bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical defense strategies, induction timing, growth, and trade‐offs inPinus aristataandPinus flexilis
Authors: Soderberg David N. , Bentz Barbara J. , Runyon Justin B. , Hood Sharon M. , Mock Karen E.
Published: August 2022

Trade‐offs between plant defense investment and fitness traits, including growth, are often invoked to explain evolutionary strategies targeted at resisting herbivores. ManyPinusspecies have specialized herbivores, including the mountain pine beetle (MPB),Dendroctonus ponderosae, and have historically been a focus of defense investigations. We compared defense traits of two high‐elevationPinusspecies,P. aristataandP. flexilis, that are hosts to MPB and hypothesized to have different growth and defense traits and potential trade‐offs. Interspecific differences were assessed by sampling trees within the same stands, and intraspecific differences were assessed by sampling stands at sites across latitudes where both species co‐occurred. Constitutive defenses were measured at Day 0, and the timing, concentration, and composition of an induced resin defense response were assessed by sampling at 1, 4, and 30 days following either mechanical wounding only or a simulated MPB attack using its primary fungal symbiontGrosmannia clavigera. At Day 4, induced resin concentrations did not differ between mechanical wounding and simulated MPB attack in either species. By Day 30, resin defense concentrations in response to simulated MPB attack were greater than those in response to mechanical wounding and were >19‐fold greater than constitutive levels. Results suggest that initial induced resin defense responses in the two species are likely generalized, with a delayed response that is targeted specifically at MPB andG. clavigera. At all sites,P. aristatahad higher concentrations of constitutive and Day‐30 induced resin defenses thanP. flexilis, althoughP. flexilisinduced proportionately more. Trade‐offs in growth and defense between the species were only found at the two most climatically favorable sites whereP. aristatagrew slower thanP. flexilis. No trade‐offs were found between the two defense types at either biological scale. Overall, our findings highlight that the two pine species growing in the same stands (1) have a delayed response to a specialized native herbivore and fungal symbiont, (2) only exhibited interspecific defense–growth trade‐offs at two climatically favorable sites, and showed no intraspecific defense–growth trade‐offs, (3) showed no trade‐offs between constitutive and induced defenses at either biological scale, and (4) have evolved different defense strategies.
Biomarker prognostication across Universal Definition of Heart Failure stages
Authors: Mohebi Reza , Murphy Sean , Jackson Laurel , McCarthy Cian , Abboud Andrew , Murtagh Gillian , Gawel Susan , Miksenas Hannah , Gaggin Hanna , Januzzi James L.
Published: August 2022

Aim

The Universal Definition of Heart Failure (UDHF) provides a framework for staging risk for HF events. It is not clear whether prognostic biomarkers have different meaning across UDHF stages. We sought to evaluate performance of biomarkers to predict HF events among high‐risk patients undergoing coronary and/or peripheral angiography categorized into UDHF stages.

Methods

One thousand two hundred thirty‐five individuals underwent coronary and/or peripheral angiography were enrolled. Study participants were categorized into UDHF Stage A (at risk), Stage B (pre‐HF), and Stage C or D (HF, including end stage) and grouped into Stage A/B and C/D. Biomarkers and clinical variables were used to develop prognostic models. Other measures examined included total HF hospitalizations.

Results

Over a median of 3.67 years of follow‐up, 155 cardiovascular (CV) deaths occurred, and 299 patients were hospitalized with acute HF. In patients with Stage A/B, galectin‐3 (HR = 1.52, P = 0.03), endothelin‐1 (HR = 2.16, P = 0.001), and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP; HR = 1.43, P < 0.001) were associated with incident CV death/HF hospitalization. In Stage C/D, NT‐proBNP (HR = 1.26, P = 0.006), soluble urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR; HR = 1.57, P = 0.007) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP; HR = 1.15, P = 0.01) were associated with these outcomes. Higher biomarker concentrations were associated with greater total burden of HF events in Stages A/B and C/D.

Conclusions

Among higher risk individuals undergoing angiographic procedures, different biomarkers improve risk stratification in different UDHF stages of HF. More precise prognostication may offer a window of opportunity to initiate targeted preventive measures.
Liver tests and outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: findings from DAPA‐HF
Authors: Adamson Carly , Cowan Lorna M. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Diez Mirta , Drożdż Jarosław , Dukát Andre , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Køber Lars , Kosiborod Mikhail N. , Ljungman Charlotta E.A. , Martinez Felipe A. , Ponikowski Piotr , Sabatine Marc S. , Lindholm Daniel , Bengtsson Olof , Boulton David W. , Greasley Peter J. , Langkilde Anna Maria , Sjöstrand Mikaela , Solomon Scott D. , McMurray John J.V. , Jhund Pardeep S.
Published: August 2022

Aims

Reflecting both increased venous pressure and reduced cardiac output, abnormal liver tests are common in patients with severe heart failure and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of abnormal liver tests in ambulatory patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), explore any treatment interaction between bilirubin and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and examine change in liver tests with SGLT2 inhibitor treatment.

