bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When time becomes personal. Aging and personal identity
Authors: Sternad Christian
Published: January 2021

Aging is an integral part of human existence. The problem of aging addresses the most fundamental coordinates of our lives but also the ones of the phenomenological method: time, embodiment, subjectivity and intersubjectivity, and even the social norms that grow into the very notion of aging as such. In my article, I delineate a phenomenological analysis of aging and show how such an analysis connects with the debate concerning personal identity: I claim that aging is not merely a physical process, but is far more significantly also a spiritual one as the process of aging consists in our awareness of and conscious relation to our aging. This spiritual process takes place on an individual and on a social level, whereas the latter is the more primordial layer of this experience. This complicates the question of personal identity since it will raise the question in two ways, namely who I am for myself and who I am for the others, and in a further step how the latter experience shapes the former. However, we can state that aging is neither only physical nor only spiritual. It concerns my bodily processes as it concerns the complex reflexive structure that relates my former self with my present and even future self.
The Impact of a Standardized Pre-visit Laboratory Testing Panel in the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic: a Controlled “On-Off” Trial
Authors: Vrijsen B. E. L. , ten Berg M. J. , Naaktgeboren C. A. , Vis J. Y. , Dijstelbloem H. M. , Westerink J. , Dekker D. , Hoefer I. E. , Haitjema S. , Hulsbergen-Veelken C. A. R. , van Solinge W. W. , Kaasjager H. A. H.
Published: January 2021

Background

In several settings, a shorter time to diagnosis has been shown to lead to improved clinical outcomes. The implementation of a rapid laboratory testing allows for a pre-visit testing in the outpatient clinic, meaning that test results are available during the first outpatient visit.

Objective

To determine whether the pre-visit laboratory testing leads to a shorter time to diagnosis in the general internal medicine outpatient clinic.

Design

An “on-off” trial, allocating subjects to one of two treatment arms in consecutive alternating blocks.

Participants

All new referrals to the internal medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital were included, excluding second opinions. A total of 595 patients were eligible; one person declined to participate, leaving data from 594 patients for analysis.

Intervention

In the intervention group, patients had a standardized pre-visit laboratory testing before the first visit.

Main Measures

The primary outcome was the time to diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were the correctness of the preliminary diagnosis on the first day, health care utilization, and patient and physician satisfaction.

Key Results

There was no difference in time to diagnosis between the two groups (median 35 days vs 35 days; hazard ratio 1.03 [0.87–1.22]; p = .71). The pre-visit testing group had higher proportions of both correct preliminary diagnoses on day 1 (24% vs 14%; p = .003) and diagnostic workups being completed on day 1 (10% vs 3%; p < .001). The intervention group had more laboratory tests done (50.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 39.0–69.0] vs 43.0 [IQR 31.0–68.5]; p < .001). Otherwise, there were no differences between the groups.

Conclusions

Pre-visit testing did not lead to a shorter overall time to diagnosis. However, a greater proportion of patients had a correct diagnosis on the first day. Further studies should focus on customizing pre-visit laboratory panels, to improve their efficacy.

Trial Registration

NL5009
Die Evaluation von Qualität – Ein Methodenvergleich anhand von Nachwuchsleistungszentren im deutschen Profifußball
Authors: Lanwehr Ralf , Honsel Martina , Wilms Rafael
Published: January 2021

Im vorliegenden Beitrag für die Zeitschrift „Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO)“ wird eine – bezogen auf Annahmen und Aufwand – ökonomischere Evaluationsstrategie auf Basis von öffentlich verfügbaren Daten entwickelt und empirisch überprüft. Bislang wurde der Erfolg von Nachwuchsleistungszentren (NLZ) im deutschen Profifußball über aufwändige Expertenschätzungen der Qualität der aufgebauten organisationalen Ressourcen gemessen. Es wurde eine minderungskorrigierte, konvergente Validität in Höhe von r = 0,84 zwischen dem inputorientierten, extrem personal- und kostenintensiven bisherigen Verfahren und unserem outputorientierten Indikator gefunden. Die Ergebnisse werden diskutiert und mit Ratschlägen für die weitere Umsetzung verbunden.
Reliability and Reproducibility of Absolute Myocardial Blood Flow: Does It Depend on the PET/CT Technology, the Vasodilator, and/or the Software?
Authors: Gould K. Lance , Bui Linh , Kitkungvan Danai , Patel Monica B.
Published: January 2021

Purpose of Review

The COURAGE and ISCHEMIA trials showed no reduced mortality after revascularization compared to medical treatment. Is this lack of benefit due to revascularization having no benefit regardless of CAD severity or to suboptimal patient selection due to non-quantitative cardiac imaging?

Recent Findings

Comprehensive, integrated, myocardial perfusion quantified by regional pixel distribution of coronary flow capacity (CFC) is the final common expression of objective CAD severity for which revascularization reduces mortality. Current lack of revascularization benefit derives from narrow thinking focused on measuring one isolated aspect of coronary characteristics, such as angiogram stenosis, its fractional flow reserve (FFR), anatomic FFR simulations, relative stress imaging, absolute stress ml/min/g or coronary flow reserve (CFR) alone, or even more narrowly on global CFR or fixed regions of interest in assumed coronary artery distributions, or in arbitrary 17 segments on bull’s-eye displays, rather than regional pixel distribution of perfusion metrics as they actually are in an individual.

