bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in end stage liver and renal disease
Authors: Caughron Hope , Parikh Devang , Allison Zev , Deuse Tobias , Mahadevan Vaikom S.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

This study evaluates in‐hospital, 30‐day, and 1‐year outcomes post‐transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in end stage liver disease (ESLD) and/or end stage renal disease (ESRD) compared with patients without these comorbidities.

Background

TAVR is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with ESLD and ESRD, though current outcomes data are limited.

Methods

We compared 309 patients (N = 29 ESLD and/or ESRD, N = 280 control) age > 18 who underwent transfemoral TAVR from 2014 to 2020 have been compared.

Results

Patients with ESLD and ESRD were younger (69.9 ± 11.7 vs. 79.1 ± 9.8, p < .01) with higher STS‐PROM scores (8.1 ± 6.7 vs. 4.6 ± 3.9, p < .01). ESRD and ESLD patients had similar rates of in‐hospital major vascular complications (3.4% vs. 3.2%, p = .96), major bleeding events (3.4% vs. 3.2%, p = .95), and mortality (0.0% vs. 1.8%, p = .47). Mortality rates were similar at 30‐days (3.4% vs. 2.1%, p = .65) with trend to higher mortality at 6‐months (6.9% vs. 3.2%, p = .31) and 1‐year (15.4% vs. 7.0%, p = .13). Readmission rates were higher in the ESLD and ESRD cohort at 6‐months (53.2% vs. 28.6%, p < .01) and 1‐year (65.4% vs. 41.0%, p = .02). One patient received dual kidney–liver transplant, 1 patient received a liver transplant, and 7 additional patients were listed for transplant.

Conclusion

Patients with ESLD and/or ESRD who underwent TAVR had similar mortality at discharge and 30‐days compared with patients without these comorbidities with a trend toward increased mortality at 1‐year. This study suggests that TAVR is an option for aortic valve disease patients with ESRD and/or ESLD in order to remove cardiac barriers to liver or kidney transplant.
A High‐Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitor Based on Tungsten Oxide Nanoplates and Highly Reduced Graphene Oxide Electrodes
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad , Shah Syed Shaheen , Khan Ibrahim , Aziz Md. Abdul , Ullah Nisar , Khan Mujeeb , Adil Syed Farooq , Liaqat Zainab , Usman Muhammad , Tremel Wolfgang , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz
Published: February 2021

Tungsten oxide/graphene hybrid materials are attractive semiconductors for energy‐related applications. Herein, we report an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC, HRG//m‐WO3 ASC), fabricated from monoclinic tungsten oxide (m‐WO3) nanoplates as a negative electrode and highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) as a positive electrode material. The supercapacitor performance of the prepared electrodes was evaluated in an aqueous electrolyte (1 m H2SO4) using three‐ and two‐electrode systems. The HRG//m‐WO3 ASC exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 389 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1, with an associated high energy density of 93 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 500 W kg−1 in a wide 1.6 V operating potential window. In addition, the HRG//m‐WO3 ASC displays long‐term cycling stability, maintaining 92 % of the original specific capacitance after 5000 galvanostatic charge–discharge cycles. The m‐WO3 nanoplates were prepared hydrothermally while HRG was synthesized by a modified Hummers method.
Absolute configuration of seco‐eudesmanolide inuloxin D from experimental and predicted chiroptical studies of its 4‐O‐acetyl derivative
Authors: Johnson Jordan L. , Santoro Ernesto , Zatout Roukia , Petrovic Ana G. , Cimmino Alessio , Superchi Stefano , Evidente Antonio , Berova Nina D. , Polavarapu Prasad L.
Published: February 2021

Sesquitepenoids inuloxins A–D, belonging to different subgroups, were isolated from Dittrichia viscosa and showed potential biocontrol of some parasitic plants as Pelipanche, Orobanche, and Cuscuta species. The absolute configurations of the first three inuloxins A–C were previously determined by using experimental and computational chiroptical spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of inuloxin D remains to be established. The bioactive inuloxin E, closely related to inuloxin D, was recently isolated from the same plant organic extract. The same relative configuration of inuloxin D was assigned to inuloxin E by comparison of their NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of inuloxin D and inuloxin E are suggested in this work by analysis of the experimental and predicted chiroptical properties of the 4‐O‐acetyl derivative of inuloxin D.
Multivariate functional response low‐rank regression with an application to brain imaging data
Authors: Ding Xiucai , Yu Dengdeng , Zhang Zhengwu , Kong Dehan
Published: February 2021

We propose a multivariate functional response low‐rank regression model with possible high‐dimensional functional responses and scalar covariates. By expanding the slope functions on a set of sieve bases, we reconstruct the basis coefficients as a matrix. To estimate these coefficients, we propose an efficient procedure using nuclear norm regularization. We also derive error bounds for our estimates and evaluate our method using simulations. We further apply our method to the Human Connectome Project neuroimaging data to predict cortical surface motor task‐evoked functional magnetic resonance imaging signals using various clinical covariates to illustrate the usefulness of our results.
Cardiac amyloidosis‐A review of current literature for the practicing physician
Authors: Ash Samantha , Shorer Eran , Ramgobin Devyani , Vo Maique , Gibbons Jonathan , Golamari Reshma , Jain Rahul , Jain Rohit
Published: February 2021

