bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma in a young girl presenting with periorbital edema and fever: A case report
Authors: Nourbakhsh Seyed Mohamad Kazem , Bahadoram Mohammad , Kosari Farid , Jafari Mehrdad , Aslani Nahid , Hassanzadeh Shakiba
Published: February 2022

Subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma is a rare and highly malignant extra‐nodal lymphoma. It has a wide range of clinical presentations (such as periorbital swelling as in our case) and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus, especially in children.
Geographic access to lung cancer screening among eligible adults living in rural and urban environments in the United States
Authors: Sahar Liora , Douangchai Wills Vanhvilai L. , Liu Ka Kit (Antonio) , Fedewa Stacey A. , Rosenthal Lauren , Kazerooni Ella A. , Dyer Debra S. , Smith Robert A.
Published: February 2022

Background

Although recommended lung cancer screening with low‐dose computed tomography scanning (LDCT) reduces mortality among high‐risk adults, annual screening rates remain low. This study complements a previous nationwide assessment of access to lung cancer screening within 40 miles by evaluating differences in accessibility across rural and urban settings for the population aged 50 to 80 years and a subset eligible population based on the 2021 US Preventive Services Task Force LDCT lung screening recommendations.

Methods

Distances from population centers to screening facilities (American College of Radiology Lung Cancer Screening Registry) were calculated, and the number of individuals who had access within graduating distances, including 10, 20, 40, 50, and 100 miles, were estimated. Census tract results were aggregated to counties, and both geographies were classified with rural‐urban schemas.

Results

Approximately 5% of the eligible population did not have access to lung cancer screening facilities within 40 miles; however, different patterns of accessibility were observed at different distances, between regions, and across rural‐urban environments. Across all distances and geographies, there was a larger percentage of the population in rural geographies with no access. Although the rural population represented approximately 8% of the eligible population, the larger percentage of the rural population with no access was noteworthy and translated into a larger number of individuals with no access at longer distance thresholds (≥40 miles).

Conclusions

Disparities in access should be examined as both percentages of the population and numbers of individuals with no access in order to tailor interventions to communities and increase access. Geospatial analysis at the census tract level is recommended to help to identify optimal focus areas and reach the most people.

Lay Summary

As annual lung cancer screening rates remain low, this study examines access to lung cancer screening nationwide and across rural and urban settings.

A geographic information system network analysis of census tract–level populations is used to estimate access at different distances, including 10, 20, 40, 50, and 100 miles, and the results are aggregated to counties.

Approximately 5% of the eligible population does not have access to screening facilities within 40 miles; however, different patterns of accessibility are observed at different distances, between regions, and across rural‐urban environments.

Across all distances and geographies, there is a larger percentage of the population in rural geographies with no access.
Diffusion tensor imaging correlates of depressive symptoms in Parkinson disease
Authors: Uhr Lauren , Tsolaki Evangelia , Pouratian Nader
Published: February 2022

Depression is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome prevalent in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) that remains incompletely understood. Further, the differences in biomarkers of depression in PD and in non‐PD patients are unclear. The subcallosal cingulate cortex (SCC) and its connections have been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides a tool to quantify MDD‐related structural abnormalities underlying depressive symptoms in PD. Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 31 patients with PD. Depression symptom severity was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI‐II), and assessed using three subscales: dysphoric mood, loss of interest/pleasure, and somatic symptoms. Probabilistic tractography methods were used to quantify the SCC connectivity to target regions in cortico‐limbic‐striatal network (ventral striatum, medial prefrontal cortex [mPFC], dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and uncinate fasciculus), while fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated in predefined white matter regions of interest. DTI data were correlated with severity of depression across three domains. SCC‐mPFC connectivity in the left hemisphere was positively correlated with severity of dysphoric mood (Benjamini–Hochberg adjusted p = .02). Region of interest‐based analyses demonstrated a significant and distinct topographic association between FA and dysphoric mood, loss of interest/pleasure, and somatic symptom severity, although these findings did not maintain significance after applying the false discovery rate correction. Abnormal SCC connectivity underlies depressive symptoms in both PD and MDD, suggesting that interventions used for MDD should be explored in treating depressive symptoms in PD, particularly depression dominated by dysphoric mood.
An empirical model based environmental pollution level analysis in coastal area of Gulf of Mannar using remote sensing data
Authors: Ganasigamony Wiselin Jiji , Durairaj Johnson , Athiswamy Rajesh
Published: February 2022

