bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid cardiac MRI protocol for cardiac assessment in paediatric and young adult patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant: a feasibility study
Authors: Ryan Thomas D. , Moore Ryan A. , Lang Sean M. , Khoury Philip , Dandoy Christopher E. , Davies Stella M. , Taylor Michael D. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground:Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an important and effective treatment strategy for many malignancies, marrow failure syndromes, and immunodeficiencies in children, adolescents, and young adults. Despite advances in supportive care, patients undergoing transplant are at increased risk to develop cardiovascular co-morbidities.Methods:This study was performed as a feasibility study of a rapid cardiac MRI protocol to substitute for echocardiography in the assessment of left ventricular size and function, pericardial effusion, and right ventricular hypertension.Results:A total of 13 patients were enrolled for the study (age 17.5 ± 7.7 years, 77% male, 77% white). Mean study time was 13.2 ± 5.6 minutes for MRI and 18.8 ± 5.7 minutes for echocardiogram (p = 0.064). Correlation between left ventricular ejection fraction by MRI and echocardiogram was good (ICC 0.76; 95% CI 0.47, 0.92). None of the patients had documented right ventricular hypertension. Patients were given a survey regarding their experiences, with the majority both perceiving that the echocardiogram took longer (7/13) and indicating they would prefer the MRI if given a choice (10/13).Conclusion:A rapid cardiac MRI protocol was shown feasible to substitute for echocardiogram in the assessment of key factors prior to or in follow-up after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia for patients with co-morbid generalized anxiety disorder: an open trial on clinical outcomes and putative mechanisms
Authors: Jansson-Fröjmark Markus , Jacobson Kalle 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground:Very little is known concerning the efficacy of psychosocial treatments for patients with insomnia disorder co-morbid with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).Aim:The aim was to examine the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) for patients with insomnia disorder co-morbid with GAD.Method:Given the limited, previous research on therapies for patients with insomnia disorder co-morbid with GAD, an open trial design was used. Twenty-four patients with insomnia disorder and GAD were administered CBT-I across 10 weeks. Across the study period to 6 months follow-up, the participants completed measures indexing insomnia, anxiety, worry, depression, functional impairment, quality of life, treatment perception (credibility, expectancy and satisfaction), adverse events and putative mechanisms.Results:Moderate to large effect sizes for CBT-I were observed for insomnia symptoms. In terms of insomnia severity, approximately 61% of the patients responded to CBT-I and 26–48% remitted. Moderate to large effect sizes were also demonstrated for GAD symptoms, depression, functional impairment and quality of life. Roughly one-third of the participants reported an adverse event during CBT-I. Five of the seven putative mechanisms were significantly reversed in the expected direction, i.e. all four cognitive process measures and time in bed.Conclusions:This open trial indicates that CBT-I is an efficacious intervention for patients with insomnia disorder co-morbid with GAD. The results highlight the need for further research using a randomized controlled trial design with analyses of mechanisms of change.
