bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of total sleep deprivation on components of top‐down attentional control using a flexible attentional control task
Authors: Stenson Anthony R. , Whitney Paul , Hinson John M. , Hansen Devon A. , Lawrence‐Sidebottom Darian , Skeiky Lillian , Riedy Samantha M. , Kurinec Courtney A. , Van Dongen Hans P. A.
Published: October 2022

Sleep deprivation consistently decreases vigilant attention, which can lead to difficulty in performing a variety of cognitive tasks. However, sleep‐deprived individuals may be able to compensate for degraded vigilant attention by means of top‐down attentional control. We employed a novel task to measure the degree to which individuals overcome impairments in vigilant attention by using top‐down attentional control, the Flexible Attentional Control Task (FACT). The FACT is a two‐choice task that has trials with valid, invalid, and neutral cues, along with an unexpected switch in the probability of cue validity about halfway in the task. The task provides indices that isolate performance components reflecting vigilant attention and top‐down attentional control. Twelve healthy young adults completed an in‐laboratory study. After a baseline day, the subjects underwent 39 hours of total sleep deprivation (TSD), followed by a recovery day. The FACT was administered at 03:00, 11:00, and 19:00 during sleep deprivation (TSD condition) and at 11:00 and 19:00 after baseline sleep and at 11:00 after recovery sleep (rested condition). When rested, the subjects demonstrated both facilitation and interference effects on cued trials. While sleep deprived, the subjects showed vigilant attention deficits on neutral cue trials, and an impaired ability to reduce these deficits by using predictive contextual cues. Our results indicate that the FACT can dissociate vigilant attention from top‐down attentional control. Furthermore, they show that during sleep deprivation, contextual cues help individuals to compensate partially for impairments in vigilant attention, but the effectiveness of top‐down attentional control is diminished.
Disease progression, pathologic, and virologic findings of an equine influenza outbreak in rescue donkeys
Authors: Ahearne Megan M. , Pentzke‐Lemus Ligia L. , Romano Ashley M. , Larsen Eileen D. , Watson Allison M. , O'Fallon Elsbeth A. , Landolt Gabriele A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Equine influenza virus is a common cause of respiratory disease in equids. Few reports describe clinical presentation and disease progression in donkeys.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Describe the clinical and diagnostic findings, outcome, and pathologic lesions associated with influenza pneumonia in donkeys.

Animals

Thirteen unvaccinated donkeys ranging from 1 week to 12 years of age and sharing clinical signs and exposure history.

Methods

Retrospective case series. Medical records from June to July 2020 at the Colorado State Veterinary Teaching Hospital and collaborating referring veterinary practices were reviewed. The diagnosis was confirmed by molecular testing, virus isolation, and partial genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the virus.

Results

Survival in donkeys <1 year old was 16.6% (1/6) whereas survival in animals >1 year of age was 85.7% (6/7). Hemagglutinin gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed a contemporary clade 1 Florida sublineage H3 virus as the causative agent.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Clinical signs of equine influenza virus infection in donkeys are similar to those observed in horses. Prognosis for survival generally is good, but deaths have been observed especially in foals born to seronegative dams. This finding emphasizes the importance of prenatal vaccination protocols in all equids, including donkeys.
(Socio)linguistic indices of the codification of Nigerian English
Authors: Ugwuanyi Kingsley O.
Published: October 2022

Although many studies in world Englishes research have examined the sociocultural and political factors that shape the development of varieties of English in non‐native contexts, there has been limited work on the range of codificatory instruments that engender the standardisation of these ‘new’ Englishes, especially in specific reference to Nigerian English (NE). Examining the extent of the codification of new Englishes is particularly critical in terms of their institutionalisation and eventual acceptance, both locally and internationally. In light of this, this article draws evidence from existing research and institutional efforts and policies to show where NE lies in the process of codification. The analysis indicates that, while there is an avalanche of evidence of (socio)linguistic indices showing that NE is being radically codified, the range of codificatory instruments (e.g., dictionaries, style manuals, grammars, pedagogies, language policies) remain limited.
The LeuO regulator and quiescence: About transcriptional roadblocks, multiple promoters, and crispr‐cas
Authors: Sánchez‐Popoca Diego , Serrano‐Fujarte Isela , Fernández‐Mora Marcos , Calva Edmundo
Published: October 2022

LeuO is a LysR‐type transcriptional regulator in bacteria. It determines the regulation of numerous genes related to stress response and virulence. Thus, four exciting areas of research are discussed herein. One pertains the leuO gene, which in S. Typhi and in E. coli contains multiple forward promoters as well as reverse promoters, even though it is expressed at very low levels, that is, it is quiescent. Such multiplicity might allow for a greater plasticity in regulation, or even aid in maintaining the quiescence, in processes that appear to involve many nucleoid‐associated proteins in a second area of opportunity. A third one relates to the effector‐binding domain of the LeuO regulator, which is highly conserved in S. enterica and in E. coli and determines its activity as a regulator of transcription. A fourth area regards the role of the CRISPR‐Cas system in gene regulation in S. Typhi; a system that is regulated by LeuO.
No cell is an island: characterising the leaf epidermis usingepidermalmorph,a new R package
Authors: Brown Matilda J. M. , Jordan Gregory J.
Published: October 2022

The leaf epidermis is the interface between a plant and its environment. The epidermis is highly variable in morphology, with links to both phylogeny and environment, and this diversity is relevant to several fields, including physiology, functional traits, palaeobotany, taxonomy and developmental biology.

