bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rates, factors, and tolerances of water erosion in the Cerrado biome (Brazil): A meta‐analysis of runoff plot data
Authors: Fonseca Maria Rita Souza , Uagoda Rogério , Chaves Henrique Marinho Leite
Published: October 2021

Due to the high rainfall erosivity and highly erodible soils, water erosion is severe in Brazil. Soil and ecosystem degradation occurs when erosion exceeds on‐ and off‐site soil loss tolerances, with significant socioeconomic and environmental impacts. In the last 50 years, the Brazilian Cerrado had 53% of its original vegetation converted to agriculture and pastureland. Although erosion plot studies exist in the region, the data are fragmented and unexplored, hindering the development of soil conservation policies. The objective of the present research was to compile, systematize, and statistically analyze the existing erosion plot data in the Brazilian Cerrado, correlating the observed results with different environmental and management factors, and with the corresponding soil loss tolerances. Twenty runoff plot datasets of the Brazilian Cerrado, encompassing 5 states, 10 sites, 108 plots, and 360 plot·years were compiled and thoroughly analyzed. Mean annual rainfall, runoff, and soil loss were 1443.5 mm year−1, 83.1 mm year−1, and 8.9 Mg ha−1 year−1, respectively. After the data were normalized with respect to plot length, steepness, and climate, runoff and soil loss were found to be significantly higher in soils with impermeable horizons and in land uses without permanent soil cover (p < 0.05). Erosion under permanently covered plots was below the on‐ and off‐site soil loss tolerances. A power equation provided the best fit between plot runoff and soil loss (R2 = 0.71; p < 0.05), indicating that runoff volume, easier to estimate, could be used as a proxy for upslope erosion. Although erosion plot data cannot be extrapolated to the whole landscape, the research results provide useful elements for the development of sound conservation policies in the Cerrado and in other similar savannas of the world.
Spatial and temporal controls on proglacial erosion rates: A comparison of four basins on Mount Rainier, 1960 to 2017
Authors: Anderson Scott W. , Shean David
Published: October 2021

The retreat of alpine glaciers since the mid‐19th century has triggered rapid landscape adjustments in many headwater basins. However, the degree to which decadal‐scale glacier retreat is associated with systematic or substantial changes in overall coarse sediment export, with the potential to impact downstream river dynamics, remains poorly understood. Here, we use repeat topographic surveys to assess geomorphic change in four partly glaciated basins on a stratovolcano (Mount Rainier) in Washington State at roughly decadal intervals from 1960 to 2017. The proglacial extents of the four basins show distinct geomorphic trajectories, ranging from substantial and sustained net erosion to relatively inactive with net deposition. These different trajectories correspond to differences in initial (1960) valley floor gradients, and can be effectively understood as valley floor grade adjustments. Significant erosion was most often accomplished by debris flows triggered by extreme rainfall or glacial outburst floods, though a single rockfall mobilized more material than all other events combined. Year‐to‐year runoff events had little measurable geomorphic impact. Exported material tended to accumulate in broad deposits within several kilometers of source areas and largely remained there through the end of the study period. Over 10‐ to 100‐year timescales, we find that the impact of glacier retreat on coarse sediment yield may then vary substantially according to the geometry and storage trends of the newly exposed valley floor; the timing of that response may also be dictated, and potentially obscured, by stochastic and/or extreme events.
Lateral border and scapular tip free flaps: Old school versus new school
Authors: Feng Allen L. , Nasser Hassan B. , Casper Keith A. , Malloy Kelly M. , Stucken Chaz L. , Prince Mark E. , Rosko Andrew J. , Chinn Steven B. , Spector Matthew E.
Published: October 2021

Free tissue transfer from the subscapular system provides a wide array of options for both soft tissue and bony reconstruction. When bone stock is required for head and neck reconstruction, both the lateral scapular border free flap (LSBFF), supplied by the circumflex scapular artery, and the scapular tip free flap (STFF), supplied by the angular artery, are excellent options. Issues with positioning had previously prevented the widespread use of these bony subscapular system flaps. However, through the use of a Spider Limb Positioner, current clinical practice patterns allow for two team approaches in both of these free flaps. The following pictorial essay compares and contrasts the specific positioning and harvesting technique used for both the LSBFF and STFF, while discussing the clinical advantages and drawbacks of each. Both the lateral border scapula and scapular tip free flaps provide excellent bone stock for head and neck reconstruction. By positioning with currently available technology, both of these free flaps can be harvested through a two team approach.
Runoff reconstruction for the Bailong River from tree rings back to AD 1601, reveals changing hydrological signals of China north–south transition zone
Authors: Gao Zhihong , Chen Feng , Fang Keyan
Published: October 2021

