bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diastereodivergent Synthesis of the Quinolizidine‐Indolizidine Alkaloids of the Leontidine/Camoensine Family
Authors: Wagner Stefan , Sigl Susanne , Schenkl Melanie , Breuning Matthias
Published: April 2021

Leontidine and camoensine, the main representatives of the small quinolizidine‐indolizidine alkaloid subgroup, are characterized by an inner bispidine system to which a 2‐pyridone and a pyrrolidine are fused on opposite sides. We efficiently synthesized both natural products from the commercially available and abundant alkaloid cytisine, which was converted into the key intermediate, N‐Boc‐11‐oxocytisine, by iodine oxidation and protection. Grignard addition, Paal‐Knorr type cyclization, and hydrogenation delivered endo‐pyrrolidine fused leontidine, while the reversed reaction order, viz. reduction, Sakurai allylation, and ring closure, afforded exo‐pyrrolidine annulated camoensine. Hydrogenation and deoxygenation of the pyridone moieties provided four further alkaloids, tetrahydroleontidine, camoensidine, 11‐epileontidane and leontidane. In addition, the artificial alkaloid isoleontidine, carrying an endo‐fused pyrrolidine on the same side as the pyridone, was prepared from C‐13 oxidized cytisine.
Analysis and optimization of a nonlinear dual‐mode floor isolation system subjected to earthquake excitations
Authors: Bin Puthynan , Tehrani Mohammad H. , Nisa Mehrun , Harvey P. Scott , Taflanidis Alexandros A.
Published: April 2021

Floor isolation systems (FISs) are used to mitigate earthquake‐induced damage to sensitive building contents. Dynamic coupling between the FIS and primary structure (PS) may be nonnegligible or even advantageous when strong nonlinearities are present under large isolator displacements. This study investigates the influence of dynamic coupling between the PS and FIS in the presence of nonsmooth (impact‐like) nonlinearity in the FIS under intense earthquakes. Using component mode analysis, a nonlinear reduced order model of the combined FIS–PS system is developed by coupling a condensed model of the linear PS to the nonlinear FIS. A bilinear Hertz‐type contact model is assumed for the FIS, with the gap and the impact stiffness and damping providing parametric variation. The performance of the FIS–PS system is quantified through a multiobjective, risk‐based design criterion considering both the total acceleration sustained by the isolated mass under a service‐level earthquake and the interstory drift under a maximum considered earthquake. The results of a parametric study shed light on understanding the valid range that the decoupled approach can be reliably applied for nonlinear FISs experiencing impacts. It is also shown that the nonlinear FIS can be tuned in such a way to mitigate seismic responses of the supporting PS under strong shaking, in addition to protecting the isolated mass at low to moderate shaking. The FIS, therefore, functions as a dual‐mode vibration isolator/absorber system, with displacement‐dependent response adaptation. Guidelines to the optimal tuning of such a dual‐mode system are presented based on the risk‐based stochastic design optimization.
Design of an energy‐efficient IoT device with optimized data management in sports person health monitoring application
Authors: Qiu Yonghong , Liu Gaicheng , Muthu Bala Anand , Sivaparthipan C. B.
Published: April 2021

The improvements in health habits, technological advances, and the proliferation of healthy living activities have contributed to the comprehensive extension of sports person health assessment. Since the internet of things (IoT) device requires energy‐optimized wearable devices, it has been observed that the demanding factors include energy efficiency factor in Sports Person Health Monitoring wearable device. Hence in this paper, IoT‐based Hierarchical Health Monitoring Model (IoT‐HHMM) is proposed to improve the efficiency factor by minimizing the energy consumption to achieve effective assessment of sports person health monitoring wearables. The complexity of limited resources and usage of energy is optimized by introducing the Optimal Energy‐Efficient Resource Assignment Algorithm. Likewise, a cloud computing technique is implemented using Probabilistic Radial Basis Function Neural Network to ensure effective prediction and classification in healthcare data management, which is considered as a significant factor in wearable IoT devices for Sports Person Health Monitoring. The result indicates that the proposed IoT‐HHMM achieves a high accuracy ratio of 98.4%, a sensitivity ratio of 92.5%, a performance ratio of 96.7% when compared to traditional approaches.
Weather and children's time allocation
Authors: Nguyen Ha Trong , Le Huong Thu , Connelly Luke B
Published: April 2021

This paper presents the first causal estimates of the effect of weather on children's time allocation. It exploits exogenous variations in local weather observed during the random diary dates of two nationally representative cohorts of Australian children whose time‐use diaries were surveyed biennially over 10 years. Unfavorable weather conditions, as represented by cold or hot temperature or rain, cause children to switch activities from outdoors to indoors, mainly by reducing the time allocated to active pursuits and travel and increasing the time allocated to media. Furthermore, the effects of bad weather are more pronounced on weekends and for children with asthma. Our results also provide some evidence of adaptation, as temperature tends to have greater impact not only in winter months but also in colder regions. Our findings are robust to a wide range of sensitivity checks, including controlling for individual fixed effects and using alternative model specifications. Overall, the results suggest that extreme weather conditions may diminish children's health, development and long‐term achievements through their effects on children's time allocation.
Positive outcomes associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia
Authors: Cornell Samuel , Nickel Brooke , Cvejic Erin , Bonner Carissa , McCaffery Kirsten J. , Ayre Julie , Copp Tessa , Batcup Carys , Isautier Jennifer , Dakin Thomas , Dodd Rachael
Published: April 2021

Issue addressed

To investigate whether Australians have experienced any positive effects during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

National online longitudinal survey. As part of a June 2020 survey, participants (n = 1370) were asked ‘In your life, have you experienced any positive effects from the COVID‐19 pandemic’ (yes/no) and also completed the World Health Organisation‐Five well‐being index. Differences were explored by demographic variables. Free‐text responses were thematically coded.

