bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“No‐regrets” pathways for navigating climate change: planning for connectivity with land use, topography, and climate
Authors: Schloss Carrie A. , Cameron D. Richard , McRae Brad H. , Theobald David M. , Jones Aaron
Published: October 2021

As both plant and animal species shift their ranges in response to a changing climate, maintaining connectivity between present habitat and suitable habitat in the future will become increasingly important to ensure lasting protection for biodiversity. Because the temporal period commensurate with planning for mid‐century change is multi‐generational for most species, connectivity designed to facilitate climate adaptation requires pathways with ‘stepping‐stones’ between current and future habitat. These areas should have habitats suitable not only for dispersal, but for all aspects of species lifecycles. We integrated present‐day land use, topographic diversity, and projections of shifting climate regimes into a single connectivity modeling approach to identify pathways for mid‐century shifts in species ranges. Using Omniscape we identified climate linkages, or areas important for climate change‐driven movement, as the areas with more current flow than would be expected in the absence of climate considerations. This approach identified connectivity potential between natural lands in the present climate and natural lands with future analogous climate following topo‐climatically diverse routes. We then translated the model output into a strategic framework to improve interpretation and to facilitate a more direct connection with conservation action. Across modified landscapes, pathways important to climate‐driven movement were highly coincident with the last remaining present‐day linkages, reinforcing their importance. Across unfragmented lands, the presence of climate‐adapted pathways helped inform the prioritization of conservation actions in areas where multiple connectivity options still exist. Many climate linkages follow major watercourses along elevational gradients, highlighting the importance of protecting or managing for these natural linear pathways that provide movement routes for climate adaptation. By integrating enduring landscape features with climate projections and present‐day land uses, our approach reveals “no‐regrets” pathways to plan for a connected landscape in an uncertain future.
Activity density at a continental scale: What drives invertebrate biomass moving across the soil surface?
Authors: Kaspari Michael , Weiser Michael D. , Marshall Katie E. , Miller Matthew , Siler Cameron , de Beurs Kirsten
Published: October 2021

Activity density (AD), the rate that an individual taxon or its biomass moves through the environment, is used both to monitor communities and quantify the potential for ecosystem work. The Abundance Velocity Hypothesis posited that AD increases with aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and is a unimodal function of temperature. Here we show that, at continental extents, increasing ANPP may have nonlinear effects on AD: increasing abundance, but decreasing velocity as accumulating vegetation interferes with movement. We use 5 yr of data from the NEON invertebrate pitfall trap arrays including 43 locations and four habitat types for a total of 77 habitat–site combinations to evaluate continental drivers of invertebrate AD. ANPP and temperature accounted for one‐third to 92% of variation in AD. As predicted, AD was a unimodal function of temperature in forests and grasslands but increased linearly in open scrublands. ANPP yielded further nonlinear effects, generating unimodal AD curves in wetlands, and bimodal curves in forests. While all four habitats showed no AD trends over 5 yr of sampling, these nonlinearities suggest that trends in AD, often used to infer changes in insect abundance, will vary qualitatively across ecoregions.
n‐Butanol: An Ecologically and Economically Viable Extraction Solvent for Isolating Polar Products from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Reetz Manfred T. , König Gerhard
Published: October 2021

Water is the solvent of choice in terms of greenness and sustainability. However, it can be difficult to isolate very polar products from water. Here, we discuss the use of n‐butanol as a solvent to extract polar compounds from aqueous solution. n‐Butanol produces high yields and can also be sourced sustainably from biomass, which makes it attractive from a climate perspective. The reason for its high efficiency is that the wet n‐butanol phase is a nanomaterial that incorporates little pockets of water that can stabilize the polar solute. Thus, the environment remains very water‐like, and the presence of hydrophobic groups can tip the equilibrium towards the n‐butanol phase. We also discuss a simple estimate whether n‐butanol will be an efficient extraction solvent for the compound of interest based on common public databases. This should help to guide practicing organic chemists during the solvent selection process.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Pentasubstituted Cyclohexanes through Diphenylprolinol Silyl Ether Mediated Domino Michael/Michael Reaction
Authors: Odoh Amaechi Shedrack , Aidanpää Louise , Umekubo Nariyoshi , Matoba Hiroaki , Mori Naoki , Hayashi Yujiro
Published: October 2021

An asymmetric domino Michael/Michael reaction of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes 1 and α‐acetyl‐β‐substituted‐α,β‐unsaturated esters 2 catalyzed by diphenylprolinol silyl ether was developed. This is a formal carbo [4+2] cycloaddition reaction affording penta‐substituted cyclohexanes having the three continuous chiral centers with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Sulfoalkenylation of Acetanilides and Dual‐Use of the Catalyst Directing Group
Authors: Sand Patrick , Schmidt Bernd
Published: October 2021

