bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unaffirmed and color‐blind: Racial worldview and stigma experienced in interracial relationships
Authors: Brooks James E.
Published: October 2021

Marginalization as an interracial couple has been associated with poorer relationship functioning and poorer mental health outcomes. However, what contributes to whether interracial relationship (IR) partners perceive their relationship as stigmatized is not fully understood. Using a racially diverse sample of over 200 participants in IRs, this study addresses group and individual differences in the experience of IR stigma. Results suggest that, despite literature on related constructs such as stigma consciousness (the extent to which one is aware that they face marginalization or discrimination), there were no race‐based group differences in reports of experienced stigma. Instead, a more nuanced account of a person's understanding of the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional impact of race, a novel concept called racial worldview, offers an important step forward in understanding the perception of stigma. Racial worldview has implications for the continued study of interracial romantic relationships as an alternative for race‐based group comparisons and a meaningful alternative to comparative studies with intraracial or same‐race relationships.
Governing aquaculture commons
Authors: Partelow Stefan , Schlüter Achim , O. Manlosa Aisa , Nagel Ben , Octa Paramita Adiska
Published: October 2021

Knowledge of the shared resources—or commons—that aquaculture systems rely on, and the appropriate rule and norm systems to govern them—or institutions—is far behind other natural resource use sectors. In this article, we provide a conceptual framework for identifying the social and environmental commons creating collective action problems for aquaculture governance. Collective action problems, or social dilemmas, create problems for governing shared resources because the typical strategies for individual use (maximisation; free riding) are often divergent from broader group interests (e.g. fair contributions; sustainable use). This framework helps identify two types of collective action problems in aquaculture: first‐order (direct use and provision of commons) and second‐order (provision, maintenance and adaptation of institutions to govern commons). First‐order aquaculture commons with governance challenges include water quality, water quantity, physical space, inputs, genetic diversity, mitigating infectious disease, earth and climate stability, infrastructure, knowledge and money. Second‐order institutions govern the use of first‐order commons. These include rule and norm systems that structure property rights and markets, aiming to better align individual behaviour and collective interests (e.g. sustainability goals) through governance. However, which combination of institutions will fit best is likely to be unique to context, where aquaculture has important differences from capture fisheries and agriculture. We provide four case examples applying our conceptual framework to identify existing aquaculture commons, institutions and governance challenges in Peru (mariculture), the Philippines (earthen ponds), Nepal (raceways) and Denmark (recirculation).
Prioritizing Multidimensional Interdependent Factors Influencing COVID‐19 Risk
Authors: Qazi Abroon , Simsekler Mecit Can Emre , Gaudenzi Barbara
Published: October 2021

COVID‐19 has significantly affected various industries and domains worldwide. Since such pandemics are considered as rare events, risks associated with pandemics are generally managed through reactive approaches, which involve seeking more information about the severity of the pandemic over time and adopting suitable strategies accordingly. However, policy‐makers at a national level must devise proactive strategies to minimize the harmful impacts of such pandemics. In this article, we use a country‐level data‐set related to humanitarian crises and disasters to explore critical factors influencing COVID‐19 related hazard and exposure, vulnerability, lack of coping capacity, and the overall risk for individual countries. The main contribution is to establish the relative importance of multidimensional factors associated with COVID‐19 risk in a probabilistic network setting. This study provides unique insights to policy‐makers regarding the identification of critical factors influencing COVID‐19 risk and their relative importance in a network setting.
Data‐Driven Sustainability: Metrics, Digital Technologies, and Governance in Food and Agriculture*
Authors: Hatanaka Maki , Konefal Jason , Strube Johann , Glenna Leland , Conner David
Published: October 2021

In recent years, performance metrics and digital technologies have gained substantial support to advance on‐farm sustainability. The combined use of metrics and digital technologies represents a potentially important shift in agricultural sustainability governance, which has largely been dominated by the use of standards and certification. Focusing on the U.S. context, this paper examines the operationalization of the emerging metrics and data (M&D) approach to sustainability governance in food and agriculture. Specifically, we analyze the factors undergirding the growing usage of an M&D approach to sustainability, the structure, and practices of such an approach as well as the roles and implications for key actors in agrifood systems. Our analysis indicates that although an M&D approach to an agricultural sustainability transition potentially addresses some of the critiques and limitations associated with the use of standards and certification and has the growing support of a range of stakeholders, it also faces numerous challenges. These include a lack of incentives and insufficient value for growers, concerns over data ownership and access, and barriers to the translation of data into changes in grower management and practices.
Parental identity status in emerging and early adulthood, personality, and well‐being: A cluster analytic approach
Authors: Piotrowski Konrad
Published: October 2021

The present study was the first one in which parental identity statuses were investigated from the point of view of the processual identity model. The aim was the observation of individual differences among parents in respect of their parental identity (identity statuses) and differences between parents with a different identity status. In the study, 709 parents between the ages of 20 and 40 participated (64.8% women). The obtained results support the hypothesis that five different identity statuses in the parental domain could be identified, that is: Achievement, Foreclosure, Searching Moratorium, Moratorium, and Diffusion. Furthermore, hypothesized differences between different statuses regarding personality traits and well‐being have also been observed. The present study suggests that parental identity, which is often overlooked by neo‐Eriksonian identity researchers, is a fully‐fledged identity domain related to parents’ personality and well‐being and contextual factors associated with family life. The importance of the obtained results for our understanding of parental identity formation is discussed in the article.
The neo‐peasant movement in Catalonia: An attempt at defining it in the light of the infrapolitical strategies of resistance
Authors: Hummel Agata , Escribano Paula
Published: October 2021

