bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ATP-gated P2X7 receptor contributes to the development of drug-resistant status epilepticus in mice
Authors: Beamer Edward , Morgan James , Alves Mariana , Mendez Aida Menendez , Morris Gareth , Zimmer Bela , Conte Giorgia , Diego-Garcia Laura de , Ng Nico Ka Yiu , Madden Stephen , Calzaferri Francesco , Rios Cristobal de los , Garcia Antonio , Hamacher Michael , Dinkel Klaus , Pelegrin Pablo , Henshall David , Nicke Annette , Engel Tobias
Published: September 2021

Background and Purpose Refractory status epilepticus is a clinical
emergency associated with high mortality and morbidity. Increasing
evidence suggests neuroinflammatory pathways contribute to the
development of drug-refractoriness during status epilepticus. The
ATP-gated P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) has been described as potential link
between inflammation and increased hyperexcitability. The aim of the
present study was to determine the contribution of the P2X7R to
drug-refractory status epilepticus and its therapeutic potential.
Experimental Approach Status epilepticus was induced via a unilateral
microinjection of kainic acid into the amygdala in adult mice. Severity
of status epilepticus was compared in animals overexpressing or
knock-out in the P2X7R, after inflammatory priming by the pre-injection
of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in mice treated with
P2X7R-targeting and anti-inflammatory drugs. Key Results P2X7R
overexpressing mice were unresponsive to several anticonvulsants
(lorazepam, midazolam, phenytoin and carbamazepine) during status
epilepticus. P2X7R expression was increased in microglia during
drug-refractory status epilepticus, P2X7R overexpression led to a
pro-inflammatory phenotype in microglia during status epilepticus and
the anti-inflammatory drug minocycline restored normal responsiveness to
anticonvulsants in P2X7R overexpressing mice. Pre-treatment of wildtype
mice with LPS increased P2X7R levels in the brain and promoted the
development of pharmaco-resistant status epilepticus, which was overcome
by either a genetic deletion of the P2X7R or the administration of the
P2X7R antagonists AFC-5128 or ITH15004. Conclusion and Implications Our
results demonstrate that P2X7R-induced pro-inflammatory effects
contribute to resistance to pharmacotherapy during status epilepticus
and suggest therapies targeting the P2X7R as novel adjunctive treatments
for drug-refractory status epilepticus.
Analysis of hydrological processes with semi-distributed model
Authors: Sediqi Rahmatullah , Tombul Mustafa
Published: September 2021

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), a semi-distributed
physically-based hydrological model, is broadly used for simulating
streamflow and analyzing hydrological processes in the basin. The SWAT
model was applied to analyze the hydrological processes in Göksu
Himmetli, Zamanti-Ergenuşağı, Göksun Poskoflu ve Hurman-Gözler Üstü
sub-basins in the upper region of Seyhan and Ceyhan watersheds located
in the south of Turkey. Model sensitivity analysis, calibration, and
validation were performed using SWAT-CUP automatic calibration program
and SUFI-2 algorithm. According to the model sensitivity analysis
results, the most sensitive parameters in these basins have been seen as
CN2, ALPHA_BNK, CH_K2, and GW_DELAY. In this study, 11 years
(1994-2004) meteorological and eight years (1997-2004) observed flow
data were used, three years for the model warm-up period, five years
(1997-2001) for calibration, and three years (2002-2004) for validation.
The model statistical performance was evaluated using the Nash Sutcliffe
Efficiency (NSE) as the objective function. As the result of the model
calibration and validation, the NSE value in the considered four
sub-basins varied between 0,70 - 0,90. The results obtained in the study
showed a relatively high correlation between the observed and simulated
discharge data.
Water treatment to reduce the porosity of nanowebs: A novel way
Authors: Aghayari Sedigheh
Published: September 2021

One of the main properties of nanofiber webs is their porosity, and any
application needs its porosity value. There are many applications which
they high or low porosities. Electrospinning is a way to get high
porosity, but in some applications, higher or lower porosities than
electrospun webs are needed. Up to now, removing one part of the
nanofiber web has been used to change the porosity. Here, a new way is
introducing for reducing the porosity of the nanowebs, which chose a
hydrophilic nanofiber as one part. In the past, only hydrophobic one’s
use. We can get the visa versa results. Here a way used to reduce the
porosity of the electrospun web which removed PVA nanofibers from
PVA/PA6 hybrid nanoweb by water treatment. Measuring the porosity of the
electrospun web before and after treatment by the BET method, density
method, and image processing proved this. The specific surface area of
the web was 70 % reduced after water treatment. After water treatment,
the surface roughness and pore volume reduce. Also, the best way
introduced for measuring the porosity. Image processing introduces as
the best method for measuring the porosity of the nanowebs.
How I do it: Totally Extrapericardial, Ambulatory Central Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridge to Heart Transplantation
Authors: Aziz Hamza , Kilic Ahmet
Published: September 2021

