bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovering ecosystem functions in a restored salt marsh by leveraging positive effects of biodiversity
Authors: Fitzgerald Megan , Gonzalez Karla , Funk Jennifer L. , Whitcraft Christine R. , Allen Bengt J.
Published: August 2021

Natural and managed ecosystems provide a variety of ecological, economic, and cultural benefits; yet most have been altered by human activity such that they exhibit deficits in both biodiversity and functionality. Identifying factors accelerating the recovery of key species and associated functions in degraded systems is therefore a global priority. We tested the hypotheses that explicitly incorporating biodiversity into restoration design will lead to greater ecosystem function and that positive effects of diversity will strengthen over time due to an increase in the importance of complementarity relative to selection effects. We did this by manipulating salt marsh plant species richness across a tidal elevation gradient as part of a coastal wetland restoration project in southern California. Overall, diversity enhanced biomass accumulation in experimental plots, with the magnitude of the effect strengthening from one to three years post‐restoration due to a combination of decreasing performance in monocultures and increasing performance in multispecies mixtures over time. Positive diversity effects were initially due exclusively to selection, as mixtures were dominated by species also exhibiting high performance in monoculture, although the identity of the highest performing species varied across tidal elevations and over time. By the end of the study, complementarity, indicative of niche partitioning and/or positive interactions among species, contributed to productivity at least as much as selection effects. Our study provides real‐world support for a recent theoretical model predicting strong positive biodiversity effects when functionally different species coexist in a heterogeneous landscape. Incorporating biodiversity into restoration designs can result in net gains in ecosystem function especially in low diversity systems, yet shorter experiments lacking broad environmental and species trait variability may both underestimate the strength of and misidentify the mechanisms underlying positive diversity effects.
Impacts of run‐of‐river hydropower on coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch): the role of density‐dependent survival
Authors: Gibeau Pascale , Palen Wendy J.
Published: August 2021

Predicting whether anthropogenic sources of mortality have negative consequences at the level of population dynamics is challenged by mechanisms like density‐dependent survival that can amplify or offset the loss of individuals from anthropogenic disturbances. Run‐of‐river (RoR) hydropower is a growing industry that can cause frequent mortality of salmonid fry through rapid reductions in streamflow, leading to stranding on dewatered shores. However, whether individual‐level impacts reduce population growth rates or increase local extinction risk is difficult to predict. We used a stochastic stage‐structured matrix model to evaluate how the timing and magnitude of anthropogenic flow fluctuations impacted population abundance and extinction risk of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), which spend up to 1.5 yr in many streams regulated by RoR hydropower. We additionally assessed how the timing (spring, winter) and strength (weak, moderate, high) of natural density‐dependent bottlenecks experienced by salmon in freshwaters tempers or amplifies the potential for RoR‐induced mortality to scale to emergent population dynamics. We compared population sizes and the 45‐yr probability of quasi‐extinction under 12 scenarios that varied the frequency (0–20 events per year) and magnitude (1–10% mortality per event) of RoR‐induced flow fluctuations, as well as the timing and strength of density‐dependent bottlenecks occurring during the first year in freshwater. We found that even mild flow fluctuations by RoR hydropower can impact coho salmon population dynamics, especially if density dependence is weak or occurs early in freshwater residency (spring). When density dependence was strong and during winter, the potential for population‐level impact was lessened, but populations still declined by 13–42% when RoR‐induced mortality was severe (5–10%) or frequent (10–20 events/yr). We conclude that strong density‐dependent survival bottlenecks could partially mitigate the loss of fry from anthropogenic flow fluctuations, especially if bottlenecks occur late in freshwater residency, but not for all intensities of flow fluctuations. Even with strong density dependence in winter, our models predict declining populations by up to 70% under strong and very frequent flow fluctuations, which should serve to caution those tasked with regulating flows in streams affected by RoR hydropower.
Accounting for dispersal and local habitat when evaluating tributary use by riverine fishes
Authors: Dunn Corey G. , Paukert Craig P.
Published: August 2021

Conservation practitioners increasingly recognize the conservation value of tributaries for supporting mainstem, large‐river specialist fishes. A tributary’s discharge at its mouth is a coarse indicator of the richness of large‐river specialists found within the tributary, but the relative influences of regional dispersal and local habitat underpinning this species–discharge relationship are often unknown. We sampled large‐river specialist fishes at sites within two nonwadeable tributaries of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers with contrasting prairie (Grand River) vs. upland (Meramec River) habitats to address four research questions: (1) Do alpha diversity (mean site‐level species richness) and beta diversity (among‐site species compositional differences) vary between tributaries? (2) Does mean annual discharge correlate with local habitat and downstream distance to mainstem rivers (i.e., mainstem connectivity)? (3) Are slopes of species–discharge relationships consistent between tributaries? And (4) Do local habitat and downstream distance explain residual richness at sites beyond variation already explained by species–discharge relationships? We detected 30 of 42 potential large‐river specialist fishes, demonstrating most mainstem species use tributaries. Mean site richness was higher in the Grand River (12.5 species vs. 9.8 species in Meramec River), but partitioning of lower reaches (sites < 116 km from river mouth) and dispersal limitation in upper reaches (sites ≥ 145 km from river mouth) caused Meramec River beta diversity to be three times higher. Mean annual discharge correlated with habitat availability at sites and downstream distance to a mainstem. Although site‐level alpha richness generally increased with discharge in both tributaries, slopes of species–discharge relationships varied between tributaries. Analyzing species–discharge residuals revealed downstream distance explained additional variation in site‐level richness not accounted for by local discharge. For example, discharge alone underrepresented richness in lower‐discharge sites accessible to dispersers (maximum underestimate = 8.7 species) and overrepresented richness in isolated sites (maximum overestimate = 5.8 species). Thus, predictive performance of species–discharge relationships can be improved by accounting for varying habitats among tributaries and downstream distance of sites to mainstems when valuing tributaries for fishes with dispersal‐dependent life cycles.
Differential influence of human impacts on age‐specific demography underpins trends in an African elephant population
Authors: Wittemyer George , Daballen David , Douglas‐Hamilton Iain
Published: August 2021

