bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loneliness and health expectancy among older adults: A longitudinal population‐based study
Authors: Malhotra Rahul , Tareque Md. Ismail , Saito Yasuhiko , Ma Stefan , Chiu Chi‐Tsun , Chan Angelique
Published: July 2021

Background

The population health impact of loneliness remains unknown. We quantified the impact of loneliness on total life expectancy (TLE) and health expectancy (the duration of remaining life lived in different health states) among older adults, aged ≥60 years.

Design

Multistate life table analysis of a nationally representative longitudinal survey.

Setting

Singapore.

Participants

Survey participants (n = 3449) interviewed in 2009, 2011–12, and 2015.

Measurements

Health states were defined using self‐rated health (SRH) status and activity of daily living (ADL)/instrumental ADL (IADL) status. Participants with somewhat or very unhealthy SRH were considered as unhealthy. Those reporting health‐related difficulty with any ADL/IADL were considered to have limitation in ADLs/IADLs. TLE and health expectancy (healthy and unhealthy life expectancy (HLE and UHLE) in the context of SRH, and active and inactive life expectancy (ALE and IALE) in the context of ADLs/IADLs) were estimated using the multistate life table method with a microsimulation approach, considering loneliness as time varying.

Results

At age 60, 70, and 80, those sometimes lonely or mostly lonely generally had shorter TLE, HLE and ALE, similar UHLE and IALE, and a higher proportion of remaining life with unhealthy SRH or with ADL/IADL limitations versus those never lonely. For example, at the age of 60, those sometimes lonely versus never lonely had shorter TLE (by 5.4 [95% Confidence Interval: 3.4–7.9] years), shorter HLE (by 5.9 [4.1–8.6] years), similar UHLE (difference: 0.6 [−0.7–1.7] years), and higher proportion of remaining life with unhealthy SRH (by 6.2 [1.2–10.8] percentage points). For those mostly lonely versus never lonely, TLE was shorter by 3.6 (0.7–6.6) years, HLE was shorter by 4.8 (2.3–8.2) years, UHLE was similar (difference: 1.2 [−0.1–4.0] years), and proportion of remaining life with unhealthy SRH was higher by 7.2 (2.1–18.1) percentage points.

Conclusion

Identification and management of loneliness may increase years of life with healthy SRH and without limitation in ADLs/IADLs among older adults.
Scoping review of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment studies in Khmer populations living in Cambodia
Authors: Windus Janelle L. , Burrows Tracy L. , Duncanson Kerith , Collins Clare E. , Rollo Megan E.
Published: July 2021

Background

This scoping review aims to describe the body of nutrition intervention and dietary assessment research undertaken with Khmer populations in Cambodia, as well as summarise the nutrition knowledge base and highlight priority areas for future research.

Methods

Five databases and the grey literature were searched, following PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Studies involving dietary assessment or nutrition interventions published after 1992 were identified using specific search terms and extracted to a customised data extraction table for categorisation and analysis. Study participants were Khmer people of any age and gender, living in rural or urban Cambodia.

Results

Of the 100 included studies, 58 were dietary assessment only studies, 24 were nutrition interventions only, and 18 studies involved both assessment of intake and an intervention. Sixty‐eight percent of study populations were mothers and young children, of which 52 studies focused on children aged under 5 years. Nineteen interventions involved supplementation and six trialled fortification of rice or fish sauce. Anaemia was the most common nutrition condition studied (n = 17), followed by malnutrition (n = 15) and malnutrition risk factors (n = 11). General nutrition status was explored in 25 studies, and individual micronutrients that were studied included iron (n = 27), zinc (n = 6), vitamin A (n = 4) and thiamine (n = 3).

Conclusions

Diet‐related research in Khmer populations in Cambodia has predominantly focused on dietary assessment or evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing malnutrition and resolving micronutrient deficiencies. Areas identified as emerging needs included non‐communicable diseases, the ageing population and non‐iron deficiency anaemia.
Higher refined cereal grain intake is positively associated with apnoea‐hypopnoea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Kechribari Ioanna , Kontogianni Meropi D. , Georgoulis Michael , Lamprou Kallirroi , Vagiakis Emmanouil , Yiannakouris Nikos
Published: July 2021

Background

Given that obesity is a well‐known risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) development, dietary habits may be involved in its pathogenesis. However, little is known about the associations between dietary habits and OSA severity. The present study aimed to investigate possible associations between cereal grain intake and apnoea/hypopnoea indices in OSA patients.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of 269 patients (21–70 years; 73.2% males) diagnosed with OSA via an attended in‐hospital polysomnography. Information on demographics, medical history, anthropometric indices and lifestyle habits were collected at enrolment. Biochemical measurements were performed in all study participants using standard procedures. Cereal grain consumption was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Severe OSA was defined as having an apnoea‐hypopnoea index ≥30 events h–1.

