bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy‐related‐CO2 emissions in China's electricity and heating industry: A dual perspective of the economic “new normal”
Authors: Nie Jun , Wang Shuang , Xu Yi , Gao Lingling , Yu Yang , Jahanger Atif , Jiang Tangyang
Published: October 2023

After China's economy entered a “new normal,” their economic development model shifted from an energy‐intensive to an energy‐saving, given that China's electricity and heating industry accounts for about half of the country's energy consumption and carbon emissions. Based on the sample data from 2005 to 2020, this paper adopts the energy consumption method and the extended index decomposition model to explore carbon emissions of the electricity and heating industry in the early and late period of the economic new normal. The results show that: (1) carbon emissions from the electricity and heating industry showed a growing direction in the economic new normal period. However, compared with the early period of economic new normal, the increasing speed of carbon emissions from the electricity and heating industry slowed down significantly in the late period. This point also directly reflects that the extensive development mode of energy utilization has been alleviated after the electricity and heating industry entered the economic new normal. (2) Compared with the early period, the energy structure effect on the emission reduction was enhanced after entering the economic new normal. Meanwhile, the investment efficiency effect has changed from promoting to inhibiting. (3) Compared with the early period, the promotion impact of the investment scale effect on carbon emissions in the electricity and heating industry has no significant change after entering the economic new normal. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the emission reduction impact of the energy intensity effect is weak. This paper not only provides empirical evidence for evaluating the emission reduction effects of the Chinese electricity and heating industry before and after the economic new normal but also shares policy insights for precise emission reduction in the electricity and heating industry in the later stage of the economic new normal.
Benchmarking blood culture quality in the emergency department: Contamination, single sets and positivity
Authors: Hills Angela Z , Ray Mercedes , Williams Julian , Greenslade Jaimi
Published: October 2023

Objective

To benchmark blood culture (BC) quality in an Australian ED, explore groups at risk of suboptimal BC collection, and identify potential areas for improvement.

Methods

This retrospective observational study was undertaken to benchmark quality of BCs in a tertiary adult ED in terms of number of BC sets per patient and proportion of patients with false positive (contaminated) BC results.

Results

A single BC set was taken for 55% of patients, with lower acuity patients being more likely to have a single BC set taken. BC false positives occurred in 3.4% of presentations, with higher frequency in some critically unwell patient groups. The true positive BC rate was 10.9%, with pathogens most frequently isolated in older patients, those with a haematological condition or genitourinary source, and those admitted to inpatient wards. Hospital length of stay did not differ between patients with negative and patients with false positive BCs.

Conclusions

BC quality standards in the ED such as false positive rate <3% and single culture rate <20% are required to facilitate benchmarking and prospective quality improvement. The sensitivity and specificity of this common and critical test can be improved. Patient subgroups associated with poor‐quality BC collection can be identified and should be a focus of future work.
A randomized controlled trial of recovery management checkups for primary care patients: Twelve‐month results
Authors: Scott Christy K. , Dennis Michael L. , Grella Christine E. , Watson Dennis P. , Davis Jordan P. , Hart M. Kate
Published: October 2023

Background

Primary care settings like federally qualified health centers (FQHC) are optimal locations to identify individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and link them to SUD treatment, yet successful linkage has proven difficult. Recovery management checkups for primary care (RMC‐PC) is a promising method for increasing linkage to care, engagement in treatment, and reducing substance use.

Methods

Participants (n = 266) who received screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) at four FQHC sites and needed SUD treatment were randomized to receive SBIRT only or SBIRT+RMC‐PC. All participants received SBIRT prior to randomization as part of usual care while those in the experimental group also received quarterly checkups. All participants completed research interviews at enrollment and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post‐enrollment. The primary outcome was whether participants received any days of SUD treatment. Key secondary outcomes were days of SUD treatment (total and by SUD level of care), days of alcohol or drug abstinence, and a reduction in days of specific substance use, all based on self‐report.

Results

Relative to participants receiving SBIRT only, participants assigned to SBIRT+RMC‐PC were significantly more likely to have received any SUD treatment over 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.85) and more days of SUD treatment over 12 months (Cohen's effect size d = +0.41). The SBIRT+RMC‐PC group also reported significantly more days of abstinence over 12 months (d = +0.30), fewer days of alcohol use (d = −0.20) and cannabis use (d = −0.20), and lower combined substance use frequency (d = −0.25). Days of treatment were found to positively mediate the direct effect of SBIRT+RMC‐PC on days of abstinence.

Conclusion

This study provides further evidence of the effectiveness of the “referral to treatment” component of SBIRT when combined with RMC for patients in primary care settings, including those with drug use problems. Moreover, results demonstrate the value of repeated checkups on longer‐term treatment and substance use outcomes.
Robust voltage‐controlled transcutaneous energy transfer system for artificial anal sphincter
Authors: Chen Yelin , Jiang Pingping , Wang Lichao , Yan Guozheng , Wang Zhiwu , Liu Changjing , Han Ding
Published: October 2023

Background

The artificial anal sphincter (AAS) system has gained significant attention as a solution for treating fecal incontinence (FI). It relies on transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) as its primary energy source. However, changes in posture or biological tissue can cause misalignment of the coil, resulting in unstable power reception. Inadequate power affects charging efficiency, while excessive power leads to excessive heating at the receiver side. Consequently, achieving safe and constant voltage charging for the AAS becomes a complex challenge.

