bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nest microclimate and limits to egg viability explain avian life‐history variation across latitudinal gradients
Authors: Lundblad Carl G. , Conway Courtney J.
Published: March 2021

Variation in life‐history strategies is central to our understanding of population dynamics and how organisms adapt to their environments. Yet we lack consensus regarding the ecological processes that drive variation in traits related to reproduction and survival. For example, we still do not understand the cause of two widespread inter‐ and intraspecific patterns: (1) the ubiquitous positive association between avian clutch size and latitude; and (2) variation in the extent of asynchronous hatching of eggs within a single clutch. Well‐known hypotheses to explain each pattern have largely focused on biotic processes related to food availability and predation risk. However, local adaptation to maintain egg viability could explain both patterns with a single abiotic mechanism. The egg viability hypothesis was initially proposed to explain the cause of asynchronous hatching and suggests that asynchronous hatching results from early incubation onset in response to unfavorable nest microclimatic conditions, which otherwise reduce egg viability. However, allocation of resources to early incubation, prior to clutch completion, may energetically constrain clutch size and help explain the positive association between clutch size and latitude. We measured intraspecific variation in five functionally linked life‐history traits of burrowing owls at five study sites spanning a 1,400‐km latitudinal transect in western North America: clutch size, the timing of incubation onset, the degree of hatching asynchrony, the probability of hatching failure, and nestling survival. We found that most traits varied clinally with latitude, but all the traits were more strongly associated with individual nest microclimates than with latitude, and all varied with nest microclimate in the directions predicted by the egg viability hypothesis. Furthermore, incubation began earlier, hatching asynchrony increased, and clutch size declined across the breeding season. These results suggest that nest microclimate drives an important life‐history trade‐off and that thermal gradients are often sufficient to account for observed biogeographic and seasonal patterns in life‐history strategies. Furthermore, our results reveal a potentially important indirect mechanism by which reproductive success and recruitment could be affected by climate change.
Urinary drug metabolite testing in chronic heart failure patients indicates high levels of adherence with life‐prolonging therapies
Authors: Sweeney Mark , Cole Graham D. , Pabari Punam , Hadjiphilippou Savvas , Tayal Upasana , Mayet Jamil , Chapman Neil , Plymen Carla M.
Published: March 2021

Aims

Despite medical therapy for heart failure (HF) having proven benefits of improving quality of life and survival, many patients remain under‐treated. This may be due to a combination of under‐prescription by medical professionals and poor adherence from patients. In HF, as with many other chronic diseases, adherence to medication can deteriorate over time particularly when symptoms are well controlled. Therefore, detecting and addressing non‐adherence has a crucial role in the management of HF. Significant flaws and inaccuracies exist in the methods currently used to assess adherence such as patient reporting, pill counts, and pharmacy fill records. We aim to use high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS) to detect metabolites of HF medications in the urine samples of chronic HF patients.

Methods and results

Urine samples were collected from 35 patients in a specialist HF clinic. Patients were included if they had an ejection fraction <45% and were taking at least two disease‐modifying HF medications. They were excluded if they had been admitted to hospital for HF in the 3 months preceding clinic attendance. These samples were sent for HPLC‐MS and tested for all HF medications prescribed for that patient. A high rate of complete adherence of 89% was detected in these patients, with 94% being partially adherent (at least one HF medication detected) to therapy (at least one HF medication detected). This analysis also highlighted that mineralocorticoid antagonists represent both the most under‐prescribed (67%) and poorly adhered (75%) medication class.

Conclusions

This analysis revealed a surprisingly high level of adherence to disease‐modifying therapy in chronic HF patients and highlights that most of our ‘total’ under‐treatment is likely to be from a failure to prescribe rather than a failure to adhere. Testing for metabolites of disease‐modifying HF drugs in urine using HPLC‐MS is feasible and is a useful adjunct to a specialist HF service. At present, the distinction between treatment failure and failure to take treatment is not always clear, which is important because the investigation and potential solutions are different. The former needs initiation of additional therapies and consideration of additional diagnoses, whereas the latter requires strategies to understand reasons underlying poor adherence and collaborative working to improve this: the wrong strategy will be ineffective.
Sex differences in congestive markers in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure
Authors: Espersen Caroline , Campbell Ross T. , Claggett Brian , Lewis Eldrin F. , Groarke John D. , Docherty Kieran F. , Lee Matthew M.Y. , Lindner Moritz , Biering‐Sørensen Tor , Solomon Scott D. , McMurray John J.V. , Platz Elke
Published: March 2021

Aims

We sought to examine sex differences in congestion in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF). Understanding congestive patterns in women and men with AHF may provide insights into sex differences in the presentation and prognosis of AHF patients.

