bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The information content of uncertainty indices for natural gas futures volatility forecasting
Authors: Liang Chao , Ma Feng , Wang Lu , Zeng Qing
Published: February 2021

We investigate the information content of five uncertainty indices for the US natural gas futures volatility forecasting. Our investigation is based on the GARCH‐MIDAS framework. The in‐sample outcomes suggest that most of uncertainty indices have a crucial effect on natural gas futures volatility. And the out‐of‐sample prediction results indicate that the geopolitical risk (GPR) and equity market volatility (EMV) indices contain more useful information for natural gas futures volatility. Moreover, according to the empirical results of special periods, we observe that the EMV index exhibits superior predictive ability under the periods of postcrisis, expansions, and low volatility. Our results are confirmed by several robustness checks.
Camel milk as an alternative treatment regimen for diabetes therapy
Authors: Hussain Humaira , Wattoo Feroza Hamid , Wattoo Muhammad Hamid Sarwar , Gulfraz Muhammad , Masud Tariq , Shah Imam , Ali Sakhawat , Alavi Seyed Ebrahim
Published: February 2021

Camel milk is a valuable source of nutrition with a wide range of therapeutic effects. Its unique composition helps to regulate the blood glucose level. The current study is aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects, as well as lipid profile restoration of camel milk in the diabetic mouse model. This innovative study evaluates the therapeutic effects of camel milk in diabetic mice by simultaneous measurement of blood glucose, HbA1c, ALT, AST, TG, cholesterol, and histopathological studies. The results showed that camel milk has significantly reduced blood glucose, HbA1c (p < .001), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p < .01), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol (p < .01), compared to that in the diabetic control group. Also, the therapeutic effects of camel milk were completely comparable with the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide. The results of this study suggest that camel milk could be used as a proper alternative treatment regimen for diabetes therapy.
Genetic scores for adult subcortical volumes associate with subcortical volumes during infancy and childhood
Authors: Lamballais Sander , Jansen Philip R. , Labrecque Jeremy A. , Ikram M. Arfan , White Tonya
Published: February 2021

Individual differences in subcortical brain volumes are highly heritable. Previous studies have identified genetic variants that underlie variation in subcortical volumes in adults. We tested whether those previously identified variants also affect subcortical regions during infancy and early childhood. The study was performed within the Generation R study, a prospective birth cohort. We calculated polygenic scores based on reported GWAS for volumes of the accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, and thalamus. Participants underwent cranial ultrasound around 7 weeks of age (range: 3–20), and we obtained metrics for the gangliothalamic ovoid, a predecessor of the basal ganglia. Furthermore, the children participated in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study around the age of 10 years (range: 9–12). A total of 340 children had complete data at both examinations. Polygenic scores primarily associated with their corresponding volumes at 10 years of age. The scores also moderately related to the diameter of the gangliothalamic ovoid on cranial ultrasound. Mediation analysis showed that the genetic influence on subcortical volumes at 10 years was only mediated for 16.5–17.6% of the total effect through the gangliothalamic ovoid diameter at 7 weeks of age. Combined, these findings suggest that previously identified genetic variants in adults are relevant for subcortical volumes during early life, and that they affect both prenatal and postnatal development of the subcortical regions.
Evaluation of denoising strategies for task‐based functional connectivity: Equalizing residual motion artifacts between rest and cognitively demanding tasks
Authors: Mascali Daniele , Moraschi Marta , DiNuzzo Mauro , Tommasin Silvia , Fratini Michela , Gili Tommaso , Wise Richard G. , Mangia Silvia , Macaluso Emiliano , Giove Federico
Published: February 2021

In‐scanner head motion represents a major confounding factor in functional connectivity studies and it raises particular concerns when motion correlates with the effect of interest. One such instance regards research focused on functional connectivity modulations induced by sustained cognitively demanding tasks. Indeed, cognitive engagement is generally associated with substantially lower in‐scanner movement compared with unconstrained, or minimally constrained, conditions. Consequently, the reliability of condition‐dependent changes in functional connectivity relies on effective denoising strategies. In this study, we evaluated the ability of common denoising pipelines to minimize and balance residual motion‐related artifacts between resting‐state and task conditions. Denoising pipelines—including realignment/tissue‐based regression, PCA/ICA‐based methods (aCompCor and ICA‐AROMA, respectively), global signal regression, and censoring of motion‐contaminated volumes—were evaluated according to a set of benchmarks designed to assess either residual artifacts or network identifiability. We found a marked heterogeneity in pipeline performance, with many approaches showing a differential efficacy between rest and task conditions. The most effective approaches included aCompCor, optimized to increase the noise prediction power of the extracted confounding signals, and global signal regression, although both strategies performed poorly in mitigating the spurious distance‐dependent association between motion and connectivity. Censoring was the only approach that substantially reduced distance‐dependent artifacts, yet this came at the great cost of reduced network identifiability. The implications of these findings for best practice in denoising task‐based functional connectivity data, and more generally for resting‐state data, are discussed.
Age differences in functional network reconfiguration with working memory training
Authors: Iordan Alexandru D. , Moored Kyle D. , Katz Benjamin , Cooke Katherine A. , Buschkuehl Martin , Jaeggi Susanne M. , Polk Thad A. , Peltier Scott J. , Jonides John , Reuter‐Lorenz Patricia A.
Published: February 2021

