bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictability and transferability of local biodiversity environment relationships
Authors: Jung Martin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBiodiversity varies in space and time, and often in response to environmental heterogeneity. Indicators in the form of local biodiversity measures – such as species richness or abundance – are common tools to capture this variation. The rise of readily available remote sensing data has enabled the characterization of environmental heterogeneity in a globally robust and replicable manner. Based on the assumption that differences in biodiversity measures are generally related to differences in environmental heterogeneity, these data have enabled projections and extrapolations of biodiversity in space and time. However so far little work has been done on quantitatively evaluating if and how accurately local biodiversity measures can be predicted. Here I combine estimates of biodiversity measures from local biodiversity surveys with remotely-sensed data on environmental heterogeneity globally. I then determine through a cross-validation framework how accurately local biodiversity measures can be predicted within (“predictability”) and across similar (“transferability”)biodiversity surveys. I found that prediction errors can be substantial, with error magnitudes varying between different biodiversity measures, taxonomic groups, sampling techniques and types of environmental heterogeneity characterizations. And although errors associated with model predictability were in many cases relatively low, these results question - particular for transferability - our capability to accurately predict and project local biodiversity measures based on environmental heterogeneity. I make the case that future predictions should be evaluated based on their accuracy and inherent uncertainty, and ecological theories be tested against whether we are able to make accurate predictions from local biodiversity data.
Molecular epidemiology of AY.28 and AY.104 delta sub-lineages in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ranasinghe Diyanath , Jayathilaka Deshni , Jeewandara Chandima , Gunasinghe Dumni , Ariyaratne Dinuka , Pramanayagam Jayadas Tibutius Thanesh , Kuruppu Heshan , Wijesinghe Ayesha , Bary Farha , Madusanka Deshan , Darshana Pradeep , Guruge Dinuka , Wijayamuni Ruwan , Ogg Graham S. , Malavige Gathsaurie Neelika 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe worst SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Sri Lanka was due to the two Sri Lankan delta sub-lineages AY.28 and AY.104. We proceeded to further characterize the mutations and clinical disease severity of these two sub-lineages.Methods705 delta SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced by our laboratory from mid-May to November 2021 using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore were included in the analysis. The clinical disease severity of 440/705 individuals were further analyzed to determine if infection with either AY.28 or AY.104 was associated with more severe disease. Sub-genomic RNA (sg-RNA) expression was analyzed using periscope.ResultsAY.28 was the dominant variant throughout the outbreak, accounting for 67.7% of infections during the peak of the outbreak. AY.28 had three lineage defining mutations in the spike protein: A222V (92.80%), A701S (88.06%), and A1078S (92.04%) and seven in the ORF1a: R24C, K634N, P1640L, A2994V, A3209V, V3718A, and T3750I. AY.104 was characterized by the high prevalence of T95I (90.81%) and T572L (65.01%) mutations in the spike protein and by the absence of P1640L (94.28%) in ORF1a with the presence of A1918V (98.58%) mutation. The mean sgRNA expression levels of ORF6 in AY.28 were significantly higher compared to AY.104 (p < 0.0001) and B.1.617.2 (p < 0.01). Also, ORF3a showed significantly higher sgRNA expression in AY.28 compared to AY.104 (p < 0.0001). There was no difference in the clinical disease severity or duration of hospitalization in individuals infected with these sub lineages.ConclusionsTherefore, AY.28 appears to have a fitness advantage over the parental delta variant (B.1.617.2) and AY.104 possibly due to the A222V mutation. AY.28 also had a higher expression of sg-RNA compared to other sub-lineages. The clinical implications of these should be further investigated.