Comprehensive integration of all quantitative perfusion metrics per regional pixel into coronary flow capacity guides artery-specific interventions for reduced mortality in non-acute CAD but requires addressing the methodologic questions in the title.
Cancer Mortality and Long-Term Environmental Exposure of Cadmium in Contaminated Community Based on a Third Retrospective Cause of Death Investigation of Residents Living in the Guangdong Province from 2004 to 2005
Authors: Jiang Aili , Gong Lijuan , Ding Hao , Wang Mao
Published: January 2021

This study compared the temporal and geographic trends of cancer in China with a specific focus on the long-term exposure to soil cadmium (Cd) pollution. The geographic information system (GIS; kriging interpolation method) was used to detect the Cd contained in the soil from the Dabaoshan area, Guangdong Province. The standard rate ratio (SRR) was calculated to describe the relationship between Cd exposure and cancer mortality risk using the low-exposure group as a reference. Eight hundred six cancer deaths (533 male and 273 female) in the total population of 972,970 were identified, and the age-standardized rate (world) was 145.64 per 100,000. Significant dose-response relationships were found using the low-exposure group as the reference group. The Cd soil levels were positively associated with the cancer mortality risk in the community population, particularly for all cancers (SRR = 3.27; 95% CI = 2.42–4.55), esophageal cancer (SRR = 5.42; 95% CI = 1.07–30.56), stomach cancer (SRR = 5.99; 95% CI = 2.00–18.66), liver cancer (SRR = 4.45; 95% CI = 2.16–10.34), and lung cancer (SRR = 2.86; 95% CI = 1.62–5.31) for the total population. Additionally, similar results were obtained when using the 2000 China standard population. Cd exposure significantly affected the standardized mortality rates (China) by age group for all cancers, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer in the total population, particularly in the age groups of 35–54, 55–74, and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Cd soil level is likely positively associated with increased cancer mortality of all cancer types and esophageal, stomach, liver, and lung cancers but not for other specific categories of cancer.
Diagnosis and supportive therapeutic management of cardiac light chain amyloidosis—a cardiologist’s perspective
Authors: Binder Christina , Duca Franz
Published: January 2021

Cardiac amyloidosis is caused by deposition of abnormally folded proteins (amyloid). The most common forms of amyloidosis which present with cardiac involvement are light-chain amyloidosis (AL) and transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Even with novel treatments emerging, the prognosis of these patients remains poor once amyloid deposits in the heart. Therefore, knowledge on clinical and imaging features of cardiac amyloidosis is crucial to make an early diagnosis and improve patient outcomes. This article reviews the most important diagnostic findings of cardiac amyloidosis and gives an overview on the therapeutic management of these patients, including supportive-, device- and disease-specific drug therapies focusing on AL amyloidosis.
Design Methodology of a Passive Vibration Isolation System for an Optical System With Sensitive Line-of-Sight
Authors: Qi Keqi , Dai Lei , Wang Shaoxin , Yang Yongming , Ding Yalin , Fang Chao , Lin Chao
Published: January 2021

The performance of an optical system with sensitive line-of-sight (LOS) is influenced by rotational vibration. In view of this, a design methodology is proposed for a passive vibration isolation system in an optical system with sensitive LOS. Rotational vibration is attributed to two sources: transmitted from the mounting base and generated by modal coupling. Therefore, the elimination of the rotational vibration caused by coupling becomes an important part of the design of the isolation system. Additionally, the decoupling conditions of the system can be obtained. When the system is totally decoupled, the vibration on each degree of freedom (DOF) can be analyzed independently. Therefore, the stiffness and damping coefficient on each DOF could be obtained by limiting the vibration transmissibility, in accordance to actual requirements. The design of a vibration isolation system must be restricted by the size and shape of the payload and the installation space, and the layout constrains are thus also discussed.
Graphene-Fiber Biochemical Sensors: Principles, Implementations, and Advances
Authors: An Ning , Qin Chenye , Li Yiwei , Tan Teng , Yuan Zhongye , Zhang Hao , Wu Yu , Yao Baicheng , Rao Yunjiang
Published: January 2021

Single atomically thick graphene, with unique structural flexibility, surface sensitivity, and effective light-mater interaction, has shown exceptional advances in optoelectronics. It opens a door for diverse functionalized photonic devices, ranging from passive polarizers to active lasers and parametric oscillators. Among them, graphene-fiber biochemical sensors combine the merits of both graphene and fiber structures, demonstrating impressively high performances, such as single-molecule detectability and fast responsibility. These graphene-fiber biochemical sensors can offer tools in various applications, such as gas tracing, chemical analysis, and medical testing. In this paper, we review the emerging graphene-fiber biochemical sensors comprehensively, including the sensing principles, device fabrications, systematic implementations, and advanced applications. Finally, we summarize the state-of-the-art graphene-fiber biochemical sensors and put forward our outlooks on the development in the future.
Current challenges in modelling vibrational fatigue and fracture of structures: a review
Authors: Kamei Khangamlung , Khan Muhammad A.
Published: January 2021