Diagnosing age‐specific influences on demographic trends and their drivers in at‐risk wildlife species can support the development of targeted conservation interventions. Such information also underpins understanding of life history. Here, we assess age‐specific demography in wild African elephants, a species whose life history is marked by long life and extreme parental investment. During the 20‐yr study, survival and its variation were similar between adults and juveniles in contrast to relationships found among many large‐bodied mammals. Prospective analysis on age‐specific Leslie matrices for females demonstrated survival is more influential than fecundity on λ, with sensitivity of both decreasing with age. Results aggregated by stage classes indicate young adults (9–18 yr) demonstrated the highest elasticity, followed by preparous juveniles (3–8 yr). Mature adults (36+ yr) had the lowest aggregate elasticity value. Retrospective analysis parameterized by data from the early and latter periods of the study, characterized by low then high human impact (faster and slower growth, respectively), demonstrated fecundity (particularly for adults; 19–35 yr) explained the greatest variation in λ observed during the period of low human impact, while survival (particularly juvenile and adult) was more influential during the high human impact period. The oldest females (mature adult stage) weakly influenced population growth despite demonstrating the highest fecundity and their behavioral importance in elephant society. Multiple regression models on survival showed the negative effects of human impacts and population size were the strongest correlates across sexes and ages. Annual rainfall, our metric for environmental conditions, was weakly informative. The presence of dependent young was positively correlated with survival for breeding females, suggesting condition‐based mortality filtering during pregnancy. Notwithstanding the stabilizing effect of high juvenile survival on elephant population growth, demographic processes in elephants were similar to those shaping life history in other large herbivores. Implications of the study results with respect to the conservation of elephants and analysis of demographic impact of poaching are discussed, along with the study's relevance to theories regarding the evolution of life history and parental care.
Probing Limits of a C=C Bond Activation by N‐Coordinated Organopnictogen(I) Compounds
Authors: Kremláček Vít , Hejda Martin , Rychagova Elena , Ketkov Sergey , Jambor Roman , Růžička Aleš , Dostál Libor
Published: August 2021

The C=C bond in selectedN‐alkyl/aryl‐maleimides RN(C(O)CH)2(R=Me,tBu, Ph) is activated by organopnictogen(I) compounds producing bridged bicyclic [2.2.1] products exhibiting bothendoandexoorientations. This is achieved by a synergic element‐ligand cooperation, thereby resembling a hetero‐Diels‐Alder reaction. A wide range of pnictogen(I) complexes is considered in this study including the bis(aldiminine) pincer compounds ArE (1) (Ar=2,6‐(R'N=CH)2C6H3, R’=tBu, E=P (P‐1), As (As‐1), Sb (Sb‐1), Bi (Bi‐1) or R’=Dmp, E=P (P‐1’), As (As‐1’), Sb (Sb‐1’), where Dmp=2,6‐Me2C6H3) and theC,N‐coordinated compounds Ar'E (2) (Ar’=2‐(DippN=CH)C6H4, E=P (P‐2), As (As‐2), where Dipp=2,6‐iPr2C6H3). On this set of compounds, the reversibility of C=C bond activation was examined mainly by means of the1H variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy and this study revealed trends showing a dependence both on the E atom and on the structure of the ligand. The structure of the addition products was elucidated by multinuclear NMR and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The whole study is accompanied by a theoretical survey targeting decisive factors for the C=C bond activation and a preference forendo/exoforms by the particular pnictogen(I) compound.
Catalytic Hydrogenation of Urea Derivatives and Polyureas
Authors: Kumar Amit , Luk James
Published: August 2021

We present herein the catalytic hydrogenation of various urea derivatives to amines and methanol. The reaction is catalyzed by a ruthenium or an iridium Macho pincer complex and produces amine and methanol in very good to excellent yields. Moreover, we also expand this concept to demonstrate the first example of the hydrogenative depolymerization of polyureas to produce diamines and methanol in moderate yields.
Battery‐Less Power Management Circuit Powered by a Wearable Piezoelectric Energy Harvester
Authors: Mendez-Lira Omar , Spinelli Enrique Mario , Gonzalez-Landaeta Rafael
Published: August 2021

