bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Potential for Protecting and Improving Brainability
Authors: Alessi Charles , Chambers Larry W. , Gray Muir
Published: July 2021

By putting into practice the advice in this book (based on evidence from systematic reviews, along with the authors’ collective experience), people would not only avoid dementia but they would also keep their brains healthier, their minds sharper, and would develop fewer diseases, be less disabled, be more independent and active, be less likely to have to go into a care home, and they would feel better. Don’t worry about your genes. Instead, fight back against the modern environment by reducing the impact of stress, sleeping better, becoming more active, stopping smoking, and rebalancing your diet. We need a new approach to increase our Brainability—understanding and accepting ageing, getting and keeping fitter, reducing the impact of disease, and thinking more positively. Based on this way of looking at living longer we have developed the Triple Whammy Brainability Programme—keep your brain tissue healthy, increase the blood supply to the brain, and increase the ability of your mind to interact with people and ideas.
Communicating Through Code
Authors: Nolan Deborah , Stoudt Sara
Published: July 2021

This chapter discusses how to write code in order to communicate ideas about a data analysis. In particular, the chapter describes how to: write pseudocode to give a high-level explanation of a programing task; adopt coding conventions and principles so that code is readable, well documented, and easily understood by others; and use technology tools to make sharing code easier.
Organizing the Story
Authors: Nolan Deborah , Stoudt Sara
Published: July 2021

This chapter discusses how to map out results in a storyboard before starting to write about findings. In particular, the chapter discusses the process of choosing what material is most relevant to our argument, determining the order in which to present our findings, and finding the narrative that will be compelling to a reader. An example of the storyboard process is provided using hospital data on drug-related, emergency-department visits.
Building a Portfolio
Authors: Nolan Deborah , Stoudt Sara
Published: July 2021

This chapter includes 22 exercises and activities to help the new writer further practice their writing skills and build a portfolio of writing samples. The portfolio pieces include prompts for critiquing visualizations, editing Wikipedia entries, writing blog posts and book reports, translating scientific abstracts into everyday language, and describing effective analogies.
The vital connections
Authors: Abbott Malcolm , Cohen Bruce
Published: July 2021

In this chapter attention is directed at the communications sector (telecommunications and post). This sector was one of the first to be reformed starting with the creation of the Australian Postal Commission and Telecommunications Commission in 1975. The role of technological change in driving the reform process in the case of telecommunications is examined, along with the role of industrial relations concerns and the commitment of universal service obligations in the case of post. The extent of public ownership in the communications sector is also considered, including the decisions to initial sell off Australia’s telecommunications company, Telstra, and then later to reinvest in the National Broadband Network (NBN), as well as the decision to maintain Australia Post as a government business enterprise.
Introduction
Authors: Bobzien Susanne
Published: July 2021

The cluster of problems around freedom, determinism, and moral responsibility is one of those themes in philosophy that are fascinating in both their complexity and their seemingly direct relevance to human life. Historians of ideas often assume that in Western philosophy this cluster of problems was the subject of an ongoing discourse from antiquity to the present day. This is, however, an illusion. Much of my research on ancient theories of determinism and freedom is devoted to showing that what commonly counts as this problem cluster today (often labelled as ‘the problem of free will and determinism’) is noticeably distinct from the issues that the ancients discussed—at least prior to the second century CE. It is true that one main component of the ancient discussion concerned the question of how moral accountability can be consistently combined with certain causal factors that impact human behaviour. However, it is not true that the ancient problems involved the questions of the compatibility of causal determinism with either our ability to do otherwise or a human faculty of a free will. Instead, we encounter questions about human autonomous agency and its compatibility with preceding causes, external or internal; with external impediments; with divine predetermination and theological questions; with physical theories like atomism and continuum theory, and with sciences more generally; with elements that determine character development from childhood—nature and nurture; with epistemic features such as ignorance of circumstances; with necessity and modal theories generally; with folk theories of fatalism; and also with questions of how human autonomous agency is related to moral development, to virtue and wisdom, to blame and praise. All these questions were discussed without reference to freedom to do otherwise or a faculty of the will—at least in Classical and Hellenistic philosophy. This volume of essays considers all of these questions to some extent....
Early Stoic Determinism
Authors: Bobzien Susanne
Published: July 2021

This chapter pursues the question how teleological elements and efficient causation were merged in early Stoic cosmology. Stoic determinism is originally introduced in teleological terms, built on a distinction between a global and an inner-worldly perspective on events, in which Nature is the global active principle that determines all inner-worldly events. Additionally, Chrysippus’ efficient causality connects inner-worldly causes and their effects and is used to construct a contemporary-style universal causal determinism. The teleological and seemingly mechanical elements are combined in the early Stoic concept of fate (heimarmenē). The Stoics present details of this combination in biological and psychological analogies. It emerges that the early Stoic theories of Nature as world seed and world soul and world agent offer a fascinating solution to the question how science and theology, in particular predetermination, can be joined consistently within cosmology: theological and scientific explanation of the world are two complementary explanations of the same thing.
Origins of Equity
Authors: Titi Catharine
Published: July 2021

