bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Indigenous Rhizobial Populations Associated with Pea Nodulation in Kumaon Region of North-western Himalayas
Authors: Bhandari Geetanjali , Raverkar Kiran P. , Singh Gurvinder , Gautam Poonam , Singh Ajeet Pratap , Nain Pooja , Garg Shivanshu , Gupta Deepanjali
Published: December 2024

The purpose of this study was to explore the diversity of native rhizobial populations in pea-cultivating regions of the Kumaon area in the north-western Himalayas and their role in biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). The research employed completely randomized design (CRD), involving the collection of soil samples from 12 locations to analyze rhizobial populations, soil physicochemical properties, and their effects on pea nodulation and nitrogen accumulation. A positive correlation was observed between soil organic carbon (OC) levels and the most probable number (MPN) of rhizobia, with higher OC supporting greater rhizobial growth and BNF. Sites such as Daranti and Khamaria, with elevated OC levels, exhibited higher rhizobial populations and enhanced nodulation, while regions with lower OC, such as Chafi and Sui, showed reduced activity. Daranti recorded the highest rhizobial count 10,000 g⁻¹ of soil, and Timiladiggi demonstrated superior nitrogen fixation efficiency (18.01 mg plant⁻¹ BNF). These findings suggest the potential for isolating and using efficient rhizobial strains, such as those from Timiladiggi, as inoculants to improve BNF in less fertile areas. The study also identified climatic influences on soil properties, with cooler, high-altitude regions promoting greater OC accumulation and rhizobial activity. These results emphasize the importance of utilizing efficient rhizobial strains and enhancing soil OC to boost legume productivity and support sustainable agriculture in diverse agroclimatic zones. Future research should focus on metagenomic analyses to characterize the genetic diversity of native rhizobia and uncover their functional traits.
Medienstaatsverträge unter Bedingungen polarisierter und fundamentaloppositioneller Politik
Authors: Mast Tobias
Published: December 2024

Das deutsche Rundfunk- und Mediensystem ist ein politisch und rechtlich hochkomplexes Konstrukt, das sich nur so lange in Beständigkeit und Wandel als funktional erweist, wie alle involvierten Akteure willens und in der Lage sind, daran mitzuwirken. Als Politikfeld, das häufig bundesweite Lösungen erfordert und doch in Landeskompetenz liegt, provoziert es ständigen Abstimmungsbedarf und damit Störungspotentiale für handlungsunfähige oder böswillige Akteure. Was bislang als schwerfällig kritisiert wurde, zeigt sich unter gewandelten Regierungsbedingungen in den Ländern und dem Erstarken rechtspopulistischer Kräfte als hochgradig verletzlich.
Urheberrecht trifft Produktsicherheitsrecht: Urheberrechtliche Implikationen der KI-VO – Teil 1 — Urheberrechtliche Grundlagen, Pflicht zur Einführung einer Urheberrechtsstrategie und Trainingsdatenzusammenfassung
Authors: Pech Sebastian
Published: December 2024

Die KI-VO enthält mit den Pflichten zur Einführung einer Urheberrechtsstrategie (Art. 53 Abs. 1 Buchst. c KI-VO), zur Veröffentlichung einer Zusammenfassung der Trainingsdaten (Art. 53 Abs. 1 Buchst. d KI-VO) und zur Kennzeichnung synthetischer Inhalte (Art. 50 Abs. 2 KI-VO) mehrere urheberrechtsbezogene Regelungen. Dieser Beitrag stellt die urheberrechtlichen Grundlagen im Zusammenhang mit (generativer) Künstlicher Intelligenz vor und geht der Frage nach, welche Anforderungen und urheberrechtlichen Implikationen sich aus den Pflichten zur Einführung einer Urheberrechtsstrategie sowie zur Veröffentlichung einer Trainingsdatenzusammenfassung ergeben. Ein weiterer Beitrag wird dann die Pflicht zu Kennzeichnung synthetischer Inhalte sowie die zivilrechtliche Rechtsdurchsetzung zum Gegenstand haben und die urheberrechtsbezogenen Regelungen der KI-VO abschließend bewerten.
Brennpunkte des Bilanzsteuerrechts
Authors: Kahle Holger
Published: December 2024

Die Diskussion um die Bedeutung der IFRS für die steuerliche Gewinnermittlung ist vor allem im Zuge des MinStG und der jüngsten europäischen Initiative zur Harmonisierung der körperschaftsteuerlichen Bemessungsgrundlage (BEFIT) neu entfacht worden. Zudem haben sich im Zuge des WtChancenG steuerbilanzielle Änderungen ergeben. Schließlich wurde das Bilanzsteuerrecht durch weitere bedeutende Urteile der FG und des BFH bereichert. Der Beitrag endet mit einem Ausblick auf die Auswirkungen des JStG 2024 auf das Bilanzsteuerrecht.
Die Wohnungseigentümerversammlung 2.0: Virtuell und real! — Neue Rechtslage zur Zulassung und Durchführung
Authors: Sommer Michael
Published: December 2024

