bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatal disseminated pyogenic infection due to hypermucoviscous hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae: A case report and literature review
Authors: Salawati Emad M.
Published: September 2021

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumonia is becoming recognized globally and has been associated with serious sequelae including death. However, ethnicity and metastatic infections are characteristics for hypermucoviscous hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) and should be rolled in/out by PCR and/or string test.
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the pancreas mimicking neuroendocrine tumor diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound‐guided needle biopsy
Authors: De Luca Luca , Tommasoni Silvia , Mangiavillano Benedetto , Repici Alessandro
Published: September 2021

Pancreatic metastases of kidney are rare, and they can occur several years after nephrectomy. EUS‐guided histology needle and appropriate immunohistochemistry stains are pivotal in showing pathognomonic marker of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
An unusual case of colonic mass
Authors: Vrakas Spyridon , Kourkoulis Panagiotis , Koutoufaris Georgios , Manoloudaki Kassiani , Xourgias Vasilis
Published: September 2021

Colonic metastasis due to pancreatic adenocarcinoma is extremely rare. Although it is rare, colonic metastasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of colonic mass.
Candidemia in COVID‐19 treated with corticosteroids and tocilizumab
Authors: Yamamoto Koichiro , Nakamura Kaoru , Hagiya Hideharu , Otsuka Fumio
Published: September 2021

COVID‐19 patients treated with anti‐inflammatory drugs are rarely complicated by candidemia. Since immunosuppressive therapy can blunt inflammatory reactions, clinicians should actively survey latent candidemia during severe COVID‐19 treatment.
Stump appendicitis, a rare but serious complication of appendectomy: A case report
Authors: Hadrich Zied , Mroua Bassem , Zribi Slim , Bouassida Mehdi , Touinssi Hassan
Published: September 2021

Stump appendicitis is a rare delayed post‐appendectomy complication. This diagnosis must be considered in case of right iliac fossa pain in a patient with a history of appendicectomy
Hemothorax after snake bite
Authors: Abdalazim Dafallah Mumen , Habour Elsanosi , Ahmed Ragab Esraa
Published: September 2021

Hemothorax after snake bite is very rare and unusual presentation. Administration of antivenom with supportive measures and close monitoring can prevent further deterioration. Delays in the transportation of patients to health facilities where antivenom and other therapeutic resources are provided can lead to devastating consequences.
Recent advances and developments in COVID‐19 in the context of allergic diseases
Authors: Ding Mei , Dong Xiang , Sun Yuan‐li , Sokolowska Milena , Akdis Mübeccel , van de Veen Willem , Azkur Ahmet Kursat , Azkur Dilek , Akdis Cezmi A. , Gao Ya‐dong
Published: September 2021

Background

Since the first reports of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, there have been 198 million confirmed cases worldwide as of August 2021. The scientific community has joined efforts to gain knowledge of the newly emerged virus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the immunopathological mechanisms leading to COVID‐19, and its significance for patients with allergies and asthma.

Methods

Based on the current literature, recent advances and developments in COVID‐19 in the context of allergic diseases were reviewed.

Results and Conclusions

In this review, we discuss the prevalence of COVID‐19 in subjects with asthma, attacks of hereditary angioedema, and other allergic diseases during COVID‐19. Underlying mechanisms suggest a protective role of allergy in COVID‐19, involving eosinophilia, SARS‐CoV‐2 receptors expression, interferon responses, and other immunological events, but further studies are needed to fully understand those associations. There has been significant progress in disease evaluation and management of COVID‐19, and allergy care should continue during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (EAACI) launched a series of statements and position papers providing recommendations on the organization of the allergy clinic, handling of allergen immunotherapy, asthma, drug hypersensitivity, allergic rhinitis, and other allergic diseases. Treatment of allergies using biologics during the COVID‐19 pandemic has also been discussed. Allergic reactions to the COVID‐19 vaccines, including severe anaphylaxis, have been reported. Vaccination is a prophylactic strategy that can lead to a significant reduction in the mortality and morbidity associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and in this review, we discuss the proposed culprit components causing rare adverse reactions and recommendations to mitigate the risk of anaphylactic events during the administration of the vaccines.
Impact of surgery associated with radiotherapy on the prognosis of breast cancer – Guinea Breast Cancer Cohort Study
Authors: Traore Bangaly , Keita Mamady , Toure Abdoulaye , Camara Ibrahima , Barry Assiatou , Koulibaly Moussa
Published: September 2021

Background

In a country where radiotherapy (RT) is not available, advocacy based on the relevance of surgery + adjuvant RT in locoregional control and survival is needed.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of surgery with RT on local control and survival compared to surgery alone in breast cancer (BC).

