bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benthic scavenger community composition and carrion removal in Arctic and Subarctic fjords
Authors: Dunlop K. , Renaud P. E. , Berge J. , Jones D. O. B. , Harbour R. P. , Tandberg A. H. S. , Sweetman A. K.
Published: December 2020

In high latitude coastal regions, benthic scavenger communities are largely composed of invertebrates that play a key role in the cycling of organic matter. Factors including temperature and depth can structure Arctic and Subarctic fjord benthic communities, but the response of scavenging communities to these factors is poorly known. To address this, we compared scavenging fauna in eight fjords with different physical characteristics in Svalbard and northern Norway using time-lapse imagery of scavengers consuming Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) bait. Fjords influenced by relatively warm Atlantic waters, both in Norway and Svalbard, had high scavenger richness. However, Svalbard fjords with negative bottom temperatures had the lowest species richness and were dominated by lysianassoid amphipods and ophiuroids. In these cold Svalbard fjords, the mean carrion removal rates were almost 20 times higher than mean values noted elsewhere, except in the warm Norwegian fjord Kaldfjorden. Amphipods and ophiuroids quickly reduced the bait to bones (207.6–304.7 g removed per hour (g h−1); mean 290.6 ± 7.3 g h−1,n = 4) in cold Svalbard fjords. In the warmer Svalbard fjords, carrion removal rates were low (0–51.5 g h−1; mean 14.6 ± 9.0 g h−1,n = 5). Carrion removal rates in Kaldfjorden were higher than other Atlantic Water influenced fjords (132.1 and 372.5 g h−1,n = 2) owing to the scavenging activity of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). The results demonstrate potential ecosystem responses to warming in Arctic and Subarctic fjords, particularly effects related to range expansion of boreal species.
Health-related quality of life in patients surgically treated for orbital blow-out fracture: a prospective study
Authors: Rajantie Hanna , Kaukola Leena , Snäll Johanna , Roine Risto , Sintonen Harri , Thorén Hanna
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after surgical treatment of orbital blow-out fracture.

Methods

This prospective study comprises of all adult patients undergoing a surgical reconstruction of an orbital blow-out fracture in 2006–2010. Their HRQoL was evaluated for 6 months postoperatively with the aid of the standardized 15D instrument and was compared with that of an age- and gender-standardized sample of the general Finnish population. A complementary questionnaire for more detailed information was also administered.

Results

Twenty-six patients completed the study. Mean 15D score among the patients preoperatively (0.898) was statistically significantly and clinically importantly worse than the score of the control population (0.936). Six months postoperatively, the mean 15D score was 0.920, with no significant difference compared with the control population and the significant differences on the different dimensions had disappeared. The most common complaint at 6 months postoperatively was diplopia in daily life (19%). Disturbances in facial sensation (27%) and defects in facial appearance (15%) were the most unpleasant subjective outcomes.

Conclusion

The HRQoL is significantly decreased after orbital blow-out fracture compared with the general population but will recover completely in 6 months. Thus, the negative impact of orbital blow-out fracture on HRQoL is only transient. Disturbances in facial sensation, defects in facial appearance, and diplopia are the most common subjective complaints after the injury and its surgical treatment. However, these do not appear to affect the overall quality of life in the long term.
An overview on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cadmium
Authors: Oggiano Riccardo , Pisano Andrea , Sabalic Angela , Farace Cristiano , Fenu Grazia , Lintas Simone , Forte Giovanni , Bocca Beatrice , Madeddu Roberto
Published: December 2020

The present review represents an update about the knowledge of the possible role of Cadmium (Cd) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) initiation and its progression. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs in adulthood; its etiology is unknown and leads to death within a few years from its appearance. Among the various possible causes that can favor the development of the disease, heavy metals cannot be excluded. Cadmium is a heavy metal that does not play a biological role, but its neurotoxicity is well known. Numerous in vitro studies on cell and animal models confirm the toxicity of the metal on the nervous system, but these data are not accompanied by an epidemiological evidence, and, thus, an unclear correlation between Cd and the onset of the disease can be pointed out. On the other hand, a possible multifactorial and synergic mechanism in which Cd may have a role can explain the ALS onset. More efforts in new clinical, biochemical, and epidemiological studies are necessary to better elucidate the involvement of Cd in this lethal disease.
Conservation of Mojave Desert springs and associated biota: status, threats, and policy opportunities
Authors: Parker Sophie S. , Zdon Andy , Christian William T. , Cohen Brian S. , Palacios Mejia Maura , Fraga Naomi S. , Curd Emily E. , Edalati Kiumars , Renshaw Mark A.
Published: December 2020

In arid landscapes where fresh water is a limiting resource, the expression of groundwater in springs sustains important landscape functions, globally-recognized biodiversity hotspots, and both aquatic endemic and wide-ranging terrestrial species. Desert springs and associated groundwater dependent ecosystems are threatened by unsustainable groundwater pumping, and the Mojave Desert has seen extinctions of species due to the human use and modification of springs. To support changes in policy and management that would address the vulnerabilities of springs to unsustainable groundwater extraction and other threats, a better understanding of current spring condition is needed. Here we present the results of a comprehensive survey of Mojave Desert springs including hydrological and ecological observations, and an eDNA pilot study. Together, these investigations provide information about the present status of Mojave Desert springs, conservation challenges that they face, and needs that must be met to protect them. We also provide an overview of the current state of federal and state policy that could be used to better manage these critical freshwater resources.
AI2D-RST: a multimodal corpus of 1000 primary school science diagrams
Authors: Hiippala Tuomo , Alikhani Malihe , Haverinen Jonas , Kalliokoski Timo , Logacheva Evanfiya , Orekhova Serafina , Tuomainen Aino , Stone Matthew , Bateman John A.
Published: December 2020

