bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological impact assessment of climate change and habitat loss on wetland vertebrate assemblages of the Great Barrier Reef catchment and the influence of survey bias
Authors: Canning Adam D. , Waltham Nathan J.
Published: March 2021

Wetlands are among the most vulnerable ecosystems, stressed by habitat loss and degradation from expanding and intensifying agricultural and urban areas. Climate change will exacerbate the impacts of habitat loss by altering temperature and rainfall patterns. Wetlands within Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment are not different, stressed by extensive cropping, urban expansion, and alteration for grazing. Understanding how stressors affect wildlife is essential for the effective management of biodiversity values and minimizing unintended consequences when trading off the multiple values wetlands support. Impact assessment is difficult, often relying on an aggregation of ad hoc observations that are spatially biased toward easily accessible areas, rather than systematic and randomized surveys. Using a large aggregate database of ad hoc observations, this study aimed to examine the influence of urban proximity on machine‐learning models predicting taxonomic richness and assemblage turnover, relative to other habitat, landscape, and climate variables, for vertebrates dwelling in the wetlands of the GBR catchment. The distance from the nearest city was, by substantial margins, the most influential factor in predicting the richness and assemblage turnover of all vertebrate groups, except fish. Richness and assemblage turnover was predicted to be greatest nearest the main urban centers. The extent of various wetland habitats was highly influential in predicting the richness of all groups, while climate (predominately the rainfall in the wettest quarter) was highly influential in predicting assemblage turnover for all groups. Bias of survey records toward urban centers strongly influenced our ability to model wetland‐affiliated vertebrates and may obscure our understanding of how vertebrates respond to habitat loss and climate change. This reinforces the need for randomized and systematic surveys to supplement existing ad hoc surveys. We urge modelers in other jurisdictions to better portray the potential influence of survey biases when modeling species distributions.
An allometric niche model for species interactions in temperate freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Vagnon Chloé , Cattanéo Franck , Goulon Chloé , Grimardias David , Guillard Jean , Frossard Victor
Published: March 2021

Trophic interactions are central in understanding ecosystem processes and the management of natural ecosystems but are frequently complex to estimate. To address this issue, body size has been shown to be a useful trait to reconstruct species interactions, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. An allometric niche model (aNM) considering body size as a niche trait is proposed to predict trophic interactions in temperate freshwater ecosystems. The aNM calibration was based on 26 ubiquitous freshwater species with known minimal and maximum prey body sizes that permitted the establishment of prey body size ranges for vertebrate and invertebrate consumers. The aNM inferences were validated for 13 empirical freshwater food webs, and the model was applied to an extensive inventory of 474 species (spanning six orders of body size magnitude) from the largest natural French lake (Lake Bourget). This application permitted to strengthen the aNM validation with predator‐prey mass ratio comparisons, predicted diet analyses, and allowed the exploration of the lake food web structure. The aNM provided appreciable intrinsic validity (specificity = 87 ± 12%, sensitivity = 59 ± 29%, accuracy = 81 ± 10%), and departures among inferred and empirical trophic interactions were explained by foraging specificities or limited sampling of stomach contents. In Lake Bourget, 26,037 trophic links were inferred. Predator–prey mass ratios for vertebrates and invertebrates were consistent with those empirically established and were occasionally higher for invertebrates as the aNM considers small prey (e.g., bacteria) as possible resources for invertebrates. The inferred diets for three species selected for their well‐known foraging ecology also revealed plausible outcomes of the aNM. The nested structure of the lake food web was determined by highlighting different topologies among the benthic and the pelagic food sub‐webs and the role of top predator fish in the coupling of both food sub‐webs. Due to the large number of species inventories available worldwide for freshwater ecosystems anchored in the ecological monitoring, the aNM may represent a valuable tool for both ecologists and managers to address complementary facets of applied biodiversity studies (e.g., reconstruct highly resolved food webs, predict pressures on important species or new interactions with invasive species).
Assessing stream restoration and the influence of scale, variable choice, and comparison sites
Authors: Wright Kristopher K.
Published: March 2021

