bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological smoking cessation of adults aged 30–50 years with COPD
Authors: Andelius Dea Kejlberg , Hilberg Ole , Ibsen Rikke , Løkke Anders
Published: October 2022

The prevalence of active smokers has remained relatively stable around 20% for several years in Denmark despite knowledge of the harmful effects. Smoking cessation is the most effective way to limit progression and reduce mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, smoking cessation is particularly important among adults with COPD. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which adults 30–50 years of age with COPD redeem pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, and to identify demographic factors that influence the use of smoking cessation medication. We conducted a national retrospective non-interventional registry study, including all Danish patients with COPD (ICD-10 code J.44: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) aged 30–50 years in the period 2009–2015. We identified 7734 cases, who were matched with controls (15,307) 1:2 on age, sex, and geography. Smoking status was not registered. We found that 18% of cases (with an estimated smoking prevalence at 33–50%) redeemed pharmacological smoking cessation medication in the study period compared to 3% of the controls (with an estimated smoking prevalence at 23%). The OR for cases collecting pharmacological smoking cessation medication was 5.92 [95% CI 5.24–6.70]. Male sex, being unemployed, and receiving social benefits were factors associated with less probability of redeeming pharmacological smoking cessation medication. Our study indicates that attention is needed on smoking cessation in adults aged 30–50 years with COPD, especially if unemployed or receiving social benefits, as these individuals are less likely to redeem pharmacological smoking cessation medication.
Power-law scaling of correlations in statistically polarised nano-NMR
Authors: Staudenmaier Nicolas , Vijayakumar-Sreeja Anjusha , Oviedo-Casado Santiago , Genov Genko , Cohen Daniel , Dulog Daniel , Unden Thomas , Striegler Nico , Marshall Alastair , Scheuer Jochen , Findler Christoph , Lang Johannes , Schwartz Ilai , Neumann Philipp , Retzker Alex , Jelezko Fedor
Published: October 2022

Diffusion noise is a major source of spectral line broadening in liquid state nano-scale nuclear magnetic resonance with shallow nitrogen-vacancy centres, whose main consequence is a limited spectral resolution. This limitation arises by virtue of the widely accepted assumption that nuclear spin signal correlations decay exponentially in nano-NMR. However, a more accurate analysis of diffusion shows that correlations survive for a longer time due to a power-law scaling, yielding the possibility for improved resolution and altering our understanding of diffusion at the nano-scale. Nevertheless, such behaviour remains to be demonstrated in experiments. Using three different experimental setups and disparate measurement techniques, we present overwhelming evidence of power-law decay of correlations. These result in sharp-peaked spectral lines, for which diffusion broadening need not be a limitation to resolution.
Lake volume variation in the endorheic basin of the Tibetan Plateau from 1989 to 2019
Authors: Wang Junxiao , Wang Liuming , Li Mengyao , Zhu Liping , Li Xingong
Published: October 2022

Lake storage change serves as a unique indicator of natural climate change on the Tibetan Plateau (TP). However, comprehensive lake storage data, especially for lakes smaller than 10 km2, are still lacking in the region. In this dataset, we completed a census of annual relative lake volume (RLV) for 976 lakes, which are larger than 1 km2, on the endorheic basin of the Tibetan Plateau (EBTP) during 1989–2019 using Landsat imagery and digital terrain models. Our method first identifies individual lakes, determines their analysis extents and calculates annual lake area from Landsat imagery. It then derives lake area-elevation relationship, estimates lake surface elevation, and calculates RLV. Validation and comparison with several existing datasets indicate our data are more reliable and comprehensive. Our study complements existing lake datasets by providing a complete and long-term lake water volume change data for the region.
De novo transcriptome reconstruction in aquacultured early life stages of the cephalopod Octopus vulgaris
Authors: Prado-Álvarez María , Dios Sonia , García-Fernández Pablo , Tur Ricardo , Hachero-Cruzado Ismael , Domingues Pedro , Almansa Eduardo , Varó Inmaculada , Gestal Camino
Published: October 2022

Cephalopods have been considered enigmatic animals that have attracted the attention of scientists from different areas of expertise. However, there are still many questions to elucidate the way of life of these invertebrates. The aim of this study is to construct a reference transcriptome in Octopus vulgaris early life stages to enrich existing databases and provide a new dataset that can be reused by other researchers in the field. For that, samples from different developmental stages were combined including embryos, newly-hatched paralarvae, and paralarvae of 10, 20 and 40 days post-hatching. Additionally, different dietary and rearing conditions and pathogenic infections were tested. At least three biological replicates were analysed per condition and submitted to RNA-seq analysis. All sequencing reads from experimental conditions were combined in a single dataset to generate a reference transcriptome assembly that was functionally annotated. The number of reads aligned to this reference was counted to estimate the transcript abundance in each sample. This dataset compiled a complete reference for future transcriptomic studies in O. vulgaris.
Prevalence and DALYs of skin diseases in Ubonratchathani based on real-world national healthcare service data
Authors: Prasitpuriprecha Nutchada , Santaweesuk Sumonman , Boonkert Prasit , Chamnan Parinya
Published: October 2022

