bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artifact suppression in readout‐segmented consistent K‐t space EPSI (RS‐COKE) for fast 1H spectroscopic imaging at 7 T
Authors: Seginer Amir , Keith Graeme A. , Porter David A. , Schmidt Rita
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Fast proton (1H) MRSI is an important diagnostic tool for clinical investigations, providing metabolic and spatial information. MRSI at 7 T benefits from increased SNR and improved separation of peaks but requires larger spectral widths. RS‐COKE (Readout‐Segmented Consistent K‐t space Epsi) is an echo planar spectroscopic imaging (Epsi) variant capable to support the spectral width required for human brain metabolites spectra at 7 T. However, mismatches between readout segments lead to artifacts, particularly when subcutaneous lipid signals are not suppressed. In this study, these mismatches and their effects are analyzed and reduced.

Methods

The following corrections to the data were performed: i) frequency‐dependent phase corrections; ii) k‐space trajectory corrections, derived from short reference scans; and iii) smoothing of data at segment transitions to mitigate the effect of residual mismatches. The improvement was evaluated by performing single‐slice RS‐COKE on a head‐shaped phantom with a “lipid” layer and healthy subjects, using varying resolutions and durations ranging from 4.1 × 4.7 × 15 mm3 in 5:46 min to 3.1 × 3.3 × 15 mm3 in 13:07 min.

Results

Artifacts arising from the readout‐segmented acquisition were substantially reduced, thus providing high‐quality spectroscopic imaging in phantom and human scans. LCModel fitting of the human data resulted in a relative Cramer‐Rao lower bounds within 6% for NAA, Cr, and Cho images in the majority of the voxels.

Conclusion

Using the new reference scans and reconstruction steps, RS‐COKE was able to deliver fast 1H MRSI at 7 T, overcoming the spectral width limitation of standard EPSI at this field strength.
Joint denoising of diffusion‐weighted images via structured low‐rank patch matrix approximation
Authors: Zhao Yujiao , Yi Zheyuan , Xiao Linfang , Lau Vick , Liu Yilong , Zhang Zhe , Guo Hua , Leong Alex T. , Wu Ed X.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To develop a joint denoising method that effectively exploits natural information redundancy in MR DWIs via low‐rank patch matrix approximation.

Methods

A denoising method is introduced to jointly reduce noise in DWI dataset by exploiting nonlocal self‐similarity as well as local anatomical/structural similarity within multiple 2D DWIs acquired with the same anatomical geometry but different diffusion directions. Specifically, for each small 3D reference patch sliding within 2D DWI, nonlocal but similar patches are searched by matching image contents within entire DWI dataset and then structured into a patch matrix. The resulting patch matrices are denoised by enforcing low‐rankness via weighted nuclear norm minimization and finally are back‐distributed to DWI space. The proposed procedure was evaluated with simulated and in vivo brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) datasets and then compared to existing Marchenko‐Pastur principal component analysis denoising method.

Results

The proposed method achieved significant noise reduction while preserving structural details in all DWIs for both simulated and in vivo datasets. Quantitative evaluation of error maps demonstrated it consistently outperformed Marchenko‐Pastur principal component analysis method. Further, the denoised DWIs led to substantially improved DTI parametric maps, exhibiting significantly less noise and revealing more microstructural details.

Conclusion

The proposed method denoises DWI dataset by utilizing both nonlocal self‐similarity and local structural similarity within DWI dataset. This weighted nuclear norm minimization–based low‐rank patch matrix denoising approach is effective and highly applicable to various diffusion MRI applications, including DTI as a postprocessing procedure.
A class of one‐parameter alternating direction implicit methods for two‐dimensional wave equations with discrete and distributed time‐variable delays
Authors: Tang Changyang , Zhang Chengjian , Sun Hai‐wei
Published: August 2022

For solving the initial‐boundary value problem of two‐dimensional wave equations with discrete and distributed time‐variable delays, in the present paper, we first construct a class of basic one‐parameter methods. In order to raise the computational efficiency of this class methods, we remold the methods as one‐parameter alternating direction implicit (ADI) methods. Under the suitable conditions, the remolded methods are proved to be stable and convergent of second order in both of time and space. With several numerical experiments, the computational effectiveness and theoretical exactness of the methods are confirmed. Moreover, it is illustrated that the proposed one‐parameter ADI method has the better advantage in computational efficiency than the basic one‐parameter methods.
On teaching philanthropy
Authors: McDougle Lindsey M.
Published: August 2022

This commentary focuses on teaching philanthropy using an innovative pedagogy known as experiential philanthropy. Experiential philanthropy allows students to study social issues and nonprofit organizations and then make decisions about awarding funds to nonprofits working to address the social issues they learned about. The pedagogy is considered to be transformative for students across a variety of disciplines (e.g., business administration, marketing, public administration, and social work). In this commentary, I raise an important consideration for those who teach philanthropy using this pedagogy and I conclude by issuing a call to action.
Study on catechol/tetraethylenepentamine and nano zinc oxide co‐modifying ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber surface to improve interfacial adhesion
Authors: Fang Zhonghang , Tu Qunzhang , Chen Zhiyuan , Shen Xinmin , Pan Ming , Liang Kang , Yang Xuan
Published: August 2022

