bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial variation in long‐lead predictability of summer monsoon rainfall using a time‐varying model and global climatic indices
Authors: Dutta Riya , Maity Rajib 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLong‐lead prediction of summer monsoon rainfall in India is a challenging task, especially at finer spatial scale. The spatial variability in the long‐lead (one or two season in advance) prediction plays a vital role in planning of hydrological and agricultural aspects of the society. One of the major issues in this field is the climate‐induced time‐varying characteristics (non‐stationarity) that lead to a deteriorating model performance as the time passes by after the model calibration. This study proposes the use of time‐varying approaches in order to check such deteriorating performance over time. Considering the time‐varying association between Indian summer monsoon rainfall and large‐scale climatic indices (e.g., El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and El Niño Modoki Index), a time‐varying approach based on hybrid graphical modelling (GM) and vine copula (GM‐Copula) is demonstrated for rainfall prediction over five homogeneous monsoon regions (HMRs) in India. The time‐varying characteristic is imparted in the GM‐Copula approach by recursively updating the model inputs and the corresponding model parameters at a regular time interval (τ) through recalibration. In the time‐varying framework, the parameterτis referred to as optimum recurrence interval of model recalibration and it is identified as 5 years for the regions with moderate rainfall and 3 years for regions with above and below moderate rainfall. The developed time‐varying approach is able to yield reasonably good prediction performance (mean absolute percentage error being within 4–10% across HMRs) with a prediction lead time of 5 months. HMR‐wise seasonal rainfall predictions with such quality and lead time are expected to be highly useful.
Czech Drought Monitor System for monitoring and forecasting agricultural drought and drought impacts
Authors: Trnka Miroslav , Hlavinka Petr , Možný Martin , Semerádová Daniela , Štěpánek Petr , Balek Jan , Bartošová Lenka , Zahradníček Pavel , Bláhová Monika , Skalák Petr , Farda Aleš , Hayes Michael , Svoboda Mark , Wagner Wolfgang , Eitzinger Josef , Fischer Milan , Žalud Zdeněk 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe awareness of drought and its impacts on Central Europe increased after the significant drought episodes in 2000, 2003, 2012 and 2015, which were all estimated to have caused over 500 million Euro in damage in the Czech Republic alone. These events indicated the need for timely and high‐resolution monitoring tools that would enable analysing, monitoring and forecasting of drought events. Monitoring soil water availability in near real time and at high‐resolution (up to 0.5 × 0.5 km for some products) helps farmers and water managers to mitigate impacts of these extreme events. The Czech Drought Monitor was developed between 2012 and 2014 and has since been operational as an online platform. It uses an operational modelling system that consists of four pillars: (a) weekly soil moisture estimates based on spaceborne Advanced Scatterometer sensor measurements; (b) the daily SoilClim soil moisture model, which runs based on high‐density network data from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute with a 55‐year reference period; (c) weekly reports on vegetation condition, which is deduced from satellite‐based vegetation indices and early warnings of imminent drought impacts; and (d) weekly reports of soil moisture, especially after drought impacts, which are provided by dozens of experts. Since 2016 the drought forecast (+9 days) has been released daily based on an ensemble of five numerical weather prediction models combined with a weekly drought outlook (+2 months). The analysis of four recent episodes (2000, 2003, 2012 and 2015) clearly showed that both large‐scale and regionally restrained drought episodes posed serious risks in terms of their impacts and damage. Comparisons with historical droughts showed that these events, especially the 2000, 2003 and 2015 events, were among the top five drought episodes in the June–August period observed in the Czech Republic since 1961 in terms of spatial extent, magnitude and duration.
