bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synoptic timescale linkage between midlatitude winter troughs Sahara temperature patterns and northern Congo rainfall: A building block of regional climate variability
Authors: Ward Neil , Fink Andreas H. , Keane Richard J. , Guichard Françoise , Marsham John H. , Parker Douglas J. , Taylor Christopher M.
Published: January 2021

A coherent synoptic sequence, mostly over North Africa, is identified whereby an upper‐level midlatitude trough (in November–March) excites several days of quasi‐stationary near‐surface warming across the Sahara, leading to rainfall events over northern Congo (NC), and perturbed weather more widely. Ahead of NC rainfall events, composite sequences first identify troughs for several days near Iberia, followed by relatively quick transfer to the Central Mediterranean (CMed). Iberia and CMed daily trough‐strength indices reveal that both lead to warming and NC rainfall. Iberia trough linkages develop through West Africa and take longer to reach NC, while CMed linkages reach NC faster (2–3 days), with impact extent focused mostly south and east of CMed. Building up to the rainfall events, initial warming over the central Sahara migrates southeastward close to NC, ultimately with typical magnitude of about 1–2°C at 10–15°N. Such anomalies are statistically predictive for NC daily rainfall and associated nearby atmospheric features: anomalous low‐level southerly wind and increased moisture; anomalous low‐level westerly wind and vertical easterly shear to 600 hPa; increased mid‐level moisture (600 hPa), which along with low‐level moisture, connects northward into midlatitudes. A secondary route identified by which Iberia troughs can impact NC rainfall is through direct atmospheric teleconnection with precipitation to the west of NC, and subsequent migration of that convection eastward into NC. The eastern side of NC generally shows a small lag on western parts, and links more strongly to CMed troughs. Taken together, the lagged synoptic expression of Iberia and CMed troughs is widespread over several days, including much of North Africa (to equatorial latitudes), southwestern Asia, eastern Africa and the western Indian Ocean. Overall, these results can contribute to situational awareness for weather forecasters across the zones influenced by the troughs, while also providing a framework for climate timescale analyses.
Seasonal soil nitrogen dynamics affect yields of lowland rice in the savanna zone of West Africa
Authors: Yameogo Poulouma Louis , Becker Mathias , Segda Zacharie
Published: January 2021

Background: Rice production in low‐input systems of West Africa relies largely on nitrogen supply from the soil. Especially in the dry savanna agro‐ecological zone, soil organic N is mineralized during the transition period between the dry and the wet seasons. In addition, in the inland valley landscape, soil N that is mineralized on slopes may be translocated as nitrate into the lowlands. There, both in‐situ mineralized as well as the laterally translocated nitrate‐N will be exposed to anaerobic conditions and is thus prone to losses.

Aim: We determined the dynamics of soil NO3‐N along a valley toposequence during the dry‐to‐wet season transition period and the effects of soil N‐conserving production strategies on the grain yield of rainfed lowland rice grown during the subsequent wet season.

Methods: Field experiments in Dano (Burkina Faso) assessed during two consecutive years the temporal dynamics and spatial fluxes of soil nitrate along a toposequence. We applied sequential and depth‐stratified soil nitrate analysis and nitrate absorption in ion exchange resin capsules in lowlands that were open to subsurface interflow and in those where the interflow from the was intercepted. During one year only we also assessed the effect of pre‐rice vegetation on conserving this NO3‐N as well as on N addition by biological N2 fixation in legumes using δ15N isotope dilution. Finally, we determined the impact of soil N fluxes and their differential management during the transition season on growth, yield and N use of rainfed lowland rice.

Results: Following the first rainfall event of the season, soil NO3‐N initially accumulated and subsequently decreased gradually in the soil of the valley slope. Much of this nitrate N was translocated by lateral sub‐surface flow into the valley bottom wetland. There, pre‐rice vegetation was able to absorb much of the in‐situ mineralized and the laterally‐translocated soil NO3‐N, reducing its accumulation in the soil from 40–43 kg N ha−1 under a bare fallow to 1–23 kg N ha−1 in soils covered by vegetation. Nitrogen accumulation in the biomass of the transition season crops ranged from 44 to 79 kg N ha−1 with a 36–39% contribution from biological N2 fixation in the case of legumes. Rice agronomic performance improved following the incorporation as green manure of this “nitrate catching” vegetation, with yields increasing up to 3.5 t ha−1 with N2‐fixing transition seasons crops.