Demanding cognitive functions like working memory (WM) depend on functional brain networks being able to communicate efficiently while also maintaining some degree of modularity. Evidence suggests that aging can disrupt this balance between integration and modularity. In this study, we examined how cognitive training affects the integration and modularity of functional networks in older and younger adults. Twenty three younger and 23 older adults participated in 10 days of verbal WM training, leading to performance gains in both age groups. Older adults exhibited lower modularity overall and a greater decrement when switching from rest to task, compared to younger adults. Interestingly, younger but not older adults showed increased task‐related modularity with training. Furthermore, whereas training increased efficiency within, and decreased participation of, the default‐mode network for younger adults, it enhanced efficiency within a task‐specific salience/sensorimotor network for older adults. Finally, training increased segregation of the default‐mode from frontoparietal/salience and visual networks in younger adults, while it diffusely increased between‐network connectivity in older adults. Thus, while younger adults increase network segregation with training, suggesting more automated processing, older adults persist in, and potentially amplify, a more integrated and costly global workspace, suggesting different age‐related trajectories in functional network reorganization with WM training.
Atypical spatiotemporal activation of cerebellar lobules during emotional face processing in adolescents with autism
Authors: Styliadis Charis , Leung Rachel , Özcan Selin , Moulton Eric A. , Pang Elizabeth , Taylor Margot J. , Papadelis Christos
Published: February 2021

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social deficits and atypical facial processing of emotional expressions. The underlying neuropathology of these abnormalities is still unclear. Recent studies implicate cerebellum in emotional processing; other studies show cerebellar abnormalities in ASD. Here, we elucidate the spatiotemporal activation of cerebellar lobules in ASD during emotional processing of happy and angry faces in adolescents with ASD and typically developing (TD) controls. Using magnetoencephalography, we calculated dynamic statistical parametric maps across a period of 500 ms after emotional stimuli onset and determined differences between group activity to happy and angry emotions. Following happy face presentation, adolescents with ASD exhibited only left‐hemispheric cerebellar activation in a cluster extending from lobule VI to lobule V (compared to TD controls). Following angry face presentation, adolescents with ASD exhibited only midline cerebellar activation (posterior IX vermis). Our findings indicate an early (125–175 ms) overactivation in cerebellar activity only for happy faces and a later overactivation for both happy (250–450 ms) and angry (250–350 ms) faces in adolescents with ASD. The prioritized hemispheric activity (happy faces) could reflect the promotion of a more flexible and adaptive social behavior, while the latter midline activity (angry faces) may guide conforming behavior.
The need for sleep and circadian education in Australian high schools: incidental results from a survey of university students
Authors: Semsarian Caitlin R. , Woodforde Alisha , Cheung Janet M. Y. , Rigney Gabrielle , Blunden Sarah , Cistulli Peter A. , Bin Yu Sun
Published: February 2021

Issue addressed

To describe the need for high school sleep education from the perspective of undergraduate university students.

Methods

Undergraduate students who completed an online course on sleep and circadian health were surveyed 6 months after course completion. Students were asked whether a similar course would have benefited them as high school students, and about the need for sleep education in high schools. Thematic analysis of this qualitative data was carried out.

Results

Eighty‐nine students who had attended 71 unique high schools provided responses. Eight‐one per cent thought they would have benefitted from a similar course during high school and identified domains of sleep knowledge particularly relevant to high school students. They cited environmental barriers to healthy sleep present during high school and believed that sleep education could improve students’ lifestyle, sleep and performance. Nineteen per cent of students said they would not have benefited, because they perceived sleeping patterns during high school to be nonmodifiable or believed that previous sleep education was sufficient. Of the respondents who did not think students would benefit, 53% would still tell their high school principal that there was a need for sleep education.

Conclusions

The findings support the need for engaging sleep education for high school students. Future studies should examine the perspectives of students in high school directly, rather than undergraduate students who have already shown an interest in sleep health.

So what?

Sleep health is missing from the Australian school curriculum. Online courses may be an engaging method of promoting sleep and circadian health to high school students.
Contextual factors and theCOVID‐19 outbreak rate across U.S. counties in its initial phase
Authors: Messner Wolfgang , Payson Sarah E.
Published: February 2021

Background

This study examines the association of contextual factors with the COVID‐19 outbreak rate across U.S. counties in its initial phase.

Methods

Contextual factors are simultaneously tested at the county‐ and state‐level with a multilevel linear model using full maximum likelihood.

