bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technological Advancements in Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Santos-Neto José F. , Oliveira Fabricia O. , Hodel Katharine V. S. , Fonseca Larissa M. S. , Badaró Roberto , Machado Bruna A. S.
Published: February 2021

Biopharmaceuticals are innovative solutions that have revolutionized the treatment of important chronic diseases and malignancies. The approval of biosimilar products has become a complex and balanced process, and there are versions of drugs with established biosimilarity that can offer a more accessible treatment option to patients. The objective of this work was to identify the advancement of these technologies by means of patent and article analysis based on technological and scientific prospection. In patent document recovery, Derwent Innovation Index (DWPI) and PatentInspiration databases were used. The research was based on the search of the selected terms in the title, summary, and claims of the documents through a search strategy containing IPC code and keywords. In articles recovery, the Web of Science tool was used in the search of scientific publications dated from the last 5 years. The search resulted in a total of 2295 individual patent documents and 467 families using DWPI database, 769 individual patents and 205 families using PatentInspiration, and 2602 articles using Web of Science database. Additionally, this work describes the number of organizations that contribute to this area, where they are, how much development they have undergone, and the inventors/authors involved. Based on the number of publications registered, there is an important prominence for scientific research in mAbs. In terms of innovation, it is expected that several therapeutic drugs are already under regulatory review, which will allow drugs to be approved over the next few years and will thus generate a continuous flow of new products based on immunotherapies, mAbs, and biosimilar drugs. These drugs have become essential weapons for the treatment of significant diseases, and the increasing trend in the number of related scientific and technological publications contributes to making these therapies available to the greatest number of people.
Performance Prediction Model of Dynamic Pressure Oil-Air Separator
Authors: Zhang Xiaobin , Lang Lei , Zhang Xiaofeng , Lv Hongqing , Gao Na
Published: February 2021

Based on the aeroengine lubricating oil system test bench, this paper used a dimensional analysis method to establish a mathematical model for predicting the separation efficiency and resistance of a dynamic pressure oil-air separator suitable for engineering. The analysis of the multivariate nonlinear fitting error and the experimental data showed that the established separation efficiency and resistance model could accurately predict the separation and resistance performance of the dynamic pressure oil-air separator within a certain range; the average error of the four separation characteristic prediction models was 3.5%, and the maximum error was less than 16%. The model that was established by the least square method had the highest accuracy; the average error of the multivariate nonlinear fitting of the four resistance characteristic prediction models was less than 4%, and the maximum error was less than 15%, which could be used to predict the resistance performance of the separator. The applicable working condition of the model is lubricating oil flow rate 4.3~8.5 L/min and oil-air ratio 0.5~3.
Bacteriological and Physicochemical Quality of Drinking Water in Adis Kidame Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Sitotaw Baye , Geremew Mulu
Published: February 2021

Drinking water pollution and the resulting waterborne diseases have been among the major public health burden in low-income countries such as Ethiopia. A high prevalence of waterborne diseases, up to 65%, has been reported in Adis Kidame Town (Ethiopia). Moreover, there have been poor waste disposal practices in this town. Thus, this study aimed to assess bacteriological and physicochemical drinking water quality in Adis Kidame Town to get insight into any potential health risks due to waterborne diseases. A total of 90 water samples were analyzed for enumeration of coliform bacteria and basic physicochemical parameters. In this study, total and faecal coliform counts (CFU/100 ml) ranged from 0 to 23 and 0 to 18, respectively. In all cases, 89 and 77% of the water samples in terms of total and faecal coliforms, respectively, did not comply with WHO guidelines. The highest level of coliforms was found in drinking water samples from households’ containers and taps, where 100% and 90% of samples were tested positive for total and faecal coliforms, respectively. Among the physicochemical parameters recorded, only temperature and residual chlorine did not comply with WHO guidelines. Temperature values in all samples ranged from 20 to 28°C, while the values of residual chlorine were below the recommended range in the 56.7% of water samples from the reservoir and almost in all (96.7%) water samples from the taps and households’ containers. High coliform count in the water system demands proper chlorination, regular inspection of the distribution line, and good hygienic practices to improve the microbiological quality of drinking water in Adis Kidame Town.
Command Filtering and Barrier Lyapunov Function‐Based Adaptive Control for PMSMs with Core Losses and All‐State Restrictions
Authors: Wang Xiaoling , Yu Jinpeng
Published: February 2021

With the troubles of core losses and all‐state confined to certain limitations which are the innate traits of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), this article develops a command filtered adaptive backstepping approach to follow the track of PMSM’s desired rotor position. To begin with, the RBF neural network technique is utilized to get close to the uncharted nonlinear terms which existed in PMSM’s mathematical model. Meanwhile, an advanced adaptive command filter control methodology is constructed to avoid the computing explosion during the process of backstepping design. Furthermore, to make sure that all the state variables are confined into certain ranges, we employed the barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) at every step of the controllers construction. In addition, an error compensating mechanism is proposed to neutralize filtering errors and only one adaptive law is required. At last, simulation results bear out the superiority of the aforementioned control scheme.
Giant Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Scalp with Intracranial Invasion: MRI Findings with Tract Visualisation
Authors: Cipullo Maria Brunella , Rahimian Elham , Tahsini Majid , Giavri Zoi , Bisdas Sotirios
Published: February 2021

