bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic correlation between clinical protocols and magnetic resonance findings in temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Abdalla‐Aslan Ragda , Shilo Dekel , Nadler Chen , Eran Ayelet , Rachmiel Adi
Published: May 2021

Background

Our aim was to assess the diagnostic correlation between clinical protocols and magnetic resonance (MRI) findings in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), including disc displacement with and without reduction (DDwR; DDwoR) and arthralgia.

Methods

A systematic review performed in two phases according to the PRISMA checklist. Specific indexing terms were used for search of studies assessing TMDs through clinical diagnostic protocols with the aid of Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs or Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs. Quality assessment performed using QUADAS‐2. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. For meta‐analysis, we used random effect model or fixed effect. The main outcomes were sensitivity and specificity of clinical protocols.

Results

Fourteen studies included in the qualitative analysis and 11 studies in the meta‐analysis. None of the studies fulfilled all criteria of QUADAS‐2. High heterogeneity and high publication bias were found among the studies. Clinical protocols for assessing DDwR compared with MRI showed pooled sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 72%. For DDwoR, sensitivity was 61% and specificity 98%. For arthralgia, sensitivity was 43% and specificity 68% for the presence of effusion.

Conclusions

This review reveals the need for studies with improved quality. Clinical protocols show poor to moderate validity in diagnosis of DDwR and DDwoR compared with MRI. No correlation was found between a clinical diagnosis of arthralgia and MRI effusion. Clinical diagnostic protocols can be used as screening tools, reserving the use of MRI for a more accurate diagnosis in patients with symptoms or dysfunction.
Barriers to pre‐emptive kidney transplantation in New Zealand children
Authors: Weststrate Harriet , Ronaldson Jane , Yonge Georgina , Dickens Amanda , Erickson Robin , Wong William , Prestidge Chanel
Published: May 2021

Aim

Pre‐emptive kidney transplantation (PKT) is generally considered the optimal treatment for kidney failure as it minimises dialysis‐associated morbidity and mortality and is associated with improved allograft survival. This study aimed to determine rates of paediatric PKT in New Zealand, identify barriers to PKT and consider potential interventions to influence future rates of pre‐emptive transplantation.

Methods

Children commencing kidney replacement therapy between 2005 and 2017 in New Zealand were included. Descriptive analysis considered those referred late (referral <3 months prior to kidney replacement therapy initiation) or early based on referral timing to paediatric nephrology. Additional analysis compared characteristics of children receiving dialysis versus pre‐emptive transplant as their first mode of kidney replacement therapy.

Results

PKT occurred in 15 of 90 children (17%). One‐third of all patients were referred late. No late referrals received a pre‐emptive transplant. Pre‐emptively transplanted children were referred younger (median age 0.49 years), lived in less deprived areas, were more likely to have congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract and none were Māori or Pasifika ethnicity.

Conclusions

Late referral, higher deprivation levels and Māori and Pasifika ethnicity confer a greater risk of not receiving pre‐emptive transplantation. Improved education amongst health professionals about recognition of paediatric chronic kidney disease and the importance of timely referral to paediatric nephrology is recommended to reduce rates of late referral. A modified approach including enhanced culturally appropriate support for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease during transplant evaluation should be pursued to improve equity.
Emergency mental health presentations in children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Bourke Elyssia M , Say Daniela F , Carison Anna , Hill Ashley , Craig Simon , Hiscock Harriet , Babl Franz E , O'Donnell Sinead M
Published: May 2021

Aim

To characterise the key features and management of young people presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a mental health (MH) complaint and a known diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods

Retrospective review of all ED MH presentations in children aged 7–17 years, presenting over a 12‐month period from the 1st of January 2018 to the 31st of December 2018, to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Univariate analyses were carried out to examine the relationship between an underlying diagnosis of ASD and/or ADHD and a number of key presentation variables. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for ED management outcomes.

Results

There were 374 presentations in this cohort, representing 28% of the total MH presentations in 2018. The most common reason for presentation was acute severe behavioural disturbance. Young people with ASD and ADHD were at increased risk of having an acute crisis team response activated (ASD RR 2.3, CI 1.6–3.3, ADHD RR 2.2, CI 1.2–4.1). Compared to those without either diagnosis, young people with ASD were more likely to be physically restrained (RR 2.8, CI 1.7–4.6), managed in seclusion (RR 3.3, CI 1.7–6.4) and to receive medication to assist with behavioural de‐escalation (RR 2.8, CI 1.6–4.9).

