bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the RBE depth dependence of protons using a damage diagnostic algorithm and its application in proton therapy based on Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Ahmadi Ganjeh Z. , Eslami-Kalantari M. , Ebrahimi Loushab M.
Published: December 2021

The present study aimed to calculate the yields of DNA
breaks and the variation of relative biological effectiveness (RBE)
at different depths for protons using Geant4-DNA. For this purpose,
an atomic model of DNA and a DNA damage classification matrix were
used to calculate different DNA break yields for 62-MeV protons. As
the reference radiation, the secondary electron spectrum produced by
60Co was evaluated. This helped to calculate the SSB and DSB
yields. Moreover, RBE was found to be between 1.1 at the first point
and 1.51 in the Bragg peak region. In this region, it was 37%
greater than the 5-mm depth in the plateau region. Considering
different threshold energies, the energy deposition at 10.79 eV had
the most contribution to the total damage. As the results suggested,
the depth dependence of RBE should be taken into account for proton
therapy. It was also found that DNA break yields significantly
depend on the threshold energy value.
Estimating photosynthetic capacity from optimized Rubisco–chlorophyll relationships among vegetation types and under global change
Authors: Lu Xuehe , Croft Holly , Chen Jing M , Luo Yiqi , Ju Weimin
Published: December 2021

The maximum rate of carboxylation (Vcmax), a key parameter indicating photosynthetic capacity, is commonly fixed as a constant by vegetation types and/or varies according to empirical scaling functions in Earth system models (ESMs). As such, the setting of Vcmax results in uncertainties of estimated carbon assimilation. It is known that the coupling between leaf chlorophyll and Rubisco (ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase) contents can be applied to estimate Vcmax. However, how this coupling is affected by environmental changes and varies among plant functional types (PFTs) has not been well investigated yet. The effect of varying coupling between chlorophyll and Rubisco contents on the estimation of Vcmax is still not clear. In this study, we compiled data from 76 previous studies to investigate the coupling between Chlorophyll (Chl) and Rubisco (Rub), in different PFTs and under different environmental conditions. We also assessed the ability of a Rub-based semi-mechanistic model to estimate Vcmax normalized to 25 °C (Vcmax25) based on the Rub–Chl relationship. Our results revealed strong, linear Rub-Chl relationships for different PFTs (R
2 = 0.73, 0.67, 0.54 and 0.72 for forest, crop, grass and shrub, and C4 plants, respectively). The Rub–Chl slope of natural C3 PFTs was consistent and significantly different from those of crops and C4 plants. A meta-analysis indicated that reduced light intensity, elevated CO2, and nitrogen addition strongly altered Rub/Chl. A semi-mechanistic model based on PFT-specific Rub–Chl relationships was able to estimate Vcmax25 with high confidence. Our findings have important implications for improving global carbon cycle modeling by ESMs through the improved parameterization of Vcmax25 using remotely sensed Chl content.
Urbanization-induced environmental changes strongly affect wetland soil bacterial community composition and diversity
Authors: Yi Xinyu , Ning Chen , Feng Shuailong , Gao Haiqiang , Zhao Jianlun , Liao Juyang , Peng Yinghe , Zhao Shuqing , Liu Shuguang
Published: December 2021

Soil microbial communities potentially serve as indicators for their responses to changes in various ecosystems at scales from a region to the globe. However, changes in wetland soil bacterial communities and how they are related to urbanization intensities remains poorly understood. Here, we collected 60 soil samples along urbanization intensity gradients from 20 wetlands. We measured a range of environmental factors and characterized bacterial communities structure using 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing that targeted the V4-V5 region. Our results revealed the dominant soil bacterial phyla included Proteobacteria (39.3%), Acidobacteria (21.4%) and Chloroflexi (12.3%) in the wetlands, and showed a significant divergence of composition in intensive urbanization area (UI_4) than other places. A critical ‘threshold’ exists in the soil bacterial diversity, demonstrating different patterns: a gradual increase in the areas of low-to-intermediate disturbances but a significant decrease in highly urbanized areas where metabolic functions were significantly strong. Additionally, soil pH, total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4
+-N) made a significant contribution to variations in bacterial communities, explaining 49.6%, 35.1%, 26.2% and 30.7% of the total variance, respectively. pH and NH4
+-N were identified as the main environmental drivers to determine bacterial community structure and diversity in the urban wetlands. Our results highlight collective changes in multiple environmental variables induced by urbanization rather than by the proportion of impervious surface area (ISA), which were potentially attributed to the spatial heterogeneity along different urbanization gradients.
Peat as a promising raw material for the creation of bacterial preparations in solid form
Authors: Kravets A V , Tereshchenko N N , Minaeva O M
Published: December 2021