Methods and results

Between 2007 and 2016, 210 patients with BC were retrospectively reviewed, of which 90 patients underwent surgery with RT (group 1) and 120 patients' surgery (group 2). There were several treatment combinations, including surgery combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy [ACT], RT, and ACT. The results showed 88 (41.9%) cases of relapse, including 31 (34.4%) (group 1) and 57 (47.5%) (group 2) (p = .046). Recurrence occurred after a mean time of 1.5 years in group 1 versus 0.66 years in group 2 (p = .006). The 5‐year overall and BC‐specific survivals were 49.5% and 62.5%, respectively. The 5‐year survival was 60.0% (group 1) and 40.0% (group 2) (p < .05). In a multivariate analysis by Cox model, we found that the risk of death was 1.90 81 (95% CI [1.17 09–3.0701]) higher in group 2 (p = .009022), 1.69 85 (95% CI 1.00087–23.86157) in obese patients and decreased by 0.21 (95% CI [0.129–0.368]) in patients who did not relapse (p < .001).

Conclusion

In this study with several combination therapies, we cannot confirm that RT improves mainly locally advanced BC prognosis regardless of systemic treatment. However, we found that the risk of death correlated with the absence of RT, overweight, and risk of recurrence. Consideration of combinations of locoregional and systemic therapies, clinicopathological and biological data could improve the relevance of these results with a large sample size.
Effects of open caption telop color on value perception in the news context: From the tone perspective
Authors: Li Gong , Kawabata Yasuhiro
Published: September 2021

Several studies have shown that color plays a vital role in the perception of visual information. This study clarified the cognitive differences generated by open caption telop colors in the perception of news value as importance, novelty, and timeliness among the negative, neutral, and positive news contexts. We also explored the news value integration by the color in the news emotional context. In this study, three tones, that is, the bright, deep, and vivid with eight chromatic hues, were selected from the practical color coordinate system, which are tried to be loyal to the news practice. We conducted a repeated measures ANOVA and correlation tests to clarify the open caption telop color effects. Our findings suggest that the open caption telop with deep‐tone hues can facilitate the news to be perceived as more important, particularly in the negative context and vice versa. In some ways, this result partially applies to the news timeliness dimension, although its performance is relatively more complicated. The color performance in the perception of news novelty was observed to be the contrary with the other two dimensions. The 3D spaces created reveal that the news value integration by color highly depends on the news emotional context.
Low power ASK modulator based on direct injection‐locked current reuse VCO in 130‐nm CMOS technology for high data rate RFID applications
Authors: Yasir Umair , Li Xiuping , Cao Cheng
Published: September 2021

A low power consumption Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) modulator employing current reuse cross‐coupled (CRC) LC‐VCO topology and direct injection locking (IL) technique at 10.5‐GHz frequency is presented in this paper. The modulator consumes 864 μW with a DC supply of 1.2 V drawing an average current of 720 μA. The differential VCO is composed of a PMOS‐NMOS pair in stacked series cross‐coupled connection enabling current reuse which results in reduction of the average current drawn from the power source. For comparison, the ASK modulator is also realized with conventional cross‐coupled (CC) topology using NMOS pair. Both circuit approaches are carried out in GF 130‐nm CMOS technology and the post‐layout simulation results of 0.5 × 0.5 mm2 integrated circuits (ICs) show that the CRC topology consumes less power and half of the average current compared to CC topology. Owing to low power requirements, the CRC ASK modulator can be used in self‐powered active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag transmitters for higher data rates.
Lost in transition: Student journeys and becoming—Deliberations for a post‐COVID era
Authors: Pollard Lucie , Bamford Jan
Published: September 2021

This paper offers an empathetic perspective of the cultural dynamic of migrant students' first experiences of university, told through the student voice. It focuses on the transition of students into higher education (HE); not always considered as part of the formal curriculum, providing a deeper understanding of students' transition via the cultural context of their HE experience. While this research took place prior to the COVID pandemic, it is clear that the pandemic has led to an increased use of virtual learning platforms across the sector, and this is set to continue as institutions emerge from the pandemic, suggesting that transition will not necessarily take place within university buildings. If belonging was a challenge for some students prior to the pandemic, how will institutions support transition for the new pedagogy? The cultural experiences of first‐, second‐ and third‐generation migrant students have been scantily written about in this context. This paper contributes to current understanding by providing insights gleaned through the narrative accounts of students. Development of agency, belonging and community is framed through an approach that empowers and offers a co‐learner frame, achieved through the students' voices, offering narratives of the cultural experience of university.
Host shifts in economically significant fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) with high degree of polyphagy
Authors: He Jiayao , Chen Ke , Jiang Fan , Pan Xubin
Published: September 2021