Ever since the adoption of the newest heart allocation system in the
Fall of 2018, clinicians have grappled with the safest method of
utilizing temporary mechanical circulatory support to get patients
successfully to transplantation. In unique patients that do not have a
durable left ventricular assist device as a therapeutic option and have
not had a full work-up for transplantation consideration, the
establishment of ambulatory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an
attractive solution.
Risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury among women who birth vaginally after a prior caesarean section: A state-wide cohort study
Authors: Uebergang Jessica , Hiscock Richard , Hastie Roxanne , Middleton Anna , Pritchard Natasha , Walker Susan , Tong Stephen , Lindquist Anthea
Published: September 2021

Objective: Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) has been suggested to be
associated with an increased risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury
(compared with primiparous women who birth vaginally). However, prior
studies have been small, or used outdated methodology. We set out to
validate whether the risk of obstetric anal sphincter injury among women
having their first VBAC is greater than that among primiparous women
having a vaginal birth. Design: State-wide retrospective cohort study.
Setting: Victoria, Australia. Population: All births (455,000) between
2009-2014. Methods: The risk of severe perineal injury between first
vaginal birth and first vaginal birth after previous caesarean section
was compared, after adjustment for potential confounding variables.
Covariates were examined using logistic regression for categorical data
and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous data. Missing data were
handled using multiple imputation; the analysis was performed using
regression adjustment and Stata v16 multiple imputation and teffects
suites. Results: Women having a VBAC (n=5,429) were significantly more
likely than primiparous women (n=123,353) to sustain a 3rd or 4th degree
tear during vaginal birth (7.1 vs 5.7%, p<0.001). After
adjustment for mode of birth, body mass index, maternal age, infant
birthweight, episiotomy and epidural, there was a 21% increased risk of
severe perineal injury (relative risk 1.21 (95%CI 1.07 – 1.38)).
Conclusions: Women having their first vaginal birth after caesarean
section have a significant increased risk of sustaining a 3rd or 4th
degree tear, compared with primiparous women having a vaginal birth.
Patient counselling and professional guidelines should reflect this
increased risk.
The importance of shared meaning making for sustainable knowledge translation and health literacy. An example from kidney transplantation
Authors: Wahl Astrid , Andersen Marit , Ødemark John , Reisæther Anna , Urstad Kristin , Engebretsen Eivind
Published: September 2021

The aim of the present paper is to describe and discuss how recent
theories about translation, bridging medical and humanistic
understandings of knowledge translation, in the medical humanities
(Kristeva et al 2018) can bring about a new understanding of health
literacy in the context of patient education. We argue that knowledge
translation must be understood as a simultaneous interrogation of the
patient’s and the health care providers co-construction of new and
shared meanings that can create realities with medical consequences. To
illustrate our points, we will describe the case of Jim, a kidney
transplant recipient who received standard patient education, but lost
the graft (the new kidney). If we apply Kristeva’s view onto this
context, graft function is not merely a biology but a complex
bio-cultural fact. In this perspective, graft function is seen as a
phenomenon that embraces translation between health as a biomedical
phenomenon and healing as lived experience, and that opens for shared
meaning -making processes between the patient and the health care
provider. In Jim’s case this means that we need to rethink the approach
to patient education in a way that encourage the patient’s idiosyncratic
way of thinking and experiencing – and transform health information
into a means for sustaining Jim’s particular life – not life ‘in
general’. The patient education program did not take into consideration
the singularities of Jim’s biographical temporality, with its changes in
everyday life, priorities, attitudes and values. The arguments are
generic and could be applied to other contexts.
A conserved β-bulge glycine residue facilitates folding and increases stability of the mouse α-defensin cryptdin-4
Authors: Clark Richard J. , Phan Thanh Huyen , Song Angela , Ouellette André J. , Conibear Anne C. , Rosengren K. Johan
Published: September 2021

Defensins are key components of both innate and adaptive immune
responses to pathogens. Cryptdins are mouse alpha-defensins that are
secreted from Paneth cells in the small intestine and have
disulfide-stabilised structures and antibacterial activities against
both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The folding and
three-dimensional structures of alpha-defensins are thought to depend on
a conserved glycine residue that forms a β-bulge. Here we investigated
the role of this conserved glycine at position 19 of cryptdin-4 (Crp4)
in terms of the folding, structure and stability. A Crp4 variant with
D-Ala at position 19 folded efficiently, was stabilised by a large
number of hydrogen bonds, and resisted proteolysis in simulated
intestinal fluid. Although a variant with L-Ala at position 19 was able
to adopt the correct fold, it showed less efficient folding and was
degraded more rapidly than the D-Ala variant. These results demonstrate
the key role that glycine residues can have in folding of bioactive
peptides and can provide insights to guide design of stable
antimicrobial peptides that fold efficiently.
Approximation of functions by Complex conformable derivative bases in Frechet spaces
Authors: HAssan Gamal , Abdel-salam Emad , Rashwan Rashwan
Published: September 2021

