bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a Chairside Acrylic Adjustment Cabinet in Reducing Dental Acrylic Debris and Aerosols
Authors: Srivastava Akanksha , Andersen Michael R. , Alshehri Abdulkareem M. , Lara Bryan , Bashiri Rafiullah , Li Guojun , Chambers Mark S.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Chairside prosthesis adjustment procedures generate contaminated acrylic particle debris that include visible splatter (particles >50 μm) as well as invisible aerosols (<50 µm). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a chairside acrylic adjustment cabinet (CAAC) in reducing airborne aerosol particles (<10 µm) and visible acrylic debris, time required for airborne aerosols to return to baseline levels after an acrylic adjustment procedure, and the effect on operatory turnover time.

Materials and methods

A total of 40 acrylic adjustment procedures were carried out in a simulated setting with (experiment) and without (control) a CAAC. Standardized acrylic samples of self‐polymerized, and heat polymerized polymethylmethacrylate resins, Triad™ and Fastray™ custom tray materials were evaluated. Airborne aerosol measurements were done using a handheld Lase.r Particle Counter for absolute particle counts of sizes 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μm before, during, and immediately after adjustment and 10 minutes postadjustment. Spread of aerosols was assessed at three distinct locations within the dental operatory specific to the provider, the patient, and the caregiver/guest. Visible acrylic debris and operatory turnover time were evaluated immediately postadjustments by a blinded investigator. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to estimate group effect, time effect and interaction between group and time for air particle analysis. Independent samples T‐tests were used for group differences between operatory turnover time, and time for aerosols to return to baseline. Chi‐square test was used for visible surface analysis.

Results

In the control group, total aerosol particle counts increased from 6542.7 ± 162.6 particles at baseline to 598378.7 ± 586363.2 and 367569.9 ± 432220.8 particles during and immediately postadjustment, respectively. Adjustments made in the experiment group led to significantly reduced aerosol counts during (97738.9 ± 97866.5) and immediately postadjustment (19786.5 ± 14004.9; F = 17.8, p = 0.006). Similar trends were noted for the patient and guest positions. Time for aerosol particles to return to baseline was significantly lower in the experiment group (20.56 ± 14.5 minutes) compared to the control group (37.9 ± 31.96 minutes; p = 0.03). Visible acrylic debris analysis showed a significant decrease of 78% in the experiment group (p < 0.001). No significant differences were noted in operatory turnover time between the two groups (p = 0.61).

Conclusions

Acrylic adjustment procedures generated aerosols of particle sizes less than 10 µm and were measured in significant quantities throughout the dental operatory for up to 115 minutes. Chairside acrylic adjustment cabinets significantly decreased airborne aerosols, visible acrylic particle debris, and reduced the time for airborne aerosols to return to baseline levels.
Early starts and late finishes both reduce alertness and performance among short‐haul airline pilots
Authors: Arsintescu Lucia , Pradhan Sean , Chachad Ravi G. , Gregory Kevin B. , Mulligan Jeffrey B. , Flynn‐Evans Erin E.
Published: December 2021

Flight crews are frequently required to work irregular schedules and, as a result, can experience sleep deficiency and fatigue. This study was conducted to determine whether perceived fatigue levels and objective performance varied by time of day, time awake, and prior night's sleep duration. Ninety‐five pilots (86 male, 9 female) aged 33 years (±8) volunteered for the study. Participants completed a daily sleep diary, Samn‐Perelli fatigue scale, and psychomotor vigilance task that were completed before and after each flight duty period and at the top‐of‐descent for each flight. Pilots experienced higher self‐reported fatigue (EMM = 3.92, SE = 0.09, p < 0.001) and worse performance (Response speed: EMM = 4.27, SE = 0.08, p = 0.004) for late‐finishing duties compared with early‐starting duties (Samn‐Perelli: EMM = 3.74, SE = 0.08; Response speed: EMM = 4.37, SE = 0.08), but had shorter sleep before early‐starting duties (early: EMM = 6.94, SE = 0.10; late: EMM = 8.47, SE = 0.14, p < 0.001). However, pre‐duty Samn‐Perelli and response speed were worse (z = 4.18, p < 0.001; z = 3.05, p = 0.03; respectively) for early starts compared with late finishes (EMM = 2.74, SE = 0.19), while post‐duty Samn‐Perelli was worse for late finishes (EMM = 4.74, SE = 0.19) compared with early starts (EMM = 4.05, SE = 0.12). The results confirm that duty time has a strong influence on self‐reported fatigue and performance. Thus, all flights that encroach on a biological night are targets for fatigue risk management oversight.
Congenital muscular dystrophy in a dog with a LAMA2 gene deletion
Authors: Shelton G. Diane , Minor Katie M. , Thomovsky Stephanie , Guo Ling T. , Friedenberg Steven G. , Cullen Jonah N. , Mickelson James R.
Published: December 2021

A 2‐year‐old female spayed dog was presented with a chronic history of short‐strided gait and inability to completely open the jaw. Clinical signs were present since the dog was adopted from a humane society at a few months of age. Serum creatine kinase activity was abnormally high. Neurological examination, electromyography, muscle biopsies with immunofluorescent staining, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were performed. A dystrophic phenotype was identified histologically in muscle biopsies, deficiency of laminin α2 protein was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining, and a deletion in the LAMA2 gene was identified by analysis of the WGS data. Congenital muscular dystrophy associated with a disease variant in LAMA2 was identified.
Resource competition, not facilitation, structures gravel beach plant communities
Authors: Arnst Elise A. , Wiser Susan K. , Sullivan Jon J. , Buckley Hannah L.
Published: December 2021

Questions

How are plant–plant interactions mediated by environmental factors to influence plant community structure on gravel beaches?