Methods and results

In a prospective, two‐site study in adults hospitalized for AHF, four‐zone lung ultrasound (LUS) was performed at the time of echocardiography at baseline (LUS1) and, in a subset, pre‐discharge (LUS2). B‐lines on LUS and echocardiographic images were analysed offline, blinded to clinical information and outcomes. Among 349 patients with LUS1 data (median age 74, 59% male, and 87% White), women had higher left ventricular ejection fraction (mean 43% vs. 36%, P < 0.001), higher tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (mean 17 vs. 15 mm, P = 0.021), and higher measures of filling pressures (median E/e′ 20 vs. 16, P < 0.001). B‐line number on LUS1 (median 6 vs. 6, P = 0.69) and admission N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide levels (median 3932 vs. 3483 pg/mL, P = 0.77) were similar in women and men. In 121 patients with both LUS1 and LUS2 data, there was a similar and significant decrease in B‐lines from baseline to discharge in both women and men. The risk of the composite 90 day outcome increased with higher B‐line number on four‐zone LUS2: unadjusted hazard ratio for each B‐line tertile was 1.86 (95% confidence interval 1.08–3.20, P = 0.025) in women and 1.65 (95% confidence interval 1.03–2.64, P = 0.037) in men (interaction P = 0.72).

Conclusions

Among patients with AHF, echocardiographic markers differed between women and men at baseline, whereas B‐line number on LUS did not. The dynamic changes in B‐lines during a hospitalization for AHF were similar in women and men.
Cu‐Catalyzed C(sp2−H)‐Trifluoromethylation of Aldehyde Hydrazones with Langlois Reagent
Authors: Mehta Jatin , Aryal Puspa , Prakash Reddy V.
Published: March 2021

The C(sp2−H)‐trifluoromethylation of hydrazones would give access to the α‐trifluoromethylated hydrazones that can serve as intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceutically interesting fluorinated compounds. Herein, we demonstrate the Cu‐catalyzed C(sp2−H)‐trifluoromethylation of the aldehyde hydrazones using the readily available and cost effective Langlois reagent (sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate). This reaction is broadly applicable to a series of aromatic aldehyde N‐aminomorpholine hydrazones to give the corresponding C(sp2)‐trifluoromethyl hydrazones in moderate to high yields. The reaction generally tolerates a series of electron‐releasing as well as electron‐withdrawing substituents on the aromatic ring.
Distributed pricing‐based resource allocation for dense device‐to‐device communications in beyond 5G networks
Authors: Bahonar Mohammad Hossein , Omidi Mohammad Javad
Published: March 2021

Considering the dramatic increase of data rate demand in beyond fifth generation (5G) networks due to the numerous transmitting nodes, dense device‐to‐device (D2D) communications where multiple D2D pairs can simultaneously reuse a cellular link can be considered as a communication paradigm for future wireless networks. Since distributed methods can be more practical compared to complex centralized schemes, we propose a low‐complexity distributed pricing‐based resource allocation algorithm to allocate power to cellular user equipments (CUEs) and D2D pairs constrained to the minimum quality‐of‐service (QoS) requirements of CUEs and D2D pairs in two phases. The price of each link is set by the base station (BS). CUEs and D2D pairs maximize their rate‐and‐interference‐dependent utility function by adjusting their power in the first phase, while the price of each link is updated at the BS based on the minimum QoS requirements of CUEs and D2D pairs in the second phase. The proposed utility function controls D2D admission, hence it is suitable for dense scenarios. The proposed method is fast due to the closed‐form solution for the first phase power allocation. Numerical results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method for practical dense beyond 5G scenarios by allocating resources to multiple D2D pairs and taking advantage of the spatial reuse gain of D2D pairs. Furthermore, the utility function definition is discussed to illustrate its effectiveness for SE maximization. Finally, the SE of the proposed method is compared to other centralized and distributed algorithms to demonstrate the higher sum‐rate performance of the proposed algorithm.
Genetic testing in dementia‐A medical genetics perspective
Authors: Huq Aamira J. , Sexton Adrienne , Lacaze Paul , Masters Colin L. , Storey Elsdon , Velakoulis Dennis , James Paul A. , Winship Ingrid M.
Published: March 2021

Objective

When a genetic cause is suspected in a person with dementia, it creates unique diagnostic and management challenges to the treating clinician. Many clinicians may be unaware of the practicalities surrounding genetic testing for their patients, such as when to test and what tests to use and how to counsel patients and their families. This review was conducted to provide guidance to clinicians caring for patients with dementia regarding clinically relevant genetics.

Methods

We searched PubMed for studies that involved genetics of dementia up to March 2020. Patient file reviews were also conducted to create composite cases.

Results

In addition to families where a strong Mendelian pattern of family history is seen, people with younger age of onset, especially before the age of 65 years were found to be at an increased risk of harbouring a genetic cause for their dementia. This review discusses some of the most common genetic syndromes, including Alzheimer disease, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, Parkinson disease dementia/dementia with Lewy bodies and some rarer types of genetic dementias, along with illustrative clinical case studies. This is followed by a brief review of the current genetic technologies and a discussion on the unique genetic counselling issues in dementia.

