bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The geriatric incontinence syndrome: Characterizing geriatric incontinence in older women
Authors: Parker‐Autry Candace , Neiberg Rebecca H. , Leng Iris , Colombo Lisa , Kuchel George A. , Kritchevsky Stephen B.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Among older women, the clinical presentation of urinary incontinence (UI) is heterogeneous; presenting as a pelvic floor condition or geriatric syndrome. We aimed to characterize the geriatric incontinence syndrome (GIS) to establish its foundation in clinical practice.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

Geriatric Clinical Research Unit.

Participants

Sixty‐one community‐dwelling women aged 70 and older with bothersome UI symptoms.

Measurements

UI symptom type and severity were determined by 3‐day bladder diary. UI severity was defined; moderate UI defined as <2 UI episodes/day and severe UI defined as ≥2 UI episodes/day. Subjective assessment of physical performance was determined using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. Total SPPB scores >9 define normal physical performance and scores ≤9 defined impaired physical performance.

Results

The average age was 77.1 ± 5.8 (mean ± SD) years; 69% of women had severe UI and 31% had moderate UI. Demographic characteristics were similar between groups. Daytime voiding frequency was 7.1 ± 2.9 and nocturia was present equally between groups. The majority of women (59%) with severe UI had SPPB ≤9 compared with 26% among women with moderate UI (p = 0.02); featuring significantly slower chair stand scores (2.3 ± 1.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p = 0.007) and gait speed (0.08 ± 0.2 m/s compared with 1.0 ± 0.2 in women with moderate UI).

Conclusions

A multifactorial GIS may be present in older women evidenced by the co‐existence of severe UI, physical disability, slower chair stand pace, and gait speed. Prospective studies are needed to understand how these clinical features may impact the clinical care of older incontinent women.
From research to bedside: Incorporation of a CGA‐based frailty index among multiple comanagement services
Authors: Cooper Lisa , Loewenthal Julia , Frain Laura N. , Tulebaev Samir , Cardin Kristin , Hshieh Tammy T. , Dumontier Clark , Streiter Shoshana , Joseph Carly , Hilt Austin , Theou Olga , Rockwood Kenneth , Orkaby Ariela R. , Javedan Houman
Published: September 2021

The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is the core tool used by geriatricians across diverse clinical settings to identify vulnerabilities and estimate physiologic reserve in older adults. In this paper, we demonstrate the iterative process at our institution to identify and develop a feasible, acceptable, and sustainable bedside CGA‐based frailty index tool (FI‐CGA) that not only quantifies and grades frailty but also provides a uniform way to efficiently communicate complex geriatric concepts such as reserve and vulnerability with other teams. We describe our incorporation of the FI‐CGA into the electronic health record (EHR) and dissemination among clinical services. We demonstrate that an increasing number of patients have documented FI‐CGA in their initial assessment from 2018 to 2020, while additional comanagement services were established (Figure 2). The acceptability and sustainability of the FI‐CGA, and its routine use by geriatricians in our division, were demonstrated by a survey where the majority of clinicians report using the FI‐CGA when assessing a new patient and that the FI‐CGA informs their clinical management. Finally, we demonstrate how we refined and updated the FI‐CGA, we provide examples of applications of the FI‐CGA across the institution and describe areas of ongoing process improvement and challenges for the use of this tailored yet standardized tool across diverse inpatient and outpatient services. The process outlined can be used by other geriatric departments to introduce and incorporate an FI‐CGA.
From psychiatry to neurology: Psychedelics as prospective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Kozlowska Urszula , Nichols Charles , Wiatr Kalina , Figiel Maciej
Published: September 2021

The studies of psychedelics, especially psychedelic tryptamines like psilocybin, are rapidly gaining interest in neuroscience research. Much of this interest stems from recent clinical studies demonstrating that they have a unique ability to improve the debilitating symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) long‐term after only a single treatment. Indeed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently designated two Phase III clinical trials studying the ability of psilocybin to treat forms of MDD with "Breakthrough Therapy" status. If successful, the use of psychedelics to treat psychiatric diseases like depression would be revolutionary. As more evidence appears in the scientific literature to support their use in psychiatry to treat MDD on and substance use disorders (SUD), recent studies with rodents revealed that their therapeutic effects might extend beyond treating MDD and SUD. For example, psychedelics may have efficacy in the treatment and prevention of brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease. Preclinical work has highlighted psychedelics’ ability to induce neuroplasticity and synaptogenesis, and neural progenitor cell proliferation. Psychedelics may also act as immunomodulators by reducing levels of proinflammatory biomarkers, including IL‐1β, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Their exact molecular mechanisms, and induction of cellular interactions, especially between neural and glial cells, leading to therapeutic efficacy, remain to be determined. In this review, we discuss recent findings and information on how psychedelics may act therapeutically on cells within the central nervous system (CNS) during brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.