Conclusion: Thus, integrating transition season legumes during the pre‐rice cropping niche in the prevailing low‐input systems in inland valleys of the dry savanna zone of West Africa can temporarily conserve substantial amounts of soil NO3‐N. It can also add biologically‐fixed N, thus contributing to increase rice yields in the short‐term and, in the long‐term, possibly maintaining or improving soil fertility in the lowland.
Perspectives from the Fritz‐Scheffer Awardee 2017. How mucilage affects soil hydraulic dynamics#
Authors: Kroener Eva
Published: January 2021

Take home message

Mucilage is a hydrogel exuded at root tips, which can hold large amounts of water but turns hydrophobic once dried. It is very challenging to understand the interplay of these opposite mechanisms and to incorporated them into hydraulic soil models. My summary of experimental and modelling approaches and observations at various scales is meant to help improving soil–plant water dynamic models and may also be helpful when water dynamics need to be considered in biogeochemical rhizosphere models.
A history of violence: magma incubation, timing and tephra distribution of the Los Chocoyos supereruption (Atitlán Caldera, Guatemala)
Authors: Cisneros de León Alejandro , Schindlbeck‐Belo Julie C. , Kutterolf Steffen , Danišík Martin , Schmitt Axel K. , Freundt Armin , Pérez Wendy , Harvey Janet C. , Wang Kuo‐Lung , Lee Hao‐Yang
Published: January 2021

The climactic Los Chocoyos (LCY) eruption from Atitlán caldera (Guatemala) is a key chronostratigraphic marker for the Quaternary period given the extensive distribution of its deposits that reached both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Despite LCY tephra being an important marker horizon, a radioisotopic age for this eruption has remained elusive. Using zircon (U–Th)/He geochronology, we present the first radioisotopically determined eruption age for the LCY of 75 ± 2 ka. Additionally, the youngest zircon crystallization 238U–230Th rim ages in their respective samples constrain eruption age maxima for two other tephra units that erupted from Atitlán caldera, W‐Fall (130 +16/−14 ka) and I‐Fall eruptions (56 +8.2/−7.7 ka), which under‐ and overlie LCY tephra, respectively. Moreover, rim and interior zircon dating and glass chemistry suggest that before eruption silicic magma was stored for >80 kyr, with magma accumulation peaking within ca. 35 kyr before the LCY eruption during which the system may have developed into a vertically zoned magma chamber. Based on an updated distribution of LCY pyroclastic deposits, a new conservatively estimated volume of ~1220 ± 150 km3 is obtained (volcanic explosivity index VEI > 8), which confirms the LCY eruption as the first‐ever recognized supereruption in Central America.
Late Pleistocene and Holocene Afromontane vegetation and headwater wetland dynamics within the Eastern Mau Forest, Kenya
Authors: Githumbi Esther N. , Courtney Mustaphi Colin J. , Marchant Rob
Published: January 2021

The Mau Forest Complex is Kenya's largest fragment of Afromontane forest, providing critical ecosystem services, and has been subject to intense land use changes since colonial times. It forms the upper catchment of rivers that drain into major drainage networks, thus supporting the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans and providing important wildlife areas. We present the results of a sedimentological and palynological analysis of a Late Pleistocene–Holocene sediment record of Afromontane forest change from Nyabuiyabui wetland in the Eastern Mau Forest, a highland region that has received limited geological characterization and palaeoecological study. Sedimentology, pollen, charcoal, X‐ray fluorescence and radiocarbon data record environmental and ecosystem change over the last ~16 000 cal a bp. The pollen record suggests Afromontane forests characterized the end of the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene with dominant taxa changing from Apodytes, Celtis, Dracaena, Hagenia and Podocarpus to Cordia, Croton, Ficus, Juniperus and Olea. The Late Holocene is characterized by a more open Afromontane forest with increased grass and herbaceous cover. Continuous Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Juncaceae vegetation currently cover the wetland and the water level has been decreasing over the recent past. Intensive agroforestry since the 1920s has reduced Afromontane forest cover as introduced taxa have increased (Pinus, Cupressus and Eucalyptus).
Early identification of Aspergillus spp. contamination in milled rice by E‐nose combined with chemometrics
Authors: Gu Shuang , Wang Zhenhe , Chen Wei , Wang Jun
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Rice grains can be contaminated easily by certain fungi during storage and in the market chain, thus generating a risk for humans. Most classical methods for identifying and rectifying this problem are complex and time‐consuming for manufacturers and consumers. However, E‐nose technology provides analytical information in a non‐destructive and environmentally friendly manner. Two‐feature fusion data combined with chemometrics were employed for the determination of Aspergillus spp. contamination in milled rice.

