bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipid Abnormalities in Tuberculosis Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Jyothi . , Chandana G , Kumar BA Praveen
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease that also causes lipid abnormalities. Limited studies are focusing on metabolic abnormalities in TB patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). While studying lipid abnormalities in pulmonary TB patients, there were no marked differences between serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). However, it was suggested that increased levels of lipoprotein (a) in patients with pulmonary TB may be a risk for atherosclerosis. Aim: To study the lipid abnormalities in TB patients with DM. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Pulmonary Medicine at a tertiary care teaching institute {PES Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (PESIMSR} Andhra Pradesh, India, between October 2015 to March 2016 (six months). Four groups were made, Group I included 30 patients with TB and no DM, Group II included 25 patients with TB with DM, Group III had 30 patients with DM only and Group IV was control group with 30 healthy individuals. Lipid profile testing was done for all the participants and the values obtained were compared. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was used to compare the means between the groups and Kruskal-Wallis test when data did not follow the normal distribution. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Total 25 patients in group II had 18 male and 7 female with mean age of 48.5±11.12 years. The total cholesterol, triglycerides, Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) was high in group III (176.33±43.35 mg/dL, 221.733±39.2 mg/dL, 34.8±17.81 mg/dL respectively). The HDL was lowest in group II (27.88±8.03 mg/dL). However, the LDL values showed no significant difference between the groups (p-value=0.162). group I had Low Body Mass Index (BMI) (18.61±3.6 kg/ m2). The atherogenic index was high in group II especially in males. Conclusion: In patients with TB and DM, screening of lipid profile can provide markers of atherogenicity which may help to predict and prevent cardiovascular events. A good nutritious diet is recommended alongside chemotherapeutics in the treatment for TB patient's management and their lipid profile status should be monitored while managing the patients.
A Community-based Cross-sectional Study on Knowledge and Belief of Menstruation and Practices of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescence Girls of Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Authors: Patel Divyangkumar Narottambhai , Amin Sarjil , Bhajiwala Jinal , Acharya Mit , Baradia Kavya , Kumar Abhinav
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Women undergo menstruation as part of their normal physiological cycle. In Indian society, it is associated with taboos, myths, misbelieves and malpractice. Majority of adolescent girls are unprepared in terms of knowledge, attitude and hygienic practices for managing the menstrual cycle when they enter menarche. A better understanding of the scientific process of menstruation and good menstrual hygiene is very crucial for the health and well-being of adolescent girls. Unsafe practices are associated with unwanted outcomes. Aim: To assess the knowledge, beliefs and sources of information adolescents have about menstruation, along with their management of menstrual hygiene. Materials and Methods: The present school-based crosssectional study was conducted in 2019 in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, among 240 adolescent girls of 14-17 years of age using multistage sampling methods. Data were collected by using pre tested, structured self-administered questionnaire after having informed consent. Results: A total of 98 (40.8%) of girls were aware of menstruation before attaining menarche; 19.58% and 54.17% of girls did not knew about the cause and source of the menstrual bleeding, respectively; 55.42% girls used only sanitary pads whereas 43.33% used both old clothes and sanitary pads as the absorbents. A 46.25% changed absorbent frequently (≥4 times in a day). A 54.17% washed their genitals frequently. The most common method of absorbent disposal was disposal in a dustbin. Mother was the main source of information regarding menstruation. Conclusion: Majority of adolescent girls were not having enough knowledge regarding menstruation and their menstrual practices are inexact. This is requisite for menstrual hygiene programme.
Synthetic Methodologies for Si‐Containing Li‐Storage Electrode Materials
Authors: Zhou Jie , Lin Ning
Published: February 2022

Silicon is regarded as the most promising anode candidate for improving the energy density of next‐generation Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) because of the high specific capacity of 4200 mAh g−1, low working voltage, and natural abundance. It is well demonstrated that the serious issues such as huge volume expansion and intrinsic low conductivity of Si anode can be addressed by nanoengineering and compositing strategies. An important step toward fully realizing the practical application of the Si‐containing electrode lies in producing high‐quality materials on large scale. Therefore, a controllable, high‐efficient, low‐cost, and environment‐friendly synthetic methodology is required to fabricate Si‐containing anode materials with high tap density, low specific surface area, high conductivity, chemical and structural stability, and high purity, thus leading to high Coulombic efficiency, high specific capacity, long cycling stability, and superior rate capability. In this review, the effects and bottlenecks of synthetic methodologies for the developments of Si anode are emphasized. The well‐developed physical and chemical synthetic approaches of nano‐ and microstructured Si, Si‐based composites, and Si–graphite hybrid electrode materials are summarized. In each category, the main merits and limitations of different synthetic methods are discussed from both academic and industrial points of view. Finally, this review ends with a conclusion of these synthetic routes, and a brief perspective on the future direction of Si‐containing Li‐storage materials for practical LIBs.
One‐Pot Manganese (IV)‐Mediated Synthesis of Sulfonyl Fluorides from Arylhydrazines
Authors: Tran Van Hieu , Kim Hee‐Kwon
Published: February 2022

