bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Unusual Terrible Triad Variant Associated with an Essex-Lopresti Injury
Authors: Salazar Luis M. , Ghali Abdullah , Gutierrez-Naranjo Jose M. , Hand Thomas L. , Dutta Anil K.
Published: September 2021

Essex-Lopresti injuries and terrible triad injuries of the elbow are rare injuries that typically result from high-energy trauma such as falling from a height or a motor vehicle collision. However, the combination of an Essex-Lopresti injury and terrible triad injury is unique and poses a significant challenge for treatment as these injuries are independently associated with poor functional outcomes if they are not acutely diagnosed. We describe a case of a 19-year-old who presented with an unusual variant of a terrible triad injury associated with an Essex-Lopresti injury. The patient had a distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) and elbow dislocation, a radial head and coronoid process fracture, and a distal radius fracture. Almost a reverse Essex-Lopresti, this injury was successfully managed with open reduction and repair of the distal radius, radial head, and damaged ligaments in the elbow, along with an internal joint stabilizer (IJS).
Latency-Aware Computation Offloading for 5G Networks in Edge Computing
Authors: Li Xianwei , Ye Baoliu
Published: September 2021

With the development of Internet of Things, massive computation-intensive tasks are generated by mobile devices whose limited computing and storage capacity lead to poor quality of services. Edge computing, as an effective computing paradigm, was proposed for efficient and real-time data processing by providing computing resources at the edge of the network. The deployment of 5G promises to speed up data transmission but also further increases the tasks to be offloaded. However, how to transfer the data or tasks to the edge servers in 5G for processing with high response efficiency remains a challenge. In this paper, a latency-aware computation offloading method in 5G networks is proposed. Firstly, the latency and energy consumption models of edge computation offloading in 5G are defined. Then the fine-grained computation offloading method is employed to reduce the overall completion time of the tasks. The approach is further extended to solve the multiuser computation offloading problem. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, extensive simulation experiments are conducted. The results show that the proposed offloading method can effectively reduce the execution latency of the tasks.
An Inflammation-Related Nine-Gene Signature to Improve Prognosis Prediction of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Ze-jing , Hou Peng-xiao , Wang Xi-xing
Published: September 2021

Background. A novel predictive model was rarely reported based on inflammation-related genes to explore clinical outcomes of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. Methods. Using TCGA database, we screened nine inflammation-related genes with a prognostic value, and LASSO regression was applied for model construction. The predictive value of the prognostic signature developed from inflammation-related genes was assessed by survival assays and multivariate assays. PCA and t-SNE analysis were performed to demonstrate clustering abilities of risk scores. Results. Thirteen inflammation-related genes (BTG2, CCL20, CD69, DCBLD2, GPC3, IL7R, LAMP3, MMP14, NMUR1, PCDH7, PIK3R5, RNF144B, and TPBG) with prognostic values were finally identified. LASSO regression further screened nine candidates (BTG2, CCL20, CD69, IL7R, MMP14, NMUR1, PCDH7, RNF144B, and TPBG). Then, a prognostic prediction model using the above nine genes was constructed. A reliable clustering ability of risk score was demonstrated by PCA and t-SNE assays in 500 LUAD patients. The survival assays revealed that the overall survivals of the high-risk group were distinctly poorer than those of the low-risk group with 1-, 3-, and 5-year AUC values of 0.695, 0.666, and 0.694, respectively. Finally, multivariate assays demonstrated the scoring system as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Conclusions. Our study shows that the signature of nine inflammation-related genes can be used as a prognostic marker for LUAD.
Classification and Control of Key Factors Affecting the Failure of Aviation Piston Turbocharger Systems Using Model-Based System Safety Analysis
Authors: Bao Mengyao , Ding Shuiting , Li Guo
Published: September 2021

Turbocharging is an effective way to address the problem of reduction in power and increase in fuel consumption of aviation piston engines during high-altitude flight. However, turbochargers have greatly increased the degree of complexity of power systems. The model-based system safety analysis methods for the safety analysis of turbocharging systems are introduced in this study to overcome the limitations of the traditional safety analysis methods regarding complex matching and coupled safety issues. On the basis of the established system models and the formed failure mode work boundaries and safety boundaries, the column profile coordinates

F

of correspondence analysis with the numerical deviation of the key factors are used to identify the key factors affecting failure, thereby proposing safety control strategies in a targeted manner. Then, the failure probability of the turbocharging system is assessed through the Monte Carlo method. System failure modes and probabilities before and after the execution of safety control strategies are compared to accurately determine the effectiveness of those strategies. The verification examples show that a safety control strategy that adjusts the diameter of the wastegate

e

2

can reduce system failure probability and enhance safety level.
Probiotic Supplements Improve Blood Glucose and Insulin Resistance/Sensitivity among Healthy and GDM Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Pan Yu-Qing , Zheng Qing-Xiang , Jiang Xiu-Min , Chen Xiao-Qian , Zhang Xiao-Yun , Wu Jing-Ling
Published: September 2021

