bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Power of Trend Tests for Toxicological Application Based on Dose–Response Profiles Enumerated Using a Nonparametric Algorithm
Authors: Farrar David
Published: February 2022

Tests for dose–response trend may be used to support conclusions on the toxicity of a substance in a range of doses evaluated in a comparative experiment. Criteria are proposed for evaluating and comparing alternative tests, and are applied in a comparison of certain tests applicable with continuous responses, namely, a multiplicity-adjusted pairwise comparison procedure, a trend test based on a single contrast, and four multiple-contrast trend tests. Methods considered treat dose as ordinal information. A particular focus was comparison of the simple test of a single contrast, with coefficients proportional to dose rank, with the multiple-contrast methods available with modern computing. To explore the role of the dose–response curve shape, regular dose–response shapes (or profiles), defined by the mean response for each dose level, using a simple grid-based algorithm were generated. Power for individual profiles may be used to illustrate the effect of curve shape on the power of alternative tests. To facilitate selection of tests, we report average power over profiles, averaging at different levels of granularity, first separately for each of several curve shape categories, and then over all profiles, weighting shape categories equally. Power results for the six tests evaluated at least provide clear distinctions between some procedures that are more-preferred, versus less-preferred. Our analyses expand the comparisons of tests available and contribute a methodology for choice of statistical methods for toxicological data analysis. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1754–1764. Published 2022. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Abstract

An approach is described for systematic exploration of a dose-response function space, and used to compare some statistical tests for application to toxicological data. Multiple contrast trend tests are compared to a single contrast trend test, and to a method of treated-versus-control pairwise statistical comparisons.
Handoff optimization for joint base station association and power control in uplink non‐orthogonal multiple access small cell networks
Authors: Pirnia Sina , Bakhshi Hamidreza , Dosaranian‐Moghadam Mohamad , Khosravi Ramin
Published: February 2022

This article investigates the handoff optimization in an uplink non‐orthogonal multiple access‐based small cell network (SCN) with successive interference cancellation that takes both the base station (BS) association and power control into consideration. Due to user mobility and varying communication environment, it is important to associate a user with the proper BS and control its transmit power by considering the user mobility for the SCNs. To overcome overly frequent re‐association and handoffs between BSs, a novel joint optimization of handoff, BS association, and total transmit power is presented that maximizes the system‐wide and handoff utilities and minimizes power consumption simultaneously. We define the handoff utility function by considering the BS association in each time frame with the previous time frame. Then, we formulate two inter‐related optimization problems under the minimum average‐rate and maximum allowable transmit power of mobile users (MUs) constraints. The designed optimization problems are combined through the weighted sum method into a single‐stage optimization problem. The transformed problem is solved by adopting the coalition formation game and primal decomposition theories. We design the coalition value function by collectively considering the handoff number of each BS in every time frame, transmit power of all MUs, and the number of associated MUs to every BS. The simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed handoff algorithm in comparison to another BS association algorithm in terms of the number of handoffs.
Cut finite element methods and ghost stabilization techniques for space‐time discretizations of the Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Anselmann Mathias , Bause Markus
Published: February 2022

We propose and analyze computationally a new fictitious domain method, based on higher order space‐time finite element discretizations, for the simulation of the nonstationary, incompressible Navier–Stokes equations on evolving domains. The physical domain is embedded into a fixed computational mesh such that arbitrary intersections of the moving domain's boundaries with the background mesh occur. The potential of such cut finite element techniques for higher order space‐time finite element methods has rarely been studied in the literature so far and deserves further elucidation. The key ingredients of the approach are the weak formulation of Dirichlet boundary conditions by Nitsche's method, the flexible and efficient integration over all types of intersections of cells by moving boundaries and the spatial extension of the discrete physical quantities to the entire computational background mesh including fictitious (ghost) subdomains of fluid flow. Thereby, an expensive remeshing and adaptation of the sparse matrix data structure are avoided and the computations are accelerated. To prevent spurious oscillations caused by irregular intersections of mesh cells, a penalization, defining also implicitly the extension to ghost domains, is added. These techniques are embedded in an arbitrary order, discontinuous Galerkin discretization of the time variable and an inf‐sup stable discretization of the spatial variables. The parallel implementation of the matrix assembly is described. The optimal order convergence properties of the algorithm are illustrated in a numerical experiment for an evolving domain. The well‐known 2d benchmark of flow around a cylinder as well as flow around moving obstacles with arising cut cells and fictitious domains are considered further.
Subduction and carbonate platform interactions
Authors: Zahirovic Sabin , Eleish Ahmed , Doss Sebastiano , Pall Jodie , Cannon John , Pistone Mattia , Tetley Michael G. , Young Alex , Fox Peter
Published: February 2022