Sulfonyl fluorides, a useful structure in various organic syntheses, are found in several biologically active molecules and have been used in sulfur (VI) fluoride exchange‐based “click chemistry”. In the present study, a novel MnO2‐mediated synthetic method to prepare sulfonyl fluorides from aryl hydrazines employing DABSO and NFSI as effective reagents affording a variety of sulfonyl fluoride products in good to excellent yields is described. Our results suggest the generality of this MnO2 mediated transformation of various aryl hydrazines into sulfonyl fluorides under mild reaction conditions.
The PASTIS trial: Testing tadalafil for possible use in vascular cognitive impairment
Authors: Pauls Mathilde M.H. , Binnie Lauren R. , Benjamin Philip , Betteridge Shai , Clarke Brian , Dhillon Mohani‐Preet K. , Ghatala Rita , Hainsworth Fearghal A.H. , Howe Franklyn A. , Khan Usman , Kruuse Christina , Madigan Jeremy B. , Moynihan Barry , Patel Bhavini , Pereira Anthony C. , Rostrup Egill , Shtaya Anan B.Y. , Spilling Catherine A. , Trippier Sarah , Williams Rebecca , Young Robin , Barrick Thomas R. , Isaacs Jeremy D. , Hainsworth Atticus H.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

There are few randomized clinical trials in vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). This trial tested the hypothesis that the PDE5 inhibitor tadalafil, a widely used vasodilator, increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) in older people with symptomatic small vessel disease, the main cause of VCI.

Methods

In a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over trial, participants received tadalafil (20 mg) and placebo on two visits ≥7 days apart (randomized to order of treatment). The primary endpoint, change in subcortical CBF, was measured by arterial spin labelling.

Results

Tadalafil increased CBF non‐significantly in all subcortical areas (N = 55, age: 66.8 (8.6) years) with greatest treatment effect within white matter hyperintensities (+9.8%, P = .0960). There were incidental treatment effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (–7.8, –4.9 mmHg; P < .001). No serious adverse events were observed.

Discussion

This trial did not identify a significant treatment effect of single‐administration tadalafil on subcortical CBF. To detect treatment effects may require different dosing regimens.
Ecologists' Big Step Forward: Opening the Ecological Society of America’s Washington Office in 1983
Authors: Forman Richard T. T.
Published: February 2022

In a bold move, the Ecological Society of America (ESA) decided in 1982 to open a Washington Office. Promoting an ecological viewpoint at the national level and providing advice on matters of national and international importance were the long‐term objectives. Seemingly few if any ESA actions have been more significant. ESA President Lawrence Bliss appointed Richard Forman to spearhead the effort, while Frank Golley, Arthur Cooper, Francis Evans, and Elliott Norse played major roles, and some 33 of our other leading ecologists contributed significantly. Golley chaired a Search Committee which selected Elliott Norse, former member of the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, as Washington Office (WO) Director. Forman chaired the Public Affairs Committee which worked intensively in uncharted territory to delineate policies and practices for WO and oversee the Office and Director. The search for an office considered some 50 locations and ended next to the World Wildlife Fund at Dupont Circle. The primary immediate goals and approaches of the WO were outlined: (1) widely introduce ESA, as a source of ecological expertise, to Washington agencies, organizations, and decision makers; and (2) develop a list of qualified and willing ESA members who could provide advice or testimony on specific environmental issues to national decision makers. Not just another environmental lobby organization, ESA should fill an unfilled role in Washington. Endless problems arose and were solved, but gradually time spent on accomplishing goals predominated. Keeping the ESA Executive Committee, Council, and membership informed on progress remained a key mission. After several months Cooper chaired a committee which reviewed the WO and its Director and reported favorably on progress. Encapsulating 180 documents, mostly correspondence and reports, reveals the remarkable process of opening ESA’s pioneering Washington Office. Exactly one year after approving the WO effort, the office was operating and building a record of accomplishment. No one, including Bliss, Forman, and other key ESA leaders, had expected this success. Four decades of accomplishment now highlight the wisdom of ESA’s action.
Ethologists in the Kindergarten: Natural Behavior, Social Rank, and the Search for the “Innate” in Early Human Ethology (1960s‐1970s)
Authors: Odenwald Jakob
Published: February 2022

During the 1970s, ethologists at the German Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Physiology in Seewiesen started a series of research projects at several regional kindergartens in search of natural predispositions in human behavior. This so‐called “Kindergarten Project” became one of the pillars of research activity at the newly foundedForschungsstelle für Humanethologie(Research Center for Human Ethology) where Irenäus Eibl‐Eibesfeldt and a team of researchers set out to explore new fields of research for the discipline of ethology. Taking the research project conducted by biologist Barbara Hold on ranking behavior among kindergarten children as a vantage point, this paper explores the shift in ethology from animal to human behavior which occurred during the 1960s and 1970s. It analyzes how human ethologists coped with the methodological, conceptual, and ethico‐political challenges which arose from crossing the human‐animal divide. This article thus sheds light on the hitherto unwritten history of human ethology as it was developed at the MPI since the late 1960s.
Fitting ecological principles of artificial reefs into the ocean planning puzzle
Authors: Paxton Avery B. , Steward D'amy N. , Harrison Zachary H. , Taylor J. Christopher
Published: February 2022

