bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FROM VISIBLE INFORMALITY TO SPLINTERED INFORMALITIES: Reflections on the Production of ‘Formality’ in a Moroccan Housing Programme
Authors: Beier Raffael
Published: March 2021

Increasingly, scholarly works challenge the formal/informal dichotomy, stressing the multiple political practices of producing informality which go beyond state incapacity. In contrast, this article addresses a lack of research concerning the production of ‘formal’ urban space through state‐led housing programmes. Deconstructing simplistic notions of state intentionality and incapacity, the article zooms in on competing interests and diverse resources, as well as the shifting power relations between multiple private, semi‐public and public actors which shape the production of ‘formality’. Focusing on a shantytown resettlement programme in Casablanca, the article differentiates between visible informality and splintered informalities. The former relates to the prevailing clear‐cut and stereotypical dichotomy between formal and informal urban space which underpins the state's objective of eliminating the visible informality attached to Morocco's shantytowns. The latter is the result of a messy process of ensuring housing affordability through the so‐called third‐party scheme—a sites‐and‐services project based on small‐scale private investment and land speculation—once this objective is achieved. Characterized by heterogeneous actor constellations, opportunism and flexible regulatory practices, the scheme has not only capitalized but also individualized urban space. Instead of building new formal housing, the scheme has produced splintered informalities and created new uncertainties and arbitrariness beyond the control of a single actor.
Does Medicaid coverage of Medicare cost sharing affect physician care for dual‐eligible Medicare beneficiaries?
Authors: Roberts Eric T. , Desai Sunita M.
Published: March 2021

Objective

To assess changes in physicians’ provision of care to duals (low‐income individuals with Medicare and Medicaid) in response to a policy that required Medicaid to fully pay Medicare's cost sharing for office visits with these patients. This policy—a provision of the Affordable Care Act—effectively increased payments for office visits with duals by 0%‐20%, depending on the state, in 2013 and 2014.

Data Sources

Fee‐for‐service claims for a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries in 2010‐2016.

Study Design

We conducted a difference‐in‐differences analysis to compare changes in office visits among Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs)—the largest subpopulation of duals for whom payment rates were affected by this policy—to changes among other low‐income Medicare beneficiaries for whom payment rates were unaffected (pooled across all states). Next, we conducted a triple‐differences analysis that compared changes between QMBs and other low‐income beneficiaries in 33 states with payment rate increases of approximately 20% to analogous changes in 14 states without payment increases.

Data Collection

The study included administrative Medicare enrollment and claims data for QMBs and a comparison group of other low‐income Medicare beneficiaries (1 914 073 beneficiary‐years from 2010 to 2016).

Principal Findings

Nationally, we did not find a differential increase in office visits among QMBs versus other low‐income beneficiaries that coincided with this payment change. In the triple‐differences analysis, we did not observe a greater increase in visits among QMBs vs other low‐income beneficiaries in states where the policy resulted in large (approximately 20%) increases in payment rates vs states where payment rates were unaffected (triple‐differences estimate: −0.12 annual visits, 95% CI: −0.28, 0.04; P = 0.15).

Conclusions

Physicians’ provision of care to low‐income Medicare beneficiaries may not be responsive to short‐run payment changes.
Higher hospital referral concentration associated with lower‐risk patients in skilled nursing facilities
Authors: McHugh John P. , Rapp Thomas , Mor Vincent , Rahman Momotazur
Published: March 2021

Objective

To examine whether stronger referral relationships between hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNF) are associated with lower‐risk patients being admitted to SNF.

Data Sources/Collection

We used MedPAR data to estimate referral relationship strength and nursing home survey data (OSCAR and CASPER) to determine the risk of patient admissions at nearly 14 000 SNFs from 2008 to 2014.

Study Design

We examined the association of hospital referral concentration with the percentage of higher‐risk patients admitted to non‐hospital‐based (freestanding) SNFs using an instrumental variables approach. We used the distance between patients and SNFs and hospitals and SNFs as the instrument.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We used previously collected MedPAR and OSCAR/CASPER survey data.

Principal Findings

We find greater observed referral concentration among freestanding SNFs is associated with lower percentages of patients with pressure sores (coefficient, −2.64; 95% CI, [−2.82 to −2.46]), catheters (−0.55; [−0.74 to −0.36]), and physical restraints (−0.16; [−0.29 to −0.03]) at admission to a skilled nursing facility.

Conclusions

We find evidence that freestanding SNFs with stronger hospital referral relationships may be admitting less risky patients, possibly contributing to disparities across SNFs.
Hospital organizational strategies associated with advanced EHR adoption
Authors: Holmgren A Jay , Phelan Jessica , Jha Ashish K. , Adler‐Milstein Julia
Published: March 2021

Objective

To identify organizational complementarities of adoption and use of electronic health records (EHRs) and assess what organizational strategies were associated with more advanced EHR use.

Data Sources

Primary survey data of US hospitals combined with secondary data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey and IT Supplement.

Study Design

In this cross‐sectional study, we describe hospital organizational practices around EHR adoption and use and identify how these practices coalesce into distinct strategies. We then assess the association between those organizational strategies and adoption of advanced EHR functions.

