bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic evidence for inbreeding depression and purging of deleterious genetic variation in Indian tigers
Authors: Khan Anubhab , Patel Kaushalkumar , Shukla Harsh , Viswanathan Ashwin , van der Valk Tom , Borthakur Udayan , Nigam Parag , Zachariah Arun , Jhala Yadavendradev V. , Kardos Marty , Ramakrishnan Uma
Published: November 2021

Significance

Habitat fragmentation is sequestering species into small and isolated populations, with high chances of extinction. Are small and isolated populations at risk for extinction from inbreeding depression? Or does inbreeding and purging of deleterious alleles reduce such threat? Using whole genomes from several wild Indian tiger populations, we provide evidence supporting purging of highly deleterious variants in a small–isolated population. However, our analyses also indicate that the remaining highly deleterious alleles are at high frequencies, suggesting continued inbreeding depression despite some successful purging. We discuss the implications of our results for conservation, including possible genomics-informed genetic rescue strategies.
How chain dynamics affects crack initiation in double-network gels
Authors: Zheng Yong , Matsuda Takahiro , Nakajima Tasuku , Cui Wei , Zhang Ye , Hui Chung-Yuen , Kurokawa Takayuki , Gong Jian Ping
Published: November 2021

Significance

Fracture in soft materials often couples a wide range of time and length scales. To date, research is mostly focused at the meso- and macroscale in which the continuum mechanics approach is expected to work, and the deformation surrounding the crack tip can be directly observed. Yet understanding at the network scale is very limited. A relevant question is how does chain dynamics at the network scale control fracture in rate-independent materials? Here, we study the role of polymer dynamics on the fracture and nonlinear crack tip behaviors of rate-independent double-network gels. We believe this work is crucially important for understanding the dynamic molecular process of fracture and for further facilitating theoretical approaches to predict failure in soft materials.
Lattices in Tate modules
Authors: Poonen Bjorn , Rybakov Sergey
Published: November 2021

Refining a theorem of Zarhin, we prove that, given a
g
-dimensional abelian variety
X
and an endomorphism
u
of
X
, there exists a matrix

A
∈

M

2
g

(
ℤ
)

such that each Tate module

T
ℓ

X

has a

ℤ
ℓ

-basis on which the action of
u
is given by
A
, and similarly for the covariant Dieudonné module if over a perfect field of characteristic
p
.
Difficulties understanding L2 speech due to discourse- versus word-level elements
Authors: Kennedy Sara
Published: November 2021

In this article, the constructs of intelligibility, comprehensibility, and discourse-level understanding in second
language (L2) speech are analyzed for their conceptual and methodological characteristics. The analysis is complemented by a case study of
listeners’ understanding of two matched L2 English speakers, who completed three speaking tasks over 17 weeks. One listening task focused on
word/phrase recognition and one focused on semantic and pragmatic understanding. Results showed two different profiles for the two speakers.
When listeners had difficulty understanding, for one speaker it was often due to word/phrase recognition problems, while for the other
speaker it was often due to ambiguity in the pragmatic or functional meaning of the speech. Implications are discussed for the ways in which
L2 speech is elicited, evaluated, and taught.
CSS J075415.6+191052 and NW Leo: Two Contact Binaries at Different Evolutionary Stages
Authors: Zhang Xu-Dong , Qian Sheng-Bang , Zhao Er-Gang , Zhi Qi-Jun , Dong Ai-Jun , Zhang Bin
Published: November 2021

Multi-color light curves of CSS J075415.6+191052 and NW Leo are presented and the photometric solutions suggest that CSS J075415.6+191052 is an A-subtype contact binary with low mass ratio (q = 0.178) while NW Leo has a high mass ratio (q = 0.707). For CSS J075415.6+191052, the RI light curves show weakening around the left shoulder of the secondary minimum, which indicates that there may be a dark spot on the secondary component. However, the light curves of BV bands are totally symmetric. It is unreasonable if the dark spot is caused by magnetic activity or mass transfer between the two components. Therefore, weakening of the light curves in this contact binary is caused by something else. A possible explanation is mass transferring from the primary component to the common convective envelope through the inner Lagrangian point, and this part of the mass, for some reason, weakens the RI bands of light from the secondary component. O − C analysis of NW Leo reveals a cyclic period change with a modulation period of 4.7 yr, which may be caused by the light travel time effect of a third body. The positions of CSS J075415.6+191052 and NW Leo in the P–J′orb diagram indicate that CSS J075415.6+191052 mainly abides by the angular momentum loss theory while NW Leo is dominated by the thermal relaxation oscillation theory.
Atypical, but not typical, antipsychotic drugs reduce hypersynchronized prefrontal-hippocampal circuits during psychosis-like states in mice: contribution of 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors
Authors: Delgado-Sallent Cristina , Nebot Pau , Gener Thomas , Fath Amanda B , Timplalexi Melina , Puig M Victoria
Published: November 2021

