bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plato Was Not a Mathematical Platonist
Authors: Landry Elaine
Published: January 2023

This Element shows that Plato keeps a clear distinction between mathematical and metaphysical realism and the knife he uses to slice the difference is method. The philosopher's dialectical method requires that we tether the truth of hypotheses to existing metaphysical objects. The mathematician's hypothetical method, by contrast, takes hypotheses as if they were first principles, so no metaphysical account of their truth is needed. Thus, we come to Plato's methodological as-if realism: in mathematics, we treat our hypotheses as if they were first principles, and, consequently, our objects as if they existed, and we do this for the purpose of solving problems. Taking the road suggested by Plato's Republic, this Element shows that methodological commitments to mathematical objects are made in light of mathematical practice; foundational considerations; and, mathematical applicability. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Brain Stress Test for Assessing Risk for Hemodynamic Stroke
Authors: Venkatraghavan Lashmi , Rosen Casey , McKetton Larissa , Poublanc Julien , Sobczyk Olivia , Duffin James , Tymianski Michael , Fisher Joseph A. , Mikulis David J.
Published: January 2023

Background:

In patients with intracranial steno-occlusive disease (SOD), the risk of hemodynamic stroke depends on the poststenotic vasodilatory reserve. Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) is a test for vasodilatory reserve. We tested for vasodilatory reserve by using PETCO2 as the stressor, and Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) MRI as a surrogate of blood flow. We correlate the CVR to the incidence of stroke after a 1-year follow-up in patients with symptomatic intracranial SOD.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, 100 consecutive patients with symptomatic intracranial SOD that had undergone CVR testing were identified. CVR was measured as % BOLD MR signal intensity/mmHg PETCO2. All patients with normal CVR were treated with optimal medical therapy; those with abnormal CVR were offered revascularization where feasible. We determined the incidence of stroke at 1 year.

Results:

83 patients were included in the study. CVR was normal in 14 patients and impaired in 69 patients ipsilateral to the lesion. Of these, 53 underwent surgical revascularization. CVR and symptoms improved in 86% of the latter. The overall incidence of stroke was 4.8 % (4/83). All strokes occurred in patients with impaired CVR (4/69; 2/53 in the surgical group, all in the nonrevascularized hemisphere), and none in patients with normal CVR (0/14).

Conclusion:

Our study confirms that CO2-BOLD MRI CVR can be used as a brain stress test for the assessment of cerebrovascular reserve. Impaired CVR is associated with a higher incidence of stroke and normal CVR despite significant stenosis is associated with a low risk for stroke.
Baseline stool toxin concentration is associated with risk of recurrence in children with Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Sandora Thomas J. , Kociolek Larry K. , Williams David N. , Daugherty Kaitlyn , Geer Christine , Cuddemi Christine , Chen Xinhua , Xu Hua , Savage Timothy J. , Banz Alice , Garey Kevin W. , Gonzales-Luna Anne J. , Kelly Ciarán P. , Pollock Nira R.
Published: January 2023

Background:

In adults with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), higher stool concentrations of toxins A and B are associated with severe baseline disease, CDI-attributable severe outcomes, and recurrence. We evaluated whether toxin concentration predicts these presentations in children with CDI.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective cohort study of inpatients aged 2–17 years with CDI who received treatment. Patients were followed for 40 days after diagnosis for severe outcomes (intensive care unit admission, colectomy, or death, categorized as CDI primarily attributable, CDI contributed, or CDI not contributing) and recurrence. Baseline stool toxin A and B concentrations were measured using ultrasensitive single-molecule array assay, and 12 plasma cytokines were measured when blood was available.

Results:

We enrolled 187 pediatric patients (median age, 9.6 years). Patients with severe baseline disease by IDSA-SHEA criteria (n = 34) had nonsignificantly higher median stool toxin A+B concentration than those without severe disease (n = 122; 3,217.2 vs 473.3 pg/mL; P = .08). Median toxin A+B concentration was nonsignificantly higher in children with a primarily attributed severe outcome (n = 4) versus no severe outcome (n = 148; 19,472.6 vs 429.1 pg/mL; P = .301). Recurrence occurred in 17 (9.4%) of 180 patients. Baseline toxin A+B concentration was significantly higher in patients with versus without recurrence: 4,398.8 versus 280.8 pg/mL (P = .024). Plasma granulocyte colony-stimulating factor concentration was significantly higher in CDI patients versus non-CDI diarrhea controls: 165.5 versus 28.5 pg/mL (P < .001).

