bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vegetation composition in gold post-mining land of PT. Sultra Utama Nickel, Bombana District
Authors: Tuheteru F D , Husna  , Basrudin  , Arif A , Albasri  , Mustafa I
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to determine vegetation composition in the gold post-mining land of PT Sultra Utama Nickel in Bombana District. The method used in this research was the plotted path method by placing transects in accordance with purposive sampling technique. Transects were arranged systematically with a between-transects distance of 50 m The number of transects arranged were 18 transects with 3 plots each with size of each plot was 2 x 2 m, resulted in a total plot of 54 plots. Plant identification results showed that plant species found in the study area were 19 families, 30 genera, 34 species and 4 habitat. Results of vegetation analysis showed that of the 34 plant species found in the research location, plant species with the highest IVI value of 34.54% was Imperata cylindrica. The lowest IVI of 0.54% were found for Lygodium sp., Glochidion sp., Seleria levis Retz, Scoparia dulcis L., Sida rhombifolia L and Solanum torvum. The diversity index was 2.59, indicating moderate abundance category.
Moler disease and cultivation practiced by shallot farmers in Brebes Central Java
Authors: Supriyadi  , Supyani  , Poromarto SH. , Hadiwiyono
Published: October 2021

Shallot is one of the leading commodities for farmers in Brebes, Central Java. Brebes is the largest supplier of Indonesia's national shallot production. This is what makes Brebes famous as a center for shallot production. However, recently farmers have been faced with the attack of pathogens that cause Moler disease, which recently increased their attacks so that certain conditions cause significant yield losses of up to 40%. The relationship between increasing the intensity of moler and cultivation practised by shallot farmers in Brebes is discussed in this text. The research was conducted through a survey by taking seven districts with the Brebes district's highest production area. Five farmers were selected for each speed. The data was excavated from farmers with a questionnaire about the shallot cultivation practice carried out by farmers. The results showed that the cultivation practices carried out by farmers had the potential to increase the intensity of moler disease. The practice that is meant is without crop rotation or varieties, without organic fertilizers, intensive application of fungicide, and balanced fertilization.
The influence of agricultural diversification on community income in East Taniwel District
Authors: Ega La , Muspida  , Kembauw E , Ferdinandus S J , Sinay L J , Sangadji M , Faisal M , Aponno H S E S , Wenno M , Regar E , Apituley R
Published: October 2021

This study entitled “The Effect of Agricultural Diversification on Community Income in the East Taniwel District”. The research objective was to determine the relationship and influence of agricultural diversification on people's income in the East Taniwel District.

The data used in this study are primary data from eight villages in East Taniwel District, West Seram District, Maluku Province. This data is the result of a baseline survey at the household level, where the sample is determined using the Slovin formula. The data analysis technique used is the application of the backward method in multiple linear regression modeling based on OLS. The results showed that there was a relationship and influence between agricultural diversification and the income of rural communities in East Taniwel District.
Predictability and benefits of coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian approach over Eulerian characterization of droplet annular flow
Authors: Singh Digvijay , Das Arup Kumar
Published: October 2021

Wavy annular flow and subsequent droplet dispersion in air-water two-phase flow has been studied numerically using conventional Eulerian volume of fluid (VOF) solver and coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian approach. The VOF based investigation has been reported to highlights the formation of droplet swarm and its population dynamics. Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian method has also been shown to replicate similar features with lesser computational effort. Entrainment, deposition, fragmentation and unification are traced from the numerical simulation, which ultimately predicts the volume filling behavior of the droplets inside the tube. Flow kinematics around droplet is critically assessed numerically for finding out reasons behind deposition, fragmentation and unification. A comparative behavior between different velocity ratios of gas and liquid flow rates are presented which clearly shows higher entrainment rate as shear between annular liquid and gaseous core increases. An assessment of the droplet population in coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian method shows the generation of the smaller sized spherical droplet by entrainment and fragmentation route.
Investigation of corrosion behavior on plastically deformed aa 7075 t651 by shot peening process
Authors: M Abeens , Muruganandhan R
Published: October 2021

As AA 7075 T651 comprehensively is used in the marine naval vessels, the factor of corrosion performance always plays a significant role. In this work, an investigation is carried out to study the effect of corrosion behavior of shot peened AA 7075 T651 in 3.5% solution. From the potentio-dynamic polarization study, a 27.72% decrease is ascertained in the Icorr in shot peened specimen in correlation to unpeened aluminium alloy. A drop in Icorr from 1.883 to 1.480 mA cm−2 in shot peened specimen, indicates enhanced pitting corrosion resistance. An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals a surge in the oxide layer formation on the peened surface aiding the drop in corrosion rate. Resistance to pit formations and improvement in oxygen deposition in the peened specimen is observed availing a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). The micro structures of the peened and unpeened specimen are captured using optical microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Micro-strain, dislocation density is also calculated from the x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), in which grain size reduces by 28.07%, dislocation density surges by 38.65% and micro strain increases by 21.95% in peened specimen in correlation to unpeened AA 7075 T651. As a result of these improvements the corrosion resistance by 27.92% in the peened specimen in correlation to unpeened aluminium alloy.
Evaluation of surface integrity in electrochemical micromachining of A286 super alloy
Authors: Rajkeerthi E , Hariharan P
Published: October 2021

