bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coastal bird community response to dredge‐spoil tidal marsh restoration at New Round Island, Mississippi, U.S.A.
Authors: Gamblin Anna E. , Darrah Abigail J. , Woodrey Mark S. , Iglay Raymond B.
Published: August 2022

The northern Gulf of Mexico has been the focus of many coastal habitat restoration projects in the wake of new funding streams stemming from the settlement of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill litigation. One such project was the creation of New Round Island (RNDI) in Mississippi, a 86 ha island created using dredge material in 2017. The island design incorporated a novel U‐shaped sand berm with multiple interconnected containment sells. In this study we sought to document changes in relative abundance of various coastal bird species. We conducted surveys for breeding and nonbreeding birds from June 2017 to May 2021, and we conducted nonbreeding surveys at two reference sites for comparison. Breeding bird numbers were dominated by colonial nesting species in years 1 and 2, which subsequently declined as vegetation cover increased. Solitary nesting species increased over time, with Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) nest count increasing from zero in year 1 to 29 in year 5. Nonbreeding shorebird counts peaked in years 1–2 and subsequently declined, although shorebird counts also decreased at the reference sites. Relative abundance of waders (Ardeidae), rallids (Rallidae), and passerines (Passeriformes and allies) increased in comparison to reference sites. This study demonstrates the short‐term benefits of this U‐shaped island design to early‐succession breeding species and nonbreeding shorebirds shortly after construction, with longer‐term benefits to breeding Wilson's Plover and to marsh birds as vegetation fills in.
Weighting, Informativeness and Causal Inference, with an Application to Rainfall Enhancement
Authors: Chambers Ray , Ranjbar Setareh , Salvati Nicola , Pacini Barbara
Published: August 2022

Sampling is informative when probabilities of sample inclusion depend on unknown variables that are correlated with a response variable of interest. When sample inclusion probabilities are available, inverse probability weighting can be used to account for informative sampling in such a situation, although usually at the cost of less precise inference. This paper reviews two important research contributions by Chris Skinner that modify these weights to reduce their variability while at the same time retaining consistency of the weighted estimators. In some cases, however, sample inclusion probabilities are not known, and are estimated as propensity scores. This is often the situation in causal analysis, and double robust methods that protect against the resulting misspecification of the sampling process have been the focus of much recent research. In this paper we propose two model-assisted modifications to the popular inverse propensity score weighted estimator of an average treatment effect, and then illustrate their use in a causal analysis of a rainfall enhancement experiment that was carried out in Oman between 2013 and 2018.
Identifying steady‐state growth and inflation in the South African economy, 1960–2020
Authors: Fedderke Johannes W.
Published: August 2022

This paper employs a simple but general representation of an economy, in order to derive mutually consistent estimates of steady‐state growth and inflation for South Africa over the period from 1960Q1 through to 2020Q2, as well as the implied “gaps” between actual growth and inflation and their steady‐state values. Analysis is under both closed and open economy frameworks. Moreover, the full sample is partitioned in subsamples either ex ante by decade or endogenously from structural breaks implied by the univariate time series characteristics of the data.
Firm creation, entry costs, and house‐price volatility∗
Authors: Epstein Brendan , Finkelstein Shapiro Alan , González Gómez Andrés
Published: August 2022

Amid growing work on the link between firm creation and cyclical housing‐market dynamics, we document a significant, positive, and robust cross‐country relationship between the level of new firm creation and the cyclical volatility of house prices. Using a business‐cycle model with endogenous firm entry, housing, and housing‐finance constraints and shocks, we show that, via general equilibrium effects, greater average firm entry can be a powerful amplification mechanism of housing‐finance shocks. These shocks and constraints play a key role in quantitatively rationalizing the link between firm creation and house‐price volatility across countries.
Political activation and social movements: Addressing non‐participation in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Pickering Dani
Published: August 2022

The decline of participation in traditional civic political processes, like voting in elections and writing to elected representatives, continues to deepen in contemporary liberal democracies. However, civics comprise only one avenue for political participation. Social movements also play a key role in influencing political affairs by exerting pressure on established institutions from outside rather than within. ‘Political activation’ is key to understanding and addressing non‐participation in both movement and civic settings alike, yet activation in movement settings, like non‐participation more generally, remains under‐researched. This article seeks to address this imbalance by exploring ways of using political activation theory to synthesise research on the fields of political participation and non‐participation, in both civic and social movement contexts. After reviewing the literature on activation, which favours political participation in civic settings, I then juxtapose this existing scholarship with a case study focused more on non‐participation and social movements as they are understood by movement organisers in Aotearoa New Zealand. In so doing, I demonstrate how civics, social movements, participation and non‐participation can be better understood together to advance scholarship on why people do or do not engage with politics.
Retrospective evaluation of clinical signs, clinical course, and prognosis between dogs with left atrial rupture secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease and those with neoplastic cardiac tamponade (2015–2019): 70 cases
Authors: Sugiura Hiroaki , Suzuki Tamami , Mimura Shiho , Kanemoto Hideyuki
Published: August 2022

Objective

To describe the clinical signs, clinical course, and prognosis of suspected left atrial rupture (LAR) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs and to compare them with dogs with suspected neoplastic cardiac tamponade (NCT).