To improve interfacial adhesion to rubber matrix, a lower cost surface modification strategy of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber was proposed by replacing expensive dopamine with the two‐component system of catechol/tetraethylenepentamine (CAT/TEPA) and then depositing nano zinc oxide (ZnO NPs). By Michael addition reaction or Schiff base reaction between CAT and TEPA, the CAT/TEPA layer was coated on the fiber surface, and further served as a secondary functional platform to realize ZnO NPs deposition through coordination. The surface morphology, chemical structure and composition, wettability and thermal property of the UHMWPE fibers were investigated to evaluate the process and effect of the surface modification. The results of the single‐filament tensile test indicated that the tensile strength of the UHMWPE fibers has no deterioration after the modification treatment. In comparison with the original fiber, the pull‐out test showed that the highest interface adhesion between the modified UHMWPE fibers and rubber matrix increased by 80.4%. Additionally, it was found that the appropriate zinc ion concentration played an important role in the modification effect.
Lack of EGFR catalytic activity in hepatocytes improves liver regeneration following DDC‐induced cholestatic injury by promoting a pro‐restorative inflammatory response
Authors: Lazcanoiturburu Nerea , García‐Sáez Juan , González‐Corralejo Carlos , Roncero Cesáreo , Sanz Julián , Martín‐Rodríguez Carlos , Valdecantos M Pilar , Martínez‐Palacián Adoración , Almalé Laura , Bragado Paloma , Calero‐Pérez Silvia , Fernández Almudena , García‐Bravo María , Guerra Carmen , Montoliu Lluis , Segovia José Carlos , Valverde Ángela M , Fabregat Isabel , Herrera Blanca , Sánchez Aránzazu
Published: August 2022

Despite the well‐known hepatoprotective role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway upon acute damage, its specific actions during chronic liver disease, particularly cholestatic injury, remain ambiguous and unresolved. Here, we analyzed the consequences of inactivating EGFR signaling in the liver on the regenerative response following cholestatic injury. For that, transgenic mice overexpressing a dominant negative mutant human EGFR lacking tyrosine kinase activity (ΔEGFR) in albumin‐positive cells were submitted to liver damage induced by 3,5‐diethoxycarbonyl‐1,4‐dihydrocollidine (DDC), an experimental model resembling human primary sclerosing cholangitis. Our results show an early activation of EGFR after 1–2 days of a DDC‐supplemented diet, followed by a signaling switch‐off. Furthermore, ΔEGFR mice showed less liver damage and a more efficient regeneration following DDC injury. Analysis of the mechanisms driving this effect revealed an enhanced activation of mitogenic/survival signals, AKT and ERK1/2‐MAPKs, and changes in cell turnover consistent with a quicker resolution of damage in response to DDC. These changes were concomitant with profound differences in the profile of intrahepatic immune cells, consisting of a shift in the M1/M2 balance towards M2 polarity, and the Cd4/Cd8 ratio in favor of Cd4 lymphocytes, overall supporting an immune cell switch into a pro‐restorative phenotype. Interestingly, ΔEGFR livers also displayed an amplified ductular reaction, with increased expression of EPCAM and an increased number of CK19‐positive ductular structures in portal areas, demonstrating an overexpansion of ductular progenitor cells. In summary, our work supports the notion that hepatocyte‐specific EGFR activity acts as a key player in the crosstalk between parenchymal and non‐parenchymal hepatic cells, promoting the pro‐inflammatory response activated during cholestatic injury and therefore contributing to the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disease. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
The role of cognitive control in the SNARC effect: A review
Authors: Zhang Ping , Cao Bihua , Li Fuhong
Published: August 2022

The spatial‐numerical association of response codes (SNARC) effect, in which people respond to small numbers faster with the left hand and to large numbers faster with the right hand, is a popular topic in cognitive psychology. Some well‐known theoretical accounts explaining this effect include the mental number line model, polarity correspondence principle, dual‐route model, and working memory account. However, these fail to explain the finding that the size of the SNARC effect is modulated by cognitive control. Here, we propose a new account—a cognitive control‐based view of the SNARC effect. This view argues that the SNARC effect is fundamentally determined by cognitive control in resolving conflicts during stimulus–response mapping. Several subcomponents of cognitive control, such as working memory, mental or task set shifting, inhibition control, and conflict adaptation, can easily modulate the SNARC effect. The cognitive control‐based view can account for the flexible SNARC effect observed in diverse task situations while providing new insight into its mechanism.
Collaboration is key: School psychologists' experience in suicide intervention
Authors: Hopple Alyce M. , Ball Carrie R.
Published: August 2022