Surface integrity of micro components is a major concern particularly in manufacturing industries as most geometry of the products must meet out necessary surface quality requirements. Advanced machining process like electrochemical micro machining possess the capabilities to machine micro parts with best surface properties exempting them from secondary operations. In this research work, different electrolytes have been employed for producing micro holes in A286 super alloy material to achieve the best surface quality and the measurement of surface roughness and surface integrity to evaluate the machined surface are carried out. The machined micro hole provides detailed information on the geometrical features. A study of parametric analysis meant for controlling surface roughness and improvement of surface integrity has been made to find out the suitable parameters for machining. The suitability of various electrolytes with their dissolution mechanism and the influence of various electrolytes have been thoroughly studied. Among the utilized electrolytes, EG + NaNO3 electrolyte provided the best results in terms of overcut and average surface roughness.
Hot tensile deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of Mg-1Al-6Y alloy
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Wang Jinhui , Jin Peipeng , Zhang Lei
Published: October 2021

In this study, the hot tensile test was carried out using the extruded and annealed Mg-1Al-6Y alloy. The effect of temperature and strain rate on the hot tensile deformation behavior of the alloy was systematically studied at different temperatures (200 °C ∼ 350 °C) and different strain rates (8 × 10−5 s−1 ∼ 1.6 × 10−3 s−1). In addition, the effect of temperature on the evolution of microstructure when the strain rate is 1.6 × 10−3 s−1 was investigated. The results showed that as the temperature increased or the strain rate decreased, the peak stress decreased and the elongation increased. Hot tensile at different temperatures all increased the texture intensity, and the microstructure after deformation showed obvious characteristics of basal fiber texture ([0001]⊥ED). Correspondingly, the weaker [−15–40]//ED texture before deformation transformed into a stronger [01–10]//ED fiber texture. After deformation, the average Schmid factor (SF) of each non-basal slip was significantly increased compared with the average SF before deformation, indicating that abundant non-basal slip was activated during the deformation. When the deformation temperature was 300 °C, dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurred significantly, and the DRXed grains accounted for 15.9%. DRX was a combination of continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX). Furthermore, the calculated activation energy of the alloy was about 98.8 kJ mol−1. Comprehensive research showed that the hot tensile deformation mechanism mainly included intragranular slip, grain boundary slip (GBS) and DRX.
Robust learning-based x-ray image denoising—potential pitfalls, their analysis and solutions
Authors: Hariharan Sai Gokul , Kaethner Christian , Strobel Norbert , Kowarschik Markus , Fahrig Rebecca , Navab Nassir
Published: October 2021

Purpose: Since guidance based on x-ray imaging is an integral part of interventional procedures, continuous efforts are taken towards reducing the exposure of patients and clinical staff to ionizing radiation. Even though a reduction in the x-ray dose may lower associated radiation risks, it is likely to impair the quality of the acquired images, potentially making it more difficult for physicians to carry out their procedures. Method: We present a robust learning-based denoising strategy involving model-based simulations of low-dose x-ray images during the training phase. The method also utilizes a data-driven normalization step—based on an x-ray imaging model—to stabilize the mixed signal-dependent noise associated with x-ray images. We thoroughly analyze the method’s sensitivity to a mismatch in dose levels used for training and application. We also study the impact of differing noise models used when training for low and very low-dose x-ray images on the denoising results. Results: A quantitative and qualitative analysis based on acquired phantom and clinical data has shown that the proposed learning-based strategy is stable across different dose levels and yields excellent denoising results, if an accurate noise model is applied. We also found that there can be severe artifacts when the noise characteristics of the training images are significantly different from those in the actual images to be processed. This problem can be especially acute at very low dose levels. During a thorough analysis of our experimental results, we further discovered that viewing the results from the perspective of denoising via thresholding of sub-band coefficients can be very beneficial to get a better understanding of the proposed learning-based denoising strategy. Conclusion: The proposed learning-based denoising strategy provides scope for significant x-ray dose reduction without the loss of important image information if the characteristics of noise is accurately accounted for during the training phase.
Indicators of wavefunction (de)localisation for avoided crossing in a quadrupole quantum billiard
Authors: Park Kyu-Won , Kim Juman , Seo Jisung , Moon Songky , Jeong Kabgyun
Published: October 2021

The relationship between wavefunction (de)localisation and avoided crossing in a quadrupole billiard is analysed. The following three-types of measures are employed for wavefunction (de)localisation: inverse participation ratio, inverse of Rényi entropy, and root-mean-square (RMS) image contrast. All these measures exhibit minimal values at the centre of the avoided crossing, where the wavefunction is maximally delocalised. Our results indicate that these quantities can be sufficient for the indication of wavefunction (de)localisation.
Two-photon-polymerization enabled and enhanced multi-channel fibre switch
Authors: Glöckler Felix , Hausladen Florian , Alekseenko Igor , Gröger Alexander , Pedrini Giancarlo , Claus Daniel
Published: October 2021

