bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
240 An Analysis of the Mis-Diagnosis of Peyronie's Disease (PD) in Men Referred for the Assessment of Penile Deformity
Authors: Deveci S , Tanuguchi H , Torremade J , Ortega Y , Mulhall JP
Published: May 2022

Introduction

PD is diagnosed in the presence of penile deformity combined with a tunical plaque. Clinical experience shows us that some men who believe they have PD actually have congenital penile curvature (CPC), whilst others, especially those with a history of penile trauma, have anxiety about having PD but, in fact, do not. This analysis aimed to define the mis-diagnosis rate of men referred for PD evaluation.

Methods

Study population consisted of men who (i) presented to a sexual medicine clinic for the evaluation of penile deformity (ii) and/or the presence of a tunical nodule (iii) underwent comprehensive penile examination by a sexual medicine physician with extensive experience in PD and (iv) underwent penile deformity assessment at the time of penile duplex Doppler ultrasound (PDDU). Demographic and comorbidity data were recorded. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was conducted to define predictors of the absence of PD.

Results

1942 patients met the inclusion criteria. 79% were MD referred (MDR), the remainder were self-referred (SR). Mean age of the entire cohort was 58±28 years (MDR 64±22y, SR 41±11y, p<0.01). Comorbidities: hypertension 24%, diabetes 11%, dyslipidemia 27%, chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) 6%, history of radical pelvic surgery (RPS) 24%, history of penile trauma 8%. Overall 14% of patients had no PD plaque identified on examination (MDR 12%, SR 21%). For MDR without PD, majority had CPC (9%), 3% had no deformity, while for SR only 6% had CPC, the remaining 15% had no deformity at PDDU. Results of MVA is presented in the Table.

Conclusion

Men referred to a tertiary referral center for the evaluation of PD commonly have no PD. Predictors of no PD include: diagnosis of CPPS, history of penile trauma, young age and absence of RPS.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
243 Peyronie's Disease in Young Adults: Symptomatic Burden and Clinical Characteristics
Authors: Fallara G , Capogrosso P , Boeri L , Cazzaniga W , Candela L , Schifano N , Costa A , Pozzi E , Belladelli F , Cignoli D , Raffo M , Matloob R , Cornelius J , Ventimiglia E , Mattei A , Montorsi F , Salonia A
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Peyronie's disease is a benign condition involving the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa of the penis.

Objectives

To investigate whether patients’ age has an impact in terms of Peyronie's disease (PD) clinical characteristics at presentation.

Methods

Data from a group of 110 consecutive patients aged >18 and <70 years with PD and seeking first medical attention at a single andrological tertiary-referral centre, with a complete clinical assessment and who completed the IIEF-15 and PDQ questionnaires were included in the study. Descriptive statistics was used to compare categorical and continuous variables, between young (≤45 years) and old (>45 years) patients at presentation. Linear and logistic regression analyses tested the association between age and PDQ subscales (Pain, Bother and Symptoms) or IIEF-erectile function domain scores (IIEF-EF ≤26), after adjusting for Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Body Mass Index (BMI), duration of PD (as self-reported by the patient) and smoking habit. LOWESS curve was used to graphically investigate the association between age and PDQ pain score.

Results

Of 110, 28 (25%) patients were ≤45 years old. Young patients had lower BMI [median (IQR) 24.3 (22.5-25.6) vs. 25.2 (23.7-27.8); p=0.01] and CCI [CCI≥1 in 1 patient (3.6%) vs. 23 (28%); p=0.014) compared to older patients. No differences were found between groups in terms of severity of the penile curvature, PD duration and plaque size. PDQ pain score was 6 (2.8-12.8) for young and 3 (0-8) for older patients (p=0.03). No differences were found in terms of PDQ-symptoms and bother scores, and for IIEF domain scores. At regression analysis, younger age was associated with significant higher PDQ-pain scores at presentation (Coeff 4.45; 95%CI 1.06:7.84; p=0.011). No further associations were observed between age and the other questionnaires. The figure depicts the higher PDQ-pain scores in young compared to older age.

Conclusion

Younger PD patients are at higher risk of complaining penile pain at presentation. No difference in terms of symptoms, PD-associated bother, erectile function and other clinical and morphometric characteristics were found between younger and older patients at first assessment.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
244 A Systematic Review of Modeling in Peyronie's Disease
Authors: Krishnappa P , Manfredi C , Arcaniolo D , Sinha M , Moncada I
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Penile modeling to correct the penile curvature in Peyronie's disease (PD) may be achieved manually (intra-operatively or post-injection) or by using assisted devices (penile traction, vacuum device or penile prosthesis). To the best of our knowledge this is the first systematic review of the literature comprehensively evaluating penile modeling procedures.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and satisfaction associated with penile modeling in patients with PD.

Methods

A PROSPERO registered (CRD42021241729) systematic search in MEDLINE and Cochrane Library was done in accordance with PRISMA. PICO: Studies were deemed eligible if they assessed patients with PD (P) undergoing modeling procedures (I) with or without comparative group(C) evaluating the efficacy, safety or patient satisfaction (O).

