bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of nursing services provided to patients with heart failure living at home: A longitudinal ethnographic study
Authors: Bjornsdottir Kristin , Ketilsdottir Audur , Gudnadottir Margret , Kristinsdottir Inga V. , Ingadottir Brynja
Published: January 2021

Aims and objectives

This study aimed to (1) describe the development of integrated services between hospital‐based heart failure nursing services and municipally located home care nurses’ services and (2) identify the benefits of this collaboration for the development of home care nursing services.

Background

Governments have called for better integration of healthcare services to respond to demographic ageing. Clinical pathways have been used to enhance integration and assure continuity between primary and secondary care. Competencies in addressing advanced health issues among home care nurses must be improved.

Design

A longitudinal ethnographic study of the development of home care nursing services for persons living with heart failure.

Methods

Data were field notes from observations at meetings of the steering group designing the services, visits to patients’ homes and from educational sessions. Interviews were conducted with the home care nurses, heart failure nurses and focus group meetings with nurses working in home care nursing. Reporting adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies checklist.

Results

In a collaborative project, nurses from the two settings developed nursing services to address signs indicating exacerbation of heart failure and risk of hospital visits, involving advanced heart failure monitoring and treatment in patients’ homes. A clinical pathway was developed to assure effective assessment of patients’ condition. The home care nurses gained new knowledge and developed work practices that called for different competencies. Access to consultation from specialised heart failure nurses was instrumental in this transition.

Conclusions

The development of nursing services by integrating primary and secondary services facilitates translation of knowledge, competencies and understandings between nurses at different settings. Such integration can foster expertise in nursing services.

Relevance to clinical practice

The transfer of specialised healthcare services to primary care facilitates collaboration and sharing of knowledge, understanding and work practices.
The effects of a psycho‐educational intervention to improve pain management after day surgery: A randomised clinical trial
Authors: Valeberg Berit T. , Dihle Alfhild , Småstuen Milada C. , Endresen Anne O. , Rustøen Tone
Published: January 2021

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of a psycho‐educational intervention for shoulder and breast day surgery patients in decreasing pain intensity and pain interference with function and strengthening adherence with the analgesic regimen; and further to identify factors that influence average pain intensity and pain interference with function.

Background

Pain is one of the most prevalent symptoms after day surgery. However, pain management is left to the patients and family, and interventions to help patients are needed.

Design

Randomised clinical trial with an intervention (n = 101) and a usual care group (n = 119) using multiple measurements during 6 months postoperatively. The CONSORT checklist is used.

Methods

Patients in the intervention group received a booklet about pain and pain management and coaching by research nurses on postoperative days 2, 3 and 7. Differences between groups were identified using the chi‐squared analysis and t tests. Changes with time were identified using a linear mixed model with repeated measures.

Results

After controlling for covariates, group differences at any time in average pain intensity and pain interference with function were not statistically significant. Changes over time within any one group in average pain intensity and pain interference with function were statistically significant and decreased with time. Higher levels of average pain intensity and pain interference over time were associated with shoulder surgery, female, younger, pain expectation, preoperative pain and poorer adherence.

Conclusions

No group differences related to the intervention were revealed, and preoperative teaching together with a pain management booklet and coaching may help to strengthen the intervention's effects. Further research on interventions directed towards pain management is needed.

Relevance to clinical practice

Day surgery patients’ postoperative pain and pain management is not satisfactorily handled. To encourage and educate patients to use the prescribed analgesics in the immediate postoperative days may be necessary to enhance pain management.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01595035).
Factors affecting Thai pregnant women's decisions concerning prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy for β‐thalassemia
Authors: Phaophan Amprapha , Mongkolchat Nadda , Chuenwattana Prakong , Viboonchart Sommai
Published: January 2021

Aim

To investigate the factors influencing decisions concerning prenatal diagnosis (PND) and termination of pregnancy for β‐thalassemia in Thai pregnant women.

Methods

A total of 142 Thai Buddhist pregnant women waiting for PND were asked to undertake semi‐structured interviews regarding their reasons for PND and their decisions and reasoning concerning pregnancy if the fetus was found to be affected. The interviews were analyzed using a thematic content approach.

Results

Thai pregnant women accepted PND for three reasons: to know whether their pregnancies were affected, to confirm that their pregnancies were unaffected and to terminate if their pregnancies were affected. Three decisions identified among the women were to terminate the pregnancy, to continue the pregnancy and undecided. The interview analysis identified five themes and nine sub‐themes affecting pregnancy‐related decision‐making: (i) quality of life (suffering or no disability); (ii) burden (difficulty or acceptability); (iii) sense of motherhood (the best way for the child or I cannot hurt my child); (iv) significant others (support to terminate, support to continue or support to wait for the test result) and (v) conflict in deciding.