The possibility of using peat as a solid base for a microbial preparation was investigated. The basis of the microbial consortium of the drug was made up of Pseudomonas extremorientalis and Aeromonas media isolated from coprolites of the earthworms Eisenia fetida, Savigny. Among the studied peat species, eutrophic woody peat (pH = 5.7, degree of decomposition 48%) was chosen, which stimulated the increase in the aboveground mass (+ 11%) of wheat seedlings in preliminary tests. We assessed the viability of bacteria within 2 months after their adsorption on peat. On the 56th day of the experiment, the number of A. media in the variant with a peat carrier remained at the highest possible level - 107 CFU / ml. In a vegetation experiment, it was found that the use of two microbial cultures (in liquid form and in solid after adsorption of bacteria on peat) for presowing seed treatment led to an increase in wheat germination by 9% (83% for the liquid form and 92% for the solid form). Plant biomass increased in variants using bacteria on peat compared to using bacteria in liquid form. The presence of peat and P. extremorientalis increased the aboveground weight of wheat by 5%, while peat with a mixture of bacteria increased this figure by 15%. In variants with the use of P. extremorientalis on peat, the rate of development of plant diseases decreased in comparison with the liquid form by more than 3 times. With the combined use of bacteria, peat provides high rates of germination of seeds and aboveground mass. The research results indicate a greater efficiency of using a solid preparative form of a microbial preparation in comparison with a liquid one.
Development of a method for obtaining healthy mini-tubers of potatoes of the Yubilyar variety using a humic preparation from peat
Authors: Romanova M S , Khaksar E V , Leonova N I , Novikov O O , Kosinova E I , Gantimurova A N
Published: December 2021

The influence of various nutrient medium compositions on the growth of potato plants during in vitro cultivation and the possibility of using biological fertilizer from peat in different concentrations to improve the adaptation of plants to growing in ground for the development of a method for obtaining healthy mini-tubers of potatoes of the Yubilyar variety were studied. The influence of various nutrient medium compositions on the height, biomass, intensity of rhizogenesis, the number of internodes of improved potato micro-plants, as well as humic fertilizer from Humostim peat on the survival rate and height of potato plants when adapting it to ground conditions is analyzed. Taking into account the data obtained, as well as the cost of the studied variants of the medium, the optimal medium for growing potato micro-plants in laboratory conditions in vitro is a nutrient medium with a content of mineral components 1/3 from the norm. The use of humic preparation from peat Humostim in a concentration of 0.001% caused an acceleration of plant growth and an increase in their height, and this concentration is recommended for use.
The vortex layer apparatus as a source of low-grade heat in the process of pretreatment of the substrate before anaerobic digestion
Authors: Kovalev Andrey A , Kovalev Dmitriy A , Grigoriev Victor S , Litti Yuriy V
Published: December 2021

The limiting stage of anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic waste is the hydrolysis of particulate organic matter. One of the most promising and energy-efficient methods of waste pretreatment before AD is its processing in a vortex layer apparatus (VLA). The work was aimed at experimentally determining the energy characteristics of VLA. The description of the experimental plant and its energy balance were given. The ranges of electricity consumption and heat generation were shown. According to experimental data, the coefficient of conversion of electricity into heat was in the range of 0.367-0.515 at a cooling water temperature of 10.6-11.7 oC. Based on the experimental data obtained, it can be argued that VLA is a stable source of low-grade heat that can be utilized using heat pumps.
Modeling of chloroform content in drinking water of infiltration water intake by periods of the annual cycle. Part 1. Extended flood period
Authors: Malkova M A , Vasileva A I , Minchenkov N D , Kantor E A
Published: December 2021

A relationship was found between the chloroform content in drinking water and the parameters characterizing the water quality (turbidity, chromaticity, oxidizability) during the extended flood period (March - June), isolated from the eighteen-year period of the infiltration water intake operation. Two time series were formed, including the monthly average values of the parameters for the entire observation period (72 values) and the averaged values of the parameters corresponding to each year (18 values). Two time series were formed, including the monthly average values of the parameters for the entire observation period (72 values) and the averaged values of the parameters corresponding to each year (18 values). Correlation-regression analysis showed that none of the parameters have a decisive significance for the chloroform content. Multiple correlation-regression analysis revealed that the regression equation for the time series of the averaged values of the parameters corresponding to each year is statistically reliable, is characterized by an acceptable mean error (about 12%) and can be used to assess the chloroform content in drinking water.
Metal chips preparation for utilization using advanced reagents
Authors: Samukov A , Cherkasova M , Kuksov M , Dmitriev S
Published: December 2021

The article touches upon the problems of utilization of metal chips containing residues of cutting fluids. The research results are shown for nickel alloy chips washing to remove cutting fluids with the use of various reagents available on the current market. In the course of the research, an original colorimetric express method for assessing the contamination of metal chips was developed, which allows quickly and efficiently establishing the quantitative drop in the cutting fluids content in the chips after the washing. Conclusions are made as to the most effective reagent from the point of view of economics and quality of cutting fluid removal.
Low-waste innovative production technology for canned quince compote, enriched with natural nutrients
Authors: Rakhmanova M.M. , Akhmedov M.E. , Demirova A.F. , Abdulkhalikov Z.A. , Zagirov N.G.
Published: December 2021