Humans use the coastal ocean and its resources as a source of food and energy, as well as for a variety of other purposes, including transportation and recreation. Over the past several decades, uses of the coastal ocean have been increasingly accompanied by the installation of artificial structures. These artificial structures come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from energy and aquaculture infrastructure that incidentally form habitat for marine organisms to artificial reefs that are often deployed intentionally to become habitat. Marine spatial planning has offered a robust framework for siting artificial structures to minimize conflicts with other uses and maximize societal and economic benefits with other intended uses of the seascape, but ecological criteria are seldom considered in the planning process. In contrast, artificial reefs are intentionally sunk to form structured habitat and provide a variety of ecological functions, yet ecological principles are not often incorporated into the siting and planning process. Instead, artificial reefs are sited largely to advance societal and economic benefits and minimize conflicts with other uses, such as shipping traffic, military use, or impacts to sensitive areas. We outline a framework to further incorporate ecological principles into artificial reef siting, design and construction, and evaluation that features place‐based and adaptive management coupled with tenets from experimental field ecology. This framework accounts for complexities of and interactions among ecological, societal, and economic criteria associated with artificial reefs to ensure they meet defined goals.
Associations between mindfulness, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and posttraumatic growth in police academy cadets: An exploratory study
Authors: Chopko Brian A. , Adams Richard E. , Davis Jeremy , Dunham Shea M. , Palmieri Patrick A.
Published: February 2022

Mindfulness‐based treatments have been increasingly noted in the professional literature as a possible means to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and promote well‐being, especially among law enforcement officers. Scant research, however, has been conducted to study dispositional mindfulness and health outcomes in police cadets. The current exploratory study examined the association between the various facets of dispositional mindfulness (i.e., observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreactivity) and PTSD symptoms, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and other variables, including world assumptions, in police cadets (N = 379). Consistent with findings from previous studies of experienced officers, the results indicate that (a) mindful nonjudging is a salient trait in police cadets, which uniquely predicted lower PTSD symptoms, β = −.31, p < .001, and was related to lower levels of PTG, r = −.12, p = .025, and (b) mindful observing was related to higher levels of PTSD symptoms, r = .14, p = .009 and higher levels of PTG, r = .26, p < .001, in the present sample. In addition, the findings demonstrate that nonjudging is an important trait in police cadets regarding world assumptions such that nonjudging was a significant, unique predictor of world assumption facets, including controllability of events, β = .15, p = .025, and trustworthiness and goodness of people, β = .18, p = .004. Clinical implications, including the importance of understanding the association between mindful nonjudging and the shattering and rebuilding of worldviews and following trauma reactions, are discussed.
Interfacial Molecular Doping at Donor and Acceptor Interface in Bilayer Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Hong , Zhang Xuning , Li Yanxun , Huang Gaosheng , Du Wenna , Shi Jianwei , Wang Boxin , Li Shilin , Jiang Tianze , Zhang Jianqi , Cheng Qian , Chen Jieyi , Han Bing , Liu Xinfeng , Zhang Yuan , Zhou Huiqiong
Published: February 2022

Molecular doping is an effective means to tune the optoelectronic properties of organic semiconductors. Despite its versatility, its application in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs) is still limited, especially blend‐cast doping. Difficulties in desolving molecular dopants in weakly polar solvents have led to the formation of undesired structures, with relatively high concentrations of dopants affecting the bicontinuous BHJ morphology. Bilayer OSCs are stacked structures with sequential deposition of donor and acceptor films, which make important contributions to the fine tuning of morphology and balanced charge transport. The sequential deposition of thin films in bilayer devices organically facilitates the sequential doping of pure donor polymers by dopants. The sequential doping of the dopant at the interface between the donor and the acceptor can efficiently improve the carrier mobility and the charge transfer between the donor and the acceptor without damaging the quality of the film, thus improving the device performance efficiently. With three different dopants F4TCNQ, F6TCNNQ, and BCF, sequential interfacial doping in bilayer devices is found to be a versatile and effective method to improve device performance. Making this simple doping strategy promising for high‐performance bilayer OSCs, it is evaluated as a promising alternative to BHJ OSCs.
Database‐driven practical online adjustment of PID parameters
Authors: Toyota Daisuke , Nakano Koutarou , Ochi Kiyoshi , Kinoshita Takuya , Wakitani Shin , Yamamoto Toru
Published: February 2022

The database‐driven proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) control method, which is an online adjustment method of PID parameters for nonlinear systems, has a long calculation time and is difficult to apply to industrial machines. In this paper, a novel practical online adjustment method for PID parameters is proposed. The proposed method can be applied to industrial machines while adopting the database‐driven approach. According to the proposed method, the overall calculation cost can be reduced by performing the online adjustment operation of the PID parameters in a slow cycle different from the calculation of the control output. In addition, PID parameters can be learned offline manner using the one‐shot experimental data group corresponding to each shot. The learning method can adopt the extended fictitious reference iterative tuning (E‐FRIT), which calculates control parameters directly from closed‐loop data. Then, the database is updated while maintaining a certain amount of database size. The learned data are added to the existing database, and similar data are discarded using the cluster analysis method. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by a numerical simulation of the time‐variant system. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Detection of the contact tube to working distance in wire and arc additive manufacturing
Authors: Hölscher Lennart Vincent , Hassel Thomas , Maier Hans Jürgen
Published: February 2022