Results

A total of 23 studies, involving 1,238 patients were included in the systematic review. The majority (n=13) studied penile traction therapy and the least being manual modeling at home and manual modeling after collagenase injection (1 each). The studies were of low and intermediate quality (mean Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score of 5.7 and mean Jadad score of 3.3) with a mean level of evidence of 3.4. The mean penile curvature at baseline was between 31 and 80.8 degrees. Nine (39.1%) studies found a significant improvement (p<0.05) of penile curvature after penile modeling, ranging between 11.7 and 37.2 degrees. A increase in mean stretched penile length was reported in 7 (30.4%) articles, varying between 0.4 and 1.8 cm. Serious complications such as penile prosthesis malfunctions (3.3%-11.1%) and urethral injuries (2.9%) were only reported for intra-operative manual modeling.

Conclusion

Although individual studies have noted improvement in penile curvature and stretched penile length, specific recommendations regarding penile modeling in PD cannot be provided due to the inability to perform a pooled analysis of the included studies with significant heterogeneity and the absence of standardized methods to report complications and patient satisfaction. Further RCTs with adequate sample size, validated assessment tools and longer follow-up are needed.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no. A consultant, employee (part time or full time) or shareholder is among the authors (Boston Scientific).
006 The Effects of a Structured-Exercise Training Program on Erectile Function, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Parameters in Men Following Prostate Cancer Treatment: Preliminary Results from a Randomised, Controlled Clinical Trial in Prostate Cancer Survivorship
Authors: Chung E. , Vear N. , Rhee H. , Skinner T. , Coombes J.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Prostate cancer (PC) treatments can cause significant cardiovascular and sexual dysfunctions. There is limited data on the effects of structured exercise interventions specifically on the improvements of erectile function (EF) in the context of cardiovascular health and PC survivorship. It is postulated that structured physical exercise programs can result in positive changes in biomarkers of cardiovascular health through cardiovascular remodelling and in turns, will improve penile haemodynamic and EF recovery in PC men with erectile dysfunction (ED).

Objective

To explore the efficacy of structured-exercise training on EF, cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak), exercise capacity (peak power output; PPO) and vascular health (pulse wave velocity; PWV) in men with ED in the context of PC survivorship.

Methods

Following ethics approval, men who underwent radical prostatectomy and reported mild-to-moderate ED (defined as International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score of 8 to 21) were recruited and randomised to complete a thrice-weekly 12-week of structured aerobic and resistance high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention, or usual care. Changes in EF (based on IIEF-5 scores), V̇O2peak, PPO and PWV were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks follow-up.

Results

Of the 33 patients referred to the study, seven were ineligible due to severe (n=5) or normal (n=2) erectile function, with 12 agreeing to participate and blindly randomise into structured HIIT and usual care groups. Attendance to the 144 scheduled exercise sessions was 100%, with no study-related adverse events. At baseline, 75% of participants had a low V̇O2peak compared to normative data. After 12 weeks, EF (mean improvement in IIEF-5 by 5 points), V̇O2peak (INT=+3.7 mL/kg/min, CON=+0.4 mL/kg/min), absolute PPO (INT=+35 W, CON=+3 W) and PWV (INT=-3.16 m/s, CON=-0.95 m/s) were greater in the intervention group compared with the usual care group.

Conclusions

A 12-week structured HIIT exercise program is feasible, safe and has been shown to improve EF, cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise capacity and vascular health in men with PC.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
017 Pharmacovigilance Analysis of Reports of Sexual Dysfunction Associated with Finasteride Use: Implications for the Post-Finasteride Syndrome
Authors: Nguyen D. , Herzog P. , Cone E.B. , Labban M. , Zorn K.C. , Chughtai B. , Basaria S. , Elterman D.S. , Trinh Q. , Bhojani N.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, is used in the management of androgenetic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There is growing attention to the post-finasteride syndrome, a constellation of adverse events associated with finasteride use which include sexual dysfunction.

Objective

To investigate reports of sexual dysfunction associated with finasteride.

Methods

We conducted a pharmacovigilance study using VigiBase, the World Health Organization's international database of individual case safety reports. We used the reporting odds ratio (ROR). Sensitivity analyses stratified by indication (BPH and alopecia) and age (<45 and ≥45); compared finasteride signals to those of drugs with different mechanisms but similar indications (minoxidil for alopecia and tamsulosin for BPH); compared finasteride to a drug with a similar mechanism of action (dutasteride); and compared reports of sexual dysfunction before and after 2012.

Results

We identified 7700 sexual dysfunction reports associated with finasteride. There was a disproportionality signal for sexual dysfunction associated with finasteride (ROR 50.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 49.0-51.6). Patients under 45 (ROR 56.4, 95% CI 53.1-59.9) and alopecia patients (ROR 64.9, 95% CI 62.7-67.2) drove the signal. All sensitivity analyses met the threshold of signal significance. Results of primary analyses are presented in Tables 1.