This article introduces AI2D-RST, a multimodal corpus of 1000 English-language diagrams that represent topics in primary school natural sciences, such as food webs, life cycles, moon phases and human physiology. The corpus is based on the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence Diagrams (AI2D) dataset, a collection of diagrams with crowdsourced descriptions, which was originally developed to support research on automatic diagram understanding and visual question answering. Building on the segmentation of diagram layouts in AI2D, the AI2D-RST corpus presents a new multi-layer annotation schema that provides a rich description of their multimodal structure. Annotated by trained experts, the layers describe (1) the grouping of diagram elements into perceptual units, (2) the connections set up by diagrammatic elements such as arrows and lines, and (3) the discourse relations between diagram elements, which are described using Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST). Each annotation layer in AI2D-RST is represented using a graph. The corpus is freely available for research and teaching.
Children’s Resource Shares: Male Versus Female-Headed Households
Authors: Bose-Duker Theophiline , Henry Michael , Strobl Eric
Published: December 2020

This is a comparative study of children’s resource shares in male-headed and female-headed households. To this end we estimate a household collective model using a rotating panel of households from the Jamaican Survey of Living Conditions over a period of 21 years (1990–2010). We find that the gender of the household head is important in determining individual resource shares within the household. Our results also indicate that children receive substantially larger resource shares in female-headed households than in male-headed ones and hence children who live in relatively poor female-headed households are not necessarily worse off. Additionally, the effects of household characteristics on the shares of children are shown to vary considerably based on the gender of the household head.
Decellularized tissue-engineered heart valves calcification: what do animal and clinical studies tell us?
Authors: Badria Adel F. , Koutsoukos Petros G. , Mavrilas Dimosthenis
Published: December 2020

Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death worldwide. Among different heart malfunctions, heart valve failure due to calcification is still a challenging problem. While drug-dependent treatment for the early stage calcification could slow down its progression, heart valve replacement is inevitable in the late stages. Currently, heart valve replacements involve mainly two types of substitutes: mechanical and biological heart valves. Despite their significant advantages in restoring the cardiac function, both types of valves suffered from serious drawbacks in the long term. On the one hand, the mechanical one showed non-physiological hemodynamics and the need for the chronic anticoagulation therapy. On the other hand, the biological one showed stenosis and/or regurgitation due to calcification. Nowadays, new promising heart valve substitutes have emerged, known as decellularized tissue-engineered heart valves (dTEHV). Decellularized tissues of different types have been widely tested in bioprosthetic and tissue-engineered valves because of their superior biomechanics, biocompatibility, and biomimetic material composition. Such advantages allow successful cell attachment, growth and function leading finally to a living regenerative valvular tissue in vivo. Yet, there are no comprehensive studies that are covering the performance of dTEHV scaffolds in terms of their efficiency for the calcification problem. In this review article, we sought to answer the question of whether decellularized heart valves calcify or not. Also, which factors make them calcify and which ones lower and/or prevent their calcification. In addition, the review discussed the possible mechanisms for dTEHV calcification in comparison to the calcification in the native and bioprosthetic heart valves. For this purpose, we did a retrospective study for all the published work of decellularized heart valves. Only animal and clinical studies were included in this review. Those animal and clinical studies were further subcategorized into 4 categories for each depending on the effect of decellularization on calcification. Due to the complex nature of calcification in heart valves, other in vitro and in silico studies were not included. Finally, we compared the different results and summed up all the solid findings of whether decellularized heart valves calcify or not. Based on our review, the selection of the proper heart valve tissue sources (no immunological provoking residues), decellularization technique (no damaged exposed residues of the decellularized tissues, no remnants of dead cells, no remnants of decellularizing agents) and implantation techniques (avoiding suturing during the surgical implantation) could provide a perfect anticalcification potential even without in vitro cell seeding or additional scaffold treatment.
Development and Pathology of the Equine Mammary Gland
Authors: Hughes Katherine
Published: December 2020

An understanding of the anatomy, histology, and development of the equine mammary gland underpins study of the pathology of diseases including galactorrhoea, agalactia, mastitis, and mammary tumour development. This review examines the prenatal development of the equine mammary gland and the striking degree to which the tissue undergoes postnatal development associated with the reproductive cycle. The gland is characterised by epithelial structures arranged in terminal duct lobular units, similar to those of the human breast, supported by distinct zones of intra- and interlobular collagenous stroma. Mastitis and mammary carcinomas are two of the most frequently described equine mammary pathologies and have an overlap in associated clinical signs. Mastitis is most frequently associated with bacterial aetiologies, particularlyStreptococcusspp., and knowledge of the process of post-lactational regression can be applied to preventative husbandry strategies. Equine mammary tumours are rare and carry a poor prognosis in many cases. Recent studies have used mammosphere assays to reveal novel insights into the identification and potential behaviour of mammary stem/progenitor cell populations. These suggest that mammospheres derived from equine cells have different growth dynamics compared to those from other species. In parallel with studying the equine mammary gland in order to advance knowledge of equine mammary disease at the interface of basic and clinical science, there is a need to better understand equine lactational biology. This is driven in part by the recognition of the potential value of horse and donkey milk for human consumption, particularly donkey milk in children with ‘Cow Milk Protein Allergy’.
Not just the facts: an index for measuring the information density of political communication
Authors: Rapeli Lauri , Nieminen Sakari , Mäkelä Marko
Published: December 2020

