bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abnormal grain growth induced by <112̄0> orientation of AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Chen Ruinan , Chen Qinghua , Peng Peng , Tan Bin , Huang Xu , He Qingsong , Su Jian , Xu Chao , Deng Huahong , Dai Qingwei
Published: January 2023

The abnormal grain growth behaviour and preferential orientation of AZ31 Mg alloy were systematically examined. Abnormal grain growth was observed after annealing at 500°C for 9 h, and the grain growth rate was 1.3 mm h−1. Due to the abnormal grain growth, the activation energy of grain growth was reduced from 172 to 104 KJ mol−1. The abnormal grains with <11 [Formula: see text] 0> orientation grew preferentially, which resulted in the increase of the <11 [Formula: see text] 0> type texture intensity and the decrease of the <0001>. The energy difference of the misorientation is the main driving force for the formation of abnormal grains with <11 [Formula: see text] 0> orientation.
Charge-voltage curves of Shaker potassium channel are not hysteretic at steady state
Authors: Cowgill John , Chanda Baron
Published: January 2023

Charge-voltage curves of many voltage-gated ion channels exhibit hysteresis but such curves are also a direct measure of free energy of channel gating and, hence, should be path-independent. Here, we identify conditions to measure steady-state charge-voltage curves and show that these are curves are not hysteretic. Charged residues in transmembrane segments of voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) sense and respond to changes in the electric field. The movement of these gating charges underpins voltage-dependent activation and is also a direct metric of the net free-energy of channel activation. However, for most voltage-gated ion channels, the charge-voltage (Q-V) curves appear to be dependent on initial conditions. For instance, Q-V curves of Shaker potassium channel obtained by hyperpolarizing from 0 mV is left-shifted compared to those obtained by depolarizing from a holding potential of −80 mV. This hysteresis in Q-V curves is a common feature of channels in the VGIC superfamily and raises profound questions about channel energetics because the net free-energy of channel gating is a state function and should be path independent. Due to technical limitations, conventional gating current protocols are limited to test pulse durations of <500 ms, which raises the possibility that the dependence of Q-V on initial conditions reflects a lack of equilibration. Others have suggested that the hysteresis is fundamental thermodynamic property of voltage-gated ion channels and reflects energy dissipation due to measurements under non-equilibrium conditions inherent to rapid voltage jumps (Villalba-Galea. 2017. Channels. https://doi.org/10.1080/19336950.2016.1243190). Using an improved gating current and voltage-clamp fluorometry protocols, we show that the gating hysteresis arising from different initial conditions in Shaker potassium channel is eliminated with ultra-long (18–25 s) test pulses. Our study identifies a modified gating current recording protocol to obtain steady-state Q-V curves of a voltage-gated ion channel. Above all, these findings demonstrate that the gating hysteresis in Shaker channel is a kinetic phenomenon rather than a true thermodynamic property of the channel and the charge-voltage curve is a true measure of the net-free energy of channel gating.
A quantum simulator based on locally controlled logical systems
Authors: Riera-Sàbat Ferran , Sekatski Pavel , Dür Wolfgang
Published: January 2023

In a digital quantum simulator, basic two-qubit interactions are manipulated by means of fast local control operations to establish a desired target Hamiltonian. Here we consider a quantum simulator based on logical systems, i.e. where several physical qubits are used to represent a single logical two-level system to obtain enhanced and simple control over effective interactions between logical systems. Fixed, distance-dependent pairwise interactions between the physical qubits lead to effective interactions between the logical systems, which can be fully controlled solely by the choice of their internal state. This allows one to directly manipulate the topology and strength of effective interactions between logical systems. We show how to choose and generate the required states of logical systems for any desired interaction pattern and topology, how to perform arbitrary logical measurements, and how to obtain full control over single logical systems using only the intrinsic two-body interactions and control of individual physical qubits. This leads to a universal quantum simulator based on logical systems. We discuss the advantages of such a logical quantum simulator over standard ones, including the possibility to reach target topologies that are only accessible with large overheads otherwise. We provide several examples of how to obtain different target interaction patterns and topologies from initial long-ranged or short-ranged qubit-qubit interactions with a specific distance dependence.
Neighborhood Built Environment and Sleep Health: A Longitudinal Study in Low-Income and Predominantly African-American Neighborhoods
Authors: Kim Byoungjun , Troxel Wendy M , Dubowitz Tamara , Hunter Gerald P , Ghosh-Dastidar Bonnie , Chaix Basile , Rudolph Kara E , Morrison Christopher N , Branas Charles C , Duncan Dustin T
Published: January 2023