Data Collection

Primary data collection consisted of surveys sent to 797 US acute care hospitals in 2018‐2019, with 451 complete respondents.

Principal Findings

There was significant variation in hospital organizational practices for EHR adoption and use. Factor analysis identified practices in three domains: leadership engagement, human capital, and systems integration. Hospitals in the top quartile of the leadership engagement factor were 14 percentage points more likely to have adopted patient engagement EHR functions (P = 0.01) while hospitals in the top quartile of human capital were 14 percentage points less likely to have adopted these functions (P = 0.02). Hospitals in the top quartile of systems integration were 12 percentage points more likely to have adopted patient engagement functions (P = 0.02) and 14 percentage points more likely to have adopted EHR data analytics functions (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that specific organizational strategies are associated with more advanced EHR adoption. Hospital leaders interested in realizing more value from their EHR investment may find it useful to know that there is an association between adoption of more advanced EHR functions, and engaging senior leadership as well as building connectivity between clinical and administrative systems.
Declined miR‐181a‐5p expression is associated with impaired natural killer cell development and function with aging
Authors: Lu Jiao , Li Shan , Li Xiaopeng , Zhao Wenming , Duan Xuefeng , Gu Xiuling , Xu Jianqiao , Yu Bolan , Sigal Luis J. , Dong Zhongjun , Xie Lixin , Fang Min
Published: March 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and thereby influence cell development and function. Numerous studies have shown the significant roles of miRNAs in regulating immune cells including natural killer (NK) cells. However, little is known about the role of miRNAs in NK cells with aging. We previously demonstrated that the aged C57BL/6 mice have significantly decreased proportion of mature (CD27−CD11b+) NK cells compared with young mice, indicating impaired maturation of NK cells with aging. Here, we performed deep sequencing of CD27+ NK cells from young and aged mice. Profiling of the miRNome (global miRNA expression levels) revealed that 49 miRNAs displayed a twofold or greater difference in expression between young and aged NK cells. Among these, 30 miRNAs were upregulated and 19 miRNAs were downregulated in the aged NK cells. We found that the expression level of miR‐l8la‐5p was increased with the maturation of NK cells, and significantly decreased in NK cells from the aged mice. Knockdown of miR‐181a‐5p inhibited NK cell development in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, miR‐181a‐5p is highly conserved in mice and human. MiR‐181a‐5p promoted the production of IFN‐γ and cytotoxicity in stimulated NK cells from both mice and human. Importantly, miR‐181a‐5p level markedly decreased in NK cells from PBMC of elderly people. Thus, our results demonstrated that the miRNAs profiles in NK cells change with aging, the decreased level of miR‐181a‐5p contributes to the defective NK cell development and function with aging. This opens new strategies to preserve or restore NK cell function in the elderly.
Pathway with single‐dose long‐acting intravenous antibiotic reduces emergency department hospitalizations of patients with skin infections
Authors: Talan David A. , Mower William R. , Lovecchio Frank A. , Rothman Richard E. , Steele Mark T. , Keyloun Katelyn , Gillard Patrick , Copp Ronald , Moran Gregory J.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Emergency department (ED) patients with serious skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are often hospitalized to receive intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Appropriate patients may avoid admission following a single‐dose, long‐acting IV antibiotic.

Methods

We conducted a preintervention versus postintervention design trial at 11 U.S. EDs comparing hospitalization rates under usual care to those using a clinical pathway that included a single IV dalbavancin dose. We enrolled adults with cellulitis, abscess, or wound infection with an infected area of ≥75 cm2 without other indications for hospitalization. Clinical pathway participants discharged from the ED received a 24‐hour follow‐up telephone call and had a 48‐ to 72‐hour in‐person visit. We hypothesized that, compared to usual care, the clinical pathway would result in a significant reduction in the initial hospitalization rate.

Results

Of 156 and 153 participants in usual care and clinical pathway periods, median infection areas were 255.0 (interquartile range [IQR] = 150.0 to 500.0) cm2 and 289.0 (IQR = 161.3 to 555.0) cm2, respectively. During their initial care, 60 (38.5%) usual care participants were hospitalized and 27 (17.6%) pathway participants were hospitalized (difference = 20.8 percentage points [PP], 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.4 to 31.2 PP). Over 44 days, 70 (44.9%) usual care and 44 (28.8%) pathway participants were hospitalized (difference = 16.1 PP, 95% CI = 4.9 to 27.4 PP).

Conclusions

Implementation of an ED SSTI clinical pathway for patient selection and follow‐up that included use of a single‐dose, long‐acting IV antibiotic was associated with a significant reduction in hospitalization rate for stable patients with moderately severe infections.

Registration: NCT02961764.
Association between travel time to delivery unit and unplanned out‐of‐hospital birth, infant morbidity and mortality: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Örtqvist Anne K. , Haas Jan , Ahlberg Mia , Norman Mikael , Stephansson Olof
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Over the last decade, a number of delivery units have been closed in Sweden, justified by both economic incentives and patient safety issues. However, concentrating births to larger delivery units naturally increases travel time for some parturient women, which may lead to unintended negative consequences. We aimed to investigate the association between travel time to delivery unit and unplanned out‐of‐hospital birth, and subsequent infant morbidity and mortality.