There is little evidence to describe the burden of skin diseases in developing countries and its accuracy remained uncertain. We aimed to examine prevalence and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of skin diseases in a Thai general population in Ubonratchathani. Based on real-world healthcare service data (diagnoses, prevalence, and cause-specific mortality) retrieved from the National Health Security Office reimbursement database, we used a simplified prevalence-based approach adopted in the Global Burden of Diseases to compute disease burden, measured as DALYs, of skin diseases. DALYs was calculated as the sum of years lost due to disability and years of life lost due to skin diseases, with adoption of previously published averaged disability weights and a 95% uncertainty interval (UI) estimated using a Bayesian bootstrap technique. From a total population of 1,503,945, 110,205 people were affected by skin disease in 2018—an overall prevalence of 7%. The prevalence varied across sex, age group and geographic areas. The most common skin diseases treated in Ubonratchathani’s healthcare services were dermatitis, bacterial skin diseases and urticaria (prevalence of 2.35%, 2.21% and 0.89% respectively). Overall DALYs of skin diseases in Ubonratchathani population was 26,125 (95%UI 24,783–27,467), and this was relatively higher in men than women. (DALYs 13,717 (12,846–14,588) and 12,408 (11,417–13,399) for men and women respectively). The greatest contributors of DALYs were cellulitis, decubitus ulcer and contact dermatitis (11,680, 4,806 and 1,598 years respectively). In conclusion, skin disease caused substantial disease burden in this Thai population, with cellulitis being the largest contributor.
The cognition, information behaviors, and preventive behaviors of Taiwanese people facing COVID-19
Authors: Yueh Hsiu-Ping , Wang Guan-Yun , Lee Tony Szu-Hsien
Published: October 2022

This study investigated the cognition, information behaviors and preventive behaviors of Taiwanese citizens in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was administered and 610 valid responses were collected. The relationships between demographic variables and optimistic bias, social trust, information credibility, personal protective measures, avoidance of human contact, and immune system strengthening were examined. Results showed that optimistic bias existed, but there was no significant correlation between optimistic bias and personal protective measures. Laypersons had high trust in the government, but also optimistic bias. Gender was the most important predictor; with occupation and region of residence also interacting with different preventive behaviors. People in Taiwan may be overly optimistic in facing the epidemic; relevant information should be properly disclosed to help reduce this bias. Social trust in the government seems to be an important successful factor in the fight against COVID-19 in Taiwan.
Machine learning-based derivation and external validation of a tool to predict death and development of organ failure in hospitalized patients with COVID-19
Authors: Xu Yixi , Trivedi Anusua , Becker Nicholas , Blazes Marian , Ferres Juan Lavista , Lee Aaron , Conrad Liles W. , Bhatraju Pavan K.
Published: October 2022

COVID-19 mortality risk stratification tools could improve care, inform accurate and rapid triage decisions, and guide family discussions regarding goals of care. A minority of COVID-19 prognostic tools have been tested in external cohorts. Our objective was to compare machine learning algorithms and develop a tool for predicting subsequent clinical outcomes in COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from March 2020 to March 2021. Seven Hundred Twelve consecutive patients from University of Washington and 345 patients from Tongji Hospital in China were included. We applied three different machine learning algorithms to clinical and laboratory data collected within the initial 24 h of hospital admission to determine the risk of in-hospital mortality, transfer to the intensive care unit, shock requiring vasopressors, and receipt of renal replacement therapy. Mortality risk models were derived, internally validated in UW and externally validated in Tongji Hospital. The risk models for ICU transfer, shock and RRT were derived and internally validated in the UW dataset but were unable to be externally validated due to a lack of data on these outcomes. Among the UW dataset, 122 patients died (17%) during hospitalization and the mean days to hospital mortality was 15.7 +/− 21.5 (mean +/− SD). Elastic net logistic regression resulted in a C-statistic for in-hospital mortality of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.81) in the internal validation and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.89) in the external validation set. Age, platelet count, and white blood cell count were the most important predictors of mortality. In the sub-group of patients > 50 years of age, the mortality prediction model continued to perform with a C-statistic of 0.82 (95% CI:0.76,0.87). Prediction models also performed well for shock and RRT in the UW dataset but functioned with lower accuracy for ICU transfer. We trained, internally and externally validated a prediction model using data collected within 24 h of hospital admission to predict in-hospital mortality on average two weeks prior to death. We also developed models to predict RRT and shock with high accuracy. These models could be used to improve triage decisions, resource allocation, and support clinical trial enrichment.
Association between multidimensional prognostic index (MPI) and pre-operative delirium in older patients with hip fracture
Authors: Musacchio Clarissa , Custodero Carlo , Razzano Monica , Raiteri Rita , Delrio Andrea , Torriglia Domenico , Stella Marco , Puntoni Matteo , Sabbà Carlo , Barone Antonella , Pilotto Alberto
Published: October 2022