School psychologists are key school‐based personnel when responding to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The present paper explored the experiences and attitudes of school psychologists, with a special focus on collaborating during suicide intervention activities. Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, a purposive sample procedure identified 10 school psychologists. Data were collected via in‐person, semi‐structured interviews. Most participants were female (n = 9) and all were practicing within the school setting and had delivered suicide intervention activities. Experiences described through interviews suggested collaboration while responding to suicide was a common activity that enhances the quality of services, external collaboration—though beneficial for students—can be a barrier to the provision of services, school psychologists cope through collaboration, and suicide intervention services would benefit from increased collaboration. Implications for practice include working to develop stable partnerships with external stakeholders and increasing collaboration during suicide assessment and response.
Correlation between serum triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio and blood pressure in patients with primary hypertension
Authors: Kurtkulagi Ozge , Aktas Gulali , Taslamacioglu Duman Tuba , Bilgin Satilmis , Atak Tel Burcin Meryem , Kahveci Gizem
Published: August 2022

Hypertension (HT) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The efficacy of the treatment in HT patients is mostly depending on the office or home blood pressure monitoring. Triglyceride to high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio (THR) is an inflammatory and metabolic predictor. We aimed to compare THR levels of the HT patients with poorly controlled blood pressure levels to those with well‐controlled hypertensive subjects. In present cross sectional study, we grouped patients with HT either as well or poorly controlled hypertensive subjects according to the blood pressure measurement. THR of the groups compared. The THR of the poorly controlled HT group (3.9 [1.91–88.7]%) was significantly higher than the THR of the well‐controlled HT group (3.07 [0.71–35.8]%), (p < .001). The sensitivity and specificity of THR higher than 3.26% in predicting poor blood pressure control were 72% and 52%, respectively (AUC: 0.64, p <.01, %95 CI: %59–70). High THR levels in HT patients may warrant closer monitorization of blood pressure since it may predict poor blood pressure control in this population.
On the three lowest spin states of Na13+: Hybrid Density Functional Theory and benchmark CASSCF(12,12)+CASPT2 studies
Authors: Alanís‐Manzano Emiliano Isaías , Ramírez‐Solís Alejandro
Published: August 2022

The three lowest spin states (S = 0,1,2) of 12 representative isomers have been estudied using both, KS‐DFT via three hybrid density functionals, and benchmark multireference CASSCF and CASPT2 methods with a couple of Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets. CASSCF(12,12) geometry optimizations were carried out. Since 12 electrons in 12 active orbitals span the chemically‐significant complete valence space, the results of the present study provide benchmarks for . The CASPT2(12,12)/cc‐pVTZ* lowest energy structures are three nearly degenerate singlets (S = 0): an isomer formed from two pentagonal bipyramids fused together (PBPb), a capped centered‐squared antiprism [CSAP‐(1,3)] and an optimum tetrahedral OPTET(II) structure, the last two lying 0.88 and 1.63 kcal/mol above the first, respectively. The lowest triplet (S = 1) and quintet (S = 2) states lie 4.33 and 3.77 kcal/mol above the singlet global minimum, respectively. The latter is a deformed icosahedron while the former is a CSAP‐(1,3). The flatness of the potential energy surface of this cluster suggests a rather strong dynamical character at finite temperature. Prediction of the lowest energy structures and electronic properties is crucially sensitive both to non‐dynamical and dynamical electron correlation treatment. The CASPT2 vertical ionization energy is 3.66 eV, in excellent agreement with the 3.6 ± 0.1 eV experimental figure. All the isomers are found to have a strong multireference character, thus making KS density functional theory fundamentally inappropriate for these systems. Only large multiconfigurational CASSCF wavefunctions provide a reliable zeroth‐order description; then the dynamic correlation effects must be properly taken into account for a truly accurate account of the structural and energetic features of alkali‐metal clusters.
Human affinity for rivers
Authors: Wang Yichu , Borthwick Alistair G. L. , Ni Jinren
Published: August 2022

Human civilization prospers along rivers worldwide. Here, we investigated human–river relations by revealing the linkage between water and habitability for human settlements, and socioeconomic and cultural development across China. We found that human–water co‐occurrence relationships are self‐similar over sub‐basins for different scales of stream‐order in the river networks. According to the earlier complete demographic census conducted during the reign of the Qing Dynasty (1776), there has been a general tendency for inhabitants to live close to rivers, characterized by population density associated with habitability cored by water under a near‐natural state, which still remains to date (2019) even after long‐term population growth and human interventions. Throughout history, we have extended the linkage of human settlements to humanistic attributes with river networks, derived four different modes of human aggregation towards rivers, and elucidated the geographical diversity of river density, population density, cultural prosperity, and clusters of ethnicity, particularly the Western and the Northeast culture established in the arid (desert) areas, the Huaxia culture in the alluvial plains, the Loess/Nomadic/Southwestern Ethnic culture in the plateaus, and the Qi‐Lu/Wu‐Yue/Linnan culture in coastlands across the whole country. This work is also of significance to understanding long‐term human–water relationships at a global scale.
Physical layer enhancements in 5G‐NR for direct access via satellite systems
Authors: Cioni Stefano , Lin Xingqin , Chamaillard Baptiste , El Jaafari Mohamed , Charbit Gilles , Raschkowski Leszek
Published: August 2022