The amyloidoses are a family of diseases in which misfolded precursor proteins aggregate to form amyloid and deposit in body tissues. A very serious yet underrecognized form of this disease is cardiac amyloidosis, in which amyloid deposits into the extracellular space of the myocardium, resulting in thickening and stiffening of ventricular walls with resultant heart failure and conductive dysfunction. This review provides a discussion of the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of cardiac amyloidosis subtypes, as well as an up‐to‐date approach to diagnosis and treatment. Significant progress has been made in recent years regarding diagnosis and treatment of this condition, but prognosis remains heavily reliant on early detection of the disease. Two types of precursor protein are responsible for most cardiac amyloidosis cases: transthyretin amyloid, and immunoglobulin‐derived light chain amyloid. An early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis can allow for novel treatment modalities to be initiated with the potential to improve prognosis.
Multilevel barriers to communication in pediatric oncology: Clinicians' perspectives
Authors: Sisk Bryan A. , Friedrich Annie B. , Kaye Erica C. , Baker Justin N. , Mack Jennifer W. , DuBois James M.
Published: February 2021

Background

Communication serves several functions in pediatric oncology, but communication deficiencies persist. Little is known about the broad spectrum of barriers contributing to these deficiencies. Identifying these barriers will support new strategies to improve communication.

Methods

The authors performed 10 focus groups on perceived communication barriers with nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, and psychosocial professionals across 2 academic institutions. They analyzed transcripts by adapting a multilevel framework from organizational psychology.

Results

The authors identified 6 levels of barriers to communication from the clinicians' perspectives: individual, team, organization, collaborating hospital, community, and policy. Individual barriers were subdivided into clinician characteristics, family characteristics, or characteristics of the clinician‐family interaction. Within each level and sublevel, several manifestations of barriers were identified. Some barriers, such as a lack of comfort with difficult topics (individual), cultural differences (individual), a lack of a shared team mental model (team), and time pressure (organization), manifested similarly across professions and institutions. Other barriers, such as a need for boundaries (individual), intimidation or embarrassment of family (individual), unclear roles and authority (team), and excessive logistical requirements (policy), manifested differently across professions. With the exception of collaborating hospitals, participants from all professions identified barriers from each level. Physicians did not discuss collaborating hospital barriers.

Conclusions

Nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, and psychosocial professionals experience communication barriers at multiple levels, which range from individual‐ to policy‐level barriers. Yet their unique clinical roles and duties can lead to different manifestations of some barriers. This multilevel framework might help clinicians and researchers to identify targets for interventions to improve communication experiences for families in pediatric oncology.

Lay Summary

Clinicians and families experience many barriers to communication in pediatric oncology.

The authors performed 10 focus groups with 59 clinicians who cared for children with cancer. In these focus groups, barriers to effective communication were discussed.

In this article, the authors report on an analysis of the responses. Six levels of barriers to communication were found: individual, team, organization, collaborating hospital, community, and policy.

With an understanding of these barriers, interventions can be developed to target these barriers in hopes of improving communication for parents and patients in pediatric oncology.
A highly parallel simulation of patient‐specific hepatic flows
Authors: Lin Zeng , Chen Rongliang , Gao Beibei , Qin Shanlin , Wu Bokai , Liu Jia , Cai Xiao‐Chuan
Published: February 2021

Computational hemodynamics is being developed as an alternative approach for assisting clinical diagnosis and treatment planning for liver diseases. The technology is non‐invasive, but the computational time could be high when the full geometry of the blood vessels is taken into account. Existing approaches use either one‐dimensional model of the artery or simplified three‐dimensional tubular geometry in order to reduce the computational time, but the accuracy is sometime compromised, for example, when simulating blood flows in arteries with plaque. In this work, we study a highly parallel method for the transient incompressible Navier–Stokes equations for the simulation of the blood flows in the full three‐dimensional patient‐specific hepatic artery, portal vein and hepatic vein. As applications, we also simulate the flow in a patient with hepatectomy and calculate the S (PPG). One of the advantages of simulating blood flows in all hepatic vessels is that it provides a direct estimate of the PPG, which is a gold standard value to assess the portal hypertension. Moreover, the robustness and scalability of the algorithm are also investigated. A 83% parallel efficiency is achieved for solving a problem with 7 million elements on a supercomputer with more than 1000 processor cores.
An efficient trust‐based secure energy‐aware clustering to mitigate trust distortion attack in mobile ad‐hoc network
Authors: Rajeswari Alagan Ramasamy , Ganapathy Sannasi , Kulothungan Kanagasabai , Kannan Arputharaj
Published: February 2021