Neural synchrony and functional connectivity are disrupted in schizophrenia. We investigated changes in prefrontal-hippocampal neural dynamics during psychosis-like states induced by the NMDAR antagonist phencyclidine and subsequent rescue by two atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs), risperidone and clozapine, and the classical APD haloperidol. The psychotomimetic effects of phencyclidine were associated with prefrontal hypersynchronization, hippocampal desynchronization, and disrupted circuit connectivity. Phencyclidine boosted prefrontal oscillatory power at atypical bands within delta, gamma, and high frequency ranges, while irregular cross-frequency and spike-LFP coupling emerged. In the hippocampus, phencyclidine enhanced delta rhythms but suppressed theta oscillations, theta–gamma coupling, and theta–beta spike-LFP coupling. Baseline interregional theta–gamma coupling, theta phase coherence, and hippocampus-to-cortex theta signals were redirected to delta frequencies. Risperidone and clozapine, but not haloperidol, reduced phencyclidine-induced prefrontal and cortical-hippocampal hypersynchrony. None of the substances restored hippocampal and circuit desynchronization. These results suggest that AAPDs, but not typical APDs, target prefrontal-hippocampal pathways to elicit antipsychotic action. We investigated whether the affinity of AAPDs for serotonin receptors could explain their distinct effects. Serotonin 5-HT2AR antagonism by M100907 and 5-HT1AR agonism by 8-OH-DPAT reduced prefrontal hypersynchronization. Our results point to fundamentally different neural mechanisms underlying the action of atypical versus typical APDs with selective contribution of serotonin receptors.
Playing finger cymbals in the Roman Empire: an iconographic study
Authors: Cottet Audrey
Published: November 2021

Finger cymbals, played with one pair in each hand like castanets, are iconic of the Middle Eastern ‘belly’ dance, which has been represented in numerous pictorial works and photographs since the 18th century. Middle Eastern dancers show that it is possible to dance while using two small cymbals in each hand, attached to two different fingers with straps from the cymbals’ holes. Starting from the observation that many such small cymbals have been found in Roman archaeological sites, this article asks whether Roman dancers played these small cymbals like Middle Eastern dancers do today. The question is complex, because Roman dancers were able to play small cymbals in other ways, such as holding just one in each hand, or inserting them into cymbal tongs. This article presents a typological and functional study of small metal cymbals attached to fingers in Roman iconography. Three examples are considered: a mosaic from the Roman city of Augusta Traiana (now Stara Zagora) in Bulgaria, and two stone reliefs, one from Orolaunum (now Arlon) in Belgium and another from the Podocataro Palace in Rome, dated from the 2nd to the 4th centuries ce. These remains testify to the use of fingers cymbals, two in each hand, attached directly to two different fingers, by dancers from the Roman Empire.
Thomas Paine’s reflections on the revolution in France: inventing a reactionary Paine in 1825
Authors: Lounissi Carine
Published: November 2021

This article looks into an unpublished manuscript in French found in Jacques-Pierre Brissot’s papers in the Archives Nationales. The manuscript’s author and/or translator presents it as a diary written by Thomas Paine during his time as a deputy in the National Convention. Yet both the manuscript’s form and its content suggest that it may well be a forgery. The context in which it was written is crucial. In the 1820s, memoirs and histories looked back upon the French Revolution as the political contest among ultras, liberals and republicans and revived some of the issues raised during the French revolutionary decade. The author of this manuscript was openly pro-Bourbon and seemed to turn Paine into a moderate partisan of monarchy. Many clues show that the views expressed on the events of the Revolution do not match Paine’s writings or are contradicted by records in French archives.
Material Hardships, Perceived Stress, and Health among Low-Wage Hospital Workers
Authors: Woo Jihee , Ballentine Kess , Shook Jeffrey , Engel Rafael , Goodkind Sara
Published: November 2021

Many service, clerical, and technical hospital workers deemed essential during the pandemic have wages that do not reflect the essential nature of their work and do not earn enough income to cover basic expenses. Thus, many experience material hardships related to food, housing, and medical care. Previous studies have shown strong relationships between material hardships and health; however, they do not fully explain the role of stress as an intervening mechanism. This cross-sectional study analyzes an online survey with 257 lower-wage hospital workers to examine the relationships between hardships and health, and how perceived stress mediates these relationships. Path analysis revealed that financial and food hardships were related to mental health through perceived stress, while medical hardship was directly associated with physical health. These findings add to the evidence that workers’ hardships either directly or indirectly contribute to negative mental and physical health outcomes through perceived stress. Future investigations should further examine relationships among material hardships, stress, and health, and advocacy efforts should focus on raising wages for essential hospital workers.
Determining Baltic salmon foraging areas at sea using stable isotopes in scales—a tool for understanding health syndromes
Authors: Jones Douglas , Dahlgren Elin , Jacobson Philip , Karlson Agnes M L
Published: November 2021

Managing fish stocks for species migrating between freshwater and the sea is challenging when ecological information for life stages at sea is poorly known. Oceans offer increased opportunity for growth but also morbidity and mortality. By improving our understanding of foraging at sea we can better identify factors driving stock health and recruitment. We analysed stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (δ13C and δ15N) in scales from tagged Baltic salmon (Salmo salar) caught at sea over four decades. We found consistently divergent patterns in δ13C and δ15N between the two main basins of the Baltic Sea, which can be used to determine foraging area. Isotope analysis of amino acids revealed differences in source δ15N as the main reason for observed differences between basins. We also analysed isotopes in scales and thiamin concentrations in roe (thiamin deficiency can cause substantial fry mortality) from adult female salmon returning to a river to spawn in 2017 and 2018. Individuals with low thiamin levels were associated with offshore feeding in both basins, suggesting the deficiency syndrome is widespread in the Baltic Sea.
“But Mouse, You Are Not Alone”: On Some Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variants Infecting Mice
Authors: Kuiper Michael J , Wilson Laurence O W , Mangalaganesh Shruthi , Lee Carol , Reti Daniel , Vasan Seshadri S
Published: November 2021