Fatigue damage is a concern in the engineering applications particularly for metal structures. The design phase of a structure considers factors that can prevent or delay the fatigue and fracture failures and increase its working life. This paper compiled some of the past efforts to share the modelling challenges. It provides an overview on the existing research complexities in the area of fatigue and fracture modelling. This paper reviews the previous research work under five prominent challenges: assessing fatigue damage accurately under the vibration-based loads, complications in fatigue and fracture life estimation, intricacy in fatigue crack propagation, quantification of cracks and stochastic response of structure under thermal environment. In the conclusion, the authors have suggested new directions of work that still require comprehensive research efforts to bridge the existing gap in the current academic domain due to the highlighted challenges.
Early Versus Late Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Patients with Acute Gallstone Pancreatitis
Authors: Sharma Ashish , Madapu Apoorva , Rakholiya Jigisha , Sharma Shivy , Jha Anil
Published: January 2021

The laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the definite treatment of acute gallstone pancreatitis, but the timing remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate trends, prevalence, and outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy amongst patients with acute gallstone pancreatitis in index hospitalization done at different time intervals. We performed a retrospective study using Nationwide Inpatient Sample (years 2003–2014) with adult hospitalizations with acute gallstone pancreatitis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy using ICD-9-CM codes and divided them into subgroups of those who underwent immediately (72 h), early (1 week), and delayed (> 1 week) laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The weighted analysis using chi-square, paired Wilcoxon-rank-sum test, Cochran-Armitage trend test, and multivariable survey logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate prevalence and outcomes. There was a total of 582,406 acute gallstone pancreatitis admissions of which 291,701 (50.09%) patients had laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p < 0.0001). Prevalence of immediate laparoscopic cholecystectomy 114,629 (40.55%) showed incremental trend (32.61 to 49.82%) compared to early 149,931 (53.03%) (57.83 to 46.59%), and late laparoscopic cholecystectomy 18,158 (6.42%) (9.56 to 3.59%) from 2003 to 2014. Immediate and early laparoscopic cholecystectomy had lower prevalence and odds of mortality [0.24% versus 0.37% versus 2.46%; aOR-immediate: 0.614; aOR-early: 0.615; p < 0.0001], morbidity [1.36% versus 3.64% versus 27.57%; aOR-immediate: 0.088; aOR-early:0.161; p < 0.0001], disability [62.47% versus 70.15% versus 84.26%; aOR-immediate: 0.584; aOR-early: 0.68; p < 0.0001], discharge to non-home [7.07% versus 13.04% versus 31.84%; %; aOR-immediate: 0.346; aOR-early: 0.473; p < 0.0001], hospital cost $39,466 versus $52,018 versus $129,317 (p < 0.0001) and stay 3 days versus 6 days versus 19 days (p < 0.0001) than delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The immediate laparoscopic cholecystectomy showed better outcomes; more prospective studies with large numbers of patients should be planned to evaluate the beneficial effects of immediate cholecystectomy in severe acute pancreatitis hospitalizations.
Rix's Expert Psychiatric Evidence
Authors: Rix Keith , Mynors-Wallis Laurence , Craven Ciaran
Published: January 2021

Rix's Expert Psychiatric Evidence is a resource manual and guide for psychiatrists who provide expert testimony. It covers the entire expert psychiatric witness journey, from training and negotiation of instructions, through medicolegal assessment, report preparation, experts' meetings and joint statements, and conferences with counsel, to giving evidence in court along with advice on keeping up to date. Introductory chapters include essential information on the law of expert evidence and the different procedures in the criminal, civil, family and coroners' courts. It now includes in depth information on all eight jurisdictions of the British Isles. It is richly illustrated with reported and unreported cases including many important ones from the previous ten years, particularly relating to vulnerable witnesses and defendants. The book is supplemented by a library of online letters, forms, a new format report template and other documents which can be downloaded and adapted by readers for their own use.
Regional Pathways to Complexity
Authors: Attema Peter , Burgers Gert Jan , van Leusen Martijn
Published: January 2021

Synthesizing almost thirty years of Dutch archaeological research in central and southern Italy, this book discusses and compares settlement and land use patterns from the late protohistoric period to the late Roman Republic. Considering both social and environmental factors, the authors analyze the long-term progression of indigenous Bronze Age tribal pastoralist societies towards the complexity of urbanized Roman society. Drawing on a decade of collaboration between Dutch and Italian researchers, this exhaustive study will be of great interest to students and scholars of Mediterranean archaeology.
Experimental investigation of rotating instability in a contra-rotating axial flow compressor
Authors: Yue S. , Wang Y. , Zhang Z. , Wei L. , Wang H.
Published: January 2021

