bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extinction risks and mitigation for a megaherbivore, the giraffe, in a human‐influenced landscape under climate change
Authors: Bond Monica L. , Lee Derek E. , Paniw Maria
Published: October 2023

Megaherbivores play “outsized” roles in ecosystem functioning but are vulnerable to human impacts such as overhunting, land‐use changes, and climate extremes. However, such impacts—and combinations of these impacts—on population dynamics are rarely examined using empirical data. To guide effective conservation actions under increasing global‐change pressures, we developed a socially structured individual‐based model (IBM) using long‐term demographic data from female giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) in a human‐influenced landscape in northern Tanzania, the Tarangire Ecosystem. This unfenced system includes savanna habitats with a wide gradient of anthropogenic pressures, from national parks, a wildlife ranch and community conservation areas, to unprotected village lands. We then simulated and projected over 50 years how realistic environmental and land‐use management changes might affect this metapopulation of female giraffes. Scenarios included: (1) anthropogenic land‐use changes including roads and agricultural/urban expansion; (2) reduction or improvement in wildlife law enforcement measures; (3) changes in populations of natural predators and migratory alternative prey; and (4) increases in rainfall as predicted for East Africa. The factor causing the greatest risk of rapid declines in female giraffe abundance in our simulations was a reduction in law enforcement leading to more poaching. Other threats decreased abundances of giraffes, but improving law enforcement in both of the study area's protected areas mitigated these impacts: a 0.01 increase in giraffe survival probability from improved law enforcement mitigated a 25% rise in heavy rainfall events by increasing abundance 19%, and mitigated the expansion of towns and blockage of dispersal movements by increasing abundance 22%. Our IBM enabled us to further quantify fine‐scale abundance changes among female giraffe social communities, revealing potential source–sink interactions within the metapopulation. This flexible methodology can be adapted to test additional ecological questions in this landscape, or to model populations of giraffes or other species in different ecosystems.
Herbivory and elevated levels of CO2 and nutrients separately, rather than synergistically, impacted biomass production and allocation in invasive and native plant species
Authors: Shan Liping , Oduor Ayub M. O. , Liu Yanjie
Published: October 2023

Large parts of the Earth are experiencing environmental change caused by alien plant invasions, rising atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), and nutrient enrichments. Elevated CO2 and nutrient concentrations can separately favour growth of invasive plants over that of natives but how herbivory may modulate the magnitude and direction of net responses by the two groups of plants to simultaneous CO2 and nutrient enrichments remains unknown. In line with the enemy release hypothesis, invasive plant species should reallocate metabolites from costly anti‐herbivore defences into greater growth following escape from intense herbivory in the native range. Therefore, invasive plants should have greater growth than native plants under simultaneous CO2 and nutrient enrichments in the absence of herbivory. To test this prediction, we grew nine congeneric pairs of invasive and native plant species that naturally co‐occurred in grasslands in China under two levels each of nutrient enrichment (low‐nutrient vs. high‐nutrient), herbivory (with herbivory vs. without herbivory) and under ambient (412.9 ± 0.6 ppm) and elevated (790.1 ± 6.2 ppm) levels of CO2 concentrations in open top chambers in a common garden. Elevated CO2 and nutrient enrichment separately increased total plant biomass, while herbivory reduced it regardless of the plant invasive status. High‐nutrient treatment caused the plants to allocate a significantly lower proportion of total biomass to roots, while herbivory induced an opposite pattern. Herbivory suppressed total biomass production more strongly in native plants than invasive plants. The plants exhibited significant interspecific and intergeneric variation in their responses to the various treatment combinations. Overall, these results suggest that elevated CO2 and nutrients and herbivory may separately, rather than synergistically, impact productivity of the invasive and co‐occurring native plant species in our study system. Moreover, interspecific variation in resource‐use strategies was more important than invasive status in determining plant responses to the various treatment combinations.
Intravascular volumes and the influence on anemia assessed by a carbon monoxide rebreathing method in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis
Authors: Vinje Vårin , Bomholt Tobias , Lundby Carsten , Oturai Peter , Rix Marianne , Lindhard Kristine , Hornum Mads
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Fluid overload is a major challenge in hemodialysis patients and might cause hypervolemia. We speculated that hemodialysis patients reaching dry weight could have undetected hypervolemia and low hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (g/dL) due to hemodilution.

Methods

The study included hemodialysis patients (n = 22) and matched healthy controls (n = 22). Blood volume, plasma volume, red blood cell volume, and total Hb mass were determined using a carbon monoxide (CO)‐rebreathing method in hemodialysis patients reaching dry weight and controls. Blood volume measurements were also obtained by a dual‐isotope labeling technique in a subgroup for validation purposes.