Assessing stream restoration remains an on‐going challenge. Conclusions about the effectiveness of stream restoration efforts vary throughout the literature. This uncertainty is likely due, in part, to the spectrum of scales at which restorations have been assessed, the different variables used for assessment, and the varying types of sites used for comparisons. Mitigating such uncertainty with stream restoration assessment requires perspectives that consider multiple sites, variables, and scales using approaches that are transferable and comparable. From 2004 to 2018, surveys of stream habitat and fish at 44 restored and unrestored sites were conducted in two adjacent watersheds in southwestern Wisconsin, USA. Using non‐parametric randomization tests, means of 42 variables were compared between (1) watershed vs. watershed sites; (2) all restored sites vs. all unrestored sites, (3) restored sites vs. pre‐treatment surveys, (4) restored sites vs. unrestored control sites, and (5) pre‐treatment surveys vs. unrestored control sites. When applicable, these comparisons were also made at nested scales ranging from all sites in both watersheds to only contiguous sites with common survey periods. Comparing sites between the two watersheds revealed natural variability between watersheds with similar geology and land‐use practices, though unexpectedly more differences were found between surveys of restored sites from the two watersheds than between unrestored sites. The most differences between surveys of restored and unrestored sites were observed at larger scales of consideration, but within a given watershed. Although relatively few variables differed between pre‐treatment surveys and control sites, there were marked differences when each type of unrestored sites was separately compared with restored sites. Habitat variable differences were more robust and consistent than fish community variables across all comparisons. Deviating from traditional multivariate approaches and independently comparing a broad spectrum of individual variable means at various, nested scales underscored the importance of context and variable choice when assessing stream restoration.
Prognostic significance of the HFA‐PEFF score in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Sotomi Yohei , Iwakura Katsuomi , Hikoso Shungo , Inoue Koichi , Onishi Toshinari , Okada Masato , Fujii Kenshi , Okamura Atsunori , Tamaki Shunsuke , Yano Masamichi , Hayashi Takaharu , Nakagawa Akito , Nakagawa Yusuke , Nakatani Daisaku , Yasumura Yoshio , Yamada Takahisa , Sakata Yasushi ,   the OCVC‐Heart Failure Investigators
Published: March 2021

Aims

The HFA‐PEFF score is a part of the stepwise diagnostic algorithm of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the HFA‐PEFF score on the clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF.

Methods and results

The Prospective mUlticenteR obServational stUdy of patIenTs with Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (PURSUIT‐HFpEF) study is a prospective, multicentre, observational study in which collaborating hospitals in Osaka record clinical, echocardiographic, and outcome data of patients with acute decompensated heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (≥50%) [UMIN‐CTR ID: UMIN000021831]. Acute decompensated heart failure was diagnosed on the basis of the following criteria: (i) clinical symptoms and signs according to the Framingham Heart Study criteria; and (ii) serum N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide level of ≥400 pg/mL or brain natriuretic peptide level of ≥100 pg/mL. The HFA‐PEFF score has functional, morphological, and biomarker domains. We evaluated the prognostic significance of the HFA‐PEFF score (calculated based on the data at hospital discharge) on post‐discharge clinical outcomes in this cohort. The primary endpoint of the present study was a composite of all‐cause death and heart failure readmission. Between June 2016 and December 2019, 871 patients were enrolled from 26 hospitals (mean follow‐up duration 399 ± 349 days). A total of 804 patients were finally analysed after excluding patients with scores of 0 (N = 5) and 1 (N = 15) from 824 patients with available HFA‐PEFF score based on the echocardiographic and laboratory data at discharge. According to the laboratory and echocardiographic data at the time of discharge, 487 patients (59.1%) were diagnosed as HFpEF (HFA‐PEFF score ≥ 5) while 317 patients (38.5%) had intermediate score. Kaplan–Meier analysis divided by the HFA‐PEFF score [low, score 2–5 (N = 494) vs. high, score 6 (N = 310)] indicated that the HFA‐PEFF score successfully stratified the patients for the primary endpoint (log‐rank test P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazard model showed that the HFA‐PEFF score was significantly associated with the primary endpoint (high score with reference to low score, adjusted hazard ratio 1.446, 95% confidence interval [1.099–1.902], P = 0.008).

Conclusion

The HFA‐PEFF score at discharge was significantly associated with the post‐discharge clinical outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction. This study suggested clinical usefulness of the HFA‐PEFF score not only as a diagnostic tool but also a practical prognostic tool.
Fibrosis‐4 index reflects right ventricular function and prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Nakashima Mitsutaka , Sakuragi Satoru , Miyoshi Toru , Takayama Shin , Kawaguchi Tatsuto , Kodera Nobuhisa , Akai Hiroaki , Koide Yuji , Otsuka Hiroaki , Wada Tadashi , Kawamoto Kenji , Tanakaya Machiko , Katayama Yusuke , Ito Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

Aims

Fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4 index), calculated by age, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and platelet count, is a simple marker to evaluate liver fibrosis and is associated with right‐sided heart failure. However, the clinical relevance of FIB‐4 in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains unclear. We investigated the prognostic implication of the FIB‐4 index regarding right ventricular dysfunction in patients with HFpEF.

Methods and results

This prospective study included 116 consecutive HFpEF patients (mean age 79 years, 43% male) hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure. We evaluated the association of the FIB‐4 index with right ventricular function determined by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S′) before discharge. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the FIB‐4 index and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, readmission for heart failure, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. FIB‐4 index before discharge was significantly lower than that at admission (2.62 [1.92–3.46] and 3.03 [2.05–4.67], median [interquartile range], P < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction, TAPSE, and S′ before discharge were 62.7 (55.9–68.6) %, 17.5 ± 4.6 mm (mean ± standard deviation), and 10.0 (8.0–12.0) cm/s, respectively. In multiple linear regression analysis, the FIB‐4 index before discharge was inversely correlated with TAPSE (β minus;0.244, P = 0.014) and S′ (β −0.266, P = 0.009). During a median follow‐up of 736 days, 37 MACE occurred. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that a high FIB‐4 index before discharge (per 1 point) was a significant predictor of MACE (hazard ratio 1.270, 95% confidence interval 1.052–1.532) after adjustment for male, serum creatinine, and haemoglobin. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the optimal cut‐off value of FIB‐4 index before discharge to predict MACE was 3.11. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that patients with a FIB‐4 index before discharge ≥3.11 had a significantly poorer prognosis than patients with FIB‐4 index before discharge <3.11 (P = 0.029). Patients with an FIB‐4 index ≥3.11 had a 2.202‐fold (95% confidence interval 1.110–4.368) increased risk of MACE compared with those with an FIB‐4 index <3.11 after adjustment for male, serum creatinine, and haemoglobin.

