bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accelerating NBODY6 with a graphics processing unit-enabled Particle-Particle Particle-Tree scheme
Authors: Arnold Anthony D , Baumgardt Holger , Wang Long 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACTWe describe a modified version of the nbody6 code for simulating star clusters which greatly improves computational efficiency while sacrificing little in the way of accuracy. The distant force calculator is replaced by a graphics processing unit-enabled Barnes–Hut code, and integration is done with a standard leap frog scheme. Short-range forces continue to use the CPU-based fourth-order Hermite predictor-corrector scheme of nbody6. Our code outperforms nbody6 for systems with more than 3 × 105 particles and runs more than a factor 2 faster for systems of 106 particles with similar energy conservation. Our code should be useful for simulating realistic dense stellar clusters, such as globular clusters or galactic nuclei.
Radio relics radio emission from multishock scenario
Authors: Inchingolo Giannandrea , Wittor D , Rajpurohit K , Vazza F 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACT
Radio relics are giant (∼Mpc) synchrotron sources that are believed to be produced by the (re)acceleration of cosmic ray electrons (CRe) by shocks in the intracluster medium. In this numerical study, we focus on the possibility that some radio relics may arise when electrons undergo diffusive shock acceleration at multishocks in the outskirts of merging galaxy clusters. This multishock (MS) scenario appears viable to produce CRe that emit visible synchrotron emission. We show that electrons that have been shocked multiple times develop an energy spectrum that significantly differs from the power-law spectrum expected in the case of a single shock scenario. As a consequence, the radio emission generated by CRe that shocked multiple times is higher than the emission produced by CRe that are shocked only once. In the case explored in this paper, the radio emission produced in the two scenarios differ by one order of magnitude. In particular in the MS scenario, the simulated relic follows a KGJP spectral shape, consistent with observation. Furthermore, the produced radio emission is large enough to be detectable with current radio telescopes (e.g. LOFAR, JVLA).
From ideal to actual practice: Tailoring a clinical pathway to address anxiety or depression in patients with cancer and planning its implementation across individual clinical services
Authors: Butow P. N. , Shepherd H. L. , Cuddy J. , Harris M. , He S. , Masya L. , Rankin N. M. , Grimison P. , Girgis A. , Shaw J. M. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
Clinical pathways (CPs) can improve health outcomes, but evidence of their impact is mixed, perhaps due to variations in CP delivery. Identifying why variations occur, and their intended purpose is important, to guide CP development and implementation. We developed a CP for screening, assessment and management of anxiety and depression in cancer patients (the ADAPT CP). The CP was implemented in 12 Oncology services in Australia that were participating in the ADAPT Cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT), allowing some tailoring of the CP for local conditions. The aim of this article is to describe what and why decisions were made to tailor the ADAPT CP in these services.

Method:
Twelve oncology services were purposively selected for diversity in setting. At each service, a multi-disciplinary lead team was formed to make decisions about local tailoring and to plan, champion and enact the CP implementation. Detailed notes taken during engagement meetings, and service-specific workflow diagrams, form the data for this analysis. Notes were content-analyzed, and workflows reviewed, to identify decision-making themes.

Results:
Twelve cancer services (7 urban and 5 regional) participated in CRCT. Ten were publicly funded, one was privately funded and the other was a mixed public and private service. Diverse decisions were made regarding the selection of eligible patient cohorts, how to introduce screening to patients, and screening and triage processes. Rationales for decisions included aligning with existing workflows, utilizing staff with required skills, minimizing staff burden, ensuring no patient was missed, and minimizing patient distress.

Discussion:
Practical issues and staff attitudes and skills often guided CP decisions, highlighting the need to work collaboratively with health services to determine the optimal workflow for each setting. In some settings, considerable discussion and problem-solving was required before processes could be agreed upon that overcame perceived barriers and allowed the CP implementation to proceed. Although it is yet to be determined whether some decisions were optimal in terms of patient outcomes, local tailoring ensured the CP became operational at all services. Allowing time and ensuring the right people are involved are essential when tailoring new CPs before their introduction into clinical care.
Not really nice: a commentary on the recent version of NICE guidelines [NG193: chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain] by the Pain Net
Authors: Korwisi Beatrice , Barke Antonia , Kharko Anna , Bruhin Clara , Locher Cosima , Koechlin Helen 
Published: October 2021

Summary

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence should revise their recent guideline to take into account all the available evidence on the treatment of chronic primary pain.
Hope in the context of chronic musculoskeletal pain: relationships of hope to pain and psychological distress
Authors: Or Debriel Yin Ling , Lam Chi Shan , Chen Phoon Ping , Wong Ho Shan Steven , Lam Chi Wing Flori , Fok Yan Yan , Chan Shuk Fong Ide , Ho Samuel M.Y. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
The cognitive model of hope suggests that people with high levels of hope are able to think about the ways to goals (pathways) and motivated to pursue those pathways to reach their goals (agency). We hypothesized that higher levels of hope would be related to lower levels of pain and less psychological distress (ie, anxiety and depression) and better adjustment.

