bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of atrial mechanical function on age‐dependent presentation of neurocardiogenic syncope
Authors: Sotiriadou Melani , Papadopoulos Christodoulos E. , Antoniadis Antonios P. , Roumelis Panagiotis , Vergopoulos Stavros , Konstantinidis Periklis , Pagourelias Efstathios D. , Tzikas Stergios , Fragakis Nikolaos , Vassilikos Vassilios
Published: August 2021

Background

The contribution of atrial and ventricular function in neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) pathophysiology is elusive.

Hypothesis

We assessed the influence of echocardiographic properties to the age of presentation and NCS recurrences.

Methods

We assigned 124 patients with symptoms suggesting NCS, to those with syncope initiation at age <35 (group A, n = 56) and >35 years (group B, n = 68). Echocardiographic indices were measured before head‐up tilt test (HUTT).

Results

A total of 55 had positive HUTT (44%) with a trend favoring group A (p = .08). Group A exhibited lower left atrial (LA) volume index (17 ± 6 vs. 22 ± 11 ml/m2, p = .015), higher LA ejection fraction (69 ± 10 vs. 63 ± 11%, p = .008), LA peak strain (reservoir phase 41 ± 13 vs. 31 ± 14%, p = .001, contraction phase 27 ± 11 vs. 15 ± 10%, p < .001) and LA peak strain rate (reservoir phase 1.83 ± 1.04 vs. 1.36 ± 0.96 1/s, p = .012, conduit phase 2.36 ± 1.25 vs. 1.36 ± 0.78 1/s, p = .001). Group A showed smaller minimum right atrial (RA) volume, better RA systolic function, superior left ventricular diastolic indices, and lower filling pressures. Group A patients were more likely to have >3 recurrences (82.0% vs. 50.1%, p < .05).

Conclusions

Patients with younger age of NCS onset and more syncopal recurrences manifest smaller LA and RA dimensions with distinct patterns of systolic and diastolic function and better LA reservoir and contraction properties. These findings may indicate an increased susceptibility to preload reduction, thereby triggering the NCS mechanism.
Expansion of CD45RA−FOXP3++ regulatory T cells is associated with immune tolerance in patients with combined kidney and bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Kwon Yeongbeen , Lee Kyo Won , Kim You Min , Park Hyojun , Jung Min Kyung , Choi Young Joon , Son Jin Kyung , Hong JuHee , Park Su‐Hyung , Kwon Ghee Young , Yoo Heejin , Kim Kyunga , Kim Sung Joo , Park Jae Berm , Shin Eui‐Cheol
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Simultaneous transplantation of a solid organ and bone marrow from the same donor is a possible means of achieving transplant tolerance. Here, we attempted to identify biomarkers that indicate transplant tolerance for discontinuation of immunosuppressants in combined kidney and bone marrow transplantation (CKBMT).

Methods

Conventional kidney transplant (KT) recipients (n = 20) and CKBMT recipients (n = 6) were included in this study. We examined various immunological parameters by flow cytometry using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), including the frequency and phenotype of regulatory T (Treg) cell subpopulations. We also examined the suppressive activity of the Treg cell population in the setting of mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) with or without Treg cell depletion.

Results

Among six CKBMT recipients, three successfully discontinued immunosuppressants (tolerant group) and three could not (non‐tolerant group). The CD45RA−FOXP3++ Treg cell subpopulation was expanded in CKBMT recipients compared to conventional kidney transplant patients, and this was more obvious in the tolerant group than the non‐tolerant group. In addition, high suppressive activity of the Treg cell population was observed in the tolerant group. The ratio of CD45RA−FOXP3++ Treg cells to CD45RA−FOXP3+ cells indicated good discrimination between the tolerant and non‐tolerant groups.

Conclusion

Thus, our findings propose a biomarker that can distinguish CKBMT patients who achieve transplant tolerance and are eligible for discontinuation of immunosuppressants and may provide insight into tolerance mechanisms in CKBMT.
Individual traffic prediction in cellular networks based on tensor completion
Authors: Liu Chunsheng , Wu Tao , Li Zhifei , Wang Bin
Published: August 2021

Accurate individual (per‐user) traffic prediction in cellular networks is considered a critical capability for the system performance improvement in terms of dynamic bandwidth allocation and network optimization. However, existing methods have limitations in capturing the characteristics of individual traffic, because the observed traffic data are usually incomplete and traffic consumption patterns significantly differ among users. In this paper, to fully exploit the inherent temporal‐spatial correlations of individual traffic data, this work models the traffic data as a three‐dimensional traffic tensor. Different from the “three‐step” strategies (i.e., “data processing + decomposition + prediction”) in the existing methods, we propose a novel tensor completion (TC)‐based “two‐step” strategy, that is, “data processing & decomposition + prediction” for individual traffic prediction, which can recover and decompose the traffic data simultaneously. Furthermore, an efficient algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) framework is proposed to solve the resulting model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to apply the TC‐based “two‐step” strategy for individual traffic prediction in cellular networks. Experiments conducted on a real cellular traffic dataset empirically validate the superiority of the proposed method.
Canopy reflectance models illustrate varying NDVI responses to change in high latitude ecosystems
Authors: Huemmrich Karl Fred , Vargas Zesati Sergio , Campbell Petya , Tweedie Craig
Published: August 2021