The enterprises processing plant raw materials generate a fairly large amount of waste (secondary products), which can play an important role in solving food, environmental, and energy problems. This work improves the technology for the production of canned quince compote using a two-stage microwave heating of fruits and fruits filled with syrup prepared from infusion obtained from secondary products of cutting and peeling. It has been established that two-stage heating of fruits and microwave treatment of fruits filled with syrup in a glass jar promote an increase in the initial temperature of the product in the jars before sealing and thereby reduces the heat treatment modes. The infusion obtained from the secondary products of the heat-treated fruits provides a significant increase of biologically active components in the finished product. The experimental studies were used to construct a mathematical model for calculating the initial temperature of the product before sterilization, which makes it possible to establish intensive pasteurization modes. New modes of pasteurization of quince compote in various containers have been established. Physicochemical studies confirm the high quality of the finished product in terms of the content of biologically active components.
Waste from processing of technical grape varieties in poultry nutrition
Authors: Akhmedkhanova Raisat , Shabanov Haji , Aliyeva Samira , Alakayeva Albina , Musayeva Irina , Hiramagomedova Patimat
Published: December 2021

The feed additives for balancing the diet for biologically active substances still utilizing up to the present time. Their main components are synthetic substances that have not only low digestibility, but also negatively affect human health. In this regard, we are developing technologies for the utilization of local plant feed additives and waste processing in the feeding of farm animals and poultry. This is the waste of processing technical grape varieties – grape pomace. These wastes can be considered as natural feed additives because after technological processing they can be used to produce flour with a high content of macro and microelements, vitamins, as well as amino acids.
Utilizing Effective Technology In High-Standard Road Defects Inventory System In Estonia
Authors: Truu Marek , Raun Romet , Jentson Maret
Published: December 2021

Road pavement is expected to withstand enormous traffic loads for long time but sooner or later the deterioration reaches levels when its optimal to apply treatment. While easy to measure roughness or rutting in normal traffic speed, defects are in most countries still collected by means of time-consuming visual inspection in low traffic speeds or expensive and difficult- to-use equipment. Also, most visual inspection systems only operate with aggregated inspection data. That makes data-collection expensive and defects-based decision-making inefficient. In Estonia, defects inventory system utilizes high quality panoramic and orthogonal images to enable data collection in traffic speeds and detailed mapping of pavement defects in 10 classes. Defects mapped in full detail means, that location, shape and size of each defect is known and classified data can be effectively used twice in pavement maintenance planning: for section selection planning in road network level when aggregated and for work method selection in design process when analyzed in detail. Combined with measured lidar-based point-cloud data, detailed 3d-basemap saves both road-owner's and road designer’s valuable time in design phase. In period of 2016-2020, around 35000km of state roads were analyzed with one of the most efficient road defects inventory systems in the world. Also, around 25000 km of municipal and forest roads have been captured with same technology covering several pavement types from bicycle paths to multilane streets and motorways. Current presentation discusses outcomes of Estonian defects inventory study in 2020.
Motivational Bonus-System Based On Pavement Installation Temperatures Measurement By Thermographic System (TGS Pavement) In Estonia
Authors: Raun Romet , Truu Marek
Published: December 2021

Paving is one of the most crucial stage in the matter of road lifespan, since it is the surface layer that has stand up to all the external factors (weather, traffic etc.). Insufficient pavement density caused by thermal segregation during paving works can reduce the lifespan significantly, especially in Estonian climate (freeze-thaw cycles). Modern technology offers different solutions to reduce the risk of low quality in asphalt production and road paving works. Mobile asphalt plant, feeder and thermo-isolated trailers are some piece of equipment, that contractor can use to level up the minimal required quality requirements. The question is, when to use those and which to use? Moreover, is there any possibility to motivate the contractors to put in some extra effort? In Estonia, motivational bonus-system has been established to encourage innovation and reward the extra effort that has been made for quality improvements. The methodology is based on years of experience gained in different researches and pilot-projects. There are no strict rules for the road paving equipment in the methodology – for example contractor can choose himself either the feeder or/and thermo-insulated trailers are used on not. The main requirement is that the temperatures of entire paving process (surface layer) has been measured and analyzed by special thermographic system. Current presentation discusses the symbiosis of bonus-malus system and development of special thermographic system (TGS Pavement) as a multifunctional tool in asphalt paving in Estonia.
Axial uniformity diagnosis of coaxial surface wave linear plasma by optical emission spectroscopy
Authors: ZHANG Wenjin , WEI Xinyu , CHEN Longwei , LIN Qifu , JIANG Yiman , LIU Chengzhou , SHAN Jiafang
Published: December 2021

The coaxial surface wave linear plasma with preeminent axial uniformity is developed with the 2.45 GHz microwave generator. By optical emission spectroscopy, parameters of the argon linear plasma with a length over 600 mm are diagnosed under gas pressure of 30 and 50 Pa and different microwave powers. The spectral lines of argon and H
β
(486.1 nm) atoms in excited state are observed for estimating electron excitation temperature and electron density. Spectrum bands in 305–310 nm of diatomic OH (

