bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of initial COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy with subsequent vaccination among pregnant and postpartum individuals
Authors: Germann Katherine , Kiefer Miranda K. , Rood Kara M. , Mehl Rebecca , Wu Jiqiang , Pandit Radhika , Lynch Courtney D. , Landon Mark B. , Grobman William A. , Costantine Maged M. , Venkatesh Kartik K.
Published: April 2022

Objective

To examine the association between initial COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy and subsequent vaccination among pregnant and postpartum individuals.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

A Midwestern tertiary‐care academic medical center. Individuals completed a baseline vaccine hesitancy assessment from 22 March 2021 to 2 April 2021, with subsequent ascertainment of vaccination status at 3–6 months follow‐up.

Methods

We used multivariable Poisson regression to estimate the relative risk of vaccination by baseline vaccine hesitancy status, and then characteristics associated with vaccination.

Main outcome measures

Self‐report of COVID‐19 vaccination, and secondarily, consideration of COVID‐19 vaccination among those not vaccinated.

Results

Of 456 individuals (93% pregnant, 7% postpartum) initially surveyed, 290 individuals (64%; 23% pregnant, 77% postpartum) provided subsequent vaccination status (median = 17 weeks). Of these 290 individuals, 40% (116/290) reported COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy upon enrolment, of whom 52% reported subsequent vaccination at follow‐up. Few individuals transitioned during the study period from vaccine hesitant to vaccinated (10%); in comparison, 80% of those who were not vaccine hesitant were vaccinated at follow‐up (aRR 0.19, 95% CI 0.11–0.33). Among those who remained unvaccinated at follow‐up, 38% who were vaccine hesitant at baseline were considering vaccination, compared with 71% who were not vaccine hesitant (aRR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33–0.67). Individuals who were older, parous, employed and of higher educational attainment were more likely to be vaccinated, and those who identified as non‐Hispanic black, were Medicaid beneficiaries, and were still pregnant at follow‐up were less likely to be vaccinated.

Conclusions

COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy persisted over time in the peripartum period, and few individuals who reported hesitancy at baseline were later vaccinated. Interventions that address vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy are needed.
The New Eco‐Schemes: Navigating a Narrow Fairway
Authors: Latacz‐Lohmann Uwe , Termansen Mette , Nguyen Chi
Published: April 2022

This article highlights some key challenges and trade‐offs with which national policy designers have to contend in devising national eco‐schemes for agriculture. We show that policy designers operate in a narrow design space which is constrained by various political and legal requirements. One key challenge is to design a reward system that allows the uptake of eco‐schemes by farmers to be aligned with a given budget. We present four broad implementation models for eco‐schemes and discuss their merits and shortcomings in light of stipulated requirements. These are the ‘greening model’, the ‘modified greening model’, the ‘eco‐points model’ and the ‘AECS model’ in the style of the agri‐environmental and climate schemes of CAP Pillar 2. We conclude that the eco‐points model is likely to be the most suitable. By stipulating that individual farmers must reach a certain minimum number of points per hectare (eligibility threshold), but are not entitled to payments for points that exceed a certain upper limit per hectare (cut‐off), it allows demand from farmers for inclusion in a scheme to be steered such that aggregate uptake coincides with the budget; thereby reducing the risk of over‐ or under‐subscription while maintaining flexibility to cater for heterogeneity in site conditions.
Discrete Element Modeling of a Subduction Zone with a Seafloor Irregularity and its Impact on the Seismic Cycle
Authors: JIAO Liqing , CHAN Chung‐Han , SCHOLTÈS Luc , HUBERT‐FERRARI Aurélia , DONZÉ Frédéric‐Victor , TAPPONNIER Paul
Published: April 2022

Seafloor irregularities influence rupture behavior along the subducting slab and in the overriding plate, thus affecting earthquake cycles. Whether seafloor irregularities increase the likelihood of large earthquakes in a subduction zone remains contested, partially due to focus put either on fault development or on rupture pattern. Here, we simulate a subducting slab with a seafloor irregularity and the resulting deformation pattern of the overriding plate using the discrete element method. Our simulations illustrate the rupture along three major fault systems: megathrust, splay and backthrust faults. Our results show different rupture dimensions of earthquake events varying from tens to ca. 140 km. Our results suggest that the recurrence interval of megathrust events with rupture length of ca. 100 km is ca. 140 years, which is overall comparable to the paleoseismic records at the Mentawai area of the Sumatran zone. We further propose the coseismic slip amounts decrease and interseismic slip amounts increase from the surface downwards gradually. We conclude that the presence of seafloor irregularities significantly affects rupture events along the slab as well as fault patterns in the overriding plate.
Sex differences in circulating proteins of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cohort study
Authors: Ferreira Maria Betânia , Fonseca Tomás , Costa Rita , Marinho António , Oliveira José C. , Zannad Faiez , Rossignol Patrick , Rodrigues Patrícia , Barros António S. , Ferreira João P.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Differences in proteomic profiles between men and women may provide insights into the biological pathways that contribute to known sex differences in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies focusing on sex differences in circulating proteins in RA patients are scarce. Our objective was to investigate the sex differences in circulating proteins of RA patients.