Insects tend to feed on related hosts. Coevolution tends to be dominated by interactions resulting from plant chemistry in defense strategies, and evolution of secondary metabolisms being in response to insect herbivory remains a classic explanation of coevolution. The present study examines whether evolutionary constraints existing in host associations of economically important fruit flies in the species‐rich tribe Dacini (Diptera: Tephritidae) and to what extent these species have evolved specialized dietary patterns. We found a strong effect of host phylogeny on associations on the 37 fruit flies tested, although the fruit fly species feeding on ripe commercially grown fruits that lost the toxic compounds after long‐term domestication are mostly polyphagous. We assessed the phylogenetic signal of host breadth across the fruit fly species, showing that the results were substantially different depending on partition levels. Further, we mapped main host family associations onto the fruit fly phylogeny and Cucurbitaceae has been inferred as the most likely ancestral host family for Dacini based on ancestral state reconstruction.
Should dispersers be fast learners? Modeling the role of cognition in dispersal syndromes
Authors: Liedtke Jannis , Fromhage Lutz
Published: September 2021

Both cognitive abilities and dispersal tendencies can vary strongly between individuals. Since cognitive abilities may help dealing with unknown circumstances, it is conceivable that dispersers may rely more heavily on learning abilities than residents. However, cognitive abilities are costly and leaving a familiar place might result in losing the advantage of having learned to deal with local conditions. Thus, individuals which invested in learning to cope with local conditions may be better off staying at their natal place. In order to disentangle the complex relationship between dispersal and learning abilities, we implemented individual‐based simulations. By allowing for developmental plasticity, individuals could either become a 'resident' or 'dispersal' cognitive phenotype. The model showed that in general residents have higher learning abilities than dispersers. Dispersers evolve higher learning ability than residents when dispersers have long life spans and when dispersal occurs either early or late in life, thereby maximizing the time in one habitat patch. Time is crucial here, because the longer an individual resides in a location where it can use its learned knowledge or behavior, the more often it profits from it and thus eventually obtains a net benefit from its investment into learning. Both, longevity and the timing of dispersal within lifecycles determine the time individuals have to recoup that investment and thus crucially influence this correlation. We therefore suggest that species' life history will strongly impact the expected cognitive abilities of dispersers, relative to their resident conspecifics, and that cognitive abilities might be an integral part of dispersal syndromes.
Diagnosis of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in primary care: cohort study
Authors: Forsyth Faye , Brimicombe James , Cheriyan Joseph , Edwards Duncan , Hobbs F.D. Richard , Jalaludeen Navazh , Mant Jonathan , Pilling Mark , Schiff Rebekah , Taylor Clare J. , Zaman M. Justin , Deaton Christi ,   OPTIMISE HFpEF investigators and collaborators
Published: September 2021

Aims

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for half of all heart failure (HF), but low awareness and diagnostic challenges hinder identification in primary care. Our aims were to evaluate the recruitment and diagnostic strategy in the Optimise HFpEF cohort and compare with recent recommendations for diagnosing HFpEF.

Methods and results

Patients were recruited from 30 primary care practices in two regions in England using an electronic screening algorithm and two secondary care sites. Baseline assessment collected clinical and patient‐reported data and diagnosis by history, assessment, and trans‐thoracic echocardiogram (TTE). A retrospective evaluation compared study diagnosis with H2FPEF score and HFA‐PEFF diagnostic algorithm. A total of 152 patients (86% primary care, mean age 78.5, 40% female) were enrolled; 93 (61%) had HFpEF confirmed. Most participants had clinical features of HFpEF, but those with confirmed HFpEF were more likely female, obese, functionally impaired, and symptomatic. Some echocardiographic findings were diagnostic for HFpEF, but no difference in natriuretic peptide levels were observed. The H2FPEF and HFA‐PEFF scores were not significantly different by group, although confirmed HFpEF cases were more likely to have scores indicating high probability of HFpEF.

Conclusions

Patients with HFpEF in primary care are difficult to identify, and greater awareness of the condition, with clear diagnostic pathways and specialist support, are needed. Use of diagnostic algorithms and scores can provide systematic approaches to diagnosis but may be challenging to apply in older multi‐morbid patients. Where diagnostic uncertainty remains, pragmatic decisions are needed regarding the value of additional testing versus management of presumptive HFpEF.
Role of skeletal muscle perfusion and insulin resistance in the effect of dietary sodium on heart function in overweight
Authors: Keske Michelle A. , Przewlocka‐Kosmala Monika , Woznicka Anna K. , Mysiak Andrzej , Jankowska Ewa A. , Ponikowski Piotr , Kosmala Wojciech
Published: September 2021

Aims

Weight excess and insulin resistance predispose to heart failure. High sodium consumption may contribute to the development of cardiac impairment in insulin‐resistant individuals by promoting inadequate skeletal muscle microvascular perfusion response to insulin. We sought to investigate the association of dietary sodium reduction with muscle perfusion, insulin sensitivity, and cardiac function in overweight/obese insulin‐resistant (O‐IR) normotensive subjects.