A

2

Σ

+

−

X

2

Π

i

) radicals are used to determine the molecule rotational temperature. Finally, the axial uniformity of electron density and electron excitation temperature are analyzed emphatically under various conditions. The results prove the distinct optimization of compensation from dual powers input, which can narrow the uniform coefficient of electron density and electron excitation temperature by around 40% and 22% respectively. With the microwave power increasing, the axial uniformity of both electron density and electron excitation temperature performs better. Nevertheless, the fluctuation of electron density along the axial direction appeared with higher gas pressure. The axial uniformity of coaxial surface wave linear plasma could be controlled by pressure and power for a better utilization in material processing.
Microfluidic 3D printing polyhydroxyalkanoates-based bionic skin for wound healing
Authors: Guo Wentai , Wang Xiaocheng , Yang Chaoyu , Huang Rongkang , Wang Hui , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: December 2021

Biomimetic scaffolds with extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking structure have been widely investigated in wound healing applications, while insufficient mechanical strength and limited biological activity remain major challenges. Here, we present a microfluidic 3D printing biomimetic polyhydroxyalkanoates-based scaffold with excellent mechanical properties and hierarchical porous structures for enhanced wound healing. This scaffold is composed of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-4-hydroxybutyrate) and polycaprolactone, endowing it with excellent tensile strength (2.99 MPa) and degradability (80% of weight loss within 7 d). The ECM-mimicking hierarchical porous structure allows bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to proliferate and adhere on the scaffolds. Besides, anisotropic composite scaffolds loaded with BMSCs and HUVECs can significantly promote re-epithelization, collagen deposition and capillary formation in rat wound defects, indicating their satisfactory in vivo tissue regenerative activity. These results indicate the feasibility of polyhydroxyalkanoates-based biomimetic scaffolds for skin repair and regeneration, which also provide a promising therapeutic strategy in diverse tissue engineering applications.
Symmetry group of the equiangular cubed sphere
Authors: Bellet Jean-Baptiste
Published: December 2021

The equiangular cubed sphere is a spherical grid, widely used in computational physics. This paper deals with mathematical properties of this grid. We identify the symmetry group,i.e.the group of the orthogonal transformations that leave the cubed sphere invariant. The main result is that it coincides with the symmetry group of a cube. The proposed proof emphasizes metric properties of the cubed sphere. We study the geodesic distance on the grid, which reveals that the shortest geodesic arcs match with the vertices of a cuboctahedron. The results of this paper lay the foundation for future numerical schemes, based on rotational invariance of the cubed sphere.
A Single Center’s Clinical Experience With Ergonomix Breast Implants
Authors: Botti Giovanni , Botti Chiara , Ciancio Francesco
Published: December 2021

Background

This retrospective study reports on the early experience of a private surgical center with Motiva Ergonomix SilkSurface breast implants.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of complications and satisfaction levels in women who received primary and revision breast augmentation or augmentation-mastopexy with Ergonomix SilkSurface breast implants.

Methods

A total of 356 consecutive patients received Ergonomix SilkSurface breast implants between April 2014 and October 2018 by 3 different surgeons and were followed-up for a minimum of 12 months. Complications were assessed by measuring the rate of rupture, capsular contracture, malposition, late seroma, double capsule, reoperation, symmastia, ptosis, extrusion, and infection. Satisfaction with aesthetic results was assessed on a Likert scale by both surgeon and patient.

Results

Only 6 major complications were observed in these 356 patients (712 implants): 1 unilateral implant ptosis (“bottoming out”) at 12 months (0.14%) and 2 capsular contractures (0.28%), 1 at 14 months and 1 at 2 years. At all time points, 98% of the patients were “extremely satisfied or very satisfied” with the aesthetic results, and the surgeons categorized the outcomes as “very important or important improvement” in 96% of the cases.

Conclusions

Motiva Ergonomix SilkSurface devices provided high patient satisfaction up to more than 5 years postoperatively with very few complications. These data are consistent with other reports in the literature. The observed favorable outcomes might be attributed, at least in part, to the bioengineered “cell-friendly” surface of these implants.

Level of Evidence: 4
Functional connectivity drives stroke recovery: shifting the paradigm from correlation to causation
Authors: Cassidy Jessica M , Mark Jasper I , Cramer Steven C
Published: December 2021