Pre-operative delirium may cause delay in surgical intervention in older patients hospitalized for hip fracture. Also it has been associated with higher risk of post-surgical complications and worst functional outcomes. Aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate whether the multidimensional prognostic index (MPI) at hospital admission was associated with pre-operative delirium in older individuals with hip fracture who are deemed to require surgical intervention. Consecutive older patients (≥ 65 years) with hip fracture underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment to calculate the MPI at hospital admission. According to previously established cut-offs, MPI was expressed in three grades, i.e. MPI-1 (low-risk), MPI-2 (moderate-risk) and MPI-3 (high risk of mortality). Pre-operative delirium was assessed using the four ‘A’s Test. Out of 244 older patients who underwent surgery for hip fracture, 104 subjects (43%) received a diagnosis of delirium. Overall, the incidence of delirium before surgery was significantly higher in patients with more severe MPI score at admission. Higher MPI grade (MPI-3) was independently associated with higher risk of pre-operative delirium (OR 2.45, CI 1.21–4.96). Therefore, the MPI at hospital admission might help in early identification of older patients with hip fracture at risk for pre-operative delirium.
Analysis of the thermoelectrical performance of samples made of Coir Agricultural Wastes combined with MWCNT
Authors: Vera-Reveles Gustavo , Simón Jorge , Briones Edgar , Gutiérrez-Hernández José Manuel , González Francisco J. , González Gabriel , Cerda-Rodríguez Edmundo , González-Fernández José Vulfrano
Published: October 2022

A biomaterial made of coir and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) is presented which exhibits a relatively high-Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) and thermal insulation properties. Bolometers usually offer acceptable thermal isolation, electrical resistance, and high TCR. Fibers from agricultural waste materials such as coir has a synergistic effect as thermal insulating material and noise reducer. Based on it, powdered coir pills were used as pilot samples, as well as 2 other samples with different dispersions of MWCNTs, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution. The 3 kinds of samples were thermo-electrically characterized to determine their bolometric performance. Thermal conductivity of k = 0.045 W/m K was obtained by solving the Fourier’s law substituting the data into the equation describing heat flux on the sample around room temperature. Results show that adding different concentrations of MWCNT to powdered coir will lead to films with lower electrical resistance, therefore the thermal conductivity increases while thermal resistance decreases. Finally, the bolometric performance shows a maximum peak with a relatively high TCR of − 40.4% at a temperature of 300.3 K, this synthesized material outperforms by almost 1 order of magnitude larger than commercial materials. Results in this work also indicate that it is possible to tune bolometric parameters of this kind of samples and to use them as thermal insulators in the construction industry, when building roofs and walls.
Twitter data from the 2019–20 Australian bushfires reveals participatory and temporal variations in social media use for disaster recovery
Authors: Ogie R. , Moore A. , Wickramasuriya R. , Amirghasemi M. , James S. , Dilworth T.
Published: October 2022

Social media platforms have proved to be vital sources of information to support disaster response and recovery. A key issue, though, is that social media conversation about disasters tends to tail off after the immediate disaster response phase, potentially limiting the extent to which social media can be relied on to support recovery. This situation motivates the present study of social media usage patterns, including who contributes to social media around disaster recovery, which recovery activities they contribute to, and how well that participation is sustained over time. Utilising Twitter data from the 2019–20 Australian bushfires, we statistically examined the participation of different groups (citizens, emergency agencies, politicians and others) across categories of disaster recovery activity such as donations & financial support or mental health & emotional support, and observed variations over time. The results showed that user groups differed in how much they contributed on Twitter around different recovery activities, and their levels of participation varied with time. Recovery-related topics also varied significantly with time. These findings are valuable because they increase our understanding of which aspects of disaster recovery currently benefit most from social media and which are relatively neglected, indicating where to focus resources and recovery effort.
The determination of the effect(s) of solute carrier family 22-member 2 (SLC22A2) haplotype variants on drug binding via molecular dynamic simulation systems
Authors: Abrahams-October Zainonesa , Johnson Rabia , Benjeddou Mongi , Cloete Ruben
Published: October 2022

Single nucleotide polymorphisms detected in the solute carrier member family-22 has been shown to result in a variable response in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus with Metformin. This study predicted a three-dimensional protein structure for the SLC22A2 protein sequence using AlphaFold 2 and modelled five haplotypes within SLC22A2 protein structure observed in the Xhosa population of South Africa. The protein models were used to determine the effect(s) of haplotype variations on the transport function of Metformin and 10 other drugs by the SLC22A2 protein. Molecular dynamic simulation studies, molecular docking and interaction analysis of the five SLC22A2 haplotypes were performed in complex with the ligand 5RE in a POPC lipid bilayer to understand the mechanism of drug binding. Weakest binding free energy was found between 5RE and haplotype 1. Molecular docking studies indicated the top binding ligands as well as Metformin to bind inside the transport channel in all haplotypes increasing the probability of Metformin inhibition during co-administration of drugs. Metformin showed reduced binding affinity and number of interactions compared to the top four binding molecules. Molecular dynamic simulation analysis indicated that haplotypes 1, 3 and 4 were less stable than 2 and 5. The findings suggest haplotypes 4 and 5 having stronger preference for large inhibitor molecule binding in the active site and this could result in haplotypes 4 and 5 demonstrating reduced Metformin clearance via the SLC22A2 transporter during co-administration of drugs. The current study is the first to investigate the potential effect(s) of haplotype variation on the protein structure of SLC22A2 to assess its ability to transport Metformin in an indigenous South African population.
Towards routine 3D characterization of intact mesoscale samples by multi-scale and multimodal scanning X-ray tomography
Authors: Guo Ruiqiao , Somogyi Andrea , Bazin Dominique , Bouderlique Elise , Letavernier Emmanuel , Curie Catherine , Isaure Marie-Pierre , Medjoubi Kadda
Published: October 2022

