bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Canopy Exchange and Modification of Nitrogen Fluxes in Forest Ecosystems
Authors: Guerrieri Rossella , Templer Pamela , Magnani Federico
Published: August 2021

Purpose of Review

We provide an overview of the main processes occurring during the interactions between atmospheric nitrogen and forest canopies, by bringing together what we have learned in recent decades, identifying knowledge gaps, and how they can be addressed with future research thanks to new technologies and approaches.

Recent Findings

There is mounting evidence that tree canopies retain a significant percentage of incoming atmospheric nitrogen, a process involving not only foliage, but also branches, microbes, and epiphytes (and their associated micro-environments). A number of studies have demonstrated that some of the retained nitrogen can be assimilated by foliage, but more studies are needed to better quantify its contribution to plant metabolism and how these fluxes vary across different forest types. By merging different approaches (e.g., next-generation sequence analyzes and stable isotopes, particularly oxygen isotope ratios) it is now possible to unveil the highly diverse microbial communities hidden in forest canopies and their ability to process atmospheric nitrogen through processes such as nitrification and nitrogen fixation. Future work should address the contribution of both foliar nitrogen uptake and biological transformations within forest canopies to whole ecosystem nitrogen cycling budgets.

Scientists have studied for decades the role of forest canopies in altering nitrogen derived from atmospheric inputs before they reach the forest floor, showing that tree canopies are not just passive filters for precipitation water and dissolved nutrients. We now have the technological capability to go beyond an understanding of tree canopy itself to better elucidate its role as sink or source of nutrients, as well as the epiphytes and microbial communities hidden within them.
Chatbot-Delivered Cognitive Defusion versus Cognitive Restructuring for Negative Self-Referential Thoughts: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lavelle Joseph , Dunne Neil , Mulcahy Hugh E. , McHugh Louise
Published: August 2021

Conversational agents or chatbots are a novel, highly accessible, and low-resource method of psychological intervention delivery. The present research aims to compare two brief chatbot interventions that delivered cognitive restructuring and defusion interventions, respectively. It was hypothesized that a defusion chatbot would lead to reduced cognitive fusion and decreased thought believability relative to cognitive restructuring and a nonactive control. Participants (N = 223; M age of 28.01 [SD = 10.29]; 47 identified as male, 174 as female, and 2 as nonbinary) were randomized into one of three conditions (defusion, restructuring, control), engaged for 5 days completing thought and mood measures pre- and postintervention. Sixty-two participants (M age of 25.98; SD = 8.647 years) completed measures again at time 2 (49 identified as female, 12 as male, and 1 as nonbinary). No statistically significant differences were observed among groups on believability of thoughts (F[2, 25] = .79, p = .47, ηp2 = .06), negativity of thoughts (F[2,25] = 1.49, p = .25, η 2 = .11), discomfort associated with thoughts (F[2, 25] = .48, p = .62, ηp2 = .04), and willingness (F[2, 25] = 3.00, p = .07, ηp2 = .19) to have negative self-referential thoughts. Moreover, substantial attrition of 72% was observed. Acceptability and usability of the chatbots employed are discussed as contributing toward the limited effectiveness of interventions and elevated attrition. Various recommendations are presented to support researchers and clinicians in developing engaging and effective chatbots.
Portfolio optimization model with uncertain returns based on prospect theory
Authors: Li Yufeng , Zhou Bing , Tan Yingxue
Published: August 2021

When investing in new stocks, it is difficult to predict returns and risks in a general way without the support of historical data. Therefore, a portfolio optimization model with an uncertain rate of return is proposed. On this basis, prospect theory is used for reference, and then the uncertain return portfolio optimization model is established from the perspective of expected utility maximization. An improved gray wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm is designed because of the complex nonsmooth and nonconcave characteristics of the model. The results show that the GWO algorithm is superior to the traditional particle swarm optimization algorithm and genetic algorithm.
International Protection of Foreign Investments in Offshore Energy Production and Marine Environmental Protection: Birds of a Feather or Frenemies Forever?
Authors: Giannopoulos Nikolaos
Published: August 2021

Initially, international investment law and international law on the protection of the marine environment were two branches that developed separately. As these international regimes mature, they often speak to the same facts, bringing about their ever-increasing normative interaction, way before any disputes arise. The regulation of investments in offshore energy production is chosen as a case study because it exemplifies how these two bodies of international law can interact. The article does not conceptualize these two international regimes as inherently antagonistic but instead highlights their potential complementarity. Yet, it is primarily the issue of normative conflicts between those two regimes which has generated heated scholarly debates. Against the backdrop of sweeping critiques about the potential ‘regulatory chill’ of international investment agreements and their investor-State dispute settlement mechanism, this contribution examines whether arbitral tribunals have interpreted and applied investment rules in a fashion that can unduly restrict the discretion of host States to honour their marine environmental obligations. First, it explores why and how international investment law and marine environmental law interact and influence each other’s implementation. In a second step, the article investigates the impact (if any) of investment obligations on the discretion of host States to comply with their marine environmental protection obligations. Adopting a forward-looking perspective, it finally enquires into the potential impact of the reformed provisions under new generation IIAs on the right and duty of States to take all necessary measures to protect the marine environment against pollution from offshore energy production activities.
Oridonin enhances antitumor effects of doxorubicin in human osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Kazantseva Liliya , Becerra José , Santos-Ruiz Leonor
Published: August 2021

