bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus: An emerging and rapidly spreading plant RNA virus that threatens tomato production worldwide
Authors: Zhang Shaokang , Griffiths Jonathan S. , Marchand Geneviève , Bernards Mark A. , Wang Aiming
Published: May 2022

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an emerging and rapidly spreading RNA virus that infects tomato and pepper, with tomato as the primary host. The virus causes severe crop losses and threatens tomato production worldwide. ToBRFV was discovered in greenhouse tomato plants grown in Jordan in spring 2015 and its first outbreak was traced back to 2014 in Israel. To date, the virus has been reported in at least 35 countries across four continents in the world. ToBRFV is transmitted mainly via contaminated seeds and mechanical contact (such as through standard horticultural practices). Given the global nature of the seed production and distribution chain, and ToBRFV's seed transmissibility, the extent of its spread is probably more severe than has been disclosed. ToBRFV can break down genetic resistance to tobamoviruses conferred by R genes Tm‐1, Tm‐2, and Tm‐22 in tomato and L1 and L2 alleles in pepper. Currently, no commercial ToBRFV‐resistant tomato cultivars are available. Integrated pest management‐based measures such as rotation, eradication of infected plants, disinfection of seeds, and chemical treatment of contaminated greenhouses have achieved very limited success. The generation and application of attenuated variants may be a fast and effective approach to protect greenhouse tomato against ToBRFV. Long‐term sustainable control will rely on the development of novel genetic resistance and resistant cultivars, which represents the most effective and environment‐friendly strategy for pathogen control.

Taxonomy

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus belongs to the genus Tobamovirus, in the family Virgaviridae. The genus also includes several economically important viruses such as Tobacco mosaic virus and Tomato mosaic virus.

Genome and virion

The ToBRFV genome is a single‐stranded, positive‐sense RNA of approximately 6.4 kb, encoding four open reading frames. The viral genomic RNA is encapsidated into virions that are rod‐shaped and about 300 nm long and 18 nm in diameter. Tobamovirus virions are considered extremely stable and can survive in plant debris or on seed surfaces for long periods of time.

Disease symptoms

Leaves, particularly young leaves, of tomato plants infected by ToBRFV exhibit mild to severe mosaic symptoms with dark green bulges, narrowness, and deformation. The peduncles and calyces often become necrotic and fail to produce fruit. Yellow blotches, brown or black spots, and rugose wrinkles appear on tomato fruits. In pepper plants, ToBRFV infection results in puckering and yellow mottling on leaves with stunted growth of young seedlings and small yellow to brown rugose dots and necrotic blotches on fruits.
Symposium for Miroslav Hroch
Authors: Bakke Elisabeth , Breuilly John , Hutchinson John , Kolář Pavel , Kriel Mariana , Leerssen Joep , Malečková Jitka , Malešević Siniša , Řezník Miloš , Núñez Seixas Xosé M , Šima Karel , Storm Eric
Published: May 2022

Twelve historians and social scientists reflect on Miroslav Hroch's contributions to the field of nationalism studies. There are essays on his pioneering comparative historical studies of ‘small nation’ national movements and his distinction between nationalism and national movements. Other essays focus on concepts such as those of protagonist, the three phases of national movements, the small nation and nationally relevant conflict of interest. A further set of essays explores how Hroch's approach can be extended beyond small nations, beyond Europe and into the contemporary period.
Whole‐genome sequencing uncovers the structural and transcriptomic landscape of hexaploid wheat/Ambylopyrum muticum introgression lines
Authors: Coombes Benedict , Fellers John P. , Grewal Surbhi , Rusholme‐Pilcher Rachel , Hubbart‐Edwards Stella , Yang Cai‐yun , Joynson Ryan , King Ian P. , King Julie , Hall Anthony
Published: May 2022

Wheat is a globally vital crop, but its limited genetic variation creates a challenge for breeders aiming to maintain or accelerate agricultural improvements over time. Introducing novel genes and alleles from wheat's wild relatives into the wheat breeding pool via introgression lines is an important component of overcoming this low variation but is constrained by poor genomic resolution and limited understanding of the genomic impact of introgression breeding programmes. By sequencing 17 hexaploid wheat/Ambylopyrum muticum introgression lines and the parent lines, we have precisely pinpointed the borders of introgressed segments, most of which occur within genes. We report a genome assembly and annotation of Am. muticum that has facilitated the identification of Am. muticum resistance genes commonly introgressed in lines resistant to stripe rust. Our analysis has identified an abundance of structural disruption and homoeologous pairing across the introgression lines, likely caused by the suppressed Ph1 locus. mRNAseq analysis of six of these introgression lines revealed that novel introgressed genes are rarely expressed and those that directly replace a wheat orthologue have a tendency towards downregulation, with no discernible compensation in the expression of homoeologous copies. This study explores the genomic impact of introgression breeding and provides a schematic that can be followed to characterize introgression lines and identify segments and candidate genes underlying the phenotype. This will facilitate more effective utilization of introgression pre‐breeding material in wheat breeding programmes.
Diagnostic outcomes from a combined Pediatric Dermatology‐Genetics clinic
Authors: Maher Maeve C. , Nopper Amy J. , Newell Brandon D. , Fleming Emily , Gannon Jennifer L. , Zhou Dihong , Horii Kimberly A.
Published: May 2022