In silico predictions combined with in vitro, in vivo, and in situ observations collectively suggest that mouse adaptation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 virus requires an aromatic substitution in position 501 or position 498 (but not both) of the spike protein’s receptor binding domain. This effect could be enhanced by mutations in positions 417, 484, and 493 (especially K417N, E484K, Q493K, and Q493R), and to a lesser extent by mutations in positions 486 and 499 (such as F486L and P499T). Such enhancements, due to more favorable binding interactions with residues on the complementary angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 interface, are, however, unlikely to sustain mouse infectivity on their own based on theoretical and experimental evidence to date. Our current understanding thus points to the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Omicron variants of concern infecting mice, whereas Delta and “Delta Plus” lack a similar biomolecular basis to do so. This paper identifies 11 countries (Brazil, Chile, Djibouti, Haiti, Malawi, Mozambique, Reunion, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela) where targeted local field surveillance of mice is encouraged because they may have come in contact with humans who had the virus with adaptive mutation(s). It also provides a systematic methodology to analyze the potential for other animal reservoirs and their likely locations.
A Construction of Constant Mean Curvature Surfaces in ℍ2 × ℝ and the Krust Property
Authors: Castro-Infantes Jesús , Manzano José M , Rodríguez Magdalena
Published: November 2021

We show the existence of a $2$-parameter family of properly Alexandrov-embedded surfaces with constant mean curvature $0\leq H\leq \frac {1}{2}$ in ${\mathbb {H}^2\times \mathbb {R}}$. They are symmetric with respect to a horizontal slice and $k$ vertical planes disposed symmetrically and extend the so-called minimal saddle towers and $k$-noids. We show that the orientation plays a fundamental role when $H>0$ by analyzing their conjugate minimal surfaces in $\widetilde {\textrm {SL}}_2(\mathbb {R})$ or $\textrm {Nil}_3$. We also discover new complete examples that we call $(H,k)$-nodoids, whose $k$ ends are asymptotic to vertical cylinders over curves of geodesic curvature $2H$ from the convex side, often giving rise to non-embedded examples if $H>0$. In the discussion of embeddedness of the constructed examples, we prove that the Krust property does not hold for any $H>0$, that is, there are minimal graphs over convex domains in $\widetilde {\textrm {SL}}_2(\mathbb {R})$, $\textrm {Nil}_3$ or the Berger spheres, whose conjugate surfaces with constant mean curvature $H$ in $\mathbb {H}^2\times \mathbb {R}$ are not graphs.
Free Incomplete Tambara Functors are Almost Never Flat
Authors: Hill Michael A , Mehrle David , Quigley James D
Published: November 2021

Free algebras are always free as modules over the base ring in classical algebra. In equivariant algebra, free incomplete Tambara functors play the role of free algebras and Mackey functors play the role of modules. Surprisingly, free incomplete Tambara functors often fail to be free as Mackey functors. In this paper, we determine for all finite groups conditions under which a free incomplete Tambara functor is free as a Mackey functor. For solvable groups, we show that a free incomplete Tambara functor is flat as a Mackey functor precisely when these conditions hold. Our results imply that free incomplete Tambara functors are almost never flat as Mackey functors. However, we show that after suitable localizations, free incomplete Tambara functors are always free as Mackey functors.
Symplectic Isotopy of Rational Cuspidal Sextics and Septics
Authors: Golla Marco , Kütle Fabien
Published: November 2021

We classify rational cuspidal curves of degrees 6 and 7 in the complex projective plane, up to symplectic isotopy. The proof uses topological tools, pseudoholomorphic techniques, and birational transformations.
Combinatorics of F-Polynomials
Authors: Fei Jiarui
Published: November 2021

We use the stabilization functors to study the combinatorial aspects of the $F$-polynomial of a representation of any finite-dimensional basic algebra. We characterize the vertices of their Newton polytopes. We give an explicit formula for the $F$-polynomial restricting to any face of its Newton polytope. For acyclic quivers, we give a complete description of all facets of the Newton polytope when the representation is general. We also prove that the support of the $F$-polynomial is saturated for any rigid representation. We provide many examples and counterexamples and pose several conjectures.
Transmission Dynamics of the Delta Variant of SARS-CoV-2 Infections in South Korea
Authors: Hwang Hari , Lim Jun-Sik , Song Sun-Ah , Achangwa Chiara , Sim Woobeom , Kim Giho , Ryu Sukhyun
Published: November 2021

Background

The Delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was the predominant variant worldwide at the time of this study. However, its transmission dynamics were unclear.

Methods

We analyzed 405 local cases infected with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and temporal patterns of viral shedding identified between 22 June and 31 July 2021 in Daejeon, South Korea.