Stroke is a leading cause of disability, with deficits encompassing multiple functional domains. The heterogeneity underlying stroke poses significant challenges in the prediction of post-stroke recovery, prompting the development of neuroimaging-based biomarkers. Structural neuroimaging measurements, particularly those reflecting corticospinal tract injury, are well-documented in the literature as potential biomarker candidates of post-stroke motor recovery. Consistent with the view of stroke as a ‘circuitopathy’, functional neuroimaging measures probing functional connectivity may also prove informative in post-stroke recovery. An important step in the development of biomarkers based on functional neural network connectivity is the establishment of causality between connectivity and post-stroke recovery. Current evidence predominantly involves statistical correlations between connectivity measures and post-stroke behavioural status, either cross-sectionally or serially over time. However, the advancement of functional connectivity application in stroke depends on devising experiments that infer causality. In 1965, Sir Austin Bradford Hill introduced nine viewpoints to consider when determining the causality of an association: (i) strength; (ii) consistency; (iii) specificity; (iv) temporality; (v) biological gradient; (vi) plausibility; (vii) coherence; (viii) experiment; and (ix) analogy. Collectively referred to as the Bradford Hill Criteria, these points have been widely adopted in epidemiology. In this review, we assert the value of implementing Bradford Hill’s framework to stroke rehabilitation and neuroimaging. We focus on the role of neural network connectivity measurements acquired from task-oriented and resting-state functional MRI, EEG, magnetoencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy in describing and predicting post-stroke behavioural status and recovery. We also identify research opportunities within each Bradford Hill tenet to shift the experimental paradigm from correlation to causation.
The importance of offering early genetic testing in everyone with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Salmon Kristiana , Kiernan Matthew C. , Kim Seung H. , Andersen Peter M. , Chio Adriano , van den Berg Leonard H. , Van Damme Philip , Al-Chalabi Ammar , Lillo Patricia , Andrews Jinsy A. , Genge Angela
Published: December 2021

Several genetically-targeted therapies are being developed for ALS. Research is increasingly supportive of a greater incidence of clinically actionable variants in sporadic ALS than previously reported. Salmon et al. outline the need to improve access, and offer genetic testing to all people diagnosed with ALS.
Surgical management of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis with tracheobronchial malacia
Authors: Wen Wanyu , Du Xinwei , Zhu Limin , Wang Shunmin , Xu Zhiwei , Lu Zhaohui
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVES

Slide tracheoplasty has become the mainstream treatment for long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS). However, technical improvements are still needed to improve the clinical outcomes of patients exhibiting LSCTS with tracheobronchial malacia.

METHODS

LSCTS patients who underwent tracheoplasty from January 2010 to December 2020 were reviewed. According to the time of surgical technique modifications for reconstructing a supportive carina, the patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (2010–2018) and group B (2019–2020). We identified a well-balanced cohort matched by propensity score to evaluate the differences in surgical outcomes between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between group A and group B in any of the 8 characteristics before and after propensity score matching. In the propensity score-matched cohort, the number of patients who accepted anterior carina tracheopexy (75/77 vs 4/77, P < 0.001) and in situ pericardium insertion (75/77 vs 14/77, P < 0.001) in group B was significantly greater than that in group A. The mechanical ventilation time [48.3 (interquartile range: 29.6, 116.3) h vs 73.3 (interquartile range: 47.9, 111.6) h, P = 0.009] and cumulative mortality (P = 0.023) were significantly lower in Group B than Group A.

CONCLUSIONS

Reconstructing a supportive, stable carina of the neotrachea and tracheobronchopexy are helpful to improve the outcomes of slide tracheoplasty.
Transmission studies and the composition of prokaryotic communities associated with healthy and diseasedAplysina cauliformissponges suggest thatAplysinaRed Band Syndrome is a prokaryotic polymicrobial disease
Authors: Monti Matteo , Giorgi Aurora , Easson Cole G , Gochfeld Deborah J , Olson Julie B
Published: December 2021

Aplysina cauliformis, the Caribbean purple rope sponge, is commonly affected by Aplysina Red Band Syndrome (ARBS). This transmissible disease manifests as circular lesions with red margins and results in bare spongin fibers. Leptolyngbya spp. appear to be responsible for the characteristic red coloration but transmission studies with a sponge-derived isolate failed to establish disease, leaving the etiology of ARBS unknown. To investigate the cause of ARBS, contact transmission experiments were performed between healthy and diseased sponges separated by filters with varying pore sizes. Transmission occurred when sponges were separated by filters with pore sizes ≥ 2.5 μm, suggesting a prokaryotic pathogen(s) but not completely eliminating eukaryotic pathogen(s). Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing methods, 38 prokaryotic taxa were significantly enriched in diseased sponges, including Leptolyngbya, whereas seven taxa were only found in some, but not all, of the ARBS-affected sponges. These results do not implicate a single taxon, but rather a suite of taxa that changed in relative abundance with disease, suggesting a polymicrobial etiology as well as dysbiosis. As a better understanding of dysbiosis is gained, changes in the composition of associated prokaryotic communities may have increasing importance for evaluating and maintaining the health of individuals and imperiled coral reef ecosystems.
Protocols for marker-free gene knock-out and knock-down inKluyveromyces marxianususing CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Rajkumar Arun S , Morrissey John P
Published: December 2021

There is increased interest in strain engineering in the food and industrial yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus and a number of CRISPR/Cas9 systems have been described and used by different groups. The methods that we developed allow for very rapid and efficient inactivation of target genes using the endogenous DNA repair mechanisms of the cell. The strains and plasmids that we use are freely available, and here we provide a set of integrated protocols to easily inactivate genes and to precisely integrate DNA fragments into the genome, for example for promoter replacement, allelic swaps or introduction of point mutations. The protocols use the Cas9/gRNA expression plasmid pUCC001 and Golden Gate assembly for molecular cloning of targeting sequences. A genome-wide set of target sequences is provided. Using these plasmids in wild-type strains or in strains lacking non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair, the first set of protocols explain how to introduce indels (NHEJ-mediated) or precise deletions (homology-dependent repair (HDR)-mediated) at precise targets. The second set of protocols describe how to swap a promoter or coding sequence to yield a reprogrammed gene. The methods do not require the use of dominant or auxotrophic marker genes and thus the strains generated are marker-free. The protocols have been tested in multiple K. marxianus strains, are straightforward and can be carried out in any molecular biology laboratory without specialized equipment.
Effects of abolishing Whi2 on the proteome and nitrogen catabolite repression-sensitive protein production
Authors: Tate Jennifer J , Marsikova Jana , Vachova Libuse , Palkova Zdena , Cooper Terrance G
Published: December 2021

