bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validación de un modelo de predicción del crecimiento urbano en Quito (Ecuador) construido mediante pesos de evidencia y autómatas celulares
Authors: Ulloa-Espíndola René , Pérez-Albert Yolanda
Published: October 2021

Este artículo analiza el grado de predicción alcanzado por un modelo espacial de crecimiento urbano elaborado con base en (1) el comportamiento histórico de los asentamientos formales e informales en las periferias y en (2) las variables predictoras del fenómeno utilizando técnicas geoespaciales. Se toma como estudio de caso la periferia nor‑oriental de la ciudad de Quito (Ecuador), espacio que ha sufrido una gran transformación en los últimos años. En un primer momento se construye el modelo espacial a partir de imágenes satelitales, complementadas con análisis de variables predictoras del fenómeno bajo la metodología de pesos de evidencia y autómatas celulares. Posteriormente, el análisis se centra en la validación del modelo, a través de ventanas de tamaños múltiples con función de decaimiento constante para el análisis de patrones espaciales con DinamicaEgo. Como resultado, las proyecciones generadas del modelo muestran coincidencias consistentes con la realidad y un alto porcentaje de validación.
Cuando la potasa genera patrimonio. Dos modelos contrapuestos: Súria y Cardona (Barcelona)
Authors: Tsiouti Andri
Published: October 2021

El artículo examina los factores que inciden para que ciertos paisajes mineros, a pesar de su rechazo por ser fuente de contaminación y de conflictos sociales, se acaben revalorizando. Se centra en dos casos de estudio en la provincia de Barcelona: el conjunto minero de Cardona y la mina de Súria, dos explotaciones muy cercanas, ambas de potasa, pero con características bien diversas. La clausura del yacimiento de Cardona impulsó la creación del Parque Cultural de la Montaña de Sal, una iniciativa turística y cultural, que aspira a generar nueva riqueza a través de la valorización del legado geológico y minero. Al mismo tiempo, en el cercano municipio de Súria, la multinacional Iberpotash sigue explotando potasas y contaminando gravemente la zona con un claro peligro para la salud. Esta situación contradictoria constituye el objeto de estudio del presente trabajo; partiendo de dos paisajes de la potasa, pretende descubrir los factores que condicionan el rechazo o valorización patrimonial del paisaje minero.
¿De dónde salieron y a dónde se fueron? Migración interna de regiones de alta violencia en México en las últimas dos décadas
Authors: Rodríguez Oscar
Published: October 2021

La violencia en México se incrementó desde 2007, cuando comenzó la Guerra contra el Narcotráfico por los enfrentamientos entre grupos criminales, lo que a su vez propició el aumento de la migración interna. A partir de técnicas de asociación espacial y de la matriz de origen-destino, en este estudio se presenta la relación entre los niveles de violencia y los flujos de migración interna en los municipios con mayores tasas de homicidios en el periodo 1995-2015. Los resultados muestran que las regiones noroeste, noreste y occidente de México, con altas tasas de violencia, experimentaron una asociación entre altas tasas de emigración y bajas tasas de inmigración interna, y que la mayor parte de los emigrantes de estas regiones se han dirigido a ciudades cercanas de tamaño mediano. Por tanto, el incremento de la violencia criminal en años recientes ha repercutido en la magnitud y lugares de destino de los migrantes de regiones con alta violencia.
Capital Structure and Firm Performance: How Does Marketing Expense Interact?
Authors: Wijesooriya R. M. R. P. , Chathuranga B. T. K. , Peiris T. M. S.
Published: October 2021

Focus of the study is to examine the role of marketing expense in the relation between capital structure and firm performance using 35 public limited companies listed in Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), Sri Lanka for the period 2012 to 2019. Inconclusive evidence reported on the role of marketing expense along with unavailability of sound literature raise the need of a study in this nature. The study employs total debt to total asset ratio to represent the leverage of a company while return on assets as proxy for firm performance. Further, return on equity has been introduced to test the robustness of each model developed within the study. Followed by a general descriptive analysis, panel data regression models have been designed to observe the mediator or moderator role of marketing expenditure in determining the relationship between the main variables of the study. Moreover, the study has taken a fair attempt to eliminate model specification bias by incorporating control variables to the main regression models. As per the regression model outputs it was observed that marketing expense operates as a moderator variable in Sri Lanka and most importantly it is weakening the adverse impact created by excessive debt level on firm performance. These findings appeal for a developed capital market in Sri Lanka and highlight the radical decision making under resource-based view. The results of the study agree with the related literature in other parts of the world.
Light: Revealing the Unseen
Authors: Woodroffe Patrick
Published: October 2021

With four decades of diverse experience illuminating numerous performative events, Patrick Woodroffe, a senior partner of international lighting consultancy Woodroffe Bassett Design, explains the importance of light to performer and scenery. He also gives us an insight into some of his interactions with various performers and then runs us through the sorts of things a typical day entails.
Lonely Together: The Coming Confluence of Virtual and Real
Authors: Neru Ash
Published: October 2021

Ash Nehru is a co‐founder of Disguise – a platform that allows creative ideas to combine with software and media server hardware technologies of the sort regularly employed by STUFISH's productions to bring digital video layers into their physical staging designs. Here he examines the use of mixed realities for contemporary performance and their continued potential as new technologies come online.
Curating the Crowd: Social Media and the Choreography of Affective Experience
Authors: Geismar Haidy
Published: October 2021