Multiyear trends in Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) have been used as metrics of high latitude ecosystem change based on the assumption that NDVI change is associated with ecological change, generally as changes in green vegetation amount (green leaf area index [LAI] or plant cover). Further, no change in NDVI is often interpreted as no change in these variables. Three canopy reflectance models including linear mixture model, the SAIL (Scattering from Arbitrarily Inclined Leaves) model, and the GeoSail model were used to simulate scenarios representing high latitude landscape NDVI responses to changes in LAI and plant cover. The simulations showed inconsistent NDVI responses. Clear increases in NDVI are generally associated with increases in LAI and plant cover. At higher values of LAI, the change in NDVI per unit change in LAI decreases, with very little change in spruce forest NDVI where crown cover is >50% and at the tundra–taiga ecotone with transitions from shrub tundra to spruce woodland. These lower responses may bias the interpretation of greening/browning trends in boreal forests. Variations in water or snow coverage were shown to produce outsized nonbiological NDVI responses. Inconsistencies in NDVI responses exemplify the need for care in the interpretation of NDVI change as a metric of high latitude ecosystem change, and that landscape characteristics in terms of the type of cover and its characteristics, such as the initial plant cover, must be taken into account in evaluating the significance of any observed NDVI trends.
Snapshot Wisconsin: networking community scientists and remote sensing to improve ecological monitoring and management
Authors: Townsend Philip A. , Clare John D. J. , Liu Nanfeng , Stenglein Jennifer L. , Anhalt‐Depies Christine , Van Deelen Timothy R. , Gilbert Neil A. , Singh Aditya , Martin Karl J. , Zuckerberg Benjamin
Published: August 2021

Biological data collection is entering a new era. Community science, satellite remote sensing (SRS), and local forms of remote sensing (e.g., camera traps and acoustic recordings) have enabled biological data to be collected at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales and resolution. There is growing interest in developing observation networks to collect and synthesize data to improve broad‐scale ecological monitoring, but no examples of such networks have emerged to inform decision‐making by agencies. Here, we present the implementation of one such jurisdictional observation network (JON), Snapshot Wisconsin, which links synoptic environmental data derived from SRS to biodiversity observations collected continuously from a trail camera network to support management decision‐making. We use several examples to illustrate that Snapshot Wisconsin improves the spatial, temporal, and biological resolution and extent of information available to support management, filling gaps associated with traditional monitoring and enabling consideration of new management strategies. JONs like Snapshot Wisconsin further strengthen monitoring inference by contributing novel lines of evidence useful for corroboration or integration. SRS provides environmental context that facilitates inference, prediction, and forecasting, and ultimately helps managers formulate, test, and refine conceptual models for the monitored systems. Although these approaches pose challenges, Snapshot Wisconsin demonstrates that expansive observation networks can be tractably managed by agencies to support decision making, providing a powerful new tool for agencies to better achieve their missions and reshape the nature of environmental decision‐making.
Monitoring spatial and temporal soundscape features within ecologically significant U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries
Authors: Stanley Jenni A. , Van Parijs Sofie M. , Davis Genevieve E. , Sullivan Megan , Hatch Leila T.
Published: August 2021

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries manages a system of marine protected areas encompassing more than 2,000,000 km2. U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS) have been designated to provide protection for their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archaeological, educational, or aesthetic qualities. Due to the large variability of attributes among NMS, designing coordinated system‐wide monitoring to support diverse resource protection goals can be challenging. Underwater sound monitoring is seeing increasing application to marine protected area management because it is able to support this wide variety of information needs. Passive acoustics are providing invaluable autonomous information regarding habitat associations, identifying species spatial and temporal use, and highlighting patterns in conditions that are otherwise difficult to survey. Using standardized equipment and analysis methods this study collected ambient underwater sound data and derived measurements to investigate temporal changes in sound pressure levels and power spectral density, identify presence of select species of importance and support within and among site comparison of ambient underwater sound among eight sites within four U.S. NMS. Broadband sound pressure levels of ambient sound (10–24,000 Hz) varied as much as 24 dB re 1 µPa (max difference 100–124 dB re 1 µPa) among the recording sites, sanctuaries, and seasons. Biotic signals, such as snapping shrimp snaps and vocalizations of fishes, exhibited distinct diel and seasonal patterns and showed variation among sites. Presence of anthropogenic signals, such as vessel passage, also varied substantially among sites, ranging from on average 1.6–21.8 h/d. The study identified measurements that effectively summarized baseline soundscape attributes and prioritized future opportunities for integrating non‐acoustic and acoustic variables in order to inform area‐specific management questions within four ecologically varying U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries.
Reconciling biodiversity with timber production and revenue via an intensive forest management experiment
Authors: Kormann Urs G. , Stokely Thomas D. , Verschuyl Jake , Kroll Andrew J. , Harris Scott , Maguire Doug , Mainwaring Doug , Rivers James W. , Betts Matthew G.
Published: August 2021

