bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Australian rainfall variability—Why is the eastern seaboard of Australia different to the rest of Australia and also internally inhomogeneous
Authors: Twomey Callum R. , Kiem Anthony S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe Eastern Seaboard of Australia (ESA) has been identified as being different to the rest of Australia in terms of rainfall patterns. However, rainfall patterns within the ESA itself are not well understood. This study identifies Australian rainfall districts that exhibit similar (and different) temporal variation, with the primary aim being to determine if the ESA can be considered a homogenous region with respect to rainfall. The results (a) confirm that the ESA is different to the rest of Australia and (b) show that the ESA is not homogenous and that East Coast Lows (ECLs) are linked to this inhomogeneity. For winter (JJA) three separate divisions within the ESA are identified and at least two clear divisions are identified in other seasons. ECL sub‐types contribute to this inhomogeneity because each ECL sub‐type is associated with different spatio‐temporal rainfall patterns across the ESA. This is an important insight for natural resources management and emergency services within the heavily populated ESA because it demonstrates that existing climate related risks are different across the ESA. Further, the way climate risks change in the future is also likely to be inconsistent across the ESA. Future climate related risks will depend on how ECL behaviour (e.g., intensity, frequency, location, duration, path and geographical extent) changes. This reinforces the need for locally relevant and practically useful climate science information and adaptation strategies—as opposed to the State‐ or country‐wide information and adaptation approaches that are commonly used.
Decision‐making and leadership challenges in partner‐based, owner‐managed companies
Authors: Stromback Jonas 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to develop a deeper understanding of how owners of partner‐based companies perceive shared‐ownership decision‐making in relation to leadership roles and organizational behavior. Data were collected from two law firms in Stockholm, Sweden. The data were used to identify the partners' perceptions of how the decision‐making process affected the organizations and through an analysis of the collected data six themes were identified: (a) few written instructions, (b) consensus‐driven leadership, (c) importance of strong office manager, (d) partners are foremost lawyers and leadership is secondary, (e) self‐motivated staff, and (f) random communication. Findings of the study suggest there is an awareness of a lack of organizational structure and management procedures among partners, but also a desire to keep an informal style of reaching decisions and managing the firm. The consensus‐based model affects leadership in the sense it makes decision‐making slow, but it also means decisions are well anchored among the owners.
Review Article: The effect of humic substances on phosphate and iron acquisition by higher plants: Qualitative and quantitative aspects
Authors: Gerke Jörg 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHumic substances affect iron (Fe) and phosphate (P) uptake by higher plants by two different ways.First, humic substances bind Fe(III) by forming humic‐Fe complexes of medium to high stability. In soils with pH > 5.0 these complexes account for most of the Fe in the soil solution, while dissolved Fe from Fe‐oxides exhibit an extreme low solubility (<< 0.1 µM).Humic‐Fe and humic‐Al complexes may bind P and form humic‐metal‐P complexes in the soil solution. Also, humic substances may desorb P bound to Fe(Al)‐oxides by binding to the P sorption sites of the oxides.These mechanisms may increase soil Fe and P availability.Second, humic substances affect several physiological processes of higher plants which are related to the acquisition of mineral nutrients from soil such as Fe and P. Soil humic substances exhibit plant hormone features, the quality and extend depending on the humic sources, the apparent molecular weight and the association status of the humic substances. They may affect the rooting pattern, the excretion of protons and carboxylic anions, the plasma membrane Fe‐reductase activity and they may activate Fe(II) and P transporters.Organic acid anions released by the roots can decrease the apparent molecular weight of the humic substances which may in turn increase the plant hormone activity of the humics. These mutual interactions can be described as soil‐root cross‐talking or humic acid cross‐interactions with roots.