This article analyses everyday forms of resistance of the neo‐peasants in Catalonia against the dominant legal and economic system. For the purpose of the analysis, neo‐peasants are defined as social movement whose actors share the same values reflected in the neo‐peasant identity and try to put into practice a peasant lifestyle and a peasant economy based on agriculture and animal breeding. This article is based on the analysis of the ethnography of 26 initiatives that was carried out between 2016 and 2020. It examines the neo‐peasant lifestyle as a form of infrapolitics–neo‐peasants’ ‘a‐legal’ practices, such as pig slaughter or voluntary insolvency. These neo‐peasant resistance strategies are the forms of coping with the current legal and economic context. We propose that infrapolitics is a mode of action that can be used to redefine what is considered a legitimate political space and to build new spaces in which political agonism can be manifested. Moreover, we argue that because of this particular function of neo‐peasant infrapolitics, they can be analysed using the New Social Movements theory or a concept of the ‘hope movement’.
Torn Between International Cooperation and National Sovereignty: Voter Attitudes in Trade‐off Situations in Switzerland
Authors: Lauener Lukas , Emmenegger Patrick , Häusermann Silja , Walter Stefanie
Published: October 2021

This research note examines voter preferences in Swiss‐EU relations. We identify large shares of cross‐pressured voters, i.e., citizens who support the bilateral treaties but wish to either control immigration into Switzerland or oppose a liberalization of social protection measures on the job market. Voters experiencing a trade‐off between immigration control and international cooperation are mainly located on the Right. Their share decreased between 2015 and 2019, whereas the share of neutral voters sharply increased. Moreover, negotiations about an Institutional Framework Agreement between Switzerland and the EU have given rise to a new trade‐off – namely between social protection and international cooperation – with cross‐pressured voters mainly concentrated on the Left. This tension has generated a high share of undecided voters. When pressured to decide on these trade‐offs, cross‐pressured and neutral voters opt for the bilateral treaties over immigration control, whereas they prefer social protection over the new agreement. Partisanship is a strong predictor of these choices.
Fostering spiritual intelligence and a concomitant development of WTC in EFL learners
Authors: Abdolrezapour Parisa , Alipour Javad
Published: October 2021

Spiritual intelligence involves a search to find and create meaning based on a deep understanding of existential tenets and the ability to reach higher meanings and values. Despite the growing interest among scholars to study the development of this construct and its impact on one's life, it has remained an under‐researched area of inquiry, particularly in the foreign language context. This study aimed to address this gap. The sample consisted of 47 students with the age range of 15–19 years old from a language institute, who were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent a spiritual intervention over eight weeks whereas the control group received the typical instruction of the institute. Both groups completed King's spiritual intelligence inventory and Peng and Woodrow's WTC scale. Findings point to the significant effect of the intervention on improving spiritual intelligence from pretest to posttest. Also, compared to the control group, the experimental group gained significantly higher grades in WTC on the posttest. It is suggested that spiritual intelligence be incorporated into pedagogical practices to enhance learners' willingness to communicate, thereby improving their oral performance.
Clinical impact of vancomycin‐resistant enterococci colonization in nonliver solid organ transplantation and its implications for infection control strategies: A single‐center, 10‐year retrospective study
Authors: McFarlane Alexandra C. , Kabbani Dima , Bakal Jeffrey A. , Smith Stephanie W.
Published: October 2021

Background

Vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE) colonization in nonliver solid organ transplantation (SOT) is poorly defined. Infection control management of these patients is influenced by the association of VRE with adverse outcomes in liver transplantation. This study examines the frequency and clinical impact of VRE colonization specifically on nonliver SOT patients and discusses implications for nosocomial VRE control.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all nonliver SOT patients at a single transplant center from 2005 to 2015. We determined colonization rates in the peritransplant period and the rate of VRE infections. The association between VRE colonization with 90‐day mortality and other clinical outcomes was examined.

Results

There were 1786 nonliver SOTs from 2005 to 2015, with 81 (4.6%) colonized with VRE in the peritransplantation period. The colonization prevalence varied by organ type: 45 of 423 lung (10.6%), 12 of 352 heart (3.4%), one of 18 heart–lung (5.6%), 20 of 884 kidney (2.3%), three of 63 kidney–pancreas (4.8%), zero of 11 pancreas, zero of five small bowel, and zero of 11 multivisceral. Peritransplant VRE colonization was not associated with 90‐day mortality odds ratio = 2.35 (95% CI = 0.53, 10.29) and adjusted odds ratio = 1.52 (95% CI = 0.34, 6.88). In the multivariable logistic regression, there was no association with mortality at 1 year or 5 years, hospital length of stay, rehospitalization, or days alive out of hospital. There were 14 inpatient VRE infections up to 1 year after transplantation.