Trust‐aware clustering plays a vital role in addressing the security issues faced by mobile ad‐hoc networks (MANETs). The trust worthiness of each participated node is to be estimated for ensuring the secure communications in MANETs. In this article, we propose a new trust‐based secure energy‐aware clustering (TSEAC) model to mitigate the malicious nodes from the network and form secure energy aware clusters with a cluster head which is more stable and trustworthy. Moreover, two novel algorithms namely energy‐efficient trust‐aware secure clustering algorithm and filtering untrustworthy recommendation (FUR) algorithm are proposed in this work. Here, the trust value of a node is measured by both direct trust estimation and indirect trust estimation methods using the Beta distribution technique. The trust value of the node is estimated in terms of the behavior of the node. The role of the FUR algorithm is to enhance the clustering process by mitigating the trust‐distortion attack. Thus, from the simulation results it is observed that the proposed work, TSEAC outperforms in improving the lifetime of the network by 38% than the other existing work such as CBTRP, AOTDV, and CBRP. Furthermore, TSEAC shows an improvement of 20% to 24% when compared to CBTRP, 27% to 31% in contrast to AOTDV and 35% to 42% superior to CBRP in terms of packet delivery ratio. Similarly, TSEAC shows 22% to 26%, 28% to 33%, and 34% to 38% better throughput in contrast to CBTRP, AOTDV, and CBRP, respectively.
A new diagonal storage for efficient implementation of sparse matrix–vector multiplication on graphics processing unit
Authors: He Guixia , Chen Qi , Gao Jiaquan
Published: February 2021

The sparse matrix–vector multiplication (SpMV) is of great importance in computational science. For multidiagonal sparse matrices that have many long zero sections or scatter points, a great number of zeros are filled to maintain the diagonal structure when using the popular DIA format to store them. This leads to the performance degradation of the DIA kernel. To alleviate the drawback of DIA, we present a novel diagonal storage format, called RBDCS (diagonal compressed storage based on row‐blocks), for multidiagonal sparse matrices, and thus propose an efficient SpMV kernel that corresponds to RBDCS. Given that the RBDCS kernel codes must be manually rewritten for different multidiagonal sparse matrices, a code generator is presented to automatically generate RBDCS kernel codes. Experimental results show that the proposed RBDCS kernel is effective, and outperforms HYBMV in the CUSPARSE library, and three popular diagonal SpMV kernels: DIA, HDI, and CRSD.
Structural and Spectroscopic Properties of Benzoylpyridine‐Based Hydrazones
Authors: Mravec Bernard , Marini Anna , Tommasini Matteo , Filo Juraj , Cigáň Marek , Mantero Mariachiara , Tosi Silvano , Canepa Maurizio , Bianco Andrea
Published: February 2021

Photochromic hydrazones are attracting the attention in the field of photochromic systems especially due to their P‐type character. To understand the structural features and their correlation with the spectroscopic data, UV‐Vis, vibrational and ellipsometry spectroscopic techniques are employed with the support of density functional theory (DFT) calculations to three hydrazone derivatives based on benzoylpyridine. Interestingly, analysis of the structure shows the presence of two distinct rotamers around the pyridine ring with different energy and the well‐defined conjugation path that changes due to E to Z isomerization especially in the hydrazone −C=N−NH part of the skeleton. IR and Raman spectra are analyzed, showing a higher selectivity in the Z form; moreover, the comparison with the normal modes proves the effect of the reaction on the backbone structure. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions, especially in the case of the Raman spectrum. The molecular polarization also changes from E to Z forms as predicted by DFT calculations. Spectroscopic ellipsometry on thin films of TOPAS doped with 10 %wt of the dimethylamino hydrazone derivative is used to prove such change at the molecular level. A modulation of the refractive index is observed, and it is correlated with the concentration of the active moiety and the calculated electronic polarizabilities.
A Facile One‐Pot Synthesis of Hierarchically Organized Carbon/TiO2 Monoliths with Ordered Mesopores
Authors: Schoiber Jürgen , Koczwara Christian , Rumswinkel Simon , Whitmore Lawrence , Prehal Christian , Putz Florian , Elsaesser Michael S. , Paris Oskar , Hüsing Nicola
Published: February 2021

Sol–gel processing combined with soft templating and gelation‐induced phase separation is very sensitive to the precursor sol composition. In this work we present a straightforward synthesis towards hierarchically structured, macroporous carbon/titania monoliths with ordered mesopores derived from resorcinol/formaldehyde monoliths and a glycolated titanium precursor. We demonstrate the influence of various reaction solvents, where diol‐based media and the proportion of the catalyst seem to be essential in controlling spinodal decomposition, obtaining similar monolithic structures under different synthesis conditions. Based on these observations, we further homogeneously incorporated TiO2 into the carbon structure by an in situ synthesis approach, obtaining structural features similar to pure carbon materials with surface areas of about 400 m2 g−1, periodically arranged mesopores with a mean distance of 10–11 nm and cellular macroporosity.
Low satisfaction with normative life domains in adolescents with anorexia nervosa
Authors: van Doornik Sanne F. W. , Ostafin Brian D. , Jonker Nienke C. , Glashouwer Klaske A. , de Jong Peter J.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Low satisfaction with normative life domains might be an important factor in the persistence of anorexia nervosa (AN). Initial evidence in non‐clinical samples showed that lower satisfaction with normative life domains was related to more intense eating disorder symptoms. As a critical next step, the current study examined satisfaction with normative life domains in a clinical sample. Specifically, the present study tested whether adolescents with AN reported lower satisfaction with normative life domains than adolescents without an eating disorder.