Sexual Orientation Experiences of Discrimination: Dimensionality, internal consistency, and nomological validity in a diverse Colombian population
Authors: Gallo-Barrera Yeison David , Campo-Arias Adalberto 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe study aimed to determine the dimensionality, internal consistency, and nomological validity of the Sexual Orientation Experiences of Discrimination (SOEOD-9) among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people in Santa Marta, Colombia. The study included 303 individuals between 18 and 70 years old. Participants completed the SOEOD-9. Dimensionality was explored using confirmatory (CFA) factor analysis; internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega; and nomological validity with Student’s test. The SOEOD-9 presented two factors that explained 51.6% of the variance and high internal consistency. Nevertheless, the CFA showed poor indicators of goodness-of-fit for the two-dimensional solution. A five-item version (SOEOD-5) improved overall performance (dimensionality, internal consistency, and nomological validity). In conclusion, the SOEOD-9 shows a two-factor internal structure with poor goodness-of-fit indicators and acceptable internal consistency and nomological validity. The SOEOD-5 presents better global indicators of dimensionality, internal consistency, and nomological validity.
Molecular markers for early stratification of disease severity and progression in COVID-19
Authors: Anusha  , Sebastian Savitha Anne , Raksha N. , Raksha K. , Krishnamurthy H. , Krishna Bhuvana , D’Souza George , Idiculla Jyothi , Vyas Neha 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCOVID-19 infections have imposed immense pressure on the healthcare system of most countries. While the initial studies have identified better therapeutic and diagnostic approaches, the disease severity is still assessed by close monitoring of symptoms by healthcare professionals due to the lack of biomarkers for disease stratification. In this study, we have probed the immune and molecular profiles of COVID-19 patients at 48-hour intervals after hospitalization to identify early markers, if any, of disease progression and severity. Our study reveals that the molecular profiles of patients likely to enter the host-immune response mediated moderate or severe disease progression are distinct even in the early phase of infection when severe symptoms are not yet apparent. Our data from 37 patients suggest that at hospitalization, IL6 (>300pg/ml) and IL8 levels (>200pg/ml) identify cytokine-dependent disease progression. Monitoring their levels will facilitate timely intervention using available immunomodulators or precision medicines in those likely to progress due to cytokine storm and help improve outcomes. Additionally, it will also help identify cytokine-independent progressive patients, not likely to benefit from immuno-modulators or precision drugs.
White matter brain age as a biomarker of cerebrovascular burden in the ageing brain
Authors: Du Jing , Pan Yuangang , Jiang Jiyang , Lam Ben C. P. , Thalamuthu Anbupalam , Chen Rory , Tsang Ivor W. , Sachdev Perminder S. , Wen Wei 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAs the brain ages, it almost invariably accumulates vascular pathology, which differentially affects the white matter. The microstructure of the white matter may therefore reveal a brain age reflecting cerebrovascular disease burden and a relationship to vascular risk factors. In this study, a white matter specific brain age was developed from diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) using a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) deep learning model in both cross-sectional data from UK biobank participants (n = 37327) and a longitudinal subset (n = 1409) with an average of 2.25 years follow up. We achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of white matter brain age prediction of 2.84 years and a Pearson’s r of 0.902 with chronological age in the test participants. The average white matter brain age gap (WMBAG) of the baseline 1409 participants with repeated scans were 0.36 ± 0.11 years younger than that of other participants in the baseline test sample with single time-point MRI scan (n = 9759). Individual vascular risk factors and the cumulative vascular risk score were significantly correlated with greater WMBAG Obesity was observed to be correlated with WMBAG only in the male participants. Participants with one, two, and three or more vascular risk factors, compared to those without any, showed an elevated WMBAG of 0.54, 1.23, and 1.94 years, respectively. Baseline WMBAG was also associated significantly with processing speed, executive and global cognition after Bonferroni correction. The significant associations of diabetes and hypertension with poor processing speed and executive function were found to be mediated through the WMBAG. However, the vascular risk factors did not associate with the two-year change in WMBAG in the longitudinal dataset. Our analysis suggests that tissue-specific brain age can be successfully targeted for the examination of the most relevant risk factors and cognition, although longer-term longitudinal data are needed to demonstrate its dynamic characteristics. The results suggest an intriguing possibility that a white matter brain age gap can serve as a potential neuroimaging biomarker for an individual’s cerebrovascular ageing process.
