bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring “Intersubjectivity Negotiation Episodes” and “Language Related Episodes” in Second‐Language Peer Interaction
Authors: Toth Paul D. , Gil‐Berrio Yohana
Published: April 2022

This study examines learner deliberations over their discursive plans during second language (L2) instructional tasks, which we call intersubjectivity negotiation episodes (INEs). We argue that these provide essential contexts for negotiations over L2 form‐meaning mappings, known as language related episodes (LREs). Our data comes from two intact third‐year Spanish classes at a U.S. public high school, where four groups of 19 total learners completed four communicative tasks over three 90‐minute lessons. We found that learners spent more time in INEs than LREs overall, and in most task performances. We identified four INE functions: deliberations over discursive goals and means, progress toward task completion, and the interpretive framing of contributions. Among these, tasks with greater potentially relevant content yielded more means and progress INEs, while those requiring content from personal experience yielded more framing INEs. Individual agency and group composition also affected the amount of INEs. Theoretical and pedagogical implications are discussed.
“Are There Any Mexicans Listening?” Stancetaking and Language Ideologies in a Spanish L2 Classroom
Authors: Mattson‐Prieto Raquel , Showstack Rachel
Published: April 2022

This study investigated classroom interaction through the framework ofstancetaking(Du Bois, 2007) to understand how Spanish second language (L2) learners positioned themselves when participating in communicative language learning activities. Data came from transcribed audio and video recordings of three 90‐minute lessons in one intermediate‐level U.S. high school Spanish class. We examined how the students indexed epistemic stances toward their grammar explanations, and affective and evaluative stances toward the Spanish language and native (L1) Spanish speakers during peer interaction. Despite the burgeoning Spanish‐speaking community near where the data were collected, L2 learners’ linguistic practices indexed stances of expertise regarding their knowledge of Spanish grammar and vocabulary rather than their potential to meaningfully interact with the people who lived and worked in their community. In addition, some indexed negative affective and evaluative stances toward L1 Spanish speakers. Findings signal the need to examine how target‐language speakers are positioned in classroom practices.
Capacitism and the transparency of evidence
Authors: Neta Ram
Published: April 2022

Susanna Schellenberg develops a unified account—“capacitism”—of perceptual content, phenomenology, and epistemic force. In this paper, I raise questions about her arguments for a capacitist account of evidential force, and then challenge her claim that such an account, even if correct, demands that our evidence be less than fully transparent to us.
Content and phenomenology in The unity of perception
Authors: Orlandi Nico
Published: April 2022

Susanna Schellenberg's book is an ambitious project, providing a view of perception that makes sense of its content, its phenomenology, and its epistemic role. In these comments, I focus on her capacitist view and raise questions concerning this view's ability to offer an adequate account of the content and phenomenology of perceptual and hallucinatory experiences.
What are linguistic representations?
Authors: Adger David
Published: April 2022

Linguistic representations are taken by some to be representations of something, specifically ofstandard linguistic entities(SLEs), such as phonemes, clauses, noun phrases, and so forth. This perspective takes them to be intentional. Rey further argues that the SLEs themselves are inexistent. Here I argue that linguistic representations are simply structures, abstractions of brain states, and hence not intentional, and show how they nevertheless connect to the systems that use them.
Adenovirus entry: Stability, uncoating, and nuclear import
Authors: Greber Urs F. , Suomalainen Maarit
Published: April 2022

Adenoviruses (AdVs) are widespread in vertebrates. They infect the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, the eyes, heart, liver, and kidney, and are lethal to immunosuppressed people. Mastadenoviruses infecting mammals comprise several hundred different types, and many specifically infect humans. Human adenoviruses are the most widely used vectors in clinical applications, including cancer treatment and COVID‐19 vaccination. AdV vectors are physically and genetically stable and generally safe in humans. The particles have an icosahedral coat and a nucleoprotein core with a DNA genome. We describe the concept of AdV cell entry and highlight recent advances in cytoplasmic transport, uncoating, and nuclear import of the viral DNA. We highlight a recently discovered “linchpin” function of the virion protein V ensuring cytoplasmic particle stability, which is relaxed at the nuclear pore complex by cues from the E3 ubiquitin ligase Mind bomb 1 (MIB1) and the proteasome triggering disruption. Capsid disruption by kinesin motor proteins and microtubules exposes the linchpin and renders protein V a target for MIB1 ubiquitination, which dissociates V from viral DNA and enhances DNA nuclear import. These advances uncover mechanisms controlling capsid stability and premature uncoating and provide insight into nuclear transport of nucleic acids.
Primulina gracilipes (Gesneriaceae), a new species from southern Hunan, China
Authors: Gong You‐Ke , Tu Rong‐Hui , Liu Ang , Li Xiong , Ding Cong , Zhou Xiao‐Lin , Yu Xun‐Lin
Published: April 2022

Primulina gracilipes, a new species of Gesneriaceae from limestone areas in southern Hunan, China is described and illustrated here. This new species is similar to Primulina hunanensis, but is distinguishable due to its smaller bracts and shorter petiole. Morphological description and illustrations of the new species are provided, as well as diagnostic comparisons and a phylogenetic reconstruction based on nrITS and trnL–F sequence data. According to the IUCN Red List Criteria, Primulina gracilipes is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR B2a).
Percutaneous Inferior Extensor Retinaculum Augmentation Technique for Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Cao Shengxuan , Wang Chen , Wang Xu , Ma Xin
Published: April 2022

Objective

To specify indications and contraindications of the modified percutaneous inferior extensor retinaculum augmentation (PIERA) technique for chronic ankle instability cases, and to introduce technique details and report surgical outcomes and complications.