Results

In adjusted analyses, higher intake of refined cereal grains was positively associated with apnoea‐hypopnoea index (ptrend = 0.022), after adjusting for age, sex, socio‐economic parameters, smoking habits, waist circumference, physical activity level, adequacy of night‐time sleep, diet's quality as assessed by a relevant score, insulin resistance and C‐reactive protein levels). Multiple logistic regression analysis also showed that energy‐adjusted refined grain intake was associated with increased likelihood of severe OSA (odds ratio = 1.56, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–2.30). Νo association between apnoea/hypopnoea indices and non‐refined grain intake was observed in this study.

Conclusions

The findings show that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with cereal grain intake and suggest that a higher intake of refined cereal grains may be a risk factor for OSA severity.
GeoPS: An interactive visual computing tool for thermodynamic modelling of phase equilibria
Authors: Xiang Hua , Connolly James A. D.
Published: July 2021

The availability of thermodynamic data for geologically relevant phases has made practical the calculation of stable phase relations throughout the mantle and crust of terrestrial planets. GeoPS (http://www.geops.org) is a program designed for this purpose in which both input and output are done through an intuitive graphical user interface. GeoPS provides a wide range of phase equilibrium calculations based on a novel Gibbs energy minimization algorithm. The algorithm provides for exceptionally robust and computationally efficient solution to the phase equilibrium problem by successive alternation between a linear programming step to identify stable phase compositions and a non‐linear programming step to refine the compositions estimated during the linear programming. Applications include calculation of various types of phase diagrams and path‐dependent phase fractionation. By combining an easy‐to‐use graphical user interface with a robust and efficient solver, GeoPS makes phase equilibrium modelling accessible to researchers and students with minimal training and provides a powerful tool for understanding natural phase relations and for planning experimental work.
Exploring confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and fluorescence staining as a tool for imaging and quantifying traces of marine microbioerosion and their trace‐making microendoliths
Authors: Schätzle Philipp‐Konrad , Wisshak Max , Bick Andreas , Freiwald André , Kieneke Alexander
Published: July 2021

Microscopic organisms that penetrate calcareous structures by actively dissolving the carbonate matrix, namely microendoliths, have an important influence on the breakdown of marine carbonates. The study of these microorganisms and the bioerosion traces they produce is crucial for understanding the impact of their bioeroding activity on the carbonate recycling in environments under global climate change. Traditionally, either the extracted microendoliths were studied by conventional microscopy or their traces were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of epoxy resin casts. A visualisation of the microendoliths in situ, that is within their complex microbioerosion structures, was previously limited to the laborious and time‐consuming double‐inclusion cast‐embedding technique. Here, we assess the applicability of various fluorescence staining methods in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) for the study of fungal microendoliths in situ in partly translucent mollusc shells. Among the tested methods, specific staining with dyes against the DNA (nuclei) of the trace making organisms turned out to be a useful and reproducible approach. Bright and clearly delineated fluorescence signals of microendolithic nuclei allow, for instance, a differentiation between abandoned and still populated microborings. Furthermore, infiltrating the microborings with fluorescently stained resin seems to be of great capability for the visualisation and quantification of microbioerosion structures in their original spatial orientation. Potential fields of application are rapid assessments of endolithic bio‐ and ichnodiversity and the quantification of the impact of microendoliths on the overall calcium carbonate turnover. The method can be applied after CLSM of the stained microendoliths and retains the opportunity for a subsequent investigation of epoxy casts with SEM. This allows a three‐fold approach in studying microendoliths in the context of their microborings, thereby fostering the integration of biological and ichnological aspects of microbial bioerosion.
The effect of training on treatment adherence in coronary artery patients: A single‐blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Doğan Uğur , Ovayolu Nimet
Published: July 2021

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of training, given by the nurses to coronary artery patients, on treatment adherence of the patients.

Background

Treatment adherence can be defined as adherence of drug use and healthy lifestyle habits to healthcare recommendations. Training programmes enable to reduce healthcare expenditures and risk of mortality by increasing treatment adherence.

Design

This study is a single‐blind randomised controlled trial. The requirements of CONSORT statement were followed. The study was registered with clinicaltrial.gov. NCT04556006.

Methods

The study was conducted with 58 patients hospitalised in the cardiology clinic of a state hospital (intervention = 30 and control = 28). Personal information form, anthropometric measurements, Framingham risk score and compliance questionnaire were used to collect the data. After the first data of the patients were collected, the training on treatment adherence was provided to those in the intervention group. The content of the training was repeated in 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th weeks. At the end of 12th week, the data of the patients in both groups were collected again and evaluated.

Results

Compliance questionnaire scores were 22.53 ± 5.48 in the intervention group and 22.25 ± 7.02 in the control group at the beginning of the study (p > .05); whereas, they were 32.33 ± 4.82 in the intervention group and 24.04 ± 5.98 in the control group at the end of 12th week (p < .001). Improvement was observed in anthropometric measurements (weight, body mass index, waist circumference and hip circumference) of the patients in the intervention group.

Conclusion

Planned training given to coronary artery patients contributed positively to treatment adherence and anthropometric measurements.

Relevance to clinical practice

While evaluating treatment adherence, not focussing on a single area, interrelated adherence areas should be evaluated together. The prepared adherence guide can be used in adherence training programmes to be applied on different societies.