Design

Retrospective study from November 2015 to October 2019

Setting

An out‐of‐hours Emergency Animal Hospital.

Animals

Twenty‐three dogs with LAR secondary to MMVD (LAR group) and 47 dogs with NCT (NCT group).

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

The following were the characteristics of the study population (LAR group vs NCT groups) with P < 0.05 as the significance threshold: male sex, 83% vs 66%; median age, 11.9 vs 12.5 years; and median weight, 3.8 vs 6.4 kg (P < 0.001). Chihuahuas and Miniature Dachshunds were overrepresented in the LAR and NCT groups, respectively. Statistically different clinical findings between the 2 groups were as follows (LAR vs NCT): pulmonary edema, 43% vs 0%; pericardial thrombus, 70% vs 6% (P < 0.001); ineffectiveness of pericardiocentesis (whether aspiration of pericardial fluid was successful or not), 58% vs 2% (P < 0.001); mortality rate within 48 hours of visiting hospital, 35% vs 9% (P < 0.01). No significant difference was observed in survival time after discharge between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

The proportion of dogs with a diagnosis of LAR secondary to MMVD in dogs with cardiac tamponade was higher than the previously reported rate. Furthermore, the frequency of pulmonary edema, ineffectiveness of pericardiocentesis, and short‐term mortality rate was higher in the LAR group than in the NCT group.
Ocular lesions in cats diagnosed with systemic sporotrichosis
Authors: Freitas Henrique M. , da Rocha Renata C. B. , de Farias Marconi R. , Moore Bret A. , Montiani‐Ferreira Fabiano
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To describe the most common ocular lesions and demonstrate the frequency of ophthalmic involvement in a group of cats with systemic sporotrichosis.

Animals Studied

Two hundred seventy‐four cats diagnosed with systemic sporotrichosis. The inclusion criteria included previous positive cytopathological examination, histopathological examination, or fungal culture.

Procedures

In a prospective case–control study, 274 cats diagnosed with systemic sporotrichosis underwent ophthalmic evaluation and received treatment for systemic sporotrichosis. Of these animals, 63 had ocular abnormalities which were recorded, and conjunctivitis was scored from 0 to 5. Diagnostic techniques utilized included fungal culture, as well as cytopathological (10 eyes; 10 cats), and histopathological examination of the palpebral conjunctiva and eyes (2 eyes).

Results

Cytopathological and histopathological examination of the conjunctiva, as well as fungal culture, proved to be important tests for the detection ofSporothrix sp. Five cats without the evidence of ophthalmic abnormalities also had a positive fungal culture. The identified ocular lesions in animals with systemic sporotrichosis included increased serous discharge (79 eyes; 53 cats), blepharoconjunctivitis (33 eyes; 25 cats), conjunctivitis (39 eyes, 20 cats), blepharitis (9 eyes; 8 cats), uveitis (5 eyes; 3 cats), and Florida keratopathy‐like lesions (2 eyes; 1 cat).

Conclusion

Sporotrichosis should be considered a differential diagnosis for conjunctivitis and blepharoconjunctivitis, especially in endemic areas. Fungal culture and cytopathology of ocular discharge and histopathological examinations of the conjunctiva are important for the diagnosis of ophthalmic sporotrichosis, although not all cats underwent laboratory testing in this study. Ocular discharge could be a source of contagion transmission.
Telemedicine and medical education: a mixed methods systematic review protocol
Authors: Hoffman Bryn , Braund Heather , McKeown Sandra , Dalgarno Nancy , Godfrey Christina , Appireddy Ramana
Published: August 2022

Objective:

The objective of this review is to synthesize and appraise the available research on educational strategies required to prepare medical learners for engaging in telemedicine and virtual care.

Introduction:

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant uptake of virtual care and telemedicine, highlighting the growing need for health care organizations and medical institutions to support physicians and learners navigating this new model of health care delivery, clinical learning, and assessment. Developing a better understanding of how best to prepare medical trainees across the continuum of undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional development to engage in virtual care is critical in ensuring our continued ability to meet educational mandates and provide ambulatory care that is safe, efficient, and timely.

Inclusion criteria:

Eligible studies will include medical learners who receive education on how to deliver telemedicine. The quantitative component of the review will compare learners exposed to educational interventions with learners not exposed to an intervention, or to a different intervention. Outcomes will include competencies in telemedicine delivery, knowledge, and behaviors. The qualitative component of the review will explore learners’ experiences with the delivery of educational strategies that address telemedicine.

