bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A global-scale relationship between crop yield anomaly and multiscalar drought index based on multiple precipitation data
Authors: Hendrawan Vempi Satriya Adi , Kim Wonsik , Touge Yoshiya , Ke Shi , Komori Daisuke
Published: December 2021

Drought impact on crop production is well known as crop yield is strongly controlled by climate variation. Previous studies assessed the drought impact using a drought index based on a single input data set, while the variability of the drought index to the input data choice is notable. In this study, a drought index based on the standardized precipitation index with multiple timescales using several global precipitation datasets was compared with the detrended anomaly based on the global dataset of historical yield for major crops over 1981–2016. Results show that the drought index based on the ensemble precipitation dataset correlates better with the crop yield anomaly than a single dataset. Based on the drought index using ensemble datasets, global crop areas significantly affected by drought during the study period were around 23%, 8%, 30%, and 29% for maize, rice, soybean, and wheat, respectively, induced mainly by medium to longer drought timescale (5–12 months). This study indicates that most crops cultivated in dry regions were affected by droughts worldwide, while rice shows less correlation to drought as it is generally irrigated and cultivated in humid regions with less drought exposure. This study provides a valuable framework for data choices in drought index development and a better knowledge of the drought impact on agriculture using different timescales on a global scale towards understanding crop vulnerability to climate disruptions.
Stealth doxorubicin conjugated bimetallic selenium/silver nanoparticles for targeted cervical cancer therapy
Authors: Malinga Thoko , Kudanga Tukayi , Mbatha Londiwe Simphiwe
Published: December 2021

Bimetallic nanosized delivery systems are attracting a lot of research interest as alternatives to monometallic delivery systems. This study evaluated the ability of bimetallic selenium silver chitosan pegylated folic acid targeted nanoparticles (SeAgChPEGFA NPs) to deliver doxorubicin (DOX) in cervical cancer cells. Comparison studies using monometallic selenium chitosan pegylated folic acid (SeChPEGFA NPs) targeted NPs and free DOX were also conducted. The prepared NPs and their drug nanocomplexes were characterised morphologically and physico-chemically. Drug binding and releasing studies were conducted under a simulated environment in vitro. The cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies were studied using the 3-[(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)−2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay and the dual dye staining. The findings revealed that the bimetallic SeAgChPEGFA NPs displayed better colloidal stability, superior physico-chemical qualities, and higher binding abilities in comparison with monometallic SeChPEGFA NPs. In addition, the SeAgChPEGFA NPs showed the pH-triggered controlled drug release and cell-specific cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that the bimetallic NPs are superior delivery systems when compared to their monometallic NPs and free drug counterparts, thus, setting a platform for further in vivo examination.
Effect of Fungus, Aspergillus sp. F1-1, on the corrosion behavior of PCB-HASL in humid atmospheric environment
Authors: Hu Yuting , Xiao Kui , Yan Lidan , Hao Xiangping , Huang Luyao , Lou Yuntian
Published: December 2021

Fungi, as one of the serious factors causing microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), can shorten the service life of electronic materials which are wildly used in the atmospheric environment. In this study, the effect of Aspergillus sp. F1-1 (A. F1-1) isolated from PCB samples after the exposure test in Xishuang Banna on the corrosion behavior of PCB-HASL was investigated. The presence of the A. F1-1 posed a threat of local corrosion on PCB-HASLs. An obvious decrease of pH was observed in PCB with A. F1-1 due to the various organic acids secreted by A. F1-1. The presence of the fungi also led to serious surface cracking and delamination. Creep corrosion and micro-hole corrosion were accelerated in the presence of A. F1-1 compared to the control. Additionally, the metabolic activities of A. F1-1 were associated with enrichment of Cu-containing corrosion products under the hypha.
Application of thiabendazole/bentonites hybrids as efficient antibacterial agent against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Lin Tao , Wang Jun , Yin Xuefeng , Wei Xiaoyao
Published: December 2021

Clay minerals are commonly used in agriculture, light industry, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other fields because it has adsorption and cation exchange properties. In this work, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a modifier and thiabendazole (TBZ) as intercalation agent to prepare composite, and their potential use as antibacterial agent was evaluated. Thiabendazole is a kind of antiparasitic drug which began to be used abroad in the early 60’s. But soon after, it was discovered that it had a strong anti-fungal effect on many molds that affect vegetables, fruits, nuts and other crops. At present, it has been widely used in prevention and control abroad. Unmodified bentonite, modified bentonite and intercalated bentonite were characterized by x ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and the antimicrobial properties of the compounds was investigated by Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and Kirby-Bauer disc agar diffusion method. Among the three compounds, the ratio of modified bentonite to thiabenazole was 5:1 showed the highest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In the final, there are some figures about the SEM of E. coli and S. aureus that can indicate antibacterial of the antibacterial agent.
Experimental study on mechanical property and stone-chip resistance of automotive coatings
Authors: Liu Yang , Zou Chenqi , Zang Mengyan , Chen Shunhua
Published: December 2021