Method

Adolescents with AN (n = 69) and adolescents without an eating disorder matched on age, gender and educational level (n = 69) completed the Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale to assess satisfaction with five life domains (family, friendships, school, self and living location) and life in general.

Results

Adolescents with AN reported significantly lower satisfaction with normative life domains than the comparison group. Subsequent analyses showed that this overall group difference was primarily driven by adolescents with AN reporting lower satisfaction with the self, school experience and life in general.

Conclusions

Findings supported the hypothesis that adolescents with AN show relatively low satisfaction with meaningful, non‐AN‐related life domains. This points to the potential relevance of enhancing satisfaction with specific life domains to optimize treatment effectiveness.
Investigating expressed emotion in individuals at‐risk of developing psychosis and their families over 12 months
Authors: Izon Emma , Berry Katherine , Wearden Alison , Carter Lesley‐Anne , Law Heather , French Paul
Published: February 2021

High levels of expressed emotion (EE) are present in families of individuals with an at‐risk mental state (ARMS) of psychosis and can negatively impact on service users' functioning and symptoms, as well as relatives' psychological wellbeing.

Objectives

This is the first longitudinal study to assess EE from the family/carers' perspective, as well as the service users' perceptions of the family/carers' EE. We explored the effects of EE on transition risk and outcomes of depression, worry, and anxiety.

Methods

Questionnaires were completed by 70 ARMS individuals and 70 family/carers at three time points: baseline, 6 and 12 months. All participants completed measures of anxiety, depression, and worry, plus a version of the Family Questionnaire to assess EE.

Results

EE scores reduced over time for both service users and family/carers. High EE perceived by service users at 6 months was associated with higher transition to psychosis at 12 months. High‐EE levels at baseline were associated with higher levels of service user depression and family/carer anxiety at 12 months. Higher family/carer total EE scores were associated with less contact with the service user and higher levels of worry.

Conclusions

Novel implications suggest that interventions to reduce high EE in families of people with ARMS would benefit service users by protecting them from higher levels of depression and transition to psychosis. Reducing high‐EE attitudes would also benefit the family/carers by reducing levels of anxiety and worry. Family interventions focussing on multiple perceptions of the home environment could help to direct services and prevent negative psychological outcomes for all family members.
Post‐task modulation of resting state EEG differentiates MCI patients from controls
Authors: Kavcic Voyko , Daugherty Ana M. , Giordani Bruno
Published: February 2021

Background:  Early identification of cognitive decline is critical for identifying individuals for inclusion in clinical trials and for eventual care planning.

Methods: A sample (ages 60–90 years) of consensus‐diagnosed, community‐dwelling Blacks (61 cognitively typical [HC], 28 amnestic mild cognitive impairment [aMCI], and 14 nonamnestic MCI [naMCI]) were recruited from the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology. Participants received two resting state electroencephalograms (rsEEG, eyes closed) between which they engaged in a visual motion direction discrimination task. rsEEG %change current source densities across all frequency bands and regions of interest were calculated.

Results: EEG current density was not different across groups for pre‐task resting state. However, compared to HC, aMCI showed significantly greater declines at temporal and central cortical sites, while naMCI showed significant parietal declines.

Conclusion: This novel approach of post–pre/cognitive challenge rsEEG successfully discriminated older persons with MCI from those without was sensitive to cognitive decline.
Metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma presenting as breast lump: A rare case report
Authors: Verma Vikrant , Israrahmed Amrin , Rao Ram N.
Published: February 2021

Renal cell carcinoma is as an aggressive tumor associated with metastasis in about one‐third of the cases, but it rarely metastasizes to breast, which further is a rare site of metastasis from extramammary solid tumors. Here, we report the case of a 60‐year‐old female who presented with breast metastasis from renal cell carcinoma. The mammogram showed a well‐defined hyperdense mass of 2.5 × 2.7 cm with microlobulated margins. The mass was hypervascular on ultrasound. Further, contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen revealed a 6.3 × 6.0 × 6.2 cm mass arising from the middle and the lower pole of right kidney. Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the right breast lump, along with cellblock preparation from the aspirated material and immunohistochemistry (IHC) on the cellblock was performed. The tumor was positive for pan‐cytokeratin, vimentin, and CD10, while the markers for primary breast carcinoma were negative. On the basis of morphology and IHC, the final diagnosis of the breast mass was metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. This case highlights the importance of ruling out possibility of metastasis in cases of breast mass. The correct diagnosis of these cases is crucial since the mastectomy is not required. Here, we discuss the radiological and morphological features on cytology and cellblock of this rare case of breast metastasis from renal cell carcinoma.
Dyslexia and syllogistic reasoning in adults: Differences in strategy usage
Authors: Jacobs Janette B. , Newton Elizabeth J. , Smith‐Spark James H.
Published: February 2021