In the present paper the representation, in different domains, of
analytic functions by complex conformable fractional derivative bases
(CCFDB) and complex conformable fractional integral bases (CCFIB) in
Frechet space are investigated . Theorems are proved to show that such
representation is possible in closed disks, open disks, open regions
surrounding closed disks, at the origin and for all entire functions.
Also, some results concerning the growth order and type of CCFDB and
CCFIB are determined. Moreover the T-property of CCFDB and CCFIB are
dis- cussed. The obtained results recover some known results when alpha
= 1. Finally, some applications to the CCFDB and CCFIB of Bernoulli,
Euler, Bessel and Chebyshev polynomials have been studied.
Tooth Marker of Ecological Abnormality: the Interpretation of Stress in Extinct Mega Herbivores (Proboscideans) of the Siwaliks of Pakistan
Authors: Ameen Muhammad , Khan Abdul , Ahmad Rana , Ijaz Muhammad , Imran Muhammad
Published: September 2021

Climate effects habitat and define species physiology. Climatic regimes
were different in past and adaptability of different species varied.
Climate change causes certain stress on animal, recorded as Enamel
Hypoplasia (EH). Proboscideans, the mega herbivores were extensively
represented in the Siwaliks of Pakistan between Middle Miocene to
Pleistocene (~15.2 – ~1.0Ma). The study
is carried out on 15 species from 9 genera and 4 families using 319
teeth from 266 individual quarries. Our results revealed 20.06%
(64/319) teeth infected by EH. Family Deinotheriidae faced higher stress
during the terminal of middle Miocene (EH 25%). Dental structure
indicate that this family preferred soft vegetation like C3 plants and
failed to survive in grassland ecology at the onset of Late Miocene
(~10-9 Ma). Gomphotheriids (EH 21.05%) and Stegodontids
(EH 23.40%) survived through warm and dry climatic conditions of the
Late Miocene, but could not survive the cool and dry climate of
Plio-Pleistocene where grasslands were abundant with less browsing
activity. Family Elephantidae (EH 8.75%) was successful in drier
conditions, and utilized the exclusive C4 diet in open grasslands as
efficient grazers, indicated by their tooth morphology. Elephantids were
dominant of the proboscideans in open grassland and drier climate during
Plio-Pleistocene in Indian subcontinent. We assume that change in the
Siwalik climate was governed by microclimate as in the present day
Siwaliks grasslands are widely distributed at low altitudes with lower
mean annual precipitation and forestlands still persist in Myanmar and
Nepal which receives more rainfall and have lower mean annual
temperature.
Preparation and characterization of stable Core/Shell Fe3O4@Au ‎decorated with amine group for immobilization of lipase by covalent ‎attachment
Authors: Aghamolaei Marziyeh , Landarani-Isfahani Amir , Bahadori Mehrnaz , Nori Zahra Zamani , Rezaei Saghar , Moghadam Majid , Tangestaninejad Shahram , Mirkhani Valiollah , Mohammadpoor-Baltork Iraj
Published: September 2021

The self-assembly approach was used for amine decoration of core/shell
Fe3O4@Au with 4-aminothiphenol. This structure was used for covalent
immobilization of lipase using a Ugi 4-component reaction. The amine
group on the structure and carboxylic group from lipase can react in the
Ugi reaction and a firm and stable covalent bond creates between enzyme
and support. The synthesized structure was fully characterized and its
activity was explored in different situations. The results displayed the
pH and temperature stability of immobilized lipase compared to free
lipase in a wide range of pH and temperature. Also after 60 days, it
showed excellent activity while residual activity for the free enzyme
was only 10%. The synthesized structure was conveniently separated
using an external magnetic field and reused 6 times without losing the
activity of the immobilized enzyme.
Fatigue modeling using neural networks: a comprehensive review
Authors: Chen Jie , Liu Yongming
Published: September 2021

Neural network (NN) models have made a significant impact on
fatigue-related engineering communities and are expected to increase
rapidly soon due to the recent advancements in machine learning and
artificial intelligence. A comprehensive review of fatigue modeling
methods using NNs is lacking and will help to recognize past
achievements and suggest future research directions. Thus, this paper
presents a survey of 251 publications between 1990 and July 2021. The NN
modeling in fatigue is classified into five applications: fatigue life
prediction, fatigue crack, fatigue damage diagnosis, fatigue strength,
and fatigue load. A wide range of NN architectures are employed in the
literature and are summarized in this review. An overview of important
considerations and current limitations for the application of NNs in
fatigue is provided. Statistical analysis for the past and the current
trend is provided with representative examples. Existing gaps and future
research directions are also presented based on the reviewed articles.
Incidence, predictors of success and outcome of LISA in very preterm infants
Authors: Balázs Gergely , Balajthy Andras , Riszter Magdolna , Szabo Tamas , Kovacs Tamas , Belteki Gusztav , Balla Gyorgy
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To examine the success rate of less invasive surfactant
administration (LISA), to identify early predictive factors for the
outcome of LISA and to compare neonatal outcomes between the LISA
failure group and the group of infants who were succesfully treated with
LISA. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Patients: Infants born at
less than 33 weeks of gestation (n=158) and treated with LISA for
respiratory distress syndrome. Results: LISA was successful in 86 cases
(54.4%), 72 preterm infants (45.6%) needed additional surfactant
therapy and/or mechanical ventilation in the first 72 hours. In a
multivariate logistic regression analysis, six independent predictors
were identified: core temperature at the time of admission (adjusted OR
3.56), suboptimal dose of surfactant (adjusted OR 0.254), elevated CRP
(>10 mg/L) at 24 hours of life (adjusted OR 0.28), highest
respiratory severity score during the first hour of life or at the time
of LISA (adjusted OR 0.463), maternal age (adjusted OR 0.923) and birth
weight (adjusted OR 1.003). The ROC curve created by using the
identified factors indicates good predictive power with an area under
the curve of 0.85. LISA failure was associated with a substantially
higher risk of pneumothorax, bronchopulmonary dysplasia,
intraventricular hemorrhage, severe retinopathy of prematurity, longer
duration of mechanical ventilation and prolonged length of hospital
stay. Conclusion: Failure of LISA is relatively frequent event in very
preterm infants and is associated with adverse outcomes. Prevention of
hypothermia during early stabilization and appropriate dosing of
surfactant increase may LISA success rates and improve patient outcome.
Caesarean delivery rate changes after audit and feedback with the Ten Group Classification System in a French perinatal network: a retrospective pre–post study
Authors: Quibel Thibaud , Chesnais Marion , Bouyer Camille , Rozenberg Patrick , Bouyer Jean
Published: September 2021