In contrast to vinylsulfonates and vinylsulfones, vinylsulfonamides are unreactive in Pd‐catalyzed oxidative Heck‐coupling reactions with acetanilides. This limitation has been resolved by using a C−H‐activation protocol based on Ru−Cu−Ag‐catalysis. Overall, the Ru−Cu−Ag‐catalyzed conditions turned out to be more reliable and showed better reproducibility than the Pd‐catalyzed C−H‐activation. The coupling products thus obtained are functionalized styrenyl sulfones and –sulfonamides which can be used as starting materials for the synthesis of sulfonyl pyrroles and sulfonyl pyrrolo[2,3‐c]quinolines.
Ruthenium Complexes with a SWCNT‐Modified Terpyridine Ligand as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wu Zhen-Yi , Xu Yu-Jin , Zhang Qian-Xin , Huang Li-Jing , Tang Ding-Liang
Published: October 2021

Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays an important role in various renewable energy conversion and storage technologies. Ruthenium complexes with terpyridine (tpy) and bipyridine (bpy) as ligands are considered to be an important catalyst for OER electrocatalysis. Their catalytic performance is affected by substituent groups of the tpy (and bpy) ligands, and is often limited by low current density. Here, we report a Ru‐polypyridine complex covalently anchored to single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via a tpy ligand to form a hybrid material of SWCNT‐tpyRubpy. Electrocatalytic OER studies have shown that the covalent attachment of the Ru‐polypyridine complexes to SWCNTs avoids noticeable molecular aggregations and increases the conductivity. Compared with that of the SWCNT‐unattached complex, SWCNT‐tpyRubpy exhibits a higher electrocatalytic OER activity with a low onset potential of 1.48 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode) and a smaller Tafel slope of 109 mV dec−1 in alkaline solution. Therefore, the CNT‐hybridization is an effective method for the construction of advanced SWCNT‐based Ru complex electrocatalysts and to understand their catalytic performance.
One‐Step Synthesis of Hierarchical Structure Polydimethylsiloxane Films with Micro‐/Nanosurfaces for Application in Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Wang Jiaxin , Wang Kun , Qiu Zhirong , Liu Ye , Chen Rong , Wu Chaoxing , Lin Jintang
Published: October 2021

Surface optimization of tribomaterial is an effective approach for enhancing the output performance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Developing advanced surface structures and their mass fabrication method is the essential technology component of TENG‐based electronics. Herein, a facile, scalable synthesis of hierarchical structure polydimethylsiloxane (HS‐PDMS) films with micro‐/nanosurface morphology and their application in TENGS are demonstrated. The micromorphology of the PDMS surface with random microcraters is achieved using water droplet‐based microtemplates and their rapid evaporation approach. Simultaneously, the nanomorphology on the microcrater surface with nanoripples is automatically formed under the action of surface tension of the PDMS film. The effect of water droplet mass fraction and the rate of heating, which play key roles in the surface morphology and the device's electrical output control, are investigated. This fabrication method of HS‐PDMS is simple and scalable, providing a promising solution of developing tribomaterial for practical TENG‐based electronic devices.
Optical investigation on combustion and soot formation characteristics of isopropanol‐butanol‐ethanol (IBE)/diesel blends
Authors: Li Gang , Dai Jiayi , Li Yangyang , Lee Timothy H.
Published: October 2021

Isopropanol‐butanol‐ethanol (IBE) is considered to be a promising alternative fuel for diesel to reduce soot emissions. However, currently researchers have not yet revealed its soot formation processes. In this regard, the forward illumination light extinction (FILE) technology was used to investigate the soot formation process of IBE/diesel blends. Diesel containing 50% of IBE in volume (IBE50), pure IBE (IBE100), and diesel were tested. The experimental results show that soot formation regions for the tested fuels are greatly affected by the ambient conditions. The lower the ambient temperature is, the smaller the soot formation region is. Besides, a low ambient temperature coupled with a small ambient oxygen concentration may further reduce soot formation regions of the tested fuels. Results also show that soot formation regions of IBE50 and IBE100 are obviously smaller than that of diesel. In most test conditions, the head of soot formation regions for IBE50 and IBE100 exhibits as a thin strip. Furthermore, soot formation duration and intensity of IBE50 and IBE100 are obviously small in comparison with diesel, especially at low ambient temperature. The results of this study indicate that when IBE is directly blended with diesel, it is able to reduce soot emissions.
Urban sustainability: Lessons from organisms and ecosystems
Authors: Edwards Peter
Published: October 2021

The services essential for urban life include provision of electricity and water, disposal of sewage and solid waste, and management of stormwater. In the past two centuries, the infrastructure providing these services has become increasingly large and centralized, which from a sustainability perspective is problematic. I argue that, to be sustainable, a city must be integrated like a living organism, while having the resilience properties of a mature ecosystem. For the provision of infrastructure, this means that today's massive, highly centralized facilities must give way to more distributed yet interconnected systems.
Clean Energy Goals Driving Utilities to Accelerate Pipeline Replacements and Leak Detection Technologies
Authors: Mangeney Estelle , Tiwari Ashish Mohan , Vangala Shreyas
Published: October 2021

