bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposures during pregnancy and at birth are associated with the risk of offspring eating disorders
Authors: Ozsvar Judit , Gissler Mika , Lavebratt Catharina , Nilsson Ida A. K.
Published: August 2023

Background

Eating disorders (ED) are severe psychiatric disorders, commonly debuting early. Aberrances in the intrauterine environment and at birth have been associated with risk of ED. Here, we explore if, and at what effect size, a variety of such exposures associate with offspring ED, that is, anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS).

Methods

This population‐based cohort study, conducted from September 2021 to August 2023, used Finnish national registries of all live births in 1996–2014 (N = 1,097,753). Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to compare ED risk in exposed versus unexposed offspring, adjusting for potential confounders and performing sex‐stratified analyses.

Results

A total of 6614 offspring were diagnosed with an ED; 3668 AN, 666 BN, and 4248 EDNOS. Lower risk of offspring AN was seen with young mothers, continued smoking, and instrumental delivery, while higher risk was seen with older mothers, inflammatory disorders, prematurity, small for gestational age, and low Apgar. Offspring risk of BN was higher with continued smoking and prematurity, while lower with postmature birth. Offspring risk of EDNOS was lower with instrumental delivery, higher for older mothers, polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin‐treated pregestational diabetes, antibacterial treatment, prematurity, and small for gestational age. Sex‐specific associations were found.

Conclusions

Several prenatal and at birth exposures are associated with offspring ED; however, we cannot exclude confounding by maternal BMI. Nevertheless, several exposures selectively associate with risk of either AN, BN, or EDNOS, and some are sex‐specific, emphasizing the importance of subtype‐ and sex‐stratified analyses of ED.

Public Significance

We define environmental factors involved in the development of different ED, of importance as preventive measure, but also in order to aid in defining the molecular pathways involved and thus in the longer perspective contribute to the development of pharmacological treatment of ED.
The prediction of uneven snowpack response to forest thinning informs forest restoration in the central Sierra Nevada
Authors: Lewis Gabriel , Harpold Adrian , Krogh Sebastian A. , Broxton Patrick , Manley Patricia N.
Published: August 2023

The Sierra Nevada has experienced unprecedented wildfires and reduced snowmelt runoff in recent decades, due partially to anthropogenic climate change and over a century of fire suppression. To address these challenges, public land agencies are planning forest restoration treatments, which have the potential to both increase water availability and reduce the likelihood of uncontrollable wildfires. However, the impact of forest restoration on snowpack is site specific and not well understood across gradients of climate and topography. To improve our understanding of how forest restoration might impact snowpack across diverse conditions in the central Sierra Nevada, we run the high‐resolution (1 m) energy and mass balance Snow Physics and Lidar Mapping (SnowPALM) model across five 23–75 km2 subdomains in the region where forest thinning is planned or recently completed. We conduct two virtual thinning experiments by removing all trees shorter than 10 or 20 m tall and rerunning SnowPALM to calculate the change in meltwater input. Our results indicate heterogeneous responses to thinning due to differences in climate and wind across our five central Sierra Nevada subdomains. We also predict the largest increases in snow retention when thinning forests with tall (7–20 m) and dense (40–70% canopy cover) trees, highlighting the importance of pre‐thinning vegetation structure. We develop a decision support tool using a random forests model to determine which regions would most benefit from thinning. In many locations, we expect major forest restoration to increase snow accumulation, while other areas with short and sparse canopies, as well as sunny and windy climates, are more likely to see decreased snowpack following thinning. Our decision support tool provides stand‐scale (30 m) information to land managers across the central Sierra Nevada region to best take advantage of climate and existing forest structure to obtain the greatest snowpack benefits from forest restoration.
Pharmaco‐disparities in heart failure: a survey of the affordability of guideline recommended therapy in 10 countries
Authors: Averbuch Tauben , Esfahani Meisam , Khatib Rani , Kayima James , Miranda Juan Jaime , Wadhera Rishi K. , Zannad Faiez , Pandey Ambarish , Van Spall Harriette G. C.
Published: August 2023

Aims

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is treatable but guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) may not be affordable or accessible to people living with the disease.

Methods and results

In this cross‐sectional survey, we investigated the price, affordability, and accessibility of four pivotal classes of HFrEF GDMT: angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) or angiotensin‐neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI); beta‐blockers; mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA); and sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). We sampled online or community pharmacies in 10 countries across a range of World Bank income groups, assessing mean 30 day retail prescription prices, affordability relative to gross national income per capita per month, and accessibility. We reported median price ratios relative to the International Reference Standard. We performed a literature review to evaluate accessibility to GDMT classes through publicly funded drug programmes in each country. HFrEF GDMT prices, both absolute and relative to the international reference, were highest in the United States and lowest in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The most expensive drug was the ARNI, sacubitril/valsartan, with a mean (standard deviation, SD) 30 day price ranging from $11.06 (0.81) in Pakistan to $611.50 (3.54) in United States. The least expensive drug was the MRA, spironolactone, with a mean (SD) 30 day price ranging from $0.18 (0.00) in Pakistan to $12.32 (0.00) in England. Affordability (SD) of quadruple therapy—ARNI, beta‐blockers, MRA, and SGLT2i—was best in high‐income and worst in low‐income countries, ranging from 1.49 (0.00)% of gross national income per capita per month in England to 232.47 (31.47)% in Uganda. Publicly funded drug programmes offset costs for eligible patients, but ARNI and SGLT2i were inaccessible through these programmes in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Price, affordability, and access were substantially improved in all countries by substituting ARNI for ACEi/ARB.