Methods

Cohort study enrolling 399 RA patients. Ninety‐four circulating protein‐biomarkers (92CVDIIOlink® + troponin‐T + C‐reactive protein) were measured. Clinical, demographic, and echocardiographic characteristics were compared between men and women. Sex differences in biomarker expression were assessed using regression modeling.

Results

In all, 306 (76.7%) patients were women. Compared with men, women had less visceral fat, smoked less, had diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease less frequently, and expressed more fatigue, anxiety, and depression. The association with cardiovascular outcomes did not differ between sexes. After adjusting for potential confounders, women expressed higher levels of circulating proteins related to adipokine signaling and vascular function (eg, leptin and vascular endothelial growth factor), whereas men expressed higher levels of circulating proteins related to extracellular matrix organization and inflammation (eg, matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and C‐reactive protein). These results were not found in patients without RA.

Conclusion

Sex differences in circulating proteins reflect distinct pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of RA, including inflammation, adiposity, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix organization. These findings may help further investigations into factors underlying sex‐based differences and allow future studies focused on sex‐specific personalized treatment approaches in RA.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03960515.
Feedback‐Driven Time Segmenting: The Effect of Feedback Frequency on Employee Behavior*
Authors: Waddoups Nathan
Published: April 2022

How employees mentally break up or segment time likely influences key performance behaviors. Thus, it is important to understand how features of the work environment influence the mental time segments employees create. Consistent with my predictions, I provide evidence across four experiments that feedback systems can alter the way employees segment their work time—a process that I refer to as feedback‐driven time segmenting. Consistent with the theory of feedback‐driven time segmenting, the experiments demonstrate that more (less) frequent feedback leads employees to create smaller (larger) mental time segments. Furthermore, the results indicate that employees who create smaller mental time segments are less likely to find efficiencies at work, suggesting an unintended cost of increasing feedback frequency. However, I also find that employees with smaller mental time segments work with higher levels of effort intensity. Together, these experiments provide evidence that the economically meaningless time segments employees create can significantly influence their behavior. Consequently, firms and future researchers should carefully consider how features of the work environment influence the mental time segments employees create.
Sublethal and lethal effects of different residues of spinosad on Pardosa spiders
Authors: Niedobová Jana , Ouředníčková Jana , Hamřík Tomáš , Mészáros Martin , Skalský Michal
Published: April 2022

Spinosad is one of the world's most widely applied natural bioinsecticides and its use has been growing rapidly in the past decade. Biologically based plant protection products can also have unexpected effects on beneficial arthropods. Previous studies examining the lethal and sublethal effects of spinosad on different groups of spiders have shown widely diverging results. This work aims at an extension of knowledge related to the effects of spinosad on the generalist predator of genus Pardosa. We focused on the effects of fresh wet, fresh dry, and dry 3‐day‐old residues of the commercial plant protection product Spintor®. We examined changes in predatory activity at different prey densities after contacts with those residues and also on the mortality of spiders. For the density of six prey (flies), we found differences in spiders' predatory activity in the short term and the long term after their 1 hr contact with fresh wet residue. The fresh wet residues significantly decrease the number of killed flies. There was no significant effect of treatment on the mortality of spiders over short periods. Over long periods, the fresh wet residues caused a significant increase in spider mortality while dry residue had no effects.
Personality traits and alcohol consumption: Secondary analysis of the Self‐Match Study
Authors: Hell Morten Ellegaard , Müller Anders , Horn Christina Gehling , Søgaard Nielsen Anette
Published: April 2022

Background

This secondary analysis of the Self‐Match Study explores whether personality traits affect the treatment outcome for alcohol use disorders (AUD). We designed the Self‐Match Study to investigate whether clients choosing between treatment options improves treatment outcomes. The primary outcome report revealed no difference in the outcome, whether treatment allocation was based on clinician matching or self‐matching. Because willingness to choose, choice of treatment method, and compliance with treatment may be related to personality, this exploratory sub‐study investigated the influence of personality traits on treatment outcome.

Method

We enrolled 402 consecutive clients (female 46.7%, mean age 47.4) seeking treatment at the outpatient alcohol treatment center in Odense, Denmark. Clients were randomized to treatment by expert‐match or self‐matching. Data on alcohol consumption (Timeline Follow Back), personality traits (NEO‐FFI‐3), and retention in care were collected at baseline and 6‐month follow‐up. Outcomes were compliance, sensible drinking (alcohol intake below National Recommendations), and the number of heavy drinking days at follow‐up.

Results

A high neuroticism score was negatively associated with treatment completion. Further, clients with a high score on neuroticism, openness, and extraversion, or a low score on conscientiousness were less likely to reduce their drinking to a sensible level at follow‐up. We also found that low scores on conscientiousness were associated with having more heavy drinking days at follow‐up. The personality traits neuroticism and openness were associated with treatment preferences.