Among the several features and capabilities introduced by every new 3GPP release on 5G cellular systems, the latest Release 17 will be remembered as the first that specifies a set of enhancements and adaptations to support mobile broadband services via satellite direct access. Specifically focused on the necessary physical layer mechanism and procedure modifications, this paper will present in detail the 3GPP work about the inclusion of satellite systems in 5G networks.
Additive Manufacturing of Tool Steels
Authors: Vogelpoth Andreas , Saewe Jasmin , Krull Hans-Günter , Richert Svenja , Weiland Peter , Nerzak Thomas , Eibl Florian , Pastors Felix
Published: August 2022

The public funded project “AddSteel” aims to develop functionally adapted steel materials for additive manufacturing (AM). Based on the AM process laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), the holistic process chain, including alloy design, powder atomization, AM, and postheat treatment, is considered to achieve this objective. Tool steels are usually characterized by higher carbon content and limited weldability, leading to limited processability for LPBF. To extend these limitations, different approaches for tool steels are investigated: for high‐carbon tool steels, the effects of lower martensite start temperature are investigated using the alloy 1.2842 as an example. A low martensite start temperature seems to be advantageous for crack‐free processing with LPBF. In order to avoid a high hardness level after rapid cooling, the use of a hot work steel with a carbon content of 0.2 wt% is investigated. Due to the chemical composition of the material, a moderate preheating temperature <300 °C is required. In addition, very high scanning speeds are possible with an improved shielding gas flow. Finally, the experience along the process chain with the standard steels is used for a modification of the alloy 1.2344. The effects of this modification on AM and heat treatment are investigated.
Enhanced Toughness of High‐Temperature Carburizing Gear Steel via Refining Twin Martensite and Retained Austenite by Nb Microalloying
Authors: He Guoning , Wan Shiqi , Jiang Bo , Wang Zhilin , Liu Yazheng , Wu Chunjing
Published: August 2022

High‐temperature carburizing technology is replacing traditional carburizing technology due to energy savings and emission reductions. However, further effort is required to understand the mechanical properties for practical high‐temperature carburizing. Herein, the microstructures and mechanical properties of the 20MnCr5 gear steel with different Nb contents after carburizing at the temperature from 900 to 950 °C and the corresponding holding time from 8 to 5 h are investigated. For a given steel, the toughness slightly decreases with the carburizing temperature because of the increase of prior austenite grain size. For high‐temperature carburizing, the impact energy increases from 45.9 to 84 J after Nb microalloying. The toughening mechanism is analyzed through theoretical discussion and various characterizations of fracture morphology and microstructure. It is indicated that the refinement of prior austenite grain caused by the solute drag effect of Nb leads to the refinement of acicular martensite and retained austenite. The combined effect of microstructure refinement results in the significant enhancement of impact toughness and accompanies by coordinated plastic deformation. The fracture spreads along the martensite blocks due to the decrease in the thickness of twin lamellas in acicular martensite, which also contributes to the enhancement of toughness.
A Novel Mesh‐Based Equivalent Magnetic Network for Deep Saturation Region of Permanent Magnet Machine
Authors: Zheng Junming , Feng Li , Zhang Bingyi , Cai Zhiyuan
Published: August 2022

Partial deep saturation of magnetic circuit is common in short‐term working permanent magnet (PM) machines in aviation, aerospace, new energy power generation and other fields. In order to accurately calculate the electromagnetic characteristics of the short‐term working machine, a novel mesh‐based equivalent magnetic network for the deep saturation region is proposed. Firstly, the deep saturation mechanism of the magnetic circuit of short‐term working motor is analyzed, and the deep saturation region is determined; Secondly, a Pointy topped hexagonal segmentation approach (PT‐HSA) grid generation method is proposed to effectively simulate complex magnetic flux paths. The PT‐HSA grid division and node compilation rules were analyzed in detail. In addition, a nonlinear magnetic network model based on reluctance grid model and equivalent magnetic circuit model is established. Compared with the quadrilateral segmentation approach (QSA) model, the calculation results of PT‐HSA model are closer to the finite element simulation results in the loading and instantaneous compensation conditions. Finally, an experimental platform is built, and the accuracy of the PT‐HSA magnetic network model is verified by the experimental results. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Relative importance of genotype, gene expression, and DNA methylation on complex traits in perennial ryegrass
Authors: Malinowska Marta , Ruud Anja Karine , Jensen Just , Svane Simon Fiil , Smith Abraham George , Bellucci Andrea , Lenk Ingo , Nagy Istvan , Fois Mattia , Didion Thomas , Thorup‐Kristensen Kristian , Jensen Christian Sig , Asp Torben
Published: August 2022