Objective : To study changes in caesarean delivery (CD) rates between
maternity wards in a perinatal network after implementation of the Ten
Group Classification System (TGCS) in an audit with feedback. Design A
retrospective pre–post study of all births from 1 January 2012 to 31
December 2018. Setting A French perinatal network of 10 maternity wards
in the Yvelines district of France. Population All live births of
gestational age ≥24 weeks in the network. Methods During the pre-period
(1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014), the audit and feedback provided
only overall CD rates. During the post-period (1 January 2015 to 31
December 2018), CD rates for each TGCS group were provided. Regression
models, adjusted for maternal characteristics and maternity ward, were
used to compare CD rates globally and for each TGCS group. Variability
of CD rates between maternity wards was analysed using the coefficients
of variation. Main outcome measure CD rates. Results There were 51 082
women who delivered during the pre-period and 63 964 during the
post-period. The overall CD rate did not decrease (24.5% during the
pre-period versus 25.1% during the post-period). There were no
significant differences in CD rates for any TGCS group after adjustment
for maternity, maternal age and socio-demographic characteristics. Nor
did audit implementation decrease CD rate variability between maternity
wards or within TGCS groups. Conclusion Implementation of an
audit-and-feedback cycle using the TGCS did not decrease either CD rates
or variability between maternity wards.
Outcomes Amongst Obesity Class I, II, and III Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Sabatino Marlena , Yang NaYoung , Soliman Fady , Chao Joshua , OKOH ALEXIS , Ikegami Hirohisa , Lemaire Anthony , Russo Mark , Lee Leonard
Published: September 2021

Background: Minimally invasive heart valve surgery has previously been
shown to be safe and feasible in obese patients. Within this population,
we investigated the effect of obesity class on the patient outcomes of
minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (mini-AVR). Methods: A
single center retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with
obese body mass indices (BMIs) who underwent mini-AVR between 2012 and
2018. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention adult obesity classifications: Class I
(BMI 30.0 to < 35.0), Class II (BMI 35.0 to < 40.0),
and Class III (BMI ≥ 40.0). The primary outcomes were postoperative
length of stay (LOS), 30-day mortality within, and cost. Results:
Amongst 182 obese patients who underwent mini-AVR, LOS (Class I 4
[3-6] vs. Class II 4 [3-6] vs. Class III 5 [4-6] days;
p=0.098) and costs (Class I $24,487 [$20,199-$27.480] vs. Class
II $22,921 [$20,433-$27,740] vs. Class III $23,886
[$20,063-$33,800] USD; p=0.860) did not differ between obesity
class cohorts. Postoperative 30-day mortality (Class I 2.83% [n=2]
vs. Class II 0% [n=0] vs. Class III 0% [n=0]; p=0.763) was
limited by an insufficient sample size relative to a low event rate but
did not differ between patient cohorts. Conclusions: Mini-AVR is safe
and feasible to perform for obese patients regardless of their obesity
class. Patients with obesity should be afforded the option of minimally
invasive aortic valve surgery regardless of their obesity class.
Coyote and fox: microbiomes tell the tale
Authors: Biles Tyler , Beck Harald , Masters Brian
Published: September 2021