Currently, wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is mainly done by planning the torch movements layer wise. The height step between the layers is derived from preliminary experiments. Small deviation in the determination of the height step can accumulate over the layers and lead to improper shielding gas conditions or a collision the between torch and the work piece. This makes continuous process monitoring necessary. To overcome these problems, a closed-loop layer height control strategy is beneficial. For the development of a closed-loop height control strategy, it is necessary to have knowledge of the effective height step between the layers during manufacturing. The present study focuses on the development of a sensing method, which allows users to detect the contact tube to working distance (CTWD) in WAAM. The system was developed for short circuit mode of gas-metal arc welding WAAM. The system can also provide information on whether the torch passes over weld beads crossing the weld track or other geometric irregularities existing in the z-direction. Several characteristic values of the process were detected and were matched to the actual CTWD. The accuracy of the sensing method was evaluated, and based on the measured correlation and standard deviation, the electrical resistance during short circuit monitored the CTWD best.
Midterm outcome and strength assessment after quadriceps tendon refixation with suture anchors
Authors: Geyer Stephanie , Winden Felix , Braunsperger Alexander , Kreuzpointner Florian , Kleim Benjamin D. , Lappen Sebastian , Imhoff Andreas B. , Mehl Julian , Hinz Maximilian
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Quadriceps tendon ruptures (QTR) occur predominantly in middle-aged patients through violent eccentric contraction that occurs either when trying to regain balance or during a fall on the hyperflexed knee. The aim of this study was to quantify midterm postoperative results, including strength potential measured via standardized strength tests following acute (< six weeks) quadriceps tendon refixation using suture anchors.

Methods

All consecutive patients with QTR who underwent surgical suture anchor refixation between 2012 and 2019 at a single institution with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were retrospectively evaluated. Outcome measures included Tegner Activity Scale (TAS), Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales, return to work rates, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. Additionally, a standardized clinical examination and an isometric strength assessment of knee extension and flexion were performed.

Results

A total of 17 patients (median age 61.0 [25–75% IQR 50.5–72.5]) were available for final assessment at a mean follow-up of 47.1 ± SD 25.4 months. The majority of patients were male (82.4%) and most injuries occurred due to a fall on the hyperflexed knee (76.5%). The average time interval between trauma and surgery was 12.7 ± 7.5 days. Patients achieved a moderate level of activity postoperatively with a median TAS of 4 (3–5.5) and reported good to excellent outcome scores (Lysholm score: 97 (86.5–100); IKDC: 80.7 ± 13.5; KOOS subscales: pain 97.2 (93.1–100), symptoms 92.9 (82.5–100), activities of daily living 97.1 (93.4–100), sport and recreation function 80 (40–97.5) and knee-related quality of life 87.5 (62.5–100). All patients were able to fully return to work and reported little pain [VAS: 0 (0–0)]. No postoperative complications were reported. Strength measurements revealed a significant deficit of knee extension strength in comparison to the contralateral side (p = 0.011).

Conclusion

Suture anchor refixation of acute QTR leads to good functional results and high patient satisfaction without major complications. Isometric knee extension strength, however, may not be fully restored compared to the unaffected side.
Der atypische chondrogene Tumor
Authors: Smolle Maria Anna , Lehner Burkhard , Omlor Georg , Igrec Jasminka , Brcic Iva , Bergovec Marko , Galsterer Sabrina , Gilg Magdalena Maria , Leithner Andreas
Published: February 2022

Hintergrund

Atypische chondrogene Tumoren (ACT) der kurzen und langen Röhrenknochen, früher als Chondrosarkome G1 bezeichnet, verhalten sich lokal aggressiv, haben aber ein sehr geringes Metastasierungspotenzial. Die Abgrenzung zu benignen Enchondromen ist aus klinischer, radiologischer und histopathologischer Sicht komplex.

Ziel der Arbeit

Epidemiologie, Diagnostik und Therapie von ACT unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Abgrenzung zu Enchondromen werden dargestellt.

Material und Methoden

Es erfolgt die Zusammenfassung der internationalen Fachliteratur zu ACT und Enchondromen.

Ergebnisse

Die Inzidenz von Enchondromen, und mehr noch von ACT, ist über die Jahre angestiegen, was auf häufiger werdende Diagnostik hinweist. Im Gegensatz zu Enchondromen können ACT mit Schmerzen verbunden sein und radiologische Zeichen aggressiven Wachstums, wie tiefes endosteales Scalloping, aufweisen. Die alleinige Biopsie zur Differenzierung zwischen Enchondromen und ACT ist oft nicht hilfreich, da aufgrund der punktuellen Probegewebsentnahme ein „sampling error“ resultieren kann. Die definitive operative Therapie von ACT der langen und kurzen Röhrenknochen hat sich über die letzten Jahre gewandelt, weg von einer radikalen Tumorentfernung hin zu intraläsionaler Kürettage. Ein Zuwarten ist bei radiologischem Verdacht auf das Vorliegen eines Enchondroms regelmäßigen Verlaufskontrollen mittels Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) möglich.

