bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and design of NaYF4 microprisms via a microwave‐assisted approach for highly sensitive optical thermometry applications
Authors: Som Sudipta , Lu Chung‐Hsin , Yang Che‐Yuan , Das Subrata
Published: March 2021

Hexagonal NaYF4: Er3+/Yb3+ (β‐NaYF4) microprisms with uniform particle sizes were synthesized via a microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method (MWHM). Nucleation and crystal growth were significantly surpassed owing to the microwave irradiation. Cubic‐NaYF4: Er3+/Yb3+ (α‐NaYF4) nanoparticles were transformed into β‐NaYF4 microprisms with reaction time in between 10 and 120 minutes at 180°C. The shape of the particles was enhanced via controlling the nucleation process with optimized irradiation duration and heating rates. The size distribution of β‐NaYF4 microprisms was further improved via regulating the concentration of chelating agents and pH values in the precursor solution. β‐NaYF4 microprisms displayed red and green color emissions for 980 nm excitation owing to the 4F9/2 and 2H11/2/4S3/2 → 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ respectively. The ratio (2H11/2/4S3/2 → 4I15/2) between green fluorescence intensities (FIR) of β‐NaYF4 microprisms was recorded with the variation in temperature from 303 K to 550 K. The recorded FIR values obeyed Boltzmann distribution and the distribution was used to evaluate the sensitivity. The optimum absolute sensitivity was achieved as 0.0044 K−1 at 490 K with promising resolution, reversibility, and stability. Furthermore, the power‐dependent variations in FIR values implied the suitability of β‐NaYF4 microprisms in measuring the laser‐induced heating effects.
Weather fluctuations are linked to nesting success and renesting decisions in saffron finches
Authors: Marques‐Santos Fernando , Wischhoff Uschi , Rodrigues Marcos
Published: March 2021

Life‐histories of neotropical birds seem to vary beyond what is expected according to patterns from northern temperate regions. This variation is well exemplified by saffron finches Sicalis flaveola in subtropical Brazil. They breed for five months on a climate that is relatively warm and rainy throughout the year. Females may attempt from one nest with two eggs up to three nests with five eggs per season. Previous work showed that age and individual quality were insufficient to explain variation in their breeding traits. Thus, other factors may still influence reproductive traits of investment and productivity in females. We asked 1) whether breeding traits of individual females were related to temperature and rain from previous weeks, and 2) whether fluctuations in weather during nest phases influenced egg and nestling survival. We monitored 237 nests of 70 marked females for four years. We found that the odds of a female starting a subsequent nest increased when temperatures on the preceding 15–6 weeks were low. Nest success decreased alongside the temperatures before laying dates. The odds of eggs surviving until hatching increased when weather was cold and rainy during incubation. There was no correlation between past weather and laying dates, clutch sizes, egg or nestling masses, incubation periods or number of fledglings per nest. The adverse effects of warmer temperatures and the survival benefit of increased rainfall are surprising and contrary to other birds' patterns. The mechanisms that link weather to renesting probability and nest success in saffron finches are still unknown, and we give some suggestions about their nature. We advocate that further studies with this widespread species might provide further insights into the variability of life‐histories in the region.
Renal denervation for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Prado Gabriela M. , Mahfoud Felix , Lopes Renato D. , Moreira Dalmo A. R. , Staico Rodolfo , Damiani Lucas P. , Ukena Christian , Armaganijan Luciana V.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with heart disease. Recent studies evaluated the effect of renal denervation (RDN) on the occurrence of VAs. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of this procedure.

Methods and Results

A systematic search of the literature was performed to identify studies that evaluated the use of RDN for the management of VAs. Primary outcomes were reduction in the number of VAs and implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) therapies. Secondary outcomes were changes in blood pressure and renal function. Ten studies (152 patients) were included in the meta‐analysis. RDN was associated with a reduction in the number of VAs, antitachycardia pacing, ICD shocks, and overall ICD therapies of 3.53 events/patient/month (95% confidence interval [CI] = −5.48 to −1.57), 2.86 events/patient/month (95% CI = −4.09 to −1.63), 2.04 events/patient/month (95% CI = −2.12 to −1.97), and 2.68 events/patient/month (95% CI = −3.58 to −1.78), respectively. Periprocedural adverse events occurred in 1.23% of patients and no significant changes were seen in blood pressure or renal function.

