bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An injection‐locked green InGaN diode laser
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Xu Ying , Tsai Chin‐Chun , Chen Yi‐Hsi , Chen Nan‐Kuang , Chui Hsiang‐Chen
Published: November 2021

We designed a single‐frequency green laser system that can deliver a 60‐mW frequency‐tunable single‐longitudinal‐mode laser beam, having a 6.5 MHz linewidth at around 519 nm. An external cavity diode laser can provide a wavelength‐tunable single frequency laser beam, but its output power is limited. Therefore, an injection‐locked laser was designed with a Fabry–Perot type green InGaN laser diode in an external Littrow‐type cavity as the master laser and another laser diode of the same model as the slave laser. Injection locking can effectively enhance the output power and narrow the linewidth of the master laser. We found that the injection locking occurred at longitudinal mode matching between the master laser and slave laser diodes, which is located at a specific frequency for a periodical applied current. The side peaks of the injection locking due to the transverse mode mismatching were recorded and analyzed.
Tellurium‐stabilized blue laser diode
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Wang Zhiyuan , Xu Ying , Tsai Chin‐Chun , Chen Nan‐Kuang , Chui Hsiang‐Chen
Published: November 2021

A robust and compact blue optical frequency reference within blue region was designed. A 40‐mW tellurium‐stabilized single‐frequency blue diode laser in external cavity was designed with an absorption spectroscopy method based on tellurium molecular transitions. Furthermore, the uncertainty of the frequency stabilization can be pushed to 2 × 10−9 at a 10‐s integration time. In addition, the correspondence frequency instability was 1.3 MHz when the laser wavelength was 445.75 nm. This study indicates that high‐stability frequency reference within the blue region can be achieved with an external cavity diode laser as opposed to the diode‐pumped frequency‐doubled solid‐state laser.
Organic compound gas detector based on polylactic acid/poly (styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile)/multi‐walled carbon nanotube blend composite with co‐continuous microstructure
Authors: Molla‐Abbasi Payam
Published: November 2021

A conductive polymer composite (CPC) based on polylactic acid (PLA)/poly (styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN)/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) blend was prepared and used as a sensitive layer for detecting methanol, ethanol, toluene, and water vapor. The response behavior of polymer blend nanocomposite in comparison with PLA‐MWNT and SAN‐MWNT sensitive layers was studied as well as the influence of solution blending on the morphology, electrical behavior, and performance parameters of prepared sensitive layers. The scanning electron microscopy micrograph results showed that the PLA/SAN solution blended with a 50/50 wt% ratio had formed the co‐continuous morphology. In addition, the electrical conductivity investigation revealed that the percolation threshold of sensitive layers decreased from 1.5 vol%, related to PLA‐MWNT, to 0.8 vol%, related PLA/SAN blend nanocomposite. Thermodynamic investigation revealed that, in the solution blended conductive composites, MWNTs are preferentially localized in the PLA phase. The relative response (Rrel) of blended conductive composite, in comparison with PLA‐MWNT, was increased toward ethanol and toluene vapor while it was decreased against the methanol vapor. The sensitivity behavior of polymer blend composite was investigated based on the double percolated conductive network as well as the thermodynamic parameters such as Flory‐Huggins interaction parameter and solubility parameters.
Monoallelic deleterious MUTYH germline variants as a driver for tumorigenesis
Authors: Barreiro Rodrigo Araujo Sequeira , Sabbaga Jorge , Rossi Benedito M , Achatz Maria Isabel W , Bettoni Fabiana , Camargo Anamaria A , Asprino Paula F , A F Galante Pedro
Published: November 2021

MUTYH encodes a glycosylase involved in the base excision repair of DNA. Biallelic pathogenic germline variants in MUTYH cause an autosomal recessive condition known as MUTYH‐associated adenomatous polyposis and consequently increase the risk of colorectal cancer. However, reports of increased cancer risk in individuals carrying only one defective MUTYH allele are controversial and based on studies involving few individuals. Here, we describe a comprehensive investigation of monoallelic pathogenic MUTYH germline variants in 10,389 cancer patients across 33 different tumour types and 117,000 healthy individuals. Our results indicate that monoallelic pathogenic MUTYH germline variants can lead to tumorigenesis through a mechanism of somatic loss of heterozygosity of the functional MUTYH allele in the tumour. We confirmed that the frequency of monoallelic pathogenic MUTYH germline variants is higher in individuals with cancer than in the general population, although this frequency is not homogeneous among tumour types. We also demonstrated that the MUTYH mutational signature is present only in tumours with loss of the functional allele and found that the characteristic MUTYH base substitution (C>A) increases stop‐codon generation. We identified key genes that are affected during tumorigenesis. In conclusion, we propose that carriers of the monoallelic pathogenic MUTYH germline variant are at a higher risk of developing tumours, especially those with frequent loss of heterozygosity events, such as adrenal adenocarcinoma, although the overall risk is still low. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of functional (flame‐retardant and anti‐bacterial) and hybrid (carbon‐glass/epoxy) composites with improved low velocity impact response
Authors: Hussain Muzzamal , Arif Sohaib , Nawab Yasir , Shaker Khubab , Umair Muhammad
Published: November 2021