Methods:

Embase, MEDLINE, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science Core Collection, Education Source, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global will be searched to identify published and unpublished studies. No date or language restrictions will be applied. This systematic review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for mixed methods systematic reviews using a convergent segregated approach. Titles and abstracts of potential studies will be screened, and potentially relevant studies will undergo full-text review for eligibility and critical appraisal of the study methodology. Data will be extracted from those studies selected for inclusion. Findings will be described relating to the effectiveness of educational curricula, initiatives, and best practices in trainee engagement in telemedicine and virtual care.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42021264332
Occupational therapy treatment of complex regional pain syndrome in children and adolescents: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Rider John V. , Tay Monica C. , De Armond Megan
Published: August 2022

Objective:

This scoping review will explore the literature related to occupational therapy interventions and delivery methods for pediatric complex regional pain syndrome.

Introduction:

Complex regional pain syndrome is a debilitating pain condition that is becoming increasingly diagnosed within the pediatric population. Untreated, it can negatively impact a child’s occupational engagement and participation, social functioning, and family dynamics. A multidisciplinary treatment approach is typically recommended, with occupational therapy as an essential component. Occupational therapy interventions for pediatric complex regional pain syndrome usually promote a child’s ability to participate in daily activities to prevent further impairment and disability. Despite evidence that occupational therapy practitioners treat this population, no review has been conducted of the available literature on occupational therapy interventions for pediatric complex regional pain syndrome.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider studies that include any form of occupational therapy interventions for participants with complex regional pain syndrome who are 18 years or younger. Quantitative, qualitative, and observational studies, and text and opinion papers will be considered.

Methods:

The JBI methodology will be used to conduct this scoping review. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, OTDBASE, OT Search (AOTA), OTseeker, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global will be searched for studies in English, with no limit on publication date. Two independent reviewers will screen the titles, abstracts, and full texts of the selected studies. Data collection will be performed using a tool developed by the researchers based on the standardized JBI tool. Data will be presented in a comprehensive narrative summary.
Women's experiences of maternity waiting homes in sub-Saharan Africa: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Yarinbab Teklemariam Ergat , Harrison Margo Shawn , Belachew Tefera
Published: August 2022

Objective:

The objective of this review is to synthesize women's experiences related to the use of maternity waiting homes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction:

Most maternal deaths occur within resource-limited settings. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia account for around 86% of all maternal deaths worldwide, with sub-Saharan Africa alone contributing roughly two-thirds of all maternal deaths. The long distances that women must travel to reach health facilities has been highlighted as the main cause of maternal death. Maternity waiting homes have been recognized as a strategy to enhance maternal health outcomes by bringing women living in geographically isolated locations closer to health facilities. However, maternity waiting home utilization rates are low and vary across different settings.

Inclusion criteria:

The study population will be women (15 to 49 years of age) living in sub-Saharan Africa who have experiences related to maternity waiting home use. This may include experiences with service provisions during the final weeks of pregnancy and 2 weeks after childbirth. Stays of at least 1 day will be considered for inclusion.

Methods:

Databases including MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Hinari will be searched. Gray literature sources will include Google Scholar and MedNar. Studies published in English from January 2000 onward will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen the titles and abstracts, followed by an examination of full-text papers. Any disagreements will be handled through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. Two reviewers will independently assess the methodological quality of included studies and extract the data. The articles will be meta-aggregated and presented in tabular or narrative format.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42022306003
Procesos de patrimonialización y turistificación del patrimonio turístico cultural de Teotihuacán y del acueducto del Padre Tembleque, México
Authors: Maya Soto Daniela , Castillo Nechar Marcelino
Published: August 2022

El artículo analiza, comparativamente, los procesos de patrimonialización y turistificación del patrimonio turístico cultural de Teotihuacán y del Acueducto del Padre Tembleque, ambos en el Estado de México. Para ello, se muestra el surgimiento y situación actual de aquellos, apoyado en un acercamiento directo a las realidades objeto de estudio con base en entrevistas y guías de observación, rescatando los comentarios y percepciones de los principales actores sociales en cuestión, a fin de mostrar los resultados del trabajo de campo. Las conclusiones permiten observar que, a pesar de las consideraciones oficialistas de la patrimonialización y turistificación, los patrimonios turístico-culturales en cuestión viven procesos diferentes y diferenciados, no solo por la temporalidad y el contexto sociopolítico de sus actores, sino por el nivel de concientización que tienen hacia ellos, así como por el compromiso para incorporarlos al desarrollo turístico, socioeconómico y político de sus comunidades.
Memoria del agua y valor del suelo. Inundabilidad y mercado de tierra urbana en La Plata, Argentina
Authors: Rotger Daniela Vanesa
Published: August 2022