Background

Doxorubicin is the chemotherapeutic drug of choice in osteosarcoma treatment, but its cumulative administration causes dilated cardiomyopathy. Combination therapy represents a potential strategy to reduce the therapeutic dosage of the chemotherapeutic agent and minimize its side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of oridonin, a natural product from the medicinal herb Rabdosia rubescens, to act in combination with doxorubicin for osteosarcoma treatment. To date, there are no reports of the simultaneous administration of both drugs in osteosarcoma therapy.

Methods

The combined administration of different doses of oridonin and doxorubicin, as compared with the drugs alone, were tested in an in vitro model of osteosarcoma. The synergistic effect of the drugs on cell death was assessed by alamarBlue™ and by CompuSyn software. Early and late apoptosis markers (JC-1 fluorescence and Annexin V immunofluorescence), as well as the production of reactive oxygen species, were evaluated by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to assess the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins.

Results

Oridonin and doxorubicin presented a synergistic cytotoxic effect in osteosarcoma cells. In the presence of sub-cytotoxic concentrations of the natural product, there was an increased accumulation of intracellular doxorubicin, increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alteration of mitochondria membrane potential and a higher rate of apoptosis.

Conclusion

The combined use of oridonin and doxorubicin could help to reduce the clinical dosage of doxorubicin and its dangerous side effects.
The battle of YouTube, TV and Netflix: an empirical analysis of competition in audiovisual media markets
Authors: Budzinski Oliver , Gaenssle Sophia , Lindstädt-Dreusicke Nadine
Published: August 2021

The world of audiovisual online markets is rapidly changing. Not long ago, it was dominated by linear television, transmitted terrestrially, through cable networks or via satellite. Recently, streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime and others have emerged as new suppliers of audiovisual content. In this quickly changing industry, competition interrelations between such different formats such as traditional TV, videos on YouTube, and streaming via Netflix are subject to controversy. In particular, doubt is cast on services such as YouTube exerting competitive pressure on services such as Netflix and traditional TV. Based upon a survey with 2920 participants, we provide an empirical analysis of consumption behavior of audiovisual contents. Using descriptive and analytical statistics, including multiple equation models, we show that there are specific areas within audiovisual content markets, where YouTube exerts considerable competitive pressure on both Netflix and classic TV, for instance, through prime time video entertainment. However, our analysis yields differentiated results as we also identify areas, where competition intensity between different service types appear to be low, for instance, through daytime and regarding the intention to shorten waiting time.
Training programme in gasless laparoscopy for rural surgeons of India (TARGET study) - Observational feasibility study
Authors: Aruparayil N. , Gnanaraj J. , Maiti S. , Chauhan M. , Quyn A. , Mishra A. , Bains L. , Mathew G. , Harris C. , Cundill B. , Fellows A. , Gordon K. , Dawkins B. , Shinkins B. , Brown J. , Jayne D.
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT

Background:

Benefits of laparoscopic surgery are well recognised but uptake in rural settings of low- and middle-income countries is limited due to implementation barriers. Gasless laparoscopy has been proposed as an alternative but requires a trained rural surgical workforce to upscale. This study evaluates a feasibility of implementing a structured laparoscopic training programme for rural surgeons of North-East India.

Methods:

A 3-day training programme was held at Kolkata Medical College in March 2019. Laparoscopic knowledge and Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Skills (FLS) were assessed pre and post simulation training using multiple choice questions and the McGill Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills (MISTELS), respectively. Competency with an abdominal lift device was assessed using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and live operating performance via the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) scores during live surgery. Costs of the training programme and qualitative feedback were evaluated.

Results:

Seven rural surgeons participated. There was an improvement in knowledge acquisition (mean difference in MCQ score 5.57 (SD = 4.47)). The overall normalised mean MISTELS score for the FLS tasks improved from 386.02 (SD 110.52) pre-to 524.40 (SD 94.98) post-training (p = 0.09). Mean OSATS score was 22.4 out of 35 (SD 3.31) indicating competency with the abdominal lift device whilst a mean GOALS score of 16.42 out of 25 (SD 2.07) indicates proficiency in performing diagnostic laparoscopy using the gasless technique during live operating. Costs of the course were estimated at 354 USD for trainees and 461 USD for trainers.