Conclusion

Nonliver SOT patients have lower rates of VRE colonization than liver SOT, and colonization was not associated with increased adverse clinical outcomes. Although infection control strategies for VRE in hospital remain controversial, nonliver SOT should be considered among typical hospitalized patients when designing strategies for prevention.
How did we reform our out of control massive transfusion protocol program?
Authors: Adkins Brian D. , Libby Theresa A. , Mayberry Marlene M. , Brady Thomas W. , Halls Justin B. , Corbett Stephanie Mallow , Schoeny Joseph , Shields Eric P. , Chowdhury Jahan , Kinsinger‐Stickel Amanda N. , Wehrli Gay , Jaeger Nicholas R. , Robertson Matthew P. , Butler Kathy M. , Lowson Stuart M. , Calland James Forrest , Gorham James D.
Published: October 2021

Background

The massive transfusion protocol (MTP) is designed to quickly provide blood products at a fixed ratio for the exsanguinating patient. At our academic medical center, the frequency of MTP activation increased over 10‐fold between 2008 and 2015, putting inordinate stress on our transfusion service.

Study design and methods

Gathering a large number of relevant stakeholders, we performed a multidisciplinary root cause analysis (RCA) in response to the acute clinical need to reform our MTP.

Results

Through the RCA, we identified four principal opportunities for improvement (OFI) associated with our MTP: education, stewardship, process improvement, and communication. Through the deployment of new approaches to each of these OFI, we reduced MTP activations, blood product waste, and transfusion service technologist stress.

Conclusion

The MTP is amenable to improvement, and, although time intensive, the RCA process yields significant favorable effects: improving communication with colleagues, reducing stress within the transfusion service, and improving resource utilization. Activation of the MTP at our institution is now more aligned with its primary purpose: rapidly providing large quantities of blood products to exsanguinating patients.
Weed control and community composition in living mulch systems
Authors: Westbrook Anna S. , Bhaskar Vinay , DiTommaso Antonio
Published: October 2021

A living mulch is a cover crop grown during the growing season of a main (cash) crop. Living mulches may reduce soil erosion and nitrate leaching more effectively than bare ground or non‐living mulches. Living mulches can also make substantial contributions to non‐chemical or diversified weed management programmes. However, living mulches sometimes fail to suppress weeds, or they succeed at the cost of main crop yield. Seeking to understand these divergent outcomes, we survey the effects of living mulches on weeds in temperate field and vegetable crops. Primary purposes of this review include (a) outlining mechanisms of weed control by living mulches, (b) identifying major sources of variation in weed control outcomes, and (c) highlighting knowledge gaps. The effects of living mulches on weeds are largely (but not exclusively) via competition and typically strongest when living mulch vigour is high at sensitive stages of weed life cycles. Best management practices depend on living mulch, main crop, and weed community characteristics. Living mulches often have different effects on different weed species, which may have far‐reaching consequences for weed diversity and community composition. Future research on long‐term changes to weed communities will clarify how and when living mulches should be adopted to increase agroecosystem biodiversity and promote sustainability.
Valsartan nano‐filaments alter mitochondrial energetics and promote faster healing in diabetic rat wounds
Authors: Nidadavolu Lolita S. , Stern David , Lin Ran , Wang Yuzhu , Li Yi , Wu Yuqiong , Marin Sela , Antonio Marjorie J. , Yenokyan Gayane , Boronina Tatiana , Cole Robert , Foster D. Brian , Talbot Conover , Jedrych Jaroslaw , Smith Barbara , Rini David , Le Anne , Cui Honggang , Walston Jeremy D. , Abadir Peter M.
Published: October 2021

Chronic wounds are a common and debilitating condition associated with aging populations that impact more than 6.5 million patients in the United States. We have previously demonstrated the efficacy of daily topical 1% valsartan in treating wounds in diabetic mouse and pig models. Despite these promising results, there remains a need to develop an extended‐release formulation that would reduce patient burden by decreasing the frequency of daily applications. Here, we used nanotechnology to self‐assemble valsartan amphiphiles into a filamentous structure (val‐filaments) that would serve as a scaffold in wound beds and allow for steady, localised and tunable release of valsartan amphiphiles over 24 days. Two topical treatments of this peptide‐based hydrogel on full‐thickness wounds in Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats resulted in faster rates of wound closure. By day 23, all val‐filament treated wounds were completely closed, as compared to one wound closed in the placebo group. Mechanistically, we observed enrichment of proteins involved in cell adhesion and energetics pathways, downregulation of Tgf‐β signalling pathway mediators (pSmad2, pSmad3 and Smad4) and increased mitochondrial metabolic pathway intermediates. This study demonstrates the successful synthesis of a sustained‐release valsartan filament hydrogel, its impact on mitochondrial energetics and efficacy in treating diabetic wounds.
Experimental and Modeling Uncertainty Considerations for Determining the First Item Ignited in a Compartment Using a Bayesian Method
Authors: Cabrera J. M. , Moser R. D. , Ezekoye O. A.
Published: October 2021

