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A critical step in effective care and treatment planning for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is the assessment of the severity of disease progression. Chest x-rays (CXRs) are often used to assess SARS-CoV-2 severity, with two important assessment metrics being extent of lung involvement and degree of opacity. In this proof-of-concept study, we assess the feasibility of computer-aided scoring of CXRs of SARS-CoV-2 lung disease severity using a deep learning system. Data consisted of 396 CXRs from SARS-CoV-2 positive patient cases. Geographic extent and opacity extent were scored by two board-certified expert chest radiologists (with 20+ years of experience) and a 2nd-year radiology resident. The deep neural networks used in this study, which we name COVID-Net S , are based on a COVID-Net network architecture. 100 versions of the network were independently learned (50 to perform geographic extent scoring and 50 to perform opacity extent scoring) using random subsets of CXRs from the study, and we evaluated the networks using stratified Monte Carlo cross-validation experiments. The COVID-Net S deep neural networks yielded R 2 of 0.664 ± 0.032 and 0.635 ± 0.044 between predicted scores and radiologist scores for geographic extent and opacity extent, respectively, in stratified Monte Carlo cross-validation experiments. The best performing COVID-Net S networks achieved R 2 of 0.739 and 0.741 between predicted scores and radiologist scores for geographic extent and opacity extent, respectively. The results are promising and suggest that the use of deep neural networks on CXRs could be an effective tool for computer-aided assessment of SARS-CoV-2 lung disease severity, although additional studies are needed before adoption for routine clinical use.

The co-application of biosolids and water treatment residuals (WTRs) has been previously trialed to reduce excessive bioavailable P in the soil treated with biosolids. However, uncertainty still exists regarding the environmental consequences of the co-application of biosolids and WTRs, especially in alkaline soils in Egypt or the Middle East region. A greenhouse pot study was conducted with Egyptian alkaline soils to (i) quantify the effects of co-application of biosolids and drinking WTRs on biomass production of corn (Zea mays L. cultivar single hybrid 10), (ii) determine the co-application effects on Olsen-P and KCl-extractable Al in relation to their accumulation in plant tissues, and (iii) optimize the co-application ratio of biosolids to WTRs for the best yield and effective reduction of soil bioavailable P. The results show that, among the studied soils treated with 1% biosolids along with various rates of WTRs, the corn yield increased significantly (P < 0.01) with increasing WTR application rate from 0 to 3% (w/w), but decreased at 4% application rate. The corn yield also significantly correlated with soil water holding capacity that increased with the addition of WTRs. Phosphorus uptake by plants significantly (P < 0.01) increased when the biosolid application rate was increased from 1 to 3% in the three studied soils that were treated with 1, 2, or 3% WTRs. The application of 4% WTRs in the biosolid-amended soils resulted in a significant reduction in soil Olsen-P values, but without having observable phytotoxicity of metals (such as Al) to corn during the growth period. The effective co-application ratio of biosolids to WTRs, for increasing corn yield and minimizing the potential for bioavailable P in runoff, was approximately 1:1 at the application rate of 3% biosolids and 4% WTRs in the alkaline soils.

A flow‐through wetland treatment system was constructed to treat coal combustion by‐product leachate from an electrical power station at Springdale, Pennsylvania. In a nine‐compartment treatment system, four cattail (Typha latifolia L.) wetland cells (designated Cells 1 through 4) successfully removed iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) from the inlet water; Fe and Mn concentrations were decreased by an average of 91% in the first year (May 1996–May 1997), and by 94 and 98% in the second year (July 1997–June 1998), respectively. Cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) were decreased by an average of 39 and 47% in the first year, and 98 and 63% in the second year, respectively. Most of the metal removed by the wetland cells was accumulated in sediments, which constituted the largest sink. Except for Fe, metal concentrations in the sediments tended to be greater in the top 5 cm of sediment than in the 5‐ to 10‐ or 10‐ to 15‐cm layers, and in Cell 1 than in Cells 2, 3, and 4. Plants constituted a much smaller sink for metals; only 0.91, 4.18, 0.19, and 0.38% of the Fe, Mn, Co, and Ni were accumulated annually in the aboveground tissues of cattail, respectively. A greater proportion of each metal (except Mn) was accumulated in cattail fallen litter and submerged Chara (a macroalga) tissues, that is, 2.81, 2.75, and 1.05% for Fe, Co, and Ni, respectively. Considerably higher concentrations of metals were associated with cattail roots than shoots, although Mn was a notable exception.

