bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Processuridia, a new genus for two new species from China and Indochina (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini)
Authors: HUANG SI-YAO , VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , ZHU LI-JUAN , XU YONG-QIANG , WANG MIN , FAN XIAO-LING , DA WA
Published: February 2022

A new Nudariina genus, Processuridia S.-Y. Huang & Volynkin gen. n. is erected for two new species described herein: Processuridia thangka S.-Y. Huang & Volynkin sp. n. from southeastern Xizang, southwestern China and P. oreas Volynkin & S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from southeastern Yunnan, southwestern China and Mt. Fansipan, northern Vietnam, with P. thangka sp. n. as the type species of the genus. Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis, the new genus is found to be sister to the clade (Asuridia Hampson + Disasuridia Fang), but it can be easily distinguished from both genera by the unique wing pattern and genitalia features. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated.
New species and records of braconid wasps from Farasan Archipelago (Jazan), Saudi Arabia, with notes on Diolcogaster mayae Shestakov
Authors: EL-GHIET USAMA M. ABU , EDMARDASH YUSUF A. , GADALLAH NEVEEN S.
Published: February 2022

Two new species of the genus Aleiodes Wesmael, 1838 (Braconidae: Rogadinae) and one new species of Avga Nixon, 1940 (Braconidae: Pambolinae), collected from Farasan Islands, Jazan, south-western part of Saudi Arabia, are described and illustrated: Aleiodes farasanensis Gadallah & Edmardash, sp. nov., A. subpallidator Edmardash & Gadallah, sp. nov. (Rogadinae), and Avga saudita Gadallah & Edmardash, sp. nov. The braconid subfamilies Gnamptodontinae, Hormiinae and Pambolinae are recorded here for the first time for the Arabian Peninsula, as well as the genera Adelius Haliday, 1833 (Cheloninae) and Braconella Szépligeti, 1906 (Braconinae). Coccygidium luteum (Brullé, 1846) and the genera, Diolcogaster Ashmead, 1900 (Microgastrinae) and Yelicones Cameron, 1887 (Rogadinae) are new records for Saudi Arabia. The hitherto unknown male of Braconella minor Szépligeti, 1906 (Braconinae) is described for the first time. A new form (form D) of Diolcogaster mayae (Shestakov, 1932) (Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from the Farasan Islands is described, illustrated, and compared with the previous forms collected in Iran and other countries.
Turbulent Heat Flux, Downward Longwave Radiation, and Large-Scale Atmospheric Circulation Associated with Wintertime Barents–Kara Sea Extreme Sea Ice Loss Events
Authors: Zheng Cheng , Ting Mingfang , Wu Yutian , Kurtz Nathan , Orbe Clara , Alexander Patrick , Seager Richard , Tedesco Marco
Published: February 2022

We investigate wintertime extreme sea ice loss events on synoptic to subseasonal time scales over the Barents–Kara Sea, where the largest sea ice variability is located. Consistent with previous studies, extreme sea ice loss events are associated with moisture intrusions over the Barents–Kara Sea, which are driven by the large-scale atmospheric circulation. In addition to the role of downward longwave radiation associated with moisture intrusions, which is emphasized by previous studies, our analysis shows that strong turbulent heat fluxes are associated with extreme sea ice melting events, with both turbulent sensible and latent heat fluxes contributing, although turbulent sensible heat fluxes dominate. Our analysis also shows that these events are connected to tropical convective anomalies. A dipole pattern of convective anomalies with enhanced convection over the Maritime Continent and suppressed convection over the central to eastern Pacific is consistently detected about 6–10 days prior to extreme sea ice loss events. This pattern is associated with either the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) or El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Composites show that extreme sea ice loss events are connected to tropical convection via Rossby wave propagation in the midlatitudes. However, tropical convective anomalies alone are not sufficient to trigger extreme sea ice loss events, suggesting that extratropical variability likely modulates the connection between tropical convection and extreme sea ice loss events.
Subseasonal Temporal Clustering of Extreme Precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere: Regionalization and Physical Drivers
Authors: Tuel Alexandre , Martius Olivia
Published: February 2022