Location

Two coastal gravel beaches on the eastern coast of New Zealand.

Methods

We surveyed plant co‐occurrence patterns on the beaches and performed plant addition experiments, varying nutrients, water, and presence of potential nurse plants. We used C‐score analysis to test whether observed individual and species co‐occurrence patterns deviated from random expectation. Generalised linear modelling of survival within the experiments tested the importance of potential nurse plants vs both resource‐ and non‐resource‐based stress.

Results

Despite the harsh conditions, species co‐occurred less frequently than expected if distributions were random. The presence of adult nurse plants had a negative, rather than facilitative effect on growth and survival of planted shrub seedlings. Abiotic factors also influenced seedling survival, although responses were species‐specific.

Conclusions

We found no evidence that facilitation plays a role in structuring plant communities in the highly stressed environment of New Zealand gravel beaches. Rather, our results support the prediction that resource competition is the dominant factor in determining community structure in highly stressed environments and is inconsistent with the stress gradient hypothesis.
Distribution, reproductive potential and conservation assessment of the rare and endemic Dionysia mira in the Hajar Mountains, Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Lupton Darach A. , Patzelt Annette , Anderson Andrew , Harder Henning , Zacharias Dietmar
Published: December 2021

Dionysia mira (Jaub. & Spach.) Wendelbo is endemic to the northern mountains of Oman, where it is restricted to a few isolated populations in the eastern and western Hajar Mountains; the extent of populations has not been accurately documented. Here we investigate the population size and distribution, habitat preferences, reproductive biology and potential threats, and ex‐situ conservation initiatives at Oman Botanic Garden are discussed. In 2017, 4045 flowering plants were recorded; of which 3595 were concentrated around the village of Shnoot on Jabal Al Akhdar in the western Hajar mountains. Plants are found between 1700 m and 2500 m a.s.l. on north facing limestone gravel slopes and fissures on vertical outcrops and cliff faces within Sideroxylon mascatense – Olea europaea and Teucrium mascatense – Juniperus seravschanica vegetation communities. Plant density within the core population at Shnoot is 52 plants/100 m2; 46% of which were mature plants, 32% semi‐mature and 15% seedlings. The mean number of seeds per plant was 14 000; bee‐flies (Bombyliidae) are suggested as likely pollinators. Using freshly collected seeds under controlled conditions between 10°C and 30°C a 90% germination rate was recorded; there was no difference in the germination rates between stratified and non‐stratified seeds. Dionysia mira is under threat from predicted climate change scenarios in the region and habitat loss through widespread development within its core range. Long‐term ex‐situ conservation programme at Oman Botanic Garden maintains a seed and living plant collection.
Recreation and hunting differentially affect deer behaviour and sapling performance
Authors: Mols Bjorn , Lambers Evert , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M. , Kuijper Dries P. J. , Smit Christian
Published: December 2021

Humans are increasingly acknowledged as apex predators that shape landscapes of fear to which herbivores adapt their behaviour. Here, we investigate how humans modify deer space‐use and their effects on vegetation at two spatial scales; zones with different types of human use (largescale risk factor) and, nested within that, trails (fine‐scale risk factor). In zones with three contrasting types of human activities: 1) no recreation, no hunting, 2) with recreation, no hunting and 3) with recreation and hunting, we linked deer space‐use (dropping counts) to browsing intensity, relative growth and survival of planted saplings. Plots were located at two distances to trails (20 versus 100 m) to test how trails affect deer space‐use and sapling performance. Additionally, plots were distributed over forest and heathland as risk effects are habitat‐dependent. Deer space‐use was highest in the zone without recreation or hunting, resulting in higher browsing levels and lower sapling growth and survival, but only in heathland. In contrast, deer space‐use and sapling performance did not differ between zones with recreation only and zones with recreation and hunting. Deer dropping counts were lower near trails used for recreation, but this was not associated with browsing impact or sapling performance. Our results show that recreational use modifies deer space‐use which is associated with browsing impact on woody vegetation, while seasonal hunting activities in zones with recreation did not have additive year‐round effects. Yet, effects were only observed at the larger scale of recreation zones and not near trails. Furthermore, deer space‐use was only associated with sapling performance in open heathland, where high visibility presumably increases avoidance behaviour because it increases detectability and decreases escape possibilities. This suggests that recreation creates behaviourally mediated cascading effects that influence vegetation development, yet these effects are context‐dependent. We advocate incorporating human‐induced fear effects in conservation, management and research.
Predators reduce niche overlap between sympatric prey
Authors: Dellinger Justin A. , Shores Carolyn R. , Craig Apryle D. , Kachel Shannon M. , Heithaus Michael R. , Ripple William J. , Wirsing Aaron J.
Published: December 2021