Results

Nine hundred sixty participants (70%) reported experiencing at least one positive effect during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Living with others (P = .045) and employment situation (P < .001) at baseline (April) were associated with experiencing positive effects. Individuals working for pay from home were more likely to experience positive effects compared to those who were not working for pay (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.63, P < .001) or who were working for pay outside the home (aOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.58, P < .001). 54.2% of participants reported a sufficient level of well‐being, 23.2% low well‐being and a further 22.6% very low well‐being. Of those experiencing positive effects, 945/960 (98%) provided an explanation. The three most common themes were ‘Family time’ (33%), ‘Work flexibility’ (29%) and ‘Calmer life’ (19%).

Conclusions

A large proportion of participants reported positive effects resulting from changes to daily life due to the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia.

So what

The needs of people living alone, and of those having to work outside the home or who are unemployed, should be considered by health policymakers and employers in future pandemic preparedness efforts.
Students as leaders in supporting campus well‐being: Peer‐to‐peer health promotion in higher education
Authors: Reis Arianne , Mortimer Taylor , Rutherford Erin , Sperandei Sandro , Saheb Rowena
Published: April 2021

Issue addressed

This study aimed to analyse the relationship between peer‐delivered health promotion programmes and student well‐being and to expand the limited body of research examining peer‐to‐peer mental health promotion as experienced by student leaders.

Methods

The study was cross‐sectional and focused on the experience of participants of a Sydney‐based University Mental Health Day event, including student leaders, student participants, university staff and industry partners. It adopted a mixed‐method approach to data collection, including a quantitative and a qualitative phase.

Results

Results from the quantitative phase demonstrate the benefits of peer‐delivered health promotion programmes to students who receive the event. Results from the qualitative phase of the study provide a deeper insight into the delivery of the event, from both a student leader perspective, and also from the perspective of other stakeholders, who worked closely with student leaders. Two main themes emerged from the qualitative material and are explored in detail: enabling leadership and creating a sense of purpose.

Conclusion

The study concludes that, while there is mounting evidence of the benefits of student‐led mental health programmes for both leaders and their peers, more research needs to be carried out to better understand how to optimise these experiences and unlock their full potential with reference to student mental health.

So what?

With the ongoing pressure on university student services to support student well‐being not being met with appropriate resourcing, peer‐to‐peer programmes, like the Mental Health and Well‐being Student Ambassador Programme, have a real opportunity to make strides in supporting and promoting student mental health.
The next three epochs: Health system challenges amidst and beyond the COVID‐19 era
Authors: Arora Anish K.
Published: April 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has brought to light tremendous gaps and issues faced by health systems globally. Commendable effort has been made to retain continuity of care for non‐COVID‐19 patients amidst the pandemic, particularly using technology‐enhanced models of care. However, these efforts are not sufficient to tackle the impending challenges that health systems around the world will face next: (1) vaccine uptake and hesitancy; (2) a mental health crisis; and (3) post‐COVID‐19 migration. In this letter to the editor, explanation of why each of these issues is concerning and how each subsequent issue grows in severity is provided. Particular focus on the issue of post‐COVID‐19 migration is made, as this challenge is quite pressing to health systems but has yet to be explored thoroughly in the literature. Possible strategies for health system planners to consider are provided in this letter. Strategies include involving stakeholders such as patients and clinicians in deliberations and deployment of interventions, focussing efforts on adapting primary health systems, and building on technology‐enhanced models of care where possible. By adhering to the recommendations made in this letter, health systems may be able to proactively deal with the identified challenges before they become crises of their own, post COVID‐19.
Navigating tensions in rendering both career and psychosocial functions: An exploratory study of hybrid multiplex developmental relationships
Authors: Ghosh Rajashi , Nadkarni Sucheta
Published: April 2021

This study presents a different perspective on multiplex developmental relationships encompassing both career and psychosocial functions by highlighting the unique contradictions and coping mechanisms underlying these relationships. The in‐depth qualitative comparative case study analyses of 73 developmental relationships of 20 nascent technology entrepreneurs yielded four tensions: disclosure‐privacy, dependence‐independence, criticism‐confirmation and formality‐informality. Entrepreneurs and their developers addressed these tensions through four coping strategies: selection, moderation, reframing and separation. The exploratory analysis suggests that tensions are inherent features of developmental relationships. Co‐existence of nurturing and enriching aspects together with the dilemmas posed by the tensions seems to provide the impetus for developers and developees to mutually calibrate ways to cope with these tensions and enhance their developmental relationships. The implications of these nuanced findings are discussed for understanding developmental relationships constituting both career and psychosocial support functions needed for career advancement.
Groundwater contributions of flow and nitrogen in a headwater agricultural watershed
Authors: Redder Brian W. , Kennedy Casey D. , Buda Anthony R. , Folmar Gordon , Boyer Elizabeth W.
Published: April 2021

