bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lithospheric transdimensional ambient-noise tomography of W-Europe: implications for crustal-scale geometry of the W-Alps
Authors: Nouibat A , Stehly L , Paul A , Schwartz S , Bodin T , Dumont T , Rolland Y , Brossier R ,   Cifalps Team and AlpArray Working Group
Published: December 2021

A full understanding of the dynamics of mountain ranges such as the Alps requires the integration of available geological and geophysical knowledge into a lithospheric-scale 3-D geological model. As a first stage in the construction of this geo-model, we derive a new 3-D shear wave velocity model of the Alpine region, with a spatial resolution of a few tens of kilometres, making it possible to compare with geological maps. We use four years of continuous vertical-component seismic noise records to compute noise correlations between more than 950 permanent broad-band stations complemented by ∼600 temporary stations from the AlpArray sea-land seismic network and the Cifalps and EASI linear arrays. A specific pre-processing is applied to records of ocean–bottom seismometers in the Liguro-Provençal basin to clean them from instrumental and oceanic noises. We first perform a 2-D transdimensional inversion of the traveltimes of Rayleigh waves to compute group-velocity maps from 4 to $150\, \mathrm{ s}$. The data noise level treated as an unknown parameter is determined with a Hierarchical Bayes method. A Fast Marching Eikonal solver is used to update ray path geometries during the inversion. We use next the group-velocity maps and their uncertainties to derive a 3-D probabilistic Vs model. The probability distributions of Vs at depth and the probability of presence of an interface are estimated at each location by exploring a set of 130 million synthetic four-layer 1-D Vs models. The obtained probabilistic model is refined using a linearized inversion. Throughout the inversion for Vs, we include the water column where necessary. Our Vs model highlights strong along-strike changes of the lithospheric structure, particularly in the subduction complex between the European and Adriatic plates. In the South-Western Alps, our model confirms the existence of a low-velocity structure at $50-80\, \mathrm{ km}$ depth in the continuation of the European continental crust beneath the subduction wedge. This deep low-velocity anomaly progressively disappears towards the North-Western and Central Alps. The European crust includes lower crustal low-velocity zones and a Moho jump of $\sim \, 8-12$ km beneath the western boundary of the External Crystalline Massifs of the North-Western Alps. The striking fit between our Vs model and the receiver function migrated depth section along the Cifalps profile documents the reliability of the Vs model. In light of this reliability and with the aim to building a 3-D geological model, we re-examine the geological structures highlighted along the Cifalps profile.
Genome-wide association study for four measures of epigenetic age acceleration and two epigenetic surrogate markers using DNA methylation data from Taiwan Biobank
Authors: Lin Wan-Yu
Published: December 2021

To highlight the genetic architecture for epigenetic aging, McCartney et al. recently identified 137 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analyses of four epigenetic clocks and two epigenetic surrogate markers. However, none Asian ancestry studies have been included in this or previous meta-analyses. I performed a GWAS on blood DNA methylation (DNAm) levels of 2309 Taiwan Biobank (TWB) participants. Owing to the fact that the sample size of an individual GWAS of DNAm data is still not large, I adopted the ‘prioritized subset analysis’ (PSA) method to boost the power of a GWAS. The four epigenetic clocks and the two epigenetic surrogate markers were investigated, respectively. I replicated 21 out of the 137 aging-associated genetic loci by applying the PSA method to the TWB DNAm data. Moreover, I identified five novel loci, including rs117530284 that was associated with the ‘epigenetic age acceleration’ (EAA) according to Lu et al.’s GrimAge (called ‘GrimEAA’). Considering 16 covariates (sex, BMI, smoking status, drinking status, regular exercise, educational attainment and the first 10 ancestry principal components), each ‘A’ allele of rs117530284 in the IBA57 gene was found to be associated with a 1.5943-year GrimEAA (95% confidence interval = [1.0748, 2.1138]). IBA57 is a protein coding gene and is associated with multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndromes. A decline in mitochondrial activity and quality is associated with aging and many age-related diseases. This is one of the first DNAm GWAS for individuals of Asian ancestry.
On the basis of brain: neural-network-inspired changes in general-purpose chips
Authors: Prytkova Ekaterina , Vannuccini Simone
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we disentangle the changes that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is inducing in the semiconductor industry. Chips based on the von Neumann architecture are struggling to deliver performance across a wide range of applications, and the new AI segment is only adding to this struggle. This poses a new challenge to chip design, with flexibility of computation at its core, i.e., hardware’s ability to support a large software variety, rather than computation speed. We identify and analyze forces and mechanisms at work and discuss the product configurations which could characterize the future of the semiconductor industry. We outline two possible scenarios: (i) fragmentation of the semiconductor industry into submarkets with dedicated chips and (ii) the shift of the industry to a system-on-a-chip-based dominant design with the emergence of a new platform chip. We rationalize the unfolding situation by modeling consumer choice between computing systems based on their crucial characteristics—speed, flexibility, and energy efficiency.
Yearlong COVID-19 Infection Reveals Within-Host Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in a Patient With B-Cell Depletion
Authors: Nussenblatt Veronique , Roder Allison E , Das Sanchita , de Wit Emmie , Youn Jung-Ho , Banakis Stephanie , Mushegian Alexandra , Mederos Christopher , Wang Wei , Chung Matthew , Pérez-Pérez Lizzette , Palmore Tara , Brudno Jennifer N , Kochenderfer James N , Ghedin Elodie
Published: December 2021