This article discusses the fabrication and performance of a multi-channel fibre switch, consisting of 19 single-mode fibres, with enhanced coupling efficiency due to micro-optics, directly printed via two-photon-polymerization on the end-face of each fibre. The use of high-resolution two-photon-polymerization not only allows the enhancement of the coupling efficiency with respect to the coupling device in use but likewise offers great freedom in the arrangement of the used fibres. This letter gives a thorough explanation of the fabrication method as well as the optical simulations for the lenses on the fibre assembly.
Empirical Investigation of Genomic Clusters Associated With Height and the Risk of Postmenopausal Breast and Colorectal Cancer in the Netherlands Cohort Study
Authors: Simons Colinda C J M , Offermans Nadine S M , Stoll Monika , van den Brandt Piet A , Weijenberg Matty P
Published: October 2021

We empirically investigated genomic clusters associated with both height and postmenopausal breast cancer (BC) or colorectal cancer (CRC) (or both) in the Netherlands Cohort Study to unravel shared underlying mechanisms between height and these cancers. The Netherlands Cohort Study (1986–2006) includes 120,852 participants (case-cohort study: nsubcohort = 5,000; 20.3 years of follow-up). Variants in clusters on chromosomes 2, 4, 5, 6 (2 clusters), 10, and 20 were genotyped using toenail DNA. Cluster-specific genetic risk scores were modeled in relation to height and postmenopausal BC and CRC risk using age-adjusted linear regression and multivariable-adjusted Cox regression, respectively. Only the chromosome 10 cluster risk score was associated with all 3 phenotypes in the same sex (women); that is, it was associated with increased height (βcontinuous = 0.34, P = 0.014), increased risk of hormone-receptor–positive BC (for estrogen-receptor–positive BC, hazard ratio (HRcontinuous score) = 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.20); for progesterone-receptor–positive BC, HRcontinuous score = 1.15 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.26)), and increased risk of distal colon (HRcontinuous score = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.27) and rectal (HRcontinuous score = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.30) cancer. The chromosome 10 cluster variants were all annotated to the zinc finger MIZ-type containing 1 gene (ZMIZ1), which is involved in androgen receptor activity. This suggests that hormone-related growth mechanisms could influence both height and postmenopausal BC and CRC.
A tale of solving two computational challenges in protein science: neoantigen prediction and protein structure prediction
Authors: Tran Ngoc Hieu , Xu Jinbo , Li Ming
Published: October 2021

In this article, we review two challenging computational questions in protein science: neoantigen prediction and protein structure prediction. Both topics have seen significant leaps forward by deep learning within the past five years, which immediately unlocked new developments of drugs and immunotherapies. We show that deep learning models offer unique advantages, such as representation learning and multi-layer architecture, which make them an ideal choice to leverage a huge amount of protein sequence and structure data to address those two problems. We also discuss the impact and future possibilities enabled by those two applications, especially how the data-driven approach by deep learning shall accelerate the progress towards personalized biomedicine.
Forest and Freshwater Ecosystem Responses to Climate Change and Variability at US LTER Sites
Authors: Campbell John L , Driscoll Charles T , Jones Julia A , Boose Emery R , Dugan Hilary A , Groffman Peter M , Jackson C Rhett , Jones Jeremy B , Juday Glenn P , Lottig Noah R , Penaluna Brooke E , Ruess Roger W , Suding Katharine , Thompson Jonathan R , Zimmerman Jess K
Published: October 2021

Forest and freshwater ecosystems are tightly linked and together provide important ecosystem services, but climate change is affecting their species composition, structure, and function. Research at nine US Long Term Ecological Research sites reveals complex interactions and cascading effects of climate change, some of which feed back into the climate system. Air temperature has increased at all sites, and those in the Northeast have become wetter, whereas sites in the Northwest and Alaska have become slightly drier. These changes have altered streamflow and affected ecosystem processes, including primary production, carbon storage, water and nutrient cycling, and community dynamics. At some sites, the direct effects of climate change are the dominant driver altering ecosystems, whereas at other sites indirect effects or disturbances and stressors unrelated to climate change are more important. Long-term studies are critical for understanding the impacts of climate change on forest and freshwater ecosystems.
Evolving management strategies for perianal Crohn's fistulizing disease
Authors: Crippa Jacopo , Spinelli Antonino
Published: October 2021

This is a review of perianal Crohn's disease providing insights into diagnostic, medical, and surgical pathways.
Effects of Temperature on Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Larvae and Pupae
Authors: Keena Melody A , Richards Jessica Y
Published: October 2021

Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) is a xylophagous invasive cerambycid whose larvae feed on the lower bole and exposed roots of many tree species in orchard, urban, and forested habitats. Larval survival and development of A. chinensis from Italy and China were evaluated at eight constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40°C). Development was slow or did not occur at temperatures ≤10 and >35°C. The TMin for the first six instars and the pupa was <10°C, while TMin for the higher instars was closer to 12°C. The ultimate instar for both populations was insensitive to temperature. When the TMax thresholds could be estimated they were between 31 and 41°C. Temperature also influenced larval weight gain; larvae held at 25–30°C generally weighed the most from the fourth instar on. The number of degree days for 50% of the population to molt to the next instar increased with increasing instar for both populations up through the sixth instar. Anoplophora chinensis may use wood moisture content in conjunction with temperature as a cue as to when to pupate. These responses of A. chinensis to temperature can be used for developing phenological models to predict timing of stages for management or eradication efforts.
Role of plakophilin-2 expression on exercise-related progression of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a translational study
Authors: Cerrone Marina , Marrón-Liñares Grecia M , van Opbergen Chantal J M , Costa Sarah , Bourfiss Mimount , Pérez-Hernández Marta , Schlamp Florencia , Sanchis-Gomar Fabian , Malkani Kabir , Drenkova Kamelia , Zhang Mingliang , Lin Xianming , Heguy Adriana , Velthuis Birgitta K , Prakken Niek H J , LaGerche Andre , Calkins Hugh , James Cynthia A , Te Riele Anneline S J M , Delmar Mario
Published: October 2021

Aims

Exercise increases arrhythmia risk and cardiomyopathy progression in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) patients, but the mechanisms remain unknown. We investigated transcriptomic changes caused by endurance training in mice deficient in plakophilin-2 (PKP2cKO), a desmosomal protein important for intercalated disc formation, commonly mutated in ARVC and controls.

Methods and results

Exercise alone caused transcriptional downregulation of genes coding intercalated disk proteins. The changes converged with those in sedentary and in exercised PKP2cKO mice. PKP2 loss caused cardiac contractile deficit, decreased muscle mass and increased functional/transcriptomic signatures of apoptosis, despite increased fractional shortening and calcium transient amplitude in single myocytes. Exercise accelerated cardiac dysfunction, an effect dampened by pre-training animals prior to PKP2-KO. Consistent with PKP2-dependent muscle mass deficit, cardiac dimensions in human athletes carrying PKP2 mutations were reduced, compared to matched controls.

Conclusions

We speculate that exercise challenges a cardiomyocyte “desmosomal reserve” which, if impaired genetically (e.g., PKP2 loss), accelerates progression of cardiomyopathy.
Ultra-processed food intake and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in individuals with cardiovascular disease: the Moli-sani Study
Authors: Bonaccio Marialaura , Costanzo Simona , Di Castelnuovo Augusto , Persichillo Mariarosaria , Magnacca Sara , De Curtis Amalia , Cerletti Chiara , Donati Maria Benedetta , de Gaetano Giovanni , Iacoviello Licia ,   for the Moli-sani Study Investigators
Published: October 2021

Aims

To evaluate the association of ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and mortality among individuals with history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and analyse some biological pathways possibly relating UPF intake to death.

Methods and results

Longitudinal analysis on 1171 men and women (mean age: 67 ± 10 years) with history of CVD, recruited in the Moli-sani Study (2005–10, Italy) and followed for 10.6 years (median). Food intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. UPF was defined using the NOVA classification according to degree of processing and categorized as quartiles of the ratio (%) between UPF (g/day) and total food consumed (g/day). The mediating effects of 18 inflammatory, metabolic, cardiovascular, and renal biomarkers were evaluated using a logistic regression model within a counterfactual framework. In multivariable-adjusted Cox analyses, higher intake of UPF (Q4, ≥11.3% of total food), as opposed to the lowest (Q1, UPF <4.7%), was associated with higher hazards of all-cause (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00–1.91) and CVD mortality (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.07–2.55). A linear dose–response relationship of 1% increment in UPF intake with all-cause and CVD mortality was also observed. Altered levels of cystatin C explained 18.3% and 16.6% of the relation between UPF (1% increment in the diet) with all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively.

Conclusion

A diet rich in UPF is associated with increased hazards of all-cause and CVD mortality among individuals with prior cardiovascular events, possibly through an altered renal function. Elevated UPF intake represents a major public health concern in secondary CVD prevention.
Successful thoracoscopic repair of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia in a child
Authors: Wang Yi , Cai Yuanxia , Wu Yeming
Published: October 2021

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is very rare in children, and the diagnosis is often missed or delayed. Herein, we reported a 2-year-old boy who had suffered with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia due to a car crash. The child was manifested as tachypnoea without any other severe symptoms. The computed tomography scanning showed his right diaphragm was rupture. Soon, this patient was received a thoracoscopic repair surgery, and he was discharged 2 weeks later without any complication.
Untilting Line Bundles on Perfectoid Spaces
Authors: Dorfsman-Hopkins Gabriel
Published: October 2021

