bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Syn-Extensional Lamprophyre Magmatism in Crustal Dynamics—the Case of the Menderes Metamorphic Core Complex, Western Turkey
Authors: Fischer Sebastian , Prelević Dejan , Akal Cüneyt , Romer Rolf L , Gerdes Axel
Published: March 2022

The Menderes Massif in Turkey represents one of the largest metamorphic core complexes in the world. It is regarded as a section of lower continental crust exhumed along low-angle detachment faults in the Late Miocene during a period of extension that affected the entire Aegean province. Syn-extensional magmatic activity within the Menderes metamorphic core complex is predominantly felsic forming several plutons, whereas mantle-derived magmatism has not been known so far. Here, we present a detailed study of the petrology and geochemistry of previously unreported mafic to intermediate lamprophyres within the Menderes Massif and assess their role in the geodynamic evolution of the core complex. The Menderes lamprophyres are mostly kersantites, with 49–60 wt % SiO2, 3.2–8.4 wt % MgO, 100–360 ppm Cr, 32–132 ppm Ni and Mg# of 37–50. Positive Pb and negative Ti–Nb–Ta anomalies suggest a clear orogenic affinity. Isotopes of Sr and Pb are relatively radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr = 0.70609–0.71076; 206Pb/204Pb = 18.88–19.03, 207Pb/204Pb > 15.71), while Nd is unradiogenic (εNd =  −1.4 to −3.2). Most phenocrysts are sharply zoned with a primitive core (Mg# 77–85, up to 0.95 wt % Cr2O3 in clinopyroxene; Mg# 72–76 in amphibole) and a more evolved rim (Mg# 68–74, <0.25 wt % Cr2O3 in clinopyroxene; Mg# 69–71 in amphibole). Trace element ratios between different cores may vary significantly (e.g. Dy/Yb 2–5 in amphiboles), whereas rims show less variation but are more enriched than the cores. U–Pb dating of zircons provides an age of 15 Ma for the lamprophyres, coeval with the syn-extensional granite magmatism. The Hf isotopic composition of magmatic zircons is variably unradiogenic (176Hf/177Hf15Ma = 0.28248–0.28253, εHf15Ma = −8.6 to −10.5), while zircon xenocrysts with dominantly Cadomian and older ages show highly variable Hf isotopic signatures at the time of lamprophyre emplacement (εHf15Ma = −7.6 to −46.7). The orogenic geochemical signature of the lamprophyres’ parental melts is similar to nearby orogenic lavas from the West Anatolian Volcanic Province. Variation in bulk-rock εNd and in Dy/Yb ratios of phenocryst cores reflect moderate mantle heterogeneity. The chemical heterogeneity of phenocrysts and zircon εHf values implies intense hybridisation of proto-lamprophyre melts with felsic crustal melts, most probably derived from the melting of augen gneisses of the Menderes basement. We propose that fluid released from the lamprophyre primary melt had a decisive impact on crustal melting and the formation of granitic plutons within the Menderes core complex.
Systems approaches reveal that ABCB and PIN proteins mediate co-dependent auxin efflux
Authors: Mellor Nathan L , Voß Ute , Ware Alexander , Janes George , Barrack Duncan , Bishopp Anthony , Bennett Malcolm J , Geisler Markus , Wells Darren M , Band Leah R
Published: March 2022

Members of the B family of membrane-bound ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters represent key components of the auxin efflux machinery in plants. Over the last two decades, experimental studies have shown that modifying ATP-binding cassette sub-family B (ABCB) expression affects auxin distribution and plant phenotypes. However, precisely how ABCB proteins transport auxin in conjunction with the more widely studied family of PIN-formed (PIN) auxin efflux transporters is unclear, and studies using heterologous systems have produced conflicting results. Here, we integrate ABCB localization data into a multicellular model of auxin transport in the Arabidopsis thaliana root tip to predict how ABCB-mediated auxin transport impacts organ-scale auxin distribution. We use our model to test five potential ABCB–PIN regulatory interactions, simulating the auxin dynamics for each interaction and quantitatively comparing the predictions with experimental images of the DII-VENUS auxin reporter in wild-type and abcb single and double loss-of-function mutants. Only specific ABCB–PIN regulatory interactions result in predictions that recreate the experimentally observed DII-VENUS distributions and long-distance auxin transport. Our results suggest that ABCBs enable auxin efflux independently of PINs; however, PIN-mediated auxin efflux is predominantly through a co-dependent efflux where co-localized with ABCBs.
Two-dimensional resistive-wall impedance with finite thickness: Its mathematical structures and their physical meanings
Authors: Shobuda Yoshihiro
Published: March 2022