Methods

The PIERA technique was performed on seven patients with chronic ankle instability (four females and three males, 36.4 ± 15.1 years of age, and course of symptoms of 33.7 ± 8.8 months) from June to October 2018 in this retrospective study of case series. All patients demonstrated attenuated ligamentous tissue quality, which was confirmed using preoperative ankle MRI. IER were drew up to the distal fibula using suture anchors with the ankle in neutral position for all cases, to engage the entire IER in reconstructing the stability of the ankle. Patients were assessed using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle‐Hindfoot (AOFAS) score and Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) scores pre‐ and postoperatively at the last follow‐up examination. Preoperative and postoperative outcome scores of patients were compared using paired t‐test. A p value of less than 0.05 was regarded statistically significant.

Results

Mean follow‐up duration was 16.7 ± 1.6 months. The mean AOFAS score significantly improved from 66.9 ± 11.2 preoperatively to 93.7 ± 8.5 postoperatively (P = 0.001). Mean CAIT score significantly improved from 13.1 ± 4.7 preoperatively to 26.3 ± 1.8 postoperatively (P = 0.001). Patients did not report any wound healing problem, numbness, swelling, or instability at the last follow‐up examination, except for one patient who reported pain and minimal stiffness, and presented an AOFAS score of less than 80 and a CAIT score below 24. All patients returned to at least recreational sport activity level.

Conclusion

The PIERA technique can improve the functional outcomes of patients with chronic ankle instability with few complications.
Adopting the Joint Line Theory for Bone Resection in Cruciate‐Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty to Prevent Flexion Gap Tightness
Authors: Okazaki Ken
Published: April 2022

Background

During a conventional measured resection using the posterior reference method for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in varus knees, proximal tibia is resected from the lateral joint surface for the same thickness as the implant. Distal femur is resected from the worn medial surface for the same thickness as the implant. Posterior femur is resected using the posterior reference method with an external rotation for appropriate degrees. In this situation, although the joint line of the tibia is leveled to the height of lateral joint surface, the posterior joint line of the femur is leveled to the center of medial and lateral posterior condyle, which is a few millimeters lower than the lateral posterior condyle. This discrepancy between the proximal tibia‐posterior femoral joint line causes a tight flexion gap in cruciate‐retaining TKA. Therefore, downsizing of the femur is necessary to adjust the posterior joint line to the level of the lateral condyle.

Perspectives

To avoid this circumstance, the postoperative joint line should be leveled to the center of the original medial and lateral joint surface. Proximal tibia is resected from the lateral joint surface 1 mm to 2 mm thicker than the implant. Distal femur is resected from the worn medial surface 1 mm to 2 mm thinner than the implant. Posterior femur is resected using the posterior reference method with an external rotation for appropriate degrees. In this situation, all the joint lines are leveled to the center of the medial and lateral joint surface. Otherwise, use of an anatomically shaped implant with a physiologic joint line is another option to avoid joint line discrepancy.

Conclusions

Adopting joint line theory for bone resection can prevent the flexion gap tightness that likely occurs in cruciate‐retaining TKA.
Clinical utility of an assessment scale for engagement in activities for patients with moderate‐to‐severe dementia: additional analysis
Authors: Tanaka Hiroyuki , Umeda Ren , Kurogi Tatsunari , Nagata Yuma , Ishimaru Daiki , Fukuhara Keita , Nakai Shunsuke , Tenjin Masahiro , Nishikawa Takashi
Published: April 2022

Background

We developed the assessment scale for engagement in activities (ASEA), an assessment tool used to quantify engagement in therapeutic activities for patients with moderate‐to‐severe dementia. In this study, we report additional analyses to confirm the viability of ASEA as a reliable measurement scale.

Methods

This study included 195 patients with moderate‐to‐severe dementia in a psychiatric acute‐phase hospital. Additional analyses based on the Consensus‐based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist were as follows: (i) exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis; (ii) standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change (MDC) and limit of agreement (LOA); (iii) short change score from baseline to 2 weeks; and (iv) correlation to the facial expression analysis system.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis yielded two factors. This two‐factor model of ASEA exhibited an acceptable and validated model fit (comparative fit index = 0.954, Tucker Lewis index = 0.936, goodness‐of‐fit index = 0.927, adjusted goodness‐of‐fit index = 0.873, root mean square error of approximation = 0.091, standardised root mean square residual = 0.045) by confirmatory factor analysis. SEM and MDC were 1.29 and 3.80, respectively. The Bland–Altman plot for examining LOA showed no apparent fixed bias. From baseline to 2 weeks later, 129 participants were retested. The mean ASEA total score improved significantly (Wilcoxon signed‐rank test;P < 0.01, effect size = 0.25) from baseline (14.30 ± 2.63) to 2 weeks later (15.00 ± 2.73). The correlation between each emotion value was calculated using Kokoro sensor, which is an affect analysis based on human facial expression data using deep learning. For the 36 video data samples, the total score and domains of arousal, interaction, and affect in ASEA were statistically significantly correlated with the emotion value of joy, engagement, and valence (Spearman rank correlation;P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Among the few evaluation methods specific to severe dementia, ASEA is a useful scale for quantifying and evaluating the state of engagement in therapeutic activities.
Arachidonic acid matters
Authors: Xu Houguo , Meng Xiaoxue , Wei Yuliang , Ma Qiang , Liang Mengqing , Turchini Giovanni M.
Published: April 2022