Nonpoint sources of nitrogen (N) and other nutrients are a major source of water pollution within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and other basins around the world. Human activities associated with agricultural practices can account for a large percentage of N loadings delivered to streams and rivers. This work aims to improve understanding of N transport from groundwater to surface waters, quantifying the principal hydrological processes driving water and N fluxes into and out of a headwater agricultural stream reach. The study site is a 175‐m stream reach in a heavily cultivated 40‐ha watershed in east‐central Pennsylvania. This subwatershed is underlain by fractured shale bedrock, and receives most of its baseflow from groundwater, either by diffuse matrix discharge through the streambed or by localized discharge through riparian seeps. Samples of stream, seep, and shallow groundwater were collected approximately monthly under steady hydrologic conditions in 2017. Calculated matrix flow from hydraulic head and conductivity measurements paired with differential stream gauging was used to solve for the riparian seep flux using a mass balance approach. Riparian seep fluxes ranged from 45 to 217 m3/d, transporting 0.6–4.2 kg N d−1 of nitrate‐N from the fractured bedrock aquifer to the stream. Hydrochemical data suggest that the stream is mainly disconnected from the underlying aquifer and that seeps supply essentially all water and N to the system. Seeps are likely sourced with N in nearby agricultural fields and accelerated through the system with shorter residence times than shallow groundwater. Water isotope data reinforced this notion. This study underscores the importance of agriculture as a source of N to ground and surface waters. Identifying source areas that are causing groundwater enrichment of N and seep areas where N discharges to streams is beneficial for developing N pollution mitigation strategies and implementing management practices that aim to reduce nutrient loads to the Chesapeake Bay.
Pregnancies in women with moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension remain challenging: A single‐center experience in East China
Authors: Miao Huixian , Chen Yunyan , Wang Chuan , Huang Taotao , Lin Jianhua
Published: April 2021

Objective

To determine the outcomes in women with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and determine the factors related to adverse outcomes.

Methods

Data from 684 women with PH admitted to the Affiliated Renji Hospital from January 2001 to December 2020 were collected. Outcomes were compared based on the causes and severity of PH.

Results

The overall mortality was 2.8%, decreasing from 6.6% in 2001–2005 to 1.7% in 2016–2020 (P = 0.10). Idiopathic PH had the highest mortality (35.3%) and the lowest live birth rate (82.4%). Mortality was similar between moderate and severe PH (5.3% versus 9.7%), but the live birth rate was much lower in severe PH (78.6% versus 89.9%). Hypoxemia and vaginal birth were risk factors of maternal death (odds ratio [OR] 35.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–878.75; OR 850.86, 95% CI 5.67–127 606.74, respectively). General anesthesia was a risk factor in the univariate analysis (OR 12.07, 95% CI 3.72–39.15) but was not significant in the multivariate analysis (P = 0.16).

Conclusion

The mortality rate in this retrospective study was lower than that previously reported. Pregnancy is safe in mild PH but still has a high risk of complications in moderate and severe PH. Hypoxemia is a risk factor for maternal death, but cesarean section may be a protective factor.
Subsequent pregnancy outcome after uterine compression suture placement for postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Subbaiah Murali , Chaturvedula Latha , Kubera Nichanahalli Siddappa , Raj Ashwini
Published: April 2021

Objective

To evaluate the subsequent obstetrical outcome in women who received a uterine compression suture.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of women who received a uterine compression suture for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) between January 2009 and December 2018 and had a subsequent pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital in India. Women who had PPH but did not receive uterine compression sutures and had a subsequent pregnancy were taken as controls.

Results

Sixty‐two women had a subsequent pregnancy after uterine compression suture and were included in this study. There were no significant differences in the subsequent pregnancy outcome between the study and control groups. However, women with a history of uterine compression suture were found to have a higher incidence of dense omental adhesions (15% versus 2.8%; P < 0.001), more intrapartum blood loss (740.5 ± 491.8 ml versus 638.8 ± 194 ml; P = 0.02), and were more likely to need repeat uterine compression suture (6.7% versus 0%; P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Women who received uterine compression sutures had similar obstetrical outcomes in their subsequent pregnancy compared with those who did not receive a suture for PPH management. However, they had a higher risk of dense omental adhesions, repeat uterine compression suture application, and intrapartum blood loss.
Practical reestablishment of golf greens following winter damages – A field study
Authors: Lönnberg Carl‐Johan , Aamlid Trygve S.
Published: April 2021