Fire scene reconstruction and determining the fire evolution (i.e., item-to-item ignition events) using the postfire compartment is an extremely difficult task because of the time-integrated nature of the observed damages. Bayesian methods are ideal for making inferences amongst hypotheses given observations and are able to naturally incorporate uncertainties. A Bayesian methodology for determining probabilities to items that may have initiated the fire in a compartment from damage signatures is developed. Exercise of this methodology requires uncertainty quantification of these damage signatures. A simple compartment configuration was used to quantify the uncertainty in damage predictions by firedynamicssimulator (fds) and, a compartment evolution program, jt-risk as compared to experimentally derived damage signatures. Surrogate sensors spaced within the compartment use heat flux data collected over the course of the simulations to inform damage models. Experimental repeatability showed up to 4% uncertainty in damage signatures between replicates. Uncertainties for fds and jt-risk ranged from 12% up to 32% when compared to experimental damages. Separately, the evolution physics of a simple three-fuel-package problem with surrogate damage sensors were characterized in a compartment using experimental data, fds, and jt-risk predictions. A simple ignition model was used for each of the fuel packages. The Bayesian methodology was exercised using the damage signatures collected, cycling through each of the three fuel packages, and combined with the previously quantified uncertainties. Only reconstruction using experimental data was able to confidently predict the true hypothesis from the three scenarios.
A Suction Cup With Tunable Stiffness Based on Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Zhou Weimian , Wang Xiaojie , Wu Xuan
Published: October 2021

This paper presents the design and testing of a bioinspired compliant suction cup with tunable elastic stiffness using shape memory alloy (SMA). We embedded SMA wires into a compliant suction cup for stiffness tuning. When the voltage is input, it increases the stiffness of the suction cup body and helps prevent deformation. Further, a bending moment is applied to the suction cup lip in contact with the surface, which reduces the probability of gas leakage as well as the risk of adsorption failure. In the experiment, suction cups with and without embedded SMA are tested respectively. The maximum pull-off forces and adsorption time are measured via an MTS tester, and the pressure values induced by SMA’s tuning effect on the cup lip are recorded by membrane sensors. Results show that under the same preloading forces, the adsorption force is almost identical, while the adsorption maintaining time of the suction cup with embedded SMA is increased by 365% at the maximum compared with that without SMA. The force generated by the bending moment applied to the lip increases by 360% at the maximum when the SMA is activated. The strain of the sample embedded with SMA is 186% less than that of the sample made of pure soft material at 20kPa stress. The results indicate that the embedded SMA can help increase the stiffness, reduce the deformation of the suction cup body, and enhance adsorption maintenance ability.
Retinoic acid rewires the adrenergic core regulatory circuitry of childhood neuroblastoma
Authors: Zimmerman Mark W. , Durbin Adam D. , He Shuning , Oppel Felix , Shi Hui , Tao Ting , Li Zhaodong , Berezovskaya Alla , Liu Yu , Zhang Jinghui , Young Richard A. , Abraham Brian J. , Look A. Thomas
Published: October 2021

Retinoic acid reprograms neuroblastoma cell identity by remodeling the core transcriptional regulatory circuitry.
HSPA13 facilitates NF-κB–mediated transcription and attenuates cell death responses in TNFα signaling
Authors: Gao Chun , Deng Jianhua , Zhang Hanchenxi , Li Xinran , Gu Shuchen , Zheng Mingjie , Tang Mei , Zhu Yezhang , Lin Xin , Jin Jianping , Zhang Long , Huang Jun , Zou Jian , Xia Zong-Ping , Xu Ping-Long , Shen Li , Zhao Bin , Feng Xin-Hua
Published: October 2021

HSPA13 is a novel checkpoint regulator in the TNFα signaling pathway controlling cellular physiological outcomes.
An outsized role for the Labrador Sea in the multidecadal variability of the Atlantic overturning circulation
Authors: Yeager Stephen , Castruccio Fred , Chang Ping , Danabasoglu Gokhan , Maroon Elizabeth , Small Justin , Wang Hong , Wu Lixin , Zhang Shaoqing
Published: October 2021

Labrador Sea forcing can dominate multidecadal AMOC variability even while contributing minimally to mean circulation strength.
A biomechanical perspective on molar emergence and primate life history
Authors: Glowacka Halszka , Schwartz Gary T.
Published: October 2021

Coordinated growth of the chewing apparatus modulates molar emergence schedules and explains their relationship with life history.
Electrically driven strain-induced deterministic single-photon emitters in a van der Waals heterostructure
Authors: So Jae-Pil , Kim Ha-Reem , Baek Hyeonjun , Jeong Kwang-Yong , Lee Hoo-Cheol , Huh Woong , Kim Yoon Seok , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Kim Jungkil , Lee Chul-Ho , Park Hong-Gyu
Published: October 2021

Deterministic single-photon emitters were demonstrated in an indented van der Waals heterostructure by electrical pumping.
Complex 3D microfluidic architectures formed by mechanically guided compressive buckling
Authors: Luan Haiwen , Zhang Qihui , Liu Tzu-Li , Wang Xueju , Zhao Shiwei , Wang Heling , Yao Shenglian , Xue Yeguang , Kwak Jean Won , Bai Wubin , Xu Yameng , Han Mengdi , Li Kan , Li Zhengwei , Ni Xinchen , Ye Jilong , Choi Dongwhi , Yang Quansan , Kim Jae-Hwan , Li Shuo , Chen Shulin , Wu Changsheng , Lu Di , Chang Jan-Kai , Xie Zhaoqian , Huang Yonggang , Rogers John A.
Published: October 2021

