bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revascularization in ischaemic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Deo Salil V. , Reddy Yogesh N.V. , Zakeri Rosita , Karnib Mohamad , Selvaganesan Padmini , Elgudin Yakov , Kilic Ahmet , Rubelowsky Joseph , Altarabsheh Salah E. , Osman Mohammed N. , Josephson Richard A. , Mohan Sri Krishna Madan , Cmolik Brian , Simon Daniel I. , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Cleland John G.F. , Sahadevan Jayakumar , Sundaram Varun
Published: February 2022

Aims

Despite the common occurrence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), there is limited evidence to guide revascularization.

Methods and Results

We investigated the long‐term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with HF and significant CAD across the spectrum of ejection fraction, using a large national cohort of patients from the Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Centers in the US. Patients with HF were stratified into groups, HFpEF, HF with mid‐range ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and compared to patients with no preoperative HF. We analysed 10 396 patients. Despite an increased hazard in the first year following revascularization, the long‐term survival (median follow‐up 6.6 years; interquartile range 3.7–10.1) of HFpEF post‐CABG was similar to controls (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.68‐1.06), but survival progressively declined with HFmrEF and HFrEF. Similar trends were seen with recurrent HF hospitalization with lower risk with baseline HFpEF (43.9 ± 6.9/100 patient‐years) compared to HFmrEF (65.9 ± 3.8/100 patient‐years) and HFrEF (93.4 ± 4.8/100 patient‐years). Although HFpEF patients had lower mortality and HF hospitalization post‐CABG compared to patients with a lower ejection fraction, they experienced the highest rates of future myocardial infarction.

Conclusion

Although HFpEF patients with CAD have greater short‐term risk post‐CABG, their long‐term survival is comparable to controls. However, they are at increased risk for HF hospitalizations and myocardial infarction. These data support the safety of CABG in HFpEF patients and suggest continuum of mortality risk for ischaemic HF when stratified by baseline ejection fraction before revascularization.
Drug therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: what is the ‘right’ dose?
Authors: Kondo Toru , Jhund Pardeep S. , McMurray John J.V.
Published: February 2022

New guidelines have emphasized the primacy of starting the four key life‐saving therapies for patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction as quickly as possible, with titration to ‘target dose’ of these, as secondary consideration. In this article, we examine the reasons for this change in emphasis and revisit the evidence regarding the dosing of pharmacological therapy in heart failure. We demonstrate the early benefits obtained with even low doses of most of the foundational therapies for heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. We also clarify that the ‘target dose’ of those therapies requiring titration was a goal based on tolerability and often not reached in trials, i.e. the proven benefits of our foundational therapies were demonstrated with an average dose that was less than target and many patients in these trials were treated with sub‐target doses.
Effects of sacubitril/valsartan versus valsartan on renal function in patients with and without diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: insights from PARAGON‐HF
Authors: Peikert Alexander , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Mc Causland Finnian , Claggett Brian L. , Chatur Safia , Packer Milton , Pfeffer Marc A. , Zannad Faiez , Lefkowitz Martin P. , Pieske Burkert , Düngen Hans‐Dirk , McMurray John J.V. , Solomon Scott D.
Published: February 2022

Aims

Diabetes is associated with a faster rate of renal function decline in patients with heart failure (HF). Sacubitril/valsartan attenuates the deterioration of renal function to a greater extent in patients with diabetes and HF with reduced ejection fraction compared with renin–angiotensin system inhibitors alone. We assessed whether the same may be true in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods and results

In the PARAGON‐HF trial in patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction of ≥45% (n = 4796), we characterized the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over a period of 192 weeks, and on the pre‐specified renal composite outcome (eGFR reduction of ≥50%, end‐stage renal disease, or death attributable to renal causes) in patients with (n = 2388) and without diabetes (n = 2408). The decline in eGFR was greater in patients with diabetes than in those without (−2.6 vs. −1.7 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year, p < 0.001), regardless of treatment assignment. Sacubitril/valsartan attenuated decline in eGFR similarly in patients with (−2.2 vs. −2.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year, p = 0.001) and without diabetes (−1.5 vs. −2.0 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year, p = 0.006) (pinteraction for difference in eGFR slopes = 0.40). Compared with valsartan, sacubitril/valsartan reduced the renal composite outcome similarly in patients without diabetes (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19–0.91) and those with diabetes (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.33–0.89; pinteraction = 0.59), as well as across a range of baseline glycated haemoglobin (pinteraction = 0.71).