The advent of social media and the ever more sophisticated functionality of our mobile phones have had a profound effect on the way we view and record events. This is particularly true for large gatherings of people. Haidy Geismar, Professor of Anthropology at University College London, explains how it was once possible to ‘choreograph’ an audience, but nowadays the audience choreographs itself, with thousands of simultaneous viewpoints that are disseminated in multiple, personal yet often public ways.
The Intricate Architecture of Enchantment
Authors: Woroniecki MAciej
Published: October 2021

STUFISH partner MAciej Woroniecki explains some of the parameters that entertainment architects need to consider. They include aspects such as the definition of the brief, the materiality of the proposition, its programmatic appropriateness, its portability and weight and its cost. Above all there must be a clear project narrative that drives the special and spectacular.
Small‐Dipole‐Molecule‐Containing Electrolytes for High‐Voltage Aqueous Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Huang Zhaodong , Wang Tairan , Li Xinliang , Cui Huilin , Liang Guojin , Yang Qi , Chen Ze , Chen Ao , Guo Ying , Fan Jun , Zhi Chunyi
Published: October 2021

High‐voltage aqueous rechargeable batteries are promising competitors for next‐generation energy storage systems with safety and high specific energy, but they are limited by the absence of low‐cost aqueous electrolytes with a wide electrochemical stability window (ESW). The decomposition of aqueous electrolytes is mainly facilitated by the hydrogen bond network between water molecules and the water molecules in the solvation sheath. Here, three types of small dipole molecules (small molecules containing a dipole; glycerol (Gly), erythritol (Et), and acrylamide (AM)) are reported to develop aqueous electrolytes with high safety and wide ESW (over 2.5 V) for aqueous lithium‐, sodium‐, and zinc‐ion batteries, respectively. The solvation‐sheath structures are explored by ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, demonstrating that three types of dipole molecules deplete the water molecules in the solvation sheath of the charge carrier and break the hydrogen bond network between the water molecules, thus effectively expanding the ESW. A battery constructed from lithium titanate and lithium manganate in Gly‐containing electrolyte exhibits an output voltage of 2.45 V and retains a specific capacity of 119.6 mAh g−1 after 400 cycles. This work provides another strategy for exploiting low‐cost high‐voltage electrolytes for aqueous energy‐storage systems.
A Quasi‐Double‐Layer Solid Electrolyte with Adjustable Interphases Enabling High‐Voltage Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Pan Jun , Zhang Yuchen , Wang Jian , Bai Zhongchao , Cao Ruiguo , Wang Nana , Dou Shixue , Huang Fuqiang
Published: October 2021

Increasing the energy density and long‐term cycling stability of lithium‐ion batteries necessitates the stability of electrolytes under high/low voltage application and stable electrode/electrolyte interfacial contact. However, neither a single polymer nor liquid electrolyte can realize this due to their limited internal energy gap, which cannot avoid lithium‐metal deposition and electrolyte oxidation simultaneously. Herein, a novel type of quasi‐double‐layer composite polymer electrolytes (QDL‐CPEs) is proposed by using plasticizers with high oxidation stability (propylene carbonate) and high reduction stability (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether) in a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)‐based electrolyte composites. In‐situ‐polymerized propylene carbonate can function as a cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) film, which can enhance the antioxidant ability. The nucleophilic substitution reaction between diethylene glycol dimethyl ether and PVDF increases the reduction stability of the electrolyte on the anodic side, without the formation of lithium dendrites. The QDL‐CPEs has high ionic conductivity, an enhanced electrochemical reaction window, adjustable electrode/electrolyte interphases, and no additional electrolyte–electrolyte interfacial resistance. Thus, this ingenious design of the QDL‐CPEs improves the cycling performance of a fabricated LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811)//QDL‐CPEs//hard carbon full cell at room temperature, paving a new way for designing solid‐state battery systems accessible for practical applications.
Bystanders: ‘See Something, Say Something’ Is Not Enough
Authors: Rowe Mary P.
Published: October 2021

Bystanders—and their organizations—often take effective action in the face of unacceptable behavior. Both, however, face significant barriers much of the time.
When sexual offender treatment in prison‐based social‐therapeutic treatment is not completed: Relationship to risk factors and recidivism after release
Authors: Carl Lena C. , Lösel Friedrich
Published: October 2021

Background

Various studies have demonstrated that people who do not complete sex offender treatment have higher recidivism rates than completers or untreated controls. The mechanism behind this association, however, remains unclear. One explanation is that responsivity issues are more prevalent in high‐risk offenders, making treatment failure and recidivism more likely, especially if treatment intensity is insufficient to match criminal needs. In addition, dropout may have a negative effect on offenders by increasing feelings of frustration or self‐doubt.

Aims

To retest for a link between treatment discontinuation and recidivism by sex offenders and analyse the mechanisms mediating the link between treatment discontinuation and their recidivism. We hypothesise that non‐completion has a negative effect on recidivism after controlling for a priori differences in risk of recidivism.