Methods

To maintain a consistent charging voltage and overcome the issue of variations in load and coil coupling strength, this article proposes a wireless charging control system that utilizes an LCC‐S‐type resonant network and phase shift to adjust the transmitting voltage based on feedback charging voltage in real time. In particular, the PI controller and neural network are introduced to change the phase‐shift angle swiftly. The dynamic performance is then evaluated under different misalignments and presented with comparative results.

Results

The results indicate that the multilayer perceptron control system outperforms the PI. Under the complex misalignment disturbance, the average error of receiver side load voltage is only 0.007 V, with an average settling time of 960 ms. Additionally, the average temperature at the receiver side is 40.4°C.

Conclusion

The experiments demonstrate that the proposed system effectively addresses the misalignment issue in TET during the charging, ensuring constant voltage charging at the receiver side and thermal safety.
Direct oral anticoagulant concentrations and adherence in stroke patients
Authors: Aakerøy Rachel , Gynnild Mari Nordbø , Løfblad Lena , Dyrkorn Roar , Ellekjær Hanne , Lydersen Stian , Helland Arne , Spigset Olav
Published: October 2023

No therapeutic ranges linking drug concentrations of apixaban and rivaroxaban to clinical outcomes have been defined. We investigated whether direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) concentrations among patients admitted to hospital with symptoms of stroke differed between those later verified to suffer an ischaemic cerebrovascular event (stroke or transient ischaemic attack) and those having other diagnoses (control group).

Serum concentrations in 102 patients on DOAC for atrial fibrillation (84%) and thromboembolic disease (16%) were measured within 24 h of the acute event, employing ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. We converted all concentrations to standardized trough levels.

DOAC concentrations were lower in the 64 patients with verified ischaemic cerebrovascular event than in the 30 controls, 255 ± 155 versus 329 ± 144 nmol/L (p = 0.029), despite no statistically significant difference in self‐reported adherence and daily dosages. Calculated concentrations were 5.4–596 nmol/L (median = 229 nmol/L) in the ischaemic stroke group and 41–602 nmol/L (median = 316 nmol/L) in controls. CHA2DS2‐VASc score was significantly higher in the ischaemic stroke group than in controls (4.9 ± 1.6 versus 4.1 ± 1.7; p = 0.007). These results may suggest that patients with high cerebrovascular risk might benefit from higher DOAC levels than those with a lower risk.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Beta Major Thalassemia: The Association between the PRES Occurrence and Class of Beta Major Thalassemia
Authors: Jafari Leila , Behfar Maryam , Tabatabaie Soroor , Karamlou Yalda , Kashani Homa , Radmard Amir Reza , Mohseni Rashin , Naji Parisa , Ghanbari Fatemeh , Ashkevari Pooya , Fakhr Hoda , Mohammadi Shiva , Hamidieh Amir Ali
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only definitive curative option for β‐major thalassemia patients (β‐MT). Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a pervasive neurological complication which typically occurs following HSCT. β‐MT patients are prone to a higher PRES incidence due to long‐term immunosuppression; thus, it is imperative that these patients are closely monitored for PRES after HSCT.

Patients and methods

We included 148 pediatric patients with β‐MT who underwent HSCT between March 2015 and August 2022 in Children's Medical Center. Patients in this study were divided into two groups. The association between PRES and class of β‐MT and other risk factors were assessed and the overall survival rate was determined.

Results

Fourteen out of 112 patients (12%) with class I and II β‐MT developed PRES. However, PRES occurred in 11 out of 36 patients (30.5%) with β‐MT‐III. Our results indicated that there was a significant association between class III β‐MT and the occurrence of (P = .004). Additionally, acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) occurred in 80% and 44.7% of patients in the PRES and non‐PRES groups, respectively (P = .001). The results of the Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed that the 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 75.6% in the PRES group versus 95% in the non‐PRES group, which was statistically significant (P = .001).

Conclusion

Based on our results, pediatric β‐MT III patients are at a higher risk of developing PRES. Additionally, pediatric β‐MT patients with a history of aGVHD, regardless of disease class, are more likely to develop PRES. Considering these results, PRES has a higher chance of being the etiology of symptoms and should be considered more often in these patients.
Lichen planus pemphigoides induced by anti‐PD‐1 antibody: A case only involved in oral mucosa with excellent topical treatment efficiency
Authors: Wang Shimeng , Sun Jun , Deng Shuzhi , Wu Lanyan , Li Wei , Ye Tingpei , Wu Fanglong , Wu Yang , Zhou Hongmei
Published: October 2023

Lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP) is a rare autoimmune subepidermal disease that can occur in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Its clinical manifestations are combined with the characteristics of lichen planus with bullous pemphigoid that can occur on either skin or oral mucosa. It should be noted that oral LPP is very rare. Here, we report a novel case of oral LPP induced by an anti‐PD‐1 agent. The patient presented with typical clinical features in oral mucosa, and the diagnosis was based on histopathology and immunological studies. Given that the patient was receiving an anti‐PD‐1 agent, topical therapy was chosen, and a nice therapeutic effect was obtained. No significant recurrence was observed after a 2‐year follow‐up. A good and stable therapeutic effect achieved by rapid and local symptomatic medication suggests that accurate and sensitive diagnosis is necessary.
Evaluating compliance gains of expanding tax enforcement
Authors: Løyland Knut , Raaum Oddbjørn , Torsvik Gaute , Øvrum Arnstein
Published: October 2023

This paper demonstrates how tax administrations can evaluate future compliance gains from risk‐based tax enforcement that audits all taxpayers above a risk threshold. Expanding tax enforcement in this setting means reducing the audit threshold. The compliance gains from such an expansion consist of a mechanical audit correction effect and a behavioural effect that reflects changes in self‐reporting in the subsequent years. We estimate this behavioural effect in a regression discontinuity analysis with the risk score as the forcing variable. We find that taxpayers at the margin had a significant reduction in self‐reported deductions in the next years' tax filing. The behavioural effect over a three‐year post‐audit period is estimated to be of a magnitude similar to that of the direct adjustment of the audit. This compliance effect does not change when we include the reporting of the spouse. We find that the risk score threshold that maximizes net public revenue from the audits is considerably below current practice.
Financial development and economic complexity: The role of country stability
Authors: Ndoya Hermann , Ongo Nkoa Bruno Emmanuel , Kemeze Francis Hypolite , Nchofoung Tii N.
Published: October 2023

The aim of this paper is to examine the relationships between financial development (FD), economic complexity and country stability. To achieve this objective, this paper applies a finite mixture model to a sample of 92 developing countries over the period 1995–2018. The study posits that the effect of FD on economic complexity differs across groups of countries with similar but unobserved characteristics. The study finds that the effect of FD on economic complexity varies across four classes of countries, which differ according to their level of economic, political and financial stability. Furthermore, the study argues that stable countries are more likely to be in class 1, including more performing countries – that is, the group of countries where FD spurs economic complexity. This finding remains consistent even when alternative measures of FD and economic complexity are considered. Hence, efforts by developing countries to undertake sound reforms to reduce economic, political and financial risks could help leverage the benefits of FD in fostering the development of sophisticated and complex economies.
Rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) in prewar China: Communal finance and the roots of economic development
Authors: Lowenstein Matthew
Published: October 2023

This article studies Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) in late imperial and Republican‐era Shanxi province, China, from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. It investigates how communal finance fostered pre‐industrial economic growth and commercial activity. Drawing on previously unused, original materials from historical Shanxi ROSCAs and households, it makes several important discoveries. First, it finds widespread ROSCA participation, estimating no fewer than 7.1 per cent of Shanxi households participated in ROSCAs. Second, it estimates expected internal rates of returns on ROSCA membership at 2.55–6.01 per cent annually. This suggests that ROSCAs were economically competitive with other Chinese traditional financiers, which often charged more for loans and offered less to savers. Third, it finds a surprising degree of liquidity for ROSCA shares. Finally, it uncovers commercial entities participating in ROSCAs, suggesting ROSCAs could be useful to for‐profit enterprises. The article concludes that ROSCAs and communal finance may have played an important role in supporting pre‐industrial economic activity.
Depression and treatment with anti‐calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) (ligand or receptor) antibodies for migraine
Authors: de Vries Lentsch Simone , van der Arend Britt W. H. , de Boer Irene , van Zwet Erik W. , MaassenVanDenBrink Antoinette , Terwindt Gisela M.
Published: October 2023

Background and purpose

The aim was to evaluate the effect of anti‐calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) (ligand or receptor) antibodies on depressive symptoms in subjects with migraine and to determine whether depressive symptoms predict treatment response.

Methods

Patients with migraine treated with erenumab and fremanezumab at the Leiden Headache Centre completed daily E‐headache diaries. A control group was included. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) questionnaires at baseline (T0) and after 3 months (T1). First, the effect of treatment on the reduction in HADS‐D and CES‐D scores was assessed, with reduction in depression scores as the dependent variable and reduction in monthly migraine days (MMD) and treatment with anti‐CGRP medication as independent variables. Second, depression as a predictor of treatment response was investigated, using the absolute reduction in MMD as a dependent variable and age, gender, MMD, active depression, impact, stress and locus of control scores as independent variables.

Results

In total, n = 108 patients were treated with erenumab, n = 90 with fremanezumab and n = 68 were without active treatment. Treatment with anti‐CGRP medication was positively associated with a reduction in the HADS‐D (β = 1.65, p = 0.01) compared to control, independent of MMD reduction. However, the same effect was not found for the CES‐D (β = 2.15, p = 0.21). Active depression predicted poorer response to erenumab (p = 0.02) but not to fremanezumab (p = 0.09).