Multispecialty clinics can be exceedingly helpful for diagnostically challenging and clinically complicated patients. This study highlights the diagnostic outcomes of the multispecialty Pediatric Dermatology‐Genetics clinic at Children's Mercy‐Kansas City over a 5‐year period.
Environmental Policy Preferences and Economic Interests in the Nature/Agriculture and Climate/Energy Dimension in the Netherlands
Authors: Otjes Simon , Krouwel André
Published: May 2022

The idea that citizens' support for environmental policies depends on their economic interest and the community that one lives in, has been debated extensively in the environmental attitudes literature. However, this literature has not differentiated between separate policy dimensions that concern measures that affect specific groups in different ways. This paper differentiates between a nature/agriculture dimension that divides those who prioritize the agrarian interest from those who prioritize the protection of nature and a climate/energy dimension that divides those who prioritize industrial interest from those who prioritize fighting climate change, using a new survey in the Netherlands (N = 11,327). This two‐dimensional model meets three criteria: scalability, validity, and utility. Scalability is shown by factor analysis and Mokken scaling. Validity is shown by regression analyses that show that whether one lives in a rural or an urban community predicts one's position on the nature/agriculture dimension and that one's financial security predicts one's position on the climate/energy dimension. The utility is shown by regression analyses where the two dimensions are used to predict voting behavior. The Green Party voters favor nature and climate protection, the Liberal Party voters have the opposite views, the Christian‐Democrats favor agricultural interests and the Freedom Party favor industrial interests.
AGEs–RAGE axis mediates myocardial fibrosis via activation of cardiac fibroblasts induced by autophagy in heart failure
Authors: Liang Birong , Zhou Zheng , Yang Zhongqi , Liu Jing , Zhang Lu , He Jiaqi , Li Huan , Huang Yusheng , Yang Qiuye , Xian Shaoxiang , Wang Lingjun
Published: May 2022

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does the advanced glycation end products (AGEs)–receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) axis mediate myocardial fibrosis in heart failure?

What is the main finding and its importance?

The AGEs–RAGE axis is involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis through activation of cardiac fibroblasts induced by autophagy in heart failure. By suppression of cardiac fibroblast activation, inhibition of the AGEs–RAGE axis attenuates cardiac dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis in mice with transverse aortic constriction.

Heart failure is the end stage of cardiovascular disease and is a critical medical condition that poses an important therapeutic challenge for physicians owing to its high morbidity and mortality. Myocardial fibrosis is part of the remodelling process that occurs in heart failure. Many studies have shown that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) are implicated in fibrosis and autophagy, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we elucidated the mechanism by which the AGEs–RAGE axis mediates activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in heart failure. We used C57BL/6J wild‐type (WT) mice to establish a model of heart failure by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). After 6 weeks of treatment, relevant indicators were detected. In mice subjected to TAC, AGEs were upregulated compared with sham‐operated mice. Inhibition of RAGE resulted in functional cardiac protection, with reduced hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice after TAC. Of note, autophagy mediated the activation of CFs that transformed to myofibroblasts and contributed to fibrosis. In vitro, CFs were obtained from neonatal Sprague–Dawley rats and treated with AGEs, bovine serum albumin and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for RAGE, in order to verify the results obtained in vivo. These results suggest that the AGEs–RAGE axis is involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis in heart failure through CF activation induced by autophagy. Inhibition of the AGEs–RAGE axis attenuates cardiac dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis in mice with TAC by suppressing CF activation.
Are there sex differences in risk for exertional heat stroke? A translational approach
Authors: Giersch Gabrielle E. W. , Garcia Christian K. , Stachenfeld Nina S. , Charkoudian Nisha
Published: May 2022

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

Whether there are sex differences in exertional heat stroke.

What advances does it highlight?

This review utilizes a translational model between animal and human research to explore possible physical and physiological differences with respect to risk and treatment of exertional heat stroke.

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a potentially fatal condition brought about by a combination of physical activity and heat stress and resulting in central nervous system dysfunction and organ damage. EHS impacts several hundred individuals each year ranging from military personnel, athletes, to occupational workers. Understanding the pathophysiology and risk factors can aid in reducing EHS across the globe. While we know there are differences between sexes in mechanisms of thermoregulation, there is currently not a clear understanding of if or how those differences impact EHS risk. The purpose of this review is to assess the current status of the literature surrounding EHS from risk factors to treatment using both animal and human models. We use a translational approach, considering both animal and human research to elucidate the possible influence of female sex hormones on temperature regulation and performance in the heat and highlight the specific areas with limited research. While more work is necessary to comprehensively understand these differences, the current research presented provides a good framework for future investigations.
Origin, specification and differentiation of a rare supporting-like lineage in the developing mouse gonad
Authors: Mayère Chloé , Regard Violaine , Perea-Gomez Aitana , Bunce Corey , Neirijnck Yasmine , Djari Cyril , Bellido-Carreras Natividad , Sararols Pauline , Reeves Richard , Greenaway Simon , Simon Michelle , Siggers Pam , Condrea Diana , Kühne Françoise , Gantar Ivana , Tang Furong , Stévant Isabelle , Batti Laura , Ghyselinck Norbert B. , Wilhelm Dagmar , Greenfield Andy , Capel Blanche , Chaboissier Marie-Christine , Nef Serge
Published: May 2022

