bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clarifying transfer function approximations for the large-scale gravitational wave background in ΛCDM
Authors: Kite Thomas , Chluba Jens , Ravenni Andrea , Patil Subodh P
Published: October 2021

The primordial gravitational wave background (GWB) offers an exciting future avenue of discovery for new physics. Its information content encodes multiple eras in the early Universe’s history, corresponding to many orders of magnitude in frequency and physical scale to be measured today. By numerically solving for the GW transfer functions we provide simple yet accurate formulas describing the average power of the large-scale energy spectrum of the GWB for arbitrary primordial tensor power spectra. In doing so, we can pedagogically explain and clarify previous GWB literature, highlight the important cosmological parameters of various GWB features, and reveal multiple ways in which cancelling conceptual errors can give deceptively accurate results. The scales considered here are particularly important for CMB probes of the GWB, via B-modes and spectral distortions. In particular, we carefully study the effects of both neutrino damping, and the precise nature of the transition between the radiation-dominated (RD) and matter-dominated (MD) eras. A byproduct of numerically solving the problem is the ability to study the robustness of common approximations in the literature. Specifically, we show that a numerical treatment is especially important around the RD–MD transition, and for a brief moment of history where neutrino damping occurs during MD. In passing, we also discuss the effects of late acceleration caused by dark energy – showing that this can be neglected in most practical GWB applications – and the effects of changing relativistic degrees of freedom on the GWB at very small scales.
Fast cooling and internal heating in hyperon stars
Authors: Anzuini F , Melatos A , Dehman C , Viganò D , Pons J A
Published: October 2021

Neutron star models with maximum mass close to 2 M⊙ reach high central densities, which may activate nucleonic and hyperon direct Urca neutrino emission. To alleviate the tension between fast theoretical cooling rates and thermal luminosity observations of moderately magnetized, isolated thermally-emitting stars (with Lγ ≳ 1031 erg s−1 at t ≳ 105.3 yr), some internal heating source is required. The power supplied by the internal heater is estimated for both a phenomenological source in the inner crust and Joule heating due to magnetic field decay, assuming different superfluidity models and compositions of the outer stellar envelope. It is found that a thermal power of W(t) ≈ 1034 erg s−1 allows neutron star models to match observations of moderately magnetized, isolated stars with ages t ≳ 105.3 yr. The requisite W(t) can be supplied by Joule heating due to crust-confined initial magnetic configurations with (i) mixed poloidal-toroidal fields, with surface strength Bdip = 1013 G at the pole of the dipolar poloidal component and ∼90 per cent of the magnetic energy stored in the toroidal component; and (ii) poloidal-only configurations with Bdip = 1014 G.
Neurovascular, Muscle, and Skin Changes on [18F]FDG PET/MRI in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of the Foot: A Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Yoon Daehyun , Xu Yingding , Cipriano Peter W , Alam Israt S , Mari Aparici Carina , Tawfik Vivianne L , Curtin Catherine M , Carroll Ian R , Biswal Sandip
Published: October 2021

Objective

The goal of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for noninvasive visualization of muscular, neurovascular, and skin changes secondary to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Subjects

Seven adult patients with CRPS of the foot and seven healthy adult controls participated in our [18F]FDG PET/MRI study.

Methods

All participants received whole-body PET/MRI scans 1 hour after the injection of 370MBq [18F]FDG. Resulting PET/MRI images were reviewed by two radiologists. Metabolic and anatomic abnormalities identified, were grouped into muscular, neurovascular, and skin lesions. The [18F]FDG uptake of each lesion was compared with that of corresponding areas in controls using a Mann-Whitney U-test.

Results

On PET images, muscular abnormalities were found in five patients, neurovascular abnormalities in four patients, and skin abnormalities in two patients. However, on MRI images, no muscular abnormalities were detected. Neurovascular abnormalities and skin abnormalities in the affected limb were identified on MRI in one and two patients, respectively. The difference in [18F]FDG uptake between the patients and the controls was significant in muscle (P = .018) and neurovascular bundle (P = .0005).

Conclusions

The increased uptake of [18F]FDG in the symptomatic areas likely reflects the increased metabolism due to the inflammatory response causing pain. Therefore, our approach combining metabolic [18F]FDG PET and anatomic MR imaging may offer noninvasive monitoring of the distribution and progression of inflammatory changes associated with CRPS.
A comparison of modelling the spatio-temporal pattern of disease: a case study of schistosomiasis japonica in Anhui Province, China
Authors: Su Qing , Bergquist Robert , Ke Yongwen , Dai Jianjun , He Zonggui , Gao Fenghua , Zhang Zhijie , Hu Yi
Published: October 2021