Results

The variation between states is substantial and significant (ICC = 0.532,u0= 8.20E−04,P < .001). At the state level, the cultural value of collectivism and the contextual factor of government spending are positively associated with the outbreak rate. At the county level, the racial and ethnic composition contributes to outbreak differences, disproportionally affecting black/African, native, Asian, and Hispanic Americans as well as native Hawaiians. Counties with a higher median age and a higher household income have a stronger outbreak. Better education and personal health are generally associated with a lower outbreak. Obesity and smoking are negatively related to the outbreak, in agreement with the value expectancy concepts of the health belief model. Air pollution is another significant contributor to the outbreak.

Conclusions

Because of a high variation in contextual factors, policy makers need to target pandemic responses to the smallest subdivision possible, so that countermeasures can be implemented effectively.
Study the influence of concavity shapes on augmentation of heat‐transfer performance, pressure field, and fluid pattern in three‐dimensional pipe
Authors: Al‐Obaidi Ahmed Ramadhan
Published: February 2021

In this current study, the heat‐transfer augmentation mechanism and pressure drop with flow field structures over different dimple arrays in turbulent flow of three‐dimensional circular tube are investigated based on computational fluid dynamics numerical methods using the standard k − e turbulent model. The water is the working fluid over the range of Reynolds numbers from 1500 to 24,000, with three different tubes dimpling arrangements are analyzed. The numerical simulation results are validated through available experimental data, and they show good agreement results between them. The numerical analysis results showed that the flow fields are symmetric within the middle cross‐sectional direction in the pipe with and without dimples. Also, the flow near or close to the dimples is chaotic and including small vortexes and eddies. The results found that the temperature difference in the dimple tube with 2 mm diameter at low flow range 0.56 L/min was higher than that of smooth pipe, dimple tube 0.75 and 1.5 mm by 26.8%, 10.57%, and 3.68%, respectively. It can be concluded that using dimples in heat‐exchanger tubes can provide rates of heat transfer that is higher than that without dimpled tubes at the same operating conditions. Hence, this is an important enhancement in process industries for the energy conversion applications.
Effect of earth–air breathing on evaporation of deeply buried phreatic water in extremely arid regions
Authors: Li Hongshou , Zhan Hongtao , Wang Xiaowei , Guo Qinglin , Liu Wenjun , Li Yanfei , Gong Yipu
Published: February 2021

In extremely arid regions, deeply buried phreatic water evaporates during the daytime from March to November in the northern hemisphere. It has been found that the earth–air undergoes ‘autonomous breathing’ and ‘passive breathing’, respectively caused by the changes of temperature and atmospheric pressure. In this paper, the effects of these breathing modes on phreatic evaporation (PhE) were investigated as well as the responsible mechanisms. Quantitative estimates suggest that the direct contribution from autonomous breathing is only 0.55 g·m−2·yr−1. Passive breathing pumps water vapour upwards from the deeply buried phreatic water table. Film water on the soil continuously migrates in pulsation from deep layers to the upper layer. Na2SO4 in the shallow soil absorbs moisture from the earth–air at night and decomposes during the day, forming water vapour, which is critical to the occurrence of PhE. The diurnal PhE process can be elucidated in detail by the bimodal variation in the atmospheric pressure. PhE occurs mainly from 10:00 to 17:00 during daytime from March to November, which correlates with passive breathing of the earth–air. The amplitude of atmospheric fluctuation determines the amount of earth–air that outflows, while temperature determines the water vapour concentration. In calculation, PhE is equal to the net absolute humidity (AH) times the amount of earth–air. There is 1.55 mm·year−1 of PhE caused by daily peak→valley differences, and about 2.97 mm·year−1 in estimation caused by numerous atmospheric fluctuations smaller than 2.84 hPa. The results coincide with the actual amount of PhE monitored of 4.52 mm·year−1. Therefore, the amount of PhE is proportional to the range and frequency of fluctuation in external atmospheric pressure, and is also positively related to soil temperature, salt content, water content, porosity, and vadose zone thickness.
Genetic alterations in squamous cell lung cancer associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Hata Atsushi , Nakajima Takahiro , Matsusaka Keisuke , Fukuyo Masaki , Nakayama Manabu , Morimoto Junichi , Ito Yuki , Yamamoto Takayoshi , Sakairi Yuichi , Rahmutulla Bahityar , Ota Satoshi , Wada Hironobu , Suzuki Hidemi , Iwata Takekazu , Matsubara Hisahiro , Ohara Osamu , Yoshino Ichiro , Kaneda Atsushi
Published: February 2021