Conclusions

Personality traits influence 6 months drinking outcomes for people receiving AUD treatment.
Erosion of primate functional diversity in small and isolated forest patches within movement‐resistant landscapes
Authors: Pereira L. A. , Campos V. E. W. , Gestich C. C. , Ribeiro M. C. , Culot L.
Published: April 2022

Habitat disturbance is disrupting ecological processes globally. The Atlantic Forest is particularly affected by land‐use intensification and defaunation, where primates play a key role in seed dispersal. Here, we evaluate how primate assemblages in the Atlantic Forest change according to landscape modification and the ecological consequences on seed dispersal. For this, we used 38 primate assemblages in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. We assessed the effects of patch size, mean inter‐patch distance, functional connectivity and matrix permeability on primate species richness, functional evenness and functional dispersion, distinguishing response traits (sensitivity to habitat disturbance) from effect traits (effect on seed dispersal). We further investigated which primate functional response–effect traits were retained in forest patches of different sizes. Increased inter‐patch distance reduced primate species richness. Decreased patch size led to a more uneven and less divergent distribution of response trait values within the functional space indicating the filtering of primates with similar strategies to cope with habitat loss. However, the increased divergence of effect traits in smaller patches indicates that those primates present distinct traits as seed dispersers. Finally, less permeable landscapes retained an uneven distribution of primate effect traits. Our findings indicate that reduced patch size results in primates with similar response traits, living in small groups and travelling short distances daily, but with contrasting traits as seed dispersers, which is positive for the persistence of non‐redundant services in disturbed landscapes. However, the reduced species richness in such isolated patches and the resistance to movement among them may compromise the long‐term viability of primate ecosystem services. Therefore, we encourage that further conservation planning should increase landscape connectivity, ensure the effective protection of native forests and increase anthropogenic matrix quality to develop biodiversity‐friendly landscapes that protect not only species but also the ecosystem services they provide.
Practical recommendations for planning and running live online education workshops for the rural health workforce
Authors: Evans Adele , Priestly Jacqueline , Suthern Megan , Whelan Monica , Robertson Sheree , Kelly Olivia , Omar Syed Haris , Preddy John
Published: April 2022

Aim

This commentary presents practical and evidenced based guidelines for the development and delivery of real‐time online training workshops aimed at rural health professionals.

Context

Online learning is increasingly being used as an avenue for delivering education, particularly to rural and remote sites where barriers persist in upskilling health workers. Further, online learning has become essential during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. In response to the Australian 2020 COVID‐19 social distancing requirements, our team rapidly transformed face‐to‐face educational workshops into an online format, to deliver over 20 workshops to more than 150 multidisciplinary staff across our large rural district.

Approach

There are no published guidelines regarding the conversion of face‐to‐face education programs into an online format within health care. We conducted a review of the literature regarding the implementation of online education programs. Three broad categories of evidence were identified: participant qualities, content development and content deliverance.

Conclusion

We present a set of practical and evidenced based recommendations, which will enhance live online workshops for a rural health workforce. These recommendations are derived both from published literature and our experience delivering our workshops. We argue that rural health professionals and organisations need relevant, up‐to‐date practical guidelines and more institutional support and training focused on creating and implementing live online educational programs in rural Australia.
The impact of Victorian COVID‐19 lockdowns on the presentation and management of acute appendicitis
Authors: Rajagopalan Ashray , Roschach Blake , Grant Katherine , Singh Jasprit , Bak Marek , Burgess Marjorie , Liu Kerry , Chen Nevin , Menzie Jack , Chew Sarah , Gupta Namankit , Frederick Naomi , Hegarty Lachlan , Chan Carina , Penfold Samuel , Walia Anysha , Croagh Daniel
Published: April 2022

Backgrounds

The COVID‐19 pandemic presents ongoing challenges for healthcare. Stay at Home orders (‘lockdowns’) and community fears have been suggested to create reluctance to seek healthcare. We aimed to determine whether the rates of perforated appendicitis and negative appendicectomy have been affected by the pandemic, and to analyse the effect of lockdowns on the management of acute appendicitis in Victoria.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective audit of emergency appendicectomies performed under adult General Surgery units at Monash Health in Victoria from January 2019 to September 2021, including 242 days of lockdown.