Am 17.10.2024 trat das Gesetz zur Zulassung virtueller Wohnungseigentümerversammlungen, zur Erleichterung des Einsatzes von Steckersolargeräten und zur Übertragbarkeit beschränkt persönlicher Dienstbarkeiten für Erneuerbare-Energien-Anlagen in Kraft. Der folgende Beitrag beschränkt sich auf die Neuerung zur Zulassung virtueller Wohnungseigentümerversammlungen und befasst sich mit dessen rechtlichen Herausforderungen für die Praxis.
Umsatzbesteuerung von NATO-Truppen in Deutschland — Beurteilung von grundlegenden Fallsituationen am Beispiel der USArmy -
Authors: Meisner Lars
Published: December 2024

Der Beitrag geht anhand von Praxisbeispielen der US-Army der Frage nach, ob und welche Umsätze der NATO-Truppen im Stationierungsland Deutschland von der deutschen Umsatzsteuer befreit sein können. Zudem werden die ökonomischen Auswirkungen der umsatzsteuerrechtlichen Regelungen betrachtet, da die stationierten Soldaten und ihre Angehörigen ein Wirtschaftsfaktor für die jeweiligen Standorte in Deutschland sind.
Confounding effect of blood volume and body mass index on blood neurofilament light chain levels
Authors: Manouchehrinia Ali , Piehl Fredrik , Hillert Jan , Kuhle Jens , Alfredsson Lars , Olsson Tomas , Kockum Ingrid
Published: January 2020

Blood Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has been suggested as a promising biomarker in several neurological conditions. Since blood NfL is the consequence of leaked NfL from the cerebrospinal fluid, differences in individuals’ Body Mass Index (BMI) or blood volume (BV) might affect its correlation to other biomarkers and disease outcomes. Here, we investigated the correlation between plasma NfL, BMI, and BV in 662 controls and 2,586 multiple sclerosis cases. We found a significant negative correlation between plasma NfL, BMI/BV in both groups. Our results highlight the potential confounding effect of BMI/BV on associations between blood NfL and disease outcomes.
A Redox‐Active 2D Metal–Organic Framework for Efficient Lithium Storage with Extraordinary High Capacity
Authors: Jiang Qiang , Xiong Peixun , Liu Jingjuan , Xie Zhen , Wang Qinchao , Yang Xiao‐Qing , Hu Enyuan , Cao Yu , Sun Jie , Xu Yunhua , Chen Long
Published: January 2020

Metal–organic framework cathodes usually exhibit low capacity and poor electrochemical performance for Li‐ion storage owing to intrinsic low conductivity and inferior redox activity. Now a redox‐active 2D copper–benzoquinoid (Cu‐THQ) MOF has been synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. The abundant porosity and intrinsic redox character endow the 2D Cu‐THQ MOF with promising electrochemical activity. Superior performance is achieved as a Li‐ion battery cathode with a high reversible capacity (387 mA h g−1), large specific energy density (775 Wh kg−1), and good cycling stability. The reaction mechanism is unveiled by comprehensive spectroscopic techniques: a three‐electron redox reaction per coordination unit and one‐electron redox reaction per copper ion mechanism is demonstrated. This elucidatory understanding sheds new light on future rational design of high‐performance MOF‐based cathode materials for efficient energy storage and conversion.
Enhanced Surface Interactions Enable Fast Li+ Conduction in Oxide/Polymer Composite Electrolyte
Authors: Wu Nan , Chien Po‐Hsiu , Qian Yumin , Li Yutao , Xu Henghui , Grundish Nicholas S. , Xu Biyi , Jin Haibo , Hu Yan‐Yan , Yu Guihua , Goodenough John B.
Published: January 2020

Li+‐conducting oxides are considered better ceramic fillers than Li+‐insulating oxides for improving Li+ conductivity in composite polymer electrolytes owing to their ability to conduct Li+ through the ceramic oxide as well as across the oxide/polymer interface. Here we use two Li+‐insulating oxides (fluorite Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95 and perovskite La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.55) with a high concentration of oxygen vacancies to demonstrate two oxide/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)‐based polymer composite electrolytes, each with a Li+ conductivity above 10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C. Li solid‐state NMR results show an increase in Li+ ions (>10 %) occupying the more mobile A2 environment in the composite electrolytes. This increase in A2‐site occupancy originates from the strong interaction between the O2− of Li‐salt anion and the surface oxygen vacancies of each oxide and contributes to the more facile Li+ transport. All‐solid‐state Li‐metal cells with these composite electrolytes demonstrate a small interfacial resistance with good cycling performance at 35 °C.
Optimization and quality evaluation of infrared‐dried kiwifruit slices
Authors: Sadeghi Ebrahim , Haghighi Asl Ali , Movagharnejad Kamyar
Published: January 2020

Infrared drying characteristics of kiwifruits under natural and forced drying air convection with different conditions were investigated. An experimental study along with statistical analysis aimed to evaluate quality characteristics of infrared‐dried kiwifruit slices, in terms of drying time, rehydration ratio and shrinkage as a function of infrared power levels, slice thicknesses, slice distance from the infrared lamps, and air velocity. Response surface methodology was used for optimization of drying parameters with employing desirability function. Minimum drying time, shrinkage, and maximum rehydration ratio assumed as criteria for optimizing drying conditions of kiwifruit slices were strongly dependent on the drying conditions. All operating variables had a significant effect on total responses, but slice thickness almost was the most prominent factor. The slices dried at the highest power level, the lowest distance from the Infrared lamp, the least thickness, and air velocity showed a higher rehydration capacity than slices dried at the other conditions.
Teacher Metacognitions About Identities: Case Studies of Four Expert Language Teachers in China
Authors: Yuan Rui , Zhang Lawrence Jun
Published: January 2020