Perceived appropriateness of alcohol screening and brief advice programmes in Colombia, Mexico and Peru and barriers to their implementation in primary health care – a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Kokole Daša , Mercken Liesbeth , Jané-Llopis Eva , Natera Rey Guillermina , Arroyo Miriam , Medina Perla , Pérez-Gómez Augusto , Mejía-Trujillo Juliana , Piazza Marina , Bustamante Ines V. , O’Donnell Amy , Kaner Eileen , Gual Antoni , Lopez-Pelayo Hugo , Schulte Bernd , Manthey Jakob , Rehm Jürgen , Anderson Peter , de Vries Hein 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground:Providing alcohol screening and brief advice (SBA) in primary health care (PHC) can be an effective measure to reduce alcohol consumption. To aid successful implementation in an upper middle-income country context, this study investigates the perceived appropriateness of the programme and the perceived barriers to its implementation in PHC settings in three Latin American countries: Colombia, Mexico and Peru, as part of larger implementation study (SCALA).Methods:An online survey based on the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases (TICD) implementation framework was disseminated in the three countries to key stakeholders with experience in the topic and/or setting (both health professionals and other roles, for example regional health administrators and national experts). In total, 55 respondents participated (66% response rate). For responses to both appropriateness and barriers questions, frequencies were computed, and country comparisons were made using Chi square and Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric tests.Results:Alcohol SBA was seen as an appropriate programme to reduce heavy alcohol use in PHC and a range of providers were considered suitable for its delivery, such as general practitioners, nurses, psychologists and social workers. Contextual factors such as patients’ normalised perception of their heavy drinking, lack of on-going support for providers, difficulty of accessing referral services and lenient alcohol control laws were the highest rated barriers. Country differences were found for two barriers: Peruvian respondents rated SBA guidelines as less clear than Mexican (Mann–WhitneyU= −18.10,P= 0.001), and more strongly indicated lack of available screening instruments than Colombian (Mann–WhitneyU= −12.82,P= 0.035) and Mexican respondents (Mann–WhitneyU= −13.56,P= 0.018).Conclusions:The study shows the need to address contextual factors for successful implementation of SBA in practice. General congruence between the countries suggests that similar approaches can be used to encourage widespread implementation of SBA in all three studied countries, with minor tailoring based on the few country-specific barriers.
Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions Complicate Coastal Blue Carbon Assessments
Authors: Rosentreter Judith A. , Al‐Haj Alia N. , Fulweiler Robinson W. , Williamson Phillip 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe role of coastal wetlands as natural ‘blue carbon’ sinks may be counter‐acted by emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Site‐specific fluxes of these two potent greenhouse gases from coastal wetlands show high spatial and temporal variability , making global estimates sensitive to statistical assumptions and uncertainties. Here, we review the magnitude of CH4 and N2O fluxes from mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses and identify direct and indirect drivers that can control production and consumption pathways. Significant research is required to better quantify fluxes and to understand factors causing flux variability from different transport pathways before restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems can be reliably used for climate mitigation.
The Initial Stage of Cloud Lightning Imaged in High‐Resolution
Authors: Scholten O. , Hare B. M. , Dwyer J. , Sterpka C. , Kolmašová I. , Santolík O. , Lán R. , Uhlíř L. , Buitink S. , Corstanje A. , Falcke H. , Huege T. , Hörandel J. R. , Krampah G. K. , Mitra P. , Mulrey K. , Nelles A. , Pandya H. , Pel A. , Rachen J. P. , Trinh T. N. G. , Veen S. ter , Thoudam S. , Winchen T. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWith LOFAR we have been able to image the development of lightning flashes with meter‐scale accuracy and unprecedented detail. We discuss the primary steps behind our most recent lightning imaging method. To demonstrate the capabilities of our technique we show and interpret images of the first few milliseconds of two intracloud flashes. In all our flashes, the negative leaders propagate in the charge layer below the main negative charge. Among several interesting features we show that in about 2 ms after initiation the primary initial leader triggers the formation of a multitude (>10) negative leaders in a rather confined area of the atmosphere. From these only one or two continue to propagate after about 30 ms to extend over kilometers horizontally while another may propagate back to the initiation point. We also show that normal negative leaders can transition into an initial leader like state, potentially in the presence of strong electric fields. In addition, we show some initial breakdown pulses that occurred during the primary initial leader, and even during two “secondary” initial leaders that developed out of stepped leaders.