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are at higher risk of developing lung cancers including squamous cell lung carcinoma (SCC), which typically carries a poor prognosis. Although the molecular basis of cancer development subsequent to IPF has not been fully investigated, we recently reported two epigenetic phenotypes characterized by frequent and infrequent DNA hypermethylation in SCC, and an association of the infrequent hypermethylation phenotype with IPF‐associated SCCs. Here, we conducted targeted exon sequencing in SCCs with and without IPF using the Human Lung Cancer Panel to investigate the genetic basis of IPF‐associated SCC. SCCs with and without IPF displayed comparable numbers of total mutations (137 ± 22 vs 131 ± 27, P = .5), nonsynonymous mutations (72 ± 14 vs 69 ± 16, P = .5), indels (3.0 ± 3.5 vs 3.0 ± 3.9, P = 1) and synonymous mutations (62 ± 9.1 vs 60 ± 12, P = .5). Signature 1 was the predominant signature in SCCs with and without IPF. SETD2 and NFE2L2 mutations were significantly associated with IPF (44% vs 13%, P = .03 for SETD2; 38% vs 10%, P = .04 for NFE2L2). MYC amplification, assessed by copy number variant analysis, was also significantly associated with IPF (18.8% vs 0%, P = .04). Mutations in TP53 and CDKN2A were observed relatively frequently in SCCs with frequent hypermethylation (P = .02 for TP53 and P = .06 for CDKN2A). Survival analysis revealed that the SETD2 mutation was significantly associated with worse prognosis (P = .04). Collectively, we found frequent involvement of SETD2 and NFE2L2 mutations and MYC amplification in SCCs with IPF, and an association of a SETD2 mutation with poorer prognosis.
Solving problems is smart, preventing them is wise: Lessons learned from the 2nd International DKFZ Conference on Cancer Prevention
Authors: Gillmann Clarissa , Pajor Gabor , Ramadori Pierluigi , Albers Peter , Mons Ute , Steindorf Karen , Kentner Susan , Baumann Michael
Published: February 2021

The 2nd International DKFZ Conference on Cancer Prevention (CCP2020) organized by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) was held as a virtual event on 17‐18 September 2020. The event gathered experts on cancer prevention from around the world with the aim of generating a stimulating interchange of opinions between clinicians and basic researchers working in the field. The talks and posters of the conference fueled exciting discussions and debates about the state of the art of cancer prevention and provided a comprehensive outlook on the many aspects of the field. The program was divided into three main sessions, illustrating the most recent methodological approaches and interventions in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, enriched by introductory lectures depicting the most relevant aspects of each session. The key concepts covered in this meeting were risk factors, early detection, improving life after cancer, cancer prevention in Europe and personalized prevention. The importance of the latter was expressly highlighted, many presentations emphasizing that in the era of personalized medicine, prevention also needs to be based on the unique genetic, epigenetic, social and behavioral characteristics of the individual to achieve maximal efficacy. In this article, we summarize the key messages emerging from each section, with particular attention on the most important challenges yet to be met in the field of cancer prevention.
Bioelectrochemistry and the Singularity Point “I Robot”?**
Authors: Alfonta Lital
Published: February 2021

In his book “The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology” Ray Kurtzweil described the concept of artificial intelligence in an unorthodox way. It describes how humans will interface with machines and eventually will become one with machines. Hence, we can define a time point, which is a theoretical point when humans and machines will become one. In order to reach this point, a successful interface between the biological/organic to the inorganic matter is needed. In order for these pieces of “machinery” to communicate between one another, an exchange of matter and energy should be achieved. Electron transfer between the inorganic and organic has been the mission of bioelectrochemical systems in the past few decades. Enzymes, antibodies and nucleic acids attachment to electrodes has been achieved more than three decades ago. In the following assay I am reviewing the different advances that were made towards an integration between biological entities to inorganic ones.
The environmental consequences of blockchain technology: A Bayesian quantile cointegration analysis for Bitcoin
Authors: Polemis Michael L. , Tsionas Mike G.
Published: February 2021

In recent years, there is a widespread belief among researchers and academicians that Bitcoin usage is imposing an additional burden on the environment inducing climate change. Although several studies have focussed on issues related to the energy consumption of the basic cryptocurrencies, an open question remains regarding the environmental depiction of Bitcoin. By resorting to Bayesian analysis and quantile cointegrated vector autoregression (CQVAR), this study seeks to disentangle the driving forces that shape the carbon footprint of Bitcoin. The sample used in the empirical analysis consists of a daily panel dataset covering 50 countries over the period 2016–2018. The empirical findings corroborate a causal effect between the use of Bitcoin and its underlying carbon dioxide emissions generated by the increasing energy load. The CQVAR is associated with positive marginal posterior means for most of the covariates of the model across all the estimated quantiles. In contrast, there is a negative and statistically significant relationship between Bitcoin miner's revenue and carbon emissions, uncovering a multimodal distribution pattern of the marginal posterior densities which is stronger at higher than in lower quantiles. This finding suggests that the lower (higher) miner's Bitcoin revenues, the more abrupt (gradual) the effect on environmental degradation. Therefore, a sustainable energy strategy focussing on the penetration of renewable energy sources along with the use of energy‐efficient mining hardware will alleviate the carbon footprint of Bitcoin.
Volatility dynamics of the Tunisian stock market before and during the COVID‐19 outbreak: Evidence from the GARCH family models
Authors: Fakhfekh Mohamed , Jeribi Ahmed , Ben Salem Marwa
Published: February 2021