In the present study, we examined the associations between physical characteristics of neighborhoods and sleep health outcomes and assessed the mediating role of physical activity in these associations. A longitudinal study (the Pittsburgh Hill/Homewood Research on Eating, Shopping, and Health (PHRESH) Zzz Study; n = 1,051) was conducted in 2 low-income, predominately African-American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with repeated measures of neighborhood characteristics and sleep health outcomes from 2013 to 2018. Built environment measures of walkability, urban design, and neighborhood disorder were captured from systematic field observations. Sleep health outcomes included insufficient sleep, sleep duration, wakefulness after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency measured from 7-day actigraphy data. G-computations based on structural nested mean models were used to examine the total effects of each built environment feature, and causal mediation analyses were used to evaluate direct and indirect effects operating through physical activity. Urban design features were associated with decreased wakefulness after sleep onset (risk difference (RD) = −1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): −4.31, −0.33). Neighborhood disorder (RD = −0.46, 95% CI: −0.86, −0.07) and crime rate (RD = −0.54, 95% CI: −0.93, −0.08) were negatively associated with sleep efficiency. Neighborhood walkability was not associated with sleep outcomes. We did not find a strong and consistent mediating role of physical activity. Interventions to improve sleep should target modifiable factors, including urban design and neighborhood disorder.
Vein network redundancy and mechanical resistance mitigate gas exchange losses under simulated herbivory in desert plants
Authors: Duarte Miguel A , Woo Sabrina , Hultine Kevin , Blonder Benjamin , Aparecido Luiza Maria T
Published: January 2023

Herbivory can impact gas exchange, but the causes of interspecific variation in response remain poorly understood. We aimed to determine (1) what effects does experimental herbivory damage to leaf midveins have on leaf gas exchange and, (2) whether changes in leaf gas exchange after damage was predicted by leaf mechanical or venation traits. We hypothesized that herbivory-driven impacts on leaf gas exchange would be mediated by (1a/1b) venation networks, either by more vein resistance, or possibly trading off with other structural defenses; (2a/2b) or more reticulation (resilience, providing more alternate flow pathways after damage) or less reticulation (sectoriality, preventing spread of reduced functionality after damage). We simulated herbivory by damaging the midveins of four leaves from each of nine Sonoran Desert species. We then measured the percent change in photosynthesis (ΔAn%), transpiration (ΔEt%) and stomatal conductance (Δgsw%) between treated and control leaves. We assessed the relationship of each with leaf venation traits and other mechanical traits. ΔAn% varied between +10 % and −55%, similar to ΔEt% (+27%, −54%) and Δgsw% (+36%, −53%). There was no tradeoff between venation and other structural defenses. Increased damage resilience (reduced ΔAn%, ΔEt%, Δgsw%) was marginally associated with lower force-to-tear (P < 0.05), and higher minor vein density (P < 0.10) but not major vein density or reticulation. Leaf venation networks may thus partially mitigate the response of gas exchange to herbivory and other types of vein damage through either resistance or resilience.
Practical implementation and clinical benefits of the new automated dialysate sodium control biosensor
Authors: Maduell Francisco , Broseta José J , Rodríguez-Espinosa Diana , Casals Joaquim , Escudero Victor , Gomez Miquel , Rodas Lida M , Arias-Guillén Marta , Vera Manel , Fontseré Néstor
Published: January 2023

Background

A key feature of dialysis treatment is the prescription of dialysate sodium (Na). This study aimed to describe the practical implementation of a new automated dialysate Na control biosensor and to assess its tolerance and the beneficial clinical effects of isonatraemic dialysis.

Methods

A prospective study was carried out in 86 patients who, along with their usual parameters, received the following five consecutive phases of treatment for 3 weeks each: phase 0: baseline 5008 machine; phases 1 and 2: 6008 machine without activation of the Na control biosensor and the same fixed individualized Na dialysate prescription or adjusted to obtain similar conductivity to phase 0; phases 3 and 4: activated Na control to isonatraemic dialysis (Na dialysate margins 135–141 or 134–142 mmol/L).

Results

When the Na control was activated, the few episodes of cramps or hypotension disappeared when the lower dialysate Na margin was increased by 1 or 2 mmol/L. The activated Na control module showed significant differences compared with baseline and the non-activated Na module in final serum Na values, diffusive Na balance, and changes in pre- to postdialysis plasma Na values. The mean predialysis systolic blood pressure value was significantly lower in phase 4 than in phase 1. There were no significant differences in total Na balance in the four 6008 phases evaluated.

Conclusions

The implementation of the automated dialysate Na control module is a useful new tool, which reduced the diffusive load of Na with good tolerance. The module had the advantages of reducing thirst, interdialytic weight gain and intradialytic plasma Na changes.
Supplementation in vitamin B3 counteracts the negative effects of tryptophan deficiencies in bumble bees
Authors: Tissier M L , Kraus S , Gómez-Moracho T , Lihoreau M
Published: January 2023