High‐performance synthetic fiber reinforced composites are utilized in high‐tech applications due to their higher mechanical properties. However, in previous work, these composites were not used in outdoor (parks, picnic) and hygienic (hospitals, schools, offices) furniture applications due to fire hazards and bacterial attack. In this work, functional (flame retardant and anti‐bacterial) composites were fabricated along with improved low velocity impact (LVI) response. In the first part of the work, glass/epoxy composites were loaded with the different zirconium phosphate (ZrP) particles percentages (5%, 10%, and 15%) to optimize their flame retardancy and LVI properties. In the second part, glass/epoxy composites were loaded with different zinc oxide (ZnO) particles percentages (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) to optimize their anti‐bacterial and LVI properties. ZrP with 15% concentration showed the highest value of flame retardancy, and energy absorption (31.70 J) and maximum impact force (1377 N) during drop weight impact test. Also, ZnO with 1.5% concentration showed the best anti‐bacterial activity along with improved LVI response (29.70 J absorbed absorbed). In the third part, these optimized percentages of ZrP (15%) and ZnO (1.5%) were used for the development of the hybrid carbon‐glass epoxy composites. Overall, hybrid H3 (GCCG) and H4 (CGGC) showed the optimized and comparable flame retardancy, anti‐bacterial and LVI (29.70 J {H3} and 29.20 J {H4} absorbed absorbed) response.
Individualizing the autism assessment process: A framework for school psychologists
Authors: Monteiro Marilyn J.
Published: November 2021

School psychologists familiar with the autism evaluation process have an awareness of the complexity of this school‐based process. This paper provides school clinicians with an introduction to a visual framework and descriptive language to think and talk about the complex students they evaluate in positive, nuanced, and accessible terms. This framework shifts the way in which school psychologists describe students during the autism assessment process away from the reductive language of deficits to the expansive language of describing individualized patterns of strengths and differences. The shift away from labeling behavioral deficits to describing patterns of behavioral differences leads to a positive narrative and creative ways to develop supports and interventions for students across age and ability levels. The use of this strength‐based language supports parents, teachers, and students in their development of an individualized understanding of the diagnosis, promoting resiliency in the individual and in their support systems. Readers are provided with a student sample case to show how using this visual framework provides a way to describe individual students using a behavioral profile of strengths and differences, linking those profiles to positive behavior supports.
Physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic modeling of oxcarbazepine and levetiracetam during adjunctive antiepileptic therapy in children and adolescents
Authors: Sinha Jaydeep , Karatza Eleni , Gonzalez Daniel
Published: November 2021

Oxcarbazepine (OXZ) and levetiracetam (LEV) are two new generation anti‐epileptic drugs, often co‐administered in children with enzyme‐inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs). The anti‐epileptic effect of OXZ and LEV are linked to the exposure of OXZ’s active metabolite 10‐monohydroxy derivative (MHD) and (the parent) LEV, respectively. However, little is known about the confounding effect of age and EIAEDs on the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of MHD and LEV. To address this knowledge gap, physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling was performed in the PK‐Sim software using literature data from children greater than or equal to 2 years of age. Age‐related changes in clearance (CL) of MHD and LEV were characterized, both in the presence (group 1) and absence (group 2) of concomitant EIAEDs. The drug‐drug interaction effect of EIAEDs was estimated as the difference in CL estimates between groups 1 and 2. PBPK modeling suggests that bodyweight normalized CL (ml/min/kg) is higher in younger children than their older counterparts (i.e., due to an influence of age). Concomitant EIAEDs further increase MHD’s CL to a fixed extent of 25% at any age, but EIAEDs’ effect on LEV’s CL increases with age from 20% (at 2 years) to 30% (at adolescence). Simulations with the maximum recommended doses (MRDs) revealed that children between 2 and 4 years and greater than 4 years, who are not on EIAEDs, are at risk of exceeding the reference exposure range for OXZ and LEV, respectively. This analysis demonstrates the use of PBPK modeling in understanding the confounding effect of age and comedications on PKs in children and adolescents.
The efficacy of herbal medicine in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Shavakhi Mojgan , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Shirban Farinaz , Bagherniya Mohammad
Published: November 2021

This systematic review was undertaken with the main aim of assessing the therapeutic effects of herbal medicines in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to July 2021 to identify randomized clinical trials investigated the effects of herbal medicines on RAS. Thirty‐three papers comprising 2,113 patients met the eligibility criteria, of which 30 studies had a high quality based on the Jadad scale. Totally, 22 out of 30 studies which assessed the pain showed that herbal agents significantly decreased the pain compared with the control group or placebo. In 17 out of 25 studies that evaluated ulcer size, herbal agents significantly reduced the size of ulcers compared with the control or placebo groups. In 15 out of 18 studies that assessed the healing time, herbal agents significantly reduced healing time in the intervention groups compared with the placebo or control groups. Few adverse events were reported only in four studies. Findings of the current review indicated medicinal plants and phytochemicals as effective and safe agents that for the treatment of RAS.
A rare case of mediastinal lymphatic venous malformations in children
Authors: Tovichien Prakarn , Kaeotawee Phatthareeda , Udomittipong Kanokporn , Pacharn Preeyacha , Ruangchira‐urai Ruchira
Published: November 2021