Conclusion

An acceptance of PND in Thai pregnant women was not always associated with pregnancy termination. Multiple factors influenced the decision to terminate, but not their religious affiliation.
Hebrew, Yiddish and the creation of contesting Jewish places in Kazimierz
Authors: Burdin Rachel Steindel
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the use of Hebrew and Yiddish in the linguistic landscape of Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter of Krakow, Poland. Specifically, I examine how the use of these languages in primarily symbolic modes as a part of the Jewish ethnolinguistic repertoire is a part of the creation of three different types of Jewish places in the quarter. These places present different stances towards whether or not Jewishness can exist in present‐day Poland, which are, in turn, reacted to by American Jewish visitors to the quarter. This work shows that nonvernacular and fragmented use of languages, while in some cases is a part of the construction of a purely commodified “Disneyfied” landscape in which users of those languages have been displaced, in others, it can be perceived as a sign of more authentic community revitalization.
Integrated Emotion‐Oriented Care for Older People With ID: Defining and Understanding Intervention Components of a Person‐Centered Approach
Authors: Thalen Marloes , van Oorsouw Wietske M. W. J. , Volkers Karin M. , Taminiau Elsbeth F. , Embregts Petri J. C. M.
Published: January 2021

An increase in descriptive evidence regarding person‐centered approaches for older people with intellectual disability (ID) is important, due to increased life expectancy and the present lack of sufficiently underpinned interventions. This is especially true of interventions designed to increase well‐being and quality of life. A specific Dutch example is the Integrated Emotion‐Oriented Care approach. Despite its status as a good practice, its effectiveness has not yet been proved, nor has descriptive evidence been made available. The primary aims of this qualitative study are to identify the intervention components, to provide demonstrative illustrations and to gain an in‐depth understanding of the use of these components in the day‐to‐day support of older people with ID. A content analysis of five key documents was carried out. Five semi‐structured interviews were then conducted with early adopters, followed by a concept mapping study with daily users. The final stage in the data collection process was a series of five focus‐group interviews with experts and experienced support staff. The five intervention components of Integrated Emotion‐Oriented Care for older people with ID have been systematically identified and described in detail in five narrative summaries drawn up in collaboration with early adopters, experts and experienced support staff. This study provides valuable insights that offer descriptive evidence for Integrated Emotion‐Oriented Care in the care for older people with ID. Both implications and possible opportunities for future research are discussed.
The diversification of the northern temperate woody flora – A case study of the Elm family (Ulmaceae) based on phylogenomic and paleobotanical evidence
Authors: Zhang Qiu‐Yue , Deng Min , Bouchenak‐Khelladi Yanis , Zhou Zhe‐Kun , Hu Guang‐Wan , Xing Yao‐Wu
Published: January 2021

Ulmaceae is a woody family widespread in northern temperate forests. Despite the ecological importance of this family, its phylogeny and biogeographic history are poorly understood. In this study, we reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within the family and infer spatio‐temporal diversification patterns based on chloroplast genome (complete cpDNA) and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences (nrDNA). The seven Ulmaceae genera are resolved in two main clades (temperate vs. tropical) by both cpDNA and nrDNA sequences. The temperate clade includes four genera, Hemiptelea, Zelkova, Planera, and Ulmus. The relationships among Planera and other genera are controversial because of inconsistent topologies between plastid and nuclear data. The tropical clade includes three genera ((Ampelocera, Phyllostylon), Holoptelea). Molecular dating and diversification analyses show that Ulmaceae originated in the Early Cretaceous (ca. 110–125 Ma) with the main lineages establishing from the Late Cretaceous to the early Eocene. The diversification rate slowed during the middle to the late Paleogene (ca. 23–45 Ma), followed by a rapid diversification of the East Asian temperate group in the Neogene, congruent with a global cooling event. The ancestral state optimization analysis suggests an East Asian origin of the temperate Ulmaceae clade during the Paleocene, which is consistent with the fossil record. Both phylogenomic and fossil evidence support East Asia as a center of origin and diversification for the temperate woody lineages.
Plastid and nuclear phylogenomic incongruences and biogeographic implications of Magnolia s.l. (Magnoliaceae)
Authors: Dong Shan‐Shan , Wang Ya‐Ling , Xia Nian‐He , Liu Yang , Liu Min , Lian Lian , Li Na , Li Ling‐Fei , Lang Xiao‐An , Gong Yi‐Qing , Chen Lu , Wu Ernest , Zhang Shou‐Zhou
Published: January 2021

Magnoliaceae, an assemblage of early diverged angiosperms, comprises two subfamilies, speciose Magnolioideae with approximately 300 species in varying numbers of genera and monogeneric Liriodendroideae with two species in Liriodendron L. This family occupies a pivotal phylogenetic position with important insights into the diversification of early angiosperms, and shows intercontinentally disjunct distribution patterns between eastern Asia and the Americas. Widespread morphological homogeneity and slow substitution rates in Magnolia L. s.l. resulted in poorly supported phylogenetic relationships based on morphology or molecular evidence, which hampers our understanding of the genus’ temporal and spacial evolution. Here, based on the newly generated genome skimming data for 48 Magnolia s.l. species, we produced robust Magnolia phylogenies using genome‐wide markers from both plastid genomes and single nucleotide polymorphism data. Contrasting the plastid and nuclear phylogenies revealed extensive cytonuclear conflicts in both shallow and deep relationships. ABBA‐BABA and PhyloNet analyses suggested hybridization occurred within sect. Yulania, and sect. Magnolia, which is in concordance with the ploidy level of the species in these two sections. Divergence time estimates and biogeographic reconstruction indicated that the timing of the three tropical Magnolia disjunctions coincided with the mid‐Eocene cooling climate and/or late Eocene climate deterioration, and two temperate disjunctions occurred much later, possibly during the warm periods of the Miocene, hence supporting the boreotropical flora concept of Magnolia s.l.
To What Extent Does the Involvement Load Hypothesis Predict Incidental L2 Vocabulary Learning? A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Yanagisawa Akifumi , Webb Stuart
Published: January 2021

