bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Text automation tool to improve pharmacist productivity and work capacity in a digital hospital: a pilot study
Authors: Van Garderen Aaron , Snoswell Centaine L.
Published: October 2021

Hospitals and health services are increasingly using digital systems to improve medication safety. Yet, despite many gains, negative user experiences and increased documentation time have been recognised as the main barriers to successful adoption of an electronic medication management (EMM) system in routine practice. The objective of this study was to describe the results of a preliminary trial in which clinical pharmacists used a customised pharmacist text and reference automation tool (PARAT). The clinic pharmacist then completed a survey to determine if they found that the tool affected their productivity or documentation consistency when used with an EMM system. Fifteen pharmacists completed the training, the four‐week trial, and the follow‐up survey. The main outcome measure was self‐reported clinical pharmacist productivity and user experience. Overall, they indicated that PARAT had a positive impact on their productivity, work capacity and the EMM user experience. Fourteen (93.3%) participants indicated that the tool was either ‘easy to use’ or ‘easy to use – training required’. No participant stated that the tool was hard to use. Agreement was highest with the statements that PARAT improved clinical workflow and improved clinical work capacity (mean of 4.1). Automation of text creation for common intervention recording was listed as second most useful among participants. The findings from this study demonstrate that PARAT is acceptable to pharmacists and is likely to enhance clinical pharmacist workflows.
THE ART OF ALIGNMENT—SETTING THE STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES TO DRIVE THE MISSION OF YOUR ORGANIZATION
Authors: Johnson Art , Beckler Erik
Published: October 2021

The authors discuss the optimal ways to communicate mission and vision statements to employees of organizations. They write about what they call alignment, using the metaphor of old‐style car radio buttons, or today’s music streaming services. In their words, “we all need to have our own frequency adjustment dial to fine tune our communications as well as add more frequencies where we are comfortable communicating with people with different backgrounds and experiences. In aligned organizations, there are common frequencies at which all can communicate, no matter the favorites on the push buttons or in your profile.” To “reinforce your mission frequency,” they outline the following points, in their words: (1) Determine what mission‐driven activity is and put it in writing. (2) Create a structure to gather the stories. (3) Work with your leaders to create processes to capture the stories. (4) Share the stories inside AND outside. Within the latter, “Tasks that seem superficial, like an organizational newsletter, can become part of the fabric that helps build aligned processes and practices as a matter of daily work. For it is in that fabric of daily work where the mission and vision are lived out.”
Analysis of nonlinear systems arise in thermoelasticity using fractional natural decomposition scheme
Authors: Sarwe Deepak Umrao , Kulkarni Vinayak S.
Published: October 2021

The pivotal aim of the present study is to employ fractional natural decomposition method (FNDM) to find the solution for a nonlinear system arising in thermoelasticity. The considered coupled system is generalised many physical phenomena associated with the material with elastic characters and its temperature and also which is called a Cauchy problem. We consider the coupled system by incorporating the Caputo fractional operator and investigate three distinct cases for different initial values to illustrate the applicability and efficiency of the FNDM. With respect to fractional order, we capture the behaviour of the achieved solution cited in three different cases and exemplified with the aid of 2D and 3D plots for the particular value of the parameters in the model. Moreover, some interesting behaviours of the projected model are confirms the prominence of the employed fractional operator while analysing the nonlinear coupled equations exemplifying real‐world problems and also shows the capability of the considered algorithm.
Modeling the effects of information‐dependent vaccination behavior on meningitis transmission
Authors: Buonomo Bruno , d'Onofrio Alberto , Kassa Semu Mitiku , Workineh Yetwale Hailu
Published: October 2021

We propose a mathematical model to investigate the effects of information–dependent vaccination behavior on meningitis transmission. The information is represented by means of information index as early proposed by d'Onofrio et al. (Theor. Popul. Biol., 2007). We perform a qualitative analysis based on stability theory, focusing to the global stability of the disease‐free equilibrium (DFE) and the related transcritical bifurcation taking place at the threshold for the DFE. Finally, we assess the role of epidemiological and information parameters in the model dynamics through numerical simulations. Our simulations suggests that the impact of the parameters that are related to human behavior critically depend on the average information delay. For example, it can induce recurrent epidemics, provided that transfer rate from the carrier to the infectious state is over a threshold. Otherwise, the endemic equilibrium is (at least) locally stable.
Adaptive neural network fixed‐time stabilization control for high‐order nonlinear systems
Authors: Kang Bo , Li Kewen , Li Yongming
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates a neural network (NN) adaptive fixed‐time stabilization control problem for high‐order nonlinear systems. Radial basis function NNs (RBFNNs) are used to approximate unknown nonlinear function. A nonlinear filter is designed to solve the issue of “explosion of complexity.” Combining adaptive backstepping design and adding a power integrator, an adaptive NN fixed‐time control method is developed. It is proved that all the signals of the closed‐loop system are bounded in fixed time. Finally, simulation example is provided to confirm the effectiveness of the presented control method.
Whole‐brain high‐resolution metabolite mapping with 3D compressed‐sensing SENSE low‐rank 1H FID‐MRSI
Authors: Klauser Antoine , Klauser Paul , Grouiller Frédéric , Courvoisier Sébastien , Lazeyras François
Published: October 2021