Conclusion:

Structured training programme in gasless laparoscopy improves overall knowledge and skills acquisition in laparoscopic surgery for rural surgeons of North-East India. It is feasible to deliver a training programme in gasless laparoscopy for rural surgeons. Larger studies are needed to assess the benefits for wider adoption in a similar context.

Highlights
Timing of Perioperative Pharmacologic Thromboprophylaxis Initiation and its Effect on Venous Thromboembolism and Bleeding Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: McAlpine Kristen , Breau Rodney H. , Werlang Paulo , Carrier Marc , Le Gal Gregoire , Fergusson Dean A. , Shorr Risa , Cagiannos Ilias , Morash Christopher , Lavallée Luke T.
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND:

Perioperative thromboprophylaxis guidelines offer conflicting recommendations on when to start thromboprophylaxis. As a result, there is considerable variation in clinical practice, which can lead to worse patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the start time of perioperative thromboprophylaxis with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN:

Embase, Medline, and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases were searched on October 23, 2020. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated VTE and/or bleeding among groups receiving the initial dose of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis at different times preoperatively, intraoperatively, or postoperatively were included. Only trials that randomized patients to the same medication among groups were eligible. Studies on any type of operation were included. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. The Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was used. The review was registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; CRD42019142079). The outcomes of interest were VTE and bleeding. Prespecified subgroup analyses of studies including orthopaedic and nonorthopaedic operations were performed.

RESULTS:

A total of 22 trials (n = 17,124 patients) met eligibility criteria. Pooled results showed a nonstatistically significant decrease in the rate of VTE with preoperative initiation of thromboprophylaxis compared with postoperative initiation (risk ratio 0.77; 95% CI, 0.55 to 1.08; I
2 = 0%, n = 1,933). There was also a nonstatistically significant increase in the rate of bleeding with preoperative compared with postoperative initiation (risk ratio 1.17; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.46; I
2 = 35%, n = 2,752). Risk of bias was moderate. Heterogeneity between studies was low (I
2 = 0% to 35%).

CONCLUSIONS:

This meta-analysis found a nonstatistically significant decrease in the rate of VTE and an increase in the rate of bleeding when thromboprophylaxis was initiated preoperatively compared with postoperatively.
Correspondence Between Clinician Ratings of Vulvovaginal Health and Patient-Reported Sexual Function After Cancer
Authors: Flynn Kathryn E. , Lin Li , Carter Jeanne , Baser Raymond E. , Goldfarb Shari , Saban Sally , Weinfurt Kevin P.
Published: August 2021

Background

Tools for diagnosing sexual dysfunction and for tracking outcomes of interest include clinician interviews, physical exam, and patient self-report. Limited work has described relationships among these three sources of information regarding female sexual dysfunction and vulvovaginal health.

Aim

We describe correlations among data collected from clinician interviews, clinical gynecological examination, and patient self-report.

Methods

Data are from a single-site, single-arm, prospective trial in 100 postmenopausal patients with a history of breast or endometrial cancer who sought treatment for vulvovaginal symptoms. The trial collected a standardized clinical gynecologic exam, clinician-reported outcome (ClinRO) measures of vulvovaginal dryness and pain, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures of sexual function, including PROMIS Sexual Function and Satisfaction (SexFS) lubrication, vaginal discomfort, labial discomfort, and clitoral discomfort and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) lubrication and pain. We examined polyserial correlations between measures with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals from the baseline and 12–14-week timepoints.

RESULTS

All of the relationships between the ClinRO variables and the PRO variables were in the expected direction (ie, positive), but the strength of the relationships varied substantially. At 12–14 weeks, there were medium-to-large correlations between ClinRO vaginal dryness and SexFS Lubrication (0.64), ClinRO vulvar dryness and SexFS Lubrication (0.46), ClinRO vulvar discomfort and SexFS Labial Discomfort (0.70), and ClinRO vulvar discomfort and SexFS Clitoral Discomfort (0.43). With one exception, the correlations between the exam variables and the corresponding PRO scores were small (range 0.01–0.27).

Strengths & Limitations

Our study included a comprehensive, standardized gynecologic exam designed specifically to evaluate sexual dysfunction as well as established PRO measures with significant evidence for validity. A limitation of our findings is that the sample size was relatively small, and our sample was restricted to women who received cancer treatments known to have dramatic effects on vulvovaginal tissue quality.