Maintaining pipeline safety is a primary function of natural gas utilities, referring to a publicly acceptable condition in which society is protected against leak incidents that can lead to explosions, fires, and death. Replacing pipelines is a difficult task, especially those in densely populated areas dominated by paved surfaces. Pipelines are often co‐located with other electric, telecommunications and water infrastructures in approved “rights of way.” Local regulations often restrict street closures and hours that crews can work on utility infrastructure. While the probability of a pipeline incident is low the consequences of an incident can be substantial. Gas leaks release methane in the atmosphere and it is important to note that methane breaks up in the atmosphere more quickly. Repairing gas leaks could also have an immediate effect toward meeting global emission‐reduction goals.
Loneliness in older adult mental health services during the COVID‐19 pandemic and before: Associations with disability, functioning and pharmacotherapy
Authors: Greig Flora , Perera Gayan , Tsamakis Konstantinos , Stewart Robert , Velayudhan Latha , Mueller Christoph
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Loneliness is associated with psychiatric morbidity. Restrictions placed on the population during the first COVID‐19 lockdown may have disproportionately affected older adults, possibly through increasing loneliness. We sought to investigate this by examining loneliness in referrals to mental health of older adults (MHOA) services during the first UK COVID‐19 lockdown.

Methods

Referrals to MHOA services from a large South London catchment area were identified for the 16‐week period of the UK lockdown starting in March 2020 and for the corresponding period in 2019. A natural language processing algorithm identified loneliness in the patients' records. We applied logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity and diagnosis, to examine associations of loneliness in the study population.

Results

1991 referrals were identified, 56.9% of whom were female, with a mean age of 77.9 years. Only 26.9% occurred during the 2020 lockdown, but with a higher prevalence of loneliness (22.0 vs. 17.7%, p = 0.028). In the whole sample, loneliness was associated with non‐accidental self‐injury (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.65), depressed mood (OR: 1.73), psychotic symptoms (OR: 1.65), relationship problems (OR: 1.49), problems with daytime activities (OR: 1.36), and antidepressant use (OR: 2.11). During lockdown, loneliness was associated with non‐accidental self‐injury (OR: 2.52), problem drinking or drug‐taking (OR 2.33), and antidepressant use (OR 2.10).

Conclusions

Loneliness is associated with more severe symptoms of affective illness, worse functional problems and increased use of antidepressant medication in older adults. During lockdown, loneliness in referrals to MHOA services increased and was associated with increased risk‐taking behaviour. Loneliness is a potential modifiable risk factor for mental illness, and efforts to minimise it in older adults should be prioritised as we emerge from the pandemic.
Development of a Bayesian network for probabilistic risk assessment of pesticides
Authors: Mentzel Sophie , Grung Merete , Tollefsen Knut Erik , Stenrød Marianne , Petersen Karina , Moe S. Jannicke
Published: October 2021

Conventional environmental risk assessment of chemicals is based on a calculated risk quotient, representing the ratio of exposure to effects of the chemical, in combination with assessment factors to account for uncertainty. Probabilistic risk assessment approaches can offer more transparency by using probability distributions for exposure and/or effects to account for variability and uncertainty. In this study, a probabilistic approach using Bayesian network modeling is explored as an alternative to traditional risk calculation. Bayesian networks can serve as meta-models that link information from several sources and offer a transparent way of incorporating the required characterization of uncertainty for environmental risk assessment. To this end, a Bayesian network has been developed and parameterized for the pesticides azoxystrobin, metribuzin, and imidacloprid. We illustrate the development from deterministic (traditional) risk calculation, via intermediate versions, to fully probabilistic risk characterization using azoxystrobin as an example. We also demonstrate the seasonal risk calculation for the three pesticides. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1072–1087. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

KEY POINTS

A Bayesian network (BN) was developed to carry out probabilistic risk calculation. The BN model is used to calculate risk of pesticides to freshwater ecosystems. The BN predicts probabilities of exceeding alternative levels of the risk quotient. The BN can incorporate uncertainties more transparently than traditional methods.
An Agile Systems Engineering Analysis of Socio‐technical Aspects of a University‐built CubeSat
Authors: Honoré‐Livermore Evelyn , Garrett Joseph L. , Lyells Ron , Angier Robert (Rock) , Epps Bob
Published: October 2021

System development teams often face challenges outside of pure technical problems. There are unpredictable circumstances in many areas including customer needs, personnel changes, and sociotechnical issues that can span across the development organization such as knowledge management and goal alignment. This paper presents the results of an exploratory case study on a university CubeSat team developing an Earth Observation satellite. Formal analysis of agile systems engineering helps improve success throughout the CubeSat lifecycle. We apply the INCOSE Agile systems engineering WG decision guidance method for applying agile system engineering method to identify areas in which the project organization can improve to become more agile in three specific problem spaces: customer problem space, solution space, and product development space. The analysis process led to valuable insights about how the project organization of an academic project differs from that of industry. Additionally, the results indicate that areas such as stakeholder management and support environment could be factors that would benefit more from agile responsiveness.
Bridge the Partisan Divide and Develop Effective Policies with Systems Engineering
Authors: Hartung Jim
Published: October 2021