Let $X$ be a perfectoid space with tilt $X^\flat $. We build a natural map $\theta :\Pic X^\flat \to \lim \Pic X$ where the (inverse) limit is taken over the $p$-power map and show that $\theta $ is an isomorphism if $R = \Gamma (X,\sO _X)$ is a perfectoid ring. As a consequence, we obtain a characterization of when the Picard groups of $X$ and $X^\flat $ agree in terms of the $p$-divisibility of $\Pic X$. The main technical ingredient is the vanishing of higher derived limits of the unit group $R^*$, whence the main result follows from the Grothendieck spectral sequence.
Selection of Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Analysis of Wing Dimorphism in English Grain Aphid,Sitobion avenae(Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Li Xiangrui , Li Xinan , Yan Weiwei , Coates Brad , Zhou Xuguo , Wang Chao , Haifeng Gao , Zhang Yunhui , Zhu Xun
Published: October 2021

The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), exhibits classic and dramatic phenotypic plasticity in wing development. Both genetic and environmental inputs contribute to the wing polyphenism in aphids, an extreme form of phenotypic plasticity in which a single genotype produces discrete winged and wingless morphs. Validated reference genes are needed to accurately normalize temporal and spatial variation in gene expression estimates by RT-qPCR. In this research, the stability of 11 candidate reference genes selected from S. avenae transcriptomes was evaluated under an array of abiotic and biotic conditions relevant to wing development. RefFinder, a comprehensive software integrating rankings from delta Ct, BestKeeper, NormFinder, and geNorm, offered a series of reference genes for every experimental condition. Overall, helicase (HEL) and ubiquitin ribosomal protein S27A fusion protein (RpS27) are suited for most of the conditions examined in this study, although exceptions do exist. Specifically, NADH dehydrogenase (Ap-NADH) and 28S ribosomal RNA (28S) are recommended for insecticide and antibiotic treatments, while ribosomal RNA L14 (RPL14) and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S) are selected for density treatment, respectively. This study provides a suite of reference genes to investigate the wing polyphenism in S. avenae, and is important for application of RT-qPCR in future experiments of novel tactics to control aphids.
Transformative Justice in Practice: Reflections on the Pastoral Land Commission During Brazil’s Political Transition
Authors: Hoddy Eric T
Published: October 2021

There has been a growing interest among transitional justice academics and practitioners in pursuing more transformative agendas for practice. There remain however few illustrations, if any, of work to deliver transformative justice in practice. This article considers the work of Brazil’s Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) during Brazil’s political transition as a potentially useful source of insights for practice. An organ of the Catholic Church and ecumenical in orientation, the CPT worked directly with marginalized communities to defend and promote the rights of small farmers and rural workers and peaceful solutions to land and labour conflicts. Its work was steered by a forward-looking vision of justice in which the violence, marginalization and exclusion of the past and present would be overcome by empowering rural populations to transform their social circumstances and address root causes. This article outlines the practices and activities through which the CPT sought to foster transformative change and reflects on what lessons these might hold for transformative justice in transitional settings.
Should Critique on Governmental Policy Regarding Covid-19 Be Tolerated on Online Platforms? An Analysis of Recent Case-Law in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Donk Berdien B E
Published: October 2021

This policy and practice note describes and discusses two recent decisions by the District Court in Amsterdam regarding the applicability of YouTube’s and Facebook’s Community Guidelines on Covid-19 misinformation. The decisions (Café Weltschmerz/YouTube and Smart Exit/Facebook) illustrate the tense intersection between, on the one hand, the freedom to express criticism of the government’s policy for fighting the outbreak of Covid-19 in the Netherlands, and on the other hand, the prevention of (dis)information with the potential to harm public health.

The author will point out that the two decisions, although covering the same subject matter, differ significantly in argumentation regarding the (scope of the) application of the freedom of expression. Analysing this divergence in argumentation will show that its roots can be traced back to a different valuation of the role of the online platforms regarding the dissemination of speech. A debate on this divergence is needed to prevent inconsistency in future decisions and to contribute to the broader discussion on content regulation in the European Union.
A Simple Question Goes a Long Way: A Wording Experiment on Bank Account Ownership
Authors: Angrisani Marco , Couper Mick P
Published: October 2021

Ownership of a bank account is an objective measure and should be relatively easy to elicit via survey questions. Yet, depending on the interview mode, the wording of the question and its placement within the survey may influence respondents’ answers. The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) asset module, as administered online to members of the Understanding America Study (UAS), yielded substantially lower rates of reported bank account ownership than either a single question on ownership in the Current Population Survey (CPS) or the full asset module administered to HRS panelists (both interviewer-administered surveys). We designed and implemented an experiment in the UAS comparing the original HRS question eliciting bank account ownership with two alternative versions that were progressively simplified. We document strong evidence that the original question leads to systematic underestimation of bank account ownership. In contrast, the proportion of bank account owners obtained from the simplest alternative version of the question is very similar to the population benchmark estimate. We investigate treatment effect heterogeneity by cognitive ability and financial literacy. We find that questionnaire simplification affects responses of individuals with higher cognitive ability substantially less than those with lower cognitive ability. Our results suggest that high-quality data from surveys start from asking the right questions, which should be as simple and precise as possible and carefully adapted to the mode of interview.
There’s No Place Like Home: The Role of Informal Carers under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Authors: Varadan Sheila
Published: October 2021