Influenza Outbreak Prevention and Management in U.S. Carceral Settings: A Scoping Review
Authors: Nguemeni Tiako Max Jordan , Zubiago Julia , Ngassa Yvane , Guardado Rubeen , Munoz Nicolas , Wurcel Alysse G 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundDetention settings’ preparedness against respiratory virus outbreaks is essential, with implications for preventing illness and deaths from future pandemics. We sought to identify influenza outbreak prevention and management evidence in U.S. detention settings.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review, first searching PubMed, OVID, Google Scholar, Medline databases and the reference lists of identified manuscripts published on outbreak prevention and management of influenza in detention settings in English. Search terms included prison, jail, vaccine, influenza, outbreak, management, prevention, carceral.ResultsTwenty-five studies met the search criteria, ultimately narrowed down to seven studies. Four studies focused on prevention and three on management. The studies on prevention identified restructuring housing, vaccinations, and widespread screening to prevent outbreaks and highlighted the importance of collaboration between prison staff and public health departments. The management studies emphasized hygiene, isolation of sick individuals, and vaccination of unexposed patients. Staff expressed the concern that the public may view prisoners as low priority based on prior experiences with influenza vaccine shortages, with a spillover effect in obtaining vaccines and medications for staff. No studies mentioned decarceration as a prevention and mitigation measure.ConclusionThere is limited data on influenza outbreak prevention and management in detention settings. The approaches described are partially in line with public health recommendations but fall short due to lack of, and delays in resource allocation. There is an urgent need for researchers and public health officials to examine and report influenza outbreak prevention and mitigation strategies in detention settings to develop scalable interventions and a national standard for all detention settings.
Strategies to support early- and mid-career cardiovascular researchers to thrive
Authors: Thomas Emma E , Chapman Niamh , de Camargo Catapan Soraia , Climie Rachel E , Wise Steven G. , Mirabito Colafella Katrina M. , Picone Dean S. , Inglis Sally C , Tan Joanne T.M. , Wu Jason , Blekkenhorst Lauren , Calkin Anna C. , Marques Francine Z. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundRecent evidence indicates that high numbers of cardiovascular (CV) researchers have considered leaving the research and academic sector due to lack of job security and low funding success. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop solutions to support the retention of early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs). Here, we aimed to explore the current challenges faced by CV EMCRs, identify solutions to support their career progression and retention, and define a pathway forward to provide a thriving CV EMCR culture in Australia.MethodsAustralian CV EMCRs (<15 years post-PhD; n=34) participated in 90-minute online focus groups (n=7) to examine current CV research culture, equity in career progression and solutions (including a timeframe and level of priority) to overcome challenges to career success. Participants were purposefully grouped based on socio-demographic information, including years post-PhD, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and caring responsibilities.ResultsParticipants identified that current metrics only rewarded a narrow set of successes and did not support a collaborative culture. The current appraisal of career disruption in grant applications was identified as inadequate to address underrepresented researchers, such as women and those from culturally-diverse backgrounds. EMCRs proposed 92 solutions aimed at interpersonal, organisational or external levels, with capacity building and equitable opportunities as key focus areas.ConclusionPragmatic, cost-effective and implementable opportunities were identified to support the career progression of CV EMCRs to create a more sustainable, equitable and supportive workforce. This information can be used to strategically engage key stakeholders to enable CV EMCRs to thrive.