Conclusions

Inclusion of genetic testing in the diagnostic pathway in some patients with dementia could potentially reduce the time taken to diagnose the cause of their dementia. Although a definite advantage as an addition to the diagnostic repository, genetic testing has many pros and cons which need to be carefully considered first.
Private coverage mandates, business cycles, and provider treatment intensity
Authors: Richards Michael R. , Tello‐Trillo Sebastian
Published: March 2021

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the source of multiple large‐scale health insurance expansions affecting various segments of the US population. Although much has been done to quantify the first‐order effects of these policies, less empirical investigation has been devoted to the effects on the supply‐side of health care. We focus on a well‐known ACA initiative (the young adult dependent coverage mandate) to offer novel evidence on two fronts: the policy's heterogeneous effect across different labor markets and the potential for the policy‐induced shift in payer mix to influence provider treatment decisions. First, we show that the federal mandate's direct effect on young adult private insurance take‐up is strongly mitigated by the Great Recession. Second, we demonstrate that providers do not treat young adults more aggressively when more of them hold private coverage. Policymakers should keep these broader considerations and more diffuse risk protection implications in mind when contemplating changes to the law.
Impact of electroosmotic flow on a Casson fluid driven by chemical reaction and convective boundary conditions
Authors: Rajaram Vijayaragavan , Varadharaj Bharathi , Jayavel Prakash
Published: March 2021

A numerical and theoretical review of the electroosmosis flow effect on a transient state Casson fluid by natural convection stream past an exponentially accelerated plate is provided in this report. Additionally, porous medium, thermal radiation, magnetic field, electric field, ramped wall temperature and isothermal concentration are taken into consideration. The equation of Poisson–Boltzmann is used to depict the electrical potential profile within the fluid medium linearized by the Debye–Hückel implementation. Using the Laplace transform technique, the analytical solutions of momentum, energy, and concentration equations are determined. The obtained solutions of axial velocity, fluid temperature, and concentration expressions are diagrammatically revealed, and numerical results for the number of Nusselt are also obtained for critical related flow parameters. The natural convection of ramped wall temperature was also compared to the isothermal system. With the increase in Joule heating parameter, mass Grashof number, Prandtl number, and chemical reaction parameter, the velocity has been reduced for both the case of ramped and isothermal wall temperatures (RIWT). The uses of the RIWT are applicable to clean nuclear plant wastewater, food manufacturing, drilling operations, and bioengineering operations.
Field study on flow structures within aquatic vegetation under combined currents and small‐scale waves
Authors: Zhang Yinghao , Lai Xijun , Ma Jingxu , Zhang Qian , Yu Ru , Yao Xin , Deng Huanguang
Published: March 2021

Field measurements were conducted to study the influence of aquatic vegetation on flow structures in floodplains under combined currents and wind‐driven waves. Wave and turbulent velocities were decomposed from the time series of instantaneous velocity and analysed separately. In the present study, the wind waves were small, leading to the ratios of wave excursion (Ew) to stem spacing (S) for all cases tested here were less than 0.5. This caused the vertical distributions of time‐averaged velocity (Uhoriz) and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) impacted by vegetation similar with the vegetated flow structures under pure current conditions. For emergent vegetation, Uhoriz and TKE distributed uniformly through the entire water column or increased slightly from bed to water surface. Similar distributions were present in the lower part of submerged vegetation. In the upper part of submerged vegetation, Uhoriz and TKE increased rapidly toward water surface and TKE reached its maximum near the top of vegetation. The measured wave orbital velocity (Uw) fitted linear wave theory well through the entire water depth for both the emergent and submerged cases, so that with small Ew/S the wave velocity was not attenuated within vegetation and Uw within canopy can be predicted by the linear wave theory under combined currents and waves. However, wind‐driven waves made the turbulence generated near the top of canopy penetrate a deeper depth into vegetation than predictions under pure current conditions.
The use of dental amalgam and amalgam waste management in Kosova: An environmental policy approach
Authors: Musliu Afete , Beqa Lule , Kastrati Gani
Published: March 2021

Dental amalgam from dental clinics in Kosova is an uncontrolled source of mercury. The environmental legislative framework related to its use does not fully provide measures that reduce amalgam use and the release of its waste into the environment. This paper highlights issues related to environmental policy covering mercury amalgam waste management. Existing national regulations on hazardous waste management in Kosova consider the waste from dental health care as hazardous. Currently, however, no regulations restrict the use of dental amalgam or specifically oblige the generators of amalgam to treat or dispose of waste properly, thus leading to inconsistent legislation. New regulations, revised hazardous waste management standards, and new infrastructure for waste treatment and disposal, in compliance with EU regulations, should be developed to create a holistic approach that prevents the adverse effects of amalgam waste. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1037–1044. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