Understanding the statistical relations among the remote sensing data and observed water quality parameters is the necessary task to develop an estimator model. In order to estimate the exact water quality parameter distribution map of the study area from remote sensing data, this present study proposed an empirical mathematical relational and signature (EMRS) model. Through this EMRS model, an environmental pollution level analysis has been carried out for coastal area of Gulf of Mannar. EMRS highly facilitates to map the distribution of the water quality parameters. The insitu samples were involved with ICP‐OES and Physicochemical analysis and the test results were used for convergence of EMRS. The heavy metals such as Fe, Cu, Cd, Hg, and physicochemical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), alkalinity, total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity and hardness are the experimented water quality parameters. The Landsat, Sentinal remote sensing data were used by the model to estimate the values and distribution and pollution level maps. The experimental analysis shows that the extracted element concentration using the proposed EMRS has highly correlated with the observed values based on the different measures such as R2 and root mean square error (RMSE).
Double attention based recommendation for heterogeneous information
Authors: Zhang Xin , Yang Yan
Published: February 2022

Heterogeneous graph networks show superior performance as a network that can combine information from multiple nodes. The heterogeneous graph network is introduced in the recommendation algorithm, and the HARec algorithm is proposed. HARec is the first heterogeneous network that integrates the idea of the bilayer‐attention network with the self‐attention mechanism. The algorithm embeds item neighborhoods with abundant semantic information as auxiliary information through the bilayer‐attention network, while modeling the user‐item interactive representation by fusing the feature representations of users and items through self‐attention. The proposed algorithm, HARec, can obtain better accuracy and capture more abundant information, which greatly improves the recommendation performance. The results of experiment not only demonstrate the performance of our proposed model, but also show its potentially good interpretability.
Interactive C++ code development using C++Explorer and GitHub classroom for educational purposes
Authors: Diehl Patrick , Brandt Steven R.
Published: February 2022

Teaching C++ programming to noncomputer science majors comes with the burden of setting up an integrated development environment, a struggle for most students. Therefore, we present the open source tool, C++Explorer, a JupyterHub deployment for interactively developing C++ code. Students can connect to the server without installing anything, and, almost instantly, they can begin to engage with code using the notebooks. Another aspect of code development is remote communication with coworkers or the community. To develop this skill, we use GitHub classroom to provide feedback on the assignments and practice remote communication. C++Explorer was used in the fall of 2019 and 2020 to teach parallel computation to mathematics students. At the end of the class, we gather students' feedback. This data will be used to continue improving the course. In addition, we present a Telegram®  bot for the communication with the server using smart phones or tablets. However, this tool was not used in the course and will be explored in future teaching.
Prediction of Hepatobiliary Clearances and Hepatic Concentrations of Transported Drugs in Humans Using Rosuvastatin as a Model Drug
Authors: Storelli Flavia , Li Cindy Yanfei , Sachar Madhav , Kumar Vineet , Heyward Scott , Sáfár Zsolt , Kis Emese , Unadkat Jashvant D.
Published: February 2022

To assess efficacy and toxicity of a drug in humans, it is important to measure the tissue concentration of a drug at the target site. For a drug that is transported into or out of the tissue, the tissue unbound steady‐state concentration can be dramatically different from its corresponding unbound steady‐state plasma concentration. Because routine measurement of drug tissue concentrations is not possible, using rosuvastatin as a model transporter substrate drug, we compared the ability of the proteomics‐informed relative expression factor (REF) approach and sandwich‐cultured human hepatocytes (SCH) to accurately predict rosuvastatin human hepatobiliary clearances and hepatic concentrations. REF‐predicted rosuvastatin biliary clearance (CLbile), estimated using BCRP‐overexpressing, MDR1‐overexpressing, and MRP2‐overexpressing vesicles, together with our previously published REF‐predicted rosuvastatin hepatic sinusoidal uptake clearance (CLuptake) and physiologically scaled sinusoidal passive uptake and efflux clearance (CLs,efflux), were used to predict rosuvastatin hepatic concentrations. For SCH, the estimated rosuvastatin CLbile, CLuptake, and CLs,efflux were scaled using physiological scaling. The REF‐predicted CLbile (6.39 ± 1.56 mL/minute) and hepatic rosuvastatin area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) fell within our a priori defined success criterion, i.e., within twofold of the observed positron emission tomography–imaged values. In contrast, as expected, SCH dramatically overpredicted (predicted/observed ratio P/O = 8.38–10.41) rosuvastatin CLbile, and underpredicted hepatic AUC (P/O = 0.08–0.14). For both approaches, predictions were improved by using the parallel tube model vs. well‐stirred model. Overall, using rosuvastatin as a model drug, this study demonstrates the success of the REF approach in predicting in vivo CLbile and hepatic concentration of drugs, and highlights the shortcomings of the SCH approach in making such predictions.
The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium Guideline for SLCO1B1, ABCG2, and CYP2C9 genotypes and Statin‐Associated Musculoskeletal Symptoms
Authors: Cooper‐DeHoff Rhonda M. , Niemi Mikko , Ramsey Laura B. , Luzum Jasmine A. , Tarkiainen E. Katriina , Straka Robert J. , Gong Li , Tuteja Sony , Wilke Russell A. , Wadelius Mia , Larson Eric A. , Roden Dan M. , Klein Teri E. , Yee Sook Wah , Krauss Ronald M. , Turner Richard M. , Palaniappan Latha , Gaedigk Andrea , Giacomini Kathleen M. , Caudle Kelly E. , Voora Deepak
Published: February 2022

