bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping the distribution and tree canopy cover of Jacaranda mimosifolia and Platanus × acerifolia in Johannesburg’s urban forest
Authors: Newete Solomon W. , Abutaleb Khaled , Byrne Marcus J.
Published: April 2022

This study investigated the distribution and the tree canopy cover (TCC) of the two most prominent street trees (Jacaranda mimosifoliaandPlatanus×acerifolia) in Johannesburg, using the multispectral SPOT 6 satellite data and field survey GPS points. The importance of the spectral bands (Blue, Green, Red and NIR) and the NDVI index in discriminating between the tree species was quantified using five separability indices (Divergence, Bhattacharyya, Transformed Divergence, Jeffries-Matusita and M-statistic). The visual comparison of the Blue band and the NDVI histograms between the two species and other vegetation type showed the lowest feature overlap, suggesting the highest separability between paired classes. This was further supported by the highest Divergence value for the Blue band (3.68) and NDVI index (2.48) followed by the M-statistic (0.8 and 0.73, respectively) indicating good to moderate separability between the two species, respectively. The results were also consistent with the RF classification where the Blue band and NDVI index were the most important variables for the discrimination between the two species with an overall accuracy of 88% (kappa = 8). The TCC ofJ. mimosifoliaandP.×acerifoliaconstituted 38% of the total vegetation cover in the city. These findings not only would help prioritize the increase of targeted vegetation cover in low cover areas, but will also provide a valuable information for assessment and protection of vulnerable species such asP.×acerifoliafrom the threat of the polyphagous shot hole borer,Euwallacea fornicatusin Johannesburg.
A glibenclamide-sensitive TRPM4-mediated component of CA1 excitatory postsynaptic potentials appears in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Fearey Brenna C. , Binkle Lars , Mensching Daniel , Schulze Christian , Lohr Christian , Friese Manuel A. , Oertner Thomas G. , Gee Christine E.
Published: April 2022

The transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channel contributes to disease severity in the murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis and to neuronal cell death in models of excitotoxicity and traumatic brain injury. As TRPM4 is activated by intracellular calcium and conducts monovalent cations, we hypothesized that TRPM4 may contribute to and boost excitatory synaptic transmission in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus. Using single-spine calcium imaging and electrophysiology, we found no effect of the TRPM4 antagonists 9-phenanthrol and glibenclamide on synaptic transmission in hippocampal slices from healthy mice. In contrast, glibenclamide but not 9-phenanthrol reduced excitatory synaptic potentials in slices from EAE mice, an effect that was absent in slices from EAE mice lacking TRPM4. We conclude that TRPM4 plays little role in basal hippocampal synaptic transmission, but a glibenclamide-sensitive TRPM4-mediated contribution to excitatory postsynaptic responses is upregulated at the acute phase of EAE.
A methanolic extract of Zanthoxylum bungeanum modulates secondary metabolism regulator genes in Aspergillus flavus and shuts down aflatoxin production
Authors: Abbas Asmaa , Wright Colin W. , El-Sawi Nagwa , Yli-Mattila Tapani , Malinen Anssi M.
Published: April 2022

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a food-borne toxin produced by Aspergillus flavus and a few similar fungi. Natural anti-aflatoxigenic compounds are used as alternatives to chemical fungicides to prevent AFB1 accumulation. We found that a methanolic extract of the food additive Zanthoxylum bungeanum shuts down AFB1 production in A. flavus. A methanol sub-fraction (M20) showed the highest total phenolic/flavonoid content and the most potent antioxidant activity. Mass spectrometry analyses identified four flavonoids in M20: quercetin, epicatechin, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, and hyperoside. The anti-aflatoxigenic potency of M20 (IC50: 2–4 µg/mL) was significantly higher than its anti-proliferation potency (IC50: 1800–1900 µg/mL). RNA-seq data indicated that M20 triggers significant transcriptional changes in 18 of 56 secondary metabolite pathways in A. flavus, including repression of the AFB1 biosynthesis pathway. Expression of aflR, the specific activator of the AFB1 pathway, was not changed by M20 treatment, suggesting that repression of the pathway is mediated by global regulators. Consistent with this, the Velvet complex, a prominent regulator of secondary metabolism and fungal development, was downregulated. Decreased expression of the conidial development regulators brlA and Medusa, genes that orchestrate redox responses, and GPCR/oxylipin-based signal transduction further suggests a broad cellular response to M20. Z. bungeanum extracts may facilitate the development of safe AFB1 control strategies.
Age-related differences in visual confidence are driven by individual differences in cognitive control capacities
Authors: Klever Lena , Mamassian Pascal , Billino Jutta
Published: April 2022