Lack of a regulation that prohibits dental amalgam waste discharge into the wastewater despite it is defined as “hazardous waste” by Kosova's Law on Waste. Legislation needs to be expanded, with emphasis on addressing amalgam waste management in the context of eliminating the legislative conflicts and gaps related to the management of hazardous waste in Kosova. Banning the use of mercury amalgam in vulnerable people (children and pregnant women), as well as phasing down and eventually phasing out amalgam use, is not yet an environmental objective for the environmental authorities. The lack of the enforcement of environmental law and a systematic strategy that focuses on a risk-based approach to assessing the priorities for hazardous materials is an additional hindrance to the achievement of the objectives for a less toxic environment.
Mesoscopic fluorescence lifetime imaging: Fundamental principles, clinical applications and future directions
Authors: Alfonso‐Garcia Alba , Bec Julien , Weyers Brent , Marsden Mark , Zhou Xiangnan , Li Cai , Marcu Laura
Published: March 2021

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIm) is an optical spectroscopic imaging technique capable of real‐time assessments of tissue properties in clinical settings. Label‐free FLIm is sensitive to changes in tissue structure and biochemistry resulting from pathological conditions, thus providing optical contrast to identify and monitor the progression of disease. Technical and methodological advances over the last two decades have enabled the development of FLIm instrumentation for real‐time, in situ, mesoscopic imaging compatible with standard clinical workflows. Herein, we review the fundamental working principles of mesoscopic FLIm, discuss the technical characteristics of current clinical FLIm instrumentation, highlight the most commonly used analytical methods to interpret fluorescence lifetime data and discuss the recent applications of FLIm in surgical oncology and cardiovascular diagnostics. Finally, we conclude with an outlook on the future directions of clinical FLIm.
Extracellular vesicles from recombinant cell factories improve the activity and efficacy of enzymes defective in lysosomal storage disorders
Authors: Seras‐Franzoso Joaquin , Díaz‐Riascos Zamira V. , Corchero José Luis , González Patricia , García‐Aranda Natalia , Mandaña Mònica , Riera Roger , Boullosa Ana , Mancilla Sandra , Grayston Alba , Moltó‐Abad Marc , Garcia‐Fruitós Elena , Mendoza Rosa , Pintos‐Morell Guillem , Albertazzi Lorenzo , Rosell Anna , Casas Josefina , Villaverde Antonio , Schwartz Simó , Abasolo Ibane
Published: March 2021

In the present study the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as vehicles for therapeutic enzymes in lysosomal storage disorders was explored. EVs were isolated from mammalian cells overexpressing alpha‐galactosidase A (GLA) or N‐sulfoglucosamine sulfohydrolase (SGSH) enzymes, defective in Fabry and Sanfilippo A diseases, respectively. Direct purification of EVs from cell supernatants was found to be a simple and efficient method to obtain highly active GLA and SGSH proteins, even after EV lyophilization. Likewise, EVs carrying GLA (EV‐GLA) were rapidly uptaken and reached the lysosomes in cellular models of Fabry disease, restoring lysosomal functionality much more efficiently than the recombinant enzyme in clinical use. In vivo, EVs were well tolerated and distributed among all main organs, including the brain. DiR‐labelled EVs were localized in brain parenchyma 1 h after intra‐arterial (internal carotid artery) or intravenous (tail vein) administrations. Moreover, a single intravenous administration of EV‐GLA was able to reduce globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) substrate levels in clinically relevant tissues, such kidneys and brain. Overall, our results demonstrate that EVs from cells overexpressing lysosomal enzymes act as natural protein delivery systems, improving the activity and the efficacy of the recombinant proteins and facilitating their access to organs neglected by conventional enzyme replacement therapies.
Bioorthogonally surface‐edited extracellular vesicles based on metabolic glycoengineering for CD44‐mediated targeting of inflammatory diseases
Authors: Lim Gyeong Taek , You Dong Gil , Han Hwa Seung , Lee Hansang , Shin Sol , Oh Byeong Hoon , Kumar E. K. Pramod , Um Wooram , Kim Chan Ho , Han Seungsu , Lee Sangho , Lim Seungho , Yoon Hong Yeol , Kim Kwangmeyung , Kwon Ick Chan , Jo Dong‐Gyu , Cho Yong Woo , Park Jae Hyung
Published: March 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are essential mediators in intercellular communication that have emerged as natural therapeutic nanomedicines for the treatment of intractable diseases. Their therapeutic applications, however, have been limited by unpredictable in vivo biodistribution after systemic administration. To control the in vivo fate of EVs, their surfaces should be properly edited, depending on the target site of action. Herein, based on bioorthogonal copper‐free click chemistry (BCC), surface‐edited EVs were prepared by using metabolically glycoengineered cells. First, the exogenous azide group was generated on the cellular surface through metabolic glycoengineering (MGE) using the precursor. Next, PEGylated hyaluronic acid, capable of binding specifically to the CD44‐expressing cells, was labelled as the representative targeting moiety onto the cell surface by BCC. The surface‐edited EVs effectively accumulated into the target tissues of the animal models with rheumatoid arthritis and tumour, primarily owing to prolonged circulation in the bloodstream and the active targeting mechanism. Overall, these results suggest that BCC combined with MGE is highly useful as a simple and safe approach for the surface modification of EVs to modulate their in vivo fate.
Cheeger‐like inequalities for the largest eigenvalue of the graph Laplace operator
Authors: Jost Jürgen , Mulas Raffaella
Published: March 2021