Misinformation and biased opinion-formation plague contemporary politics. Fact-checking, the process of verifying accuracy of political claims, is now an expanding reseach area, but the methodology is underdeveloped. While the journalistic practice of fact-checking is by now well-established as an integral part of political news coverage, academic research requires more stringent methods than what journalists thus far have used. In order to advance the scientific study of fact-checking, we propose two variants of an index measuring the information density of verbal political communication. The main index combines three dimensions: (1) factual accuracy of political claims, (2) their relevance and (3) the magnitude of observed communication. In the article, we argue for the significance of each of these components. Depending on the research problem and data, the indices can be used for comparisons of political actors across different contexts such as countries or time points, or in non-comparative situations. Using examples, we demonstrate that the indices produce intuitive results.
Dominant drivers of plant community assembly vary by soil type and time in reclaimed forests
Authors: Trepanier Kaitlyn E. , Pinno Bradley D. , Errington Ruth C.
Published: December 2020

Information on plant community assembly mechanisms is limited on forest reclamation sites after mining in the Canadian boreal forest. We assessed the change in plant community composition after Year 2 and Year 5 on species-rich forest floor mineral mix (FFMM) and species-poor peat mineral mix (PMM) reclamation soils by examining assembly mechanisms, i.e., seed bank, seed rain, biotic dispersal, vegetative expansion, and competition. Initial plant cover and diversity were greater on FFMM due to non-native species originating from the seed bank, which had 5× more seeds in the FFMM. By Year 5, both soil types had approximately 40% cover and 80 species richness due to the addition of wind and biotic-dispersed species and were characterized by a shift towards native species. Native forbs using vegetative reproduction expanded up to 2 m from FFMM into PMM. At Year 5 competition does not seem to have a large role in the structuring of the vegetation community. Overall, multiple factors were involved in structuring plant communities on reclamation sites, but we observed a general convergence between plant communities on different soil types in a relatively short period of time.
Unfulfilled Expectations after Surgery for Adult Lumbar Scoliosis Compared with Other Degenerative Conditions
Authors: Mancuso Carol A. , Duculan Roland B. , Cammisa Frank P. , Sama Andrew A. , Hughes Alexander P. , Girardi Federico P.
Published: December 2020

Background

Patients’ expectations influence their decisions to undergo surgery for scoliosis, and fulfillment of expectations is an important patient-centered outcome.

Questions/Purposes

In a 2-year cohort study, we compared the proportion of expectations fulfilled based on the number of vertebrae involved in surgery between adult lumbar scoliosis patients and controls with other degenerative conditions.

Methods

Patients pre-operatively completed a valid lumbar surgery expectations survey addressing expected improvements for symptoms, function, and psychosocial well-being (scores from 0 to 100; higher score indicates more expectations). Two years post-operatively, the patients completed another survey, this one recording how much improvement they actually experienced; fulfillment was defined as a proportion (i.e., received improvement/expected improvement). The range was 0 (none fulfilled) to > 1 (expectations surpassed). We further analyzed data according to the number of vertebrae involved in the surgery.

Results

We included 42 scoliosis patients and 134 controls with similar mean ages (66 vs 64 years, respectively) and pre-operative expectations survey scores (72 vs 70, respectively). When we stratified by < 3 or ≥ 3 vertebrae, we found that the proportion of expectations fulfilled differed for scoliosis patients but not for controls. In multivariable analysis, lower proportion of expectations fulfilled was associated with greater pre-operative expectations, less improvement in pre- to post-operative disability, and the composite interaction of scoliosis and number of vertebrae.

Conclusions

Compared with controls, scoliosis patients who required surgery to a greater number of vertebrae were more likely to have unfulfilled expectations 2 years post-operatively. Our findings support the importance of addressing expectations pre-operatively with all patients, especially those with scoliosis who require surgery to ≥ 3 vertebrae.
Downy mildew of lavender caused by Peronospora belbahrii in Israel
Authors: Thines Marco , Buaya Anthony , Ploch Sebastian , Naim Yariv Ben , Cohen Yigal
Published: December 2020

