bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of postoperative delirium with continuous theta burst stimulation: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wei Xiaoyi , Wang Meijuan , Ma Xin , Tang Tianyi , Shi Jingqing , Zhao Di , Yuan Tifei , Xie Zhongcong , Shen Yuan 
Published: August 2021

IntroductionPostoperative delirium is one of the most common postoperative complications among elderly patients (65 years old or older). However, there are no effective treatments for this condition. Recent research suggests that continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), a non-invasive brain stimulation, can reduce pain level, improve cognitive function and affective symptoms in multiple diseases or dysfunctions, including anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, sleep disorders and pain. But the potential benefits of cTBS in reducing postoperative delirium have not been investigated. Therefore, we propose determining whether cTBS can prevent and/or treat postoperative delirium in senior patients.Methods and analysisThe study will be a double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Participants (65 years old or older) undergoing scheduled orthopaedic surgery (≥2 hours, general anaesthesia) will be randomised to receive either cTBS or sham stimulation with a focal figure-of-eight coil over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 80% of the resting motor threshold. Every patient will receive 2–3 sets of stimulations during postoperative days (40 s per session, 3 sessions per set, 1 set per day). Participants will be assessed twice daily by a research assistant blinded to allocation. The primary outcome will be the incidence of postoperative delirium measured by the Confusion Assessment Method on postoperative days 1, 2 and 3. The secondary outcomes will be the severity and duration of postoperative delirium, cognitive function, pain, sleep quality, activities of daily living, length of hospital stay, discharge-to-facility or home, and rate of complication and mortality during the hospital stay.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the ethics committee of Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital. The principal investigator will submit a research progress report to the ethics committee regularly. All participants will provide written informed consent. Study results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberNCT04661904.
Adapting behavioural interventions to compensate for cognitive dysfunction in persons with opioid use disorder
Authors: Mistler Colleen B , Shrestha Roman , Gunstad John , Sanborn Victoria , Copenhaver Michael M 
Published: August 2021

Treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is often in the context of biobehavioural interventions, consisting of medication for OUD (for example, methadone and buprenorphine), which is accompanied by psychoeducation and/or behavioural therapies. Patients with OUD often display weaknesses in cognitive function that may impact the efficacy of such behavioural interventions.A review of the literature was conducted to: (1) describe common cognitive dysfunction profiles among patients with OUD, (2) outline intervention approaches for patients with OUD, (3) consider the cognitive demands that interventions place on patients with OUD and (4) identify potential accommodation strategies that may be used to optimise treatment outcomes.Cognitive profiles of patients with OUD often include weaknesses in executive function, attention, memory and information processing. Behavioural interventions require the patients’ ability to learn, understand and remember information (placing specific cognitive demands on patients). Accommodation strategies are, therefore, needed for patients with challenges in one or more of these areas. Research on accommodation strategies for patients with OUD is very limited. We applied research from populations with similar cognitive profiles to form a comprehensive collection of potential strategies to compensate for cognitive dysfunction among patients with OUD. The cognitive profiles and accommodation strategies included in this review are intended to inform future intervention research aimed at improving outcomes among patients with OUD.
Association between cardiologist evaluation and mortality in myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery
Authors: Park Jungchan , Oh Ah Ran , Kwon Ji-hye , Kim Sojin , Kim Jeayoun , Yang Kwangmo , Choi Jin-Ho , Kim Kyunga , Ahn Joonghyun , Sung Jidong , Lee Seung-Hwa 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveMyocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is strongly associated with mortality, but few studies assessed treatment strategies. This study aimed to identify whether evaluation by cardiologists could reduce mortality in MINS patients.MethodsFrom a single-centre retrospective cohort, we enrolled a total of 5633 adult patients diagnosed with MINS between January 2010 and June 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on evaluation by cardiologist, which was defined as a cardiology consultation or transfer to the cardiology department. For the outcome, 30-day mortality was compared in crude and propensity-score matched populations.ResultsOf a total of 5633 patients, 2120 (37.6%) were evaluated by cardiologists and 3513 (62.4%) were not. Mortality during the first 30 days after surgery was significantly lower in MINS patients who were evaluated by cardiologists compared with those who were not (5.8% vs 8.3%; HR, 0.64; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.80; p<0.001 for all-cause mortality and 1.6% vs 2.0; HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.96; p=0.03 for cardiovascular mortality). The propensity score matched analysis showed similar results (5.6% vs 8.6%; HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.81; p<0.001 for all-cause mortality and 1.3% vs 2.2%; HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.95; p=0.03 for cardiovascular mortality).ConclusionsCardiologist evaluation was associated with lower mortality in patients diagnosed with MINS. Further studies are needed to identify effective treatment strategies for MINS.Trial registration numberKCT0004244.
The Cancer Microbiome: Recent Highlights and Knowledge Gaps
Authors: Knippel Reece J. , Drewes Julia L. , Sears Cynthia L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractKnowledge of the human microbiome, which is likely a critical factor in the initiation, progression, and prognosis of multiple forms of cancer, is rapidly expanding. In this review, we focus on recent investigations to discern putative, causative microbial species and the microbiome composition and structure currently associated with procarcinogenesis and tumorigenesis at select body sites. We specifically highlight forms of cancer, gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal, that have significant bacterial associations and well-defined experimental evidence with the aim of generating directions for future experimental and translational investigations to develop a clearer understanding of the multifaceted mechanisms by which microbiota affect cancer formation.Significance:Emerging and, for some cancers, strong experimental and translational data support the contribution of the microbiome to cancer biology and disease progression. Disrupting microbiome features and pathways contributing to cancer may provide new approaches to improving cancer outcomes in patients.
Teaching factory, internal quality assurance system, and vocational teacher quality culture
Authors: Purnami Agustina Sri , Mulyanto Mulyanto , Utomo Susilo 
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the effectiveness of the application of teaching factory learning and Internal Quality Assurance System on motivation of quality culture. This was a quantitative research which is analyzed using multiple regression. The sample used in this study were 79 teachers who were taken by purposive sampling. The instrument used to obtain data using a questionnaire. The results showed that the regression line equation with the significance test of the F test= 60.414 with a significance level of 0.00, meaning that the equation is able to predict changes in the culture of teacher quality caused by changes in variants of teaching factory and Internal Quality Assurance System. The effect of teaching factory and Internal Quality Assurance System on motivation of quality culture stated the value of R2 is 0.530. In this regard, it can be concluded that there is an influence between teaching factory and Internal Quality Assurance System on motivation of quality culture.
Assessment and verification: A higher education perspective
Authors: Munna Afzal Sayed 
Published: August 2021

The term Assessment and Verification is an integral part of the student achievement and considered as a fundamental function of higher education. Assessment and verification confirm and assures the academic integrity and standard which has a vital impact on student behaviour, colleagues’ involvements, the university reputation and finally the student’s future lives. The research aimed to explore various academic and industry-based literatures to analyse the importance of assessment and verification and to identify areas to ensure reliability in assessment by testing skills and knowledge. The research used experimental research methods (primarily reflection) using literary forms to analyse the theory with the reinforcement of the practice from the university experiences. It also has collected data using semi-structured interview from mutually agreed department colleagues from five different higher educational institutes consists of three universities and two alternative providers based in London, United Kingdom. The result showed that assessment in higher educational institutes have not kept pace with the changes and no longer justify the outcomes we expect from a university education in relation to wide-ranging knowledge, skills, and employability. The research findings enable the educators to help create and implement an inclusive teaching and learning environment to improve the learner’s expectation and academic performance.
The genus Rhyacophila Stephens (Trichoptera, Rhyacophilidae) in Yakushima Island, northern Ryukyu, southwestern Japan
Authors: ITO TOMIKO 
Published: August 2021