Background. Probiotic supplements may be seen as a promising way to improve glucose metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplements on blood glucose, insulin resistance/sensitivity, and prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among pregnant women. Methods. Eleven electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2020. Two authors independently identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs), assessed the eligibility and quality of the included studies, and then extracted data. The primary outcomes were fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 1 h and 2 h plasma glucose after 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), HbA1c, fasting plasma insulin, insulin resistance, and insulin sensitivity. Fixed and random effect models were used to pool the results. Results. A total of 20 RCTs involving 2972 participants were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled results of this research showed that probiotic supplements could reduce the level of FPG (mean difference (MD) = −0.11; 95% CI = −0.15 to −0.04;

P
=
0.0007

), serum insulin (MD = −1.68; 95% CI = −2.44 to −0.92;

P
<
0.00001

), insulin resistance (MD = −0.36; 95% CI = −0.53 to −0.20;

P
<
0.00001

), and insulin sensitivity (MD = −21.80; 95% CI = −31.92 to −11.67;

P
<
0.00001

). Regarding the subgroup analysis of different pregnant women, the effects of probiotics on FPG, insulin, and insulin resistance were more obvious among GDM and healthy women than among overweight/obese women. Furthermore, the differences were not significant in HbA1c (MD = −0.05; 95% CI = −0.12 to 0.03;

P
=
0.23

), 1 h OGTT (MD = −0.07; 95% CI = −0.25 to 0.10;

P
=
0.42

), and 2 h OGTT (MD = −0.03; 95% CI = −0.17 to 0.12;

P
=
0.72

). Conclusion. This review found that probiotic supplements had certain functions to reduce the level of FPG and improve insulin, insulin resistance, and insulin sensitivity, especially for GDM and healthy pregnant women.
Research on Risk Assessment of Multitarget Wireless Sensing Detection Auxiliary Engineering in Mine Geological Environment
Authors: Dong Qing , Wu Yanjun
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we evaluate the risk of auxiliary engineering of mine geological environment utilizing multiobjective wireless sensing detection. After vectorization of each evaluation factor, we evaluate the geological environment of a high‐top mountain mine by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and get the evaluation results of our geological environment. Firstly, an in‐depth analysis is carried out for the tracking gate that most association methods pay little attention to. In terms of optimization of traditional tracking gate, an attempt is made to propose a genetic algorithm fusion coding for tracking gate optimization, and then, the principal characteristics of traditional data association algorithm are focused on, and a particle swarm annealing association algorithm is proposed. Finally, the image information fusion of multisensors is studied, and the image information fusion level, fusion technology, and fusion process are discussed in detail, and the optimized discrete wavelet and color space alignment method is proposed, and good results are achieved through experiments. Among them, the area of poor geological environment evaluation is 0.32 km2, accounting for 6.6% of the whole study area, the area of average geological environment evaluation is 0.63 km2, accounting for 12.7% of the whole study area, and the area of good geological environment evaluation is 3.98 km2, accounting for 80.7% of the whole study area. The evaluation results can fully reflect the degree of mining influence on the Gaodingshan mining area and provide a theoretical basis for the study of mine environment restoration and management.
A Novel Experimental and Approach of Diagnosis, Partial Shading, and Fault Detection for Domestic Purposes Photovoltaic System Using Data Exchange of Adjacent Panels
Authors: Raeisi H. A. , Sadeghzadeh S. M.
Published: September 2021

This paper presents a new detection method of fault and partial shading condition (PSC) in a photovoltaic (PV) domestic network, considering maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The MPPT has been executed by employing a boost converter using particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique. The system is composed of two photovoltaic arrays. Each PV array contains three panels connected in series, including distinct MPPT. The PSC detection exploits the neighboring PV system data. This suggested innovative algorithm is proficient in detecting these subjects: (a) fault, (b) partial shading condition, (c) solar panel (d) panel’s relevant bypass diode failure, (d) converter failure alongside specifying the failed semiconductor, and (e) PV disconnection failure. The simulation process has been implemented using MATLAB/Simulink software. To this end, the proposed method was investigated experimentally using two 250 W PV solar set under various PSCs and faults. A data exchange link is used to implement an integrated management system. The Zigbee protocol was also chosen to data exchange of converters. The results validated the applicability and practicality of this algorithm in domestic PV systems.
Research on Effectiveness of Prior Cancer on Survival Outcomes for Patients with Nonmetastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Competing Risk Analysis and Propensity Score Matching Analysis of the SEER Database
Authors: Chen Heyan , Yan Lutong , Pu Shengyu , Zhu Lizhe , Zhang Huimin , Zhou Can
Published: September 2021