We report a case of mediastinal lymphatic venous malformations (LVM) in a 11‐year‐old boy who presented with chest pain after jumping into a swimming pool, with review of the literature. A superior mediastinal mass was incidentally found from the chest x‐ray. Chest computed tomography revealed a large heterogenous mass at the left‐sided mediastinum containing fat, minimal enhancing solid portion, non‐enhancing cystic portion and calcification. Because of the large size of the mass, the patient underwent tumour removal. Operative findings gave a definitive diagnosis of mediastinal LVM. The patient had an uneventful clinical course and was discharged without complication. This report highlights that it is possible to misdiagnose mediastinal LVM especially if its predominant portion is lymphatic tissue with only minimal contrast enhancement. Tissue biopsy must be avoided because it may lead to haemorrhagic complication.
Equivalence and convergence of two iterative learning control schemes with state feedback
Authors: Zhang Yamiao , Liu Jian , Ruan Xiaoe
Published: November 2021

This article considers the equivalence and convergence of two iterative learning control (ILC) schemes with state feedback for a class of multi‐input‐multi‐output discrete‐time nonlinear systems in which each desired trajectory corresponds to a unique desired input or an infinite number of desired inputs. First, we strictly prove that the two ILC schemes are equivalent if they have the identical initial system inputs. Moreover, by the input space transformation method and mathematical induction we establish the necessary and sufficient criterion for the convergence of system output, input and state sequences. It is shown that the (locally Lipschitz) continuity is enough to guarantee the (exponential) convergence. Generally, the learned desired input depends on the values of the initial signals, the learning gain matrix and the state feedback item. By designing them with appropriate structures, the dependence is disappeared. Third, we show how to leverage the available information of system dynamics to design the learning gain matrix and state feedback for better tracking performance. Finally, we provide an example to illustrate the usefulness of our findings, in which we introduce the energy of learnable desired input to evaluate the learning performance.
Event‐specific win ratios for inference with terminal and non‐terminal events
Authors: Yang Song , Troendle James , Pak Daewoo , Leifer Eric
Published: November 2021

For semi‐competing risks data involving a non‐terminal event and a terminal event we derive the asymptotic distributions of the event‐specific win ratios under proportional hazards (PH) assumptions for the relevant cause‐specific hazard functions of the non‐terminal and terminal event, respectively. The win ratios converge to the respective hazard ratios under the PH assumptions and therefore are censoring‐free, whether or not the censoring distributions in the two treatment arms are the same. With the asymptotic bivariate normal distributions of the win ratios, confidence intervals and testing procedures are obtained. Through extensive simulation studies and data analysis, we identified proper transformations of the win ratios that yield good control of the type one error rate for various testing procedures while maintaining competitive power. The confidence intervals also have good coverage probabilities. Furthermore, a test for the PH assumptions and a test of equal hazard ratios are developed. The new procedures are illustrated in the clinical trial Aldosterone Antagonist Therapy for Adults With Heart Failure and Preserved Systolic Function, which evaluated the effects of spironolactone in patients with heart failure and a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.
Macrophage Polarization Modulated by NF‐κB in Polylactide Membranes‐Treated Peritendinous Adhesion
Authors: Wang Shuo , Lu Mingkuan , Wang Wei , Yu Shiyang , Yu Ruyue , Cai Chuandong , Li Yuange , Shi Zhongmin , Zou Jian , He Miao , Xie Wenqing , Yu Dengjie , Jin Hongfu , Li Hengzhen , Xiao Wenfeng , Fan Cunyi , Wu Fei , Li Yusheng , Liu Shen
Published: November 2021

Foreign body reactions (FBR) to implants seriously impair tissue‐implant integration and postoperative adhesion. The macrophage, owing to its phenotypic plasticity, is a major regulator in the formation of the inflammatory microenvironment; NF‐κB signaling also plays a vital role in the process. It is hypothesized that NF‐κB phosphorylation exerts a proinflammatory regulator in FBR to polylactide membranes (PLA‐M) and adhesion. First, in vitro and in vivo experiments show that PLA‐M induces NF‐κB phosphorylation in macrophages, leading to M1 polarization and release of inflammatory factors. The inflammatory microenvironment formed due to PLA‐M accelerates myofibroblast differentiation and release of collagen III and MMP2, jointly resulting in peritendinous adhesion. Therefore, JSH‐23 (a selective NF‐κB inhibitor)‐loaded PLA membrane (JSH‐23/PLA‐M) is fabricated by blend electrospinning to regulate the associated M1 polarization for peritendinous anti‐adhesion. JSH‐23/PLA‐M specifically inhibits NF‐κB phosphorylation in macrophages and exhibits anti‐inflammatory and anti‐adhesion properties. The findings demonstrate that NF‐κB phosphorylation has a critical role in PLA‐induced M1 polarization and aggravating FBR to PLA‐M. Additionally, JSH‐23/PLA‐M precisely targets modulation of NF‐κB phosphorylation in FBR to break the vicious cycle in peritendinous adhesion therapy.
Multi‐Length Scale Structure of 2D/3D Dion–Jacobson Hybrid Perovskites Based on an Aromatic Diammonium Spacer
Authors: Ummadisingu Amita , Mishra Aditya , Kubicki Dominik J. , LaGrange Thomas , Dučinskas Algirdas , Siczek Miłosz , Bury Wojciech , Milić Jovana V. , Grätzel Michael , Emsley Lyndon
Published: November 2021