Clinical trial registration number

The study was registered with clinicaltrial.gov (NCT04556006).
Glioblastoma radiomics to predict survival: Diffusion characteristics of surrounding nonenhancing tissue to select patients for extensive resection
Authors: Pasquini Luca , Di Napoli Alberto , Napolitano Antonio , Lucignani Martina , Dellepiane Francesco , Vidiri Antonello , Villani Veronica , Romano Andrea , Bozzao Alessandro
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary CNS neoplasm with poor overall survival (OS) despite standard of care. On MRI, GBM is usually characterized by an enhancing portion (CET) (surgery target) and a nonenhancing surrounding (NET). Extent of resection is a long debated issue in GBM, with recent evidence suggesting that both CET and NET should be resected in <65 years old patients, regardless of other risk factors (i.e., molecular biomarkers). Our aim was to test a radiomic model for patient survival stratification in <65 years old patients, by analyzing MRI features of NET, to aid tumor resection.

Methods

Sixty‐eight <65 years old GBM patients, with extensive CET resection, were selected. Resection was evaluated by manually segmenting CET on volumetric T1‐weighted MRI pre and postsurgery (within 72 h). All patients underwent the same treatment protocol including chemoradiation. NET radiomic features were extracted with a custom version of Pyradiomics. Feature selection was performed with principal component analysis (PCA) and its effect on survival tested with Cox regression model. Twelve months OS discrimination was tested by t‐test followed by logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The most relevant features were identified from the component matrix.

Results

Five PCA components (PC1‐5) explained 90% of the variance. PC5 resulted significant in the Cox model (p = 0.002; exp(B) = 0.686), at t‐test (p = 0.002) and logistic regression analysis (p = 0.006). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)‐based features were the most significant for patient survival stratification.

Conclusions

ADC radiomic features on NET predict survival after standard therapy and could be used to improve patient selection for more extensive surgery.
Equivalence between fixed fee and ad valorem profit royalty
Authors: Colombo Stefano , Ma Siyu , Sen Debapriya , Tauman Yair
Published: July 2021

For an outside innovator with a finite number of buyers of the innovation, this paper compares two licensing schemes: (i) fixed fee, in which a licensee pays a fee to the innovator and (ii) ad valorem profit royalty, in which a licensee leaves a fraction of its profit with the innovator. We show these two schemes are equivalent in that for any number of licenses the innovator puts for sale, these two schemes give the same licensing revenue. We obtain this equivalence result in a general model with minimal structure. It is then applied in a Cournot oligopoly for an outside innovator. Finally, in a Cournot duopoly it is shown that when the innovator is one of the incumbent firms rather than an outsider, the equivalence result does not hold.
Short communication: Effects of breeder age and pre‐placement feed on IgY concentration in egg yolk and chick serum
Authors: Cardeal Paula Costa , Araújo Itallo Conrado Sousa , Vaz Diego Pereira , Abreu Anna Rosa Chagas , Melo Érica Faria , Saldanha Mariana Masseo , Pompeu Mariana Andre , Lara Leonardo José Carmagos
Published: July 2021

Breeder age and pre‐placement feed are factors that can affect broiler performance during grow out. This study evaluated the effects of breeder age (29 and 55 weeks old) on IgY transference to egg yolk in addition to the effects of breeder age (29 and 55 weeks old) and pre‐placement feed (with or without), in a factorial arrangement, on IgY concentration in chick serum. Forty‐eight eggs were collected from a breeder flock and considered the experimental units. Eighteen chicks from each breeder age were randomly selected to determine IgY at pulling. After 48 h of placement, old breeders had greater egg weight and yolk weight (p ≤ 0.05) than the young ones. Breeder age (p > 0.05) had no effect on IgY concentration of egg yolk. Breeder age (p > 0.05) had no effect on IgY concentration of chick serum at pulling. There was no interaction (p > 0.05) between breeder age and pre‐placement feed for IgY concentration of chick serum at housing. There was also no effect of breeder age or pre‐placement feed during placement time (48 h) on IgY concentration of chick serum at housing (p > 0.05). In conclusion, 48 h of fasting had no effect on IgY concentration in chick serum despite breeder age. It appears that the immunoglobulins from the residual yolk sac are not used as a protein source during the period between hatching and housing.
Lichen fungi do not depend on the alga for ATP production: A comment on Pogoda et al. (2018)
Authors: Tagirdzhanova Gulnara , McCutcheon John P. , Spribille Toby
Published: July 2021

Lichen fungi live in a symbiotic association with unicellular phototrophs and most have no known aposymbiotic stage. A recent study in Molecular Ecology postulated that some of them have lost mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and rely on their algal partners for ATP. This claim originated from an apparent lack of ATP9, a gene encoding one subunit of ATP synthase, from a few mitochondrial genomes. Here, we show that while these fungi indeed have lost the mitochondrial ATP9, each retain a nuclear copy of this gene. Our analysis reaffirms that lichen fungi produce their own ATP.
Verticillium dahliae secreted protein Vd424Y is required for full virulence, targets the nucleus of plant cells, and induces cell death
Authors: Liu Lisen , Wang Zhaohan , Li Jianing , Wang Ye , Yuan Jiachen , Zhan Jingjing , Wang Peng , Lin Yongjun , Li Fuguang , Ge Xiaoyang
Published: July 2021