Methods

We analysed data from all sex offenders released from Bavarian prisons between 2004 and 2015 who had participated in prison‐based social‐therapeutic treatment and compared non‐completers (n = 100) to offenders ending treatment as planned (n = 428). Criminal risk, offence characteristics, and treatment‐related propensities were measured by a comprehensive assessment instrument, including the Static‐99. Recidivism data were obtained from Federal Official Records with an average time‐at‐risk of 9.43 years (SD = 3.29).

Results

Treatment non‐completion was significantly associated with recidivism after controlling for criminal risk, offence characteristics and treatment duration. This was mainly accounted for by men who had spent at least two years in treatment before premature termination and return to an ordinary prison setting.

Conclusions

Our findings aid understanding the potentially negative impact of discontinuing social‐therapeutic treatment for male sex offenders; termination after substantial commitment may be particularly problematic. Future research should encompass large enough sample sizes to study details behind staff or prisoner decisions to return the prisoner to ordinary prison conditions and to mitigate harms by loss of privileges.
Use of Real‐World Data and Evidence in Drug Development of Medicinal Products Centrally Authorized in Europe in 2018–2019
Authors: Eskola Sini Marika , Leufkens Hubertus Gerardus Maria , Bate Andrew , De Bruin Marie Louise , Gardarsdottir Helga
Published: October 2021

Real‐world data/real‐world evidence (RWD/RWE) are considered to have a great potential to complement, in some cases, replace the evidence generated through randomized controlled trials. By tradition, use of RWD/RWE in the postauthorization phase is well‐known, whereas published evidence of use in the pre‐authorization phase of medicines development is lacking. The primary aim of this study was to identify and quantify the role of potential use of RWD/RWE (RWE signatures) during the pre‐authorization phase, as presented in the initial marketing authorization applications of new medicines centrally evaluated with a positive opinion in 2018–2019 (n = 111) by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Data for the study was retrieved from the evaluation overviews of the European Public Assessment Reports (EPARs), which reflect the scientific conclusions of the assessment process and are accessible through the EMA website. RWE signatures were extracted into an RWE Data Matrix, including 11 categories divided over 5 stages of the drug development lifecycle. Nearly all EPARs included RWE signatures for the discovery (98.2%) and life‐cycle management (100.0%). Half of them included RWE signatures for the full development phase (48.6%) and for supporting regulatory decisions at the registration (46.8%), whereas over a third (35.1%) included RWE signatures for the early development. RWE signatures were more often seen for orphan and conditionally approved medicines. Oncology, hematology, and anti‐infectives stood out as therapeutic areas with most RWE signatures in their full development phase. The findings bring unprecedented insights about the vast use of RWD/RWE in drug development supporting the regulatory decision making.
Environmental DNA in a global biodiversity hotspot: Lessons from coral reef fish diversity across the Indonesian archipelago
Authors: Marwayana Onny N. , Gold Zachary , Meyer Chistopher P. , Barber Paul H.
Published: October 2021

Indonesia is the heart of the Coral Triangle, the world’s most diverse marine ecosystem. Preserving the biological and economic value of this marine biodiversity requires efficient and economical ecosystem monitoring, yet our understanding of marine biodiversity in this region remains limited. This study uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to survey fish communities across a well‐documented biodiversity gradient in Indonesia. A total of 6,608,693 sequence reads of MiFish 12S rRNA from 39 sites spanning seven regions of Indonesia revealed 1099 fish amplified sequence variants (ASVs), 80.4% of which could be identified to species. Regional fish diversity broadly conformed to expectations, with the highest fish biodiversity in Raja Ampat and lowest in Western Indonesia. Similarly, zeta diversity analysis showed greater community turnover in higher diversity reefs of Eastern Indonesia and greater community similarity in low diversity regions of Western Indonesia. However, despite a twofold difference in fish diversity between Eastern and Western Indonesia, mean ASVs recovered per 1‐L seawater was relatively similar across all regions. Moreover, although ASV recovery from individual seawater samples saturated, ASV recovery did not saturate at the site or region level, indicating that sampling/sequencing efforts employed in lower diversity ecosystems are insufficient for biodiversity hotspots like the Coral Triangle. Despite these limitations, eDNA substantially increased (36.3%–84.1%; mean 57.1%) the number of fish species recorded during intensive visual surveys, adding pelagic (tuna, jacks, scads, mackerels), nocturnal (soldierfish, lanternfish), and crevice‐dwelling species (eels, blennies, gobies) that are difficult to document in visual surveys. Results demonstrate the added value of eDNA in biodiversity hotspots like the Coral Triangle and highlight the need for research to understand how best to sample eDNA in high diversity regions to deliver on the promise of eDNA as a tool to monitor marine biodiversity effectively and efficiently.
Ontogeny of eDNA shedding during early development in Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Authors: Ostberg Carl O. , Chase Dorothy M.
Published: October 2021