Children need guidance and direction to navigate their everyday lives, and such guidance is likely to come from not just parents, but wider family and community. How we acknowledge informal carers and support their caregiving role will have implications for a child’s enjoyment and exercise of rights. Yet, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) does not explicitly recognise ‘kinship’ care nor does it accord formal recognition to informal carers involved in the everyday care of a child. The role of extended family members and community is referenced just once in the CRC, within the framework of parental guidance and direction under article 5. Interrogating the work of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, this paper examines how informal carers have come to be recognised and supported within the CRC. It suggests that while article 5 may offer an avenue to identify informal carers, its scope and function are not open-ended, and the extent to which the CRC provides a legal framework to recognise informal carers and informal care arrangements remains unclear. This paper concludes that more consideration needs to be given to how informal carers are supported and protected within the CRC, to ensure children are not denied their right to family and family relationships under international law.
Changes in excess mortality among adults with diabetes-related end-stage kidney disease: a comparison between the USA and Australia
Authors: Harding Jessica L , Morton Jedidiah I , Shaw Jonathan E , Patzer Rachel E , McDonald Stephen P , Magliano Dianna J
Published: October 2021

Background

The number of people with diabetes-related end-stage kidney disease (ESKD-DM) has doubled in the last two decades. We examined changes in excess mortality for people with ESKD-DM in the USA and Australia.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we included adults (ages 20–84 years) receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) for ESKD-DM in the USA (n = 1 178 860 from the United States Renal Data System, 2002–17) and Australia (n = 10 381 from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, 2002–13). ESKD-DM was defined as those with diagnosed diabetes at time of RRT initiation and mortality status was captured from national death registries. Annual standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were stratified by treatment modality, and age, sex and race (USA only). Trends were assessed using join point regression and annual percent change (APC) was reported.

Results

Overall, in the dialysis population SMR decreased from 2006 to 2014 in the USA (from 12.0 to 10.1; APC −2.1) and from 2002 to 2013 in Australia (from 12.0 to 9.4; APC −3.4). In the transplant population, SMR decreased from 6.2 to 4.0 from 2002 to 2013 in the USA, and did not significantly change from 2002 to 2013 in Australia. By subgroup, excess mortality was higher in women (versus men), younger (versus older) adults, dialysis (versus transplant) patients, and in Asian or Pacific Islanders and American Indian or Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) (versus Whites and Blacks). SMRs declined similarly across all subgroups excluding AI/AN (USA) and transplant patients (Australia), where relative declines were smaller.

Conclusions

Excess mortality for people with ESKD-DM treated with dialysis or transplant has decreased in the USA and Australia, but progress has stalled from ∼2013 in the USA. Nevertheless, mortality remains more than nine times higher in ESKD-DM versus the general population, with important variations by subgroups. Given the increasing burden of diabetes in the population, a focus on reducing excess mortality risk in the ESKD-DM population is needed.
Dual-ligand and hard-soft-acid-base strategies to optimize metal-organic framework nanocrystals for stable electrochemical cycling performance
Authors: Zheng Shasha , Sun Yan , Xue Huaiguo , Braunstein Pierre , Huang Wei , Pang Huan
Published: October 2021

Most metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hardly maintain their physical and chemical properties after exposure to acidic, neutral, or alkaline aqueous solutions, resulting in insufficient stability, therefore limiting their applications. Thus, the design and synthesis of stable size/morphology-controlled MOF nanocrystals is critical but challenging. In this study, dual-ligand and hard-soft-acid-base strategies were used to fabricate a variety of 3D pillared-layer [Ni(thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylate)(4,4′-bipyridine)]n MOF nanocrystals (1D nanofibers, 2D nanosheets and 3D aggregates) with controllable morphology by varying the concentration of 4,4′-bipyridine and thus controlling the crystal growth direction. Owing to the shorter ion diffusion length, enhanced electron/ion transfer and strong interactions between thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylate and 4,4′-bipyridine, the 2D nanosheets showed much larger specific capacitance than 1D nanofibers and 3D aggregates. A single device with an output voltage as high as 3.0 V and exceptional cycling performance (95% of retention after 5000 cycles at 3 mA cm–2) was realized by configuring two aqueous asymmetric supercapacitive devices in series. The excellent cycling property and charge–discharge mechanism are consistent with the hard-soft-acid-base theory.
Spinoza on Expression and Grounds of Intelligibility
Authors: Hübner Karolina , Mátyási Róbert
Published: October 2021

