bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Warum wir bei der Behandlung der chronisch-obstruktiven Lungenerkrankung auf die Erkrankung der kleinen Atemwege achten sollten
Authors: Usmani Omar S. , Dhand Rajiv , Lavorini Federico , Price David
Published: August 2022

Seit mehr als 50 Jahren gilt die Erkrankung der kleinen Atemwege als ein Hauptmerkmal der chronisch-obstruktiven Lungenerkrankung (COPD) und als eine der Hauptursachen für die Obstruktion der Atemwege. Erkrankungen der kleinen Atemwege sind sowohl vermeidbar als auch behandelbar und haben schwerwiegende klinische Folgen, wenn sie nicht kontrolliert werden. Die Erkrankung der kleinen Atemwege geht mit schlechten Spirometriewerten, erhöhter Lungenhyperinﬂation und schlechtem Gesundheitszustand einher, so dass die kleinen Atemwege ein wichtiges Behandlungsziel bei COPD darstellen. Die frühzeitige Erkennung von Erkrankungen der kleinen Atemwege ist nach wie vor das Haupthindernis. Wenn sie frühzeitig erkannt werden, können Behandlungen, die auf die kleinen Atemwege abzielen, dazu beitragen, die Symptome zu lindern und es den Patienten zu ermöglichen, ihren Aktivitäten nachzugehen. Es sind Studien erforderlich, um die mögliche Rolle neuer Medikamente und neuartiger Medikamentenformulierungen, Inhalatoren und Inhalationsgeräte bei der Behandlung von Erkrankungen der kleinen Atemwege zu bewerten. Diese Entwicklungen werden dazu beitragen, unsere Behandlung von Erkrankungen der kleinen Atemwege bei Patienten mit COPD zu verbessern.
Verifying Efficacy of Self-Inhalation Training for Velopharyngeal Dysfunction
Authors: Kobayashi Rika , Hagiwara Noriaki , Takazawa Mihiro , Higuchi Nobuya , Tsunoda Koichi
Published: August 2022

Velopharyngeal closure in healthy adults during different tasksObjective: Velopharyngeal dysfunction causes not only resonance problems (so-called “hypernasality”) but also dysphagia, particularly in the elderly. In our previous study, we developed a new inhaling training method to objectively improve velopharyngeal function using the measurement of peak inspiratory flow (PIF) rate, which was effective in all patients. In this study, we clarify the degree of velopharyngeal closure to determine the efficacy of our training to improve the closure mechanism. Methods: Three healthy volunteers performed tasks in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gantry in the supine position. To confirm velopharyngeal function, volunteers were first asked to distinguish the difference in the velum position between the production of a nonnasal (sustained phonation /shi:/) and a nasal (sustained phonation /n:/) sound. They were then asked to inhale forcefully through the mouth from an empty 500-mL plastic bottle. For comparison, volunteers performed exhaling forcefully, then inhaling and exhaling softly, through a straw. Each task was performed for 30 s, and the MRI images were obtained in sagittal sections. Results: Inhaling forcefully from an empty plastic bottle created the strongest velopharyngeal closure between the posterior surface of the velum (soft palate) and the posterior pharyngeal wall in all volunteers. Conclusion: The results of our MRI study supported our training method. Using inhalation through a PIF meter or from a plastic bottle to create resistance strengthens particularly the levator veli palatini muscle for velopharyngeal closure, which may be useful in patients with other acquired velopharyngeal dysfunctions including physiological aging. Also, anyone anywhere can train with plastic bottles.
Dynamic of fish trophic guilds in the plateau-plain gradient in the Paraguay River, Northern Pantanal
Authors: Barbosa Ana Paula Dalbem , Oliveira-Junior Ernandes Sobreira , Muniz Claumir Cesar , Lázaro Wilkinson Lopes , Silva Dionei José , Santos-Filho Manoel dos
Published: August 2022

This study aims to evaluate the dynamics of fish trophic guilds according to the longitudinal gradient of the Paraguay River, northern Pantanal, Brazil. Three river segments were sampled: plateau, confluence and plain. These segments have different physical and biological characteristics, with high water flow in forest areas in plateau and slow flow in meanders, with Pantanal typical vegetation. In total, 26,542 individuals distributed in 130 fish species were collected. The sampled species were characterized in seven trophic guilds. From the seven trophic guilds identified, only three were statistically related to the type of the environment; herbivores were more abundant in the plateau, piscivores in the confluence, and invertivores in the plain. According to values of corrected Akaike Information Criteria, the environmental variable that best explains the abundance of piscivorous fishes in the segments sampled in the Paraguay River was water transparency. For herbivores, the model that explained the variation in abundance was composed by temperature, altitude and dense forest proportion. The variable altitude best represented the abundance of invertivores. Water transparency, temperature, altitude, river width and dense forest proportion were determining factors for the distribution of piscivorous, herbivorous and invertivorous fishes as a response to an environmental gradient that meets its ecological requirements. Understanding the trophic relationships is fundamental for management actions, contributing to the maintenance of ecosystem services of different species. Therefore, future research must be taken into account regarding management and ecological relationships.
Evidências do impacto da religiosidade no gerenciamento de resultados no Brasil
Authors: Santos Simone Miranda dos , Lemes Sirlei , Almeida Neirilaine Silva de
Published: August 2022