A system that aims to manage the energy harvested from the finger movement using a glove‐type garment is proposed. For this, five polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) film‐type sensors are mounted on different interphalangeal joints of the fingers. A 68 μF/25 V ceramic capacitor is used as a storage device. A battery‐less power management circuit (PMC) is proposed to isolate the capacitor from the load to reduce the current consumption while charging. When the voltage across the capacitor reaches a threshold voltage, the user decides when to transfer the energy to the electronic load. To test the proposed system, the harvested and conditioned energy is used to power both the PMC and a battery‐less cardiac pulse detection circuit, achieving an autonomy of 20 s. This time depends on the voltage stored in the capacitor and the current consumption of the load. Using the proposed wearable system, it is possible to store up to 700 μJ in the capacitor when a subject manipulates a computer or a cellular phone for 10 min. The proposed system is not limited to the activities presented herein because it can harvest the biomechanical energy from any activity that involves finger movements.
Experimental investigation on burning characteristics of diesel pool fires in naturally ventilated compartment
Authors: Tiwari Mahesh Kumar , Gupta Akhilesh , Kumar Ravi , Sharma Pavan Kumar
Published: August 2021

In this study, experiments were performed in a 4 m × 4 m × 4 m compartment having a door size of 2 m × 1 m in the front wall. The pan diameter has been varied from 0.2 to 1.0 m in order to evaluate parameters, such as mass loss rate, CO/CO2 yield, global equivalence ratio (GER), flame height, flame pulsation frequency and total heat flux within the compartment. Experimental mass loss flux was found to be 0.23 times lesser than the mass loss flux obtained with an open fire test. A correlation was developed to estimate the flame height for compartment fire as the function of pool diameter and heat release rate. Pulsation frequency has been well correlated with previous studies for smaller pool sizes, due to no interaction between the flame tip and upper smoke layer. However, for a larger pool, this seems to be deviated due to a larger smoke layer thickness. Heat flux variations were observed to follow power law trends for all the inner surfaces of the compartment with respect to pool diameters. This investigation is also essential for better understanding of diesel (sooty) fuel burning effects with respect to pool size in a compartment having well‐ventilated door opening.
The experience of a sample of individuals in the United Kingdom living in the pre‐manifest stage of Huntington’s disease: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Wieringa Gina , Dale Maria , Eccles Fiona J. R.
Published: August 2021

This paper explores the experience of ten individuals living in the UK who were in the pre‐manifest stage of Huntington's disease (HD), a genetic neurodegenerative condition. Data were gathered using semi‐structured interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three themes were reported from the data: ‘feeling limited by time’, ‘the perception of stalling time’, and ‘making the most of time’, all highlighting the way in which time holds significant meaning when living in the pre‐manifest stage of HD. This study has highlighted the difficulties experienced by individuals when adjusting to the pre‐manifest stage of HD. Feeling able to manage their anxieties and dealing with ongoing uncertainty related to future deterioration was key to supporting their wellbeing, facilitated by factors such as positivity and hope. Individuals may benefit from counseling which supports them to develop proactive coping strategies to manage their anxieties and acceptance of an uncertain future.
Right/Left Ventricular Blood Pool T2 Ratio as an Innovative Cardiac MRI Screening Tool for the Identification of Left‐to‐Right Shunts in Patients With Right Ventricular Disease
Authors: Emrich Tilman , Bordonaro Veronica , Schoepf U. Joseph , Petrescu Aniela , Young Gabrielle , Halfmann Moritz , Schoeler Theresia , Decker Josua , Abidoye Ibukun , Emrich Anna Lena , Kreitner Karl‐Friedrich , Schmidt Kai Helge , Varga‐Szemes Akos , Secinaro Aurelio
Published: August 2021

Background

Left‐to‐right (L‐R) shunts are characterized by a pathological connection between high‐ and low‐pressure systems, leading to a mixing of oxygen‐rich blood with low oxygenated blood. They are typically diagnosed by phase‐contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which requires extensive planning. T2 is sensitive to blood oxygenation and may be able to detect oxygenation differences between the left (LV) and right ventricles (RV) caused by L‐R shunts.

Purpose

To test the feasibility of routine T2 mapping to detect L‐R shunts.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

Patients with known L‐R shunts (N = 27), patients with RV disease without L‐R shunts (N = 21), and healthy volunteers (HV; N = 52).

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5 and 3 T/balanced steady‐state free‐precession (bSSFP) sequence (cine imaging), T2‐prepared bSSFP sequence (T2 mapping), and velocity sensitized gradient echo sequence (phase‐contrast MRI).

Assessment

Aortic (Qs) and pulmonary (Qp) flow was measured by phase‐contrast imaging, and the Qp/Qs ratio was calculated as a measure of shunt severity. T2 maps were used to measure T2 in the RV and LV and the RV/LV T2 ratio was calculated. Cine imaging was used to calculate RV end‐diastolic volume index (RV‐EDVi).

Statistical Tests

Wilcoxon test, paired t‐tests, Spearmen correlation coefficient, receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. Significance level P < 0.05.