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Financial literacy and household asset allocation: Evidence from micro‐data in China
Authors: Lu Xiaomeng , Xiao Jingna , Wu Yu
Published: September 2021

Improving household asset allocation (HAA) ability can enable households to increase consumption and promote the steady growth of China's economy. However, HAA decisions in China are suboptimal. This may be related to households' limited financial literacy. Based on 2017 and 2019 China Household Finance Survey data, this study examines the role of financial literacy in improving HAA. It finds that the higher the household's financial literacy, the higher the household's score in the asset allocation evaluation because households with higher financial literacy pay greater attention to economic and financial news and are more inclined to seek advice from investment advisors. Further analysis shows that the optimization effect of financial literacy on HAA is greater in households that are wealthy, higher educated, and located in areas with better regional financial development. In conclusion, helping households improve their financial literacy is an important step toward improving HAA ability.
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of plasma exeresis in periorbital rejuvenation using the Reviscometer®
Authors: Abdollahimajd Fahimeh , Beheshti Maryam , Moravvej Hamideh
Published: September 2021

Background

Periorbital rejuvenation is performed through various methods. Recently, plasma exeresis has been suggested for the treatment of dermatochalasis and periorbital wrinkles.

Aims

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of plasma exeresis in periorbital rejuvenation and palpebral laxity and assess its effectiveness using the Reviscometer®.

Patients/Methods

Fifty‐six women with mild‐to‐severe dermatochalasis and periorbital wrinkles volunteered to participate in this clinical trial. They received plasma exeresis thrice at one‐month intervals. The efficacy of the intervention was evaluated according to the Cutaneous Resonance Running Time (CRRT) value changes, photographic changes, patients' satisfaction, and clinical side effects.

Results

This study showed significant clinical improvements in dermatochalasis and palpebral laxity after treatment compared with the baseline (p < 0.001). Most of the participants had relative satisfaction, and no significant or permanent side effects were observed.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that plasma exeresis is a safe and effective nonsurgical method for periorbital rejuvenation. Furthermore, the procedure has no serious adverse effects if performed correctly and for the right patient.
Economic Stimulus at the Expense of Routine‐Task Jobs
Authors: TUZEL SELALE , ZHANG MIAO BEN
Published: September 2021

Do investment tax incentives improve job prospects for workers? We explore states' adoption of a major federal tax incentive that accelerates the depreciation of equipment investments for eligible firms but not for ineligible ones. Analyzing massive establishment‐level data sets on occupational employment and computer investment, we find that when states expand investment incentives, eligible firms immediately increase their equipment and skilled employees; whereas they reduce routine‐task employees after a delay of up to two years. These opposing effects constitute an overall insignificant effect on the firms' total employment and shed light on the nuances of job creation through investment incentives.
PIP5KIγ90‐generated phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate promotes the uptake of Staphylococcus aureus by host cells
Authors: Shi Yong , Berking Anne , Baade Timo , Legate Kyle R. , Fässler Reinhard , Hauck Christof R.
Published: September 2021

Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram‐positive pathogen, invades cells mainly in an integrin‐dependent manner. As the activity or conformation of several integrin‐associated proteins can be regulated by phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate (PI‐4,5‐P2), we investigated the roles of PI‐4,5‐P2 and PI‐4,5‐P2‐producing enzymes in cellular invasion by S. aureus. PI‐4,5‐P2 accumulated upon contact of S. aureus with the host cell, and targeting of an active PI‐4,5‐P2 phosphatase to the plasma membrane reduced bacterial invasion. Knockdown of individual phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate 5‐kinases revealed that phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate 5‐kinase γ (PIP5KIγ) plays an important role in bacterial internalization. Specific ablation of the talin and FAK‐binding motif in PIP5KIγ90 reduced bacterial invasion, which could be rescued by reexpression of an active, but not inactive PIP5KIγ90. Furthermore, PIP5KIγ90‐deficient cells showed normal basal PI‐4,5‐P2 levels in the plasma membrane but reduced the accumulation of PI‐4,5‐P2 and talin at sites of S. aureus attachment and overall lower levels of FAK phosphorylation. These results highlight the importance of local synthesis of PI‐4,5‐P2 by a focal adhesion‐associated lipid kinase for integrin‐mediated internalization of S. aureus.
Improvement in constipation and diarrhea is associated with improved abdominal pain in patients with functional bowel disorders
Authors: Rangan Vikram , Singh Prashant , Ballou Sarah , Hassan Rafla , Yu Vanessa , Katon Jesse , Nee Judy , Iturrino Johanna , Lembo Anthony
Published: September 2021

Background

Abdominal pain is a bothersome and lifestyle limiting symptom in patients with functional bowel disorders. It is associated with decreased quality of life in affected individuals, as well as significant annual healthcare expenditure. Knowledge of specific factors that predict improvement in abdominal pain in those with functional bowel disorders is thus far limited.