Material and methods

We performed a population‐based cohort study including 365 604 women in the Swedish Pregnancy Register, giving birth between 2014 and 2017. Modified Poisson regression was used to investigate the association between travel time from home address to actual delivery unit, based on geographic information system analysis, and risk of an unplanned out‐of‐hospital birth. Analyses were stratified by parity and urban/rural residence. Lastly, the associations between an unplanned out‐of‐hospital birth and severe infant morbidity, stillbirth, peripartum, perinatal and neonatal mortality were investigated.

Results

Of those with an unplanned out‐of‐hospital birth (n = 2159), 65% had a travel time up to 30 minutes. A travel time between 31 and 60 minutes was associated with a doubled risk of unplanned out‐of‐hospital birth (adjusted risk ratio [RR] 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.74–2.22) and women with a travel time of more than 1 hour had an adjusted RR of 3.19 (95% CI 2.64–3.86), compared with those with a travel time of <30 minutes. No difference in results was seen when stratified for parity and urban/rural residence. No association was found between unplanned out‐of‐hospital birth and severe infant morbidity. Significant associations were found in crude analyses for stillbirth (RR 1.85, 95% CI 1.09–3.13), peripartum (RR 1.93, 95% CI 1.18–3.16), perinatal (RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.28–3.23) and neonatal mortality (RR 3.08, 95% CI 1.27–7.46), although neonatal mortality was very rare (2.3/1000 out‐of‐hospital births). Similar effect estimates were found in the adjusted analyses, though no longer significant.

Conclusions

Although the majority of unplanned out‐of‐hospital births occurred in the group of women with a travel time of 0–30 minutes, increasing travel time to a delivery unit is associated with unplanned out‐of‐hospital birth, which may increase the risk of mortality.
Capital flows, place image, and place identity: Bridges in San Jiadian historic and cultural village in Beijing
Authors: Cheng Zhifen , Zhang Baoxiu
Published: March 2021

Bridges play positive roles in the process of place development. Bridges affect changes in place images, which, in turn, are shaped by changing capital flows. Place image and place identity are intertwined. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the relationship among capital flows, place image, and place identity. This paper takes San Jiadian (SJD) village in Beijing as a case study and the Yongding River bridges around SJD as the main units of analysis. This paper aims to explain how the bridges influence the formation and change of place images during different historical periods and to provide a Chinese case for the relationship among capital flows, place image, and place identity. We draw the following conclusions. The change in the ownership of the bridges led to a change in capital flows to the bridges and the village, thereby leading to a change in the place image. Moreover, the new place image weakens the place identity of the villagers. The villagers’ place identity should be considered for a place’s new development direction and changes in the place image.
Towards framing the global in global development: Prospects for development geography
Authors: McKay Deirdre
Published: March 2021

This paper examines data in the public sphere on the global scope of geography’s UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) projects. Building on decolonial critiques of development research, I argue that geography should frame “the global” of global research as a sphere of ethical choices in research design and practice. The distribution of funded projects in the UKRI Gateway data suggests geographers succeed where they extend on the more worthy aspects of the discipline’s Area Studies legacy. The discipline’s engagements with early career researchers, international colleagues, and the development sector, however, have potentially been reshaped by the GCRF and thus need closer examination. While the UK government has brought the GCRF programme to a close, further work on these themes should inform the next iteration of global research. The ethical choices that make research global will remain fundamental to equitable design and impact in global development projects, thus scholars in development geography should prepare to make their projects more transparent and accountable.
Monitoring drainage flow rate facilitates prompt intervention with re‐laparoscopy for postoperative bleeding after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery: A case–control study
Authors: Murakami Keisuke , Kitade Mari , Kumakiri Jun , Ozaki Rie , Ikuma Shinichiro , Jinushi Makoto , Itakura Atsuo
Published: March 2021

Introduction

We aimed to identify the characteristics of cases involving postoperative bleeding after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery, and to clarify the optimal cutoff value of postoperative drainage and vital sign trends for predicting the need for re‐laparoscopy.

Methods

Of 6366 patients with gynecologic benign pathologies who underwent laparoscopic surgery at our institution between 2009 and 2018, 13 (0.2%) required re‐laparoscopy for postoperative bleeding. After reviewing the perioperative course in the re‐laparoscopy group, we examined the postoperative total drainage volume (mL), drainage flow rate (mL/h), and vital sign trends in the re‐laparoscopy group (n = 13) and among patients with substantial drainage volume ≥300 mL at 12 hours postoperatively but who did not need re‐laparoscopy (observation group, n = 107).