Conclusions

We detected disproportional signals of sexual dysfunction linked with finasteride use. Despite sexual dysfunction being more prevalent in older BPH patients, we detected larger signals of sexual dysfunction in young alopecia patients. Sensitivity analyses suggest that reports of sexual dysfunction linked with finasteride use may be confounded by indication and by stimulated reporting. However, confounding alone is unlikely to account for the totality of the signal observed in young patients with alopecia.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no. A consultant, employee (part time or full time) or shareholder is among the authors (QDT reports personal fees from Astellas, Bayer, Janssen, Insightec, and Intuitive Surgical, outside the submitted work. NB, DSE, and KCZ reports consulting fees from Procept Robotics, Olympus, and BSC. BC reports consulting fees from BSC, Olympus, Meditate, Ferring, and Urovant.).
056 Subcutaneous Testosterone Enanthate-Autoinjector: Assessment of its Post-Market Safety and Efficacy Profiles
Authors: Choi E. , Xu P. , El-Khatib F. , Kavoussi P. , Yafi F.
Published: May 2022

Introduction and Objective

A subcutaneous testosterone enanthate-autoinjector (SCTE-AI) was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018 for patient-administered weekly testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). This is the largest non-industry sponsored post-market study to evaluate the safety and efficacy profile of SCTE-AI in outpatient urology clinics.

Methods

From January to October 2019, 110 hypogonadal men were treated with SCTE-AI at a two-institutions. Patients were assessed in a pre-therapy visit prior to receiving SCTE-AI and re-assessed at 6-weeks after treatment initiation. Patients with a history of prostate cancer were excluded. Trough serum total testosterone (TT), estradiol, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and hematocrit (HCT) levels were collected at clinic visits. Therapeutic phlebotomy was recommended for HCT>54%, and treatment was discontinued for significant increases in PSA and for significant treatment-related adverse events. Values from each visit were compared with univariate analysis.

Results

110 patients completed the 6 weeks of observation with a mean age of 40.3 (SD: 10.5). TT significantly rose from 246.6 ng/dL (SD:113.3) pretherapy to 538.4 ng/dL (SD: 209.3) at 6 weeks (p<0.001). Post-therapy, 101/110 (91.8%) of patients had TT>300 ng/dL. No patients had HCT > 54%. 74 patients (70.5%) had PSA increase with only 3 (2.9%) experiencing an increase >1.0 ng/dL. There was a significant increase in mean PSA from 1.07 ng/dL (SD: 0.8) pretherapy to 1.18 ng/dL (SD: 0.9) at 6 weeks (p= 0.01). One patient had immediate treatment cessation following diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Conclusions

This is the largest non-industry sponsored safety and efficacy profile of SCTE-AI application in urology clinics. After 6 weeks of observation, TT levels increased significantly. SCTE-AI is a safe and effective alternative method for TRT.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no. A consultant, employee (part time or full time) or shareholder is among the authors (Antares Pharma, Clarus Therapeutics, Coloplast, Promescent, Viome).
059 What is a Predictive Factor of the Efficacy of Testosterone Replacement for Late-Onset Hypogonadism?
Authors: Kondoh N. , Togo Y. , Kajio K. , Nagasawa S. , Yamamoto S.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a worldwide first-choice method of treatment for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). In the diagnosis of LOH in Japan, we use 8.5 pg/mL of serum free-testosterone (FT) level measured by RIA as a lower limit.

Objective

The objective of this study is to determine the predictors of the TRT efficacy for LOH.

Methods

A total of 56 patients who attended our men's health clinic between August 2002 and June 2021 with the data available before and after TRT were enrolled into this study. These patients were divided into responders to TRT (Group 1, n=45, 80%) and non-responders to TRT (Group 2, n=11, 20%) according to clinical response including patient's satisfaction. Evaluated parameters obtained before TRT were following: age, BMI, aging males symptoms scale (AMS), sexual health inventory for men (SHIM), serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), FT, prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2) and T/E ratio. For statistical analysis, we used a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

Univariate analysis revealed PRL (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93-0.99, P<0.03), E2 (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.77-0.98, P<0.02), T/E (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.01-1.27, P<0.04) as predictive factors. Then we carried out multivariate analyses of these factors and determined T/E ratio as an independent predictive factor (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.04-1.29, P<0.01).

Conclusion

This study suggested that low value of T/E ratio might predict the low response to TRT. Although further study with a larger number of patients is necessary, we propose the measurement of serum E2 level as well as testosterone level before TRT.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
064 Do Statins Cause Testosterone Deficiency in Men? Systematic Review and Meta Analysis
Authors: Lopes L. Seligra , Glina F. , Spinola e Silva R. , Barros E.A.C. , Biselli B. , Glina S.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Statins are one of the most prescribed classes of drugs worldwide to treat hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia. By lowering the level of cholesterol, the precursor of the steroidogenesis pathway, the use of statin could cause a reduction in testosterone levels. Testosterone is essential in biological functions and its reduction can cause negative effects, such as symptoms of hypogonadism.

Objective

Evaluate whether the continued use of statins causes testosterone deficiency in men.

Methods

Systematic Review with Meta-analysis, performed in Embase, Medline and Cochrane databases, until April 2021; protocol was submitted to PROSPERO. Selection performed by two independent authors with subsequent conference in stages. There were selected comparative studies, prospective cohorts or clinical trials with comparison of testosterone levels before and after the use of statin. Bias analysis were evaluated with Cochrane Tool.