Results

Overall, 20% were presymptomatic at the time of epidemiological investigation. We identified 6 clustered outbreaks, and all were associated with indoor facilities. In 23 household contacts, the secondary attack rate was 63%. We estimated the mean serial interval as 3.26 days (95% credible interval, 2.92–3.60), and 15% (95% confidence interval, 13%–18%) of cases seeded 80% of all local transmission. Analysis of the nasopharyngeal swab samples identified virus shedding from the presymptomatic cases and the highest viral load was observed 2 days after symptom onset.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the Delta variant is highly transmissible in indoor settings and households. Rapid contact tracing, isolation of the asymptomatic contacts, strict adherence to public health measures, and increased uptake of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, including booster doses, are needed to reduce community transmission of the Delta variant.
A case of incidental STUMP discovery in a patient with concurrent prostatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ladner Tessa , Schultz Troy , Moore Jocelyn , Houle Greg
Published: November 2021

Stromal tumours of the prostate are exceedingly rare, often presenting in patients in their fifth decade of life. They are classified as either stromal sarcomas, or stromal tumours of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP), the latter of which is known to have diverse clinical behaviour and thus surgical excision is often warranted. We present a case of a 71-year-old male, initially worked up by his family doctor due to mild obstructive voiding symptoms. Following a more thorough urologic workup, including a prostate biopsy, he was found to have a markedly elevated prostate specific antigen and positive cores on prostate biopsy demonstrating prostatic adenocarcinoma. The decision was made to treat with retropubic radical prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection. Resulting pathology showed concurrent prostatic adenocarcinoma in addition to STUMP. The patient continues to be followed by oncology as well as a sarcoma specialist due to the unique nature of his case.
New constraints on light axion-like particles using Chandra transmission grating spectroscopy of the powerful cluster-hosted quasar H1821+643
Authors: Sisk-Reynés Júlia , Matthews James H , Reynolds Christopher S , Russell Helen R , Smith Robyn N , Marsh M C David
Published: November 2021

Axion-like particles (ALPs) are predicted by several Beyond the Standard Model theories, in particular, string theory. In the presence of an external magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of propagation, ALPs can couple to photons. Therefore, if an X-ray source is viewed through a magnetized plasma, such as a luminous quasar in a galaxy cluster, we may expect spectral distortions that are well described by photon–ALP oscillations. We present a 571 ks combined high- and low-energy transmission grating Chandra observation of the powerful radio-quiet quasar H1821+643, hosted by a cool-core cluster at redshift 0.3. The spectrum is well described by a double power-law continuum and broad+narrow iron line emission typical of type-1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs), with remaining spectral features ${\lt}2.5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. Using a cell-based approach to describe the turbulent cluster magnetic field, we compare our spectrum with photon–ALP mixing curves for 500 field realizations, assuming that the thermal-to-magnetic pressure ratio β remains constant up to the virial radius. At $99.7{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ credibility and taking β = 100, we exclude all couplings gaγ > 6.3 × 10−13 GeV−1 for most ALP masses <10−12 eV. Our results are moderately more sensitive to constraining ALPs than the best previous result from Chandra observations of the Perseus cluster, albeit with a less constrained field model. We reflect on the promising future of ALP studies with bright AGNs embedded in rich clusters, especially with the upcoming Athena mission.
A hierarchical Bayesian SED model for Type Ia supernovae in the optical to near-infrared
Authors: Mandel Kaisey S , Thorp Stephen , Narayan Gautham , Friedman Andrew S , Avelino Arturo
Published: November 2021

While conventional Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) cosmology analyses rely primarily on rest-frame optical light curves to determine distances, SNe Ia are excellent standard candles in near-infrared (NIR) light, which is significantly less sensitive to dust extinction. An SN Ia spectral energy distribution (SED) model capable of fitting rest-frame NIR observations is necessary to fully leverage current and future SN Ia data sets from ground- and space-based telescopes including HST, LSST, JWST, and RST. We construct a hierarchical Bayesian model for SN Ia SEDs, continuous over time and wavelength, from the optical to NIR (B through H, or $0.35{-}1.8\, \mu$m). We model the SED as a combination of physically distinct host galaxy dust and intrinsic spectral components. The distribution of intrinsic SEDs over time and wavelength is modelled with probabilistic functional principal components and the covariance of residual functions. We train the model on a nearby sample of 79 SNe Ia with joint optical and NIR light curves by sampling the global posterior distribution over dust and intrinsic latent variables, SED components and population hyperparameters. Photometric distances of SNe Ia with NIR data near maximum obtain a total RMS error of 0.10 mag with our BayeSN model, compared to 0.13–0.14 mag with SALT2 and SNooPy for the same sample. Jointly fitting the optical and NIR data of the full sample up to moderate reddening (host E(B − V) < 0.4) for a global host dust law, we find RV = 2.9 ± 0.2, consistent with the Milky Way average.
Implications of a rapidly varying FRB in a globular cluster of M81
Authors: Lu Wenbin , Beniamini Paz , Kumar Pawan
Published: November 2021