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la relación entre inundabilidad y valor del suelo, tomando como casos de estudio las zonas más afectadas durante la inundación más importante de la historia de la ciudad de La Plata, Argentina. La metodología seguida es de carácter cualitativo y cuantitativo, y se estructura con base en un relevamiento realizado entre los años 2020 y 2021 de los precios de lotes urbanos en las cinco zonas más afectadas de la ciudad. En una de estas zonas, donde un curso de agua corre a cielo abierto, se realizó un análisis comparativo entre lotes sobre el curso y lotes cercanos al cauce del río, analizando la influencia del arroyo en la composición del mercado inmobiliario. Los resultados señalan que la innundabilidad tiene un peso relativo frente a otros factores que determinan el valor del suelo, además de la incidencia de los cursos de agua como testimonio evidente de la presencia de esta en la ciudad
Automatically Landing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Using Perspective-n-Point Algorithm Based on Known Runway Image: Area Localization and Feature Enhancement With Time Consumption Reduction
Authors: Kongkaew Sakol , Ruchanurucks Miti , Takamatsu Jun
Published: August 2022

This research proposes a method to track a known runway image to land an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) automatically by finding a perspective transform between the known image and an input image in real-time. Apparently, it improves the efficiency of feature detectors in real-time, so they can better respond to perspective transformation and reduce the processing time. A UAV is an aircraft that is controlled without a human pilot on board. The flight of a UAV operates with various degrees of autonomy, either autonomously using computational-limited on-board computers or under remote control by a human operator. UAVs were originally applied for missions where human access was not readily available or where it was dangerous for humans to go. Nowadays, the most important problem in monitoring by an autopilot is that the conventional system using only the GPS sensors provides inaccurate geographical positioning. Therefore, controlling the UAV to take off from or land on a runway needs professional input which is a scarce resource. The characteristics of the newly developed method proposed in this paper are: (1) using a lightweight feature detector, such as SIFT or SURF, and (2) using the perspective transformation to reduce the effect of affine transformation that results in the feature detector becoming more tolerant to perspective transformation. In addition, the method is also capable of roughly localizing the same template in consecutive frames. Thus, it limits the calculation area that feature matching needs to work on.
Self-Excited Second-Order Azimuthal Thermoacoustic Instabilities in an Annular Combustor With Oblique-Injecting Swirling Burners
Authors: Fang Yuanqi , Wang Gaofeng , Lyu Zengyi
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we experimentally investigate the thermoacoustic instability issue in an annular combustor with 16 oblique-injecting premixed swirling burners. It is demonstrated that there exist three dominant modes in a narrow operating range: a Helmholtz mode, a first-order azimuthal mode, and a second-order azimuthal mode. Their modal frequencies are consistent with the simulating prediction of a Helmholtz solver. Our present investigations are more focused on the second-order azimuthal modes which are comparatively infrequently observed in the experiments of model annular combustors. The dynamic mode decomposition approach is used to postprocess the high-speed flame images, revealing the primary dynamic structure of the flame responses for the three self-excited thermoacoustic modes. A pressure field analyzing ansatz has been involved to feature the self-excited azimuthal instabilities, including their dynamical nature (standing, spinning, or mixed) and the time-varying pressure antinodes. Results indicate that the first-order and second-order azimuthal modes both exhibit a standing nature with relatively fixed pressure antinodes. Additionally, in a transition case where these two azimuthal modes co-exist, the first-order azimuthal mode behaves as a weakly oscillating standing mode whose pressure antinodes exhibit a fat-tailed distribution. Exceptionally, the second-order azimuthal mode is split into a pair of nondegenerate modes with two close frequencies. And the split pairs are found to yield distinct pressure antinodes that are orthogonal to each other.
Microtomography of Soil and Soot Deposits: Analysis of Three-Dimensional Structures and Surface Morphology
Authors: Suman Alessio , Vulpio Alessandro , Pinelli Michele , D'Amico Lorenzo
Published: August 2022

The detrimental effects generated by the gas turbine fouling phenomenon are well known. Due to soil and soot particles ingestion, gas turbines experience performance drops related to greater fuel consumption and even lower efficiency. These effects are related to the modification of the shape and surface roughness of relevant surfaces (compressor and turbine blades and vanes, especially) due to the presence of a thin layer generated by micro/nanosized particle adhesion. Such contaminants are swallowed by the unit and, as a function of the operating conditions, adhere to the surface, causing a sort of dangerous coating to the surface. In this work, a microtomography analysis of the deposited layer is reported. The deposited layer has been generated using microsized soil and soot powders under specific impact conditions and substrate surface roughness similar to those in the cold section of a gas turbine compressor. The microtomography analysis has been carried out using the beamline at the ELETTRA Sincrotrone research center. Thanks to the resolution of the beamline, the detection of the three-dimensional internal structure of the soil and soot layers have revealed that within the layer, the structure is characterized by discontinuities. Soot and soil particles, even characterized by similar diameter distributions and test conditions, generate layer structures that differ by the magnitude, orientation, location of the internal discontinuities, and surface morphology (i.e., roughness). The comprehension of the packing process allows us to understand the adhesion process and define general guidelines to predict the fouling phenomenon.
Approximating Gas Turbine Combustor Exit Temperature Distribution Factors Using Spatially Under-Sampled Measurements
Authors: Lou Fangyuan
Published: August 2022