RESULTS

Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) indicated that the efficiency of fusion signals (‘80th s values’ and ‘area values’) outperformed that of independent E‐nose signals. Linear discriminant analysis showed clear discrimination of fungal species in stored milled rice for four groups on day 2, and the discrimination accuracy reached 92.86% by using an extreme learning machine (ELM). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis showed that the volatile compounds had close relationships with fungal species in rice. The quantification results of colony counts in milled rice showed that the monitoring models based on ELM and the genetic algorithm optimized support vector machine (GA‐SVM) (R2 = 0.924–0.983) achieved better performances than those based on partial least squares regression (PLSR) (R2 = 0.877–0.913). The ability of the E‐nose to monitor fungal infection at an early stage would help to prevent contaminated rice grains from entering the food chains.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that an E‐nose coupled with ELM or GA‐SVM algorithm could be a useful tool for the rapid detection of fungal infection in milled rice, to prevent contaminated rice from entering the food chain. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Quality control of fresh strawberries by a random forest model
Authors: Ribeiro Michele N , Carvalho Iago A , Fonseca Gabriel A , Lago Rafael C , Rocha Lenízy CR , Ferreira Danton D , Vilas Boas Eduardo VB , Pinheiro Ana CM
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Strawberry quality is one of the most important factors that guarantees consistent commercialization of the fruit and ensures the consumer's satisfaction. This work makes innovative use of random forest (RF) to predict sensory measures of strawberries using physical and physical‐chemical variables. Furthermore, it also employs these same physical and physical‐chemical variables to classify strawberries in the classes "satisfied" or "not satisfied" and "would pay more" or "wouldn't pay more. The RF‐based model predicts the acceptance, expectation, ideal of sweetness, ideal of acidity, and the ideal of succulence based on the physical and physical‐chemical data. Then, the predicted parameters are used as input for the RF‐based classification model.

RESULTS

The RF achieved a coefficient of determination R2 > 0.72 and a root‐mean‐squared error (RMSE) smaller than 0.17 for the prediction task, which indicates that one can estimate the sensory measures of strawberries using physical and physical–chemical data. Furthermore, the RF was able to classify 87.95% of the strawberry samples correctly into the classes ‘satisfied’ and ‘not satisfied’ and 78.99% in the classes ‘would pay more’ or ‘would not pay more’. A two‐step RF model, which employed both physical and physical–chemical data to classify strawberry samples regarding the consumer's response also correctly classified 100% and 90.32% of the samples with respect to consumers’ satisfaction and their willingness to pay more, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the developed models can be used in the quality control of strawberries, supporting the establishment of quality standards that consider the consumer's response. The proposed methodology can be extended to control the sensory quality of other fruits. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
The influence of fusion display mode on the user's sense of personal security in virtual immersion system
Authors: Hu Mingwei , Weng Dongdong , Guo Jie , Wang Yongtian
Published: January 2021

During the immersive virtual reality experience, because the visual senses are completely enclosed in the virtual environment, they are unable to perceive environmental changes in the real world and produce unsafe feelings, which affects their experience in virtual reality systems. In order to improve people's sense of security in the immersive virtual reality experience, the paper has designed four ways to interact with the real world in a virtual environment, so that users can get real‐world information in the virtual environment. This paper tests users' changes in their sense of security during immersive virtual reality experiences under the influence of various interaction methods and conduct psychological analysis. Twenty‐one volunteers are recruited to participate in the experiment, and their personal safety and psychological effects are tested. The experimental results show that the method of using Yolcat neural network to segment the captured images according to categories and then fuse the segmented images into the virtual environment can improve the user's sense of security without destroying the immersion.
Use of the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap for reconstruction after sarcoma resection
Authors: Yoshimatsu Hidehiko , Karakawa Ryo , Fuse Yuma , Tanakura Kenta , Yamamoto Takumi , Okada Akira , Daniel Bassem W. , Yano Tomoyuki
Published: January 2021

Background

Postoperative complications after flap‐coverage in sarcoma treatment can postpone postoperative adjunct treatments. Here, we present our experience with the use of the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap after sarcoma resection.

Patients and Methods

Patients undergoing immediate reconstruction surgery with a flap after sarcoma resection at a single institution from February 2017 to April 2020 were identified. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical characteristics, and complications were examined.

Results

Thirty‐five consecutive patients underwent reconstructions using a SCIP flap (34 free and one pedicled SCIP flaps). We also identified 47 consecutive patients who underwent reconstruction with other pedicled or free flaps over the same time period. No significant differences were found in patient age, gender, defect size, or operative time between these two groups. The incidences of overall complications (20/47 [42.6%] vs. 3/35 [8.5%], p < .001), flap dehiscence (7/47 [14.8%] vs. 0/35 [0%], p = .018), and total flap complications (15/47 [31.9%] vs. 2/35 [5.7%], p = .005) were statistically greater in the control group than in the SCIP group.

Conclusion

With its minimal postoperative complication rate both in the reconstruction site and the donor site, the SCIP flap can be considered an optimal reconstruction option after sarcoma resection.
Is resection for noncolorectal, nonneuroendocrine liver metastases justified?
Authors: Patkar Shraddha , Niyogi Devayani , Parray Amir , Goel Mahesh
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The role of hepatectomy in non‐colorectal, nonneuroendocrine liver metastasis (NCNN) is not clearly defined. This study represents a step towards surgical frame‐shift as an integral part of treatment pathway in these heterogeneous, arbitrarily treated tumors. It aims to provide answers regarding favorable tumor types and patient profiles for which liver metastasectomy would prove beneficial.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of hepatectomy in NCNN liver metastasis.