Results

The Qp/Qs and T2 ratios in L‐R shunt patients (1.84 ± 0.84 and 0.89 ± 0.07) were significantly higher compared to those in patients with RV disease (1.01 ± 0.03 and 0.72 ± 0.10) and in HV (1.04 ± 0.04 and 0.71 ± 0.09). A T2 ratio of >0.78 showed a sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of 100%, 73.9%, and 100%, respectively, for the detection of L‐R shunts. The T2 ratio was strongly correlated with the severity of the shunt (r = 0.83).

Data Conclusion

RV/LV T2 ratio is an imaging biomarker that may be able to detect or rule‐out L‐R shunts. Such a diagnostic tool may prevent unnecessary phase‐contrast acquisitions in cases with RV dilatation of unknown etiology.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Evaluation of Abbott Architect, Siemens Immulite, bioMerieux Vidas, and Euroimmune assays for determination of Epstein–Barr virus serological diagnosis
Authors: Appak Ozgur , Ozkaratas Muge H. , Sayiner Ayca A.
Published: August 2021

Serological tests detecting antibodies for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) antigens are frequently used to define infection status. Several new automated assays are available for this purpose. We compared the performance of Architect, Immulite, Vidas, and Euroimmune immunofluorescence assays (IFA)/enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the detection of EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) immunoglobulin M (IgM), VCA IgG, Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA)‐1 IgG. The routine diagnosis of EBV in our laboratory is done by anti‐EBV VCA IgM IFT, anti‐EBV VCA IgG IFT, and anti‐EBNA‐1 IgG ELISA (Euroimmune) Kits. Samples were tested with EBV Kits of Architect, Immulite, and Vidas for anti‐VCA IgM, anti‐VCA IgG, and anti‐EBNA‐1 IgG. The agreement between assays was calculated for each marker individually and for the determination of the EBV infection profile, based on the combination of three markers. BIOCHIP Sequence EBV (Avidity test) and/or EUROLINE EBV Profile 2 (IgG/IgM) were used as confirmatory assays to resolve discrepancies. The best concordance for VCA IgM detection was between Immulite and Vidas; for VCA IgG and EBNA‐1 IgG were between Architect and Vidas. The sensitivities and specificities for VCA IgM were 97% and 88% for IFA, 100% and 94% for Architect, 100% and 99% for Vidas, and 100% and 100% for Immulite, respectively. The most problematic marker was EBNA‐1 IgG with a 68.1% specificity by Immulite. Vidas panel had a perfect performance (100%) for determining all EBV profiles. Overall, evaluated assays had comparable performance. There were more discordant VCA IgG and EBNA‐1 IgG results than VCA IgM results. The agreement between Architect and Vidas was better than other assays.
2DEG characteristics of InAlAs/InP based HEMTs by solving Schrödinger and Poisson equations followed by device characteristics
Authors: Lenka Trupti Ranjan , Singh Rajan , Tripathy Susanta Kumar , Goyal Vishal , Nguyen Truong Khang , Nguyen Hieu Pham Trung
Published: August 2021

In this paper the 2DEG characteristics study of InAlAs/InP based high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structures with two different channel materials (InAlAs and InGaAs) are presented through self‐consistent solutions of Schrodinger and Poisson equations which results in energy bands, sheet charge density, electric field, sheet resistance and CV charactristics. The 2DEG (two dimensional electron gas) is created at the heterointerface of InAlAs/In(Al,Ga)As due to conduction energy band discontinuity. The 2DEG is realised by the presence of subbands at the quantum well. The subbands represent the wave function of electrons. The innovation of this work is that InAlAs and InGaAs with x = 0.75 composition can be best utilised as channel material due to low bandgaps 0.821 and 0.639 eV respectively towards improved 2DEG density, subbands, channel sheet resistance, electric field in the 2DEG and CV characteristics. The DC characteristics comprised of Id ~ Vg, Id ~ Vd, transconductance, cut‐off frequency, maximum frequency of oscillation are extracted through TCAD simulations followed by experimental validation. The InGaAs/InP based HEMT can be a potential candidate for ultra‐high‐speed microwave and millimetre wave applications.
Variability of maximum and minimum monthly mean air temperatures over mainland Spain and their relationship with low‐variability atmospheric patterns for period 1916–2015
Authors: González‐Hidalgo José Carlos , Beguería Santiago , Peña‐Angulo Dhais , Sandonis Leire
Published: August 2021

The analysis of monthly air temperature trends over mainland Spain during 1916–2015 shows that warming has not been constant over time nor generalized among different months; it has not been synchronous for maximum and minimum air temperatures; and it has been heterogeneous in space. Temperature rose during two characteristic pulses separated by a pause around the middle of the 20th century in some months. In other months, only the second rising period is identified, or no warming can be found. In all months, and both for maximum and minimum air temperatures, a stagnation of the increasing trend is observed in the last two decades of the study period. High spatial variability exists in trend signal and significance, and two contrasting temporal patterns of advance over the study area are identified for maximum and minimum air temperatures. These patterns can be related to prevalent flow directions and relief disposition with respect to the flows associated with low‐variability meteorological patterns North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Western Mediterranean Oscillation (WEMO). The results show that warming is a complex phenomenon at regional and sub‐regional scales that can only be analysed using high‐spatial‐resolution data and considering global and local factors.
Raman spectroscopy in the quality analysis of dairy products: A literature review
Authors: Silva Monisa Gouvêa , de Paula Igor Lima , Stephani Rodrigo , Edwards Howell G.M. , de Oliveira Luiz Fernando Cappa
Published: August 2021

