bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying causal mechanisms in psychotherapy: What can we learn from causal mediation analysis?
Authors: Hesser Hugo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractDespite widespread interest in the development of process‐based psychotherapies, little is still known about the underlying processes that underpin our most effective therapies. Statistical mediation analysis is a commonly used analytical method to evaluate how, or by which processes, a therapy causes change in an outcome. Causal mediation analysis (CMA) represents a new advancement in mediation analysis that employs causally defined direct and indirect effects based on potential outcomes. These novel ideas and analytical techniques have been characterized as revolutionary in epidemiology and biostatistics, although they are not (yet) widely known among researchers in clinical psychology. In this paper, I outline the fundamental concepts underlying CMA, clarify the differences between the CMA approach and the traditional approach to mediation, and identify two important data analytical aspects that have been emphasized as a result of these recent advancements. To illustrate the key ideas, assumptions, and mathematical definitions intuitively, an applied clinical example from a previously published randomized controlled trial is used. CMA's main contributions are discussed, as well as some of the key challenges. Finally, it is argued that the most significant contribution of CMA is the formalization of mediation in a unified causal framework with clear assumptions.
Responses of American black bears to spring resources
Authors: Bowersock Nathaniel R. , Litt Andrea R. , Merkle Jerod A. , Gunther Kerry A. , van Manen Frank T. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn temperate regions of the world, food resources are seasonally limited, which causes some wildlife species to seek out nutrient‐rich resources to better meet their caloric needs. Animals that utilize high‐quality resources may reap fitness benefits as they prepare for mating, migration, or hibernation. American black bears (Ursus americanus) are omnivores that consume both plant and animal food resources to meet macronutrient needs. Black bears capitalize on high‐quality food resources, such as soft mast in summer and hard mast during autumn, but we know less about the importance of resource quality during spring. Therefore, we sought to understand the relationship between the spatiotemporal variation in the availability of food and resource selection of black bears during spring. We also aimed to infer potential changes in foraging tactics, from opportunistic foraging to more active selection. Although black bears are described as opportunistic omnivores, we hypothesized they select areas with high‐quality forage when available. We instrumented 7 black bears with GPS collars in 2017 and 2018 and estimated fine‐scale resource selection with integrated step‐selection functions. We found evidence that black bear movements were influenced by forage quality of vegetative food resources. However, we failed to find evidence that black bears actively alter their movements to take advantage of seasonal neonate elk. Although black bears represent a substantial cause of mortality for neonate elk, we found that black bears likely feed on neonates encountered opportunistically while traveling between patches of high‐quality forage. Few studies have shown evidence of an omnivorous species capitalizing on spatiotemporal variation in forage quality, yet our data suggest this may be an important strategy for species with diverse diets, particularly where resources are seasonally limited.
Effects of geographic variation in host plant resources for a specialist herbivore's contemporary and future distribution
Authors: Carvajal Acosta A. Nalleli , Mooney Kailen 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSpecies distributions are driven by abiotic and biotic factors, but the importance of variation in the availability and quality of critical resources is poorly understood. Disentangling the relative importance of these factors—abiotic environment, availability of critical resources, and resource quality—will be important to modeling species current distributions and responses to projected climate change. We address these questions using species distribution models (SDMs) for the western monarch butterfly population (Danaus plexippus), whose larvae feed exclusively on Asclepias species known for their heterogeneous distribution and variation in host quality. We modeled the distribution of 24 Asclepias species to compare three monarch distribution models with increasing levels of complexity: (1) a null model using only environmental factors (climate envelope model), (2) a model using environmental factors and Asclepias availability estimated as species richness, (3) and a model using environmental factors and Asclepias’ availability weighted by host plant quality as assessed through a greenhouse bioassay of larval performance. Asclepias models predicted that half of the Asclepias species will expand their ranges and shift toward higher latitudes, while half will contract. These patterns were uncorrelated with host plant quality. Among the three monarch models, the climate envelope model was the poorest performing. Models accounting for host plant availability performed best, while accounting for host plant quality did not improve model performance. The climate envelope model estimated more restrictive contemporary and future monarch ranges compared to both host plant models. Although all three models predicted future monarch range expansions, the projected future distributions varied among models. The climate envelope model predicted range expansions along the Pacific coast and contractions inland. In contrast, the host plant availability and quality models predicted range expansions in both of these regions and, as a result, 14% and 19% increases in distribution (respectively) relative to the climate envelope model. These models do not include other factors affecting monarch persistence. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that accounting for information on host plant availability and response to climate change is necessary to predict future species distributions, but that variation in the quality of those critical resources may be of secondary importance.