Objectives:
This study aims to examine the relationship, if any, between cognition of hope and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Methods:
One hundred and six patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain were recruited by convenient sampling from 2 public hospitals in Hong Kong. We assessed the hope level, psychological distress, and health outcomes by psychometric inventories.

Results:
Zero-order correlation results showed that hope was inversely associated with psychological distress (ie, anxiety and depression) and positively related to subjective self-efficacy. There was no significant relationship with severity of pain. Patients presented with longer duration of chronic musculoskeletal pain have higher hope level while pain developed after injury on duty have lower hope level.

Conclusion:
The findings of this cross-sectional study highlight the potential importance of hope in understanding adjustment to chronic musculoskeletal pain. Future longitudinal research could help reveal how hope and adjustment interact over the treatment of chronic pain cases.
A completely automated pipeline for 3D reconstruction of human heart from 2D cine magnetic resonance slices
Authors: Banerjee Abhirup , Camps Julià , Zacur Ernesto , Andrews Christopher M. , Rudy Yoram , Choudhury Robin P. , Rodriguez Blanca , Grau Vicente 
Published: October 2021

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a valuable modality in the diagnosis and characterization of cardiovascular diseases, since it can identify abnormalities in structure and function of the myocardium non-invasively and without the need for ionizing radiation. However, in clinical practice, it is commonly acquired as a collection of separated and independent 2D image planes, which limits its accuracy in 3D analysis. This paper presents a completely automated pipeline for generating patient-specific 3D biventricular heart models from cine magnetic resonance (MR) slices. Our pipeline automatically selects the relevant cine MR images, segments them using a deep learning-based method to extract the heart contours, and aligns the contours in 3D space correcting possible misalignments due to breathing or subject motion first using the intensity and contours information from the cine data and next with the help of a statistical shape model. Finally, the sparse 3D representation of the contours is used to generate a smooth 3D biventricular mesh. The computational pipeline is applied and evaluated in a CMR dataset of 20 healthy subjects. Our results show an average reduction of misalignment artefacts from 1.82 ± 1.60 mm to 0.72 ± 0.73 mm over 20 subjects, in terms of distance from the final reconstructed mesh. The high-resolution 3D biventricular meshes obtained with our computational pipeline are used for simulations of electrical activation patterns, showing agreement with non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging. The automatic methodologies presented here for patient-specific MR imaging-based 3D biventricular representations contribute to the efficient realization of precision medicine, enabling the enhanced interpretability of clinical data, the digital twin vision through patient-specific image-based modelling and simulation, and augmented reality applications.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Advanced computation in cardiovascular physiology: new challenges and opportunities’.
Quercetin handles cellular oxidant / antioxidant systems and mitigates immunosenescence hallmarks in human PBMCs: an in vitro study
Authors: Bouamama Samia , Bouamama Amina 
Published: October 2021

AbstractImmunosenescence, oxidative stress, and low vaccine efficacy are important symptoms of aging. The goal of our study was to see if quercetin had anti-aging and stimulating effects on PBMC immune cells in vitro. In the presence of concanavalin a, PBMCs were isolated from healthy elderly and young people and cultured in a complete RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with quercetin. Cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT colorimetric assay after a 48-hour incubation period. Spectrophophotometric assays were used to assess oxidative biomarkers (PC, MDA, and GSH). The ELISA method was used to determine the amount of IL-2 released. A Griess reagent was used to investigate iNOS activity. When compared to young control cells, aged PBMCs had lower proliferation potency, lower IL-2 and NO release, and higher MDA and PC levels. Importantly, quercetin-treated aged PBMCs have a high proliferative response comparable to young cells, restored iNOS activity, and increased levels of GSH antioxidant defences. In comparison to untreated aged PBMCs, treated PBMCs have lower lipo-oxidative damage but higher PC levels. Quercetin may be used as a promising dietary vaccinal adjuvant in the elderly, it has significant effects in reducing immunosenescence hallmarks, as well as mitigating the lipo-oxidative stress in PBMCs cells.Practical abstractQuercetin is a common dietary polyphenol found in fruits and vegetables that is well known for its antioxidant activity in radical scavenging and anticancer properties characterized by immune system stimulation. In vitro, quercetin boosts immune responses in the elderly and reduces immunosenescence symptoms, according to our findings. As a result, this molecule could be a safe and promising vaccine adjuvant for boosting immunity and reducing aging complications in immune cells as well as reducing oxidative stress in PBMC cells.
From unrequited love to sleeping with the enemy: COVID-19 and the future relationship between UK universities and professional accounting bodies
Authors: Al Mahameed Muhammad , Riaz Umair , Gee Lara 
Published: October 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the relationship between UK universities and professional accounting bodies (PABs) in the context of the accreditation system and how well prepared this relationship was to observe and respond to the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach
The research draws on 10 semi-structured interviews and correspondence, with six English universities in the context of their relationship with three PABs to build an extended analytical structure to understand the nature and extent of the accreditation system in light of COVID-19.