CONCLUSION

Patient- and clinician-reported vulvovaginal dryness and discomfort were moderately correlated with each other but not with clinical gynecologic exam findings. Understanding the relationships among these different types of data highlights the distinct contributions of each to understand vulvovaginal tissue quality and patient sexual function after cancer.
Life-Threatening Panfacial Wild Dog Bites in a Child
Authors: Saha Srinjoy
Published: August 2021

Infants and toddlers can sustain grievous craniofacial injuries after dog bites, some of which may be life-threatening. An 18-mo-old male child presented to our emergency department with complex panfacial wounds after being bitten by an unvaccinated wild dog 6 h earlier. Primary management, hemostasis, and rabies postexposure prophylaxis were performed near his home. Initially, he was resuscitated from severe hemorrhagic shock and anemia in a pediatric intensive care unit. After stabilization, early primary repair of all facial injuries was performed. Surgical exploration revealed multiple full-thickness avulsions, lacerations, nasal bone fractures, facial muscle injuries, and right ear necrosis. Gentle tissue-handling and meticulous reconstruction satisfactorily restored his facial soft-tissue contours about 64 h after the bite injury. Postoperatively, recovery was uneventful except for localized soft-tissue infection caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas, which resolved with appropriate antibiotics. Nine months later, his face and ear appeared almost symmetrical with well-settled scars. Psychological recovery progressed smoothly, excepting few incidences of panic attacks that were triggered by loud noises. Here, we observed that early primary reconstruction of severely mauled soft tissues after wild dog bites, performed within 72 h with adequate precautions, safely produced satisfying long-term outcomes.
Descent of Darwin: race, sex, and human nature
Authors: Milam Erika Lorraine , Seth Suman
Published: August 2021

In 1871, Charles Darwin published Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, a text that extended, elaborated and completed his On the Origin of Species (1859). When he had published Origin, Darwin sought, albeit unsuccessfully, to skirt controversy; in Descent he waded into the fray on near-innumerable issues. Readers could find explicit the claim that humans had descended from apes, in addition to explorations of the similarities and apparent gulfs between ‘man’ and other animals. They also found Darwin's opinions on issues ranging from the origin and hierarchy of races to the question of women's education, from the source of altruistic bravery to the biological importance of aesthetic judgement, from his views on what his cousin would term ‘eugenics’ to the history of monogamy. In the last 150 years these ideas have been variously contested, rejected and recovered, so that the shadow of Descent extended into debates over the development of languages, the evolution of human sexualities, the ongoing possibilities of eugenics and the question of women's equality. In this volume, appearing during the sesquicentennial of the text's first appearance, one finds papers dedicated to all of these themes and more, laying out the roots and fruits of Darwin's Descent.
Carnap and Beth on the Limits of Tolerance
Authors: Marschall Benjamin
Published: August 2021

Rudolf Carnap’s principle of tolerance states that there is no need to justify the adoption of a logic by philosophical means. Carnap uses the freedom provided by this principle in his philosophy of mathematics: he wants to capture the idea that mathematical truth is a matter of linguistic rules by relying on a strong metalanguage with infinitary inference rules. In this paper, I give a new interpretation of an argument by E. W. Beth, which shows that the principle of tolerance does not suffice to remove all obstacles to the employment of infinitary rules.
From Glass to Glaze in al-Andalus: Local Invention and Technological Transfer
Authors: Salinas Elena , De Juan Jorge , Piñero Juan M. , Casal M. Teresa , Schibille Nadine , Pradell Trinitat
Published: August 2021

It has long been assumed that lead glazing technology preceded glassmaking in the Western world and that the technological transfer was from glazes to glass. Here, we present new evidence for the reverse, the indigenous innovation of glassmaking and its transfer to glazes in early Islamic al-Andalus (Spain). Compositional analyses show that Islamic lead glazes from Córdoba are intimately related to a distinct type of high-lead glass, suggesting a connection between the two technologies. The archaeological remains from a pottery workshop indicate that the glazing process initially involved the production of a lead glass and is not linked to earlier Roman or other contemporary glazing technologies. The data also demonstrate that the potters not only used the same materials and techniques but borrowed stylistic and decorative models from glassmaking.
Cross cultural and global uses of a digital mental health app: results of focus groups with clinicians, patients and family members in India and the United States
Authors: Rodriguez-Villa Elena , Rozatkar Abhijit R. , Kumar Mohit , Patel Vikram , Bondre Ameya , Naik Shalini S. , Dutt Siddharth , Mehta Urvakhsh M. , Nagendra Srilakshmi , Tugnawat Deepak , Shrivastava Ritu , Raghuram Harikeerthan , Khan Azaz , Naslund John A. , Gupta Snehil , Bhan Anant , Thirthall Jagadisha , Chand Prabhat K. , Lakhtakia Tanvi , Keshavan Matcheri , Torous John
Published: August 2021

Background

Despite significant advancements in healthcare technology, digital health solutions – especially those for serious mental illnesses – continue to fall short of their potential across both clinical practice and efficacy. The utility and impact of medicine, including digital medicine, hinges on relationships, trust, and engagement, particularly in the field of mental health. This paper details results from Phase 1 of a two-part study that seeks to engage people with schizophrenia, their family members, and clinicians in co-designing a digital mental health platform for use across different cultures and contexts in the United States and India.

Methods

Each site interviewed a mix of clinicians, patients, and their family members in focus groups (n= 20) of two to six participants. Open-ended questions and discussions inquired about their own smartphone use and, after a demonstration of the mindLAMP platform, specific feedback on the app's utility, design, and functionality.

