bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of R0 for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany from excess mortality
Authors: Prada Juan Pablo , Maag Luca Estelle , Siegmund Laura , Bencurova Elena , Liang Chunguang , Koutsilieri Eleni , Dandekar Thomas , Scheller Carsten 
Published: October 2022

AbstractFor SARS-CoV-2, R0 calculations in the range of 2–3 dominate the literature, but much higher estimates have also been published. Because capacity for RT-PCR testing increased greatly in the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, R0 determinations based on these incidence values are subject to strong bias. We propose to use Covid-19-induced excess mortality to determine R0 regardless of RT-PCR testing capacity. We used data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on the incidence of Covid cases, Covid-related deaths, number of RT-PCR tests performed, and excess mortality calculated from data from the Federal Statistical Office in Germany. We determined R0 using exponential growth estimates with a serial interval of 4.7 days. We used only datasets that were not yet under the influence of policy measures (e.g., lockdowns or school closures). The uncorrected R0 value for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 based on RT-PCR incidence data was 2.56 (95% CI 2.52–2.60) for Covid-19 cases and 2.03 (95% CI 1.96–2.10) for Covid-19-related deaths. However, because the number of RT-PCR tests increased by a growth factor of 1.381 during the same period, these R0 values must be corrected accordingly (R0corrected = R0uncorrected/1.381), yielding 1.86 for Covid-19 cases and 1.47 for Covid-19 deaths. The R0 value based on excess deaths was calculated to be 1.34 (95% CI 1.32–1.37). A sine-function-based adjustment for seasonal effects of 40% corresponds to a maximum value of R0January = 1.68 and a minimum value of R0July = 1.01. Our calculations show an R0 that is much lower than previously thought. This relatively low range of R0 fits very well with the observed seasonal pattern of infection across Europe in 2020 and 2021, including the emergence of more contagious escape variants such as delta or omicron. In general, our study shows that excess mortality can be used as a reliable surrogate to determine the R0 in pandemic situations.
Dynamic compression of Ce and Pr with millisecond time-resolved X-ray diffraction
Authors: O’Bannon III Earl F. , Husband Rachel J. , Baer Bruce J. , Lipp Magnus J. , Liermann Hanns-Peter , Evans William J. , Jenei Zsolt 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBoth cerium (Ce) and praseodymium (Pr) undergo a volume collapse transition under compression that originate from similar electronic mechanisms. Yet the outcome could not be more different. In the case of Ce with one affected 4f electron the volume collapse leaves the crystal symmetry intact, whereas for Pr with two 4f electrons the crystal symmetry changes from a distorted face centered cubic structure to a lower symmetry orthorhombic structure. In this paper, we present a study of the effect of strain/compression rate spanning nearly 4 orders of magnitude on the volume collapse phase transitions in Ce and Pr. These dynamic compression experiments in a diamond anvil cell also reveal kinetic differences between the phase transformations observed in these two materials. The transition cannot be overdriven in pressure in Ce, which indicates a fast kinetic process, whereas fast compression rates in Pr lead to a shift of the phase boundary to higher pressures, pointing to slower kinetics possibly due to the realization of a new crystal structure.
Effect of DNA methylation, modified by 5-azaC, on ecophysiological responses of a clonal plant to changing climate
Authors: Kosová Veronika , Latzel Vít , Hadincová Věroslava , Münzbergová Zuzana 
Published: October 2022