Conclusions

In patients with refractory VAs, RDN was associated with a reduction in the number of VAs and ICD therapies, and was shown to be a safe procedure.
Comparison of nighttime measurement schedules using a wrist‐type nocturnal home blood pressure monitoring device
Authors: Tomitani Naoko , Kanegae Hiroshi , Kario Kazuomi
Published: March 2021

We investigated the optimal nighttime home blood pressure (BP) measurement schedule for wrist BP monitoring. Fifty hypertensive patients (mean age 68.9 ± 11.3 years) self‐measured their nighttime BP hourly using a wrist‐type nocturnal home BP monitoring device at home on two consecutive nights. Using the average 7.2 ± 1.5 measurements per night, we compared the clock‐based index (average of three measurements at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 a.m.) and the bedtime‐based index (average of three measurements at 2, 3, and 4 h after bedtime). The clock‐based average was significantly higher than the bedtime‐based average for both systolic BP (2.7 ± 8.2 mmHg, P = .002) and diastolic BP (1.9 ± 5.1 mmHg, P < .001). Compared to the average of all measurements throughout a night (the same definition of ambulatory BP monitoring, ie, from the time point of going to bed to awakening), the clock‐based average was comparable (systolic/diastolic BP: −0.5 ± 5.5/−0.2 ± 3.7), whereas the bedtime‐based average was significantly lower (−3.3 ± 5.0/−2.1 ± 3.6). Thus, the repeated measurement of wrist‐measured nighttime BP at three clock‐based time points per night provided reliable values. Further prospective studies of larger populations are required to confirm the optimal nighttime BP measurement schedule for wrist BP monitoring for the prediction of cardiovascular events.
INO80 participates in the pathogenesis of recurrent miscarriage by epigenetically regulating trophoblast migration and invasion
Authors: Xian Shu , Zhang Yan , Wang Li , Yao Fang , Ding Jinli , Wang Yanqing , Yang Xiao , Dai Fangfang , Yin Tailang , Cheng Yanxiang
Published: March 2021

The INO80 complex, a SWI/SNF family chromatin remodeler, has regulatory effects on ESC self‐renewal, somatic cell reprogramming and blastocyst development. However, the role of INO80 in regulating trophoblast cells and recurrent miscarriage (RM) remains elusive. To investigate the in vivo effects of Ino80 in embryo development, we disrupted Ino80 in C57 mice, which resulted in embryonic lethality. Silencing of Ino80 led to decreased survival capacity, migration and invasion of trophoblasts. Furthermore, RNA high‐throughput sequencing (RNA‐seq) revealed that Ino80 silencing closely resembled the gene expression changes in RM tissues. To investigate the mechanisms for these results, RNA‐seq combined with high‐throughput sequencing (ChIP‐seq) was used in trophoblast cells, and it showed that Ino80 physically occupies promoter regions to affect the expression of invasion‐associated genes. Last, Western blotting analyses and immunofluorescence staining revealed that the content of INO80 was reduced in RM patients compared to in healthy controls. This study indicates that INO80 has a specific regulatory effect on the viability, migration and invasion of trophoblast cells. Combined with its regulation of the expression of invasion‐associated genes, it has been proposed that epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the occurrence of RM, potentially informing RM therapeutic strategies.
m6A regulator‐mediated RNA methylation modification patterns are involved in immune microenvironment regulation of periodontitis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqi , Zhang Shizhen , Yan Xinyu , Shan Yue , Liu Lu , Zhou Jing , Kuang Qianyun , Li Minqi , Long Hu , Lai Wenli
Published: March 2021

The role of epigenetic regulation in immunity is emerging, especially for RNA N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification. However, little is known about the role of m6A in the regulation of the immune microenvironment of periodontitis. Thus, we aim to investigate the impact of m6A modification in periodontitis immune microenvironment. The RNA modification patterns mediated by 23 m6A‐regulators were systematically evaluated in 310 periodontitis samples. The impact of m6A modification on immune microenvironment characteristics was explored, including infiltrating immunocytes, immune reaction gene‐sets and HLAs (human leukocyte antigen) gene. m6A phenotype‐related immune genes were also identified. 17 m6A regulators were dysregulated and a 15‐m6A regulator signature can well distinguish periodontitis and control samples. ALKBH5 and FMR1 are closely related to infiltrating monocyte abundance. ELAVL1 and CBLL1 are significant regulators in immune reaction of TNF_Family_Members_Receptors and Cytokine. The expression of HLA‐B and HLA‐DOA is affected by ALKBH5 and LRPPRC. 3 distinct RNA modification patterns mediated by 23 m6A regulators were identified. They differ from immunocyte abundance, immune reaction and HLA gene. 1631 m6A phenotype‐related genes and 70 m6A‐mediated immune genes were identified, and the biological functions of these were explored. Our finding demonstrated the m6A modification plays a crucial role in the diversity and complexity of the immune microenvironment of periodontitis.
The role of early video capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis and prognosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: A multi‐center propensity score matching study
Authors: Zhao Ran , Nakamura Masanao , Wu Shan , Uchida Genta , Yamamura Takeshi , Gao Yun‐Jie , Goto Hidemi , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Ge Zhi‐Zheng
Published: March 2021

Background and Aim

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a first‐line procedure for the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). The opinions on the timing for such diagnostic evaluation remain unclear. We aimed to explore the role of early VCE in OGIB patients.

Methods

A total of 997 patients that underwent VCE at Renji Hospital and Nagoya University from May 15, 2002, to December 28, 2016, were included in this study. We matched patients that underwent early VCE within 14 days of bleeding (early group, n = 678) to patients that did not (late group, n = 319) via 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). We then compared VCE diagnostic rates and the prevalence of post‐VCE rebleeding in patients with initial negative VCE findings within 1 year between these groups before and after PSM.