Increasing evidence highlights the importance of diet content in nine essential amino acids for bee physiological and behavioural performance. However, the 10th essential amino acid, tryptophan, has been overlooked as its experimental measurement requires a specific hydrolysis. Tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin and vitamin B3, which together modulate cognitive and metabolic functions in most animals. Here, we investigated how tryptophan deficiencies influence the behaviour and survival of bumble bees (Bombus terrestris). Tryptophan-deficient diets led to a moderate increase in food intake, aggressiveness and mortality compared with the control diet. Vitamin B3 supplementation in tryptophan-deficient diets tended to buffer these effects by significantly improving survival and reducing aggressiveness. Considering that the pollens of major crops and common plants, such as corn and dandelion, are deficient in tryptophan, these effects could have a strong impact on bumble bee populations and their pollination service. Our results suggest planting tryptophan and B3 rich species next to tryptophan-deficient crops could support wild bee populations.
Disentangling the effect of measures, variants, and vaccines on SARS-CoV-2 infections in England: a dynamic intensity model
Authors: Boldea Otilia , Cornea-Madeira Adriana , Madeira João
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we estimate the path of daily SARS-CoV-2 infections in England from the beginning of the pandemic until the end of 2021. We employ a dynamic intensity model, where the mean intensity conditional on the past depends both on past intensity of infections and past realized infections. The model parameters are time-varying, and we employ a multiplicative specification along with logistic transition functions to disentangle the time-varying effects of nonpharmaceutical policy interventions, of different variants, and of protection (waning) of vaccines/boosters. Our model results indicate that earlier interventions and vaccinations are key to containing an infection wave. We consider several scenarios that account for more infectious variants and different protection levels of vaccines/boosters. These scenarios suggest that, as vaccine protection wanes, containing a new wave in infections and an associated increase in hospitalizations in the near future may require further booster campaigns and/or nonpharmaceutical interventions.
Left atrial late gadolinium enhancement in patients with ischaemic stroke
Authors: Larsen Bjørn Strøier , Bertelsen Litten , Christensen Hanne , Hadad Rakin , Aplin Mark , Høst Nis , Christensen Louisa Marguerite , Havsteen Inger , Prescott Eva , Dominguez Helena , Jensen Gorm Boje , Vejlstrup Niels , Sajadieh Ahmad
Published: January 2023

Aims

To evaluate the extent of left atrial (LA) fibrosis in patients with a recent stroke without atrial fibrillation and controls without established cardiovascular disease.

Methods and results

This prospectively designed study used cardiac magnetic resonance to detect LA late gadolinium enhancement as a proxy for LA fibrosis. Between 2019 and 2021, we consecutively included 100 patients free of atrial fibrillation with recent ischaemic stroke (<30 days) and 50 age- and sex-matched controls. LA fibrosis assessment was achieved in 78 patients and 45 controls. Blinded to the cardiac magnetic resonance results, strokes were adjudicated according to modified Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification as undetermined aetiology (n = 42) or as attributable to large- or small-vessel disease (n = 36). Patients with stroke had a larger extent of LA fibrosis [6.9%, interquartile range (IQR) 3.6–15.4%] than matched controls (4.2%, IQR 2.3–7.5%; P = 0.007). No differences in LA fibrosis were observed between patients with stroke of undetermined aetiology and those with large- or small-vessel disease (6.6%, IQR 3.8–16.0% vs. 6.9%, IQR 3.4–14.6%; P = 0.73).

Conclusion

LA fibrosis was more extensive in patients with stroke than in age- and sex-matched controls. A similar extent of LA fibrosis was observed in patients with stroke of undetermined aetiology and stroke classified as attributable to large- or small-vessel disease. Our findings suggest that LA structural abnormality is more frequent in patients with stroke than in controls independent of aetiological classification.
Segmentectomy preserves better immune-nutritional status than lobectomy in patients with early-stage lung cancer
Authors: Kamigaichi Atsushi , Mimae Takahiro , Amioka Jun , Aoki Gaku , Yoshimura Kenichi , Kawamoto Nobutaka , Tsubokawa Norifumi , Miyata Yoshihiro , Okada Morihito
Published: January 2023

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the postoperative immune-nutritional status of patients undergoing segmentectomy and lobectomy for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Patients with clinical stage 0–IA non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy were retrospectively analysed. Postoperative immune-nutritional indices (prognostic nutritional index, serum albumin levels and total lymphocyte count) at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after surgery were compared using mixed effects linear models and mixed effects logistic regression models.

RESULTS

There were 164 and 210 patients in the lobectomy and segmentectomy groups, respectively. Postoperative prognostic nutritional index and albumin levels were significantly higher in the segmentectomy group than those in the lobectomy group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), despite the nonsignificant difference in the total lymphocyte count (P = 0.563). In 126 propensity score-matched pairs adjusted for confounding variables affecting postoperative nutritional status, postoperative prognostic nutritional index and albumin levels were significantly higher in the segmentectomy group than in the lobectomy group (P = 0.009 and P = 0.007, respectively). At each time point after surgery, these indices were higher in the segmentectomy group than in the lobectomy group at 1 month, 2 years and 3 years postoperatively. There were significantly more patients with lower immune-nutritional indices (prognostic nutritional index <45, albumin <4.0 g/dl) in the lobectomy group than in the segmentectomy group at 3 years postoperatively (P = 0.026 and P = 0.029, respectively), despite nonsignificant statistical differences throughout the study period (P = 0.219 and P = 0.113, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who underwent segmentectomy showed better postoperative immune-nutritional status than those who underwent lobectomy.
Major cardiovascular events and subsequent risk of kidney failure with replacement therapy: a CKD Prognosis Consortium study
Authors: Mark Patrick B , Carrero Juan J , Matsushita Kunihiro , Sang Yingying , Ballew Shoshana H , Grams Morgan E , Coresh Josef , Surapaneni Aditya , Brunskill Nigel J , Chalmers John , Chan Lili , Chang Alex R , Chinnadurai Rajkumar , Chodick Gabriel , Cirillo Massimo , de Zeeuw Dick , Evans Marie , Garg Amit X , Gutierrez Orlando M , Heerspink Hiddo J L , Heine Gunnar H , Herrington William G , Ishigami Junichi , Kronenberg Florian , Lee Jun Young , Levin Adeera , Major Rupert W , Marks Angharad , Nadkarni Girish N , Naimark David M J , Nowak Christoph , Rahman Mahboob , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Sarnak Mark , Sawhney Simon , Schneider Markus P , Shalev Varda , Shin Jung-Im , Siddiqui Moneeza K , Stempniewicz Nikita , Sumida Keiichi , Valdivielso José M , van den Brand Jan , Yee-Moon Wang Angela , Wheeler David C , Zhang Lihua , Visseren Frank L J , Stengel Benedicte
Published: January 2023

