bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How does water current velocity affect invertebrate community and leaf‐litter breakdown in a physicochemically stable freshwater ecosystem? An experimental study in two nearby reaches (erosional vs. depositional) of the Vera Spring (Central Italy)
Authors: Cristiano Giovanni , Di Sabatino Antonio 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe decomposition of allochthonous dead organic matter is a key process for the metabolism and functioning of stream and spring ecosystems. The litter breakdown process is influenced by several abiotic and biotic factors. Among abiotic parameters, the role of current velocity and physical abrasion was poorly investigated. Field studies gave contrasting results, mainly because of the covariation and the interaction of current velocity with other biotic/abiotic variables. For these reasons, we assessed leaf‐litter breakdown and the structure of crenic assemblages in two nearby reaches (erosional vs. depositional) of a physicochemically stable rheocrene spring. The two zones investigated were characterized by similar environmental conditions, but water current velocity was about four times greater in the erosional reach. We found substantial differences in the structure and functional organization of crenic assemblages. Overall taxa richness and density were higher in the depositional reach, while diversity and abundance of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera were taller in the erosional zone. Shredders were more abundant in the erosional zone, and scrapers were more represented in the slow current sector of the spring. We also demonstrated that water flow may promote a faster decomposition of leaf detritus in the spring erosional reach mainly through indirect effects: higher richness and abundance of shredder detritivores. Our results indicate that water current velocity may have a key role in affecting both spring assemblage composition and ecosystem processes.
Epileptic Status in a PEDiatric cohort (ESPED) requiring intensive care treatment: A multicenter, national, two‐year prospective surveillance study
Authors: Meyer Sascha , Langer Jaro , Poryo Martin , Bay Johannes Goaliath , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Heinrich Beate , Nunold Holger , Strzelczyk Adam , Ebrahimi‐Fakhari Daniel 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to provide seizure etiology, semiology, underlying conditions, and out‐of‐ and in‐hospital diagnostics, treatment, and outcome data on children with out‐of‐ or in‐hospital‐onset status epilepticus (SE) according to the International League Against Epilepsy definition that required admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for ≥4 hours.MethodsThis prospective national surveillance study on SE in childhood and adolescence was conducted over 2 years (07/2019‐06/2021).ResultsThis study examined 481 SE episodes in 481 children with a median age of 43 months (1 month to 17 years 11 months), of which 46.2% were female and 50.7% had a previous seizure history. The most frequent acute SE cause was a prolonged, complicated febrile seizure (20.6%). The most common initial seizure types were generalized seizures (49.9%), focal seizures (18.0%), and unknown types (12.1%); 40.5% of patients suffered from refractory SE and 5.0% from super‐refractory SE. The three most common medications administered by nonmedically trained individuals were diazepam, midazolam, and antipyretics. The three most frequent anti‐seizure medications (ASMs) administered by the emergency physician were midazolam, diazepam, and propofol. The three most common ASMs used in the clinical setting were midazolam, levetiracetam, and phenobarbital. New ASMs administered included lacosamide, brivaracetam, perampanel, stiripentol, and eslicarbazepine. Status epilepticus terminated in 16.0% in the preclinical setting, 19.1% in the emergency department, and 58.0% in the PICU; the outcome was unknown for 6.9%. The median PICU stay length was 2 (1–121) days. The median modified Rankin scale was 1 (0–5) on admission and 2 (0–6) at discharge. New neurological deficits after SE were observed in 6.2%. The mortality rate was 3.5%.SignificanceThis study provides current real‐world out‐of‐ and in‐hospital data on pediatric SE requiring PICU admission. New ASMs are more frequently used in this population. This knowledge may help generate a more standardized approach.
