bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bleeding is associated with intravenous immunoglobulin and therapeutic plasma exchange use in heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: A propensity matched analysis
Authors: Soares Ferreira Júnior Alexandre , Boyle Stephen H. , Kuchibhatla Maragatha , Onwuemene Oluwatoyosi A.
Published: May 2021

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) are used in select cases with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In a cross‐sectional analysis, a propensity matched sample was generated by IVIG or TPE treatment status to assess the primary outcome of mortality. In 500 HIT cases, IVIG or TPE was not associated with increased mortality (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 0.81–2.63, p = 0.2052) but was associated with a higher likelihood of major bleeding (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.03–2.96, p = 0.0376). The use of IVIG or TPE in HIT cases with bleeding contraindications to standard therapies should be further investigated.
Fiscal decentralization, democracy and government size: Disentangling the complexities
Authors: Kwabena Obeng Samuel
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the mediating effect of democracy in explaining the relationship between decentralization and government size for the period 1970–2013. We proxy decentralization by fiscal decentralization, use total spending as our primary measure of government size and adopt the V‐Dem high‐level democracy indices as measures of democracy. Our main finding is that the relationship between fiscal decentralization and government spending differs under different types of democracy. From the interaction term, the negative effect of fiscal decentralization diminishes as the democracy level gets higher, particularly for participatory democracy irrespective of whether government size is measured by spending‐to‐GDP or employment.
Does Training in LI‐RADS Version 2018 Improve Readers' Agreement with the Expert Consensus and Inter‐reader Agreement in MRI Interpretation?
Authors: Zhang Nan , Xu Hui , Ren A‐Hong , Zhang Qian , Yang Da‐Wei , Ba Te , Wang Zhen‐Chang , Yang Zheng‐Han
Published: May 2021

Background

The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI‐RADS) was established for noninvasive diagnosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether training can improve readers' agreement with the expert consensus and inter‐reader agreement for final categories is still unclear.

Purpose

To explore training effectiveness on readers' agreement with the expert consensus and inter‐reader agreement.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Seventy lesions in 61 patients at risk of HCC undergoing liver MRI; 20 visiting scholars.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5 T or 3 T, Dual‐echo T1WI, Fast spin‐echo T2WI, SE‐EPI DWI, and Dynamic multiphase fast gradient‐echo T1WI.

Assessment

Seventy lesions assigned LI‐RADS categories of LR1–LR5, LR‐M, and LR‐TIV by three radiologists in consensus were randomly selected, with 10 cases for each category. The consensus opinion was the standard reference. The third radiologist delivered the training. Twenty readers reviewed images independently and assigned each an LI‐RADS category both before and after the training.

Statistical Tests

Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, simple and weighted kappa statistics, and Fleiss kappa statistics.

Results

Before and after training: readers' AUC (areas under ROC) for LR‐1–LR‐5, LR‐M, and LR‐TIV were 0.898 vs. 0.913, 0.711 vs. 0.876, 0.747 vs. 0.860, 0.724 vs. 0.815, 0.844 vs. 0.895, 0.688 vs. 0.873, and 0.720 vs. 0.948, respectively, and all improved significantly (P < 0.05), except LR‐1(P = 0.25). Inter‐reader agreement between readers for LR‐1–LR‐5, LR‐M, LR‐TIV were 0.725 vs. 0.751, 0.325 vs. 0.607, 0.330 vs. 0.559, 0.284 vs. 0.488, 0.447 vs. 0.648, 0.229 vs. 0.589, and 0.362 vs. 0.852, respectively, and all increased significantly (P < 0.05). For training effectiveness on both AUC and inter‐reader agreement, LR‐TIV, LR‐M, and LR‐2 improved most, and LR‐1 made the least.

Data Conclusion

This study shows LI‐RADS training could improve reader agreement with the expert consensus and inter‐reader agreement for final categories.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Cytokine storm in severe COVID‐19 pneumonia
Authors: Gürsoy Bengül , Sürmeli Cemile D. , Alkan Mustafa , Satıcı Celal , Altunok Elif Sargın , Kamat Sadettin , Demirok Berna , Demirkol Mustafa A. , Börü Akaberk
Published: May 2021