The involvement load hypothesis (ILH) was designed to predict the effectiveness of instructional tasks for incidental L2 vocabulary learning. In this meta‐analysis we examined 398 effect sizes from 42 empirical studies (N = 4,628) to explore (a) the overall predictive ability of the ILH, (b) the relative effects of different components of the ILH (need, search, and evaluation), and (c) the influence of potential factors moderating learning (e.g., time on task, frequency of encounters or use, and test format). Results showed that the ILH was significantly predictive of learning and explained 15.0% and 5.1% of the variance in effect sizes on immediate and delayed posttests, respectively. We found that the evaluation component contributed to the greatest amount of learning, followed by need, whereas search did not contribute to learning. Moderator analyses revealed that (a) test format and frequency moderated learning gains and (b) involvement load had a greater impact on learning than time on task.
Connecting high‐throughput biodiversity inventories: Opportunities for a site‐based genomic framework for global integration and synthesis
Authors: Arribas Paula , Andújar Carmelo , Bidartondo Martin I. , Bohmann Kristine , Coissac Éric , Creer Simon , deWaard Jeremy R. , Elbrecht Vasco , Ficetola Gentile F. , Goberna Marta , Kennedy Susan , Krehenwinkel Henrik , Leese Florian , Novotny Vojtech , Ronquist Fredrik , Yu Douglas W. , Zinger Lucie , Creedy Thomas J. , Meramveliotakis Emmanouil , Noguerales Víctor , Overcast Isaac , Morlon Hélène , Vogler Alfried P. , Papadopoulou Anna , Emerson Brent C.
Published: January 2021

High‐throughput sequencing (HTS) is increasingly being used for the characterization and monitoring of biodiversity. If applied in a structured way, across broad geographical scales, it offers the potential for a much deeper understanding of global biodiversity through the integration of massive quantities of molecular inventory data generated independently at local, regional and global scales. The universality, reliability and efficiency of HTS data can potentially facilitate the seamless linking of data among species assemblages from different sites, at different hierarchical levels of diversity, for any taxonomic group and regardless of prior taxonomic knowledge. However, collective international efforts are required to optimally exploit the potential of site‐based HTS data for global integration and synthesis, efforts that at present are limited to the microbial domain. To contribute to the development of an analogous strategy for the nonmicrobial terrestrial domain, an international symposium entitled “Next Generation Biodiversity Monitoring” was held in November 2019 in Nicosia (Cyprus). The symposium brought together evolutionary geneticists, ecologists and biodiversity scientists involved in diverse regional and global initiatives using HTS as a core tool for biodiversity assessment. In this review, we summarize the consensus that emerged from the 3‐day symposium. We converged on the opinion that an effective terrestrial Genomic Observatories network for global biodiversity integration and synthesis should be spatially led and strategically united under the umbrella of the metabarcoding approach. Subsequently, we outline an HTS‐based strategy to collectively build an integrative framework for site‐based biodiversity data generation.
Population genomics in the arboviral vector Aedes aegypti reveals the genomic architecture and evolution of endogenous viral elements
Authors: Crava Cristina M. , Varghese Finny S. , Pischedda Elisa , Halbach Rebecca , Palatini Umberto , Marconcini Michele , Gasmi Leila , Redmond Seth , Afrane Yaw , Ayala Diego , Paupy Christophe , Carballar‐Lejarazu Rebeca , Miesen Pascal , van Rij Ronald P. , Bonizzoni Mariangela
Published: January 2021

Horizontal gene transfer from viruses to eukaryotic cells is a pervasive phenomenon. Somatic viral integrations are linked to persistent viral infection whereas integrations into germline cells are maintained in host genomes by vertical transmission and may be co‐opted for host functions. In the arboviral vector Aedes aegypti, an endogenous viral element from a nonretroviral RNA virus (nrEVE) was shown to produce PIWI‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) to limit infection with a cognate virus. Thus, nrEVEs may constitute a heritable, sequence‐specific mechanism for antiviral immunity, analogous to piRNA‐mediated silencing of transposable elements. Here, we combine population genomics and evolutionary approaches to analyse the genomic architecture of nrEVEs in A. aegypti. We conducted a genome‐wide screen for adaptive nrEVEs and searched for novel population‐specific nrEVEs in the genomes of 80 individual wild‐caught mosquitoes from five geographical populations. We show a dynamic landscape of nrEVEs in mosquito genomes and identified five novel nrEVEs derived from two currently circulating viruses, providing evidence of the environmental‐dependent modification of a piRNA cluster. Overall, our results show that virus endogenization events are complex with only a few nrEVEs contributing to adaptive evolution in A. aegypti.
Before the scalpel: Exploring surgical residents' preoperative preparatory strategies
Authors: Cadieux Danielle C. , Mishra Anuradha , Goldszmidt Mark A.
Published: January 2021

Objective

This study sought to increase understanding of preoperative preparatory strategies utilised by senior surgical residents and identify how social and material forces come together to shape practice.