The damage of automotive coatings caused by stone impact is a problem that has attracted great attention from automotive companies and users. In this work, experiments were conducted to investigate the dynamic tensile properties and stone-chip resistance of automotive coatings. Four kinds of paint films and three typical coatings (single-layer electrocoat coating, single-layer primer coating, and multilayered coating) were used. Under dynamic tensile load using split Hopkinson tension bar (SHTB), the engineering stress-strain curves of the paint films at medium and high strain rates (from 50 to 600 s−1) were obtained. Results indicated that the mechanical properties of the paint films exhibited strong nonlinearity and strain-rate correlation. A modified anti-impact tester was used to complete repeatable single impact tests. The effects of some key parameters, i.e., impact velocity, impact angle, and paint film thickness, on the stone-chip resistance of coatings were systematically investigated. The influence of contact type under high-speed impact conditions was investigated as well. The surface morphologies of the coatings after impact were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the failure mechanism of the coatings under normal/oblique impact was discussed. In all experiments, the paint films showed brittle fracture behavior.
Do high-energy neutrinos lurk in SN1987A?
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: December 2021

The SN1987A supernova event might be the source of four particles detected in Japan and the US – and so possibly explain the origin of the most energetic cosmic rays, as Edwin Cartlidge reports.
‘Tunable tuna’ makes a better swimmer
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: December 2021

Giving fish-like robots adjustable tails makes them much more efficient swimmers, and could enable the development of more complex swimming robots.
Inspiring inspirals
Authors: Jeynes Christopher , Simmonds Anna
Published: December 2021

In response to Philip Ball’s review article “Hot topic” in which he argues that thermodynamics is as important for understanding the universe as quantum mechanics and general relativity, and that it should therefore be given more attention.
Getting physical with the climate crisis
Authors: Dacey James
Published: December 2021

With world leaders set to gather in Glasgow next month for the United Nations’ COP26 climate summit, James Dacey examines four vital challenges where physicists can help the world to decarbonize and adapt to the reality of global warming.
Algorithm offers personalized audio in enclosed space
Authors: Jarman Sam
Published: December 2021

An acoustic algorithm could soon let occupants of a car cabin listen to different audio programmes without the need for headphones.
Complexity pioneers bag Nobel prize
Authors: Banks Michael , Johnston Hamish
Published: December 2021

Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann and Giorgio Parisi win award for their work on the physics of complex systems, as Michael Banks and Hamish Johnston report.
Historical concerns
Authors: Crease Robert P
Published: December 2021

So you think the history of science is easy? Robert P Crease explains why it’s harder and more complicated than you might realize.
Is anyone out there?
Authors: Bennett Michael
Published: December 2021

A response to David Appell’s feature article “Scanning the cosmos for signs of technology” in which he describes the search for “technosignatures” indicating technological alien civilizations.
A valley of opportunities
Authors: Torres Luis Foá , Valenzuela Sergio O
Published: December 2021

After nearly two decades of graphene research, condensed-matter physicists Luis Foá Torres and Sergio O Valenzuela delve into the ongoing mystery of the material’s perplexing non-local response and the “valley Hall effect”
Get stuck in
Authors: Wade Jess
Published: December 2021

Jess Wade reviews Sticky: the Secret Science of Surfaces by Laurie Winkless.
CERN positions itself as a centre for quantum technologies
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: December 2021

CERN’s first roadmap into quantum technologies outlines the lab’s long-term research plan in the field.
Scientists call to end racial profiling of US-based researchers
Authors: Gwynne Peter , Johnston Hamish
Published: December 2021

Almost 2000 Asian American and Asian immigrant researchers based in the US have expressed their “grave concern” over the country’s attempts to clamp down on scientists with links to China.
No new nuclear
Authors: Lovins Amory B
Published: December 2021

A response to Robert P Crease’s Critical Point article “The nuclear fight”, and to Henry Preston and Saralyn Thomas’s Forum article “Why ‘net zero’ needs nuclear”. Both articles argue that decarbonization requires nuclear energy.
In moderation
Authors: Hirsch Jorge E
Published: December 2021

Moderators at preprint platform arXiv put some submissions “on hold” for days or weeks for undisclosed reasons and appear to target submissions that don’t conform with established views.
Plagued by confusion
Authors: Galloway Ian , Allen John , Read Frank
Published: December 2021

A response to Nick England’s letter “Going in circles” and Alan Calverd’s and Tim Watson’s letters “Weighty issue” concerning the common misunderstandings about circular motion and weight.
Towards quantum 2.0
Authors: McKenzie James
Published: December 2021

James McKenzie is excited about the prospects of firms that are developing technology based on seemingly esoteric fundamental quantum phenomena.
Non-existence of some approximately self-similar singularities for the Landau, Vlasov-Poisson-Landau, and Boltzmann equations
Authors: Bedrossian Jacob , Gualdani Maria , Snelson Stanley
Published: December 2021