Mechanically guided assembly techniques yield complex 3D microvascular networks with multifunctional characteristics.
A GTP-synthesizing ribozyme selected by metabolic coupling to an RNA polymerase ribozyme
Authors: Akoopie Arvin , Arriola Joshua T. , Magde Douglas , Müller Ulrich F.
Published: October 2021

An RNA that catalyzes the formation of GTP was developed with an emulsion-based in vitro selection system.
Politics could upend global trade in rare earth elements
Authors: Law Yao-Hua
Published: October 2021

Malaysian government asks "flagship" company to remove radioactive waste from the country or shut down.
Ebola outbreak continues despite powerful vaccine
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: October 2021

WHO declines again to call it a global health emergency.
Sustained rescue of prefrontal circuit dysfunction by antidepressant-induced spine formation
Authors: Moda-Sava R. N. , Murdock M. H. , Parekh P. K. , Fetcho R. N. , Huang B. S. , Huynh T. N. , Witztum J. , Shaver D. C. , Rosenthal D. L. , Alway E. J. , Lopez K. , Meng Y. , Nellissen L. , Grosenick L. , Milner T. A. , Deisseroth K. , Bito H. , Kasai H. , Liston C.
Published: October 2021

Why is ketamine an antidepressant?

A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the action of antidepressants is urgently needed. Moda-Sava
et al.
explored a possible mode of action for the drug ketamine, which has recently been shown to help patients recover from depression (see the Perspective by Beyeler). Ketamine rescued behavior in mice that was associated with depression-like phenotypes by selectively reversing stress-induced spine loss and restoring coordinated multicellular ensemble activity in prefrontal microcircuits. The initial induction of ketamine's antidepressant effect on mouse behavior occurred independently of effects on spine formation. Instead, synaptogenesis in the prefrontal region played a critical role in nourishing these effects over time. Interventions aimed at enhancing the survival of restored synapses may thus be useful for sustaining the behavioral effects of fast-acting antidepressants.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat8078
; see also p.
129
Intrinsic apoptosis shapes the tumor spectrum linked to inactivation of the deubiquitinase BAP1
Authors: He Meng , Chaurushiya Mira S. , Webster Joshua D. , Kummerfeld Sarah , Reja Rohit , Chaudhuri Subhra , Chen Ying-Jiun , Modrusan Zora , Haley Benjamin , Dugger Debra L. , Eastham-Anderson Jeffrey , Lau Shari , Dey Anwesha , Caothien Roger , Roose-Girma Merone , Newton Kim , Dixit Vishva M.
Published: October 2021

Tissue specificity of tumor suppression

It is well known that the loss of tumor suppressor genes leads to a limited subset of cancers in specific tissues. But why just those tissues? He
et al.
found a relatively simple explanation for how this tissue selectivity works for the tumor suppressor BAP1 using a mouse model of BAP1-induced cancer. In most cells, loss of BAP1 caused cell death or apoptosis. But in the tissues that formed tumors, differences in the regulation of genes with antiapoptotic effects allowed the cells to survive, even though BAP1 was lost. At least for this one tumor suppressor, its inactivation would normally cause a cell to die; however, this mechanism is absent in a subset of tissues, allowing the cells to proliferate and cause a tumor.

Science
, this issue p.
283
Ultrapotent chemogenetics for research and potential clinical applications
Authors: Magnus Christopher J. , Lee Peter H. , Bonaventura Jordi , Zemla Roland , Gomez Juan L. , Ramirez Melissa H. , Hu Xing , Galvan Adriana , Basu Jayeeta , Michaelides Michael , Sternson Scott M.
Published: October 2021

Improved agonists for chemogenetics

Targeting ligand-responsive receptors to specific groups of cells, a strategy known as chemogenetics, is a powerful tool in many neurological applications. There is increasing interest in extending these tools for human treatment. Magnus
et al.
designed chemogenetic ion channels that improve currently available systems and are activated by the clinically used antismoking drug varenicline. They engineered a ligand-binding domain less responsive to endogenous signals and identified agonists that function at nanomolar concentrations. The combination of drug and introduced channels transiently silenced neurons, with slow but effective washout, and induced behavioral changes in animal models after brain administration.