Conclusion

Sacubitril/valsartan, compared with valsartan, attenuates the decline of eGFR and reduces clinically relevant kidney events similarly among patients with HFpEF with and without diabetes.
Steric and Electronic Properties of Indole‐Derived CAAC Ligands
Authors: Termühlen Sebastian , Dutschke Patrick D. , Hepp Alexander , Ekkehardt Hahn F.
Published: February 2022

The electronic properties of two indole‐derived CAAC ligands, featuring N−Et (II) or N−H (IV) substituents, have been investigated by DFT calculations. The calculations revealed frontier orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) with energies closely related to those of the conventional N‐DIPP substituted CAAC I. The selenium adduct of the N−H substituted CAAC 1 has been prepared and characterized by X‐ray diffraction methods and 77Se NMR spectroscopy revealing π‐acceptor properties of the CAAC similar to classical CAACs of type I. While the electronic properties of the indole‐derived CAACs II and IV are similar to those of classical CAACs, their % Vbur is significantly smaller due to the smaller N‐substituents falling in the range of % Vbur for sterically less demanding N‐heterocyclic carbenes.
The Selective Nickel‐Catalyzed N‐Allylation of C3‐Unprotected Indoles under Mild and Clean Conditions
Authors: Mouhsine Bouchaib , Karim Abdallah , Dumont Clément , Saint Pol Anthony , Suisse Isabelle , Sauthier Mathieu
Published: February 2022

A simple salt free and selective N‐allylation of indoles with allylic alcohols has been developed. The protocol uses a catalytic amount of a nickel complex generated in situ from Ni(cod)2 and dppf as diphosphine. The use of DMSO as the reaction solvent is crucial to control the regioselectivity of the reaction with the exclusive formation of the N‐allyl product among up to three possible products.
A blockchain based approach for the authorization policies delegation in emergency situations
Authors: Sherazi Syed Noman Ali , Zahoor Ehtesham , Akhtar Sabina , Perrin Olivier
Published: February 2022

There are many facets to implementing security within an organization and one such measure is the authorization or the access control process. The recent rise of decentralized file systems such as interplanetary file system (IPFS) allow for decentralized storage of resource using content addressing. Naturally, the authorization process for handling these resources needs to be decentralized as well and decentralized ledger technologies, such as the blockchain with the support of smart contracts can be used to manage the authorization process. In this article, we propose an approach which allows for decoupling authorization logic from the core capabilities of a smart contract and providing advance authorization capabilities, such as contextual delegation, to be readily available. The proposed approach is expressive and can handle many aspects related to authorization such as role‐based access control, conflicts, and redundancy reduction. We have used an efficient and modular approach for designing smart contracts. This makes them easier to manage and redeploy, if needed. The data structures used in the smart contracts are carefully chosen to minimize the gas cost, as evident from performance evaluation results.
Health‐related outcomes in patients enrolled on surgical and non‐surgical routes in a weight management service
Authors: Stephenson John , Haywood Annette , Bond Michael , Gillibrand Warren , Bissell Paul , Holding Eleanor , Holt Rachel
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims

This study evaluates a specialist weight management service and compares outcomes in participants referred to the service undergoing either surgery or non‐surgical routes to support weight loss.

Methods

Four hundred and forty eight participants were assessed on various weight‐related outcomes (body mass index [BMI], psychological distress, quality of life, nutrition, weight‐related symptoms, physical activity) on referral to the service and on discharge. The effect of group (surgery or non‐surgery) and time in the service were facilitated by doubly multivariate analyses of variance models.

Results

Between referral and discharge, participants improved significantly on a combination of outcomes (P < .001) and on each outcome assessed individually. The magnitude of overall improvement was moderate (partial‐η2 = 0.141). Individual improvement components varied; including a moderate reduction of 3.2% in the BMI outcome measure and a substantive gain of 64.6% in quality of life. Participants on non‐surgical routes performed significantly better than participants on surgical routes on a linear combination of outcomes (P < .001) and on all outcomes except nutrition; with an effect of route small‐to‐moderate in magnitude (partial‐η2 = 0.090).

Conclusions

Weight management services are successful in achieving weight management‐related outcomes in the short‐ and long‐term, with large overall improvements between referral and discharge averaged over all participants observed. Non‐surgical routes appear to confer benefits between referral and discharge compared to surgical routes.
Refugees' and non‐refugee migrants' regret about migration and confidence in integration: The role of forcedness and perils before and during migration
Authors: Knausenberger Judith , Arian Mana , Hellmann Jens H. , Echterhoff Gerald
Published: February 2022

Refugees typically experience stronger migration forcedness and higher migration‐related perils (harm, adversities and hardship) than do non‐refugee migrants. We explored how refugees' and non‐refugee migrants' perceptions of their own forcedness of migration and related perils before and during migration are associated with regret about leaving their country of origin and their confidence in integration. In two studies conducted with refugee and non‐refugee migrants in Germany (total N = 336), we found correlations between perceived forcedness and premigration perils, and perils during migration, with meaningful differences between groups from different countries. Importantly, regret about migration was predicted by an interaction effect of perceived forcedness and migration perils: Perils encountered during migration increased regret about having migrated when perceived forcedness was low (vs. high). As important potential predictors of confidence in integration and regret, we also assessed discrimination experienced in the receiving society (Study 1) and resilience (Study 2). Importantly, we found that high (vs. low) perceived migration perils buffered negative effects of discrimination experienced in the host country. We discuss implications of our findings for integration in the receiving society, highlighting the role of perceived forcedness in coping with distressing experiences before and after arrival in the host country.
Trabecular Bone Score Reference Values for Children and Adolescents According to Age, Sex, and Ancestry
Authors: Kalkwarf Heidi J , Shepherd John A , Hans Didier , Gonzalez Rodriguez Elena , Kindler Joseph M , Lappe Joan M , Oberfield Sharon , Winer Karen K , Zemel Babette S
Published: February 2022