Non-invasive multi-scale and multimodal 3D characterization of heterogeneous or hierarchically structured intact mesoscale samples is of paramount importance in tackling challenging scientific problems. Scanning hard X-ray tomography techniques providing simultaneous complementary 3D information are ideally suited to such studies. However, the implementation of a robust on-site workflow remains the bottleneck for the widespread application of these powerful multimodal tomography methods. In this paper, we describe the development and implementation of such a robust, holistic workflow, including semi-automatic data reconstruction. Due to its flexibility, our approach is especially well suited for on-the-fly tuning of the experiments to study features of interest progressively at different length scales. To demonstrate the performance of the method, we studied, across multiple length scales, the elemental abundances and morphology of two complex biological systems, Arabidopsis plant seeds and mouse renal papilla samples. The proposed approach opens the way towards routine multimodal 3D characterization of intact samples by providing relevant information from pertinent sample regions in a wide range of scientific fields such as biology, geology, and material sciences.
Impact of recent climate change on corn, rice, and wheat in southeastern USA
Authors: Sharma Ramandeep Kumar , Kumar Sunny , Vatta Kamal , Bheemanahalli Raju , Dhillon Jagmandeep , Reddy Krishna N.
Published: October 2022

Climate change and its impact on agriculture productivity vary among crops and regions. The southeastern United States (SE-US) is agro-ecologically diversified, economically dependent on agriculture, and mostly overlooked by agroclimatic researchers. The objective of this study was to compute the effect of climatic variables; daily maximum temperature (Tmax), daily minimum temperature (Tmin), and rainfall on the yield of major cereal crops i.e., corn (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in SE-US. A fixed-effect model (panel data approach) was used by applying the production function on panel data from 1980 to 2020 from 11 SE-US states. An asymmetrical warming pattern was observed, where nocturnal warming was 105.90%, 106.30%, and 32.14%, higher than the diurnal warming during corn, rice, and wheat growing seasons, respectively. Additionally, a shift in rainfall was noticed ranging from 19.2 to 37.2 mm over different growing seasons. Rainfall significantly reduced wheat yield, while, it had no effect on corn and rice yields. The Tmax and Tmin had no significant effect on wheat yield. A 1 °C rise in Tmax significantly decreased corn (− 34%) and rice (− 8.30%) yield which was offset by a 1 °C increase in Tmin increasing corn (47%) and rice (22.40%) yield. Conclusively, overall temperature change of 1 °C in the SE-US significantly improved corn yield by 13%, rice yield by 14.10%, and had no effect on wheat yield.
High-throughput 3D microvessel-on-a-chip model to study defective angiogenesis in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Kramer Bart , Corallo Claudio , van den Heuvel Angelique , Crawford Justin , Olivier Thomas , Elstak Edo , Giordano Nicola , Vulto Paul , Lanz Henriette L. , Janssen Richard A. J. , Tessari Michela A.
Published: October 2022

In early systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma, SSc), the vasculature is impaired. Although the exact etiology of endothelial cell damage in SSc remains unclear, it is hypothesized that endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) plays a key role. To perform physiologically relevant angiogenic studies, we set out to develop an angiogenesis-on-a-chip platform that is suitable for assessing disease parameters that are relevant to SSc and other vasculopathies. In the model, we substituted Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) with Human Serum without impairing the stability of the culture. We showed that 3D microvessels and angiogenic factor-induced sprouts exposed to key pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines (TNFα and TGFβ) undergo structural alterations consisting of destructive vasculopathy (loss of small vessels). We also showed that these detrimental effects can be prevented by compound-mediated inhibition of TGFβ-ALK5 signaling or addition of a TNFα neutralizing antibody to the 3D cultures. This demonstrates that our in vitro model is suitable for compound testing and identification of new drugs that can protect from microvascular destabilization or regression in disease-mimicking conditions. To support this, we demonstrated that sera obtained from SSc patients can exert an anti-angiogenic effect on the 3D vessel model, opening the doors to screening for potential SSc drugs, enabling direct patient translatability and personalization of drug treatment.
Differences in vulnerability to desiccating stress between corneal and conjunctival epithelium in rabbit models of short-term ocular surface exposure
Authors: Jeon Hyun Sun , Kang Boram , Li Xuemin , Song Jong Suk
Published: October 2022

