bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Acuity Circles on Deceased Donor Transplant and Offer Rates Across Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease Scores and Exception Statuses
Authors: Wey Andrew , Noreen Samantha , Gentry Sommer , Cafarella Matt , Trotter James , Salkowski Nicholas , Segev Dorry L. , Israni Ajay , Kasiske Bertram , Hirose Ryutaro , Snyder Jon
Published: September 2021

Acuity circles (AC), the new liver allocation system, was implemented on February 4, 2020. Difference‐in‐differences analyses estimated the effect of AC on adjusted deceased donor transplant and offer rates across Pediatric End‐Stage Liver Disease (PELD) and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) categories and types of exception statuses. The offer rates were the number of first offers, top 5 offers, and top 10 offers on the match run per person‐year. Each analysis adjusted for candidate characteristics and only used active candidate time on the waiting list. The before‐AC period was February 4, 2019, to February 3, 2020, and the after‐AC period was February 4, 2020, to February 3, 2021. Candidates with PELD/MELD scores 29 to 32 and PELD/MELD scores 33 to 36 had higher transplant rates than candidates with PELD/MELD scores 15 to 28 after AC compared with before AC (transplant rate ratios: PELD/MELD scores 29‐32, 2.343.324.71; PELD/MELD scores 33‐36, 1.702.513.71). Candidates with PELD/MELD scores 29 or higher had higher offer rates than candidates with PELD/MELD scores 15 to 28, and candidates with PELD/MELD scores 29 to 32 had the largest difference (offer rate ratios [ORR]: first offers, 2.773.955.63; top 5 offers, 3.904.394.95; top 10 offers, 4.855.305.80). Candidates with exceptions had lower offer rates than candidates without exceptions for offers in the top 5 (ORR: hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC], 0.680.770.88; non‐HCC, 0.730.810.89) and top 10 (ORR: HCC, 0.590.650.71; non‐HCC, 0.690.750.81). Recipients with PELD/MELD scores 15 to 28 and an HCC exception received a larger proportion of donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors after AC than before AC, although the differences in the liver donor risk index were comparatively small. Thus, candidates with PELD/MELD scores 29 to 34 and no exceptions had better access to transplant after AC, and donor quality did not notably change beyond the proportion of DCD donors.
Impact of the Kasai Procedure and the Length of Native Liver Survival Time on Outcomes of Liver Transplantation for Biliary Atresia
Authors: Liu Liwei , Wei Lin , Qu Wei , Liu Ying , Zeng Zhigui , Zhang Haiming , Li Min , Liu Jimin , Wang Hanlin L. , Li Kexin , He Yafei , Jia Jidong , Sun Liying , Zhao Xinyan , Zhu Zhijun
Published: September 2021

The aim is to explore the impact of the Kasai procedure (KP) and the length of native liver survival time (NLST) on outcomes of liver transplantation (LT). Patients with biliary atresia (BA), who underwent LT in Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019, were enrolled and divided into non‐KP (N‐KP) and post‐KP (P‐KP) groups. The patients in the P‐KP group were further divided into early failure (KP‐EF) defined by NLST <1 year, medium failure (KP‐MF, NLST 1‐5 years), and late failure (KP‐LF, NLST >5 years) subgroups. Clinical data at baseline and during follow‐up were collected. The inverse probability of treatment weighting method was used to evaluate the independent effect of KP and the length of NLST on clinical outcomes. Among 197 patients with BA, the N‐KP group accounted for 43 (21.8%), KP‐EF 71 (46.1%), KP‐MF 59 (38.3%), and KP‐LF 24 (15.6%) cases, respectively. The N‐KP and KP‐EF groups had significantly longer hospitalization and intensive care unit stays after LT. Graft and overall survival rates were 93.0% in the N‐KP group and 97.4% in P‐KP group, respectively. The mortality rate in the P‐KP group were significantly lower compared with that of the N‐KP group with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.2 (P = 0.02). The risks of biliary and vascular complications and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after LT were significantly higher in KP‐EF group than those in the KP‐MF and KP‐LF groups (HRs = 0.09, 0.2, and 0.3, respectively; all P < 0.001). The KP significantly improved after LT overall survival. Patients with early native liver failure after KP have significantly higher risks for biliary and vascular complications and CMV infection.
THE CASE FOR PURPOSEFUL LEADERSHIP
Authors: Joly Hubert
Published: September 2021

The author, now a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, describes leadership lessons from his experience as the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the electronics retailer Best Buy. While beginning to lead the company, he “learned that much of what I had been taught at business school and as a consultant and young executive is either wrong, outdated, or incomplete.” He debunks in detail what he describes as three myths of leadership, which in his words are: Myth #1: leaders are superheroes. Myth # 2: People are born leaders. Myth #3: You cannot change. For instance, within that point, Joly writes “I once believed that leadership was about a top‐down management approach driven by data and analytics; I now focus on purpose and human magic.” He further outlines a five point leadership model, which in his words: (1) Be clear about your purpose, the purpose of people around you, and how it connects with the purpose of the company. (2) Be clear about your role as a leader. (3) Be clear about whom you serve. (4) Be driven by values. (5) Be authentic. Within point 4, he quotes a former colleague: “Tell the truth and do what’s right.”
An efficient algebraic multigrid method for second‐order elliptic equation on polygonal domains
Authors: Li Ming
Published: September 2021