People with dyslexia have been found to prefer spatial over verbal strategies when performing word‐based syllogistic reasoning tasks that require self‐generated responses. The current research investigated whether this was also the case for pictorially based syllogisms, when responses were required to either concrete or abstract stimuli, and when multiple‐choice answers were presented. Adults with and without dyslexia, matched for non‐verbal ability, were presented with sets of isomorphic reasoning problems in which the stimuli were either concrete words, abstract words, concrete shapes or abstract pictograms. As expected, there was no group difference in reasoning accuracy. Unlike previous findings, the adults with dyslexia preferred to use a mixed verbal and spatial strategy and performed better with this strategy, while the individuals without dyslexia preferred a verbal strategy and performed more successfully when employing this strategy. The provision of answer options to facilitate strategic change in individuals with dyslexia is discussed.
Perfectionism interventions targeting disordered eating: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Robinson Katherine , Wade Tracey D.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Perfectionism is a risk factor for depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, and perfectionism interventions show evidence of the impact on the development and maintenance of these disorders. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted of studies using perfectionism interventions that included measures of disordered eating/body image concerns. The primary aim was to investigate the impact on perfectionism and disordered eating/body image concerns, with a secondary aim of examining the impact on depression and anxiety.

Method

The systematic review was conducted using Medline, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Grey literature was sought via ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Effect size estimates for the meta‐analysis were calculated using between‐ and within‐group comparisons.

Results

Eight studies were included in the between‐group analysis and nine studies for the within‐group analysis. Perfectionism interventions were effective in reducing perfectionism and disordered eating with large effect sizes, and in reducing depression and anxiety with moderate effect sizes. Studies included both clinical and non‐clinical populations. Substantial heterogeneity was present across most analyses.

Discussion

Eating disorder treatments may benefit more from the inclusion of perfectionism interventions than depression and anxiety treatments. Possible reasoning for these variations between symptom reduction is discussed. This report provides important early evidence for the efficacy of perfectionism interventions, however, the limited number of publications in this area, the presence of heterogeneity, and lack of diversity in participant populations limits the generalizability of these findings. Future research is needed to determine whether eating disorder treatments may benefit from the routine inclusion of a perfectionism component.
Water and nitrogen shape winter annual plant diversity and community composition in near‐urban Sonoran Desert preserves
Authors: Wheeler Megan M. , Collins Scott L. , Grimm Nancy B. , Cook Elizabeth M. , Clark Christopher , Sponseller Ryan A. , Hall Sharon J.
Published: February 2021

Increased nitrogen (N) deposition threatens global biodiversity, but its effects in arid urban ecosystems are not well studied. In addition to altered N availability, urban environments also experience increases in other pollutants, decreased population connectivity, and altered biotic interactions, which can further impact biodiversity. In deserts, annual plant communities make up most of the plant diversity, support wildlife, and contribute to nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes. Functional trade‐offs allowing coexistence of a diversity of annual plant species are well established, but maintenance of diversity in urban conditions and with increased availability of limiting nutrients has not been explored. We conducted a 13‐yr N and phosphorus (P) addition experiment in Sonoran Desert preserves in and around Phoenix, Arizona, USA to test how nutrient availability interacts with growing season precipitation, urban location, and microhabitat to affect winter annual plant diversity. Using structural equation modeling and generalized linear mixed modeling, we found that annual plant taxonomic diversity was significantly reduced in N‐enriched and urban plots. Water availability in both current and previous growing seasons impacted annual plant diversity, with significant interaction effects showing increased diversity in wetter years and greater responsiveness of the community to water following a wet year. However, there were no significant interactions between N enrichment and water availability, urban location, or microhabitat. Lowered diversity in urban preserves may be partly attributable to increased urban N deposition. Changes in biodiversity of showy species like annual wildflowers in urban preserves can have important implications for connections between urban residents and nature, and reduced diversity and community restructuring with N enrichment represents a challenge for future preservation of aridland biodiversity.
High‐density camera trap grid reveals lack of consistency in detection and capture rates across space and time
Authors: Kolowski Joseph M. , Oley Josephine , McShea William J.
Published: February 2021

