bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional walrus abundance estimate in the United States Chukchi Sea in autumn
Authors: Fischbach Anthony S. , Taylor Rebecca L. , Jay Chadwick V.
Published: June 2022

Human activities (e.g., shipping, tourism, oil, gas development) have increased in the Chukchi Sea because of declining sea ice. The declining sea ice itself and these activities may affect Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) abundance; however, previous walrus abundance estimates have been notably imprecise. When sea ice is absent from the eastern Chukchi Sea, walruses in waters of the United States usually rest together onshore at a single Alaska coastal haulout, where they can be surveyed more easily than when they rest on dispersed offshore ice floes. We estimated the number of walruses on land (herd size) at this haulout from 13 unoccupied aircraft system (UAS) surveys flown within a 10‐day period in each of 2018 and 2019. We estimated population size of walruses using the haulout over the course of the surveys by combining herd size data with data from satellite‐linked transmitters that indicated whether tagged walruses were in or out of water during each survey. Our estimates of the population size of walruses using the haulout during each year's survey period were similar to each other and more precise than historical walrus abundance estimates: posterior means (95% credibility intervals) were 166,000 (133,000–201,000) for 2018 and 189,000 (135,000–251,000) for 2019. Auxiliary observations support using these estimates to represent the size of the population using the eastern Chukchi Sea in autumn during the surveyed years. Our study site was the only substantial Chukchi Sea coastal haulout in the United States during the survey periods and study‐specific tracking data (consistent with known distribution and movement patterns) indicated tagged walruses remained in eastern Chukchi waters during the survey periods. In addition, the imagery, telemetry, and analytical methods developed for this study advance the prospect for precise range‐wide walrus population size estimates.
Liver ultrasound in cirrhosis is inadequate for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance compared to magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Ravindran Nishal , Agarwal Amol , Li Feng , Thuluvath Paul J.
Published: June 2022

Background

The guidelines recommend surveillance with liver ultrasound (US) for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The accuracy of US is operator‐dependent and is limited in those with severe obesity or ascites. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may have higher accuracy for detecting HCC, especially early HCC.

Objective

To assess the accuracy of US for HCC detection using MRI as the clinical gold standard.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of 223 patients with cirrhosis who had both abdominal US and MRI within 6 months of each other, between October 2013 and November 2018. Using MRI as the gold standard for detecting HCC, the test characteristics of US and concordance with MRI were evaluated, and potential patient characteristics associated with the false‐negative US were examined.

Results

Of 223 patients, MRI detected HCC in 70 patients while US detected HCC only in 38; thus, the overall sensitivity of US was 54% in detecting HCC, using MRI as the reference standard. The prevalence‐adjusted and bias‐adjusted kappa (PABAK) was 0.65 for the entire group. However, PABAK was only 0.04 when the subgroup with HCC (n = 70) was analysed. Higher Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was the only factor that was associated with decreased US sensitivity, with the odds of false‐negative US increasing by 9.8% for each 1‐point increase in MELD.

Conclusion

Our study showed that MRI performed better than the US in detecting HCC in patients with cirrhosis. Patients with higher MELD may require an MRI for HCC surveillance for early diagnosis of HCC.
Influences of land reclamation on soil bacterial communities of abandoned salt pans in the Yellow River Delta
Authors: Zhu Yihao , Song Xiliang , Liu Xiaoli , Chen Weifeng , Niu Xuchang , Zhou Weizhi
Published: June 2022

Reclamation has been widely accepted as a means to restore abandoned lands. Most studies focused on the improvement of land reclamation explore soil nutrients and microbial activities. However, the effects of time since reclamation on bacterial communities of abandoned salt pans are still unclear. The object of our study are is to: (i) assess the successional change of soil physicochemical properties and bacterial communities in abandoned salt pans with different reclamation histories; and (ii) determine the main limiting factors on the improvement of soil quality in abandoned salt pans. The soils in farmland [reclamation time for blank (RTBL)] and six abandoned salt pans with 1 year (RT1), 2 years (RT2), 3 years (RT3), 4 years (RT4), 8 years (RT8), and 9 years (RT9) since reclamation were sampled to investigate the temporal variation of soil properties, heavy metal content, bacterial community composition, and diversity. Results showed that the soil bulk density (BD), total dissolved salt and median particle size (MMAD) decreased with the increase of time since reclamation, while soil nutrients (soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium) showed an opposite trend. The bacterial α‐diversity increased first, then decreased. Land reclamation enhanced the relative abundances of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Actinobacteria but reduced the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Bacteroidetes. Compared with RTBL, the soil nutrients and bacterial community structure in RT1, RT2, RT3, and RT4 showed a significant difference. After 8‐9 years (RT8 and RT9) of reclamation, the soil nutrients and bacterial community structure in reclaimed abandoned salt pans showed RTBL. Therefore, time since reclamation is a vital driving force for restoring soil physicochemical properties and bacterial communities in abandoned salt pans.
Multiscale effects of wind‐induced hydrodynamics on lake plankton distribution
Authors: Sprules William Gary , Cyr Hélène , Menza Charles W.
Published: June 2022