A rare case of recurrent basal cell carcinoma in the scalp that infiltrated multiple intracranial structures is presented. Basal cell carcinoma represents one of the most frequent malignant nonmelanotic skin neoplasms, but the majority of them have no aggressive and recurrent behaviour. The aim of this case report is to provide an overview of the main clinical and radiologic features of basal cell carcinoma, focusing on the conventional and advanced (tractography) MRI findings and providing an overview of treatment and prognosis.
Drug‐Target Interaction Prediction Based on Adversarial Bayesian Personalized Ranking
Authors: Ye Yihua , Wen Yuqi , Zhang Zhongnan , He Song , Bo Xiaochen
Published: February 2021

The prediction of drug‐target interaction (DTI) is a key step in drug repositioning. In recent years, many studies have tried to use matrix factorization to predict DTI, but they only use known DTIs and ignore the features of drug and target expression profiles, resulting in limited prediction performance. In this study, we propose a new DTI prediction model named AdvB‐DTI. Within this model, the features of drug and target expression profiles are associated with Adversarial Bayesian Personalized Ranking through matrix factorization. Firstly, according to the known drug‐target relationships, a set of ternary partial order relationships is generated. Next, these partial order relationships are used to train the latent factor matrix of drugs and targets using the Adversarial Bayesian Personalized Ranking method, and the matrix factorization is improved by the features of drug and target expression profiles. Finally, the scores of drug‐target pairs are achieved by the inner product of latent factors, and the DTI prediction is performed based on the score ranking. The proposed model effectively takes advantage of the idea of learning to rank to overcome the problem of data sparsity, and perturbation factors are introduced to make the model more robust. Experimental results show that our model could achieve a better DTI prediction performance.
Pirfenidone Alleviates Choroidal Neovascular Fibrosis through TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway
Authors: Gao Chuang , Cao Xin , Huang Lili , Bao Yueqi , Li Tao , Di Yue , Wu Liucheng , Song Yu
Published: February 2021

Background. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a major role in CNV. However, the mechanism is unclear. This study investigates the effect of Pirfenidone (PFD) on TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway on the development of choroidal neovascular fibrosis in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) mouse model. C57BL/6J male mice (aged from 6 to 8 weeks) received intravitreal injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)/PFD solution on 14 days after laser injury. Mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 4% pentobarbital (0.05 mg/g body weight). Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Fundus Fluorescein angiography (FFA), and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) were used to assess CNV formation. The fibrosis area was monitored by staining the collagen type I (Col-I). Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of TGF-β2, Smad 2/3, phosphorylated Smad 2/3 (p-Smad 2/3), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Terminal deoxynucleotidy1 transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay was performed on cryosections of mouse eyes to detect apoptosis. Our data showed PFD inhibited areas of fibrosis during day 21 to day 28. We also found that the levels of TGF-β2 protein expressions increasingly reached the peak till the 3rd week during the CNV development. The protein levels of Smad 2/3, p-Smad 2/3, and α-SMA also increased significantly in CNV mice, but this response was profoundly suppressed by the TGF-β inhibitor PFD. The results of this study suggest that TGF-β2 represents a target to prevent or treat choroidal neovascular fibrosis, and PFD may provide an alternative to traditional methods for Wet Age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) treatment.
High Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Type I Diabetic Patients
Authors: Asgari Qasem , Motazedian Mohammad Hossein , Khazanchin Amir , Mehrabani Davood , Naderi Shahabadi Shahrbanou
Published: February 2021

Background. Type I diabetes (TΙDM) is a genetic or autoimmune disorder, which may be stimulated by induced immune system components due to the underlying infectious diseases. This study was undertaken to find out any possible association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and TIDM. Materials and Methods. One hundred and eighty-two blood samples were taken from individuals who were referred to outpatient clinics in Shiraz city, Southern Iran, during a 6-month period. The age of type I diabetic subjects (

n
=
91

) and the control group (

n
=
91

) was identical, which were less than 30 years. The sera were examined for IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA and correlated with epidemiological factors such as age, sex, and family history of diabetes. Results. Out of 91 diabetic patients, 54 (59.3%) were female and 37 (40.7%) were male. The highest frequency of diabetes belonged to 6-10- and 11-15-year groups (

P
=
0.17

). Toxoplasma infection prevalence in diabetic and control groups was 28.6% and 7.7%, respectively (

P
=
0.001

). A significantly positive family history of diabetes was observed between diabetic patients (31 cases, 34.1%) and the control group (3 cases, 3.3%) (

P
=
0.01

). Interestingly, IgG positivity was seen in 13 cases (41.9%) of patients with positive family history of type I diabetes and 13 cases (21.7%) of subjects with no positive family history of type I diabetes (

P
=
0.04

). Conclusion. Our study showed a higher prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in type I diabetes patients. It is likely that the prevalence of TIDM decreases by increasing hygiene and preventing toxoplasmosis.
Angiogenic Effect of Pravastatin Alone and with Sera from Healthy and Complicated Pregnancies Studied by in vitro Vasculogenesis/Angiogenesis Assay
Authors: Virtanen Anita , Huttala Outi , Tihtonen Kati , Toimela Tarja , Heinonen Tuula , Laivuori Hannele , Uotila Jukka
Published: February 2021

