bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Palaeoenvironments and elemental geochemistry across the Permian–Triassic boundary at Ursula Creek, British Columbia, Canada, and a comparison with some other deep‐water Permian–Triassic boundary shelf/slope sections in western North America
Authors: Brookfield Michael E. , Stebbins Alan G. , Williams Jeremy C. , Hannigan Robyn E. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe Permian–Triassic boundary sediments at Ursula Creek accumulated in a continental shelf basin, or on the continental slope of the western Canadian passive margin, at 30°N palaeolatitude along the eastern Panthalassic Ocean margin. The area lay within the cold northerly ocean currents at the junction of westerly and north‐easterly trade wind belts, the latter causing summer coastal upwelling. The shift from uppermost Permian grey radiolarian cherts and grey shales to lowermost Triassic grey and black shales and fine‐grained dolomites is typical of deep‐water Panthalassic sediments. The palaeogeographical situation and palaeoenvironments are comparable to those of the present Canadian north‐western Pacific margin. The Ursula Creek section reveals the progressive decline of seafloor oxygen values in the Changhsingian Stage), followed by the persistent development of euxinic conditions in the latest Changhsingian and throughout the Early Triassic; a transition that coincides with the disappearance of a siliceous sponge fauna and the loss of diverse radiolarian populations. Much of the detrital sediment was supplied by summer north‐east Trade winds from the deserts of western North America, although variable amounts may have come across the Panthalassic Ocean as dust from contemporary volcanic eruptions. Relative palaeoproductivity changes show no consistent change in productivity across the Permian–Triassic boundary producing results that are comparable with those from the similar Opal Creek section to the south‐east. The Ni/Co, Cu/Zn, U/Al and Th/U ratios indicate variable redox conditions in all sections, but with a tendency for oxic conditions to change to dysoxic across the Permian–Triassic boundary. The lack of consistent element geochemical changes across the boundary accompanied by significant isotopic changes, here and elsewhere, suggests that atmospheric and oceanic chemistry rather than physical changes, like provenance and sea‐level changes, drove Permian–Triassic environmental changes and extinctions.
Macrophage plasticity as a therapeutic target in tuberculosis
Authors: Arish Mohd , Naz Farha 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe macrophages contribute to host defense against intracellular pathogens such as mycobacteria. Mycobacteria interact with macrophages altering their polarization state, which propagates establishment of infection. Thus, molecular macrophage properties in mycobacterial infections are critical both for understanding the biology of the infections as well as identifying therapeutic targets. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding how altered macrophage polarization in mycobacterial infections may lead to the design of targeted therapies that may reprogram these macrophages for enhanced mycobactericidal function.
Seismic rocking simulation of unreinforced masonry parapets and façades using the discrete element method
Authors: Galvez Francisco , Sorrentino Luigi , Dizhur Dmytro , Ingham Jason M. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWhen subjected to high‐intensity out‐of‐plane seismic loading that results in the threshold value of static stability being exceeded, unreinforced masonry parapets and façades form mechanisms that exhibit rigid body rocking motion before collapse. The discrete element method was used to perform rocking simulations which were compared to experimental observations and analytical models to obtain relationships that enable the stiffness proportional Rayleigh damping parameter (β) to be estimated from the coefficient of restitution. The seismic performance of parapets and façades was compared using incremental dynamic analysis, and similar performance was observed between the compared models, confirming the validity of the developed expressions to obtain β. The gap size generated after failure between the façade and the return wall was parametrized and the outcome revealed the hazardous situation that arises when the connectivity between the uncollapsed façade and the adjacent return walls is damaged during an earthquake. Pulse‐like accelerations, generally associated with near‐fault earthquakes, caused collapse of parapets and façades at substantially lower accelerations when compared to earthquakes with oscillations that were evenly distributed in time. It was concluded that when assessing the seismic vulnerability of a rocking façade located near a fault, a capacity equal to that of a free‐standing block should be used, validating the assumption made in some seismic assessment guidelines of not considering the effect of return walls when assessing the façade capacity. For façades located far from a fault a range of earthquakes that represent the site conditions needs to be included in any dynamic capacity assessment.
The influence of the vertical component of ground motion on the probabilistic treatment of the rocking response of free‐standing blocks
Authors: Lachanas Christos G. , Vamvatsikos Dimitrios , Vassiliou Michalis F. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe influence of the vertical component of ground motion is investigated for assessing the distribution of the seismic response of unanchored rigid blocks. Multiple stripes of site‐hazard‐consistent ground motions are employed for calculating the seismic response of rigid rocking blocks with and without the inclusion of the vertical component. The comparison of the resulting response is being made both for single records and full suites, employing a paired record versus an ensemble‐statistics comparison, respectively. It is shown that on a single record basis, the vertical component may have a non‐negligible but highly variable influence on the rocking response, sometimes detrimental, sometimes beneficial. Still, when considering any large ensemble of records, the effect becomes statistically insignificant, except for the very specific case of rocking uplift for stocky blocks. To this end, for cases where the appearance of uplift is associated with damage, closed‐form expressions are proposed to modify the lognormal fragility function of rocking initiation given the block slenderness and the ratio of the peak vertical over the peak horizontal ground acceleration.