Conclusions

An increase in the FIB‐4 index was associated with right ventricular dysfunction and a higher risk of future MACE in patients with HFpEF.
'Reassurance and healthcare seeking in people with persistent musculoskeletal low back pain consulting orthopaedic spine practitioners: A prospective cohort study'
Authors: Braeuninger‐Weimer Kathrin , Rooslien Hanna , Anjarwalla Naffis , Pincus Tamar
Published: March 2021

Background

Guidelines recommend self‐management for most people living with persistent musculoskeletal low back pain (PMLBP) when surgery is ruled out. Conveying this message to patients can be challenging. This study examined patients' perceptions of reassuring communications from surgical spine team practitioners attempting to deliver this message in a single consultation.

Methods

Pre‐consultation baseline measures included levels of pain, disability and previous consultation history. Patients' perceptions of reassuring communications were measured within 1‐week post‐consultation. The outcome variables, measured at 3‐month follow‐up, included patients’ report of subsequent GP visits for back pain, the number of other healthcare providers consulted for back pain and distress.

Results

Data from 296 patients (9.8% loss to follow‐up) were analysed using hierarchical regression models, controlling for demographic, clinical and study‐related factors. In each model, perceived reassurance accounted for a small but significant variance, above and beyond other predictors. Further GP visits were predicted by disability at baseline and perceived reassurance (adjusted R2 of 14.6%). Subsequent consultations with any healthcare professionals were predicted by a shorter duration of back pain, disability at baseline and perceived reassurance (adj. R2 = 10.6%). Distress was predicted by older age, disability and reassurance (adj. R2 = 59.5%).

Conclusion

Findings suggest that better communication in consultations with orthopaedic spine clinicians might help reduce unnecessary subsequent healthcare utilization and distress.

Significance

Low back pain patients' perceptions of their communication with orthopaedic spine practitioners are associated with subsequent healthcare seeking and distress at follow‐up. This study examines the intersection of two important but fairly neglected areas in the pain research: provider communication and patient healthcare utilization.
Unwillingness to participate in health checks for cardiometabolic diseases: A survey among primary health care patients in five European countries
Authors: de Waard Anne‐Karien M. , Korevaar Joke C. , Hollander Monika , Nielen Mark M. J. , Seifert Bohumil , Carlsson Axel C. , Lionis Christos , Søndergaard Jens , Schellevis François G. , de Wit Niek J. ,   SPIMEU project group
Published: March 2021

Background and aims

Since cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) are a frequent cause of death worldwide, preventive strategies are needed. Recruiting adults for a health check could facilitate the identification of individuals at risk for CMD. For successful results, participation is crucial. We aimed to identify factors related to unwillingness to participate in CMD health checks.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional study in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, and Sweden. A questionnaire was distributed among persons without known CMD consulting general practice between January and July 2017 within the framework of the SPIMEU study.

Results

In total, 1354 persons responded. Nine percent was unwilling to participate in a CMD health check. Male gender, smoking, higher self‐rated health, never been invited before, and not willing to pay were related to unwillingness to participate. The most mentioned reason for unwillingness to participate was “I think that I am healthy” (57%). Among the respondents who were willing to participate, 94% preferred an invitation by the general practitioner and 66% was willing to pay.

Conclusion

A minority of the respondents was unwilling to participate in a CMD health check with consistent results within the five countries. This provides a promising starting point to increase participation in CMD health checks in primary care.
Syringic acid regulates suppression of the STAT3/JNK/AKT pathway via inhibition of human ovarian teratoma cancer cell (PA‐1) growth—in vitro study
Authors: Yang Lina , Qu Changhong , Jin Jiaxi , Yang Hong , Pei Lipeng
Published: March 2021