B-cell–depleting therapies may lead to prolonged disease and viral shedding in individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and this viral persistence raises concern for viral evolution. We report sequencing of early and late samples from a 335-day infection in an immunocompromised patient. The virus accumulated a unique deletion in the amino-terminal domain of the spike protein, and complete deletion of ORF7b and ORF8, the first report of its kind in an immunocompromised patient. Unique viral mutations found in this study highlight the importance of analyzing viral evolution in protracted SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in immunosuppressed hosts.
Visual Appropriation: A Self-reflexive Qualitative Method for Visual Analysis of the International
Authors: Möller Frank , Bellmer Rasmus , Saugmann Rune
Published: December 2021

This article introduces visual appropriation as a method in critical international political thinking and acting, contributing to the evolving repertoire of multiple, pluralist methods for visual analysis of international relations operating in a digital visual environment. We define appropriation as reuse of existing visual material—either in its entirety or in part—without substantially altering the immanent characteristics of the appropriated material. As appropriators, scholars are producers of images who capitalize on and actively participate in digital visuality (seeing–changing–sharing). Appropriators are both image-analysts and image-actors but distinct from both, contributing not only to the visual analysis, but also to the visual construction of international relations. Approaching the international through appropriation grants researchers increased agency and responsibility vis-à-vis existing visual materials “out-there.” Rather than exploring a digital space of visual images produced and appropriated by others, researchers consciously and deliberately partake in the production and dissemination of images. As a result, we highlight how we—as scholars and as citizens—are facing research-ethical problematiques linked to ways of showing and seeing inevitably emanating from appropriation.
Grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef systems: performance, economic, and environmental trade-offs
Authors: Klopatek Sarah C , Marvinney Elias , Duarte Toni , Kendall Alissa , Yang Xiang (Crystal) , Oltjen James W
Published: December 2021

Between increasing public concerns over climate change and heightened interest of niche market beef on social media, the demand for grass-fed beef has increased considerably. However, the demand increase for grass-fed beef has raised many producers’ and consumers’ concerns regarding product quality, economic viability, and environmental impacts that have thus far gone unanswered. Therefore, using a holistic approach, we investigated the performance, carcass quality, financial outcomes, and environmental impacts of four grass-fed and grain-fed beef systems currently being performed by ranchers in California. The treatments included 1) steers stocked on pasture and feedyard finished for 128 d (CON); 2) steers grass-fed for 20 mo (GF20); 3) steers grass-fed for 20 mo with a 45-d grain finish (GR45); and 4) steers grass-fed for 25 mo (GF25). The data were analyzed using a mixed model procedure in R with differences between treatments determined by Tukey HSD. Using carcass and performance data from these systems, a weaning-to-harvest life cycle assessment was developed in the Scalable, Process-based, Agronomically Responsive Cropping Systems model framework, to determine global warming potential (GWP), consumable water use, energy, smog, and land occupation footprints. Final body weight varied significantly between treatments (P < 0.001) with the CON cattle finishing at 632 kg, followed by GF25 at 570 kg, GR45 at 551 kg, and GF20 478 kg. Dressing percentage differed significantly between all treatments (P < 0.001). The DP was 61.8% for CON followed by GR45 at 57.5%, GF25 at 53.4%, and GF20 had the lowest DP of 50.3%. Marbling scores were significantly greater for CON compared to all other treatments (P < 0.001) with CON marbling score averaging 421 (low-choice ≥ 400). Breakeven costs with harvesting and marketing for the CON, GF20, GR45, and GF25 were $6.01, $8.98, $8.02, and $8.33 per kg hot carcass weight (HCW), respectively. The GWP for the CON, GF20, GR45, and GF25 were 4.79, 6.74, 6.65, and 8.31 CO2e/kg HCW, respectively. Water consumptive use for CON, GF20, GR45, and GF25 were 933, 465, 678, and 1,250 L/kg HCW, respectively. Energy use for CON, GF20, GR45, and GF25 were 18.7, 7.65, 13.8, and 8.85 MJ/kg HCW, respectively. Our results indicated that grass-fed beef systems differ in both animal performance and carcass quality resulting in environmental and economic sustainability trade-offs with no system having absolute superiority.
Assessment of α-Cypermethrin Pour-On Application and Diminazene Aceturate for Treating Trypanosome-Related Diseases Caused by Tsetse Flies on Cattle in Mô, Togo
Authors: Soudah Boma , Essodina Talaki , Toï N’feide , Balabadi Dao , Yao Lombo , Martin Bienvenu Somda , Wendemanegde Ernest Salou
Published: December 2021