Based on a coarsening strategy of adjacency matrix, a new algebraic prolongation operator is developed for standard V‐cycle multigrid method to accelerate the whole process. An efficient algebraic multigrid (EAMG) method is proposed for solving large‐scale linear system, which arise from finite element (FE) discretization of second‐order elliptic boundary value problem. Numerical experiments on polygonal domains are conducted to demonstrate that the EAMG computation is more efficient than standard method.
Feasibility study of fiducial marker localization using microwave radar
Authors: Han‐Oh Sarah , Ding Kai , Song Daniel , Narang Amol , Wong John , Rong Yu , Bliss Daniel
Published: September 2021

Purpose

We explore the potential use of radar technology for fiducial marker tracking for monitoring of respiratory tumor motion during radiotherapy. Historically microwave radar technology has been widely deployed in various military and civil aviation applications to provide detection, position, and tracking of single or multiples objects from far away and even through barriers. Recently, due to many advantages of the microwave technology, it has been successfully demonstrated to detect breast tumor, and to monitor vital signs in real time such as breathing signals or heart rates. We demonstrate a proof‐of‐concept for radar‐based fiducial marker tracking through the synthetic human tissue phantom.

Methods

We performed a series of experiments with the vector network analyzer (VNA) and wideband directional horn antenna. We considered the frequency range from 2.0 to 6.0 GHz, with a maximum power of 3 dBm. A horn antenna, transmitting and receiving radar pulses, was connected to the vector network analyzer to probe a gold fiducial marker through a customized synthetic human tissue phantom, consisting of 1‐mm thickness of skin, 5‐mm fat, and 25‐mm muscle layers. A 1.2 × 10‐mm gold fiducial marker was exploited as a motion surrogate, which was placed behind the phantom and statically positioned with an increment of 12.7 mm to simulate different marker displacements. The returned signals from the marker were acquired and analyzed to evaluate the localization accuracy as a function of the marker position.

Results

The fiducial marker was successfully localized at various measurement positions through a simplified phantom study. The averaged localization accuracy across measurements was 3.5 ± 1.3 mm, with a minimum error of 1.9 mm at the closest measurement location and a maximum error of 4.9 mm at the largest measurement location.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the 2–6 GHz radar can penetrate through the attenuating tissues and localize a fiducial marker. This successful feasibility study establishes a foundation for further investigation of radar technology as a non‐ionizing tumor localization device for radiotherapy.
Technical note: A fast and accurate analytical dose calculation algorithm for 125I seed‐loaded stent applications
Authors: Liu Bo , Xiong Tianyu , Lu Jian , Li Shengwei , Bai Xiangzhi , Zhou Fugen , Wu Qiuwen
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The safety and clinical efficacy of 125I seed‐loaded stent for the treatment of portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) have been shown. Accurate and fast dose calculation of the 125I seeds with the presence of the stent is necessary for the plan optimization and evaluation. However, the dosimetric characteristics of the seed‐loaded stents remain unclear and there is no fast dose calculation technique available. This paper aims to explore a fast and accurate analytical dose calculation method based on Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation, which takes into account the effect of stent and tissue inhomogeneity.

Methods

A detailed model of the seed‐loaded stent was developed using 3D modeling software and subsequently used in MC simulations to calculate the dose distribution around the stent. The dose perturbation caused by the presence of the stent was analyzed, and dose perturbation kernels (DPKs) were derived and stored for future use. Then, the dose calculation method from AAPM TG‐43 was adapted by integrating the DPK and appropriate inhomogeneity correction factors (ICF) to calculate dose distributions analytically. To validate the proposed method, several comparisons were performed with other methods in water phantom and voxelized CT phantoms for three patients.

Results

The stent has a considerable dosimetric effect reducing the dose up to 47.2% for single‐seed stent and 11.9%–16.1% for 16‐seed stent. In a water phantom, dose distributions from MC simulations and TG‐43‐DP‐ICF showed a good agreement with the relative error less than 3.3%. In voxelized CT phantoms, taking MC results as the reference, the relative errors of TG‐43 method can be up to 33%, while those of TG‐43‐DP‐ICF method were less than 5%. For a dose matrix with 256 × 256 × 46 grid (corresponding to a phantom of 17.2 × 17.2 × 11.5 cm3) for 16‐seed‐loaded stent, it only takes 17 s for TG‐43‐DP‐ICF to compute, compared to 25 h for the full MC calculation.

Conclusions

The combination of DPK and inhomogeneity corrections is an effective approach to handle both the presence of stent and tissue heterogeneity. Exhibiting good agreement with MC calculation and computational efficiency, the proposed TG‐43‐DP‐ICF method is adequate for dose evaluation and optimization in seed‐loaded stent implantation treatment planning.
Seed‐based test–retest reliability of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3T and 7T
Authors: Nemani Ajay , Lowe Mark J.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Ultrahigh field (UHF) resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) has become increasingly available for clinical and basic research, bringing improvements in resolution and contrast over standard high field imaging. Despite these improvements, UHF connectivity studies present several challenges, including increased sensitivity to physiological confounds and a vastly increased data burden. We present a direct quantitative assessment of test–retest reliability of functional connectivity in several standard functional networks between subjects scanned at 3T and 7T.