Conclusions

Children with ASD and/or ADHD represent one‐quarter of all children presenting to the ED with MH complaints. They experience high rates of acute severe behavioural disturbance. Future research is needed to co‐design, implement and evaluate better approaches for their management.
Exogenous Abscisic Acid Confers Salinity Tolerance in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii During Its Life Cycle
Authors: Abu‐Ghosh Said , Iluz David , Dubinsky Zvy , Miller Gad
Published: May 2021

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) coordinates responses to environmental signals with developmental changes and is important for stress resilience and crop yield. However, fundamental questions remain about how this phytohormone affects microalgal growth and stress regulation throughout the different stages of their life cycle. In this study, the effects of ABA on the physiology of the freshwater microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii at its different life cycle stages were investigated. Exogenously added ABA enhanced the growth and photosynthesis of C. reinhardtii during the vegetative stage. The hormone also increased the tolerance of this alga to high‐salinity stress during gamete formation under nutrient depletion, as well as it extended their survival. We show that the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in the ABA‐treated cells was significantly less than that in the untreated cells under inhibiting NaCl concentrations. Cell size examination showed that ABA prevents cells from forming palmella when exposed to high salinity. All together, these results suggest that ABA can support the vitality and survival of C. reinhardtii under high salt conditions.
A new classification of Cyperaceae (Poales) supported by phylogenomic data
Authors: Larridon Isabel , Zuntini Alexandre R. , Léveillé‐Bourret Étienne , Barrett Russell L. , Starr Julian R. , Muasya A. Muthama , Villaverde Tamara , Bauters Kenneth , Brewer Grace E. , Bruhl Jeremy J. , Costa Suzana M. , Elliott Tammy L. , Epitawalage Niroshini , Escudero Marcial , Fairlie Isabel , Goetghebeur Paul , Hipp Andrew L. , Jiménez‐Mejías Pedro , Sabino Kikuchi Izai A.B. , Luceño Modesto , Márquez‐Corro José Ignacio , Martín‐Bravo Santiago , Maurin Olivier , Pokorny Lisa , Roalson Eric H. , Semmouri Ilias , Simpson David A. , Spalink Daniel , Thomas W. Wayt , Wilson Karen L. , Xanthos Martin , Forest Félix , Baker William J.
Published: May 2021

Cyperaceae (sedges) are the third largest monocot family and are of considerable economic and ecological importance. Sedges represent an ideal model family to study evolutionary biology due to their species richness, global distribution, large discrepancies in lineage diversity, broad range of ecological preferences, and adaptations including multiple origins of C4 photosynthesis and holocentric chromosomes. Goetghebeur′s seminal work on Cyperaceae published in 1998 provided the most recent complete classification at tribal and generic level, based on a morphological study of Cyperaceae inflorescence, spikelet, flower, and embryo characters, plus anatomical and other information. Since then, several family‐level molecular phylogenetic studies using Sanger sequence data have been published. Here, more than 20 years after the last comprehensive classification of the family, we present the first family‐wide phylogenomic study of Cyperaceae based on targeted sequencing using the Angiosperms353 probe kit sampling 311 accessions. In addition, 62 accessions available from GenBank were mined for overlapping reads and included in the phylogenomic analyses. Informed by this backbone phylogeny, a new classification for the family at the tribal, subtribal, and generic levels is proposed. The majority of previously recognized suprageneric groups are supported, and for the first time, we establish support for tribe Cryptangieae as a clade including the genus Koyamaea. We provide a taxonomic treatment including identification keys and diagnoses for the 2 subfamilies, 24 tribes, and 10 subtribes, and basic information on the 95 genera. The classification includes five new subtribes in tribe Schoeneae: Anthelepidinae, Caustiinae, Gymnoschoeninae, Lepidospermatinae, and Oreobolinae.
Risk of transmittable blood‐borne pathogens in blood units from blood donor dogs in Canada
Authors: Nury Charlotte , Blais Marie‐Claude , Arsenault Julie
Published: May 2021

Background

Canine blood donors can be infected by various vector‐borne or other pathogens that could be an important cause of morbidity and death in transfusion recipients.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To estimate and predict positivity to transmittable blood‐borne pathogens in blood units collected from blood donor dogs in Canada.

Animals

Six thousand one hundred and fifty blood units from 1914 active blood donors registered to the Canadian Animal Blood Bank (CABB) between March 2010 and December 2016.

Methods

A registry‐based retrospective study. Blood units were screened by SNAP 4Dx/4Dx Plus and PCR panel tests. Information on blood donors and test results were extracted from multiple databases and collated. Logistic regressions were used to predict blood unit positivity.

Results

Of 1779 blood units, 0.56% were antibody‐positive forAnaplasma phagocytophilum/platysand 0% forEhrlichia canis/ewingii. After exclusion of antibody‐positive units toAnaplasmaspp., 1.1% of 6140 blood units were PCR‐positive toAnaplasma phagocytophilum,Bartonellaspp.,Brucella canis, “CandidatusMycoplasma haematoparvum,”Mycoplasma haemocanis, or a combination of these pathogens.Babesiaspp.,Ehrlichiaspp., andLeishmaniaspp. were not detected. Units from the first blood collection from a dog had higher odds of testing PCR‐positive (P< .001) for at least 1 pathogen than units from subsequent collections.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Although our study indicates a low probability of detecting blood‐borne pathogen in blood units collected by this Canadian blood bank, the presence of positive units highlights the importance of the preemptive identification and screening of blood units from healthy blood donors for safe blood banking, especially in first‐time donors.
Comparison of oral, nebulized and combination antibiotic treatment ofBordetellabronchisepticain baboons (Papiospp.)
Authors: Clemmons Elizabeth A. , Chavez Deborah , Condel Laura , Dutton John W. , Price Sharon , Lanford Robert
Published: May 2021