Findings
The study shows that COVID-19 has highlighted pedagogical and ideological conflicts within the PAB–university relationship. The analysis shows that, in an attempt to resolve these conflicts, universities demonstrate “unrequited love” for PABs by limiting changes to assessments to meet the PABs’ criteria. Indeed, PABs face very little resistance from universities. This further constrains academics by suppressing innovation and limiting their scope to learn and adopt new skills, habits and teaching styles.

Originality/value
The paper highlights the weakness of the PAB–university relationship. Moreover, it shows that rather than using the pandemic crisis to question this relationship, PABs may seek to promote their accounting pedagogy and retain greater control of the accounting curriculum. This can entail the transformation of academics into translators of PABs’ accounting pedagogy rather than exercising academic freedom and promoting critical thinking.
Life cycle assessment of 61 ducted gas heating upgrades in Australia
Authors: Peukes Ina Eileen , Francesco Pomponi , D'Amico Bernardino 
Published: October 2021

PurposeOperational energy use in buildings accounts for 28% of global energy demand. One method to reduce operational energy is upgrading old appliances to more efficient ones. In Australia, the most common residential heating type is reverse-cycle heating, followed by gas heating. This article aims to determine the energy balance resulting from a gas heating upgrade through a life cycle assessment (LCA).Design/methodology/approachExtensive primary data were collected for operational energy performance of 61 ducted gas heating upgrades. To address the scarcity of data on material composition, one ducted gas heater was deconstructed and assessed in terms of material composition (types and weights). The comparison between embodied energy and operational energy savings allows us to establish whether operational energy savings offset the embodied energy incurred with the upgrade. The end of life stage of the old appliance, as well as the production, construction and use stage of the new appliance were assessed.FindingsThe results show that the operational energy savings offset the following impact categories: global warming, ozone layer depletion, aquatic acidification, nonrenewable energy and carcinogens. Only the mineral extraction is not offset by the operational energy savings. The results clearly demonstrate that operational energy savings outweigh the embodied energy and therefore contribute positively to the environment.Originality/valueThis study is the first to focus on the LCA of building services through extensive primary data collection and a focus on a high number of appliances. This supports ongoing energy efficient upgrades in Australia and paves the way for further, similar studies to confirm or disprove these findings in other parts of the world.
Functional genomics of abiotic environmental adaptation in lacertid lizards and other vertebrates
Authors: Wollenberg Valero Katharina C. , Garcia‐Porta Joan , Irisarri Iker , Feugere Lauric , Bates Adam , Kirchhof Sebastian , Jovanović Glavaš Olga , Pafilis Panayiotis , Samuel Sabrina F. , Müller Johannes , Vences Miguel , Turner Alexander P. , Beltran‐Alvarez Pedro , Storey Kenneth B. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Understanding the genomic basis of adaptation to different abiotic environments is important in the context of climate change and resulting short‐term environmental fluctuations.

Using functional and comparative genomics approaches, we here investigated whether signatures of genomic adaptation to a set of environmental parameters are concentrated in specific subsets of genes and functions in lacertid lizards and other vertebrates.

We first identify 200 genes with signatures of positive diversifying selection from transcriptomes of 24 species of lacertid lizards and demonstrate their involvement in physiological and morphological adaptations to climate. To understand how functionally similar these genes are to previously predicted candidate functions for climate adaptation and to compare them with other vertebrate species, we then performed a meta‐analysis of 1,100 genes under selection obtained from ‐omics studies in vertebrate species adapted to different abiotic factors.

We found that the vertebrate gene set formed a tightly connected interactome, which was to 23% enriched in previously predicted functions of adaptation to climate, and to a large part (18%) involved in organismal stress response. We found a much higher degree of identical genes being repeatedly selected among different animal groups (43.6%), and of functional similarity and post‐translational modifications than expected by chance, and no clear functional division between genes used for ectotherm and endotherm physiological strategies. In total, 171 out of 200 genes of Lacertidae were part of this network.

