bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liberal hospitality
Authors: Wheeler Michael
Published: May 2021

This chapter assesses the Athenæum's 'hospitality' towards a wide range of ideologies and social backgrounds among candidates and members. Non-partisan politically, it accommodated both sides in the Reform debates of the 1830s, with members engaging in pamphlet wars rather than calling for resignations, as happened at the political clubs. Similarly, the pattern of early Rule II elections indicates a willingness to introduce new members of outstanding ability in science, literature, and the arts who were known to be the chief antagonists of equally prominent existing members. The chapter looks at some of the flashpoints in the club's history between 1860 and 1890, when liberal opinion in politics, religion, and science assumed the ascendancy in Britain, and the Athenæum strove to maintain its tradition of tolerance and balance. It is at these flashpoints, and at times when conservative sexual mores influenced public life, that the relationship between national developments and the life of the club, conducted on the margins between the private and the public, is most revealing.
Strangers and brothers
Authors: Wheeler Michael
Published: May 2021

This chapter addresses how, from 1890 to 1914, the Athenæum changed its system of governance and made modifications to the clubhouse. Strenuous efforts were also made, however, to resist proposed changes to the Athenæum's policy on the most controversial subject in Clubland: the admission of 'strangers'. During a period of prosperity for the club, it focused instead upon reaffirming its identity as the leading literary club in London and celebrating the success of its most eminent members. The Athenæum's 'premier position' had been confirmed at the turn of the twentieth century when some of its most gifted members were garlanded with newly established prizes and honours. Honours and awards were bestowed upon individual Athenians so frequently, by the monarch or by learned societies and universities at home and abroad, that the club did not celebrate their successes in any overt way.
‘The secret power of England’
Authors: Wheeler Michael
Published: May 2021

This chapter, which considers the Second World War and its aftermath, reveals how the clubhouse provided a meeting place for those members whose contribution to the war effort kept them in London in 1939, as it had in 1914, and for those engaged in new debates on economic and moral reconstruction which arose before war broke out, continued throughout hostilities, and shaped the national agenda in 1945. In the case of Arthur Bryant's and Sir Charles Waldstein's own club, the 'secret power of England' was to be found in the lives and work not only of its leading politicians and serving officers who ran the war and became household names, but also its moralists, theologians, and economists who applied their minds to the demands of a future peace. Crucial to the war effort were those less well-known civil servants and intelligence officers, scientists, and engineers who used the clubhouse. While valiant efforts were made to maintain the usual services during the war, many aspects of club life were adversely affected. In its domestic economy, the Athenæum's responses to the exigencies of war were often reminiscent of those recorded in 1914–1918; shortages led to all kinds of restrictions.
Cultural revolution
Authors: Wheeler Michael
Published: May 2021

This chapter examines the Athenæum during the period from the mid-1950s to the mid-1980s. While enjoying affectionate teasing by cartoonists, the club tended to stand upon its dignity in the 1950s. Although some aspects of the 'cultural revolution' that so disturbed Richard Cowell at the time created divisions among the membership, others suited the club in the long term, allowing it not only to survive but also to position itself for the process of reinvention that was to take place in later decades. During the 1960s and 1970s, life at the club carried on much as before, in spite of recurrent financial difficulties. The decorous tradition of 'lunch at the Athenæum' had become proverbial in public discourse, as published novels, memoirs, and diaries recorded conversations there in which bonds of friendship were strengthened, or matters of state and church quietly arranged in private.
Indirect Recognition
Authors: Lund Christian
Published: May 2021

This chapter evaluates the impact of the declaration of Mount Halimun-Salak as a national park by the Indonesian government on the property and citizenship of the local population. It analyzes government–citizen encounters in West Java and the dynamics of recognition in the fields of government territorialization, taxation, local organization, and identity politics. If direct claims to resources were impossible to pursue, people would instead lodge indirect claims. In everyday situations, indirect recognition can perform important legal and political work. After the authoritarian New Order regime, in particular, claims to citizenship worked as indirect property claims and as pragmatic proxies for formal property rights. The chapter examines how people struggle over the past, negotiating the constraints of social propriety for legitimation and indirect recognition of their claims.
Occupied!
Authors: Lund Christian
Published: May 2021

This chapter assesses the processes through which property, citizenship, and authority are produced, fabricated, or sometimes conjured up, and the dynamics through which they are reproduced, challenged, undermined, and possibly eliminated. It analyzes how governing institutions in Indonesia have dispossessed different groups of people, and how the categorization of property and citizenship has structured exclusion in rural Java. The chapter then outlines the configuration of recognition and misrecognition of property and political and economic identity claims that effectively entitle actors to possess land. In the process, established categories and entitlements are destabilized, and public authority itself is put on the line. By following the actual relationships, the historical and contingent shifts, the multiple logics and the tensions between them in the two case studies of occupation, the chapter shows how property and citizenship have come about, and how public authority in these domains has been produced as a consequence.
On Track
Authors: Lund Christian
Published: May 2021