We present a runoff reconstruction for the Bailong River based on the composite chronology developed from four sampling sites of Pinus tabulaeformis in the China north–south transition zone. The runoff reconstruction, spanning 1601–2013 CE, was developed by calibrating tree‐ring data with the instrumental runoff record. Runoff reconstruction accounted for 44.3% of the actual runoff variance during the common period 1958–2010 and provided a long‐term perspective on hydrological change in the China north–south transition zone. In the past 413 years, high‐ and low‐runoff years accounted for 15.50% and 15.98%, respectively. Of all the 17 extreme hydrological events, 14 of them are extremely high‐flow years, and 17th century was the wettest period during the past 413 years. The preliminary analysis results show that there is a relationship between our runoff reconstruction and the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation at multidecadal scale. Since the 1990s, runoff in the China north–south transition zone has also seen a significant decrease as a result of dry trends of the source region.
Correlation of prolactin levels with the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio
Authors: Carranza Lira Sebastián , Spínola Quezada Gabriela , Baez López Ana Luz , López Muñoz Eunice
Published: October 2021

Synopsis

Hyperprolactinemic women have a higher inflammatory status than normoprolactinemic women.
A pilot study on the efficacy of motivational interviewing groups in alcohol use disorders
Authors: Csillik Antonia , Devulder Laurie , Fenouillet Fabien , Louville Patrice
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The present pilot study was designed to measure the feasibility and efficacy of motivational interviewing (MI) in groups in France, using the Wagner and Ingersoll's method.

Method

Participants (N = 85) were people with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) recruited from addiction consultation centers: 37 received five sessions of 2‐h MI groups and 48 were assigned to treatment‐as‐usual condition (TAU). The sample was middle‐aged (M = 43.95, SD = 12.96).

Results

MI in groups seems to lead to a significant decrease in alcohol use and anxiety and depressive symptoms of participants in the MI condition. Moreover, there seems to be an increase in subjective happiness scores after the MI groups. In addition, participants' reactions were very positive.

Conclusions

This study provides encouraging results in favor of the feasibility and efficacy of MI in groups. The use of MI in groups has many advantages in clinical settings.
Elevated CO2 affects the rhizosphere microbial community and the growth of two invader plant species differently in semiarid Mediterranean soils
Authors: Caravaca Fuensanta , Torres Pilar , Díaz Gisela , Roldán Antonio
Published: October 2021

The rise in atmospheric CO2 levels is foreseen to enhance the growth of exotic invasive plants and potentially alter the rhizosphere microbial community, which in turn could enhance the risk of colonization by such invaders. This response could be determined by the plant type and the features of invaded soil. The goal of this investigation was to compare the effects of elevated CO2 on the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities of two invaders with distinct degrees of invasiveness, Nicotiana glauca and Mirabilis jalapa, by growing the plants in five different semiarid soils at ambient (410 ppm) or elevated (760 ppm) CO2. The changes in soil physicochemical, biochemical, and biological features mediated by the invaders were also evaluated. The effect of CO2 supply on shoot dry biomass was only significant for N. glauca, the shoot and root biomass of plants grown under elevated CO2 being approximately 53% and 14% greater, respectively, than those of the plants grown under ambient CO2. Elevated CO2 only promoted shifts in the rhizosphere bacterial community composition and enhanced the bacterial functional potential related to nucleoside and nucleotide biosynthesis and N‐cycling in N. glauca. Among the bacterial indicator species, the genera Sphingomonas, Stenotrophobacter, and Gaiella were more abundant in the rhizosphere of N. glauca plants grown under elevated CO2. This study demonstrates that the responses of aboveground and belowground biomass of invasive plants to CO2 enrichment, as well as those of the composition and functioning of soil microbial communities, are dependent on their degree of invasiveness.
One‐Step Sequence‐Selective Synthesis of Block Copolyester from Mixed Phthalic Anhydride, Cyclohexene Oxide, and δ‐Valerolactone
Authors: He Guanchen , Li Heng , Zhao Junpeng
Published: October 2021

One‐step synthesis of well‐defined block copolymer is of great fundamental and practical values. Here, an aromatic‐aliphatic block copolyester is one‐step synthesized from the mixture of phthalic anhydride (PA), cyclohexene oxide (CHO), and δ‐valerolactone (δ‐VL) at room temperature in the presence of a metal‐free Lewis pair catalyst consisting of triethylborane and excess phosphazene base. Alcohol‐initiated ring‐opening alternating copolymerization of PA and CHO occurs first and selectively because of the overwhelmingly higher activity of PA than CHO and δ‐VL toward the reaction with base‐activated hydroxy species. Only after full conversion of PA is reached can ring‐opening polymerization of δ‐VL occur from the terminus of the aromatic polyester so that a well‐defined (AB)nCm type block copolyester is formed. The two polymerizations are both highly chemoselective without homopolymerization of CHO or extensive transesterification reactions. Owing to the sequence‐selective and living characteristics of the terpolymerization, hepta‐ and undecablock copolyesters with controlled molar mass and low dispersity are obtained through addition of the three‐component monomer mixture in batches. Applicability of the method to propylene oxide and ε‐caprolactone is also examined.
Highly precise and efficient solution strategy for linear heat conduction and structural dynamics
Authors: Ji Yi , Xing Yufeng
Published: October 2021

