bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The clinical relevance of laboratory prognostic scores for patients with radiosurgically treated brain metastases of non-pulmonary primary tumor
Authors: Cho Anna , Untersteiner Helena , Fitschek Fabian , Khalaveh Farjad , Pruckner Philip , Pavo Noemi , Rössler Karl , Dorfer Christian , Gatterbauer Brigitte , Höller Christoph , Schmidinger Manuela , Frischer Josa M.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To investigate the clinical value of the inflammation based prognostic scores for patients with radiosurgically treated brain metastases (BM) originating from non-pulmonary primary tumor (PT).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 340 BM patients of different PT origin (melanoma, breast, gastrointestinal, or genitourinary cancer) was performed. Pre-radiosurgical laboratory prognostic scores, such as the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), the Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR), and the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), were investigated within 14 days before the first Gamma Knife radiosurgical treatment (GKRS1).

Results

In our study cohort, the estimated survival was significantly longer in patients with NLR < 5 (p < 0.001), LMR > 4 (p = 0.001) and in patients with a mGPS score of 0 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, univariate and multivariate Cox regression models revealed NLR ≥ 5, LMR < 4 and mGPS score ≥ 1 as independent prognostic factors for an increased risk of death even after adjusting for age, sex, KPS, extracranial metastases status, presence of neurological symptoms and treatment with immunotherapy (IT) or targeted therapy (TT).

Conclusions

Summarizing previously published and present data, pre-radiosurgical mGPS and NLR groups seem to be the most effective and simple independent prognostic factors to predict clinical outcome in radiosurgically treated BM patients.
Statistical Characterization of Heterogeneous Dissolution Rates of Calcite from In situ and Real-Time AFM Imaging
Authors: Siena Martina , Bussetti Gianlorenzo , Recalcati Chiara , Riva Monica , Duò Lamberto , Guadagnini Alberto
Published: June 2021

The evolution of the surface topography of a calcite crystal subject to dissolution is documented through in situ real-time imaging obtained via atomic force microscopy (AFM). The dissolution process takes place by exposing the crystal surface to deionized water. AFM data allow detection of nucleation and expansion of mono- and multilayer rhombic etch pits and are employed to estimate the spreading rate of these structures. Spatially heterogeneous distributions of local dissolution rate are evaluated from the difference between topographic measurements taken at prescribed time intervals. We rest on a stochastic framework of analysis viewing the dissolution rate as a generalized sub-Gaussian (GSG) spatially correlated random process. Our analysis yields: (i) a quantitative assessment of the temporal evolution of the statistics of the dissolution rates as well as their spatial increments; (ii) a characterization of the degree of spatial correlation of dissolution rates and of the way this is linked to the various mechanisms involved in the dissolution process and highlighted through the experimental evidences. Our results indicate that the parameters driving the statistics of the GSG distribution and the spreading rate of the multilayer pits display a similar trend in time, thus suggesting that the evolution of these structures imprints the statistical features of local dissolution rates.

Article Highlights

We investigate dynamics of dissolution patterns on a calcite crystal in contact with deionized water via AFM imaging

Temporal behavior of parameters of our statistical model is consistent with surface pattern evolution

A nested model for the spatial correlation of rates embeds multiple mechanisms driving dissolution rate.
Learned Collaborative Stereo Refinement
Authors: Knöbelreiter Patrick , Pock Thomas
Published: June 2021

In this work, we propose a learning-based method to denoise and refine disparity maps. The proposed variational network arises naturally from unrolling the iterates of a proximal gradient method applied to a variational energy defined in a joint disparity, color, and confidence image space. Our method allows to learn a robust collaborative regularizer leveraging the joint statistics of the color image, the confidence map and the disparity map. Due to the variational structure of our method, the individual steps can be easily visualized, thus enabling interpretability of the method. We can therefore provide interesting insights into how our method refines and denoises disparity maps. To this end, we can visualize and interpret the learned filters and activation functions and prove the increased reliability of the predicted pixel-wise confidence maps. Furthermore, the optimization based structure of our refinement module allows us to compute eigen disparity maps, which reveal structural properties of our refinement module. The efficiency of our method is demonstrated on the publicly available stereo benchmarks Middlebury 2014 and Kitti 2015.
The impact of organic extracts of seasonal PM2.5 on primary human lung epithelial cells and their chemical characterization
Authors: Park Jieun , Lee Kyoung-Hee , Kim Hyewon , Woo Jisu , Heo Jongbae , Lee Chang-Hoon , Yi Seung-Muk , Yoo Chul-Gyu
Published: June 2021