Introduction. Knowledge of the effect of prior cancer on long-term survival outcomes for patients with nonmetastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remained unclear. The aim of this study was to explore and identify the effectiveness of prior cancer on breast cancer-specific death (BCSD) and other cause-specific death (OCSD) in patients with nonmetastatic TNBC. Materials and Methods. Data of 29,594 participants with nonmetastatic TNBC patients were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2016. Prognostic predictors were identified by propensity score matching (PSM) analysis combined with univariate cumulative incidence function (CIF) and multivariate Fine and Gray competitive risk analyses. Results. Among the women with nonmetastatic TNBC included in the unmatched cohort, a total of 5,375 (18.2%) subjects had prior cancers (P-TNBC) and 24,219 (81.8%) had no prior cancer (NP-TNBC). Patients with P-TNBC tended to have poorer BCSD (Gray’s test,

p
=
0.0131

) and OCSD (Gray’s test,

p
=
0.0009

) in comparison with those with NP-TNBC after PSM. However, the risk of BCSD

p
=
0.291

and OCSD

p
=
0.084

found no difference among P-TNBC patients with one prior cancer and two or more prior cancers after PSM. Additionally, subjects with younger age, advanced T stage, advanced N stage, and advanced differentiation grade tumors were likely to develop BCSD, whereas those with breast-conserving surgery (BCS), radiotherapy, or chemotherapy tended to have a lower incidence of BCSD. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that prior cancer was related to the worse BCSD and OCSD rate and could be identified as a reliable survival predictor for patients with nonmetastatic TNBC. This study may provide some reference value for the treatment mode of TNBC patients with prior cancer in the future.
Effective Treatment of Established Bone Metastases Can Be Achieved by Combinatorial Osteoclast Blockade and Depletion of Granulocytic Subsets
Authors: Capietto Aude-Hélène , Lee Seunghyun , Clever David , Eul Emily , Ellis Haley , Ma Cynthia X. , Faccio Roberta
Published: September 2021

Osteoclast (OC) blockade has been successful in reducing tumor growth in bone in preclinical settings, but antiresorptive drugs, such as zoledronic acid (ZA), fail to improve the overall survival rate of patients with bone metastasis despite ameliorating skeletal complications. To address this unmet clinical need, we interrogated what other cells modulated tumor growth in bone in addition to OCs. Because myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC)—heterogeneous populations expressing CD11b, Ly6C, and Ly6G markers—originate in the bone marrow and promote tumor progression, we hypothesized that their accumulation hinders ZA antitumor effects. By using a murine model of bone metastasis insensitive to OC blockade, we assessed the antitumor effect of MDSC depletion using anti-Gr1 in mice bearing skeletal lung [Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC)], melanoma (B16-F10), and mammary (4T1) tumors. Differently from soft tissue tumors, anti-Gr1 did not reduce bone metastases and led to the paradoxical accumulation of bone marrow–resident CD11b+Ly6CintLy6Gint cells that differentiated into OCs when cultured in vitro. Anti-Gr1–mediated depletion of Ly6G+ granulocytic MDSCs combined with ZA-induced OC blockade reduced growth of established skeletal metastases compared with each agent alone. CD15+ granulocytic populations were increased in patients with breast cancer with progressive bone disease after antiresorptive treatment compared with those with stable bone disease. We provide evidence that antiresorptive therapies fail to reduce bone metastases in the presence of elevated granulocytic populations and that effective treatment of established skeletal metastases requires combinatorial depletion of granulocytes and OC blockade.
Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin for the Assessment of Reversible versus Persistent Renal Tubular Damage in ST-Segment Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Banai Ariel , Rozenfeld Keren-Lee , Loewenstein Itamar , Zahler David , Shtark Moshe , Goldiner Ilana , Banai Shmuel , Shacham Yacov
Published: September 2021