Findings

In the hemodialysis group, the median specific blood volume was 89.3 mL/kg (interquartile range [IQR]: 76.7–95.4 mL/kg) and was higher than in the control group (79.9 mL/kg [IQR: 70.4–88.0 mL/kg]; p < 0.037). The median specific plasma volume was 54.7 mL/kg (IQR: 47.1–61.0 mL/kg) and 44.0 mL/kg (IQR: 38.7–49.5 mL/kg) in the hemodialysis and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Hb concentration was lower in hemodialysis patients (p < 0.001), whereas no difference in total Hb mass was observed between groups (p = 0.11). A correlation was found between blood volume measured by the CO‐rebreathing test and the dual‐isotope labeling technique in the control group (r = 0.83, p = 0.015), but not the hemodialysis group (r = 0.25, p = 0.60).

Discussion

The hemodialysis group had increased specific blood volume at dry weight due to high plasma volume, suggesting a hypervolemic state. However, correlation was not established against the dual‐isotope labeling technique underlining that the precision of the CO‐rebreathing test should be further validated. The total Hb mass was similar between hemodialysis patients and controls, unlike Hb concentration, which emphasizes that Hb concentration is an inaccurate marker of anemia among hemodialysis patients.
Problematizing Strategic Alliance Research: Challenges, Issues and Paradoxes in the New Era
Authors: He Qile , Meadows Maureen , Angwin Duncan , Gomes Emanuel , Child John
Published: October 2023

Strategic alliances have attracted substantial attention from industry and academia over the past three decades. However, due to rapid technological evolution, saturated marketplaces, globalisation of businesses on the one hand and de‐globalisation of the market on the other (as marked by Brexit and the trade war between US and China, COVID‐19 pandemic and the Ukraine war), the strategic environment of businesses is changing quickly. Fundamental and rapid changes in the wider environment necessitate the review of theoretical and practical insights of earlier and emerging studies ‐ to examine the new challenges, issues and paradoxes of strategic alliances. This special issue attempts to provide a forum to allow researchers to question the assumptions underlying existing theory a little further beyond just “gap‐spotting” or “gap‐filling”. This special issue includes four very interesting literature review pieces, which venture deeper into the phenomenon, and explore the opportunities, issues and paradoxes of strategic alliances while adopting alternative theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches and interpretations to address issues of managing strategic alliances and maximising returns from them in the new strategic context.
Facilitating flexibility in postgraduate nursing education through entrustable professional activities to address nursing shortages and career prospects
Authors: Pool Inge A. , van Zundert Helma , ten Cate Olle
Published: October 2023

Aim

To communicate how the Dutch postgraduate nursing education landscape was redesigned using entrustable professional activities (EPAs). The goal of this initiative was to reduce training time, enhance transfer across nursing specialities and contribute to a better‐aligned continuum of initial education, postgraduate education and continuing professional development.

Background

Nursing shortages continue to worsen worldwide. An approach to address this growing shortage is to create a more flexible postgraduate training structure, offering training in the just‐in‐time and just‐as‐needed models. EPAs can be used as building blocks for training and assessment. Experience with EPAs (i.e. units of professional practice that can be entrusted once a trainee has demonstrated the required competencies) in health professions education, including nursing, is rising rapidly. While EPAs are largely used to create training flexibility within a programme, they can also be used to create flexibility across programmes. In 2018–2022, training hospitals and education institutions in the Netherlands collaborated in the CZO Flex Level Project to redesign the postgraduate nursing education landscape using EPAs.

Discussion

The implementation of a flexible postgraduate nursing education model nationwide will face several challenges. An overview of these challenges and suggestions for future research on the effects of the new structure on nursing competence, satisfaction and career development are provided.

Conclusion

EPAs can imbue flexibility within and across training programmes. Designing an EPA‐based educational landscape requires nationally coordinated efforts.

Implications for nursing policy

Redesigning educational structures to allow for more flexibility is critical to address major societal challenges in healthcare.
Effect of skeletonisation and pedicled bilateral internal mammary artery grafting in coronary artery bypass surgery on post‐operative wound infection: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Nie Caihong , Deng Yunping , Lu Yongmei
Published: October 2023

The results showed that different internal thoracic artery (ITA) was associated with the rate of postoperative wound infection and the severity of pain following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In order to ascertain if there was any genuine difference in the rate of postoperative infection and severity of the pain, we conducted a meta‐analysis to evaluate if there was any actual difference in the wound complication that had been identified with the ITA method. Through EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Pubmed, and so forth, we systematically reviewed the results by August 2023, which compared the impact of skeletonised versus pedicled internal mammary artery (IMA) on wound complications following CABG. The trial data have been pooled and analysed in order to determine if a randomisation or fixed‐effect model should be applied. The meta‐analysis of data was performed with Revman 5.3 software. The results of this meta‐study included 252 related articles from four main databases, and nine articles were chosen to be extracted and analysed. A total of 3320 patients were treated with coronary artery transplantation. Based on current data analysis, we have shown that the rate of postoperative wound infections is reduced by the use of the skeletonised internal mammary artery (SIMA) (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.13, 3.01; p = 0.01). But the results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the post‐operation pain score of the patients (MD, 0.09; 95% CI, −0.58, 0.76; p = 0.79). Furthermore, the duration of the operation was not significantly different between the SIMA and pedicled internal mammary artery (PIMA) (MD, 3.30; 95% CI, −3.13, 9.73; p = 0.31). Overall, the SIMA decreased the rate of postoperative wound infection in CABG patients than the PIMA.
Ultrapulse carbon dioxide dot matrix laser for facial scar treatment: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yan Hongtao , Sun Yan , Hu Yayu , Wu Youjun
Published: October 2023