Statins reduce cholesterol, prevent cardiovascular disease, and are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the world. Statin‐associated musculoskeletal symptoms (SAMS) impact statin adherence and ultimately can impede the long‐term effectiveness of statin therapy. There are several identified pharmacogenetic variants that impact statin disposition and adverse events during statin therapy. SLCO1B1 encodes a transporter (SLCO1B1; alternative names include OATP1B1 or OATP‐C) that facilitates the hepatic uptake of all statins. ABCG2 encodes an efflux transporter (BCRP) that modulates the absorption and disposition of rosuvastatin. CYP2C9 encodes a phase I drug metabolizing enzyme responsible for the oxidation of some statins. Genetic variation in each of these genes alters systemic exposure to statins (i.e., simvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, pitavastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin), which can increase the risk for SAMS. We summarize the literature supporting these associations and provide therapeutic recommendations for statins based on SLCO1B1, ABCG2, and CYP2C9 genotype with the goal of improving the overall safety, adherence, and effectiveness of statin therapy. This document replaces the 2012 and 2014 Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) guidelines for SLCO1B1 and simvastatin‐induced myopathy.
A case of cooperative breeding in the European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
Authors: Nichols Hazel J. , Arbuckle Kevin
Published: February 2022

Cooperative breeding, where individuals other than the parents help to raise offspring, occurs in only ~9% of bird species. Although many starlings (Sturnidae) are cooperative breeders, the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) has rarely been observed exhibiting this behavior. Only two other records exist, one of which was limited to a juvenile giving food to chicks that had already been collected by a parent (and hence providing limited help). Herein, we report a case of cooperative breeding by a juvenile European starling, which represents the second with any evidence of the juvenile collecting food independently and the first to document the extent of such help in the form of feeding rates. Over a period of at least 3 days, a juvenile starling assisted two parents to feed their second brood of the year, and it fed the chicks at the same rate as the adults (~3.5 feeds per hour). In considering potential explanations for this behavior, we conducted an ancestral state estimation of cooperative breeding across starlings and were able to eliminate the possibility that this is a rarely expressed behavior inherited from cooperatively breeding ancestors. Instead, we propose that our observations point to a behavioral innovation, which may be in response to environmental change such as climate change (which has previously been associated with cooperative breeding). Researchers working on birds should be alert to such behavior to determine whether this apparently new breeding strategy will increase as a potential adaptation to environmental change.
Titmice are a better indicator of bird density in Northern European than in Western European forests
Authors: Kajanus Mira H. , Forsman Jukka T. , Vollstädt Maximilian G. R. , Devictor Vincent , Elo Merja , Lehikoinen Aleksi , Mönkkönen Mikko , Thorson James T. , Kivelä Sami M.
Published: February 2022

Population sizes of many birds are declining alarmingly and methods for estimating fluctuations in species’ abundances at a large spatial scale are needed. The possibility to derive indicators from the tendency of specific species to co‐occur with others has been overlooked. Here, we tested whether the abundance of resident titmice can act as a general ecological indicator of forest bird density in European forests. Titmice species are easily identifiable and have a wide distribution, which makes them potentially useful ecological indicators. Migratory birds often use information on the density of resident birds, such as titmice, as a cue for habitat selection. Thus, the density of residents may potentially affect community dynamics. We examined spatio‐temporal variation in titmouse abundance and total bird abundance, each measured as biomass, by using long‐term citizen science data on breeding forest birds in Finland and France. We analyzed the variation in observed forest bird density (excluding titmice) in relation to titmouse abundance. In Finland, forest bird density linearly increased with titmouse abundance. In France, forest bird density nonlinearly increased with titmouse abundance, the association weakening toward high titmouse abundance. We then analyzed whether the abundance (measured as biomass) of random species sets could predict forest bird density better than titmouse abundance. Random species sets outperformed titmice as an indicator of forest bird density only in 4.4% and 24.2% of the random draws, in Finland and France, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that titmice could act as an indicator of bird density in Northern European forest bird communities, encouraging the use of titmice observations by even less‐experienced observers in citizen science monitoring of general forest bird density.
Offshore platforms as novel ecosystems: A case study from Australia’s Northwest Shelf
Authors: van Elden Sean , Meeuwig Jessica J. , Hobbs Richard J.
Published: February 2022