Methods

Five healthy subjects were scanned over four sessions each in a scan‐rescan design at both 3T and 7T field strengths. Resting state fMRI data were segmented into four major intrinsic connectivity networks, and seed‐based peak correlations within and between these networks examined. The reliability of these correlations was assessed using intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICC).

Results

Across all data, over 4000 peak correlations were extracted for assessment. The reliability over all intrinsic networks was greater at 7T than 3T (median ICC 0.40 vs. 0.33, p ≤ 0.0014), with each network individually showing improvement. Inter‐network reliability was stronger than intra‐network reliability, but intra‐network reliability showed the greatest improvement between field strengths.

Conclusion

We demonstrate significantly increased reliability of resting state connectivity at UHF strengths over conventional field strengths using a novel hybrid seed‐based analysis. This result adds to the growing body of work supporting the migration of functional imaging studies to UHFs.
Tetrahedron beam imaging with a multi‐pixel thermionic emission X‐ray source and a photon‐counting detector: A benchtop experimental study
Authors: Chen Qinghao , Zhou Shuang , Tan Yuewen , Hao Yao , Zhang Zhongwei , Mazur Tom , Zhang Tiezhi
Published: September 2021

Purpose

A tetrahedron beam (TB) X‐ray system with a linear X‐ray source array and a linear detector array positioned orthogonal to each other may overcome the X‐ray scattering problem of traditional cone‐beam X‐ray systems. We developed a TB imaging benchtop system using a linear array X‐ray source to demonstrate the principle and benefits of TB imaging.

Methods

A multi‐pixel thermionic emission X‐ray (MPTEX) source with 48 focal spots in 4‐mm spacing was developed in‐house. The X‐ray beams are collimated to a stack of fan beams that are converged to a 6‐mm wide multi‐row photon‐counting detector (PCD). The data collected with a sequential scan of the sources at a fixed view angle were synthesized to a 2D radiography image by a shift‐and‐add algorithm. The data collected with a full rotation of the system were reconstructed into 3D TB CT (TBCT) images using an Feldkamp, Davis, and Kress (FDK)‐based computed tomography (CT) algorithm modified for the TB geometry.

Results

With an 18.8‐cm long source array and a 35‐cm long detector array, the TB benchtop system provides a 25‐cm cross‐sectional and 8‐cm axial field of view (FOV). The scatter‐to‐primary ratio (SPR) was approximately 17% for TB, as compared with 120% for cone beam geometry. The TBCT system enables reconstructions in two‐dimensional radiography and three‐dimensional volumetric CT. The TBCT images were free of “cupping” artifacts and have similar image quality as diagnostic helical CT.

Conclusions

A TB imaging benchtop imaging system was successfully developed with MPTEX source and PCD. Phantom and animal cadaver imaging demonstrated that the TB system can produce satisfactory radiographic X‐ray images and 3D CT images with image quality comparable to diagnostic helical CTs.
The relationship between 19‐year trends in medication use and changes in physical function among women in the mid‐life: A Study of Women's Health Across the Nation pharmacoepidemiology study
Authors: Solomon Daniel H. , Santacroce Leah , Colvin Alicia , Lian Yinjuan , Ruppert Kristine , Yoshida Kazuki
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Purpose

Medication side effects are a major concern in aging adults who report using an increasing number of medications. The relationship between accumulating medication use and physical function has not been examined in a longitudinal cohort.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal cohort study using prospectively collected data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Community‐dwelling women from five US cities were followed for up to 20 years. The exposure of interest was the number of prescription medications. They were examined as a count variable and then for specific categories of medication. The outcome of interest was physical function measured repeatedly using the short form (SF)‐36 physical function (PF) scale. Linear mixed models, using repeated measures of sociodemographics and comorbidities were assessed.

Results

1452 participants qualified for the analyses with a median follow‐up of 19.2 years. At baseline, the mean age was 46.5 years and 53.5% reported White race. Fully adjusted models demonstrated a reduction in the SF‐36 PF of 0.99 for each additional prescription medication used or a 6.14‐point reduction for women reporting more than five medications and an 8.92‐point reduction among those reporting more than 10 medications. These results were similar across race and ethnicity. Specific medication categories with a significant and largely negative impact (at least a two‐point reduction) on physical component score included beta‐blockers, analgesics, glucocorticoids, anticonvulsants, anxiolytics, anticoagulants, and anti‐depressants.