Throughout the evolution of fish nutrition science, the importance of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n‐6) has been somewhat overlooked, likely due to the polarizing research focus on docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22:6n‐3) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5n‐3) acids. Nevertheless, especially during the past two decades, increasing attention has been paid to the requirements and functions of ARA in fish nutrition, and a number of relevant studies have now been conducted on a series of fish species, including both marine and freshwater species. Those studies revealed important and diverse functions of ARA in various physiological processes, such as growth, reproduction, stress resistance, pigmentation, immunity, lipid deposition and bone development. The results of the present review, in addition to providing a state‐of‐the‐art summary of current knowledge, also revealed the complexity of ARA functions in terms of dosages, species, development stage, sex and feeding period, as well as in terms of interaction between ARA and other nutritional or non‐nutritional factors.
HLA‐A*26:35, a variant of HLA‐A*26, detected in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: April 2022

Nucleotide substitutions in codons 11 and 12 of HLA‐A*26:01:01:01 result in a novel allele, HLA‐A*26:35.
Ubiquitous geographic information in the emergent Metaverse
Authors: Hudson‐Smith Andy , Batty Michael
Published: April 2022

We sketch a brief history of the development of virtual geographic environments which build on online gaming, three‐dimensional representations of cities, and the notion that computer technologies are now so all pervasive that many different models of the same phenomenon, in this case, geospatial systems, can now be built. This enables new forms of analysis that let us explore future spatial scenarios which address key urban problems through virtual environments. These allow us to experiment with the near future and to this end, we identify three key issues. First, we look at how we can use new technologies to develop all‐embracing digital environments which are loosely called the “Metaverse”; second, the development of many models which form various kinds of digital twins having different degrees of “closeness” to the real system; and third, the emergence of platform economies that are beginning to push Metaverse‐like technologies into the economic world of networked markets. We conclude with suggestions that these technologies can be used to inform our plan‐making capabilities, for example, through geodesign, and we suggest how we might address the key challenges that need to be addressed to make their approaches ever more relevant to urban planning.
Holding hope: Financial coaching and the depoliticisation of poverty
Authors: Loomis Jessa M.
Published: April 2022

This paper examines the affective and temporal dimensions of hope's use in the non‐profit spaces of poverty governance. Drawing on 14 months of qualitative fieldwork at financial coaching programmes in Boston, Massachusetts, this paper explores how financial coaches understand the function of hope in their work with low‐ and moderate‐income clients. By tracing how financial coaches use hope to encourage clients to participate in and build allegiance to the contemporary economy, this paper argues that hope is foundational to how contemporary poverty alleviation programmes, of which financial coaching is indicative, depoliticise clients' lived experiences of impoverishment. Amid a resurgence of interest in the geographies of hope, the significance of this inquiry lies in its ability to offer an alternate reading of the seemingly benevolent, positive, or radical uses of hope by conceptualising hope as a placating force that cements existing economic arrangements and forecloses alternative political imaginaries. The inquiry undertaken in this paper, then, has implications not only for our understanding of the persistence of poverty, but also indicates the role of non‐profit organisations in the production and ongoing maintenance of broader systems of capitalist exploitation.
Late sodium current: incomplete inactivation triggers seizures, myotonias, arrhythmias, and pain syndromes
Authors: Fouda Mohamed A. , Ghovanloo Mohammad‐Reza , Ruben Peter C.
Published: April 2022

Acquired and inherited dysfunction in voltage‐gated sodium channels underlies a wide range of diseases. In addition to defects in trafficking and expression, sodium channelopathies are caused by dysfunction in one or several gating properties, for instance activation or inactivation. Disruption of channel inactivation leads to increased late sodium current, which is a common defect in seizure disorders, cardiac arrhythmias skeletal muscle myotonia and pain. An increase in late sodium current leads to repetitive action potentials in neurons and skeletal muscles, and prolonged action potential duration in the heart. In this Topical Review, we compare the effects of late sodium current in brain, heart, skeletal muscle and peripheral nerves.