Methods and results

We explored these objectives in the Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA‐HF) trial, with focus on bilirubin. We calculated the incidence of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure by bilirubin tertile. Secondary cardiovascular outcomes were examined, along with the change in liver tests at the end‐of‐study visit. Baseline bilirubin was available in 4720 patients (99.5%). Participants in the highest bilirubin tertile (T3) have more severe HFrEF (lower left ventricular ejection fraction, higher N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide [NT‐proBNP] and worse New York Heart Association class), had a greater burden of atrial fibrillation but less diabetes. Higher bilirubin (T3 vs. T1) was associated with worse outcomes even after adjustment for other predictive variables, including NT‐proBNP and troponin T (adjusted hazard ratio for the primary outcome 1.73 [95% confidence interval 1.37–2.17], p < 0.001; and 1.52 [1.12–2.07], p = 0.01 for cardiovascular death). Baseline bilirubin did not modify the benefits of dapagliflozin. During follow‐up, dapagliflozin had no effect on liver tests.

Conclusion

Bilirubin concentration was an independent predictor of worse outcomes but did not modify the benefits of dapagliflozin in HFrEF. Dapagliflozin was not associated with change in liver tests.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03036124.
Explicating the publication paradigm by bibliometric approaches: A case of interplay between nanoscience and ferroptosis
Authors: Huang Zhengwei , Wang Wenhao , Shu Lei , Guo Mengqin , Huang Ying , Wu Chuanbin , Pan Xin
Published: August 2022

Background

Ferroptosis has been widely investigated as an emerging drug target, while its combination with nanoscience provides bourgeoning application prospects. The development of ferroptosis regulating nanomedicines have attracted worldwide attentions in recent years. It would be meaningful to describe the relevant publication paradigm.

Methods

Herein, a bibliometric analysis was performed using the database of Web of Science Core Collection to clarify the publication paradigm. The development of related publications in the last 6 years was described, and the revolutionary trends were figured out. Ultimately, the possible future exploration directions were proposed.

Results

The bibliometric analysis of 327 documents of interest indicated that the main research focus was in multiple fields including Materials science, Science & technology, Chemistry, and Pharmacology & pharmacy. With widely cooperation and strong funding, the researchers from Chinese organizations contributed most of publications, followed with United States and Australia. Cocitation analysis revealed that several original papers reported the key molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis were considered as the foundation for subsequent studies, and some nanomedicines‐related documents were taken as examples and discussed. Mining results showed that the mechanism evaluation of ferroptosis regulation therapy for cancer treatment was the hotspot. Then, several possible future explorations of ferroptosis‐related nanoscience were presented and discussed.

Conclusions

The bibliometric profile of nanoscience‐ferroptosis research was analyzed in detail. We believe that the bibliometric analysis could act as a robust method for explicating the publication paradigm as a certain field.
The effects of multi‐disciplinary integrated care on healthcare utilization: Evidence from a natural experiment in the UK
Authors: Goldzahl Léontine , Stokes Jonathan , Sutton Matt
Published: August 2022

Better integration is a priority for most international health systems. However, multiple interventions are often implemented simultaneously, making evaluation difficult and providing limited evidence for policy makers about specific interventions. We evaluate a common integrated care intervention, multi‐disciplinary group (MDG) meetings for discussion of high‐risk patients, introduced in one socio‐economically deprived area in the UK in spring 2015. Using data from multiple waves of the national GP Patient Survey and Hospital Episode Statistics, we estimate its effects on primary and secondary care utilization and costs, health status and patient experience. We use triple differences, exploiting the targeting at people aged 65 years and over, parsing effects from other population‐level interventions implemented simultaneously. The intervention reduced the probability of visiting a primary care nurse by three percentage points and decreased length of stay by 1 day following emergency care admission. However, since planned care use increased, overall costs were unaffected. MDG meetings are presumably fulfilling public health objectives by decreasing length of stay and detecting previously unmet needs. However, the effect of MDGs on health system cost is uncertain and health remains unchanged. Evaluations of specific integrated care interventions may be more useful to public decision makers facing budget constraints.
Non‐transplantable recurrence after percutaneous thermal ablation of ≤3‐cm HCC: Predictors and implications for treatment allocation
Authors: Gozzo Cecilia , Hermida Margaux , Herrero Astrid , Panaro Fabrizio , Cassinotto Christophe , Mohamad Azhar Meerun , Assenat Eric , Guillot Chloé , Allimant Carole , Schembri Valentina , Basile Antonio , Dharancy Sébastien , Ursic‐Bedoya José , Guiu Boris
Published: August 2022

Percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA), resection, and liver transplantation are the standard curative options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver transplantation yields the best long‐term outcomes but is limited by graft shortage. Thus, patients with ≤3‐cm HCC are primarily treated by PTA even though recurrence is frequent and may occur outside transplant criteria. Data on non‐transplantable recurrence (NTR) following PTA are lacking, however. We therefore investigated the incidence and predictors of NTR among 213 potentially transplantable patients (cirrhosis, 93%; Child‐Pugh A, 98.6%; alcohol‐related disease, 62%) with ≤3‐cm HCC(s) treated by PTA, to stratify them according to their NTR risk and to improve treatment allocation. During follow‐up (median: 41.2 months), NTR occurred in 18.3% (alpha‐fetoprotein [AFP] model) and 23% (Milan) patients. NTR prediction with competing‐risk analysis and internal validation revealed AFP > 100 ng/ml (subdistribution hazard ratio: 7.28; p < 0.001) and prior HCC (subdistribution hazard ratio: 3.77; p = 0.002) as independent predictors (Harrell's C: 0.76). Based on this model using the AFP score (equally predictive within Milan criteria), patients were stratified into three NTR risk categories: HCC‐naïve with AFP < 100 ng/ml (low risk, n = 108 of 213), non‐HCC naïve with AFP < 100 ng/ml (intermediate risk, n = 92 of 213), AFP ≥ 100 ng/ml (high risk, n = 13 of 213), among whom 9.3% (3.7% [Milan]), 22.8% (25% [Milan]), and 61.5% (38/5% [Milan]) presented NTR (p < 0.001). Median recurrence‐free survival was 4.6, 14.5, and 43.4 months, respectively, in high‐risk, intermediate‐risk, and low‐risk categories (p < 0.001). Median overall survival, which was 19.1 months in high‐risk patients, was not reached otherwise (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Overall, PTA of ≤3‐cm HCC incurs a low NTR risk. Simple and noninvasive predictors (HCC naivety, AFP) accurately stratified patients' risk of NTR, and should help to improve treatment allocation. Patients with AFP ≥ 100 ng/ml have a high risk of NTR, poor recurrence‐free survival, and overall survival. Further studies evaluating preemptive transplantation or adjuvant/neoadjuvant strategies are highly needed in this small patient subset.
How do investors price accrual risk during crises?
Authors: Alhenawi Yasser , Hassan M. Kabir
Published: August 2022

Under rational asset pricing theory, and in efficient, frictionless market, risk should be priced contemporaneously and, thus, the market meltdown during the COVID‐19 pandemic must have been a contingent valuation of newly created risk. In contrast, we find that the reduction in equity value during the pandemic was stronger for stocks with higher pre‐pandemic accrued risk. This lends support to the discrete pricing proposition, which is a form of behavioural bias where investors price accrued risk during significant corporate or macroeconomic events. Furthermore, we compare the pricing of accrued risk during the pandemic with the pricing of accrued risk during non‐pandemic events and during past financial crises. We report evidence that pricing of accrued risk results in a premium in normal times and a discount during financial turmoil. Finally, we report evidence that investors price accrued stocks discriminately, that is, they are more likely to price accrued risk of stocks of larger firms, smaller B/M, and weaker momentum. Several theoretical and practical implications are discussed inside the paper.
Electoral influences on the Brazilian B3 data correlation network
Authors: Cardoso Gerson N. , Silva Geraldo E.
Published: August 2022

In any society, the relationship between economy and politics is characterized by controversy, enigmas and mysteries. Economic performance affects political results, and the political environment and its process produce financial results. Brazil was hit by economic and political crises from 2012 to 2016. Such crises made it possible to redesign the correlation network between the assets negotiated on the B3 (Brazil Stock Exchange and Over‐the‐Counter Market). This paper aimed to analyse the main aspects related to the topological structure of the assets negotiated on the B3 and its volatility between the pre‐and post‐2014 electoral periods. Results showed the hierarchical clusters and the evolution of the systemic risk, with the banks leading the concentration in the post‐electoral period. The closeness centrality indices for the minimum variance portfolios were modified by approximately 80% between the pre‐electoral and post‐electoral periods. It was concluded that the political events significantly changed the structure, the risk and the possibility of selecting assets for portfolios in the Brazilian market.
Colistin resistance screening by 3 μg/ml colistin agar in Carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacterales
Authors: Soria‐Segarra Claudia , Soria‐Segarra Carmen , Andrade‐Soriano Michelle , Quezada Tamara Nuñez , Gestal Monica C. , Gutierrez‐Fernandez Jose
Published: August 2022

Background

In low‐ and middle‐income countries, the use of colistin in therapeutic regimens is common, to treat infections produced for Carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacterales (CPE) due to limited access to the recently discovered‐approved antibiotics. Furthermore, the technical limitations to perform colistin susceptibility tests make it difficult to assess the suitability of this treatment for each patient, as well as to monitor the rates of resistance. In the present study, we describe the use of agar dilution using a unique colistin concentration of 3 μg/ml to discriminate isolates with colistin resistance in CPE obtained from clinical samples.

Methods

Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) colistin broth microdilution method and dilution agar with a colistin concentration of 3 μg/ml were performed in 168 isolates of CPE obtained from clinical samples in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Broth microdilution was considered our gold standard using CLSI breakpoints as reference (≤2 μg/ml intermediate and ≥4 μg/ml resistant). Categorical agreement was defined as obtaining a reading within the same category with both methodologies.

Results

Isolates obtained from respiratory samples were the most prevalent (26.19%; n = 44). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant specie (94.04%; n = 158). KPC‐like carbapenemase was present in all the isolates, and interestingly, colistin resistance was not mediated by MCR‐1 production. Categorical agreement between both methods resulted in 97.02%.