A repeating source of fast radio bursts (FRBs) is recently discovered from a globular cluster of M81. Association with a globular cluster (or other old stellar systems) suggests that strongly magnetized neutron stars, which are the most likely objects responsible for FRBs, are born not only when young massive stars undergo core-collapse, but also by mergers of old white dwarfs. We find that the fractional contribution to the total FRB rate by old stellar populations is at least a few per cent, and the precise fraction can be constrained by FRB searches in the directions of nearby galaxies, both star-forming and elliptical ones. Using very general arguments, we show that the activity time of the M81-FRB source is between 104 and 106 yr, and more likely of the order of 105 yr. The energetics of radio outbursts put a lower limit on the magnetic field strength of 10$^{13}\,$G, and the spin period $\gtrsim 0.2\,$s, thereby ruling out the source being a milli-second pulsar. The upper limit on the persistent X-ray luminosity (provided by Chandra), together with the high FRB luminosity and frequent repetitions, severely constrains (or rules out) the possibility that the M81-FRB is a scaled-up version of giant pulses from Galactic pulsars. Finally, the 50-ns variability time of the FRB light curve suggests that the emission is produced in a compact region inside the neutron star magnetosphere, as it cannot be accounted for when the emission is at distances $\gtrsim 10^{10}\rm \, cm$.
Subterahertz radius and limb brightening of the Sun derived from SST and ALMA
Authors: Menezes Fabian , Selhorst Caius L , Giménez de Castro Carlos Guillermo , Valio Adriana
Published: November 2021

Measurements of the radius and limb brightening of the Sun provide important information about the solar atmosphere structure and temperature. The solar radius increases as the observation at radio frequency decreases, indicating that each emission originates higher in the atmosphere. Thus, different layers of the solar atmosphere can be probed by observing at multiple wavelengths. In this work, we determined the average radius and limb brightening at 100, 212, 230, and 405 GHz, using data from the Solar Submillimeter Telescope and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array’s single-dish observations. For the first time, limb brightening values for frequencies of 212 and 405 GHz were estimated. At sub-THz frequencies, the observed limb brightening may affect the solar radius measurements. We use two different and well-known approaches to determine the radius: The half-power method and the inflection-point method. We investigate how the antenna beam size and the limb brightening level, LB, can affect the radius measurements using both methods. Our results showed that the inflection-point method is the least affected by these parameters, and should thus be used for solar radius estimates at radio wavelengths. The measured average radii are 968 ± 3 arcsec (100 GHz), 963 ± 3 arcsec (212 GHz), 963 ± 2 arcsec (230 GHz), and 963 ± 5 arcsec (405 GHz). Finally, we used forward modelling to estimate the ranges of LB of the solar disc resulting in 5–19 per cent (100 GHz), 2–12 per cent (212 GHz), 6–18 per cent (230 GHz), and 3–17 per cent (405 GHz). Both radius and limb brightening estimates agree with previous measurements reported in the literature.
MHD disc winds can reproduce fast disc dispersal and the correlation between accretion rate and disc mass in Lupus
Authors: Tabone B , Rosotti G P , Lodato G , Armitage P J , Cridland A J , van Dishoeck E F
Published: November 2021

The final architecture of planetary systems depends on the extraction of angular momentum and mass-loss processes of the discs in which they form. Theoretical studies proposed that magnetohydrodynamic winds launched from the discs (MHD disc winds) could govern accretion and disc dispersal. In this work, we revisit the observed disc demographics in the framework of MHD disc winds, combining analytical solutions of disc evolution and a disc population synthesis approach. We show that MHD disc winds alone can account for both disc dispersal and accretion properties. The decline of disc fraction over time is reproduced by assuming that the initial accretion time-scale (a generalization of the viscous time-scale) varies from disc to disc and that the decline of the magnetic field strength is slower than that of the gas. The correlation between accretion rate and disc mass, and the dispersion of the data around the mean trend as observed in Lupus, is then naturally reproduced. The model also accounts for the rapidity of the disc dispersal. This paves the way for planet formation models in the paradigm of wind-driven accretion.
Behavior Change Interventions for Health Promotion in Physical Therapist Research and Practice: An Integrative Approach
Authors: Motl Robert W , Lein Donald H , Morris David M , Lowman John D , Perez Patricia , Bullard Cara
Published: November 2021

There is an increasing focus on health promotion in physical therapist research and practice. A clinical model (Health-Focused Physical Therapy Model) was developed for identifying major steps in the delivery of health promotion focusing on adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors. One of the primary steps within this model is the design and delivery of behavior change interventions. Such interventions involve coordinated sets of activities that target change in a specific pattern of unhealthy behavior (eg, physical inactivity, smoking). This Perspective contends that the science and practice of behavior change interventions can be significantly advanced in the field of physical therapy (implementation science) through the integration of behavior change frameworks and techniques within the context of an experimental medicine approach for health behavior change. This perspective presents the integration of the Theoretical Domains Framework, the Behavior Change Wheel, including the Capability Opportunity Motivation–Behavior core system, and the Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy as a comprehensive approach for designing and delivering behavior change interventions in physical therapy. An experimental medicine approach is described, outlining a 4-step process in the design, delivery, and evaluation of behavior change interventions that can be applied to health promotion in physical therapist research and practice. The proposed integrative approach can advance public health and health promotion through healthy lifestyle behavior change in the field of physical therapy.
Development of the Avoidance Daily Activities Photo Scale for Patients With Shoulder Pain
Authors: Ansanello Walter , dos Reis Felipe José Jandre , Tozzo Marcela Camargo , Zatiti Salomão Chade Assan , Meulders Ann , Vlaeyen Johan W S , de Oliveira Anamaria Siriani
Published: November 2021

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to develop the Avoidance of Daily Activities Photo Scale (ADAP Shoulder Scale) to measure shoulder pain–related avoidance behavior in patients with shoulder pain and evaluate and report the structural validity and internal consistency of the scale.