Visual perception is not only shaped by sensitivity but also by confidence, i.e., the ability to estimate the accuracy of a visual decision. Younger observers have been reported to have access to a reliable measure of their own uncertainty when making visual decisions. This metacognitive ability might be challenged during ageing due to increasing sensory noise and decreasing cognitive control resources. We investigated age effects on visual confidence using a visual contrast discrimination task and a confidence forced-choice paradigm. Younger adults (19–38 years) showed significantly lower discrimination thresholds than older adults (60–78 years). To focus on confidence sensitivity above and beyond differences in discrimination performance, we estimated confidence efficiency that reflects the ability to distinguish good from bad perceptual decisions. Confidence efficiency was estimated by comparing thresholds obtained from all trials and trials that were judged with relatively higher confidence, respectively. In both age groups, high confidence judgments were associated with better visual performance, but confidence efficiency was reduced in older adults. However, we observed substantial variability across all participants. Controlling for age group, confidence effciency was closely linked to individual differences in cognitive control capacities. Our findings provide evidence for age-related differences in confidence efficiency that present a specific challenge to perceptual performance in old age. We propose that these differences are driven by cognitive control capacities, supporting their crucial role for metacognitive efficiency.
Decoding herbal materials of TCM preparations with the multi-barcode sequencing approach
Authors: Yao Qi , Zhu Xue , Han Maozhen , Chen Chaoyun , Li Wei , Bai Hong , Ning Kang
Published: April 2022

With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technology, approaches for assessing biological ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) preparations have also advanced. Using a multi-barcode sequencing approach, all biological ingredients could be identified from TCM preparations in theory, as long as their DNA is present. The biological ingredients of several classical TCM preparations were analyzed successfully based on this approach in previous studies. However, the universality, sensitivity and reliability of this approach on a diverse set of TCM preparations remain unclear. In this study, we selected four representative TCM preparations, namely Bazhen Yimu Wan, Da Huoluo Wan, Niuhuang Jiangya Wan, and You Gui Wan, for concrete assessment of the multi-barcode sequencing approach. Based on ITS2 andtrnLbiomarkers, we have successfully detected the prescribed herbal materials (PHMs) in these representative TCM preparations (minimum sensitivity: 77.8%, maximum sensitivity: 100%). The results based on ITS2 have also shown higher reliability thantrnLat species level, while their combination could provide higher sensitivity and reliability. The multi-barcode sequencing approach has shown good universality, sensitivity and reliability in decoding these four representative TCM preparations. In the omics big-data era, this work has undoubtedly made one step forward for applying multi-barcode sequencing approach in PHMs analysis of TCM preparation, towards better digitization and modernization of drug quality control.
Red-seaweed biostimulants differentially alleviate the impact of fungicidal stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Banakar Sahana N. , PrasannaKumar M. K. , Mahesh H. B. , Parivallal P. Buela , Puneeth M. E. , Gautam Chirag , Pramesh D. , Shiva Kumara T. N. , Girish T. R. , Nori Sailaja , Narayan Shrikumar Surya
Published: April 2022

Red seaweed-derived biostimulants facilitate plant health and impart protection against abiotic stress conditions by their bioactive compounds and plant nutrients. The potency of red seaweed biostimulants (LBS6 and LBD1) on rice cv. IR-64 in response to fungicides induced stress was investigated in this study. Foliar application of LBS6 maintained the stomatal opening and leaf temperature under the fungicidal stress condition. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals were significantly reduced in LBS6-treated stressed plants. After applying seaweed biostimulants, ROS production was stabilized by antioxidants viz., CAT, APX, SOD, POD, and GR. LBS-6 application increased the Ca+ and K+ levels in the stressed plants, which perhaps interacted with ROS and stomatal opening signalling systems, respectively. In the rice plants, fungicidal stress elevated the expression of stress-responsive transcriptional factors (E2F, HSFA2A, HSFB2B, HSFB4C, HSFC1A, and ZIP12). A decline in the transcript levels of stress-responsive genes was recorded in seaweed treated plants. For the first time, we present an integrative investigation of physicochemical and molecular components to describe the mechanism by which seaweed biostimulants in rice improve plant health under fungicidal stress conditions.
Diagnostic ability and sectoral structure–function relationship of circumpapillary and macular superficial vessel density in early glaucomatous eyes
Authors: Akiyama Kaho , Saito Hitomi , Shirato Shiroaki , Iwase Aiko , Sugimoto Koichiro , Fujishiro Takashi , Murata Hiroshi , Sakata Rei , Honjo Megumi , Aihara Makoto
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic ability and sectoral structure function relationship of circumpapillary vessel density (cpVD) and macular vessel density (mVD) with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in early glaucomatous (EG) eyes. 224 EG eyes of 167 patients (mean deviation (MD) > − 6 dB) and 70 normal eyes of 70 subjects were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study. All patients underwent OCT and OCTA scanning. Diagnostic abilities were evaluated with area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC). Structure function relationships of superior, inferior and Garway-Heath sectoral values with its corresponding visual field (VF) sensitivity were determined using linear mixed models. AUROCs were 0.798, 0.621, 0.876 and 0.835 for cpVD, mVD, circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, respectively. AUROC of cpVD was significantly lower than cpRNFLT (P = 0.010) and higher than mVD (P < 0.001). All Garway-Heath sectors of cpVD significantly correlated with its corresponding VF sensitivity except for the nasal sector. MVD also showed significant structure function relationship and the correlations were stronger in the perifoveal region (6 mm annulus) than in the parafoveal region (3 mm annulus). CpVD demonstrated moderate diagnostic ability and both cpVD and mVD demonstrated significant association with VF sensitivity in EG eyes.
Experimental modelling studies on the removal of dyes and heavy metal ions using ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyu , Baharinikoo Leila , Farahani Meysam Davoodabadi , Mahdizadeh Bentolhoda , Farizhandi Amir Abbas Kazemzadeh
Published: April 2022