We evaluate the difference in vulnerability to desiccating stress (DS) between the corneal and conjunctival epithelia to understand different ocular surface staining patterns in dry eye patients. We generated a rabbit model of short-term exposure keratopathy. To induce DS in the ocular surface, rabbit right eyelids were opened for 30 min, with blinking once/minute. Corneal staining scores increased from 3-min post-DS exposure, while conjunctival staining increased from 20-min post-DS. At 20 min, the tear MUC5AC level doubled as compared to pre-DS (p = 0.007). In Western blot analysis, conjunctival AQP5, MUC5AC, and CFTR expression increased significantly in response to DS, compared to control (p = 0.039, 0.002, 0.039, respectively). Immunohistochemistry for CD31 and LYVE-1 were performed. CD31-positive cells and lymphatic space surrounded by LYVE-1-positive cells increased significantly in conjunctival tissue post-DS, compared to control (p = 0.0006, p < 0.0001, respectively). Surface damage was worse in the corneal than in the conjunctival epithelium after DS, by scanning electron microscopy. This study showed that the cornea and conjunctival epithelium show differences in vulnerability to DS. Increased blood vessels and dilated lymphatics, accompanied by increased conjunctival epithelial AQP5, MUC5AC, and CFTR expression, underlie the protective mechanism of the conjunctiva to desiccating stress.
Differences in macular vessel density in the superficial plexus across cognitive impairment: the NORFACE cohort
Authors: Marquié Marta , Valero Sergi , Martínez Joan , Alarcón-Martín Emilio , García-Sánchez Ainhoa , de Rojas Itziar , Castilla-Martí Miguel , Castilla-Martí Luis , Hernández Isabel , Rosende-Roca Maitée , Vargas Liliana , Tartari Juan Pablo , Esteban-De Antonio Ester , Bojaryn Urszula , Pytel Vanesa , Narvaiza Leire , Alegret Montserrat , Ortega Gemma , Espinosa Ana , Sanabria Ángela , Pérez-Cordón Alba , Lleonart Núria , Muñoz Nathalia , Tárraga Lluís , Ruiz Agustín , Boada Mercè
Published: October 2022

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) allows the detection of retinal vessel density (VD) loss, which is a reflection of brain vascular pathology. We aimed to investigate differences in macular VD in the superficial plexus in a large cohort of individuals cognitively unimpaired (CU), with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer´s disease (MCI-AD), MCI due to cerebrovascular pathology (MCI-Va), probable Alzheimer´s disease dementia (ADD) and Vascular Dementia (VaD). Clinical, demographical, ophthalmological and OCT-A data from the Neuro-ophthalmology Research at Fundació ACE (NORFACE) project were analyzed. Differences of macular VD in four quadrants (superior, nasal, inferior and temporal) among the five diagnostic groups were assessed in a multivariate regression model, adjusted by age, sex, education, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and stroke. The study cohort comprised 672 participants: 128 CU, 120 MCI-AD, 111 MCI-Va, 257 ADD and 56 VaD. Regression analysis showed a significantly higher VD in the temporal quadrant in MCI-AD compared to CU participants (49.05 ± 4.91 vs 47.27 ± 4.17, p = 0.02, d = 0.40), and a significantly lower VD in the inferior quadrant in MCI-Va compared to CU participants (48.70 ± 6.57 vs 51.27 ± 6.39, p = 0.02, d = 0.40). Individuals with heart disease presented significantly lower VD in the inferior quadrant than those without (p = 0.01). The interaction of sex and diagnosis had no effect in differentiating VD. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were not correlated to VD (all r < 0.16; p > 0.07). In conclusion, our study showed that the MCI-AD and MCI-Va groups had significant differences in macular VD in opposite directions in the temporal and inferior quadrants, respectively, compared to CU participants, suggesting that macular VD might be able to differentiate two pathogenic pathways (AD- and cerebrovascular-related) in early stages of cognitive decline.
Extended compartmental model for modeling COVID-19 epidemic in Slovenia
Authors: Fošnarič Miha , Kamenšek Tina , Žganec Gros Jerneja , Žibert Janez
Published: October 2022

In the absence of a systematic approach to epidemiological modeling in Slovenia, various isolated mathematical epidemiological models emerged shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic. We present an epidemiological model adapted to the COVID-19 situation in Slovenia. The standard SEIR model was extended to distinguish between age groups, symptomatic or asymptomatic disease progression, and vaccinated or unvaccinated populations. Evaluation of the model forecasts for 2021 showed the expected behavior of epidemiological modeling: our model adequately predicts the situation up to 4 weeks in advance; the changes in epidemiologic dynamics due to the emergence of a new viral variant in the population or the introduction of new interventions cannot be predicted by the model, but when the new situation is incorporated into the model, the forecasts are again reliable. Comparison with ensemble forecasts for 2022 within the European Covid-19 Forecast Hub showed better performance of our model, which can be explained by a model architecture better adapted to the situation in Slovenia, in particular a refined structure for vaccination, and better parameter tuning enabled by the more comprehensive data for Slovenia. Our model proved to be flexible, agile, and, despite the limitations of its compartmental structure, heterogeneous enough to provide reasonable and prompt short-term forecasts and possible scenarios for various public health strategies. The model has been fully operational on a daily basis since April 2020, served as one of the models for decision-making during the COVID-19 epidemic in Slovenia, and is part of the European Covid-19 Forecast Hub.
Experimental observation of spin−split energy dispersion in high-mobility single-layer graphene/WSe2 heterostructures
Authors: Tiwari Priya , Jat Mohit Kumar , Udupa Adithi , Narang Deepa S. , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Sen Diptiman , Bid Aveek
Published: October 2022