Schlussfolgerungen

ACT weisen im Gegensatz zu Enchondromen radiologische Zeichen eines aggressiven Wachstums auf. Die heutzutage bevorzugte Therapie besteht aus einer intraläsionalen Kürettage. Sowohl Diagnostik als auch Therapie und Nachsorge von kartilaginären Tumoren sollten an einem spezialisierten Tumorzentrum erfolgen.
Minimum adjusted Rand index for two clusterings of a given size
Authors: Chacón José E. , Rastrojo Ana I.
Published: February 2022

The adjusted Rand index (ARI) is commonly used in cluster analysis to measure the degree of agreement between two data partitions. Since its introduction, exploring the situations of extreme agreement and disagreement under different circumstances has been a subject of interest, in order to achieve a better understanding of this index. Here, an explicit formula for the lowest possible value of the ARI for two clusterings of given sizes is shown, and moreover a specific pair of clusterings achieving such a bound is provided.
Development of a New Index Based on Preoperative Serum Lipocalin 2 to Predict Post-LSG Weight Reduction
Authors: Li Nannan , Xu Bei , Zeng Jiangping , Lei Shihui , Gu Lei , Feng Lijin , Zhu Bing , Huang Yueye , Wang Lu , Su Lili , Qu Shen , Cheng Xiaoyun , Bu Le
Published: February 2022

Background

Bariatric surgery is the most effective therapy for obesity, but targeted weight reduction is not always achieved. Serum lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is closely associated with obesity, but its impact on weight loss after surgery is unknown. We aimed to access the reliability of LCN2 levels and other parameters as effective predictors of excellent weight loss (≥ 75% excess weight loss (EWL)) 1 year after bariatric surgery.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated 450 patients (aged 18–65 years) with obesity at 3 months and 1 year after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) surgery. Seventy-four patients who underwent LSG surgery and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this study. Serum LCN2, thyroid function, and metabolic and anthropometric parameters were assessed. Weight reduction was expressed as %EWL and percent total weight loss (%TWL) at 3 months and 1 year post surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to evaluate predictors of ≥ 75%EWL.

Results

In our cohort, %EWL and %TWL were both strongly associated with preoperative serum LCN2 levels. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative LCN2, waist circumference, and glycated hemoglobin were independent predictors of excellent weight loss.

Conclusions

Based on these results, we determined a new P index with better predictive value for excellent weight reduction (≥ 75%EWL) 1 year after LSG surgery.

Graphical abstract
New Omnivorism: a Novel Approach to Food and Animal Ethics
Authors: Milburn Josh , Bobier Christopher
Published: February 2022

New omnivorismis a term coined by Andy Lamey to refer to arguments that – paradoxically – our duties towards animals require us to eat some animal products. Lamey’s claim to have identified a new, distinctive position in food ethics is problematic, however, for some of his interlocutors are not new (e.g., Leslie Stephen in the nineteenth century), not distinctive (e.g., animal welfarists), and not obviously concerned with eating animals (e.g., plant neurobiologists). It is the aim of this paper to bolster Lamey’s argument that he has identified a novel, unified, and intriguing position (or set of positions) in animal ethics and the philosophy of food. We distinguish new omnivorism from four other non-vegan positions and then differentiate three versions of new omnivorism based on the kinds of animal products they propose we consume. We conclude by exploring a range of argumentative strategies that could be deployed in response to the new omnivore.
Quinpi: Integrating Conservation Laws with CWENO Implicit Methods
Authors: Puppo G. , Semplice M. , Visconti G.
Published: February 2022

Many interesting applications of hyperbolic systems of equations are stiff, and require the time step to satisfy restrictive stability conditions. One way to avoid small time steps is to use implicit time integration. Implicit integration is quite straightforward for first-order schemes. High order schemes instead also need to control spurious oscillations, which requires limiting in space and time also in the linear case. We propose a framework to simplify considerably the application of high order non-oscillatory schemes through the introduction of a low order implicit predictor, which is used both to set up the nonlinear weights of a standard high order space reconstruction, and to achieve limiting in time. In this preliminary work, we concentrate on the case of a third-order scheme, based on diagonally implicit Runge Kutta ($$\mathsf {DIRK}$$
DIRK
) integration in time and central weighted essentially non-oscillatory ($$\mathsf {CWENO}$$
CWENO
) reconstruction in space. The numerical tests involve linear and nonlinear scalar conservation laws.
Could combination chemotherapy be more effective than monotherapy in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis? A systematic review of preclinical evidence
Authors: Bastos Daniel S. S. , Silva Adriana C. , Novaes Rômulo D. , Souza Ana Claudia F. , Santos Eliziária C. , Gonçalves Reggiani V. , Marques-Da-Silva Eduardo A.
Published: February 2022