Long‐Term Observations and Physical Processes in the Moon's Extended Sodium Tail
Authors: Baumgardner Jeffrey , Luettgen Sarah , Schmidt Carl , Mayyasi Majd , Smith Steven , Martinis Carlos , Wroten Joei , Moore Luke , Mendillo Michael 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe lunar surface is constantly bombarded by the solar wind, photons, and meteoroids, which can liberate Na atoms from the regolith. These atoms are subsequently accelerated by solar photon pressure to form a long comet‐like tail opposite the sun. Near new moon, these atoms encounter the Earth's gravity and are “focused” into a beam of enhanced density. This beam appears as the ∼3° diameter Sodium Moon Spot (SMS). Data from the all sky imager at the El Leoncito Observatory have been analyzed for changes in the SMS shape and brightness. New geometry‐based relationships have been found that affect the SMS brightness. The SMS is brighter when the Moon is north of the ecliptic at new moon; the SMS is brighter when new moon occurs near perigee; and the SMS peaks in brightness ∼5 h after new moon. After removing these effects, the data were analyzed for long term and seasonal patterns that could be attributed to changes in source mechanisms. No correlation was found between the SMS brightness and the 11‐year solar‐cycle, the proton or the He++ flow pressure, the density, the speed or the plasma temperature of the solar wind, but an annual pattern was found. A ∼0.83 correlation (Pearson's “r”) was found between the SMS brightness and a 4‐year average of sporadic meteor rates at Earth, suggesting a cause‐and‐effect. The new insights gained from this long‐term study put new constraints on the variability of the potential sources of the Na atoms escaping from the Moon.
Intensified Drought Enhances Coupling Between Vegetation Growth and Pregrowing Season Precipitation in the Drylands of the Silk Road Economic Belt
Authors: Hu Xia , Jiang Libin , Shi Fangzhong , Li Xiaoyan , Zhang Shulei , Zhao Yunduo , Ma Yujun , Gao Zhou , Bai Yan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDryland ecosystems cover approximately 40% of terrestrial land surfaces and form a major component of global biogeochemical cycles, which are sensitive and vulnerable to climate change. Rapid climate change observably threatens vegetation growth and profoundly affects the global carbon cycle. However, interannual variations in vegetation growth, and changes in coupling between vegetation growth and precipitation in response to drought are not fully understood in the dryland ecosystems of the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB). By combining remote sensing normalized vegetation indexes from GIMMS (GIMMS NDVI), simulated net primary productivity levels from TRENDYv2 (TRENDY NPP), terrestrial water storage change data (△TWS) derived from GRACE, and climate grid datasets, we investigated climate change, vegetation growth and nonlinear changes in coupling between vegetation growth and precipitation in the pregrowing and current seasons during 1982–2015. The results show intensified drought and extensive vegetation browning in all seasons, especially the summer, across the drylands of the SREB from 1993 to 2015. Precipitation in the pregrowing season significantly contributed to vegetation growth in the subsequent spring and summer, showing that the effects of precipitation in the pregrowing season on subsequent vegetation growth lags by almost two seasons. We also found that intensified drought significantly strengthened the coupling between vegetation growth and precipitation in the pregrowing and current seasons. These results highlight the nonlinear response of vegetation growth to intensified drought, and can be referenced to improve the coupling of land‐atmospheric models for drylands.
All-optical information-processing capacity of diffractive surfaces
Authors: Kulce Onur , Mengu Deniz , Rivenson Yair , Ozcan Aydogan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe precise engineering of materials and surfaces has been at the heart of some of the recent advances in optics and photonics. These advances related to the engineering of materials with new functionalities have also opened up exciting avenues for designing trainable surfaces that can perform computation and machine-learning tasks through light–matter interactions and diffraction. Here, we analyze the information-processing capacity of coherent optical networks formed by diffractive surfaces that are trained to perform an all-optical computational task between a given input and output field-of-view. We show that the dimensionality of the all-optical solution space covering the complex-valued transformations between the input and output fields-of-view is linearly proportional to the number of diffractive surfaces within the optical network, up to a limit that is dictated by the extent of the input and output fields-of-view. Deeper diffractive networks that are composed of larger numbers of trainable surfaces can cover a higher-dimensional subspace of the complex-valued linear transformations between a larger input field-of-view and a larger output field-of-view and exhibit depth advantages in terms of their statistical inference, learning, and generalization capabilities for different image classification tasks when compared with a single trainable diffractive surface. These analyses and conclusions are broadly applicable to various forms of diffractive surfaces, including, e.g., plasmonic and/or dielectric-based metasurfaces and flat optics, which can be used to form all-optical processors.