Spatiotemporal investigation of the interactive coercing relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services in arid northwestern China
Authors: Shi Lei , Halik Ümüt , Mamat Zulpiya , Aishan Tayierjiang , Abliz Abdulla , Welp Martin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRapid urbanization has negative effects on ecosystem structure, function, and balance, leading to the loss of ecosystem services (ES) and posing a threat to regional sustainable development. However, the complex interactive coercing relationship between urbanization and ES is not yet fully understood, especially in arid Northwestern China. In this study, we constructed an evaluative framework for urbanization and ES using land cover/land use data and socioeconomic data from 1990 to 2018. We used global and local autocorrelation models to reveal the spatiotemporal interaction between urbanization and ES. The results revealed that the urbanization index increased from 0.06 in 1990 to 0.16 in 2018 in Xinjiang, and urbanization was significantly negatively correlated with ES. With the acceleration of urbanization, the ecosystem services value (ESV) has decreased 2,698.74 × 109 Yuan from 1990 to 2018 (6.62 Yuan = 1 .00 US$). Due to geographical advantages, resource conditions, and land use changes, the spatial relationship of urbanization and ES has obvious heterogeneity. High–low correlation areas are mainly concentrated in the Northern Tianshan Mountain Economic Zone, whereas low–high correlation areas are concentrated in the Kashgar and Hotan Oases in southern Xinjiang. Based on regional geographical conditions and the spatial heterogeneity of resources, diversified ecological, social, and economic balance models should be considered to promote future sustainable urban planning and development.
Automated detection of aggressive and indolent prostate cancer on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Seetharaman Arun , Bhattacharya Indrani , Chen Leo C. , Kunder Christian A. , Shao Wei , Soerensen Simon J. C. , Wang Jeffrey B. , Teslovich Nikola C. , Fan Richard E. , Ghanouni Pejman , Brooks James D. , Too Katherine J. , Sonn Geoffrey A. , Rusu Mirabela 
Published: March 2021

PurposeWhile multi‐parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows great promise in assisting with prostate cancer diagnosis and localization, subtle differences in appearance between cancer and normal tissue lead to many false positive and false negative interpretations by radiologists. We sought to automatically detect aggressive cancer (Gleason pattern 4) and indolent cancer (Gleason pattern 3) on a per‐pixel basis on MRI to facilitate the targeting of aggressive cancer during biopsy.MethodsWe created the Stanford Prostate Cancer Network (SPCNet), a convolutional neural network model, trained to distinguish between aggressive cancer, indolent cancer, and normal tissue on MRI. Ground truth cancer labels were obtained by registering MRI with whole‐mount digital histopathology images from patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Before registration, these histopathology images were automatically annotated to show Gleason patterns on a per‐pixel basis. The model was trained on data from 78 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and 24 patients without prostate cancer. The model was evaluated on a pixel and lesion level in 322 patients, including six patients with normal MRI and no cancer, 23 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, and 293 patients who underwent biopsy. Moreover, we assessed the ability of our model to detect clinically significant cancer (lesions with an aggressive component) and compared it to the performance of radiologists.ResultsOur model detected clinically significant lesions with an area under the receiver operator characteristics curve of 0.75 for radical prostatectomy patients and 0.80 for biopsy patients. Moreover, the model detected up to 18% of lesions missed by radiologists, and overall had a sensitivity and specificity that approached that of radiologists in detecting clinically significant cancer.ConclusionsOur SPCNet model accurately detected aggressive prostate cancer. Its performance approached that of radiologists, and it helped identify lesions otherwise missed by radiologists. Our model has the potential to assist physicians in specifically targeting the aggressive component of prostate cancers during biopsy or focal treatment.