In yeast physiology, a commonly used reference condition for many experiments, including those involving nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR), is growth in synthetic complete (SC) medium. Four SC formulations, SCCSH,1990, SCCSH,1994, SCCSH,2005, and SCME, have been used interchangeably as the nitrogen-rich medium of choice [Cold Spring Harbor Yeast Course Manuals (SCCSH) and a formulation in the methods in enzymology (SCME)]. It has been tacitly presumed that all of these formulations support equivalent responses. However, a recent report concluded that (i) TorC1 activity is downregulated by the lower concentration of primarily leucine in SCME relative to SCCSH. (ii) The Whi2–Psr1/2 complex is responsible for this downregulation. TorC1 is a primary nitrogen-responsive regulator in yeast. Among its downstream targets is control of NCR-sensitive transcription activators Gln3 and Gat1. They in turn control production of catabolic transporters and enzymes needed to scavenge poor nitrogen sources (e.g., Proline) and activate autophagy (ATG14). One of the reporters used in Chen et al. was an NCR-sensitive DAL80-GFP promoter fusion. This intrigued us because we expected minimal if any DAL80 expression in SC medium. Therefore, we investigated the source of the Dal80-GFP production and the proteomes of wild-type and whi2Δ cells cultured in SCCSH and SCME. We found a massive and equivalent reorientation of amino acid biosynthetic proteins in both wild-type and whi2Δ cells even though both media contained high overall concentrations of amino acids. Gcn2 appears to play a significant regulatory role in this reorientation. NCR-sensitive DAL80 expression and overall NCR-sensitive protein production were only marginally affected by the whi2Δ. In contrast, the levels of 58 proteins changed by an absolute value of log2 between 3 and 8 when Whi2 was abolished relative to wild type. Surprisingly, with only two exceptions could those proteins be related in GO analyses, i.e., GO terms associated with carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress after shifting a whi2Δ from SCCSH to SCME for 6 h. What was conspicuously missing were proteins related by TorC1- and NCR-associated GO terms.
Identification of Dementia in Recent Medicare Claims Data, Compared With Rigorous Clinical Assessments
Authors: Grodstein Francine , Chang Chiang-Hua , Capuano Ana W , Power Melinda C , Marquez David X , Barnes Lisa L , Bennett David A , James Bryan D , Bynum Julie P W
Published: December 2021

Background

Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims data are increasingly leveraged for dementia research. Few studies address the validity of recent claim data to identify dementia, or carefully evaluate characteristics of those assigned the wrong diagnosis in claims.

Methods

We used claims data from 2014 to 2018, linked to participants administered rigorous, annual dementia evaluations in 5 cohorts at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center. We compared prevalent dementia diagnosed through the 2016 cohort evaluation versus claims identification of dementia, applying the Bynum-standard algorithm.

Results

Of 1 054 participants with Medicare Parts A and B FFS in a 3-year window surrounding their 2016 index date, 136 had prevalent dementia diagnosed during cohort evaluations; the claims algorithm yielded 217. Sensitivity of claims diagnosis was 79%, specificity 88%, positive predictive value 50%, negative predictive value 97%, and overall accuracy 87%. White participants were disproportionately represented among detected dementia cases (true positive) versus cases missed (false negative) by claims (90% vs 75%, respectively, p = .04). Dementia appeared more severe in detected than missed cases in claims (mean Mini-Mental State Exam = 15.4 vs 22.0, respectively, p < .001; 28% with no limitations in activities of daily living versus 45%, p = .046). By contrast, those with “over-diagnosis” of dementia in claims (false positive) had several worse health indicators than true negatives (eg, self-reported memory concerns = 51% vs 29%, respectively, p < .001; mild cognitive impairment in cohort evaluation = 72% vs 44%, p < .001; mean comorbidities = 7 vs 4, p < .001).