Dion–Jacobson (DJ) iodoplumbates based on 1,4‐phenylenedimethanammonium (PDMA) have recently emerged as promising light absorbers for perovskite solar cells. While PDMA is one of the simplest aromatic spacers potentially capable of forming a DJ structure based on (PDMA)An−1PbnI3n+1 composition, the crystallographic proof has not been reported so far. Single crystal structure of a DJ phase based on PDMA is presented and high‐field solid‐state NMR spectroscopy is used to characterize the structure of PDMA‐based iodoplumbates prepared as thin films and bulk microcrystalline powders. It is shown that their atomic‐level structure does not depend on the method of synthesis and that it is ordered and similar for all iodoplumbate homologues. Moreover, the presence of lower (n) homologues in thin films is identified through UV–Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction measurements, complemented by cathodoluminescence mapping. A closer look using cathodoluminescence shows that the micron‐scale microstructure corresponds to a mixture of different layered homologues that are well distributed throughout the film and the presence of layer edge states which dominate the emission. This work therefore determines the formation of DJ phases based on PDMA as the spacer cation and reveals their properties on a multi‐length scale, which is relevant for their application in optoelectronics.
A profile of the health information seeker in Chile: Introducing the Chilean health information environments (EIS) survey
Authors: Pena‐y‐Lillo Macarena
Published: November 2021

In recent years, many countries have sought to assess health information acquisition among their populations. The Health Information Environments (Entornos de Información de Salud; EIS) survey is the first systematic and representative study that addresses access and use of health information in Chile. Modeled after the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), the survey included measures of general health information acquisition, source trust, and health behaviors, with a special focus on physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and smoking cessation. The EIS survey was applied face‐to‐face in Santiago, the capital of Chile, between December 2020 and February 2021 in a sample of 1411 individuals older than 24 years. In this paper, we present the main sections of the EIS questionnaire, the application procedure, response rates, and sample characteristics. Additionally, we used EIS data to present a profile of health information seekers in Chile.
Remote Sensing Technologies for Assessing Climate-Smart Criteria in Mountain Forests
Authors: Torresan Chiara , Luyssaert Sebastiaan , Filippa Gianluca , Imangholiloo Mohammad , Gaulton Rachel
Published: November 2021

Monitoring forest responses to climate-smart forestry (CSF) is necessary to determine whether forest management is on track to contribute to the reduction and/or removal of greenhouse gas emissions and the development of resilient mountain forests. A set of indicators to assess “the smartness” of forests has been previously identified by combining indicators for sustainable forest management with the ecosystem services. Here, we discuss the remote sensing technologies suitable to assess those indicators grouped in forest resources, health and vitality, productivity, biological diversity, and protective functions criteria. Forest cover, growing stock, abiotic, biotic, and human-induced forest damage, and tree composition indicators can be readily assessed by using established remote sensing techniques. The emerging areas of phenotyping will help track genetic resource indicators. No single existing sensor or platform is sufficient on its own to assess all the individual CSF indicators, due to the need to balance fine-scale monitoring and satisfactory coverage at broad scales. The challenge of being successful in assessing the largest number and type of indicators (e.g., soil conditions) is likely to be best tackled through multimode and multifunctional sensors, increasingly coupled with new computational and analytical approaches, such as cloud computing, machine learning, and deep learning.
Economic and Social Perspective of Climate-Smart Forestry: Incentives for Behavioral Change to Climate-Smart Practices in the Long Term
Authors: Gežík Veronika , Brnkaľáková Stanislava , Baštáková Viera , Kluvánková Tatiana
Published: November 2021

In this volume, the concept of climate-smart forestry (CSF) has been introduced as adaptive forest management and governance to address climate change, fostering resilience and sustainable ecosystem service provision. Adaptive forest management and governance are seen as vital ways to mitigate the present and future impact of climate change on forest. Following this trajectory, we determine the ecosystem services approach as a potential adaptive tool to contribute to CSF. Ecosystem services as public or common goods face the traditional social dilemma of individual versus collective interests, which often generate conflicts, overuse, and resource depletion. This chapter focuses on the ecosystem servicegovernance approach, especially on incentive tools for behavioral change to CSF in the long term, which is a basic precondition for the sustainability of ecosystem integrity and functions, as well as ensuring the continuous delivery of ecosystem goods and services, as per the CSF definition. Payments for ecosystem services (PES) are seen as innovative economic instruments when adding a social dimension by involving local communities and their values to ensure the long-term resilience and adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change. We argue that tackling climate changeadaptation requires the behavioral change of ecosystem service providers to a collaborative and integrated PES approach, as also emphasized by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda 2030.
Assessing the Economic Impacts of Climate Change on Mountain Forests: A Literature Review
Authors: Bottaro Giorgia , Gatto Paola , Pettenella Davide
Published: November 2021

