and more robust semiparametric universal difference-in-differences estimators in a real-world application concerning the causal effects of a Zika virus outbreak on birth rate in Brazil.

A supplementary digital video is available at: http://links.lww.com/EDE/C90
Mass Probation: Effects of Sentencing Severity on Mental Health for Black and White Individuals
Authors: LeMasters Katherine , Ross Rachael K. , Edwards Jessie K. , Lee Hedwig , Robinson Whitney R. , Brinkley-Rubinstein Lauren , Delamater Paul , Pence Brian W.
Published: November 2023

Background:

Incarceration is associated with negative impacts on mental health. Probation, a form of community supervision, has been lauded as an alternative. However, the effect of probation versus incarceration on mental health is unclear. Our objective was to estimate the impact on mental health of reducing sentencing severity at individuals’ first adult criminal–legal encounter.

Methods:

We used the US National Longitudinal Survey on Youth 1997, a nationally representative dataset of youth followed into their mid-thirties. Restricting to those with an adult encounter (arrest, charge alone or no sentence, probation, incarceration), we used parametric g-computation to estimate the difference in mental health at age 30 (Mental Health Inventory-5) if (1) everyone who received incarceration for their first encounter had received probation and (2) everyone who received probation had received no sentence.

Results:

Among 1835 individuals with adult encounters, 19% were non-Hispanic Black and 65% were non-Hispanic White. Median age at first encounter was 20. Under hypothetical interventions to reduce sentencing, we did not see better mental health overall (Intervention 1, incarceration to probation: RD = −0.01; CI = −0.02, 0.01; Intervention 2, probation to no sentence: RD = 0.00; CI = −0.01, 0.01) or when stratified by race.

Conclusion:

Among those with criminal–legal encounters, hypothetical interventions to reduce sentencing, including incremental sentencing reductions, were not associated with improved mental health. Future work should consider the effects of preventing individuals’ first criminal–legal encounter.
Quantifying the Individual Variation in Susceptibility to Endemic Coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2 with Human Challenge Trials
Authors: Miura Fuminari , Klinkenberg Don , Wallinga Jacco
Published: November 2023

Human challenge trials reveal how the infection risk depends on a given infectious dose. We propose a mathematical framework to analyze and interpret the outcomes of human challenge trials by incorporating the variability between individuals in susceptibility to infection. We illustrate the framework for two distinctive diseases; endemic diseases where a fraction of the study population has been exposed to the target pathogen previously and is thus immune, and novel diseases where the study population is fully susceptible. Based on available data from published trials, we estimate the immune proportion and the variation in susceptibility to endemic HCoV-229E and present plausible infection risks with SARS-CoV-2 over multiple orders of magnitude of the infectious dose. The results show that the proposed method captures heterogeneous background susceptibility in the study population, and we suggest ways to improve the design of future trials and to translate their outcomes to the general population.
Hormonal Medications for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
Authors: Pinkerton JoAnn V. , Vaughan Monique H. , Kaunitz Andrew M.
Published: November 2023

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is a common, under-reported, and undertreated chronic progressive condition requiring long-term treatment. Hypoestrogenism in the urogenital tissues is associated with bothersome dyspareunia, vulvovaginal symptoms, overactive bladder, and frequent urinary tract infections. Vaginal hormone therapies, including vaginal estrogen and intravaginal dehydroepiandrostenedione, are safe and effective and improve symptoms and clinical findings. Systemic hormone therapy treats vulvovaginal atrophy less effectively than vaginal hormone therapies with increased stress and urge urinary incontinence. Oral ospemifene effectively treats vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. Clinicians need to ask about symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause, confirm the diagnosis, and suggest appropriate treatment options.
Characterizing Extreme Phenotypes for Perceived Improvement From Treatment in Persons With Chronic Pain Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A NIDILRR and VA TBI Model Systems Collaborative Project
Authors: Hoffman Jeanne M. , Ketchum Jessica M. , Agtarap Stephanie , Dams-O'Connor Kristen , Hammond Flora M. , Martin Aaron M. , Sevigny Mitch , Walker William C. , Harrison-Felix Cynthia , Zafonte Ross , Nakase-Richardson Risa
Published: November 2023

Objective:

To define and characterize extreme phenotypes based on perceived improvement in pain for persons with chronic pain following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Setting:

Eighteen Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS) Centers.