Predators may alter niche overlap between prey species by eliciting divergent anti‐predator behavior. Accordingly, we exploited heterogeneous gray wolf Canis lupus presence in Washington, USA, to contrast patterns of resource and dietary overlap between mule Odocoileus hemionus and white‐tailed deer O. virginianus at sites with and without resident packs. Mule deer run (stot) in a way that is less effective as a means of fleeing from predators than the galloping gait of white‐tailed deer. Consequently, mule deer manage risk from coursing predators like wolves by avoiding encounters, whereas white‐tailed deer respond to such predators by exploiting areas where they are most likely to escape pursuit. Thus, under the ‘refuge partitioning hypothesis' whereby predators reduce prey niche overlap by eliciting use of different refugia, we predicted wolf exposure to 1) decrease resource and dietary overlap between these ungulates, and 2) induce segregation consistent with each species using different parts of the landscape to reduce their wolf risk. At the home range scale, the ways in which resource overlap diminished in the wolf areas were consistent with the prey species reducing their respective risks, particularly with respect to slope, with mule deer separating from white‐tailed deer by seeking steeper areas where wolf encounters are less likely. At the within‐home range scale, the manner in which spatial overlap decreased in relation to forest cover was consistent with species‐specific risk management, with mule deer avoiding wolf encounters by shifting toward this resource. Reduced resource overlap between the deer in areas occupied by wolves did not correspond with dietary divergence. Our findings suggest that wolf risk mediates spatial but not necessarily dietary overlap between sympatric ungulates, divergent anti‐predator behavior is a non‐consumptive pathway by which predators can reduce interspecific competition among prey, and use of disparate refugia by prey may not result in dietary divergence.
New bone conservation technology of impacted teeth extraction
Authors: Gao Shiyu , Jiang Hongbing , Li Sheng
Published: December 2021

Object

To introduce an impacted wisdom tooth extraction method based on the new concept of bone preservation.

Methods

About 60 cases with impacted mandibular third molars in our clinic were reviewed from January to March 2021. Two senior attending doctors were selected to perform the extraction operations. Two different techniques were used to extract the impacted third molar. The duration of the operation time, the postoperative swelling scaling and the pain scaling were reviewed.

Research results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time, the postoperative swelling scaling and the pain scaling. Both methods can remove wisdom teeth, and clinicians should choose less invasive methods.

Conclusion

The extraction of impacted teeth should be improved with more precision and less trauma.
Gaussian Prepivoting for Finite Population Causal Inference
Authors: Cohen Peter L. , Fogarty Colin B.
Published: December 2021

In finite population causal inference exact randomization tests can be constructed for sharp null hypotheses, hypotheses which impute the missing potential outcomes. Oftentimes inference is instead desired for the weak null that the sample average of the treatment effects takes on a particular value while leaving the subject-specific treatment effects unspecified. Tests valid for sharp null hypotheses can be anti-conservative should only the weak null hold. We develop a general framework for unifying modes of inference for sharp and weak nulls, wherein a single procedure simultaneously delivers exact inference for sharp nulls and asymptotically valid inference for weak nulls. We employ randomization tests based upon prepivoted test statistics, wherein a test statistic is first transformed by a suitably constructed cumulative distribution function and its randomization distribution assuming the sharp null is then enumerated. For a large class of test statistics, we show that prepivoting may be accomplished by employing the push-forward of a sample-based Gaussian measure based upon a suitable covariance estimator. The approach enumerates the randomization distribution (assuming the sharp null) of a p-value for a large-sample test known to be valid under the weak null, and uses the resulting randomization distribution for inference. The versatility of the method is demonstrated through many examples, including rerandomized designs and regression-adjusted estimators in completely randomized designs.
Data visualization in introductory business statistics to strengthen students' practical skills
Authors: Hsu Jane Lu , Jones Abram , Lin Jia‐Huei , Chen You‐Ren
Published: December 2021

The objective of this study is to present and discuss how data visualization can be incorporated into teaching approaches by business faculty in introductory business statistics to strengthen business students' practical skills. Data visualization lessens difficulties in learning statistics by providing opportunities to illustrate analytical findings in graphic form, which is essential for learners with different learning styles. Familiarizing students with Excel, Python, or other software in introductory business statistics is beneficial in helping them attain statistical literacy by analyzing real‐world data such as COVID‐19 statistics. Using such data equips students with knowledge of statistical implementation—a core skill in the business world.
HIV incidence and compliance with deferral criteria over three progressively shorter time deferrals for men who have sex with men in Canada
Authors: Caffrey Niamh , Goldman Mindy , Osmond Lori , Yi Qi‐Long , Fan Wenli , O'Brien Sheila F.
Published: December 2021

Background

In Canada, the deferral for men who have sex with men (MSM) has been progressively reduced from a permanent deferral for MSM since 1977, to 5 years, 1 year, and, most recently, 3 months. We estimated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) residual risk and compliance with the MSM time deferral after each change.