This chapter analyzes struggles over urban space in Bandung, a city of some two-and-a-half million inhabitants. It focuses on a particular piece of land, a strip alongside a now inoperative railway line. As infrastructure, it falls within the ambit of government spatial control. Yet the area has become a settlement for ordinary people through an intricate combination of claims. The selection of this urban setting is not a claim that spontaneous privatization is generalized in Indonesia, in its urban areas, or even in Bandung. Instead, it is an example of how privatization can take place even where one would suppose that government control over space is rather strong. If privatization dynamics nonetheless unfold under the nose of government, these are dynamics worth studying in many other places. The chapter then presents a brief outline of the history of informal, unplanned urban settlement in Java.
Preparation of a superposition of squeezed coherent states of a cavity field via coupling to a superconducting charge qubit
Authors: Freitas Dagoberto S.
Published: May 2021

The generation of nonclassical states of a radiation field has become increasingly important in the past years given its various applications in quantum communication. It has been recently proposed a way to engineer quantum states using a SQUID charge qubit inside a cavity with a controllable interaction between the cavity field and the charge qubit. Since decoherence is known to affect quantum effects uninterruptedly and decoherence process are working even when the quantum state is being formed, therefore, is interesting to envisage processes through which quantum superpositions are generated as fast as possible. We succeed in linearizing the Hamiltonian of the system through the application of an appropriate unitary transformation and for certain values of the parameters involved, we show that it is possible to obtain specific Hamiltonians. In this work we will use this approach for preparing superposition of two squeezed coherent states.
Poverty and education in England: a school system in crisis
Authors: Thompson Ian
Published: May 2021

This chapter presents England as the educational outlier in the UK despite the fact that the vast majority of the UK’s pupil population is taught in its schools. England is the only jurisdiction in which the government controls education and the agents of the welfare state, and arguably the one in which a strong neo-liberal commitment to the market dominates. The pronounced neo-liberal stance taken by the Conservative Government blames the so-called ‘underserving poor’, increasingly presented as the ‘non-productive’ groups, for causing the need for welfare provision.
Major education policy initiatives in England are often incoherent and distorted by a neoliberal mind-set around performativity, human capital, and social ‘mobility’. At the same time government policy in England often assumes deficit models which blame both those living in poverty and the teachers who teach them rather than providing adequate resources. This chapter draws on research to argue that addressing the inequality gap in England will require a major policy shift despite the fact that it is already a high-profile policy issue.
Afterword The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic
Authors: Saraceno Chiara , Benassi David , Morlicchio Enrica
Published: May 2021

At the time we were revising the proofs of this book, Italy suddenly became one of the countries most hit by Coronavirus (COVID-19). On 9 March 2020, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree implementing a complete lockdown aimed at ‘avoiding any movement of individuals’. Only a small number of ‘essential activities’ remained open: health services, of course, and food stores, as well as the industrial, agricultural and logistic activities linked to these two sectors. Where possible, working at a social distance was implemented. Where this was not possible, workers were covered by the WGF, which was also extended to people working in small firms and sectors that previously not had such protection. But, given the large amount of very small firms and of self-employed people in Italy, as well as the large numbers of seasonal or temporary workers in tourism and cultural activities, many had neither work nor income protection. Many small enterprises risk not being able to re-open their shops, for example, and those formerly employed in them are facing difficulties in finding work as the lockdown is gradually being lifted – non-food shops, restaurants, cafes, cultural venues, tourism, sports, together with schools and childcare and education services will be the last to be reopened. Tourism in particular, which accounts for 13.2 per cent of GNP in Italy and 14.9 per cent of total employment, will likely continue to suffer the effects of COVID-19 throughout the whole of 2020 and possibly into 2021....
Introduction: Key sociopolitical changes affecting the health and wellbeing of people
Authors: Bonner Adrian
Published: May 2021

This introductory chapter provides an overview of the relationship between health and housing, regional disparities and responses across England, Wales, and Scotland in the provision of health and social care and local authority commissioning. It considers how the Municipal Corporations Act (1835) led to the establishment of elected town councils. In the mid- to late 20th century, municipalisation gave way to centralised government, which subverted the autonomy of local authorities. Currently, social care is provided and funded by local authorities and private funders. The main objective of social care is to help people to live well and happily, and live as long as they can. This person-centred approach is in contrast to the systems that have been developed to support the health care needs of people. In 2020, poverty still remains a key driver of poor health and wellbeing.
Deaths of despair – causes and possible cures
Authors: Burns Harry
Published: May 2021

