bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real‐time prediction method of fatigue life of bridge crane structure based on digital twin
Authors: Dong Qing , He Bin , Qi Qisong , Xu Gening
Published: May 2021

The comprehensive effect of multiple factors that include the geometric characteristics, load status, service characteristics, and failure mechanism will affect the safety of bridge crane structure. To evaluate the security of the bridge crane structure, the real‐time prediction method of fatigue life of the bridge structure based on digital twin is proposed. The specific type of general bridge crane is selected as the physical entity of the research object, and the information acquisition system is utilized to get the current service status information about the physical entity. On this basis, combined with the historical service information and inherent information of physical entity, the fuzzy database is established. Meanwhile, twin data are formed by the clear quantification of fuzzy information and data processing technology. In accordance with structural characteristic and work cycle process of bridge crane, the analytical models of load, strength, defect, and fatigue life are established, respectively. The multi‐theoretical calculation model is completed by encapsulating the analysis models and transmitting information, and then the main factors affecting the fatigue life of bridge crane structure are determined. With that, the comprehensive evaluation coefficient is calculated by the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation theory. The response relationship between the information data and the fatigue life of bridge crane structure is described by the Kriging surrogate model constructed with experimental design. Real‐time prediction of fatigue life of bridge crane structure is realized in a virtual space to depict the life cycle process. Taking QD20/10 t × 43 m × 12 m general bridge crane as an example, the feasibility and applicability of the proposed method are verified, which provides a strong theoretical basis for dependable service and timely scrapping of cranes.
Fine root dynamics across pantropical rainforest ecosystems
Authors: Huaraca Huasco Walter , Riutta Terhi , Girardin Cécile A. J. , Hancco Pacha Fernando , Puma Vilca Beisit L. , Moore Sam , Rifai Sami W. , del Aguila‐Pasquel Jhon , Araujo Murakami Alejandro , Freitag Renata , Morel Alexandra C. , Demissie Sheleme , Doughty Christopher E. , Oliveras Imma , Galiano Cabrera Darcy F. , Durand Baca Liliana , Farfán Amézquita Filio , Silva Espejo Javier E. , da Costa Antonio C.L. , Oblitas Mendoza Erick , Quesada Carlos Alberto , Evouna Ondo Fidele , Edzang Ndong Josué , Jeffery Kathryn J. , Mihindou Vianet , White Lee J. T. , N'ssi Bengone Natacha , Ibrahim Forzia , Addo‐Danso Shalom D. , Duah‐Gyamfi Akwasi , Djaney Djagbletey Gloria , Owusu‐Afriyie Kennedy , Amissah Lucy , Mbou Armel T. , Marthews Toby R. , Metcalfe Daniel B. , Aragão Luiz E. O. , Marimon‐Junior Ben H. , Marimon Beatriz S. , Majalap Noreen , Adu‐Bredu Stephen , Abernethy Katharine A. , Silman Miles , Ewers Robert M. , Meir Patrick , Malhi Yadvinder
Published: May 2021

Fine roots constitute a significant component of the net primary productivity (NPP) of forest ecosystems but are much less studied than aboveground NPP. Comparisons across sites and regions are also hampered by inconsistent methodologies, especially in tropical areas. Here, we present a novel dataset of fine root biomass, productivity, residence time, and allocation in tropical old‐growth rainforest sites worldwide, measured using consistent methods, and examine how these variables are related to consistently determined soil and climatic characteristics. Our pantropical dataset spans intensive monitoring plots in lowland (wet, semi‐deciduous, and deciduous) and montane tropical forests in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia (n = 47). Large spatial variation in fine root dynamics was observed across montane and lowland forest types. In lowland forests, we found a strong positive linear relationship between fine root productivity and sand content, this relationship was even stronger when we considered the fractional allocation of total NPP to fine roots, demonstrating that understanding allocation adds explanatory power to understanding fine root productivity and total NPP. Fine root residence time was a function of multiple factors: soil sand content, soil pH, and maximum water deficit, with longest residence times in acidic, sandy, and water‐stressed soils. In tropical montane forests, on the other hand, a different set of relationships prevailed, highlighting the very different nature of montane and lowland forest biomes. Root productivity was a strong positive linear function of mean annual temperature, root residence time was a strong positive function of soil nitrogen content in montane forests, and lastly decreasing soil P content increased allocation of productivity to fine roots. In contrast to the lowlands, environmental conditions were a better predictor for fine root productivity than for fractional allocation of total NPP to fine roots, suggesting that root productivity is a particularly strong driver of NPP allocation in tropical mountain regions.
Policy diffusion through leadership transfer networks: Direct or indirect connections?
Authors: Liu Weixing , Yi Hongtao
Published: May 2021

Change agents play important roles in the diffusion of policy innovation. Scholars argue that the career paths of change agents could facilitate the diffusion of innovation through network‐based mechanisms of portable innovation or policy wormholes, but have not fully distinguished between direct and indirect connections inherently important in a leadership transfer network. This study proposes an indirect portable innovation hypothesis and an indirect policy wormhole hypothesis to highlight the effects of leadership transfer networks through indirect network connections, extending the agent network diffusion (AND) model. We test the hypotheses empirically with the diffusion of local financial subsidy policies for new energy vehicles (NEVs) among cities in China from 2009 to 2016. The results confirm the effects of direct and indirect portable innovation and policy wormholes.
Quantitative and qualitative lipid improvement with chronic hepatitis C virus eradication using direct‐acting antivirals
Authors: Joshita Satoru , Yamashita Yuki , Okamoto Toru , Usami Yoko , Sugiura Ayumi , Yamazaki Tomoo , Kakino Akemi , Ota Masao , Sawamura Tatsuya , Umemura Takeji
Published: May 2021