Results

A total of 50 patients out of 516 patients underwent liver resection during this period. In 27 patients, the liver metastases presented synchronously whereas the other 23 were metachronous. Median disease‐free interval (DFI) was 36 months. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were the most common type of primary malignancy (15, 30%). In 41 patients, the liver was the only site of metastases. At a median follow‐up of 32.5 months, 24 patients developed recurrences. Five‐year overall (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) for the entire cohort was 60% and 32%, respectively. Median OS was highest in the breast (93 months) followed by GIST (56 months). Patients with longer DFI showed improved OS. (p = .04).

Conclusion

Liver resection for NCNN metastases is safe and feasible in selected patients with good survival outcomes. Longer DFI correlates with better survival.
Assessing the use of finite element analysis for mechanical performance evaluation of intervertebral body fusion devices
Authors: Baumann Andrew P. , Graf Thomas , Peck Jonathan H. , Dmitriev Anton E. , Coughlan Dezba , Lotz Jeffrey C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Intervertebral body fusion devices (IBFDs) are a widely used type of spinal implant placed between two vertebral bodies to stabilize the spine for fusion in the treatment of spinal pathologies. Assessing mechanical performance of these devices is critical during the design, verification, and regulatory evaluation phases of development. While traditionally evaluated with physical bench testing, empirical assessments are at times supplemented with computational models and simulations such as finite element analysis (FEA). However, unlike many mechanical bench tests, FEA lacks standardized practices and consistency of implementation.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were twofold. First, to identify IBFD 510(k) submissions containing FEA and conduct a comprehensive review of the elements provided in the FEA reports. Second, to engage with spinal device manufacturers through an anonymous survey and assess their practices for implementing FEA.

Methods

First, a retrospective analysis of 510(k) submissions for IBFDs cleared by the FDA between 2013 and 2017 was performed. The contents of FEA test reports were quantified according to FDA guidance. Second, a survey inquiring about the use of FEA was distributed to industry and academic stakeholders. The survey asked up to 20 questions relating to modeler experience and modeling practices.

Results

Significant gaps were present in model test reports that deemed the data unreliable and, therefore, unusable for regulatory decision‐making in a high percentage of submissions. Nonetheless, the industry survey revealed most stakeholders employ FEA during device evaluation and are interested in more prescriptive guidelines for executing IBFD models.

Conclusions

This study showed that while inconsistencies and gaps in FEA execution do exist within the spinal device community, the stakeholders are eager to work together in developing standardized approaches for executing computational models to support mechanical performance assessment of spinal devices in regulatory submissions.
Why Participate in Peer Review?
Authors: Kerig Patricia K.
Published: January 2021

The scholarly publishing enterprise is currently undergoing a “crisis,” likely exacerbated by the global pandemic, in which peer reviewers are increasingly less available to perform reviews at the same time the flow of submitted manuscripts has not subsided. This editorial considers possible reasons why scholars might decline to participate in the peer review process, including the lack of compensation for this time‐consuming and effort‐laden service activity; questions about the fairness, validity, and efficacy of peer review; a commonly experienced dearth of training in peer review skills; and the fact that a lack of diversity in the sciences, academia, and the professions is reflected in the makeup of scholarly publishing leadership such that peer review is not necessarily conducted by one's “peers.” Potential considerations are also offered on the other side of the ledger. These include the benefits that accrue to our own scholarship and publishing acumen when we review the work of others; the value of peer review to the quality of our journals and the excellence of our field; the positive contributions that thoughtful and educative reviews can make to the work of our colleagues; recent initiatives designed to increase representativeness, reduce bias, and guard against conflicts of interest in the peer reviewing process; the availability of guides and tutorials to assist emerging scholars to develop the relevant skills and acumen; and the ways in which peer reviewing can set the stage for professional growth and entry into leadership positions in the field of scholarly publishing.
Ultrasound‐Based Nomogram for Distinguishing Malignant Tumors from Nodular Sclerosing Adenoses in Solid Breast Lesions
Authors: Liang Ting , Cong Shuzhen , Yi Zongjian , Liu Juanjuan , Huang Chunwang , Shen Junhui , Pei Shufang , Chen Gaowen , Liu Zaiyi
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Nodular sclerosing adenoses (NSAs) and malignant tumors (MTs) may coexist and are often classified into the same Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) category. We aimed to build and validate an ultrasound‐based nomogram to distinguish MT from NSA for building a precise sequence of biopsies.

Materials and Methods

The training cohort included 156 patients (156 masses) with NSA or MT at one study institution. We used best subset regression to determine the predictors for building a nomogram from ultrasonic characteristics and patients' age. Model performance and clinical utility were evaluated using Brier score, concordance (C)‐index, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. The independent validation cohort consisted of 162 patients (162 masses) from a separate institution.