There is a growing interest in the neuroscience community to map the distribution of brain metabolites in vivo. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is often limited by either a poor spatial resolution and/or a long acquisition time, which severely restricts its applications for clinical and research purposes. Building on a recently developed technique of acquisition‐reconstruction for 2D MRSI, we combined a fast Cartesian 1H‐FID‐MRSI acquisition sequence, compressed‐sensing acceleration, and low‐rank total‐generalized‐variation constrained reconstruction to produce 3D high‐resolution whole‐brain MRSI with a significant acquisition time reduction. We first evaluated the acceleration performance using retrospective undersampling of a fully sampled dataset. Second, a 20 min accelerated MRSI acquisition was performed on three healthy volunteers, resulting in metabolite maps with 5 mm isotropic resolution. The metabolite maps exhibited the detailed neurochemical composition of all brain regions and revealed parts of the underlying brain anatomy. The latter assessment used previous reported knowledge and a atlas‐based analysis to show consistency of the concentration contrasts and ratio across all brain regions. These results acquired on a clinical 3 T MRI scanner successfully combined 3D 1H‐FID‐MRSI with a constrained reconstruction to produce detailed mapping of metabolite concentrations at high resolution over the whole brain, with an acquisition time suitable for clinical or research settings.
Intelligent gels – artificial soft tissue for the next era
Authors: Sano Ken‐Ichi , Kawamura Ryuzo , Osada Yoshihito
Published: October 2021

A substantial part of the human body is made of soft tissue which is a hydrogel consisting mainly of collagen and proteoglycan fiber networks. In the last decades, great effort has been made to create artificial tissues using synthetic and biological hydrogels. Examples are superior hydrogels which exhibit excellent mechanical properties like connective tissue and extremely low frictional coefficients like synovial cartilage. A tunable photonic crystal showing a variety of structural colors using nano‐dotted hydrogel is another unique example. Various types of gel actuators with muscle‐like motility have also been developed. In this article recent trends and achievements of intelligent gels with tissue‐like functions are described after a brief overview of the extracellular matrix. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Assessing the accuracy of contact and distance predictions in CASP14
Authors: Ruiz‐Serra Victoria , Pontes Camila , Milanetti Edoardo , Kryshtafovych Andriy , Lepore Rosalba , Valencia Alfonso
Published: October 2021

We present the results of the assessment of the intramolecular residue–residue contact and distance predictions from groups participating in the 14th round of the CASP experiment. The performance of contact prediction methods was evaluated with the measures used in previous CASPs, while distance predictions were assessed based on a new protocol, which considers individual distance pairs as well as the whole predicted distance matrix, using a graph‐based framework. The results of the evaluation indicate that predictions by the tFold framework, TripletRes and DeepPotential were the most accurate in both categories. With regards to progress in method performance, the results of the assessment in contact prediction did not reveal any discernible difference when compared to CASP13. Arguably, this could be due to CASP14 FM targets being more challenging than ever before.
Local Structure of Ga85:8In14:2 Eutectic Alloy and Its Pressure–Temperature Melting Line
Authors: Mijit Emin , Trapananti Angela , Nataf Lucie , Baudelet Francois , Shinmei Toru , Irifune Tetsuo , Jiang Jian Zhong , Di Cicco Andrea
Published: October 2021

The structure of the eutectic liquid alloy is investigated both under ambient conditions and at high pressure/high temperature using X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The local structure of the liquid alloy at ambient conditions is analyzed using double‐edge refinements of the XAS data. Solid–liquid phase transitions under high‐pressure and high‐temperature conditions are monitored by combined XAS and XRD measurements along several quasi‐isobaric heating runs, allowing to draw a melting line up to 10 GPa. The established melting line is found to be slightly below the one of pure gallium (Ga) and to follow its trend as expected from the eutectic nature of the compound. A series of Ga K‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra measured at different pressures indicates the absence of large structural modifications at local Ga sites in the liquid within the investigated pressure and temperature range.
Double‐wavelet transform for multi‐subject resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data
Authors: Zhou Minchun , Boyd Brian D. , Taylor Warren D. , Kang Hakmook
Published: October 2021