Let’s face it: The lateralization of the face perception network as measured with fMRI is not clearly right dominant
Authors: Thome Ina , García Alanis José C. , Volk Jannika , Vogelbacher Christoph , Steinsträter Olaf , Jansen Andreas 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTThe neural face perception network is distributed across both hemispheres. However, the dominant role in humans is virtually unanimously attributed to the right hemisphere. Interestingly, there are, to our knowledge, no imaging studies that systematically describe the distribution of hemispheric lateralization in the core system of face perception across subjects in large cohorts so far. To address this, we determined the hemispheric lateralization of all core system regions (i.e., occipital face area (OFA), fusiform face area (FFA), posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS)) in 108 healthy subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We were particularly interested in the variability of hemispheric lateralization across subjects and explored how many subjects can be classified as right-dominant based on the fMRI activation pattern. We further assessed lateralization differences between different regions of the core system and analyzed the influence of handedness and sex on the lateralization with a generalized mixed effects regression model. As expected, brain activity was on average stronger in right-hemispheric brain regions than in their left-hemispheric homologues. This asymmetry was, however, only weakly pronounced in comparison to other lateralized brain functions (such as language and spatial attention) and strongly varied between individuals. Only half of the subjects in the present study could be classified as right-hemispheric dominant. Additionally, we did not detect significant lateralization differences between core system regions. Our data did also not support a general leftward shift of hemispheric lateralization in left-handers. Only the interaction of handedness and sex in the FFA revealed that specifically left-handed men were significantly more left-lateralized compared to right-handed males. In essence, our fMRI data did not support a clear right-hemispheric dominance of the face perception network. Our findings thus ultimately question the dogma that the face perception network – as measured with fMRI – can be characterized as “typically right lateralized”.
Latent classes of men’s intimate partner violence perpetration and attitudes towards gender norms: a UN multi-country, cross-sectional study in Asia and the Pacific
Authors: Willie Tiara C. , Katague Marina , Halima Nafisa , Gupta Jhumka 
Published: February 2022

Objective To examine distinct patterns of IPV perpetration and examined gender equitable attitudes as a predictor of these patterns among men from six countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Design 2011-12 UN Multi-country Study on Men and Violence cross-sectional study.
Setting Households in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.
Participants 10,178 men aged 18-49 years residing in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.
Primary outcomes measure Our primary outcome was distinct patterns of IPV perpetration which were derived from multilevel latent class analyses.
Results The odds of being assigned to the Low All Forms of IPV Perpetration class than the High All Forms of IPV Perpetration class was lower for men in the middle tertile group than men in the high tertile group for gender equitable attitudes. The odds of being assigned to the High Emotional IPV Perpetration class than the High All Forms of IPV Perpetration class was greater for men in the low tertile group than men in the high tertile group for gender equitable attitudes. The odds of being assigned to the High Physical/Emotional/Economic IPV Perpetration class than the High All Forms of IPV Perpetration class was lower for men in the low tertile group than men in the high tertile group for gender equitable attitudes.
Conclusions Gender transformative interventions that use an adaptive, personalized approach to men’s typology of IPV perpetration may be beneficial to reduce violence against for women in the Asia-Pacific region.