Proximity-induced spin–orbit coupling in graphene has led to the observation of intriguing phenomena like time-reversal invariant $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$

Z

2

topological phase and spin-orbital filtering effects. An understanding of the effect of spin–orbit coupling on the band structure of graphene is essential if these exciting observations are to be transformed into real-world applications. In this research article, we report the experimental determination of the band structure of single-layer graphene (SLG) in the presence of strong proximity-induced spin–orbit coupling. We achieve this in high-mobility hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)-encapsulated SLG/WSe2 heterostructures through measurements of quantum oscillations. We observe clear spin-splitting of the graphene bands along with a substantial increase in the Fermi velocity. Using a theoretical model with realistic parameters to fit our experimental data, we uncover evidence of a band gap opening and band inversion in the SLG. Further, we establish that the deviation of the low-energy band structure from pristine SLG is determined primarily by the valley-Zeeman SOC and Rashba SOC, with the Kane–Mele SOC being inconsequential. Despite robust theoretical predictions and observations of band-splitting, a quantitative measure of the spin-splitting of the valence and the conduction bands and the consequent low-energy dispersion relation in SLG was missing—our combined experimental and theoretical study fills this lacuna.
Synthesis of rare-earth metal compounds through enhanced reactivity of alkali halides at high pressures
Authors: Yin Yuqing , Akbar Fariia I. , Bykova Elena , Aslandukova Alena , Laniel Dominique , Aslandukov Andrey , Bykov Maxim , Hanfland Michael , Garbarino Gaston , Jia Zhitai , Dubrovinsky Leonid , Dubrovinskaia Natalia
Published: October 2022

Chemical stability of the alkali halides NaCl and KCl has allowed for their use as inert media in high-pressure high-temperature experiments. Here we demonstrate the unexpected reactivity of the halides with metals (Y, Dy, and Re) and iron oxide (FeO) in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell, thus providing a synthetic route for halogen-containing binary and ternary compounds. So far unknown chlorides, Y2Cl and DyCl, and chloride carbides, Y2ClC and Dy2ClC, were synthesized at ~40 GPa and 2000 K and their structures were solved and refined using in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Also, FeCl2 with the HP-PdF2-type structure, previously reported at 108 GPa, was synthesized at ~160 GPa and 2100 K. The results of our ab initio calculations fully support experimental findings and reveal the electronic structure and chemical bonding in these compounds.
Synthesis of endohedral fullerenes by molecular surgery
Authors: Bloodworth Sally , Whitby Richard J.
Published: October 2022

Encapsulation of atoms or small molecules inside fullerenes provides a unique opportunity for study of the confined species in the isolated cavity, and the synthesis of closed C60 or C70 fullerenes with enclosed atoms or molecules has recently developed using the method of ‘molecular surgery’; in which an open-cage intermediate fullerene is the host for encapsulation of a guest species, before repair of the cage opening. In this work we review the main methods for cage-opening and closure, and the achievements of molecular surgery to date.
Actinomycetes-derived imine reductases with a preference towards bulky amine substrates
Authors: Zhang Jun , Li Xin , Chen Rongchang , Tan Xianwei , Liu Xiongduo , Ma Yaqing , Zhu Fangfang , An Chunyan , Wei Guangzheng , Yao Yongpeng , Yang Lujia , Zhang Peng , Wu Qiaqing , Sun Zhoutong , Wang Bin-Gui , Gao Shu-Shan , Cui Chengsen
Published: October 2022

Since imine reductases (IREDs) were reported to catalyze the reductive amination reactions, they became particularly attractive for producing chiral amines. Though diverse ketones and aldehydes have been proved to be excellent substrates of IREDs, bulky amines have been rarely transformed. Here we report the usage of an Increasing-Molecule-Volume-Screening to identify a group of IREDs (IR-G02, 21, and 35) competent for accepting bulky amine substrates. IR-G02 shows an excellent substrate scope, which is applied to synthesize over 135 amine molecules as well as a range of APIs’ substructures. The crystal structure of IR-G02 reveals the determinants for altering the substrate preference. Finally, we demonstrate a gram-scale synthesis of an analogue of the API sensipar via a kinetic resolution approach, which displays ee >99%, total turnover numbers of up to 2087, and space time yield up to 18.10 g L−1 d−1.
Laboratory observation of plasmoid-dominated magnetic reconnection in hybrid collisional-collisionless regime
Authors: Zhao Zhonghai , An Honghai , Xie Yu , Lei Zhu , Yao Weipeng , Yuan Wenqiang , Xiong Jun , Wang Chen , Ye Junjian , Xie Zhiyong , Fang Zhiheng , Lei Anle , Pei Wenbing , He Xiantu , Zhou Weimin , Wang Wei , Zhu Shaoping , Qiao Bin
Published: October 2022

