bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural mapping of prepulse‐induced startle reflex modulation as indices of sensory information processing in healthy and clinical populations: A systematic review
Authors: Naysmith Laura F. , Kumari Veena , Williams Steven C. R.
Published: August 2021

Startle reflex is modulated when a weaker sensory stimulus (“prepulse”) precedes a startling stimulus (“pulse”). Prepulse Inhibition (PPI) is the attenuation of the startle reflex (prepulse precedes pulse by 30–500 ms), whereas Prepulse Facilitation (PPF) is the enhancement of the startle reflex (prepulse precedes pulse by 500–6000 ms). Here, we critically appraise human studies using functional neuroimaging to establish brain regions associated with PPI and PPF. Of 10 studies, nine studies revealed thalamic, striatal and frontal lobe activation during PPI in healthy groups, and activation deficits in the cortico‐striato‐pallido‐thalamic circuitry in schizophrenia (three studies) and Tourette Syndrome (two studies). One study revealed a shared network for PPI and PPF in frontal regions and cerebellum, with PPF networks recruiting superior medial gyrus and cingulate cortex. The main gaps in the literature are (i) limited PPF research and whether PPI and PPF operate on separate/shared networks, (ii) no data on sex differences in neural underpinnings of PPI and PPF, and (iii) no data on neural underpinnings of PPI and PPF in other clinical disorders.
Improving the well‐being for young people living with rheumatic heart disease: A peer support pilot program through Danila Dilba Health Service
Authors: Sivak Leda , O’Brien Margaret , Paolucci Onika , Wade Vicki , Lizama Catalina , Halkon Catherine , Enkel Stephanie , Noonan Katharine , Wyber Rosemary
Published: August 2021

Issue addressed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia have an inequitable burden of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), concentrated among young people and necessitating ongoing medical care during adolescence. There is an unmet need for improved well‐being and support for these young people to complement current biomedical management.

Methods

This pilot program initiative aimed to determine the suitability and appropriate format of an ongoing peer support program to address the needs of young people living with RHD in urban Darwin.

Results

Five participants took part in three sessions. Findings demonstrated the peer‐support setting was conducive to offering support and enabled participants to share their experiences of living with RHD with facilitators and each other. Satisfaction rates for each session, including both educational components and support activities, were high.

Conclusions

Learnings from the pilot program can inform the following elements of an ongoing peer‐support program: characteristics of co‐facilitators and external presenters; program format and session outlines; possible session locations; and resourcing.

So what?

Peer support programs for chronic conditions have demonstrated a wide range of benefits including high levels of satisfaction by participants, improved social and emotional well‐being and reductions in patient care time required by health professionals. This pilot program demonstrates the same benefits could result for young people living with RHD.
Infrared absorption spectra of phenoxide anions isolated in solid argon
Authors: Chou Sheng‐Lung , Lin Shu‐Yu , Chen Hui‐Fen , Wu Yu‐Jong
Published: August 2021

Phenoxide anions (PhO−) and phenoxy radicals (PhO) were generated by the electron bombardment of a phenol/argon sample during matrix deposition. Further irradiation of the matrix sample at 365 nm led to the detachment of the electron from PhO− and afforded its neutral counterpart PhO in solid Ar. In a separate experiment, the photolysis of a phenol/Ar matrix at 160 nm mainly afforded PhO, phenyl (Ph) radicals, and various open‐chain ketenes, but no PhO−. The Infrared (IR) lines of PhO− were assigned on the basis of the observed photochemical behaviors and the prediction of the vibrational wavenumbers with the corresponding IR intensities predicted by the B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ theory.
Religious construction and interpretation of pain: Lived experiences of terminally ill hepatitis C Muslim patients
Authors: Ahmad Akhlaq , Sohail Malik M. , Safdar Muhammad R.
Published: August 2021

Pain is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon and integral component of illness but little is known about its religious construction and interpretation. This article discusses an important yet neglected component of terminal illness which is the religious construction of pain. Eleven hepatitis C Muslim patients admitted to the liver center were recruited for this study. In‐depth interviews helped the identification of dominant themes. The study found that terminal patients construct pain in a religious context and interpret it into religious realms. For them, pain helps to realize their debility and helplessness. They think pain has a transformatory potential and can help them turn to be very strong and brave. The participants also reported having a belief that pain in this world could be compensated in the life hereafter and they will be rewarded with good deeds and bestowed with the Jannah (paradise). The terminal patients strongly influenced by religion and spirituality believed to be experiencing pain as a punishment of their misdeeds. Thus, pain was helping them to normalize their end‐of‐life experiences and ease the terminal stage of their illness.
Correlation between a quantitative anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG ELISA and neutralization activity
Authors: Dolscheid‐Pommerich Ramona , Bartok Eva , Renn Marcel , Kümmerer Beate M. , Schulte Bianca , Schmithausen Ricarda M. , Stoffel‐Wagner Birgit , Streeck Hendrik , Saschenbrecker Sandra , Steinhagen Katja , Hartmann Gunther
Published: August 2021