In gas turbine engines, the temperature field at the exit plane of the combustor is highly unsteady and complex, with large radial and circumferential variations. The circumferential temperature variations (hot-streaks) are caused by the discrete nature of fuel and dilution air jets, and combustor lining coolant flow results in a strong radial temperature gradient. Two widely adopted parameters include the radial temperature distribution factor (RTDF) and the overall temperature distribution factor (OTDF) to quantify combustor exit temperature nonuniformity. The state-of-the-art approach to characterizing the combustor exit temperature nonuniformity is to carry out an extensive traverse along the circumferential direction at a spatial resolution of two to three degrees. With hundreds of measurements in place, the combustor OTDF and RTDF can be obtained. Though the approach is practical, this involves the design of complex traverse mechanisms and can be costly. To address this challenge, this paper presents a novel method for predicting combustor exit TDFs using much sparser measurements. The approach's effectiveness was examined using three engine representative combustor exit temperature measurements covering a single-burner, double-burner, and entire annulus. In all cases, the hot-streaks-related features are well resolved in the reconstructed temperature field, and the multiwavelet approximation method yields almost identical RTDF to experiment with majority variations of less than 1.0% using sparse measurements. In addition, the method's robustness was examined, and considerations for the implementation of the method were provided.
Numerical Investigation of Supersonic Air-to-Air Ejectors Including Design Effects on Entrainment Efficiency
Authors: Sicuro Bruno Henrique Bogado , Malatesta Vinícius , Papa Ramon
Published: August 2022

The objective of this work is to develop and validate a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a supersonic air ejector, a device largely used in aircraft, and to determine how its efficiency behaves when some of its geometric parameters vary, fully exploring the physical phenomena of the problem. It is important to highlight that in the aeronautical industry the competitiveness of any device intrinsically relies on its efficiency, such that a CFD model for an ejector is indispensable for proper design. This paper presents a study of several turbulence models Rk–ε en, Rk–ε std, k–ω shear stress transport (SST), Spalart–Allmaras (SA), and generalized k–ω (GEKO). A validation process was conducted by comparing CFD results with two supersonic air ejector experiments. The turbulence model was also validated with these experiments, and it was concluded that the k–ω GEKO model is able to reproduce the physics of the supersonic air ejector problem with greater fidelity than traditional turbulence models in terms of entrainment ratio, with a 6% relative error reduction in relation to the traditional k–ω SST model, which has been considered by multiple authors as the best Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approach in ejector's CFD studies. After this validation process, the sensitivity of ejector efficiency to two geometric parameters was evaluated: the nozzle exit position and the ejector mixing chamber height.
Effects of Non-Face-to-Face and Noncontact Interventions on Knee Pain and Physical Activity in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hirohama Kenta , Tamura Hiroyuki , Hamada Kazuaki , Mitsutake Tsubasa , Imura Takeshi , Tanaka Shigeharu , Tanaka Ryo
Published: August 2022

Increased physical activity is an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis that causes knee pain. However, due to the coronavirus disease 2019, noncontact and non-face-to-face interventions have increased, but the quality of evidence supporting their effectiveness remains unclear. The purpose of the study was to assess the quality of evidence of the effects of non-face-to-face and noncontact interventions on knee pain and physical activity in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of different intervention methods (education and exercise). The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database were systematically searched. Four randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the educational intervention group was significantly effective, although supportive evidence was low quality. Educational intervention may be effective, but the effects need to be confirmed by higher quality clinical trials.
The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Perceived Health and Well-Being of Active Australian Older Adults
Authors: Eime Rochelle , Harvey Jack , Charity Melanie , Elliott Sam , Drummond Murray , Pankowiak Aurelie , Westerbeek Hans
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on older adults’ perceived health and well-being according to different types of participation in sport and physical activity by gender and region. A survey was implemented during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Australia (June 2020) and information collected on demographics, sport and physical activity patterns pre-COVID-19, and health and well-being outcomes during lockdown and compared to 1 year earlier. During COVID-19 lockdown, older adults who participated in both club sport and informal activities had significantly better general health, physical health, and resilience than those who participated solely in a single setting. Those participating in both team and individual activities reported better general well-being. Older adults who were active in a range of settings and modes had improved health and well-being. Social support is especially important for older adults to become and remain active.
Uncovering the universality of self-replication in protein aggregation and its link to disease
Authors: Meisl Georg , Xu Catherine K. , Taylor Jonathan D. , Michaels Thomas C. T. , Levin Aviad , Otzen Daniel , Klenerman David , Matthews Steve , Linse Sara , Andreasen Maria , Knowles Tuomas P. J.
Published: August 2022