Trabecular bone score (TBS) is used for fracture prediction in adults, but its utility in children is limited by absence of appropriate reference values. We aimed to develop reference ranges for TBS by age, sex, and population ancestry for youth ages 5 to 20 years. We also investigated the association between height, body mass index (BMI), and TBS, agreement between TBS and lumbar spine areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) Z-scores, tracking of TBS Z-scores over time, and precision of TBS measurements. We performed secondary analysis of spine dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans from the Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study (BMDCS), a mixed longitudinal cohort of healthy children (n = 2014) evaluated at five US centers. TBS was derived using a dedicated TBS algorithm accounting for tissue thickness rather than BMI. TBS increased only during ages corresponding to pubertal development with an earlier increase in females than males. There were no differences in TBS between African Americans and non-African Americans. We provide sex-specific TBS reference ranges and LMS values for calculation of TBS Z-scores by age and means and SD for calculation of Z-scores by pubertal stage. TBS Z-scores were positively associated with height Z-scores at some ages. TBS Z-scores explained only 27% and 17% of the variance of spine aBMD and BMAD Z-scores. Tracking of TBS Z-scores over 6 years was lower (r = 0.47) than for aBMD or BMAD Z-scores (r = 0.74 to 0.79), and precision error of TBS (2.87%) was greater than for aBMD (0.85%) and BMAD (1.22%). In sum, TBS Z-scores provide information distinct from spine aBMD and BMAD Z-scores. Our robust reference ranges for TBS in a well-characterized pediatric cohort and precision error estimates provide essential tools for clinical assessment using TBS and determination of its value in predicting bone fragility in childhood and adolescence. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Professional leadership training programs for dental faculty: Perspectives of the US dental school deans
Authors: Park Sang E. , Chung Dahee , Giannobile William V.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of leadership training programs on career development and to gain insight into the perspectives on faculty training programs according to the current US dental school deans.

Methods

This prospective study analyzed the results of a questionnaire distributed to 67 active Deans of U.S dental schools using a survey instrument that explored the areas of leadership programs that were useful, the support mechanisms received from institutions, and the necessity to integrate formal leadership development programs into training programs for faculty and students.

Results

Among 33 participants (49.3% participation rate) in the study, 97% of responders strongly or somewhat agreed that leadership development programs could improve the quality of leadership and administrative skills. The respondents found that the most useful areas in leadership training were conflict resolution, communication skills, organizational change, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. The findings highlighted that critical barriers to accessing leadership training are financial support and lack of protected time for faculty. The results also showed that 73% strongly or somewhat agreed that the leadership training should be integrated into the predoctoral program and 87% into the postdoctoral graduate programs.

Conclusion

Participation in formal leadership development programs for faculty leaders in dental education is viewed as beneficial and could offer dental educators leadership training to better navigate the academic environment. The findings suggest the need to further explore the availability and effectiveness of leadership development opportunities for developing current and future educators and administrative leaders.
The nervous system as a solution for implementing closed negative feedback control loops
Authors: Sosa Rodrigo , Alcalá Emmanuel
Published: February 2022

Behavior can be regarded as the output of a system (action), as a function linking stimulus to response (reaction), or as an abstraction of the bidirectional relationship between the environment and the organism (interaction). When considering the latter possibility, a relevant question arises concerning how an organism can materially and continuously implement such a relationship during its lifetime in order to perpetuate itself. The feedback control approach has taken up the task of answering just that question. During the last several decades, said approach has been progressing and has started to be recognized as a paradigm shift, superseding certain canonical notions in mainstream behavior analysis, cognitive psychology, and even neuroscience. In this paper, we describe the main features of feedback control theory and its associated techniques, concentrating on its critiques of behavior analysis, as well as the commonalities they share. While some of feedback control theory's major critiques of behavior analysis arise from the fact that they focus on different levels of organization, we believe that some are legitimate and meaningful. Moreover, feedback control theory seems to blend with neurobiology more smoothly as compared to canonical behavior analysis, which only subsists in a scattered handful of fields. If this paradigm shift truly takes place, behavior analysts—whether they accept or reject this new currency—should be mindful of the basics of the feedback control approach.
Local impedance measurements during contact force‐guided cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for predicting an effective radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Sasaki Takehito , Nakamura Kohki , Minami Kentaro , Take Yutaka , Nakatani Yosuke , Miki Yuko , Goto Koji , Kaseno Kenichi , Yamashita Eiji , Koyama Keiko , Naito Shigeto
Published: February 2022

Background

An ablation catheter capable of contact force (CF) and local impedance (LI) monitoring (IntellaNav StablePoint, Boston Scientific) has been recently launched. We evaluated the relationship between the CF and LI values during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) along the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI).