Lung epithelial cells serve as the first line of defense against various inhaled pollutant particles. To investigate the adverse health effects of organic components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) collected in Seoul, South Korea, we selected 12 PM2.5 samples from May 2016 to January 2017 and evaluated the effects of organic compounds of PM2.5 on inflammation, cellular aging, and macroautophagy in human lung epithelial cells isolated directly from healthy donors. Organic extracts of PM2.5 specifically induced neutrophilic chemokine and interleukin-8 expression via extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation. Moreover, PM2.5 significantly increased the expression of aging markers (p16, p21, and p27) and activated macroautophagy. Average mass concentrations of organic and elemental carbon had no significant correlations with PM2.5 effects. However, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes were the most relevant components of PM2.5 that correlated with neutrophilic inflammation. Vegetative detritus and residential bituminous coal combustion sources strongly correlated with neutrophilic inflammation, aging, and macroautophagy activation. These data suggest that the chemical composition of PM2.5 is important for determining the adverse health effects of PM2.5. Our study provides encouraging evidence to regulate the harmful components of PM2.5 in Seoul.
Amending mine tailing cover with compost and biochar: effects on vegetation establishment and metal bioaccumulation in the Finnish subarctic
Authors: Hagner Marleena , Uusitalo Marja , Ruhanen Hanna , Heiskanen Juha , Peltola Rainer , Tiilikkala Kari , Hyvönen Juha , Sarala Pertti , Mäkitalo Kari
Published: June 2021

In the northern boreal zone, revegetation and landscaping of closed mine tailings are challenging due to the high concentrations of potentially toxic elements; the use of nutrient-poor, glacigenic cover material (till); cool temperatures; and short growing period. Recycled waste materials such as biochar (BC) and composted sewage sludge (CSS) have been suggested to improve soil forming process and revegetation success as well as decrease metal bioavailability in closed mine tailing areas. We conducted two field experiments in old iron mine tailings at Rautuvaara, northern Finland, where the native mine soil or transported cover till soil had not supported plant growth since the mining ended in 1989. The impacts of CSS and spruce (Picea abies)–derived BC application to till soil on the survival and growth of selected plant species (Pinus sylvestris, Salix myrsinifolia, and grass mixture containing Festuca rubra, Lolium perenne, and Trifolium repens) were investigated during two growing seasons. In addition, the potential of BC to reduce bioaccumulation of metals in plants was studied. We found that (1) organic amendment like CSS markedly enhanced the plant growth and is therefore needed for vegetation establishment in tailing sites that contained only transported till cover, and (2) BC application to till soil-CSS mixture further facilitated the success of grass mixtures resulting in 71–250% higher plant biomass. On the other hand, (3) no effects on P. sylvestris or S. myrsinifolia were recorded during the first growing seasons, and (4) accumulation of metals in cover plants was negligible and BC application to till further decreased the accumulation of Al, Cr, and Fe in the plant tissues.

Graphical abstract
MR-contrast-aware image-to-image translations with generative adversarial networks
Authors: Denck Jonas , Guehring Jens , Maier Andreas , Rothgang Eva
Published: June 2021

Purpose

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam typically consists of several sequences that yield different image contrasts. Each sequence is parameterized through multiple acquisition parameters that influence image contrast, signal-to-noise ratio, acquisition time, and/or resolution. Depending on the clinical indication, different contrasts are required by the radiologist to make a diagnosis. As MR sequence acquisition is time consuming and acquired images may be corrupted due to motion, a method to synthesize MR images with adjustable contrast properties is required.

Methods

Therefore, we trained an image-to-image generative adversarial network conditioned on the MR acquisition parameters repetition time and echo time. Our approach is motivated by style transfer networks, whereas the “style” for an image is explicitly given in our case, as it is determined by the MR acquisition parameters our network is conditioned on.

Results

This enables us to synthesize MR images with adjustable image contrast. We evaluated our approach on the fastMRI dataset, a large set of publicly available MR knee images, and show that our method outperforms a benchmark pix2pix approach in the translation of non-fat-saturated MR images to fat-saturated images. Our approach yields a peak signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity of 24.48 and 0.66, surpassing the pix2pix benchmark model significantly.

Conclusion

Our model is the first that enables fine-tuned contrast synthesis, which can be used to synthesize missing MR-contrasts or as a data augmentation technique for AI training in MRI. It can also be used as basis for other image-to-image translation tasks within medical imaging, e.g., to enhance intermodality translation (MRI → CT) or 7 T image synthesis from 3 T MR images.
SDGs mainstreaming at the local level: case studies from Japan
Authors: Masuda Hiromi , Okitasari Mahesti , Morita Kanako , Katramiz Tarek , Shimizu Hitomi , Kawakubo Shun , Kataoka Yatsuka
Published: June 2021

There has been increasing interest in local-level implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the emergence of various initiatives undertaken by local governments, studies on the process of mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda within local contexts remain limited. This study is aimed at identifying possible approaches for supporting local governments in successfully mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. We developed an analytical framework covering key components for local-level mainstreaming of the SDGs based on our review of recent policy guidelines for implementing the SDGs and the policy integration and coherence literature. Subsequently, we applied this framework within case studies of two designated municipalities under the Japanese government’s “SDGs Future Cities” initiative aimed at localizing the SDGs. The analysis demonstrated how local governments could develop and apply key components of the SDGs mainstreaming process. Our findings suggest that the following approaches can facilitate local governments’ efforts to mainstream the SDGs: first, municipalities can foster local ownership to address the challenges they face. Second, existing policy resources can be linked with formal procedures. Third, multi-stakeholder partnerships can be developed. Fourth, vertical communication channels can be established with international and national-level organizations. Overall, the article contributes to a growing literature on SDGs implementation at the local level by identifying key components required for their mainstreaming, introducing perspectives derived from Japanese case studies.
Confidence and use of physical examination and point-of-care ultrasonography for detection of abdominal or pleural free fluid. A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Leidi Antonio , Saudan Antoine , Soret Guillaume , Rouyer Frédéric , Marti Christophe , Stirnemann Jérôme , Reny Jean-Luc , Grosgurin Olivier
Published: June 2021

