bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network robustness and structure depend on the phenological characteristics of plants and pollinators
Authors: Guzman Laura Melissa , Chamberlain Scott A. , Elle Elizabeth
Published: September 2021

Many structural patterns have been found to be important for the stability and robustness of mutualistic plant–pollinator networks. These structural patterns are impacted by a suite of variables, including species traits, species abundances, their spatial configuration, and their phylogenetic history. Here, we consider a specific trait: phenology, or the timing of life history events. We expect that timing and duration of activity of pollinators, or of flowering in plants, could greatly affect the species' roles within networks in which they are embedded. Using plant–pollinator networks from 33 sites in southern British Columbia, Canada, we asked (a) how phenological species traits, specifically timing of first appearance in the network and duration of activity in a network, were related to species' roles within a network, and (b) how those traits affected network robustness to phenologically biased species loss. We found that long duration of activity increased connection within modules for both pollinators and plants and among modules for plants. We also found that date of first appearance was positively related to interaction strength asymmetry in plants but negatively related to pollinators. Networks were generally more robust to the loss of pollinators than plants, and robustness increased if the models allow new interactions to form when old ones are lost, constrained by overlapping phenology of plants and pollinators. Robustness declined with the loss of late‐flowering plants, which tended to have higher interaction strength asymmetry. In addition, robustness declined with loss of early‐flying or long‐duration pollinators. These pollinators tended to be among‐module connectors. Our results point to networks being limited by early‐flying pollinators. If plants flower earlier due to climate change, plant fitness may decline as they will depend on early emerging pollinators, unless pollinators also emerge earlier.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction after left‐sided valve surgery: prevalent and relevant
Authors: Kammerlander Andreas A. , Nitsche Christian , Donà Carolina , Koschutnik Matthias , Dannenberg Varius , Mascherbauer Katharina , Schönbauer Robert , Zafar Amna , Winter Max‐Paul , Bartko Philipp E. , Goliasch Georg , Hengstenberg Christian , Mascherbauer Julia
Published: September 2021

Aims

To investigate the epidemiological and prognostic relationship between heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and left‐sided valve surgery using all‐cause mortality as a primary endpoint.

Methods and results

We studied a total of 973 patients, of whom 673 had undergone left‐sided valve surgery (time from surgery to enrolment 50 ± 30 months after valve surgery) and 300 patients with HFpEF without prior surgery served as control group. Among patients after surgery, 67.4% fulfilled all criteria of HFpEF according to current guideline recommendations, 20.6% had no heart failure (HF), and 12.0% had HF with mid‐range or reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFrEF). During 83 ± 39 months of follow‐up, a total of 335 (34.4%) patients died. Compared to surgical patients with no subsequent HF, patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF/HFrEF after surgery showed significantly higher all‐cause mortality rates [hazard ratio (HR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–2.57, P = 0.001; and HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.16–2.98, P = 0.010, respectively]. This increased mortality rate was similar to the control HFpEF group without surgery (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.38–3.02, P < 0.001). Results remained consistent after adjustment for clinical and imaging risk factors and when using the established HFA‐PEFF risk score for HFpEF diagnosis. Notably, only 12.5% of HFpEF patients after surgery were diagnosed with HF despite regular follow‐up visits by board‐certified cardiologists. In contrast, 92.1% of HFmrEF/HFrEF patients after surgery were diagnosed correctly.

Conclusions

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction following left‐sided valve surgery is highly prevalent, associated with unfavourable outcomes, but rarely recognized.
Sandy beach social–ecological systems at risk: regime shifts, collapses, and governance challenges
Authors: Defeo Omar , McLachlan Anton , Armitage Derek , Elliott Michael , Pittman Jeremy
Published: September 2021

Approximately half of the world’s ice‐free ocean coastline is composed of sandy beaches, which support a higher level of recreational use than any other ecosystem. However, the contribution of sandy beaches to societal welfare is under increasing risk from local and non‐local pressures, including expanding human development and climate‐related stressors. These pressures are impairing the capacity of beaches to meet recreational demand, provide food, protect livelihoods, and maintain biodiversity and water quality. This will increase the likelihood of social–ecological collapses and regime shifts, such that beaches will sustain neither the original ecosystem function nor the related services and societal goods and benefits that they provide. These social–ecological systems at the land–sea interface are subject to market forces, weak governance institutions, and societal indifference: most people want a beach, but few recognize it as an ecosystem at risk.
Angling for Ideas in Science Communication to Hosting a Photo-essay Workshop for Teens: Implementing the Winning Idea from Wiley Publishing's First Impact-a-thon
Authors: DeFilippi Simpson Julie , Glaser Sarah M , Murchie Karen J , Shirey Patrick D
Published: September 2021