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Unique Loss Factor Images for Complex Dynamic Systems
Authors: Gregory McDaniel J. , Liem Alyssa , Kaminski Allison
Published: April 2022

Over the past century, a number of scalar metrics have been proposed to measure the damping of a complex system. The present work explores these metrics in the context of finite element models. Perhaps the most common is the system loss factor, which is proportional to the ratio of energy dissipated over a cycle to the total energy of vibration. However, the total energy of vibration is difficult to define for a damped system because the total energy of vibration may vary considerably over the cycle. The present work addresses this ambiguity by uniquely defining the total energy of vibration as the sum of the kinetic and potential energies averaged over a cycle. Using the proposed definition, the system loss factor is analyzed for the cases of viscous and structural damping. For viscous damping, the system loss factor is found to be equal to twice the modal damping ratio when the system is excited at an undamped natural frequency and responds in the corresponding undamped mode shape. The energy dissipated over a cycle is expressed as a sum over finite elements so that the contribution of each finite element to the system loss factor is quantified. The visual representation of terms in the sum mapped to their spatial locations creates a loss factor image. Moreover, analysis provides an easily computed sensitivity of the loss factor with respect to the damping in one or more finite elements.
Locking Zipper-Coupled Origami Tubes for Deployable Energy Absorption
Authors: Wo Zhongyuan , Raneses Julia M. , Filipov Evgueni T.
Published: April 2022

Energy absorption devices are widely used to mitigate damage from collisions and impact loads. Due to the inherent uncertainty of possible impact characteristics, passive energy absorbers with fixed mechanical properties are not capable of serving in versatile application scenarios. Here, we explore a deployable design concept where origami tubes can extend, lock, and are intended to absorb energy through crushing (buckling and plasticity). This system concept is unique because origami deployment can increase the crushing distance between two impacting bodies and can tune the energy absorption characteristics. We show that the stiffness, peak crushing force, and total energy absorption of the origami tubes all increase with the deployed state. We present numerical and experimental studies that investigate these tunable behaviors under both static and dynamic scenarios. The energy-absorbing performance of the deployed origami tubes is slightly better than conventional prismatic tubes in terms of total absorbed energy and peak force. When the origami tubes are only partially deployed, they exhibit a nearly elastic collapse behavior; however, when they are locked in a more deployed configuration, they can experience non-recoverable crushing with higher energy absorption. Parametric studies reveal that the geometric design of the tube can control the nonlinear relationship between energy absorption and deployment. A physical model shows the potential of the self-locking after deployment. This concept for deployable energy-absorbing origami tubes can enable future protective systems with on-demand properties for different impact scenarios.
Comment on “Usefulness of lung ultrasound in the early identification of severe COVID-19: results from a prospective study”
Authors: Mungmunpuntipantip Rujittika , Wiwanitkit Viroj
Published: April 2022

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Manipulation of thin metal film morphology on weakly interacting substrates via selective deployment of alloying species
Authors: Jamnig Andreas , Pliatsikas Nikolaos , Abadias Gregory , Sarakinos Kostas
Published: April 2022

We demonstrate a versatile concept for manipulating morphology of thin (≤25 nm) noble-metal films on weakly interacting substrates using growth of Ag on SiO2 as a model system. The concept entails deployment of minority metallic (Cu, Au, Al, Ti, Cr, and Mo) alloying species at the Ag-layer growth front. Data from in situ and real-time monitoring of the deposition process show that all alloying agents—when deployed together with Ag vapor throughout the entire film deposition—favor two-dimensional (2D) growth morphology as compared to pure Ag film growth. This is manifested by an increase in the substrate area coverage for a given amount of deposited material in discontinuous layers and a decrease of the thickness at which a continuous layer is formed, though at the expense of a larger electrical resistivity. Based on ex situ microstructural analyses, we conclude that 2D morphological evolution under the presence of alloying species is predominantly caused by a decrease of the rate of island coalescence completion during the initial film-formation stages. Guided by this realization, alloying species are released with high temporal precision to selectively target growth stages before and after coalescence completion. Pre-coalescence deployment of all alloying agents yields a more pronounced 2D growth morphology, which for the case of Cu, Al, and Au is achieved without compromising the Ag-layer electrical conductivity. A more complex behavior is observed when alloying atoms are deposited during the post-coalescence growth stages: Cu, Au, Al, and Cr favor 2D morphology, while Ti and Mo yield a more pronounced three-dimensional morphological evolution. The overall results presented herein show that targeted deployment of alloying agents constitutes a generic platform for designing bespoken heterostructures between metal layers and technologically relevant weakly interacting substrates.
Optimization of silicon etch rate in a CF4/Ar/O2 inductively coupled plasma
Authors: Levko Dmitry , Raja Laxminarayan L.
Published: April 2022