Aim

Direct‐acting antivirals have revolutionized hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy by providing a high sustained virological response (SVR) rate and subsequent favorable lipid increases. Proprotein convertase subtilisin‐kexin like‐9 (PCSK9) plays an important role in regulating quantitative lipid levels. This study examined the interactions between quantitative PCSK9 and lipid changes, as well as qualitative lipid changes in terms of lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor‐1 ligand containing apolipoprotein B (LAB) and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol uptake capacity (HDL‐CUC).

Methods

Patients with chronic HCV infection (N = 231) who achieved an SVR by direct‐acting antivirals without lipid‐lowering therapy were included for comparisons of PCSK9, LAB, HDL‐CUC, and other clinical indices between pretreatment and SVR12 time points.

Results

LDL (LDL) cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels were quantitatively increased at SVR12, along with higher PCSK9 (all p < 0.0001). PCSK9 was significantly correlated with LDL cholesterol (r = 0.244, p = 0.0003) and apolipoprotein B (r = 0.222, p = 0.0009) at SVR12. Regarding qualitative LDL changes, LAB was significantly decreased and LAB/LDL cholesterol and LAB/apolipoprotein B proportions were improved at SVR12 (all p < 0.0001). In terms of qualitative HDL changes, HDL‐CUC was significantly ameliorated, along with HDL‐CUC/HDL cholesterol, HDL‐CUC/ apolipoprotein A1, and HDL‐CUC/ apolipoprotein A2 at SVR12 (all p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

HCV eradication by direct‐acting antivirals may produce quantitative lipid profile changes, along with PCSK9 production recovery in addition to qualitative lipid improvement, which possibly confers the additional secondary benefits of atherosclerosis improvement and cardiovascular disease event reduction.
Endometrial endometrioid carcinoma, grade 1, is more aggressive in the elderly than in the young
Authors: Hachisuga Kazuhisa , Ohishi Yoshihiro , Tomonobe Hiroshi , Yahata Hideaki , Kato Kiyoko , Oda Yoshinao
Published: May 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to characterise grade 1 (G1) endometrioid carcinoma in the elderly, by using clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical features of surrogate markers of molecular subtypes.

Methods and results

We retrospectively analysed tumour samples from 268 patients with G1 endometrioid carcinoma (<40 years, n = 24; 40–59 years, n = 169; ≥60 years, n = 75) for whom long‐term clinical follow‐up data were available. G1 endometrioid carcinoma in the elderly (≥60 years) was characterised by frequent deep myometrial invasion, less frequent endometrioid intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN), lack of benign hyperplasia (BH), less frequent squamous differentiation, and occasional aberrant p53 expression. In contrast, this condition in the young (<40 years) was characterised by frequent EIN, BH, and squamous differentiation. Univariate analysis revealed that elderly status (≥60 years), International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) 2009 stage and aberrant p53 expression were significantly associated with shorter progression‐free survival, and multivariate analysis revealed that elderly status and FIGO 2009 stage were independently associated with a poor prognosis.

Conclusions

G1 endometrioid carcinoma in the elderly is more aggressive than that in the young, and elderly status is an independent predictor of shorter progression‐free survival in this condition. We propose that type 1 tumours can be subdivided into type 1a (young age at onset and indolent) and type 1b (old age at onset and relatively aggressive).
Similar yet distinct distributional patterns characterize native and exotic plant species richness across northern New Zealand islands
Authors: Mologni Fabio , Bellingham Peter J. , Tjørve Even , Cameron Ewen K. , Wright Anthony E. , Burns Kevin C.
Published: May 2021

Aim

A better understanding of plant invasions on islands can be gained from comparing patterns of exotic and native species richness. We asked four questions: (1) Is exotic species richness on islands related to native species richness? (2) If they are related, does this result from similar responses of native and exotic species to specific island characteristics? (3) Is residual variation in native‐exotic richness relationships associated with distinctive island characteristics? (4) Are relationships between species richness and island characteristics scale‐dependent, and do they differ between native and exotic species?

Location

Northern New Zealand.

Taxon

Vascular plants.

Methods

We conducted field surveys and augmented our field data with previously published surveys to quantify the number of native and exotic plant species on 264 islands. We then explored the relationship of species richness and several island characteristics (e.g. area and isolation) using multiple and iterative regression techniques.

Results

Seventy‐two percent of among‐island variation in exotic species richness was positively related to native species richness. Both native and exotic richness increased with island area and declined with isolation and exposure to ocean‐borne disturbances (a proxy for salt spray, wave action, etc). However, exotic species responded more strongly to these three variables. Exotic richness also decreased with latitude and the distance from the nearest urban area, but native species did not. Island area was a better predictor of species richness on larger islands, whereas isolation and exposure were better predictors on smaller islands. Scale‐dependent relationships between species richness and island characteristics were stronger for exotic species.