Objective: To determine the direct effect of pravastatin on angiogenesis and to study the interaction between pravastatin and maternal sera from women with early- or late-onset pre-eclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction, or healthy pregnancy. Methods: We collected 5 maternal serum samples from each group. The effect of pravastatin on angiogenesis was assessed with and without maternal sera by quantifying tubule formation in a human-based in vitro assay. Pravastatin was added at 20, 1,000, and 8,000 ng/mL concentrations. Concentrations of angiogenic and inflammatory biomarkers in serum and in test medium after supplementation of serum alone and with pravastatin (1,000 ng/mL) were measured. Results: Therapeutic concentration of pravastatin (20 ng/mL) did not have significant direct effect on angiogenesis, but the highest concentrations inhibited angiogenesis. Pravastatin did not change the levels of biomarkers in the test media. There were no changes in angiogenesis when therapeutic dose of pravastatin was added with maternal sera, but there was a trend to wide individual variation towards enhanced angiogenesis, particularly in the early-onset PE group. Conclusions: At therapeutic concentration, pravastatin alone or with maternal sera has no significant effect on angiogenesis, but at high concentrations the effect seems to be anti-angiogenic estimated by in vitro assay.
Symptome von Erkrankungen der Augenoberfläche bei Bauarbeitern: eine vergleichende Studie mit Büroangestellten
Authors: Hernandez-Llamas Sergio , Paz-Ramos Ana Karen , Marcos-Gonzalez Patricio , Amparo Francisco , Garza-Leon Manuel
Published: February 2021

Hintergrund: Mit der vorliegenden Studie sollte die Prävalenz von Symptomen des trockenen Auges bei Bauarbeitern im Vergleich zu Büroangestellten mithilfe des OSDI-Fragebogens untersucht werden. Methoden: Es wurde eine Querschnitts-Beobachtungsstudie durchgeführt, bei der die Symptome des trockenen Auges und die damit verbundenen Risikofaktoren anhand des OSDI-Fragebogens bewertet wurden. Die Berechnung der Stichprobengröße mit einer Power von 80 % und einem Konfidenzniveau von 95% ergab, dass 298 Teilnehmer in die Studie aufzunehmen waren. Ergebnisse: Wir untersuchten 304 Probanden (149 Bauarbeiter und 155 Büroangestellte). Mehr als die Hälfte (55%) der Teilnehmer zeigten Symptome des trockenen Auges (OSDI > 12). Der durchschnittliche OSDI-Score betrug 21,30 ± 22,20 Punkte und fiel in der Gruppe der Bauarbeiter (12,45 ± 17,50) niedriger aus als bei den Büroangestellten (28,51 ± 22,99) (p < 0,001). Bei Betrachtung der Teilnehmer mit mittelschweren und schweren Symptomen (23 bis 100 Punkte im OSDI) hatten Büroangestellte 4,15mal häufiger Symptome des trockenen Auges als Bauarbeiter (OR: 4,15, 95%-KI: 2,52, 6,85). Frauen wiesen statistisch höhere OSDI-Scores auf als Männer (32,47 ± 23,72 vs. 14.87 ± 18,48). Schlussfolgerungen: Bei Bauarbeitern ist das Risiko für Symptome des trockenen Auges viermal niedriger als bei Menschen, die in einer durchschnittlichen Büroumgebung arbeiten. Dies zeigt die schädlichen Effekte der Büroumgebung auf die Augenoberfläche, die ein erhebliches Risiko für die Entwicklung oder Verschlimmerung von Symptomen des trockenen Auges darstellen.
Imagens de mundos de jogo e práticas espaciais
Authors: Amaro Mariana , Fragoso Suely , Freitas Fabiana
Published: February 2021

Este artigo aborda o impacto das imagens dos mundos de jogo sobre as práticas espaciais dos jogadores. Inicia lembrando que as imagens não são ingênuas e passa à revisão da literatura sobre a carga ideológica de dois tipos de imagens comuns em jogos digitais: mapas e projeções em perspectiva. Considerações sobre o papel mediador das imagens dos mundos de jogo destacam a interdependência das práticas espaciais conhecidas como mapeamento e percurso. Mapas e perspectiva reificam os valores e crenças Modernos, mas sua ocorrência conjunta destaca o hibridismo da experiência espacial. Nos games, esse potencial é intensificado pela aparente liberdade de controle do ponto de vista.
Cancer Therapy–Associated Thrombosis
Authors: Grover Steven P. , Hisada Yohei M. , Kasthuri Raj S. , Reeves Brandi N. , Mackman Nigel
Published: February 2021