A literatura internacional aponta evidências da relação entre religiosidade e os tipos de gerenciamento de resultados em países não adotantes das International Financial Reporting Standards. Diante disso, o objetivo do estudo é investigar a associação entre a religiosidade e o gerenciamento de resultados, em um país adotante das normas internacionais. O gerenciamento de resultados foi estimado por meio dos accruals e das atividades reais para uma amostra de 122 companhias listadas na Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão no período de 2010 a 2017. A religiosidade correspondeu ao percentual de pessoas que declararam possuir religião no município da sede da empresa. Por meio de regressão pelo método Ordinary Least Squares, com dados em painel, verificou-se que a religiosidade está negativamente associada ao gerenciamento de resultados por meio dos accruals e positivamente associada ao gerenciamento de resultados por meio das atividades reais. Esse resultado pode ser explicado pela aversão ao risco, norma social utilizada na literatura para caracterizar os religiosos. Em ambientes religiosos, portanto com maior aversão ao risco segundo essa literatura, o gestor tenderia a utilizar mais o gerenciamento de resultados por meio das atividades reais e menos gerenciamento de resultados por meio dos accruals em função do risco de detecção por auditores e órgãos reguladores. A pesquisa contribui com a expansão do entendimento dos aspectos delineadores da qualidade da informação contábil, sob a vertente do gerenciamento de resultados, bem como incrementa as pesquisas sobre gerenciamento de resultados, ao indicar a religiosidade como variável adicional nos modelos. A medida de religiosidade é uma limitação do estudo, pois a declaração dos respondentes pode diferir da prática e a medida também está sujeita a variações por bairro ou regiões, em empresas localizadas em municípios maiores.
Entrevista com René Depestre, por Eurídice Figueiredo e Maximilien Laroche
Authors: Figueiredo Eurídice
Published: August 2022

Nesta entrevista, realizada em 1981, Eurídice Figueiredo e Maximilien Laroche conversam com o escritor haitiano René Depestre sobre sua obra. A entrevista foi traduzida para este número de Criação & Crítica.
Impact of Device Miniaturization on Insertable Cardiac Monitor Use in the Pediatric Population: An Analysis of the MarketScan Commercial and Medicaid Databases
Authors: Nash Dustin , Katcoff Hannah , Faerber Jennifer , Iyer V. Ramesh , Shah Maully J. , O'Byrne Michael L. , Janson Christopher
Published: August 2022

Background

Insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are effective in the detection of paroxysmal arrhythmias. In 2014, the first miniaturized ICM was introduced with a less invasive implant technique. The impact of this technology on ICM use in pediatric patients has not been evaluated. We hypothesized an increase in annual pediatric ICM implants starting in 2014 attributable to device miniaturization.

Methods and Results

A retrospective observational study was conducted using administrative claims from MarketScan Medicaid and commercial insurance claims databases. Use of ICM between January 2013 and December 2018 was measured (normalized to the total enrolled population ≤18 years) and compared with balancing measures (Holter ambulatory monitors, cardiac event monitors, encounters with syncope diagnosis, implantation of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator/pacemaker). Secondary analyses included evaluations of subsequent interventions and complications. The study cohort included 33 532 185 individual subjects, of which 769 (0.002%) underwent ICM implantation. Subjects who underwent ICM implantation were 52% male sex, with a median age of 16 years (interquartile range, 10–17 years). A history of syncope was present in 71%, palpitations in 43%, and congenital heart disease in 28%. Following release of the miniaturized ICM, use of ICMs increased from 5 procedures per million enrollees in 2013 to 11 per million between 2015 and 2018 (
P
<0.001), while balancing measures remained static. Of 394 subjects with ≥1 year of follow‐up after implantation, interventions included catheter ablation in 24 (6%), pacemaker implantation in 15 (4%), and implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator implantation in 7 (2%).

Conclusions

Introduction of the miniaturized ICM was followed by a rapid increase in pediatric use. The effects on outcomes and value deserve further attention.
Revealing Unforeseen Diagnostic Image Features With Deep Learning by Detecting Cardiovascular Diseases From Apical 4‐Chamber Ultrasounds
Authors: Cheng Li‐Hsin , Bosch Pablo B. J. , Hofman Rutger F. H. , Brakenhoff Timo B. , Bruggemans Eline F. , van der Geest Rob J. , Holman Eduard R.
Published: August 2022

Background

With the increase of highly portable, wireless, and low‐cost ultrasound devices and automatic ultrasound acquisition techniques, an automated interpretation method requiring only a limited set of views as input could make preliminary cardiovascular disease diagnoses more accessible. In this study, we developed a deep learning method for automated detection of impaired left ventricular (LV) function and aortic valve (AV) regurgitation from apical 4‐chamber ultrasound cineloops and investigated which anatomical structures or temporal frames provided the most relevant information for the deep learning model to enable disease classification.