Conventional regions of interest (ROIs)—level resting state fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) response analyses do not rigorously model the underlying spatial correlation within each ROI. This can result in misleading inference. Moreover, they tend to estimate the temporal covariance matrix with the assumption of stationary time series, which may not always be valid. To overcome these limitations, we propose a double‐wavelet approach that simplifies temporal and spatial covariance structure because wavelet coefficients are approximately uncorrelated under mild regularity conditions. This property allows us to analyze much larger dimensions of spatial and temporal resting‐state fMRI data with reasonable computational burden. Another advantage of our double‐wavelet approach is that it does not require the stationarity assumption. Simulation studies show that our method reduced false positive and false negative rates by properly taking into account spatial and temporal correlations in data. We also demonstrate advantages of our method by using resting‐state fMRI data to study the difference in resting‐state functional connectivity between healthy subjects and patients with major depressive disorder.
Perovskite Photovoltaic Devices with Carbon‐Based Electrodes Withstanding Reverse‐Bias Voltages up to –9 V and Surpassing IEC 61215:2016 International Standard
Authors: Bogachuk Dmitry , Saddedine Karima , Martineau David , Narbey Stephanie , Verma Anand , Gebhardt Paul , Herterich Jan P. , Glissmann Nico , Zouhair Salma , Markert Jochen , Gould Isaac E. , McGehee Michael D. , Würfel Uli , Hinsch Andreas , Wagner Lukas
Published: October 2021

One of the key challenges of perovskite photovoltaics (PV) is the long‐term stability. Although efforts are made to improve the lifetime of perovskite PV devices, their degradation under reverse‐bias conditions is barely addressed. Herein, perovskite solar cells with carbon‐based electrodes are presented which demonstrate superior resilience against reverse‐bias‐induced degradation. Although their breakdown voltage is identified to be at approximately −3.6 V, cells do not degrade until the applied reverse‐bias exceeds −9 V. Two main degradation mechanisms are identified: 1) iodine loss due to hole tunneling into perovskite, which takes place even at low reverse‐bias but decomposes the perovskite only after long time durations; and 2) rapid heating at large reverse‐bias leading to formation of PbI2, which starts at shunts and then follows the path of the least resistance for the cell current, which is primarily influenced by the electrode sheet resistances. Finally, perovskite solar modules with carbon‐based electrodes are demonstrated, which are subjected to a “hotspot” test described in the IEC 61215:2016 international standard at an accredited module testing laboratory. Passing this accelerated test for the first time confirms the superior stability of perovskite PV devices with carbon‐based electrodes and highlights their large industrialization potential.
Optimal application of fluid viscous dampers in tall buildings incorporating integrated damping systems
Authors: Martinez‐Paneda Miguel , Elghazouli Ahmed Y.
Published: October 2021

This paper examines the detailed performance of an integrated damping system (IDS) approach which was recently introduced to provide large damping levels by enabling two parts of a building to move independently through a parallel arrangement of springs and fluid viscous dampers. Extensive assessments into the characteristics and distribution of constituent dampers are illustrated through the dynamic response of a typical 300‐m central‐core building. Besides examining the system performance under typical wind conditions and selected seismic excitations, five damper placement methods are assessed for various linear and nonlinear damper exponents. It is shown that intermediate exponents provide the best overall response. However, when the design targets a particular damping, deformation or acceleration related performance parameter, specific combinations of damper exponent and distribution can result in an optimal application. Most importantly, due to the underlying IDS nature, which acts as an inherent large‐mass damper, the findings show that the overall performance is not highly sensitive to the damper placement and does not necessitate the use of an advanced distribution. While specific placements can be adopted to refine targeted performance aspects where necessary, simple and practical uniform or stiffness proportional arrangements can be consistently employed with the IDS to provide a highly effective solution.
Acute appendicitis in an elderly patient treated with choyoto in combination with conservative antibiotic therapy
Authors: Irie Yasuhito , Nara Tasuku , Satoh Kasumi , Kameyama Koumei , Kitamura Toshiharu , Okuyama Manabu , Nakae Hajime
Published: October 2021

Case

A male patient in his 70s was brought to the hospital with as chief complaint fever and difficulty in moving. Abdominal computed tomography revealed early acute appendicitis with fecaliths, and conservative treatment with antibiotics was started. On day 4, the patient started taking choyoto.

Outcome

Although his symptoms did not exacerbate, contrast‐enhanced computed tomography showed that the lumen of the appendix remained slightly enlarged, suggesting an appendiceal tumor. The patient refused further examination and was discharged on day 34 while continuing as an outpatient.

Conclusion

Conservative treatment without surgery for acute appendicitis is risky in the elderly because of the possibility of a malignancy and because the severity of the disease tends to be underestimated. On the other hand, the risk of postoperative complications is high due to comorbidities. Therefore, In order to solve this dilemma, the effectiveness of the combination of Kampo medicines with conservative antibiotic therapy in improving symptoms and preventing recurrence should be verified.
Strains and approaches for genetic crosses in the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi
Authors: Takayama Yuko
Published: October 2021

The oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi is a powerful lipid producer with great industrial potential. Recent studies have reported the isolation of mutant L. starkeyi cells with higher lipid producing capacity. Although genetic engineering strategies have been applied to L. starkeyi, classical genetic approaches are lacking. The development of tools that facilitate genetic crosses in L. starkeyi would not only make it possible to build improved lipid‐producing strains but also facilitate molecular biological analysis of this species. In this study, I report a set of strains and approaches useful for performing genetic crosses with L. starkeyi. The homothallic L. starkeyi reportedly forms an ascus containing two to 20 spores. These spores were resistant to glusulase and could be dissected using a micromanipulator, suggesting that random spore and tetrad (spore dissection) analysis can be adapted for L. starkeyi. Additionally, to isolate a pair of heterothallic strains useful for genetic crosses, the homothallic strain was exposed to UV irradiation, and 10 self‐sterile strains were crossed with one another. One of these combinations, Ls75 and Ls100, sporulated stably. Moreover, to detect genetic recombination, I introduced a different drug resistance marker into each strain and crossed them. The resulting progeny exhibited Mendelian segregation of the resistance markers. Altogether, the work reported here provides a powerful resource for genetic analysis in L. starkeyi.
Innovatives SARS-CoV-2-Krisenmanagement im öffentlichen Gesundheitswesen: Corona-Dashboard und Abwasserfrühwarnsystem am Beispiel Berchtesgadener Land
Authors: Roßmann Katalyn , Großmann Gerd , Frangoulidis Dimitrios , Clasen Rüttger , Münch Manuel , Hasenknopf Manfred , Wurzbacher Christian , Tiehm Andreas , Stange Claudia , Ho Johannes , Woermann Marion , Drewes Jörg E.
Published: October 2021

Hintergrund

Eine infektiologische Krisensituation wie die SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie stellte die Verwaltungsstrukturen des öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes vor erhebliche Herausforderungen, die abhängig von der personellen und digitalen Ausstattung in einer unterschiedlichen Effizienz des Ausbruchsmanagements resultierten. Die Einbindung von innovativen Instrumenten der Pandemiebekämpfung, wie Clusternachverfolgung, Risikogruppentestungen oder wie z. B. die von der EU-Kommission empfohlene Einbindung des Abwassermonitorings, wurde dadurch maßgeblich erschwert.

Ziel

In dieser Fallstudie im Berchtesgadener Land stellen wir die Einbindung eines flächendeckenden georeferenzierten Abwassermonitorings vor, das seit Nov. 2020 95 % der gesamten Bevölkerung erfasst.

Methoden

Für eine flächendeckende Erfassung erfolgte die Probennahme an 2 Tagen pro Woche an 9 kommunalen Kläranlagen und zusätzlich direkt aus der Kanalisation an 3 Standorten. Die Abwasserproben wurden direkt mittels Zentrifugation zur Feststoffabtrennung aufbereitet und über eine digitale Droplet Polymerase-Kettenreaktion (PCR) 4 spezifische Gene von SARS-CoV‑2 erfasst und quantifiziert.

Ergebnisse

Die Einbindung des georeferenzierten Abwassermonitorings war erfolgreich. Die Abwasserbefunde werden für jede Gemeinde mit den Inzidenzen pro 100.000 Einwohnern dargestellt. Änderungen im Infektionsgeschehen sind 10 Tage vor den offiziellen Fallzahlen mit einer Sensitivität von ca. 20 pro 100.000 Einwohner erkennbar.

Diskussion

Die Integration dieser innovativen Ansätze in eine umfassende Lageführung mittels eines digitalen Dashboards und der Etablierung eines Frühwarnsystems anhand eines quantitativen Abwassermonitorings resultierte im Landkreis Berchtesgadener Land in einem sehr effizienten, proaktiven Krisenmanagement. Dieses kann als Blaupause für andere Kommunen in Deutschland dienen.
Influence of axial limb rotation on radiographic lower limb alignment: a systematic review
Authors: Ahrend Marc-Daniel , Baumgartner Heiko , Ihle Christoph , Histing Tina , Schröter Steffen , Finger Felix
Published: October 2021

Introduction

The influence of limb malrotation on long-leg radiographs (LLR) is frequently discussed in literature. This systematic review aimed to describe the influence of limb rotation on alignment measurements alone and in combination with knee flexion, and determine its clinical impact.

Materials and methods

A literature search was conducted in June 2021 using the databases MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics), and Embase. The search term ((radiograph OR X-ray) AND (position OR rotation) AND limb alignment) was used. Database query, record screening, and study inclusion and exclusion were performed by two reviewers independently. Experimental studies (using either specimens or synthetic bones) or clinical studies (prospective or retrospective using radiographs of patients) analyzing the influence of limb rotation on anatomic and mechanical limb alignment measurements were included. Characteristics and results of the included studies were summarized, simplified, and grouped for comparison to answer the research question. Studies were compared descriptively, and no meta-analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 22 studies were included showing large heterogeneity, comprising studies with cadavers, patients, and synthetic bones. Most studies (7 out of 8) reported that external rotation (ER) causes less apparent valgus and leads to more varus and internal rotation (IR) causes more valgus and leads to less varus. However, there is no consensus on the extent of rotation influencing alignment measures. Studies reported about an average change of > 2° (n = 4) and < 2° (n = 4) hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) between 15°IR and 15°ER. There is a consensus that the impact of rotation on mechanical alignment is higher if additional sagittal knee angulation, such as knee flexion, is present. All five studies analyzing the influence of rotation combined with knee flexion (5°–15°) showed an HKA change of > 2° between 15°IR and 15°ER.

