bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Orthogeriatric Care Models on Outcomes of Hip Fracture Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Van Heghe Annelore , Mordant Gilles , Dupont Jolan , Dejaeger Marian , Laurent Michaël R. , Gielen Evelien
Published: September 2021

Orthogeriatrics is increasingly recommended in the care of hip fracture patients, although evidence for this model is conflicting or at least limited. Furthermore, there is no conclusive evidence on which model [geriatric medicine consultant service (GCS), geriatric medical ward with orthopedic surgeon consultant service (GW), integrated care model (ICM)] is superior. The review summarizes the effect of orthogeriatric care for hip fracture patients on length of stay (LOS), time to surgery (TTS), in-hospital mortality, 1-year mortality, 30-day readmission rate, functional outcome, complication rate, and cost. Two independent reviewers retrieved randomized controlled trials, controlled observational studies, and pre/post analyses. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Thirty-seven studies were included, totaling 37.294 patients. Orthogeriatric care significantly reduced LOS [mean difference (MD) − 1.55 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) (− 2.53; − 0.57)], but heterogeneity warrants caution in interpreting this finding. Orthogeriatrics also resulted in a 28% lower risk of in-hospital mortality [95%CI (0.56; 0.92)], a 14% lower risk of 1-year mortality [95%CI (0.76; 0.97)], and a 19% lower risk of delirium [95%CI (0.71; 0.92)]. No significant effect was observed on TTS and 30-day readmission rate. No consistent effect was found on functional outcome. Numerically lower numbers of complications were observed in orthogeriatric care, yet some complications occurred more frequently in GW and ICM. Limited data suggest orthogeriatrics is cost-effective. There is moderate quality evidence that orthogeriatrics reduces LOS, in-hospital mortality, 1-year mortality, and delirium of hip fracture patients and may reduce complications and cost, while the effect on functional outcome is inconsistent. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend one or the other type of orthogeriatric care model.
The role of microglia in neuropsychiatric disorders and suicide
Authors: Brisch Ralf , Wojtylak Szymon , Saniotis Arthur , Steiner Johann , Gos Tomasz , Kumaratilake Jaliya , Henneberg Maciej , Wolf Rainer
Published: September 2021

This narrative review examines the possible role of microglial cells, first, in neuroinflammation and, second, in schizophrenia, depression, and suicide. Recent research on the interactions between microglia, astrocytes and neurons and their involvement in pathophysiological processes of neuropsychiatric disorders is presented. This review focuses on results from postmortem, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies, and animal models of schizophrenia and depression. Third, the effects of antipsychotic and antidepressant drug therapy, and of electroconvulsive therapy on microglial cells are explored and the upcoming development of therapeutic drugs targeting microglia is described. Finally, there is a discussion on the role of microglia in the evolutionary progression of human lineage. This view may contribute to a new understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders.
It is all about the insects: a retrospective on 20 years of forensic entomology highlights the importance of insects in legal investigations
Authors: Lutz Lena , Zehner Richard , Verhoff Marcel A. , Bratzke Hansjürgen , Amendt Jens
Published: September 2021

This study highlights the importance of insect evidence by evaluating 949 insect-associated cases, including 139 entomological reports, from 2001 to 2019 at the Institute of Legal Medicine Frankfurt/Germany. With a high number of cases in the summer months and a low number in the colder season, 78.5% of the bodies were found indoors, regardless of year or month. In more than 80% of the cases, where PMI information was available (n = 704), the presumed PMI ranged from 1 to 21 days, a period during which entomological evidence can provide a day-specific estimate of PMImin. In cases where insects have been identified to species level (n = 279), most bodies were infested by one or two species with a maximum of 10 different species. Overall, a total of 55 insect species were found. Information on biology, activity and distribution of the most abundant taxa is given and applied for 5 case histories estimating different PMImins of up to over 6 months. Despite proved importance and scientific development of forensic entomology, insects are still rarely considered as a tool in forensic case work. The main reasons are a lack of awareness and (too) late involvement of a forensic entomologist. Our work shows that forensic entomology is an independent discipline that requires specialist expertise.
Onlay mesh repair for treatment of small umbilical hernias ≤ 2 cm in adults: a single-centre investigation
Authors: Melkemichel M. , Stjärne L. , Bringman S. , Widhe B.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Previous studies on the repair of small umbilical hernias have suggested a lower recurrence rate with mesh compared to suture repair. An important question is in what anatomical position the mesh should be placed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of using a standardized 4 × 4 cm onlay-mesh for umbilical hernias ≤ 2 cm.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at a single centre in Sweden on all umbilical hernia repairs during 2015–2019. The follow-up time was at least four months. Patients were identified using the hospital medical database. Repairs performed with suture or a sublay, ventral patch and laparoscopic mesh positioning were excluded. The patient’s demographics, comorbidities, intra—and post-operative details were considered. The primary outcome was surgical site complications within 30 days. The secondary outcome was a recurrence.