Results

In the re‐laparoscopy group, initial laparoscopic surgery included uterine surgery (myomectomy, n = 7; hysterectomy, n = 1), adnexal surgery (n = 3), and uterine plus adnexal surgery (n = 2). Postoperative bleeding sites included the uterine wound (n = 6), adnexal wound (n = 5), umbilical trocar site (n = 1), and mesentery (n = 1). The re‐laparoscopy and observation groups did not differ regarding initial surgical characteristics or postoperative vital sign trends. For distinguishing between the re‐laparoscopy and observation groups, the drainage flow rate was superior to total drainage volume. Continuous excessive drainage (flow rate >50 mL/h) at 3 hours postoperatively was associated with a remarkably increased risk for re‐laparoscopy (odds ratio, 40.07; 95% confidence interval, 5.44 to 1776.41, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In cases with continuous excessive drainage later than 3 hours postoperatively (flow rate >50 mL/h) should be considered for exploratory re‐laparoscopy to enable prompt diagnosis and intervention.
Effortful control moderates relationships between worry and symptoms of depression and anxious arousal
Authors: Ranney Rachel M. , Bing‐Canar Hanaan , Behar Evelyn
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Findings are inconsistent regarding the relationship between worry and anxious arousal (AA). Effortful control (EC) capacity may explain these inconsistent findings, such that only high worriers with higher EC are able to suppress autonomic arousal through worrying. The current study investigated these main and interactive effects of worry and EC on AA as well as depression.

Methods

Participants (N = 1210, 779 females) were recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk website and completed self‐report measures assessing worry, EC, AA, depression, and negative affect intensity.

Results

Regression models revealed that EC moderated the relationship between worry and AA, with individuals lower in EC demonstrating a stronger positive relationship between worry and AA. EC also moderated the relationship between worry and depression, with individuals lower in EC demonstrating a stronger positive relationship between worry and depression. Results remained the same when controlling for age, gender, and negative affect intensity.

Conclusions

Results support the idea that low EC may help to explain a range of comorbid psychiatric symptoms.

Practitioner points

Individuals low in effortful control demonstrate a stronger association between worry and anxious arousal, as well as between worry and depression

Those low in effortful control may be especially vulnerable to comorbid worry and depression

High worriers who are high in effortful control may be motivated to continue worrying due to their ability to reduce anxious arousal during worry
Unconscious preparation: Effects of prime visibility on semantic generalization of task priming
Authors: Zher‐Wen  , Yu Rongjun
Published: March 2021

Studies found that subliminal primes can be associated with specific tasks to facilitate task performance, and such learning is highly adaptive and generalizable. Meanwhile, conditioning studies suggest that aversive/reward learning and generalization actually occur at the semantic level. The current study shows that prime–task associations can also be generalized to novel word/neighbour primes from the same semantic category, and this occurs without contingency awareness. Previous studies have counterintuitively suggested that both the learning of task priming and the semantic priming of word neighbours depend on the lack of visibility. Here, we show that semantic generalization indeed depends on reduced visibility, but cannot occur subliminally. The current study shows for the first time that semantic learning and generalization can occur without any emotional or motivational factors, and that semantic priming can occur for arbitrary‐linked stimuli in a context completely devoid of semantics.
Discursive Representations of Migration
Authors: Quintana‐Navarrete Miguel , Fondevila Gustavo Javier
Published: March 2021

Scholarship on the Mexican state's role in migration to the United States has been hampered by a lack of comprehensive engagement with meaning. We address this shortcoming by examining a data set of Mexican presidents' public speeches (1994–2012). We argue that increased engagement with migration has been accompanied by more expansive conceptualisations of migration and willingness to politicise the issue. We identify a discourse of reaction characterised by a defence of Mexican migrants in the United States that is sometimes expressed defiantly; and a discourse of construction, defined by a more measured approach that allows for long‐term policies to be enacted.
Lateglacial and Holocene vegetation and environmental change in the Jom‐Bolok volcanic region, East Sayan Mountains, South Siberia, Russia
Authors: Bezrukova Elena V. , Shchetnikov Alexander A. , Kulagina Natalia V. , Amosova Alena A.
Published: March 2021

This study presents the first centennial‐scale multi‐proxy record from the East Sayan Mountains, which are part of the central Asian ‘water tower’ massif. The record from Lake Kaskadnoe in the Jom‐Bolok area shows changes in vegetation and climate since c. 14.2 cal. ka BP. Although the study site is in an area with active volcanism, there is no clear evidence that volcanic eruptions influenced the local vegetation. At c. 14.2–12.9 cal. ka BP, regional climate was sufficiently warm and moist to allow scattered growth of Picea, Larix and Betula nana around the lake. A cooling episode at c. 12.9–11.5 cal. ka BP is coincident with the Younger Dryas and led to the predominance of shrub tundra in the basin. Cool and moist conditions c. 11.5–9.0 cal. ka BP resulted in the spread of Pinus sibirica in the catchment of Lake Kaskadnoe. The Middle Holocene, c. 9.0–4.5 cal. ka BP, featured a warmer and drier regional climate, which led to a decrease in high‐elevation dark conifer forest. Subsequently, the onset of the Neoglacial and a cooler climate is indicated by the spread of Larix sibirica and Pinus sibirica in the study area. Lateglacial and Holocene moisture conditions in the East Sayan Mountains have primarily been controlled by the interaction of the westerlies and the East Asian Summer Monsoon and show a drying trend through time; long‐term insolation changes affected both the Monsoon and regional temperatures. The pattern of moisture decrease in the latter part of the Holocene is seen at sites in adjacent regions of the central Asian mountains.
Fluvial magnetic susceptibility as a proxy for long‐term variations of mountain permafrost development in the Alp‐Carpathian region
Authors: Püspöki Zoltán , Gibbard Philip Leonard , Nádor Annamária , Thamó‐Bozsó Edit , Sümegi Pál , Fogarassy‐Pummer Tímea , Mcintosh Richard William , Lantos Miklós , Tóth‐Makk Ágnes , Stercel Ferenc , Krassay Zita , Kovács Péter , Szőcs Teodóra , Fancsik Tamás
Published: March 2021