The effects of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis control in high tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) challenge and trypanocidal drug resistance settings remain poorly understood in Togo owing to poor data coverage on the current disease impact. From March 2014 to November 2017, a database of zoo-sanitary surveys integrating the evolution of disease incidence and intervention coverage made it possible to quantify the apparent effects attributable to the control effort, focused on all sedentary cattle breeds in the 1,000 km² area of Mô in Togo. The strategy involved an initial phase with cross-sectional entomological and parasitological. Then, three times a year, 20% of the bovine animals of the study area received α-cypermethrin pour-on, and infected cattle with poor health (798 cattle in 2014 and 358 in 2017) were individually given diminazene aceturate at 7 mg/kg of body weight. The tsetse density in the area decreased significantly, from 1.78 ± 0.37 in March 2014 before the α-cypermethrin application to 0.48 ± 0.07 in February 2017. The α-cypermethrin pour-on application and diminazene aceturate treatment of cattle led to the largest reduction in disease incidence, from 28.1% in 2014 to 7.8% in 2017, an improvement in hematocrit from 24.27 ± 4.9% to 27.5 ± 4.6%, and a reduction in calf mortality from 15.9 ± 11% to 5.9%. Improved access to these interventions for different types of livestock and maintaining their effectiveness, despite high tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae) challenges, should be the primary focus of control strategies in many areas of Togo.
Diversity in sphingolipid metabolism across land plants
Authors: Haslam Tegan M , Feussner Ivo
Published: December 2021

Sphingolipids are essential metabolites found in all plant species. They are required for plasma membrane integrity, tolerance of and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, and intracellular signalling. There is extensive diversity in the sphingolipid content of different plant species, and in the identities and roles of enzymes required for their processing. In this review, we survey results obtained from investigations of the classical genetic model Arabidopsis thaliana, from assorted dicots with less extensive genetic toolkits, from the model monocot Oryza sativa, and finally from the model bryophyte Physcomitrium patens. For each species or group, we first broadly summarize what is known about sphingolipid content. We then discuss the most insightful and puzzling features of modifications to the hydrophobic ceramides, and to the polar headgroups of complex sphingolipids. Altogether, these data can serve as a framework for our knowledge of sphingolipid metabolism across the plant kingdom. This chemical and metabolic heterogeneity underpins equally diverse functions. With greater availability of different tools for analytical measurements and genetic manipulation, our field is entering an exciting phase of expanding our knowledge of the biological functions of this persistently cryptic class of lipids.
Hyperbolically symmetric static charged cosmological fluid models
Authors: Yousaf Z , Khlopov Maxim Yu , Bhatti M Z , Asad H
Published: December 2021

In this work, the study on static fluid distributions under the influence of electromagnetism has been carried out with an emphasis on the hyperbolically symmetric metric. For this purpose, modified gravitational formulations in the presence of charge are used to calculate the effective energy–momentum tensor, which is then further refined by taking into account tetrad field components in the Minkowski coordinate system. Also, we compute the Tolman mass and a suitable formulation of the mass function. It exhibits that the hyperbolically symmetrical source has a negative effective matter density in all stellar formulations. This demonstrates that the quantum processes together with certain excessive constraints are deemed important to explain any physical implementations under the effects of the electromagnetic field. Additionally, we assessed the structure scalars and implemented the orthogonal splitting of the structure scalars and Riemann tensor in this modified gravity. Subsequently, various explicit precise cosmological solutions and their generating functions are developed.
Orbits of globular clusters computed with dynamical friction in the Galactic anisotropic velocity dispersion field
Authors: Moreno Edmundo , Fernández-Trincado José G , Pérez-Villegas Angeles , Chaves-Velasquez Leonardo , Schuster William J
Published: December 2021

We present a preliminary analysis of the effect of dynamical friction on the orbits of part of the globular clusters in our Galaxy. Our study considers an anisotropic velocity dispersion field approximated using the results of studies in the literature. An axisymmetric Galactic model with mass components consisting of a disc, a bulge, and a dark halo is employed in the computations. We provide a method to compute the dynamical friction acceleration in ellipsoidal, oblate, and prolate velocity distribution functions with similar density in velocity space. Orbital properties, such as mean time-variations of perigalactic and apogalactic distances, energy, and z-component of angular momentum, are obtained for globular clusters lying in the Galactic region R ≲ 10 kpc, |z| ≲ 5 kpc, with R, z cylindrical coordinates. These include clusters in prograde and retrograde orbital motion. Several clusters are strongly affected by dynamical friction, in particular Liller 1, Terzan 4, Terzan 5, NGC 6440, and NGC 6553, which lie in the Galactic inner region. We comment on the more relevant implications of our results on the dynamics of Galactic globular clusters, such as their possible misclassification between the categories ‘halo’, ‘bulge’, and ‘thick disc’, the resulting biasing of globular-cluster samples, the possible incorrect association of the globulars with their parent dwarf galaxies for accretion events, and the possible formation of ‘nuclear star clusters’.
Coherent search for binary pulsars across all Five Keplerian parameters in radio observations using the template-bank algorithm
Authors: Balakrishnan Vishnu , Champion David , Barr Ewan , Kramer Michael , Venkatraman Krishnan V , Eatough Ralph P , Sengar Rahul , Bailes Matthew
Published: December 2021