Patients with cancer have an increased risk of both arterial and venous thrombotic events compared with the general population. Both the site and stage of cancer are known to contribute to the increased risk of thrombotic events. In addition, several treatment-related factors enhance the risk of thrombosis, including hospitalization, surgery, central venous catheters, radiation, and anticancer agents. Chemotherapy serves as a mainstay treatment for a broad range of malignancies. Chemotherapeutic agents typically exert antineoplastic effects through either direct cytotoxicity or inhibition of cellular processes necessary for the proliferation of malignant cells. Unfortunately, in addition to targeting malignant cells, chemotherapeutic agents are also cytotoxic to nonmalignant cells. Chemotherapeutic agents have been associated with an increased risk of arterial and venous thrombosis. More recently, targeted agents have been developed that offer improved selectivity towards malignant cells. However, some of these agents are also associated with an increased risk of both arterial and venous thrombosis. Here, we review the association between specific anticancer agents and thrombotic events in patients with cancer. Despite an established association in most cases, the mechanism by which these agents increase thrombosis is poorly understood. Anticancer agents may damage the endothelium, decrease anticoagulants or increase procoagulants leading to activation of coagulation, or activate platelets. An improved understanding of the mechanisms that drive the increased risk of thrombotic events associated with anticancer agents will enable treatment strategies that mitigate this risk.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Sleep Duration, and Associated Mediators With Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
Authors: Souza Silvana P. , Santos Ronaldo B. , Santos Itamar S. , Parise Barbara K. , Giatti Soraya , Aielo Aline N. , Cunha Lorenna F. , Silva Wagner A. , Bortolotto Luiz A. , Lorenzi-Filho Geraldo , Lotufo Paulo A. , Bensenor Isabela M. , Drager Luciano F.
Published: February 2021

Objective:

To elucidate the independent associations of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and sleep duration (SD) as well as the potential inflammatory and metabolic mediators on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in a large cohort of adults.

Approach and Results:

Consecutive participants from the ELSA-Brasil performed a clinical evaluation, sleep study, 1-week actigraphy for defining SD and CIMT using standard techniques. Gamma regression models were used to explore the association between OSA and SD with CIMT. Mediation analysis was performed using the mediation R package. A total of 2009 participants were included in the main analysis. As compared with no OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] <5 events/hour; n=613), patients with mild (AHI, 5–14.9; n=741), moderate (AHI, 15–29.9; n=389), and severe OSA (AHI ≥30 events/hour; n=266) presented a progressive CIMT increase (0.690 [0.610–0.790], 0.760 [0.650–0.890], 0.810 [0.700–0.940], and 0.820 [0.720–0.958] mm;
P
<0.001). In contrast, CIMTs were similar for those with SD <6 hours (0.760 [0.650–0.888]), 6 to 8 hours (0.750 [0.640–0.880]) and >8 hours (0.740 [0.670–0.900]). All forms of OSA were independently associated with CIMT (mild: β: 0.019, SE 0.008;
P
=0.022; moderate: β: 0.025, SE 0.011;
P
=0.022; severe OSA: β: 0.040, SE 0.013;
P
=0.002). Moreover, the association of AHI with CIMT was mediated by increased C-reactive protein and triglycerides (
P
<0.01). SD did not interact with OSA in the association with CIMT.

Conclusions:

OSA is independently associated with increased CIMT in a dose-response relationship. This association is partially mediated by inflammation and dyslipidemia. In contrast, SD is not associated nor interacted with OSA to increase CIMT.
Pivotal Study of a Novel Motor-Driven Endoscopic Ablation System
Authors: Schmidt Boris , Petru Jan , Chun K.R. Julian , Sediva Lucie , Bordignon Stefano , Chen Shaojie , Neuzil Petr
Published: February 2021

Background:

The HeartLight endoscopic ablation system has proven similar efficacy as radiofrequency guided pulmonary vein (PV) isolation in prospective randomized studies though longer procedure times were reported. Recently, the option of a new ablation mode (RAPID) was added, during which the laser arc generator is swept around the PV antrum by an integrated motor drive at a predefined speed for continuous ablation. We sought to determine the performance of the new endoscopic ablation system (X3).

Methods:

The study was prospective, 2-center, and historically controlled (comparison to pivotal HeartLight study). The primary end point was ablation time (time from insertion of the X3 catheter to the end of the last 30-minute wait period). Transtelephonic monitoring was performed from 90 days to 12 months after ablation.

Results:

A total of 60 patients were enrolled at 2 centers. Except one, all PVs were treated with RAPID mode. Acute PV isolation was achieved in 225/228 of these PVs (98.7%). The ablation time was significantly shorter with X3 than in the HeartLight study (77.3±25.8 versus 173.8±46.6 min;
P
<0.0001). Procedure time and fluoroscopy time were also significantly shorter (103.7±32.3 versus 236.0±52.8 min;
P
<0.0001; 6.9±3.5 versus 35.6±18.2;
P
<0.0001). PV isolation after the first circular lesion was achieved in 91.6% of PVs (206/225). Two strokes and one late pericardial effusion were noted in the treatment group that were not deemed device related. The 6-month and 12-month atrial fibrillation–free rates for X3 compare favorably with the rates reported for HeartLight, 89.5% versus 75.0% and 71.9% versus 61.1%, respectively.