Conclusions

There is a moderate association between increasing medication use and decreasing physical function among women transitioning through the mid‐life.
Impact of the occurrence probability of carbon black agglomerates on the measured and predicted durability of filled elastomers
Authors: El Yaagoubi Mohammed , Meier Jens
Published: September 2021

This work analyses the impact of the sample geometry on the stress or strain concentration and the occurrence of big agglomerates in the investigated test volume. Although the three investigated dumbbell test specimens were loaded at the same stress level, there were significant differences in measured lifetime. These differences in the lifetime are due to the occurrence of the large agglomerates in the tested volume. The probability of occurrence of large agglomerates increases with increase in the investigated volume. In the lifetime prediction by Monte Carlo method, this effect is realized by changing the quantity of the distributed agglomerates in the mesh of the simulated model. The prediction of the different sample geometries shows a very good agreement with the measurement points. The numerical simulations illustrate the stress increase for the three used lifetime test samples.
Structure of prion β‐oligomers as determined by short‐distance crosslinking constraint‐guided discrete molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Serpa Jason J. , Popov Konstantin I. , Petrotchenko Evgeniy V. , Dokholyan Nikolay V. , Borchers Christoph H.
Published: September 2021

The conversion of the native monomeric cellular prion protein (PrPC) into an aggregated pathological β‐oligomeric form (PrPβ) and an infectious form (PrPSc) is the central element in the development of prion diseases. The structure of the aggregates and the molecular mechanisms of the conformational changes involved in the conversion are still unknown. We applied mass spectrometry combined with chemical crosslinking, hydrogen/deuterium exchange, limited proteolysis, and surface modification for the differential characterization of the native and the urea+acid‐converted prion β‐oligomer structures to obtain insights into the mechanisms of conversion and aggregation. For the determination of the structure of the monomer and the dimer unit of the β‐oligomer, we applied a recently‐developed approach for de novo protein structure determination which is based on the incorporation of zero‐length and short‐distance crosslinking data as intra‐ and inter‐protein constraints in discrete molecular dynamics simulations (CL‐DMD). Based on all of the structural‐proteomics experimental data and the computationally predicted structures of the monomer units, we propose the potential mode of assembly of the β‐oligomer. The proposed β‐oligomer assembly provides a clue on the β‐sheet nucleation site, and how template‐based conversion of the native prion molecule occurs, growth of the prion aggregates, and maturation into fibrils may occur.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of the effects of dietary deprivation of methionine and cystine on A549 xenograft and A549 xenograft‐bearing mouse
Authors: Yang Hao , Zheng Haoyang , Pan Yue , Zhang Weiguo , Yang Mengjing , Du Huiling , Yu Anan , Li Ping , Chen Xiaoyan , Xie Wei , Ren Kaiming , Zhao Ying , Wang Tianjiao , He Xiaoyan , Zhou Zhaoli
Published: September 2021

Methionine (Met) and cystine (CySS) are key sulfur donors in cell metabolism and are important nutrients for sustaining tumor growth; however, the molecular effects associated with their deprivation remain to be characterized. Here, we applied a xenograft mouse model to assess the impact of their deprivation on A549 xenografts and the xenograft‐bearing animal. Results show that Met and CySS deprivation inhibits A549 growth in vitro, not in vivo. Deprivation was detrimental to the xenograft‐bearing mouse, as demonstrated by weight loss and renal dysfunction. Differentially expressed proteins in A549 xenograft and mouse kidneys were characterized using quantitative proteomics. Functional annotation and protein–protein interaction network analysis revealed the enriched signaling pathways, including focal adhesion (Fn1) in the A549 xenograft, and xenobiotic metabolism (Cyp2e1) and glutathione metabolism (Ggt1) in the mouse kidney. Met and CySS deprivation inhibits the migratory and invasive properties of cancer cells, as evidenced by reduced expression of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition marker N‐cadherin in A549 cells in vitro. Moreover, IGFBP1 protein expression was inhibited in both A549 xenograft and mouse kidneys. This study provides the first insights into changes within the proteome profile and biological processes upon Met and CySS deprivation in a A549 xenograft mouse model.
Temporal dynamics of protein and post‐translational modification abundances in Populus leaf across a diurnal period
Authors: Shrestha Him K. , Solis Manuel I. Villalobos , Jawdy Sara S. , Tuskan Gerald A. , Yang Xiaohan , Abraham Paul E.
Published: September 2021

Populus spp. are dedicated woody biomass feedstocks for advanced biofuels and bioproducts. Proper growth and fitness of poplar as a sustainable feedstock depends on timely perception and response to environmental signals (e.g., light, temperature, water). Poplar leaves, like other C3 photosynthesis plants, have evolved oscillating or circadian rhythms that play important roles in synchronizing biological processes with external cues. To characterize this phenomenon at a molecular level, we employed bottom‐up proteomics using high‐resolution mass spectrometry and de novo‐assisted database searching to identify abundance changes in proteins and post‐translational modifications in poplar leaf tissue sampled across a 12/12‐hour light/dark diurnal period.
Non‐target‐site resistance mechanism of barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus‐galli (L.) P. Beauv.] to florpyrauxifen‐benzyl
Authors: Hwang Jeong‐In , Norsworthy Jason K , González‐Torralva Fidel , Priess Grant L , Barber L Tom , Butts Thomas R
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Florpyrauxifen‐benzyl (FPB) is an arylpicolinate herbicide (Group IV) for barnyardgrass control in rice. One susceptible (Sus) and three putative FPB‐resistant (R1, R2, and R3) barnyardgrass biotypes were selected based on resistant/susceptible (R/S) ratios obtained from dose–response tests and used to investigate the potential resistance mechanisms.