We consider the homogeneous and inhomogeneous Landau equation for very soft and Coulomb potentials and show that approximate Type I self-similar blow-up solutions do not exist under mild decay assumptions on the profile. We extend our analysis to the Vlasov-Poisson-Landau system and to the Boltzmann equation without angular cut-off.
Comparative Mitochondrial Genome Analysis of Mamestra configurata (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Noctuidae) and Other Noctuid Insects Reveals Conserved Genome Organization and Phylogeny
Authors: Zhao Jing-Ru , Zhang Si-Pei , Tang Ying-Yu , Wang Wei-Zhong , Tang Bo-Ping , Liu Qiu-Ning , Yang Rui-Ping
Published: December 2021

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) advance our understanding of molecular evolution and phylogenetic relationships. In this study, the mitogenome of Mamestra configurata was assembled, annotated, and analyzed. The total length of its genome was 15,322 bp; the A+T content accounted for 81.2%. Both the AT and GC skew values (−0.003 and −0.182) in the mitogenome of M. configurata were negative. Compared with their ancestral insects (trnI-trnQ-trnM), the gene sequence showed a typical trnm rearrangement (trnM-trnI-trnQ). Except for cox1, all the protein-coding genes were initiated with ATN. All tRNAs except trnS1 were of the four-leaf grass type. According to phylogenetic analysis, we found that M. configurata and Protegira songi clustered together in one clade with high node support values. Based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, the phylogenetic results revealed that M. configurata was closely related to Protegira songi, the Erebidae was sister to (Nolidae + [Euteliidae + Noctuidae]), Doidae and Notodontidae is sister to the other families of Noctuoidea, respectively. Our results may provide a useful reference for the intensive study of the phylogeny of Noctuidae.
Social Distancing in Relation to Severe Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Nationwide Semi-Experimental Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Saeed Mohamad Isam , Sivapalan Pradeesh , Eklöf Josefin , Ulrik Charlotte Suppli , Browatzki Andrea , Weinreich Ulla Møller , Jensen Torben Tranborg , Biering-Sørensen Tor , Jensen Jens-Ulrik Stæhr
Published: December 2021

Social distancing measures introduced on March 12, 2020, in Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic may affect non–COVID-19 admissions for severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (s-AECOPD). We compared rates of s-AECOPD in a nationwide, observational, semi-experimental cohort study using data from all Danish inhabitants between calendar week 1 through 25 in 2019 and 2020. In a sub-cohort of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, we examined incidence of s-AECOPD, admissions to an intensive care unit, and all-cause mortality. A total of 3.0 million inhabitants aged ≥40 years, corresponding to 3.0 million person-years, were followed for s-AECOPD. In the social distancing period in 2020, there were 6,212 incidents of s-AECOPD, compared with 11,260 incidents in 2019, resulting in a 45% relative risk reduction. In the cohort with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 16,675), we observed a lower risk of s-AECOPD in the social distancing period (subdistribution hazard ratio (HR) = 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33, 0.36; absolute risk: 25.4% in 2020 and 42.8% in 2019). The risk of admissions to an intensive care unit was reduced (subdistribution HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.87), as was all-cause mortality (HR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.90). Overall, the social distancing period was associated with a significant risk reduction for hospital admittance with s-AECOPD.
Predicting miRNA–disease associations based on graph random propagation network and attention network
Authors: Zhong Tangbo , Li Zhengwei , You Zhu-Hong , Nie Ru , Zhao Huan
Published: December 2021

Numerous experiments have demonstrated that abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in organisms is often accompanied by the emergence of specific diseases. The research of miRNAs can promote the prevention and drug research of specific diseases. However, there are still many undiscovered links between miRNAs and diseases, which greatly limits the research of miRNAs. Therefore, for exploring the unknown miRNA–disease associations, we combine the graph random propagation network based on DropFeature with attention network to propose a novel deep learning model to predict the miRNA–disease associations (GRPAMDA). Specifically, we firstly construct the miRNA–disease heterogeneous graph based on miRNA–disease association information. Secondly, we adopt DropFeature to randomly delete the features of nodes in the graph and then perform propagation operations to enhance the features of miRNA and disease nodes. Thirdly, we employ the attention mechanism to fuse the features of random propagation by aggregating the enhanced neighbor features of miRNA and disease nodes. Finally, miRNA–disease association scores are generated by a fully connected layer. The average area under the curve of GRPAMDA model based on 5-fold cross-validation is 93.46% on HMDD v2.0. Case studies of esophageal tumors, lymphomas and prostate tumors show that 48, 47 and 46 of the top 50 miRNAs associated with these diseases are confirmed by dbDEMC and miR2Disease database, respectively. In short, the GRPAMDA model can be used as a valuable method to study miRNA–disease associations.
Prenatal stress, anxiety and depression alter transcripts, proteins and pathways associated with immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface
Authors: Martinez Cristina A , Marteinsdottir Ina , Josefsson Ann , Sydsjö Gunilla , Theodorsson Elvar , Rodriguez-Martinez Heriberto
Published: December 2021