Temporal clustering of extreme precipitation (TCEP) at subseasonal time scales often results in major impacts on humans and ecosystems. Assessment and mitigation of the risk of such events requires characterization of their weather/climate drivers and their spatial dependence. Here, we introduce a regionalization method that identifies coherent regions in which the likelihood of subseasonal TCEP exhibits similar dependence to large-scale dynamics. We apply this method to each season in the Northern Hemisphere using ERA5 reanalysis data. The analysis yields spatially coherent regions, primarily at high latitudes and along the eastern margins of ocean basins. We analyze the large-scale and synoptic conditions associated with TCEP in several of the identified regions, in light of three key ingredients: lifting, moisture availability, and persistence in synoptic conditions. We find that TCEP is often directly related to distinct cyclone and blocking frequency anomalies and upper-level wave patterns. Blocking and associated Rossby wave breaking are particularly relevant at high latitudes and midlatitudes. At upper levels, meridional wave patterns dominate; however, in western Europe and parts of North America, TCEP is sometimes associated with zonally extended wave patterns. The flow features associated with TCEP in the eastern Pacific and eastern Atlantic Oceans exhibit similarities. For some regions, moisture flux anomalies are present during clustering episodes whereas in others forced lifting alone is sufficient to trigger heavy precipitation. Our results provide new information on the dynamics and spatial dependence of TCEP that may be relevant for the subseasonal prediction of clustering episodes.
Maintenance of the Basin-Dependent Quasi-Biweekly Mode in the Indian Ocean during Summer
Authors: Li Kuiping , He Qin , Yang Yang , Li Zhi , Yu Weidong
Published: February 2022

The atmospheric 10–20-day quasi-biweekly mode (QBWM) significantly modulates the active–break spells of the South Asian monsoon. Current knowledge, however, is limited concerning the diversity of the QBWM in the Indian Ocean (IO). Based on extended empirical orthogonal function analysis, two dominant summer modes are constructed in the IO. The first mode (QBWM1) generally depicts IO basin-dependent variability, while the second mode (QBWM2) exhibits a close relationship with the northwestern Pacific. QBWM1 initiates in the equatorial western IO and propagates toward the eastern IO along the equator. Two Rossby wave cells evolve in the off-equatorial eastern IO when convection encounters the Maritime Continent, and subsequently the northern cell develops and moves westward in the South Asian monsoon region. In contrast, QBWM2 originates in the northwestern Pacific and passes westward across the South Asian monsoon region in the form of convectively coupled Rossby waves. The maintenance mechanism of the peculiar IO basin-dependent QBWM1 is understood in terms of moisture dynamics. Significant moisture anomalies are found to precondition convection initiation in the western IO and subsequent eastward movement along the equator. Afterward, two off-equatorial moisture centers are generated in the double Rossby wave cells along with convection dissipation in the eastern IO, and the moisture anomalies are delivered from the southern cell toward the convection initiation area in the western IO via a moisture conveyor belt without coupling with convection. Moisture budget analysis indicates that the horizontal moisture advection associated with QBWM1 is regulated by the mean clockwise circulation in the tropical IO.
The Diversity of ENSO Evolution during the Typical Decaying Periods Determined by an ENSO Developing Mode
Authors: Yang Xianke , Huang Ping
Published: February 2022

The evolution of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is an essential predictor for global climate anomalies, but ENSO’s effect is regulated by the considerable diversity of post-ENSO evolution. This study identified that there coexist a decaying mode and a developing mode of ENSO in the ENSO decaying periods (from September to August) through empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and extended EOF analyses. The diversity of ENSO evolution during the decaying periods is actually determined by the ENSO developing mode, which is unsteady and susceptible to other signals, whereas the ENSO decaying mode is quite steady. Using multiple datasets, segmented datasets, and sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs)-residual EOF, the key signals related to the diversity of ENSO evolution are identified and verified in the South Atlantic and equatorial South Pacific. Based on the decaying and developing modes, a prediction model was constructed to predict the boreal summer Niño-3 index. The ENSO developing mode, explaining very small variance, plays a decisive role in determining the prediction of the summer SSTAs in the Pacific. The forecasting skill of summer ENSO can also be greatly improved when continuous SSTAs and interbasin interactions in the whole tropics are considered. This prediction result indicates that identified precursory disturbance signals and interbasin interactions for ENSO development are crucial for boreal summer ENSO prediction.

Significance Statement

ENSO often shows great diversity in the temporal evolution during post-ENSO periods, thus limiting the predictability of tropical SSTAs in the following spring and summer. Identifying the signal impacting the diversity of ENSO is crucial for predicting ENSO. Here, we offer a new understanding of the essence of ENSO’s temporal diversity from the perspective of interbasin interactions. We identified that the ENSO typical decaying period contains a steady decaying mode and an unsteady developing mode simultaneously, and the developing mode induces the great diversity in ENSO’s evolution during post-ENSO periods. Two signals located in the South Atlantic and equatorial South Pacific are recognized as the main sources influencing the diversity of ENSO evolution.
Impact of Combined Assimilation of Wind Profiler and Doppler Radar Data on a Convective-Scale Cycling Forecasting System
Authors: Wang Cheng , Chen Min , Chen Yaodeng
Published: February 2022