Modeling abundance, distribution, movement and space use with camera and telemetry data
Authors: Chandler Richard B. , Crawford Daniel A. , Garrison Elina P. , Miller Karl V. , Cherry Michael J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractStudies of animal abundance and distribution are often conducted independently of research on movement, despite the important links between processes. Movement can cause rapid changes in spatial variation in density, and movement influences detection probability and therefore estimates of abundance from inferential methods such as spatial capture–recapture (SCR). Technological developments including camera traps and GPS telemetry have opened new opportunities for studying animal demography and movement, yet statistical models for these two data types have largely developed along parallel tracks. We present a hierarchical model in which both datasets are conditioned on a movement process for a clearly defined population. We fitted the model to data from 60 camera traps and 23,572 GPS telemetry locations collected on 17 male white‐tailed deer in the Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, USA during July 2015. Telemetry data were collected on a 3–4 h acquisition schedule, and we modeled the movement paths of all individuals in the region with a Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process that included individual‐specific random effects. Two of the 17 deer with GPS collars were detected on cameras. An additional 20 male deer without collars were detected on cameras and individually identified based on their unique antler characteristics. Abundance was 126 (95% CI: 88–177) in the 228 km2 region, only slightly higher than estimated using a standard SCR model: 119 (84–168). The standard SCR model, however, was unable to describe individual heterogeneity in movement rates and space use as revealed by the joint model. Joint modeling allowed the telemetry data to inform the movement model and the SCR encounter model, while leveraging information in the camera data to inform abundance, distribution and movement. Unlike most existing methods for population‐level inference on movement, the joint SCR‐movement model can yield unbiased inferences even if non‐uniform sampling is used to deploy transmitters. Potential extensions of the model include the addition of resource selection parameters, and relaxation of the closure assumption when interest lies in survival and recruitment. These developments would contribute to the emerging holistic framework for the study of animal ecology, one that uses modern technology and spatio‐temporal statistics to learn about interactions between behavior and demography.
Left atrial unloading with an 8 mm septal cutting balloon to treat postcapillary pulmonary hypertension: a case report
Authors: Bauer Fabrice , Besnier Emmanuel , Aludaat Chadi , Breil Romain , Bettinger Nicolas , Fauvel Charles , Wurtz Véronique , Raitiere Olivier , Si Belkacem Nassima , Bouhzam Najime 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe report the case of a 58‐year‐old female with severe postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (averaged mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 49 mmHg, pulmonary arterial wedge pressure 29 mmHg, and right atrial pressure 8 mmHg) due to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. A left‐to‐right atrial shunt was created using an 8 mm cutting balloon, under transesophageal echocardiography guidance. Both pulmonary arterial and wedge pressure dramatically decreased after the procedure. Symptoms immediately improved and benefits were sustained at 6 months of follow‐up. This case suggests that iatrogenic septal defect using a cutting balloon could be an option to treat symptomatic postcapillary pulmonary hypertension.
Zwitterionic Aromaticity on Azulene Extrapolated to carbo‐Azulene
Authors: Poater Jordi , Heitkämper Juliane , Poater Albert , Maraval Valérie , Chauvin Remi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAzulene is stabilized by “zwitterionic aromaticity”, what about its ring carbo‐mer? The greater dipole moment of the latter is oriented in the opposite direction, while providing an enhanced zwitterionic aromatic character. Comparison of local aromaticity indices for the two rings, with 5 and 7 C−C bonds in azulene or C−C2−C edges in carbo‐azulene, allows analysis of the quasi‐independent influence of size on the π‐electronic properties of these aromatic bicyclic molecules exhibiting quasi‐identical shapes and π‐resonance schemes between their common set of sp2C−H vertices. The electrostatic features of such dipolar hydrocarbons are also analyzed by comparison with their respective radical cation and anion, and with their apolar bicyclic isomer, naphthalene and carbo‐naphthalene.