Time‐dependent parabolic and hyperbolic equations are widely encountered in practical engineering. Accurate and fast solution methods for such equations have always attracted attention. To reach this aim, this article proposes a strategy to construct highly precise and efficient time integration methods (TIMs) for linear heat conduction and structural dynamic systems. In the proposed strategy, an integrated amplification matrix of a TIM is created to precisely transfer the free responses of the previous step, and the Gauss–Legendre quadrature is employed to precisely compute the forced responses of the current step. To reduce computational cost and rounding error, a 2m algorithm and a method of storing incremental matrix are applied in the construction of the integrated matrix. Moreover, the L‐stable backward difference formula for heat conduction and the generalized trapezoidal rule for structural dynamics, which is A‐stable and has controllable dissipation, are utilized to conduct this strategy. Numerical experiments validate that compared with some existing TIMs, the TIMs generated by the proposed strategy enjoy advantages both in precision and efficiency.
Health literacy in communication, decision‐making and outcomes among cancer patients, their families and clinicians in India: A multicentre cross‐sectional qualitative study
Authors: Harding Richard , Salins Naveen , Sharan Krishna , Ekstrand Maria L.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Cancer patients in India prefer full information regarding diagnosis and prognosis, but evidence suggests poor insight. This study aimed to identify the role of health literacy among adult patients living with cancer, their families and health professionals in decision‐making and treatment outcomes in India.

Methods

This cross‐sectional in‐depth study recruited patients, families and clinicians from three centers. Inductive thematic analysis informed a novel conceptual model.

Results

We recruitedn = 34 cancer patients,n = 33 family members,n = 11 doctors andn = 14 nurses (N = 92). Principle emergent themes were the following: (1) Preferences and dynamics of diagnosis and prognosis disclosure, for example, the dominant preference was for families who held hope for cure to discourage disclosure; clinicians sometimes disclosed in line with perceived ability to pay for treatment. (2) Understanding of disease and its treatment options (etiology, potential trajectory, treatment options), for example, lay understandings of cancer etiology as contamination from outside the home, and reluctance of patients to ask questions of clinicians. (3) Priorities in decision‐making, for example, not engaging patients due to fear of patient distress, patients initiated on anticancer treatments without knowledge or consent, pursuing futile treatments. (4) Anxieties over finances and outcomes (disclosure, decision‐making, care pathways), for example, clinicians attempting to reduce families pursuing expensive and inappropriate treatment options with patients who have poor insight, catastrophic spending based on poor decisions.

Conclusion

The novel evidence‐based health literacy model offers potential for feasible and acceptable intervention to support families in communication, disclosure and decision‐making. This may improve patients' access to informed, appropriate care pathways.
Recent Advances in High‐Mobility and High‐Stretchability Organic Field‐Effect Transistors: From Materials, Devices to Applications
Authors: Wu Fuming , Liu Yixuan , Zhang Jun , Duan Shuming , Ji Deyang , Yang Hui
Published: October 2021

Stretchable organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) are one of the essential building blocks for next‐generation wearable electronics due to the high stretchability of OFET well matching with the large deformation of human skin. In recent years, some significant progress of stretchable OFETs have already been made via the strategies of stretchable molecular design and geometry engineering. However, the main opportunity and challenge of stretchable OFETs is still to simultaneously improve their stretchability and mobility. This review covers the recent advances in the research of stretchable OFETs with high mobility. First, the core stretchable materials are summarized, including organic semiconductors, electrodes, dielectrics, and substrates. Second, the materials and healing mechanism of self‐healing OFET are summarized in detail. Subsequently, their different configurations and the potential applications are summarized. Finally, an outlook of future research directions and challenges in this area is presented.
Total Blood Mercury Predicts Methylmercury Exposure in Fish and Shellfish Consumers
Authors: Wells Ellen M. , Kopylev Leonid , Nachman Rebecca , Radke Elizabeth G. , Congleton Johanna , Segal Deborah
Published: October 2021

Many studies evaluating methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity rely on whole blood total mercury (THg) measurements to estimate MeHg exposure. However, whole blood THg includes other forms of mercury (Hg), such as inorganic Hg, which have different exposure sources and toxicological effects than MeHg. Therefore, estimating the whole blood MeHg/THg ratio is critical to predicting MeHg exposure and, subsequently, efforts to establish an exposure–response relationship for use in risk assessment. A large, representative dataset (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2016) was used to determine the whole blood MeHg/THg ratio among (a) self-reported fish and shellfish consumers, ≥ 15 years of age (the “full adult” population (N = 5268 training dataset; N = 2336 test dataset)) and (b) female fish and shellfish consumers, 15–44 years of age (the “women of reproductive age” population (N = 1285 training dataset; N = 560 test dataset)). Unadjusted and adjusted linear and spline models with direct measurements for both THg and MeHg were evaluated. The mean whole blood MeHg/THg ratio was 0.75 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74, 0.75). This ratio was significantly higher among those with higher THg concentrations. All models exhibited excellent fit (adjusted R2 from 0.957 to 0.982). Performance was slightly improved in spline versus linear models. For the full adult population and women of reproductive age, the unadjusted spline model predicted whole blood MeHg concentrations of 5.65 µg/L and 5.55 µg/L, respectively, when the THg concentration was 5.80 µg/L. These results suggest that whole blood THg is a good predictor of whole blood MeHg among fish and shellfish consumers.
Emotional Eating After Manipulating Emotion Regulation: A Laboratory Study in Adolescents
Authors: Debeuf Taaike , Verbeken Sandra , Volkaert Brenda , Michels Nathalie , Blechert Jens , Braet Caroline
Published: October 2021