Conclusion

We propose the use of dilution agar with a colistin concentration of 3 μg/ml, as a valid method for screening colistin resistance in low‐ and middle‐income countries to monitor resistance and to perform epidemiological studies.
Fabrication of biogenic silver nanoparticles from Ficus religiosa bark extract and their application for chromium removal
Authors: Riaz Aqsa , Nosheen Sofia , Mughal Tahira Aziz
Published: August 2022

Ficus religiosa bark extract was chosen as a reducing agent to fabricate biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which were used to treat chromium in synthetic wastewater. The AgNPs formed were characterized using ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of AgNPs characterization showed that the UV–vis spectrophotometer gave an absorbance peak for AgNPs synthesized from bark extract at 448 nm. The peaks in the XRD pattern of AgNPs synthesized from the bark extract of Ficus religiosa are associated with that of the face‐centered‐cubic form of metallic silver. The SEM analysis showed clear spherical morphology of AgNPs. These synthesized AgNPs were applied for the removal of chromium from synthetic wastewater. It was seen from the treatment results that above 74.8% removal efficiency was achieved.

Highlights

Green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant extracts and their successful application in various fields has been previously studied by various researchers.

Ficus religiosa bark extract was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, which after characterization using ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction were used to treat chromium in synthetic wastewater prepared in lab.

The use of silver nanoparticles for the treatment of heavy metals in wastewater can be considered a good replacement option for the conventional treatment techniques.
Motivation and family communication in hereditary prostate cancer genetic testing: Survey of patients from a US tertiary medical center
Authors: Finn Caitlin M. , McCormick Shelley , Peterson Danielle , Niendorf Kristin B. , Rodgers Linda H.
Published: August 2022

Identification of a hereditary prostate cancer in an affected individual can guide treatment and may also impact cancer screening and surveillance for patients and their relatives. This study aimed to determine the factors that are associated with the decision‐making process of individuals with prostate cancer regarding whether to pursue genetic testing as well as how, why, and with whom genetic test results are shared. We surveyed 113 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who received cancer genetic counseling through a United States tertiary medical center, inquiring about genetic testing motivations and family communication about results. Among those who pursued genetic testing, (1) learning about my family's possible cancer risk (98%), (2) learning information that may guide cancer treatment (93%), and (3) learning if I am at risk for future cancers (92%) were most frequently identified as slightly or very important factors in their decision. Participants shared their genetic test results in a higher proportion to male first‐degree relatives than female first‐degree relatives; however, no significant difference was found (p = 0.103). Our study may suggest sex differences related to family communication about genetic testing results. Such findings indicate a critical need for genetic counselors to clearly communicate the impact of genetic test results on both male and female relatives. Further research on motivation and family communication about genetic test results in diverse cohorts is needed.
Holocene carbon storage and testate amoeba community structure in treed peatlands of the western Hudson Bay Lowlands margin, Canada
Authors: Davies Marissa A. , Mclaughlin Jim W. , Packalen Maara S. , Finkelstein Sarah A.
Published: August 2022

The Hudson Bay Lowlands (HBL) stores a significant proportion of the northern peatland carbon pool, and constraints on the factors controlling local‐scale variation are needed to better predict soil carbon stocks. We investigated two treed peatland sites, a fen and a bog, to understand how local ecohydrological factors impacted long‐term carbon storage. Ecohydrological conditions were reconstructed using quantitative water table depth reconstructions from testate amoebae (TA) and broad peat type classifications. We also linked these factors and carbon storage to changes in TA community structure through the investigation of morphological and functional traits. Both sites have high rates of peat vertical accretion during the warmer Middle Holocene. A shift to a drier, Sphagnum‐dominated habitat after 7400 cal a
bp at the bog site, however, led to lower apparent carbon accumulation rates (aCARs) than at the fen site. aCARs decreased with the transition to a cooler Late Holocene climate at both sites. Both sites have higher total carbon masses (kg m−2) than other more open and younger HBL localities, demonstrating the potential importance of treed peatlands in regional carbon storage. Shifts in the frequency of TA traits corresponded to changing ecohydrological conditions and provided insights into the role of TA in carbon storage.
Green synthesis and antimicrobial mechanism of nanoparticles: applications in agricultural and agrifood safety
Authors: Guzmán‐Altamirano Miguel Ángel , Rebollo‐Plata Bernabe , Joaquín‐Ramos Ahuitzolt de Jesús , Gómez‐Espinoza María Guadalupe
Published: August 2022

