Search

To determine the effect of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on changes in functional capacity among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) comorbidity compared with patients without T2D. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were completed using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Web of Science in January 2021. Articles were included if they compared patients CR with T2D with those without T2D. The primary outcome variable was functional capacity change from pre- to post CR reported as maximum or peak oxygen consumption and peak metabolic equivalent (METs). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. A random-effects model subgroup meta-analysis was conducted. A diabetes comorbidity was selected for the subgroup analysis with patients with CVD having conditions reported as T2D or non-T2D. Twelve studies with total sample of 15,672 patients were extracted. Average change in peak METs was 1.41±1.76 among non-T2D and 1.08±1.57 among T2D after CR. Change in functional capacity was significantly lower among patients with T2D (z value=2.14; g =−0.42; 95% CI, −0.86 to −0.01; P =.03). Patients with CVD with T2D experience less robust improvements in functional capacity in response to CR compared with patients with CVD alone. A better understanding of the relationship between T2D and functional capacity vital step in informing exercise prescription in CR for patients with T2D and CVD. The lack of understanding the role of T2D onset and progression is a limitation to this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most forests in Central Europe are subject to human management, especially timber harvesting, which alters soil conditions by creating gaps in the forest canopy and reduces the availability of deadwood. However, consequences of these management practices, in particular the combined effect of gap formation and deadwood removal, have been largely neglected. Here, we investigated the abundance, diversity and community composition of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) in forests where deadwood availability and gap formation were manipulated in a full factorial design (Control, Gap, Deadwood, Gap + Deadwood). Forest gaps of about 30 m in diameter were established by felling trees, which were subsequently removed (Gap) or left on site as deadwood (Gap + Deadwood). Nearby forest sites without gaps were enriched with the equal amount of felled trees (Deadwood) or left untreated (Control). Experimental treatments were established at 29 forest sites including deciduous and coniferous stands in three regions of Germany, i.e. the Swabian Alb, Hanich-Dün and Schorfheide-Chorin in the south, center and north, respectively. One year after establishment of the treatments, we sampled 10,777 individuals and 104 species of oribatid mites. Deadwood addition significantly increased the density of oribatid mites in the Hainich-Dün from 24,036 to 46,658 ind. m-². Specifically, species of Oppiidae with relatively short life cycles and high reproductive output benefited from the additional deadwood supply, resulting in shifts in community compositions between treatments with and without deadwood. By contrast, mean oribatid mite density decreased from an average of 64,083 in controls to 36,621 ind. m-² in forest gaps of the Schorfheide-Chorin and the Swabian Alb. Presumably, adverse abiotic conditions, mainly amplified drought, induced higher mortality rates in these regions. Overall, deadwood addition and forest gap formation had strong effects on oribatid mite communities, although the magnitude of each effect was similar between forest types and largely determined by regional context. This emphasizes that the effects of forest management practices on oribatid mite communities cannot be generalized across regional scales, suggesting that management plans should carefully consider regional differences. • Large logs of deadwood increase the density of oribatid mites in forest soil. • Forest gaps reduce the density and species number of oribatid mites. • Effects of deadwood addition and forest gap formation differ between regions. • Deadwood addition to forest gaps does not mitigate detrimental effects of gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I develop a theory of multiple maturity segments on the interbank market based on the persistence of liquidity shocks and banks’ liquidity management. The developed framework is embedded in a micro-founded network model, which features interbank funding as an over-the-counter phenomenon and replicates financial system phenomena of network formation, monetary policy transmission, and endogenous money creation. This setup is used to shed light on the interbank market's role for allocation and stability in the financial system. I show that the amount of interbank funding depends on the persistence and magnitude of liquidity shocks, as well as banks’ liquidity requirement. Optimal monetary policy experiments show that while interbank funding allows for considerably higher loan provision to the real economy, its term segment, by increasing the size of the interbank market, reduces that effect. Furthermore, the central bank's interest rate policy can effectively mitigate systemic risk and allow for higher sustainable loan supply of the real economy in regimes with lenient capital requirements. However, it is less effective in stimulating loan provision in more restrictive regulatory regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue light plays an important role in the growth and development of fungi. Environmental cues enable plant pathogenic fungi to synchronise essential metabolic pathways to that of their hosts to gain a competitive advantage. Phylogenetic analysis of the LOV domain present in blue light receptors across all three kingdoms suggests that these receptors in fungal lineages have undergone convergent evolution to use the same domain for control and regulation of similar cellular and metabolic processes. In this review, the