Aims

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Less is known about how CVD associates with future risk of kidney failure with replacement therapy (KFRT).

Methods and results

The study included 25 903 761 individuals from the CKD Prognosis Consortium with known baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and evaluated the impact of prevalent and incident coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF) events as time-varying exposures on KFRT outcomes. Mean age was 53 (standard deviation 17) years and mean eGFR was 89 mL/min/1.73 m2, 15% had diabetes and 8.4% had urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) available (median 13 mg/g); 9.5% had prevalent CHD, 3.2% prior stroke, 3.3% HF, and 4.4% prior AF. During follow-up, there were 269 142 CHD, 311 021 stroke, 712 556 HF, and 605 596 AF incident events and 101 044 (0.4%) patients experienced KFRT. Both prevalent and incident CVD were associated with subsequent KFRT with adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 3.1 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9–3.3], 2.0 (1.9–2.1), 4.5 (4.2–4.9), 2.8 (2.7–3.1) after incident CHD, stroke, HF and AF, respectively. HRs were highest in first 3 months post-CVD incidence declining to baseline after 3 years. Incident HF hospitalizations showed the strongest association with KFRT [HR 46 (95% CI: 43–50) within 3 months] after adjustment for other CVD subtype incidence.

Conclusion

Incident CVD events strongly and independently associate with future KFRT risk, most notably after HF, then CHD, stroke, and AF. Optimal strategies for addressing the dramatic risk of KFRT following CVD events are needed.
Deprescribing Anticholinergic and Sedative Drugs to Reduce Polypharmacy in Frail Older Adults Living in the Community: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jamieson Hamish , Nishtala Prasad S , Bergler Hans Ulrich , Weaver Susan K , Pickering John W , Ailabouni Nagham J , Abey-Nesbit Rebecca , Gullery Carolyn , Deely Joanne , Gee Susan B , Hilmer Sarah N , Mangin Dee
Published: January 2023

Background

Polypharmacy is associated with poor outcomes in older adults. Targeted deprescribing of anticholinergic and sedative medications may improve health outcomes for frail older adults. Our pharmacist-led deprescribing intervention was a pragmatic 2-arm randomized controlled trial stratified by frailty. We compared usual care (control) with the intervention of pharmacists providing deprescribing recommendations to general practitioners.

Methods

Community-based older adults (≥65 years) from 2 New Zealand district health boards were recruited following a standardized interRAI needs assessment. The Drug Burden Index (DBI) was used to quantify the use of sedative and anticholinergic medications for each participant. The trial was stratified into low, medium, and high-frailty. We hypothesized that the intervention would increase the proportion of participants with a reduction in DBI ≥ 0.5 within 6 months.

Results

Of 363 participants, 21 (12.7%) in the control group and 21 (12.2%) in the intervention group had a reduction in DBI ≥ 0.5. The difference in the proportion of −0.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −7.9% to 7.0%) provided no evidence of efficacy for the intervention. Similarly, there was no evidence to suggest the effectiveness of this intervention for participants of any frailty level.

Conclusion

Our pharmacist-led medication review of frail older participants did not reduce the anticholinergic/sedative load within 6 months. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown measures required modification of the intervention. Subgroup analyses pre- and post-lockdown showed no impact on outcomes. Reviewing this and other deprescribing trials through the lens of implementation science may aid an understanding of the contextual determinants preventing or enabling successful deprescribing implementation strategies.
Longitudinal Associations Between Loneliness and Prescription Medication Use
Authors: Lam Jack , Vuolo Michael
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Both loneliness and the use of psychotropic drugs are common in later life. Although loneliness has been found to be associated with psychotropic drug use, most studies have been cross-sectional, and we know less about their longitudinal associations.

Methods

Drawing on five waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study and two statistical approaches (fixed-effects and cross-lagged panel models), we examine longitudinal associations between loneliness and the use of prescription pain and depression/anxiety medications.

Results

Across 57,654 observations among 20,589 respondents, 22.8% reported regular use of pain prescription medications, 17.8% regular use of depression/anxiety prescription medication, and 15.6% feeling lonely in the past week. Loneliness and the use of depression/anxiety medications were associated according to both modeling approaches, net of covariates. In years when a respondent reported feeling lonely, the odds of regular use of depression/anxiety medications were 1.42 times higher (p < .001) than in years when they did not feel lonely. Regarding reciprocation, odds of regular depression/anxiety medication use in a given wave range from 1.3 to 1.5 times higher if loneliness was reported in the prior wave. Likewise, the odds of reporting loneliness in a given wave range from 1.5 to 1.8 times higher if regular depression/anxiety medication was reported in the prior wave.