The United States is a divided country. This is sometimes a strength when we consider diverse viewpoints before deciding. However, it is often a weakness, when hyper‐partisan politics divides us and prevents us from addressing serious problems. In this article I discuss how lawmakers and policymakers can use systems engineering to bridge the partisan divide and develop practical, nonpartisan solutions for complex societal problems. First, I describe a simple six‐step systems engineering process for optimizing social, economic, and political systems. Second, I illustrate this process with two examples: (1) development of a nonpartisan tax reform proposal that balances the federal budget and addresses key societal problems without increasing the economic burden on taxpayers and (2) development of a nonpartisan plan for the United States to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and address other urgent problems. Third, I discuss how lawmakers and policymakers can incorporate systems engineering into the lawmaking process. Although this article uses the United States as an example, many of the ideas presented here also apply to other countries.
Sustained Recovery From Crystal Meth Use: A Consensual Qualitative Research Study
Authors: Coleman Jamian , Ajetomobi Rachael Itunu , Huttman Veronica , Zeligman Melissa
Published: October 2021

Long‐term recovery from crystal methamphetamine (CM) use has yet to be well researched in the counseling literature. This article presents results of a phenomenological consensual qualitative research study focused on the lived experiences of individuals in recovery from CM use.
Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) gene c.1627A>G A/G and G/G genotypes are risk factors for lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Zeng Juanzi , Wu Heming , Huang Qingyan , Li Jiaquan , Yu Zhikang , Zhong Zhixiong
Published: October 2021

Background

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) acts as the key enzyme catabolizing pyrimidines, and may affect the tumor progression. DPYD gene mutations affect DPD activity. The relationship between DPYD IVS14+1G>A, c.1627A>G, c.85T>C and lymph node metastasis (LNM) and distant metastasis (DM) of colorectal cancer (CRC) was investigated.

Methods

A total of 537 CRC patients were enrolled in this study. DPYD polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐Sanger sequencing. The relationship between DPYD genotypes and clinical features of patients, metastasis of CRC was analyzed.

Results

About DPYD c.1627A>G, A/A (57.7%) was the most common genotype, followed by A/G (35.6%), G/G (6.7%) genotypes. In c.85T>C, T/T, T/C, and C/C genotypes are accounted for 83.6%, 16.0%, and 0.4%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that DPYD c.1627A>G A/G and G/G genotypes in the dominant model (A/G + G/G vs. A/A) were significant risk factors for the LNM (p = 0.029, OR 1.506, 95% CI = 1.048–2.165) and DM (p = 0.039, OR 1.588, 95% CI = 1.041–2.423) of CRC. In addition, DPYD c.1627A>G polymorphism was more common in patients with abnormal serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (>5 ng/ml) (p = 0.003) or carbohydrate antigen 24–2 (CA24‐2) (>20 U/ml) level (p = 0.015).

Conclusions

The results suggested that DPYD c.1627A>G A/G, G/G genotypes are associated with increased risk of LNM and DM of CRC.
A randomized, feasibility trial of an exercise and nutrition‐based rehabilitation programme (ENeRgy) in people with cancer
Authors: Hall Charlie C. , Skipworth Richard J.E. , Blackwood Honor , Brown Duncan , Cook Jane , Diernberger Katharina , Dixon Elizabeth , Gibson Valerie , Graham Catriona , Hall Peter , Haraldsdottir Erna , Hopkinson Jane , Lloyd Anna , Maddocks Matthew , Norris Lucy , Tuck Sharon , Fallon Marie T. , Laird Barry J.A.
Published: October 2021

Background

Despite rehabilitation being increasingly advocated for people living with incurable cancer, there is limited evidence supporting efficacy or component parts. The progressive decline in function and nutritional in this population would support an approach that targets these factors. This trial aimed to assess the feasibility of an exercise and nutrition based rehabilitation programme in people with incurable cancer.

Methods

We randomized community dwelling adults with incurable cancer to either a personalized exercise and nutrition based programme (experimental arm) or standard care (control arm) for 8 weeks. Endpoints included feasibility, quality of life, physical activity (step count), and body weight. Qualitative and health economic analyses were also included.

Results

Forty‐five patients were recruited (23 experimental arm, 22 control arm). There were 26 men (58%), and the median age was 78 years (IQR 69–84). At baseline, the median BMI was 26 kg/m2 (IQR: 22–29), and median weight loss in the previous 6 months was 5% (IQR: −12% to 0%). Adherence to the experimental arm was >80% in 16/21 (76%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the following between trial arms: step count − median % change from baseline to endpoint, per trial arm (experimental −18.5% [IQR: −61 to 65], control 5% [IQR: −32 to 50], P = 0.548); weight − median % change from baseline to endpoint, per trial arm (experimental 1%[IQR: −3 to 3], control −0.5% [IQR: −3 to 1], P = 0.184); overall quality of life − median % change from baseline to endpoint, per trial arm (experimental 0% [IQR: −20 to 19], control 0% [IQR: −23 to 33], P = 0.846). Qualitative findings observed themes of capability, opportunity, and motivation amongst patients in the experimental arm. The mean incremental cost of the experimental arm versus control was £‐319.51 [CI −7593.53 to 6581.91], suggesting the experimental arm was less costly.