Incidence ofBordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, is rising in some global human populations despite high vaccination rates, and significant research is underway to address the issue. Baboons are an established model for pertussis research, but like many mammals, they can be naturally infected withBordetella bronchiseptica. BecauseB. bronchisepticainterferes withB. pertussisresearch, it must be excluded from baboons under consideration for enrollment in pertussis studies. In addition to research‐related concerns,B. bronchisepticacan sometimes cause clinical disease in baboons and other nonhuman primates. This study examined the use of antibiotics to clearB. bronchisepticain naturally infected baboons. Thirty‐five juvenile baboons were divided into five treatment groups: oral sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (TMS), nebulized gentamicin (gentamicin), combination (TMS + gentamicin) in positive animals, combination (TMS + gentamicin) as a prophylactic in exposed animals and no treatment (control). Combination of oral TMS and nebulized gentamicin given to positive animals was most effective, producing long‐term clearance in 11 out of 12 treated animals. To avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics, our primary management strategy is screening and separating to allow natural clearance and limiting exposure to non‐infected animals, but this study investigates an antibiotic regimen that could be used in special circumstances.
Opportunities for U.S. marine finfish aquaculture
Authors: Rexroad Caird , Rust Michael B. , Riche Martin , Wills Paul , Davis Megan
Published: May 2021

Expanding aquaculture production in the United States affords opportunities to complement fisheries in meeting domestic demand for seafood. This access to safe, affordable, and healthy food choices is provided with minimal impacts on the environment and in concert with the many uses required of our water resources. The United States has a strong history of well‐managed fisheries; however, with harvests near their maximum sustainable capacity, meeting current and future demands for seafood may best be accomplished through development of aquaculture. In fact, this is already happening, but mostly outside of the United States. Over 85% of the seafood Americans eat is imported, half is produced through foreign aquaculture; therefore, expanding aquaculture in the United States is a logical approach for reducing our $16.8 billion seafood trade deficit along with other benefits of local production. This series of articles on the development of marine finfish species for commercial aquaculture production is a part of the effort to spur domestic growth in marine finfish aquaculture. The articles in this volume provide up‐to‐date scientific and technical knowledge needed to sustainably produce safe and nutritious fish that will lead to the creation of new economic opportunities through aquaculture in rural, urban, coastal, and inland communities.
Factors affecting the spatial distribution and co‐occurrence of two sympatric mountain ungulates in southern Mongolia
Authors: Odonjavkhlan C. , Alexsander J.S. , Mishra C. , Samelius G. , Sharma K. , Lkhagvajav P. , Suryawanshi K.R.
Published: May 2021

Co‐occurrence of ungulates in multi‐species assemblages has fascinated ecologists because these species seemingly belong to the same guild – feeding on plants. Across large parts of the high mountains of Central Asia, ibex (Capra sibirica) and argali (Ovis ammon), both predominantly grazers, co‐occur at local and regional scales. However, little is known about the ecological and anthropogenic factors that influence their spatial distribution, co‐occurrence and habitat use. We examined factors affecting the distribution and co‐occurrence of these two sympatric species in Tost Tosonbumba Nature Reserve in southern Mongolia using an occupancy modeling approach. Specifically, we used single species occupancy models to examine the influence of road density, livestock density, terrain ruggedness and elevation on occupancy of these two species separately. We then assessed how these two species influence each other's distribution by using multi‐species occupancy models. The model‐averaged occupancy probabilities for ibex and argali were 0.64 ± 0.3 se and 0.44 ± 0.2 se, respectively. Terrain ruggedness positively influenced ibex distribution, while it negatively affected the occupancy of argali. We found limited evidence of relationship with factors associated with human disturbance. The species interaction factor, which indicates the level of co‐occurrence, suggested that ibex and argali occurred independent of each other ( = 0.72 ± 0.3 se). Together, our results imply that there was limited co‐occurrence between the two species and that this was largely driven by terrain ruggedness at the scale of the home range. These results suggest that topography plays an important role in enabling these two species to co‐occur at the regional scale.
Reproductive success, apparent survival, and ventral blue coloration in male prairie lizards (Sceloporus consobrinus)
Authors: Robinson C. D. , Lance S. L. , Gifford M. E.
Published: May 2021