Methods and Results

Apical 4‐chamber ultrasounds were extracted from 3554 echocardiograms of patients with impaired LV function (n=928), AV regurgitation (n=738), or no significant abnormalities (n=1888). Two convolutional neural networks were trained separately to classify the respective disease cases against normal cases. The overall classification accuracy of the impaired LV function detection model was 86%, and that of the AV regurgitation detection model was 83%. Feature importance analyses demonstrated that the LV myocardium and mitral valve were important for detecting impaired LV function, whereas the tip of the mitral valve anterior leaflet, during opening, was considered important for detecting AV regurgitation.

Conclusions

The proposed method demonstrated the feasibility of a 3‐dimensional convolutional neural network approach in detection of impaired LV function and AV regurgitation using apical 4‐chamber ultrasound cineloops. The current study shows that deep learning methods can exploit large training data to detect diseases in a different way than conventionally agreed on methods, and potentially reveal unforeseen diagnostic image features.
von Willebrand Factor: A Central Regulator of Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation Through Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Outward Remodeling
Authors: Laboyrie Suzanne L. , de Vries Margreet R. , de Jong Alwin , de Boer Hetty C. , Lalai Reshma A. , Martinez Laisel , Vazquez‐Padron Roberto I. , Rotmans Joris I.
Published: August 2022

Background

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure is a main limitation of vascular access. Maturation is determined by the intricate balance between outward remodeling and intimal hyperplasia, whereby endothelial cell dysfunction, platelet aggregation, and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation play a crucial role. von Willebrand Factor (vWF) is an endothelial cell–derived protein involved in platelet aggregation and VSMC proliferation. We investigated AVF vascular remodeling in vWF‐deficient mice and vWF expression in failed and matured human AVFs.

Methods and Results

Jugular‐carotid AVFs were created in wild‐type and vWF
−/−
mice. AVF flow was determined longitudinally using ultrasonography, whereupon AVFs were harvested 14 days after surgery. VSMCs were isolated from vena cavae to study the effect of vWF on VSMC proliferation. Patient‐matched samples of the basilic vein were obtained before brachio‐basilic AVF construction and during superficialization or salvage procedure 6 weeks after AVF creation. vWF deficiency reduced VSMC proliferation and macrophage infiltration in the intimal hyperplasia. vWF
−/−
mice showed reduced outward remodeling (1.5‐fold,
P
=0.002) and intimal hyperplasia (10.2‐fold,
P
<0.0001). AVF flow in wild‐type mice was incremental over 2 weeks, whereas flow in vWF
−/−
mice did not increase, resulting in a two‐fold lower flow at 14 days compared with wild‐type mice (
P
=0.016). Outward remodeling in matured patient AVFs coincided with increased local vWF expression in the media of the venous outflow tract. Absence of vWF in the intimal layer correlated with an increase in the intima‐media ratio.

Conclusions

vWF enhances AVF maturation because its positive effect on outward remodeling outweighs its stimulating effect on intimal hyperplasia.
Characterization of Polyvascular Disease in Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Its Association With Circulating Lipoprotein(a) Levels
Authors: Funabashi Sayaka , Kataoka Yu , Hori Mika , Ogura Masatsune , Doi Takahito , Noguchi Teruo , Harada‐Shiba Mariko
Published: August 2022

Background

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) more likely exhibits extensive atherosclerotic disease at multiple vascular beds. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an atherogenic lipoprotein that elevates HeFH‐related atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risks. Whether circulating Lp(a) level associates with polyvascular propagation of atherosclerosis in subjects with HeFH remains uncertain.

Methods and Results

The current study analyzed 370 subjects with clinically diagnosed HeFH who received evaluation of systemic arteries. Polyvascular disease (polyVD) was defined as more than 2 coexisting atherosclerosis conditions including coronary artery disease, carotid stenosis, or peripheral artery disease. Clinical characteristics and lipid features were analyzed in subjects with HeFH and polyVD; 5.7% of patients with HeFH (21/370) had polyVD. They were more likely to have a clustering of risk factors, tendon (
P
<0.001) and skin xanthomas (
P
=0.004), and corneal arcus (
P
=0.026). Furthermore, an elevated Lp(a) level (
P
=0.006) and a greater frequency of Lp(a) level ≥50 mg/dL (
P
<0.001) were observed in subjects with HeFH and polyVD. On multivariable analysis adjusting risk factors and lipid‐lowering agents, Lp(a) ≥50 mg/dL (odds ratio [OR], 5.66 [95% CI, 1.68–19.0],
P
=0.005), age, and family history of premature coronary artery disease independently predicted polyVD in subjects with HeFH. Of note, the prevalence of polyVD rose to 33.3% in patients with HeFH and age >58 years old, family history of premature coronary artery disease, and Lp(a) ≥50 mg/dL (OR, 10.3 [95% CI, 3.12–33.4],
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

An increased level of circulating Lp(a) levels predicted concomitance of polyVD in patients with HeFH. The current findings suggest subjects with HeFH and Lp(a) ≥50 mg/dL as a high‐risk category who require meticulous screening of systemic vascular beds.
Prevalence of Mitral Annulus Disjunction and Mitral Valve Prolapse in Patients With Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation
Authors: Groeneveld Sanne A. , Kirkels Feddo P. , Cramer Maarten J. , Evertz Reinder , Haugaa Kristina H. , Postema Pieter G. , Prakken Niek H. J. , Teske Arco J. , Wilde Arthur A. M. , Velthuis Birgitta K. , Nijveldt Robin , Hassink Rutger J.
Published: August 2022

Background

Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) is diagnosed in patients with ventricular fibrillation of which the origin is not identified after extensive evaluations. Recent studies suggest an association between mitral annulus disjunction (MAD), mitral valve prolapse (MVP), and ventricular arrhythmias. The prevalence of MAD and MVP in patients with IVF in this regard is not well established. We aimed to explore the prevalence of MAD and MVP in a consecutive cohort of patients with IVF compared with matched controls.