Discussion

Prior loneliness predicts contemporaneous regular use of depression/anxiety prescription medications. Although this confirms the directional association found in prior studies, we found prior use of depression/anxiety medications is also associated with increased odds of loneliness, suggesting further research is needed to understand mechanisms that explain their associations and potential interventions.
A “poor man’s carriage”: system building and social interactivity in UK urban tramway development, 1860–1890
Authors: Coles Anne-Marie , Clarke Ian , Piterou Athena
Published: January 2023

Large technical systems (LTS) are socially structuring, reconfiguring governance practices and social norms. In this article, socio-technical dynamics that influenced the emergence of UK urban tramways, as examples of local LTS, are investigated, considering the role of dominant discourses in normalizing new systems. It examines how the 1870 Tramways Act attempted to adjudicate between competing interests, which shaped the context for new tramway routes. The concept of system builders is used to explain how new projects recruit public support. This case identifies constraints faced by system builders and indicates that their interaction with prevailing socio-political contexts impacts the system development and stability.
A systematic review of optimal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters for beta-lactam therapy in infective endocarditis
Authors: Robson Christopher , Tan Bryan , Stuart Rhonda , Nicholls Stephen , Rogers Benjamin A , Sandaradura Indy
Published: January 2023

Background

Beta-lactam antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy for most bacterial causes of infective endocarditis (IE). Traditionally considered as agents with a broad therapeutic index, there is increasing recognition that standard doses may be subtherapeutic or toxic in critically ill patients. Optimizing therapy for efficacy requires a defined pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) target associated with clinical and microbiological cure.

Objectives

To elucidate the factors that influence beta-lactam PK and PD variability in IE and to examine optimal PK/PD target parameters for therapy.

Methods

The review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Clinical and laboratory in vivo animal or human studies examining PK and/or PD of beta-lactam antibiotics in IE were eligible. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Registry were searched using defined terms. The Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool was used for assessing risk of bias.

Results

From 2677 abstracts, 62 articles were selected for review and synthesis, comprising: 45 animal studies investigating the broad categories of beta-lactam diffusion into vegetations, PK/PD determinants of outcome, mode of antibiotic delivery and synergistic impact of agents; and 17 human studies totalling 347 participants. Findings supported the importance of time-dependent killing for beta-lactams but heterogeneous data limited the determination of an optimal PK/PD target for IE treatment.

Conclusion

Beta-lactam PK and PD in endocarditis are variable and specific to the particular antibiotic-organism combination. Time-dependent killing is important, consistent with non-endocarditis studies, but there is little agreement on optimal drug exposure. Clinical studies examining PK/PD targets in endocarditis are required to further inform drug selection and dosing.
In Memoriam: Robert K. Wayne, a pioneer of evolutionary genomics for wildlife with an emphasis on endangered species
Authors: vonHoldt Bridgett M , Schweizer Rena M , Stahler Daniel , Robinson Jacqueline A , Pires Debra , Koepfli Klaus-Peter
Published: January 2023

Robert (Bob) Keith Wayne lost his battle with cancer in his home on 26 December 2022 with his wife, Dr. Blaire Van Valkenburgh, by his side. This essay, written by his former graduate students, highlights the foundation that survives Bob and our vision of continuing his efforts in building a future for endangered species.
COVID-19 severity by vaccination status in the NCI COVID-19 and Cancer Patients Study (NCCAPS)
Authors: Best Ana F , Bowman Melissa , Li Jessica , Mishkin Grace E , Denicoff Andrea , Shekfeh Marwa , Rubinstein Larry , Warner Jeremy L , Rini Brian , Korde Larissa A
Published: January 2023

We investigated the association of SARS CoV-2 vaccination with COVID-19 severity in a longitudinal study of adult cancer patients with COVID-19. A total of 1610 patients who were within 14 days of an initial positive SARS CoV-2 test and had received recent anticancer treatment or had a history of stem cell transplant or CAR-T cell therapy were enrolled between May 21, 2020, and February 1, 2022. Patients were considered fully vaccinated if they were 2 weeks past their second dose of mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273) or a single dose of adenovirus vector vaccine (Ad26.COV2.S) at the time of positive SARS CoV-2 test. We defined severe COVID-19 disease as hospitalization for COVID-19 or death within 30 days. Vaccinated patients were significantly less likely to develop severe disease compared with those who were unvaccinated (odds ratio = 0.44, 95% confidence interval = 0.28 to 0.72, P < .001). These results support COVID-19 vaccination among cancer patients receiving active immunosuppressive treatment.
The status of digital pathology and associated infrastructure within Alzheimer’s Disease Centers
Authors: Scalco Rebeca , Hamsafar Yamah , White Charles L , Schneider Julie A , Reichard Robert Ross , Prokop Stefan , Perrin Richard J , Nelson Peter T , Mooney Sean , Lieberman Andrew P , Kukull Walter A , Kofler Julia , Keene Christopher Dirk , Kapasi Alifiya , Irwin David J , Gutman David A , Flanagan Margaret E , Crary John F , Chan Kwun C , Murray Melissa E , Dugger Brittany N
Published: January 2023