Wall‐diaphragm interactions in seismic response of building systems I: Parametric models and elastic response
Authors: Fischer Astrid W. , Schafer Benjamin W. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to study the elastic seismic response of simplified building models that include considerations of the vertical lateral force resisting system (walls) and the horizontal lateral force resisting system (floor diaphragms) through parametric study. The assumption of rigid diaphragms is often used in the seismic design of buildings; however, research suggests that the diaphragm may influence the fundamental building period and the seismic building response. In this paper, a simplified model is presented for single and multi‐story buildings utilizing two degrees of freedom per story for the vertical system, for example, the walls, and one degree of freedom per story for the floor diaphragm. The number of stories, the stiffness of the walls and diaphragm(s), and the mass distribution between the walls and diaphragm are varied to represent a large range of potential building compositions. Eigen analyses of the models indicate that the wall and diaphragm interact when at similar periods resulting in elongation of the overall building period. Response of elastic time‐history analyses of the building models are presented in this paper where it is shown that the force demands in both the wall and diaphragm(s) are dependent on the relative stiffness of the walls and diaphragm(s), and the mass‐distribution between these two systems. In the companion paper “Wall‐Diaphragm Interactions in Seismic Response of Building System II: Inelastic Response and Design” the parametric building study is extending to nonlinear time‐history analyses including different levels of assumed inelasticity in both the walls and diaphragm.
Intensity measures as interfacing variables versus response proxies: The case of rigid rocking blocks
Authors: Lachanas Christos G. , Vamvatsikos Dimitrios , Dimitrakopoulos Elias G. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA comparative study of alternative Intensity Measures (IMs) for structures of rocking response is presented, focusing on the salient characteristics that define the selection of an optimal IM for the problem at hand. An IM may play the role of an interfacing variable, linking hazard with fragility/vulnerability for the risk assessment of structures, or it may only be employed as a proxy for predicting structural response under a given ground motion. In the first case, low conditional variability (high efficiency) and low conditional dependence on seismological parameters (high sufficiency) are needed. For response proxy usage, one may place more importance on the predictive capability of the IM within a simple regression model, favoring high correlation and low fitting errors over an extended range of response. The results showcased that (i) the peak ground acceleration and peak ground velocity, tend to be highly efficient and sufficient in specific regions of rocking response, that is, onset of rocking and overturning, respectively, but not necessarily everywhere; (ii) the average spectral acceleration shows a more consistent performance at the cost of requiring the definition of a proper period range; (iii) magnitude sufficiency is generally more difficult to achieve, compared to the distance from the rupture, and (iv) IMs that may be unsuitable for risk and vulnerability assessment, can still be highly effective as response predictors in statistical models.
Amygdala‐frontoparietal effective connectivity in creativity and humor processing
Authors: Chan Yu‐Chen , Zeitlen Daniel C. , Beaty Roger E. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAlthough both creativity and humor elicit experiences of surprise followed by appreciation, it remains unknown whether shared or distinct patterns of effective connectivity are involved in their processing. The present fMRI study used dynamic causal modeling and parametrical empirical Bayes analysis to examine the effective connectivity between the amygdala and frontoparietal network during two‐stage creativity and humor processing. We examined processing during the setup and punch line stages for creativity and humor, including typical forms (alternate uses for creativity and incongruity‐resolution humor), atypical forms (aesthetic uses for creativity and nonsense humor), and baseline forms. Our focus was on the mesolimbic pathway during the punch line stage. We found that the amygdala plays a key role in expectation violation and appreciation. Broadly, amygdala‐to‐IFG connectivity was important for evaluating typical and atypical forms of both creativity and humor, while amygdala‐to‐precuneus connectivity was involved in evaluating typical forms. Amygdala‐to‐IFG connectivity was involved in the expectation violation to resolution stage of processing for typical and atypical forms of creativity and humor. Amygdala‐to‐precuneus connectivity was involved in processing the novelty and usefulness of typical forms of creativity (alternate uses) and understanding others' intentions in typical forms of humor (incongruity‐resolution). Interestingly, VTA‐to‐amygdala connectivity was involved in processing the appreciation of both typical (incongruity‐resolution humor) and atypical (nonsense humor) forms of humor while amygdala‐to‐VTA connectivity was involved in processing the appreciation of atypical (aesthetic uses) forms of creativity. Altogether, these findings suggest that the amygdala and frontoparietal circuitry are critical for creativity and humor processing.