Methods

Fifty consecutive subjects who underwent a CTI‐RFCA using IntellaNav StablePoint catheters were retrospectively studied. The initial CF and LI at the start of the RF applications and mean CF and minimum LI during the RF applications were measured. The absolute and percentage LI drops were calculated as the difference between the initial and minimum LIs and 100 × absolute LI drop/initial LI, respectively.

Results

We analyzed 602 first‐pass RF applications. A weak correlation was observed between the initial CF and LI (r = 0.13) and between the mean CF and LI drops (r = 0.22). The initial LI and absolute and percentage LI drops were greater at effective ablation sites than ineffective ablation sites (median, 151 vs. 138 Ω, 22 vs. 14 Ω, and 14.4% vs. 9.9%; p < .001), but the initial and mean CF did not differ. At optimal cutoffs of 21 Ω and 10.8% for the absolute and percentage LI drops according to the receiver‐operating characteristic analysis, the sensitivity, and specificity for predicting an effective ablation were 57.4% and 88.9% and 80.0%, and 61.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

The effective sites during the CF‐guided CTI‐RFCA had greater initial LI and LI drops than the ineffective sites. Absolute and percentage LI drops of 21 Ω and 10.8% may be appropriate targets for an effective ablation.
A systematic review of temporal person‐environment fit research: Trends, developments, obstacles, and opportunities for future research
Authors: Vleugels Wouter , Verbruggen Marijke , De Cooman Rein , Billsberry Jon
Published: February 2022

In this systematic review, we present a comprehensive overview of the temporal person environment (PE) fit literature. To this end, we organize and integrate extant temporal fit research and discuss research trends and developments in the temporal domain. Our analysis reveals that temporal conceptualizations of fit vary in terms of change process (transitional, developmental, transformational), level of aggregation (situational vs. baseline level), and temporal frame (clock time vs. psychological time), all of which divide the temporal fit literature in significant ways. Furthermore, our analysis shows that progress in the temporal fit domain has been confined by five major obstacles: An emphasis on selection and socialization processes, a narrow focus on the between‐person level of analysis, preoccupation with linear change, a strong interest in normal causation questions, and a lack of attention to misfit. We conclude with a discussion of the research challenges that lie ahead and provide suggestions to tackle these challenges and expand temporal PE fit research in new directions.
Association between recent U.S. northeast precipitation trends and Greenland blocking
Authors: Simonson Julia M. , Birkel Sean D. , Maasch Kirk A. , Mayewski Paul A. , Lyon Bradfield , Carleton Andrew M.
Published: February 2022

Since the early 2000s, the northeastern region of the United States (USNE) has received increased total annual precipitation along with more frequent extreme precipitation events. Although previous work has discussed the contribution to increased extreme precipitation from tropical cyclones, the large‐scale driver(s) of summer precipitation increases in the extratropics has received little attention. Here, we show that the summer‐season rainfall surpluses across the USNE are related to the increased frequency of atmospheric blocking over Greenland and the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation. The occurrence of these patterns in summer has been previously connected with southward shifted storm tracks and wet conditions across the eastern North Atlantic. Over the USNE, the circulation shifts are also related to enhanced rainfall due to southerly wind anomalies and increased moisture transport into and vertical motion over the region. It is important to note that the current generation of climate models used for future projections is unable to reproduce the observed tendency towards increased atmospheric blocking over Greenland. Thus, clarifying the association between Greenland blocking and recent precipitation changes across the USNE may help inform future climate projections of summer season rainfall for the region.
Low albumin level is more strongly associated with adverse outcomes and Staphylococcus aureus infection than hemoglobin A1C or smoking tobacco
Authors: Campbell Michael P. , Mott Makinzie D. , Owen John R. , Reznicek Julie E. , Beck Christopher A. , Muthukrishnan Gowrishankar , Golladay Gregory J. , Kates Stephen L.
Published: February 2022

Postsurgical deep musculoskeletal infections are a major clinical problem in Orthopaedic Surgery. A serum‐based nomogram, which can objectively risk‐stratify patients, and aid surgeons in delineating infection risk associated with orthopedic surgical interventions, would be immensely helpful. Here, we constructed a multi‐parametric nomogram based on serum anti‐Staphylococcus aureus antibody responses, patient characteristics including demographics and standard clinical tests. This nomogram was formally tested in a prospective cohort study comparing 303 hospitalized patients with culture‐confirmed S. aureus infection compared with a cohort of 223 healthy screened preoperative patients. Serum anti‐S. aureus antibody responses, standard of care clinical tests, and patient demographic data were utilized to perform multivariate logistic regression analysis to quantify the presence of infection and adverse outcome using odds ratios (OR) and to assess predictive ability via area under the ROC curve (AUC). At enrollment, high anti‐S. aureus IgG titers were predictive of infection. Remarkably, low serum albumin was found to be significantly associated with infection (OR = 479.963, 95% CI 61.59 ‐ 3740.33, p < 0.0001) and this finding was surprisingly higher than BMI or HbA1c‐associations. Combining all risk factors in the nomogram yielded a diagnostic AUC of 0.949 for predicting S. aureus infection. Our results indicate that a serum‐based multi‐parametric nomogram can be useful in diagnosing S. aureus infections, and importantly, malnourishment is significantly associated with these infections.
Adherence to Mediterranean diet, physical activity level, and severity of periodontitis: Results from a university‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Marruganti Crystal , Traversi Jacopo , Gaeta Carlo , Ferrari Cagidiaco Edoardo , Parrini Stefano , Discepoli Nicola , Grandini Simone
Published: February 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) and physical activity (PA) level with the periodontal status of a University‐based cohort of individuals.