Dead greens in spring due to winterkill is common on Nordic golf courses. The objective of this research was to evaluate drop seeding, spike seeding and slit seeding of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.‘007’) and rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis L.) in comparison with an unseeded control treatment for reestablishment of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) putting greens after winterkill. Three trials were conducted on golf courses in Central Sweden (60–61° N, 15–16° E 70–170 m a.s.l.); two in 2017 with soil temperatures varying from 6 to 16 °C during the trial period, and one in 2018 with temperatures varying from 13 to 26 °C. On average for the three trials, turfgrass coverage 4 and 6 wk after seeding was better with spike seeding or slit seeding than with drop seeding which was not different from the unseeded control. Creeping bent grass and rough bluegrass coverage did not differ on average for three trials but slit seeded rough bluegrass had better coverage after 4 wk than any of the other treatments on average for the two trials in 2017. Together with the evaluation of seed mixtures in the SCANGREEN program, this research shows that slit seeding of rough bluegrass can be recommended for faster recovery of winterkilled annual bluegrass greens in central and northern parts of the Nordic countries. Rough bluegrass can either be seeded alone to enable faster golf course opening, or it can be seeded in mixture with creeping bentgrass as part of a long‐term strategy to replace annual bluegrass with creeping bentgrass.
Surface decoration and characterization of solar driven biochar for the removal of toxic aromatic pollutant
Authors: Amjed Muhammad Ahsan , Wu Xiange , Ali Imran , Naz Iffat , Dai Min , Tehrim Aafia , Niaz Waqas , Javaid Sheikh Fahad , Peng Changsheng
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

In the current work, the conventional pyrolysis technique was replaced by new concentrated solar power (CSP) driven technique to fabricate and modify biochar (BC) for more sustainable, energy independent, cost‐effective, and ecofriendly pyrolysis processes. Double‐glazed vacuum tube was used as a reactor for pyrolysis along with solar tracking system on CSP plant, meanwhile nitrogen flow was maintained during pyrolysis to create an inert environment. Further, a novel approach was used to modifying BC by loading bimetal oxide (Mn‐Ferrite) on pristine biochar (P‐BC) using pre‐ and post‐treatment to enhance its sorption capacity for anionic aromatic pollutant i.e., Eriochromie Black T (EBT) dye from aqueous solution.

RESULTS

Ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) and Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSo4·7H2O) were used to develop magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) γ‐Fe2O3by co‐precipitation technique. Both Biomass and P‐BC were treated with MnCl2·4H2O and MNPs to fabricate an innovative bi‐metal oxide (MnFe2O4) biochar. The characterization of modified biochars via Elemental analyzer, SEM (scanning‐electron‐microscopy), BET (Brunauer–Emmet–Teller), XPS (X‐ray‐photoelectron‐spectroscopy), FTIR (Fourier‐transform‐infrared‐spectra), and VSM (Vibrating‐sample‐magnetometer), ensured the loading of magnetic bimetal oxide over P‐BC. Various kinetic and isotherm models were employed from which pseudo‐second‐order have proven to be the best fit kinetic model on all types of BCs with highest correlation coefficient value (R2 = 0.999). While among isotherm models, Langmuir demonstrated best regression coefficient (R2 = 0.98) and Qmax for EBT was up to 121.95 mg·g−1.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, the results indicated that innovative Mn‐ferrite loaded BC has better sorption ability to EBT than simple metal oxide of Mn and Fe. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
A simplified kinetic model to describe the solvent‐free enzymatic synthesis of wax esters
Authors: Serrano‐Arnaldos Mar , Murcia M Dolores , Ortega‐Requena Salvadora , Montiel M Claudia , Máximo Fuensanta , Gómez Elisa , Bastida Josefa
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

The use of biotechnological processes at industrial scale is a promising tool to replace conventional synthesis as an efficient and eco‐friendly technology. For that purpose, the kinetic modelling of an in‐lab optimized enzymatic process prior to scaling‐up is of great utility.

RESULTS

In this work, a kinetic model for the solvent‐free synthesis of cetyl laurate, myristate, palmitate and stearate using different commercial immobilized lipases has been developed. In order to describe the esterification process of the cetyl esters separately and as a mixture similar to natural spermaceti, a pseudo‐first‐order kinetic has been proposed and tested. A relation between the inverse values of the kinetic constant and the amount of biocatalyst has been observed. The effect of temperature on the reaction rate can be accurately described by the Arrhenius equation except for immobilized Thermomyces lanuginosus, which appears to be less resistant to temperatures above 70 °C.

CONCLUSION

Low deviations between experimental and predicted values (R2 ≥ 0.99) indicate that this pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model can be considered valid for the data range studied. In addition, the reaction rate of spermaceti can be successfully predicted through a weighted average of the kinetic constants obtained during the synthesis of each cetyl ester. This simple but accurate kinetic model for describing the solvent‐free enzymatic biosynthesis of wax esters from spermaceti may contribute to extending the application of lipases as industrial catalysts. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Accelerating biodegradation of an azo dye by using its inorganic intermediates
Authors: Zhang Chengji , Peng Qian , Xuan Runhe , Zhang Yongming , Xue Gang , Sun Weihua
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

The discharge of textile wastewater can cause various environment problems. How to remove these dyes in effluents effectively remains a major concern in wastewater treatment. In this work, the accelerating biodegradation effect of two inorganic intermediates generated by UV irradiation on a monoazo dye, Acid Orange 7 (AO7), was studied in a biofilm reactor.