Fibrillar protein aggregates are a hallmark of a range of human disorders, from prion diseases to dementias, but are also encountered in several functional contexts. Yet, the fundamental links between protein assembly mechanisms and their functional or pathological roles have remained elusive. Here, we analyze the aggregation kinetics of a large set of proteins that self-assemble by a nucleated-growth mechanism, from those associated with disease, over those whose aggregates fulfill functional roles in biology, to those that aggregate only under artificial conditions. We find that, essentially, all such systems, regardless of their biological role, are capable of self-replication. However, for aggregates that have evolved to fulfill a structural role, the rate of self-replication is too low to be significant on the biologically relevant time scale. By contrast, all disease-related proteins are able to self-replicate quickly compared to the time scale of the associated disease. Our findings establish the ubiquity of self-replication and point to its potential importance across aggregation-related disorders.
Signatures of recent activation identify a circulating T cell compartment containing tumor-specific antigen receptors with high avidity
Authors: Purcarea Anna , Jarosch Sebastian , Barton Jack , Grassmann Simon , Pachmayr Ludwig , D’Ippolito Elvira , Hammel Monika , Hochholzer Anna , Wagner Karolin I. , van den Berg Joost H. , Buchholz Veit R. , Haanen John B. A. G. , Busch Dirk H. , Schober Kilian
Published: August 2022

T cell receptor (TCR) avidity is assumed to be a major determinant of the spatiotemporal fate and protective capacity of tumor-specific T cells. However, monitoring polyclonal T cell responses with known TCR avidities in vivo over space and time remains challenging. Here, we investigated the fate and functionality of tumor neoantigen–specific T cells with TCRs of distinct avidities in a well-established, reductionist preclinical tumor model and human patients with melanoma. To this end, we used polyclonal T cell transfers with in-depth characterized TCRs together with flow cytometric phenotyping in mice inoculated with MC38 OVA tumors. Transfer of T cells from retrogenic mice harboring TCRs with high avidity resulted in best tumor protection. Unexpectedly, we found that both high- and low-avidity T cells are similarly abundant within the tumor and adopt concordant phenotypic signs of exhaustion. Outside the tumor, high-avidity TCR T cells were not generally overrepresented but, instead, selectively enriched in T cell populations with intermediate PD-1 protein expression. Single-cell sequencing of neoantigen-specific T cells from two patients with melanoma—combined with transgenic reexpression of identified TCRs by CRISPR-Cas9–mediated orthotopic TCR replacement—revealed high-functionality TCRs to be enriched in T cells with RNA signatures of recent activation. Furthermore, of 130 surface protein candidates, PD-1 surface expression was most consistently enriched in functional TCRs. Together, our findings show that tumor-reactive TCRs with high protective capacity circulating in peripheral blood are characterized by a signature of recent activation.
Supplemental Material: The northern Hikurangi margin three-dimensional plate interface in New Zealand remains rough 100 km from the trench
Authors: Leah Harold , al. et
Published: August 2022

Details of seismic arrivals, RF processing, CCP stacking, synthetic CCP tests, and shear strength modeling. 
Supplemental Material: Early accretion and prolonged carbonation of the Pacific Ocean’s oldest crust
Authors: Kendrick Mark , al. et
Published: August 2022

Description of the methods, Figures S1–S8, and Dataset S1 (an Excel data sheet with all U-Pb, trace element, and clumped isotope data). 
Supplemental Material: Quantifying controls on the occurrence of nonmarine fossils
Authors: Regan Anik K. , al. et
Published: August 2022

Data files and R scripts needed to generate the graphs seen in Figures 3 and 4: ‘fossilCounts.csv’ contains data used to calculate the probability of occurrence; ‘probabilityOfOccurrenceFunctions.txt’ contains the R code for helper functions used in figure creation; ‘probabilityOfOccurrenceGraphs.txt’ contains the R code workflow used for calculations and for generating Figures 3 and 4.  
Supplemental Material: Termination of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the Beishan orogen, NW China: Constraints from detrital zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotope analysis of turbidites
Authors: Guo Qian-Qian , al. et
Published: August 2022

Table S1: LA-ICP-MS data for the Permian turbidites in southern Beishan, China. Table S2: Zircon Lu-Hf isotopic analyses from the Permian turbidites in southern Beishan, NW China. Table S3: Sr-Nd isotopic data for the Permian turbidites in southern Beishan. Figure S1: Compound U-Pb concordia diagrams of samples collected from Permian turbidites in the southmost Beishan orogenic collage. Figure S2: Compound U-Pb concordia diagrams of Paleozoic detrital zircons in this study. Figure S3: Age histograms and relative probability diagrams of detrital zircons from every single sample. Figure S4: Comparison of age histograms and relative probability plots for detrital zircons U-Pb ages of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in Southern Altaids.
Response to PD-1 inhibitor after progression on PD-L1 inhibitor in advanced HCC
Authors: Cerniglia Michael , Klepadlo Michal , Sheneman David , Kim Sunnie S
Published: August 2022

For hepatocellular carcinoma, the IMbrave150 trial demonstrated that combination atezolizumab and bevacizumab had significantly better overall survival compared with sorafenib in patients with unresectable disease. However, as more immune checkpoint inhibitors are approved as first-line agents in gastrointestinal cancers, there have been few reports on whether sequential PD-1/PD-L1 blockade is beneficial in the treatment of these diseases. We present a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who had disease progression on atezolizumab, a PD-L1 inhibitor, but subsequently had a remarkable response to pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor.
Long-term 14-year survival with primary hepatic angiosarcoma
Authors: Chen Jason , Chen Nelson
Published: August 2022