Conclusions

Recent Medicare claims perform reasonably well in identifying dementia; however, there are consistent differences in cases of dementia identified through claims than in rigorous cohort evaluations.
Adaptation of Geriatric Interprofessional Education from In-Person to Virtual Simulation
Authors: Hovland Cynthia
Published: December 2021

We modified an in-person simulation-enhanced interprofessional education model as necessitated by COVID-19 restrictions to a fully virtual education experience. Online prework remained unchanged but adjustments were made related to previously in-person activities. Diverging from the in-person training we held live virtual poster sessions with learner-presenter interaction. In preparation for their role in the team meeting simulation, learners were moved into preassigned profession-specific breakout rooms for a live virtual huddle with facilitators. Next, learners were moved to preassigned interprofessional breakout rooms where they began the simulated team meeting. After initial discussion, a standardized patient joined the breakout room to present the patient/caregiver perspective. The event ends with a virtual reflective debrief focused on interprofessional collaborative competencies.
User Interface and User Experience Testing of an Online Translation of the REACH II Intervention: GamePlan4Care
Authors: Stevens Alan , Birchfield Thomas , Swensen Kira , Banda Joseph , Cho Jinmyoung
Published: December 2021

GamePlan4Care (GP4C) is a web-based adaptation of the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health II (REACH II) caregiver intervention, redesigned and reformatted for online delivery. The goal of GP4C is to create an online family caregiver support platform that facilitates self-directed exposure to evidence-based skills-training and support for dementia caregivers. This approach of utilizing technology enhanced with live support has the potential for scalability and sustainability. In preparation for an ongoing randomized clinical trial, the GP4C platform underwent industry standard user interface/user experience (UI/UX) testing with dementia caregivers as part of an iterative design process. Testing of caregiver’s reaction to technical and content-related aspects of the system was conducted with 31 caregivers. The thematic analysis revealed three themes for technical aspects (logical flow, suggestions on features, innovative resource) and two themes for content aspects (satisfaction and engagement). We will discuss technical and content modifications resulting from UI/UX.
A Peer Intervention Facilitates Trust and Improves Psychosocial Well-Being in Diverse, Low-Income Older Adults
Authors: Kotwal Ashwin , Fuller Shannon , Myers Janet , Hill Daniel , Tha Soe Han , Smith Alexander , Perissinotto Carla
Published: December 2021

We evaluate a peer outreach intervention to improve the psychosocial well-being of diverse, low-income older adults. Participants (N=74, Age 58-96 years) were recruited from an urban senior center and matched with peers who were >55 years old, received mental health training, and connected participants with health or social activities. We conducted surveys at baseline and 6-month follow-up for 2 years with validated measures of loneliness, social interaction, barriers to socializing, and depression, and thematically analyzed qualitative, semi-structured interviews conducted among a subset of participants (n=15) and peers (n=6). Participants were 58% male, 18% African-American, 19% Latinx, and 8% Asian. Over 2 years, participants experienced sustained reductions in loneliness (p=0.015), depression (p<0.001), and barriers to socializing (p<0.001). Qualitative interviews detailed the role of longitudinal relationships, program flexibility, and the matching process in facilitating trust, motivation, and improved mood. Results can inform larger efficacy studies and implementation of peer-driven community programs.
Analysis of Best Practice Caregiving: A New Online Database of Evidence-Based Dementia Caregiving Programs
Authors: Powers Sara , Markwood Sandy
Published: December 2021

Best Practice Caregiving (BPC) is a free online database providing comprehensive information on research and implementation characteristics for 44 evidence-based dementia caregiving programs. Programs eligible for BPC have research-tested positive outcomes for family/friend caregivers and demonstrated feasibility in community implementations. This symposium presents results from analyses of the BPC database that includes surveys of 44 program developers and 324 healthcare or community delivery-organizations, and content analysis of 231 published studies. Findings show the most common of 19 types of assistance provided by programs were: Supporting Caregiver/Individual-with-Dementia (IWD) Communication, Encouraging Positive Caregiver-IWD Activities, and Strengthening Coping (93.2%). Least common were: Getting a Dementia Diagnosis (29.5%) and Monitoring Service Benefits (20.5%). Methods of delivering the types of assistance were: information/referral (M=11.1), skills training (M=7.5), and direct provision of care (M=3.8). The most common types of organizations that delivered programs were healthcare organizations (23.8%) and Area Agencies on Aging (23.8%). The greatest delivery-challenges were program marketing (69.8%) and caregiver engagement (66.3%). Most organizations ‘strongly agreed’ that programs had positive impacts on caregivers (59.5%) but were less certain about IWD benefits (25.1% ‘strongly agreed’). Published research studies found the most improved caregiver outcomes were: 1) Strain and/or burden (84.1%), 2) Depressive symptomology (79.5%), and 3) Caregiving efficacy (63.6%). Least common improved outcomes were 1) Access to support information/Community service use (9.1%); 2) Unmet needs (6.8%); and 3) Respite/break from care (2.3%). Overall, results highlight strengths of evidence-based dementia caregiving programs, along with gaps and challenges to be addressed by existing and new developing programs.
Understanding the Complexities of Community-Dwelling Older Adults’ Lived Experiences During COVID-19
Authors: Xie Bo , Shiroma Kristina , De Main Atami , Davis Nathan , Fingerman Karen , Danesh Valerie
Published: December 2021