Because of their range expansion across North America, coyotes (Canis
latrans) now occur sympatrically with numerous other predator species,
including red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). This raises several interesting
ecological questions, including if and how sympatry affects the diet and
gut microbiomes of coyotes and red foxes. We examined the gut
microbiomes of sympatric populations of coyotes and red foxes within two
different National Parks in Virginia, USA, that differ in land use,
vegetation, and anthropogenic disturbance: Prince William Forest Park
(PRWI) and Manassas National Battlefield Park (MANA). From 2012 to 2017,
scat samples from PRWI and MANA were collected and analyzed. Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of a region of the mitochondrial
cytochrome-b gene followed by restriction enzyme digestion of the PCR
product was used to determine the origin of each scat sample.
Next-Generation DNA sequencing of a hypervariable 16S rRNA gene region
was used to determine gut microbiome information about the scat samples.
There was no evidence for a difference between the gut microbiomes of
red foxes in either location, or for a difference between the gut
microbiomes of red foxes at either location and coyotes at the location
with lower human disturbance, PRWI. However, the gut microbiomes of
coyotes at the location with higher anthropogenic disturbances, MANA,
revealed a marked change from those found in red foxes at either
location and from those in coyotes at the location with lower
disturbances. The gut microbiomes of coyotes subjected to greater human
impact revealed clear evidence of dysbiosis, indicative of increased
physiological stress and reduced health. We discuss our observations in
the context of understanding anthropogenic impacts on coyote and red fox
interactions. Our results suggest that physiological stress in the form
of human disturbance may play an important role in the composition of
the gut microbiome of coyotes, which can affect their overall health.
Artificial intelligence (AI) assisted fatigue fracture recognition based on morphing and Fully Convolutional Networks
Authors: Lyu Yetao , Yang Zi , Liang Hao , Zhang Beini , Ge Ming , Liu Rui , Zhang Zhefeng , Yang Haokun
Published: September 2021

Fatigue fracture is one of the most common metallic component failure
cases in manufacturing industries. The observation on fractography can
provide the direct evidence for failure analysis. In this study, an
image segmentation method based on Fully Convolutional Networks (FCNs)
was proposed to figure out the boundary between fatigue crack
propagation and fast fracture regions from optical microscope (OM)
fractography images. Furthermore, novel morphing-based data augmentation
method was adopted to enable few-shot learning of sample images. The
proposed framework can successfully segment two categories, namely the
crack propagation and fast fracture regions, thus differentiating the
boundary of two regions in one image. The artificial intelligence (AI)
assisted fatigue analysis architecture can complete the failure analysis
procedure in 0.5 second and prove the feasibility of fatigue failure
analysis. The segmentation accuracy of developed network achieves 95.4%
for the fatigue crack propagation region, as well as 97.2% for the fast
fracture region, which possesses comparable accuracy to the segmentation
results using Mask R-CNN Regional Convolutional Neural Network (Mask
R-CNN), one state-of-the-art deep learning networks.
Chorioamnionitis and Neonatal Sepsis Due to Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing Escherichia Coli Infection: A Case Report
Authors: Shittu Saheed , Athar Sufia , Shaukat Adila , Alansari Lolwa
Published: September 2021

Chorioamnionitis, a common complication of pregnancy is associated with
significant maternal, perinatal, and long-term adverse outcomes. This
case of placental infection leading to preterm delivery, severe neonatal
sepsis, maternal wound infection, postnatal readmission, and prolonged
hospital stay was caused by multi-drug resistant Extended Spectrum Beta
Lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia Coli
How much water can bioretention retain, and where does it go?
Authors: Spraakman Sylvie , Martel Jean-Luc , Drake Jennifer
Published: September 2021

Bioretention is a type of green stormwater infrastructure for the urban
environment that mimics a natural hydrologic system by reducing peak
flows and runoff volumes and encouraging infiltration and
evapotranspiration. This study examines the complete water balance of a
bioretention system located in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, between 2018
and 2019. The water balance was further broken down by event size, where
the event size was determined by rainfall frequency analysis. Recharge
was the largest component of the water balance overall (86 % of
inflow), as well as by event size. Evapotranspiration was the next
largest water balance component (7 % of inflow overall), and was a
significant component of inflow (21 %) when considering only small
events (50 % probability of recurrence). Evapotranspiration is a slow
but consistent process, averaging 2.3 mm/day overall and 2.9 mm/day
during the growing season. Climate change is likely to bring more wet
days and higher temperatures, which will impact the bioretention water
balance by increasing evapotranspiration and inflow. Design standards
for retention targets should be updated based on the most recent
rainfall frequency analyses to adjust for changing climate conditions.
A machine learning approach to water quality forecasts and sensor network expansion: Case study in the Wabash River Basin, USA
Authors: Balson Tyler , Ward Adam
Published: September 2021

Midwestern cities require forecasts of surface nitrate loads to bring
additional treatment processes online or activate alternative water
supplies. Concurrently, networks of nitrate monitoring stations are
being deployed in river basins, co-locating water quality observations
with established stream gauges. Here, we construct a synthetic data set
of stream discharge and nitrate for the Wabash River Basin - one of the
U.S.’s most nutrient polluted basins - using the established Agro-IBIS
model. While real-world observations are limited in space and time,
particularly for nitrate, the synthetic data set allows for sufficiently
long periods to train machine learning models and assess their
performance. Using the synthetic data, we established baseline 1-day
forecasts for surface water nitrate at 12 cities in the basin using
support vector machine regression (SVMR; RMSE 0.48-3.3 mg/L). Next, we
used the SVMRs to evaluate the improvement in forecast performance
associated with deployment of additional sensors. Synthetic data enable
us to quantitatively assess the expected value of an additional nitrate
sensor being deployed, which is, of course, not possible if we are
limited to the present observational network. We identified the optimal
sensor placement to improve forecasts at each city, and the relative
value of sensors at all possible locations. Finally, we assessed the
co-benefit realized by other cities when a sensor is deployed to
optimize a forecast at one city, finding significant positive
externalities in all cases. Ultimately, our study explores the potential
for AI to make short-term predictions and provide an unbiased assessment
of the marginal benefit and co-benefits to an expanded sensor network.
While we use water quantity in the Wabash River Basin as a case study,
this approach could be readily applied to any problem where the future
value of sensors and network design are being evaluated.
Can the re-infiltration process be ignored for flood inundation mapping and prediction during extreme storms?
Authors: Li Zhi , Chen Mengye , Gao Shang , Wen Berry , Gourley Jonathan , Yang Tiantian , Kolar Randall , Hong Yang
Published: September 2021