Methods and results

Fifty O‐IR individuals with higher than recommended sodium intake were randomized to usual or reduced sodium diet for 8 weeks; 25 lean, healthy subjects served as controls for pre‐intervention measurements. Echocardiography and muscle perfusion were performed during fasting and under stable euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp conditions. O‐IR patients demonstrated subclinical cardiac dysfunction as evidenced by lower left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), e′ tissue velocity, and left atrial strain and reduced muscle perfusion. The intervention arm showed improvements in insulin resistance [glucose infusion rate (GIR)], GLS, e′, atrial strain, and muscle perfusion in fasting conditions, as well as improved responses of GLS and muscle perfusion to insulin during clamp. Significant interactions were found between the allocation to low‐salt diet and improvement in muscle perfusion on change in GIR at follow‐up (P = 0.030), and between improvement in muscle perfusion and change in GIR on change in GLS response to insulin at follow‐up (P = 0.026). Mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between the reduction of sodium intake and improvement in GLS was mediated by improvements in muscle perfusion and GIR (decrease in beta coefficient from −0.29 to −0.16 after the inclusion of mediator variables to the model).

Conclusions

The reduction of dietary sodium in the normotensive O‐IR population improves cardiac function, and this effect may be associated with the concomitant improvements in skeletal muscle perfusion and insulin resistance. These findings might contribute to refining heart failure preventive strategies.
Effect of organic conditioning layers adsorbed on stainless steel AISI 304 on the attachment and biofilm formation of electroactive bacteria Shewanella putrefaciens CN32
Authors: Wurzler Nina , Hidde Gundula , Schenderlein Matthias , Ozcan Ozlem
Published: September 2021

Abtract

The initial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation of electroactive bacteria Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 was investigated to clarify the influence of organic conditioning layers. A selection of macromolecules and self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of different chain lengths and functional groups were prepared and characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy in terms of their chemistry. Surface energy and Zeta (ζ‐) potential of the conditioning layers was determined with contact angle and streaming current measurements. Among the studied surface parameters, a high polar component and a high ratio of polar‐to‐disperse components of the surface energy has emerged as a successful indicator for the inhibition of the initial settlement of S. putrefaciens on stainless steel AISI 304 surfaces. Considering the negative surface charge of planktonic S. putrefaciens cells, and the strong inhibition of cell attachment by positively charged polyethylenimine (PEI) conditioning layers, our results indicate that electrostatic interactions do play a subordinate role in controlling the attachment of this microorganism on stainless steel AISI 304 surfaces. For the biofilm formation, the organization of the SAMs affected the local distribution of the biofilms. The formation of three‐dimensional and patchy biofilm networks was promoted with increasing disorder of the SAMs.
Constraints of sedimentary structures on key parameters of shale gas reservoirs: A case study of the Wufeng and Longmaxi formations of the Ordovician‐Silurian transition in Luzhou area, Sichuan Basin, southwestern China
Authors: Liao Jijia , Zhao Ning , Chen Yang , Tang Hongming , Zheng Majia , Wu Wei , Luo Chao , Li Changsheng , Leng Yijiang
Published: September 2021

There are various sedimentary structures developed in the black shales of the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation and the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Luzhou area, southern Sichuan Basin, southwestern China. In order to evaluate the controlling effects of sedimentary structures on the key parameters of shale reservoir properties, collected classification of sedimentary structures, scanning electron microscope observation, analysis of shale fabric and porosity characteristics, low‐pressure nitrogen adsorption, methane isothermal adsorption, and conventional triaxial compression test were carried out based on shale samples from Wells A‐H1, B‐H1, C‐H1 and D‐H1 in the study area. The sedimentary structures recorded in these shales are categorized into five types: homogeneous bedding, weak horizontal bedding, strong horizontal bedding, discontinuous ripple bedding, and gravel‐bearing massive bedding. In general, the palaeo‐hydrodynamics and oxygen content of water columns were weak when homogeneous bedding shale was deposited. The organic matter is the most abundant and the total organic carbon content is up to 4.01% on average. The average quartz content is 43.5%, and the brittleness index is the highest. The porosity and adsorption capacity were the highest, with an average of 4.57% and 79.5 scf/ton, respectively. Combined with its mechanical properties of low Poisson's ratio and high Young's modulus, homogeneous bedding sedimentary structure is associated with the shale units possessing the highest organic matter abundance, the strongest reservoir property, and the best fracability, which is the priority target for exploration and development of the Wufeng to lower Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin, southwestern China.
Distribution of rare earth elements and stable isotopic constituents along the groundwater flow paths in the Quaternary deposits of Imphal valley in north‐east India
Authors: Singh Laishram Premananda , Kshetrimayum Krishnakanta Singh
Published: September 2021