Despite a surge of research interest in teacher identity in both TESOL and general education, there is a lack of attention to the role of metacognition in language teachers’ identity (re)construction. Informed by the integrated framework of metacognitions comprising metacognitive knowledge, strategies, and experiences, this article reports on four expert language teachers’ metacognitions about identities and how such metacognitions influenced their identity work in China. The findings demonstrate four major types of metacognitive experiences: (1) ascertaining, prioritizing, and claiming existing identities; (2) imagining, planning, and constructing new identities; (3) crafting a fluid and interconnected identity web; and (4) engaging in distributed identity construction. While engaging in such metacognitive experiences, the participants also drew on various forms of metacognitive knowledge (e.g., their knowledge about strategies, tasks, and themselves) and strategies (e.g., asking metacognitive questions, making explicit identity claims) in their identity (re)construction. The study adds to the current teacher identity literature by highlighting the critical role of metacognitions in guiding language teachers to manage, regulate, and distribute their identities. Practical implications for language teaching and teacher education are provided.
Event, Archive, Mediation: Sri Lanka's 1971 Insurrection and the Political Stakes of Fieldwork
Authors: Hewage Thushara
Published: January 2020

In recent years, much scholarship has revealed how archives and archival artefacts mediate processes of knowledge extraction, production, and representation. Yet, there remains a certain assumption of the archive's transparent availability as a given location for disciplinary work. This essay asks how less visible forms of mediation organize the critical conceptualization and experience of archival inquiry. It examines these conceptual questions through a focus on the 1971 JVP (Janata Vimukti Peramuna—People's Liberation Front) insurgency, a pivotal but now neglected event in Sri Lanka's political history. I explore how an authoritative monograph on the insurrection and its archive have mediated its problematization and enabled its nationalist recuperation. I ascertain the political stakes of returning to the event by locating the supervening context for my own interest in the insurgency, a discursive archive of the disciplinary conceptualization of Sri Lankan political modernity, its characteristic preoccupations, and their effects. I suggest that the event of 1971 offers a locus from which to examine a normative narrative that this archive yields. Recounting how these stakes animated my experience of the liberal archive, the paper's final section asks how different forms of archive implicate distinctive ethical practices and subjects of reading. I pursue this question through the representation and reading of 1971 within what I term the JVP's own pedagogical “archive.” I conclude by reviving a postcolonial concern with the critical stakes of disciplinary investigation and suggest a different approach to the problem of “ethnicized” postcolonial modernities.
Anaximander's Argument
Authors: Stokes Michael C.
Published: January 2020

This topic was first put on a proper scholarly footing by the late Werner Jaeger and by Charles H. Kahn; earlier scholars tended either to refrain from speculating on the relation to Anaximander of Aristotle's Physics arguments on the infinite, or to deduce the Milesian provenance of one of them simply from its inclusion of a mention of Anaximander's name. It way my original intention in this paper to execute a tidying-up operation after the two well-planned attacks on Anaximander's argument by Jaeger and Kahn. I said some time ago in a footnote that I hoped to strengthen Professor Kahn's case for the unity of the argument concerning the infinite at Physics 203b4-15. If the following remarks achieve anything, it will be the half-fulfilment of that half-promise: instead of strengthening Kahn's reasoning for the unity of Aristotle's argument, what follows will tend to weaken it. But without the materials and the example of Jaeger and Kahn this present operation could never have been mounted, and disagreement with their strategy or tactics indicates no ingratitude and no narrowly polemical intention.
Anaxagoras in Response to Parmenides
Authors: Furley David J.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

“What reason is there to suppose that those who did know Parmenides’ poem necessarily thought that he had raised a real problem which they must try to deal with? Empedocles, perhaps also Anaxagoras, knew the poem, but they pursue a very different kind of philosophy from Zeno and Melissus: why, then, must we suppose that they are seeking an alternative answer to the problem posed by Parmenides, and that their ultimate material elements are to be seen as modifications of the Eleatic ἓν έόν?“

These rhetorical questions, taken from M. L. West's recent book,Early Greek Philosophy and the Orient,make a useful starting point for this inquiry. They are, of course, what the grammar books call “repudiating questions“: the answer hoped for is “no reason“. The argument with which Mr. West goes on to support his negative implication is not likely to convince many students of the Presocratics. He determinedly makes light of Parmenides’ chains of argument, apparently on the ground that “these were not the actual stages of Parmenides’ thinking” — as if Parmenides ought to have been writing his intellectual autobiography instead of a philosophical argument.
Tea plant genomics: achievements, challenges and perspectives
Authors: Xia En-Hua , Tong Wei , Wu Qiong , Wei Shu , Zhao Jian , Zhang Zheng-Zhu , Wei Chao-Ling , Wan Xiao-Chun
Published: January 2020