The presence of dyes and heavy metals in water sources as pollutants is harmful to human and animal health. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) nanoparticles (ZF-NPs) due to their outstanding properties including cost-effectiveness, availability, and applicability for removal of auramine O (AO), methylene blue (MB), and Cd (II). The effect of the main operating parameters such as AO concentration, MB concentration, Cd (II) concentration, adsorbent amount, solution pH, and sonication time was optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM). Optimal conditions were obtained at adsorbent amount of 0.25 g, pH = 6, sonication time of 15 min, and concentration of 15 mg L−1, and more than 91.56% were removed from all three analytes. The adsorption of AO, MB, and Cd (II) onto ZF-NPs followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the equilibrium data fitted well with Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities of ZF-NPs for AO, MB and Cd (II) were as high as 201.29 mg g−1, 256.76 mg g−1 and 152.48 mg g−1, respectively. Also, the reuse of the adsorbent was investigated, and it was found that the adsorbent can be used for up to five cycles. Based on the results of interference studies, it was found that different ions do not have a significant effect on the removal of AO, MB, and Cd (II) in optimal conditions. The ZF-NPs was investigated successfully to remove AO, MB, and Cd (II) from environmental water samples. The results of this study showed that ZF-NPs can be used as a suitable adsorbent to remove AO, MB, and Cd (II) from aqueous solution.
Single-cell droplet microfluidics for biomedical applications
Authors: Liu Dan , Sun Meilin , Zhang Jinwei , Hu Rui , Fu Wenzhu , Xuanyuan Tingting , Liu Wenming
Published: April 2022

This review focuses on the recent advances in the fundamentals of single-cell droplet microfluidics and its applications in biomedicine, providing insights into design and establishment of single-cell microsystems and their further performance.
Controlling spontaneous chirality in achiral materials: liquid crystal oligomers and the heliconical twist-bend nematic phase
Authors: Majewska M. M. , Forsyth E. , Pociecha D. , Wang C. , Storey J. M. D. , Imrie C. T. , Gorecka E.
Published: April 2022

Liquid crystal oligomers, namely dimers, trimers and tetramers, consisting of cyanobiphenyl and benzylideneaniline-based mesogenic units connected by either linear or bent alkoxy or alkyl spacers are reported.
The application of physics-informed neural networks to hydrodynamic voltammetry
Authors: Chen Haotian , Kätelhön Enno , Compton Richard G.
Published: April 2022

Electrochemical problems are widely studied in flowing systems since the latter offer improved sensitivity notably for electro-analysis and the possibility of steady-state measurements for fundamental studies even with macro-electrodes.
Scalable synthesis of hydroxyl-functionalized boron nanosheets for high ion-conductive solid-state electrolyte applications
Authors: Cai Chengjie , Xiong Fei , Dong Mengwei , Tao Yaquan , Xiong Jinxin , Song Chunyuan , Chao Jie , Li Pan , Huang Xiao , Li Shaozhou
Published: April 2022

A hydroxyl-functionalized boron nanosheet is developed as the filler material for the solid-state electrolyte (SSE) of lithium batteries.
Modelling reaction kinetics of distonic radical ions: a systematic investigation of phenyl-type radical addition to unsaturated hydrocarbons
Authors: Shiels Oisin J. , Turner Jack A. , Kelly P. D. , Blanksby Stephen J. , da Silva Gabriel , Trevitt Adam J.
Published: April 2022

We measure second-order rate coefficients for a suite of radical-ion reactions involving unsaturated hydrocarbons (C2H2 and C2H4), and report our efforts to develop an accurate modelling framework using a Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus theory Master Equation approach.
Synthesis of indenophenanthridine via a [4+2] annulation strategy: a “turn-off’’ Fe3+ ion sensor, practical application in live cell imaging and reversible acidochromism studies
Authors: Jamuna Kannan , Thimmarayaperumal Solaimalai , Aravind Manikka Kubendran , Sivakumar Shanmugam , Ashokkumar Balasubramaniem
Published: April 2022

An efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of a novel fluorescent probe, 1,2-disubstituted-indeno[1,2,3-gh]phenanthridine, derived from a series of α-oxo-ketene dithioacetals (OKDTAs) and indenoquinoline under essential conditions via a [4+2] annulation in excellent yield.
All-visible-light triggered solid-state dual-color fluorescence switching of phenanthroimidazole-based bisthienylethene
Authors: Yan Qing , Qiao Zhu , Zhao Weizhen , Ren Jun , Wang Yun , Yang Wanmei , Wang Sheng
Published: April 2022

All-visible-light triggered dual-color fluorescent switching was achieved in solid state, while on/off fluorescent switching was demonstrated in solution.
Resilient predictive control strategy of cyber–physical systems against FDI attack
Authors: He Ning , Ma Kai , Li Huiping
Published: April 2022