Groundwater samples collected from three flow paths (the western, central, and eastern flows) in the shallow aquifers of the Imphal valley of north‐east India were examined to study the variation in hydrochemical and rare earth element (REE) characteristics along these flow paths. Each flow path covers a length of around 45 km towards the down gradient. In the western flow, the hydrochemical facies evolved from Na‐Cl‐Ca to Ca‐Na‐Mg‐Cl‐HCO3; in the central flow, it varies from Ca‐Mg‐Na‐Cl to Na‐Ca‐Cl‐HCO3 and in the eastern flow, it changes from Na‐Cl to Ca‐Mg‐HCO3 indicating the evolution of saline water type in the piedmont zone to fresh water type towards the discharge zones around the Loktak Lake. The REE concentration varies along the flow path as the total light REE (LREE) is more enriched than total heavy REE (HREE) in the western and central flows, while LREE is less than HREE in the eastern flow. North American Shale Composite (NASC)‐normalized REE patterns in these flow types show significant convex‐up NASC‐normalized patterns with depleted LREEs. The redox condition in the flow paths is controlled by redox‐sensitive elements such as Eh, pH, Fe, Mn, U, Er, Gd, and Nd which vary relatively along with these flows. REE fractionation depicted by (Er/Nd)SN ratios are high around the upgradient and decrease along the down gradient towards Loktak Lake. The isotopic constituents (δ18O and δD) exhibit fluctuations in their ratios along the groundwater flow paths. The residual hill and piedmont zones are characterized by depleted isotopic composition while the alluvial and flood plains show enriched isotopic composition. Thus, the present study elucidates the behavioural change in major hydrochemical parameters including REE and isotopic constituents, along with the groundwater flow, which will provide a holistic view in understanding the evolution of groundwater in terms of its quality, quantity, and origin in the study area.
Up‐front neck dissection followed by chemoradiotherapy for T1–T3 hypopharyngeal cancer with advanced nodal involvement
Authors: Sato Mitsuo P. , Otsuki Naoki , Kitano Mutsukazu , Ishikawa Kazuki , Tanaka Kaoru , Kimura Takayuki , Doi Katsumi
Published: September 2021

Background

The advantage of up‐front neck dissection (UFND) followed by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) with advanced neck involvement remains controversial. We aimed to determine the indications.

Methods

The data of 41 and 14 patients with stage IVA/B (T1–T3 and ≥N2a) HPC who underwent UFND followed by CRT and received CRT, respectively, were retrospectively analyzed and compared.

Results

The 5‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival rates for the UFND and CRT groups were 61% and 52% (p = 0.1019), and 89% and 74% (p = 0.2333), respectively. Moreover, patients aged ≥70 years or those with a pulmonary disease history had a significantly poorer prognosis due to aspiration pneumonia in the UFND group. The 5‐year regional control (RC) for the UFND and CRT groups were 92% and 57%, respectively (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions

UFND followed by CRT was feasible with satisfactory RC. To further improve OS, aspiration pneumonia prevention is essential.
Parametric analysis of MHD flow of nanofluid in stretching sheet under chemical sensitivity and thermal radiation
Authors: Rama Devi Sagiraju Veera Venkata , Gnaneswara Reddy Machireddy
Published: September 2021

This study examines the impact that entropy production has on electric magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) hybrid nanofluid (Al2O3–SiC) flows due to the effect of thermal radiation and chemical reaction on permeable stretching sheets. A key element of this study is that to increase thermal conductivity and improve convective heat transfer, the field of electricity is used in the MHD model with entropy production, and the solution technique utilizing “bvp4c” was presented. Through appropriate transformations and analyses of entropy generation, the constituent equations have been turned into strong, nonlinear, ordinary differential equations; the entropy generated rate for a system is crucial to optimize energy in the system to work efficiently. Subsequently, these transformed equations are solved by the “bvp4c” package in MATLAB. The thermal transfer system contains velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles with novel parameters included such as the unsteady parameter, the Grashof number, the mass Grashof number, Prandtl number, Brownian motion parameter, the Schmidt number, the thermophoresis parameter, the porosity parameter, the magnetic field parameter, the electric field parameter, the Eckert number, the Brinkman number, the radiation parameter, and chemical reaction. In addition, the study analyses the prediction accuracy of thermal conductivity enhancement using an artificial neural network (ANN) with data from the values of the numerical solution. This analysis is performed with the help of MATLAB. The result of this research concludes that the decrease in the magnetic field and porosity parameters stimulate a rise in the velocity of nanofluid; the parameters of the magnetic field, electric field, and thermal radiation increase, the temperature of the nanofluid increases, and the increase in the parameters of Schmidt number, Brownian motion, and the chemical reaction delivers a decrease in the concentration level of nanofluid. Two current methods are compared to the approach applied in this study. Finally, the ANN results in better accuracy of thermal conductivity enhancement values from the numerical values. Hence, this study concludes with the accurate thermal conductivity enhancement of the nanofluid with the impacts of a chemical reaction and thermal radiation.
Aerobic respiration in riparian exchange zones of regulated river corridors
Authors: Ferencz Stephen B. , Cardenas M. Bayani , Neilson Bethany T.
Published: September 2021