RESULTS

Based on visual control results, the R/S ratios of barnyardgrass biotypes R1, R2, and R3 were 60‐, 33‐, and 16‐fold greater than the Sus standard, respectively. Sequencing results of TIR1 and AFB genes in the tested barnyardgrass revealed no difference between Sus and R barnyardgrass biotypes. Absorption of [14C]‐FPB in Sus barnyardgrass increased over time and reached 90%, which was >10 percentage points greater than that in R biotypes. The [14C]‐FPB absorption in all R barnyardgrass equilibrated after 48 h. For both Sus and R barnyardgrass, most [14C]‐FPB absorbed was present in the treated leaf (79.8–88.8%), followed by untreated aboveground (9.5–18.6%) and belowground tissues (1.3–2.2%). No differences in translocation were observed. Differences between Sus and R barnyardgrass biotypes were found for FPB metabolism. Production of the active metabolite, florpyrauxifen‐acid, was greater in Sus barnyardgrass (21.5–52.1%) than in R barnyardgrass (5.5–34.9%).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, reductions in FPB absorption and florpyrauxifen‐acid production may contribute to the inability to control barnyardgrass with FPB. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Undoped and Tl‐Doped Cs3Cu2I5 Thin Films as Potential X‐ray Scintillators
Authors: Wang Qian , Nikl Martin , Cheng Shuangliang , Ren Guohao , Wu Yuntao
Published: September 2021

0D halide perovskite Cs3Cu2I5‐based nanocrystals and bulk crystals are proven to be sensitive and efficient scintillators for X‐ray and γ‐ray detection. Herein, undoped and Tl‐doped Cs3Cu2I5 microcrystalline films are synthesized by a thermal evaporation method. Both films crystallize into a Pnma space group of orthorhombic crystal lattice with preferred (004) growth orientation. The undoped Cs3Cu2I5 thin film shows a sole emission peaking at 440 nm associated with the self‐trapped exciton emission. Doping of Tl+ ions introduces another emission that peaks at 520 nm. The scintillation efficiency of both undoped and Tl‐doped Cs3Cu2I5 thin films is about one‐third of that of CsI:Tl thin film with the same size and thickness. Within the first 5 s after X‐ray cutoff, afterglow signals of both the undoped and Tl‐doped Cs3Cu2I5 thin films are over one order of magnitude lower than that of CsI:Tl thin film.
Cross‐valley vortices in the Inn valley, Austria: Structure, evolution and governing force imbalances
Authors: Babić Nevio , Adler Bianca , Gohm Alexander , Kalthoff Norbert , Haid Maren , Lehner Manuela , Ladstätter Paul , Rotach Mathias W.
Published: September 2021

Exchange of momentum and scalars in the mountain boundary layer is achieved through an interaction of meso‐to‐microscale motions, occurring to varying extents depending on the combined effect of thermally driven as well as dynamically driven forcings. One such motion, known as a secondary circulation, results from a horizontal force imbalance across a curved valley segment, wherein the centrifugal force towards the outside of the valley bend can create a pressure gradient force in the opposite direction. The lack of adequate measurement strategies capable of sampling such motions in curved mountain valleys explains the near‐absence of any observational evidence of secondary circulations there. The goal of the CROSSINN (Cross‐valley flow in the Inn valley investigated by dual‐Doppler lidar measurements) campaign, conducted in a curved segment of the Inn valley, Austria, was to determine the character of the cross‐valley flow by means of a coplanar retrieval applied to a multi‐Doppler wind lidar configuration. A signature of a secondary circulation, hereafter referred to as a cross‐valley vortex, stood out particularly during intense daytime upvalley flow episodes. Vortices were detected on 23 upvalley wind days, with a declining frequency of occurrence from August to October. Nearly all identified vortices were marked by a low‐level upvalley jet, a clockwise wind direction turning with height, and a cessation of upvalley flow at the local ridgeline level. The routinely sampled coplanar‐retrieved cross‐valley wind field enabled the quantification of more advanced parameters based on vorticity, revealing a faster spin rate of the vortex around its streamwise axis given a stronger upvalley flow, and a period of revolution on the order of several tens of minutes. A detailed inspection of the lateral momentum budget and associated uncertainties confirmed the importance of the relationship between the centrifugal and the pressure gradient force for the cross‐valley vortex occurrence in a curved valley.
Passive acoustic monitoring reveals the role of habitat affinity in sensitivity of sub‐tropical East Asian bats to fragmentation
Authors: López‐Bosch David , Rocha Ricardo , López‐Baucells Adrià , Wang Yanping , Si Xingfeng , Ding Ping , Gibson Luke , Palmeirim Ana Filipa
Published: September 2021