Coupled Hydrologic & Hydraulic (H&H) models have been widely applied
to simulate both discharge and flood inundation due to their
complementary advantages, yet the H&H models oftentimes suffer from
one-way and weak coupling and particularly disregarded run-on
infiltration or re-infiltration. This could compromise the model
accuracy, such as under-prediction (over-prediction) of subsurface water
contents (surface runoff). In this study, we examine the H&H model
performance differences between the scenarios with and without
re-infiltration process in extreme events¬ – 100-year design rainfall
and 500-year Hurricane Harvey event – from the perspective of flood
depth, inundation extent, and timing. Results from both events underline
that re-infiltration manifests discernable impacts and non-negligible
differences for better predicting flood depth and extents, flood wave
timings, and inundation durations. Saturated hydraulic conductivity and
antecedent soil moisture are found to be the prime contributors to such
differences. For the Hurricane Harvey event, the model performance is
verified against stream gauges and high water marks, from which the
re-infiltration scheme increases the Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency score by
140% on average and reduces maximum depth differences by 17%. This
study highlights that the re-infiltration process should not be
disregarded even in extreme flood simulations. Meanwhile, the new
version of the H&H model – the Coupled Routing and Excess STorage
inundation MApping and Prediction (CREST-iMAP) Version 1.1, which
incorporates such two-way coupling and re-infiltration scheme, is
released for public access.
Quantifying Subsurface Parameter and Transport Uncertainty Using Surrogate Modeling and Environmental Tracers
Authors: Thiros Nicholas , Gardner W. , Maneta Marco , Brinkerhoff Douglas
Published: September 2021

We combine physics-based groundwater reactive transport modeling with
machine learning techniques to quantify hydrogeologic model and solute
transport predictive uncertainties. We train an artificial neural
network (ANN) on a dataset of groundwater hydraulic heads and
H concentrations generated using a high-fidelity
groundwater reactive transport model. Using the trained ANN as a
surrogate model to reproduce the input-output response of the
high-fidelity reactive transport model, we quantify the posterior
distributions of hydrogeologic parameters and hydraulic forcing
conditions using Markov-chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) calibration against
field observations of groundwater hydraulic heads and
H concentrations. We demonstrate the methodology with
a model application that predicts Chlorofluorocarbon-12 (CFC-12) solute
transport at a contaminated site in Wyoming, USA. Our results show that
including H observations in the calibration dataset
reduced the uncertainty in the estimated permeability field and
infiltration rates, compared to calibration against hydraulic heads
alone. However, predictive uncertainty quantification shows that CFC-12
transport predictions conditioned to the parameter posterior
distributions cannot reproduce the field measurements. We found that
calibrating the model to hydraulic head and H
observations results in groundwater mean ages that are too large to
explain the observed CFC-12 concentrations. The coupling of the
physics-based reactive transport model with the machine learning
surrogate model allows us to efficiently quantify model parameter and
predictive uncertainties, which is typically computationally intractable
using reactive transport models alone.
Coupling Hydrochemistry and Stable Isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) to Identify the Major Factors Affecting Hydrochemical Evolution of Groundwater in the Western Yellow Sea Coast, China
Authors: Wang Zhenyan , Su Qiao , Wang Shu , Gao Zongjun , Liu Jiutan
Published: September 2021

Groundwater, as a precious fresh water resource, has a profound impact
on the social and economic development in coastal areas. Western Yellow
Sea coast (WYSC), located in the eastern part of China, is one of the
most prosperous areas of China’s economic development and has a great
demand for water. WYSC is currently under increasing pressure from
groundwater pumped for regional development, and sustainable water
management throughout the region must be based on an understanding of
the hydrochemical processes that determine the quality of groundwater.
This study taking WYSC as the study area, 160 groundwater samples were
collected in the field and the content of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-,
SO42-, HCO3-, F, Br, δ2H and δ18O in groundwater were tested. The
groundwater chemical characteristics, sources of groundwater substances,
hydrogeochemical processes and the difference between the Shandong part
(SDP) and Jiangsu part (JSP) were studied. The result shows that the
content sequence of main cations and anions in groundwater of WYSC are
Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3-
> Cl- > SO42-. The hydrochemical types of WYSC
groundwater are mainly Cl-Na, Cl-Ca, HCO3-Na and HCO3-Ca. The main
recharge source of groundwater in the WYSC is precipitation, and the
seawater and evaporation also affect the recharge process. The main
sources of dissolved substances in groundwater in the WYSC are mineral
dissolution, evaporation and seawater. The groundwater in SDP is
affected by modern seawater intrusion, while that in JSP may be affected
by ancient seawater intrusion. The dissolution and precipitation of
various minerals in the groundwater in the WYSC are affected not only by
regional conditions but also by seawater intrusion.
Impact of rainstorm patterns on the urban flood process superimposed by flash floods and urban waterlogging based on a continuous hydrologic-hydraulic model：A case study in a coastal mountainous river basin within southeastern China
Authors: Jiang Weiwei , Yu Jingshan
Published: September 2021