Results

80 patients were repaired with a small onlay-mesh for an umbilical hernia ≤ 2 cm. The median (range) follow-up time was 29.0 (4.3–50.1) months. The median age was 46 (26–76) years old. The median body mass index was 28 (19–38) kg/m2. The male to female ratio was 2:1. 4 patients were identified with a surgical site post-operative complication; three with seromas and one with a superficial wound infection. 3 of these were given antibiotics. 2 patients were treated with wound openings bedside. There were no registered cases of recurrence.

Conclusions

Repairing small umbilical hernias with a small onlay-mesh was safe with a low surgical site complication rate. Randomized trials are needed to assess whether mesh can reduce recurrences in umbilical hernia repairs ≤ 2 cm.
Apolipoprotein E ɛ4–related effects on cognition are limited to the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum
Authors: Fernández Alberto , Vaquero Lucía , Bajo Ricardo , Zuluaga Pilar ,   ADNI–Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Weiner Michael W. , Saykin Andrew J. , Trojanowski John Q. , Shaw Leslie , Toga Arthur W. , Beckett Laurel , Jack Clifford R. , Aisen Paul , Petersen Ronald C. , Morris John C. , Jagust William
Published: September 2021

Whether the deleterious effects of APOE4 are restricted to the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) spectrum or cause cognitive impairment irrespectively of the development of AD is still a matter of debate, and the focus of this study. Our analyses included APOE4 genotype, neuropsychological variables, amyloid-βeta (Aβ) and Tau markers, FDG-PET values, and hippocampal volumetry data derived from the healthy controls sample of the ADNI database. We formed 4 groups of equal size (n = 30) based on APOE4 carriage and amyloid-PET status. Baseline and follow-up (i.e., 48 months post-baseline) results indicated that Aβ-positivity was the most important factor to explain poorer cognitive performance, while APOE4 only exerted a significant effect in Aβ-positive subjects. Additionally, multiple regression analyses evidenced that, within the Aβ-positive sample, hippocampal volumetry explained most of the variability in cognitive performance for APOE4 carriers. These findings represent a strong support for the so-called preclinical/prodromal hypothesis, which states that the reported differences in cognitive performance between healthy carriers and non-carriers are mainly due to the APOE4’s capability to increase the risk of AD. Moreover, our results reinforce the notion that a synergistic interaction of Aβ and APOE4 elicits a neurodegenerative process in the hippocampus that might be the main cause of impaired cognitive performance.
Impulsive Fire Disturbance in a Savanna Model: Tree–Grass Coexistence States, Multiple Stable System States, and Resilience
Authors: Hoyer-Leitzel Alanna , Iams Sarah
Published: September 2021

Savanna ecosystems are shaped by the frequency and intensity of regular fires. We model savannas via an ordinary differential equation (ODE) encoding a one-sided inhibitory Lotka–Volterra interaction between trees and grass. By applying fire as a discrete disturbance, we create an impulsive dynamical system that allows us to identify the impact of variation in fire frequency and intensity. The model exhibits three different bistability regimes: between savanna and grassland; two savanna states; and savanna and woodland. The impulsive model reveals rich bifurcation structures in response to changes in fire intensity and frequency—structures that are largely invisible to analogous ODE models with continuous fire. In addition, by using the amount of grass as an example of a socially valued function of the system state, we examine the resilience of the social value to different disturbance regimes. We find that large transitions (“tipping”) in the valued quantity can be triggered by small changes in disturbance regime.
Interkulturelle Kompetenz in der Arbeit mit traumatisierten Menschen mit Fluchterfahrung
Authors: Pichlhöfer Christine
Published: September 2021

Im Artikel der Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie wird die psychotherapeutische Arbeit mit traumatisierten Menschen mit Fluchterfahrung, unter anderem auch anhand von Fallvignetten, besprochen. Es geht um die Begegnung mit Menschen, die ihr Leben bisher in einem anderen Land verbracht haben und sich aufgrund zerbrochener Sicherheiten dazu gezwungen sahen, dieses zu verlassen. Flucht ist nie freiwillig. Wie viel muss ich über eine andere Kultur wissen und wie kann ich mich gleichzeitig vor verallgemeinernden Vorannahmen bewahren? Oft ist es ein therapeutisches Arbeiten mit traumatisierten Menschen mit ungeklärtem Aufenthaltsstatus und damit auch mit fehlender Sicherheit. Die Suche nach Ressourcen im Inneren ist ein intensiver Prozess, jene im Außen eine Herausforderung. Begegnung auf Augenhöhe und der gemeinsame Prozess des Findens eines passenden therapeutischen Prozesses erfordern ein besonderes Einlassen in uns oft unbekannte Welten.
Formation of Coarse Silicon Near the Surface of Al–7Si–Mg Semi-solid Castings
Authors: Santos Jorge , Jarfors Anders E. W. , Dahle Arne K.
Published: September 2021