Conclusions:

Higher baseline stool toxin concentrations are present in children with CDI recurrence. Toxin quantification should be included in CDI treatment trials to evaluate its use in severity assessment and outcome prediction.
MAXIMALITY OF LOGIC WITHOUT IDENTITY
Authors: BADIA GUILLERMO , CAICEDO XAVIER , NOGUERA CARLES
Published: January 2023

Lindström’s theorem obviously fails as a characterization of first-order logic without identity (
$\mathcal {L}_{\omega \omega }^{-} $
). In this note, we provide a fix: we show that
$\mathcal {L}_{\omega \omega }^{-} $
is a maximal abstract logic satisfying a weak form of the isomorphism property (suitable for identity-free languages and studied in [11]), the Löwenheim–Skolem property, and compactness. Furthermore, we show that compactness can be replaced by being recursively enumerable for validity under certain conditions. In the proofs, we use a form of strong upwards Löwenheim–Skolem theorem not available in the framework with identity.
Professional identity, legitimacy and managerialism at the Crown Prosecution Service
Authors: Soubise Laurène
Published: January 2023

Tasked with enforcing criminal law, public prosecutors worldwide enjoy broad discretion. Existing literature on prosecutorial discretion and accountability tends to discuss the regulation of prosecutorial discretion or analyse the influence of the procedural environment in which public prosecutors operate. This paper focuses on occupational culture as an important factor affecting prosecutorial decisions. It draws particular attention to an understudied aspect of prosecutors’ professional identity: legitimacy and, specifically, self-legitimacy, ie the belief public prosecutors have in their own legitimacy to make decisions in individual cases. The paper presents research findings from direct observations and interviews which reveal a sense of a loss of self-legitimacy amongst Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) staff due to the constant monitoring of their decisions by colleagues and managers. This all-pervasive managerialism, paradoxically, undermines the very legitimacy (and, relatedly, transparency) which the CPS has had to work so hard to develop since its inception.
Between nation and empire: how the state matters in global health
Authors: Harrington John
Published: January 2023

The role of the state has been underplayed in scholarship on global health. Taking a historical view, this paper argues that state institutions, practices and ideologies have in fact been crucial to the realisation of contemporary global health governance and to its predecessor regimes. Drawing on state theory, work on governmentality, and Third World approaches to international law, it traces the origins of the ‘health state’ in late colonial developmentalism, which held out the prospect of conditional independence for the subjects of European empires. Progress in health was also a key goal for nationalist governments in the Global South, one which they sought to realise autonomously as part of a New International Economic Order. The defeat of that challenge to the dominance of the Global North in the 1980s led to the rise of ‘global governance’ in health. Far from rendering the state redundant, the latter was realised through the co-option and disciplining of institutions at national level. To that extent, the current order has an unmistakably imperial character, one which undercuts its declared cosmopolitan aspirations, as evidenced in the approach to vaccine distribution and travel bans during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A non-marine horseshoe crab from the Middle Triassic (Anisian) of the Netherlands
Authors: Klompmaker Adiël A. , van Eldijk Timo J.B. , Winkelhorst Herman , Reumer Jelle W.F.
Published: January 2023

Horseshoe crabs (Xiphosura) have a long evolutionary history starting in the Ordovician, but they have rarely been reported from the Netherlands. We report on the first Triassic horseshoe crab from the Netherlands identifiable to the species level, a specimen of the limulid Limulitella bronnii. We provide the first diagnosis for this species and refigure the holotype. The new specimen was found in the Middle Triassic (Anisian) Muschelkalk sediments of the Vossenveld Formation, in the Illyrian part of the stratigraphic profile of the Winterswijk quarry complex. The Winterswijk specimen represents the youngest occurrence of L. bronnii. The inferred non-marine habitat of this horseshoe crab species elsewhere in conjunction with occurrences of plant and insect remains within the same layer at Winterswijk suggest the specimen herein most probably did not live in marine conditions either. This species has previously been found in non-marine sediments in France and Germany, expanding its geographic range northward. Several faunal elements from Winterswijk including L. bronnii show resemblance to the roughly co-eval non-marine components of the Anisian Grès à Voltzia Formation in NE France, suggesting a paleobiogeographic connection between these regions in Western Europe.
Exploring human biology with N-of-1 clinical trials
Authors: Schork N. J. , Beaulieu-Jones B. , Liang W. S. , Smalley S. , Goetz L. H.
Published: January 2023

Studies on humans that exploit contemporary data-intensive, high-throughput ‘omic’ assay technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, have unequivocally revealed that humans differ greatly at the molecular level. These differences, which are compounded by each individual’s distinct behavioral and environmental exposures, impact individual responses to health interventions such as diet and drugs. Questions about the best way to tailor health interventions to individuals based on their nuanced genomic, physiologic, behavioral, etc. profiles have motivated the current emphasis on ‘precision’ medicine. This review’s purpose is to describe how the design and execution of N-of-1 (or personalized) multivariate clinical trials can advance the field. Such trials focus on individual responses to health interventions from a whole-person perspective, leverage emerging health monitoring technologies, and can be used to address the most relevant questions in the precision medicine era. This includes how to validate biomarkers that may indicate appropriate activity of an intervention as well as how to identify likely beneficial interventions for an individual. We also argue that multivariate N-of-1 and aggregated N-of-1 trials are ideal vehicles for advancing biomedical and translational science in the precision medicine era since the insights gained from them can not only shed light on how to treat or prevent diseases generally, but also provide insight into how to provide real-time care to the very individuals who are seeking attention for their health concerns in the first place.
Rethinking adoptionism: An argument for dismantling a dubious category
Authors: Coogan Jeremiah
Published: January 2023