The effects of climate change are increasingly more visible on natural ecosystems. Being mountain forest ecosystems among the most vulnerable and the most affected, they appear to be, at the same time, the most suitable for the assessment of climate change effects on ecosystem services. Assuming this, we review the literature on the economic assessment of climate change impacts on European mountain forests. Initially, the trends in the provision of mountain forest ecosystem services are discussed. We, then, considered the effects on forest structure and tree physiology, these two being strictly associated with the capability of the ecosystem to provide ecosystem services. The results have been grouped into a table that displays the trend, the quality and the quantity of the information found. Subsequently, the main methods that can be employed to assess the economic value of the different ecosystem services have been described. For each method, some implementation examples have been introduced to better understand its functioning. Concluding, the main gaps still existing in literature concerning the effects of climate change on ecosystem services provided by mountain forests have been highlighted. Finally, some more considerations about the existing methods for the economic valuation of ecosystem services have been done.
Review of Policy Instruments for Climate-Smart Mountain Forestry
Authors: Dubova Lenka , Slavikova Lenka , Azevedo João C. , Barstad Johan , Gatto Paola , Lesinski Jerzy , Pettenella Davide , Stokken Roar
Published: November 2021

Implementing the Climate-Smart Forestry (CSF) concept into practice requires interaction among key stakeholders, especially forest owners and managers, policymakers (or regulators in general), forest consultants, and forest users. But what could be the most effective policy instruments to achieve climate smartness in mountain forests? Which ones would be the most acceptable for forest owners? And for the local forest communities? Should they be designed and implemented with the use of participatory approaches or rather on a top-down basis? This chapter summarizes key policy instruments structured in three subsequent categories: command-and-control, voluntary market-based instruments, and community cooperation. It provides examples of their functioning in the forestry sector and discusses their suitability for the implementation of climate smart forestry. It appears that there are many policy instruments used with varying degrees of success such as forest concessions or voluntary certification schemes. A wide range of instruments are responding to direct regulation; this has been seen as insufficient to deal with natural hazards and calamities.
The Role of Forests in Climate Change Mitigation: The EU Context
Authors: Vizzarri Matteo , Pilli Roberto , Korosuo Anu , Frate Ludovico , Grassi Giacomo
Published: November 2021

The European Union (EU) aims at reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. Within the land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) sector, forestry will contribute to this target with CO2 sink, harvested wood products (HWP), and use of wood for material or energy substitution. Despite the fact that the forest sink currently offsets about 9% of the total EU GHG emissions, evaluating its future mitigation potential is challenging because of the complex interactions between human and natural impacts on forest growth and carbon accumulation. The Regulation (EU) 2018/841 has improved robustness, accuracy, and credibility of the accounting of GHG emissions and removals in the LULUCF sector. For the forest sector, the accounting is based on the Forest Reference Level (FRL), i.e., a projected country-specific value of GHG emissions and removals against which the actual GHG emissions and removals will be compared. The resulting difference will count toward the EU GHG target for the period 2021–2030. Here, we provide an overview of the contribution of forests and HWP to the EU carbon sink for the period 2021–2025 (proposed FRLs) and focus on the contribution of mountain forests to the EU carbon sink, through exploring co-benefits and adverse side effects between climate regulation and other ecosystem services.
Smartforests Canada: A Network of Monitoring Plots for Forest Management Under Environmental Change
Authors: Pappas Christoforos , Bélanger Nicolas , Bergeron Yves , Blarquez Olivier , Chen Han Y. H. , Comeau Philip G. , De Grandpré Louis , Delagrange Sylvain , DesRochers Annie , Diochon Amanda , D’Orangeville Loïc , Drapeau Pierre , Duchesne Louis , Filotas Elise , Gennaretti Fabio , Houle Daniel , Lafleur Benoit , Langor David , Lebel Desrosiers Simon , Lorenzetti Francois , Man Rongzhou , Messier Christian , Girona Miguel Montoro , Nock Charles , Thomas Barb R. , Work Timothy , Kneeshaw Daniel
Published: November 2021

Monitoring of forest response to gradual environmental changes or abrupt disturbances provides insights into how forested ecosystems operate and allows for quantification of forest health. In this chapter, we provide an overview ofSmartforestsCanada, a national-scale research network consisting of regional investigators who support a wealth of existing and new monitoring sites. The objectives ofSmartforestsare threefold: (1) establish and coordinate a network of high-precision monitoring plots across a 4400 km gradient of environmental and forest conditions, (2) synthesize the collected multivariate observations to examine the effects of global changes on complex above- and belowground forest dynamics and resilience, and (3) analyze the collected data to guide the development of the next-generation forest growth models and inform policy-makers on best forest management and adaptation strategies. We present the methodological framework implemented inSmartforeststo fulfill the aforementioned objectives. We then use an example from a temperate hardwoodSmartforestssite in Quebec to illustrate our approach for climate-smart forestry. We conclude by discussing how information from theSmartforestsnetwork can be integrated with existing data streams, from within Canada and abroad, guiding forest management and the development of climate change adaptation strategies.
Defining Climate-Smart Forestry
Authors: Weatherall Andrew , Nabuurs Gert-Jan , Velikova Violeta , Santopuoli Giovanni , Neroj Bożydar , Bowditch Euan , Temperli Christian , Binder Franz , Ditmarová L’ubica , Jamnická Gabriela , Lesinski Jerzy , Porta Nicola La , Pach Maciej , Panzacchi Pietro , Sarginci Murat , Serengil Yusuf , Tognetti Roberto
Published: November 2021