Gonadal sex determination represents a unique model for studying cell fate decisions. However, a complete understanding of the different cell lineages forming the developing testis and ovary remains elusive. Here, we investigated the origin, specification, and subsequent sex-specific differentiation of a previously uncharacterized population of supporting-like cells (SLCs) in the developing mouse gonads. The SLC lineage is closely related to the coelomic epithelium and specified as early as E10.5, making it the first somatic lineage to be specified in the bipotential gonad. SLC progenitors are localized within the genital ridge at the interface with the mesonephros and initially coexpressWnt4andSox9. SLCs become sexually dimorphic around E12.5, progressively acquire a more Sertoli- or pregranulosa-like identity and contribute to the formation of the rete testis and rete ovarii. Last, we found that WNT4 is a crucial regulator of the SLC lineage and is required for normal development of the rete testis.
Photolithographic realization of target nanostructures in 3D space by inverse design of phase modulation
Authors: Nam Sang-Hyeon , Kim Myungjoon , Kim Nayoung , Cho Donghwi , Choi Myungwoo , Park Jun Hyung , Shin Jonghwa , Jeon Seokwoo
Published: May 2022

The mass production of precise three-dimensional (3D) nanopatterns has long been the ultimate goal of fabrication technology. While interference lithography and proximity-field nanopatterning (PnP) may provide partial solutions, their setup complexity and limited range of realizable structures, respectively, remain the main problems. Here, we tackle these challenges by applying an inverse design to the PnP process. Our inverse design platform based on the adjoint method can efficiently find optimal phase masks for diverse target lattices and motifs. We fabricate a 2D rectangular array of nanochannels, which has not been reported for conventional PnP with normally incident light, as a proof of concept. With further demonstration of material conversion, our work provides versatile platforms for nanomaterial fabrication.
Environmental conditions and mechanisms restricting microbial methanogenesis in the Miquan region of the southern Junggar Basin, NW China
Authors: Fu Haijiao , Li Yueguo , Su Xianbo , Yan Detian , Yang Shuguang , Wang Gang , Wang Xiaoming , Zhao Weizhong
Published: May 2022

Early microbial gas has been sealed in reservoirs in the Miquan region of NW China, with little or no supply of current microbial gas. To date, the environmental conditions and mechanisms restricting microbial methanogenesis are still unclear in the Miquan region. Thus, in this study, a series of gas and water samples from coalbed methane (CBM) exploitation wells and in situ coal samples were collected and analyzed to determine the potential for current microbial gas generation, the methanogenic pathways, the source of nutrients, the influence of the environmental conditions on in situ microbial communities and their methanogenesis, and the mechanisms restricting microbial methanogenesis. The gas-production simulation experiments revealed that the existing microbes in the coalbed water were less efficient at converting coal into methane under the approximate in situ conditions, which further verified that there was little or no supply of current microbial gas. The stable isotope compositions of the gas samples suggested that carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction was the dominant metabolic pathway for generating CBM, whereas the methanogenic communities contained a mixture of acetoclastic and methylotrophic methanogens in local areas. The nutrients available for the microbes mainly included the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and total dissolved carbon (TDOC), and the in situ dissolution of the coals was a significant source of the TDN, whereas the TDOC was mainly supplied by surface water. The microbes in the different tectonic settings were significantly controlled by different combinations of environmental factors, and there was no single environmental factor that completely dominated the spatial variability of the microbial communities. The gradual stagnation of the water environment led to an increase in salinity and a decrease in nutrients, which were likely the main factors restricting microbial methanogenesis under in situ conditions. Combined with the results of the rate-limiting stages of the anaerobic fermentation, the mechanisms restricting microbial methanogenesis can be finally determined in the Miquan region. These discoveries presented in this case study provide a significant supplement to the geological theory of CBM accumulation, and have a guiding significance for CBM development in the Miquan region.
Estimating the impact of trained midwives and upgraded health facilities on institutional delivery rates in Nigeria using a quasi-experimental study design
Authors: Grépin Karen Ann , Chukwuma Adanna , Holmlund Marcus , Vera-Hernandez Marcos , Wang Qiao , Rosa-Dias Pedro
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Studies have shown that demand-side interventions, such as conditional cash transfers and vouchers, can increase the proportion of women giving birth in a health facility in low-income and middle-income countries, but there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of supply-side interventions. We evaluated the impact of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Maternal and Child Health Project (SURE-P MCH) on rates of institutional delivery and antenatal care.

Design, setting and participants

We used a differences-in-differences study design that compared changes in rates of institutional delivery and antenatal care in areas that had received additional support through the SURE-P MCH programme relative to areas that did not. Data on outcomes were obtained from the 2013 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey.