Methods

Consecutive patients presenting for outpatient care at a major academic medical center between October 2017 and March 2020 completed an electronic symptom survey prior to initial clinic visit, and again after 3 months. The Rome IV questionnaires for functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, and functional diarrhea were all included. Additionally, all subjects completed the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Anxiety, Depression, and sleep disturbance questionnaires. Patients with a diagnosis of a Rome IV functional gastrointestinal disorder without any organic cause for symptoms were identified based on both chart review as well as survey response data. Univariable and multivariable analysis was used to assess predictors of improved abdominal pain after 3 months.

Key Results

180 patients with a mean age of 45.3 years were included in the final analysis. 78.3% of patients were female, and 77.2% met Rome IV criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. On multivariable analysis, improvement in constipation and diarrhea were both independent predictors of improved abdominal pain after 3 months.

Conclusions and Inferences

Improvement in constipation and diarrhea both predicted improvement in abdominal pain, suggesting that addressing these factors is central to the management of abdominal pain in functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Effects of menthol on esophageal motility in humans: Studies using high‐resolution manometry
Authors: Lei Wei‐Yi , Liang Shu‐Wei , Hung Jui‐Sheng , Wong Ming‐Wun , Liu Tso‐Tsai , Yi Chih‐Hsun , Lin Lin , Orr William C. , Chen Chien‐Lin
Published: September 2021

Background/aim

The cold receptor, transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), has been reported to be expressed in esophageal vagal afferents. Esophageal infusion of menthol modulates esophageal perception in reflux patients via TRPM8, but the effects of menthol on esophageal motility are not well investigated. This study aimed to test the hypothesis whether the infusion of menthol into the esophagus could affect esophageal peristaltic characteristics.

Methods

Eighteen healthy adults (men 13, mean age 27) underwent high‐resolution manometry (HRM) using a catheter with the injection port located in mid‐esophagus. Primary peristalsis was performed with ten wet swallows, while secondary peristalsis was generated by 10 rapid air injections. Two different sessions were randomly performed including acute administration of menthol (3 mM) and the placebo.

Results

Menthol significantly decreased upper esophageal (UES) pressure of primary peristalsis than the placebo (p = 0.019). There was no difference in distal contractile integral (p = 0.33), distal latency (p = 0.86), basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (p = 0.19), or 4‐second integrated relaxation pressure (p = 0.75) between menthol and placebo. Menthol significantly decreased the frequency of secondary peristalsis subsequent to the administration of menthol during rapid injections with 20 mL air (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Intraluminal infusion of menthol reduces UES basal pressure and inhibits peristaltic frequency of secondary peristalsis. The data suggest that the triggering of secondary peristalsis is probably modulated by TRPM8‐sensitive mechanoreceptors; however, the activation of TRPM8 from menthol does not alter esophageal motility following deglutition or distension‐induced secondary peristalsis.
Why are the Contributions of Multinational Firms to Corporate Tax Revenues Declining?*
Authors: Bilicka Katarzyna
Published: September 2021

This paper explores potential reasons for the decline in the relative contributions of multinational firms to corporate tax revenues. Using a population of UK firms, I show that over the period 2000–14 multinationals paid a declining fraction of corporate tax revenues while expanding in size. In 2014, over 70% of total assets reported on UK company balance sheets were held by companies that paid no tax and were part of a multinational group. These firms have higher and increasing capital intensities than firms reporting positive profits, suggesting capital mobility plays an important role. The documented increase in total assets has been primarily driven by firms in the finance sector, whose tax payments did not increase accordingly. I show that new entrants into the UK markets are increasingly more likely to pay less or no tax on entry, despite no change in the average entrant size. In addition, incumbent firms tripled in size since 2000 but did not change their tax payments. At the same time, the share of corporate tax revenues collected from domestic firms increased.
Mapping the digital food environment: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Granheim Sabrina Ionata , Løvhaug Anne Lene , Terragni Laura , Torheim Liv Elin , Thurston Miranda
Published: September 2021

Food environments are directly linked to diets and health outcomes such as overweight, obesity, and noncommunicable diseases. The digitalization of food environments is becoming a central issue in public health, yet little is known about this emerging field. We performed a systematic scoping review to map the research on the digital food environment and investigate how the eight dimensions of the food environment, according to an established framework (availability, prices, vendor and product properties, marketing and regulation, accessibility, affordability, convenience, and desirability), might be shifting in the context of a digital society. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between 2000 and 2019, using search terms covering digital technology and food environment, which yielded 13,580 unique records. Our analysis of 357 studies shows that digitalization is taking place in all dimensions of the food environment, and enabling the emergence of new forms of buying and selling food, such as online grocery shopping and online food delivery, which may be changing availability of foods and affecting the physical distance to shops and time allocated for shopping. Systematic reviews identified indicated that digital food marketing and social media can influence food choices, preferences and consumption. Our findings suggest that digital and physical food environments are interconnected and influencing one another, but the impact of the digital on health and nutrition is yet unclear.
Exploration of dynamic text presentations in bilateral central vision loss
Authors: Bowman Brittany , Ross Nicole C , Bex Peter J , Arango Tiffany
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Dynamic text presentation methods may improve reading ability in patients with central vision loss (CVL) by eliminating the need for accurate eye movements. We compared rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) and horizontal scrolling text presentation (scrolling) on reading rate and reading acuity in CVL observers and normally‐sighted controls with simulated CVL (simCVL).