Coloration can evolve in response to selection targeting colorful traits that affect survival or reproductive success. Trait covariation can complicate evolutionary dynamics when selection on covarying traits acts antagonistically. In prairie lizards (Sceloporus consobrinus), males exhibit blue ventral patches that are reduced in females. The development of ventral coloration corresponds with increases of circulating testosterone at sexual maturity. Previous work has illustrated that testosterone and coloration covary, such that individuals with higher testosterone have bluer patches. However, testosterone is known to increase mortality in many organisms, including Sceloporus, so selection against high testosterone can lead to indirect selection against bluer males. While previous work has suggested that patch coloration does not affect fitness, this has not yet been explicitly tested using estimates of survival and reproductive success. Here, we quantify patch coloration, apparent survival, encounter probability, and reproductive success in a wild population of male prairie lizards to assess the role of patch color variation on fitness. Specifically, we tested how patch coloration affects survival and reproductive success across 2 years. We found that none of the patch phenotypes we measured covaried with fitness, suggesting that neither natural nor sexual selection act, or act very weakly, on patch morphology. We found evidence of sexual selection on body size, such that larger males sired more offspring, likely through increased activity. However, this result was inconsistent, as it was only found in one year. Interestingly, we found that, in both years, bluer males were more likely to sire at least one offspring, suggesting some role of patch coloration in reproduction, although we cannot detect what that role may be. Overall, our study suggests that neither apparent survival nor reproductive success is strong drivers of the evolution of ventral coloration in S. consobrinus.
Kinetics of the neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio during PD‐1 inhibition as a prognostic factor in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Choi Won‐Mook , Kim Ji Yoon , Choi Jonggi , Lee Danbi , Shim Ju Hyun , Lim Young‐Suk , Lee Han Chu , Yoo Changhoon , Ryu Min‐Hee , Ryoo Baek‐Yeol , Kim Kang Mo
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims

Programmed death 1 (PD‐1) inhibitors have improved survival outcomes and produced durable responses in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for some patients. Here, we evaluated the relationship between the baseline and kinetics of the neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and clinical outcomes in nivolumab‐treated HCC patients.

Methods

All consecutive HCC patients treated with nivolumab between July 2017 and June 2020 were screened for the eligibility. The NLRs were calculated before and at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after treatment. Survival outcomes were compared based on the baseline and kinetics of NLR. We additionally analysed the association of the baseline and dynamic changes in the NLR with hyperprogression (HPD).

Results

Among the 194 included cases, most patients were male (82.0%) and had a Child–Pugh Class A disease (70.6%). Patients with a baseline NLR ≥ 3 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.46; 95% CI 1.63‐3.71) had a poorer overall survival than patients with baseline NLR < 3. During the treatment, the NLR increased rapidly in patients developing HPD, and only a ΔNLR at 4 weeks was predictive of HPD. The risk of HPD increased by 20% for every 20% increase in the ΔNLR at 4 weeks. Accordingly, an NLR increase at 4 weeks (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.19‐2.68) was associated with an increased risk of death, especially among patients with a baseline NLR ≥ 3.

Conclusions

The baseline and on‐treatment kinetics for the NLR are effective prognostic indicators in nivolumab‐treated patients with HCC. This may help to guide patient selection and on‐treatment strategies for immunotherapies in advanced HCC.
Serum testosterone levels and testosterone supplementation in cirrhosis: A systematic review
Authors: Deng Nanfu , Mallepally Niharika , Peng Frederick B. , Kanji Aleem , Marcelli Marco , Hernaez Ruben
Published: May 2021

Background & Aims

Cirrhosis disrupts the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis causing low testosterone. Testosterone deficiency is associated with sarcopenia and osteopenia, leading to a state of frailty and worse clinical outcomes, morbidity and mortality. We aimed to conduct a systematic review on the relationship between serum testosterone and laboratory, anthropometric and clinical outcomes in observational and interventional studies in cirrhosis.

Methods

PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception through 27 August 2020 and reviewed independently by two investigators; a third reviewer solved disagreement. A qualitative summary of relevant findings was done. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale for non‐interventional studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias for interventional studies.

Results

Out of 3569 articles, 15 met inclusion criteria with six observational studies of 1267 patients and nine interventional studies of 580 patients. In observational studies, low serum testosterone level was associated with sarcopenia, shorter median time to hepatic decompensation, transplant requirement, higher model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) scores, and death in cirrhotic patients. Nine interventional studies (361 treated with testosterone vs 219 placebo, 1‐36 months) showed that testosterone supplementation improved serum testosterone, appendicular mass and bone mineral density. However, no trial reported improvement in liver‐related scores, complications, readmission rates or death.

Conclusions

Low serum testosterone is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in cirrhosis patients. Testosterone supplementation improved intermediate endpoints, but there was no conclusive data on clinical outcomes. Testosterone supplementation may be a promising strategy to improve frailty and decrease significant clinical complications in cirrhosis.
Immunogenicity and safety of HBAI20 Hepatitis B vaccine in non‐responders: Double‐blinded, randomised, controlled phase 2 trial
Authors: Koc Özgür M. , de Smedt Philippe , Kremer Cécile , Robaeys Geert , van Damme Pierre , Hens Niel , Almeida Jorge , Falkenberg Frank , Savelkoul Paul , Oude Lashof Astrid ,   the BE RESPONDER Study Group
Published: May 2021

Background & Aims

Approximately 5%–10% of the general population respond inadequately to licensed recombinant hepatitis B vaccines. We assessed the immunogenicity and safety of a new HBAI20 vaccine, consisting of a new AI20 adjuvant (20‐µg recombinant human IL‐2 attached to 20‐µg aluminium hydroxide) in combination with HBVaxPro®‐10 µg.