Fungal pathogens secrete effector proteins that regulate host immunity and can suppress basal defence mechanisms against colonization in plants. Verticillium dahliae is a widespread and destructive soilborne fungus that can cause vascular wilt disease and reduces plant yields. However, little is currently known about how the effectors secreted by V. dahliae function. In this study, we analysed and identified 34 candidate effectors in the V. dahliae secretome and found that Vd424Y, a glycoside hydrolase family 11 protein, was highly upregulated during the early stages of V. dahliae infection in cotton plants. This protein was located in the nucleus and its deletion compromised the virulence of the fungus. The transient expression of Vd424Y in Nicotiana benthamiana induced BAK1‐ and SOBIR1‐dependent cell death and activated both salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signalling. This enhanced its resistance to the oomycetes Phytophthora capsici in a way that depended on its nuclear localization signal and signal peptides. Our results demonstrate that Vd424Y is an important effector protein targeting the host nucleus to regulate and activate effector‐triggered immunity in plants.
Spatial variation in scent emission within flowers
Authors: García Yedra , Friberg Magne , Parachnowitsch Amy L.
Published: July 2021

Floral scent is considered an important long‐distance signal that attracts pollinators, but also has been suggested to function at shorter distances such as within‐flower nectar guides or as a defense against antagonists. Indeed, in some species floral scent production and emission show spatial patterns of variation within flowers, as certain compounds are exclusively emitted from specific floral tissues. In other species, the different volatile organic compounds that constitute the floral bouquet are emitted evenly from the entire flower. Here, we summarize the current evidence on floral scent variation within flowers by combining a literature review of published data on tissue‐level floral scent variation (41 species) with floral scent dissections (17 species). For each species, we recorded the total number of volatile compounds separately and grouped in major chemical classes. To facilitate comparisons across diverse species, we compared volatiles emitted by 1) the whole flower, 2) the visual floral tissues (i.e. petals and colored structures), 3) non‐visual floral tissues (i.e. green parts and reproductive structures), as well as 4) the compounds emitted by both visual and non‐visual tissues. Results show that floral scent variation is frequent, but by no means ubiquitous, occurring in species from distantly related groups. We discuss the two main functional hypotheses promoting floral scent variation within flowers, i.e. as a pollinator attractant at short‐distances or a defensive function against antagonists, together with non‐functional hypotheses (e.g. pleiotropic effects, ecological costs). We point out further directions on this topic and suggest experimental approaches testing the attractiveness of compounds emitted by different floral parts alone and in combination with other floral signals. Our synthesis provides a foundation for future studies on the functional ecology of floral scent and reinforces the idea of high complexity in floral chemical signals.
The clinical characteristics of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 in 2020 in Japan
Authors: Katsuta Tomohiro , Shimizu Naoki , Okada Kenji , Tanaka‐Taya Keiko , Nakano Takashi , Kamiya Hajime , Amo Kiyoko , Ishiwada Naruhiko , Iwata Satoshi , Oshiro Makoto , Okabe Nobuhiko , Kira Ryutaro , Korematsu Seigo , Suga Shigeru , Tsugawa Takeshi , Nishimura Naoko , Hishiki Haruka , Fujioka Masashi , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Mizuno Yumi , Mine Mahito , Miyairi Isao , Miyazaki Chiaki , Morioka Ichiro , Morishima Tsuneo , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Wada Taizo , Azuma Hiroshi , Kusuhara Koichi , Ouchi Kazunobu , Saitoh Akihiko , Moriuchi Hiroyuki
Published: July 2021

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has affected the lives of people of all ages. Most reports on pediatric cases suggest that children experience fewer and milder symptoms than do adults. This is the first nationwide study in Japan focusing on pediatric cases reported by pediatricians, including cases with no or mild symptoms.

Methods

We analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and transmission patterns of 840 pediatric (<16 years old) COVID‐19 cases reported between February and December 2020 in Japan, using a dedicated database which was maintained voluntarily by members of the Japan Pediatric Society.

Results

Almost half of the patients (47.7%) were asymptomatic, while most of the others presented mild symptoms. At the time of admission or first outpatient clinic visit, 84.0% of the cases were afebrile (<37.5°C). In total, 609 cases (72.5%) were exposed to COVID‐19‐positive household members. We analyzed the influence of nationwide school closures that were introduced in March 2020 on COVID‐19 transmission routes among children in Japan. Transmission within households occurred most frequently, with no significant difference between the periods before and after declaring nationwide school closures (70.9% and 74.5%, respectively).