Flash floods (FF) and urban waterlogging (UW) hazards pose a serious
threat to citizens and property, becoming a global challenge. However,
the rainstorm patterns that influence the urban flood process associated
with both FF and UW are still not well understood. This paper utilized
and verified a continuous hydrologic-hydraulic model to determine the FF
hydrographs, inundation indicators, and statistical relationship of
surface inundation under different return periods as well as rainstorm
patterns in a mountainous city experiencing both FF and UW. The results
show that the effects of the rain peak coefficients on FF hydrographs
and urban surface inundation indicators are relatively similar. FF
volumes and urban inundation severity increases with an increasing rain
peak coefficient, while the lag time of FF hydrograph and inundation
depth becomes shorter. The effect of rainstorm patterns on surface
inundation has been considerably amplified by FF, especially for high
return periods and inundation areas with a high-water depth. When FF and
UW superimpose on urban inundation, the impact of the rainstorm patterns
on the spatial distribution of the inundation lag time shows a
distinctive response due to the different district topographies on the
FF propagation pathway. Furthermore, FF dominated the total inundation
volume and thus, significantly increases the surface inundation spatial
connection of different locations. The exponential relationships for
maximum inundation depth of many flooding vulnerable points were found.
The key findings of this study provide a readymade technical tool and
thus aid decision-makers in managing urban flood problems on a basin
scale.
Structural, Electronic and Optical properties of the Inorganic Solar Perovskites XPbBr3 (X= Li or Na)
Authors: Idrissi Samira , bahmad lahoucine , benyssef a
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we study the structural, electronic and optical
properties of the inorganic solar perovskites XPbBr3 (X= Li or Na). We
applied the two methods: the density functional theory (DFT) and
time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT). In fact, we performed
the DFT method using the Quantum Espresso package. Also, the total
energies of the studied inorganic solar perovskites XPbBr3 (X= Li or Na)
have been deduced as a function of the lattice parameter a (Å). The two
calculation methods have been carried out under the GGA-PBE and
GGA-PBESol approximations. Moreover, the total and partial density of
states (DOS) and the band structure of the studied compounds have been
presented and discussed for the two cases: with and without the spin
orbit coupling (SOC) approximation. In addition, the DFT and TDDFT have
been explored in order to elaborate the structural, the electronic and
the optical properties of the inorganic perovskite CsPbI3 material for
solar cell applications. When using the GGA-PBESol method without SOC
approximation, we found a band gap energy value greater than that one
computed when adding the SOC correction. On the other hand, the optical
properties of the studied material have been studied. In particular, we
found that the inorganic solar Perovskite XPbBr3 (X=Li or Na) materials
exhibit a high transparency of the electromagnetic radiations in energy
range between 0 eV and 33 eV.
Biomimetic scaffolds based on chitosan in bone regeneration. A review.
Authors: Kołakowska Anna , Gadomska-Gajadhur Agnieszka , Ruśkowski Paweł
Published: September 2021

The article focuses on a polysaccharide of natural origin – chitosan
and its application in tissue engineering. The preparation process and
physicochemical properties of the saccharide are described. The
degradation of chitosan and the properties influencing the process both
outside and in living organism were examined. Four applications in bone
tissue engineering can be distinguished: preparation of cell scaffolds
exclusively from chitosan, from a chitosan composite or from a chitosan
polyelectrolyte complex. The fourth way is to modify the surface of
scaffolds made of other materials by covering them with a layer of
chitosan. At the end of the article, the processes taking place after
placing the implant inside the body are described, how the structure of
chitosan affects the behaviour of bone cells in the adhesion process and
life processes.
Cardiac Iron Overload in Pediatric Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Survivors
Authors: Shah Sanjay , Su Leon , Beebe Kristen , Ellsworth Erik , Wisotzkey Bethany , Temkit M'hamed , Walsh Alexandra
Published: September 2021

Eighteen pediatric oncology or bone marrow transplant (BMT) survivors
who had liver iron content of >12 mg/g dry weight also
underwent Cardiac MR (CMR) to quantify cardiac iron content. Despite
high transfused packed red blood cell volumes (mean 383 ml/kg) patients
all had cardiac T2* relaxation times in normal ranges (T2* relaxation
time mean 35.1 msec ± 7.1 [normal >20 msec]).
The far-reaching ecological effects of genetic fitness in a keystone predator species, grey wolves
Authors: Hoy Sarah , Hedrick Philip , Peterson Rolf , Vucetich Leah , Brzeski Kristin , Vucetich John
Published: September 2021