Results

2459 patients were included. Fewer patients had perforated appendicitis during the second lockdown (6.3% versus 10.7% baseline; p = 0.027). The rate of negative appendicectomy was reduced during the first lockdown (4.1% versus 14.9% baseline; p = 0.002) and during intervals between lockdown in 2021 (9.8%; p = 0.010). There was no difference in the rate of perforated appendicitis or negative appendicectomy at other times. Time to surgery and number of appendicectomies performed were also not significantly different. Fewer appendicectomies were performed after hours during lockdowns and in 2021 more generally compared to baseline (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The lower negative appendicectomy rate during the first lockdown may reflect increased pre‐operative imaging or clinical observation for undifferentiated presentations. There was a reduction in perforated appendicitis during the second lockdown, and no significant difference at other times. Contrary to other studies, lockdowns associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic may not create a reluctance to seek healthcare in all regions.
Access to essential surgical care in district hospitals of Sarawak Malaysia: outcomes of an audit and the need for urgent attention
Authors: Siow Sze Li , Wahab Mohamed Yusof Abdul , Chuah Jun Sen , Mahendran Hans Alexander
Published: April 2022

Background

Since access to essential surgical care (ESC) in rural Sarawak, Malaysia, remains subpar, this study aimed to identify pitfalls in its ESC delivery and possible solutions to improve it.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was undertaken in the Sarawak General Hospital between January 2019 and December 2019. It assessed the caseload of five essential surgical procedures referred from nearby district hospitals. It analysed the number of patients stranded in the accident and emergency department, their waiting time for ward transfer and the duration between admission day and timing of surgery for patients with appendicitis.

Results

There were 259 referrals for one of the five essential surgical procedures. The baseline characteristics between the referred and the local cohorts of patients for the designated procedures were comparable in terms of gender (P = 0.486), body mass index (P = 0.598) and ASA score (P = 0.284), with the exceptions being that the referred cohorts were older (43.2 vs. 39.7, P = 0.008) and with different racial composition (p < 0.001). The mean number of patients stranded in emergency department was 34.2 ± 4.9 per day and the mean bed waiting time was 21.4 ± 6.3 h. For patients who required appendicectomy, 70.8% of patients had surgery performed within 24 h of admission.

Conclusion

The delivery of ESC in Sarawak's district hospitals demands urgent attention for improvement. The action framework proposed outlined six priorities: infrastructure development, service delivery, surgical training, finance, information management and governance.
Mesh fixation techniques in Lichtenstein tension‐free repair: a network meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Wei‐Rong , Zhang Xiao‐Bei , Wang Rui , Cao Dong , Yu Yong‐Jiang
Published: April 2022

Backgrounds

To compare the clinical effectiveness of different mesh fixation techniques in Lichtenstein tension‐free repair using network meta‐analysis.

Methods

Cochrane Library, Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched until 1 December 2020, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing outcomes between different mesh fixation techniques were included. The primary endpoints were chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) and hernia recurrence. The second endpoint was seroma and infection. Data were processed using Stata MP16.0, and R x64 3.6.1.

Results

The results demonstrated that 32 RCTs (n = 6362) were eligible for pooling. Six types of mesh fixation techniques were used: non‐absorbable suture, absorbable suture, chemical glue, fibrin glue, self‐gripping mesh, and staple fixation. Network meta‐analysis indicated that the incidence of CPIP with fibrin glue was lower than that with non‐absorbable sutures (relative risk [RR] = 0.23, 95% credibility interval [95%CrI] [0.09, 0.50]), absorbable sutures (RR = 0.24, 95%CrI [0.08, 0.60]), chemical glue (RR = 0.36, 95%CrI [0.13, 0.87]), and self‐gripping mesh (RR = 0.27 95%CrI [0.09, 0.62]). Self‐gripping mesh was superior to non‐absorbable sutures (RR = 0.44, 95%CrI [0.23, 0.74]) in reducing postoperative infection.

Conclusion

This network meta‐analysis suggests that fibrin glue might be best for reducing CPIP and recurrence. However, a large‐scale RCT is warranted to confirm the results.
Letter: de novo infection in hepatic encephalopathy—the culprit or the victim?
Authors: Ye Qiaoxia , Yan Yanyan , Li Liguan
Published: April 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Alabsawy et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16790 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16906
Letter: the clinical course of Crohn's disease—the Sicilian experience
Authors: Demarzo Maria Giulia , Viola Anna , Picci Alessandro , Fries Walter
Published: April 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Burish et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16615 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16898
Letter: COVID‐19 outcomes and anti‐TNF treatments—comprehensive evidence matters. Authors' reply
Authors: Kokkotis Georgios , Kitsou Konstantina , Bamias Giorgos
Published: April 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kokkotis et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16717 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16872
Letter: de novo infection in hepatic encephalopathy—The culprit or the victim? Authors' reply
Authors: Alabsawy Eman , Shalimar  , Jalan Rajiv
Published: April 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Alabsawy et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16790 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16855
A comparison of postoperative pain between transumbilical and suprapubic incision in laparoscopic liver resection
Authors: Soyama Akihiko , Murakami Shunsuke , Natsuda Koji , Hara Takanobu , Matsuguma Kunihito , Matsushima Hajime , Imamura Hajime , Tanaka Takayuki , Adachi Tomohiko , Hidaka Masakaki , Eguchi Susumu
Published: April 2022

Background

In laparoscopic liver resection, few reports have investigated the influence of type of incision on postoperative pain in laparoscopic liver resection. We therefore conducted the present study to clarify the difference in postoperative pain between two types of incision.