Plate tectonics, as the unifying theory in Earth sciences, controls the functioning of important planetary processes on geological timescales. Here, we present an open‐source workflow that interrogates community digital plate tectonic reconstructions, primarily in the context of the planetary deep carbon cycle. We present an updated plate tectonic reconstruction covering the last 400 million years of Earth evolution and explore components of the plate–mantle system that is involved in the exchange and storage of carbon. First, the workflow enables us to estimate subduction zone lengths through time, which represent the “tap” of carbon that is released at convergent tectonic margins. Second, we explore the role of Andean‐style versus intra‐oceanic subduction regimes during Pangea assembly and breakup. Third, we provide an improved model for carbonate platform evolution since the Devonian and evaluate the interaction of subduction zones and buried carbonate platforms. Last, we present a new model for estimating oceanic age, carbon content in the upper oceanic crust, and estimated (carbon‐containing) sediment thicknesses through time and present methods to track the subduction of this material through time. These components of the deep carbon cycle are key mechanisms controlling, or at least modulating, atmospheric CO2 on geological timescales and hence strongly influencing long‐term climate. We find that the mid to Late Cretaceous greenhouse climates were likely driven by increased subduction fluxes of volatiles and increased subduction zone interactions with carbonate platforms in the Tethyan tectonic domain. Our work highlights the importance of community digital plate tectonic reconstructions as a framework for studying key systems, such as the deep carbon cycle, that influence the life‐support mechanisms on our planet.
Updatable dataset revealing decade changes in land cover types in Mongolia
Authors: Wang Juanle , Wei Haishuo , Cheng Kai , Ochir Altansukh , Shao Yating , Yao Jinyi , Wu Yuxin , Han Xuehua , Davaasuren Davaadorj , Chonokhuu Sonomdagva , Zhou Yezhi , Zhang Min , Cao Xiaoming , Gao Mengxu , Zhu Junxiang , Li Yifan , Li Qiong , Liang Xiya , Li Kai
Published: February 2022

The Mongolian Plateau (MP) is in the interior of Northeast Asia, far from the sea, and is extremely vulnerable to climate change and the deleterious effects of human activity. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) explicitly set land degradation neutrality (LDN) as one of the sub‐goals of the seventeen main tasks. However, achieving this goal in Mongolia, a country with a fragile and sensitive ecological environment and a lack of high‐precision land cover and land degradation monitoring data, is challenging. In this study, we established rules for remote sensing‐based land cover classification and reference threshold ranges based on an object‐oriented remote sensing interpretation method. Then, we obtained the refined land cover data of Mongolia from 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020 with 30‐m resolution. The land cover classification of Mongolia comprises 11 categories: forest, meadow steppe, real steppe, desert steppe, barren, sand, desert, ice, water, cropland and built area. The overall classification accuracies, corresponding to the aforementioned data year, were 82.26%, 82.77%, 92.34% and 81.84%, respectively. We found that the land cover showed an apparent law of zonal gradual change. Among them, barren land, real steppe, desert steppe and forest were consistently the four major land cover types. Since the last 30 years, barren land areas present an overall decreasing trend, showing a trend of shrinking to the south. Overall, real steppe presents a wavelike decreasing trend, and desert steppe shows a fluctuating increasing trend. The forest area is relatively stable with no notable changes in spatial distribution. The dataset of this study fills the gaps in high‐resolution land cover data for Mongolia, and it can provide fundamental scientific data to support sustainable development in the MP.
LRRC8Ais dispensable for a variety of microglial functions and response to acute stroke
Authors: Cook James R. , Gray Anna L. , Lemarchand Eloise , Schiessl Ingo , Green Jack P. , Newland Mary C. , Dyer Douglas P. , Brough David , Lawrence Catherine B.
Published: February 2022

Microglia, resident brain immune cells, are critical in orchestrating responses to central nervous system (CNS) injury. Many microglial functions, such as phagocytosis, motility and chemotaxis, are suggested to rely on chloride channels, including the volume‐regulated anion channel (VRAC), but studies to date have relied on the use of pharmacological tools with limited specificity. VRAC has also been proposed as a drug target for acute CNS injury, and its role in microglial function is of considerable interest for developing CNS therapeutics. This study aimed to definitively confirm the contribution of VRAC in microglia function by using conditional LRRC8A‐knockout mice, which lacked the essential VRAC subunit LRRC8A in microglia. We demonstrated that while VRAC contributed to cell volume regulation, it had no effect on phagocytic activity, cell migration or P2YR12‐dependent chemotaxis. Moreover, loss of microglial VRAC did not affect microglial morphology or the extent of ischemic damage following stroke. We conclude that VRAC does not critically regulate microglial responses to brain injury and could be targetable in other CNS cell types (e.g., astrocytes) without impeding microglial function. Our results also demonstrate a role for VRAC in cell volume regulation but show that VRAC is not involved in several major cellular functions that it was previously thought to regulate, and point to other, alternative mechanisms of chloride transport in innate immunity.
Immunotherapy for the treatment of perineural spread in cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Time to rethink treatment paradigms
Authors: Nightingale James , Gandhi Mitesh , Helena Jonathan , Bowman James , McGrath Margaret , Coward Jermaine , Porceddu Sandro , Ladwa Rahul , Panizza Benedict
Published: February 2022

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising antitumour activity. Application in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) large nerve perineural spread (PNS) is limited.