The aim of this article is to choose the appropriate GARCH model to analyse the volatility dynamics of the Tunisian sectorial stock market indices during the COVID‐19 outbreak period. We explore the optimal conditional heteroscedasticity model with regards to goodness‐of‐fit to these sectorial indices. In particular, it proposes four models (EGARCH, FIGARCH, FIEGARCH and TGARCH) to measure asymmetric and persistence volatility. Our findings point to three interesting results. First, following the COVID‐19 outbreak, volatility is more persistent in all series. Second, the results show that building constructs materials, construction and food and beverage sector return volatilities have an insignificant asymmetric effect while consumer service, financials and distribution, industrials, basic materials and banks sector return volatilities have relatively high positive and significant asymmetric effect compared with those during the pre‐COVID‐19 period. Finally, the findings show that financial services, automobile and parts, insurance and TUNINDEX20 sectors have insignificant leverage effect. Our results can thus be useful to investors when accounting for future volatility and implementing hedging strategies under COVID‐19 crisis.
The dynamics of business cycle connectedness and the decoupling of Asia‐Pacific
Authors: Pontines Victor , Luvsannyam Davaajargal , Batmunkh Khuslen , Otgonbat Tsolmon
Published: February 2021

We assess the dynamic business cycle connectedness of Asia‐Pacific economies and revisit the related issue of the validity of the hypothesis of decoupling from the United States by these economies. We find a host of interesting results: First, the dynamic business cycle connectedness of these economies is increasing over time. Second, a group of upper‐middle income economies, namely, Malaysia and Thailand, and in recent decades, China, have shaped the dynamics of growth in the region, which suggests that the methods we employ in this study can pick‐up the value‐added production chains, for which these economies are a central part. Third, by and large, two blocs of economies have formed over time in terms of closer bilateral connectedness, that is, the ASEAN‐5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand), and a relatively looser formation among the three Northeast Asian economies of China, Japan and Korea. Finally, we find no evidence that the region has completely decoupled from the United States over time. However, one new dimension we discover is that the nature and intensity of the business cycle connectedness of the region vis‐à‐vis the United States tends to vary over time, both on an aggregate and bilateral level. These findings highlight the need to go beyond static analysis and to utilize a dynamic approach for growth cycles within and outside the region.
Establishing reference ranges of serum lipid level during pregnancy and evaluating its association with perinatal outcomes: A cohort study
Authors: Zheng Wei , Zhang Li , Tian Zhihong , Zhang Lirui , Liang Xin , Li Guanghui
Published: February 2021

Objective

To establish trimester‐specific reference intervals (TSRIs) for blood lipid profiles in Chinese women and explore their associations with pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

Participants were women with singleton pregnancies aged 18–45 years without pre‐existing chronic diseases who delivered from January 2018 to December 2018 from an ongoing cohort in Beijing, China. Baseline information and pregnancy outcomes were from the medical records. Blood lipid levels were measured at 7–13, 24–28, and 32–34 weeks of pregnancy. We estimated TSRIs for lipid profiles using an indirect Hoffmann method and evaluated their associations with pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes, pregnancy‐induced hypertension, macrosomia, low birth weight, large or small for gestational age, and preterm delivery.

Results

The established TSRIs were 3.21–5.38, 4.64–7.56, and 4.86–8.20 mmol/L for total cholesterol; 0.37–1.81, 1.14–3.49, and 1.61–4.63 mmol/L for triglycerides; 1.12–2.19, 1.33–2.49, and 1.24 2.31 mmol/L for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol; 1.33–2.98,1.97–4.36, and 2.02–4.92 mmol/L for low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol from first trimeseter to third trimester, respectively. Both higher and lower levels of lipid profiles than TSRIs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion

We suggested TSRIs for blood lipid levels in a Chinese population. Inappropriate lipid levels were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The interval between insemination and ovulation predicts outcome after intrauterine insemination with donor sperm (IUI‐D)
Authors: Mu Xin , Wang Hui , Liu Pei‐Jun , Shi Juan‐Zi
Published: February 2021

Objective

To identify whether the time interval from insemination to ovulation (I‐O interval) affects outcome after intrauterine insemination with donor sperm (IUI‐D).

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in a public assisted reproductive medicine center between January, 2014 and December, 2016 in Xi'an, China. The data were collected from the medical records and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the effects of various variables on IUI outcome.

Results

A total of 2091 IUI‐D cycles from 1165 couples were included in this study. Multiple predictors were identified for (live birth rate) LBR. The I‐O interval was the predictor for LBR. An I‐O interval ≥19 h significantly decreased CPR (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29, 0.17–0.48) and LBR (OR, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.19–0.55). The presence of at least two follicles ≥18 mm on ovulation day significantly increased the LBR (OR, 95%CI: 1.27, 1.01–1.60). Women aged 35 years and older had a significantly decreased LBR (OR, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.38–0.98).