This chapter discusses the decline in life expectancy in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and other European countries since 2014. This demographic phenomenon appears to be related to underlying social and economic factors, leading to 'deaths of despair'. Social isolation and poor labour market opportunities negatively impact on physical and mental health. There are particular concerns regarding increasing levels of premature deaths in younger age groups. In many cases, deaths are due to drug overdoses, suicide, alcohol-related problems and 'external causes', such as violence and accidents. These social determinants are, to a large extent, influenced by local and national politics. Following the devolution of statutory powers to Scotland and Wales, there are quite distinct health and social care policies emerging across UK regions. The chapter then provides a critique of the hierarchy of needs, proposed by Abraham Maslow in the 1940s, highlighting the pivotal nature of self-actualisation and the spiritual concept of cultural propensity, the capacity of which depends on early life experiences of nurturing and attachment, setting the scene for later lifestyle choices and resilience.
The role of English local authorities in addressing the social determinants of health: a public health perspective
Authors: Gruchy Jeanelle de , McManus Jim
Published: May 2021

This chapter examines the changing positioning of public health, moving between the National Health Service (NHS) and local government. The strategic movement, across both developed and developing countries, from concentrating health resources on communicable disease to a focus on non-communicable disease, is a response to modern epidemics of obesity, alcohol-related diseases, and the politics of health care. However, communicable diseases can still have major health, social, and economic impacts, as demonstrated by the potential pandemic caused by the rapid global of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Clearly, austerity budgets have an effect on the health of particular segments of the population, with those people at the lower end of the social gradient being most affected by both quality of the environment and availability of health and social care. Public Health was incorporated into the NHS in 1974, and then, influenced by the Marmot Review (2010), it was returned to local authorities in 2013. Building on the 'science' of public health, public health professionals have been challenged to develop skills in the 'art' of public health that are required to influence policy change and systems leadership within their wider remit in local authorities.
Strictly come partnering: are health and wellbeing boards the answer?
Authors: Hunter David J.
Published: May 2021

This chapter highlights the need for partnership working, which has been a long-standing objective of health and social policy. For many years, the National Health Service (NHS) and local authorities have been attempting to deal with 'wicked issues'. Issues such as homelessness, disaffection of young people, and the ageing society that have complex multiple causes require joined-up approaches by the statutory and third sectors at national and local levels. In 2012, at the time when Public Health responsibilities were transferred from the NHS to local authorities, health and wellbeing boards (HWBs) were established in England. With few exceptions, HWBs punch below their weight and are not the powerful system leaders that were hoped for. Evidence of their value and impact is negligible, with poor-performance indicators, and the difficulties in overcoming deep-seated departmentalism and a silo approach prevalent in government and public services, leaving 'wicked issues' as deep-seated as ever.
A place-based approach to healthy, happy lives
Authors: Dombey Ruth , Bonner Adrian
Published: May 2021

This chapter outlines innovative approaches to maintain a healthy, happy, and safe community. The wider determinants of health — housing, environment, leisure, income, and education — are well recognised and are just as important as access to good health care. If we want to develop long-term strategies to enable social and cultural change with new models of care, more community-based responsibility for our neighbours and more freedoms and flexibilities to help us make better choices, then the role of place is key. place-based approaches, involving health and social care integration and outcome commissioning, have been developed with a view to a consideration of 'health' in all council planning. This reflects the place-based approach that is being promoted by the London Borough of Sutton as it delegates its statutory duties across the range of services it manages, collaborating with other statutory and third sector organisations within and beyond the two parliamentary constituencies of Sutton and Cheam, and Carshalton and Wallington. A place-based approach to health and wellbeing, in its widest sense, can bring together all parts of the public sector to focus on positive outcomes.
Cultural change and the evolution of community governance: a North‑West England perspective
Authors: Arden Kate , Cunliffe Keith , Cook Penny A.
Published: May 2021

This chapter investigates the response of a local authority in Greater Manchester, Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, to the opportunities afforded by localism, implemented in the face of austerity. The impact of austerity measures imposed by central government amounted to an effective reduction in Wigan Council's budget of 40 per cent phased in over 10 years, and a loss of around a fifth of its workforce. Wigan experienced the fifth highest cut in spending out of all local authorities. The response, the creation of the 'Wigan Deal', is a major transformation programme which is still ongoing at the time of writing. The transformation started in 2012 and is both an approach to manage demand for services as well as a positive change in the understanding and relationship between citizens and public servants.
The role of the third sector working with the hard and soft structures of public–private partnerships to promote individual health and reinvigorated, healthier communities
Authors: Chasteauneuf Tony , Thornton Tony , Pallant Dean
Published: May 2021

