bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assimilation of Ground and Satellite Snow Observations in a Distributed Hydrologic Model for Water Supply Forecasting
Authors: Micheletty P. , Perrot D. , Day G. , Rittger K. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRunoff from the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) is an important water resource in the western United States. The majority of annual runoff is derived from spring snowmelt, and therefore April–July water supply volume (WSV) forecasts produced by the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center are critical to basin water management. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of snow data assimilation (DA) in a distributed hydrologic model on WSV forecasting error and skill in headwater catchments of the UCRB. To do this, a framework was built to use the Localized Ensemble transform Kalman filter to update modeled snow water equivalent (SWE) states in the Hydrology Laboratory‐Research Distributed Hydrologic Model with SNOTEL SWE observations and spatially and temporally complete MODIS Snow Covered‐Area and Grain size data. The DA approach was assessed by evaluating ensemble streamflow prediction forecasts over a 20‐year period for 23 catchments in the UCRB. Overall, the DA approach improved water supply forecast skill in 80% of pilot basins with an average improvement in the median continuous rank probability skill score of 4%. A research‐to‐operations transition was facilitated by automating the implementation of the DA approach. This work demonstrates the capacity for gridded and point snow products to be used to objectively update model states in an operational forecasting setting.
Inferring the timing and strength of natural selection and gene migration in the evolution of chicken from ancient DNA data
Authors: Lyu Wenyang , Dai Xiaoyang , Beaumont Mark , Yu Feng , He Zhangyi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWith the rapid growth of the number of sequenced ancient genomes, there has been increasing interest in using this new information to study past and present adaptation. Such an additional temporal component has the promise of providing improved power for the estimation of natural selection. Over the last decade, statistical approaches for the detection and quantification of natural selection from ancient DNA (aDNA) data have been developed. However, most of the existing methods do not allow us to estimate the timing of natural selection along with its strength, which is key to understanding the evolution and persistence of organismal diversity. Additionally, most methods ignore the fact that natural populations are almost always structured, which can result in an overestimation of the effect of natural selection. To address these issues, we introduce a novel Bayesian framework for the inference of natural selection and gene migration from aDNA data with Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques, co‐estimating both timing and strength of natural selection and gene migration. Such an advance enables us to infer drivers of natural selection and gene migration by correlating genetic evolution with potential causes such as the changes in the ecological context in which an organism has evolved. The performance of our procedure is evaluated through extensive simulations, with its utility shown with an application to ancient chicken samples.
Lipoma Arborescens: can we afford to miss it?
Authors: Pai Satvik N. , Ayyadurai Prakash , Jeganathan Parthiban V. , Perumal Suresh , Arumugam Sivaraman 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntroductionLipoma Arborescens is an extremely rare, benign lesion effecting the synovial tissue of joints. It is characterized by villous lipomatous proliferation of the synovial tissue. The aim of our study was to evaluate its diagnostic features and analyse the functional outcome of arthroscopic management.MethodsWe studied 13 patients who were diagnosed to have lipoma arborescens at our institution during the period from October 2005 to October 2019. All patients underwent arthroscopic synovectomy. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Pre‐operative and post‐operative functional assessment was done using Tegner Lysholm score.ResultsMean age was 46.6 years. All patients presented with progressive swelling of knee joint, while 6 patients also complained of pain. Average duration of symptoms was 34 months. All the patients were diagnosed based on MRI findings. Tegner Lysholm scoring at last follow up visit, had 11 patients with excellent outcome, 1 patient with good outcome, and 1 patient with fair outcome. None of the patients had recurrence, nor underwent any subsequent procedure of the operated joint.ConclusionsLipoma arborescens is a rare condition which should be a differential in patients with mono‐articular swelling of the knee joint, and can be confirmed with MRI. It should not be misdiagnosed or missed at early stages as prolonged duration of symptoms and delay in treatment is likely to lead to development of secondary arthritis of the joint. Arthroscopic synovectomy showed good functional outcome and no recurrence.