We define a new Cheeger‐like constant for graphs and we use it for proving Cheeger‐like inequalities that bound the largest eigenvalue of the normalized Laplace operator.
Reversed steric order of reactivity for tert‐butyl and adamantyl‐3‐cyanomethylene‐1,2,4‐triazines
Authors: Ivanov Sergey M.
Published: March 2021

Reactions of 2‐(6‐tert‐butyl‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazin‐3(2H)‐ylidene)‐3‐oxo‐3‐R‐propanenitriles (R = t‐Bu, Ad‐1) with tert‐butyl bromoacetate gave the corresponding N(2), C(5)O bis‐alkylation products. Treatment of the latter with t‐BuLi, in the case of R = t‐Bu, led to intramolecular condensation at the exocyclic nitrile group. However, in the case of R = Ad‐1, the condensation with the sterically more hindered carbonyl group was observed to give diastereomerically pure 8‐cyanopyrrolo[1,2‐b][1,2,4]triazine‐6‐carboxylate derivatives. The structures of the isolated products were confirmed by spectral methods and X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction.
Performance of Deep Learning and Genitourinary Radiologists in Detection of Prostate Cancer Using 3‐T Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Cao Ruiming , Zhong Xinran , Afshari Sohrab , Felker Ely , Suvannarerg Voraparee , Tubtawee Teeravut , Vangala Sitaram , Scalzo Fabien , Raman Steven , Sung Kyunghyun
Published: March 2021

Background

Several deep learning‐based techniques have been developed for prostate cancer (PCa) detection using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), but few of them have been rigorously evaluated relative to radiologists' performance or whole‐mount histopathology (WMHP).

Purpose

To compare the performance of a previously proposed deep learning algorithm, FocalNet, and expert radiologists in the detection of PCa on mpMRI with WMHP as the reference.

Study Type

Retrospective, single‐center study.

Subjects

A total of 553 patients (development cohort: 427 patients; evaluation cohort: 126 patients) who underwent 3‐T mpMRI prior to radical prostatectomy from October 2010 to February 2018.

Field Strength/Sequence

3‐T, T2‐weighted imaging and diffusion‐weighted imaging.

Assessment

FocalNet was trained on the development cohort to predict PCa locations by detection points, with a confidence value for each point, on the evaluation cohort. Four fellowship‐trained genitourinary (GU) radiologists independently evaluated the evaluation cohort to detect suspicious PCa foci, annotate detection point locations, and assign a five‐point suspicion score (1: least suspicious, 5: most suspicious) for each annotated detection point. The PCa detection performance of FocalNet and radiologists were evaluated by the lesion detection sensitivity vs. the number of false‐positive detections at different thresholds on suspicion scores. Clinically significant lesions: Gleason Group (GG) ≥ 2 or pathological size ≥ 10 mm. Index lesions: the highest GG and the largest pathological size (secondary).

Statistical Tests

Bootstrap hypothesis test for the detection sensitivity between radiologists and FocalNet.

Results

For the overall differential detection sensitivity, FocalNet was 5.1% and 4.7% below the radiologists for clinically significant and index lesions, respectively; however, the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.413 and P = 0.282, respectively).

Data Conclusion

FocalNet achieved slightly lower but not statistically significant PCa detection performance compared with GU radiologists. Compared with radiologists, FocalNet demonstrated similar detection performance for a highly sensitive setting (suspicion score ≥ 1) or a highly specific setting (suspicion score = 5), while lower performance in between.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Targeted high volume hemofiltration could avoid extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in some patients with severe Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome
Authors: López René , Pérez‐Araos Rodrigo , Salazar Álvaro , Espinoza Mauricio , Vial Cecilia , Cuiza Analia , Vial Pablo A. , Graf Jerónimo
Published: March 2021

Background

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) has a high lethality. Severe cases may be rescued by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO), alongside substantial complications. High volume hemofiltration (HVHF) is a depurative technique that provides homeostatic balance allowing hemodynamic stabilization in some critically ill patients.

Methods

We implemented HVHF before VA ECMO consideration in the last five severe HCPS patients requiring mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drugs admitted to our intensive care unit. Patients were considered HVHF‐responders if VA ECMO was avoided and HVHF‐nonresponders if VA ECMO support was needed despite HVHF. A targeted‐HVHF strategy compounded by aggressive hyperoncotic albumin, sodium bicarbonate, and calcium supplementation plus ultrafiltration to avoid fluid overload was implemented on three patients.

Results

Patients had maximum serum lactate of 8.8 (8.7–12.8) mmol/L and a lowest cardiac index of 1.8 (1.8–1.9) L/min/m2. The first two required VA ECMO. They were connected later to HVHF, displayed progressive tachycardia and declining stroke volume. The opposite was true for HVHF‐responders who received targeted‐HVHF. All patients survived, but one of the VA ECMO patients suffered a vascular complication.