In this study, we used a combination of high‐intensity sampling technologies, and a 3D hydrodynamic model of a medium‐sized lake in southern Ontario, Canada to investigate physical–biological relationships at spatial scales from 100 m to 6 km and temporal scales from hours to months. At the scale of the whole study basin, we predicted that stronger winds would lead to higher zooplankton biomass downwind relative to upwind. The hydrodynamic model suggests rapid downwind displacement of progressively deeper surface mixed layers with increasing winds, and we found a statistically higher downwind biomass of small‐bodied zooplankton on windy days, but not large zooplankton. At a fine spatial scale (hundreds of meters), we predicted that zooplankton patchiness would decrease with increasing wind mixing of the upper water column and confirmed this for small‐bodied but not large‐bodied zooplankton. At this fine‐scale cross‐correlations of zooplankton biomass with water temperature and chlorophyll fluorescence suggested that zooplankton are not simply moved passively by water masses. We also found a clear change in the cross‐correlation between large‐ and small‐bodied zooplankton biomass, with out‐of‐phase spatial distributions during calm periods becoming in‐phase with increasing winds. Overall these results indicate that the response of zooplankton to wind‐driven physical forces is strongly dependent on an interaction between their body size, which determines their swimming speed and capacity to position themselves vertically in the water column, and the spatial scale and intensity of the wind‐generated physical forces. We discuss the implications for food web interactions.
Low‐intensity cold atmospheric plasma reduces wrinkles on photoaged skin through hormetic induction of extracellular matrix protein expression in dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Ahn Ga Ram , Park Hyung Joon , Koh Young Gue , Shin Sun Hye , Kim Yu Jin , Song Min Gyo , Lee Jung Ok , Hong Hyuck Ki , Lee Kyu Back , Kim Beom Joon
Published: June 2022

Background

Recent evidence indicates that cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) can upregulate the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in dermal fibroblasts and enhance transdermal drug delivery when applied at a low intensity.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low‐intensity CAP (LICAP) on photoaging‐induced wrinkles in an animal model and the expression profiles of ECM proteins in human dermal fibroblasts.

Methods

Each group was subjected to photoaging induction and allocated to therapy (LICAP, topical polylactic acid (PLA), or both). The wrinkles were evaluated via visual inspection, quantitative analysis, and histology. The expression of collagen I/III and fibronectin was assessed using reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence. The amount of aqueous reactive species produced by LICAP using helium and argon gas was also measured.

Results

Wrinkles significantly decreased in all treatment groups compared to those in the untreated control. The differences remained significant for at least 4 weeks. Dermal collagen density increased following LICAP and PLA application. LICAP demonstrated a hormetic effect on ECM protein expression in human dermal fibroblasts. The production of reactive species increased, showing a biphasic pattern, with an initial linear phase and a slow saturation phase. The initial linearity was sustained for a longer time in the helium plasma (~60 s) than in the argon plasma (~15 s).

Conclusion

LICAP appears to be a novel treatment option for wrinkles on the photodamaged skin. This treatment effect seems to be related to its hormetic effect on dermal ECM production.
Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap preoperative planning: A comparative analysis between dynamic infrared thermography, computerized tomography angiography, and hand‐held Doppler
Authors: Sonda Regina , Pandis Laura , Bassetto Franco , Marchica Paolo , Messana Francesco , Tiengo Cesare , Andres Anto Luigi , Brambullo Tito , Vindigni Vincenzo
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Hand‐held Doppler (HHD) sonography and computerized tomography angiography (CTA) are the common assessment tools for deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap preoperative planning. CTA is considered the gold standard method for preoperative perforator mapping but necessitates contrast medium and X‐ray exposure. Dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) does not have these drawbacks and allows the detection of hot and cold spots on a given body area. Our study aimed to compare DIRT, HHD, and CTA in perforator mapping for breast reconstruction using DIEP flap.

Patients and Methods

From March to September 2020, 12 consecutive patients scheduled for DIEP flap breast reconstruction were preoperatively investigated with HHD, CTA, and DIRT. The patients' mean age was 53 and the mean BMI was 29.23 kg/m2. All the reconstructions were due to breast cancer.

The results of preoperative perforator mapping on the lower abdomen were compared among the three techniques. All the evidence was compared to the intraoperative findings, during flap harvesting, to establish if the techniques were able to correctly locate the perforator.

Results

We detected 178 perforators intraoperatively, 178 with CTA, 178 with DIRT, and 125 with HHD. The latter revealed a lower number of perforator vessels for each patient (10.42 ± 3.58), compared with CTA (14.83 ± 3.04) and DIRT (14.83 ± 4.76). DIRT resulted superior to HHD (p < .05), while no statistically significant difference (p > .05) was found between DIRT and CTA. We calculated a mean sensitivity of 93.87% for CTA, 69.02% for HHD, and 92.06% for DIRT.