Methods

Nineteen patients who underwent laparoscopic lateral sectionectomy were enrolled. In 11 patients with a transumbilical incision and eight with a suprapubic incision, the operation duration, blood loss, length of incision, duration of intravenous fentanyl infusion immediately after surgery and rescue dosage, and period of regular oral nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were evaluated.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in patients' background characteristics, operation time, or amount of blood loss. The length of suprapubic incision was significantly longer than the umbilical incision. Concerning the postoperative pain management, the duration of intravenous fentanyl administration was 1 day (1–2 days) for umbilical incisions and 1.5 days (1–2 days) for suprapubic incisions, showing no significant difference. Regarding the rescue dosage of fentanyl, the results were comparable between the groups. Regarding the postoperative duration of regular nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug administration, there was also no significant difference between the groups (transumbilical: 14 [5–35] days vs suprapubic: 8 [7–32]).

Conclusions

Postoperative pain is comparable between umbilical and suprapubic incision in patients who underwent laparoscopic left lateral segmentectomy. In terms of postoperative pain, either a transumbilical incision or a suprapubic incision can be selected for specimen extraction.
Expanding certified professional midwife services during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Applebaum Jeremy
Published: April 2022

Given concerns of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) acquisition in health care settings and hospital policies reducing visitors for laboring patients, many pregnant women are increasingly considering planned home births. Several state legislatures are considering increasing access to home births by granting licensure and Medicaid coverage of certified professional midwife (CPM) services. In this commentary, issues surrounding the expansion of CPM services including safety, standardization of care, patient satisfaction, racial and income equity, and an overburdened health care system are discussed. Lawmakers must account for these factors when considering proposals to expand CPM practice and payment during a pandemic.
Obesity increases the risk for upper extremity deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients with upper extremity central venous catheters
Authors: Druar Nicholas M. , Vosburg Ralph Wesley , Cahan Mitchell
Published: April 2022

The morbidity and mortality of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) remain a significant burden for the healthcare system. The aim of this analysis was to examine the association of upper extremity central venous catheter (UECVC) and venous thromboembolism (UEVTE) with increasing body mass index (BMI) in a large database study and to further examine disposition. Inpatient data from the National Inpatient Sample from 2017 to 2019 were used to investigate the effect of obesity on patients diagnosed with DVT of the upper extremity or pulmonary embolism (PE) who had upper extremity venous central line placement. There was a total of 1690 cases of UEVTE and 3202 cases of PE within the sample. There was an increasing odds of UEVTE in the patients with UECVCs with increasing BMI. Patients with a BMI of 30–39, 40–49 and > 50 kg/m2 were significantly different than those with BMI of <19 and 20–29 kg/m2 in the UECVC group for UEVTE. This study demonstrated increased odds of UEVTE for patients with increased BMI. Practitioners should assume a greater risk for UEVTE and PE in patients with increased BMI when considering CVCs.
An unusual case of tongue swelling
Authors: Kuppusamy Devi Anu , Rangarajan Vidhyalakshmi , Gochhait Debasis , Saxena Sunil Kumar
Published: April 2022

FNAC from tongue is not rare and one has to be aware of the different benign and malignant lesions that can be encountered in this region. Careful observation of gross morphology along with cellular & background details will clinch the correct diagnosis.
Fine needle aspiration cytology of a gastric mass—A riddle wrapped up in an enigma
Authors: Garima Rakheja , Uma Handa , Aggarwal Phiza , Gupta Rekha
Published: April 2022

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a recognised neoplasm which can be diffuse or can rarely present as a localised mass. Cytological diagnosis is a challenge and three morphological subtypes—epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic—are recognised. Rarely MM can present as a gastric mass with diffuse peritoneal spread and ascites, posing a diagnostic dilemma. Cell block and immunohistochemical stains are critical for establishing the diagnosis by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).
Validation of the psychometric properties of a “Modified Version of the Hornheider Screening Instrument” (HSI‐MV) using a sample of outpatient and inpatient skin tumor patients
Authors: Buchhold Britta , Lutze Stine , Freyer‐Adam Jennis , Jünger Michael , Ramp Marleen , Konschake Wolfgang , Jülich Andreas , Nordt Claudia , Peters Sebastian , Arnold Andreas , Hannich Hans‐Joachim
Published: April 2022

Background

The basis for adequate psycho‐oncological care is the identification of patients with psychosocial support needs. The German Working Group for Psychooncology also recommends the Hornheider Screening Instrument (HSI) for this purpose. The question, “Is anyone in your family particularly burdened by the hospital stay?” is intended to capture disease‐related family stress. But is this item equally suitable for outpatients and inpatients? The study objective was to examine how replacing the original item affects the test performance of this modified version of the HSI and the frequency of psychosocial stress.

Patients and Methods

92 outpatients and 98 inpatients with skin tumors assessed their psychosocial situation using different questionnaires.