The growing demand for food and its safety are a challenge for agriculture and agrifood. This has led to the incorporation of alternatives such as organic agriculture, the use of biocontrollers, the development of transgenic plants resistant to pathogens and the incorporation of nanotechnology. In this sense, agrochemicals based on nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed. Recently, the green synthesis of NPs has grown rapidly and, for this reason, molecules, microorganisms, fungi and plants are used. Synthesis from plant extracts offers a broad spectrum and, despite the fact that NPs are usually dispersed in size and shape, extensive antimicrobial effectiveness has been demonstrated at nanomolar concentrations. It has been shown that the mechanism of action can be through the dissipation of the driving force of the protons, the alteration of cellular permeability, the formation of bonds with the thiol group of the proteins, the generation of reactive species of oxygen, and the hyperoxidation of DNA, RNA and even the cell membrane. To improve the efficiency of NPs, modifications have been made such as coating with other metals, the addition of antibiotics, detergents and surfactants, as well as the acidification of the solution. Consequently, NPs are considered as a promising method for achieving safety in the agricultural and agrifood area. However, it is necessary to investigate the side effects of NPs, when applied in agroecological systems, on the textural, nutriment and sensory properties of food, as well as the impact on human health. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fecal descriptor in honey: indole from a floral source as an explanation
Authors: Bonini Ana , Dellacassa Eduardo , Ares Gastón , Daners Gloria , Godoy Ana , Boido Eduardo , Fariña Laura
Published: August 2022

Background

Animal odor, is one of the most common aroma defects described in the honey odor aroma wheel. It comprises two secondary descriptors: ‘fecal’ and ‘cowshed’. However, the compounds responsible for these honey defects have not been fully identified. In this context, the aim of this work was to identify the compounds responsible for the aromatic defect ‘fecal’ in Uruguayan honeys by means of gas chromatography coupled to olfactometry (GC–O).

Results

Samples of honey described by beekeepers as having fecal aroma were analyzed by GC‐O and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Through GC–O, it was possible to establish the region of the chromatogram corresponding to the fecal descriptor, while the GC–MS analysis allowed to identify indole as the compound responsible for the fecal descriptor. The content of indole in the analyzed samples ranged between 132 and 414 μg kg−1. The melissopalynological analysis indicated the presence of Scutia buxifolia (‘quebracho’ or ‘coronilla’) pollen in all samples studied. The volatile profile of Scutia buxifolia flowers was evaluated during the full day, enabling the identification of indole as one of its components. The detection threshold value for indole in honey was experimentally determined as 64 μg kg−1 of honey, a value lower than the concentration found in the evaluated samples.

Conclusion

Results from the study allowed the identification of indole as the compound responsible for the ‘fecal’ aroma defect in Scutia buxifolia honeys. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Bacteria not fungi drive soil chemical quality index in banana plantations with increasing years of organic fertilizer application
Authors: Zhang Jiangzhou , Li Baoshen , Gao Wei , Ruan Yunze , Christie Peter , Zhang Junling , Zhang Yunlong
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

Maintaining or improving soil chemical quality is critical for sustainable agricultural productivity and environmental safeguards. Organic fertilizer application, a common agricultural practice in banana cultivation, is often associated with greater microbial biomass and activity, which are linked to improvements in soil chemical quality. However, the effect of the duration of organic fertilizer application on soil chemical quality and whether it is microbially driven still needs to be investigated. We collected soil samples from banana plantations consistently applying organic fertilizers for 1 (Y1), 4 (Y4), 7 (Y7) and 10 (Y10) years. Soil chemical quality is expressed as total data set (TDS) and minimum data set (MDS) based on chemical indicators, and soil microorganisms are characterized by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA).

RESULTS

Based on TDS and MDS, the soil chemical quality indices in Y7 and Y10 treatments were significantly higher than that in Y1 and Y4 treatments. Soil total PLFA concentrations and the proportional abundance of fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased with prolonged banana cultivation. Total PLFA concentrations were significantly positive correlation with the soil chemical quality index. Soil gram‐positive bacteria (G+), bacteria, protozoa and ratio of G+ to gram‐negative bacteria (G–) were major drivers of soil chemical quality.

CONCLUSION

The organic fertilizer application can significantly improve soil chemical quality, which is regulated by soil bacteria. Regular application of organic fertilizers is important in promoting soil quality and soil biological properties need to be incorporated into the assessment of soil health in banana plantations. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Risk Factors for Post‐Tonsillectomy Respiratory Events in Children With Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Lim Jorena , Garigipati Priyanka , Liu Katie , Johnson Romaine F. , Liu Christopher
Published: August 2022

Objectives/Hypothesis

To identify risk factors for postoperative respiratory events in pediatric patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods

Retrospective single‐institution retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients with severe OSA who were admitted postoperatively after tonsillectomy. Patients who experienced respiratory events after surgery were identified and differences between the respiratory event and no event groups were compared.

Results

There were 887 patients included in this study. 14.8% (n = 131) experienced a documented respiratory event. The following risk factors were found to be most significant: %sleep time with O2 < 90% (tb90) (95% CI = 1.07–1.14, OR = 1.10, p < 0.001), Black race (95% CI = 1.53–3.58, OR = 2.34, p < 0.001), primary neurologic co‐morbidity (1.67–6.32, OR = 3.27, p < 0.001), Down syndrome (1.25–5.94, OR = 2.72, p = 0.01), and age (0.84–0.94, OR = 0.88, p < 0.001). Regression modeling demonstrated that the rate of respiratory events increased with tb90.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that there are other potential risk factors outside of AHI and O2 nadir that are associated with respiratory events after tonsillectomy. Black race and prolonged desaturations during polysomnography (PSG) are independent risk factors. Measures of abnormal gas exchange on PSG may be better at identifying at risk patients.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:1251–1256, 2023
Value reducts and bireducts: A comparative study
Authors: Chacón‐Gómez Fernando , Cornejo M. Eugenia , Medina Jesús , Ramírez‐Poussa Eloísa
Published: August 2022