Conclusion

HVHF may contribute to support severe HCPS patients avoiding the need for VA ECMO in some. Early connection and targeted‐HVHF may increase the chance of success.
Sparking Creativity in Science Education
Authors: Draper Jenna T. , Ryba Ren , Connell Sean D.
Published: March 2021

World‐class science requires inspiration, so how can we spark creativity in the modern university environment? Creativity does not come automatically: in the modern age, factors from electronic devices to time pressure can stifle creative thought. Yet, to solve the major problems of the future, it will be essential to stimulate creativity in scientific research and teaching. Here, we bring together insights from the literature to offer ways to cultivate creativity in universities. We advocate for creativity at all levels of university culture within which students are embedded, from the students themselves, to teachers, to researchers, and to administrators. We found that, for students, creativity can involve accepting creative coursework and understanding failure; for teachers, it can involve being active mentors and designing creative courses; for researchers, it can involve conscious effort to make room for creative thought within pressured workloads, and researching across disciplines; and for administrators, it can involve relaxing restraints, allowing autonomy over courses, and encouraging cross‐disciplinary learning and research.
Intensive pulsed light pretreatment combined with controlled temperature and humidity for convection drying to reduce browning and improve quality of dried shiitake mushrooms
Authors: Zhang Jin , Yagoub Abu ElGasim A , Sun Yanhui , S Mujumdar Arun , Ma Haile , Wahia Hafida , Zhou Cunshan
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

The change of surface color caused by browning during the drying process of shiitake mushrooms seriously affects its market circulation. Intensive pulsed light (IPL) as a non‐heat‐treatment method can reduce enzyme activity by changing the enzyme structure. Therefore, in this study, the use of IPL pretreatment before drying was aimed to reduce the adverse reactions caused by the browning reaction during the drying processing of shiitake mushrooms.

RESULTS

Shiitake mushrooms pretreated with 25 pulses of IPL energy of 400 J reduced the initial polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity, the browning index, and browning degree values by 42.83%, 43.02%, and 47.54% respectively. The IPL pretreatment enhanced the polysaccharides and reducing sugars contents and it reduced 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural generation in the dried shiitake mushrooms. The pretreatment also improved the surface color, the antioxidant activity, and retained the umami taste characteristics in the dried shiitake mushroom.

CONCLUSION

The IPL pretreatment combined with controlled temperature and humidity for convection drying could be a suitable method to improve the quality of dried shiitake mushrooms. Therefore, this study provides a new pretreatment method for materials that are prone to browning during drying. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Solid‐state NMR spectroscopy as a powerful tool to investigate the location of fluorinated lipids in highly porous hybrid organic–inorganic nanoparticles
Authors: Porcino Marianna , Li Xue , Gref Ruxandra , Martineau‐Corcos Charlotte
Published: March 2021

Nanosized metal–organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) have emerged as a new class of biodegradable and nontoxic nanomaterials of high interest for biomedical applications thanks to the possibility to load large amounts of a wide variety of therapeutic molecules in their porous structure. The surface of the highly porous nanoMOFs is usually engineered to increase their colloidal stability, to tune their interactions with the biological environment, and to allow targeting specific cells or organs. However, the atomic‐scale analysis of these complex core‐shell materials is highly challenging. In this study, we report the investigation of aluminum‐based nanoMOFs containing two fluorinated lipids by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, including 27Al, 1H and 19F MAS NMR. The ensemble of NMR data provides a better understanding of the localization and conformation of the fluorinated lipids inside the pores or on the nanoMOF surface.
A scoping review protocol: Investigating the extent and legal process of cauda equina syndrome claims for UK physiotherapists
Authors: Leech Rachel L. , Selfe James , Ball Suzanne , Greenhalgh Susan , Hogan Gareth , Holway Janene , Willis Emma , Yeowell Gillian
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a condition where early identification and treatment is crucial to avoid potentially devastating effects. There is a high number of litigation cases linked with CES given it is a relatively rare condition. This scoping review protocol proposes to explore the extent and process of CES litigation in UK healthcare context cases amongst UK physiotherapists.

Methods and analysis

The methodological framework recommended by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac et al. and the Joanna Briggs Institute will be used throughout this review to aid reporting and transparency. A patient and public involvement (PPI) group meeting was convened at the beginning of the review process in order to provide knowledge exchange to inform the search strategy and propose resources to be used during the scoping review. Two reviewers will independently review the literature in order to apply the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Once the studies to be included have been identified, the data from these studies will be extracted and charted. Results will show quantitative data of the studies included in the review and a narrative synthesis of the literature.

Dissemination

This scoping review will evaluate the existing knowledge relating to CES and litigation and will map the key concepts around this topic. Results will be disseminated to practitioners and policy‐makers through peer‐reviewed publications, conferences, reports and social media. This method may prove helpful to others who are investigating extent and processes relating to medicolegal cases involving healthcare practitioners.