Summary/Background Data

Preoperative preparation can play a powerful role in operative learning. Residents rarely receive guidance, feedback, or explicit expectations on how to prepare for the OR. Understanding current practice and how to support preoperative preparation represents an important gap in our efforts to improve surgical training.

Methods

Constructivist grounded theory with sensitizing concepts from sociomateriality guided data collection and analysis. Fifteen senior surgical residents from a range of surgical disciplines were purposefully sampled and participated in an in‐depth individual interview. Two return‐of‐finding focus groups followed with seven residents. Rigor was enhanced through constant comparison, theoretical sampling, pursuit of discrepant data, and investigator triangulation.

Results

Residents utilised a range of strategies addressing four areas of focus: develop technical skills, improve procedural knowledge, enhance patient‐specificity, and know surgical preferences. However, residents also described receiving limited guidance on what it means to ‘be prepared’ and experience significant challenges in achieving preparedness. A mix of social and material things that enabled or constrained preparatory efforts influenced individual strategies. These included rotation structure, relationships, the OR list, and time.

Conclusions

Our findings offer possible solutions by elaborating on preparatory variability and considerations for residents, faculty, and programs to improve practice. As a first step, we suggest programs begin to engage in explicit dialogue and reflection with their residents, faculty, and residency program committees.
Seizure activity and brain damage in a model of focal non‐convulsive status epilepticus
Authors: Vila Verde Diogo , Zimmer Till , Cattalini Alessandro , Pereira Marlene F. , van Vliet Erwin A. , Testa Giuseppe , Gnatkovsky Vadym , Aronica Eleonora , de Curtis Marco
Published: January 2021

Aims

Focal non‐convulsive status epilepticus (FncSE) is a common emergency condition that may present as the first epileptic manifestation. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that de novo FncSE should be promptly treated to improve post‐status outcome. Whether seizure activity occurring during the course of the FncSE contributes to ensuing brain damage has not been demonstrated unequivocally and is here addressed.

Methods

We used continuous video‐EEG monitoring to characterise an acute experimental FncSE model induced by unilateral intrahippocampal injection of kainic acid (KA) in guinea pigs. Immunohistochemistry and mRNA expression analysis were utilised to detect and quantify brain injury, 3‐days and 1‐month after FncSE.

Results

Seizure activity occurring during the course of FncSE involved both hippocampi equally. Neuronal loss, blood‐brain barrier permeability changes, gliosis and up‐regulation of inflammation, activity‐induced and astrocyte‐specific genes were observed in the KA‐injected hippocampus. Diazepam treatment reduced FncSE duration and KA‐induced neuropathological damage. In the contralateral hippocampus, transient and possibly reversible gliosis with increase of aquaporin‐4 and Kir4.1 genes were observed 3 days post‐KA. No tissue injury and gene expression changes were found 1‐month after FncSE.

Conclusions

In our model, focal seizures occurring during FncSE worsen ipsilateral KA‐induced tissue damage. FncSE only transiently activated glia in regions remote from KA‐injection, suggesting that seizure activity during FncSE without local pathogenic co‐factors does not promote long‐lasting detrimental changes in the brain. These findings demonstrate that in our experimental model, brain damage remains circumscribed to the area where the primary cause (KA) of the FncSE acts. Our study emphasises the need to use antiepileptic drugs to contain local damage induced by focal seizures that occur during FncSE.
Ranunculus aydogdui(Ranunculaceae), a new species from Turkey
Authors: Karaman Erkul Seher , Tekşen Mehtap , Duman Hayri
Published: January 2021

Ranunculus aydogduisp. nov. is described from Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake), Aksaray, Turkey. It is compared to three similar species,R. flammula,R. pulchellusvar.pulchellusandR. indivisusand it is found thatR. aydogduiis distinguished from them e.g. by having tuber roots. A comprehensive description, ecology, distribution map, detailed photographs, pollen morphology and comparison of the new species with closely related species are provided. The new species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) following IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
TiRobot‐Assisted Percutaneous Cannulated Screw Fixation in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fractures: A Minimum 2‐Year Follow‐up of 50 Patients
Authors: Zhu Zong‐dong , Xiao Cheng‐wei , Tan Bo , Tang Xiao‐ming , Wei Dan , Yuan Jia‐bin , Hu Jiang , Feng Liao
Published: January 2021

Objective

To assess the long‐term clinical efficacy of TiRobot‐assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation in the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

Methods

This retrospective study included 50 patients with unilateral femoral neck fractures who were treated with TiRobot‐assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation from September 2017 to May 2018. After at least 2 years of follow‐up, the results of treatment, including operation duration, frequency of fluoroscopy use, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay, medical expense, screw placement accuracy, rate of fracture healing and necrosis of the femoral head, and Harris hip scores at the last follow up, were recorded and compared with those of 83 matched patients who underwent conventional manual positioning surgery.