Digital pathology (DP) has transformative potential, especially for Alzheimer disease and related disorders. However, infrastructure barriers may limit adoption. To provide benchmarks and insights into implementation barriers, a survey was conducted in 2019 within National Institutes of Health’s Alzheimer’s Disease Centers (ADCs). Questions covered infrastructure, funding sources, and data management related to digital pathology. Of the 35 ADCs to which the survey was sent, 33 responded. Most respondents (81%) stated that their ADC had digital slide scanner access, with the most frequent brand being Aperio/Leica (62.9%). Approximately a third of respondents stated there were fees to utilize the scanner. For DP and machine learning (ML) resources, 41% of respondents stated none was supported by their ADC. For scanner purchasing and operations, 50% of respondents stated they received institutional support. Some were unsure of the file size of scanned digital images (37%) and total amount of storage space files occupied (50%). Most (76%) were aware of other departments at their institution working with ML; a similar (76%) percentage were unaware of multiuniversity or industry partnerships. These results demonstrate many ADCs have access to a digital slide scanner; additional investigations are needed to further understand hurdles to implement DP and ML workflows.
Collective argumentation with topological restrictions: the case of aggregating abstract argumentation frameworks
Authors: Chen Weiwei
Published: January 2023

Collective argumentation is the process of reaching a collective decision that is acceptable to the group in a debate. We introduce the notion of topological restriction to enrich the study of collective argumentation. Topological restrictions are rational constraints assumed to be satisfied by individual agents. We assume that in a debate, for every pair of arguments under consideration, every agent indicates whether the first argument attacks the second, i.e. an agent’s argumentative stance is characterized as an argumentation framework, and only argumentation frameworks that satisfy topological restrictions are allowed. The topological restrictions we consider in this paper include various topological properties in the literature, such as acyclicity, symmetry, coherence and determinedness, as well as three topological restrictions that generalize classic social-choice-theoretic domain conditions. We show that when the profile of the argumentation frameworks provided by the agents satisfies topological restrictions, impossibility results during aggregation can be avoided. Furthermore, if a profile is topologically restricted with respect to restrictions that generalize domain conditions, then the majority rule preserves several desirable properties during aggregation.
Spectrophotometric analysis of magnetic white dwarf – I. Hydrogen-rich compositions
Authors: Hardy François , Dufour Patrick , Jordan Stefan
Published: January 2023

We present a homogeneous analysis of all DA stars labelled as magnetic in the Montreal White Dwarf Database. Our sample is restricted to almost all known magnetic white dwarf showing clear sign of splitting (B ≳ 1–2 MG) that have parallax measurements from the second Gaia data release, photometric data from diverse surveys and spectroscopic data from Sloan Digital Sky Survey or archival data from the Montreal group. We determine the atmospheric parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity, and magnetic field strength/geometry) of all objects using state-of-the-art model atmosphere/magnetic synthetic spectra, as well as reclassify many objects that were prematurely labelled as potentially magnetic. Finally, we discuss the atmospheric parameters/field properties distribution as well as the implication on our understanding of magnetic white dwarfs origin and evolution.
Measuring the streaming motion in the Milky Way disc with Gaia EDR3+
Authors: Khanna Shourya , Sharma Sanjib , Bland-Hawthorn Joss , Hayden Michael
Published: January 2023

We map the 3D kinematics of the Galactic disc out to 3.5 kpc from the Sun, and within 0.75 kpc from the mid-plane of the Galaxy. To this end, we combine high-quality astrometry from Gaia EDR3, with heliocentric line-of-sight velocities from Gaia DR2, and spectroscopic surveys including APOGEE, GALAH, and LAMOST. We construct an axisymmetric model for the mean velocity field, and subtract this on a star-by-star basis to obtain the residual velocity field in the Galactocentric components (Vϕ, VR, Vz), and Vlos. The velocity residuals are quantified using the power spectrum, and we find that the peak power (A/[km s−1]) in the mid-plane (|z| < 0.25 kpc) is (Aϕ, AR, AZ, Alos) = (4.2,8.5,2.6,4.6), at 0.25 < |z|/[kpc] < 0.5, is (Aϕ, AR, AZ, Alos) = (4.0,7.9,3.6,5.3), and at 0.5 < |z|/[kpc] < 0.75, is (Aϕ, AR, AZ, Alos) = (1.9,6.9,5.2,6.4). Our results provide a sophisticated measurement of the streaming motion in the disc and in the individual components. We find that streaming is most significant in VR, and at all heights (|Z|) probed, but is also non-negligible in other components. Additionally, we find that patterns in velocity field overlap spatially with models for spiral arms in the Galaxy. Our simulations show that phase-mixing of disrupting spiral arms can generate such residuals in the velocity field, where the radial component is dominant, just as in real data. We also find that with time evolution, both the amplitude and physical scale of the residual motion decrease.
The role of Pop III stars and early black holes in the 21-cm signal from Cosmic Dawn
Authors: Ventura Emanuele M , Trinca Alessandro , Schneider Raffaella , Graziani Luca , Valiante Rosa , Wyithe J Stuart B
Published: January 2023