Science
, this issue p.
eaav5282
Immunotherapy for neurodegeneration?
Authors: Liu Yingjun , Aguzzi Adriano
Published: October 2021

The role of innate and adaptive immunity in neurodegeneration remains controversial
Giant piezoelectricity of Sm-doped Pb(Mg
1/3
Nb
2/3
)O
3
-PbTiO
3
single crystals
Authors: Li Fei , Cabral Matthew J. , Xu Bin , Cheng Zhenxiang , Dickey Elizabeth C. , LeBeau James M. , Wang Jianli , Luo Jun , Taylor Samuel , Hackenberger Wesley , Bellaiche Laurent , Xu Zhuo , Chen Long-Qing , Shrout Thomas R. , Zhang Shujun
Published: October 2021

Samarium supersensors

Piezoelectric materials produce electric charge in response to changes in stress and are thus good sensor materials. One challenge has been growing single-crystal piezoelectrics with uniform properties. As of now, much of the crystal is discarded because of compositional variations. Li
et al.
synthesized single crystals of samarium-doped Pb(Mg
1/3
Nb
2/3
)O
3
-PbTiO
3
that have uniform and extremely high piezoelectric properties (see the Perspective by Hlinka). These crystals are ideal for a variety of sensing applications and could reduce cost by eliminating waste.

Science
, this issue p.
264
; see also p.
228
Parsing signal and noise in the brain
Authors: Huk Alexander C. , Hart Eric
Published: October 2021

Large-scale neuronal recordings reveal that brainwide activity is linked to behavior
Perseverance rover reveals an ancient delta-lake system and flood deposits at Jezero crater, Mars
Authors: Mangold N. , Gupta S. , Gasnault O. , Dromart G. , Tarnas J. D. , Sholes S. F. , Horgan B. , Quantin-Nataf C. , Brown A. J. , Le Mouélic S. , Yingst R. A. , Bell J. F. , Beyssac O. , Bosak T. , Calef F. , Ehlmann B. L. , Farley K. A. , Grotzinger J. P. , Hickman-Lewis K. , Holm-Alwmark S. , Kah L. C. , Martinez-Frias J. , McLennan S. M. , Maurice S. , Nuñez J. I. , Ollila A. M. , Pilleri P. , Rice J. W. , Rice M. , Simon J. I. , Shuster D. L. , Stack K. M. , Sun V. Z. , Treiman A. H. , Weiss B. P. , Wiens R. C. , Williams A. J. , Williams N. R. , Williford K. H.
Published: October 2021

Perseverance images of a delta on Mars

The Perseverance rover landed in Jezero crater, Mars, in February 2021. Earlier orbital images showed that the crater contains an ancient river delta that was deposited by water flowing into a lake billions of years ago. Mangold
et al
. analyzed rover images taken shortly after landing that show distant cliff faces at the edge of the delta. The exposed stratigraphy and sizes of boulders allowed them to determine the past lake level and water discharge rates. An initially steady flow transitioned into intermittent floods as the planet dried out. This history of the delta’s geology provides context for the rest of the mission and improves our understanding of Mars’ ancient climate. —KTS
The injury response to DNA damage in live tumor cells promotes antitumor immunity
Authors: Sriram Ganapathy , Milling Lauren E. , Chen Jung-Kuei , Kong Yi Wen , Joughin Brian A. , Abraham Wuhbet , Swartwout Susanne , Handly Erika D. , Irvine Darrell J. , Yaffe Michael B.
Published: October 2021

Inducing a DNA damage response in tumor cells ex vivo creates an immunogenic live-cell adjuvant.
Skeletal muscle regeneration with robotic actuation–mediated clearance of neutrophils
Authors: Seo Bo Ri , Payne Christopher J. , McNamara Stephanie L. , Freedman Benjamin R. , Kwee Brian J. , Nam Sungmin , de Lázaro Irene , Darnell Max , Alvarez Jonathan T. , Dellacherie Maxence O. , Vandenburgh Herman H. , Walsh Conor J. , Mooney David J.
Published: October 2021

Controlled cyclic loading with a robotic system accelerates muscle regeneration in mice by early removal of neutrophils and their chemical cues.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bovine Coronavirus in Blood Diarrhea from Adult Cattle That Died from Winter Dysentery in Japan
Authors: Nakagawa Keisuke , Kumano Hitomi , Kitamura Yuko , Kuwata Keisuke , Tanaka Eiji , Fukushi Hideto
Published: October 2021

We determined the complete genome sequence of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) recovered from bloody diarrhea from adult cattle that died from winter dysentery in 2020 in Japan. Information on the complete genome sequence of BCoV, which causes deadly diarrhea in adult cattle, has great potential for a better understanding of its pathogenicity.
Evaluation of the exploration prospect and risk of marine gas shale, southern China: A case study of Wufeng-Longmaxi shales in the Jiaoshiba area and Niutitang shales in the Cen’gong area
Authors: Gou Qiyang , Xu Shang , Hao Fang , Lu Yangbo , Shu Zhiguo , Lu Yongchao , Wang Zhengkai , Wang Yufan
Published: October 2021

The Wufeng-Longmaxi shales and the Niutitang shales are the most important organic-rich marine shales in southern China. To fully understand the significant difference in drilling results between the two sets of shales, the accumulation conditions of shale gas were systematically compared. The Niutitang shales have a superior material base of hydrocarbon generation for higher total organic carbon than the Wufeng-Longmaxi shales. Due to the influence of hydrothermal activities and carbonization of organic matter, however, the porosity, pore volume, pore size, and pore connectivity of Niutitang shales is obviously lower than that of Wufeng-Longmaxi shales. The natural fractures of Wufeng-Longmaxi shales are dominated by horizontal bedding fractures, and most of them are filled by calcite. By contrast, the high dip-angle fractures are more developed in the Niutitang shales. Especially, these fractures remain open in stages during the process of serious uplift and denudation movements. Thus, the seal conditions of the Niutitang shales are poor, which is further not conducive to the enrichment of shale gas. Our work also suggests that the exploration and development of highly over matured marine shales in southern China should follow the principle of “high to find low, and strong to find weak.”
Clinical outcomes in COVID-19 and cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Middleton Paul , Hsu Catherine , Lythgoe Mark P
Published: October 2021

Background

COVID-19 continues to pose a significant healthcare challenge throughout the world. Comorbidities including diabetes and hypertension are associated with a significantly higher mortality risk. However, the effect of cirrhosis on COVID-19 outcomes has yet to be systematically assessed.