The growing demand for food and feed crops in the world because of growing population and more extreme weather events requires high‐yielding and resilient crops. Many agriculturally important traits are polygenic, controlled by multiple regulatory layers, and with a strong interaction with the environment. In this study, 120 F2 families of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were grown across a water gradient in a semifield facility with subsoil irrigation. Genomic (single‐nucleotide polymorphism [SNP]), transcriptomic (gene expression [GE]), and DNA methylomic (MET) data were integrated with feed quality trait data collected from control and drought sections in the semifield facility, providing a treatment effect. Deep root length (DRL) below 110 cm was assessed with convolutional neural network image analysis. Bayesian prediction models were used to partition phenotypic variance into its components and evaluated the proportion of phenotypic variance in all traits captured by different regulatory layers (SNP, GE, and MET). The spatial effects and effects of SNP, GE, MET, the interaction between GE and MET (GE × MET) and GE × treatment (GEControl and GEDrought) interaction were investigated. Gene expression explained a substantial part of the genetic and spatial variance for all the investigated phenotypes, whereas MET explained residual variance not accounted for by SNPs or GE. For DRL, MET also contributed to explaining spatial variance. The study provides a statistically elegant analytical paradigm that integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and MET information to understand the regulatory mechanisms of polygenic effects for complex traits.
Home EEG sleep assessment shows reduced slow‐wave sleep in mild–moderate Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kent Brianne A. , Casciola Amelia A. , Carlucci Sebastiano K. , Chen Meghan , Stager Sam , Mirian Maryam S. , Slack Penelope , Valerio Jason , McKeown Martin J. , Feldman Howard H. , Nygaard Haakon B.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Sleep disturbances are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD), with estimates of prevalence as high as 65%. Recent work suggests that specific sleep stages, such as slow‐wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM), may directly impact AD pathophysiology. A major limitation to sleep staging is the requirement for clinical polysomnography (PSG), which is often not well tolerated in patients with dementia. We have recently developed a deep learning model to reliably analyze lower quality electroencephalogram (EEG) data obtained from a simple, two‐lead EEG headband. Here we assessed whether this methodology would allow for home EEG sleep staging in patients with mild–moderate AD.

Methods

A total of 26 mild–moderate AD patients and 24 age‐matched, healthy control participants underwent home EEG sleep recordings as well as actigraphy and subjective sleep measures through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Each participant wore the EEG headband for up to three nights. Sleep was staged using a deep learning model previously developed by our group, and sleep stages were correlated with actigraphy measures as well as PSQI scores.

Results

We show that home EEG with a headband is feasible and well tolerated in patients with AD. Patients with mild–moderate AD were found to spend less time in SWS compared to healthy control participants. Other sleep stages were not different between the two groups. Actigraphy or the PSQI were not found to predict home EEG sleep stages.

Discussion

Our data show that home EEG is well tolerated, and can ascertain reduced SWS in patients with mild–moderate AD. Similar findings have previously been reported, but using clinical PSG not suitable for the home environment. Home EEG will be particularly useful in future clinical trials assessing potential interventions that may target specific sleep stages to alter the pathogenesis of AD.

Highlights

Home electroencephalogram (EEG) sleep assessments are important for measuring sleep in patients with dementia because polysomnography is a limited resource not well tolerated in this patient population.

Simplified at‐home EEG for sleep assessment is feasible in patients with mild–moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Patients with mild–moderate AD exhibit less time spent in slow‐wave sleep in the home environment, compared to healthy control participants.

Compared to healthy control participants, patients with mild–moderate AD spend more time in bed, with decreased sleep efficiency, and more awakenings as measured by actigraphy, but these measures do not correlate with EEG sleep stages.
Standardization and quality control of Doppler and fetal biometric ultrasound measurements in low‐income setting
Authors: Ali S. , Byamugisha J. , Kawooya M. G. , Kakibogo I. M. , Ainembabazi I. , Biira E. A. , Kagimu A. N. , Migisa A. , Munyakazi M. , Kuniha S. , Scheele C. , Papageorghiou A. T. , Klipstein‐Grobusch K. , Rijken M. J.
Published: August 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the quality of fetal biometry and pulsed‐wave Doppler ultrasound measurements in a prospective cohort study in Uganda.

Methods

This was an ancillary study of the Ending Preventable Stillbirths by Improving Diagnosis of Babies at Risk (EPID) project, in which women enroled in early pregnancy underwent Doppler and fetal biometric assessment at 32–40 weeks of gestation. Sonographers undertook 6 weeks of training followed by onsite refresher training and audit exercises. A total of 125 images for each of the umbilical artery (UA), fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA), left and right uterine arteries (UtA), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were selected randomly from the EPID study database and evaluated independently by two experts in a blinded fashion using objective scoring criteria. Inter‐rater agreement was assessed using modified Fleiss' kappa for nominal variables and systematic errors were explored using quantile–quantile (Q–Q) plots.

Results

For Doppler measurements, 96.8% of the UA images, 84.8% of the MCA images and 93.6% of the right UtA images were classified as of acceptable quality by both reviewers. For fetal biometry, 96.0% of the HC images, 96.0% of the AC images and 88.0% of the FL images were considered acceptable by both reviewers. The kappa values for inter‐rater reliability of quality assessment were 0.94 (95% CI, 0.87–0.99) for the UA, 0.71 (95% CI, 0.58–0.82) for the MCA, 0.87 (95% CI, 0.78–0.95) for the right UtA, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.87–0.98) for the HC, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.87–0.98) for the AC and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.66–0.88) for the FL measurements. The Q–Q plots indicated no influence of systematic bias in the measurements.