Results

Threre found 717 papers on MedLine, 1352 on Embase and 143 on Cochrane. After removal of duplicates, 833 articles remained. Comparative studies, 10 prospective cohorts and 6 randomized clinical trials were selected for meta-analysis. In the forrest plot with the 16 articles, a reduction in the mean testosterone in patients after the use of statins of 13.61 (95% CI=3.99-23.23, I²=41%, p=0.006) was evidenced, demonstrating statistical significance. In the sub-analysis with the Clinical Trials, a reduction in the mean testosterone levels in patients after the use of statins of 27.45 (95% CI=13.85-41.06, I²=14%, p<0.0001) was evidenced, demonstrating statistical significance. On the other hand, in the sub-analysis of the Prospective Cohorts, an increase in the mean testosterone in patients after the use of statins of 0.25 was evidenced, without statistical significance, of 0.25 (95% CI=-13.87-13.36 I²=38%, p=0.97). A reduction in total testosterone was evaluated in all studies after statin use. However, with the exception of Kannat 2009, all studies showed testosterone levels above the normal level (normal up to 300). In the Kannat study, testosterone levels below this value were already presented before the use of the statin.

Conclusion

Statins cause a decrease in total testosterone, not enough to cause a significant deficiency.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
Legitimation as Political Practice
Authors: Dodworth Kathy
Published: May 2022

Legitimacy has long been perceived through a Westernized lens as a fixed, binary state. In this book, Kathy Dodworth offers an exploration of everyday legitimation practices in coastal Tanzania, which challenges this understanding within postcolonial contexts. She reveals how non-government organizations craft their authority to act, working with, against and through the state, and what these practices tell us about contemporary legitimation. Synthesizing detailed, ethnographic fieldwork with theoretical innovations from across the social sciences, legitimacy is reworked not as a fixed state, but as a collection of constantly renegotiated practices. Critically adopting insights from political theory, sociology and anthropology, this book develops a detailed picture of contemporary governance in Tanzania and beyond in the wake of waning Western dominance.
Roman Ionia
Authors: Hallmannsecker Martin
Published: May 2022

How did the cities of Ionia construct and express a distinct sense of Ionian identity under Roman rule? With the creation of the Roman province of Asia and the ever-growing incorporation of the Greeks into the Roman Empire, issues of identity gained new relevance and urgency for the Greek provincials. The Ionian cities are a special case as they, unlike many other cities in Asia Minor, were all old Greek poleis and could look back on a glorious tradition of great antiquity. Martin Hallmannsecker provides answers to this question using studies of the extant literary sources complemented with analyses of the rich epigraphic and numismatic material from the cities of Ionia. In doing so, he draws a more holistic and nuanced picture of the region and furthers understanding of Greek culture under the Roman Empire.
Current Trends in Neurosurgical Management of Adult Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas in Canada
Authors: Fatehi Mostafa , Yefet Leeor S. , Prakash Swetha , Toyota Brian D. , Gooderham Peter A.
Published: May 2022

There is considerable variability in the management of diffuse low-grade gliomas (LGGs). To characterize treatment paradigms, a survey of Canadian neurosurgeons was performed with forty neurosurgeons responding. Their responses show that the management of patients with LGGs has evolved in the past decade and findings from the RTOG9802 trial have been integrated into the practice of Canadian neurosurgeons. Most respondents stated that the patient selection and treatment strategy advocated by the RTOG9802 trial needs further evaluation. Overall, there is a trend toward more aggressive surgical resections, and future investigations will have to more accurately stratify patient risk profiles.
The utility of routine autologous bone-flap swab cultures in predicting post-cranioplasty infection
Authors: Hoang Tuan , Daneman Nick , Leis Jerome A. , Coomes Eric A. , Elligsen Marion , Colavecchia Connie , Halliday Alison , Lin Yulia , da Costa Leodante , Lam Philip W.
Published: May 2022

Objective:

To evaluate the utility of autologous bone-flap swab cultures performed at the time of cranioplasty in predicting postcranioplasty surgical site infection (SSI).

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Participants:

Patients undergoing craniectomy (with bone-flap storage in tissue bank), followed by delayed autologous bone-flap replacement cranioplasty between January 1, 2010, and November 30, 2020.

Setting:

Tertiary-care academic hospital.

Methods:

We framed the bone-flap swab culture taken at the time of cranioplasty as a diagnostic test for predicting postcranioplasty SSI. We calculated, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios.

Results:

Among 282 unique eligible cases, 16 (5.6%) developed SSI after cranioplasty. A high percentage of bone-flap swab cultures were positive at the time of craniectomy (66.7%) and cranioplasty (59.5%). Most organisms from bone-flap swab cultures were Cutibacterium acnes or coagulase-negative staphylococci (76%–85%), and most SSI pathogens were methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (38%). Bone-flap swab culture had poor sensitivity (0.07; 95% CI, 0.01–0.31), specificity (0.4; 95% CI, 0.34–0.45), and positive likelihood ratio (0.12) for predicting postcranioplasty SSI.