Primary hepatic angiosarcomas (PHAs) are rare primary liver malignancies with poor outcomes due to their aggressive nature and the difficulty it presents in terms of diagnosis and management. However, early diagnosis and aggressive surgical resection combined with ongoing surveillance can confer prolonged survival in patients with PHA. Additionally, adjuvant radiotherapy may be of benefit in cases of involved surgical margins. Here we report the longest surviving patient with PHA in literature to date. The patient had an initial right hemihepatectomy 14 years ago and 10 years later had a segment III segmentectomy for recurrence on surveillance imaging. This was followed with adjuvant radiotherapy for involved margins. There has been no further recurrence noted on imaging to date, and the patient is continuing to thrive in the community.
Using individual participant data to improve network meta-analysis projects
Authors: Riley Richard D , Dias Sofia , Donegan Sarah , Tierney Jayne F , Stewart Lesley A , Efthimiou Orestis , Phillippo David M
Published: August 2022

A network meta-analysis combines the evidence from existing randomised trials about the comparative efficacy of multiple treatments. It allows direct and indirect evidence about each comparison to be included in the same analysis, and provides a coherent framework to compare and rank treatments. A traditional network meta-analysis uses aggregate data (eg, treatment effect estimates and standard errors) obtained from publications or trial investigators. An alternative approach is to obtain, check, harmonise and meta-analyse the individual participant data (IPD) from each trial. In this article, we describe potential advantages of IPD for network meta-analysis projects, emphasising five key benefits: (1) improving the quality and scope of information available for inclusion in the meta-analysis, (2) examining and plotting distributions of covariates across trials (eg, for potential effect modifiers), (3) standardising and improving the analysis of each trial, (4) adjusting for prognostic factors to allow a network meta-analysis of conditional treatment effects and (5) including treatment–covariate interactions (effect modifiers) to allow relative treatment effects to vary by participant-level covariate values (eg, age, baseline depression score). A running theme of all these benefits is that they help examine and reduce heterogeneity (differences in the true treatment effect between trials) and inconsistency (differences in the true treatment effect between direct and indirect evidence) in the network. As a consequence, an IPD network meta-analysis has the potential for more precise, reliable and informative results for clinical practice and even allows treatment comparisons to be made for individual patients and targeted populations conditional on their particular characteristics.
062 Ictal asystole during a generalised seizure following a photoparoxysmal response
Authors: Gilligan Michael , Mooney Sean , O’Riordan Sean , Connolly Sean
Published: August 2022

Background

Ictal asystole is the transient cessation of cardiac electrical activity during an epileptic seizure. It has been described in association with focal seizures, most often arising from the left temporal lobe in patients with refractory epilepsy.

Case and Results of Investigations

A 31-year-old right-handed male had a first generalised seizure at work following a period of increased alcohol consumption and sleep deprivation. There was no family history of epilepsy and neurological examination was normal. Generalised sharpened discharges with polyspikes occurred in an EEG two days later. A second EEG performed three months later contained a photopar- oxysmal response followed by a generalised seizure accompanied by a 7.5-second period of asystole. Electrographically the seizure was generalised in onset, without lateralising features, although the clinical semiology was notable for some initial focal features. MRI brain did not reveal any focal abnormality. The patient was commenced on levetiracetam and has remained seizure-free since.

Discussion

This is a rare case of ictal asystole in a patient with a generalised-onset seizure, and probable underlying primary generalised epilepsy.
070 Real-world experience of perampanel monotherapy in epilepsy patients with focal-onset and generalised-onset seizures
Authors: Alsaadi Taoufik , Toledo Manuel , Loro Fernando Ayuga , Trinka Eugen , Wu Tony , Malhotra Manoj , Ngo Leock Y , Gil-Nagel Antonio , Villanueva Vicente
Published: August 2022

Data from 44 pooled clinical practice studies were compared for epilepsy patients with focal-onset and/or generalised-onset seizures treated with perampanel (PER) monotherapy (n=268) (first-line or conversion to monotherapy). Retention was assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months of PER treatment. Seizure freedom rates and responder rates (≥50% seizure frequency reduction), assessed by seizure type at last visit were evaluated (last observation carried forward). Adverse events (AEs) and discontinuation due to AEs were evaluated. Seizure types at baseline were focal-onset only (75.0%), generalised-onset only (24.5%), and focal-onset and generalised-onset (0.5%). At 3, 6 and 12 months, retention rates were 91.1%, 87.3% and 73.3%, respectively. At last visit, seizure freedom rates in patients with focal-onset and generalised-onset seizures were 64.1% and 69.4%, respectively; corresponding responder rates were 84.4% and 93.9%, respec- tively. AEs were reported for 45.2% of patients, with the most frequent (≥10% of patients) being dizziness/vertigo (16.8%) and irritability (11.2%); 13.7% of patients discontinued due to AEs over 12 months. Psychiatric AEs were reported for 20.8% of patients. In conclusion, PER was effective and generally well-tolerated as monotherapy for focal-onset and/or generalised-onset seizures in everyday clinical practice. At last visit, approximately two-thirds of patients were seizure free.