This work presents a review on the use of Raman spectroscopy in the evaluation of the quality control of dairy products. Milk and dairy products are globally extremely important foodstuffs both economically and nutritionally and require adherence to quality standards for production, industrialization, and commercialization; in addition to the several more common analytical methods that can be used to effect quality controls, Raman spectroscopic techniques can prove to be advantageous for carrying out the analyses of the parameters that are required by various government agencies in the quality control of dairy products. Thus, this work aimed at evaluating the feasibility of applying Raman spectroscopic techniques in the quality control of these products. Through the critical analysis of the scientific documents that were used as a reference, the data related to the analysis of the parameters required by government agencies were found relating to the adulterants found in milk matrices. It was concluded that Raman spectroscopy is a viable and advantageous technique for the analysis of milk and milk derivatives.
Responses of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) with different low‐nitrogen tolerances during recovery from nitrogen deficiency
Authors: Ruan Li , Wei Kang , Li Jianwu , He Mengdi , Wu Liyun , Aktar Shirin , Wang Liyuan , Cheng Hao
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Tea plants have high nitrogen (N) consumptions, whereas molecular and physiological responses of tea plants to N recovery are still unclear.

RESULTS

By using non‐invasive micro‐test technology (NMT), 15N tracer technique, ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and transcriptome sequencing technology, we investigated the N recovery‐induced changes in N absorptions, N tissue distributions, contents of free amino acids (FAAs), and global transcription of the low‐N tolerant and intolerant tea genotypes [i.e. Wuniuzao (W) and Longjing43 (L)]. The results showed that the phenotype of Wuniuzao was better than that of Longjing43 under low‐N condition. The N absorption and utilization of Wuniuzao were superior to Longjing43 under N recovery. The γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) ratio (N recovery/N deficiency) in the root of Wuniuzao was significantly higher than that of Longjing43, while the glutamic acid ratio in the root of Wuniuzao was significantly lower than that of Longjing43. This findings suggested that Wuniuzao tended to enhance the GABA synthesis, while Longjing43 tended to inhibit the GABA synthesis under N recovery. The key genes in response to N recovery in Wuniuzao included N transport (AMT and NRT), N transformation (NR, NirA, and GAD), and amino acid transport (GAT) genes. In addition, some ribosome and flavonoid biosynthesis genes might help to maintain proteome homeostasis.

CONCLUSION

The N absorption and transport, and the conversion abilities of key amino acids (Glu and GABA) might improve the adaptability of tea plants to N recovery, which provided a basis for the breeding of N efficient tea varieties. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Autologous Lipoaugmentation Long‐Term Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Luke Alex S. , Logan Ashley M. , Gawlik Alexandria E. , Dion Gregory R.
Published: August 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Vocal fold (VF) lipoaugmentation can be employed to treat glottal insufficiency although variable data exist on its length of effectiveness. We aimed to review published long‐term outcomes following lipoaugmentation across the literature and compile outcome data.

Study Design

Systematic review.

Methods

A systematic search in September 2020 of PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses guidelines to identify 128 relevant articles related to VF lipoaugmentation effectiveness duration. Primary search terms included the following: vocal cord, fat, lipo, and atrophy. Forty‐eight full‐text articles were reviewed and 31 were included in the final analysis. Primary endpoints included the following: duration of effectiveness per patient‐reported outcome measures, objective findings, and additional procedures performed. In addition, fat harvest location and processing techniques were recorded.

Findings

Thirty‐one studies totaling 764 patients were included in the review. Indications for augmentation were VF paralysis (N = 690) and atrophy (N = 74). Fat was harvested from the abdominal region in 21 studies (529 patients), the thigh/abdomen in 5 studies (91 patients), and buccal/submental region in 2 studies (33 patients). Processing techniques and injectable volume varied. Across included studies, only 11 of 764 patients (1.4%) reported no improvement in voice and/or swallowing. Within the first year, 71 of 608 patients (11.7%) reported a regression toward baseline. Beyond 1 year and up to 8 years, 27 of 214 patients (12.6%) reported regression from initial improvement. Thirty‐three patients underwent additional procedures.

Conclusion

Although improvements in voice and swallowing after lipoaugmentation taper over time, most patients experienced long‐term benefit. Laryngoscope, 132:1042–1053, 2022
Mittag‐Leffler stability for a fractional viscoelastic telegraph problem
Authors: Tatar Nasser‐eddine
Published: August 2021

We consider the well‐known telegraph problem and replace the time‐derivatives by non‐integer derivatives. It is proved that the lower order fractional derivative provides enough damping to stabilize the system. Moreover, we show that the extremely weak dissipation produced by a viscelastic term is also able to drive the system to its equilibrium state. Both rates are of Mittag‐Leffler type. We recall that this is the case in the integer‐order case, that is, for the standard telegraph equation. In the fractional case, some basic rules are no longer valid, and therefore, the situation is more delicate. We prove Mittag‐Leffler stability under certain smallness conditions on the relaxation function.
Quantitative time‐of‐flight MR angiography for simultaneous luminal and hemodynamic evaluation of the intracranial arteries
Authors: Koktzoglou Ioannis , Huang Rong , Edelman Robert R.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To report a quantitative time‐of‐flight (qTOF) MRA technique for simultaneous luminal and hemodynamic evaluation of the intracranial arteries.

