bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trace-element composition of pyrite and its implications for hydrothermal process within the Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary sequences of the São Francisco Craton, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Melo Marilane Gonzaga de , Moreira Éder Carlos , Simplicio Fábio , Queiroga Gláucia Nascimento , D’Agostim Letícia Garcia , Castro Marco Paulo de 
Published: April 2022

The distribution of trace elements in pyrite has been documented for the first time in quartz veins hosted in the Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary sequence of the Tombador Formation, São Francisco Craton, northeast Brazil. In this study, Electron Microprobe Analyses (EPMA) were used to determine the trace-element compositions of pyrite in these hydrothermal quartz veins. Three pyrite types have been distinguished and interpreted from petrographical relationships and trace-element patterns. Pre-existing pyrite (Py1), derived from the host-rock quartzite, is Ni-poor with concentrations varying from 600 – 6,100 ppm. Elongated syn-tectonic pyrite (Py2) has similar trace-element composition to the Py1, with Ni amounts ranging between 830 and 7,870 ppm. In contrast, possibly post-tectonic, euhedral to subhedral hydrothermal pyrite (Py3), contains higher contents of Ni (7,970 – 26,120 ppm). Mafic and/or metasedimentary rocks from the Espinhaço Supergroup were probably the source of Ni for this fluid-flow event. Fluid generation is related to the devolatilization of the base of the thickened crust, with migration of fluids by preexisting structures. Several shear zones and large-scale NNW-trending folds were developed during the inversion of the Espinhaço basin, as a result of the ca. 0.6 Ga Brasiliano orogenic event. Regional fluid movement through the crust at this time is supported by several mineralized veins and hydrothermal deposits in the São Francisco Craton and adjacent Neoproterozoic belts.
Incremental Detection of Severe Congenital Heart Disease by Fetal Echocardiography Following a Normal Second Trimester Ultrasound Scan in Québec, Canada
Authors: Cardinal Mikhail-Paul , Gagnon Marie-Hélène , Têtu Cassandre , Beauchamp Francis-Olivier , Roy Louis-Olivier , Noël Camille , Vaujois Laurence , Cavallé-Garrido Tiscar , Bigras Jean-Luc , Roy-Lacroix Marie-Ève , Dallaire Frederic 
Published: April 2022

Background:
The benefit of fetal echocardiograms (FE) to detect severe congenital heart diseases (SCHD) in the setting of a normal second-trimester ultrasound is unclear. We aimed to assess whether the increase in SCHD detection rates when FE are performed for risk factors in the setting of a normal ultrasound was clinically significant to justify the resources needed.

Methods:
This is a multicenter, population-based, retrospective cohort study, including all singleton pregnancies and offspring in Quebec (Canada) between 2007 and 2015. Administrative health care data were linked with FE clinical data to gather information on prenatal diagnosis of CHD, indications for FE, outcomes of pregnancy and offspring, postnatal diagnosis of CHD, cardiac interventions, and causes of death. The difference between the sensitivity to detect SCHD with and without FE for risk factors was calculated using generalized estimating equations with a noninferiority margin of 5 percentage points.

Results:

A total of 688 247 singleton pregnancies were included, of which 30 263 had at least one FE. There were 1564 SCHD, including 1071 that were detected prenatally (68.5%). There were 12 210 FE performed for risk factors in the setting of a normal second-trimester ultrasound, which led to the detection of 49 additional cases of SCHD over 8 years. FE referrals for risk factors increased sensitivity by 3.1 percentage points (95% CI, 2.3–4.0;
P
<0.0001 for noninferiority).

Conclusions:
In the setting of a normal second-trimester ultrasound, adding a FE for risk factors offered low incremental value to the detection rate of SCHD in singleton pregnancies. The current ratio of clinical gains versus the FE resources needed to screen for SCHD in singleton pregnancies with isolated risk factors does not seem favorable. Further studies should evaluate whether these resources could be better allocated to increase SCHD sensitivity at the ultrasound level, and to help decrease heterogeneity between regions, institutions and operators.
Inhibition of DYRK1a Enhances Cardiomyocyte Cycling After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Young Alexander , Bradley Leigh A. , Farrar Elizabeth , Bilcheck Helen O. , Tkachenko Svyatoslav , Saucerman Jeffrey J. , Bekiranov Stefan , Wolf Matthew J. 
Published: April 2022

Background:
DYRK1a (dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1a) contributes to the control of cycling cells, including cardiomyocytes. However, the effects of inhibition of DYRK1a on cardiac function and cycling cardiomyocytes after myocardial infarction (MI) remain unknown.