genetic basis of blue light photoperception in fungi, and the functions it regulates, will be discussed. Furthermore, the evolution of the light sensing domain and its role in pathogenesis is hypothesised concluding with how knowledge of conserved LOV domains may be exploited for fungal disease control in crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past few decades have seen the emergence both of new neuromodulation treatment protocols and novel applications of standard neuromodulation interventions in psychiatry. Yet little is known about different stakeholders' views about these interventions. We administered an online survey with an embedded video vignette experiment to four national samples: the general public (N = 1022), caregivers for people with depression (N = 1026), patients living with depression (N = 1050), and board-certified psychiatrists (N = 505). We randomly assigned subjects to one of eight conditions in our full factorial design: four neuromodulation interventions [electroconvulsive therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, deep brain stimulation, or adaptive brain implants] by two depression severity levels [moderate or severe]. In this paper we present results from ANOVA and linear regression models explaining how views about these four neuromodulation interventions—as measured in five attitudinal scales (general affect, perceived influence on self, perceived benefit, perceived risk, and perceived invasiveness)—vary by (1) intervention, (2) depression severity, and/or (3) stakeholder group. Our results provide evidence that psychiatrists views differ significantly in important ways from other stakeholder groups. Type of intervention also shaped participants' attitudes, including perceptions of invasiveness, effectiveness, and safety. Given the differing affective valence among stakeholders and the differences found by modality and stakeholder groups across the different scales, future targeted educational initiatives could be developed to help address key misunderstandings and misinformed perceptions. • rTMS had the most favorable views, and DBS and ABIs the least favorable. • Psychiatrists generally had more favorable views of neuromodulation interventions than members of the public. • Psychiatrists must understand patients' views about neuromodulation interventions in order to counsel them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the emergence of systemic risk in a network model of interconnected bank balance sheets. The model incorporates multiple sources of systemic risk, including size of financial institutions, direct exposure from interbank lendings, and asset fire sales. We suggest a new macroprudential risk management approach building on a system wide value at risk (SVaR). Under the SVaR metric, the contribution of individual banks to systemic risk is well defined and can be approximated by a Shapley value-type measure. We show that, in a SVaR regime, a fair systemic risk charge which is proportional to a bank's individual contribution to systemic risk diverges from the optimal macroprudential capitalization of the banks from a planner's perspective. The results have implications for the design of macroprudential capital surcharges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated the effects of climate on the growth of red alder across a broad latitudinal gradient and over a wide range of growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest of North America (PNW). Data for this study came from a study established in 1988 that includes 31 research installations located between the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The growth-climate model developed includes: summer heat moisture index (SHM), mean warmest month temperature (MWMT), spring precipitation (PPTsp), and initial height; and captures 78% of the variation in red alder volume increment. Based on this model, estimates of potential future growth were generated for three climate scenarios (i.e., cccma_cgcm3_A2-run4 ‘warm and wet’ of the Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling and Analysis; and ukmo_hadcm3_B1-run1 ‘cool and moist’ and ukmo_HadGEM1_A1B-run1 ‘hot and dry’ of the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research). These projections indicate a potential increase in volume increment of up-to 12% by the 2080s. Range-wide maps were generated for the volume increment potential (VIP) for the reference normal period 1961–1990, for the ‘warm and wet’ climate scenario, and the 2050s time period, suggesting that climate change may cause a substantial shift in the range and productivity of red alder in the PNW. In addition, maps of the predicted VIP of red alder for the Campbell River District in BC were generated and indicate an overall increase in projected growth of red alder. This study provides evidence that climate change will likely lead to expansion of the range and potential increases in growth for red alder in conjunction with assisted migration of provenance in the PNW. While these results indicate potential increased opportunities for extension of the range of red alder and opportunities for its management, care must be taken to avoid planting alder on sites with high risk of damaging agents such as cold outflow winds, frost, or drought. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Height growth equations for dominant trees are needed for growth and yield projections, to determine appropriate silvicultural regimes, and to estimate site index. Red alder [Alnus rubra Bong.] is a fast-growing hardwood species that is widely planted in the Pacific Northwest, USA. However, red alder dominant height growth equations used currently have been determined using stem analysis trees from natural stands rather than repeated measurements of stand-level top height from plantations, which may cause them to be biased. A regional dataset of red alder plantations was complied and used to construct a dynamic base-age invariant top height growth equation. Ten anamorphic and polymorphic Generalized Algebraic Difference Approach (GADA) forms were fit using the forward difference approach. The Chapman–Richards anamorphic and Schumacher anamorphic model forms were the only ones with statistically significant parameters that yielded biologically reasonable predictions across a full range of the available data. The Schumacher model form performed better on three independent datasets and, therefore, was selected as the final model. The resulting top height growth equations differed appreciably from tree-level dominant height growth equations developed using data from natural stands, particularly at the younger ages and on lower site indices. Both the rate and shape parameters of the Schumacher function were not influenced by initial planting density. However, this analysis indicates that the asymptote, which is related to site index, may be reduced for plantations with initial planting density below 500treesha−1. The final equation can be used for predictions of top height (and thus) site index for red alder plantations across a range of different growing conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is commonly applied for the characterization of surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum apparatus, but the application of XPS at elevated pressures has been known for more than 35 years. This chapter is a description of the development of XPS as a novel method to characterize surfaces of catalysts under reaction conditions. This technique offers opportunities for determination of correlations between the electronic surface structures of active catalysts and the catalytic activity, which can be characterized simultaneously by analysis of gas‐phase products. Apparatus used for XPS investigations of samples in reactive atmospheres is described here; the application of synchrotron radiation allows the determination of depth profiles in the catalyst, made possible by changes in the photon energy. The methods are illustrated with examples including methanol oxidation on copper and ethene epoxidation on silver. Correlations between the abundance of surface oxygen species and yields of selective oxidation products are presented in detail. Further examples include CO adsorption and methanol decomposition on palladium and CO oxidation on ruthenium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies abundance and growth of tree regeneration in intact forest-floor and windthrow-pit microsite in pine and hardwood stands in Georgia Piedmont, U.S. Difference between microsite types and between pre and post tornado on intact forest-floor microsites; Impact of variation in light and soil water availability from the disturbance on forest-floor microsites.

Objective: To demonstrate a systematic approach for ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis.Design: Stepwise demonstration of the ultrasound features of adenomyosis with narrated video footage.Setting: In 2015, the International Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment group published a consensus on which terminology to use when describing myometrial lesions seen on ultrasonography [12]. However, 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound features of adenomyosis are demonstrated most optimally using video clips.Interventions: A systematic description, including pictograms of individual features of adenomyosis, is correlated to the typical findings of adenomyosis in 2D and 3D ultrasound images and video clips.Conclusion: A structured, systematic description of individual 2D and 3D ultrasound features is important for a correct diagnosis of adenomyosis [3-5]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine if there is a co-elevation of human blood arsenic and mercury levels in the Midwestern population of the United States (U.S.) and to determine any geographical patterns and variation of arsenic and mercury that may exist in Michigan. 58,800 blood specimens along with associated demographic/geographic data from the contiguous United States were reviewed. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze demographic/geographic variables associated with elevated arsenic concentrations. Furthermore, blood data from patients in Michigan were aggregated to the ZIP code tabulation area (ZCTA) in order to assess geographic variation using spatial regression models. SaTScan software was also used to analyze potential clustering of arsenic and mercury across Michigan ZCTAs. Within the contiguous United States, elevated mercury blood concentrations, older age, female sex, and coastal status were all associated with elevated arsenic blood concentrations (elevated mercury odds ratio (OR) 3.18 (3.04–3.33); female sex OR 1.06 (1.02–1.11); +10 yr age OR 1.12 (1.11–1.14); coastal state OR 1.33 (1.27–1.40). Within the state of Michigan, as with the continuous U.S., elevated mercury blood concentrations and older age were associated with elevated arsenic blood concentrations (elevated mercury OR 2.75 (2.38–3.18); female sex OR 1.06 (0.95–1.19); +10 yr age OR 1.10 (1.06–1.13). Using spatial regression, it was determined that within Michigan, economic inequality (measured via the Gini coefficient) was also associated with elevated concentrations of mercury in the blood. Clinical reference laboratory data, in conjunction with spatial analysis methods, may enhance our understanding of how elemental exposure affects human health and should be considered for studying how environmental contaminants, socioeconomics and geography affect the health of populations. Predicted values of arsenic and mercury in Michigan, 2011–2018. Image 1 • Human arsenic and mercury blood concentrations are co-elevated in U.S populations. • Geography and demographics were associated with elevated arsenic concentrations. • Spatial analysis methods may enhance our understanding of human elemental exposure. Using medical reference laboratory data, we have discovered a significant co-elevation of arsenic and mercury in the Midwest U.S population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]