This chapter discusses the role of the third sector working with the hard and soft structures of public–private partnerships to promote healthier individuals and communities. It considers how a recommitment to the 'local authority' of citizens and beneficiaries offers the possibility of revitalised and healthier individuals and reinvigorated and healthier communities, which are unachievable through the hard and soft structures of the commissioner/provider statutory approach. The chapter then identifies the pivotal dynamic of one-to-one relationships in these processes and their association with health outcomes (emotional, physical, and spiritual) alongside the opportunities and challenges in agencies engaging/re-engaging with the agency of citizens and beneficiaries. It explores the tension between the 'agency' of citizens and beneficiaries that constitutes bottom-up power and 'agencies' with top-down power. The chapter also looks at the benefits of embracing the expertise and investment of individuals and their communities in their personal and shared lives, how this can be supported and how it can be undermined.
Visions of Just Conservation
Authors: Wienhues Anna , Wienhues Anna
Published: May 2021

This chapter evaluates the debate on just conservation that has developed around the so-called Half-Earth proposal. The Half-Earth proposal was put forward most prominently to a non-expert audience by biologist Edward O. Wilson. Its central idea can be found in earlier work that observed that an average of 50 per cent of every region needs to be protected to conserve biodiversity, which is meant as a partial solution to the current mass extinction event on Earth. It is suggested that this crisis can be mitigated somewhat by 'setting aside' half of the Earth's land and half of sea spaces for nonhuman living beings. Based on the framework developed in the previous chapters, this chapter argues that the Half-Earth proposal can constitute a distributively just compromise between demands of ecological and environmental justice on the question of distribution of space in terms of habitat, but only if several conditions are fulfilled. Moreover, whether it can even constitute an all-things-considered demand of justice is, in turn, again dependent on a range of further considerations. In the end, the aim is not to have merely effective, but also just conservation practices.
Calibration and data extraction in a Stokes polarimeter employing three wavelengths simultaneously
Authors: Aguilar-Fernández Eusebio , Bruce Neil C. , Rodríguez-Herrera Oscar G. , Espinosa-Luna Rafael
Published: May 2021

We present a method for calibration and data extraction for a Stokes polarimeter working with three different wavelengths simultaneously. In the Stokes polarimeter considered in this work, we use two liquid crystal variable retarders (LCVRs) combined with a Glan–Thompson linear polarizer. A recently developed fitting calibration procedure is used. We use the same calibration samples and LCVR voltages for all three wavelengths, giving simultaneous measurement and calibration. We compare the performance of the polarimeter, after calibration, using four or six calibration samples in our experiment. To generate the four known calibration beams, we use a linear polarizer oriented at 130° and 30° with respect to the horizontal, a horizontal linear polarizer followed by a half-wave plate (at 632 nm) with its fast axis at 30°, and a horizontal linear polarizer followed by a quarter-wave plate (at 632 nm) with its fast axis at 30°. For calibration with six reference beams, we add two known calibration beams by setting the fast axis of the half- and quarter-wave plates at 130°. Experimental results show good agreement with the expected results, with the fitting calibration procedure giving an approximately 50% reduction in total RMS error with four calibration samples. There is a negligible reduction in the error when six calibration samples are used compared to the case with four samples.
Photonic reservoir computer using speckle in multimode waveguide ring resonators
Authors: Ashner Matthew N. , Paudel Uttam , Luengo-Kovac Marta , Pilawa Jacob , Valley George C.
Published: May 2021

Photonic reservoir computers (RC) come in single mode ring and multimode array geometries. We propose and simulate a photonic RC architecture using speckle in a multimode waveguide ring resonator that requires neither the ultra-high-speed analog-digital conversion nor the spatial light modulator used in other designs. We show that the equations for propagation around a multimode (MM) ring resonator along with an optical nonlinearity, and optical feedback can be cast exactly in the standard RC form with speckle mixing performing the pseudo-random matrix multiplications. The hyperparameters are the outcoupling efficiency, the nonlinearity saturation intensity, the input bias, and the waveguide properties. In particular, the number of waveguide modes is a measure of the number of effective neurons in the RC. Simulations show a ring using a strongly guiding 50-µm planar waveguide gives 206 effective neurons and excellent predictions of Mackey-Glass waveforms for a broad range of the hyperparameters, while a weakly guiding MM 200-µm diameter fiber gives 4,238 effective neurons and excellent predictions of chaotic solutions of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation. We discuss physical realizations for implementing the system with a chip-scale device or with discrete components and a MM optical fiber.
Footprints to singularity: A global population model explains late 20th century slow-down and predicts peak within ten years
Authors: Bystroff Christopher
Published: May 2021

Projections of future global human population are traditionally made using birth/death trend extrapolations, but these methods ignore limits. Expressing humanity as a K-selected species whose numbers are limited by the global carrying capacity produces a different outlook. Population data for the second millennium up to the year 1970 was fit to a hyper-exponential growth equation, where the rate constant for growth itself grows exponentially due to growth of life-saving technology. The discrepancies between the projected growth and the actual population data since 1970 are accounted for by a decrease in the global carrying capacity due to ecosystem degradation. A system dynamics model that best fits recent population numbers suggests that the global biocapacity may already have been reduced to one-half of its historical value and global carrying capacity may be at its 1965 level and falling. Simulations suggest that population may soon peak or may have already peaked. Population projections depend strongly on the unknown fragility or robustness of the Earth’s essential ecosystem services that affect agricultural production. Numbers for the 2020 global census were not available for this study.
How to improve automated external defibrillator placement for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests: A case study
Authors: Aeby Dylan , Staeger Philippe , Dami Fabrice
Published: May 2021