Results

We found that the programme significantly increased the proportion of women giving birth in a health facility by approximately 7 percentage points (p=0.069) or approximately 10% relative to the baseline after 9 months of implementation. The programme, however, did not significantly increase the use of antenatal care.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest there could be important improvements in institutional delivery rates through greater investment in supply-side interventions.
Geographic variation in COVID-19 vulnerability by legal immigration status in California: a prepandemic cross-sectional study
Authors: Sohn Heeju , Aqua Jasmine Ko
Published: May 2022

Objective

To quantify COVID-19 vulnerabilities for Californian residents by their legal immigration status and place of residence.

Design

Secondary data analysis of cross-sectional population-representative survey data.

Data

All adult respondents in the restricted version of the California Health Interview Survey (2015–2020, n=128 528).

Outcome measure

Relative Social Vulnerability Indices for COVID-19 by legal immigration status and census region across six domains: socioeconomic vulnerability; demography and disability; minority status and language barriers; high housing density; epidemiological risk; and access to care.

Results

Undocumented immigrants living in Southern California’s urban areas (Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego-Imperial) have exceptionally high vulnerabilities due to low socioeconomic status, high language barriers, high housing density and low access to care. San Joaquin Valley is home to vulnerable immigrant groups and a US-born population with the highest demographic and epidemiological risk for severe COVID-19.

Conclusion

Interventions to mitigate public health crises must explicitly consider immigrants’ dual disadvantage from social vulnerability and exclusionary state and federal safety-net policies.
Trends in charges and association with defaults on medical payments in uninsured Americans: a disproportionate burden in ethnic minorities – a retrospective observational study
Authors: Linde Sebastian , Egede Leonard E
Published: May 2022

Objective

To evaluate whether medical event charges are associated with uninsured patients’ probability of medical payment default and whether there exist racial/ethnic disparity gaps in medical payment defaults.

Design

We use logistic regression models to analyse medical payment defaults. Our adjusted estimates further control for a rich set of patient and medical visit characteristics, region and time fixed effects.

Setting

Uninsured US adult (non-elderly) population from 2002 to 2017.

Participants

We use four nationally representative samples of uninsured patients from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey across office-based (n=39 967), emergency (n=3269), outpatient (n=1739) and inpatient (n=340) events.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Payment default, medical event charges and medical event payments.

Results

Relative to uninsured non-Hispanic white (NHW) patients, uninsured non-Hispanic black (NHB) patients are 142% (p<0.01) more likely to default on medical payments for office-based visits, 27% (p<0.05) more likely to default on emergency department visit payments and 82% (p<0.1) more likely to default on an outpatient visit bill. Hispanic patients are 46% (p<0.01) more likely to default on an office-based visit, but 25% less likely to default on emergency department visit payments than NHW patients. Within our fully adjusted model, we find that racial/ethnic disparities persist for office-based visits. Our results further suggest that the probabilities of payment defaults for office-based, emergency and outpatient visits are all significantly (p<0.01) and positively associated with the medical event charges billed.

Conclusions

Medical event charges are found to be broadly associated with payment defaults, and we further note disproportionate payment default disparities among NHB patients.
Multisite sentinel surveillance of self-harm in New Zealand: protocol for an observational study
Authors: Fortune Sarah , Hetrick Sarah , Sharma Vartika , McDonald Gabrielle , Scott Kate M , Mulder Roger T , Hobbs Linda
Published: May 2022

Introduction

New Zealand (NZ) has a persistently high rate of suicide, particularly among young people. Hospital presentation for self-harm (SH) is one of the strongest predictors of death by suicide. Improving the monitoring of SH and suicide is a key recommendation for suicide prevention by WHO. This study will establish the first ever sentinel surveillance for SH at several large hospitals and a monthly survey of all practicing paediatricians in NZ. The study will provide robust information about the epidemiology of SH, factors associated with SH and the types of interventions required for those presenting to hospital with SH.

Method and analysis

This observational study will establish SH surveillance in the emergency departments of three public hospitals for the first time in NZ, where study population will include individuals of all ages who present with SH or suicidal ideation. The study methodology is in line with the WHO Best Practice guidelines and international collaborators in Australia and Europe. Electronic triage records will be reviewed manually by the research team to identify potential cases that meet inclusion criteria. For all eligible cases, variables of interest will be extracted from routine clinical records by the research team and recorded on a secure web-based survey application. Additionally, SH surveillance data for the national paediatric population (<15 years) will be obtained via the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit (NZPSU); paediatricians will report on included cases using the same variables using a secure survey application. A deidentified dataset will be produced for aggregated statistical analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

The University of Otago Health Ethics Committee granted ethical approval for this study in addition to local ethics approval at participating hospital sites. The study findings will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders in NZ, in addition to international audiences through publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and conference presentations.
Comparing absolute and relative distance and time travel measures of geographic access to healthcare facilities in rural Haiti
Authors: Bhangdia Kayleigh Pavitra , Iyer Hari S , Joseph Jean Paul , Dorne Rubin Lemec , Mukherjee Joia , Fadelu Temidayo
Published: May 2022

Introduction

While travel distance and time are important proxies of physical access to health facilities, obtaining valid measures with an appropriate modelling method remains challenging in many settings. We compared five measures of geographic accessibility in Haiti, producing recommendations that consider available analytic resources and geospatial goals.