AbstractEpigenetic regulation of gene expression is expected to be an important mechanism behind phenotypic plasticity. Whether epigenetic regulation affects species ecophysiological adaptations to changing climate remains largely unexplored. We compared ecophysiological traits between individuals treated with 5-azaC, assumed to lead to DNA demethylation, with control individuals of a clonal grass originating from and grown under different climates, simulating different directions and magnitudes of climate change. We linked the ecophysiological data to proxies of fitness. Main effects of plant origin and cultivating conditions predicted variation in plant traits, but 5-azaC did not. Effects of 5-azaC interacted with conditions of cultivation and plant origin. The direction of the 5-azaC effects suggests that DNA methylation does not reflect species long-term adaptations to climate of origin and species likely epigenetically adjusted to the conditions experienced during experiment set-up. Ecophysiology translated to proxies of fitness, but the intensity and direction of the relationships were context dependent and affected by 5-azaC. The study suggests that effects of DNA methylation depend on conditions of plant origin and current climate. Direction of 5-azaC effects suggests limited role of epigenetic modifications in long-term adaptation of plants. It rather facilitates fast adaptations to temporal fluctuations of the environment.
Regional lymph node metastasis detected on preoperative CT and/or FDG-PET may predict early recurrence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after curative resection
Authors: Yoon Ja Kyung , Park Mi-Suk , Kim Seung-Seob , Han Kyunghwa , Lee Hee Seung , Bang Seungmin , Hwang Ho Kyoung , Hwang Sang Hyun , Yun Mijin , Kim Myeong-Jin 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the role of regional lymph node (LN) metastasis detected on preoperative CT and/or 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans in the prediction of early tumor recurrence after curative surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This retrospective study included 137 patients who underwent upfront surgery with R0 resection of PDAC between 2013 and 2016. Regional LN metastasis was identified using two criteria: positive findings for regional LN metastasis on either preoperative CT or FDG-PET scans (LNOR), or on both preoperative CT and FDG-PET scans (LNAND). A total of 55 patients had early tumor recurrence within 12 months after curative resection. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19-9) levels, preoperative locally advanced status, and regional LN metastasis (both LNOR and LNAND criteria) were significant risk factors for early recurrence. Positive LNOR and LNAND showed significantly poorer recurrence-free survival compared to negative regional LN metastasis groups (p = 0.048 and p = 0.020, respectively). Compared with the LNAND criteria, the LNOR criteria provided higher sensitivity (22.4% vs. 15.5%, p = 0.046) and a higher negative predictive value (61.9% vs. 59.8%, p = 0.046). The LNOR definition provided more sensitive and accurate performance in diagnosing preoperative regional LN metastasis.
The boundary conditions of the liking bias in moral character judgments
Authors: Bocian Konrad , Szarek Katarzyna Myslinska , Miazek Katarzyna , Baryla Wieslaw , Wojciszke Bogdan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractRecent research has shown that moral character judgments are prone to the liking bias—well-liked people are seen as morally superior to disliked or neutral ones. However, whether moral information about their past behavior would moderate the liking bias is still an open empirical question addressed in present studies. In Study 1 (N = 653), participants updated their biased moral character impressions when moral information about the target was introduced after the liking induction. In preregistered Study 2 (N = 601), when moral information about the target was presented before the liking induction, moral information had a stronger impact on moral character judgments than liking. Study 3 (N = 398) showed that moral character impression updating was three times greater when moral information was presented after (vs. before) the attitude induction. Further analyses of changes in participants’ moral judgments certainty revealed that moral information reduced their uncertainty stronger than attitudes. In effect, the latter were more amenable to updating than information-based judgments. Thus, we present evidence that moral information updates moral character impressions biased by liking. Nevertheless, liking also, but to a lesser extent, updates moral character impressions initially grounded on moral information. We propose that certainty about others’ moral character explains when and how moral information limits the impact of attitudinal influences on moral character judgments.
Trend in neuraxial morphine use and postoperative analgesia after cesarean delivery in Japan from 2005 to 2020
Authors: Yonekura Hiroshi , Mazda Yusuke , Noguchi Shohei , Tsunobuchi Hironaka , Shimaoka Motomu 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe increasing rate of cesarean deliveries warrants obstetric anesthesiologists to deliver high-quality post-cesarean delivery analgesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal trends in the use of neuraxial morphine for cesarean deliveries and to describe the current postoperative analgesia practices. A retrospective cohort study using nationwide health insurance claims databases was conducted from 2005 to 2020 in Japan. Pregnant women who had undergone cesarean deliveries were included. The annual rate of neuraxial morphine use was extracted and analyzed. Additionally, we explored the patient- and facility-level factors associated with neuraxial morphine use through a multilevel logistic regression analysis. The cohort included 65,208 cesarean delivery cases from 2275 institutions. The prevalence of neuraxial morphine use was 16.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.8–16.3) in the overall cohort. Intrathecal morphine was used in 20.6% (95% CI, 20.2–21.0) of spinal anesthesia cases. The trend in neuraxial morphine use steadily increased from 2005 to 2020. The significant predictors of neuraxial morphine use included spinal anesthesia, recent surgery, large medical facilities, and academic hospitals. Variations in the utilization of postoperative analgesia were observed. Our study described the current trend of neuraxial morphine use and the variation in postoperative analgesia practice in Japan.
Terror-related injuries in Somalia: a retrospective cohort of 2426 hospitalized cases along 7 years
Authors: Arslan Ebubekir , Mohamed Abdikarim Hussein , Cetinkaya Osman 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTerrorism-related injuries and deaths have become a major threat to the Somalian population, as in the rest of the world. We aimed to characterize and compare firearm and explosion injuries caused by terrorist acts. This retrospective study reviewed the data of all patients injured by explosions and firearm attacks over seven years. Epidemiological characteristics, injury pattern, severity scores, hospital resource utilization parameters, length of stay, and death rates were evaluated. A total of 2426 patients were injured by 359 explosions and firearm attacks during the study period. Eighty-one percent of the patients (n = 1974) were male, while 19% of the cases were female. Multiple body site injuries occurred more frequently in explosion injuries (75%) than firearm wounds (48%) (P < 0.001). The relative frequency of internal injuries in explosion injuries was higher than in firearm wounds (46.7% vs. 36.2%). Patients injured due to the explosion have a greater rate of severe and critical injuries than those injured by firearms (30.2% vs. 21.2%, P < 0.001). About a quarter (24%) of the patients were hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The inpatient mortality rate was 11.6%. The findings of the study revealed that suicide bombings explosions are associated with multiple body site injuries, a greater rate of severe and critical internal injuries, and a higher mortality rate.
A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study of the HCN channel blocker ivabradine in a capsaicin-induced pain model in healthy volunteers
Authors: Tanaka Satoshi , Ishida Takashi , Ishida Kumiko , Fuseya Satoshi , Ito Mariko , Sakamoto Akiyuki , Kawamata Mikito 
Published: October 2022

AbstractHyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels have been focused on as a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory and neuropathic pain in rodent models. However, roles of HCN channels in human pain states have been scarcely investigated. We evaluated analgesic effects of 2-day administration of ivabradine, the only clinically available HCN channel blocker, on a capsaicin pain model in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Twenty healthy adult subjects (18 males, 2 females) received ivabradine (5–7.5 mg) or a placebo 3 times in 2 days. Then capsaicin (0.5%) was topically applied on the volar forearm for 30 min. The primary outcome was capsaicin-induced spontaneous pain. The secondary outcomes included heat-pain threshold (HPT), flare size, and areas of secondary punctate mechanical hyperalgesia (PMH) and secondary dynamic mechanical allodynia (DMA). There was no significant difference in spontaneous pain (p = 0.7479), HPT (p = 0.7501), area of PMH (p = 0.1052) or flare size (p = 0.5650) at 30 min after capsaicin application between the groups. In contrast, the area of DMA in the ivabradine group was significantly smaller (p < 0.001) than that in the placebo group. HCN channels may be differentially involved in the various pain signal transmission pathways in humans.
A comprehensive transcriptomic comparison of hepatocyte model systems improves selection of models for experimental use
Authors: Ardisasmita Arif Ibrahim , Schene Imre F. , Joore Indi P. , Kok Gautam , Hendriks Delilah , Artegiani Benedetta , Mokry Michal , Nieuwenhuis Edward E. S. , Fuchs Sabine A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe myriad of available hepatocyte in vitro models provides researchers the possibility to select hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) for specific research goals. However, direct comparison of hepatocyte models is currently challenging. We systematically searched the literature and compared different HLCs, but reported functions were limited to a small subset of hepatic functions. To enable a more comprehensive comparison, we developed an algorithm to compare transcriptomic data across studies that tested HLCs derived from hepatocytes, biliary cells, fibroblasts, and pluripotent stem cells, alongside primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). This revealed that no HLC covered the complete hepatic transcriptome, highlighting the importance of HLC selection. HLCs derived from hepatocytes had the highest transcriptional resemblance to PHHs regardless of the protocol, whereas the quality of fibroblasts and PSC derived HLCs varied depending on the protocol used. Finally, we developed and validated a web application (HLCompR) enabling comparison for specific pathways and addition of new HLCs. In conclusion, our comprehensive transcriptomic comparison of HLCs allows selection of HLCs for specific research questions and can guide improvements in culturing conditions.
Global patterns of sea surface climate connectivity for marine species
Authors: Petsas Panagiotis , Doxa Aggeliki , Almpanidou Vasiliki , Mazaris Antonios D. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractA potential strategy for marine species to cope with warming oceans is to track areas with optimal thermal conditions and shift their spatial distributions. However, the ability of species to successfully reach these areas in the future depends on the length of the paths and their exposure to extreme climatic conditions. Here, we use model predictions of sea surface temperature changes to explore climate connectivity and potential trajectories of marine species to reach their optimal surface thermal analogs by the end of the century. We find that longer trajectories may be required for marine species of the northern than the southern oceans and that the former may be more exposed to extreme conditions than the latter. At key biodiversity hotspots, most future surface thermal analogs may be located in very remote areas, posing a significant challenge for local species to reach them. The new marine connectivity approach presented here could be used to inform future conservation policies.
Signs of immunosenescence correlate with poor outcome of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in older adults
Authors: Palacios-Pedrero Miguel Ángel , Jansen Janina M. , Blume Cornelia , Stanislawski Nils , Jonczyk Rebecca , Molle Antonia , Hernandez Mariana Gonzalez , Kaiser Franziska K. , Jung Klaus , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Rimmelzwaan Guus F. , Saletti Giulietta 
Published: October 2022

AbstractVaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalization and fatal outcome. However, several studies indicated that there is reduced vaccine effectiveness among older individuals, which is correlated with their general health status1,2. How and to what extent age-related immunological defects are responsible for the suboptimal vaccine responses observed in older individuals receiving SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA vaccine, is unclear and not fully investigated1,3–5. In this observational study, we investigated adaptive immune responses in adults of various ages (22–99 years old) receiving 2 doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Vaccine-induced Spike-specific antibody, and T and memory B cell responses decreased with increasing age. These responses positively correlated with the percentages of peripheral naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and negatively with CD8+ T cells expressing signs of immunosenescence. Older adults displayed a preferred T cell response to the S2 region of the Spike protein, which is relatively conserved and a target for cross-reactive T cells induced by human ‘common cold’ coronaviruses. Memory T cell responses to influenza virus were not affected by age-related changes, nor the SARS-CoV-2-specific response induced by infection. Collectively, we identified signs of immunosenescence correlating with the outcome of vaccination against a new viral antigen to which older adults are immunologically naïve. This knowledge is important for the management of COVID-19 infections in older adults.
The role of financial stress in mental health changes during COVID-19
Authors: Simonse Olaf , Van Dijk Wilco W. , Van Dillen Lotte F. , Van Dijk Eric 
Published: October 2022