Describing and measuring leaf epidermal traits remains challenging. Current approaches are either extremely labour‐intensive and not feasible for large studies or limited to measurements of individual cells.

Here, we present a method to characterise individual cell size, shape (including the effect of neighbouring cells) and arrangement from light microscope images. We provide the first automated characterisation of cell arrangement (from traced images) as well as multiple new shape characteristics. We have implemented this method in an R package,epidermalmorph,and provide an example workflow using this package, which includes functions to evaluate trait reliability and optimal sampling effort for any given group of plants. We demonstrate that our new metrics of cell shape are independent of gross cell shape, unlike existing metrics.

epidermalmorphprovides a broadly applicable method for quantifying epidermal traits that we hope can be used to disentangle the fundamental relationships between form and function in the leaf epidermis.
A rare complication: Right ventricular lead perforation abutting the left anterior descending artery through the left ventricle and the septum
Authors: Mililis Panagiotis , Saplaouras Athanasios , Konstantinidou Eleni , Papakonstantinou Konstantinos , Rorris Fillipos , Mpatsouli Athina , Dragasis Stylianos , Vlachos Konstantinos , Charitos Christos , Xydonas Sotirios
Published: October 2022

Background

Cardiac perforation is an uncommon complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation typically occurring through the apex.

Case summary

We report a case of patient, in whom ventricular lead perforation was confirmed 6 days after implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker. The ventricular lead was perforating the ventricular septum, near the left anterior descending artery, exiting the left ventricle. The patient underwent cardiac surgery due to the lead perforation as also as aortic valve replacement due to concomitant severe aortic valve stenosis.

Discussion

The presented case report is a rare case of lead perforation through the LV and illustrates that lead perforation can still occur even after placement of the RV lead in septal position and even through the thick ventricular wall.
Direct seeding versus seedling planting: survival, biomass, growth, and cost up to 6 years for four tropical seasonal tree species
Authors: Ferreira Maxmiller Cardoso , de Oliveira Cordeiro Alba Orli , Sampaio Alexandre Bonesso , Schmidt Isabel Belloni , Vieira Daniel Luis Mascia
Published: October 2022

Seedling planting (SP) and direct seeding (DS) are the most used methods of tropical tree propagation. We compared the performance of SP and DS plants of four seasonal tropical species over 6 years, considering survival, growth, above and belowground biomass, and the costs of planting and maintenance. We planted 48 pairs of SP and DS plants of Amburana cearensis, Astronium fraxinifolium, Copaifera langsdorffii, and Tabebuia aurea spaced 2 × 1 m. To evaluate biomass allocation, we dug up 5 individuals of each species after 12 and 30 months. We measured survival and height at the time of planting, and at 12, 30, and 68 months. We modeled differences in survival, biomass allocation, and height over time. We calculated costs per surviving tree and the cost‐effectiveness (survival × height increment/cost). Survival was high (average 85%) and it did not differ between planting method for three species; while Astronium showed higher survival via DS (94 vs. 73% SP). Only Amburana presented a higher total biomass in SP than in DS (1.066 vs. 310 g). SP plants of Copaifera and Tabebuia grew taller (1.72 vs. 1.16 m, 1.80 vs. 0.85 m, respectively) than the DS plants. Total cost per surviving tree for DS trees was two times lower than for SP (US$ 1.33 vs. 2.57). Three species were more cost‐effective via DS. The higher effectiveness of DS can be explained by the high survival and establishment rate of DS plants, dismissing the need for the several steps related to planting seedlings.
Identification of a new HLA‐B allele, HLA‐B*51:371
Authors: Bolaños Jennifer , Lorca‐Arce Daniel , Arnaldos‐Perez Cristina , Marti‐Morente Daniel , Serra‐Pages Carles
Published: October 2022

A novel HLA‐B*51 allele, officially designated HLA‐B*51:371, was identified by next‐generation sequencing.
Relationship between B‐cell epitope structural properties and the immunogenicity of blood group antigens: Outlier properties of the Kell K1 antigen
Authors: Howe John G. , Stack Gary
Published: October 2022

Background

The immunogenicities of polypeptide blood group antigens vary, despite most being created by single amino acid (AA) substitutions. To study the basis of these differences, we employed an immunoinformatics approach to determine whether AA substitution sites of blood group antigens have structural features typical of B‐cell epitopes and whether the extent of B‐cell epitope properties is positively related to immunogenicity.