Conclusion:

Overall, autologous bone-flap swab cultures performed at the time of cranioplasty have poor utility in predicting postcranioplasty SSI. Eliminating this low-value practice would result in significant workload reductions and associated healthcare costs.
How does the electric field make a droplet exhibit the ejection and rebound behaviour on a superhydrophobic surface?
Authors: Tian Ye , Wang Hong , Zhou Xin , Xie Zhenting , Zhu Xun , Chen Rong , Ding Yudong , Liao Qiang
Published: May 2022

A droplet impinging on a superhydrophobic substrate in an electric field is an important process in droplet manipulation and electrostatic spraying. Here, the entire impinging dynamic of the droplet in a vertical electric field is studied by a visualization experiment and numerical simulation with OpenFOAM. We investigate the effect of an electrostatic force on droplet impact in depth, where four ejection modes and three rebound modes are found experimentally. In particular, the filamentous ejecting phenomenon occurs after a droplet impinging on a superhydrophobic substrate is first discovered. In the numerical simulation, the strong coupling between the dynamic distribution of the interface electric charge and the evolution of the droplet profile can lead to different ejection modes, and the different ejection behaviours are caused by the combined effects of electrostatic pressure, capillary pressure, dynamic pressure and static pressure on the droplet apex. A charge scaling law for the ejection droplets is proposed. Furthermore, a set of theoretical models is established, which can successfully predict the threshold electric capillary number for different droplet ejection modes. The results reveal some important characteristics for a droplet impinging on a superhydrophobic surface in an electric field, which could facilitate the design of electrically operated droplet equipment and guide the safe and stable operation of the device.
Characterization of target-site resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides in Ammannia multiflora populations
Authors: Deng Wei , Duan Zhiwen , Li Yang , Cui Hanwen , Peng Cheng , Yuan Shuzhong
Published: May 2022

Ammannia multiflora Roxb. is a dominant broadleaf weed that is a serious problem in southern China rice fields, and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides have been used for its control for more than 20 years. Excessive reliance on ALS-inhibiting herbicides has led to herbicide resistance in A. multiflora. In this study, 10 A. multiflora populations from the Jiangsu Province of China were collected, and the resistance levels and target site–resistance mechanisms to ALS-inhibiting herbicides bensulfuron-methyl and penoxsulam were investigated. The dose–response assays showed that eight populations evolved resistance to bensulfuron-methyl (9.1- to 90.9-fold) and penoxsulam (5.0- to 103.1-fold). Amplification of ALS genes indicated that there were three ALS genes (AmALS1, AmALS2, and AmALS3) in A. multiflora. Sequence analysis revealed amino acid mutations at Pro-197 in either AmALS1 (Pro-197-Ala, Pro-197-Ser, and Pro-197-His) or AmALS2 (Pro-197-Ser and Pro-197-Arg) in resistant populations, and no mutations were found in AmALS3. Moreover, two independent mutations (Pro-197-Ala in AmALS1 and Pro-197-Ser in AmALS2 or Pro-197-Ala in AmALS1 and Pro-197-Arg in AmALS2) coexisted in two resistant populations, respectively. In addition, the auxin mimic herbicides MCPA and florpyrauxifen-benzyl, the photosystem II inhibitor bentazon, and the protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor carfentrazone-ethyl can effectively control the resistant A. multiflora populations. Our study demonstrates the wide prevalence of ALS inhibitor–resistant A. multiflora populations in Jiangsu Province and the diversity of Pro-197 mutations in ALS genes and provides alternative herbicide options for controlling resistant A. multiflora populations.
Perceived recovery and stress states as predictors of depressive, burnout, and insomnia symptoms among adolescent elite athletes
Authors: Gerber Markus , Lang Christin , Brand Serge , Gygax Basil , Ludyga Sebastian , Müller Caspar , Ramseyer Sven , Jakowski Sarah
Published: May 2022

Abstract: Introduction: Finding ways to efficiently monitor the balance between recovery and stress is one of the most frequent requests from coaches and athletes and probably one of the best ways to prevent maladaptive psychological and physiological states. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to monitor recovery-stress states of adolescent elite athletes across an entire school year using the 32-item Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS), and to examine the predictive value of recovery and stress states for depressive symptoms, burnout symptoms, and insomnia symptoms. Methods: Data are based on a 10-month longitudinal observational study. The sample consisted of 135 adolescent elite athletes ( Mage=16.8 years) recruited from Swiss Olympic Partner Schools. The participants completed the ARSS 19 times (every second week), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure (SMBM) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) at baseline and follow-up. Results: Participants reported higher recovery than stress states across the entire school year. However, lower recovery and higher stress states significantly predicted mental health problems as indexed by depressive, burnout and insomnia symptoms. The predictive power of recovery and stress states was similar for depressive and burnout symptoms. For insomnia symptoms, only recovery state was a significant predictor. Conclusion: Our study highlights that a short psychometric instrument allows longitudinal monitoring of recovery-stress states. Coaches are encouraged to implement such an instrument to identify periods that are characterized by high stress and/or low recovery. Continuous monitoring may allow the timely implementation of prevention and intervention strategies in the training process.
The Pandemic Atmos-Fear
Authors: Tateo Luca , Marsico Giuseppina , Valsiner Jaan
Published: May 2022