Low field magnetic susceptibility (MS) records of 13 reference boreholes representing the whole Quaternary fluvial succession of the Great Hungarian Plain were correlated to develop regional stratigraphy. Data from 12 of the boreholes were published between 2016 and 2020, the Tiszainoka borehole is newly reported in this paper. Eleven magnetic susceptibility cycles, capped by the most emergent master MS peaks (MP) and bordered by susceptibility termination surfaces, have been correlated. Supported by the already evaluated palaeomagnetic reversals and instability events, MPs have been correlated to the cold stages of the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) records. MPs represent MIS 104, 100, 98, 82, 60, 52, 34(−36) and 26 of increased heavy oxygen isotope value, constituting the significant Early Pleistocene glaciations, and MIS 18, 16, 12, 8, 6 and 2 mostly representing the substantial Middle and Upper Pleistocene European glaciation events. The interpretation of early postglacial fluvial MS maxima, which emphasizes the escape of weathering‐sensitive magnetic minerals from the catchment area triggered by the thawing of mountain permafrost, is confirmed by the correlation of MPs to the changes of the global ice volume. As a result, fluvial MS records can be considered as a proxy for mountain permafrost development in the catchment areas. Regional correlations confirmed that the Körös and Jászság Basins and the Makó Trough are sites of almost continuous fluvial records of the past 2600 ka. Thus, the Pannonian Quaternary fluvial succession is sufficiently complete to provide a satisfactory record of mountain permafrost development of the Alp‐Carpathian region, the latter being a globally relevant European representative of mid‐latitude mountain regions. The similarity of the Pannonian fluvial MS succession as a permafrost proxy to the marine ice‐rafted detritus (IRD) and Chinese loess/palaeosol MS records promises the possibility of comparative investigations of globally relevant proxy records and mid‐latitude mountain permafrost development.
Assessing first‐order BQART estimates for ancient source‐to‐sink mass budget calculations
Authors: Nyberg Björn , Helland‐Hansen William , Gawthorpe Robert , Tillmans Fabian , Sandbakken Pål
Published: March 2021

Constraining the timing and volume of sediment dispersal in an ancient sedimentary system is vital to understand a basin's infill history. One preferred method for a first‐order approximation of ancient sediment load estimates, the BQART model, is based on empirical observations of modern river systems relating basin morphology, topography, climate, run‐off and bedrock characteristics. Despite the popularity of such methods, a comprehensive assessment on the validity of using modern river observations to measure sediment load on geological timescales is lacking. Here, we investigate the uncertainties, sensitivities and practicalities surrounding the use of modern empirical observations in general and the BQART model in particular, to evaluate ancient sediment river loads. Although catchment area and relief are the least constrained parameters in an ancient sedimentary system, the temperature parameter may have an even more significant impact in the range of predicted sediment load estimates using a BQART approach. The applicability of BQART is most suitable for regional to continental scale source‐to‐sink systems that are based on robust paleogeographic and paleoclimatic models of cold (<2°C) or warm temperate (>8°C) climates. One further needs to consider the high amplitude discharge events that can dominate the stratigraphic record which are not captured by historical observations of sediment load over a 30‐year period. In addition, our limited understanding of bedload material transport and an unknown pristine environment in the Anthropocene reduce the reliability of modern sediment load estimates for the ancient. Mass budget estimates in deep time based on empirical relationships of modern river systems can thus provide first‐order estimates within an order of magnitude but need to consider the limitations imposed by extrapolating the modern to the ancient. Here, we present a framework to consider the suitability of the BQART method for ancient source‐to‐sink mass budget analyses.
Decay classes of coarse woody debris in a lowland Dipterocarp forest: implications for volume, density, and carbon estimates
Authors: Shorohova Ekaterina , Kapitsa Ekaterina , Kuznetsov Andrey , Kuznetsova Svetlana , Lopes de Gerenuy Valentin , Kaganov Vladimir , Kurganova Irina
Published: March 2021

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is a critical structural and functional component of forest ecosystems. In tropical forests, developing a decomposition classification is required for vigorous estimates of the role of CWD in carbon (C) and nutrient cycling and habitat diversity. This study considered the relationship between decay class, termite infestation, wood density, and C content of CWD in a lowland Dipterocarp forest in Southern Vietnam. The termite infestation averaged 73% by number and 32% by volume of all CWD pieces. Microbial‐ and termite‐driven decomposition was separated in the suggested decay classification system. Five decay classes were assigned to CWD items based on the proportion of wood consumed by invertebrates, as well as softness and moisture of the remaining wood. The proportion of wood volume consumed by termites in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th decay classes averaged 2, 5, 15, 48, and 77%, respectively. The bulk density of wood of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th decay classes averaged 0.628, 0.501, 0.332, 0.169, and 0.071 g cm−3, respectively. The C concentration in wood averaged 42% and did not depend on decay class. The total C content in CWD decreased with decomposition and averaged 0.259, 0.199, 0.121, 0.037, and 0.009 g cm−3 in the CWD of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th decay classes, respectively. We conclude that in Dipterocarp forests the inventories of CWD by decay classes should include estimates of proportions of wood, termite soil substrate, and wood voids.
Reuse of textile wastewater treated by moving bed biofilm reactor coupled with membrane bioreactor
Authors: Yang Xuefei , López‐Grimau Víctor , Vilaseca Mercedes , Crespi Martí , Ribera‐Pi Judit , Calderer Montse , Martínez‐Lladó Xavier
Published: March 2021