Methods

Eight public hospitals within the ministry of public health and population were included. We estimated distance and time between hospitals and geographic centroids of Haiti’s section communes and population-level accessibility. Geographic feature data were obtained from public administrative databases, academic research databases and government satellites. We used validated geographic information system methods to produce five geographic access measures: (1) Euclidean distance (ED), (2) network distance (ND), (3) network travel time (NTT), (4) AccessMod 5 (AM5) distance (AM5D) and (5) AM5 travel time (AM5TT). Relative ranking of section communes across the measures was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients, while mean differences were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and pairwise t-tests.

Results

All five geographic access measures were highly correlated (range: 0.78–0.99). Of the distance measures, ED values were consistently the shortest, followed by AM5D values, while ND values were the longest. ND values were as high as 2.3 times ED values. NTT models generally produced longer travel time estimates compared with AM5TT models. ED consistently overestimated population coverage within a given threshold compared with ND and AM5D. For example, population-level accessibility within 15 km of the nearest studied hospital in the Center department was estimated at 68% for ED, 50% for AM5D and 34% for ND.

Conclusion

While the access measures were highly correlated, there were significant differences in the absolute measures. Consideration of the benefits and limitations of each geospatial measure together with the intended purpose of the estimates, such as relative proximity of patients or service coverage, are key to guiding appropriate use.
Explorative–descriptive study on the effects of COVID-19 on access to antiretroviral therapy services: the case of a teaching hospital in Ghana
Authors: Abraham Susanna Aba Aba , Doe Patience Fakornam , Osei Berchie Gifty , Agyare Elizabeth , Ayisi Addo Stephen , Obiri-Yeboah Dorcas
Published: May 2022

Objective

To explore how the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) services from the perspective of the persons living with HIV (PLWH).

Design

The study adopted an exploratory-descriptive qualitative design that used in-depth interviews as the technique for the data collection. Data analysis was done using conceptual content analysis, following the traditions of Elo and Kyngäs on deductive and Hsieh on inductive content analysis.

Setting

ART clinic, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

Participants

Twelve participants who had at least 1 year history of accessing ART care before the COVID-19 pandemic and at least one clinic visit during the pandemic were purposively sampled from the ART clinic.

Results

Five concepts of accessing healthcare proposed by Penchansky and Thomas were explored: accessibility, availability, affordability, accommodation and acceptability. The ART unit in the study setting remained open for service delivery throughout the pandemic. However, fear of contracting the virus while patronising services affected the participants’ decision to use the facility. Although all the participants in this study reportedly honoured their refill appointments, they indicated knowledge of other PLWH defaulting. With reference to the availability of resources, a shortage of antiretrovirals was reported, affecting the refill appointment intervals. In spite of the challenges, several strategies were implemented to accommodate the patients’ needs while protecting them from contracting the virus by instituting the stipulated COVID-19 protocols. The study found that some of the strategies impacted the acceptability and affordability of the services as transportation costs increased. Varying levels of accessibility to health workers providing ART services in the study setting was also recorded.

Conclusion

Strategies were implemented to accommodate the effects of the pandemic on ART provision. However, these had deficiencies that must be addressed using appropriate Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) interventions that will ensure continuous access to service delivery in the ongoing and any similar future occurrences.
Association of subclinical atherosclerosis and cognitive decline: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Lu Yao , Zhu Yidan , Ma Yanjun , Li Chenglong , Hua Rong , Zhong Baoliang , Wang Hongyu , Xie Wuxiang
Published: May 2022

Background and aims

Growing burden of dementia was considered as a global public health priority as its epidemic scale rises with the world’s population increases in age. In the absence of effective treatment, early identification of decline in cognitive function and risk factors that lead to the onset of dementia is a critical issue. Subclinical atherosclerosis may be a potential risk factor for cognitive impairment and progression to dementia. Research is needed to identify which subclinical atherosclerosis risk factors can better predict cognitive decline.

Methods

A total of 1554 participants (mean age 59.81±6.93 years) were enrolled from Beijing Research on Ageing and Vessel and underwent baseline evaluation. Carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaque and brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) were selected as subclinical atherosclerosis markers. Cognitive function assessment was conducted by standardised tasks to assess the associations with subclinical atherosclerosis markers.

Results

Significant associations (p<0.001) were shown in the unadjusted models between all three subclinical atherosclerosis markers and cognitive function assessments. After adjusting for covariates, in the assessment of the association between carotid atherosclerosis and cognitive function, plaque numbers showed signiﬁcant associations in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (β=−0.15, p=0.006) and verbal memory scores (β=−0.13, p=0.013). While in the assessment of the association between arterial stiffness and cognitive function, ba-PWV showed signiﬁcant associations in MoCA (β=−0.09, p=0.009) and semantic fluency scores (β=−0.13, p=0.036).

