bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rehabilitation of a Riparian Site Contaminated by Tailings from the Fundão Dam, Brazil, Using Different Remediation Strategies
Authors: Gomes Alessandra R. , Antão Arthur , Santos Amanda G.P. , Lacerda Tomás J. , Medeiros Mirelli B. , Saenz Luis Alberto I. , Alvarenga Stael , Santos Carlos Henrique , Rigobelo Everlon C. , Scotti Maria Rita
Published: April 2021

The tailings spilled by the Fundão Dam rupture in the Doce River basin (Brazil) had a high pH, elevated sodium (Na) and ether amine, and low soil organic matter. With the aim of decreasing the toxic compounds, we established 2 remediation strategies: treatment 1, phytoremediation with tolerant native species of the Atlantic Forest cultivated on scraped sediment plus the incorporation of organic matter; and treatment 2, phytoremediation with native species plus superficial deposition of organic matter. The experimental site was compared with a degraded site that the dam tailings had reached and with a preserved site, a fragment of preserved Atlantic Forest. After 12 mo, plants showed an outstanding growth, especially after treatment 1 (~4 m), and the remediation procedures resulted in significant decreases in pH (from 8.0 to ~ 6.0), Na (from 154 to 22–35 mg/kg), electrical conductivity, and ether amine (from 6.0 to 0.5 mg/kg) in both treatments. By contrast, ammonium, a product of ether amine degradation, showed a significant increase in the experimental site, along with a significant increase in nitrate and improvement of soil microbial populations assessed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis. The treatments also improved soil fertility in the experimental site, as estimated by soil nutrients, cation exchange capacity, and soil aggregation. Based on the parameters analyzed, a principal component analysis showed that samples from the degraded site and the preserved site clustered in an opposite position and those from the experimental site clustered in an intermediate position but closer to the samples from the preserved site. Overall, our results demonstrated that the remediation procedures adopted were effective and resulted in rehabilitation of a riparian forest contaminated with dam tailings that included Na and ether amine. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2359–2373. © 2021 SETAC.

Abstract

A riparian site contaminated with tailings from the Fundão Dam, Brazil, before and after remediation. The tailings from the Fundão dam that reached the Doce River basin presented high levels of sodium (Na), ether amine and very low fertility levels, seriously compromising the restoration of riparian forests and the crop production. After remediating Na and ether amine by adopting phyto- and physico-chemical remediation co-strategies, it was possible to establish a forest fragment with native species of the Atlantic Forest and recover the soil quality.
Ingestion and Toxicity of Polystyrene Microplastics in Freshwater Bivalves
Authors: Weber Annkatrin , Jeckel Nina , Weil Carolin , Umbach Simon , Brennholt Nicole , Reifferscheid Georg , Wagner Martin
Published: April 2021

The ubiquity of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems has raised concerns over their interaction with biota. However, microplastics research on freshwater species, especially mollusks, is still scarce. We, therefore, investigated the factors affecting microplastics ingestion in the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha. Using polystyrene spheres (5, 10, 45, 90 µm), we determined the body burden of microplastics in the mussels in relation to 1) exposure and depuration time, 2) body size, 3) food abundance, and 4) microplastic concentrations. D. polymorpha rapidly ingested microplastics and excreted most particles within 12 h. A few microplastics were retained for up to 1 wk. Smaller individuals had a higher relative body burden of microplastics than larger individuals. The uptake of microplastics was concentration-dependent, whereas an additional food supply (algae) reduced it. We also compared the ingestion of microplastics by D. polymorpha with 2 other freshwater species (Anodonta anatina, Sinanodonta woodiana), highlighting that absolute and relative uptake depends on the species and the size of the mussels. In addition, we determined toxicity of polystyrene fragments (≤63 µm, 6.4–100 000 p mL–1) and diatomite (natural particle, 100 000 p mL–1) in D. polymorpha after 1, 3, 7, and 42 d of exposure, investigating clearance rate, energy reserves, and oxidative stress. Despite ingesting large quantities, exposure to polystyrene fragments only affected the clearance rate of D. polymorpha. Further, results of the microplastic and diatomite exposure did not differ significantly. Therefore, D. polymorpha is unaffected by or can compensate for polystyrene fragment toxicity even at concentrations above current environmental levels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2247–2260. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Microplastic ingestion by freshwater mussels depends on the exposure time, body size, food availability, and microplastic concentration. Polystyrene fragments (≤63 µm) affected mussels' clearance rate but not mortality, energy reserves, or oxidative stress. PS = polystyrene; MP = microplastics.
Embryotoxicity and Physiological Compensation in Chicken Embryos Exposed to Crude Oil
Authors: do Amaral-Silva Lara , Rojas-Antich Maria Carolina , Dubansky Benjamin , Tazawa Hiroshi , Burggren Warren W.
Published: April 2021