This article argues that adoptionism is an anachronistic category when used to describe texts from the first three Christian centuries, a mirage created by later theological controversies about the relationship between the Father and the Son. I survey the evidence for second- and third-century figures and texts generally identified ‘adoptionist’ in order to show that these figures do not advocate a shared christological stance. Instead, we find a variety of distinct postures that disagree with both each other and with common scholarly definitions of adoptionism. Although metaphors of adoption were theologically productive in early Christianity, to identify early Christian figures, texts and movements as adoptionist implies a theological unity that does not exist. The category itself is a problem. Not only are historical adoptionists absent, but early Christian metaphors of adoption and divine sonship functioned within diverse articulations of Jesus’ identity which do not map onto modern definitions.
Exercise testing in patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children-related myocarditis versus idiopathic or viral myocarditis
Authors: Ziebell Daniel , Patel Trisha , Stark Megan , Xiang Yijin , Oster Matthew E.
Published: January 2023

Background:

While most children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children have rapid recovery of cardiac dysfunction, little is known about the long-term outcomes regarding exercise capacity. We aimed to compare the exercise capacity among patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children versus viral/idiopathic myocarditis at 3–6 months after initial diagnosis.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective cohort study among patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children in June 2020 to May 2021 and patients with viral/idiopathic myocarditis in August 2014 to January 2020. Data from cardiopulmonary exercise test as well as echocardiographic and laboratory data were obtained. Inclusion criteria included diagnosis of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children or viral/idiopathic myocarditis, exercise test performed within 3–6 months of hospital discharge, and maximal effort on cardiopulmonary exercise test as determined by respiratory exchange ratio >1.10.

Results:

Thirty-one patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and 25 with viral/idiopathic myocarditis were included. The mean percent predicted peak VO2 was 90.84% for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children patients and 91.08% for those with viral/idiopathic myocarditis (p-value 0.955). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to percent predicted maximal heart rate, metabolic equivalents, percent predicted peak VO2, percent predicted anerobic threshold, or percent predicted O2 pulse. There was a statistically significant correlation between lowest ejection fraction during hospitalisation and peak VO2 among viral/idiopathic myocarditis patients (r: 0.62, p-value 0.01) but not multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children patients (r: 0.1, p-value 0.6).

Conclusions:

Patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and viral myocarditis appear to, on average, have normal exercise capacity around 3–6 months following hospital discharge. For patients with viral/idiopathic myocarditis, those with worse ejection fraction during hospitalisation had lower peak VO2 on cardiopulmonary exercise test.
Simulation of Chorus Wave Excitation in the Compressed/Stretched Dipole Magnetic Field
Authors: Kong Zhenyu , Gao Xinliang , Ke Yangguang , Lu Quanming , Wang Xueyi
Published: January 2023

The properties of chorus waves have been extensively studied, which are important to understand chorus generation and wave‐particle interactions between chorus and energetic electrons. Observations reveal that there exists a distinct day‐night asymmetry for the properties of chorus waves, such as the sweep rate and duration, which is predicted to be relevant to the asymmetric configuration of Earth's background magnetic field. In this paper, using the one‐dimensional (1‐D) particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulation model with a compressed/stretched dipole magnetic field, we study the dependences of the properties of rising‐tone chorus waves on the background magnetic field. It is demonstrated that the saturated amplitude and the chorus sweep rate increase while the chorus duration decreases with an increase of the compression factor ξ, which represents the compression/stretch degree of the field line. Moreover, the threshold of exciting chorus waves in the compressed dipole field is generally lower than that in the stretched dipole field. These results are useful to understand the chorus excitation and the day‐night asymmetry of chorus properties.
Revisit the Upper Portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water: A Recent Structural Change and Freshening in the Formation Area
Authors: Senjyu Tomoharu , Shiota Kohei
Published: January 2023

Long‐term transition in the deep water of the Japan Sea was investigated to understand how oceans respond to climate change. A basin‐scale density decrease in the upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water (UJSPW) by 0.01 σθ was detected from the period 1964–1985 (Period I) to that of 2001–2019 (Period II) using Argo‐ and ship‐based data sets. The density decrease was mainly due to a temperature increase of 0.3°C. Based on the pycnostad density, the UJSPW was redefined as the water mass of 27.30–27.33 σθ, along with the core density of 27.30–27.31 σθ. The dissolved oxygen (DO) and thickness in the UJSPW showed a notable decrease between the periods, along with the isopycnal surfaces flattening. Warming down to 700 m and freshening in the upper 300 m were observed in the winter UJSPW formation area in the northwestern Japan Sea. An influence of the hemispheric‐scale regime shift occurred in 1988/1989 on the UJSPW warming was suggested, along with the long‐term trend in the winter air temperature. The freshening in the formation area was attributable to the increase in winter precipitation in the Amur River basin and the decrease in winter sea‐ice extents in the Okhotsk and northern Japan Seas. The intensified stratification in the UJSPW formation area brought a decrease in the amount of the UJSPW formation through the prevention of winter deep convection, which resulted in the thinner thickness and lower DO in the UJSPW in Period II, along with the temperature increase.
Global Sea Surface Cyclogeostrophic Currents Derived From Satellite Altimetry Data
Authors: Cao Yuhan , Dong Changming , Stegner Alexandre , Bethel Brandon J. , Li Chunyan , Dong Jihai , Lü Haibin , Yang Jingsong
Published: January 2023