Results

The TiRobot group had longer operation duration (83.3 ± 31.2 min vs 44.1 ± 14.8 min) and higher medical expenses (28,407.1 ± 7498.0 yuan vs 22,672.3 ± 4130.3 yuan) than the conventional group. The TiRobot group had significantly less intraoperative bleeding (11.3 ± 7.3 mL vs 51.6 ± 40.4 mL) and shorter hospital stay (8.6 ± 2.8 days vs 11.1 ± 3.41 days) than the conventional group. Screw parallelism (1.32° ± 1.85° vs 2.54° ± 2.99° on anteroposterior radiograph; 1.42° ± 2.25° vs 3.09° ± 3.63° on lateral radiograph) and distance between screws (58.44 ± 10.52 mm vs 39.69 ± 12.17 mm) were significantly improved. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the use of fluoroscopy (40.1 ± 28.5 times vs 38.6 ± 21.0 times) and Harris hip scores at the last follow‐up (93.2 ± 10.3 points vs 88.4 ± 11.9 points). Two cannulated screws penetrated the femoral head during manual insertion in the conventional group but not in the TiRobot group. The rate of nonunion and necrosis of the femoral head in the TiRobot group was reduced compared with that in the conventional group (0 vs 7.2%; 6.0% vs 24.1%).

Conclusion

TiRobot‐assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation of femoral neck fractures is accurate and minimally invasive and helps in reducing late complications, particularly necrosis of the femoral head and nonunion of fractures.
Beyond co‐production: Value creation and public services
Authors: Osborne Stephen P. , Nasi Greta , Powell Madeline
Published: January 2021

This paper argues for the need to go beyond appreciating co‐production as a stand‐alone process. Rather it offers a holistic model of value creation for public services, by integrating insights from both the public administration and management and the service management and marketing literatures. The components of this model are the loci, elements, and processes of value creation. Co‐production is located within this model but only as one process, not as the pre‐eminent one. The implications of this new model for public management theory and practice are explored.
A comparison of cannula insufflation device performance for emergency front of neck airway
Authors: Mann Caroline M , Baker Paul A , Sainsbury David M , Taylor Richard
Published: January 2021

Background

Pediatric emergency front of neck airway guidelines recommend oxygenation via cannula cricothyroidotomy or tracheotomy.

Aim

The primary aim was to measure test lung pressures and volumes generated by cannula insufflation devices recommended for emergency front of neck airway compared with a pressure limit of 50 cm H2O and volume limit of 20 ml/kg. The secondary aim was to calculate pressure and volume variability. The primary end point was test lung expansion.

Method

Adult, child, and infant airway models, each with three degrees of upper airway obstruction, were oxygenated using six cannula insufflation devices: 3‐way stopcock, Rapid‐O2, Manujet, Enk oxygen flow modulator, Ventrain, and self‐inflating bags. Test lung pressures and volumes were recorded.

Results

Pressures and volumes from all devices were highly variable, despite oxygen flow calibration and strict adherence to oxygen insufflation protocols. With upper airway occlusion, pressures >50 cm H20 were produced by Rapid‐O2 and Enk oxygen flow meter in adult and infant lungs, 3‐way stopcock in adult and child lungs, and Manujet in all lung sizes. Ventrain produced acceptable pressures <35 cm H2O in all models.

Test lung volumes >20 ml/kg were recorded in airway models with fully obstructed proximal airways using Rapid‐O2 and Enk oxygen flow meter in infant lungs, and Manujet in all lung sizes. Rapid‐O2 produced lung volumes >20 ml/kg in the infant model with partially obstructed and open upper airways. Test lung volumes >20 ml/kg were produced by the 3‐way stopcock in adult, child, and infant models. Insufflation was unsuccessful with the self‐inflating bag. Ventrain produced acceptable volumes <7 ml/kg in all airway models.

Conclusion

Rapid‐O2, Enkoxygen flow meter, Manujet, and 3‐way stopcock oxygenation devices produced highly variable and excessive airway pressures and volumes in models with obstructed upper airways. Self‐inflating bag insufflation was unsuccessful. Ventrain was the only device that insufflated oxygen with acceptable pressures and volumes in adult, child, and infant airway models with any degree of airway obstruction.
Does cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders assist the discontinuation of benzodiazepines among patients with anxiety disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Takeshima Masahiro , Otsubo Tempei , Funada Daisuke , Murakami Maki , Usami Takashi , Maeda Yoshihiro , Yamamoto Taisuke , Matsumoto Toshihiko , Shimane Takuya , Aoki Yumi , Otowa Takeshi , Tani Masayuki , Yamanaka Gaku , Sakai Yojiro , Murao Tomohiko , Inada Ken , Yamada Hiroki , Kikuchi Toshiaki , Sasaki Tsukasa , Watanabe Norio , Mishima Kazuo , Takaesu Yoshikazu
Published: January 2021