Results

Our results based on thematic analysis indicate three common themes: increased use and interest in technology during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), concerns over how data are used and shared, and a desire for concurrent human interaction to support app engagement.

Conclusion

People with schizophrenia, their family members, and clinicians are open to integrating technology into treatment to better understand their condition and help inform treatment. However, app engagement is dependent on technology that is complementary – not substitutive – of therapeutic care from a clinician.
Healthcare microenvironments define multidrug-resistant organism persistence
Authors: Kelly Brendan J. , Bekele Selamawit , Loughrey Sean , Huang Elizabeth , Tolomeo Pam , David Michael Z. , Lautenbach Ebbing , Han Jennifer H. , Ziegler Matthew J. ,   for the CDC Prevention Epicenters Program
Published: August 2021

Background:

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) colonizing the healthcare environment have been shown to contribute to risk for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), with adverse effects on patient morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine how bacterial contamination and persistent MDRO colonization of the healthcare environment are related to the position of patients and wastewater sites.

Methods:

We performed a prospective cohort study, enrolling 51 hospital rooms at the time of admitting a patient with an eligible MDRO in the prior 30 days. We performed systematic sampling and MDRO culture of rooms, as well as 16S rRNA sequencing to define the environmental microbiome in a subset of samples.

Results:

The probability of detecting resistant gram-negative organisms, including Enterobacterales, Acinetobacter spp, and Pseudomonas spp, increased with distance from the patient. In contrast, Clostridioides difficile and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were more likely to be detected close to the patient. Resistant Pseudomonas spp and S. aureus were enriched in these hot spots despite broad deposition of 16S rRNA gene sequences assigned to the same genera, suggesting modifiable factors that permit the persistence of these MDROs.

Conclusions:

MDRO hot spots can be defined by distance from the patient and from wastewater reservoirs. Evaluating how MDROs are enriched relative to bacterial DNA deposition helps to identify healthcare micro-environments and suggests how targeted environmental cleaning or design approaches could prevent MDRO persistence and reduce infection risk.
Optimal perturbation growth on a breaking internal gravity wave
Authors: Parker J.P. , Howland C.J. , Caulfield C.P. , Kerswell R.R.
Published: August 2021

The breaking of internal gravity waves in the abyssal ocean is thought to be responsible for much of the mixing necessary to close oceanic buoyancy budgets. The exact mechanism by which these waves break down into turbulence remains an active area of research and can have significant implications on the mixing efficiency. Recent evidence has suggested that both shear instabilities and convective instabilities play a significant role in the breaking of an internal gravity wave in a high Richardson number mean shear flow. We perform a systematic analysis of the stability of a configuration of an internal gravity wave superimposed on a background shear flow first considered by Howland et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 921, 2021, A24), using direct–adjoint looping to find the perturbation giving maximal energy growth on this evolving flow. We find that three-dimensional, convective mechanisms produce greater energy growth than their two-dimensional counterparts. In particular, we find close agreement with the direct numerical simulations of Howland et al. (J. Fluid Mech., 2021, in press), which demonstrated a clear three-dimensional mechanism causing breakdown to turbulence. The results are shown to hold at realistic Prandtl numbers. At low mean Richardson numbers, two-dimensional, shear-driven mechanisms produce greater energy growth.
Control of stationary convective instabilities in the rotating disk boundary layer via time-periodic modulation
Authors: Morgan Scott , Davies Christopher , Thomas Christian
Published: August 2021

The control of stationary convective instabilities in the rotating disk boundary layer via a time-periodic modulation of the disk rotation rate is investigated. The configuration provides an archetypal example of a three-dimensional temporally periodic boundary layer, encompassing both the von Kármán and Stokes boundary layers. A velocity–vorticity formulation of the governing perturbation equations is deployed, together with a numerical procedure that utilises the Chebyshev-tau method. Floquet theory is used to determine the linear stability properties of these time-periodic flows. The addition of a time-periodic modulation to the otherwise steady disk rotation rate establishes a stabilising effect. In particular, for a broad range of modulation frequencies, the growth of the stationary convective instabilities is suppressed and the critical Reynolds number for the onset of both the cross-flow and Coriolis instabilities is raised to larger values than that found for the steady disk without modulation. An energy analysis is undertaken, where it is demonstrated that time-periodic modulation induces a reduction in the Reynolds stress energy production and an increase in the viscous dissipation across the boundary layer. Comparisons are made with other control techniques, including distributed surface roughness and compliant walls.
A minimal space interferometer configuration for imaging at low radio frequencies
Authors: Jaini Akhil , Deshpande Avinash A. , Bitragunta Sainath
Published: August 2021