Relativistic binary pulsars orbiting white dwarfs and neutron stars have already provided excellent tests of gravity. However, despite observational efforts, a pulsar orbiting a black hole has remained elusive. One possible explanation is the extreme Doppler smearing caused by the pulsar’s orbital motion which changes its apparent spin frequency during an observation. The classical solution to this problem has been to assume a constant acceleration/jerk for the entire observation. However, this assumption breaks down when the observation samples a large fraction of the orbit. This limits the length of search observations, and hence their sensitivity. This provides a strong motivation to develop techniques that can find compact binaries in longer observations. Here, we present a GPU-based radio pulsar search pipeline that can perform a coherent search for binary pulsars by directly searching over three or five Keplerian parameters using the template-bank algorithm. We compare the sensitivity obtained from our pipeline with acceleration and jerk search pipelines for simulated pulsar-stellar-mass black hole binaries and observations of PSR J0737−3039A. We also discuss the computational feasibility of our pipeline for untargeted pulsar surveys and targeted searches. Our benchmarks indicate that circular orbit searches for P-BH binaries with spin-period $P{_\mathrm{{spin}}} \ge {20}\, \mathrm{m\, s}$ covering the 3–10 Tobs regime are feasible for the High Time Resolution Universe pulsar survey. Additionally, an elliptical orbit search in Globular clusters for $P{_\mathrm{{spin}}} \ge {20}\, \mathrm{m\, s}$ pulsars orbiting intermediate-mass black holes in the 5–10 Tobs regime is feasible for observations shorter than 2 h with an eccentricity limit of 0.1.
rms–flux relation and disc–jet connection in blazars in the context of the internal shocks model
Authors: Kundu Aritra , Chatterjee Ritaban , Mitra Kaustav , Mondal Sripan
Published: December 2021

Recent analysis of blazar variability has revealed a proportionality between the mean flux and the root mean squared (rms) fluctuations about the mean flux. Although such rms–flux relation has been previously observed in the accretion disc/corona variability of X-ray binaries and Seyfert galaxies, and has been extensively modelled, its emergence in the jet light curves of blazars calls for a revised theoretical understanding of this feature. In this work, we analyse the time variability properties of realistic multiwavelength jet light curves, simulated in the context of a simplified version of the internal shocks model, particularly focusing on the rms–flux relation. These shocks accelerate the jet electrons to relativistic energies, which then cool radiatively via synchrotron and inverse-Compton processes. We find that the rms–flux relation may be consistently recovered in the cases, in which the shocks have different amplitudes based on the speed of the colliding blobs generating them as opposed to all shocks having the same amplitude. We observe that the slope of the rms–flux relation depends on the wavelength at which the variability is observed and the energy distribution of the electron population. We find that the accretion disc and the jet variability are anticorrelated, with the latter lagging that of the disc. Our results provide crucial constraints on the physical properties of the jet, and the mode of connection through which the accretion disc and jet may be related.
How the planetary eccentricity influences the pebble isolation mass
Authors: Chametla Raúl O , Masset Frédéric S , Baruteau Clément , Bitsch Bertram
Published: December 2021

We investigate the pebble isolation mass (PIM) for a planet on a fixed eccentric orbit in its protoplanetary disc by conducting a set of two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamical simulations, including dust turbulent diffusion. A range of planet eccentricities up to e = 0.2 is adopted. Our simulations also cover a range of α-turbulent viscosities, and for each pair {α, e} the PIM is estimated as the minimum planet mass in our simulations such that solids with a Stokes number ≳0.05 do not flow across the planet orbit and remain trapped around a pressure bump outside the planet gap. For α < 10−3, we find that eccentric planets reach a well-defined PIM, which can be smaller than for planets on circular orbits when the eccentricity remains smaller than the disc’s aspect ratio. We provide a fitting formula for how the PIM depends on the planet's eccentricity. However, for α > 10−3, eccentric planets cannot fully stall the pebbles flow and, thus, do not reach a well-defined PIM. Our results suggest that the maximum mass reached by rocky cores should exhibit a dichotomy depending on the disc's turbulent viscosity. While being limited to ${\cal O}(10\, M_\oplus)$ in low-viscosity discs, this maximum mass could reach much larger values in discs with a high turbulent viscosity in the planet vicinity. Our results further highlight that pebble filtering by growing planets might not be as effective as previously thought, especially in high-viscosity discs, with important implications to protoplanetary discs observations.
Accretion-induced merger leading to core-collapse supernovae in old stellar populations
Authors: Braudo Jessica , Bear Ealeal , Soker Noam
Published: December 2021

We examine a triple-star evolution that might lead to core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) in stellar populations that are too old to allow for single or binary evolution to form CCSNe, i.e. where the most massive stars that evolve off the main sequence have masses of $\simeq 4\!-\!5\, {\rm M}_\odot$. In the scenario we examine the most massive star in the triple system, of mass $\simeq 4\!-\!5\, {\rm M}_\odot$, transfers mass to an inner binary system at an orbital separation of $\simeq 100\!-\!1000\, {\rm R}_\odot$. The initial orbital separation of the inner binary is $\simeq 10\!-\!50\, {\rm R}_\odot$. The inner binary accretes most of the mass that the primary star loses and the two stars expand and their mutual orbit contracts until merger. The merger product is a main-sequence star of mass $\simeq 8\!-\!10\, {\rm M}_\odot$ that later experiences a CCSN explosion and leaves a neutron star (NS) remnant, bound or unbound to the white dwarf (WD) remnant of the primary star. We estimate the event rate of this WD–NS reverse evolution scenario to be a fraction of ≈5 × 10−5 of all CCSNe. We expect that in the coming decade sky surveys will detect one to five such events.
The Statistical Nature of Causation
Authors: Papineau David
Published: December 2021