During pregnancy, the immune system is modified to allow developmental tolerance of the semi-allogeneic fetus and placenta to term. Pregnant women suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression show dysfunctions of their immune system that may be responsible for fetal and/or newborn disorders, provided that placental gene regulation is compromised. The present study explored the effects of maternal chronic self-perceived stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy on the expression of immune-related genes and pathways in term placenta. Pregnancies were clinically monitored with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A cutoff threshold for BAI/EPDS of 10 divided patients into two groups: Index group (>10, n = 11) and a Control group (<10, n = 11), whose placentae were sampled at delivery. The placental samples were subjected to RNA-Sequencing, demonstrating that stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy induced a major downregulation of placental transcripts related to immune processes such as T-cell regulation, interleukin and cytokine signaling, or innate immune responses. Expression differences of main immune-related genes, such as CD46, CD15, CD8α & β ILR7α, and CCR4 among others, were found in the Index group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the key immune-like pathway involved in humoral and cellular immunity named “Primary immunodeficiency” was significantly downregulated in the Index group compared with Controls. Our results show that mechanisms ruling immune system functions are compromised at the maternal-fetal interface following self-perceived depressive symptoms and anxiety during pregnancy. These findings may help unveil mechanisms ruling the impact of maternal psychiatric symptoms and lead to new prevention/intervention strategies in complicated pregnancies.
Change from within: Community social workers as local policy actors
Authors: Gilboa Chen , Weiss-Gal Idit
Published: December 2021

Policy practice (PP) refers to the on-the-job activities of social workers (SWs) intended to influence the design of public policies. Despite the importance attributed to this type of practice within social work, there is limited empirical knowledge on how SWs actually engage in PP and what explains it. This study contributes to this body of knowledge by examining the engagement of eighteen Israeli local government community SWs who engaged in PP to affect their localities’ policies. The study employed a qualitative method and used semi-structured interviews. The policy issues addressed were diverse, with policies for children and adults with disabilities, for physical infrastructures and for community development prominent. The participants employed foundational strategies, such as cultivating personal and professional relationships with officials in the municipality’s hierarchy, and targeted strategies such as organising meetings between high-level officials and residents. Motivational, facilitating and opportunity factors can explain the engagement in PP. Our main conclusion is that local government community SWs who decided to be policy actors and create change from within adopted a ‘collaborative institutional policy practice’, which is based primarily on internal, collaborative and consensual strategies.
Treatment of acute kidney injury in cancer patients
Authors: Braet Pauline , Sartò Giulia Vanessa Re , Pirovano Marta , Sprangers Ben , Cosmai Laura
Published: December 2021

Acute kidney injury (AKI), either of pre-renal, renal or post-renal origin, is an important complication in cancer patients, resulting in worse prognosis, withdrawal from effective oncological treatments, longer hospitalizations and increased costs. The aim of this article is to provide a literature review of general and cause-specific treatment strategies for AKI, providing a helpful guide for clinical practice. We propose to classify AKI as patient-related, cancer-related and treatment-related in order to optimize therapeutic interventions. In the setting of patient-related causes, proper assessment of hydration status and avoidance of concomitant nephrotoxic medications is key. Cancer-related causes mainly encompass urinary compression/obstruction, direct tumoural kidney involvement and cancer-induced hypercalcaemia. Rapid recognition and specific treatment can potentially restore renal function. Finally, a pre-treatment comprehensive evaluation of risks and benefits of each treatment should always be performed to identify patients at high risk of treatment-related renal damage and allow the implementation of preventive measures without losing the potentialities of the oncological treatment. Considering the complexity of this field, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary with the goal of reducing the incidence of AKI in cancer patients and improving patient outcomes. The overriding research goal in this area is to gather higher quality data from international collaborative studies.
Non-invasive imaging as the cornerstone of cardiovascular precision medicine
Authors: Achenbach Stephan , Fuchs Friedrich , Goncalves Alexandra , Kaiser-Albers Claudia , Ali Ziad A , Bengel Frank M , Dimmeler Stefanie , Fayad Zahi A , Mebazaa Alexandre , Meder Benjamin , Narula Jagat , Shah Amil , Sharma Sanjay , Voigt Jens-Uwe , Plein Sven
Published: December 2021

Aims

To provide an overview of the role of cardiovascular (CV) imaging in facilitating and advancing the field of precision medicine in CV disease.