Sea surface currents (SSC) derived from the sea surface height anomalies (SSHA) as measured by multi‐satellite altimeters are widely used for various applications including studies on ocean dynamics, marine ecology, and climate change. However, present SSC products estimated on the assumption of an idealized geostrophic balance is biased. To overcome this idealization, this study considers flow curvature in the estimation of sea surface velocities in the global ocean, with the computation scheme validated using numerical model results. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of curvature into SSC estimations significantly changes SSC dynamic features in terms of kinetic energy, enstrophy (the maximum spatial difference is about 15%), and strain rate (the maximum spatial difference is about 10%). Such correction is of importance to the application studies relying on the SSC products from the satellite measured SSHA.
Characterizing Average Seasonal, Synoptic, and Finer Variability in Orbiting Carbon Observatory‐2 XCO2 Across North America and Adjacent Ocean Basins
Authors: Mitchell Kayla A. , Doney Scott C. , Keppel‐Aleks Gretchen
Published: January 2023

Variations in atmosphere total column‐mean CO2 (XCO2) collected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Orbiting Carbon Observatory‐2 satellite can be used to constrain surface carbon fluxes if the influence of atmospheric transport and observation errors on the data is known and accounted for. Due to sparse validation data, the portions of fine‐scale variability in XCO2 driven by fluxes, transport, or retrieval errors remain uncertain, particularly over the ocean. To better understand these drivers, we characterize variability in OCO‐2 Level 2 version 10 XCO2 from the seasonal scale, synoptic‐scale (order of days, thousands of kilometers), and mesoscale (within‐day, hundreds of kilometers) for 10 biomes over North America and adjacent ocean basins. Seasonal and synoptic variations in XCO2 reflect real geophysical drivers (transport and fluxes), following large‐scale atmospheric circulation and the north‐south distribution of biosphere carbon uptake. In contrast, geostatistical analysis of mesoscale and finer variability shows that real signals are obscured by systematic biases across the domain. Spatial correlations in along‐track XCO2 are much shorter and spatially coherent variability is much larger in magnitude than can be attributed to fluxes or transport. We characterize random and coherent along‐track XCO2 variability in addition to quantifying uncertainty in XCO2 aggregates across typical lengths used in inverse modeling. Even over the ocean, correlated errors decrease the independence and increase uncertainty in XCO2. We discuss the utility of computing geostatistical parameters and demonstrate their importance for XCO2 science applications spanning from data reprocessing and algorithm development to error estimation and carbon flux inference.
The Roles of Surface Convergence Line and Upper‐Level Forcing on Convection Initiation Ahead of a Gust Front: A Case Study
Authors: Cui Xinyan , Chen Mingxuan , Qin Rui , Li Chun , Han Lei
Published: January 2023

Using observation data and the simulations of Variational Doppler Radar Analysis System (VDRAS), the convection initiation (CI) ahead of a gust front over the Yangtze River Delta in Jiangsu province, China on 5 June 2009 was studied. The CI was located in the exit region of the upper level jet with moderate CAPE. It is found that, there was a northeast‐southwest convergence line near the ground ahead of the gust front, which could not trigger the new convection alone. The upper‐level updraft above the surface convergence line could not trigger the new convection alone either. The superposition of the updraft in the upper and low levels promoted the initiation and development of the new convective cell. Finally, the new convective cell developed continuously to the southwest and southeast, and extended to the southeast under the influence of the upper‐level wind. And the sensitivity experiments show that the surface convergence line and the upper‐level convergence were both important for the CI, especially for the strong convection. This discrete CI ahead of the gust front was influenced by a combination of low‐level and upper‐level factors. In the process of the CI, the updraft in the upper level intensified faster than that in the low level gradually. The buoyancy force was greater than the vertical perturbation pressure gradient force (VPPGF) in the low level, while the VPPGF increased faster than buoyancy in the upper level. Therefore, the dynamics of the updraft in the low and upper levels were different.
Computation of Optical Refractive Index Structure Parameter From Its Statistical Definition Using Radiosonde Data
Authors: Quatresooz Florian , Vanhoenacker‐Janvier Danielle , Oestges Claude
Published: January 2023