Conclusions

An exercise and nutritional rehabilitation intervention is feasible and has potential benefits for people with incurable cancer. A larger trial is now warranted to test the efficacy of this approach.
Classifying intrinsically linked tournaments by score sequence
Authors: Fleming Thomas , Foisy Joel
Published: October 2021

A tournament on 8 or more vertices may be intrinsically linked as a directed graph. We begin the classification of intrinsically linked tournaments by examining their score sequences. While many distinct tournaments may have the same score sequence, there exist score sequences such that any tournament with score sequence has an embedding with no nonsplit consistently oriented link. We call such score sequences linkless, and we show that the vast majority of score sequences for 8 vertex tournaments are linkless. We also extend these results to vertex tournaments and are able to classify many longer score sequences as well. We show that for any , there exist at least linkless score sequences, but we conjecture that the fraction of score sequences of length that are linkless goes to 0 as becomes large.
Retention in care and viral suppression after same‐day ART initiation: One‐year outcomes of the SLATE I and II individually randomized clinical trials in South Africa
Authors: Maskew Mhairi , Brennan Alana T. , Venter Willem D. F. , Fox Matthew P. , Vezi Lungisile , Rosen Sydney
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Same‐day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV consistently increases ART uptake, but concerns remain about higher attrition from care after initiation. We analysed 12‐month retention in the SLATE SDI trials.

Methods

SLATE I (Simplified Algorithms for Treatment Eligibility I, enrolment 06 March–28 July 2017) and SLATE II (enrolment 14 March–18 September 2018) were individually randomized trials at public outpatient clinics in Johannesburg that enrolled patients not yet on ART and administered the SLATE I or II algorithm. This included a symptom self‐report, medical history, brief physical examination and readiness questionnaire to assess the eligibility for SDI. The studies compared the offer of SDI using the SLATE algorithms to standard of care initiation procedures. ART uptake and early retention were previously reported. Using routine clinic records, we conducted a pooled analysis of retention in care and HIV viral suppression 14 months after study enrolment, a time point equivalent to 12 months potential on ART, with an additional month allowed on either end to initiate ART and to return for the 12‐month visit.

Results and discussion

We enrolled 1193 study participants (standard arms, n = 599, 50%; intervention arms, n = 594, 50%) and analysed by originally assigned groups. By 14 months after enrolment, 50% of intervention arm patients and 46% of standard arm patients remained in care at the initiating site (crude risk difference 4% (95% confidence interval −1%‐10%); crude relative risk 1.10 (0.97–1.23), with similar viral suppression between arms. Observed attrition from care at site by 14 months was high in both study arms, but we found no evidence that the offer of SDI led to greater overall attrition or lower rates of viral suppression 1 year after starting ART and may have generated small improvements. SDI may have shifted some attrition from before to after dispensing of the first dose of medication.

Conclusions

An offer of SDI of ART, following a carefully designed protocol to identify patients who are eligible and ready to start treatment, is not inherently associated with an overall increase in patient attrition from care and leads to similar rates of viral suppression.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02891135, registered 01 September 2016. First participant enrolled 06 March 2017 in South Africa. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03315013, registered 19 October 2017. First participant enrolled 14 March 2018.
Immunoregulation by type I interferons in the peritoneal cavity
Authors: Chuah Jasmine J M , Hertzog Paul J , Campbell Nicole K
Published: October 2021

The peritoneal cavity, a fluid-containing potential space surrounding the abdominal and pelvic organs, is home to a rich network of immune cells that maintain tissue homeostasis and provide protection against infection. However, under pathological conditions such as peritonitis, endometriosis, and peritoneal carcinomatosis, the peritoneal immune system can become dysregulated, resulting in nonresolving inflammation and disease progression. An enhanced understanding of the factors that regulate peritoneal immune cells under both homeostatic conditions and in disease contexts is therefore required to identify new treatment strategies for these often life-limiting peritoneal pathologies. Type I interferons (T1IFNs) are a family of cytokines with broad immunoregulatory functions, which provide defense against viruses, bacteria, and cancer. There have been numerous reports of immunoregulation by T1IFNs within the peritoneal cavity, which can contribute to both the resolution or propagation of peritoneal disease states, depending on the specifics of the disease setting and local environment. In this review, we provide an overview of the major immune cell populations that reside in the peritoneal cavity (or infiltrate it under inflammatory conditions) and highlight their contribution to the initiation, progression, or resolution of peritoneal diseases. Additionally, we will discuss the role of T1IFNs in the regulation of peritoneal immune cells, and summarize the results of laboratory studies and clinical trials which have investigated T1IFNs in peritonitis/sepsis, endometriosis, and peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Measles outbreak, Montenegro January–July 2018: Lessons learned
Authors: Mugoša Boban , Ceccarelli Giancarlo , Begić Senad , Vujošević Danijela , Zekovic Zeljka , Ciccozzi Massimo , Vratnica Zoran
Published: October 2021