Study design and methods

Fifteen structural property prediction programs were used to determine the likelihood of β‐turns, surface accessibility, flexibility, hydrophilicity, particular AA composition and AA pairs, and other B‐cell epitope properties at AA substitution sites of polypeptide blood group antigens.

Results

AA substitution sites of Lua, Jka, E, c, M, Fya, C, and S were each located in regions with at least two structural features typical of B‐cell epitopes. The substitution site of K, the most immunogenic non‐ABO/D antigen, scored the lowest for most B‐cell epitope properties and was the only one not predicted to be part of a linear B‐cell epitope. The most immunogenic antigens studied (K, Jka, Lua, E) had B‐cell epitope structural properties determined by the fewest programs; the least immunogenic antigens (e.g., Fya, S, C, c) had B‐cell epitope properties according to the most programs.

Discussion

Counter to prediction, the immunogenicity of polypeptide blood group antigens was not positively related to B‐cell epitope structural features present at their AA‐substitution sites. Instead, it tended to be negatively related. The AA‐substitution site of the most immunogenic non‐ABO/D antigen, K, had the least B‐cell epitope features.
Understanding Published Literatures on Persistent Homology using Social Network Analysis
Authors: Sapini Muhamad Luqman , Md Noorani Mohd Salmi , Abdul Razak Fatimah , Alias Mohd Almie , Muhamad Yusof Norliza
Published: October 2022

In several fields, topology is well adapted for analyzing big data and much more potent than conventional data analysis methods. Persistent Homology is an algebraic method used in topological data analysis for measuring shapes and functions. This paper aimed to analyze literature on Persistent Homology. From its inception (2004) to 6th November 2020, we comprehensively searched the Scopus science database. This paper records the document and source types, year of publication, languages of documents, subject areas, author’s keywords, country/region, authors, institutions, and citations, utilizing standard bibliometric indicators. The VOSviewer applications were used for analysis through various network forms. Two network measurements were considered to analyze the network model, which are degree centrality and betweenness centrality. Additional analysis was undertaken using Persistent Homology itself to comprehend the co-authorship network better. The study found that the number of Persistent Homology research has risen dramatically since 2014. Globally, scholars in the area mainly come from the United States. Regarding the number of citations, with an average of 51.2 citations each year, the paper by Zomorodian and Carlsson (2005) appears as the most cited article. Much of the study on Persistent Homology was in the fields of computer science and mathematics. The most used keywords were “topological features” and “data handling”, which reflect the significant study fields covered in Persistent Homology. Overall, the increasing number of Persistent Homology publications reflects a growing knowledge of its meaning and unique demands.
Morphological and Anatomical Studies on Glycosmis perakensis V.Naray (Rutaceae)
Authors: Sundrarajoo Previnaa , Manickam Sugumaran , Mohd Yusoff Nur Fatihah , Mohammed Alitheen Noorjahan Banu , Namasivayam Parameswari
Published: October 2022

There are a number of underexplored plant species from the family of Rutaceae despite their economic importance, including Glycosmis perakensis V.Naray. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to enhance its taxonomic characterization and identification of this plant species by examining the morphology and anatomy of selected parts. The histological procedure for G. perakensis stems and leaves were optimized by increasing the incubation time for the fixation, clearing, and infiltration steps of the standard paraffin embedding method. Different types of stains were also used to identify and differentiate the plant tissues. The anatomy of plant parts such as stem, leaf, and petiole were studied using light microscopy. Pellucid dots and stomata exist on both abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces. Statistical analysis on stomatal index and stomatal density showed a significant difference between abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Histological analyses showed the presence of sclerenchyma, collenchyma, and parenchyma cells, vascular bundle, prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, and secretory cavities in the plant leaf and stem transverse sections. This is the first study reporting on the histological morphology of stem, petiole, and leaf of G. perakensis. The findings of this study will be a valuable tool for the identification of this plant.
Logarithmically scaled, gamma distributed neuronal spiking
Authors: Levenstein Daniel , Okun Michael
Published: October 2022

Naturally log‐scaled quantities abound in the nervous system. Distributions of these quantities have non‐intuitive properties, which have implications for data analysis and the understanding of neural circuits. Here, we review the log‐scaled statistics of neuronal spiking and the relevant analytical probability distributions. Recent work using log‐scaling revealed that interspike intervals of forebrain neurons segregate into discrete modes reflecting spiking at different timescales and are each well‐approximated by a gamma distribution. Each neuron spends most of the time in an irregular spiking ‘ground state’ with the longest intervals, which determines the mean firing rate of the neuron. Across the entire neuronal population, firing rates are log‐scaled and well approximated by the gamma distribution, with a small number of highly active neurons and an overabundance of low rate neurons (the ‘dark matter’). These results are intricately linked to a heterogeneous balanced operating regime, which confers upon neuronal circuits multiple computational advantages and has evolutionarily ancient origins.
Extraction of Urban Areas Using Spectral Indices Combination and Google Earth Engine in Algerian Highlands (Case Study: Cities of Djelfa, Messaad, Ain Oussera)
Authors: Dib Samira , Souiher Nouari , Bengusmia Djamal
Published: October 2022