Knowledge of the optical refractive index structure parameteris of interest for Free Space Optics and ground‐based optical astronomy, as it depicts the strength of the expected scintillation on the received optical waves. Focus is given here to models using meteorological quantities coming from radiosonde measurements as inputs to estimate theprofile in the atmosphere. A model relying on thestatistical definition is presented and applied to recent high‐density radiosonde profiles at Trappes (France) and Hilo, HI (USA). It is also compared to thermosonde measurements coming from the T‐REX campaign. This model enables to obtain site‐specific average profiles and to identify isolated turbulent layers using only pressure and temperature measurements, paving the way for optical site selection. It offers similar performance when compared to a Tatarskii‐based model inspired by the literature.
Rhizobial migration toward roots mediated by FadL-ExoFQP modulation of extracellular long-chain AHLs
Authors: Ji Yuan-Yuan , Zhang Biliang , Zhang Pan , Chen Liu-Chi , Si You-Wei , Wan Xi-Yao , Li Can , Wang Ren-He , Tian Yu , Zhang Ziding , Tian Chang-Fu
Published: January 2023

Migration from rhizosphere to rhizoplane is a key selecting process in root microbiome assembly, but not fully understood. Rhizobiales members are overrepresented in the core root microbiome of terrestrial plants, and here we report a genome-wide transposon-sequencing of rhizoplane fitness genes of beneficial Sinorhizobium fredii on wild soybean, cultivated soybean, rice, and maize. There were few genes involved in broad-host-range rhizoplane colonization. The fadL mutant lacking a fatty acid transporter exhibited high colonization rates, while mutations in exoFQP (encoding membrane proteins directing exopolysaccharide polymerization and secretion), but not those in exo genes essential for exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, led to severely impaired colonization rates. This variation was not explainable by their rhizosphere and rhizoplane survivability, and associated biofilm and exopolysaccharide production, but consistent with their migration ability toward rhizoplane, and associated surface motility and the mixture of quorum-sensing AHLs (N-acylated-L-homoserine lactones). Genetics and physiology evidences suggested that FadL mediated long-chain AHL uptake while ExoF mediated the secretion of short-chain AHLs which negatively affected long-chain AHL biosynthesis. The fadL and exoF mutants had elevated and depleted extracellular long-chain AHLs, respectively. A synthetic mixture of long-chain AHLs mimicking that of the fadL mutant can improve rhizobial surface motility. When this AHL mixture was spotted into rhizosphere, the migration toward roots and rhizoplane colonization of S. fredii were enhanced in a diffusible way. This work adds novel parts managing extracellular AHLs, which modulate bacterial migration toward rhizoplane. The FadL-ExoFQP system is conserved in Alphaproteobacteria and may shape the “home life” of diverse keystone rhizobacteria.
Targeting ATAD3A-PINK1-mitophagy axis overcomes chemoimmunotherapy resistance by redirecting PD-L1 to mitochondria
Authors: Xie Xiao-Qing , Yang Yi , Wang Qiang , Liu Hao-Fei , Fang Xuan-Yu , Li Cheng-Long , Jiang Yi-Zhou , Wang Shuai , Zhao Hong-Yu , Miao Jing-Ya , Ding Shuai-Shuai , Liu Xin-Dong , Yao Xiao-Hong , Yang Wen-Tao , Jiang Jun , Shao Zhi-Ming , Jin Guoxiang , Bian Xiu-Wu
Published: January 2023

Only a small proportion of patients with triple-negative breast cancer benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in combination with chemotherapy. Here, we discovered that therapeutic response to ICI plus paclitaxel was associated with subcellular redistribution of PD-L1. In our immunotherapy cohort of ICI in combination with nab-paclitaxel, tumor samples from responders showed significant distribution of PD-L1 at mitochondria, while non-responders showed increased accumulation of PD-L1 on tumor cell membrane instead of mitochondria. Our results also revealed that the distribution pattern of PD-L1 was regulated by an ATAD3A-PINK1 axis. Mechanistically, PINK1 recruited PD-L1 to mitochondria for degradation via a mitophagy pathway. Importantly, paclitaxel increased ATAD3A expression to disrupt proteostasis of PD-L1 by restraining PINK1-dependent mitophagy. Clinically, patients with tumors exhibiting high expression of ATAD3A detected before the treatment with ICI in combination with paclitaxel had markedly shorter progression-free survival compared with those with ATAD3A-low tumors. Preclinical results further demonstrated that targeting ATAD3A reset a favorable antitumor immune microenvironment and increased the efficacy of combination therapy of ICI plus paclitaxel. In summary, our results indicate that ATAD3A serves not only as a resistant factor for the combination therapy of ICI plus paclitaxel through preventing PD-L1 mitochondrial distribution, but also as a promising target for increasing the therapeutic responses to chemoimmunotherapy.
Mental health support across the sight loss pathway: a qualitative exploration of eye care patients, optometrists, and ECLOs
Authors: Trott M. , Driscoll R. , Bourne R. , Slade J. , Ingleton H. , Farrell S. , Bowen M. , Lovell-Patel R. , Kidd J. , Pardhan S.
Published: January 2023

Background

The process of becoming visually impaired or blind is undoubtedly a highly emotional experience, requiring practical and psychological support. Information on mental health support provision in the UK across the sight-loss pathway, however, is largely unknown, especially amongst healthcare practitioners that are often sought after for advice: the referring optometrist and eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO). This study aims to ascertain the perceived accessibility and quality of mental health support across the sight-loss pathway.