Background: Most studies investigated the value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a marker of renal tubular injury only at a single time point. We investigated the possible utilization of NGAL level dynamics for the identification of different renal injury patterns in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Methods: Blood samples for plasma NGAL in 132 STEMI patients were drawn immediately before and 24 h following primary coronary intervention. Abnormal elevation of NGAL levels was defined using the cardiac surgery-associated NGAL score with NGAL levels ≥100 ng/mL suggesting renal tubular damage. According to NGAL levels at 0 and 24 h, patients were stratified into 3 groups: no tubular damage (NGAL <100 ng/mL in both exams), reversible tubular damage (NGAL >100 ng/mL at 0 h but <100 ng/mL at 24 h), and persistent tubular damage (NGAL >100 ng/mL at both 0 and 24 h). Results: Mean age was 62 ± 13 years, and 78% were men. Of these patients, 29/132 (22%) demonstrated reversible tubular damage, and 36/132 (27%) persistent tubular damage. Only 13/132 patients (10%) progressed to clinical acute kidney injury during hospitalization, all of whom had persistent tubular injury. In multivariate regression model, symptom duration was independently associated with persistent tubular damage, both as continues variable (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.04; p = 0.04) and for symptom duration >360 min (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.07–6.63; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Renal tubular damage is common among STEMI patients. Dynamic NGAL measurement may differentiate between reversible and persistent tubular damage. Further trials are needed in order to assess the complex cardiorenal interactions.
Diagnostic Performance of Office versus Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Korogiannou Maria , Sarafidis Pantelis , Theodorakopoulou Marieta P. , Alexandrou Maria-Eleni , Xagas Efstathios , Boletis Ioannis N. , Marinaki Smaragdi
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Hypertension is the most prominent risk factor in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). No study so far assessed in parallel the prevalence, control, and phenotypes of blood pressure (BP) or the accuracy of currently recommended office BP diagnostic thresholds in diagnosing elevated ambulatory BP in KTRs. Methods: 205 stable KTRs underwent office BP measurements and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Hypertension was defined as follows: (1) office BP ≥140/90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive agents following the current European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension (ESC/ESH) guidelines, (2) office BP ≥130/80 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive agents following the current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines, (3) ABPM ≥130/80 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive agents, and (4) ABPM ≥125/75 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive agents. Results: Hypertension prevalence by office BP was 88.3% with ESC/ESH and 92.7% with ACC/AHA definitions compared to 94.1 and 98.5% at relevant ABPM thresholds. Control rates among hypertensive patients were 69.6 and 43.7% with office BP compared to 38.3 and 21.3% with ABPM, respectively. Both for prevalence (κ-statistics = 0.52, p < 0.001 and 0.32, and p < 0.001) and control rates (κ-statistics = 0.21, p < 0.001 and 0.22, and p < 0.001, respectively), there was moderate or fair agreement of the 2 techniques. White-coat and masked hypertension were diagnosed in 6.7 and 39.5% of patients at the 140/90 threshold and 5.9 and 31.7% of patients at the 130/80 threshold. An office BP ≥140/90 mm Hg had 35.3% sensitivity and 84.9% specificity for the diagnosis of 24-h BP ≥130/80 mm Hg. An office BP ≥130/80 mm Hg had 59.7% sensitivity and 73.9% specificity for the diagnosis of 24-h BP ≥125/75 mm Hg. Receiver operating curve analyses confirmed this poor diagnostic performance. Conclusions: At both corresponding thresholds studied, ABPM revealed particularly high hypertension prevalence and poor BP control in KTRs. Misclassification of KTRs by office BP is substantial, due to particularly high rates of masked hypertension. The diagnostic accuracy of office BP for identifying elevated ambulatory BP is poor. These findings call for a wider use of ABPM in KTRs.
Left Atrial Enlargement on Non-Gated CT Is Associated with Large Vessel Occlusion in Acute Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Butt Waleed , Dhillon Permesh Singh , Lenthall Robert , Malik Luqman , Izzath Wazim , Krishnan Kailash , George Bindu , Pointon Kate
Published: September 2021

Background: Recent reports have suggested that atrial fibrillation (AF) is more prevalent in the large vessel occlusion (LVO) subgroup of acute ischaemic stroke patients. Given the association between left atrial enlargement (LAE) and AF, we sought to evaluate the feasibility of assessing LAE on non-gated CT and its association with LVO in the hyperacute stroke setting. Methods: We analysed our prospectively collected database that included all stroke patients referred for consideration of endovascular treatment between April 14, 2020, and May 21, 2020. During this period, a CT chest was included in our regional stroke protocol to aid triage of patients suspected for COVID-19 from which cardiac measurements were obtained. Patients were dichotomized into LVO and no-LVO groups, and LA measurements were trichotomized into normal, borderline, and enlarged. Univariate analyses were performed between groups. Results: Of the included 38 patients, 21 were categorized as LVO and 17 as no LVO. There was a statistically significant association between LAE and LVO (p = 0.028). No significant difference was demonstrated between groups for the baseline AF and other clinical characteristics, except for baseline NIHSS (p = 0.0005). There was excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.969) for LA measurements. Conclusion: Our study provides preliminary data to suggest LAE is more prevalent in the LVO stroke subgroup at presentation and can be reliably assessed on non-gated CT in the hyperacute setting. These findings have potential implications for stratifying secondary management and may prompt a more rigorous pursuit of occult AF or other cardiac causes of stroke.
Minidicionário Sophia Jobim: com ilustrações em preto e branco da própria Sophia
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Comunicações e Artes, Viana Fausto
Published: September 2021

O Minidicionário é um desdobramento de diversas publicações realizadas, desde 2010, a respeito de Sophia Jobim (1904-1968) e seu legado. O livro traz anotações e verbetes sobre indumentária, que preenchiam os 125 cadernos manuscritos de Sophia, encontrados no acervo do Museu Histórico Nacional, úteis como referências aos pesquisadores de indumentária e moda. As ilustrações da segunda parte do trabalho, todas em preto e branco e executadas por Sophia Jobim, também são informativas e complementam as definições anotadas por Sophia ao longo de sua jornada profissional.
A revista A Mensageira e a proposta de educação da mulher brasileira
Authors: Knapp Cristina Loff
Published: September 2021