From a systematic review framework, we assessed the preclinical evidence on the effectiveness of drug combinations for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) treatment. Research protocol was based on the PRISMA guideline. Research records were identified from Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Animal models, infection and treatment protocols, parasitological and immunological outcomes were analysed. The SYRCLE's (SYstematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation) toll was used to evaluate the risk of bias in all studies reviewed. Fourteen papers using mice, hamster and dogs were identified.Leishmania donovaniwas frequently used to induce VL, which was treated with 23 drugs in 40 different combinations. Most combinations allowed to reduce the effective dose, cost and time of treatment, in addition to improving the parasitological control ofLeishmaniaspp. The benefits achieved from drug combinations were associated with an increased drug's half-life, direct parasitic toxicity and improved immune defences in infected hosts. Selection, performance and detection bias were the main limitations identified. Current evidence indicates that combination chemotherapy, especially those based on classical drugs (miltefosine, amphotericin B antimony-based compounds) and new drugs (CAL-101, PAM3Cys, tufisin and DB766), develops additive or synergistic interactions, which trigger trypanocidal and immunomodulatory effects associated with reduced parasite load, organ damage and better cure rates in VL.
‘Losing the illusion of control and predictability of life’: experiences of grief and loss among ageing US adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Statz Tamara L. , Kobayashi Lindsay C. , Finlay Jessica M.
Published: February 2022

Bereavement and grief are frequently experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic given widespread mortality. However, losses extend beyond deaths to include cancelled plans and routines, separation from family and friends, and unemployment. It is essential to better understand the multifaceted and complex losses experienced by older adults throughout the pandemic. We analysed 2,587 open-ended survey responses collected online in May to July 2020 from the COVID-19 Coping Study, a mixed-methods study of US adults aged 55 and older. Participants were on average 67 years old (standard deviation = 7.2), over two-thirds female and largely white. Qualitative thematic analysis identified diverse sources of grief, sadness and loss. Themes ranged from death and bereavement to anticipatory grief, loss of agency, cancelled plans and missed milestones, losing social contact and physical touch, health struggles, loss of normalcy and daily routines, and societal and economic woes. The results highlight the varied and highly personal nature of everyday grief and loss among ageing adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sources of grief extended beyond death to include both tangible and intangible losses with expectations of long-term consequences. These findings may inform the development of family and community supports, including mental health services, to address complex subjective experiences of grief and loss since the pandemic onset. Interventions are needed to support healing and hope in vulnerable and resilient ageing populations.
Space and Materiality in Recent Studies of Labor and Class in the Middle East and Islamic World
Authors: Cuyler Zachary Davis , Young Gabriel
Published: February 2022

This review article proposes new directions for the field of labor studies in the Middle East and Islamic world. It does so by examining a diverse array of recent works that are not framed as studies of labor and class per se, but that illustrate what this field might look like through their respective concerns with space and materiality. Taking such concerns together unites these otherwise disparate studies of class, oceanic connections, gender, urban transformation, and the environment. We have organized this essay around the themes of space and materiality because of the utility that they hold for the study of labor and class in the Middle East and Islamic world. They enable us to attend to the basic aims of older scholarship on labor and political economy while also internalizing the critiques of that tradition mounted by scholars of race, gender, and colonialism. We moreover suggest that the theoretical developments outlined here can inform scholarship on labor and class across regional divides.
Beyond categories and boundaries: transmarine mobility and coastal governance of Northeast Asia in the sixteenth century
Authors: Liu Jing
Published: February 2022

This article investigates the growth of cross-border movement and migration in the northern portion of the Yellow Sea during the sixteenth century, which generated ongoing interactions and tensions with the coastal governance of Chosŏn Korea and Ming China. The fluid flow of private seafarers reconnected the northern Yellow Sea and revitalised its maritime economy, making this space an integral part of wider trade networks. Meanwhile, the Chosŏn and Ming authorities also attempted to discern, categorise, and institutionalise this transmarine mobility in their discursive, administrative, and geographic spaces. Instead of considering the two polities as land based and inward looking, this article foregrounds the dynamics of their coastal control mechanisms, while at the same time paying close attention to their constraints on filtering and scrutinising maritime violence.
New Insights Into the Non‐Conservative Behaviors of Nutrients Triggering Phytoplankton Blooms in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Estuary
Authors: Wang Mengyu , Gao Lei
Published: February 2022

Four research cruises were carried out during March and July in 2015 and 2016 in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Estuary and the adjacent shelf. Nutrient concentrations (regarded as static parameters) were measured in the surface and bottom waters collected at 86–99 stations over the course of these cruises. In addition, unfiltered seawater samples were incubated onboard for 48 hr to measure the potential change rates of nutrients (regarded as dynamic parameters). These parameters can help directly elucidate non‐conservative behaviors of nutrients in order to determine whether seawater serves as a source or a sink. Large nutrient sinks (with more negative variation rates) were consistently found at the surface during the two July cruises at the stations just along the outside edge of the turbidity maximum zone near the mouth of the river. Negative rates, although with much smaller magnitudes, were also found in most bottom water samples in July and at both the surface and bottom in March. The high net nutrient uptake rates at the surface in the summer triggered bloom events later at the seaward stations, showing that high net nutrient uptake is the cause and high chlorophyll‐a is the consequence of the bloom. Such information about biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and the mechanisms and development of bloom events occurring in large river estuarine and coastal areas could not have been obtained if these static and dynamic parameters had not been studied together.
Increasing Incidence of Droughts Since Later Part of Little Ice Age Over North‐Western Himalaya, India
Authors: Singh Vikram , Misra Krishna G. , Singh Arun D. , Yadav Ram R.
Published: February 2022