In Rough Set Theory, the notion of bireduct allows to simultaneously reduce the sets of objects and attributes contained in a dataset. In addition, value reducts are used to remove some unnecessary values of certain attributes for a specific object. Therefore, the combination of both notions provides a higher reduction of unnecessary data. This paper is focused on the study of bireducts and value reducts of information and decision tables. We present theoretical results capturing different aspects about the relationship between bireducts and reducts, offering new insights at a conceptual level. We also analyze the relationship between bireducts and value reducts. The studied connections among these notions provide important profits for the efficient information analysis, as well as for the detection of unnecessary or redundant information.
Quaternionic triangular linear operators
Authors: Cerejeiras Paula , Colombo Fabrizio , Käehler Uwe , Sabadini Irene
Published: August 2022

Triangular operators are an essential tool in the study of nonselfadjoint operators that appear in different fields with a wide range of applications. Although the development of a quaternionic counterpart for this theory started at the beginning of this century, the lack of a proper spectral theory combined with problems caused by the underlying noncommutative structure prevented its real development for a long time. In this paper, we give criteria for a quaternionic linear operator to have a triangular representation, namely, under which conditions such operators can be represented as a sum of a diagonal operator with a Volterra operator. To this effect, we investigate quaternionic Volterra operators based on the quaternionic spectral theory arising from the S‐spectrum. This allow us to obtain conditions when a non‐selfadjoint operator admits a triangular representation.
On the Elucidation of Polymer Fouling Mechanisms and Ethylene Decomposition in High‐Pressure LDPE Tubular Reactors
Authors: Kiparissides Costas
Published: August 2022

In high‐pressure free‐radical ethylene polymerization tubular reactors, fouling often occurs due to polymer deposition onto the reactor's wall surface. This results in a decrease in the overall heat transfer coefficient. Note that a high‐pressure tubular reactor must be capable of removing about half of the generated polymerization heat to the cooling water flowing into the reactor's jackets. Therefore, reactor fouling can have serious implications including decrease of heat removal rate and monomer conversion, increase in the overall initiator(s) consumption, change of polymer quality, decline of reactor's safe operation, and significant economic losses due to lower plant productivity and longer reactor maintenance periods. In rare cases, the loss of reactor's heat removal capacity may result in the appearance of local hot spots that eventually can trigger ethylene decomposition. In the present review paper, the fundamental physical and chemical phenomena regarding polymer fouling and ethylene decomposition in high‐pressure low density polyethylene (LDPE) reactors are critically discussed. The effects of shear rate, polymer molecular weight, and wall surface energy on polymer adsorption and desorption are analyzed. Moreover, the effect of characteristic initiator decomposition and micromixing times and process conditions on initiator dispersion, polymer fouling, and ethylene decomposition are assessed.
Factors affecting nurses' decision to undergo a specialist education and to choose a specialty
Authors: Tiliander Annika , Olsson Caroline , Kalèn Susanne , Ponzer Sari Säisä , Fagerdahl Ann‐Mari
Published: August 2022

Aims

The aims of the study were to identify factors affecting nurses' decision to undergo specialist education and choose a specialty and to describe differences between specialization areas with different types of care.

Design

A descriptive cross‐sectional design.

Methods

A survey was conducted among specialist nurse students in three nursing colleges in Sweden (n = 227). Instruments such as Big Five Inventory and RAND‐36 and items earlier used by Bexelius and Olsson were included. Survey data were analysed by using descriptive and analytical statistics, and for open‐ended question qualitative content analysis was used.

Results

Wage benefit during the education was regarded by 47% as an incentive to start studies. Most of the specialist nurse students considered an opportunity for new tasks (75%), new areas of responsibility (75%), intellectual challenges (72%) and higher wages (71%) to be of high importance when choosing a specialty. However, the students in specialization areas with transitory care‐rated challenges regarding the practical skills (84%) and the occurrence of acute events (82%) higher.

Conclusion

Although higher wages were important to make nurses feel that they will get value from the education, there were also other important aspects, such as opportunity for new tasks, new areas of responsibility and intellectual challenges that influenced nurses' willingness to undergo a specialist education. Our findings provide employers with the useful information to guide and influence nurses' decisions to enter specialist education and their choice of specialist area.
Policy actions for developing the infrastructure sector: Learnings from the Indian experience
Authors: Singh Kewal , Singh Anoop , Prakash Puneet
Published: August 2022

