bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles within Soft Denture Liners against Oral Pathogens
Authors: Ansarifard Elham , Zareshahrabadi Zahra , Sarafraz Najmeh , Zomorodian Kamiar
Published: June 2021

Objectives. Soft denture liners provide a favorable environment for adhesion and colonization of microorganisms. This in vitro study aimed to examine the efficacy of different concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) incorporation into soft denture liner on the biofilm formation of the microbial species. Methods. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images from NPs were recorded. Antifungal susceptibility testing of CuO NPs against five standard strains of Candida albicans (CBS 10261, 1905, 1912, 1949, 2730), Streptococcus mutans (ATCC35668), Streptococcus sobrinus (ATCC27607), and Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC9222) was performed by the broth microdilution method with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute reference method. The biofilm inhibition percentages of CuO NPs on the soft denture liners were determined by XTT assay. Results. The characterization of CuO NPs by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses confirmed the synthesis of NPs with appropriate structure and size with a mean diameter of 18.3 ± 9.1 nm. The CuO NPs successfully inhibited the growth of the tested standard strains of C. albicans and Streptococcus spp. at concentrations ranging from 64 to 128 µg mL−1. Indeed, incorporation of CuO NPs at a concentration of 500 µg mL−1 into the soft denture liners exhibited a significant activity (75%) in inhibition of C. albicans. biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. The biofilm formation of C. albicans in the presence of CuO NPs was lower than Streptococcus spp. in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion. Incorporation of CuO NPs significantly decreased the colonization and plaque formation of the oral pathogens, especially C. albicans accumulation. These NPs may be useful as a promising agent for the antimicrobial management of soft denture liner materials.
Evaluation of Surgical Effect of Atrial Septal Defect with Tricuspid Regurgitation by Transesophageal 3D Echocardiography Based on MC Image Reconstruction Algorithm
Authors: Chen Xuliang , Tai Sichao , Zhou Pengxiang , Chen Xiao
Published: June 2021

This study was to explore the application and effect of three-dimensional (3D) images of the esophagus in the treatment of atrial septal defect (ASD) combined with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) surgery under the processing of marching cubes (MC) image reconstruction algorithm. The MC image reconstruction algorithm was improved as the optimized MC image reconstruction algorithm. 100 patients who had successfully undergone the ASD combined with TR surgery in the hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 were selected as the research objects and grouped based on size of the defect. The preoperative and postoperative conditions of the patients were analyzed with the MC image reconstruction algorithm. Compared with the traditional MC image algorithm, the optimized MC was advanced with less running time and fewer fixed points (

P
<
0.05

). There were significant differences in TR of all ASD patients after the surgery (

P
<
0.05

), and the TR of all patients showed obvious declines from the 1st day to 30th day after surgery and gradually stabilized from the 3rd month to the 6th month after surgery. Compared with patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure, the amount of TR in patients with elevated pulmonary artery pressure increased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). In addition, the improvement of TR after occlusion was correlated with the preoperative ASD of the patient. The optimized MC algorithm had been improved greatly in the number of fixed points and running time. The analysis using the optimized MC algorithm showed that ASD patients generally suffered different degrees of TR, TR increased with the increase of the defect, and good effect could be achieved in surgery of all kinds of ASD patients.
Boundary Output Feedback Stabilization for a Cascaded‐Wave PDE‐ODE System with Velocity Recirculation
Authors: Li Ruicheng , Jin Feng-Fei , Yan Baoqiang
Published: June 2021

This paper considers the output feedback stabilization for a cascaded‐wave PDE‐ODE system with velocity recirculation by boundary control. First, we choose a well‐known exponentially stable system as its target system and find a backstepping transformation to design a state feedback controller for the original system. Second, we attempt to give an output feedback controller for the original system by introducing the observer. The resulting closed‐loop system admits a unique solution which is proved to be exponentially stable. Finally, we give some numerical examples to prove the validity for the theoretical results.
Intracranial Efficacy of Selpercatinib in RET Fusion-Positive Non–Small Cell Lung Cancers on the LIBRETTO-001 Trial
Authors: Subbiah Vivek , Gainor Justin F. , Oxnard Geoffrey R. , Tan Daniel S.W. , Owen Dwight H. , Cho Byoung Chul , Loong Herbert H. , McCoach Caroline E. , Weiss Jared , Kim Yu Jung , Bazhenova Lyudmila , Park Keunchil , Daga Haruko , Besse Benjamin , Gautschi Oliver , Rolfo Christian , Zhu Edward Y. , Kherani Jennifer F. , Huang Xin , Kang Suhyun , Drilon Alexander
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

We report the intracranial efficacy of selpercatinib, a highly potent and selective RET inhibitor, approved in the United States for RET fusion-positive non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).

Patients and Methods:

In the global phase 1/2 LIBRETTO-001 trial (NCT03157128) in advanced RET-altered solid tumors, selpercatinib was dosed orally (160 mg twice every day) in 28-day cycles. Patients with baseline intracranial metastases had MRI/CT scans every 8 weeks for 1 year (12 weeks thereafter). In this pre-planned analysis of patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLC with baseline intracranial metastases, the primary endpoint was independently assessed intracranial objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints included intracranial disease control rate, intracranial duration of response, and intracranial progression-free survival (PFS) independently reviewed.