RESULTS

The biodegradation reaction fitted well with fractional‐order kinetics. The promotion effects of k trend for the two inorganic intermediates were NH4+ addition > SO42− addition (> AO7 biodegradation alone). NH4+ ions increased biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) gradually: compared with 0.5 mg L−1 addition protocol, the BOD of 3 mg L−1 addition protocol was enhanced about five‐fold. SO42− ions showed a positive effect at low concentration and a negative effect at high concentration. In addition, the effect of the two inorganic intermediates on aerobic microbial respiration rate (i.e. SOUR) was similar to BOD. Based on the analysis of high‐throughput sequencing and cluster of orthologous groups, a mechanism of accelerating azo dye biodegradation by using its available intermediates was proposed.

CONCLUSION

This work revealed that the main inorganic intermediates of the azo dye could accelerate its biodegradation rates. In addition, the bioreactor provided an integrated anaerobic/aerobic micro‐environment that was beneficial to promoting this acceleration effect. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Impacts of low‐disturbance dairy manure incorporation on ammonia and greenhouse gas fluxes in a corn silage–winter rye cover crop system
Authors: Sherman Jessica F. , Young Eric O. , Jokela William E. , Cavadini Jason
Published: April 2021

Manure and fertilizer applications contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions. Losses of NH3 and nitrous oxide (N2O) are an economic loss of nitrogen (N) to farms, and methane (CH4), N2O, and carbon dioxide (CO2) are important GHGs. Few studies have examined the effects of low‐disturbance manure incorporation (LDMI) on both NH3 and GHG fluxes. Here, NH3, N2O, CH4, and CO2 fluxes in corn (Zea mays L.)–winter rye (Secale cereale L.) field plots were measured under fall LDMI (aerator/band, coulter injection, strip‐till, sweep inject, surface/broadcast application, broadcast‐disk) and spring‐applied urea (134 kg N ha–1) treatments from 2013 to 2015 in central Wisconsin. Whereas broadcast lost 35.5% of applied ammonium‐N (NH4–N) as NH3–N, strip‐till inject and coulter inject lost 0.11 and 4.5% of applied NH4–N as NH3, respectively. Mean N2O loss ranged from 2.7 to 3.6% of applied total N for LDMI, compared with 4.2% for urea and 2.6% for broadcast. Overall, greater CO2 fluxes for manure treatments contributed to larger cumulative GHG fluxes compared with fertilizer N. There were few significant treatment effects for CH4 (P > .10); however, fluxes were significantly correlated with changes in soil moisture and temperature. Results indicate that LDMI treatments significantly decreased NH3 loss but led to modest increases in N2O and CO2 fluxes compared with broadcast and broadcast‐disk manure incorporation. Tradeoffs between N conservation versus increased GHG fluxes for LDMI and other methods should be incorporated into nutrient management tools as part of assessing agri‐environmental farm impacts.
The COVID‐19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia and the impact on patient safety incident reports: An empirical study among the medical facilities of Qassim health cluster
Authors: Al‐Shaya Sultan , Al‐Reshidi Ayed , Farajat Majeda , Elnefiely Aliaa
Published: April 2021

COVID‐19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia (SA) has placed substantial challenges on its health care system, which raised our concern about the possible influence on patient safety culture. Therefore, this study aimed to provide empirical evidence on how the COVID‐19 outbreak impacted patient safety incident reports (PSIRs) among the Qassim Health Cluster (QHC) in SA. This retrospective study assessed a total of 23,481 inpatient PSIRs from 22 medical facilities. We compared data on PSIRs between COVID‐19 period (March–July 2020) and a comparable pre‐COVID‐19 period (March–July 2019). PSIRs were classified according to “Saudi Patient Safety Taxonomy.” In the COVID‐19 period: inpatient admissions have significantly dropped by one‐fourth, and the median score of PSIRs significantly increased to 30.6/100 inpatients. Nevertheless, there were no changes in PSIRs harm level. The top five areas of reporting were related to: patient care, medication, infection control, staff, and facility maintenance. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the frequency rate of PSIRs by facility bed capacity. The significant increase in PSIRs at COVID‐19 time can be perceived as a positive outcome. Our view considers both the COVID‐19 crisis and future health crises. The lessons learned here should be employed to promote sustainable preparedness and responses to subsequent crises.
Dysregulation of homocysteine homeostasis in acute intermittent porphyria patients receiving heme arginate or givosiran
Authors: To‐Figueras Jordi , Wijngaard Robin , García‐Villoria Judit , Aarsand Aasne K. , Aguilera Paula , Deulofeu Ramon , Brunet Mercè , Gómez‐Gómez Àlex , Pozo Oscar J. , Sandberg Sverre
Published: April 2021