Conclusion

Malrotation is frequently present on LLR, possibly influencing the measured alignment especially in knees with extension deficit. Surgeons must consider this when measuring and treating deformities (high tibial osteotomy or total knee arthroplasties), and analyzing surgical outcomes. Especially in patients with osteoarthritis with knee extension deficits or postoperative swelling, the effect of malrotation is significantly greater.
Impfbereitschaft von Eltern mit einem COVID-19-Vakzin
Authors: Altenbuchner Amelie , Haug Sonja , Schnell Rainer , Scharf Anna , Weber Karsten
Published: October 2021

Hintergrund. Eltern stehen im Rahmen der eigenen Impfung und der Kinderimpfung mit einem COVID-19-Vakzin vor einer Impfentscheidung. Zum aktuellen Zeitpunkt gibt es keine (vollständige) Impfempfehlung.

Fragestellung. Die Studie untersucht die Impfbereitschaft von Eltern minderjähriger Kinder und Personen ohne minderjährige Kinder, wobei insbesondere Geschlechtsunterschiede überprüft werden.

Methoden. Die Studie basiert auf einer Zufallsstichprobe (Telefon-Survey, n = 2014, Erhebung zwischen 12.11.2020 und 10.12.2020). Die Auswertung stützt sich insbesondere auf die Teilstichprobe von Personen mit minderjährigen Kindern im Haushalt (n = 461).

Ergebnisse. Eltern weisen durchgängig eine geringere Impfbereitschaft mit einem COVID-19-Vakzin auf als Befragte ohne minderjährige Kinder (54,1 % vs. 71,1 %). Väter weisen eine stärker ausgeprägte eigene Impfbereitschaft auf als Mütter. Darüber hinaus sind Männer eher als Frauen bereit, das eigene Kind mit einem COVID-19-Vakzin impfen zu lassen.

Schlussfolgerungen. Bei Eltern und insbesondere Müttern ist eine erhebliche Fehleinschätzung von Impfrisiken und häufiger Glaube an Impfverschwörungstheorien zu beobachten. Empfohlen werden anschauliche und leicht verständliche Informationen über die Wirkung und Nebenwirkungen der Impfung mit einem COVID-19-Vakzin durch zuständige Institutionen und Ärzte.
Non-equilibrium ionisation plasmas in the interstellar medium
Authors: Breitschwerdt Dieter , de Avillez Miguel A.
Published: October 2021

Obtaining astrophysical information from diffuse cool, warm and hot plasmas in interstellar and intergalactic media by electromagnetic radiation is based on highly non-linear heating and cooling processes, which are largely determined by atomic physical time scales and reaction rates. To calculate spectra is further complicated by gas dynamical interactions and processes, such as e.g. shock waves, fast adiabatic expansion and catastrophic cooling. In essence this leads to a non-linear coupling between atomic physics and hydro- or magnetohydrodynamics, which renders radiative cooling to become time- and space-dependent, contrary to the often conveniently used assumption of collisional ionisation equilibrium for optically thin plasmas. Computing power and new algorithms for high performance computing have made it possible to trace the dynamical and thermal evolution of a sufficiently large section of interstellar space over an appreciable time scale to derive characteristic quantities like temperature and density distribution as well as spectra, which can be compared to X-ray, UV and optical observations. In this review we describe diffuse interstellar plasma simulations, the physical processes which drive the temporal and spatial evolution, and present high resolution numerical simulations, including time-dependent cooling, which further our understanding of the state and evolution of interstellar (magnetised) plasmas. We also discuss briefly the rôle of cosmic rays and their interaction with the plasma.
The Rise and Fading Away of Charisma. Leadership Transition and Managerial Ethics in the Post-Soviet Media Holdings
Authors: Tokbaeva Dinara
Published: October 2021

This paper examines post-communist managerial ethics during the emergence and transition of charismatic leadership in two privately owned media holdings in Russia and Kyrgyzstan. These media holdings were bootstrapped in the 1990s and 2000s by people without management experience and connections. This paper argues that Weberian charismatic leadership was a necessary leadership style to start a private business for people without links to elite networks. However, once firms establish themselves on the market, charisma fades and yields itself to a legal-rational leadership style. In particular, the paper compares and contrasts the managerial ethics issues arising from the loyalty-based leader–follower relations in the charismatic leadership phase and the legal-rational phase of a firm’s development and maturation. While the legal-rational phase brings positive changes to workload management and employees’ rights for vacation and p/maternity leave, task delegation remains an unsolved issue. Ambiguous career advancement criteria of the legal-rational phase replace rapid career progression of junior and middle managers during the charismatic phase. By examining the dynamics of managerial ethics transformation, this study adds to the literature on post-communist leadership, management and governance. Recommendations are provided for privately owned firms on how to advance managerial ethics to attract and retain qualified talent.
Beyond Genes: Germline Disruption in the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Escher Jill , Yan Wei , Rissman Emilie F. , Wang Hsiao-Lin V. , Hernandez Arturo , Corces Victor G.
Published: October 2021