Results:

Eighty patients with NSCLC had brain metastases at baseline. Patients were heavily pretreated (median = 2 systemic therapies, range = 0–10); 56% of patients received ≥1 course of intracranial radiation (14% whole brain radiotherapy, 45% stereotactic radiosurgery). Among 22 patients with measurable intracranial disease at baseline, intracranial ORR was 82% [95% confidence interval (CI), 60–95], including 23% with complete responses. Among all intracranial responders (measurable and nonmeasurable, n = 38), median duration of intracranial response was not reached (95% CI, 9.3–NE) at a median duration of follow-up of 9.5 months (IQR = 5.7, 12.0). At 12 months, 55% of intracranial responses were ongoing. In all 80 patients, median intracranial PFS was 13.7 months (95% CI, 10.9–NE) at a median duration of follow-up of 11.0 months (IQR = 7.4, 16.5). No new safety signals were revealed in patients with brain metastases compared with the full NSCLC trial population.

Conclusions:

Selpercatinib has robust and durable intracranial efficacy in patients with RET fusion-positive NSCLC.
Oncogenic Mutations in PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway Effectors Associate with Worse Prognosis in BRAFV600E-Driven Papillary Thyroid Cancer Patients
Authors: Pappa Theodora , Ahmadi Sara , Marqusee Ellen , Johnson Hannah L. , Nehs Matthew A. , Cho Nancy L. , Barletta Justine A. , Lorch Jochen H. , Doherty Gerard M. , Lindeman Neal I. , Alexander Erik K. , Landa Iñigo
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

The extent to which routine genomic sequencing can identify relevant secondary genomic alterations among BRAFV600E-mutant papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is unknown. Such markers would prove highly valuable for prognostic purposes.

Experimental Design:

We reviewed clinicopathologic data of 225 patients with BRAFV600E-mutant PTC and integrated them with genomic data derived from targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) on tumor specimens. We defined patient subgroups based on bona fide secondary oncogenic events (separate from BRAFV600E) and compared their clinical features and outcomes with those without additional oncogenic alterations.

Results:

Additional oncogenic alterations were identified in 16% of tumors. Patients in the “BRAF+additional mutations” group were more likely to be at high American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk of recurrence (48.6% vs. 17.6%; P = 0.0009), had larger baseline tumor (2.7 vs. 1.9 cm; P = 0.0005) and more advanced stage at presentation (14.3% vs. 1.1% stage 4; P < 0.0001). Importantly, over a 65-month follow-up, disease-specific mortality (DSM) was increased when additional mutations were identified (13.8% vs. 1.4% in the BRAF-only group; P = 0.005). Separately, we identified a subcluster of patients harboring oncogenic mutations in key effectors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which were independently associated with DSM (OR = 47.9; 95% confidence interval, 3.5–1,246.5; P = 0.0043).

Conclusions:

Identification of additional PIK3/AKT/mTOR alterations in patients with BRAFV600E-mutant PTC provides important and actionable prognostic risk stratification. These data support genomic profiling of PTC tumors to inform prognosis and clinical strategy.
CSF1/CSF1R Signaling Inhibitor Pexidartinib (PLX3397) Reprograms Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Stimulates T-cell Infiltration in the Sarcoma Microenvironment
Authors: Fujiwara Tomohiro , Yakoub Mohamed A. , Chandler Andrew , Christ Alexander B. , Yang Guangli , Ouerfelli Ouathek , Rajasekhar Vinagolu K. , Yoshida Aki , Kondo Hiroya , Hata Toshiaki , Tazawa Hiroshi , Dogan Yildirim , Moore Malcolm A.S. , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi , Ozaki Toshifumi , Purdue Ed , Healey John H.
Published: June 2021

Colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) is a primary regulator of the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of monocyte/macrophage that sustains the protumorigenic functions of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Considering current advances in understanding the role of the inflammatory tumor microenvironment, targeting the components of the sarcoma microenvironment, such as TAMs, is a viable strategy. Here, we investigated the effect of PLX3397 (pexidartinib) as a potent inhibitor of the CSF1 receptor (CSF1R). PLX3397 was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat tenosynovial giant cell tumor and reprogram TAMs whose infiltration correlates with unfavorable prognosis of sarcomas. First, we confirmed by cytokine arrays of tumor-conditioned media (TCM) that cytokines including CSF1 are secreted from LM8 osteosarcoma cells and NFSa fibrosarcoma cells. The TCM, like CSF1, stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs), polarized BMDMs toward an M2 (TAM-like) phenotype, and strikingly promoted BMDM chemotaxis. In vitro administration of PLX3397 suppressed pERK1/2 stimulation by CSF1 or TCM, and reduced M2 polarization, survival, and chemotaxis in BMDMs. Systemic administration of PLX3397 to the osteosarcoma orthotopic xenograft model significantly suppressed the primary tumor growth and lung metastasis, and thus improved metastasis-free survival. PLX3397 treatment concurrently depleted TAMs and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells and, surprisingly, enhanced infiltration of CD8+ T cells into the microenvironments of both primary and metastatic osteosarcoma sites. Our preclinical results show that PLX3397 has strong macrophage- and T-cell–modulating effects that may translate into cancer immunotherapy for bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.
Oncogenic KrasG12D Activation in the Nonhematopoietic Bone Marrow Microenvironment Causes Myelodysplastic Syndrome in Mice
Authors: Osswald Lena , Hamarsheh Shaima'a , Uhl Franziska Maria , Andrieux Geoffroy , Klein Claudius , Dierks Christine , Duquesne Sandra , Braun Lukas M. , Schmitt-Graeff Annette , Duyster Justus , Boerries Melanie , Brummer Tilman , Zeiser Robert
Published: June 2021