The fundamental difficulty in mapping urban areas, especially in semi-arid and arid environments, is the separation of built-up areas from bare lands, owing to their similar spectral characteristics. Accordingly, this study aims to identify the suitable spectral index that can provide high differentiation, between urban areas and bare lands, in semi-arid areas of three cities of the province of Djelfa, namely, Djelfa, Messaad, and Ain Oussera (Algerian central highlands), through a selection of four spectral indices including Urban Index (BUI), Band ratio for built-up area (BRBA), Normalized Difference Tillage Index (NDTI) and Dry Bare-soil Index (DBSI). In order to increase the mapping accuracy of the built-up in studied areas, a multi-index approach has been applied focusing on identifying an adequate combination of spectral indices of remote sensing that provides the highest performance compared to the images of sentinel 2A. The multi-index approach was developed using three spectral indices combinations and was created using a layer stack process. For forming bare land layer stacking data, both NDTI and DBSI indices were used, while the built-up area layer stacking data was made with both BUI and BRBA indices. The main process was carried out on the Cloud Computing Platform based on geospatial data of Google Earth Engine (GEE) and using machine learning classification by the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm, based on imagery from sentinel 2A acquired during the dry season. The results indicated that the thresholds of the built-up areas are difficult to delineate and distinguish from bare land efficiently with a single index. The obtained results also revealed that the use of multi-index including BUI index provided the best results as they showed the highest effects with NDTI index and DBSI index compared to BRBA index, where the overall accuracies of the multi-index (DBSI/ NDTI/ BUI) were 98.7% in Djelfa, 96.5% in Messaad, and 97.87 % in Ain Oussera, and the kappa coefficients were 97.3%, 85.4%, and 95.3% respectively. These results show that this multi-index is effective and reliable and can be considered for use in other areas with similar characteristics.
Aerostructural Wing Optimization of a Regional Jet Considering Mission Fuel Burn
Authors: Bons Nicolas P. , Martins Joaquim R. R. A. , Odaguil Felipe I. K. , Cuco Ana Paula C.
Published: October 2022

High-fidelity multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) promises rigorous balancing of the multidisciplinary trade-offs inherent to aircraft wings. However, collaborations between academia and industry rarely put MDO to the test on practical design problems. In this work, MDO is applied to the design of a regional jet wing to minimize fuel burn. High-fidelity aerostructural analysis is used to model the wing and capture trade-offs between structural weight and aerodynamic performance. A novel approach is used to calculate fuel burn for climb and descent using a low-fidelity model, improving the relevancy of the optimization results for short-haul missions. A wing-only geometry is used to explore the design space and generate a series of Pareto fronts for different geometric parametrizations. Finally, an aerostructural optimization is conducted with a complete wing-body-tail geometry of an Embraer regional jet. The optimizer increases the wingspan and decreases the sweep of the original wing to achieve a 3.6% decrease in fuel burn.
A Novel Way to Control Wall Temperature Distribution by Grading Blowing Rate
Authors: Zheng Zihao , Bai Xiaohui , Nakayama Akira
Published: October 2022

The Graetz problem in a transpiration-cooled channel was analytically attacked so as to explore the developing temperature field due to a sudden change in wall temperature of the channel subject to an arbitrary distribution of the local mass flux over the porous wall. Analytical expressions for the developments of the thermal boundary layer thickness, wall temperature, and Nusselt number were obtained for the thermal entrance region, assuming hydrodynamically forced convective flow in a channel with a locally variable blowing mass flux. When the blowing mass flux is kept constant over the wall surface, the cooling by the coolant is less effective near the entrance, thus, exposing to danger of thermal damage. This study reveals that the blowing mass flux graded inversely proportional to one-third power of the axial distance is quite effective to keep the wall temperature uniform. Numerical calculations based on finite volume method were also carried out to verify the analysis. The findings from this study can be applied to possible thermal managements of heat generating stacks such as in EV batteries and PEMFC, in which temperature uniformity is essential for product longevity.
Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer Augmentation of a Curved Solar Air Heater With Inverted T-Shaped Ribs
Authors: Katoch Harsh , Rathore Sushil Kumar , Mund Chinmaya
Published: October 2022