Results

Following PSM, early VCE was associated with a significantly higher rate of OGIB diagnosis (56.4% vs 45.5%, P = 0.001) and with a significantly lower incidence of rebleeding within 1 year following treatment (24.7% vs 36.7%, P = 0.041). In univariate and multivariate analyses, VCE timing (odds ratio 0.648; 95% confidence interval 0.496–0.847, P = 0.001 and odds ratio 0.666; 95% confidence interval 0.496–0.894, P = 0.007, respectively) was found to be linked with a higher rate of positive findings.

Conclusion

Early VCE can improve the reliability of OGIB diagnosis while also reducing rates of post‐VCE rebleeding. This suggests that timely and accurate diagnosis can help to improve OGIB patient treatment and prognosis.
Insulin action on astrocytes: From energy homeostasis to behaviour
Authors: González‐García Ismael , Gruber Tim , García‐Cáceres Cristina
Published: March 2021

Astrocytes are specialised glial cells that integrate distinct inputs arising from neurones, other glial cells and the microcirculation to regulate diverse aspects of brain function. A growing body of emerging evidence supports that astrocytes, similar to neurones, also play active roles in the neuroendocrine control of metabolism by responding to afferent nutritional and hormonal cues and translating these metabolic cues into neuronal inputs. Specifically, insulin action in astrocytes has received special emphasis given its newly discovered regulatory role in brain glucose uptake, which until recently was assumed to be an insulin independent process. We now know that insulin signalling in astrocytes regulates metabolic processes and behavioural responses through coupling brain glucose uptake with nutrient availability to maintain energy balance and systemic glucose homeostasis. Moreover, genetic ablation of the insulin receptor in astrocytes is associated with anxiety‐ and depressive‐like behaviours, confirming that these glial cells are involved in the regulation of cognition and mood via insulin action. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the most relevant findings that have been made over the course of the last few years linking insulin signalling in astrocytes with the pathogenesis of brain metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases; a still unexplored field, but with a high translational potential for developing therapies.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward Zika virus among staff of comprehensive health services centers affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2020
Authors: Farrokh‐Eslamlou Hamidreza , Maheri Mina
Published: March 2021

Aim

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare providers regarding Zika virus, provides information on their ability to prevent its transmission, and emphasizes the necessity of implementing educational programs if their knowledge, attitude, and practice are low. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the staff of comprehensive health services centers affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences regarding Zika Virus.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted on 354 staffs of comprehensive health service centers. The researcher‐made questionnaire consisted of two sections. The first section of the questionnaire was about demographic and professional characteristics of the participants and the second section was assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding Zika virus. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 16 software using descriptive and analytical statistics.

Results

In this study, 70.9% of the participants had poor knowledge, 24.1% had moderate knowledge, and only 5% had good knowledge about Zika virus. Regarding attitude, 10.6% of the participants had negative attitude, 45.9% had neutral attitude, and 43.5% had positive attitude toward Zika virus. Moreover, 40.6% of the participants had poor practice, 24.7% had moderate practice, and 34.7% had good practice in Zika virus.

Conclusion

The knowledge level in participants about Zika virus was unacceptable and their attitude and practice level was relatively acceptable. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement educational interventions aimed at promoting knowledge, attitude, and practice of the staff of comprehensive health services centers regarding Zika Virus.
Unconfirmed penicillin allergy labels in the paediatric outpatient setting: A call for research and quality improvement initiatives
Authors: Taylor Margaret , Anvari Sara , Palazzi Debra
Published: March 2021

Over the last 10 years, the electronic medical record has redefined medical documentation, and physicians rely on accurate records to make clinical decisions. Penicillin allergy labels (PALs) are important pieces of the medical history that guide physicians in selecting specific antibiotic classes for the treatment of infectious diseases. However, most children labelled as penicillin‐allergic do not have an IgE‐mediated (immediate) allergic reaction to penicillin or its derivatives. In the absence of confirmatory penicillin allergy testing or additional history, these children receive alternative, often broad‐spectrum and second‐line, antibiotics. Addressing unconfirmed PALs requires an understanding of how and why labels get added to the electronic medical record. This viewpoint highlights the knowledge gaps in paediatric outpatient penicillin allergy labelling and proposes an acronym (‘LABEL’) that primary care providers and antimicrobial stewards can utilise when designing initiatives to address unconfirmed PALs in the community.
(Generalized Linear) Mixed‐Effects Modeling: A Learner Corpus Example
Authors: Gries Stefan Th.
Published: March 2021

This methods showcase article provides a detailed overview of a mixed‐effects modeling analysis of corpus data on the use of that in object and subject complementation by native speakers of English compared to its use by German and Spanish learners of English.