Primary type polyhedral silicon crystals were observed in the vicinity of oxides located at or near the surface of strontium modified semi-solid Al–7Si–Mg castings. The coarse silicon polyhedrons were observed mainly on the outer side of oxides surrounding the macrosegregation regions. The silicon crystals most likely nucleated on AlP-particles located near the oxides. These AlP particles may nucleate on the wetted surface of oxides, or form at different locations in the interdendritic regions.
Unknown variant of the accessory subscapularis muscle?
Authors: Zielinska Nicol , Tubbs R. Shane , Konschake Marko , Olewnik Łukasz
Published: September 2021

Acting in medial rotation of the arm, the subscapularis (SM) is the most powerful and largest muscle of the rotator cuff. It is morphologically variable, especially in the number of tendons, place of insertion, and number of bellies, and it is sometimes fused with another muscle. An accessory subscapularis muscle (ASM) is among the morphological variations of the SM, but it is a really rare variant. The present case describes a very rare ASM that is divided into proximal tendinous attachment, intermediate fleshy muscular belly and distal tendinous attachment. Its origin is located on the lateral border of the scapula, but some fibers are connected with the muscular part of the SM. Its distal attachment is fused with the capsule of shoulder joint, above the tendinous insertion of the SM. Such an arrangement allows for greater stabilization of the joint. Moreover, there is a possibility that it could be used during treatment of ruptured SM tendons.
Medical Students’ Perspectives on Online Proctoring During Remote Digital Progress Test
Authors: Meulmeester Fleur L. , Dubois Eline A. , Krommenhoek-van Es C. , de Jong Peter G. M. , Langers Alexandra M. J.
Published: September 2021

Remote teaching and assessment are essential for current education. During online examination, online proctoring is often used as a surveillance tool. Little is known about student perceptions on online proctoring. Using an online questionnaire, we found that medical students worry most about unjustified invalidation of their exam due to unstable internet connection, background noise or webcam issues, and privacy issues. It is important to be aware of these worries as they may influence test results.
Picture fuzzy tolerance graphs with application
Authors: Das Sankar , Ghorai Ganesh , Pal Madhumangal
Published: September 2021

In this study, the notions of picture fuzzy tolerance graphs, picture fuzzy interval containment graphs and picture fuzzy $$\phi $$
ϕ
-tolerance graphs are established. Three special types of picture fuzzy tolerance graphs having bounded representations are introduced and studied corresponding properties of them taking $$\phi $$
ϕ
as max, min and sum functions. Also, picture fuzzy proper and unit tolerance graphs are established and some related results are investigated. The class of picture fuzzy $$\phi $$
ϕ
-tolerance chaingraphs which is the picture fuzzy $$\phi $$
ϕ
-tolerance graphs of a nested family of picture fuzzy intervals are presented. A real-life application in sports competition is modeled using picture fuzzy min-tolerance graph. Also a comparison is given between picture fuzzy tolerance graphs and intuitionistic fuzzy tolerance graphs.
Topologically mixing tiling of generated by a generalized substitution
Authors: WHITE TYLER
Published: September 2021

This paper presents sufficient conditions for a substitution tiling dynamical system of
$\mathbb {R}^2$
, generated by a generalized substitution on three letters, to be topologically mixing. These conditions are shown to hold on a large class of tiling substitutions originally presented by Kenyon in 1996. This problem was suggested by Boris Solomyak, and many of the techniques that are used in this paper are based on the work by Kenyon, Sadun, and Solomyak [Topological mixing for substitutions on two letters. Ergod. Th. & Dynam. Sys.25(6) (2005), 1919–1934]. They studied one-dimensional tiling dynamical systems generated by substitutions on two letters and provided similar conditions sufficient to ensure that one-dimensional substitution tiling dynamical systems are topologically mixing. If a tiling dynamical system of
$\mathbb {R}^2$
satisfies our conditions (and thus is topologically mixing), we can construct additional topologically mixing tiling dynamical systems of
$\mathbb {R}^2$
. By considering the stepped surface constructed from a tiling
$T_\sigma $
, we can get a new tiling of
$\mathbb {R}^2$
by projecting the surface orthogonally onto an irrational plane through the origin.
On the Alber equation for shoaling water waves
Authors: Kluczek Mateusz , Andrade David , Stiassnie Michael
Published: September 2021

The problem of unidirectional shoaling of a water-wave field with a narrow energy spectrum is treated by using a new Alber equation. The stability of the linear stationary solution to small non-stationary disturbances is analysed; and numerical solutions for its subsequent long-distance evolution are presented. The results quantify the physics which causes the gradual decay in the probability of freak-wave occurrence, when moving from deep to shallow coastal waters.
ENDOGENOUS SOCIAL DISTANCING AND CONTAINMENT POLICIES IN SOCIAL NETWORKS
Authors: Adriani Fabrizio , Ladley Dan
Published: September 2021