The construction of spatio-temporal models can be either descriptive or dynamic. In this study we aim to evaluate the differences in model fitting between a descriptive model and a dynamic model of the transmission for intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum in Guichi, Anhui Province, China. The parasitological data at the village level from 1991 to 2014 were obtained by cross-sectional surveys. We used the fixed rank kriging (FRK) model, a descriptive model, and the integro-differential equation (IDE) model, a dynamic model, to explore the space–time changes of schistosomiasis japonica. In both models, the average daily precipitation and the normalized difference vegetation index are significantly positively associated with schistosomiasis japonica prevalence, while the distance to water bodies, the hours of daylight and the land surface temperature at daytime were significantly negatively associated. The overall root mean square prediction error of the IDE and FRK models was 0.0035 and 0.0054, respectively, and the correlation reflected by Pearson's correlation coefficient between the predicted and observed values for the IDE model (0.71; p<0.01) was larger than that for the FRK model (0.53; p=0.02). The IDE model fits better in capturing the geographic variation of schistosomiasis japonica. Dynamic spatio-temporal models have the advantage of quantifying the process of disease transmission and may provide more accurate predictions.
Comparison of Mineral Oil, Insecticidal, and Biopesticide Spraying Regimes for Reducing Spread of Three Potato virus Y Strains in Potato Crops
Authors: MacKenzie Tyler D. B. , Nie Xianzhou , Singh Mathuresh
Published: October 2021

In-field management of Potato virus Y (PVY) faces challenges caused by the changing availability and environmental acceptability of chemical agents to control aphid vectors of the virus and by proliferation of PVY strains with different symptoms and rates of spread. From 2018 to 2020, foliar spray treatments were compared in field experiments in New Brunswick, Canada, to measure effectiveness at reducing spread of PVYO, PVYN:O, and PVYNTN strains. Mineral oil, insecticide, combined oil and insecticide spray, and a biopesticide (i.e., LifeGard WG) were compared. Insecticide-only and mineral oil–only treatments were not effective, but several combined oil and insecticide treatments and biopesticide treatments significantly reduced PVY spread. The biopesticide was proportionately more effective with recombinant PVYN:O and PVYNTN strains, possibly by exciting the plant’s hypersensitive resistance response, caused naturally only in cultivar ‘Goldrush’ by PVYO. Pesticide residue analysis showed that mineral oil increased the retention of pyrethroid insecticide in the potato foliage longer than with insecticide applied alone, which may explain the beneficial synergistic effect of combined sprays for reducing PVY spread. Tuber yields were generally unchanged in chemical insecticide treatments but were slightly lower in biopesticide treatment. The cost per PVY treatment was competitive across all effective treatments, including biopesticide; however, there was some revenue loss from lower yield with the biopesticide. This biopesticide is certified organic, however, and thus a small premium on the price for organic production could offset this yield deficit.
A Comparison of BREAST-Q Scores between Prepectoral and Subpectoral Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Le Nicole K. , Persing Sarah , Dinis Jacob , Gabrick Kyle S. , Wu Robin T. , Sinnott Catherine J. , Avraham Tomer , Young Anke Ott , Alperovich Michael
Published: October 2021

Background:

Subpectoral breast implant placement has in recent history predominated in breast reconstruction, but there has been more recent adoption of prepectoral implant reconstruction. There has been limited study to date of patient-reported outcomes comparing the two techniques.

Methods:

Patients who underwent direct-to-implant breast reconstruction between 2013 and 2018 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Eligible patients were asked to complete BREAST-Q domains comparing quality of life and satisfaction. Descriptive, t test, chi-square test, and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to compare BREAST-Q scores. Significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05.

Results:

There were 64 patients (114 breasts) who underwent prepectoral reconstruction and 37 patients (68 breasts) who underwent subpectoral reconstruction. Among the 101 women (182 breasts), there were no significant differences between BREAST-Q scores and implant position for the Satisfaction with Breasts domain (adjusted p = 0.819), Psychosocial Well-being domain (adjusted p = 0.206), or Physical Well-being Chest domain (adjusted p = 0.110). The subpectoral implant cohort was associated with higher scores, 53 versus 47, for the Sexual Well-being module (adjusted p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

Patients undergoing direct-to-implant breast reconstruction had comparable BREAST-Q satisfaction scores for most modules regardless of implant plane. The subpectoral implant cohort scored higher for sexual well-being.
Randomized Clinical Trial of the Accuracy of Patient-Specific Implants versus CAD/CAM Splints in Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Li Biao , Wei Hongpu , Jiang Tengfei , Qian Yifeng , Zhang Tianjia , Yu Hongbo , Zhang Lei , Wang Xudong
Published: October 2021

Background:

The maxilla position is essential for the aesthetic and functional outcomes of orthognathic surgery. Previous studies demonstrated the advantages of patient-specific implants in orthognathic surgery. However, more data are needed to confirm the superiority of patient-specific implants over surgical splints created with computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the accuracy of patient-specific implants and CAD/CAM splints for maxilla repositioning in orthognathic surgery.

Methods:

Patients (n = 64) who required orthognathic surgery were randomly assigned to use either patient-specific implants (patient-specific implant group) or CAD/CAM surgical splints (splint group) to reposition the maxilla. The outcome evaluation was completed by comparing virtual plans with actual results. The primary outcome was the discrepancies of the centroid position of the maxilla. Other translation and orientation discrepancies of the maxilla were also assessed.