The two types of wind observations, profiler and radar radial velocity, have been successfully assimilated into numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems. However, the added value of profiler data, especially from a densely deployed profiler network, is unknown when assimilated together with Doppler radar radial velocity. In this article, two combined assimilation strategies of profilers along with radar radial winds are compared within a convective-scale data assimilation (DA) framework. In strategy I, the profiler data are assimilated with conventional observations to generate an intermediate analysis that acts as a prior for radar data assimilation. In strategy II, both profiler and radar data are considered as storm-scale and assimilated within the same pass. Single- and dual-observation assimilation experiments indicate that for strategy I, the profiler DA improvement can be partly canceled by the potentially negative impact of the assimilation of single-radar radial velocity afterward, particularly when the radial wind is nearly orthogonal to the prevailing wind. For strategy II, important complements are provided when profilers are assimilated within the same pass along with radial winds. The diagnostics for a low-level jet case demonstrate that both strategies facilitate improved analyses and forecasts. But strategy II may bring more moderate analysis increments, which indicate mutual constraints of the profiler and radial winds when assimilated within the same pass. The results obtained in 1-month, retrospective cycling experiments also show that the strategy II outperforms the strategy I with slightly better wind and precipitation forecasts.

Significance Statement

Due to the high spatial–temporal wind information provided by profiler and radar radial velocity measurements, their combined assimilation would be expected to improve wind analysis. To fully utilize dense profiler data and radar radial wind in future operational applications, this study proposes a suitable assimilation strategy. If the profilers are defined as synoptic-scale observations, the profiler and Doppler radar data must be assimilated in different passes to adopt different length and variance scales. Whereas it is more reasonable to use a small background correlation length consistent with the radial velocity and, therefore, assimilate in the same pass if the profiler data are considered to better sample storm-scale features. Single- and dual-observation experiments indicate that profiler data provide important complements, while the assimilation of single-radar radial wind may yield analyzed wind results that do not depict the ground truth. A low-level jet case and a 1-month impact study further show that the combined assimilation strategy of assimilating both profiler and Doppler radar using smaller background correlation lengths enhances the analysis and forecasting of wind, resulting in more accurate accumulated precipitation forecasts.
Industry Repertoires: How Transgressive and Conventional Industry Associations Seek to Counter Contention
Authors: Walker Edward T. , Vasi Ion B.
Published: February 2022

While considerable attention has been devoted to the repertoires of social movements, we know considerably less about how the repertoires of industry groups evolve as those industries face movement-driven contention. This is particularly important for environmental movements, which regularly target industries seen as contributing to environmental harms and risks. Focusing on contention surrounding hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), we compare the repertoires of the two central industry associations promoting fracking in the Marcellus Shale region of the United States: one that is more transgressive and likely to counter-attack activists (Energy in Depth) and one that is more conventional and likely to tout the industry’s economic benefits (Marcellus Shale Coalition). We examine the tone and topical content of each of these industry groups’ communications between 2009 and 2019. We examine a number of specific features of industry groups’ communications: whether they use a more positive or negative tone, and the extent to which their communications address activism, government regulation, jobs/economy, and climate change. We find that the more transgressive association focuses far more directly on countering activism, both in the timing and content of communications. Both engage with government roughly evenly, and each engages with the politics of climate change in unique ways. We develop insights for our understanding of how targets strategically respond to environmental activism, and how industry groups develop a meta-level division of labor to engage multiple audiences.
Reflections on ubuntu theology in a British urban context: Christian koinonia, kenosis and the ummah
Authors: DuCille Deborah Joy
Published: February 2022

]In a super-diverse city such as Birmingham in the United Kingdom, inner-city Anglican churches are frequently situated within a range of communities, holding different worldviews both within and without the church walls, impacting any subsequent understanding of relational life, or koinonia. This paper seeks to reflect on aspects of relational life in my own context, using Desmond Tutu’s ubuntu theology as a lens through which to critique shared, lived experience. I conclude that ubuntu theology may facilitate a rediscovery of ancient ways of thinking, that extends an invitation to the Anglican church in Western contexts to re-envision Trinitarian ecclesiologies.
Establishment of risk quality control charts based on risk management strategies
Authors: Zeng Yuping , Peng Shiyun , Meng Liye , Huang Hengjian
Published: February 2022

Background

Risk management strategies have been proposed for applications in clinical laboratories to reduce patient risks; however, effective and visual risk-monitoring tools are currently lacking in medical laboratories. In this study, we constructed a risk quality control (QC) chart based on risk management strategies.

Methods

We calculated the risk levels of QC materials based on Bayes' theorem by combining the total allowable error, QC results, and the maximum number of unacceptable errors in the laboratory. Then, we constructed a risk QC chart by presenting the Z values and corresponding risk levels of QC materials simultaneously. Finally, we evaluated the risk-monitoring capabilities of the risk QC charts by simulating different long-term errors in the laboratory.

Results

The risk levels of QC materials increased as the QC results moved further away from the set mean. Larger sigma values led to fewer risks obtained for the same QC results. The constructed risk QC charts intuitively showed specific risk levels and could warn lab staff out-of-control, without the need for QC rules to make judgments. The risk levels of erroneous results differed for items with different sigma performance.