In 2017, the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (RVC) of the World Health Organization confirmed that measles elimination was sustained in Montenegro, and the previous endemic transmission remained interrupted. However, the RVC was extremely concerned over the continuing low vaccination coverage reported for this country. In this study, we describe the most recent measles epidemic in Montenegro using the epidemiological data collected from January 1 to July 31, 2018. The outbreak is largely attributable to a dangerous accumulation of susceptible subjects across the country and represents a high‐risk factor for re‐establishing endemic transmission in the Balkan area. This study showed how a vaccine‐preventable communicable disease outbreak can have a dramatic impact and severe consequences on regional public health system performance in terms of the sanitary spending point of view. A detailed update is provided on the epidemiological situation in this Central European area, not available until now.
SARS‐CoV‐2 rapid antigen test in comparison to RT‐PCR targeting different genes: A real‐life evaluation among unselected patients in a regional hospital of Italy
Authors: Treggiari Davide , Piubelli Chiara , Caldrer Sara , Mistretta Manuela , Ragusa Andrea , Orza Pierantonio , Pajola Barbara , Piccoli Donatella , Conti Antonio , Lorenzi Carlo , Serafini Valentina , Boni Marco , Perandin Francesca
Published: October 2021

We assessed the performance of the Panbio rapid antigen detection (RAD) test for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection and we compared it with the routine reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR)‐based molecular test in a population of 4167 unselected patients admitted to IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital. Analysis stratified by cycling threshold (Ct) value of SARS‐CoV‐2 gene targets indicated that antigen (Ag)‐positive Ct values were significantly lower compared to Ag‐negative values (p < 0.0001). Overall, we found discordance in 140, tested negative by RAD and positive by RT‐PCR, and in 4 resulted positive by RAD and negative by RT‐PCR. RAD test achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 66.82% and 99.89%, respectively. The positive predictive value was shown to be 97.87% while the negative predictive value was shown to be 97.62%. In our context, the RAD test showed a reliable diagnostic response in subjects that displayed high Ct values, corresponding to high viral load, while low ability was displayed to identify positive cases with medium‐low Ct values, thus presenting low viral load and where confirmatory RT‐PCR was needed. Our finding supports the use of the RAD test in real‐life settings where a high volume of swabs is being processed but with caution when interpreting a positive test result in a low prevalence setting.
Modulation of Covid‐19 cytokine storm by tocilizumab
Authors: Boretti Alberto , Banik Bimal
Published: October 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) is the illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, first identified in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared Covid‐19 a global pandemic. The objective of this study is to determine the role of interleukin (IL) inhibitors in the treatment of Covid‐19. By the majority of the reported clinical studies, the use of tocilizumab in Covid‐19 infection appears promising in specific cases of the cytokine storm. Conflicting results prevent the recommendation of IL inhibitors against Covid‐19 infection by many health organizations. However, many low‐case fatality rate countries, with more advanced therapeutic approaches, uniformly include the use of tocilizumab in case of cytokine storms in addition to the standard treatment for severe cases which includes antivirals. Neglecting the other components is likely an explanation for the contradictory results found in the literature.
Factors Predicting Attitudes Toward Evidence‐Based Practice Among College Counselors
Authors: Newhart Sean , Travis Sterling , Mullen Patrick R.
Published: October 2021

Evidence‐based practice (EBP) has been proposed as a solution to the growing need for mental health treatment in the United States. We surveyed 205 college counselors regarding their attitudes toward EBP, institutional support, theoretical orientation, and job satisfaction. Our findings support the idea that counselors’ attitudes toward EBP is predicted by institutional support and percentage of time spent engaged in training. The implications of these findings for practitioners and researchers are explored.
Gifted University Students: Development and Evaluation of a Counseling Program
Authors: van den Muijsenberg Eline , Ramos Alicia , Vanhoudt Joke , Verschueren Karine
Published: October 2021

We developed, delivered, and evaluated a unique group counseling program for underperforming, gifted university students. Aligned with developmental and contextual models of giftedness, the program was designed to achieve four overarching goals using eight counseling themes relevant to academic success as identified in the literature or best practices. We evaluated the program using interviews with the participating students (N = 8), a questionnaire, and reflection among the counselors who delivered the program. Findings and recommendations for developing counseling programs for gifted students are presented.
Effects of social and climatic factors on building activity in the Czech lands between 1450 and 1950: a dendrochronological analysis
Authors: Kolář Tomáš , Dobrovolný Petr , Szabó Péter , Mikita Tomáš , Kyncl Tomáš , Kyncl Josef , Sochová Irena , Flídr Aleš , Merta David , Rybníček Michal
Published: October 2021

