bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ankle MRI and preceding radiographs: an evaluation of physician ordering practices
Authors: de Ga Kristopher , Noblett Dylan , Bateni Cyrus
Published: June 2022

Objective

Multiple guidelines have been published for appropriate imaging in patients with ankle-related symptoms which suggest radiographs as the initial imaging examination for both acute and chronic ankle abnormalities. Few studies have evaluated adherence to these imaging guidelines. This study retrospectively evaluated the utilization of ankle MRI and preceding radiographs based on ordering provider group and MRI indication.

Materials and methods

A total of 4186 ankle MRIs performed over a 9-year period at a single institution were evaluated for the presence of preceding ankle and/or foot radiographs at two time points, within 3 months and within 6 months of the MRI examination. Ankle MRIs were then categorized based on 6 ordering provider groups and 13 MRI indications.

Results

Of the 4186 MRIs evaluated, 68% had preceding radiographs within 3 months and 77% had radiographs within 6 months. Primary care, sports medicine, and podiatry had the lowest rates of preceding radiographs (73%, 68%, and 64%, respectively, within 6 months). Eighty-six percent of ankle MRIs ordered by orthopedic surgery had preceding radiographs within 6 months and 89% of ankle MRIs ordered by emergency medicine and inpatient providers had preceding radiographs. MRIs intended for evaluation of Achilles tendon or plantar fascia abnormalities were among the least likely indications to have preceding radiographs.

Conclusion

Based on established clinical guidelines, there was a lower-than-expected rate of obtaining preceding radiographs for ankle MRIs among most provider groups, particularly non-orthopedic outpatient providers. Additional research is needed to address the lack of adherence to clinical imaging guidelines and ensure appropriate imaging.
A framework for detection and attribution of regional precipitation change: Application to the United States historical record
Authors: Risser Mark D. , Collins William D. , Wehner Michael F. , O’Brien Travis A. , Paciorek Christopher J. , O’Brien John P. , Patricola Christina M. , Huang Huanping , Ullrich Paul A. , Loring Burlen
Published: June 2022

Despite the emerging influence of anthropogenic climate change on the global water cycle, at regional scales the combination of observational uncertainty, large internal variability, and modeling uncertainty undermine robust statements regarding the human influence on precipitation. Here, we use output from global climate models in a perfect-data sense to develop a framework for conducting regional detection and attribution (D&A) for precipitation, starting with the contiguous United States (CONUS) where observational uncertainty is lower than in other regions. Our unified approach can simultaneously detect systematic trends in mean and extreme precipitation, attribute trends to anthropogenic forcings, compute the effects of forcings as a function of time, and map the effects of individual forcings. Model output is used to conduct a set of tests that yield a parsimonious representation for characterizing seasonal precipitation over the CONUS for the historical record (1900 to present day), which ensures our D&A is insensitive to structural uncertainty. Our framework is developed using synthetic data in a Pearl-causal perspective wherein causality can be identified using intervention-based simulations. While the hypothesis-based framework and accompanying generalized D&A formula we develop should be widely applicable, we include a strong caution that the hypothesis-guided simplification of the formula for the historical climatic record of CONUS as described in this paper will likely fail to hold in other geographic regions and under future warming.
Visualization of the location and level of pain in common wrist pathologies using color-coded heatmaps
Authors: Moellhoff Nicholas , Throner Veronika , Frank Konstantin , Benne Ashley , Adelmann Sonja , Coenen Michaela , Giunta Riccardo E. , Haas-Lützenberger Elisabeth
Published: June 2022

Background

Pain of the hand and wrist affects a large patient population. If the onset is unrelated to recent trauma, the first medical contact is rarely established with a specialized hand surgeon.

Objective

The objective of this investigation was to (1) visualize the localization of hand pain using pain-related heatmaps in common wrist pathologies, (2) to test whether differences between these pathologies exist with regard to sociodemographic and pain-related aspects, and (3) to evaluate the major patient-reported complaints associated with the pathologies.

Methods

This observational cross-sectional study included patients suffering from: thumb basal joint arthritis (CMC-1-OA), dorsal wrist ganglions, and TFCC tears. Patients marked the location of maximum pain projection on hand graphics depicting the outline of the palmar and dorsal hand. Color-graded frequency heat maps were generated for the wrist pathologies investigated. Daily life impairments were assessed and clustered into groups of functions/activities.

Results

120 patients with a mean age of 44.3 years were investigated. The diagnostic groups showed significant differences regarding the level and location of pain, as well as daily life impairments. Patients with CMC-1-OA presented with increased pain levels compared to patients with dorsal wrist ganglions and TFCC tears. Daily life impairment was rated highest when household chores were adversely affected, and sport activities were symptomatic/painful. All groups showed significant skin surface pain projection, which was visualized in heatmaps. While general trends in pain localization were visible, pain levels were also reported distal/proximal and palmar/dorsal to the pathology.