Methods:

We investigated the impacts of pharmacological inhibition and conditional genetic ablation of DYRK1a on endogenous cardiomyocyte cycling and left ventricular systolic function in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) MI using
αMHC-MerDreMer-Ki67p-RoxedCre::Rox-Lox-tdTomato-eGFP
(
RLTG
) (denoted
αDKRC::RLTG
) and

αMHC-Cre::Fucci2aR::DYRK1a
flox/flox

mice.

Results:

We observed that harmine, an inhibitor of DYRK1a, improved left ventricular ejection fraction (39.5±1.6% and 29.1±1.6%, harmine versus placebo, respectively), 2 weeks after I/R MI. Harmine also increased cardiomyocyte cycling after I/R MI in
αDKRC::RLTG
mice, 10.8±1.5 versus 24.3±2.6 enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGFP)+ cardiomyocytes, placebo versus harmine, respectively,
P
=1.0×10
−
3
. The effects of harmine on left ventricular ejection fraction were attenuated in
αDKRC::DTA
mice that expressed an inducible diphtheria toxin in adult cycling cardiomyocytes. The conditional cardiomyocyte-specific genetic ablation of DYRK1a in

αMHC-Cre::Fucci2aR::DYRK1a
flox/flox

(denoted
DYRK1a k/o
) mice caused cardiomyocyte hyperplasia at baseline (210±28 versus 126±5 cardiomyocytes per 40× field, DYRK1a k/o versus controls, respectively,
P
=1.7×10
−
2
) without changes in cardiac function compared with controls, or compensatory changes in the expression of other DYRK isoforms. After I/R MI,
DYRK1a k/o
mice had improved left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction 41.8±2.2% and 26.4±0.8%, DYRK1a k/o versus control, respectively,
P
=3.7×10
−2
). RNAseq of cardiomyocytes isolated from

αMHC-Cre::Fucci2aR::DYRK1a
flox/flox

and
αMHC-Cre::Fucci2aR
mice after I/R MI or Sham surgeries identified enrichment in mitotic cell cycle genes in

αMHC-Cre::Fucci2aR::DYRK1a
flox/flox

compared with
αMHC-Cre::Fucci2aR
.

Conclusions:
The pharmacological inhibition or cardiomyocyte-specific ablation of DYRK1a caused baseline hyperplasia and improved cardiac function after I/R MI, with an increase in cell cycle gene expression, suggesting the inhibition of DYRK1a may serve as a therapeutic target to treat MI.
How Close is Close Enough? A Discussion of the Distances Relevant to Personalizing Tornado Risk
Authors: Sherman-Morris Kathleen , Senkbeil Jason C. , Vaughn Cole 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Risk perception and the desire to personalize and confirm warning information have been associated with protective action. Risk perception typically increases with close proximity to a threat, but research involving time, space, and tornado risk perception has stopped short of attempting to define a distance at which an individual would believe they are personally at risk from a tornado. In this study, we surveyed 1,023 individuals across the southeastern United States at risk from tornadoes. The goal was to add to our understanding of the role of distance in tornado risk perception by quantifying an individual’s “worry distance.” The study examined an individual’s worry distance in multiple ways, including three map-based warning scenarios. Our results indicated that participants would worry about their house or loved ones or take shelter in a tornado if it was on average within 11–12 mi. These distances were greater than the 7–8 mi at which they believed they could see, hear, or feel the effects of a tornado. There was a considerable amount of variation in the self-reported distances, some of which can be explained by past exposure. When provided tornado warning maps with varying scales or county borders, neither map scale nor the presence of a border had an influence. The lack of any influence of map scale raises the question of how individuals consider objective geospatial distance when using a map-based warning for familiar or novel locations.
Learning from Precipitation Events in the Wider Domain to Improve the Performance of a Deep Learning–Based Precipitation Nowcasting Model
Authors: Inoue Tsuyoshi , Misumi Ryohei 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Deep learning models have been shown to perform well in terms of the radar-based precipitation nowcasting problem when compared with advection-based models. Yet, most of the existing literature has used locally trained models, and relatively little is known about how to construct deep learning–based nowcasting models applicable in wider domains. We conduct experiments for precipitation nowcasting using deep learning models spanning the region around Japan with the Japan Meteorological Agency radar precipitation dataset with 1-km spatial resolution and 5-min temporal resolution. We trained the model with radar data sampled from all over Japan, then applied transfer learning with regional data. Through this experiment, it is found that combining data from all over Japan is effective in improving the forecast performance of heavy precipitation with deep learning models.