Equitable considerations have been present in human societies for unfathomable aeons. From ancient Greece and Rome to modern times, through ecclesiastical law and the medieval English Chancery, equity has introduced considerations of fairness in legal thought and has helped mitigate the harshness of draconian laws. What is considered equitable has varied over time, with the equitable innovations of the past typically becoming the hard law of today. The purpose of the chapter is to show equity’s continuity in time and across legal systems, as a stepping stone to the argument presented later in the book that equity is a source of international law. The chapter explains that the distinct ways in which we make sense of equity owe something to its historical evolution in our respective legal systems. Ultimately, the chapter highlights equity’s journey from municipal legal systems to international law.
Equity, Compensation, and Costs
Authors: Titi Catharine
Published: July 2021

Just as equitable considerations can inform a court or tribunal’s decision in the early phases of the adjudicatory process, so equity may have a role to play in fixing the amount of compensation, in allocating costs, and in deciding whether to grant security for costs. The chapter proceeds in two parts. First, it considers equity in the reasoning of international courts and tribunals leading to the award of compensation. Second, it studies the role of equity in decisions relating to costs in investment arbitration – notably in decisions on the apportionment of costs between the disputing parties and on security for costs, a provisional measure in whose application equitable considerations are noticeably prominent.
Conclusion
Authors: Titi Catharine
Published: July 2021

The book’s concluding chapter summarises its main findings and arguments. The book has tried to make sense of the legal concept of equity as it operates in the international law of the 21st century, setting it on a new basis and dealing with some common misconceptions about it. The thrust of its argument is that equity is a legal concept and a source of international law whose reach stretches beyond what has previously been conceded. Equity contributes to the development of international law and, as international law grows, the value of equity grows with it. By definition circumstance-specific, equity must remain flexible in order to fulfil its function qua justice. As time goes by, equity will still inform new international law and it will continue to be relevant, as an imperative of law as justice that international courts and tribunals are bound to apply.
The Right to Information
Authors: Vrabec Helena U.
Published: July 2021

Chapter 4 addresses the right to information, the cornerstone of the system of control rights under the GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. The types of information that are likely to provide data subjects the most relevant information about data processing in the context of the data-driven economy are analysed more thoroughly, e.g., the information about the legal basis for data processing, the information about the sources of data, and the details on automated decision-making. The chapter investigates the right to explanation and icons which seem to offer a new, promising option to exercise more control over modern data flows. In the ePrivacy area, the right to information plays an increasingly important role in regulating the use of cookies and similar tracking technologies. The chapter acknowledges that, despite some novel steps in the GDPR, entitlements that the law affords are undermined due to three groups of factors: psychological, technological, and economic.
The Right to Be Forgotten
Authors: Vrabec Helena U.
Published: July 2021

Chapter 6 explores the theoretical, normative, and practical aspects of the right to be forgotten (erasure) as set out in Article 17 of the GDPR along with some related mechanisms that also facilitate online ‘forgetting’. It is argued that control is the underlying notion of the right, closely related to both data subjects’ privacy and their autonomy. After providing a summary of the relevant case law which preceded the GDPR, the chapter thoroughly analyses Article 17 which lays out the current version of the right to erasure along with implementation details and exceptions. The chapter also lists a few technical and other measures that can be used as alternatives for the right to erasure in new (AI) environments.
Migrant Consciousness and Catholic Confessional Identity Texts
Authors: Ó hAnnracháin Tadhg
Published: July 2021

Chapter 8 argues that migrants and exiles played a critical role in the elaboration of notions of Catholic identity in Ireland. It concentrates in particular on three authors from the early seventeenth-century—Peter Lombard, David Rothe, and Philip O’Sullivan Beare—who helped develop the notion that the Irish population was inherently Catholic and inscribed this idea in a particular delineation of history in which St Patrick and medieval Irish saints figured prominently. Close analysis of these texts reveal the profound influence of exilic experience on the writing of these various authors, and the ideas which they put forward came to exert an enduring influence on the self-understanding of Irish Catholics.
The Impact of Mobility on the Imagination of Protestant Identity
Authors: Ó hAnnracháin Tadhg
Published: July 2021

Chapter 9 argues that practically the entire corpus of Irish Protestant writing of the seventeenth century is susceptible to a reading as migrant literature. It offers a series of brief case studies of particular authors and texts to demonstrate the ubiquity of migrant experience in shaping this literary production. The chapter concentrates in particular on Sir John Temple’s The Irish Rebellion, arguing that this became the ur-text of Protestant identity in Ireland, and highlights the manner in which this book gave an enduring voice to the displaced refugees of the 1641 rebellion. Other authors discussed include Andrew Stewart the Presbyterian historian, John Vesey, and his portrayal of John Bramhall, Sir James Ware, and James Ussher.
Conclusion
Authors: Ó hAnnracháin Tadhg
Published: July 2021