Participants:

A total of 1762 TBIMS participants 1 to 30 years post-injury reporting chronic pain at their most recent follow-up interview.

Primary Measures:

The Patient's Global Impression of Change (PGIC) related to pain treatment. Sociodemographic, injury, functional outcome, pain, and pain treatment characteristics.

Results:

Participants were mostly male (73%), White (75%), middle-aged (mean 46 years), injured in motor vehicle accidents (53%), or falls (20%). Extreme phenotypes were created for an extreme improvement phenotype (n = 512, 29.8%) defined as “moderately better” or above on the PGIC and an extreme no-change group (n = 290, 16.9%) defined as no change or worse. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression combined with logistic regression identified multivariable predictors of improvement versus no-change extreme phenotypes. Higher odds of extreme improvement phenotype were significantly associated with being female (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85), married versus single (OR = 2.02), better motor function (OR = 1.03), lower pain intensity (OR = 0.78), and less frequent pain, especially chest pain (OR = 0.36). Several pain treatments were associated with higher odds of being in the extreme improvement versus no-change phenotypes including pain medication (OR = 1.85), physical therapy (OR = 1.51), yoga (OR = 1.61), home exercise program (OR = 1.07), and massage (OR = 1.69).

Conclusion:

Investigation of extreme phenotypes based on perceived improvement with pain treatment highlights the ability to identify characteristics of individuals based on pain treatment responsiveness. A better understanding of the biopsychosocial characteristics of those who respond and do not respond to pain treatments received may help inform better surveillance, monitoring, and treatment. With further research, the identification of risk factors (such as pain intensity and frequency) for treatment response/nonresponse may provide indicators to prompt changes in care for individuals with chronic pain after TBI.
Investigating the Impact of a Motor Program on Preschoolers With Disabilities
Authors: Ostrosky Michaelene M. , Favazza Paddy C. , Yang Hsiu-Wen , Stalega Melissa V. , Aronson-Ensign Katherine , Cheung W. Catherine , Akemoğlu Yusuf , Block Martin E. , Kwan Ngai
Published: November 2023

A semistructured preschool motor program was developed in response to the paucity of evidence-based motor programs for preschoolers with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was undertaken to examine the impact of the CHildren in Action: Motor Program for PreschoolerS (CHAMPPS), a 21-week intervention that includes 42 Universal Design for Learning–embedded lessons with suggestions for supporting school readiness skills. Eight intervention and 8 control classrooms across 2 states participated in the RCT. Data on 51 children with disabilities provide initial evidence on how CHAMPPS positively impacted children's active engagement, motor, and social development. The promising results include gains in motor skills, sustained physical activity levels during motor play, increased on-task behavior, and high feasibility and usability ratings by teachers. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Advancing home-like environments for memory care residents within nursing homes
Authors: Strickfaden Megan , Welch Orsolya
Published: November 2023

Objective:

This article reports on 5 specialized memory care environments within nursing homes in Canada through the theory of affordances with the aim of understanding the layered implications of affordances on memory care residents by curating objects within and configuring or designing spatial environments.

Methods:

A spatial/object-centric approach was taken by using a detailed analysis framework based on a robust interpretation of the theory of affordances and well-known elements, principles, and physical/construction properties of interior and spatial design. A web content analysis method, using hundreds of photographs, drawings, and textual information belonging to 5 nursing homes posted on websites and on social media, was used.

Results:

The results include a detailed analysis framework informed by affordance theory and 3 themes that reveal details about the designed environments. The 3 themes are: (1) how contextual factors of affordances of place and care played out, (2) how physical, cultural, and semantic affordances aided or detracted from memory care, and (3) how home-like environments with public, semiprivate, and private spaces involved multiple affordances and constraints that provided multisensory clues towards supporting and/or limiting memory care residents’ possible actions.