Knowledge of the timing of major life history events in aquatic species is important for informing conservation and resource management planning. Accordingly, surveys of environmental DNA (eDNA) have been performed to determine the efficacy of eDNA for providing information on life history events, primarily focusing on the timing of events associated with spawning, and these studies have proved successful. However, spawning represents only one part of the life history, and therefore, information on eDNA shedding during other life history stages is needed to fill gaps in knowledge. Here, we explored eDNA shedding during early life history (from fertilized eggs until near yolk sac absorption) in Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at three biomasses in a laboratory environment. We found that fertilized eggs shed little eDNA prior to hatching. Hatching coincided with a spike in eDNA, and we observed a significant and positive relationship between eDNA concentration and the number of hatched eggs. The concentration of eDNA shed by larvae after hatching was not consistent across post‐hatch sampling days, suggesting developmental and behavioral changes associated with larval ontogeny may affect eDNA shedding rate. These results indicate that eDNA data may be used to identify hatch timing and verify successful reproduction in oviparous aquatic fishes. The application of eDNA to early life history broadens the capacity of eDNA‐based methods for assessing population status and trends.
Meaningful outrage: Anger at injustice bolsters meaning for justice sensitive individuals
Authors: Rothschild Zachary K. , Keefer Lucas A.
Published: October 2021

Individuals are frequently exposed to media describing salient moral violations, often eliciting negative reactions. Three studies examined whether the outrage engendered by such news may serve as a source of personal meaning for justice sensitive individuals. Using an experience sampling method, Study 1 found that among high (but not low) justice sensitive individuals, outrage (but not sadness) at unethical/unjust news content predicted greater personal meaning. Employing an experimental paradigm, Study 2 found that the opportunity to express outrage at third‐party harm‐doing attenuated a threat‐induced reduction in personal meaning among high (but not low) justice sensitive participants. Study 3 found that giving justice sensitive participants the opportunity to affirm the meaningfulness of their own life (vs. another person's life or no affirmation) reduced expressions of outrage at third‐party harm‐doing. Results suggest outrage may uniquely serve a meaning‐maintenance function for those who view upholding justice as a central value.
Techno‐Economic Assessment of Renewable Energy‐based Microgrids in the Amazon Remote Communities in Ecuador
Authors: Clairand Jean-Michel , Serrano-Guerrero Xavier , González-Zumba Andrés , Escrivá-Escrivá Guillermo
Published: October 2021

Several remote communities have limited electricity access and are mainly dependent on environmentally damaging fossil fuels. The installation of microgrid networks and green energy initiatives are currently addressing this issue. Thus, the techno‐economic assessment of a microgrid that comprises photovoltaic arrays, a micro‐hydro turbine, and diesel generation is proposed herein. Two scenarios are evaluated considering the inclusion or not of diesel generation. This model is performed in HOMER. The results demonstrate that the best option in economics is to invest in a PV/hydro/diesel microgrid, resulting in an net present cost of 2.33 M$, and a cost of energy of 0.194 $ kWh−1. Furthermore, to address diesel price uncertainties, a sensitivity analysis is carried out based on three different projected diesel prices.
Hyperintensity of integrin‐targeted fluorescence agent IntegriSense750 accurately predicts flap necrosis compared to Indocyanine green
Authors: Hicks Melanie D. , Ovaitt Alyssa K. , Fleming Jason C. , Sorace Anna G. , Song Patrick N. , Mansur Ameer , Hartman BS Yolanda E. , Rosenthal Eben L. , Warram Jason M. , Thomas Carissa M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Flap necrosis is a feared complication of reconstructive surgery. Current methods of prediction using Indocyanine green (ICG) lack specificity. IntegriSense750 is a fluorescence agent that binds sites of vascular remodeling. We hypothesized that IntegriSense750 better predicts flap compromise compared to ICG.

Methods

Fifteen mice underwent lateral thoracic artery axial flap harvest. Mice received an injection of ICG (n = 7) or IntegriSense750 (n = 8) daily from postoperative days (POD) 0–3 and were imaged daily. Mean signal‐to‐background ratios quantified the change in fluorescence as necrosis progressed.

Results

Mean signal‐to‐background ratio was significantly higher for IntegriSense750 compared to ICG on POD0 (1.47 ± 0.17 vs. 0.86 ± 0.21, p = 0.01) and daily through POD3 (2.12 ± 0.70 vs. 0.96 ± 0.29, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

IntegriSense750 demonstrates increased signal‐to‐background ratio at areas of flap distress compared to ICG which may increase identification of flap necrosis and improve patient outcomes.
Programmed death 1 expressing CD8+CXCR5+ follicular T cells constitute effector rather than exhaustive phenotype in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Khanam Arshi , Tang Lydia S. Y. , Kottilil Shyam
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

Classical CD8 T cells are implicated for protective and pathogenic roles in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. Recently, a subset of CD8 T cells expressing C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 5 (CXCR5) and exhibiting features of TFH cells has been identified during chronic viral infections. However, in CHB, knowledge of their roles is limited.

Approach and Results

We characterized circulating CD8+CXCR5+/− cells and investigated their association with clinical and viral factors. We found that CHB infection did not influence the overall frequencies of CD8+CXCR5+ cells whereas CD8+CXCR5− cells were increased. However, among CHB, CD8+CXCR5+ cells were higher in patients with low HBsAg and HBV‐DNA levels, patients who were HBeAg negative and had high fibrosis scores, and these cells exhibited a significant association with HBsAg and HBV‐DNA reduction. Contrarily, CD8+CXCR5− cells were expanded and positively correlated with patients having high HBsAg, HBV‐DNA, and alanine aminotransferase levels. CD8+CXCR5+ cells express costimulatory molecules ICOS, OX40, CD40 ligand, inhibitory molecule programmed death 1, transcription factors B‐cell lymphoma (BCL)‐2, BCL‐6, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and are enriched in effector and central memory phenotype. Moreover, these cells are heterogeneous in nature given that they constitute different subsets of cytotoxic follicular T cells (TCF), including TCF1, TCF2, TCF17, and TCF22. Despite expressing high PD‐1, CD8+CXCR5+ cells are activated, proliferating, secreting more IFN‐γ, IL‐21, and IL‐22, and have better cytolytic potential than CD8+CXCR5− cells, which were inhibited after PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade. CD8+CXCR5+ cells are efficient in helping B cells in terms of plasmablasts and plasma cell generation.