Methods

Implemented using a thin overlapping slab 3D stack‐of‐stars based 3‐echo FLASH readout, qTOF was tested in a flow phantom and for imaging the intracranial arteries of 10 human subjects at 3 Tesla. Display of the intracranial arteries with qTOF was compared to resolution‐matched and scan time‐matched standard Cartesian 3D time‐of‐flight (TOF) MRA, whereas quantification of mean blood flow velocity with qTOF, done using a computer vision‐based inter‐echo image analysis procedure, was compared to 3D phase contrast MRA. Arterial‐to‐background contrast‐to‐noise ratio was measured, and intraclass correlation coefficient was used to evaluate agreement of flow velocities.

Results

For resolution‐matched protocols of similar scan time, qTOF portrayed the intracranial arteries with good morphological correlation with standard Cartesian TOF, and both techniques provided superior contrast‐to‐noise ratio and arterial delineation compared to phase contrast (20.6 ± 3.0 and 37.8 ± 8.7 vs. 11.5 ± 2.2, P < .001, both comparisons). With respect to phase contrast, qTOF showed excellent agreement for measuring mean flow velocity in the flow phantom (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.981, P < .001) and good agreement in the intracranial arteries (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.700, P < .001). Stack‐of‐stars data sampling used with qTOF eliminated oblique in‐plane flow misregistration artifacts that were seen with standard Cartesian TOF.

Conclusion

qTOF is a new 3D MRA technique for simultaneous luminal and hemodynamic evaluation of the intracranial arteries that provides significantly greater contrast‐to‐noise ratio efficiency than phase contrast and eliminates misregistration artifacts from oblique in‐plane blood flow that occur with standard 3D TOF.
Permanent antimicrobial polymethyl methacrylate prepared by chemical bonding with poly(hexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride)
Authors: Shi Han , Zhuang Qixin , Zheng Anna , Zhan Pengfei , Guan Yong , Wei Dafu , Xu Xiang , Wu Tao
Published: August 2021

The alkyl‐terminated poly(hexamethyleneguanidine hydrochloride) (PHMG‐L), which is antibacterial by physical membrane rupture, was selected as the functional gene, a nonleaching antimicrobial polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was developed by the melting grafting reaction between the random copolymer P (MMA‐co‐MAH) containing 5.0 wt% maleic anhydride (MAH) and the PHMG‐L. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectra, energy spectrometer, atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analyzer, UV–visible spectrophotometer confirmed that P(MMA‐g‐PHMG) had been successfully prepared, and the grafting efficiency was at 67.1%–70.7% while 1.0–3.0 wt% PHMG‐L was added. Furthermore, P(MMA‐g‐PHMG) was compatible with PMMA, and partially enriched on the surface of the mixture. The inhibition rates of antimicrobial PMMA with 3.0 wt% PHMG‐L against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reached 99.9%, and the nonleaching characteristic ensured the safety and long‐term antimicrobial property. The antimicrobial PMMA also possessed excellent heat resistance and transparency. This study provides a green and promising approach for the industrial fabrication of antimicrobial PMMA.
Core concepts in pharmacoepidemiology: Violations of the positivity assumption in the causal analysis of observational data: Consequences and statistical approaches
Authors: Zhu Yaqian , Hubbard Rebecca A. , Chubak Jessica , Roy Jason , Mitra Nandita
Published: August 2021

In the causal analysis of observational data, the positivity assumption requires that all treatments of interest be observed in every patient subgroup. Violations of this assumption are indicated by nonoverlap in the data in the sense that patients with certain covariate combinations are not observed to receive a treatment of interest, which may arise from contraindications to treatment or small sample size. In this paper, we emphasize the importance and implications of this often‐overlooked assumption. Further, we elaborate on the challenges nonoverlap poses to estimation and inference and discuss previously proposed methods. We distinguish between structural and practical violations and provide insight into which methods are appropriate for each. To demonstrate alternative approaches and relevant considerations (including how overlap is defined and the target population to which results may be generalized) when addressing positivity violations, we employ an electronic health record‐derived data set to assess the effects of metformin on colon cancer recurrence among diabetic patients.
Assessing cognitive screeners with the critical success index
Authors: Larner AJ
Published: August 2021

Cognitive screening instruments are frequently used in the assessment of patients presenting with symptoms of dementia or cognitive impairment. Various test accuracy metrics have been defined for such instruments. This article describes a study in which metrics originally developed in weather forecasting, namely the critical success index and the equitable threat score, were applied to cognitive screening test accuracy studies.
An enhanced double homogeneously weighted moving average control chart to monitor process location with application in automobile field
Authors: Anwar Syed Masroor , Aslam Muhammad , Zaman Babar , Riaz Muhammad
Published: August 2021