Abstract. Psychology has been challenged by its own terminological limitations, in which phenomena of large-scale, field-like kind force us to innovate with our theoretical tools. Phenomena with global impacts – epidemics, pandemics, famines, and the like – remain on the periphery of psychology’s theoretical efforts. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 is no different. Like previous pandemics, it reveals the difficulty of dealing with phenomena on a global scale and understanding the inherent organization of the cloud-like phenomena. Psychological research has mainly focused on individual traumatic experiences, impacts, and consequences. Less attention has been paid to how people in different societies make meaning of these changes in everyday life. Psychologically, people want to control the pandemic, while in reality we simply escape from it. All of the measures instituted in response to it are escape-oriented, not glorious accounts of winning a war on the invisible enemy. Theoretically, we learn from the current experience the relevance of how humans escalate and circumvent the proliferation of the panic of fear through building and demolishing borders in mind and society. We all are living in a sort of atmos-fear, a culturally cultivated state of affective limbo that is easy to trigger and difficult to modulate. How do human beings deal with this core issue of feeling safe/unsafe, and how does it affect individual and collective conduct? This paper attempts to demonstrate how the COVID-19 example can theoretically illuminate new perspectives of international psychology that will become increasingly more crucial in a future where global events are likely to recur.
Resolving Vertical Variations of Horizontal Neutral Winds in Earth's High Latitude Space‐Atmosphere Interaction Region (SAIR)
Authors: Branning Kylee , Conde Mark , Larsen Miguel , Troyer Riley
Published: May 2022

Few remote sensing or in‐situ techniques can measure winds in Earth's thermosphere between altitudes of 120 and 200 km. One possible approach within this region uses Doppler spectroscopy of the optical emission from atomic oxygen at 558 nm, although historical approaches have been hindered in the auroral zone because the emission altitude varies dramatically, both across the sky and over time, as a result of changing characteristic energy of auroral precipitation. Thus, a new approach is presented that instead uses this variation as an advantage, to resolve height profiles of the horizontal wind. Emission heights are estimated using the Doppler temperature derived from the 558 nm emission. During periods when the resulting estimates span a wide enough height interval, it is possible to use low order polynomial functions of altitude to model the Doppler shifts observed across the sky and over time, and thus reconstruct height profiles of the horizontal wind components. The technique introduced here is shown to work well provided there are no strong horizontal gradients in the wind field. Conditions satisfying these caveats do occur frequently and the resulting wind profiles validate well when compared to absolute in‐situ wind measurements from a rocket‐borne chemical release. While both the optical and chemical tracer techniques agreed with each other, they did not agree with the HWM‐14 horizontal wind model. Applying this technique to wind measurements near the geomagnetic cusp footprint indicated that cusp‐region forcing did not penetrate to atmospheric heights of 240 km or lower.
Spatial Variation of Shallow Stress Orientation Along the Hikurangi Subduction Margin: Insights From In‐Situ Borehole Image Logging
Authors: Behboudi E. , McNamara D. D. , Lokmer I. , Wallace L. M. , Saffer D. M.
Published: May 2022

Knowledge of the contemporary in‐situ stress orientations in the Earth's crust can improve our understanding of active crustal deformation, geodynamic processes, and seismicity in tectonically active regions such as the Hikurangi Subduction Margin (HSM), New Zealand. The HSM subduction interface is characterized by varying slip behavior along strike, which may be a manifestation of combined variations in both stress state and the mechanical properties of faults and their hanging walls. Alternatively, these variations in subduction thrust slip behavior may drive heterogeneity in the stress state in space and time. In this study, we analyze borehole image and oriented four‐arm caliper logs acquired from 13 boreholes along the HSM to present a comprehensive stress orientation data set from borehole data within the shallow (<3 km) upper plate of the subduction thrust. Our results reveal a 065°/245° SHmax orientation within the central HSM (Hawke's Bay region) which rotates to 112°/292° and 140°/320° in the southern HSM. This rotation of SHmax orientation correlates spatially with along‐strike variations in subduction interface slip behavior, characterized by creep and/or shallow episodic slip events in the central HSM and interseismic locking in the south. The borehole SHmax orientations suggest that contemporary stress orientations may be caused in part by along‐strike variation in deformation style imposed by clockwise rotation of forearc. In the southern HSM, borehole‐derived SHmax orientations are inconsistent with SHmax orientations derived from focal mechanism solutions in the subducting plate, implying some degree of mechanical decoupling between the shallow hanging wall and subducting slab.
On an Improved Second‐Moment Closure Model for Langmuir Turbulence Conditions and Its Application
Authors: Yu Chengcheng , Song Jinbao , Li Shaofeng , Li Shuang
Published: May 2022