Methods

In a double‐blinded, randomised, controlled phase 2 trial, 18‐ to 59‐year‐old healthy non‐responders (titre <10 mIU/ml after three or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine) were assigned (3:1 ratio) to receive either HBAI20 vaccine or HBVaxPro®‐10 µg in a 0, 1 and 2‐month schedule. The primary outcome was seroprotection (titre ≥ 10 mIU/ml) measured 1‐3 months following the third vaccination.

Results

A total of 133 participants were randomised to receive either HBAI20 vaccine (n = 101) or HBVaxPro®‐10 µg (n = 32). In the modified intention‐to‐treat analysis, the seroprotection rate after the third vaccination was 92.0% (80/87) in the HBAI20 group and 79.3% (23/29) in the HBVaxPro®‐10‐µg group, P = .068. Using a generalised linear mixed model to adjust for stratification factors, a higher odds of seroprotection with HBAI20 vaccine was shown (adjusted odds ratio = 3.48, P = .028). Frequency of mild and moderate local adverse events was greater in the HBAI20 group than in the HBVaxPro®‐10 µg. Rates of severe local adverse events and systemic adverse events were low and similar in both groups.

Conclusions

In this group of hepatitis B vaccine non‐responders, the HBAI20 vaccine demonstrated a higher seroprotection rate when adjusting for stratification factors and a similar safety profile compared to the licensed recombinant HBVaxPro®‐10 µg.
The Long Duration Exposure Facility—A forgotten bridge between Apollo and Stardust
Authors: Zolensky Michael
Published: May 2021

The Long Duration Exposure Facility provided the opportunity for micrometeorite researchers to develop and test microparticle collection strategies for spacecraft, and the handling and analytical capabilities required for the Stardust, Hayabusa, and subsequent astromaterial sample return missions to succeed.
“Everything is not everywhere”: Time‐calibrated phylogeography of the genus Milnesium (Tardigrada)
Authors: Morek Witold , Surmacz Bartłomiej , López‐López Alejandro , Michalczyk Łukasz
Published: May 2021

There is ample evidence that macroscopic animals form geographic clusters termed as zoogeographic realms, whereas distributions of species of microscopic animals are still poorly understood. The common view has been that micrometazoans, thanks to their putatively excellent dispersal abilities, are subject to the “Everything is everywhere but environment selects” hypothesis (EiE). One of such groups, <1 mm in length, are limnoterrestrial water bears (Tardigrada), which can additionally enter cryptobiosis that should further enhance their potential for long distance dispersion (e.g., by wind). However, an increasing number of studies, including the most recent phylogeny of the eutardigrade genus Milnesium, seem to question the general applicability of the EiE hypothesis to tardigrade species. Nevertheless, all Milnesium phylogenies published to date were based on a limited number of populations, which are likely to falsely suggest limited geographic ranges. Thus, in order to test the EiE hypothesis more confidently, we considerably enlarged the Milnesium data set both taxonomically and geographically, and analysed it in tandem with climate type and reproductive mode. Additionally, we time‐calibrated our phylogeny to align it with major geological events. Our results show that, although cases of long distance dispersal are present, they seem to be rare and mostly ancient. Overall, Milnesium species are restricted to single zoogeographic realms, which suggests that these tardigrades have limited dispersal abilities. Finally, our results also suggest that the breakdown of Gondwana may have influenced the evolutionary history of Milnesium. In conclusion, phylogenetic relationships within the genus seem to be determined mainly by paleogeography.
Genomic variation of an endosymbiotic dinoflagellate (Symbiodinium ‘fitti’) among closely related coral hosts
Authors: Reich Hannah G. , Kitchen Sheila A. , Stankiewicz Kathryn H. , Devlin‐Durante Meghann , Fogarty Nicole D. , Baums Iliana B.
Published: May 2021

Mutualisms where hosts are coupled metabolically to their symbionts often exhibit high partner fidelity. Most reef‐building coral species form obligate symbioses with a specific species of photosymbionts, dinoflagellates in the family Symbiodiniaceae, despite needing to acquire symbionts early in their development from environmental sources. Three Caribbean acroporids (Acropora palmata,A. cervicornisand their F1hybrid) are sympatric across much of their range, but often occupy different depth and light habitats. Throughout this range, both species and their hybrid associate with the endosymbiotic dinoflagellateSymbiodinium‘fitti’. Because light (and therefore depth) influences the physiology of dinoflagellates, we investigated whetherS. ‘fitti’ populations from each host taxon were differentiated genetically. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) amongS. ‘fitti’ strains were identified by aligning shallow metagenomic sequences of acroporid colonies sampled from across the Caribbean to a ~600‐Mb draft assembly of theS. ‘fitti’ genome (from the CFL14120A. cervicornismetagenome). Phylogenomic and multivariate analyses revealed that genomic variation amongS. ‘fitti’ strains partitioned to each host taxon rather than by biogeographical origin. This is particularly noteworthy because the hybrid has a sparse fossil record and may be of relatively recent origin. A subset (37.6%) of the SNPs putatively under selection were nonsynonymous mutations predicted to alter protein efficiency. Differences in genomic variation ofS. ‘fitti’ strains from each host taxon may reflect the unique selection pressures created by the microenvironments associated with each host. The nonrandom sorting amongS. ‘fitti’ strains to different hosts could be the basis for lineage diversification via disruptive selection, leading to ecological specialization and ultimately speciation.
Blockchain technology and smart contract for civil structural health monitoring system
Authors: Xu Jie , Liu Haoran , Han Qinghua
Published: May 2021