A meta‐analysis was performed to investigate the efficacy of ultrapulse carbon dioxide dot matrix laser treatment for patients with facial scars. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang Database were systematically searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating ultrapulse carbon dioxide dot matrix laser treatment for facial scars, and the search was conducted from the time of database inception to July 2023. The retrieved literature was screened independently by two researchers, and data extraction and quality assessments were performed. The meta‐analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. Outcome metrics included overall treatment effectiveness, complication rate, and Echelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné (ECCA) scores. Seventeen RCTs comprising 3703 patients were included, with 1853 patients in the experimental group and 1850 in the control group. The results showed that the experimental group had significantly increased overall treatment efficacy rates (odds ratio [OR]: 3.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.02–4.90, p < 0.001), reduced complication rates (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.27–0.44, p < 0.001), and improved ECCA scores (standardised mean difference: −1.79, 95% CI: −2.53 to −1.05, p < 0.001) compared with the control group. In conclusion, as the primary treatment modality for facial acne depression scars, ultrapulse carbon dioxide dot matrix laser can significantly increase the overall treatment efficacy rate and ECCA scores and reduce the incidence of complications; however, higher‐quality studies are needed for further validation.
The magnetocaloric, magnetic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of EuB6 compound: DFT and Monte Carlo study
Authors: Benyoussef Safae , Jabar Abderrahim , Bahmad Lahoucine
Published: October 2023

The hexaboride EuB6 has been proven to have qualities that theoretically travel from being electronic to being magneto‐caloric. Under GGA‐PBE and GGA + SOC + U schemes, first‐principles calculations have been used to examine the electronic band structure and density of states. The magnetic moment and the interaction constant have each been calculated using DFT. Additionally, the thermoelectric properties are considered within the particular transport restrictions in order to determine the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT). The extremum of the ZT for EuB6 is determined by using the Seebeck, electrical, thermal, and lattice conductivity coefficients, which are computed. At 1800 K, a maximum ZT of 0.22 is discovered. The computed values of optical conductivity, electron energy loss, absorption coefficient, dielectric tensor, refractive index, and extinction coefficient throughout the range of 0–13 eV anticipate the optical considerations of such an alloy. The infrared spectrum is that where this chemical is active. The critical temperature (Tc) has been determined using the Metropolis algorithm and the Monte Carlo simulation. The material exhibits a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition, as indicated by temperature‐dependent magnetization. The magnetocaloric efficiency of this material can be measured using the magnetic entropy change (−ΔSm) and the relative cooling power.
Frailty in community‐dwelling older people and nursing home residents: An adaptation and validation study
Authors: Kmetec Sergej , Fekonja Zvonka , Davey Adam , Kegl Barbara , Mori Jernej , Reljić Nataša Mlinar , McCormack Brendan , Lorber Mateja
Published: October 2023

Aim

The aim of this was to psychometrically adapt and evaluate the Tilburg Frailty Indicator to assess frailty among older people living in Slovenia's community and nursing home settings.

Design

A cross‐cultural adaptation and validation of instruments throughout the cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Older people living in the community and nursing homes throughout Slovenia were recruited between March and August 2021. Among 831 participants were 330 people living in nursing homes and 501 people living in the community, and all were older than 65 years.

Results

All items were translated into the Slovene language, and a slight cultural adjustment was made to improve the clarity of the meaning of all items. The average scale validity index of the scale was rated as good, which indicates satisfactory content validity. Cronbach's α was acceptable for the total items and subitems.

Conclusions

The Slovenian questionnaire version demonstrated adequate internal consistency, reliability, and construct and criterion validity. The questionnaire is suitable for investigating frailty in nursing homes, community dwelling and other settings where older people live.

Impact

The Slovenian questionnaire version can be used to measure and evaluate frailty among older adults. We have found that careful translation and adaptation processes have maintained the instrument's strong reliability and validity for use in a new cultural context. The instrument can foster international collaboration to identify and manage frailty among older people in nursing homes and community‐dwelling homes.

Reporting Method

The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist for reporting cross‐sectional studies was used.

No Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public involvement in the design or conduct of the study. Head nurses from nursing homes and community nurses helped recruit older adults. Older adults only contributed to the data collection and were collected from nursing homes and community dwelling.
Ubuntu Thinking on Biodiversity Loss: The Inadequacies of Egalitarian and Communitarian Solutions
Authors: Samuel Olusegun Steven , Omosulu Rotimi
Published: October 2023

This article evaluates the moral implications of two leading theories on biodiversity preservation/conservation (Paul Taylor's biocentric egalitarianism and J. Baird Callicott's holistic communitarianism). Taylor argues for the moral equality of all members of the Earth's community of life, calling for an ethic of respect for nature to conserve biodiversity. Callicott argues for the moral consideration of ecosystems to maintain their integrity, stability, and beauty. The article makes two major claims. First, we need a plausible account of moral egalitarianism to disrupt ethical anthropocentrism. Second, the ethics of respect for nature requires a critical bottom‐up character‐based ethical theory to be morally forceful. These missing elements are central to the ubuntu philosophy about personhood and are significant for enriching egalitarian‐communitarian solutions to biodiversity loss.
Facilitating transformative endings: Therapists' experience of ending therapy with people with intellectual disabilities—An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Dunn Yasmine , Summers S. J. , Dagnan Dave
Published: October 2023

Background

Endings in therapy are discussed widely in mainstream literature, however, there is only a small amount of research that considers endings in therapy for people with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

Eight therapists were interviewed about their experience of ending therapy with people with intellectual disabilities. Interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Results

Four superordinate themes associated with endings that go well were identified: ‘recognising’, ‘readying’, ‘reframing’ and reflecting’, with a fifth theme reflecting endings that were less successful. Participants worked hard to offer transformative experiences of endings and an overarching ‘super‐superordinate’ theme of ‘facilitating transformative endings' encompassed the findings.

Conclusions

Endings are a multi‐faceted component of psychological therapy with people with intellectual disabilities and are significant for both client and therapist. We discuss implications for therapy adaptations and future research.
Implementing well‐being in the management of psoriasis: An expert recommendation
Authors: Sommer Rachel , Mrowietz Ulrich , Gaarn Du Jardin Kristian , Kasujee Ismail , Martini Elisa , Daudén Esteban , Fabbrocini Gabriella , Zink Alexander , Griffiths Christopher E. M. , Augustin Matthias
Published: October 2023

Psoriasis causes detriment in a person's physical, mental and social health which impairs their quality of life (QoL). However, the current psoriasis management may not adequately address all relevant health domains. Since the goal of healthcare is to restore or maintain health, health outcomes should include all areas of the patient's overall health. Life satisfaction, QoL and patient well‐being are essential to a comprehensive approach to the disease. With the inclusion of more people‐centred policies, care of patients with psoriasis should evolve towards a holistic and integrated assessment of the disease impact, including subjective measures of well‐being in order to encompass all aspects of health. The main objective of this expert review is to give the concept of well‐being a place as an entity within the holistic therapeutic approach for patients with psoriasis. Identifying and defining common goals beyond the skin with the patient and testing them throughout the course of treatment will benefit and enhance treatment success. We propose a series of recommendations for application in clinical practice, providing tangible clinical guidance for implementing well‐being in the management of psoriasis. Among the recommendations are the need to initially listen to the patient, to know their level of empowerment or what they want to achieve, their preferences in decision making, the evaluation of not only the physical but also the emotional impact of the disease (well‐being), the definition of the aspects that can generate a cumulative deterioration of the disease throughout life, and a continuous assessment of the patient's preferences with the opinion of the expert clinician and the integration of the knowledge of external clinical evidence.
phylosem: A fast and simple R package for phylogenetic inference and trait imputation using phylogenetic structural equation models
Authors: Thorson James T. , van der Bijl Wouter
Published: October 2023

Phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) can be used to study evolutionary relationships and trade-offs among species traits. Analysts using PCM may want to (1) include latent variables, (2) estimate complex trait interdependencies, (3) predict missing trait values, (4) condition predicted traits upon phylogenetic correlations and (5) estimate relationships as slope parameters that can be compared with alternative regression methods. The Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN) includes well-documented software for phylogenetic linear models (phylolm), phylogenetic path analysis (phylopath), phylogenetic trait imputation (Rphylopars) and structural equation models (sem), but none of these can simultaneously accomplish all five analytical goals. We therefore introduce a new package phylosem for phylogenetic structural equation models (PSEM) and summarize features and interface. We also describe new analytical options, where users can specify any combination of Ornstein-Uhlenbeck, Pagel's-δ and Pagel's-λ transformations for species covariance. For the first time, we show that PSEM exactly reproduces estimates (and standard errors) for simplified cases that are feasible in sem, phylopath, phylolm and Rphylopars and demonstrate the approach by replicating a well-known case study involving trade-offs in plant energy budgets.