Conclusion

DIRT is a useful tool in the preoperative planning of DIEP flaps, as it provides information about the location of perforators and the hemodynamic properties of angiosomes. It is easy to use, and it does not involve ionizing radiation. DIRT could represent an innovative and promising implementation of CTA and HHD techniques for preoperative perforator mapping in DIEP breast reconstruction.
Bitter Leaf Vernonia amygdalina Extract Enhances Growth, Hematology, Heat Stress Response, and Resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in Nile Tilapia
Authors: Dandi Samuel Opoku , Abarike Emmanuel Delwin , Ampofo-Yeboah Akwasi
Published: June 2022

Herbal supplements are suitable for improving fish growth, health, and tolerance to environmental perturbations. In this study, the effects of bitter leaf Vernonia amygdalina extract (BLE) on growth, hematology, liver health, resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila, and heat stress response in Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus were investigated. Experimental fish (average weight = 31 ± 0.30 g [mean ± SD]) held in concrete tanks were fed a control (CT) diet or a diet supplemented with 1, 3, or 5% BLE for 8 weeks. After 4 and 8 weeks, Nile Tilapia that received diets enriched with BLE showed significantly improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to fish that were given the CT diet. Fish that were fed 1% BLE performed significantly better than fish fed the other BLE diets with respect to growth. Fish that were given experimental diets, particularly the 1% BLE diet, showed increased levels of white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), and total protein compared to fish fed the CT diet. After a challenge test with A. hydrophila, BLE-fed fish showed significantly lower cumulative mortality (%) in comparison with the CT group. Dietary BLE supplementation did not adversely affect the liver of fish, as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase levels were lower than those in CT fish. Nile Tilapia that received BLE diets showed significantly enhanced WBCs, RBCs, HGB, and HCT after exposure to heat stress relative to the CT group. Among the BLE levels used in this study, the 1% BLE diet consistently produced significant responses on most variables investigated when compared to the higher BLE dietary supplements. Nile Tilapia production can be improved with BLE supplementation in diets, especially at a rate of 1%.
Acute stress disorder in patients with accidental traumatic fractures: What can we do
Authors: Liang Zhenhong , Wu Lijuan , Tang Fuqin , Gong Shumei , Liu Xiaohong
Published: June 2022

Aim

To evaluate the potential influencing factors of acute stress disorder (ASD) in patients with accidental traumatic fractures to provide evidence for clinical nursing care.

Design

A retrospective study.

Methods

Patients with traumatic fractures treated in our hospital from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2021 were included. The characteristics of ASD and no ASD patients were assessed.

Results

A total of 468 patients with traumatic fractures were included, the incidence of ASD was 28.20%. Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≤50 years (OR2.918, 95% CI1.994 ~ 3.421), female (OR2.074, 95% CI1.489 ~ 3.375), AIS‐ISS at admission ≥20 (OR3.981, 95% CI2.188 ~ 5.091), VAS at admission≥7 (OR2.804, 95% CI2.027 ~ 3.467), introverted personality (OR1.722, 95%CI1.314 ~ 2.432) and CD‐RISC at admission≤60 (OR3.026, 95% CI2.338 ~ 4.769) were the risk factors of ASD in patients with traumatic fractures (all p < .05).

Conclusions

The development of ASD in patients with traumatic fractures is affected by multiple factors. Medical workers should take early and timely management and nursing measures for related risk factors to reduce the occurrence of ASD.
Digital currencies, monetary sovereignty, and U.S.–China power competition
Authors: Huang Ying , Mayer Maximilian
Published: June 2022

The rise of digital currencies challenges practices of monetary sovereignty and impacts the international monetary order. Drawing on recent IPE debates about the public‐private nature of money, the critique of the “impossible trinity” and “territorial currencies,” this article explores the competition between China and the United States over and within the international monetary system. The two largest economies display strikingly divergent regulatory approaches to cryptocurrencies and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). China completely banned cryptocurrencies but became a front‐runner in developing a CBDC. It aims to expand the RMB's global role without giving up its monetary control. U.S. administrations have instead reluctantly considered regulating cryptocurrencies. Discussions on a potential digital U.S. dollar (USD) only began in 2020. Washington aims at preserving the existing cross‐border financial mechanisms and offshore infrastructure for USD‐denominated transactions and credit creation. It focuses on financial crime and maintaining the innovation dynamic of its private sector to preserve its “exorbitant privilege.” Emerging financial infrastructures and standards for digital currencies are the new technological arena for U.S.–China monetary competition.
Controlled Emission of Carbon Quantum Dots Derived from Waste Silk Sericin
Authors: Padasalagi Anita B. , Rabinal Mohammad Hussain Kasim
Published: June 2022

Recently, nitrogen rich carbon quantum dots gaining considerable attention due to their extraordinary optoelectronic properties, specifically the enhancement in quantum efficiency of photoluminescence emission. Here the synthesis of multicolor emission of nitrogen rich carbon quantum dots from silk sericin is presented. These quantum dots exhibit blue, green, yellow, and orange emissions with a quantum yield close to 67%, 38%, 16%, and 9.6%, respectively, due to variation in carbonization temperature. The detailed characterization studies show that the multicolor emission of carbon quantum dots is due to both quantum confinement of particles and surface defects generated by surface oxidation. Moreover, these nanoparticles are photostable, biocompatible, non‐toxic, and water soluble, and hence can be the promising materials for optoelectronic devices, bioimaging, biosensing, etc.
Economic reintegration postreturn—examining the role of return voluntariness, resource mobilization and time to prepare
Authors: Monti Andrea , Serrano Inmaculada
Published: June 2022