Among the various gynaecological cancers, ovarian cancer (OC) is the third most severe cancer worldwide affecting women. Syringic acid (SRA) exhibits several hypoglycaemia, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory properties. The study aimed to examine the proapoptotic activities of SRA on OC in PA‐1 cells. SRA has been shown to decrease cell viability, increase the rate of cell apoptosis, and cause mitochondrial membrane potential to dissipate and induce over‐accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in PA‐1 cells after 24 h of exposure. We examined the anticancer efficacy of SRA with its responsible molecular mechanism in the PA‐1 cell lines of human OC. In a dose‐dependent manner, SRA substantially suppressed cell proliferation and migration. SRA exhibited significant downregulation of cyclins including CDK2, CDK4, and Cyclin D1 responsible for cell‐cycle regulation. The apoptosis‐mediated anticancer activity was mainly mediated through caspase‐3, caspase‐8, caspase‐9 and Bax upregulation, and Bcl‐2 downregulation. We report that SRA significantly inhibits the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), P65, and protein kinase B (AKT) pathways. These findings depict the effective inhibition of STAT3, p38, and AKT expression by SRA, making it a potential therapeutic candidate for human OC.
Particle size distribution of chemical oxygen demand in industrial effluents: impact on effective filtration size and modelling of membrane bioreactors
Authors: Doğruel Serdar , Orhon Derin
Published: March 2021

This study reviews particle size distribution (PSD) analysis for industrial effluents. Evaluation of available experimental data indicated that the approach started with arbitrary selection of size distribution. Following a pioneering study on pulp and paper effluent, sequential filtration and ultrafiltration has established itself as a prescribed methodology complementing respirometric assessment of chemical oxygen demand (COD) fractionation based on biodegradation characteristics. Results indicated that most industrial effluents exhibited a COD distribution where soluble fractions accounted for the majority of the total COD, with significant implications for the understanding of membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems. Observations on the accumulation of soluble COD in the reactor to levels much higher than the permeate COD paved the way to define an experimental PSD methodology for assessing the effective filtration size for the membrane module. This novel parameter considered in the light of reported PSD analyses showed that a portion of what was conventionally considered soluble COD would be retained by the size barrier of the membrane and recycled back to the reactor. Thus, MBR systems require a new mathematical model structure that would include a modified COD fractionation, account for the retained COD fractions as additional model components and utilize related mass balance relationships in order to yield an accurate mechanistic description of microbial reactions taking place in the system. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Selective reduction in the expression of type‐1 metabotropic glutamate receptors in the hippocampus of adult rats born by caesarean section
Authors: Zuena Anna Rita , Casolini Paola , Venerosi Aldina , Alemà Giovanni Sebastiano , Nicoletti Ferdinando , Calamandrei Gemma
Published: March 2021

Perinatal hypoxia causes long‐term neurobiological consequences, including alterations in mechanisms of activity‐dependent synaptic plasticity and cognitive dysfunction. Changes in neurotransmitter receptors have been associated with these alterations, but little is known on how early hypoxia influences the expression and function of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors in adult life. This is an important issue because mGlu receptors are implicated in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. Here, we examined the expression of mGlu1, mGlu5, and mGlu2/3 receptor subtypes in the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and dorsal striatum in 6‐month old Wistar rats (a) born by vaginal delivery; (b) born by caesarean section; and (c) born by caesarean section followed by 20 min of asphyxia. Unexpectedly, we found a large reduction of mGlu1α protein levels in the hippocampus of rats born by caesarean section regardless of the presence of asphyxia. No changes in mGlu1α receptor protein levels were found in the other brain regions. Levels of mGlu5 and mGlu2/3 receptors and levels of GluA2/3 and GluN1 subunits of AMPA and NMDA receptors did not differ among the three groups of rats in any brain region. These results are consistent with previous findings showing that changes in mGlu1 receptors occur within the epigenetic programming caused by early‐life events.
Drawings of complete graphs in the projective plane
Authors: Arroyo Alan , McQuillan Dan , Richter R. Bruce , Salazar Gelasio , Sullivan Matthew
Published: March 2021

Hill's Conjecture states that the crossing number of the complete graph in the plane (equivalently, the sphere) is . Moon proved that the expected number of crossings in a spherical drawing in which the points are randomly distributed and joined by geodesics is precisely , thus matching asymptotically the conjectured value of . Let denote the crossing number of a graph in the projective plane. Recently, Elkies proved that the expected number of crossings in a naturally defined random projective plane drawing of is . In analogy with the relation of Moon's result to Hill's conjecture, Elkies asked if . We construct drawings of in the projective plane that disprove this.
Synthesis, in vitro cytotoxicity, and molecular docking study of novel 3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1(2H)‐one based piperlongumine analogues
Authors: Kulkarni Mahesh R. , Lad Nitin P. , Khedkar Vijay M. , Gaikwad Nitin D.
Published: March 2021