We use a fluid plasma model coupled with Maxwell's equations to analyze the influence of various parameters on the silicon etching rate by inductively coupled low-pressure plasma (ICP) generated in a CF4/O2/Ar mixture. These parameters include different argon and oxygen fractions in the feedgas, the gas residence time, and the discharge power. The simulation results show that the optimal etching rate is obtained when the gas residence time in the reactor is comparable to the time scale of dissociation reactions of feedgas CF4. We find that the etch rate remains almost constant for argon fraction in the mixture <50% and decreases for larger argon fractions. Based on these results, we discuss the influence of the argon fraction on the energy efficiency of the fluorine atoms formation in the ICP reactor. It is found that, for the conditions of our studies, there is the optimal etch rate for the oxygen fraction in the mixture of ∼5%. We demonstrate that the conventional explanation of this result is not applicable to the diffusion-controlled discharges and propose an alternative explanation. Finally, the increasing etching rate is obtained for the discharge power in the range of 102–103 W.
Designing MoS2 channel properties for analog memory in neuromorphic applications
Authors: Kurtash Vladislav , Thiele Sebastian , Mathew Sobin , Jacobs Heiko O. , Pezoldt Joerg
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we introduce analog nonvolatile random access memory cells for neuromorphic computing. The analog memory cell MoS2 channel is designed based on the simulation model including Fowler–Nordheim tunneling through a charge-trapping stack, trapping process, and transfer characteristics to describe a full write/read circle. 2D channel materials provide scaling to higher densities as well as preeminent modulation of the conductance by the accumulated space charge from the oxide trapping layer. In this paper, the main parameters affecting the distribution of memory states and their total number are considered. The dependence of memory state distribution on channel doping concentration and the number of layers is given. In addition, how the nonlinearity of memory state distribution can be overcome by variation of operating conditions and by applying pulse width modulation to the bottom gate voltage is also shown.
Imipenem/Relebactam Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Extensively Drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Inhibitor-Resistant β-Lactamases and Their Increasing Importance
Authors: Hujer Andrea M. , Bethel Christopher R. , Taracila Magdalena A. , Marshall Steven H. , Rojas Laura J. , Winkler Marisa L. , Painter Ronald E. , Domitrovic T. Nicholas , Watkins Richard R. , Abdelhamed Ayman M. , D’Souza Roshan , Mack Andrew R. , White Richard C. , Clarke Thomas , Fouts Derrick E. , Jacobs Michael R. , Young Katherine , Bonomo Robert A.
Published: April 2022

Multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infections are a major clinical challenge. Many isolates are carbapenem resistant, which severely limits treatment options; thus, novel therapeutic combinations, such as imipenem-relebactam (IMI/REL), ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ/AVI), ceftolozane-tazobactam (TOL/TAZO), and meropenem-vaborbactam (MEM/VAB) were developed.
Soil Properties and Moisture Synergistically Influence Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Prevalence in Natural Environments of Hawai’i
Authors: Parsons Arielle W. , Dawrs Stephanie N. , Nelson Stephen T. , Norton Grant J. , Virdi Ravleen , Hasan Nabeeh A. , Epperson L. Elaine , Holst Brady , Chan Edward D. , Leos-Barajas Vianey , Reich Brian J. , Crooks James L. , Strong Michael , Pacifici Krishna , Honda Jennifer R.
Published: April 2022

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in the environment, being found commonly in soils and natural bodies of freshwater. However, little is known about the environmental niches of NTM and how they relate to NTM prevalence in homes and other human-dominated areas.
Molecular Characterization and the Essential Biological Function of the Metal Chaperone Protein MtmA in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Zhai Pengfei , Ma Yinyan , Xu Huan , Lu Ling
Published: April 2022

Knowledge of the key factors required for the viability of pathogenic fungi can help to explore new antifungal drugs. Here, we demonstrate that MtmA is involved in responding to oxidative stress by activating mitochondrial SodB activity.
Microwell Fluoride Screen for Chemical, Enzymatic, and Cellular Reactions Reveals Latent Microbial Defluorination Capacity for −CF
3
Groups
Authors: Bygd Madison D. , Aukema Kelly G. , Richman Jack E. , Wackett Lawrence P.
Published: April 2022

Thousands of organofluorine chemicals are known, and a number are considered to be persistent and toxic environmental pollutants. Environmental bioremediation methods are avidly being sought, but few bacteria biodegrade fluorinated chemicals.
Lipidation of
Haemophilus influenzae
Antigens P6 and OMP26 Improves Immunogenicity and Protection against Nasopharyngeal Colonization and Ear Infection
Authors: Kaur Ravinder , Pichichero Michael
Published: April 2022

Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHi) causes respiratory infections that lead to high morbidity and mortality worldwide, encouraging development of effective vaccines. To achieve a protective impact on nasopharyngeal (NP) colonization by NTHi, enhanced immunogenicity beyond that achievable with recombinant-protein antigens is likely to be necessary.
Optimal Detection of Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection by Combined Heparin-Binding Hemagglutinin (HBHA) and Early Secreted Antigenic Target 6 (ESAT-6) Whole-Blood Interferon Gamma Release Assays
Authors: Dirix V. , Dauby N. , Hites M. , Watelet E. , Van Praet A. , Godefroid A. , Petit E. , Singh M. , Locht C. , Mascart F. , Corbière V.
Published: April 2022

Optimal detection of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) remains a challenge, although it is essential to reach the goal of TB elimination. Our objective was to develop and clinically evaluate a user-friendly, 24-h, whole-blood (WB) interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assay (IGRA) improving the detection of LTBI, compared to available tests.
Atomic Structure of the Human Sapovirus Capsid Reveals a Unique Capsid Protein Conformation in Caliciviruses
Authors: Miyazaki Naoyuki , Song Chihong , Oka Tomoichiro , Miki Motohiro , Murakami Kosuke , Iwasaki Kenji , Katayama Kazuhiko , Murata Kazuyoshi
Published: April 2022