Conclusion

Anti‐CGRP (ligand or receptor) monoclonals lead to improvement of depressive symptoms in individuals with migraine, independent of migraine reduction. Depression may predict treatment response to erenumab but not to fremanezumab.
Patterns of antiseizure medication utilization in the Human Epilepsy Project
Authors: Fox Jonah , Barnard Sarah , Agashe Shruti H. , Holmes Manisha G. , Gidal Barry , Klein Pavel , Abou‐Khalil Bassel W. , French Jacqueline ,   Human Epilepsy Project Investigators
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study was undertaken to ascertain the natural history and patterns of antiseizure medication (ASM) use in newly diagnosed focal epilepsy patients who were initially started on monotherapy.

Methods

The data were derived from the Human Epilepsy Project. Differences between the durations of the most commonly first prescribed ASM monotherapies were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Subjects were classified into three groups: monotherapy, sequential monotherapy, and polytherapy.

Results

A total of 443 patients were included in the analysis, with a median age of 32 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 20–44) and median follow‐up time of 3.2 years (IQR = 2.4–4.2); 161 (36.3%) patients remained on monotherapy with their initially prescribed ASM at the time of their last follow‐up. The mean (SEM) and median (IQR) duration that patients stayed on monotherapy with their initial ASM was 2.1 (2.0–2.2) and 1.9 (.3–3.5) years, respectively. The most commonly prescribed initial ASM was levetiracetam (254, 57.3%), followed by lamotrigine (77, 17.4%), oxcarbazepine (38, 8.6%), and carbamazepine (24, 5.4%). Among those who did not remain on the initial monotherapy, 167 (59.2%) transitioned to another ASM as monotherapy (sequential monotherapy) and 115 (40.8%) ended up on polytherapy. Patients remained significantly longer on lamotrigine (mean = 2.8 years, median = 3.1 years) compared to levetiracetam (mean = 2.0 years, median = 1.5 years) as a first prescribed medication (hazard ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval = 1.0–2.2). As the study progressed, the proportion of patients on lamotrigine, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine as well as other sodium channel agents increased from a little more than one third (154, 34.8%) of patients to more than two thirds (303, 68.4%) of patients.

Significance

Slightly more than one third of focal epilepsy patients remain on monotherapy with their first prescribed ASM. Approximately three in five patients transition to monotherapy with another ASM, whereas approximately two in five end up on polytherapy. Patients remain on lamotrigine for a longer duration compared to levetiracetam when it is prescribed as the initial monotherapy.
Projecting spatiotemporal dynamics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in the mainland of China
Authors: Ding Fang‐Yu , Ge Hong‐Han , Ma Tian , Wang Qian , Hao Meng‐Meng , Li Hao , Zhang Xiao‐Ai , Maude Richard James , Wang Li‐Ping , Jiang Dong , Fang Li‐Qun , Liu Wei
Published: October 2023

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease with increasing incidence and geographic extent. The extent to which global climate change affects the incidence of SFTS disease remains obscure. We use an integrated multi‐model, multi‐scenario framework to assess the impact of global climate change on SFTS disease in China. The spatial distribution of habitat suitability for the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis was predicted by applying a boosted regression tree model under four alternative climate change scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5) for the periods 2030–2039, 2050–2059, and 2080–2089. We incorporate the SFTS cases in the mainland of China from 2010 to 2019 with environmental variables and the projected distribution of H. longicornis into a generalized additive model to explore the current and future spatiotemporal dynamics of SFTS. Our results demonstrate an expanded geographic distribution of H. longicornis toward Northern and Northwestern China, showing a more pronounced change under the RCP8.5 scenario. In contrast, the environmental suitability of H. longicornis is predicted to be reduced in Central and Eastern China. The SFTS incidence in three time periods (2030–2039, 2050–2059, and 2080–2089) is predicted to be increased as compared to the 2010s in the context of various RCPs. A heterogeneous trend across provinces, however, was observed, when an increased incidence in Liaoning and Shandong provinces, while decreased incidence in Henan province is predicted. Notably, we predict possible outbreaks in Xinjiang and Yunnan in the future, where only sporadic cases have been reported previously. These findings highlight the need for tick control and population awareness of SFTS in endemic regions, and enhanced monitoring in potential risk areas.
Performance of Orbicella faveolata larval cohorts does not align with previously observed thermal tolerance of adult source populations
Authors: Zhang Yingqi , Gantt Shelby E. , Keister Elise F. , Elder Holland , Kolodziej Graham , Aguilar Catalina , Studivan Michael S. , Williams Dana E. , Kemp Dustin W. , Manzello Derek P. , Enochs Ian C. , Kenkel Carly D.
Published: October 2023