Methods

A total of 235 individuals were included in the study. MD adherence and PA level were registered through validated questionnaires, together with a full periodontal examination. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) [95% confidence interval] were calculated to evaluate the association between MD adherence, PA level, and periodontitis severity. A final logistic multivariate regression model was built to evaluate the impact of the combination between low MD adherence and low PA level on the prevalence of Stage III/IV periodontitis.

Results

The adjusted ORs for Stage III/IV periodontitis were 1.65 [0.84 to 3.28; P = 0.42] for low PA and 5.63 [3.21 to 9.84; P = 0.00] for low MD adherence. The final logistic multivariate regression model resulted in OR = 10.23 [4.01, 26.09; P = 0.00] of having Stage III/IV periodontitis in individuals with low MD adherence and low PA.

Conclusions

Individuals conducting a lifestyle characterized by the combination of low MD adherence and lack of regular exercise had 10 times the odds to have severe forms of periodontitis.
Digital planning and individual implants for secondary reconstruction of midfacial deformities: A pilot study
Authors: Liokatis Paris , Malenova Yoana , Fegg Florian‐Nepomuk , Haidari Selgai , Probst Monika , Boskov Marko , Cornelius Carl‐Peter , Troeltzsch Matthias , Probst Florian‐Andreas
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of implementing three‐dimensional virtual surgical planning (VSP) and subsequent transfer by additive manufactured tools in the secondary reconstruction of residual post‐traumatic deformities in the midface.

Methods

Patients after secondary reconstruction of post‐traumatic midfacial deformities were included in this case series. The metrical deviation between the virtually planned and postoperative position of patient‐specific implants (PSI) and bone segments was measured at corresponding reference points. Further information collected included demographic data, post‐traumatic symptoms, and type of transfer tools.

Results

Eight consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. In five patients, VSP with subsequent manufacturing of combined predrilling/osteotomy guides and PSI was performed. In three patients, osteotomy guides, repositioning guides, and individually prebent plates were used following VSP. The median distances between the virtually planned and the postoperative position of the PSI were 2.01 mm (n = 18) compared to a median distance concerning the bone segments of 3.05 mm (n = 12). In patients where PSI were used, the median displacement of the bone segments was lower (n = 7, median 2.77 mm) than in the group with prebent plates (n = 5, 3.28 mm).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the feasibility of VSP and transfer by additive manufactured tools for the secondary reconstruction of complex residual post‐traumatic deformities in the midface. However, the median deviations observed in this case series were unexpectedly high. The use of navigational systems may further improve the level of accuracy.
Optical determinations of photophysiology along an ecological gradient in the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Allen James G. , Dugenne Mathilde , Letelier Ricardo M. , White Angelicque E.
Published: February 2022

Photosynthesis acts as a fundamental control in the cycling of biologically reactive elements in the ocean. Modeling photosynthesis requires an understanding of its response to light, specifically the maximum rate of photosynthesis per photon absorbed and the irradiance level at which it becomes light‐saturated (Ek), though field measurements of these parameters are both time and labor intensive. As absorbed light either drives photosynthesis, is re‐emitted as fluorescence, or is converted to heat, fluorescence can be related to the photosynthetic response to light in that, as light increases, there exists an inflection point where the probability that excess absorbed energy is dissipated as heat increases and fluorescence yield is decreased. Accordingly, we use a combination of in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence, particulate matter absorption spectra, and photosynthetically active radiation measurements to approximate this inflection irradiance (termed EFT) and relate it to modeled Ek along a transect from the oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre to the edge of the more eutrophic subpolar gyre (~ 45°N). We find that EFT declines by a factor of 4× from values of 200–300 μmol photons m−2 s−1 in the oligotrophic gyre to 50–100 μmol photons m−2 s−1 north of the transition zone and correlates well with Ek from traditional data and models. This latitudinal pattern is associated with changes in biomass concentrations and the phytoplankton carbon to chlorophyll ratio, as well as with changes in particulate carbon to nitrogen ratios. Collectively, these results demonstrate a promising framework to capture high‐resolution variability in a key photosynthetic parameter.
Food sources drive temporal variation in elemental stoichiometry of benthic consumers
Authors: Mäkelin Saara , Villnäs Anna
Published: February 2022