O objetivo de nosso estudo é discutir como a revista A Mensageira foi propulsora da educação feminina nos lares brasileiros, por meio de seus escritos. Para tanto, nosso corpus de estudo será alguns artigos publicados no periódico, em sua edição fac-similar. Nossa pesquisa terá como referencial teórico os estudos de Luca (1999) e Kamita (2004) a respeito da Mensageira. Sobre a imprensa feminista serão levados em consideração os escritos de Duarte (2017), Perrot (2008) e Priore (2004). Nossa intenção é apresentar como os textos publicados por Presciliana Duarte de Almeida e Júlia Lopes de Almeida evidenciavam que a instrução era necessária ao sujeito feminino.
Asymmetric Demand Response When Prices Increase and Decrease: The Case of Child Health Care
Authors: Iizuka Toshiaki , Shigeoka Hitoshi
Published: September 2021

This study tests whether demand responds symmetrically to price increases and decreases—a seemingly obvious proposition under conventional demand theory that has not been rigorously tested. Exploiting the rapid expansion in Japanese municipal subsidies for child health care in a difference-in-differences framework, we find evidence against conventional demand theory: when coinsurance, our price measure, increases from 0% to 30%, the demand response is more than twice that to a price decrease from 30% to 0%. This result indicates that while economists and policymakers pay little attention, price change direction matters and should be incorporated into welfare analysis.
Welcome to the Field
Authors: O’Krent Michael
Published: September 2021

Videogames offer vast potential for critical reflection by humanities scholars, but the tendency of existing game studies scholarship to treat the rules of a game separately from the game’s social meaning suggests that videogames have no place in humanistic disciplines. This article challenges that notion by contrasting a cultural view of videogames with the dominant mere-technology view. Ecocriticism functions as a prestige language for videogames that permits entrance into what sociologist Pierre Bourdieu calls the field of cultural production. Ecology simultaneously provides metaphors for explaining videogame technology while allowing games to enter ongoing critical and cultural conversations. Humanists interested in but unfamiliar with videogames should therefore start with those with environmentalist themes. This article presents Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) as a case study. Horizon Zero Dawn presents a stylized pastoral pseudo-utopia that embraces ecofeminist calls to reconstruct rationality while challenging existing sexism in computing fields.
A new species of Pomponia Stål, 1866 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from the Western Ghats, with notes on the status of P. linearis (Walker, 1850) from southern India
Authors: SADASIVAN KALESH
Published: September 2021

A new species of Pomponia Stål, 1866 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from the P. linearis group is described from the Western Ghats of southern India. The hitherto unknown species, P. pseudolinearis sp. nov., is easily diagnosed from the other Pomponia species of the Western Ghats based on the unique structure of its male genitalia, low to mid-altitudinal distribution, and the characteristic male song. The new taxon is a member of the P. linearis species group according to its morphology and the distinctly protruding paramedian basal pygofer lobe suggests its affiliation to the linearis species complex inside the P. linearis species group. The divergent basal lobes of pygofer of males of this species are the critical characteristic feature that can be used to distinguish it from all the other members of the P. linearis species complex. It appears that this cryptic, common, and widespread species of the southern Western Ghats region was confused with P. linearis in the past. Pomponia linearis may not occur in the Western Ghats and its records are possibly a result of erroneous identification due to species lumping with similar taxa of linearis species complex distributed from Northeast India to Vietnam. In addition, some new morphometric indices are introduced. Notes on other known Pomponia species of the Western Ghats, namely P. cyanea Fraser, 1948 and P. zebra Bliven, 1964 are also provided with P. folei Fraser, 1948 treated as a nomen nudum.
S2S Prediction in GFDL SPEAR: MJO Diversity and Teleconnections
Authors: Xiang Baoqiang , Harris Lucas , Delworth Thomas L. , Wang Bin , Chen Guosen , Chen Jan-Huey , Clark Spencer K. , Cooke William F. , Gao Kun , Huff J. Jacob , Jia Liwei , Johnson Nathaniel C. , Kapnick Sarah B. , Lu Feiyu , McHugh Colleen , Sun Yongqiang , Tong Mingjing , Yang Xiaosong , Zeng Fanrong , Zhao Ming , Zhou Linjiong , Zhou Xiaqiong
Published: September 2021

A subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) prediction system was recently developed using the GFDL Seamless System for Prediction and Earth System Research (SPEAR) global coupled model. Based on 20-yr hindcast results (2000–19), the boreal wintertime (November–April) Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) prediction skill is revealed to reach 30 days measured before the anomaly correlation coefficient of the real-time multivariate (RMM) index drops to 0.5. However, when the MJO is partitioned into four distinct propagation patterns, the prediction range extends to 38, 31, and 31 days for the fast-propagating, slow-propagating, and jumping MJO patterns, respectively, but falls to 23 days for the standing MJO. A further improvement of MJO prediction requires attention to the standing MJO given its large gap with its potential predictability (38 days). The slow-propagating MJO detours southward when traversing the Maritime Continent (MC), and confronts the MC prediction barrier in the model, while the fast-propagating MJO moves across the central MC without this prediction barrier. The MJO diversity is modulated by stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO): the standing (slow-propagating) MJO coincides with significant westerly (easterly) phases of QBO, partially explaining the contrasting MJO prediction skill between these two QBO phases. The SPEAR model shows its capability, beyond the propagation, in predicting their initiation for different types of MJO along with discrete precursory convection anomalies. The SPEAR model skillfully predicts the observed distinct teleconnections over the North Pacific and North America related to the standing, jumping, and fast-propagating MJO, but not the slow-propagating MJO. These findings highlight the complexities and challenges of incorporating MJO prediction into the operational prediction of meteorological variables.
Understanding the Global Three-dimensional Distribution of Precipitation Mean Particle Size with the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission
Authors: Han Mei , Braun Scott A.
Published: September 2021