Methods and results

Non-invasive CV imaging is essential to accurately and efficiently phenotype patients with heart disease, including coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF). Various modalities, such as echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac computed tomography (CT), cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and invasive coronary angiography, and in some cases a combination, can be required to provide sufficient information for diagnosis and management. Taking CAD as an example, imaging is essential for the detection and functional assessment of coronary stenoses, as well as for the quantification of cardiac function and ischaemic myocardial damage. Furthermore, imaging may detect and quantify coronary atherosclerosis, potentially identify plaques at increased risk of rupture, and guide coronary interventions. In patients with HF, imaging helps identify specific aetiologies, quantify damage, and assess its impact on cardiac function. Imaging plays a central role in individualizing diagnosis and management and to determine the optimal treatment for each patient to increase the likelihood of response and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusions

Advances in all imaging techniques continue to improve accuracy, sensitivity, and standardization of functional and prognostic assessments, and identify established and novel therapeutic targets. Combining imaging with artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer algorithms, as well as with genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic approaches, will become state of the art in the future to understand pathologies of CAD and HF, and in the development of new, targeted therapies.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived left ventricular intraventricular pressure gradients among patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Vos Jacqueline L , Leiner Tim , van Dijk Arie P J , Pedrizzetti Gianni , Alenezi Fawaz , Rodwell Laura , van der Wegen Constantijn T P M , Post Marco C , Driessen Mieke M P , Nijveldt Robin
Published: December 2021

Aims

Precapillary pulmonary hypertension (pPH) affects left ventricular (LV) function by ventricular interdependence. Since LV ejection fraction (EF) is commonly preserved, LV dysfunction should be assessed with more sensitive techniques. Left atrial (LA) strain and estimation of LV intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPG) may be valuable in detecting subtle changes in LV mechanics; however, the value of these techniques in pPH is unknown. Therefore, the aim of our study is to evaluate LA strain and LV-IVPGs from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) cines in pPH patients.

Methods and results

In this cross-sectional study, 31 pPH patients and 22 healthy volunteers underwent CMR imaging. Feature-tracking LA strain was measured on four- and two-chamber cines. LV-IVPGs (from apex–base) are computed from a formulation using the myocardial movement and velocity of the reconstructed 3D-LV (derived from long-axis cines using feature-tracking). Systolic function, both LV EF and systolic ejection IVPG, was preserved in pPH patients. Compared to healthy volunteers, diastolic function was impaired in pPH patients, depicted by (i) lower LA reservoir (36 ± 7% vs. 26 ± 9%, P < 0.001) and conduit strain (26 ± 6% vs. 15 ± 8%, P < 0.001) and (ii) impaired diastolic suction (−9.1 ± 3.0 vs. ‒6.4 ± 4.4, P = 0.02) and E-wave decelerative IVPG (8.9 ± 2.6 vs. 5.7 ± 3.1, P < 0.001). Additionally, 11 pPH patients (35%) showed reversal of IVPG at systolic–diastolic transition compared to none of the healthy volunteers (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

pPH impacts LV function by altering diastolic function, demonstrated by an impairment of LA phasic function and LV-IVPG analysis. These parameters could therefore potentially be used as early markers for LV functional decline in pPH patients.
Objectively measured physical activity in patients with heart failure: a sub-analysis from the HF-Wii study
Authors: Klompstra Leonie , Jaarsma Tiny , Piepoli Massimo F , Ben Gal Tuvia , Evangelista Lorraine , Strömberg Anna , Bäck Maria
Published: December 2021

Aims

Physical activity (PA) is important in patients with heart failure (HF) to improve health outcomes. The adherence to PA is low, and therefore, novel approaches are necessary to increase PA. We aimed to determine the difference in PA in patients with HF who have access to exergaming compared to patients who received motivational support and to explored predictors of a clinically relevant change in non-sedentary time between baseline and 3 months.

Methods and results

In total, 64 patients (mean age 69 ± 9 years, 27% female) wore an accelerometer 1 week before and 1 week after the intervention. Data were analysed using logistic regression analysis. Patients spent 9 h and 43 min (±1 h 23 min) during waking hours sedentary. There were no significant differences in PA between patients who received an exergame intervention or motivational support. In total, 30 of 64 patients achieved a clinically relevant increase in non-sedentary time. Having grandchildren [odds ratio (OR) 7.43 P = 0.03], recent diagnosis of HF (OR 0.93 P = 0.02), and higher social motivation (OR 2.31 P = 0.03) were independent predictors of a clinically relevant increase of non-sedentary time.

Conclusion

Clinicians should encourage their patients to engage in alternative approaches to improve PA and reduce sedentary habits. Future exergaming interventions should target individuals with chronic HF who have low social motivation and a low level of light PA that may benefit most from exergaming. Also (non-familial), intergenerational interaction is important to enabling patients in supporting patients in becoming more active.
Family Caregivers in Rural Appalachia Caring for Older Relatives With Dementia: Predictors of Service Use
Authors: Savla Jyoti , Roberto Karen A , Blieszner Rosemary , Knight Aubrey L
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives

Residents of rural Appalachia tend to experience poorer health and greater economic distress than rural dwellers elsewhere in the United States. Although family is the first line of support for older adults needing care, it is unclear whether dementia caregivers in Appalachia assume these care responsibilities because of strong informal networks that support them in their caregiving role, underresourced formal services for persons with dementia, or culture-based reluctance to accept help from outsiders. This research examines how rural residents of Appalachia manage the care of relatives with dementia.