Tea is among the world’s most widely consumed non-alcoholic beverages and possesses enormous economic, health, and cultural values. It is produced from the cured leaves of tea plants, which are important evergreen crops globally cultivated in over 50 countries. Along with recent innovations and advances in biotechnologies, great progress in tea plant genomics and genetics has been achieved, which has facilitated our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of tea quality and the evolution of the tea plant genome. In this review, we briefly summarize the achievements of the past two decades, which primarily include diverse genome and transcriptome sequencing projects, gene discovery and regulation studies, investigation of the epigenetics and noncoding RNAs, origin and domestication, phylogenetics and germplasm utilization of tea plant as well as newly developed tools/platforms. We also present perspectives and possible challenges for future functional genomic studies that will contribute to the acceleration of breeding programs in tea plants.
Necklace-like carbon nanofibers encapsulating V3S4 microspheres for ultrafast and stable potassium-ion storage
Authors: Wu Daxiong , Zhang Wenchao , Feng Yuezhan , Ma Jianmin
Published: January 2020

In this work, we have rationally designed a new necklace-like V3S4/carbon composite composed of V3S4 microspheres encapsulated into N-doped carbon nanofibers as advanced anode for potassium-ion batteries.
A Rare Case of Ossified Chronic Subdural Hematoma Complicated with Tension Pneumocephalus
Authors: Turgut Mehmet , Yay Murat Ö.
Published: January 2020

A 59-year-old man presented with epileptic seizures interpreted as episodic syncope in the past 3 years and the patient had a history of head trauma about 4 years ago. Computed tomography revealed an ossified chronic subdural hematoma involving the right frontotemporoparietal region, which was totally resected using microsurgical technique. Postoperatively, weakness developed in right arm and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a bilateral tension pneumocephalus, which was immediately treated by a left frontal burr hole trepanation, and the patient was discharged uneventfully.
Concomitant Tricuspid Valve Repair during Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair
Authors: Pfannmueller Bettina , Misfeld Martin , Davierwala Piroze , Weiss Stefan , Borger Michael Andrew
Published: January 2020

Background Concomitant use of tricuspid valve (TV) surgery and minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) repair is debatable due to a prolonged time of surgery with presumably elevated operative risk. Herein, we examined cardiopulmonary bypass times and 30-day mortality in patients who underwent MV repair with and without concomitant TV surgery.

Methods We retrospectively evaluated 3,962 patients with MV regurgitation who underwent minimally invasive MV repair without (n = 3,463; MVr group) and with (n = 499; MVr + TVr group) concomitant TV surgery between 1999 and 2014. Preoperative parameters between the groups were significantly different; therefore, propensity score matching was performed.

Results Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time for all patients was 125.5 ± 55.8 minutes in MVr and 162.0 ± 58.0 minutes in MVr + TVr (p < 0.001). Overall 30-day mortality was significantly different between these groups (4.8 vs. 2.1%; p < 0.001); however, after adjustment, there was no significant difference (3.3 vs. 1.2%; p = 0.07). Backward logistic regression revealed that cardiopulmonary bypass time was not a significant predictor for early mortality within the MVr + TVr cohort.

Conclusion Concomitant TV repair using prosthetic rings through a minimally invasive approach is safe and does not lead to elevated early mortality in our patient cohort. Therefore, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time should not be the sole reason to rule out MV repair with concomitant TV repair and to prefer the use of suture techniques, which saves only a few minutes compared with prosthetic ring implantation.
Digitalisierung: „Wir stehen vor einer neuen Ära“
Authors: Schildhauer Nadine
Published: January 2020

Die digitale Wende birgt große Chancen: Etablierte Unternehmen müssen sich neu positionieren, während innovative Geschäftsmodelle den Markt in Schwung halten. Auf dem BMC-Kongress 2020 am 21. und 22. Januar kommen dazu Ideengeber an einen Tisch. Unter anderem spricht die Vordenkerin Inga Bergen, Geschäftsführerin von Magnosco, der wir im Vorfeld einige Fragen gestellt haben.
15. Personalkongress der Krankenhäuser: Personalmanagement im Fokus
Authors: Mund Hubertus
Published: January 2020

Im Mittelpunkt der Themen des 15. Personalkongresses der Krankenhäuser in Stuttgart standen die zu erwartenden Auswirkungen der veränderten Finanzierungsbedingungen der Pflege auf die Krankenhäuser und der Blick auf das Personalmanagement als Wertschöpfungstreiber.
Ernstfall Feuer: Wenn der Brandschutz zum Notfall wird
Authors: Heeser Alexandra
Published: January 2020

Ein wirksamer Brandschutz ist gerade im Krankenhaus von höchster Bedeutung, vor allem, um die Patienten zu schützen und Tote sowie Verletzte zu vermeiden. Aber auch wirtschaftliche Risiken können so minimiert werden, denn das Resultat eines Krankenhausbrandes sind häufig erhebliche Sachschäden, Betriebsausfälle und Imageschäden.
Notfallübungen: Der Feuerfalle entkommen
Authors: Heeser Alexandra
Published: January 2020

Professor Ernst Pfenninger ist Verfechter davon, aufgestellte Katastrophenschutzpläne auch zu üben. Nur, weil etwas theoretisch gut gedacht ist, heißt es nicht, dass es in der Praxis auch gut funktioniert. Brandschutz bedeutet für ihn auch mehr, als einen Rauchmelder zu installieren. kma spricht mit dem ausgewiesenen Experten für Alarm- und Einsatzpläne über das wichtige Thema Brandschutz in Kliniken.
Patient Journey: Der Patient als Informationsbroker
Authors: König Romy
Published: January 2020