Selenium (Se) contamination of agricultural drainage water is a major environmental problem facing California agriculture. To demonstrate the potential effectiveness of biological volatilization in removing Se from contaminated water and soil, Se volatilization was determined under field conditions from a soil—plant (Salicornia bigelovii Torr.) treatment system in the San Joaquin Valley, California. Volatile Se was collected using an open‐flow sampling chamber system, biweekly during the S. bigelovii growing season from February to September 1997, and monthly from September 1997 to January 1998. The rate of Se volatilization fluctuated under different field conditions during the study year, with an overall mean of 155 ± 25 µg Se m−2 d−1. Biological volatilization removed 62 mg Se m−2 yr−1, which accounted for 6.5% of the annual total Se input (958 mg Se m−2 yr−1) to the S. bigelovii field. Forward trajectory analysis showed that the air mass that passed through the research area generally moved quickly out of the San Joaquin Valley within the first 24 h, probably transporting airborne Se from the research site toward the eastern Sierra Nevada in spring and fall, the southern mountainous areas in summer, and the Coast Mountain region in winter. This study suggests that biovolatilization represents an environmentally sound technology for managing Se‐contaminated soil and agricultural drainage water. Future research will focus on establishing new means for enhancing Se volatilization in the field.

This study investigated the ability of a 10‐yr‐old constructed wetland to treat metal‐contaminated leachate emanating from a coal ash pile at the Widows Creek electric utility, Alabama (USA). The two vegetated cells, which were dominated by cattail (Typha latifolia L.) and soft rush (Juncus effusus L.), were very effective at removing Fe and Cd from the wastewater, but less efficient for Zn, S, B, and Mn. The concentrations were decreased by up to 99% for Fe, 91% for Cd, 63% for Zn, 61% for S, 58% for Mn, and 50% for B. Higher pH levels (>6) in standing water substantially improved the removing efficiency of the wetland for Mn only. The belowground tissues of both cattail and soft rush had high concentrations of all elements; only for Mn, however, did the concentration in the shoots exceed those in the belowground tissues. The concentrations of trace elements in fallen litter were higher than in the living shoots, but lower than in the belowground tissues. The trace element accumulation in the plants accounted for less than 2.5% of the annual loading of each trace element into the wetland. The sediments were the primary sinks for the elements removed from the wastewater. Except for Mn, the concentrations of trace elements in the upper layer (0–5 cm) of the sediment profile tended to be higher than the lower layers (5–10 and 10–15 cm). We conclude that constructed wetlands are still able to efficiently remove metals in the long term (i.e., >10 yr after construction).

Biological volatilization of selenium (Se) in contaminated areas represents an environmentally friendly phytoremediation approach. Implementation of phytovolatilization technology for the remediation of Se-contaminated soils or sediments is oftentimes limited by its low remediation efficiency under field conditions. This greenhouse study determined the feasibility of manipulating soil organic content and hydraulic conditions in a soil-pickleweed (Salicornia bigelovii) system for the enhancement of Se volatilization. Based on annual shoot biomass production rate under field conditions (approximately 1.5 kg m-²), the addition of pickleweed shoot tissues to the soil surface resulted in 2.2-fold more biogenic volatile Se than the control, up to 251.6 ± 140.5 μg m-² d-¹. Selenium volatilization was significantly reduced at a soil water potential of -25 kPa, but substantially increased after re-irrigation to 0 kPa. In a 42-day experiment, the rate of Se volatilization was significantly correlated with soil water potential (P < 0.0001). Findings from this study demonstrate that Se volatilization be substantially enhanced by amending soil with pickleweed residues and by creating wetting and drying cycles that can be monitored with soil water potential probes in the field.