River stage fluctuations drive surface water‐groundwater exchanges within river corridors. This study evaluates how repeated daily stage fluctuations, representative of hydropeaking conditions, influence aerobic respiration of river‐sourced dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the riparian exchange zone using reactive flow and transport simulations. Over 50 hypothetical scenarios were modelled to evaluate how the duration of the daily flood signal, river DOC concentration, aquifer hydraulic conductivity and ambient groundwater flow condition affect the fate and transport of DOC and DO in the riparian aquifer. Time series subsurface snapshots highlight how the various factors influence the subsurface distribution of DOC and DO. The total mass of DOC respired per meter of river had a wide range depending on the parameters, spanning from 1.4 to 71 g over 24‐h, with high hydraulic conductivity and losing ambient groundwater flow conditions favouring the largest amount of DOC respired. The ratio of DOC mass entering the riparian zone with the mass returning to the river showed that as little as 5% to as much as 76% of the DOC that enters the bank during stage fluctuations returns to the river. This return ratio is dependent on river DOC concentration, hydraulic conductivity and ambient groundwater flow. The results illustrate that stage variations due to river regulation can be a significant control on aerobic respiration in riparian exchange zones.
The effect of International Monetary Fund programs on corporate default risk
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Truc
Published: September 2021

This study evaluates the economic impact of International Monetary Fund (IMF) assistance programs through documenting the effect of such programs on corporate default risk in 20 countries over the 1995–2012 period. Using firm‐level expected default frequency metrics from Moody's KMV and an event study style approach we show that IMF assistance is associated with an abnormal increase in corporate default risk in the 12 months prior to and subsequent to announcements of IMF intervention. Our findings are robust to control for endogeneity and thus call into question, from a new perspective, the immediate and long term economic impact of IMF assistance programs.
Retracted: Enriching the value‐at‐risk framework to ensemble empirical mode decomposition with an application to the European carbon market
Authors: Zhu Bangzhu , Wang Ping , Chevallier Julien , Wei Yi‐Ming
Published: September 2021

Unlike common financial markets, the European carbon market is a typically heterogeneous market, characterised by multiple timescales and affected by extreme events. The traditional value‐at‐risk (VaR) with single‐timescale fails to deal with the multi‐timescale characteristics and the effects of extreme events, which can result in the VaR overestimation for carbon market risk. To measure accurately the risk on the European carbon market, we propose ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) based multiscale VaR approach. First, the EEMD algorithm is utilised to decompose the carbon price return into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) with different timescales and a residue, which are modelled respectively using the ARMA‐GARCH model to obtain their conditional variances at different timescales. Furthermore, the Iterated Cumulative Sums of Squares algorithm is employed to determine the windows of an extreme event, so as to identify the IMFs influenced by an extreme event and conduct an exponentially weighted moving average on their conditional variations. Finally, the VaRs of various IMFs and the residue are estimated to reconstruct the overall VaR, the validity of which is verified later. Then, we illustrate the results by considering several European carbon futures contracts. Compared with the traditional VaR framework with single timescale, the proposed multiscale VaR‐EEMD model can effectively reduce the influences of the heterogeneous environments (such as the influences of extreme events), and obtain a more accurate overall risk measure on the European carbon market. By acquiring the distributions of carbon market risks at different timescales, the proposed multiscale VaR‐EEMD estimation is capable of understanding the fluctuation characteristics more comprehensively, which can provide new perspectives for exploring the evolution law of the risks on the European carbon market.
Greenhouse grapevine transpiration and water use efficiency under different water and nitrogen conditions*
Authors: Zheng Siyu , Wang Tieliang , Wei Xinguang , Li Bo , Bai Yikui
Published: September 2021

Determining the proper amount of water and nitrogen is important for obtaining reliable information on agricultural production management. This study investigated the effects of water and nitrogen (N) on greenhouse grapevine sap flow, photosynthetic parameters and leaf water use efficiency (WUEi) under three N applications (N1, 114.56 kg ha−1; N2, 159.99 kg ha−1; and N3, 240.00 kg ha−1) and three irrigation levels (W1, W2 and W3 representing the irrigating lower limits of 55% ± 2%, 65% ± 2% and 80% ± 2% of the field capacity, respectively). The results indicated that sap flow decreased as N increased under the W1 treatment. However, sap flow increased as N concentration increased under W2 and W3 conditions. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was the main meteorological factor controlling sap flow, with R2 values ranging from 0.857 to 0.928. With the increase in N, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) increased under the W3 condition. N application enhanced the promotion of WUEi by the W1 and W2 treatments. This study proposes the prospect of implementing an integrated management of water and N for grapevine growth in greenhouses, thereby promoting transpiration and water use efficiency in a scientific way.
In vivo efficacy of 3D‐printed elastin–gelatin–hyaluronic acid scaffolds for regeneration of nasal septal cartilage defects
Authors: Shokri Abbas , Ramezani Kousar , Jamalpour Mohammad Reza , Mohammadi Chiman , Vahdatinia Farshid , Irani Amin Doosti , Sharifi Esmaeel , Haddadi Rasool , Jamshidi Shokoofeh , Amirabad Leila Mohammadi , Tajik Sanaz , Yadegari Amir , Tayebi Lobat
Published: September 2021