It is often assumed that emotional eating occurs when an individual is unable to utilise emotion regulation (ER) to cope with stress. In this stress exposure study, we explored whether manipulating participants’ ER strategies (rumination or self-compassion) influenced their stress-related affect and food consumption. Fifty-three adolescents (Mage = 14.72) were included; half of the participants were instructed to use rumination as their ER strategy, and half were instructed to use self-compassion. We could not demonstrate that the ER strategies differently affected stress-related affect. However, we did find that increased Happiness following ER self-compassion predicted reduced High-Fat Sweet food consumption, whereas increased Happiness following ER rumination instead led to greater High-Fat Sweet food consumption. In participants who ruminated, food consumption reduced feelings of Frustration, but not Boredom or Happiness. Post-hoc exploration revealed that only ER self-compassion, not ER rumination, normalised levels of stress-related affect. The results highlight the need for more research into the complex relationship between ER strategies, affect states, and food types in their effect on emotional eating.
Powerless in the Virgin Islands: Emergency Department and Wound Care Clinic Utilization Following the 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Authors: Christopher Kenneth E , Kitsantas Panagiota , Farrell-Sealey Sherla , Hunte-Ceasar Tai
Published: October 2021

Objective:

The main objective of this work was to characterize the prevalence of acute medical needs by examining emergency department (ED) and outpatient wound care clinic (WCC) visits before, during, and after the 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria, in St. Thomas, United States (U.S.) Virgin Islands.

Methods:

Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to assess associations between the occurrence of the storms and visits due to injuries and chronic conditions presented to the ED and WCC from September 1, 2016 to May 31, 2018.

Results:

ED visits increased and the rate of injury care was higher during the storms (12 patient visits per day) than before or after the storms (9 patient visits per day). WCC visits increased during (12%) and after the storms (45%), and were associated with patients 60 years and older. The odds of ED and WCC visits due to injury during the storms were significantly higher (odds ratio [OR]: 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17, 1.40) than prior to the storms. The odds for visits due to injuries were 1.19 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.28) times higher after the storms.

Conclusions:

Increases occurred in ED and WCC visits for injury care during the storms and in WCC visits after the storms. Public health preparedness mandates understanding how major hurricanes impact the prevalence of acute medical needs, and the factors that influence decisions to seek medical care, in their wake.
PRESIDENTS AND THE CONDITIONAL CORE-SWING TARGETING OF THE NATIONAL SUBSIDY IN SOUTH KOREA, 1989–2018
Authors: Kim Wooseok
Published: October 2021

In this article, I present a theory of conditional core-swing targeting that focuses on the competition for majority control in legislative elections to explain how presidents use their strong budgetary powers to manipulate the distribution of the national subsidy in South Korea. Presidents whose parties already possess a legislative majority are expected to favor core municipalities to strengthen the foundations of their majority constituency, whereas those who seek majority control are predicted to prioritize swing municipalities in an effort to cross the majority threshold. Presidents are also anticipated to respond to the electoral cycle by shifting subsidies to riskier municipalities when elections approach. Using a novel data set on national subsidy allocations that spans three decades, I find evidence in favor of the hypotheses. This article demonstrates that the beneficiaries of distributive favoritism are not fixed, and that politicians can engage in complex and varied targeting strategies to achieve their objectives.
COVID-19 Contact Tracing and Privacy Rights in Ghana: A Critical Analysis of the Establishment of Emergency Communications System Instrument, 2020 (EI 63)
Authors: Gawu Delali A , Mensah Richard Obeng
Published: October 2021

In December 2019, the world woke up to the news of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Since then, governments across the globe have deployed various measures to contain the spread of the disease. The government of Ghana, among other measures, issued the Establishment of Emergency Communications System Instrument, 2020 (EI 63) to establish an emergency communications system to aid contact tracing during public health emergencies. This executive instrument has been criticized for illegally “legalizing” the breach of the privacy rights of electronic communications network subscribers in Ghana. This article critically analyses EI 63 in relation to the right to privacy of communication enshrined in Ghana's 1992 Constitution. It argues against the constitutionality of EI 63, calls for its revocation and replacement with an act of Parliament enacted with due regard for Ghana's legislative framework on the protection of the right to privacy of communication.
Coordinated control of a 3DOF cartesian robot and a shape memory alloy-actuated flexible needle for surgical interventions: a non-model-based control method
Authors: Liang Fan , Traughber Bryan J. , Biswas Tithi , Guo Gordon , Muzic Raymond F. , Podder Tarun K.
Published: October 2021