This paper examines conditions of international return migration and their relation to risks of experiencing economic difficulties postreturn. Relying on unique survey data among Senegalese and Romanian returnees, we revisit and provide an empirical examination of the theoretical notion of return preparedness, involving aspects of voluntariness, resource mobilization and time to prepare. The lack of time to prepare return, more commonly associated with self‐declared involuntary returns and deportations, is found to significantly increase the risk of economic difficulties post return in both contexts. Whilst emphasizing the complexity of voluntariness, the findings show that, additionally, returns compelled by external circumstances or negative return motivations (‘semi‐involuntary’) are associated with higher risks of economic difficulties. Compared to nonmigrants, returnees experienced decreased risks of economic difficulties in Senegal, but not significantly in Romania. Those forced back to Senegal or compelled to return to Romania did, however not experience such risk decrease.
Ultra‐compact accurate wave functions for He‐like and Li‐like iso‐electronic sequences and variational calculus: III. Spin‐quartet state (1s2s3s) of the lithium sequence
Authors: Julian Nader Daniel , del Valle Juan Carlos , Lopez Vieyra Juan Carlos , Turbiner Alexander V.
Published: June 2022

As a continuation of Part I, dedicated to the ground state of He‐like and Li‐like isoelectronic sequences for nuclear charges , and Part II, dedicated to two excited states of He‐like sequence, two ultra‐compact wave functions in the form of generalized Guevara–Harris–Turbiner functions are constructed for Li‐like sequence. They describe accurately the domain of applicability of the non‐relativistic Quantum Mechanics of Coulomb Charges (QMCC) for energies (2–3 significant digits [s.d.]) of the spin‐quartet state of Li‐like ions (in static approximation with point‐like, infinitely heavy nuclei). Variational parameters are fitted in by 2nd degree polynomials. The most accurate ultra‐compact function leads to the absolute accuracy a.u. for energy, and for the normalized electron‐nuclear cusp parameter for . Critical charge , where the ultra‐compact trial function for the state loses its square‐integrability, is estimated, . As a complement to Part I, square integrability for the compact functions constructed for the ground, spin‐doublet state of the Li‐like sequence is discussed. The critical charge, for which these functions stop to be normalizable, is estimated as . It implies that at —the negative helium ion He−—both states, and , exist as states embedded in the continuum.
Computer guided calvarial bone grafting for reconstruction of orbital floor blow out fracture
Authors: Ahmed Mamdouh , Ali Sherif , Elhadidy Mona Samy
Published: June 2022

Background

Calvarial grafts represents a superior option for orbital floor reconstruction, however the difficulty of intraoperative moulding and placement remains as a major limitation. We used patient specific guides and sterolithographic models to facilitate this procedure.

Methods

The study was conducted on 10 patients with orbital floor blow out fracture. A graft harvesting guide was virtually constructed based on the defect using mirroring of the normal side. The virtual guide and the defective orbital floor were then printed. The graft was harvested using the guide and adjusted to the defect using the model, finally seated in place.

Results

All patients showed no enophthalmos or diplopia. Orbital volume was comparable for both traumatised and normal orbits with no statistical significance difference (p value 0.28), and orbital volume ratio was 101.76 ± 4.7%.

Conclusion

The use of graft harvesting guide and orbital floor models for intraoperative graft moulding showed promising results.
Near Infrared‐Triggered Theranostic Nanoplatform with Controlled Release of HSP90 Inhibitor for Synergistic Mild Photothermal and Enhanced Nanocatalytic Therapy with Hypoxia Relief
Authors: Tian Boshi , Wang Chen , Du Yaqian , Dong Shuming , Feng Lili , Liu Bin , Liu Shikai , Ding He , Gai Shili , He Fei , Yang Piaoping
Published: June 2022

Mild photothermal therapy (PTT, <45 °C) can prevent tumor metastasis and heat damage to normal tissue, compared with traditional PTT (>50 °C). However, its therapeutic efficacy is limited owing to the hypoxic tumor environment and tumor thermoresistance owing to the overproduction of heat shock proteins (HSPs). Herein, a near‐infrared (NIR)‐triggered theranostic nanoplatform (GA‐PB@MONs@LA) is designed for synergistic mild PTT and enhanced Fenton nanocatalytic therapy against hypoxic tumors. The nanoplatform is fabricated by the confined formation of Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles in mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MONs), followed by the loading of gambogic acid (GA), an HSP90 inhibitor, and coating with thermo‐sensitive lauric acid (LA). Upon NIR irradiation, the photothermal effect (44 °C) of PB not only induces apoptosis of tumor cells but also triggers the on‐demand release of GA, inhibiting the production of HSP90. Moreover, the delivered heat simultaneously enhances the catalase‐like and Fenton activity of PB@MONs@LA in an acidic tumor microenvironment, relieving the tumor hypoxia and promoting the generation of highly toxic •OH. In addition, the nanoplatform enables magnetic resonance/photoacoustic dual‐modal imaging. Thus, this study describes a distinctive paradigm for the development of NIR‐triggered theranostic nanoplatforms for enhanced cancer therapy.
A “Dual‐Source, Dual‐Activation” Strategy for an NIR‐II Window Theranostic Nanosystem Enabling Optimal Photothermal‐Ion Combination Therapy
Authors: Zheng Ziliang , Duan Ailin , Dai Rong , Li Yao , Chen Xuejiao , Qin YuFei , Ren Shilei , Li Ran , Cheng Zhen , Zhang Ruiping
Published: June 2022