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare metabolic disease caused by mutations within the hydroxymethylbilane synthase gene. Previous studies have reported increased levels of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) in symptomatic AIP patients. In this study, we present long‐term data for tHcy and related parameters for an AIP patient cohort (n = 37) in different clinical disease‐states. In total, 25 patients (68%) presented with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy; tHcy > 15 μmol/L) during the observation period. HHcy was more frequent in AIP patients with recurrent disease receiving heme arginate, than in nonrecurrent (median tHcy: 21.6 μmol/L; range: 10‐129 vs median tHcy: 14.5 μmol/L; range 6‐77). Long‐term serial analyses showed a high within‐person tHcy variation, especially among the recurrent patients (coefficient of variation: 16.4%‐78.8%). HHcy was frequently associated with low blood concentrations of pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate and folate, while cobalamin concentration and the allele distribution of the methylene‐tetrahydrofolate‐reductase gene were normal. Strikingly, 6 out of the 9 recurrent patients who were later included in a regime of givosiran, a small‐interfering RNA that effectively reduced recurrent attacks, showed further increased tHcy (median tHcy in 9 patients: 105 μmol/L; range 16‐212). Screening of amino acids in plasma by liquid‐chromatography showed co‐increased levels of methionine (median 71 μmol/L; range 23‐616; normal <40), suggestive of acquired deficiency of cystathionine‐β‐synthase. The kynunerine/tryptophan ratio in plasma was, however, normal, indicating a regular metabolism of tryptophan by heme‐dependent enzymes. In conclusion, even if HHcy was observed in AIP patients receiving heme arginate, givosiran induced an aggravation of the dysregulation, causing a co‐increase of tHcy and methionine resembling classic homocystinuria.
Breeding Ecology of Mottled Ducks: A Review
Authors: Bonczek Elizabeth S. , Ringelman Kevin M.
Published: April 2021

Mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula) are endemic to the Gulf Coast of North America, and their range stretches from Alabama to the Laguna Madre of Mexico, with a distinct population in peninsular Florida and an introduced population in South Carolina. As one of the few non‐migratory ducks in North America, mottled ducks depend on a variety of locally available habitat throughout the annual cycle, and threats to these landscapes may affect mottled ducks more acutely than migratory species. Annual population monitoring has revealed declines in mottled duck populations in Texas and Louisiana since 2008, and the genetic integrity of the Florida population has been muddled by the presence of large numbers of feral mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) resulting in hybridization. Similar to other closely related dabbling ducks, mottled duck populations are influenced by recruitment and breeding season survival, so changes in these factors may contribute to population decline. Accordingly, researchers have attempted to address various aspects of mottled duck breeding season ecology and population dynamics since the 1950s. We conducted a literature review on this topic by searching a combination of key terms using Google Scholar, including mottled duck, nesting ecology, habitat use, breeding incidence, nest success, brood, and breeding season survival, and followed citation trees to eventually aggregate information from nearly 50 publications on mottled duck breeding ecology. Our review concluded that mottled ducks use brackish and intermediate coastal marsh, including managed impoundments, and agricultural land during the breeding season. Their nests can be found in pastures, levees, dry cordgrass marsh, cutgrass marsh, spoil banks, and small islands. Nesting propensity and nest success estimates are often lower than other waterfowl species that are characterized by stable or increasing populations. Broods use wetlands composed of a mix of open water with submerged and emergent vegetation. Breeding season survival is higher for the Florida population than the western Gulf Coast population, but adult survival in both geographies is comparable to (or higher than) that of other dabbling duck species. Breeding habitat use, breeding season survival, and nest‐site selection and success have been studied extensively in mottled ducks, whereas information on nesting propensity, renesting intensity, and post‐hatch ecology is lacking. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Clinical Features of Essential Voice Tremor and Associations with Tremor Severity and Response to Octanoic Acid Treatment
Authors: Lowell Soren Y. , Kelley Richard T. , Dischinat Nicole , Monahan Marika , Hosbach‐Cannon Carly J. , Colton Raymond H. , Mihaila Dragos
Published: April 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical features, tremor variability, and factors related to octanoic acid (OA) treatment response in essential voice tremor (EVT).

Study Design

Prospective, double blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study with secondary analysis.

Methods

Clinical tremor features in 16 individuals with EVT were comprehensively assessed, and correlations with acoustic tremor severity were determined. Intrasubject and intersubject variability measures were analyzed from 18 repeated measures for each acoustic tremor variable. Clinical correlates of treatment response were evaluated, and cumulative effects over a 2‐week period of OA drug dosing were assessed.

Results

Participants with EVT were 90% female with a mean age of 70.31 (±8.68) years at the time of testing. Neurologist‐rated body tremor beyond the vocal tract region was present in 69% of participants, and multiple vocal tract regions contributed to the voice tremor. The mean frequency of amplitude tremor was 4.67 Hz (±0.88). Respiratory tremor was evident in 50% of participants. Participants experienced moderate voice‐related disability as assessed on the Voice Handicap Index‐10 (19.38, ±8.50), and increased speaking effort. Acoustic tremor severity was significantly associated with severity of tremor affecting vocal tract structures. Overall intrasubject consistency was strong (single measures intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.701, P < .01), with high intersubject variability. Acoustic tremor severity was significantly, positively associated with treatment response, and results suggested a cumulative OA benefit for magnitude of amplitude tremor.

Conclusions

This study identified common clinical correlates of EVT and demonstrated positive associations between acoustic tremor severity, severity of affected vocal tract structures, and response to treatment.