Methods

Four anonymous online compliance surveys were carried out before and after each change. HIV incidence and prevalence were monitored from 2010 to 2021. Residual risk was estimated using the incidence‐window period model.

Results

Human immunodeficiency virus prevalence, incidence, and residual risk did not change with incrementally shorter MSM deferrals. The residual risk per million donations post 3‐month deferral was 0.05 (0.001–0.371). Men with temporally remote MSM history became eligible and, therefore, compliant as the deferral periods decreased (Cochran‐Armitage p value = <.0001). However, the percentage of men with MSM history in the last 3 months with the indefinite deferral in place was similar to the percentage noncompliant, while the 3‐month deferral was in place. MSM donors did not report high‐risk behaviors for which they would otherwise be deferred in any survey. Following the change, an estimated 4467 MSM per year were eligible to donate, an increase from 2501 estimated eligible MSM donors following the change to the 1‐year deferral.

Conclusion

With progressively shorter MSM deferral periods, HIV residual risk was unchanged. The proportion of male donors with deferrable MSM history remained low, while those with temporally remote MSM history became eligible, increasing the number of eligible MSM donors.
Techno-Economic Impact Assessments of Energy Efficiency Improvements in the Industrial Combustion Systems
Authors: McLaughlin Eva , Choi Jun-Ki , Kissock Kelly
Published: December 2021

Industrial energy efficiency assessments not only provide benefits to manufacturers but also generate significant economic and environmental benefits to localities, states, and the nation through indirect and induced benefits. Quantifying these benefits requires a systematic economic framework for capturing these interactions. This article employs methodologies for improving the energy efficiency of small- and medium-sized industry through their combustion systems. Combustion systems offer large opportunities to enhance energy efficiency through adopting advanced technologies and better-informed operations. The case studies presented illuminate the potential savings and impacts from implementing energy-efficient combustion recommendations and the importance of energy audits and energy efficiency in the fight against climate change. This study describes and quantifies the cascading economic and environmental impacts of implementing the industrial energy efficiency recommendations offered by an energy auditing program by participating facilities over a 10-year period. Results showed that it is expected that a total of $185 M would be saved in energy costs, and 2.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions would be avoided annually, and about 972 jobs could be created in the studied region if all the combustion recommendations would be implemented. The broader view afforded by the proposed study can be used to support better energy-efficient practices in manufacturing facilities, communities, and states.
Dependence of lung ultrasound vertical artifacts on frequency, bandwidth, focus and angle of incidence: An in vitro study
Authors: Mento Federico , Demi Libertario
Published: December 2021

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is nowadays widely adopted by clinicians to evaluate the state of the lung surface. However, being mainly based on the evaluation of vertical artifacts, whose genesis is still unclear, LUS is affected by qualitative and subjective analyses. Even though semi-quantitative approaches supported by computer aided methods can reduce subjectivity, they do not consider the dependence of vertical artifacts on imaging parameters, and could not be classified as fully quantitative. They are indeed mainly based on scoring LUS images, reconstructed with standard clinical scanners, through the sole evaluation of visual patterns, whose visualization depends on imaging parameters. To develop quantitative techniques is therefore fundamental to understand which parameters influence the vertical artifacts' intensity. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed the dependence of nine vertical artifacts observed in a thorax phantom on four parameters, i.e., center frequency, focal point, bandwidth, and angle of incidence. The results showed how the vertical artifacts are significantly affected by these four parameters, and confirm that the center frequency is the most impactful parameter in artifacts' characterization. These parameters should hence be carefully considered when developing a LUS quantitative approach.
Acoustical intensity probe based on a polyvinylidene fluoride bimorph
Authors: Wang Ning , Pan Jie , Matthews David
Published: December 2021

This study investigates complex acoustical intensity using a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) bimorph. Analytical models of the open-circuit voltage outputs of an infinite-strip-shaped PVDF bimorph cantilever in an underwater sound field are developed. Results show that the sound pressure generates the sum of the outputs, while the particle velocity normal to the PVDF surface generates the difference. The sensitivities of the pressure- and velocity-generated voltage responses with respect to an incident plane sound field demonstrate uniform directivity in a low-frequency range, which is suitable for acoustical intensity determination. The higher velocity sensitivity confirms the advantage of using a PVDF bimorph as a velocity sensor, owing to its light weight and flexibility. An algorithm for determining the complex acoustical intensity normal to the surface is proposed by utilizing those voltage responses and the probe gain calibrated with a given angle of incident sound. This algorithm allows accurate determination of sound intensity of a plane wave field, where the reactive part of intensity is absent. However, a small error may exist when the reactive intensity is large and active intensity is small. This small discrepancy arises from the inherent variation in the phase directivity of the gains, which decrease with frequency.
Identifying Fundamental Motor Skills Building Blocks in Preschool Children From Brazil and the United States: A Network Analysis
Authors: Martins Clarice , Webster E. Kipling , Bandeira Paulo Felipe Ribeiro , Staiano Amanda E.
Published: December 2021