Conclusions

In conclusion, CD8+CXCR5+ cells are enriched in effector phenotypes, produce HBV‐specific cytokines despite increased PD‐1, and are associated with HBsAg and HBV‐DNA reduction. These cells competently support B‐cell function, required for viral clearance, which may serve as potential therapeutic targets for CHB.
Global burden and attributable risk factors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 204 countries and territories in 1990–2019: Estimation based on Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Hu Yuefen , Zhang Xiuping , Zhang Aijun , Hou Yu , Liu Yang , Li Qizhao , Wang Yawen , Yu Yafei , Hou Ming , Peng Jun , Yang Xiaorong , Xu Shuqian
Published: October 2021

To provide a foundational guideline for policy‐makers to efficiently allocate medical resources in the context of population aging and growth, the latest spatial distribution and temporal trend of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) along with attributable risk factors by sex and age were mapped. Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated according to the relativity between age‐standardized rate and calendar year, to quantify temporal trends in morbidity and mortality of ALL. We used applied Spearman rank correlation to estimate the relationship between the EAPC and potential influence factors. The population attributable fraction of potential risk factors for ALL‐related disability‐adjusted life years were estimated by the comparative risk assessment framework. As a result, we found that new ALL cases increased significantly by 1.29% worldwide, and the age‐standardized incidence rate increased by 1.61% annually. The proportion of elder patients sharply increased, especially within the higher socio‐demographic index (SDI) region. Smoking and high body mass index remained the predominant risk factors for ALL‐related mortality. Notably, the contribution of high body mass index presented an increasing trend. In conclusion, the global burden of ALL has steadily increased, especially in Middle SDI region. Health measures and new drugs should be taken into consideration to improve the management and treatment of elders with ALL due to an increasing proportion in the higher SDI region. For Low SDI areas, attention should be paid to the environmental problems caused by industrial development.
Identification of the controlling factors for hydrological responses by artificial neural networks
Authors: Hao Ruo‐Nan , Xu Yue‐Ping , Chiang Yen‐Ming
Published: October 2021

Identifying the controlling factors for hydrological responses is of great importance for artificial neural network‐based flood forecasting models, which are often hindered by the lack of physical mechanisms. To explore the first‐order controlling factors of hydrograph patterns, a hybrid neural network was designed to analyse the impacts of potential driving variables with different temporal and spatial resolutions on hydrograph patterns. The Jinhua River Basin in Southeast China was used as an example in this study. Flood events with different hydrograph patterns and six external factors denoting potential controlling factors were individually classified into specific clusters using self‐organizing maps (SOMs). Based on the back‐propagation neural network (BPNN) and leave‐one‐out cross‐validation methods, the controlling factors of different flood patterns were identified by comparing the performances of flood simulation models trained with datasets before and after the potential controlling factor classification. The results showed that (i) the classification of controlling factors indicating various runoff regimes significantly improved the performance of data‐driven models in flood simulation in terms of correlation coefficient, Nash‐Sutcliffe coefficient, and normalized root mean square error; (ii) the spatial distribution of antecedent soil moisture and vegetation conditions as well as the temporal distribution of rainfall dominated different hydrograph patterns; and (iii) the transition of dominant rainfall‐runoff processes could be identified in an individual flood event using the hybrid SOM–BPNN model, indicating the varying influence of potential controlling factors on streamflow. Overall, the hybrid neural network models trained with datasets classified by controlling factors provide a general analytical framework to identify the governing dynamics for different flood patterns and improve the accuracy of flood simulations. Additionally, more attention should be devoted to improving the time to peak error of hydrological models, which cannot be settled by data‐driven models trained with different data‐splitting strategies.
Underutilization of diagnostic assays for celiac disease in Korea
Authors: Choi Rihwa , Lee Sang Gon , Lee Eun Hee
Published: October 2021

Background

Test utilization for the diagnosis of celiac disease may affect the prevalence and incidence of the disease in Korea. We aimed to investigate the test utilization of serological biomarkers for celiac disease in Korea.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated the test utilization of tissue transglutaminase IgA, gliadin IgA and IgG, and endomysial IgA antibody (Ab) assays between January 2011 and June 2020.

Results

During a nine‐year‐and‐six‐month study period, overall 307,322,606 clinical tests were requested from different clinical settings, such as local clinics, hospitals, university hospitals, and tertiary medical centers. Among them, only 58 tissue transglutaminase IgA, 22 gliadin IgA, 12 gliadin IgG, and 16 endomysial IgA Ab tests were performed on 79 Korean patients. Among them, one patient had positive transglutaminase IgA Ab result (1.3%).