Self‐triggered control strategy has been widely applied in cyber–physical systems, which are unavoidable to suffer various malicious cyber‐attacks. This paper is aimed at solving the cyber security problem of self‐triggered model predictive control in cyber–physical systems under false data injection attack, and a resilient control strategy is proposed based on control signal reconstruction. Firstly, the continuous control signal is discretely sampled at the controller side, and the key data samples are determined and protected. Then, the discretised control samples are transmitted through the network channel, based on which the control signal is reconstructed at the controlled system side according to a preset mode. It is further theoretically proved that the control signals reconstructed from the critical control samples can guarantee the feasibility and stability of the control system against the FDI attacks. Finally, a simulation verification on a robot system is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Microneedling Device for Treating Wrinkles on the Neck
Authors: Alqam Mona , Wamsley Christine E , Hitchcock Thomas , Jones Brian C , Akgul Yucel , Kenkel Jeffrey M
Published: April 2022

Background

A microneedling pen has been cleared by the US FDA and is indicated for improving the appearance of facial acne scars in adults.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this microneedling pen for treating wrinkles. This paper focuses on the results on the neck, an area of recent importance with video meetings placing physical stress on the neck area, leading to wrinkles.

Methods

Healthy adult men and women were enrolled (N = 35). Subjects received 4 monthly microneedling procedures at depths of up to 2.5 mm. Wrinkle assessments were performed by 2 trained blinded raters by comparing images of each subject at baseline and at 90 days postprocedure. The 2 raters were unblinded for the Clinician’s Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale assessment. Subjects completed the Subject’s Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and a questionnaire regarding satisfaction with the treated areas of the face and neck at 30 and 90 days posttreatment.

Results

The study was completed by 32 subjects. Wrinkle assessments demonstrated significant improvement in the neck areas (P < 0.001). Both Global Aesthetic Improvement Scales showed significant improvements at 90 days posttreatment (P < 0.001). Most subjects reported some level of improvement in their appearance at 30 days (73.3%) and 90 days (68.8%) posttreatment. The satisfaction questionnaire showed high levels of improvement in wrinkles (93.8%), satisfaction with the results (87.5%), and would recommend microneedling to friends and family members (80.6%).

Conclusions

Microneedling is a viable, minimally invasive option for treating wrin kles of the neck.

Level of Evidence: 4
Exploring the Potential Mechanisms of Action of the Mindfulness-based Social Work and Self-care Programme
Authors: Maddock Alan , McCusker Pearse
Published: April 2022

The mindfulness-based social work and self-care (MBSWSC) programme was created in order to support social work students and practitioners to develop enhanced social work and self-care skills. This programme was found to improve feelings of stress, anxiety, mental well-being and burnout of thirty social work students. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was chosen in order to generate a comprehensive understanding of what the potential mechanisms of action of MBSWSC might be. Data were collected using validated quantitative measures and through an open-ended qualitative questionnaire. The quantitative data were analysed using regression analyses. The qualitative data were thematically analysed. Though this study contains limitations, it’s results suggest that social work student stress, feelings of burnout, anxiety and wellbeing can be improved by supporting students to develop approach-oriented stress coping skills and capacities in acceptance, mindfulness, self-compassion, non-attachment, attention regulation/decentering and non-aversion. This study suggests that these skills and capacities can work individually or collectively to directly improve these outcomes and also indirectly by reducing a student’s tendency to think negatively when they are stressed. The results provide some preliminary evidence on what the mechanisms of MBSWSC might be, enhancing our understanding of how mindfulness-based programmes might achieve positive outcomes.
Kin Networks and Institutional Development
Authors: Schulz Jonathan F
Published: April 2022

This study provides evidence that strong kin networks are detrimental for democratic participatory institutions and that the medieval Catholic Church's marriage regulations dissolved Europe's clan-based kin networks, which contributed to the emergence of participatory institutions. I show that weak ancestral kin networks are positively associated with ethnicities’ democratic traditions in the past and countries’ democracy scores today. At the same time, medieval Church exposure predicts weak kin networks across countries, European regions and ethnicities. In a historical difference-in-difference analysis, I provide evidence that exposure to the Church contributed to the formation of medieval communes—self-governed cities with participatory institutions. Moreover, within Christian Europe, stricter regional and temporal marriage prohibitions are associated with commune formation. Lastly, I shed light on one mechanism, civicness, and show that weak kin networks are associated with more political participation.
Electric field calculations for real-time space weather alerting systems
Authors: Boteler D H , Pirjola R J
Published: April 2022