Methods and Results

In this retrospective, multicenter cohort study, cardiac magnetic resonance images from patients with IVF (ie, negative for ischemia, cardiomyopathy, and channelopathies) and age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects were analyzed for the presence of MAD (≥2 mm) and MVP (>2 mm). In total, 72 patients (mean age 39±14 years, 42% women) and 72 control subjects (mean age 41±11 years, 42% women) were included. MAD in the inferolateral wall was more prevalent in patients with IVF versus healthy controls (7 [11%] versus 1 [1%],
P
=0.024). MVP was only seen in patients with IVF and not in controls (5 [7%] versus 0 [0%],
P
=0.016). MAD was observed in both patients with (n=4) and without (n=3) MVP.

Conclusions

Inferolateral MAD and MVP were significantly more prevalent in patients with IVF compared with healthy controls. The authors advocate that evaluation of the mitral valve region deserves extra attention in the extensive screening of patients with unexplained cardiac arrest. These findings support further exploration of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying a subset of IVF that associates with MAD and MVP.
Causal Association of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Lifestyle Behaviors With Peripheral Artery Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Approach
Authors: Hoek Anna G. , van Oort Sabine , Elders Petra J. M. , Beulens Joline W. J.
Published: August 2022

Background

We investigated the causal associations between the genetic liability to cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors and peripheral artery disease (PAD), using a Mendelian randomization approach.

Methods and Results

We performed a 2‐sample inverse‐variance weighted Mendelian randomization analysis, multiple sensitivity analyses to assess pleiotropy and multivariate Mendelian randomization analyses to assess mediating/confounding factors. European‐ancestry genomic summary data (
P
<5×10
−8
) for type 2 diabetes, lipid‐fractions, smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption, physical activity, sleep, and education level were selected. Genetic associations with PAD were extracted from the Million‐Veteran‐Program genome‐wide association studies (cases=31 307, controls=211 753, 72% European‐ancestry) and the GoLEAD‐SUMMIT genome‐wide association studies (11 independent genome‐wide association studies, European‐ancestry, cases=12 086, controls=449 548). Associations were categorized as robust (Bonferroni‐significant (
P
<0.00294), consistent over PAD‐cohorts/sensitivity analyses), suggestive (
P
value: 0.00294–0.05, associations in 1 PAD‐cohort/inconsistent sensitivity analyses) or not present. Robust evidence for genetic liability to type 2 diabetes, smoking, insomnia, and inverse associations for higher education level with PAD were found. Suggestive evidence for the genetic liability to higher low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride‐levels, alcohol consumption, and inverse associations for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased sleep duration were found. No associations were found for physical activity and coffee consumption. However, effects fully attenuated for low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides after correcting for apoB, and for insomnia after correcting for body mass index and lipid‐fractions. Nonsignificant attenuation by potential mediators was observed for education level and type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions

Detrimental effects of smoking and type 2 diabetes, but not of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, on PAD were confirmed. Lower education level and insomnia were identified as novel risk factors for PAD; however, complete mediation for insomnia and incomplete mediation for education level by downstream risk factors was observed.
What Does the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ Require of States in Ukraine?
Authors: Barber Rebecca
Published: August 2022

This article considers what the responsibility to protect populations from atrocity crimes (R2P) requires States to do in Ukraine. It begins by considering how the R2P’s ‘three-pillar’ implementation strategy is to be understood in relation to a situation in which atrocities are being perpetrated not by a State against its own population but by an aggressor State; and then considers the parallels between what is required of States by the political commitment to the R2P, and what is required by the legal obligations to prevent genocide and to cooperate to end serious breaches of peremptory norms. The second part of the article then considers a series of options that may be pursued by States in fulfilment of their R2P and corresponding legal obligations, from options falling short of military intervention (including legal proceedings, economic and diplomatic sanctions and military assistance) through to the possibilities of unilateral military intervention and UN peacekeeping.
A Hyperspectral Inversion Model of Forest Soil Organic Carbon in Subtropical Red Soil Area Based on Orthogonal Partial Least Square
Authors: Zhao Junyu , Jiang Lin , Shi Yuanyuan , Tang Jian , Wu Lichao , Cao Jizhao , Qin Zuoyu
Published: August 2022