Long‐term use of benzodiazepines (BZD) is not recommended for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment option for discontinuation of BZD in patients with anxiety disorders. This systematic review and meta‐analysis sought to clarify whether CBT is effective for discontinuing BZD anxiolytics in patients with anxiety disorders. This study was preregistered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42019125263). A literature search of major electronic databases was conducted in December 2018. Three randomized controlled trials were included in this review, and meta‐analyses were performed. The proportion of discontinuing BZD anxiolytics was significantly higher in the CBT plus gradual tapering group than in the gradual tapering alone group, both in the short term (3 months after allocation; number needed to treat: 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1 to 7.1; risk ratio: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.29 to 2.98, P = 0.002, three studies) and long term (6 to 12 months after allocation; number needed to treat: 2.8, 95%CI: 1.9 to 5.3; risk ratio: 2.16, 95%CI: 1.41 to 3.32, P = 0.0004, three studies). CBT may be effective for discontinuing BZD anxiolytics, both in the short term and in the long term after the allocation. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to draw definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy and safety of CBT for discontinuing BZD anxiolytics in patients with anxiety disorders.
Influence of Rose Bengal Dimerization on Photosensitization
Authors: Mendes Bryan , Kassumeh Stefan , Aguirre‐Soto Alan , Pei Qing , Heyne Belinda , Kochevar Irene E.
Published: January 2021

Protein crosslinking photosensitized by rose Bengal (RB2−) has multiple medical applications and understanding the photosensitization mechanism can improve treatment effectiveness. To this end, we investigated the photochemical efficiencies of monomeric RB2− (RBM2−) and dimeric RB2− (RBD2−) and the optimal pH for anaerobic RB2− photosensitization in cornea. Absorption spectra and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements were used to estimate the fractions of RBM2− and RBD2−. RB2− self‐photosensitized bleaching was used to evaluate the photoactivity of RBM2− and RBD2−. The pH dependence of anaerobic RB2− photosensitization was evaluated in ex vivo rabbit corneas. The 549 nm/515 nm absorption ratio indicated that concentrations > 0.10 mm RB contained RBD2−. Results from DLS gave estimated mean diameters for RBM2− and RBD2− of 0.70 ± 0.02 nm and 1.75 ± 0.13 nm, respectively, and indicated that 1 mm RB2− contained equal fractions of RBM2− and RBD2−. Quantum yields for RB2− bleaching were not influenced by RBD2− in RB2− solutions although accounting for RB2− concentration effects on the reaction kinetics demonstrated that RBD2− is not a photosensitizer. Optimal anaerobic photosensitization occurred at pH 8.5 for solutions containing 200 mm Arg. These results suggest potential approaches to optimizing RBM2−‐photosensitized protein crosslinking in tissues.
Can smart nutrient applications optimize the plant's hidden half to improve drought resistance?
Authors: Bardhan Kirti , York Larry M. , Hasanuzzaman Mirza , Parekh Vipulkumar , Jena Suchismita , Pandya Mansi N.
Published: January 2021

Global agriculture is challenged with achieving sustainable food security while the climate changes and the threat of drought increases. Much of the research attention has focused on above‐ground plant responses with an aim to improve drought resistance. The hidden half, that is, the root system belowground, is receiving increasing attention as the interface of the plant with the soil. Because roots are a sensing organ for nutrients and moisture, we speculate that crop root system traits can be managed using smart nutrient application in order to increase drought resistance. Roots are known to be influenced both by their underlying genetics and also by responses to the environment, termed root plasticity. Though very little is known about the combined effect of water and nutrients on root plasticity, we explore the possibilities of root system manipulation by nutrient application. We compare the effects of different water or nutrient levels on root plasticity and its genetic regulation, with a focus on how this may affect drought resistance. We propose four primary mechanisms through which smart nutrient management can optimize root traits for drought resistance: (1) overall plant vigor, (2) increased root allocation, (3) influence specific root traits, and (4) use smart placement and timing to encourage deep rooting. In the longer term, we envision that beneficial root traits, including plasticity, could be bred into efficient varieties and combined with advanced precision management of water and nutrients to achieve agricultural sustainability.
Paragymnodinium verecundum sp. nov. (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae), a new species of mixotrophic dinoflagellate from Japan
Authors: Yokouchi Koh , Horiguchi Takeo
Published: January 2021

Paragymnodinium verecundum Yokouchi & Horiguchi sp. nov. was isolated from sand samples collected at Kitsunezaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and described based on observations using light and scanning and transmission electron microscopy, together with molecular analysis. The cells were 9.4–17.1 μm long and 5.7–13.6 μm wide and showed a benthic lifestyle. They possessed a sulcal extension‐like furrow on the episome, an eyespot, nematocysts and multiple chloroplasts with separated thylakoids. They ingested prey cells by engulfment, indicating a mixotrophic nutrition. These characters are shared with a known species of the genus Paragymnodinium, P. stigmaticum. However, unlike P. stigmaticum, P. verecundum showed negative phototaxis and possessed a pusule. Additional differences in the ultrastructure of the nematocysts and the flagellar apparatus indicated that these two dinoflagellates are different species. A phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA sequences recovered P. verecundum in a robust clade of species of Paragymnodinium within the clade Gymnodinium sensu stricto. The sister to P. verecundum was P. stigmaticum, but they were clearly separated. Therefore, this dinoflagellate was concluded to be a new species in the genus Paragymnodinium.
The value of local ecological knowledge to guide tree species selection in tropical dry forest restoration
Authors: Fremout Tobias , Gutiérrez‐Miranda Claudia Elena , Briers Siebe , Marcelo‐Peña José Luis , Cueva‐Ortiz Eduardo , Linares‐Palomino Reynaldo , La Torre‐Cuadros María de los Ángeles , Chang‐Ruíz Janette Cristina , Villegas‐Gómez Tania Libertad , Acosta‐Flota Arantza Helen , Plouvier Dominiek , Atkinson Rachel , Charcape‐Ravelo Manuel , Aguirre‐Mendoza Zhofre , Muys Bart , Thomas Evert
Published: January 2021