Orbicella faveolata, commonly known as the mountainous star coral, is a dominant reef‐building species in the Caribbean, but populations have suffered sharp declines since the 1980s due to repeated bleaching and disease‐driven mortality. Prior research has shown that inshore adult O. faveolata populations in the Florida Keys are able to maintain high coral cover and recover from bleaching faster than their offshore counterparts. However, whether this origin‐specific variation in thermal resistance is heritable remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we produced purebred and hybrid larval crosses from O. faveolata gametes collected at two distinct reefs in the Upper Florida Keys, a nearshore site (Cheeca Rocks, CR) and an offshore site (Horseshoe Reef, HR), in two different years (2019, 2021). We then subjected these aposymbiotic larvae to severe (36°C) and moderate (32°C) heat challenges to quantify their thermal tolerance. Contrary to our expectation based on patterns of adult thermal tolerance, HR purebred larvae survived better and exhibited gene expression profiles that were less driven by stress response under elevated temperature compared to purebred CR and hybrid larvae. One potential explanation could be the compromised reproductive output of CR adult colonies due to repeated summer bleaching events in 2018 and 2019, as gametes originating from CR in 2019 contained less storage lipids than those from HR. These findings provide an important counter‐example to the current selective breeding paradigm, that more tolerant parents will yield more tolerant offspring, and highlight the importance of adopting a holistic approach when evaluating larval quality for conservation and restoration purposes.
Climate change should drive mammal defaunation in tropical dry forests
Authors: Moura Mario R. , Oliveira Gibran A. , Paglia Adriano P. , Pires Mathias M. , Santos Bráulio A.
Published: October 2023

Human‐induced climate change has intensified negative impacts on socioeconomic factors, the environment, and biodiversity, including changes in rainfall patterns and an increase in global average temperatures. Drylands are particularly at risk, with projections suggesting they will become hotter, drier, and less suitable for a significant portion of their species, potentially leading to mammal defaunation. We use ecological niche modelling and community ecology biodiversity metrics to examine potential geographical range shifts of non‐volant mammal species in the largest Neotropical dryland, the Caatinga, and evaluate impacts of climate change on mammal assemblages. According to projections, 85% of the mammal species will lose suitable habitats, with one quarter of species projected to completely lose suitable habitats by 2060. This will result in a decrease in species richness for more than 90% of assemblages and an increase in compositional similarity to nearby assemblages (i.e., reduction in spatial beta diversity) for 70% of the assemblages. Small‐sized mammals will be the most impacted and lose most of their suitable habitats, especially in highlands. The scenario is even worse in the eastern half of Caatinga where habitat destruction already prevails, compounding the threats faced by species there. While species‐specific responses can vary with respect to dispersal, behavior, and energy requirements, our findings indicate that climate change can drive mammal assemblages to biotic homogenization and species loss, with drastic changes in assemblage trophic structure. For successful long‐term socioenvironmental policy and conservation planning, it is critical that findings from biodiversity forecasts are considered.
Effect of oral health status and oral function on malnutrition in community‐dwelling older adult dental patients: A two‐year prospective cohort study
Authors: Sawada Nanami , Takeuchi Noriko , Ekuni Daisuke , Morita Manabu
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To survey oral status in detail and clarify the factors associated with nutritional status as evaluated by the Mini Nutritional Assessment.

Background

Malnutrition is common in older adults and increases the risk of frailty, sarcopenia, and mortality. However, few longitudinal studies have been performed to investigate the causal effect of oral status on malnutrition in detail, and the information reported in those longitudinal studies has been limited to dentition status and swallowing ability.

Materials and Methods

The participants in this prospective cohort study were patients who visited the Preventive Dentistry Clinic at Okayama University Hospital from November 2017 to January 2021. The number of teeth, periodontal condition, oral function (oral diadochokinesis, masticatory ability, number of bacteria in tongue coating, occlusal force, oral moisture, tongue pressure, swallowing function), nutritional status, the number of comorbidities, and mental health status were examined. These variables were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM).

Results

The final analysis included 141 participants (40 males and 101 females; mean age, 73.5 ± 6.3 years; follow‐up rate: 79.7%). The results of the SEM revealed that oral status (number of teeth present and swallowing function) was positively associated with nutritional status 2 years later. In addition, age was negatively associated with oral status.

Conclusion

In community‐dwelling older adult dental patients (age ≥60 years), oral function at baseline was associated with nutritional status two years later.
Chronic periodontitis and risk of cerebro‐cardiovascular diseases among older Koreans
Authors: Jang Kyeung‐Ae , Kim Yu‐Rin , Joo Kwangmin , Son Minkook
Published: October 2023

Background and Objective

There is a relative lack of evidence from observational studies of older populations investigating the association between chronic periodontitis and cerebro‐cardiovascular diseases. Accordingly, we investigated the risk of cerebro‐cardiovascular diseases according to the severity of chronic periodontitis among older adults.

Methods

Data on older adults with chronic periodontitis were extracted from the Korea National Health Insurance Service‐Senior Cohort Database using diagnosis codes and dental procedures. Participants were divided into two exposure groups. Among 46 737 participants eligible for inclusion, 21 905 (46.9%) had newly diagnosed mild chronic periodontitis, and 24 832 (53.1%) had newly diagnosed severe chronic periodontitis. To determine the risk of cerebro‐cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke, and myocardial infarction, multivariable‐adjusted Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in this retrospective follow‐up study.