A disposable OSL dosimeter for in vivo measurement of rectum dose during brachytherapy
Authors: Hayashi Hiroaki , Kimoto Natsumi , Maeda Tatsuya , Tomita Emi , Asahara Takashi , Goto Sota , Kanazawa Yuki , Shitakubo Yasufumi , Sakuragawa Kanako , Ikushima Hitoshi , Okazaki Tohru , Hashizume Takuya 
Published: March 2021

PurposeWe aimed to develop a disposable rectum dosimeter and to demonstrate its ability to measure exposure dose to the rectum during brachytherapy for cervical cancer treatment using high‐dose rate 192Ir. Our rectum dosimeter measures the dose with an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sheet which was furled to a catheter. The catheter we used is 6 mm in diameter; therefore, it is much less invasive than other rectum dosimeters. The rectum dosimeter developed in this study has the characteristics of being inexpensive and disposable. It is also an easy‐to‐use detector that can be individually sterilized, making it suitable for clinical use.MethodsTo obtain a dose calibration curve, phantom experiments were performed. Irradiation was performed using a cubical acrylic phantom, and the response of the OSL dosimeter was calibrated with the calculation value predicted by the treatment planning system (TPS). Additionally, the dependence of catheter angle on the dosimeter position and repeatability were evaluated. We also measured the absorbed dose to the rectum of patients who were undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer (n = 64). The doses measured with our dosimeters were compared with the doses calculated by the TPS. In order to examine the causes of large differences between measured and planned doses, we classified the data into common and specific cases when performing this clinical study. For specific cases, the following three categories were considered: (a) patient movement, (b) gas in the vagina and/or rectum, and (c) artifacts in the X‐ray image caused by applicators.ResultsA dose calibration curve was obtained in the range of 0.1 Gy–10.0 Gy. From the evaluation of the dependence of catheter angle on the dosimeter position and repeatability, we determined that our dosimeter can measure rectum dose with an accuracy of 3.1% (k = 1). In this clinical study, we succeeded in measuring actual doses using our rectum dosimeter. We found that the deviation of the measured dose from the planned dose was derived to be 12.7% (k = 1); this result shows that the clinical study included large elements of uncertainty. The discrepancies were found to be due to patient motion during treatment, applicator movement after planning images were taken, and artifacts in the planning images.ConclusionsWe present the idea that a minimally invasive rectum dosimeter can be fabricated using an OSL sheet. Our clinical study demonstrates that a rectum dosimeter made from an OSL sheet has sufficient ability to evaluate rectum dose. Using this dosimeter, valuable information concerning organs at risk can be obtained during brachytherapy.
A robust broadband fat‐suppressing phaser T2‐preparation module for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 3T
Authors: Arn Lionel , van Heeswijk Ruud B. , Stuber Matthias , Bastiaansen Jessica A. M. 
Published: March 2021

PurposeDesigning a new T2‐preparation (T2‐Prep) module to simultaneously provide robust fat suppression and efficient T2 preparation without requiring an additional fat‐suppression module for T2‐weighted imaging at 3T.MethodsThe tip‐down radiofrequency (RF) pulse of an adiabatic T2‐Prep module was replaced by a custom‐designed RF‐excitation pulse that induces a phase difference between water and fat, resulting in a simultaneous T2 preparation of water signals and the suppression of fat signals at the end of the module (a phaser adiabatic T2‐Prep). Numerical simulations and in vitro and in vivo electrocardiogram (ECG)‐triggered navigator‐gated acquisitions of the human heart were performed. Blood, myocardium, and fat signal‐to‐noise ratios and right coronary artery vessel sharpness were compared against previously published adiabatic T2‐Prep approaches.ResultsNumerical simulations predicted an increased fat‐suppression bandwidth and decreased sensitivity to transmit magnetic field inhomogeneities using the proposed approach while preserving the water T2‐Prep capabilities. This was confirmed by the tissue signals acquired in the phantom and the in vivo images, which show similar blood and myocardium signal‐to‐noise ratio, contrast‐to‐noise ratio, and significantly reduced fat signal‐to‐noise ratio compared with the other methods. As a result, the right coronary artery conspicuity was significantly increased.ConclusionA novel fat‐suppressing T2‐Prep method was developed and implemented that showed robust fat suppression and increased vessel sharpness compared with conventional techniques while preserving its T2‐Prep capabilities.