Results:

The authors analyzed 27 patients in the patient-specific implant group and 31 in the splint group. The maxilla position discrepancy was 1.41 ± 0.58 mm in the patient-specific implant group and 2.20 ± 0.94 mm in the splint group; the between-group difference was significant (p < 0.001). For the patient-specific implant group, the largest translation discrepancy was 1.02 ± 0.66 mm in the anteroposterior direction, and the largest orientation discrepancy was 1.85 ± 1.42 degrees in pitch. For the splint group, the largest translation discrepancy was 1.23 ± 0.93 mm in the mediolateral direction, and the largest orientation discrepancy was 1.72 ± 1.56 degrees in pitch.

Conclusion:

The result showed that using patient-specific implants in orthognathic surgery resulted in a more accurate maxilla position than CAD/CAM surgical splints.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, I.
Microanatomy of the Frontal Branch of the Facial Nerve: The Role of Nerve Caliber and Axonal Capacity
Authors: Ruewe Marc , Engelmann Simon , Huang Chi W. , Klein Silvan M. , Anker Alexandra M. , Lamby Philipp , Bleys Ronald L. A. W. , Tamm Ernst R. , Prantl Lukas , Kehrer Andreas
Published: October 2021

Background:

A commonly seen issue in facial palsy patients is brow ptosis caused by paralysis of the frontalis muscle powered by the frontal branch of the facial nerve. Predominantly, static methods are used for correction. Functional restoration concepts include the transfer of the deep temporal branch of the trigeminal nerve and cross-facial nerve grafts. Both techniques can neurotize the original mimic muscles in early cases or power muscle transplants in late cases. Because axonal capacity is particularly important in cross-facial nerve graft procedures, the authors investigated the microanatomical features of the frontal branch to provide the basis for its potential use and to ease intraoperative donor nerve selection.

Methods:

Nerve biopsy specimens from 106 fresh-frozen cadaver facial halves were obtained. Histologic processing and digitalization were followed by nerve morphometric analysis and semiautomated axon quantification.

Results:

The frontal branch showed a median of three fascicles (n = 100; range, one to nine fascicles). A mean axonal capacity of 1191 ± 668 axons (range, 186 to 3539 axons; n = 88) and an average cross-sectional diameter of 1.01 ± 0.26 mm (range, 0.43 to 1.74 mm; n = 67) were noted. In the linear regression model, diameter and axonal capacity demonstrated a positive relation (n = 57; r
2 = 0.32; p < 0.001). Based on that equation, a nerve measuring 1 mm is expected to carry 1339 axons.

Conclusion:

The authors’ analysis on the microanatomy of the frontal branch could promote clinical use of cross-facial nerve graft procedures in frontalis muscle neurotization and free muscle transplantations.
Speciation in the deep: genomics and morphology reveal a new species of beaked whaleMesoplodon eueu
Authors: Carroll Emma L. , McGowen Michael R. , McCarthy Morgan L. , Marx Felix G. , Aguilar Natacha , Dalebout Merel L. , Dreyer Sascha , Gaggiotti Oscar E. , Hansen Sabine S. , van Helden Anton , Onoufriou Aubrie B. , Baird Robin W. , Baker C. Scott , Berrow Simon , Cholewiak Danielle , Claridge Diane , Constantine Rochelle , Davison Nicholas J. , Eira Catarina , Fordyce R. Ewan , Gatesy John , Hofmeyr G. J. Greg , Martín Vidal , Mead James G. , Mignucci-Giannoni Antonio A. , Morin Phillip A. , Reyes Cristel , Rogan Emer , Rosso Massimiliano , Silva Mónica A. , Springer Mark S. , Steel Debbie , Olsen Morten Tange
Published: October 2021

The deep sea has been described as the last major ecological frontier, as much of its biodiversity is yet to be discovered and described. Beaked whales (ziphiids) are among the most visible inhabitants of the deep sea, due to their large size and worldwide distribution, and their taxonomic diversity and much about their natural history remain poorly understood. We combine genomic and morphometric analyses to reveal a new Southern Hemisphere ziphiid species, Ramari's beaked whale,Mesoplodon eueu, whose name is linked to the Indigenous peoples of the lands from which the species holotype and paratypes were recovered. Mitogenome and ddRAD-derived phylogenies demonstrate reciprocally monophyletic divergence betweenM. eueuand True's beaked whale (M. mirus) from the North Atlantic, with which it was previously subsumed. Morphometric analyses of skulls also distinguish the two species. A time-calibrated mitogenome phylogeny and analysis of two nuclear genomes indicate divergence begancirca2 million years ago (Ma), with geneflow ceasing 0.35–0.55 Ma. This is an example of how deep sea biodiversity can be unravelled through increasing international collaboration and genome sequencing of archival specimens. Our consultation and involvement with Indigenous peoples offers a model for broadening the cultural scope of the scientific naming process.
Red-green opponency in the long visual fibre photoreceptors of brushfoot butterflies (Nymphalidae)
Authors: Belušič Gregor , Ilić Marko , Meglič Andrej , Pirih Primož
Published: October 2021