Magnetic reconnection, breaking and reorganization of magnetic field topology, is a fundamental process for rapid release of magnetic energy into plasmas that occurs pervasively throughout the universe. In natural circumstances, the plasma properties on either side of the reconnection layer are almost asymmetric, in particular for the collision rates that critically determine the underlying reconnection mechanism. To date, all laboratory experiments on magnetic reconnections have been limited to purely collisional or collisionless regimes. Here, we report a well-designed experimental investigation on magnetic reconnections in a hybrid collisional-collisionless regime by interactions between laser-ablated copper and plastic plasmas. We directly observe the topology evolutions of the whole process of this asymmetric magnetic reconnection by highly-resolved proton radiography. Through this, we show that the growth rate of tearing instability in such a hybrid regime is still extremely large, resulting in rapid formation of multiple plasmoids and generation of plasmoid-dominated current sheet.
Compound flood hazard at Lake Como, Italy, is driven by temporal clustering of rainfall events
Authors: Banfi Fabiola , De Michele Carlo
Published: October 2022

Lake floods occur when the water level in the lake exceeds a threshold causing inundation of neighbouring shorelines. Despite the potential impacts of this type of flood on neighbouring settlements, the mechanisms and drivers that govern when lake floods occur, and particularly how they result from compound factors, remains poorly understood. Here we compile and analyze meteorological and historical data on lake floods at Lake Como (northern Italy) between 1980 and 2020. We identify seven modes of lake floods with climate-based drivers. In 70% of cases, floods are associated with a temporal clustering of rainfall. This was also the predominant trigger of the seven most severe floods. To a lesser extent, floods were driven by a single rainfall event over a water level previously increased by rainfall and/or melting. We conclude that lake floods represent a clear example of the potential for compound mechanisms to govern and exacerbate hazards.
Development of fluorescence sensors with copper-based nanoclusters via Förster resonance energy transfer and the quenching effect for vanillin detection
Authors: Zhai Hong , Gao Mengmeng , Bai Yunfeng , Qin Jun , Song Qing , Liu Zhixiong , Wang Haiyan , Feng Feng
Published: October 2022

Two copper-based nanoclusters were synthesized and were used to develop vanillin sensors via Förster resonance energy transfer and the quenching effect.
A divergent photocatalysis strategy for selective aerobic oxidation of C(sp3)–H bonds promoted by disulfides
Authors: Zhao Jingnan , Sun Huinan , Lu Yue , Li Jianing , Yu Zongyi , Zhu Hongfei , Ma Cunfei , Meng Qingwei , Peng Xiaojun
Published: October 2022

The selective oxidation of C(sp3)–H bonds is of uncontested utility in organic synthesis.
Micellar nanoparticles inhibit breast cancer and pulmonary metastasis by modulating the recruitment and depletion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells
Authors: Lu Zhengze , Liu Houqin , Ma Ling , Ren Kebai , He Zhidi , Li Man , He Qin
Published: October 2022

RLA/DOX/αGC NPs regulate lung and tumor microenvironment by modulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and inhibit breast cancer and pulmonary metastasis.
Rare earth-doped nanocrystals for bioimaging in the near-infrared region
Authors: Meng Jiajia , Cui Yanyan , Wang Yaling
Published: October 2022

An overview of strategies from designing high-quality rare-earth-doped nanoparticles to bioimaging in the NIR region.
Modelling of a pulse‐skipping modulated DC–DC buck converter
Authors: Corti Fabio , Laudani Antonino , Lozito Gabriele Maria , Reatti Alberto , Bartolini Alessandro , Ciani Lorenzo , Kazimierczuk Marian K.
Published: October 2022

This paper presents an accurate averaged model of a Buck converter controlled via pulse‐skipping modulation (PSM). The derived model includes the parasitic elements of the circuit components, and it is not yet given in the literature. Output capacitor voltage and inductor current are analysed under steady‐state operation by deriving the expressions of average and ripple amplitude values. The accuracy improvements introduced by the proposed model are validated by comparison against models existing in the literature. A design procedure based on the proposed model is formulated and experimentally validated. The expressions for the control‐to‐output and the input‐to‐output network functions, both including the parasitic components of the converter circuit, are derived and utilized to exploit the circuit dynamic behaviour in the frequency domain.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Developing after Aggressive Posterior Fossa Tumor Surgery
Authors: Bozkurt Gokhan , Mammadkhanli Orkhan , Ozden Mahmut
Published: October 2022