Level of Evidence

2 Laryngoscope, 131:E2792–E2801, 2021
Optimal Arytenoid Position in Laryngeal Framework Surgery: An Anatomic Human Larynx Study
Authors: Burckardt Elizabeth S. , Lopez‐Guerra Gerardo , Kobler James B. , Tynan Monica A. , Petrillo Robert H. , Van Stan Jarrad H. , Burns James A.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to better understand the effects of stitch placement on arytenoid medialization by measuring normative cricoarytenoid joint anatomy and changes in arytenoid position when varying arytenopexy stitch configuration.

Methods

This adult human larynx study was done in two parts. First, measurements of the cricoid and arytenoid cartilage anatomy relevant to cricoarytenoid joint function were made in 45 preserved larynges (26 male (M), 19 female (F)) using digital calipers. Second, the arytenoids of six fresh larynges ( three M, three F) were sutured to the cricoid using various arytenopexy‐stitch placements ranging from inferior‐lateral to superior‐medial, and the resulting arytenoid positions were compared by measuring medial displacement of the arytenoid body and change in glottal configuration from macro still images using Image J. Paired t‐tests were used to compare the results.

Results

Cartilage and joint facet dimensions showed differences between males (M) and females (F). Cricoid facet lengths averaged 9.3 mm (M) and 7.1 mm (F), and widths averaged 4.9 mm (M) and 4.0 mm (F). The arytenoid facet widths averaged 10.5 mm (M) and 9.7 mm (F). Average distances between cricoid facets were 11.8 mm for both males and females. Securing the arytenoid superior‐medially on the cricoid facet produced more medialization (2.2 mm vs 1.0 mm, P < .001) and better glottic aperture configuration (9.5° vs 2.7°, P < .001) than securing the arytenoid inferior‐laterally on the facet.

Conclusions

Anatomic consistency in cricoarytenoid anatomy provides reliable surgical landmarks for ideal placement of an arytenopexy suture to optimally reposition the arytenoid cartilage. Optimal arytenoid medialization can be accurately reproduced with an arytenopexy‐suture that is placed superior‐medially on the cricoid facet.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 131:2540–2544, 2021
Strategies of shredders when feeding on low‐quality leaf‐litter: Local population adaptations or fixed species traits?
Authors: Fenoy Encarnación , Rubio‐Ríos Juan , González José M. , Salinas María J. , Moyano Francisco J. , Casas J. Jesús
Published: April 2021

The linkage between leaf‐litter and macroinvertebrate shredders is pivotal for stream food webs. Global change is predicted to decrease the nutritional quality of litter inputs to streams. However, little is known about shredder's ability to develop local interpopulation adaptations to face nutrient‐depleted leaf‐litter. We hypothesized that this adaptation could be present in populations receiving low‐quality leaf‐litter. We performed feeding tests on three abundant shredders species from lowland (a snail) and mountain (two insects) streams. Two populations of each species were derived from two subregions contrasting in average quality of litter inputs. Individuals were fed on four diets of contrasting quality: two leaf‐litter species with two qualities each, and their feeding rates, survivorship, growth, and energetic storage were evaluated. Results suggest that local population adaptation to low‐quality litters is not common, being essentially a fixed species trait that varies across species, in particular among snails and insects. The ability of the snail to cope with low‐quality litters suggests that ecosystem processes in lowland streams may resist reductions in litter quality. Conversely, potential alterations of riparian vegetation linked to global changes might disrupt mountain stream ecosystem functioning.
Irradiance modulates thermal niche in a previously undescribed low‐light and cold‐adapted nano‐diatom
Authors: Kling Joshua D. , Kelly Kyla J. , Pei Sophia , Rynearson Tatiana A. , Hutchins David A.
Published: April 2021

Diatoms have well‐recognized roles in fixing and exporting carbon and supplying energy to marine ecosystems, but only recently have we begun to explore the diversity and importance of nano‐ and pico‐diatoms. Here, we describe a small (ca. 5 μm) diatom from the genus Chaetoceros isolated from a wintertime temperate estuary (2°C, Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island), with a unique obligate specialization for low‐light environments (< 120 μmol photons m−2 s−1). This diatom exhibits a striking interaction between irradiance and thermal responses whereby as temperatures increase, so does its susceptibility to light stress. Historical 18S rRNA amplicon data from our study site show this isolate was abundant throughout a 6‐yr period, and its presence strongly correlates with winter and early spring months when light and temperature are low. Two amplicon sequence variants matching this isolate had a circumpolar distribution in Tara Polar Ocean Circle samples, indicating its unusual light and temperature requirements are adaptations to life in a cold, dark environment. We expect this isolate's low light, psychrophilic niche to shrink as future warming‐induced stratification increases both light and temperature levels experienced by high latitude marine phytoplankton.
Response of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and its associated N2 fixers to high business‐as‐usual climate change scenario in winter
Authors: Agawin Nona S. R. , Gil Atorrasagasti Mª Guadalupe , Frank Comas Aida , Fernández‐Juárez Víctor , López‐Alforja Xabier , Hendriks Iris E.
Published: April 2021