ObjectiveThere is concern that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine may trigger or worsen autoimmune diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of COVID-19 vaccination on symptom severity in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).MethodsA total of 106 enrolled patients with MG who were vaccinated against COVID-19 were followed up, and a questionnaire was used to document in detail the exacerbation of muscle weakness after vaccination and all other uncomfortable reactions after vaccination. Demographic, clinical characteristics, medication, and vaccination data were collected by follow-up interview. The main observation outcome was whether the MG symptoms of patients were exacerbated. The definition of exacerbation is according to the subjective feeling of the patient or a 2-point increase in daily life myasthenia gravis activity score relative to before vaccination, within 30 days after vaccination.ResultsOf 106 enrolled patients [median age (SD) 41.0 years, 38 (35.8%) men, 53 (50.0%) with generalized MG, 74 (69.8%) positive for acetylcholine receptor antibody, and 21 (19.8%) with accompanying thymoma], muscle weakness symptoms were stable in 102 (96.2%) patients before vaccine inoculation. Muscle weakness worsened in 10 (9.4%) people after vaccination, of which 8 patients reported slight symptom worsening that resolved quickly (within a few days). Two (1.9%) of patients showed serious symptom aggravation that required hospitalization.ConclusionOur results suggest that inactivated virus vaccines against COVID-19 may be safe for patients with MG whose condition is stable. Patients with generalized MG may be more likely to develop increased muscle weakness after vaccination.

This field study was conducted to explore the spatial and seasonal changes in total phosphorus and fraction distribution in relation to land uses. Water samples were collected biweekly at four sampling locations, which represented different potential phosphorus sources along the Upper Peruque Creek in Eastern Missouri. Total phosphorus concentrations of >0.8 mg/L appeared sporadically at site 2, downstream of a small community, with an average of 0.82 ± 0.14 mg/L in fall. Particulate phosphorus accounted for approximately 80% of total phosphorus at all sampling sites, except for site 2, where approximately 50 to 75% of dissolved phosphorus was often observed. Approximately 71 and 85% of total phosphorus in the sediment was in the form of iron(III) phosphate at the headwaters and downstream sites, respectively; 29 and 15% was in the form of phytic acid at the two sites. Land uses affect the total phosphorus concentration and alternate phosphorus fraction and speciation in the creek.

Abstract This paper defines an integrated approach using finite element analysis, an artificial neural network (ANN), and a genetic algorithm (GA) for the optimization design of an inner door panel with a tailor-welded blank (TWB) structure, aiming at reducing the weight and enhancing the crashworthiness performances in side-impact collisions. In addition, strength and deformation resistance of the inner door panel are taken into account in the form of constraints in the optimization. First the governing equation of the central processing unit calculation time and the meshing method using the transition region is presented prior to the optimization process. Thus the dimension of the crash model can be controlled efficiently to prepare a fast-speed finite element model required for the later optimization. Then, in the initial design stage, a rough profile of the TWB structure is determined according to the distributions of the removed reinforcements around the inner door panel. Finally, the detailed design combines the ANN and the GA properly to provide an optimal combination of variables selected in the complicated multi-disciplinary problem. The optimal results indicate that the design framework presented here is outstanding with respect to the weight reduction and crashworthiness improvement.

Blank holder force (BHF) is one of the key parameters affecting the process of sheet metal stamping. Numerous researchers have demonstrated two primary failures (wrinkling and tearing) could be avoided if appropriate variable BHF profile was implemented during punch stroke. Several approaches are proposed to determinate optimal BHF by experiment or FEM simulation. In this study, new control objective was adopted based on the definition and analysis of BHF formability window. The PID controller was integrated into FEM code to conduct closed-loop forming simulation of step rectangle box, through which the optimal BHF trajectories were determined for each separated binder. The trajectories were verified on a multipoint variable BHF hydraulic press and showed good effect to avoid wrinkling and tearing. The proposed BHF determination approach in this paper can be applied to stamping parts of different geometry due to the application of new objective, which makes it a robust strategy.