Fundamental motor skills (FMSs) are building blocks for future movements and may vary according to cultural context. Moreover, network analysis can identify which skills contribute most to an overall set of skills. This study identified the most influential FMS in samples of U.S. and Brazil preschoolers that may contribute to a pattern of adequate motor skills. Participants were 101 Brazilian (55 boys; 47.52 ± 5.57 months of age) and 236 U.S. preschoolers (108 boys; 49.56 ± 8.27 months of age), who provided completed FMS assessments (Test of Gross Motor Development—third edition). Confirmatory factorial analysis was used to test alternative models. To quantify the importance of each variable in the network, the expected influence was calculated, using the network analysis Mplus, Rstudio, and JASP (version 0.14.1). Reduced models with nine and 11 FMS for Brazilian and U.S. preschoolers, respectively, showed adequate adjustment indexes. Jump (1.412) and one-hand strike (0.982) in the Brazilian sample, and hop (1.927) and dribble (0.858) in the U.S. sample, showed the highest expected influence values. This study presents a new perspective to report which are the most important FMS in preschoolers of different sociocultural contexts, which act as building blocks for the acquisition of more complex motor skills.
Genetic and functional evidence links a missense variant in
B4GALT1
to lower LDL and fibrinogen
Authors: Montasser May E. , Van Hout Cristopher V. , Miloscio Lawrence , Howard Alicia D. , Rosenberg Avraham , Callaway Myrasol , Shen Biao , Li Ning , Locke Adam E. , Verweij Niek , De Tanima , Ferreira Manuel A. , Lotta Luca A. , Baras Aris , Daly Thomas J. , Hartford Suzanne A. , Lin Wei , Mao Yuan , Ye Bin , White Derek , Gong Guochun , Perry James A. , Ryan Kathleen A. , Fang Qing , Tzoneva Gannie , Pefanis Evangelos , Hunt Charleen , Tang Yajun , Lee Lynn ,   Regeneron Genetics Center Collaboration‡, Sztalryd-Woodle Carole , Mitchell Braxton D. , Healy Matthew , Streeten Elizabeth A. , Taylor Simeon I. , O’Connell Jeffrey R. , Economides Aris N. , Della Gatta Giusy , Shuldiner Alan R.
Published: December 2021

Rare variants and blood LDL cholesterol

A current goal in genomics is to identify genetic variation associated with actionable traits of clinical concern. Through exome sequencing of an Old Order Amish population, Montasser
et al
. identified a genetic variant that results in an amino acid change in the beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 protein and is correlated with lower levels of cardiovascular disease. Investigation of the mutant protein showed that it affects genes associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and mice engineered to express the mutant protein exhibited a 38% decrease in blood LDL-C levels. This study suggests that such genomic sequencing and analysis can link genotype to phenotype and identify potentially clinically actionable pathways to treat disease. —LMZ
Error-prone, stress-induced 3′ flap–based Okazaki fragment maturation supports cell survival
Authors: Sun Haitao , Lu Zhaoning , Singh Amanpreet , Zhou Yajing , Zheng Eric , Zhou Mian , Wang Jinhui , Wu Xiwei , Hu Zunsong , Gu Zhaohui , Campbell Judith L. , Zheng Li , Shen Binghui
Published: December 2021

Maturation for survival

Although cells with defects in DNA replication usually die under stress conditions, some cells acquire new mutations and survive. Sun
et al
. identified an error-prone, stress-induced Okazaki fragment maturation pathway that induces tandem duplications and enables the survival of cells that have defects in removing the 5′ RNA-DNA flap during DNA replication. In these cells, stress conditions activate DUN1 signaling and induce conversion of the 5′ flap to a 3′ flap that can form secondary structures and be extended and ligated to the downstream DNA fragment, generating alternative duplication mutations similar to the ones in human cancers. The revealed information is analogous to the mechanism in cancer cell evolution and drug resistance. —DJ
Response to Comment on
“
A Middle Pleistocene
Homo
from Nesher Ramla, Israel”
Authors: May Hila , Sarig Rachel , Pokhojaev Ariel , Fornai Cinzia , Martinón-Torres María , Bermúdez de Castro José María , Weber Gerhard W. , Zaidner Yossi , Hershkovitz Israel
Published: December 2021

Marom and Rak claim, on the basis of a few mandibular features, that the Nesher Ramla (NR)
Homo
is a Neanderthal. Their comments lack substance and contribute little to the debate surrounding the evolution of Middle Pleistocene
Homo
. Limitations and preconceptions in their study prevented them from achieving resolution beyond a dichotomous interpretation of the NR as either a Neanderthal or a modern human.
Dissecting the early COVID-19 cases in Wuhan
Authors: Worobey Michael
Published: December 2021

Elucidating the origin of the pandemic requires understanding of the Wuhan outbreak
Directing carboxylic acid dehydrogenation
Authors: Iwabuchi Yoshiharu
Published: December 2021

A palladium ligand can activate carbon-hydrogen bonds yet avoid product olefin reactions
Reactivation of Cumbre Vieja volcano
Authors: Longpré Marc-Antoine
Published: December 2021

A long-quiescent volcano’s behavior requires rethinking about forecasting and hazards
Startling new variant raises urgent questions
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: December 2021