Recent literature on Spinoza has emphasized his commitment to universal intelligibility, understood as the claim that there are no brute facts. We draw attention to an important but overlooked element of Spinoza's commitment to intelligibility, and thereby question its most prominent interpretation, on which this commitment results in the priority of conceptual relations. We argue that such readings are both incomplete in their account of Spinozistic intelligibility and mistaken in their identification of the most fundamental relation. We argue that Spinoza is one of the first moderns to address the problem of conditions of intelligibility, and show that, in his metaphysics, expressive relations are best understood as relations of dependence for intelligibility: what a thing ‘expresses’ is its condition of intelligibility, that which determines how, through what concepts, it can be conceived.
Effect of Positive Expiratory Pressure Therapy on Lung Volumes and Health Outcomes in Adults With Chest Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Saliba Kerrie A , Blackstock Felicity , McCarren Bredge , Tang Clarice Y
Published: October 2021

Objective

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy on lung volumes and health outcomes in adults with chest trauma and to investigate any adverse effects and optimal dosages leading to the greatest positive impact on lung volumes and recovery.

Methods

Data sources were MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, CINAHL, Open Access Thesis/Dissertations, EBSCO Open Dissertations, and OpenSIGLE/Open Grey. Randomized controlled trials investigating PEP therapy compared with usual care or other physical therapist interventions were included. Participants were >18 years old and who were admitted to the hospital with any form of chest trauma, including lung or cardiac surgery, blunt chest trauma, and rib fractures. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale, and the level of evidence was downgraded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.

Results

Eleven studies involving 661 participants met inclusion eligibility. There was very low-level evidence that PEP improved forced vital capacity (standardized mean difference = −0.50; 95% CI = −0.79 to −0.21), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (standardized mean difference = −0.38; 95% CI = −0.62 to −0.13), and reduced the incidence of pneumonia (relative risk = 0.16; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.85). Respiratory muscle strength also significantly improved in all 3 studies reporting this outcome. There was very low-level evidence that PEP did not improve other lung function measures, arterial blood gases, atelectasis, or hospital length of stay. Both PEP devices and dosages varied among the studies, and no adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

PEP therapy is a safe intervention with very low-level evidence showing improvements in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, respiratory muscle strength, and incidence of pneumonia. It does not improve arterial blood gases, atelectasis, or hospital length of stay. Because the evidence is very low level, more rigorous physiological and dose–response studies are required to understand the true impact of PEP on the lungs after chest trauma.

Impact

There is currently no strong evidence for physical therapists to routinely use PEP devices following chest trauma. However, there is no evidence of adverse events; therefore, in specific clinical situations, PEP therapy may be considered.
The Oligopoly Lucas Tree
Authors: Dou Winston Wei , Ji Yan , Wu Wei
Published: October 2021

This paper proposes a novel quantitative framework with endogenous strategic competition in heterogeneous concentrated industries. Oligopolies compete strategically for profit margins in repeated games, trading off the benefits of future cooperation against those of reaping higher short-run profits by undercutting their rivals. Cross-industry dispersions in market leadership persistence and cash flow loadings on expected growth, as primitive characteristics, simultaneously determine the relationships among profitability, book-to-market ratios, and systematic risk exposures, thereby quantitatively rationalizing the gross profitability and value premium across industries and, importantly, their interactions. Controlling for the book-to-market ratio (gross profitability) makes the gross profitability (value) premium more pronounced.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
An enhanced mitochondrial function through glutamine metabolism in plasmablast differentiation in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sumikawa Maiko Hajime , Iwata Shigeru , Zhang Mingzeng , Miyata Hiroko , Ueno Masanobu , Todoroki Yasuyuki , Nagayasu Atsushi , Kanda Ryuichiro , Sonomoto Koshiro , Torimoto Keiichi , Lee Seunghyun , Nakayamada Shingo , Yamamoto Kazuo , Okada Yosuke , Tanaka Yoshiya
Published: October 2021

Objective

To evaluate the dysfunction of B-cell metabolism and its involvement in SLE pathology.

Methods

We assessed the expression of metabolic markers of B cells in the peripheral blood of healthy controls (HCs) and SLE patients by using flow cytometry. In vitro, peripheral B cells were isolated from HCs and SLE patients to investigate the metabolic regulation mechanisms involved in their differentiation.

Results

The expression level of DiOc6 (mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization) was higher in B cells from SLE patients than in HCs, and correlated to the percentage of plasmablasts in CD19+ cells and with SLEDAI, a disease activity score. Stimulation of CD19+ cells with the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) ligand CpG and IFN-α enhanced glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), DiOc6 expression, and plasmablast differentiation in vitro. In the absence of glutamine, both glycolysis and OXPHOS were reduced, and plasmablast differentiation was suppressed, whereas there was no change in the absence of glucose. As glutamine is an important nutrient for protein synthesis, we further investigated the effect of the glutaminase inhibitor BPTES, which inhibits glutamine degradation, on metabolic regulation. BPTES reduced DiOc6 expression, OXPHOS, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, plasmablast differentiation without affecting glycolysis. Metformin inhibited CpG- and IFN-α-induced glutamine uptake, mitochondrial functions and suppressed plasmablast differentiation.