Conclusions

Knowledge of main demographic parameters, pain projection, and degree of impairment in daily activities can help physicians to narrow differential diagnosis of wrist pain during first patient contact. Patients should then be referred to hand surgeons for specialist examination, to further differentiate the origin of the pain.
Updated synopsis of Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae, Acalyphoideae) from Brazil
Authors: Cardiel José M. , de Sousa Ana Angelica Cordeiro , Cordeiro Inês , Caruzo Maria Beatriz Rossi , da Silva Otávio Luis Marques , Muñoz-Rodríguez Pablo , López Alba , Montero-Muñoz Iris
Published: June 2022

A critical taxonomic and nomenclatural review of the Brazilian species of Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae, Acalyphoideae) is presented. As a result, 40 species (44 taxa including six subspecies) are accepted, 37 of them native (17 endemic) and three introduced; also, 132 names are considered synonyms, 28 of them for the first time. Two new combinations are proposed: Acalypha brasiliensis subsp. asterotricha and A. brasiliensis subsp. psilophylla, previously considered varieties of A. brasiliensis. Information about types is provided for all the valid names, and 54 lectotypes and one neotype are designated. Identification keys and detailed distribution maps of all the native taxa are also provided.
Brain damage markers neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100B in serum in children with Lyme neuroborreliosis—detection and evaluation as prognostic biomarkers for clinical outcome
Authors: Arnason Sigurdur , Molewijk Kesia , Henningsson Anna J. , Tjernberg Ivar , Skogman Barbro H.
Published: June 2022

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne infection in Europe, with Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) its second most frequent clinical manifestation. Prognostic factors for clinical outcomes in LNB have not been identified. Elevated serum levels of the brain damage markers neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) have been associated with poor clinical outcomes in other disorders of the central nervous system. The aim of this study is to assess NSE and S100B in serum as prognostic biomarkers for clinical outcomes in paediatric LNB patients. Children evaluated for LNB (n = 121) in Sweden were prospectively included during 2010–2014, serum samples were collected on admission, and all children underwent a 2-month follow-up. Patients with pleocytosis and anti-Borrelia antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were classified as having LNB (n = 61). Controls were age- and gender-matched non-LNB patients (n = 60). NSE was elevated in 38/61 (62%) LNB patients and in 31/60 (52%) controls. S100B was elevated in 3/60 (5%) LNB patients and 0/59 (0%) controls. NSE and S100B concentrations did not differ significantly when comparing LNB patients with controls. No differences were found in the concentrations when comparing the clinical recovery of LNB patients at the 2-month follow-up. NSE was detectable in the majority of LNB patients and controls, whereas S100B was detectable in only a few LNB patients and no controls. NSE and S100B in serum cannot be recommended as prognostic biomarkers for clinical outcomes in children with LNB.
Decompositions and coalescing eigenvalues of symmetric definite pencils depending on parameters
Authors: Dieci Luca , Papini Alessandra , Pugliese Alessandro
Published: June 2022

In this work, we consider symmetric positive definite pencils depending on two parameters. That is, we are concerned with the generalized eigenvalue problem $\left (A(x)-\lambda B(x)\right )v=0$

A
(
x
)
−
λ
B
(
x
)

v
=
0
, where A and B are symmetric matrix valued functions in $\mathbb {R}^{n\times n}$

ℝ

n
×
n

, smoothly depending on parameters $x\in {\Omega }\subset \mathbb {R}^2$
x
∈
Ω
⊂

ℝ

2

; furthermore, B is also positive definite. In general, the eigenvalues of this multiparameter problem will not be smooth, the lack of smoothness resulting from eigenvalues being equal at some parameter values (conical intersections). Our main goal is precisely that of locating parameter values where eigenvalues are equal. We first give general theoretical results for the present generalized eigenvalue problem, and then introduce and implement numerical methods apt at detecting conical intersections. Finally, we perform a numerical study of the statistical properties of coalescing eigenvalues for pencils where A and B are either full or banded, for several bandwidths.
The progress in the application of rubric materials in chemistry teaching and students’ learning enhancement during 21st century: a systematic review
Authors: Nsabayezu Ezechiel , Iyamuremye Aloys , Nahimana Jean Pierre , Mukiza Janvier , Kampire Edwige , Nsengimana Theophile
Published: June 2022

21st century teaching and learning emphasize the full engagement of students for improving their critical thinking and cooperation and the construction of the knowledge that demonstrates deep understanding. However, significant studies reported chemistry as a challenging subject caused of abstract concepts, phenomena and ways used in teaching and assessment. In this regard, rubrics were developed as guidelines to judge and score students’ activities and see their achievements. As an assessment tool, a rubric is crucial in the twenty-first century for self-directed learning and individual students’ assessment of the intended learning outcomes. Some teachers and researchers acknowledge the role of rubrics in teaching and learning chemistry. However, the application of rubrics is quite unconsidered. Thus, the present systematic review stresses the 21st-century overview of rubric materials and their progress in application in chemistry teaching and students’ learning enhancement. In cooperation, chemistry teachers and students are encouraged to successfully use rubrics for teaching, learning and as well as in the assessment process as a supporting learning tool. Rubrics have great importance in helping assessors be consistent in scoring students’ activities and availing assessment anticipations to students. Thus, integrating rubrics in teaching and learning chemistry improves students understanding of this subject.
Isometric actions and finite approximations
Authors: PILGRIM S. J.
Published: June 2022