Methods

Potential daily activities involving the shoulder were selected from the activities and participation domain of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. The selected activities were presented to an expert panel, health care professionals, and patients with shoulder pain with the question “How much do you think it is important to ask patients with shoulder pain about this activity?” Activities attaining a content validity index (CVI) ≥ 0.8 were represented using a digitally colored photograph. Activity photographs were evaluated by health care professionals and patients with shoulder pain. Photographs with a CVI ≥ 0.8 were included in the scale. To evaluate structural validity and internal consistency of the scale, exploratory factor analysis was performed to determine the presence of any scale domain. Cronbach alpha was calculated to indicate the internal consistency of each domain.

Results

Of the 107 preselected activities, 21 attained a CVI ≥ 0.8. Eighteen photographs (CVI ≥ 0.8) were included in the scale after being analyzed by 120 health care professionals and 50 patients with shoulder pain. Exploratory factor analysis (N = 156) showed that the ADAP Shoulder Scale consists of 3 domains: free movement, high effort, and self-care. The internal consistencies of the domains were 0.92, 0.89, and 0.92, respectively.

Conclusion

The ADAP Shoulder Scale included 15 photographs distributed in 3 domains. All domains had a high internal consistency. The scale is easily applicable, well understood, and relevant for shoulder pain.

Impact

The ADAP Shoulder Scale can be used to rate shoulder pain–related avoidance behaviors.
The Constructive Kan–Quillen Model Structure: Two New Proofs
Authors: Gambino Nicola , Sattler Christian , Szumiło Karol
Published: November 2021

We present two new proofs of Simon Henry’s result that the category of simplicial sets admits a constructive counterpart of the classical Kan–Quillen model structure. Our proofs are entirely self-contained and avoid complex combinatorial arguments on anodyne extensions. We also give new constructive proofs of the left and right properness of the model structure.
The Equalizer Conjecture For The Free Group of Rank Two
Authors: Logan Alan D
Published: November 2021

The equalizer of a set of homomorphisms $S: F(a, b)\rightarrow F(\Delta)$ has rank at most two if S contains an injective map and is not finitely generated otherwise. This proves a strong form of Stallings’ Equalizer Conjecture for the free group of rank two. Results are also obtained for pairs of homomorphisms $g, h:F(\Sigma)\rightarrow F(\Delta)$ when the images are inert in, or retracts of, $F(\Delta)$.
Real Moduli Spaces And Density Of Non-simple Real Abelian Varieties
Authors: De Gaay Fortman Olivier
Published: November 2021

For fixed k < g and a family of polarized abelian varieties of dimension g over ${{\mathbb{R}}}$, we give a criterion for the density in the parameter space of those abelian varieties over ${{\mathbb{R}}}$ containing a k-dimensional abelian subvariety over ${{\mathbb{R}}}$. As application, we prove density of such a set in the moduli space of polarized real abelian varieties of dimension g and density of real algebraic curves mapping non-trivially to real k-dimensional abelian varieties in the moduli space of real algebraic curves as well as in the space of real plane curves. This extends to the real setting results by Colombo and Pirola [10]. We then consider the real locus of an algebraic stack over $\mathbb{R}$, attaching a topological space to it. For a real moduli stack, this defines a real moduli space. We show that for ${{\mathcal{M}}}_g$ and ${{\mathcal{A}}}_g$, the real moduli spaces that arise in this way coincide with the moduli spaces of Gross–Harris [13] and Seppälä–Silhol [23].
Interventions and Cognitive Spillovers
Authors: Altmann Steffen , Grunewald Andreas , Radbruch Jonas
Published: November 2021

This article investigates how incentives and behavioural policy interventions affect individuals’ allocation of scarce cognitive resources. Based on experimental evidence, we demonstrate that incentives systematically influence individuals’ allocation of cognitive resources, and their propensity to actively engage with a decision or to stay passive. Policies that steer individuals’ attention to a specific decision lead to more active decision-making and better choices in the targeted choice domain, but induce negative cognitive spillovers on the quality of choices in other domains. In our setting, these two countervailing effects offset each other, such that the overall payoff consequences of the interventions are essentially zero. We further document that cognitive spillovers are especially pronounced for complex choices and for subgroups of the population with a smaller stock of cognitive resources. We discuss implications for the design and evaluation of behavioural policy interventions.
URINARY EXCRETION OF PLUTONIUM IN MAYAK WORKERS DURING AND AFTER CA-DTPA ADMINISTRATION
Authors: Sokolova Alexandra B , Suslova Klara G , Miller Scott C
Published: November 2021