Methods

Retrospective review of 13 patients with PNS receiving anti‐PD‐1 therapy from September 2017 to May 2021 is presented. Primary endpoints were objective response (complete or partial response) and median time to progression, determined by Head and Neck Multi‐Disciplinary Team (MDT) and independent radiology review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography/positron emission tomography (CT/PET).

Results

Objective response was observed in 9/13 patients (69%), with complete response in 6 (46%) and partial response in 3 patients (23%). Median time to response was 2.1 months (IQR 1.8–2.7 months). There were 3 (23%) patients with progressive disease, with median time to progression of 3.5 months. There were no grade 3–4 treatment related adverse events.

Conclusions

This case series supports developing evidence for anti‐PD‐1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy for perineural spread, supporting future prospective clinical trials in this patient population.
Factors associated with catastrophic health care expenditure in South Wollo province, Ethiopia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Bogale Getahun Gebre , Kassa Ayesheshim Muluneh
Published: February 2022

Ethiopia is an underfinanced country when compared to the Sub‐Saharan average. Direct payment has a high account in Ethiopia and inhibits access to health services for the poor. We aimed to identify the factors associated with catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) in the South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia. A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted. A two‐stage sampling technique was used to get a total of 494 households. The data were entered using Epi data version 4.6 and analysed using STATA version 14.1 software for binary logistic regression analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify the factors associated with CHE. The total magnitude of CHE was found to be 33.97% at the 10% threshold of total household expenditure and 14.98% at the 40% threshold of non‐food expenditure. Insured households (adjusted odds ratio = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01–0.10) were statistically associated with CHE with total household and non‐food measures. Catastrophic health expenditure was found to be decreased among insured households and increased among households had children less than 5 years of age, members with chronic illness, and poor health status. Therefore, encouraging insurance and health promotion activities to improve the health status of the community are important.
Relationship between paternal adult attachment and adolescent anxiety: The chain‐mediating effect of paternal psychological flexibility and father–adolescent attachment
Authors: Li Mengge , Chen Xin , Gong Huoliang , Wang Wei , Ji Wanghua , Liang Shifeng
Published: February 2022

Grounded in family systems theory and the internal working model of attachment, the present study tested the effects of paternal adult attachment, paternal psychological flexibility and father–adolescent attachment on adolescent anxiety. In total, 906 pairs of fathers and their adolescents completed a set of questionnaires, including the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, Parental Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire, Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, and Trait Anxiety Inventory. The results revealed that paternal adult attachment avoidance had a positive impact on adolescent anxiety. The relationship between paternal adult attachment and adolescent anxiety was chain mediated by paternal psychological flexibility and father–adolescent attachment. The mediation effects contained two paths: the separate mediation effect of paternal psychological flexibility, and the chain mediation effect of paternal psychological flexibility and father–adolescent attachment. The results of the study show that the father's adult attachment can not only directly affect adolescent anxiety, but also indirectly affect adolescent anxiety through the paternal psychological flexibility and the quality of father–adolescent attachment. Fathers have an important effect on adolescent anxiety.
Review of factors affecting canal water losses based on a meta‐analysis of worldwide data
Authors: Mutema Macdex , Dhavu Khumbulani
Published: February 2022

Irrigation water conveyance relies heavily on canal networks because they transport the water cheaply. However, water losses are high, which is a major concern in the face of soaring demand and dwindling new water sources. While researchers have investigated canal water losses and water loss types at irrigation scheme level, their variability and the main factors of influence at a global scale are still not clear. Thus, this study aims to elucidate the effects of canal water flow and soil characteristics on water losses globally. Data for 1388 canal reaches from 45 published articles are used. The results confirm that evaporation is so negligibly smaller than seepage and other water loss types that it can safely be ignored when analysing major water losses from canals. The study results also confirm that canal water losses decrease with soil clay content, due to decreasing permeability. The methods used for assessing water losses show significant influence on water losses; for example, the inflow–outflow method exhibits significantly higher water losses than the ponding technique. The current study results also show that canal shape, wetted perimeter and wetted area have a significant influence on water losses. It can be concluded from the study results that consideration of the physical mechanisms of water losses and different water loss types involved is important in future studies. It is recommended that future canal water loss studies, especially those focusing on losses via evaporation, also assess the effects of factors such as canal embankment height and depth of freeboard on the losses. These results are important for water scientists, engineers and practitioners.
Clinical significance and influencing factors of carotid pulse wave velocity in patients with diabetic microangiopathy
Authors: An Xin , Li Yihan , Shi Shanshan , Ge Lili , Li Yuhong
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the utility of carotid ultrafast pulse wave velocity (PWV) and explore its influencing factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) microangiopathy.