Can smart containment policies crowd out private efforts at social distancing? We analyse this question from the perspective of network formation theory. We focus in particular on the role of externalities in social distancing choices. We also look at how these choices are affected by factors such as the agents’ risk perception, the speed of the policy intervention, the structure of the underlying network and the presence of strategic complementarities. We argue that crowding out is a problem when the probability that an outbreak may spread undetected is relatively high (either because testing is too infrequent or because tests are highly inaccurate). This is also the case where the choice of relaxing social distancing generates the largest negative externalities. Simulations on a real-world network suggest that crowding out is more likely to occur when, in the absence of interventions, face-to-face contacts are perceived to carry relatively high risk.
GROUP TESTING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING
Authors: Galanis Spyros
Published: September 2021

An often overlooked strategy for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is group testing. Its main advantage is that it can scale, enabling the regular testing of the whole population. We argue that another advantage is that it can induce social distancing. Using a simple model, we show that if a group tests positive and its members are in close social proximity, then they will rationally choose not to meet. The driving force is the uncertainty about who has the virus and the fact that the group cares about its collective welfare. We therefore propose identifying socially connected groups, such as colleagues, friends and neighbours, and testing them regularly.
WHEAT SEED (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) RADIOCARBON CONCENTRATION OVER THE LAST 75 YEARS
Authors: Hüls C Matthias , Börner Andreas , Hamann Christian
Published: September 2021

Here we report radiocarbon measurements made on wheat seed tissue (Triticum aestivum L.; winter or spring type growth habit), from the seed archive of the IPK Gatersleben, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, which was harvested between 1946 and 2020. The results give an overview of 75 years of radiocarbon concentration evolution in agricultural plant products. The wheat tissue radiocarbon concentrations follow known pre- and post-bomb radiocarbon records, such as the atmospheric Jungfraujoch, Schauinsland, and NH1 datasets. Based on a Northern Hemisphere growing period from April to July, the Gatersleben seed tissue radiocarbon concentration indicates incorporation of fossil carbon of about 1% with respect to the high alpine, clean-air CO2 of the Jungfraujoch station between 1987 and 2019. We propose to use the pre- and post-bomb radiocarbon record of Gatersleben wheat as a reference in forensic investigations, such as the age estimation of paper by analyzing starch used in paper manufacture. Additionally, an advantage of the record reported here lies in its extensibility by adding new analyses from future harvests.
A high-resolution computed tomography based scoring system to predict ease of electrode insertion in cochlear implantation
Authors: Das A , Janweja M , Dubey A , Mitra S , Sengupta A
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study aimed to formulate a scoring system based on high-resolution computed tomography scans to predict ease of electrode insertion during cochlear implantation via posterior tympanotomy in paediatric patients.

Method

A scoring system Cochlear Implantation Radiological Assessment Score (CIRAS) was formulated based on six parameters. This score was correlated with intra-operative findings, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off score to predict difficulty of surgery and to establish the inherent validity of the scoring system by area under curve.

Results

Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that optimal cut-off score was 8 (93.1 per cent specificity and 56.52 per cent sensitivity), and area under the curve was 0.828. Patients with CIRAS of more than 8 had significantly higher time for surgery (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

CIRAS is an easy to administer tool by utilising classical axial and coronal sections, without any numerical measures. Pre-operative assessment by this score gives a good idea of intra-operative challenges.
Improving local food environments and dietary habits in adolescents by engaging with stakeholders in the Netherlands
Authors: Seidell Jacob C. , Dijkstra S. Coosje , Poelman Maartje P.
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this article is to describe a series of recent studies from the authors and many of their colleagues aimed at improving the food environments of adolescents in the Netherlands and thereby improving their food choices. These studies are performed in the wider context of national and local strategies for the prevention of overweight and obesity in the Netherlands. Interventions were developed with local stakeholders and carried out in schools, supermarkets and low-income neighbourhoods. We conclude that current national policies in the Netherlands are largely ineffective in reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Local integrated programmes in the Netherlands, however, seem to result in a reduction of overweight, especially in low-income neighbourhoods. It is impossible to say which elements of such an integrated approach are effective elements on their own. We found very little evidence for the effectiveness of separate interventions aimed at small changes in the food environment. This suggests that such interventions are only effective in combination with each other and in a wider systems approach. Future studies are needed to further develop the practical methodology of implementation and evaluation of systems science in combination with participatory action research.
Evolutionary linguistics can help refine (and test) hypotheses about how music might have evolved
Authors: Benítez-Burraco Antonio
Published: September 2021

Both the music and social bonding (MSB) hypothesis and the music as a credible signal hypothesis emerge as solid views of how human music and human musicality might have evolved. Nonetheless, both views could be improved (and tested in better ways) with the consideration of the way in which human language(s) might have evolved under the effects of our self-domestication.
Pluralism provides the best chance for addressing big questions about music
Authors: Margulis Elizabeth Hellmuth
Published: September 2021

Studying a complex cultural phenomenon like music requires many kinds of expertise. Savage et al. adopt a pluralistic approach, considering multiple forms of evidence and perspectives from multiple fields. This commentary argues that a similar scholarly ecumenicism should be embraced by more studies of music and other cultural phenomena.
Pre-hunt charade as the cradle of human musicality
Authors: Számadó Szabolcs
Published: September 2021