Computational Reproducibility in The Wildlife Society's Flagship Journals
Authors: Archmiller Althea A. , Johnson Andrew D. , Nolan Jane , Edwards Margaret , Elliott Lisa H. , Ferguson Jake M. , Iannarilli Fabiola , Vélez Juliana , Vitense Kelsey , Johnson Douglas H. , Fieberg John 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTScientific progress depends upon the accumulation of empirical knowledge via reproducible methodology. Although reproducibility is a main tenet of the scientific method, recent studies have highlighted widespread failures in adherence to this ideal. The goal of this study was to gauge the level of computational reproducibility, or the ability to obtain the same results using the same data and analytic methods as in the original publication, in the field of wildlife science. We randomly selected 80 papers published in the Journal of Wildlife Management and Wildlife Society Bulletin between 1 June 2016 and 1 June 2018. Of those that were suitable for reproducibility review (n = 74), we attempted to obtain study data from online repositories or directly from authors. Forty‐two authors did not respond to our requests, and we were further unable to obtain data from authors of 13 other studies. Of the 19 studies for which we were able to obtain data and complete our analysis, we judged that 13 were mostly or fully reproducible. We conclude that the studies with publicly available data or data shared upon request were largely reproducible, but we remain concerned about the difficulty in obtaining data from recently published papers. We recommend increased data‐sharing, data organization and documentation, communication, and training to advance computational reproducibility in the wildlife sciences. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
A Comparison of the Bacterial Nasal Microbiome in Allergic Rhinitis Patients Before and After Immunotherapy
Authors: Bender Melissa E. , Read Timothy D. , Edwards Thomas S. , Hargita Michelle , Cutler Anya J. , Wissel Emily F. , Wise Sarah K. 
Published: March 2020

Objectives/HypothesisRecent research has examined the nasal microbiome in rhinosinusitis and nondiseased states. Given immunologic alterations in allergic rhinitis (AR) and after allergen immunotherapy (IT), we evaluated the nasal microbiome in these conditions.Study DesignCross‐sectional comparison.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, nasal swabs for microbiome analysis were collected from three patient groups: IT‐naïve AR patients, AR patients undergoing IT for greater than 12 months, and a control group without sinonasal inflammatory disease.ResultsNasal swabs were successfully collected for 14 IT‐naïve AR patients, 20 post‐IT patients, and 17 controls. The α diversity showed a statistical difference in evenness but not in richness amongst samples, whereas the β‐diversity was significantly different between groups. Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus were the most prevalent bacteria across all groups.Conclusionsβ‐diversity was found to be significantly different across the three groups, but the AR groups were found to be more similar to each other than to the controls. Although there is symptomatic improvement in the AR group undergoing IT, the microbiome does not appear to transition to a healthy microbiome composition.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 2020
Microbial uptake of nitrogen and carbon from the water column by litter‐associated microbes differs among litter species
Authors: Bastias Elliot , Ribot Miquel , Bernal Susana , Sabater Francesc , Martí Eugènia 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAddition of isotopically labeled dissolved forms of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) in streams has revealed that microbes associated with leaf litter can assimilate solutes from the water column. However, whether this assimilation varies among leaf litter species and at different decomposition stages is still largely unknown. Here, we explore differences in the uptake of NH4‐N and acetate from water column among leaf litter of five riparian tree species at five different times of decomposition. To do so, we conducted a 24 h addition of 15N‐NH4 and 13C‐acetate at constant rate to estimate the microbial uptake of these solutes from the water column. We measured microbial cellobiohydrolase activity and decomposition rates (k) associated with each leaf litter type to examine their influence on NH4‐N and acetate uptake. We found that mass specific N‐uptake (μg N mg N−1 d−1) was relatively constant during leaf litter decomposition whereas mass specific C‐uptake (mg C g C−1 d−1) increased over time. Among leaf litter species, cumulative values of N‐uptake during the study period were negatively related to leaf litter k whereas cumulative values of C‐uptake were positively related to k. Our study indicates that leaf litter species and their decomposition stage are important for understanding the reliance of leaf‐associated microbes on dissolved inorganic nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon from the water column.
Effect of titanium content on microstructure and mechanical properties of PcBN synthesized in cBN‐Si3N4‐Ti system
Authors: Chen C. , Mo P.C. , Wang P. , Wu Y. , Zhong S.L. , Li Z.K. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this paper, Polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN) is prepared under a high temperature and an ultra‐high pressure. The influence of different titanium (Ti) content on composition, microstructure, porosity and mechanical property of the PcBN is investigated by means of x‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results show that, with the addition of titanium, the cubic boron nitride (cBN) particles are connected with each other by the product phases β‐Si3N4, TiN and TiB2 under the pressure of 5.5 GPa and the temperature of 1600 °C. As the increase of titanium content in the system, the amount of rod‐like crystal β‐Si3N4 and TiB2 formed in the system increases, while the porosity remarkably decreases. When the titanium content is 13 wt%, PcBN presents the best comprehensive performance, hardness and flexural strength are 29.2 GPa and 1022.5 MPa, respectively.