These results highlight an important role of a comparatively small set of genes and their functions in environmental adaptation and narrow the set of candidate pathways and markers to be used in future research on adaptation and stress response related to climate change.
Are microorganisms everywhere they can be?
Authors: Cockell Charles S. 
Published: October 2021

SummaryBaas‐Becking is famously attributed with the conjecture that ‘everything is everywhere, but the environment selects’. Although this aphorism is largely challenged by microbial biogeographical data, even weak versions of the claim leave unanswered the question about whether all environments that could theoretically support life contain life. In the last decade, the discovery of thermally sterilized habitable environments disconnected from inhabited regions, and habitats within organisms such as the sterile, but habitable human fetal gut, suggest the existence of a diversity of macroscopic habitable environments apparently devoid of actively metabolizing or reproducing life. Less clear is the status of such environments at the micron scale, for example, between colonies of organisms within rock interstices or on and within other substrates. I discuss recent evidence for these types of environments. These environments have practical uses in: (i) being negative controls for understanding the role of microbial processes in geochemical cycles and geological processes, (ii) yielding insights into the extent to which the biosphere extends into all spaces it theoretically can, (iii) suggesting caution in interpreting the results of life detection instrumentation, and (iv) being useful for establishing the conditions for the origin of life and its prevalence on other planetary bodies.
Diagnostic value of 68Ga‐DOTATATE PET‐CT imaging for staging of ER+/PR+ HER2‐ breast cancer patients with metastatic disease: Comparison with conventional imaging with bone scan, diagnostic CT and 18F‐FDG PET‐CT in a prospective pilot trial
Authors: Nguyen Andrew , Fullard Karen , Sheehan‐Dare Gemma , Tang Reuben , Chan Lyn , Ho Bao , Dear Rachel , Keane Joanne , Hickey Adam , Nandurkar Rohan , Chen Julia , Chen Andrew , Lim Elgene , Emmett Louise 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIntroduction18F‐Fludeoxyglucose PET‐CT (FDG) is increasingly used to stage breast cancer. Most breast cancers express the Oestrogen Receptor (ER) and Progesterone Receptor (PR), and this subtype demonstrates lower activity on FDG imaging. Somatostatin receptors (SSTR) offer a potentially improved radiotracer target for ER+/PR+ breast cancer. We present the first in vivo clinical study comparing 68Ga‐DOTATATE PET‐CT (DOTA) to FDG and conventional imaging (bone scan and diagnostic CT), in metastatic ER+/PR+ human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative breast cancer.MethodsPatients with clinically progressive metastatic ER+/PR+ HER2‐ breast cancer underwent restaging with DOTA, FDG and conventional imaging. Scans were analysed visually, and semi‐quantitatively. Wilcoxon‐Rank Scoring was used to assess significance.ResultsTen women (mean age 57 years) underwent imaging. 8/10 demonstrated disease on both DOTA and FDG. 2/10 positive on conventional imaging, but DOTA−/FDG−, and had no disease progression at 1‐year follow‐up. Heterogeneity of uptake was seen between DOTA and FDG with 5 bone lesions DOTA+/FDG− and 1 bone lesion FDG+/DOTA−. Twenty‐one visceral lesions were FDG+/DOTA− (2 patients), with 10/21 identified on conventional imaging. Maximum standard uptake values (SUV max) of DOTA were greater than FDG (10.9 vs. 6.6, P = ns). Four sites were biopsied (3 patients). 3/4 had high ER/PR expression (mean DOTA SUV max 9.4) and 1/4 low ER/PR expression (DOTA SUV max 3.1).ConclusionWhilst we have not demonstrated DOTA to be superior to FDG in staging of ER+/PR+ breast cancers, DOTA may have a role in assessing HR status and treatment decisions; further evaluation of this is warranted.
Imprinting of canine IGF2 and H19
Authors: Brabazon D. C. , Callanan J. J. , Nolan C. M. 
Published: October 2021

SummaryGenomic imprinting occurs in therian mammals and is a phenomenon whereby the two alleles of a gene are differentially expressed, based on the sex of the parent from whom the alleles were inherited. The allelic differences in expression are the consequence of different epigenetic modifications that are established in the sperm or oocyte during gametogenesis and transmitted at fertilization to offspring. A small minority of genes is regulated in this way but they have important biological functions, and aberrant regulation of imprinted genes contributes to disease aetiology in humans and other animals. The factors driving the evolution of imprinted genes are also of considerable interest, as these genes appear to forego the benefits of diploidy. To broaden the phylogenetic analysis of genomic imprinting, we began a study of imprinted genes in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris. In this report, we show that canine IGF2 and H19 are imprinted, with parent‐of origin‐dependent monoallelic expression patterns in neonatal umbilical cord. We identify a putative imprint control region associated with the genes, and provide evidence for differential methylation of this region in a somatic tissue (umbilical cord) and for its hypermethylation in the male germline. Canis familiaris is fast becoming a highly informative system for elucidating disease processes and evolution, and the study of imprinted genes in this species may help in understanding how these genes contribute to the generation of morphological and behavioral diversity.