Methods

CVL observers’ (n = 11) central scotomas and preferred retinal loci (PRL) for each eye were determined with MAIA microperimetry and fixation analysis. SimCVL controls (n = 16) used 4° inferior eccentric viewing, enforced with an Eyelink eye‐tracker. Observers read aloud 4‐word phrases randomly drawn from the MNREAD sentences. Six font sizes (0.50–1.30 logMAR) were tested with the better near acuity eye and both eyes of CVL observers. Three font sizes (0.50–1.00 logMAR) were tested binocularly in simCVL controls. Text presentation duration of each word for RSVP or drift speed for scrolling was varied to determine reading rate, defined as 50% of words read correctly. In a subset of CVL observers (n = 7), relationships between PRL eccentricity, reading threshold and rate were explored.

Results

SimCVL controls demonstrated significantly faster reading rates for RSVP than scrolling text (p < 0.0001), and there was a significant main effect of font size (p < 0.0001). CVL patients demonstrated no significant differences in binocular reading rate between font sizes (p = 0.12) and text presentation (p = 0.25). Similar results were seen under monocular conditions. Reading acuity for RSVP and scrolling worsened with increasing PRL eccentricity (μ = 4.5°,p = 0.07). RSVP reading rate decreased significantly with increasing eccentricity (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Consistent with previous work, reading acuity worsened with increasing PRL eccentricity. RSVP and scrolling text presentations significantly affected reading rate in simCVL, but not in CVL observers, suggesting that simCVL results may not generalise to pathological CVL.
Pain modulation induced by electronic wrist‐ankle acupuncture: A functional near‐infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Shi Ping , Liu Junwen , Du Jiahao , Yu Hongliu , Fang Fanfu
Published: September 2021

Background

As a new technology, electronic wrist‐ankle acupuncture (E‐WAA) combines the advantages of wrist‐ankle acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, but the analgesic effect and mechanism need to be clarified. The purpose of this study was to identify the pain modulation caused by E‐WAA by evaluating the response of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) from the perspective of neurophysiology.

Methods

Fifty male volunteers (age 25.00 ± 1.05 years) with trapezius myofascial pain syndrome were randomly allocated into intervention group (E‐WAA treatment) or sham control group at a 1:1 ratio. An outcome evaluation system was used to induce tenderness on the Jianjing point and record the pain value. A multichannel functional near‐infrared spectroscope was used to detect the PFC activation during tenderness before and after treatment to demonstrate the neuromodulation mechanism. A general linear model and t‐test (p < 0.05) were used to analyze the difference in the oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentration and pain value.

Results

In the intervention group, the pain value of volunteers decreased significantly (p = 0.017) after E‐WAA treatment, whereas there was no statistical difference (p = 0.082) in the sham group. Before treatment, the frontopolar (FP) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were the activation areas of the PFC. The E‐WAA treatment then suppressed the activation of the two areas. The HbO concentration of the FP and DLPFC changed from a sharp rise during tenderness to not changing with tenderness stimulation.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated that the E‐WAA have a great analgesic effect. The FP and DLPFC were relative to the analgesia neuromodulation induced by the E‐WAA.
Double‐stranded RNA targeting fungal ergosterol biosynthesis pathway controls Botrytis cinerea and postharvest grey mould
Authors: Duanis‐Assaf Danielle , Galsurker Ortal , Davydov Olga , Maurer Dalia , Feygenberg Oleg , Sagi Moshe , Poverenov Elena , Fluhr Robert , Alkan Noam
Published: September 2021

Pathogenic fungi cause major postharvest losses. During storage and ripening, fruit becomes highly susceptible to fungi that cause postharvest disease. Fungicides are effective treatments to limit disease. However, due to increased public concern for their possible side effects, there is a need to develop new strategies to control postharvest fungal pathogens. Botrytis cinerea, a common postharvest pathogen, was shown to uptake small double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules from the host plant. Such dsRNA can regulate gene expression through the RNA interference system. This work aimed to develop a synthetic dsRNA simultaneously targeting three essential transcripts active in the fungal ergosterol biosynthesis pathway (dsRNA‐ERG). Our results show initial uptake of dsRNA in the emergence zone of the germination tube that spreads throughout the fungus and results in down‐regulation of all three targeted transcripts. Application of dsRNA‐ERG decreased B. cinerea germination and growth in in vitro conditions and various fruits, leading to reduce grey‐mould decay. The inhibition of growth or decay was reversed by the addition of ergosterol. While dual treatment with dsRNA‐ERG and ergosterol‐inhibitor fungicide reduced by 100‐fold the required amount of fungicide to achieve the same protection rate. The application of dsRNA‐ERG induced systemic protection as shown by decreased decay development at inoculation points distant from the treatment point in tomato and pepper fruits. Overall, this study suggests that dsRNA‐ERG can effectively control B. cinerea growth and grey‐mould development suggesting its efficacy as a future method for postharvest control of fungal pathogens.
Seed production and storage for endangered Morus boninensis using an ex‐situ living collection
Authors: Endoh K. , Itahana N. , Matsushita M. , Yamada H. , Ubukata M.
Published: September 2021

Meaningful conservation techniques for the endangered Morus boninensis require seed production and storage, since in situ purebred seed production is infrequent in Ogasawara Islands (World Natural Heritage Site) in Japan.