The rapid development of blockchain technology is exerting a profound impact on all walks of life. Blockchain, which is a decentralized and distributed technology architecture, has inspired people to think about the social development model. However, blockchain technology has not been applied to health monitoring. Therefore, this study proposes a distributed health monitoring system based on blockchain technology, which realizes data security, information transparency, efficient sharing, and independent decision making with smart contracts. First, the system is designed as a blockchain network for structural health monitoring (SHM), and a series of smart contracts for health monitoring is developed to achieve monitoring authority verification, structural damage identification, and other functions. Based on the strength of the Ethereum private chain and Guangzhou New TV Tower benchmark model, smart contracts for health monitoring were deployed, and a series of tests of the proposed system were performed. The results indicate that the proposed system can provide monitoring authority verification, generate abnormal alerts, immutability of data, attack resistance, and traceability query.
Nonplanar sensing skins for structural health monitoring based on electrical resistance tomography
Authors: Jauhiainen Jyrki , Pour‐Ghaz Mohammad , Valkonen Tuomo , Seppänen Aku
Published: May 2021

Electrical resistance tomography (ERT)‐based distributed surface sensing systems, or sensing skins, offer alternative sensing techniques for structural health monitoring, providing capabilities for distributed sensing of, for example, damage, strain, and temperature. Currently, however, the computational techniques utilized for sensing skins are limited to planar surfaces. In this paper, to overcome this limitation, we generalize the ERT‐based surface sensing to nonplanar surfaces covering arbitrarily shaped three‐dimensional structures; we construct a framework in which we reformulate the image reconstruction problem of ERT using techniques of Riemannian geometry, and solve the resulting problem numerically. We test this framework in series of numerical and experimental studies. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed formulation and the applicability of ERT‐based sensing skins to nonplanar geometries.
Dynamics‐based cross‐domain structural damage detection through deep transfer learning
Authors: Lin Yi‐zhou , Nie Zhen‐hua , Ma Hong‐wei
Published: May 2021

Structural damage detection (SDD) still suffers from environmental uncertainties or modeling errors, causing a gap between the numerical model and the real structure. It results in performance degradation in the application of many model‐based methods, which are usually designed on a numerical model and needed to be applied to a real structure. Such a situation is defined as a cross‐domain SDD problem in this work. This paper aims to address the cross‐domain SDD problem by designing a feature‐extractor to generate both damage‐sensitive and domain‐invariant features, instead of trying to reduce the gap, as the traditional methods do. A domain adaptation (DA) neural network is designed and trained on the data from both the numerical model and the real structure at the same time. In addition, no damage label of the real structure is needed. Both numerical and laboratory experiments show that the proposed method has excellent performance and outperforms the baseline model, a traditional convolutional neural network (CNN). This paper provides a new methodology to solve the cross‐domain SDD problem, that is, to learn better features instead of just trying to reduce the gap.
Metrics and methods for evaluating model‐driven reality capture plans
Authors: Ibrahim Amir , Golparvar‐Fard Mani , El‐Rayes Khaled
Published: May 2021

This paper presents new metrics and methods for evaluating the quality of reality capture plans—commonly used to operate camera‐mounted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or ground rovers—for construction progress monitoring and inspection of as‐is conditions. Using 4D building information model (BIM) or 3D reality model as a priori, these metrics provide feedback on the quality of a plan (within a few minutes), accounting for resolution, visibility, accuracy, completeness of the capture, and satisfying battery capacity and line‐of‐sight requirements. A cloud‐based system is introduced to create and optimize UAV/rover missions in the context of prior model. Results from real‐world construction data sets demonstrate that the proposed metrics offer actionable insights into the accuracy and completeness of reality capture plans. Additionally, a capture plan—with a combination of canonical and noncanonical camera views—that satisfies the introduced metrics is statistically correlated with the quality of reconstructed reality. These metrics can improve computer‐vision progress monitoring and inspection methods that rely on the construction site's appearance and geometry.
A deep reinforcement learning approach to mountain railway alignment optimization
Authors: Gao Tianci , Li Zihan , Gao Yan , Schonfeld Paul , Feng Xiaoyun , Wang Qingyuan , He Qing
Published: May 2021