Space weather alerting systems for power systems require real-time calculations of the electric fields that drive geomagnetically induced currents. In this paper, we present a new method for calculating the Earth impulse response that can be convolved with real-time magnetic field data to give the required electric fields. We start with the Earth transfer function which can be expressed in two ways: as a relationship between the electric field, E, and the geomagnetic field, B, which has characteristics equivalent to that of a high-pass filter, and between E and the time derivative of the magnetic field, dB/dt, which has characteristics of a low-pass filter. An inverse Fourier transform of these transfer functions should then give the corresponding Earth impulse responses in the time domain. This works well for a uniform conductivity model for which the inverse Fourier transform of the transfer function has an analytic solution. However, the inverse Fourier transform of the transfer function for a non-uniform conductivity model requires numerical calculations and produces an acausal impulse response with oscillations because of the Gibbs phenomenon. To investigate the origin of the Gibbs oscillations, the real and imaginary parts of the transfer functions are transformed separately. This shows that the Gibbs oscillations arise from the inverse transform of the real and imaginary parts of the high-pass transfer function and the imaginary part of the low-pass transfer function. A new method is introduced that just transforms the real part of the low-pass transfer function and uses the requirement of causality to construct the full low-pass impulse response. From this, the derivative theorem of convolution is used to obtain the high-pass impulse response. Electric fields can then be calculated by convolution of the low-pass impulse response with the rate of change of the magnetic field, dB/dt, or by convolution of the high-pass impulse response with the magnetic field, B. Tests of the new method by comparison with analytic solutions for specified earth models and synthetic magnetic field data gave very high correlation coefficients, slopes near 1.0 and intercepts near zero, showing the accuracy of the new method. The method can be used with any Earth transfer function whether obtained from magnetotelluric measurements or from 1-D, 2-D or 3-D conductivity models. Thus, it provides a versatile technique that avoids the Gibbs phenomenon and produces a causal impulse response suitable for time domain calculations of electric fields.
Multitemporal mass change analysis of Greenland Ice Sheet using variational mode decomposition
Authors: Wu Shuaiying , Liu Guoxiang , Ran Jiangjun , You Wei , Wang Lei , Ding Yihang , Wang Xiaowen , Yin Gaofei , Mao Wenfei , Bao Jiawen
Published: April 2022

The Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is the largest ice body in the Northern Hemisphere. Quantifying the spatiotemporal characteristics of its mass change is crucial for understanding global climate change. Many studies have been focused on the long-term ice mass change and acceleration, but a more detailed analysis of multitemporal signals, including annual, interannual and transient variations, is still imperative to study the periodic ice mass change. Here, we comprehensively characterize the multitemporal mass changes of the entire GrIS and subregions using a variational mode decomposition method, applied to Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellite data, surface mass balance model output, climate parameters and GPS observations. We found that both the interannual and transient mass variations of the southern subregions have larger amplitudes associated with pronounced precipitations, indicating that the southern mass change patterns are more vulnerable to short-term climate variability. We also found that the reported rapid mass loss in 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2019 should be attributed to the interannual signals that result from low precipitations, significant runoff and evapotranspiration. The largest interannual mass variation was discovered in 2019 (−235 Gt), but due to the combined effect of interannual loss (−147 Gt) and transient attenuation (−380 Gt), the greatest mass loss (−527 Gt) was observed at the end of 2012. Our study emphasizes the importance of multitemporal signals in characterizing the spatiotemporal GrIS mass change and exploring the coupling effect between ice mass change and climate conditions.
A study of 1000 galaxies with unusually young and massive stars in the SDSS: a search for hidden black holes
Authors: Kauffmann Guinevere , Maraston Claudia , Comparat Johan , Crowther Paul
Published: April 2022

We select 1076 galaxies with extinction-corrected H α equivalent widths too large to be explained with a Kroupa initial mass function, and compare these with a control sample of galaxies that is matched in stellar mass, redshift, and 4000 Å break strength, but with normal H α equivalent widths. Our goal is to study how processes such as black hole growth and energetic feedback processes from massive stars differ between galaxies with extreme central H α emission and galaxies with normal young central stellar populations. The stellar mass distribution of H α excess galaxies is peaked at $3 \times 10^{10}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ and almost all fall well within the star-forming locus in the [O iii]/H β versus [N ii]/H α Baldwin, Philipps & Terlevich diagram. H α excess galaxies are twice as likely to exhibit H α line asymmetries and 1.55 times more likely to be detected at 1 GHz in the VLA FIRST survey compared to control sample galaxies. The radio luminosity per unit stellar mass decreases with the stellar age of the system. Using stacked spectra, we demonstrate that [Ne v] emission is not present in the very youngest of the radio-quiet H α excess galaxies with detectable Wolf–Rayet features, suggesting that black hole growth has not yet commenced in such systems. [Ne v] emission is detected in H α excess galaxies with radio detections and the strength of the line correlates with the radio luminosity. This is the clearest indication for a population of black holes that may be forming in a subset of the H α excess population.
Fundamental scales in the kinematic phase of the turbulent dynamo
Authors: Kriel Neco , Beattie James R , Seta Amit , Federrath Christoph
Published: April 2022