Main Conclusions

Insular distribution patterns of native and exotic plant species richness are governed by similar biogeographic principles. However, in New Zealand, exotic species exhibited subtle, yet distinctive, invasion patterns preferring larger, less isolated, less exposed islands that were located at higher latitudes and closer to urban areas.
Measurement of patient confidence in self‐management of atrial fibrillation: Initial validation of the Confidence in Atrial fibriLlation Management (CALM) Scale
Authors: Tripp Connor , Gehi Anil K. , Rosman Lindsey , Anthony Scarlett , Sears Samuel F.
Published: May 2021

Background

The patient experience of atrial fibrillation (AF) involves several daily self‐care behaviors and ongoing confidence to manage their condition. Currently, no standardized self‐report measure of AF patient confidence exists. The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of a newly developed confidence in AF management measure.

Methods

This study provides preliminary analysis of the Confidence in Atrial FibriLlation Management (CALM) scale, which was rationally developed to measure patient confidence related to self‐management of AF. The scale was provided to a sample of AF patients N = 120, (59% male) electronically through a patient education platform. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Cronbach's α were employed to provide preliminary assessment of the validity and reliability of the measure.

Results

PCA identified a four‐factor solution. Internal consistency of the CALM was considered excellent with Cronbach's α = .910. Additional PCA confirmed the value of a single factor solution to produce a total confidence score for improved utility and ease of clinical interpretation.

Conclusions

Initial assessment of a novel scale measuring patient confidence in managing AF provided promising reliability and validity. Patient confidence in self‐management of AF may prove useful as a key marker and endpoint of the patient experience beyond QOL.
Wogonin alleviates liver injury in sepsis through Nrf2‐mediated NF‐κB signalling suppression
Authors: Dai Ji‐Min , Guo Wei‐Nan , Tan Yi‐Zhou , Niu Kun‐Wei , Zhang Jia‐Jia , Liu Cheng‐Li , Yang Xiang‐Min , Tao Kai‐Shan , Chen Zhi‐Nan , Dai Jing‐Yao
Published: May 2021

Sepsis is a life‐threatening organ dysfunction syndrome, and liver is a susceptible target organ in sepsis, because the activation of inflammatory pathways contributes to septic liver injury. Oxidative stress has been documented to participate in septic liver injury, because it not only directly induces oxidative genotoxicity, but also exacerbates inflammatory pathways to potentiate damage of liver. Therefore, to ameliorate oxidative stress is promising for protecting liver in sepsis. Wogonin is the compound extracted from the medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Geogi and was found to exert therapeutic effects in multiple inflammatory diseases via alleviation of oxidative stress. However, whether wogonin is able to mitigate septic liver injury remains unknown. Herein, we firstly proved that wogonin treatment could improve survival of mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ or caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)‐induced sepsis, together with restoration of reduced body temperature and respiratory rate, and suppression of several pro‐inflammatory cytokines in circulation. Then, we found that wogonin effectively alleviated liver injury via potentiation of the anti‐oxidative capacity. To be specific, wogonin activated Nrf2 thereby promoting expressions of anti‐oxidative enzymes including NQO‐1, GST, HO‐1, SOD1 and SOD2 in hepatocytes. Moreover, wogonin‐induced Nrf2 activation could suppress NF‐κB‐regulated up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Ultimately, we provided in vivo evidence that wogonin activated Nrf2 signalling, potentiated anti‐oxidative enzymes and inhibited NF‐κB‐regulated pro‐inflammatory signalling. Taken together, this study demonstrates that wogonin can be the potential therapeutic agent for alleviating liver injury in sepsis by simultaneously ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammatory response through the activation of Nrf2.
Insulin resistance surrogates predict hypertension plus hyperuricemia
Authors: Li Yaxin , You Aijun , Tomlinson Brian , Yue Longfei , Zhao Kanjie , Fan Huimin , Zheng Liang
Published: May 2021

Aims/Introduction

To compare the association of hypertension plus hyperuricemia with four insulin resistance surrogates, including glucose and triglycerides (TyG index), TyG index with body mass index (TyG‐BMI), the ratio of triglycerides divided by high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL‐C) and metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS‐IR).

Materials and Methods

Data from a cross‐sectional epidemiological study enrolling a representative population sample aged ≥65 years were used to calculate the four indexes. The association with hypertension plus hyperuricemia and insulin resistance surrogates was examined with multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic.

Results

A total of 4,352 participants were included, including 93 (2.1%) patients with hyperuricemia alone, 2,875 (66.1%) with hypertension alone and 587 (13.5%) with hypertension plus hyperuricemia. Mutivariate logistic regression showed that TyG index, TyG‐BMI, TG/HDL‐C and METS‐IR were all significantly correlated with hyperuricemia, hypertension and hypertension plus hyperuricemia. Compared with the lowest quartile, the odds ratios (OR) of the highest quartile of the four indicators for hypertension plus hyperuricemia were TyG index: OR 6.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.17–9.78); TyG‐BMI: OR 8.54 (95% CI 5.58–13.09); TG/HDL‐C: OR 7.21 (95% CI 4.72–11.01); METS‐IR: OR 9.30 (95% CI 6.00–14.43), respectively. TyG‐BMI and METS‐IR had moderate discriminative abilities for hypertension plus hyperuricemia and the AUC values were 0.72 (95% CI 0.70–0.74) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.70–0.75).