In many butterflies, the ancestral trichromatic insect colour vision, based on UV-, blue- and green-sensitive photoreceptors, is extended with red-sensitive cells. Physiological evidence for red receptors has been missing in nymphalid butterflies, although some species can discriminate red hues well. In eight species from genera
Archaeoprepona, Argynnis, Charaxes, Danaus, Melitaea, Morpho, Heliconius
and
Speyeria
, we found a novel class of green-sensitive photoreceptors that have hyperpolarizing responses to stimulation with red light. These green-positive, red-negative (G+R–) cells are allocated to positions R1/2, normally occupied by UV and blue-sensitive cells. Spectral sensitivity, polarization sensitivity and temporal dynamics suggest that the red opponent units (R–) are the basal photoreceptors R9, interacting with R1/2 in the same ommatidia via direct inhibitory synapses. We found the G+R– cells exclusively in butterflies with red-shining ommatidia, which contain longitudinal screening pigments. The implementation of the red colour channel with R9 is different from pierid and papilionid butterflies, where cells R5–8 are the red receptors. The nymphalid red-green opponent channel and the potential for tetrachromacy seem to have been switched on several times during evolution, balancing between the cost of neural processing and the value of extended colour information.
Hearing, echolocation, and beam steering from day 0 in tongue-clicking bats
Authors: Smarsh Grace C. , Tarnovsky Yifat , Yovel Yossi
Published: October 2021

Little is known about the ontogeny of lingual echolocation. We examined the echolocation development ofRousettus aegyptiacus, the Egyptian fruit bat, which uses rapid tongue movements to produce hyper-short clicks and steer the beam's direction. We recorded from day 0 to day 35 postbirth and assessed hearing and beam-steering abilities. On day 0,R. aegyptiacuspups emit isolation calls and hyper-short clicks in response to acoustic stimuli, demonstrating hearing. Auditory brainstem response recordings show that pups are sensitive to pure tones of the main hearing range of adultRousettusand to brief clicks. Newborn pups produced clicks in the adult paired pattern and were able to use their tongues to steer the sonar beam. As they aged, pups produced click pairs faster, converging with adult intervals by age of first flights (7–8 weeks). In contrast with laryngeal bats,Rousettusecholocation frequency and duration are stable through to day 35, but shift by the time pups begin to fly, possibly owing to tongue-diet maturation effects. Furthermore, frequency and duration shift in the opposite direction of mammalian laryngeal vocalizations.Rousettuslingual echolocation thus appears to be a highly functional sensory system from birth and follows a different ontogeny from that of laryngeal bats.
Risk of herbivory negatively correlates with the diversity of volatile emissions involved in plant communication
Authors: Grof-Tisza Patrick , Karban Richard , Rasheed Muhammad Usman , Saunier Amélie , Blande James D.
Published: October 2021

Plant-to-plant volatile-mediated communication and subsequent induced resistance to insect herbivores is common. Less clear is the adaptive significance of these interactions; what selective mechanisms favour plant communication and what conditions allow individuals to benefit by both emitting and responding to cues? We explored the predictions of two non-exclusive hypotheses to explain why plants might emit cues, the kin selection hypothesis (KSH) and the mutual benefit hypothesis (MBH). We examined 15 populations of sagebrush that experience a range of naturally occurring herbivory along a 300 km latitudinal transect. As predicted by the KSH, we found several uncommon chemotypes with some chemotypes occurring only within a single population. Consistent with the MBH, chemotypic diversity was negatively correlated with herbivore pressure; sites with higher levels of herbivory were associated with a few common cues broadly recognized by most individuals. These cues varied among different populations. Our results are similar to those reported for anti-predator signalling in vertebrates.
Emergence and radiation of distemper viruses in terrestrial and marine mammals
Authors: Stokholm Iben , Puryear Wendy , Sawatzki Kaitlin , Knudsen Steen Wilhelm , Terkelsen Thilde , Becher Paul , Siebert Ursula , Olsen Morten Tange
Published: October 2021

Canine distemper virus (CDV) and phocine distemper virus (PDV) are major pathogens to terrestrial and marine mammals. Yet little is known about the timing and geographical origin of distemper viruses and to what extent it was influenced by environmental change and human activities. To address this, we (i) performed the first comprehensive time-calibrated phylogenetic analysis of the two distemper viruses, (ii) mapped distemper antibody and virus detection data from marine mammals collected between 1972 and 2018, and (iii) compiled historical reports on distemper dating back to the eighteenth century. We find that CDV and PDV diverged in the early seventeenth century. Modern CDV strains last shared a common ancestor in the nineteenth century with a marked radiation during the 1930s–1950s. Modern PDV strains are of more recent origin, diverging in the 1970s–1980s. Based on the compiled information on distemper distribution, the diverse host range of CDV and basal phylogenetic placement of terrestrial morbilliviruses, we hypothesize a terrestrial CDV-like ancestor giving rise to PDV in the North Atlantic. Moreover, given the estimated timing of distemper origin and radiation, we hypothesize a prominent role of environmental change such as the Little Ice Age, and human activities like globalization and war in distemper virus evolution.
Pseudomonas schmalbachii sp. nov., isolated from the gut of a millipede (Trigoniulus corallinus) from a coconut tree
Authors: Shelomi Matan , Chen Wen-Ming , Chen Hsin-Kuang , Lee Hsin-Ying , Young Chiu-Chung , Lin Shih-Yao , Liaw Shwu-Jen
Published: October 2021

During an investigation of microbes associated with arthropods living in decaying coconut trees, a

Pseudomonas

isolate, Milli4T, was cultured from the digestive tract of the common Asian millipede, Trigoniulus corallinus. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes found that Milli4T was closely related but not identical to