We show that every isometric action on a Cantor set is conjugate to an inverse limit of actions on finite sets; and that every faithful isometric action by a finitely generated amenable group is residually finite.
Resolution 76/120 on Strengthening and Promoting the International Treaty Framework (U.N.G.A.)
Authors: Khng Nathaniel Yong-Ern
Published: June 2022

On December 9, 2021, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 76/120, “Strengthening and Promoting the International Treaty Framework,” by consensus. The resolution had been forwarded to the General Assembly for consideration after having been adopted by the General Assembly's Sixth (Legal) Committee on November 18, 2021 by consensus, in line with its traditional approach to decision-making. The negotiations of the resolution were coordinated (chaired) by Brazil and Singapore.
Dynamics of the interaction of synthetic jet vortex rings with a stratified interface
Authors: Wang Lei , Feng Li-Hao
Published: June 2022

The vortex dynamics in a stratified environment is of fundamental importance in various flow systems, however, the mechanism of successive vortex–interface interactions remains not fully understood. This study investigates synthetic jet vortex rings impinging on a water–oil interface by experiment and numerical simulation. Two cases in the laminar and transitional regimes are concerned with the Froude number (Fr) of 0.35 and 0.82, respectively. The vortex rings for the two cases follow a similar evolution with three distinct stages, including vortex free-travel, vortex–interface interaction and vortex stretching. As products of the vortex–interface interaction, the secondary vortex rings are baroclinically generated in both water and oil followed by the formation of hairpin vortices through azimuthal deformation. Distinguished from an isolated vortex–interface interaction, complex interactions occur between the primary vortex ring and hairpin vortices, which can enhance the vortex ring instability in existence of the stratification for the laminar case. However, the vortex ring instability for the transitional case can develop earlier due to nonlinear effects with increasing Reynolds number. The spatio-temporal properties of the interface deformation and interfacial waves are analysed. The maximum penetration height of vortex rings scales with Fr2 as that for the isolated situation. Particularly, the transitional case is found to produce destabilization of the interfacial waves at a further radial location. The mechanism is revealed by connecting the dynamics of the vortex and the interface, which can be attributed to the radial development of perturbances stemming from the vortex ring instability under strong vortex–interface interaction.
Experimental investigation of the effects of particle near-wall motions on turbulence statistics in particle-laden flows
Authors: Liu Hongyou , Feng Yuen , Zheng Xiaojing
Published: June 2022

Experiments on particle-free and particle-laden flows with the same incoming velocity were conducted in a horizontal wind tunnel. Three cases of particle-laden flows with different degrees of particle near-wall motions and similar particle volume fractions, including top-release particles, local-laying sand beds and global-laying sand beds, were designed to investigate the effects of collision bounces and impact splashing on turbulence statistics. The top-released particles accelerate the fluid during gravitational settling, but weaken the intensity and reduce the probability of ‘ejection’ and ‘sweep’ events. This leads to a weakened Reynolds stress and a decreased scale of the outer spectral peak at the centre of the logarithmic region, indicating a concentration of energy at small scales. In contrast, the collision bounce and impact splashing slow the fluid but promote the ‘ejection and sweep’ cycle with larger intensity, and thus enhance the Reynolds stress. Meanwhile, the bouncing and splashing generate ascending particles that transport the kinetic energy upwards, resulting in more energetic very-large-scale motions further from the wall. This study reveals the importance of particle motions to turbulence, and contributes to a further insight into the interactions between particles and turbulence in two-phase flows with erodible surfaces.
Kinetic theory of granular particles immersed in a molecular gas
Authors: Gómez González Rubén , Garzó Vicente
Published: June 2022

The transport coefficients of a dilute gas of inelastic hard spheres immersed in a gas of elastic hard spheres (molecular gas) are determined. We assume that the number density of the granular gas is much smaller than that of the surrounding molecular gas, so that the latter is not affected by the presence of the granular particles. In this situation, the molecular gas may be treated as a thermostat (or bath) of elastic hard spheres at a fixed temperature. The Boltzmann kinetic equation is the starting point of the present work. The first step is to characterise the reference state in the perturbation scheme, namely the homogeneous state. Theoretical results for the granular temperature and kurtosis obtained in the homogeneous steady state are compared against Monte Carlo simulations showing a good agreement. Then, the Chapman–Enskog method is employed to solve the Boltzmann equation to first order in spatial gradients. In dimensionless form, the Navier–Stokes–Fourier transport coefficients of the granular gas are given in terms of the mass ratio$m/m_g$($m$and$m_g$being the masses of a granular and a gas particle, respectively), the (reduced) bath temperature and the coefficient of restitution. Interestingly, previous results derived from a suspension model based on an effective fluid–solid interaction force are recovered in the Brownian limit ($m/m_g \to \infty$). Finally, as an application of the theory, a linear stability analysis of the homogeneous steady state is performed showing that this state is always linearly stable.
Micro-droplet nucleation through solvent exchange in a turbulent buoyant jet
Authors: Lee You-An , Sun Chao , Huisman Sander G. , Lohse Detlef
Published: June 2022