With the aim of expanding the scope of SAR on piperlongumine (PL), a naturally occurring anticancer molecule, we have designed a novel hybrid molecule bearing 3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1(2H)‐one and trans‐cinnamic acids. The structure, based on hybridization strategy, is used for hybridization of naturally occurring scaffolds. We have synthesized 14 hybrid molecules by coupling 3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1(2H)‐one core with cinnamic acids using the mix anhydride approach. The newly synthesized inhibitors were evaluated for cell viability against breast cancer MCF‐7 and cervical cancer HeLa cell lines. Furthermore, the active compounds were screened for their potential in breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231, cervical cancer C33A cell lines, prostate cancer DU‐145, PC‐3, and normal VERO cells. From the series, compound 10g was seen to inhibit MCF‐7 cell growth significantly with GI50 < 0.1 μM along with growth inhibition in MDA‐MB‐231 (GI50 = 20 μM) and C33A (GI50 = 3.2 μM). While the inhibitor 10i inhibits MCF‐7 breast cancer cell growth GI50 = 3.42 μM along with inhibition of cell growth in MDA‐MB‐231 (GI50 = 30 μM), HeLa (GI50 = 7.67 μM), C33A (GI50 = 13 μM), DU‐145 (GI50 = 6.45 μM), PC‐3 (GI50 = 8.68 μM), and VERO (GI50 = 2.93 μM), respectively. Furthermore, molecular docking study demonstrated these compounds could bind tightly to the colchicine domain of tubulin through a network of favorable steric and electrostatic interactions and thus act as a tubulin polymerization inhibitor.
Seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 in healthcare workers in a nonepidemic region, Japan: A hospital‐based study on May, 2020
Authors: Nakamura Akihiro , Ando Sanae , Endo Hideaki , Sato Ryoichi
Published: March 2021

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing rate is low in our local area and the true rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection may include many asymptomatic individuals. We conducted a serosurveillance using antibody testing in an area where official report of COVID‐19 infection is not done yet. Blood samples were obtained from 1404 healthcare workers (41 ± 11 years) in our hospital on May 29–31, 2020. First, the potential infection frequency was confirmed using two quantitative antibody tests. In addition, the usefulness of rapid antibody kit testing for COVID‐19 serosurveillance was examined. A COVID‐19‐indected case was defined as showing positive results in both quantitative tests. None of 1404 samples had positive results from the two quantitative tests. The false positive rates were 0.36% and 0.07%, whereas those in rapid antibody kits were 3.3% and 3.0%. In conclusion, as of May, 2020, potential spread mainly by asymptomatic individuals infected with COVID‐19 was not found in our local area where there was no official report of COVID‐19, even if the PCR testing rate was low. Rapid antibody kits might not be useful due to the high false positive rate in an area with a low incidence of COVID‐19 infected individuals.
Assessment of the possible inhibitory effect of carrageenan in human papillomavirus DNA testing by polymerase chain reaction amplification
Authors: Laurie Cassandra , El‐Zein Mariam , Franco Eduardo L. , Coutlée François
Published: March 2021

We assessed carrageenan's potential to inhibit human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA extraction and amplification in vaginal swab samples collected in a trial, assessing the efficacy of a carrageenan‐based gel against HPV infections. Experiment #1 consisted of adding gel (carrageenan‐containing or placebo) to swabs and comparing HPV DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to unmanipulated samples collected from the same participants. For Experiments #2 and #3, we tested vaginal samples for inhibition by addition of an internal control and amplification by real‐time PCR. Experiment #4 investigated carrageenan's interference with the extraction process by assessing HPV45 detectability in undiluted and diluted HPV45 positive samples (n = 3) with carrageenan versus no gel. In Experiment #1, there was a loss of HPV positivity with the addition of carrageenan (n = 9), but none with placebo gel (n = 5). In Experiments #2 and #3, the absence of the amplified product was observed in samples from the carrageenan arm: 3.3% (1/30) and 0.5% (1/199) of samples. In Experiment #4, HPV45 was not detected in undiluted carrageenan‐containing samples, but after 1/50 dilution, the same HPV45 copy number was detected. Carrageenan does not affect the DNA extraction process, and inhibition of HPV DNA amplification by carrageenan occurs infrequently.
Australian rainfall variability—Why is the eastern seaboard of Australia different to the rest of Australia and also internally inhomogeneous
Authors: Twomey Callum R. , Kiem Anthony S.
Published: March 2021

The Eastern Seaboard of Australia (ESA) has been identified as being different to the rest of Australia in terms of rainfall patterns. However, rainfall patterns within the ESA itself are not well understood. This study identifies Australian rainfall districts that exhibit similar (and different) temporal variation, with the primary aim being to determine if the ESA can be considered a homogenous region with respect to rainfall. The results (a) confirm that the ESA is different to the rest of Australia and (b) show that the ESA is not homogenous and that East Coast Lows (ECLs) are linked to this inhomogeneity. For winter (JJA) three separate divisions within the ESA are identified and at least two clear divisions are identified in other seasons. ECL sub‐types contribute to this inhomogeneity because each ECL sub‐type is associated with different spatio‐temporal rainfall patterns across the ESA. This is an important insight for natural resources management and emergency services within the heavily populated ESA because it demonstrates that existing climate related risks are different across the ESA. Further, the way climate risks change in the future is also likely to be inconsistent across the ESA. Future climate related risks will depend on how ECL behaviour (e.g., intensity, frequency, location, duration, path and geographical extent) changes. This reinforces the need for locally relevant and practically useful climate science information and adaptation strategies—as opposed to the State‐ or country‐wide information and adaptation approaches that are commonly used.
Decision‐making and leadership challenges in partner‐based, owner‐managed companies
Authors: Stromback Jonas
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to develop a deeper understanding of how owners of partner‐based companies perceive shared‐ownership decision‐making in relation to leadership roles and organizational behavior. Data were collected from two law firms in Stockholm, Sweden. The data were used to identify the partners' perceptions of how the decision‐making process affected the organizations and through an analysis of the collected data six themes were identified: (a) few written instructions, (b) consensus‐driven leadership, (c) importance of strong office manager, (d) partners are foremost lawyers and leadership is secondary, (e) self‐motivated staff, and (f) random communication. Findings of the study suggest there is an awareness of a lack of organizational structure and management procedures among partners, but also a desire to keep an informal style of reaching decisions and managing the firm. The consensus‐based model affects leadership in the sense it makes decision‐making slow, but it also means decisions are well anchored among the owners.
Review Article: The effect of humic substances on phosphate and iron acquisition by higher plants: Qualitative and quantitative aspects
Authors: Gerke Jörg
Published: March 2021