The Conclusion of this book argues that on a whole series of levels, different types of mobility proved profoundly influential in shaping the evolution of Ireland’s different confessional communities and identities. It also discusses the limitation of Irish source material in some respects, and the potential applicability of the theme of mobility to other areas of Europe and the world.
Single-Crystal Synthesis
Authors: Cao Gang , DeLong Lance E.
Published: July 2021

Growing single crystals of 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides is often difficult, as they tend to form incongruently, as well as having high vapor pressure and high melting points. Two crystal growth techniques are commonly used for transition metal oxides—flux and floating-zone techniques; each has advantages and disadvantages. An established capability in both techniques makes it possible to grow single crystals of almost all stable materials. Some basic aspects of both techniques are discussed, and a few general remarks on crystal growth of 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides are presented. Crystal structures of most 4d- and 5d-transition metal oxides are inherently distorted. An innovative “field-altering” technique is under development, in which an applied magnetic field aligns magnetic moments and, through strong spin-orbit interactions and magnetoelastic coupling, alters crystal structures at high temperatures. Preliminary results show that a field-altering technology is highly effective for resolving physical properties of spin-orbit-coupled oxides.
Selection
Authors: Levinthal Daniel A.
Published: July 2021

Firms receive profits and losses, while individuals and initiatives generally only receive awards as mediated by an organization’s accounting system and reward structure. In that sense, a firm can be considered to be a credit assignment mechanism. Three basic challenges are considered: the problem of diversity of selection criteria, the challenge of the timing of selection relative to developmental processes, and the issue of units of aggregation and selection. Selection inevitably must be made on the basis of various imperfect indicators of broader objectives. The diversity of these selection criteria is argued to be an under-appreciated facet of diversity as prior work has tended to focus attention on the degree of diversity of underlying initiatives and activities. Further, it is recognized that the environment, or contexts, in which the organization operates, is itself an object of selection, which in turn influences the feedback processes the organization experiences.
Predicting Clinical Improvement for Patients With Low Back Pain: Keeping It Simple for Patients Seeking Physical Therapy Care
Authors: Brennan Gerard P , Snow Gregory L , Minick Kate I , Hunter Stephen J
Published: July 2021

Objective

This study sought to develop and validate an original prediction formula that estimated the probability of success for patients with low back pain (LBP) to achieve a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the Modified Low Back Disability Questionnaire (MDQ).

Methods

Patients were 10 to 90 years old in this retrospective cohort study. Data were extracted from Intermountain Healthcare’s registry, Rehabilitation Outcomes Management System: 62,858 patients admitted to physical therapy from 2002 to 2013 formed the training dataset, and 15,128 patients admitted 2015 to 2016 formed the verification dataset. Predicted probability to achieve MCID was compared with the actual percentage who succeeded. Two models were developed: 6-point improvement and 30% improvement. MDQ assessed disability, and numeric pain score assessed pain intensity. Predictive models used restricted cubic splines on age, initial pain, and disability scores for non-linear effects. Sex, symptom duration, and payer type were included as indicator variables. Predicted chance of success was compared with the actual percentage of patients that succeeded. Relative change in R-squared was calculated to assess variable importance in predicting success. Odds ratios for duration of injury and payer were calculated.

Results

A positive trend was observed in both models between predicted and actual success achieved. Both “verification” models appear accurate and closely approximate the “training dataset.” Baseline MDQ score was the most important factor to predict a 6-point improvement. Payer type and injury duration were important factors to predict 30% improvement. Best odds to achieve an MCID was having a workers compensation insurance payer and seeking care within 14 days.

Conclusion

The 2 models demonstrated an accurate visualization of the chance of patients achieving significant improvement compared with the usual representation of the average rate of improvement for all patients.

Impact

Enhancing physical therapists’ understanding of the probability of a patient achieving significant clinical improvement can enhance decision-making processes and help physical therapists manage a patient’s care more effectively.
Mind the gaps: therapists’ experiences of managing symptomatic hypermobility in Scotland
Authors: Dockrell Dervil M , Berg Kathryn M , Ralston Stuart H
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The aim was to ascertain occupational therapist (OT) and physiotherapist (PT) experiences of managing hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSDs) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) patients, specifically the training and confidence levels of therapists, use of evidence-based practice, accessibility of pain management and clinical psychology services, and perceived usefulness of a specialist centre in Scotland.

Methods

A mixed-method survey was distributed to Rheumatology OTs/PTs in Scotland. It included multiple choice and open text questions, which were analysed to reflect therapists’ experiences and perception of service need.

Results

We found that therapists in Scotland do have expertise in the management of HSD/hEDS patients; however, this expertise tends to be concentrated in secondary care, which makes it difficult for patients who are managed in primary care to access. The majority of respondents reported lack of access to external training (80%). There was difficulty in referral to pain management services (55%) and clinical psychology (28%) among adult therapists. Paediatric services provided considerably better access to these disciplines. Of note, the majority of respondents were in favour of a specialist centre in Scotland for the training and education of therapists (94.7%) and the diagnosis and management of complex HSD/hEDS patients (73.7%).