We present a pilot curriculum for engaging high school students in photojournalism, combining a field trip and a photo essay that can be expanded by fisheries professionals for their own education and outreach efforts, whether in conjunction with annual meetings or stand-alone events. At the 2018 American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the leadership of the Science Communication Section and Resource Policy Committee presented a training session focused on scientific communication tools for fisheries professionals that could be learned quickly, practiced during the session, and applied after the conference. Wiley Publishing sponsored the continuing education session (August 19, 2018), because it met the outreach goals of Wiley and AFS, and fit the theme of the conference, “Communicating the Science of Fisheries Conservation to Diverse Audiences.” The training session was divided into two parts: an active learning session about public messaging and a team competition for a US$7,500 award to execute a science communication idea to benefit fisheries science. Our winning idea from the team competition was to design a workshop for teens that included photography to explore aquatic environments and learn about the work of fisheries professionals, which was held on July 16, 2019 at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The students, with assistance from Shedd Aquarium staff, completed photo essays as teams or individuals. The winning photo essays are published at the end of this article.
The sensory and flavor characteristics of Shaoxing Huangjiu (Chinese rice wine) were significantly influenced by micro‐oxygen and electric field
Authors: Shen Chi , Zhu Hongyi , Zhu Wenxia , Zhu Yimeng , Peng Qi , Elsheery Nabil I. , Fu Jianwei , Xie Guangfa , Zheng Huajun , Han Jiongping , Hu Baowei , Sun Jianqiu , Wu Peng , Fan Yuyan , Girma Dula Bealu
Published: September 2021

In order to improve the high cost of equipment and difficult management caused by the natural aging of Chinese rice wine (Huangjiu), micro‐oxygen (MO) and electric field (PEF) technology are used to accelerate the aging of Huangjiu. The results showed that micro‐oxygen and electric field have a significant effect on the sensory characteristics and flavor characteristics of Huangjiu. Compared with the naturally aged Huangjiu, the flavor compounds of Huangjiu treated with micro‐oxygen and electric field increase significantly. Based on principal component analysis, Huangjiu processed at 0.35 mg L/day or 0.5 mg L/day combined electric field exhibited similar flavor to the natural aged Huangjiu, which was highly associated with long‐chain fatty acid ethyl esters (C13–C18). Moreover, partial least squares regression demonstrated that sensory attributes of cereal aroma and astringency were highlighted after aging time, while fruit aroma, continuation, and full body were dominant after micro‐oxygen and electric field treatment. Micro‐oxygen and electric field effectively enhanced the quality of Huangjiu, which could be applied in other alcoholic beverages.
Isotope hydrology and water sources in a heavily urbanized stream
Authors: Marx Christian , Tetzlaff Dörthe , Hinkelmann Reinhard , Soulsby Chris
Published: September 2021

Complex networks of both natural and engineered flow paths control the hydrology of streams in major cities through spatio‐temporal variations in connection and disconnection of diverse water sources. We used spatially extensive and temporally intensive sampling of water stable isotopes to disentangle the hydrological sources of the heavily urbanized Panke catchment (~220 km2) in the north of Berlin, Germany. The isotopic data enabled us to partition stream water sources across the catchment using a Bayesian mixing analysis. The upper part of the catchment streamflow is dominated by groundwater (~75%) from gravel aquifers. In dry summer periods, streamflow becomes intermittent in the upper catchment, possibly as a result of local groundwater abstractions. Storm drainage dominates the responses to precipitation events. Although such events can dramatically change the isotopic composition of the upper stream network, storm drainage only accounts for 10%–15% of annual streamflow. Moving downstream, subtle changes in sources and isotope signatures occur as catchment characteristics vary and the stream is affected by different tributaries. However, effluents from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), serving 700,000 people, dominate stream flow in the lower catchment (~90% of annual runoff) where urbanization effects are more dramatic. The associated increase in sealed surfaces downstream also reduces the relative contribution of groundwater to streamflow. The volume and isotopic composition of storm runoff is again dominated by urban drainage, though in the lower catchment, still only about 10% of annual runoff comes from storm drains. The study shows the potential of stable water isotopes as inexpensive tracers in urban catchments that can provide a more integrated understanding of the complex hydrology of major cities. This offers an important evidence base for guiding the plans to develop and re‐develop urban catchments to protect, restore, and enhance their ecological and amenity value.
Prenatal expectations and other psycho‐social factors as risk factors of postnatal bonding disturbance
Authors: Rusanen Erja , Vierikko Elina , Kojo Tiina , Lahikainen Anja Riitta , Pölkki Pirjo , Paavonen E. Juulia
Published: September 2021

The mother's bond to her baby starts to develop during pregnancy, and it is related to the baby's attachment. We study how the mother's prenatal expectations of her unborn baby, the mother's adult relationships, and postnatal psycho‐social factors (stress, depression, and anxiety) are related to the risk of bonding disturbance. The study comprised 1398 mothers and their unborn babies assessed both during pregnancy and when the babies were 3 months old (47.7% girls). The mother's risk of bonding disturbance was investigated using Brockington's Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire. According to the results, 71 (5.1%) of all the mothers in the study had a risk of a bonding disturbance. In a final adjusted logistic regression model, the most important risk factors were the mother's inability to form positive expectations about relationships with the baby during the third trimester of pregnancy (AOR = 7.78, p ≤ .001), maternal postnatal stress (AOR = 4.95, p ≤ .001) and maternal postnatal depression (AOR = 3.46, p ≤ .01). The results challenge healthcare professionals to screen pregnant mothers to identify at‐risk groups for post‐partum bonding disturbances. Intervention programs to prevent the development of bonding disturbances, and thus their possible serious consequences for children's development, should be considered.
How to investigate a stillbirth on farm
Authors: Geraghty Tim , Mee John , Murphy Alan , Orr Jayne
Published: September 2021

Background: Bovine stillbirth is a common presentation in farm practice, but its investigation is complex and so a structured approach is recommended to aid diagnosis. This, in turn, will help practitioners to provide targeted advice to farmers, with the aim of reducing incidence in the future.