Investigations into the etiology of autism spectrum disorders have been largely confined to two realms: variations in DNA sequence and somatic developmental exposures. Here we suggest a third route—disruption of the germline epigenome induced by exogenous toxicants during a parent’s gamete development. Similar to cases of germline mutation, these molecular perturbations may produce dysregulated transcription of brain-related genes during fetal and early development, resulting in abnormal neurobehavioral phenotypes in offspring. Many types of exposures may have these impacts, and here we discuss examples of anesthetic gases, tobacco components, synthetic steroids, and valproic acid. Alterations in parental germline could help explain some unsolved phenomena of autism, including increased prevalence, missing heritability, skewed sex ratio, and heterogeneity of neurobiology and behavior.
Late Onset of Chronic Granulomatous Disease Revealed by Paecilomyces lilacinus Cutaneous Infection
Authors: Lemaigre Clément , Suarez Felipe , Martellosio Jean-Philippe , Barbarin Cindy , Brunet Kévin , Chomel Jean Claude , Hainaut Ewa , Rammaert Blandine , Roblot France , Torregrosa-Diaz José Miguel
Published: October 2021

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immunodeficiency due to defective leukocyte NADPH responsible for recurrent infections and aberrant inflammation. Mutations in the CYBB gene are responsible for the X-linked CGD and account for approximately 70% of the cases. CGD is diagnosed during childhood in males. Female carriers may have biased X-inactivation and may present with clinical manifestations depending on the level of residual NADPH oxidase activity. We report the case of a previously asymptomatic female carrier who was diagnosed at age 67 with a skin infection with the rare fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus as the first manifestation of CGD. Dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) activity was below 10%. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed mutations in DNMT3A, ASXL1, and STAG2 suggesting that clonal hematopoiesis could be responsible for a progressive loss of NADPH oxidase activity and the late onset of X-linked CGD in this patient. Long-term follow-up of asymptomatic carrier women seems to be essential after 50 years old.
Assessing levels, trade-offs and synergies of landscape services in the Iranian province of Qazvin: towards sustainable landscapes
Authors: Darvishi Asef , Yousefi Maryam , Dinan Naghmeh Mobarghaee , Angelstam Per
Published: October 2021

Context

Evidence-based knowledge is crucial for place-based knowledge production and learning towards sustainable landscapes through stewardship and integrated spatial planning.

Objectives

We focus on the landscape service concept as a tool, and three fundamental challenges for its use: (1) how to monitor benefits provided by different landscapes; (2) to demonstrate trade-offs and synergies among benefits in a landscape; and (3) to discuss how to incorporate results from analyses into landscape stewardship and planning.

Methods

As a case study we chose the Iranian Qazvin province with diverse natural and anthropogenic landscapes, and top-down societal steering. Five landscape services (water yield, water regulation, pollination, actual net primary production (NPPact) and social-cultural connectivity) were assessed and compared.

Results

All landscape services were significantly correlated. Major trade-offs and synergies among services were between NPPact and water yield and regulation. Trade-off and synergy clusters showed that landscape functions depend on both natural and anthropogenic landscape patterns and processes.

Conclusions

Providing transparent data about trade-offs and synergies among landscape services can facilitate learning about which services are important among landscapes. For each of six settings we suggest action plans. We discuss the role of Iranian landscape stewardship and planning, and integrative research needs.
Ability, relevant possibilities, and the fixity of the past
Authors: Mackie Penelope
Published: October 2021

In several writings, John Martin Fischer has argued that those who deny a principle about abilities that he calls ‘the Fixity of the Past’ are committed to absurd conclusions concerning practical reasoning. I argue that Fischer’s ‘practical rationality’ argument does not succeed. First, Fischer’s argument may be vulnerable to the charge that it relies on an equivocation concerning the notion of an ‘accessible’ possible world. Secondly, even if Fischer’s argument can be absolved of that charge, I maintain that it can be defeated by appeal to an independently plausible principle about practical reasoning that I call ‘the Knowledge Principle’. In addition, I point out that Fischer’s own presentation of his argument is flawed by the fact that the principle that he labels ‘the Fixity of the Past’ does not, in fact, succeed in representing the intuitive idea that it is intended to capture. Instead, the debate (including Fischer’s practical rationality argument) should be recast in terms of a different (and stronger) principle, which I call ‘the Principle of Past-Limited Abilities’. The principal contribution of my paper is thus twofold: to clarify the terms of the debate about the fixity of the past, and to undermine Fischer’s ‘practical rationality’ argument for the fixity of the past.
The growth of entrepreneurial human capital: origins and development of skill variety
Authors: Krieger Alexander , Stuetzer Michael , Obschonka Martin , Salmela-Aro Katariina
Published: October 2021