The bone marrow microenvironment (BMME) is key player in regulation and maintenance of hematopoiesis. Oncogenic RAS mutations, causing constitutive activation of multiple tumor-promoting pathways, are frequently found in human cancer. So far in hematologic malignancies, RAS mutations have only been reported to occur in hematopoietic cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of oncogenic Kras expression in the BMME in a chimeric mouse model. We observed that an activating mutation of Kras in the nonhematopoietic system leads to a phenotype resembling myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) characterized by peripheral cytopenia, marked dysplasia within the myeloid lineage as well as impaired proliferation and differentiation capacity of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The phenotypic changes could be reverted when the BM was re-isolated and transferred into healthy recipients, indicating that the KrasG12D-activation in the nonhematopoietic BMME was essential for the MDS phenotype. Gene expression analysis of sorted nonhematopoietic BM niche cells from KrasG12D mice revealed upregulation of multiple inflammation-related genes including IL1-superfamily members (Il1α, Il1β, Il1f9) and the NLPR3 inflammasome. Thus, pro-inflammatory IL1-signaling in the BMME may contribute to MDS development. Our findings show that a single genetic change in the nonhematopoietic BMME can cause an MDS phenotype. Oncogenic Kras activation leads to pro-inflammatory signaling in the BMME which impairs HSPCs function.

Implications:

These findings may help to identify new therapeutic targets for MDS.
The tadpole of an insular population of Cycloramphus boraceiensis Heyer, 1983 (Anura: Cycloramphidae) with a review of larval descriptions for species in the genus
Authors: Colaço Gustavo , Batista Marcelo , Limp Gabriel , Silva Hélio Ricardo da
Published: June 2021

A literature survey for the external morphology of tadpoles for species in the genus Cycloramphus Tschudi, 1838, which is mainly represented by larval descriptions, resulted in finding some inconsistent character descriptions. In a few cases, some of the information is either not presented or mistakenly reported; in some cases, the illustrations provided the information not present in the descriptions. Here in we use a sample of tadpoles of an insular population identified as Cycloramphus boraceiensis, present a description for it, compare it to the original larval description for this species, and using it as a model, present a comparative review of the other larval descriptions for Cycloramphus tadpoles. We evaluate that most of the mistakes we found in the literature are associated to the unique morphology of these semiterrestrial larvae and some of their seemingly adaptation to their microhabitats, which for the majority of the known species is a film of water running associated to or near streams.
Echinoderms from the Gulf of Venezuela, north-western coast of Venezuela
Authors: Espinoza-Rodríguez Nínive Edilia , Pernía Yumara , Severeyn Héctor , Severeyn Yajaira García de , Barrios-Garrido Héctor
Published: June 2021

Echinoderms are a major group of marine invertebrates that often play integral roles within the marine ecosystem. Studies about their occurrence, abundance, and distribution in Venezuela are focused in the central-eastern coasts; hence the aim of this study is to describe the echinoderm community in the north-western coast of the Gulf of Venezuela. Samples were collected from three sites in the Venezuelan Guajira Peninsula (Castilletes, Porshoure, and Kazuzain) where patchy coral reefs and seagrass meadows are abundant. According to the substrate, two methods were performed using quantitative (1 m² quadrates), and qualitative free-diving observations. All organisms were counted and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level; finally, diversity (Shannon diversity index), richness (number of species), and dominance in the different sampled substrates were recorded. The updated list of echinoderms of the Gulf of Venezuela reported in this research, includes 20 genera, 15 families, 10 orders, four classes, and 28 species. The richest class was Ophiuroidea, with 18 species, followed by Asteroidea, Echinoidea and Holothuroidea, with three species each. Castilletes was the sampling site with the higher number of species (18 species), followed by Porshoure (15 species), and lastly Kazuzain (12 species). Our observations indicate that the number of species and abundance were higher when found in coral reefs (21 species, 80.69% of the total collected individuals) in contrast to the species found in seagrass beds (16 species, 19.31% of the total of individuals collected). This updated list of echinoderms represents 11.54% of the total diversity of the phylum in the marine areas from the coast of Venezuela; it is suggested that this percentage is greatly influenced by the differences of habitats and substrates alongside the north-western coast in the Gulf of Venezuela.
New host record for the enigmatic Neotropical mantidfly genus Anchieta Navás, 1909 (Neuroptera, Mantispidae), a mimic of wasps and stingless bees
Authors: Rasmussen Claus , Ardila-Camacho Adrian
Published: June 2021