Aim of the article: This article outlines a structured approach to follow when investigating stillbirth cases that can lead to a firm evidence base for giving the best advice on farm.
Antidromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia in a patient with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome and unapparent preexcitation: A case report
Authors: Enzan Ayano , Takenaka Sou , Ueno Akihiko , Sakakibara Masayoshi , Koyama Terumasa , Uemura Shiro
Published: September 2021

This is a case of antidromic AVRT in a patient with unapparent preexcitation, and we could successfully diagnose and treat with the careful interpretation of wide QRS tachycardia. We should keep in mind that differentiation between intermittent and unapparent preexcitation is difficult, and some patients with unapparent preexcitation have short refractory periods of those accessory pathways, leading to sudden death.
Remotely sensed vegetation greening along a restoration gradient of a tropical forest, Kibale National Park, Uganda
Authors: Valtonen Anu , Korkiatupa Eveliina , Holm Sille , Malinga Geoffrey M. , Nakadai Ryosuke
Published: September 2021

Restoration has now emerged as a global priority, with international initiatives such as the “UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030)”. To fulfill the large‐scale global restoration ambitions, an essential step is the monitoring of vegetation recovery after restoration interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of remotely sensed vegetation indices, using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI), to monitor the progress of forest regeneration across a tropical forest restoration project area in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Using the chronosequence approach, results indicated non‐linear patterns in NDVI and EVI across the first 25 years of recovery. Both NDVI and EVI increased for the first 10 years of forest regeneration. This 'greening' phase could be used as the indicator of the successful onset of forest recovery. In particular, the decline of elephant grass, and the consequent arrival of shrubs and trees, can be detected as an increase in NDVI. Primary forests differed from the 25‐year‐old regenerating forests based on the unique combination of low mean and low seasonal variation in EVI. Our results, therefore, suggest that the long‐term success of forest restoration could be monitored by evaluating how closely the combination of mean, and degree of seasonal variation in EVI, resembles that observed in the primary forest.
Recent Progress in Bionic Skin Based on Conductive Polymer Gels
Authors: Li Huijing , Gao Guorong , Xu Zhenyu , Tang Diane , Chen Tao
Published: September 2021

Bionic skin sensors based on conductive polymer gels have garnered interest for their potential applications in human‐computer interaction, soft robotics, biomedical systems, sports, and healthcare, because of their intrinsic flexibility and stretchability embedded at the material level, and other such as self‐healing, adhesion, high, and low temperature tolerance properties that can be tuned through macromolecular design. Here, important advances in polymer gel‐based flexible sensors over recent years are summarized, from material design, sensor fabrication to system‐level applications. This review focuses on the representative strategies of design and preparing of conductive polymer gels, and adjusting their conductivity, mechanics, and other properties such as self‐healing and adhesiveness by controlling the macromolecular network structures. The state‐of‐art of present flexible pressure and strain sensors, temperature sensors, position sensors, and multifunctional sensors based on capacitance, voltage, and resistance sensing technologies, are also systematically reviewed. Finally, perspectives on issues regarding further advances and challenges are provided.
How does corporate social responsibility engagement affect the information content of stock prices?
Authors: Benkraiem Ramzi , Boubaker Sabri , Saeed Asif
Published: September 2021

This paper investigates the effect of corporate social responsibility on the information content of stock prices. Using a sample of 877 United States‐listed firms, we provide evidence that a firm's corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance has a negative effect on stock price synchronicity, suggesting that socially responsible firms commit themselves to high transparency standards, leading to more informative stock prices. Moreover, the negative relationship between sustainable corporate policies and stock price synchronicity is more pronounced in better‐governed, highly competitive, and closely monitored firms. Our findings are robust to potential endogeneity problems, additional control variables, and alternative sample composition. This study contributes to the literature by providing original insights on the CSR performance link with firm‐specific information impounded in stock prices. Further, we uniquely contribute to the CSR dimensions literature by separately analyzing which CSR dimension contributes to improving the firm's information environment.
Simulation of potential evapotranspiration values based on vine copula
Authors: Khashei‐Siuki Abbas , Shahidi Ali , Ramezani Yousef , Nazeri Tahroudi Mohammad
Published: September 2021