Conclusions

Positive associations shown between subclinical atherosclerosis and cognitive function. Subclinical atherosclerosis markers of plaque numbers were significantly associated with global cognitive functioning in MoCA, memory and semantic fluency, while ba-PWV was significantly associated with global cognitive functioning in MoCA and semantic fluency.
Characteristics and survival of patients with cancer with intended off-label use—a cohort study
Authors: Schmitt Andreas Michael , Walter Martin , Herbrand Amanda Katherina , Jörger Markus , Moffa Giusi , Novak Urban , Hemkens Lars , Kasenda Benjamin
Published: May 2022

Objective

To describe the characteristics and the survival of patients with cancer with intended off-label use (OLU) cancer treatment and reimbursement request.

Design

Cohort study using medical record data.

Setting

Three major cancer centres in Switzerland.

Participants

519 patients with cancer and a reimbursement request for OLU between January 2015 and July 2018.

Main outcomes

Characteristics of patients with cancer with and without access to intended OLU. Characteristics included the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) which includes C reactive protein and albumin and discriminates prognostic groups.

Results

OLU was intended for 519 (17%) of 3046 patients with cancer, as first-line treatment in 51% (n=264) and second-line in 31% (n=162). Of the 519 patients, 63% (n=328) were male, 63% (n=329) had solid cancer and 21% (n=111) had a haematological malignancy. Their median overall survival was 23.6 months (95% CI: 19.0 to 32.5). Access to OLU had 389 (75%) patients who were compared with patients without access on average 4.9 years younger (mean; 95% CI: 1.9 to 7.9 years), had a better overall prognosis according to the GPS (51% with GPS of 0 vs 39%; OR: 1.62 (95% CI: 1.01 to 2.59)), had less frequently solid cancer (62% vs 71%; OR: 0.66 (95% CI: 0.41 to 1.05)) and advanced stage cancer (53% vs 70%; OR: 0.48 (95% CI: 0.30 to 0.75)), were more frequently treatment-naive (53% vs 43%; OR: 1.55 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.39)) and were more frequently in an adjuvant/neoadjuvant treatment setting (14% vs 5%; OR: 3.39 (95% CI: 1.45 to 9.93)). Patients with access to OLU had a median OS of 31.1 months versus 8.7 months for patients without access (unadjusted HR: 0.54; (95% CI: 0.41 to 0.70)).

Conclusion

Contrary to the common assumption, OLU in oncology is typically not primarily intended for patients with exhausted treatment options. Patient characteristics largely differ between patients with and without access to intended OLU. More systematic evaluations of the benefits and harms of OLU in cancer care and the regulation of its access is warranted.
Out-of-hospital births and the experiences of emergency ambulance clinicians and birthing parents: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Hill Michella , Miles Alecka , Flanagan Belinda , Mills Brennen , Hopper Luke
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Emergency ambulance clinicians attend a wide range of prehospital emergencies, including out-of-hospital births (OOHBs). Intrapartum care comprises approximately 0.05% of emergency medical services’ caseload, with only ~10% of intrapartum cases progressing to birth in emergency ambulance clinician care. However, this low exposure rate potentially allows obstetric clinical skills and knowledge to decay, which may impact on patient care. Additionally, unplanned OOHBs are known to have a higher incidence of complications and adverse outcomes than their counterparts born in hospital, such as postpartum haemorrhage or hypothermia. This scoping review will explore OOHBs and associated complications in emergency ambulance clinician care, investigate birth parent, significant partner and clinician experiences regarding OOHBs, and consider barriers and challenges to optimal patient care, to identify future research opportunities and associated knowledge gaps for this patient cohort.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will follow the nine-step methodological framework suggested by the Joanna Briggs Institute and use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Five electronic databases (MEDLINE via EBSCO, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science and Wiley Online) will be searched to identify articles for inclusion. The ‘participant, concept, context’ criteria will be used to identify suitable search words regarding OOHBs in emergency ambulance clinician care. The review will include peer-reviewed and preprint literature. Two reviewers will independently assess articles based on title and abstract for inclusion in the review. Data will be charted using a data extraction tool for consistency and provide a succinct descriptive summary of the results.

Ethics and dissemination

This study does not require ethical review as all the information obtained will come from publicly available resources. Results will be disseminated via a peer-reviewed publication. This scoping review is preregistered with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/ta35q).
Defining the key intrahepatic gene networks in HCV infection driven by sex
Authors: Marchi Emanuele , Ramamurthy Narayan , Ansari M Azim , Harrer Caroline E ,   STOP-HCV, Barnes Eleanor , Klenerman Paul
Published: May 2022

Objective

The transcriptional response in the liver during HCV infection is critical for determining clinical outcomes. This issue remains relatively unexplored as tissue access to address this at scale is usually limited. We aimed to profile the transcriptomics of HCV-infected livers to describe the expression networks involved and assess the effect on them of major predictors of clinical outcome such as IFNL4 (interferon lambda 4) host genotype and sex.