The rotating instability in a contra-rotating axial flow compressor is investigated by experiments. Twenty-four pressure sensors were installed on the casing to capture the unsteady flow in the rotor tip region simultaneously. A double-phase-locking technique suitable for the contra-rotating compressor was proposed to characterise the static pressure contours of the rotor tip. The mean and root-mean-square pressure contours indicate that rotating instability occurs before the rotating stall happened, and the rotor tip clearance vortex is located upstream of the rear rotor leading edge plane before stall. Fourier spectrum shows that rotating instability and rotating stall both happened under the stall condition, and the frequency band of rotating instability does not change with the flow rate. In the front rotor, the frequency of rotating instability is half of the blade passing frequency. It is verified that the modal estimation method can be implemented by using the average azimuthal phase velocity, which significantly reduced the number of pressure sensors required. Modal estimation results show that each peak of the rotating instability frequency band corresponds to a unique dominant circumferential mode. By optimising average azimuthal phase velocity, an improved modal estimation method is obtained, which can further improve the reliability of the modal estimation results.
A Roadmap for Fighting Election Interference
Authors: Ohlin Jens David
Published: January 2021

If we have learned anything since the 2016 election, it is that foreign election interference is not just a strategic tool used by Russia. Many countries are now using social media disinformation as statecraft to attack democracies. With a relatively small investment of personnel and financial resources, a foreign power can use social media and other online tools to heighten divisions in the electorate, spread disinformation and conspiracy theories, and undermine confidence in the electoral system specifically and democratic institutions generally. The Biden administration should use the moral, political, and legal authorities of the Executive Branch to protect the United States from foreign election interference. In parallel, it should work cooperatively with allies to combat election interference using multilateral initiatives.
A New Era for Trade?
Authors: Goldstein Judith
Published: January 2021

Trade policy decisions have direct, and almost immediate, effects on American jobs and wages. As result, historically, commercial policy has been highly partisan and closely associated with constituent demands. From this perspective, the post-World War II years were anomalous: trade policy was bipartisan and de-politicized. Due to rapid growth in the U.S. economy, those hurt by imports were easily re-employed, dampening the growth of a pro-protection coalition in either party. This facilitated a U.S.-led expansion of trade under the umbrella of commonly accepted international rules. In the last decades of the twentieth century, however, this pro-trade consensus began to unravel. While U.S. exports continued to thrive, the growth of regional and global value chains and the emergence of East Asian manufacturing giants caused job dislocation and a bifurcation of the U.S. economy around a skill premium. The Trump administration's response was to externalize these problems onto U.S. trading partners. The Biden administration needs a different strategy. Even though the Democratic party has been critical of aspects of the multilateral regime, Biden must re-connect with the international community. The United States should strive to be a better partner in the World Trade Organization (WTO), resist the capricious use of trade law, and rebuild a competitive domestic economy.
A recommendation and risk classification system for connecting rough sleepers to essential outreach services
Authors: Wilde Harrison , Chen Lucia L. , Nguyen Austin , Kimpel Zoe , Sidgwick Joshua , De Unanue Adolfo , Veronese Davide , Mateen Bilal , Ghani Rayid , Vollmer Sebastian
Published: January 2021

Rough sleeping is a chronic experience faced by some of the most disadvantaged people in modern society. This paper describes work carried out in partnership with Homeless Link (HL), a UK-based charity, in developing a data-driven approach to better connect people sleeping rough on the streets with outreach service providers. HL's platform has grown exponentially in recent years, leading to thousands of alerts per day during extreme weather events; this overwhelms the volunteer-based system they currently rely upon for the processing of alerts. In order to solve this problem, we propose a human-centered machine learning system to augment the volunteers' efforts by prioritizing alerts based on the likelihood of making a successful connection with a rough sleeper. This addresses capacity and resource limitations whilst allowing HL to quickly, effectively, and equitably process all of the alerts that they receive. Initial evaluation using historical data shows that our approach increases the rate at which rough sleepers are found following a referral by at least 15% based on labeled data, implying a greater overall increase when the alerts with unknown outcomes are considered, and suggesting the benefit in a trial taking place over a longer period to assess the models in practice. The discussion and modeling process is done with careful considerations of ethics, transparency, and explainability due to the sensitive nature of the data involved and the vulnerability of the people that are affected.
Effect of florpyrauxifen-benzyl formulation and rate for waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) control in a mesocosm setting
Authors: Mudge Christopher R. , Turnage Gray , Netherland Michael D.
Published: January 2021

Waterhyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms] has been the focus of national legislation efforts and has been listed as noxious, invasive, potentially invasive, or prohibited by at least seven U.S. states. Auxinic herbicides are one of the most effective control methods labeled for use in aquatic sites. In the United States, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, a synthetic auxin, was recently (2018) registered for use in aquatic sites, but limited information has been published on efficacy, especially differences between the two formulations. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to evaluate two formulations of florpyrauxifen-benzyl—suspension concentrate (SC) and emulsifiable concentrate (EC)—at three rates each (14.8, 29.5, and 58.9 g ai ha−1) for control of E. crassipes under outdoor and greenhouse conditions. All rates of each florpyrauxifen-benzyl formulation reduced E. crassipes biomass by 90% to 100% when compared with nontreated plants at 5 wk after treatment. Based on plant recovery in the outdoor trial, there was some evidence that the lowest rate (14.8 g ai ha−1) of florpyrauxifen-benzyl SC and EC may not be as efficacious at reducing E. crassipes biomass as the SC and EC formulations when applied at 29.5 and 58.9 g ai ha−1. Future work should evaluate the florpyrauxifen-benzyl rates tested in this research against E. crassipes in field trials and/or an operational setting to confirm findings.
Experiencing Community: Continuity and Transformation of Residential Life under the Inka Empire in Huarochirí (Lima, Peru)
Authors: Hernández Garavito Carla
Published: January 2021