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a measureable component of soil organic matter, the widely used partial least squares (PLS) have limited ability in screening variables, a large amount of redundancy in soil hyperspectral data leads to the complexity and instability of the inversion model.
In this study, the Eucalyptus plantation soil in subtropical red soil area of southern China was analyzed, orthogonal partial least square (OPLS) was applied to construct models, combined with recursive feature elimination (RFE) for bands screening, and the organic carbon content inversion
models with full-band, significant-band, and an RFE feature set was established. The results showed that the number of important principal components of the OPLS inversion model was lower than that of PLS, indicating that the addition of orthogonal verification improved accuracy in the selection
of independent variables. Using first derivative and logarithmic first derivative transformation can significantly reduce the redundant data and enhance the sensitivity of hyperspectra to SOC. In conclusion, the OPLS method improves the prediction of traditional SOC linear modelling, reduces
the number of dependent variables, and the amount of computation during modelling, which significantly improves the accuracy and stability of the established models.
Study on the Conditions of Photocatalysis and Biodegradation Coupled Intimately for Degradation of 1,2,3- and 1,3,5-Trichlorobenzene
Authors: Wang Jue , Abdoulaye Maman Galandi , Jiang Zhongqin , Xiao Bing , Zhang Jiaming , Liang Yinna , Xiong Jianhua , Chen Guoning , Zhu Hongxiang , Zhao J. R.
Published: August 2022

With the increasing environmental pollution, it is urgently needed to develop efficient methods to remove recalcitrant organic pollutants. Herein, intimately coupled photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) technology was fabricated using bagasse cellulose-TiO2 composite
(SBC-TiO2) as the carrier for photocatalyst and biofilm, Trichoderma mixed with activated sludge as a novel biological source for the removal of 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene (1,2,3-TCB) and 1,3,5-Trichlorobenzene (1,3,5-TCB). The effects of different degradation conditions (carrier
dosage, pH of reaction solution, and light intensity) on the degradation efficiency were investigated separately. Under the optimal process conditions (carrier dosage of 5%, pH of the reaction solution was 5, and light intensity was 700 lm/m2), the removal rates of 1,2,3- and 1,3,5-TCB
reached 92.02% and 95.00% within 6 h, respectively. The degradation rate of TCB and the variation of microbial dehydrogenase activity (DHA) showed that the ICPB system exhibited good photocatalytic performance and biodegradation stability.
Gold-enhanced current-volt dielectrode junction for biosensing with an aptamer-insulin-like growth factor-1-antibody sandwich pattern
Authors: Liu Lanbo , Gopinath Subash C. B. , Wu Yuan Seng , Zhao Weichao
Published: August 2022

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a hormone comprising seventy amino acids that is a key regulator of muscle and bone health and is highly related to the development of cancer. An aptamer-antibody sandwich assay was performed to determine the presence of IGF1 on a gold nanoparticle-enhanced dielectrode junctional sensing surface by using this surface as a transducer. High-resolution microscopy observations showed the characteristics of the sensing surface and gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticle-enhanced surface induces high immobilization of the anti-IGF1 aptamer and enhances the interactions of IGF1. With this probe surface, the aptamer-IGF1-antibody sandwich assay resulted in an increased current for each different solution concentration of IGF1, and the detection limit was 0.5 pg/mL with anR2value of 0.9631 on a linear calibration curve with IGF1 solution concentrations of 1–16 pg/mL. In addition, IGF1-spiked serum reached a similar limit of detection of 0.5 pg/mL, confirming that selective IGF1 detection occurred for the biological sample.
Tropical Anomalies Associated with the Interannual Variability of the Cross-Equatorial Flows over the Maritime Continent in Boreal Summer
Authors: Zhao Xiaoxuan , Lu Riyu , Dong Buwen , Hong Xiaowei , Liu Junqi , Sun Jianqi
Published: August 2022

In this study, we investigate circulation, convection, and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies associated with interannual variability of the cross-equatorial flow (CEF) intensity over the Maritime Continent (MC) in boreal summer. Observational diagnostics show that strengthened CEF is associated with large-scale circulation anomalies featuring weakened Walker circulation, upper-level northeasterly anomalies across the MC, and lower-level cyclonic anomalies over the tropical western North Pacific (WNP). Further analyses indicate that strengthened CEF is associated with both La Niña–like SST anomalies in the preceding winter and El Niño–like SST anomalies in the simultaneous summer. These relationships between CEF and ENSO are established by two key convection regions: enhanced convection over WNP and depressed convection over the MC. A linear baroclinic model is applied here to further discuss the causality between circulation and convection. Results suggest that both the WNP heating and MC cooling can induce the strengthened CEF. Moreover, the stability of the relationship between CEF and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is also discussed. Results show that the relationship between CEF and SST anomalies in the simultaneous summer is stable and remains significant, whereas that between CEF and SST anomalies in the preceding winter experienced a decadal strengthening around 1997/98 from insignificant to significant. After 1998, the preceding winter ENSO is followed by strong summer SST anomalies in the MC that significantly affect CEF via modulating local convection. However, this ENSO–summer MC SST relationship is weak before 1997, failing to establish the relationship between the preceding ENSO and CEF.
ENSO Asymmetry in CMIP6 Models
Authors: Zhao Yaodi , Sun De-Zheng
Published: August 2022

An interesting aspect of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is the asymmetry between its two phases. This paper evaluates the simulations of this property of ENSO by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) models. Both the surface and subsurface signals of ENSO are examined for this purpose. The results show that the models still underestimate ENSO asymmetry as shown in the SST field, but do a better job in the subsurface. A much weaker negative feedback from the net surface heat flux during La Niña in the models is identified as a factor causing the degradation of the ENSO asymmetry at the surface. The simulated asymmetry in the subsurface is still weaker than the observations owing to a weaker dynamic coupling between the atmosphere and ocean. Consistent with the finding of a weaker dynamic coupling strength, the precipitation response to the SST changes is also found to be weaker in the models. The results underscore that a more objective assessment of the simulation of ENSO by climate models may have to involve the examination of the subsurface signals. Future improvements in simulating ENSO will likely require a better simulation of the surface heat flux feedback from the atmosphere as well as the dynamical coupling strength between the atmosphere and ocean.