Abstract

We develop a new R-package phylosem that provides a simple interface for phylogenetic structural equation models. We identify and visualize five desirable features (coloured ellipses and labelled using matching coloured boxes), and note how four existing R-packages (grey boxes) each address different combinations of these five features. In this paper, we then outline how phylosem incorporates all five features.
Thiamin dynamics during the adult life cycle of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Todisco Vittoria , Fridolfsson Emil , Axén Charlotte , Dahlgren Elin , Ejsmond Maciej J. , Hauber Marc M. , Hindar Kjetil , Tibblin Petter , Zöttl Markus , Söderberg Linda , Hylander Samuel
Published: October 2023

Thiamin is an essential water‐soluble B vitamin known for its wide range of metabolic functions and antioxidant properties. Over the past decades, reproductive failures induced by thiamin deficiency have been observed in several salmonid species worldwide, but it is unclear why this micronutrient deficiency arises. Few studies have compared thiamin concentrations in systems of salmonid populations with or without documented thiamin deficiency. Moreover, it is not well known whether and how thiamin concentration changes during the marine feeding phase and the spawning migration. Therefore, samples of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were collected when actively feeding in the open Baltic Sea, after the sea migration to natal rivers, after river migration, and during the spawning period. To compare populations of Baltic salmon with systems without documented thiamin deficiency, a population of landlocked salmon located in Lake Vänern (Sweden) was sampled as well as salmon from Norwegian rivers draining into the North Atlantic Ocean. Results showed the highest mean thiamin concentrations in Lake Vänern salmon, followed by North Atlantic, and the lowest in Baltic populations. Therefore, salmon in the Baltic Sea seem to be consistently more constrained by thiamin than those in other systems. Condition factor and body length had little to no effect on thiamin concentrations in all systems, suggesting that there is no relation between the body condition of salmon and thiamin deficiency. In our large spatiotemporal comparison of salmon populations, thiamin concentrations declined toward spawning in all studied systems, suggesting that the reduction in thiamin concentration arises as a natural consequence of starvation rather than to be related to thiamin deficiency in the system. These results suggest that factors affecting accumulation during the marine feeding phase are key for understanding the thiamin deficiency in salmonids.
Ultrafast extraction of cold brew coffee in a planetary rotating bed reactor: A kinetic study on the pushback effect
Authors: von Heynitz Christian , Ohlmann Kilian , Schmieder Benedikt , Hofmann Thomas , Glas Karl
Published: October 2023

Given the rising demand for cold brew coffee, innovative approaches are required to address the present difficulties in its production. This motivates the consideration of the planetary rotating bed reactor (PRBR) as a solid–liquid extraction technology. The PRBR consists of cylindrical mesh chambers that contain the solid phase and move in two superimposed rotations. This motion pattern enhances mass transfer through alternating radial forces: the pushback effect (PBE). To evaluate the utility of the PRBR and the role of PBE, we investigated the kinetics and energy demand of cold brew coffee extraction. For this purpose, we varied rotational speeds and PBE conditions in a 1 L lab‐scale reactor. Kinetics was determined by in‐line monitoring of electrical conductivity correlated with the eluate's weight‐based total dissolved solids and caffeine by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Energy consumption was derived from strain gauge torque measurements. Our findings reveal that saturation of the extraction rate with respect to the rotational speed is evident both with and without PBE. However, PBE significantly reduces extraction time by 75% while requiring 60% less mechanical energy. The fastest conditions probed 95% of the maximum extraction yield within 12 s, effectively being >99% faster than static immersion. We believe these findings, along with further procedural advantages, qualify the PRBR as a viable technology for cold brew coffee production.

Practical Applications

The relevance of an economical and sustainable preparation of cold brew coffee extends from the industrial to the gastronomic to the domestic environment. Challenges and limitations relate to process time, particle separation, product and extraction yield, and taste problems due to over‐extraction. The planetary rotating bed reactor (PRBR) promises to address all these issues by combining extraction and separation in a simultaneous and ultrafast process. The present study confirms the superiority of PRBR's action mechanisms in terms of rapidity and energetic efficiency for extraction. Due to the excellent scalability of both the design and the physical effect, the PRBR is intended for large‐scale production of ready‐to‐drink products and local production in coffee shops or private households. By modifying the particle feed, even continuous operation is conceivable. Further applications are, for example, dry‐hopping of beer, fast‐aging of spirits, and preparation of various liquid foods.
Embodied carbon quantification of luminaires using life cycle assessment and CIBSE TM65 methodologies: A comparison case study
Authors: Mazzei Irene , Saint Ruth , Kay Alistair , Pomponi Francesco
Published: October 2023