Pseudomonas panipatensis

Esp-1T, Pseudomonas knackmussi B13T and

Pseudomonas humi

CCA1T. Whole genome sequencing suggested that this isolate represents a new species, with average nucleotide identity (OrthoANIu) values of around 83.9–87.7% with its closest relatives. Genome-to-genome distance calculations between Milli4T and its closest relatives also suggested they are distinct species. The genomic DNA G+C content of Milli4T was approximately 65.0 mol%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterization and fatty acid methyl ester analysis was performed on Milli4T and its related type strains. Based on these data, the new species Pseudomonas schmalbachii sp. nov. is proposed, and the type strain is Milli4T (=BCRC 81294T=JCM 34414T=CIP 111980T).
Association between asthma and suicidality in 9-11-year-old children
Authors: Hoffman Kevin W. , Visoki Elina , Argabright Stirling T. , Didomenico Grace E. , Chaiyachati Barbara H. , Moore Tyler M. , Barzilay Ran
Published: October 2021

Background

Suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB) in children are a growing health concern, and more data is needed regarding their biological underpinnings. Immune processes such as inflammation have been associated with STB, primarily in adults. Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disorder in children and has been associated with STB in adolescent and adult populations, but data in children is lacking. We wished to study associations of asthma with childhood STB given asthma’s potential as a clinically relevant model for childhood chronic immune dysregulation.

Methods

Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N=11,878, 52% males, mean age 9.9 years at baseline assessment and 10.9 years at 1-year follow up), we assessed associations between asthma and STB at both baseline and 1-year follow up.

Results

We found that asthma at baseline assessment (n=2,214, 18.6%) is associated with STB, controlling for multiple confounders including demographics, socioeconomic factors and environmental confounders such as air pollution (odds ratio (OR)=1.2, 95%CI 1.01-1.42, P=0.039). Indicators of recently active asthma were not significantly associated with suicidality at baseline assessment (currently taking asthma medication: OR=1.22, 95%CI 0.93-1.60, P=0.146), or at 1-year follow up (past year asthma-related clinical visit: OR=1.13, 95%CI 0.87-1.47, P=0.357). Proxy-measures of asthma severity (number of asthma medications or clinical visits) did not reveal a significant dose response relationship with STB.

Conclusions

Findings suggest an association between history of asthma and STB in children, which may not be related to asthma disease state. Further research is needed to investigate mechanisms underlying this relationship.
Dementia and hearing-aid use: a two-way street
Authors: Naylor Graham , Dillard Lauren , Orrell Martin , Stephan Blossom , Zobay Oliver , Saunders Gabrielle
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Hearing-aid use may reduce risk of dementia, but cognitive impairment makes hearing-aid use more challenging. These two causal pathways may both manifest as an association between reduced hearing-aid use and incident dementia. This study examined the effects of each pathway separately, through a unique combination of longitudinal data regarding hearing, general health, dementia diagnoses and continuity of HA use.

Methods

Longitudinal health records data from 380,794 Veterans who obtained hearing aids from the US Veterans Affairs healthcare system were analysed. Analysis 1 (n=72,180) used logistic regression to model the likelihood of a dementia diagnosis at 3 year 6 months (3y6m) to 5 years post hearing-aid fitting for patients previously free of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Analysis 2 (n=350,918) modelled the likelihood of being a persistent hearing aid user at 3y2m after fitting, contrasting sub-groups with differing levels of cognitive function at the time of fitting. Models controlled for relevant predictors available in the dataset.

Results

In analysis 1, the adjusted OR for incident dementia was 0.73 (ci 0.66-0.81) for persistent (vs. non persistent) hearing-aid users. In analysis 2, the adjusted OR for hearing-aid use persistence was 0.46 (ci 0.43-0.48) in those with pre-existing dementia (vs. those remaining free of MCI and dementia).

Conclusion

The results indicate substantial effects from both causal pathways. Research studying protective effects of hearing-aid use against dementia needs to account for this. Clinically, hearing devices and hearing care processes must be accessible and usable for all, regardless of their level of cognitive function.
The contributions of cartilage endplate composition and vertebral bone marrow fat to intervertebral disc degeneration in patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: Bonnheim Noah B. , Wang Linshanshan , Lazar Ann A. , Zhou Jiamin , Chachad Ravi , Sollmann Nico , Guo Xiaojie , Iriondo Claudia , O’Neill Conor , Lotz Jeffery C. , Link Thomas M. , Krug Roland , Fields Aaron J.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The composition of the subchondral bone marrow and cartilage endplate (CEP) could affect intervertebral disc health by influencing vertebral perfusion and nutrient diffusion. However, the relative contributions of these factors to disc degeneration in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) have not been quantified. The goal of this study was to use compositional biomarkers derived from quantitative MRI to establish how CEP composition (surrogate for permeability) and vertebral bone marrow fat fraction (BMFF, surrogate for perfusion) relate to disc degeneration.