Bowel ultrasound score is accurate in assessing response to therapy in patients with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Allocca Mariangela , Craviotto Vincenzo , Dell’Avalle Cecilia , Furfaro Federica , Zilli Alessandra , D’Amico Ferdinando , Bonovas Stefanos , Peyrin‐Biroulet Laurent , Fiorino Gionata , Danese Silvio 
Published: November 2021

SummaryBackgroundWe developed a non‐invasive bowel ultrasound score (BUSS) to assess disease activity in Crohn’s disease (CD). BUSS >3.52 is an indicator of endoscopic activity (SES‐CD>2).AimTo assess whether BUSS, in addition to detecting inflammatory lesions, also detects relevant changes of these lesions over time.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study of 49 patients with active CD. All patients underwent bowel ultrasound and colonoscopy at baseline and at re‐assessment after treatment with biologics and/or immunosuppressants. The primary objective was to assess the sensitivity to change of BUSS in patients treated for active CD, using the SES‐CD as reference standard.ResultsBUSS changed significantly from baseline to re‐assessment in patients achieving endoscopic response (a reduction of SES‐CD of at least 50% vs baseline: 4.87 [3.78‐6.0] vs 2.47 [2.25‐3.36], P < 0.001) and endoscopic remission (SES‐CD ≤ 2: 4.65 [3.58‐6.03] vs 2.25 [2.25‐3.46], P = 0.003). A change of −1.2 in BUSS over time predicted endoscopic response (AUC 0.786, 95% CI 0.645‐0.890; sensitivity 74%, specificity 83%). BUSS determined endoscopic response with 80% accuracy, and endoscopic remission with 78% accuracy. BUSS accurately detected changes in lesion severity (Guyatt score: 1.41 and standardized effect score: 1.74). BUSS did not change significantly in patients who did not achieve endoscopic response (5.62 [5.26‐6.15] vs 5.70 [4.97‐6.19], P = 0.53) or endoscopic remission (5.62 [5.18‐6.14] vs 5.10 [4.58‐6.05]; P = 0.10).ConclusionBUSS is sensitive to change in CD.
The Matzitzi Formation in southern Mexico: A record of Pangea final assembly or breakup initiation along inherited suture belts?
Authors: Martini Michelangelo , Anaya Guarneros Jonathan A. , Solari Luigi , Bedoya Alejandra , Zepeda‐Martínez Mildred , Villanueva‐Amadoz Uxue 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe breakup of Pangea fundamentally shaped modern continents and controlled the climatic distribution and biodiversity on Earth. Although our knowledge on the processes that control the assembly and breakup of supercontinents has significantly improved, the timing of supercontinent assembly and breakup initiation remains in some cases controversial. According to the available data, the assembly of Pangea was completed in middle Permian time, resulting in the formation of major orogenic belts and transform faults like the N–S‐trending, dextral, Caltepec fault in Mexico. Pangea breakup initiation is bracketed to early Middle Triassic time. In this work, we present new sedimentological, structural and U‐Pb geochronological data from a fluvial unit, the Matzitzi Formation of southern Mexico, the age and tectonic setting of which have remained an enigma for the past century. Our data document that the Matzitzi Formation is the stratigraphic record of a late Permian, anastomosing fluvial system that flowed in a—NNE‐trending extensional trough developed on top of the Caltepense belt, a transpressive belt formed along the Caltepec fault. We propose and discuss three possible scenarios for the tectonic setting of the Matzitzi Formation. In the first scenario, the unit is the stratigraphic record of the Caltepec fault late activity, which caused local NW–SE extension along the western margin of Pangea during its final assembly. In the second scenario, the Matzitzi Formation was deposited in an extensional basin formed by slab rollback along the western equatorial Pangea margin. In the third scenario, the extensional basin of the Matzitzi Formation was formed in the framework of the Pangea breakup. In this case, our data would suggest that Pangea breakup initiation must be dated back to late Permian time, which is ca. 15 m.y. older than the Middle Triassic age documented by the previous work. Considering that evidence of Permian extension has also been reported along the Appalachian belt, we suggest that the Matzitzi Formation was deposited during regional‐scale extension of western equatorial Pangea; therefore, we preliminarily support the third scenario. The distribution of Permian extension along suture belts developed during Pangea assembly highlights the fundamental role played by pre‐existent zones of weakness in the breakup of a supercontinent.
Auditory brainstem response prior to MRI compared to standalone MRI in the detection of vestibular schwannoma: A modelling study
Authors: Wijn Stan R. W. , Hentschel Mayke A. , Beynon Andy J. , Kunst Henricus P. M. , Rovers Maroeska M. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the cost‐effectiveness of auditory brainstem response prior to MRI (ABR‐MRI) compared to standalone MRI to diagnose vestibular schwannoma.DesignA state transition model was developed to simulate costs and effects (quality‐adjusted life years [QALY]) for both diagnostic strategies for patients suspected of a vestibular schwannoma. Model input was derived from literature, hospital databases and expert opinions. Scenario and sensitivity analyses addressed model uncertainty.ResultsOver a lifetime horizon, ABR‐MRI resulted in a limited cost‐saving of €68 or €98 per patient (dependent on MRI sequence) and a health loss of 0.005 QALYs over standalone MRI. ABR‐MRI, however, did miss patients with other important pathology (2% of the population) that would have been detected when using standalone MRI. In total, €14 203 or €19 550 could be saved per lost QALY if ABR‐MRI was used instead of standalone MRI. The results were sensitive to the detection rate of vestibular schwannoma and health‐related quality of life of missed patients.ConclusionThe cost‐saving with ABR‐MRI does not seem to outweigh the number of missed patients with VS and other important pathologies that would have been detected when using standalone MRI.