Precise composition modulation for optimizing NiWO4/Pt/CdS Z‐scheme system
Authors: Li Mingjie , Yokoyama Shun , Takahashi Hideyuki , Yan Keyou , Tohji Kazuyuki 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA reasonable structure is crucial for the solar‐to‐chemical conversion process of the integrated Z‐scheme system. Composition modulation provides a new dimension for the optimization of Z‐scheme system. Herein, a composition modulated NiWO4/Pt/CdS Z‐scheme system is demonstrated for photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Proportions of Ni, W, Cd, and S in NiWO4/Pt/CdS are precisely tuned through the ion‐exchange reaction between NiWO4 and CdS. Important features of the Z‐scheme system in terms of light harvesting, charge separation and charge transfer are optimized accordingly. Bandgap of CdS is tuned continuously from 2.22 to 1.52 eV through controlling the Cd and S contents in NiWO4/Pt/CdS. The results of photoluminescence spectrometry and photoelectrochemical analyses demonstrate that the NiS generated from ion‐exchange reaction increase the charge separation and transfer rates. Furthermore, the molar ratio of NiWO4 to CdS is regulated to a balance state, leading to the decrease of charge recombination. The optimized NiWO4/Pt/CdS Z‐scheme system delivers the comprehensive performance of excellent light harvesting and charge separation abilities, low charge recombination rate, and suitable energy band structure for water reduction. The hydrogen generation rate is increased to 14.39 mmol h‐1g‐1 after the optimization. The optimized method brings a new insight into the rational design of Z‐scheme system.
Return on Investment: Medical Savings of an Employer‐Sponsored Digital Intensive Lifestyle Intervention for Weight Loss
Authors: Horstman Cecelia M. , Ryan Donna H. , Aronne Louis J. , Apovian Caroline M. , Foreyt John P. , Tuttle Hannah M. , Williamson Donald A. 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the medical cost impact and return on investment (ROI) of a large, commercial, digital, weight‐management intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) program (Real Appeal).MethodsParticipants in this program were compared with a control group matched by age, sex, geographic region, health risk, baseline medical costs, and chronic conditions. Medical costs were defined as the total amount paid for all medical expenses, inclusive of both the insurers’ and the study participants’ responsibility.ResultsIn the 3 years following program registration, the intent‐to‐treat (ITT) cohort had significantly lower medical expenditures than the matched controls, with an average of −$771 or 12% lower costs (P = 0.002). Among 4,790 ITT participants, a total savings of $3,693,090 compared with total program costs of $1,639,961 translated into a 2.3:1 ROI. Program completers (n = 3,990), who attended more sessions than the overall ITT group, had greater mean weight loss (−4.4%), greater cost savings (−$956 or 14%), and an ROI of 2.0:1 over the 3‐year time frame compared with matched controls.ConclusionsThe findings demonstrated that the digital weight‐management ILI was associated with a significantly positive ROI. Employers and payers willing to cover the cost of an ILI that produces both weight loss and demonstrated cost benefits can improve health and save money for their population with overweight or obesity.