Species of Symphrasinae (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) are ectoparasitoids of larvae and pupae of holometabolous insects, primarily of Hymenoptera in their larval stages. Herein we present the third case of an association between the mantidfly genus Anchieta Navás, 1909 with the order Hymenoptera. The hymenopteran species attacked by the as of yet undescribed species of Anchieta is Montezumia dimidiata Saussure, 1852 (Vespidae: Eumeninae), a predacious wasp that constructs mud nests. The association was observed in Peruvian Amazonia (near Tarapoto, San Martín), after rearing the mantidflies from a wasp nest. The biology and mimicry pattern with stingless bees of the reared Anchieta species is discussed.
MPAs in the Southern Ocean under CCAMLR
Authors: Scott Karen N.
Published: June 2021

In 2016, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) designated the largest marine protected area (MPA) in the Ross Sea. Hailed as both a precedent and a prototype for MPAs in both Antarctica and in areas beyond national jurisdiction more generally, it is nevertheless proving challenging to implement. Moreover, further MPAs have yet to be designated in the region although a number are under negotiation. This article will evaluate the contribution made by CCAMLR to the implementation of SDG 14.5 (the conservation of at least 20 per cent of marine and coastal areas by 2020), its relationship to area-based protection under the 1991 Environmental Protocol, and highlight the challenges of establishing MPAs beyond the jurisdiction of states.
The Interpretation and Application of the Freedom of Navigation and Flag State Jurisdiction in the M/V “Norstar” and the M/T “San Padre Pio” Cases
Authors: Becker-Weinberg Vasco
Published: June 2021

The M/V “Norstar” and the M/T “San Padre Pio” cases raise important questions regarding the interpretation and application of the freedom of navigation and the principle of exclusive flag State jurisdiction, namely if the latter prohibits the exercise of prescriptive jurisdiction on the high seas by non-flag States. One of the exceptional aspects of the M/V “Norstar” case is the Joint Dissenting Opinion (JDO) by seven judges underlining a distinctive view regarding the interpretation of the freedom of navigation and the principle of exclusive flag State jurisdiction. Subsequent to the M/V “Norstar” case, the M/T “San Padre Pio” case was submitted and bares relevance for the clarification on some of the key matters addressed in the Judgment and the JDO in the M/V “Norstar” case. This article highlights the different views of the Judgment and the JDO and examines the relation with the M/T “San Padre Pio” case.
Rottboellia husainii (Poaceae: Andropogoneae), a new grass species from Western Himalaya, India
Authors: TRIPATHI SHAILJA , JAISWAL SHUBHAM , PRASAD DILESHWAR , YADAV REKHA , SAXENA GAURI , AGNIHOTRI PRIYANKA
Published: June 2021

A new species of Rottboellia (Poaceae), R. husainii is described from Rakh Jargoh village in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The species is closely allied to R. cochinchinensis in possessing similar habit and inflorescence but differs in certain characters, which are discussed below. A detailed description, photographs and taxonomic key are provided for easy identification of the species in India.
Rapid Electrochemical Screening of Phenylketonuria Maker Depending on Dehydrogenase Attached to the Pt-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites
Authors: Ming Yang , Yu Yan , Yang Cheng-Li , Chen Xin-Mian , Han Ru-Xia , Hao Ying , Hu Dan-Rong , Pan Meng , Zhou Xiao-Han , Qian Zhi-Yong
Published: June 2021

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a common disease associated with amino acid metabolism, and usually occurs in newborns. It can cause serious neurological diseases and even death. However, owing to inadequate-effective treatment, it can only be slowed by a low-phenylalanine (Phe) diet. In addition,
PKU screening is essential for newborns in many countries. Therefore, rapid screening is crucial for preventing damage and meeting the large sample diagnosis demand. For confirmed patients, a convenient method to monitor their regular Phe levels is required. However, current clinical methods
do not meet the rapid screening and convenient monitoring requirements. Herein, a rapid and facile electrochemical device based on platinum-doped reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites was developed to detect PKU biomarker-Phe. The results demonstrated that the developed electrode has great
sensitivity, selectivity, and stability. The detection range was 0.0001 mM to 6 mM with a limit of detection of 0.01 μM. Therefore, this work offers a simple and rapid method for point-of-care PKU screening and daily monitoring.
Construction of an Effective Delivery System for DNA Vaccines Using Biodegradable Polylactic Acid Based Microspheres
Authors: Ren Shuaikai , Guo Liang , Wang Chunxin , Ru Jiaxi , Yang Yunqi , Wang Yan , Sun Changjiao , Cui Haixin , Zhao Xiang , Guo Huichen
Published: June 2021