Understanding how land‐management intensification shapes the relationships between biodiversity, yield, and economic benefit is critical for managing natural resources. Yet, manipulative experiments that test how herbicides affect these relationships are scarce, particularly in forest ecosystems where considerable time lags exist between harvest revenue and initial investments. We assessed these relationships by combining 7 yr of biodiversity surveys (>800 taxa) and forecasts of timber yield and economic return from a replicated, large‐scale experiment that manipulated herbicide application intensity in operational timber plantations. Herbicides reduced species richness across trophic groups (−18%), but responses by higher‐level trophic groups were more variable (0–38% reduction) than plant responses (−40%). Financial discounting, a conventional economic method to standardize past and future cash flows, strongly modified biodiversity–revenue relationships caused by management intensity. Despite a projected 28% timber yield gain with herbicides, biodiversity–revenue trade‐offs were muted when opportunity costs were high (i.e., economic discount rates ≥7%). Although herbicides can drive biodiversity–yield trade‐offs, under certain conditions, financial discounting provides opportunities to reconcile biodiversity conservation with revenue.
The hidden side of diversity: Effects of imperfect detection on multiple dimensions of biodiversity
Authors: Richter Aline , Nakamura Gabriel , Agra Iserhard Cristiano , da Silva Duarte Leandro
Published: August 2021

Studies on ecological communities often address patterns of species distribution and abundance, but few consider uncertainty in counts of both species and individuals when computing diversity measures.

We evaluated the extent to which imperfect detection may influence patterns of taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in ecological communities.

We estimated the true abundance of fruit‐feeding butterflies sampled in canopy and understory strata in a subtropical forest. We compared the diversity values calculated by observed and estimated abundance data through the hidden diversity framework. This framework evaluates the deviation of observed diversity when compared with diversities derived from estimated true abundances and whether such deviation represents a bias or a noise in the observed diversity pattern.

The hidden diversity values differed between strata for all diversity measures, except for functional richness. The taxonomic measure was the only one where we observed an inversion of the most diverse stratum when imperfect detection was included. Regarding phylogenetic and functional measures, the strata showed distinct responses to imperfect detection, despite the tendency to overestimate observed diversity. While the understory showed noise for the phylogenetic measure, since the observed pattern was maintained, the canopy had biased diversity for the functional metric. This bias occurred since no significant differences were found between strata for observed diversity, but rather for estimated diversity, with the canopy being more clustered.

We demonstrate that ignore imperfect detection may lead to unrealistic estimates of diversity and hence to erroneous interpretations of patterns and processes that structure biological communities. For fruit‐feeding butterflies, according to their phylogenetic position or functional traits, the undetected individuals triggered different responses in the relationship of the diversity measures to the environmental factor. This highlights the importance to evaluate and include the uncertainty in species detectability before calculating biodiversity measures to describe communities.
Systolic blood pressure at admission and long‐term clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure
Authors: Huang Xinghe , Liu Jiamin , Hu Shuang , Zhang Lihua , Miao Fengyu , Tian Aoxi , Li Jing
Published: August 2021

Aims

The study sought to investigate the association between admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 1‐year clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) and in subgroups.

Methods

This study was based on the China Patient‐centred Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events Prospective Heart Failure Study, which prospectively enrolled patients hospitalized for HF in 52 hospitals from 20 provinces in China between August 2016 and May 2018. Patients were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of SBP at admission. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to examine the association between admission SBP and all‐cause death and HF readmission within 1 year after the index hospitalization. Restricted cubic splines were used to explore the non‐linear association between SBP and the clinical outcomes.

Results

Among 4896 patients, those with lower admission SBP were younger, more likely to be male, have left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, and receive β‐blockers, aldosterone antagonists, and diuretics. After adjustment for potential confounders, lower admission SBP was significantly associated with higher all‐cause death and there is no threshold, while we only observed such an association with HF readmission when admission SBP was lower than 120 mmHg. Compared with the 4th SBP quartile, patients in the 1st SBP quartile had higher risk of all‐cause death (hazard ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval 1.48–2.33; P < 0.001) and HF readmission (hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval 1.19–1.65, P < 0.001). These associations were consistent in most subgroups, such as age, sex, and left ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusions

In patients hospitalized for HF, lower admission SBP portends an increased risk of 1 year all‐cause death and HF readmission, and these associations were consistent among subgroups.
Predictors of long‐term outcome in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a follow‐up from the KaRen study
Authors: Shahim Angiza , Hourqueig Marion , Donal Erwan , Oger Emmanuel , Venkateshvaran Ashwin , Daubert Jean‐Claude , Savarese Gianluigi , Linde Cecilia , Lund Lars H. , Hage Camilla
Published: August 2021

Aims

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has poor long‐term prognosis. We assessed rates and predictors of outcome 10 years after an acute episode of HF.

Methods and results

The Karolinska‐Rennes (KaRen) study enrolled HFpEF patients with acute HF, ejection fraction ≥ 45%, and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide > 300 ng/L in 2007–11. Clinical data were collected at enrolment and after 4–8 weeks including detailed echocardiography. Follow‐up data were collected 10 years after study initiation, starting from 6 months after enrolment until 2018 assessed by telephone. Independent predictors of primary (all‐cause mortality or HF hospitalization) and secondary (all‐cause mortality) outcomes were assessed by multivariable Cox regression. Of 539 patients, long‐term follow‐up data were available for 397 patients [52% female; median (interquartile range) age 79 (73, 84) years]. Over a follow‐up of 5.44 (2.06–7.89) years, 1, 3, 5, and 10 year mortality rates were 15%, 31%, 47%, and 74%, respectively, with an incidence rate of 130/1000 patient‐years. The primary outcome was met in 84% of the population, with an incidence rate of 227/1000 patient‐years. The independent predictors of the primary outcome were tricuspid regurgitation peak velocity (m/s) [hazard ratio 1.87 (1.34–2.62)], diabetes mellitus [1.75 (1.11–2.74)], and cancer [1.75 (1.01–3.03)] while female sex was associated with reduced risk [0.64 (0.41–0.98)].