Conclusions

Training local healthcare providers to perform Doppler ultrasound, and implementing quality control systems and audits using objective scoring tools in clinical and research settings, is feasible in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Although we did not assess the impact of in‐service retraining offered to practitioners deviating from prescribed standards, such interventions should enhance the quality of ultrasound measurements and should be investigated in future studies. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Fatigue design sensitivities of large monopile offshore wind turbines
Authors: Sørum Stian H. , Katsikogiannis George , Bachynski‐Polić Erin E. , Amdahl Jørgen , Page Ana M. , Klinkvort Rasmus T.
Published: August 2022

The input for fatigue analyses of offshore wind turbines is typically chosen based on design values provided by design standards. While this provides a straightforward design methodology, the contribution of different input parameters to the uncertainty in the fatigue damage estimates is usually unknown. This knowledge is important to have when improving current designs and methodologies, and the parameters governing the uncertainty is typically found through a sensitivity analysis. Several sensitivity studies have been performed for monopile‐based offshore wind turbines, typically focusing on specific turbines and engineering disciplines. This paper performs a sensitivity study for three monopile‐based offshore wind turbines (5 MW, 10 MW, 15 MW) using parameters from several engineering disciplines. The results show that the fatigue utilization is primarily governed by the uncertainty in the SN curves and fatigue capacity. Following this, the uncertainty in the environmental conditions is the dominating uncertainty, with wind loads becoming increasingly important as turbine size increases. Additionally, the effect of modelling uncertainties is investigated. The wind‐related model uncertainties dominate in the tower top, while uncertainties in the wave and soil models dominate in the tower base and monopile. Designers wanting to reduce the uncertainty in a design are recommended to focus on the environmental conditions, and using as accurate models as possible. All modelling uncertainties are significant, but research should particularly be focused on wave directionality and soil models.
Climate-Smart Forestry Case Study: Czech Republic
Authors: Cienciala Emil
Published: August 2022

Forestry in the Czech Republic is facing a historically unprecedented, mostly drought-induced decline in spruce-dominated stands, accompanied by an extensive bark beetle infestation that has spread across most of the country. As a result, the share of sanitary felling has dramatically increased, driving the total harvest to record-high levels in recent years. As a result, current forest management in the country practically resembles a crisis management dealing dominantly with unplanned disturbances. The Czech case shows clearly the essential, non-separable linkage between forest adaptation and mitigation––a simple recognition that, without adaptation, there is no mitigation. It also demonstrates the importance of tailoring the general climate smart forestry approach to regional circumstances. The current priorities of Czech forestry must be to halt forest decline, restore the lost vegetation cover on clearcut soils, and intensify adaptive management in order to create resilient forest ecosystems than can cope better with changing climate and extreme climate events.
Climate-Smart Forestry Case Study: Spain
Authors: Górriz-Mifsud Elena , Ameztegui Aitor , González Jose Ramón , Trasobares Antoni
Published: August 2022

In Spain, 55% of land area is covered by forests and other woodlands. Broadleaves occupy a predominant position (56%), followed by conifers (37%) and mixed stands (7%). Forest are distributed among the Atlantic (north-western Iberian rim), Mediterranean (rest of the peninsula including the Balearic Islands) and Macaronesian (Canary Islands) climate zones. Spanish woodlands provide a multiplicity of provisioning ecosystem services, such as, wood, cork, pine nuts, mushrooms and truffles. In terms of habitat services, biodiversity is highly relevant. Cultural services are mainly recreational and tourism, the latter being a crucial economic sector in Spain (including rural and ecotourism). Regulatory services, such as erosion control, water availability, flood and wildfire risk reduction, are of such great importance that related forest zoning and consequent legislation were established already in the eighteenth century. Climate change in Southern Europe is forecast to involve an increase in temperature, reduction in precipitation and increase in aridity. As a result, the risks for natural disturbances are expected to increase. Of these, forest fires usually have the greatest impact on ecosystems in Spain. In 2010–2019, the average annual forest surface area affected by fire was 95,065 ha. The combination of extreme climatic conditions (drought, wind) and the large proportion of unmanaged forests presents a big challenge for the future. Erosion is another relevant risk. In the case of fire, mitigation strategies should combine modification of the land use at the landscape level, in order to generate mosaics that will create barriers to the spread of large fires, along with stand-level prevention measures to either slow the spread of surface fires or, more importantly, impede the possibility of fire crowning or disrupt its spread. Similarly, forest management can play a major role in mitigating the impact of drought on a forest. According to the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) accounting, Spanish forests absorbed 11% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. Investments in climate-smart forestry provide opportunities for using all the different parts of the Spanish forest-based sector for climate mitigation––forest sinks, the substitution of wood raw materials and products for fossil materials, and the storage of carbon in wood products. Moreover, this approach simultaneously helps to advance the adaptation of the forest to changing climate and to build forest resilience.
Carbon Sequestration and Storage in European Forests
Authors: Kilpeläinen Antti , Peltola Heli
Published: August 2022