Registration

The current paper is registered with OSF registries (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/MP6Y3).
The residential contexts of Gravettian hunter‐gatherers from Arbreda Cave (Serinyà, Northeast Iberian Peninsula): Searching activity areas from archeozoological evidence
Authors: Rufí Isaac , Morera Núria , Lloveras Lluís , Soler Joaquim , Soler Narcís
Published: March 2021

During the Gravettian, Arbreda Cave was frequently occupied by hunter‐gatherer communities. Within this period, the archeological levels E (Iberian Middle Gravettian) and D (Final Gravettian), dated to ca. 26–20 kyr 14C BP, are of particular interest, since fieldwork carried out during the 1980s revealed dense accumulations of archeological materials with remarkable concentrations of burnt remains. The archeozoological and taphonomic studies conducted with faunal remains recovered from both levels have provided essential information about subsistence activities; however, the concentrations of these remains have not been subjected to spatial distribution analysis. In recent decades, spatial analysis has become a key tool for deciphering the formation dynamics of archeological levels, as well as for offering valuable clues with which to understand the relation of the occupants with the morphology of the site cavities. The aims of this paper are to pinpoint the principal activity areas of both Gravettian levels of Arbreda Cave focusing on the location of main hearth‐related assemblages and to interpret these activity areas in terms of the use of the space by hunter‐gatherer groups. To achieve these goals, our research has been based on the processing of archeozoological and taphonomic data obtained in recent studies applying different spatial statistics methods, including techniques of density analysis and spatial correlation. Furthermore, for each level, the results obtained from the geostatistical approaches are supplemented by a detailed taphonomic analysis of the complete assemblage of remains recovered from the principal hearth‐related square. Finally, in each case, an accurate analysis of the burnt remain assemblage of each square provides further elucidation of the large amount of combusted remains in the area. The study reveals that hunter‐gatherer communities established themselves in particular areas of the cave, close to the north wall and beneath the existing roof of the rock shelter. The dense accumulations of different remains found in these areas has enabled us to hypothesize about its hearth‐related origin, where hearths would have been settled and marrow exploitation activities would have been carried out around them. Furthermore, the high rate of breakage and charred and calcined remains and a relatively high percentage of burnt spongy bones indicate that bones were used as fuel to supplement firewood. On the whole, the low level of space organization complexity of levels E and D main activity areas supports a seasonal pattern of occupation during the Iberian Middle Gravettian and Final Gravettian periods.
Harnessing artificial intelligence technology and social media data to support Cultural Ecosystem Service assessments
Authors: Egarter Vigl Lukas , Marsoner Thomas , Giombini Valentina , Pecher Caroline , Simion Heidi , Stemle Egon , Tasser Erich , Depellegrin Daniel
Published: March 2021

Cultural Ecosystem Services (CESs), such as aesthetic and recreational enjoyment, as well as sense of place and cultural heritage, play an outstanding role in the contribution of landscapes to human well‐being.

Scientists, however, still often struggle to understand how landscape characteristics contribute to deliver these intangible benefits, largely because it is hard to navigate how people value nature, and because there is a lack in methods that accommodate both comprehensive and time‐efficient evaluations.

Recent advances in technology and the proliferation of new data sources, such as social media data, open promising alternatives to traditional, resource‐intensive methods, facilitating the understanding of the multiple relationships between people and nature.

Here, we examine a user‐friendly artificial intelligence (AI)‐based approach for inferring visual‐sensory landscape values from Flickr data, combining computer vision with text mining. We show it is possible to automatically relate photographers' preferences in capturing landscape elements to a set of CESs (aesthetic value, outdoor recreation, cultural heritage, symbolic species) with reasonable accuracy, using the semantic content provided by approximately 640,000 artificially generated tags of photographs taken in the UNESCO world heritage site ‘The Dolomites’ (Italy). We used the geographic information in the data to demonstrate that these preferences can be further linked to different natural and human variables and be used to spatially predict CES patterns.

Over 90% of photograph tags could be linked to four CES categories with reasonable confidence (accuracy ration ∼ 80%). The Dolomites are highly appreciated for its aesthetic value (66% of images classified to that category) and vast cultural heritage (13%), followed by its outdoor recreation opportunities (11%) and symbolic species (10%). CES benefiting hotspots were found in areas with high tourism development and close to residential areas, and could largely be explained by a combination of environmental (e.g. landscape composition) and infrastructural (e.g. accessibility) variables.

We conclude that online available AI technology and social media data can effectively be used to support rapid, flexible and transferrable CES assessments. Our work can provide a reference for innovative adaptive management approaches that can harness emerging technologies to gain insights into human–nature relationships and to sustainably manage our environment.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Cell‐free DNA analysis of maternal blood in prenatal screening for chromosomal microdeletions and microduplications: a systematic review
Authors: Familiari Alessandra , Boito Simona , Rembouskos Georgios , Ischia Benedetta , Accurti Veronica , Fabietti Isabella , Volpe Paolo , Persico Nicola
Published: March 2021

Background and aim of the study

Scientific Societies do not recommend the use of cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) testing as a first‐tier screening for microdeletion and microduplication syndromes (MMs). The aim of this study was to review the current available literature on the performance of cell‐free DNA as a screening for MMs.