Most archaeological research on the impact of Inka imperialism at the domestic level centers on the intrusion of Inka-style buildings into pre-Inka domestic settlements as transforming the experience of domestic life and actively hindering interhousehold interaction. Results from excavations in the site of Ampugasa in Huarochirí (Lurín valley, Lima, Peru) show that pre-Inka residential spaces (patio-groups) were replaced by enclosures with a single access to an internal patio for domestic activities. My analysis shows that pre-Inka houses were ritually closed, directly connected to the site's ritual core, and remained part of the everyday life experience of people in the settlement. I argue that Ampugasa's transformation corresponds to a pattern of Inka imperialism in Huarochirí that enshrined rather than erased the collective ritual practices through which the people of Huarochirí maintained a broad regional identity. I propose that the interplay between Inka transformation of domestic space in Ampugasa and the continuity of ritual and secular practices among the site's inhabitants shows a space of negotiation where Inka imperialism still relied heavily on local practices that fostered the continuity of collective identities.
A Lettered Utopia: Printed Alphabets and the Material Republic of Letters
Authors: Fuchs Barbara , Palmer Philip S.
Published: January 2021

Several early editions of Thomas More's “Utopia,” first published in 1516, include the Utopian alphabet, as well as a quatrain of poetry in Utopian and its Latin transliteration. This essay traces the material conditions for the Utopian alphabet, exploring the intellectual contexts and epistemological questions that underlie its presence in these early editions and its absence in others. Reproduced by four early modern European printers via woodcut, metal type, or engraved plate, the alphabet in its materiality becomes a key component of “Utopia,” underscoring the intersection between print technology and an expansive humanism extending to ever wider intellectual and geographic horizons.
Molecular and phylogenetic analysis reveals new diversity of Dunaliella salina from hypersaline environments
Authors: Highfield Andrea , Ward Angela , Pipe Richard , Schroeder Declan C.
Published: January 2021

Twelve hyper-β carotene-producing strains of algae assigned to the genus Dunaliella salina have been isolated from various hypersaline environments in Israel, South Africa, Namibia and Spain. Intron-sizing of the SSU rDNA and phylogenetic analysis of these isolates were undertaken using four commonly employed markers for genotyping, LSU rDNA, ITS, rbcL and tufA and their application to the study of Dunaliella evaluated. Novel isolates have been identified and phylogenetic analyses have shown the need for clarification on the taxonomy of Dunaliella salina. We propose the division of D. salina into four sub-clades as defined by a robust phylogeny based on the concatenation of four genes. This study further demonstrates the considerable genetic diversity within D. salina and the potential of genetic analyses for aiding in the selection of prospective economically important strains.
Catastrophic cognitions about coronavirus: the Oxford psychological investigation of coronavirus questionnaire [TOPIC-Q]
Authors: Rosebrock Laina , Černis Emma , Lambe Sinéad , Waite Felicity , Rek Stephanie , Petit Ariane , Ehlers Anke , Clark David M. , Freeman Daniel
Published: January 2021

Background

Cognitive therapies are developed on the principle that specific cognitive appraisals are key determinants in the development and maintenance of mental health disorders. It is likely that particular appraisals of the coronavirus pandemic will have explanatory power for subsequent mental health outcomes in the general public. To enable testing of this hypothesis we developed a questionnaire assessing coronavirus-related cognitions.

Methods

12 285 participants completed online a 46-item pool of cognitions about coronavirus and six measures of different mental health problems. The sample was randomly split into derivation and validation samples. Exploratory factor analyses determined the factor structure, selection of items, and model fit in the derivation sample. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) then tested this model in the validation sample. Associations of the questionnaire with mental health outcomes were examined.

Results

The 26-item, seven-factor, Oxford Psychological Investigation of Coronavirus Questionnaire [TOPIC-Q] was developed. CFA demonstrated a good model fit (χ2 = 2108.43, df = 278, p < 0.001, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.950, Tucker−Lewis index (TLI) = 0.942, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.033, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.038). The factors were: cognitions about (1) safety and vulnerability, (2) negative long-term impact, (3) having the virus, (4) spreading the virus, (5) social judgment, (6) negative self, and (7) being targeted. The questionnaire explained significant variance in depression (45.8%), social anxiety (37.3%), agoraphobia (23.2%), paranoia (27.3%), post-traumatic stress disorder (57.1%), and panic disorder (31.4%). Cognitions about negative long-term impact had the greatest explanatory power across disorders.