CPNE1 predicts poor prognosis and promotes tumorigenesis and radioresistance via the AKT singling pathway in triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Shao Zhihong , Ma Xiaolong , Zhang Yufeng , Sun Yuanyuan , Lv Wenjuan , He Kuigang , Xia Rui , Wang Peijun , Gao Xiaolong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractElevated expression of Copine 1 (CPNE1) has been observed in multiple cancers; however, the underlying mechanisms by which it affects cancer cells are unclear. We aimed to study the effect of CPNE1 on the tumorigenesis and radioresistance of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of CPNE1 in TNBC tissues and cell lines. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the levels of CPNE1, p‐AKT, AKT, cleaved caspase‐3, cleaved PARP1, and γ‐H2AX. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by CCK‐8 and flow cytometry, respectively. CPNE1 was overexpressed in TNBC tissues and cell lines and was associated with tumor size, distant metastases, and survival rates of patients with TNBC. Moreover, function study shows that CPNE1 promoted cell viability and inhibited cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibited the radiosensitivity of TNBC. Importantly, inactivation of AKT signaling inhibited the tumorigenesis and radioresistance mediated by CPNE1 in TNBC cells. In vivo xenograft study also shows that CPNE1 knockdown inhibited tumor growth and promoted cell apoptosis. Overall, our findings suggest that CPNE1 promotes tumorigenesis and radioresistance in TNBC by regulating AKT activation and targeted CPNE1 expression may be a strategy to sensitize TNBC cells toward radiation therapy.
Oral Administration of Bovine Milk‐Derived Extracellular Vesicles Alters the Gut Microbiota and Enhances Intestinal Immunity in Mice
Authors: Tong Lingjun , Hao Haining , Zhang Xinyi , Zhang Zhe , Lv Youyou , Zhang Lanwei , Yi Huaxi 
Published: March 2020

ScopeMilk‐derived extracellular vesicles (mEVs) as nanoparticles are being developed as novel drug vehicles due to their pivotal role in cell–cell communication. As an important bioactive component in milk, little is known about their effect on the gut microbiota and intestinal immunity. Therefore, the effects of mEVs on gut microbiota and intestinal immunity in mice are investigated.Methods and resultsFirst, a new method to obtain high‐yield mEVs is developed. Afterward, the colonic contents from C57BL/6 mice fed different doses of mEVs (8 weeks) are collected and the microbial composition via 16S rRNA gene sequencing is analyzed. It is found that mEVs could alter the gut microbiota composition and modulate their metabolites—short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Furthermore, the effects of mEVs on intestinal immunity are evaluated. It is observed that the expression levels of Muc2, RegIIIγ, Myd88, GATA4 genes, and IgA, sIgA are increased in the intestine, which are significant for the integrity of the mucus layer.ConclusionThese findings reveal that the genes with critical importance for intestinal barrier function and immune regulation are modified in mice by oral administration mEVs, which also result in the changes of the relative composition of gut microbiome and SCFAs.