Results

A total of 3453 (7.4%) outcomes were identified during a mean follow‐up of 6.1 years. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that disease‐free probability was lower in the severe group than in the mild group (log‐rank P < .001). In the multivariable‐adjusted model, the HR for cerebro‐cardiovascular diseases in the severe group (relative to the mild group) was 1.16 (95% CI: 1.09–1.25). In individual outcome analysis, ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction were associated with chronic periodontitis severity, but haemorrhagic stroke was not.

Conclusion

The severity of chronic periodontitis could be associated with the risk of cerebro‐cardiovascular diseases in older adults.
Structural and luminescence studies on thermally stable Bi3+‐activated Ba3MoTiO8 phosphors for near UV‐pumped w‐LED applications
Authors: Rohilla Pooja , Prasad Aman , Srinivasa Rao Allam
Published: October 2023

This research presents the outcomes of diverse morphological and photoluminescence (PL) studies performed on Bi3+ ion–doped Ba3MoTiO8 phosphors prepared via the conventional solid‐state reaction method. Phase assessment was carried out via the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Field emission scanning microscopy (FE‐SEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX) have been used to study the surface morphology anda elemental composition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) was used to study the character and vibrational frequencies of bonds in the phosphor lattice. Room‐temperature PL was performed under 275 and 386 nm excitations, displaying a broad band in the blue region corresponding to the 3P1 → 1S0 transition of Bi3+ ions. The Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates and correlated color temperature values show that the as‐prepared phosphors emit in the blue vicinity. The decay curves under both excitation wavelengths show a single exponential behavior. Temperature‐dependent PL studies confirmed the high thermal stability of the phosphor. We want to endorse these phosphors as a blue‐emitting component in white light‐emitting diodes (w‐LEDs) and solid‐state lighting (SSL) applications.
Developing intragranular zirconia‐reinforced alumina possessing vastly improved mechanical and tribological properties
Authors: Verma Vaibhav , Kumar Udit , Ghosh Subrata , Gurnani Luv , Mukhopadhyay Amartya
Published: October 2023

The dispersion‐cum‐distribution of second phase particles in a polycrystalline ceramic microstructure influences the mechanical and tribological properties, with the difficult‐to‐achieve inter‐/intragranular reinforcement often leading to better properties, as compared to simply intergranular reinforcement. However, the latter microstructure‐type is more regularly obtained when the processing involves physical mixing of crystalline (starting) powder particles of the components. Against this backdrop, an innovative sol‐gel‐based route, which is devoid of such physical mixing, but which leads to heterogeneous nucleation/growth of the crystalline matrix phase (here, α‐Al2O3) around well‐dispersed second‐phase particles (of tetragonal zirconia; t‐ZrO2) during calcination/sintering, allows achieving inter‐/intragranular reinforcement of t‐ZrO2 in Al2O3‐ZrO2 composites. Such a microstructure‐type results in considerably improved hardness (even with respect to monolithic Al2O3), despite the incorporation of softer ZrO2 phase, enhanced resistances to crack propagation and wear damage, as compared to the conventionally processed counterparts, having primarily intergranular t‐ZrO2 reinforcement. From mechanistic point of view, the intragranular t‐ZrO2 reinforcement leads to enhanced “t‐ZrO2 transformability” and change in fracture mode from intergranular to transgranular. From a generic perspective, the beneficial aspects of the processing route can potentially be taken forward toward the development of other ceramic composites possessing inter‐/intragranular microstructure‐type.
Spectrum regulation of YAG:Ce/YAG:Cr/YAG:Pr phosphor ceramics with barcode structure prepared by tape casting
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhu Yuxuan , Cheng Ziqiu , Wang Yanbin , Tian Feng , Liu Ziyu , Li Wanyuan , Zhou Guohong , Zou Jun , Kosyanov Denis Yu. , Li Jiang
Published: October 2023

YAG:Ce/YAG:Cr/YAG:Pr composite phosphor ceramics with barcode structure were prepared by tape casting combined with the solid‐state reaction method. This structure provides a convenient and effective method for regulating the optical parameters such as luminous efficacy (LE), color rendering, and correlated color temperature (CCT) of white light‐emitting diodes/laser diodes (LEDs/LDs). For the sample with a thickness ratio of 6:6:6 for YAG:Ce, YAG:Cr, and YAG:Pr, the in‐line transmittance reaches 60% at 800 nm, and it shows a good optical performance with the LE of 106 lm/W, the color gamut (Rg) of 77, the color fidelity index (Rf) of 86, and the CCT of 7642 K. The electroluminescence spectra and color coordinates can be adjusted by changing the ratio of each component in the composite ceramic and the thickness of the ceramic because the tape casting method allows precise control of the thickness of each ceramic layer. The high tunability provides more freedom in the performance design of composite phosphor ceramics and makes them the most promising candidate for high brightness white LEDs/LDs.
How to cross the desert if you are small and need mountains? Out‐of‐Ethiopia dispersal in Afromontane shrews
Authors: Dianat Malahat , Konečný Adam , Lavrenchenko Leonid A. , Kerbis Peterhans Julian C. , Demos Terrence C. , Nicolas Violaine , Ortiz David , Bryja Josef
Published: October 2023

Aim

The Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot (EABH) offers an ideal location to investigate the evolutionary mechanisms producing a high level of endemic biodiversity. We tested the hypothesis that the cradle of Eastern Afromontane diversity is in the largest sub‐region of the EABH montane archipelago, that is the Ethiopian Highlands. Further, we expected that climate oscillations followed by elevational shifts in montane habitats facilitated the dispersal of small mammal populations across unsuitable arid lowlands.