In the current COVID‐19 pandemic, a better understanding of the relationship between merely binding and functionally neutralizing antibodies is necessary to characterize protective antiviral immunity following infection or vaccination. This study analyzes the level of correlation between the novel quantitative EUROIMMUN Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 QuantiVac ELISA (IgG) and a microneutralization assay. A panel of 123 plasma samples from a COVID‐19 outbreak study population, preselected by semiquantitative anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG testing, was used to assess the relationship between the novel quantitative ELISA (IgG) and a microneutralization assay. Binding IgG targeting the S1 antigen was detected in 106 (86.2%) samples using the QuantiVac ELISA, while 89 (72.4%) samples showed neutralizing antibody activity. Spearman's correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive relationship between anti‐S1 IgG levels and neutralizing antibody titers (rs = 0.819, p < 0.0001). High and low anti‐S1 IgG levels were associated with a positive predictive value of 72.0% for high‐titer neutralizing antibodies and a negative predictive value of 90.8% for low‐titer neutralizing antibodies, respectively. These results substantiate the implementation of the QuantiVac ELISA to assess protective immunity following infection or vaccination.
Future changes in the meteorological potential for winter haze over Beijing during periods of peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality in China projected by Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 models
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Yanju , Ding Yihui , Yang Yang , Xu Ying , Li Qiaoping , Zhang Yingxian , Gao Meng , Yang Jianbo , Wu Qingyuan , Li Chunhui , Li Mingcai
Published: August 2021

Hazy conditions have a significant impact on the environment and societal development. Their occurrence and persistence depend largely on climatological conditions, including the important role of climate change. Based on monthly data from 15 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models under three Tier 1 scenarios (SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, and SSP5–8.5), the meteorological potential for winter haze pollution over Beijing was assessed during periods of peak carbon emissions (PCP; 2021–2030) and carbon neutrality (approximate net‐zero emissions) (PCN; 2051–2060) in China. The results show that a possible high‐emission strategy during PCP may not obviously enhance winter hazy conditions over Beijing in the near future. Rather, the high‐emission scenario in this period may decrease the meteorological potential that is favourable for the enhanced Beijing haze pollution by inducing a Northeast Asia cyclonic anomaly, compared to situations under SSP2–4.5, with medium emissions. Further analyses indicated that, under the continued sustainable pathway (SSP1–2.6 in PCN plus SSP1–2.6 in PCP; the better pathway simulating the effects of approximate net‐zero emissions during PCN through model results), atmospheric conditions such as the East Asian winter monsoon as well as decadal oceanic forcings of the mega‐El Niño and the warm Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, which are conducive to more frequent Beijing haze, are significantly suppressed in the farther future PCN. Under such circumstances, in situ haze pollution is highly repressed, suggesting a critical and positive role for the low‐carbon policy advocated by China during PCN in suppressing longer‐term hazy conditions over Beijing. In contrast, Beijing haze pollution during PCN is frequent under the discontinued sustainable pathway (SSP2–4.5/SSP5–8.5 in PCN plus SSP1–2.6 in PCP). Our findings demonstrate the possible insignificant impact of the high‐emission strategy of China during the near‐future PCP on Beijing haze exacerbation, and an important role for carbon neutrality advocated by China to suppress the haze potential in the farther future PCN, highlighting the significance of future pathway selections.
A spatiotemporal framework to calibrate high‐resolution global monthly precipitation products: An application to the Urmia Lake Watershed in Iran
Authors: Nasseri Mohsen , Schoups Gerrit , Taheri Mercedeh
Published: August 2021

Improving precipitation accuracy over a watershed is one of the highest priorities in water resources studies and management. Several global precipitation datasets are available for estimating precipitation over any region in the world. However, local or regional application of these datasets should account for and correct potential errors in the original products. This article presents a novel spatiotemporal calibration framework to improve the accuracy (bias and correlation) of global precipitation datasets in regional applications. The proposed methodology consists of two steps. First, gridded global precipitation datasets are regressed pointwise against rain gauge data. This yields downscaled and bias‐corrected precipitation values at the point scale. Second, the resulting point‐scale regression parameters are used to build a geostatistical model that predicts the regression parameters across the region of interest, allowing for bias‐correcting the precipitation datasets at the regional scale. The framework is applied to the Urmia Lake Watershed in northwestern Iran. Eight global high‐resolution monthly precipitation datasets (CHIRPS, ERA‐5, IMERG, PERSIANN, PERSIANN‐CCS, PERSIANN‐CDR, TRMM and Terra) are evaluated and three downscaling approaches including linear, Q‐Q and Linear Scaling (LS) regression methods are used to calibrate the precipitation datasets based on a regional network of rain gauge observations. Ordinary kriging is subsequently used to predict the regression parameters at ungauged locations. Out of all combinations (i.e., eight datasets and three methods), downscaled IMERG using linear and Q‐Q regression methods showed the best performance in estimating the spatiotemporal variations of monthly precipitation across the watershed of interest. The original IMERG dataset overestimated the monthly precipitation by approximately 20% compared to the precipitation from rain gauges. After applying the proposed methodology in this article, the IMERG bias was reduced by 93%, with an additional 26% decrease in the RMSE.
Diagnosing COVID‐19 in human sera with detected immunoglobulins IgM and IgG by means of Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Goulart Ana Cristina Castro , Zângaro Renato Amaro , Carvalho Henrique Cunha , Silveira Landulfo
Published: August 2021