Chelation therapy is sometimes used after potential exposures to plutonium to increase urinary excretion of the radionuclide to improve the accuracy of bioassay measurements. The purpose of this report is to describe the enhancement of urinary excretion of plutonium during and after the administration of the trisodium salt of calcium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (Ca-DTPA) daily for 3 d to a group of male and female plutonium workers from the Mayak Production Association in Ozyorsk, Russia. One-hundred and two cases (18 females and 84 males) were selected where urinary contents of plutonium, prior to chelation, exceeded the detection threshold. Daily urine collections were obtained during the 3 d of Ca-DTPA treatments. In addition, 58 of these cases had urine bioassays at 1–45 d after chelation. The daily enhancement over baseline values excretion of plutonium was found to be 50.4×/1.4 (geometric mean and geometric standard deviation); 58.9×/1.2; 72.9×/1.4 in the first, second and third days of Ca-DTPA administration. The mean enhancement for the 3-d period was 60.1×/1.7. The rate of plutonium excretion from 1 to 45 d after chelation decreased with a half-period of 3.9 d and the chelation enhancement factor (Кenh-i) is described by the function Кenh-i = (0.79 ± 0.24) + (42.9 ± 1.2) × e−(0.18 ± 0.01) × day.
The G143A Mutation in the Cytochrome b Gene Is Associated with Quinone Outside Inhibitor Fungicide Resistance in Cercospora sojina from Soybean Fields in Wisconsin
Authors: Neves Danilo L. , Webster Richard W. , Smith Damon L. , Bradley Carl A.
Published: November 2021

Frogeye leaf spot, caused by Cercospora sojina, is an important foliar disease of soybean (Glycine max) in the United States. Application of quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides has been an important management tool available to farmers to help manage this disease, but in 2010, C. sojina isolates with resistance to QoI fungicides were first discovered in Tennessee and then additional states in the years to follow. During the 2020 growing season, C. sojina isolates collected from Wisconsin soybean fields were tested for QoI resistance using laboratory and molecular assays. The results of these assays showed that QoI fungicide-resistant C. sojina isolates are present in Wisconsin. Similar to previous findings in other states, these QoI-resistant C. sojina isolates contain the G143A mutation. Soybean farmers in Wisconsin will need to use an integrated approach of cultural practices, genetic resistance, and using fungicides with multiple modes of action to manage this disease in light of QoI-resistant C. sojina isolates being present in the state.
A novel inpatient PA staffing model for a community hospital
Authors: Bendicksen Danielle , Pflugeisen Chaya Mangel , Slot Franchot van
Published: November 2021

Objective:

We sought to create a novel physician assistant (PA) and physician hospital medicine co-management strategy, employing a 3:1 PA:physician structure, under which the physician oversees all PA patients, but without a separate independent panel.

Methods:

This is a retrospective cohort pre-post design, comparing metrics for a traditional physician-only hospitalist model with a PA-physician team model. Outcomes included length of stay (LOS), readmissions, discharge destination, patient satisfaction, and in-hospital mortality.

Results:

LOS for patients under the PA-physician model (74 hours) was lower than for the physician-only model (83 hours; P < .001). The PA-physician model team discharged more patients home than to another facility (PA-physician 77.6%, physician-only 74.3%; P = .03). Thirty-day readmissions were about 10% (P = .97) and patients reported respectful treatment in about 80% (P = .53) of cases in each cohort.

Conclusions:

Our 3:1 PA-physician model team showed equal to superior outcomes compared with the physician-only hospitalist model.
Circ_0005033 is an oncogene in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and regulates cell progression and Cisplatin sensitivity via miR-107/IGF1R axis
Authors: Gong Lei , Chen Juan , Jiang Xijiao
Published: November 2021

Transcriptome expression profiles of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) are altered, and we aimed to investigate expression and role of hsa_circ_0005033 (circ_0005033), microRNA (miR)-107 and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) in LSCC. Real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry detected RNA and protein expression levels. Functional assays were performed using MTT assay, EdU assay, apoptosis assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, and xenograft tumor model. Direct interaction was predicted by Starbase algorithm and validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. Expression of circ_0005033 was substantially upregulated in LSCC tissues and cells, and allied with miR-107 downregulation and IGF1R upregulation. Circ_0005033 showed a closed-loop structure and long half-life. Essentially, circ_0005033 and IGF1R were competing endogenous RNAs for miR-107 via target binding. Silencing circ_0005033 facilitated apoptosis rate and lowered cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of LSCC cells, as well as delayed xenograft tumor growth. Allied with that, cleaved-caspase 3/8/9 expression was elevated via death receptor-mediated and mitochondrial pathways, and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), MMP9, cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was decreased. Moreover, Cisplatin-induced inhibition of cell viability was exacerbated by inhibiting circ_0005033. These functional effects of circ_0005033 depression were consistent with those of miR-107 overexpression. Furthermore, depleting miR-107 and restoring IGF1R abated the effects of circ_0005033 knockdown and miR-107 overexpression, respectively. Circ_0005033 was oncogenic in LSCC by regulating cell progression and Cisplatin sensitivity at least via miR-107/IGF1R axis.
Vitamin D Supplement Use and Risk of Breast Cancer by Race-Ethnicity
Authors: O’Brien Katie M. , Keil Alexander P. , Harmon Quaker E. , Jackson Chandra L. , White Alexandra J. , Díaz-Santana Mary V. , Taylor Jack A. , Sandler Dale P.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Vitamin D has anticarcinogenic properties, but a relationship between vitamin D supplement use and breast cancer is not established. Few studies have accounted for changes in supplement use over time or evaluated racial-ethnic differences.