Nanotechnology represents a new impetus for biomedical research applications, especially using nanotechnology to formulate microspheres or nanospheres based delivery system for treatment of infectious diseases in animals. In this work, polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres with an average
size of 156 nm were prepared by combining emulsion polymerization coupled with emulsion-solvent evaporation. Coating with polyethylenimine (PEI) polymers increased the surface charges of the resulting PLA/PEI microspheres, thus enabled plasmid DNA to adsorb tightly to the microspheres. As
expected, the plasmid DNA was successfully transferred into the pig kidney-15 cells with high transfection efficiency. In addition, the protection rate of PLA/PEI microspheres loaded with DNA vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease in guinea pigs reached 87.5%, which was significantly higher
than that of the pure DNA vaccine group. These results indicated that PLA/PEI microspheres were expected to be an effective delivery system for DNA vaccines.
Assessment of Snowmaking Conditions Based on Meteorological Reconstruction in the Beijing–Zhangjiakou Mountain Area of North China in 1978–2017
Authors: Chen Jing , Wang Ji , Lin Runsheng , Lu Li
Published: June 2021

The outdoor events of the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will be held in the mountain areas of Beijing–Zhangjiakou, North China, where there is a complete reliance on artificial snow production owing to the dry and cold weather conditions. To assess how favorable the meteorological conditions are to snowmaking at the mountain venues, we reconstructed the daily wet-bulb temperature by adopting the thin-plate smoothing spline function method, and then we assessed the potential number of snowmaking days at eight weather stations (928–2098 m MSL) from October to the next April (i.e., the ski season) during the period 1978–2017. Results showed that artificial snow production would have been possible on 121 (±14) to 171 (±12) days on average at the stations with the increases of altitude, and the number of days decreased at rates of 4.3–5.1 days decade−1 across four decades of the study period. The cause of the decrease was the warming trend, which affected the number of days in low-altitude sites simultaneously, but the reduction was delayed with increased elevation. At monthly scale, the number of snowmaking days was robust in wintertime but reduced in other months of the ski season, particularly in March in more recent subperiods at high-altitude stations, which was determined by the increase in high values of daily mean wet-bulb temperature. Further improvements in assessing snowmaking conditions require detailed microclimatic studies to reduce the uncertainties caused by meteorological conditions as well as combination with model-based methods to determine potential future changes.
Spatial and temporal trends and variabilities of hailstones in the United States Northern Great Plains and their possible attributions
Authors: Jeong Jong-Hoon , Fan Jiwen , Homeyer Cameron R.
Published: June 2021

Following on our study of hail for the Southern Great Plains (SGP), we investigated the spatial and temporal hail trends and variabilities for the Northern Great Plains (NGP) and the contributing factors for summers (June–August) focusing on the period of 2004–2016 using two independent hail datasets. Analysis for an extended period (1994–2016) with the hail reports was also conducted to more reliably investigate the contributing factors. Both severe hail (1″ < diameter ≤ 2″) and significant severe hail (SSH; diameter > 2″) were examined and similar results were obtained. The occurrence of hail over the NGP demonstrated a large interannual variability, with a positive slope overall. Spatially, the increase is mainly located in the western part of Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. We find the three major dynamical factors that most likely contribute to the hail interannual variability in the NGP are the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), North Atlantic subtropical high (NASH), and low-level jet (LLJ). With a thermodynamical variable integrated water vapor transport that is strongly controlled by LLJ, the four factors can explain 78% of the interannual variability in the number of SSH reports. Hail occurrences in the La Niña years are higher than the El Niño years since the jet stream is stronger and NASH extends further into the southeastern United States, thereby strengthening the LLJ and in turn water vapor transport. Interestingly, the important factors impacting hail interannual variability over the NGP are quite different from those for the SGP, except for ENSO.
Quantifying the Mechanisms of Atmospheric Circulation Response to Greenhouse Gas Increases in a Forcing-Feedback Framework
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Chen Gang , Ming Yi
Published: June 2021

While there is substantial evidence for tropospheric jet shift and Hadley cell expansion in response to greenhouse gas increases, quantitative assessments of individual mechanisms and feedback for atmospheric circulation changes remain lacking. We present a new forcing-feedback analysis on circulation response to increasing CO2 concentration in an aquaplanet atmospheric model. This forcing-feedback framework explicitly identifies a direct zonal wind response by holding the zonal mean zonal wind exerting on the zonal advection of eddies unchanged, in comparison with the additional feedback induced by the direct response in zonal mean zonal wind. It is shown that the zonal advection feedback accounts for nearly half of the changes to the eddy-driven jet shift and Hadley cell expansion, largely contributing to the subtropical precipitation decline, when the CO2 concentration varies over a range of climates. The direct response in temperature displays the well-known tropospheric warming pattern to CO2 increases, but the feedback exhibits negative signals. The direct response in eddies is characterized by a reduction in upward wave propagation and a poleward shift of midlatitude eddy momentum flux (EMF) convergence, likely due to an increase in static stability from moist thermodynamic adjustment. In contrast, the feedback features a dipole pattern in EMF that further shifts and strengthens midlatitude EMF convergence, resulting from the upper-level zonal wind increase seen in the direct response. Interestingly, the direct response produces an increase in eddy kinetic energy (EKE), but the feedback weakens EKE. Thus, the forcing-feedback framework highlights the distinct effect of zonal mean advecting wind from direct thermodynamic effects in atmospheric response to greenhouse gas increases.
Ocean glider flight in the presence of surface waves
Authors: Merckelbach Lucas M. , Carpenter Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2021