Objectives

To assess the reported clinical outcomes of patients with cirrhosis who develop COVID-19 infection.

Design/Method

PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for studies included up to 3 February 2021. All English language primary research articles that reported clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and COVID-19 were included. The study was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The risk of bias was assessed using the Quality In Prognostic Score (QUIPS) risk-of-bias assessment instrument for prognostic factor studies template. Meta-analysis was performed using Cochrane RevMan V.5.4 software using a random effects model.

Results

63 studies were identified reporting clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis and concomitant COVID-19. Meta-analysis of cohort studies which report a non-cirrhotic comparator yielded a pooled mortality OR of 2.48 (95% CI: 2.02 to 3.04). Analysis of a subgroup of studies reporting OR for mortality in hospitalised patients adjusted for significant confounders found a pooled adjusted OR 1.81 (CI: 1.36 to 2.42).

Conclusion

Cirrhosis is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in COVID-19 infection compared to non-cirrhotic patients. Patients with cirrhosis should be considered for targeted public health interventions to prevent COVID-19 infection, such as shielding and prioritisation of vaccination.
Determinants of adolescents’ perceptions on access to healthcare services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Jeeluna national survey findings
Authors: Najjar Shahenaz , Saade Mayssa , Abdalla Sahar , AlBuhairan Fadia
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The study aimed at identifying the determinants of adolescents’ access to healthcare services.

Setting

Intermediate and secondary schools across all 13 regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from 2011 to 2012 through the Jeeluna national school-based survey.

Participants

Intermediate and secondary school students participated in the study. A multistage, cluster, random sampling technique was used. Participants responded to a self-administered questionnaire that addressed several domains.

Main outcome measure

Adolescents’ perception of access to healthcare services.

Results

Twenty-five per cent of participants reported difficulty in accessing healthcare. Women, early (younger) adolescents and adolescents with three siblings were less likely to report difficulty in accessing healthcare than men, late (older) adolescents and those with fewer than three siblings. Adolescents from low-income families and those with either mental or physical illness were more likely to report difficulty in accessing healthcare than adolescents from higher income families and those without mental or physical illnesses.

Conclusions

Disparities in access to care exist between certain subpopulations of adolescents. Efforts are needed to support enhancing access and making it more equitable. Training for healthcare professionals and targeted health policies are necessary to improve adolescents’ access to health services in the KSA.

Trial registration number

RC08-092; King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre.
Prevalence and outcomes of twin pregnancies in Botswana: a national birth outcomes surveillance study
Authors: Isaacson Arielle , Diseko Modiegi , Mayondi Gloria , Mabuta Judith , Davey Sonya , Mmalane Mompati , Makhema Joseph , Jacobson Denise L , Luckett Rebecca , Shapiro Roger L , Zash Rebecca
Published: October 2021

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and outcome of twin pregnancies in Botswana.

Setting

The Tsepamo Study conducted birth outcomes surveillance at 8 government-run hospitals (~45% of all births in Botswana) from August 2014 to June 2018 and expanded to 18 hospitals (~70% of all births in Botswana) from July 2018 to March 2019.

Participants

Data were collected for all live-born and stillborn in-hospital deliveries with a gestational age (GA) greater than 24 weeks. This analysis included 117 593 singleton and 3718 twin infants (1859 sets (1.6%)) born to 119 477 women between August 2014 and March 2019 and excluded 73 higher order multiples (23 sets of triplets and 1 set of quadruplets).

Outcomes measured

Our primary outcomes were preterm delivery (<37 weeks GA), very preterm delivery (<32 weeks GA) and stillbirth (APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration) score of 0, 0, 0).

Results

Women with twin pregnancies had a similar median number of antenatal care visits (9 vs 10), but were more likely to deliver in a tertiary centre (54.8% vs 45.1%, p<0.001) and more likely to have a cesarean-section (54.6% vs 22.0%, p<0.001) than women with singletons. Compared with singletons, twin pregnancies had a higher risk of preterm delivery (<37 weeks GA) (47.6% vs 16.7%, adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 2.8, 95% CI 2.7 to 2.9) and very preterm delivery (<32 weeks) (11.8% vs 4.0%, aRR 3.0 95% CI 2.6 to 3.4). Among all twin pregnancies, 128 (6.9%) had at least one stillborn infant compared with 2845 (2.4%) stillbirths among singletons (aRR 2.8, 95% CI 2.3 to 3.3).