Conclusions

Risk-based QC charts allowed visualization of the QC results and specific risk levels simultaneously, providing more intuitive results than those obtained from traditional QC charts.
Association between amyloid-beta deposition and cortical thickness in dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Chin Kai Sin , Gajamange Sanuji , Desmond Patricia M , Villemagne Victor L , Rowe Christopher C , Churilov Leonid , Yassi Nawaf , Watson Rosie
Published: February 2022

Objective:

Amyloid-beta often co-exists in dementia with Lewy bodies, but its clinical relevance in dementia with Lewy bodies remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and imaging correlates of amyloid-beta deposition in dementia with Lewy bodies, particularly its relationship with cortical thickness in Alzheimer’s disease–prone regions and hippocampal volume.

Methods:

Twenty-four participants with probable dementia with Lewy bodies underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and amyloid-beta positron emission tomography imaging using the radiotracer 18F-NAV4694. Amyloid-beta deposition was quantified and reported using the Centiloid method.

Results:

Amyloid-beta positivity, defined as Centiloid > 50, was present in 45.8% of dementia with Lewy bodies participants. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical characteristics between Aβ+ and Aβ− dementia with Lewy bodies. Compared with the Aβ− group, Aβ+ dementia with Lewy bodies exhibited greater global cortical thinning as well as in the Alzheimer’s disease–prone region of interest, adjusted for age, sex and years of education. A mean cortical thickness of 5.12 mm across a combined meta-region of interest has a sensitivity of 88.9% and specificity of 90.0% in discriminating Aβ+ from Aβ− dementia with Lewy bodies. Hippocampal volume was not different between groups.

Conclusion:

Early structural changes in cortical thickness, but not hippocampal volume, were observed in dementia with Lewy bodies with significant amyloid-beta burden. This may represent an early Alzheimer’s disease–related neurodegenerative process.
Cruciform Onesimus? Considering How a Slave Would Respond to Paul’s Call for a Cross-Shaped Lifestyle
Authors: Gupta Nijay
Published: February 2022

I was first introduced to the idea of ‘cruciformity’ about twenty years ago. I have taught about the importance of this concept for about ten years in the classroom. Cruciformity is associated with the suffering love of Christ especially as articulated by the apostle Paul. This has resonated with the vast majority of my students over the years, just as it did with me in my formative years of theological education. But I have noticed an increase in concern from students (and scholars) about how cruciformity relates to power dynamics.2 Does cruciformity ‘work’ for all kinds of people? Can it do harm for some? After a robust discussion with some of my students and colleagues, I thought it would be helpful to flesh out this discussion of cruciformity and power with a case study: the return of the slave Onesimus to Philemon’s household: what would cruciformity look like for Onesimus in this situation? How would Onesimus’s cruciform mindset and action look different than that of his Christian master Philemon? Does cruciformity serve in Onesimus’ best interests and safeguard his well-being? We will explore these questions below, but first we will discuss the concept of cruciformity itself to set up our case study.
‘I don’t know nothing about that’: How “learning costs” undermine COVID-related efforts to make SNAP and WIC more accessible
Authors: Barnes Carolyn , Riel Virginia
Published: February 2022

Scholars have focused on administrative burden or the costs of claiming public benefits. Learning, psychological, and compliance costs can discourage program participation and benefit redemption. Using 60 in-depth qualitative interviews with participants of the SNAP and WIC programs, we offer thick descriptions of how beneficiaries experience compliance, learning, and redemption costs—a subset of learning costs regarding how to redeem benefits—amidst COVID-19 policy changes. Although policy changes were poised to reduce compliance costs and ease conditions that create redemption costs in each program, the learning costs of policy changes prevented many program participants from experiencing the benefits of these policy transformations.
BMI and Disordered Eating in Black College Women: The Potential Mediating Role of Body Appreciation and Moderating Role of Ethnic Identity
Authors: Boutté Rachel L. , Burnette C. Blair , Mazzeo Suzanne E.
Published: February 2022

Multiple studies indicate Black American women have disproportionately higher rates of obesity compared with other groups in United States. Although body image is associated with obesity, this relation is understudied among Black women. The purpose of the current study was to (1) examine the relations among body appreciation, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating; (2) assess body appreciation as a mediator of the relation between body mass index (BMI) and disordered eating, and (3) explore ethnic identity as a moderator in this association. Participants were 191 Black women recruited from a mid-Atlantic university. Participants’ mean age was 19.16 years ( SD = 1.95). Body appreciation partially mediated the relation between BMI and disordered eating behaviors and attitudes, such that women with higher BMIs reported lower body appreciation, which was associated with greater disordered eating symptoms. Ethnic identity was not a significant moderator of the association between BMI and body appreciation. Results support screening Black women with higher BMIs for disordered eating symptomatology and suggest it might be helpful to include body appreciation in interventions for Black women.
Changes in Perceived Fairness of Division of Household Labor Across Parenthood Transitions: Whose Relationship Satisfaction Is Impacted?
Authors: Hiekel Nicole , Ivanova Katya
Published: February 2022