Methods

Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched electronically from 2000 to January 2020 and articles reporting the diagnostic performance of cfDNA screening for MMs in large (>5000 cases) series were included. Between‐study heterogeneity and random effect model for screen positive rate (SPR), false positive rate (FPR) and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated.

Results

We identified 42 papers, seven included, for a total of 474,189 pregnancies and 210 cases of MMs. Diagnostic verification of positive cases was available overall in 486 (71.68 %) of 678 cases. The weighted pooled SPR, FPR and PPV were 0.19% (95% CI = 0.09–0.33), 0.07 (95% CI = 0.02–0.15) and 44.1 (95% CI = 31.49–63.07). In conclusion, the pooled PPV of cfDNA testing in screening for MMs was about 40%, ranging from 29% to 91%, for an overall FPR <0.1%.

Conclusions

No confirmatory analysis was available in cases that did not undergo invasive testing, which were the vast majority of cases with a negative test, and therefore, the DR and the negative predictive value cannot be determined.
Gizzard Shad Target Strength‐to‐Body Size Equations at Multiple Hydroacoustic Frequencies
Authors: Johnson Garret R. , Dillon Rebecca A. , Zweifel Richard D. , Ludsin Stuart A. , Conroy Joseph D.
Published: March 2021

Species‐specific target strength (TS)‐to‐length (L) and TS‐to‐weight (W) equations can reduce bias in biomass estimates from hydroacoustic surveys, yet these equations do not exist for most fishes. Equations specific to the Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum, a wide‐ranging and often highly abundant prey fish in North American reservoirs and rivers, do not exist. Herein, we sought to develop TS–L and TS–W equations for Gizzard Shad by insonifying free‐swimming individuals of known sizes (36–209 mm TL) in a net cage at three transducer frequencies (70, 120, and 200 kHz). We derived TS–size relationships using major‐axis regression (MAR) and least‐squares regression (LSR), comparing our resultant TS–L equations to a commonly used multispecies equation (Love 1971). To determine how our Gizzard Shad‐specific equations affected estimates of prey fish biomass, we conducted mobile hydroacoustic surveys in four small, shallow Midwestern reservoirs and then estimated biomass using each equation. In general, for TS–L equations, MAR produced the highest estimates of biomass, followed by LSR and then the multispecies equation. Similarly, the TS–W equation derived using MAR produced greater biomass estimates than the equation using LSR. Our findings highlight the value of using species‐specific TS–size equations over multispecies equations in ecosystems dominated by a single fish species (e.g., Gizzard Shad in Midwestern reservoirs). They also demonstrate the value of using MAR to develop TS–size equations, owing to its ability to account for fish size measurement error. The use of species‐specific TS–size equations and MAR should lead to robust estimates of biomass in single‐species‐dominated ecosystems, thus benefiting fisheries assessment and decision making.
Challenges in modeling and predicting floods and droughts: A review
Authors: Brunner Manuela I. , Slater Louise , Tallaksen Lena M. , Clark Martyn
Published: March 2021

Predictions of floods, droughts, and fast drought‐flood transitions are required at different time scales to develop management strategies targeted at minimizing negative societal and economic impacts. Forecasts at daily and seasonal scale are vital for early warning, estimation of event frequency for hydraulic design, and long‐term projections for developing adaptation strategies to future conditions. All three types of predictions—forecasts, frequency estimates, and projections—typically treat droughts and floods independently, even though both types of extremes can be studied using related approaches and have similar challenges. In this review, we (a) identify challenges common to drought and flood prediction and their joint assessment and (b) discuss tractable approaches to tackle these challenges. We group challenges related to flood and drought prediction into four interrelated categories: data, process understanding, modeling and prediction, and human–water interactions. Data‐related challenges include data availability and event definition. Process‐related challenges include the multivariate and spatial characteristics of extremes, non‐stationarities, and future changes in extremes. Modeling challenges arise in frequency analysis, stochastic, hydrological, earth system, and hydraulic modeling. Challenges with respect to human–water interactions lie in establishing links to impacts, representing human–water interactions, and science communication. We discuss potential ways of tackling these challenges including exploiting new data sources, studying droughts and floods in a joint framework, studying societal influences and compounding drivers, developing continuous stochastic models or non‐stationary models, and obtaining stakeholder feedback. Tackling one or several of these challenges will improve flood and drought predictions and help to minimize the negative impacts of extreme events.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Science of Water
On the Generalized Hyers–Ulam Stability of a Functional Equation and Its Consequences
Authors: Ciepliński Krzysztof
Published: March 2021

The aim of this note is to show the generalized Hyers–Ulam stability of a functional equation in four variables. In order to do this, the fixed point method is applied. As corollaries from our main result, some outcomes on the stability of some known equations will be also derived.