Autonomous, buoyancy-driven ocean gliders are increasingly used as a platform for the measurement of turbulence microstructure. In the processing of such measurements, there is a sensitive (quartic) dependence of the turbulence dissipation rate, ϵ, on the speed of flow past the sensors, or alternatively, the speed of the glider through the ocean water column. The mechanics of glider flight is therefore examined by extending previous flight models to account for the effects of ocean surface waves. It is found that due to the relatively small buoyancy changes used to drive gliders, the surface wave-induced motion, superimposed onto the steady-state motion, follows to a good approximation the motion of the wave orbitals. Errors expected in measuring ϵ at the ocean near-surface due to wave-induced relative velocities are generally less than 10%. However, pressure perturbations associated with the wave motion can be significant when using the glider-measured pressure signal to infer the glider vertical velocity. This effect of surface waves is only present in the shallow water regime, and can also affect glider depth measurements. It arises from an incomplete cancellation of the wave-induced pressure perturbation with the hydrostatic component due to vertical glider displacements, whereas for deep-water waves this cancellation is complete.
The Early Evening Transition in Southeastern U.S. Tornado Environments
Authors: Brown Matthew C. , Nowotarski Christopher J. , Dean Andrew R. , Smith Bryan T. , Thompson Richard L. , Peters John M.
Published: June 2021

The response of severe local storms to environmental evolution across the early evening transition (EET) remains a forecasting challenge, particularly within the context of the Southeast U.S. storm climatology, which includes the increased presence of low-CAPE environments and tornadic nonsupercell modes. To disentangle these complex environmental interactions, Southeast severe convective reports spanning 2003–18 are temporally binned relative to local sunset. Sounding-derived data corresponding to each report are used to characterize how the near-storm environment evolves across the EET, and whether these changes influence the mode, frequency, and tornadic likelihood of their associated storms. High-shear, high-CAPE (HSHC) environments are contrasted with high-shear, low-CAPE (HSLC) environments to highlight physical processes governing storm maintenance and tornadogenesis in the absence of large instability. Last, statistical analysis is performed to determine which aspects of the near-storm environment most effectively discriminate between tornadic (or significantly tornadic) and nontornadic storms toward constructing new sounding-derived forecast guidance parameters for multiple modal and environmental combinations. Results indicate that HSLC environments evolve differently than HSHC environments, particularly for nonsupercell (e.g., quasi-linear convective system) modes. These low-CAPE environments sustain higher values of low-level shear and storm-relative helicity (SRH) and destabilize postsunset—potentially compensating for minimal buoyancy. Furthermore, the existence of HSLC storm environments presunset increases the likelihood of nonsupercellular tornadoes postsunset. Existing forecast guidance metrics such as the significant tornado parameter (STP) remain the most skillful predictors of HSHC tornadoes. However, HSLC tornado prediction can be improved by considering variables like precipitable water, downdraft CAPE, and effective inflow base.
A Novel Educational Tool to Improve Medical Student Knowledge Acquisition During Surgical Rotations
Authors: Portelli Tremont Jaclyn N. , Kratzke Ian M. , Williford Michael L. , Pascarella Luigi
Published: June 2021

Background

The addition of a novel education tool helps students improve understanding of general surgery topics. However, the effect of the new tool on objective exam performance is unknown.

Materials

A 10-item card of high-yield general surgery topics was implemented in the third-year surgery clerkship. Students reviewed these topics with general surgery residents. Scores from the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) surgery subject exam and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) board exam were compared among students who completed the Ask-a-Resident Topic card to a control group.

Results

Students who participated in the curriculum demonstrated significantly better scores on the NBME Surgery exam, t (236) = −2.56, P = .006. There was not a significant effect of the curriculum on Step 2 CK scores, although students who participated in the curriculum (M = 250.7, SD = 13.4) achieved higher scores than the control group (M = 247.8, SD = 14.2).

Discussion

The novel curriculum may improve objective student performance on standardized surgery exams.
Does realism explain the Arab Spring? Neorealist alliance formation theories and the Syrian civil war
Authors: Nuruzzaman Mohammed
Published: June 2021