Forest restoration projects involving active planting should prioritize species that are useful to local communities, while also considering species' threat status and resistance to local stress factors, but scientific knowledge on these criteria is scarce, especially in understudied tropical ecosystems. We hypothesized that local ecological knowledge can help to fill this gap. Through interviews with 47 local experts and 197 randomly selected households in 8 rural communities of the tropical dry forests of northwestern Peru and southern Ecuador, we identified the species perceived as most useful, most threatened, and most resistant to local stress factors. To better understand the studied local ecological knowledge, we also explored the following research questions and their implications for species selection decisions: (1) How does species' potential usefulness compare to their active use? (2) How does species' perceived threat status relate to their usefulness? (3) Does local knowledge on species' resistance to local stress factors corroborate scientific knowledge? We found large differences between the potential and active use of species and illustrate how data on both can yield useful insights. Furthermore, we found that species' perceived threat status was mainly linked to their usefulness for construction wood, and that the vast majority of local perceptions on species' threat status and stress resistance coincided with scientific knowledge. Our findings illustrate the large potential of local ecological knowledge for improving species selection strategies and thereby increasing the success of forest restoration efforts worldwide.
Risk Analysis in the Age of Big Data: The Promises and Pitfalls
Authors: Nateghi Roshanak , Aven Terje
Published: January 2021

Despite its rising popularity, the novelty and merits of big data risk analysis are still debated. This perspective article contributes to the debate by clarifying what constitutes big data in the context of risk analysis and proposing that the discussions of big data attributes (i.e., scale, speed, and structure) and big data methods should go hand in hand. Simple examples are used to illustrate the differences between big data risk analysis and traditional approaches. Finally, a distinction is made between the conceptual definition of risk and how risk is measured to clarify the contributions of big data to risk assessment, and to highlight the importance of explicitly accounting for strength of knowledge in conducting big data risk analysis.
IMF conditionality and capital controls: Capital account liberalization to capital inflow management?
Authors: El‐Shagi Makram , Yamarik Steven J.
Published: January 2021

Since the end of the Bretton Woods system, promoting capital account liberalization has been one of the tenants of the IMF. Capital account liberalization was deemed one of the 10 pillars of what was often dubbed the “Washington Consensus.” Yet, things changed drastically with the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. From 2009 to 2012, comments from top IMF officials and staff reports displayed quite clearly that the IMF had revised its position where capital controls could be part of the toolkit. In this paper, we assess the role of the IMF in capital account liberalization from 1995 to 2015. We use a midpoint‐inflated ordered probit model to estimate the effects of being under IMF conditionality on capital controls, allowing for different effects for pre‐ and post‐Financial Crisis. We find that the IMF did indeed drive liberalization of capital inflows in the precrisis era, but stopped doing so in the postcrisis period.
Evaluation of radiographic predictors of left heart enlargement in dogs with known or suspected cardiovascular disease
Authors: Duler Laetitia , Visser Lance C. , Jackson Kristina N. , Phillips Kathryn L. , Pollard Rachel E. , Wanamaker Mason W.
Published: January 2021

Radiographic assessment of heart size is important for clinical management of dogs with cardiovascular disease (CVDz). We sought to compare the ability of vertebral heart size (VHS), vertebral left atrial size (VLAS), and radiologists’ assessment of left atrial size (RadLAE) to predict echocardiographic left atrial size (EchoLAE), an important marker of left heart disease severity. We also compared the ability of VHS and VLAS to predict echocardiographic criteria for ACVIM stage B2 (EchoB2) in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). This prospective observational study enrolled 183 dogs with known or suspected CVDz that had an echocardiographic examination and thoracic radiographs obtained within 24 h. Compared to increased VHS, VLAS >2.3 was a more accurate predictor of EchoLAE (P = .002). VLAS >2.3 and RadLAE (bothP <.0001) were independently associated with EchoLAE but VHS was not (P = .45). Optimal cutoffs for VLAS and VHS to predict EchoLAE were >2.3 vertebrae (sensitivity [Sn] = 90.3%, specificity [Sp] = 73.6%) and >11.1 vertebrae (Sn = 75.8%, Sp = 76.0%), respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of VLAS (AUC 0.84, 95% CI 0.73‐0.92) and VHS (AUC 0.78, 95% CI 0.66‐0.88) to predict EchoB2 in dogs with subclinical MMVD (n = 64) were not significantly different (P = .17). Results demonstrate that VLAS and RadLAE were superior indicators of EchoLAE compared to VHS in dogs with known or suspected CVDz. Both VLAS and VHS are useful predictors of EchoB2 in dogs with subclinical MMVD. When echocardiography is unavailable, VLAS represents a useful radiographic measurement to aid clinical management of dogs with known or suspected CVDz.
Effectiveness assessment of olive mill wastewater treatment by combined process: Natural flotation and anaerobic‐aerobic biodegradation
Authors: Khattabi Rifi Safaa , Aguelmous Anas , El Fels Loubna , Hafidi Mohamed , Souabi Salah
Published: January 2021