Methods

Seventy‐seven patients with T2DM were divided into two groups according to the absence (Group A, n = 45) or presence (Group B, n = 32) of microangiopathy. The control group comprised 1544 healthy volunteers. Two‐dimensional ultrasonography was used to measure intima‐media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries, and ultrafast ultrasound imaging was used to measure PWV of the carotid arteries at the beginning of systole (PWV‐BS) and the end of systole (PWV‐ES).

Results

The IMT, PWV‐BS, and PWV‐ES were higher in the T2DM group than in the control group, and the values in T2DM Group B were higher than those in Group A. IMT was positively correlated with PWV‐BS and PWV‐ES. Age and uric acid were influencing factors of PWV‐ES, while age, uric acid, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio were influencing factors of PWV‐BS. PWV‐ES was a more sensitive predictor than PWV‐BS, and a PWV‐ES critical value predicted carotid elasticity in patients with T2DM microangiopathy.

Conclusion

Ultrafast PWV can reflect early atherosclerosis and provide a noninvasive assessment of microangiopathy in patients with T2DM.
The ADHD deficit in school performance across sex and parental education: A prospective sibling‐comparison register study of 344,152 Norwegian adolescents
Authors: Sunde Hans Fredrik , Kleppestø Thomas H. , Gustavson Kristin , Nordmo Magnus , Reme Bjørn‐Atle , Torvik Fartein Ask
Published: February 2022

Background

Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired school performance, but the impact of ADHD may vary across sex, family background, and school subjects. By using prospective population‐wide register data, we describe impairment in academic performance related to ADHD across different school subjects and investigate how this impairment differ across sex and parental education.

Methods

We examined grades and Grade Point Averages (GPA) at age ∼16 among 344,152 Norwegian children born between 1997 and 2002. We linked grades with diagnoses from publicly funded general practitioners and with demographic information. Associations between ADHD diagnosed between age 10 and 16 and school performance were estimated with linear models, including sibling‐models which control for unobserved variables shared within families.

Results

Children with ADHD (4.0%) had −1.11 standard deviations lower GPAs compared to children without ADHD. This difference remained substantial after adjusting for demographic factors (−0.87), comorbid mental disorders (−0.82), early school performance (−0.54), and when comparing full siblings (−0.60). The relative ADHD deficit was 22% larger for girls than for boys and 39% larger for children with highly educated parents than for children of parents without completed high school, but the absolute deficit was smaller.

Conclusion

The ADHD deficit in school performance was large and not easily attributable to other factors. Because the ADHD deficit was large in all school subjects, interventions should ideally address factors that affect school performance broadly, although targeting theoretical subjects specifically may be most effective given limited resources.
Modified photoactivated methylene blue‐incorporated quartz particles for dentin disinfection: A scanning electron microscope and spectroscopic analysis
Authors: Al‐Saleh Samar , Al Rifaiy Mohammed Q , Binhasan Mashael , Alhamdan Mai M , Vohra Fahim , Abduljabbar Tariq
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to synthesize methylene blue‐incorporated quartz particles (MB@QP) and to investigate its anti‐bactericidal properties. Methylene blue was incorporated inside QP and characterized for morphology and chemical structure using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Specimens were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n = 9/groups). The dentin specimen infected with Enterococcus faecalis was treated using different treatment modalities: Control groups: treatment with 5.25% of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 60 s; MB: treatment with 1 ml MB solution and incubated for 60 s; MB–PDT (photodynamic therapy): treatment with 1 ml MB solution followed by irradiation using diode laser for 60 s; MB‐QP‐PDT: specimens treated with MB@QP and irradiated by the diode laser for 60s, and Er,Cr:YSGG laser alone. MB@PDT therapy showed the highest efficacy in reducing the survival rate of E. faecalis (0.49%) in comparison to control NaOCl (0.78%) and Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment (2.17%). Encapsulating MB into QP followed by the PDT significantly improved the bactericidal capacity and significantly reduced the bacterial survival rate to 0.11% (p < .05) compared to other groups. The combination of MB incorporated into QP and PDT could be an alternative treatment modality to conventional disinfection method for eliminating bacteria from the tooth dentin.

Research highlights

Quartz particles are potent in delivering the photosensitizer.

Photoactivated MB@QP has a higher efficacy in eliminating bacteria from tooth dentin.
Anatomical Partition‐Based Deep Learning: An Automatic Nasopharyngeal MRI Recognition Scheme
Authors: Li Song , Hua Hong‐Li , Li Fen , Kong Yong‐Gang , Zhu Zhi‐Ling , Li Sheng‐Lan , Chen Xi‐Xiang , Deng Yu‐Qin , Tao Ze‐Zhang
Published: February 2022

Background

Training deep learning (DL) models to automatically recognize diseases in nasopharyngeal MRI is a challenging task, and optimizing the performance of DL models is difficult.

Purpose

To develop a method of training anatomical partition‐based DL model which integrates knowledge of clinical anatomical regions in otorhinolaryngology to automatically recognize diseases in nasopharyngeal MRI.

Study Type

Single‐center retrospective study.

Population

A total of 2485 patients with nasopharyngeal diseases (age range 14–82 years, female, 779[31.3%]) and 600 people with normal nasopharynx (age range 18–78 years, female, 281[46.8%]) were included.