Methods

Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with patients with a diagnosed eye condition who had received care from a hospital eye service, referring optometrists, and ECLOs. Following interview transcription, results were synthesised in a narrative analysis.

Results

A total of 28 participants were included in the analysis, of which 17 were participants with various eye conditions, five were referring optometrists, and five were ECLOs. After analysis, three broad themes emerged: (1) The emotional trauma of diagnosis (2) Availability of mental health support; (3) The point where mental health support is most needed across the sight-loss pathway. Several patients reporting that they had received no offer of support nor were they signposted to any possible sources. Referring optometrists and ECLO’s agreed.

Conclusion

It is important that referring optometrists are aware of the need for mental health support services and can signpost to local support services including the third sector anytime during the referral process. Future large-scale, UK-wide research into referral practice and signposting for mental health support for patients is warranted, to identify how services can be improved in order to ensure that the wellbeing of patients is maintained.
Mechanism and inhibitory effects of cactus (Opuntia dillenii) extract on melanocytes and its potential application for whitening cosmetics
Authors: Chiu Chien-Shan , Cheng Yu-Tsung , Chan Yung-Jia , Lu Wen-Chien , Yang Kai-min , Li Po- Hsien
Published: January 2023

Penghu cactus (Opuntia dillenii [Ker.] Haw) is a cactus plant that commonly grows in Penghu Island, Taiwan, Republic of China (ROC). However, still lack of scientific study on the Opuntia dillenii [Ker.] Haw extract on skin-whitening-associated tyrosinase activity and melanin production. The activities of its extract in melanogenesis were investigated in this article. In this experiment, we used an extract from the Penghu cactus (Opuntia dillenii [Ker.] Haw) to study its tyrosinase inhibition, anti-melanin generation, UV-protection effects and wound healing capacity in B16-F10 melanocytes. Without reducing cell growth greatly or causing cell death, 20 g/L cactus extract effectively inhibited the melanin production of B16-F10 cells, and melanogenesis was induced by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The cactus extract could also promote cell proliferation. Cactus extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and increased that of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Thus, it could reduce cell melanin production and promote cell growth but by also reducing IGF-1 and VEGF mRNA expression, may reduce wound scarring and prevent tumor proliferation and swelling. Increasing TGF-β mRNA expression can help increase collagen to remove wrinkles and help in wound healing. Skin patch test results agreed with in vitro results with B16-F10 melanoma cells. The cactus extract significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity and reduced melanin production, showing a whitening effect on skin tests. Cactus may be a good natural candidate for inhibiting melanin production and promoting cell proliferation.
Titanium-protein nanocomposites as new biomaterials produced by high-pressure torsion
Authors: Floriano Ricardo , Edalati Kaveh , Pereira Karina Danielle , Luchessi Augusto Ducati
Published: January 2023

The development of new biomaterials with outstanding mechanical properties and high biocompatibility has been a significant challenge in the last decades. Nanocrystalline metals have provided new opportunities in producing high-strength biomaterials, but the biocompatibility of these nanometals needs to be improved. In this study, we introduce metal-protein nanocomposites as high-strength biomaterials with superior biocompatibility. Small proportions of bovine serum albumin (2 and 5 vol%), an abundant protein in the mammalian body, are added to titanium, and two nanocomposites are synthesized using a severe plastic deformation process of high-pressure torsion. These new biomaterials show not only a high hardness similar to nanocrystalline pure titanium but also exhibit better biocompatibility (including cellular metabolic activity, cell cycle parameters and DNA fragmentation profile) compared to nano-titanium. These results introduce a pathway to design new biocompatible composites by employing compounds from the human body.
Environmental filling materials based on phosphogypsum powder with municipal solid waste incineration ash
Authors: Yin Longlong , Guo Qing , Wang Xiao , Yuan Jing , Zhang Qianfeng
Published: January 2023

A new building filling materials (NBFM) using phosphogypsum and municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash is prepared in this paper. The effects of MSWI fly ash dosage and MSWI fly ash water washing pretreatment on mechanical properties, setting time, metal leaching, hydration products and microstructure of NBFM are analyzed by a range of experimental studies. The results indicate that the mechanical properties, setting time and the density of micro interface of NBFM are optimal when the MSWI fly ash dosage is 3%. The mechanical properties of NBFM rise and the condensation time and leaching concentration of heavy metals decline after washing the MSWI fly ash. With the increase of the curing age, the metal element leaching of NBFM decreases, and when the curing age is 7 days, the solidification effect of NBFM on most metal elements meets the standard of Chinese code (GB5085.3-2007). The feasibility of MSWI fly ash and phosphogypsum as filling materials for building engineering is verified, and the change of macroscopic properties of NBFM is explained as well.
Intraday adaptation to extreme temperatures in outdoor activity
Authors: Fan Yichun , Wang Jianghao , Obradovich Nick , Zheng Siqi
Published: January 2023