SaV and norovirus, belonging to the
Caliciviridae
family, are common causes of acute gastroenteritis in humans and animals. SaV and norovirus infections are public health problems in all age groups, which occur explosively and sporadically worldwide.
Genome Streamlining, Proteorhodopsin, and Organic Nitrogen Metabolism in Freshwater Nitrifiers
Authors: Podowski Justin C. , Paver Sara F. , Newton Ryan J. , Coleman Maureen L.
Published: April 2022

Microorganisms play critical roles in Earth’s nitrogen cycle. In lakes, microorganisms called nitrifiers derive energy from reduced nitrogen compounds.
Genome Sequence Analysis of
Exiguobacterium
sp. Strain TBG-PICH-001, Isolated from Pichavaram Mangrove Forest in South India
Authors: Sugathan Shiburaj , Salim Sajna , Srivastava Nitin , Ravindran Prakashkumar , Khare Sunil K.
Published: April 2022

The draft genome sequence of
Exiguobacterium
sp. strain TBG-PICH-001, isolated from Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (Tamil Nadu, India), is reported here. Paired-end sequencing technology was used to sequence the genome on the Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform. The genome comprises 3,141,454 bp; it harbors 3,154 genes and has a G+C content of 47.34%.
Visualizing the pH in Escherichia coli Colonies via the Sensor Protein mCherryEA Allows High-Throughput Screening of Mutant Libraries
Authors: Hartmann Fabian Stefan Franz , Weiß Tamara , Shen Jing , Smahajcsik Dóra , Savickas Simonas , Seibold Gerd Michael
Published: April 2022

Phenotypic screening of strain libraries on agar plates has become a versatile tool to understand gene functions and to optimize biotechnological platform organisms. Screening is supported by genetically encoded biosensors that allow to easily measure intracellular processes.
Extensively Drug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Counteracts Fitness and Virulence Costs That Accompanied Ceftazidime-Avibactam Resistance Acquisition
Authors: Eger Elias , Schwabe Michael , Schulig Lukas , Hübner Nils-Olaf , Bohnert Jürgen A. , Bornscheuer Uwe T. , Heiden Stefan E. , Müller Justus U. , Adnan Fazal , Becker Karsten , Correa-Martinez Carlos L. , Guenther Sebastian , Idelevich Evgeny A. , Baecker Daniel , Schaufler Katharina
Published: April 2022

Extensively drug-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
causing major outbreaks and severe infections has become a significant challenge for health care systems worldwide. Rapid resistance development against last-resort therapeutics like ceftazidime-avibactam is a significant driver for the accelerated emergence of such pathogens.
Extreme Polyploidy of
Carsonella
, an Organelle-Like Bacterium with a Drastically Reduced Genome
Authors: Nakabachi Atsushi , Moran Nancy A.
Published: April 2022

Mitochondria and plastids are endosymbiotic organelles in eukaryotic cells and are derived from free-living bacteria. They have many highly reduced genomes from which numerous genes have been transferred to the host nucleus.
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry with Time-of-Flight Peak Analysis for Rapid and Accurate Detection of Group B Streptococcus in Pregnant Women
Authors: Tanno Daiki , Saito Kyoichi , Ohashi Kazutaka , Toyokawa Masahiro , Yamadera Yukio , Shimura Hiroki
Published: April 2022

As previously reported, 10%–30% of pregnant women carry
Streptococcus agalactiae
, Group B
Streptococcus
(GBS), in their vagina or rectum, and approximately 50% of them vertically transmit GBS to their neonates during labor or birth. Moreover, 1%–2% of the GBS-transmitted neonates develop severe GBS infectious diseases, which have a mortality rate of 19.2% in a preterm infant and 2.1% in a full-term infant.
Supplemental Material: Early incubation and prolonged maturation of large ignimbrite magma bodies: Evidence from the Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado, USA
Authors: Lipman Peter , al. et
Published: April 2022

Geologic maps of the Platoro and Bonanza caldera areas, and tables summarizing ages of pre-ignimbrite volcanic rocks. 
Value-based person-centred integrated care for frail elderly living at home: a quasi-experimental evaluation using multicriteria decision analysis
Authors: Hoedemakers Maaike , Karimi Milad , Leijten Fenna , Goossens Lucas , Islam Kamrul , Tsiachristas Apostolos , Rutten-van Molken Maureen
Published: April 2022

Objective

To evaluate the value of the person-centred, integrated care programme Care Chain Frail Elderly (CCFE) compared with usual care, using multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA).

Design

In a 12-month quasi-experimental study, triple-aim outcomes were measured at 0, 6 and 12 months by trained interviewers during home-visits.

Setting

Primary care, community-based elderly care.

Participants

384 community-dwelling frail elderly were enrolled. The 12-month completion rate was 70% in both groups. Propensity score matching was used to balance age, gender, marital status, living situation, education, smoking status and 3 month costs prior to baseline between the two groups.

Intervention

The CCFE is an integrated care programme with unique features like the presence of the elderly and informal caregiver at the multidisciplinary team meetings, and a bundled payment.

Primary and secondary outcomes measures

The MCDA results in weighted overall value scores that combines the performance on physical functioning, psychological well-being, social relationships and participation, enjoyment of life, resilience, person-centredness, continuity of care and costs, with importance weights of patients, informal caregivers, professionals, payers and policy-makers.