Vine copula had a great impact on the study and analysis of dependence structures in various sciences. In multivariate analyses with dimensions of more than two variables, it is associated with computational complexities that solve vine copulas and these problems. In this study, in order to provide an approach to simulate potential evapotranspiration based on meteorological parameters in Birjand meteorological station from different family copulas including R‐vine, independent R‐vine, Gaussian, independent Gaussian, C‐vine, C‐vine independent, D‐vine and D‐vine independent were used. In this regard, vine copula simulation and conditional density were used. In pair correlation analysis of the studied variables using Kendall's tau statistic, dependence structure confirmed the studied parameters. The results showed a minimum correlation of −0.32 and a maximum of 0.77. The results of Akaike's information criteria (AIC), Bayesian information criteria (BIC) and LogLike statistics in evaluating the performance of vine copula dependency structure introduced the C‐vine copula as the superior copula for analysing the pair dependence of the studied variables. By introducing the superior dependency structure and internal copulas, the tree sequence of the pair of values under study was obtained. Pair of simulated values was performed using vine copula. Comparison of Kendall's tau values in both simulation and observation modes showed that Kendall's tau values were close to each other in both modes and were approximately similar. The simulation results of vine copula potential evapotranspiration values and precipitation, temperature and relative humidity values showed 92% efficiency. The efficiency of C‐vine copula in dependence analysis and simulation of potential evapotranspiration (PET) values is very high, which shows the ability of vine family copulas in multivariate analysis.
Psychologists reflect on 20th anniversary of 9/11, continued impact on Americans
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: September 2021

Twenty years ago, the country reeled after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. In an interview last week with two psychologists, MHW asked for their reflections on the tragedy and the long‐term impacts of trauma and psychological distress that undoubtedly surfaced for many Americans.
To expand operations, Oregon hospital must serve share of mandated patients
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2021

A hospital company's years‐long effort to expand inpatient psychiatric treatment capacity in Oregon may be nearing a successful conclusion, but only if it agrees to conditions that include a strict breakdown of who is to be served at a proposed new facility.
Denver center tackles youth suicide crisis with new initiative
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: September 2021

As the country observed National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 5–11), a new program aimed at young people in Denver launched last week with a goal to reduce suicidality for this population. Death by suicide among Denver's youth outpaces national statistics by nearly 2‐to‐1, according to program officials at the Mental Health Center of Denver.
Pedicled anterolateral thigh flap transfer for the reconstruction of a large gluteal defect assisted by preoperative computed tomographic angiography and intraoperative indocyanine green angiography: A case report
Authors: Fuse Yuma , Yoshimatsu Hidehiko , Karakawa Ryo , Yano Tomoyuki
Published: September 2021

The efficacy of the use of the pedicled ALT flap for buttock defects has not been established in the literature. Here, we present a case of a successful reconstruction of a large gluteal defect after sarcoma resection using a pedicled ALT flap assisted by preoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. A 94‐year‐old man underwent resection of a large soft tissue tumor in the gluteal region resulting in a 19 × 15 cm defect. Based on three‐dimensional reconstructed images of the preoperative CTA, the length of the pedicle of an ALT flap was estimated. Perfusion of the whole flap was confirmed using intraoperative ICG angiography. The flap was inserted through a subcutaneous tunnel and covered the defect completely. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient resumed ambulation 1 week after the operation. The follow‐up at 2 months showed complete flap survival, and the patient was able to walk with a cane. The pedicled ALT flap transfer may be a reliable alternative for gluteal reconstruction when guided by pre‐ and intraoperative imaging modalities.
Virtual neuromuscular ultrasound courses during COVID‐19 pandemic: Leveraging technology to enhance learning opportunities
Authors: Tawfik Eman A. , van Alfen Nens , Cartwright Michael S. , Inkpen Peter , Kerasnoudis Antonios , Lieba‐Samal Doris , Winter Natalie , Walker Francis O.
Published: September 2021

Introduction/Aims

Hands‐on supervised training is essential for learning diagnostic ultrasound. Unfortunately, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic led to suspension of in‐person training courses. As a result, many hands‐on training courses were converted into virtual courses during the pandemic. Several reports regarding virtual ultrasound courses exist, but none has addressed virtual neuromuscular ultrasound courses, their design, or participants' views of this form of training. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (1) to determine the feasibility of conducting virtual neuromuscular ultrasound courses during the COVID‐19 pandemic; and (2) to report the positive and negative aspects of the courses through the analyses of the responses of post‐course surveys.

Methods

Two virtual neuromuscular ultrasound courses, basic and intermediate level, were conducted by the Egyptian Neuromuscular Ultrasound society during August 2020. Post‐course, the attendees were directed to an electronic survey that consisted of eight questions. Ninety‐three responses (23.8%) were obtained from the survey of the basic course and 156 responses (44.4%) were obtained from the survey of the intermediate course.

Results

Ninety‐eight percent of the respondents to basic course surveys, and 100% of the respondents to the intermediate course survey found the courses useful or very useful.