Peronospora belbahrii is one of the most destructive downy mildew diseases that has emerged throughout the past two decades. Due to the lack of quarantine regulations and its possible seed-borne nature, it has spread globally and is now present in most areas in which basil is produced. While most obligate biotrophic, plant parasitic oomycetes are highly host-specific, there are a few that have a wider host range, e.g. Albugo candida, Bremia tulasnei, and Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Recently, it was shown that Peronospora belbahrii is able to infect Rosmarinus, Nepetia, and Micromeria in Israel in cross-infection trials, hinting an extended host range for also this pathogen. In this study, a newly occurring downy mildew pathogen on lavender was investigated with respect to its morphology and phylogeny, and it is shown that it belongs to Peronospora belbahrii as well. Thus, it seems that Peronospora belbahrii is currently extending its host range to additional members of the tribe Mentheae and Ocimeae. Therefore, it seems advisable to scrutinise all commonly used members of these tribes in order to avoid further spread of virulent genotypes.
Benchmarking of scaling and fouling of reverse osmosis membranes in a power generation plant of paper and board mill: an industrial case of a paper and board mill study
Authors: Zaidi S. Z. J. , Shafeeq A. , Sajjad M. , Hassan S. , Aslam M. S. , Saeed T. , Walsh F. C.
Published: December 2020

The present study reports the characterization of reverse osmosis (RO) technology at water treatment plant Cogen-2 in paper and Board mills, Pakistan. RO is a commonly used process to obtain de-mineralized water for high-pressure boiler operation in thermal power plants. Scaling and fouling in three-stage RO plants is a major challenge in chemical industry due to the use of raw brackish water in the power plant of paper and board mills. In our study, the feed water quality of RO was changed from soft water to raw water to make it economical. The cleaning frequency was increased three times than normal, which was unsafe for operation and it was required to control scaling and fouling to achieve the desired result. Differential pressures behavior of all stages for 2-month data was observed without acid treatment, and the results of Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) control parameters (temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, calcium hardness, and alkalinity) clearly showed the abnormality. To optimize scaling and fouling of RO, the LSI factor was controlled in total reject water for the next 2 months by acid treatment in feed water. Duration of chemical cleaning and membranes’ life has been extended by fouling and scaling control. Understanding the effect of operational parameters in RO membranes is essential in water process engineering due to its broad applications in drinking water, sanitation, seawater, desalination process, wastewater treatment, and boiler feed water operation. The product flow increased from 18.3 to 19.9 m3/h, and this was due to a decrease in the rejection flow from 8.2 to 6.7 m3/h. The total reject stream pressure also increased from 8.1 to 9 bar. A lower value of LSI of 1.6 is obtained in the reject water stream after the acid treatment.
Evaluation of Spin in Abstracts of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Focused on Treatments of Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-sectional Analysis
Authors: Reddy Arjun K. , Lulkovich Kaley , Ottwell Ryan , Arthur Wade , Bowers Aaron , Al-Rifai Shafiq , Cook Katherine , Wright Drew N. , Hartwell Micah , Vassar Matt
Published: December 2020

Introduction

It is predicted that erectile dysfunction will affect around 322 million men worldwide by 2025. Because of the large volume of literature on the topic, physicians often turn to systematic reviews and meta-analyses—and particularly abstracts of such articles—for clinical guidance. Thus, it is crucial that findings are not misrepresented in abstracts. In this study, we evaluated the use of spin (ie, the misreporting of study findings by overstating or selectively reporting efficacy results, minimizing harms, or making unwarranted clinical recommendations) in the abstracts of systematic reviews on erectile dysfunction.

Methods

A search strategy was developed using the MEDLINE and Embase databases to retrieve systematic reviews focused on treatments for erectile dysfunction. 2 investigators independently screened the titles and abstracts from the reviews for study inclusion. Investigators analyzed the included systematic reviews for 9 of the most severe types of spin using a previously developed classification scheme and rated them for methodological quality using the revised A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) in a masked, duplicate manner. Study characteristics for each review were also extracted in duplicate.

Results

Our search returned 2,224 articles, of which 102 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included in the final analysis. A total of 31.4% (32/102) of systematic reviews contained spin. 8 types of spin were identified in our sample. Type 3 (selective reporting of or overemphasis on efficacy outcomes) and type 5 (conclusion claims beneficial effect despite high risk of bias) were the most common types of spin, each occurring in 10.8% (11/102) of abstracts. There was no significant association between the presence of spin and the extracted study characteristics or methodological quality.

Conclusion

Spin was present in systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering erectile dysfunction treatments. Steps should be taken to improve the reporting quality of abstracts on erectile dysfunction treatment.
A Growing Freshwater Lens in the Arctic Ocean With Sustained Climate Warming Disrupts Marine Ecosystem Function
Authors: Fu Weiwei , Moore J. Keith , Primeau François W. , Lindsay Keith , Randerson James T.
Published: December 2020

One of the most robust changes in the hydrological cycle predicted by Earth System Models (ESMs) during the remainder of 21st century is an increase in the difference between precipitation and evapotranspiration (P‐E) in arctic and boreal regions. We explore the long‐term consequences of this change for marine ecosystems in the Arctic Ocean using the Community Earth System Model forced with a business as usual scenario of future greenhouse gas concentrations. We find that by the year 2300 increases in freshwater delivery considerably reduce Arctic Ocean surface salinity, creating a freshwater lens that has far‐reaching impacts on marine biogeochemistry. The expanding freshwater lens limits vertical nutrient supply into the euphotic zone by enhancing vertical stratification and accelerating surface lateral mixing with surface waters in the North Atlantic, which become increasingly nutrient depleted from weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The resulting increase in nutrient stress reduces marine export production in the Arctic Ocean by 53% in 2300 relative to the 1990s and triggers a shift in community composition with small phytoplankton replacing diatoms. At the same time, the seasonal timing of export production undergoes a 2‐month forward shift, with the peak advancing from July to May. This suggests that the threat to food webs and higher trophic levels may intensify after the year 2100 as gains in productivity from sea ice loss saturate and freshwater impacts on nutrient stress continue to strengthen. Our analysis highlights the critical importance of changing terrestrial hydrology and land‐ocean coupling as drivers of long‐term biogeochemical change in the Arctic Ocean and the necessity of multi‐century climate change projections.
Scattering of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Waves by a Localized Seismogenic Ionospheric Perturbation: Observation and Interpretation
Authors: Hayakawa M. , Nickolaenko A. P. , Galuk Yu P. , Kudintseva I. G.
Published: December 2020