Conclusions

COVID‐19 symptoms in children are less severe than those in adults. School closure appeared to have a limited effect on transmission. Controlling household transmission from adult family members is the most important measure for prevention of COVID‐19 among children.
Behavioural and electrophysiological responses of Liothrips jatrophae (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) to conspecific extracts and some of its identified compounds
Authors: González‐Orellana Johana , López‐Guillén Guillermo , Malo Edi A. , Goldarazena Arturo , Cruz‐López Leopoldo
Published: July 2021

This study investigated the behavioural and electrophysiological responses of the thrips Liothrips jatrophae to conspecific extracts and some of its identified compounds. We integrated four constituents of the insect's chemical communication: identification of the compounds from L. jatrophae extract, behavioural response to extracts and synthetic blends, morphology of the main olfactory receptors (antennae), and electrophysiological response of the main olfactory receptors of the antennae to extracts and to individual synthetic compounds and synthetic blends. Analysis by GC–MS revealed that the L. jatrophae extract contains a mixture of 11 compounds (perillene, tridecane, β‐acaridial, tetradecane, pentadecane, heptadecane, heptadecene, dodecyl isobutyrate, tridecyl isobutyrate, tetradecyl isobutyrate and hexadecyl isobutyrate). The major compounds were tridecane, pentadecane, tetradecyl isobutyrate and hexadecyl isobutyrate. When the thrips were exposed to the extracts, they exhibited an escape response, accompanied by other behavioural responses, such as rapid sideways movement and lifting of the abdomen and secretion of a drop at the tip of the abdomen. Morphology and distribution of the L. jatrophae antennal sensilla were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The antenna consists of a scape, pedicel and six flagella. The microphotographs showed two types of sensilla: basiconica and trichoidea. Single sensillum recording (SSR) showed that the sensilla basiconica located in segment IV of the antenna were the most sensitive to the L. jatrophae extracts and to a synthetic blend, whereas the sensilla trichoidea did not exhibit electrophysiological response.
Investigation of the effects of interventions made according to the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Model on the care outcomes of Alzheimer patients and their families: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Duru Aşiret Güler , Kütmeç Yılmaz Cemile , Sayın Kasar Kadriye
Published: July 2021

Background

One of the non‐pharmacological methods used to reduce behavioural problems of Alzheimer's patients and the negative emotions accordingly experienced by caregivers consists of interventions performed according to the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model.

Methods

This randomized controlled study aimed to determine the effect of interventions performed according to PLST on the care burden, care satisfaction, and life satisfaction of caregivers of middle and advanced stage Alzheimer's disease patients, and on the neuropsychiatric symptoms and agitation levels of these patients. The research was conducted with a total of 29 caregivers divided into intervention (15) and control (14) groups. Data were collected using an Introductory Information Form, plus the Standardised Mini‐Mental State Examination, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Carer's Assessment of Satisfaction Index, and Life Satisfaction Scale. Three home visits were made to the caregivers by the researchers in the first, second, and twelfth weeks of the intervention. During the home visits, face‐to‐face training was given as necessary to the individual caring for problems identified in the nursing care plan according to PLST.

Results

As a result of the PLST training, there was a decrease in the behavioural problems of Alzheimer's patients, along with a decrease in the care burden of the caregivers and an increase in their care satisfaction. When the scale total scores of the individuals in the intervention and control groups were compared, it was found that only caregivers' care satisfaction increased at a statistically significant level (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

At the end of the training given according to PLST, it was found that behavioural problems of Alzheimer's patients and the care burden of caregivers had decreased, and the care satisfaction of caregivers increased. It is recommended that Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers be given training and interventions according to PLST.
Presentation of unpaired unconditional stimuli during extinction reduces renewal of conditional fear and slows re‐acquisition
Authors: Lipp Ottmar V. , Ryan Katherine M. , Luck Camilla C. , Craske Michelle G. , Waters Allison M.
Published: July 2021

Past research has shown that presenting unconditional stimuli (US) during extinction training, either paired with the conditional stimulus (CS) or explicitly unpaired, can reduce spontaneous recovery and slow the re‐acquisition of conditional fear. Whether contextual renewal of conditioned fear as indexed by electrodermal responses and self‐report measures of anxiety and CS evaluations is also reduced after presentation of paired or unpaired USs during extinction training is currently unclear. Three groups of participants (Paired, Unpaired, Standard Extinction) completed a sequence of habituation, acquisition, extinction, renewal, and re‐acquisition phases. During extinction, five CS–US pairings were presented in group Paired, whereas five US were presented alone in group Unpaired. No US were presented during standard extinction. For all groups, extinction was conducted in a context that was different from that of the other phases. Extinction of differential electrodermal responding was evident in groups Unpaired and Standard, but not in group Paired. Contextual renewal and fast re‐acquisition, as indexed by differential electrodermal responding, were evident in group Standard, but not in group Unpaired and differential electrodermal responding persisted in group Paired. After extinction, self‐reported anxiety was higher in groups Paired and Unpaired, but differential CS evaluations were evident in group Paired only. The current results suggest that presenting additional unpaired USs during extinction training strengthens extinction and protects against the renewal of differential electrodermal responding.
A Multiperiod Model for Assessing the Socioeconomic Impacts of Oil Spills during Arctic Shipping
Authors: Afenyo Mawuli , Ng Adolf K.Y. , Jiang Changmin
Published: July 2021