Results

Through best subset regression, we selected 6 predictors to develop nomogram: age, calcification, echogenic rim, vascularity distribution, tumor size, and thickness of breast parenchyma. Brier score and C‐index of the nomogram in the training cohort were 0.068 and 0.967 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.941–0.993), respectively. In addition, calibration curve demonstrated good agreement between prediction and pathological result. In the validation cohort, the nomogram still obtained a favorable C‐index score of 0.951 (95% CI: 0.919–0.983) and fine calibration. Decision curve analysis showed that the model was clinically useful.

Conclusions

If multiple NSA and MT masses are present in the same patient and are classified into the same BI‐RADS category, our nomogram can be used as a supplement to the BI‐RADS category for accurate biopsy of the mass most likely to be MT.
The Current Status of Ultrasound Education in United States Medical Schools
Authors: Nicholas Elizabeth , Ly Alan A. , Prince Anna M. , Klawitter Paul F. , Gaskin Kevin , Prince Louise A.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Ultrasound is used by nearly every medical specialty. Medical schools are integrating ultrasound education into their curriculum but studies show this to be inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to provide an updated description of ultrasound in the curricula of United States Accredited Medical Schools (USAMS).

Methods

In 2019, USAMS curricular offices were contacted. Institutions were asked about the presence of ultrasound curriculum and for contact information for faculty involved with education. Schools reporting ultrasound curriculum were surveyed regarding details of their curriculum.

Results

Two hundred USAMS were contacted with a response rate of 84%. Of 168 schools, 72.6% indicated they have an ultrasound curriculum. For schools with a curriculum, 79 (64.8%) completed our survey. The majority of survey respondents, 66 (83.5%), indicated having mandatory ultrasound. Ultrasound is primarily integrated into courses (73.8% in basic science courses, 66.2% in clinical skills courses, and 35.4% in clinical rotations). Emergency medicine physicians accounted for 54.7% of course directors. Ten or fewer faculty participate in education in 68.4% of schools and mostly as volunteers. Dedicated machines for education were reported by 78.5% of schools.

Conclusions

Compared to prior studies, this study had a higher response rate at 84%, and more schools reported ultrasound in their curricula. Emergency medicine represents the majority of leadership in ultrasound education. Despite increased integration of ultrasound into American medical school curricula, its instruction is still inconsistent.
Resident Safety Huddles: Our Department's Experience in Improving Safety Culture
Authors: Poonia Seerat K. , Prasad Aman , Chorath Kevin , Cannady Steven B. , Kearney James , Ruckenstein Michael , Rajasekaran Karthik
Published: January 2021

Objective/Hypothesis

Our department sought to develop a quality improvement initiative in the interest of promoting resident involvement within the departmental safety culture. Specifically, we aimed to identify any barriers to incident reporting among residents and to create an approach to rectify this problem.

Study Design

Patient Safety/Quality Improvement.

Methods

This is a descriptive, qualitative study taking place at a large teaching hospital. A brief survey was administered to all Otorhinolaryngology residents and based on feedback a two‐pronged approach to creating a patient safety and quality improvement curriculum was undertaken. This entailed implementation of 1) a formalized online curriculum and 2) a resident‐driven forum for discussion of safety concerns termed a “Resident Safety Huddle.”

Results

The survey identified three main barriers to incident reporting among residents, including increased workload, the punitive nature of the system, and fear of retribution. During the study period, the residents completed the curriculum required to obtain the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Basic Certificate of Quality and Safety and participated in 10 Resident Safety Huddles. Each huddle was dedicated to discussion of a unique safety concern and frequently led to sustainable solutions. After implementation of this curriculum, an increase in the number of safety events reported by residents was recognized.

Conclusions

In building an educational foundation for incident reporting and further bolstering it with a resident‐driven forum for discussion of safety concerns, we were able to achieve a recognizable and meaningful impact on our residents and the greater departmental safety culture.

Level of Evidence

4 (single descriptive or qualitative study) Laryngoscope, 131:E1811–E1815, 2021
Risk assessment of land degradation (RALDE) model
Authors: Masoudi Masoud , Vahedi Maryam , Cerdà Artemi
Published: January 2021