Conclusion

More research is needed urgently to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy interventions to underpin a national guideline in order that we can improve outcomes for HSD/hEDS patients. A specialist centre with expert and engaged clinicians would be a valuable asset in coordinating patient-focused research and conducting good-quality clinical trials.
Dietary energy level, feeder space, and group size on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing barrows and gilts
Authors: Smit Miranda N , Zhou Xun , Landero José L , Young Malachy G , Beltranena Eduardo
Published: July 2021

To benefit from feeding low net energy (NE) diets, growing-finishing pigs must be able to increase feed intake to compensate for lower caloric density, but this might be difficult in pens with a high stocking density. Access to the feeder, trough space, and(or) floor area may limit voluntary feed intake. The objective of this study was to clarify the relationships among dietary NE level, feeder space, group size, sex, and interactions in growing-finishing pigs. In a 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design, 1,920 pigs (33 kg) housed in 96 fully slatted floor pens (6.1 × 2.4 m) with 2 or 3 feeder spaces, and 18 or 22 barrows or gilts per pen, were fed either low (9.2 MJ/kg) or high (9.85 MJ/kg) NE diets over 5 growth phases (Grower 1: day [d] 0 to 20, Grower 2: d 21 to 41, Grower 3: d 42 to 62, Finisher 1: d 63 to 80, Finisher 2: d 81 to slaughter). Pen body weight (BW) and average daily feed disappearance (ADFD) were measured for each growth phase, biweekly from the start of shipping and at slaughter. Warm carcasses were weighed and graded (Destron). For the entire trial, pigs fed low versus (vs.) high NE diets had 0.119 kg/d greater (P < 0.001) ADFD, but 0.556 MJ/d lower (P < 0.050) average daily caloric disappearance (ADCD), and 0.017 kg/kg lower (P < 0.001) gain-to-feed (G:F). Pens with 18 vs. 22 pigs had 0.062 kg/d greater (P < 0.001) ADFD, 0.730 MJ/d greater (P < 0.010) ADCD, and 0.029 kg/d greater (P < 0.001) average daily weight gain (ADWG). Pigs in pens with 3 vs. 2 feeding spaces had 0.051 kg/d greater (P < 0.010) ADFD, 0.511 MJ/d greater (P = 0.050) ADCD but 0.004 kg/kg lower (P < 0.050) G:F. Pigs fed low vs. high NE diets had 0.6 kg lower (P < 0.050) carcass weight and 0.9 mm lower (P < 0.050) loin depth. Pens with 18 vs. 22 pigs took 2.8 days less (P < 0.001) to reach 130 kg slaughter BW. Pens with 18 vs. 22 pigs had a 0.4 %-point decrease (P < 0.050) in dressing percentage. Feeding low vs. high NE diets reduced (P < 0.001) feed cost by Can$21.87/tonne, $3.34/pig, $0.03/kg gain, and increased (P < 0.05) gross income subtracting feed cost by $1.82/pig. Housing 18 vs. 22 pigs per pen increased (P < 0.010) ISFC by $1.98 per pig. Lack of interactions between NE level, feeder space, and group size for ADFD indicate that low NE diets can be fed to pigs even if they have lower than recommended floor area allowance during part of the finishing phase.
Effects of narasin supplementation frequency on intake, ruminal fermentation parameters, and nutrient digestibility of Bos indicus Nellore steers fed with forage-based diets
Authors: Soares Letícia Carolina Bortolanza , Marques Rodrigo S , Vaz Pires Alexandre , Cruz Vinicius Alves , Limede Arnaldo Cintra , Maia Kauê dos Santos , Baggio Marcelo , Barroso José Paulo Roman , Biava Janaina Sokolovski , Maia Ferreira Evandro , Ferraz Jr Marcos Vinicius de Castro , Polizel Daniel Montanher
Published: July 2021