Introduction

In out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs), the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) by a bystander remains low, as AEDs may be misplaced with respect to the locations of OHCAs. As the distribution of historical OHCAs is potentially predictive of future OHCA locations, the purpose of this study is to assess AED positioning with regard to past locations of OHCAs, in order to improve the efficiency of public access defibrillation programs.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study from 2014 to 2018. The locations of historical OHCAs and AEDs were loaded into a geodata processing tool. Median distances between AEDs were collected, as well as the number and rates of OHCAs covered (distance of <100 meters from the nearest AED). Areas with high densities of uncovered OHCAs (hotspots) were identified in order to propose the placement of additional AEDs. Areas over-covered by AEDs (overlays) were also identified in order to propose the relocation of overlapping AEDs.

Results

There were 2,971 OHCA, 79.3% of which occurred at home, and 633 AEDs included in the study. The global coverage rate was 7.5%. OHCAs occurring at home had a coverage rate of 4.5%. Forty hotspots were identified, requiring the same number of additional AEDs. The addition of these would increase the coverage from 7.5% to 17.6%. Regarding AED overlays, 17 AEDs were found to be relocatable without reducing the AED coverage of historical OHCAs.

Discussion

This study confirms that geodata tools can assess AED locations and increase the efficiency of their placement. Historical hotspots and AED overlays should be considered, with the aim of efficiently relocating or adding AEDs. At-home OHCAs should become a priority target for future public access defibrillation programs as they represent the majority of OHCAs but have the lowest AED coverage rates.
Virtual tourism for older adults living in residential care: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Fiocco Alexandra J. , Millett Geneva , D’Amico Danielle , Krieger Laura , Sivashankar Yadurshana , Lee Seung Hwan , Lachman Richard
Published: May 2021

Due to financial and mobility barriers, a majority of older adults living in collective dwellings are no longer able to engage in tourism, a leisure activity that contributes to quality of life and wellbeing. Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) may serve as a programmatic tool to facilitate tourism. This pilot study examined the effects of VR tourism exposure on indices of psychosocial wellbeing among older adults living in residential care. Using a mixed-methods study design, 18 older adults were exposed to VR tourism three times a week, over six weeks. Participants reported decreased anxiety and fatigue immediately following exposure, and increased social engagement and quality of life following six weeks of VR tourism. Qualitative data offered additional insight on the process by which VR tourism may enhance wellbeing. Findings suggest that immersive VR tourism may be a viable program for older adults in residential care.
A scoping review on biomedical journal peer review guides for reviewers
Authors: Song Eunhye , Ang Lin , Park Ji-Yeun , Jun Eun-Young , Kim Kyeong Han , Jun Jihee , Park Sunju , Lee Myeong Soo
Published: May 2021

Background

Peer review is widely used in academic fields to assess a manuscript’s significance and to improve its quality for publication. This scoping review will assess existing peer review guidelines and/or checklists intended for reviewers of biomedical journals and provide an overview on the review guidelines.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED) databases were searched for review guidelines from the date of inception until February 19, 2021. There was no date restriction nor article type restriction. In addition to the database search, websites of journal publishers and non-publishers were additionally hand-searched.

Results

Of 14,633 database publication records and 24 website records, 65 publications and 14 websites met inclusion criteria for the review (78 records in total). From the included records, a total of 1,811 checklist items were identified. The items related to Methods, Results, and Discussion were found to be the highly discussed in reviewer guidelines.

Conclusion

This review identified existing literature on peer review guidelines and provided an overview of the current state of peer review guides. Review guidelines were varying by journals and publishers. This calls for more research to determine the need to use uniform review standards for transparent and standardized peer review.

Protocol registration

The protocol for this study has been registered at Research Registry (www.researchregistry.com): reviewregistry881.
Impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol versus standard of care on postoperative Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): A meta-analysis
Authors: Shen Whenzhen , Wu Zehao , Wang Yunlu , Sun Yi , Wu Anshi
Published: May 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common postoperative complication with an incidence of nearly 15%. Relatively balanced fluid management, flexible use of vasoactive drugs, multimodal analgesia containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are fundamental to ERAS protocols. However, these basic tenants may lead to an increased incidence of postoperative AKI.

Methods

A search was done in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and reference lists to identify relevant studies from inception until May 2020 to be included in this study. Effects were summarized using pooled risk ratios (RRs), mean differences (MDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (Cls) with random effect model. Heterogeneity assessment, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were performed.