Results

Compared to inpatients, less than half as many outpatients answered the item in the affirmative. If the question was replaced by: “Is someone in your family particularly burdened by your disease or the course of the disease?” this setting‐related difference did not arise. The “Alternative item” and the “Modified version of the HIS” (HSI‐MV) proved to be superior to the original item and the original HSI with regard to all examined criteria.

Conclusions

The HSI‐MV can be used as a reliable and valid instrument for the systematic assessment of psychosocial care needs in outpatient and inpatient settings. Depending on care capacity, a threshold of ≥ 5 or ≥ 4 is appropriate. In addition to screening, the desire for support should be enquired.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided drainage using lumen‐apposing metal stent of malignant afferent limb syndrome in patients with previous Whipple surgery: Multicenter study (with video)
Authors: Pérez‐Cuadrado‐Robles Enrique , Bronswijk Michiel , Prat Fréderic , Barthet Marc , Palazzo Maxime , Arcidiacono Paolo , Schaefer Marion , Devière Jacques , van Wanrooij Roy L. J. , Tarantino Ilaria , Donatelli Gianfranco , Camus Marine , Sanchez‐Yague Andres , Pham Khanh Do‐Cong , Gonzalez Jean‐Michel , Anderloni Andrea , Vila Juan J. , Jezequel Julien , Larghi Alberto , Jaïs Bénédicte , Vazquez‐Sequeiros Enrique , Deprez Pierre H. , Van der Merwe Schalk , Cellier Christophe , Rahmi Gabriel
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided digestive anastomosis (EUS‐A) is a new alternative under evaluation in patients presenting with afferent limb syndrome (ALS) after Whipple surgery. The aim of the present study is to analyze the safety and effectiveness of EUS‐A in ALS.

Methods

This is an observational multicenter study. All patients ≥18 years old with previous Whipple surgery presenting with ALS who underwent an EUS‐A using a lumen‐apposing metal stent (LAMS) between 2015 and 2021 were included. The primary outcome was clinical success, defined as resolution of the ALS or ALS‐related cholangitis. Furthermore, technical success, adverse event rate, and mortality were evaluated.

Results

Forty‐five patients (mean age: 65.5 ± 10.2 years; 44.4% male) were included. The most common underlying disease was pancreatic cancer (68.9%). EUS‐A was performed at a median of 6 weeks after local tumor recurrence. The most common approach used was the direct/freehand technique (66.7%). Technical success was achieved in 95.6%, with no differences between large (≥15 mm) and small LAMS (97.4% vs. 100%, P = 0.664). Clinical success was retained in 91.1% of patients. A complementary treatment by dilation of the stent followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography through the LAMS was performed in three cases (6.7%). There were six recurrent episodes of cholangitis (14.6%) and two procedure‐related adverse events (4.4%) after a median follow‐up of 4 months. Twenty‐six patients (57.8%) died during the follow‐up due to disease progression.

Conclusion

EUS‐A is a safe and effective technique in the treatment of malignant ALS, achieving high clinical success with an acceptable recurrence rate.
Public support for economic transition
Authors: Coufalová Lucie , Kolajtová Lenka , Žídek Libor
Published: April 2022

This paper focuses on the Czech economic transition and aims to identify the determinants of unusually high and long‐lasting public support for market reforms. The study is based on a unique combination of statistical analysis of survey data and oral history (interviews with reformers, managers etc.), which has enabled us to depict the views of the general public as well as of many people involved in decision‐making processes on both macro and micro levels. These findings allow us to propose recommendations on how to gain and maintain public support for economic reforms. Above all, reformers must utilize the period of euphoria and communicate the individual steps of reform with the public.
Computer vision and deep learning for fish classification in underwater habitats: A survey
Authors: Saleh Alzayat , Sheaves Marcus , Rahimi Azghadi Mostafa
Published: April 2022

Marine scientists use remote underwater image and video recording to survey fish species in their natural habitats. This helps them get a step closer towards understanding and predicting how fish respond to climate change, habitat degradation and fishing pressure. This information is essential for developing sustainable fisheries for human consumption, and for preserving the environment. However, the enormous volume of collected videos makes extracting useful information a daunting and time‐consuming task for a human being. A promising method to address this problem is the cutting‐edge deep learning (DL) technology. DL can help marine scientists parse large volumes of video promptly and efficiently, unlocking niche information that cannot be obtained using conventional manual monitoring methods. In this paper, we first provide a survey of computer visions (CVs) and DL studies conducted between 2003 and 2021 on fish classification in underwater habitats. We then give an overview of the key concepts of DL, while analysing and synthesizing DL studies. We also discuss the main challenges faced when developing DL for underwater image processing and propose approaches to address them. Finally, we provide insights into the marine habitat monitoring research domain and shed light on what the future of DL for underwater image processing may hold. This paper aims to inform marine scientists who would like to gain a high‐level understanding of essential DL concepts and survey state‐of‐the‐art DL‐based fish classification in their underwater habitat.
Corrosion fatigue of Ti‐6Al‐4V coupons manufactured by directed energy deposition
Authors: Hattingh Danie G. , Botha Sheldyn , Bernard Dreyer , James M. Neil , du Plessis Anton
Published: April 2022