Conclusion

Low prevalence and incidence of celiac disease in Korea may be due to an underutilization of diagnostic assays.
Association of ANGPTL3 polymorphisms with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol uptake capacity in patients with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Aghasizadeh Malihe , Nosrati Mina , Saberi‐Karimian Maryam , Safarian Hamideh , Assadian Parisa , Akbarpour Ensieh , Sahebkar Amirhosein , Avan Amir , Ferns Gordon A. , Kazemi Tooba , Miri‐Moghaddam Ebrahim , Ghayour‐Mobarhan Majid
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Previous studies have shown the importance of angiopoietin‐like 3 (ANGPTL3) as a modulator of lipid profiles. Cholesterol uptake capacity (CUC) is one means for assessing high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality. This study for the first time has investigated the relationship between genetic ANGPTL3 polymorphism and CUC in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Methods

Five hundred three subjects comprising 350 healthy subjects and 153 individuals who developed a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event during follow‐up were recruited as part of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) cohort study. A modified CUC method was used to determine the CUC of serum samples. Applied amplification refractory mutation system PCR was performed for ANGPTL3 variants genotyping including: rs10789117, rs1748195, and rs11207997. Sanger sequencing was applied to confirm the genotypes.

Results

The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the rs1748195 genotypes and HDL concentration in the CVD group (p = 0.02). Moreover, individuals with a GG genotype of the rs1748195 were associated with a lower risk of CVD (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.24–0.98, p = 0.04) compared with CC genotype in the CUC ≤ 1.7 a.u subgroup. Moreover, the CT genotype of rs11207997 was associated with a lower risk of CVD (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.41–1.3, p = 0.01) compared with CC genotype in CUC > 1.7 a.u subgroup.

Conclusion

The results showed that the CT genotype of the rs11207997 variant was associated with a lower risk of incident CVD in patients with higher HDL functionality. As well, the rs1748195 gene variant may contribute to a reduced risk of CVD.
The diagnostic protocol for hereditary spherocytosis‐2021 update
Authors: Wu Yangyang , Liao Lin , Lin Faquan
Published: October 2021

Background

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS), a commonly encountered hereditary hemolytic disease, is mostly inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. The clinical manifestations in patients with HS show obvious heterogeneity. Moreover, the sensitivity or specificity of some HS diagnostic tests are not ideal and may easily result in misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis in some patients. The objective of this study was to propose a simple and practical diagnostic protocol, which can contribute to the diagnosis of HS and its differential diagnosis with different types of hemolytic anemia such as thalassemia (THAL), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, thus, to provide an alternative simple and reliable method for better clinical diagnosis of HS.

Methods

Through combing our research with existing experimental technologies and studies, we propose a simple and practical protocol for HS diagnosis, which will help clinicians to improve HS diagnosis.

Results

Compared with the existing HS diagnostic protocols, the HS diagnostic protocol we proposed is simpler. In this new protocol, some experimental tests with ideal diagnostic efficiency are added, such as mean reticulocyte volume (MRV), mean sphered cell volume (MSCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), in combination with the observation of clinical manifestations, family investigation, routine tests for hemolytic anemia, genetic testing, and other screening tests.

Conclusion

The HS diagnostic protocol we proposed could improve the clinical practice and efficiency of HS diagnosis.
The change of gut microbiota‐derived short‐chain fatty acids in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Zhong Chenyu , Dai Zhiwei , Chai Lingxiong , Wu Lingping , Li Jianhui , Guo Weiying , Zhang Jie , Zhang Qun , Xue Congping , Lin Haixue , Luo Qun , Cai Kedan
Published: October 2021

Background

Previous studies found the dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), especially the decreased SCFA‐producing bacteria. We aimed to investigate the concentration of the stool and serum short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), gut microbiota‐derived metabolites, in individuals with DKD and reveal the correlations between SCFAs and renal function.

Methods

A total of 30 participants with DKD, 30 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and 30 normal controls (NC) in HwaMei Hospital were recruited from 1/1/2018 to 12/31/2019. Participants with DKD were divided into low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)(eGFR<60ml/min, n=14) and high eGFR (eGFR≥60ml/min, n=16) subgroups. Stool and serum were measured for SCFAs with gas chromatograph‐mass spectrometry.

Results

The DKD group showed markedly lower levels of fecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate versus NC (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.018, respectively) [1027.32(784.21–1357.90)]vs[2064.59(1561.82–2637.44)]μg/g,[929.53(493.65–1344.26)]vs[1684.57(1110.54–2324.69)]μg/g,[851.39(409.57–1611.65)] vs[1440.74(1004.15–2594.73)]μg/g, respectively, and the lowest fecal total SCFAs concentration among the groups. DKD group also had a lower serum caproate concentration than that with diabetes (p=0.020)[0.57(0.47–0.61)]vs[0.65(0.53–0.79)]μmol/L. In the univariate regression analysis, fecal and serum acetate correlated with eGFR (OR=1.013, p=0.072; OR=1.017, p=0.032). The correlation between serum total SCFAs and eGFR showed statistical significance (OR=1.019, p=0.024) unadjusted and a borderline significance (OR=1.024, p=0.063) when adjusted for Hb and LDL. The decrease in serum acetate and total SCFAs were found of borderline significant difference in both subgroups (p=0.055, p=0.050).