AbstractUsing longitudinal data before and during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic for a representative sample of Dutch households, we examined the role of financial stress, defined as the subjective experience of lacking financial resources to cope with demands, in mental health changes. Also, we examined financial stress and mental health relations with households’ income, savings, and debts. The data revealed that average mental health did not change during the first six months of the pandemic but showed considerable underlying heterogeneity. Results showed that financial stress changes significantly explained this heterogeneity. Increases in financial stress predicted decreases in mental health, whereas decreases in financial stress predicted increases in mental health. While income did not explain financial stress changes, fewer savings and more debts were related to increased financial stress, which was, in turn, negatively related to mental health. We discuss the implications of our findings for mental health care and financial security policy and provide suggestions for future research.
Feasibility of a Proactive Parent-Implemented Communication Intervention Delivered via Telepractice for Children With Classic Galactosemia
Authors: Finestack Lizbeth H. , Potter Nancy , VanDam Mark , Davis Jennifer , Bruce Laurel , Scherer Nancy , Eng Linda , Peter Beate 
Published: October 2022

Purpose:
This study evaluated the feasibility of Babble Boot Camp (BBC) for use with infants with classic galactosemia (CG) starting at less than 6 months of age. BBC is a parent-implemented intervention delivered by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) entirely via telepractice with the potential to increase access to early preventative interventions. We evaluated BBC feasibility based on acceptability, implementation, and practicality.

Method:
We obtained data from 16 parents of infants with CG (mean age at enrollment = 3.38 months) involved in a large randomized clinical trial of BBC. BBC uses a teach–model–coach–review approach to provide parents with strategies to support their child's communication development. Families completed, on average, eighty-one 15-min sessions over a 20-month intervention period. We drew data from surveys completed by parents at the end of the intervention period, intervention logs maintained by the SLPs, and intervention fidelity checks completed by research assistants.

Results:
Data drawn from parent surveys, intervention logs, and intervention fidelity checks revealed high parent acceptability, high rates of completion and compliance, and low costs in terms of parent and clinician time.

Conclusion:
Results suggest that BBC is feasible for families of infants with CG, warranting further examination of BBC across a broader range of children with CG as well as other infants who are at predictable risk for speech and language impairment.
The effect of temperature on the wear behaviour of dental composites
Authors: Arsecularatne Joseph A. , Tran Serena , Hoffman Mark J. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDespite numerous published studies on the wear of dental composites, few have considered the influence of temperature on the two‐body wear process. Additionally, no previous work has considered the influence of temperature on dominant wear mechanisms during the consumption of hot substances, hence the focus of this study. Reciprocating wear tests were carried out at varying artificial saliva lubricant temperatures (37 and 57°C) and material loss was quantified using profilometry. The wear tracks were analysed using FIB/SEM/TEM. Results reveal that the wear rate of a dental composite can significantly increase with temperature, with fatigue/delamination and ploughing acting as dominant mechanisms.
Robust fuzzy observer‐based fault‐tolerant control: A homogeneous polynomial Lyapunov function approach
Authors: Sabbaghian‐Bidgoli Farzaneh , Farrokhi Mohammad 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn this paper, a homogeneous polynomial Lyapunov function (HPLF) is employed in robust observer‐based Integrated Fault‐Tolerant Control (IFTC) of nonlinear systems modelled by the polynomial fuzzy model (PFM). This makes the design problem benefit from the conservative reduction property of polynomial Lyapunov functions (PLFs) and simultaneously avoid the emergence of non‐convex terms due to differentiation of the polynomial Lyapunov matrix. As a result, the less conservative sum of square (SOS) conditions are obtained in the form of polynomial matrix inequalities (PMI), which are solved via SOSTOOLS. For the first time, a non‐quadratic Lyapunov function is used to design a polynomial fuzzy unknown‐input observer that estimates the system's states and actuator faults in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. The effectiveness of the proposed approach in providing more relaxed and less conservative results along with the better fault tolerance is illustrated through three simulating examples and compared with the quadratic Lyapunov function (QLF) approach.