The decommissioning of offshore oil and gas platforms typically involves removing some or all of the associated infrastructure and the consequent destruction of the associated marine ecosystem that has developed over decades. There is increasing evidence of the important ecological role played by offshore platforms. Concepts such as novel ecosystems allow stakeholders to consider the ecological role played by each platform in the decommissioning process. This study focused on the Wandoo field in Northwest Australia as a case study for the application of the novel ecosystem concept to the decommissioning of offshore platforms. Stereo‐baited remote underwater video systems were used to assess the habitat composition and fish communities at Wandoo, as well as two control sites: a sandy one that resembled the Wandoo site pre‐installation, and one characterized by a natural reef as a control for natural hard substrate and vertical relief. We found denser macrobenthos habitat at the Wandoo site than at either of the control sites, which we attributed to the exclusion of seabed trawling around the Wandoo infrastructure. We also found that the demersal and pelagic taxonomic assemblages at Wandoo more closely resemble those at a natural reef than those which would likely have been present pre‐installation, but these assemblages are still unique in a regional context. The demersal assemblage is characterized by reef‐associated species with higher diversity than those at the sand control and natural reef control sites, with the pelagic community characterized by species associated with oil platforms in other regions. These findings suggest that a novel ecosystem has emerged in the Wandoo field. It is likely that many of the novel qualities of this ecosystem would be lost under decommissioning scenarios that involve partial or complete removal. This study provides an example for classifying offshore platforms as novel ecosystems.
Lessons from the diet: Captivity and sex shape the gut microbiota in an oviparous lizard (Calotes versicolor)
Authors: Zhang Lin , Yang Fang , Li Tangliang , Dayananda Buddhi , Lin Longhui , Lin Chixian
Published: February 2022

Studies have indicated that the abundance and community structure of gut microbiota are altered by diet. In this study, next‐generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene amplicon was performed to evaluate variations in the gut microbiota of wild and captive individuals of both sexes of Calotes versicolor. The results showed that there was a significant sex difference in microbial community structure for wild C. versicolor, Bacteroide was the dominant genus in wild females (WF), whereas Ochrobactrum was the dominant genus in wild males (WM). Acinetobacter and Hymenobacter were the dominant genera in WF, while Clostridium was the dominant genus in captive females (CF). The results indicated that differences in diet between wild and captive C. versicolor also resulted in variations in gut microbiota. Thus, it was not surprising that captivity and sex shape the gut microbiota in C. versicolor. In summary, the fundamental information presented about the gut microbiota of both sexes of wild (and captive females) C. versicolor, indicates that the artificial environments are not suitable for the wild C. versicolor.
Simulated trapping and trawling exert similar selection on fish morphology
Authors: Thambithurai Davide , Rácz Anita , Lindström Jan , Parsons Kevin J. , Killen Shaun S.
Published: February 2022

Commercial fishery harvest can influence the evolution of wild fish populations. Our knowledge of selection on morphology is however limited, with most previous studies focusing on body size, age, and maturation. Within species, variation in morphology can influence locomotor ability, possibly making some individuals more vulnerable to capture by fishing gears. Additionally, selection on morphology has the potential to influence other foraging, behavioral, and life‐history related traits. Here we carried out simulated fishing using two types of gears: a trawl (an active gear) and a trap (a passive gear), to assess morphological trait‐based selection in relation to capture vulnerability. Using geometric morphometrics, we assessed differences in shape between high and low vulnerability fish, showing that high vulnerability individuals display shallower body shapes regardless of gear type. For trawling, low vulnerability fish displayed morphological characteristics that may be associated with higher burst‐swimming, including a larger caudal region and narrower head, similar to evolutionary responses seen in fish populations responding to natural predation. Taken together, these results suggest that divergent selection can lead to phenotypic differences in harvested fish populations.
Theoretical and Experimental Investigation about the Influence of Peltier Effect on the Temperature Loss and Performance Loss of Thermoelectric Generator
Authors: Li Xingjun , Wang Jun , Meng Qingtian , Yu Dan
Published: February 2022

Thermoelectric generator (TEG) has great potential in low‐grade waste heat recovery and there is some research on the influence of the Peltier effect on it. However, most of them only consider the total performance changes, such as the variation of power and efficiency due to the Peltier effect, and ignore the impact of the Peltier effect on the temperature of TEGs, which is the core reason of performance changes. To investigate how the Peltier effect affects the temperature loss at the two sides of TEGs, respectively, an experimental setup is built and an analytical model is derived. The result shows that the temperature loss at the cold side is less than that of the hot side. The power loss has a linear relation with the product of the temperature difference and temperature loss. The maximum loss of power, energy efficiency, and exergy efficiency occurs at a particular load range. Within that range, power, energy efficiency, and exergy efficiency reach the maximum, respectively. According to the results, the suggestion of thermal resistance optimization for TEGs is provided.
A reexamination of theoretical arguments that indirect selection on mate preference is likely to be weaker than direct selection
Authors: Fry James D.
Published: February 2022