Using a nationally representative, prospective study of young German adults, we address two research questions: First, are changes in the perceptions of the fairness of (un)paid labor division associated with changes in men’s and women’s partnership satisfaction across fertility transitions? Second, is this association moderated by men and women’s pre-birth gender role attitudes? Our results indicate that differences between respondents in changes in relationship satisfaction after fertility transitions could be observed across perceptions of the fairness of the division of labor, rather than across differing actual divisions of household labor. That effect was found for women, but not men. Across gender role attitudes, the perception of a stable fair arrangement was detrimental to traditional men’s relationship satisfaction, whereas the perception of increased fairness protected against declines in relationship satisfaction only for egalitarian women. We discuss how the mismatch between imagined and lived realities might affect relationship dynamics across fertility transitions.
Developing a local academic English listening test using authentic unscripted audio-visual texts
Authors: Park Yena , Lee Senyung , Shin Sun-Young
Published: February 2022

Despite consistent calls for authentic stimuli in listening tests for better construct representation, unscripted texts have been rarely adopted in high-stakes listening tests due to perceived inefficiency. This study details how a local academic listening test was developed using authentic unscripted audio-visual texts from the local target language use (TLU) domain without compromising the reliability of the test results and validity of the score interpretations. The purpose of the listening test was to identify international students who need additional language support at a U.S. university. We show that efficiency persists when using authentic unscripted texts that are representative of the local context both at the test development phase and at the classification phase where placement decisions are made in a dependable manner. Expert judgments highlighted the improved correspondence of the listening test using locally sourced audio-visual texts to the local TLU domain, providing additional support for using the listening test for local placement purposes. Additionally, dimensionality assessments demonstrated that test design decisions inevitably entailed with using authentic unscripted texts did not threaten the internal structure of the test. We argue that local resources are indispensable in developing authentic test stimuli and in supporting the validity of local test interpretation and use.
An examination and proposed definitions of family members’ grief prior to the death of individuals with a life-limiting illness: A systematic review
Authors: Singer Jonathan , Roberts Kailey E , McLean Elisabeth , Fadalla Carol , Coats Taylor , Rogers Madeline , Wilson Madeline K , Godwin Kendra , Lichtenthal Wendy G
Published: February 2022

Background:

Research has extensively examined family members’ grief prior to the death of an individual with a life-limiting illness but several inconsistencies in its conceptualization of related constructs, yet significant conceptualization issues exist.

Aim:

This study aimed to identify and characterize studies published on family members grief before the death of an individual with a life-limiting illness, and propose definitions based on past studies in order to initiate conceptual clarity.

Design:

A mixed-method systematic review utilized six databases and was last conducted July 10, 2021. The search strategy was developed using Medical Subject Headings. This study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020166254).

Results:

One hundred thirty-four full-text articles met inclusion criteria. This review revealed across studies a wide variation in terminology, conceptualization, and characterization of grief before the death. More than 18 terms and 30 definitions have been used. In many cases, the same term (e.g. anticipatory grief) was defined differently across studies.

Conclusions:

We found grief occurring before the death of a person with a life-limiting illness, which we termed pre-death grief, is comprised of two distinct constructs: anticipatory grief and illness-related grief. Anticipatory grief is future-oriented and is characterized by separation distress and worry about a future without the person with the life-limiting illness being physically present. Illness-related grief is present-oriented and is characterized by grief over current and ongoing losses experienced during the illness trajectory. These definitions provide the field with uniform constructs to advance the study of grief before the death of an individual with a life-limiting illness.
The tumor immune-microenvironment in gastric cancer
Authors: Fang Fujin , Zhang Tiantian , Li Qiong , Chen Xiaowei , Jiang Fei , Shen Xiaobing
Published: February 2022

Aims and Background:

The tumor microenvironment significantly influences malignant behavior and progression. Many components are involved in the tumor microenvironment, including extracellular matrix, stromal cells, immune and inflammatory cells, as well as cytokines that promote tumor development with complex interactions through the exchange of molecular information. It is now known that tumor immune escape may be influenced by the tumor microenvironment. The aim of this work is to conduct a review of the tumor immune-microenvironment in gastric cancer.

Methods:

We review the current knowledge of several immune cells involved in the gastric tumor microenvironment. In addition, a brief description of immunotherapy strategies for gastric cancer is also reviewed.