Land degradation threatens the sustainability of human societies due to the loss of resources, services, and goods. To assess land degradation, models are useful and fruitful due to the complex and multidisciplinary processes acting. The present research attempts to design and develop a new model to assess land degradation based on biophysical and socioeconomic parameters to investigate land at a high risk of degradation. The use of models can shed light on the land degradation processes and will contribute to better design of restoration and rehabilitation processes. The identification of regions that are more vulnerable to degradation can improve land planning and enhance development. Fars Province, in Southern Iran, was selected as a test area to assess risk of land degradation by means of the risk assessment of land degradation (RALDE) model. Data gathered from the different governmental offices of Fars Province and MODIS satellite data were used for this purpose. The hazard maps of natural, human and degradation trend were produced with a geographical information system (GIS) tool. The final land degradation risk map was developed by first overlaying all three natural, human, and degradation trend layers, and then it was compared with current state layer of degradation in GIS. Areas under risk were classified to subclasses with different probability level to show a statistical picture of risk. In RALDE, the percentage of risk probability is evaluated according to trend and potential for degradation. Results show that degradation risk probability ranges between 6 and 58%. The areas under different subclasses of severe to very severe risk cover about 67% of the study area. RALDE shows higher threats of land degradation for these zones, and we propose immediate attention to this region with related conservational and reclamation works. Fars Province has been used successfully to apply the RALDE model and its use for other regions will contribute to improving land degradation assessment and promoting development programmes.
The response of soil microbial communities to soil erodibility depends on the plant and soil properties in semiarid regions
Authors: Zhang Min , Dong Liguo , Wang Ying , Bai Xiaoxiong , Ma Zitong , Yu Xuan , Zhao Zhong
Published: January 2021

Natural succession and afforestation are the two main restoration methods of degraded soil in semiarid and arid regions. Up to now, the soil microbial communities and their roles in soil erodibility have been unclear. Our work aimed to evaluate the effects of ecological restoration on the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities at depths of 0–20 cm and their interaction with soil erodibility. Four main restoration types, natural succession land andPinus tabuliformis,Armeniaca sibirica, andRobinia pseudoacaciaplantations were chosen. Restoration with different vegetation communities decreased the soil erodibilityK‐factor (K) by 13.37–20.64%. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria were dominant bacterial phyla at all sites. The dominant fungal phyla were Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Zygomycota. However, there were obvious differences in bacterial and fungal communities among restoration types due to variations in plant and soil properties. Redundancy analysis showed that the soil microbial communities explained 67.30% of the total variance in soil erodibility. Bacterial communities mainly affect the microaggregate formation, whereas fungal communities have a greater effect on macroaggregate formation. Additionally, the structural equation modeling also suggests that vegetation characteristics, soil organic carbon, and fungal communities, and macroaggregates (> 5 mm) have positive effects on mean weight diameter. Therefore, the combination of vegetation community, soil properties, and microbial communities improves the soil structure against erosion in this area.
Long‐term land use/cover changes reduce soil erosion in an ionic rare‐earth mineral area of southern China
Authors: Huang Yuansheng , Li Peng , An Qiang , Mao Feijian , Zhai Wuchen , Yu Kaifeng , He Yiliang
Published: January 2021

Ecological restoration projects, such as the Grain‐to‐Green Program (GTGP) and the Natural Forest Conservation Program (NFCP), have been implemented to improve vegetation cover since 1998. However, rapid urbanization has caused severe land use/cover (LUC) changes in the Dong River upstream basin. Therefore, it is urgent to study the long‐term (1999–2017) spatial–temporal variation of LUC and soil erosion since the implementation of GTGP and NFCP began in this area. Soil erosion and carbon sequestration were calculated using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) and C‐fix model. During 1999–2017, forest decreased by 28,857.81 ha and built‐up area increased by 17,193.01 ha. This area experienced severe LUC change, but vegetation cover has been effectively improved. When the observation period was measured in years, vegetation cover had a greater impact on decreasing soil erosion (554.11 × 104 t yr−1) than rainfall, while in months, the impact of rainfall is greater (causing a dramatically rebound of soil erosion in 2014). Furthermore, high‐intensity human activities made soil erosion increased by 37.70% in Yuancheng District, whereas soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus loss decreased by 49.96, 33.03, and 44.44%, respectively. Moreover, GTGP and NFCP also bring collateral benefits, carbon sequestered by vegetation increased from 99.11 × 106to 124.38 × 106 t CO2, during 1999–2014. And vegetation was the major factor of increased carbon sequestration, rather than temperature or solar radiation. These results elaborate on the impact of LUC changes on spatial–temporal variation of soil erosion. And it can provide a reference for the formulation of soil and water conservation measures in the future.
Living Well with Lifestyle Medicine: A group consultation approach to delivering Lifestyle Medicine Intervention in Primary Care
Authors: Gibson Caroline A. , Mason Celia , Stones Clive J.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Increasing prevalence of chronic disease is raising demands on the healthcare system, and evidence‐based cost‐effective ways to address these are needed. This project piloted a novel approach of delivering lifestyle medicine in general practice by providing a holistic lifestyle medicine programme to patients at high risk of chronic diseases.

Methods

Eleven patients at high risk of chronic disease participated in a 6‐week programme of General Practitioner (GP)‐led group consultations, which delivered evidence‐based lifestyle education and interventions across all the pillars of lifestyle medicine. Anthropometric data (including weight and body mass index (BMI)) and quality‐of‐life data (using the EuroQol‐5D (EQ‐5D‐5L) tool) and patient's confidence and motivation were assessed at the beginning and end of the programme to assess impact. Cost‐effectiveness was estimated by calculating the cost‐per‐quality‐adjusted‐life‐year (QALY) for the EQ‐5D‐5L data.