“We emphasize that we do not claim that our illustrations are the only way to carry out these analyses, but the strategy outlined above has yielded satisfactory results.” (Bates et al., 2018, p. 5)
The fungal RABOME: RAB GTPases acting in the endocytic and exocytic pathways of Aspergillus nidulans (with excursions to other filamentous fungi)
Authors: Pinar Mario , Peñalva Miguel A.
Published: March 2021

RAB GTPases are major determinants of membrane identity that have been exploited as highly specific reporters to study intracellular traffic in vivo. A score of fungal papers have considered individual RABs, but systematic, integrated studies on the localization and physiological role of these regulators and their effectors have been performed only with Aspergillus nidulans. These studies have influenced the intracellular trafficking field beyond fungal specialists, leading to findings such as the maturation of trans‐Golgi (TGN) cisternae into post‐Golgi RAB11 secretory vesicles, the concept that these RAB11 secretory carriers are loaded with three molecular nanomotors, the understanding of the role of endocytic recycling mediated by RAB6 and RAB11 in determining the hyphal mode of life, the discovery that early endosome maturation and the ESCRT pathway are essential, the identification of specific adaptors of dynein‐dynactin to RAB5 endosomes, the exquisite dependence that autophagy displays on RAB1 activity, the role of TRAPPII as a GEF for RAB11, or the conclusion that the RAB1‐to‐RAB11 transition is not mediated by TRAPP maturation. A remarkable finding was that the A. nidulans Spitzenkörper contains four RABs: RAB11, Sec4, RAB6, and RAB1. How these RABs cooperate during exocytosis represents an as yet outstanding question.
Computational fluid dynamics of flow regime and hydrodynamic forces generated by a gliding North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)
Authors: Wu Chen‐Yi , Nowacek Douglas P. , Nousek‐McGregor Anna E. , McGregor Ross , Howle Laurens E.
Published: March 2021

Accurate estimates of drag on marine animals are required to investigate the locomotive cost, propulsive efficiency, and the impacts of entanglement if the animal is carrying fishing gear. In this study, we performed computational fluid dynamics analysis of a 10 m (length over all) right whale to obtain baseline measurements of drag on the animal. Swimming speeds covering known right whale speed range (0.125 m/s to 8 m/s) were tested. We found a weak dependence between drag coefficient and Reynolds number. At a swimming speed of 2 m/s, we analyzed the boundary layer thicknesses, the flow regimes, and drag components. We found the thickest boundary layer at the lateral sides of the peduncle, whereas the boundary layer thickness over the outer part of the flukes was less than 1.7 cm. Laminar flow occurred over the anterior ~0.6 LoA and turbulent flow from ~0.8 LoA to the fluke notch. On the surfaces of the flukes outside of the body wake region, flow was laminar. Our most significant finding is that the drag coefficient (0.0071–0.0059) of a right whale for swimming speeds ranging from 0.25 m/s to 2 m/s is approximately twice that of many previous estimates for cetaceans.
Plasmodesmata play pivotal role in sucrose supply to Meloidogyne graminicola‐caused giant cells in rice
Authors: Xu Li‐he , Xiao Li‐ying , Xiao Yan‐nong , Peng De‐liang , Xiao Xue‐qiong , Huang Wen‐kun , Gheysen Godelieve , Wang Gao‐feng
Published: March 2021

On infection, plant‐parasitic nematodes establish feeding sites in roots from which they take up carbohydrates among other nutrients. Knowledge on how carbohydrates are supplied to the nematodes’ feeding sites is limited. Here, gene expression analyses showed that RNA levels of OsSWEET11 to OsSWEET15 were extremely low in both Meloidogyne graminicola (Mg)‐caused galls and noninoculated roots. All the rice sucrose transporter genes, OsSUT1 to OsSUT5, were either down‐regulated in Mg‐caused galls compared with noninoculated rice roots or had very low transcript abundance. OsSUT1 was the only gene up‐regulated in galls, at 14 days postinoculation (dpi), after being highly down‐regulated at 3 and 7 dpi. OsSUT4 was down‐regulated at 3 dpi. No noticeable OsSUTs promoter activities were detected in Mg‐caused galls of pOsSUT1 to ‐5::GUS rice lines. Loading experiments with carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) demonstrated that symplastic connections exist between phloem and Mg‐caused giant cells (GCs). According to data from OsGNS5‐ and OsGSL2‐overexpressing rice plants that had decreased and increased callose deposition, respectively, callose negatively affected Mg parasitism and sucrose supply to Mg‐caused GCs. Our results suggest that plasmodesmata‐mediated sucrose transport plays a pivotal role in sucrose supply from rice root phloem to Mg‐caused GCs, and OsSWEET11 to ‐15 and OsSUTs are not major players in it, although further functional analysis is needed for OsSUT1 and OsSUT4.
A Cas12a‐based gene editing system for Phytophthora infestans reveals monoallelic expression of an elicitor
Authors: Ah‐Fong Audrey M.V. , Boyd Amy M. , Matson Michael E.H. , Judelson Howard S.
Published: March 2021