Female preference for male ornaments or displays can evolve by indirect selection resulting from genetic benefits of mate choices, or by direct selection resulting from nongenetic benefits or selection on sensory systems occurring in other contexts. In an influential paper, Kirkpatrick and Barton used a good-genes model and evolutionary rates estimated from the fossil record to conclude that indirect selection on preference is likely to be weak compared to typical strengths of direct selection. More recent authors have extrapolated from Kirkpatrick and Barton's conclusions to suggest that the presence of preference-trait genetic correlations in equations for indirect but not direct selection gives a purely theoretical basis to the conclusion that the former is likely to be weaker than the latter. Here, I challenge these views, and argue that the relative importance of direct and indirect selection on preference is an empirical issue that defies simple generalizations. First, I show that Kirkpatrick and Barton based their conclusion on a questionable claim about typical rates of evolution due to direct selection. Second, I argue that claiming that direct selection on preference is stronger than indirect selection because only equations for the latter contain a genetic correlation mistakes the mathematical simplicity with which direct selection is usually represented for evidence regarding its magnitude. By comparing a simple equation for the selection response of preference caused by somatic (“direct”) benefits to Kirkpatrick and Barton's result for the response to indirect selection, I show that indirect selection on preference is not inherently weaker than direct selection. I also point out an important but overlooked reason why selection on preference under the sensory bias hypothesis can be expected to be less effective in the long run than that from either somatic or genetic benefits of mate choices.
“If You Build It…”: Methodological Approaches to Detect Postrestoration Responses in Stream Fishes
Authors: Polivka Carlos M
Published: February 2022

Habitat restoration to recover fish populations takes place worldwide, yet studies of its efficacy are fraught with challenges. One difficulty comes from studies of fish responses that are too focused on whether abundance has increased in the restored habitat, limiting the methodology to observational data of fish density. However, many other tools are available for evaluation of restoration. I review a set of conceptually based methods that colleagues and I used to assess restoration efficacy in a model river system to show the strength of considering alternative approaches. Although it was relatively easy to determine that fish are attracted to instream restoration structures (engineered log jams), spatial and temporal variability in the results requires approaches that more closely examine the distinction between increases in density and increases in habitat capacity. Furthermore, I show that efficacy research should be augmented with consideration of behavior, the spatial scale of the post-restoration studies, the response of life history traits (e.g., growth), and the applicability of habitat selection theory. These detailed studies often, but not always, identify benefits of restoration that go beyond simple observations of fish abundance. They are therefore methods that are worth considering by researchers involved in postrestoration fish monitoring.
Sodium in relation with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Shojaei‐Zarghani Sara , Safarpour Ali Reza , Fattahi Mohammad Reza , Keshtkar Abbasali
Published: February 2022

Findings on the association of sodium with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are conflicting. The present systematic review and meta‐analysis study aimed to assess the association between salt or sodium intake or serum sodium levels and NAFLD risk. Relevant articles were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Proquest, and Embase databases through May 1, 2021, without language restriction. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using Der‐Simonian and Laird method and random‐effects meta‐analysis. The certainty of the evidence was rated using the GRADE method. Out of 6470 documents, 7 epidemiological/observational (1 cohort, 1 case–control, and 5 cross‐sectional) studies on the relationship between dietary salt/sodium intakes and NAFLD risk met our inclusion criteria. The meta‐analysis of all studies showed a significant positive association between the highest salt/sodium intake and NALFD risk (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.19–2.15) with a meaningful heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 96.70%, p‐value <.001). The NAFLD risk was greater in the studies with higher quality (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.24–2.65) or using the equation‐based methods for NAFLD ascertainment (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.29–3.17) or urinary sodium collection as a sodium intake assessment (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.52–4.06). The overall certainty of the evidence was very low. In conclusion, high sodium intake seems to be related to increased NAFLD risk. Further well‐designed studies are needed to clarify this association and shed light on the underlying mechanisms.
Reliability of task‐evoked neural activation during face‐emotion paradigms: Effects of scanner and psychological processes
Authors: Haller Simone P. , Chen Gang , Kitt Elizabeth R. , Smith Ashley R. , Stoddard Joel , Abend Rany , Cardenas Sofia I. , Revzina Olga , Coppersmith Daniel , Leibenluft Ellen , Brotman Melissa A. , Pine Daniel S. , Pagliaccio David
Published: February 2022

Assessing and improving test–retest reliability is critical to efforts to address concerns about replicability of task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging. The current study uses two statistical approaches to examine how scanner and task‐related factors influence reliability of neural response to face‐emotion viewing. Forty healthy adult participants completed two face‐emotion paradigms at up to three scanning sessions across two scanners of the same build over approximately 2 months. We examined reliability across the main task contrasts using Bayesian linear mixed‐effects models performed voxel‐wise across the brain. We also used a novel Bayesian hierarchical model across a predefined whole‐brain parcellation scheme and subcortical anatomical regions. Scanner differences accounted for minimal variance in temporal signal‐to‐noise ratio and task contrast maps. Regions activated during task at the group level showed higher reliability relative to regions not activated significantly at the group level. Greater reliability was found for contrasts involving conditions with clearly distinct visual stimuli and associated cognitive demands (e.g., face vs. nonface discrimination) compared to conditions with more similar demands (e.g., angry vs. happy face discrimination). Voxel‐wise reliability estimates tended to be higher than those based on predefined anatomical regions. This work informs attempts to improve reliability in the context of task activation patterns and specific task contrasts. Our study provides a new method to estimate reliability across a large number of regions of interest and can inform researchers' selection of task conditions and analytic contrasts.
Deciphering complex groundwater age distributions and recharge processes in a tropical and fractured volcanic multi‐aquifer system
Authors: Sánchez‐Murillo Ricardo , Montero‐Rodríguez Irene , Corrales‐Salazar José , Esquivel‐Hernández Germain , Castro‐Chacón Laura , Rojas‐Jiménez Luis D. , Vargas‐Víquez José , Pérez‐Quezadas Juan , Gazel Esteban , Boll Jan
Published: February 2022