Conclusions

The present study suggested that TyG index, TyG‐BMI, TG/HDL‐C and METS‐IR had a significant correlation with hypertension plus hyperuricemia, and TyG‐BMI and METS‐IR had discriminative abilities for hypertension plus hyperuricemia.
Effect of viscosity and rheological behavior on selective mass transfer during osmotic dehydration of mango slices in natural syrups
Authors: Zongo Assana Pingdwendé , Khalloufi Seddik , Ratti Cristina
Published: May 2021

Osmotic dehydration of mangoes was investigated for the reduction of solids gain (SG) and potential use of natural syrups as osmotic solutions. Different osmotic solutions at 60 °Brix were used (made with sucrose, glucose, fructose, corn syrup solids (CSS), and agave syrup (AS) with or without added xanthan gum [XG] or inulin) during osmotic dehydration at 40°C of mango slices (0.4 and 1.5 cm thickness). Rheological behavior and viscosity of the different osmotic solutions were determined at 22 and 40°C. According to the results, increasing the viscosity and the sample thickness helped to reduce the sugar gain while maintaining an adequate water loss. The highest sugar gain was found for sucrose, glucose, fructose, AS solutions, and the lowest, for CSS solutions and XG added to AS. The impact of increasing apparent viscosity on SG was more pronounced for thin samples, indicating the importance of the Biot number on selective mass transfer during osmotic dehydration.

Practical Applications

This research aims to obtain osmotically dehydrated mangoes with low sugar content by using a natural multicomponent solution such as an AS with added ingredients. In this study, the role of solution viscosity combined to sample thickness in lowering SG during osmotic dehydration was elucidated. As well, AS used in this research as a model, is particularly interesting due to its rich content in vitamins and prebiotic (inulin) which levels up the mango nutritious values. This study would help industrials to offer healthier snacks, in particular for consumers who wish to reduce their sugar intake.
Motor learning might contribute to a therapeutic anterior shift of the habitual mandibular position—An exploratory study
Authors: Glöggler Julia C. , Hellmann Daniel , Von Manstein Maja , Jäger Rudolph , Repky Stefan , Beyersmann Jan , Lapatki Bernd G.
Published: May 2021

Background

Passive mandibular advancement with functional appliances is commonly used to treat juvenile patients with mandibular retrognathism.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate whether active repetitive training of the mandible into an anterior position would result in a shift of the habitual mandibular position (HMP).

Methods

Twenty adult healthy subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a training group receiving six supervised functional training sessions of 10 min each and a control group without training. Bonded lateral biteplates disengaged occlusion among both groups throughout the 15‐day experiment. Customised registration‐training appliances consisted of a maxillary component with an anterior plane and a mandibular component with an attached metal sphere. Training sessions consisted of repeated mouth‐opening/closing cycles (frequency: 30/min) to hit an anteriorly positioned hemispherical target notch with this metal sphere. The HMP was registered at defined times during the experiment.

Results

The HMP in the training group showed a statistically significant anterior shift of 1.6 mm (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.2 mm), compared with a significant posterior shift of −0.8 mm (IQR: 2.8 mm) in the control group (p < .05). Although the anterior shift among the training group showed a partial relapse 4 days after the first training block, it then advanced slightly in the 4‐day interval after the second training block, which might indicate neuroplasticity of the masticatory motor system.

Conclusions

Motor learning by repetitive training of the mandible into an anterior position might help to improve the results of functional appliance therapy among patients with mandibular retrognathism.
Institutions and the uneven geography of the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pose Andrés , Burlina Chiara
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the uneven geography of COVID‐19‐related excess mortality during the first wave of the pandemic in Europe, before assessing the factors behind the geographical differences in impact. The analysis of 206 regions across 23 European countries reveals a distinct COVID‐19 geography. Excess deaths were concentrated in a limited number of regions—expected deaths exceeded 20% in just 16 regions—with more than 40% of the regions considered experiencing no excess mortality during the first 6 months of 2020. Highly connected regions, in colder and dryer climates, with high air pollution levels, and relatively poorly endowed health systems witnessed the highest incidence of excess mortality. Institutional factors also played an important role. The first wave hit regions with a combination of weak and declining formal institutional quality and fragile informal institutions hardest. Low and declining national government effectiveness, together with a limited capacity to reach out across societal divides, and a frequent tendency to meet with friends and family were powerful drivers of regional excess mortality.
Tooth wear, growth and height in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) fed pelleted or extruded diets with or without added abrasives
Authors: Martin Louise F. , Ackermans Nicole L. , Tollefson Troy N. , Kircher Patrick R. , Richter Henning , Hummel Jürgen , Codron Daryl , Hatt Jean‐Michel , Clauss Marcus
Published: May 2021