Sequence

3.0 T; T2WI fast spin‐echo sequence.

Assessment

Full images (512 × 512) of 3085 patients constituted 100% of the dataset, 50% and 25% of which were randomly retained as two new datasets. Two new series of images (seg112 image [112 × 112] and seg224 image [224 × 224]) were automatically generated by a segmentation model. Four pretrained neural networks for nasopharyngeal diseases classification were trained under the nine datasets (full image, seg112 image, and seg224 image, each with 100% dataset, 50% dataset, and 25% dataset).

Statistical Tests

The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the performance of the models. Analysis of variance was used to compare the performance of the models built with different datasets. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

When the 100% dataset was used for training, the performances of the models trained with the seg112 images (average area under the curve [aAUC] 0.949 ± 0.052), seg224 images (aAUC 0.948 ± 0.053), and full images (aAUC 0.935 ± 0.053) were similar (P = 0.611). When the 25% dataset was used for training, the mean aAUC of the models that were trained with seg112 images (0.823 ± 0.116) and seg224 images (0.765 ± 0.155) was significantly higher than the models that were trained with full images (0.640 ± 0.154).

Data Conclusion

The proposed method can potentially improve the performance of the DL model for automatic recognition of diseases in nasopharyngeal MRI.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy Stage

1
Early evaluation of atrial high rate episodes using remote monitoring in pacemaker patients: Results from the RAPID study
Authors: Russo Vincenzo , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Rago Anna , Tavoletta Vincenzo , De Vivo Stefano , Ammirati Giuseppe , Pergola Valerio , Ciriello Giovanni Domenico , Napoli Paola , Nigro Gerardo , D'Onofrio Antonio
Published: February 2022

Aim

Remote monitoring (RM) of implantable cardiac devices has enabled continuous surveillance of atrial high rate episodes (AHREs) with well‐recognized clinical benefits. We aimed to add evidence on the role of the RM as compared to conventional follow‐up by investigating the interval from AHRE onset to physician’s evaluation and reaction time in actionable episodes.

Methods and Results

A total of 97 dual‐chamber pacemaker recipients were followed with RM (RM‐ON group; N = 64) or conventional in‐office visits (RM‐OFF group; N = 33) for 18 months. In‐office visits were scheduled at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months in the RM‐OFF group and at 1 and 18 months in the RM‐ON group. The overall AHRE rate was 1.98 per patient‐year (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76–2.20) with no difference between the two groups (RM‐ON vs. RM‐OFF weighted‐HR, 0.88; CI, 0.36–2.13; p = .78). In the RM‐ON group, 100% AHREs evaluated within 11 days from onset, and within 202 days in the RM‐OFF group, with a median evaluation delay 79 days shorter in the RM‐ON group versus the RM‐OFF group (p < .0001). Therapy adjustment in actionable AHREs occurred 77 days earlier in the RM‐ON group versus the control group (p < .001). In the RM‐ON group, there were 50% less in‐office visits as compared to the RM‐OFF group (p < .001).

Conclusions

In our pacemaker population with no history of atrial fibrillation, RM allowed significant reduction of AHRE evaluation delay and prompted treatment of actionable episodes as compared to biannual in‐office visit schedule.
Tree‐ring oxygen isotope recorded precipitation variations over the past two centuries in the northeast Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Wang Lu , Liu Yu , Li Qiang , Song Huiming , Cai Qiufang
Published: February 2022

It was shown in previous studies that tree‐ring oxygen isotope (δ18OTR) was a proxy of regional precipitation. Using two δ18OTR chronologies of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. in northeast Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP), we synthesized a master series which had a high correlation with regional precipitation from previous‐year September to current‐year August (PSA) (r = −0.650, N = 52, p < .001). Thus we reconstructed the PSA over the past two centuries (AD 1808–2009) for the northeast CLP. The results of calibration–verification tests indicated that the precipitation reconstruction was stable and reliable. Compared with reconstructions based on the tree‐ring width and historical documents, the PSA reconstruction reserved more decadal low‐frequency climate signals such as the drying trend since the 1930s. Superposed epoch analysis (SEA) showed that the large tropical volcanic eruptions significantly reduced PSA in the first year after the eruptions. The contrast of the regional precipitation reconstructions in the west, northeast, and southeast CLP demonstrated that spatial and temporal differences of precipitation variation. In terms of extreme climate events, major droughts in the mid‐to‐late 1920s were recorded in all three regional precipitation records, while the Ding‐Wu Disaster (AD 1876–1878) was only found in the southeast CLP. Under the background of the weakening Asian monsoon and global warming, CLP was more prone to droughts in the last five decades.
The skin in Behçet's disease: Mucocutaneous findings and differential diagnosis
Authors: Vural Seçil , Boyvat Ayşe
Published: February 2022