When the skin depth is greater than the chamber thickness for relativistic beams, the two-dimensional longitudinal resistive-wall impedance of a cylindrical chamber with a finite thickness decreases proportionally to the frequency. The phenomenon is commonly interpreted as electromagnetic fields leaking out of the chamber over a frequency range. However, the relationship between the wall current on the chamber and the leakage fields from the chamber is unclear because the naive resistive-wall impedance formula does not dynamically express how the wall current converts to the leakage fields when the skin depth exceeds the chamber thickness. A prestigious textbook[1] re-expressed the resistive-wall impedance via a parallel circuit model with the resistive-wall and inductive terms to provide a dynamic picture of the phenomenon. However, there are some flaws in the formula. This study highlights them from a fundamental standpoint, and provides a more appropriate and rigorous picture of the longitudinal resistive-wall impedance with finite thickness. To demonstrate their physical meaning, we re-express the longitudinal impedance for non-relativistic beams, as well as the transverse resistive-wall impedance including space charge impedance based on a parallel circuit model.
Psychometric properties of outcome measurement instruments for ANCA-associated vasculitis: a systematic literature review
Authors: Berti Alvise , Boleto Gonçalo , Merkel Peter A , Tómasson Gunnar , Monti Sara , Quinn Kaitlin A , Hassett Leslie C , Carmona Loreto , Ramiro Sofia
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To systematically review the psychometric properties of outcome measurement instruments used in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods

Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from inception to 14 July 2020 for validation studies of instruments used in AAV. Following the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) and OMERACT frameworks, different psychometric properties (validity, reliability, responsiveness and feasibility) were summarized. Risk of bias was assessed according to the COSMIN checklist.

Results

From 2505 articles identified, 32 met the predefined selection criteria, providing information on 22 instruments assessing disease activity (n = 7), damage (n = 2), activity and damage (n = 1), health-related quality of life (HRQoL; n = 9) and function (n = 3). Most of the instruments were tested in AAV as a group or in granulomatosis with polyangiitis only.

The BVAS, any version, the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) and the AAV-Patient-Reported Outcome (AAV-PRO) have been more extensively validated than the other instruments. BVAS for Wegener Granulomatosis (BVAS/WG) has been shown to be valid for measuring disease activity [correlation with Physician global assessment (r = 0.90)], reliability (inter-observer intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97), responsiveness and feasibility. For damage, VDI was shown to be moderately valid (correlations with BVAS version 3 at 6 months r = 0.14, BVAS/WG at 1 year r = 0.40 and 5 years r = 0.20), and feasible. For HRQoL, AAV-PRO demonstrated validity (correlations of the six AAV-PRO domains with EQ-5D-5L: −0.78 to −0.55; discrimination between active disease and remission, P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). The overall performance of instruments assessing function was low-to-moderate.

Conclusion

Among the 22 outcome measurement instruments used for AAV, BVAS (any version), VDI and AAV-PRO had the strongest psychometric properties.
Reflect and Reset: Black Academic Voices Call the Graduate Medical Education Community to Action
Authors: Blanchard Anita K. , Blanchard Janice C. , Suah Ashley , Dade Adrianne , Burnett Alanna , McDade William
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the great achievements that the biomedical community can accomplish, but raised the question: Can the same medical community that developed a complex vaccine in less than a year during a pandemic help to defeat social injustice and ameliorate the epidemic of health inequity? In this article, the authors, a group of Black academics, call on the graduate medical education (GME) community to reset its trajectory toward solutions for achieving diversity, improving inclusion, and combating racism using education as the new vector. Sponsoring institutions, which include universities, academic medical centers, teaching hospitals, and teaching health centers, are the center of the creation and dissemination of scholarship. They are often the main sources of care for many historically marginalized communities. The GME learning environment must provide the next generation of medical professionals with an understanding of how racism continues to have a destructive influence on health care professionals and their patients. Residents have the practical experience of longitudinal patient care, and a significant portion of an individual’s professional identity is formed during GME; therefore, this is a key time to address explicit stereotyping and to identify implicit bias at the individual level. The authors propose 3 main reset strategies for GME—incorporating inclusive pedagogy and structural competency into education, building a diverse and inclusive learning environment, and activating community engagement—as well as tactics that sponsoring institutions can adapt to address racism at the individual learner, medical education program, and institutional levels. Sustained, comprehensive, and systematic implementation of multiple tactics could make a significant impact. It is an academic and moral imperative for the medical community to contribute to the design and implementation of solutions that directly address racism, shifting how resident physicians are educated and modeling just and inclusive behaviors for the next generation of medical leaders.
We Get by With a Little Help From Our PEERS: The Practice Enhancement, Engagement, Resilience, and Support Program for Building Community and Well-Being in Medical Education
Authors: Feingold Jordyn H. , Kaplan Carly A. , Hart Anne , Waldman Rachel , Kronman Hope , Brody Jason , Hargrove Jacqueline , Hurtado Alicia , Simon Asher B.
Published: March 2022

Problem

Physician distress is a growing national problem that begins in medical school. Solutions that teach well-being concepts and coping skills during medical school and throughout medical training are needed.

Approach

The Practice Enhancement, Engagement, Resilience, and Support (PEERS) program was designed at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) in 2017 as a longitudinal program for medical students to process challenges and learn evidence-based coping strategies in a supportive group setting. The curriculum comprises 10 small-group sessions incorporating principles of mindfulness, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. Students remain with the same group of approximately 8 students throughout the PEERS program, which spans all 4 years of medical school. As an established part of the core medical school curriculum, PEERS centers physician well-being as an essential clinical skill for providing sustainable, high-quality patient care.