Genetic and epigenetic alterations of cyclic AMP response element modulator in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Tseng Chia‐Chun , Lin Yuan‐Zhao , Lin Chia‐Hui , Hwang Daw‐Yang , Li Ruei‐Nian , Tsai Wen‐Chan , Ou Tsan‐Teng , Wu Cheng‐Chin , Lin Yu‐Chih , Sung Wan‐Yu , Chen Kuan‐Yu , Chang Shun‐Jen , Yen Jeng‐Hsien 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundGenetic and epigenetic factors are strongly associated with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Cyclic AMP response element modulator (CREM), a gene related to immune system regulation, has been implicated in various immune‐mediated inflammatory processes, although it remains unknown whether CREM is involved in RA.MethodsThis study enrolled 278 RA patients and 262 controls. Three variants [rs12765063, rs17499247, rs1213386] were identified through linkage disequilibrium and expression quantitative trait locus analysis, and CREM transcript abundance was determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The identified variants were genotyped using the TaqMan Allelic Discrimination assay, and CREM promoter methylation was assessed by bisulphite sequencing. Differences between groups and correlations between variables were assessed with Student's t‐tests and Pearson's correlation coefficients. Associations between phenotypes and genotypes were evaluated with logistic regression.ResultsRheumatoid arthritis patients exhibited increased CREM expression (p < .0001), which was decreased by methotrexate (p = .0223) and biologics (p = .0001), but could not be attributed to CREM variants. Interestingly, rs17499247 displayed a significant association with serositis (p = .0377), and rs1213386 increased the risk of lymphadenopathy (p = .0398). Furthermore, seven CpG sites showed decreased methylation in RA (p = .0477~ p < .0001).ConclusionsCollectively, our results indicate that CREM hypomethylation and CREM upregulation occur in RA and that CREM variants are involved in the development of serositis and lymphadenopathy in RA. This study highlights the novel roles of CREM in RA pathophysiology.
Bioregions are predominantly climatic for fishes of northern lakes
Authors: Loewen Charlie J. G. , Jackson Donald A. , Chu Cindy , Alofs Karen M. , Hansen Gretchen J. A. , Honsey Andrew E. , Minns Charles K. , Wehrly Kevin E. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimRecurrent species assemblages integrate important biotic interactions and joint responses to environmental and spatial filters that enable local coexistence. Here, we applied a bipartite (site–species) network approach to develop a natural typology of lakes sharing distinct fish faunas and provide a detailed, hierarchical view of their bioregions. We then compared the roles of key biogeographical factors to evaluate alternative hypotheses about how fish communities are assembled from the regional species pool.LocationOntario, Canada and the Upper Midwest, USA.Time period1957–2017.Major taxa studiedFreshwater fishes.MethodsBipartite modularity analysis was performed on 90 taxa from 10,016 inland lakes in the Southwestern Hudson Bay, Mississippi River and St. Lawrence River drainages, uncovering bioregionalization of North American fishes at a large, subcontinental scale. We then used a latent variable approach, pairing non‐metric partial least‐squares structural equation modelling with multiple logistic regression, to show differences in the biogeographical templates of each type of community. Indicators of contemporary and historical connectivity, climate and habitat constructs were estimated using a geographical information system.ResultsFish assemblages reflected broad, overlapping patterns of postglacial colonization, climate and geological setting, but community differentiation was most linked to temperature, precipitation and, for certain groups, lake area and water quality. Bioregions were also marked by non‐native species, showing broad‐scale impacts of introductions to the Great Lakes and surrounding basins.Main conclusionsThe dominant effects of climate across broad spatial gradients indicate differing sensitivities of fish communities to rapidly accelerating climate change and opportunities for targeted conservation strategies. By assessing biological variation at the level of recurrent assemblages, we accounted for the non‐stationarity of macroecological processes structuring different sets of species on the landscape and offer novel inference on the assembly of inland fish communities.
Not all peripheries are the same: The importance of relative regional innovativeness in transnational innovation networks
Authors: Calignano Giuseppe 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis paper aims to test the hypothesis according to which “relative” innovativeness (regions scoring higher than the national average in innovation rankings, such as the Regional Innovation Scoreboard) is more important than “absolute” innovativeness (regions scoring higher than the European Union [EU] average) in determining the centrality and key positioning of EU regions in highly selective and competitive international innovation networks. The combined adoption of various social network analysis techniques and econometric models in the specific arena of the EU nanotechnology network created within the Horizon 2020 program confirms this hypothesis. However, additional graph visualization and brokerage analysis highlight how such relative innovators, holding key positions in the targeted network, hardly act as gatekeepers in the respective national contexts. A major implication of this study is that although relatively innovative regions may play a key role in transnational innovation networks, their inadequate action as gatekeepers represents a negative aspect for peripheral regions in general and especially in marginally innovative countries. This finding raises doubts about the actual increasing and more effective knowledge circulation between the surveyed regions to which the EU explicitly aspires.