Conclusions

There was marked variation between countries in the retail price of HFrEF GDMT. Despite higher prices in high‐income countries, GDMT was more accessible and affordable than in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Publicly funded drug programmes in lower income countries increased affordability but limited access to newer HFrEF GDMT classes. Pharmaco‐disparities must be addressed to improve HFrEF outcomes globally.
The characteristics and outcomes in patients with acute heart failure who used tolvaptan: from KCHF registry
Authors: Nishikawa Ryusuke , Kato Takao , Morimoto Takeshi , Yaku Hidenori , Inuzuka Yasutaka , Tamaki Yodo , Yamamoto Erika , Ozasa Neiko , Tada Tomohisa , Sakamoto Hiroki , Seko Yuta , Shiba Masayuki , Yoshikawa Yusuke , Yamashita Yugo , Kitai Takeshi , Taniguchi Ryoji , Iguchi Moritake , Nagao Kazuya , Kawai Takafumi , Komasa Akihiro , Kawase Yuichi , Morinaga Takashi , Toyofuku Mamoru , Furukawa Yutaka , Ando Kenji , Kadota Kazushige , Sato Yukihito , Kuwahara Koichiro , Kimura Takeshi ,   for the KCHF Study Investigators
Published: August 2023

Aims

The use of tolvaptan is increasing in clinical practice in Japan. However, the characteristics of patients who used tolvaptan and the timing of its use in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) are not fully elucidated.

Methods and results

Among consecutive 4056 patients in the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, we analysed 3802 patients after excluding patients on dialysis, prior or unknown tolvaptan use at admission, and unknown timing of tolvaptan use, and we divided them into two groups: tolvaptan use (N = 773) and no tolvaptan use (N = 3029). The prevalence of tolvaptan use varied widely from 48.7% to 0% across the participating centres. Factors independently associated with tolvaptan use were diabetes, poor medical adherence, oedema, pleural effusion, hyponatraemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, moderate/severe tricuspid regurgitation, dobutamine infusion within 24 h, and additional inotropes infusion beyond 24 h after admission. The mortality rate at 90 days after admission was significantly higher in the tolvaptan use group than in the no tolvaptan use group (14.3% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.049). However, after adjustment, the excess mortality risk of tolvaptan use relative to no tolvaptan use was no longer significant (hazard ratio = 1.53, 95% confidence interval = 0.77–3.02, P = 0.22). Patients with tolvaptan use had a longer hospital stay [median (interquartile range): 22 (15–34) days vs. 15 (11–21) days, P < 0.0001] and a higher prevalence of worsening renal failure (47.0% vs. 31.8%, P < 0.0001) and worsening heart failure (24.8% vs. 14.4%, P < 0.0001) than those without.

Conclusions

AHF patients with tolvaptan use had more congestive status with poorer in‐hospital outcomes and higher short‐term mortality than those without tolvaptan use.

Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02334891 (NCT02334891) and https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi‐open‐bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000017241 (UMIN000015238).
Are Monophospha(III)amidines and ‐guanidines with Ionizable Hydrogens Tautomeric? Towards a Deeper Understanding of Two Related Hetero‐element Functional Groups
Authors: Masuda Jason D. , Mokhtabad Amrei Leila , Boeré René T.
Published: August 2023

This paper presents definitive structural evidence for N,P(III)‐monophosphaamidines in P=C and N=C isomeric forms from a combination of new syntheses, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SC‐XRD), solid‐state NMR and FTIR. Evidence is also provided for C‐amino‐(σ2,λ3)‐phosphaalkene and C‐(σ3,λ3)‐phosphinoimine tautomerism in solution using multi‐nuclear NMR methods. Synthesis and SC‐XRD structure determination of a trisubstituted N,N’,P(III)‐monophosphaguanidine is presented, the first structure of a phospha(III)guanidine with two ionizable H atoms. The structural evidence is convincing for an N=C geometry, resulting in both N−H and P−H in the molecule. A detailed computational investigation using DFT methods is presented, with the goal of understanding the tautomeric structure preferences both at the fundamental level (parent molecules with all substituents on the heteroatoms being hydrogen) and using the full structures containing the very bulky 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp) substituents employed in this study. Arguments are espoused for treating phospha(III)amidines and ‐guanidines as new types of functional groups, similar to but distinct from the familiar organic analogues. Limited reactivity studies and a voltammetry study of one phospha(III)amidine are included with the supporting information.
Sulfoxonium Ylides as Carbene Precursors in Rhodium‐Catalyzed Sommelet‐Hauser Rearrangement for the Synthesis of S/Se‐Containing Compounds
Authors: Luo Cankun , Lin Zhiqian , Hao Yingdi , Jia Pengfei , Lai Ruizhi , Guo Li , Yao Yuan , Wu Yong
Published: August 2023