Methods:

The Sister Study is a prospective cohort of 50,884 women with 35–74 years of age who had a sister with breast cancer, but no breast cancer themselves at enrollment (2003–2009). We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between vitamin D supplement use and incident breast cancer (3,502 cases; median follow-up 10.5 years).

Results:

Vitamin D supplement use was common, with 64% reporting ever use (at least once per month) in the year before enrollment. Considering supplement use over time, ever use of vitamin D supplements was not meaningfully associated with breast cancer (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.88, 1.0), relative to never use. However, after adjusting for prior use, recent use of vitamin D supplements ≥1/month was inversely associated with breast cancer (HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78, 1.0), relative to nonrecent use. The inverse association was stronger for ductal carcinoma in situ (HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.52, 0.87) than invasive breast cancer (HR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.72, 1.1, p-for-heterogeneity = 0.02). Supplement use was less common among African American/Black (56%) and non-Black Hispanic/Latina (50%) women than non-Hispanic White women (66%), but there was limited evidence of racial-ethnic differences in HRs (p-for-heterogeneity = 0.16 for ever use, P = 0.55 for recent).

Conclusions:

Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that recent vitamin D use is inversely associated with breast cancer risk.
What Can Genetic Relatedness Tell Us About Risk Factors for Tuberculosis Transmission?
Authors: Leavitt Sarah V. , Horsburgh C. Robert , Lee Robyn S. , Tibbs Andrew M. , White Laura F. , Jenkins Helen E.
Published: November 2021

Background:

To stop tuberculosis (TB), the leading infectious cause of death globally, we need to better understand transmission risk factors. Although many studies have identified associations between individual-level covariates and pathogen genetic relatedness, few have identified characteristics of transmission pairs or explored how closely covariates associated with genetic relatedness mirror those associated with transmission.

Methods:

We simulated a TB-like outbreak with pathogen genetic data and estimated odds ratios (ORs) to correlate each covariate and genetic relatedness. We used a naive Bayes approach to modify the genetic links and nonlinks to resemble the true links and nonlinks more closely and estimated modified ORs with this approach. We compared these two sets of ORs with the true ORs for transmission. Finally, we applied this method to TB data in Hamburg, Germany, and Massachusetts, USA, to find pair-level covariates associated with transmission.

Results:

Using simulations, we found that associations between covariates and genetic relatedness had the same relative magnitudes and directions as the true associations with transmission, but biased absolute magnitudes. Modifying the genetic links and nonlinks reduced the bias and increased the confidence interval widths, more accurately capturing error. In Hamburg and Massachusetts, pairs were more likely to be probable transmission links if they lived in closer proximity, had a shorter time between observations, or had shared ethnicity, social risk factors, drug resistance, or genotypes.

Conclusions:

We developed a method to improve the use of genetic relatedness as a proxy for transmission, and aid in understanding TB transmission dynamics in low-burden settings.
Low-dose angiotensin II supplementation restores flow-induced dilation mechanisms in cerebral arteries of Sprague-Dawley rats on a high salt diet
Authors: Matic Anita , Jukic Ivana , Mihaljevic Zrinka , Kolobaric Nikolina , Stupin Ana , Kozina Natasa , Bujak Ivana Tartaro , Kibel Aleksandar , Lombard Julian H. , Drenjancevic Ines
Published: November 2021

Objective:

Salt-induced suppression of angiotensin II contributes to impaired endothelium-dependent vascular reactivity. The present study investigated the effect of chronic low-dose angiotensin II (ANG II) supplementation on the mechanisms of flow-induced dilation (FID) and oxidative stress at the cellular and molecular level in middle cerebral arteries (MCA) of male Sprague-Dawley rats fed high salt diet.

Methods:

Rats (10 weeks old) were randomly assigned to a low salt diet group (0.4% NaCl in rat chow); high salt diet group (7 days 4% NaCl in rat chow) or HS+ANG II group [7 days high salt diet with 3 days ANG II administration via osmotic minipumps (100 ng/kg per min on days 4–7)]. FID was determined in absence/presence of the NOS inhibitor L-NAME, the non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1,2) inhibitor indomethacin, a selective inhibitor of CYP450 epoxygenase activity (MS-PPOH) and the superoxide dismutase mimetic TEMPOL. Gene expression of antioxidative enzymes, and of genes and proteins involved in FID mechanisms were determined by RT-qPCR and western blot. Vascular nitric oxide and superoxide/reactive oxygen species levels were assessed by direct fluorescence. Serum systemic oxidative stress parameters were measured by spectrophotometry.

Results:

Chronic low-dose ANG II supplementation in high salt fed rats restored FID of MCAs, which was nitric oxide, prostanoid and epoxyeicosatrienoic acid dependent. ANG II changed the protein/gene expression of COXs, HIF-1α and VEGF and significantly increased GPx4 and EC-SOD antioxidative enzyme expression, decreased systemic oxidative stress, decreased superoxide/ROS levels and increased nitric oxide bioavailability in the vascular wall.

Conclusion:

Physiological levels of circulating ANG II are crucial to maintain the HIF-1α dependent mechanisms of FID and vascular oxidative balance without affecting mean arterial pressure.