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic multisystemic inflammatory disease with vasculitis and skin findings. Attacks and remissions characterize the course of the disease. In general, the disease activity decreases with advanced age. Skin symptoms are characteristic of BD and they are the most common findings in the course of the disease. The earliest sign of the disease is almost always recurrent oral aphthous ulcers. Genital ulcers are very specific for BD and they are the equivalent of oral ulcers in the genital area. The most common location is labium majus in females and scrotum in males. The papulopustular lesions are mainly observed on the lower extremities in BD patients. Erythema nodosum‐like lesions and superficial thrombophlebitis are relatively common skin findings. Extragenital ulcerations presenting on the intertriginous area are rare but specific for the disease. The clinical skin manifestations are crucial for the diagnosis of BD, as there is no pathognomonic confirmatory laboratory test.
Declines in scavenging by endangered vultures in the Horn of Africa
Authors: Buechley Evan R. , Murgatroyd Megan , Ruffo Alazar Daka , Bishop Rebecca C. , Christensen Tara , Marra Peter P. , Sillett T. Scott , Şekercioğlu Çağan Hakkı
Published: February 2022

Scavenging is an important ecological process. By quickly locating and consuming carrion, vertebrate scavengers cycle nutrients, stabilize food webs, and may help mitigate disease transmission to humans. Across Africa, many scavengers feed at abattoirs (i.e. slaughterhouses), thereby aiding in waste removal. Little information exists on the scavenger community composition and dynamics at abattoirs, and, to our knowledge, the carrion removal that scavengers provide at these sites has never been quantified. We studied vertebrate scavenger ecology at 6 abattoirs in Ethiopia with time‐lapse photography and in‐person surveys from 2014–2019. Specifically, we investigated daily, seasonal, and inter‐annual patterns in use of abattoirs by vertebrate scavengers and estimated carrion consumption rates. We demonstrated the importance of abattoirs for supporting a large number and diversity of scavenger species, including 3 critically endangered, 2 endangered, 1 vulnerable, and 2 regionally endemic bird species. At the start of the study, vultures contributed 57% of carrion removal provided by vertebrate scavengers. Detections of critically endangered Rüppell's (Gyps rueppelli) and white‐backed (G. africanus) vultures declined by 73% and critically endangered hooded vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) declined by 15% over the study period. Simultaneously, the detections of dogs more than doubled. Using estimates of species‐specific carrion consumption rates from the literature, coupled with changes in scavenger detections in our study, we estimated a 12% (54 kg/day) reduction in carrion consumption, or nearly 20,000 kg carrion less consumed per year by the end of the study at these 6 abattoirs. Our results indicate that ongoing vulture declines across Africa could significantly reduce carrion removal. We recommend that improving fencing around abattoir facilities could help restrict access by feral dogs, increase foraging by vultures, and, therefore, increase overall carrion removal rates.
Biochar enhanced soil aggregation and C‐related enzyme activity in post‐mining land on the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Yan Meifang , Li Xiari , Liu Yang , Li Yan , He Linru , Zhang Jianbiao
Published: February 2022

Soil organic carbon in aggregates of different size classes varies greatly in stabilization and resistance, and its mineralization depends highly on enzyme activity within aggregates. However, the dynamics of enzyme activities in response to aggregate turnover remain unclear. In this study, we explored four soil enzymes within different aggregates (>2, 2–0.25, 0.25–0.053, and <0.053 mm) in a biochar‐addition (1%, 3%, and 5%, respectively) experiment in post‐mining land. Soil aggregate size had significant effects on β‐glucosidase (BG) and urease (UR) (p < 0.01), and the enzyme activities were significantly higher in macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) than in microaggregates (<0.25 mm). Biochar addition increased the proportion and stability of macroaggregates. Moreover, BG, UR, and peroxidase activities were significantly stimulated across all aggregate fractions in treatment of 5% addition, increasing by 134.6%, 163.6%, and 35.7%, respectively (p < 0.01), while alkaline phosphatase activity in macroaggregates decreased by 45.8% compared with that in the control. In macroaggregates, higher enzyme activities were closely correlated with the increase of easily oxidized carbon (p < 0.01) due to biochar addition, and the increase in nitrogen content was also beneficial to promote microbial growth and activity. Our study suggests that biochar addition may improve soil structure and nutrient status, which would accelerate the recovery of microbial function in degraded lands.
Why do journals discontinue? A study of Australian ceased journals
Authors: Jamali Hamid R. , Wakeling Simon , Abbasi Alireza
Published: February 2022

Little is known about why journals discontinue despite its significant implications. We present an analysis of 140 Australian journals that ceased from 2011 to mid‐2021 and present the results of a survey of editors of 53 of them. The death age of journals was 19.7 (median = 16) with 57% being 10 years or older. About 54% of them belonged to educational institutions and 34% to non‐profit organizations. In terms of subject, 75% of the journals belonged to social sciences, humanities and arts. The survey showed that funding was an important reason for discontinuation, and lack of quality submission and lack of support from the owners of the journal also played a role. Too much reliance on voluntary works appeared to be an issue for editorial processes. The dominant metric culture in the research environment and pressure for journals to perform well in journal rankings negatively affect local journals in attracting quality submissions. A fifth of journals indicated that they did not have a plan for the preservation of articles at the time of publication and the current availability of the content of ceased journals appeared to be sub‐optimal in many cases with reliance on the website of ceased journals or web‐archive platforms.
Informed consent practices for exome sequencing: An interview study with clinical geneticists in the Netherlands
Authors: Bos Wendy , Bunnik Eline M.
Published: February 2022

Background

Genomic sequencing is being used more frequently in the clinic, not only by clinical geneticists, but also by other specialists (“mainstreaming”). The use of genomic sequencing gives rise to challenges regarding informed consent, as it can yield more, and more complex results.