Methods

MRI data from 60 patients with cLBP were included in this prospective observational study (28 female, 32 male; age = 40.0 ± 11.9 years, 19–65 [mean ± SD, min–max]). Ultra-short echo-time MRI was used to calculate CEP T2* relaxation times (reflecting biochemical composition), water-fat MRI was used to calculate vertebral BMFF, and T1ρ MRI was used to calculate T1ρ relaxation times in the nucleus pulposus (NP T1ρ, reflecting proteoglycan content and degenerative grade). Univariate linear regression was used to assess the independent effects of CEP T2* and vertebral BMFF on NP T1ρ. Mixed effects multivariable linear regression accounting for age, sex, and BMI was used to assess the combined relationship between variables.

Results

CEP T2* and vertebral BMFF were independently associated with NP T1ρ (p = 0.003 and 0.0001, respectively). After adjusting for age, sex, and BMI, NP T1ρ remained significantly associated with CEP T2* (p = 0.0001) but not vertebral BMFF (p = 0.43).

Conclusion

Poor CEP composition may play a significant role in disc degeneration severity and can affect disc health both with and without deficits in vertebral perfusion.
Assessment of knowledge retention of healthcare staff through telephonic interview after training for rotavirus vaccine introduction in India
Authors: Quadri Syed F , Kaur Amanjot , Ray Arindam , Koshal Seema Singh , Shersiya Mayank , Haldar Pradeep , Kapur Sanjay , Haseeb Mohammed , Roy Arup Deb
Published: October 2021

Background

Studies have shown that while training has significant potential in improving the knowledge and skills of healthcare staff, the beneficial effect of training may decline with time. Studies have emphasized the role of assessment in understanding the relevance of the training structure and content and employing course correction as per the need. Besides, there is a lack of literature on the assessment of the level of knowledge retention among the participants. This study aims to conduct an assessment study to determine the level of knowledge retention.

Methods

The study was conducted among frontline health workers who received training on the rotavirus vaccine introduction. Assessments were conducted at a gap of one month and twelve months after the intervention. Simple percentages were used to compare the level of knowledge retention and McNemar’s chi-square test to determine P values.

Results

This is the first study conducted in India to assess the retention of knowledge 12 months after the new vaccine introduction training of health care professionals. The study comprised 41 participants who demonstrated an increase in the level of knowledge retention at the end of 1-month; however, a decline in the knowledge retention was seen at 12-months. For the issue of missed second dose among children who received the first dose, an increase in knowledge level and retention was observed.

Conclusion

The study results showed that a time-bound decline in knowledge retention occurs. The authors recommend regular monitoring, refresher training to supplement the primary training.
Monitoring reversion of hepatitis C virus-induced cellular alterations by direct-acting antivirals using cryo soft X-ray tomography and infrared microscopy
Authors: Perez-Berna Ana J. , Benseny-Cases Nuria , Rodríguez María José , Valcarcel Ricardo , Carrascosa José L. , Gastaminza Pablo , Pereiro Eva
Published: October 2021

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an enveloped RNA virus. One of the hallmarks of HCV infection is a rearrangement of the host cell membranes, known as the `membranous web'. Full-field cryo soft X-ray tomography (cryo-SXT) in the water-window energy range (284–543 eV) was performed on the MISTRAL beamline to investigate, in whole unstained cells, the morphology of the membranous rearrangements induced in HCV replicon-harbouring cells in conditions close to the living physiological state. All morphological alterations could be reverted by a combination of sofosbuvir/daclatasvir, which are clinically approved antivirals (direct-acting antivirals; DAAs) for HCV infection. Correlatively combining cryo-SXT and 2D synchrotron-based infrared microscopy provides critical information on the chemical nature of specific infection-related structures, which allows specific patterns of the infection process or the DAA-mediated healing process to be distinguished.
The effect of corporate social responsibility practices on tax avoidance: an empirical study in the French context
Authors: Chouaibi Jamel , Rossi Matteo , Abdessamed Nouha
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the negative impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR), business ethics and responsible corporate governance on tax avoidance within a sample of 119 French industrial companies from 2010 to 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the current hypotheses of this study, the authors applied linear regressions with panel data using the Thomson Reuters ASSET4 database from a sample of 119 French companies over the period of 2010–2019.

Findings

The results show that companies with no conduction of CSR activities are more aggressive in the avoidance of taxes than others, confirming the idea that CSR could be seen as a facet of corporate culture that affects business corporate tax avoidance.

Practical implications

The results have interesting implications for investors and other partners who are interested in the business. Thus, for the government, to develop financial transparency, the improvement of the means of legal action such as the tax administration and the support of the action of civil society are pivotal to strengthen the legitimacy of tax.

Originality/value

This work is one of the studies that examine the effect of CSR, ethics and responsible governance on tax avoidance.
Transformational learning for sustainability leadership – essential components in synergy
Authors: Bryant Jayne , Ayers James , Missimer Merlina , Broman Göran
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Transformative learning (TL) and leadership are key leverage points for supporting society’s transition toward sustainability. The purpose of this study is to identify essential components of TL within an international sustainability leadership master’s program in Sweden that has been described by many students as life-changing, empowering and transformational.

Design/methodology/approach

Alumni spanning 15 cohorts provided answers to a survey and the responses were used to map components of TL as experienced by the students.

Findings

The survey confirms the anecdotal assertions that the program is transformational. The findings suggest that community, place, pedagogy, concepts and content, disorientation and hope and agency are essential components, combined with the synergy of those into an integrated whole that support transformational change according to many respondents.