The turbulent dynamo is a powerful mechanism that converts turbulent kinetic energy to magnetic energy. A key question regarding the magnetic field amplification by turbulence, is, on what scale, kp, do magnetic fields become most concentrated? There has been some disagreement about whether kp is controlled by the viscous scale, kν (where turbulent kinetic energy dissipates), or the resistive scale, kη (where magnetic fields dissipate). Here, we use direct numerical simulations of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence to measure characteristic scales in the kinematic phase of the turbulent dynamo. We run 104-simulations with hydrodynamic Reynolds numbers of 10 ≤ Re ≤ 3600, and magnetic Reynolds numbers of 270 ≤ Rm ≤ 4000, to explore the dependence of kp on kν and kη. Using physically motivated models for the kinetic and magnetic energy spectra, we measure kν, kη, and kp, making sure that the obtained scales are numerically converged. We determine the overall dissipation scale relations $k_\nu = (0.025^{+0.005}_{-0.006})\, k_\text{turb}\, \mbox{Re}^{3/4}$ and $k_\eta = (0.88^{+0.21}_{-0.23})\, k_\nu \, \mbox{Pm}^{1/2}$, where kturb is the turbulence driving wavenumber and Pm = Rm/Re is the magnetic Prandtl number. We demonstrate that the principle dependence of kp is on kη. For plasmas, where Re ≳ 100, we find that $k_p= (1.2_{-0.2}^{+0.2})\, k_\eta$, with the proportionality constant related to the power-law ‘Kazantsev’ exponent of the magnetic power spectrum. Throughout this study, we find a dichotomy in the fundamental properties of the dynamo where Re > 100, compared to Re < 100. We report a minimum critical hydrodynamic Reynolds number, Recrit = 100 for bonafide turbulent dynamo action.
Magneto-thermal instability in galaxy clusters – II. three-dimensional simulations
Authors: Perrone Lorenzo M , Latter Henrik
Published: April 2022

In the intracluster medium (ICM) of galaxies, exchanges of heat across magnetic field lines are strongly suppressed. This anisotropic heat conduction, in the presence of a large-scale temperature gradient, destabilizes the outskirts of galaxy clusters via the magneto-thermal instability (MTI), which could drive observed ICM turbulence. In this paper we continue our investigation of the MTI with 3D simulations using the Boussinesq code snoopy. We redress two issues intrinsic to our previous 2D study: an inverse energy cascade and the impossibility of dynamo action. Contrary to 2D simulations, we find inconsequential transport of energy across scales (most energy is dissipated at the same scale as its injection) and that turbulent eddies are vertically elongated at or below the thermal conduction length yet relatively isotropic on larger scales. Similar to 2D, however, the saturated turbulent energy levels and the integral scale follow clear power-laws that depend on the thermal diffusivity, temperature gradient, and buoyancy frequency. We also show that the MTI amplifies magnetic fields, through a fluctuation dynamo, to equipartition strengths provided that the integral scale of MTI turbulence is larger than the viscous dissipation scale. Finally, we show that our scaling laws are consistent with extant observations of ICM turbulence if the thermal conductivity is reduced by a factor of ∼10 from its Spitzer value, and that the stable stratification significantly reduces the vertical elongation of MTI motions on global cluster scales.
Exploring the cosmic 21-cm signal from the epoch of reionization using the wavelet scattering transform
Authors: Greig Bradley , Ting Yuan-Sen , Kaurov Alexander A
Published: April 2022

Detecting the cosmic 21-cm signal during the Epoch of Reionization and Cosmic Dawn will reveal insights into the properties of the first galaxies and advance cosmological parameter estimation. Until recently, the primary focus for astrophysical parameter inference from the 21-cm signal centred on the power spectrum (PS). However, the cosmic 21-cm signal is highly non-Gaussian rendering the PS suboptimal for characterizing the cosmic signal. In this work, we introduce a new technique to analyse the non-Gaussian information in images of the 21-cm signal called the Wavelet Scattering Transform (WST). This approach closely mirrors that of convolutional neural networks with the added advantage of not requiring tuning or training of a neural network. Instead, it compresses the 2D spatial information into a set of coefficients making it easier to interpret while also providing a robust statistical description of the non-Gaussian information contained in the cosmic 21-cm signal. First, we explore the application of the WST to mock 21-cm images to gain valuable physical insights by comparing to the known behaviour from the 21-cm PS. Then we quantitatively explore the WST applied to the 21-cm signal by extracting astrophysical parameter constraints using Fisher Matrices from a realistic 1000 h mock observation with the Square Kilometre Array. We find that: (i) the WST applied only to 2D images can outperform the 3D spherically averaged 21-cm PS, (ii) the excision of foreground contaminated modes can degrade the constraining power by a factor of ∼1.5–2 with the WST and (iii) higher cadences between the 21-cm images can further improve the constraining power.
Constraints onTESSalbedos for five hot Jupiters
Authors: Blažek Martin , Kabáth Petr , Piette Anjali A A , Madhusudhan Nikku , Skarka Marek , Šubjak Ján , Anderson David R , Boffin Henri M J , Cáceres Claudio C , Gibson Neale P , Hoyer Sergio , Ivanov Valentin D , Rojo Patricio M
Published: April 2022