Significance Statement
This paper proposes a methodological improvement for the problem of short-term rainfall forecasting (nowcasting) using deep learning. We trained deep learning models with data sampled from all over Japan, then applied transfer learning with regional data. We compared the performance metrics of several modeling approaches and demonstrated that learning from heavy precipitation examples collected from wider domains improves the performance significantly. This finding suggests that there are a lot of commonalities in the time evolution of rainfall patterns at different geographical locations, which could be exploited to improve the model’s performance. A future research topic could be to learn from a larger dataset, including precipitation datasets from other countries.
Cost Differences Between Teaching and Nonteaching Hospitals for Older Adults Requiring Emergency General Surgery Procedures in the State of Maryland
Authors: Ghneim Mira H. , Sadler Craig A. , Kufera Joseph A. , Hendrix Cheralyn J. , Herrold Joseph A. , Clark Jaclyn , O’Meara Lindsay B. , Diaz Jose J. 
Published: April 2022

Background Older adults (OAs; ≥ 65 years) comprise a growing population in the United States and are anticipated to require an increasing number of emergency general surgery procedures (EGSPs). The aims of this study were to identify the frequency of EGSPs and compare cost of care in OAs managed at teaching hospitals (THs) vs nonteaching hospitals (NTHs). Methods A retrospective review of data from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database from 2009 to 2018 for OAs undergoing EGSPs was undertaken. Data collected included demographics, all patient-refined (APR)-severity of illness (SOI), APR-risk of mortality (ROM), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), EGSPs (partial colectomy (PC), small bowel resection, cholecystectomy, operative management of peptic ulcers, lysis of adhesions, appendectomy, and laparotomy, categorized hospital charges, length of stay (LOS), and mortality. Results Of the 55,401 OAs undergoing EGSPs in this study, 28,575 (51.6%) were treated at THs and 26,826 (48.4%) at NTHs. OAs at THs presented with greater APR-ROM (major 25.6% vs 24.9%, extreme 22.6% vs 22.0%, P=.01), and CCI (3.1±3 vs 2.7±2.8, P<.001) compared to NTHs. Lysis of adhesions, cholecystectomy, and PC comprised the overall most common EGSPs. Older adults at THs incurred comparatively higher median hospital charges for every EGSP due to increased room charges and LOS. Mortality was higher at THs (6.13% vs 5.33%, P<.001). Conclusion While acuity of illness appears similar, cost of undergoing EGSPs for OAs is higher in THs vs NTHs due to increased LOS. Future work is warranted to determine and mitigate factors that increase LOS at THs.
The impacts of armed conflict on child health: Evidence from 56 developing countries
Authors: Le Kien , Nguyen My 
Published: April 2022

This article evaluates the extent to which armed conflicts influence early childhood health for 56 developing countries over nearly 30 years. Exploiting both spatial and temporal variations in conflict exposure within a difference-in-differences framework, the article uncovers detrimental ramifications of armed conflicts on the health outcomes of children under five years old. Particularly, children exposed to armed conflicts have lower height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age z-scores by 0.08, 0.05, and 0.10 standard deviations, respectively. Taking the average corresponding anthropometric z-scores of unexposed children as the benchmarks, exposure to armed conflicts makes children 6.6% shorter for their age, 11% thinner for their height, and 9% thinner for their age. Exposure to armed conflicts further makes children 2.2, 0.8, and 2.6 percentage points more likely to be stunted, wasted, and underweight, respectively (i.e. 7.3%, 7.9%, and 10.2% increases compared to the benchmark averages of those unexposed to armed conflicts). In addition, the heterogeneity analyses suggest that children born to low-education mothers, children from relatively poor households, and children living in rural areas tend to bear the larger health setbacks. Given the long-lasting impacts of poor health in early childhood on adult outcomes, delivering nutrition interventions to children in conflict zones is of utmost importance, and extra attention should be given to children of disadvantaged backgrounds. JEL codes: I10, I15, J13, O15
Compassionate use of Pulmonary Vasodilators in Acute Severe Hypoxic Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19
Authors: Matthews Lewis , Baker Laurence , Ferrari Matteo , Sanchez Weronika , Pappachan John , Grocott Mike PW , Dushianthan Ahilanandan ,   The REACT COVID-19 investigators
Published: April 2022