Laminar sub-layer formation in a smooth solar air heater (SAH) is one of the reasons for the low heat transfer coefficient. One of the most effective ways to overcome the problem and improve the heat transfer rate inside the SAH is to use artificial roughness in the form of ribs. The present investigation studies the consequence of inverted T-shaped ribs on the absorber plate of a CSAH. The absorber plate is exposed to a constant heat flux of 1000 W/m2 and is made up of aluminum. The investigation is done on the effect of Reynolds number (Re), relative roughness pitch (P/e), and relative roughness height (e/Dh) on entropy generation, fluid flow, and heat transfer characteristics of the system. A 2D fluid domain has been considered for the numerical analysis, and finite volume method is used to solve the equations of continuity, momentum, and energy. The governing equations are solved using the SST k–ω model. Thermo-hydraulic performance parameter (THPP) is also calculated using Nuavg_r and favg_r, which further helped to determine the optimal arrangement of inverted T-shaped ribs on the absorber plate of the SAH. The maximum THPP of 4.7744 is found for P/e = 7.143 at Re = 18,000. Correlation for Nuavg_r and favg_r as a function of Re and P/e is developed. Entropy generation per unit length due to fluid friction and heat transfer has been graphically represented.
Evolving a Bio-Inspired Blade Shape of the Drag-based Vertical-axis Wind Rotor Derived from Orange Sea-pen (Ptilosarcus Gurneyi)
Authors: Rathod Umang H. , Kulkarni Vinayak , Saha Ujjwal K.
Published: October 2022

Inspired by the polyp leaf of the Orange sea-pen (Ptilosarcus gurneyi), a novel blade shape of the Savonius vertical-axis wind rotor is developed. The similarities between the aerodynamic and the hydrodynamic aspects of the Savonius rotor blade profile and the sea-pen leaf are reviewed, and an appropriate analogy is thereby established. The shape of the sea-pen leaf is then extracted to fabricate the rotor blades. The performance of this sea-pen bladed rotor is evaluated in a low-speed subsonic wind tunnel at different wind velocities. The two-dimensional (2D) numerical analysis is also performed to support the experimental findings and to study the influence of blade shape on the pressure and the torque distributions of the rotor. The novel sea-pen bladed rotor, having lesser material requirements, is seen to demonstrate higher performance than that of the conventional semicircular bladed rotor in the tested range of low tip-speed ratio.
Acoustic Wave Manipulation by Phase Conjugate Metasurface
Authors: Cai Xiaobing , Huang Zhandong , Wang Chunguang , Jia Peipei , Yang Jun , Zhang Liwen
Published: October 2022

Metasurfaces are advantageous in wavefront manipulation owing to their compact and flat nature. Particularly, ultrathin and completely smooth metasurfaces with giant phase delay and perfect impedance match are critically required for practical applications. Here, we propose an ultrathin and holeless metasurface composed of simply a pair of membranes. This metasurface supports duo unity transmissions with completely conjugate phase shifts occurring at two extremely close frequencies. This allows the metasurface to present giant phase delay and endow with high refractive index (n = 18) when the wave penetrates through. Such a property is employed to control the wavefront of acoustic waves to realize planar lens focusing, negative refraction, negative reflection, and directional emission. The proposed design principle of acoustic metasurface provides promising avenues for acoustic wave manipulation and may enable extensive applications in beam steering, acoustic imaging, energy harvesting, and surface waves.
Harmonic suppression and uniformity improvement of plasma density in capacitively coupled plasma
Authors: Lim Yeong-Min , Park So-Yeong , He You , Hong Young-Hun , Chung Chin-Wook
Published: October 2022

A method for improving plasma uniformity in capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) is developed. Plasma contains harmonics due to the nonlinear characteristics of the sheath. Because high-frequency harmonic components in the plasma have short wavelengths, high-frequency harmonics components have a bad influence on plasma uniformity. This is because the electromagnetic standing wave effect (SWE) is severe at high frequencies. To improve plasma uniformity, a CCP using a parallel capacitor that is connected to the powered electrode is developed. By adjusting the capacitance of the parallel capacitor, a parallel resonance between the parallel capacitor and the reactor, which is net inductive, is generated. As the parallel loop approaches the parallel resonance, the currents of other harmonic frequency components in the plasma are greatly reduced. Therefore, the waveform of the plasma bulk current also becomes sinusoidal, and the amplitude of the plasma current becomes almost constant, regardless of the radial position at the parallel resonance condition. Moreover, the voltage applied across the plasma is greatly increased. Consequently, plasma uniformity and the voltage applied to the plasma along the electrode are significantly improved under the parallel resonance condition due to a greatly reduced SWE.
Early deprivation alters structural brain development from middle childhood to adolescence
Authors: Sheridan Margaret A. , Mukerji Cora E. , Wade Mark , Humphreys Kathryn L. , Garrisi Kathryn , Goel Srishti , Patel Kinjal , Fox Nathan A. , Zeanah Charles H. , Nelson Charles A. , McLaughlin Katie A.
Published: October 2022