Conclusions

In HFpEF, 1, 3, 5, and 10 year mortality was 15%, 31%, 47%, and 74% and mortality or first HF hospitalization was 35%, 54%, 67%, and 84%, respectively. Independent predictors of mortality or HF hospitalization were tricuspid regurgitation peak velocity, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and male sex. In clinical management of HFpEF, attention should be paid to both cardiac and non‐cardiac conditions.
Advances in Liver Transplantation: where are we in the pursuit of transplantation tolerance?
Authors: Safinia Niloufar , Vaikunthanathan Trishan , Lechler Robert Ian , Sanchez‐Fueyo Alberto , Lombardi Giovanna
Published: August 2021

Liver transplantation is the ultimate treatment option for end‐stage liver disease. Breakthroughs in surgical practice and immunosuppression have seen considerable advancements in survival after transplantation. However, the intricate management of immunosuppressive regimens, balancing desired immunological quiescence while minimizing toxicity has proven challenging. Diminishing improvements in long‐term morbidity and mortality have been inextricably linked with the protracted use of these medications. As such, there is now enormous interest to devise protocols that will allow us to minimize or completely withdraw immunosuppressants after transplantation. Immunosuppression withdrawal trials have proved the reality of tolerance following liver transplantation, however, without intervention will only occur after several years at the risk of potential cumulative immunosuppression‐related morbidity. Focus has now been directed at accelerating this phenomenon through tolerance‐inducing strategies. In this regard, efforts have seen the use of regulatory cell immunotherapy. Here we focus particularly on regulatory T cells, discussing preclinical data that propagated several clinical trials of adoptive cell therapy in liver transplantation. Furthermore, we describe efforts to further optimize the specificity and survival of regulatory cell therapy guided by concurrent immunomonitoring studies and the development of novel technologies including chimeric antigen receptors and co‐administration of low‐dose IL‐2.
Overstrength factors of RC bridges supported on single and multi‐column RC piers in Mexico
Authors: Sánchez Alma R. , Arêde António , Jara Jose M. , Delgado Pedro
Published: August 2021

Mexico highway network has more than 14,000 bridges. Most of them are reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The bridges design process incorporates the use of an overstrength factor that is not justified and has received little attention in published works. Mexican regulations allow using an overstrength factor for buildings in the range of 2–3, to reduce the design spectra as a function of the selected seismic behavior factor. However, for bridges, a single factor of 1.5 is proposed independent of any design parameter. The bridges in Mexico are mostly simply supported structures with maximum span lengths of 50 m. A relevant and distinctive aspect of the bridges designed in Mexico is the large load amplitudes of the trucks used to define the live load and the high seismic activity in the country. This study determines overstrength factors of a family of medium‐length RC bridges composed of simply supported superstructures and substructure made up of single and multi‐column RC piers. Non‐linear dynamic analyzes using a set of 80 accelerograms were carried out. The results show that the height of the bridges and their seismic location are relevant parameters in the overstrength of the structures. Finally, analytical expressions are proposed to assess the overstrength factors of a very common bridge typology in Mexico and the world.
Taste compounds, affecting factors, and methods used to evaluate chicken soup: A review
Authors: Zhang Lili , Hao Zhilin , Zhao Chao , Zhang Yuyu , Li Jian , Sun Baoguo , Tang Yizhuang , Yao Meixiang
Published: August 2021

The taste of chicken soup is dependent upon various taste substances and human senses. More than 300 nonvolatile compounds reportedly exist in chicken/chicken soup. The primary purpose of this review was to elaborate on the prominent taste substances, the taste evaluation methods, and the factors affecting the taste of chicken soup. Most taste‐active compounds with taste descriptions and thresholds in chicken soup were summarized. The application of sensory evaluation, liquid chromatography, electronic tongue, and other evaluation methods in chicken soup taste analysis were elaborated. The effects of genetic constitution, preslaughter, processing, and storage on chicken soup taste had been discussed. Nucleotides (especially inosine 5′‐monophosphate), amino acids and their derivatives, organic acids, sugars, and peptides play a vital role in the taste attributes of chicken soup. Combining of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry enables qualitative and quantitative analysis of taste‐active compounds in chicken soup, aiding the exploration of key taste‐active compounds. The electronic tongue application helps the overall taste perception of the soluble taste‐active compounds present in chicken soup samples. Postmortem aging and stewing for a prolonged duration are effective techniques for improving the taste quality of chicken soup. The washing of preprocessing, the cooking temperature of processing, and the storage conditions also exert a significant impact on the taste of chicken soup.
Shikonin protects against lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation and apoptosis in human nucleus pulposus cells through the nuclear factor‐kappa B pathway
Authors: Liu Yuanbin , Zheng Jiazhuang , Chen Yu , Wang Fandong , Ye He , Wang Miao , Zhang Zhi
Published: August 2021

Objective

To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of shikonin on human intervertebral disk degeneration.