The design and planning of railway alignments is the dominant task in railway construction. However, it is difficult to achieve self‐learning and learning from human experience with manual as well as automated design methods. Also, many existing approaches require predefined numbers of horizontal points of intersection or vertical points of intersection as input. To address these issues, this study employs deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to optimize mountainous railway alignments with the goal of minimizing construction costs. First, in the DRL model, the state of the railway alignment optimization environment is determined, and the action and reward function of the optimization agent are defined along with the corresponding alignment constraints. Second, we integrate a recent DRL algorithm called the deep deterministic policy gradient with optional human experience to obtain the final optimized railway alignment, and the influence of human experience is demonstrated through a sensitivity analysis. Finally, this methodology is applied to a real‐world case study in a mountainous region, and the results verify that the DRL approach used here can automatically explore and optimize the railway alignment, decreasing the construction cost by 17.65% and 7.98%, compared with the manual alignment and with the results of a method based on the distance transform, respectively, while satisfying various alignment constraints.
Factors responsible for difficult to treat superficial fungal infections: A study from a tertiary healthcare centre in India
Authors: Jain Amit , Dhamale Suyog , Sardesai Vidyadhar
Published: May 2021

Background

Recurrent and clinically unresponsive dermatophytosis is being increasingly observed in India. However, there is little information regarding the extent of the problem and the factors responsible for these difficult to treat superficial fungal infections.

Aim

To identify factors contributing to difficult to treat recurrent superficial fungal infections.

Materials and methods

This prospective cross‐sectional study enrolled 105 patients of all age groups presenting with either recurrent or long‐standing dermatophyte infection attending the outpatient department of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprosy of Bharati Hospital, Pune, India, between September 2018 and March 2020. Patients were clinically examined, clinical history was taken and questions were asked regarding their current complaints and recorded in a proforma. Data were analysed using the SPSS software package.

Results

The males outnumbered females (74.3% vs 25.7%). A strong association was observed between the presence of past history and duration of disease (p = .007). The association of use of topical steroids or keratolytic agents with the duration of disease was statistically significant (p = .022). There was a statistically significant inverse association of duration of disease with dermatologist consultation (p < .001). The association between consultation with non‐dermatologist and the duration of disease was statistically significant (p = .035).

Conclusion

Hyperhidrosis, obesity, positive family history, tight clothing and chronic diseases may be considered important factors in acquiring dermatophytic infection. However, when it comes to difficult to treat tinea infections, irrational usage of topical steroids, treatment from non‐dermatologists and a past history of tinea appear to be more critical causative factors. Treatment of dermatophytosis by dermatologists/ trained physicians and increasing general awareness of the public regarding the current situation about tinea in the country would help to alleviate the current crisis.
Implementation of rapid diagnostics assays for detection of histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis in central american people living with HIV
Authors: Caceres Diego H. , Arauz Ana B. , Flores Carlos , Santiago Erika , Montoya Sandra , Saenz Carlos , Torres‐Meneses Felipe A. , Peralta Hortencia , Zuniga‐Moya Julio Cesar , Lainez Arteaga Isis Zohar , Garcia Arturo , Abdo Jose , Verweij Paul E. , Chiller Tom M. , Forno Diana
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis are important public health problems in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Central America. Conventional laboratory assays, based on microscopy and culture, are not optimal for the diagnosis of either disease. However, antigen (Ag) assays are rapid and highly accurate for the diagnosis of these infections.

Methods

Laboratory surveillance of PLHIV was carried out in four hospitals in Panama, Honduras and Nicaragua, between 2015 and 2019. Detection of Histoplasma antigens in urine was performed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and Cryptococcus antigen detection in sera and cerebrospinal fluid specimens was performed by lateral flow assay (LFA).

Results

A total of 4,453 PLHIV with clinical suspicion of histoplasmosis (n = 1,343) or cryptococcosis (n = 3,110; 2,721 sera and 389 CSF) were tested. Of 1,343 patients suspected of having histoplasmosis, 269 (20%) were Histoplasma Ag positive. Of 3,110 patients tested using the Cryptococcus Ag assay, 329 (11%) were positive. Honduras reported the highest positivity rates (32% for Histoplasma Ag, and 16% for Cryptococcus Ag); Panama reported the largest number of patients testing positive using the Histoplasma Ag assay (n = 201); and Nicaragua reported the largest number of patients testing positive using the Cryptococcus Ag assay (n = 170).