Counts of independent photo events from camera traps are commonly used to make inference about species occupancy, the density of unmarked populations, and the relative abundance of species across time and space. These applications rest on the untested assumption that data collected from individual cameras are representative of the landscape location in which they are placed, and that nearby cameras would record similar data when any additional micro‐site differences are accounted for. We established a high‐density camera trapping grid (100 × 100 m; 27 cameras) in Virginia, USA, to explicitly test these assumptions, investigating variation in capture rates and detection probabilities for a range of terrestrial mammals during four 2‐month seasonal surveys. Despite controlling for numerous habitat and placement factors, we documented, across all 5 focal species, large ranges and coefficients of variation in both capture rate and detection probabilities, which were similar to those seen across 2 sets of independent forest sampling sites from a larger, more typical camera trap sampling design. We also documented a lack of spatial autocorrelation in capture rate at any distance. Measured local covariates relevant to the camera viewshed (stem density, camera height, log presence, effective detection distance [EDD], total dbh of oak trees) rarely explained any significant portion of observed variation in capture rates or detection probabilities across the grid. The influence of EDD, measured here for the first time for individual camera stations, was inconsistently important and varied in direction of effect depending on species and season. Our study indicates single‐camera stations may fail to sample animal presence and frequency of use in a robust and repeatable way, primarily resulting from the influence of both idiosyncrasies in animal movement and measured and unknown micro‐site characteristics. We recommend spatial replication within sites (e.g., small‐scale shifting of cameras or use of multiple stations) should be considered to minimize impacts of relevant micro‐site characteristics, some of which may be difficult to identify.
Efficient estimation of large‐scale spatial capture–recapture models
Authors: Turek Daniel , Milleret Cyril , Ergon Torbjørn , Brøseth Henrik , Dupont Pierre , Bischof Richard , de Valpine Perry
Published: February 2021

Capture–recapture methods are a common tool in ecological statistics, which have been extended to spatial capture–recapture models for data accompanied by location information. However, standard formulations of these models can be unwieldy and computationally intractable for large spatial scales, many individuals, and/or activity center movement. We provide a cumulative series of methods that yield dramatic improvements in Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation for two examples. These include removing unnecessary computations, integrating out latent states, vectorizing declarations, and restricting calculations to the locality of individuals. Our approaches leverage the flexibility provided by the nimble R package. In our first example, we demonstrate an improvement in MCMC efficiency (the rate of generating effectively independent posterior samples) by a factor of 100. In our second example, we reduce the computing time required to generate 10,000 posterior samples from 4.5 h down to five minutes, and realize an increase in MCMC efficiency by a factor of 25. These approaches can also be applied generally to other spatially indexed hierarchical models. We provide R code for all examples, an executable web‐appendix, and generalized versions of these techniques are made available in the nimbleSCR R package.
Prevention of heart failure events with sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors across a spectrum of cardio‐renal‐metabolic risk
Authors: Bhatia Kirtipal , Jain Vardhmaan , Gupta Kartik , Bansal Agam , Fox Arieh , Qamar Arman , Damman Kevin , Vaduganathan Muthiah
Published: February 2021

Aims

Trials have tested the safety and efficacy of sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) across various disease states. We performed a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to estimate the relative and absolute effects of SGLT2i in the prevention of heart failure (HF) events across different risk groups.

Methods and results

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of large, placebo‐controlled RCTs with >1000 participants evaluating HF hospitalization and the composite of cardiovascular (CV) death or HF hospitalization. Due to varying durations of therapeutic exposure and follow‐up, absolute risk reductions and number needed to treat were calculated based on incidence rates (per 100 patient‐years). Across 71 553 patients enrolled in 10 late‐phase RCTs, SGLT2i reduced the risk of HF hospitalization by 31% [hazard ratio (HR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–0.74; I2 = 0%] and the composite outcome of CV death or HF hospitalization by 24% (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.72–0.80; I2 = 1.4%) compared with placebo. The number of patient‐years of treatment exposure needed to prevent one CV death or HF hospitalization ranged from 19–26 (established HF) to 72–125 (chronic kidney disease) to 96–400 (high‐risk type 2 diabetes). In mixed‐effects meta‐regression analyses, the benefits of SGLT2i on HF hospitalizations or the composite outcome (CV death or HF hospitalization) were not influenced by age, sex, or change in intermediate markers (glycated haemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, and body weight) (all P ≥ 0.10).

Conclusion

Despite wide variation in baseline risks and disease states evaluated, SGLT2i demonstrated comparable relative risk reductions in preventing HF events. Patients at highest baseline risk derived the greatest absolute benefits in preventing HF events. These composite estimates may help guide targeted implementation of SGLT2i for the prevention of HF events in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease and in the treatment of HF.
Identifying meteorological drivers of PM2.5 levels via a Bayesian spatial quantile regression
Authors: Self Stella W. , McMahan Christopher S. , Russell Brook T.
Published: February 2021

Recently, due to accelerations in urban and industrial development, the health impact of air pollution has become a topic of key concern. Of the various forms of air pollution, fine atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5; particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) appears to pose the greatest risk to human health. While even moderate levels of PM2.5 can be detrimental to health, spikes in PM2.5 to atypically high levels are even more dangerous. These spikes are believed to be associated with regionally specific meteorological factors. To quantify these associations, we develop a Bayesian spatiotemporal quantile regression model to estimate the spatially varying effects of meteorological variables purported to be related to PM2.5 levels. By adopting a quantile regression model, we are able to examine the entire distribution of PM2.5 levels; for example, we are able to identify which meteorological drivers are related to abnormally high PM2.5 levels. Our approach uses penalized splines to model the spatially varying meteorological effects and to account for spatiotemporal dependence. The performance of the methodology is evaluated through extensive numerical studies. We apply our modeling techniques to 5 years of daily PM2.5 data collected throughout the eastern United States to reveal the effects of various meteorological drivers.
Use of D‐optimal combined design methodology to describe the effect of extraction parameters on the production of quinoa–barley malt extract by superheated water extraction
Authors: Sabah Samireh , Sharifan Anoshe , Akhonzadeh Basti Afshin , Jannat Behrooz , TajAbadi Ebrahimi Maryam
Published: February 2021