The European legislative landscape on sustainability is steadily growing to meet objectives to reach net zero targets by mid‐century. In this context, companies and manufacturers may soon be legally required to provide quantification of the environmental impact of their products and services. A key challenge is applying a consistent and robust methodology that ensures comparability between assessments made by different companies, as there is still fragmentation among environmental impact reporting methodologies. The objective of this study is to analyze and compare the results of two different methodologies for the calculation of the embodied carbon in lighting products using the cradle‐to‐grave approach. One is the globally known life cycle assessment (LCA) method, and the other is Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Technical Memorandum 65's (TM65) mid‐level calculation methodology, which has been specifically tailored to building services. The two were applied to six different luminaires to evaluate their differences. Results show that the values of the embodied carbon calculated with TM65 are higher than those calculated with LCA and that the weight of the products plays a crucial role in creating discrepancies between the two methodologies.
Understanding language and cognition after brain surgery – Tumour grade, fine‐grained assessment tools and, most of all, individualized approach
Authors: Gasa‐Roqué Anna , Rofes Adrià , Simó Marta , Juncadella Montserrat , Rico Pons Imma , Camins Angels , Gabarrós Andreu , Rodríguez‐Fornells Antoni , Sierpowska Joanna
Published: October 2023

Cognitive performance influences the quality of life and survival of people with glioma. Thus, a detailed neuropsychological and language evaluation is essential. In this work, we tested if an analysis of errors in naming can indicate semantic and/or phonological impairments in 87 awake brain surgery patients. Secondly, we explored how language and cognition change after brain tumour resection. Finally, we checked if low‐tumour grade had a protective effect on cognition. Our results indicated that naming errors can be useful to monitor semantic and phonological processing, as their number correlated with scores on tasks developed by our team for testing these domains. Secondly, we showed that – although an analysis at a whole group level indicates a decline in language functions – significantly more individual patients improve or remain stable when compared to the ones who declined. Finally, we observed that having LGG, when compared with HGG, favours patients' outcome after surgery, most probably due to brain plasticity mechanisms. We provide new evidence of the importance of applying a broader neuropsychological assessment and an analysis of naming errors in patients with glioma. Our approach may potentially ensure better detection of cognitive deficits and contribute to better postoperative outcomes. Our study also shows that an individualized approach in post‐surgical follow‐ups can reveal reassuring results showing that significantly more patients remain stable or improve and can be a promising avenue for similar reports. Finally, the study captures that plasticity mechanisms may act as protective in LGG versus HGG after surgery.
Toward facial rejuvenation; A clinical trial to assess the efficacy of nano fat grafting on wrinkles
Authors: Akbari Farzaneh , Hadibarhaghtalab Maryam , Parvar Seyedeh Yasamin , Dehghani Sara , Namazi Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2023

Introduction

With increasing age, patients' facial volume decrease. For this reason, nano fat grafting has recently gained popularity as adjunctive treatment to facial rejuvenation procedures. However, few quantitative studies have been conducted to investigate the impact of nano fat on facial wrinkles.

Aims

In the present study, authors aim to investigate the therapeutic effect of intradermal injection of nano fat on fine facial wrinkles and assess their changes over 7 months of follow‐up.

Methods

In this randomized trial, 15 patients with fine facial wrinkles were enrolled. The fat was harvested from the abdomen and processed into nano fat. Nano fat was injected into the facial wrinkles intradermally with a needle of 27 gauge. The patients were evaluated before and 7 months postinjection utilizing Visio face 1000D (CK electronic, manufactured in Germany); and four parameters of wrinkles (area, volume, depth, and percent area) were evaluated before and after the nano fat injection.

Results

Our evaluation with Visio face showed that nano fat injection was significantly reduced the volume, area, depth, and percent area of wrinkles after 7 months of follow‐up without serious long‐lasting adverse effects. Moreover, wrinkles with higher percent area, depth and volume loss show greater improvement after the treatment. Our results also indicate that males and females equally benefit from this treatment except for the percent area parameter that was improved more significantly in male patients.

Conclusion

Our study showed that intradermal injection of nano fat significantly decreases the volume, area, depth, and percent area of fine facial wrinkles. Further quantitative studies with control groups and larger sample sizes are required.
Keeping us young? Grandchild caregiving and older adults' cognitive functioning
Authors: Caputo Jennifer , Cagney Kathleen A. , Waite Linda
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study investigates longitudinal associations between providing care to grandchildren and cognitive functioning. It also examines heterogeneity in these relationships.

Background

Grandchild caregiving may support older adults' cognitive functioning by providing social engagement and emotional meaning. However, studies caution that time‐intensive or custodial grandchild caregiving can take a toll on grandparents. The cognitive health implications of grandchild caregiving may thus depend on contexts including time spent providing care and living arrangements. They may also vary across sociodemographic groups and have greater effects on older adults who are more vulnerable to cognitive decline.

Method

Data came from the 1998–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and represented over 11,000 US adults aged 50+. Using linear growth curve and dynamic panel models, the analysis explored relationships between level of grandchild care and cognitive functioning over time and across sociodemographic, family, work, and health characteristics.