This study revises the caddisfly genus Rhyacophila Stephens, Rhyacophilidae, for Yakushima Island within the northern Ryukyu Archipelago in southwestern Japan. Four new species are described based on adults: Rhyacophila yakushima sp. nov. of the R. anatina Species Group, R. arakawa sp. nov. of the R. lieftincki Species Group, R. miyanoura sp. nov. of the R. yosiiana Species Group, and R. nagata sp. nov. of the R. ulmeri Species Group. Additionally, two species are recorded for the island for the first time: R. brevicephala Iwata 1927, a Japanese species, and R. shikotsuensis Iwata 1927, an East Asian species.
A note on the power distribution between symmetric and anti-symmetric components of the tropical Brightness Temperature spectrum in the wavenumber-frequency plane
Authors: Shamir Ofer , Garfinkel Chaim I. , Adam Ori , Paldor Nathan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA recent study observed the existence of a salient bias towards the symmetric part of the tropical wavenumber-frequency spectrum. Examination of the tropical Brightness Temperature (BT) spectrum in this note shows that its parity difference, i.e., the difference between its symmetric and anti-symmetric components, is concentrated in regions of the wavenumber-frequency plane corresponding to the spectral bands suggested by Wheeler and Kiladis (1999). In terms of the difference between the spectral power in the symmetric and anti-symmetric components, the spectral bands corresponding to Kelvin waves, Madden-Julian Oscillation, and Rossby waves explain about 31%, 21%, and 13% of the symmetric bias, respectively, while the combined contribution of all the other bands is negligible. The “background” spectrum after filtering out all the spectral bands explains the remaining 35% of the symmetric bias. As these spectral bands were originally designed for filtering convectively coupled equatorial waves, the findings of this note may help estimate the contributions of different wave features to the symmetric bias in the tropical BT spectrum. In addition, these findings may also help better understand the processes responsible for generating the tropical background spectrum.
Explaining Globally Inhomogeneous Future Changes in Monsoons Using Simple Moist Energy Diagnostics
Authors: Bombardi Rodrigo J. , Boos William R. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study examines the annual cycle of monsoon precipitation simulated by models from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), then uses moist energy diagnostics to explain globally inhomogeneous projected future changes. Rainy season characteristics are quantified using a consistent method across the globe. Model bias is shown to include rainy season onsets tens of days later than observed in some monsoon regions (India, Australia, and North America) and overly large summer precipitation in others (North America, South America, and southern Africa). Projected next-century changes include rainy season lengthening in the two largest Northern Hemisphere monsoon regions (South Asia and central Sahel) and shortening in the two largest Southern Hemisphere regions (South America and southern Africa). Changes in the North American and Australian monsoons are less coherent across models. To understand these changes, relative moist static energy (MSE) is defined as the difference between local and tropical-mean surface air MSE. Future changes in relative MSE in each region correlate well with onset and demise date changes. Furthermore, Southern Hemisphere regions projected to undergo rainy season shortening are spanned by an increasing equator-to-pole MSE gradient, suggesting their rainfall will be increasingly inhibited by fluxes of dry extratropical air; Northern Hemisphere regions with projected lengthening of rainy seasons undergo little change in equator-to-pole MSE gradient. Thus, although model biases raise questions as to the reliability of some projections, these results suggest that globally inhomogeneous future changes in monsoon timing may be understood through simple measures of surface air MSE.
The September 2020 Wildfires over the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Mass Clifford F. , Ovens David , Conrick Robert , Saltenberger John 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA series of major fires spread across eastern Washington and western Oregon starting on September 7, 2020, driven by strong easterly and northeasterly winds gusting to ~70 kt at exposed locations. This event was associated with a high-amplitude upper-level ridge over the eastern Pacific and a mobile trough that moved southward on its eastern flank. The synoptic environment during the event was highly unusual, with the easterly 925-hPa wind speeds at Salem, Oregon, being unprecedented for the August-September period. The September 2020 wildfires produced dense smoke that initially moved westward over the Willamette Valley and eventually covered the region. As a result, air quality rapidly degraded to hazardous levels, representing the worst air quality period of recent decades. High-resolution numerical simulations using the WRF model indicated the importance of a high-amplitude mountain wave in producing strong easterly winds over western Oregon.The dead fuel moisture levels over eastern Washington before the fires were typical for that time of the year. Along the western slopes of the Oregon Cascades, where the fuels are largely comprised of a dense conifer forest with understory vegetation, fire weather indices were lower (moister) than normal during the early part of the summer, but transitioned to above-normal (drier) values during August, with a spike to record values in early September coincident with the strong easterly winds.Forecast guidance was highly accurate for both the Washington and Oregon wildfire events. Analyses of climatological data and fuel indices did not suggest that unusual pre-existing climatic conditions were major drivers of the September 2020 Northwest wildfires.
Social Smiles of Visually Impaired Infants
Authors: Rogers S. J. , Puchalski C. B. 
Published: August 2021