Since December 2019, COVID-19 has spurred rapid and extensive research, but this research has focused on some perspectives with others understudied. In particular, studies have not yet explored the complexities of community-dwelling older adults’ lived experiences during the pandemic. This study aimed to address this gap. Community-dwelling older adults living in Central Texas (N = 200; age, 65–92 years, M = 73.6± 6.33) responded to open- and closed-ended questions over the telephone during June–August 2020. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. We identified three key themes. (1) Positive experiences, with 4 subthemes: perception that the pandemic has not changed one’s lifestyle; adjusting well—particularly with the aid of technology; being positive in perspective; and a “loner advantage” (being a “loner” pre-pandemic was advantageous during the pandemic). (2) Mixed experiences, with 4 subthemes: doing okay but unhappy about changing lifestyle routines; doing okay but unhappy about loss of in-person interactions with family and friends; doing okay but frustrated by witnessing absence of social distancing or facemask use by others; and maintaining physical health with fluctuating symptoms of depression or anxiety. (3) Negative experiences, with 3 subthemes: bitter about others/society/government not caring for older adults; feeling isolated, bored, and powerless; and worsening as time goes by. A thematic map was subsequently developed. These findings reveal the complexities of community-dwelling older adults’ lived experiences, illustrating effective coping and resilience during the pandemic and dissatisfaction owing to the pandemic’s effects on their lives and to their observations of others’ behaviors.
Clinical Outcomes of Home-Based Palliative Care: An Advance Illness Management Program
Authors: Wallace Cara , Khoo Yit Mui
Published: December 2021

Prior studies have reported evidence that patients with chronic medical conditions benefit from home-based palliative care to manage symptoms. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an advanced illness management program provided by a visiting nurse agency. This program aims to reduce the burden of illness and to manage symptoms of patients who have difficulty leaving their home due to severity of their medical conditions. Data for this study were collected from patients who received home-based palliative care from the agency. Although the program has enrolled close to 500 patients from 2016 to 2019, the analytic sample for this study was restricted to patients enrolled between 2018 – 2019 who completed both baseline and follow-up assessments for three measures: Rapid Geriatric Assessment, Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale-Patient Version (IPOS), and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ; N=96, capturing 33.8% of eligible patients). Paired sample t-tests were used to compare the symptoms and health outcomes between baseline and follow-up assessments. Average age of the participants were 79.9 years. Results from the RGA measure showed that patients’ scores on frailty and sarcopenia were significantly lower at follow-up, indicating improvement. Comparison of scores between baseline and follow-up on the IPOS measure showed that patients experienced improvement in the following symptoms: pain, weakness, nausea, poor appetite, constipation, sore/dry mouth, drowsiness, and mobility. Findings suggest that palliative care services can effectively managed the symptoms and health outcomes of homebound chronically ill patients. Other implications include reduced emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
Home Health Agency Ownership and Quality of Care Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Basu Rashmita , Luo Huabin , Wu Bei
Published: December 2021

Medicare restructured home healthcare reimbursement from a cost-basis to a 60- day risk-based prospective payment system (PPS) in 2000 to implement the value-based payment model for home healthcare services. Currently home healthcare market in the U.S. is dominated by the presence of for-profit (FP) agencies instead of being primarily served by not-for-profit (NFP) agencies. Using data from the 2016-2018 OASIS for beneficiaries participated in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) (N=6,115), the current study examines whether home health agency ownership status is associated with length of stay (LOS) and discharge outcome Medicare home health care patients. Our first outcome variable is discharge status (modeled via ordered probit) with three categories: discharge to the community, inpatient hospital and other long-term care facilities. The second outcome variable is LOS and two dummy variables LOS ≤ 30 days and LOS ≥ 99 days were modeled via binary probit. The key independent variable was the ownership status of the agency (FP vs. NFP). Patient level covariates includes demographics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, marital status), comorbidity index, agency characteristics (metropolitan statistical area, hospital-based). Patients in FP agencies were 5.1% (p<0.01) less likely to discharge to community, 15.3% (p<0.001) less likely to have LOS ≤ 30 days but 7.5% (p<0.001) more likely to have LOS ≥ 99 higher compared to patients from NFP agencies under the PPS. Our results have important implications for clinicians, patients and healthcare professionals to be cognizant about the influence of agency ownership on the delivery of healthcare services in home healthcare sector.
Workplace Demands and Cognitive Health Inequities Across Race and Ethnicity: A Scoping Review
Authors: Gonzales Ernest , Krutchen Rachel , Whetung Cliff , Lee Jane
Published: December 2021

This PRISMA informed scoping review sought to understand the longitudinal association between workplace demands with cognitive health; and to review how race and ethnicity are investigated in this area of research and evidence of moderating effects. Peer-reviewed articles were drawn from five databases. Inclusion criteria were populations aged 18+, broad conceptualization of workplace demands (e.g., occupational complexity, mental work demands), and cognitive health outcomes (e.g., cognitive functioning, ADRD). The majority of studies drew from theories that did not interrogate heterogeneity and diverse aging experiences. Consequently, the majority of studies (85%) did not investigate inequities by race and ethnicity although variables and methods are available. Cognitive health inequities are evidenced but findings are mixed and more rigorous causal research is needed. We discuss integrating emerging critical theories (e.g. Critical Race Theory, critical gerontology, minority stress) to sharpen the focus on racial health inequities in an emerging area of prevention research.