Conclusions:

We conclude that although affordances can open a range of possible actions, they are not ideal for configuring or designing home-like environments, and it is necessary for memory care residents to be presented with constraints that limit alternatives and misaffordances. This article provides evidence about how affordances and constraints are (and could be) intentionally embedded in home-like memory care environments in nursing homes.
Agreement Between the Gross Motor Ability Estimator-2 and the Gross Motor Ability Estimator-3 in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Pierce Samuel R. , Skorup Julie , Kolobe Thubi H. A. , Smith Beth A. , Prosser Laura A.
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to determine the agreement between Gross Motor Ability Estimator-2 (GMAE-2) and Gross Motor Ability Estimator-3 (GMAE-3) calculations of Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) scores in infants and young children with cerebral palsy.

Methods:

Data from 53 children 5 to 53 months of age were analyzed. Agreement between GMFM-66 scores using the GMAE-2 and the GMAE-3 was calculated using Bland-Altman plots and interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Eleven participants who had at least 1 GMFM-66 score of less than 25 using either method were identified for further analysis.

Results:

The average difference between GMFM-66 scores was 0.27 for all participants and 0.63 for the subset of lower-scoring participants. Good agreement was found for GMFM-66 scores for all participants (ICC = 0.998) and for subset of lower-scoring participants (ICC = 0.879).

Conclusions:

High levels of agreement exist between the GMAE-2 and the GMAE-3, which suggests that scores are comparable using either algorithm.
Hot Topic: A Systematic Review and Content Analysis of Heat-Related Messages During the 2021 Heat Dome in Canada
Authors: Tetzlaff Emily J. , Goulet Nicholas , Gorman Melissa , Richardson Gregory R. A. , Enright Paddy M. , Meade Robert D. , Kenny Glen P.
Published: November 2023

Context:

During the summer of 2021, western Canada experienced a deadly heat event. From the first heat alert to postevent reporting, thousands of media articles were published that reference the heat event. However, a gap remains in understanding how this communication chain—from the release of a public heat alert to information shared through media outlets to the public—currently operates to disseminate heat-related messaging across Canada.

Objective:

To understand the role of digital media in delivering heat-health messaging during an extreme heat event in Canada.

Design:

A qualitative content analysis was conducted using Canadian news articles published on the 2021 Heat Dome between June 2021 and February 2022 (n = 2909). The coding frame was designed to align with the basic framework for information gathering used in journalism (who, what, where, when, and how) and included both concept-driven and data-driven codes.

Results:

Overall, 2909 unique media articles discussing the 2021 Heat Dome were identified, with the majority (74%) published by online news agencies (how). The highest article count was on June 29, 2021 (n = 159), representing 5% of the total data set (n = 2909) spanning 260 days (when); 57% of the identified locations were in British Columbia (where). Although we found that the top voices providing media-based heat-health messages are government officials (who), only 23% of articles included heat-health messaging that aligns with the government health alert bulletins released during extreme heat. In addition, heat-health messaging frequently included contradictory content, inconsistent language, or incorrect advice (what).

Conclusion:

The findings demonstrate clear opportunities to improve health communication related to extreme heat, perhaps most importantly, including updates to mass media messaging educating the public on heat-protective behaviors.
Laws Governing State Health Official Appointments: A Legal and Historical Review
Authors: Yeager Valerie A. , Silverman Ross D. , Halverson Paul K.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

The current study presents the legal epidemiological review of State Health Official (SHO) appointment laws, including the evolution of educational and experience requirements of SHOs over time. Findings can inform the discussion about state laws and the substantive, multidisciplinary qualifications essential to successfully leading state public health agencies in the 21st century.

Methods:

Standard policy surveillance methods were used to collect and assess the statutes governing SHO appointment and eligibility from all 50 states and the District of Columbia between 1995 and 2020.

Results:

SHOs are most frequently appointed by their jurisdiction's Health Secretary (n = 17), followed by Governor nominations with legislative approval (n = 15), and 13 states where the Governor is the sole SHO appointing authority. While a large majority of jurisdictions require certain professional and/or educational minimum qualifications to serve as an SHO, 11 states have no professional or experiential minimum qualifications. The most common minimum requirement found was possessing a medical degree, which is required in 22 jurisdictions (including Washington, District of Columbia). Twelve of these states require the physician to have additional education or experience, such as the possession of experience in public health (n = 5), experience in both public health and management (n = 3), or holding an additional health-related degree (n = 2). Four states added a medical degree as a requirement for SHOs over the last 25 years, while 5 states removed their medical degree requirement.