Among the different factors thought to affect dental wear, dietary consistency is possibly the least investigated. To understand tooth wear of herbivorous animals consuming different dietary consistencies with different abrasive potential, we fed 14 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) exclusively with a timothy grassmeal‐based diet in either pelleted or extruded form, or the same diets with an addition of 5% fine sand abrasives (mean size 130 µm). First, we offered the rabbits the pelleted and extruded diets as well as the pelleted control and pelleted abrasive diet in a two‐stage preference experiment. Then, the rabbits received each diet for 2 weeks in a randomised serial feeding experiment, where each animal served as its own control. Tooth measurements for wear, growth and height were achieved using a manual calliper, endoscopic examination and CT scans. The analysis of the diets as fed showed almost identical mean particle size, but the extruded diet had a lower density (volume/mass) and softer consistency compared to the pelleted one and was favoured by most rabbits. The rabbits selected against the diet with sand during the preference experiment, possibly because it caused more tooth wear, especially on the teeth most exposed to wear along the upper tooth row (upper P4 and M1). The maxillary teeth also showed evidence of an increased chewing laterality by the end of the experiment. The extruded diet led to a significantly lower cheek teeth height than the pelleted diet, potentially due to the higher chewing effort needed for a similar dry matter intake. The results suggest that dietary hardness alone is a poor predictor of dental wear. The regrowth of the teeth matched wear consistently.
Sexual dimorphism, temporal niche differentiation, and evidence for the Jack Sprat effect in an annual dioecious plant
Authors: Yu Qian , Barrett Spencer C. H. , Wang Xin‐Jia , Zhong Li , Wang Hong , Li De‐Zhu , Zhou Wei
Published: May 2021

Sexual dimorphism in dioecious plants often occurs as a consequence of the different resource requirements of females and males, especially during reproduction. The contrasting reproductive roles of the sexes can influence the phenology of growth, plant size, and flowering time, with implications for the intensity of competitive interactions within and between the sexes. Here, we investigate the influence of contrasting nutrient regimes and intra‐sexual and inter‐sexual competition on the expression of sexual dimorphism in life‐history traits and biomass allocation throughout the life cycle of the dioecious annual Rumex hastatulus Baldw. (Polygonaceae). Development of a sex‐specific marker enabled us to quantify the influence of competition on sex‐specific differences in mortality and vegetative traits. We were particularly interested in determining whether the overall performance of the sexes might differ between the two forms of intra‐specific competition, potentially providing evidence for sexual specialization in resource acquisition and niche differentiation. Our results indicated that although patterns of sexual dimorphism were dynamic, they were largely insensitive to nutrient conditions. We found that intra‐sexual competition was more severe than inter‐sexual competition, differentially affecting mortality and most traits during the vegetative and particularly the reproductive stage of the life history. Female trait values generally increased more under inter‐sexual than intra‐sexual competition in comparison to males. Our findings are consistent with temporal niche differentiation resulting from sexual specialization for different resource requirements and provide evidence for the “Jack Sprat effect.”
Assembly processes lead to divergent soil fungal communities within and among 12 forest ecosystems along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Zheng Yong , Chen Liang , Ji Niu‐Niu , Wang Yong‐Long , Gao Cheng , Jin Sheng‐Sheng , Hu Hang‐Wei , Huang Zhiqun , He Ji‐Zheng , Guo Liang‐Dong , Powell Jeff R.
Published: May 2021

Latitudinal gradients provide opportunities to better understand soil fungal community assembly and its relationship with vegetation, climate, soil and ecosystem function. Understanding the mechanisms underlying community assembly is essential for predicting compositional responses to changing environments.

We quantified the relative importance of stochastic and deterministic processes in structuring soil fungal communities using patterns of community dissimilarity observed within and between 12 natural forests and related these to environmental variation within and among sites.

The results revealed that whole fungal communities and communities of arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi consistently exhibited divergent patterns but with less divergence for ectomycorrhizal fungi at most sites. Within those forests, no clear relationships were observed between the degree of divergence within fungal and plant communities. When comparing communities at larger spatial scales, among the 12 forests, we observed distinct separation in all three fungal groups among tropical, subtropical and temperate climatic zones. Soil fungal β‐diversity patterns between forests were also greater when comparing forests exhibiting high environmental heterogeneity.

Taken together, although large‐scale community turnover could be attributed to specific environmental drivers, the differences among fungal communities in soils within forests was high even at local scales.
Combating Copycats in the Supply Chain with Permissioned Blockchain Technology
Authors: Shen Bin , Dong Ciwei , Minner Stefan
Published: May 2021

The phenomenon of copycats is common in a wide range of industries. Recently, to indicate product authenticity and combat copycats, many brand name companies (BNCs) have started selling products through retailers. These BNCs deploy a scalable protocol that is integrated into a permissioned blockchain technology (PBT) platform. We examine how PBT combats copycats in the supply chain and how it benefits BNCs. Although PBT implementation helps novice customers identify product authenticity and the real quality of products, that is, to take advantage of a quality disclosure effect, we show that, if and only if the number of novice customers is large enough, then selling through a PBT retailer can effectively combat copycats. Thus, PBT increases the profit of the BNC, consumer surplus, social welfare, and reduces the profit of a copycat. Moreover, conventional wisdom tells us that PBT ensures supply chain transparency and motivates a firm to improve its product quality. However, the BNC reduces the quality of its products when using PBT, because an improvement in product quality is not profitable if consumers can distinguish between genuine and imitation products. Furthermore, we extend the model by considering the case where the BNC itself implements PBT. Without the double marginalization effect, even if the number of novice customers is small, blockchain technology may exist in the market (the BNC self‐implements). In addition, if the unit production cost of a genuine product is large enough, social welfare increases when production cost increases.
Non‐mesh surgery for stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Krishnaswamy Priyanka H , Tyagi Veenu , Guerrero Karen Lesley
Published: May 2021

Key Content

Following the pause on the use of mesh, women are opting more for non‐mesh‐based options for stress urinary continence (SUI) surgery.