Omicron’s many mutations look troubling but understanding its danger will take time
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Leishmania infantum chagasi Isolates from Honduras and Brazil
Authors: Silveira Fernando Tobias , Sousa Junior Edivaldo Costa , Silvestre Rodrigo Vellasco , Costa-Martins André Guilherme , da Costa Pinheiro Kenny , Sosa Ochoa Wilfredo , Vasconcelos dos Santos Thiago , Ramos Patrícia Karla , Casseb Samir , da Silva Sandro Patroca , Valeriano Concepción Zúniga , Lima Luciana Vieira , Campos Marliane Batista , da Matta Vania Lucia , Gomes Claudia Maria , Flores Gabriela Venicia , Pacheco Carmen Maria , Corbett Carlos Eduardo , Nakaya Helder , Laurenti Márcia Dalastra
Published: December 2021

This work reports on the whole-genome sequencing of
Leishmania infantum chagasi
from Honduras (Central America) and Brazil (South America).
Draft Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis from Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Olubusola Oladele Oludotun , Onogu Ameji Negedu , Ray Jambalang Alexander , Olorundare Olufunmilola , Ezemokwe Grace Chiemeka , Nnadi Uchenna Precious , Agwom Francis , Morenikeji Oluwatoyin Ruth , Nanko Gimba , Ngene Anayochukwu Chibuike , Aguiyi John Chineye , Leptihn Sebastian , Nnadi Nnaemeka Emmanuel
Published: December 2021

Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis causes the highest incidence of human salmonellosis infections. Here, we describe the whole-genome sequence and annotation of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis strain 1145s, isolated in Nigeria. The strain has a genome of 4.57 Mb with a GC content of 52% and contains one plasmid.
Complete Genome Sequence of Megamonas funiformis Strain 1CBH44, Isolated from Human Feces
Authors: Ogata Yusuke , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Kumar Naveen , Ohkuma Moriya , Hattori Masahira , Suda Wataru
Published: December 2021

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Megamonas funiformis
strain 1CBH44, which was isolated from the feces of a healthy Japanese person. The genome consists of a circular chromosome (2,310,709 bp, with a GC content of 31.5%) and possesses 2,170 putative protein-coding genes, 18 rRNA genes, and 54 tRNA genes.
Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of Alpha and Delta SARS-CoV-2 Variants from Kamphaeng Phet Province, Thailand, from May to July 2021
Authors: Phutthasophit Kanyarat , Buddhari Darunee , Chinnawirotpisan Piyawan , Joonlasak Khajohn , Manasatienkij Wudtichai , Huang Angkana , Kaewkao Thitiman , Mahayos Narong , Khontong Rotjana , Iamsirithaworn Sopon , Jones Anthony R. , Farmer Aaron R. , Fernandez Stefan , Klungthong Chonticha
Published: December 2021

We report coding-complete genome sequences of 44 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains of the alpha and delta variants identified from patients in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand. Two nonsense mutations in open reading frame 3a (ORF3a) (G254*) and ORF8 (K68*) were found in the alpha variant sequences. Two lineages of the delta variant, B.1.617.2 and AY.30, were found.
Complete Genome Sequences of Bacteriophages Kaya, Guyu, Kopi, and TehO, Which Target Clinical Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Loh Belinda , Wang Xiaoqing , Hua Xiaoting , Luo Junhan , Wen Tanye , Zhang Liwei , Ma Long , Manohar Prasanth , Nachimuthu Ramesh , Grainge Ian , Yu Yunsong , Leptihn Sebastian
Published: December 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a major public health concern, as drug-resistant strains increase mortality in hospital-acquired infections. We report the isolation and complete genome sequences of four lytic bacteriophages that target clinical multidrug-resistant
P. aeruginosa
strains.
Hypogenic karst of the Great Basin
Authors: Hose* Louise D. , DuChene* Harvey R. , Jones Daniel , Baker* Gretchen M. , Havlena Zoë , Sweetkind Donald , Powell Doug
Published: December 2021

Discoveries in the 1980s greatly expanded speleologists’ understanding of the role that hypogenic groundwater flow can play in developing caves at depth. Ascending groundwater charged with carbon dioxide and, especially, hydrogen sulfide can readily dissolve carbonate bedrock just below and above the water table. Sulfuric acid speleogenesis, in which anoxic, rising, sulfidic groundwater mixes with oxygenated cave atmosphere to form aggressive sulfuric acid (H2SO4) formed spectacular caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, USA. Cueva de Villa Luz in Mexico provides an aggressively active example of sulfuric acid speleogenesis processes, and the Frasassi Caves in Italy preserve the results of sulfuric acid speleogenesis in its upper levels while sulfidic groundwater currently enlarges cave passages in the lower levels.