A laboratory‐scale pilot plant of moving bed biofilm reactor coupled with membrane bioreactor (MBBR‐MBR) was studied with regard to wastewater treatment in the textile industry, and the reuse feasibility of treated water was investigated. The pilot plant comprised two connected parts: an aerobic tank filled with carriers and a submerged membrane tank. The MBBR‐MBR system reduced the hydraulic retention time to 1 day, which is very promising compared with conventional biological treatment in the textile industry. The removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand reached 93%, which is almost the maximum for a biological process treating this type of wastewater, as well as the colour removal performance, which achieved 85%. Additionally, 99% of total suspended solids were removed due to filtration. Furthermore, new dyeing processes reusing the treated water were performed. The quality of the new dyed fabrics with treated water was compared with reference fabrics. Colour differences between new dyed fabrics and reference fabrics were found to be within the general requirement of the textile industry (ΔECMC(2:1) < 1). The reuse of treated water in new dyeing processes is beneficial both for the industry and for the environment, because the textile sector is an intensive water consumer during both the dyeing and finishing processes.
Transparency of TEE3D surface rendering helps to assess the scale of hidden disaster
Authors: Scisło Piotr , Piątkowski Radosław , Budnik Monika , Kochanowski Janusz
Published: March 2021

Presented case illustrates additional value of applying a new visualization technique ‐ 3D Surface Rendering during the three‐dimensional echocardiography.
Zooplanktivore fish body growth responses to browning‐induced light limitation vary over ontogeny, but not with fish density
Authors: van Dorst Renee M. , Gårdmark Anna , Svanbäck Richard , Huss Magnus
Published: March 2021

Ongoing climate change is leading to browning of many lakes and coastal areas, which can impair fish body growth and biomass production. However, whether and how effects of light limitation caused by browning on fish body growth vary over early ontogeny is unknown. In this study, we set up a mesocosm experiment to test whether roach (Rutilus rutilus) body growth responses to browning depend on body size, and if findings are robust over roach densities. We also studied a potential mechanism for size‐specific responses by conducting an aquaria experiment to test if size‐specific prey selectivity in roach changes with browning. We found that roach body growth responses to browning‐induced light limitation vary over ontogeny (independent of roach density), negatively affecting body growth of young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) but not of 1‐year‐old individuals. We also show that this difference in growth response is likely a consequence of browning‐induced alterations in zooplankton community composition and variation in prey selectivity between YOY and 1‐year‐old fish. This suggests that we should account for the diverse effects of browning over fish ontogeny, mediated via altered prey composition and ontogenetic changes in prey preference, when assessing overall impacts of browning on aquatic ecosystems.
Clinical predictors of SARS‐CoV‐2 neutralizing antibody titers in COVID‐19 convalescents: Implications for convalescent plasma donor recruitment
Authors: Focosi Daniele , Franchini Massimo
Published: March 2021

While COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP) efficacy is still under investigation in randomized controlled trials (RCT), CCP collections continue worldwide with largely variable criteria. Since it is well known that only a minority of patients develop high‐titer neutralizing antibodies (nAb), as assessed by the viral neutralization tests (VNT), strategies to maximize cost‐effectiveness of CCP collection are urgently needed. A growing amount of the population is having exposure to the virus and is hence becoming a candidate CCP donor. Laboratory screening with high‐throughput serology has good correlations with the VNT titer, but upstream screening using clinical surrogates would be advisable. We review here the existing literature on clinical predictors of high‐titer nAb. Older age, male sex, and hospitalization are the main proxies of high VNT and should drive CCP donor recruitment.
Risk factors for the progression of motoric cognitive risk syndrome to dementia: Retrospective cohort analysis of two populations
Authors: Meiner Zeev , Ayers Emmeline , Bennett David A. , Wang Cuiling , Verghese Joe
Published: March 2021

Background and purpose

Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a predementia syndrome characterized by cognitive complaints and slow gait. MCR is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline and incident dementia. Predictors of transition to dementia in MCR patients are still obscure.

Methods

We examined clinical, biological and lifestyle parameters related to conversion to dementia using Cox models in 439 older adults with prevalent MCR (mean age 79.87 ± 8.13 years, 70% women) from two cohorts, 268 from the Chicago‐based Rush Memory and Aging project (MAP) and 171 from the Religious Orders Study (ROS), which enrolled religious clergy across the United States.