Conclusions:

States should reassess their eligibility requirements for SHO service in light of the advancement and demands of public health leadership in the 21st century, as many states continue to look to those with medical training as the primary source for such leadership.
“If It Weren't for This, We'd Be Sick”—Perspectives From Participants of a Couple-Based HIV Treatment and Support Program During Prenatal and Postpartum Periods in Zambézia Province, Mozambique
Authors: Brooks Hannah L. , Graves Erin , De Schacht Caroline , Emílio Almiro , Matino Ariano , Aboobacar Arifo , Audet Carolyn M.
Published: November 2023

Background:

Engagement in HIV care and treatment services during pregnancy is key to eliminating vertical transmission. One barrier to retention of pregnant and lactating women is insufficient support from male partners. Reframing HIV services as couple-based may increase adherence among men and women. As part of a cluster randomized trial evaluating an intervention offering seroconcordant couples living with HIV joint follow-up in HIV services and sessions with a health counselor and couple peer educators, we assessed participants' perspectives and experiences regarding the intervention.

Setting:

Zambézia Province is a rural, low-income, and medically underserved region of central Mozambique.

Methods:

We conducted semistructured interviews with a subset of participants enrolled in the intervention arm. The objectives were to explore participants' (1) experiences with couples-based HIV care and the educational/support sessions; (2) perceived impacts of the intervention; and (3) suggestions for intervention improvement. Interviews conducted by experienced interviewers were audio-recorded, transcribed, and deductively coded.

Results:

Sixty-four participants were interviewed. Participants described the counselor and the peer educators as trustworthy and the sessions as improving their HIV-related knowledge. Receiving joint HIV services was convenient and motivated some participants to remain adherent to care. Participants provided few suggestions to improve the intervention, although a few female participants did state that they wished their male partners had participated more readily in the joint sessions and medication pick-ups at the health facilities.

Conclusions:

Participants described positive experiences with and perceived benefits from the intervention, making this intervention acceptable within the local context.
Impact of Decarceration Plus Alcohol, Substance Use, and Mental Health Screening on Life Expectancies of Black Sexual Minority Men and Black Transgender Women Living With HIV in the United States: A Simulation Study Based on HPTN 061
Authors: Feelemyer Jonathan , Bershteyn Anna , Scheidell Joy D. , Brewer Russell , Dyer Typhanye V. , Cleland Charles M. , Hucks-Ortiz Christopher , Justice Amy , Mayer Ken , Grawert Ames , Kaufman Jay S. , Braithwaite Scott , Khan Maria R.
Published: November 2023

Background:

Given the disproportionate rates of incarceration and lower life expectancy (LE) among Black sexual minority men (BSMM) and Black transgender women (BTW) with HIV, we modeled the impact of decarceration and screening for psychiatric conditions and substance use on LE of US BSMM/BTW with HIV.

Methods:

We augmented a microsimulation model previously validated to predict LE and leading causes of death in the US with estimates from the HPTN 061 cohort and the Veteran's Aging Cohort Studies. We estimated independent associations among psychiatric and substance use disorders, to simulate the influence of treatment of one condition on improvement on others. We used this augmented simulation to estimate LE for BSMM/BTW with HIV with a history of incarceration under alternative policies of decarceration (ie, reducing the fraction exposed to incarceration), screening for psychiatric conditions and substance use, or both.

Results:

Baseline LE was 61.3 years. Reducing incarceration by 25%, 33%, 50%, and 100% increased LE by 0.29, 0.31, 0.53, and 1.08 years, respectively, versus no reductions in incarceration. When reducing incarceration by 33% and implementing screening for alcohol, tobacco, substance use, and depression, in which a positive screen triggers diagnostic assessment for all psychiatric and substance use conditions and linkage to treatment, LE increased by 1.52 years compared with no screening or decarceration.

Discussion:

LE among BSMM/BTW with HIV is short compared with other people with HIV. Reducing incarceration and improving screening and treatment of psychiatric conditions and substance use could substantially increase LE in this population.