Significance Statement

The ENSO phenomenon affects weather and climate worldwide. An interesting aspect of this phenomenon is the asymmetry between its two phases. Previous studies have reported a weaker asymmetry in the simulations by climate models. But these studies have focused on the ENSO asymmetry at the surface. Here by examining the ENSO asymmetry at the surface and the subsurface, we have found that ENSO asymmetry is better simulated in the subsurface than at the surface. We have also identified factors that are responsible for the degradation of the ENSO asymmetry at the surface as well as the remaining weakness in the subsurface, pointing out specific pathways to take to further improve ENSO simulations by coupled climate models.
Seasonality and Variability of Snowfall to Total Precipitation Ratio over High Mountain Asia Simulated by the GFDL High-Resolution AM4
Authors: Dong Wenhao , Ming Yi
Published: August 2022

The ratio of snowfall to total precipitation (S/P ratio) is an important metric that is widely used to detect and monitor hydrologic responses to climate change over mountainous areas. Changes in the S/P ratio over time have proved to be reliable indicators of climatic warming. In this study, the seasonality and interannual variability of monthly S/P ratios over High Mountain Asia (HMA) have been examined during the period 1950–2014 based on a three-member ensemble of simulations using the latest GFDL AM4 model. The results show a significant decreasing trend in S/P ratios during the analysis period, which has mainly resulted from reductions in snowfall, with increases in total precipitation playing a secondary role. Significant regime shifts in S/P ratios are detected around the mid-1990s, with rainfall becoming the dominant form of precipitation over HMA after the changepoints. Attribution analysis demonstrates that increases in rainfall during recent decades were primarily caused by a transformation of snowfall to rainfall as temperature warmed. A logistic equation is used to explore the relationship between the S/P ratio and surface temperature, allowing calculation of a threshold temperature at which the S/P ratio equals 50% (i.e., precipitation is equally likely to take the form of rainfall or snowfall). These temperature thresholds are higher over higher elevations. This study provides an extensive evaluation of simulated S/P ratios over the HMA that helps clarify the seasonality and interannual variability of this metric over the past several decades. The results have important socioeconomic and environmental implications, particularly with respect to water management in Asia under climate change.
Seasonal and Year-To-Year Variability of Boundary Currents and Eddy Salt Flux along the Eastern and Southern Coasts of Sri Lanka Observed by PIES and Satellite Measurements
Authors: Anutaliya A. , Send U. , McClean J. L. , Sprintall J. , Lankhorst M. , Lee C. M. , Rainville L. , Priyadarshani W. N. C. , Jinadasa S. U. P.
Published: August 2022

Boundary currents along the Sri Lankan eastern and southern coasts serve as a pathway for salt exchange between the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea basins in the northern Indian Ocean, which are characterized by their contrasting salinities. Measurements from two pairs of pressure-sensing inverted echo sounders (PIES) deployed along the Sri Lankan eastern and southern coasts as well as satellite measurements are used to understand the variability of these boundary currents and the associated salt transport. The volume transport in the surface (0–200-m depth) layer exhibits a seasonal cycle associated with the monsoonal wind reversal and interannual variability associated with the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD). In this layer, the boundary currents transport low-salinity water out of the Bay of Bengal during the northeast monsoon and transport high-salinity water into the Bay of Bengal during the fall monsoon transition of some years (e.g., 2015 and 2018). The Bay of Bengal salt input increases during the 2016 negative IOD as the eastward flow of high-salinity water during the fall monsoon transition intensifies, whereas the effect of the 2015/16 El Niño on the Bay of Bengal salt input is still unclear. The time-mean eddy salt flux over the upper 200 m estimated for the April 2015–March 2019 period along the eastern coast accounts for 9% of the salt budget required to balance an estimated 0.13 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) of annual freshwater input into the Bay of Bengal. The time-mean eddy salt flux over the upper 200 m estimated for the December 2015–November 2019 period along the southern coast accounts for 27% of that same salt budget.

Significance Statement

In the northern Indian Ocean, the highly saline Arabian Sea undergoes extreme evaporation while the Bay of Bengal (BoB) receives excess freshwater input. The focus of this study is the role of the observed time-variable circulation around Sri Lanka that permits the exchange between these basins to maintain their salinity distributions. The circulation fluctuates seasonally following the monsoon wind reversal and interannually in response to large-scale climate modes. The BoB freshwater export around Sri Lanka occurs during the northeast monsoon, whereas saline water import occurs during the fall monsoon transition of some years. However, rapid changes in both water volume transport and salt exchange can occur. The circulation over 0–200-m depth transports ∼9%–27% of the BoB salt budget.
The evolution of charcoal-burning suicide: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Yeung Cheuk Yui , Men Vera Yu , Yip Paul Siu Fai
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

Suicide by charcoal burning has accounted for more than 100,000 deaths. It has become an increasingly common suicide method in Hong Kong since first reported in 1998, and it has spread into South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and other countries. This systematic scoping review aimed to explore current evidence on trends, risk factors, impact of media and prevention strategies for this suicide method, and to identify research gaps.