Groundwater recharge in highly fractured volcanic aquifers in the humid tropics remains poorly understood. In this region, rapid demographic growth and unregulated land use change are resulting in extensive surface water pollution and a large dependency on groundwater extraction. Here we present a multi‐tracer approach including δ18Oδ2H, 3H/3He dating, and noble gases (NG) within the most prominent multi‐aquifer system of central Costa Rica, with the objective to assess dominant groundwater recharge mechanisms and age distributions. We sampled wells and large springs across an elevation gradient from 868 to 2421 m asl. Our results indicate relatively young apparent ages ranging from 0.0 ± 3.2 up to 43.5 ± 7.6 years within the unconfined aquifer system. Helium isotopes (R/Ra up to 5.4) indicate a dominant signal from the upper mantle and preclude 3H/3He dating in 50% of the samples. Potential recharge elevations (based on NG and δ18O) ranged from ~1350 to 2670 m asl. NG‐derived recharge temperatures ranged from 11.0°C to 19.4°C. Recharge estimates varied from 129 ± 78 to 1605 ± 196 mm/yr with a mean value of 642 ± 117 mm/yr, representing 20.1 ± 4.0% of the total mean annual rainfall as effective recharge. The shallow unconfined aquifer is characterized by young and rapidly infiltrating water, whereas the deeper aquifer units have relatively older water (>60 years). These results are intended to guide the delineation and mapping of critical recharge areas in mountain headwaters to enhance water security and sustainability in the most important headwater dependent systems of Costa Rica.
Detection of a pituitary macroadenoma with transcranial ultrasonography: Principles and potential clinical applications
Authors: Meini Simone , Andreini Roberto , Cozza Sabino
Published: February 2022

Transcranial color‐coded duplex sonography (TCCS) allows to study intracranial vessels through the intact skull, but the visualization of normal and pathologic brain structures in adults is often suboptimal due to inadequate acoustic window. The full potential of TCCS for clinical practice remains unfulfilled. Here, we describe the ability of TCCS to detect a non‐functioning pituitary macroadenoma in a 58‐year‐old man affected by headache. The macroadenoma was visualized as a roundish, well‐defined mass, mildly hyperechogenic compared to the hypoechogenic mesencephalic brainstem but mainly hypoechogenic compared to the surrounding intracranial structures. Intracranial vessels represented useful landmarks. Using tissue harmonic imaging mode, the borders of the macroadenoma were visualized more clearly. Macroadenoma characteristics were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Neurosonologists should be aware of the possibility to incidentally find, during routinary TCCS, pituitary macroadenomas or other brain tumors (as incidentalomas), worthy to be recognized and referred for further investigations.
Superior cluneal nerve entrapment syndrome: a common but often overlooked cause of low back pain
Authors: Mizumoto Junki
Published: February 2022

An 81‐year‐old woman complained of low back pain (LBP) on her regular check‐up. Physical examination revealed tenderness at the middle point of the posterior iliac crest and burning dysesthesias around the tenderness point, without any other neurological findings. An injection of local anesthetics diminished the pain. The diagnosis of superior cluneal nerve entrapment syndrome (SCNES) was made. SCNES is relatively common, as high as 14% in patients with LBP, but frequently overlooked. Primary care physicians should be aware of the typical findings of SCNES for correct diagnosis and treatment.
Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of novel tris‐thiadiazole derivatives
Authors: Kalantarian Seyyed Jafar , Kefayati Hassan , Montazeri Naser
Published: February 2022