The radio sky at lower frequencies, particularly below 20 MHz, is expected to be a combination of increasingly bright non-thermal emission and significant absorption from intervening thermal plasma. The sky maps at these frequencies cannot therefore be obtained by simple extrapolation of those at higher frequencies. However, due to severe constraints in ground-based observations, this spectral window still remains greatly unexplored. In this paper, we propose and study, through simulations, a novel minimal configuration for a space interferometer system which would enable imaging of the radio sky at frequencies well below 20 MHz with angular resolutions comparable to those achieved at higher radio frequencies in ground-based observations by using the aperture synthesis technique. The minimal configuration consists of three apertures aboard Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites orbiting the Earth in mutually orthogonal orbits. Orbital periods for the satellites are deliberately chosen to differ from each other so as to obtain maximum (u,v) coverage in short time spans with baselines greater than 15 000 km, thus, giving us angular resolutions finer than 10 arcsec even at these low frequencies. The sensitivity of the (u,v) coverage is assessed by varying the orbit and the initial phase of the satellites. We discuss the results obtained from these simulations and highlight the advantages of such a system.
Late Ediacaran organic microfossils from Finland
Authors: Willman Sebastian , Slater Ben J.
Published: August 2021

Here we present a detailed accounting of organic microfossils from late Ediacaran sediments of Finland, from the island of Hailuoto (northwest Finnish coast), and the Saarijärvi meteorite impact structure (~170 km northeast of Hailuoto, mainland Finland). Fossils were recovered from fine-grained thermally immature mudstones and siltstones and are preserved in exquisite detail. The majority of recovered forms are sourced from filamentous prokaryotic and protistan-grade organisms forming interwoven microbial mats. Flattened Nostoc-ball-like masses of bundled Siphonophycus filaments are abundant, alongside Rugosoopsis and Palaeolyngbya of probable cyanobacterial origin. Acritarchs include Chuaria, Leiosphaeridia, Symplassosphaeridium and Synsphaeridium. Significantly, rare spine-shaped sclerites of bilaterian origin were recovered, providing new evidence for a nascent bilaterian fauna in the terminal Ediacaran. These findings offer a direct body-fossil insight into Ediacaran mat-forming microbial communities, and demonstrate that alongside trace fossils, detection of a bilaterian fauna prior to the Cambrian might also be sought among the emerging record of small carbonaceous fossils (SCFs).
Fermented foods and probiotics: An approach to lactose intolerance
Authors: Ibrahim Salam A. , Gyawali Rabin , Awaisheh Saddam S. , Ayivi Raphael D. , Silva Roberta C. , Subedi Kiran , Aljaloud Sulaiman O. , Anusha Siddiqui Shahida , Krastanov Albert
Published: August 2021

The aim of this review was to present various topics related to lactose intolerance with special attention given to the role of fermented foods and probiotics in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms. Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem in which the human body is unable to digest lactose, known as milk sugar. Lactose intolerance can either be hereditary or a consequence of intestinal diseases. Recent work has demonstrated that fermented dairy products and probiotics can modify the metabolic activities of colonic microbiota and may alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance. We suggest that, lactose free dairy products could be recommended as alternatives for the alleviation of lactose intolerance and for the promotion of human health and wellness.
Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus inhibits autophagy of bovine mammary epithelial cells through activating p38α
Authors: Wang Run , Zhang Wen , Wang Lumei , Geng Na , Wang Xiaozhou , Zhang Meihua , Liu Jianzhu , Liu Yongxia , Han Bo
Published: August 2021

Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen of bovine mastitis which can induce autophagy and inhibit autophagy flux, resulting in intracellular survival and persistent infection. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of p38α in the autophagy induced by intracellular S. aureus in bovine mammary epithelial cells. An intracellular infection model of MAC-T cells was constructed, and activation of p38α was examined after S. aureus invasion. Through activating/inhibiting p38α by anisomycin/SB203580, the autophagosomes, LC3 and p62 level were analyzed by immunofluorescence and western blot. To further study the detailed mechanism of p38α, phosphorylation of ULK1ser757 was also detected. The results showed that intracellular S. aureus activated p38α, and the activation developed in a time-dependent manner. Inhibition of p38α promoted intracellular S. aureus-induced autophagy flow, up-regulated the ratio of LC3 II/I, reduced the level of p62 and inhibited the phosphorylation of ULK1ser757, whereas the above results were reversed after activation of p38α. The current study indicated that intracellular S. aureus can inhibit autophagy flow by activating p38α in bovine mammary epithelial cells.
The COVID-19 Crisis and the Allocation of Capital
Authors: Duchin Ran , Harford Jarrad
Published: August 2021

We summarize and synthesize the results of the articles in this symposium issue on research in financial economics related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We argue that the articles, taken together, present evidence that the pandemic resulted in a distributional shock to capital allocation. The underlying mechanisms include accelerating technological shifts, government stimulus programs, and heterogeneous responses of investors and firms. We augment these articles with evidence on the heterogeneous effects of the pandemic on profitability, payout, investment, employment, and productivity across sectors.
Mortality among inpatients with bipolar disorders and COVID-19: a propensity score matching analysis in a national French cohort study
Authors: Fond Guillaume , Pauly Vanessa , Leone Marc , Orleans Veronica , Garosi Alexandra , Lancon Christophe , Auquier Pascal , Baumstarck Karine , Llorca Pierre-Michel , Boyer Laurent
Published: August 2021

Background

It remains unknown whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with bipolar disorders (BDs) are at an increased risk of mortality. We aimed to establish whether health outcomes and care differed between patients infected with COVID-19 with BD and patients without a diagnosis of severe mental illness.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study of all patients with identified COVID-19 and respiratory symptoms who were hospitalized in France between February and June 2020. The outcomes were in-hospital mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We used propensity score matching to control for confounding factors.