Human language and human music are both unique communication systems that evolved in the human lineage. Here, I propose that they share the same root, they evolved from an ancestral communication system yet to be described in detail. I suggest that pre-hunt charade was this shared root, which helped organize and coordinate the hunt of early hominins.
Singing is not associated with social complexity across species
Authors: Verpooten Jan , Eens Marcel
Published: September 2021

Based on their social bonding hypothesis, Savage et al. predict a relation between “musical” behaviors and social complexity across species. However, our qualitative comparative review suggests that, although learned contact calls are positively associated with complex social dynamics across species, songs are not. Yet, in contrast to songs, and arguably consistent with their functions, contact calls are not particularly music-like.
Mind the gap: The mediating role of emotion mechanisms in social bonding through musical activities
Authors: Juslin Patrik N.
Published: September 2021

I support the music and social bonding (MSB) framework, but submit that the authors' predictions lack discriminative power, and that they do not engage sufficiently with the emotion mechanisms that mediate between musical features and social bonding. I elaborate on how various mechanisms may contribute, in unique ways, to social bonding at various levels to help account for the socio-emotional effects of music.
Oxytocin as an allostatic agent in the social bonding effects of music
Authors: Hansen Niels Chr. , Keller Peter E.
Published: September 2021

Despite acknowledging that musicality evolved to serve multiple adaptive functions in human evolution, Savage et al. promote social bonding to an overarching super-function. Yet, no unifying neurobiological framework is offered. We propose that oxytocin constitutes a socio-allostatic agent whose modulation of sensing, learning, prediction, and behavioral responses with reference to the physical and social environment facilitates music's social bonding effects.
Bonds and signals underlie the music learning experience
Authors: Morrison Steven J.
Published: September 2021

The music learning environment is a context in which fundamental forces and values underlying human musicality may be evident. Social bonding within music-making groups is characterized by a high degree of complexity whereas issues of clarity, accuracy, and coordination remain the focus of learning. Physical and cognitive impairments that compromise music learning opportunities offer a critical test of music's link to social bonding.
Challenging infant-directed singing as a credible signal of maternal attention
Authors: Trehub Sandra E.
Published: September 2021

I challenge Mehr et al.'s contention that ancestral mothers were reluctant to provide all the attention demanded by their infants. The societies in which music emerged likely involved foraging mothers who engaged in extensive infant carrying, feeding, and soothing. Accordingly, their singing was multimodal, its rhythms aligned with maternal movements, with arousal regulatory consequences for singers and listeners.
Quantum decision corrections for the neuroeconomics of irrational movement control and goal attainment
Authors: Clark Kevin B.
Published: September 2021

Quantum decision theory corrects categorical and propositional logic pathologies common to classic statistical goal-oriented reasoning, such as rational neuroeconomics-based optimal foraging. Within this ecosalient framework, motivation, perception, learning, deliberation, brain computation, and conjunctive risk-order errors may be understood for subjective utility judgments underlying either rational or irrational canonical decisions-actions used to choose, procure, and consume rewarding nutrition with variable fitness.
Vigor and aspiration levels in neuroeconomics
Authors: Mastrogiorgio Antonio
Published: September 2021

In this contribution, we criticize the demanding assumption of vigor that economic agents are maximizers. We discuss the link between vigor and subjective value through the alternative notion of aspiration levels, arguing that vigor can help articulate the ecological balance – central in bounded and ecological rationality – between minimum expected reward (aspiration level) and the efforts made for its attainment.
Costs and benefits of communicating vigor
Authors: Becchio Cristina , Pullar Kiri , Panzeri Stefano
Published: September 2021

Why do we run toward people we love, but only walk toward others? One reason is to let them know we love them. In this commentary, we elaborate on how subjective utility information encoded in vigor is read out by others. We consider the potential implications for understanding and modeling the link between movements and decisions in social environments.
Why we don't move: The importance of somatic maintenance and resting
Authors: Schrock Joshua M.
Published: September 2021

A compelling ecological theory of movement and vigor must explain why humans and other animals spend so much time not moving. When we rest, our somatic maintenance systems continue to work. When our somatic maintenance requirements increase, we place greater subjective value on resting. To explain variation in movement and vigor, we must account for the subjective value of resting.
Movement control, decision-making, and the building of Roman roads to link them
Authors: Shadmehr Reza , Ahmed Alaa A.
Published: September 2021

In science, as in life, one can only hope to both inform others, and be informed by them. The commentaries associated with our book Vigor have highlighted the many ways in which the theory that we proposed can be improved. For example, there are a myriad of factors that need to be considered in a fully encompassing objective function. The neural mechanisms underlying the links between movement and decision-making have yet to be unraveled. The implications of a two-way interaction between movement and decisions at both the individual and social levels remain to be understood. The commentaries outline future questions, and encouragingly highlight the diversity of science communities that may be linked via the concept of vigor.
“The Mental Health Piece is Huge”: perspectives on developing a prenatal maternal psychological intervention for congenital heart disease
Authors: Espinosa Kristina M. , Julian Melissa , Wu Yao , Lopez Catherine , Donofrio Mary T. , Krishnan Anita , Goudar Suma , Bowers Stephanie , Douglas-Barnett Scott , Limperopoulos Catherine , Le Huynh-Nhu
Published: September 2021