Conclusions

TOPIC-Q provides a method to assess appraisals of the pandemic, which is likely to prove helpful both in longitudinal studies assessing mental health outcomes and in delivery of psychological therapy.
The frequency and framing of cognitive lapses in healthy adults
Authors: McWhirter Laura , King Lachlan , McClure Eilidh , Ritchie Craig , Stone Jon , Carson Alan
Published: January 2021

Objective

Many people present to health services with concern about cognitive symptoms. In a significant proportion those symptoms are not the result of pathologically defined brain disease. In some they are part of a functional cognitive disorder (FCD). We assessed the frequency of cognitive lapses in a non-clinical sample in order to consider the utility of frequency of cognitive lapses in diagnosing cognitive disorders.

Methods

Healthy adults, who had never sought help for cognitive symptoms, completed a questionnaire, distributed via social media, about self-evaluation of cognitive function, frequency of cognitive lapses, and use of memory aids, including Schmitdke and Metternich’s functional memory disorder (FMD) inventory.

Results

One hundred and twenty-four adults, aged 18–59 (median 23), most with further or higher education, responded. Thirty-one (25%) reported “fair” or “poor” memory. Forty-eight (39%) reported memory worse than 5 years ago, and 30 (24%) reported memory worse than others the same age. Participants endorsed a mean 13/18 specific cognitive lapses at least monthly. One hundred and eleven (89%) scored ≥4, the suggested cutoff for the FMD inventory.

Conclusions

Cognitive lapses described in FCDs are common in highly educated adults. The high frequency of lapses in this healthy population suggests self-reported frequency of lapses alone cannot discriminate FCDs from “normal” experiences. Further research is required to clarify the role of abnormal metacognition in FCD. Better understanding of the factors moderating subjective interpretation of cognitive failures will also aid development of better clinical risk-stratification methods in people concerned about future dementia.
Histone Demethylase KDM4D Could Improve the Developmental Competence of Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) Embryos
Authors: Feng Yun , Zhao Xin , Li Zhengda , Luo Chan , Ruan Ziyun , Xu Jie , Shen Penglei , Deng Yanfei , Jiang Jianrong , Shi Deshun , Lu Fenghua
Published: January 2021

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) holds vast potential in agriculture. However, its applications are still limited by its low efficiency. Histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) was identified as an epigenetic barrier for this. Histone demethylase KDM4D could regulate the level of H3K9me3. However, its effects on buffalo SCNT embryos are still unclear. Thus, we performed this study to explore the effects and underlying mechanism of KDM4D on buffalo SCNT embryos. The results revealed that compared with the IVF embryos, the expression level of KDM4D in SCNT embryos was significantly lower at 8- and 16-cell stage, while the level of H3K9me3 in SCNT embryos was significantly higher at 2-cell, 8-cell, and blastocyst stage. Microinjection of KDM4D mRNA could promote the developmental ability of buffalo SCNT embryos. Furthermore, the expression level of ZGA-related genes such as ZSCAN5B, SNAI1, eIF-3a, and TRC at the 8-cell stage was significantly increased. Meanwhile, the pluripotency-related genes like POU5F1, SOX2, and NANOG were also significantly promoted at the blastocyst stage. The results were reversed after KDM4D was inhibited. Altogether, these results revealed that KDM4D could correct the H3K9me3 level, increase the expression level of ZGA and pluripotency-related genes, and finally, promote the developmental competence of buffalo SCNT embryos.
The Influence of Tidal Forces Extends to the Arctic’s Deep Sea
Authors: Rocheleau Jackie
Published: January 2021

The Moon's gravitational pull creates the tides, but its influence extends hundreds of meters below the sea surface too, influencing sensitive methane seeps in the seabed.
Predicting all-cause 90-day hospital readmission for dental patients using machine learning methods
Authors: Li Wei , Lipsky Martin S. , Hon Eric S. , Su Weicong , Su Sharon , He Yao , Holubkov Richard , Sheng Xiaoming , Hung Man
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Hospital readmission rates are an indicator of the health care quality provided by hospitals. Applying machine learning (ML) to a hospital readmission database offers the potential to identify patients at the highest risk for readmission. However, few studies applied ML methods to predict hospital readmission. This study sought to assess ML as a tool to develop prediction models for all-cause 90-day hospital readmission for dental patients.

Methods

Using the 2013 Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), the study identified 9260 cases for all-cause 90-day index admission for dental patients. Five ML classification algorithms including decision tree, logistic regression, support vector machine, k-nearest neighbors, and artificial neural network (ANN) were implemented to build predictive models. The model performance was estimated and compared by using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision.