Ex situ living M. boninensis specimens produced seeds by open‐ and artificial‐pollination in a greenhouse. Seed desiccation tolerance and storage characteristics were examined. Open‐pollinated seeds were dried at 75, 33 and 8% relative humidity (RH) for 5 days then cryopreserved at −170 °C. Artificially pollinated seeds were dried at 8% RH then stored cryogenically at −170 °C and in freezers at −80 or −20 °C for 6 months. Germination rates were compared among seeds before and after drying and storage.

Germination rates of undried seeds were 83% for open‐pollinated seeds and 65% for artificially pollinated seeds. M. boninensis seeds exhibited the characteristic high desiccation tolerance of orthodox seeds and maintained a high germination rate after drying to a moisture content of approximately 4%. Cryopreservation of open‐pollinated dry seeds with moisture contents of ca. 12, 7 and 4% maintained germination rates, while cryopreservation of undried seeds (moisture content ca. 44%) resulted in no germinability. Cryogenic and freezer storage of artificially pollinated dry seeds for 6 months resulted in maintenance of germination rates comparable to undried seeds before storage.

Seed production was enabled by ex situ M. boninensis collection. The present study also developed a method for low temperature seed storage. Ex situ living tree collection represents a feasible seed resource for reintroduction and restoration programmes for M. boninensis.
Connecting and considering: Electrophysiology provides insights into comprehension
Authors: Federmeier Kara D.
Published: September 2021

The ability to rapidly and systematically access knowledge stored in long‐term memory in response to incoming sensory information—that is, to derive meaning from the world—lies at the core of human cognition. Research using methods that can precisely track brain activity over time has begun to reveal the multiple cognitive and neural mechanisms that make this possible. In this article, I delineate how a process of connecting affords an effortless, continuous infusion of meaning into human perception. In a relatively invariant time window, uncovered through studies using the N400 component of the event‐related potential, incoming sensory information naturally induces a graded landscape of activation across long‐term semantic memory, creating what might be called “proto‐concepts”. Connecting can be (but is not always) followed by a process of further considering those activations, wherein a set of more attentionally demanding “active comprehension” mechanisms mediate the selection, augmentation, and transformation of the initial semantic representations. The result is a limited set of more stable bindings that can be arranged in time or space, revised as needed, and brought to awareness. With this research, we are coming closer to understanding how the human brain is able to fluidly link sensation to experience, to appreciate language sequences and event structures, and, sometimes, to even predict what might be coming up next.
Canopy cover and ecological restoration increase natural regeneration of rainforest trees in the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Osuri Anand M. , Mudappa Divya , Kasinathan Srinivasan , Raman T. R. Shankar
Published: September 2021

Restoration of canopy cover through tree planting can assist in overcoming barriers to natural regeneration and catalyze recovery of degraded tropical forests. India has made international pledges to restore millions of hectares of degraded forests by 2030, but lacks empirical research on regeneration under different types of planted and natural overstories to guide this mission. We conducted a field study (65 plots of 25 m2) to examine the influence of overstory type and canopy cover on naturally regenerating tree seedlings across degraded rainforests (DRs), mixed‐native species ecological restoration (ER) sites, monoculture eucalypt plantations (MP), and mature “benchmark” rainforests (BR) in the Western Ghats mountains of peninsular India. ER had higher native tree seedling densities and recovered community composition toward BR levels compared to DR, while communities in MP shifted in the opposite direction. Densities of native late‐successional species increased with canopy cover (particularly in ER), but greater canopy cover was also associated with increases in alien species, a few of which are shade‐tolerant. Further, in a nursery experiment comprising four rainforest species, seed germination and early survival increased with shade, but did not vary across soils originating from DR, ER, and MP. Our findings show that while improving canopy cover is important, doing so by planting diverse native species, and controlling invasive alien species, can benefit rainforest recovery in DR fragments. Conversely, planting non‐native monocultures in degraded forests, which is a prevalent practice in India, could prove counterproductive for forest recovery in the long term.
Beyond Unidimensional Poverty Analysis Using Distributional Copula Models for Mixed Ordered-Continuous Outcomes
Authors: Hohberg Maike , Donat Francesco , Marra Giampiero , Kneib Thomas
Published: September 2021