In this study, laboratorial parameters of hospitalized novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) patients, who were complicated with severe pneumonia, were compared with the findings of cytokine storm developing in macrophage activation syndrome (MAS)/secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH). Severe pneumonia occurred as a result of cytokine storm in some patients who needed intensive care unit (ICU), and it is aimed to determine the precursive parameters in this situation. Also in this study, the aim is to identify laboratory criteria that predict worsening disease and ICU intensification, as well as the development of cytokine storm. This article comprises a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to a single institution with COVID‐19 pneumonia. This study includes 150 confirmed COVID‐19 patients with severe pneumonia. When they were considered as severe pneumonia patients, the clinic and laboratory parameters of this group are compared with H‐score criteria. Patients are divided into two subgroups; patients with worsened symptoms who were transferred into tertiary ICU, and patients with stable symptoms followed in the clinic. For the patients with confirmed COVID‐19 infection, after they become complicated with severe pneumonia, lymphocytopenia (55.3%), anemia (12.0%), thrombocytopenia (19.3%), hyperferritinemia (72.5%), hyperfibrinogenemia (63.7%) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (90.8%), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) (31.3%), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) (20.7%) are detected. There were no significant changes in other parameters. Blood parameters between the pre‐ICU period and the ICU period (in which their situation had been worsened and acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS] was developed) were also compared. In the latter group lymphocyte levels were found significantly reduced (p = 0.01), and LDH, highly sensitive troponin (hs‐troponin), procalcitonin, and triglyceride levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In addition, there was no change in hemoglobin, leukocyte, platelet, ferritin, and liver function test levels, including patients who developed ARDS, similar to the cytokine storm developed in MAS/sHLH. COVID‐19 pneumonia has similar findings as hyperinflammatory syndromes but does not seem to have typical features as in cytokine storm developed in MAS/sHLH. In the severe patient group who has started to develop ARDS signs, a decrease in lymphocyte level in addition to the elevated LDH, hs‐troponin, procalcitonin, and triglyceride levels can be a predictor in progression to ICU admission and could help in the planning of anti‐cytokine therapy.
RT‐PCR/MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry‐based detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in saliva specimens
Authors: Hernandez Matthew M. , Banu Radhika , Shrestha Paras , Patel Armi , Chen Feng , Cao Liyong , Fabre Shelcie , Tan Jessica , Lopez Heidi , Chiu Numthip , Shifrin Biana , Zapolskaya Inessa , Flores Vanessa , Lee Pui Yiu , Castañeda Sergio , Ramírez Juan David , Jhang Jeffrey , Osorio Giuliana , Gitman Melissa R. , Nowak Michael D. , Reich David L. , Cordon‐Cardo Carlos , Sordillo Emilia Mia , Paniz‐Mondolfi Alberto E.
Published: May 2021

As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infections continue, there is a substantial need for cost‐effective and large‐scale testing that utilizes specimens that can be readily collected from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in various community settings. Although multiple diagnostic methods utilize nasopharyngeal specimens, saliva specimens represent an attractive alternative as they can rapidly and safely be collected from different populations. While saliva has been described as an acceptable clinical matrix for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2, evaluations of analytic performance across platforms for this specimen type are limited. Here, we used a novel sensitive RT‐PCR/MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry‐based assay (Agena MassARRAY®) to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 in saliva specimens. The platform demonstrated high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity when compared to matched patient upper respiratory specimens. We also evaluated the analytical sensitivity of the platform and determined the limit of detection of the assay to be 1562.5 copies/ml. Furthermore, across the five individual target components of this assay, there was a range in analytic sensitivities for each target with the N2 target being the most sensitive. Overall, this system also demonstrated comparable performance when compared to the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in saliva by the cobas® 6800/8800 SARS‐CoV‐2 real‐time RT‐PCR Test (Roche). Together, we demonstrate that saliva represents an appropriate matrix for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection on the novel Agena system as well as on a conventional real‐time RT‐PCR assay. We conclude that the MassARRAY® system is a sensitive and reliable platform for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection in saliva, offering scalable throughput in a large variety of clinical laboratory settings.
The observed influence of the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation in the lower equatorial stratosphere on the East Asian winter monsoon during early boreal winter
Authors: Ma Tianjiao , Chen Wen , Huangfu Jingliang , Song Lei , Cai Qingyu
Published: May 2021

This study examines the relationship between the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) and the variability of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter. Here, we consider the effects of QBO winds in the lower stratosphere at 70 hPa. It is found that during the period of 1958–2019, the EAWM in the early winter months (November–December) is weaker in the easterly phase of the QBO (EQBO) than in the westerly phase of the QBO (WQBO). During EQBO, the northerly monsoon flow is weakened, and anomalous warm temperatures occur over East Asia. Moreover, components of the EAWM circulation system, including the Siberian High, Aleutian Low, East Asian trough, and East Asian jet stream, are all weakened. Our further analysis suggests that the QBO may influence the EAWM directly via a subtropical pathway. The EQBO tends to weaken the East Asian jet stream and shift it poleward, and the changes in the East Asian jet stream lead to a weakened EAWM. The activities of planetary waves are also changed in association with the QBO. Examinations of individual zonal wavenumbers (WNs) of planetary waves in the SLP field reveal that WN 1 is strengthened while WNs 2 and 3 are weakened during EQBO. Specifically, the anomalous WN 2 leads to weakening of the Siberian High, Aleutian Low, and East Asian trough, and the anomalous WN 3 reduces the pressure gradient between the East Asia landmass and the western Pacific. The changes in WNs 2 and 3 associated with the QBO play a dominant role in anomalous EAWM.
Effects of indoor, greenhouse, and field cultivation on bioactive compounds from parsley and basil
Authors: Proz Mariel de los Ángeles , da Silva Magnólia Aparecida Silva , Rodrigues Eliseu , Bender Renar João , Rios Alessandro de Oliveira
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Aromatic herbs are an important source of bioactive compounds. Different cultivation systems should give each plant a specific amount of those compounds, which should be of a particular quality. In this study, the effects of three cultivation systems (indoor, greenhouse, and organic field) on the composition of bioactive compounds in parsley (Petroselinum crispum cv. ‘Flat Leaf’), green basil (Ocimum basilicum var. minimum cv. ‘Greek’), and purple basil (Ocimum basilicum cv. ‘Red Rubin’) were evaluated.