Phytophthora infestans is a destructive pathogen of potato and a model for investigations of oomycete biology. The successful application of a CRISPR gene editing system to P. infestans is so far unreported. We discovered that it is difficult to express CRISPR/Cas9 but not a catalytically inactive form in transformants, suggesting that the active nuclease is toxic. We were able to achieve editing with CRISPR/Cas12a using vectors in which the nuclease and its guide RNA were expressed from a single transcript. Using the elicitor gene Inf1 as a target, we observed editing of one or both alleles in up to 13% of transformants. Editing was more efficient when guide RNA processing relied on the Cas12a direct repeat instead of ribozyme sequences. INF1 protein was not made when both alleles were edited in the same transformant, but surprisingly also when only one allele was altered. We discovered that the isolate used for editing, 1306, exhibited monoallelic expression of Inf1 due to insertion of a copia‐like element in the promoter of one allele. The element exhibits features of active retrotransposons, including a target site duplication, long terminal repeats, and an intact polyprotein reading frame. Editing occurred more often on the transcribed allele, presumably due to differences in chromatin structure. The Cas12a system not only provides a tool for modifying genes in P. infestans, but also for other members of the genus by expanding the number of editable sites. Our work also highlights a natural mechanism that remodels oomycete genomes.
Building Bridges: Using a Local Conference to Facilitate Conversations and Collaborations Around Applied Anthropology
Authors: Brunson Emily K. , Taylor Reyda
Published: March 2021

Students' education in applied anthropology can occur through a variety of sources including classroom instruction, hands‐on experience and professional mentorship. Anthropology programs, and especially those with an applied focus, can help facilitate these types of experiences. This article details one such attempt: the creation and implementation of a local conference. The Texas Applied Anthropology Summit (TAAS) was first developed in 2016. The purpose of this and subsequent TAAS events was to bring together anthropological practitioners, faculty and students in an effort to build and strengthen relationships around applied anthropology in Texas. Based on data collected from past TAAS events and additional outreach with anthropologist practitioners it was determined that while key differences in practitioner and student/faculty interests exist, TAAS serves as an important networking tool for all attendees. This article also details what is needed, including programmatic support, to organize and implement a local conference.
Australasian Public Awareness and Belief in Conspiracy Theories: Motivational Correlates
Authors: Marques Mathew D. , Ling Mathew , Williams Matt N. , Kerr John R. , McLennan Jim
Published: March 2021

Belief in conspiracies is not restricted to the fringe dwellers of society. International research suggests that such beliefs are quite common and that conspiracy theories may serve three basic psychological motives (i.e., epistemic, existential, and relational) for individuals. Yet, little is known about conspiracy theory awareness or belief in Australasia. We report the first large systematic investigation of system‐justifying motives using two nationally representative samples of Australians (n = 1011) and New Zealanders (n = 754). Our findings show that almost all are aware of local and international conspiracies, the majority endorse one or more, and that all three psychological motives consistently relate to conspiracy belief, but not to awareness. In a series of hierarchical multiple regressions, we find that relational (i.e., increased anomie and disillusionment with the government) and existential motives (i.e., less trust in others and increased religiosity) are uniquely and relatively more important than epistemic needs (i.e., decreased analytic thinking) as predictors of increased local and international conspiracy belief. Findings are discussed in terms of the importance of understanding conspiracy theories as an ideological belief system that may function to serve underlying psychological motives.
Early successional riparian vegetation is important for western Yellow‐billed Cuckoo nesting habitat
Authors: Wohner Patti J. , Laymon Stephen A. , Stanek Jenna E. , King Sammy L. , Cooper Robert J.
Published: March 2021

Western Yellow‐billed Cuckoo (Cuckoo;Coccyzus americanus) populations continue to decline in the western United States despite efforts to increase availability of riparian forest. Cuckoos have unique breeding habitat requirements such as large contiguous tracts of riparian forest (>80 ha), large estimated home ranges (20–90 ha), and dense vertical structure around the nest. However, local habitat‐scale features may be missing in landscapes of predominantly mature riparian forest that may need to be specifically managed for nesting. We used historical nest data (n = 95) from the South Fork Kern River Valley, California, from 1985 to 1996 to identify important nest site features that may be missing in current riparian forests. We found that increased canopy cover and vertical structure at all levels in the canopy greatly increased the probability of Cuckoo nesting. With smaller estimated effect sizes, the probability of Cuckoo nesting increased with increasing willows and forbs and smaller mean tree dbh. Cuckoos selected plots with disproportionately high percent willow cover relative to availability plots regardless of whether sites had low or high percent willow available. Counts of fledged young were positively related to willow percentage. No vegetation variable influenced daily survival rate which was 0.991 (LCI = 0.980, UCI = 0.996). Overall 17‐day nest success was likely high (0.86, LCI = 0.71, UCI = 0.93). In the absence of natural processes that create early successional stage forest, specific management for early successional stage forest is needed to increase the probability of Cuckoo nesting and nest productivity.
Traditional ecological knowledge in restoration ecology: a call to listen deeply, to engage with, and respect Indigenous voices
Authors: Robinson Jake M. , Gellie Nick , MacCarthy Danielle , Mills Jacob G. , O'Donnell Kim , Redvers Nicole
Published: March 2021