Methods

Human primary nucleus pulposus (NP) cells cultured in vitro were used for the experiments. The effects of different concentrations of shikonin (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 µM) on the activity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced NP cells were determined using the CCK‐8 assay, and the appropriate drug concentration was determined. The experiment was divided into the control, LPS, and LPS + shikonin groups. ELISA and Western blot were used to detect the expression of the inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐1β. NP cell apoptosis was measured using Western blot and caspase 3 activity. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays were used to detect the protein expression of p‐P65 and P65 and the nuclear translocation of P65.

Results

The CCK‐8 assay showed that shikonin had no cytotoxic effect on NP cells and increased the activity of LPS‐induced NP cells, especially at a concentration of 4 μM. Shikonin reversed the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐1β and apoptosis‐related molecules Bax, Bcl‐2, and cleaved caspase 3 in LPS‐induced NP cells. In addition, shikonin significantly decreased apoptosis and caspase‐3 activity in LPS‐induced NP cells. Furthermore, shikonin treatment significantly inhibited the expression of p‐P65 and nuclear translocation of P65, and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway inhibitor Pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate ammonium (PDTC) significantly enhanced the anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of shikonin in LPS‐induced NP cells.

Conclusion

Shikonin significantly inhibited the inflammatory response and apoptosis of human primary NP cells, possibly through the NF‐κB pathway.
Thermal application of composites of iron and magnesium in thermosyphon solar water heating system
Authors: Sahu Akash Kumar , Brahma Gouri Sankhar , Aravind Rudrarapu , Swain Trilochan
Published: August 2021

A novel and low‐cost mixture of iron and magnesium have been synthesized and used as selective coatings for flat plate absorber in solar water heating system. The commercial black paint is fabricated with the mixture of composition Fe3(PO4)2·0.1Mg2P2O7·1.9 MgSO4(FPM3A). The composition of the coating mixture has been characterized by various analytical techniques. Thermal studies of these mixtures were accomplished using differential scanning calorimetry and thermo‐gravimetric analysis. From the thermal analysis, it has been observed that the mixtures can be used as thermal heat storage materials. The FPM3A‐modified black paint has been tested in a thermosyphon solar water heater prototype. The average water temperature and efficiency of the flat plate absorber with FPM3A‐modified black paint have increased by an average of 7.5° and around 12%, respectively, in comparison with that with commercial unprocessed black paint.
Suspended solids induce increasing microbial ammonium recycling along the river‐estuary continuum of the Yangtze River
Authors: Xue Jingya , Zhao Zhonghua , Yao Xiaolong , Liu Weiting , Zhang Lu
Published: August 2021

Many large rivers worldwide are enriched with high levels of suspended solids (SS), which are known to be hotspots of many nitrogen (N) transformation processes (e.g., denitrification, nitrification). However, the influence of SS on microbial ammonium (NH4+) recycling remains unclear. Water column NH4+ regeneration rates (REGs) and potential uptake rates (Upots) as well as community biological NH4+ demand (CBAD) was measured in the river‐estuary continuum of the third longest river in the world—Yangtze River, which has dramatic SS gradients. We found that REGs, Upots, and CBAD all increased downriver, with higher REGs, Upots, and CBAD in the estuary than in the river sections. The regeneration and uptake of NH4+ were nearly balanced in the river sections, while the positive CBAD in the estuary indicated obvious NH4+ demand of microbes. Concentrations of SS, which also control the content of chemical oxygen demand and particulate N, were the main factor influencing NH4+ recycling rates and CBAD. SS‐induced regenerated NH4+ in the river‐estuary continuum of Yangtze River was estimated to be 11.02 × 108 kg N yr−1 and accounted for about 14% of total N inputs, suggesting that regenerated NH4+ is an important N source for microbes and may influence nutrient dynamics in lower coasts. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report NH4+ recycling in Yangtze River with an emphasis on its influencing factors and contribution to N budgets.
Effects of growth‐stage‐based deficit irrigation management on physiological and biochemical characteristics and yield of winter wheat in Northwest China*
Authors: Cao Yuxin , Cai Huanjie , Zhao Long
Published: August 2021

Growth‐stage‐based deficit irrigation is an appropriate method when irrigation water is scarce. However, the effects of continuous deficit irrigation during the winter wheat growth period on crop physiological and biochemical processes need to be further evaluated. Five growth‐stage‐based deficit irrigation strategies were established and tested in winter wheat in the present study. The results showed that water stress resulted in a decrease in net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and transpiration rate, but led to an increase in catalase and peroxidase activities and an increase in malondialdehyde and proline contents. A high Pn could be sustained when the relative water content of the soil was maintained within the range of 60%–75%. Pn was negatively correlated with antioxidant enzyme activity. Based on the averaged data from 2017 to 2019, all water stress treatment groups showed varying degrees of yield reduction compared to the control (CK). Though the T1 treatment (i.e., irrigation from jointing stage to filling stage with 240 mm of water) had the highest water productivity (2.19 kg m−3), its grain yield was only 7.01% lower than the CK treatment. The present results suggest that the T1 treatment is the better irrigation model for saving water and achieving high grain yield in winter wheat in this region.
A Multi‐sequence MRI Study in Parkinson's Disease: Association Between Rigidity and Myelin
Authors: Cai Jiayue , Kim Jowon L. , Baumeister Tobias R. , Zhu Maria , Wang Yuheng , Liu Aiping , Lee Soojin , McKeown Martin J.
Published: August 2021

Background

The pathophysiology of rigidity in Parkinson's disease (PD) is poorly understood. Multi‐sequence functional and structural brain MRI may further clarify the origin of this clinical characteristic.