Success of any needle-based medical procedures depends on accurate placement of the needle at the target location. However, accurate targeting and control of flexible self-actuating (active) needle are challenging. We have developed a shape memory alloy-actuated flexible needle steered by a 3D Cartesian robot and performed a comparative study of four, non-model-based, coordinated control methodologies for the combined robot steering and flexible-needle insertion process for surgical interventions. Investigated four controllers are: proportional–integral–derivative (PID), PID with the cubic of positional error term (PID-P3), static PID sliding mode controller, and robust adaptive PID sliding mode controller (RAPID-SMC). Relative efficacies of these controllers are demonstrated by performing experiements using a tissue-mimicking soft material phantom. Results from experiments have reavealed that RAPID-SMC is superior to other three controllers.
Adult Day Program Directors’ Experiences Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Vervaecke Deanna , Owaisi Rumia B. , Meisner Brad A.
Published: October 2021

Adult day programs (ADPs) provide community-based supervised recreational services to older adults living with chronic conditions and their caregivers. Most ADPs continued operating during the pandemic, tasking directors with the responsibility of managing the complexities of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study explored how ADP directors managed and experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 ADP directors from a large health care region in Ontario. Thematic analysis resulted in four themes that detailed how participants: 1) responded to the pandemic with adapted services; 2) navigated the pandemic responses within systems and organizations, and with each other, clients, and caregivers; 3) felt personally during the pandemic; and 4) gained new insights on their clients and the importance of ADPs in the health care system due to the pandemic. Findings highlight pre-existing and emerging gaps and opportunities within ADP service provision for clients and caregivers, as well as service providers and directors.
Quantifying seed and establishment limitation to seedling recruitment of arable weeds: an example of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli)
Authors: Selig Christian , de Mol Friederike , Westerman Paula R. , Gerowitt Bärbel
Published: October 2021

The establishment of plants in an ecosystem is limited by the availability of seeds and the availability of suitable sites for establishment. Describing plant population dynamics through the relative strength of seed and establishment limitation is an important concept in the study of natural ecosystems. To date, it is unclear whether this concept can be applied to describe populations of annual weeds in agricultural fields. Using a recruitment function, we show that limitation parameters prove valuable in describing seedling recruitment in weed populations. We conducted a seed addition experiment in three cornfields (Zea maysL.) and recorded seedling recruitment in populations of the economically important weed barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli(L.) P. Beauv.]. Seed predation, competition with other weeds, and seed burial were prevented. We estimated the strength of seed and establishment limitation in the population with two parameters:n, which is the number of microsites, andb, which is the suitability of those sites to support a seedling. We further estimated the relative proportions of density-dependent and density-independent establishment limitation in the seedling population. Recruitment rates ofE. crus-galliranged from 31% to 36% across all evaluated seed densities and fields, which is high compared with results from other seed addition studies. Two of the three monitored populations were predominantly establishment limited at the highest evaluated seed density of 2,400 added seeds m−2. Further knowledge about the relative strength of limitations in other weed populations will provide important information on how effective different weed management strategies can be.
The Southern Ocean Radiative Bias, Cloud Compensating Errors, and Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity in CMIP6 Models
Authors: Schuddeboom A. J. , McDonald A. J.
Published: October 2021

Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models are analyzed using an established cloud clustering methodology. This enables a comparison of cloud representation in models and observations. The simulation of stratocumulus clouds over the Southern Ocean is shown to have changed substantially from earlier generation models. The CMIP6 models analyzed show stratocumulus clouds now occur more often in simulations than in International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) observations, but are not bright enough compared to Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) data. This is in contrast to the “too few, too bright” problem, which has characterized prior model simulations of stratocumulus clouds, particularly over the Southern Ocean. The cloud clusters also enable the calculation of mean and compensating shortwave cloud radiative effect (SW CRE) errors from model data. The compensating errors are shown to be much larger than mean errors suggesting the CMIP6 models still have much to improve in their cloud representation. A statistically significant negative relationship between the mean and compensating errors in SW CRE over the Southern Ocean is identified. This relationship is observed elsewhere, but is only significant over the Southern Ocean. This implies model tuning efforts are hiding biases in the representation of clouds in this region. CMIP6 models have been shown to have a higher equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) relative to CMIP5 simulations. The link between ECS and SW CRE mean and compensating errors is investigated but no evidence of a relationship between these variables was found.
TEC Map Completion Through a Deep Learning Model: SNP‐GAN
Authors: Pan Yang , Jin Mingwu , Zhang Shunrong , Deng Yue
Published: October 2021

The limited availability of ground receiver stations causes an approximate 52% of data gaps in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)‐ total electron content (TEC) global maps. The completed TEC maps are highly desirable for both scientific research and space weather applications. Compared to the conventional image inpainting methods, the deep learning methods using generative adversarial networks (GANs) offer an effective image inpainting tool. We adapt the Spectrally Normalized Patch GAN (SNP‐GAN) for the TEC map completion using a traditional complete TEC data source, the International Global Navigation Satellite System TEC (IGS‐TEC) maps, as the training data. For 10‐fold cross‐validation of 20‐year IGS‐TEC data, SNP‐GAN reduces the root mean squared error (RMSE) by more than 30% compared to our previous model, the deep convolutional GAN with Poisson blending (DCGAN‐PB). Two case studies using MIT‐TEC data for 2013 and 2016 storms also demonstrate that SNP‐GAN outperforms DCGAN‐PB in terms of recovering equatorial and low latitude TEC structures. Meanwhile, the end‐to‐end styled generator of SNP‐GAN saves time in the map completion step by avoiding iterative mapping used in DCGAN‐PB. Both deep learning methods not only preserve the large‐scale TEC structures well, but also reveal mesoscale (100–1,000 km) TEC structures that are missing in IGS‐TEC. This work represents an important progress for efficient and automatic TEC map completion with high accuracy.
DFT study of the reaction mechanism of CuO–char in chemical-looping combustion
Authors: Zhao Deng , Liu Hui , Zhu Di , Wang Huashan , Lu Pengcheng , Qin Ming
Published: October 2021