Augmentation therapy with minocycline in treatment-resistant depression patients with low-grade peripheral inflammation: results from a double-blind randomised clinical trial
Authors: Nettis Maria Antonietta , Lombardo Giulia , Hastings Caitlin , Zajkowska Zuzanna , Mariani Nicole , Nikkheslat Naghmeh , Worrell Courtney , Enache Daniela , McLaughlin Anna , Kose Melisa , Sforzini Luca , Bogdanova Anna , Cleare Anthony , Young Allan H. , Pariante Carmine M. , Mondelli Valeria 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the role of baseline levels of peripheral inflammation when testing the efficacy of antidepressant augmentation with minocycline in patients with treatment-resistant depression. We conducted a 4-week, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial of minocycline (200 mg/day) added to antidepressant treatment in 39 patients selected for elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP ≥ 1 mg/L), n = 18 randomised to minocycline (M) and n = 21 to placebo (P). The main outcome was the change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17) score from baseline to week 4, expressed both as mean and as full or partial response, in the overall sample and after further stratification for baseline CRP≥3 mg/L. Secondary outcomes included changes in other clinical and inflammatory measures. Changes in HAM-D-17 scores and the proportion of partial responders did not differ between study arms. After stratification for CRP levels <3 mg/L (CRP−) or ≥3 mg/L (CRP+), CRP+/M patients showed the largest changes in HAM-D-17 scores (mean ± SD = 12.00 ± 6.45) compared with CRP-/M (2.42 ± 3.20, p < 0.001), CRP+/P (3.50 ± 4.34, p = 0.003) and CRP−/P (2.11 ± 3.26, p = 0.006) patients, and the largest proportion (83.3%, p = 0.04) of partial treatment response at week 4. The threshold point for baseline CRP to distinguish responders from non-responders to minocycline was 2.8 mg/L. Responders to minocycline had higher baseline IL-6 concentrations than non-responders (p = 0.03); IFNγ was significantly reduced after treatment with minocycline compared with placebo (p = 0.03). Our data show some evidence of efficacy of add-on treatment with minocycline in MDD patients but only in those with low-grade inflammation defined as CRP ≥3 mg/L.
Mispair-bound human MutS–MutL complex triggers DNA incisions and activates mismatch repair
Authors: Ortega Janice , Lee Grace Sanghee , Gu Liya , Yang Wei , Li Guo-Min 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDNA mismatch repair (MMR) relies on MutS and MutL ATPases for mismatch recognition and strand-specific nuclease recruitment to remove mispaired bases in daughter strands. However, whether the MutS–MutL complex coordinates MMR by ATP-dependent sliding on DNA or protein–protein interactions between the mismatch and strand discrimination signal is ambiguous. Using functional MMR assays and systems preventing proteins from sliding, we show that sliding of human MutSα is required not for MMR initiation, but for final mismatch removal. MutSα recruits MutLα to form a mismatch-bound complex, which initiates MMR by nicking the daughter strand 5′ to the mismatch. Exonuclease 1 (Exo1) is then recruited to the nick and conducts 5′ → 3′ excision. ATP-dependent MutSα dissociation from the mismatch is necessary for Exo1 to remove the mispaired base when the excision reaches the mismatch. Therefore, our study has resolved a long-standing puzzle, and provided new insights into the mechanism of MMR initiation and mispair removal.
Mouse entorhinal cortex encodes a diverse repertoire of self-motion signals
Authors: Mallory Caitlin S. , Hardcastle Kiah , Campbell Malcolm G. , Attinger Alexander , Low Isabel I. C. , Raymond Jennifer L. , Giocomo Lisa M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNeural circuits generate representations of the external world from multiple information streams. The navigation system provides an exceptional lens through which we may gain insights about how such computations are implemented. Neural circuits in the medial temporal lobe construct a map-like representation of space that supports navigation. This computation integrates multiple sensory cues, and, in addition, is thought to require cues related to the individual’s movement through the environment. Here, we identify multiple self-motion signals, related to the position and velocity of the head and eyes, encoded by neurons in a key node of the navigation circuitry of mice, the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). The representation of these signals is highly integrated with other cues in individual neurons. Such information could be used to compute the allocentric location of landmarks from visual cues and to generate internal representations of space.