Photometric observations of occultations of transiting exoplanets can place important constraints on the thermal emission and albedos of their atmospheres. We analyse photometric measurements and derive geometric albedo (Ag) constraints for five hot Jupiters observed with TESS in the optical: WASP-18 b, WASP-36 b, WASP-43 b, WASP-50 b, and WASP-51 b. For WASP-43 b, our results are complemented by a VLT/HAWK-I observation in the near-infrared at $2.09\, \mu$m. We derive the first geometric albedo constraints for WASP-50 b and WASP-51 b: Ag < 0.445 and Ag < 0.368, respectively. We find that WASP-43 b and WASP-18 b are both consistent with low geometric albedos (Ag < 0.16) even though they lie at opposite ends of the hot Jupiter temperature range with equilibrium temperatures of ∼1400 K and ∼2500 K, respectively. We report self-consistent atmospheric models that explain broad-band observations for both planets from TESS, HST, Spitzer, and VLT/HAWK-I. We find that the data of both hot Jupiters can be explained by thermal emission alone and inefficient day–night energy redistribution. The data do not require optical scattering from clouds/hazes, consistent with the low geometric albedos observed.
STAT3 is a biologically relevant therapeutic target in H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma
Authors: Zhang Liang , Nesvick Cody L , Day Charlie A , Choi Jonghoon , Lu Victor M , Peterson Timothy , Power Erica A , Anderson Jacob B , Hamdan Feda H , Decker Paul A , Simons Renae , Welby John P , Siada Ruby , Ge Jizhi , Kaptzan Tatiana , Johnsen Steven A , Hinchcliffe Edward H , Daniels David J
Published: April 2022

Background

H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a lethal brain tumor that usually occurs in children. Despite advances in our understanding of its underlying biology, efficacious therapies are severely lacking.

Methods

We screened a library of drugs either FDA-approved or in clinical trial using a library of patient-derived H3K27M-mutant DMG cell lines with cell viability as the outcome. Results were validated for clinical relevance and mechanistic importance using patient specimens from biopsy and autopsy, patient-derived cell lines, inhibition by gene knockdown and small molecule inhibitors, and patient-derived xenografts.

Results

Kinase inhibitors were highly toxic to H3K27M-mutant DMG cells. Within this class, STAT3 inhibitors demonstrated robust cytotoxic activity in vitro. Mechanistic analyses revealed one form of activated STAT3, phospho-tyrosine- 705 STAT3 (pSTAT3), was selectively upregulated in H3K27M-mutant cell lines and clinical specimens. STAT3 inhibition by CRISPR/Cas9 knockout, shRNA or small molecule inhibition reduced cell viability in vitro, and partially restored expression of the polycomb repressive mark H3K27me3, which is classically lost in H3K27M-mutant DMG. Putative STAT3-regulated genes were enriched in an H3K27M-knockout DMG cell line, indicating relative gain of STAT3 signaling in K27M-mutant cells. Treatment of patient-derived intracranial xenografts with WP1066, a STAT3 pathway inhibitor currently in clinical use for pediatric brain tumors, resulted in stasis of tumor growth, and increased overall survival. Finally, pSTAT3(Y705) was detected in circulating plasma extracellular vesicles of patients with H3K27M-mutant DMG.

Conclusions

STAT3 is a biologically relevant therapeutic target in H3K27M-mutant DMG. STAT3 inhibition should be considered in future clinical trials.
What Is the Optimal Follow-up Length for Mortality in Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia? Observations From a Systematic Review of Attributable Mortality
Authors: Bai Anthony D , Lo Carson K L , Komorowski Adam S , Suresh Mallika , Guo Kevin , Garg Akhil , Tandon Pranav , Senecal Julien , Del Corpo Olivier , Stefanova Isabella , Fogarty Clare , Butler-Laporte Guillaume , McDonald Emily G , Cheng Matthew P , Morris Andrew M , Loeb Mark , Lee Todd C
Published: April 2022

Background

Deaths following Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) may be related or unrelated to the infection. In SAB therapeutics research, the length of follow-up should be optimized to capture most attributable deaths and minimize nonattributable deaths. We performed a secondary analysis of a systematic review to describe attributable mortality in SAB over time.

Methods

We systematically searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1 January 1991 to 7 May 2021 for human observational studies of SAB. To be included in this secondary analysis, the study must have reported attributable mortality. Two reviewers extracted study data and assessed risk of bias independently. Pooling of study estimates was not performed due to heterogeneity in the definition of attributable deaths.

Results

Twenty-four observational cohort studies were included. The median proportion of all-cause deaths that were attributable to SAB was 77% (interquartile range [IQR], 72%–89%) at 1 month and 62% (IQR, 58%–75%) at 3 months. At 1 year, this proportion was 57% in 1 study. In 2 studies that described the rate of increase in mortality over time, 2-week follow-up captured 68 of 79 (86%) and 48 of 57 (84%) attributable deaths that occurred by 3 months. By comparison, 1-month follow-up captured 54 of 57 (95%) and 56 of 60 (93%) attributable deaths that occurred by 3 months in 2 studies.

Conclusions

The proportion of deaths that are attributable to SAB decreases as follow-up lengthens. Follow-up duration between 1 and 3 months seems optimal if evaluating processes of care that impact SAB mortality.