In the CuO–char mechanism of chemical-looping combustion, direct solid–solid reaction is more favorable than oxygen decoupling.
A package for the automated classification of images containing supernova light echoes
Authors: Bhullar A. , Ali R. A. , Welch D. L.
Published: October 2021

Context.The so-called light echoes of supernovae – the apparent motion of outburst-illuminated interstellar dust – can be detected in astronomical difference images; however, light echoes are extremely rare which makes manual detection an arduous task. Surveys for centuries-old supernova light echoes can involve hundreds of pointings of wide-field imagers wherein the subimages from each CCD amplifier require examination.

Aims.We introduce ALED, a Python package that implements (i) a capsule network trained to automatically identify images with a high probability of containing at least one supernova light echo and (ii) routing path visualization to localize light echoes and/or light echo-like features in the identified images.

Methods.We compared the performance of the capsule network implemented in ALED (ALED-m) to several capsule and convolutional neural networks of different architectures. We also applied ALED to a large catalogue of astronomical difference images and manually inspected candidate light echo images for human verification.

Results.ALED-m was found to achieve 90% classification accuracy on the test set and to precisely localize the identified light echoes via routing path visualization. From a set of 13 000+ astronomical difference images, ALED identified a set of light echoes that had been overlooked in manual classification.
Galaxy cluster strong lensing cosmography
Authors: Caminha G. B. , Suyu S. H. , Grillo C. , Rosati P.
Published: October 2021

Cluster strong lensing cosmography is a promising probe of the background geometry of the Universe and several studies have emerged thanks to the increased quality of observations using space- and ground-based telescopes. For the first time, we used a sample of five cluster strong lenses to measure the values of cosmological parameters and combine them with those from classical probes. In order to assess the degeneracies and the effectiveness of strong-lensing cosmography in constraining the background geometry of the Universe, we adopted four cosmological scenarios. We found good constraining power on the total matter density of the Universe (Ωm) and the equation of state of the dark energy parameterw. For a flatwCDM cosmology, we found Ωm= 0.30−0.11+0.09andw= −1.12−0.32+0.17from strong lensing only. Interestingly, we show that the constraints from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) are improved by factors of 2.5 and 4.0 on Ωmandw, respectively, when combined with our posterior distributions in this cosmological model. In a scenario where the equation of state of dark energy evolves with redshift, the strong lensing constraints are compatible with a cosmological constant (i.e.w = −1). In a curved cosmology, our strong lensing analyses can accommodate a large range of values for the curvature of the Universe of Ωk= 0.28−0.21+0.16. In all cosmological scenarios, we show that our strong lensing constraints are complementary and in good agreement with measurements from the CMB, baryon acoustic oscillations, and Type Ia supernovae. Our results show that cluster strong lensing cosmography is a potentially powerful probe to be included in the cosmological analyses of future surveys.
OP-Dokumentation: Welche Pflichten hat das OP-Personal?
Authors: Westhof Sadija
Published: October 2021

Die Dokumentation im OP wird häufig stiefkindlich behandelt. Wie wichtig es vor allem aus juristischer Perspektive ist, lückenlos und gewissenhaft zu dokumentieren, und welche Verpflichtungen das OP-Personal hierbei hat, fasst unsere Autorin zusammen.
Synthesis of Purines and Related Molecules by Cyclization ­Reactions of Heterocyclic Enamines
Authors: Langer Peter
Published: October 2021

A great variety of pharmacologically relevant fluorinated purine analogues are available by cyclization reactions of heterocyclic enamines with 1,3-dielectrophiles. The reactions usually proceed with excellent regioselectivities. As electrophiles, 1,3-diketones, enaminones or 3-chloro-2-en-1-ones were used. Other synthetic strategies are based on inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder reactions of heterocyclic enamines with triazines. Purine analogues were further functionalized by transition-metal-catalyzed CH-coupling reactions or oxidative cyclizations, giving rise to more complex polycyclic products. Amidino-C-glycosides in their reactions with 1,3-dielectrophiles afforded pyrimidine-C-glycosides. Multicomponent reactions of heterocyclic enamines afforded complex products, including spirocyclic derivatives.