Research Design and Methods

The study was grounded in the Andersen Behavioral Model, supplemented with culturally relevant variables. Family caregivers from rural Appalachian counties in Virginia caring for community-dwelling relatives with dementia participated in a structured phone interview (N = 163). Generalized structural equation models were estimated, with predisposing, need, and enabling variables as predictors. Use of support services (e.g., meal delivery) and personal services (e.g., home health nurse) by family caregivers to care for the person with dementia were the dependent variables, and caregiver’s rural community identity and attitude toward services were moderators.

Results

Approximately half the sample utilized at least one support service and one personal service. Predisposing and need factors predicted the use of support services, whereas predisposing, need, and enabling factors predicted personal services. Caregivers who strongly identified with their cultural roots were less likely to use personal services unless they held a generally positive view of formal services.

Discussion and Implications

Although the extent of needs and the caregiver’s economic situation were essential influences on formal service utilization, the main drivers were the caregiver’s identification with rural Appalachian culture and attitude toward services. Findings point to within-group heterogeneity that requires differential approaches to delivery of community-based services accounting for varying attitudes, preferences, and family resources.
Does Computer Use Improve Older Adults’ Cognitive Functioning? Evidence From the Personal Reminder Information and Social Management Trial
Authors: Zhang Shenghao , Boot Walter R , Charness Neil
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives

Numerous longitudinal studies suggest that technology use in late adulthood is associated with cognitive benefits. Using data from a randomized controlled trial, the current study examined whether computer use improves cognition in older adults with little to no previous computer experience.

Research Design and Methods

This study used data from the Personal Reminder Information and Social Management (PRISM) trial. Community-dwelling older adults with little previous computer experience (MAge = 76.15) were randomly assigned to learn and use a computer (the PRISM system, n = 150) or interact with parallel content delivered in a nondigital format (paper binder, n = 150) for 12 months. Objective and subjective cognitive outcomes were measured before (pretest) and after the intervention (posttest). Latent change score models and Bayesian analysis of variances were used to examine cognitive change at the ability and individual measure level.

Results

Computer training and use for 12 months did not lead to cognitive improvements at the ability level. Strong evidence against cognitive benefits at the individual measure level was also observed.

Discussion and Implications

Casual computer use does not provide enough cognitive stimulation to improve cognition in late adulthood. Cognitive benefits observed in longitudinal studies may be mediated by other factors or influenced by confounding variables.
Exploring Challenges and Strategies in Partnering With Community-Based Organizations to Advance Intervention Development and Implementation With Older Adults
Authors: Nkimbeng Manka , Han Hae-Ra , Szanton Sarah L , Alexander Kamila A , Davey-Rothwell Melissa , Giger Jarod T , Gitlin Laura N , Joo Jin Hui , Koeuth Sokha , Marx Katherine A , Mingo Chivon A , Samuel Laura J , Taylor Janiece L , Wenzel Jennifer , Parisi Jeanine M
Published: December 2021

Minoritized older adults face multiple health inequities and disparities, but are less likely to benefit from evidence-based health care interventions. With the increasing diversity of the U.S. aging population, there is a great promise for gerontology researchers to partner with racial/ethnic minority organizations and underrepresented communities to develop and implement evidence-based health interventions. Community-Based Participatory Research and Implementation Science offer guidance and strategies for researchers to develop and sustain community partnerships. However, researchers partnering with community organizations continue to face challenges in these collaborations, study outcomes, and sustainability. This may be especially true for those junior in their career trajectory or new to community-engaged research. The purpose of this forum article is to detail critical challenges that can affect gerontology researcher–community partnerships and relationships from the perspective of researchers. Seven challenges (pre- or mid-intervention design, implementation, and postimplementation phases) described within the Equity-focused Implementation Research for health programs framework are identified and discussed. Potential solutions are also presented. Planning for potential obstacles of the researcher–community partnerships can inform innovative solutions that will facilitate successful partnerships, thereby promoting the advancement of collaborative research between academic institutions and community organizations to improve older adult health outcomes.
A new method for estimating length-dependent capture modes in gillnets: a case study in the Danish cod (Gadus morhua) fishery
Authors: Savina Esther , Herrmann Bent , Frandsen Rikke P , Krag Ludvig A
Published: December 2021