The memory control charts, including cumulative sum (CUSUM) and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts, are widely used to monitor small‐to‐moderate shifts in the process location and/or dispersion. The homogenously weighted moving average (HWMA) control chart is the advanced form of the EWMA control chart to monitor process location shifts. Besides, the auxiliary information‐based memory control charts efficiently monitor process location shifts. The objective of this study is to propose an auxiliary information based double HWMA, symbolized as control chart to further enhance the monitoring of process location shifts. The control chart is modeled by mixing the auxiliary information‐based HWMA plotting statistic features into the other HWMA control chart. For numerical results, Monte Carlo simulations are used as a computational technique. Famous performance measures including average run length (), extra quadratic loss, relative , and performance comparison index are used to compare the performance of proposed control chart against other control charts including classical CUSUM and EWMA, mixed ‐, auxiliary information based EWMA (), HWMA, auxiliary information based HWMA (), and double HWMA control charts. The comparisons revealed that the proposed control chart outperformed other control charts, especially for small‐to‐moderate process location shifts. An automobile braking system application is also provided for users and practitioners to demonstrate the importance of the proposed study from a practical perspective.
Metal–Organic Frameworks Derived Plasmonic Catalyst with Full Spectral Response for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Enhancement
Authors: Li Chuanping , Li Shuoren , Hang Tianxiang , Guo Feifei , Zhu Xian-Dong , Liu Tian-Fu
Published: August 2021

Water splitting through photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalytic reaction holds significant promise for energy conversion. However, the low energy‐storage efficiency severely hinders the practical applications owing to the narrow spectral absorption and adverse charge recombination. Herein, a plasmon‐enhanced catalyst, integrating metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)‐derived Cd0.8Zn0.2S with Ag/Au hollow porous nanoshells (Ag/Au HPNSs), is rationally designed to afford Ag/Au HPNS‐Cd0.8Zn0.2S nanoshells (Ag/Au HPNS‐Cd0.8Zn0.2S NSs), which extends the absorption range from the ultraviolet to the near‐infrared region. The PEC performance shows that the photocurrent of the anode exhibits an approx. tenfold enhancement and full spectral response compared with the intrinsic ZIF‐8 dodecahedrons. More detailed exploration and theoretical simulations find that the MOFs‐derived Cd0.8Zn0.2S, with a high dielectric constant, can markedly prevent the decay of the plasmon fringing field and broaden the interaction range of the electromagnetic field. Such a synergistic effect finally improves the charge separation efficiency and results in the superior PEC performance of the photoanode. This work offers a new method for the construction of efficient PEC catalysts and provides new insights into the understanding of the plasmonic effect on catalytic reactions.
Descriptive analysis of nematode management practices and Nematodirus battus control strategies on UK sheep farms
Authors: Melville Lynsey A. , Innocent Giles , Van Dijk Jan , Mitchell Sian , Bartley David J.
Published: August 2021

Background

Farm management practices have a major impact on nematode population dynamics. The presented study aimed to understand current nematode management practices on UK sheep farms; with a particular focus on Nematodirus battus because of the changing epidemiology, and emerging anthelmintic resistance observed in this species.

Methods

A 42 question online survey covering grazing management, farm demographics and parasite control strategies was developed and distributed to the farming community in 2016. Analysis of the 187 completed questionnaires explored regional variations in practices.

Results

Uptake of recommendations was variable, particularly quarantine practices and monitoring tools. Results also highlighted variation in the epidemiology of N. battus; respondents in the north (Scotland, north‐west and north‐east England) typically reported N. battus in spring with a perception of more severe clinical symptoms than those from the south (Midlands, Wales, south‐east and south‐west England; p = 0.03). Farms in the south observed greater changes in the timing of disease (p = 0.006) with N. battus being reported throughout the year on some holdings and more frequent use of faecal egg count monitoring (p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Control of N. battus infection is challenging and ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’ advice is not applicable; however, the information gathered will enable the development of effective, adaptable control strategies.
Recent developments of X‐ray absorption spectroscopy as analytical tool for biological and biomedical applications
Authors: Guilherme Buzanich Ana
Published: August 2021

X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), in its various modalities, has gained exponential attention and applicability in the field of biological and biomedical systems. Particularly in this field, challenges like low concentration of analyte or proneness to radiation damage have certainly settle the basis for further analytical developments, when using X‐ray based methods. Low concentration calls for higher sensitivity—by increasing the detection limits (DL); while susceptibility for radiation damage requires shorter measurement times and/or cryogenic sample environment possibilities. This manuscript reviews the latest analytical possibilities that make XAS more and more adequate to investigate biological or biomedical systems in the last 5 years.
The Jesuit painting Seminario in Japan: European Renaissance technology and its influence on Far Eastern art
Authors: Montanari Riccardo , Alberghina Maria Francesca , Schiavone Salvatore , Pelosi Claudia
Published: August 2021