Conclusion

The I‐O interval, a new prognostic factor, in combination with the woman's age and number of mature follicles, can predict the outcome after IUI‐D. IUI‐D is best performed within 19 h of I‐O interval for a higher probability of clinical pregnancy and live birth.
Real‐Time Data and Predictive Analytics: Where Does IR Fit?
Authors: Larkan‐Skinner Kara , Shedd Jessica M.
Published: February 2021

As institutions seek to shift into more advanced analytics and data‐based decision‐support, many institutional research offices face the challenge of meeting the office's current demands while taking on more intricate and specialized work to support decision‐making. Given the great need organizations have for information that supports real‐time strategic decision‐making, institutions must advance beyond traditional static data reporting offices to modern offices with regular predictive analytics use. The authors believe that institutional research offices should actively engage in contemporary analytical approaches and provide leadership in this area. The following chapter focuses on (a) why higher education should embrace analytics, (b) discusses areas where analytical advancements have occurred, (c) discusses areas where analytical growth is lacking, and (d) provides guidance on addressing cultural changes concerning institutional data use, policies, and practices.
Institutional Research and Information Technology: Collaborating for Success
Authors: Simon Jason F.
Published: February 2021

Information Technology (IT) and Institutional Research (IR) units working together with planning, a focus on collaboration, and a willingness to create partnerships can help accelerate their institution's efforts to improve the data landscape. This chapter includes an overview of the challenges facing these two functional areas, the benefits of a new way of operating together, and the steps leaders from both IR and IT can take to work together to build new relationships across units and their staff. This work derives from a focus on values, beliefs, and actions. Taken together, these strategies, if implemented with care, can establish a solid foundation to support the need to expand, improve, and mature IR's role in the data landscape.
Guiding Principles for Optimal Organization: Options for Successfully Merging Institutional Research and Business Intelligence
Authors: Clune‐Kneuer Elizabeth , Klute Paul , Chester Timothy
Published: February 2021

Institutions have many unique cultures and organizational structures that can strengthen or inhibit the planning and implementation of initiatives to enhance data‐informed decision‐making, build supporting infrastructure, and align the necessary human resources. This chapter discusses different strategies for aligning resources and organizing Institutional Research and Business Intelligence functions. Additionally, the authors present the strengths, challenges, and unintended impacts of varying alignment options.
Beta diversity patterns in zooplankton assemblages from a semiarid river ecosystem
Authors: da Silva Natanael J. , Lansac‐Tôha Fernando M. , Lansac‐Tôha Fábio A. , Sales Paulo César L. , de Sousa Rocha José de Ribamar
Published: February 2021

The study of beta diversity patterns, as well as their underlying mechanisms, is fundamental for the understanding of community structure in aquatic ecosystems. Here, we aimed to investigate patterns of beta diversity in cladoceran, copepod, and rotifer assemblages in the Parnaíba and Poti rivers, along the urban perimeter of the city of Teresina (Piaui, Brazil) and to evaluate the effect of environmental, spatial, and temporal factors on beta diversity in the zooplankton assemblages. We used the Simplex analysis to represent the relative importance of replacement and abundance difference to beta diversity. The decomposition of beta diversity into its components was performed using the Ruzicka dissimilarity index, for abundance data. Distance‐based Redundancy Analyses and variation partitioning were used to explore the relations between explanatory variables and beta diversity and its components. We found that beta diversity was high both spatially and temporally, and the abundance difference component showed greater relative importance than the replacement component. Environmental factors showed a greater contribution to the total explained variability in beta diversity and abundance difference, while replacement received most importance of temporal and spatial variables. Our study provides new insights on how environmental, spatial, and temporal factors shape beta diversity patterns in zooplankton assemblages in impacted aquatic ecosystems.
Effects of regulated dam discharge on plants and migratory waterfowl are mediated by salinity changes in estuaries
Authors: Kim Ji Yoon , Kim Gu‐Yeon
Published: February 2021

The rapid increase in dam construction has resulted in a worldwide loss of natural river flows. Regulated dam discharge into estuaries can interrupt the spatiotemporal occurrence of brackish communities adapted to optimal salinity ranges, further threatening biodiversity and ecosystem function in the affected regions. We used annual survey records from the Nakdong River Estuary from 2009 to 2018 to identify the indirect effect of regulated dam discharge on plants and migratory waterfowl. Increased mean salinity during the spring season negatively influenced the area covered by plants and the number of days on which swans were present during winter. Moreover, the mean salinity during the early growing periods of plants providing food to waterfowl was regulated by the amount of freshwater discharge from the estuarine barrage rather than by the direct effect of precipitation. Conservation managers should consider the amount of dam discharge and the salinity conditions during spring to maintain sufficient food resources and supporting functions for migratory waterfowl in the estuary. Our study highlights the need for a comprehensive assessment of time‐lag effects to minimize the negative impacts resulting from regulated dam discharge.
Compound‐specific δ15N analyses of amino acids for trophic level estimation from indigenous and invasive freshwater amphipods
Authors: Sahm René , Sünger Eike , Burmann Lisa , Zubrod Jochen P. , Schulz Ralf , Fink Patrick
Published: February 2021