This study addresses the global distribution of precipitation mean particle size using data from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. The mass-weighted mean diameter, Dm, is a characteristic parameter of the precipitation particle size distribution (PSD), estimated from the GPM Combined Radar-Radiometer Algorithm (CORRA) using data from GPM’s dual-frequency precipitation radar and microwave imager. We examine Dm in individual precipitation systems in different climate regimes and investigate a six-year (2014-2020) global climatology within 70° N/S.

The vertical structure of Dm is demonstrated with cases of deep convection, frontal rain and snow, and stratocumulus light rain. The Dm values, detectable by GPM, range from ~0.7 mm in stratocumulus precipitation to >3.5 mm in the ice layers of intense convection. Within the constraint of the 12-dBZ detectability threshold, the smallest annual mean Dm (~ 0.8 mm) are found in the eastern oceans, and the largest values (~ 2 mm) occur above the melting levels in convection over land in summer. The standard deviation of the annual mean is generally < 0.45 mm below 6 km.

Climate regimes are characterized with Dm annual/seasonal variations, its convective/stratiform components, and vertical variabilities (2-10 km). The US Central Plains and Argentina are associated with the largest Dm in a deep layer. Tropical Africa has larger Dm and standard deviation than Amazon. Large convective Dm occurs at high latitudes of Eurasia and North America in summer; the southern hemisphere high latitudes have shallower systems with smaller Dm. Oceanic storm tracks in both hemispheres have relatively large Dm, particularly for convective Dm in winter. Relatively small Dm occurs over tropical oceans, including ITCZ, requiring further investigation.
A biomarker and endophenotype for anorexia nervosa?
Authors: Phillipou Andrea , Rossell Susan L , Gurvich Caroline , Castle David J , Meyer Denny , Abel Larry A
Published: September 2021

Objective:

Recent research has suggested that a type of atypical eye movement, called square wave jerks, together with anxiety, may distinguish individuals with anorexia nervosa from those without anorexia nervosa and may represent a biomarker and endophenotype for the illness. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of this proposed marker in individuals currently with anorexia nervosa relative to healthy controls, and to identify the state independence and heritability of this putative marker by exploring whether it also exists in individuals who are weight-restored from anorexia nervosa and first-degree relatives (i.e. sisters of people with anorexia nervosa).

Methods:

Data from 80 female participants (20/group: current anorexia nervosa, weight-restored from anorexia nervosa, sisters of people with anorexia nervosa and healthy controls) were analysed. Square wave jerk rate was acquired during a fixation task, and anxiety was measured with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results:

Current anorexia nervosa, weight-restored from anorexia nervosa and sisters of people with anorexia nervosa groups made significantly more square wave jerks than healthy controls, but did not differ from one another. Square wave jerk rate and anxiety were found to discriminate groups with exceptionally high accuracy (current anorexia nervosa vs healthy control = 92.5%; weight-restored from anorexia nervosa vs healthy control = 77.5%; sisters of people with anorexia nervosa vs healthy control = 77.5%; p < .001).

Conclusion:

The combination of square wave jerk rate and anxiety was found to be a promising two-element marker for anorexia nervosa, and has the potential to be used as a biomarker or endophenotype to identify people at risk of anorexia nervosa and inform future treatments.
Outpatient Follow-up Care After Hospital Discharge of Children With Complex Chronic Conditions at a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Brown Andrew , Quaile Mary , Morris Hannah , Tumin Dmitry , Parker Clayten L. , Warren Lana , Wall Bennett , Crickmore Kim , Ledoux Matthew , Eldridge David Lewis , Aikman Inga
Published: September 2021

Objective

To determine factors associated with completion of recommended outpatient follow-up visits in children with complex chronic conditions (CCCs) following hospital discharge.

Methods

We retrospectively identified children aged 1 to 17 years diagnosed with a CCC who were discharged from our rural tertiary care children’s hospital between 2017 and 2018 with a diagnosis meeting published CCC criteria. Patients discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit and patients enrolled in a care coordination program for technology-dependent children were excluded.

Results

Of 113 eligible patients, 77 (68%) had outpatient follow-up consistent with discharge instructions. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission ( P = .020) and prolonged length of stay ( P = .004) were associated with decreased likelihood of completing recommended follow-up.