Rhodium‐catalyzed Sommelet‐Hauser rearrangement derived from α‐thioesters/α‐selenoesters and sulfoxonium ylides has been developed for the synthesis of various sulfur/selenium‐containing ortho‐substituted aromatic compounds in medium to excellent yields (39 examples; up to 97 %). Sulfoxonium ylides as the safe carbene precursors are firstly used in Sommelet‐Hauser rearrangement reactions, which is superior to traditional diazo compounds. The present reaction has the advantages of mild condition, safety and broad substrate scope, which afford a unique method for the synthesis of sulfur/selenium‐containing compounds with a tertiary carbon center.
Theoretical study on the nonlinear contact mechanism of reinforced self‐centering bridge pier system based on the Winkler model
Authors: Zhang Pu , Li Suchao , Zhang Dongyu
Published: August 2023

Self‐centering (SC) bridge piers generally set one or several gaps to avoid the occurrence of plastic hinges and mitigate both damage and residual drifts during major earthquakes. However, the gap opening mechanism also produces new problems in theoretical analyses, such as the strong nonlinear contact motion behavior between adjacent segments. An accurate contact mechanism is therefore significant to describe the gap‐opening process and evaluate the mechanical properties of rocking systems. Firstly, for the low‐damage SC bridge pier system especially with different reinforcement measures in contact segment, this study investigated the nonlinear contact mechanism by decoupling the linear and nonlinear motions of the SC bridge pier system, which were elastic‐body rotation and contact segment bending‐to‐yielding, respectively. Secondly, the entire gap opening process was divided into three stages, and force analysis of the contact segment in each stage was conducted. Subsequently, the differential equations and rotation equation of the contact segment were established and derived based on the Winkler model. The corresponding contact parameters in the equations were obtained. The proposed equation was verified using published experimental data. In addition, finite element analysis (FEA) results showed that the rotation equation can accurately describe the contact state at each moment during the entire nonlinear contact process. Finally, the key parameters describing the contact state is investigated including the contact width, rotation posture, rotation angle, and contact stress. The results show that proposed theory can accurately predict the improvement effect of hysteretic performance for different reinforced measures on the rocking interface, which will be helpful and efficient for the optimal design of reinforced SC bridge pier system.
Reproductive justice and the Figure of the Child: The multiple harms of forced sterilization and abortion in Peru
Authors: Chaparro‐Buitrago Julieta , Freeman Cordelia
Published: August 2023

We argue that discourses around forced sterilization and abortion restrictions too often focus on motherhood and fertility and ignore the multiple other harms they bring. To do this, we travel with the North American framework of reproductive justice (RJ) to think through experiences of (non)reproduction in Peru and consider its analytic possibilities. In this intervention, we wish to focus on the commonality between RJ's three tenets: the figure of the child and its analytic force. We argue that while the aim of the RJ framework is not to reify fetuses and children at the expense of adults nor to reinforce a pronatalist position, the fact that the tenets are formulated around children means that, when mobilized for political or analytical purposes, they can reinforce repronormative mandates. We use the examples of forced sterilization and abortion in Peru to consider the issues this figuration of the child brings into being and the landscape of meaning it produces.
Arachis species: High‐quality forage crops—nutritional properties and breeding strategies to expand their utilization and feeding value
Authors: Song Hui , Huang Yafeng , Ding Lanlan , Duan Zhenquan , Zhang Jiancheng
Published: August 2023

Plants of the genus Arachis originated from South America and are cultivated worldwide. The genus Arachis contains 83 species and nine intrageneric taxonomic sections. The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) belongs to the Arachis section, the forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W. C. Greg.) belongs to the Caulorrhizae section, and the perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) belongs to the Rhizomatosae section. These three peanut species have been developed for use as fodder crops. This review summarizes the forage value of Arachis species. Forage and perennial peanuts can be intercropped with forage species to feed livestock. The cultivated peanut vines and peanut by‐products, such as peanut skins and peanut meal, are also high‐quality fodder used to feed sheep, cattle, and poultry. A major limiting factor in terms of adopting forage and perennial peanuts as forage crops is their limited resistance to frosts, resulting from their low winter hardiness. Therefore, the feeding value of cultivated peanuts is higher compared to forage and perennial peanuts. This review suggests that Arachis is a suitable forage crop, focusing on their nutritional properties and breeding to increase their performance under cultivation and feeding value.
Denoising brain networks using a fixed mathematical phase change in independent component analysis of magnitude‐only fMRI data
Authors: Zhang Chao‐Ying , Lin Qiu‐Hua , Niu Yan‐Wei , Li Wei‐Xing , Gong Xiao‐Feng , Cong Fengyu , Wang Yu‐Ping , Calhoun Vince D.
Published: August 2023