Conclusions:

Among immune cell populations, lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells are revealed to make the difference in promoting or suppressing gastric tumorigenesis, either directly or indirectly, via regulating the immune responses. Understanding these interactions in detail within the tumor immune-microenvironment will contribute to unraveling new therapeutic targets.
“Getting There”: Transportation as a Barrier to Research Participation Among Older Adults
Authors: Rigatti Madeline , DeGurian Amy A. , Albert Steven M.
Published: February 2022

Recruiting from a large university registry of older adults who have consented to be contacted for research, the Getting There study ( n = 500) asked about willingness to participate in research and obstacles posed by transportation. In the period before the pandemic (12/2019–3/2020), 88% of participants in the community registry were willing to travel to the research site. Driving and living closer to the research site, with better access to public transportation, were associated with significantly greater willingness to come to the medical center for research even after adjustment for age, difficulty getting in and out of a vehicle, and number of days leaving one’s home each week. A qualitative inquiry drawing on a long-term care registry ( n = 23) showed a similar role for transportation challenges. Findings suggest transportation challenges among older people are a major source of unwillingness to participate in research even among highly motivated people participating in research registries.
Economics without ethics? Medical treatment of African slaves aboard Dutch West India Company and private slave ships
Authors: Schokkenbroek Joost C. A. , van den Broeke Leon
Published: February 2022

This article discusses the treatment of enslaved Africans by the Dutch during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Treatment is interpreted in two ways – morally and medically. Moral treatment is primarily defined by the Dutch Reformed Church and its religious dogmata. Despite the importance of this church in the provision of pastors and comforters of the sick ( ziekentroosters), information about its role in providing a religious, moral compass to its members regarding slavery and slave trade is scattered. Medical treatment – both preventive and curative in nature – is discussed as well. The slaves were subjected to abominable living conditions prior to their departure. Although it seems fair to state that these conditions did not improve while sailing westward, for various reasons preventive and curative medical measures were taken by ships' surgeons – and to a lesser extent by comforters of the sick.
Effects of Prosocial Video Games on Prosocial Thoughts and Prosocial Behaviors
Authors: Li Hua , Zhang Qian
Published: February 2022

In this study, we examined the prosocial video game (PVG) versus neutral video game (NVG) effects on children’s prosocial behaviors. The first objective is to rate and choose the PVG and NVG by 67 experts. The second objective is to test whether playing a PVG can increase prosocial thoughts and behaviors. The third objective is to test the gender effects on prosocial thoughts and behaviors. The final objective is to assess the mediation effect of prosocial thoughts on prosocial behaviors. One hundred and 76 children (50% girls; Mage = 4.89, SD = 0.79) recruited from a Chinese kindergarten participated in the 2 (Game) x 2 (Gender) factorial experiment. Half of them were randomly assigned to play a PVG or an NVG for 20 minutes. Prosocial thoughts were measured by reaction time (RT) to prosocial pictures in the Picture Decision Task (PDT), while prosocial behaviors were measured by difficulty of jigsaw chosen for the “virtual components” in the Tangram Jigsaw Task (TJT). Results were that brief exposure of children to a PVG increased their prosocial thoughts and prosocial behaviors. More precisely, boys reported higher accessibility of prosocial thoughts and more prosocial behaviors than girls. The PVG effect on prosocial behaviors was mediated by prosocial thoughts. These findings suggest that increasing PVG exposure and training prosocial thoughts were effective ways to promote the positive development of prosocial behavior during early childhood.
Efficacy of Hepatitis B Vaccine in Adults with Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Kim Yaeji , Loucks Jennifer , Shah Meera
Published: February 2022

Background & Aims: Although HBV vaccine has a 95% seroconversion rate in the general population, patients with chronic liver disease have reduced seroconversion rates (16-79%). The aim of the study was to describe seroconversion rates with HBV vaccines in patients with chronic liver disease. Approach & Results: Retrospective chart review was performed among 652 patients who received a complete HBV vaccine series in the hepatology clinic. Of those, 126 patients that were included, 111 received a single dose series, and 15 patients received a double dose series. The seroconversion rate was overall low at 35%, and stayed the same at 35% with double dose and at 33% with single dose. Patients who received a single dose series were further analyzed to review risk factors for seroconversion. Overall, 65% of patients had cirrhosis. Patients were more likely to seroconvert if no cirrhosis (51% vs 72%, P=.04), higher aminotransferase levels, intermediate anti-HBs (2.5-11.9 mIU/mL) at baseline (87.5% vs 14%). Conclusion: Patients with chronic liver disease had a low rate (35%) of response to HBV vaccination. The response rates did not improve in patients that received double dose series. Patients with cirrhosis, lower aminotransferase levels and with a lower baseline anti-HBs had decreased response rates.
Analysis of the mechanical expansion process of thin-walled tubes for air heat-exchanger production
Authors: Scattina Alessandro , Avalle Massimiliano
Published: February 2022