Titanium is a versatile biocompatible metal that is desirable in additively manufactured medical implant devices. However, additively manufactured parts have particular microstructures, porosity, residual stress, and surface conditions which can have a strong impact on fatigue performance. Implants have an added complexity from the saline operating environment and the associated impact on the safe design life. Equally, direct energy deposition induces a complex thermal history which, if not carefully controlled, can significantly alter the mechanical/material properties of the component. This study investigates the decrease in fatigue life, in an in vitro body fluid simulation using Ringer's solution, observed in Ti‐6Al‐4V specimens extracted from coupons manufactured by directed energy deposition. An interrupted deposition strategy was employed to control build regularity, which appeared to influence certain mechanical properties, including corrosion fatigue life. An ≈50% decrease in fatigue life was observed in Ringer's solution at 6 Hz loading frequency, clearly important in designing implants.
Phylogenetic relatedness of food plants reveals highest insect herbivore specialization at intermediate temperatures along a broad climatic gradient
Authors: König Sebastian , Krauss Jochen , Keller Alexander , Bofinger Lukas , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf
Published: April 2022

The composition and richness of herbivore and plant assemblages change along climatic gradients, but knowledge about associated shifts in specialization is scarce and lacks controlling for the abundance and phylogeny of interaction partners. Thus, we aimed to test whether the specialization of phytophagous insects in insect‐plant interaction networks decreases toward cold habitats as predicted by the ‘altitude niche‐breadth hypothesis’ to forecast possible consequences of interaction rewiring under climate change. We used a non‐invasive, standardized metabarcoding approach to reconstruct dietary relationships of Orthoptera species as a major insect herbivore taxon along a broad temperature gradient (~12°C) in Southern Germany. Based on Orthoptera surveys, feeding observations, collection of fecal pellets from >3,000 individuals of 54 species, and parallel vegetation surveys on 41 grassland sites, we quantified plant resource availability and its use by herbivores. Herbivore assemblages were richer in species and individuals at sites with high summer temperatures, while plant richness peaked at intermediate temperatures. Corresponding interaction networks were most specialized in warm habitats. Considering phylogenetic relationships of plant resources, however, the specialization pattern was not linear but peaked at intermediate temperatures, mediated by herbivores feeding on a narrow range of phylogenetically related resources. Our study provides empirical evidence of resource specialization of insect herbivores along a climatic gradient, demonstrating that resource phylogeny, availability, and temperature interactively shape the specialization of herbivore assemblages. Instead of low specialization levels only in cold, harsh habitats, our results suggest increased generalist feeding due to intraspecific changes and compositional differences at both ends of the microclimatic gradient. We conclude that this nonlinear change of phylogeny‐based resource specialization questions predictions derived from the ‘altitude‐niche breadth hypothesis’ and highlights the currently limited understanding of how plant‐herbivore interactions will change under future climatic conditions.
Exploring complex water stress–gross primary production relationships: Impact of climatic drivers, main effects, and interactive effects
Authors: Wang Huan , Yan Shijie , Ciais Philippe , Wigneron Jean‐Pierre , Liu Laibao , Li Yan , Fu Zheng , Ma Hongliang , Liang Ze , Wei Feili , Wang Yueyao , Li Shuangcheng
Published: April 2022

The dominance of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and soil water content (SWC) for plant water stress is still under debate. These two variables are strongly coupled and influenced by climatic drivers. The impacts of climatic drivers on the relationships between gross primary production (GPP) and water stress from VPD/SWC and the interaction between VPD and SWC are not fully understood. Here, applying statistical methods and extreme gradient boosting models—Shapley additive explanations framework to eddy‐covariance observations from the global FLUXNET2015 data set, we found that the VPD‐GPP relationship was strongly influenced by climatic interactions and that VPD was more important for plant water stress than SWC across most plant functional types when we removed the effect of main climatic drivers, e.g. air temperature, incoming shortwave radiation and wind speed. However, we found no evidence for a significant influence of elevated CO2 on stress alleviation, possibly because of the short duration of the records (approximately one decade). Additionally, the interactive effect between VPD and SWC differed from their individual effect. When SWC was high, the SHAP interaction value of SWC and VPD on GPP was decreased with increasing VPD, but when SWC was low, the trend was the opposite. Additionally, we revealed a threshold effect for VPD stress on GPP loss; above the threshold value, the stress on GPP was flattened off. Our results have important implications for independently identifying VPD and SWC limitations on plant productivity, which is meaningful for capturing the magnitude of ecosystem responses to water stress in dynamic global vegetation models.
Ubiquitin proteasome system in circadian rhythm and sleep homeostasis: Lessons from Drosophila
Authors: Ukita Yumiko , Okumura Misako , Chihara Takahiro
Published: April 2022