Climate-Smart Forestry (CSF) is a developing concept to help policymakers and practitioners develop focused forestry governance and management to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Within the EU COST Action CA15226, CLIMO (Climate-Smart Forestry in Mountain Regions), a CSF definition was developed considering three main pillars: (1) adaptation to climate change, (2) mitigation of climate change, and (3) the social dimension. Climate mitigation occurs through carbon (C) sequestration by trees, C storage in vegetation and soils, and C substitution by wood. However, present and future climate mitigation depends on the adaptation of trees, woods, and forests to adapt to climate change, which is also driven by societal change.

Criteria and Indicators (C & I) can be used to assess the climate smartness of forestry in different conditions, and over time. A suite of C & I that quantify the climate smartness of forestry practices has been developed by experts as guidelines for CSF. This chapter charts the development of this definition, presents initial feedback from forest managers across Europe, and discusses other gaps and uncertainties, as well as potential future perspectives for the further evolution of this concept.
Assessment of Indicators for Climate Smart Management in Mountain Forests
Authors: del Río M. , Pretzsch H. , Bončina A. , Avdagić A. , Bielak K. , Binder F. , Coll L. , Hilmers T. , Höhn M. , Kašanin-Grubin M. , Klopčič M. , Neroj B. , Pfatrisch M. , Stajić B. , Stimm K. , Uhl E.
Published: November 2021

This chapter addresses the concepts and methods to assess quantitative indicators of Climate-Smart Forestry (CSF) at stand and management unit levels. First, the basic concepts for developing a framework for assessing CSF were reviewed. The suitable properties of indicators and methods for normalization, weighting, and aggregation were summarized. The proposed conceptual approach considers the CSF assessment as an adaptive learning process, which integrates scientific knowledge and participatory approaches. Then, climate smart indicators were applied on long-term experimental plots to assess CSF of spruce-fir-beech mixed mountain forest. Redundancy and trade-offs between indicators, as well as their sensitivity to management regimes, were analyzed with the aim of improving the practicability of indicators. At the management unit level, the roles of indicators in the different phases of forest management planning were reviewed. A set of 56 indicators were used to assess their importance for management planning in four European countries. The results indicated that the most relevant indicators differed from the set of Pan-European indicators of sustainable forest management. Finally, we discussed results obtained and future challenges, including the following: (i) how to strengthen indicator selections and CSF assessment at stand level, (ii) the potential integration of CSF indicators into silvicultural guidelines, and (iii) the main challenges for integrating indicators into climate-smart forest planning.
Smart Harvest Operations and Timber Processing for Improved Forest Management
Authors: Picchi G. , Sandak J. , Grigolato S. , Panzacchi P. , Tognetti R.
Published: November 2021

Climate-smart forestry can be regarded as the evolution of traditional silviculture. As such, it must rely on smart harvesting equipment and techniques for a reliable and effective application. The introduction of sensors and digital information technologies in forest inventories, operation planning, and work execution enables the achievement of the desired results and provides a range of additional opportunities and data. The latter may help to better understand the results of management options on forest health, timber quality, and many other applications. The introduction of intelligent forest machines may multiply the beneficial effect of digital data gathered for forest monitoring and management, resulting in forest harvesting operations being more sustainable in terms of costs and environment. The interaction can be pushed even further by including the timber processing industry, which assesses physical and chemical characteristics of wood with sensors to optimize the transformation process. With the support of an item-level traceability system, the same data could provide a formidable contribution to CSF. The “memory” of wood could support scientists to understand the response of trees to climate-induced stresses and to design accordingly an adaptive silviculture, contributing to forest resilience in the face of future changes due to human-induced climate alteration.
Global Schauder Estimates for the $$\mathbf {p}$$-Laplace System
Authors: Breit D. , Cianchi A. , Diening L. , Schwarzacher S.
Published: November 2021

An optimal first-order global regularity theory, in spaces of functions defined in terms of oscillations, is established for solutions to Dirichlet problems for thep-Laplace equation and system, with the right-hand side in divergence form. The exact mutual dependence among the regularity of the solution, of the datum on the right-hand side, and of the boundary of the domain in these spaces is exhibited. A comprehensive formulation of our results is given in terms of Campanato seminorms. New regularity results in customary function spaces, such as Hölder,$$\text {BMO}$$BMOand$${{\,\mathrm{VMO}\,}}$$VMOspaces, follow as a consequence. Importantly, the conclusions are new even in the linear case when$$p=2$$p=2, and hence the differential operator is the plain Laplacian. Yet in this classical linear setting, our contribution completes and augments the celebrated Schauder theory in Hölder spaces. A distinctive trait of our results is their sharpness, which is demonstrated by a family of apropos examples.
Diophantine approximation as Cosmic Censor for Kerr–AdS black holes
Authors: Kehle Christoph
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this paper is to show an unexpected connection between Diophantine approximation and the behavior of waves on black hole interiors with negative cosmological constant $$\Lambda <0$$