Background There have been over 200 million cases and 4.4 million deaths from COVID-19 worldwide. Despite the lack of robust evidence one potential treatment for COVID-19 associated severe hypoxaemia is inhaled pulmonary vasodilator (IPVD) therapy, using either nitric oxide (iNO) or prostaglandins. We describe the implementation of, and outcomes from, a protocol using IPVDs in a cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 associated respiratory failure receiving maximal conventional support. Methods Prospectively collected data from adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a large teaching hospital were analysed for the period 14th March 2020 - 11th February 2021. An IPVD was considered if the PaO2/FiO2 (PF) ratio was less than 13.3kPa despite maximal conventional therapy. Nitric oxide was commenced at 20ppm and titrated to response. If oxygenation improved Iloprost nebulisers were commenced and iNO weaned. The primary outcome was percentage changes in PF ratio and Alveolar-arterial (A-a) gradient. Results Fifty-nine patients received IPVD therapy during the study period. The median PF ratio before IPVD therapy was commenced was 11.33kPa (9.93-12.91). Patients receiving an IPVD had a lower PF ratio (14.37 vs. 16.37kPa, p = 0.002) and higher APACHE-II score (17 vs. 13, p = 0.028) at ICU admission. At 72 hours after initiating an IPVD the median improvement in PF ratio was 33.9% (-4.3-84.1). At 72 hours changes in PF ratio (70.8 vs. −4.1%, p < 0.001) and reduction in A-a gradient (44.7 vs. 14.8%, p < 0.001) differed significantly between survivors (n = 33) and non-survivors (n = 26). Conclusions The response to IPVDs in patients with COVID-19 associated acute hypoxic respiratory failure differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors. Both iNO and prostaglandins may offer therapeutic options for patients with severe refractory hypoxaemia due to COVID-19. The use of inhaled prostaglandins, and iNO where feasible, should be studied in adequately powered prospective randomised trials.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a novel lidocaine-loaded cubosomal gel for prolonged local anesthesia
Authors: Jiang Junwen , Wu Huihua , Zou Zhenmin 
Published: April 2022

Marketed lidocaine dosage forms (such as ointment, gels, and injections) used to manage acute and chronic pain showed a short duration of action (<2 h). In this study, a lidocaine-loaded cubosomal gel was prepared to sustain the release of lidocaine to prolong the local anesthetic effect (high drug retention in the skin). Lidocaine-loaded cubosomal gels were prepared by melt emulsification and sonication using Pluronic F127 and DL-α-monoolein (at different levels). The cubosomal gels were characterized by morphology, size, zeta potential, entrapment efficacy, assay, viscosity, pH, and texture profiles. Ex vivo lidocaine permeation and retention studies were performed using Sprague–Dawley rat skin. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the bi-continuous liquid crystalline phase with a honeycomb cubosome structure. The cubosomal particle size (103–227 nm), viscosity (13,524–15,627cp), and entrapment efficacy (78.4–94.7%) increase with the level of monoolein. The ex-vivo permeation study showed a biphasic release pattern, with lidocaine cleared from ointment within 4 h (97.9% cumulative release), while cubosomal gels showed sustained release up to 24 h (53.33–98.86% cumulative release). A skin retention study demonstrated that cubosomes can increase (up to 28-fold) the lidocaine content in the skin (4.56 mg) compared to ointment (0.19 mg). A rabbit skin irritation study showed no sign of irritation after the application of cubosomal gel. In the radiant heat tail-flick study, the local anesthetic effect of lidocaine from the cubosomal gel was sustained for up to 16 h with 1.43-fold higher efficacy than marketed ointment. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the potential of cubosomal nanoparticle-laden gel to sustain the release of lidocaine for prolonging local anesthetic effects for pain management.
Perspectives on the Form, Magnitude, Certainty, Target, and Frequency of Financial Incentives in a Weight Loss Program
Authors: Krukowski Rebecca A. , Harvey Jean R. , Naud Shelly , Finkelstein Eric A. , West Delia S. 
Published: April 2022