Causation is a macroscopic phenomenon. The temporal asymmetry displayed by causation has no counterpart in the fundamental dynamics of the microscopic world. So causation must somehow emerge from the underlying dynamics, along with other macroscopic phenomena like entropy increase and the arrow of radiation. In this paper I shall offer an account of causation that accounts for this emergence. I shall show how macroscopic events fall into lawlike patterns that are subject to the random influences of microscopic processes. It is the probabilistic independence of these random influences that constitutes these laws as temporally asymmetric and causal. I shall approach these issues by considering ‘causal inference’ techniques that allow causal relations to be inferred from sets of observed correlations. I shall show that these techniques are best explained by a reduction of causation to structures of equations with probabilistically independent exogenous terms. This exogenous probabilistic independence imposes a recursive order on these equations and a consequent distinction between dependent and independent variables that lines up with the temporal asymmetry of causation.
CE-ICP-MS to probe Aβ1-42/copper (II) interactions, a complementary tool to study amyloid aggregation in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Duroux C , Hagège A
Published: December 2021

Copper (II) ions appear to be involved in the Alzheimer's disease and seem to influence the aggregation of the amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42) peptide. However, data are not conclusive and still not subject to consensus, copper (II) being suspected to either promote or inhibit aggregation. To address this question, CE-ICP-MS (capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) hyphenation was proposed as a complementary tool to follow the distribution of copper in the different oligomeric forms, at different substoichiometries and different incubation times. Results clearly indicated the formation of several negatively charged copper complexes and showed the enhancement of the aggregation rate with copper concentration. Moreover, the variations of copper (II) speciation suggest different aggregation pathway, even for substoichiometric ratios.
Fast and memory-efficient mapping of short bisulfite sequencing reads using a two-letter alphabet
Authors: de Sena Brandine Guilherme , Smith Andrew D
Published: December 2021

DNA cytosine methylation is an important epigenomic mark with a wide range of functions in many organisms. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing is the gold standard to interrogate cytosine methylation genome-wide. Algorithms used to map bisulfite-converted reads often encode the four-base DNA alphabet with three letters by reducing two bases to a common letter. This encoding substantially reduces the entropy of nucleotide frequencies in the resulting reference genome. Within the paradigm of read mapping by first filtering possible candidate alignments, reduced entropy in the sequence space can increase the required computing effort. We introduce another bisulfite mapping algorithm (abismal), based on the idea of encoding a four-letter DNA sequence as only two letters, one for purines and one for pyrimidines. We show that this encoding can lead to greater specificity compared to existing encodings used to map bisulfite sequencing reads. Through the two-letter encoding, the abismal software tool maps reads in less time and using less memory than most bisulfite sequencing read mapping software tools, while attaining similar accuracy. This allows in silico methylation analysis to be performed in a wider range of computing machines with limited hardware settings.
Dashboard-style interactive plots for RNA-seq analysis are R Markdown ready withGlimma2.0
Authors: Kariyawasam Hasaru , Su Shian , Voogd Oliver , Ritchie Matthew E , Law Charity W
Published: December 2021

Glimma 1.0 introduced intuitive, point-and-click interactive graphics for differential gene expression analysis. Here, we present a major update to Glimma that brings improved interactivity and reproducibility using high-level visualization frameworks for R and JavaScript. Glimma 2.0 plots are now readily embeddable in R Markdown, thus allowing users to create reproducible reports containing interactive graphics. The revamped multidimensional scaling plot features dashboard-style controls allowing the user to dynamically change the colour, shape and size of sample points according to different experimental conditions. Interactivity was enhanced in the MA-style plot for comparing differences to average expression, which now supports selecting multiple genes, export options to PNG, SVG or CSV formats and includes a new volcano plot function. Feature-rich and user-friendly, Glimma makes exploring data for gene expression analysis more accessible and intuitive and is available on Bioconductor and GitHub.
Awareness About and E-Cigarette Use Among Adults in 15 Low- and Middle-Income Countries, 2014–2018 Estimates From Global Adult Tobacco Surveys
Authors: Sreeramareddy Chandrashekhar T , Manoharan Anusha
Published: December 2021

Introduction

E-cigarette (EC) use is seldom reported from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We report the prevalence of “awareness” about EC, its use, and distribution of EC use by sociodemographic factors and cigarette smoking (CS) status.

Aims and Methods

We analyzed Global Adult Tobacco Survey data in Bangladesh, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Ukraine, Turkey, Uruguay, and Viet Nam during 2014–2018. The weighted prevalence of “awareness” (heard about), “ever” (even once), and “current” (daily/nondaily) EC use among never, current, and former cigarette smokers and quit ratios (past smokers/ever smokers) was estimated. Association of EC use with sociodemographic, and CS, was explored by multilevel regression.