Recently, a k‐ω second‐moment closure (SMC) model including the Langmuir turbulence effects was proposed by Yu et al. (2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018jc013878), however, the equations for determining the stability functions in it are very complicated. In this study, the equations of the stability functions are derived in more detail and a new explicit version is proposed. In the meantime, a new constant cω4 = 0.15 is introduced into the turbulent frequency transport equation to manifest the role of the shear generating term caused by the Stokes drift. And then the performance of the new SMC model is investigated by one‐dimensional Papa Ocean Station simulation and three‐dimensional global climate model simulation. The results show that the use of the new SMC model produces significant changes in the results of the ocean surface boundary layer simulations at the Papa Ocean Station, especially for the summer and autumn sea surface temperature (SST) simulations, and for the mixed layer depth (MLD) and mixed layer temperature (MLT) in the mixed layer deepening process. In the three‐dimensional simulation, the new SMC model resulted in a decrease of more than 34% in the annual root mean square error of SST in the northern extratropical region compared to the non‐LT effects model. The simulated MLD for tropical regions in winter and summer has also improved by 61.9% and 53.6%, respectively. The effect of the new SMC model on the MLT is mainly found in the regions beyond the tropical in summer and the tropical and northern extratropical regions in winter.
Designing an Observing System to Study the Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) of the Earth in the 2020s
Authors: Stavros E. Natasha , Chrone Jon , Cawse‐Nicholson Kerry , Freeman Anthony , Glenn Nancy F. , Guild Liane , Kokaly Raymond , Lee Christine , Luvall Jeffrey , Pavlick Ryan , Poulter Benjamin , Schollaert Uz Stephanie , Serbin Shawn , Thompson David R. , Townsend Philip A. , Turpie Kevin , Yuen Karen , Thome Kurt , Wang Weile , Zareh Shannon‐Kian , Nastal Jamie , Bearden David , Miller Charles E. , Schimel David
Published: May 2022

Observations of planet Earth from space are a critical resource for science and society. Satellite measurements represent very large investments and United States (US) agencies organize their effort to maximize the return on that investment. The US National Research Council conducts a survey of Earth science and applications to prioritize observations for the coming decade. The most recent survey prioritized a visible to shortwave infrared imaging spectrometer and a multispectral thermal infrared imager to meet a range of needs for studying Surface Biology and Geology (SBG). SBG will be the premier integrated observatory for observing the emerging impacts of climate change by characterizing the diversity of plant life and resolving chemical and physiological signatures. It will address wildfire risk, behavior, and recovery as well as responses to hazards such as oil spills, toxic minerals in minelands, harmful algal blooms, landslides, and other geological hazards. The SBG team analyzed needed instrument characteristics (spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions, measurement uncertainty) and assessed the cost, mass, power, volume, and risk of different architectures. We present an overview of the Research and Applications trade‐study analysis of algorithms, calibration and validation needs, and societal applications with specifics of substudies detailed in other articles in this special collection. We provide a value framework to converge from hundreds down to three candidate architectures recommended for development. The analysis identified valuable opportunities for international collaboration to increase the revisit frequency, adding value for all partners, leading to a clear measurement strategy for an observing system architecture.
Probabilistic Water Demand Forecasting Using Quantile Regression Algorithms
Authors: Papacharalampous Georgia , Langousis Andreas
Published: May 2022

Machine and statistical learning algorithms can be reliably automated and applied at scale. Therefore, they can constitute a considerable asset for designing practical forecasting systems, such as those related to urban water demand. Quantile regression algorithms are statistical and machine learning algorithms that can provide probabilistic forecasts in a straightforward way, and have not been applied so far for urban water demand forecasting. In this work, we fill this gap, thereby proposing a new family of probabilistic urban water demand forecasting algorithms. We further extensively compare seven algorithms from this family in practical one‐day ahead urban water demand forecasting settings. More precisely, we compare five individual quantile regression algorithms (i.e., the quantile regression, linear boosting, generalized random forest, gradient boosting machine and quantile regression neural network algorithms), their mean combiner and their median combiner. The comparison is conducted by exploiting a large urban water flow data set, as well as several types of hydrometeorological time series (which are considered as exogenous predictor variables in the forecasting setting). The results mostly favor the linear boosting algorithm, probably due to the presence of shifts (and perhaps trends) in the urban water flow time series. The forecasts of the mean and median combiners are also found to be skillful.
Responses of Macroinvertebrate Assemblages to Flow in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau: Establishment and Application of a Multi‐Metric Habitat Suitability Model
Authors: Zhou X. D. , Xu M. Z. , Lei F. K. , Zhang J. H. , Wang Z. Y. , Luo Y. Y.
Published: May 2022