Study on mechanical model and shaking table test of spherical tank rolling isolation
Authors: Lyu Yuan , Sun Jiangang , Li Zhuohua , Teng Jun , Cui Lifu , Cheng Lihua 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis paper proposed a spherical tank rolling isolation structural system assembled by the spherical tank, I‐steel ring beam and rolling isolation devices, and carried out the corresponding mechanical model research and shaking table test. First, a restoring force model for rolling isolation device with symmetrical concave surface was introduced. Based on the restoring force model and potential fluid theory, a mechanical model considering the interaction of fluid, support and rolling isolation layer was established. Numerical analysis results show that the rolling isolation reduction ratio always remains high at different liquid level heights. Shaking table tests were carried out to study the damping performance of the spherical tank rolling isolation structural system, and to provide verification for the established mechanical model. Test results showed that the seismic response of the spherical tank rolling isolation structural system was much lower than that of the nonisolated spherical tank. The reduction ratio of acceleration and support deformation can reach 56% to 82%, which greatly reduced the risk of structural failure. In addition, the calculated results of the mechanical model were in good agreement with the test results.
Surface Functionalized MXenes for Wastewater Treatment—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Damptey Lois , Jaato Bright N. , Ribeiro Camila Silva , Varagnolo Silvia , Power Nicholas P. , Selvaraj Vimalnath , Dodoo‐Arhin David , Kumar R. Vasant , Sreenilayam Sithara Pavithran , Brabazon Dermot , Kumar Thakur Vijay , Krishnamurthy Satheesh 
Published: March 2022

AbstractOver 80% of wastewater worldwide is released into the environment without proper treatment. Whilst environmental pollution continues to intensify due to the increase in the number of polluting industries, conventional techniques employed to clean the environment are poorly effective and are expensive. MXenes are a new class of 2D materials that have received a lot of attention for an extensive range of applications due to their tuneable interlayer spacing and tailorable surface chemistry. Several MXene‐based nanomaterials with remarkable properties have been proposed, synthesized, and used in environmental remediation applications. In this work, a comprehensive review of the state‐of‐the‐art research progress on the promising potential of surface functionalized MXenes as photocatalysts, adsorbents, and membranes for wastewater treatment is presented. The sources, composition, and effects of wastewater on human health and the environment are displayed. Furthermore, the synthesis, surface functionalization, and characterization techniques of merit used in the study of MXenes are discussed, detailing the effects of a range of factors (e.g., PH, temperature, precursor, etc.) on the synthesis, surface functionalization, and performance of the resulting MXenes. Finally, the limits of MXenes and MXene‐based materials as well as their potential future research directions, especially for wastewater treatment applications are highlighted.
A nonlinear dynamic factor model of health and medical treatment
Authors: Peracchi Franco , Rossetti Claudio 
Published: March 2022

AbstractQuantitative assessments of the relationship between health and medical treatment are of great importance to policy makers. To overcome endogeneity problems we formulate and estimate a tractable dynamic factor model where observed health outcomes are driven by the individual's latent health. The dynamics of latent health reflects both exogenous health deterioration and endogenous health investments. Our model allows us to investigate the effect of medical treatment on current health, as well as on future medical treatment and health outcomes. We estimate the model by maximum simulated likelihood and minimum distance methods using a rich longitudinal data set from Italy obtained by merging a number of administrative archives. These data contain detailed information on medical drug purchase, hospitalization, and mortality for a representative sample of elderly hypertensive patients. Our findings show that the observed autocorrelation in medical treatment reflects both permanent and time‐varying observed and unobserved heterogeneity. They also show that medical drug purchase significantly maintains future health levels and prevents transitions to worse health. This suggests that policies aimed at increasing the awareness and the compliance of hypertensive patients help reduce cardiovascular risks and consequent hospitalization and mortality.