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that in individuals with DKD, serum and fecal SCFAs levels (fecal level in particular) were lowered, and there was a negative correlation between SCFAs and renal function.
Perfect matchings in highly cyclically connected regular graphs
Authors: Lukoťka Robert , Rollová Edita
Published: October 2021

A leaf matching operation on a graph consists of removing a vertex of degree 1 together with its neighbour from the graph. Let be a ‐regular cyclically ‐edge‐connected graph of even order, where and . We prove that for any given set of edges, there is no 1‐factor of avoiding if and only if either an isolated vertex can be obtained by a series of leaf matching operations in , or has an independent set that contains more than half of the vertices of . To demonstrate how to check the conditions of the theorem we prove several statements on 2‐factors of cubic graphs. For , we prove that given a cyclically ‐edge‐connected cubic graph and three paths of length such that the distance between any two of them is at least , there is a 2‐factor of that contains one of the paths. We provide a similar statement for two paths when and . As a corollary we show that given a vertex in a cyclically 7‐edge‐connected cubic graph, there is a 2‐factor such that is in a circuit of length greater than 7.
ROBOT‐assisted pancreatoduodenectomy in 300 consecutive cases: Annual trend analysis and propensity score‐matched comparison of perioperative and long‐term oncologic outcomes with the open method
Authors: Kim Hyeong Seok , Kim Hongbeom , Han Youngmin , Lee Mirang , Kang Yoon Hyung , Sohn Hee Ju , Kang Jae Seung , Kwon Wooil , Jang Jin‐Young
Published: October 2021

Background/Purpose

We previously reported perioperative and oncologic outcomes of robot‐assisted pancreatoduodenectomy (RAPD); however, the follow‐up period in RAPD was relatively short, and disease‐matched survival analyses were lacking. Therefore, this study investigated time trends of perioperative and long‐term disease‐matched outcomes of RAPD.

Methods

Annual clinicopathologic outcomes of 328 patients with RAPD between 2015 and 2020 were analyzed and compared with 929 patients with open PD using the propensity score‐matched (PSM) analysis based on postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) risk and oncologic variables in malignant patients.

Results

Robot‐assisted pancreatoduodenectomy cases increased from 10 (6.3%) in 2015 to 116 (50.2% of total PD) in 2020, with malignancy proportion increasing from 50.0% to 80.2%. POPF risk‐based PSM analysis showed that compared with open PD, RAPD had younger patients (63.7 vs 65.6 years, P = .018), longer operation time (339.1 vs 290.0 min, P < .001); however, estimated blood loss (P = .275), complications (17.1% vs 18.3%, P = .702), and clinically relevant POPF (9.8% vs 11.1%, P = .584) were similar with shorter postoperative hospital stay (10.8 vs 15.6 days, P < .001). In disease and stage‐matched malignant patients, R0 resection (93.9% vs 91.2%, P = .376), total retrieved lymph node (18.2 vs 19.9, P = .058), and 5‐year survival rate (57.3% vs 60.6%, P = .406) were similar between RAPD and open PD, also in pancreatic cancer patients (31.6% vs 26.3%, P = .068).

Conclusions

Robot‐assisted pancreatoduodenectomy demonstrated similar perioperative outcomes with earlier recovery and equivalent long‐term survival with open PD. RAPD is safe and feasible for periampullary lesions, including pancreatic cancers, and its role will expand in the era of minimally invasive surgery.
An efficient synthesis of novel isoxazole bearing pyrazole derivatives via [3 + 2] heteroannulation using cupric acetate
Authors: Audichya Vipul B. , Savant Mahesh M. , Naliapara Yogesh T.
Published: October 2021

The synthesis of novel 3‐(4,5‐dichloro‐2‐fluorophenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐4‐(3‐phenylisoxazol‐5‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole(7a–p) has been achieved via [3 + 2] heteroannulation reaction 3‐(3‐[4,5‐dichloro‐2‐fluorophenyl]‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐1‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one(6a–p) and hydroxylamine hydro chloride using cupric acetate as homogenous precatalyst. Pyrazole derivatives were prepared by using etidronic acid as catalyst followed by Vilsmeier‐Haack reaction. An efficient green synthesis of isoxazole derivatives bearing pyrazole ring has been demonstrated with excellent yields. Structures of novel isoxazole derivatives were confirmed by elemental analysis and 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Mass, IR spectral studies.
Setal descriptions, locations, and abundances: Their impacts on decorating behaviors in the spider crab Libinia (Crustacea: Epialtidae)
Authors: Wortham Jen Lynn
Published: October 2021