Methods

This study maps the informed consent process for exome sequencing in the Netherlands by means of semistructured interviews with 14 clinical geneticists. Interviewees were asked about their strategies for informing patients about exome sequencing and supporting patients in their decision making, about what they think of as essential information elements, about the challenges they experience, and about their preferences for future policy and practice.

Results

Clinical geneticists typically discuss the following topics: the nature and aim of the test, the possible results (including unsolicited or incidental findings and Variants of Uncertain Significance) of the test and the consequences of those results for the patient and their family members. Some clinical geneticists use a layered approach to informed consent, meaning that they give short and concise information at first, and provide more detailed information depending on the situation or the needs of the patient.

Conclusion

During pre‐test counseling for genomic sequencing, clinical geneticists use various strategies to enhance patient understanding and personalization of the informed consent process. Going forward, layering information may be part of a solution to ethical challenges of informed consent, also in mainstream settings.
Health care costs higher for people with unrecognized depression
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2022

Annual direct health care costs for people who did not recognize their symptoms of depression average 149% higher than the average of people with no symptoms of depression, according to a recent analysis conducted by Happify Health, a clinical‐grade technology company.
Accelerate treatment planning process using deep learning generated fluence maps for cervical cancer radiation therapy
Authors: Yuan Zengtai , Wang Yuxiang , Hu Panpan , Zhang Duoer , Yan Bing , Lu Hsiao‐Ming , Zhang Hongyan , Yang Yidong
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to develop a deep learning method that skips the time‐consuming inverse optimization process for automatic generation of machine‐deliverable intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans.

Methods

Ninety cervical cancer clinical IMRT plans were collected to train a two‐stage convolution neural network, of which 66 plans were assigned for training, 11 for validation, and 13 for test. The neural network took patients’ computed tomography (CT) anatomy as the input and predicted the fluence map for each radiation beam. The predicted fluence maps were then imported into a treatment planning system and converted to multileaf collimators motion sequences. The automatic plan was evaluated against its corresponding clinical plan, and its machine deliverability was validated by patient‐specific IMRT quality assurance (QA).

Results

There were no significant differences in dose parameters between automatic and clinical plans for all 13 test patients, indicating a good prediction of fluence maps and a decent quality of automatic plans. The average dice similarity coefficient of isodose volumes encompassed by 0%–100% isodose lines ranged from 0.94 to 1. In patient‐specific IMRT QA, the mean gamma passing rate of automatic plans achieved 99.5% under 3%/3 mm criteria, and 97.3% under 2%/2 mm criteria, with a low dose threshold of 10%.

Conclusions

The proposed deep learning framework can produce machine‐deliverable IMRT plans with quality similar to the clinical plans in the test set. It skips the inverse plan optimization process and provides an effective and efficient method to accelerate treatment planning process.
An improved homogeneity design method for fast field‐cycling coils in molecular MRI
Authors: McCready Matthew A. , Handler William B. , Chronik Blaine A.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Delta relaxation‐enhanced MR (dreMR) is a field‐cycling quantitative method for molecular imaging. The dreMR method uses a B0 insert coil to shift the magnitude of the main magnetic field as a magnetization preparation phase of the pulse sequence. Here, an improved coil design method is presented that minimizes field inhomogeneities and allows for explicit control of the ROI.

Methods

A solenoid produces the bulk field shift, and a boundary element method is employed to design in‐series shim and shield layers. A design is presented and compared to the current generation dreMR coil design on field inhomogeneity maps, shield performance, and simulated dreMR image. A proof‐of‐concept design is also presented with an ROI shifted from isocenter.

Results

The new design is able to image a sphere of 8.5 cm in diameter with field inhomogeneity of < 1% versus the previous design’s 5 cm. The new design presented an increase in shielding capabilities, whereas inductance and resistance increased. For a simulated dreMR image, the new design presented errors < 10% compared to an ideal field simulation, whereas the previous design had errors > 18%. The shifted ROI design produced a region of < 1% inhomogeneity much larger than a design with no shim layer.