The severe COVID‐19 pandemic requires the development of novel, rapid, accurate, and label‐free techniques that facilitate the detection and discrimination of SARS‐CoV‐2 infected subjects. Raman spectroscopy has been used to diagnose COVID‐19 in serum samples of suspected patients without clinical symptoms of COVID‐19 but presented positive immunoglobulins M and G (IgM and IgG) assays versus Control (negative IgM and IgG). A dispersive Raman spectrometer (830 nm, 350 mW) was employed, and triplicate spectra were obtained. A total of 278 spectra were used from 94 serum samples (54 Control and 40 COVID‐19). The main spectral differences between the positive IgM and IgG versus Control, evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA), were features assigned to proteins including albumin (lower in the group COVID‐19 and in the group IgM/IgG and IgG positive) and features assigned to lipids, phospholipids, and carotenoids (higher the group COVID‐19 and in the group IgM/IgG positive). Features referred to nucleic acids, tryptophan, and immunoglobulins were also seen (higher the group COVID‐19). A discriminant model based on partial least squares regression (PLS‐DA) found sensitivity of 84.0%, specificity of 95.0%, and accuracy of 90.3% for discriminating positive Ig groups versus Control. When considering individual Ig group versus Control, it was found sensitivity of 77.3%, specificity of 97.5%, and accuracy of 88.8%. The higher classification error was found for the IgM group (no success classification). Raman spectroscopy may become a technique of choice for rapid serological evaluation aiming COVID‐19 diagnosis, mainly detecting the presence of IgM/IgG and IgG after COVID‐19 infection.
Adjunct diagnostic strategies in improving diagnostic yields in image‐guided biopsies of musculoskeletal neoplasms—A cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Ramkumar Dipak B. , Kelly Sean P. , Ramkumar Niveditta , Gyftopoulos Soterios , Raskin Kevin A. , Lozano‐Calderon Santiago A. , Chang Connie Y.
Published: August 2021

Background

Routine use of adjunct intraprocedural fresh frozen biopsy (FFP) or point‐of‐care (POC) cytology at the time of image‐guided biopsy can improve diagnostic tissue yields for musculoskeletal neoplasms, but these are associated with increased costs.

Objective

This study aimed to ascertain the most cost‐effective adjunctive test for image‐guided biopsies of musculoskeletal neoplasms.

Methods

This expected value cost‐effectiveness microsimulation compared the payoffs of cost (2020 United States dollars) and effectiveness (quality‐adjusted life, in days) on each of the competing strategies. A literature review and institutional data were used to ascertain probabilities, diagnostic yields, utility values, and direct medical costs associated with each strategy. Payer and societal perspectives are presented. One‐ and two‐way sensitivity analyses evaluated model uncertainties.

Results

The total cost and effectiveness for each of the strategies were $1248.98, $1414.09, $1980.53, and 80.31, 79.74, 79.69 days for the use of FFP, permanent pathology only, and POC cytology, respectively. The use of FFP dominated the competing strategies. Sensitivity analyses revealed FFP as the most cost‐effective across all clinically plausible values.

Conclusions

Adjunct FFP is most cost‐effective in improving the diagnostic yield of image‐guided biopsies for musculoskeletal neoplasms. These findings are robust to sensitivity analyses using clinically plausible probabilities.
Suicide‐attempt traits in seniors, younger adults examined
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: August 2021

While subjective suicidal intent was higher compared to a young group, older adults who are suicidal were less likely to fulfill criteria for major depression and several other mental disorders, compared to younger adults, according to new research published Aug. 9 in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Prediction of dengue cases based on human mobility and seasonality—An example for the city of Jakarta
Authors: Heidrich Peter , Jayathunga Yashika , Bock Wolfgang , Götz Thomas
Published: August 2021

In this article, we combine a multipatch SIRUV model with seasonal mosquito breeding rate in order to develop a seasonal SIR model via a time‐scale separation. The model is applied to commuting and dengue incident data in Jakarta to forecast dengue outbreaks. Qualitatively, the analysis is in good agreement with the actual outbreaks.
Combining computed tomography and biologically effective dose in radiomics and deep learning improves prediction of tumor response to robotic lung stereotactic body radiation therapy
Authors: Avanzo Michele , Gagliardi Vito , Stancanello Joseph , Blanck Oliver , Pirrone Giovanni , El Naqa Issam , Revelant Alberto , Sartor Giovanna
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to improve the performance of machine learning (ML) models in predicting response of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) by integrating image features from pre‐treatment computed tomography (CT) with features from the biologically effective dose (BED) distribution.

Materials and methods

Image features, consisting of crafted radiomic features or machine‐learned features extracted using a convolutional neural network, were calculated from pre‐treatment CT data and from dose distributions converted into BED for 80 NSCLC lesions over 76 patients treated with robotic guided SBRT. ML models using different combinations of features were trained to predict complete or partial response according to response criteria in solid tumors, including radiomics CT (RadCT), radiomics CT and BED (RadCT,BED), deep learning (DL) CT (DLCT), and DL CT and BED (DLCT,BED). Training of ML included feature selection by neighborhood component analysis followed by ensemble ML using robust boosting. A model was considered as acceptable when the sum of average sensitivity and specificity on test data in repeated cross validations was at least 1.5.