Terrestrial, marine, or aquatic oil spills can directly or indirectly contaminate bird eggs. We hypothesized that chicken embryos exposed to crude oil can physiologically compensate to mitigate the potentially toxic effect of lower doses of oil. Embryos exposed to 0, 1, 3, or 5 µL of oil on embryonic days 4 and 10 were initially analyzed for mortality. All oil doses decreased day 4 embryo survival, but only the 2 highest oil doses lowered survival when applied on day 10. Thus, day 15 embryos treated with 1, 3, and 5 µL of source oil on day 10 had arterialized blood analyzed. The hematological variables hematocrit, red blood cell concentration ([RBC]), and hemoglobin concentration increased in response to 1 µL, were unchanged by 3 µL, and decreased by 5 µL of oil treatment. No changes occurred in arterialized blood gas variables (partial pressure of O2 [PO2], pH, bicarbonate concentration) for 1 and 3 µL embryos, but 5 µL of oil decreased PO2 and caused metabolic acidosis. Increased blood lactate in embryos treated with 3 and 5 µL of oil was correlated with decreased hematocrit and [RBC] and increased body mass, the latter likely reflecting edema. We conclude that embryos in middle development physiologically compensated for negative effects of lower doses of crude oil but that higher doses of oil were harmful to the embryos at all developmental stages. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2347–2358. © 2021 SETAC
Defining brain health: A concept analysis
Authors: Chen Yaohua , Demnitz Naiara , Yamamoto Stacey , Yaffe Kristine , Lawlor Brian , Leroi Iracema
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Brain health is an important focus for coming decades due to population ageing. Although the term ‘brain health’ is increasingly used in lay and professional settings, a clear definition of the term is lacking. We conducted an analysis of the concept of brain health to inform policy, practice, and research.

Methods

We applied a hybrid concept analysis method involving three stages: (1) a review of the extant literature for definitions of brain health; (2) field work, involving an international survey of ‘brain health’ researchers and practitioners; and (3) a final analysis, integrating the findings into a working definition and model.

Results

Our review of the literature identified 13 articles defining brain health, six of which proposed their own definition. Our survey revealed that the term ‘brain health’ was used in diverse ways based on different theoretical frameworks. From the review and survey, we extracted attributes, antecedents, and consequences of brain health. These were synthesized into a definition of brain health as a life‐long, multidimensional, dynamic state consisting of cognitive, emotional and motor domains underpinned by physiological processes and can be objectively measured and subjectively experienced. It is influenced by eco‐biopsychosocial determinants.

Conclusion

This working definition of brain health is a foundation for developing policy, practice, research and advocacy. The definition needs to be operationalised through further development of empirical referents, including cross‐cultural understanding, adaptation and validation.
Impacts of local public smoking bans on smoking behaviors and tobacco smoke exposure
Authors: Catalano Michael A. , Gilleskie Donna B.
Published: April 2021

This paper examines the immediate and long‐term effects of public smoking bans on smoking prevalence, smoking regularity, smoking intensity, and secondhand tobacco smoke exposure. We supplement the extensive literature on the effects of various types of tobacco control legislation on smoking behavior in developed countries by studying the provincial smoking bans and more recent national ban of a middle‐income country, Argentina. We focus on the difference between full and partial smoking bans, and take advantage of the time and province variation in ban implementation in order to determine the causal effects of each type of ban. We find that full bans reduce national smoking prevalence over time, especially among younger demographic groups, but have no significant impact on intensity of smoking among smokers. Full bans also benefit nonsmokers, as they are associated with a significant reduction in environmental tobacco smoke exposure. Partial bans do not significantly impact smoking prevalence, and are found to increase smoking intensity among individuals who smoke every day. These findings provide support for ratification of full bans by all provinces according to the National Tobacco Control Law of 2011.
Inhibition of Secretin/Secretin Receptor Axis Ameliorates NAFLD Phenotypes
Authors: Chen Lixian , Wu Nan , Kennedy Lindsey , Francis Heather , Ceci Ludovica , Zhou Tianhao , Samala Niharika , Kyritsi Konstantina , Wu Chaodong , Sybenga Amelia , Ekser Burcin , Dar Wasim , Atkins Constance , Meadows Vik , Glaser Shannon , Alpini Gianfranco
Published: April 2021

Background and Aims

Human NAFLD is characterized at early stages by hepatic steatosis, which may progress to NASH when the liver displays microvesicular steatosis, lobular inflammation, and pericellular fibrosis. The secretin (SCT)/secretin receptor (SCTR) axis promotes biliary senescence and liver fibrosis in cholestatic models through down‐regulation of miR‐125b signaling. We aim to evaluate the effect of disrupting biliary SCT/SCTR/miR‐125b signaling on hepatic steatosis, biliary senescence, and liver fibrosis in NAFLD/NASH.

Approach and Results

In vivo, 4‐week‐old male wild‐type, Sct
−/− and Sctr
−/− mice were fed a control diet or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. The expression of SCT/SCTR/miR‐125b axis was measured in human NAFLD/NASH liver samples and HFD mouse livers by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. Biliary/hepatocyte senescence, ductular reaction, and liver angiogenesis were evaluated in mouse liver and human NAFLD/NASH liver samples. miR‐125b target lipogenesis genes in hepatocytes were screened and validated by custom RT2 Profiler PCR array and luciferase assay. Biliary SCT/SCTR expression was increased in human NAFLD/NASH samples and in livers of HFD mice, whereas the expression of miR‐125b was decreased. Biliary/hepatocyte senescence, ductular reaction, and liver angiogenesis were observed in human NAFLD/NASH samples as well as HFD mice, which were decreased in Sct
−/− and Sctr
−/− HFD mice. Elovl1 is a lipogenesis gene targeted by miR‐125b, and its expression was also decreased in HFD mouse hepatocytes following Sct or Sctr knockout. Bile acid profile in fecal samples have the greatest changes between wild‐type mice and Sct
−/−/Sctr
−/− mice.