Solvent exchange is a process involving mixing between a good solvent with dissolved solute and a poor solvent. The process creates local oversaturation which causes the nucleation of minute solute droplets. Such ternary systems on a macro-scale have remained unexplored in the turbulent regime. We experimentally study the solvent exchange process by injecting mixtures of ethanol and trans-anethole into water, forming a turbulent buoyant jet in the upward direction. Locally, turbulent mixing causes oversaturation of the trans-anethole following turbulent entrainment. We optically measure the concentration of the nucleated droplets using a light attenuation technique and find that the radial concentration profile has a sub-Gaussian kurtosis. In contrast to the entrainment-based models, the spatial evolution of the oversaturation reveals continuous droplet nucleation downstream and radially across the jet, which we attribute to the limited mixing capacity of the jet. Although we are far from a full quantitative understanding, this work extends the knowledge on solvent exchange into the turbulent regime, and brings in a novel type of flow, broadening the scope of multicomponent, multiphase turbulent jets with phase transition.
The Paris Biota decapod (Arthropoda) fauna and the diversity of Triassic decapods
Authors: Smith Christopher P. A. , Charbonnier Sylvain , Jenks James F. , Bylund Kevin G. , Escarguel Gilles , Olivier Nicolas , Fara Emmanuel , Brayard Arnaud
Published: June 2022

We describe here the early Spathian (Early Triassic) Paris Biota decapod fauna from the western USA basin. This fauna contains two taxa of Aegeridae (Dendobranchiata), namely Anisaeger longirostrus n. sp. and Aeger sp. that are the oldest known representatives of their family, thus extending its temporal range by 5 Myr back into the Early Triassic. This fauna also includes two representatives of Glypheida (Pleocyemata) with Litogaster turnbullensis and Pemphix krumenackeri n. sp., confirming for the former and extending for the latter the temporal ranges of their respective superfamilies back to the Early Triassic. Overall, the Paris Biota decapods are some of the oldest known representatives of Decapoda, filling in an important gap in the evolutionary history of this group, especially during the Triassic that marks the early diversification of this clade. Additionally, we compile and provide overviews for all known Triassic decapods, which leads to the revision of four species of Middle and Late Triassic Aegeridae, and to a revised family assignment of a Middle Triassic Glypheida. Based on this refined dataset, we also investigate decapod diversity throughout the Triassic. We show that the apparent increase in decapod taxonomic richness is probably driven by the heterogeneity of the fossil record and/or sampling effort, and that the decapod alpha diversity is actually relatively high as soon as the Early Triassic and remains rather stable throughout the Triassic.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/0f435f27-1767-473d-955c-57fe869faa0f
Pan-African Networks, Cold War Politics, and Postcolonial Opportunities: The African Scholarship Program of American Universities, 1961–75
Authors: Tarradellas Anton
Published: June 2022

In the early 1960s, when a majority of African countries were gaining independence, the training of personnel capable of implementing nation-building projects became imperative for new African governments, even though higher education opportunities on the continent remained scarce. In a context of competition with the former colonial powers and the USSR, the United States decided to set up scholarship programs for the training of postcolonial African elites. Through the analysis of one of these programs, the African Scholarship Program of American Universities (ASPAU), this article will show that in addition to the Cold War motivations of the US government, pan-African connections and university initiatives were essential in laying the groundwork for the project of educating Africans in the United States. It also highlights the too often overlooked role played by African leaders and academics in the concrete realization, reappropriation, and questioning of overseas training projects.
An Industry Worth Protecting? The Manufacturers Aircraft Association’s Struggle against the British Surplus, 1919–1922
Authors: SEYER SEAN
Published: June 2022

The American aircraft industry’s important role in the economic, military, and cultural expansion of the United States over the past one hundred years has been well documented by historians. But America’s twentieth century aerial dominance was not preordained. After World War I, the nascent American aircraft industry faced a concerted British effort to dump thousands of war surplus machines on the U.S. market. With aircraft outside of the nation’s tariff regime, members of the Manufacturers Aircraft Association turned to Congress for emergency protections in the face of what they considered an existential threat. Despite efforts to equate a strong industrial base for aviation with the national defense, aircraft antidumping legislation became mired in partisan debates over tariff policy and accusations of wartime corruption. In the absence of relief from Congress, the Wright patent served as a barrier against the importation of foreign surplus machines.
On the effects of taxation on growth: an empirical assessment
Authors: Alfò Marco , Carbonari Lorenzo , Trovato Giovanni
Published: June 2022

We study the effects of taxation on the growth rate of the realper capitaGDP in a sample of 21 OECD countries, over the period 1965–2010. To do this, we estimate a version of the model proposed by Mankiw, Romer and Weil [(1992)Quarterly Journal of Economics107, 407–437.] augmented to consider bothdirectandindirecteffects of taxation on investment share parameters. We employ a semi-parametric technique—namely, a Finite Mixture Model—which combines features from mixed effect models for panel data and cluster analysis methods to account for country-specific unobserved heterogeneity. Our results suggest that taxes have a negative impact on growth: in the baseline model, the coefficient estimates indicate that a 10% cut in personal income tax rate (respectively corporate income tax rate) may raise the GDP growth rate by 0.6% (respectively 0.3%).
LINEAR SERIES ON GENERAL CURVES WITH PRESCRIBED INCIDENCE CONDITIONS
Authors: Farkas Gavril , Lian Carl
Published: June 2022