Results

Hospital readmission within 90 days occurred in 1746 cases (18.9%). Total charges, number of diagnosis, age, number of chronic conditions, length of hospital stays, number of procedures, primary expected payer, and severity of illness emerged as the top eight important features in all-cause 90-day hospital readmission. All models had similar performance with ANN (AUC = 0.743) slightly outperforming the rest.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a potential annual saving of over $500 million if all of the 90-day readmission cases could be prevented for 21 states represented in the NRD. Among the methods used, the prediction model built by ANN exhibited the best performance. Further testing using ANN and other methods can help to assess important readmission risk factors and to target interventions to those at the greatest risk.
Deubiquitylating enzymes in neuronal health and disease
Authors: Amer-Sarsour Fatima , Kordonsky Alina , Berdichevsky Yevgeny , Prag Gali , Ashkenazi Avraham
Published: January 2021

Ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation play a pivotal role in protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Proteostasis shapes the proteome landscape in the human brain and its impairment is linked to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Here we discuss the emerging roles of deubiquitylating enzymes in neuronal function and survival. We provide an updated perspective on the genetics, physiology, structure, and function of deubiquitylases in neuronal health and disease.
New particle formation in the remote marine boundary layer
Authors: Zheng Guangjie , Wang Yang , Wood Robert , Jensen Michael P. , Kuang Chongai , McCoy Isabel L. , Matthews Alyssa , Mei Fan , Tomlinson Jason M. , Shilling John E. , Zawadowicz Maria A. , Crosbie Ewan , Moore Richard , Ziemba Luke , Andreae Meinrat O. , Wang Jian
Published: January 2021

Marine low clouds play an important role in the climate system, and their properties are sensitive to cloud condensation nuclei concentrations. While new particle formation represents a major source of cloud condensation nuclei globally, the prevailing view is that new particle formation rarely occurs in remote marine boundary layer over open oceans. Here we present evidence of the regular and frequent occurrence of new particle formation in the upper part of remote marine boundary layer following cold front passages. The new particle formation is facilitated by a combination of efficient removal of existing particles by precipitation, cold air temperatures, vertical transport of reactive gases from the ocean surface, and high actinic fluxes in a broken cloud field. The newly formed particles subsequently grow and contribute substantially to cloud condensation nuclei in the remote marine boundary layer and thereby impact marine low clouds.
RUNX1/RUNX1T1 mediates alternative splicing and reorganises the transcriptional landscape in leukemia
Authors: Grinev Vasily V. , Barneh Farnaz , Ilyushonak Ilya M. , Nakjang Sirintra , Smink Job , van Oort Anita , Clough Richard , Seyani Michael , McNeill Hesta , Reza Mojgan , Martinez-Soria Natalia , Assi Salam A. , Ramanouskaya Tatsiana V. , Bonifer Constanze , Heidenreich Olaf
Published: January 2021

The fusion oncogene RUNX1/RUNX1T1 encodes an aberrant transcription factor, which plays a key role in the initiation and maintenance of acute myeloid leukemia. Here we show that the RUNX1/RUNX1T1 oncogene is a regulator of alternative RNA splicing in leukemic cells. The comprehensive analysis of RUNX1/RUNX1T1-associated splicing events identifies two principal mechanisms that underlie the differential production of RNA isoforms: (i) RUNX1/RUNX1T1-mediated regulation of alternative transcription start site selection, and (ii) direct or indirect control of the expression of genes encoding splicing factors. The first mechanism leads to the expression of RNA isoforms with alternative structure of the 5’-UTR regions. The second mechanism generates alternative transcripts with new junctions between internal cassettes and constitutive exons. We also show that RUNX1/RUNX1T1-mediated differential splicing affects several functional groups of genes and produces proteins with unique conserved domain structures. In summary, this study reveals alternative splicing as an important component of transcriptome re-organization in leukemia by an aberrant transcriptional regulator.
Life history, climate and biogeography interactively affect worldwide genetic diversity of plant and animal populations
Authors: De Kort H. , Prunier J. G. , Ducatez S. , Honnay O. , Baguette M. , Stevens V. M. , Blanchet S.
Published: January 2021

Understanding how biological and environmental factors interactively shape the global distribution of plant and animal genetic diversity is fundamental to biodiversity conservation. Genetic diversity measured in local populations (GDP) is correspondingly assumed representative for population fitness and eco-evolutionary dynamics. For 8356 populations across the globe, we report that plants systematically display much lower GDPthan animals, and that life history traits shape GDPpatterns both directly (animal longevity and size), and indirectly by mediating core-periphery patterns (animal fecundity and plant dispersal). Particularly in some plant groups, peripheral populations can sustain similar GDPas core populations, emphasizing their potential conservation value. We further find surprisingly weak support for general latitudinal GDPtrends. Finally, contemporary rather than past climate contributes to the spatial distribution of GDP, suggesting that contemporary environmental changes affect global patterns of GDP. Our findings generate new perspectives for the conservation of genetic resources at worldwide and taxonomic-wide scales.
Strategies for achieving high key rates in satellite-based QKD
Authors: Ecker Sebastian , Liu Bo , Handsteiner Johannes , Fink Matthias , Rauch Dominik , Steinlechner Fabian , Scheidl Thomas , Zeilinger Anton , Ursin Rupert
Published: January 2021