The development of settlement and building activity is the result of socioeconomic, political and demographic changes in the past. However, accurate information on temporal variation in building activity is rather limited. Dendrochronological databases containing dated historical wooden constructions provide an important resource. We used 6514 tree‐felling dates to reconstruct building activity in the Czech lands for the period 1450–1950. Comparing felling dates with historical events demonstrated that building activity was negatively associated with intense wars, particularly during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). After the Peace of Westphalia (1648), socioeconomic renewal and demographic growth were reflected in an upsurge of building activity, especially ecclesiastical buildings. While the construction of ecclesiastical and noble buildings culminated around the 1720s, rural buildings peaked in the 1780s and the 1820s. Although no direct effect of climate was demonstrated, adverse climatic conditions leading to harvest failures and subsequent famines (e.g. the ‘Hunger Years’ 1770–1772) significantly contributed to declines in building activity. In contrast, a higher number of felling dates were detected when strong and/or frequent windstorms occurred. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of building activity in Central Europe and advocates the use of dendrochronological databases for the investigation of human activities in history.
Peripheral nerve blocks with liposomal bupivacaine are associated with increased opioid use compared to thoracic epidural in patients with an epigastric incision
Authors: Aiken Taylor J. , Padilla Elena , Lemaster Deborah , Ronnekleiv‐Kelly Sean , Weber Sharon , Minter Rebecca M. , Ethier Steven , Abbott Daniel E.
Published: October 2021

Background

Thoracic epidurals are commonly recommended in enhanced recovery protocols, though they may cause hypotension and urinary retention. Peripheral nerve blocks using liposomal bupivacaine are a potential alternative, though they have not been extensively studied in major cancer operations with an epigastric incision.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data following the transition from thoracic epidural to liposomal peripheral nerve blocks in patients undergoing major oncologic surgery. Patients receiving peripheral nerve blocks were compared to those receiving thoracic epidural. Outcome variables included postoperative opioid use (milligram morphine equivalents [MME]), severe pain, and postoperative complications.

Results

Forty‐seven of 102 patients studied (46%) received peripheral nerve blocks. Opioid use was higher in the peripheral nerve block group during the 0–24 h (116 vs. 94 MME, p = 0.04) and 24–48 h postoperative period (94 vs. 23 MME, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in severe pain, hypotension, urinary retention, or ileus. Peripheral nerve blocks were associated with earlier ambulation (1 vs. 2 days, p = 0.04), though other milestones were similar.

Conclusions

Liposomal peripheral nerve blocks were associated with increased opioid use compared to thoracic epidural. On the basis of our results, thoracic epidural might be preferred in surgical oncology patients with an epigastric incision.
Solution to vessels mismatch in microsurgery: Vertical arteriotomy technique
Authors: Alamoudi Uthman , Ghanem Tamer
Published: October 2021

Background

Microvascular anastomosis is the key for successful free flap transplantation. Ideally, the anastomosis should maintain the flow with minimal turbulence, disruption of endothelium, and minimizing the furrow to prevent thrombosis and failure of the flap. One of the main pitfalls of micro‐anastomosis is vessels size mismatch.

Method and Result

There are many ways to overcome this issue, which includes forced mechanical dilation of the smaller vessel, oblique cuts, fish mouth cuts, interposition grafts, end‐to‐side anastomosis, coupling device, and others. Here, we report a simple technique with single customizable longitudinal arteriotomy of the smaller vessel to achieve an adequate size match to the larger vessel. It has been used for more than 10 years at our institution that allow us to achieve an end‐to‐end patent anastomosis.

Conclusion

Vertical arteriotomy is a simple technique that in our experience achieved end‐to‐end anastomosis high patency rate.
Sulforaphane covalently interacts with the transglutaminase 2 cancer maintenance protein to alter its structure and suppress its activity
Authors: Rorke Ellen A. , Adhikary Gautam , Szmacinski Henryk , Lakowicz Joseph R. , Weber David J. , Godoy‐Ruiz Raquel , Puranik Purushottamachar , Keillor Jeffrey W. , Gates Eric W. J. , Eckert Richard L.
Published: October 2021