RESULTS

β‐Carotene and lutein were the carotenoids with the highest concentration in the three plants in all the cultivation systems. Overall, parsley proved to be a source of flavonoids. The major phenolic compound found in basil plants was rosmarinic acid, whereas most anthocyanins were derived from cyanidin aglycone. Among the three plants studied, the highest vitamin C content was found in parsley from the field. This was 2.6 and 5.4 times higher than the indoor and greenhouse cultivation, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that different cultivation systems influence and modulate the concentration of bioactive compounds in plants differently, varying according to their class, and that, above all, an indoor system is an effective cultivation system for the production of bioactive compounds. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Assessment of Magnet status and Textbook Outcomes among medicare beneficiaries undergoing hepato‐pancreatic surgery for cancer
Authors: Mehta Rittal , Tsilimigras Diamantis I. , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: May 2021

Background

The relationship between hospital Magnet status recognition and postoperative outcomes following complex cancer surgery remains ill‐defined. We sought to characterize Textbook Outcome (TO) rates among patients undergoing (HP) surgery for cancer in Magnet versus non‐Magnet centers.

Methods

Medicare beneficiaries undergoing HP surgery between 2015 and 2017 were identified. The association of postoperative TO (no complications/extended length‐of‐stay/90‐day mortality/90‐day readmission) with Magnet designation was examined after adjusting for competing risk factors.

Results

Among 10,997 patients, 21.3% (n = 2337) patients underwent surgery at Magnet hospitals (non‐Magnet centers: 78.7%, n = 8660). On multivariable analysis, patients undergoing HP surgery had comparable odds of achieving a TO at Magnet versus non‐Magnet hospitals (hepatectomy: odds ratio [OR]: 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94–1.17; pancreatectomy—OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.74–1.06). Patients treated at hospitals with a high nurse‐to‐bed ratio had higher odds of achieving a TO irrespective of whether they received surgery at Magnet (high vs. low nurse‐to‐bed ratio; OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.01–1.89) or non‐Magnet centers (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10–1.45). Similarly, hospital HP volume was strongly associated with higher odds of TO following HP surgery in both Magnet (Leapfrog compliant vs. noncompliant; OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.06–1.44) and non‐Magnet centers (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.11–1.26).

Conclusion

Hospital Magnet designation was not an independent factor of superior outcomes after HP surgery. Rather, hospital‐level factors such as nurse‐to‐bed ratio and HP procedural volume drove outcomes.
Metabolomics study on the periplocin‐induced cardiotoxicity and the compatibility of periplocin and Panax notoginseng saponins in reducing cardiotoxicity in rats by GC‐MS
Authors: Wang Wei , Fan Yuqi , Huang Xuhua , Li Li , Wang Songrui , Xue Zixiang , Ouyang Huizi , He Jun
Published: May 2021

Periplocin, as one of the components of cardiac glycosides in Cortex periplocae, exhibited cardiotonic effects. Orally ingesting periplocin in high doses or over prolonged periods would cause serious adverse reactions, especially cardiotoxicity, which limits the applications of periplocin in clinical therapy. It has been reported that Panax notoginseng saponins could be used in compatibility with periplocin to reduce the cardiotoxicity of periplocin. To clarify the mechanisms of periplocin‐induced cardiotoxicity and compatibility‐pairing in reducing cardiotoxicity, the gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry method was used to detect and analyze the metabolic profiles of rat plasma and urine samples after oral administration of periplocin, Panax notoginseng saponins, and the different compatibility ratios of periplocin and Panax notoginseng saponins. The multivariate statistical analysis method was used to screen and identify the biomarkers. A total of 49 potential biomarkers (28 in plasma and 21 in urine) associated with periplocin‐induced cardiotoxicity were identified. Seven pathways were found through metabolomic pathway analysis. Moreover, the levels of 42 biomarkers (22 in plasma and 20 in urine) were close to normal after compatibility pairing. By analyzing the relative metabolic pathways, Panax notoginseng saponins could effectively reduce the cardiotoxicity of periplocin by affecting the tricarboxylic acid cycle, energy metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism.
Systematic characterization of chemical constituents in Mahuang decoction by UHPLC tandem linear ion trap‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry coupled with feature‐based molecular networking
Authors: Chen Ling , Yao Changliang , Li Jiayuan , Wang Jing , Yao Shuai , Shen Shijie , Yang Lin , Zhang Jianqing , Wei Wenlong , Bi Qirui , Guo De‐an
Published: May 2021