Purpose

To examine both joint and unique relationships of MRI‐based functional and structural imaging modalities to rigidity and other clinical features of PD.

Study Type

Retrospective cross‐sectional study.

Population

31 PD subjects (aged 68.0 ± 5.9 years, 21 males) with average disease duration 9.3 ± 5.4 years.

Field Strength/Sequence

Multi‐echo GRASE, diffusion‐weighted echo planar imaging (EPI), and blood oxygen level dependent contrast EPI T2*‐weighted sequences on a 3T scanner.

Assessment

Myelin water fraction (MWF) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of 20 white‐matter regions of interest (ROIs), and functional connectivity derived from resting‐state fMRI among 56 ROIs were assessed. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale—Part III, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Beck Depression Index, and Apathy Rating Scales were used to assess motor and non‐motor symptoms.

Statistical Tests

Multiset canonical correlation analysis (MCCA) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) were utilized to examine the joint and unique relationships of multiple imaging measures with clinical symptoms of PD. A permutation test was used to determine statistical significance (P < 0.05).

Results

MCCA revealed a single significant component jointly linking MWF, FA, and functional connectivity to age, bradykinesia, and leg agility, non‐motor symptoms of cognition, depression, and apathy, but not rigidity (P = 0.77), tremor (P = 0.50 and 0.67 on the left and right side), or sex (P = 0.54). After controlling for this joint component, CCA found a unique significant association between MWF and rigidity, but no other associations were detected, including with FA (P = 0.87).

Data Conclusion

MWF, FA, and functional connectivity can serve as multi‐sequence imaging markers to characterize many PD symptoms. However, rigidity in PD is additionally associated with widespread myelin changes.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
Convolutional Neural Networks for Automated Classification of Prostate Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based on Image Quality
Authors: Cipollari Stefano , Guarrasi Valerio , Pecoraro Martina , Bicchetti Marco , Messina Emanuele , Farina Lorenzo , Paci Paola , Catalano Carlo , Panebianco Valeria
Published: August 2021

Background

Prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is technically demanding, requiring high image quality to reach its full diagnostic potential. An automated method to identify diagnostically inadequate images could help optimize image quality.

Purpose

To develop a convolutional neural networks (CNNs) based analysis pipeline for the classification of prostate MRI image quality.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Three hundred sixteen prostate mpMRI scans and 312 men (median age 67).

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T; fast spin echo T2WI, echo planar imaging DWI, ADC, gradient‐echo dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE).

Assessment

MRI scans were reviewed by three genitourinary radiologists (V.P., M.D.M., S.C.) with 21, 12, and 5 years of experience, respectively. Sequences were labeled as high quality (Q1) or low quality (Q0) and used as the reference standard for all analyses.

Statistical Tests

Sequences were split into training, validation, and testing sets (869, 250, and 120 sequences, respectively). Inter‐reader agreement was assessed with the Fleiss kappa. Following preprocessing and data augmentation, 28 CNNs were trained on MRI slices for each sequence. Model performance was assessed on both a per‐slice and a per‐sequence basis. A pairwise t‐test was performed to compare performances of the classifiers.

Results

The number of sequences labeled as Q0 or Q1 was 38 vs. 278 for T2WI, 43 vs. 273 for DWI, 41 vs. 275 for ADC, and 38 vs. 253 for DCE. Inter‐reader agreement was almost perfect for T2WI and DCE and substantial for DWI and ADC. On the per‐slice analysis, accuracy was 89.95% ± 0.02% for T2WI, 79.83% ± 0.04% for DWI, 76.64% ± 0.04% for ADC, 96.62% ± 0.01% for DCE. On the per‐sequence analysis, accuracy was 100% ± 0.00% for T2WI, DWI, and DCE, and 92.31% ± 0.00% for ADC. The three best algorithms performed significantly better than the remaining ones on every sequence (P‐value < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

CNNs achieved high accuracy in classifying prostate MRI image quality on an individual‐slice basis and almost perfect accuracy when classifying the entire sequences.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
First characterization of a newly emerging phytopathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causing white mold in pea
Authors: Islam Md. Rabiul , Akanda Abdul M. , Hossain Md. Mofazzal , Hossain Md. Motaher
Published: August 2021