Results

In the pooled sample, 439 (13.2%) had prevalent MCR (268 MAP and 171 ROS). There were 140 (31.9%) incident dementia cases over a median follow up of 4.0 years. Age predicted conversion from MCR to dementia in both cohorts. Male gender was a risk factor only in ROS. In the pooled data, only higher depressive symptoms were associated with higher risk of conversion to dementia (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.13, 95% CI 1.03–1.24). Lower cognitive activity participation (aHR 0.59, 95% CI 0.44–0.79) and apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (aHR 2.57, 95% CI 1.48–4.45) predicted conversion to dementia in MAP.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms and other cohort‐specific risk factors were identified as predictors of transition to dementia in individuals with MCR. These findings suggest common pathological mechanisms underlying mood, gait and cognitive declines in aging, which could help develop preventive strategies.
Effects of High‐ versus Low‐Intensity Clinician Training on Implementation of Family‐Focused Therapy for Youth with Mood and Psychotic Disorders
Authors: Miklowitz David J. , Weintraub Marc J. , Posta Filippo , Denenny Danielle M. , Chung Bowen
Published: March 2021

The implementation of evidence‐based psychotherapies often requires significant commitments of time and expense from mental health providers. Psychotherapy protocols with rapid and efficient training and supervision requirements may have higher levels of uptake in publicly funded clinics. Family‐focused therapy (FFT) is a 4‐month, 12‐session treatment for bipolar and psychosis patients consisting of psychoeducation, communication training, and problem‐solving skills training. In a pilot randomized trial, we compared two methods of training community clinicians in FFT: (a) high intensity (n = 24), consisting of a 6‐hour in‐person didactic workshop followed by telephone supervision for every session with training cases; or (b) low‐intensity training (n = 23), consisting of a 4‐hour online workshop covering the same material as the in‐person workshop followed by telephone supervision after every third session with training cases. Of 47 clinician participants, 18 (11 randomly assigned to high intensity, 7 to low) enrolled 34 patients with mood or psychotic disorders (mean age 16.5 ± 2.0 years; 44.1% female) in an FFT implementation phase. Expert supervisors rated clinicians’ fidelity to the FFT manual based on taped family sessions. We detected no differences in fidelity scores between clinicians in the two training conditions, nor did patients treated by clinicians in high‐ versus low‐intensity training differ in end‐of‐treatment depression or mania symptoms. Levels of parent/offspring conflict improved in both conditions. Although based on a pilot study, the results suggest that low‐intensity training of community clinicians in FFT is feasible and can result in rapid achievement of fidelity benchmarks without apparent loss of treatment efficacy.
Influence of residual stress distribution and microstructural characteristics on fatigue failure mechanism in Ni‐based Superalloy
Authors: Kumar Dharmesh , Idapalapati Sridhar , Wang Wei
Published: March 2021

The influence of residual compressive stress (RCS) depth and magnitude generated through surface treatments such as shot peening (SP), deep cold rolling (DCR), and vibro‐peening (VP) on fatigue crack mechanisms of Ni‐based superalloy is investigated. The fatigue performance with associated failure mechanisms is measured under strain‐controlled fatigue testing upto 104 cycles with total strain in the range of 0.9%–1.4% at an R ratio of 0.1 and 400°C followed by load controlled fatigue until failure. In‐depth understanding of the failure mechanism is obtained through fractography analysis, cyclic stress–strain plot, and microstructural features. A pronounced improvement in fatigue life tested at low strain range (0.9%–1.1%) is achieved after inducing RCS up to 400 μm depth. However, the fatigue life is reduced when RCS increased to 800–1000 μm depth. Failure is primarily driven by micro‐cracks formed due to balancing tensile stresses and high intensity stress concentration generated as the result of dislocation pile‐ups and slip bands. Results are discussed in detail through the evidence of grain refinement, addition of low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs), strain accumulation, and intragranular deformation in the sub‐surface.
The importance of vibrant materialities in transforming affective dissonance into affective solidarity: How the Countess Ablaze organized the Tits Out Collective
Authors: Baxter Lynne F.
Published: March 2021

Affective solidarity is important in resisting forms of gender, race, and sexual inequalities. Previous research has highlighted the role of affective dissonance in building affective solidarity, yet most of the literature has been anthropocentric in its discussion of affect. This paper contributes by showing the importance of vibrant forms of matter in inspiring and building affective solidarity. Using affective ethnographic method, the article explores how an independent yarn dyer, the Countess Ablaze, organized affective dissonance at gender discrimination into an affective solidarity movement called the Tits Out Collective. In doing so, she energized resistance and built a powerful affective atmosphere in the global yarn community. The paper shows how the vibrancy of the materialities accelerated the building of the powerful affective atmosphere. The engagement with different materialities enabled a global community of women to participate in shared resistance while honoring their own subjectivities, something previous work has identified as problematic. The paper also contributes by opening a discussion of the costs of organizing affective solidarity, detailing the intensities of leading such movements, that can be exposing and increase vulnerabilities. Therefore, it may be inevitable that affective solidarity is precarious and ephemeral.
Treatment outcomes in persons with severe haemophilia B in the Nordic region: The B‐NORD study
Authors: Kihlberg Kristina , Baghaei Fariba , Bruzelius Maria , Funding Eva , Andre Holme Pål , Lassila Riitta , Nummi Vuokko , Ranta Susanna , Osooli Mehdi , Berntorp Erik , Astermark Jan
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Data on outcome in persons with haemophilia B (PwHB) are limited and mainly extrapolated from studies of haemophilia A (HA).