Finned tube air heat-exchangers are built by joining the tubes to the fins by various techniques. A technique mostly used for large heat-exchangers consists of fitting the tubes into the holes of the fins by expanding the tubes using a mechanical process. The expansion is achieved by inserting an ogive of a larger diameter into the tube. The intimate contact of tubes and fins due to the press fitting ensures the proper thermal connection. This work tries to describe an experimental-numerical procedure useful to study and predict the mechanical process and the process parameters. The procedure, based on material properties obtained from tensile tests and the use of the inverse method to identify the material parameters, is based on bi-dimensional finite element (FE) models used to simulate the expansion process. The FE model is then used for process optimisation regarding such parameters as the ogive shape and ogive sizes, friction coefficient and speed of insertion of the ogive into the tube. Indeed, size and shape uncertainties strongly influence the process parameters and the process quality, as well as the heat-exchanger efficiency. The use of numerical models was proven highly effective in predicting and optimising the process by quickly analysing the influencing factors and optimising the production.
Effect of upper surface shape on waverider performances
Authors: Liu Chuanzhen , Tian Junwu , Bai Peng , Shang Qing
Published: February 2022

Waveriders are of high lift-to-drag (L/D) ratio in hypersonic states; however, low volume of loading limits its application in practical engineering significantly. Raising the upper surface is a method to increase the volume space for waveriders, and this article studies the effect of the upper surface shape on the aerodynamic performances based on a single swept waverider configuration. Cubic polynomials were employed to construct the upper surface to replace the freestream-traced surface, and 2 parameters, the trailing edge thickness and inclination angle of head, were extracted as design variables. Analyzing the flow field using computational fluid dynamics techniques, raising the upper surface only had effect on the aerodynamic performance from the upper surface, but nearly no effect on the lower surface, and thus the design of upper and lower surfaces can be decoupled. As the trailing edge thickness and inclination angle of head increase, the volume of waveriders grows rapidly, while the loss in L/D ratio is limited. Compared with expanding the lower surface, raising the upper surface yielded better aerodynamic performances. The results indicate that raising the upper surface is a feasible and efficient approach to increase the loading volume of the waverider and hence promote its application in engineering.
Lane departure prediction based on closed-loop vehicle dynamics
Authors: Li Daofei , Lin Siyuan , Liu Guanming
Published: February 2022

An automated driving system should have the ability to supervise its own performance and to request human driver to take over when necessary. In the lane keeping scenario, the prediction of vehicle future trajectory is the key to realize safe and trustworthy driving automation. Previous studies on vehicle trajectory prediction mainly fall into two categories, that is, physics-based and manoeuvre-based methods. Using a physics-based methodology, this article proposes a lane departure prediction algorithm based on closed-loop vehicle dynamics model. We use extended Kalman filter to estimate the current vehicle states based on sensing module outputs. Then, a Kalman Predictor with actual lane keeping control law is used to predict steering actions and vehicle states in the future. A lane departure assessment module evaluates the probabilistic distribution of vehicle corner positions and decides whether to initiate a human takeover request. The prediction algorithm is capable to describe the stochastic characteristics of future vehicle pose, which is preliminarily proved in simulated tests. Finally, the on-road tests at speeds of 15–50 km/h further show that the proposed method can accurately predict vehicle future trajectory. It may work as a promising solution to lane departure risk assessment for automated lane keeping functions.
Adaptive sliding mode predictive power control of three-phase AC/DC converters
Authors: Sheh Zad Haris , Ulasyar Abasin , Zohaib Adil , Khattak Abraiz
Published: February 2022

This article presents a new adaptive sliding mode–based model predictive controller for AC/DC three-phase converters achieving better dynamic performance and stability. In the classical model predictive controller available in the literature, the model-based approach, for example, proportional–integral controller is employed for producing the active power reference for the three-phase converters. The traditional proportional–integral–based model predictive controllers consist of steady-state error and slow transient response characteristics. As a result, the DC-link voltage contains uncertainties due to variations in the load demand and output voltage. To overcome these limitations, this article suggests an adaptive sliding mode controller for generating the active power reference value from the DC-link voltage which then combines with the model predictive controller in order to minimize the cost function. The proposed controller minimizes the effects of uncertainties and variations in the output voltage by adaptively regulating the gain of sliding mode controller and modifying the control law online. The cost function is then minimized using the model predictive controller in order to control the active and reactive power flow. The stability analysis of the designed controller is performed using Lyapunov theorem. The effectiveness of the designed control scheme is proved by comparing its performance with the proportional–integral model predictive controller and fixed gain sliding mode–based model predictive controller control schemes. Simulation and experimental system results are obtained for validating the presented control approach.
Tracking fire activity and post-fire limnological responses using the varved sedimentary sequence of Lake Jaczno, Poland
Authors: Bonk Alicja , Słowiński Michał , Żarczyński Maurycy , Oliński Piotr , Kupryjanowicz Mirosława , Fiłoc Magdalena , Tylmann Wojciech
Published: February 2022