The infrastructure sector is one of the major pillars for economic growth and development of a country. The responsibility to develop this crucial sector is shifting away from the public to the private sector. After the economic liberalization in 1991, India opened the infrastructure sector, among many others, to private domestic and foreign investment. The shortage of electricity, the poor state of roads, and limited telecom access necessitated a stream of persistent reforms, which were expected to play a significant role in the infrastructure sector's growth. Although some subsectors witnessed success, others continued to face hurdles. The paper highlights the role of infrastructure in socio‐economic development through global literature. It also presents a story of infrastructure development in India since the inception of economic liberalization. It highlights various challenges that discourage private sector investments, thus providing a rationale for policy initiatives by the government. The paper also presents critical issues highlighted by multiple government committees over nearly three decades and identifies residual issues that merit attention. The outcomes of the paper are relevant in the context of developing and emerging economies.
CNT@LDH functionalized poly(lactic acid) membranes with super oil–water separation and real‐time press sensing properties
Authors: Liu Wei , Wu Xian , Liu Shan , Cheng Xiaoqiong , Zhang Chun
Published: August 2022

Controlling wettability is crucial to designing separation membrane with high performance. In order to achieve the goal, chain modification method is frequently utilized to optimize surface nature of raw materials. However, the development of the method is of significance but challenging due to the high processing cost and complexity. Herein, we developed a rough surface induction strategy to prepare poly(lactic acid) (PLA) membrane. Layered double hydroxides (LDH) were loaded with carboxylation carbon nanotubes (CNT), and the prepared CNT@LDH was surface modified with aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Then the CNT@LDH was blended with PLA to prepare composites and PLA electrospinning membranes. The morphology of synthesized CNT@LDH mimics “sea urchin” liked structure, which prevented the aggregation of LDH cubes, and induced an efficient conductive network. The combination of CNT@LDH greatly changed the membranes' porous structure, thermal stability, and crystallization properties. The hydrophilicity of PLA membranes increased 112.74%, whereas the pore size and fiber diameter decreased 76.43% and 79.56%, respectively. The oil absorption capacity of the composite membrane was up to 35 g/g with a high absorption speed. Meanwhile, the prepared PLA membrane had a quick response of press‐sensing. This research provides a method for designing separation membranes with high separation efficiency, great selectivity, environment friendliness, and real‐time pressure monitor function, which is considered as a potential material in intelligent oil–water separation or wearable electronics fields.
Visible‐Light‐Induced Reversible Self‐Assembly of Gold Nanorattles Using Anionic ortho‐Fluoroazobenzene
Authors: Saito Koichiro , McGehee Keegan , Norikane Yasuo
Published: August 2022

Controlled assembly of plasmonic particles is vital for catalyst and sensor applications. Because light is considered a promising external stimulus, various methods for assembling plasmonic particles using photoswitching molecules are investigated. However, the light used to photoisomerize such molecules is often limited to the UV region. In this study, anionic ortho‐fluoroazobenzene is synthesized to reversibly control the self‐assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles under only green and blue visible light. This azobenzene alters the dispersibility of cubic gold nanorattles protected by a cationic surfactant via visible‐light irradiation, causing a visible change in the solution color. It is possible that the cationic surfactant and anionic azobenzene interact to neutralize the surface charge of the gold nanorattles. Because the interaction is changed by the photoisomerization of azobenzene, the aggregation and redispersion of the gold nanorattles are repeatable. Through this method, the dispersibility of nonspherical plasmonic particles can be controlled using only visible‐light irradiation.
Intrauterine Ureaplasma is associated with small airway obstruction in extremely preterm infants
Authors: Kitajima Hiroyuki , Fujimura Masanori , Takeuchi Makoto , Kawamoto Yutaka , Sumi Kiyoaki , Matsunami Katsura , Shiraishi Jun , Hirano Shinya , Nakura Yukiko , Yanagihara Itaru
Published: August 2022

Background

The long‐term follow‐up of lung function (LF) in extremely preterm (EP) infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has shown a worldwide increase in small airway obstructions (SAO).

Objectives

We investigated the relationships between intrauterine Ureplasma infection in EP infants and bubbly/cystic lung, BPD, and SAO at school age.

Methods

Placental pathology, placental Ureaplasma DNA (pU‐DNA), and cord blood immunoglobulin M (IgM) (C‐IgM) were investigated in 360 EP infants born from 1981 to 2004. Maternal amniotic inflammatory response (M‐AIR) scores and hemosiderin deposition (HD) were estimated in the chorioamnion. The study subjects were divided into groups based on their M‐AIR scores. Their LF at school age was compared with those of 33 healthy siblings.

Findings

pU‐DNA and C‐IgM were significantly related to SAO at school age (p < 0.012). M‐AIR score 3 and pU‐DNA >1000 units had an odds ratio (OR) of 35 (95% confidence interval: 10–172) and 18 (5.6–67) for bubbly/cystic lung, and 11 (3.1 − 43) and 31 (4.5–349) for severe BPD, and 5.3 (2.1–11) and 12 (2.4–74) for SAO, respectively. The ORs of surfactant treatment, BPD grade III, O2 at 40 weeks, HD, and C‐IgM >30 mg/dl for SAO were 0.21 (0.075–0.58), 5.3 (2.1–15), 2.5 (1.4–4.6), 3.6 (1.5–9.1) and 2.5 (1.0–5.2). 84% (90/107) SAO infants showed no or mild BPD in infancy, and 61% of infants had no severe CAM.