Results

Seventy‐three per cent of participants lost weight, with an average weight loss of 1.7 kg confidence interval (CI), –3.46 to –0.02 kg; P = 0.048), which resulted in an average BMI reduction of 0.56 (CI, –1.11 to –0.02; P = 0.043) over 6 weeks. Quality of Life scores show improvement, with EuroQol‐visual analogue scale (EQ‐VAS) score increase of 23 points (CI, +11.82 to +34.18; P = 0.002) and EQ‐5D‐5L scores show reduction in mobility problems, anxiety and depression and pain. Patient's self‐rated confidence and motivation to make healthy lifestyle changes improved significantly over the programme.

Conclusions

Delivery of lifestyle medicine intervention via a GP‐led group consultation model results in improvement in patients’ perceived health and well‐being, along with reductions in weight, and reduced problems with mood and pain. Delivery of care in this way is cost‐effective. The positive findings from this pilot‐scale study support investment in a larger study to further develop and explore delivery of lifestyle medicine intervention in this way.
High Contrast Reflectance Imaging of Enamel Demineralization and Remineralization at 1950‐nm for the Assessment of Lesion Activity
Authors: Fried William A. , Abdelaziz Marwa , Darling Cynthia L. , Fried Daniel
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

Previous studies have shown that large changes in the diffuse reflectivity of caries lesions during drying with air can be used to assess lesion activity. The largest changes occur at short wavelength infrared (SWIR) wavelengths coincident with high water absorption. The strongest water absorption in the SWIR occurs at 1950 nm. In this study changes in the reflectivity of simulated lesions with varying degrees of remineralization was measured at 1500–2340 nm and at 1950 nm as the samples were dried with air.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Twenty bovine enamel surfaces each with five treatment windows were exposed to two demineralization/remineralization regimens to produce simulated lesions of varying depth, severity, and mineral gradients. An extended range tungsten‐halogen lamp with a long pass filter (1500–2340 nm) and a broadband amplified spontaneous emission source centered near the peak of the water‐absorption band at 1950‐nm were used as light sources and an extended range InGaAs camera (1000–2340 nm) was used to acquire reflected light images as the samples were dried with air. Lesions were also assessed using digital microscopy, polarized light microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and transverse microradiography.

Results

Both wavelength ranges showed extremely high lesion contrast (>0.9) for all six lesion treatment windows in both models. The change in contrast (ΔI) was significantly higher for the 1950 nm broadband source for all the intact lesion windows compared with the 1500–2340 nm wavelength range.

Conclusion

SWIR light at 1950 nm yields extremely high contrast of demineralization and appears to be the optimum wavelength for the assessment of lesion activity on tooth coronal surfaces. Lasers Surg. Med. 00:00–00, 2020. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Selective Cryolysis of Melanocytes: Critical Temperature and Exposure Time to Induce Selective Pigmentary Loss in Yucatan Pig Skin
Authors: Chuang Gary S. , Farinelli William , Anderson R. Rox
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

Cryotherapy for melanocytic lesions is often accompanied by collateral damage to the surrounding skin, resulting in skin necrosis and scarring. Adipocytes, like melanocytes, are neural crest‐derived cells. Adipocytes have been shown to be more sensitive to cold exposure than their neighboring cells of ectodermal origin, such as epidermal keratinocytes. Such differential sensitivity to cold exposure has led to the development of novel treatment modalities, like cryolipolysis, to selectively target a cell type while sparing neighboring cells.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

In this study, we investigated the roles of controlled skin freezing, tissue temperature, and exposure time in inducing selective loss of melanocytes and skin depigmentation in swines.

Results

The results of our study demonstrated that contact cooling of the skin surface causes selective loss of epidermal melanocytes when the tissue temperature reaches −7.5°C or cooler with an exposure time of 10 minutes or longer, leading to partial skin depigmentation in swine skin. Longer exposures combined with colder temperature exposure led to more complete depigmentation in the treated skin surface.

Conclusion

Cold‐sensitivity of melanocytes can be harnessed to selectively remove melanocytes while sparing surrounding keratinocytes. The results from this study demonstrated that improved clinical treatments specifically targeting melanocytic lesions is possible using skin cooling to achieve tissue temperatures capable of inducing selective loss of melanocytes without skin necrosis or scarring. Additional studies are needed to optimize the treatment conditions to prolong the selective removal of melanocytes. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Electrochemical behavior of Zn‐REP nanohybrid coatings during marine Shewanella sp. biofilm formation
Authors: Calvillo Solís Jonathan J. , Galicia Garcia Monica
Published: January 2021