Physical examination (PE) has always been a corner stone of medical practice. The recent advances in imaging and fading of doctors’ ability in performing it, however, raised doubts on PE usefulness. Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is gaining ground in medicine with the detection of free fluids being one of its main applications. To estimate physicians’ confidence and use of PE and POCUS for the detection of abdominal or pleural free fluid, we conducted a cross-sectional survey. In all, 246 internal and emergency medicine physicians answered to the survey (197 in-hospital physicians and 49 general practitioners; response rate 28.5%). Almost all declared to perform PE in case of suspected ascites or pleural effusion (88% and 90%, respectively). The highest rates of confidence were observed in conventional PE signs (91% for diminished breath sounds, 80% for dullness to thorax percussion, and 66% for abdominal flank dullness). For the remaining signs, rates of confidence were less than 53%. Physicians with > 15 years of experience and POCUS-naïve doctors reported higher confidence in PE. Most of emergency and almost half of internal medicine physicians (78% and 44%, respectively) attended a structured POCUS course. POCUS use was higher among trained physicians for both ascites (84% vs 50%,p < 0.001) and pleural effusion (80% vs 34%,p < 0.001). Similarly, higher POCUS use was observed in younger physicians. In conclusion, PE is frequently performed and rates of confidence are low for most PE signs, especially among young doctors and POCUS users. This detailed inventory suggests an ongoing shift towards POCUS integration in clinical practice.
Takotsubo Syndrome—Is There a Need for CMR?
Authors: Jensch Philipp-Johannes , Stiermaier Thomas , Eitel Ingo
Published: June 2021

Purpose of Review

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient but severe myocardial dysfunction that has been known for decades and is still to be fully understood regarding its clinical presentations and pathophysiological mechanisms. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging plays a key role in the comprehensive analysis of patients with TTS in acute and follow-up examinations. In this review, we focus on the major advantages and latest evolutions of CMR in diagnosis and prognostication of TTS and discuss future perspectives and needs in the field of research and cardiovascular imaging in TTS.

Recent Findings

Specific CMR criteria for TTS diagnosis at the time of acute presentation are established. In addition to identifying the typical regional wall motion abnormalities, CMR allows for precise quantification of right ventricular and left ventricular (LV) function, the assessment of additional abnormalities/complications (e.g. pericardial and/or pleural effusion, LV thrombi), and most importantly myocardial tissue characterization (myocardial oedema, inflammation, necrosis/fibrosis).

CMR enables a comprehensive assessment of the entire spectrum of functional and structural changes that occur in patients with TTS and may have also a prognostic impact. CMR can distinguish between TTS and other important differential diagnoses (myocarditis, myocardial infarction) with direct consequences on medical therapy.
How to Increase the Customer Experience by the Usage of Remote Control Robot Concierge Solutions
Authors: Etemad-Sajadi Reza , Sturman Michael C.
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to understand how consumers react and respond to a service experience provided by the robot, Pepper. To form our predictions, we applied and tested an extended version of the technology acceptance model (TAM). For the method, pre-recorded gestures were used to attract people to interact with Pepper, and participants were asked to pose questions to the robot for 5 to 10 min. Then, we distributed a questionnaire to these participants to gather data on their impressions of the interaction. Based on a final sample of 180 respondents, we used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test our hypotheses. Our results showed the fundamental importance of Social Presence when it comes to the use of robots. Social presence had a direct positive effect on Usefulness, Trust, and Emotional Appeal, and significant indirect effects through all three paths on Intention to Use. Moreover, The Fear of Robots negatively impacted the Intention to Use. We also found that when people were in discussion with the robot, they completely forgot that a human concierge is controlling the robot from another place. This study provides important insights into how and why consumers react to a service-providing robot, which is an important stream of research as this technology becomes more feasibly implemented in the hospitality industry.
Split-footed lacewings declined over time: indications from the morphological diversity of their antlion-like larvae
Authors: Haug Gideon T. , Haug Carolin , van der Wal Serita , Müller Patrick , Haug Joachim T.
Published: June 2021