Hypotheses concerning the biologic embedding of early adversity via developmental neuroplasticity mechanisms have been proposed on the basis of experimental studies in animals. However, no studies have demonstrated a causal link between early adversity and neural development in humans. Here, we present evidence from a randomized controlled trial linking psychosocial deprivation in early childhood to changes in cortical development from childhood to adolescence using longitudinal data from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project. Changes in cortical structure due to randomization to foster care were most pronounced in the lateral and medial prefrontal cortex and in white matter tracts connecting the prefrontal and parietal cortex. Demonstrating the causal impact of exposure to deprivation on the development of neural structure highlights the importance of early placement into family-based care to mitigate lasting neurodevelopmental consequences associated with early-life deprivation.
Single-cell RNA sequencing uncovers a neuron-like macrophage subset associated with cancer pain
Authors: Tang Philip Chiu-Tsun , Chung Jeff Yat-Fai , Liao Jinyue , Chan Max Kam-Kwan , Chan Alex Siu-Wing , Cheng Guangyao , Li Chunjie , Huang Xiao-Ru , Ng Calvin Sze-Hang , Lam Eric W-F , Zhang Dongmei , Ho Yi-Ping , To Ka-Fai , Leung Kam-Tong , Jiang Xiaohua , Ko Ho , Lee Tin-Lap , Lan Hui-Yao , Tang Patrick Ming-Kuen
Published: October 2022

Tumor innervation is a common phenomenon with unknown mechanism. Here, we discovered a direct mechanism of tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) for promoting de novo neurogenesis via a subset showing neuronal phenotypes and pain receptor expression associated with cancer-driven nocifensive behaviors. This subset is rich in lung adenocarcinoma associated with poorer prognosis. By elucidating the transcriptome dynamics of TAM with single-cell resolution, we discovered a phenomenon “macrophage to neuron-like cell transition” (MNT) for directly promoting tumoral neurogenesis, evidenced by macrophage depletion and fate-mapping study in lung carcinoma models. Encouragingly, we detected neuronal phenotypes and activities of the bone marrow–derived MNT cells (MNTs) in vitro. Adoptive transfer of MNTs into NOD/SCID mice markedly enhanced their cancer-associated nocifensive behaviors. We identified macrophage-specific Smad3 as a pivotal regulator for promoting MNT at the genomic level; its disruption effectively blocked the tumor innervation and cancer-dependent nocifensive behaviors in vivo. Thus, MNT may represent a precision therapeutic target for cancer pain.
Tuning moiré excitons in Janus heterobilayers for high-temperature Bose-Einstein condensation
Authors: Guo Hongli , Zhang Xu , Lu Gang
Published: October 2022

Using first-principles calculations, we predict that moiré excitons in twisted Janus heterobilayers could realize tunable and high-temperature Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC). The electric dipole in the Janus heterobilayers leads to charge-transfer interlayer and intralayer moiré excitons with exceptionally long lifetimes, in the absence of spacer layers. The electric dipole is also expected to enhance exciton-exciton repulsions at high exciton densities and can modulate moiré potentials that trap excitons for their condensation. The key parameters for exciton condensation, including exciton Bohr radius, binding energy, effective mass, and critical Mott density, are examined as a function of the twist angle. Last, exciton phase diagrams for the Janus heterobilayers are constructed from which one can estimate the BEC (>100 K) and superfluid (~30 K) transition temperatures. In addition to indirect interlayer excitons, we find that direct intralayer excitons can also condense at high temperatures, consistent with experiments.
Endoscope-assisted magnetic helical micromachine delivery for biofilm eradication in tympanostomy tube
Authors: Dong Yue , Wang Lu , Zhang Zifeng , Ji Fengtong , Chan Tony K. F. , Yang Haojin , Chan Catherine P. L. , Yang Zhengxin , Chen Zigui , Chang Wai Tsz , Chan Jason Y. K. , Sung Joseph J. Y. , Zhang Li
Published: October 2022

Occlusion of the T-tube (tympanostomy tube) is a common postoperative sequela related to bacterial biofilms. Confronting biofilm-related infections of T-tubes, maneuverable and effective treatments are still challenging presently. Here, we propose an endoscopy-assisted treatment procedure based on the wobbling Fe
2
O
3
helical micromachine (HMM) with peroxidase-mimicking activity. Different from the ideal corkscrew motion, the Fe
2
O
3
HMM applies a wobbling motion in the tube, inducing stronger mechanical force and fluid convections, which not only damages the biofilm occlusion into debris quickly but also enhances the catalytic generation and diffusion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for killing bacteria cells. Moreover, the treatment procedure, which integrated the delivery, actuation, and retrieval of Fe
2
O
3
HMM, was validated in the T-tube implanted in a human cadaver ex vivo. It enables the visual operation with ease and is gentle to the tympanic membrane and ossicles, which is promising in the clinical application.
Abscisic acid regulates stomatal production by imprinting a SnRK2 kinase–mediated phosphocode on the master regulator SPEECHLESS
Authors: Yang Xin , Gavya S Lalitha , Zhou Zimin , Urano Daisuke , Lau On Sun
Published: October 2022