Given that recent research on entrepreneurial behavior and success has established skill variety as a central human capital factor, researchers, educators, and policymakers have turned their interest to a deeper understanding of the formation of skill variety. Based on human capital theory and the competence growth approach in developmental psychology (highlighting long-term, age-appropriate, and cumulative skill-growth processes), we hypothesize that a broad, early variety orientation in adolescence is a developmental precursor of such entrepreneurial human capital in adulthood. This was confirmed in an analysis of prospective longitudinal data via structural equation modeling and serial mediation tests. We also find that an entrepreneurial constellation of personality traits, but not entrepreneurial parents, predicts early variety orientation, skill variety, and entrepreneurial intentions. By shedding new light on the long-term formation of entrepreneurial human capital, the results suggest that establishing and benefiting from an early variety orientation is not only an important developmental mechanism in entrepreneurial careers but gives those with an entrepreneurial personality an early head start in their vocational entrepreneurial development. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Environmental and health impacts of spraying COVID-19 disinfectants with associated challenges
Authors: Bhat Shakeel Ahmad , Sher Farooq , Kumar Rohitashw , Karahmet Emina , Haq Syed Anam Ul , Zafar Ayesha , Lima Eder C.
Published: October 2021

Coronavirus refers to a group of widespread viruses. The name refers to the specific morphology of these viruses because their spikes look like a crown under an electron microscope. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has been reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, was proclaimed an international public health emergency (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020, and on 11 March 2020, it was declared as a pandemic (World Health Organization 2020). The official name of the virus was declared by the WHO as “COVID-19 virus”, formerly known as “2019-nCoV”, or “Wuhan Coronavirus”. The International Committee on Virus Taxonomy’s Coronavirus Research Group has identified that this virus is a form of coronavirus that caused a severe outbreak of acute respiratory syndrome in 2002–2003 (SARS). As a result, the latest severe acute respiratory syndrome has been classified as a corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen by this committee. This disease spread quickly across the country and the world within the first 3 months of the outbreak and became a global pandemic. To stop COVID-19 from spreading, the governing agencies used various chemicals to disinfect different commercial spaces, streets and highways. However, people used it aggressively because of panic conditions, anxiety and unconsciousness, which can have a detrimental impact on human health and the environment. Our water bodies, soil and air have been polluted by disinfectants, forming secondary products that can be poisonous and mutagenic. In the prevention and spread of COVID-19, disinfection is crucial, but disinfection should be carried out with sufficient precautions to minimize exposure to harmful by-products. In addition, to prevent inhalation, adequate personal protective equipment should be worn and chemical usage, concentrations, ventilation in the room and application techniques should be carefully considered. In the USA, 60% of respondents said they cleaned or disinfected their homes more often than they had in the previous months. In addition to the robust use of disinfection approaches to combat COVID-19, we will explore safe preventative solutions here.
Intranasal Salvinorin A Improves Long-term Neurological Function via Immunomodulation in a Mouse Ischemic Stroke Model
Authors: Misilimu Dilidaer , Li Wei , Chen Di , Wei Pengju , Huang Yichen , Li Sicheng , Grothusen John , Gao Yanqin
Published: October 2021

Salvinorin A (SA), a highly selective kappa opioid receptor agonist, has been shown to reduce brain infarct volume and improve neurological function after ischemic stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood yet. Therefore, we explored whether SA provides neuroprotective effects by regulating the immune response after ischemic stroke both in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral circulation. In this study, adult male mice were subjected to transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (tMCAO) and then were treated intranasally with SA (50 μg/kg) or with the vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Multiple behavioral tests were used to evaluate neurofunction. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the infiltration of peripheral immune cells into the brain. The tracer cadaverine and endogenous immunoglobulin G (IgG) extravasation were used to detect blood brain barrier leakage. We observed that SA intranasal administration after ischemic stroke decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the brain. SA promoted the polarization of microglia/macrophages into a transitional phenotype and decreased the pro-inflammatory phenotype in the brain after tMCAO. Interestingly, SA treatment scarcely altered the number of peripheral immune cells but decreased the macrophage and neutrophil infiltration into the brain at 24 h after tMCAO. Furthermore, SA treatment also preserved BBB integrity, reduced long-term brain atrophy and white matter injury, as well as improved the long-term neurofunctional outcome in mice. In this study, intranasal administration of SA improved long-term neurological function via immuno-modulation and by preserving blood–brain barrier integrity in a mouse ischemic stroke model, suggesting that SA could potentially serve as an alternative treatment strategy for ischemic stroke.

Graphic Abstract
Care for Language: Etymology as a Continental Argument in Bioethics
Authors: Zwart Hub
Published: October 2021

Emphasizing the importance of language is a key characteristic of philosophical reflection in general and of bioethics in particular. Rather than trying to eliminate the historicity and ambiguity of language, a continental approach to bioethics will make conscious use of it, for instance by closely studying the history of the key terms we employ in bioethical debates. Continental bioethics entails a focus on the historical vicissitudes of the key signifiers of the bioethical vocabulary, urging us to study the history of terms such as “bioethics,” “autonomy,” “privacy,” and “consensus.” Instead of trying to define such terms as clearly and unequivocally as possible, a continental approach rather requires us to take a step backwards, tracing the historical backdrop of the words currently in vogue. By comparing the original meanings of terms with their current meanings, and by considering important moments of transition in their history, obfuscated dimensions of meaning can be retrieved. Thus, notwithstanding a number of methodological challenges involved in etymological exercises, they may foster moral articulacy and enhance our ability to come to terms with moral dilemmas we are facing.
A short form of the Crisis in Family Systems (CRISYS) in a racially diverse sample of pregnant women
Authors: Sherlock Phillip , Shalowitz Madeleine U. , Berry Carolyn , Cella David , Blackwell Courtney K. , Cowell Whitney , Rodriguez Karen M. Reyes , Wright Rosalind J. ,   program collaborators for Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes
Published: October 2021