Comprehensive characterization of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions has long been a hurdle due to the chemical complexity and the lack of analytical tools. Mahuang decoction is a well‐known traditional Chinese medicine prescription widely used for sweating and relieving the exterior, relieving cough and asthma, but it was insufficiently chemically scrutinized. In this study, the chemical component information of Mahuang decoction was investigated by ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography tandem linear ion trap‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry. A new data processing tool, feature‐based molecular networking, was introduced for grouping and elucidating the compounds. In this way, 156 chemical components were identified or tentatively characterized, including alkaloids, triterpenoid saponins, flavanone‐O‐glycosides, flavone‐C‐glycosides, and procyanidins. Thus, this research provides a solid foundation for further development of Mahuang decoction, and the adopted method is expected to be applied to other traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.
Examining the Interaction Between Potentially Morally Injurious Events and Religiosity in Relation to Alcohol Misuse Among Military Veterans
Authors: Thomas Emmanuel D. , Weiss Nicole H. , Forkus Shannon R. , Contractor Ateka A.
Published: May 2021

Given the disproportionate rate of alcohol misuse among veterans and related outcomes as compared to the general population, the examination of predictors of alcohol misuse in this population is imperative. Potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs), defined as severe transgressions of a moral code, have been positively associated with alcohol misuse. Exposure to PMIEs may challenge one's religious beliefs, which may, in turn, influence the strength of the association between PMIEs and alcohol misuse among military veterans. The goal of the current study was to examine the potential moderating role of religiosity in the association between PMIEs and alcohol misuse (i.e., alcohol consumption, drinking behaviors, adverse reactions to drinking, and alcohol‐related problems). Participants were 496 military veterans in the community (Mage = 37.80 years, SD = 11.42; 70.5% male). The results of moderation analyses indicated that overall religiosity, organizational religiosity, and intrinsic religiosity significantly moderated the association between PMIEs and alcohol misuse such that the positive relation between PMIEs and alcohol misuse was stronger at high versus low levels of religiosity, R2s = .01. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the role of religiosity in relation to alcohol misuse as a moral injury outcome and the potential utility of tailoring treatments for military veterans who have experienced moral injury.
Evaluating Sierra Nevada Yellow‐Legged Frog Distribution Using Environmental DNA
Authors: Bedwell Mallory E. , Hopkins Kristina V. S. , Dillingham Colin , Goldberg Caren S.
Published: May 2021

Genetic tools that identify species from trace DNA samples could supplement traditional survey methods to clarify distributional limits of rare species. For species with legal habitat protection, elevational limits of distributions are used to determine where management actions may affect endangered species. The endangered Sierra Nevada yellow‐legged frog (Rana sierrae) generally is found down to 1,370 m, but in the Plumas National Forest, California, USA, there are a number of historical records below this elevation, resulting in protections extending to 1,067 m. This species is phenotypically similar to the foothill yellow‐legged frog (R. boylii), with which it occasionally hybridizes. We used a combination of genetic methods to investigate the fine‐scale distribution of the Sierra Nevada yellow‐legged frog in the Plumas National Forest. We collected and analyzed environmental DNA (eDNA) samples from all accessible lower elevation sites with records of Sierra Nevada yellow‐legged frog (n = 17) and swabbed 220 individuals for genetic identification from 2016–2018 to clarify the distribution of this endangered species. We created a climatic suitability model using the validated Sierra Nevada yellow‐legged frog records and current (1970–2000) climate models to assess additional highly suitable localities for Sierra Nevada yellow‐legged frog presence using eDNA capture. We did not confirm detection of Sierra Nevada yellow‐legged frog eDNA at any historical sites and identified all swabbed individuals from below 1,370 m (n = 144) as foothill yellow‐legged frogs. We located a new Sierra Nevada yellow‐legged frog site (at 1,919 m) during surveys guided by the climatic suitability model. It does not appear after extensive eDNA and genetic sampling that the Sierra Nevada yellow‐legged frog occurs below 1,370 m in this portion of their range at present. Our results show that eDNA sampling can be used as an effective management tool to evaluate historical locations and previously unknown suitable localities for current presence of a species of interest. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
Effect of livestock manure on soil microbial and nutrient dynamics in zaï cropping systems of the Sahel
Authors: Traoré Salifou , Ouédraogo Pauline , Bayen Philippe , Bationo Babou André , Lee Nathan , Lorenz Nicola , Dick Richard P.
Published: May 2021

The zaï cropping system that involves precision manure placement in small excavated soil pits is designed to restore the productivity of encrusted and degraded soils of the Sahel. However, there is little information on the effectiveness of zaï cropping to improve soil quality, particularly as to how it relates to manure sources. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effect of manure type on plant nutrient availability and soil microbial activity in relation to crop productivity. The experiment had a randomized block design with the following treatments with all manure amendments applied at 6 Mg ha−1: 1) sheep (Ovis aries), 2) goats (Capra hircus), and 3) cattle (Bos indicus) manures; 4) an equal mix of all three manures; and 5) a control with no manure amendment ‐ after which sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) was planted. Soil samples (0–20 cm) were taken from zaï pits at the sorghum boot stage and analyzed for a suite of plant‐available nutrients, microbial composition, and enzyme activities. The results showed that the zaï system with manure amendments significantly increased soil pH, plant‐available nitrogen by three‐fold, and phosphorus by two‐fold over the control. Goat or mixed manure amended soils had significantly higher enzyme activities than sheep or cattle manure. Manure type also shifted the EL‐FAME biomarkers for bacteria, fungi, and protozoa indicating a more favorable copiotrophic environment in manure amended soils. zaï cropping systems amended with the higher quality or the mixed manure had greater microbial responses, nutrient availability, and crop productivity than the lower quality manure.
Long‐term monitoring and evaluation of land development in a reclamation area under rapid urbanization: A case‐study in Qiantang New District, China
Authors: Hu Tangao , Fan Jinjin , Hou Hao , Li Yao , Li Yue , Huang Kangning
Published: May 2021