Conclusion

The biliary SCT/SCTR/miR‐125b axis promotes liver steatosis by up‐regulating lipid biosynthesis gene Elovl1. Targeting the biliary SCT/SCTR/miR‐125b axis may be key for ameliorating phenotypes of human NAFLD/NASH.
Using isotopes to understand landscape‐scale connectivity in a groundwater‐dominated, lowland catchment under drought conditions
Authors: Kleine Lukas , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Smith Aaron , Goldhammer Tobias , Soulsby Chris
Published: April 2021

The Demnitzer Millcreek catchment (DMC), is a 66 km2 long‐term experimental catchment located 50 km SE of Berlin. Monitoring over the past 30 years has focused on hydrological and biogeochemical changes associated with de‐intensification of farming and riparian restoration in the low‐lying landscape dominated by rain‐fed farming and forestry. However, the hydrological function of the catchment, which is closely linked to nutrient fluxes and highly sensitive to climatic variability, is still poorly understood. In the last 3 years, a prolonged drought period with below‐average rainfall and above‐average temperatures has resulted in marked hydrological change. This caused low soil moisture storage in the growing season, agricultural yield losses, reduced groundwater recharge, and intermittent streamflows in parts of an increasingly disconnected channel network. This paper focuses on a two‐year long isotope study that sought to understand how different parts of the catchment affect ecohydrological partitioning, hydrological connectivity and streamflow generation during drought conditions. The work has shown the critical importance of groundwater storage in sustaining flows, basic in‐stream ecosystem services and the dominant influence of vegetation on groundwater recharge. Recharge was much lower and occurred during a shorter window of time in winter under forests compared to grasslands. Conversely, groundwater recharge was locally enhanced by the restoration of riparian wetlands and storage‐dependent water losses from the stream to the subsurface. The isotopic variability displayed complex emerging spatio‐temporal patterns of stream connectivity and flow duration during droughts that may have implications for in‐stream solute transport and future ecohydrological interactions between landscapes and riverscapes. Given climate projections for drier and warmer summers, reduced and increasingly intermittent streamflows are very likely not just in the study region, but in similar lowland areas across Europe. An integrated land and water management strategy will be essential to sustaining catchment ecosystem services in such catchment systems in future.
How realistic are water‐balance closure assumptions? A demonstration from the southern sierra critical zone observatory and kings river experimental watersheds
Authors: Safeeq Mohammad , Bart Ryan R. , Pelak Norman F. , Singh Chandan K. , Dralle David N. , Hartsough Peter , Wagenbrenner Joseph W.
Published: April 2021

The water balance is an essential tool for hydrologic studies and quantifying water‐balance components is the focus of many research catchments. A fundamental question remains regarding the appropriateness of water‐balance closure assumptions when not all components are available. In this study, we leverage in‐situ measurements of water fluxes and storage from the Southern Sierra Critical Zone Observatory (SSCZO) and the Kings River Experimental Watersheds (KREW) to investigate annual water‐balance closure errors across large (1016–5389 km2) river basins and small (0.5–5 km2) headwater‐catchment scales in the southern Sierra Nevada. The results showed that while long‐term water balance in river basins can be closed within 10% of precipitation, in the smaller headwater catchments as much as a quarter of precipitation remained unaccounted for. A detailed diagnosis of this water‐balance closure error using distributed soil moisture measurements in the top 1 m suggests an unaccounted deeper storage and a net groundwater export from the headwater catchments. This imbalance was also found to be very sensitive to the timescales over which water‐balance closures were attempted. While some of the closure errors in the simple water balance can be attributed to measurement uncertainties, we argue for a broader consideration of groundwater exchange when evaluating hydrological processes at headwater scales, as the assumption of negligible net groundwater exchange may lead to an overestimation of fluxes derived from the water balance method.
Gender‐neutral HPV elimination, cervical cancer screening, and treatment: Experience from Bhutan
Authors: Dorji Thinley , Tshomo Ugyen , Gyamtsho Sonam , Tamang Saran Tenzin , Wangmo Sangay , Pongpirul Krit
Published: April 2021

Cervical cancer is preventable and also curable when detected early and treated adequately, yet it remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women. In Bhutan, cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women. Bhutan was the first country among the low‐ and middle‐income economies to have instituted a national HPV vaccination program, in 2010, and has achieved >90% coverage. In 2019, Bhutan launched a cervical cancer elimination flagship program well ahead of WHO’s launch of the global strategy for accelerated elimination of cervical cancer. Bhutan initiated vaccination of adolescent boys and adopted a gender‐neutral vaccination program beginning September 2020 through its well‐established network of primary healthcare centres. The flagship program aims to screen women aged 30–69 years with HPV testing using liquid‐based cytology (LBC) as triaging for screen positive women. For women aged 25–29 years, LBC will be continued as per American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology guidelines. Colposcopy and treatment will be performed in camps to decrease loss of follow up of screen positive women. This program is also expected to improve early diagnosis of cervical cancer and provide timely and adequate cancer treatment and palliative care services. This article reviews the progress made and the challenges facing the 2030 cervical cancer elimination targets in Bhutan.
Evaluation of 17 genetic variants in association with leukemia in the north Indian population using MassARRAY Sequenom
Authors: Bhat Amrita , Bhat Gh. Rasool , Verma Sonali , Sharma Bhanu , Bakshi Divya , Abrol Deepak , Singh Supinder , Qadri Raies Ahmed , Shah Ruchi , Kumar Rakesh
Published: April 2021