Nymphidae, the group of split-footed lacewings, is a rather species-poor group. Split-footed lacewings nowadays are restricted to Australasia, while fossil forms are also known from other areas of the world, indicating that the group was more species-rich and therefore likely diverse in the past. Split-footed lacewings have rather distinct larvae, roughly resembling antlion larvae, but differing from the latter especially with regard to the mandibles. Antlion larvae usually have three prominent teeth on each mandible, while at least extant larvae of split-footed lacewings only have a single prominent tooth per mandible. Fossils interpreted as larvae of split-footed lacewings are well known from amber from Myanmar (ca. 100 myr; Burmese amber) and by a single specimen from Baltic amber (about 40 myr). We here report additional fossil specimens from Myanmar amber, expanding the known record of fossil forms from six depicted specimens to 15. For the extant fauna, we could compile 25 larvae. We compare the diversity of shape of extant and fossil larvae through time using an outline analysis (based on elliptic Fourier transformation) of the head. The results of this analysis indicate that the morphological diversity, or disparity, of split-footed lacewing larvae was higher in the past than it is today. With this type of analysis, we can show a loss of diversity over time, without the necessity to identify the fossil larvae down to a narrow taxonomical range. A similar pattern has already been recognised in silky lacewings, Psychopsidae. This might indicate a general loss of diversity of lacewing larvae.
The Role of Universities in Social Innovation Within Quadruple/Quintuple Helix Model: Practical Implications from Polish Experience
Authors: Morawska-Jancelewicz Joanna
Published: June 2021

The social dimension of innovation is growing due to unprecedented wicked global challenges we all face, including COVID-19 pandemic. Those challenges in their dynamic complexity require new cross-scale, cross-domain and action-oriented approaches at the universities. I argue that universities need to go beyond their traditional missions and to take an active role in a transformative change by working with their communities and creating real social impact. The fourth mission concept is particularly relevant as it puts emphasis on the universities roles in sustainable development. I propose to reflect on those new roles of universities in the context of quadruple/quintuple helix model that is seen as playing an important role in fostering the shift from technical to social innovations. Social innovation is an element of a regional innovation system, in which the importance of knowledge is not determined exclusively by competitiveness and productivity, but by taking into account the creation of social well-being, the impact on the quality of life and co-creation of knowledge as part of public–private partnerships. By addressing social innovation practices from a perspective of Polish public universities, it fills the gap of relatively few studies on institutional change and incentive structures that influences the ability of universities to engage in social innovation by proposing. I propose to adapt the socially engaged university model that could be a tool for stimulating and strengthening their functions within a modern regional innovation system allowing for an active role of civil society organisations.
Effect of magnetic field on biomass properties and their role in biodegradation under condition of low dissolved oxygen
Authors: Zaidi Nur Syamimi , Sohaili Johan , Muda Khalida , Sillanpää Mika , Hussein Norelyza
Published: June 2021

Low condition of dissolved oxygen (DO) is commonly associated with sludge bulking problem that was able to disrupt the efficiency of wastewater treatment performances. Relatively, very little attention was paid to the possibility of applying magnetic field in controlling the bulking problem. Hence, this study aims to investigate the performance of magnetic field on biomass properties and its effect on biodegradation under low condition of DO. Two continuous laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors—Reactor A (SBRA) and Reactor B (SBRB)—were setup. SBRA was equipped with the magnetic device to exhibit magnetic field of 88 mT, while SBRB acted as a control system. The results showed that the biomass concentration in SBRA was higher compared to SBRB. High biomass concentration in SBRA resulted to better settleability with mean SVI of less than 30 mL/g. SBRA also showed consistently high removal performances of organic and inorganic contents compared to SBRB. These observations confirmed that the magnetic field was able to enhance the biomass properties, which further enhance the biodegradation ability of the aerobic bacteria under low DO condition. This also indicates that under the sludge bulking circumstances, the use of magnetic field stands a great chance in maintaining high biodegradation of the treatment system.
Quality assessment of Tsurang River water affected by coal mining along the Tsurangkong Range, Nagaland, India
Authors: Semy Khikeya , Singh Maibam Romeo
Published: June 2021

Tsurang, a major river in the Mokokchung district of Nagaland, northeast India, shares great aspects of traditional importance for the Ao Naga tribes and is a part of natural commodity providing water to the agrarian community for irrigation and livestock rearing. However, various environment detrimental activities are practiced along the course of the riverbank, particularly coal mining and agriculture. The present study was conducted to examine the seasonal water quality index (WQI) of the Tsurang river from three selected sampling stations. Overall, the water quality status was rated as “Good” in winter and spring while “Poor” in summer and autumn. In all the seasons, downstream (S3) located at the human settlement area presented higher WQI values compared to upstream (S1) and midstream (S2). The parameters such as turbidity, DO and BOD played a central role in affecting the WQI; although, no such significant roles in case of nutrient elements were observed in affecting the water quality. The WQI revealed that Tsurang river water is deteriorated due to coal mining and other anthropogenic activities practiced along the stretch of the river and the water needs to be pretreated before consumption. Therefore, proper management strategies and conservation efforts should be enforced and regulated by policymakers to protect the river from further contamination.
Oral neomycin and bacitracin are effective in preventing surgical site infections in elective colorectal surgery: a multicentre, randomized, parallel, single-blinded trial (COLORAL-1)
Authors: Arezzo Alberto , Mistrangelo Massimiliano , Bonino Marco Augusto , Salusso Paola , Forcignanò Edoardo , Vettoretto Nereo , Botteri Emanuele , Cillara Nicola , Ottonello Roberto , Testa Valentina , De Rosa Francesco Giuseppe , Corcione Silvia , Passera Roberto , Morino Mario
Published: June 2021