Outcomes

Now in its fourth year, PEERS is recognized as an effective, sustainable intervention to support trainee well-being. Cross-sectional survey data collected in 2020 reveal that PEERS has effectively established a space for emotional support and community building among peers and mentors. The program has successfully garnered institutional and administrative support, including protected curricular time and dedicated faculty leadership.

Next Steps

PEERS continues to evolve, incorporating feedback in real time to reflect the changing landscape of medical education, particularly in the era of remote learning. Given the demand for well-being initiatives throughout the Mount Sinai Health System, PEERS programming is being adapted and implemented across various residency, fellowship, and graduate school programs at ISMMS with the support of Mount Sinai’s Office of Well-Being and Resilience and the Office of Graduate Medical Education. The PEERS program offers an evidence-based, trainee-led model that can be flexibly implemented at medical training programs across the country to support trainee well-being.
Bridging the Gap
Authors: Brown Heather H. , Tisera Erin Fearing , Pagel Julie
Published: March 2022

This article will inform the reader about challenges of onboarding new graduate nurses during COVID-19 and discuss how to combat those challenges. New graduate nurses attended a skills day and completed pre- and postsurveys, rating their level of confidence in the same identified skills. Each participant showed improved confidence (p < .001). Offering skills days to bridge the gap to clinical practice is shown to be beneficial.
Expression Profile of Selected Antitumor Immune Response Genes in Pediatric Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Gul Gulen , Ceyhan Metin , Ince Dilek , Olgun Nur , Ozer Erdener
Published: March 2022

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is one of the most common pediatric solid tumors and is responsible for cancer-related deaths in children. Therefore, to modulate the active antitumor T-cell immune response in cHL can be a treatment strategy. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression profiles of selected antitumor immune response genes in pediatric cHL and their relationships with clinical and prognostic parameters to determine their significance in precision medicine. Thirty-nine pediatric nodal cHL patients were enrolled in the study. We analyzed mRNA expression of selected immune response regulatory genes such as PD-L1, CSF2, CTLA4, CXCL5, IDO1, CXCL8, MIF, NOS2, PDCD1, PTGS2, and TGFβ1 using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Only PD-L1 overexpression was statistically related to bulky disease, advanced tumor stage, and high-risk disease category and seen significantly in Epstein-Barr virus–negative pediatric cHL. No expression profiles were correlated with relapse or survival. We conclude that PD-L1 overexpression in pediatric cHL cases is a strong predictor of high-risk categorization. In addition to being a prognostic biomarker, PD-L1 blockade is also a druggable marker for the targeted therapy in Epstein-Barr virus–negative pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma.
Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences in a Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Graber Elise Alves , Puchalski Amy , Magill Christyn , Reynolds Stacy
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Data from the 2019 National Survey of Children’s Health revealed that 39.8% of children in the United States have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are risk factors for long-term negative health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ACE exposure in a pediatric emergency department (ED) patients and describe the association between ACE exposure and ED recidivism.

Methods

Five hundred children aged 0 to 17 years were evaluated for ACE exposure in an academic, urban, tertiary-care, pediatric ED via convenience sampling. The 2019 National Survey of Children’s Health section on ACEs was administered to define ACE exposure. A prospective chart review was conducted on all children enrolled in the study to collect data on ED utilization for 1-year postsurvey. The relationship between ACE exposure and ED recidivism was examined by calculating relative risk.

Results

We found that 40.2% (confidence interval [CI], 36.5%–45.3%) of respondents had ACE exposure. The most frequently reported ACEs were poverty (20.8%; CI, 17.3%–24.6%), divorce/separation (18.2%; CI, 14.9%–21.9%), and mental illness within the household (7.2%; CI, 5.1%–9.8%). Adverse childhood experience exposure in this pediatric ED was similar to the national prevalence. There was no significant relationship between ACE exposure and high ED recidivism as an adverse outcome.

Conclusions

Adverse childhood experience exposure in this population matched the prevalence reported in the national population. Our results suggest that this group is particularly important when mitigating these risk factors for long-term adverse health outcomes. Adverse childhood experience exposure did not appear to impact recidivism in a period of unprecedented low ED volumes during the coronavirus disease pandemic.
Process Management of Intussusception in Children
Authors: Sun Zhihuan , Song Guoxin , Lian Dandan , Zhang Qingsong , Dong Lei
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This was a retrospective analysis of the epidemiological features of pediatric intussusception, the effects of different management strategies and the factors affecting successful reduction.

Methods

Using our hospital database, data on pediatric intussusception from January 2019 to December 2020 were extracted for analysis, including demographic data, size of intussusception, treatment method, and effects.