Results

Those providing 100–199, 200–499, or 500+ h of care to grandchildren had better cognitive functioning than non‐caregivers regardless of whether they lived with grandchildren. Positive links between grandchild caregiving and cognition were stronger for lower income, non‐working, and unpartnered adults and grew with age and functional limitations.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that providing care to minor grandchildren may help support cognitive functioning as adults age. They also support the hypothesis that more vulnerable or isolated groups of older adults may benefit the most from grandchild caregiving.
Gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel with and without dental pulp stem cells for TMJ regeneration: An in vivo study in rabbits
Authors: Monteiro Joao Luiz , Takusagawa Toru , Sampaio Gerhilde C. , He Helen , de Oliveira e Silva Emanuel D. , Vasconcelos Belmiro C. E. , McCain Joseph P. , Redmond Robert W. , Randolph Mark A. , Guastaldi Fernando P. S.
Published: October 2023

Background

In the last decade, tissue‐engineering strategies for regenerating the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have been investigated. This may be a promising strategy for the minimally invasive restoration of joint integrity.

Objectives

To evaluate whether dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) loaded in a light‐occured hydrogel made of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) enhance the regeneration of osteochondral defects in the rabbit TMJ.

Materials and Methods

Defects were filled with GelMA alone (control group; n = 4) or filled with GelMA loaded with rabbit DPSCs (experimental group; n = 4), In one group, the TMJ capsule was opened without creating a defect (sham group; n = 2). The following micro‐CT parameters were analysed: bone volume to total volume ratio (BV/TV%) and bone mineral density (BMD). Histological evaluation was performed to assess cartilage regeneration features. A semi‐quantitative scoring system was also used to evaluate the defects.

Results

All groups had no statistical difference regarding the micro‐CT parameters. The highest mean healing score was found for the experimental group. After 4 weeks, there were no signs of hydrogel in either group or no signs of inflammation in the adjacent tissues. The tissue formed in the defect was dense fibrous connective tissue.

Conclusion

Adding DPSCs to GelMA did not provide a regenerative enhancement in TMJ osteochondral defects. This resulted in similar micro‐CT parameters after 4 weeks of healing, with improved signs of subchondral bone regeneration but no cartilage regeneration.
Percutaneous shunt vessel embolisation with Amplatzer vascular plugs II and IV in the treatment of dogs with splenophrenic shunts: four cases (2019‐2022)
Authors: Kawamura Y. , Itou H. , Kida A. , Sunakawa H. , Suzuki M. , Kawamura K.
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To describe the treatment of four dogs with splenophrenic shunts using percutaneous shunting vessel embolisation with Amplatzer vascular plugs II and IV and provide information on their clinical outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Dogs with splenophrenic shunts treated at a veterinary hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were identified through a medical record search.

Results

Six dogs with splenophrenic shunts were identified. Two dogs were excluded because they were treated with laparoscopic surgery. Four underwent percutaneous shunting vessel embolization with Amplatzer vascular plugs and were included in the case series. A sheath was placed in the left external jugular vein and a balloon catheter was advanced to the shunting vessel under fluoroscopy. Portal vein pressure was confirmed to be within an acceptable range during temporary balloon occlusion. Based on preoperative CT angiography and intraoperative contrast examination, Amplatzer vascular plugs II were selected for two dogs and IV were selected for two dogs. Under fluoroscopy, the plug was deployed into the shunting vessel, and angiography confirmed occlusion. In all cases, the increase in portal pressure after temporary occlusion was within the acceptable range, and complete occlusion of blood flow was possible with a single plug. There were no major procedure‐related complications. No dogs developed post‐ligation seizures or signs of portal hypertension. In addition, improvements in ammonia values were observed in all cases.

Clinical Significance

Percutaneous splenophrenic shunt embolisation using Amplatzer vascular plugs II and IV is technically feasible in dogs, and assessed by intra‐procedure angiography, a single plug completely obstructed blood flow in all dogs. Based on the literature search, this is the first report describing Amplatzer vascular plugs for the treatment of splenophrenic shunts.
Adverse effects of trazodone in dogs on primary hemostasis and electrocardiogram: A single‐blinded placebo‐controlled crossover study
Authors: Benjamin Eduardo J. , Nelson O. Lynne , Baumwart Ryan , Haines Jillian
Published: October 2023

Background

Trazodone is a serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor medication commonly used for anxiety in dogs. Therapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in humans is associated with bleeding disorders and increased arrhythmogenesis.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate markers of primary hemostasis and corrected QT (cQT) interval in dogs before and after oral administration of standard dosages of trazodone or placebo.

Animals

Fifteen apparently healthy, client‐owned dogs.