Nasal septal cartilage perforations occur due to the different pathologies. Limited healing ability of cartilage results in remaining defects and further complications. This study sought to assess the efficacy of elastin–gelatin–hyaluronic acid (EGH) scaffolds for regeneration of nasal septal cartilage defects in rabbits. Defects (4 × 7 mm) were created in the nasal septal cartilage of 24 New Zealand rabbits. They were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 was the control group with no further intervention, Group 2 received EGH scaffolds implanted in the defects, Group 3 received EGH scaffolds seeded with autologous auricular chondrocytes implanted in the defects, and Group 4 received EGH scaffolds seeded with homologous auricular chondrocytes implanted in the defects. After a 4‐month healing period, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained from the nasal septal cartilage, followed by histological evaluations of new tissue formation. Maximum regeneration occurred in Group 2, according to CT, and Group 3, according to both T1 and T2 images with 7.68 ± 1.36, 5.44 ± 2.41, and 8.72 ± 3.02 mm2 defect area respectively after healing. The difference in the defect size was statistically significant after healing between the experimental groups. Group 3 showed significantly greater regeneration according to CT scans and T1 and T2 images. The neocartilage formed over the underlying old cartilage with no distinct margin in histological evaluation. The EGH scaffolds have the capability of regeneration of nasal cartilage defects and are able to integrate with the existing cartilage; yet, they present the best results when pre‐seeded with autologous chondrocytes.
Associations Between Specific Mindfulness Practices and In‐Session Relational Factors
Authors: Johnson David A. , Walsh Adriana
Published: September 2021

Using partial correlations, we estimated the extent to which 206 mental health professionals’ engagement in specific mindfulness and meditation practices had differential associations with components of the working alliance and in‐session empathy with a client. We made a priori predictions regarding the patterns of association based on shared variance related to cognitive versus affective processes, bodily versus mentally based practices, and practice frequency. Partially consistent with prior research, our results suggest that some mindfulness practices may be more strongly associated with specific facets of the therapeutic relationship compared with other mindfulness practices. We address implications for counselors and future research.
Professional Counselors' Experiences on Interprofessional Teams in Hospital Settings
Authors: Johnson Kaprea F. , Blake Jennifer , Ramsey Hannah E.
Published: September 2021

This qualitative study explored the experiences of 11 professional counselors who work on interprofessional teams in hospital settings. We conducted semistructured interviews and identified four themes using interpretative phenomenological analysis: (a) support patient care and positive team interactions, (b) interprofessional supervision, (c) scope of practice, and (d) ethical considerations. Implications for interprofessional supervision and professional counselors’ contribution to interprofessional engagement in hospital settings are discussed.
Student‐to‐School Counselor Ratios: A Meta‐Analytic Review of the Evidence
Authors: Kearney Caitlin , Akos Patrick , Domina Thurston , Young Zachariah
Published: September 2021

Recent school counselor research has focused on the association between student‐to‐school counselor ratios and student‐level outcomes. The American School Counselor Association endorses a 250:1 ratio, despite little research evidence to support this recommendation. This study investigates the relationship between counselor ratios and a variety of student‐level outcomes through a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Using an inclusive search approach and a random‐effects model, we find that increased ratios (more students per counselor) lead to a small, negative effect on student‐level outcomes. Significant biases in the research designs of the extant studies limit our interpretations. We discuss implications for future research and considerations for practitioners.
Professional Quality of Life and Affective Distress Among Prelicensed Counselors
Authors: Fye Heather J. , Cook Ryan M. , Choi Youn‐Jeng , Baltrinic Eric R.
Published: September 2021

We investigated the relationships between individual and occupational demographic variables, professional quality of life (i.e., compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress), and affective distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) in a sample of 524 prelicensed counselors. Using structural equation analysis, we found statistically significant relationships between the professional quality of life and affective distress latent variables. Implications for supporting the needs of prelicensed counselors in supervision are discussed. Study limitations and suggestions for future research are offered.
Implications of Clinically Significant Change Research for Evidence‐Based Counseling Practice
Authors: Hatchett Gregory T.
Published: September 2021

Researchers have consistently found that counseling and psychotherapy are more effective than control conditions in experimental research studies. However, the results of traditional experimental studies cannot directly convey the extent to which clients have recovered from distressing symptoms and associated impairments. Researchers who have investigated clinically significant change in the context of dose‐effect studies and outcome monitoring programs have found that most clients attend only a few sessions and attain only minor improvements in symptomatic distress and psychosocial impairments before ending services. The implications of this literature for researchers, counseling practitioners, and counselor educators are discussed.
Growth After Adenotonsillectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Revisited
Authors: Jensen Alexandria M. , Herrmann Brian W. , Mitchell Ron B. , Friedman Norman R.
Published: September 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

To reanalyze the growth trajectory and assess longitudinal changes of children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (AT) versus watchful waiting (WW) enrolled in the Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial (CHAT) study and to determine if an AT increases the risk of obesity in children.