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a pioneering quantum technology on the brink of widespread deployment. Nevertheless, the distribution of secret keys beyond a few 100 km at practical rates remains a major challenge. One approach to circumvent lossy terrestrial transmission of entangled photon pairs is the deployment of optical satellite links. Optimizing these non-static quantum links to yield the highest possible key rate is essential for their successful operation. We therefore developed a high-brightness polarization-entangled photon pair source and a receiver module with a fast steering mirror capable of satellite tracking. We employed this state-of-the-art hardware to distribute photons over a terrestrial free-space link with a distance of 143 km, and extracted secure key rates up to 300 bits per second. Contrary to fiber-based links, the channel loss in satellite downlinks is time-varying and the link time is limited to a few minutes. We therefore propose a model-based optimization of link parameters based on current channel and receiver conditions. This model and our field test will prove helpful in the design and operation of future satellite missions and advance the distribution of secret keys at high rates on a global scale.
Integrative computational approach identifies drug targets in CD4+ T-cell-mediated immune disorders
Authors: Puniya Bhanwar Lal , Amin Rada , Lichter Bailee , Moore Robert , Ciurej Alex , Bennett Sydney J. , Shah Ab Rauf , Barberis Matteo , Helikar Tomáš
Published: January 2021

CD4+ T cells provide adaptive immunity against pathogens and abnormal cells, and they are also associated with various immune-related diseases. CD4+ T cells’ metabolism is dysregulated in these pathologies and represents an opportunity for drug discovery and development. Genome-scale metabolic modeling offers an opportunity to accelerate drug discovery by providing high-quality information about possible target space in the context of a modeled disease. Here, we develop genome-scale models of naïve, Th1, Th2, and Th17 CD4+ T-cell subtypes to map metabolic perturbations in rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and primary biliary cholangitis. We subjected these models to in silico simulations for drug response analysis of existing FDA-approved drugs and compounds. Integration of disease-specific differentially expressed genes with altered reactions in response to metabolic perturbations identified 68 drug targets for the three autoimmune diseases. In vitro experimental validation, together with literature-based evidence, showed that modulation of fifty percent of identified drug targets suppressed CD4+ T cells, further increasing their potential impact as therapeutic interventions. Our approach can be generalized in the context of other diseases, and the metabolic models can be further used to dissect CD4+ T-cell metabolism.
High-dose methotrexate-based regimens and post-remission consolidation for treatment of newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma: meta-analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Yu Junyao , Du Huaping , Ye Xueshi , Zhang Lifei , Xiao Haowen
Published: January 2021

With the exception of high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX), there is currently no defined standard treatment for newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). This review focused on first-line induction and consolidation treatment of PCNSL and aimed to determine the optimal combination of HD-MTX and the long-term beneficial consolidation methods. A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE identified 1407 studies, among which 31 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was performed by using Stata SE version 15. Forest plots were generated to report combined outcomes like the complete response rate (CRR), overall survival, and progression-free survival. We also conducted univariate regression analyses of the baseline characteristics to identify the source of heterogeneity. Pooled analysis showed a CRR of 41% across all HD-MTX-based regimens, and three- and four-drug regimens had better CRRs than HD-MTX monotherapy. In all combinations based on HD-MTX, the HD-MTX + procarbazine + vincristine (MPV) regimen showed pooled CRRs of 63% and 58% with and without rituximab, respectively, followed by the rituximab + HD-MTX + temozolomide regimen, which showed a pooled CRR of 60%. Pooled PFS and OS showed that post-remission consolidation with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) was associated with the best survival outcome, with a pooled 2-year OS of 80%, a 2-year PFS of 74%, a 5-year OS of 77%, and a 5-year PFS of 63%. Next, whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) + chemotherapy showed a pooled 2-year OS of 72%, 2-year PFS of 56%, 5-year OS of 55%, and 5-year PFS of 41%, with no detectable CR heterogeneity throughout the entire treatment process. In HD-MTX-based therapy of newly diagnosed PCNSL, MPV with or without rituximab can be chosen as the inductive regimen, and the rituximab + HD-MTX + temozolomide regimen is also a practical choice. Based on our study, high-dose chemotherapy supported by ASCT is an efficacious approach for consolidation. Consolidation with WBRT + chemotherapy can be another feasible approach.
Transcriptomic responses of Microcystis aeruginosa under electromagnetic radiation exposure
Authors: Tang Chao , Zhang Ziyan , Tian Shen , Cai Peng
Published: January 2021

Electromagnetic radiation is an important environmental factor. It has a potential threat to public health and ecological environment. However, the mechanism by which electromagnetic radiation exerts these biological effects remains unclear. In this study, the effect of Microcystis aeruginosa under electromagnetic radiation (1.8 GHz, 40 V/m) was studied by using transcriptomics. A total of 306 differentially expressed genes, including 121 upregulated and 185 downregulated genes, were obtained in this study. The differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the ribosome, oxidative phosphorylation and carbon fixation pathways, indicating that electromagnetic radiation may inhibit protein synthesis and affect cyanobacterial energy metabolism and photosynthesis. The total ATP synthase activity and ATP content significantly increased, whereas H+K+-ATPase activity showed no significant changes. Our results suggest that the energy metabolism pathway may respond positively to electromagnetic radiation. In the future, systematic studies on the effects of electromagnetic radiation based on different intensities, frequencies, and exposure times are warranted; to deeply understand and reveal the target and mechanism of action of electromagnetic exposure on organisms.