Discussion

This report demonstrates the utility of virtual neuromuscular ultrasound courses for those participants willing to respond to a survey and describes a proposed design for such courses. Although hands‐on supervised ultrasound training is ideal, virtual courses can be useful alternatives to in‐person training when in‐person interaction is restricted.
Lung volume recruitment improves volitional airway clearance in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Cleary Stuart , Misiaszek John E. , Wheeler Sonya , Kalra Sanjay , Genuis Shelagh K. , Johnston Wendy S.
Published: September 2021

Introduction/Aims

In this study we evaluated the effects of lung volume recruitment treatment (LVR), a low‐tech, low‐cost, manual “breath‐stacking” technique used to help people cough with enough force to clear their airways, thereby reducing the risk of aspiration and choking, on five volitional airway clearance and protection behaviors used by people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PwALS).

Methods

Using a repeated‐measures cross‐over design, 29 PwALS performed five volitional airway clearance and protection behaviors in LVR treatment and in no‐treatment, control conditions. Peak cough flow (PCF) was used to measure maximum expiratory rate during forced expiration, throat clearing, hawking, post‐swallow coughing, and the supraglottic swallowing maneuver. Comparisons were made as a function of condition (treatment or control) and three time‐points (pretreatment, and 15 and 30 minutes posttreatment).

Results

LVR treatment had a significant positive effect on maximum expiratory rates during all tested airway clearance and protection behaviors. Increased PCF values lasted for up to 30 minutes post‐LVR for all tested behaviors in the treatment condition.

Discussion

We found that LVR treatment could increase control over airway clearance in PwALS, as well as provide improved airway protection for up to 30 minutes, the duration of a typical meal. This study has implications for patient care. These include offering patients control over some of the most feared symptoms of ALS, particularly choking during activities of daily living, and enhanced ALS respiratory care in low‐resource settings. Findings may have implications for other neurodegenerative disorders in which dysphagia occurs with retained sensory function.
Variable differences of nerve conduction amplitudes versus velocities and distal latencies of healthy subjects assessed in ethnic cohorts
Authors: Alhammad Reem , Davies Jenny , Litchy William J. , Carter Rickey , Dyck P. James B. , Dyck Peter J.
Published: September 2021

Variable differences of nerve conduction amplitudes vs velocities and distal latencies (DLs) of healthy subjects assessed in ethnic cohorts.

Introduction/Aims

The variables affecting reference compound muscle (CMAP) and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitudes as compared to ones affecting conduction velocities and DLs have not been adequately evaluated in previous studies. In this report, this subject is studied in healthy subject cohorts mainly of Northern European extraction, Northern Plains Indians, and Latinos.

Methods

Nineteen variables and 18 attributes of nerve conductions (NCs) were assessed using highly standard testing conditions and techniques. Classification and Regression Tree analyses were used to assess variable differences among amplitudes, conduction velocities, and DLs.

Results

The most important variable affecting CMAP and SNAP amplitudes was age. For conduction velocities (CVs) and DLs, the variables were height, ethnic cohort, and age.

Discussion

The variables affecting attributes of NCs were similar for the three ethnic cohorts evaluated. The differences of variables affecting amplitudes compared to CVs and DLs need to be taken into account in interpretation of NC results and in setting reference limits for use in medical practice, epidemiology surveys, and therapeutic trials. Scores of CMAP and SNAP amplitudes are suitable measures of sensorimotor polyneuropathy severity, whereas conduction velocities and DLs reflect physiologic/pathologic abnormality of nerve fibers.
Impact of fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations in motor‐ and sensory‐related brain networks on spinal cord injury severity
Authors: Kim Ae Ryoung , Cha Hyunsil , Kim Eunji , Kim Seungho , Lee Hui Joong , Park Eunhee , Lee Yang‐Soo , Jung Tae‐Du , Chang Yongmin
Published: September 2021

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunctions and may affect the cerebral functions. However, the mechanisms of plastic changes in the brain according to SCI severity remain poorly understood. Therefore, in the current study, we compared the brain activity of the entire neural network according to severity of SCI using fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (fALFF) analysis in resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI). A total of 59 participants were included, consisting of 19 patients with complete SCI, 20 patients with incomplete SCI, and 20 healthy individuals. Their motor and sensory functions were evaluated. The rs‐fMRI data of low‐frequency fluctuations were analyzed based on fALFF. Differences in fALFF values among complete‐SCI patients, incomplete‐SCI patients, and healthy controls were assessed using ANOVA. Then post hoc analysis and two‐sample t‐tests were conducted to assess the differences between the three groups. Pearson correlation analyses were used to determine correlations between clinical measures and the z‐score of the fALFF in the SCI groups. Patients with SCI (complete and incomplete) showed lower fALFF values in the superior medial frontal gyrus than the healthy controls, and were associated with poor motor and sensory function (p < .05). Higher fALFF values were observed in the putamen and thalamus, and were negatively associated with motor and sensory function (p < .05). In conclusion, alterations in the neural activity of the motor‐ and sensory‐related networks of the brain were observed in complete‐SCI and incomplete‐SCI patients. Moreover, plastic changes in these brain regions were associated with motor and sensory function.
Income‐driven socioeconomic status and presenting illness severity in children with acute respiratory failure
Authors: Kachmar Alicia G. , Wypij David , Perry Mallory A. , Curley Martha A. Q. ,   for the RESTORE Study Investigators
Published: September 2021