The study aimed to evaluate if the frequency of narasin supplementation impacts dry matter intake, ruminal fermentation parameters, and apparent digestibility of nutrient in Nellore (Bos indicus) steers fed forage-based diets. A total of 32 rumen-cannulated Nellore steers (initial body weight [BW] = 317 ± 27 kg; age =18 ± 1 mo) were assigned to individual pens in a randomized complete block design according to their initial shrunk BW. Within block, steers were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) forage-based diet without the addition of narasin (CON; n = 8), 2) CON diet plus 13 ppm of narasin every 24 h (N24; n = 8), 3) CON diet plus 26 ppm of narasin every 48 hours (N48; n = 8), or 4) CON diet plus 39 ppm of narasin every 72 hours (N72; n = 8). The experimental period lasted 30 d, with 18 d for diet adaptation and 12 d for sample collection. The experimental diets contained 95% of Tifton-85 (Cynodon dactylon spp.) haylage and 5% ground corn used as a delivery vehicle for narasin. Ruminal fluid was obtained from d 25 to 30 at 6 h after feeding to determine ruminal fermentation parameters. Narasin supplementation frequency did not affect (P ≥ 0.22) nutrient intake and total tract apparent digestibility. Steers fed N24 and N48 had reduced (P = 0.02) ruminal acetate concentration compared with CON and N72. Daily supply of narasin increased (P = 0.01) the molar proportion of propionate compared with CON and N72, and it did not differ between N24 vs. N48, N48 vs. N72, and N72 vs. CON. Also, N48 steers had greater (P = 0.01) rumen propionate concentration compared with CON. The N24 treatment decreased the Ac:Prop (P = 0.01) and AcBut:Prop (P = 0.02) ratio compared with CON and N72, while N48 had reduced (P = 0.01) Ac:Prop and AcBut:Prop ratio when compared with CON steers. Steers fed N24 and N48 had greater (P = 0.04) ruminal short-chain fatty acids compared with CON, but it did not differ (P > 0.11) between N24, N48, and N72. Supplementing narasin to steers fed forage-based diets decreased (P < 0.01) ruminal ammonia concentration compared with CON steers regardless of supplementation frequency, being the least result observed for N24 steers. Collectively, narasin supplementation frequency affected fermentation parameters without altering the nutrient intake and total tract apparent digestibility. Hence, decreasing frequency of narasin supplementation to Nellore steers fed a forage-based diet did not reduce the capacity to modulate rumen fermentation parameters.
Symbols Are Special: An fMRI Adaptation Study of Symbolic, Nonsymbolic, and Non-Numerical Magnitude Processing in the Human Brain
Authors: Sokolowski H Moriah , Hawes Zachary , Peters Lien , Ansari Daniel
Published: July 2021

How are different formats of magnitudes represented in the human brain? We used functional magnetic resonance imaging adaptation to isolate representations of symbols, quantities, and physical size in 45 adults. Results indicate that the neural correlates supporting the passive processing of number symbols are largely dissociable from those supporting quantities and physical size, anatomically and representationally. Anatomically, passive processing of quantities and size correlate with activation in the right intraparietal sulcus, whereas symbolic number processing, compared with quantity processing, correlates with activation in the left inferior parietal lobule. Representationally, neural patterns of activation supporting symbols are dissimilar from neural activation patterns supporting quantity and size in the bilateral parietal lobes. These findings challenge the longstanding notion that the culturally acquired ability to conceptualize symbolic numbers is represented using entirely the same brain systems that support the evolutionarily ancient system used to process quantities. Moreover, these data reveal that regions that support numerical magnitude processing are also important for the processing of non-numerical magnitudes. This discovery compels future investigations of the neural consequences of acquiring knowledge of symbolic numbers.
When and Why Do Employers (Re)Hire Employees Beyond Normal Retirement Age?
Authors: Tunney Orlaith C , Oude Mulders Jaap
Published: July 2021

Older workers are increasingly being encouraged to work beyond normal retirement age (NRA). Given that employers generally control opportunities for employees to work beyond NRA, better understanding their motivations, attitudes, and experiences in (re)hiring employees to work beyond NRA is vital. To date, however, research investigating employment beyond NRA has primarily focused on the perspective and experiences of employees. In this study, we analyzed data from a 2017 survey of 1,214 Dutch employers to examine whether workplace social norms, employers’ concerns related to workforce aging, and structural organizational characteristics were related to whether or not they employed working retirees. We found that workplace norms about working beyond NRA, concerns about career opportunities for younger workers, and structural characteristics such as organizational size, sector, and proportion of female and older workers in the organization were significantly associated with whether or not organizations employed workers beyond NRA. In the second, exploratory, phase of our analysis, we investigated attitudes and approaches toward workers beyond NRA among those who had previously employed such workers. Most employers agree that they mainly (re)hire workers with unique knowledge or experience to work beyond NRA and that employees usually take the initiative in prolonging employment. Employers’ opinions on whether employees working beyond NRA should accept a pay cut or block the progress of other employees are more mixed. Insights gained from the current research can help guide future research and policy to support longer working lives, from both employee and employer perspectives, even beyond normal retirement age.
Effect of early hyperoxemia on mortality in mechanically ventilated septic shock patients according to Sepsis-3 criteria: analysis of the MIMIC-III database
Authors: Popoff Benjamin , Besnier Emmanuel , Dureuil Bertrand , Veber Benoit , Clavier Thomas
Published: July 2021

Background and importance

Hyperoxemia may be associated with increased mortality in emergency room or ICU patients. However, its effect during septic shock is still debated.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of hyperoxemia on ICU mortality, during the first 24 h of ICU stay, in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock according to SEPSIS-3 criteria.

Design, settings and participants

A retrospective cohort study of ICU admissions recorded in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III, a retrospective ICU database, was performed.

Intervention

Two oxygen exposures during the first 24 h were compared: average PaO2 (TWA-PaO2) between 70 and 120 mmHg in the normoxemia group and above 120 mmHg in the hyperoxemia group.