Socioeconomic inequalities in waiting times for planned and cancer surgery: Evidence from Spain
Authors: Bosque‐Mercader Laia , Carrilero Neus , García‐Altés Anna , López‐Casasnovas Guillem , Siciliani Luigi 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWaiting times act as a non‐price rationing mechanism to bring together the demand for and the supply of public healthcare services and ensure equal access independently of ability to pay. This study tests for the presence of socioeconomic inequalities in waiting times for ten publicly‐funded planned and cancer surgeries in Catalonia (Spain) in 2015–2019. Socioeconomic status (SES), measured by four categories (very low, low, middle, high), is based on co‐payment levels for medicines which depend on patient's income. Using administrative data, we estimate the association between SES and waiting times controlling for patient characteristics and hospital fixed effects. Compared to patients with low SES, patients with middle SES wait 2–6 fewer days for hip replacement, cataract surgery, and hysterectomy, and less than a day for breast cancer surgery. These inequalities arise within hospitals and are not explained by patient nor hospital characteristics. For some surgeries, the results also show that patients with higher SES are more likely to voluntarily exit the waiting list and have a lower probability of having a surgery canceled for medical reasons and dying while waiting.
The role of civic capital on vaccination
Authors: Buonanno Paolo , Galletta Sergio , Puca Marcello 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCan civic‐minded individuals fight against a pandemic? In this paper, we show that civic capital plays an important role when assessing the level of compliance with COVID‐19 vaccination recommendations. Analyzing data on a large sample of municipalities from the Italian region of Lombardy, we show that the share of vaccinated individuals is significantly higher in municipalities with higher pre‐determined levels of civic capital. These findings are robust to the possibility of spatial spillovers across neighboring municipalities. Our findings contribute to the existing evidence highlighting the importance of individual contributions and civic capital as important behavioral determinants affecting the containment of infectious diseases.
Describing homelessness risk among people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Western Australia: A cluster analysis approach
Authors: Blackford Krysten , Crawford Gemma , McCausland Kahlia , Zhao Yun 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIssue AddressedHousing is a social determinant of health. Migrants are at an increased risk of insecure housing, overcrowding, and homelessness which can lead to poor quality of life and well‐being. This study aimed to identify clustering patterns of homelessness risks among people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds in Western Australia (WA).MethodsParticipants from CaLD backgrounds (n = 143, 81.8% male) were identified from secondary cross‐sectional data sourced from Vulnerability Index Service Prioritisation Decision Assistance Tool (VI‐SPDAT) surveys conducted with people experiencing homelessness in Perth, WA, between 2012 and 2020. A two‐step cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups within the data, and chi‐square tests compared demographic characteristics and drivers of homelessness among the determined clusters.ResultsThree distinct clusters were identified and labelled as ‘high‐risk group’ (n = 50, 35.0%), ‘medium‐risk group’ (n = 39, 27.3%) and ‘low‐risk group’ (n = 47, 32.9%). The most vulnerable participants (with VI‐SPDAT score ≥ 10) were all clustered in the ‘high‐risk group’.ConclusionThe analysis identified subgroups within and between CaLD populations and highlighted limitations with data collection instruments for measuring homelessness among these groups.So What?To prevent health issues associated with homelessness and improve social determinants of health, improvements in research and service provision are recommended to facilitate equitable access to secure housing for people from CaLD populations.