Children living in low socioeconomic communities are vulnerable to poor health outcomes, especially when critically ill. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and illness severity upon pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission in children with acute respiratory failure. This secondary analysis of the multicenter Randomized Evaluation of Sedation Titration for Respiratory Failure clinical trial includes children, 2 weeks to 17 years old, mechanically ventilated for acute respiratory failure; specifically, subjects who had parental consent for follow‐up and residential addresses that could be matched with census tracts (n = 2006). Subjects were categorized into quartiles based on income, with a median income of $54,036 for the census tracts represented in the sample. Subjects in the highest income quartile were more likely to be older, non‐Hispanic White, and hospitalized for pneumonia. Subjects in the lowest income quartile were more likely to be Black, younger, and hospitalized for asthma or bronchiolitis, to have age‐appropriate baseline functional status, and history of prematurity and asthma. After controlling for age group, gender, race, and primary diagnosis, there were no associations between income quartile and either Pediatric Risk of Mortality scores or pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. As measured, income‐based SES was not associated with illness severity upon PICU admission in this cohort of patients. More robust and reliable methods for measuring SES may help to better explain the mechanisms by which socioeconomic affect critical illness.
Preparation and properties of polyimide/carbon nanotube composite films with electromagnetic wave absorption performance
Authors: Jiang Ming , Lin Daolei , Jia Wei , Du Jiang , Han Enlin , Zhang Mengying , Niu Hongqing , Wu Dezhen
Published: September 2021

The polyimide (PI)/carbon nanotube (CNT) films including 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), p‐phenylenediamine (p‐PDA), and CNTs were prepared, which have prominent electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption performance. Experimental analyses of the mechanical properties, thermal stabilities, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the glass transition temperature (Tg), and EM parameter revealed the beneficial effects of the CNTs on the resulting composite films. In particular, when the content of CNTs is 6 wt%, the film shows the highest EM wave absorption performance, which exhibits the effective absorption bandwidth of 2.72 GHz with the matching thickness of only 2.0 mm. These results indicate that PI‐based films have a certain potential application in the area of EM wave‐absorbing materials.
Mechanisms of Ssp3–H functionalization of thiolacetic acid: A density functional theory investigation
Authors: Hou Qian‐Mei , Zhou Da‐Gang
Published: September 2021

Mechanisms for Ssp3–H functionalization of thiolacetic acid, initiated by AIBN, have been investigated by M06‐2X‐D3/ma‐def2‐TZVP method and basis set, and SMD model was employed to simulate the solvent effect of toluene. The computational results suggest that azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN), as the radical initiator, would have an intramolecular homolytic reaction; then Ssp3–H activation of thiolacetic acid could be finished via two possible paths; the obtained thiyl radical and diyne would go through electrophilic reaction, ring‐closure reaction, and SN2 reaction to yield 3,4‐fused‐ring‐substituted thiophenes. While in the second part, the mechanism of side reaction has also been investigated, revealing that main reaction has a lower energy barrier. Localized orbital locator isosurfaces and electron spin density isosurface graphs can analyze the structures and reveal the substances.
Comparative study on microstructure, mechanical, and tribological property of gamma‐irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene, polyetheretherketone, and polyimide polymers
Authors: Chai Liqiang , Ning Kexin , Qiao Li , Wang Peng , Weng Lijun
Published: September 2021

In this paper, three commercial polymers (polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], polyetheretherketone [PEEK], and polyimide [PI]) were irradiated by gamma rays in the ambient air. The changes in microstructure, mechanical, and tribological properties of these three polymers after irradiation were investigated comparatively. The results display that both the surface and internal structures of PTFE are degraded due to the irradiation chemical reaction, and the molecular chain scission at the surface is more severe than that at its internal as a result of the involvement of oxygen. The oxidative degradation also plays a dominant role in the PEEK surface, but the molecular chain crosslink is dominant in the PEEK internal. The top layer of PI also shows the characteristics of oxidative irradiation degradation, but its internal exhibits excellent irradiation resistance and no structure change occurs even at irradiation doses up to 20 MGy. The microhardness and scratch resistance of irradiated surfaces for all three polymers decrease but only the scratching damage mode of PTFE changes after irradiation. Friction experiments show that the friction coefficients of PTFE increase but that of PEEK decrease after irradiation. The wear rates on the irradiated surfaces of all three polymers increase compared with the unirradiated samples. Moreover, there is a depth gradient effect on the wear properties of both irradiated PTFE and PEEK polymers. The changes in wear rates of irradiated surfaces are consistent with the structural variations of all three polymers.
Tracking antimicrobial resistance in wildlife
Authors: Mills Georgina
Published: September 2021

Georgina Mills reports on new research investigating whether antimicrobial resistance in Swedish brown bears replicates the history of antibiotic use in the country
Robert Ernest Thomas
Authors: Thomas Nick
Published: September 2021