Outcome measures and analysis

The primary outcome was mortality during ICU stay.

Main results

Four hundred eighty-eight ICU admissions met the inclusion criteria: 214 in the normoxemia group and 274 in the hyperoxemia group. The median TWA-PaO2 was 99.1 (88.9–107.6) mmHg in the normoxemia group and 151.5 (133.6–180.2) mmHg in the hyperoxemia group. ICU mortality was lower in the hyperoxemia group than in the normoxemia group in univariate analysis [29.6 vs. 39.7%, respectively; OR 0.64 (0.44–0.93); P = 0.024], but not in multivariate analysis [OR 0.98 (0.62–1.56); P = 0.93]. There was no difference between the two groups in ICU length of stay [8.0 (4.3–15.0) vs. 8.4 (4.7–15.0) days; P = 0.82].

Conclusion

We did not find any impact of early hyperoxemia on mortality in this population of mechanically ventilated patients with SEPSIS-3 septic shock criteria.
Social Support Is Inversely Associated With Sleep Disturbance, Inflammation, and Pain Severity in Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Saravanan Anitha , Bajaj Prempreet , Mathews Herbert L. , Tell Dina , Starkweather Angela , Janusek Linda
Published: July 2021

Background

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a significant cause of disability, lost wages, and healthcare costs. Inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), have been associated with LBP severity. Patients with CLBP commonly experience sleep disturbance, and poor sleep has been shown to increase pain severity and inflammation. In contrast, social support may benefit patients with CLBP by reducing pain intensity and inflammation.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of social support on the relationships among sleep disturbance, inflammation, and pain severity in patients with CLBP.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, men and women with CLBP were enrolled from an outpatient pain clinic. Participants completed psychometric instruments for social support, sleep quality, and pain severity. Blood samples were obtained for measurement of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 by enzyme-linked immunoassay.

Results

Linear regression revealed greater sleep disturbance predicted greater pain severity. In contrast, participants who reported higher social support had lower sleep disturbance and lower pain severity. Mediation analysis revealed sleep disturbance to mediate the relationship between social support and pain, such that sleep disturbance reduced the benefit of social support on pain severity. Furthermore, greater sleep disturbance and lower social support predicted increased IL-6. However, IL-6 did not mediate the relationship between social support and pain.

Discussion

The findings suggest that increased social support is associated with lower sleep disturbance, lower inflammation, and lower pain severity in patients with CLBP. Assessing the extent of social support and fostering social support as part of a comprehensive pain management program may benefit patients with CLBP. Interventions to strengthen social support systems and cultivate support from family and/or informal social networks may reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life.
68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 PET/CT in Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Liver With Elevated AFP Level
Authors: Ergül Nurhan , Yılmaz Burçak , Cin Merve , Çermik Tevfik Fikret
Published: July 2021

A 68-year-old woman with a mass lesion in right hepatic lobe had an elevated α-fetoprotein level (>54,000 ng/mL). The lesion showed higher 68Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 uptake than 18F-FDG uptake in consecutive PET/CT images. The histopathological examination revealed neuroendocrine carcinoma with Ki-67 proliferation index of 80%.
68Ga-PSMA PET/CT to Distinguish Brain Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma From Radiation Necrosis After Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Authors: Filizoglu Nuh , Cetin Ilknur Alsan , Kissa Tugba Nergiz , Niftaliyeva Khanim , Ones Tunc
Published: July 2021

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the kidney. Approximately 35% of patients of RCC presents with distant metastasis at initial evaluation. CT and MRI are the mainstay imaging modalities. Distinguishing radiation necrosis from tumor progression after stereotactic radiosurgery is challenging. Herein, we present a case of a 43-year-old man with RCC who was treated with stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases. We want to emphasize the potential value of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging in the differential diagnosis and follow-up of tumor progression from radiation necrosis in RCC patients.
Tumor Thrombus on 18F-FDG PET/CT in Stage IV Plasmablastic Lymphoma
Authors: Jacquet Thibaut , Huchet Virginie , Bedoui Manel , Jehanno Nina
Published: July 2021

A 71-year-old woman with a history of back pain and recent weight loss presented to the emergency department with hematuria. A CT scan was performed and showed left retroperitoneal mass with left renal vein thrombus extended to the vena cava. Tumor biopsy revealed plasmablastic lymphoma. Staging with 18F-FDG PET/CT scan was performed and revealed pulmonary, hepatic, and left supraclavicular lymph node extension. The left retroperitoneal mass showed intense FDG uptake and was associated with widespread tumor thrombus in the peripheral abdominal veins. Differentiating tumor thrombus from bland thrombosis has a significant impact on patient’s management.
Diffuse Linear Pattern of Pericardial FDG Activity in Pericardial Metastasis From Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jun , Gao Jun , Dong Aisheng , Wang Yang
Published: July 2021