Poverty is a multidimensional concept often comprising a monetary outcome and other welfare dimensions such as education, subjective well-being or health that are measured on an ordinal scale. In applied research, multidimensional poverty is ubiquitously assessed by studying each poverty dimension independently in univariate regression models or by combining several poverty dimensions into a scalar index. This approach inhibits a thorough analysis of the potentially varying interdependence between the poverty dimensions. We propose a multivariate copula generalized additive model for location, scale and shape (copula GAMLSS or distributional copula model) to tackle this challenge. By relating the copula parameter to covariates, we specifically examine if certain factors determine the dependence between poverty dimensions. Furthermore, specifying the full conditional bivariate distribution allows us to derive several features such as poverty risks and dependence measures coherently from one model for different individuals. We demonstrate the approach by studying two important poverty dimensions: income and education. Since the level of education is measured on an ordinal scale while income is continuous, we extend the bivariate copula GAMLSS to the case of mixed ordered-continuous outcomes. The new model is integrated into the GJRM package in R and applied to data from Indonesia. Particular emphasis is given to the spatial variation of the income–education dependence and groups of individuals at risk of being simultaneously poor in both education and income dimensions.
Rurality and Crises of Democracy: What Can Rural Sociology Offer the Present Moment?*
Authors: Schafft Kai A.
Published: September 2021

This article discusses the growing political divide in the United States and how ideological polarization has increasingly assumed spatial dimensions, as rural areas have become strongly associated with Republican support, and urban areas have become associated with strong Democratic support. In the context of the recent Trump administration, marked not only by authoritarian tendencies, ethno‐nationalism, and hostility towards democratic institutions, but its denouement represented by the U.S. Capitol insurrection on January 6th, 2021 and the weeks that followed, what are the implications for growing spatialized civic and political divides, and indeed for democracy itself? I discuss several main approaches taken by social scientists to explain the relationship between spatial and political divides in the United States, including those that focus on shifting political geographies, cultural factors, economic anxiety, and racial resentment. Then, pointing to several recent exemplars, I identify theoretical, methodological, and perspectival strengths that the discipline of rural sociology can and should engage in developing explanatory frameworks for better understanding these social and spatial shifts – shifts that are simultaneously crises of democracy and crises of epistemology.
Colorectal cancer patients’ experiences with supervised exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy—A qualitative study
Authors: Hatlevoll Ingunn , Skolbekken John‐Arne , Oldervoll Line Merethe , Wibe Arne , Hofsli Eva
Published: September 2021

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer worldwide, with increasing numbers surviving and living with long‐term side effects from treatment. Physical exercise during or after treatment may have several beneficial effects, but knowledge of CRC patients’ reflections on exercising during adjuvant therapy is limited. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of CRC patients participating in a supervised exercise program during adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

This study included CRC patients participating in two intervention studies with individually tailored and supervised combinations of endurance, resistance, and balance exercises during adjuvant chemotherapy. Semi‐structured interviews performed at the beginning, during, and immediately after the intervention period from 15 participants were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four main themes identified were “structuring life with cancer,” “motivation to exercise,” “training experiences,” and “effects of exercise.” Scheduled appointments gave structure to daily life and served as an external motivational factor. The individual adjustments of exercise gave a sense of security and helped improving adherence, especially when feeling depressed or fatigued. Common expectations were improvement of endurance and strength and counteracting negative effects of chemotherapy. Experienced positive effects from exercising, both mentally and physically, contributed to inner motivation and inspired continued exercising after the study period.

Conclusion

This study offers important insights into CRC patients’ experiences of participating in a physical exercise program during adjuvant chemotherapy. Based on our findings, we recommend supervised and individually tailored physical exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy to this patient group.
Showing up for cardiac surgery with enough red blood cells
Authors: Cho Brian C. , Frank Steven M. , Hensley Nadia B.
Published: September 2021

See article on page 2629–2636, in this issue
Toxic masculinity in red blood cell units? Testosterone therapy in blood donors revisited
Authors: Hazegh Kelsey , Anawalt Bradley D. , Dumont Larry J. , Kanias Tamir
Published: September 2021

Background

FDA guidelines limit the use of blood from donors taking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to red blood cell (RBC) concentrates, whereas plasma and platelets are discarded. The purpose of this study is to bring awareness to above‐average free testosterone concentrations in RBC units from TRT donors.

Study design

We quantified the concentrations of free (bioavailable; pg/ml) and total (protein bound and free; ng/dl) testosterone in plasma (frozen within 24 h) and supernatants from 42‐day stored leukocyte‐reduced RBC units from 17 TRT male donors and 17 matched controls (no TRT). Total testosterone concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Free testosterone concentrations were quantified in the same samples using equilibrium dialysis/LC–MS/MS.

Results

Plasma free and total testosterone concentrations in TRT donors were 2.9 and 1.8 times higher than that of controls. Total testosterone concentrations in RBC supernatants were about 30% of that of plasma. In contrast, free testosterone concentrations in RBC supernatants were 80%–100% of that of plasma and were significantly (p = .005) higher in TRT compared with controls (252.3 ± 245.3 vs. 103.4 ± 88.2 pg/ml). Supraphysiological free testosterone concentrations (>244 pg/ml) in RBC supernatants were observed in five TRT donors and two control donors.