Gillnets are used world-wide for harvesting groundfish and pelagic species at sea and in freshwater. Little consideration has been given to how fish are caught in gillnets, even though the capture mode provides valuable information for understanding gear catchability. This paper describes a new method of estimating the length-dependent fish capture modes in gillnets. Using this method, we investigated the length-dependent capture modes for cod (Gadus morhua) in commercial monofilament nylon gillnets. Cod is a target species for several fisheries in the Northern Atlantic. This is the first time the capture mode was formally related to fish size with a direct representation of the experimental observations. The results demonstrated that gillnets are clearly designed for gilling. However, capture modes were size dependent, with small fish being caught by the mouth and larger fish by the maxillary. The application of the method is relevant when used by gear technologists to evaluate different gear characteristics to improve size or species selectivity. Changing the hanging ratio, for instance, or replacing nylon twine by thicker biodegradable material may considerably change the capture modes and their effect on gear efficiency.
Long-term follow-up of thoracoscopic ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Harlaar Niels , Oudeman Maurice A , Trines Serge A , de Ruiter Gijsbert S , Mertens Bart J , Khan Muchtair , Klautz Robert J M , Zeppenfeld Katja , Tjon Andrew , Braun Jerry , van Brakel Thomas J
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVES

Catheter ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) remains challenging, with suboptimal success rates obtained following multiple procedures. Thoracoscopic ablation has shown effective at creating transmural lesions around the pulmonary veins and box; however, long-term rhythm follow-up data are lacking. This study aims, for the first time, to assess the long-term outcomes of thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box ablation in LSPAF.

METHODS

Rhythm follow-up consisted of continuous rhythm monitoring using implanted loop recorders or 24-h Holter recordings. Rhythm status and touch-up interventions were assessed up to 5 years.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients with symptomatic LSPAF underwent thoracoscopic ablation in 2 centres. Freedom from atrial arrhythmias at 5 years was 50% following a single thoracoscopic procedure and 68% allowing endocardial touch-up procedures (performed in 21% of patients). The mean atrial fibrillation burden in patients with continuous monitoring was reduced from 100% preoperatively to 0.1% at the end of the blanking period and 8.0% during the second year. Antiarrhythmic drug use decreased from 49.4% preoperative to 12.1% and 14.3% at 2 and 5 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Continuous rhythm monitoring resulted in higher recurrence detection rates compared to 24-h Holter monitoring at 2-year follow-up (hazard ratio: 6.5, P = 0.003), with comparable recurrence rates at 5-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box isolation are effective in long-term restoration of sinus rhythm in LSPAF, especially when complemented by endocardial touch-up procedures, as demonstrated by the 68% freedom rate at 5 years. Continuous rhythm monitoring revealed earlier, but not more numerous documentation of recurrences at 5-year follow-up.
Thoracoscopic sympathectomy decreases disease burden in patients with medically refractory ventricular arrhythmias
Authors: Lee Andy Chao Hsuan , Tung Roderick , Ferguson Mark K
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVES

Thoracic sympathectomy has been shown to be effective in reducing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks and ventricular tachycardia recurrence in patients with channelopathies, but the evidence supporting its use for refractory ventricular arrhythmias in patients without channelopathies is limited. This is a single-centre cohort study of bilateral R1–R4 thoracoscopic sympathectomy for medically refractory ventricular arrhythmias.

METHODS

Clinical information was examined for all bilateral thoracoscopic R1–R4 sympathectomies for ventricular arrhythmias at our institution from 2016 through 2020.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients underwent bilateral thoracoscopic R1–R4 sympathectomy. All patients had prior ICD implant. Patients had a recent history of multiple ICD discharges (12/13), catheter ablation (10/13) and cardiac arrest (3/13). Ten patients were urgently operated on following transfer to our centre for sustained ventricular tachycardia. Seven patients had ventricular tachycardia ablations preoperatively during the same admission. Five patients were in intensive care immediately preoperatively, with 3 requiring mechanical ventilation. Three patients suffered in-hospital mortality. Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated 73% overall survival at 24-month follow-up. Among the 10 patients who survived to discharge, all were alive at a median follow-up of 8.7 months (interquartile range 0.6–26.7 months). Six of 10 patients had no further ICD discharges. Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated 27% ICD shock-free survival at 24 months follow-up for all patients. Three of 10 patients had additional ablations, while 2 patients underwent cardiac transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an effective option for patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia refractory to pharmacotherapy and catheter ablation.
Equivariant Log Concavity and Representation Stability
Authors: Matherne Jacob P , Miyata Dane , Proudfoot Nicholas , Ramos Eric
Published: December 2021

We expand upon the notion of equivariant log concavity and make equivariant log concavity conjectures for Orlik–Solomon algebras of matroids, Cordovil algebras of oriented matroids, and Orlik–Terao algebras of hyperplane arrangements. In the case of the Coxeter arrangement for the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{l}_n$, we exploit the theory of representation stability to give computer-assisted proofs of these conjectures in low degree.
Expected Rates of Select Adverse Events After Immunization for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Safety Monitoring
Authors: Abara Winston E , Gee Julianne , Delorey Mark , Tun Ye , Mu Yi , Shay David K , Shimabukuro Tom
Published: December 2021