Hydropower infrastructure represents a major driver of habitat loss and insular fragmentation worldwide, mostly across the tropics and sub‐tropics. Despite growing evidence of dam‐induced impacts on biodiversity, the effects of insular habitat fragmentation on species assemblages remain poorly understood, particularly for East Asian vertebrates. Here, we assess how insectivorous bats respond to forest fragmentation in Thousand Island Lake, a mega‐hydroelectric dam in East China. Bat assemblages were surveyed across 36 land‐bridge islands of different sizes and degrees of isolation, using AudioMoth recorders. Echolocation calls were classified into sonotypes, each corresponding to either single or multiple species, which were further classified according to their habitat affinities into forest or open‐space foragers. Based on 22 875 five‐min recordings from 108 detector‐nights, we recorded 15 bat sonotypes, eight of which we classified as forest sonotypes (2329 bat passes) and seven as open‐space sonotypes (52 277 bat passes). Overall, sonotype richness increased with island area, but only above a certain threshold (34 ha). Habitat affinity played an important role in ensemble‐level responses to fragmentation; forest sonotype richness increased with island area, whereas open‐space sonotype activity was higher in more isolated islands. Our results highlight the relevance of particularly large fragments (>1000 ha) to maintain area‐sensitive forest bat species. However, islands below 34 ha in size and those more isolated from the mainland are also of conservation value as they, correspondingly, harbour a variable (but substantial) number of species and concentrate higher activity of open‐space foragers. These findings further demonstrate that acoustic sampling methods, as the one presented here, are able to provide key information for evidence‐based policies aimed at halting the ongoing wave of dam‐induced biodiversity loss.
Incorporating external data into the analysis of clinical trials via Bayesian additive regression trees
Authors: Zhou Tianjian , Ji Yuan
Published: September 2021

Most clinical trials involve the comparison of a new treatment to a control arm (eg, the standard of care) and the estimation of a treatment effect. External data, including historical clinical trial data and real‐world observational data, are commonly available for the control arm. With proper statistical adjustments, borrowing information from external data can potentially reduce the mean squared errors of treatment effect estimates and increase the power of detecting a meaningful treatment effect. In this article, we propose to use Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) for incorporating external data into the analysis of clinical trials, with a specific goal of estimating the conditional or population average treatment effect. BART naturally adjusts for patient‐level covariates and captures potentially heterogeneous treatment effects across different data sources, achieving flexible borrowing. Simulation studies demonstrate that BART maintains desirable and robust performance across a variety of scenarios and compares favorably to alternatives. We illustrate the proposed method with an acupuncture trial and a colorectal cancer trial.
Growing pains: The effect of generational product innovation on mobile games performance
Authors: Chen Liang , Zhang Pengxiang , Li Sali , Turner Scott F.
Published: September 2021

Research Summary

Strategy research advises firms to capture generative value by continually introducing generational improvements on their existing products. This article considers a potential dark side of such strategy. We argue that generational innovation can elicit a negative near‐term response from customers, as it distorts their ingrained behavioral patterns and imposes learning costs. Further, we propose that this negative effect of generational innovation will diminish when the product has a leading market position; and it will be more severe as the product's technological legacy lengthens. Using a difference‐in‐differences research design based on mobile game apps that multihome on two platforms, we find supportive evidence for our hypotheses and discuss the corresponding implications for strategy and technology innovation literature.

MAnagerial Summary

Firms are advised to capture the value in future innovations that are spawned from their existing innovation, and they can do so by releasing improved generations of current products. This article examines a potential dark side of such strategy—that generational innovation could alienate existing customers by unsettling their ingrained behavioral patterns. Utilizing a unique dataset of mobile game apps, we find evidence of this negative effect, which tends to be weaker for market leaders but more damaging for those having already experienced numerous generational changes.
The history and future of projects as a transition innovation: Towards a sustainable project management framework
Authors: Sankaran Shankar , Jacobsson Mattias , Blomquist Tomas
Published: September 2021

Project management practices have evolved as the discipline grew from managing defence and engineering projects to delivering information systems, supporting organizational transformation, and managing megaprojects supporting national infrastructure needs. Thus, from starting as a tactical tool, project management grew to deliver organizational and national strategies. The next challenge for project management is to support the achievement of sustainable development goals to tackle societal challenges. How can it do this? In this article, we chart a way forward for project management to contribute to global sustainability by tracing the history of projects from prehistoric times to the 21st. We outline the development using the lens of socio‐technical transitions to analyse technological niches developed to advance the field, and socio‐technical regimes that have supported the development of project management to adopt these technological niches to meet changes that appear at the landscape level. By analysing the history of projects and project management, we argue that the discipline has continuously evolved as a transition innovation that can meet the challenges posed by sustainable development. However, further investigation is required. A sustainable development framework has been proposed in this article to enable project management researchers and managers to achieve this transition.
Microstructure Transformations in a Press Hardening Steel during Tailored Thermomechanical Processing
Authors: Westermann Hendrik , Reitz Alexander , Mahnken Rolf , Schaper Mirko , Grydin Olexandr
Published: September 2021