The United Nations heralded 2021–2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. A socioecological approach to restoration has been proposed that honors the diversity in ecological landscapes and their respective cultures and peoples with the goal of repairing degraded ecosystems. Indigenous peoples are intimately interconnected with landscapes, which are under mounting pressure from anthropogenic global environmental change. Article 31 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states the rights of Indigenous peoples to maintain, protect, and control their culture and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK); however, these rights have not always been acknowledged. We are concerned that large global restoration goals will continue to promote TEK extraction that further perpetuates inequities and discrimination of Indigenous peoples. If the restoration sector wishes to partner with Indigenous communities leading TEK efforts, it needs to understand established international agreements and proactively protect intellectual property and data sovereignty rights. To illustrate a theme of ethical engagement, we present risks to TEK integrity while highlighting engagement that has successfully promoted Indigenous leadership and self‐determination. We propose that a decade of responsible and respectful restoration will be achieved only with shared principles and an ethical code of conduct for TEK partnerships. We argue that deep listening with Indigenous peoples and engagement with humility and respect needs to be the starting point. Finally, we propose an Indigenous‐led workshop to re‐imagine and re‐develop equitable ways forward for TEK partnerships in restoration, with explicit considerations for the rights, livelihoods, and leadership of Indigenous peoples.
Efficiency of naive estimators for accelerated failure time models under length‐biased sampling
Authors: Roy Pourab , Fine Jason P. , Kosorok Michael R.
Published: March 2021

In prevalent cohort studies where subjects are recruited at a cross‐section, the time to an event may be subject to length‐biased sampling, with the observed data being either the forward recurrence time, or the backward recurrence time, or their sum. In the regression setting, assuming a semiparametric accelerated failure time model for the underlying event time, where the intercept parameter is absorbed into the nuisance parameter, it has been shown that the model remains invariant under these observed data setups and can be fitted using standard methodology for accelerated failure time model estimation, ignoring the length bias. However, the efficiency of these estimators is unclear, owing to the fact that the observed covariate distribution, which is also length biased, may contain information about the regression parameter in the accelerated life model. We demonstrate that if the true covariate distribution is completely unspecified, then the naive estimator based on the conditional likelihood given the covariates is fully efficient for the slope.
Identification of socio‐demographic, occupational, and societal factors for guiding suicide prevention: A cohort study of Swiss male workers (2000–2014)
Authors: Guseva Canu Irina , Bovio Nicolas , Wild Pascal , Bopp Matthias ,   for the Swiss National Cohort (SNC)
Published: March 2021

Introduction

We modeled suicidal rate among Swiss working‐age males, considering three groups of factors at socio‐demographic, occupational, and societal levels jointly. Our goal was twofold: to verify the effect of occupation after adjustment for non‐occupational factors and to identify protective and risk factors relevant for suicide prevention in working male adults.

Methods

The study population included all men aged [18–65] years at the 2000 population census and followed up within the Swiss National Cohort (SNC). The risk of suicide was modeled using Poisson regression.

Results

The cohort comprised 1,534,564 men and 4371 deaths by suicide. Suicide rate varied significantly according to age, civil status, nationality, highest education achieved, and socio‐professional category at socio‐demographic level; occupation, occupational activity branch, weekly working hours, and home‐to‐work commute time at occupational level; calendar period of death, region, religious affiliation, and volunteering activity at societal level. After adjustment for non‐occupational factors, agricultural and fishery laborers, military and civil security workers, and health and social workers were identified as high‐risk groups with respect to suicide.

Conclusion

This study evidenced a complex web of factors at socio‐demographic, occupational, and societal levels behind the suicide in Swiss male workers and identified the most at‐risk groups, deserving targeted prevention efforts.
Clinical prediction tool for extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing enterobacterales as the etiology of a bloodstream infection in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Wang Rebecca , Han Jennifer H. , Lautenbach Ebbing , Tamma Pranita D. , Thom Kerri A. , Alby Kevin , Blumberg Emily A. , Bilker Warren B. , Werzen Alissa , Omorogbe Jacqueline , Tolomeo Pam , Anesi Judith A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative bacterial infections are increasingly common among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, leading to challenges in the selection of empiric antimicrobial therapy. We sought to develop a clinical tool to predict which SOT recipients are at high risk for extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacterales (EB) bloodstream infection (BSI).

Methods

A multicenter case‐control study was performed. The source population included SOT recipients with an EB BSI between 2005 and 2018. Cases were those with ESBL‐EB BSI; controls were those with non‐ESBL EB BSI. The population was subdivided into derivation and validation cohorts based on study site. The predictive tool was developed in the derivation cohort through iterative multivariable logistic regression analyses that maximized the area under the receiver‐operating curve (AUC). External validity was assessed using the validation cohort.