Even after any re‐introduction of mesh procedures, women may still prefer non‐mesh options for SUI surgery.

Learning Objectives

To know the current situation regarding stress urinary incontinence surgery across the UK, the recent guidelines provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the recommended non‐mesh surgical alternatives for SUI.

To know what training is required for non‐mesh continence procedures.

To understand the issues in clinical governance and ethics associated with non‐mesh surgery for SUI.

Ethical issues

Should we routinely offer surgeries that are potentially more invasive than mesh tapes without offering a full range of alternatives that include mesh tapes?

The need for informed consent and individualised counselling, including evidence that is available and the lack thereof when applicable.

The duty of candour when surgeons start their training in surgeries that have a steep learning curve.
An ex vivo biomechanical comparison of two suture materials and two pattern combinations for equine superficial digital flexor tendon tenorrhaphy
Authors: Giacchi Andrea , McMaster Mattie A.
Published: May 2021

Objective

To compare biomechanical characteristics of three‐loop pulley (3LP) pattern versus Bunnell technique (BT) using polydioxanone (PDS) suture; to determine the influence of polyester tape (PT) versus PDS on the BT for equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tenorrhaphy; to compare BT with PT versus 3LP with PDS.

Study Design

Ex vivo biomechanical study.

Sample Population

Forty equine forelimb SDFT.

Methods

Two experiments were performed: (1) 10 SDFT pairs were repaired with 3LP or BT using PDS; (2) 10 SDFT pairs were repaired with PDS or PT using BT. Load at failure, mode of failure, load at 2 mm gap, and gap at failure were obtained using a material testing machine.

Results

In experiment 1, 3LP + PDS1had higher loads at failure (p < .001) and at 2 mm gap (p < .001), and smaller gap at failure than BT + PDS1(p = .024). In experiment 2, BT + PT2had higher loads at failure (p < .001) and at 2 mm gap (p = .001), and larger gap at failure (p = .004) than the BT + PDS2. 3LP + PDS1and BT + PT2mostly failed by suture/implant pull‐through while BT + PDS failed by suture breakage. BT + PT2had greater load (p = .035) and gap at failure (p < .001) than 3LP + PDS1,with no difference in load at 2 mm gap (p = .14).

Conclusion

The use of BT may be justified over 3LP if combined with PT. However, the larger size of the PT required stab incisions in the tendon for placement and was subjectively more difficult to place than PDS.

Clinical Significance

The BT + PT, although the strongest among the tested repairs, would only be able to withstand 12%–24% of the load encountered by the SDFT at walk.
Ibuprofen tablet characterized by XPS
Authors: Rodriguez-Pereira Jhonatan , Rincón-Ortiz Sergio A. , Ospina Rogelio
Published: May 2021

An ibuprofen tablet was characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sample was fixed to a stainless-steel sample holder with a copper double-sided adhesive tape. Survey spectra, C 1s, O 1s, N 1s, Si 2p, and Na 1s core level spectra were acquired. The results showed the presence of carbon and oxygen, elements that are part of the chemical structure of ibuprofen; however, these can also be part of the excipients. In addition, nitrogen, silicon, and sodium were detected, which are associated with excipients.
Model analysis of the feature profile evolution during Si etching in HBr-containing plasmas
Authors: Mori Masahito , Irie Shoki , Osano Yugo , Eriguchi Koji , Ono Kouichi
Published: May 2021

Feature profiles of Si etched in HBr-containing plasmas have been analyzed through a comparison between experiments and simulations. The emphasis was placed on a mechanistic understanding of the difference in the evolution of profile anomalies (such as tapering, footing, and microtrenching) during Si etching between HBr- and Cl2-based plasmas. Experiments were made with Cl2/O2/HBr chemistry by varying the HBr mixing ratio, using a commercial ultrahigh-frequency electron cyclotron resonance plasma etching reactor, where HCl/O2 chemistry was also employed to compare with that of Cl2/O2 and HBr/O2. Numerical simulations of feature profile evolution were made using a semiempirical atomic-scale cellular model based on the Monte Carlo method that we developed for Si etching in Br2, HBr, and Cl2 plasmas, where surface chemistry and kinetics include the effects of ion reflection from and/or penetration into feature surfaces on incidence. The experiments showed more vertical sidewalls with less footing and microtrenching with HBr; concretely, with increasing HBr mixing ratio in Cl2/O2/HBr plasmas, the tapering is reduced and minimized at 80% HBr where slight lateral or side etching tends to occur, the footing is reduced gradually, and the microtrenching fades away at more than 20% HBr. A comparison with simulations, with the help of separate analyses of ion reflection from surfaces on incidence, indicated that the smaller reflection probability and reflected energy fraction of Br+ on tapered sidewalls (compared to Cl+) are responsible for reduced tapering, footing, and microtrenching in HBr-containing plasmas; moreover, chemical etching effects of neutral H atoms at the feature bottom and sidewalls, arising from the larger reaction probability of H (compared to Cl), are also responsible for reduced microtrenching and for reduced tapering (and the lateral or side etching induced) therein.
As U.S. pandemic subsides, conferences explore ‘hybrids’
Authors: Langin Katie
Published: May 2021