Das Smartphone avanciert zum persönlichen Gesundheitsassistenten: Von Messwerten aus Wearables über Laborergebnisse bis hin zu Klinikinformationen, selbst die Patientenakte – alle gesundheitsrelevanten Daten könnten künftig im Patientenhandy gebündelt und von dort an die Klinik-IT übertragen werden. Erste Lösungen gibt es bereits.
Whole Blood del Nido versus Cold Blood Microplegia in Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Propensity-Matched Analysis
Authors: James Taylor M. , Stamou Sotiris C. , Faber Cristiano , Nores Marcos A.
Published: January 2020

Objectives Few studies have evaluated the outcomes of whole blood microplegia in adult cardiac surgery. Our novel protocol includes removing the crystalloid portion and using the Quest Myocardial Protection System (MPS) for the delivery of del Nido additives in whole blood. This study sought to compare early and late clinical outcomes of whole blood del Nido microplegia (BDN) versus cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) following adult cardiac surgery.

Materials and Methods A total of 361 patients who underwent cardiac surgery using BDN were compared with a contemporaneous control group of 934 patients receiving CBC. Propensity matching yielded 289 BDN and 289 CBC patients. Chi-square analysis and Fisher's exact test were performed to compare preoperative, operative, and postoperative characteristics on the matched data. Primary outcome was operative mortality, and secondary outcomes included clinical outcomes such as stroke, cardiac arrest, and intra-aortic balloon pump use. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare actuarial survival between the two groups using a log-rank test.

Results After matching, preoperative characteristics and surgery type were similar between groups. Cardioplegia type did not affect the primary end point of operative mortality. The rate of postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump was lower in BDN patients compared with CBC patients (0 vs. 2%; p = 0.01). There was no difference in late survival.

Conclusion Our novel protocol BDN was comparable with CBC, with similar clinical outcomes and no difference in operative mortality or actuarial survival. Further studies should evaluate the long-term outcomes of this technique.
Gastroschisis in Finland 1993 to 2014—Increasing Prevalence, High Rates of Abortion, and Survival: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Raitio Arimatias , Lahtinen Asta , Syvänen Johanna , Kemppainen Teemu , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Gissler Mika , Hyvärinen Anna , Helenius Ilkka
Published: January 2020

Introduction The study aims to assess the changes in prevalence and mortality of gastroschisis, and to identify associated anomalies.

Materials and Methods It is a population-based nationwide study. All gastroschisis cases were identified in the Finnish Register of Congenital Malformations and the Care Register for Health Care from 1993 to 2014 including live births, stillbirths, and terminations of pregnancy due to fetal anomalies. Associated anomalies were recorded, and analyzed, and prevalence and infant mortality were calculated.

Results There were 320 cases of gastroschisis; 235 (73%) live births, 16 (5%) stillbirths, and 69 (22%) terminations of pregnancy. Live birth prevalence of gastroschisis in Finland was lower than generally reported (1.73 in 10,000). However, due to relatively high rates of abortion, our total prevalence of 2.57/10,000 was similar with other reports. The most common risk factor was young maternal age. Babies with gastroschisis were born prematurely, on average on the 36th week and most are delivered by caesarean section. There was a significant increasing trend in live birth prevalence (p = 0.0018). Overall infant mortality was 7.7% (18/235), 7.2% (16/222) in simple gastroschisis and 15% (2/13) in complex gastroschisis. Associated anomalies were rare both in aborted fetuses and neonates, and there was only one case with a chromosomal abnormality.

Conclusion Gastroschisis is usually an isolated anomaly with increasing birth prevalence and excellent survival rates. Regardless of the good prognosis, the abortion rates in Finland are higher than previously reported, and we hypothesize this to be due to lack of appropriate antenatal counselling.
External Cephalic Version in Cases of Imminent Delivery at Preterm Gestational Ages: A Prospective Series
Authors: Hill Meghan G. , Reed Kathryn L.
Published: January 2020

Objective When delivery of a breech fetus is required at a preterm gestational age, Cesarean delivery is often recommended. We performed a prospective patient series to assess the success rate and safety of performing external cephalic version (ECV) procedures on preterm fetuses as an alternative to Cesarean delivery.

Study Design We performed a prospective clinical series of patients who required delivery with a malpresenting fetus at a preterm gestational age.

Results ECV procedures were successful in singletons 50% of the time. No significant complications or cases of fetal mortality were documented.

Conclusion ECV at preterm gestational ages may be an appropriate approach to management in patients requiring delivery. Larger series are needed to further document success rates and risks of the procedure.
Piezo-Assisted Turbinoplasty: A Novel Rapid and Safe Technique
Authors: Robotti Enrico , Khazaal Ali , Leone Francesco
Published: January 2020

Consensus is still lacking on the ideal treatment of turbinate hypertrophy concurrent with rhinoseptoplasty. A novel technique of turbinoplasty consisting of incision-bone fracturing by the use of piezoelectric technique—intramucosal microcauterization—lateralization is described in detail. A series of 157 consecutive patients is reviewed with a maximum follow-up of one year. The technique is fast and easy and allows predictability in avoiding postoperative bleeding and preventing remedialization of the lateralized turbinates. Due to the technology required, its use is suggested especially when piezo is employed during other steps of rhinoseptoplasty.
Impact of Electronic Health Record Implementation on Ophthalmology Trainee Time Expenditures
Authors: Gali Helena E. , Baxter Sally L. , Lander Lina , Huang Abigail E. , Millen Marlene , El-Kareh Robert , Nudleman Eric , Chao Daniel L. , Robbins Shira L. , Heichel Christopher W.D. , Camp Andrew S. , Korn Bobby S. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Kikkawa Don O. , Longhurst Christopher A. , Chiang Michael F. , Hribar Michelle R. , Ohno-Machado Lucila
Published: January 2020

Objective Electronic health records (EHRs) are widely adopted, but the time demands of EHR use on ophthalmology trainees are not well understood. This study evaluated ophthalmology trainee time spent on clinical activities in an outpatient clinic undergoing EHR implementation.