Conclusion

Our long‐term cohort study of LF in EP infants revealed that intrauterine Ureaplasma was associated with bubbly/cystic lung, severe BPD, and SAO at school age.
Towards roadmap to implement blockchain in healthcare systems based on a maturity model
Authors: Akbar Muhammad Azeem , Leiva Víctor , Rafi Saima , Qadri Syed Furqan , Mahmood Sajjad , Alsanad Ahmed
Published: August 2022

Healthcare systems face various issues related to complex networks of intermediaries and a lack of transaction traceability. The most critical issues are the fragmentation of healthcare data, obstacles in providing efficient research and services, lack of clinical trial reporting, high cost and mismanagement of the drug supply chain, patient data security, and fake drugs. Blockchain technology has the potential to address these criticalities as it has in build traceability mechanisms and promises new business models by enabling incentive structures. This potential of blockchain gathers a high interest in the health industry. However, the implementation of blockchain in healthcare faces various issues as well. Currently, there are no practice‐oriented maturity models to improve such an implementation. In this paper, we present a roadmap to develop a maturity model for blockchain in healthcare (MMBH) based on critical barriers (CBs), critical success factors (CSFs), and the best practices for blockchain implementation in healthcare systems. As a first step to develop the MMBH, in this paper, we present the initial results of a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify critical success factors for implementing blockchain in healthcare systems. We also applied fuzzy technique order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to prioritize the identified CSFs.
Effect of Sample Geometry on Strain Uniformity and Double Hit Compression Tests for Softening Kinetics Determination
Authors: Tamanna Nusrat , Slater Carl , Davis Claire
Published: August 2022

Static softening is an essential process during the hot rolling of steel to refine grain size and improve mechanical properties. The double hit test is used to measure the static softening volume fraction from the flow stress curves. Herein, the influence of different sample geometries on the determination of softening fraction from the double hit test for conditions where 0–99% softening is expected. The double hit tests are modeled in DEFORM for conventional sample geometries in both uniaxial compression and standard plane strain compression tests, and an additional simulation of a modified plane strain compression test sample geometry, designed to provide more uniform strain distributions, is also performed. A user routine is incorporated into the model to predict the localized softening volume fraction from localized strain based on known softening equations and set back the localized strain value to zero while the softening volume fraction reaches 85%. The standard plane strain compression test geometry shows a strong strain gradient resulting in inaccurate softening fraction volume predictions from flow stress, whereas the uniaxial compression test and modified plane strain compression test geometries show better predictions of softening volume fraction from the flow stress data.
Application of Finite‐Element Simulation and Neural Networks in the Prediction of Metal Flow Behavior during the Sizing Press Process
Authors: Peng Wen , Wu Wenteng , Chen Xi , Zhang Yufeng , Li Xudong , Sun Jie , Zhang Dianhua
Published: August 2022

A dog‐bone profile is developed by inhomogeneous deformation of a slab, whose parameters can be used to describe the metal flow rule during the width reduction process by a sizing press. The accuracy of a dog‐bone profile is essential to ensure the high width precision of the roughing process. However, the existing equipment cannot satisfy the requirements of online measurement. To solve this problem, herein, a prediction model for dog‐bone parameters based on the finite‐element simulation and a neural network is presented. The finite‐element simulation can reproduce the field production process, revealing variations in the dog‐bone profile parameters. In addition, based on the simulation data, a neural network model is constructed to predict the dog‐profile parameters. By adjusting the hyperparameters, the prediction accuracy of the constructed deep neural network model with two hidden layers is improved. For the dog‐bone profile parameters, the mean squared error is less than 3 mm, the mean absolute percentage error is less than 2%, the maximum absolute percentage error is less than 9%, and the root mean squared error is less than 4 mm. Thus, an accurate prediction of the dog‐bone profile parameters is achieved, which can guide subsequent high‐precision width control.
Significance of Retained Austenite Stability on Yield Point Elongation Phenomenon in a Hot‐Rolled and Intercritically Annealed Medium‐Mn Steel
Authors: Dong Ying , Qi Min , Du Yu , Wu Hongyan , Gao Xiuhua , Du Linxiu
Published: August 2022

The effect of retained austenite stability on yield point elongation (YPE) phenomenon in a hot‐rolled and intercritically annealed medium‐Mn steel is elucidated here. Furthermore, the influencing factors of austenite reversion are studied. The results indicate that the shear phase transition is suppressed by the strain hardening of prior austenite grain introduced by low‐temperature rolling, resulting in refined martensite laths with high dislocation density. The nucleation and growth of intercritical austenite are accelerated by high‐density dislocation substructures. Different characteristics of retained austenite (RA) are obtained through tailoring the rolling temperature and austenite reversion transformation (ART) process. YPE phenomenon is a result of the equilibrium between work hardening (via martensitic transformation and dislocation multiplication) and softening (by stress relaxation and dislocation glide). In the initial deformation stage, large amounts of geometrically necessary dislocations (GND) are “stored” in the RA with higher stability, and the local stress can be effectively relaxed and transferred, leading to the occurrence of YPE. The optimum properties are obtained in R760‐A630‐0.3h samples with a combination of yield strength of 918 MPa, tensile strength of 1019 MPa, and total elongation of 25.3%, which is mainly attributed to the finer ferrite matrix and sustained transformation‐induced plasticity effect.