Using degeneration and Schubert calculus, we consider the problem of computing the number of linear series of given degree d and dimension r on a general curve of genus g satisfying prescribed incidence conditions at n points. We determine these numbers completely for linear series of arbitrary dimension when d is sufficiently large, and for all d when either
$r=1$
or
$n=r+2$
. Our formulas generalise and give new proofs of recent results of Tevelev and of Cela, Pandharipande and Schmitt.
Sounding Rocket Observation of Nitric Oxide in the Polar Night
Authors: Bailey Scott M. , McClintock William E. , Carstens Justin N. , Thurairajah Brentha , Das Saswati , Randall Cora E. , Harvey V. Lynn , Siskind David E. , Stevens Michael H. , Venkataramani Karthik
Published: June 2022

An altitude profile of Nitric Oxide (NO) in the 80–110 km altitude range was measured in the polar night from a sounding rocket on 27 January 2020. The observations were made using the technique of stellar occultation with a UV spectrograph observing the γ (1,0) band of NO near 215 nm. The tangent point for the altitude profile was at 74° latitude, a location that had been in darkness for 80 days. The retrieved slant column density profile is interpreted using an assumed four‐parameter analytic profile shape. Retrievals of the fitting parameters yield a profile with a peak NO concentration of 2.2 ± 0.7 × 108 cm−3 at 93.5 ± 4.1 km. The observations were made during a time of minimum solar and geomagnetic activity. The NO maximum retrieved from the rocket profile is significantly larger in abundance and lower in altitude than other observations on the same day at nearby latitudes just outside the polar night. These rocket‐borne results are consistent with NO that is created over the course over the polar winter and is confined to high latitudes in the polar night by the mesospheric polar vortex. During the course of that confinement the abundance increases due to the lack of photodissociation, allowing the NO to descend. We show that the observed descent can be explained by eddy diffusion‐driven transport, though vertical advection cannot be ruled out.
Crustal and Uppermost Mantle Heterogeneities Across the Ailaoshan Red River Shear Zone, SE Tibet: Implications for Cenozoic Magmatic Activity
Authors: Xu Mijian , Yu Dayong , Huang Zhouchuan , Tong Ping , Hao Shijie , Ruan Youyi , Han Cunrui
Published: June 2022

The Ailaoshan Red River shear zone (ARSZ) was formed in the Mesozoic as a suture zone between the Indochina block and the Yangtze craton. Since the Cenozoic, block extrusion due to the Indo‐Asian collision has reactivated the fault zone and caused large‐scale shearing. Affected by the Cenozoic orogeny, a large volume of magmatic and metamorphic rocks developed in the ARSZ, forming many orogenic gold deposits. However, the source and the geodynamic process of these magmatic activities are still unclear. To gain a basic understanding of the subsurface magmatic activity, we deployed a dense array of 24 broadband seismic stations across the Daping and Chang'an gold deposits at the southern end of the ARSZ. Receiver function analysis, common conversion point stacking, and a joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersions are performed to image the detailed structure of the crust and uppermost mantle. Low‐velocity zones in the mid‐lower crust and thinned lithosphere (∼70 km) are imaged under the ARSZ. The observed subsurface structures are verified by 3D numerical modeling with the SEM‐FK method. We speculate that the mantle upwelling caused by lithospheric delamination has provided the main source of the mantle component in the magmatic rocks since ∼35 Ma; afterward, high temperatures produced partial melting in the lower crust, which was emplaced along active shear zones.
NOx and O3 Trends at U.S. Non‐Attainment Areas for 1995–2020: Influence of COVID‐19 Reductions and Wildland Fires on Policy‐Relevant Concentrations
Authors: Jaffe Daniel A. , Ninneman Matthew , Chan Hei Chun
Published: June 2022

We analyzed NO2 and O3 data from 32 U.S. non‐attainment areas (NAAs) for 1995–2020. Since 1995, all regions have shown steady reductions in NO2 and the weekend‐weekday pattern indicates that the O3 production regime in most NAAs has transitioned to a NOx‐limited regime, while a few NAAs remain NOx‐saturated. In the eastern U.S., all NAAs have made steady progress toward meeting the current (70 ppb) O3 standard, but this is less true in midwestern and western NAAs, with most showing little improvement in peak O3 concentrations since about 2010. Due to COVID‐19 restrictions, NO2 concentrations were substantially reduced in 2020. In the eastern NAAs, we see significant reductions in both NO2 and peak O3 concentrations. In the midwestern U.S., results were more variable, with both higher and lower O3 values in 2020. In the western U.S. (WUS), we see variable reductions in NO2 but substantial increases in O3 at most sites, due to the influence from huge wildland fires. The recent pattern over the past decade shows that the large amount of wildland fires has a strong influence on the policy‐relevant O3 metric in the WUS, and this is making it more difficult for these regions to meet the O3 standard.
Event and Catchment Controls of Heavy Tail Behavior of Floods
Authors: Macdonald Elena , Merz Bruno , Guse Björn , Wietzke Luzie , Ullrich Sophie , Kemter Matthias , Ahrens Bodo , Vorogushyn Sergiy
Published: June 2022