Methods

A single‐blinded, randomized placebo‐controlled crossover study was performed. Dogs were administered trazodone (5 to 7.5 mg/kg PO Q12h) or placebo. [Correction added after first online publication on 14 October 2023. In the abstract (methods) section (57.5 mg/kg PO Q12h) changed as (5 to 7.5 mg/kg PO Q12h).] Buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT), platelet count, platelet aggregation via Plateletworks, PFA‐100 closure time and cQT interval were measured. A Shapiro‐Wilk test was performed followed by either a paired t test or a Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

No significant difference was detected in the BMBT, PFA‐100 closure times, platelet counts, and cQT interval between trazodone or placebo. However, using Plateletworks, there was a significant decrease in platelet aggregation after administration of trazodone (95%; 81‐97 vs 62%; 39‐89, P = .002) and not placebo (95%; 81‐97 vs 91%; 81‐96, P = .21).

Conclusions

It is unknown if this represents a clinically relevant change or if dogs with preexisting impairment in primary hemostasis or receiving higher dosages or longer durations of trazodone could have a more substantial change in hemostatic variables.
The phagocytosis oxidase/Bem1p domain‐containing protein PB1CP negatively regulates the NADPH oxidase RBOHD in plant immunity
Authors: Goto Yukihisa , Maki Noriko , Sklenar Jan , Derbyshire Paul , Menke Frank L. H. , Zipfel Cyril , Kadota Yasuhiro , Shirasu Ken
Published: October 2023

Perception of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by surface‐localized pattern recognition receptors activates RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG D (RBOHD) through direct phosphorylation by BOTRYTIS‐INDUCED KINASE 1 (BIK1) and induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). RBOHD activity must be tightly controlled to avoid the detrimental effects of ROS, but little is known about RBOHD downregulation.

To understand the regulation of RBOHD, we used co‐immunoprecipitation of RBOHD with mass spectrometry analysis and identified PHAGOCYTOSIS OXIDASE/BEM1P (PB1) DOMAIN‐CONTAINING PROTEIN (PB1CP).

PB1CP negatively regulates RBOHD and the resistance against the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum higginsianum. PB1CP competes with BIK1 for binding to RBOHD in vitro. Furthermore, PAMP treatment enhances the PB1CP‐RBOHD interaction, thereby leading to the dissociation of phosphorylated BIK1 from RBOHD in vivo. PB1CP localizes at the cell periphery and PAMP treatment induces relocalization of PB1CP and RBOHD to the same small endomembrane compartments. Additionally, overexpression of PB1CP in Arabidopsis leads to a reduction in the abundance of RBOHD protein, suggesting the possible involvement of PB1CP in RBOHD endocytosis.

We found PB1CP, a novel negative regulator of RBOHD, and revealed its possible regulatory mechanisms involving the removal of phosphorylated BIK1 from RBOHD and the promotion of RBOHD endocytosis.
Gene addition for beta thalassemia
Authors: Kwiatkowski Janet L.
Published: October 2023

Individuals with transfusion‐dependent beta thalassemia require a high burden of care and experience significant morbidity from the underlying disease and its treatment, which negatively impact the quality of life. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation offers the chance for a cure, but donor availability and transplant‐related risks, especially in older patients, limit its use. Gene addition utilizing autologous CD34+ cells is an alternative, potentially curative, treatment option. Several clinical trials have investigated the use of lentiviral vectors containing a functional beta globin gene, including Lentiglobin BB305, GLOBE, and TNS9.3.55. The efficacy and safety data from these ongoing trials are discussed in this review.
Tracking succession by means of 3D scans of plant communities in a glacier forefield to infer assembly processes
Authors: He Xie , Hanusch Maximilian , Saueressig Lucy , Schriever Annette , Seifert Tobias , Villhauer Helene , Zieschank Vincent , Junker Robert R.
Published: October 2023

In primary successions, assembling plant communities are key for ecosystem functioning and stability. Often, plant successions are described on a taxonomic, functional and/or phylogenetic level, where species' identities, traits or evolutionary histories are considered. In this study, we exploited community features characterizing whole plant assemblages to capture emerging properties only available at the community level. Next to features aggregating over multiple plant species, we used a customized multispectral 3D plant scanner extracting digital community features as proxies for the frequency distribution of traits, productivity, prevalence of plant competition, and plant strategies and functions. Using these community features, we provide a comprehensive description of plant successions along glacier forefield. Additionally, we used a community feature‐based framework assessing the covariance of community feature dissimilarities and environmental dissimilarity to explore the mechanisms underlying plant community assemblies. Our data indicate a shift from fast‐growing and acquisitive, to slow‐growing and conservative plant strategies; increased productivity; higher competition between plant species; and an increasing contribution to the biogeomorphic stability along the successional gradient. Our results further indicate that stochastic processes dominate in early succession, whereas communities are mainly shaped by deterministic processes including environmental filtering and species interactions at late succession. We conclude that assessments of plant community features, facilitated by the use of field‐ready 3D scanners, provide complementary information to trait‐based approaches on the species level with implications for ecological processes.