The setal abundances and distributions of the spider crab Libinia are examined, using two species. These spider crabs decorate their bodies with environmental materials and camouflage from predators. These decorations attach to hooked setae, but other types setae are prevalent in body regions where decorations occur. Adult crabs undergo a terminal molt and lose the ability to regrow setae. Little is known about setal changes over the lifetime in these crabs and if hooked setae abundance decreases with age, resulting in a loss of camouflage strategy in larger individuals. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and abundance of hooked and non‐hooked setae in the decorated body regions and if these setal patterns vary by species and body size. Scanning electron microscopy is used along with computer software to describe, count, and measure the setal coverage of hooked and non‐hooked setae in body regions. Small individuals have more hooked setae than larger individuals and the two species have different setal abundances of hooked and non‐hooked setae. Non‐hooked setae cover much surface areas of crabs, attach decorations, and remain on the crabs even when hooked setae are damaged and broken. Setal morphologies and fouling are described among different sized crabs and the two species, with setal types and morphologies being similar but fouling being different. Large individuals likely employ a different camouflage strategy than small individuals due to losing hooked setae but retaining non‐hooked setae.
Spatial and temporal patterns of planetary boundary layer height during 1979–2018 over the Tibetan Plateau using ERA5
Authors: Slättberg Nils , Lai Hui‐Wen , Chen Xuelong , Ma Yaoming , Chen Deliang
Published: October 2021

Planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) is a key meteorological parameter that is affected by and influences exchanges of energy, momentum, and mass between the surface and the atmosphere, but there are few comprehensive studies on the PBLH climatology over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). This study presents a multi‐decadal climatology of PBLH over the TP by using high‐resolution reanalysis data (ERA5) for the period 1979–2018. The ERA5 PBLH was first evaluated against radiosonde‐derived PBLH from four sites. For most of the observation periods and sites, ERA5 captured the diurnal cycles reasonably well, although the highest peaks in the radiosonde‐derived PBLH were often not captured. Next, long‐term means and trends, seasonality and diurnal cycles of the PBLHs were examined. The results show that average PBLHs in the central and southwestern TP are higher than those in the west and east. On an interannual time scale, the PBLH is positively correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation in western and southeastern TP in winter, eastern TP in summer, and central TP in autumn, while a negative correlation is seen for northeastern TP in winter. The summertime PBLH in the central and southwestern TP is negatively correlated to the Indian summer monsoon. As for the seasonal cycle, the PBLH in the western TP reaches its peak in August, while the PBLH in the eastern TP exhibits an earlier summer peak in June. In the central TP, the PBLH is the highest in April and displays a minimum during summer, corresponding to a precipitation peak and a dip in surface sensible heat flux. The climatological diurnal cycles of PBLH are generally affected by the insolation and reach their peaks in the afternoon when a large range in PBLH variation is also found.
Flavone, flavanone and flavonol metabolism from soybean and flaxseed extracts by the intestinal microbiota of adults and infants
Authors: Landete José M
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Flaxseed and soybean are an important source of lignans and flavonoids. Previously, the metabolism of isoflavones and lignans from soybean and flaxseed extracts by the microbiota of adult individuals (n = 14) and infants (n = 23) was analyzed. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the metabolism of flavones, flavanones and flavonols, as well as the production of phenolic acids, by the intestinal microbiota of these individuals.

RESULTS

Concentrations of aglycones of flavonoids, such as herbacetin, quercetin, quercetagetin, myricetin, kaempferol, apigenin and luteolin, increased for most of individuals as a consequence of deglycosylation reactions. On the other hand, a diminution in the antioxidant activity and phenolic compound concentration and an increase in the concentration of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐propionic acid, protocatechuic acid and catechol was also observed.

CONCLUSION

The present study found that deglycosylation reactions were the main reactions and accelerated the formation of more bioavailable flavonoids, with greater biological activity, in most of the individuals. However, other reactions also occurred, including the total or partial catabolism of flavonoids. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Digestive properties of half‐fin anchovy hydrolysates/glucose Maillard reaction products and modulation effects on intestinal microbiota
Authors: Song Ru , Shi Min , Gu Luo
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

The consumption of dietary Maillard reaction products (MRPs) might lead to positive or negative effects on health. The digestibility of half‐fin anchovy hydrolysates/glucose MRPs (HAHp(9.0)‐G MRPs) was therefore determined. The intestinal microbiota modulation of HAHp(9.0)‐G MRPs in mice was also evaluated after administration for 14 days (1 g kg−1•bodyweight).

RESULTS

Different levels of digestibility of MRPs of fructosamine and advanced glycation products of Nε‐carboxymethyllysine were detected in HAHp(9.0)‐G MRPs during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. An increased relative proportion of soluble fluorescent melanoidins (SFMs) was observed during gastric digestion as compared to that in the original HAHp(9.0)‐G MRPs, followed by decreases in SFMs in intestinal digestion. After feeding with HAHp(9.0)‐G MRPs for 14 days, increased goblet cells were observed in the ileum regions of female and male mice. High‐throughput 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of fecal samples revealed that HAHp(9.0)‐G MRPs administration increased the density of the phylum Bacteriodetes and reduced the density of the phylum Firmicutes in male mice. By comparison, a relatively higher density of members of the phylum Saccharibacteria was observed in female mice. A consistent increase in the abundance of Bacteroidales_S24‐7_group_norank was found in female and male groups fed with HAHp(9.0)‐G MRPs. Female and male mice treated with HAHp(9.0)‐G MRPs also showed higher levels of propionic and butyric acids in feces than their corresponding controls.

CONCLUSION

Half‐fin anchovy hydrolysates/glucose MRPs can be partly hydrolyzed in the simulated gastrointestinal digestion system. Treatment with HAHp(9.0)‐G MRPs induced sex‐related differences in bacterial abundance and diversity in mice; however, the up‐regulation of anti‐inflammatory activity was predicted in both female and male mice. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.