European forests have been acting as a significant carbon sink for the last few decades. However, there are significant distinctions among the forest carbon sinks in different parts of Europe due to differences in the area and structure of the forests, and the harvesting intensity of these. In many European countries, the forest area has increased through natural forest expansion and the afforestation of low-productivity agricultural lands. Changing environmental conditions and improved forest management practices have also increased the carbon sequestration and storage in forests in different regions. The future development of carbon sequestration and storage in European forests will be affected both by the intensity of forest management and harvesting (related to future wood demand) and the severity of climate change and the associated increase in natural forest disturbances. Climate change may also affect the carbon dynamics of forests in different ways, depending on geographical region. Therefore, many uncertainties exist in the future development of carbon sequestration and storage in European forests, and their contribution to climate change mitigation. The demand for multiple ecosystem services, and differences in national and international strategies and policies (e.g. the European Green Deal, climate and biodiversity policies), may also affect the future development of carbon sinks in European forests.
Climate-Change Mitigation in the Forest-Based Sector: A Holistic View
Authors: Hurmekoski Elias , Kilpeläinen Antti , Seppälä Jyri
Published: August 2022

Forests and wood use can contribute to climate-change mitigation by enhancing carbon sinks through afforestation, reforestation and improved forest management, by maintaining carbon stocks through natural or anthropogenic disturbance prevention, by increasing offsite carbon stocks, and through material and energy substitution by changing the industry production structure and enhancing resource efficiency. As forests grow fairly slowly in Europe, increasing the wood harvesting intensity decreases the carbon stocks in aboveground biomass, at least in the short to medium term (0–50 years) compared to a baseline harvest regime. The key issue is the time frame in which the decreased carbon stock in forests can be compensated for by improved forest growth resulting from improved forest management and the benefits related to wood utilisation. Thus, there is a need to address potential trade-offs between the short- to medium-term and the long-term (50+ years) net emissions. An optimal strategy needs to be tailored based also on regional specificities related to, for example, local climatic and site conditions, the state of the forests, the institutional setting and the industry structures. This chapter presents a way to assess the effectiveness of forest-sector climate-change mitigation strategies across different contexts and time horizons, combining the climate impacts of forests and the wood utilisation of the technosphere. We identify potential ‘no-regret’ mitigation pathways with minimum trade-offs, and conclude with the research and policy implications.
Scattering strings off quantum extremal surfaces
Authors: Chandrasekaran Venkatesa , Faulkner Thomas , Levine Adam
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We consider a Hayden & Preskill like setup for both maximally chaotic and sub-maximally chaotic quantum field theories. We act on the vacuum with an operator in a Rindler like wedge R and transfer a small subregion I of R to the other wedge. The chaotic scrambling dynamics of the QFT Rindler time evolution reveals the information in the other wedge. The holographic dual of this process involves a particle excitation falling into the bulk and crossing into the entanglement wedge of the complement to r = R\I. With the goal of studying the locality of the emergent holographic theory we compute various quantum information measures on the boundary that tell us when the particle has entered this entanglement wedge. In a maximally chaotic theory, these measures indicate a sharp transition where the particle enters the wedge exactly when the insertion is null separated from the quantum extremal surface for r. For sub-maximally chaotic theories, we find a smoothed crossover at a delayed time given in terms of the smaller Lyapunov exponent and dependent on the time-smearing scale of the probe excitation. The information quantities that we consider include the full vacuum modular energy R\I as well as the fidelity between the state with the particle and the state without. Along the way, we find a new explicit formula for the modular Hamiltonian of two intervals in an arbitrary 1+1 dimensional CFT to leading order in the small cross ratio limit. We also give an explicit calculation of the Regge limit of the modular flowed chaos correlator and find examples which do not saturate the modular chaos bound. Finally, we discuss the extent to which our results reveal properties of the target of the probe excitation as a “stringy quantum extremal surface” or simply quantify the probe itself thus giving a new approach to studying the notion of longitudinal string spreading.
Bootstrapping pions at large N
Authors: Albert Jan , Rastelli Leonardo
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We revisit from a modern bootstrap perspective the longstanding problem of solving QCD in the large N limit. We derive universal bounds on the effective field theory of massless pions by imposing the full set of positivity constraints that follow from 2 → 2 scattering. Some features of our exclusion plots have intriguing connections with hadronic phenomenology. The exclusion boundary exhibits a sharp kink, raising the tantalizing scenario that large N QCD may sit at this kink. We critically examine this possibility, developing in the process a partial analytic understanding of the geometry of the bounds.
Branching Brownian Motion with Self-Repulsion
Authors: Bovier Anton , Hartung Lisa
Published: August 2022