Brain networks extracted by independent component analysis (ICA) from magnitude‐only fMRI data are usually denoised using various amplitude‐based thresholds. By contrast, spatial source phase (SSP) or the phase information of ICA brain networks extracted from complex‐valued fMRI data, has provided a simple yet effective way to perform the denoising using a fixed phase change. In this work, we extend the approach to magnitude‐only fMRI data to avoid testing various amplitude thresholds for denoising magnitude maps extracted by ICA, as most studies do not save the complex‐valued data. The main idea is to generate a mathematical SSP map for a magnitude map using a mapping framework, and the mapping framework is built using complex‐valued fMRI data with a known SSP map. Here we leverage the fact that the phase map derived from phase fMRI data has similar phase information to the SSP map. After verifying the use of the magnitude data of complex‐valued fMRI, this framework is generalized to work with magnitude‐only data, allowing use of our approach even without the availability of the corresponding phase fMRI datasets. We test the proposed method using both simulated and experimental fMRI data including complex‐valued data from University of New Mexico and magnitude‐only data from Human Connectome Project. The results provide evidence that the mathematical SSP denoising with a fixed phase change is effective for denoising spatial maps from magnitude‐only fMRI data in terms of retaining more BOLD‐related activity and fewer unwanted voxels, compared with amplitude‐based thresholding. The proposed method provides a unified and efficient SSP approach to denoise ICA brain networks in fMRI data.
Prevalence and predictors of sexual distress in married reproductive‐age women: A cross‐sectional study from Iran
Authors: Hamzehgardeshi Zeinab , Sabetghadam Shadi , Pourasghar Mehdi , Khani Soghra , Moosazadeh Mahmood , Malary Mina
Published: August 2023

Background and Aim

Although various surveys have been conducted for sexual problems, there is a lack of population‐based studies on sexual distress in Iran. Thus, we sought to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of sexual distress in this population.

Methods

Overall, 1000 married women aged 16–49 years were enrolled in this study using the two‐stage cluster sampling method. To identify sexual distress, the female sexual distress scale‐revised (FSDS‐R) was completed. The predictive factors were assessed using a checklist.

Results

A total of 318 women (31.8%) suffered from sexual distress. Among socio‐demographic factors, satisfaction with marriage (p = 0.001), among personal factors history of infertility and fear of contracting sexually transmitted infections (p < 0.01), and among sexual and interpersonal factors satisfaction with the level of sexual desire (p = 0.01), pain during sexual intercourse (p < 0.01), premature ejaculation disorders in the partner (p < 0.05), and sexual satisfaction (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with sexual distress.

Conclusion

Clinicians should evaluate sexual distress comprehensively and consider all the related dimensions. The high overall prevalence of sexual distress, with or without an identifiable dysfunction, signals the importance of health professionals being adequately prepared to discuss sexual health concerns.
Effects of LAIR‐1 on hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion via PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR pathway regulation
Authors: Zhou Ti , Liu Luqing , Lan Haibin , Fang Donglin
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the common malignant tumors. Although surgical resection is the best treatment for HCC, many patients with HCC are found to have metastases at the time of initial diagnosis and lose the opportunity for radical treatment. Therefore, the study of the invasion and metastasis of HCC has always been the focus of HCC research. This study aimed to assess the influence of LAIR‐1 on HCC cell proliferation and invasion and the relevant mechanisms involved in this process.

Methods

Immunocytochemical staining assay, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and western blotting (WB) were used to detect the expression of LAIR‐1mRNA and protein in healthy human hepatocyte LO2 and the HCC cell lines HepG2, Bel‐7402, MHCC97‐H, and Huh‐7. Then, we evaluated the cell viability, colony formation, and invasion of MHCC97‐H and Huh‐7 cells in each group by silencing or overexpressing LAIR‐1 expression in MHCC97‐H and Huh‐7 cells, respectively. WB was used to detect the expression levels of PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR pathway related proteins.

Results

Our findings showed that LAIR‐1 can inhibit cell viability, colony formation and invasion in vitro. Meanwhile, LAIR‐1 significantly downregulated the expression of PI3K, p‐AKT and p‐mTOR, which were abolished by the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that LAIR‐1 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, probably via suppressing the PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR pathway.
Increasing sustainability by intercropping legume crops with sugar beet under imposed water stress
Authors: Ouda Samiha , Zohry Abd El‐Hafeez
Published: August 2023