A kind, patient, inspirational man with a broad sense of humour.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for smoking cessation: a pivotal multicenter double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zangen Abraham , Moshe Hagar , Martinez Diana , Barnea‐Ygael Noam , Vapnik Tanya , Bystritsky Alexander , Duffy Walter , Toder Doron , Casuto Leah , Grosz Moran Lipkinsky , Nunes Edward V. , Ward Herbert , Tendler Aron , Feifel David , Morales Oscar , Roth Yiftach , Iosifescu Dan V. , Winston Jaron , Wirecki Theodore , Stein Ahava , Deutsch Frederic , Li Xingbao , George Mark S.
Published: September 2021

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non‐invasive brain stimulation method increasingly used to treat psychiatric disorders, primarily depression. Initial studies suggest that rTMS may help to treat addictions, but evaluation in multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is needed. We conducted a multicenter double‐blind RCT in 262 chronic smokers meeting DSM‐5 criteria for tobacco use disorder, who had made at least one prior failed attempt to quit, with 68% having made at least three failed attempts. They received three weeks of daily bilat­eral active or sham rTMS to the lateral prefrontal and insular cortices, followed by once weekly rTMS for three weeks. Each rTMS session was administered following a cue‐induced craving procedure, and participants were monitored for a total of six weeks. Those in abstinence were monitored for additional 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the four‐week continuous quit rate (CQR) until Week 18 in the intent‐to‐treat efficacy set, as determined by daily smoking diaries and verified by urine cotinine measures. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02126124). In the intent‐to‐treat analysis set (N=234), the CQR until Week 18 was 19.4% following active and 8.7% following sham rTMS (X2=5.655, p=0.017). Among completers (N=169), the CQR until Week 18 was 28.0% and 11.7%, respectively (X2=7.219, p=0.007). The reduction in cigarette consumption and craving was significantly greater in the active than the sham group as early as two weeks into treatment. This study establishes a safe treatment protocol that promotes smoking cessation by stimulating relevant brain circuits. It represents the first large multicenter RCT of brain stimulation in addiction medicine, and has led to the first clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration for rTMS as an aid in smok­ing cessation for adults.
Increasing Patient Motivation and Adherence to Nutritional Care: The Importance to Overcome Psychological Barriers
Authors: Batista de Lima Maria Eduarda , Eleuteri Stefano
Published: September 2021

Eating habits are inseparably linked with people’s physical and psychological health and well-being. Many factors impact on eating behavior and nutritional status in older adults. Motivational and multidisciplinary interventions have been shown to be highly effective in promoting healthy eating, especially in hospitalized patients, but are often overlooked or not considered. The aim of this chapter is to discuss how to overcome the psychological barriers that lead older patients away from an appropriate nutritional intake and the importance of motivational interventions for adherence to nutritional care, providing useful evidence and direction for further research.
Multidisciplinary Nutrition Care: Benefitting Patients with Malnutrition Across Healthcare Sectors
Authors: Keller Heather , Slaughter Susan , Gramlich Leah , Namasivayam-MacDonald Ashwini , Bell Jack J.
Published: September 2021

Geriatric malnutrition prevention, detection, and treatment benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, regardless of the care setting. Nutrition care pathways have been created to support multidisciplinary care for hospitals and for transitions and primary care. Conceptual models for supporting nutrition in long-term care emphasize a multidisciplinary approach.
Physical Activity, Exercise, and Physical Rehabilitation
Authors: Lima Camila Astolphi , dos Santos Renato Barbosa , Perracini Monica Rodrigues
Published: September 2021

Enhancing physical activity promotes positive health trajectories throughout the life course. Physical activity should be tailored and graded to suit older adults’ capacities and needs and can be combined with rehabilitation interventions to manage geriatric syndromes and disability. This chapter provides a summary of current evidence about the role of physical activity for older adults, emphasizing nutritional aspects. We also present strategies to help health-care professionals to enhance physical activity participation.
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Older Patients
Authors: Spirgienė Lina , Lindhe Rebecca , Damulevičienė Gytė
Published: September 2021

Dysphagia in older adults can have a profound adverse influence nutrition and hydration status, quality of life, morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs in adults. Identification and management of dysphagia in older adults are most effective when implemented by a team, including a nurse, physician, speech-language pathologist, dietitian and occupational therapist. However, each professional’s role may vary according to the standards, responsibilities and resources available in local settings.
Nutritional Requirements in Geriatrics
Authors: Beck Anne Marie , Holst Mette
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the nutritional recommendations for older adults and change in requirements with age and disease. Key factors influencing nutritional requirements, dietary intake, and nutritional status in old adults will be described, including specific nuances for geriatric and orthogeriatric patients.
Food-Drug Interaction in Older Adults
Authors: Aðalbjörnsson Björn Viðar , Ramel Alfons
Published: September 2021

The focus of this chapter is on food-drug interaction in older adults. We will discuss how foods can affect drug metabolism and also vice versa how drugs can affect dietary intake and nutrition status.
Untangling Malnutrition, Physical Dysfunction, Sarcopenia, Frailty and Cachexia in Ageing
Authors: Prado Carla M. , Bell Jack J. , Gonzalez M. Cristina
Published: September 2021