Dominant International Relations theories—realism/neorealism, liberalism/neoliberalism, and constructivism—have so far developed no rigorous theoretical attempts to interpret the Arab Spring, though some marginal efforts have been made to critique the failure of realism to interpret this historical development. This article presents a neorealist interpretation of the Arab Spring focusing on the Syrian civil war, where conflicts between the pro- and anti-status quo forces have unfolded in alignments and counter-alignments centering around rival domestic and external groups. To explain the involvements of rival alliances in the post-2011 Syrian conflict, namely, the United States–Saudi Arabia–Israel alliance and the Russia–Iran–Syria alliance, this analysis employs neorealist theories of alliance formation—the balance of power and balance of threat theories—as articulated by Kenneth Waltz and Stephen Walt, respectively. The dynamics of these formations in Syria lend more support to Walt’s theory that states balance against threats rather than against power. The complex nature and dynamics of the Syrian war, however, calls for refinements of Walt’s balance of threat theory. Accordingly, the article also explores various refinements of Walt’s theory to better explain future complex civil wars involving highly polarized domestic and external parties.
A Phantom War: Hollywood as a Mythmaker in the Post–Vietnam War Era
Authors: Clarke Ethan X.
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this article is to examine the function of entertainment media as a mythmaker in interpreting the legacy of the Vietnam war, which served not only as a flashpoint within the context of the Cold War but as a global turning point culturally as well. The United States’ foray into the conflict was broadcast each night on television, Americans saw an increasing number of veterans returning home with antiwar attitudes and/or posttraumatic stress disorder, and the United States witnessed the rise of numerous countercultural trends and saw a decreasing trust for its government. All of this served in destabilizing traditional attitudes of American exceptionalism and Western colonialism. To process the collective trauma and confusion of the Vietnam conflict and its intrinsically connected periphery, America turned to Hollywood for answers. This article argues that the simulation of war as it appeared on screen, while distinctly different from historical reality, is itself no less important in the formation of our collective memory—it has informed coverage of subsequent conflicts as well as the deep cultural gulfs present in both the U.S. and Westernized culture as a whole.
The Effect of Different Types of Feedback Statements on Educators’ Use of Naturalistic Instruction
Authors: Coogle Christan Grygas , Wade Clarissa Bunch , Ottley Jennifer R. , McCorkle Laura
Published: June 2021

We used an adapted alternating treatment single-case design to compare the effect of affirmative feedback to affirmative plus suggestive feedback on educators’ use of naturalistic instruction. Three early childhood special educators and a focus child within their preschool classrooms participated. Visual analysis of our data suggest that affirmative plus suggestive feedback produced stronger effects compared to affirmative feedback. Based on these data, faculty and professional development providers should plan to provide their educators with both affirmative and suggestive feedback to strengthen educators’ practice. Implications for practice and research are included.
A semantic metric for concepts similarity in knowledge graphs
Authors: Alkhamees Majed A , Alnuem Mohammed A , Al-Saleem Saleh M , Al-Ssulami Abdulrakeeb M
Published: June 2021

Semantic similarity between concepts concerns expressing the degree of similarity in meaning between two concepts in a computational model. This problem has recently attracted considerable attention from researchers in attempting to automate the understanding of word meanings to expedite the classification of users’ opinions and attitudes embedded in text. In this article, a semantic similarity metric is presented. The proposed metric, namely, weighted information-content ( wic), exploits the information content of the least common subsumer of two compared concepts and the depth information in knowledge graphs such as DBPedia and YAGO. The two similarity components were combined using calibrated cooperative contributions from both similarity components. A statistical test using the Spearman correlations on well-known human judgement word-similarity data sets showed that the wic metric produced more highly correlated similarities compared with state-of-the-art metrics. In addition, a real-world aspect category classification was evaluated, which exhibited further increased accuracy and recall.
The Effectiveness of Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model on Self-Care Practices in Early Pregnancy to Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Iranian Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Motahari-Tabari Narges Sadat , Nasiri-Amiri F. , Faramarzi Mahbobeh , Shirvani Marjan Ahmad , Bakhtiari Afsaneh , Omidvar Shabnam
Published: June 2021

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic dysfunction in pregnancy and as overweight and obesity are of the major risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Information-Motivation and Behavioral skills (IMB) model-based counseling on preventing GDM in overweight and obese pregnant women.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 137 pregnant women in two groups; education and counseling IMB model-based for four sessions ( n = 70), and antenatal usual care (AUC) ( n = 67). This study was conducted on overweight and obese pregnant women, at the 12 to 16 weeks' gestation and recruited from the Prenatal Clinic of Rohani Hospital in north of Iran. Blood glucose was measured before and 8 weeks after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics including mean, frequency, t-test, chi-square and ANCOVA were used.

Results

The prevalence of GDM was lower in the intervention group than the control group (10% and 29.9%, respectively, RR = 0.33, CI 95% (0.15– 0.74) p = .004) as well as mean fasting blood glucose (Cohen's d = 0.28, p = .07), and glucose tolerance test at the first and second hour ( d = 0.41 and Cohen's d = 0.73, respectively, p < .01).

Conclusions

A lifestyle intervention in early pregnancy by IMB counseling in overweight and obese pregnant women can be effective in decrease GDM.
Role of thermography in the assessment of temporomandibular disorders and other musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review
Authors: Moreira Andre , Batista Ricardo , Oliveira Susana , Branco Catarina Aguiar , Mendes Joaquim , Figueiral Maria Helena
Published: June 2021