Results

Complete or partial response occurred in 58 out of 80 lesions. The best models to predict the tumor response were those using BED variables, achieving significantly better area under curve (AUC) and accuracy than those using only features from CT, including a RadCT,BED model using three radiomic features from BED, which scored an accuracy of 0.799 (95% confidence intervals (0.75–0.85)) and AUC of 0.773 (0.688–0.846), and a DLCT,BED model also using three variables with an accuracy of 0.798 (0.649–0.829) and AUC of 0.812 (0.755–0.867).

Conclusion

According to our results, the inclusion of BED features improves the response prediction of ML models for lung cancer patients undergoing SBRT, regardless of the use of radiomic or DL features.
A survey on women’s awareness of iron and folic acid intake during preconception period and its associated factors in Manna District, Oromia region, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Teshome Firanbon , Kebede Yohannes , Girma Kasahun , Birhanu Zewdie
Published: August 2021

Aim

This study aimed to assess pregnant women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period and associated factors.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

This study was conducted on 636 pregnant women in Manna District, Oromia region, Southwest Ethiopia. Women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period was measured using a pre‐tested structured questionnaire. Descriptive, binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out.

Results

Of the total of 623 participants, 6.7% of them had an awareness of iron and folic acid intake during preconception period. Women's husband who had formal education, women who had ≥four ANC visits and women who were at distance of <30 min from the nearest health facility were significant predictors of pregnant women's awareness iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period.

Conclusions

Women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period was very low. Husband educational status, frequency of ANC visits and distance from health facility were predictors of women's awareness of iron and folic acid intake during the preconception period.
Registration of Tx3483 through Tx3488 sorghum germplasm with waxy endosperm
Authors: Kent Mitchell A. , Rooney William L.
Published: August 2021

Six sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm lines, Tx3483 through Tx3488 (Reg. no. PL‐313 to PL‐318, PI 698643 to PI 698648), are proposed for release by Texas A&M Agrilife Research. These lines were developed and tested by the Agrilife Research sorghum breeding and genetics program. Tx3483 through Tx3488 are pollinator parents that combine waxy endosperm with improved agronomic performance and grain functionality. In combination with a waxy endosperm seed parent, these lines produce waxy endosperm hybrids with consistently higher yield than the currently available waxy check hybrid. Additionally, some of these germplasms produce hybrids with improved grain composition and functional properties of the derived flour.
Local anesthetics transfer relies on pH differences and affinities toward lipophilic compartments
Authors: Kavčič Hana , Umek Nejc , Vintar Neli , Mavri Janez
Published: August 2021

Local anesthetics are weak bases and alter their properties in accordance with their protonation state, which depends on the environmental pH. We studied the transport dynamics of several local anesthetics from the extracellular fluid across biological membranes to the axoplasm, in order to understand the effect of pH on their pharmacodynamic properties. By using experimental pKa values and n‐octanol/water partition coefficients, we calculated pH‐dependent distribution coefficients and therewith associated relative populations and free energy profiles between extracellular fluid, membrane, and axoplasm. We estimated the local anesthetic capacity of neural tissue, using a simple 2D model. All values were calculated under physiological conditions and under the effect of local acidosis. Under physiological conditions, local anesthetics were most prevalent in the membrane. Change of free energy for transfer across biological membrane and the difference in relative population between extracellular fluid and axoplasm was dependent only on the difference of pH values between both environments, and not on pKa values. Estimated storage capacities for long‐lasting local anesthetics are higher by a factor of 10 or 100 than for short‐lasting local anesthetics. The membrane does not represent a barrier for local anesthetic diffusion. Local anesthetics move from the compartment with higher pH to the compartment with lower pH, due to favorable solvation free energy of protonated species. The rate of transfer across biological membrane is diffusion‐controlled and is similar for all local anesthetics. Neural tissue has a higher storage capacity for highly lipophilic local anesthetics, which can explain their longer duration of action.
High‐Quality Bulk β‐Ga2O3 and β‐(AlxGa1−x)2O3 Crystals: Growth and Properties
Authors: Bauman Dmitrii A. , Panov Dmitrii Iu. , Zakgeim Dmitrii A. , Spiridonov Vladislav A. , Kremleva Arina V. , Petrenko Artem A. , Brunkov Pavel N. , Prasolov Nikita D. , Nashchekin Alexey V. , Smirnov Andrei M. , Odnoblyudov Maxim A. , Bougrov Vladislav E. , Romanov Alexey E.
Published: August 2021

A method for the growth of high‐quality gallium oxide (β‐Ga2O3) bulk crystals from the melt is developed. The influence of the atmosphere in the process zone on the stability of growth and the quality of Czochralski grown crystals is studied. The structural properties of the crystals obtained are investigated. Samples of gallium oxide substrates are demonstrated. The possibility of growing bulk crystals of solid‐solution oxides (AlxGa1–x)2O3 is tested.
Lower‐Voltage Electroluminescence of Green Zinc Silicate on SiOx Interface in Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Structure
Authors: Kang Taewook , Afandi Mohammad M. , Kang Hyeonwoo , Park Jehong , Kim Jongsu
Published: August 2021