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is of global importance as a food crop for its edible pod and seed. A new disease causing the tan to light brown blighted stems and pods has occurred in pea (P. sativum L.) plants in Chapainawabganj district, Bangladesh. A fungus with white‐appressed mycelia and large sclerotia was consistently isolated from symptomatic tissues. The fungus formed funnel‐shaped apothecia with sac‐like ascus and endogenously formed ascospores. Healthy pea plants inoculated with the fungus produced typical white mold symptoms. The internal transcribed spacer sequences of the fungus were 100% similar to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, considering the fungus to be the causative agent of white mold disease in pea, which was the first record in Bangladesh. Mycelial growth and sclerotial development of S. sclerotiorum were favored at 20°C and pH 5.0. Glucose was the best carbon source to support hyphal growth and sclerotia formation. Bavistin and Amistar Top inhibited the radial growth of the fungus completely at the lowest concentration. In planta, foliar application of Amistar Top showed the considerable potential to control the disease at 1.0% concentration until 7 days after spraying, while Bavistin prevented infection significantly until 15 days after spraying. A large majority (70.93%) of genotypes, including tested released pea cultivars, were susceptible, while six genotypes (6.98%) appeared resistant to the disease. These results on identification, characterization, host resistance, and fungicidal control of white mold could be valuable to achieve improved management of a new disease problem for pea cultivation.
A novel preoperative risk score to guide patient selection for resection of soft tissue sarcoma lung metastases: An analysis from the United States Sarcoma Collaborative
Authors: Lee Rachel M. , Ethun Cecilia G. , Gamboa Adriana C. , Turgeon Michael K. , Tran Thuy , Poultsides George , Grignol Valerie , Bedi Meena , Mogal Harveshp , Clarke Callisia N. , Tseng Jennifer , Roggin Kevin K. , Chouliaras Konstantinos , Votanopoulos Konstantinos , Krasnick Bradley A. , Fields Ryan C. , Oskouei Shervin V. , Monson David K. , Reimer Nickolas B. , Maithel Shishir K. , Pickens Allan , Cardona Kenneth
Published: August 2021

Background

Surgical resection for sarcoma lung metastases has been associated with improved overall survival (OS).

Methods

Patients who underwent curative‐intent resection of sarcoma lung metastases (2000–2016) were identified from the US Sarcoma Collaborative. Patients with extrapulmonary metastatic disease or R2 resections of primary tumor or metastases were excluded. Primary endpoint was OS.

Results

Three hundred and fifty‐two patients met inclusion criteria. Location of primary tumor was truncal/extremity in 85% (n = 270) and retroperitoneal in 15% (n = 49). Forty‐nine percent (n = 171) of patients had solitary and 51% (n = 180) had multiple lung metastasis. Median OS was 49 months; 5‐year OS 42%. Age ≥55 (HR 1.77), retroperitoneal primary (HR 1.67), R1 resection of primary (HR 1.72), and multiple (≥2) lung metastases (HR 1.77) were associated with decreased OS(all p < 0.05). Assigning one point for each factor, we developed a risk score from 0 to 4. Patients were then divided into two risk groups: low (0–1 factor) and high (2–4 factors). The low‐risk group (n = 159) had significantly better 5‐year OS compared to the high‐risk group (n = 108) (51% vs. 16%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We identified four characteristics that in aggregate portend a worse OS and created a novel prognostic risk score for patients with sarcoma lung metastases. Given that patients in the high‐risk group have a projected OS of <20% at 5 years, this risk score, after external validation, will be an important tool to aid in preoperative counseling and consideration for multimodal therapy.
Potentially Traumatic Events and the Association Between Gender Minority Stress and Suicide Risk in a Gender‐Diverse Sample
Authors: Cogan Chelsea M. , Scholl James A. , Lee Jenny Y. , Davis Joanne L.
Published: August 2021

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals are at an elevated risk of trauma exposure and other negative mental and physical health outcomes. The present study examined the interaction between minority stressors, reported potentially traumatic events (PTEs), and suicide risk (i.e., ideation and behavior) in a TGD sample. A convenience sample of 155 self‐identified TGD individuals completed questionnaires assessing distal (e.g., gender‐related discrimination) and proximal (e.g., internalized transphobia) gender identity–related stressors, lifetime PTE history, and suicide risk. The results of a mediation analysis demonstrated that proximal stressors partially mediated the association between distal stressors and suicide risk, B = 1.12, t(152) = 3.72, p < .01, 95% CI [0.53, 1.72], and the results of a moderated mediation analysis showed that the interaction term was not significant, and that the number of PTEs did not moderate the mediation model that examined proximal stressors as a mediator of the association between distal stressors and suicide risk, F(3, 151) = 18.74, MSE = 0.75, R2 = 0.27, B = 0.07, t(151) = 0.89, p = .371, 95% CI [‐0.08, 0.21]. These findings suggest that minority stressors may contribute to suicide risk in a TGD population above and beyond the impact of trauma exposure. Risk reduction efforts for suicide risk may be enhanced by attending to minority stressors in addition to PTEs.
Estimates of Abundance and Harvest Rates of Female Black Bears Across a Large Spatial Extent
Authors: Humm Jacob , Clark Joseph D.
Published: August 2021