Droughts are recurring phenomena in the north‐western Himalaya causing severe socioeconomic hardships. Our understanding on temporal and spatial occurrence of such extreme droughts in long‐term perspective is constrained due to limited short‐term weather records. Toward fulfilling such a large data void, we developed a network of ring‐width chronologies of Himalayan cedar from seven moisture stressed high‐elevation sites in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir. Moisture responsive ring‐width chronologies were used to develop the annual Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI from previous year June to current year May (SPI12‐May)) extending back to 1613 CE. The SPI reconstruction revealed annual to decadal‐scale variability in droughts, which strikingly were more frequent and of larger magnitude during 1760s–2017 CE in comparison to the earlier part of the reconstruction (1613–1750s CE). Our SPI12‐May record revealed strong consistency with other tree‐ring‐based hydrological records from the western Himalaya. Spatial correlation analyses revealed strong linkage of the SPI with Tropical Pacific Ocean surface temperature.
Estimated effect of vitamin A supplementation on anaemia and anthropometric failure of Indian children
Authors: Rai Rajesh Kumar
Published: February 2022

Background

India has an unacceptably high burden of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among children aged 6–59 months. To mitigate VAD and its adverse effects on child health, the Indian government runs a nationwide vitamin A supplementation (VAS) programme. However, the effect of VAS in reducing child morbidity and mortality remains inconclusive and has been debated globally. In this paper, we estimate the effect of VAS on two indicators of child nutrition—anaemia (categorized into any anaemia, and mild/moderate anaemia) and anthropometric failure (categorized into stunting, wasting, and underweight) among children aged 6–59 months.

Methods

Using the nationally representative 2015–2016 National Family Health Survey data set from India, we set up a quasi-experimental study design and estimated household and mother fixed-effects of VAS on select types of child anaemia and anthropometric failure.

Results

Findings from both the household fixed-effects and mother fixed-effects analysis showed that VAS does not influence any types of childhood anaemia and anthropometric failure in India. We discussed the findings considering existing literature and possible limitations of the study.

Conclusions

The infirm effect of Vitamin A on anaemia and anthropometric failure is probably indicative of targeted VAS intervention, as opposed to a universal VAS programme.

Impact

Effects of vitamin A supplementation (VAS) in treating child morbidity and mortality remain inconclusive, which calls for further rigorous studies.

This study set up a quasi-experimental research design and estimated the null effect of VAS on child anaemia and childhood anthropometric failure.

While the cautious interpretation of findings is urged, this study reliably supports targeted intervention of VAS, instead of the universal VAS programme.

The use of nationally representative data and robust research protocol are the primary strengths of this study.
Sox2 induces glioblastoma cell stemness and tumor propagation by repressing TET2 and deregulating 5hmC and 5mC DNA modifications
Authors: Lopez-Bertoni Hernando , Johnson Amanda , Rui Yuan , Lal Bachchu , Sall Sophie , Malloy Maureen , Coulter Jonathan B. , Lugo-Fagundo Maria , Shudir Sweta , Khela Harmon , Caputo Christopher , Green Jordan J. , Laterra John
Published: February 2022

DNA methylation is a reversible process catalyzed by the ten–eleven translocation (TET) family of enzymes (TET1, TET2, TET3) that convert 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Altered patterns of 5hmC and 5mC are widely reported in human cancers and loss of 5hmC correlates with poor prognosis. Understanding the mechanisms leading to 5hmC loss and its role in oncogenesis will advance the development of epigenetic-based therapeutics. We show that TET2 loss associates with glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells and correlates with poor survival of GBM patients. We further identify a SOX2:miR-10b-5p:TET2 axis that represses TET2 expression, represses 5hmC, increases 5mC levels, and induces GBM cell stemness and tumor-propagating potential. In vivo delivery of a miR-10b-5p inhibitor that normalizes TET2 expression and 5hmC levels inhibits tumor growth and prolongs survival of animals bearing pre-established orthotopic GBM xenografts. These findings highlight the importance of TET2 and 5hmC loss in Sox2-driven oncogenesis and their potential for therapeutic targeting.
Tunable chirality of noncentrosymmetric magnetic Weyl semimetals in rare-earth carbides
Authors: Ray Rajyavardhan , Sadhukhan Banasree , Richter Manuel , Facio Jorge I. , van den Brink Jeroen
Published: February 2022