1 Introduction

2 1,3-Diketones

3 Enaminones

4 3-Chloro-2-en-1-ones

5 Triazines

6 Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Functionalizations

7 Pyrimidine-C-Nucleosides

8 Multicomponent Reactions

9 Conclusions
“I Didn't Realize How Hard It Was Going to Be Just Transitioning Back into Life”: A Qualitative Exploration of Outcomes for Survivors of Pediatric Septic Shock
Authors: Clark Jonna D. , Kraft Stephanie A. , Dervan Leslie A. , Di Gennaro Jane L. , Hurson Jill , Watson Robert S. , Zimmerman Jerry J. , Meert Kathleen L. ,   for the Life After Pediatric Sepsis Evaluation (LAPSE) Investigators
Published: October 2021

Recovery following pediatric critical illness is multifaceted and complex. While most critically ill children survive, many experience morbidities in physical, emotional, cognitive, and social function. We aimed to deeply explore and describe the multidimensional impact of pediatric septic shock for affected children and their families at the granular level using exploratory qualitative methodology. We performed semistructured telephone interviews of adolescents and caregivers of children admitted with community-acquired septic shock to two tertiary pediatric intensive care units in the United States. Interviews were conducted within two years of hospital admission, and were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Two adolescents and 10 caregivers were interviewed. Participants described meaningful and long-lasting outcomes of septic shock on multiple dimensions of their lives. The adolescents and caregivers described substantial negative consequences on physical health and function which resulted in increased medical complexity and heightened caregiver vigilance. The physical impact led to substantial psychosocial consequences for both the child and family, including social isolation. Most caregivers expressed that septic shock was transformational in their lives, with some caregivers describing posttraumatic growth. This preliminary study provides a novel, granular view of the multidimensional impact of septic shock in pediatric patients and their families. Exploring these experiences through qualitative methodology provides greater insight into important patient and family outcomes. Deeper understanding of these outcomes may support the development of meaningful interventions to improve quality of life for children and their families following critical illness.
Statement des ZVEG: MDR – gut gemeint, aber auch gut gemacht?
Authors: Eltzholtz Lennart
Published: October 2021

Undichte Brustimplantate und defekte Hüftprothesen brachten Medizinprodukte vor einigen Jahren in die Schlagzeilen. Nicht zuletzt aufgrund dieser Vorfälle wurden die Regeln für die Zulassung per EU-Verordnung verschärft. Jetzt sind die Auswirkungen dieser Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in der öffentlichen Diskussion. Ist die MDR ein gelungenes Werkzeug für mehr Patientensicherheit?
Cardiac reparative therapy with adipose graft transposition procedure (AGTP) improves electrophysiological remodeling of chronic myocardial infarction
Authors: Adelino Recasens R , Galvez-Monton C , Martinez-Falguera D , Curiel C , Teis A , Marsal R , Rodriguez-Leor O , Sarrias A , Bazan V , Fadeuilhe E , Villuendas R , Aranyo J , Bayes-Genis A , Bisbal F
Published: October 2021

Background

Cardiac regeneration is a promising therapeutic option for patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI). Adipose graft transposition procedure (AGTP) is a cardiac reparative therapy consisting of the transposition of a vascularized adipose flap from the autologous pericardium over the epicardial scar area, which has shown to reduce the infarct size and improve the left ventricular function.

Purpose

To assess the impact of the AGTP on the electrophysiological remodeling of the post-MI scar by means of electrophysiological study (EPS), high density (HD) mapping, and 3D contrast-enhanced MRI (ceMRI).

Methods

A lateral MI was induced in 14 Landrace X Large White pigs by coil deployment at the first marginal branch of the circumflex artery. A 3D ceMRI, EPS and endocardial HD mapping were performed 2 (baseline) and 6 weeks post-MI (30 day post-treatment). Subjects were randomized to AGTP (n=8) or sham surgery (n=6) following baseline tests. Voltage and activation maps were blindly analyzed off-line with self-customized ParaView-based software. ceMRI was post-processed with ADAS3D. Conventional bipolar and unipolar voltage cut-offs were used (0.5–1.5mV and 6.7mV, respectively). Conduction velocity (CV) was determined for every pair of contiguous points. Areas of CV were quantified for every 0.2m/s steps (<0.2 - 4 m/s).

Results

At follow-up, and compared to the sham group, the AGTP group showed a significant reduction of the border zone area in both bipolar voltage mapping (−18±50% vs +10±144%, p=0.043) and ceMRI (−2.0±1.7 vs +1.1±2.8g; p=0.047), as well as a reduction in dense scar mass by ceMRI (−1.1±0.7g vs. +0.6±0.9 g, p=0.001). The AGTP group had a significant reduction of the size of very-slow CV areas (<0.2 m/s), compared to the sham group (−3.5±3.4 vs. +1.5±3.8 mm2, p=0.022), without differences in other CV ranges. EPS did not induce ventricular tachycardia in any subject at baseline, and only in 1 of the sham group at the follow-up.