The sustainable use of soil and water resources is a goal that should be pursued to attain food security. This investigation was implemented to compare the effects of three legume intercropping systems with sugar beet on (i) enhancing sugar beet yield under imposed water stress conditions, (ii) soil N contents, (iii) land and water use efficiencies, and (iv) farmers' net income. Two field experiments were carried out in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons in the El‐Minia Governorate, Egypt. The treatments included the interaction between three irrigation treatments: required irrigation ((control, 100% ETc, RI) and two levels of imposed water stress (85% ETc (WS1) and 70% ETc (WS2)), and three intercropping systems: faba bean (FIS), chickpea (CIS) and lentil (LIS) intercropped with sugar beet. The results indicate that the application of implementing CIS and with RI attained higher average values of soil N content (SNC = 14.0 mg kg−1) and net income (NI = US$3,974 ha−1) than those obtained by sugar beet alone. Irrigation with WS1 and the implementation of CIS gave a value of SNC (12.3 mg kg−1) close to that obtained under sugar beet alone irrigated with RI. CIS irrigated with WS1 attained higher averaged values of land equivalent ratio (LER = 1.34), area time equivalent ratio (ATER = 1.28), land equivalent coefficient (LEC = 0.38), water equivalent ratio (WER = 1.12), negative value of change in water use (ΔWU < 0) and NI (US$3,602 ha−1) than those obtained under FIS or LIS irrigated with RI. In conclusion, implementing CIS and irrigation with RI can achieve the sustainable use of land and water. However, implementing CIS and irrigation with WS1 can realize soil improvement, conserve irrigation water and attain higher values of LER, ATER, LEC, WER, and NI than those obtained under FIS, LIS and sugar beet alone.
Effects of biochar application on rice physiological growth and water use efficiency under dry direct‐seeded mode
Authors: Cao Xiaoqiang , Liu Jilong , Wu Yu , Wei Yongxia , Zhang Lingling , Li Jizhen , Lv Hang , Idimesheva Olga
Published: August 2023

To investigate the effects of various biochar application levels on the growth physiology and water use efficiency of dry direct‐seeded rice (DDSR) in the black soil region of north‐east China, five biochar application treatments consisting of 2% (BC1), 4% (BC2), 6% (BC3), 8% (BC4) and 10% (BC5) were set, and no biochar application was used as the control treatment (CK). The differences in photosynthetic properties, dry matter accumulation characteristics, water consumption pattern, yield and water use efficiency of DDSR under different biochar application levels were compared and analysed, and the effect of the water use efficiency of leaves (WUEL) at each growth stage on the water use efficiency of yield (WUEy) was also investigated. The results showed that the photosynthetic properties, dry matter accumulation and water consumption of rice increased and then decreased with increasing biochar application level. Compared with CK, the rice yield increased by 1.6%–52% with biochar application, and the 4% biochar application level showed the most significant increase in rice yield (P < 0.05). The WUEy in the BC2, BC3, BC4, BC1, CK and BC5 treatments gradually decreased in that order. Among the WUEy values, significant increases of 27%, 13% and 8% in the BC2, BC3 and BC4 treatments, respectively, compared with the CK were observed (P < 0.05). The effect of WUEL at the prophase tiller, late tiller and milk ripening stages on WUEy enhancement was significant.
MRI‐Based Radiomics and Deep Learning in Biological Characteristics and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Xia Tianyi , Zhao Ben , Li Binrong , Lei Ying , Song Yang , Wang Yuancheng , Tang Tianyu , Ju Shenghong
Published: August 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. HCC exhibits strong inter‐tumor heterogeneity, with different biological characteristics closely associated with prognosis. In addition, patients with HCC often distribute at different stages and require diverse treatment options at each stage. Due to the variability in tumor sensitivity to different therapies, determining the optimal treatment approach can be challenging for clinicians prior to treatment. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology, including radiomics and deep learning approaches, has emerged as a unique opportunity to improve the spectrum of HCC clinical care by predicting biological characteristics and prognosis in the medical imaging field. The radiomics approach utilizes handcrafted features derived from specific mathematical formulas to construct various machine‐learning models for medical applications. In terms of the deep learning approach, convolutional neural network models are developed to achieve high classification performance based on automatic feature extraction from images. Magnetic resonance imaging offers the advantage of superior tissue resolution and functional information. This comprehensive evaluation plays a vital role in the accurate assessment and effective treatment planning for HCC patients. Recent studies have applied radiomics and deep learning approaches to develop AI‐enabled models to improve accuracy in predicting biological characteristics and prognosis, such as microvascular invasion and tumor recurrence. Although AI‐enabled models have demonstrated promising potential in HCC with biological characteristics and prognosis prediction with high performance, one of the biggest challenges, interpretability, has hindered their implementation in clinical practice. In the future, continued research is needed to improve the interpretability of AI‐enabled models, including aspects such as domain knowledge, novel algorithms, and multi‐dimension data sources. Overcoming these challenges would allow AI‐enabled models to significantly impact the care provided to HCC patients, ultimately leading to their deployment for clinical use.