Land reclamation has occurred extensively worldwide to accommodate urbanization and economic development, especially in developing countries like China. However, we have a limited understanding of the long‐term dynamics and key drivers of land use/cover change in the reclaimed area. In this study, we monitored the detailed spatiotemporal evolution of land reclamation from 1973 to 2018 in Qiantang New District using time‐series LANDSAT and SENTINEL‐2A images and then compared the differences of landscape changes between reclaimed, which are the new‐built land from Qiantang River, and inland areas. Key findings include: (1) A significant decreasing trend for areas near the Qiantang River along the coastline (212.21 to 80.99 km2) and an increasing trend for constructed land (10.05 to 120.89 km2) from 1973 to 2018 was detected; (2) The development modes of the inland area and reclaimed area were significantly different. Development in the inland area was similar to other Chinese cities, whereas the reclaimed area was relatively complex with two main changing paths; and (3) Year 2008 was an important turning point in the perspective of urbanization in the study area. Before 2008, urbanization was random and uncontrolled. After 2008, new governance on land appeared and changed the landscape into a compact and uniform pattern. The proposed framework should reveal the detailed trajectory of land reclamation in small areas and provide insights and tools for better understanding the impact of human activities on the landscape pattern in coastal regions under rapid urbanization.
High irradiation and low discharge promote the dominant role of phytoplankton in riverine nutrient dynamics
Authors: Kamjunke Norbert , Rode Michael , Baborowski Martina , Kunz Julia Vanessa , Zehner Jakob , Borchardt Dietrich , Weitere Markus
Published: May 2021

Rivers play a relevant role in the nutrient turnover during the transport from land to ocean. Here, highly dynamic planktonic processes are more important compared to streams making it necessary to link the dynamics of nutrient turnover to control mechanisms of phytoplankton. We investigated the basic conditions leading to high phytoplankton biomass and corresponding nutrient dynamics in eutrophic, 8th order River Elbe (Germany). In a first step, we performed six Lagrangian sampling campaigns in the lower river section at different hydrological conditions. While nutrient concentrations remained high at low algal densities in autumn and at moderate discharge in summer, high algal concentrations occurred at low discharge in summer. Under these conditions, concentrations of silica and nitrate decreased and rates of nitrate assimilation were high. Soluble reactive phosphorus was depleted and particulate phosphorus increased inversely. Rising molar C:P ratios of seston indicated a phosphorus limitation of phytoplankton, so far rarely observed in eutrophic large rivers. Global radiation combined with mixing depth had a strong predictive power to explain maximum chlorophyll concentration. In a second step, we estimated nutrient turnover exemplarily for N during the campaign with the lowest discharge based on mass balances and metabolism‐based process measurements. Mass balance calculations revealed a total nitrate uptake of 423 mg N m−2d−1. Increasing phytoplankton density dominantly explained whole river gross primary production and related assimilatory nutrient uptake. In conclusion, riverine nutrient uptake strongly depends on the growth conditions for phytoplankton, which are favored at high irradiation and low discharge.
Unexpected shift from phytoplankton to periphyton in eutrophic streams due to wastewater influx
Authors: Bergbusch Nathanael T. , Hayes Nicole M. , Simpson Gavin L. , Leavitt Peter R.
Published: May 2021

Pollution with nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) impairs streams by favoring suspended algae and cyanobacteria over diatom‐rich periphyton. Recently, wastewater treatment plants have been upgraded to biological nutrient removal to eliminate both P and N (mainly NH4+), although little is known of the effects of this effluent on flowing waters. Here, we used high performance liquid chromatography to quantify how the abundance and composition of phytoplankton and periphyton varied in response to both influx of effluent produced by biological nutrient removal and physico‐chemical conditions in small, turbid, P‐rich streams of the northern Great Plains. At the catchment scale, analysis with generalized additive models (GAMs) explained 40.5–62.6% of deviance in total phototroph abundance (as Chl a) and 72.5–82.5% of deviance in community composition (as biomarker carotenoids) in both planktonic and benthic habitats when date‐ and site‐specific physico‐chemical parameters were used as predictors. In contrast, GAMs using wastewater input (as aqueous δ15N) as a predictor explained up to 50% of deviance in Chl a, and ~60% of deviance in community composition, in both suspended (51.6% of Chl a, 67.1% of composition) and attached communities (21.5% of Chl a, 58.8% of composition). Phytoplankton was replaced by periphyton within a 60‐km wastewater‐impacted reach due to dilution of streams by transparent effluent and addition of urban NO3−, although predominance of phytoplankton was re‐established after confluence with higher‐order streams. Overall, influx of effluent shifted turbid, phytoplankton‐rich streams to clear ecosystems with abundant epilithon by improving water transparency and providing NO3− to favor benthic diatoms and chlorophytes.
Complexities of disturbance response in a marine food web
Authors: Lewis Kristy A. , Christian Robert R. , Martin Charles W. , Allen Kira L. , McDonald Ashley M. , Roberts Victoria M. , Shaffer Michelle N. , Valentine John F.
Published: May 2021