Comparison of conventional chest x ray with a novel projection technique for ultra‐low dose CT
Authors: Carey Sean , Kandel Sonja , Farrell Christin , Kavanagh John , Chung TaeBong , Hamilton William , Rogalla Patrik 
Published: March 2020

PurposeTo compare a novel thick‐slab projection technique for ultra‐low dose computed tomography (CT; thoracic tomogram) with conventional chest x ray with respect to 13 diagnostic categories.MethodsWith the approval of the institutional ethics board, a dataset was retrospectively collected of 22 consecutive patients who had undergone a clinically requested emergency room conventional chest x ray (CXR) and a same‐day standard‐of‐care non‐contrast CT. Scanner specific noise was added to the CT images to simulate a target dose of 0.18 mSv. A novel algorithm was used to post‐process CT images as coronal isotropic reformats by applying a voxel‐based, locally normalized weighted‐intensity projection to generate 2 cm thick slabs with 1 cm overlap. Three chest radiologists with no prior training for the study reviewed the CXR and thoracic tomogram for each case and assessed each diagnostic category (pneumonic infiltrates, pulmonary edema, interstitial lung disease, nodules > 5 mm, nodules < 5 mm, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, heart size, acute bone fractures, foreign bodies, pneumothorax, mediastinal vessel diameter, free abdominal air) on a Likert scale from −4 (definitely absent/normal) to +4 (definitely present/abnormal). MRMC ROC curves were generated for each category. Time for interpretation and subjective image quality score (0–10) were also assessed.ResultsFor focal lung disease (pneumonic infiltrates, nodules < 5 mm, nodules > 5mm), the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was significantly higher for thoracic tomograms than CXR (0.803 vs 0.648, respectively, P = 0.02). For non‐focal lung disease (pulmonary edema, interstitial lung disease) and effusions (pulmonary, pericardial), the AUC was larger for thoracic tomograms than CXR but the difference did not reach significance (0.870 vs 0.833, P = 0.141; and 0.823 vs 0.752, P = 0.296, respectively). For acute bone fractures and foreign bodies, the AUC was smaller for thoracic tomograms than CXR, the difference was however not significant (0.491 vs 0.532, P = 0.42; and 0.871 vs 0.971, P = 0.39, respectively). Other diagnostic categories had no true positive cases in the dataset. The mean time for interpretation for each was 36.9 and 24.0 s with standard deviations of 0.857 and 5.977. The image quality score for each was 8.2 and 7.8 with standard deviations of 0.970 and 1.614.ConclusionThoracic tomograms were found to be diagnostically superior to CXR for focal lung disease, at no increased radiation dose. The thoracic tomogram presents an opportunity to improve the standard‐of‐care for patients who would otherwise receive a conventional CXR.
Effects of dexmedetomidine on the expression of inflammatory factors in children with congenital heart disease undergoing intraoperative cardiopulmonary bypass: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Qiu Yongsheng , Li Chan , Li Xiaoqin , Jia Yingping 
Published: March 2020

AbstractImportanceDexmedetomidine inhibits the inflammatory response associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and protects neural function. However, the mechanism of dexmedetomidine’s anti‐inflammatory pathway is unclear.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the cognitive level and expression of inflammatory factors in children with congenital heart disease undergoing intraoperative CPB.MethodsNinety children with congenital heart disease were recruited and randomly divided into 3 groups of 30 children in each. In Group 1, a 1.0 µg·kg‐1·h‐1 intravenous bolus of dexmedetomidine was administered 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia, followed by a 0.2 µg·kg‐1·h‐1 infusion until the surgical incision. In Group 2, a 0.5 µg/kg intravenous bolus of dexmedetomidine was administered 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia, followed by a 0.1 µg·kg‐1·h‐1 infusion until the surgical incision. The control group was given physiological saline using the same method as in Groups 1 and 2. The serum levels of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), S‐100β protein, neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were measured before the surgery (T1), at the end of CPB (T2), 2 hours after CPB (T3), 6 hours after CPB (T4), and 24 hours after CPB (T5). The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children (WISC) was measured before the operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation to evaluate the neurodevelopmental state of the children.ResultsThe levels of the NF‐κB, S‐100β protein, NSE, TNF‐α, IL‐6 were significantly higher at T2, T3, or T4 than before the surgery (T1) in the control group or the dexmedetomidine groups. However, the increases of NF‐κB, TNF‐α, IL‐6, S‐100β and NSE levels were significantly smaller in the dexmedetomidine groups than those in the control group (P < 0.017). The WISC scores were similar among the three groups before or after the operation.InterpretationThe increases in NF‐κB, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 levels indicated aggravation of the inflammatory reaction and the increase S‐100β protein and NSE levels indicated that the nervous system was damaged. Administration of dexmedetomidine to children with congenital heart disease undergoing intraoperative CPB can inhibit the inflammatory response and may ameliorate the neurodevelopmental damage caused by CPB.