Microstructure transformation due to thermomechanical processing has an acute effect the macroscopic properties of low‐carbon steels. This effect includes viscoplastic deformation and phase transformations. Hot forming processes such as press hardening are particularly affected. Most engineering applications require a combination of high strength and sufficient residual ductility, which can be achieved by the development of graded microstructures. Herein, the evolution of phase transformations is investigated by linking experiments and simulations to produce graded microstructures. For this purpose, an extended material model is proposed to represent the evolution of phase transformations under inhomogeneous heating and cooling strategies. On the experimental side, phase transformations are identified during thermomechanical treatment of flat steel specimens using digital image correlation and thermal imaging. Based on the experimental results, the material parameters are identified, and the simulation model is validated. On the numerical side an algorithm for the finite‐element simulation of phase transformations in low‐carbon steels is proposed. The evolution of phase transformations is presented for the simulation of a tensile specimen using the finite‐element method.
Multitrait machine‐ and deep‐learning models for genomic selection using spectral information in a wheat breeding program
Authors: Sandhu Karansher , Patil Shruti Sunil , Pumphrey Michael , Carter Arron
Published: September 2021

Prediction of breeding values is central to plant breeding and has been revolutionized by the adoption of genomic selection (GS). Use of machine‐ and deep‐learning algorithms applied to complex traits in plants can improve prediction accuracies. Because of the tremendous increase in collected data in breeding programs and the slow rate of genetic gain increase, it is required to explore the potential of artificial intelligence in analyzing the data. The main objectives of this study include optimization of multitrait (MT) machine‐ and deep‐learning models for predicting grain yield and grain protein content in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using spectral information. This study compares the performance of four machine‐ and deep‐learning‐based unitrait (UT) and MT models with traditional genomic best linear unbiased predictor (GBLUP) and Bayesian models. The dataset consisted of 650 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a spring wheat breeding program grown for three years (2014–2016), and spectral data were collected at heading and grain filling stages. The MT‐GS models performed 0–28.5 and −0.04 to 15% superior to the UT‐GS models. Random forest and multilayer perceptron were the best performing machine‐ and deep‐learning models to predict both traits. Four explored Bayesian models gave similar accuracies, which were less than machine‐ and deep‐learning‐based models and required increased computational time. Green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) best predicted grain protein content in seven out of the nine MT‐GS models. Overall, this study concluded that machine‐ and deep‐learning‐based MT‐GS models increased prediction accuracy and should be employed in large‐scale breeding programs.
Identification of anthracnose race 1 resistance loci in lentil by integrating linkage mapping and genome‐wide association study
Authors: Gela Tadesse , Ramsay Larissa , Haile Teketel A. , Vandenberg Albert , Bett Kirstin
Published: September 2021

Anthracnose, caused byColletotrichum lentis, is a devastating disease of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) in western Canada. Growing resistant lentil cultivars is the most cost‐effective and environmentally friendly approach to prevent seed yield losses that can exceed 70%. To identify loci conferring resistance to anthracnose race 1 in lentil, biparental quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations was integrated with a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) using 200 diverse lentil accessions from a lentil diversity panel. A major‐effect QTL (qAnt1.Lc‐3) conferring resistance to race 1 was mapped to lentil chromosome 3 and colocated on the lentil physical map for both RIL populations. Clusters of candidate nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat (NB‐LRR) and other defense‐related genes were uncovered within the QTL region. A GWAS detected 14 significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with race 1 resistance on chromosomes 3, 4, 5, and 6. The most significant GWAS SNPs on chromosome 3 supported qAnt1.Lc‐3 and delineated a region of 1.6 Mb containing candidate resistance genes. The identified SNP markers can be directly applied in marker‐assisted selection (MAS) to accelerate the introgression of race 1 resistance in lentil breeding.
Gain from genomic selection for a selection index in two‐row spring barley
Authors: Sweeney Daniel W. , Rooney Travis E. , Sorrells Mark E.
Published: September 2021

New breeding programs are faced with many challenges including evaluation of unknown germplasm, initiation of breeding populations that will satisfy short‐ and long‐term breeding goals, and implementation of efficient phenotyping strategies for multiple traits. Genomic selection (GS) is a potentially valuable tool for recently established breeding programs to quickly accelerate genetic gain. Genomic selection on selection index (SI) values may increase gain over phenotypic selection but empirical studies remain limited. We compared gain in overall SI value for height, heading date, preharvest sprouting (PHS) resistance, and spot blotch resistance and component traits in two cycles of GS with one round of phenotypic selection (PS) in two‐row spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Higher realized gain for SI value, height, and PHS was observed with GS compared with PS but GS did not result in significant gain for heading date and spot blotch. Genetic variances for height and heading date, which had small index weights, were not reduced with GS but variances were substantially reduced for heavily weighted PHS and correlated seed germination traits. Inbreeding was increased by GS compared with PS but restricted mating of high breeding value individuals limited potential inbreeding. Our results indicate GS is a useful method to improve selection on index values with different weights.
Associations between education and dementia in the Caribbean and the United States: An international comparison
Authors: Li Jing , Llibre‐Guerra Jorge J. , Harrati Amal , Weiss Jordan , Jiménez‐Velázquez Ivonne Z. , Acosta Daisy , Llibre‐Rodriguez Juan de Jesús , Liu Mao‐Mei , Dow William H.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Despite high dementia prevalence in Hispanic populations globally, especially Caribbean Hispanics, no study has comparatively examined the association between education and dementia among Hispanics living in the Caribbean Islands and older adults in the United States.