Superheated water extraction was applied to produce quinoa–barley malt extract. D‐optimal combined design was used to optimize the extraction conditions (time (min), solid–water ratio and particle size to obtain maximum protein and carbohydrate content, and minimum turbidity and pH. Quinoa flour (10%–30%), barley malt flour (70%–90%), different particle sizes (F = 420 µm, G = 710 µm), time (15–45 min), and solid–water ratio (0.1–0.2) were selected as independent variable and protein, carbohydrate, turbidity, and pH as dependent factors. Polynomials models satisfactorily fitted the experimental data with the R2 values of .9961, .9909, .9949, and .9987, respectively. The protein and carbohydrate value was affected by superheated water extraction parameters. Our results revealed that increasing quinoa/barley malt ratio has significant effect on the turbidity and pH. The optimum extraction conditions were quinoa flour (30%), barley malt flour (70%), solid–water ratio (0.2), time (45 min), and particle size (F = 420 µm).
Chemical, microbial, and metabolic analysis of Taisui cultured in honey solution
Authors: Chen Yunjing , Zheng Shuxiu , Zhang Guangwen , Luo Jianming , Liu Junsheng , Peng Xichun
Published: February 2021

Taisui, a special substance occasionally found in China, can now be artificially cultured. In order to evaluate the safety of an artificially cultured Taisui (acTS) and develop it into fermented, functional food or oral liquid, the macronutrients, trace elements, microbial community, and extracellular metabolites of Taisui have been investigated in this study. Results showed that the concentrations of total carbohydrates, protein, fat, total ash, and moisture of wet acTS were 2.13 g/100 g, 0.13 g/100 g, 0.07 g/100 g, 0.04 g/100 g, and 88.3%, respectively. The concentrations of top three trace elements of K, Ca, and P, are 1,424.92 mg/kg, 159.96 mg/kg, and 67.89 mg/kg, respectively. Proteobacteria, Euryarchaeota, and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla of bacteria, archaea, and fungi, respectively. Uncultured_bacterium_f_Anaerolineaceae, Alcaligenes, and Ochrobactrum were the three most abundant genera of bacteria; Methanosaeta, Methanosphaera, and Natronomonas, the most abundant genera of archaea; Zygosaccharomyces, Mortierella, and Fusarium, the most abundant genera of fungi. There were 311 metabolites increased in acTS. Most of the metabolites are beneficial to human. These metabolites can be contributed to microbes in acTS. In conclusion, acTS is not a good source of macronutrients and of trace elements, while the safeness of some microorganisms in acTS is also unknown. Nevertheless, it still provides some probiotics and beneficial metabolites for human. It is thus possible to develop acTS into foods when the safety of each microorganism is proved.
Dietary creatine and kidney function in adult population: NHANES 2017–2018
Authors: Ostojic Sergej M.
Published: February 2021

Consuming more creatine may be associated with an increased risk of renal dysfunction, yet this link remains poorly addressed at the population level. Using 2017–2018 NHANES data, the current study found that the odds ratio for having failing kidneys in 2,955 U.S adults consuming ≥2.0 g/day of dietary creatine compared to low‐intake counterparts (<1.0 g/day) was 0.74 (95% CI from 0.39 to 1.38), indicating no significant association between dietary creatine intake and kidney dysfunction.
Ionic conductivity and crystal structure of LSGM with different element mole ratios
Authors: Yu Jie , Liu Hui , Chen Xiuhua , Xing Jie , Yuan Bo , Wang Min , Ma Wenhui
Published: February 2021

Three LSGM (La1‐xSrxGa1‐yMgyO3‐δ) perovskite‐type oxides were synthesized through solid‐state reaction. The crystal structures and ionic conductivities of LSGM samples with different doping element ratios in A and B sites were discussed. The structures of LSGM were characterized by the method of Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Ionic conductivities of the samples were tested through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A study on LSGM crystal structures and ionic conductivities demonstrates that LSGM8282 has the highest ionic conductivity of 0.1261 S cm−1 for its good cubic symmetry (pmm) than LSGM9182 and LSGM9191 with a monoclinic symmetry (I2/a).
Assessing natural versus anthropogenic horizons through deposit modelling strategies at the Medieval Site of Santa Margarida (Martorell, Barcelona, Spain)
Authors: Travé Allepuz Esther , Tella Ros Josep M. , Del Fresno Bernal Pablo , Socorregut Domènech Josep , Mauri Martí Alfred
Published: February 2021