Nanohybrid coatings, particularly zinc‐rich epoxy coatings, can protect steel from the harsh marine environment through a physical barrier mechanism and a cathodic protective effect based on anodic electrochemical reactions involving zinc particles in the coating. New additives, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), produce more efficient multifunctional coatings by enhancing both protective mechanisms. In this study, the electrochemical behavior and corrosion mechanisms of zinc‐rich epoxy nanohybrid coatings with the addition of CNTs were investigated in the presence of a Shewanella sp. marine strain to evaluate their influence on biofilm formation by this Gram‐negative bacterium. The electrochemical activity was monitored over time with open‐circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. A mixed mechanism was observed starting from early exposure. When the content of CNTs was doubled, the biofilm adherence improved, thus suggesting a favorable effect of CNTs on biofilm formation, attributable to increased production of bacterial exopolymeric substances facilitating biofilm development. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results suggested a correlation with biofilm formation as a second barrier layer with the lowest impedance magnitude in coatings with different multiwalled CNT content.
Production and Polymerization of Biobased Acrylates and Analogs
Authors: Fouilloux Hugo , Thomas Christophe M.
Published: January 2021

To prepare biobased polymers, particular attention must be paid to the obtention of the monomers from which they are derived. (Meth)acrylates and their analogs constitute such a class of monomers that have been extensively studied due to the wide range of polymers accessible from them. This review therefore aims to highlight the progresses made in the production and polymerization of (meth)acrylates and their analogs. Acrylic acid production from biomass is close to commercialization, as three different high‐potential intermediates are identified: glycerol, lactic acid, and 3‐hydroxypropionic acid. Biobased methacrylic acid is less common, but several promising options are available, such as the decarboxylation of itaconic acid or the dehydration of 2‐hydroxyisobutyric acid. Itaconic acid is also a vinylic monomer of great interest, and polymers derived from it have already found commercial applications. Methylene butyrolactones are promising monomers, obtained from bioresources via three different intermediates: levulinic, succinic, or itaconic acid. Although expensive, methylene butyrolactones have a strong potential for the production of high‐performance polymers. Finally, β‐substituted acrylic monomers, such as cinnamic, fumaric, muconic, or crotonic acid, are also examined, as they provide an original access to biobased materials from various renewable raw materials, such as protein waste, lignin, or wastewater.
On‐tissue chemical derivatization in mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Harkin Carla , Smith Karl W. , Cruickshank Faye L. , Logan Mackay C. , Flinders Bryn , Heeren Ron M. A. , Moore Tara , Brockbank Simon , Cobice Diego F.
Published: January 2021

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) combines molecular and spatial information in a valuable tool for a wide range of applications. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is at the forefront of MSI ionization due to its wide availability and increasing improvement in spatial resolution and analysis speed. However, ionization suppression, low concentrations, and endogenous and methodological interferences cause visualization problems for certain molecules. Chemical derivatization (CD) has proven a viable solution to these issues when applied in mass spectrometry platforms. Chemical tagging of target analytes with larger, precharged moieties aids ionization efficiency and removes analytes from areas of potential isobaric interferences. Here, we address the application of CD on tissue samples for MSI analysis, termed on‐tissue chemical derivatization (OTCD). MALDI MSI will remain the focus platform due to its popularity, however, alternative ionization techniques such as liquid extraction surface analysis and desorption electrospray ionization will also be recognized. OTCD reagent selection, application, and optimization methods will be discussed in detail. MSI with OTCD is a powerful tool to study the spatial distribution of poorly ionizable molecules within tissues. Most importantly, the use of OTCD−MSI facilitates the analysis of previously inaccessible biologically relevant molecules through the adaptation of existing CD methods. Though further experimental optimization steps are necessary, the benefits of this technique are extensive.
Strategic introduction of a new product under uncertainty: A duopoly case
Authors: Terrazas‐Santamaria Diana
Published: January 2021

We present a continuous‐game of two symmetric firms competing strategically to launch a new product, simultaneously or sequentially. In the timing game, where each firm decides when to launch, we consider the uncertainty of profits and that the launch is successful with a probability that can be less than one. We find that when the first‐mover advantage (FMA) is large, even with a low probability of success, one firm preempts the other deteriorating the leader's value function. The simultaneous investment dominates the sequential one when the FMA is small or when the probability is almost zero.
Optimal decisions and coordination of live streaming selling under revenue‐sharing contracts
Authors: Liu Haoyu , Liu Shulin
Published: January 2021

Live streaming selling is setting off new waves worldwide, especially in China. Considering the effects of number of viewers and average reference price, this paper investigates the optimal decisions of platform's recommending effort and streamer's selling effort by differential game theory. We find that if the platform sets a higher revenue‐sharing rate, its effort to recommend streamer will decrease, which could reduce the platform's and streamer's revenues. Thus, we propose a subsidy mechanism that incentivizes the streamer to increase investments in platform's recommendations, while enabling the platform and the streamer to achieve a win–win situation by setting reasonable revenue‐sharing rates.