Real-time Hall-effect detection of current-induced magnetization dynamics in ferrimagnets
Authors: Sala G. , Krizakova V. , Grimaldi E. , Lambert C.-H. , Devolder T. , Gambardella P. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMeasurements of the transverse Hall resistance are widely used to investigate electron transport, magnetization phenomena, and topological quantum states. Owing to the difficulty of probing transient changes of the transverse resistance, the vast majority of Hall effect experiments are carried out in stationary conditions using either dc or ac. Here we present an approach to perform time-resolved measurements of the transient Hall resistance during current-pulse injection with sub-nanosecond temporal resolution. We apply this technique to investigate in real-time the magnetization reversal caused by spin-orbit torques in ferrimagnetic GdFeCo dots. Single-shot Hall effect measurements show that the current-induced switching of GdFeCo is widely distributed in time and characterized by significant activation delays, which limit the total switching speed despite the high domain-wall velocity typical of ferrimagnets. Our method applies to a broad range of current-induced phenomena and can be combined with non-electrical excitations to perform pump-probe Hall effect measurements.
Characterisation of oxygen defects and nitrogen impurities in TiO2 photocatalysts using variable-temperature X-ray powder diffraction
Authors: Foo Christopher , Li Yiyang , Lebedev Konstantin , Chen Tianyi , Day Sarah , Tang Chiu , Tsang Shik Chi Edman 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTiO2-based powder materials have been widely studied as efficient photocatalysts for water splitting due to their low cost, photo-responsivity, earthly abundance, chemical and thermal stability, etc. In particular, the recent breakthrough of nitrogen-doped TiO2, which enhances the presence of structural defects and dopant impurities at elevated temperatures, exhibits an impressive visible-light absorption for photocatalytic activity. Although their electronic and optical properties have been extensively studied, the structure-activity relationship and photocatalytic mechanism remain ambiguous. Herein, we report an in-depth structural study of rutile, anatase and mixed phases (commercial P25) with and without nitrogen-doping by variable-temperature synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. We report that an unusual anisotropic thermal expansion of the anatase phase can reveal the intimate relationship between sub-surface oxygen vacancies, nitrogen-doping level and photocatalytic activity. For highly doped anatase, a new cubic titanium oxynitride phase is also identified which provides important information on the fundamental shift in absorption wavelength, leading to excellent photocatalysis using visible light.
Charge radii of exotic potassium isotopes challenge nuclear theory and the magic character of N = 32
Authors: Koszorús Á. , Yang X. F. , Jiang W. G. , Novario S. J. , Bai S. W. , Billowes J. , Binnersley C. L. , Bissell M. L. , Cocolios T. E. , Cooper B. S. , de Groote R. P. , Ekström A. , Flanagan K. T. , Forssén C. , Franchoo S. , Ruiz R. F. Garcia , Gustafsson F. P. , Hagen G. , Jansen G. R. , Kanellakopoulos A. , Kortelainen M. , Nazarewicz W. , Neyens G. , Papenbrock T. , Reinhard P.-G. , Ricketts C. M. , Sahoo B. K. , Vernon A. R. , Wilkins S. G. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNuclear charge radii are sensitive probes of different aspects of the nucleon–nucleon interaction and the bulk properties of nuclear matter, providing a stringent test and challenge for nuclear theory. Experimental evidence suggested a new magic neutron number at N = 32 (refs. 1–3) in the calcium region, whereas the unexpectedly large increases in the charge radii4,5 open new questions about the evolution of nuclear size in neutron-rich systems. By combining the collinear resonance ionization spectroscopy method with β-decay detection, we were able to extend charge radii measurements of potassium isotopes beyond N = 32. Here we provide a charge radius measurement of 52K. It does not show a signature of magic behaviour at N = 32 in potassium. The results are interpreted with two state-of-the-art nuclear theories. The coupled cluster theory reproduces the odd–even variations in charge radii but not the notable increase beyond N = 28. This rise is well captured by Fayans nuclear density functional theory, which, however, overestimates the odd–even staggering effect in charge radii. These findings highlight our limited understanding of the nuclear size of neutron-rich systems, and expose problems that are present in some of the best current models of nuclear theory.