Leukemia is a heterogeneous disorder, characterized by elevated proliferation of white blood cells. In this study, we explored the association of 17 genetic variants with leukemia patients in the Jammu and Kashmir region of north India. The variants were genotyped by using a high‐throughput Agena MassARRAY platform in 758 individuals (166 cases and 592 controls). Of the 17 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) studied, five SNPs were showing significant association with the high risk of leukemia in the north Indian population, which includes rs10069690 of telomere reverse transcriptase (TERT) with OR = 0.34 (95% CI, 0.20–0.58; p = .0008), rs2972392 (​​​PSCA) with OR 1.86 (95% CI, 1.04–3.81; p = .035), rs4986764 (BRIP1) with OR 1.34 (95% CI, 1.00–1.80; p = .04), rs6990097 (TNKS) with OR 1.81 (95% CI, 1.2–2.6; p = .001) and rs12190287 (TCF21) with OR 2.87 (95% CI, 1.72–4.7; p = .0001) by allelic association using Plink and analyzed by SPSS. This is the first study to explore these variants with leukemia in the studied population.
Crystal structure and quantum chemical calculations of (E)1‐benzyl‐3‐((4‐methoxyphenyl)imino)‐5‐methylindolin‐2‐one
Authors: Abdel El‐wahab Hend A. A. , Hamdy Ahmed K. , Schulzke Carola , Aboul‐Fadl Tarek , Qayed Wesam S.
Published: April 2021

The known Schiff base compound, (E)1‐benzyl‐3‐((4‐methoxyphenyl)imino)‐5‐methylindolin‐2‐one, was prepared as before by reacting 1‐benzyl‐5‐methylindoline‐2,3‐dione with 4‐methoxyaniline. The product was unambiguously characterized using elemental analysis,1H and13C‐NMR spectroscopy, and its new single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis. Molecular orbital calculations were conducted in order to investigate the structures and relative stabilities of the (E) and (Z) isomers of 1‐benzyl‐3‐([4 methoxyphenyl]‐imino)‐5‐methylindolin‐2‐one. Specific attention was paid to the (E) isomer. The available crystallographic experimental data for the latter ensured also validation of the model structures computationally derived at the theoretical B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level.
A randomized controlled trial evaluating combination detection of HIV in Malawian sexually transmitted infections clinics
Authors: Chen Jane S , Matoga Mitch , Pence Brian W , Powers Kimberly A , Maierhofer Courtney N , Jere Edward , Massa Cecilia , Khan Shiraz , Rutstein Sarah E , Phiri Sam , Hosseinipour Mina C , Cohen Myron S , Hoffman Irving F , Miller William C , Lancaster Kathryn E
Published: April 2021

Introduction

HIV diagnosis is the necessary first step towards HIV care initiation, yet many persons living with HIV (PLWH) remain undiagnosed. Employing multiple HIV testing strategies in tandem could increase HIV detection and promote linkage to care. We aimed to assess an intervention to improve HIV detection within socio‐sexual networks of PLWH in two sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate an intervention combining acute HIV infection (AHI) screening, contract partner notification and social contact referral versus the Malawian standard of care: serial rapid serological HIV tests and passive partner referral. Enrolment occurred between 2015 and 2019. HIV‐seropositive persons (two positive rapid tests) were randomized to the trial arms and HIV‐seronegative (one negative rapid test) and ‐serodiscordant (one positive test followed by a negative confirmatory test) persons were screened for AHI with HIV RNA testing. Those found to have AHI were offered enrolment into the intervention arm. Our primary outcome of interest was the number of new HIV diagnoses made per index participant within participants’ sexual and social networks. We also calculated total persons, sexual partners and PLWH (including those previously diagnosed) referred per index participant.

Results

A total of 1230 HIV‐seropositive persons were randomized to the control arm, and 561 to the intervention arm. Another 12,713 HIV‐seronegative or ‐serodiscordant persons underwent AHI screening, resulting in 136 AHI cases, of whom 94 enrolled into the intervention arm. The intervention increased the number of new HIV diagnoses made per index participant versus the control (ratio: 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2 to 3.1). The intervention also increased the numbers of persons (ratio: 2.5; 95% CI: 2.0 to 3.2), sexual partners (ratio: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.4 to 2.0) and PLWH (ratio: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.7 to 3.2) referred per index participant.