Design Prospective, manual time-motion observations of ophthalmology trainees in 2018.

Participants Eleven ophthalmology residents and fellows observed during 156 patient encounters.

Methods Prospective time-motion study of ophthalmology trainees 2 weeks before and 6 weeks after EHR implementation in an academic ophthalmology department. Manual time-motion observations were conducted for 11 ophthalmology trainees in 6 subspecialty clinics during 156 patient encounters. Time spent documenting, examining, and talking with patients were recorded. Factors influencing time requirements were evaluated using linear mixed effects models.

Main Outcome Measures Total time spent by ophthalmology residents and fellows per patient, time spent on documentation, examination, and talking with patients.

Results Seven ophthalmology residents and four ophthalmology fellows with mean (standard deviation) postgraduate year of 3.7 (1.2) were observed during 156 patient encounters. Using paper charts, mean total time spent on each patient was 11.6 (6.5) minutes, with 5.4 (3.5) minutes spent documenting (48%). After EHR implementation, mean total time spent on each patient was 11.8 (6.9) minutes, with 6.8 (4.7) minutes spent documenting (57%). Total time expenditure per patient did not significantly change after EHR implementation (+0.17 minutes, 95% confidence interval [CI] for difference in means: –2.78, 2.45; p = 0.90). Documentation time did not change significantly after EHR implementation in absolute terms (+1.42 minutes, 95% CI: –3.13, 0.29; p = 0.10), but was significantly greater as a proportion of total time (48% on paper to 57% on EHR; +9%, 95% CI: 2.17, 15.83; p = 0.011).

Conclusion Total time spent per patient and absolute time spent on documentation was not significantly different whether ophthalmology trainees used paper charts or the recently implemented EHR. Percentage of total time spent on documentation increased significantly with early EHR use. Evaluating EHR impact on ophthalmology trainees may improve understanding of how trainees learn to use the EHR and may shed light on strategies to address trainee burnout.
The Association between Placental Histopathology, Fetal Growth Restriction, and Preeclampsia in Twin Pregnancies
Authors: Matthews Kathy C. , Fox Nathan S. , Rebarber Andrei
Published: January 2020

Objective This study aims to estimate the association between abnormal placental histopathology, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and preeclampsia (PEC) in twin pregnancies.

Study Design Retrospective cohort study of women with diamniotic twin pregnancies with live births at ≥24 weeks of gestation and available placental pathology. Findings were compared between women with and without FGR, which was defined as a birthweight <10th percentile, using singleton and twin growth curves, and those with and without PEC. The primary study outcome was a composite of abnormal placental histopathology. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Student's t-tests were used for analysis.

Results Among 859 patients with diamniotic twins, 806 (93.8%) had placental pathology. A total of 422 (52.4%) women had at least one twin with FGR, using a singleton growth curve. FGR affected 136 (16.9%) pregnancies when a twin growth curve was applied. There was no significant difference in composite outcome between groups, using either growth curve (45.5 vs. 44.8%, p = 0.84; adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.06, 95% CI: 0.79–1.40 and 52.2 vs. 43.7%, p = 0.07; aOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.90–2.10). A total of 122 of 789 (15.5%) patients developed PEC. There was no significant difference in composite outcome between patients with and without PEC (41.8 vs. 45.4%, p = 0.46; aOR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.53–1.18).

Conclusion In twin pregnancies, FGR and PEC are not associated with abnormal placental histopathology. This suggests that the pathologic placental manifestations of these conditions may differ in twins and include factors other than those commonly described in singletons.
Perinatal Reduced Blood Concentrations of Free Carnitine and Acylcarnitines in Infants with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Schulpis Kleopatra H. , Molou Elina , Manta-Vogli Penelope , Dotsikas Yannis , Thodi Georgia , Chatzidaki Maria , Loukas Yannis L.
Published: January 2020

Objective Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic inherited disease. The aim of this study was to determine free carnitine (FC) and acylcarnitine concentrations in CF newborns with various mutations of the CFTR gene perinatally.

Study Design FC/acylcarnitines were determined in dried blood spots via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on the third day of life of full-term normal (n = 50) and CF (n = 28) newborns. For infants with elevated immunoreactive trypsinogen values, FC/acylcarnitines were quantified again 48 hours later, followed by mutational analysis of CFTR gene via Sanger sequencing.

Results Initial FC and sums of acylcarnitine concentrations were statistically significantly lower in CF patients than in controls and even lower 48 hours later. The mutations F508del and 621 + 1G > T were predominantly identified among CF patients.