1,1′,1″‐(((1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tris(oxy))tris(benzene‐4,1‐diyl))tris(ethan‐1‐one) 1 reacted with extra bromine to afford the corresponding 1,1′,1″‐(((1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tris(oxy))tris(benzene‐4,1‐diyl))tris(2‐bromoethan‐1‐one) 2. Also, reaction of acetophenone derivatives 3 with 5‐amino‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2‐thiol 4 give the 5‐((1‐arylethylidene)amino)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2‐thiol 5. Compounds 5a–h reacted with 2 in the presences of acetic acid to afford novel 1,1′,1″‐(((1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tris(oxy))tris(benzene‐4,1‐diyl))tris(2‐((5‐((1‐arylethylidene)amino)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl)thio)ethan‐1‐one) derivatives 6a–h. Antimicrobial activities of the products were evaluated against five bacterial strains including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens. The antimicrobial results indicated that products 6b, 6d, and 6h had excellent activities as compared to other synthesized products against a variety of bacterial strains. The compounds having Cl and NO2 substituents showed notable inhibition of bacterial growth almost near to Ciprofloxacin as standard.
Breast MRI Background Parenchymal Enhancement Categorization Using Deep Learning: Outperforming the Radiologist
Authors: Eskreis‐Winkler Sarah , Sutton Elizabeth J. , D'Alessio Donna , Gallagher Katherine , Saphier Nicole , Stember Joseph , Martinez Danny F. , Morris Elizabeth A. , Pinker Katja
Published: February 2022

Background

Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) is assessed on breast MRI reports as mandated by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) but is prone to inter and intrareader variation. Semiautomated and fully automated BPE assessment tools have been developed but none has surpassed radiologist BPE designations.

Purpose

To develop a deep learning model for automated BPE classification and to compare its performance with current standard‐of‐care radiology report BPE designations.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

Consecutive high‐risk patients (i.e. >20% lifetime risk of breast cancer) who underwent contrast‐enhanced screening breast MRI from October 2013 to January 2019. The study included 5224 breast MRIs, divided into 3998 training, 444 validation, and 782 testing exams. On radiology reports, 1286 exams were categorized as high BPE (i.e., marked or moderate) and 3938 as low BPE (i.e., mild or minimal).

Field Strength/Sequence

A 1.5 T or 3 T system; one precontrast and three postcontrast phases of fat‐saturated T1‐weighted dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging.

Assessment

Breast MRIs were used to develop two deep learning models (Slab artificial intelligence (AI); maximum intensity projection [MIP] AI) for BPE categorization using radiology report BPE labels. Models were tested on a heldout test sets using radiology report BPE and three‐reader averaged consensus as the reference standards.

Statistical Tests

Model performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Associations between high BPE and BI‐RADS assessments were evaluated using McNemar's chi‐square test (α* = 0.025).

Results

The Slab AI model significantly outperformed the MIP AI model across the full test set (area under the curve of 0.84 vs. 0.79) using the radiology report reference standard. Using three‐reader consensus BPE labels reference standard, our AI model significantly outperformed radiology report BPE labels. Finally, the AI model was significantly more likely than the radiologist to assign “high BPE” to suspicious breast MRIs and significantly less likely than the radiologist to assign “high BPE” to negative breast MRIs.

Data Conclusion

Fully automated BPE assessments for breast MRIs could be more accurate than BPE assessments from radiology reports.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy Stage

3
Bivariate bias correction of the regional climate model ensemble over the Adriatic region
Authors: Sokol Jurković Renata , Güttler Ivan , Pasarić Zoran
Published: February 2022

The main goal of this analysis is to provide an assessment of the fine grid regional climate model (RCM) ensemble over the broader Adriatic region, which is the domain with orographically complex terrain and a developed coastline. The results of this study are a beneficial complement to earlier work on using modified bivariate bias correction methods. This analysis was based on an ensemble of 12 combinations of three RCMs and four global climate models (GCMs) from 1971 to 2004, divided into calibration and validation parts. A comparison of one univariate and three versions of bivariate bias correction methods of summer and winter monthly temperature and precipitation was performed. To examine the effect of various methods, we used different marginal distributions and distributions of dependence (copula). Bivariate bias correction was conducted with parametric and empirical marginal distributions. In the quantile mapping (univariate) and the parametric bivariate method, gamma (precipitation) and normal (temperature) probability distributions were used. We documented the bias and the influence of bias correction methods on precipitation and temperature, including their climate change signals in historical data. The considered methods maintained the spatial distribution of trends from the native ensemble. If the relationship between variables was not distinct and the correlation coefficient was low, bivariate bias correction methods tended to weaken the correlation coefficient from the model. Two experiments on how the bias correction methods influence statistical measures of the considered variables and their relationships showed that the bivariate method with empirical distributions (eeG) performed slightly better than other methods. Although the eeG method performed better than the other methods, none of the considered methods was able to fully preserve the correlation coefficient between variables detected from observations. Considering two copulas (Gaussian and Student's t), we conclude that the effect of different copula types on method performance is small.
Seasonal circulation regimes in the North Atlantic: Towards a new seasonality
Authors: Breton Florentin , Vrac Mathieu , Yiou Pascal , Vaittinada Ayar Pradeebane , Jézéquel Aglaé
Published: February 2022