Humic substances affect iron (Fe) and phosphate (P) uptake by higher plants by two different ways.

First, humic substances bind Fe(III) by forming humic‐Fe complexes of medium to high stability. In soils with pH > 5.0 these complexes account for most of the Fe in the soil solution, while dissolved Fe from Fe‐oxides exhibit an extreme low solubility (<< 0.1 µM).

Humic‐Fe and humic‐Al complexes may bind P and form humic‐metal‐P complexes in the soil solution. Also, humic substances may desorb P bound to Fe(Al)‐oxides by binding to the P sorption sites of the oxides.

These mechanisms may increase soil Fe and P availability.

Second, humic substances affect several physiological processes of higher plants which are related to the acquisition of mineral nutrients from soil such as Fe and P. Soil humic substances exhibit plant hormone features, the quality and extend depending on the humic sources, the apparent molecular weight and the association status of the humic substances. They may affect the rooting pattern, the excretion of protons and carboxylic anions, the plasma membrane Fe‐reductase activity and they may activate Fe(II) and P transporters.

Organic acid anions released by the roots can decrease the apparent molecular weight of the humic substances which may in turn increase the plant hormone activity of the humics. These mutual interactions can be described as soil‐root cross‐talking or humic acid cross‐interactions with roots.
Spatiotemporal investigation of the interactive coercing relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services in arid northwestern China
Authors: Shi Lei , Halik Ümüt , Mamat Zulpiya , Aishan Tayierjiang , Abliz Abdulla , Welp Martin
Published: March 2021

Rapid urbanization has negative effects on ecosystem structure, function, and balance, leading to the loss of ecosystem services (ES) and posing a threat to regional sustainable development. However, the complex interactive coercing relationship between urbanization and ES is not yet fully understood, especially in arid Northwestern China. In this study, we constructed an evaluative framework for urbanization and ES using land cover/land use data and socioeconomic data from 1990 to 2018. We used global and local autocorrelation models to reveal the spatiotemporal interaction between urbanization and ES. The results revealed that the urbanization index increased from 0.06 in 1990 to 0.16 in 2018 in Xinjiang, and urbanization was significantly negatively correlated with ES. With the acceleration of urbanization, the ecosystem services value (ESV) has decreased 2,698.74 × 109 Yuan from 1990 to 2018 (6.62 Yuan = 1 .00 US$). Due to geographical advantages, resource conditions, and land use changes, the spatial relationship of urbanization and ES has obvious heterogeneity. High–low correlation areas are mainly concentrated in the Northern Tianshan Mountain Economic Zone, whereas low–high correlation areas are concentrated in the Kashgar and Hotan Oases in southern Xinjiang. Based on regional geographical conditions and the spatial heterogeneity of resources, diversified ecological, social, and economic balance models should be considered to promote future sustainable urban planning and development.
Automated detection of aggressive and indolent prostate cancer on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Seetharaman Arun , Bhattacharya Indrani , Chen Leo C. , Kunder Christian A. , Shao Wei , Soerensen Simon J. C. , Wang Jeffrey B. , Teslovich Nikola C. , Fan Richard E. , Ghanouni Pejman , Brooks James D. , Too Katherine J. , Sonn Geoffrey A. , Rusu Mirabela
Published: March 2021

Purpose

While multi‐parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows great promise in assisting with prostate cancer diagnosis and localization, subtle differences in appearance between cancer and normal tissue lead to many false positive and false negative interpretations by radiologists. We sought to automatically detect aggressive cancer (Gleason pattern 4) and indolent cancer (Gleason pattern 3) on a per‐pixel basis on MRI to facilitate the targeting of aggressive cancer during biopsy.

Methods

We created the Stanford Prostate Cancer Network (SPCNet), a convolutional neural network model, trained to distinguish between aggressive cancer, indolent cancer, and normal tissue on MRI. Ground truth cancer labels were obtained by registering MRI with whole‐mount digital histopathology images from patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Before registration, these histopathology images were automatically annotated to show Gleason patterns on a per‐pixel basis. The model was trained on data from 78 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and 24 patients without prostate cancer. The model was evaluated on a pixel and lesion level in 322 patients, including six patients with normal MRI and no cancer, 23 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, and 293 patients who underwent biopsy. Moreover, we assessed the ability of our model to detect clinically significant cancer (lesions with an aggressive component) and compared it to the performance of radiologists.