Originality/value

This study provides program designers and educators with suggested components and emphasizes their integration and synergy, to support TL experiences for sustainability leaders.
An analysis of the smoking debate ahead of Bernays’ “Torches of Freedom” campaign through the lens of the New York Times coverage (1870–1929)
Authors: Topić Martina
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the social debate on women, health and smoking in the New York Times from 1870 until 1929. The paper aimed to establish whether smoking for women was a form of oppression and whether it was publicly known that smoking is harmful in decades preceding the “Torches of Freedom” campaign run by Edward L. Bernays. This criticism for engineering women’s smoking, and thus harming women’s health up to today causes harm to the reputation of the public relations (PR) industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Articles were analysed per decade and a total of 294 articles from the New York Times was analysed. The coverage was analysed using two themes, smoking and health and women and smoking and discourse analysis have been carried out on articles in these themes to explore what was known of smoking and whether the social perception of women smoking was oppressive and could be seen as a woman’s issue that “Torches of Freedom” addressed.

Findings

Findings show that it was not known that cigarettes were harmful to health and that smoking can be seen as constituting part of women’s oppression in the US before the “Torches of Freedom” campaign. The oppression of women who smoked intensified during the 1920s and Bernays’ Torches of Freedom campaign directly addressed an existing social issue rather than engineering a campaign and manipulating women to start smoking.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the revolutionary potential in Bernays’ campaign. This could inspire researchers and consumers to keep on critically reflecting on PR campaigns while still appreciating any progressive agenda they might contribute to. Simultaneously, PR practitioners may take away from the article that a message of social relevance may just be more memorable than the advertised brand itself.

Originality/value

This paper engages with the coverage of the New York Times, a newspaper that is often mentioned in the context of the “Torches of Freedom” campaign success and explores in detail what the debate on smoking, health and women were in nearly 60 years preceding the much-criticised campaign.
Factors influencing the rate of formation of tree‐related microhabitats and implications for biodiversity conservation and forest management
Authors: Courbaud Benoit , Larrieu Laurent , Kozak Daniel , Kraus Daniel , Lachat Thibault , Ladet Sylvie , Müller Jörg , Paillet Yoan , Sagheb‐Talebi Khosro , Schuck Andreas , Stillhard Jonas , Svoboda Miroslav , Zudin Sergey
Published: October 2021

The retention of trees bearing tree‐related microhabitats (TreMs) has become an important means of conserving biodiversity in production forests. However, we lack estimates of TreM formation rates and evidence on factors driving TreM formation.

Based on the observation of 80,099 living trees from 19 species groups in Europe and Iran, we estimated the probability of TreM occurrence on trees and the associated rate of first TreM formation as a function of tree DBH, management, tree species group and random site effects. We built a separate model for each of 11 TreM groups.

The hazard rate of first TreM formation (defined as the probability of formation of a first TreM forming on a tree that is known to have none, during an infinitesimal DBH increment) increased with DBH for some TreM groups like breeding‐woodpecker‐hole, rot‐hole or root‐concavity, indicating an acceleration in TreM formation during tree growth. However, it decreased with DBH for TreM groups like bark‐loss or dendrotelm, indicating slower formation on very large trees. Most TreM groups had reduced formation rates in managed forests (last logging less than 100 years ago) compared to unmanaged forests (no logging for at least 100 years), with the exception of dendrotelms. No general difference appeared between broadleaves and conifers, but early‐successional species tended to have different TreMs than mid‐ and late‐successional species. Abies, Alnus, Betula, Fagus, Prunus, Quercus, Sorbus, Tilia and Ulmus displayed high formation rates for six TreM groups or more. Variability among sites was considerable.

Synthesis and applications. The rate of formation of tree‐related microhabitats (TreMs) varies greatly among TreM groups, tree species, locations, tree diameters at breast height and forest management. The high rate of formation of some TeM groups on small trees implies that tree retention for biodiversity should concern trees of all sizes and start as soon as thinning operations have occurred. Biodiversity conservation should value not only forest stands and trees that already have many TreMs but also those where the likelihood of future TreM formation is high due to species, maturity or local environmental conditions. The addition of quantitative models of TreM formation to forest stand dynamics simulators is necessary to better take into account biodiversity conservation in forest management.
Routine screening for hepatitis C in pregnancy is cost‐effective in a large urban population in Ireland: a retrospective study
Authors: McCormick CA , Domegan L , Carty PG , Drew R , McAuliffe FM , O’Donohoe O , White N , Garvey P , O’Grady M , De Gascun CF , McCormick PA
Published: October 2021

Objective

To investigate whether risk factor‐based screening in pregnancy is failing to identify women with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to assess the cost‐effectiveness of universal screening.

Design

Retrospective study and model‐based economic evaluation.

Setting

Two urban tertiary referral maternity units, currently using risk factor‐based screening for HCV infection.

Population

Pregnant women who had been tested for hepatitis B, HIV but not HCV.

Methods

Anonymised sera were tested for HCV antibody. Positive sera were tested for HCV antigen. A cost‐effectiveness analysis of a change to universal screening was performed using a Markov model to simulate disease progression and Monte Carlo simulations for probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Main outcome measures

Presence of HCV antigen and cost per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY).