Objectives:

Women carrying a fetus diagnosed with congenital heart disease often experience significant distress because of their medical diagnosis. Given the well-documented impact associated with elevated prenatal stress and critical importance of developing targeted interventions, this study aims to examine stressors, coping and resilience resources, and mental health treatment preferences in pregnant women receiving a congenital heart disease diagnosis to inform the development of a psychological intervention to reduce maternal distress prenatally.

Methods:

Three groups of participants were included consisting of two pregnant women carrying a fetus with congenital heart disease, five women of children (4−16 months) with congenital heart disease, and five paediatric cardiology medical providers. Responses were gathered via semi-structured interviews and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis.

Results:

Information regarding four broad areas were analysed of emotional distress during pregnancy; experience of initial diagnosis; coping and resilience; and perspectives on a mental health intervention in pregnancy. Anxiety regarding baby’s future, guilt following diagnosis, and various coping strategies emerged as primary themes among the participant sample. Medical staff corroborated mothers’ heightened anxiety and viewed a psychotherapeutic intervention during the prenatal period as essential and complimentary to standard of care.

Conclusion:

We identified salient themes and preferred components for a future psychological intervention delivered prenatally.

Practice Implications:

Patients’ and providers’ perspectives regarding the nature of maternal distress, resilience and treatment preferences can inform the development of interventions to support the emotional well-being of pregnant women carrying a fetus with congenital heart disease to optimise care and potentially improve outcomes for fetal brain development.
Who Are Your Friends in Class?
Authors: Scharenberg Katja , Röhl Sebastian , Rollett Wolfram
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Educational settings such as classrooms provide important opportunities for social learning through interactions with peers. Our paper addresses the research question of whether and to what extent classroom composition characteristics make a difference. We carried out multilevel analyses based on a sample of n = 791 students in 48 classrooms (grades 5 – 7) in inclusive lower-secondary comprehensive schools in Baden-Württemberg (Germany). 22.6 % of the variance in students’ reciprocal friendship nominations were attributable to classroom-level differences. A higher average socioeconomic status and, respectively, a lower percentage of immigrant students negatively affected the number of reciprocal friendship nominations within classrooms. These results indicate that more privileged classroom settings can be related to less dense friendship networks of students. Our findings can be understood as an impulse to consider contextual factors when evaluating and addressing the social structure of classrooms in research and practice.
On River‐Aquifer Exchange Flow With Irregular and Semipervious Bank
Authors: Xian Yang , Jin Menggui , Zhan Hongbin , Liang Xing
Published: September 2021

River water flowing into and out of riparian aquifers driven by stage fluctuations during floods is critical for streamflow and biogeochemical cycling of hyporheic zones. Previous studies paid limited attention to the complex exchange flow between rivers and the adjacent unconfined aquifers through irregular and semipervious banks which are commonly seen in nature. This study proposed a new semi‐analytical solution for describing the river‐aquifer exchange flow by incorporating river stage hydrograph, and semipervious banks with irregular geometries. The solution was verified by comparing with the numerical solutions of the one‐dimensional Boussinesq equation and two‐dimensional variably saturated flow models. The comparisons indicated that the semi‐analytical solution was robust to closely approximate the bank storage exchange flow through an irregular and semipervious bank. Moreover, an innovative dimensionless river bank index (BI) was proposed to quantitively identify the importance of riverbank geometry irregularity. BI = 0.4 and BI = 0.76 are the critical threshold values to determine whether realistic bank geometry should be incorporated or not. Specifically, when BI is less than 0.4, the conventionally vertical bank can be applied to substitute realistic irregular riverbanks; When BI is greater than 0.76, however, realistic bank geometries should be included and otherwise significant errors may occur, especially when BI is much greater than 0.76. The semi‐analytical solution and BI have been successfully applied to the Hanford Reach of Columbia River, Washington, USA. The proposed solution and BI are useful for conceptual and diagnostic analysis of bank storage exchange flow and for understanding which factors and responses are important.
El Niño Pacing Orchestrates Inter‐Basin Pacific‐Indian Ocean Interannual Connections
Authors: Jiang Feng , Zhang Wenjun , Jin Fei‐Fei , Stuecker Malte F. , Allan Rob
Published: September 2021