Sleep is regulated by two main processes: the circadian clock and sleep homeostasis. Circadian rhythms have been well studied at the molecular level. In the Drosophila circadian clock neurons, the core clock proteins are precisely regulated by post‐translational modifications and degraded via the ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS). Sleep homeostasis, however, is less understood; nevertheless, recent reports suggest that proteasome‐mediated degradation of core clock proteins or synaptic proteins contributes to the regulation of sleep amount. Here, we review the molecular mechanism of the UPS and summarize the role of protein degradation in the regulation of circadian clock and homeostatic sleep in Drosophila. Moreover, we discuss the potential interaction between circadian clock and homeostatic sleep regulation with a prime focus on E3 ubiquitin ligases.
Queer subjectivities in hospitality labor
Authors: Sharp Megan , Farrugia David , Coffey Julia , Threadgold Steven , Adkins Lisa , Gill Rosalind
Published: April 2022

This paper explores the experiences of queer workers in the service economy with a focus on hospitality labor. Studies of gender, sexuality and service labor approached mainstream service work as a scene of compulsory heterosexuality, while literature on the position of queer workers has tended to approach work in terms of structural inequalities that prevent queer workers from participating in the labor market, and has therefore focused on notions of diversity and inclusion as frameworks for understanding how the heteronormativity of service relationships can be overcome. This paper shifts focus to examine how queer subjectivities are enacted within the disciplinary requirements of service labor, and on the way that workers negotiate and contest their positioning at work. The paper situates the subjectivities and laboring practices of queer workers at the nexus of tensions between heteronormativity and the politics of diversity in service venues, and examines how workers negotiate and contest their positioning at work. We explore the normativities that shape permissible queer embodiment at work and show how biographical experiences specific to queer workers inform their laboring practices. The paper shows that queer workers in mainstream hospitality venues are enrolled into a specific mode of interactive service labor that capitalizes on their queer biographies, requires highly cultivated relational capacities, and repositions work as a site of political intervention.
Graphical Shading Logs: An Improved Approach for Collecting High Resolution Sedimentological Data at Contaminated Sites
Authors: Meyer Jessica , Munn Jonathan , Arnaud Emmanuelle , Kennel Jonathan , Parker Beth
Published: April 2022

Predicting contaminant transport in groundwater requires an accurate representation of the subsurface geology controlling the spatial distribution of hydrogeologic parameters. Developing accurate geological models for sedimentary systems relies on quality sedimentological data collected from cores. Standard logging forms used to collect data from cores create a persistent data gap in hydrogeology because they hinder efficient collection of high‐quality sedimentological data. These logging forms require time‐consuming text descriptions of sedimentological characteristics and often result in inconsistent, poorly resolved data insufficient to support realistic geological models. We describe a graphical approach to core logging, the graphical shading log, that facilitates rapid, accurate capture of sedimentological data and a complementary database to store the raw data and interpretations. The visual format of the graphical shading log provides a roadmap of the parameters to log and their possible values, helping to ensure accurate and consistent data collection by loggers with a range of experience. Examples from sites with contaminated groundwater in glaciogenic sediments and siliciclastic and carbonate bedrock show how data from the graphical shading logs improved geological interpretations, supported the design of high‐resolution multilevel systems needed to collect minimally blended hydrogeologic data, and helped to more accurately delineate hydrogeologic units. The format of the graphical shading log and complementary database are designed to be customizable and transferable between hydrogeologic settings providing a new tool to advance geological data collection and management. Improved sedimentological data and insight are critical inputs for process‐based conceptual site models needed to effectively manage contaminant plumes in the subsurface.
Forecasting Groundwater Contaminant Plume Development Using Statistical and Machine Learning Methods
Authors: McConnell Liz , Karimi Askarani Kayvan , Cognac Kristen E. , Mack E. Erin , Bartlett Craig , Ronayne Michael J. , Blotevogel Jens
Published: April 2022

Forecasting groundwater contaminant plume development is critical for determining risks to downgradient receptors and predicting the time to site closure. However, accurate forecasts are a formidable challenge due to the complexities of a heterogeneous subsurface. While historically groundwater well data in combination with numerical flow models have been used for this task, the advent of machine learning offers new data‐driven opportunities for improving contaminant fate and transport predictions. In this study, we interrogate the viability of two forecasting models—Prophet and damped Holt's exponential smoothing model—for predicting groundwater contaminant plume development. The impacts of spatial and temporal data density on the accuracy of the forecasts are evaluated. For wells with declining contaminant concentrations, the damped Holt's method achieves more accurate forecasts. However, only Prophet allows for the inclusion of exogenous regressors, enabling predictions of future declining trends in wells with still increasing contaminant concentrations. Application of these models does not only require robust training data, but also an understanding of model biases. Overall, powerful data‐driven models are already available for contaminant plume prediction, but groundwater sampling approaches will have to improve, for instance, through the collection of real‐time spatial and temporal high‐resolution data, to take full advantage of their capabilities.