A Zn2SiO4:Mn2+‐based metal–oxide–semiconductor electroluminescence (MOS EL) device on silicon wafer is demonstrated through a facile one‐step annealing process. The MOS EL device consists of two sublayers: 200 nm thick single‐phase crystalline Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ for an emitting layer and 160 nm thick amorphous SiO
x
for interfacial layer as a carrier‐injecting–accelerating layer on a silicon wafer. It exhibits blueshift of the green EL peak with spectral broadening. According to applied polarities, it shows asymmetric electrical and optical properties. Eminently, it exhibits the best luminous efficiency of 1.2 lm W−1 at a comparatively lower threshold voltage (50 Vop corresponding to the electric field of 1.1 MV cm−1) and high reliability (>600 min at 70 Vop).
The genus Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae family) and its active constituents as protective agents against natural or chemical toxicities
Authors: Heidari Somaye , Mehri Soghra , Hosseinzadeh Hossein
Published: August 2021

Licorice is the dried roots and rhizomes of various species of the genus Glycyrrhiza (Fabaceae) that have been used in folk medicine from ancient times. Many important research projects have established several beneficial effects for this medicinal herb, including antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective. Licorice contains important bioactive components, such as glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic, glycyrrhizinic acid), liquiritigenin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhetinic acid. The protective effects of licorice and its main chemical components against toxins and toxicants in several organs including the brain, heart, liver, kidney, and lung have been shown. In this comprehensive review article, the protective effects of these constituents against natural, industrial, environmental, and chemical toxicities with attention on the cellular and molecular mechanism are introduced. Also, it has been revealed that this plant and its main compounds can inhibit the toxicity of different toxins by the antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti‐apoptotic properties as well as the modulation of Inhibitor of kappaB kinase (IKK), Extracellular signal‑regulated protein kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signaling pathways. More high‐quality investigations in both experimental and clinical studies need to firmly establish the efficacy of licorice and its main constituents against toxic agents.
Airborne laser scanning reveals increased growth and complexity of boreal forest canopies across a network of ungulate exclosures in Norway
Authors: Kolstad Anders L. , Snøan Ingrid Bekken , Austrheim Gunnar , Bollandsås Ole Martin , Solberg Erling J. , Speed James D. M.
Published: August 2021

Large herbivores are often classed as ecosystem engineers, and when they become scarce or overabundant, this can alter ecosystem states and influence climate forcing potentials. This realization has spurred a call to integrate large herbivores in earth system models. However, we lack a good understanding of their net effects on climate forcing, including carbon and energy exchange. A possible solution to this lies in harmonizing data across the myriad of large herbivore exclosure experiments around the world. This is challenging due to differences in experimental designs and field protocols. We used airborne laser scanning (ALS) to describe the effect of herbivore removal across 43 young boreal forest stands in Norway and found that exclusion caused the canopy height to increase from 1.7 ± 0.2 to 2.5 ± 0.2 m (means ± se), and also causing a marked increase in vertical complexity and above‐ground biomass. We then go on to discuss some of the issues with using ALS; we propose ALS as an approach for studying the effects of multiple large herbivore exclosure experiments simultaneously, and producing area‐based estimates on canopy structure and forest biomass in a cheap, efficient, standardized and reproducible way. We suggest that this is a vital next step towards generating biome‐wide predictions for the effects of large herbivores on forest ecosystem structure which can both inform both local management goals and earth system models.
Challenges and opportunities of gender mainstreaming strategy implementation in public sectors: The case of Women and Children Affairs Office, Bahir Dar City Administration, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Mihrete Alemeneh G. , Bayu Eyayu K.
Published: August 2021

Gender Mainstreaming is an organizational strategy to bring a gender perspective to all aspects of an institution's policy. This research aimed to investigate the challenges and opportunities of gender mainstreaming implementation by taking women, children, and youth affairs office of Bahir Dar City administration as a case. To do so, a qualitative research method with a case study research design was employed. To select the participants, purposive and availability sampling techniques were employed. Interview, focus group discussion, and document review were used as major data collection instruments. The data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that, absence of gender focal person, compartmentalization, lack of commitments, lack of training, lack of theoretical and technical skills about gender, and insufficient budget were the identified challenges. The presence of evaluation among heads at the council, existence of policies, and cooperative leadership were identified as an opportunity. To sum up, there are numerous challenges that hinder its monitoring and evaluation activities to mainstream gender even if there were a few opportunities that facilitate their activities. Based on the findings, the regional government should support and monitor the respective office challenges.
Palynology of a short sequence of the Lower Devonian Beartooth Butte Formation at Cottonwood Canyon (Wyoming): age, depositional environments and plant diversity
Authors: Noetinger Sol , Bippus Alexander C. , Tomescu Alexandru M.F.
Published: August 2021