Results

Our model detected clinically significant lesions with an area under the receiver operator characteristics curve of 0.75 for radical prostatectomy patients and 0.80 for biopsy patients. Moreover, the model detected up to 18% of lesions missed by radiologists, and overall had a sensitivity and specificity that approached that of radiologists in detecting clinically significant cancer.

Conclusions

Our SPCNet model accurately detected aggressive prostate cancer. Its performance approached that of radiologists, and it helped identify lesions otherwise missed by radiologists. Our model has the potential to assist physicians in specifically targeting the aggressive component of prostate cancers during biopsy or focal treatment.
A disposable OSL dosimeter for in vivo measurement of rectum dose during brachytherapy
Authors: Hayashi Hiroaki , Kimoto Natsumi , Maeda Tatsuya , Tomita Emi , Asahara Takashi , Goto Sota , Kanazawa Yuki , Shitakubo Yasufumi , Sakuragawa Kanako , Ikushima Hitoshi , Okazaki Tohru , Hashizume Takuya
Published: March 2021

Purpose

We aimed to develop a disposable rectum dosimeter and to demonstrate its ability to measure exposure dose to the rectum during brachytherapy for cervical cancer treatment using high‐dose rate 192Ir. Our rectum dosimeter measures the dose with an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sheet which was furled to a catheter. The catheter we used is 6 mm in diameter; therefore, it is much less invasive than other rectum dosimeters. The rectum dosimeter developed in this study has the characteristics of being inexpensive and disposable. It is also an easy‐to‐use detector that can be individually sterilized, making it suitable for clinical use.

Methods

To obtain a dose calibration curve, phantom experiments were performed. Irradiation was performed using a cubical acrylic phantom, and the response of the OSL dosimeter was calibrated with the calculation value predicted by the treatment planning system (TPS). Additionally, the dependence of catheter angle on the dosimeter position and repeatability were evaluated. We also measured the absorbed dose to the rectum of patients who were undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer (n = 64). The doses measured with our dosimeters were compared with the doses calculated by the TPS. In order to examine the causes of large differences between measured and planned doses, we classified the data into common and specific cases when performing this clinical study. For specific cases, the following three categories were considered: (a) patient movement, (b) gas in the vagina and/or rectum, and (c) artifacts in the X‐ray image caused by applicators.

Results

A dose calibration curve was obtained in the range of 0.1 Gy–10.0 Gy. From the evaluation of the dependence of catheter angle on the dosimeter position and repeatability, we determined that our dosimeter can measure rectum dose with an accuracy of 3.1% (k = 1). In this clinical study, we succeeded in measuring actual doses using our rectum dosimeter. We found that the deviation of the measured dose from the planned dose was derived to be 12.7% (k = 1); this result shows that the clinical study included large elements of uncertainty. The discrepancies were found to be due to patient motion during treatment, applicator movement after planning images were taken, and artifacts in the planning images.

Conclusions

We present the idea that a minimally invasive rectum dosimeter can be fabricated using an OSL sheet. Our clinical study demonstrates that a rectum dosimeter made from an OSL sheet has sufficient ability to evaluate rectum dose. Using this dosimeter, valuable information concerning organs at risk can be obtained during brachytherapy.
A robust broadband fat‐suppressing phaser T2‐preparation module for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 3T
Authors: Arn Lionel , van Heeswijk Ruud B. , Stuber Matthias , Bastiaansen Jessica A. M.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Designing a new T2‐preparation (T2‐Prep) module to simultaneously provide robust fat suppression and efficient T2 preparation without requiring an additional fat‐suppression module for T2‐weighted imaging at 3T.

Methods

The tip‐down radiofrequency (RF) pulse of an adiabatic T2‐Prep module was replaced by a custom‐designed RF‐excitation pulse that induces a phase difference between water and fat, resulting in a simultaneous T2 preparation of water signals and the suppression of fat signals at the end of the module (a phaser adiabatic T2‐Prep). Numerical simulations and in vitro and in vivo electrocardiogram (ECG)‐triggered navigator‐gated acquisitions of the human heart were performed. Blood, myocardium, and fat signal‐to‐noise ratios and right coronary artery vessel sharpness were compared against previously published adiabatic T2‐Prep approaches.

Results

Numerical simulations predicted an increased fat‐suppression bandwidth and decreased sensitivity to transmit magnetic field inhomogeneities using the proposed approach while preserving the water T2‐Prep capabilities. This was confirmed by the tissue signals acquired in the phantom and the in vivo images, which show similar blood and myocardium signal‐to‐noise ratio, contrast‐to‐noise ratio, and significantly reduced fat signal‐to‐noise ratio compared with the other methods. As a result, the right coronary artery conspicuity was significantly increased.