Conclusions

RBC units from TRT donors may contain supraphysiological concentrations of free testosterone. This may be resolved by avoiding blood collections soon after testosterone dosing and by enhanced screening of TRT donors. These data establish a rationale for new studies and reexamination of the current guidelines concerning the utilization of blood components from TRT donors.
House dust mite‐derived serine protease upregulates gene expression of interleukin‐33 in canine keratinocytes via protease‐activated receptor‐2
Authors: Nishimura Rinka , Miyajima Masaki , Takahashi Kaho , Hirokawa Marin , Hara Yuna , Kimura Junpei , Ohmori Keitaro
Published: September 2021

Background

The involvement of interleukin (IL)‐33 produced by keratinocytes has been suggested in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). House dust mite (HDM)‐derived proteases induce the production of various cytokines and chemokines in keratinocytes via protease‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR‐2); however, their effects on IL‐33 mRNA expression in canine keratinocytes have not been determined.

Hypothesis/Objective

To clarify whether HDM‐derived proteases induce IL‐33 mRNA expression in canine keratinocytes via PAR‐2.

Methods and materials

Expression of IL‐33 mRNA was quantified by real‐time PCR in a cell line of canine progenitor epidermal keratinocytes (CPEK) stimulated with Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) whole body extract, Der f pre‐treated with cysteine protease and serine protease inhibitors, and trypsin. Trypsin and Der f‐mediated IL‐33 mRNA expression also was measured in CPEK cells treated with a PAR‐2 antagonist.

Results

Der f enhanced IL‐33 mRNA expression in CPEK cells in incubation time‐ and dose‐dependent manners. Der f pre‐treated with a serine protease inhibitor, and not a cysteine protease inhibitor, abrogated an increase in IL‐33 mRNA expression in CPEK cells. Trypsin also enhanced IL‐33 mRNA expression in CPEK cells. Trypsin‐mediated IL‐33 mRNA expression was completely abolished by a PAR‐2 antagonist, while Der f‐mediated IL‐33 mRNA expression was partially and significantly diminished by it.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Der f‐derived serine protease upregulated IL‐33 mRNA expression in CPEK cells at least in part via PAR‐2. These findings suggest that HDM may be involved in the development of CAD by increasing IL‐33 mRNA expression in keratinocytes.
Transient and reversible reduction of stratum corneum filaggrin degradation products after allergen challenge in experimentally mite‐sensitised atopic dogs
Authors: Olivry Thierry , Paps Judy S. , Amalric Nicolas
Published: September 2021

Background

A defective skin barrier occurs in dogs with atopic dermatitis, and there is controversy over whether this defect pre‐exists, or is secondary to allergic inflammation.

Objectives

To study if an allergen challenge decreases the natural moisturising factor (NMF), which contains the main filaggrin degradation products.

Animals

Four house dust mite (HDM)‐sensitised adult atopic dogs from a research colony.

Methods and materials

Dogs were challenged epicutaneously with HDMs on the right lateral abdomen while the left thorax served as control. We swabbed the skin surface before, and at days (D)1, D2, D3, D7 and D28 after challenge, on both selected sites; swabs were soaked in detergent and frozen until assayed. The NMF components were measured by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS‐MS).

Results

The allergen challenge induced moderate skin lesions at the application sites, and also mild erythema at the control areas. The allergen provocation led to significant decreases in the total NMF and its components trans‐urocanic acid (t‐UCA), pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) and serine on both sites. Lesion scores abated by D7 and the NMF concentrations had re‐increased by D28. Skin lesion scores correlated negatively with the total NMF, t‐UCA and PCA concentrations.

Conclusions and clinical importance

In this experimental model, a single epicutaneous allergen challenge led to a transient and reversible decrease in skin surface NMF and its components, and concentrations were negatively correlated with skin lesion scores. These observations suggest that some of the skin barrier anomalies seen in atopic dogs likely develop secondarily to the underlying cutaneous allergic inflammation.
On a special case of non-symmetric resource extraction games with unbounded payoffs
Authors: Sylenko Illia
Published: September 2021

The game of resource extraction/capital accumulation is a stochastic infinite-horizon game, which models a joint utilization of a productive asset over time. The paper complements the available results on pure Markov perfect equilibrium existence in the non-symmetric game setting with an arbitrary number of agents. Moreover, we allow that the players have unbounded utilities and relax the assumption that the stochastic kernels of the transition probability must depend only on the amount of resource before consumption. This class of the game has not been examined beforehand. However, we could prove the Markov perfect equilibrium existence only in the specific case of interest. Namely, when the players have constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) power utilities and the transition law follows a geometric random walk in relation to the joint investment. The setup with the chosen characteristics is motivated by economic considerations, which makes it relevant to a certain range of real-word problems.
Considerations for the Extension of Gas Path Analysis to Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Systems
Authors: Simon Donald L. , Thomas Randy , Dunlap Kyle M.
Published: September 2021