Results

The number of children diagnosed with intussusception was 726 (782 episodes). In all, 394 (54.27%) of these children were male. The male to female ratio was 1.19:1. The peak of the onset age was between 3 and 4 years. In the single intussusception group, the successful reduction rate of cleansing enemas was 65.25%, that of air enemas was 95.80%, and that of B-ultrasound–guided hydrostatic enemas (B-USGHEs) was 96.04%. In the multiple intussusceptions group, the successful reduction rate of cleansing enemas was 43.9%, air enemas were 75%, and B-USGHE was 57.6%. There were no significant differences between the air enema and B-USGHE groups. The diameter and length were related factors influencing successful reduction (P ≤ 0.05). Fifty-three (7.53%) children had recurrent intussusception within 4 years, and all of them were following successful enemas. Thirty-one (3.40%) episodes were found to have spontaneously reduced. Five patients (0.7%) underwent surgery after the failure of air enemas or B-USGHE.

Conclusions

Pediatric intussusception in our region showed a sex ratio difference and age difference of onset. For single intussusceptions and multiple intussusceptions, the successful reduction rate of cleansing enemas means that some children may avoid radiation exposure. The diameter and length of intussusception were related factors influencing successful reduction in cleansing enema. There were no significant differences in successful reduction between air enemas and B-USGHE. Most recurrent intussusceptions can still be reduced, avoiding surgery.
Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Sinonasal Cavity: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics With Readout-Segmented Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Features
Authors: Duan Fei , Wang Peng , Qi Meng , Wang Yuzhe , Guo Linying , Xiao Zebin , Zhan Yang , Yao Zhenwei , Tang Zuohua
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To determine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with readout-segmented diffusion-weighted imaging (RESOLVE-DWI) and dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) features of sinonasal extramedullary plasmacytoma (SN-EMP).

Methods

The MRI and/or DECT of 10 patients with SN-EMP confirmed by pathology were retrospectively reviewed. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of RESOLVE-DWI were analyzed in 9 patients. The quantitative parameters derived from DECT, including the iodine concentration (IC), effective atomic number, and the slope (k) of spectral attenuation curve, were measured in 3 patients.

Results

On conventional MRI, typical lesions were well defined (7 of 9), and isointense to the brain on both T1WI and T2WI (9 of 9). Most lesions presented with marked enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1WI without significant necrosis (8 of 9). Notably, multiple flow-void signals were observed in all lesions (9 of 9). On RESOLVE-DWI, the average ADC value was 0.55 × 10−3 mm2/s, and the normalized ADC value was 0.66 ± 0.04. On DECT, the average values of IC, effective atomic number, and slope (k) was 2.7 mg/mL, 8.62, and 3.8, respectively.

Conclusions

Some typical MRI features (well-defined mass, isointensity to the brain, marked enhancement without obvious cystic changes, multiple flow voids, and a lower ADC value) strongly suggest the diagnosis of SN-EMP. The quantitative parameters derived from RESOLVE-DWI and DECT may provide more information for the diagnosis of SN-EMP.
Prediction of Aortic Contrast Enhancement on Dynamic Hepatic Computed Tomography—Performance Comparison of Machine Learning Methods and Simulation Software
Authors: Masuda Takanori , Nakaura Takeshi , Higaki Toru , Funama Yoshinori , Sato Tomoyasu , Masuda Shouko , Yoshiura Takayuki , Arao Shinichi , Hiratsuka Junichi , Hirai Toshinori , Awai Kazuo
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare prediction ability between ensemble machine learning (ML) methods and simulation software for aortic contrast enhancement on dynamic hepatic computed tomography.

Methods

We divided 339 human hepatic dynamic computed tomography scans into 2 groups. One group consisted of 279 scans used to create cross-validation data sets, the other group of 60 scans were used as test data sets. To evaluate the effect of the patient characteristics on enhancement, we calculated changes in the contrast medium dose per enhancement of the abdominal aorta in the hepatic arterial phase. The parameters for ML were the patient sex, age, height, body weight, body mass index, and cardiac output. We trained 9 ML regressors by applying 5-fold cross-validation, integrated the predictions of all ML regressors for ensemble learning and the simulations, and used the training and test data to compare their Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results

Comparison of different ML methods showed that the Pearson correlation coefficient for the real and predicted contrast medium dose per enhancement of the abdominal aorta was highest with ensemble ML (r = 0.786). It was higher than that obtained with the simulation software (r = 0.350). With ensemble ML, the Bland-Altman limit of agreement [mean difference, 5.26 Hounsfield units (HU); 95% limit of agreement, −112.88 to 123.40 HU] was narrower than that obtained with the simulation software (mean difference, 11.70 HU; 95% limit of agreement, −164.71 to 188.11 HU).

Conclusion

The performance for predicting contrast enhancement of the abdominal aorta in the hepatic arterial phase was higher with ensemble ML than with the simulation software.
Is Free Breathing Possible During Computed Tomography–Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Lung Biopsy? The Clinical Experience in 585 Cases
Authors: Han Ji-Yeon , Lee Ki-Nam , Choi Seok Jin , Baek Jin Wook , Kim Dasom , Lee Hongyeul , Yoon Yoo Sang , Choo Hye Jung , Heo Young Jin , Park Jinyoung , Kim Dong Hyun
Published: March 2022

Objective

The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and accuracy of computed tomography (CT)–guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) of lung lesions during quiet breathing.