Electrochemically activated polyaniline based ambipolar organic electrochemical transistor
Authors: Mello Hugo José Nogueira Pedroza Dias , Faleiros Murilo Calil , Mulato Marcelo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are largely applied as bio‐ and ion‐sensor devices due to their performance in an aqueous environment with electrochemical doping/dedoping (reversible redox reactions) of the semiconducting layer through ion injection and also low (around 1 V) operation potentials. Aiming for the complementary circuits’ development and improvement of the sensors device, we report the application of spin coated polyaniline (PANI) in ambipolar OECT. The OECT operation is based on electrochemical protonation/deprotonation of PANI upon applied gate potential that was verified by cyclic voltammograms (CV) of PANI sample. The device operates in accumulation mode with on‐currents on the milliampere range due to the use of interdigitated array (IDA) microelectrodes architecture with a larger active area. Acid (HCl) doped PANI were applied in OECT device for comparison, and it presented improved performance with increasing drain‐source current up to 38%, reaching 4.8 mA for then‐type device. This current increase is due to the narrower bandgap of doped PANI that affects the injection barrier. The HCl doped PANI was evaluated by UV‐Vis spectrophotometry and CV analysis. Using deionized water as electrolyte defunctionalized the PANI‐based OECT (no current modulation observed) because the absence of ions in the electrolyte interrupts the electrochemical doping. This is the opposite for the poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT)‐based electrolyte‐gated organic field‐effect transistor (EGOFET) due to the polymeric hydrophobicity nature that allows for field‐effect modulation in the electrolyte/semiconductor interface. The results presented may open new possibilities for bio‐ and ion‐sensors devices.
Degradation issues and stabilization strategies of protonic ceramic electrolysis cells for steam electrolysis
Authors: Su Hanrui , Hu Yun Hang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractProtonic ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs) are attractive electrochemical devices for converting electrical energy to chemicals due to their high conversion efficiency, favorable thermodynamics, fast kinetics, and inexpensive materials. Compared with conventional oxygen ion‐conducting solid oxide electrolysis cells, PCECs operate at a lower operating temperature and a favorable operation mode, thus expecting high durability. However, the degradation of PCECs is still significant, hampering their development. In this review, the typical degradations of PCECs are summarized, with emphasis on the chemical stability of the electrolytes and the air electrode materials. Moreover, the degradation mechanism and influencing factors are assessed deeply. Finally, the emerging strategies for inhibiting long‐term degradations, including chemical composition modifications and microstructure tuning, are explored.
Dilation of cortical capillaries is not related to astrocyte calcium signaling
Authors: Del Franco Armani P. , Chiang Pei‐Pei , Newman Eric A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe brain requires an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to maintain proper function as neuronal activity varies. This is achieved, in part, through neurovascular coupling mechanisms that mediate local increases in blood flow through the dilation of arterioles and capillaries. The role of astrocytes in mediating this functional hyperemia response is controversial. Specifically, the function of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling is unclear. Cortical arterioles dilate in the absence of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling, but previous work suggests that Ca2+ increases are necessary for capillary dilation. This question has not been fully addressed in vivo, however, and we have reexamined the role of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling in vessel dilation in the barrel cortex of awake, behaving mice. We recorded evoked vessel dilations and astrocyte Ca2+ signaling in response to whisker stimulation. Experiments were carried out on WT and IP3R2 KO mice, a transgenic model where astrocyte Ca2+ signaling is substantially reduced. Compared to WT mice at rest, Ca2+ signaling in astrocyte endfeet contacting capillaries increased by 240% when whisker stimulation evoked running. In contrast, Ca2+ signaling was reduced to 9% of WT values in IP3R2 KO mice. In all three conditions, however, the amplitude of capillary dilation was largely unchanged. In addition, the latency to the onset of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling lagged behind dilation onset in most trials, although a subset of rapid onset Ca2+ events with latencies as short as 0.15 s occurred. In summary, we found that whisker stimulation‐evoked capillary dilations occurred independent of astrocyte Ca2+ increases in the cerebral cortex.
Photolytic Studies on the Generation and Trapping of 6‐Oxomethylidenecyclohexa‐2,4‐diene‐1‐one Derivatives with Various Nucleophiles
Authors: Mies Thomas , White Andrew J. P. , Parsons Philip J. , Barrett Anthony G. M. 