Level of Evidence

5

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Probabilistic modelling of interarrival time of drought for different operational drought indices used in Pakistan
Authors: Mohsin Muhammad , Adnan Shahzada
Published: August 2023

Adverse climate changes in Pakistan undermine the water resources and give rise to transient and permanent droughts in different parts of the country. The occurrence of drought cannot be prevented, but its detrimental impacts can be brought down by proper pre‐drought planning. Effective planning owes to using scientific and probabilistic approaches. In this paper, the interarrival time of drought for seven operational drought indices in Pakistan is modelled by using the modified distribution of convolution derived from the Bivariate Affine Linear Exponential (BALE) distribution. A new stochastic variable, interarrival time of drought, is generated from the data of drought indices from 1951 to 2016 used in Pakistan by applying the theory of runs. The proposed model identifies Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) and Reconnaissance drought index (RDI) as the most appropriate meteorological indices for the under‐study country. The quantiles of the model are computed that provide information about the interarrival time of drought and help to anticipate this phenomenon. In addition, return periods for all the seven indices are calculated to report the frequency and duration of drought over a certain period. Finally, some recommendations for the National Drought Monitoring Centre (NDMC) and Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) are stated for better future planning to avoid the adverse impacts of drought.
A polysaccharide from salviae miltiorrhizae radix inhibits weight gain of mice with high‐fat diet via modulating intestinal bacteria
Authors: Liu Zhihai , Ma Ce , Gao Hongwei , Huang Xiaoli , Zhang Yaru , Liu Congmin , Hou Ranran , Zhang Qidi , Li Qiu
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Obesity, a global chronic disease, has been recognized as a severe risk to health. In our study, a novel polysaccharide named ARS was isolated and purified from aerial part of salviae miltiorrhizae radix. Our aim is to investigate the weight‐reducing effect of a polysaccharide from salviae miltiorrhizae radix on mice fed a high‐fat diet.

RESULTS

The novel polysaccharide ARS mainly consisted of glucose and galactose with a molar ratio of 0.59:1.00. We found that treatment with ARS could inhibit weight gain of mice fed a high‐fat diet via modulating the intestinal bacteria. Moreover, we surveyed its mechanism in mice, and the gut microbiota sequencing results demonstrated that ARS can reverse or resist high‐fat‐diet‐induced significant weight gain or obesity by increasing the diversity of gut microbiota and optimizing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. Phylum and species analysis of gut microbiota demonstrated that obesity caused by a high‐fat diet was accompanied by significant changes in the microbial communities, but ARS could reverse the disturbance of gut microbiota induced by the high‐fat diet to maintain homeostasis.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our findings suggested a new function of ARS in regulating gut microbiota, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of high‐quality ARS functional foods and the application of dietary supplements. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of ecological restoration projects on carbon footprint in a grassland ecosystem on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Yu Lu , Liu Shiliang , Wang Fangfang , Liu Hua , Liu Yixuan , Wang Qingbo , Zhao Yifei
Published: August 2023

Investigating the cost‐effective and low‐carbon pathways for grassland ecological restoration projects is vital to achieving carbon neutrality and Sustainable Development Goals. To fill the gap of incorporating ecological and socioeconomic systems of ecological restoration projects, this study established a cost‐benefit evaluation framework that integrated the carbon footprint based on life cycle assessment and a carbon price measurement model based on the Slack‐Based Measure‐Data Envelopment Analysis model. Taking a ‘Returning Grazing Land to Grassland Project’ on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau as a case, this study quantified the carbon footprint of three different ecological measurements, including fences construction (released 107 kgCO2‐eq·hm−2 and absorbed 322 kgCO2‐eq·hm−2), degenerated grassland improvement (released 1080 kgCO2‐eq·hm−2 and absorbed 580 kgCO2‐eq·hm−2) and artificial grassland planting (released 2540 kgCO2‐eq·hm−2 and absorbed 6540 kgCO2‐eq·hm−2). Raw material production was the largest emitter. In addition, we calculated the carbon price in the grassland ecosystem by the carbon price measurement model, at 1.06 yuan·kgCO2‐eq−1 on average during 2011–2018. In the cost‐benefit analysis, the total carbon sequestration benefits (8.90 × 106 yuan) outweighed the total carbon emission costs (4.26 × 106 yuan). Optimizing the usage and transportation of building materials and the application of fertilizer can benefit carbon emission mitigation and enhancement of carbon sequestration capacity in grassland. This study provided a theoretical basis for ecological restoration projects and grassland carbon pricing mechanisms aiming for sustainable management.
Verification of multiresolution model forecasts of heavy rainfall events from 23 to 26 August 2017 over Nigeria
Authors: Gbode Imoleayo E. , Ajayi Vincent O. , Adefisan Elijah A. , Okogbue Emmanuel C. , Cafaro Carlo , Olaniyan Eniola A. , Ogungbenro Stephen B. , Oluleye Ayodeji , Lawal Kamoru A. , Omotosho Jerome A. , Stein Thorwald
Published: August 2023

The study uses numerical weather prediction models to predict the occurrence of heavy convective rainfall associated with the passage of the African Easterly Wave (AEW) during the period 23–26 August 2017 over Nigeria. Fraction skill score (FSS) and method for object‐based diagnostic evaluation (MODE) verification techniques were applied to verify how well the models predict the high‐impact event and to demonstrate how these tools can support operational forecasting. Ensemble model forecasts at a convective scale from UK Met Office Unified Model (MetUM) and a one‐way nested weather research and forecasting (WRF) model were compared with the integrated multisatellite retrievals for global precipitation measurement (IMERG GPM). The purpose is to examine skills of improved model resolution and ensemble in reproducing rainfall forecasts on useful scales and how the skill varies with spatial scale. WRF 2 and 6 km model forecasts show comparable skill at smaller grid scales. The skill of MetUM improves dramatically when the verification statistics are applied to the ensemble mean of the binary fields of the individual member forecast. The object‐based analysis reveals a similar structure as observed, although displaced eastwards. Most improvement occurred for heavier rainfall events associated with the passage of the AEW. WRF 6 km compares reasonably well with WRF 2 km in terms of shape and structure of rainfall underscoring the ability of the model to reasonably represent convection at 6 km horizontal resolution. The ensemble members in MetUM explicitly reproduce convection at 4 km resolution but are displaced at about 166 km behind observed rainfall.
Multiple weak solutions for pi(x)‐Kirchhoff‐type quasilinear elliptic systems
Authors: Mehraban Zahra
Published: August 2023