Several regimens of oral and intravenous antibiotics (OIVA) have been proposed with contradicting results, and the role of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) is still controversial. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of oral antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSI) in elective colorectal surgery. In a multicentre trial, we randomized patients undergoing elective colorectal resection surgery, comparing the effectiveness of OIVA versus intravenous antibiotics (IVA) regimens to prevent SSI as the primary outcome (NCT04438655). In addition to intravenous Amoxicillin/Clavulanic, patients in the OIVA group received Oral Neomycin and Bacitracin 24 h before surgery. MBP was administered according to local habits which were not changed for the study. The trial was terminated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many centers failed to participate as well as the pandemic changed the rules for engaging patients. Two-hundred and four patients were enrolled (100 in the OIVA and 104 in the IVA group); 3 SSIs (3.4%) were registered in the OIVA and 14 (14.4%) in the IVA group (p = 0.010). No difference was observed in terms of anastomotic leak. Multivariable analysis indicated that OIVA reduced the rate of SSI (OR 0.21 / 95% CI 0.06–0.78 / p = 0.019), while BMI is a risk factor of SSI (OR 1.15 / 95% CI 1.01–1.30 p = 0.039). Subgroup analysis indicated that 0/22 patients who underwent OIVA/MBP + vs 13/77 IVA/MBP- experienced an SSI (p = 0.037). The early termination of the study prevents any conclusion regarding the interpretation of the data. Nonetheless, Oral Neomycin/Bacitracin and intravenous beta-lactam/beta-lactamases inhibitors seem to reduce SSI after colorectal resections, although not affecting the anastomotic leak in this trial. The role of MBP requires more investigation.
Effects of incentive framing on performance and effort: evidence from a medically framed experiment
Authors: Lagarde Mylène , Blaauw Duane
Published: June 2021

We study the effects on performance of incentives framed as gains or losses, as well as the effort channels through which individuals increase performance. We also explore potential spill-over effects on a non-incentivised activity. Subjects participated in a medically framed real-effort task under one of the three contracts, varying the type of performance incentive received: (1) no incentive; (2) incentive framed as a gain; or (3) incentive framed as a loss. We find that performance improved similarly with incentives framed as losses or gains. However, individuals increase performance differently under the two frames: potential losses increase participants’ performance through a greater attention (fewer mistakes), while bonuses increase the time spent on the rewarded activity. There is no spill-over effect, either negative or positive, on the non-incentivised activity. We discuss the meaning and implications of our results for the design of performance contracts.
The Initial Upper Paleolithic in Central and East Asia: Blade Technology, Cultural Transmission, and Implications for Human Dispersals
Authors: Zwyns Nicolas
Published: June 2021

Archaeological assemblages labeled as Initial Upper Paleolithic are often seen as possible evidence for dispersals ofHomo sapienspopulations in Eurasia, ca. 45,000 years ago. While most authors agree that the IUP can be recognized by a set of shared features, there is far less consensus on what these features are, and what they mean. Because of methodological challenges inherent to long distance comparisons, documenting and establishing a firm connection between archaeological assemblages remain difficult and often draw legitimate skepticism. There could be many reasons why Paleolithic hunter-gatherers used comparable technologies, but it usually comes down to two kinds of processes: cultural transmission or convergence. In other words, technological similarities may illustrate a cultural link between regions or may be caused by mechanisms of independent reinvention between more distantly related populations. Here, I focus on three assemblages from the Siberian Altai, Zabaikal region, and North Mongolia to address one main question: is there such thing as a united IUP in Central and East Asia, or are we looking at unrelated yet comparable adaptive processes? First, I describe the common structure of lithic blade production at the sites, with special attention to derived features relative to the regional sequence. After comparing the complexity of the production system with those of other lithic technologies, I suggest that this coherent, intricate, yet unprecedented technological pattern found across contiguous regions in Asia is better explained by transmission processes than by multiple unrelated reinventions, or local developments. The blade production system described in Siberia and Mongolia reoccur as a package, which is consistent with indirect bias and/or conformist cultural transmission processes. Overall, the results point toward close contact between individuals and hunter gatherer populations, and supports the recognition of a broad cultural unit to encapsulate Asian IUP assemblages. Considering other lines of evidence, the geographical and chronological distribution of Asian IUP lithic technology is consistent with a dispersal ofHomo sapienspopulations in Central and East Asia during the Marine Isotopic Stage 3, although the geographical origin of such movement is less clear.
SARS-CoV-2-Induced Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in a Young Adult: Case Report
Authors: Bulut Haldun , Herbers Alexandra H. E. , Hageman Ilse M. G. , Netten Paetrick M. , de Jonge Hendrik J. M. , Joustra Robert , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , de Jager Cornelis P. C.
Published: June 2021

We describe a case of a previous healthy 20-year-old male athlete who presented with an atypical clinical profile with multiorgan involvement within five weeks after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggestive for multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS); MIS is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication associated with SARS-CoV-2. MIS shares similar clinical features compatible with several overlapping lifethreatening hyperinflammatory syndromes, such as incomplete Kawasaki Disease (KD) and toxic shock syndrome (TSS) associated to a cytokine storm suggestive of a macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) without fulfilling the criteria for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), that may create a great challenge to distinguish between them. MIS should promptly be considered and treated, as uncontrolled MIS has a high mortality.