Using meta-analytic methods, we calculated expected rates of 20 potential adverse events of special interest (AESI) that would occur after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination within 1-, 7-, and 42-day intervals without causal associations. Based on these expected rates, if 10 000 000 persons are vaccinated, (1) 0.5, 3.7, and 22.5 Guillain-Barre syndrome cases, (2) 0.3, 2.4, and 14.3 myopericarditis cases, (3) and 236.5, 1655.5, and 9932.8 all-cause deaths would occur coincidentally within 1, 7, and 42 days postvaccination, respectively. Expected rates of potential AESI can contextualize events associated temporally with immunization, aid in safety signal detection, guide COVID-19 vaccine health communications, and inform COVID-19 vaccine benefit-risk assessments.
Exposure to household air pollution from solid cookfuels and childhood stunting: a population-based, cross-sectional study of half a million children in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Caleyachetty Rishi , Lufumpa Nakawala , Kumar Niraj , Mohammed Nuredin Ibrahim , Bekele Hana , Kurmi Om , Wells Jonathan , Manaseki-Holland Semira
Published: December 2021

Background

Household air pollution from the incomplete combustion of solid cookfuels in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been largely ignored as a potentially important correlate of stunting. Our objective was to examine the association between solid cookfuel use and stunting in children aged <5 y.

Methods

We used data from 59 LMICs’ population-based cross-sectional demographic and health surveys; 557 098 children aged <5 y were included in our analytical sample. Multilevel logistic regression was used to examine the association between exposure to solid cookfuel use and childhood stunting, adjusting for child sex, age, maternal education and number of children living in the household. We explored the association across key subgroups.

Results

Solid cookfuel use was associated with child stunting (adjusted OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.55 to 1.61). Children living in households using solid cookfuels were more likely to be stunted if they lived in rural areas, the poorest households, had a mother who smoked tobacco or were from the Americas.

Conclusions

Focused strategies to reduce solid cookfuel exposure might contribute to reductions in childhood stunting in LMICs. Trial evidence to assess the effect of reducing solid cookfuel exposure on childhood stunting is urgently needed.
Effective Strategies to Deal With Infection in Burn Patient
Authors: Khaledi Mansoor , Afkhami Hamed , Matouri Raed Nezhad , Dezfuli Aram Asareh Zadegan , Bakhti Shahriar
Published: December 2021

Treatment of bacterial infection is difficult. Treatment protocol of burned patient is hard. Furthermore, treatment in burned patients is accompanied with problems such as complexity in diagnosis of infection’s agent, multiple infections, being painful, and involving with different organelles. There are different infections of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in burned patients. From important bacteria can be noted to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus that have high range of morbidity and mortality. Treatment of those bacterial infections is extremely important. Hence, many studies about methods of treatment of bacterial infections have published. Herein, we have suggested practical methods for example ant virulence therapies, nanotechnology, vaccine, and photodynamic therapy in treatment of bacterial infections. Those methods have been done in many researches and had good effect.
Leveling the Workload for Radiologists in Diagnostic Mammography: Application of Lean Principles and Heijunka
Authors: Conners Amy L , Clark Sean E , Brandt Kathleen R , Hunt Katie N , Chida Linda M , Tibor Laura C , Ruter Royce L , Khanani Sadia A
Published: December 2021

To facilitate the delivery of accurate and timely care to patients in complex environments, process improvement methodologies such as Lean can be very effective. Lean is a quality improvement methodology that seeks to add value for patients and employees by continuously improving processes and eliminating waste. At our institution, Lean principles were applied to improve efficiency and minimize waste in the diagnostic breast imaging reading room. This paper describes how we applied Lean principles, including plan-do-study-act testing, level-loading (heijunka), and visual management, to level the workload of the diagnostic radiologists in our practice. Implementation of these principles to improve the diagnostic workflow in breast imaging is described along with examples from our practice, including challenges and future opportunities.
Chaotic Harris hawks optimization algorithm
Authors: Gezici Harun , Livatyalı Haydar
Published: December 2021

Harris hawks optimization (HHO) is a population-based metaheuristic algorithm, inspired by the hunting strategy and cooperative behavior of Harris hawks. In this study, HHO is hybridized with 10 different chaotic maps to adjust its critical parameters. Hybridization is performed using four different methods. First, 15 test functions with unimodal and multimodal features are used for the analysis to determine the most successful chaotic map and the hybridization method. The results obtained reveal that chaotic maps increase the performance of HHO and show that the piecewise map method is the most effective one. Moreover, the proposed chaotic HHO is compared to four metaheuristic algorithms in the literature using the CEC2019 set. Next, the proposed chaotic HHO is applied to three mechanical design problems, including pressure vessel, tension/compression spring, and three-bar truss system as benchmarks. The performances and results are compared with other popular algorithms in the literature. They show that the proposed chaotic HHO algorithm can compete with HHO and other algorithms on solving the given engineering problems very successfully.