Although loss of genetic fitness is known to be severely detrimental to
the viability of populations, little is known about how changes in the
genetic fitness of keystone species can impact the functioning of
communities and ecosystems. Here we assessed how changes in the genetic
fitness of a keystone predator, grey wolves, impacted the ecosystem of
Isle Royale National Park over 2-decades. The decline and subsequent
resurgence of inbreeding in the wolf population led to a rise and then
fall in predation rates on moose, the primary prey of wolves and
dominant mammalian herbivore in this system. Those changes in predation
rate led to large fluctuations in moose abundance which in turn impacted
browse rates on balsam fir, the dominant forage for moose during winter
and an important species in the forest. Thus, forest dynamics can be
traced back to changes in the genetic health of a predator population.
A Cutaneous Relapsing of a Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Faria Luciana , Patronillo Catarina , Fernandes Sónia , Gonçalves Cristina
Published: September 2021

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) it’s the most frequent of all
non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We describe a case of a man with multiple lesions
on both legs being treated as venous ulcer for two months until a biopsy
of them result on the diagnose of DLBCL.
Long term respiratory outcomes following solid organ transplantation in children: a retrospective cohort study.
Authors: Wright Marie , Chilvers Mark , Blydt-Hansen Tom
Published: September 2021

Background Solid organ transplantation (SOT) has become commonly used in
children and is associated with excellent survival rates into adulthood.
Data regarding long-term respiratory outcomes following pediatric
transplantation are lacking. We aimed to describe the prevalence and
nature of respiratory pathology following pediatric heart, kidney, and
liver transplant, and identify potential risk factors for respiratory
complications. Methods Retrospective review involving all children under
active follow-up at the provincial transplant service in British
Columbia, Canada, following SOT. Results Of 118 children, 33%
experienced respiratory complications, increasing to 54% in heart
transplant recipients. Chronic or recurrent cough with persistent chest
x-ray changes was the most common clinical picture, and most infections
were with non-opportunistic organisms typically found in otherwise
healthy children. A history of respiratory illness prior to transplant
was significantly associated with risk of post-transplant respiratory
complications. 8% were diagnosed with bronchiectasis, which was more
common in recipients of heart and kidney transplant. Bronchiectasis was
associated with recurrent hospital admissions with lower respiratory
tract infections, treatment of acute rejection episodes, and treatment
with sirolimus. Interpretation Respiratory morbidity is common after
pediatric SOT, and bronchiectasis rates were disproportionately high in
this patient group. We hypothesise that this relates to recurrent
infections resulting from iatrogenic immunosuppression. Direct pulmonary
toxicity from immunosuppression drugs may also be contributory. A high
index of suspicion for respiratory complications is needed following
childhood SOT, particularly in those with a history of respiratory
disease prior to transplant, experiencing recurrent or severe
respiratory tract infections, or exposed to intensified
immunosuppression.
GWAS analysis combined with QTL mapping identify CPT3 and ABH as genes underlying dolichol accumulation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Gawarecka Katarzyna , Siwinska Joanna , Poznanski Jaroslaw , Onysk Agnieszka , Surowiecki Przemyslaw , Sztompka Karolina , Surmacz Liliana , Ahn Ji Hoon , Korte Arthur , Swiezewska Ewa , Ihnatowicz Anna
Published: September 2021

Dolichols (Dols), ubiquitous components of living organisms, are
indispensable for cell survival. In plants, as well as other eukaryotes,
Dols are crucial for posttranslational protein glycosylation, aberration
of which leads to fatal metabolic disorders in humans and male sterility
in plants. Until now, the mechanisms underlying Dol accumulation remain
elusive. In this report, we have analyzed the natural variation of the
accumulation of Dols and six other isoprenoids between more than 120
Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. Subsequently, by combining QTL
and GWAS approaches, we have identified several candidate genes involved
in the accumulation of Dols, polyprenols, plastoquinone, and
phytosterols. The role of two genes implicated in the accumulation of
major Dols in Arabidopsis – the AT2G17570 gene encoding a long searched
for cis-prenyltransferase (CPT3) and the AT1G52460 gene encoding an
alpha-beta hydrolase (ABH) – is experimentally confirmed. These data
will help to generate Dol-enriched plants which might serve as a remedy
for Dol-deficiency in humans.
Isolated unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy diagnosed in a teenager by ultrasonography after BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: YAMADA TAKAYUKI , Ohwada Susumu
Published: September 2021

Axillary lymphadenopathy is a local reaction to mRNA COVID-19
vaccination. A 19-year-old healthy woman presented with a mass in the
axilla diagnosed by ultrasonography as vaccine-induced hyperreactive
lymphadenopathy. After two weeks, ultrasonography revealed that the
lymph node had shrunk and that the blood flow signal in the hilum had
disappeared.
Pneumoretroperitoneum secondary to pneumomediastinum in a child with coronavirus disease-2019
Authors: Taniguchi Masashi , Nishikawa Masanori , Inata Yu , Matsumoto Noboru , Nishikido Tomoki , Ichida Wakako , Takeuchi Muneyuki
Published: September 2021

Pneumomediastinum is a known complication of mechanical ventilation.
Infrequently, it secondarily arises from pneumoperitoneum or
pneumoretroperitoneum, when air travels along the fascial planes to
enter the mediastinum. Conversely, pneumoretroperitoneum secondary to
pneumomediastinum is even rare but could occur in mechanically
ventilated patients.