A significant anomaly in the extremely low frequency (ELF) spectra of Schumann resonance (SR) was discovered for the 1999 Chi‐Chi earthquake (EQ) in Taiwan as observed in Japan. Similar phenomena were confirmed for other EQs remote from the observer by a few megameters. An additional effect was detected for nearby EQs. The anomalies were explained by ELF radio wave scattering from a seismogenic disturbance. The global thunderstorms serve as the source positioned at the equator, and the localized seismogenic perturbation was placed above the EQ epicenter. We evaluate a seismic impact on SR power spectra using the realistic conductivity profile of atmosphere. The nonuniformity above EQ epicenter is axially symmetric varying along the radius according to Gaussian law whose scale depends on the magnitude. We use the complex characteristic heights relevant to the regular and disturbed cavities. These are substituted into the two‐dimensional telegraph equation (2DTE) for electric and magnetic fields. Deviations from the regular spectra are the seismogenic modifications that depend on the EQ magnitude. Computations indicate that a distant localized seismogenic nonuniformity provides a noticeable impact when the EQ magnitude exceeds the M = 7 threshold. The effect is also modeled of the nearby (up to 500 km) moderate (magnitude 5.5) EQs. The resonance spectra of disturbed fields become elevated as a whole. The distance dependence of field disturbance repeats seismogenic modifications in the characteristic heights above the observer. Model computations are compared with available observations.
Martian Lander Radio Science Data Calibration for Mars Troposphere
Authors: Le Maistre S.
Published: December 2020

The tropospheric propagation effect is one of several sources of error in radio science measurements. Systematically calibrated for the Earth troposphere disturbances, the ranging and Doppler data provided by the Martian landers have not been corrected so far for Mars troposphere effects. These effects were considered negligible because the Mars atmosphere is a hundred times less dense than that of the Earth. The constantly improving lander data accuracy and the challenging science objectives of the InSight‐Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment (RISE) and ExoMars‐2022‐LaRa radio science experiments motivated this work. We propose here a simple model to compute the Mars troposphere errors affecting a radio wave transponded from the surface of Mars. The troposphere zenithal delay is first derived from the surface pressure at the lander location. We use a mapping function to infer the slant delay (range errors) induced by the troposphere of Mars. Being proportional to range rates, the contribution of Mars troposphere to the Doppler measurements is derived from the slant delays. Using our model, an elevation threshold of 15° above the lander is identified, below which the Doppler data should be calibrated for Mars troposphere. When applied to the X‐band Doppler data from Mars surface missions, the model predicts significant Mars troposphere contribution for less than 1% of RISE data, 2% of Opportunity data, and 2.5% of Pathfinder data. Among these tracking passes, some are strongly affected by the troposphere of Mars, with Doppler errors reaching sometimes more than 3 times the nominal noise level (>10 mHz at 60 s integration time).
Regional Ionospheric Delay Mapping for Low‐Latitude Environments
Authors: Marini‐Pereira L. , Lourenço L. F. D. , Sousasantos J. , Moraes A. O. , Pullen S.
Published: December 2020

The ionosphere in low‐latitude regions has strong dynamics reflected by unique phenomena such as the equatorial ionization anomaly and equatorial plasma bubbles. Since the ionosphere can significantly affect space‐to‐Earth technologies, notably communication systems and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), the variations in ionospheric total electron content are of great interest to the space weather community and operators of these technologies. Motived by these issues, this paper proposes a new methodology to generate ionospheric delay maps using data from a network of GNSS monitoring stations. The methodology developed is suitable for low latitudes and has low level of complexity. It is based on the thin shell model of the ionosphere and uses groupings of measurements in time and space, triangulation, linear interpolation, and smoothing. The resulting maps show detailed coverage of large‐scale phenomena, like structures of equatorial plasma bubbles, in a way that other geophysical instruments are not able to provide. In a qualitative validation using a network of stations in Brazil, it was demonstrated that the maps were able to clearly identify plasma bubble structures also captured by other instruments, like scintillation monitors and all‐sky imager. The quantitative assessment showed errors less than 4 m in 99.9% of the times in days with high variability of the ionosphere and less than 1 m in a day with very low ionization. The quality of the generated maps with this new methodology using this density of data opens a wide range of possibilities for scientific and operational applications in low‐latitude ionosphere environment.
The Global Analysis of the Ionospheric Correlation Time and Its Implications for Ionospheric Data Assimilation
Authors: Forsythe Victoriya V. , Azeem Irfan , Crowley Geoff , Makarevich Roman A. , Wang Cheng
Published: December 2020