Conclusions

Among children with CCCs who were not already enrolled in a care coordination program, ICU admission was associated with increased risk of not completing recommended outpatient follow-up. This population could be targeted for expanded care coordination efforts.
Does food and health education in school influence students’ everyday life?
Authors: Beinert Cecilie , Sørlie Anne Cathrine , Åbacka Gun , Palojoki Päivi , Vik Frøydis Nordgård
Published: September 2021

Objective:

The Norwegian National Action Plan for a Healthier Diet calls for discussion of new ways to communicate health information. An already established and important arena in which to do so is school, in the Food and Health (FH) subject in particular. The aim of this study was to investigate how Norwegian students experience the FH subject, and how they believe it impacts on their everyday lives.

Design:

Qualitative study using focus group discussions

Setting:

Three public schools in Norway

Methods:

Focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

Results:

The students reported the relevance of the school subject FH to their everyday life. However, how much FH was experienced as having impacted on their everyday lives with respect to cooking at home, food choice and food hygiene varied.

Conclusions:

More research is needed to explore how FH can have a stronger impact on students’ actual food choices and cooking practices. This is important in order to tackle contemporary dietary challenges among children and adolescents. Rather than discussing new channels of health education, we suggest that the FH subject area should be strengthened in schools by increasing teachers’ competence and focusing more strongly on how best to influence students’ food choices.
Determinants of remittances by unskilled Pakistani migrant workers
Authors: Khan Abdullah , Tippu Khadija , Ur Rehman Saffi , Ali Muhammad
Published: September 2021

Foreign remittance is the second-largest source of foreign exchange in Pakistan which makes international migrant workers key players in the balance of payments equation of Pakistan. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the most common destinations for unskilled migrant workers from Pakistan. With the increasing costs of migration and the sluggish economic performance of the Middle East in recent years before the pandemic, unskilled workers in the region are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the flow of remittances to their families. This study contributes to the literature on remittances by: (1) identifying the determinants of sending remittances by unskilled Pakistan migrants in KSA and UAE; (2) finding the determinants of the wage differential between foreign jobs and local jobs of unskilled Pakistani workers; and (3) estimating the average time that a worker needs to potentially repay the costs of migration. Data for the empirical analysis came from the Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) 2015 Migration and Recruitment Costs Survey in Pakistan. The findings suggest that experience and income are the most important determinants of remittances. However, the returns to education and experience are lower in KSA and UAE for unskilled labor as compared to Pakistan. Moreover, the economic costs of migration are high for these workers as it takes between five and nine years to recover the costs of migration. Unskilled migrants are important assets for Pakistan that will boost foreign reserves and reduce the balance of payment deficit. However, the opportunity cost of migration is high for educated and experienced workers and labor migration policies should consider both the costs and benefits of unskilled migration.
Protecting Filipino migrant workers in distress through social media platforms
Authors: Katigbak Jovito Jose P. , Roldan Ma. Divina Gracia Z.
Published: September 2021

This exploratory study focuses on the Philippine government’s response to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress, especially those in the Middle East, using social media platforms. It examines the level of social media adoption by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in protecting Filipino nationals abroad. The popularity of social networking sites among Filipinos, including DFA officials and staff, played a vital role in influencing the institution’s move toward social media adoption. Key informant interviews were conducted with 10 officials, case officers, and staff at the DFA home office and Foreign Service Posts in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from June to July 2019. While Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be effective tools for speedy communication between the DFA and OFWs, the DFA faces several challenges such as budgetary constraints, lack of human resources with ICT skills, and verifying reports, among others. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the indispensable role of social media platforms in communicating with OFWs and in extending assistance to those in distress. Hence, the DFA may consider the formulation of an agency-wide social media strategy and collaboration with other migration authorities on social media-anchored projects.
A single and double closed-loop compound anti-sway control method for double-pendulum bridge cranes locating at random position
Authors: Xia Minghui , Wang Xiaokai , Wu Qingxiang , Hua Lin
Published: September 2021

In the assembly workshops of some heavy special equipment, the bridge cranes for payload lifting often needs to be located frequently. However, the locating position is often determined by the operator, which is random and results in significant payload oscillation and difficulties in trolley positioning. Furthermore, in practice, the bridge crane always exhibits more complicated double-pendulum dynamics compared with single-pendulum crane. To solve these problems, this paper establishes the double-pendulum model of bridge crane. Derived from the proportional-derivative (PD) control, the single closed-loop is designed based on the hook oscillation during acceleration and transporting; when locating, the double closed-loop is presented by utilizing the position and the hook oscillation. Combining the two control methods, a single and double closed-loop compound anti-sway control (SDCAC) method for the bridge crane is proposed. On this basis, to improve the performance of the SDCAC system, the sequential quadratic optimization (SQP) method is adopted to optimize PD parameters. Besides, a novel bumpless transfer control method is proposed to realize the smooth transition between the two control modes. Finally, the simulations and experiments are conducted. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
How Completely Do Analysts Incorporate Firm-Specific and Industry Information in Their Forecasts? Evidence and Implications for Post-Forecast Revision Drift
Authors: Keskek Sami , Tse Senyo
Published: September 2021