The activatable imaging technique in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) utilizes the stimulation of cancer‐associated biomarkers for specific imaging to guide precise NIR‐II photothermal therapy. However, most activatable nanoprobes with single‐source stimulation are insufficient in providing comprehensive information regarding the tumor, severely restricting the therapeutic optimization, especially in NIR‐II photothermal therapy (PTT)‐based combination therapy. Herein, a “dual‐source, dual‐activation” strategy‐based multifunctional nanosystem, PPAC, is reported as a promising tool for activatable NIR‐II fluorescence (FL)/ratiometric photoacoustic (PA) imaging‐guided “localization‐timing” photothermal‐ion therapy (PTIT). A fibroblast activation protein (FAP)‐responsive peptide to modify the surface of Pd nanosheets with excellent NIR‐II absorption ability can efficiently cross‐link BSA‐CQ4T to realize NIR‐II FL quenching, followed by the loading of Ag to construct the PPAC. Triggered by the specific cleavage with FAP on the perivascular cancer‐associated fibroblasts (first source), the PPAC can correspondingly release BSA‐CQ4T for rapid fluorescence recovery. The nanosystems are subsequently taken up by tumor cells, where the overexpressed H2O2 (second source) promotes the oxidation of Ag shell to Ag+, and further leads the real‐time ratiometric PA signals (Ag‐PA660/Pd‐PA1050) that can monitor the Ag+ ions‐related production efficiency and therapeutic performance. Intelligent integration of dual‐modality imaging information can comprehensively provide the right time‐point and site‐specificity for selective NIR‐II PTT.
How do person‐centered outcome measures enable shared decision‐making for people with dementia and family carers?—A systematic review
Authors: Aworinde Jesutofunmi , Ellis‐Smith Clare , Gillam Juliet , Roche Moïse , Coombes Lucy , Yorganci Emel , Evans Catherine J.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To identify published evidence on person‐centered outcome measures (PCOMs) used in dementia care and to explore how PCOMs facilitate shared decision‐making and improve outcomes of care. To build a logic model based on the findings, depicting linkages with PCOM impact mechanisms and care outcomes.

Design

Mixed‐methods systematic review. We searched PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and ASSIA from databases and included studies reporting experiences and/or impact of PCOM use among people with dementia, family carers, and/or practitioners. Groen Van de Ven's model of collaborative deliberation informed the elements of shared decision‐making in dementia care in the abstraction, analysis, and interpretation of data. Data were narratively synthesized to develop the logic model.

Setting

Studies were conducted in long‐term care, mixed settings, emergency department, general primary care, and geriatric clinics.

Participants

A total of 1064 participants were included in the review.

Results

Ten studies were included. PCOMs can facilitate shared decision‐making through “knowing the person,” “identifying problems, priorities for care and treatment and goal setting,” “evaluating decisions”, and “implementation considerations for PCOM use.” Weak evidence on the impact of PCOMs to improve communication between individuals and practitioners, physical function, and activities of daily living.

Conclusions

PCOMs can enable shared decision‐making and impact outcomes through facilitating collaborative working between the person's network of family and practitioners to identify and manage symptoms and concerns. The constructed logic model demonstrates the key mechanisms to discuss priorities for care and treatment, and to evaluate decisions and outcomes. A future area of research is training for family carers to use PCOMs with practitioners.
Stretchable piezo‐electric energy harvesting device with high durability using carbon nanomaterials with different structure and their synergism with molybdenum disulfide
Authors: Kumar Vineet , Manikkavel Amutheesan , Kumar Anuj , Alam Md. Najib , Hwang Gyu‐Jin , Park Sang‐Shin
Published: June 2022

Recently, polymer composite based stretchable piezo‐electric energy harvesting device have attracted a great attention in composite industry. At laboratory scale, these piezo‐electric devices have ability to generate impressive voltage (~8 V) with high durability (>0.5 million cycles) depending upon nature of the material used in electrode and substrate. In this work, composites were prepared by mixing room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV‐SR) and nanofillers such as multi‐wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT), nano‐carbon black (nano‐CB), graphite nanoplatelets (GNP), in single or hybrid with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). These fillers differentiate on basis of their structure ranging from 0‐dimensional (0‐D) to 3‐D. The effects of these structures on mechanical properties are demonstrated. Among them, MWCNT with 1‐D, tube shape morphology, high aspect ratio of 65 shows dominating mechanical properties even at 2 per hundred parts of rubber (phr) loading followed by nano‐CB, GNP at 8 phr and MoS2 at 2 phr. A synergistic effect in mechanical properties between hybrid fillers such as tensile strength and fracture strain was demonstrated. In the end, the composites were tested for piezo‐electric energy generation and durability cycles for the best candidate such as MWCNT was tested for up to 0.5 million cycles was demonstrated.
Isotope Dendrochronology: Historical Perspective
Authors: Leavitt Steven W. , Roden John
Published: June 2022