Benthic fauna plays an important role in mediating biogeochemical cycles in coastal areas by storing carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in their body tissues at theoretically homeostatic rates. To maintain homeostasis, the benthic consumers need to be in balance with their resource supply or alter their stoichiometric traits in response to environmental change. However, we lack an understanding regarding the potential variation in the C : N : P content ratios of benthic consumers, especially in marine coastal areas where stoichiometric shifts in macrofauna could have strong effects on sediment carbon and nutrient cycling. By monitoring two sites over a year, we quantified the magnitude and temporal stability of benthic faunal carbon and nutrient pools in coastal soft‐sediment habitats. Our results show that benthic fauna is not strictly homeostatic, but instead expresses temporal variation in C : N : P content. These aquatic consumers undergo ontogenetic changes in diet and morphology, which alter their stoichiometric characteristics. In addition, the faunal C : N : P ratios showed strong seasonal variation at both species and community level, and our results suggest that the stoichiometric traits of benthic consumers shift in response to food sources and environmental conditions. The ability to adapt to varying stoichiometric conditions is essential in face of the growing C : N : P imbalance occurring in marine and coastal ecosystems as a consequence of anthropogenic activities. Therefore, it is critically important to identify the stoichiometric plasticity of different species, before environmental change causes a shift in benthic community composition that will alter functions on an ecosystem level.
The Kellogg property under generalized growth conditions
Authors: Harjulehto Petteri , Juusti Jonne
Published: February 2022

We study minimizers of the Dirichlet φ‐energy integral with generalized Orlicz growth. We prove the Kellogg property, the set of irregular points has zero capacity, and give characterizations of semiregular boundary points. The results are new ever for the special cases double phase and Orlicz growth.
The simplest approach to solving the cubic nonlinear jerk oscillator with the non‐perturbative method
Authors: El‐Dib Yusry O.
Published: February 2022

Mathematics and its applications try to make available a simple and accurate approach to handle nonlinear equations. The present paper investigates for the first time the application of the linearizing method to determine both the approximate frequency and displacement amplitude for the third‐order differential equations. The main merit of the linearized method is a collection of simplicity and accuracy for the solution of high‐order nonlinear conservative or non‐conservative oscillators. The current work sheds light on the approximate proposition to the damped third‐order nonlinear differential equations. The fast estimated solution is simulated to the accurate solution gained through the numerical methods. It is significant to conclude that the non‐perturbative method considered here is simpler and easier to apply than the other perturbation methods. This paper enriches some existing literature.
Long‐time dynamics of the 2D nonisothermal hyperbolic Cahn–Hilliard equations
Authors: Yayla Sema
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we consider the hyperbolic relaxation of the nonisothermal Cahn–Hilliard equation based on either Fourier law or Maxwell–Cattaneo law for heat conduction. In the Maxwell–Cattaneo case, we reformulate the problem by using enthalpy instead of relative temperature. In both cases, we prove the existence of the global attractor for the weak solutions of the problem. Moreover, for both laws, we establish that every full trajectory in the global attractor converges to a single stationary point ast → ∞and another single stationary point ast → −∞. Consequently, we infer that the global attractor is equal to a union of the unstable manifolds emanating from the stationary points.
Dietary Blueberry Ameliorates Vascular Complications in Diabetic Mice Possibly through NOX4 and Modulates Composition and Functional Diversity of Gut Microbes
Authors: Petersen Chrissa , Bharat Divya , Wankhade Umesh D. , Kim Ji‐Seok , Cutler Brett Ronald , Denetso Christopher , Gholami Samira , Nelson Samantha , Bigley Jessica , Johnson Aspen , Chintapalli Sree V. , Piccolo Brian D. , Satheesh Babu Adhini Kuppuswamy , Paz Henry A. , Shankar Kartik , Symons J. David , Anandh Babu Pon Velayutham
Published: February 2022

Scope

In diabetes, endothelial inflammation and dysfunction play a pivotal role in the development of vascular disease. This study investigates the effect of dietary blueberries on vascular complications and gut microbiome in diabetic mice.

Methods and Results

Seven‐week‐old diabetic db/db mice consume a standard diet (db/db) or a diet supplemented with 3.8% freeze‐dried blueberry (db/db+BB) for 10 weeks. Control db/+ mice are fed a standard diet (db/+). Vascular inflammation is assessed by measuring monocyte binding to vasculature and inflammatory markers. Isometric tension procedures are used to assess mesenteric artery function. db/db mice exhibit enhanced vascular inflammation and reduced endothelial‐dependent vasorelaxation as compared to db/+ mice, but these are improved in db/db+BB mice. Blueberry supplementation reduces the expression of NOX4 and IκKβ in the aortic vessel and vascular endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from db/db+BB compared to db/db mice. The blueberry metabolites serum reduces glucose and palmitate induced endothelial inflammation in mouse aortic ECs. Further, blueberry supplementation increases commensal microbes and modulates the functional potential of gut microbes in diabetic mice.