Conclusion

A novel fat‐suppressing T2‐Prep method was developed and implemented that showed robust fat suppression and increased vessel sharpness compared with conventional techniques while preserving its T2‐Prep capabilities.
Precise composition modulation for optimizing NiWO4/Pt/CdS Z‐scheme system
Authors: Li Mingjie , Yokoyama Shun , Takahashi Hideyuki , Yan Keyou , Tohji Kazuyuki
Published: March 2021

A reasonable structure is crucial for the solar‐to‐chemical conversion process of the integrated Z‐scheme system. Composition modulation provides a new dimension for the optimization of Z‐scheme system. Herein, a composition modulated NiWO4/Pt/CdS Z‐scheme system is demonstrated for photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Proportions of Ni, W, Cd, and S in NiWO4/Pt/CdS are precisely tuned through the ion‐exchange reaction between NiWO4 and CdS. Important features of the Z‐scheme system in terms of light harvesting, charge separation and charge transfer are optimized accordingly. Bandgap of CdS is tuned continuously from 2.22 to 1.52 eV through controlling the Cd and S contents in NiWO4/Pt/CdS. The results of photoluminescence spectrometry and photoelectrochemical analyses demonstrate that the NiS generated from ion‐exchange reaction increase the charge separation and transfer rates. Furthermore, the molar ratio of NiWO4 to CdS is regulated to a balance state, leading to the decrease of charge recombination. The optimized NiWO4/Pt/CdS Z‐scheme system delivers the comprehensive performance of excellent light harvesting and charge separation abilities, low charge recombination rate, and suitable energy band structure for water reduction. The hydrogen generation rate is increased to 14.39 mmol h‐1g‐1 after the optimization. The optimized method brings a new insight into the rational design of Z‐scheme system.
Return on Investment: Medical Savings of an Employer‐Sponsored Digital Intensive Lifestyle Intervention for Weight Loss
Authors: Horstman Cecelia M. , Ryan Donna H. , Aronne Louis J. , Apovian Caroline M. , Foreyt John P. , Tuttle Hannah M. , Williamson Donald A.
Published: March 2021

Objective

This study aimed to determine the medical cost impact and return on investment (ROI) of a large, commercial, digital, weight‐management intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) program (Real Appeal).

Methods

Participants in this program were compared with a control group matched by age, sex, geographic region, health risk, baseline medical costs, and chronic conditions. Medical costs were defined as the total amount paid for all medical expenses, inclusive of both the insurers’ and the study participants’ responsibility.

Results

In the 3 years following program registration, the intent‐to‐treat (ITT) cohort had significantly lower medical expenditures than the matched controls, with an average of −$771 or 12% lower costs (P = 0.002). Among 4,790 ITT participants, a total savings of $3,693,090 compared with total program costs of $1,639,961 translated into a 2.3:1 ROI. Program completers (n = 3,990), who attended more sessions than the overall ITT group, had greater mean weight loss (−4.4%), greater cost savings (−$956 or 14%), and an ROI of 2.0:1 over the 3‐year time frame compared with matched controls.

Conclusions

The findings demonstrated that the digital weight‐management ILI was associated with a significantly positive ROI. Employers and payers willing to cover the cost of an ILI that produces both weight loss and demonstrated cost benefits can improve health and save money for their population with overweight or obesity.
Selection of Antiobesity Medications Based on Phenotypes Enhances Weight Loss: A Pragmatic Trial in an Obesity Clinic
Authors: Acosta Andres , Camilleri Michael , Abu Dayyeh Barham , Calderon Gerardo , Gonzalez Daniel , McRae Alison , Rossini William , Singh Sneha , Burton Duane , Clark Matthew M.
Published: March 2021

Objective

Little is known about the predictors of response to obesity interventions.

Methods

In 450 participants with obesity, body composition, resting energy expenditure, satiety, satiation, eating behavior, affect, and physical activity were measured by validated studies and questionnaires. These variables were used to classify obesity phenotypes. Subsequently, in a 12‐month, pragmatic, real‐world trial performed in a weight management center, 312 patients were randomly assigned to phenotype‐guided treatment or non‐phenotype‐guided treatment with antiobesity medications: phentermine, phentermine/topiramate, bupropion/naltrexone, lorcaserin, and liraglutide. The primary outcome was weight loss at 12 months.

Results

Four phenotypes of obesity were identified in 383 of 450 participants (85%): hungry brain (abnormal satiation), emotional hunger (hedonic eating), hungry gut (abnormal satiety), and slow burn (decreased metabolic rate). In 15% of participants, no phenotype was identified. Two or more phenotypes were identified in 27% of patients. In the pragmatic clinical trial, the phenotype‐guided approach was associated with 1.75‐fold greater weight loss after 12 months with mean weight loss of 15.9% compared with 9.0% in the non‐phenotype‐guided group (difference −6.9% [95% CI −9.4% to −4.5%], P < 0.001), and the proportion of patients who lost >10% at 12 months was 79% in the phenotype‐guided group compared with 34% with non‐phenotype‐guided treatment group.

Conclusions

Biological and behavioral phenotypes elucidate human obesity heterogeneity and can be targeted pharmacologically to enhance weight loss.