Conclusion

The new design method was found to greatly improve the insert coil field homogeneity and reduce errors in dreMR imaging in simulation without detriment to shielding. This method’s capability to increase ROI and control its location will be used to design human dreMR coils going forward.
Perspective‐taking of a similarly‐situated single victim increases donations for multiple victims
Authors: Jang Hyunkyu
Published: February 2022

Prior research has shown that people are more willing to help a single beneficiary than multiple beneficiaries. The present research provides a strategy for charities to collect as many donations for multiple beneficiaries as for a single beneficiary, namely, prompting potential donors to engage in perspective‐taking of a single victim prior to requesting donations for similarly situated multiple beneficiaries. This prior‐perspective‐taking intervention significantly increases donations for multiple beneficiaries. Although people do not tend to naturally take the perspectives of multiple beneficiaries, an intervention requesting individuals to do so was effective. This prior perspective‐taking intervention resulted in greater self‐other overlap, that is, potential donors had the psychological sense of increased merged identity with the multiple beneficiaries, and in turn led to greater donations for those multiple beneficiaries. The present research proposes that charities use prior‐perspective‐taking interventions on campaigns where a single beneficiary cannot be identified (e.g., clear water projects). In each of the two experimental studies (total N = 800), two factors (the number of beneficiaries and prior perspective‐taking) were manipulated and a mediator (self‐other overlap or the degree of perspective‐taking) was measured.
Polymer‐based nanocomposites with ultra‐high in‐plane thermal conductivity via highly oriented boron nitride nanosheets
Authors: Gou Bin , Xu Huasong , Zhou Jiangang , Xie Congzhen , Wang Rui
Published: February 2022

Novel polymer‐based materials with highly thermally conductive and high‐mechanical properties have attracted extensive attention in the field of electronic packaging as thermal interface materials (TIMs), due to the development of electronic equipment to miniaturization and higher power density. However, how to achieve high‐thermal conductivity (exceed 5 W/m·K) with low‐filling content (below 30 vol%) is still the focus of attention. Herein, polymer‐based materials with excellent in‐plane thermal conductivity were prepared by a simple hot‐pressing strategy, and a series of nanocomposites with different orientations were controlled by the hot‐pressing times. As expected, compared with that of randomly dispersed 25 vol% BNNS/P(VDF‐HFP) nanocomposite and pristine P(VDF‐HFP), the in‐plane thermal conductivity of oriented 25 vol% BNNS/P(VDF‐HFP) is promoted by 249% and 3057%, respectively. In contrast to randomly dispersed composites, oriented BNNS/P(VDF‐HFP) at loadings above 10 vol% begin to show an encouraging upward trend. This is because the orientation of BNNS can significantly reduce the percolation threshold and construct an efficient heat conduction network under low‐filling volume. Therefore, this technology can provide new ideas for the development of electronic packaging technology.
Centering trauma‐informed approaches in schools within a social justice framework
Authors: Davis Whitney , Petrovic Lea , Whalen Kathleen , Danna Laura , Zeigler Karaline , Brewton Avery , Joseph Maureen , Baker Courtney N. , Overstreet Stacy ,   and the New Orleans Trauma‐Informed Learning Collaborative
Published: February 2022

Growing evidence establishing the prevalence and educational consequences of childhood trauma has led to a national focus on equipping schools to support the specific needs of students who have experienced trauma. Despite clear evidence of disproportionate trauma exposure among students of color, most models of trauma‐informed schools do not explicitly address the intersection of race and trauma within their system‐level efforts to help staff realize the prevalence and impact of trauma, recognize the signs of trauma exposure, or respond in ways to avoid retraumatization. This manuscript will review existing efforts to integrate a social justice focus within our ongoing work as part of the Safe Schools NOLA project. We present our conceptual framework and describe how principles relevant to social justice are intentionally integrated into strategies that support the adoption and implementation of trauma‐informed approaches in schools. We also discuss limitations in our current approach and offer suggestions to support the development of trauma‐informed schools that can advance a social justice agenda.
Fake news blues: A GUS staining protocol to reduce false‐negative data
Authors: Dedow Lauren K. , Oren Emily , Braybrook Siobhan A.
Published: February 2022

The β‐glucuronidase gene, uidA (GUS), has remained a favorite reporter gene in plants since its introduction in 1987 for its stability and versatility in a variety of fluorometric, spectrophotometric, and histochemical techniques. One of the most popular uses is as a reporter gene for visualizing endogenous promoter activities within plant tissues. Despite this popularity, specific protocols for minimizing nonrepresentative staining patterns, including false negatives, in challenging tissue types are not common. This became a large issue during our work on dark‐grown Arabidopsis hypocotyls, and we set out to develop a protocol that would ensure accurate staining in a tissue that is biologically resistant to reagent penetration. Through extensive testing using a variety of constitutive and endogenous promoter::GUS fusion lines, we have developed an optimized GUS staining protocol that combines the use of acetone as a fixative, deliberate physical damage, and proper positive and negative controls to help ensure accurate staining along the hypocotyl while minimizing false negatives. Hopefully, our recommendations will allow for improved staining that more accurately reflects the true activity of cloned endogenous promoters and thus facilitate a more accurate understanding of promoter activity in Arabidopsis hypocotyls and other hard‐to‐stain tissues.