Linkages between climate and human activity are often calibrated at daily or monthly resolutions, which lacks the granularity to observe intraday adaptation behaviors. Ignoring this adaptation margin could mischaracterize the health consequences of future climate change. Here, we construct an hourly outdoor leisure activity database using billions of cell phone location requests in 10,499 parks in 2017 all over China to investigate the within-day outdoor activity rhythm. We find that hourly temperatures above 30 °C and 35 °C depress outdoor leisure activities by 5% (95% confidence interval, CI 3–7%) and by 13% (95% CI 10–16%) respectively. This activity-depressing effect is larger than previous daily or monthly studies due to intraday activity substitution from noon and afternoon to morning and evening. Intraday adaptation is larger for locations and dates with time flexibility, for individuals more frequently exposed to heat, and for parks situated in urban areas. Such within-day adaptation substantially reduces heat exposure, yet it also delays the active time at night by about half an hour, with potential side effect on sleep quality. Combining empirical estimates with outputs from downscaled climate models, we show that unmitigated climate change will generate sizable activity-depressing and activity-delaying effects in summer when projected on an hourly resolution. Our findings call for more attention in leveraging real-time activity data to understand intraday adaptation behaviors and their associated health consequences in climate change research.
Uncertainty quantification of multi-scale resilience in networked systems with nonlinear dynamics using arbitrary polynomial chaos
Authors: Zou Mengbang , Fragonara Luca Zanotti , Qiu Song , Guo Weisi
Published: January 2023

Complex systems derive sophisticated behavioral dynamics by connecting individual component dynamics via a complex network. The resilience of complex systems is a critical ability to regain desirable behavior after perturbations. In the past years, our understanding of large-scale networked resilience is largely confined to proprietary agent-based simulations or topological analysis of graphs. However, we know the dynamics and topology both matter and the impact of model uncertainty of the system remains unsolved, especially on individual nodes. In order to quantify the effect of uncertainty on resilience across the network resolutions (from macro-scale network statistics to individual node dynamics), we employ an arbitrary polynomial chaos (aPC) expansion method to identify the probability of a node in losing its resilience and how the different model parameters contribute to this risk on a single node. We test this using both a generic networked bi-stable system and also established ecological and work force commuter network dynamics to demonstrate applicability. This framework will aid practitioners to both understand macro-scale behavior and make micro-scale interventions.
Sensorimotor recalibration of postural control strategies occurs after whole body vibration
Authors: Rigoni Isotta , Degano Giulio , Hassan Mahmoud , Fratini Antonio
Published: January 2023

Efficient postural control results from an effective interplay between sensory feedbacks integration and muscle modulation and can be affected by ageing and neuromuscular injuries. With this study, we investigated the effect of whole-body vibratory stimulation on postural control strategies employed to maintain an upright posture. We explored both physiological and posturography metrics, through corticomuscular and intramuscular coherence, and muscle networks analyses. The stimulation disrupts balance in the short term, but leads to a greater contribution of cortical activity, necessary to modulate muscle activation via the formation of (new) synergies. We also observed a reconfiguration of muscle recruitment patterns that returned to pre-stimulation levels after few minutes, accompanied by a slight improvement of balance in the anterior–posterior direction. Our results suggest that, in the context of postural control, appropriate mechanical stimulation is capable of triggering a recalibration of the sensorimotor set and might offer new perspectives for motor re-education.
Prognostic impact of examined lymph-node count for patients with esophageal cancer: development and validation prediction model
Authors: Yuan Shasha , Wei Chen , Wang Mengyu , Deng Wenying , Zhang Chi , Li Ning , Luo Suxia
Published: January 2023

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a malignant tumor with high mortality. We aimed to find the optimal examined lymph node (ELN) count threshold and develop a model to predict survival of patients after radical esophagectomy. Two cohorts were analyzed: the training cohort which included 734 EC patients from the Chinese registry and the external testing cohort which included 3208 EC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine the prognostic value of ELNs. The cut-off point of the ELNs count was determined using R-statistical software. The prediction model was developed using random survival forest (RSF) algorithm. Higher ELNs count was significantly associated with better survival in both cohorts (training cohort: HR = 0.98, CI = 0.97–0.99, P < 0.01; testing cohort: HR = 0.98, CI = 0.98–0.99, P < 0.01) and the cut-off point was 18 (training cohort: P < 0.01; testing cohort: P < 0.01). We developed the RSF model with high prediction accuracy (AUC: training cohort: 87.5; testing cohort: 79.3) and low Brier Score (training cohort: 0.122; testing cohort: 0.152). The ELNs count beyond 18 is associated with better overall survival. The RSF model has preferable clinical capability in terms of individual prognosis assessment in patients after radical esophagectomy.
A combined model of child malnutrition and morbidity in Ethiopia using structural equation models
Authors: Takele Kasahun , Zewotir Temesgen , Ndanguza Denis
Published: January 2023