Methods:

A search for articles published from January 1998 to June 2021 was conducted through electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and PsycINFO) with the keywords (suicide*) AND (charcoal). Articles describing prevalence, trends, characteristics, risk factors and prevention strategies of charcoal burning suicide deaths were included. Non-peer-reviewed articles, non-English articles, commentaries/editorials/letters, poster abstracts, reviews, meta-analyses and studies that documented only charcoal burning suicide attempters/survivors were excluded.

Results:

Eighty-eight studies were identified, most from East Asia. Charcoal burning suicide rates in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan has passed the peak, while continuing to increase in South Korea. Risk factors are changing and not static. Media appears to play an important role in triggering and spreading information. Restricting access to charcoal, and raising public awareness have been effective in the short term in preventing charcoal burning suicide, but there is little information on their long-term effectiveness or sustainability.

Discussion:

More research is required to update the development and dynamic changes of charcoal burning suicide and the contributing factors. The evidence from this review may assist in detecting and intervening early for future novel suicide methods.
Déconstruire le piédestal catholique, se réapproprier le corps et s’affirmer comme sujet : une analyse de la notion de maternité dans L’autre Parole (1976–2021)
Authors: Foisy Catherine
Published: August 2022

This article analyses how the Quebec Christian feminist collective, L’autre Parole, has treated maternity in its eponymous journal since 1976. It shows how Mary and the idea of a feminine vocation, both framed by the Catholic Magisterium as maternal by essence, are contested and deconstructed by L’autre Parole. This collective has developed an alternative discourse to Catholic teachings on the woman, in which motherhood (biological or spiritual) is elevated as the exclusive and ultimate horizon and vocation of a woman. An analysis of the collective’s discourse and symbolic practices related to issues surrounding maternity (abortion, new reproductive technologies, and activists’ mothers-daughters relationships) illustrates the evolution of the radical and materialist feminist stance. Without losing sight of conceptual tools like gender relations and collective ownership of women, it integrates eco-feminist thought and adopts a non-hierarchical perspective with respect to life and the defence of women’s rights.
Longitudinal Impacts of Simulated Long-Duration Spaceflight Missions on Operationally Relevant Measures of Human Performance Using a Portable Simulation Platform
Authors: Stankovic Aleksandra S. , Pryputniewicz Alyssa , Holder Sherrie , York Stephen P. , Handley Patrick M. , Karasinski John A. , Robinson Stephen K. , West John J. , Duda Kevin R.
Published: August 2022

Objective

This project quantifies operationally relevant measures of flight performance and workload in a high-fidelity long-duration spaceflight analog, longitudinally across mission duration, using a portable simulation platform.

Background

Real-time performance measures allow for the objective assessment of task performance and the timely identification of performance degradations.

Methods

Measures of flight performance on a piloted lunar lander task were collected on 32 total crewmembers across 8 simulated space missions of 45 days each (623 total sessions).

Results

Mission duration demonstrated a significant effect on measures of flight performance across all campaigns. Flight measures showed a general pattern of peaking in accuracy during the middle-late quartiles of overall mission time, then degrading again towards baseline. On the workload measure, however, a general linear decrease in workload consistent with progressive task learning was observed in both campaigns.

Conclusion

This investigation demonstrated the disruptive effect of time in mission on some, but not all, aspects of task performance. While mission interval differentially impacted measures of flight accuracy, workload, by contrast, seemed to steadily decrease with in-mission time.

Application

While more work is needed, the observed discrepancy between progression of flight performance and workload assessment highlights the importance of sensitive and specific measurement tools for the tracking of distinct performance metrics.
A global extended extreme learning machine combined with electronic nose for identifying tea gas information
Authors: Wang Chao , Yang Jizheng , Wu Qing
Published: August 2022

To enhance the detection performance of electronic nose (e-nose), a recognition method of gas feature based on a global extended extreme learning machine (GEELM) is proposed, which combines the expansion factor and global balance coefficient to expand and balance the difference between categories, and improve the classification performance. Then this method is applied to identify the quality of tea. Firstly, the dragging factor and following matrix are introduced to increase the distance between classes. Secondly, the global identification coefficient is introduced further to increase the feature differences among different types of tea, and improve the classification stability. Finally, under different feature sets, the classification performance of multi-pattern recognition methods is compared to prove the effectiveness of GEELM in e-nose gas feature recognition. The results show that GEELM has the best classification accuracy of 98.20%, F1-score of 0.9871, and Kappa coefficient of 0.9775. In conclusion, GEELM can be an effective technique to identify gas features, and it also provides a new method for tea quality measurement.
Political Spectacle and the Decline of Public Education in Botswana
Authors: Suping Kekgaoditse
Published: August 2022