Λ
<
0

and explore the consequences of this for the Strong Cosmic Censorship conjecture in general relativity. We study linear scalar perturbations $$\psi $$
ψ
of Kerr–AdS solving $$\Box _g\psi -\frac{2}{3}\Lambda \psi =0$$

□
g

ψ
-

2
3

Λ
ψ
=
0

with reflecting boundary conditions imposed at infinity. Understanding the behavior of $$\psi $$
ψ
at the Cauchy horizon corresponds to a linear analog of the problem of Strong Cosmic Censorship. Our main result shows that if the dimensionless black hole parameters mass $${\mathfrak {m}} = M \sqrt{-\Lambda }$$

m
=
M

-
Λ

and angular momentum $${\mathfrak {a}} = a \sqrt{-\Lambda }$$

a
=
a

-
Λ

satisfy a certain non-Diophantine condition, then perturbations $$\psi $$
ψ
arising from generic smooth initial data blow up $$|\psi |\rightarrow +\infty $$

|
ψ
|
→
+
∞

at the Cauchy horizon. The proof crucially relies on a novel resonance phenomenon between stable trapping on the black hole exterior and the poles of the interior scattering operator that gives rise to a small divisors problem. Our result is in stark contrast to the result on Reissner–Nordström–AdS (Kehle in Commun Math Phys 376(1):145–200, 2020) as well as to previous work on the analogous problem for $$\Lambda \ge 0$$

Λ
≥
0

—in both cases such linear scalar perturbations were shown to remain bounded. As a result of the non-Diophantine condition, the set of parameters $${\mathfrak {m}}, {\mathfrak {a}}$$

m
,
a

for which we show blow-up forms a Baire-generic but Lebesgue-exceptional subset of all parameters below the Hawking–Reall bound. On the other hand, we conjecture that for a set of parameters $${\mathfrak {m}}, {\mathfrak {a}} $$

m
,
a

which is Baire-exceptional but Lebesgue-generic, all linear scalar perturbations remain bounded at the Cauchy horizon $$|\psi |\le C$$

|
ψ
|
≤
C

. This suggests that the validity of the $$C^0$$

C
0

-formulation of Strong Cosmic Censorship for $$\Lambda <0$$

Λ
<
0

may change in a spectacular way according to the notion of genericity imposed.
How shearwaters prey. New insights in foraging behaviour and marine foraging associations using bird-borne video cameras
Authors: Michel Lucie , Cianchetti-Benedetti Marco , Catoni Carlo , Dell’Omo Giacomo
Published: November 2021

Conventional bio-logging techniques used for ethological studies of seabirds have their limitations when studying detailed behaviours at sea. This study uses animal-borne video cameras to reveal fine-scale behaviours, associations with conspecifics and other species and interactions with fishery vessels during foraging of a Mediterranean seabird. The study was conducted on Scopoli's shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) breeding in Linosa island (35°51′33″ N; 12°51′34″ E) during summer 2020. Foraging events were video recorded from a seabirds' view with lightweight cameras attached to the birds' back. Foraging always occurred in association with other shearwaters. Competitive events between shearwaters were observed, and their frequency was positively correlated to the number of birds in the foraging aggregation. Associations with tunas and sea turtles have been frequent observations at natural foraging sites. During foraging events, video recordings allowed observations of fine-scale behaviours, which would have remained unnoticed with conventional tracking devices. Foraging events could be categorised by prey type into “natural prey” and “fishery discards”. Analysis of the video footage suggests behavioural differences between the two prey type categories. Those differences suggest that the foraging effort between natural prey and fishery discards consumption can vary, which adds new arguments to the discussion about energy trade-offs and choice of foraging strategy. These observations highlight the importance of combining tracking technologies to obtain a complete picture of the at-sea behaviours of seabirds, which is essential for understanding the impact of foraging strategies and seabird-fishery interactions.

Graphical abstract
Icing the Pain–Ultrasound-Guided Cryoablation of Symptomatic Post-Amputation Stump Neuroma
Authors: von Falck C. , Orgel M. , Wacker F. , Aschoff H. H. , Krettek C. , Ringe K. I.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To assess the feasibility and outcome of ultrasound-guided cryoablation in patients with a sensitized stump neuroma after limb amputation.

Material and Methods

Seven patients (3 females, 4 males; mean age 42 years) were included in this retrospective study. Ultrasound-guided cryoablation of a previously identified painful stump neuroma was performed. Pain was assessed on the visual analogue scale (VAS) and compared before and after cryoablation (Wilcoxon Test). The degree of pain alleviation was correlated with patient age, duration of pain before ablation and time interval between amputation and ablation (Spearman correlation). A p-value less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.

Results

Nine cryoablations were performed for 8 neuromas. Technical success was 100%, there were no major complications. Mean follow-up was 27 months. There was a statistically significant decrease of pain from mean 8.3 / 10 (baseline) to 4 /10 (on day one), 2.1 / 10 (at one week) and 3 / 10 (at last follow-up) (p < 0.05). Patient satisfaction with cryoablation treatment was very high (median score 70 / 100).