The aim of this review was to evaluate whether thermal imaging may constitute a reliable assessment method of musculoskeletal and temporomandibular disorders (TMD/MSD). A systematic review was conducted in the Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and Lilacs databases. The search terms were “musculoskeletal disorders,”“temporomandibular disorders,”“infrared thermography,”“thermography,” and “infrared imaging.” The inclusion criteria were: studies published between January 1985 and January 2021, performed in humans, with sample size equal or greater than 20 patients, written in English, Portuguese, French and/or Spanish, and full text available. The exclusion criteria were: systematic reviews, case studies, and/or studies focused on pathologies beyond the review’s domain. The risk of bias was evaluated using CASP 2018. A total of 2032 articles were retrieved. Of these, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included to withdraw the following information: title, type of study, first author and year of publication, objective, number of participants, comparisons, and principal conclusions. No RCT were found. Despite some disparity, points of convergence among the majority of authors could be found. In general, healthy individuals show subtle thermal differences between contralateral homolog areas. Concerning orofacial structures, unilateral symptomatic individuals may show thermal differences equal or greater than 0.4°C. Infrared thermography accuracy in diagnosing TMD/MSD is still considered low to moderate. Despite some limitations, IRT might constitute a valuable supporting diagnostic tool in the medical field of TMD and MSD.
Tumor necrosis factor receptor II and PTPN22 genes polymorphisms and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptian children
Authors: Eid Riham , Hammad Ayman , Abdelsalam Maha , Fathy Aya Ahmed , Abd-El Ghafaar Dena M , Elmarghany Eman B , El-Hanafy Aya A , Mostafa Nora , Niazey Nermeen A , Korkor Mai S , Hamdy Nashwa
Published: June 2021

Background

Many genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent cytokine stimulator acting through 2 cell surface receptors (TNFR I and II). TNFRII gene which controls expression of these receptors has been linked to SLE susceptibility through promoting apoptosis. Also; Protein tyrosine phosphatase non receptor 22 (PTPN22) gene enhances intrinsic phosphatase activity of T lymphocytes leading to their dysregulation and stimulates autoimmune process of lupus and its rs2476601 has been linked to susceptibility to thyroiditis in SLE patients in few studies.

Objectives

(i) to investigate the correlation between 2 SNPs of TNFR II and PTPN22 genes and SLE susceptibility in a cohort of Egyptian children compared to controls (ii) and to investigate their possible association with different clinical presentations of the disease in children.

Subjects and methods

Typing of TNFR II rs1061622 and PTPN22 rs2476601 SNPs were done using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism for 74 children with SLE and 100 matched healthy controls.

Results

Children with SLE had more frequent G allele and GG genotype of TNFR II rs1061622 ( p < 0.001) and more T allele and TT genotype of PTPN22 rs2476601 ( p = 0.012 and <0.001, respectively) compared to controls. Only 6 patients (8%) had thyroiditis (hypothyroidism) with T allele and TT genotype of PTPN22 1858 T more prevalent in those patients versus those without thyroiditis ( p ≤ 0.001). Apart from, thyroiditis, no significant association was found between genotypes and alleles frequencies of the 2 studied SNPs and other clinical manifestations of the disease.

Conclusion

The G allele and GG genotype of TNFR II rs1061622 and T allele and TT genotype of PTPN22 rs2476601 genes polymorphism can be considered as risk factors for the development of SLE. The presence of the T allele of PTPN22 rs2476601 may increase the risk of concomitant thyroiditis in Egyptian children with SLE but further studies are required to confirm this finding as thyroiditis was reported only in few cases in this study.
Factors associated with neuropsychiatric involvement in Latin American patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Barile-Fabris Leonor A , Fragoso-Loyo Hilda , Wojdyla Daniel , Quintana Rosana , Pons-Estel Guillermo J , Catoggio Luis J , García Mercedes A , Saurit Verónica , Drenkard Cristina , Bonfa Eloisa , Borba Eduardo F , Sato Emilia , Tavares Brenol Joao C , Cavalcanti Fernando , Da Silva Nilzio A , Lavras Costallat Lilian T , Guibert Toledano Marlene , Massardo Loreto , Neira Oscar , Cardiel Mario H , Amigo Mary Carmen , García De La Torre Ignacio , Silveira Luis H , Acevedo Vásquez Eduardo M , Chacón-Diaz Rosa , Esteva-Spinetti María H , Alarcón Graciela S , Pons-Estel Bernardo A ,   On behalf of GLADEL
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Factors related to presentation of neuropsychiatric (NP) SLE manifestations, early in the course of the disease, and during follow up have not been clearly established.

Purpose

To identify disease and non-disease related factors associated with NP manifestations in early SLE.

Methods

We included 1193 patients from the GLADEL inception cohort free of NP involvement at cohort entry. We evaluated the association of demographic, clinical and laboratory data with NP involvement during follow-up.

Statistical methods

Independent factors associated with NP involvement were identified using a multivariable Cox regression model.

Results

Factors independently associated with NP manifestations were: mestizo ethnicity (HR 1.701, 95% CI 1.282–2.258, p = 0.0002), myalgias/myositis (HR 1.832, 95% CI 1.335–2.515, p = 0.0002), pneumonitis (HR 2.476, 95% CI 1.085–5.648, p = 0.0312), shrinking lung (HR 2.428, 95% CI 1.074–5.493, p = 0.0331) and hemolytic anemia (HR 1.629, 95% CI 1.130–2.347, p = 0.0089). Longer disease duration at cohort entry (13 to 24 months) was associated with a lower risk of developing NP manifestations (HR 0.642, 95% CI 0.441–0.934, p = 0.0206).

Conclusions

Patients with myalgias/myositis, pneumonitis, shrinking lung and hemolytic anemia are at higher risk of NP involvement, whereas longer disease duration at cohort entry is associated with a lower risk of developing NP involvement.