Results

Overall, prevalence of “awareness,” “ever,” and “current” ECs use was 19.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 27.4, 31.1), 2.6% (95% CI 2.4, 2.8), and 0.7% (95% CI 0.6, 0.8), respectively. In most countries, “ever use” <10%, and “current use” was about 1% except Romania (4.4%) and Russia (3.5%). “Current use” was 0.1%, 2.9%, and 3.1% among never, current, and former smokers, respectively. “Current” and “ever” EC use was higher among current and former than never smokers (2.8% and 3.1% vs. 0.1%; 9.9% and 10.9% vs. 0.7%), respectively. Current EC use was associated with male sex, urban residence and younger age, higher education, and wealth. “Quit attempts” (aOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2, 1.5) and cigarettes smoked per day (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4, 1.9) were associated with “ever use.”

Conclusions

EC use was low in most countries. “Dual use” was common among current smokers and the quit ratio was higher among ECs users.

Implications

EC use is increasing in high-income countries (HICs) where regulations on ECs are usually permissive. Evidence on the individual- or population-level impact of ECs on CS cessation is inconclusive. Little is known about the prevalence of EC use in LMICs where regulations are nonexistent or less restrictive. Studying the distribution of EC use rates by population subgroups, CS status, and quit ratios for CS among EC users will assist the formulation of EC regulatory policies. We provide comparable nationally representative prevalence estimates of “awareness” about and, use of ECs to serve as a benchmark for future monitoring. EC use was associated with the attempt to quit CS and smoking >10 cigarettes per day. However, “dual use” was common, and the quit ratio for CS was higher among EC users. EC use was very low relative to HICs. Nevertheless, comprehensive EC regulatory policies should be implemented to prevent the escalation of EC use by targeting population subgroups such as young adults, educated and wealthier individuals.
Nanotechnology Fundamentals Applied to Clinical Infectious Diseases and Public Health
Authors: Tobin Ellis , Brenner Sara
Published: December 2021

Nanotechnology involves the discovery and fabrication of nanoscale materials possessing unique physicochemical properties that are being employed in industry and medicine. Infectious Diseases clinicians and public health scientists utilize nanotechnology applications to diagnose, treat, and prevent infectious diseases. However, fundamental principles of nanotechnology are often presented in technical formats that presuppose an advanced knowledge of chemistry, physics, and engineering, thereby limiting the clinician’s grasp of the underlying science. While nanoscience is technically complex, it need not be out of reach of the clinical practitioner. The aim of this review is to introduce fundamental principles of nanotechnology in an accessible format, describe examples of current clinical infectious diseases and public health applications, and provide a foundation that will aid understanding of and appreciation for this burgeoning and important field of science.
Distinctive mitogenomic lineages within populations of White-tailed Eagles
Authors: Hansen Charles Christian Riis , Baleka Sina , Guðjónsdóttir Sólveig Magnea , Rasmussen Jacob Agerbo , Ballesteros Jesus Adrian Chimal , Hallgrimsson Gunnar Thor , Stefansson Robert A , von Schmalensee Menja , Skarphédinsson Kristinn Haukur , Labansen Aili Lage , Leivits Madis , Skelmose Kim , Sonne Christian , Dietz Rune , Boertmann David , Eulaers Igor , Martin Michael D , Pálsson Snæbjörn
Published: December 2021

Using whole mitochondrial DNA sequences from 89 White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) sampled from Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Denmark and Estonia between 1990 and 2018, we investigate the mitogenomic variation within and between countries. We show that there is a substantial population differentiation between the countries, reflecting similar major phylogeographic patterns obtained previously for the control region of the mitochondria, which suggested two main refugia during the last glacial period. Distinct mitogenomic lineages are observed within countries with divergence times exceeding the end of the last glacial period of the Ice Age. Deviations from neutrality indicate that these lineages have been maintained by natural selection and there is an excess of segregating amino acids in comparison with number of fixations suggesting a large load of deleterious mutations. The maintenance of the distinct mitogenic lineages within countries inflates our estimates of divergence times.
Updated Integrated Framework for Making Clinical Decisions Across the Lifespan and Health Conditions
Authors: Deutsch Judith E , Gill-Body Kathleen M , Schenkman Margaret
Published: December 2021

The updated Integrated Framework for Clinical Decision Making responds to changes in evidence, policy, and practice since the publication of the first version in 2008. The original framework was proposed for persons with neurological health conditions, whereas the revised framework applies to persons with any health condition across the lifespan. In addition, the revised framework (1) updates patient-centered concepts with shared clinical decision-making; (2) frames the episode of care around the patient’s goals for participation; (3) explicitly describes the role of movement science; (4) reconciles movement science and International Classification of Function language, illustrating the importance of each perspective to patient care; (5) provides a process for movement analysis of tasks; and (6) integrates the movement system into patient management. Two cases are used to illustrate the application of the framework: (1) a 45-year-old male bus driver with low back pain whose goals for the episode of care are to return to work and recreational basketball; and (2) a 65-year-old female librarian with a fall history whose goals for the episode of care are to return to work and reduce future falls. The framework is proposed as a tool for physical therapist education and to guide clinical practice for all health conditions across the lifespan.
Comparing Traditional and Disposable Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Use by Medicare Home Health Patients
Authors: Fout Betty , Plotzke Michael
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVE

Since 2017, home health agencies (HHAs) have received reimbursement for the provision of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using disposable, portable devices to eligible Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. This study aimed to describe the use of disposable NPWT (dNPWT) versus traditional, durable medical equipment-based NPWT (tNPWT) in the home health setting over time and compare the types of beneficiaries using and associated Medicare payments for NPWT separate from the home health payment bundle.