Study Design

Reanalysis of prospective cohort investigation.

Methods

The study analyzed publicly available data from CHAT, including 3 months visit data not previously included in a prior publication. Statistical comparisons and mixed‐effects modeling were done using age‐ and sex‐specific BMI expressed as a percentage of the 95th percentile (%BMIp95). P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

Children in the AT group, especially if underweight at baseline, had an increased rate of weight gain, with 100% of underweight children in the AT group becoming normal weight compared to 20% for WW. However, the rate of weight gain, as measured by the %BMIp95 trajectory for both AT and WW groups, was not significantly different when baseline weight status and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) resolution were accounted for. Comparisons of %BMIp95 between treatment groups at baseline, 3‐ and 7‐month follow‐up visits also failed to identify statistically significant differences (P > .05). Overall for the entire cohort, resolution of OSA was associated with a decreased weight trajectory (P < .001).

Conclusions

AT compared to WW is not associated with an increased risk of excessive weight gain. Otolaryngologists should be aware of this updated analysis when discussing AT surgical outcomes with families.

Level of Evidence

2 Laryngoscope, 132:1289–1294, 2022
Community density of grassland effect on soil carbon dynamics: Field survey and analyses from a 45‐year natural recovery time‐sequence on the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Fang Zhao , Ke Zengming , Jiao Feng
Published: September 2021

Community density of grassland has obvious impacts on the absorption, sequestration, and accumulation of soil carbon (C). However, few studies have examined the effect of community density on soil C dynamics and their internal driving forces after cropland abandonment. Here, we synthesized the responses of soil C to community density of grassland over a 45‐year time‐sequence along a natural restoration time sequence. The results showed that the soil C content during the late‐successional period was greater than that during the early‐successional period, that is, annual C storage rates for the first sequence (1–15 years) for the 0–60 cm depth profiles were −0.34, −0.27, −0.15 to 0.02 Mg‐C ha−1 yr−1, in the ≤10, 11–20, 21–30, and >30 community densities. And the third sequence (31–45 years) presented values that were 79.28% and 44.60% greater than those of the initial stage of vegetation restoration (CK) for the 0–20 and 0–60 cm profiles, respectively. The increased soil C storage rates of the late‐successional sequence were associated with both increased aboveground production and root biomass for this sequence and the presence of multiple species, especially Leguminosae and Gramineae species, with developed roots. Overall, the effects of community density on soil C were regulated by the recovery time, root mass, and species genera. Furthermore, our results suggest that soil may still be a carbon source even after 15 years of the abandonment restoring, and high community density may greatly increase C capture and storage rates in abandoned lands. The findings enhance the understanding of soil C sequestration and accumulation responses to community density following long‐term natural vegetation succession, providing support for estimating and predicting the regional C budget and global C cycle.
The use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry in enzyme activity assays and its position in the context of other available methods
Authors: Šebela Marek
Published: September 2021

Activity assays are indispensable for studying biochemical properties of enzymes. The purposes of measuring activity are wide ranging from a simple detection of the presence of an enzyme to kinetic experiments evaluating the substrate specificity, reaction mechanisms, and susceptibility to inhibitors. Common activity assay methods include spectroscopy, electrochemical sensors, or liquid chromatography coupled with various detection techniques. This review focuses on the use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) as a growing and modern alternative, which offers high speed of analysis, sensitivity, versatility, possibility of automation, and cost‐effectiveness. It may reveal reaction intermediates, side products or measure more enzymes at once. The addition of an internal standard or calculating the ratios of the substrate and product peak intensities and areas overcome the inherent inhomogeneous distribution of analyte and matrix in the sample spot, which otherwise results in a poor reproducibility. Examples of the application of MALDI‐TOF MS for assaying hydrolases (including peptidases and β‐lactamases for antibiotic resistance tests) and other enzymes are provided. Concluding remarks summarize advantages and challenges coming from the present experience, and draw future perspectives such as a screening of large libraries of chemical compounds for their substrate or inhibitory properties towards enzymes.
Determinants of financial performance: An evidence from Internet finance sector
Authors: Liu Xiaonan , Tang Zhenpeng , Zhao Yukun
Published: September 2021

Financial performance is one of the most important factors for the decision making in the operation of Internet finance sector. The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of credit risk, liquidity, profitability, capital structure, and growth on the financial performance. The empirical research is carried out on the sample of 24 listed companies steadily engaged in Internet finance services from 2013 to September 2020. The originality of the paper is the industrial credit risk curve and the relationships between the variables, which are expected to provide insights for the healthy development of both entire industry and individual enterprises.