Location

Mountains and highlands of East Africa.

Taxon

Shrews of the genus Crocidura (Eastern Afromontane phylogenetic clade).

Methods

We collected comprehensive genetic data from 511 (mitochondrial gene for cytochrome b) and 147 (double digest Restriction‐Associated DNA sequencing) samples of Crocidura shrews across the EABH. We estimated phylogenetic relationships with Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood approaches. Population genetic analyses were performed in STRUCTURE to evaluate the internal structure of species outside Ethiopia. Ancestral area and dispersal routes were analysed by the BioGeoBears package.

Results

Six major phylogenomic clades were delimited based on concatenated nuclear loci. The mitochondrial phylogeny roughly matches nuclear phylogenies, but with poorer resolution. Five of the six revealed clades are restricted to the Ethiopian Highlands, which is unambiguously the cradle of the diversity of this group of mammals (also confirmed by the biogeographic analysis). All non‐Ethiopian and a single Ethiopian species fall into the sixth clade with poorly resolved internal relationships. Detailed population genetic analysis of SNP data revealed a pronounced structure with multiple gene pools in this clade; however, this structure only partly corresponds with the current taxonomy.

Main Conclusions

Eastern Afromontane Crocidura shrews originated in the Ethiopian Highlands. They radiated there, and through a single southward dispersal event across the Turkana depression, they colonised the rest of the EABH in response to diverse geomorphology and climatic changes during the Plio‐Pleistocene.
Medical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter with class IC antiarrhythmic drugs in young patients with and without congenital heart disease
Authors: Przybylski Robert , Eberly Logan M. , Alexander Mark E. , Bezzerides Vassilios J. , DeWitt Elizabeth S. , Dionne Audrey , Mah Douglas Y. , Triedman John K. , Walsh Edward P. , O'Leary Edward T.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The use of flecainide and propafenone for medical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter/intra‐atrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) is well‐described in adults without congenital heart disease (CHD). Data are sparse regarding their use for the same purpose in adults with CHD and in adolescent patients with anatomically normal hearts and we sought to describe the use of class IC drugs in this population and identify factors associated with decreased likelihood of success.

Methods

Single center retrospective cohort study of patients who received oral flecainide or propafenone for medical cardioversion of AF or IART from 2000 to 2022. The unit of analysis was each episode of AF/IART. We performed a time‐to‐sinus rhythm analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model clustering on the patient to identify factors associated with increased likelihood of success.

Results

We identified 45 episodes involving 41 patients. As only episodes of AF were successfully cardioverted with medical therapy, episodes of IART were excluded from our analyses. Use of flecainide was the only factor associated with increased likelihood of success. There was a statistically insignificant trend toward decreased likelihood of success in patients with CHD.

Conclusions

Flecainide was more effective than propafenone. We did not detect a difference in rate of conversion to sinus rhythm between patients with and without CHD and were likely underpowered to do so, however, there was a trend toward decreased likelihood of success in patients with CHD. That said, medical therapy was effective in >50% of patients with CHD with AF.
Comparison of pulsed‐field ablation versus very high power short duration‐ablation for pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Wörmann Jonas , Schipper Jan‐Hendrik , Lüker Jakob , van den Bruck Jan‐Hendrik , Filipovic Karlo , Erlhöfer Susanne , Pavel Friederike , Scheurlen Cornelia , Dittrich Sebastian , Steven Daniel , Sultan Arian
Published: October 2023

Background

The newly introduced nonthermal pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a promising technology to achieve fast pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with high acute success rates and good safety features. However, previous studies have shown that very high power short duration ablation (VHPSD) is also highly effective and fast to achieve PVI with potentially less arrhythmia recurrence compared to conventional radiofrequency ablation. Data comparing PFA to VHPSD‐PVI is lacking.

Objective

This study compared procedural and outcome data for PFA‐PVI to VHPSD‐PVI in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF/persAF).

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing de novo PVI (PFA or VHPSD) were included in this analysis. For PFA‐PVI a pentaspline 20 electrode catheter was used. For VHPSD‐PVI an enhanced irrigated catheter with a power setting of 70 W/7 s (70 W/5 s at posterior wall) was employed in conjunction with electro‐anatomical mapping. All procedures were performed in deep analgo‐sedation.

Results

A total of n = 114 patients (n = 57[50%] PFA, n = 17[30%] PAF; n = 40[70%] persAF) were included in this analysis. PVI was successful in all patients. The PFA group revealed a significantly shorter procedure duration (65 ± 17 min vs. 95 ± 23 min, p < 0.01) but longer fluoroscopy time (PFA 15 ± 5 min and VHPSD 12 ± 3 min; p < 0.001). At follow‐up after median 125 days (interquartile range: 109–162) n = 46 PFA (80.7%) and n = 44 VHPSD pts (77.2%) were free from atrial arrhythmia after a single procedure (p = 0.819).