American black bears (Ursus americanus) are an iconic wildlife species in the southern Appalachian highlands of the eastern United States and have increased in number and range since the early 1980s. Given an increasing number of human‐bear conflicts in the region, many management agencies have liberalized harvest regulations to reduce bear populations to socially acceptable levels. Wildlife managers need reliable population data for assessing the effects of management actions for this high‐profile species. Our goal was to use DNA extracted from hair collected at barbed‐wire enclosures (i.e., hair traps) to identify individual bears and then use spatially explicit capture‐recapture methods to estimate female black bear density, abundance, and harvest rate. We established 888 hair traps across 66,678 km2 of the southern Appalachian highlands in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, USA, in 2017 and 2018, arranged in 174 clusters of 2–9 traps/cluster. We collected 9,113 hair samples from those sites over 6 weeks of sampling, of which 1,954 were successfully genotyped to 462 individual female bears. Our spatially explicit estimator included a percent forest covariate to explain inhomogeneous bear density across the region. Densities ranged up to 0.410 female bears/km2 and regional abundance was 5,950 (95% CI = 4,988–7,098) female bears. Based on hunter kill data from 2016 to 2018, mean annual harvest rates for females were 12.7% in Georgia, 17.6% in North Carolina, 17.6% in South Carolina, and 22.8% in Tennessee. Our estimated harvest rates for most states approached or exceeded theoretical maximum sustainable levels, and population trend data (i.e., bait‐station indices) indicated decreasing growth rates since about 2009. These data suggest that the increased harvest goals and poor hard mast production over a series of prior years reduced bear population abundance in many states. We were able to obtain reasonable population abundance and density estimates because of spatially explicit capture‐recapture methods, cluster sampling, and a large spatial extent. Continued monitoring of bear populations (e.g., annual bait‐station surveys and periodic population estimation using spatially explicit methods) by state jurisdictions would help to ensure that population trajectories are consistent with management goals. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
From Collar to Coccyx: Truncal Movement Disorders: A Clinical Review
Authors: Colucci Fabiana , Carvalho Vanessa , Gonzalez‐Robles Cristina , Bhatia Kailash P. , Mulroy Eoin
Published: August 2021

Background

Movement disorders affecting the trunk remain a diagnostic challenge even for experienced clinicians. However, despite being common and debilitating, truncal movement disorders are rarely discussed and poorly reviewed in the medical literature.

Objectives

To review common movement disorders affecting the trunk and provide an approach for clinicians based on the truncal region involved (shoulder, chest, diaphragm, abdomen, pelvis, and axial disorders). For each disorder, clinical presentation, etiologic differential diagnosis, and “clinical clues” are discussed.

Conclusion

This review provides a clinically focused, practical approach to truncal movement disorders, which will be helpful for physicians in everyday practice.
The effects of size‐dependent policy on the sales distortion reporting: Focusing on the discretionary sales management of Korean SMEs
Authors: Jung A‐Reum , Jung Do‐Jin
Published: August 2021

This study analyzes whether firms manipulate size reports in order to seem as if they have not grown due to size‐dependent policies. The small‐and‐medium enterprises (SMEs) support policies of Korean provide various benefits such as tax reduction to companies with a sales lower than a certain standard. SMEs thus have an inventive to discretionally manage sales figures to hold on to such benefits. This study empirically tests on firms listed in the Korean Stock Exchange from 2006 to 2016 with models by Stubben (2010, 10.2308/accr.2010.85.2.695) and Giedt (2017, doi.org/10.1111/abac.12119) as a proxy for discretionary revenue. Results from analysis show that SMEs tend to reduce their sales discretionally. SMEs with large sales lower these numbers more drastically than SMEs with small sales, since they are at higher risk of being newly classified as a large firm. Such results suggest that SMEs discretionally lowered sales figure to hide their growth, unlike what is known as Peter Pan Syndrome.
Multiparametric mapping in the brain from conventional contrast‐weighted images using deep learning
Authors: Qiu Shihan , Chen Yuhua , Ma Sen , Fan Zhaoyang , Moser Franklin G. , Maya Marcel M. , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Xie Yibin , Li Debiao
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To develop a deep‐learning–based method to quantify multiple parameters in the brain from conventional contrast‐weighted images.

Methods

Eighteen subjects were imaged using an MR Multitasking sequence to generate reference T1 and T2 maps in the brain. Conventional contrast‐weighted images consisting of T1 MPRAGE, T1 GRE, and T2 FLAIR were acquired as input images. A U‐Net–based neural network was trained to estimate T1 and T2 maps simultaneously from the contrast‐weighted images. Six‐fold cross‐validation was performed to compare the network outputs with the MR Multitasking references.

Results

The deep‐learning T1/T2 maps were comparable with the references, and brain tissue structures and image contrasts were well preserved. A peak signal‐to‐noise ratio >32 dB and a structural similarity index >0.97 were achieved for both parameter maps. Calculated on brain parenchyma (excluding CSF), the mean absolute errors (and mean percentage errors) for T1 and T2 maps were 52.7 ms (5.1%) and 5.4 ms (7.1%), respectively. ROI measurements on four tissue compartments (cortical gray matter, white matter, putamen, and thalamus) showed that T1 and T2 values provided by the network outputs were in agreement with the MR Multitasking reference maps. The mean differences were smaller than 1%, and limits of agreement were within 5% for T1 and within 10% for T2 after taking the mean differences into account.

Conclusion

A deep‐learning–based technique was developed to estimate T1 and T2 maps from conventional contrast‐weighted images in the brain, enabling simultaneous qualitative and quantitative MRI without modifying clinical protocols.