A primary aspect of applied marine ecology assesses how food webs change in response to ecosystem disturbances. In 2010, the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon (DWH) discharged ~3.19 million barrels of crude oil into the northern Gulf of Mexico. The spill, followed by widespread dispersant application to enhance oil degradation, represented a significant anthropogenic disturbance in the region. We created network models of four multi‐year periods, to represent the acute and chronic food web responses to the DWH spill. Using ecological network analysis (ENA) and information theory, we compared multiple food web metrics among these periods in the context of food web resilience theory. This analysis was conducted at three levels of hierarchical organization: whole ecosystem, nekton community, and individual nekton taxa. We analyzed how individual taxa contribute to resilience of the food web with a novel informational index: Redundancy/Ascendency. Apparent responses to the disturbance differed across hierarchical levels. Some metrics dependent on biomass change and flow distribution temporarily increased during the years immediately following the discharge and subsequently returned to pre‐DWH levels. Metrics of energy flow linked to primary production rose in the last two periods, perhaps reflecting eutrophication. Other metrics changed little or had no obviously explainable patterns. Overall, our results indicate the nektonic food web in this region is flexible to disturbance and likely has redundant energy pathways explaining the reported ecosystem resilience to the DWH spill. We show that an ENA, when applied to multiple levels of ecosystem hierarchy, may aid understanding of marine food web resilience.
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Predicts Mortality and Graft Failure in Transplantation Patients With Portopulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Jose Arun , Shah Shimul A. , Anwar Nadeem , Jones Courtney R. , Sherman Kenneth E. , Elwing Jean M.
Published: May 2021

Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) is a pulmonary vascular disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality in those with liver disease, conferring a higher mortality in patients awaiting liver transplantation (LT). Although not a transplant indication, patients with POPH can experience significant clinical improvement following LT, and those maintaining a mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) <35mm Hg and a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) <5 Woods units (WU) are granted additional listing points to expedite LT. The effect of POPH on posttransplant outcomes such as mortality and graft failure, however, is not well defined. We performed a retrospective cohort study of the US Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database of all adult patients who underwent LT between January 1, 2006, and December 1, 2020. Using adjusted accelerated failure time models, we examined the relationship between a diagnosis of POPH and outcomes following LT and the relationship between pre‐LT hemodynamics and post‐LT survival (alive with a functioning graft) in patients with POPH. Compared with those undergoing transplants without exception points, patients with POPH had comparable post‐LT survival rates but were significantly more likely to have graft failure. Both pre‐LT MPAP and PVR predicted post‐LT survival in POPH, with a pre‐LT PVR of ≥1.6 WU, more than doubling the hazard for mortality (death or a nonfunctioning graft; coefficient, 2.01; standard error, 0.85; hazard ratio, 2.21; P = 0.02). POPH may confer a significantly higher risk of post‐LT graft failure compared with patients with cirrhosis without POPH, and a pre‐LT PVR of ≥1.6 WU may predict post‐LT survival. Further investigation into the relationship between pre‐LT hemodynamics, right ventricular function, and post‐LT outcomes of mortality and graft failure in POPH is needed.
The Emerging Role of Viability Testing During Liver Machine Perfusion
Authors: Brüggenwirth Isabel M. A. , van Leeuwen Otto B. , Porte Robert J. , Martins Paulo N.
Published: May 2021

The transplant community continues to be challenged by the disparity between the need for liver transplantation and the shortage of suitable donor organs. At the same time, the number of unused donor livers continues to increase, most likely attributed to the worsening quality of these organs. To date, there is no reliable marker of liver graft viability that can predict good posttransplant outcomes. Ex situ machine perfusion offers additional data to assess the viability of donor livers before transplantation. Hence, livers initially considered unsuitable for transplantation can be assessed during machine perfusion in terms of appearance and consistency, hemodynamics, and metabolic and excretory function. In addition, postoperative complications such as primary nonfunction or posttransplant cholangiopathy may be predicted and avoided. A variety of viability criteria have been used in machine perfusion, and to date there is no widely accepted composition of criteria for clinical use. This review discusses potential viability markers for hepatobiliary function during machine perfusion, describes current limitations, and provides future recommendations for the use of viability criteria in clinical liver transplantation.
Post–Liver Transplant Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Dong Victor , Nadim Mitra K. , Karvellas Constantine J.
Published: May 2021