In MIS cardiac involvement, heart failure may present as an additional problem, especially because volume loading is advised in accordance with proposed therapy. Carefully monitoring of the respiratory and cardiac status in response of resuscitation is therefore warranted.
The Micro‐Macro Coupling of Mass‐Loading in Symmetric Magnetic Reconnection With Cold Ions
Authors: Spinnangr Susanne F. , Hesse Michael , Tenfjord Paul , Norgren Cecilia , Kolstø Håkon M. , Kwagala Norah K. , Jørgensen Therese M.
Published: June 2021

We investigate how magnetic reconnection is influenced by an inflow of a dense cold ion population. We compare two 2.5D Particle‐In‐Cell simulations, one containing the cold population and one without. We find that the cold population influences the reconnection process on both global and kinetic scales, and that the dominant contribution can be explained through mass‐loading. We provide an analysis of how these multiscale changes are related through kinetic processes in the ion diffusion region, the so‐called micro‐macro coupling of mass‐loading. The inertia of the cold ion population is found to be the significant link that connects the changes on different scales. The cold and warm populations exhibit counter streaming behavior when and after the ion diffusion region reorganizes itself in response to the arrival of the cold population. This signature of the cold population should be observable by spacecraft observatories such as MMS.
Sensitivity Analysis of the Maximum Entropy Production Method to Model Evaporation in Boreal and Temperate Forests
Authors: Isabelle P.‐E. , Viens L. , Nadeau D. F. , Anctil F. , Wang J. , Maheu A.
Published: June 2021

The maximum entropy production (MEP) approach has been little used to simulate evaporation in forests and its sensitivity to input variables has yet to be systematically evaluated. This study addresses these shortcomings. First, we show that the MEP model performed well in simulating evaporation during snow‐free periods at six sites in temperate and boreal forests (0.68 ≤ NSE ≤ 0.82). Second, we computed a sensitivity coefficient S representing the proportion of change in the input variable transferred to the latent heat flux (λE). Net radiation (Rn) was the most influential variable (S ≈ 1) at all sites, indicating that an increase in Rn translates into an equivalent increase in λE. The MEP model avoided the issue of oversensitivity to air temperature (S < 0.5 at peak evaporation) and captured limitations to transpiration associated with the atmospheric evaporative demand. Overall, the MEP model offers a promising tool for climate change studies.
New Constraints on the Lunar Optical Space Weathering Rate
Authors: Tai Udovicic C. J. , Costello E. S. , Ghent R. R. , Edwards C. S.
Published: June 2021

Space weathering processes form submicroscopic metallic iron particles that are optically active, darkening and reddening the lunar surface over time. The optical effects of these particles depend on their size; nanophase iron darkens and reddens, while microphase iron darkens without reddening. Using available Kaguya Multiband Imager parameter maps believed to estimate submicroscopic iron abundance, we investigate trends that may be associated with abundance of nanophase and microphase iron near dated lunar craters. We observe that nanophase iron is strongly correlated with crater age, while microphase iron exhibits a weaker correlation. We present models for the highlands nanophase and microphase iron accumulation rates from 100 ka to 1 Ga. Our observations suggest that highlands nanophase iron abundance is a direct result of space weathering exposure, while highlands microphase iron abundance is likely influenced by lunar source materials or stochastic impact‐delivery mechanisms.
High‐Frequency Sea Ice Variability in Observations and Models
Authors: Blanchard‐Wrigglesworth Edward , Donohoe Aaron , Roach Lettie A. , DuVivier Alice , Bitz Cecilia M.
Published: June 2021

We characterize high‐frequency variability of sea ice extent (HFVSIE) in observations and climate models. We find that HFVSIE in models is biased low with respect to observations, especially at synoptic timescales (<20 days) in the Arctic year‐round and at monthly timescales (30–60 days) in Antarctica in winter. Models show large spread in HFVSIE, especially in Antarctica. This spread is partly explained by sea ice mean‐state while model biases in sea level pressure (SLP) and wind variability do not appear to play a major role in HFVSIE spread. Extreme sea ice extent (SIE) changes are associated with SLP anomaly dipoles aligned with the sea ice edge and winds directed on‐ice (off‐ice) during SIE loss (gain) events. In observations, these events are also associated with distinct ocean wave states during the cold season, when waves are greater (smaller) and travel toward (away from) the sea ice edge during SIE loss (gain) events.
On the Interpretation of Natural Archives of Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Activity
Authors: Burn Michael. J.
Published: June 2021