Conclusion

Dietary blueberry suppresses vascular inflammation, attenuates arterial endothelial dysfunction, and supports the growth of commensal microbes in diabetic mice. The endothelial‐specific vascular benefits of blueberries are mediated through NOX4 signaling.
Does specificity of electrodiagnostic test referrals predict test outcome in children?
Authors: McHugh John C. , O'Flaherty Eileen , Daly Nicole
Published: February 2022

Introduction/Aims

Electrodiagnostic testing (EDX) is important in evaluation of pediatric neuromuscular disease. Non‐specific referrals have emerged as a leading reason for EDX in recent years. We examine whether referral‐specificity is predictive of test outcomes in children.

Methods

EDX referrals and outcomes were audited over a 7‐year period from 2013 to 2020 at CHI‐Crumlin. Pre‐test details were coded and compared to EDX outcomes using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

EDX studies were performed in 702 children (median age 10.2 years). In 36% of patients, EDX‐referrals did not specify any pre‐test diagnosis. Mononeuropathy (24%) and polyneuropathy (15%) were the leading pre‐specified diagnoses as well as the most common test outcomes. Neurology and orthopedics/plastic surgery contributed the majority of referrals. Metabolic medicine and hematology/oncology were most likely to pre‐specify a working diagnosis and were the specialties with both the highest proportion of abnormal outcomes and referral accuracy. EDX abnormality was present in 42% of patients and was predicted by specificity of referral and the absence of pain as a leading symptom. The accuracy of specified pre‐test diagnoses was highest for suspected anterior horn cell disorders (67%). Accuracy of referrals, as well as abnormal test outcomes, were negatively predicted by the presence of pain as a leading symptom.

Discussion

EDX is informative in children but the likelihood of abnormal test‐outcomes is diminished when a pre‐specified working diagnosis is lacking or when the primary reason for referral is pain.
A general isogeometric finite element formulation for rotation‐free shells with in‐plane bending of embedded fibers
Authors: Duong Thang X. , Itskov Mikhail , Sauer Roger A.
Published: February 2022

This article presents a general, nonlinear isogeometric finite element formulation for rotation‐free shells with embedded fibers that captures anisotropy in stretching, shearing, twisting, and bending—both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane. These capabilities allow for the simulation of large sheets of heterogeneous and fibrous materials either with or without matrix, such as textiles, composites, and pantographic structures. The work is a computational extension of our earlier theoretical work that extends existing Kirchhoff‐Love shell theory to incorporate the in‐plane bending resistance of initially straight or curved fibers. The formulation requires only displacement degrees‐of‐freedom to capture all mentioned modes of deformation. To this end, isogeometric shape functions are used in order to satisfy the required ‐continuity for bending across element boundaries. The proposed formulation can admit a wide range of material models, such as surface hyperelasticity that does not require any explicit thickness integration. To deal with possible material instability due to fiber compression, a stabilization scheme is added. Several benchmark examples are used to demonstrate the robustness and accuracy of the proposed computational formulation.
H∞ model following control of linear parameter‐varying descriptor systems
Authors: Abdullah Ali A.
Published: February 2022

The topic of model following control of linear parameter‐varying (LPV) descriptor systems is considered in this article. The main objective of using the model following control system is to ensure that the outputs of the LPV descriptor system track robustly the reference model outputs in the presence of bounded energy disturbances. The model following control system consists of three subsystems: an LPV feedforward controller, an LPV reference model, and an LPV descriptor dynamic output‐feedback controller. The design matrices of these three subsystems are obtained by solving a set of tractable LPV matrix equations and inequalities. Two descriptor systems: an electrical circuit and a DC motor with an unbalanced disc are modeled as LPV descriptor systems and then used to show the design steps. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed model following control system.
Integration of immunohistochemistry, RNA sequencing, and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification for molecular classification of pediatric medulloblastoma
Authors: Huang Hsin‐Yi , Yu Chih‐Hsiang , Yang Yung‐Li , Chang Ya‐Hsuan , Jou Shiann‐Tarng , Lin Kai‐Hsin , Lu Meng‐Yao , Chang Hsiu‐Hao , Chou Shu‐Wei , Ni Yu‐Ling , Lin Dong‐Tsamn , Chen Hsuan‐Yu , Peng Steven Shinn‐Forng , Kuo Meng‐Fai , Yang Shih‐Hung
Published: February 2022

Background

Medulloblastoma (MB) is commonly classified into four molecular groups, that is, WNT, SHH, group 3, and group 4, for prognostic and therapeutic purposes.

Methods

Here we applied immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) for the molecular classification of MB, and utilized multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to determine chromosomal alterations and specific gene amplifications.