The Beartooth Butte Formation hosts the most extensive Early Devonian macroflora of western North America. The age of the flora at Cottonwood Canyon (Wyoming) has been constrained to the Lochkovian–Pragian interval, based on fish biostratigraphy and unpublished palynological data. We present a detailed palynological analysis of the plant‐bearing layers at Cottonwood Canyon. The palynomorphs consist of 32 spore, five cryptospore, two prasinophycean algae and an acritarch species. The stratigraphic ranges of these palynomorphs indicate a late Lochkovian or Pragian age, confirming previous age assignments. Analysis of samples from three different depositional environments of the plant‐bearing sequence (layers within situlycophyte populations, flood layers that buried those populations and an organic matter accumulation zone within a flood layer) demonstrate distinct palynofacies. Comparisons between palynomorph and plant macrofossil diversity reveal some discrepancies. Whereas zosterophylls and lycophytes, most diverse and abundant among the macrofossils, have only one known corresponding spore type (assignable to zosterophylls) in the palynomorph assemblage, the trimerophytes, rare in the macrofossil assemblage, are represented by three spore types. Some of these discrepancies reflect taphonomic differences between the macrofossils and palynomorphs, while others could be due to the fact that the parent plants of most palynomorph types in the Cottonwood Canyon assemblage are unknown. These observations emphasize the need for concerted efforts to bring together the knowledge of macro‐ and microfloras within Early Devonian localities. Nevertheless, given the palaeophytogeographic significance of the Beartooth Butte Formation flora, its palynofossil and macrofossil assemblages, taken together, provide new data relevant to future discussions of Early Devonian biogeography.
Practical guide on dog behaviour
Authors: Brown Emma
Published: August 2021

Reviewed by Emma Brown, who runs a veterinary behaviour referral service at Kernow Vets in south‐west England.
AdS3 gravity and RCFT ensembles with multiple invariants
Authors: Meruliya Viraj , Mukhi Sunil
Published: August 2021

Abstract

We use the Poincaré series method to compute gravity partition functions associated to SU(N)1 WZW models with arbitrarily large numbers of modular invariants. The result is an average over these invariants, with the weights being given by inverting a matrix whose size is of order the number of invariants. For the chosen models, this matrix takes a special form that allows us to invert it for arbitrary size and thereby explicitly calculate the weights of this average. For the identity seed we find that the weights are positive for all N, consistent with each model being dual to an ensemble average over CFT’s.
Different mechanisms of magnitude and spatial representation for tactile and auditory modalities
Authors: Bollini Alice , Esposito Davide , Campus Claudio , Gori Monica
Published: August 2021

The human brain creates an external world representation based on magnitude judgments by estimating distance, numerosity, or size. The magnitude and spatial representation are hypothesized to rely on common mechanisms shared by different sensory modalities. We explored the relationship between magnitude and spatial representation using two different sensory systems. We hypothesize that the interaction between space and magnitude is combined differently depending on sensory modalities. Furthermore, we aimed to understand the role of the spatial reference frame in magnitude representation. We used stimulus–response compatibility (SRC) to investigate these processes assuming that performance is improved if stimulus and response share common features. We designed an auditory and tactile SRC task with conflicting spatial and magnitude mapping. Our results showed that sensory modality modulates the relationship between space and magnitude. A larger effect of magnitude over spatial congruency occurred in a tactile task. However, magnitude and space showed similar weight in the auditory task, with neither spatial congruency nor magnitude congruency having a significant effect. Moreover, we observed that the spatial frame activated during tasks was elicited by the sensory inputs. The participants' performance was reversed in the tactile task between uncrossed and crossed hands posture, suggesting an internal coordinate system. In contrast, crossing the hands did not alter performance (i.e., using an allocentric frame of reference). Overall, these results suggest that space and magnitude interaction differ in auditory and tactile modalities, supporting the idea that these sensory modalities use different magnitude and spatial representation mechanisms.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling to predict the clinical effect of CYP3A inhibitors/inducers on esaxerenone pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects and subjects with hepatic impairment
Authors: Watanabe Akiko , Ishizuka Tomoko , Yamada Makiko , Igawa Yoshiyuki , Shimizu Takako , Ishizuka Hitoshi
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Esaxerenone is a novel, oral, nonsteroidal treatment for hypertension. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling was performed to predict the drug–drug interaction (DDI) effect of cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A modulators on esaxerenone pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects and subjects with hepatic impairment.

Methods

In our PBPK model, the fraction of esaxerenone metabolised by CYP3A was estimated from mass-balance data and verified and optimised by clinical DDI study results with strong CYP3A modulators. The model was also verified by the observed pharmacokinetics after multiple oral dosing and by the effect of hepatic impairment on esaxerenone pharmacokinetics. The model was applied to predict the DDI effects on esaxerenone pharmacokinetics with untested CYP3A modulators in healthy subjects and with strong CYP3A modulators in subjects with hepatic impairment.

Results

The PBPK model well described esaxerenone pharmacokinetics after multiple oral dosing. The predicted fold changes in esaxerenone plasma exposure after coadministration with strong CYP3A modulators were comparable with the observed data (1.53-fold with itraconazole and 0.31-fold with rifampicin). Predicted DDIs with untested moderate CYP3A modulators were less than the observed DDI with strong CYP3A modulators. The PBPK model also described the effect of hepatic impairment on esaxerenone plasma exposure. The predicted DDI results with strong CYP3A modulators in subjects with hepatic impairment indicate that, for concomitant use of CYP3A modulators, caution is advised for subjects with hepatic impairment, as is for healthy subjects.