Social smiles of 10 visually impaired infants, ages 4 to 12 months, were examined longitudinally in play interactions with their mothers. Characteristics examined included the cognitive skills of the infants when the social smile was first seen, the parental behaviors that elicited and followed social smiles, and the frequency of social smiles in play interactions across the first year of life. All infants demonstrated both the presence of social smiles and the second Piagetian stage of cognitive development at the start of the study. Social smiling appeared to increase in frequency from 6 to 12 months except for a drop at 8 months. Smiles occurred in response to social and environmental events and were consistently followed by another parental social behavior.
Arterial stiffness and carotid distensibility following acute formaldehyde exposure in female adults
Authors: Stute Nina L , Stickford Jonathon L , Augenreich Marc A , Kimball Kyle C , Cope Janet M , Bennett Cynthia , Grosicki Gregory J , Ratchford Stephen M 
Published: August 2021

Formaldehyde (FA) is a ubiquitous organic preservative used in several industries and represents an occupational health hazard. Short-term exposure to FA can increase oxidative stress and cause a decrease in conduit vessel function. These decrements in vascular function may extend to the arterial architecture, predisposing individuals to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an acute 90-minute FA exposure period (259 ± 95 ppb) on indices of arterial architecture. Arterial stiffness and carotid distensibility as determined by central pressures, augmentation index (AIx), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) ( n=13F, 24 ± 1 year) as well as carotid stiffness and intima media thickness (IMT) ( n = 9F, 23 ± 1 year) were assessed prior to (Pre-FA) and immediately following (Post-FA) exposure to FA in human cadaver dissection laboratories. Central pressures and cfPWV (Pre-FA: 5.2 ± 0.8 m.s−1, Post-FA: 5.2 ± 1.1 m s−1) were unchanged by acute FA exposure ( p > 0.05). Carotid stiffness parameters and distension were unchanged by acute FA exposure ( p > 0.05), although distensibility (Pre-FA: 33.9 ± 10.5[10–3*kPa−1], Post-FA: 25.9 ± 5.5[10–3*kPa-1], p < 0.05), and IMT (Pre-FA: 0.42 ± 0.05 mm, Post-FA: 0.51 ± 0.11 mm, p < 0.05) decreased and increased, respectively. Individual Pre- to Post-FA changes in these markers of arterial architecture did not correlate with levels of FA exposure ([FA]: 20–473 ppb) ( p > 0.05). Our group previously found vascular function decrements following acute FA exposure in human cadaver laboratories; here we found that carotid distensibility and intima media thickness are altered following FA exposure.
From Stand-Alone Pensions to Alternative Retirement Plans: Examining State and Local Governments
Authors: Perlman Bruce J. , Reddick Christopher G. 
Published: August 2021