The existence of infinitely many weak solutions for a class of quasilinear elliptic
‐Kirchhoff system is investigated by the symmetric mountain pass theorem. Furthermore, for the case
where
, I introduce a positive quantity
to find a mountain pass weak solution and to consider the sublinear case under large growth conditions at infinity and zero.
Simulation of consequences of using nonideal detectors during beam data commissioning measurements
Authors: Wegener Sonja , Sauer Otto A.
Published: August 2023

Background

Beam data commissioning is a core task of radiotherapy physicists. Despite multiple detectors available, a feasible measurement program compromises between detector properties and time constraints. Therefore, it is important to understand how nonideal measurement data propagates into patient dose calculation.

Purpose

We simulated the effects of realistic errors, due to beam commissioning with presumably nonoptimal detectors, on the resulting patient dose distributions. Additionally, the detectability of such beam commissioning errors during patient plan quality assurance (QA) was evaluated.

Methods

A clinically used beam model was re‐commissioned introducing changes to depth dose curves, output factors, profiles or combinations of those. Seventeen altered beam models with incremental changes of the modelling parameters were created to analyze dose changes on simplified anatomical phantoms. Additionally, fourteen altered models incorporate changes in the order of signal differences reported for typically used detectors. Eighteen treatment plans of different types were recalculated on patient CT data sets using the altered beam models.

Results

For the majority of clinical plans, dose distributions in the target volume recalculated on the patient computed tomography data were similar between the original and the modified beam models, yielding global 2%/2 mm gamma pass rates above 98.9%. Larger changes were observed for certain combinations of beam modelling errors and anatomical sites, most extreme for output factor changes in a small target volume plan with a pass rate of 80.6%. Modelling an enlarged penumbra as if measured with a 0.125 cm3 ion chamber had the largest effect on the dose distribution (average pass rate of 96.5%, lowest 85.4%). On different QA phantom geometries, dose distributions between calculations with modified and unmodified models typically changed too little to be detected in actual measurements.

Conclusion

While the simulated errors during beam modelling had little effect on most plans, in some cases changes were considerable. High‐quality penumbra and small field output factor should be a main focus of commissioning measurements. Detecting modelling issues using standard patient QA phantoms is unlikely. Verification of a beam model should be performed especially for plans with high modulation and in different depths or geometries representing the variety of situations expected clinically.
Pre‐whitened matched filter and convolutional neural network based model observer performance for mass lesion detection in non‐contrast breast CT
Authors: Lyu Su Hyun , Abbey Craig K. , Hernandez Andrew M. , Boone John M.
Published: August 2023

Background

Mathematical model observers have been shown to reasonably predict human observer performance and are useful when human observer studies are infeasible. Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have also been used as substitutes for human observers, and studies have shown their utility as an optimal observer. In this study, a CNN model observer is compared to the pre‐whitened matched filter (PWMF) model observer in detecting simulated mass lesions inserted into 253 acquired breast computed tomography (bCT) images from patients imaged at our institution.

Purpose

To compare CNN and PWMF model observers for detecting signal‐known‐exactly (SKE) location‐known‐exactly (LKE) simulated lesions in bCT images with real anatomical backgrounds, and to use these model observers collectively to optimize parameters and understand trends in performance with breast CT.

Methods

Spherical lesions with different diameters (1, 3, 5, 9 mm) were mathematically inserted into reconstructed patient bCT image data sets to mimic 3D mass lesions in the breast. 2D images were generated by extracting the center slice along the axial dimension or by slice averaging across adjacent slices to model thicker sections (0.4, 1.2, 2.0, 6.0, 12.4, 20.4 mm). The role of breast density was retrospectively studied using the range of breast densities intrinsic to the patient bCT data sets. In addition, mass lesions were mathematically inserted into Gaussian images matched to the mean and noise power spectrum of the bCT images to better understand the performance of the CNN in the context of a known ideal observer (the PWMF). The simulated Gaussian and bCT images were divided into training and testing data sets. Each training data set consisted of 91 600 images, and each testing data set consisted of 96 000 images. A CNN and PWMF was trained on the Gaussian training images, and a different CNN and PWMF was trained on the bCT training images. The trained model observers were tested, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate detection performance. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was the primary performance metric used to compare the model observers.