Aim

To characterize treatment outcomes in persons with severe HB in the Nordic region, with a focus on joint health, compared with matched controls with HA.

Methods

PwHB attending haemophilia centres in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden were enrolled and matched with controls with HA. Joint assessment using Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) and ultrasound according to Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection protocol (HEAD‐US) was conducted. Adherence was evaluated using the Validated Haemophilia Regimen Treatment Adherence Scale (VERITAS).

Results

Seventy‐nine males with HB, with median age of 30 years (range 1–75), were enrolled. Eleven patients (14%) had a history of or current inhibitor. Twenty‐nine PwHB (37%) reported joint bleeds during the prior year, and 35% had previously undergone joint surgery. Ninety‐five per cent were on prophylaxis, and 70% used recombinant concentrates, with a median factor consumption of 3,900 IU/kg/year for standard half‐life products. Only two patients had a VERITAS score corresponding to ‘non‐adherence'. Joint health, assessed with HJHS, showed a significant lower score among PwHB compared with HA controls, explained by a difference in the 18–49 age group, without observed differences in older or younger subgroups. The HEAD‐US scores were overall low.

Conclusion

The Nordic cohort of PwHB is well treated by prophylaxis, but the goal of zero bleeds for all is not reached. Our findings suggest that patients with severe HB suffer from a milder arthropathy than patients with severe HA.
Haemophilia A patients' medication adherence to prophylaxis with efmoroctocog alfa
Authors: Pitance Victoire , Désage Stéphanie , Lienhart Anne , Meunier Sandrine , Chamouard Valérie
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Lightening the injection burden is commonly believed to improve prophylaxis adherence. Efmoroctocog alfa (rFVIIIFc) is the first recombinant FVIII‐Fc fusion protein available in France. This clotting factor with an extended half‐life could thus improve medication adherence.

Aim

The study primarily aimed to assess the real‐life impact on prophylaxis adherence of haemophilia A patients, when switching from a standard to an extended half‐life FVIII.

Methods

This study was an observational, monocentre, non‐interventional study aiming at assessing haemophilia A patients' real‐life adherence during the first‐year post‐rFVIIIFc prophylaxis initiation. Medication adherence was assessed using two methods: the medication possession ratio (MPR), which is based on the hospital pharmacy dispensing data, and self‐reported VERITAS‐Pro® questionnaire. Patients on rFVIIIFc prophylaxis for at least 12 months, following a 12‐month standard FVIII prophylaxis, were eligible for inclusion.

Results

In 2019, 47 male patients were undergoing rFVIIIFc prophylaxis in our Hemophilia Center, among which 36 meeting the inclusion criteria. Switching from standard to extended half‐life FVIII prophylaxis resulted in increased mean dosing, while the mean number of weekly prophylactic injections (2.6 ± 0.5 vs 1.8 ± 0.3) decreased. Following rFVIIIFc initiation, a non‐significant increase in median MPR occurred and the self‐reported VERITAS‐Pro® questionnaire demonstrated improved adherence to rFVIIIFc prophylaxis. Comparing adherent and non‐adherent patients revealed age as the only factor likely to impact adherence (p = .07).

Conclusion

Our patient cohort exhibited high adherence levels before and after FVIII switching, based on MPR and VERITAS‐Pro® questionnaire. The latter is likely a useful tool to quantity prophylaxis adherence from a patient's perspective in daily use.
Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of blood: An ex‐vivo study
Authors: Regi Soumya Susan , Livingstone Roshan S. , Kandagaddala Madhavi , Poonnoose Pradeep , Gibikote Sridhar , Keshava Shyamkumar N. , Srivastava Alok
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Early detection of bleeding into a joint is crucial in patients with haemophilia. This study was designed to evaluate the sensitivity of ultrasonography (USG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect the presence of blood in small concentrations in a simulated model to mimic joint bleeding.

Materials and Methods

Different concentrations of blood in plasma, varying from 0.1% to 45%, were collected in 10‐ml plastic syringes and imaged using 12 and 18 MHz USG transducers and with 1.5T and 3T MRI scanners, at different intervals of time following dilution. The images were scored for the presence of blood by four experienced radiologists who were blinded to the concentration of blood.

Results

Within the first 2 h, the 18 MHz transducer was able to detect blood consistently up to 0.5%, whereas the 12 MHz transducer could consistently identify blood up to 1.4%. After the first 12 h, both transducers were able to detect blood up to 0.5% concentration. However, at concentrations below 0.5%, there was discordance in the ability to detect blood, with both transducers. There was no correlation between the signal intensities of MRI images and concentration of blood, at different time intervals, irrespective of the magnetic field strength.

Conclusions

Detection of blood using the USG is dependent on variables such as the concentration of blood, frequency of the transducer used and timing of the imaging. As the concentration of blood decreases below 0.5%, the discordance between the observers increases, implying that the detection limit of USG affects its reliability at lower concentrations of blood. Caution is urged while interpreting USG imaging studies for the detection of blood in symptomatic joints.