Conclusions

Combining three distinct HIV testing and referral strategies increased the detection of previously undiagnosed HIV infections within the socio‐sexual networks of PLWH seeking STI care. Combination HIV detection strategies that leverage AHI screening and socio‐sexual contact networks offer a novel and efficacious approach to increasing HIV status awareness.
The breadth of concomitant virological features in a family cluster outbreak of COVID‐19 pneumonia
Authors: Lei Guanglin , Meng Fanping , Wang Cheng , Yan Jin , Sun Fang , Shi Lei , Li Wengang , Luan Junqing , Wang Siyu , Yang Penghui
Published: April 2021

An outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) had emerged in 2019 and rapidly posed a global epidemic. Here, we report the breadth of concomitant virological features of a family cluster with COVID‐19. The period of virus shedding is significantly different between upper respiratory and feces samples. Even the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus titers were undetectable in feces, it could be positive again soon and likely related to fluctuated inflammation levels (interleukin‐6, etc.) and lowered immune responses (CD4 + T lymphocyte, etc.). Our findings expand the novel understanding of the breadth of concomitant virological features during a non‐severe family cluster of COVID‐19.
Do you value or worry about feedback? Tradeoffs between cost and value perceptions and dual feedback‐seeking strategies toward creativity
Authors: Sung Sun Young , Choi Jin Nam
Published: April 2021

This study advances the literature by elaborating on how disparate tradeoffs between cost and value perceptions targeted at FSB lead to distinct feedback‐seeking strategies. Specifically, the cost–value framework is employed to explain the emergence of two forms of feedback‐seeking behavior (FSB), namely, inquiry and monitoring. An interplay between the two FSB strategies is also proposed to predict employee creativity. Data collected from 194 individuals across 76 work teams reveal that high cost–low value perceptions are negatively related and low cost–high value perceptions are positively related to inquiry strategy. Such incongruence between cost and value perceptions shows no significant effect on monitoring strategy. Instead, employees adopt a monitoring strategy when they perceive congruence or ambiguous tradeoffs related to FSB (high cost–high value, low cost–low value). Analysis indicates the interplay between the two FSB strategies in which the highest level of creativity is observed when employees use both inquiry and monitoring strategies at high levels. This study complements and enriches the feedback literature by theorizing and empirically validating comparative effects of cost and value perceptions toward FSB as well as the interplay between the two FSB strategies in predicting employee creativity.
Confidence, ability to meet return to sport criteria, and second ACL injury risk associations after ACL‐reconstruction
Authors: Paterno Mark V. , Thomas Staci , VanEtten Karen Thatcher , Schmitt Laura C.
Published: April 2021

This study tested the hypotheses that participants with high knee‐related confidence at the time of return to sport (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) would have a greater likelihood of meeting RTS criteria and would have a higher likelihood of second ACL injury. Participants completed RTS testing when cleared to RTS. Success was defined as an IKDC score more than or equal to 90 and all limb symmetry index (LSI) scores more than or equal to 90%. Confidence groups were created based on response to the KOOS Quality of Life subscale. Incidence of second ACL injury was tracked for 24 months after RTS. Associations among confidence, success in meeting RTS criteria, and second ACL injury were evaluated. At RTS, 37.7% were classified with high knee‐related confidence, 26.4% met RTS criteria and 22.0% sustained a second ACL injury post‐RTS. A higher proportion of confident participants met all RTS criteria (p = 0.001). Confident participants were over two times more likely to suffer a second ACL injury (odds ratio [OR] = 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.21–5.20) (p = 0.02) and participants who were both confident and met all RTS criteria were 10 times more likely to suffer a second ACL injury (OR = 9.6; 95% CI:1.1, 84.2) (p = 0.02) than those who passed all RTS criteria but lacked knee‐related confidence. Clinical significance: Confident, young athletes at the time of RTS after ACLR are more likely to meet all RTS criteria and more likely to sustain a second ACL injury after RTS. Future work must consider how the inclusion of additional factors into RTS criteria may better identify those at high risk for poor outcome after ACLR.
Optimal Strategies for Managing Wildlife Harvest Under System Change
Authors: Tucker Anna M. , Runge Michael C.
Published: April 2021

Wildlife populations are experiencing shifting dynamics due to climate and landscape change. Management policies that fail to account for non‐stationary dynamics may fail to achieve management objectives. We establish a framework for understanding optimal strategies for managing a theoretical harvested population under non‐stationarity. Building from harvest theory, we develop scenarios representing changes in population growth rate () or carrying capacity () and derive time‐dependent optimal harvest policies using stochastic dynamic programming. We then evaluate the cost of falsely assuming stationarity by comparing the outcomes of forward projections in which either the optimal policy or a stationary policy is applied. Whendeclines over time, the stationary policy leads to an underharvest of the population, resulting in less harvest over the short term but leaving the population in a higher‐value state. Whendeclines over time, the stationary policy leads to overharvest, resulting in greater harvest returns in the short term but leaving the population in a lower and potentially more vulnerable state. This work demonstrates the basic properties of time‐dependent harvest management and provides a framework for evaluating the many outstanding questions about optimal management strategies under climate change. Published 2021. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
The Effects of Landscape Characteristics on Northern Bobwhite Density
Authors: Howell Paige E. , Wilhite Nathan G. , Gardner Rachel , Mohlman Jessica L. , Chandler Richard B. , Parnell Ira B. , Martin James A.
Published: April 2021