Pericardial metastasis usually shows focal pericardial FDG activity. Diffuse linear pattern of pericardial FDG activity is uncommon. We present a case of pericardial metastasis from squamous cell lung carcinoma showing diffuse linear pericardial FDG activity mimicking tuberculous pericarditis.
Complete Resolution of Disease After Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy in a Patient of Metastatic Insulinoma
Authors: Verma Priyanka , Malhotra Gaurav , Dodamani Manjunath H. , Lila Anurag R. , Asopa Ramesh V. , Bandgar Tushar R.
Published: July 2021

A 48-year-old man, a case of metastatic insulinoma, who failed transarterial chemoembolization of liver metastases underwent multiple cycles of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with 177Lu-DOTATATE, following which a complete morphologic and metabolic response was demonstrated on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. Patient had a remarkable improvement in his quality of life as intractable hypoglycemic episodes resolved after treatment. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is a promising targeted radionuclide therapy in patients of metastatic insulinomas that can result in reduced tumor burden and improved quality of life, particularly those who fail the conventional treatment modalities as seen in the present case.
A Stromal Tumor Presenting as a Pseudoaneurysmal Dilation of the Small Bowel Mimicking a Lymphoma on FDG PET/CT
Authors: Xiao Liu , Wang Yueqi , Li Lin
Published: July 2021

An 84-year-old woman visited our hospital with hematochezia for 1 month. Abdominal CT and FDG PET/CT showed local thickening of the small intestine, resembling an intestinal aneurysmal dilatation. Thus, a lymphoma was suspected, and surgical resection was performed. The final pathology revealed an exophytic small bowel stromal tumor with perforation, causing pseudoaneurysmal dilation of the small bowel. This case emphasized the importance of considering a small bowel stromal tumor when faced with similar FDG PET/CT findings.
11C-Methionine Uptake in the Lactating Human Breast
Authors: Michler Enrico , Hilliger Stephan , Kopka Klaus , Kotzerke Jörg
Published: July 2021

A 33-year-old nursing mother who underwent resection of a glioblastoma of the right hemisphere was referred for a 11C-methionine PET/MR scan to exclude cancer recurrence. In whole-body PET imaging, a slight radiotracer uptake could be observed in the mammary glands, reflecting lactation status. In this case report, we initially describe 11C-methionine uptake in the human breast and discuss any consequences arising from this special situation.
Resveratrol prevented spatial deficits and rescued disarrayed hippocampus asymmetric dimethylarginine and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in young rats with increased circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine
Authors: Hsu Mei-Hsin , Chang Kow-Aung , Chen Yu-Chieh , Lin I-Chun , Sheen Jiunn-Ming , Huang Li-Tung
Published: July 2021

Increased plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine can be encountered in chronic inflammatory disease, liver damage, renal failure, and multiple organ failure. In addition, an association between circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine levels and all-cause mortality has been reported. Male Sprague–Dawley rats, postnatal day 17 ± 1, received continuous asymmetric dimethylarginine infusion via an intraperitoneal pump. Spatial performance and dorsal hippocampal asymmetric dimethylarginine and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were examined, and the effect of resveratrol was tested. A 4-week continuous asymmetric dimethylarginine infusion in young male rats caused spatial deficits, increased asymmetric dimethylarginine levels, and decreased BDNF expression in the dorsal hippocampus. Increased oxidative stress and altered molecules in the dorsal hippocampus linked to asymmetric dimethylarginine and BDNF functions were detected. Resveratrol protected against these effects, reversing spatial deficits, and reducing the changes in the dorsal hippocampal asymmetric dimethylarginine and BDNF levels.
Functional connectivity pre-post exercise intervention in individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Saadat Nazanin , Mayo Chantel D. , Lacey Colleen , Gawryluk Jodie R.
Published: July 2021

Objective

Exercise interventions have emerged as a promising approach for managing symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, changes in brain function underlying exercise-related improvements in symptoms of MS have not been fully investigated, and in no instances have they been investigated using a graph theory approach. For the first time, the effects of an exercise intervention on functional brain network connectivity were examined using graph theory analyses of resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data among individuals with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

Methods

Resting-state fMRI data were obtained from 10 participants before and after 12 weeks of a speeded walking intervention. Functional connectivity data were preprocessed in Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI Advanced (DPARSF A version 4.2) and analyzed in GraphVar2.02 to compute global and local graph theory metrics. To examine differences in graph metrics before and after the intervention, one-sample permutation tests were performed.

Results

There were no significant pre to post exercise intervention changes in global metrics. Changes in local metrics (i.e. clustering coefficient, local efficiency, degree centrality and betweenness centrality) were mixed, with both increases and decreases observed.