Design

We took advantage of a large clinical study of HCV therapy accompanied by baseline liver biopsy to examine the drivers of transcription in tissue samples in 195 patients also genotyped genome-wide for host and viral single nucleotide polymorphisms. We addressed the role of host factors (disease status, sex, genotype, age) and viral factors (load, mutation) on transcriptional responses.

Results

We observe key modules of transcription which can be impacted differentially by host and viral factors. Underlying cirrhotic state had the most substantial impact, even in a stable, compensated population. Notably, sex had a major impact on antiviral responses in concert with IL28B (interleukin 28B)/IFNL4 genotype, with stronger interferon and humoral responses in females. Males tended towards a dominant cellular immune response. In both sexes, there was a strong influence of the underlying host disease status and of specific viral mutations, and sex-specific expression quantitative trait loci were also observed.

Conclusion

These features help define the major influences on tissue responses in HCV infection, impacting on the response to treatment and with broader implications for responses in other sex-biased infections.
Machine learning and acute stroke imaging
Authors: Sheth Sunil A , Giancardo Luca , Colasurdo Marco , Srinivasan Visish M , Niktabe Arash , Kan Peter
Published: May 2022

Background

In recent years, machine learning (ML) has had notable success in providing automated analyses of neuroimaging studies, and its role is likely to increase in the future. Thus, it is paramount for clinicians to understand these approaches, gain facility with interpreting ML results, and learn how to assess algorithm performance.

Objective

To provide an overview of ML, present its role in acute stroke imaging, discuss methods to evaluate algorithms, and then provide an assessment of existing approaches.

Methods

In this review, we give an overview of ML techniques commonly used in medical imaging analysis and methods to evaluate performance. We then review the literature for relevant publications. Searches were run in November 2021 in Ovid Medline and PubMed. Inclusion criteria included studies in English reporting use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, or similar techniques in the setting of, and in applications for, acute ischemic stroke or mechanical thrombectomy. Articles that included image-level data with meaningful results and sound ML approaches were included in this discussion.

Results

Many publications on acute stroke imaging, including detection of large vessel occlusion, detection and quantification of intracranial hemorrhage and detection of infarct core, have been published using ML methods. Imaging inputs have included non-contrast head CT, CT angiograph and MRI, with a range of performances. We discuss and review several of the most relevant publications.

Conclusions

ML in acute ischemic stroke imaging has already made tremendous headway. Additional applications and further integration with clinical care is inevitable. Thus, facility with these approaches is critical for the neurointerventional clinician.
Towards sustainable North American wood product value chains, part 2: computer vision identification of ring-porous hardwoods
Authors: Ravindran Prabu , Wade Adam C. , Owens Frank C. , Shmulsky Rubin , Wiedenhoeft Alex C.
Published: May 2022

Wood identification is vitally important for ensuring the legality of North American hardwood value chains. Computer vision wood identification (CVWID) systems can identify wood without necessitating costly and time-consuming off-site visual inspections by highly trained wood anatomists. Previous work by Ravindran and colleagues presented macroscopic CVWID models for identification of North American diffuse porous hardwoods from 22 wood anatomically informed classes using the open-source XyloTron platform. This manuscript expands on that work by training and evaluating complementary 17-class XyloTron CVWID models for the identification of North American ring porous hardwoods — woods that display spatial heterogeneity in earlywood and latewood pore size and distribution and other radial growth-rate-related features. Deep-learning models trained using 4045 images from 452 ring-porous wood specimens from four xylaria demonstrated 98% five-fold cross-validation accuracy. A field model trained on all the training data and subsequently tested on 198 specimens drawn from two additional xylaria achieved top-1 and top-2 predictions of 91.4% and 100%, respectively, and images devoid of earlywood, latewood, or broad rays did not greatly reduce the prediction accuracy. This study advocates for continued cooperation between wood anatomy and machine-learning experts for implementing and evaluating field-operational CVWID systems.
Belief propagation for supply networks: efficient clustering of their factor graphs
Authors: Ritmeester Tim , Meyer-Ortmanns Hildegard
Published: May 2022

We consider belief propagation (BP) as an efficient and scalable tool for state estimation and optimization problems in supply networks such as power grids. BP algorithms make use of factor graph representations, whose assignment to the problem of interest is not unique. It depends on the state variables and their mutual interdependencies. Many short loops in factor graphs may impede the accuracy of BP. We propose a systematic way to cluster loops of naively assigned factor graphs such that the resulting transformed factor graphs have no additional loops as compared to the original network. They guarantee an accurate performance of BP with only slightly increased computational effort, as we demonstrate by a concrete and realistic implementation for power grids. The method outperforms existing alternatives to handle the loops. We point to other applications to supply networks such as gas-pipeline or other flow networks that share the structure of constraints in the form of analogues to Kirchhoff’s laws. Whenever small and abundant loops in factor graphs are systematically generated by constraints between variables in the original network, our factor-graph assignment in BP complements other approaches. It provides a fast and reliable algorithm to perform marginalization in tasks like state determination, estimation, or optimization issues in supply networks.