Many caves in east-central Nevada and western Utah (USA) are products of hypogenic speleogenesis and formed before the current topography fully developed. Wet climate during the late Neogene and Pleistocene brought extensive meteoric infiltration into the caves, and calcite speleothems (e.g., stalactites, stalagmites, shields) coat the walls and floors of the caves, concealing evidence of the earlier hypogenic stage. However, by studying the speleogenetic features in well-established sulfuric acid speleogenesis caves, evidence of hypogenic, probably sulfidic, speleogenesis in many Great Basin caves can be teased out. Compelling evidence of hypogenic speleogenesis in these caves include folia, mammillaries, bubble trails, cupolas, and metatyuyamunite. Sulfuric acid speleogenesis signs include hollow coralloid stalagmites, trays, gypsum crust, pseudoscallops, rills, and acid pool notches. Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park is particularly informative because a low-permeability capstone protected about half of the cave from significant meteoric infiltration, preserving early speleogenetic features.
Barrier islands of the central Georgia coast: Formation, function, and future
Authors: McLachlan Robin L. , Deemy James B. , Takagi Kimberly K. , Gannon Damon P.
Published: December 2021

Georgia’s coastline is composed of a series of short, wide, mixed-energy (tide-dominated) barrier islands, each backed by extensive marsh, topped with mobile dunes, and flanked by deep inlets. Many of the islands, particularly those along the southern Georgia coast, consist of Pleistocene cores surrounded by mobile deposits that attached during the Holocene sea-level transgression. Positioned within the head of the funnel-shaped South Atlantic Bight, tidal ranges here commonly reach ~2–3 m. As a result, inlets are numerous and the back-barrier environment hosts nearly 400,000 acres of salt marsh. Today, many of the barriers are transgressive, and hard structures such as revetments and groins are becoming increasingly more common to stabilize shorelines along the four developed islands. This field guide presents evidence of island formation, modern ecologic function, and likely future changes for three island groups: (1) Blackbeard, Cabretta, and Sapelo Islands; (2) Sea Island and St. Simons Island; and (3) Jekyll Island. The field trip provides evidence of the Pleistocene-age island cores, the natural southward migration of the mobile Holocene-age sandy shorelines, and the impacts of storm erosion and hard structures built to combat that erosion. This field guide serves as the static, print companion to an online virtual field trip (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0aa3fd921cc4458da0a19a928e5fa87c).
Developing landslide chronologies using landslide-dammed lakes in the Oregon Coast Range
Authors: Wetherell Logan R. , Struble William T. , LaHusen Sean R.
Published: December 2021

The Oregon Coast Range is a dynamic landscape that is continually shaped by shallow and deep-seated landslides that can have disastrous consequences to infrastructure and human lives. Searching for evidence of potentially coseismic mass wasting is incredibly difficult, particularly when historical observations are limited. Landslide-dammed lakes with submerged “ghost forests” in the Oregon Coast Range present the unique opportunity to establish landslide chronologies with subannual accuracy when dendrochronology is applied. This field guide will visit the unique landslide-dammed Klickitat Lake and explore a drowned ‘ghost forest’ to discuss methods used to establish a prehistoric landslide chronology in western Oregon, USA. After exploring the lake and exposing its geomorphic secrets, the guide will end with a stop on Marys Peak, a mafic volcanic intrusion composed of gabbroic dikes and pillow basalt that forms the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range. With the landscape of western Oregon laid out before us, we will discuss short- and long-term geomorphic evolution of the Oregon Coast Range and Willamette Valley.
Arc versus river—The geology of the Columbia River Gorge
Authors: O’Connor* Jim E. , Wells* Ray E. , Bennett* Scott E.K. , Cannon* Charles M. , Staisch* Lydia M. , Anderson* James L. , Pivarunas* Anthony F. , Gordon* Gabriel W. , Blakely* Richard J. , Stelten* Mark E. , Evarts† Russell C.
Published: December 2021

The Columbia River Gorge is the Columbia River’s long-held yet evolving passage through the volcanic arc of the Cascade Range. The globally unique setting of a continental-scale river bisecting an active volcanic arc at the leading edge of a major plate boundary creates a remarkable setting where dynamic volcanic and tectonic processes interact with diverse and energetic fluvial processes. This three-day field trip explores several elements of the gorge and its remarkable geologic history—cast here as a contest between regional tectonic and volcanic processes building and displacing landscapes, and the relentless power of the Columbia River striving to maintain a smooth passage to the sea.

DEDICATION

Dedicated to Russell C. Evarts (7 April 1947–11 July 2017) and his contributions to Pacific Northwest geology. Russ Evarts devoted most of his 30-year career with the U.S. Geological Survey to geologic mapping of Oregon and Washington. His thorough geologic mapping of the near-vertical terrain of the western Columbia River Gorge underpins much of what is reported in this guide and continues to inspire our studies of the geology of the Pacific Northwest.
Tectonics and paleogeography of a post-accretionary forearc basin, Coos Bay area, SW Oregon, USA
Authors: Armentrout John M.
Published: December 2021