Ionospheric correlation time is an important parameter that contains information about the temporal variability, structures, and dynamics of the ionosphere. This parameter is also important in forecasting of the ionospheric state. Ionospheric data assimilation algorithms employing empirical background models, such as Ionospheric Data Assimilation Four‐Dimensional (IDA4D), apply Gauss‐Markov approximation for the propagation of temporal updates from one time stamp to the next. In this process, the relaxation parameter, or the correlation time, determines to what degree the projected state depends on the background model and analysis density. An ad hoc approach is usually applied to choose this user‐defined parameter. This paper focuses on the estimation of the ionospheric correlation time using high temporal resolution global ionospheric maps (GIMs). It is found that the correlation time changes significantly with latitude. The longest correlation time is observed in the equatorial region, whereas the shortest correlation time is observed at high latitudes and in the polar cap regions. The global distribution of the correlation time exhibits seasonal variation and depends on the solar flux conditions. The correlation time at the equatorial and mid‐latitude regions increases with increasing solar and geomagnetic activity, whereas the correlation time at high‐latitude regions decreases. The results of this study can be directly applied to improve ionospheric data assimilation models.
Ultra-processed food consumption and obesity in the Australian adult population
Authors: Machado Priscila Pereira , Steele Eurídice Martinez , Levy Renata Bertazzi , da Costa Louzada Maria Laura , Rangan Anna , Woods Julie , Gill Timothy , Scrinis Gyorgy , Monteiro Carlos Augusto
Published: December 2020

Background

Rapid simultaneous increases in ultra-processed food sales and obesity prevalence have been observed worldwide, including in Australia. Consumption of ultra-processed foods by the Australian population was previously shown to be systematically associated with increased risk of intakes of nutrients outside levels recommended for the prevention of obesity. This study aims to explore the association between ultra-processed food consumption and obesity among the Australian adult population and stratifying by age group, sex and physical activity level.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of anthropometric and dietary data from 7411 Australians aged ≥20 years from the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011–2012 was performed. Food consumption was evaluated through 24-h recall. The NOVA system was used to identify ultra-processed foods, i.e. industrial formulations manufactured from substances derived from foods and typically added of flavours, colours and other cosmetic additives, such as soft drinks, confectionery, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, microwaveable frozen meals and fast food dishes. Measured weight, height and waist circumference (WC) data were used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) and diagnosis of obesity and abdominal obesity. Regression models were used to evaluate the association of dietary share of ultra-processed foods (quintiles) and obesity indicators, adjusting for socio-demographic variables, physical activity and smoking.

Results

Significant (P-trend ≤ 0.001) direct dose–response associations between the dietary share of ultra-processed foods and indicators of obesity were found after adjustment. In the multivariable regression analysis, those in the highest quintile of ultra-processed food consumption had significantly higher BMI (0.97 kg/m2; 95% CI 0.42, 1.51) and WC (1.92 cm; 95% CI 0.57, 3.27) and higher odds of having obesity (OR = 1.61; 95% CI 1.27, 2.04) and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.10, 1.72) compared with those in the lowest quintile of consumption. Subgroup analyses showed that the trend towards positive associations for all obesity indicators remained in all age groups, sex and physical activity level.

Conclusion

The findings add to the growing evidence that ultra-processed food consumption is associated with obesity and support the potential role of ultra-processed foods in contributing to obesity in Australia.
Atrial fibrillation—a complex polygenetic disease
Authors: Andersen Julie H. , Andreasen Laura , Olesen Morten S.
Published: December 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia. Epidemiological studies have documented a substantial genetic component. More than 160 genes have been associated with AF during the last decades. Some of these were discovered by classical linkage studies while the majority relies on functional studies or genome-wide association studies. In this review, we will evaluate the genetic basis of AF and the role of both common and rare genetic variants in AF. Rare variants in multiple ion-channel genes as well as gap junction and transcription factor genes have been associated with AF. More recently, a growing body of evidence has implicated structural genes with AF. An increased burden of atrial fibrosis in AF patients compared with non-AF patients has also been reported. These findings challenge our traditional understanding of AF being an electrical disease. We will focus on several quantitative landmark papers, which are transforming our understanding of AF by implicating atrial cardiomyopathies in the pathogenesis. This new AF research field may enable better diagnostics and treatment in the future.
Ernährung für einen gesunden Darm
Authors: Enzel Ulrich
Published: December 2020

Der Hauptteil der menschlichen Immunzellen ist dem Darm angelagert – und so verwundert es nicht, dass dem Intestinaltrakt eine wichtige Rolle bei der Entstehung vieler Krankheiten zukommt. Mit einem gesunden Darm und seinem Mikrobiom, das letztlich auch auf eine gesunde Ernährung zurückzuführen ist, lassen sich daher viele Erkrankungen verhindern oder bereits bestehende behandeln.
Tyrosin plus Vitamin C – ein mögliches nutritiv-präventives Konzept beim Morbus Parkinson im Frühstadium?
Authors: Bruchelt Gernot , Kuçi Zyrafete , Schmidt Karlheinz
Published: December 2020