Graphical abstract
The Riemann hypothesis and tachyonic off-shell string scattering amplitudes
Authors: Perelman Carlos Castro
Published: May 2022

The study of the $$\mathbf{4}$$
4
-tachyon off-shell string scattering amplitude $$ A_4 (s, t, u) $$

A
4

(
s
,
t
,
u
)

, based on Witten’s open string field theory, reveals the existence of poles in the s-channel and associated to a continuum of complex “spins” J. The latter J belong to the Regge trajectories in the t, u channels which are defined by $$ - J (t) = - 1 - { 1\over 2 } t = \beta (t)= { 1\over 2 } + i \lambda $$

-
J

(
t
)

=
-
1
-

1
2

t
=
β

(
t
)

=

1
2

+
i
λ

; $$ - J (u) = - 1 - { 1\over 2 } u = \gamma (u) = { 1\over 2 } - i \lambda $$

-
J

(
u
)

=
-
1
-

1
2

u
=
γ

(
u
)

=

1
2

-
i
λ

, with $$ \lambda = real$$

λ
=
r
e
a
l

. These values of $$ \beta ( t ), \gamma (u) $$

β
(
t
)
,
γ
(
u
)

given by $${ 1\over 2 } \pm i \lambda $$

1
2

±
i
λ

, respectively, coincide precisely with the location of the critical line of nontrivial Riemann zeta zeros $$ \zeta (z_n = { 1\over 2 } \pm i \lambda _n) = 0$$

ζ
(

z
n

=

1
2

±
i

λ
n

)
=
0

. It is argued that despite assigning angular momentum (spin) values J to the off-shell mass values of the external off-shell tachyons along their Regge trajectories is not physically meaningful, their net zero-spin value $$ J ( k_1 ) + J (k_2) = J ( k_3 ) + J ( k_4 ) = 0$$

J

(

k
1

)

+
J

(

k
2

)

=
J

(

k
3

)

+
J

(

k
4

)

=
0

is physically meaningful because the on-shell tachyon exchanged in the s-channel has a physically well defined zero-spin. We proceed to prove that if there were nontrivial zeta zeros (violating the Riemann Hypothesis) outside the critical line $$ Real~ z = 1/2 $$

R
e
a
l

z
=
1
/
2

(but inside the critical strip) these putative zeros $$ don't$$

d
o

n
′

t

correspond to any poles of the $$\mathbf{4}$$
4
-tachyon off-shell string scattering amplitude $$ A_4 (s, t, u) $$

A
4

(
s
,
t
,
u
)

. We finalize with some concluding remarks on the zeros of sinh(z) given by $$ z = 0 + i 2 \pi n$$

z
=
0
+
i
2
π
n

, continuous spins, non-commutative geometry and other relevant topics.
SUBJECTIVE BELIEFS IN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Authors: IM SUNGWOO , İRİŞ DORUK , KO HYEONGGYUN
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we study the impact of countries’ subjective beliefs, i.e., pessimism and optimism, on international agreements to provide global public goods. Under symmetric beliefs, we find that while pessimism (optimism) could decrease (increase) signatories’ efforts, it can also increase (decrease) the coalition size. Under asymmetric beliefs, optimists entering the coalition may crowd out the more pessimistic countries. If a stable coalition exists, then while optimists are willing to participate even at rather small coalition sizes, the participation of more pessimistic types requires the coalition size to be larger. A stable coalition would consist of the most optimists and possibly some other types.
Comparisons of the synthesis and photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanorods under different solution concentrations
Authors: Wu Tung-Lung , Wang Ching-Shan , Wang Fang-Hsing , Liu Han-Wen , Yang Cheng-Fu
Published: May 2022

In this study, the sol–gel method was used to prepare ZnO seed layer for synthesizing ZnO nanorods, and we would investigate the effects of different Zn(CH3COO)2and C6H[Formula: see text]N4concentrations on the synthesized characteristics of ZnO nanorods. First, the ZnO gel was dipped on the surface of the [Formula: see text]-type [Formula: see text] wafer as a seed layer. Then, the hydrothermal method with different Zn(CH3COO)2and C6H[Formula: see text]N4concentrations as precursors was used to synthesize ZnO nanorods on [Formula: see text]-type [Formula: see text] wafer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, focused ion beam-field emission scanning electron microscopy (FIB-FESEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrometry were employed to observe and analyze the crystal properties, surface morphologies, and optical properties of the prepared ZnO seed layer and synthesized ZnO nanorods. [Formula: see text]C and 60 min were used as the synthesis temperature and time, and we found that Zn(CH3COO)2and C6H[Formula: see text]N4concentrations had an apparent effect on the height, diameter, total surface area, total volume, density, and PL property of ZnO nanorods. The maximum PL emission intensity of ZnO nanorods presented in the samples with Zn(CH3COO)2and C6H[Formula: see text]N4concentrations of 0.2 M. The results of XRD patterns suggest that ZnO nanorods have the property of [Formula: see text]-axis preferred orientation. We showed that the different Zn(CH3COO)2concentrations had large effects on the average height, average diameter, aspect ratio, total surface area (S, nm[Formula: see text], total volume (V, nm[Formula: see text], S/V ratio, and PL property of ZnO nanorods.