Geophysical surveys have been one of the most useful tools for non‐invasive archaeological field assessment. Whereas they have been regularly put into practice at the archaeological site of Santa Margarida (Martorell, Barcelona, Spain), the particular features of the site required a more specific strategy to identify the contact interface between anthropogenic and natural deposits and, therefore, to conclude the archaeological excavation. As the archaeological site is settled on Quaternary alluvia at the confluence of two rivers, and in the absence of built structures in some areas, it was extremely difficult to distinguish between anthropic layers and those silty or sandy natural deposits during fieldwork. Extensive soil survey by means of borehole logging, full‐coring, and Dynamic Penetrometer Super Heavy testing within this site has proved to be a useful strategy to identify the geological horizon and to map the original relief of past landscape before excavation tasks. This enabled us to plan our fieldwork better and to interpret particular features of the site. This paper aims at summarising the results of recent surveys and discussing the potential of this approach for the study of rural settlements and agrarian landscapes in the Middle Age.
Mid‐ to late Holocene environmental changes and human‐environment interactions in the surroundings of La Silla del Papa, SW Spain
Authors: May Simon M. , Norpoth Maike , Pint Anna , Shumilovskikh Lyudmila , Raith Kira , Brill Dominik , Rixhon Gilles , Moret Pierre , Jiménez‐Vialás Helena , Grau‐Mira Ignasi , García‐Jiménez Iván , Marzoli Dirce , León‐Martín César , Reicherter Klaus , Brückner Helmut
Published: February 2021

In southern Iberia, the surroundings of the Strait of Gibraltar are known as a crossroad for population movements, cultural exchanges, and trade from Late Prehistory to modern times. However, questions remain about the impact of this historical development on the environment. The settlement of La Silla del Papa, an important hillfort in southern Andalusia (Cádiz), was occupied during the entire Iron Age, replaced by the coastal town Baelo Claudia during Roman times, and re‐occupied during Early Medieval times. As such, La Silla del Papa and its territory represent an ideal location for long‐term studies on human‐environment interactions. Within the framework of the interdisciplinary project “Archeostraits,” geoarchaeological investigations in the surroundings of La Silla del Papa aimed at constraining ecological conditions and human‐environment interactions during the mid‐ and late Holocene and during major human occupation phases. Our results document an early mid‐Holocene marine embayment in the lower floodplain of the Río del Cachón, rapidly turning into a coastal lagoon and later into freshwater‐dominated wetlands. After approximately 2100 BP (c. 150 BC), fluvial and alluvial deposition i600ing a high anthropogenic impact on the local landscape during Roman or post‐Roman times. Palynological results reveal fluctuating agricultural and pastoral activities and distinct periods of landscape opening during the Neolithic and Iron Age.
Surface settlements caused by mechanised tunnelling in hard rock with heterogeneous tunnel face conditions – Empirical and numerical calculations using the example of Boßler Tunnel
Authors: Lutz Robert , Zizka Zdenek , Röchter Lars , Thewes Markus
Published: February 2021

An empirical and a numerical calculation model were developed to predict the surface settlements due to EPB tunnelling in hard rock with heterogeneous face conditions. For this purpose, surface settlement and TBM driving data from Boßler Tunnel were considered. The TBM launching area characterised by a low overburden (z/D < 2) and a nature conservation area at surface was examined. The developed models were calibrated against the measured surface settlements of the first eastbound tube and were used to predict the surface settlements of the subsequent westbound tube. The prediction was then compared to the actual measured settlements during the excavation of the westbound tube. From this, findings for future settlement predictions in similar ground conditions were derived. It could be shown that both models are suitable for the application in the investigated subsoil conditions and can be used successfully in practice in different phases of the project development.
Into the unknown: The extent and boldness of firms' international footprint
Authors: Békés Gábor , Benito Gabriel R. G. , Castellani Davide , Muraközy Balázs
Published: February 2021

Research Summary

Firms make footprints as they internationalize. Going beyond simple measures of firms' internationalization, we conceptualize and measure the extent of a firm's international footprint as the number of location‐mode combinations it is active in, whereas the boldness of the footprint shows how widespread (across modes and locations) firms' international activities are, compared to other firms with similar extent. Extent describes the complexity of international activities, and boldness captures the risk‐taking associated with operating in less know contexts. Consistent with a microfoundations lens on global strategy, we find that boldness correlates with managerial risk‐taking attributes, while the extent of internationalization strongly correlates with capabilities conducive to managing more complex operations. These measures offer a highly suitable tool for analyzing the relationship between internationalization and performance.

Managerial Summary

Traditional ways of measuring firms' international footprints do not describe well what they do globally. We develop a more nuanced and sharper view of firms' international footprints and a new way of thinking about the roles of complexity and risk‐taking in internationalization; what we call the extent and the boldness of a footprint, respectively. The new measures are potentially particularly useful for analyzing the relationship between internationalization and performance, which is at the core of what strategy research may offer to managers and business decision‐makers. The new measures are a stepping‐stone toward a better and managerially relevant understanding of global strategy decisions.