Methods

We investigated the diagnostic performance and complication rate of 585 procedures in 563 patients (357 men; mean age, 67.7 years), who underwent CT-guided PTNBs during quiet breathing, aided by a respiratory targeting technique from May 2017 to July 2019. Differences between the cases with and without respiratory targeting were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the development of pneumothorax and hemoptysis.

Results

Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy samples were successfully obtained in 574 of 585 procedures (98.1%). Final diagnoses included: 410 malignant cases, 119 benign cases, and 45 indeterminate cases. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnosis were 94.4%, 100%, and 95.7%, respectively. Use of respiratory targeting was associated with younger age (P = 0.004), smaller lesion size (P < 0.001), peripheral location (P = 0.003), shorter distance from the diaphragm (P < 0.001), lower lobe location (P < 0.001), prone position (P = 0.004), and visible motion artifact (P < 0.001). Pneumothorax and hemoptysis rates were 22.9% and 7.9%, respectively. Upon multivariate analysis, emphysema (P = 0.002) was the only independent risk factor for pneumothorax, whereas distance from the pleura greater than 2 cm (P < 0.001), tissue sampling 3 times or more (P = 0.003), and a less experienced operator (P < 0.001) were risk factors for hemoptysis.

Conclusions

Computed tomography–guided PTNB during quiet breathing with respiratory targeting yielded high diagnostic performance with a slightly higher rate of complications. Free-breathing PTNB can be applied in clinical practice, based on lesion location and risk factors for complications.
Diagnosis of Primary Scrotal Lymphedema Using 99mTc-Sulfur Colloid Lymphoscintigram
Authors: Rhee Annie , Flug Jonathan A. , Casey William J. , Roarke Michael C. , Rebecca Alanna M. , Yang Ming
Published: March 2022

We report a case of a 19-year-old man who presented with severe scrotal swelling. His medical history was notable for severe global edema at birth. Most areas of swelling had resolved by adolescence with exception of the scrotum and the left lower extremity. 99mTc-filtered sulfur colloid lymphoscintigraphy of the lower extremities demonstrated prominent dermal backflow into the superficial scrotum and thighs, which were confirmed on the SPECT/CT images, and correlated with findings on MR lymphangiogram. Lymphoscintigram and MR lymphangiogram may provide complementary information to aid diagnosis and management of primary scrotal lymphedema.
Antony Hewish. 11 May 1924—13 September 2021
Authors: Longair Malcolm S.
Published: March 2022

Antony (Tony) Hewish was a pioneer radio astronomer who will always be remembered as the leader of the team in 1967 that discovered the pulsars, which proved to be rapidly rotating, magnetized neutron stars. The discovery resulted from Tony's programme of systematic all-sky surveys to detect the scintillation, or flickering, of small angular diameter radio sources due to electron density fluctuations in the solar wind flowing out from the Sun. The large low-frequency 4.5-acre array was designed by Tony to find radio quasars, which often display radio scintillations, to estimate the angular sizes of the sources and to study the physics of the interplanetary medium. In the course of commissioning the telescope, his research student, Jocelyn Bell (Jocelyn Bell Burnell, FRS 2003), noted a strange 100% scintillating source unlike anything seen before. Tony and the team soon established that this source was a pulsating radio source, Jocelyn first observing the pulsations with period 1.33 s in November 1967. The discovery paved the way for the rapid development of high energy astrophysics and an appreciation that general relativity plays a key role in the stability of neutron stars. Tony's contributions spanned a very wide range of pioneering studies in the new discipline of radio astronomy, including telescope and electronic design, cosmological studies of distant radio sources and the physics of the ionospheric, interplanetary and interstellar plasmas. He was awarded the 1974 Nobel Prize in physics for ‘his decisive role in the discovery of pulsars’.
Ronald Bullough. 6 April 1931—20 November 2020
Authors: Willis J. R.
Published: March 2022

Ron Bullough spent most of his career at the Harwell Laboratory of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (AEA). He was a theorist with a special ability for collaboration with experimentalists. He is known for his research relating to the theory of dislocations and their role in setting the properties of metals, including their ductility and resistance to fracture and, in particular, the influence of dislocations on the development of damage during irradiation, an aspect upon which he was probably the world authority. During the latter part of his career he carried substantial administrative responsibility as Chief Scientist of the AEA while still maintaining a significant presence in fundamental research, including studies relating to the stability of strained-layer semiconductor devices.
Numeracy and COVID-19: examining interrelationships between numeracy, health numeracy and behaviour
Authors: Lau Nathan T. T. , Wilkey Eric D. , Soltanlou Mojtaba , Lagacé Cusiac Rebekka , Peters Lien , Tremblay Paul , Goffin Celia , Alves Isabella Starling , Ribner Andrew David , Thompson Clarissa , Van Hoof Jo , Bahnmueller Julia , Alvarez Aymee , Bellon Elien , Coolen Ilse , Ollivier Fanny , Ansari Daniel
Published: March 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the globe have been exposed to large amounts of statistical data. Previous studies have shown that individuals' mathematical understanding of health-related information affects their attitudes and behaviours. Here, we investigate the relation between (i) basic numeracy, (ii) COVID-19 health numeracy, and (iii) COVID-19 health-related attitudes and behaviours. An online survey measuring these three variables was distributed in Canada, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) (n= 2032). In line with predictions, basic numeracy was positively related to COVID-19 health numeracy. However, predictions, neither basic numeracy nor COVID-19 health numeracy was related to COVID-19 health-related attitudes and behaviours (e.g. follow experts’ recommendations on social distancing, wearing masks etc.). Multi-group analysis was used to investigate mean differences and differences in the strength of the correlation across countries. Results indicate there were no between-country differences in the correlations between the main constructs but there were between-country differences in latent means. Overall, results suggest that while basic numeracy is related to one's understanding of data about COVID-19, better numeracy alone is not enough to influence a population's health-related attitudes about disease severity and to increase the likelihood of following public health advice.
Transition metal chalcogenide bifunctional catalysts for chemical recycling by plastic hydrocracking: a single-source precursor approach
Authors: Tedstone Aleksander A. , Bin Jumah Abdulrahman , Asuquo Edidiong , Garforth Arthur A.
Published: March 2022