Published: November 2021

Abstractα‐Oxoketenes and cyclohexadiene α‐oxoketenes are reactive intermediates, particularly the latter due to their high re‐aromatization potential. In this communication, we report photolytic studies on the generation of such species from 4‐OMe and 4‐OMOM protected resorcylate dioxinones and their trapping to give resorcylate esters and amides as well as the formation of adducts with enol‐ethers as trapping reagents.
Detection and significance of main anchoring villus in early pregnancy
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhang Zhikun , Wang Chengji , Yu Yang , Xie Qing , Zhang Yi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo find and explore the relationship among the length of the embryo's main anchoring villus and the week of gestation, embryonic crown‐rump length (CRL), and maternal blood human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during early pregnancy using ultrasound.MethodsA total of 108 women with singleton pregnancies underwent ultrasound examination of the fetus during the early months of their pregnancy (5+5–13+6 weeks of pregnancy). The main anchoring villus was detected using HD‐Flow and SlowflowHD mode ultrasound. The detection rate and length of the main anchoring villus were recorded. The correlations among main anchoring villus with gestational weeks, CRL, and blood hCG were obtained.ResultsThe main anchoring villus was detected in all women (108/108). It could be found throughout the early gestational weeks from as early as 4+6 weeks. The length of the main anchoring villus increased with gestational age, and was positively correlated with CRL and the logarithm of hCG (P < 0.05).ConclusionOur results showed that the detection rate of the main anchoring villus was 100% and the length of the main anchoring villus was correlated with gestational week, CRL, and blood hCG. The main anchoring villus could represent where the embryo implanted.
Effect of a simulated overdose response on student ability to counsel on naloxone use
Authors: Franko Thomas 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntroductionPharmacist training on naloxone is often assessed by determining perceptions of self‐confidence in counseling; however, the impact of a specific training on counseling quality has not been well established.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine if completing a simulated overdose with naloxone response results in an improved ability to counsel a patient on naloxone use.MethodsStudents in the third professional year were provided live training on naloxone information and use as part of a required skills lab. Immediately afterward, students were randomized to complete an overdose simulation with naloxone response or to counsel an individual on naloxone use. Following completion of their initial activity, students then completed the other. A checklist adapted from previously published work and the recommended naloxone training from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was used to assess the counseling session. Counseling results of students who completed the overdose simulation first were compared with those who completed the simulation second.ResultsHere, 100% of eligible students (N = 138) participated in the simulation and 134 (97%) participated in the counseling session. The median scores for the counseling activity were 82% (interquartile range [IQR] = 27%) for students who completed the simulation prior to counseling and 82% (IQR = 27%) for students who did not complete the simulation prior to counseling (P = .61). Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences between any checklist item among the two groups.ConclusionThere was no difference in counseling ability between students who completed a simulated naloxone response and those who did not. Additional research is needed to better determine the effect of simulation on patient counseling skills. As naloxone training programs are further refined, consideration should be given to streamline the process to include evidence‐based methods of training which result in improved skills in both administration and counseling.
Photodynamic inactivation ofStreptococcus pneumoniaewith external illumination at 808 nm through the ex vivo porcine thoracic cage
Authors: Díaz Tovar Johan Sebastián , Kassab Giulia , Buzzá Hilde Harb , Bagnato Vanderlei Salvador , Kurachi Cristina 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPneumonia is responsible for high mortality rates around the world, and its major treatment is based on antibiotic treatment. Antimicrobial resistance has been increasing in the last years, resulting in relevant public health concern. A promising alternative for pneumonia is antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 808 nm wavelength is able to be transmitted through the biological tissues of the thoracic wall and be delivered in enough energy inside the cage to activate indocyanine green and promote photodynamic response. A light source panel was developed composed of 200 lasers centered at 808 nm with an irradiance of 77.8 ± 10.0 mW/cm2and tested in an ex vivo thoracic cage model. Monte Carlo simulations were used to understand the photon migration through all the tissues at the thoracic wall. It was observed that tissues responsible for the major absorption of photons are the skin and subcutaneous fat. Experimental measurement of the irradiance was obtained after the light pass‐through ex vivo pig thoracic cage, obtaining 3% to 5% of the emitted irradiance. Finally, it was observed that even with 3% of the initial irradiance, a 99.9% reduction of theStreptococcus pneumoniaewas successfully achieved after 42.6 minutes of irradiation.