Sediment records recovered from coastal lagoons and submerged sinkholes across the hurricane belt of the North Atlantic can provide high‐resolution archives of the passage of tropical cyclones spanning the last few millennia. These “event‐based” records of tropical cyclone activity mostly exhibit centennial‐scale variability, which has hitherto been attributed to climatic change. In a landmark study, Wallace et al. (2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020gl091145) show that the centennial‐scale signal exhibited by individual event‐based storm reconstructions is most likely explained by local‐scale stochastic processes that influence the course taken by individual storms and not by climatic change. Detecting a climate signal within proxy‐based storm records must now either rely on developing a composite signal derived from multiple “event‐based” records or by adopting a statistical approach to the reconstruction of storms. Future work needs to increase the density of study archives across the region and standardize and integrate diverse approaches to the reconstruction of hurricane activity.
Relationships Among Forearc Structure, Fault Slip, and Earthquake Magnitude: Numerical Simulations With Applications to the Central Chilean Margin
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Morgan Julia , Bangs Nathan
Published: June 2021

Two adjacent segments of the Chile margin exhibit significant differences in earthquake magnitude and rupture extents during the 1960 Valdivia and 2010 Maule earthquakes. We use the discrete element method (DEM) to simulate the upper plate as having an inner and outer wedge defined by different frictional domains along the décollement. We find that outer wedge width strongly influences coseismic slip distributions. We use the published peak slip magnitudes to pick best fit slip distributions and compare our models to geophysical constraints on outer wedge widths for the margins. We obtain reasonable fits to published slip distributions for the 2010 Maule rupture. Our best‐fit slip distribution for the 1960 Valdivia earthquake suggests that peak slip occurred close to the trench, differing from published models but being supported by new seismic interpretations along this margin. Finally, we also demonstrate that frictional conditions beneath the outer wedge can affect the coseismic slip distributions.
New Evidence for 4.32 Ga Ancient Silicic Volcanism on the Moon
Authors: Zeng Xiaojia , Li Xiongyao , Xia Xiao‐Ping , Liu Jianzhong , Cui Zexian , Yu Wen , Ouyang Ziyuan
Published: June 2021

The currently available Apollo‐returned granitic lithology is restricted to only the nearside of the Moon (e.g., Procellarum KREEP Terrane [PKT]). In contrast, lunar meteorites represent randomly ejected crustal material, and they extend our understanding of the lunar magmatic history through time and space. Here, we report a 4,321.5 ± 5.2 Ma (2σ) granitic fragment found in lunar basaltic breccia meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 10,447, which is compositionally similar to the regoliths from the Moon's Non‐PKT regions. This granitic fragment has crystallization age similar to the oldest (∼4.32 Ga) granites sampled during the Apollo 12 and 17 missions, and adds to the growing evidence of ancient silicic volcanism on the Moon. In addition, this newly identified granitic fragment in the Th‐ and TiO2‐ poor breccia NWA 10447 provides evidence for that lunar granite may occur outside of the PKT of the Moon (i.e., the mare region with low Th and TiO2 contents).
Misconception of Waveform Similarity in the Identification of Repeating Earthquakes
Authors: Gao Dawei , Kao Honn , Wang Bei
Published: June 2021

Identification of repeating earthquakes (repeaters) usually depends on waveform similarity expressed as the corresponding cross‐correlation coefficient (CC) above a prescribed threshold, typically ranging in 0.70–0.98. However, the robustness and effectiveness of such a strategy have rarely been fully examined. In this study, we examine whether CC is a valid proxy for repeater identification through both synthetic and real earthquake experiments. We reveal that CC is controlled by not only the interevent distance but also many other factors, including station azimuth, epicentral distance, and velocity structure. Consequently, CC lacks the resolution in identifying true repeaters. For reliable repeater identification, we should consider the interevent overlap. Specifically, we define an event pair to be true repeaters if their interevent separation is smaller than the source dimension of the larger event. Our results imply that a systematic recheck of previously identified repeaters and associated interpretations/hypotheses may be important and necessary.
Modes of Metabolic Performance of Pacific Reefs
Authors: Pisapia Chiara , Hochberg Eric J. , Carpenter Robert
Published: June 2021

It has been hypothesized that coral reef primary production rates are characterized by a series of absolute modes associated with dominant benthic cover classes (coral, algae, and sand). However, this hypothesis has yet to be fully tested. Similarly, there has been no investigation into the influence of differential light levels on modal productivity. Findings from this study support the hypothesis of modal metabolic performance, with coral, algal, and sand communities showing differences in gross ecosystem production (GEP). This lends support to census‐based estimates of regional to global GEP. At the same time, the data reveal large differences in the responses of different communities to light. Any given day may have vastly different GEP rates depending on cloudiness, hence it is critical to minimize this variation using approaches that account for the effects of light. Importantly, future comparative studies should incorporate a number of days at each site to provide a representative metabolic rate.
Dune Dynamics Drive Discontinuous Barrier Retreat
Authors: Reeves I. R. B. , Moore L. J. , Murray A. B. , Anarde K. A. , Goldstein E. B.
Published: June 2021