As the rate of ice melt in the Arctic increases, the potential for shipping activities is also increasing. However, infrastructure along the northwest passage (NWP) in Canada's Arctic is almost nonexistent. This presents major challenges to any response efforts in the case of a natural disaster. Also, the Arctic is home to many indigenous communities, as well as flora and fauna. Thus, it is of vital importance to protect the livelihood of the rights holders in this area and the Arctic marine environment. To do this, it is necessary to develop a decision‐making tool to assess the potential risk of pollutants arising from increased shipping activity. Understanding such, this article assesses the impacts of a potential oil spill on communities in the Canadian Arctic. The consequences of risk are presented using a multiperiod model while the likelihood is analyzed using Bayesian Network. The output of the multiperiod model is incorporated into an influence diagram for risk assessment purposes. The Bayesian model benefits from expert elicitation from the crew aboard a research ship passing through the NWP. Information was also obtained from marine insurance companies, government representatives, and other Arctic specialized professionals. The risk‐based model is subsequently applied to the Canadian Arctic area, with the aim of evaluating the impact of a potential oil spill through shipping.
A meta‐analysis on the effect of periodontal treatment on the glomerular filtration rate of chronic kidney disease individuals
Authors: da Silva Thales Araújo , Abreu Lucas Guimarães , Esteves Lima Rafael Paschoal
Published: July 2021

Aims

The purpose of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis was to assess the impact of periodontal treatment on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

Searches were conducted in five databases. Restrictions on publication date or language were not imposed. Studies reporting the GFR of CKD individuals before and after periodontal treatment were included. Studies’ selection, extraction of data and assessment of risk of bias were performed by two reviewers independently. The Methodological Index for non‐randomized studies was employed for risk of bias assessment. Meta‐analysis was carried out.

Results

One hundred ninety‐two references were retrieved and three studies were included. In all studies included, the periodontal intervention performed was non‐surgical therapy. The three studies together assessed 77 individuals. The follow‐up of participants after periodontal treatment varied between 3 and 6 months. Meta‐analysis demonstrated that the GFR of individuals with CKD increased (improvement) after periodontal treatment (mean difference = 7.01, confidence interval = 0.66 – 13.36, I2 = 0%). Overall, included studies presented low risk of bias.

Conclusion

Despite the limited evidence of this systematic review and meta‐analysis, periodontal treatment seems to improve the GFR of CKD individuals, with positive repercussions on their renal function.
Impaired cerebral blood flow regulation and cognition in male football players
Authors: Marley Christopher J. , Owens Thomas S. , Tsukamoto Hayato , Stacey Benjamin S. , Corkill Robin , Bailey Damian M.
Published: July 2021

Football players are at increased risk of neurodegeneration, the likely consequence of repetitive mechanical trauma caused by heading the ball. However, to what extent a history of heading the ball affects cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation and its potential relationship to cognitive impairment is unknown. To address this, we recruited 16 concussion‐free male amateur football players (age: 25 ± 6 y) with a history of heading the ball (18 ± 6 y) and 18 sex, age, education, and activity‐matched controls with no prior history of contact sport participation or concussion. Cerebral perfusion was measured at rest and in response to both hyper/hypocapnia to determine cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide (CVRCO2HYPER/HYPO) using transcranial Doppler ultrasound and capnography, with the sum reflecting the cerebral vasomotor range. Cognition and visuomotor coordination were assessed using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and the Grooved Pegboard Dexterity Test (GPD), respectively. While no differences in cerebral perfusion were observed (p = 0.938), CVRCO2HYPER/HYPO (p = 0.038/p = 0.025), cerebral vasomotor range (p = 0.002), MoCA (p = 0.027), and GPD performance (dominant hand, P ≤ 0.001) were consistently lower in the players compared to controls. These findings are the first to demonstrate that CBF regulation and cognition are collectively impaired in male football players with history of heading the ball, which may contribute to neurodegeneration.
A Second Chance in the Sunshine State: Religious Identity and Voter Support for Re‐Enfranchisement in Florida
Authors: Savage Brenda K. , Barringer M. N. , Binder Michael M.
Published: July 2021

Research has shown religion to be an important predictor of attitudes toward state punishment, yet religious identity has rarely been included in studies of public opinion toward felon disenfranchisement. In November 2018, voters in Florida passed Amendment 4, the “Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative,” to re‐enfranchise Floridians who have completed all the terms of their felony sentences, excluding those convicted of murder or sexual offenses. This study centers on the potential relationship between religious identity, particularly for evangelical Protestants, and punitiveness by examining religious identity as a predictor of attitudes toward felon disenfranchisement. Using data from a 2018 statewide survey of likely Florida voters, this study examines the effect of religious identity and other sociodemographic factors, such as race, on attitudes toward felon disenfranchisement. Results demonstrate that probable voters who identify as evangelical Protestant are less supportive of Amendment 4 (versus non‐religious), controlling for other demographics previously found to be significant in the literature. The lack of support for voter re‐enfranchisement among evangelical Protestants suggests they take a more punitive stance on this issue. Our findings demonstrate the continued salience of religious identity and the need for its inclusion in future studies examining attitudes toward felon disenfranchisement.
Women's experiences of living with obesity during pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Snelgrove-Clarke Erna , Macdonald Danielle , Helwig Melissa , Alsius Agnes
Published: July 2021

Objective:

The objective of this review is to explore and understand women's experiences of living with obesity during the perinatal period to support evidence-informed approaches to care.