Long-term paleofire perspectives provide key information on natural and human-derived land cover changes. The last few millennia are crucial to understanding the future of wildfire threats, since the increasing global temperatures are expected to have an impact on regions previously assumed to not be endangered. In this study we investigate the interplay between changing climatic conditions, land cover transformation, fires, and human activity based on the first 1750-year-long macrocharcoal record derived from varved sediments of Lake Jaczno, located in northeast Poland. The study is supported by macrocharcoal morphotype analysis, pollen and historical data, and statistical analysis, which revealed that in the vicinity of the lake both low- and high-intensity fires may have occurred. Most of them were set by humans, but in some periods biomass burning was favored by droughts or even derived by natural causes (i.e. lightning). Human-induced fires are especially evident between AD 1081 and 1283. This period corresponds to the peak activity of the Jatvings tribe in the region and the related deforestation for agrarian purposes. Fire combined with human activity and deforestation in the area impacted the limnological processes increasing primary productivity and shifts in water mixing regime.
Developing Effective Recruitment Strategies for African American Men to Earn Alternative High School Credentials
Authors: Miller Michael T. , Deggs David M. , Hunt Valerie H. , Robterson Lona J. , Embry Callie
Published: February 2022

African American men have among the worst high school completion rates of any population in the United States. The consequences of dropping out of school are serious and include high levels of unemployment and incarceration. Attempts at recruiting these men to return to complete a high school credential have not been broadly successful, and the current study was designed to identify the best ideas and practices of recruiting African American men into high-school equivalency completion programs. Using a snowball-generated sample of eight adult education program directors, interviews were conducted to identify strategies and approaches for recruiting African American men. Ultimately, program directors comments resulted in three broad categories of successful recruitment: using personal relationships that connect with men where they are, strategically using social media and online resources that are directly targeted toward these men, and utilizing the relationships and support networks of African American church communities. Responding program directors also stressed the need to meet these men at the physical and psychological places where they are, recognizing that these points of contact can and will change as the men age and face different personal circumstances. The findings provide key information for high-school equivalency program directors as they construct purposeful recruitment plans that also include measures for assessing the effectiveness of their recruitment campaigns.
Academia During the Time of COVID-19: Examining the Voices of Untenured Female Professors in STEM
Authors: Dunn Marianne , Gregor Margo , Robinson Simone , Ferrer Anthony , Campbell-Halfaker Devynn , Martin-Fernandez Javier
Published: February 2022

This paper highlighted the diverse voices of 84 female-identifying professors in STEM fields who responded to a series of open-ended questions regarding work, family, and tenure experiences in the context of the current global pandemic. The current paper is part of a longitudinal study of the vocational experiences of tenure-track women in STEM that has examined the “leaky pipeline” in women’s academic careers. Consensual Qualitative Research-Modified (CQR-M; ) was implemented to analyze the data. The findings suggested that participants perceived the precarious balance between work and family to have increased in difficulty in the face of COVID-19. Among untenured female faculty with children, an added layer of challenge was noted related to loss of childcare in the wake of the pandemic. The pre-existing, pervasive barriers (i.e., institutional, systemic, and psychological) were further exacerbated by familial barriers for female STEM faculty seeking tenure during COVID-19. Overall, the results indicated missed opportunities within higher education to implement supportive policies for untenured female faculty in STEM. Clinical implications, future research directions, and social advocacy interventions in the context of COVID-19 are discussed.
Usefulness of Short-Term Imaging and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen to Early Predict Response to Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Cervical Cancer
Authors: Yoo Ji Geun , Kim Sang Il , Yeo Seung Geun , Park Dong Choon
Published: February 2022

Objective

The objective is to investigate the factors that can predict early treatment response in patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for cervical cancer.

Methods

We assessed clinical factors and treatment response in patients who underwent CCRT for cervical cancer at four time points: initial, 2.5 weeks, 6 weeks after starting CCRT, and 3 months after completing CCRT. The final treatment response was determined by positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) 3 months after completion of CCRT. Patients were divided into two groups according to the final treatment response: complete response (CR) group or non-CR group. And the early CCRT response prediction model was developed using stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of the 62 patients who underwent CCRT for cervical cancer, 57 patients who completed all 4 time points examinations were included in the analyses and classified as CR (n = 32) and non-CR (n = 25) group. Tumor volume and serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) of the initial, 2.5 weeks, and 6 weeks after CCRT were significantly associated with the final treatment response. For the early treatment response prediction model, we selected patient age, tumor volume, and SCC Ag measured at initial and 2.5 weeks of CCRT as variables, and the equation of the final model was yielded. Using a cutoff of 0.433, this model had a sensitivity of 72.0%, a specificity of 84.4%, and a probability of 0.8225 ( P < .0001).

Conclusion

Short-term (at 2.5 weeks after starting CCRT) measurements of tumor volume and serum SCC Ag were significant predictors of response to CCRT in patients with cervical cancer.