Assessing stressful life events in large-scale epidemiologic studies is challenged by the need to measure potential stressful events in a reasonably comprehensible manner balanced with burden on participants and research staff. The aim of this paper was to create a short form of the Crisis in Family Systems-Revised (CRISYS-R) plus 17 acculturation items, a measure that captures contemporary life stressors across 11 domains. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to segment the sample of 884 women from the PRogramming of Intergenerational Stress Mechanisms (PRISM) study experiencing different patterns of exposure to stressful events and identify items from each domain that best discriminate between individuals with different patterns of stressful-event exposures (high vs. low stress exposure). The results from the LCA, in conjunction with the expert opinions provided by the original developers of the CRISYS, yielded a 24-item item short form (CRISYS-SF) with at least one question from each of the original domains. Scores on the 24-item CRISYS-SF had high correlations with scores on the 80-item CRISYS.
Stakeholder participation in sustainability assessment of non-wicked problems: The case of a future seaweed industry in Sweden
Authors: Potting José , Thomas Jean-Baptiste E. , Gröndahl Fredrik
Published: October 2021

Acceptance by, and cooperation with relevant stakeholders in developing new sustainability initiatives when they are generally perceived as positive, is one of the keys for successful implementation of such new sustainability initiatives later on. It is remarkable, however, that ample literature exists about involving stakeholders in research projects focusing on problems with diverging views (controversy) around facts and values (wicked problems), but there is very little literature addressing whether and how to involve relevant stakeholders in case of initiatives where diverging norms and values do not play a (substantial) role, like in sustainability assessment for a future seaweed industry. This perspectives paper addresses that gap, and explores how to design such sustainability assessment, illustrated by how stakeholder interaction influenced the assessment and its results for a future seaweed industry in Sweden, followed by a discussion whether and how a similar approach may benefit sustainability assessment of other non-wicked sustainability initiatives.
Effect of a Behavioural Intervention for Adoption and Maintenance of a Physically Active Lifestyle on Psychological Well-Being and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: The IDES_2 Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Nicolucci Antonio , Haxhi Jonida , D’Errico Valeria , Sacchetti Massimo , Orlando Giorgio , Cardelli Patrizia , Vitale Martina , Bollanti Lucilla , Conti Francesco , Zanuso Silvano , Lucisano Giuseppe , Balducci Stefano , Pugliese Giuseppe ,   for the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study 2 (IDES_2) Investigators, Pugliese Giuseppe , Balducci Stefano , Sacchetti Massimo , Zanuso Silvano , Cardelli Patrizia , Nicolucci Antonio , Pugliese Giuseppe , Ribaudo Maria Cristina , Alessi Elena , Vitale Martina , Cirrito Tiziana , Bollanti Lucilla , Di Biase Nicolina , La Saracina Filomena , Balducci Stefano , Haxhi Mario Ranuzzi Jonida , D’Errico Valeria , Sacchetti Massimo , Orlando Giorgio , Milo Luca , Milo Roberto , Balducci Gianluca , Spinelli Enza
Published: October 2021

Background

Psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL) are important outcomes of lifestyle interventions, as a positive impact may favour long-term maintenance of behaviour change.

Objective

This study investigated the effect of a behavioural intervention for adopting and maintaining an active lifestyle on psychological well-being and health-related QoL in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Three hundred physically inactive and sedentary patients were randomized 1:1 to receive 1 month’s theoretical and practical counselling once a year (intervention group, INT) or standard care (control group, CON) for 3 years. Psychological well-being and QoL, assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO)-5 and the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire, respectively, were pre-specified secondary endpoints. The primary endpoint was sustained behaviour change, as assessed by accelerometer-based measurement of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time.

Results

WHO-5 and SF-36 physical and mental component summary (PCS and MCS) scores increased progressively in the INT group and decreased in the CON group, resulting in significant between-group differences (WHO-5: mean difference 7.35 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.15–11.55), P = 0.0007; PCS 4.20 (95% CI 2.25–6.15), P < 0.0001; MCS 3.04 (95% CI 1.09–4.99), P = 0.0025). Percentage of participants with likely depression decreased in the INT group and increased in the CON group. PA volume changes were independently associated with WHO-5 changes, which were significantly higher in participants who accumulated > 150 min·wk−1 of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA versus those who did not (13.06 (95% CI 7.51–18.61), P < 0.0001), whereas no relationship was detected for QoL.

Conclusion

A counselling intervention that was effective in promoting a sustained change in PA and sedentary behaviour significantly improved psychological well-being and QoL.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01600937; 10 October 2012.