In some catchments, the distribution of annual maximum streamflow shows heavy tail behavior, meaning the occurrence probability of extreme events is higher than if the upper tail decayed exponentially. Neglecting heavy tail behavior can lead to an underestimation of the likelihood of extreme floods and the associated risk. Partly contradictory results regarding the controls of heavy tail behavior exist in the literature and the knowledge is still very dispersed and limited. To better understand the drivers, we analyze the upper tail behavior and its controls for 480 catchments in Germany and Austria over a period of more than 50 years. The catchments span from quickly reacting mountain catchments to large lowland catchments, allowing for general conclusions. We compile a wide range of event and catchment characteristics and investigate their association with an indicator of the tail heaviness of flood distributions, namely the shape parameter of the GEV distribution. Following univariate analyses of these characteristics, along with an evaluation of different aggregations of event characteristics, multiple linear regression models, as well as random forests, are constructed. A novel slope indicator, which represents the relation between the return period of flood peaks and event characteristics, captures the controls of heavy tails best. Variables describing the catchment response are found to dominate the heavy tail behavior, followed by event precipitation, flood seasonality, and catchment size. The pre‐event moisture state in a catchment has no relevant impact on the tail heaviness even though it does influence flood magnitudes.
Pre-existing adaptive immunity to the RNA-editing enzyme Cas13d in humans
Authors: Tang Xin-Zi Emily , Tan Shu Xuan , Hoon Shawn , Yeo Gene W.
Published: June 2022

RNA-guided RNA-targeting nucleases, such as CRISPR–Cas13 proteins, have therapeutic potential for gene editing. Among Cas13d enzymes, Cas13d from the bacteria Ruminococcus flavefaciens (RfxCas13d) is of particular interest owing to its small size and high specificity. However, the existence of pre-existing immunity against RfxCas13d is unclear. In this study, we evaluated antibody and T cell responses to RfxCas13d in healthy donors using ELISA and T cell culture assays. We found RfxCas13d-reactive antibodies and CD4 and CD8 T cell responses in most donors, comparable to responses against Cas9 proteins from Staphylococcus aureus (SaCas9) and Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9). RfxCas13d-responding T cells could produce the inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17. These findings should be taken into consideration in the development of RfxCas13d for therapy.
Demonstrated gradual evolution of disorder in crystalline structures between single crystal and polycrystal via chemical and physicochemical approaches
Authors: Kanazawa Sayako , Oaki Yuya , Imai Hiroaki
Published: June 2022

Single-crystal fluorapatite rods elongated in the c direction are switched to iso-oriented nanorods by adding a specific carboxy compound (chemical approach) and to roughly arranged nanograins by increasing the supersaturation at the growth front (physicochemical approach).
The role of permanent and induced electrostatic dipole moments for Schottky barriers in Janus MXY/graphene heterostructures: a first-principles study
Authors: Chen Yu-Qi , Zhang Huan-Huan , Wen Bo , Li Xi-Bo , Wei Xiao-Lin , Yin Wen-Jin , Liu Li-Min , Teobaldi Gilberto
Published: June 2022

The Schottky barrier height (ESBH) is a crucial factor in determining the transport properties of semiconductor materials and it directly regulates the carrier mobility in opto-electronics devices.
Synergetic improvement in the mechanical properties of polyurethanes with movable crosslinking and hydrogen bonds
Authors: Jin Changming , Park Junsu , Shirakawa Hidenori , Osaki Motofumi , Ikemoto Yuka , Yamaguchi Hiroyasu , Takahashi Hiroaki , Ohashi Yasumasa , Harada Akira , Matsuba Go , Takashima Yoshinori
Published: June 2022

The synergetic effect of the movable crosslinking and the hydrogen bonds in γCDMe(x)PU contributed to the simultaneous increase in the mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus and toughness.
Pathogenesis of pneumonia and acute lung injury
Authors: Long Matthew E. , Mallampalli Rama K. , Horowitz Jeffrey C.
Published: June 2022

Pneumonia and its sequelae, acute lung injury, present unique challenges for pulmonary and critical care healthcare professionals, and these challenges have recently garnered global attention due to the ongoing Sars-CoV-2 pandemic. One limitation to translational investigation of acute lung injury, including its most severe manifestation (acute respiratory distress syndrome, ARDS) has been heterogeneity resulting from the clinical and physiologic diagnosis that represents a wide variety of etiologies. Recent efforts have improved our understanding and approach to heterogeneity by defining sub-phenotypes of ARDS although significant gaps in knowledge remain. Improving our mechanistic understanding of acute lung injury and its most common cause, infectious pneumonia, can advance our approach to precision targeted clinical interventions. Here, we review the pathogenesis of pneumonia and acute lung injury, including how respiratory infections and lung injury disrupt lung homoeostasis, and provide an overview of respiratory microbial pathogenesis, the lung microbiome, and interventions that have been demonstrated to improve outcomes—or not—in human clinical trials.
Properties of intra-cluster low-mass X-ray binaries in Fornax globular clusters
Authors: Riccio G. , Paolillo M. , Cantiello M. , D’Abrusco R. , Jin X. , Li Z. , Puzia T. , Mieske S. , Prole D. J. , Iodice E. , D’Ago G. , Gatto M. , Spavone M.
Published: June 2022

Aims. We present a study of the intra-cluster population of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXB) residing in globular clusters (GC) in the central 1 deg2 of the Fornax galaxy cluster. Differently from previous studies, which were restricted to the innermost regions of individual galaxies, this work is aimed at comparing the properties of the intra-cluster population of GC-LMXBs with those of the host galaxy.