Methods

We used data on 6107 respondents aged 65 and older in the baseline wave of the population‐based and harmonized 10/66 survey from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, collected between 2003 and 2008, and 11,032 respondents aged 65 and older from the U.S.‐based Health and Retirement Study data in 2014, a total of 17,139 individuals. We estimated multivariable logistic regression models examining the association between education and dementia, adjusted for age, income, assets, and occupation. The models were estimated separately for the Caribbean population (pooled and by setting) and the U.S. population by race/ethnicity (Hispanic, Black, and White), followed by pooled models across all populations

Results

In the Caribbean population, the relative risk of dementia among low versus high educated adults was 1.45 for women (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17, 1.74) and 1.92 (95% CI 1.35, 2.49) for men, smaller compared to those in the United States, especially among non‐Hispanic Whites (women: 2.78, 95% CI 1.94, 3.61; men: 5.98, 95% CI 4.02, 7.95).

Discussion

The differential associations between education and dementia across the Caribbean and US settings may be explained by greater disparities in social conditions in the United States compared to the Caribbean, such as access to health care, healthy behaviors, and social stressors, which serve as potentially important mediators.
Plasma antioxidants and risk of dementia in older adults
Authors: Koch Manja , Furtado Jeremy D. , Cronjé Héléne Toinét , DeKosky Steven T. , Fitzpatrick Annette L. , Lopez Oscar L. , Kuller Lewis H. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Jensen Majken K.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Plant‐based diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been associated with lower risk of dementia, but the specific role of antioxidants, a key class of bioactive phytochemicals, has not been well ascertained.

Methods

We measured antioxidants in a case‐cohort study nested within the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study. We included 996 randomly selected participants and 521 participants who developed dementia, of which 351 were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) during a median of 5.9 years of follow‐up. We measured baseline plasma levels of retinol, α‐, and γ‐tocopherol; zeaxanthin and lutein (combined); beta‐cryptoxanthin; cis‐lycopene; trans‐lycopene; α‐carotene; and trans‐β‐carotene by organic phase extraction followed by chromatographic analysis and related these to neurologist‐adjudicated risks of all‐cause dementia and AD.

Results

Plasma retinol, α‐, and γ‐tocopherol, and carotenoids were not significantly related to risk of dementia or AD. Associations were not significant upon Bonferroni correction for multiple testing and were consistent within strata of sex, age, apolipoprotein E ε4 genotype, mild cognitive impairment at baseline, and intake of multivitamin, vitamin A or β‐carotene, or vitamin E supplements. Higher trans‐β‐carotene tended to be related to a higher risk of dementia (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] per 1 standard deviation [SD] higher trans‐β‐carotene: 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00, 1.20) and α‐carotene tended to be associated with higher risk of AD only (adjusted HR per 1 SD higher α‐carotene: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.29).

Discussion

Plasma antioxidants were not significantly associated with risk of dementia or AD among older adults. Similar studies in younger populations are required to better understand the association between plasma antioxidants and dementia risk.
Life‐threatening pharyngeal oedema secondary to severe perianaesthetic regurgitation in a French bulldog: Management with topical adrenaline and nasotracheal tube
Authors: Debuigne Morgane , Chesnel Maud‐Aline
Published: September 2021

Postoperative upper airway obstructions in brachycephalic dogs (BDs) mainly occur following brachycephalic airway surgery. Tracheostomy is the most frequently reported technique to relieve upper airway obstructions. A 10‐year‐old French bulldog presented repeated regurgitation during anaesthesia for orthopaedic surgery. Oesophageal and pharyngeal lavage were performed. Seven hours after recovery, the dog displayed severe stertor and hypoxemia, which were not relieved with oxygen flow‐by and sedation. Emergency anaesthesia and tracheal intubation were performed. Laryngoscopy revealed severe pharyngeal inflammation. A nasotracheal tube (NTT) was placed while the dog remained intubated, and diluted adrenaline was sprayed on the pharynx using a mucosal atomization device. Mild sedation and oxygenotherapy through NTT were maintained for 3 days. The dog was discharged after 5 days. This report describes an uncommon complication of perianaesthetic repeated regurgitation in a BD, and an unusual technique for managing an upper airway obstruction.
Time-periodicities in holographic CFTs
Authors: Craps Ben , De Clerck Marine , Evnin Oleg
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Dynamics in AdS spacetimes is characterized by various time-periodicities. The most obvious of these is the time-periodic evolution of linearized fields, whose normal frequencies form integer-spaced ladders as a direct consequence of the structure of representations of the conformal group. There are also explicitly known time-periodic phenomena on much longer time scales inversely proportional to the coupling in the weakly nonlinear regime. We ask what would correspond to these long time periodicities in a holographic CFT, provided that such a CFT reproducing the AdS bulk dynamics in the large central charge limit has been found. The answer is a very large family of multiparticle operators whose conformal dimensions form simple ladders with spacing inversely proportional to the central charge. We give an explicit demonstration of these ideas in the context of a toy model holography involving a ϕ4 probe scalar field in AdS, but we expect the applicability of the underlying structure to be much more general.