Stomata, the epidermal pores for gas exchange between plants and the atmosphere, are the major sites of water loss. During water shortage, plants limit the formation of new stoma via the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) to conserve water. However, how ABA suppresses stomatal production is largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that three core SnRK2 kinases of ABA signaling inhibit the initiation and proliferation of the stomatal precursors in
Arabidopsis
. We show that the SnRK2s function within the precursors and directly phosphorylate SPEECHLESS (SPCH), the master transcription factor for stomatal initiation. We identify specific SPCH residues targeted by the SnRK2s, which mediate the ABA/drought-induced suppression of SPCH and stomatal production. This SnRK2-specific SPCH phosphocode connects stomatal development with ABA/drought signals and enables the independent control of this key water conservation response. Our work also highlights how distinct signaling activities can be specifically encoded on a master regulator to modulate developmental plasticity.
Antigen-specific depletion of CD4
+
T cells by CAR T cells reveals distinct roles of higher- and lower-affinity TCRs during autoimmunity
Authors: Yi Jaeu , Miller Aidan T. , Archambault Angela S. , Jones Andrew J. , Bradstreet Tara R. , Bandla Sravanthi , Hsu Yu-Sung , Edelson Brian T. , Zhou You W. , Fremont Daved H. , Egawa Takeshi , Singh Nathan , Wu Gregory F. , Hsieh Chyi-Song
Published: October 2022

Both higher- and lower-affinity self-reactive CD4
+
T cells are expanded in autoimmunity; however, their individual contribution to disease remains unclear. We addressed this question using peptide-MHCII chimeric antigen receptor (pMHCII-CAR) T cells to specifically deplete peptide-reactive T cells in mice. Integration of improvements in CAR engineering with TCR repertoire analysis was critical for interrogating in vivo the role of TCR affinity in autoimmunity. Our original MOG
35–55
pMHCII-CAR, which targeted only higher-affinity TCRs, could prevent the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, pMHCII-CAR enhancements to pMHCII stability, as well as increased survivability via overexpression of a dominant-negative Fas, were required to target lower-affinity MOG-specific T cells and reverse ongoing clinical EAE. Thus, these data suggest a model in which higher-affinity autoreactive T cells are required to provide the “activation energy” for initiating neuroinflammatory injury, but lower-affinity cells are sufficient to maintain ongoing disease.
Transcervical and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic resection of a substernal goiter
Authors: Wadhavkar Neha , Kontopidis Ioannis , Bollig Craig
Published: October 2022

Several genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of multinodular goitre. A transcervical surgical resection is recommended for larger goitres, though a minority of cases may require sternotomy or thoracotomy. We present a case of a posterior substernal goitre that was resected with combined transcervical and robotically assisted thoracic approaches. A woman in her 30s with an enlarging thyroid goitre elected to proceed with surgical resection. CT imaging demonstrated significant extension of the goitre into the posterior mediastinum and a staged approach was decided on. Both the initial transcervical thyroidectomy and the subsequent robotically assisted resection of the mediastinal portion were successful, without major complications. While most substernal goitres can be resected transcervically, certain rare anatomic features, such as extension into the posterior mediastinum, warrant consideration of a thoracic approach. Specifically, a robotic-assisted resection poses several advantages over traditional, more invasive approaches.
Realist evaluation of three programmes aimed at reducing harm and risks associated with alcohol consumption in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of France: the ECIAE study protocol
Authors: Stevens Nolwenn , Martin-Fernandez Judith , Moriceau Sarah , Serre Fuschia , Auriacombe Marc , Cambon Linda
Published: October 2022

Introduction

In Europe, alcohol consumption is responsible for many diseases, disabilities, injuries and premature deaths. In France, alcohol consumption represents an important health burden, due to its frequency, scale and the serious damage it causes. One of the keys to addressing the problem would appear to be the adoption of harm and risk reduction approaches. In order to operationalise this strategy, the Nouvelle Aquitaine Regional Health Agency is funding three different programmes to reduce the harm and risks associated with alcohol consumption:Alcochoix, IacaandETP (Education Thérapeutique du Patient) Conso-repère. We are interested in understanding how, under what circumstances, through which mechanisms and for which population the different programmes work.

Methods and analysis

The ECIAE study (a cross-evaluation of the 3 programs Iaca/Alcochoix/ ETP (Patient Therapeutic Education) is a theory-based evaluation where the realist evaluation method is used to explore effects, intervention mechanisms and the influence of context on outcomes. This realist evaluation is based on multiple case studies in two nested levels. At the first level, each centre implementing the programme will represent a case. At the second level, each programme will represent a case in which a set of activities is conducted to achieve risk reduction objectives.

Ethics and dissemination

The project will be carried out in full compliance with existing legislation and international conventions. It was subject to analysis, including a privacy impact assessment conducted by the Data Protection Officer of the University of Bordeaux. The University of Bordeaux has ensured that all the regulatory procedures related to the ECIAE study have been carried out. The dissemination plan includes scientific papers, seminars, a report and recommendation and a public restitution. The study will provide evidence-based results to help health authorities roll out strategies to reduce risks and harm associated with alcohol use.
Prevalence and incidence of hand eczema in healthcare workers: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Symanzik Cara , Yüksel Yasemin Topal , Christensen Maria Oberlander , Thyssen Jacob P , Skudlik Christoph , John Swen Malte , Brans Richard , Agner Tove
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Healthcare workers (HCWs) constitute a high-risk group for developing occupational hand eczema (HE). The present systematic review and meta-analysis will compile and appraise evidence regarding prevalence and incidence of HE in HCWs.