Results

A systematic review of nineteen cohort studies covering 17,205 patients, comparing impact of ERAS with conventional care on postoperative AKI was performed. Notably, the ERAS regimen did not increase the incidence of postoperative AKI compared with standard care (RR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.52; I2 = 53%). Both goal-directed fluid therapy (RR: 1.26; 95% CI: 0.99–1.61; I2 = 55%) and restrictive fluid management (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.57–1.98; I2 = 60%) had no significant effect on the incidence of postoperative AKI. There was no significant statistical difference between different AKI diagnostic criteria (P = 0.43; I2 = 0%). ERAS group had significantly shorter hospital stay (MD: −1.54; 95% CI: −1.91 to −1.17; I2 = 66%). There was no statistical difference in 30-day readmission rate (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.20; I2 = 42%), 30-day reoperation rate (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.34; I2 = 42%) and mortality (RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.11; I2 = 0%) between the two groups.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that ERAS protocols do not increase readmission or reoperation rates and mortality while significantly reducing LOS. Most importantly, the ERAS protocol was shown to have no promoting effect on the incidence of postoperative AKI. Even GDFT and restrictive fluid management cannot avoid the occurrence of postoperative AKI, and the ERAS protocol is still worth recommending and its safety is further confirmed.
Combining SIMS and mechanistic modelling to reveal nutrient kinetics in an algal-bacterial mutualism
Authors: Laeverenz Schlogelhofer Hannah , Peaudecerf François J. , Bunbury Freddy , Whitehouse Martin J. , Foster Rachel A. , Smith Alison G. , Croze Ottavio A.
Published: May 2021

Microbial communities are of considerable significance for biogeochemical processes, for the health of both animals and plants, and for biotechnological purposes. A key feature of microbial interactions is the exchange of nutrients between cells. Isotope labelling followed by analysis with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can identify nutrient fluxes and heterogeneity of substrate utilisation on a single cell level. Here we present a novel approach that combines SIMS experiments with mechanistic modelling to reveal otherwise inaccessible nutrient kinetics. The method is applied to study the onset of a synthetic mutualistic partnership between a vitamin B12-dependent mutant of the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the B12-producing, heterotrophic bacterium Mesorhizobium japonicum, which is supported by algal photosynthesis. Results suggest that an initial pool of fixed carbon delays the onset of mutualistic cross-feeding; significantly, our approach allows the first quantification of this expected delay. Our method is widely applicable to other microbial systems, and will contribute to furthering a mechanistic understanding of microbial interactions.
Optimal layout of tourist toilets using resilience theory: An empirical study on Dunhua City in ethnic region of China
Authors: Han Ling , Cheng Yeqing , Cui Zhehao , Xi Guangliang
Published: May 2021

The provision of adequate and equitable sanitation services is one of the world’s urgent challenges. Optimizing the layout of tourist toilets is key to both meeting the sanitation demand of the visiting public and building an inclusive and civilised society. Nevertheless, the need for a consistent optimization of tourist toilets is overlooked in developing countries, especially in ethnic regions that are highly dependent on tourism. Taking Dunhua, a city in an ethnic region renowned for tourism on China’s border with North Korea as an example, this study enables an optimization framework of a comprehensive tourist toilet layout based on Holling’s concept of resilience by constructing an AHP index, obtaining Point of Interest (POI) data through Python, and aided by GIS visual analysis and Location-allocation (LA) modelling, aiming to support scientific planning and decision making of public facilities in tourist destinations like Dunhua. It also serves as a reference for places of tourism in other countries dedicated to promoting ecotourism and public health.
Effects of salbutamol on the kinetics of sevoflurane and the occurrence of early postoperative pulmonary complications in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Jiang Huayong , Wu Xiujuan , Lian Shumei , Zhang Changfeng , Liu Shuyun , Jiang Zongming
Published: May 2021