METHODS

Medicare fee-for-service claims were used to identify beneficiaries receiving NPWT from HHAs during home health stays. Assessment and Medicare administrative data were linked to compare characteristics between those receiving tNPWT or dNPWT and to calculate and contrast average Medicare payments for NPWT provided during the home health episode.

RESULTS

In 2019, the vast majority of NPWT used was tNPWT (>99%). Beneficiaries using dNPWT had fewer health risk factors and used substantially less medical care than beneficiaries using tNPWT ($47,187 vs $60,440 in annual total Medicare payments per beneficiary). However, the average Medicare payments for dNPWT exceeded that of tNPWT ($1,624 vs $899) during a home health episode.

CONCLUSIONS

Although dNPWT is well-suited for the home, its uptake has been slow. This may be attributable to HHAs’ confusion in billing for dNPWT or differences in the wound types appropriate for dNPWT versus tNPWT. Policymakers should continue to monitor the use of dNPWT in the home health setting, especially given the greater average Medicare payment of dNPWT per episode.
The Effect of Inhalation Aromatherapy on Sedation Level, Analgesic Dosage, and Bispectral Index Values during Donor Site Dressing in Patients with Burns: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Froutan Razieh , Tavousi Seyed Hassan , Sedaghat Alireza , Sadeghnia Hamid Reza , Layegh Mohaddeseh , Mazlom Seyed Reza
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of inhalation aromatherapy on sedation level, analgesic dosage, and bispectral index (BIS) values during donor site dressing in patients with burns.

METHODS

This trial was conducted on 62 patients with burns requiring donor site dressing who were admitted to the Burn Center of Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. In the intervention group, the patients inhaled damask rose 40% and lavender 10% essential oils during donor site dressing change, whereas in the control group, the site was dressed using routine protocol. Sedatives and analgesics were prescribed until the levels of brain activity achieved light sedation. The brain activity and sedation levels were measured before and after the donor site dressings using the BIS. Data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance and the two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures.

RESULTS

All 62 patients completed the study. The required doses of ketamine (P < .001), fentanyl (P = .003), morphine (P < .001), and propofol (P < .001) were significantly lower in the intervention group. The BIS was also significantly lower in the intervention group (P < .001). Heart rate decreased significantly during the aromatherapy, as well as after analgesic and sedative consumption (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The inhalation of damask rose and lavender essential oils is an effective intervention to reduce the doses of sedative and analgesic drugs administered as well as BIS during donor site dressing change in patients with burns.
Learning Through Listening: A Scoping Review of Podcast Use in Medical Education
Authors: Kelly Jessica M. , Perseghin Andrea , Dow Alan W. , Trivedi Shreya P. , Rodman Adam , Berk Justin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To improve understanding of podcast use in medical education by examining current research on descriptive attributes and educational outcomes, highlighting implications of the current evidence base for educational practices, and identifying research gaps to guide future investigation.

Method

The authors conducted a scoping review, searching PubMed and Embase databases in June–July 2020 for English-language studies of audio-only medical education podcast use in undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education. The authors excluded studies without original data or with nonphysician data that could not be separated from physician data. From included studies, the authors extracted data regarding descriptive outcomes (e.g., podcast use, content areas, structure) and educational outcomes (classified using Kirkpatrick’s 4 levels of evaluation).

Results

Of 491 unique articles, 62 met inclusion criteria. Descriptive outcomes were reported in 44 studies. Analysis of these studies revealed podcast use has increased over time, podcasts are a top resource for resident education, and podcasts are being incorporated into formal medical curricula. Educational outcomes were reported in 38 studies. The 29 studies that assessed learner reaction and attitudes to podcasts (Kirkpatrick level 1) showed learners value podcasts for their portability, efficiency, and combined educational and entertainment value. The 10 studies that assessed knowledge retention (Kirkpatrick level 2) showed podcasts to be noninferior to traditional teaching methods. The 11 studies that assessed behavior change (Kirkpatrick level 3) showed improved documentation skills in medical students and self-reported practice change in residents and practicing physicians after listening to podcasts. None of the studies reported system change or patient outcomes (Kirkpatrick level 4).

Conclusions

Future research should focus on the optimal structure of podcasts for learning, higher-level outcomes of podcasts, and the implementation of podcasts into formal curricula. Podcasts may prove to be essential tools for disseminating and implementing the most current, evidence-based practices.
Three-dimensional Printing of Biomimetic Titanium Mimicking Trabecular Bone Induces Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation
Authors: Papaefstathiou Stephanos , Larochette Nathanaël , Liste Rosa María Villar , Potier Esther , Petite Herve , Vivace Bradley J. , Laratta Joseph L.
Published: December 2021

Study Design.