Antibody responses to BNT162b2 SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA vaccine among healthcare workers and residents of long‐term care facilities: A cohort study in Northern Italy
Authors: Vicentini Costanza , Zotti Carla Maria , Cornio Alessandro Roberto , Garlasco Jacopo , Marengo Noemi , Meddis Davide , Ditommaso Savina , Giacomuzzi Monica , Memoli Gabriele , Bordino Valerio , Gianino Maria Michela ,   the Collaborating Group
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsLong‐term care facilities (LTCFs) have been severely impacted by COVID‐19, with a disproportionate amount of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and related deaths occurring among residents.MethodsThis study is part of an ongoing multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted among healthcare workers (HCWs) and residents of 13 LTCFs in Northern Italy designed to evaluate SARS‐CoV‐2 specific immunoglobulin class G (IgG) titers before and following vaccination with Pfizer/BNT162b2 SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA vaccine (two doses of vaccine, 21 days apart). Serum samples were obtained from participants (t0) before vaccination, and (t1) 2 weeks after and analyzed to determine anti‐S1 IgG antibodies.ResultsFive hundred and thirty‐four participants were enrolled (404 subjects participated in both blood draws). Seropositivity was 50.19% at t0 and 99% at t1, with a significant difference in IgG titers. A higher proportion of residents were seropositive at t0 compared with HCWs, with significantly higher IgG titers among residents at both t0 and t1. Pre‐existing immunity also had a significant effect on postvaccination IgG titers. However, a significant difference in titers at t1 between HCWs and residents considering only participants seropositive at t0 was found, with higher median titers among previously seropositive residents.ConclusionFindings of this study provide scientific evidence endorsing the policy of universal vaccination in LTCFs.
Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and hyaluronic acid levels as markers of fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease at the main tertiary referral hospital in Ghana: A case‐control study design
Authors: Dzudzor Bartholomew , Hammond Harris , Tachi Kenneth , Alisi Anna , Vento Sandro , Gyasi Richard Kwasi , Aheto Justice Moses K 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsLiver fibrosis leading to chronic liver disease (CLD) is a major cause of morbidity, mortality and health‐care expenditure worldwide. The “gold standard” for diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis is histological analysis of liver tissue obtained by liver biopsy, an invasive procedure. Therefore, there is the need to identify noninvasive and inexpensive markers for diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis. This study aimed at evaluating the correlation of hyaluronic acid (HA) and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25‐OH vitamin D) serum levels as markers of fibrosis with histologically staged and graded liver biopsies obtained from CLD patients.MethodsThis was a case‐control study involving 40 CLD patients requiring liver biopsies and 40 controls. Liver biopsies were staged to determine the degree of fibrosis. Serum levels of 25‐OH vitamin D and HA were determined using ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed to determine differences in HA and 25‐OH vitamin D levels between controls and patients as well as to correlate the biomarkers with the stages of fibrosis.ResultsCLD patients showed significant (p < 0.001) increase in the levels of AST, ALT, GGT, compared to the controls. Patients also had significantly (p < 0.001) lower serum 25‐OH vitamin D and higher HA (p < 0.001) levels compared to the controls. Additionally, 25‐OH vitamin D levels of the CLD patients were significantly different across the stages of liver fibrosis likewise serum HA levels. Furthermore, 25‐OH vitamin D levels inversely correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis. A significant negative correlation (r = −0.33,p < 0.05) between CLD patients' HA and 25‐OH vitamin D were found.ConclusionCLD patients had significantly reduced serum 25‐OH vitamin D and higher HA. Both markers correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis. These findings have major clinical translatable implication in the use of vitamin D supplementation in the management of CLD in Ghana.
Physicians' continuing medical education activities and satisfaction with their ability to stay current in medical information and practice: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Jayas Amy , Andriole Dorothy A. , Grbic Douglas , Hu Xiaochu , Dill Michael , Howley Lisa D. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsLittle is known about physicians' approaches to continuing medical education (CME) for continuing professional development despite the rapid evolution of CME offerings. We sought to identify the extent to which demographic, career, and experiential CME‐activity variables were independently associated with physicians' satisfaction with their ability to stay current on medical information and practice.MethodsUsing the 2019 Association of American Medical Colleges' National Sample Survey of Physicians data, we ran multivariable logistic regression models examining demographic, career, and experiential (participation in 11 CME activities in the past year) variables for their associations with physicians' satisfaction (satisfied vs. not satisfied/neutral) with their ability to stay current.ResultsOf 5926 respondents, 90% (5341/5926) were satisfied with their ability to stay current. Significant (each two‐sided p < 0.05) predictors of respondents who were satisfied included (among others) a surgery specialty (vs. primary care; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06–1.88), an academic affiliation (vs. none; AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.10–1.66), and participation (vs. no participation) in each of professional meetings (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.07–1.60) and journal‐based CME (AOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.07–1.56). Respondents who self‐identified as a race/ethnicity underrepresented in medicine (vs. white; AOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.48–0.97) and were between ages 40 and 49 years (vs. 50–59; AOR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.58–0.94) were less likely to be satisfied. Gender, board certification status, and medical degree type did not independently predict satisfaction (each p > 0.05).ConclusionWe observed independent associations between physicians' satisfaction with their ability to stay current in medical information and practice and each specialty, academic affiliation, race/ethnicity, age, and CME activity type (for 2 of 11 examined). Findings may be relevant to organizations and institutions designing and implementing CME activities in the current context of COVID‐19 pandemic‐related in‐person activity limitations and can inform targeted interventions addressing differences in the satisfaction we observed to better support physicians' CME.