Results

At 6 months, the overall value scores of CCFE were higher in all stakeholder groups, driven by enjoyment of life (standardised performance scores 0.729 vs 0.685) and person-centredness (0.749 vs 0.663). At 12 months, the overall value scores in both groups were similar from a patient’s perspective, slightly higher for CCFE from an informal caregiver’s and professional’s perspective, and lower for CCFE from a payer’s and policy-maker’s perspective. The latter was driven by a worse performance on physical functioning (0.682 vs 0.731) and higher costs (€22 816 vs €20 680).

Conclusions

The MCDA indicated that the CCFE is the preferred way of delivering care to frail elderly at 6 months. However, at 12 months, MCDA results showed little difference from the perspective of patients, informal caregivers and professionals, while payers and policy-makers seemed to prefer usual care.
Efficacy and acceptability of next step treatment strategies in adults with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder: protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Muit Jan Jacobus , van Eijndhoven Philip F P , Cipriani Andrea , Dalhuisen Iris , van Bronswijk Suzanne , Furukawa Toshi A , Ruhe Henricus G
Published: April 2022

Introduction

For major depression, a one-size-fits-all treatment does not exist. Patients enter a ‘trial-and-change’ algorithm in which effective therapies are subsequently applied. Unfortunately, an empirically based order of treatments has not yet been determined. There is a magnitude of different treatment strategies while clinical trials only compare a small number of these. Network meta-analyses (NMA) might offer a solution, but so far have been limited in scope and did not account for possible differences in population characteristics that arise with increasing levels of treatment-resistance, potentially violating the transitivity assumption. We; therefore, present a protocol for a systematic review and NMA aiming at summarising and ranking treatments for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) while covering a broad range of therapeutic options and accounting for possible differences in population characteristics at increasing levels of treatment-resistance.

Methods and analysis

Randomised controlled trials will be included that compared next-step pharmacological, neuromodulation or psychological treatments for treatment-resistant depression (TRD; ie, failure to respond to ≥1 adequate antidepressant drug trial(s) in the current episode) to each other or to a control condition. Primary outcomes will be the proportion of patients who responded to (efficacy) and dropped out of (acceptability) the allocated treatment. A random effects NMA will be conducted, synthesising the evidence for each outcome and determining the differential efficacy of treatments. Heterogeneity in treatment nodes will be reduced by considering alternative geometries of the network structure and by conducting a meta-regression examining different levels of TRD. Local and global methods will be applied to evaluate consistency. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework will be used to assess risk of bias and certainty.

Ethics and dissemination

This review does not require ethical approval.
Prevalence and predictors of influenza vaccination in long-term care homes: a cross-national retrospective observational study
Authors: Mulla Reem T , Turcotte Luke Andrew , Wellens Nathalie IH , Angevaare Milou J , Weir Julie , Jantzi Micaela , Hébert Paul C , Heckman George A , van Hout Hein , Millar Nigel , Hirdes John P
Published: April 2022

Objective

To compare facility-level influenza vaccination rates in long-term care (LTC) homes from four countries and to identify factors associated with influenza vaccination among residents.

Design and setting

Retrospective cross-sectional study of individuals residing in LTC homes in New Brunswick (Canada), New Zealand, Switzerland, and the Netherlands between 2017 and 2020.

Participants

LTC home residents assessed with interRAI assessment system instruments as part of routine practice in New Brunswick (n=7006) and New Zealand (n=34 518), and national pilot studies in Switzerland (n=2760) and the Netherlands (n=1508). End-of-life residents were excluded from all country cohorts.

Outcomes

Influenza vaccination within the past year.

Results

Influenza vaccination rates among LTC home residents were highest in New Brunswick (84.9%) and lowest in Switzerland (63.5%). For all jurisdictions where facility-level data were available, substantial interfacility variance was observed. There was approximately a fourfold difference in the coefficient of variation for facility-level vaccination rates with the highest in Switzerland at 37.8 and lowest in New Brunswick at 9.7. Resident-level factors associated with vaccine receipt included older age, severe cognitive impairment, medical instability, health conditions affecting a greater number of organ systems and social engagement. Residents who displayed aggressive behaviours and smoke tobacco were less likely to be vaccinated.

Conclusion

There are opportunities to increase influenza vaccine uptake at both overall country and individual facility levels. Enhanced vaccine administration monitoring programmes in LTC homes that leverage interRAI assessment systems should be widely adopted.
Public perceptions of brain health: an international, online cross-sectional survey
Authors: Budin-Ljøsne Isabelle , Mowinckel Athanasia Monika , Friedman Barbara Bodorkos , Ebmeier Klaus P , Drevon Christian A , Carver Rebecca Bruu , Zsoldos Enikő , Fredheim Nanna Alida Grit , Sørensen Øystein , Baaré William Frans Christiaan , Madsen Kathrine Skak , Fjell Anders M , Kievit Rogier A , Ghisletta Paolo , Bartrés-Faz David , Nawijn Laura , Solé-Padullés Cristina , Walhovd Kristine B , Düzel Sandra , Zasyekina Larisa , Iulita Maria Florencia , Ferretti Maria Teresa
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To investigate public perspectives on brain health.