Sulfided nickel, an established hydrocracking and hydrotreating catalyst for hydrocarbon refining, was synthesized on porous aluminosilicate supports for the hydrocracking of mixed polyolefin waste. Zeolite beta, zeolite 13X, MCM41 and an amorphous silica-alumina catalyst support were impregnated with the single-source precursor (SSP) nickel (II) ethylxanthate for catalyst support screening. Application of this synthesis method to beta-supported nickel (Ni@Beta), as an alternative to wet impregnation using aqueous nickel (II) nitrate, provided catalytic materials with higher conversion to fluid products at the same mild batch reaction conditions of 330°C with appropriate agitation and 20 bar H2pressure. Mass balance quantification demonstrated that SSP-derived 5wt%Ni@Beta yielded a greater than 95 wt% conversion of a mixed polyolefin feed to fluid products, compared with 39.8 wt% conversion in the case of 5wt%Ni@Beta prepared by wet impregnation. Liquid and gas products were quantitatively analysed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing a strong selectivity to saturated C4(37.3 wt%), C5(21.6 wt%) and C6(12.8 wt%) hydrocarbons in the case of the SSP-derived catalyst.
Dietary ethanol ingestion by free-ranging spider monkeys
(Ateles geoffroyi
)
Authors: Campbell Christina J. , Maro Aleksey , Weaver Victoria , Dudley Robert
Published: March 2022

Ethanol within ripe and over-ripe fruit is produced naturally through the metabolic activity of fermentative yeasts. As a consequence, frugivorous animals may chronically consume ethanol as part of their routine diet, although direct measurements of such exposure are lacking. Here, we present data on ethanol concentrations within fruits of
Spondias mombin
(Anacardiaceae) that are eaten by black-handed spider monkeys (
Ateles geoffroyi
) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Of collected fruits that were partially consumed and then dropped by foraging monkeys, pulp-ethanol content was typically in the range of 1–2%; the percentage of pulp for consumed fruits was not significantly correlated with the ethanol concentration of the pulp remaining within each fruit. Urine samples from foraging spider monkeys were also evaluated for the ethanol metabolites ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate; five of six samples tested positive for both compounds. In aggregate, these data indicate natural exposure to fruit-associated ethanol in a wild primate species.
Hybrid breakdown is elevated near the historical cores of a species' range
Authors: Koski Matthew H. , Galloway Laura F. , Busch Jeremiah W.
Published: March 2022

New species form when they become reproductively isolated. A classic model of speciation posits that derived mutations appear in isolated populations and reduce fitness when combined in hybrids. While these Bateson–Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities are known to accumulate as populations diverge over time, they may also reflect the amount of standing genetic variation within populations. We analysed the fitness of F
2
hybrids in crosses between 24 populations of a plant species (
Campanula americana
) with broad variation in standing genetic variation and genetic differentiation driven by post-glacial range expansions. Hybrid breakdown varied substantially and was strongest between populations near the historical cores of the species range where within-population genetic diversity was high. Nearly half of the variation in hybrid breakdown was predicted by the combined effects of standing genetic variation within populations, their pairwise genetic differentiation and differences in the climates they inhabit. Hybrid breakdown was enhanced between populations inhabiting distinct climates, likely reflecting local adaptation. Results support that the mutations causing hybrid breakdown, the raw material for speciation, are more common in long-inhabited areas of the species range. Genetic diversity harboured in refugial areas is thus an important source of incompatibilities critical to the speciation process.
The presence of multiple parasitoids decreases host survival under warming, but parasitoid performance also decreases
Authors: Thierry Mélanie , Pardikes Nicholas A. , Rosenbaum Benjamin , Ximénez-Embún Miguel G. , Hrček Jan
Published: March 2022