Conclusion

In our small population observational study, ultrasound-guided cryoablation of a sensitized stump neuroma was effective and safe for pain alleviation with very good long-term results.

Level of Evidence

Level 2, Observational study with dramatic effect
Endoscopic vacuum therapy for the treatment of colorectal leaks — a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kühn Florian , Schardey Josefine , Wirth Ulrich , Schiergens Tobias , Crispin Alexander , Beger Nicola , Andrade Dorian , Drefs Moritz , Zimmermann Petra , Burian Maria , Andrassy Joachim , Werner Jens
Published: November 2021

Background

During the last two decades, vacuum-assisted wound therapy has been successfully transferred to an endoscopic treatment approach of various upper and lower gastrointestinal leaks called endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT). As mostly small case series are published in this field, the aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EVT in the treatment of colorectal leaks.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed and Cochrane databases was performed using search terms related to EVT and colorectal defects (anastomotic leakage, rectal stump insufficiency) according to the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and case series published by December 2020 were eligible for inclusion. A meta-analysis was conducted on the success of EVT, stoma reversal rate after EVT as well as procedure-related complications. Statistical interferences were based on pooled estimates from random effects models using DerSimonian-Laird estimator.

Results

Only data from observational studies and case series were available. Twenty-four studies reporting on 690 patients with colorectal defects undergoing EVT were included. The mean rate of success was 81.4% (95% CI: 74.0%–87.1%). The proportion of diverted patients was 76.4% (95% CI: 64.9%–85.0%). The mean rate of ostomy reversal across the studies was 66.7% (95% CI: 58.0%–74.4%). Sixty-four patients were reported with EVT-associated complications, the weighted mean complication rate across the studies was 12.1% (95% CI: 9.7%–15.2%).

Conclusions

Current medical evidence on EVT in patients with colorectal leaks lacks high quality data from RCTs. Based on the data available, EVT can be seen as a feasible treatment option with manageable risks for selected patients with colorectal leaks.
Betaine in ameliorating alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis
Authors: Rehman Aisha , Mehta Kosha J.
Published: November 2021

Alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD) is one of most common chronic liver diseases. Hepatic steatosis is the earliest stage in AALD pathological spectrum, reversible by alcohol abstinence. Untreated steatosis can progress to steatohepatitis, fibrosis and/or cirrhosis. Considering the difficulties in achieving complete abstinence, challenges in disease reversal at advanced stages, high costs of AALD management and lack of standardised prescribed medications for treatment, it is essential to explore low-cost natural compounds that can target AALD at an early stage and halt or decelerate disease progression. Betaine is a non-hazardous naturally occurring nutrient. Here, we address the mechanisms of alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis, the role of betaine in reversing the effects i.e., its action against hepatic steatosis in animal models and humans, and the associated cellular and molecular processes. Accordingly, the review discusses how betaine restores the alcohol-induced reduction in methylation potential by elevating the levels of S-adenosylmethionine and methionine. It details how betaine reinstates alcohol-induced alterations in the expressions and/or activities of protein phosphtase-2A, FOXO1, PPAR-α, AMPK, SREBP-1c, fatty acid synthase, diacylglycerol transferase-2, adiponectin and nitric oxide. Interrelationships between these factors in preventing de novo lipogenesis, reducing hepatic uptake of adipose-tissue-derived free fatty acids, promoting VLDL synthesis and secretion, and restoring β-oxidation of fatty acids to attenuate hepatic triglyceride accumulation are elaborated. Despite its therapeutic potential, very few clinical trials have examined betaine’s effect on alcohol-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. This review will provide further confidence to conduct randomised control trials to enable maximum utilisation of betaine’s remedial properties to treat alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis.
Clinical phenotype modulates brain’s myelin and iron content in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Roggenhofer Elisabeth , Toumpouli Evdokia , Seeck Margitta , Wiest Roland , Lutti Antoine , Kherif Ferath , Novy Jan , Rossetti Andrea O. , Draganski Bogdan
Published: November 2021

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is associated with brain pathology extending beyond temporal lobe structures. We sought to look for informative patterns of brain tissue properties in TLE that go beyond the established morphometry differences. We hypothesised that volume differences, particularly in hippocampus, will be paralleled by changes in brain microstructure. The cross-sectional study included TLE patients (n = 25) from a primary care center and sex-/age-matched healthy controls (n = 55). We acquired quantitative relaxometry-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data yielding whole-brain maps of grey matter volume, magnetization transfer (MT) saturation, and effective transverse relaxation rate R2* indicative for brain tissue myelin and iron content. For statistical analysis, we used the computational anatomy framework of voxel-based morphometry and voxel-based quantification. There was a positive correlation between seizure activity and MT saturation measures in the ipsilateral hippocampus, paralleled by volume differences bilaterally. Disease duration correlated positively with iron content in the mesial temporal lobe, while seizure freedom was associated with a decrease of iron in the very same region. Our findings demonstrate the link between TLE clinical phenotype and brain anatomy beyond morphometry differences to show the impact of disease burden on specific tissue properties. We provide direct evidence for the differential effect of clinical phenotype characteristics on processes involving tissue myelin and iron in mesial temporal lobe structures. This study offers a proof-of-concept for the investigation of novel imaging biomarkers in focal epilepsy.