Malnutrition, sarcopenia, frailty and cachexia are different conditions but have overlapping characteristics and consequences for older adults. These conditions are especially prevalent in hospitalised patients affecting almost two thirds of older adults. They can often be hidden conditions; hence multidisciplinary awareness is needed for optimal identification and management. This chapter provides an overview of the definitions of each of these syndromes, its detrimental impact on health outcomes of older adults and tips for clinical practice implementation.
Teaching for Diversity with UDL: Analysing Teacher Competence
Authors: Lakkala Suvi , Kyrö-Ämmälä Outi
Published: September 2021

This chapter is a description of collaborative action research on teacher competence in the context of inclusive education and universal design for learning (UDL). Our goal was to analyse what kinds of professional competencies teachers need when they are implementing UDL in heterogeneous classes. The action research was carried out as a case study together with two co-teachers and a class teacher, who implemented UDL in their heterogeneous classes. As a theoretical framework for teacher competence, we used the multidimensional adapted process (MAP) model of teaching, developed by Finnish researchers and teacher educators. We identified several teacher skills that are needed when the UDL approach is applied. According to our results, the most overarching necessary competence was the teachers’ cognitive skills. Applying UDL required the ability to flexibly transform one’s own teaching and learning situations. Furthermore, the teachers’ social skills appeared as an important attribute as their pupils were highly heterogeneous with diverse needs, and the teachers needed to collaborate with many other professionals and parents. Also, each teacher’s personal orientation, such as values, beliefs and ethics, played a crucial role in UDL while the teachers shared a common set of values, striving towards inclusive education.
A different perspective on the vev insertion approximation for electroweak baryogenesis
Authors: Postma Marieke
Published: September 2021

Abstract

In the vev insertion approximation (VIA) the spacetime dependent part of the mass matrix is treated as a perturbation. We calculate the source terms for baryogenesis expanding both the self-energy and propagator to first order in mass insertions, which gives the same results as the usual approach of calculating the self-energy at second order and using zeroth order propagators. This procedure shows explicitly the equivalence between including the mass in the free or in the interaction Lagrangian. The VIA source then originates from the same term in the kinetic equation as the semi-classical source, but at leading order in the derivative expansion (the expansion in diamond operators). On top, another type of derivative expansion is done, which we estimate to be valid for a bubble width larger than the inverse thermal width. This cuts off the divergence in the VIA source in the limit that the thermal width vanishes.
Kritische Auseinandersetzung mit neuen Daten zur Prävalenz von Opioidgebrauchsstörungen bei Patienten mit chronischen Schmerzen in Deutschland
Authors: Just Johannes , Petzke F. , Scherbaum N. , Radbruch L. , Weckbecker K. , Häuser W.
Published: September 2021

Hintergrund

Es gibt keine Opioidkrise in Deutschland. Neue Studien mit Nichttumorpatienten mit chronischen Schmerzen (CNTS) in Deutschland zeigen jedoch eine unerwartet hohe Prävalenz von Opioidgebrauchsstörungen nach Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Psychiatric Diseases 5 (DSM-5).

Ziel der Arbeit

Kritische Diskussion neuer Studienergebnisse zur Prävalenz von Opioidgebrauchsstörungen bei Schmerzpatienten in Deutschland.

Material und Methoden

Selektive Literaturrecherche und multiprofessionelle Einordnung der Ergebnisse durch Expertenrunde (Schmerztherapie, Neurologie, Psychiatrie, Palliativmedizin, Allgemeinmedizin und Suchttherapie).

Ergebnisse

Die Kriterien für die Diagnose „Opioidgebrauchsstörung“ des DSM‑5 sind auf Patienten mit CNTS nur eingeschränkt anwendbar, können aber für problematisches Verhalten sensibilisieren. Hierbei ist die Diagnose Opioidgebrauchsstörung nicht mit der Diagnose einer Substanzabhängigkeit nach ICD-10 gleichzusetzen, da die Diagnose nach DSM‑5 ein deutlich breiteres Spektrum abdeckt (mild, moderat, schwer). Risikofaktoren für eine Opioidgebrauchsstörung sind jüngeres Alter, depressive Störungen, somatoforme Störungen und hohe Opioidtagesdosen. Die interdisziplinäre Leitlinie zur Langzeitanwendung von Opioiden bei chronischen nichttumorbedingten Schmerzen (LONTS) enthält Empfehlungen, welche das Risiko für eine Opioidgebrauchsstörung reduzieren sollen.

Diskussion

Eine Anpassung der DSM-5-Diagnosekriterien der Opioidgebrauchsstörung an die besondere Situation von Patienten mit CNTS und eine Validierung dieser Kriterien könnte helfen, in der Zukunft genauere Daten zu Opioidgebrauchsstörungen von Patienten mit chronischen Schmerzen in Deutschland zu erheben. Verordner sollten für diese Problematik sensibilisiert werden, ohne die Patienten zu pathologisieren oder gar zu stigmatisieren. Weitere Forschung zur Einordnung dieses bisher unterschätzten Phänomens ist notwendig.