Tropicalisation of epidemiological models in Africa: A mixed and hybrid approach to better predict COVID‐19 indicators
Authors: Diouf Massamba , Fournier‐Tombs Eléonore , Maiga Abdine , Lb Faye Sylvain 
Published: March 2022

AbstractContextSince the outbreak of the SARS‐COV2 epidemic turned into a COVID‐19 pandemic, international bodies such as the WHO as well as governments have announced projections for morbidity and mortality indicators related to COVID‐19. Most of them indicated that the health situation would be worrying.Although using artificial intelligence with mathematical algorithms and/or neural networks, the results of the SIR models were poorly performing and not very accurate in relation to the observed reality in the African states in general and in Senegal in particular. Hence the imperative need to configure the modelling process and approach considering local contexts.MethodThe model implemented is a mixed prediction model based on the Bucky model developed by OCHA and adapted to the context.The construction of the mixed model was done in two steps (basic model with publicly available data, such as those from United Nations‐like organisations such as OCHA or WHO for Senegal), (adding more specific data collected through the mixed epidemiological survey). This survey was conducted in Senegal in six localities (Dakar, Thies, Diourbel, Kedougou, Saint‐Louis and Ziguinchor) chosen according to the number of confirmed cases of COVID‐19. In total, 1000 individuals distributed in proportion to the size of the regions were interviewed in April 2021.ResultsThe projected cases in the baseline model were already considerably higher than the cases reported in April. This may be plausible, given the low detection rates throughout Senegal during this period. However, the hybrid model predicted an even higher infection rate than the baseline, perhaps mainly due to vulnerability related to food insecurity and solid cooking fuels. This may mean that there would be more unreported cases than reported. Overall, the mortality rate of both models would be considerably lower than the government‐reported mortality rate, even though the number of confirmed cases remains high. This may be an underestimate of the death rate.ConclusionAn accurate and reliable prediction in times of epidemics and/or pandemics, such as COVID‐19, should be based on mixed or hybrid data integrating a quantitative and qualitative approach to enable better policymaking. The projections resulting from this approach would still be effective and would take better account of local realities and contexts, especially for developing countries.
Factors associated with burnout among medical laboratory professionals in Ontario, Canada: An exploratory study during the second wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Nowrouzi‐Kia Behdin , Dong Jingwen , Gohar Basem , Hoad Michelle 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine factors associated with burnout among medical laboratory technologists (MLT) in Ontario, Canada during the second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.MethodsWe employed a cross‐sectional design and used a self‐reported questionnaire designed for MLT in Ontario, Canada.ResultsThere were 441 (47.5% response rate) MLT who were included in the analytic sample. Most of the respondents were women, with a mean age of 43.1 and a standard deviation of 11.7. The prevalence of experiencing burnout was 72.3% for MLT. In the adjusted demographic model, those ≥50 (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.22–0.59) were 0.36 or about one third as likely to experience burnout as those under 50. Similarly, those who held a university degree were less likely to experience burnout compared with high school degree (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.15–0.79). In the adjusted occupational model, high quantitative demands (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.21–3.88), high work pace (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.25–3.98), high job insecurity (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.39–4.82), high work life conflict (OR = 5.08, 95% CI: 2.75–9.64) and high job satisfaction (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20–0.88), high self‐rated health (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17–0.56) were significant.ConclusionThis study provides preliminary evidence regarding the factors associated with burnout in MLT. Additional research is needed to understand their relationship with workers health and well‐being and in the delivery of health services.
Healthcare utilization among older Brazilians during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Ageing‐COVID‐19 initiative
Authors: Macinko James , V. Seixas Brayan , Woolley Natalia Oliveira , Lima‐Costa Maria Fernanda 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundAs the COVID‐19 pandemic progresses, understanding its sustained impact on healthcare access and utilization represents a vital task for decision‐makers and health systems. This study investigates how three aspects of health care utilization (i.e., consultations for COVID‐19 related symptoms, cancelation of previously scheduled care and hospitalisation in the past 30 days) relate to individual and municipal factors in a nationally‐representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over.MethodsData were obtained for 6584 participants from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSI‐Brazil in Portuguese) who were administered supplemental telephone interviews between September and October 2020. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis using survey‐weighted Poisson regression were applied to evaluate all three outcomes of interest (consultation, care cancelation, and hospitalisation). Predicted probabilities were also calculated to understand the overall effect of relevant covariates.ResultsWomen were 76% less likely to seek care for COVID‐19 symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.24, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.10, 0.53) and 82% more likely to have healthcare cancelled due to the pandemic (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.43, 2.33) than men. Those who live in municipalities with low coverage (<40%) of community‐based primary care (the Family Health Strategy) were more likely (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.00, 3.22) to be hospitalised for any reason in the past 30 days and more likely to experience healthcare cancelation (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.02). Living in the Southeast and Midwest regions was associated with 62% and 78%, respectively, lower odds of previously scheduled care being cancelled due to the pandemic, in comparison to the North region (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.67, and OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.36). Living in the Southeast region was associated with over 7.61 higher odds of having sought care for COVID‐19‐related symptoms, relative to those living in the North (OR = 7.61, 95% CI = 2.16, 26.85).ConclusionResults highlight the uneven impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on health care utilization between males and females, and across Brazilian municipalities and regions.