Conclusions:

The novel X3 generation endoscopic ablation system allows for rapid PV isolation by continuous lesion deployment. This was associated with a significant reduction in ablation and procedure times while maintaining the safety and chronic effectiveness in comparison to historical controls.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03470636.
Getting Tough? The Effects of Discretionary Principal Discipline on Student Outcomes
Authors: Sorensen Lucy C. , Bushway Shawn D. , Gifford Elizabeth J.
Published: February 2021

Nationwide, school principals are given wide discretion to use disciplinary tools like suspension and expulsion to create a safe learning environment. There is legitimate concern that this power can have negative consequences, particularly for the students who are excluded. This study uses linked disciplinary, education, and criminal justice records from 2008 to 2016 in North Carolina to examine the impact of principal-driven disciplinary decisions on middle school student outcomes. We find that when principals are more likely to remove students, this leads to reductions in reported rates of minor student misconduct. However, this deterrence comes at a high cost—these harsher principals generate more juvenile justice complaints and reduce high school graduation rates for all students in their schools. Students who commit minor disciplinary infractions in a school with a harsh principal suffer additional declines in attendance and test scores. Finally, principals exhibiting racial bias in their disciplinary decisions also widen educational gaps between white and black students.
Measuring the Effect of Student Loans on College Persistence
Authors: Card David , Solis Alex
Published: February 2021

Governments around the world use grant and loan programs to ease the financial constraints that contribute to socioeconomic gaps in college completion. A growing body of research assesses the impact of grants; less is known about how loan programs affect persistence and degree completion. We use detailed administrative data from Chile to provide rigorous regression discontinuity-based evidence on the impacts of loan eligibility for university students who retake the national admission test after their first year of studies. Those who score above a certain threshold become eligible for loans covering around 85 percent of tuition costs for the duration of their program. We find that access to loans increases by 20 percentage points the fraction who return to university for a second year, with two thirds of the effect arising from a reduction in transfers to vocational colleges and one third from a decline in the share who stop postsecondary schooling altogether. The longer-run impacts are smaller but remain highly significant, with a 12 percentage point impact on the fraction of marginally eligible retakers who complete a bachelor's degree.
Intact Proactive Motor Inhibition after Unilateral Prefrontal Cortex or Basal Ganglia Lesions
Authors: Liebrand Matthias , Solbakk Anne-Kristin , Funderud Ingrid , Buades-Rotger Macià , Knight Robert T. , Krämer Ulrike M.
Published: February 2021

Previous research provided evidence for the critical importance of the PFC and BG for reactive motor inhibition, that is, when actions are cancelled in response to external signals. Less is known about the role of the PFC and BG in proactive motor inhibition, referring to preparation for an upcoming stop signal. In this study, patients with unilateral lesions to the BG or lateral PFC performed in a cued go/no-go task, whereas their EEG was recorded. The paradigm called for cue-based preparation for upcoming, lateralized no-go signals. Based on previous findings, we focused on EEG indices of cognitive control (prefrontal beta), motor preparation (sensorimotor mu/beta, contingent negative variation [CNV]), and preparatory attention (occipital alpha, CNV). On a behavioral level, no differences between patients and controls were found, suggesting an intact ability to proactively prepare for motor inhibition. Patients showed an altered preparatory CNV effect, but no other differences in electrophysiological activity related to proactive and reactive motor inhibition. Our results suggest a context-dependent role of BG and PFC structures in motor inhibition, being critical in reactive, unpredictable contexts, but less so in situations where one can prepare for stopping on a short timescale.
Synchronization between Keyboard Typing and Neural Oscillations
Authors: Duprez Joan , Stokkermans Mitchel , Drijvers Linda , Cohen Michael X.
Published: February 2021

Rhythmic neural activity synchronizes with certain rhythmic behaviors, such as breathing, sniffing, saccades, and speech. The extent to which neural oscillations synchronize with higher-level and more complex behaviors is largely unknown. Here, we investigated electrophysiological synchronization with keyboard typing, which is an omnipresent behavior daily engaged by an uncountably large number of people. Keyboard typing is rhythmic, with frequency characteristics roughly the same as neural oscillatory dynamics associated with cognitive control, notably through midfrontal theta (4–7 Hz) oscillations. We tested the hypothesis that synchronization occurs between typing and midfrontal theta and breaks down when errors are committed. Thirty healthy participants typed words and sentences on a keyboard without visual feedback, while EEG was recorded. Typing rhythmicity was investigated by interkeystroke interval analyses and by a kernel density estimation method. We used a multivariate spatial filtering technique to investigate frequency-specific synchronization between typing and neuronal oscillations. Our results demonstrate theta rhythmicity in typing (around 6.5 Hz) through the two different behavioral analyses. Synchronization between typing and neuronal oscillations occurred at frequencies ranging from 4 to 15 Hz, but to a larger extent for lower frequencies. However, peak synchronization frequency was idiosyncratic across participants, therefore not specific to theta nor to midfrontal regions, and correlated somewhat with peak typing frequency. Errors and trials associated with stronger cognitive control were not associated with changes in synchronization at any frequency. As a whole, this study shows that brain–behavior synchronization does occur during keyboard typing but is not specific to midfrontal theta.
Virtues and the Book of Rites
Authors: Pang-White Ann A.
Published: February 2021