Results

In all, 4655 samples were analysed. Twenty had HCV antibodies and five HCV antigen. This gives an active infection rate of 5/4655, or 0.11%, compared with a rate of 0.15% in the risk‐factor group. This prevalence is 65% lower than a previous study in the same hospitals from 2001 to 2005. The calculated incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) for universal screening was €3,315 per QALY gained.

Conclusion

This study showed that the prevalence of HCV infection in pregnant women in the Dublin region has declined by 65% over the past two decades. Risk factor‐based screening misses a significant proportion of infections. A change to universal maternal screening for hepatitis C would be cost‐effective in our population.

Tweetable abstract

Universal maternal screening for hepatitis C is cost‐effective in this urban Irish population.
Rates of obstetric anal sphincter injuries among immigrant women
Authors: Marschalek M‐L
Published: October 2021

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on Sorbye et al., pp. 423–431 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16985
Faecal microbiota transplantation‐mediated jejunal microbiota changes halt high‐fat diet‐induced obesity in mice via retarding intestinal fat absorption
Authors: Zhu Luoyi , Fu Jie , Xiao Xiao , Wang Fengqin , Jin Mingliang , Fang Weihuan , Wang Yizhen , Zong Xin
Published: October 2021

Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is considered as a promising technology to fight against obesity. Wild boar has leanermuscle and less fat in comparison to the domestic pig, which were thought to be related with microbiota. To investigate the function and mechanism of the wild boar microbiota on obesity, we first analysed the wild boar microbiota composition via 16S rDNA sequencing, which showed that Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant bacteria. Then, we established a high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obesity model, and transfer low and high concentrations of wild boar faecal suspension in mice for 9 weeks. The results showed that FMT prevented HFD‐induced obesity and lipid metabolism disorders, and altered the jejunal microbiota composition especially increasing the abundance of the Lactobacillus and Romboutsia, which were negatively correlated with obesity‐related indicators. Moreover, we found that the anti‐obesity effect of wild boar faecal suspension was associated with jejunal N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) levels. Overall, these results suggest that FMT has a mitigating effect on HFD‐induced obesity, which may be due to the impressive effects of FMT on the microbial composition and structure of the jejunum. These changes further alter intestinal lipid metabolism and m6A levels to achieve resistance to obesity.
Multiple myeloma masquerading as mandibular medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a case report
Authors: Danskin Y , Alhajji D , Singh A , Rota A , Huryn JM , Estilo CL
Published: October 2021

This is a unique case report of a 67‐year‐old female diagnosed with multiple myeloma and extensive use of intravenous bisphosphonate, whose clinical and radiographic presentation of an oral lesion made it challenging to confirm its definitive diagnosis. This patient was referred to the dental service for a suspected medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Clinically, the lesion was located underneath a fixed partial denture in the left posterior mandible. There was a purulent swelling on the lingual side of the fixed partial denture, and a hyperplastic exophytic lesion on the buccal side of the bridge. Panoramic radiograph showed a well circumscribed radiolucent lesion in the left mandible. A biopsy of the gingival lesion on the buccal aspect was inconclusive. As the positron emission tomography scan showed lytic lesions, oral manifestation of multiple myeloma could not be ruled out. A computed tomography‐guided biopsy of the left mandible showed plasma cell neoplasm in the histological analysis. Upon confirmed diagnosis, the patient was treated with 20Gy to the left mandible and subsequent debridement of the loose necrotic bone. Following treatment, this gingival lesion resolved completely, and the tumour has remained stable till date.
Thrombogenicity of biomaterials depends on hemodynamic shear rate
Authors: Han Qing , Shea Susan M. , Arleo Timothy , Qian Joshua Y. , Ku David N.
Published: October 2021

Background

While it is well recognized that different biomaterials induce thrombosis at low shear rates, the effect of high shear rates may be quite different. We hypothesize that the amount of thrombus formation on a given material can be greatly influenced by the local shear rate.

Methods

We tested this hypothesis with two different whole blood perfusion loop assays to quantify biomaterial thrombogenicity as a function of shear stress. One assay uses obstructive posts (pins) of material positioned centrally in a tube perfused at high shear rate of >5000/s for 24 h. A second assay uses a parallel plate chamber to perfuse low (<150/s), medium (~500/s), and high shear rates over 96 h. We evaluated the thrombogenicity of seven different biomaterials including stainless steel, acrylic, ceramic, Dacron, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Results

For the pin assay, thrombus mass was significantly greater for stainless steel than either zirconia ceramic or acrylic (p < 0.001). Similarly, the parallel plate chamber at high shear showed that steel and PTFE (p < 0.02) occluded the chamber faster than acrylic. In contrast, a low shear parallel plate chamber revealed that stainless steel and PTFE wereleastthrombogenic, while silicone, Dacron, and other plastics such as acrylic weremostthrombogenic. Histology revealed that high shear thrombi had a large proportion of platelets not seen in the low shear fibrin‐rich thrombi.

Conclusion

This differential thrombogenicity based on shear rate conditions may be important in the selection of biomaterials for blood‐contacting devices.