We consider a model of branching Brownian motion with self-repulsion. Self-repulsion is introduced via a change of measure that penalises particles spending time in an $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
-neighbourhood of each other. We derive a simplified version of the model where only branching events are penalised. This model is almost exactly solvable, and we derive a precise description of the particle numbers and branching times. In the limit of weak penalty, an interesting universal time-inhomogeneous branching process emerges. The position of the maximum is governed by a F-KPP type reaction-diffusion equation with a time-dependent reaction term.
Macroscopic X-ray computed tomography aided numerical modelling of moisture flow in sawn timber
Authors: Florisson Sara , Hansson Lars , Couceiro José , Sandberg Dick
Published: August 2022

Mathematical models are essential for the development of schedules for the air-circulation drying of timber in Swedish sawmills, but earlier models have been shown to be conservative leading to longer drying times than necessary. In the current study, macroscopic (macro) X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been used in both the development and validation of a finite element (FE) model, to enable the macro-CT aided FE modelling of the nonlinear transient moisture flow in wood. The model uses more advanced theory than has previously been used in Swedish sawmills, by incorporating a surface emission coefficient to simulate the surface resistance to moisture flow. A single piece of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] timber was subjected to that part of a traditional kiln-drying schedule, which is associated with diffusion-driven moisture transport. The incorporation of macro-CT data into the FE model resulted in a more realistic representation of the board’s geometry, the initial moisture state, and the definition of material parameters. It also led to a better simulation of flow speed and moisture gradient, especially the asymmetric MC development within the cross section throughout the drying process.
The potential of mineral weathering of halophilic-endophytic bacteria isolated from Suaeda salsa and Spartina anglica
Authors: Xi Jun , Qian Kaiqiang , Shan Lidong , Huang Jing , Yan Yanan
Published: August 2022

Bacteria have the abilities of salt tolerant, mineral weathering and plant growth promoting can promote the growth of plants in saline lands. However, few reports of the mineral weathering capacity of halophilic-endophytic bacteria, raising the question of whether the halophilic-endophytic weathering bacteria are fundamentally distinct from those in plants communities. In this study, we isolated and characterized halophilic bacterial strains from the roots and leaves of Suaeda salsa and Spartina anglica with respect to their mineral weathering pattern, role in the promoting plant growth, community structure, and their changes in these two plants. Using improved Gibbson medium, we obtained 156 halophilic bacterial strains, among which 92 and 64 strains were isolated from the S. salsa and S. anglica samples, respectively. The rock weathering patterns of the isolates were characterized using batch cultures that measure the quantity of Si, Al, K, and Fe released from crystal biotite under aerobic conditions. Significantly, the biomass and capacity of the mineral weathering of the halophilic-endophytic bacteria were different in the plants. The abundance of the halophilic-endophytic bacterials in the Suaeda salsa was significantly greater than Spartina anglica, whereas the mineral weathering bacterial in the Suaeda salsa was similar to the Spartina anglica. Furthermore, the proportion of plant growth-promoting bacteria in the Suaeda salsa was higher than Spartina anglica. Phylogenetic analyses show that the weathered minerals were inhabited by specific functional groups of bacteria (Halomonas, Acinetobacter, Burkholderia, Alcaligenes, Sphingobium, Arthrobacter, Chryseobacterium, Paenibacillus, Microbacterium, Ensifer, Ralstonia and Enterobacter) that contribute to the mineral weathering. The changes in halophilic endophytes weathering communities between the two plants were attributable not only to major bacterial groups but also to a change in the minor population structure.
Short‐Term Outcomes of Tri‐Staple Versus Universal Staple in Laparoscopic Anterior Resection of Rectal and Distal Sigmoid Colonic Cancer: A Matched‐Pair Analysis
Authors: Sun Qiang , Wang Anqi , Wei Shuxun , Huang Yu , Lu Hao , Hu Zhiqian , Zhou Haiyang
Published: August 2022

Background

Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication in laparoscopic colorectal surgeries. To resolve this problem, a new stapling technology (Tri‐staple) is developed. In this study, we aim to compare the short‐term outcomes of Tri‐staple versus Universal staple in laparoscopic anterior resection of rectal and distal sigmoid colonic cancer.

Methods

A total of 446 patients were admitted to our hospital and received laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal and distal sigmoid colonic cancer between January 2016 and December 2020. Among them, Tri‐staples were used in 202 patients, and the Universal staples were used in 244 patients. Propensity score matching was performed, followed by a comparison between the two groups (Tri‐staple vs. Universal staple) in the incidences of anastomotic leakage, bleeding, and reoperation.

Results

In total, 270 patients were included in this retrospective cohort study by the propensity score matching, with each group having 135 patients. Tri‐staple group had a significant lower incidence of anastomotic leakage compared with the Universal staple group (4.44% vs. 11.11%, P < 0.05). The reoperation rate was also lower in Tri‐staple group than the Universal staple group (3.70% vs. 8.15%, P < 0.05). The anastomotic bleeding rates, average postoperative hospital stay, average drain indwelling period, and average fasting period had no statistical differences between the two groups.

Conclusion

The usage of Tri‐staple in laparoscopic anterior resection of rectal and distal sigmoid colonic cancer is associated with lower postoperative complications compared with Universal staple. Future high‐quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.