This paper explores the meaning of Confucian de 德 (often translated as virtue) in the Book of Rites  《禮記》. Using intertextual discussions with texts supplemented by the Analects《論語》, the Mengzi  《孟子》, and the Xunzi《荀子》, I argue that ritual (li 禮) and virtue are closely interrelated. Without ritual, virtue is raw. Without virtue, ritual is barren. De’s interrelationship with ritual is central to Confucian ethics. Ritual is constitutive for all Confucian virtues. This central thesis coupled with subsequent features such as de’s aesthetic dimension and thick interpersonal relationships demonstrate that the Confucian de has multilayered meanings that cannot be fully captured by either the contemporary concept of virtue or the Aristotelian idea of arête.
Meloidogyne enterolobii, a threat to crop production with particular reference to sub-Saharan Africa: an extensive, critical and updated review
Authors: Collett Raymond Lesley , Marais Mariette , Daneel Mieke , Rashidifard Milad , Fourie Hendrika
Published: February 2021

Crop damage inflicted by Meloidogyne enterolobii justifies an updated literature review focusing on recent discoveries about its identification, biology and management. Since its description in 1983, M. enterolobii has become a pest of great concern, particularly due to its virulence, which renders controlling this nematode pest a challenge. The global distribution of M. enteroblii is summarised, with emphasis placed on limited research done for the species in sub-Saharan Africa where food production and security is threatened by root-knot nematode parasitism. Novel advances in methods used to detect M. enterolobii are touched upon, especially the improvement in advanced molecular techniques that complements shortcomings in morphology and morphometic approaches. Despite these exciting developments, the employment of effective management strategies to combat the species remains problematic. Future research on various aspects of M. enterolobii is crucial, with focus to be placed on the use of available resources to contain damage caused by this species.
Midlatitude Winter Extreme Temperature Events and Connections with Anomalies in the Arctic and Tropics
Authors: Rudeva Irina , Simmonds Ian
Published: February 2021

For the last few decades the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes have seen an increasing number of temperature extreme events. It has been suggested that some of these extremes are related to planetary wave activity. In this study we identify wave propagation regions at 300 hPa using the ERA-Interim dataset from 1980 to 2017 and link them to temperature extremes in densely populated regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most studies have used background flow fields at monthly or seasonal scale to investigate wave propagation. For a phenomenon that is influenced by threshold incidents and nonlinear processes, this can distort the net Rossby wave signal. A novel aspect of our investigation lies in the use of daily data to study wave propagation allowing it to be diagnosed for limited but important periods across a wider range of latitudes, including the polar region. We show that winter temperature extremes in the midlatitudes can be associated with circulation anomalies in both the Arctic and the tropics, while the relative importance of these areas differs according to the specific midlatitude region. In particular, wave trains connecting the tropical Pacific and Atlantic may be associated with temperature anomalies in North America and Siberia. Arctic seas are markedly important for Eurasian regions. Analysis of synoptic temperature extremes suggests that pre-existing local temperature anomalies play a key role in the development of those extremes, as well as amplification of large-scale wave trains. We also demonstrate that warm Arctic regions can create cold outbreaks in both Siberia and North America.
Protected Convection as a Metric of Dry Air Influence on Precipitation
Authors: Ahmed Fiaz , Neelin J. David
Published: February 2021

Entrainment of dry tropospheric air can dilute cloud buoyancies and strongly affect the occurrence and intensity of convection. To measure this dry air influence on tropical precipitation, rainfall values that would occur when convection is “protected” from dry air dilution are estimated. An empirical relationship between tropical oceanic precipitation and entraining buoyancy in the lower troposphere (from the surface to 600 hPa) is leveraged. Protected buoyancies are computed by allowing a plume model to entrain saturated air at environmental temperature. These buoyancies are then used to estimate precipitation from protected convection. In most regions, the protected precipitation greatly exceeds the observed precipitation. Warm waters adjoining continents display striking disparities between observed and protected rainfall pointing to rainfall climatologies severely limited by dry air. The most prominent of these regions include the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, followed by the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the seas surrounding the Maritime Continent. We test if similar large precipitation values are realizable in the Community Atmospheric Model (CAM5), wherein the parameterized convection in small (~2° × 2°) pockets is allowed to only entrain saturated air. The precipitation within these pockets shows strong enhancement that is maintained over time, and is compensated by slight reductions in neighboring regions. In the model, protecting convection yields larger precipitation values over ocean than over land; protected precipitation also intensifies in a uniform SST warming experiment. The model experiments suggest that protected pockets in numerical simulations could be used to mimic the consequences of meteorological protection—from closed circulation or moisture shielding effects—that generate extreme precipitation.
Assessing ENSO Summer Teleconnections, Impacts, and Predictability in North America
Authors: Jong Bor-Ting , Ting Mingfang , Seager Richard
Published: February 2021