El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the primary source of year‐to‐year climate variability on Earth, has profound impacts on the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD), another important climate pattern. Much attention has been paid to potentially increased ENSO predictability by utilizing IOD conditions, inferred from a statistically significant correlation with ENSO at a long lead time. However, the intrinsic dynamics for the causality of this IOD‐ENSO relationship remain largely elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the observed nonstationary IOD‐ENSO lead‐lag relationship is mainly ENSO‐driven and therefore adds no additional information for ENSO predictability. The nonstationarity of their correlation is a manifestation of ENSO cycle complexity. Multi‐climate model and theoretical results further demonstrate that ENSO pacing tightly controls the statistical IOD‐ENSO relationship via changes in ENSO periodicity and regularity. This highlights that ENSO dominates the inter‐basin Pacific‐Indian Ocean interactions, shedding light on the key predictors for interannual pantropical climate variability.
Simulated Dynamics of Mixed Versus Uniform Grain Size Sediment Pulses in a Gravel‐Bedded River
Authors: Ahammad Muneer , Czuba Jonathan A. , Pfeiffer Allison M. , Murphy Brendan P. , Belmont Patrick
Published: September 2021

Mountain rivers often receive sediment in the form of episodic, discrete pulses from a variety of natural and anthropogenic processes. Once emplaced in the river, the movement of this sediment depends on flow, grain size distribution, and channel and network geometry. Here, we simulate downstream bed elevation changes that result from discrete inputs of sediment (∼10,000 m3), differing in volume and grain size distribution, under medium and high flow conditions. We specifically focus on comparing bed responses between mixed and uniform grain size sediment pulses. This work builds on a Lagrangian, bed‐material sediment transport model and applies it to a 27 km reach of the mainstem Nisqually River, Washington, USA. We compare observed bed elevation change and accumulation rates in a downstream lake to simulation results. Then we investigate the magnitude, timing, and persistence of downstream changes due to the introduction of synthetic sediment pulses by comparing the results against a baseline condition (without pulse). Our findings suggest that bed response is primarily influenced by the sediment‐pulse grain size and distribution. Intermediate mixed‐size pulses (∼50% of the median bed gravel size) are likely to have the largest downstream impact because finer sizes translate quickly and coarser sizes (median bed gravel size and larger) disperse slowly. Furthermore, a mixed‐size pulse, with a smaller median grain size than the bed, increases bed mobility more than a uniform‐size pulse. This work has important implications for river management, as it allows us to better understand fluvial geomorphic responses to variations in sediment supply.
Semi‐Automatic Ice‐Rafted Debris Quantification With Computed Tomography
Authors: Cederstrøm Jan Magne , van der Bilt Willem G. M. , Støren Eivind W. N. , Rutledal Sunniva
Published: September 2021

Sedimentary ice‐rafted debris (IRD) provides critical information about the climate sensitivity and dynamics of ice sheets. In recent decades, high‐resolution investigations have revelated ice rafting events in response to rapid warming: such reconstructions help us constrain the near‐future stability of our planet's fast‐changing cryosphere. However, similar efforts require laborious and destructive analytical procedures to separate and count IRD. Computed tomography (CT) holds great promise to overcome these impediments to progress by enabling the micrometer‐scale (max. ∼21 μm) visualization of individual IRD grains. This study demonstrates the potential of this emerging approach by (a) validating CT counts in synthetic sediment archives (phantoms) spiked with a known number of grains, (b) replicating published IRD stratigraphies, and (c) improving sampling resolution. Our results show that semi‐automated CT counting of grains in the often analyzed 150–500 μm size fraction reproduces grain numbers and tracks manually counted trends. We also find that differences between manual and CT‐counted data are explained by image processing artifacts, offsets in sampling resolution, and bioturbation. By acquiring these promising results using basic image processing tools, we argue that our work advances and broadens the applicability of ultra‐high resolution IRD counting with CT to deepen our understanding of ice sheet‐climate interactions on human‐relevant timescales.
Groundwater‐Mediated Memory of Past Climate Controls Water Yield in Snowmelt‐Dominated Catchments
Authors: Brooks Paul D. , Gelderloos Andrew , Wolf Margaret A. , Jamison Logan R. , Strong Courtenay , Solomon D. Kip , Bowen Gabriel J. , Burian Steve , Tai Xiaonan , Arens Seth , Briefer Laura , Kirkham Tracie , Stewart Jesse
Published: September 2021

Accelerating warming, changes in the amount, timing, and form of precipitation, and rapidly growing populations highlight the need for improved predictions of snowmelt‐driven water supplies. Although decadal‐scale trends in reduced streamflow are common, minimal progress has been made in improving streamflow prediction on the annual time scales on which management decisions are made. Efficient allocation of dwindling supplies requires incorporating rapidly evolving knowledge of streamflow generation into parsimonious models capable of improving prediction on seasonal, annual, and multiyear time scales of water resource management. We address this need using long‐term streamflow and climate records in 12 catchments averaging 90 years of observations and totaling more than 1,080 site‐years of data. These catchments experience similar regional climate forcing each year, but are diverse enough to represent broad ranges in precipitation, temperature, vegetation, and geology characteristic of much of the western US. We find that January baseflow across all catchments exhibits a coherent, quasi‐decadal periodicity that presumably is indicative of groundwater response to decadal climate. Although the direct contribution of this discharge to streamflow is small, interannual variability in groundwater discharge is a consistently strong predictor of runoff efficiency suggesting that antecedent groundwater storage alters precipitation routing to streamflow. Incorporating antecedent groundwater storage with precipitation and melt dynamics in multiple linear regression models reduces uncertainty in annual runoff from approximately 40% to <5%. These simple models, using readily available data, provide immediately useful tools for water managers to anticipate and respond to streamflow variability on time scales of 1 to 10 years.
The shot, the message, and the messenger: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Latin America
Authors: Argote Pablo , Barham Elena , Daly Sarah Zukerman , Gerez Julian E. , Marshall John , Pocasangre Oscar
Published: September 2021