Although the fields of dendrochronology and light stable-isotope mass spectrometry emerged at different times in the first half of the 20th Century, their convergence with the earliest measurements of isotope composition of tree rings is nowca. 70 years old. Much of the early stable isotope analysis (including on wood) explored natural variation of isotopes in the environment, but those researchers making the measurements were already contemplating the role of the isotope composition of the source substrates (e.g., water and CO2), biochemical fractionation, and environment as contributors to final tree-ring isotope values. Growing interest in tree-ring isotopes was heavily motivated by paleoclimate or paleoatmosphere reconstruction, but this new field rapidly developed to generate greatly improved mechanistic understanding along with expanded applications to physiology, ecology, pollution, and more. This chapter primarily charts the historical progression in tree-ring C-H-O isotope studies over those seven decades, but it also identifies potential productive emerging and future directions.
Stable Isotopes in Tree Rings of Boreal Forests
Authors: Churakova Olga V. , Porter Trevor J. , Kirdyanov Alexander V. , Myglan Vladimir S. , Fonti Marina V. , Vaganov Eugene A.
Published: June 2022

The boreal forests are widely expanded from subarctic forest to tundra, and from taigato forest-steppe zone (from 50 °N to 70 °N). We reviewed available stable isotope chronologies in tree-ring cellulose (δ13C, δ18O and δ2H) from 16 sites located in the Russian Federation; 4 research sites from Fennoscandia (Finland, Sweden and Norway); 5 sites from Canada, and 1 site from Alaska (USA) to evaluate impact of climatic changes from seasonal to annual scale across boreal forest ecosystems. Results of our review of carbon isotope data showed that droughtconditions (mainly high vapour pressure deficit) are prevalent for western and central regions of Eurasia, Alaska and Canada, while northeastern and eastern sites of Eurasian subarctic are showing water shortage developments resulting from decreasing precipitation. Oxygen isotopechronologies show increasing trends towards the end of the twentieth century mainly for all chronologies, except for the Siberian northern and southern sites. The application of the multiple stable isotope proxies (δ13C, δ18O, δ2H) is beneficial to study responses of boreal forests to climate change in temperature-limited environments. However, a deeper knowledge of hydrogen isotope fractionation processes at the tree-ring cellulose level is needed for a sound interpretation and application of δ2H for climate reconstructions, especially for the boreal forest zone where forest ecosystems are more sensitive to climatic and environmental changes.
Forest Management and Tree-Ring Isotopes
Authors: Marshall John D. , Brooks J. Renée , Talhelm Alan F.
Published: June 2022

Forest management can be improved by the mechanistic understanding that tree-ring stable isotopes provide. Key management tools include genetic selection, competing vegetation control, thinning, and fertilization. These tools frequently change environmental conditions and physiological processes, such as photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, water uptake, and nitrogen cycling, which may leave isotopic signatures in tree-rings, providing detailed responses to management over decadal time periods. While data sets remain small, some trends have emerged from previous forest management studies using stable isotopes. Genotype selection sometimes shows isotopic evidence of maladaptation, especially in the presence of climate change. Competition control and thinning have different isotopic reactions depending on the dryness of the site; they generally obtain different responses depending on whether competition is primarily for aboveground (light) or belowground (water and nutrient) resources. Fertilization responses recorded in tree rings appear to be driven by initial increases in photosynthesis, and later by increases in leaf area index. Tree-ring isotopic applications can provide key insights to a much broader range of silvicultural objectives than included here, and we encourage their application in large-scale silvicultural experiments to reduce uncertainties and explain mechanisms of response. In future work, we suggest that management studies wishing to utilize tree-ring stable isotopic analysis include key ancillary measurements, especially leaf nitrogen concentrations, leaf-area index, xylemwater sources, and canopy temperature, to help support interpretation of the isotopic data.
Impact of Increasing CO2, and Air Pollutants (NOx, SO2, O3) on the Stable Isotope Ratios in Tree Rings
Authors: Siegwolf Rolf T. W. , Savard Martine M. , Grams Thorsten E. E. , Voelker Steve
Published: June 2022

Anthropogenic activities such as industrialization, land use change and intensification of agriculture strongly contribute to changes in the concentrations of atmospheric trace gases. Carbon dioxide (CO2), oxidized N compounds(NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone(O3) have particularly significant impacts on plant physiology. CO2, the substrate for plant photosynthesis, is in the focus of interest as the ambiguous effect of its increasing concentration is controversially discussed. Is its increase beneficial for plants or are plants non-responsive? NOx, a product of combustion and lightning, can have either fertilizing or toxic effects depending on the concentration and form. This is also the case for reduced forms of nitrogen(NHy), which are mostly emitted from agricultural and industrial activities. In combination CO2and N compounds can have a fertilizing effect. SO2 and ground-level O3 are mostly phytotoxic, depending on their concentrations, daily and seasonal exposure dynamics, and tree health condition. Elevated concentrations of both substances arise from industrial combustion processes and car emissions. All of the above-mentioned gaseous compounds affect plant metabolism in their specific ways and to different degrees. This impacts the isotope fractionation leaving specific fingerprints in the C, O, (H) and N isotope ratios of organic matter. In this chapter we will show how the impact of increasing CO2 and air pollutants are reflected in the isotopic ratios of tree rings. Increasing CO2 shows a considerable variation in responses of δ13C and to a minor degree in δ18O. Ozone and SO2 exposure cause an overall increase of the δ13C values in tree rings and a slight decrease in δ18O, mimicking an increase in net photosynthesis (AN) and to a minor degree in stomatal conductance (gs). However, directly measured AN and gs values show the opposite, which does not always correspond with the isotope derived gas exchange data. NO2 concentration as it is found near highly frequented freeways or industrial plants causes an increase of δ13C while δ18O decreases. This indicates an increase in both AN and gs, which corresponds well with directly measured gas exchange data. Thus the air quality situation must be taken in consideration for the interpretation of isotope values in tree rings.
Carbon Isotope Effects in Relation to CO2 Assimilation by Tree Canopies
Authors: Cernusak Lucas A. , Ubierna Nerea
Published: June 2022