Selection of Antiobesity Medications Based on Phenotypes Enhances Weight Loss: A Pragmatic Trial in an Obesity Clinic
Authors: Acosta Andres , Camilleri Michael , Abu Dayyeh Barham , Calderon Gerardo , Gonzalez Daniel , McRae Alison , Rossini William , Singh Sneha , Burton Duane , Clark Matthew M. 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveLittle is known about the predictors of response to obesity interventions.MethodsIn 450 participants with obesity, body composition, resting energy expenditure, satiety, satiation, eating behavior, affect, and physical activity were measured by validated studies and questionnaires. These variables were used to classify obesity phenotypes. Subsequently, in a 12‐month, pragmatic, real‐world trial performed in a weight management center, 312 patients were randomly assigned to phenotype‐guided treatment or non‐phenotype‐guided treatment with antiobesity medications: phentermine, phentermine/topiramate, bupropion/naltrexone, lorcaserin, and liraglutide. The primary outcome was weight loss at 12 months.ResultsFour phenotypes of obesity were identified in 383 of 450 participants (85%): hungry brain (abnormal satiation), emotional hunger (hedonic eating), hungry gut (abnormal satiety), and slow burn (decreased metabolic rate). In 15% of participants, no phenotype was identified. Two or more phenotypes were identified in 27% of patients. In the pragmatic clinical trial, the phenotype‐guided approach was associated with 1.75‐fold greater weight loss after 12 months with mean weight loss of 15.9% compared with 9.0% in the non‐phenotype‐guided group (difference −6.9% [95% CI −9.4% to −4.5%], P < 0.001), and the proportion of patients who lost >10% at 12 months was 79% in the phenotype‐guided group compared with 34% with non‐phenotype‐guided treatment group.ConclusionsBiological and behavioral phenotypes elucidate human obesity heterogeneity and can be targeted pharmacologically to enhance weight loss.
Predictors and Outcomes of Digital Weighing and Activity Tracking Lapses Among Young Adults During Weight Gain Prevention
Authors: Nezami Brooke T. , Valle Carmina G. , Nulty Alison K. , Espeland Mark , Wing Rena R. , Tate Deborah F. 
Published: March 2021

ObjectivesSelf‐monitoring is critical for weight management, but little is known about lapses in the use of digital self‐monitoring. The objectives of this study were to examine whether lapses in self‐weighing and wearing activity trackers are associated with weight and activity outcomes and to identify objective predictors of lapses.MethodsParticipants (N = 160, BMI = 25.5 ± 3.3 kg/m2, 33.1 ± 4.6 years old) were drawn from a sample of young adults in the Study of Novel Approaches to Prevention‐Extension (SNAP‐E) weight gain prevention trial. Analyses evaluated associations between weighing and tracker lapses and changes in weight and steps/day during the first 90 days after receiving a smart scale and activity tracker.ResultsOn average, participants self‐weighed 49.6% of days and wore activity trackers 75.2% of days. Every 1‐day increase in a weighing lapse was associated with a 0.06‐lb gain. Lapses in tracker wear were not associated with changes in steps/day or weight between wear days. Weight gain predicted a higher likelihood of starting a lapse in weighing and tracker wear, whereas lower steps predicted a higher likelihood of a tracker lapse.ConclusionsWeight gain may discourage adherence to self‐monitoring. Future research could examine just‐in‐time supports to anticipate and reduce the frequency or length of self‐monitoring lapses.
Quantification of gray mold infection in lettuce using a bispectral imaging system under laboratory conditions
Authors: Scarboro Clifton G. , Ruzsa Stephanie M. , Doherty Colleen J. , Kudenov Michael W. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGray mold disease caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea damages many crop hosts worldwide and is responsible for heavy economic losses. Early diagnosis and detection of the disease would allow for more effective crop management practices to prevent outbreaks in field or greenhouse settings. Furthermore, having a simple, non‐invasive way to quantify the extent of gray mold disease is important for plant pathologists interested in measuring infection rates. In this paper, we design and build a bispectral imaging system for discriminating between leaf regions infected with gray mold and those that remain unharmed on a lettuce (Lactuca spp.) host. First, we describe a method to select two optimal (high contrast) spectral bands from continuous hyperspectral imagery (450–800 nm). We then explain the process of building a system based on these two spectral bands, located at 540 and 670 nm. The resultant system uses two cameras, with a narrow band‐pass spectral filter mounted on each, to measure the bispectral reflectance of a lettuce leaf. The two resulting images are combined using a normalized difference calculation that produces a single image with high contrast between the leaves’ infected and healthy regions. A classifier was then created based on the thresholding of single pixel values. We demonstrate that this simple classification produces a true‐positive rate of 95.25% with a false‐positive rate of 9.316% in laboratory conditions.