Results

We retrospectively enrolled 37 pediatric MB patients. Twenty‐three had genomic material available for gene/RNA analysis. For IHC, β‐catenin, GAB1, and YAP were the biomarkers to segregate MB into three subgroups, WNT (1/23), SHH (5/23), and non‐WNT/non‐SHH (17/23). However, four cases (17.3%) were found to be misclassified after analysis by RNA‐seq. The result of MLPA revealed two group 3 tumors carrying MYC amplification, and three SHH tumors harboring MYCN amplification. While IHC provided rapid subgroup stratification, it might result in incorrect subgrouping. Thus, validation of the IHC result with genomic data analysis by RNA‐seq or other tools would be preferred. In addition, MLPA can detect important genetic alterations and is helpful for the identifications of high‐risk patients.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that integration of these diagnostic tools can provide a precise and timely classification of MB, optimizing an individualized, risk‐directed postoperative adjuvant therapy for these patients. This workflow can be applied in a countrywide fashion to guide future clinical trials for patients with MB.
Art‐based mindfulness at school: A culturally responsive approach to school mental health
Authors: Jones Janine M. , Lee Lisa H.
Published: February 2022

As schools are increasingly tasked with improving student outcomes related to both academic and social and emotional wellbeing, digital interventions are becoming utilized as viable tools for successful outcomes. This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of a culturally responsive, art‐based mindfulness intervention called L.A.U.G.H.® (Let Art Unleash Great Happiness), in a diverse sample of 243 elementary school students. Using an iPad app, students practiced mindful breathing and created digital art in their classrooms. The app also measured students' moods, school connectedness, and joy of learning. The study design was a one‐group repeated measure intervention design where ratings were compared between Weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12 of the intervention. Results indicated that L.A.U.G.H.® time improved and increased students’ moods, School Connectedness, and Joy of Learning over time. Race played a significant role in how students rated their feelings about school, with significant effects that emerged among Black/African American and Asian American/Pacific Islander students. Both groups began with the lowest ratings of school connectedness and demonstrated significant improvements by Week 8. This study revealed results from a digital mindfulness intervention and highlighted the importance of a nuanced study of differential impacts of such interventions among diverse students.
Asian corn borer damage is affected by rind penetration strength of corn stalks in a spatiotemporally dependent manner
Authors: Guo Jingfei , He Kanglai , Meng Yujie , Hellmich Richard L. , Chen Shaojiang , Lopez Miriam D. , Lauter Nick , Wang Zhenying
Published: February 2022

Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), is an important insect pest of maize throughout most of Asia. The rind of a maize stalk is a key barrier against corn borer larvae boring into the plant. There is a need to better understand the relationship between stalk strength and O. furnacalis larval injury, particularly for elite maize genotypes. To determine whether stalk strength is involved in maize resistance to O. furnacalis larval injury, 39 maize lines were evaluated in 2012 and 2013. Rind penetration strength (RPS) was measured at tassel (VT) and milk (R3) stages as a possible stalk resistance trait for O. furnacalis. RPS of primary ear internode at VT and R3 accounted for 37 and 38% of the variance in O. furnacalis injury (measured as number of holes) for simulated (artificially infested) first and second generation O. furnacalis, respectively. Relationships between stalk RPS values and tunnel length were weak. Results suggest that harder stalks have enhanced resistance to stalk boring but not to pith feeding or tunneling of O. furnacalis larvae. The RPS measures could provide classical maize breeders an important tool for evaluating stalk strength and corn borer resistance in maize. The assessments should focus on the internodes primary ear or above/below primary ear during both VT stage for first generation and R3 stage for second generation O. furnacalis resistance.
Chlamydomonas ATX1 is essential for Cu distribution to multiple cupro‐enzymes and maintenance of biomass in conditions demanding cupro‐enzyme‐dependent metabolic pathways
Authors: Pham Keegan L. J. , Schmollinger Stefan , Merchant Sabeeha S. , Strenkert Daniela
Published: February 2022

Copper (Cu) chaperones, of which yeast ATX1 is a prototype, are small proteins with a Cu(I) binding MxCxxC motif and are responsible for directing intracellular Cu toward specific client protein targets that use Cu as a cofactor. The Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ATX1 (CrATX1) was identified by its high sequence similarity with yeast ATX1. Like the yeast homologue, CrATX1 accumulates in iron‐deficient cells (but is not impacted by other metal‐deficiencies). N‐ and C‐terminally YFP‐ATX1 fusion proteins are distributed in the cytoplasm. Reverse genetic analysis using artificial microRNA (amiRNA) to generate lines with reduced CrATX1 abundance and CRISPR/Cpf1 to generate atx1 knockout lines validated a function for ATX1 in iron‐poor cells, again reminiscent of yeast ATX1, most likely because of an impact on metalation of the multicopper oxidase FOX1, which is an important component in high‐affinity iron uptake. We further identify other candidate ATX1 targets owing to reduced growth of atx1 mutant lines on guanine as a sole nitrogen source, which we attribute to loss of function of UOX1, encoding a urate oxidase, a cupro‐enzyme involved in guanine assimilation. An impact of ATX1 on Cu distribution in atx1 mutants is strikingly evident by a reduced amount of intracellular Cu in all conditions probed in this work.