Type 2 transglutaminase (TG2) functions as an important cancer cell survival protein in a range of cancers including epidermal squamous cell carcinoma. TG2 exists in open and closed conformations each of which has a distinct and mutually exclusive activity. The closed conformation has GTP‐binding/GTPase activity while the open conformation functions as a transamidase to catalyze protein‐protein crosslinking. GTP‐binding/GTPase activity is required for TG2 maintenance of the aggressive cancer phenotype. Thus, identifying agents that convert TG2 from the closed to the open GTP‐binding/GTPase inactive conformation is an important cancer prevention/treatment strategy. Sulforaphane (SFN) is an important diet‐derived cancer prevention agent that is known to possess a reactive isothiocyanate group and has potent anticancer activity. Using a biotin‐tagged SFN analog (Biotin‐ITC) and kinetic analysis we show that SFN covalently and irreversibly binds to recombinant TG2 to inhibit transamidase activity and shift TG2 to an open/extended conformation, leading to a partial inhibition of GTP binding. We also show that incubation of cancer cells or cancer cell extract with Biotin‐ITC results in formation of a TG2/Biotin‐ITC complex and that SFN treatment of cancer cells inhibits TG2 transamidase activity and shifts TG2 to an open/extended conformation. These findings identify TG2 as a direct SFN anticancer target in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma.
Evaluation of Strategies for Measuring Lysosomal Glucocerebrosidase Activity
Authors: Ysselstein Daniel , Young Tiffany J. , Nguyen Maria , Padmanabhan Shalini , Hirst Warren D. , Dzamko Nicolas , Krainc Dimitri
Published: October 2021

Mutations in GBA1, which encode for the protein glucocerebrosidase (GCase), are the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. In addition, growing evidence now suggests that the loss of GCase activity is also involved in onset of all forms of Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and other dementias, such as progranulin‐linked frontal temporal dementia. As a result, there is significant interest in developing GCase‐targeted therapies that have the potential to stop or slow progression of these diseases. Despite this interest in GCase as a therapeutic target, there is significant inconsistency in the methodology for measuring GCase enzymatic activity in disease‐modeling systems and patient populations, which could hinder progress in developing GCase therapies. In this review, we discuss the different strategies that have been developed to assess GCase activity and highlight the specific strengths and weaknesses of these approaches as well as the gaps that remain. We also discuss the current and potential role of these different methodologies in preclinical and clinical development of GCase‐targeted therapies. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Rapid calculation of static magnetic field perturbation generated by magnetized objects in arbitrary orientations
Authors: Yeo Seok‐Jin , Lee So‐Hee , Lee Seung‐Kyun
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Most previous work on the calculation of susceptibility‐induced static magnetic field (B0) inhomogeneity has considered strictly unidirectional magnetic fields. Here, we present the theory and implementation of a computational method to rapidly calculate static magnetic field vectors produced by an arbitrary distribution of voxelated magnetization vectors.

Theory and Methods

Two existing B0 calculation methods were systematically extended to include arbitrary orientations of the magnetization and the magnetic field; they are (1) Fourier‐domain convolution with k‐space‐discretized (KD) dipolar field, and (2) generalized susceptibility voxel convolution (gSVC). The methods were tested on an analytical ellipsoid model and a tilted human head model, as well as against experimentally measured B0 fields induced by a stainless‐steel implant located in an inhomogeneous region of a clinical 3T MRI magnet.

Results

Both methods were capable of correctly calculating B0 fields inside a magnetized ellipsoid in all tested orientations. The KD method generally required a larger grid and longer computation time to achieve accuracy comparable to gSVC. Measured B0 fields due to the implant showed a good match with the gSVC‐calculated fields that accounted for the spatial variation of the applied magnetic field including the radial components.

Conclusion

Our method can provide a reliable and efficient computational tool to calculate B0 perturbation by magnetized objects under a variety of circumstances, including those with inhomogeneous magnetizing fields, anisotropic susceptibility, and a rotated coordinate system.
Phase angle and overhydration are associated with post‐extubating dysphagia in patients with COVID‐19 discharged from the ICU
Authors: Reyes‐Torres Carlos A. , Flores‐López Adriana , Osuna‐Padilla Iván A. , Hernández‐Cárdenas Carmen M. , Serralde‐Zúñiga Aurora E.
Published: October 2021

Background

Few studies have evaluated the prevalence of post‐extubation dysphagia and associated factors in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) . Our study assessed the prevalence of post‐extubation dysphagia and body composition in patients with COVID‐19 discharged from an intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed in post‐ICU extubated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome related to COVID‐19 in two referral hospitals. A total of 112 patients were evaluated and included; swallowing assessment and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were performed after extubation and discharge from the ICU. To identify associations between dysphagia, lower phase angle (PhA) (<4.8°) and hydration (extracellular water/total body water < 0.390) logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted.

Results

The incidence of post‐extubation dysphagia was 41% (n = 46). From these, 65% (n = 30) had severe swallowing impairment. Overhydration and PhA were significantly different in patients with dysphagia, and segmental hydration in the trunk and legs was higher than in arms. PhA <4.8° (odds ratio [OR], 12.2; 95% CI, 4.3–34.1; P < .05) and overhydration measured by BIA (OR, 9.1; 95% CI, 3.4–24.5; P < .05) were associated with post‐extubation dysphagia in multivariate analysis. PhA (<4.8°) was associated with a lower rate of swallowing recovery at hospital discharge (log‐rank test = 0.007).

Conclusions

A high incidence of post‐extubation dysphagia was found in patients with COVID‐19. Low PhA and overhydration were associated with the presence of dysphagia. Lower PhA was an independent factor for swallowing recovery at discharge.