Results

A total of 897 SOT recipients with an EB BSI were included, of which 539 were assigned to the derivation cohort (135, 25% ESBL‐EB) and 358 to the validation cohort (221, 62% ESBL‐EB). Using multivariable analyses, the most parsimonious model that was predictive of ESBL‐EB BSI consisted of 10 variables, which fell into four clinical categories: prior colonization or infection with EB organisms, recent antimicrobial exposures, severity of preceding illness, and immunosuppressive regimen. This model achieved an AUC of 0.81 in the derivation cohort and 0.68 in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

Though further refinements are needed in additional populations, this tool shows promise for guiding empiric therapy for SOT recipients with EB BSI.
Risk factors of BK viral hemorrhagic cystitis in allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kaphan Eléonore , Germi Raphaele , Bailly Sébastien , Bulabois Claude‐Eric , Carré Martin , Cahn Jean‐Yves , Thiebaut‐Bertrand Anne
Published: March 2021

Reactivation of BK virus (BKV) can occur during intensive immunosuppression such as in allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) recipients for whom a systematic PCR urine test for BKV will be positive in 50% to 100% of patients. Only 5% to 40% will develop BKV hemorrhagic cystitis (HC). Thus, BKV PCR testing is useful to confirm a diagnosis of BKV‐HC but not to predict its occurrence. The aim of this retrospective study was to ascertain the risk factors of developing BKV HC, mostly in patients receiving posttransplant cyclophosphamide. The study looked at data from Grenoble Alpes University Hospital included in the national retrospective register ProMISe, administered by the “Société Francophone de Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie Cellulaire”. Urine BKV PCR was performed when patients presented grade ≥ 2 hematuria with clinical symptoms of cystitis. BKV‐HC was defined as an association of clinical symptoms of cystitis, grade ≥ 2 hematuria and BKV viruria > 7 log10 copies/ml. From January 2014 to January 2018, 168 AHSCTs were considered for analysis, of which 43 (25.6%) developed BKV‐HC and 44.9% of the subgroup that received posttransplant cyclophosphamide. After logistic regression, the risk factors associated with BKV‐HC were reduced to posttransplantation exposure to cyclophosphamide (OR 4.25, [1.66; 10.87], P = .02), age < 40 y (OR 3.85 [1.51; 9.80], P = .005) and corticosteroid therapy (OR 3.86, [1.59; 9.36], P = .003). Exposure to cyclophosphamide, younger age (<40) and corticosteroid therapy are potential risk factors for BKV‐HC.
Outcomes and management of immune thrombocytopenia secondary to COVID‐19: Cleveland clinic experience
Authors: Kewan Tariq , Gunaratne Tarini N. , Mushtaq Komal , Alayan Dina , Daw Hamed , Haddad Abdo
Published: March 2021

Background

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired disease characterized by thrombocytopenia secondary to autoantibodies against platelets. Here, we report the clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐induced ITP cases.

Study Design and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 3255 COVID‐19 patients. COVID‐19‐induced ITP was diagnosed after excluding possible common causes. Bleeding severity was assessed based on the modified World Health Organization (WHO) bleeding severity score.

Results

We identified 11 (0.34%) patients with COVID‐19‐induced ITP. Of all patients, 63.6% were males and the median age was 63 years. The median time from COVID‐19 diagnosis to the onset of ITP was 10 days. Bleeding observed in 63.6% of the patients. Clinically significant bleeding (WHO Grade 3) occurred in single patient who required blood transfusion. Standard treatment with glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was effective in achieving excellent response in most cases. Of all patients, complete response and response to treatment were achieved in 45.5% and 27.3% patients, respectively. The median time to ITP recovery was 4 days. Eltrombopag was used in three patients who relapsed. Four patients required mechanical ventilation, and none of them survived secondary to hypoxic respiratory failure.

Conclusion

ITP secondary to COVID‐19 usually presents after the first week of symptoms beginning. Most of our patients had WHO Grade 1–2 bleeding scores. Standard treatment with glucocorticoids and IVIG is effective in achieving an excellent response. The safety of eltrombopag is not very well established in COVID‐19 patients, and additional studies are needed for a better safety profile.
External imbalances from a GVAR perspective
Authors: Camarero Mariam , Carrion‐i‐Silvestre Josep Lluís , Tamarit Cecilio
Published: March 2021

We study the drivers governing external disequilibria through a Global VAR (GVAR) analysis applied to a group of 24 countries during the period 1972–2017. The GVAR methodology is particularly well suited for our research question. First, it permits to measure the effects of both domestic and foreign country‐specific shocks. Second, it allows us to analyse the long‐run relationships and dynamics through generalised impulse response functions. Third, it enables us to test many hypotheses from a macroeconomic perspective and the existence of spillovers. Our results show evidence of international financial integration in terms of fulfilling the real interest rate parity. Concerning the twin deficits hypothesis, we find no conclusive results. In addition, we show how German fiscal policy has relevant spillover effects on other European countries (such as France, Spain and the Netherlands) and the United States and India. Finally, global shocks have long‐lasting effects in most countries analysed, primarily through real oil prices. These results provide clues about how to implement a more symmetrical external adjustment, especially inside the euro area.
Early and aggressive surgical debridement and negative pressure wound therapy to treat necrotizing fasciitis in three dogs
Authors: Mastrocco Alicia , Prittie Jennifer
Published: March 2021

Objective

To report the management and outcomes of dogs with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) treated with early, aggressive surgical debridement and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Study design

Short case series.