During the summer when an El Niño event is transitioning to a La Niña event, the extratropical teleconnections exert robust warming anomalies over the U.S. Midwest threatening agricultural production. This study assesses the performance of current climate models in capturing the prominent observed extratropical responses over North America during the transitioning La Niña summer, based on atmospheric general circulation model experiments and coupled models from the North American Multimodel Ensemble (NMME). The ensemble mean of the SST-forced experiments across the transitioning La Niña summers does not capture the robust warming in the Midwest. The SST-forced experiments do not produce consistent subtropical western Pacific (WP) negative precipitation anomalies and this leads to the poor simulations of extratropical teleconnections over North America. In the NMME models, with active air–sea interaction, the negative WP precipitation anomalies show better agreement across the models and with observations. However, the downstream wave train pattern and the resulting extratropical responses over North America exhibit large disagreement across the models and are consistently weaker than in observations. Furthermore, in these climate models, an anomalous anticyclone does not robustly translate into a warm anomaly over the Midwest, in disagreement with observations. This work suggests that, during the El Niño to La Niña transitioning summer, active air–sea interaction is important in simulating tropical precipitation over the WP. Nevertheless, skillful representations of the Rossby wave propagation and land–atmosphere processes in climate models are also essential for skillful simulations of extratropical responses over North America.
Examining the Compatibility of Aircraft Moisture Observations and Operational Radiosondes
Authors: Williams Skylar S. , Wagner Timothy J. , Petersen Ralph A.
Published: February 2021

The addition of moisture observations via the Water Vapor Sensing System (WVSS) from about 150 aircraft available operationally through the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay (AMDAR) program now provides highly reliable thermodynamic profiles of the troposphere. The nearly 900 profiles available daily provide greater temporal and spatial density than the operational radiosonde network over many parts of the United States. Previous studies comparing WVSS reports with specially collocated radiosondes have documented the quality and consistency of the WVSS observations. These studies, however, have been limited for short periods at a single location. This study expands on the earlier evaluations by using operational U.S. radiosondes from 2015 in a variety of locations, seasons, and climates. Comparison profiles at radiosonde sites were calculated in pressure layers and then interpolated to terrain-following sigma coordinates to account for the differences in elevations of comparison sites and provide a better means of integrating the higher vertical resolution of AMDAR observations taken in the boundary layer. Overall, systematic differences between the WVSS and radiosondes are smallest just above the surface, with the WVSS observations being slightly moister than the radiosondes aloft, with WVSS reports being moister during ascent than descent—possibly the result of small hysteresis effects. Standard deviations averaged 1.3 g kg−1 near the surface over the yearlong period. Differences varied by season and region. Overall, the results indicate that WVSS observations are compatible with radiosonde reports and can be used with high confidence to fill temporal and spatial data gaps.
Diagnostic Lobectomy for Bethesda III Thyroid Nodules: Pathological Outcomes and Risk Factors for Malignancy
Authors: Walters Benjamin K. , Garrett Samuel L. , Aden James K. , Williams Grant M. , Butler-Garcia Samantha L. , Newberry Travis R. , Mckinlay Alex J.
Published: February 2021

Objective:

An indeterminate thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration (FNA) presents a unique dilemma. We evaluated our institution’s experience with Bethesda III thyroid nodules, including the risk of malignancy (ROM) of these nodules removed for diagnostic lobectomy and radiologic and clinical risk factors for malignancy.

Study design:

Retrospective chart review.

Setting:

San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC; 483 bed Military Treatment Facility and Level 1 Trauma Center).

Methods:

We identified all patients with a Bethesda III thyroid FNA at our institution from 2010 to 2018 and determined which nodules were removed. The final histological diagnosis was recorded. Whether or not age, gender, body mass index (BMI), race, nodule size, margin regularity, rate of nodule growth, vascularity, internal calcifications, family history of thyroid cancer, personal history of radiation, and history of repeated AUS/FLUS on FNA had a significant impact on malignancy risk was evaluated with chi square and rank sum Wilcoxon tests.

Results:

492 patients had 1 or more AUS result. 52% (258/492) underwent repeat FNA. This resulted in Bethesda II or III in 90% (232/258). In 10% (26/258), the repeat FNA resulted in a higher Bethesda grade. 183 lobectomies were performed on the side containing an AUS nodule. The malignancy percentage was 38.3% (70/183). Age less than 30 was the only variable showing statistical significance for increased risk of malignancy ( P = .04).

Conclusion:

The ROM of nodules characterized as AUS/FLUS on FNA may be higher than expected. Age may be a better predictor of malignancy than repeat FNA.
Performance of the Plantation Sector During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Abraham Vinoj , Madhavan Mithesh
Published: February 2021

This study explores the impact that COVID-19 and its preventive measures would have on the plantation sector, covering four important crops—tea, coffee, rubber and cardamom. The study traces the channels through which the pandemic and the lockdown measures would impact the sector. These channels are the disruptions in seasonal operations, in factor and resource supplies; transport, storage and processing; marketing and sales; and demand conditions. These disruptions get manifested in price, quantity and revenue. These are estimated for the four crops separately. The total unrealised revenue due to the lockdown is estimated to be ₹38.4364 billion for the lockdown period from 24 March to 31 May 2020. This does not include the losses that are to be incurred due to the demand decline, supply chain disruptions and price fall that is to be manifested in future. This massive economic disaster is bound to have a severe impact on the plantation economy, especially the small growers and the labourers. Urgent measures need to be taken up to arrest the losses and revive the sector. Yet there is very little in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ package that would help tide over this economic crisis. Immediate measures aimed at demand rejuvenation, arrest of price fall, restarting of plantation operations and restoring of supply chains is called for. The vantage point of the commodity boards must be exploited to reach out to the stakeholders.