Purpose Financial incentives are a promising approach to enhance weight loss outcomes; however, little guidance exists on the optimal incentive structure. Design Mixed methods. Setting An online weight management trial, combining outcome (i.e., weight loss) and behavioral (i.e., self-weighing, dietary self-monitoring, and steps) incentives over 12 months (up to $665). Subjects 116 participants who completed the incentive preference assessment at the 18-month follow-up visit. Method Response distributions on the form, magnitude, certainty, and target of the incentives and content analysis of the qualitative responses. Results Nearly all (96.6%) participants indicated they liked receiving electronic Amazon gift cards, more so than the alternatives presented. Most participants (81.0%) thought they would have lost a similar amount of weight if the incentives were smaller. Few (18.1%) indicated they would have preferred a lottery structure, but 50.8% indicated the variable incentive schedule was beneficial during the maintenance period. Most (77.6%) felt incentives were most helpful when starting to lose weight. In both phases, most participants (85.3% and 72.4%, respectively) indicated appropriate behaviors were incentivized. Participants had mixed views on whether outcome or behavioral incentives were most motivating. Conclusion There was notable variation in preferences for the magnitude, duration, and timing of incentives; it will be important to examine in future research whether incentive design should be tailored to individual preferences.
Phenotypic frailty in people living with HIV is not correlated with age or immunosenescence
Authors: Klotz Stephen A. , Egurrola Cesar , Love Maria , Miller Mary N. , Bradley Nicole , Smith Shannon N. , Najafi Bijan , Ahmad Nafees 
Published: April 2022

Background It has been hypothesized that HIV-1 infection prematurely “ages” individuals phenotypically and immunologically. We measured phenotypic frailty and immune “aging” markers on T-cells of people living with HIV on long term, suppressive anti-retroviral therapy (ART) to determine if there is an association between frailty and immunosenescence. Methods Thirty-seven (37) community-dwelling people living with HIV were measured for frailty using a sensor-based frailty meter that quantifies weakness, slowness, rigidity, and exhaustion. An immunological profile of the patients’ CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell expression of cell surface proteins and cytokines was performed ( n = 20). Results Phenotypic frailty prevalence was 19% (7/37) and correlated weakly with the number of past medical events accrued by the patient (r = 0.34, p = .04). There was no correlation of frailty with age, sex, prior AIDS diagnosis or HIV-1 viral load, or IFN-γ expression by CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells. There were more immune competent (CD28+ CD57−) cells than exhausted/senescent (CD28− CD57+) T cells. Conclusion Frailty in people living with HIV on long term, suppressive ART did not correlate with aging or T cell markers of exhaustion or immunosenescence.
Intra Parietal Sulcus Area 1–2 and Angular Gyrus Differentiates Visual Short-Term Memory and Sustained Attention Activities
Authors: Derbie Abiot Y. , Dejenie Meseret A. 
Published: April 2022

Background: Visual short-term memory (VSTM) and attention were found to modulate neural activity predominantly in a superior parietal lobule. This is thought to be the selective attention importance for encoding and manipulation in VSTM. The major area of investigation mainly rested with the differences in the neural substrates and networks mediating these cognitive processes in near and far cortical structures. Summary: Based on previous investigations, the dynamic temporal window route of attention and time locked associated cognitive processes and sub-processes are sketched and its implication in VSTM study is discussed. Imaging cortical structures to isolate closely linked cognitive tasks require circumscribing to certain time-windows in which the paradigm should support to tap time-locked associated processes and sub-processes. Key Messages: The neural activities in intraparietal sulcus area 1–2 and angular gyrus during VSTM encoding are beyond the modulatory effects of selective and sustained attention.