Aircraft operators rely on gas path analysis techniques for monitoring the performance and health of their gas turbine engine assets. This is accomplished by analyzing discernable shifts in measurement parameters acquired from the engine. This paper reviews the founding mathematical principles of gas path analysis, including conventional approaches applied for estimating engine performance deterioration. Considerations for extending the application of gas path analysis techniques to electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) systems are also discussed, and simulated results from their application to an EAP concept comprised of turbomachinery and electrical system hardware are provided. Results are provided comparing the parameter estimation accuracy offered by taking a whole-system approach toward the problem setup versus that offered by analyzing each subsystem individually. For the latter, the importance of having accurate direct or inferred measurements of external mechanical torque loads placed upon turbomachinery shafts is emphasized.
Acoustic Pyrometry Robustness to Time-of-Flight Estimation Errors
Authors: Caposciutti Gianluca , Ferrari Lorenzo
Published: September 2021

Acoustic pyrometry is a widely used technique for contactless temperature measurement. It may be used in several applications, especially when high temperatures and harsh environments are involved. For instance, it has been applied to measure the temperature distribution at gas turbine outlet. This technique is based on the measurement of the time of flight of an acoustic wave through a medium. If multiple emitter-receiver couples are used, using a computational procedure a reconstruction of a temperature map is possible. On the other hand, a full assessment of the robustness of this technique to potential errors in TOF estimation is still missing. In this study, the impact of an inaccuracy in TOF estimation on the reconstruction of a correct temperature map is investigated by means of a statistical approach. As a general result, it was found that when the TOF was measured without inaccuracies, temperature estimation errors may be lowered by simply increasing the number of cells in which the estimation is performed. However, when the estimation of the TOF is affected by errors, an optimal configuration exists that minimize the temperature estimation errors.
Off-Design of a Pumped Thermal Energy Storage Based on Closed Brayton Cycles
Authors: Frate Guido Francesco , Paternostro Luigia , Ferrari Lorenzo , Desideri Umberto
Published: September 2021

The growth of renewable energy source requires reliable, durable, and cheap storage technologies. In this field, the pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) is drawing some interest as it appears not to be affected by geographical limitations and use very cheap materials. PTES is less efficient than pumped hydro and batteries, but it could achieve satisfactory efficiencies, show better economic performance, and be characterized by negligible environmental impacts. A PTES stores the electric energy as thermal exergy in solid packed beds, by operating two closed Brayton cycles, one for charging and the other one for discharging. Although PTES thermodynamical behavior is well understood, the interaction between the components is rarely investigated. This study investigates the impact of packed-bed behavior on turbomachines operating conditions. In this way, PTES off-design and part-load performance are estimated. A control strategy especially suited for closed Brayton cycles, i.e., the inventory control (IC), is used to control the system. As it resulted, PTES is characterized by an excellent part-load performance, which might be a significant advantage over the competing technologies. However, the off-design operation induced by the packed-bed thermal behavior might significantly reduce the system performance and, in particular, that of the discharge phase.
Numerical Methods for Calculating Component Modes for Geometric Mistuning Reduced-Order Models
Authors: Beck Joseph A. , Brown Jeffrey M. , Kaszynski Alex A. , Gillaugh Daniel L.
Published: September 2021

Geometric mistuning models formulated from component mode synthesis methods often require the calculation of component modes, particularly constraint and fixed interface normal modes (FINMs), during substructuring. For integrally bladed rotors, these calculations are required for each sector. This paper proposes methods that reuse information garnered from solving the constraint modes of a single sector on the remaining sectors to reduce memory requirements and solution times. A mesh metamorphosis tool is used to ensure finite element models match geometry obtained from a three-dimensional optical scanner. This tool also produces a common mesh pattern from sector-to-sector. This is exploited to produce common permutation matrices and symbolic factorizations of sector stiffness matrices that are proposed for reuse in solving subsequent constraint modes. Furthermore, a drop tolerance is introduced to remove small values during constraint mode calculation to reduce memory requirements. It is proposed to reuse this dropping pattern produced from a single sector on the remaining sectors. Approaches are then extended to a parallel processing scheme to propose effective matrix partitioning methods. Finally, information gathered during the constraint mode calculations is reused during the solution of the FINMs to improve solution time. Results show reusing permutation matrices and symbolic factorizations from sector-to-sector improves solution time and introduces no error. Using a drop tolerance is shown to reduce storage requirements of a constraint mode matrix, while reusing the dropping pattern introduces minimal error. Similarly, reusing constraint mode information in calculating normal modes greatly improves the performance.
A war of coefficients or a meaningless wrangle over practical unessentials?
Authors: Balint Jamilla , Vorländer Michael
Published: September 2021

The Reflections series takes a look back on historical articles from The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America that have had a significant impact on the science and practice of acoustics.