Methods. The data used in this work are a combination of the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) and Chandra observations. We performed a cross-match between the optical and the X-ray catalogue in order to identify the LMXBs residing in GCs. We divided the GC-LMXBs into host-galaxy and intra-cluster objects based on their distance from the nearest galaxy in terms of effective radius (Reff). We found 82 intra-cluster GC-LMXBs and 86 objects that are hosted in galaxies. As the formation of LMXBs also depends on the host GC colour, we performed a Gaussian mixture model to divide the population into red and blue GCs.

Results. As has been found for the innermost regions of galaxies, LMXBs tend to form in red and bright GCs in intra-cluster space as well. We find, however, that the likelihood of a red GC to host an LMXB decreases with galactocentric distance, but it remains approximately constant for the blue GC population. Investigating the X-ray properties of the LMXBs residing in GCs, we find a difference in the X-ray luminosity function between the intra-cluster and host-galaxy sample: both follow a power-law down to ∼8.5 × 1037 erg s−1, which is consistent with field LMXBs for the intra-cluster sample, while the latter agree with previous estimates for LMXBs in GCs. We observe a deficiency of bright LMXBs in blue intra-cluster GCs, however. This might indicate a lack of black hole binaries in metal-poor systems. We further investigated the spectral properties of the GC-LMXBs through their hardness-ratio. We detect a tentative difference in the hardness ratio of two populations, where the intra-cluster GC-LMXBs appear to have harder spectra than the host-galaxy objects. We find the same trend when we compare red and blue GC-LMXBs: the spectra of the blue sample are harder spectra than those of the red sample. This result could suggest a relation between the spectral properties of LMXBs and the host GC colour and therefore its metallicity. We discuss the possibilities of spatial biases due to uncertainties in the X-ray spectral response correction and due to contamination by background active galactic nuclei.
Deuteration of c-C3H2 towards the pre-stellar core L1544
Authors: Giers K. , Spezzano S. , Alves F. , Caselli P. , Redaelli E. , Sipilä O. , Ben Khalifa M. , Wiesenfeld L. , Brünken S. , Bizzocchi L.
Published: June 2022

Context. In the centre of pre-stellar cores, the deuterium fractionation is enhanced due to the cold temperatures and high densities. Therefore, the chemistry of deuterated molecules can be used to probe the evolution and the kinematics in the earliest stages of star formation.

Aims. We analyse emission maps of cyclopropenylidene, c-C3H2, to study the distribution of the deuteration throughout the prototypical pre-stellar core L1544.

Methods. We used single-dish observations of c-C3H2, c-H13CC2H, c-C3HD, and c-C3D2 towards the pre-stellar core L1544, performed at the IRAM 30 m telescope. We derived the column density and deuterium fraction maps, and compared these observations with non-local thermodynamic equilibrium radiative transfer simulations.

Results. The highest deuterium fractions are found close to the dust peak at the centre of L1544, where the increased abundance of H2D+ ions drives the deuteration process. The peak values are N(c-C3HD)/N(c-C3H2) = 0.17 ± 0.01, N(c-C3D2)/N(c-C3H2) = 0.025 ± 0.003, and N(c-C3D2)/N(c-C3HD) = 0.16 ± 0.03, which is consistent with previous single-pointing observations. The distributions of c-C3HD and c-C3D2 indicate that the deuterated forms of c-C3H2 in fact trace the dust peak and not the c-C3H2 peak.

Conclusions. The N(c-C3D2)/N(c-C3HD) map confirms that the process of deuteration is more efficient towards the centre of the core and demonstrates that carbon-chain molecules are still present at high densities. This is likely caused by an increased abundance of He+ ions destroying CO, which increases the number of carbon atoms in the gas phase.
Optimal scheduling in a Collaborative robot environment and evaluating workforce dynamic performance
Authors: Taji Hajar , Ayad Ghassane , Zaki Abdelhamid
Published: June 2022

After the emergence of industry 4.0 and the continuous technological development, it became vital for industries to transfer mass production expertise into personalized products in small batches. Clients became more aware of their needs and start basing their decision on specific quality requirements, lower cost, and the shortest delivery date. This is where collaborative robots intervene, these structures can work hand in hand with operators and take charge of hard, long, or repetitive tasks in a fast, precise, and robust manner. Although these structures have great potential, they lack flexibility and adaptability, these aspects can only be found in humans. The workforce competencies and performance are the ultimate precursors to any proper industrial evolution. Performances and competencies workforce must go further than the standard definitions attributed to them. This paper addresses the scheduling problem, our proposition relies on the assumption that the final programs attributed to collaborative robots can be divided into standard sub- programs. Based on the similarities between sub-programs can help propose a schedule that reduces significantly wasted time developing new programs or going from one program to another. This paper will also address the dissociation between human and robots’ performances in a context where humans and robots work in very dependent proximity. Finally, we will also propose a new definition of workload performance while highlighting its dynamic aspect in terms of fatigue, motivation, and the correlation between repetition and the learning process.
The Effect of ACTH(4–10) PRO8-GLY9-PRO10 Administration on the Expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in Sprague Dawley Mice with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Azzam Muhammad , Fahmi Achmad , Utomo Budi , Faris Muhammad , Parenrengi Muhammad Arifin , Sudiana I. Ketut , Bajamal Abdul Hafid , Subagio Eko Agus
Published: June 2022

Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant cause of morbidity since it results in the inflammation process which leads to necrosis or apoptosis. Inflammatory response to the tissue damage increases IL-6 and IL-8 levels. ACTH4–10Pro8-Gly9-Pro10 is a peptide community that has been shown to have a beneficial effect on minimizing the morbidity and increasing the recovery time.