Modeling the 21-cm global signal from the Cosmic Dawn is challenging due to the many poorly constrained physical processes that come into play. We address this problem using the semi-analytical code ‘Cosmic Archaeology Tool’ (cat). cat follows the evolution of dark matter haloes tracking their merger history and provides an ab initio description of their baryonic evolution, starting from the formation of the first (Pop III) stars and black holes (BHs) in mini-haloes at z > 20. The model is anchored to observations of galaxies and AGN at z < 6 and predicts a reionization history consistent with constraints. In this work, we compute the evolution of the mean global 21-cm signal between 4 ≤ z ≤ 40 based on the rate of formation and emission properties of stars and accreting BHs. We obtain an absorption profile with a maximum depth δTb = −95 mK at z ∼ 26.5 (54 MHz). This feature is quickly suppressed turning into an emission signal at z = 20 due to the contribution of accreting BHs that efficiently heat the intergalactic medium (IGM) at z < 27. The high-z absorption feature is caused by the early coupling between the spin and kinetic temperature of the IGM induced by Pop III star formation episodes in mini-haloes. Once we account for an additional radio background from early BHs, we are able to reproduce the timing and the depth of the EDGES signal only if we consider a smaller X-ray background from accreting BHs, but not the shape.
The photometric periods of rapidly rotating field ultra-cool dwarfs
Authors: Miles-Páez Paulo A , Metchev Stanimir A , George Benjamin
Published: January 2023

We use 1-m-class telescopes and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to explore the photometric variability of all known rapidly rotating (vsin i ≳ 30 km s−1) ultra-cool (≥M7) dwarfs brighter than I ≈ 17.5 mag. For a sample of 13 M7–L1.5 dwarfs without prior photometric periods, we obtained I-band light curves with the SMARTS 1.3-m and WIYN 0.9-m telescopes and detected rotation-modulated photometric variability in three of them. Seven of our targets were also observed by TESS and six of them show significant periodicities compatible with the estimated rotation periods of the targets. We investigate the potential of TESS to search for rotation-modulated photometric variability in ultra-cool dwarfs and find that its long stare enables <80-h periodic variations to be retrieved with ≤1 per cent amplitudes for ultra-cool dwarfs up to a TESS magnitude of 16.5. We combine these results with the periods of all other known photometrically periodic ultra-cool dwarfs from the literature, and find that the periods of ultra-cool dwarfs range between 1 and 24 h, although the upper limit is likely an observational bias. We also observe that the minimum rotation periods follow a lower envelope that runs from ≈2 h at spectral type ≈M8 to ≈1 h at spectral type T.
Evolutionary implications of a magnetar interpretation for GLEAM-X J162759.5–523504.3
Authors: Suvorov Arthur G , Melatos Andrew
Published: January 2023

The radio pulsar GLEAM-X J162759.5–523504.3 has an extremely long spin period ($P = 1091.17\, \mbox{s}$), and yet seemingly continues to spin-down rapidly ($\dot{P} < 1.2 \times 10^{-9}\, \mbox{ss}^{-1}$). The magnetic field strength that is implied, if the source is a neutron star undergoing magnetic dipole braking, could exceed $10^{16}\, \mbox{G}$. This object may therefore be the most magnetized neutron star observed to date. In this paper, a critical analysis of a magnetar interpretation for the source is provided. (i) A minimum polar magnetic field strength of $B \sim 5 \times 10^{15}\, \mbox{G}$ appears to be necessary for the star to activate as a radio pulsar, based on conventional ‘death valley’ assumptions. (ii) Back-extrapolation from magnetic braking and Hall–plastic–Ohm decay suggests that a large angularize momentum reservoir was available at birth to support intense field amplification. (iii) The observational absence of X-rays constrains the star’s field strength and age, as the competition between heating from field decay and Urca cooling implies a surface luminosity as a function of time. If the object is an isolated, young ($\sim 10\, \mbox{kyr}$) magnetar with a present-day field strength of $B \gtrsim 10^{16}\, \mbox{G}$, the upper limit ($\approx 10^{30}\, \mbox{erg s}^{-1}$) set on its thermal luminosity suggests it is cooling via a direct Urca mechanism.
New aspects of clinical and immunological characteristics in patients with anti-asparaginyl tRNA synthetase (anti-KS) autoantibody
Authors: Hosono Yuji , Ishii Akira , Izumi Yuto , Sasaki Noriko , Nogi Shinichi , Yamada Chiho , Sato Shinji
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Anti-asparaginyl tRNA synthetase (anti-KS) antibody is present in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) accompanied by polymyositis/dermatomyositis. We examined clinical/immunological features of these patients.

Methods

Polymyositis/dermatomyositis or ILD patients were screened for autoantibodies, and clinical/immunological data were collected retrospectively. ILD was diagnosed by computed tomography, and clinical/immunological features of anti-KS-positive patients were compared with those of anti-Jo-1-positive patients.