JEL classification: M38, Q11, Q13, R11
Education of undergraduate: Epistemic and cultural beliefs as obstacles to technology
Authors: Alfallaj Fahad SS , Al-Ma'amari Ahmed AH , Aldhali Fahad IA
Published: February 2021

This study aims to identify the epistemological and cultural beliefs that act as barriers in English learning by Saudi undergraduate learners. English is a compulsory component of education from the early school years in Saudi Arabia, and the Ministry of Education invests a great deal of workforce and financial resources in this sector in a concerted effort to ensure that Saudi students attain language proficiency. The study employed a mixed-method research design and was conducted with 85 undergraduate learners at Qassim University. It used a questionnaire and interviews to obtain insight into the factors that inhibit the English learning experience. Results revealed that the respondents' resistance to the learning of others' culture stems mainly from the epistemic and cultural barriers embedded in English language learning. Implications of the study will provide the basis to policymakers, educationists, institutions, and learners for contextualizing the English language curriculum of Saudi Arabia.
Emergency care to ‘persons with confused behavior’: Lived experiences of, and collaboration between, police and members of a mobile crisis team – A hermeneutic-phenomenological study
Authors: Daggenvoorde Thea H , van Eerden Miranda , van den Heuvel Silvio CGH , Gijsman Harm J , Vermeulen Hester , Goossens Peter JJ
Published: February 2021

Background:

Police officers and members of a mobile crisis team (MCT) are the two actors who respond to nuisance in Dutch society related to ‘persons with confused behavior’ and serious violent incidents. Their collaboration creates tension and dissatisfaction about roles and responsibilities.

Aim:

To explore the lived experiences of, and collaboration between, police officers and members of a MCT.

Methods:

A hermeneutic-phenomenological study with unstructured in-depth interviews of eight police officers and eight members of a MCT.

Findings:

The main findings in this study are that in the emergency care of ‘persons with confused behavior’ two very different professions are forced to work together, and that this collaboration is quite challenging. It becomes clear that different visions and expectations cause frustration in the collaboration. Police want the participation of the MCT as soon as possible after they are called in. The MCT wants to be easily accessible for police and can identify the great diversity of problems adequately but cannot solve all problems. There are shortcomings in adequate follow-up care provided by other health-care facilities.

Conclusion:

It turns out that it is extremely important for police officers that members of the MCT explain to them why a crisis assessment has a certain outcome. The exposed frictions and stagnation in the collaboration should be discussed openly as part of the process in order to acknowledge this and resolve it together. A recently started project called ‘street triage’, in which the police and MCT work together as one team and give a joint response, seems to remove a lot of the friction and stagnation. Further studies are needed to explore the effects of street triage by testing the validity of the hypothesis that street triage can close the gap between the two professions.
From Climate Anxiety to Climate Action: An Existential Perspective on Climate Change Concerns Within Psychotherapy
Authors: Budziszewska Magdalena , Jonsson Sofia Elisabet
Published: February 2021

With the growing body of knowledge climate change stands out as one of the most important contemporary problems. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirms the urgent necessity to reduce greenhouse gases emission, as the window to address the problem is becoming narrow. Rising temperatures and bushfires, melting glaciers and droughts make the acceleration of climate change evident, and citizens around the globe are increasingly worried about the magnitude of the problem. In this article, we propose an existential perspective on climate change-related concerns. Although environmental worries are legitimate, they sometimes cause severe anxiety and distress so aggravated as to be discussed within the framework of psychotherapy. In the course of this research, we examine the experiences of 10 Swedish psychotherapy clients addressing their climate concerns within treatment. We engage them into in-depth conversations about the experience of climate anxiety and inquire about the individual pathways toward recovery. Moreover, we propose the existential perspective as a tool to understand such experiences. We aim to address all existential concerns, as described in Ernesto Spinelli’s themes of existence framework: death anxiety, spatiality, temporality, meaning, relatedness, authenticity, freedom, and responsibility. All of the above are present in participants’ reports of climate anxiety. In conclusion, we emphasize the value of introducing existential perspective to practitioners working with clients experiencing climate distress.
Syllabus Tone, More Than Mental Health Statements, Influence Intentions to Seek Help
Authors: Gurung Regan A. R. , Galardi Noelle R.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Mental health issues are increasing in higher education and finding ways for students to get help when needed is important.

Objective:

We tested if the tone of a short syllabus and the presence of a special statement addressing mental health would increase intentions to approach instructors for help.

Method:

We used a 2 (Tone: warm vs. cold) × 2(Statement: present vs. absent) experimental design. Participants (N = 257) read one of four, two-page syllabi, and rated intentions to reach out for help and the instructor.

Results:

We found a main effect for tone on three Reach Out statements and ratings of the instructor. Presence of the statement influenced likelihood to reach out for help with personal problems.

Conclusions:

Both the tone of a short syllabus and the presence of statements normalizing reaching out for help can influence student intentions to contact instructors for help.

Teaching Implications:

Writing a warm toned syllabus and addressing stress and mental health with a university statement may increase student’s intentions to ask for help.