The present work intends to study the treatment of olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) by natural flotation followed by anaerobic‐aerobic biodegradation, without dilution. After natural flotation, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and polyphenol decreased by 37.7%, 3.7% and 3.3%, respectively. Whereas, anaerobic treatment removed 23.9% of nitrate, 29.1% of turbidity and 16.2% of polyphenol. However, intermittent aeration treatment showed the reduction of nitrate, turbidity and ammonium by 90%, 26.5% and 65.1%, respectively. In general, the combined natural flotation and anaerobic‐aerobic treatment of OMW, without dilution, have led to reduced turbidity, COD, polyphenol, nitrate, ammonium and phosphorus by 67.5%, 29.1%, 25.2%, 93.9%, 77.1% and 81.8%, respectively. The germination index of the treated OMW was 69% after 30% of dilution. Finally, the proposed treatment process could be used in small and medium‐sized industries as a simple, economical and effective method. Also, the produced water could be reused for irrigation.
Multimetric approach in the effects of small impoundments on stream water quality: Case study of Faylor and Walker Lakes on Middle Creek, Snyder County, PA
Authors: Lachhab Ahmed , Trent Millum Matthew , Motsko Jeremy
Published: January 2021

In recent years, dams have received extensive scrutiny for their effects on stream and river systems throughout the United States. Dams vary greatly in size and scale, but investigations often focus on large‐scale dams due to their visibility in the public eye and pronounced impact. This can result in smaller and less impactful impoundments being overlooked, despite the cumulative effects these dams can have on higher order aquatic systems. Two small water impoundments: Walker and Faylor Lakes located, respectively, on the north and west branches of Middle Creek in Snyder County; Pennsylvania have demonstrated an impact on Middle Creek. This study focused on using onsite physical properties, grab samples for chemical analysis and macroinvertebrate samples to determine and compare the effects of the two impoundments on Middle Creek. Both upstream and downstream sites from the dams were sampled. All sites were sampled for physical variables using the YSI Multimeter and chemical concentrations of several cations and anions using Ion Chromatography (IC). A Water Quality Index (WQI) was constructed based on 11 different parameters. All parameters were positively correlated. Data show that the physical and chemical changes to the streams, are caused by the dams and are affecting the biological communities in the downstream water course. Walker Lake was found to have a much greater negative impact on the north branch of Middle Creek causing degradation to the water in relation to certain parameters. Greater concentrations of NH4+, BOD5 and a decreasing WQI downstream of the Walker Dam, as well as several different macroinvertebrate indices indicate this negative impact. Faylor Lake Dam did not have a large impact on the west branch of Middle Creek with regard to any particular variable measured. Overall, small reservoirs can have substantial impacts on the streams they impound especially when considering the morphology and design.
Establishment of sentinel surveillance of human clinical campylobacteriosis in Ireland
Authors: Brehony Carina , Lanigan Donal , Carroll Anne , McNamara Eleanor
Published: January 2021

The aim of this work was the establishment of a national laboratory sentinel surveillance service for human clinical Campylobacter in Ireland. This included detailed genomic molecular epidemiology of Campylobacter for 2019. For February‐December 2019, 24 clinical microbiology laboratories in Ireland submitted all PCR/culture‐positive clinical Campylobacter spp. specimens to Public Health Laboratory (PHL) Dublin one week out of every four. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) criteria was carried out for Campylobacter spp. isolates for ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and erythromycin. Batch whole genome sequencing (WGS) was carried out on cultures and analysis was performed to determine species, genotype, identify antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence determinants and identify clusters. A total of 75 isolates and 366 PCR‐positive stools were received, and 277 isolates recovered (55.7% recovery from stools). Of 257 isolates characterized by WGS, 86.4% (n = 222) were Campylobacter jejuni, 11.7% (n = 30) Campylobacter coli and 1.9% (n = 5) Campylobacter lari. There were 20 clonal complexes with ST‐21 clonal complex most prevalent at 26.8% (n = 69). 50.5% (n = 140) of isolates were susceptible to all three antimicrobials tested. 39.3% (n = 109) isolates were ciprofloxacin resistant, 26.3% (n = 73) tetracycline resistant and two isolates erythromycin resistant. Congruence between phenotypic and genotypic AST was observed. There was 95.9% and 95.6% sensitivity and specificity for WGS to predict ciprofloxacin sensitivity and 98.6% and 99.5% sensitivity and specificity for WGS to predict tetracycline sensitivity. Virulence factors flaA, racR, ciaB and cdtB were detected in all isolates. WGS identified 31 potential clusters for public health alert. This sentinel surveillance of human campylobacteriosis in Ireland establishes the basis for a national reference service. Linking with other partners in a ‘One Health’ framework will help us better understand sources of infection to reduce disease burden and the threat of AMR.