Introduction:

The rising incidence of maternal obesity is a serious global health problem. Qualitative studies exploring the viewpoints of pregnant women living with obesity have shown that some women report negative experiences associated with pregnancy, with some instances of current care management practices being perceived as confronting, judgmental, and generally unhelpful. Synthesizing qualitative findings about the experiences of pregnant and postpartum women who live with obesity can provide important insights into the general needs of this population and current gaps in health care practice.

Inclusion criteria:

All settings in which women who live with obesity during their pregnancies and receive health care for pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum care will be considered. Studies published from 1995 onward will be included. The review will consider all studies that present qualitative data including, but not limited to, designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, action research, and feminist research.

Methods:

The following databases will be searched for this review: CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase (Elsevier), PsycINFO (EBSCO), MEDLINE (Ovid), and Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses will be searched for unpublished studies. Each study will be assessed by two independent reviewers. Any disagreements will be resolved through discussion. Data extraction will be conducted by two independent reviewers. The JBI resources for meta-aggregation will be used to create categories and synthesized findings.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020214762
Uncertainty Quantification Analysis on Silicon Electrodeposition Process Via Numerical Simulation Methods
Authors: Zheng Zhuoyuan , Wang Pingfeng
Published: July 2021

Silicon is one of the commonly used semiconductors for various industrial applications. Traditional silicon synthesis methods are often expensive and cannot meet the continuously growing demands for high-purity Si; electrodeposition is a promising and simple alternative. However, the electrodeposited products often possess nonuniform thicknesses due to various sources of uncertainty inherited from the fabrication process; to improve the quality of the coating products, it is crucial to better understand the influences of the sources of uncertainty. In this paper, uncertainty quantification (UQ) analysis is performed on the silicon electrodeposition process to evaluate the impacts of various experimental operation parameters on the thickness variation of the coated silicon layer and to find the optimal experimental conditions. To mitigate the high experimental and computational cost issues, a Gaussian process (GP) based surrogate model is constructed to conduct the UQ study with finite element (FE) simulation results as training data. It is found that the GP surrogate model can efficiently and accurately estimate the performance of the electrodeposition given certain experimental operation parameters. The results show that the electrodeposition process is sensitive to the geometric settings of the experiments, i.e., distance and area ratio between the counter and working electrodes; whereas other conditions, such as the potential of the counter electrode, temperature, and ion concentration in the electrolyte bath are less important. Furthermore, the optimal operating condition to deposit silicon is proposed to minimize the thickness variation of the coated silicon layer and to enhance the reliability of the electrodeposition experiment.
Holey-structured tungsten metamaterials for broadband ultrasonic sub-wavelength imaging in water
Authors: Astolfi Lorenzo , Hutchins David A. , Thomas Peter J. , Watson Richard L. , Nie Luzhen , Freear Steven , Clare Adam T. , Ricci Marco , Laureti Stefano
Published: July 2021

Metamaterials exhibiting Fabry–Pérot resonances are shown to achieve ultrasonic imaging of a sub-wavelength aperture in water immersion across a broad bandwidth. Holey-structured metamaterials of different thickness were additively manufactured using a tungsten substrate and selective laser melting, tungsten being chosen so as to create a significant acoustic impedance mismatch with water. Both broadband metamaterial behavior and sub-wavelength imaging in water are demonstrated experimentally and validated with finite element simulations over the 200–300 kHz range.
Tunable network sound absorber based on additive manufacturing
Authors: Zhao Tianyu , Chen Yi , Zhang Kai , Hu Gengkai
Published: July 2021

Broadband sound absorption at low frequencies is always a challenge owing to the strong penetrability of acoustic waves. Combining detuned components, such as coupling curled Fabry–Pérot channels, has been proposed for broadband sound absorption. However, the components of the structure are generally arranged in parallel, so that it is difficult to assemble channels with gradient lengths into a compact and thin absorber. Tube networks, which can be seen as broadband and low-frequency sound absorbers, can circumvent this problem. However, the network absorber can only work at fixed frequencies once fabricated. Here, we propose a tunable low-frequency sound absorber consisting of honeycomb plates and detached chips and fabricate it by additive manufacturing. By replacing chips of the sound absorber, we experimentally validate different sound absorption spectrums. A low reduced frequency model and genetic algorithm are developed to design the chips according to targeted absorption spectrums. Moreover, we theoretically study the impact of radius of tube on sound absorption and extend the two-dimensional network to a three-dimensional structure. The remarkable efficiency and versatility of the tunable network sound absorber may pave the way for programmed absorbing material design.
The yielding of attractive gels of nanocrystal cellulose (CNC)
Authors: Danesh Marziyeh , Moud Aref Abbasi , Mauran Damien , Hojabr Sassan , Berry Richard , Pawlik Marek , Hatzikiriakos Savvas G.
Published: July 2021