Conclusion

Following a 12-week speeded walking exercise intervention, there were no significant increases or decreases in global graph metrics and results at the level of local metrics were equivocal in individuals with RRMS. Further research with experimental designs that include baseline and longitudinal follow-up, as well as larger sample sizes, is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of symptom improvement following exercise in RRMS.
Re-identification of individuals from images using spot constellations: a case study in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)
Authors: Dȩbicki Ignacy T. , Mittell Elizabeth A. , Kristjánsson Bjarni K. , Leblanc Camille A. , Morrissey Michael B. , Terzić Kasim
Published: July 2021

The ability to re-identify individuals is fundamental to the individual-based studies that are required to estimate many important ecological and evolutionary parameters in wild populations. Traditional methods of marking individuals and tracking them through time can be invasive and imperfect, which can affect these estimates and create uncertainties for population management. Here we present a photographic re-identification method that uses spot constellations in images to match specimens through time. Photographs of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) were used as a case study. Classical computer vision techniques were compared with new deep-learning techniques for masks and spot extraction. We found that a U-Net approach trained on a small set of human-annotated photographs performed substantially better than a baseline feature engineering approach. For matching the spot constellations, two algorithms were adapted, and, depending on whether a fully or semi-automated set-up is preferred, we show how either one or a combination of these algorithms can be implemented. Within our case study, our pipeline both successfully identified unmarked individuals from photographs alone and re-identified individuals that had lost tags, resulting in an approximately 4% increase in our estimate of survival rate. Overall, our multi-step pipeline involves little human supervision and could be applied to many organisms.
Impact of interracial contact on inferring mental states from facial expressions
Authors: Handley Grace , Kubota Jennifer T. , Li Tianyi , Cloutier Jasmin
Published: July 2021

Although decades of research have shown that intergroup contact critically impacts person perception and evaluation, little is known about how contact shapes the ability to infer others' mental states from facial cues (commonly referred to as mentalizing). In a pair of studies, we demonstrated that interracial contact and motivation to attend to faces jointly influence White perceivers’ ability to infer mental states based on facial expressions displaying secondary emotions from both White targets alone (study 1) and White and Black targets (study 2; pre-registered). Consistent with previous work on the effect of motivation and interracial contact on other-race face memory, we found that motivation and interracial contact interacted to shape perceivers' accuracy at inferring mental states from secondary emotions. When motivated to attend to the task, high-contact White perceivers were more accurate at inferring both Black and White targets’ mental states; unexpectedly, the opposite was true for low-contact perceivers. Importantly, the target race did not interact with interracial contact, suggesting that contact is associated withgeneralchanges in mentalizing irrespective of target race. These findings expand the theoretical understanding and implications of contact for fundamental social cognition.
Joermungandr bolti, an exceptionally preserved ‘microsaur’ from the Mazon Creek Lagerstätte reveals patterns of integumentary evolution in Recumbirostra
Authors: Mann Arjan , Calthorpe Ami S. , Maddin Hillary C.
Published: July 2021

The Carboniferous Pennsylvanian-aged (309–307 Ma) Mazon Creek Lagerstätte produces some of the earliest fossils of major Palaeozoic tetrapod lineages. Recently, several new tetrapod specimens collected from Mazon Creek have come to light, including the earliest fossorially adapted recumbirostrans. Here, we describe a new long-bodied recumbirostran,Joermungandr boltigen. et sp. nov., known from a single part and counterpart concretion bearing a virtually complete skeleton. Uniquely,Joermungandrpreserves a full suite of dorsal, flank and ventral dermal scales, together with a series of thinned and reduced gastralia. Investigation of these scales using scanning electron microscopy reveals ultrastructural ridge and pit morphologies, revealing complexities comparable to the scale ultrastructure of extant snakes and fossorial reptiles, which have scales modified for body-based propulsion and shedding substrate. Our new taxon also represents an important early record of an elongate recumbirostran bauplan, wherein several features linked to fossoriality, including a characteristic recumbent snout, are present. We used parsimony phylogenetic methods to conduct phylogenetic analysis using the most recent recumbirostran-focused matrix. The analysis recoversJoermungandrwithin Recumbirostra with likely affinities to the sister clades Molgophidae and Brachystelechidae. Finally, we review integumentary patterns in Recumbirostra, noting reductions and losses of gastralia and osteoderms associated with body elongation and, thus, probably also associated with increased fossoriality.
High-performance resistive humidity sensor based on Ag nanoparticles decorated with graphene quantum dots
Authors: Chaloeipote Gun , Samarnwong Jaruwan , Traiwatcharanon Pranlekha , Kerdcharoen Teerakiat , Wongchoosuk Chatchawal
Published: July 2021

In this work, we present a low-cost, fast and simple fabrication of resistive-type humidity sensors based on the graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) nanocomposites. The GQDs and AgNPs were synthesized by hydrothermal method and green reducing agent route, respectively. UV–Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field-emission transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize quality, chemical bonding states and morphology of the nanocomposite materials and confirm the successful formation of core/shell-like AgNPs/GQDs structure. According to sensing humidity results, the ratio of GQDs/AgNPs 1 : 1 nanocomposite exhibits the best humidity response of 98.14% with exponential relation in the humidity range of 25–95% relative humidity at room temperature as well as faster response/recovery times than commercial one at the same condition. The sensing mechanism of the high-performance GQDs/AgNPs humidity sensor is proposed via Schottky junction formation and intrinsic synergistic effects of GQDs and AgNPs.