Zur Therapie der Parkinson-Erkrankung wird meist die Vorstufe des Dopamins, L-DOPA, eingesetzt, was allerdings längerfristig zu einem vermehrten oxidativen Stress führen kann. Daher erscheint es sinnvoll, mit der DOPA-Therapie verzögert zu beginnen. Ein nutritiv-präventives Ernährungskonzept könnte einerseits die endogene Dopamin-Produktion fördern und gleichzeitig den oxidativen Stress reduzieren.
Editorial
Authors: Schmalzing Marc
Published: December 2020

Die Fachbereiche Hämatoonkologie und Rheumatologie überschneiden und befruchten sich in vielfacher Hinsicht. Für dieses Themenheft wurden unterschiedliche Schnittmengen der Gebiete ausgewählt, die für die praktische Tätigkeit des Rheumatologen/der Rheumatologin besonders relevant sein sollten.
Das Schwein in der peripartalen Periode: klinische, ethologische, endokrinologische und stoffwechselbezogene Aspekte
Authors: Blim Sarah , Schupp Desiree , Bostedt Hartwig
Published: December 2020

Ziel dieses Übersichtsartikels ist, einen Überblick über die relevante Literatur zum Geburtsgeschehen beim Schwein zu schaffen. Wie bei allen Säugetieren wird die Geburt beim Schwein in 3 Phasen (I–III) unterteilt (Öffnungs-, Austreibungs-, direktes Nachgeburtsstadium), in denen diverse essenzielle endokrine und metabolische Regulationsmechanismen den Partus einleiten respektive unterhalten. Hierzu zählen u. a. die Hormone Progesteron, Kortisol, Prostaglandin F2α, Oxytozin, Estradiol, Relaxin, aber auch Elektrolyte, Enzyme und Stoffwechselprodukte wie Kalzium, Magnesium, anorganisches Phosphat, Glukose, Kreatinkinase, Laktat, nicht veresterte freie Fettsäuren und β-Hydroxybutyrat. Liegen, allgemein gesagt, exo- oder endogene Störfaktoren vor, kommt es zu Verzögerungen oder gar zum Erliegen der Wehenmechanik. Als möglicher exogener Störfaktor kann z. B. die Haltungsform angesehen werden. Endogene Störfaktoren können durch die insuffiziente Speicherung und/oder Ausschüttung der genannten partusrelevanten Parameter entstehen. Ein solcher dystokischer Zustand stört die reproduktive Fitness des Mutterschweins temporär oder dauerhaft und beeinträchtigt die Vitalität der Neonaten unmittelbar post natum, was die Überlebensrate verringern kann.
Danke für 12 Jahre Engagement
Authors: Keyßer Gernot
Published: December 2020

Liebe Leserinnen und Leser der „Aktuellen Rheumatologie“,

mit dem Ende des Jahres 2020 endet auch die Mitherausgeberschaft von Prof. Dr. med. Dr. med. habil. Stefan Rehart. Professor Rehart war seit 2008 Herausgeber der „Aktuellen Rheumatologie“ und hat in dieser Zeit mit bewundernswerter Energie und Kreativität den Kurs dieser Zeitschrift mitbestimmt.
Umfrage unter Neuweltkameliden-Züchtern zum Zucht- und Fortpflanzungsmanagement
Authors: Wolfthaler Johanna , Franz Sonja , Dadak Agnes , Steiner Katharina , Drillich Marc
Published: December 2020

Gegenstand und Ziel In der Studie erfolgte eine Online-Umfrage unter Züchtern von Neuweltkameliden in Österreich, Deutschland und der Schweiz mit dem Ziel, mehr über die Haltung und das Reproduktionsmanagement von Neuweltkameliden zu erfahren.

Material und Methode Der Link zur Umfrage wurde per E-Mail an 8 Zuchtvereine ausgesendet. Der Fragebogen umfasste insgesamt 24 geschlossene oder offene Fragen. Der Zeitraum für die Teilnahme war Mai bis Oktober 2019.

Ergebnisse Von insgesamt 92 teilnehmenden Züchtern beantworteten 64 alle Fragen. Neuweltkameliden wurden hauptsächlich zur Zucht (87 %) und Fasergewinnung (74 %) genutzt. Die mediane Herdengröße betrug 27 Tiere, wobei Stuten dominierten. Das Wissen zur Zucht eigneten sich die meisten Züchter (74 %) über persönliche Kontakte und Fortbildungen an. Die Bedeckung der Stuten erfolgte in der Mehrzahl der Zuchtbetriebe (57 %) mit einem eigenen, getrennt von den Stuten gehaltenen Hengst. Zur Trächtigkeitsdiagnostik wurde hauptsächlich (91 %) der Spucktest herangezogen und mit anderen Methoden, insbesondere der Ultraschalldiagnostik, kombiniert. Die Trächtigkeitsdauer der Stuten lag meist (88 %) im Referenzbereich von 335–360 Tagen. Wiederholte Probleme mit Trächtigkeitsverlusten gaben 76 % der Züchter bei weniger als 5 % ihrer Stuten an. Postpartale Probleme wurden insgesamt eher selten genannt und betrafen z. B. Milchmangel oder Mastitis (jeweils < 5 %). Mehr als die Hälfte der Züchter hatte in den letzten 3 Jahren Crias mit einem Problem während der Geburt, wobei hinsichtlich der Ursachen keine deutliche Häufung festgestellt werden konnte. Die Mehrheit der Befragten (69 %) war mit der tierärztlichen Betreuung in den Bereichen Versorgung, Trächtigkeit und Geburtshilfe zufrieden.

Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse dieser Umfrage liefern neue Einblicke in das Management von Neuweltkameliden-Züchtern in Österreich, Deutschland und der Schweiz. Weitere Studien könnten diese Praktiken mit denen in Ländern vergleichen, in denen die Zucht südamerikanischer Kameliden eine längere Tradition und andere kommerzielle Hintergründe hat.

Klinische Relevanz Die Ergebnisse helfen Tierärzten, sich auf mögliche Probleme und Fragestellungen in der Betreuung von Neuweltkameliden hinsichtlich des Reproduktionsmanagements vorzubereiten.
Entwicklung einer großen intraprostatischen Zyste nach Einsatz eines GnRH-Agonist-Implantats bei einem Rüden mit benigner Prostatahyperplasie
Authors: Socha Piotr , Janowski Tomasz , Zduńczyk Slawomir
Published: December 2020

Ein Rüde mit benigner Prostatahyperplasie und mehreren kleineren intraprostatischen Zysten wurde mit einem GnRH-Agonist-Implantat mit 4,7 mg Deslorelin (Suprelorin®) behandelt. Innerhalb von 2 Wochen nach der Implantation kam es zur Verstärkung der zuvor aufgetretenen Blutung aus der Harnröhre. Sonografisch ließ sich eine große intraprostatische Zyste darstellen. Der Rüde wurde mit Osateronacetat (0,4 mg/kg p. o. 1-mal täglich über 7 Tage) und Enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg p. o. 1-mal täglich über 21 Tage) behandelt. Im Verlauf eines Monats bildete sich die Zyste vollständig zurück. Die Mechanismen der Zystenvergrößerung werden diskutiert.
Reliability and Validity of Simple Stroke Food Frequency Questionnaire (SS-FFQ) for Nutrition Monitoring in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Tabrizi Reza , Borhani-Haghighi Afshin , Lankarani Kamran B. , Keshani Parisa , Heydari Seyed Taghi , Keshavarz Pedram , Azarpazhooh M. Reza
Published: December 2020

Objectives Standard dietary questionnaires may have some limitations in cases with stroke, particularly in those suffering from language and communication difficulties. The present study aimed to develop a dietary questionnaire appropriate for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Materials and Methods Major food groups (n = 19) were first identified using the dietary questionnaire of the INTERHEART study. Using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), an expert dietitian and a vascular neurologist then selected a total number of 68 corresponding food items from 168 available FFQ items. In the next phase, a panel of expert dietitians (n = 10) assessed the face validity and the content validity of these 68 items and approved a total number of 62 items for the final questionnaire, namely, the Simple Stroke FFQ (SS-FFQ). Employing test-retest method, the intraclass correlation (ICC) of the SS-FFQ was subsequently calculated in 30 randomly selected cases affected with AIS. Ultimately, principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized for 153 cases with AIS to assess the construct validity of the questionnaire concerned. The SPSS Statistics software (version 18: SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, United States) as well as descriptive tests including mean and percentage were additionally used to account for the baseline characteristics of the study participants.

Results The results revealed that the reliability of the newly developed form of the SS-FFQ was perfect (ICC = 0.86). Dietary conditions were further assessed administering the SS-FFQ on 153 cases of AIS with the mean age of 63.76 ± 15.93 years. The PCA results also showed that 15 extracted items of the given questionnaire could explain 73.10% of total item variance.

Conclusions It was concluded that the SS-FFQ was a valid and reliable questionnaire to assess nutrient intakes among patients with AIS.
Robotic Navigated Laser Craniotomy for Depth Electrode Implantation in Epilepsy Surgery: A Cadaver Lab Study
Authors: Roessler Karl , Winter Fabian , Wilken Tobias , Pataraia Ekaterina , Mueller-Gerbl Magdalena , Dorfer Christian
Published: December 2020

Objective Depth electrode implantation for invasive monitoring in epilepsy surgery has become a standard procedure. We describe a new frameless stereotactic intervention using robot-guided laser beam for making precise bone channels for depth electrode placement.

Methods A laboratory investigation on a head cadaver specimen was performed using a CT scan planning of depth electrodes in various positions. Precise bone channels were made by a navigated robot-driven laser beam (erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet [Er:YAG], 2.94-μm wavelength,) instead of twist drill holes. Entry point and target point precision was calculated using postimplantation CT scans and comparison to the preoperative trajectory plan.

Results Frontal, parietal, and occipital bone channels for bolt implantation were made. The occipital bone channel had an angulation of more than 60 degrees to the surface. Bolts and depth electrodes were implanted solely guided by the trajectory given by the precise bone channels. The mean depth electrode length was 45.5 mm. Entry point deviation was 0.73 mm (±0.66 mm SD) and target point deviation was 2.0 mm (±0.64 mm SD). Bone channel laser time was ∼30 seconds per channel. Altogether, the implantation time was ∼10 to 15 minutes per electrode.

Conclusion Navigated robot-assisted laser for making precise bone channels for depth electrode implantation in epilepsy surgery is a promising new, exact and straightforward implantation technique and may have many advantages over twist drill hole implantation.