Design

Cross-sectional multilanguage online survey.

Setting

Lifebrain posted the survey on its website and social media and shared it with stakeholders. The survey was open from 4 June 2019 to 31 August 2020.

Participants

n=27 590 aged ≥18 years from 81 countries in five continents completed the survey. The respondents were predominantly women (71%), middle aged (41–60 years; 37%) or above (>60 years; 46%), highly educated (69%) and resided in Europe (98%).

Main outcome measures

Respondents’ views were assessed regarding factors that may influence brain health, life periods considered important to look after the brain and diseases and disorders associated with the brain. We run exploratory linear models at a 99% level of significance to assess correlates of the outcome variables, adjusting for likely confounders in a targeted fashion.

Results

Of all significant effects, the respondents recognised the impact of lifestyle factors on brain health but had relatively less awareness of the role socioeconomic factors might play. Most respondents rated all life periods as important for the brain (95%–96%), although the prenatal period was ranked significantly lower (84%). Equally, women and highly educated respondents more often rated factors and life periods to be important for brain health. Ninety-nine per cent of respondents associated Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with the brain. The respondents made a connection between mental health and the brain, and mental disorders such as schizophrenia and depression were significantly more often considered to be associated with the brain than neurological disorders such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Few respondents (<32%) associated cancer, hypertension, diabetes and arthritis with the brain.

Conclusions

Differences in perceptions of brain health were noted among specific segments of the population. Policies providing information about brain-friendly health behaviours and targeting people less likely to have relevant experience may be needed.
Prospective observational study of the role of the microbiome in BCG responsiveness prediction (SILENT-EMPIRE): a study protocol
Authors: Bieri Uwe , Scharl Michael , Sigg Silvan , Szczerba Barbara Maria , Morsy Yasser , Rüschoff Jan Hendrik , Schraml Peter Hans , Krauthammer Michael , Hefermehl Lukas John , Eberli Daniel , Poyet Cédric
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The human microbiota, the community of micro-organisms in different cavities, has been increasingly linked with inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. While investigation into the gut microbiome has been robust, the urinary microbiome has only recently been described. Investigation into the relationship between bladder cancer (BC) and the bladder and the intestinal microbiome may elucidate a pathophysiological relationship between the two. The bladder or the intestinal microbiome or the interplay between both may also act as a non-invasive biomarker for tumour behaviour. While these associations have not yet been fully investigated, urologists have been manipulating the bladder microbiome for treatment of BC for more than 40 years, treating high grade non-muscle invasive BC (NMIBC) with intravesical BCG immunotherapy. Neither the association between the microbiome sampled directly from bladder tissue and the response to BCG-therapy nor the association between response to BCG-therapy with the faecal microbiome has been studied until now. A prognostic tool prior to initiation of BCG-therapy is still needed.

Methods and analysis

In patients with NMIBC bladder samples will be collected during surgery (bladder microbiome assessment), faecal samples (microbiome assessment), instrumented urine and blood samples (biobank) will also be taken. We will analyse the microbial community by 16S rDNA gene amplicon sequencing. The difference in alpha diversity (diversity of species within each sample) and beta diversity (change in species diversity) between BCG-candidates will be assessed. Subgroup analysis will be performed which will lead to the development of a clinical prediction model estimating risk of BCG-response.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Cantonal Ethics Committee Zurich (2021-01783) and it is being conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice. Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and national and international scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05204199.
Risk factors and characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy with later development of macular neovascularisation detected on OCT angiography: a retrospective multicentre observational study
Authors: Zhou Xiaoyin , Komuku Yuki , Araki Takashi , Terasaki Hiroto , Miki Akiko , Kuwayama Soichiro , Nishi Tomo , Kinoshita Takamasa , Gomi Fumi
Published: April 2022

Objective

To identify the risk factors and characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with subsequent macular neovascularisation (MNV) detected on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods and analysis

We included patients from six institutions who were initially diagnosed with CSC and subsequently did or did not develop MNV detected by OCTA. Potential influencing factors were identified by evaluating the patients’ baseline demographics, multimodal fundus imaging, treatment options, recurrence and outcomes in both groups.

Results

We enrolled 176 eyes in 152 patients (112 men, 40 women; mean age: 52.1±10.4 years) with a mean follow-up of 30.4±16.3 months. Secondary MNV was present in 23 eyes (13.1%), and non-MNV was observed in 153 eyes (86.9%) by OCTA. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11; p=0.014), chronic CSC (OR 3.05; 95% CI 1.12 to 8.30; p=0.029), leakage sites within the fovea on fluorescein angiography (OR 7.60; 95% CI, 1.89 to 30.48; p=0.004) and recurrent fluid within the first year (OR 5.12; 95% CI 1.66 to 15.77; p=0.012) were risk factors for subsequent MNV. Moreover, eyes with CSC complicated with MNV were characterised by poor visual acuity and low complete fluid resolution rates.

Conclusion

The factors associated with MNV secondary to CSC were older age, higher rates of chronic CSC and recurrence, and foveal leakage points on fluorescein angiography.