Preexisting Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Blunts the Development of Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis
Authors: Rios‐Arce Naiomy D , Murugesh Deepa K , Hum Nicholas R , Sebastian Aimy , Jbeily Elias H , Christiansen Blaine A , Loots Gabriela G 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) affects 9.5% of the population. T1DM is characterized by severe insulin deficiency that causes hyperglycemia and leads to several systemic effects. T1DM has been suggested as a risk factor for articular cartilage damage and loss, which could expedite the development of osteoarthritis (OA). OA represents a major public health challenge by affecting 300 million people globally, yet very little is known about the correlation between T1DM and OA. In addition, current studies that have looked at the interaction between diabetes mellitus and OA have reported conflicting results with some suggesting a positive correlation whereas others did not. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether T1DM exacerbates the development of spontaneous OA or accelerates the progression of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) after joint injury. Histological evaluation of T1DM and control joints determined that T1DM mice displayed cartilage degeneration measurements consistent with mild OA phenotypes. RNA sequencing analyses identified significantly upregulated genes in T1DM corresponding to matrix‐degrading enzymes known to promote cartilage matrix degradation, suggesting a role of these enzymes in OA development. Next, we assessed whether preexisting T1DM influences PTOA development subsequent to trauma. At 6 weeks post‐injury, T1DM injured joints displayed significantly less cartilage damage and joint degeneration than injured non‐diabetic joints, suggesting a significant delay in PTOA disease progression. At the single‐cell resolution, we identified increased number of cells expressing the chondrocyte markers Col2a1, Acan, and Cytl1 in the T1DM injured group. Our findings demonstrate that T1DM can be a risk factor for OA but not for PTOA. This study provides the first account of single‐cell resolution related to T1DM and the risk for OA and PTOA. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Skeletal muscle mitoribosomal defects are linked to low bone mass caused by bone marrow inflammation in male mice
Authors: Tian Jingwen , Chung Hyo Kyun , Moon Ji Sun , Nga Ha Thi , Lee Ho Yeop , Kim Jung Tae , Chang Joon Young , Kang Seul Gi , Ryu Dongryeol , Che Xiangguo , Choi Je‐Yong , Tsukasaki Masayuki , Sasako Takayoshi , Lee Sang‐Hee , Shong Minho , Yi Hyon‐Seung 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundMitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) is a critical regulator of skeletal muscle mass and function. Although muscle atrophy due to mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with bone loss, the biological characteristics of the relationship between muscle and bone remain obscure. We showed that muscle atrophy caused by skeletal muscle‐specific CR6‐interacting factor 1 knockout (MKO) modulates the bone marrow (BM) inflammatory response, leading to low bone mass.MethodsMKO mice with lower muscle OxPhos were fed a normal chow or high‐fat diet and then evaluated for muscle mass and function, and bone mineral density. Immunophenotyping of BM immune cells was also performed. BM transcriptomic analysis was used to identify key factors regulating bone mass in MKO mice. To determine the effects of BM‐derived CXCL12 (C–X–C motif chemokine ligand 12) on regulation of bone homeostasis, a variety of BM niche‐resident cells were treated with recombinant CXCL12. Vastus lateralis muscle and BM immune cell samples from 14 patients with hip fracture were investigated to examine the association between muscle function and BM inflammation.ResultsMKO mice exhibited significant reductions in both muscle mass and expression of OxPhos subunits but increased transcription of mitochondrial stress response‐related genes in the extensor digitorum longus (P < 0.01). MKO mice showed a decline in grip strength and a higher drop rate in the wire hanging test (P < 0.01). Micro‐computed tomography and von Kossa staining revealed that MKO mice developed a low mass phenotype in cortical and trabecular bone (P < 0.01). Transcriptomic analysis of the BM revealed that mitochondrial stress responses in skeletal muscles induce an inflammatory response and adipogenesis in the BM and that the CXCL12–CXCR4 (C–X–C chemokine receptor 4) axis is important for T‐cell homing to the BM. Antagonism of CXCR4 attenuated BM inflammation and increased bone mass in MKO mice. In humans, patients with low body mass index (BMI = 17.2 ± 0.42 kg/m2) harboured a larger population of proinflammatory and cytotoxic senescent T‐cells in the BMI (P < 0.05) and showed reduced expression of OxPhos subunits in the vastus lateralis, compared with controls with a normal BMI (23.7 ± 0.88 kg/m2) (P < 0.01).ConclusionsDefects in muscle mitochondrial OxPhos promote BM inflammation in mice, leading to decreased bone mass. Muscle mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to BM inflammatory cytokine secretion via the CXCL12–CXCR4 signalling axis, which is critical for inducing low bone mass.