Conclusion

The PBPK model developed predicted esaxerenone pharmacokinetics and DDIs and informed concurrent use of esaxerenone with CYP3A modulators.
Results from a PI-RADS-based MRI-directed diagnostic pathway for biopsy-naive patients in a non-university hospital
Authors: Reijnen Jeroen S. , Marthinsen Jon B. , Tysland Alf O. , Müller Christoph , Schönhardt Irina , Andersen Erlend , Seierstad Therese , Hole Knut H.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To assess the safety and performance of a MRI-directed diagnostic pathway for patients with first-time suspicion of prostate cancer in a non-university hospital.

Methods

Between May 2017 and December 2018 all biopsy-naive patients examined in our hospital followed a MRI-directed diagnostic work-up algorithm based on PI-RADS score. In short, PI-RADS 1–2 was generally not biopsied and PI-RADS 3–5 was reviewed by a multidisciplinary team. Patients with PI-RADS 4-5 were all referred to biopsy, either transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy or MRI in-bore biopsy for small tumors and for sites difficult to access. PI-RADS scores were compared to the histopathology from biopsies and surgical specimens for patients who had prostatectomy. Non-biopsied patients were referred to a safety net monitoring regimen.

Results

Two hundred and ninety-eight men were enrolled. 97 (33%) had PI-RADS 1–2, 44 (15%) had PI-RADS 3, and 157 (53%) had PI-RADS 4–5. 116 (39%) of the patients avoided biopsy. None of these were diagnosed with significant cancer within 2–3.5 years of safety net monitoring. Almost all high ISUP grade groups (≥ 3) were in the PI-RADS 4–5 category (98%). Prostatectomy specimens and systematic biopsies from MRI-negative areas indicated that very few clinically significant cancers were missed by the MRI-directed diagnostic pathway.

Conclusion

Our findings add to evidence that a MRI-directed diagnostic pathway can be safely established in a non-university hospital. The pathway reduced the number of biopsies and reliably detected the site of the most aggressive cancers.

Graphic abstract
The additional value of ONEST (Observers Needed to Evaluate Subjective Tests) in assessing reproducibility of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and Ki67 classification in breast cancer
Authors: Cserni Bálint , Bori Rita , Csörgő Erika , Oláh-Németh Orsolya , Pancsa Tamás , Sejben Anita , Sejben István , Vörös András , Zombori Tamás , Nyári Tibor , Cserni Gábor
Published: August 2021

The reproducibility of assessing potential biomarkers is crucial for their implementation. ONEST (Observers Needed to Evaluate Subjective Tests) has been recently introduced as a new additive evaluation method for the assessment of reliability, by demonstrating how the number of observers impact on interobserver agreement. Oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Ki67 proliferation marker immunohistochemical stainings were assessed on 50 core needle biopsy and 50 excision samples from breast cancers by 9 pathologists according to daily practice. ER and PR statuses based on the percentages of stained nuclei were the most consistently assessed parameters (intraclass correlation coefficients, ICC 0.918–0.996), whereas Ki67 with 5 different theoretical or St Gallen Consensus Conference–proposed cut-off values demonstrated moderate to good reproducibility (ICC: 0.625–0.760). ONEST highlighted that consistent tests like ER and PR assessment needed only 2 or 3 observers for optimal evaluation of reproducibility, and the width between plots of the best and worst overall percent agreement values for 100 randomly selected permutations of observers was narrow. In contrast, with less consistently evaluated tests of Ki67 categorization, ONEST suggested at least 5 observers required for more trustful assessment of reliability, and the bandwidth of the best and worst plots was wider (up to 34% difference between two observers). ONEST has additional value to traditional calculations of the interobserver agreement by not only highlighting the number of observers needed to trustfully evaluate reproducibility but also by highlighting the rate of agreement with an increasing number of observers and disagreement between the better and worse ratings.
Surgical outcome of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in acute cholecystitis: Ten years’ experience at a tertiary care centre
Authors: Ábrahám Szabolcs , Tóth Illés , Benkő Ria , Matuz Mária , Kovács Gabriella , Morvay Zita , Nagy András , Ottlakán Aurél , Czakó László , Szepes Zoltán , Váczi Dániel , Négyessy András , Paszt Attila , Simonka Zsolt , Petri András , Lázár György
Published: August 2021

Background

Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) plays an important role in the treatment of elderly patients and/or patients in poor health with acute cholecystitis (AC). The primary aim of this study is to determine how these factors influence the clinical outcome of PTGBD. Moreover, we assessed the timing and results of subsequent cholecystectomies.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively examined the results of 162 patients undergoing PTGBD between 2010 and 2020 (male–female ratio: 51.23% vs. 48.77%; mean age: 71.43 ± 13.22 years). Patient’s performance status and intervention outcomes were assessed with clinical success rates (CSR) and in-hospital mortality. The conversion rate (CR) of possible urgent or delayed, elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) after PTGBD were analysed.

Results

PTGBD was the definitive treatment in 42.18% of patients, while it was a bridging therapy prior to cholecystectomy (CCY) for the other patients. CSR was 87.97%, it was only 64.29% in grade III AC. In 9.87% of the cases, urgent LC was necessary after PTGBD, and its conversion rate was approximately equal to that of elective LC (18.18 vs. 17.46%, respectively, p = 0.2217). Overall, the post-PTGBD in-hospital mortality was 11.72%, while the same figure was 0% for grade I AC, 7.41% for grade II and 40.91% for grade III. Based on logistic regression analyses, in-hospital mortality (OR 6.07; CI 1.79–20.56), clinical progression (OR 7.62; CI 2.64–22.05) and the need for emergency CCY (OR 14.75; CI 3.07–70.81) were mostly determined by AC severity grade.