The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is an ecologically and economically valuable species in the United States. Managers rely on autumn density estimates to set harvest regulations, balancing the interests of hunters and long‐term bobwhite population viability. Spatial capture‐recapture (SCR) is a useful framework for estimating population size and modeling spatial variation in density. We used SCR to quantify the effect of landscape structure on spatial variation in density for a population of bobwhites on the Di‐Lane Wildlife Management Area in Waynesboro, Georgia, USA. Without additional telemetry or nesting data, we were also able to estimate a spatially explicit metric of productivity. To sample the population, we deployed a fixed array of 395, 262, and 268 funnel traps in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. We estimated age structure, with the highest density of juveniles (0.32 birds/ha, 95% CI = 0.28–0.37) and adults (0.10 birds/ha, 95% CI = 0.08–0.12) estimated in 2016. In our top model, density was negatively related to the proportion of closed canopy hardwoods. To increase bobwhite density on the landscape, managers should reduce the amount of closed canopy hardwood forest. Furthermore, the spatially explicit age ratio we estimated could be used to target management towards increasing the recruitment of chicks into the autumn population. An SCR approach may require additional logistical and financial resources relative to other data collection methods, but it makes modeling spatial variation in density straightforward and can be used to gather data to simultaneously understand population structure, vital rates, and movement. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Diazotrophs modulate phycobiliproteins and nitrogen stoichiometry differently than other cyanobacteria in response to light and nitrogen availability
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Wagner Nicole D. , Fulton James M. , Scott J. Thad
Published: April 2021

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) frequently occur in eutrophic water bodies, which are often dominated by either non‐diazotrophic or diazotrophic strains of cyanobacteria. The occurrence of HABs is associated with multiple environmental factors that affect cyanobacterial growth, though adaptations of cyanobacteria to respond to diverse growing conditions are largely unknown. One factor affecting HAB persistence is the ability of cyanobacteria to synthesize and metabolize large biomolecules such as the light harvesting pigments phycobiliproteins that can also act as nitrogen (N) storage. Here, we examined how cyanobacteria varied phycobiliprotein content in response to different light intensity and N availability in two HAB forming species, Microcystis aeruginosa (non‐diazotrophic) and Dolichospermum flos‐aquae (diazotrophic). Our results revealed both HAB forming species responded similarly to light intensity, with decreasing light causing an increased production of phycobiliproteins, although at different rates. However, we observed dissimilar phycobiliprotein responses to varied N availability. In low N conditions, M. aeruginosa degraded phycobiliproteins primarily due to the decreased need for photosynthesis, whereas D. flos‐aquae, increased phycobiliproteins production under N‐limited conditions likely caused by the increased energetic requirements for N2‐fixation. Our results indicate that M. aeruginosa stored as much as 30% of cellular N in phycobiliproteins under high N conditions, while D. flos‐aquae only allocated 5% of the cellular N in phycobiliproteins. This study reveals a fundamental physiological difference between non‐diazotrophic and diazotrophic cyanobacteria, highlighting the critical role of phycobiliproteins on the persistence of cyanobacteria blooms under scenarios with varied light intensity and N availability.
Synthesis and Characterization of 4‐Vinylimidazolium/Styrene‐Cografted Anion‐Conducting Electrolyte Membranes
Authors: Hamada Takashi , Yoshimura Kimio , Takeuchi Kota , Watanabe Shun , Zhao Yue , Hiroki Akihiro , Hagiwara Tokio , Shishitani Hideyuki , Yamaguchi Susumu , Tanaka Hirohisa , Radulescu Aurel , Ohwada Kenji , Maekawa Yasunari
Published: April 2021

The β‐hydrogen‐free imidazole monomer, 2‐methyl‐N‐methyl‐4(5)‐vinylimidazole (2M4VIm), is synthesized to prepare anion exchange membranes (AEMs). The radiation‐induced graft polymerization of 2M4VIm and styrene is performed in poly(ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene), followed by N‐alkylation and ion exchange reactions to prepare 4‐vinylimidazolium‐containing AEM (2M4VIm/St‐AEM). AEMs that have a 6/4 2M4VIm/St molar ratio and 1.7 mmol g−1 ion exchange capacity (IEC) result in 75 mS cm−1 conductivity and 60% water uptake at room temperature in water, demonstrating enhanced values compared to previously reported 2‐methyl‐N‐vinylimidazolium‐containing AEMs (2MNVIm/St‐AEM) that have a similar comonomer ratio and IEC. The small‐angle neutron scattering measurements of dry and swollen 2M4VIm/St‐AEM reveal hydrophilic/hydrophobic two‐phase separation, as observed for 2MNVIm/St‐AEM with a similar Im/St composition. 2M4VIm/St‐AEMs exhibit higher alkaline stability in 1 m KOH at 80 °C at an early stage owing to the suppression of imidazolium β‐elimination but lower long‐term stability than that of 2MNVIm/St‐AEM due to the ring‐opening reaction of the imidazolium group due to its outward orientation from the graft main chain.
Photoinduced Exfoliation of a Polymeric N‐Benzylideneaniline Liquid‐Crystalline Composite Based on a Photoisomerization‐Triggered Phase Transition
Authors: Kondo Mizuho , Kojima Daijoro , Ootsuki Naoya , Kawatsuki Nobuhiro
Published: April 2021

Hydrogen‐bonded liquid crystalline polymer composites containing N‐benzylideneaniline (NBA) as a photoresponsive mesogenic unit are prepared. The mesomorphic properties of the composite decrease upon exposure to UV light because of trans‐to‐cis photoisomerization, which affects the adhesive properties and allows facile exfoliation. In addition, the destabilized phase spontaneously reverts to the initial state when UV light irradiation stops. After exfoliation, the composite can be rebonded to a glass substrate by heating above its melting point. This is the first observation of the phase transition of an NBA liquid crystalline polymer.
Application of Multivariate and Spectroscopic Techniques for Investigation of the Interactions between Polyelectrolyte Layers in Layer‐by‐Layer Assembled pH‐Sensitive Nanocapsules
Authors: Mashoofnia Anita , Mohamadnia Zahra , Kompany‐Zareh Mohsen
Published: April 2021