Flexibility of brain dynamics predicts clinical impairment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Polverino Arianna , Lopez Emahnuel Troisi , Minino Roberta , Liparoti Marianna , Romano Antonella , Trojsi Francesca , Lucidi Fabio , Gollo Leonardo L. , Jirsa Viktor , Sorrentino Giuseppe , Sorrentino Pierpaolo 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem disorder. This view is widely supported by clinical, molecular and neuroimaging evidence. As a consequence, predicting clinical features requires a comprehensive description of large-scale brain activity. Flexible dynamics is key to support complex adaptive responses. In health, brain activity reconfigures over time, involving different brain areas. Brain pathologies can induce more stereotyped dynamics, which, in turn, are linked to clinical impairment. Hence, based on recent evidence that brain functional networks become more connected as ALS progresses, we hypothesized that loss of flexible dynamics in ALS would predict their clinical condition.To test this hypothesis, we quantified flexibility utilizing the “functional repertoire” (i.e. the number of unique patterns) expressed during the magnetoencephalography (MEG) recording, based on source-reconstructed signals. Specifically, 42 ALS patients and 42 healthy controls underwent MEG and MRI recordings. The activity of the brain areas was reconstructed in the classical frequency bands, and the functional repertoire was estimated to quantify spatio-temporal fluctuations of brain activity. In order to verify if the functional repertoire predicted disease severity, we built a multilinear model and validated it using a k-fold cross validation scheme.The comparison between the two groups revealed that ALS patients showed more stereotyped brain dynamics (P < 0.05), with reduced size of the functional repertoire. The relationship between the size of the functional repertoire and the clinical scores in the ALS group was investigated using Spearman’s coefficient, showing significant correlations in both the delta and the theta frequency bands. In order to prove the robustness of our results, the k-fold cross validation model was used. We found that the functional repertoire significantly predicted both clinical staging (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, in delta and theta bands, respectively) and impairment (P < 0.001, in both delta and theta bands).In conclusion, our work shows that: 1) ALS pathology reduces the flexibility of brain dynamics; 2) sub-cortical regions play a key role in determining brain dynamics; 3) reduced brain flexibility predicts the stage of the disease as well as the severity of the symptoms. Based on these findings, our approach provides a non-invasive tool to quantify alterations in brain dynamics in ALS (and, possibly, other neurodegenerative diseases), thus opening new diagnostic opportunities as well as a framework to test disease-modifying interventions.
An mRNA vaccine candidate for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
Authors: Zang Jinkai , Zhang Chao , Yin Yannan , Xu Shiqi , Qiao Weihua , Lavillette Dimitri , Wang Haikun , Huang Zhong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe newly emerged Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contains more than 30 mutations on the spike protein, 15 of which are located within the receptor binding domain (RBD). Consequently, Omicron is able to extensively escape existing neutralizing antibodies and may therefore compromise the efficacy of current vaccines based on the original strain, highlighting the importance and urgency of developing effective vaccines against Omicron. Here we report the rapid generation and evaluation of an mRNA vaccine candidate specific to Omicron. This mRNA vaccine encodes the RBD of Omicron (designated RBD-O) and is formulated with lipid nanoparticle. Two doses of the RBD-O mRNA vaccine efficiently induce neutralizing antibodies in mice; however, the antisera are effective only on the Omicron variant but not on the wildtype and Delta strains, indicating a narrow neutralization spectrum. It is noted that the neutralization profile of the RBD-O mRNA vaccine is opposite to that observed for the mRNA vaccine expressing the wildtype RBD (RBD-WT). Our work demonstrates the feasibility and potency of an RBD-based mRNA vaccine specific to Omicron, providing important information for further development of bivalent or multivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines with broad-spectrum efficacy.
Enterovirus replication and dissemination are differentially controlled by type I and III interferons in the GI tract
Authors: Wells Alexandra I. , Grimes Kalena A. , Coyne Carolyn B. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEnteroviruses are amongst the most common viral infectious agents of humans and cause a broad spectrum of mild-to-severe illness. Enteroviruses are primarily transmitted by the fecal-oral route, but the events associated with their intestinal replication in vivo are poorly defined. Here, we developed a neonatal mouse model of enterovirus infection by the enteral route using echovirus 5 and used this model to define the differential roles of type I and III interferons (IFNs) in enterovirus replication in the intestinal epithelium and subsequent dissemination to secondary tissues. We show that human FcRn, the primary receptor for echoviruses, is essential for intestinal infection by the enteral route and that type I IFNs control dissemination to secondary sites, including the liver. In contrast, type III IFNs limit enterovirus infection in the intestinal epithelium and mice lacking this pathway exhibit persistent epithelial replication. Finally, we show that echovirus infection in the small intestine is cell-type specific and occurs exclusively in enterocytes. These studies define the type-specific roles of IFNs in enterovirus infection of the GI tract and the cellular tropism of echovirus intestinal replication.