Anthropogenic impacts and climate change modify instream flow, altering ecosystem services and impacting on aquatic ecosystems. Alpine rivers and streams on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) are especially vulnerable to disturbance owing to limited taxonomic complexity. The effects of flow have been studied using specific taxa, yet the flow‐biota relationships of assemblages are poorly understood. A multi‐metric habitat suitability model (MM‐HSM) was developed using integrated measures of entire macroinvertebrate assemblages to substitute for habitat suitability indices derived from individual taxa. The MM‐HSM was trained using macroinvertebrates data from three alpine rivers on the QTP, including the Yarlung Tsangpo, the Nujiang, and the Bai rivers, and then validated using data from a forth alpine river (the Lanmucuo). The model produced predictions using the training data set (R2 = 0.587) and the validation data set (R2 = 0.489). By coupling the MM‐HSM with hydrodynamic simulations, the relationship between weighted usable area and flow (0.11–1.99 m3 s−1) for macroinvertebrate assemblages was established, whereby a unimodal response pattern was observed for the Lanmucuo River. This contrast with monotonically positive or negative relationships observed for individual indicator taxa further supported our hypothesis that the response pattern of entire macroinvertebrate assemblages to flow would differ from responses of individual indicator taxa. The MM‐HSM provides a novel framework to quantify flow‐biota relationships, which is a useful approach for integrated river management.
New Lightning‐Derived Vertical Total Electron Content Data Provide Unique Global Ionospheric Measurements
Authors: Lay Erin H. , Tippmann Jeffery D. , Wiens Kyle C. , McDonald Sarah E. , Mannucci Anthony J. , Pi Xiaoqing , Coster Anthea , Kippen R. Marc , Peterson Michael J. , Redmon Rob
Published: May 2022

A newly released, novel ionospheric data set of global gridded vertical total electron content (VTEC) is introduced in this paper. This VTEC data set, provided by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), is derived from very high frequency (VHF; defined as 30–300 MHz) broadband radio‐frequency (RF) measurements of lightning made by U.S. Department of Defense sensing systems on board Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. This paper presents the new data set (LANL VTEC), discusses the errors inherent in VHF TEC estimation due to ionospheric dispersion, and compares the LANL VTEC to two community standard VTEC gridded products: Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Global Ionospheric Model (JPL GIM) and the CEDAR community's Open Madrigal VTEC gridded measurements of L‐band GNSS (global navigation satellite systems) TEC. We find that the LANL VTEC data have an offset of 3 TECU from CEDAR Madrigal GNSS VTEC and a full‐width‐half‐maximum (FWHM) of 6 TECU. In comparison, the offset between LANL VTEC and the JPL GIM model is −3 TECU, but with a FWHM of 5 TECU. We also compare to Jason‐3 VTEC measurements over the ocean, finding an offset of less than 0.5 TECU and an FWHM of <5 TECU. Because this technique uses a completely different methodology to determine TEC, the sources of errors are distinct from the typical ground‐based GNSS L‐band (GHz) TEC measurements. Also, because it is derived from RF lightning signals, this data set provides measurements in regions that are not well covered by ground‐based GPS measurements, such as over oceans and over central Africa.
Thyroglobulin levels among iodine deficient pregnant women living in Northern Ireland
Authors: Mullan Karen , McMullan Paul , Kayes Lucy , McCance David , Hunter Alyson , Woodside Jayne V.
Published: May 2022

Background

Iodine deficiency has re-emerged among pregnant cohorts in the UK. Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a protein produced uniquely by the thyroid gland which appears to mount a U-shaped response to extremes of iodine status. Tg has been suggested as an alternative marker for chronic iodine deficiency but the value of Tg in pregnancy has not been fully elucidated. A recent non-European study suggested a median Tg ≤10 µg/L with <3% of values >44 µg/L was indicative of sufficiency in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Methods

We measured serum Tg levels in each trimester in 241 pregnant women living in Northern Ireland, a population with mild iodine deficiency at all stages of pregnancy as defined by urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and iodine: creatinine ratio (ICR). Women with Tg antibodies (6% in 1st trimester) were excluded.

Results

The median UIC in this cohort was in the deficient range at 73, 94 and 117 µg/L in sequential trimesters (adequacy ≥ 150 µg/L). Corresponding median Tg levels were 19, 16 and 16 µg/L respectively. Median Tg for all samples was 17 μg/L (IQR 11–31) suggestive of iodine deficiency. Tg was >44 μg/L in 14.3%, 9.4% and 12.4% of women in sequential trimesters respectively. Women with either UIC/ICR below the cut-offs 150 µg/L and 150 µg/g creatinine had higher Tg concentrations in 1st and 2nd trimester (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) but not in 3rd trimester.

Conclusion

This study adds to the evolving evidence that Tg measurement is of value in reflecting iodine status in pregnancy.
Automatic extraction channel of space debris based on wide-field surveillance system
Authors: Jiang Ping , Liu Chengzhi , Yang Wenbo , Kang Zhe , Fan Cunbo , Li Zhenwei
Published: May 2022

In the past few years, the increasing amount of space debris has triggered the demand for distributed surveillance systems. Long exposure time can effectively improve the target detection capability of the wide-area surveillance system. Problems that also cause difficulties in space-target detection include large amounts of data, countless star points, and discontinuous or nonlinear targets. In response to these problems, this paper proposes a high-precision space-target detection and tracking pipeline that aims to automatically detect debris data in space. First, a guided filter is used to effectively remove the stars and noise, then Hough transform is used to detect space debris, and finally Kalman filter is applied to track the space debris target. All experimental images are from Jilin Observatory, and the telescope is in star-tracking mode. Our method is practical and effective. The results show that the proposed automatic extraction channel of space debris can accurately detect and track space targets in a complex background.