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common condition following liver transplantation (LT). It negatively impacts patient outcomes by increasing the chances of developing chronic kidney disease and reducing graft and patient survival rates. Multiple definitions of AKI have been proposed and used throughout the years, with the International Club of Ascites definition being the most widely now used for patients with cirrhosis. Multiple factors are associated with the development of post‐LT AKI and can be categorized into pre‐LT comorbidities, donor and recipient characteristics, operative factors, and post‐LT factors. Many of these factors can be optimized in an attempt to minimize the risk of AKI occurring and to improve renal function if AKI is already present. A special consideration during the post‐LT phase is needed for immunosuppression as certain immunosuppressive medications can be nephrotoxic. The calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (TAC) is the mainstay of immunosuppression but can result in AKI. Several strategies including use of the monoclonoal antibody basilixamab to allow for delayed initiation of tacrolimus therapy and minimization through combination and minimization or elimination of TAC through combination with mycophenolate mofetil or mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors have been implemented to reverse and avoid AKI in the post‐LT setting. Renal replacement therapy may ultimately be required to support patients until recovery of AKI after LT. Overall, by improving renal function in post‐LT patients with AKI, outcomes can be improved.
When do you trust AI? The effect of number presentation detail on consumer trust and acceptance of AI recommendations
Authors: Kim Jungkeun , Giroux Marilyn , Lee Jacob C.
Published: May 2021

When do consumers trust artificial intelligence (AI)? With the rapid adoption of AI technology in the field of marketing, it is crucial to understand how consumer adoption of the information generated by AI can be improved. This study explores a novel relationship between number presentation details associated with AI and consumers' behavioral and evaluative responses toward AI. We theorized that consumer trust would mediate the preciseness effect on consumer judgment and evaluation of the information provided by AI. The results of five studies demonstrated that the use of a precise (vs. imprecise) information format leads to higher evaluations and behavioral intentions. We also show mediational evidence indicating that the effect of number preciseness is mediated by consumer trust (Studies 2, 4, and 5). We further show that the preciseness effect is moderated by the accuracy of AI‐generated information (Study 3) and the objective product quality of the recommended products (Study 4). This study provides theoretical implications to the AI acceptance literature, the information processing literature, the consumer trust literature, and the decision‐making literature. Moreover, this study makes practical implications for marketers of AI businesses including those who strategically use AI‐generated information.
Molcular Weight Distribution in Di Metal Cyanide Catalyzed Polymerization 1: Fundamental Distribution for Length Dependent Propagation Constant and Segments
Authors: Bachmann Rolf , Klinger Marcel , Jupke Andreas
Published: May 2021

Di metal cyanide (DMC) catalyzed living polymerization is characterized by a) the “catch‐up” kinetics with a length dependent propagation rate constant (n: chain length), favoring the growth of small molecules and b) segmental growth caused by the repeated attachment and detachment of a growing end to a catalyst site. Whereas the inverse square law reduces polydispersity, growth in segments increases it. Analytic expressions of “catch‐up” molecular weight distributions (MWD) are given for , and . To include segments, the theory originally developed for quasi living polymerizations is generalized to arbitrary distributions for the number of segments as well as the MWD of the segments themselves. General simple relationships allow calculating the moments of composite distributions in terms of the moments of the underlying distributions.
Response of surface ozone concentration to emission reduction and meteorology during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Europe
Authors: Deroubaix Adrien , Brasseur Guy , Gaubert Benjamin , Labuhn Inga , Menut Laurent , Siour Guillaume , Tuccella Paolo
Published: May 2021

The lockdown period (March–May 2020) during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Europe led to a reduction in the anthropogenic emissions of primary pollutants. For three‐quarters of over 1,100 available monitoring stations, the average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations decreased by at least 2.7 μg·m−3 (or 25%) compared with the average concentrations recorded during the same period of the previous seven years. This reduction was not specific to urban or rural areas because the relative reduction was of similar magnitude in both areas. The ozone (O3) response differed spatially, with positive anomalies in Northern Europe and negative anomalies in Southwestern Europe. Reduced cloudiness and related enhanced radiation in Northern Europe played a significant role in the increase of surface O3 concentrations by shifting the photochemical partitioning between NO2 and O3 toward more O3. The level of total oxidant (Ox = O3 + NO2) remained unchanged, except in Southwestern Europe where it decreased. Several episodes lasting a few days of a high level of total oxidants were observed in Northern Europe. The results illustrate the complexity of the atmospheric response to the unprecedented reduction in the emission of primary pollutants.
GAO report examines access challenges, workforce shortages
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: May 2021

Taking note of the long‐standing concerns about the availability of behavioral health treatment, particularly for low‐income individuals, a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggests that one potential barrier to treatment access has been shortages of qualified behavioral health professionals, particularly in rural areas.
Substrate‐Driven Differences in Tryptophan Catabolism by Gut Microbiota and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation
Authors: Huang Zhan , Schoones Tessa , Wells Jerry M. , Fogliano Vincenzo , Capuano Edoardo
Published: May 2021

Scope

This study aims to investigate the effect of tryptophan sources on tryptophan catabolism by gut microbiota and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation.