Conclusions

Mitochondrial dysfunction in B cells is associated with plasmablast differentiation and disease activity in SLE. Enhanced mitochondrial functions mediated by glutamine metabolism are important for plasmablast differentiation, which may be a potential therapeutic target for SLE.
Outcomes in Subsequent Pregnancies of Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder Treated in Multidisciplinary Clinic in Prior Pregnancy
Authors: Mason Isabelle , Mashburn Sarah , Cleary Erin , Abdelwahab Mahmoud , Ma’ayeh Marwan , Rood Kara M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Untreated opioid misuse in pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes. Limited information is available on maternal and perinatal outcomes in subsequent pregnancies for individuals initiated on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in a prior pregnancy.

Objective

Evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes in subsequent pregnancies for individuals initiated on MOUD in prior pregnancy.

Methods

Historical cohort study including individuals with opioid use disorder with ≥2 pregnancies between 2013 and 2020, received care in our colocated multidisciplinary clinic for >1 pregnancy, and delivered at our institution. Primary outcome was rate of preconception MOUD. Secondary outcomes included rate of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome requiring pharmacologic treatment and length of hospital stay.

Results

Forty-two individuals with opioid use disorder in their index pregnancies (n = 42) and 46 subsequent pregnancies were identified. Individuals were more likely to receive long-acting reversible contraception in subsequent pregnancies (35% vs 14%, P = 0.04). No differences in tobacco use, gestational age at initiation of prenatal care or delivery was noted. Individuals in their subsequent pregnancies were 6 times more likely to be on MOUD preconception (78% vs 36%; OR, 6.48; [95% CI, 2.52–16.64]) and 67% less likely to have positive illicit urine drug screen upon initiation of care (36% vs 64%; OR, 0.33; 95% [CI, 0.14–0.78]). Neonates had similar rates of neonatal abstinence withdrawal syndrome requiring pharmacological treatment, positive illicit toxicology results, and neonatal length of stay.

Conclusions

Participation in multidisciplinary obstetric and opioid use disorder program increases rate of MOUD in subsequent pregnancy with decrease in illicit drug use.
Exploring Internal Facilitators' Experience With NeoECHO to Foster NEC Prevention and Timely Recognition Through the iPARIHS Lens
Authors: Weiss Alyssa B. , Newnam Katherine M. , Wyles Christina , Shea Kimberly , Gephart Sheila M.
Published: October 2021

Background:

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a major complication in the neonatal population. Standard practices regarding the care of premature infants and attitudes toward NEC prevention strategies vary across neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Evidence-based best practice dissemination was presented through the NEC-Zero bundle. To close gaps between evidence and practice, a telehealth-delivered intervention (ie, NeoECHO) was provided to NICUs.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to enable adoption of best practice for NEC prevention using NeoECHO through describing the local volunteer unit leaders', or internal facilitators' (IFs'), experiences in participating in NeoECHO and identifying the extent to which the facilitation activities within the NeoECHO experience were consistent with constructs from the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (iPARHIS) framework.

Methods:

The design of this study was qualitative descriptive. Six IFs were recruited in the Southwest. After 6 NeoECHO sessions, individual interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was applied. Codes were informed by the iPARIHS framework.

Results:

Major themes were (1) Innovation: Quality Improvement Projects, Bundles of Care, and Huddle; (2) Recipient: Reluctant Stakeholders and Technical Modalities; (3) Context: Buy-In, Timing, Resources, Leadership, and Blame; (4) Facilitation: Betterment, Buddy System, Passionate Care, and Empowerment; and (5) Adoption: Continuous Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Honest Discussions.

Implications for Practice and Research:

NeoECHO fostered a learning community to share current practices, policies, and strategies for NEC prevention, but the IFs were essential to foster local participation. The long-term impacts of NeoECHO are the focus of current research.

Video Abstract available athttps://journals.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/Pages/videogallery.aspx.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Addressing the Controversy of Its Clinical Delivery by Audiologists
Authors: Henry James A. , Goodworth Marie-Christine , Lima Elizabeth , Zaugg Tara , Thielman Emily J.
Published: October 2021

Audiologists’ role in providing care for tinnitus typically includes conducting an audiologic evaluation, fitting hearing aids when appropriate, assessing the impact of tinnitus, and facilitating use of sound to improve quality of life with tinnitus when appropriate. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is consistently judged by systematic reviews as having the strongest evidence relative to other therapies for improving quality of life with tinnitus. Because audiologists are already playing an active role in providing care for tinnitus, and the relative paucity of behavioral health providers who are experienced in implementing CBT for tinnitus, a logical question is whether audiologists can provide CBT and whether it is within their scope of practice. In this article, we present both sides of the argument as to whether audiologists can provide CBT and we make recommendations for appropriate administration of CBT for tinnitus management.