Conclusions

Cardiac reparative therapy with AGTP of post-MI scar reduced the size of border zone tissue and very-slow conduction zones and could provide a protective effect against arrhythmic events in ischemic heart disease.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): FIS grant - Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Short homology-directed repair using optimized Cas9 in the pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans enables rapid gene deletion and tagging
Authors: Huang Manning Y , Joshi Meenakshi B , Boucher Michael J , Lee Sujin , Loza Liza C , Gaylord Elizabeth A , Doering Tamara L , Madhani Hiten D
Published: October 2021

Cryptococcus neoformans, the most common cause of fungal meningitis, is a basidiomycete haploid budding yeast with a complete sexual cycle. Genome modification by homologous recombination is feasible using biolistic transformation and long homology arms, but the method is arduous and unreliable. Recently, multiple groups have reported the use of CRISPR-Cas9 as an alternative to biolistics, but long homology arms are still necessary, limiting the utility of this method. Since the S. pyogenes Cas9 derivatives used in prior studies were not optimized for expression in C. neoformans, we designed, synthesized, and tested a fully C. neoformans-optimized (Cno) Cas9. We found that a Cas9 harboring only common C. neoformans codons and a consensus C. neoformans intron together with a TEF1 promoter and terminator and a nuclear localization signal (Cno CAS9 or “CnoCAS9”) reliably enabled genome editing in the widely used KN99α C. neoformans strain. Furthermore, editing was accomplished using donors harboring short (50 bp) homology arms attached to marker DNAs produced with synthetic oligonucleotides and PCR amplification. We also demonstrated that prior stable integration of CnoCAS9 further enhances both transformation and homologous recombination efficiency; importantly, this manipulation does not impact virulence in animals. We also implemented a universal tagging module harboring a codon-optimized fluorescent protein (mNeonGreen) and a tandem Calmodulin Binding Peptide-2X FLAG Tag that allows for both localization and purification studies of proteins for which the corresponding genes are modified by short homology-directed recombination. These tools enable short-homology genome engineering in C. neoformans.
Flexible Intramedullary Nail Fixation With Supplemental External Fixator for Unstable Pediatric Femur Fractures: A Case Series
Authors: Hayashi Brooke , Shahbazian Jonathan H. , Loveland Kerry , Gerardi Joseph A.
Published: October 2021

Introduction:

Flexible intramedullary nail fixation (FIN) has become the preferred mode of treatment for femur fractures in elementary school aged children. One clear limitation of FIN is the inability to control length unstable femur fractures. This case series evaluates radiographic union rates, fracture alignment, and postoperative complications for a novel technique of FIN and adjunct external fixation in length unstable femur fractures.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed using current procedural terminology coding to identify 10 pediatric femur fractures utilizing flexible nail fixation with supplemental external fixation in length unstable femur fractures. Electronic medical records were used to obtain demographic information and length of operative time. A picture archiving and communication system was utilized to review radiographs.

Results:

Combined FIN fixation and supplemental external fixation were used in ten pediatric patients with length unstable femur fractures. The average age at time of injury was 6.4 years (range: 3 to 8 years). The average duration of external fixation was 30 days with no pin site complications including infection or refracture. Average time to union was 54 days with no radiographic loss of reduction. There were no documented intraoperative or postoperative complications.

Conclusions:

The cases reviewed in this study support that in addition to FIN fixation for unstable pediatric femur fractures, a supplemental external fixator provides a viable option with all fractures obtaining union, acceptable alignment, no loss of reduction, and no postoperative complications. This technique may provide another tool in the orthopedist armamentarium and possibly as an alternative to submuscular plating.
Graft Thickness at 6 Months Postoperatively Predicts Long-Term Visual Acuity Outcomes of Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty for Fuchs Dystrophy and Moderate Phakic Bullous Keratopathy: A Cohort Study
Authors: Perone Jean-Marc , Goetz Christophe , Zevering Yinka , Derumigny Alexis , Bloch Florian , Vermion Jean-Charles , Lhuillier Louis
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

It remains unclear whether preoperative central graft thickness (CGT) contributes to visual outcomes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). This retrospective cohort study examined the ability of preoperative and postoperative CGT to predict 12-month best spectacle–corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) after DSAEK for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy/moderate pseudophakic bullous keratopathy/second graft.

Methods:

All consecutive patients who underwent DSAEK in 2015 to 2018 were included. The primary end point was 12-month BSCVA. DSAEK-CGT was measured preoperatively and 6 times between postoperative day 8 and month 12. Eyes were divided according to preoperative CGT 130 μm (ultrathin-DSAEK threshold) or 6-month postoperative CGT 100 μm (mean 6-month postoperative DSAEK-CGT). The t test assessed CGT evolution of the 4 groups over time. Multivariate analyses examined whether preoperative CGT or 6-month CGT categories predicted 12-month BSCVA. Multivariate analysis assessed the preoperative/perioperative factors that predicted 6-month CGT.

Results:

A total of 108 eyes (68 patients) underwent DSAEK. Preoperative CGT was >130 and ≤130 μm in 87 and 21 eyes, respectively. Postoperative CGT was >100 and ≤100 μm in 50 and 58 eyes, respectively. Thin 6-month postoperative grafts thinned significantly more relative to preoperative thickness than thick grafts (P < 0.001). Preoperative CGT subgroups did not show this difference. Six-month postoperative CGT (P = 0.01), but not preoperative CGT, predicted 12-month BSCVA. Preoperative CGT strongly predicted 6-month CGT (P = 0.0003).

Conclusions:

Postoperative, but not preoperative, DSAEK-CGT predicted 6-month BSCVA. The correlation between preoperative and postoperative CGT and interstudy variation in preoperative CGT measurement accuracy may explain literature disparities regarding the importance of preoperative CGT in DSAEK outcomes.