Results

Sixteen anti-KS-positive patients [female = 11; male = 5; average age 63.6 years (range, 40–81) years] were diagnosed: seven had ILD, four had clinically amyopathic DM (CADM) and ILD, three had Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and ILD one each had rheumatoid arthritis and ILD, or CADM/SS overlap and ILD. All patients had ILD with chronic onset and clinical course; 11/16 (69%) had nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, and five (31%) had usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Regarding skin manifestations, 4 (27%) had typical DM rash and 11 (69%) had mechanic’s hands. All anti-KS-positive patients had no clinical muscle weakness or serum creatine kinase elevation; 8/16 patients (50%) had sicca symptoms at a significantly high frequency compared with anti-Jo-1-positive patients (50% vs 11%, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Anti-KS-positive patients might form a distinguishable subset closely associated with sicca symptoms, CADM and chronic-type ILD with a relatively favourable prognosis.
Crystallization and Solidification of Poikilitic and Granular Rocks in the Ultramafic Sequence of the Xinjie Layered Intrusion (SW China): Constraints from Complex Growth Zoning of Clinopyroxene and Spatial Variation of Dihedral Angles
Authors: Cao Yonghua , Xing Chang-Ming , Wang Christina Yan
Published: January 2023

Crystallization and solidification pathways in crustal magma chambers control the chemical and textural evolution of igneous rocks. However, deciphering these codes from completely solidified cumulates is challenging and requires a full understanding of growth processes of minerals and textures of rocks. In this study, we collected samples from a ca. 380-m-thick drill core intersecting the ultramafic sequence of the Xinjie layered intrusion in SW China, which is composed of wehrlite with poikilitic clinopyroxene (Cpx), and clinopyroxenite and olivine clinopyroxenite with euhedral to subhedral Cpx grains. Using micro-X-ray fluorescence and electron probe micro-analyzer mapping techniques, we found that the Cpx grains in clinopyroxenite and olivine clinopyroxenite are characterized by sector-zoned, Cr-rich cores, whereas the Cpx oikocrysts in wehrlite only show Cr-rich cores without sector zoning. The sector-zoned cores of the Cpx grains are widespread in clinopyroxenite and olivine clinopyroxenite and consist of Si–Mg-rich hourglass sectors and Cr–Al–Ti-rich prism sectors, indicating rapid growth of the Cpx grains due to moderate degrees of undercooling, which may be induced by fast cooling during initial emplacement of Cpx-saturated magma into cold country rocks. The sector-zoned Cpx grains thus likely constructed the initial crystal framework in the magma chamber. In contrast, the absence of sector zoning in Cr-rich cores of the Cpx oikocrysts indicates that an olivine-saturated magma may have intruded a high-temperature, Cpx-laden crystal mush so that magma undercooling was significantly reduced or eliminated and no sector zoning developed in the Cpx oikocrysts. Such a process may also result in the spatial variation of the medians of Cpx–Cpx–plagioclase dihedral angles (Θccp) in clinopyroxenite, which shows a significant reduction from an original impingement angle of ~60° in the middle and upper parts to ~40° in the basal part of the sequence. The reduction of Θccp could be attributed to melt-present textural equilibration in the Cpx-laden mush that was sustained by additional heat supplied by massive olivine-saturated melt input in the ~40-m-thick basal part. Here, we propose that the ultramafic sequence of the Xinjie layered intrusion may have formed by the intrusion of primitive, olivine-saturated magma into an early-formed Cpx-laden mush in a manner of sill-like sheets. This study provides new perspectives on the early history of a magma chamber and emphasizes the role of sill intrusion of primitive magmas into crystal mush in the formation of ultramafic sequences in layered intrusions, which has been relatively overlooked in previous studies.
Defining the lipidome of Arabidopsis leaf mitochondria: Specific lipid complement and biosynthesis capacity
Authors: Liu Yi-Tse , Senkler Jennifer , Herrfurth Cornelia , Braun Hans-Peter , Feussner Ivo
Published: January 2023

Mitochondria are often considered as the power stations of the cell, playing critical roles in various biological processes such as cellular respiration, photosynthesis, stress responses, and programmed cell death. To maintain the structural and functional integrities of mitochondria, it is crucial to achieve a defined membrane lipid composition between different lipid classes wherein specific proportions of individual lipid species are present. Although mitochondria are capable of self-synthesizing a few lipid classes, many phospholipids are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum and transferred to mitochondria via membrane contact sites, as mitochondria are excluded from the vesicular transportation pathway. However, knowledge on the capability of lipid biosynthesis in mitochondria and the precise mechanism of maintaining the homeostasis of mitochondrial lipids is still scarce. Here we describe the lipidome of mitochondria isolated from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves, including the molecular species of glycerolipids, sphingolipids, and sterols, to depict the lipid landscape of mitochondrial membranes. In addition, we define proteins involved in lipid metabolism by proteomic analysis and compare our data with mitochondria from cell cultures since they still serve as model systems. Proteins putatively localized to the membrane contact sites are proposed based on the proteomic results and online databases. Collectively, our results suggest that leaf mitochondria are capable—with the assistance of membrane contact site-localized proteins—of generating several lipid classes including phosphatidylethanolamines, cardiolipins, diacylgalactosylglycerols, and free sterols. We anticipate our work to be a foundation to further investigate the functional roles of lipids and their involvement in biochemical reactions in plant mitochondria.