Methods This study is a true experimental laboratory research with a totally randomized method. The subjects were animal models with light and extreme compression of spinal cord, respectively.

Results The administration of ACTH 4–10 in mild SCI in the 3-hour observation group did not show a significant difference in IL-6 expression compared with the 6-hour observation group. The administration of ACTH 4–10 in severe SCI showed a significantly lower expression level of IL-6 in the 3-hour observation group compared with the 6-hour one. The administration of ACTH 4–10 in severe SCI led to a significantly lower IL-8 expression in the 3-hour observation group compared with the 6-hour one. However, there was no significant difference in IL-8 expression in the group receiving ACTH 4–10 in 3 hours observation compared with that in 6 hours observation.

Conclusion The administration of ACTH4–10Pro8-Gly9-Pro10 can reduce the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 at 3-hour and 6-hour observation after mild and severe SCI in animal models. Future research works are recommended.
Factors Associated with the Chance of Carrying out a Primary Cesarean in a University Hospital
Authors: Wender Maria Celeste Osório , Duarte Rafaela Girardi , Muller Gabriel Cardozo , Cavalheiro Rosaura Rolim , Silva Yanick Adolfo Leal Correia , Carboni Cristiane , Valério Edimárlei Gonsales
Published: June 2022

Objective The present study seeks to identify the associated factors that increased primary cesarean delivery rates.

Methods This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated the number of primary cesarean sections performed in the years 2006 and 2018 at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA, in the Portuguese acronym), through the collection of data from the medical records of the patients.

Results Advanced maternal age, twin pregnancy, and higher body mass index (BMI) became more frequent in 2018 in comparison with 2006. To mitigate the impact of confounding in comparisons among groups, we made an adjustment by propensity scores and detected significant differences when comparing both age groups on twin pregnancy rates, gestational diabetes mellitus, and thyroid disease.

Conclusion Data from the present study can be used to prevent and improve the management of morbidities, impacting on better outcomes in obstetrical practice.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia: A Rare Case with Multiple Vascular Beds Involvement
Authors: Yiek Siew-Hong
Published: June 2022

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an idiopathic, noninflammatory, and nonatherosclerotic vascular disease of small to medium-sized arteries. It can occur in almost all arteries and most commonly involving the cervicocranial and renal arteries. FMD is commonly presents as renovascular hypertension and affects mostly young ladies. However, this case demonstrates a casuistically rare form of multiple arterial beds involvement at different sites, that is, vertebral, coronary, hepatic, and lumbar arteries, with the conjunction of both bilateral renal and cervicocranial arteries.
Does Midcarpal Joint Structure Affect Development of Arthritis in the Wrist
Authors: Tesoriero Paul , Becker Jacob , Passano Brandon , Huang Shengnan , Petchprapa Catherine , Wollstein Ronit
Published: June 2022

Background Degenerative wrist arthritis develops in specific patterns because of forces acting on existing structural configurations. The most common pattern of wrist osteoarthritis is scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC). Other patterns include isolated scaphotrapezial trapezoid (STT) joint and isolated midcarpal or radiolunate joint arthritis. One predictor of degeneration pattern is the structure of the wrist.

Questions/Purposes Our purpose was to evaluate the relationship between midcarpal joint structure and the pattern of degenerative arthritis. We hypothesized that a wrist type 2 will preferentially develop SLAC degeneration.

Patients and Methods We retrospectively evaluated 195 degenerative wrist radiographs. Radiographs were reviewed for lunate/wrist type, degeneration pattern, ulnar variance, radial and volar tilt, inclination, carpal height, scapholunate angle, gap, and presence of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, STT joint, and midcarpal joint arthritis.

Results We had 158 radiographs with SLAC degeneration and 37 with atypical patterns, 154 type 2 and 41 type 1 wrists. There was a significant correlation between wrist type and the pattern of wrist degeneration (p = 0.02). SLAC degeneration developed in wrists with type 2 lunate while isolated midcarpal arthritis was associated with type 1 wrist. Isolated midcarpal joint arthritis was associated with STT arthritis, p < 0.01. Radial height, inclination, volar tilt, and ulnar variance, and scapholunate gap and angle were not associated with wrist type. Ulnar variance was associated with thumb CMC and STT joint arthritis while radial height was associated with isolated midcarpal joint arthritis.

Conclusion This study found significant relationships between midcarpal joint structure and pattern of degeneration. This contributes to understanding the development of degeneration and can aid in future prevention of arthritis.

Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, diagnostic study.