The flow behavior of nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) hydrogels in the presence of a monovalent electrolyte (NaCl) as a function of CNC and salt concentration is explored using a variety of linear and nonlinear rheological tests. We have first observed an apparent “slip yield stress” at small wall shear stress values that is mainly due to the onset of solidlike slippage of the hydrogels before their true yielding and deformation. This flow regime and the “slip yield stress” can be eliminated using a sandpaper of an optimum grit size. At higher wall shear stress values, two yielding points for the CNC/salt network are seen in strain sweep tests due to network disruption and cluster deformation that depend on the concentration of both CNC (1–5 wt. %) and electrolyte (0–100 mM). The first yield stress is due to yielding and flow of clusters, while the second one is due to breakage of clusters to small flocs and individual fibers. These yielding stresses were obtained by a variety of tests including strain amplitude sweep, creep, and steady shear, and their values are compared confirming their existence. Rheo-SALS (small angle light scattering) measurements confirmed structural changes as the scattering patterns change from isotropic to highly anisotropic with an increase of deformation and rate of deformation. Moreover, confocal laser scanning microscopy and polarized microscopy images confirm the gradual breakup of clusters to smaller ones and eventually to nearly individual fibers with an increase in the applied shear strain and rate.
Changing atmospheric acidity as a modulator of nutrient deposition and ocean biogeochemistry
Authors: Baker Alex R. , Kanakidou Maria , Nenes Athanasios , Myriokefalitakis Stelios , Croot Peter L. , Duce Robert A. , Gao Yuan , Guieu Cécile , Ito Akinori , Jickells Tim D. , Mahowald Natalie M. , Middag Rob , Perron Morgane M. G. , Sarin Manmohan M. , Shelley Rachel , Turner David R.
Published: July 2021

Changing atmospheric acidity alters the delivery of nutrients to the ocean and affects marine productivity and ecology.
A long-term record of early to mid-Paleozoic marine redox change
Authors: Sperling Erik A. , Melchin Michael J. , Fraser Tiffani , Stockey Richard G. , Farrell Una C. , Bhajan Liam , Brunoir Tessa N. , Cole Devon B. , Gill Benjamin C. , Lenz Alfred , Loydell David K. , Malinowski Joseph , Miller Austin J. , Plaza-Torres Stephanie , Bock Beatrice , Rooney Alan D. , Tecklenburg Sabrina A. , Vogel Jacqueline M. , Planavsky Noah J. , Strauss Justin V.
Published: July 2021

Early Paleozoic bottom waters were mainly ferruginous, like the Neoproterozoic, with a shift to increased euxinia in the Devonian.
Piezo1 channels restrain regulatory T cells but are dispensable for effector CD4
+
T cell responses
Authors: Jairaman Amit , Othy Shivashankar , Dynes Joseph L. , Yeromin Andriy V. , Zavala Angel , Greenberg Milton L. , Nourse Jamison L. , Holt Jesse R. , Cahalan Stuart M. , Marangoni Francesco , Parker Ian , Pathak Medha M. , Cahalan Michael D.
Published: July 2021

Mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels restrict regulatory T cell expansion and limit disease remission in EAE.
Self-organization in natural swarms of
Photinus carolinus
synchronous fireflies
Authors: Sarfati Raphaël , Hayes Julie C. , Peleg Orit
Published: July 2021

Flash bursts relay around vegetation across the swarm, illuminating the role of the environment in shaping self-organization.
Increasing threats from SARS-CoV-2 variants: Time to establish global surveillance
Authors: Layne Scott P. , Taubenberger Jeffery K.
Published: July 2021

Winning the battle against the deadly airborne virus SARS-CoV-2 demands new political, administrative, and scientific actions, including global surveillance of variants.
Stable Isotope Fractionation Reveals Similar Atomic-Level Controls during Aerobic and Anaerobic Microbial Hg Transformation Pathways
Authors: Grégoire Daniel S. , Janssen Sarah E. , Lavoie Noémie C. , Tate Michael T. , Poulain Alexandre J.
Published: July 2021

Anaerobic and photosynthetic bacteria that reduce mercury affect mercury delivery to microbes in methylation sites that drive bioaccumulation in food webs. Anaerobic mercury reduction pathways remain underappreciated in the current view of the global mercury cycle because they are challenging to study, bearing no dedicated genetic targets to establish physiological mechanisms.
Different Engineering Designs Have Profoundly Different Impacts on the Microbiome and Nitrifying Bacterial Populations in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Bioreactors
Authors: Kim Taegyu , Behrens Sebastian F. , LaPara Timothy M.
Published: July 2021

Municipal wastewater treatment facilities rely on the application of numerous “activated sludge” process designs to achieve site-specific treatment goals. A plethora of microbiome studies on municipal wastewater treatment bioreactors have been performed previously; however, the role of process design on the municipal wastewater treatment microbiome is poorly understood.
Performance of the sōna
Aspergillus
Galactomannan Lateral Flow Assay in a Cancer Patient Population
Authors: Jani Krupa , McMillen Tracy , Morjaria Sejal , Babady N. Esther
Published: July 2021

The diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis can be challenging in cancer patients. Herein, the analytical and clinical performance of the sōna
Aspergillus
galactomannan lateral flow assay (GM LFA) was evaluated and its performance compared to that of the Bio-Rad galactomannan enzyme immunoassay (GM EIA).