Societies aim to harness the best of in-person and virtual meetings, but it won't be easy.
Cell-specific transcriptional control of mitochondrial metabolism by TIF1γ drives erythropoiesis
Authors: Rossmann Marlies P. , Hoi Karen , Chan Victoria , Abraham Brian J. , Yang Song , Mullahoo James , Papanastasiou Malvina , Wang Ying , Elia Ilaria , Perlin Julie R. , Hagedorn Elliott J. , Hetzel Sara , Weigert Raha , Vyas Sejal , Nag Partha P. , Sullivan Lucas B. , Warren Curtis R. , Dorjsuren Bilguujin , Greig Eugenia Custo , Adatto Isaac , Cowan Chad A. , Schreiber Stuart L. , Young Richard A. , Meissner Alexander , Haigis Marcia C. , Hekimi Siegfried , Carr Steven A. , Zon Leonard I.
Published: May 2021

Metabolic pathway regulates cell fate

Lineage-specific regulators direct cell fate decisions, but the precise mechanisms are not well known. Using an in vivo chemical suppressor screen of a bloodless zebrafish mutant, Rossmann
et al.
show that the lineage-specific chromatin factor
tif1γ
directly regulates mitochondrial genes to drive red blood cell differentiation. Loss of
tif1γ
reduces coenzyme Q synthesis and function, impeding mitochondrial respiration and leading to epigenetic alterations and repression of erythropoiesis. The loss of blood in the mutant fish can be rescued by the addition of coenzyme Q. This work establishes a mechanism by which a chromatin factor tunes a metabolic pathway in a tissue-specific manner.

Science
, this issue p.
716
Watersheds may not recover from drought
Authors: Peterson Tim J. , Saft M. , Peel M. C. , John A.
Published: May 2021

Staying dry

Is precipitation all that a watershed needs to recover from drought? Conventional wisdom says yes, but this is not necessarily true. Peterson
et al.
studied streamflow and precipitation in 161 watersheds in southeastern Australia across the Millennium Drought, which stuck the region during the first decade of the 21st century (see the Perspective by Tauro). They found that runoff in approximately one-third of the watersheds had not returned to predrought levels even after 7 years despite the resumption of more normal precipitation. The authors suggest that these longterm changes are due to water loss from increased transpiration. Watersheds may thus have multiple states and a finite resilience to transient disturbances, and hydrological droughts can persist long after meteorological droughts.

Science
, this issue p.
745
; see also p.
680
Arene diversification through distal C(sp
2
)−H functionalization
Authors: Dutta Uttam , Maiti Sudip , Bhattacharya Trisha , Maiti Debabrata
Published: May 2021

Targeting distal C–H bonds in arenes

The Friedel-Crafts reaction is among the oldest in organic chemistry. For well over a century, chemists have relied on electronic effects intrinsic to aryl rings to append substituents at specific sites along the periphery. However, only in the past decade have they devised catalytic techniques that over-ride these preferences so that new groups usually drawn to the neighboring sites of an existing substituent instead wind up two or three carbons away. Dutta
et al.
review progress in this field, highlighting elaborate directing groups and mediators as well as sophisticated ligand design.

Science
, this issue p.
eabd5992
Macroevolutionary stability predicts interaction patterns of species in seed dispersal networks
Authors: Burin Gustavo , Guimarães Paulo R. , Quental Tiago B.
Published: May 2021

The evolution of ecological networks

Plants and the animals that eat their fruits and disperse their seeds form complex networks of mutualistic interactions. The structures of many such networks and the ecological forces that shape them are well known, but their deeper evolutionary history has received little attention. Burin
et al.
address this knowledge gap in a study of frugivorious bird species in documented seed-dispersal networks around the world (see the Perspective by Bello and Barreto). Species occupying central positions in frugivory networks, which thus interact with many plant species, tend to belong to lineages that are more stable over macroevolutionary time scales. These patterns are more evident in regions with warmer and wetter climates and provide evidence that evolutionary processes can leave a signal on the structure of current ecological networks.

Science
, this issue p.
733
see also p.
682
Structural basis of ribosomal frameshifting during translation of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome
Authors: Bhatt Pramod R. , Scaiola Alain , Loughran Gary , Leibundgut Marc , Kratzel Annika , Meurs Romane , Dreos René , O’Connor Kate M. , McMillan Angus , Bode Jeffrey W. , Thiel Volker , Gatfield David , Atkins John F. , Ban Nenad
Published: May 2021

Shifting frames to make more proteins

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 critically depends on the ribosomal frameshifting that occurs between two large open reading frames in its genomic RNA for expression of viral replicase. Programmed frameshifting occurs during translation, when the ribosome encounters a stimulatory pseudoknot RNA fold. Using a combination of cryo–electron microscopy and biochemistry, Bhatt
et al.
revealed that the pseudoknot resists unfolding as it lodges at the entry of the ribosomal messenger RNA channel. This causes back slippage of the viral RNA, resulting in a minus-1 shift of the reading frame of translation. A partially folded nascent viral polyprotein forms specific interactions inside the ribosomal tunnel that can influence the efficiency of frameshifting.