Clinical Trials Registration

PROSPERO CRD42021253891.
Opportunistic Infection Associated With Elevated GM-CSF Autoantibodies: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Lee Elinor , Miller Christopher , Ataya Ali , Wang Tisha
Published: April 2022

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is known to play a key role in enhancing multiple immune functions that affect response to infectious pathogens including antigen presentation, complement- and antibody-mediated phagocytosis, microbicidal activity, and neutrophil chemotaxis. Reduced GM-CSF activity and immune response provides a mechanism for increased infection risk associated with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) and other disorders involving the presence of GM-CSF autoantibodies. We present a case series of five patients with persistent or unusual pulmonary and central nervous system opportunistic infections (Cryptococcus gattii, Flavobacterium, Nocardia) and elevated GM-CSF autoantibody levels, as well as 27 cases identified on systematic review of the literature.
Public Reason and Public Health: Can Anti-smoking Policies Be Justified According to a Public Reason Account of Justification?
Authors: Nielsen Morten Ebbe Juul
Published: April 2022

Public reason demands that policies are justified to all reasonable citizens. Public health aims at protecting or improving aggregated health outcomes. Since health is not an uncontroversial value, an insurmountable chasm between public reason and public health seems to preclude any viable synthesis between the two outlooks. For any given public health policy, some reasonable citizen seems to have a reason to support ‘no policy’ over ‘some policy’, meaning that the policy cannot be justified to all. The paper first spells out what exactly this conflict is about. Then, using smoking as a case, the paper outlines a model of reconciliation between public reason and public health that should give us some optimism if we want to have public health policies that are compatible with treating citizens as free and equal in the public reason sense.
The Surgical Procedure in the Case of Ovarian Lesion in Neonate
Authors: Sosnowska-Sienkiewicz Patrycja , Kaczmarek Agata , Maciejczyk Katarzyna , Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska Danuta , Mańkowski Przemysław
Published: April 2022

Background:

In newborns and infants, ovarian lesions can be detected during ultrasound examination before or after birth. Malignant ovarian lesions account for <1% of malignancies in newborns. However, in case of doubt about the nature of the lesion, surgery with tissue collection for histopathologic evaluation should be considered with the absolute condition of fertility preservation.

Observations:

The aim of this publication was to describe a case report of a 3-day-old infant who presented an ovarian lesion on postnatal ultrasound, with features suggesting a malignant nature of the ovary. In the described case, laparoscopy and mini-laparotomy were performed, torsion was excluded. The ovary was preserved, and histopathologic examination excluded the malignant nature of the lesion.

Conclusion:

A detailed analysis of the clinical status, laboratory tests, and imaging studies is necessary before making a final decision on further therapeutic, especially surgical management of a newborn with an ovarian lesion.
Decision Making Near End of Life
Authors: Othman Elham H. , Khalaf Inaam A. , Zeilani Ruqayya , Majali Sawsan , Nabolsi Manar , Abdalrahim Maysoon
Published: April 2022

Background

Discussions related to a patient’s prognosis and interventions near end of life are challenging and stressful for healthcare providers. Many reported experiencing emotional distress and discomfort during the decision-making process.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the lived experience of nurses and physicians who participate in decision making near the end of a patient’s life.

Methods

A descriptive, phenomenological approach was used with a purposive sample of 7 nurses and 6 physicians from 2 palliative and end-of-life care institutions in Jordan. Data derived from focus group discussions conducted online via the ZOOM video communication application, and analysis followed Colaizzi’s qualitative methodology.

Results

Three major themes emerged from the healthcare providers’ experiences. Initially, the participants described how they “strive toward optimal decision-making near end of life,” “the overwhelming experience of decision making near end of life,” and finally, their struggle in sharing details about the end of life when patients ask and whether to tell or not to tell them as “the time for hard talk.”

Conclusions

The healthcare providers’ experiences revealed several issues of decision making near a patient’s end of life, such as a lack of appropriate training and administrative support, emotional distress, fear of legal liability, and the burden of a hard talk with patients. These findings necessitate institutional support of setting appropriate policies and guidelines, staff counseling, and healthcare provider support.

Implications for Practice

Institutions providing palliative and end-of-life care can use this study’s findings to support their staff by setting appropriate practice guidelines and providing staff training and counseling.
Coproducing and Implementing Person-Centered Key Performance Indicators in Ambulatory Cancer Nursing
Authors: Lynch Brighide , McCance Tanya V.
Published: April 2022

Background

Policy advocates person-centered healthcare for people living with cancer. Although nurses and patients alike recognize that a good care experience cannot be measured solely by clinical outcomes, the difficulty in finding indicators that measure the delivery of effective person-centered care remains a challenge.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of a coproduced implementation project using the person-centered nursing key performance indicators to support the development of person-centered practice across ambulatory chemotherapy units.

Methods

The study adopted an evaluation approach derived from work of the Medical Research Council. A mobile app was used to collect and analyze 3 cycles of data using 4 measurement tools, with the aim of informing quality improvement activities. Six implementation teams were recruited from chemotherapy units across a region in the United Kingdom. Qualitative interviews were used to evaluate the experience of participants.

Results

Data analysis revealed 4 themes: building relationships that nurture the care experience, inspiring nursing staff to flourish, shaping practice and service changes through the nature of the conversations, and becoming person-centered through coproduction.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence of the value of implementing these person-centered key performance indicators using a model of coproduction in cancer nursing. The data generated by the key performance indicators offer valuable feedback to nurses that can inform the development of person-centered practice and contribute to an enhanced patient experience.

Implications for Practice

This study provides an innovative and transferable approach for implementing relevant and appropriate key performance indicators within cancer nursing, which can contribute to developing person-centered cultures.