Animals

Three dogs surgically treated for NF.

Methods

Clinical signs in the three dogs included an identified wound, severe pain, fever, and progressive erythema. A tentative diagnosis of NF was based on the presence of suppurative inflammation and intracellular bacteria seen in fine needle aspirates and clinical progression in each case. Each dog was treated with surgical debridement within 6 hours of clinical suspicion for NF. Necrosis affected multiple tissue layers was noted surgical exploration. Systemic supportive care and antibiotherapy were also provided for 3 to 4 weeks postoperatively.

Results

Three surgical debridements were required in two dogs, and four surgical debridements were required in one dog. All of the surgical sites were managed with NPWT until final primary closure was possible at 4, 5, and 6 days after initial surgery. Results of histopathology and culture of the surgical sites were consistent with NF as described in each case. All dogs survived to discharge and long‐term follow up.

Conclusion

Management with early surgery, multiple debridements, and the use of NPWT led to resolution of NF in three dogs.
Alternative Agri-Food Networks and Their Role in Re-Localization of Food and Creation of Shared Value: The Case of the Leuven Food Hub
Authors: Alvarado Marylaura Acuña , Denis Paulien , Azzimonti Marie , Vysokolan Lariza Castillo , Tcheton Sènankpon
Published: March 2021

Alternative Agri-Food Networks (AAFNs) are emerging as unconventional models of aggregation, distribution and marketing of food products, as opposed to the prevailing industrialized agri-food system. Within these alternative chains, different types of organizations such as food hubs
are promoting a reconnection between producers and consumers as well as a fair distribution of social and economic value throughout the food supply chain. The article analyzes the sourcing and distributing practices of a case study, the Leuven Food Hub in Belgium. The research shows the role
of the case study in the re-localization of food and the creation of shared value throughout the supply chain, illustrating the importance of transparency, traceability and trust relations. Moreover, it critically analyzes the transformative potential of this type of model to promote broader
schemes of sustainable development. It is argued that these initiatives are proving to be highly resilient, especially in times of crisis, such as the one caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is highlighted how food hubs can bring incremental change towards more ecologically and socially responsible
food systems. However, we outline the tension between scaling up and remaining alternative, short and local and the challenge this poses to the economic viability of the model. Broadly, given the fact that AAFNs are still a recent phenomenon and therefore a research field under construction,
this study aims at contributing to scholars and practitioners with empirical evidence of a functioning alternative agrifood network.
Bio-Inspired Origami Metamaterials With Metastable Phases Through Mechanical Phase Transitions
Authors: Liu Ke , Tachi Tomohiro , Paulino Glaucio H.
Published: March 2021

Structural instability, once a catastrophic phenomenon to be avoided in engineering applications, is being harnessed to improve functionality of structures and materials, and has been a catalyst of substantial research in the field. One important application is to create functional metamaterials that deform their internal structure to adjust performance, resembling phase transformations in natural materials. In this paper, we propose a novel origami pattern, named the Shrimp pattern, with application to multi-phase architected metamaterials whose phase transition is achieved mechanically by snap-through. The Shrimp pattern consists of units that can be easily tessellated in two dimensions, either periodically with homogeneous local geometry or non-periodically with heterogeneous local geometries. We can use a few design parameters to program the unit cell to become either monostable or tune the energy barrier between the bistable states. By tessellating these unit cells into an architected metamaterial, we can create complex yet navigable energy landscapes, leading to multiple metastable phases of the material. As each phase has different geometries, the metamaterial can switch between different mechanical properties and shapes. The geometric origin of the multi-stable behavior implies that, conceptually, our designs are scale-independent, making them candidates for a variety of innovative applications, including reprogramable materials, reconfigurable acoustic waveguides, and microelectronic mechanical systems and energy storage systems.
An Efficient Uncertainty Propagation Analysis Method for Problems Involving Non-Parameterized Probability-Boxes
Authors: Li J. W. , Jiang C. , Ni B. Y.
Published: March 2021

As a kind of imprecise probabilistic model, probability-box (P-box) model can deal with both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties in parameters effectively. The P-box can generally be categorized into two classes, namely, parameterized P-box and non-parameterized P-box. Currently, the researches involving P-boxes mainly aim at the parameterized P-box, while the works handling the non-parameterized P-box are relatively inadequate. This paper proposes an efficient uncertainty propagation analysis method based on cumulative distribution function discretization (CDFD) for problems with non-parameterized P-boxes, through which the bounds of statistical moments and the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of a response function with non-parameterized P-box variables can be obtained. First, a series of linear programming models are established for acquiring the lower and upper bounds of the first four origin moments of the response function. Second, based on the bounds of the origin moments, the CDF bounds for the response function can be obtained using Johnson distributions fitting and an optimization approach based on percentiles. Finally, the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are verified by investigating two numerical examples.