Barrier islands and spits tend to migrate landward in response to sea‐level rise through the storm‐driven process of overwash, but overwash flux depends on the height of the frontal dunes. Here, we explore this fundamental linkage between dune dynamics and barrier migration using the new model Barrier3D. Our experiments demonstrate that discontinuous barrier retreat is a prevalent behavior that can arise directly from the bistability of foredune height, occurring most likely when the storm return period and characteristic time scale of dune growth are of similar magnitudes. Under conditions of greater storm intensity, discontinuous retreat becomes the dominant behavior of barriers that were previously stable. Alternatively, higher rates of sea‐level rise decrease the overall likelihood of discontinuous retreat in favor of continuous transgression. We find that internal dune dynamics, while previously neglected in exploratory barrier modeling, are an essential component of barrier evolution on time scales relevant to coastal management.
Dwindling Relevance of Large Volcanic Eruptions for Global Glacier Changes in the Anthropocene
Authors: Zemp Michael , Marzeion Ben
Published: June 2021

Large volcanic eruptions impact climate through the injection of ash and sulfur‐containing gases into the atmosphere. While the ash particles fall out rapidly, the gases are converted to sulfate aerosols that reflect solar radiation in the stratosphere and cause a lowering of the global mean surface temperature. Earlier studies have suggested that major volcanic eruptions resulted in positive mass balances and advances of glaciers. Here, we perform a multivariate analysis to decompose global glacier mass changes from 1961 to 2005 into components associated with anthropogenic influences, volcanic and solar activities, and the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation. We find that the global glacier mass loss was mainly driven by the anthropogenic forcing, interrupted by a few years of intermittent mass gains following large volcanic eruptions. The relative impact of volcanic eruptions has dwindled due to strongly increasing greenhouse gas concentrations since the mid‐20th century.
3D Modeling of Long‐Term Slow Slip Events Along the Flat‐Slab Segment in the Guerrero Seismic Gap, Mexico
Authors: Perez‐Silva Andrea , Li Duo , Gabriel Alice‐Agnes , Kaneko Yoshihiro
Published: June 2021

During the last two decades, quasi‐periodic long‐term slow slip events (SSEs) of magnitude up to Mw7.5 have been observed about every 4 years in the Guerrero Seismic Gap, Mexico. We present numerical simulations of the long‐term SSE cycles along the 3D slab geometry of central Mexico. Our model accounts for the hydrated oceanic crust in the framework of rate‐and‐state friction and captures the major source characteristics of the long‐term SSEs occurring between 2001 and 2014, as inferred from geodetic observations. Synthetic surface deformation calculated from simulated fault slip is in good agreement with the cumulative GPS displacements. Our results suggest that the flat‐slab segment of the Cocos plate aids the large magnitudes and long recurrence interval of the long‐term SSEs. We conclude that 3D slab geometry is an important factor in improving our understanding of the physics of slow slip events.
The Diel Cycle of NH3 Observed From the FY‐4A Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS)
Authors: Clarisse Lieven , Van Damme Martin , Hurtmans Daniel , Franco Bruno , Clerbaux Cathy , Coheur Pierre‐François
Published: June 2021

Limiting excess atmospheric ammonia (NH3) is one of the great challenges for humanity in the 21st century but can only be achieved with adequate monitoring means in place. Here, we report the first NH3 measurements from the Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) onboard the Chinese FY‐4A satellite. The instrument scans almost all of Asia 10 times per day. We show that GIIRS′ unprecedented temporal sampling can be exploited to measure diurnal and nocturnal variations of NH3 and demonstrate this on two case studies over Punjab and the North China Plain. Day–night variations are found to be almost absent in winter, but can reach a factor 2–3 in the warmer months. These case studies are very promising given the future landscape of geostationary sounders, but also show that improved knowledge on lower tropospheric air temperatures and the vertical profile of NH3 is key to better exploit their measurements.
Extreme Curvature of Shallow Magma Pathways Controlled by Competing Stresses: Insights From the 2018 Sierra Negra Eruption
Authors: Davis Timothy , Bagnardi Marco , Lundgren Paul , Rivalta Eleonora
Published: June 2021

Eruptions at shield volcanoes often occur from radially aligned linear fissures fed by blade‐like magma‐filled cracks (dykes). The fissures of the 2018 Sierra Negra eruption were scattered on the flank of the volcano. Space‐borne radar interferometric data (interferometric synthetic aperture radar) revealed that, unexpectedly, part of the eruption was fed by a 15 km long, tortuous and flat‐lying crack (sill). Here we develop a framework that captures the full three‐dimensional (3D) kinematics of non‐planar intrusions. This includes both an analytical and comprehensive numerical scheme. We constrain the models such that they match the observed ground deformation at Sierra Negra. We show that the peculiar sill trajectory is due to the competing stress gradient magnitudes being close to one another throughout its propagation. By accounting for the interaction of all these factors, these 3D models open the possibility to understand and simulate the geometry of magma transport at volcanic systems.