Conclusion Low FC and acylcarnitine concentrations were measured perinatally in CF patients, for all CFTR mutations detected. Carnitine supplementation of breastfeeding mothers could be beneficial.
Twisted bilayer graphene enters a new phase
Authors: Hill Heather M.
Published: January 2020

Improved device quality is the key to seeing a whole series of superconducting, correlated, and magnetic states in two layers of graphene assembled at a magic angle.
Controversy continues to swirl around uranium enrichment contract
Authors: Kramer David
Published: January 2020

A little-used nuclear fuel may be the foot in the door for a US company hoping to snag a far bigger prize.
Insights into speciation and species delimitation of closely related eucalypts using an interdisciplinary approach
Authors: Rutherford Susan
Published: January 2020

Speciation is a central process in evolutionary biology and is responsible for the diversity of life on Earth. Although there has been much progress in evolutionary research over the past 150 years, understanding the many facets of speciation remains a challenge. In this synthesis, I focus on the use of an interdisciplinary approach to examine speciation and species delimitation in a group of closely related eucalypts called the green ashes (Eucalyptus subgenus Eucalyptus section Eucalyptus). The green ashes comprise tall trees on fertile soils (e.g. the tallest angiosperm in the world, E. regnans), as well as medium trees and mallees on low-nutrient soils. Previous phylogenetic and population-genetics analyses based on genome-wide scans showed that species boundaries in the green ashes are not always consistent with classifications based on morphology and there was evidence of gene flow across lineages. Genomic analyses also suggested that the green ashes were at varying stages of speciation, with some species being highly genetically differentiated, whereas others were at earlier stages on the speciation continuum. A previous common garden study showed that inter-specific differences in seedling traits were significant, with traits such as leaf width being highly plastic across resource treatments for most species. Overall, this synthesis demonstrated that an interdisciplinary approach incorporating phylogenomics, population genomics and a common garden experiment can provide insights into speciation and species delimitation in the green ash eucalypts. Such an approach may be useful in understanding the evolutionary history of other closely related species in Eucalyptus, as well as other groups of organisms.
Phenotyping nocturnal polyuria: circadian and age-related variations in diuresis rate, free water clearance and sodium clearance
Authors: Monaghan Thomas F , Bliwise Donald L , Denys Marie-Astrid , Goessaert An-Sofie , Decalf Veerle , Kumps Candy , Vande Walle Johan , Weiss Jeffrey P , Epstein Matthew R , Weedon Jeremy , Lazar Jason M , Everaert Karel
Published: January 2020

Background

this study compares diuresis rate, sodium clearance and free water clearance (FWC) by age and time of day (nighttime vs. daytime) in subjects with and without nocturnal polyuria (NP) to determine whether these variables affect the phenotype of NP.

Methods

post hoc analysis of two prospective observational studies. Eight urine samples collected at 3-h intervals and a single blood sample were used to calculate daytime (10a/1p/4p/7p/10p) and nighttime (1a/4a/7a) diuresis rates, sodium clearance and FWC. Three mixed linear models were constructed for diuresis rate, sodium clearance and FWC using four predictor variables: NP status (present [nocturnal urine production >90 ml/h] vs. absent [≤90 ml/h]), time of day, age and study identification.

Results

subjects with NP experienced higher nighttime versus daytime diuresis rates, sodium clearance and FWC. Regardless of NP status, increased age was accompanied by an increase in the ratio of nighttime/daytime diuresis rate, nighttime sodium clearance and daytime sodium clearance. FWC showed a complex age effect, which was independent of time of day or NP status.

Conclusions

age-related increases in nighttime/daytime diuresis rate, 24-h sodium clearance and 24-h FWC are not specific to subjects with NP. The age-related surge in either nocturnal sodium clearance or nocturnal FWC may represent the relevant substrate for behavioural or pharmacologic interventions targeting sodium diuresis or free water diuresis, respectively. Increases in FWC in older age groups may reflect impaired circadian rhythmicity of endogenous AVP or changes in responsiveness of the aged nephron to water clearance.
SANPolyA: a deep learning method for identifying Poly(A) signals
Authors: Yu Haitao , Dai Zhiming
Published: January 2020

Motivation

Polyadenylation plays a regulatory role in transcription. The recognition of polyadenylation signal (PAS) motif sequence is an important step in polyadenylation. In the past few years, some statistical machine learning-based and deep learning-based methods have been proposed for PAS identification. Although these methods predict PAS with success, there is room for their improvement on PAS identification.

Results

In this study, we proposed a deep neural network-based computational method, called SANPolyA, for identifying PAS in human and mouse genomes. SANPolyA requires no manually crafted sequence features. We compared our method SANPolyA with several previous PAS identification methods on several PAS benchmark datasets. Our results showed that SANPolyA outperforms the state-of-art methods. SANPolyA also showed good performance on leave-one-motif-out evaluation.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/yuht4/SANPolyA.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Cognition, Health, and Social Support of Formerly Homeless Older Adults in Permanent Supportive Housing
Authors: Souza Anita M , Tsai Jenny Hsin-Chin , Pike Kenneth C , Martin Francesca , McCurry Susan M
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives

Formerly homeless older adults residing in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) represent an invisible subsector of two distinct, yet related populations: the homeless population and the elderly population. Little research is focused on the complex health concerns facing this aging population within the homelessness response system. Of particular concern is the identification and support of individuals with cognitive impairment and co-occurring chronic conditions. We collaborated with a leading housing services provider to develop a systematic screening system for case managers to capture the cognitive, physical, and psychosocial health of older adults served within homeless housing programs.