We investigated the effects of increasing seawater temperature and CO2 concentration based on a high business‐as‐usual climate change scenario by year 2100 on the photosynthetic performance and productivity of Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica and alkaline phosphatase and N2‐fixing activities of microbes associated with different plant parts during winter when the plants may be thermally more vulnerable. Our results suggest that elevated CO2 and temperature benefit the overall photosynthetic performance of P. oceanica. Despite the benefits, the magnitude of respiration increased with elevated CO2 resulting in a negative carbon balance for P. oceanica in winter. This trend is contradictory to the general notion of decreased respiration in plants with increasing CO2, and warrants future investigation on the mechanisms behind the opposite trend. Changes of alkaline phosphatase activities found here may not be a direct consequence of the different treatments, but indirectly, through changes in the demand for dissolved inorganic phosphorus for N2 fixers. Of the several groups of N2 fixers tested for nifH expression (a proxy for activity of nitrogenase, the enzyme required for N2 fixation), only the unicellular N2‐fixing cyanobacterial phylotypes, UCYNB and UCYNC, actively transcribed with a positive nifH transcription response of UCYNC to elevated CO2 and temperature. Our results suggest that in future climate scenarios, the structure and diversity of N2 microbial communities associated with seagrasses may change and high‐light the importance of investigating the responses of different groups individually in their natural habitat substrates.
Self‐Assembly and Molecular Electrical Switching Property of Phthalocyanine‐Based Liquid‐Crystalline Poly(Styrene Sulfonic Acid) Compounds
Authors: Kong Weiwei , Tang Xinqiao , Chang Xiaolong , Zhuang Yu , Li Xin , Jia Yinggang , Meng Fanbao
Published: April 2021

A series of phthalocyanine‐based liquid‐crystalline poly(styrene sulfonic acid) compounds (LCPCs) are synthesized using cholesterol, dicarboxylic acid, amino‐ zinc phthalocyanine, and polystyrene sulfonic acid. The chemical structure, thermal property, liquid‐crystalline behavior, direct current conductivity, and temperature‐controlled molecular electronic switch property are investigated by use of various techniques. The LCPCs show both columnar phase (Colh) induced by the phthalocyanine moieties and nematic discotic (Nd) phase formed by the collapse of the columnar phase structure. The temperature‐dependent conductivity of the LCPCs is associated with the activation energy evaluated by Broido's graphical procedure according to the thermogravimetric analytical curves. The LCPCs show low conductivity derived from 1D charge migration through phthalocyanine cores in the colh phase, but exhibit high conductivity due to 3D ionic charge transport in the Nd phase. A temperature‐controlled molecular electronic switch is fabricated on the basis of the temperature‐dependent conductivity property, which can be useful for some potential applications.
Sub‐20 nm Bilayer Hydrophilic Poly(Vinyl Pyrrolidone) Coatings for Antifouling Nanofiltration Membranes
Authors: Liu Wenna , Su Cuicui , Su Peipei , Yang Huidong , Lu Peng , Du Zhentao , Ye Yumin
Published: April 2021

Fouling is a major concern in membrane technology. Neutral hydrophilic coatings alleviate fouling on membrane surfaces by passively resisting the adsorption of foulants without altering the properties of membranes. Coatings, however, often result in a trade‐off of reduced water flux. Ultrathin hydrophilic coatings could minimize the influence on water flux, but its fabrication is challenging via traditional methods. Here, fabrication of sub‐20 nm bilayer hydrophilic coating is reported that is grafted onto nanofiltration (NF) membranes via a one‐step initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) method. The iCVD coating is conducted by conformally depositing a crosslinked poly(vinyl pyrrolidone‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) bottom layer on pretreated NF membrane, followed by in situ grafting of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) homopolymer to further improve surface hydrophilicity. Both thickness and crosslinking degree of the bottom coating are systematically tailored to reduce its side effects on permeation rate and salt rejection. The modified NF membranes exhibit 99% lower microbial adhesion compared to the pristine membrane, with minor impact on permeation and salt rejection performance. The coating is also stable against continuous ultrasonication. The reported method is thus expected to shed light on facile novel ways of reducing membrane fouling in desalination and industrial wastewater treatment.
Development of a Zeolite/Polymer‐Based Hydrogel Composite through Photopolymerization for 3D Printing Application
Authors: Zhang Yijun , Liu Shaohui , Chen Hong , Josien Ludovic , Schrodj Gautier , Simon‐Masseron Angélique , Lalevée Jacques
Published: April 2021

In recent years, hydrogels have been widely applied in daily life and industry. More and more fillers have been combined with hydrogel to broaden their fields of application and improve their mechanical properties. However, there are few works about zeolite‐based hydrogel composites via photopolymerization. Hence, in this work, it is reported that the fabrication of hydrogel composites containing zeolite (FAU‐13X ≈ 40 wt%) under mild photopolymerization conditions (visible LED light irradiation, at room temperature, under air, and without any monomer purification). Markedly, compared to pure hydrogel, the elastic modulus (G′) of hydrogel composite contains 10% FAU‐13X increased by more than 100%. When the zeolite content reached 40%, the water swelling ratio in mass reached 120%, and that in volume remained at 150%. In addition, 3D patterns with flat surface are obtained through direct laser write as a lithography technique. This means these hydrogel composites can be applied in the field of water absorption materials and 3D printing.