Here, ultraviolet–visible (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy, zeta potential, and chemometrics approaches are used to study the interactions between alginate (Alg) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), respectively as polyanion and polycation. The optimum conditions are obtained at Alg/BSA mixing ratio of 1:4 and pH 4 due to the appropriate complexation between Alg and BSA polyelectrolytes. The layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembled (Alg/BSA)7@SiO2 nanocapsules are prepared by repeated deposition of Alg and BSA polyelectrolytes on the surface of SiO2‐NH2 nanoparticles. The dried (Alg/BSA)7@SiO2 nanocapsules are dispersed in NH4F/HF buffer solution to remove the silica core and (Alg/BSA)7 hollow capsules are achieved. (Alg/BSA)7 hollow capsules are characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x‐ray analysis (EDX), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and zeta potential analyses. The sensitivity of the hollow capsules to pH is investigated utilizing UV‐Vis spectroscopy. Evaluation of cytotoxicity analysis for (Alg/BSA)7@SiO2 nanocapsules using the MTT assays on Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF‐7) cells shows no toxicity effect. The (Alg/BSA)7 hollow capsules have suitable potential as carriers for drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and bioavailability. Betamethasone disodium phosphate (BSP) is loaded on the (Alg/BSA)7 hollow capsules due to biocompatibility and shows a controlled releases profile at pH 7.4.
Predicting origins of coherent air mass trajectories using a neural network—the case of dry intrusions
Authors: Silverman Vered , Nahum Stav , Raveh‐Rubin Shira
Published: April 2021

Mid‐latitude cyclones are complex weather systems that are tightly related to surface weather impacts. Coherent air streams are known to be associated with such systems, in particular dry intrusions (DIs) in which dry air masses descend slantwise from the vicinity of the tropopause equatorward towards the surface. Often, DIs are associated with severe surface winds, heavy precipitation and frontogenesis. Currently, DIs can only be identified in hindsight by costly Lagrangian calculations using high resolution wind field data. Here, we use a novel method aiming to simplify the detection procedure of DI origins to allow their future identification in climate datasets, previously inaccessible for such diagnostic studies. A novel adaptation of a segmentation‐oriented neural network model is hereby presented as a successful tool to identify DI origins based solely on three ERA‐Interim reanalysis geopotential height fields, representing the state of the atmosphere. The model prediction skill is tested by calculating both the grid‐point and DI object based Matthews correlation coefficient. We find the model highly skilful in both reconstructing accurately the climatological distribution and predicting the vast majority of the individual DI origin objects. The skill decreases for relatively small objects and for objects occurring at locations where such cases are relatively less frequent. This indicates that geopotential height variability is related to the dynamic mechanisms involved in DI initiations. The results serve as a proof of concept for predicting DIs and other coherent air mass trajectories even when high resolution wind field data are not available, such as for model output for future climate projections.
Traveling waves in a nonlocal delayed epidemic model with diffusion
Authors: Li Kun , Li Xiong
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we are concerned with traveling waves in a nonlocal delayed epidemic model with diffusion. Firstly, by considering a six‐dimensional nondelayed system with the help of variable transformation, we establish the existence of monotone traveling waves by means of the abstract theory, which implies the existence of traveling waves connecting the disease‐free equilibrium and the epidemic coexistence equilibrium. Secondly, we prove the global stability of traveling waves based on spectral analysis method, which reveals that the solutions of the initial values and the traveling waves are exponentially close. Thirdly, we obtain that the wave speed is unique by choosing suitable parameters to construct new upper and lower solutions, which shows that the bistable waves keep the uniqueness of the wave speeds in the case of nonlocal delays. As an application of our results, we give a special example.
Estimation of patient skin dose in fluoroscopy: summary of a joint report by AAPM TG357 and EFOMP
Authors: Andersson Jonas , Bednarek Daniel R. , Bolch Wesley , Boltz Thomas , Bosmans Hilde , Gislason‐Lee Amber J. , Granberg Christoffer , Hellstrom Max , Kanal Kalpana , McDonagh Ed , Paden Robert , Pavlicek William , Khodadadegan Yasaman , Torresin Alberto , Trianni Annalisa , Zamora David
Published: April 2021

Background

Physicians use fixed C‐arm fluoroscopy equipment with many interventional radiological and cardiological procedures. The associated effective dose to a patient is generally considered low risk, as the benefit‐risk ratio is almost certainly highly favorable. However, X‐ray‐induced skin injuries may occur due to high absorbed patient skin doses from complex fluoroscopically guided interventions (FGI). Suitable action levels for patient‐specific follow‐up could improve the clinical practice.

There is a need for a refined metric regarding follow‐up of X‐ray‐induced patient injuries and the knowledge gap regarding skin dose‐related patient information from fluoroscopy devices must be filled. The most useful metric to indicate a risk of erythema, epilation or greater skin injury that also includes actionable information is the peak skin dose, that is, the largest dose to a region of skin.

Materials and Methods

The report is based on a comprehensive review of best practices and methods to estimate peak skin dose found in the scientific literature and situates the importance of the Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) standard detailing pertinent information contained in the Radiation Dose Structured Report (RDSR) and DICOM image headers for FGI devices. Furthermore, the expertise of the task group members and consultants have been used to bridge and discuss different methods and associated available DICOM information for peak skin dose estimation.