Invasion of non‐native species in freshwater ecosystems often alters the indigenous macroinvertebrate community and food web structure by changing the resource availability. One of these species is the invasive amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus, whose impact by predation, especially on coexisting amphipods, is still under debate. In this study, we aim to apply compound‐specific stable isotope analysis of amino acid δ15N, which is the state‐of‐the‐art approach for marine systems to estimate trophic positions, (1) to calculate β values (i.e., the differences in δ15N values of trophic and source amino acids in primary producer) for freshwater systems, based on field samples of freshwater primary consumers (i.e., mussels) from the River Rhine, and (2) use these β values in a case study to calculate the trophic position of the invasive D. villosus in comparison with coexisting indigenous and non‐native amphipod species from the river Alb sampled in 2013 and river Speyerbach sampled in 2014, two tributaries of the River Rhine, Central Europe. Our results show that our freshwater β values calculated for six combinations of trophic and source amino acids were lower by between approximately 0.85‰ and 5.67‰ than those found for marine animals in previous studies. This highlights that more attention is needed on the variability of the natural differences in β values between ecosystems. By using the freshwater β values, we showed that the trophic position of D. villosus is comparable to those of coexisting amphipod species. These findings confirm that D. villosus has a flexible and omnivorous feeding strategy like other amphipod species, and suggest that predation is not the main responsible factor for the impact of D. villosus on other species.
Histopathological correlations of bulk tissue polarimetric images: Case study
Authors: Sharma Mahima , Narayanan Unni Sujatha , Balasubramanian Subalakshmi , Sundaram Sandhya , Krishnamurthy Priya , Hegde Anoosha
Published: February 2021

Polarimetric imaging and image analysis have gained increased interest in soft tissue analysis at the cellular level. However, polarimetric imaging has widely been tested on thin tissue sections to provide reliable information correlated with histopathological findings. Polarimetric bulk tissue analysis always offered an overall assessment of various tissue optical properties for diagnosis. In this study, the histopathological correlation of bulk tissue polarimetry images for soft tissues is discussed. The first‐hand information on the use of bulk tissue Mueller polarimetry and image analysis as an alternative to tissue histopathology is presented for surgically extracted colon and breast tissues.
Cell sheet technology: Influence of culture conditions on in vitro‐cultivated corneal stromal tissue for regenerative therapies of the ocular surface
Authors: Hasenzahl Meike , Müsken Mathias , Mertsch Sonja , Schrader Stefan , Reichl Stephan
Published: February 2021

The in vitro reconstruction of stromal tissue by long‐term cultivation of corneal fibroblasts is a smart approach for regenerative therapies of ocular surface diseases. However, systematic investigations evaluating optimized cultivation protocols for the realization of a biomaterial are lacking. This study investigated the influence of supplements to the culture media of human corneal fibroblasts on the formation of a cell sheet consisting of cells and extracellular matrix. Among the supplements studied are vitamin C, fetal bovine serum, L‐glutamine, components of collagen such as L‐proline, L‐4‐hydroxyproline and glycine, and TGF‐β1, bFGF, IGF‐2, PDGF‐BB and insulin. After long‐term cultivation, the proliferation, collagen and glycosaminoglycan content and light transmission of the cell sheets were examined. Biomechanical properties were investigated by tensile tests and the ultrastructure was characterized by electron microscopy, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, antibody staining and ELISA. The synthesis of extracellular matrix was significantly increased by cultivation with insulin or TGF‐β1, each with vitamin C. The sheets exhibited a high transparency and suitable material properties. The production of a transparent, scaffold‐free, potentially autologous, in vitro‐generated construct by culturing fibroblasts with extracellular matrix synthesis‐stimulating supplements represents a promising approach for a biomaterial that can be used for ocular surface reconstruction in slowly progressing diseases.
The Sydney AFF Score: A Simple Tool to Distinguish Females Presenting With Atypical Femur Fractures Versus Typical Femur Fractures
Authors: Crouch Gareth , Dhanekula Nitesh D , Byth Karen , Burn Emma , Lau Sue Lynn , Nairn Lillias , Nery Liza , Doyle Jean , Graham Edward , Ellis Andrew , Clifton-Bligh Roderick J , Girgis Christian M
Published: February 2021