The carbon atoms deposited in tree rings originate from the CO2 in the atmosphere to which the tree’s canopy is exposed. Thus, the first control on the stable carbon-isotope composition of tree rings is by δ13C of atmospheric CO2. There has been an inter-annual trend of decreasing δ13C of atmospheric CO2 over the past two centuries as a result of combustion of fossil fuels and land-use change. Atmospheric CO2 is, for the most part, well mixed, but the sub-canopy air space can become depleted in 13C due to inputs from soil and plant respiration when turbulent exchange with the troposphere is hindered, for example by a high leaf area index at night. This is less likely to occur during daytime when turbulence is higher and photosynthesis takes place. Discrimination against 13C (∆13C) occurs upon assimilation of atmospheric CO2 by C3 photosynthesis. Trees using the C3 photosynthetic pathway comprise the overwhelming majority of all trees. The primary control on the extent of discrimination during C3 photosynthesis is the drawdown in CO2 concentration from the air outside the leaf to the site of carboxylation in the chloroplast. Part of this drawdown is captured by ci/ca, that is, the ratio of intercellular to ambient CO2 concentrations. The ci/ca represents the balance between the CO2 supply by stomata and its demand by photosynthesis. It can be related to water-use efficiency, the amount of CO2 taken up by photosynthesis for a given amount of water loss to the atmosphere, assuming a given evaporative demand. To predict time-averaged ci/ca from wood ∆13C, a simplified, linear model can be employed. In this linear model, the slope is determined by $$\overline{b }$$

b

¯

, the effective enzymatic discrimination. The value of $$\overline{b }$$

b

¯

can be estimated by comparing wood ∆13C to representative measurements of ci/ca. The $$\overline{b }$$

b

¯

was originally estimated from observations of leaf tissue to have a value of 27‰. We compiled data for woody stem tissue here, and our analysis suggests that a lower $$\overline{b }$$

b

¯

should be used in the simplified model for wood ($$\overline{b }$$

b

¯

= 25.5‰) than for leaves ($$\overline{b }$$

b

¯

 = 27‰). This is also consistent with widespread observations that woody tissues are enriched in 13C compared to leaves.
Mapping
Authors: Modica Marcello
Published: June 2022

The first scale of analysis sets to outline a comprehensive and actual overview of Alpine brownfields. To this purpose, a territorial census of existing and potentially future sites is developed, integrated by a qualitative stakeholder survey addressed to national, regional and local planning institutions in brownfield-affected contexts. The emerging brownfield geography provides a first ever transnational and concrete insight on the territorial incidence of industrial decline in the Alpine macro-region, while also suggesting how to interpret the challenge of redevelopment across the different regional contexts and local situations.
SETD2: from chromatin modifier to multipronged regulator of the genome and beyond
Authors: Molenaar Thom M. , van Leeuwen Fred
Published: June 2022

Histone modifying enzymes play critical roles in many key cellular processes and are appealing proteins for targeting by small molecules in disease. However, while the functions of histone modifying enzymes are often linked to epigenetic regulation of the genome, an emerging theme is that these enzymes often also act by non-catalytic and/or non-epigenetic mechanisms. SETD2 (Set2 in yeast) is best known for associating with the transcription machinery and methylating histone H3 on lysine 36 (H3K36) during transcription. This well-characterized molecular function of SETD2 plays a role in fine-tuning transcription, maintaining chromatin integrity, and mRNA processing. Here we give an overview of the various molecular functions and mechanisms of regulation of H3K36 methylation by Set2/SETD2. These fundamental insights are important to understand SETD2’s role in disease, most notably in cancer in which SETD2 is frequently inactivated. SETD2 also methylates non-histone substrates such as α-tubulin which may promote genome stability and contribute to the tumor-suppressor function of SETD2. Thus, to understand its role in disease, it is important to understand and dissect the multiple roles of SETD2 within the cell. In this review we discuss how histone methylation by Set2/SETD2 has led the way in connecting histone modifications in active regions of the genome to chromatin functions and how SETD2 is leading the way to showing that we also have to look beyond histones to truly understand the physiological role of an ‘epigenetic’ writer enzyme in normal cells and in disease.
Symmetries of Supergeometries Related to Nonholonomic Superdistributions
Authors: Kruglikov B. , Santi A. , The D.
Published: June 2022

We extend Tanaka theory to the context of supergeometry and obtain an upper bound on the supersymmetry dimension of geometric structures related to strongly regular bracket-generating distributions on supermanifolds and their structure reductions.
Therapeutic value of tafamidis in patients with wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) with cardiomyopathy based on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging
Authors: Chamling Bishwas , Bietenbeck Michael , Korthals Dennis , Drakos Stefanos , Vehof Volker , Stalling Philipp , Meier Claudia , Yilmaz Ali
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to carefully analyse the therapeutic benefit of tafamidis in patients with wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) and cardiomyopathy (ATTRwt-CM) after one year of therapy based on serial multi-parametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

Background

Non-sponsored data based on multi-parametric CMR regarding the effect of tafamidis on the cardiac phenotype of patients with ATTRwt-CM are not available so far.