Current global changes are reshaping ecological communities and modifying environmental conditions. We need to recognize the combined impact of these biotic and abiotic factors on species interactions, community dynamics and ecosystem functioning. Specifically, the strength of predator–prey interactions often depends on the presence of other natural enemies: it weakens with competition and interference or strengthens with facilitation. Such effects of multiple predators on prey are likely to be affected by changes in the abiotic environment, altering top-down control, a key structuring force in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Here, we investigated how warming alters the effects of multiple predators on prey suppression using a dynamic model coupled with empirical laboratory experiments withDrosophila–parasitoid communities. While multiple parasitoids enhanced top-down control under warming, parasitoid performance generally declined when another parasitoid was present owing to competitive interactions. This could reduce top-down control over multiple generations. Our study highlights the importance of accounting for interactive effects between abiotic and biotic factors to better predict community dynamics in a rapidly changing world and thus better preserve ecosystem functioning and services such as biological control.
Physicochemical properties of mirchal glutinous
rice flour based on soaking time
Authors: Seong Gi-Un , Kang Ju-Won , Cho Sumin , Kwon Youngho , Lee So-Myeong , Lee Sais-Beul , Cho Jun-Hyeon , Park Dong-Soo , Shin Malshick , Lee Ji-Yoon
Published: March 2022

The physicochemical and structural characteristics of high­yield, tongil­type
mirchal glutinous rice, Milyang 328 (hereafter referred to
as mirchal), were compared to those of a set of
well-characterized glutinous rice varieties i.e., baegokchal,
dongjinchal, and sinseonchal. The results
revealed that mirchal exhibited the highest crude protein
content (8.47%), water binding capacity (209.00%), and swelling power (55.82
g/g) under long term soaking. Analysis under identical conditions revealed that
mirchal rice flour presented the minimum mean and median
particle diameters of 50.54 μm and 22.72
μm, respectively, among the tested varieties.
Furthermore, the particle diameter and onset temperature (To,
57.15°C) under these conditions were significantly lower than those under
other conditions. The crystalline fraction of glutinous rice flour exhibited an
A-type structure, irrespective of the soaking time. Mirchal
exhibited the highest breakdown viscosity of 1,416.0 cP under short term
soaking. The branch chain length distribution of the amylopectin A chain in the
glutinous rice flours was arranged in the following sequence:
baegokchal (30.82%) > mirchal
(29.59%) > dongjinchal (28.74%) >
sinseonchal (27.10%). The length distribution of the B1
chain in the glutious rice flours was arranged in the following sequence:
dongjinchal (47.85%) > mirchal
(47.17%) > baegokchal (45.83%) >
sinseonchal (44.47%). Thus, this study revealed that
mirchal possessed optimal processing characteristics owing
to its high swelling power and excellent physicochemical properties, therby
facilitating its application in the synthesis of yukwa and food
processing materials.
Aging-induced variation in quality of yakju
prepared using different commercial yeasts
Authors: Choi Jeong Sil , Kang Ji-Eun , Jeong Seok-Tae
Published: March 2022

This study demonstrated the effects of different commercially available
Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts i.e.,
Fermivin®, La Parisienne, Songcheon, Ottogi, and Chungmoo,
on the variation in the quality of yakju samples under
accelerated aging (45°C, 14 d). The analyses of physicochemical
properties of the yakju samples were performed for, soluble
solid content (°Brix), pH, total acid content (%, as acetic acid),
alcohol (v/v%), volatile acid (mg/L), reducing sugar content (mg/mL), amino
acidity (mL), brownness (A430), and hunter color value before and
after aging. By comparing the results, significant differences in the properties
of the yakju samples before and after aging were observed. The
yakju sample fermented with wine-yeast
Fermivin® exhibited no significant change in color after
aging; furthermore, the reducing sugar content
(1.20±0.01-1.32±0.03 mg/mL) and amino acidity
(4.06±0.07-4.80±0.04 mL) of this sample were lower than those of
the other samples. The yeast of Fermivin® resulted in a
negligible residual sugar content owing to complete fermentation, thereby
minimizing the variation in quality during aging. The using of different yeasts
for fermentation induced significant differences in the contents of organic
acid, free nitrogenous components, and volatile components before and after
aging. The obtained results indicated that the properties of
yakju such as odor and browning, could be regulated based
on the type of yeast used for fermentation.
FPGA Acceleration of GWAS Permutation Testing
Authors: Swiel Yaniv , Brandenburg Jean-Tristan , Hayat Mahtaab , Chen Wenlong Carl , Cox Mitchell A. , Hazelhurst Scott
Published: March 2022

Motivation

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) analyse genetic variation over the genomes of many individuals in an attempt to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with complex phenotypes. To capture a large amount of genetic variation and increase the chance of detecting associated SNPs, modern GWASs include millions of SNPs sampled from thousands of individuals. The cumulative probability of false associations increases with the number of SNPs included in the analysis. A GWAS, therefore, needs to control the number of false associations. Permutation testing is a straightforward and accurate method of controlling the false positive rate, but it is very computationally expensive (and slow) so there is a need for a permutation testing accelerator that can process modern GWAS datasets in reasonable time.