4SCAR‐GD2‐modified T‐cell therapy in neuroblastoma with MYCN amplification: A case report with over 4‐year follow‐up data
Authors: Xu Xiao , Zhao Wen , Yue Zhixia , Qin Maoquan , Jin Mei , Chang Lung‐Ji , Ma Xiaoli 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntroductionNeuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor among children. The 5‐year event‐free survival rate for high‐risk (HR) NB is still poor, especially for patients with advanced NB with MYCN gene amplification. Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR‐T) cell therapy is a new treatment for HR‐NB.Case presentationA 55‐month‐old boy with stage IV HR‐NB received 4th‐generation CAR‐T cells that target disialoganglioside GD2, as consolidation maintenance treatment after intensive chemotherapy, surgery, and autologous stem‐cell transplantation. As of February 2019, his CAR‐T follow‐up time was 37.5 months, indicating prolonged survival. Cranial MRI and ultrasound showed no mass; 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I‐MIBG) scan was negative.ConclusionGD2‐CAR‐T cells may be an effective treatment option for NB patients with MYCN amplification.
Whole‐exome sequencing reveals two de novo variants in the RBM20 gene in two Chinese patients with left ventricular non‐compaction cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sun Qiqing , Guo Jun , Hao Chanjuan , Guo Ruolan , Hu Xuyun , Chen Yuanying , Yang Weili , Li Wei , Feng Yingjun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractImportancePathogenic variants in the RBM20 gene are associated with aggressive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Recently, RBM20 was found to be associated with left ventricular non‐compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC). Thus far, only five families with LVNC have been reported to carry variants in RBM20. It remains unknown whether the variants in RBM20 associated with DCM can also cause LVNC.ObjectiveTo elucidate the causative RBM20 variant in two unrelated patients with both LVNC and DCM, and to identify the clinical characteristics associated with variants in RBM20.MethodsTrio whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed. Variants were filtered and classified in accordance with the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).ResultsWe identified two distinct de novo variants in RBM20 (one per patient) in these two patients with LVNC. Both variants have been reported in patients with DCM, without the LVNC phenotype. Patient 1 was an 11‐year‐old girl who had DCM, LVNC, and heart failure; the ratio of noncompacted‐to‐compacted myocardium was 2.7:1. A de novo heterozygous variant c.1907G>A (p.Arg636His) in exon 9 was identified in this patient. Patient 2 was a 13‐year‐old boy who had clinical phenotypes identical to those of Patient 1; the ratio of noncompacted‐to‐compacted myocardium was 3.2:1 in this patient. WES revealed a de novo heterozygous variant c.1909A>G (p.Ser637Gly) in exon 9. Both variants were previously characterized as pathogenic, and our study classified them as pathogenic variants based on the ACMG guidelines.InterpretationWe found that two patients with LVNC had variants in RBM20. Our results extended the clinical spectrum of the two RBM20 variants and illustrated that the same variant in RBM20 can cause DCM, with or without the LVNC phenotype.
Best practices in gifted identification and assessment: Lessons from the WISC‐V
Authors: Silverman Linda K. , Gilman Barbara J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSchool psychologists in today's schools have the unique opportunity—and responsibility—to guide identification for gifted programs. “Who is gifted?” remains a perennial question in the gifted education literature, not answered by group intelligence screeners that purportedly level the playing field for all. As the student body grows more diverse, there is increasing necessity to ensure that all students have equal access to gifted programs. Failure to identify and develop the advanced abilities of gifted children who are culturally diverse, economically deprived, highly gifted, or twice exceptional is justifiably viewed as a civil rights violation. The National Association for Gifted Children's 2018 position statement, “Use of the WISC‐V for Gifted and Twice Exceptional Identification,” offers important considerations for identifying the gifted. Based on a national research study of 390 gifted children on theWechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition(WISC‐V), the statement recommends that the traditional practice of mandating Full Scale intelligence quotient scores be abandoned. Instead, it embraces the use of any one of six expanded index scores that are better measures of abstract reasoning for selecting students for gifted provisions. As gifted children are oftentimes asynchronous, alternate index scores are less biased and better able to document the strengths of all gifted children. What is learned from the WISC‐V can be applied by school psychologists to improve the choice of comprehensive individual intelligence tests, brief intelligence tests, and the body of evidence gifted children must exhibit.