Even if Weyl semimetals are characterized by quasiparticles with well-defined chirality, exploiting this experimentally is severely hampered by Weyl lattice fermions coming in pairs with opposite chirality, typically causing the net chirality picked up by experimental probes to vanish. Here, we show this issue can be circumvented in a controlled manner when both time-reversal- and inversion symmetry are broken. To this end, we investigate chirality disbalance in the carbide family RMC2(R a rare-earth and M a transition metal), showing several members to be Weyl semimetals. Using the noncentrosymmetric ferromagnet NdRhC2as an illustrating example, we show that an odd number of Weyl nodes can be stabilized at its Fermi surface by properly tilting its magnetization. The chiral configuration endows a topological phase transition as the Weyl node transitions across the Fermi sheets, which triggers interesting chiral electromagnetic responses. Further, the tilt direction determines the sign of the resulting net chirality, opening up a simple route to control its sign and strength.
Full efficacy and long-term immunogenicity induced by the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate MVA-CoV2-S in mice
Authors: Lázaro-Frías Adrián , Pérez Patricia , Zamora Carmen , Sánchez-Cordón Pedro J. , Guzmán María , Luczkowiak Joanna , Delgado Rafael , Casasnovas José M. , Esteban Mariano , García-Arriaza Juan
Published: February 2022

Two doses of the MVA-CoV2-S vaccine candidate expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein protected K18-hACE2 transgenic mice from a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2. This vaccination regimen prevented virus replication in the lungs, reduced lung pathology, and diminished levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. High titers of IgG antibodies against S and receptor-binding domain (RBD) proteins and of neutralizing antibodies were induced against parental virus and variants of concern, markers that correlated with protection. Similar SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses were observed at prechallenge and postchallenge in the two-dose regimen, while the single-dose treatment does not avoid vaccine breakthrough infection. All vaccinated animals survived infection and were also protected to SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. Furthermore, two MVA-CoV2-S doses induced long-term memory S-specific humoral and cellular immune responses in C57BL/6 mice, 6 months after immunization. The efficacy and immunological benefits of the MVA-CoV2-S vaccine candidate against COVID-19 supports its consideration for human clinical trials.
Diurnal effects of polypharmacy with high drug burden index on physical activities over 23 h differ with age and sex
Authors: Tran Trang , Mach John , Gemikonakli Gizem , Wu Harry , Allore Heather , Howlett Susan E. , Little Christopher B. , Hilmer Sarah N.
Published: February 2022

Aging, polypharmacy (concurrent use of ≥ 5 medications), and functional impairment are global healthcare challenges. However, knowledge of the age/sex-specific effects of polypharmacy is limited, particularly on daily physical activities. Using continuous monitoring, we demonstrated how polypharmacy with high Drug Burden Index (DBI—cumulative anticholinergic/sedative exposure) affected behaviors over 23 h in male/female, young/old mice. For comparison, we also evaluated how different drug regimens (polypharmacy/monotherapy) influenced activities in young mice. We found that after 4 weeks of treatment, high DBI (HDBI) polypharmacy decreased exploration (reduced mean gait speed and climbing) during the habituation period, but increased it during other periods, particularly in old mice during the transition to inactivity. After HDBI polypharmacy, mean gait speed consistently decreased throughout the experiment. Some behavioral declines after HDBI were more marked in females than males, indicating treatment × sex interactions. Metoprolol and simvastatin monotherapies increased activities in young mice, compared to control/polypharmacy. These findings highlight that in mice, some polypharmacy-associated behavioral changes are greater in old age and females. The observed diurnal behavioral changes are analogous to drug-induced delirium and sundowning seen in older adults. Future mechanistic investigations are needed to further inform considerations of age, sex, and polypharmacy to optimize quality use of medicines.
Correlation of age of onset and clinical severity in Niemann–Pick disease type C1 with lysosomal abnormalities and gene expression
Authors: Baxter Laura L. , Watkins-Chow Dawn E. , Johnson Nicholas L. , Farhat Nicole Y. , Platt Frances M. , Dale Ryan K. , Porter Forbes D. , Pavan William J. , Rodriguez-Gil Jorge L.
Published: February 2022

Niemann–Pick disease type C1 (NPC1) is a rare, prematurely fatal lysosomal storage disorder which exhibits highly variable severity and disease progression as well as a wide-ranging age of onset, from perinatal stages to adulthood. This heterogeneity has made it difficult to obtain prompt diagnosis and to predict disease course. In addition, small NPC1 patient sample sizes have been a limiting factor in acquiring genome-wide transcriptome data. In this study, primary fibroblasts from an extensive cohort of 41 NPC1 patients were used to validate our previous findings that the lysosomal quantitative probe LysoTracker can be used as a predictor for age of onset and disease severity. We also examined the correlation between these clinical parameters and RNA expression data from primary fibroblasts and identified a set of genes that were significantly associated with lysosomal defects or age of onset, in particular neurological symptom onset. Hierarchical clustering showed that these genes exhibited distinct expression patterns among patient subgroups. This study is the first to collect transcriptomic data on such a large scale in correlation with clinical and cellular phenotypes, providing a rich genomic resource to address NPC1 clinical heterogeneity and discover potential biomarkers, disease modifiers, or therapeutic targets.