Results

In total, 50 407 patients were included, of whom 480 were patients with BD. Patients with BD were 2 years older, more frequently women and had more comorbidities than controls without a diagnosis of severe mental illness. Patients with BD had an increased in-hospital mortality rate (26.6%v.21.9%;p= 0.034) and similar ICU admission rate (27.9%v.28.4%,p= 0.799), as confirmed by propensity analysis [odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI) for mortality: 1.30 (1.16–1.45),p< 0.0001]. Significant interactions between BD and age and between BD and social deprivation were found, highlighting that the most important inequalities in mortality were observed in the youngest [OR, 95% CI 2.28 (1.18–4.41),p= 0.0015] and most deprived patients with BD [OR, 95% CI 1.60 (1.33–1.92),p< 0.001].

Conclusions

COVID-19 patients with BD were at an increased risk of mortality, which was exacerbated in the youngest and most deprived patients with BD. Patients with BD should thus be targeted as a high-risk population for severe forms of COVID-19, requiring enhanced preventive and disease management strategies.
Emergency Treatment of Anaphylactic Reactions in Air Rescue Missions: An Eight-Year Analysis of a German Rescue Helicopter Base
Authors: Lakner Theresa , Cuevas Mandy , Polk Marie-Luise , Petrowski Katja , Frank Mark
Published: August 2021

Introduction:

Anaphylactic reactions can lead to a life-threatening situation. In the event of anaphylaxis, rapid and targeted emergency treatment is indicated.

Study Objective:

The study sought to determine the emergency therapy administered for anaphylaxis in children and adults. Focus was placed on therapy with adrenaline. In addition, the study aimed to investigate demographic data, triggers, and hospitalization rates of the different severities of anaphylaxis.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of anaphylactic reactions was conducted using data from prehospital emergency missions performed by the Air Rescue Dresden/Germany from 2008 through 2015 using the standardized application protocol EPRO-5.0 (MIND 3) anonymized. Data from 152 adults and 29 children were evaluated, focusing especially on the acute treatment as well as demographic information, triggers, and symptoms of anaphylactic reactions.

Results:

In total, 152 adults (73 female, 79 male) from 18 to 87 years (mean 50.5 years) and 29 children (9 female, 20 male) from 1 to 16 years (mean 7.5 years) with anaphylactic reactions were analyzed. The most common trigger for severe anaphylactic reactions (Grade II-IV; classification modified according to Ring and Messmer) was food in children (33%) and insect venom in adults (59%). The data show that 19% of adults with Grade II-IV anaphylactic reactions (classification modified according to Ring and Messmer) received adrenaline. Regarding children, the appliance of adrenaline was only administered in seven percent of the cases of Grade II-IV anaphylactic reactions. Adults with Grade II or higher anaphylactic reactions were hospitalized in 92%. Three percent refused hospitalization and five percent were not transferred to hospital. One-hundred percent of the children with Grade II-IV anaphylaxis were hospitalized.

Conclusions:

Analysis of data from the Air Rescue Dresden/Germany shows that despite existing recommendations, only 19% of adults with severe anaphylaxis received adrenaline. Among children, only in seven percent was a treatment with adrenaline performed.

On the other hand, all patients survived the acute emergency treatment without apparent adverse outcomes. Thus, further studies are needed to determine the proper use of adrenaline in anaphylactic reactions.
Some Developments in the use of Latin Character for the Writing of Kurdish
Authors: Edmonds C. J.
Published: August 2021

In the JRAS. of January, 1931, I offered some “Suggestions for the Use of Latin Character in the Writing of Kurdish”. A certain number of changes in these first proposals subsequently appeared desirable in the light of criticism and of further experiment and experience. In the meantime Tewfiq Wehbi Beg, on whose modified Arabic alphabet my suggestions had been based, finding that his new system made little appeal to his compatriots, decided to abandon it, for the purposes of his future work, in favour of Latin. European students of Iranian philology will welcome the appearance in Latin character of the work of an accomplished native Kurdish scholar ; how far the books now in the press and under preparation will appeal to other Kurds remains to be seen.
Transitional dynamics of the saving rate and economic growth
Authors: Brueckner Markus , Kikuchi Tomoo , Vachadze George
Published: August 2021