European climate variability is shaped by atmospheric dynamics over the North Atlantic and local processes. Better understanding their future seasonality is essential to anticipate changes in weather conditions for human and natural systems. We explore atmospheric seasonality over 1979–2017 and 1979–2100 with seasonal circulation regimes (SCRs), by clustering year‐round daily fields of Z500 from the ERA‐Interim reanalysis and 12 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) climate models (historical and RCP8.5 runs). The spatial and temporal variability of SCR structures and associated patterns of surface air temperature are investigated. Climate models have biases but reproduce structures and evolutions of SCRs similar to the reanalysis over 1979–2017: decreasing frequency of winter conditions (starting later and ending earlier in the year) and the opposite for summer conditions. These changes are stronger over 1979–2100 than over 1979–2017, associated with a large increase of North Atlantic seasonal mean Z500 and temperature. When using more SCRs (more freedom in definition of seasonality), the changes over 1979–2100 correspond to a long‐term swap between SCRs, resulting in similar structures (annual cycle and spatial patterns) relative to the evolution of seasonal mean Z500 and temperature. To understand whether the evolution of SCRs is linked to uniform warming, or to changes in circulation patterns, we remove the calendar trend in the Z500 regional average to define SCRs based on detrended data (d‐SCRs). The temporal properties of d‐SCRs appear almost constant whereas their spatial patterns change, indicating that the calendar Z500 regional trend drives the evolutions of SCRs, and that changing spatial patterns in d‐SCRs account for the heterogeneity of this trend. Our study suggests that historical winter conditions will continue to decrease in the future while historical summer conditions continue to increase. However, it also suggests that the spatial and temporal patterns of SCRs would remain similar, relatively to the year‐round Z500 increase.
Predicting osteoarthritis onset and progression with 3D texture analysis of cartilage MRI DESS: 6‐Year data from osteoarthritis initiative
Authors: Väärälä Ari , Casula Victor , Peuna Arttu , Panfilov Egor , Mobasheri Ali , Haapea Marianne , Lammentausta Eveliina , Nieminen Miika T.
Published: February 2022

In this study, we developed a gray level co‐occurrence matrix‐based 3D texture analysis method for dual‐echo steady‐state (DESS) magnetic resonance (MR) images to be used for knee cartilage analysis in osteoarthritis (OA) studies and use it to study changes in articular cartilage between different subpopulations based on their rate of progression into radiographically confirmed OA. In total, 642 series of right knee DESS MR images at 3T were obtained from baseline, 36‐ and 72‐month follow‐ups from the OA Initiative database. At baseline, all 214 subjects included in the study had Kellgren‐Lawrence (KL) grade <2. Three groups were defined, based on time of progression into radiographic OA (ROA) (KL grades ≥2): control (no progression), fast progressor (ROA at 36 months), and slow progressor (ROA at 72 months) groups. 3D texture analysis was used to extract textural features for femoral and tibial cartilages. All textural features, in both femur and tibia, showed significant longitudinal changes across all groups and tissue layers. Most of the longitudinal changes were observed in progressors, but significant changes were observed also in controls. Differences between groups were mostly seen at baseline and 72 months. The method is sensitive to cartilage changes before and after ROA. It was able to detect longitudinal changes in controls and progressors and to distinguish cartilage alterations due to OA and aging. Moreover, it was able to distinguish controls and different progressor groups before any radiographic signs of OA and during OA. Thus, texture analysis could be used as a marker for the onset and progression of OA.
MRI‐detected extramural vascular invasion (mrEMVI) as the best predictive factor to identify candidates to total neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Massucco Paolo , Fontana Andrea P. , Balbo Mussetto Annalisa , Desana Benedetta , Ricotti Andrea , Gonella Federica , Mineccia Michela , Cirillo Stefano , Ferrero Alessandro
Published: February 2022

Background and Objectives

Chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is shifting from an adjuvant setting to a total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) strategy, that relies on distant metastases (DM) risk prediction. This study aims to assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging‐detected extramural vascular invasion (mrEMVI) as predictive factor for DM in LARC, compared with other MRI‐detected and pathologic factors.

Methods

This retrospective single‐center study analyzed data extracted from a series of consecutive patients curatively resected for rectal cancer at Mauriziano Hospital in Turin (Italy) from January 2013 to December 2018.

Results

Data from 69 patients were analyzed. MrEMVI was detected in 31 (44.9%) cases. Median follow‐up was 39.9 months. DM and local recurrence occurred in 19 (27.5%) and 4 (5.8%) patients. One‐ and 3‐year cumulative incidence of DM were 32.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17–0.49) and 56.8% (95% CI: 0.35–0.74) in the mrEMVI‐positive group and 5.4% (95% CI: 0.01–0.16) and 14.0% (95% CI: 0.05–0.27) in the mrEMVI‐negative group (log‐rank test, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis of MRI factors, mrEMVI was the only independent predictor of DM (HR: 3.59, CI: 1.21–10.69, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

This study confirmed that mrEMVI is a powerful predictor of DM in LARC. It should be routinely reported and considered during multidisciplinary care strategy planning.