Two tamponades occurred in the PFA while in VHPSD two pts suffered groin bleedings. One clinically nonsignificant PV stenosis occurred in the VHPSD group.

Conclusion

Pulsed‐field ablation and VHPSD‐PVI seem to be highly effective and safe to achieve PVI in the setting of PAF and persAF with comparable arrhythmia‐free survival. However, procedure duration for PFA PVI is significantly shorter and therefore may be of potential benefit. Compared to PFA VHPSD‐PVI might ensure information on left atrial substrate allowing to target concomitant secondary tachycardias.
Sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on biological characteristics, detoxifying enzyme activity and gene expression profile in the Allium mongolicum Regel leaf beetle Galeruca daurica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Ren Hao , Zhang Hongling , Tan Yao , Ni Ruoyao , Shan Yanmin , Li Fei , Dai Guixiang , Li Ling , Li Yanyan , Pang Baoping
Published: October 2023

Allium mongolicum Regel leaf beetle, Galeruca daurica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is rampantly harmful in Inner Mongolia grassland. However, the current management strategies for this pest still heavily rely on chemical control using traditional insecticides or those with novel action. In the study, we conducted an indoor bioassay to evaluate the sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on the biological characteristics. Additionally, we assessed the activity of detoxification enzymes, specifically the primary enzymes carboxylesterase (CarE) and cytochrome P450, and insect's secondary metabolic enzymes, namely glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase (UGT), as well as its gene expression profile. The developmental period of the 3rd instar larvae of G. daurica was significantly prolonged after treatment with chlorantraniliprole, which negatively affected the hatching, pupation and diapause rates as well as their body weight. The larvae showed different dynamics of the enzyme activities within 24 h of chlorantraniliprole treatment. Different sublethal concentrations of chlorantraniliprole showed an inducing effect on the activities, while no significant difference in activity was observed for P450. Expression profiling of detoxifying enzyme genes screened by transcriptome data has revealed that 6 CarE, 2 GST, 7 UGT and 31 P450 genes were up‐regulated. In conclusion, chlorantraniliprole's sublethal effect on 3rd instar G. daurica larvae resulted in a deceleration of their growth and developmental processes and significantly increased the activity levels of CarE, GST and UGT. The detoxifying proteins encoded by up‐regulation genes may involve in the detoxification metabolism of chlorantraniliprole. Our results provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of chlorantraniliprole action and detoxification in this key grassland insect pest.
Analyzing uncertainty in probable maximum precipitation estimation with large ensemble climate simulation data
Authors: Kim Youngkyu , Kim Sunmin , Tachikawa Yasuto
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to evaluate probable maximum precipitation (PMP) estimated using surface dew points (SDP) or actual precipitable water obtained from upper‐air data (UAD) in the moisture‐maximization method with the help of sufficient extreme precipitation events using large‐scale climate ensemble simulation data (d4PDF). The deviations between the PMP variables estimated by the SDP and UAD approaches were analyzed for southern and northern areas of Japan to consider the regional characteristics of the deviations. We found that the deviations were high in northern areas where the SDPs are relatively low during precipitation events. The PMPs estimated using each approach were also compared to the extreme‐scale reference precipitation proposed in this study. The SDP approach overestimated the PMPs by over 20% compared to the reference precipitation in the northern region. However, the UAD approach showed very low average errors in all southern and northern areas. This tendency of the SDP approach was significantly related to the regional climatic characteristics of the SDP, which indicated that the SDP approach may estimate an uncertain PMP value depending on each regional climatic characteristic compared to the UAD approach. Regional climatic characteristics should be considered when using the SDP approach to estimate the PMP.
Sustainability transitions require an understanding of smaller cities
Authors: Mohareb Eugene , Perrotti Daniela
Published: October 2023

As we approach an era where more than 60% of the global population lives in cities, urban areas must be our focal point in the transition to the flourishing societies of future decades. While much attention has been paid to understanding urban consumption patterns over the past decade, the overwhelming majority of recent urban metabolism research has focused on larger cities with populations over 1 million inhabitants. Meanwhile, estimates show that more people live in urban areas with populations between 300,000 and 1 million people than in mega cities. Indeed, given their relatively small size, there are many more of these cities to study than larger cities; many more urban governments need to be informed of the solutions that are relevant to the context of their less dense populations. Our goals to decarbonize and dematerialize societies require discussions of measures that are applicable to different types of urban areas across various population scales. We take the example of the town of Reading, United Kingdom to illustrate how per capita urban metabolic flows differ within small‐ and medium‐sized cities, as well as for megacities. For example, relative to Reading, we find that there is substantial variability in energy demand for small cities (i.e., Le Mans is 150% higher) and for larger cities (50% higher for other European and North American megacities). This underscores the need to explore this under‐researched area of urban metabolism, as well as the development of a typology to enable comparisons and differentiate strategies for sustainability transitions.