Supported by Eisai
071 Perampanel as early add-on therapy for focal-onset and generalised-onset seizures in clinical practice
Authors: Santamarina Estevo , Abril-Jaramillo Javier , Rodriguez-Osorio Xiana , Yamamoto Takamichi , McMurray Rob , Trinka Eugen , D’Souza Wendyl , Renna Rosaria , Villanueva Vicente
Published: August 2022

Data from 44 pooled clinical practice studies were compared for epilepsy patients with focal-onset and/or generalised-onset seizures treated with perampanel (PER) as early (n=632) versus late add-on therapy (n=1900). Retention was assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months of PER treatment. Effectiveness assess- ments comprised responder rate (≥50% seizure frequency reduction), seizure freedom rate and rate of unchanged or worsening seizure frequency. Adverse events (AEs) and discontinuation due to AEs were evaluated. Retention was significantly higher with early versus late add-on therapy at all timepoints. At last visit, seizure freedom rate was significantly higher with early versus late add-on therapy (40.1% vs. 8.7%; p<0.001), as was responder rate (73.0% vs. 36.4%; p<0.001); and the proportion of patients with unchanged seizure frequency was significantly lower in the early versus late add-on group (10.2% vs. 31.8%; p<0.001), as was worsening seizure frequency (6.1% vs. 13.6%; p<0.001). Patients treated with early versus late add-on therapy had a significantly lower incidence of AEs (41.8% vs. 54.5%; p<0.001), psychi- atric AEs (18.3% vs. 22.2%; p=0.046), and discontinuation rates due to AEs at 12 months (15.0% vs.18.7%; p=0.045). In conclusion, PER was significantly more effective and better-tolerated as early add-on therapy in everyday clinical practice.

Supported by Eisai.
What, when and how should the information about neurodegenerative disease risk in iRBD be communicated?
Authors: Chohan Harneek , Simonet Cristina , Gill Aneet , Schrag Anette , Noyce Alastair J , Pérez-Carbonell Laura
Published: August 2022

Background

Idiopathic/isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) is characterised by vivid dreams with ‘acting-out’ behaviours due to REM sleep loss of atonia. It is associated with a risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. There is uncertainty about what should be disclosed to iRBD patients in terms of future risk1.

Methods

A survey was administered to patients with iRBD and participating in the PREDICT-PD study. They were invited to complete a 9-question survey exploring the information they would like to receive about the potential future implications of having iRBD.

Results

We interviewed 31 patients (28 males, 70yo, SD 8.7y) with iRBD (mean 8.7-year disease duration, SD 6.4). A third had not received any information about the link of iRBD with other conditions by health- care professionals. More than half (61%) had searched for that information online. Most patients (87%) wanted to receive prognostic information to help them make informed decisions about their future. The preferred time for this was when a diagnosis of iRBD was made rather than when parkinsonism starts (61% vs 7%). Most wanted this information to come from their iRBD specialist (93%).

Conclusions

Patients with iRBD mostly wished to receive information regarding the potential future impli- cations of having iRBD when the diagnosis of iRBD is made. Taking account of patients’ preferences is relevant to decide what, when and how to disclose prognostic information to patients with iRBD.
078 Bruns syndrome – broadening the phenotype
Authors: Seddigh Arshia , Mollan Susan , Samarasekera Shanika , Kay Andrew
Published: August 2022

We present a 50-year-old lady with 6-months’ history of episodes of feeling weak with legs giving way triggered by sudden change of position or head-turning and no loss of consciousness. She had left tinnitus for years and one year worsening migraines with fortification spectra, visual blurring, and vertigo. ENT made a diagnosis of vestibular migraines.

Her neurological examination was normal and attempted provocation of attacks with sudden changes in position and Dix-Hallpike was unsuccessful. Brain MRI revealed a large lesion obstructing foramina of Luschka-Magendie giving rise to obstructive hydrocephalus.

Neuro-ophthalmology review showed bilateral papilledema and no evidence of Parinaud’s syndrome (no convergence retraction nystagmus or tectal pupils). Tumour biomarkers (bHCG-AFP-AlkPh-LDH) and body CT scan were normal. She underwent urgent CSF diversion. MDTs confirmed radiological diagnosis of epidermoid cyst awaiting debulking.

Episodic headaches/vertigo with head-turning are described in Bruns syndrome manifesting as abrupt headaches, vertigo, vomiting provoked by changes in head position due to intermittent obstructive hydrocephalous (mass lesion and ball-valve mechanism). We propose patient’s acute episodes of lower limb weakness were similar phenomenon highlighting importance of imaging in stereotypical attacks after triggers.