Methods and analysis

Systematic searches will be performed in three electronic literature databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science-Core Collection and Embase). Further references will be retrieved by a manual search of included studies’ reference lists using snowballing techniques. We will include experimental studies, observational studies, survey-based studies and clinical studies (publications in English, French and German from 2000 onwards) reporting on certified and apprentice HCWs, who actively work in the job. We will look at the following outcomes: Prevalence and incidence of clinically assessed as well as self-reported HE in the style of the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire-2002; HE severity (measured by eg, Hand Eczema Severity Index, Osnabrück Hand Eczema Severity Index, Physician Global Assessment or other validated instruments as well as self-reported or by using undefined categories such as ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’); clinically assessed (eg, clinical diagnosis, UK Working Party’s diagnostic criteria, Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis (AD)) and self-reported AD. We will assess the risk of bias within studies using detailed criteria according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. As we expect heterogeneity in methods and outcomes, we will conduct sensitivity analyses. A narrative synthesis of results instead of a meta-analysis will be done in case that quantitative pooling is not feasible.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval and patient consent are not required as this work is based on published studies. The results will be published in an international, peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022303044.
Improving incident reporting among physicians at south health campus hospital
Authors: Ngo Jennifer , Lau Darren , Ploquin Jodi , Receveur Tracey , Stassen Kobus , Del Castilho Colin
Published: October 2022

Reports of adverse events and near-misses provide the opportunity to learn about latent (systems) errors. However, voluntary incident reporting systems are underused by physicians. While reports submitted by nursing staff relate to common hazards such as medication administration or falls, physicians have broader exposure to patients’ entire hospital journey. Reports by physicians have the potential to uncover more serious errors that could span multiple departments and layers of personnel. Organisational safety culture thrives when all staff are represented and feel empowered to share safety concerns.

At the South Health Campus (SHC) Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the baseline proportion of physician-submitted reports within our site’s Reporting and Learning System (RLS) from July 2013 to December 2016 was 1.12%. We implemented an intervention to double the proportion of physician-submitted RLS reports, using quality improvement methods.

Focus groups identified lack of experience with the RLS system, lack of feedback or closure after an RLS submission, and apprehensions about disclosing the incident to the affected patient as barriers to physician submission. Accordingly, the intervention involved direct responses from physician leadership to each physician-submitted RLS report, multimedia demonstrations of efficient RLS submission to physician groups and medical learners, and linkage to materials on safe disclosures. Effectiveness was assessed using a controlled before-and-after design, comparing SHC with the rest of Calgary and with the rest of Alberta.

Following the intervention, the proportion of RLS reports that were physician submitted increased to 2.65% (OR 2.42 [95% CI 1.96 to 3.02], p<0.001), sustained over the following 4 years. While an increase was observed for the rest of Calgary, it was smaller (OR 1.27 [1.15 to 1.40], p<0.001). A decrease in the odds of physician submission was observed for the rest of Alberta. Differences between sites were significant (p<0.001).

Overall, we found that physician-submitted incident reports can be increased and sustained over time if submitters receive personalised feedback by a physician safety leader. At our site, reports submitted by physicians have been valuable in uncovering complex systems issues that may not have been readily apparent.
Response of UK community hospitals to the COVID-19 pandemic: an appreciative inquiry
Authors: Seamark David Anthony , Prodger Evelyn , Jay Trish , Gibbard Emma , Tucker Helen
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The 500 community hospitals in the UK provide a range of services to their communities. The response of these small, mainly rural, hospitals to the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet been examined and so this study sought to address this gap.

Method

Appreciative inquiry was used to understand staff perspectives of how community hospitals responded to the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. A total of 20 organisations participated, representing 168 (34%) community hospitals in the UK. Qualitative interviews were conducted, with a total of 85 staff members, using an online video platform. 30 case studies were developed from these interviews.

Results

Staff described positive changes that were made in the context of the fear and uncertainty experienced in the pandemic. Quality improvements were reported in a wide range of services and models of care such as the use of the inpatient beds, and the access and management of urgent care services. Rapid changes were made in the way that services were managed, such as communications and leadership. Programmes of accelerated training were offered for existing and redeployed staff. Attention to staff health and well-being was a feature and there were a variety of innovations designed to support patients and their families. The impact of the changes was viewed as strengthening of integrated working between staff and sectors, the ability to rapidly innovate and improve quality, and the scope to use local decision-making to make changes.

Conclusion

Staff of community hospitals described innovative and rapid quality improvements in their community hospitals in response to the pandemic. The case studies illustrated the features of community hospitals, showing that they can be resilient, flexible, responsive, creative, compassionate and integrated. The case studies of quality improvements are being used to encourage sharing and learning across community hospitals and beyond.