Research Design and Methods

PSH residents aged ≥50 years in four sites screened as being without cognitive impairment on the Mini-Cog were enrolled. A brief demographic survey and selected PROMIS measures were used to characterize participants’ demographics, cognition, global physical and mental health, physical functioning, self-efficacy for social interactions, and instrumental support. PSH case managers were trained to recruit participants and collect data. PROMIS scales were scored using the Health Measures Scoring Service. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and one sample t-tests were performed.

Results

Fifty-three residents (mean age = 60.8 years, range 50–76 years) participated. The majority self-identified as male and were military veterans; 60% reported having a history of two or more episodes of homelessness. All PROMIS scores were significantly (p < .05) lower than reference U.S. population means, with global mental health and cognition having the lowest scores.

Discussion and Implications

Self-reported cognitive functioning and global mental health were residents’ greatest concerns. Strengthening housing case manager capacity to assess residents’ cognitive and health status could increase support for older adults in PSH. It is feasible to train PSH staff to conduct structured interviews to identify resident cognitive and health needs to help support this “invisible” population to successfully age in place.
Hearing and Cognitive Impairments Increase the Risk of Long-term Care Admissions
Authors: Williams Nicole , Phillips Natalie A , Wittich Walter , Campos Jennifer L , Mick Paul , Orange Joseph B , Pichora-Fuller M Kathleen , Savundranayagam Marie Y , Guthrie Dawn M
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives

The objective of the study was to understand how sensory impairments, alone or in combination with cognitive impairment (CI), relate to long-term care (LTC) admissions.

Research Design and Methods

This retrospective cohort study used existing information from two interRAI assessments; the Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care (RAI-HC) and the Minimum Data Set 2.0 (MDS 2.0), which were linked at the individual level for 371,696 unique individuals aged 65+ years. The exposure variables of interest included hearing impairment (HI), vision impairment (VI) and dual sensory impairment (DSI) ascertained at participants’ most recent RAI-HC assessment. The main outcome was admission to LTC. Survival analysis, using Cox proportional hazards regression models and Kaplan–Meier curves, was used to identify risk factors associated with LTC admissions. Observations were censored if they remained in home care, died or were discharged somewhere other than to LTC.

Results

In this sample, 12.7% of clients were admitted to LTC, with a mean time to admission of 49.6 months (SE = 0.20). The main risk factor for LTC admission was a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia (HR = 1.87; CI: 1.83, 1.90). A significant interaction between HI and CI was found, whereby individuals with HI but no CI had a slightly faster time to admission (40.5 months; HR = 1.14) versus clients with both HI and CI (44.9 months; HR = 2.11).

Discussion and Implications

Although CI increases the risk of LTC admission, HI is also important, making it is imperative to continue to screen for sensory issues among older home care clients.
After the Armada: thanksgiving in Ireland, 1589
Authors: Maginn Christopher
Published: January 2020

Following the failure of the Spanish Armada, Elizabeth I ordered a formal and public thanksgiving for England’s deliverance. Soon after, the queen and her privy council determined that her kingdom of Ireland should also give thanks. This Irish thanksgiving, celebrated in late January 1589, represents a rare example of a government-ordered national event that sought to draw together Elizabeth’s subjects in Ireland to give thanks to God and to pray with one voice for their queen and the continued success of her reign. This article explores the circumstances surrounding Ireland’s first thanksgiving to see what this national day of commemoration can tell us about the state of English rule in later Elizabethan Ireland. The very fact that a public display of this kind was held in Ireland at all is significant. It was indicative of the confidence of a government which had at last exerted its control over most of Ireland and which could reasonably expect the queen’s subjects there to behave as they had in England.
The fortunes of urban fullers in fourteenth-century England*
Authors: Pajic Milan
Published: January 2020

In the first half of the fourteenth century, for various reasons connected to the international market, urban clothmakers in England underwent a steady transition from producing light coarse cheap woollens, known as worsteds, towards producing heavily finished full woollens. One of the main beneficiaries of this shift were the urban fullers, as their economic position considerably improved relative to other textile trades. This article examines the development of their craft, looking at individual fullers in urban areas. It demonstrates how urban fullers rose to prominence throughout the fourteenth century.
‘Fake news’ – the perfect storm: historical perspectives*
Authors: Fox Jo
Published: January 2020

What is ‘fake news’? Undoubtedly, the phenomenon has become one of the defining characteristics of our recent past – in 2016 Oxford Dictionaries defined ‘post-truth’ to be its ‘word of the year’. But what might its significance be 100 years from now, and how ‘new’ is ‘fake news’? This article reflects on propaganda in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries to argue that we now face the ‘perfect storm’: the speed, scope and scale of modern communications, complicated by the uncertain status of social media as neither platform nor publisher and the hidden algorithms used to control the information we see; the building frustration of those who feel disempowered by elites; the desire of some to destabilize the entire social and political system through psychological warfare campaigns and by creating a situation where all views are of equal value regardless of the evidential base; where psychological warriors can operate under the radar in the largely unregulated ‘wild west’ of the internet. But what is genuinely new about this situation, and how might history help us to find appropriate solutions to ‘fake news’ within a liberal democracy?