Bronchodilators dilate the bronchi and increase lung volumes, thereby improving respiratory physiology in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, their effects on sevoflurane kinetics remain unknown. We aimed to determine whether inhaled salbutamol affected the wash-in and wash-out kinetics of sevoflurane and the occurrence of early postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients with COPD undergoing elective surgery. This randomized, placebo-controlled study included 63 consecutive patients with COPD allocated to the salbutamol (n = 30) and control groups (n = 33). The salbutamol group received salbutamol aerosol (2 puffs of ~200 μg) 30 min before anesthesia induction and 30 min before surgery completion. The control group received a placebo. Sevoflurane kinetics were determined by collecting end-tidal samples from the first breaths at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 15 min before the surgery (wash-in) and after closing the vaporizer (wash-out). PPCs were recorded for 7 days. The salbutamol group had higher end-tidal to inhaled sevoflurane ratios (p<0.05, p<0.01) than the control group, from 3 to 10 min during the wash-in period, but no significant differences were observed during the wash-out period. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen to the fraction of inhaled oxygen was significantly higher in the salbutamol group at 30 (320.3±17.6 vs. 291.5±29.6 mmHg; p = 0.033) and 60 min (327.8±32.3 vs. 309.2±30.5 mmHg; p = 0.003). The dead space to tidal volume ratios at 30 (20.5±6.4% vs. 26.3±6.0%, p = 0.042) and 60 min (19.6±5.1% vs. 24.8±5.5%, p = 0.007) and the incidence of bronchospasm (odds ratio [OR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–0.67, p = 0.023) and respiratory infiltration (OR 0.52, 95% CI, 0.40–0.65, p = 0.017) were lower in the salbutamol group. In patients with COPD, salbutamol accelerates the wash-in rate of sevoflurane and decreases the occurrence of postoperative bronchospasm and pulmonary infiltration within the first 7 days.
The smoking paradox in ischemic stroke patients treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis in combination with mechanical thrombectomy–VISTA-Endovascular
Authors: Kufner Anna , Ali Huma Fatima , Ebinger Martin , Fiebach Jochen B. , Liebeskind David S. , Endres Matthias , Siegerink Bob ,   on behalf of the VISTA-Endovascular Collaborators
Published: May 2021

Background

The smoking-paradox of a better outcome in ischemic stroke patients who smoke may be due to increased efficacy of thrombolysis. We investigated the effect of smoking on outcome following endovascular therapy (EVT) with mechanical thrombectomy alone versus in combination with intra-arterial (IA-) thrombolysis.

Methods

The primary endpoint was defined by three-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We performed a generalized linear model and reported relative risks (RR) for smoking (adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, stroke severity, time to EVT) in patient data stemming from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive—Endovascular database.

Results

Among 1,497 patients, 740(49.4%) were randomized to EVT; among EVT patients, 524(35.0%) received mechanical thrombectomy alone and 216(14.4%) received it in combination with IA-thrombolysis. Smokers (N = 396) had lower mRS scores (mean 2.9 vs. 3.2; p = 0.02) and mortality rates (10% vs. 17.3%; p<0.001) in univariate analysis. In all patients and in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy alone, smoking had no effect on outcome in regression analyses. In patients who received IA-thrombolysis (N = 216;14%), smoking had an adjusted RR of 1.65 for an mRS≤1 (95%CI 0.77–3.55). Treatment with IA-thrombolysis itself led to reduced RR for favorable outcome (adjusted RR 0.30); interaction analysis of IA-thrombolysis and smoking revealed that non-smokers with IA-thrombolysis had mRS≤2 in 47 cases (30%, adjusted RR 0.53 [0.41–0.69]) while smokers with IA-thrombolysis had mRS≤2 in 23 cases (38%, adjusted RR 0.61 [0.42–0.87]).

Conclusions

Smokers had no clear clinical benefit from EVT that incorporates IA-thrombolysis.
Trends of HIV/Syphilis/HSV-2 seropositive rate and factors associated with HSV-2 infection in men who have sex with men in Shenzhen, China: A retrospective study
Authors: Mao Sha-Sha , Feng Shui-Dong , Zheng Chen-Li , Hu Wei , Li Hao , Tang Jie , Yang Zheng-Rong , Zhao Jin
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To analyze the trends of HIV/syphilis/HSV-2 seropositive rate and explore the related factors with HSV-2 infection to provide the basis for adjusting STD intervention strategies and formulating prevention and control measures among MSM in Shenzhen.

Methods

Time-location sampling was conducted among MSM in Shenzhen in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Data on demographics, sexual behaviors and the laboratory test results of HIV, syphilis, HSV-2 were collected. The χ2 trend test was used to analyze the trends of HIV/syphilis/HSV-2 seropositive rate. The binary logistic regression model was used to explore the factors associated with HSV-2 infection.

Results

The seropositive rate of HIV fell significantly from 15.9% in 2012 to 8.7% in 2018 (Ptrend = 0.003), syphilis seropositive rate was significantly decreased from 20.4% in 2012 to 14.8% in 2018 (Ptrend = 0.025), HSV-2 seropositive rate had no significant change (16.7% in 2012 to 14.0% in 2018; Ptrend = 0.617). In principal component logistic regression analysis showed that FAC1_1 (X1 = Ever had sex with female, X2 = Gender of first sexual partner, X3 = Marital status, X4 = Age group), FAC2_1 (X5 = Education, X6 = Monthly income (RMB), X7 = Frequency of condom use in anal sex with men in the past 6 months), and FAC4_1 (X9 = History of STDs) were significantly associated with HSV-2 infection.