Methods and Results

Four substrates (free tryptophan, soybean protein, single and clustered soybean cells) containing an equimolar amount of tryptophan, but with a different bioaccessibility are studied using in vitro batch fermentation. Tryptophan catabolites are identified by LC‐MS/MS. AhR activity is measured by HepG2‐Lucia AhR reporter cells. The total amount of tryptophan‐derived catabolites increases with decreasing level of substrate complexity. Indole is the major catabolite produced from tryptophan and it is the most abundant in the free tryptophan fermentation. Indole‐3‐acetic acid and indole‐3‐aldehyde are abundantly generated in the soybean protein fermentation. The soybean cell fermentation produced high concentrations of tryptamine. Interestingly, large amounts of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are also found in the soybean cell and protein fermentation. Both tryptophan‐derived catabolites and SCFAs are able to increase AhR reporter activity over time in all four groups.

Conclusion

This study illustrates that bacterial catabolism of tryptophan and resulting AhR activation in the gut is modulated by the food matrix, suggesting a role for food design to improve gut health.
Potential Mechanisms of Improved Activity of Natural Killer Cells Induced by the Consumption of F‐MRP for 8 weeks
Authors: Han Youngmin , Lee Soyeon , Lee Jong Ho , Yoo Hye Jin
Published: May 2021

Scope

The authors used metabolomics to investigate the nutritional modulatory effect of fermented Maillard‐reactive whey protein (F‐MRP) on the activity of natural killer (NK) cells.

Methods and Results

Fifty subjects who had participated in our previous intervention study were included in the present study in the test (n = 20) and placebo groups (n = 30). Additional analyses using ultra performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS) and gas chromatography (GC)‐MS were conducted to identify relevant metabolic features. After 8 weeks, the activity of lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA₂) (p = 0.021), levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β (p = 0.001), and activity of NK cells were considerably increased in the test group compared with those in the placebo group. Based on the metabolites discovered by UPLC‐MS, ten altered metabolic pathways were observed in the test group after 8 weeks of F‐MRP consumption. Specific pathways with most pronounced associations with immune‐enhancing effect of F‐MRP included aminoacyl‐tRNA biosynthesis, glycine/serine/threonine metabolism, arginine/proline metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated the effects of 8 weeks of F‐MRP supplementation on the metabolic status manifested as changes in the Lp‐PLA2 activity, IL‐1β level, and activity of NK cells. Intermediate metabolites of the identified metabolic pathways can be used to confirm the immune‐enhancing efficacy of short‐term supplementation.
A prototype spatial–spectral CT system for material decomposition with energy‐integrating detectors
Authors: Tivnan Matthew , Wang Wenying , Stayman J. Webster
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Spectral CT has great potential for a variety of clinical applications due to improved tissue and material discrimination over conventional single‐energy CT. Many clinical and preclinical spectral CT systems have two spectral channels enabling dual‐energy CT. Strategies include split filtration, dual‐layer detectors, photon‐counting detectors, and kVp switching. The motivation for this work is the development of an x‐ray source spectral modulation device with three or more spectral channels to enable high‐sensitivity multi‐material decomposition with energy‐integrating detectors.

Materials and Methods

We present spatial–spectral filters which are a new x‐ray source modulation technology with the potential for additional channel diversity. The filtering device consists of an array of K‐edge materials which divide the x‐ray beam into spectrally varied beamlets. This design allows for an arbitrary number of spectral channels—trading off spatial and spectral information. We use a one‐step model‐based material decomposition (MBMD) algorithm to iteratively estimate material density images directly from the spatial–spectral CT data. In this work, we present a prototype spatial–spectral filter integrated with an x‐ray CT test bench. The filter is composed of an array of tin, erbium, tantalum, and lead filter tiles which spatially modulate the system spectral sensitivity pattern. In a simulation study, we investigate the particular problem of mis‐calibration between the data acquisition and the reconstruction model. With an understanding of the required model accuracy, we present a spectral calibration method to estimate the critical model parameters. To demonstrate feasibility of the spatial–spectral filter with a calibrated beamlet model, we collected a spatial–spectral CT scan of a multicontrast‐enhanced phantom containing water, iodine, and gadolinium solutions.

Results

With simulations, we show that material decomposition is possible with spatial–spectral‐filtered CT data, and we demonstrate the importance of a well‐calibrated physical model. We find a 50% increase in error for focal spot model mismatch of 0.27mm and gap width model mismatch of 16 mμ. With physical results, we demonstrate that the calibrated system model is in close agreement with the measured data, and that the reconstructed material density images match the ground truth concentrations for the multicontrast phantom. Empirical results indicate gadolinium density estimation had an error of 17‐58% mostly due to a systematic constant bias of 0.30–0.60 mg/ml. Water density estimates are within 1% and iodine estimates are within 10% of ground truth.

Conclusion

These preliminary results demonstrate the potential of spatial–spectral filters to enable multicontrast imaging. Moreover, this device is compatible with energy‐integrating detectors and so provides a feasible modification to enable spectral CT imaging with existing single‐energy systems.