Conclusion

Here, we show how the implementation of rapid diagnostics assays impacted case detection and was useful for the care of people with advanced HIV. Rapid and accurate diagnosis could reduce mortality associated with histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis in PLHIV.
Gait apraxia as a presenting sign of Gerstmann‐Sträussler‐Scheinker disease
Authors: Fukumoto Tatsuya , Miyamoto Ryosuke , Fujita Koji , Harada Masafumi , Izumi Yuishin
Published: May 2021

Gerstmann‐Sträussler‐Scheinker disease (GSS) is a rare inherited prion disease that shows variable clinical symptoms, including cerebellar ataxia, dementia, and leg weakness. These symptoms may result in gait disturbance which frequently occurs in the early stage of the disease; however, precise descriptions focused on its phenomenology and etiology have been scarce. Here, we report a unique case of GSS presenting with gait apraxia as the initial symptom. Moreover, SPECT showed hypoperfusion in the bilateral superior frontal gyri, which suggests that dysfunction in the lesions is largely responsible for gait apraxia.
The influence of spirituality and religion on critical care nursing: An integrative review
Authors: Badanta Bárbara , Rivilla‐García Estefanía , Lucchetti Giancarlo , de Diego‐Cordero Rocío
Published: May 2021

Background

Spiritual care could help family members and critically ill patients to cope with anxiety, stress and depression. However, health care professionals are poorly prepared and health managers are not allocating all the resources needed.

Aims and objectives

To critically review the empirical evidence concerning the influence of spirituality and religion (S‐R) on critical care nursing.

Methods

An integrative review of the literature published in the last 10 years (2010‐2019) was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, CINHAL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane and LILACS. In addition, searches were performed in the System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe and the Grey Literature Report. Quantitative and/or qualitative studies, assessing S‐R and including health care professionals caring for critically ill patients (i.e. adults or children), were included.

Results

Forty articles were included in the final analysis (20 qualitative, 19 quantitative and 1 with a mixed methodology). The studies embraced the following themes: S‐R importance and the use of coping among critical care patients and families; spiritual needs of patients and families; health care professionals' awareness of spiritual needs; ways to address spiritual care in the intensive care unit (ICU); definition of S‐R by health care professionals; perceptions and barriers of addressing spiritual needs; and influence of S‐R on health care professionals' outcomes and decisions. Our results indicate that patients and their families use S‐R coping strategies to alleviate stressful situations in the ICU and that respecting patients' spiritual beliefs is an essential component of critical care. Although nurses consider spiritual care to be very important, they do not feel prepared to address S‐R and report lack of time as the main barrier.

Conclusion and implications for practice

Critical care professionals should be aware about the needs of their patients and should be trained to handle S‐R in clinical practice. Nurses are encouraged to increase their knowledge and awareness towards spiritual issues.
Hydraulic variability of three temperate broadleaf tree species along a water availability gradient in central Europe
Authors: Fuchs Sebastian , Leuschner Christoph , Mathias Link Roman , Schuldt Bernhard
Published: May 2021

Plant hydraulic traits are key for understanding and predicting tree drought responses. Information about the degree of the traits’ intra‐specific variability may guide the selection of drought‐resistant genotypes and is crucial for trait‐based modelling approaches.

For the three temperate minor broadleaf tree species Acer platanoides, Carpinus betulus and Tilia cordata, we measured xylem embolism resistance (P50), leaf turgor loss point (PTLP), specific hydraulic conductivity (KS), Huber values (HVs), and hydraulic safety margins in adult trees across a precipitation gradient. We further quantified trait variability on different organizational levels (inter‐specific to within‐canopy variation), and analysed its relationship to climatic and soil water availability.

Although we observed a certain intra‐specific trait variability (ITV) in safety‐related traits (P50, PTLP) with higher within‐tree and between‐tree than between populations variability, the magnitude was small compared to inter‐specific differences, which explained 78.4% and 58.3% of the variance in P50 and PTLP, respectively. In contrast, efficiency‐related traits (KS, HV) showed a high ITV both within populations and within the crowns of single trees. Surprisingly, the observed ITV of all traits was neither driven by climatic nor soil water availability.

In conclusion, the high degree of conservatism in safety‐related traits highlights their potential for trait‐based modelling approaches.
Overloading stress–induced progressive degeneration and self‐repair in condylar cartilage
Authors: Fang Lingli , Ye Yusi , Tan Xi , Huang Lan , He Yao
Published: May 2021

Overloading stress–induced condylar cartilage degeneration acts as the main pathologic change in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ‐OA). However, the progression of degeneration and the ability for self‐repair remain poorly understood. Here, we explored the progression of cartilage degeneration by dividing pathological stages using a steady mouth‐opening mouse model. Then, we observed changes of cartilage by removing the loading at different stages to test the potential self‐repair after degeneration induced. Three‐dimensional confocal microscopy combined with histology and micro‐CT scanning was applied to examine TMJ at different stages of degeneration before and after self‐repair. We found the cartilage underwent progressive and thorough degeneration as the overloading stress developed. During the initial adaptation stage, robust proliferation of posteromedial cartilage began at the area of direct loading. Subsequently, widespread chondrocyte apoptosis was found, followed by new chondrocyte proliferation in aggregates with matrix degradation and subchondral bone catabolism. Finally, with cartilage surface damage, the degeneration reached a point where the lesion could not be reversed by self‐repair. While the cartilage nearly returned to normal when the interference was removed within 5 days. These results suggested overloading force induces a pathological process of successive degeneration in TMJ cartilage, which can be reversed by self‐repair at early stages.