Results

FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) are reconfigurable integrated circuits which provide a high level of parallelisation that can be harnessed to accelerate GWAS permutation testing. This work presents an accessible FPGA-based tool (designed to run on a cloud-based AWS EC2 FPGA instance) that accelerates GWAS permutation testing for continuous phenotypes. The tool implements two known GWAS permutation testing algorithms: maxT permutation testing and adaptive permutation testing. The speed of the FPGA-based tool was compared to the speed of PLINK (a popular CPU-based tool) running on 40 Intel Xeon 4114 CPU cores using an imputed breast cancer dataset of 13.7 million SNPs sampled from 3652 individuals. For 1000 maxT permutations, the FPGA-based algorithm’s run time was 22 minutes while PLINK’s run time was almost 7 days; for 100 million adaptive permutations, the FPGA-based algorithm’s run time was 325 minutes and PLINK’s run time was about 8.5 days. For 700 million adaptive permutations of the same dataset (an almost unfeasible workload for PLINK running on a 40-core CPU) the run time of the FPGA-accelerated algorithm was 33 hours.

Availability

An EC2 AMI (FPGA_perm) in the us-east-1 region is available. Instructions, source code and sample data are available at https://github.com/witseie/fpgaperm.
Anthropogenic impacts on threatened species erode functional diversity in turtles and crocodilians
Authors: Rodríguez-Caro R.C. , Graciá E. , Blomberg S.P. , Cayuela H. , Grace M. , Carmona C.P. , Pérez-Mendoza H.A. , Giménez A. , Salguero-Gómez R.
Published: March 2022

The Anthropocene is tightly associated with a drastic loss of species worldwide and the disappearance of their key ecosystem functions. The on-going reduction in ecosystem functionality is driven by global and local threats. The orders Testudines (turtles and tortoises) and Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, and gharials) contain numerous threatened, long-lived species for which their functional diversity and potential erosion by anthropogenic impacts remains unknown. Here, we examine 259 (69%) of the existing 375 species of Testudines and Crocodilia, quantifying their life history strategies (i.e., schedules of survival, development, and reproduction) from open-access data on their demography, ancestry, and threats. We find that the loss of functional diversity in simulated extinction scenarios of threatened species is greater than expected by chance. Moreover, the effects of unsustainable local consumption, diseases, and pollution are associated with specific functional strategies. In contrast, climate change, habitat disturbance, and global trade affect all species independent of their life history strategy. Importantly, the loss of functional diversity for threatened species by habitat disturbance is twice that for all other threats. Our findings highlight the importance of conservation programmes focused on preserving the functional diversity of life history strategies jointly with the phylogenetic representativity of these highly threatened groups.
Black Queen Hypothesis, partial privatization, and quorum sensing evolution
Authors: Souza Lucas Santana , Irie Yasuhiko , Eda Shigetoshi
Published: March 2022

Microorganisms produce costly cooperative goods whose benefit is partially shared with nonproducers, called ‘mixed’ goods. The Black Queen Hypothesis predicts that partially privatization of benefits from the mixed goods has two major evolutionary implications. First, to favor strains producing several mixed goods over nonproducing strains. Second, to favor the maintenance of cooperative traits through different strains instead of having all cooperative traits present in a single strain (metabolic specialization). Despite the importance of quorum sensing regulation of mixed goods, it is not clear how partial privatization of benefits affects quorum sensing evolution. Here, we studied the influence of partial privatization of benefits on the evolution of quorum sensing. We developed a mathematical population genetics model of an unstructured microbial population considering four strains that differ in their ability to produce an autoinducer (quorum sensing signaling molecule) and a mixed good. Our model assumes that the production of the autoinducers and the mixed goods is constitutive and/or depends on quorum sensing. Our results suggest that partially privatized benefits cannot foster quorum sensing. This result occurs because: (1) a strain that produces both autoinducer and good (fully producing strain) cannot persist in the population; (2) the strain only producing the autoinducer and the strain producing mixed goods in response to the autoinducers cannot coexist, i.e., metabolic specialization cannot be fostered.
The AppNL-G-F mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease is refractory to regulatory T cell treatment
Authors: Yshii Lidia , Mascali Loriana , Kouser Lubna , Lemaitre Pierre , Marino Marika , Dooley James , Burton Oliver , Haughton Jeason , Callaerts-Vegh Zsuzsanna , De Strooper Bart , Holt Matthew G. , Pasciuto Emanuela , Liston Adrian
Published: March 2022

Background

Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease with a neuroinflammatory component. Due to the multifunctional capacity of regulatory T cells to prevent and reverse inflammation, regulatory T cells have been proposed as a potential therapeutic in Alzheimer’s Disease, either as a direct cell therapy or through the use of IL2 as a biologic to expand the endogenous population.

Methods

Here we characterize the longitudinal immunological changes occurring in T cells in the AppNL-G-F mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.

Results

Age-dependent immunological changes, in both the brain and periphery, occurred in parallel in both AppNL-G-F mice and control AppNL mice. As the endogenous IL2 axis was disturbed with age, we sought to determine the effect of IL2 supplementation on disease progression. Using a genetic model of IL2 provision in the periphery or in the brain, we found that expanding regulatory T cells in either location was unable to alter the progression of key pathological events or behavioral changes.

Conclusion

These results suggest that either the AppNL-G-F mouse model does not recapitulate key regulatory T cell-dependent process of Alzheimer’s disease, or that regulatory T cell therapy is not a promising candidate for APP-mutation-driven Alzheimer’s disease.