In vitro analysis.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of three-dimensional (3D) printing of porous titanium on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation.

Summary of Background Data.

A proprietary implant using three–dimensional porous titanium (3D-pTi) that mimics trabecu-lar bone structure, roughness, porosity, and modulus of elasticity was created (Ti-LIFE technology™, Spineart SA Switzerland). Such implants may possess osteoinductive properties augmenting fusion in addition to their structural advantages. However, the ability of 3D–pTi to affect in vitro cellular proliferation and osteogenic differentiation remains undefined.

Methods.

Disks of 3D–pTi with a porosity of 70% to 75% and pore size of 0.9 mm were produced using additive manufacturing technology. 2D Ti6Al4V (2D–Ti) and 2D polyetheretherketone (2D–PEEK) disks were prepared using standard manufacturing process. Tissue culture plastic (TCP) served as the control surface. All discs were characterized using 2D-micros-copy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray micro-computed tomography. Forty thousand hMSCs were seeded on the disks and TCP and cultured for 42 days. hMSC morphology was assessed using environmental SEM and confocal imaging following phalloidin staining. hMSC proliferation was evaluated using DNA fluorescent assay. hMSC differentiation was assessed using RT–qPCR for genes involved in hMSC osteogenic differentiation and biochemical assays were performed for alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and calcium content.

Results.

3D–pTi lead to a higher cell number as compared to 2D–Ti and 2D-PEEK at D21, D28 and D42. ALP activity of hMSCs seeded into 3D-pTi scaffolds was as high as or higher than that of hMSCs seeded onto TCP controls over all time points and consistently higher than that of hMSCs seeded onto 2D-Ti scaffolds. However, when ALP activity was normalized to protein content, no statistical differences were found between all scaffolds tested and TCP controls.

Conclusion.

3D-pTi provides a scaffold for bone formation that structurally mimics cancellous bone and improves hMSC adhesion and proliferation compared to 2D-Ti and PEEK.
Bufalin suppresses ovarian cancer cell proliferation via EGFR pathway
Authors: Dou Lei , Zou Dan , Song Feiran , Jin Yuxin , Li Yin , Zhang Yi
Published: December 2021

Background:

Previous studies have shown that bufalin exerts antitumor effects through various mechanisms. This study aimed to determine the antineoplastic mechanism of bufalin, an extract of traditional Chinese medicine toad venom, in ovarian cancer.

Methods:

The 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU), and colony formation assays were used to investigate the antiproliferative effect of bufalin on the ovarian cancer cell line SK-OV-3. Molecular docking was used to investigate the combination of bufalin and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of EGFR protein and its downstream targets.

Results:

Bufalin inhibited the proliferation of SK-OV-3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Bufalin was confirmed to combine with EGFR protein using molecular docking and downregulate expression of EGFR. Bufalin inhibited phosphorylation of EGFR, protein kinase B (AKT), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).

Conclusion:

Bufalin suppresses the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells through the EGFR/AKT/ERK signaling pathway.
Hemodynamic effects of different fluid volumes for a fluid challenge in septic shock patients
Authors: Yang Ting , Weng Li , Jiang Wei , Li Shan , Du Bin
Published: December 2021

Background:

It is still unclear what the minimal infusion volume is to effectively predict fluid responsiveness. This study was designed to explore the minimal infusion volume to effectively predict fluid responsiveness in septic shock patients. Hemodynamic effects of fluid administration on arterial load were observed and added values of effective arterial elastance (Ea) in fluid resuscitation were assessed.

Methods:

Intensive care unit septic shock patients with indwelling pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) received five sequential intravenous boluses of 100 mL 4% gelatin. Cardiac output (CO) was measured with PAC before and after each bolus. Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in CO >10% after 500 mL fluid infusion.

Results:

Forty-seven patients were included and 35 (74.5%) patients were fluid responders. CO increasing >5.2% after a 200 mL fluid challenge (FC) provided an improved detection of fluid responsiveness, with a specificity of 80.0% and a sensitivity of 91.7%. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.84–1.00, P 
< 0.001). Fluid administration induced a decrease in Ea from 2.23 (1.46–2.78) mmHg/mL to 1.83 (1.34–2.44) mmHg/mL (P = 0.002), especially for fluid responders in whom arterial pressure did not increase. Notably, the baseline Ea was able to detect the fluid responsiveness with an AUC of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.59–0.86, P < 0.001), whereas Ea failed to predict the pressure response to FC with an AUC of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.33–0.67, P = 0.086).

Conclusion:

In septic shock patients, a minimal volume of 200 mL 4% gelatin could reliably detect fluid responders. Fluid administration reduced Ea even when CO increased. The loss of arterial load might be the reason for patients who increased their CO without pressure responsiveness. Moreover, a high level of Ea before FC was able to predict fluid responsiveness rather than to detect the pressure responsiveness.

Trial registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04515511