Conclusions

The seropositive rates of HIV and syphilis have dropped significantly but are still high. HSV-2 seropositive rate had no significant change and maintained a high level. It is necessary to continue strengthening HIV and syphilis interventions among MSM in Shenzhen. HSV-2 detection and intervention are urgently required for MSM, which might be another effective biological strategy further to control the HIV epidemic among MSM in Shenzhen.
Relationship between proteinuria and optical coherence tomographic features of the chorioretina in patients with pre-eclampsia
Authors: Shim Kyu Young , Bae Jin Gon , Lee Jae Kyoung , Kim Yu Cheol
Published: May 2021

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the correlation between ophthalmologic factors and proteinuria in patients with pre-eclampsia using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography. In total, 61 pregnant patients diagnosed with pre-eclampsia were recruited during their hospital stay. The authors investigated the relationship between urine protein–creatinine ratio (PCR) and chorioretinal measurements including choroidal thickness (CT), choroidal vascularity index (CVI), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vascular density (VD), ganglion cell layer+ (GCL+) and GCL++. The associations between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and ophthalmologic factors were also evaluated. Central subfield CT of the right eye (p = 0.031) and paracentral CT of both eyes were related to higher PCR (≥1.35 mg/mg). A significant association with PCR after logarithm transformation was noted (r = 0.284, p = 0.026). Retinal measurements (FAZ, VD, GCL+ and GCL++) and CVI were not related with PCR. There was a positive association between MAP and PCR after logarithm transformation (r = 0.296, p = 0.021); however, chorioretinal factors were not related with MAP. In pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, CT using OCT is a novel factor that is correlated with PCR. Ocular structural alteration in patients with pre-eclampsia may be one of systemic vascular changes caused by pre-eclampsia rather than hypertension.
Suicide along the Australian coast: Exploring the epidemiology and risk factors
Authors: Lawes Jasmin C. , Peden Amy E. , Bugeja Lyndal , Strasiotto Luke , Daw Shane , Franklin Richard C.
Published: May 2021

Suicide is an increasing global concern with multiple risk factors, yet location-based understanding is limited. In Australia, surf lifesavers (SLS) and lifeguards patrol the coast, performing rescues and assisting injured people, including people who suicide. This study is a descriptive epidemiological analysis of Australian coastal suicide deaths. The results will be used to inform training and support surf lifesaving personnel and suicide prevention organisations. This is a population-based cross-sectional study of suicide deaths at Australian coastal locations (between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2019). Data were sourced from the National Coronial Information System and SLS Australia’s Incident Report Database. Analyses explored decedent, incident, and risk factors by sex and method. Across the study period, there were 666 coastal suicide deaths (71.0% male, 43.4% jumping from high places [X80]). Males were more likely to suicide by other means (hanging, self-poisoning, firearm discharge; n = 145, 83.8%), compared to females who were more likely to suicide by drowning ([X71]; n = 77, 37.7%). In one third (n = 225, 38.3%) toxicology was a contributing factor. The risk of coastal suicides was 10.3 times higher during the seven-days prior to their birthday (p<0.001). Evidence of mental ill health was reported in 61.4% (n = 409) of cases and evidence of suicidal behaviour was reported for 37.4% of decedents (n = 249), more prevalent in females. SLS responded in 10.7% (n = 71) of coastal suicides (most jumps from high places; n = 36, 50.7%). Coastal suicides differ to national trends suggesting that location-based differences should be considered during development of preventative and protective measures, especially at a community level. Accessibility, availability, perceived lethality and symbolic qualities are proposed to influence suicide location decisions. These results will guide support and education strategies for surf lifesaving personnel, contributes to established, ongoing suicide surveillance efforts (including hot-spot identification) and add to the limited literature exploring place-based suicide.
Xylem, phloem and transpiration flows in developing European plums
Authors: Winkler Andreas , Knoche Moritz
Published: May 2021

Neck shrivel is a quality disorder of European plum (Prunus × domesticaL.). It has been suggested that backflow in the xylem (from fruit to tree) could contribute to the incidence of neck shrivel in plum. The objective was to quantify rates of xylem, phloem and of transpiration flow in developing plum fruit. Using linear variable displacement transducers, changes in fruit volume were recorded 1) in un-treated control fruit, 2) in fruit that had their pedicels steam-girdled (phloem interrupted, xylem still functional) and 3) in detached fruit, left in the canopy (xylem and phloem interrupted). Xylem flow rates were occasionally negative in the early hours after sunrise, indicating xylem sap backflow from fruit to tree. Later in the day, xylem flows were positive and generally higher in daytime and lower at night. Significant phloem flow occurred in daytime, but ceased after sunset. During stage II (but not during stage III), the rates of xylem flow and transpiration were variable and closely related to atmospheric vapor pressure deficit. The relative contribution of xylem inflow to total sap inflow averaged 79% during stage II, decreasing to 25% during stage III. In contrast, phloem sap inflow averaged 21% of total sap inflow during stage II, increasing to 75% in stage III. Our results indicate that xylem backflow occurs early in the day. However, xylem backflow rates are considered too low to significantly contribute to the incidence of neck shrivel.