Malnutrition and morbidity are substantial problems in Ethiopia and are still pervasive and persistent. Despite this, there has been scant research on the coexistence of malnutrition and morbidity indicators. Moreover, previous studies were based on all data records of measurements from manifest data. Thus, this study aims to identify the correlates and coexistence of child malnutrition and morbidity within this country. Cross-sectional data which is collected by Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey were used. The generalized structural equation models were used to examine the association between child malnutrition, morbidity, and potential risk factors. The generalized structural equation models help to provide latent effects of child malnutrition and morbidity within a combined modeling framework. In addition, the generalized structural equation models make it possible to analyze malnutrition as a mediator of the association between selected risk factors and latent variable morbidity. The data analysis was done using SPSS AMOS and R software. The analysis indicated that children born to nourished mothers (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.68–0.75), born to enough birth space between 24 and 47 months and (AOR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.88–0.99), 48 months and above (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.65–0.76), being from middle-income households (AOR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.78–0.91), high-income households (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.61–0.72), from mother with primary or secondary (AOR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.75–0.85) and higher education level (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.41–0.78) were less affected by malnutrition. It also revealed that a child born second to third (AOR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.77–0.99), fourth and higher (AOR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.79–0.99) and children from a husband-educated higher level (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.64–0.89) were less likely to be ill. Children who breastfeed (AOR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.80–0.99), from nourished mothers (AOR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.097), from middle income (AOR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.99), high-income households (AOR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.93–0.96), birth spacing 24–47 months (AOR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–1.00) and 48 months and above (AOR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.97) were indirectly affected by morbidity via malnutrition. This investigation has revealed that childhood malnutrition and morbidity remain major child health challenges in Ethiopia with demographic, socioeconomic, maternal, child, and geographic variables playing significant roles. Efforts to resolve these issues need to take these factors into account. Therefore, malnutrition and morbidity prevention should include encouraging birth spacing, mother education programs, and breastfeeding practices.
Histologic changes in immune-tolerant patients with chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Zhiguo , Yang Dongliang , Ge Yue , Song Shu , Lv Qin , Ye Yong’an
Published: January 2023

The serological diagnostic criteria for the immune-tolerant (IT) phase have not been strictly defined and it is hard to determine an accurate rate for significant histologic changes among IT patients. The aim of this study was to establish a baseline rate of significant histologic changes and to determine the main characteristics of IT patients. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies reporting liver biopsy results (inflammation grade or fibrosis stage) for adults with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the IT phase diagnosed by serological criterion were included to pool the rate of significant histologic changes. Studies that enrolled subjects with confirmed chronic HBV infection in the IT phase diagnosed by serological and liver biopsy criteria (dual criteria) were included to pool the mean values of main characteristics among IT patients. Of 319 studies screened, 15 were eventually included in the meta-analysis. The pooled rates of significant liver fibrosis and inflammatory activity for 10 studies were 10% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06–0.18) and 16% (95% CI 0.07–0.31), respectively. The pooled mean values of age, alanine aminotransferase level, HBV DNA level, and HBsAg level for another 5 studies with IT patients diagnosed by dual criteria were 30.7 years (95% CI 27.31–34.09), 26.64 IU/mL (95% CI 24.45–28.83), 8.41 log10 cp/mL (95% CI 7.59–9.23), and 4.24 log10 IU/mL (95% CI 3.67–4.82), respectively. Significant histologic changes were not rare events among IT patients. Strictly defined serological diagnostic criteria for the IT phase are warranted.
Extreme local recycling of moisture via wetlands and forests in North-East Indian subcontinent: a Mini-Amazon
Authors: Ganguly Akash , Oza Harsh , Padhya Virendra , Pandey Amit , Chakra Swagatika , Deshpande R. D.
Published: January 2023

Moisture recycling in precipitation is an important hydrological process, accounting for ~ 67% globally. North-east India, home to the world's wettest place, boasts vast wetlands and forest-cover. Despite its proximity to the coast, we find locally recycled moisture to be the primary annual source of rainfall (~ 45%). During the pre-monsoon season, the enriched δ18O (~ − 0.7 ‰) and high d-excess (~ 14 ‰) are ascribed to enhanced transpiration, owing to atmospheric instability which causes Nor’westers. During the Monsoon season, oceanic flux provides increased surficial moisture, enabling deep-localised convection via evaporation. Significant localised recycling, even during the Monsoon season is estimated (~ 38%), with predominantly high d-excess in precipitation during latter half of the monsoon with increased moisture contribution from floods in Brahmaputra (high d-excess). The increasing δ18O and d-excess during the post-monsoon season is associated with progressively lesser rainout history and increased localized recycling (~ 67%). In light of the dwindling wetlands and forest-cover, our study highlights their indispensable role in governing regional hydro-meteorology and water availability.