We estimate the relationship between GDP per capita growth and the growth rate of the national saving rate using a panel of 130 countries over the period 1960–2017. We find that GDP per capita growth increases (decreases) the growth rate of the national saving rate in poor countries (rich countries), and a higher credit-to-GDP ratio decreases the national saving rate as well as the income elasticity of the national saving rate. We develop a model with a credit constraint to explain the growth-saving relationship by the saving behavior of entrepreneurs at both the intensive and extensive margins. We further present supporting evidence for our theoretical findings by utilizing cross-country time series data of the number of new businesses registered and the corporate saving rate.
Comparing the cognate effect in spoken and written second language word production
Authors: Muylle Merel , Van Assche Eva , Hartsuiker Robert J.
Published: August 2021

Cognates – words that share form and meaning between languages – are processed faster than control words. However, is this facilitation effect merely lexical in nature or does it cascade to phonological/orthographic (i.e., sub-lexical) processes? This study compared cognate effects in spoken and typewritten production, which share lexical, but not sub-lexical processes. Dutch–English bilinguals produced English names for pictures representing Dutch–English cognates and control words in either the spoken or typewritten modality. Onset latencies were shorter and accuracy was higher for cognates vs. control words and this effect was similar in both modalities. Compared to controls, total latencies in the written modality were similar for cognates with much cross-linguistic overlap, but longer for ones with less overlap. Additionally, error analysis showed that cognates were more affected by L1 interference than controls. These results suggest two different cognate effects: one at the lexical and one at the sub-lexical level.
Increasing our understanding of nonphysical suffering within palliative care: A scoping review
Authors: Rattner Maxxine
Published: August 2021

Objective

Nonphysical suffering is emotional, psychological, existential, spiritual, and/or social in nature. While palliative care is a discipline dedicated to the prevention and relief of suffering — both physical and nonphysical — little is known about existing research specific to nonphysical suffering within the context of palliative care. This scoping review helps to fill this gap.

Method

Three hundred and twenty-eight unique records were identified through a systematic search of three databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO). The following keywords were used: (suffering) AND (palliative OR “end of life” OR “end-of-life” OR hospice OR dying OR terminal* ill*). Thirty studies published between 1998 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria.

Results

Losses, worries, and fears comprise patients’ primary sources of nonphysical suffering. Patients face numerous barriers in expressing their nonphysical suffering to healthcare providers. The idea that patients can choose how they perceive their circumstances, thereby minimizing their nonphysical suffering, is pervasive in the research. The nature of nonphysical suffering experienced by family caregivers and palliative care clinicians is revealed in the review. The unique and sensitive interplay between nonphysical suffering and both palliative sedation and requests for hastened death is also evident. Overall, seven themes can be identified: (i) patients’ experiences of nonphysical suffering; (ii) patient coping mechanisms; (iii) efforts to measure nonphysical suffering; (iv) palliative sedation; (v) requests for hastened death; (vi) family suffering; and (vii) clinician suffering.

Significance of results

This is the first scoping review to map palliative care's research specific to suffering that is social, emotional, spiritual, psychological, and/or existential in nature. Its findings expand our understanding of the nature of nonphysical suffering experienced by patients, families, and palliative care clinicians. The review's findings have significant implications for front-line practice and future research.
Preparedness for family caregiving prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Winterling Jeanette , Kisch Annika , Alvariza Anette , Årestedt Kristofer , Bergkvist Karin
Published: August 2021

Objective

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative treatment associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is often necessary for family caregivers to become highly involved in the care, especially when patients return home after a long period of inpatient care. Family caregivers’ preparedness for the tasks and demands of the caregiving role prior to allo-HSCT might help them during this distressing time. The aim of this study was to explore whether demographic factors are associated with preparedness for caregiving prior to allo-HSCT and if such preparedness for caregiving is associated with caregiver outcomes in terms of caregiver burden, anxiety/depression, competence, self-efficacy, and general health among family caregivers.

Method

This correlational cross-sectional study included 86 family caregivers of patients to undergo allo-HSCT, who completed a self-administered questionnaire on preparedness, caregiver burden, anxiety/depression, competence, self-efficacy, and general health. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression models (linear and ordinal) were used to analyze the data.

Results

Family caregivers with a higher education and those who were the patient's partner were significantly associated with a higher level of preparedness for caregiving, while gender and age were not significant. Higher preparedness was significantly associated with higher competence and self-efficacy and lower symptoms of depression, even after the model was adjusted for education, relationship to the patient, gender, and age but not for anxiety or caregiver burden. Higher levels of preparedness were also significantly associated with better general health.

Significance of results

A higher level of preparedness for caregiving prior to allo-HSCT was associated with better family caregiver outcomes. Assessing family caregivers prior to allo-HSCT to identify those with insufficient preparedness might enable the provision of individually tailored psycho-educational support to help them cope with their caregiving role and prevent potential negative consequences.