Assessing the performance of public transport services in a developing country: A case study using data envelopment analysis
Authors: Naim Md. Nazmul Huda , Adnan Mohammed Sarfaraz Gani , Dewan Ashraf , Zannat Khatun E. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe accurate evaluation of public transport (PT) services in developing countries is a challenging task due to a lack of reliable data and formal guidelines. The aim of this study was to develop a framework addressing these data limitations and quantify PT performance using output‐oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The local bus service operation of Chattogram City Corporation area of Bangladesh was used as a case study. A performance assessment inventory was developed identifying the major stakeholders related to local bus service operations. The relative efficiencies of different bus routes (from users' and operators' perspectives) were estimated using the DEA model, which incorporated data from a semi‐structured questionnaire survey linked with the inventory. The PT authority also ranked all bus routes according to their degree of efficiency. Results indicated that relative efficiency scores in various routes varied according to the stakeholders' perspectives. A range of different parameters were considered when evaluating the performance of the service. The proposed inventory and framework would be useful for policymakers and urban planners in sequencing and prioritising different routes. This optimisation process would provide improved transport services to the general public.
Effect of high‐pressure treatment and cellulase‐mediate hydrolysis on functional, rheological and microstructural properties of garden cress seed residual fibre
Authors: Mulla Mehrajfatema Z. , Ahmed Jasim , Baskaya‐Sezer Duygu , Al‐Ruwaih Noor 
Published: November 2021

SummaryGarden cress (Lepidium sativum) is valued in Asia and some part of Africa for its seed oil and other parts of plant that retain curative activities and act as a tonic in traditional medicine. The residue left over after the oil and protein extraction is a rich source of bioactive compounds and dietary fibres. The garden cress seed residual fibre (GCRF) contained 99.82% total dietary fibre (TDF), 99.4% insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) and 0.38% soluble dietary fibre (SDF). To improve the industrial applications of the GCRF, an approach was taken to break down the IDF into the SDF following a treatment of enzymatic hydrolysis [cellulase at 2% or 5% (w/w)] and high‐pressure processing (600 MPa/15 min) or a combination of both. The combined treatment had significantly improved the SDF concentration by loosening the surface structure of the GCRF and enhanced the hydration properties. The structural changes were elucidated using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, rheometry and scanning electron microscopy. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum revealed a major shift in the cellulose band because of the combined effect of high‐pressure processing and enzymatic hydrolysis. High‐pressure‐assisted enzymatic hydrolysis was determined the best combination to be ensured almost 18‐fold increase in SDF ratio and to be improved radical scavenging activity more than two times in addition to well‐documented change in viscoelastic properties of the GCRF.
Financial experts on the top management team: Do they reduce investment inefficiency?
Authors: Li Zhe , Pryshchepa Oksana , Wang Bo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe examine the effect of the top management team (TMT) professional finance experience on firm investment efficiency. Top managers with a career background in finance help reduce deviations of investment from the level warranted by firm fundamentals. Reductions in investment inefficiencies are achieved by financial expert managers using project‐specific rather than company‐wide, discount rates for project evaluation and facilitating debt and equity issuance at lower costs. Greater investment efficiency due to the financial expertise of TMT improves firm performance. We demonstrate that these improvements are driven by the collective expertise of the TMT rather than solely by chief executive officers.
Hypertension in adolescents: The role of obesity and family history
Authors: Zhao Weiying , Mo Luxia , Pang Yusheng 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe evaluated the combined effect of obesity and family history (FH) on the risk of hypertension in adolescents. We studied 1288 school‐aged adolescents aged 16.0 ± 0.5 years (49.0% males) attending the medical examination for enrollment in the city of Nanning, China. Their blood pressure, weight, and height were measured. A questionnaire was administered to both adolescents and their parents to obtain information on the participants’ medical history. Multiple logistic regression analysis, according to bodyweight categories and adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), was done to determine the association of FH with hypertension. Hypertension was found in 14.1% of adolescents. The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in adolescents with obesity and positive FH than their normal weight and negative FH counterparts. For adolescents with normal weight and waist circumstance (WC), those with a positive FH in parents compared to those without had an significantly increased risk for hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–3.61, and 1.96; 95% CI 1.16–3.32, respectively). These findings were adjusted for age, gender, and BMI. Our study showed that routine screening for pediatric hypertension should be performed in adolescents who are overweight and obese. Furthermore, parental FH of hypertension played an important role in predicting the hypertension phenotype among adolescents with normal weight.