Herd immunity by mass vaccination offers the potential to substantially limit the continuing spread of COVID-19, but high levels of vaccine hesitancy threaten this goal. In a cross-country analysis of vaccine hesitant respondents across Latin America in January 2021, we experimentally tested how five features of mass vaccination campaigns—the vaccine’s producer, efficacy, endorser, distributor, and current population uptake rate—shifted willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine. We find that citizens preferred Western-produced vaccines, but were highly influenced by factual information about vaccine efficacy. Vaccine hesitant individuals were more responsive to vaccine messengers with medical expertise than political, religious, or media elite endorsements. Citizen trust in foreign governments, domestic leaders, and state institutions moderated the effects of the campaign features on vaccine acceptance. These findings can help inform the design of unfolding mass inoculation campaigns.
A curated dataset for data-driven turbulence modelling
Authors: McConkey Ryley , Yee Eugene , Lien Fue-Sang
Published: September 2021

The recent surge in machine learning augmented turbulence modelling is a promising approach for addressing the limitations of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models. This work presents the development of the first open-source dataset, curated and structured for immediate use in machine learning augmented corrective turbulence closure modelling. The dataset features a variety of RANS simulations with matching direct numerical simulation (DNS) and large-eddy simulation (LES) data. Four turbulence models are selected to form the initial dataset: k-ε, k-ε-ϕt-f, k-ω, and k-ω SST. The dataset consists of 29 cases per turbulence model, for several parametrically sweeping reference DNS/LES cases: periodic hills, square duct, parametric bumps, converging-diverging channel, and a curved backward-facing step. At each of the 895,640 points, various RANS features with DNS/LES labels are available. The feature set includes quantities used in current state-of-the-art models, and additional fields which enable the generation of new feature sets. The dataset reduces effort required to train, test, and benchmark new corrective RANS models. The dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.34740/kaggle/dsv/2637500.
A new approach for location-specific seasonal outlooks of typhoon and super typhoon frequency across the Western North Pacific region
Authors: Magee Andrew D. , Kiem Anthony S. , Chan Johnny C. L.
Published: September 2021

With an average of 26 tropical cyclones (TCs) per year, the western North Pacific (WNP) is the most active TC basin in the world. Considerable exposure lies in the coastal regions of the WNP, which extends from Japan in the north to the Philippines in the south, amplifying TC related impacts, including loss of life and damage to property, infrastructure and environment. This study presents a new location-specific typhoon (TY) and super typhoon (STY) outlook for the WNP basin and subregions, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Using multivariate Poisson regression and considering up to five modes of ocean-atmospheric variability and teleconnection patterns that influence WNP TC behaviour, thousands of possible predictor model combinations are compared using an automated variable selection procedure. For each location, skillful TY and STY outlooks are generated up to 6 months before the start of the typhoon season, with rolling monthly updates enabling refinement of predicted TY and STY frequency. This unparalleled lead time allows end-users to make more informed decisions before and during the typhoon season.
EPAC2 acts as a negative regulator in Matrigel-driven tubulogenesis of human microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Ikeda Takayuki , Yoshitake Yoshino , Yoshitomi Yasuo , Saito-Takatsuji Hidehito , Ishigaki Yasuhito , Yonekura Hideto
Published: September 2021

Angiogenesis is physiologically essential for embryogenesis and development and reinitiated in adult animals during tissue growth and repair. Forming new vessels from the walls of existing vessels occurs as a multistep process coordinated by sprouting, branching, and a new lumenized network formation. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms that form new tubular structures, especially molecules regulating the proper network density of newly formed capillaries. This study conducted microarray analyses in human primary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) plated on Matrigel. TheRAPGEF4gene that encodes exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP 2 (EPAC2) proteins was increased in Matrigel-driven tubulogenesis. Tube formation was suppressed by the overexpression of EPAC2 and enhanced by EPAC2 knockdown in endothelial cells. Endothelial cell morphology was changed to round cell morphology by EPAC2 overexpression, while EPAC2 knockdown showed an elongated cell shape with filopodia-like protrusions. Furthermore, increased EPAC2 inhibited endothelial cell migration, and ablation of EPAC2 inversely enhanced cell mobility. These results suggest that EPAC2 affects the morphology and migration of microvascular endothelial cells and is involved in the termination and proper network formation of vascular tubes.