Conclusion

PTGBD is an easy-to-perform intervention with promising clinical success rates in the treatment of acute cholecystitis. After PTGBD, the level of gallbladder inflammation played a decisive role in the course of AC. In a severe, grade III inflammation, we have to consider low CSR and high mortality.
Prospective clinical evaluation of chairside-fabricated zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic partial crowns—5-year results
Authors: Rinke Sven , Zuck Tanja , Hausdörfer Tim , Leha Andreas , Wassmann Torsten , Ziebolz Dirk
Published: August 2021

Objectives

A university-based randomized clinical study evaluated the 5-year performance of chairside-fabricated zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS)-ceramic partial crowns.

Material and methods

Forty-five patients were restored with 61 chairside-fabricated ZLS-restorations (Cerec SW 4.2, Dentsply Sirona, Germany; Vita Suprinity, Vita Zahnfabrik, Germany). Deviating from the manufacturers’ recommendations, restorations with reduced minimum material thicknesses (MMT) were fabricated: group 1, MMT = 0.5–0.74 mm (n = 31); group 2, MMT = 0.75–1.0 mm (n = 30). For luting, a self-adhesive cement (SAC) or a total-etch technique with a composite cement (TEC) was applied. Statistical evaluation was performed by time-to-event analysis (Kaplan–Meier). Possible covariates of the survival (SVR) and success rates (SCR), evaluated in a Cox regression model, were MMT, restoration position (premolar/molar), and cementation technique (SAC vs. TEC).

Results

Forty patients (54 restorations, premolars, n = 23; molars, n = 31) participated in the 5-year follow-up. Five losses due to ceramic fractures occurred in group 1 (n = 28) (SVR: 83.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71–0.96]). Group 2 (n = 26) showed no losses (SVR: 100%). The success rate for partial crowns placed on premolars was 100% and 69% (95% CI: 0.54–0.84) for molar restorations. Recementation was required in 4 restorations with SAC (SCR: 86% [95% CI: 0.73–0.99]; SCR-DC: 100%). Restorations in group 2 showed a significantly reduced risk of material fracture hazard ratio (HR) = 0.09, p = 0.0292) compared with the restorations in group 1. Molar partial crowns showed an increased risk for a clinical intervention (HR = 5.26, p = 0.0222) compared to premolar restorations.

Conclusions

Material thickness and position of the restoration are risk factors influencing the survival and success rate of ZLS-ceramic partial crowns.

Clinical relevance

Observation of an MMT of at least 0.75–1.0 mm for ZLS-ceramics is essential to avoid material-related fractures.

Clinical trial registration: German Clinical Trails Register (trial number: DRKS00005611)
Long-term glucocorticoid treatment and high relapse rate remain unresolved issues in the real-life management of polymyalgia rheumatica: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Floris Alberto , Piga Matteo , Chessa Elisabetta , Congia Mattia , Erre Gian Luca , Angioni Maria Maddalena , Mathieu Alessandro , Cauli Alberto
Published: August 2021

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, according to the PRISMA methodology, to summarize current evidence on the prevalence and predictors of long-term glucocorticoid (GC) treatment and disease relapses in the real-life management of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

Out of 5442 retrieved studies, 21 were eligible for meta-analysis and 24 for qualitative analysis. The pooled proportions of patients still taking GCs at 1, 2, and 5 years were respectively 77% (95%CI 71–83%), 51% (95%CI 41–61%), and 25% (95CI% 15–36%). No significant difference was recorded by distinguishing study cohorts recruited before and after the issue of the international recommendations in 2010. The pooled proportion of patients experiencing at least one relapse at 1 year from treatment initiation was 43% (95%CI 29–56%). Female gender, acute-phase reactants levels, peripheral arthritis, starting GCs dosage, and tapering speed were the most frequently investigated potential predictors of prolonged GC treatment and relapse, but with inconsistent results. Only a few studies and with conflicting results evaluated the potential role of early treatment with methotrexate in reducing the GC exposure and the risk of relapse in PMR.

This study showed that a high rate of prolonged GC treatment is still recorded in the management of PMR. The relapse rate, even remarkable, can only partially explain the long-term GC treatment, suggesting that other and not yet identified factors may be involved. Additional research is needed to profile patients with a higher risk of long-term GC treatment and relapse and identify more effective steroid-sparing strategies.Key Points:• High rate of long-term glucocorticoid (GC) treatment is recorded in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), being 77%, 51%, and 25% of patients still on GCs after respectively 1, 2, and 5 years.• A pooled relapse rate of 43% at 1 year, even remarkable, can only partially explain the long-term GC treatment in PMR.• Several studies have attempted to identify potential predictors of prolonged treatment with GCs and relapse, but with inconsistent results.• Additional research is needed to profile patients with a higher risk of long-term GC treatment and relapse and identify more effective steroid-sparing strategies.