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neurologic disorder, having such common radiological findings as vasogenic edema and white matter changes in watershed areas. The clinic and radiological outcome may not be reversible in 10 to 20% of patients, like in the case of our patient. Here, we discuss the pathogenetic factors that are essential in developing PRES after posterior fossa surgery. A 4-year-old female was admitted to our clinic with a recurrent/residual mass in the posterior fossa. She previously underwent posterior fossa surgery three times (for what was diagnosed as anaplastic astrocytoma through pathohistology) in another center. She was operated thrice in 5 days, and the tumor radically removed. Two days later, after the last surgery, while waking up, our patient developed seizures and altered consciousness. Her neurological condition was severe. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were compatible with those of PRES. Our patient had multiple risk factors for PRES that were as follows: multiple posterior fossa surgeries, anamnesis of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, high-dose steroid use, intracranial pressure changes, and hypertensive attacks due to surgical manipulation. In preventing the development of PRES, we should beware of sudden changes in blood pressure during surgery and meticulously manipulate the brain stem to avoid any disturbance of the central nervous system homeostasis. PRES may transform into real encephalopathy. If the patient has some of these risk factors, PRES would probably develop after surgery.
Words of wisdom from older immigrant Latino/as with cancer
Authors: Carrion Iraida V. , Neelamegam Malinee , Lewinson Terri D. , Polonio Keisha , Bonano Crystal
Published: October 2022

Among older Latino/as immigrants diagnosed with Cancer in Central Florida, little is known about the transmission of cancer knowledge to family and friends. This qualitative study explored the open-ended survey responses of 32 older Latino/as participants who reported a cancer diagnosis. We used thematic analysis to understand shared kinship knowledge through advice-giving to family members and friends. Identified advice topics included possessing faith, following up with a doctor, and seeking treatment while remaining positive. Participants’ advice mostly centered on relying on God when coping with a cancer diagnosis. Faith in God provided strength to manage challenges associated with the cancer diagnosis and led to an improved chance of recovery. Older Latino/as with cancer provide information about their cancer diagnosis in an empowering, advising manner to family members and friends. After accepting their cancer diagnosis, they endeavored to demystify the disease by providing words of advice and wisdom to their family and friends.
The peripheral vortex biome of confined quantum fluids and its influence on vortex dipole annihilation
Authors: Zhu Chuanzhou , Ford Patrick C , Siemens Mark E , Lusk Mark T
Published: October 2022

The self-annihilation of a pair of oppositely charged optical vortices (vortex dipole) in a quantum fluid is hindered by nonlinearity and promoted by radial confinement, resulting in rich life-cycle dynamics of such pairs. The competing effects generate a biome of peripheral vortices that can directly interact with the original pair to produce a sequence of surrogation events. Numerical simulation is used to elucidate the role of the vortex biome as a function of nonlinearity strength and the initial spacing between the engineered vortices. The results apply directly to other nonlinear quantum fluids as well and may be useful in the control of complex condensates in which vortex dynamics produce topologically protected phases.
Establishing the excitation field in tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to study nanostructures within two-dimensional systems
Authors: Miranda Hudson , Monken Vitor , Campos João Luiz E , Vasconcelos Thiago L , Rabelo Cassiano , Archanjo Bráulio S , Almeida Clara M , Grieger Sebastian , Backes Claudia , Jorio Ado , Gustavo Cançado Luiz
Published: October 2022

The optical field generated by a nanoplasmonic probe is revealed in tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) experiments. The TERS intensity profile of nano-objects smaller than the probe’s apex has a donut-like shape which resembles the magnitude of the field generated by a point-dipole source, being well described by the Dyadic Green’s function. Having prior knowledge on the excitation field generated by the TERS probe, we measured the width of shear solitons caused by lattice reconstruction in low-angle twisted bilayer graphene, a prominent platform for twistronics, and the extend of defect-induced light emission from graphene edges.
Assessment of Quality of Frozen Section Services at a Large Academic Hospital Before and After Relocation
Authors: Onyenekwu Chinelo P , Czaja Rebecca C , Norui Rashda , Hunt Bryan C , Miller James , Jorns Julie M
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To determine outcomes following relocation of frozen section services (FSS) and the implementation of a dedicated gastrointestinal frozen service.

Methods

We reviewed our FSS 6 months prior to and following FSS relocation. Satisfaction surveys were sent to surgeons and pathologists. Survey feedback resulted in a pilot of gastrointestinal subspecialist frozen section coverage.

Results

There were 1,607 and 1,472 specimens from 667 and 602 patients pre- and post-FSS relocation, respectively. There was a decline in median specimen delivery time to pathology (12 vs 10 minutes, P < .001) and an increase in median time from receipt in pathology to intraoperative diagnosis (20 vs 22 minutes, P = .008) in cases with intrapathology consultation but no change without consultation (median, 19 minutes). Intrapathology consultation decreased from 19.7% (317/1,607) to 11.5% (169/1,472) (P < .001). Discordance rates between frozen section and permanent section remained low and similar (2.0% [33/1,607] vs 2.7% [40/1,472], P = .24). There was no significant change in discordance with dedicated gastrointestinal subspecialty frozen section interpretation.

Conclusions

Relocation of FSS and dedicated subspecialty interpretation may improve surgeon satisfaction but can also create workflow challenges. Pathology departments need to achieve a balance between satisfaction and adequacy to establish best frozen section coverage models.