Atypical femur fractures (AFF) are a rare but serious complication of long-term bisphosphonate use. Although clearly defined by ASBMR criteria, a proportion of patients with AFFs may go unrecognized and the use of qualitative fracture criteria may lead to uncertainty in AFF diagnosis, with significant therapeutic implications. A score that rapidly and accurately identifies AFFs among subtrochanteric femur fractures using quantitative, measurable parameters is needed. In a retrospective cohort of 110 female patients presenting with AFFs or typical femur fractures (TFFs), multiple logistic regression and decision tree analysis were used to develop the Sydney AFF score. This score, based on demographic and femoral geometry variables, uses three dichotomized independent predictors and adds one point for each: (age ≤80 years) + (femoral neck width <37 mm) + (lateral cortical width at lesser trochanter ≥5 mm), (score, 0 to 3). In an independent validation set of 53 female patients at a different centre in Sydney, a score ≥2 demonstrated 73.3% sensitivity and 69.6% specificity for AFF (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.775, SE 0.063) and remained independently associated with AFF after adjustment for bisphosphonate use. The Sydney AFF score provides a quantitative means of flagging female patients with atraumatic femur fractures who have sustained an AFF as opposed to a TFF. This distinction has clear management implications and may augment current ASBMR diagnostic criteria. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Epigenetic Mechanisms Mediating Cell State Transitions in Chondrocytes
Authors: Wuelling Manuela , Neu Christoph , Thiesen Andrea M , Kitanovski Simo , Cao Yingying , Lange Anja , Westendorf Astrid M , Hoffmann Daniel , Vortkamp Andrea
Published: February 2021

Epigenetic modifications play critical roles in regulating cell lineage differentiation, but the epigenetic mechanisms guiding specific differentiation steps within a cell lineage have rarely been investigated. To decipher such mechanisms, we used the defined transition from proliferating (PC) into hypertrophic chondrocytes (HC) during endochondral ossification as a model. We established a map of activating and repressive histone modifications for each cell type. ChromHMM state transition analysis and Pareto-based integration of differential levels of mRNA and epigenetic marks revealed that differentiation-associated gene repression is initiated by the addition of H3K27me3 to promoters still carrying substantial levels of activating marks. Moreover, the integrative analysis identified genes specifically expressed in cells undergoing the transition into hypertrophy. Investigation of enhancer profiles detected surprising differences in enhancer number, location, and transcription factor binding sites between the two closely related cell types. Furthermore, cell type–specific upregulation of gene expression was associated with increased numbers of H3K27ac peaks. Pathway analysis identified PC-specific enhancers associated with chondrogenic genes, whereas HC-specific enhancers mainly control metabolic pathways linking epigenetic signature to biological functions. Since HC-specific enhancers show a higher conservation in postnatal tissues, the switch to metabolic pathways seems to be a hallmark of differentiated tissues. Surprisingly, the analysis of H3K27ac levels at super-enhancers revealed a rapid adaption of H3K27ac occupancy to changes in gene expression, supporting the importance of enhancer modulation for acute alterations in gene expression. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Abstract

Model depicting the epigenetic mechanisms regulating cell state transitions. Proliferating (PC) and hypertrophic chondrocytes (HC) were isolated from embryonic limbs using flow cytometry for ChIP-seq and laser-microdissection for RNA-seq. Prehypertrophic chondrocytes (PHC) were included in different cell populations. Comparison of the epigenetic pattern between cell types indicates that gene repression in HC is initiated by the gain of H3K27me3 at promoters still decorated with declining levels of activating marks. Cell type–specific enhancers show a rapid adaption of H3K27ac peaks to differential gene expression. Whereas PC-specific enhancers are associated with chondrogenic genes, HC-specific enhancers regulate metabolic pathways. H3K4me3: light blue; H3K9ac : dark green; H3K27ac : light green; H3K36me3   : dark blue; H3K27me3  : red.
Application of the French TMA Reference Center Score and the mortality in TTP Score in de novo and relapsed episodes of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura at a tertiary care facility in Spain
Authors: Domingo‐González Amalia , Regalado‐Artamendi Isabel , Martín‐Rojas Reyes María , Pérez‐Rus Gloria , Pérez‐Corral Ana , Díez‐Martín José Luis , Pascual‐Izquierdo Cristina
Published: February 2021

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP) is still associated with a 10% to 20% death rate and its clinical course is characterized by recurrent episodes in up to 50% of cases. Over the last decade, mortality predicting models like the French TMA Reference Center Score and the Mortality In TTP Score (MITS) have been developed in an attempt to personalize treatment. The objective of the present study was to compare the results in both scores of de novo and relapsed aTTP episodes. For such purpose, a total of 29 episodes of aTTP (16 de novo and 13 relapses) were analyzed. All patients were homogeneously diagnosed and treated. First episodes had a higher score in both models in comparison with relapsed aTTP, (MITS median, 1 r: 1‐4 vs 0 r: 1‐2, P = .038 and French TMA Reference Center Score median, 2 r: 1‐3 vs 1 r: 0‐1, P = .006). The prevalence of neurological symptoms was significantly higher in the first episodes (P = .001) and patients >60 years old were more common in this group (P = .013), which may have been related to the results. Platelet count at presentation was higher in recurrences than in the first disease episode (P = .016) and ADAMTS13 activity <5% was more frequent in the last group (P = .016). There was no significant difference in the rate of refractoriness or exacerbations. In conclusion, first aTTP episodes had a higher probability of short‐term mortality compared to relapsed aTTP episodes according to the MITS and French TMA Reference Center Score.