Conclusion

Adverse birth outcomes are common among twins in Botswana, and are often severe. Interventions that allow for earlier identification of twin gestation and improved antenatal management of twin pregnancies may improve infant and child survival.
Impact of income and eating speed on new-onset diabetes among men: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ishihara Reiko , Babazono Akira , Liu Ning , Yamao Reiko
Published: October 2021

Objective

To examine the impact of income and eating speed on new-onset diabetes among men.

Design

This was a retrospective cohort study.

Setting

We used the administrative claims and health check-up data for fiscal years 2010–2015 obtained from the Fukuoka branch of the Japan Health Insurance Association.

Participants

Participants were 15 474 non-diabetic male employees, aged between 40 and 74 years. They were categorised based on their eating speeds (ie, fast, normal and non-fast).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

To calculate the OR of the development of diabetes, we created generalised linear regression models with diabetes onset as the dependent variable and eating speed and income as covariates and calculated corresponding 95% CI values. The analyses were performed after adjusting the data for age, obesity and comorbidities.

Results

Of the total participants, 620 developed diabetes during the 5-year study period. A univariate analysis using the generalised linear regression model revealed that eating fast (OR: 1.35, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.55) and having a low income wereincome (OR: 1.47, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.74) were significantly associated with the onset of diabetes. After adjusting for age, obesity and comorbidities, both eating fast (OR: 1.17, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.35) and having a low income (OR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.50) were recognised as independent risk factors for diabetes onset.

Conclusions

The study revealed that eating fast and having a low income were independent risk factors, leading to the development of diabetes. While it is difficult to address income differences, it may be possible to address the factors that contribute to income differences to manage diabetes appropriately and at low healthcare costs. However, eating speed can be controlled. Hence, the provision of education and coaching on dietary habits, including eating speed, may be effective in preventing diabetes onset.
Seroprevalence and associated factors of maternal cytomegalovirus in Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zenebe Mengistu Hailemariam , Mekonnen Zeleke , Loha Eskindir , Padalko Elizaveta
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence and associated factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The study was conducted in Hawassa University comprehensive and specialised hospital. Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia.

Participants

A total of 600 consecutive pregnant women attending the delivery ward were recruited for the study from August to October 2020.

Outcome measures

The study assessed the rate of maternal anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies. The association of obstetric history, sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics with seropositivity of CMV was also evaluated based on the collected data using structured questioners.

Results

Seropositivity for CMV IgM antibodies was 8.2% (49/600) (95% CI 6% to 10.5%), whereas the CMV IgG was 88.7% (532/600), (95% CI 89.5% to 94.0%). Seroprevalence of CMV IgM was higher in women of older age, currently unmarried, having nursery schooled children and with any of the detected curable sexually transmitted infections, while seroprevalence of CMV IgG was significantly associated only with women having nursery schooled children. Seroprevalence was not significantly associated with previous adverse pregnancy outcome, gravidity, being a child daycare occupant mother and newborn birth weight.

Conclusion

In the present study, we identified a high rate of CMV IgM and CMV IgG seroprevalence among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia. Given that there is no existing CMV diagnosis, special attention should be designed to pregnant women in parallel to the existing antenatal care facility. Besides, training healthcare professionals will support awareness conception among pregnant women concerning the sequels of CMV infection during pregnancy.
Experience and awareness of research integrity among Japanese physicians: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Nishimura Rie , Takeuchi Jiro , Sakuma Mio , Uchida Kazutaka , Higaonna Miki , Kinjo Norito , Sakakibara Fumihiro , Nakamura Tsukasa , Kosaka Shinji , Yoshimura Shinichi , Ueda Shinichiro , Morimoto Takeshi
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To explore the awareness and practice of clinical research integrity among Japanese physicians.

Design

A nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in March 2020.

Setting

All hospitals in Japan.

Participants

Physicians aged <65 years who work at hospitals participated in clinical research over the past 5 years. The sample was stratified according to geographical location and subspecialty, and 1100 physicians were proportionally selected.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Knowledge and awareness of research integrity.

Results

Among the 1100 participants, 587 (53%) had the experience of being the first author, 299 (27%) had been co-authors only and 214 (19%) had no authorship. A total of 1021 (93%) had experienced learning research integrity, and 555 (54%) became aware of research integrity. The experience of learning about research integrity was highest among those with first authorship (95%) and lowest among those without authorship (89%) (p=0.003). The majority of participants learnt about research integrity for passive reasons such as it being ‘required by the institution’ (57%) or it being ‘required to obtain approval of institutional review board (IRB)’ (30%). Potentially inappropriate research behaviours were observed in participants, with 11% indulging in copying and pasting for writing the paper, 11% for gifted authorship and 5.8% for the omission of IRB approval. Factors significantly associated with copying and pasting were being below 40 years old (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.05 to 3.26), being the first presenter (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.57) or having passive reasons for learning research integrity (OR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.57 to 5.59). Furthermore, gifted authorship was significantly associated with being a co-author only (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.87) and having passive reasons for learning about research integrity (OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.12).

Conclusions

Most physicians conducting clinical research have learnt about research integrity, but potentially inappropriate research behaviours are associated with passive reasons for learning.