Methods

The present study comprised N = 40 patients with ATTRwt-CM who underwent two serial multi-parametric CMR studies within a follow-up period of 12 ± 3 months. Baseline (BL) clinical parameters, serum biomarkers and CMR findings were compared to follow-up (FU) values in patients treated “with” tafamidis 61 mg daily (n = 20, group A) and those “without” tafamidis therapy (n = 20, group B). CMR studies were performed on a 1.5-T system and comprised cine-imaging, pre- and post-contrast T1-mapping and additional calculation of extracellular volume fraction (ECV) values.

Results

While left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF), left ventricular mass index (LVMi), left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT), native T1- and ECV values remained unchanged in the tafamidis group A, a slight reduction in LV-EF (p = 0.003) as well as a subtle increase in LVMi (p = 0.034), in LVWT (p = 0.001), in native T1- (p = 0.038) and ECV-values (p = 0.017) were observed in the untreated group B. Serum NT-proBNP levels showed an overall increase in both groups, however, with the untreated group B showing a relatively higher increase compared to the treated group A. Assessment of NYHA class did not result in significant intra-group differences when BL were compared with FU, but a trend to improvement in the treated group A compared to a worsening trend in the untreated group B (∆p = 0.005).

Conclusion

As expected, tafamidis does not improve cardiac phenotype in patients with ATTRwt-CM after one year of therapy. However, tafamidis seems to slow down cardiac disease progression in patients with ATTRwt-CM compared to those without tafamidis therapy based on multi-parametric CMR data already after one year of therapy.
Minimally invasive mesohepatectomy for centrally located liver lesions—a case series
Authors: Birgin Emrullah , Hartwig Vanessa , Rasbach Erik , Seyfried Steffen , Rahbari Mohammad , Reeg Alina , Jentschura Sina-Luisa , Téoule Patrick , Reißfelder Christoph , Rahbari Nuh N.
Published: June 2022

Background

Resection of centrally located liver lesions remains a technically demanding procedure. To date, there are limited data on the effectiveness and safety of minimally invasive mesohepatectomy for benign and malignant lesions. It was therefore the objective of this study to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of minimally invasive mesohepatectomy for liver tumors at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent a minimally invasive anatomic mesohepatectomy using a Glissonean pedicle approach from April 2018 to November 2021 were identified from a prospective database. Demographics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics for continuous and categorical variables.

Results

A total of ten patients were included, of whom five patients had hepatocellular carcinoma, one patient had cholangiocarcinoma, three patients had colorectal liver metastases, and one patient had a hydatid cyst. Two and eight patients underwent robotic-assisted and laparoscopic resections, respectively. The median operative time was 393 min (interquartile range (IQR) 298–573 min). Conversion to laparotomy was required in one case. The median lesion size was 60 mm and all cases had negative resection margins on final histopathological analysis. The median total blood loss was 550 ml (IQR 413–850 ml). One patient had a grade III complication. The median length of stay was 7 days (IQR 5–12 days). Time-to-functional recovery was achieved after a median of 2 days (IQR 1–4 days). There were no readmissions within 90 days after surgery.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive mesohepatectomy is a feasible and safe approach in selected patients with benign and malignant liver lesions.
Brain Reactions to Opening and Closing the Eyes: Salivary Cortisol and Functional Connectivity
Authors: Chang Shen-Da , Kuo Po-Chih , Zilles Karl , Duong Tim Q. , Eickhoff Simon B. , Huang Andrew C. W. , Tsai Arthur C. , Cheng Philip E. , Liou Michelle
Published: June 2022

This study empirically assessed the strength and duration of short-term effects induced by brain reactions to closing/opening the eyes on a few well-known resting-state networks. We also examined the association between these reactions and subjects’ cortisol levels. A total of 55 young adults underwent 8-min resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) scans under 4-min eyes-closed and 4-min eyes-open conditions. Saliva samples were collected from 25 of the 55 subjects before and after the fMRI sessions and assayed for cortisol levels. Our empirical results indicate that when the subjects were relaxed with their eyes closed, the effect of opening the eyes on conventional resting-state networks (e.g., default-mode, frontal-parietal, and saliency networks) lasted for roughly 60-s, during which we observed a short-term increase in activity in rs-fMRI time courses. Moreover, brain reactions to opening the eyes had a pronounced effect on time courses in the temporo-parietal lobes and limbic structures, both of which presented a prolonged decrease in activity. After controlling for demographic factors, we observed a significantly positive correlation between pre-scan cortisol levels and connectivity in the limbic structures under both conditions. Under the eyes-closed condition, the temporo-parietal lobes presented significant connectivity to limbic structures and a significantly positive correlation with pre-scan cortisol levels. Future research on rs-fMRI could consider the eyes-closed condition when probing resting-state connectivity and its neuroendocrine correlates, such as cortisol levels. It also appears that abrupt instructions to open the eyes while the subject is resting quietly with eyes closed could be used to probe brain reactivity to aversive stimuli in the ventral hippocampus and other limbic structures.