This field guide reviews 19 sites providing insight to four Cenozoic deformational phases of the Cascadia forearc basin that onlaps Siletzia, an oceanic basaltic terrane accreted onto the North American plate at 51–49 Ma. The field stops visit disrupted slope facies, prodelta-slope channel complexes, shoreface successions, and highly fossiliferous estuarine sandstones. New detrital zircon U-Pb age calibration of the Cenozoic formations in the Coos Bay area and the Tyee basin at-large, affirm most previous biostratigraphic correlations and support that some of the upper-middle Eocene to Oligocene strata of the Coos Bay stratigraphic record represents what was differentially eroded off the Coast Range crest during ca. 30–25 Ma and younger deformations. This suggests that the strata along Cape Arago are a western “remnant” of the Paleogene Tyee basin. Zircon ages and biostratigraphic data encourages the extension of the Paleogene Coos Bay and Tyee forearc basin westward beyond the Fulmar fault and offshore Pan American and Fulmar wells. Integration of outcrop paleocurrents with anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility data from the middle Eocene Coaledo Formation affirms south-southeast to north-northwest sediment transport in current geographic orientation. Preliminary detrital remanent magnetism data show antipodal directions that are rotated clockwise with respect to the expected Eocene field direction. The data suggest the Eocene paleo-shoreline was relatively north-south similar to the modern shoreline, and that middle Eocene sediment transport was to the west in the area of present-day Coos Bay. A new hypothesis is reviewed that links the geographic isolation of the Coos Bay area from rivers draining the ancestral Cascades arc to the onset of uplift of the southern Oregon Coast Range during the late Oligocene to early Miocene.
Supplemental Material: Silver isotope and volatile trace element systematics in galena samples from the Iberian Peninsula and the quest for silver sources of Roman coinage
Authors: Milot Jean , al. et
Published: December 2021

Method of elemental analyses, a description of the Iberian galena deposits, and Figure S1 (Pb ratios of coins and Iberian galena samples from the various mining provinces).
Supplemental Material: When did the North Anatolian fault reach southern Marmara, Turkey?
Authors: Karabacak Volkan , Uysal I. Tonguç , al. et
Published: December 2021

Methods, Figures S1–S30, and data Tables S1 and S2.
Supplemental Material: Early Earth zircons formed in residual granitic melts produced by tonalite differentiation
Authors: Laurent Oscar , al. et
Published: December 2021

Details on the analytical and modeling methods, data compilation, filtering, and zircon/melt partitioning.
Does cognitive behaviour therapy affect peripheral inflammation of depression? A protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cao Bing , Li Ruonan , Ding Ling , Xu Jiatong , Ma Haijing , Liu Jie , Xue Jian
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is becoming the most commonly implemented and standard treatment for depression. Up to date, only a few numbers of studies have investigated the potential relationship between CBT and the change of inflammatory biomarkers in individuals of depression. And the results are inconsistent among studies. The current study aims to provide a comprehensive, systematic review of the association between CBT and changes of peripheral inflammation of individuals with depression, and clarify the alterations of inflammatory cytokines pre-CBT and post-CBT treatment by meta-analysis, anti-inflammatory.

Methods and analysis

This study will be conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A systematic search of predetermined terms will be conducted with electronic databases of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO from inception to July 2021. Database searches will be supplemented by expert contact, reference and citation checking, and grey literature. Primary outcomes of interest will be validated measures for levels of inflammatory cytokines pre-CBT and post- CBT treatment in individuals with depression. Hedges’ g will be used to represent the effect size.

Systematic review registration

The protocol of current meta-analysis has been registered at the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/tr9yh).

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethical approval is not required by the National Ethical Review Board in China as primary data will not be collected. The results alterations of peripheral inflammatory cytokines pre-CBT and post-CBT treatment in individuals with depression will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and inform the most up-to-date evidence of the roles of CBT treatment for depression.
Family physicians supporting patients with palliative care needs within the patient medical home in the community: an appreciative inquiry study
Authors: Tan Amy , Spice Ronald , Sinnarajah Aynharan
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Canadians want to live and die in their home communities. Unfortunately, Canada has the highest proportion of deaths in acute care facilities as compared with other developed nations. This study aims to identify the essential components required to best support patients and families with palliative care needs in their communities to inform system changes and empower family physicians (FPs) in providing community-based palliative care for patients.

Design

Appreciative inquiry (AI) methodology with individual interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed iteratively for emerging themes and used to develop ‘possibility statements’ to frame discussion in subsequent focus groups. A conceptual framework emerged to describe the ‘destiny’ state as per AI methods.

Setting

FPs, palliative home care providers, patients and bereaved caregivers were recruited in the urban and surrounding rural health authority zones of Calgary, AB, Canada.

Participants

9 females and 9 males FPs (range of practice years 2–42) in interviews; 8 bereaved caregivers, 1 patient, 26 palliative home care team members in focus groups. Interviews and focus groups were recorded digitally and transcribed with consent.

Results

The identified themes that transcended all three groups created the foundation for the conceptual framework. Enhanced communication and fostering team relationships between all care providers with the focus on the patient and caregivers was the cornerstone concept. The FP/patient relationship must be protected and encouraged by all care providers, while more system flexibility is needed to respond more effectively to patients. These concepts must exist in the context that patients and caregivers need more education regarding the benefits of palliative care, while increasing public discourse about mortality.

Conclusions

Key areas were identified for how the patient’s team can work together effectively to improve the patient and caregiver palliative care journey in the community with the cornerstone element of building on the trusting FP–patient longitudinal relationship.