European painting technology reached Japan in 1583 with the arrival of Giovanni Cola, the Italian Jesuit painter who was assigned the task of establishing a painting Seminario to supply missionaries with the sacred images needed for their activities. Historical records failed to report information relating to specific European pigments, and only generic mentions of oils are associated with the Seminario. Yet, on a random basis, European pigments and binding media have been identified on some of the paintings that survived the 250‐year ban on Christianity in Japan. In order to fully understand the crucial role of the Seminario in terms of technological and material transfer to Japanese and Chinese artists, for the first time, four extremely important paintings (Important Cultural Property of Italy) have been analyzed. Owing to their extraordinary significance, it was mandatory to carry out a non‐destructive analysis on site. Therefore, energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence was used to detect the presence of inorganic chromophores that would not exist in Japan at the time. The paintings depict the martyrdom of Japanese Christians at Nagasaki (1619 and 1622), the martyrdom of Jesuit Missionaries in Japan (1630s), and the portrait of Father Ricci SJ (1610). The results provide definitive evidence of the transfer of technology and use of European pigments at the Jesuit Seminario in Japan and also enable, for the first time, the identification of the transfer of technologies and materials to China as a result of the movement of Jesuit missionaries escaping the fierce persecutions enforced by Japanese authorities.
Structure and Thermal Transformations of Methylammonium Tungstate
Authors: Candra Sukmana Ndaru , Sugiarto  , Zhang Zhenxin , Sadakane Masahiro
Published: August 2021

Methylammonium paradodecatungstate, (CH3NH3)10[H2W12O42] ⋅ nH2O, was prepared by the reaction of WO3 or H2WO4 in aqueous methylamine, followed by drying. The [H2W12O42]10− anion consists of two HW3O13 groups containing three edge‐sharing WO6 octahedra and two W3O14 groups having two edge‐sharing connections. On drying the produced material at 70 °C, some lattice water was released, but this did not affect the [H2W12O42]10− structure, although there was a decrease in the unit cell volume. By adding water, the loss of lattice water and structural changes were reversed. The existence of paradodecatungstate anions was confirmed by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, 183W nuclear magnetic resonance, and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy. When the methylammonium paradodecatungstate was heated to more than 150 °C, CH3NH2 and H2O were released, and amorphous WO3 was observed as an intermediate product and monoclinic WO3 as the final product. These results reveal the structure of methylammonium tungstate, which was first reported in 1909 and now is used as an important negative staining reagent for virus observation, is methylammonium paradodecatungstate.
Efficient data validation for geographical interlocking systems
Authors: Peleska Jan , Krafczyk Niklas , Haxthausen Anne E. , Pinger Ralf
Published: August 2021

In this paper, an efficient approach to data validation of
distributed geographical interlocking systems (IXLs) is presented.
In the distributed IXL paradigm, track elements are controlled by
local computers communicating with other control components over
local and wide area networks. The overall control logic is
distributed over these track-side computers and remote server
computers that may even reside in one or more cloud server farms.
Redundancy is introduced to ensure fail-safe behaviour,
fault-tolerance, and to increase the availability of the overall
system. To cope with the configuration-related complexity of such
distributed IXLs, the software is designed according to the digital
twin paradigm: physical track elements are associated with software
objects implementing supervision and control for the element. The
objects communicate with each other and with high-level IXL control
components in the cloud over logical channels realised by
distributed communication mechanisms. The objective of this article
is to explain how configuration rules for this type of IXLs can be
specified by temporal logic formulae interpreted on Kripke Structure
representations of the IXL configuration. Violations of
configuration rules can be specified using formulae from a
well-defined subset of LTL. By decomposing the complete
configuration model into sub-models corresponding to routes
through the model, the LTL model checking problem can be transformed
into a CTL checking problem for which highly efficient algorithms
exist. Specialised rule violation queries that are hard to express
in LTL can be simplified and checked faster by performing sub-model
transformations adding auxiliary variables to the states of the
underlying Kripke Structures. Further performance enhancements are
achieved by checking each sub-model concurrently. The approach
presented here has been implemented in a model checking tool which
is applied by Siemens Mobility for data validation of geographical
IXLs.
Study of the geometry of open channels in a layer-bed-type microfluidic immobilized enzyme reactor
Authors: Nagy Cynthia , Huszank Robert , Gaspar Attila
Published: August 2021

This paper aims at studying open channel geometries in a layer-bed-type immobilized enzyme reactor with computer-aided simulations. The main properties of these reactors are their simple channel pattern, simple immobilization procedure, regenerability, and disposability; all these features make these devices one of the simplest yet efficient enzymatic microreactors. The high surface-to-volume ratio of the reactor was achieved using narrow (25–75 μm wide) channels. The simulation demonstrated that curves support the mixing of solutions in the channel even in strong laminar flow conditions; thus, it is worth including several curves in the channel system. In the three different designs of microreactor proposed, the lengths of the channels were identical, but in two reactors, the liquid flow was split to 8 or 32 parallel streams at the inlet of the reactor. Despite their overall higher volumetric flow rate, the split-flow structures are advantageous due to the increased contact time. Saliva samples were used to test the efficiencies of the digestions in the microreactors.

Graphical abstract