High‐throughput screening of phase‐engineered atomically thin transition‐metal dichalcogenides for van der Waals contacts at the Schottky–Mott limit
Authors: Li Yanyan , Su Liqin , Lu Yanan , Luo Qingyuan , Liang Pei , Shu Haibo , Chen Xiaoshuang 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA main challenge for the development of two‐dimensional devices based on atomically thin transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is the realization of metal–semiconductor junctions (MSJs) with low contact resistance and high charge transport capability. However, traditional metal–TMD junctions usually suffer from strong Fermi‐level pinning (FLP) and chemical disorder at the interfaces, resulting in weak device performance and high energy consumption. By means of high‐throughput first‐principles calculations, we report an attractive solution via the formation of van der Waals (vdW) contacts between metallic and semiconducting TMDs. We apply a phase‐engineering strategy to create a monolayer TMD database for achieving a wide range of work functions and band gaps, hence offering a large degree of freedom to construct TMD vdW MSJs with desired contact types. The Schottky barrier heights and contact types of 728 MSJs have been identified and they exhibit weak FLP (−0.62 to −0.90) as compared with the traditional metal–TMD junctions. We find that the interfacial interactions of the MSJs bring a delicate competition between the FLP strength and carrier tunneling efficiency, which can be utilized to screen high‐performance MSJs. Based on a set of screening criteria, four potential TMD vdW MSJs (e.g., NiTe2/ZrSe2, NiTe2/PdSe2, HfTe2/PdTe2, TaSe2/MoTe2) with Ohmic contact, weak FLP, and high carrier tunneling probability have been predicted. This work not only provides a fundamental understanding of contact properties of TMD vdW MSJs but also renders their huge potential for electronics and optoelectronics.image
Activation of E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP2 by non‐receptor tyrosine kinase ACK1
Authors: Zhu Jun , Peng Ziluo , Tian Xianyan , Wu Tiantian , Sun Aiqin , Yang Wannian , Lin Qiong 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (WWP2) is a member of the NEDD4 E3 ubiquitin ligase family. WWP2 ligase activity is regulated by the 2, 3‐linker auto‐inhibition. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the 2, 3‐linker was identified as an activating means for releasing the auto‐inhibition of WWP2. However, the tyrosine kinase (TK) for the phosphorylation and activation remains unknown. In this report, we have found that non‐receptor TK ACK1 binds to the WW3 domain of WWP2 and phosphorylates WWP2. ACK1 phosphorylates WWP2 at the 2, 3‐linker and partially activates the ubiquitination ligase activity. Unexpectedly, tyrosine phosphorylation of the 2, 3‐linker seems not a major mode for activation of WWP2, as ACK1 causes much higher activation of the 2, 3‐linker tyrosine phosphorylation defective mutants of WWP2 than that of wild‐type WWP2. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of WWP2 and this EGF‐stimulated phosphorylation of WWP2 is mediated by ACK1. Finally, knockdown of WWP2 by shWWP2 inhibits the EGF‐dependent cell proliferation of lung cancer A549 cells, suggesting that WWP2 may function in the EGFR signaling in lung cancer progression. Taken together, our findings have revealed a novel mechanism underlying activation of WWP2.