Results

In the Gaussian background, the CNN performed essentially identically to the PWMF across lesion sizes and section thicknesses. In the bCT background, the CNN outperformed the PWMF across lesion size, breast density, and most section thicknesses. These findings suggest that there are higher‐order features in bCT images that are harnessed by the CNN observer but are inaccessible to the PWMF.

Conclusions

The CNN performed equivalently to the ideal observer in Gaussian textures. In bCT background, the CNN captures more diagnostic information than the PWMF and may be a more pertinent observer when conducting optimal performance studies in breast CT images.
Optimal design of line replaceable units
Authors: Driessen Joni , de Kruijff Joost , Arts Joachim , van Houtum Geert‐Jan
Published: August 2023

A line replaceable unit (LRU) is a collection of connected parts in a system that is replaced when any part of the LRU fails. Companies use LRUs as a mechanism to reduce downtime of systems following a failure. The design of LRUs determines how fast a replacement is performed, so a smart design reduces replacement and downtime cost. A firm must purchase/repair a LRU upon failure, and large LRUs are more expensive to purchase/repair. Hence, a firm seeks to design LRUs such that the average costs per time unit are minimized. We formalize this problem in a new model that captures how parts in a system are connected, and how they are disassembled from the system. Our model optimizes the design of LRUs such that the replacement (and downtime) costs and LRU purchase/repair costs are minimized. We present a set partitioning formulation for which we prove a rare result: the optimal solution is integer, despite a nonintegral feasible polyhedron. Second, we formulate our problem as a binary linear program (BLP). The article concludes by numerically comparing the computation times of both formulations and illustrates the effects of various parameters on the model's outcome.
Boosting quantification accuracy of chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI with a spatial–spectral redundancy‐based denoising method
Authors: Chen Xinran , Wu Jian , Yang Yu , Chen Huan , Zhou Yang , Lin Liangjie , Wei Zhiliang , Xu Jiadi , Chen Zhong , Chen Lin
Published: August 2023

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is a versatile technique that enables noninvasive detections of endogenous metabolites present in low concentrations in living tissue. However, CEST imaging suffers from an inherently low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) due to the decreased water signal caused by the transfer of saturated spins. This limitation challenges the accuracy and reliability of quantification in CEST imaging. In this study, a novel spatial–spectral denoising method, called BOOST (suBspace denoising with nOnlocal lOw‐rank constraint and Spectral local‐smooThness regularization), was proposed to enhance the SNR of CEST images and boost quantification accuracy. More precisely, our method initially decomposes the noisy CEST images into a low‐dimensional subspace by leveraging the global spectral low‐rank prior. Subsequently, a spatial nonlocal self‐similarity prior is applied to the subspace‐based images. Simultaneously, the spectral local‐smoothness property of Z‐spectra is incorporated by imposing a weighted spectral total variation constraint. The efficiency and robustness of BOOST were validated in various scenarios, including numerical simulations and preclinical and clinical conditions, spanning magnetic field strengths from 3.0 to 11.7 T. The results demonstrated that BOOST outperforms state‐of‐the‐art algorithms in terms of noise elimination. As a cost‐effective and widely available post‐processing method, BOOST can be easily integrated into existing CEST protocols, consequently promoting accuracy and reliability in detecting subtle CEST effects.
Modeling of environmentally assisted intergranular crack propagation in polycrystals
Authors: Auth Kim Louisa , Brouzoulis Jim , Ekh Magnus
Published: August 2023

Polycrystalline nickel‐based superalloys experience accelerated intergranular crack growth when exposed to dwell times in oxygen‐rich environments and a combination of high temperature and tensile mechanical loading. Increasing crack growth rates are observed for increasing amounts of environmental oxygen in a certain oxygen concentration range, while below and above that range crack growth rates remain approximately constant. A fully coupled chemo‐mechanical modeling framework accounting for the degradation of grain boundaries by oxygen has been presented by the authors. In this work, we expand the framework by a moving boundary condition to capture a realistic oxygen flux in grain boundary cracks for both edge cracks connected to the environment and interior cracks. In numerical simulation results, the behavior of the moving boundary condition is shown for intergranular crack propagation through a polycrystal subjected to cyclic loading. Finally, the capabilities of the modeling framework to qualitatively predict the dependence of the average crack growth rate on the environmental oxygen content, load level, and dwell time are evaluated and it is shown that predictions qualitatively agree with experimental observations for intergranular fracture.
Finite element algorithm with a second‐order shifted composite numerical integral formula for a nonlinear time fractional wave equation
Authors: Ren Haoran , Liu Yang , Yin Baoli , Li Hong
Published: August 2023

In this article, we propose a second‐order shifted composite numerical integral formula, which is denoted as the SCNIF2. We transform the nonlinear time fractional wave equation into a partial differential equation with a fractional integral term and use the SCNIF2 in time and the finite element algorithm in space to formulate a fully discrete scheme. In order to decrease the initial error of the numerical scheme, we add some starting parts. In addition, we prove the stability and error estimation of the algorithm. Finally, we illustrate the effect of the starting parts and the accuracy of the numerical scheme through some numerical tests.