Defined benefit (DB) pension plans are the dominant retirement program for state and local governments in the United States. However, in the last 15 years, some have given new employees a choice of alternatives to stand-alone DB pension plans such as cash balance (CB), defined contribution (DC), and hybrid retirement plans. This article examines this shift through survival analysis using panel data of 190 state and local pension plans across the United States. From 2001 to 2019, we modeled five change factors found in the pension reform literature, namely, financial constraints, interest group influence, plan membership, and liability, along with other state factors. Our analysis shows that all five of these factors impacted the shift to alternative retirement plans from stand-alone DB plans. Notable findings are that well-funded pensions were more likely to shift to alternative retirement plans, and interest groups such as police, fire, and teachers were more likely to keep stand-alone plans.
Headache with occipital neuralgia phenotype: Report of four cases
Authors: Nagel Vanesa , Bonamico Lucas , Goicochea María T 
Published: August 2021

Background: The International Headache Society defines Occipital neuralgia as an unilateral or bilateral paroxysmal, shooting or stabbing pain in the posterior part of the scalp, in the distribution(s) of the greater, lesser and/or third occipital nerves. The most common pain trigger in this area result from chronically contracted muscles. Different aetiologies of headache with occipital neuralgia phenotype have been described. Case: We report four cases in which pain with occipital neuralgia phenotype was the initial symptom of a clivus chordoma; a para-pharyngeal carcinoma; a vertebral dissection; and a brachial plexitis due to zoster. Conclusion: A detailed anamnesis and physical examination should be performed in these patients. If during follow up atypical finding appears, we recommend head and neck gadolinium-enhanced MRI and biochemistry to exclude secondary causes.
Investigating novel biomarkers of immune activation and modulation in the context of sedentary behaviour: a multicentre prospective ischemic stroke cohort study
Authors: Alme Katinka Nordheim , Askim Torunn , Assmus Jörg , Mollnes Tom Eirik , Naik Mala , Næss Halvor , Saltvedt Ingvild , Ueland Per-Magne , Ulvik Arve , Knapskog Anne-Brita 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Sedentary behaviour is associated with disease, but the molecular mechanisms are not understood. Valid biomarkers with predictive and explanatory properties are required. Therefore, we have investigated traditional and novel biomarkers of inflammation and immune modulation and their association to objectively measured sedentary behaviour in an ischemic stroke population.

Methods
Patients admitted to hospital with acute ischemic stroke were included in the multicentre Norwegian Cognitive Impairment After Stroke (Nor-COAST) study (n = 815). For this sub-study (n = 257), sedentary behaviour was registered 3 months after stroke using position transition data from the body-worn sensor, ActivPal®. Blood samples were analysed for high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and 10 (IL-10), neopterin, tryptophan (Trp), kynurenine (kyn), kynurenic acid (KA), and three B6 vitamers, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxal (PL), and pyridoxic acid (PA). The kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (KTR) and the pyridoxic acid ratio index (PAr = PA: PL + PLP) were calculated.

Results
Of the 815 patients included in the main study, 700 attended the three-month follow-up, and 257 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this study. Sedentary time was significantly associated with levels of hsCRP, IL-6, neopterin, PAr-index, and KA adjusted for age, sex, waist circumference, and creatinine. In a fully adjusted model including all the significant biomarkers except hsCRP (because of missing values), sedentary time was independently positively associated with the PAr-index and negatively with KA. We did not find an association between sedentary behaviour, IL-10, and KTR.

Conclusions
The PAr-index is known to capture several modes of inflammation and has previously shown predictive abilities for future stroke. This novel result indicates that the PAr-index could be a useful biomarker in future studies on sedentary behaviour and disease progression. KA is an important modulator of inflammation, and this finding opens new and exciting pathways to understand the hazards of sedentary behaviour.

Trial registration
The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02650531). First posted 08/01/2016.