Science
, abf3546, this issue p.
1306
The chain of chirality transfer in tellurium nanocrystals
Authors: Ben-Moshe Assaf , da Silva Alessandra , Müller Alexander , Abu-Odeh Anas , Harrison Patrick , Waelder Jacob , Niroui Farnaz , Ophus Colin , Minor Andrew M. , Asta Mark , Theis Wolfgang , Ercius Peter , Alivisatos A. Paul
Published: May 2021

What makes things twist?

Crystallization and chirality have been entangled since Pasteur's observations on chiral tartaric acid crystals, yet there is still limited understanding of how chiral compounds form chiral crystal morphologies. For example, although a chiral seed crystal can promote a particular handedness, it is not clear why such seeds do not do so with 100% efficiency. Ben-Moshe
et al.
examined chiral nanocrystals of tellurium grown from solution using various electron microscopy and diffraction techniques (see the Perspective by Popov). They found that screw dislocation- mediated growth is responsible for chiral polyhedral shape formation, and chiral crystals can thus form even in the presence of achiral ligands.

Science
, this issue p.
729
; see also p.
688
Neurobiology of novelty seeking
Authors: Farahbakhsh Zahra Z. , Siciliano Cody A.
Published: May 2021

Neurons in the subthalamic “zone of uncertainty” assign intrinsic value to novel experiences
Host-Virus Chimeric Events in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Cells Are Infrequent and Artifactual
Authors: Yan Bingyu , Chakravorty Srishti , Mirabelli Carmen , Wang Luopin , Trujillo-Ochoa Jorge L. , Chauss Daniel , Kumar Dhaneshwar , Lionakis Michail S. , Olson Matthew R. , Wobus Christiane E. , Afzali Behdad , Kazemian Majid
Published: May 2021

The pathogenic mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, are not fully understood. In particular, relatively little is known about the reasons some individuals develop life-threatening or persistent COVID-19.
Nasal expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors in newborns
Authors: Heinonen Santtu , Helve Otto , Andersson Sture , Janér Cecilia , Süvari Liina , Kaskinen Anu
Published: May 2021

Background

SARS-CoV-2 infection is typically mild in children. Lower expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors in the nasal epithelia have been described in children compared with adults. However, data from newborns are lacking. We compared nasal expression of four SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors between term and preterm newborns and adults.

Methods

Nasal scrape samples were obtained from 28 newborns (17 term and 11 preterm) and 10 adults. Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA expression of ACE2, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), neuropilin 1 (NRP1) and neuropilin 2 (NRP2) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R).

Results

Expression levels of ACE2, TMPRSS2, NRP1 and NRP2 were lower in term and preterm newborns and IGF1R lower in term newborns compared with adults (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Both term and preterm newborns, compared with adults, have lower expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors in nasal epithelium.
Transient ureteric obstruction following pelvic floor reconstruction
Authors: Beamer Liam Joseph , Neary Sarah , McCormack Thomas , Ankers David
Published: May 2021

We describe the first reported case of transient distal ureteric obstruction attributed to post-surgical oedema in a patient with a solitary kidney. This occurred following combined pelvic floor repair and sacrospinous fixation for recurrent pelvic organ prolapse and manifested clinically as anuria, radiological hydroureter and acute kidney injury in the postoperative period. The transient nature of this obstruction, which was managed by a temporary percutaneous nephrostomy, indicates that it was caused by ureteric compression secondary to soft tissue oedema following surgery. We highlight the importance of this potential complication in females with a history of nephrectomy, unilateral renal tract anomalies or severely diminished renal reserve.
Ameloblastoma of the maxillary sinus: conservative surgical management considering high recurrence risk potential
Authors: Fiedler Lukas S , Wunsch Annette
Published: May 2021

Ameloblastoma (AM) in the maxillary sinus is rare. This benign entity shows locally invasive, destructive and aggressive behaviour and a high rate of recurrence. Therefore, the course of treatment is radical resection. We report the case of a 38-year-old man presenting with signs of recurrent sinusitis in the Ear, Nose and Throat Department. Transnasal flexible endoscopy revealed a cystic mass in the right inferior and middle nasal passage. CT scan showed an obliterated right maxillary sinus with a ballooning effect and pressure atrophy of the lateral sinus wall, without possible differentiation of the middle and low nasal turbinate. The patient was treated with transnasal functional sinus surgery; pathology stated AM. AM in the maxillary sinus is rare, locally destructive and therefore as a gold standard is resected radically to prevent recurrence. We demonstrate a conservative approach; explicitly, we combined a transvestibular and functional endoscopic sinus surgery resection of the AM to maintain function and reduce the possibility of postoperative impairments. Whether the strategy of treatment for AM is conservative, it nonetheless can result in a recurrence-free status. Nevertheless, inclusion into an oncological follow-up-programme with regularly performed MRI and CT is recommended.
Development of endometrial cancer after long-term usage of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system
Authors: Steshenko Alexander , Hanna Leila , Collins Damian
Published: May 2021

A 52-year-old long-term user of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) presented with vaginal bleeding. Endometrial biopsy was performed and revealed endometrioid adenocarcinoma. The patient had a laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Endometrial cancer is rare in women with LNG-IUS as only seven cases have been published in the literature. Although scientific evidence shows LNG-IUS has a protective effect on the endometrium from developing cancer, our report highlights the importance of clinicians to be vigilant in cases of women with LNG-IUS who develop intermittent vaginal bleeding.