Prior studies find a positive relation between analyst forecast revisions and upcoming news, suggesting that analysts’ forecast revisions are incomplete with respect to available information. In this study, we use the association between forecast revisions and upcoming news to measure forecast completeness and show that post-forecast-revision drift is higher when forecasts are incomplete. We follow Hui and Yeung’s (2013) approach to separate forecast revision news into industry-wide and firm-specific components because they find that drift is primarily associated with the industry component. We find that forecast revisions are less complete for industry-wide news than for firm-specific news. Furthermore, analysts’ industry-wide revisions are less complete early in the year and when the underlying news is bad, and we find stronger post-forecast-revision drift in those cases. We also show that analysts who were optimistic in prior periods tend to issue forecasts that are less complete and that generate stronger drift than forecasts by other analysts. Our findings provide an explanation for the drift that contrasts with prior studies that attribute the drift to investors’ slow assimilation of the news in forecast revisions. Thus, our study sheds light on analysts’ role in conveying firm-specific and industry-wide news to investors and on the implications for post-forecast-revision drift.
An infant with suspected missed diagnosis of Williams syndrome failed weaning off CPB after surgical correction of pulmonary stenosis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Zhou Ronghua
Published: September 2021

Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare congenital developmental disorder caused by the deletion of between 26 and 28 genes on chromosome 7q11.23. For patients with WS, in view of the particularity of the supravalvular aortic stenosis, choosing appropriate arterial cannula, maintaining higher perfusion pressure as well as strengthening myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential to the clinical outcome. Here, we report a child with pulmonary artery valvular stenosis who failed to wean off CPB because of malignant arrhythmias and cardiac insufficiency after surgical correction of pulmonary valvular stenosis. With the assistance of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), emergency cardiac catheterization revealed supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS), which suggests a suspected missed diagnosis of WS. Finally, under the support of ECMO, the cardiac function gradually returned to normal, and the child was discharged 23 days after surgery.
Interactive COVID-19 Mobility Impact and Social Distancing Analysis Platform
Authors: Zhang Lei , Darzi Aref , Ghader Sepehr , Pack Michael L. , Xiong Chenfeng , Yang Mofeng , Sun Qianqian , Kabiri Aliakbar , Hu Songhua
Published: September 2021

The research team has utilized privacy-protected mobile device location data, integrated with COVID-19 case data and census population data, to produce a COVID-19 impact analysis platform that can inform users about the effects of COVID-19 spread and government orders on mobility and social distancing. The platform is being updated daily, to continuously inform decision-makers about the impacts of COVID-19 on their communities, using an interactive analytical tool. The research team has processed anonymized mobile device location data to identify trips and produced a set of variables, including social distancing index, percentage of people staying at home, visits to work and non-work locations, out-of-town trips, and trip distance. The results are aggregated to county and state levels to protect privacy, and scaled to the entire population of each county and state. The research team is making their data and findings, which are updated daily and go back to January 1, 2020, for benchmarking, available to the public to help public officials make informed decisions. This paper presents a summary of the platform and describes the methodology used to process data and produce the platform metrics.
Assessment of medical and pharmaceutical waste flows during the coronavirus pandemic in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region, Morocco
Authors: Khazraji Monsif , Mouhir Latifa , Fekhaoui Mohammed , Saafadi Laila , Nassri Ilham
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented difficulties for health care institutions, which are required to manage not only the flow of patients with COVID-19, but also the management of medical and pharmaceutical waste (MPW). At the level of Morocco, the waste produced by hospitals has risen sharply in the regions most affected by the virus, such as the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region (15.05% of recorded cases). The objective of this study is to perform a descriptive statistical analysis and to evaluate the generation rates of MPW generated during the treatment of the coronavirus pandemic, with reference to a large health care hospital in the region, in order to enable decision-makers to adopt responses in terms of regular and continuous management of MPW. The Moulay Abdellah hospital in Sale has a bedding capacity allocated to the COVID-19 patient of 110 beds with a Average Occupation Rate (AOR) of 100% and an average production of 13tons per month. The study showed that the average rate of MPW generated is 4 kg per bed per day, which is twice as high as the average generation rate during normal operation in 2019. As well, frequency analysis of the data revealed that MPW generation follows a log normal distribution with a correlation coefficient of 0.9. The distribution is skewed to the right and flatter than the normal distribution curve as judged by the skewness coefficient which is 0.87 and kurtosis coefficient which has a value of 1.286, indicating a deviation from normality.
Planning Institutions and Urban Spatial Patterns: Evidence from a Cross-National Analysis
Authors: Schmidt Stephan , Li Wenzheng , Carruthers John , Siedentop Stefan
Published: September 2021

This paper examines how national planning frameworks differ from each other and how those differences relate to patterns of urban development using an international cross section of metropolitan regions. We construct a composite index to measure institutional planning frameworks through objective criteria—restrictive versus permissive; binding versus nonbinding; nationally versus locally oriented—that enables comparison between (not within) countries. We also estimate a series of models to evaluate the relationship between institutional frameworks and patterns. The evidence suggests that a more centralized and coordinated planning framework produces more compact development, whereas a more decentralized and uncoordinated planning framework results in less compact development.