Botswana has achieved a lot in education development since the country’s independence in 1966. Public education funding and access increased significantly, literacy rates rose, more schools were constructed and student enrolment rates increased at both primary and secondary schools. However, this paper argues that Botswana’s education system has been declining over the past 10 years, but that is concealed by the use of political spectacle. The data collected from secondary sources were used and subjected to content analysis. The findings show high public education expenditure and access in Botswana, but high failure rates; success narratives and pronouncements without commitment to educational effectiveness and efficiency; massive construction of public schools, but poor teaching–learning conditions; and trivialization of meaningful education reforms. This paper concludes by recommending the introduction of learner-friendly methods of assessment, improving teacher–government relations, the inclusion of stakeholders in education decision-making and the implementation of cost–benefit and cost-effectiveness measures in Botswana’s education.
Why Separatists’ Communication Messages Succeed (or Fail): The Contributing Role of Socio-Economic Status on Adherence to IPOB Directives among Residents of South-East Nigeria
Authors: Isaac Madukwe Chinyere , Talabi Felix Olajide , Sanusi Bernice O. , Okunade Joshua Kayode , Pauline Ogbonne Ijeoma , Ajaebili Nnamdi C. , Verlumun Celestine Gever
Published: August 2022

The objective of this study was to examine the contributing role of socio-economic status on adherence to directives from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) separatist group. A descriptive survey was used for the study, while 325 participants were sampled using the respondents’ chain referral sampling technique. The study showed that socio-economic factors such as income, education and employment status contribute 35.5% to determine compliance with IPOB directives. The results of the multiple regression analysis achieved a statistical significance, R2 = 0.355, p = 0.001, F(3,310) = 51.524. Finally, we explored the implication of these results on Integrated Separatist Agitation Theory and highlighted the scholarly and practical implications.
Analyzing Participation in the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda
Authors: Nyseth Nzitatira Hollie , Edgerton Jared F , Frizzell Laura C
Published: August 2022

Recent studies of genocide have yielded varying estimates of the number and characteristics of people who engaged in violence. We address these disparities in estimates for one well-studied case: the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Using novel data from Rwanda’s post-genocide gacaca courts, we provide updated estimates regarding participants. Specifically, we find that between 847,233 and 888,307 people participated in the genocide, with 181,280 to 190,113 people found guilty of only violent offenses, 618,164 to 654,152 individuals found guilty of only property crimes, and 44,042 to 47,789 individuals found guilty of both property and violent crimes. In total, we estimate that between 229,069 and 234,155 individuals were found guilty of a violent offense, including those who committed violent offenses as well as both violent and property offenses. These results align with past research, representing an important convergence of evidence regarding participation in this genocide. We also calculate specific characteristics of participants, finding that nearly 90% of all participants were men and that the median age for all participants was 34. Although most participants committed a single crime, between 215,124 and 222,522 people were found guilty of multiple crimes. Approximately 6% of people accounted for 25% of the property crimes, while 11% of people accounted for 25% of the violent crimes. These findings provide foundational information about one of the deadliest episodes of mass violence in the 20th century.
Powerful or Disempowering Knowledge? The Teaching of Sociology in English Schools and Colleges
Authors: Cant Sarah , Chatterjee Anwesa
Published: August 2022

While studying sociology can be empowering and transformative, fostering criticality and reflexivity, this capacity is not being sufficiently harnessed in school/college-based delivery in England. A large survey of sociology teachers revealed that they are required to teach outdated and sometimes discredited studies, which can reinforce rather than challenge stereotypes held by the privileged and which can be disempowering for those students who cannot recognise their own experiences. This article provides a unique insight into the ways that school/college curricula reinforce inequality and contributes to important debates within the sociology of education. Specifically, the article argues that the work being undertaken to decolonise the curriculum in universities, through challenging structural and discursive operations of power, should also inform the revision of school/college specifications. The lessons from this study can be usefully applied to the teaching of sociology beyond England and indeed to other subject disciplines.
Research on colored yarns for a full color phase mixing model and the Stearns–Noechel color prediction approach
Authors: Sun Xianqiang , Xue Yuan , Xu Qingchen , Shen Jiajia , Xu Zhiwu
Published: August 2022

Using the binary coupled mixing algorithm as the foundation, the full color phase mixing mode of six primary colored fibers is proposed, a full color phase mixing model containing 60 grid points is established, and the corresponding color mixing chromatography is provided. Inside the construction of the full color phase mixing model, 30 grid points are chosen in a gradient of 20%, and 30 colored yarns of six color systems are spun according to the mixing ratios of the binary primary colored fibers corresponding to the grid points. Taking 30 colored yarns as samples, the approach of determining the reflectance conversion coefficient ( M value) with the spectral wavelength and the mixing ratios of binary primary colored fibers as independent variables is derived by the Stearns–Noechel algorithm; a method for predicting the colors of fabrics by the mixing ratios of fibers and predicting the mixing ratios of fibers by the colors of fabrics is proposed. It is demonstrated that the reflectance conversion coefficient in the Stearns–Noechel color prediction equation is related to both the spectral wavelength and the mixing ratios of the primary colored fibers; the colors of the forming yarns can be forecasted using the mixing ratios of the primary colored fibers in the full color phase mixing model, and the mixing ratios of the primary colored fibers in the model can also be predicted by the colors of the yarns.