Results

The report contributes an extensive summary and discussion of the current state of the art in estimating peak skin dose with FGI procedures with regard to methodology and DICOM information. Improvements in skin dose estimation efforts with more refined DICOM information are suggested and discussed.

Conclusions

The endeavor of skin dose estimation is greatly aided by the continuing efforts of the scientific medical physics community, the numerous technology enhancements, the dose‐controlling features provided by the FGI device manufacturers, and the emergence and greater availability of the DICOM RDSR. Refined and new dosimetry systems continue to evolve and form the infrastructure for further improvements in accuracy. Dose‐related content and information systems capable of handling big data are emerging for patient dose monitoring and quality assurance tools for large‐scale multihospital enterprises.
The aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J basis set for the p‐block fourth‐row elements Ga, Ge, As, Se, and Br
Authors: Steinmann Casper , Sauer Stephan P. A.
Published: April 2021

The aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J basis set family is extended to include the fourth‐row p‐block elements Ga, Ge, As, Se, and Br. We use the established approach outlined by Sauer and coworkers (J. Chem. Phys. 115, 1324 [2001], J. Chem. Phys. 133, 054308 [2010], J. Chem. Theory Comput. 7, 4070 [2011], and J. Chem. Theory Comput. 7, 4077 [2011]) where the completely uncontracted aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis set is saturated with tight s‐, p‐, d‐, and f‐functions to form the aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐Juc basis set for the tested elements. The saturation is carried out on the simplest hydrides possible for the tested elements GaH, GeH4, AsH3, H2Se, and HBr until an improvement is less than 0.01% for all s‐, p‐, and d‐functions added. f‐Functions are added to an improvement less than or equal to 1.0% due to the computational expense these functions add. The saturated aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐Juc (26s16p12d5f) is then recontracted using the molecular orbital coefficients from self‐consistent field calculations on the simple hydrides to improve computational efficiency. During contraction of the basis set, we observe that the linear hydrogen bromide molecule has a slower convergence than the other tested molecules which sets a limit on the accuracy obtained. All calculations with the contracted aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J [17s10p7d5f] gives results that are within 1.0% of the uncontracted results at considerable computational savings.
Single‐shot RARE with Dixon: Application to robust abdominal imaging with uniform fat and water separation at 3T
Authors: Wang Xinzeng , Udayakumar Durga , Xi Yin , Rofsky Neil M. , Pedrosa Ivan , Madhuranthakam Ananth J.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To develop a true single shot turbo spin echo (SShTSE) acquisition with Dixon for robust T2‐weighted abdominal imaging with uniform fat and water separation at 3T.

Methods

The in‐phase (IP) and out‐of‐phase (OP) echoes for Dixon processing were acquired in the same repetition time of a SShTSE using partial echoes. A phase‐preserved bi‐directional homodyne reconstruction was developed to compensate the partial echo and the partial phase encoding of SShTSE. With IRB approval, the SShTSE‐Dixon was compared against standard SShTSE, without and with fat suppression using spectral adiabatic inversion recovery (SPAIR) in 5 healthy volunteers and 5 patients. The SNR and contrast ratio (CR) of spleen to liver were compared among different acquisitions.

Results

The bi‐directional homodyne reconstruction successfully minimized ringing artifacts because of partial acquisitions. SShTSE‐Dixon achieved uniform fat suppression compared to SShTSE‐SPAIR with fat suppression failures of 1/10 versus 10/10 in the axial plane and 0/5 versus 5/5 in the coronal plane, respectively. The SNRs of the liver (12.2 ± 4.9 vs. 11.7 ± 5.2; P = .76) and spleen (25.9 ± 11.6 vs. 23.7 ± 9.7; P = .14) were equivalent between fat‐suppressed images (SShTSE‐Dixon water‐only and SShTSE‐SPAIR). The SNRs of liver (14.4 ± 5.7 vs. 13.4 ± 5.0; P = .60) and spleen (26.5 ± 10.1 vs. 25.7 ± 8.5; P = .56) were equivalent between non‐fat‐suppressed images (SShTSE‐Dixon IP and SShTSE). The CRs of spleen to liver were also similar between fat‐suppressed images (2.6 ± 0.4 vs. 2.5 ± 0.5; P =.92) and non‐fat‐suppressed images (2.3 ± 0.6 vs. 2.2 ± 0.4; P =.84).

Conclusion

SShTSE‐Dixon generates robust abdominal T2‐weighted images at 3T with and without uniform fat suppression, along with perfectly co‐registered fat‐only images in a single acquisition.
Learning parameters of a system of variable order fractional differential equations
Authors: Singh Abhishek Kumar , Mehra Mani , Gulyani Samarth
Published: April 2021

We introduce a machine learning framework that uses the differential evolution algorithm in combination with Adam–Bashforth–Moulton method to learn the parameters in a system of variable order fractional differential equations. In this work, we present out developments with regards to taking care of a class of problem: data‐driven discovery of system of variable order fractional differential equations. The main advantage of the proposed framework is that it works even if data corresponding to only one of the variables in the system of equations is given. We illustrate the working of our framework on several Examples including modeling the 2014–15 Ebola outbreak in Africa via fractional SEIR (susceptible, exposed, infected, removed) model.