bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening and Identification of an Immune‐Associated lncRNA Prognostic Signature in Ovarian Carcinoma: Evidence from Bioinformatic Analysis
Authors: Li Yan , Huo Fan-fan , Wen Ying-ying , Jiang Miao
Published: May 2021

Backgrounds. The dysregulated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been described to be crucial regulators in the progression of ovarian carcinoma. The infiltration status of immune cells is also related to the clinical outcomes in ovarian carcinoma. The present research is aimed at constructing an immune‐associated lncRNA signature with potential prognostic value for ovarian carcinoma patients. Methods. We obtained 379 ovarian carcinoma cases with available clinical data and transcriptome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database to evaluate the infiltration status of immune cells, thereby generating high and low immune cell infiltration groups. According to the expression of the immune‐associated lncRNA signature, the risk score of each case was calculated. The high‐ and low‐risk groups were classified using the median risk score as threshold. Results. A total of 169 immune‐associated lncRNAs that differentially expressed in ovarian carcinoma were included. According to the Lasso regression analysis and Cox univariate and multivariate analyses, 5 immune‐associated lncRNAs, including AC134312.1, AL133467.1, CHRM3‐AS2, LINC01722, and LINC02207, were identified as a predictive signature with significant prognostic value in ovarian carcinoma. The following Kaplan‐Meier analysis, ROC analysis, and Cox univariate and multivariate analyses further suggested that the predicted signature may be an independent prognosticator for patients with ovarian carcinoma. The following gene set enrichment analysis showed that this 5 immune‐associated lncRNAs signature was significantly related to the hedgehog pathway, basal cell carcinoma, Wnt signaling pathway, cytokine receptor interaction, antigen processing and presentation, and T cell receptor pathway. Conclusion: This study suggested a predictive model with 5 immune‐associated lncRNAs that has an independent prognostic value for ovarian carcinoma patients.
Design of Standoff Cooperative Target-Tracking Guidance Laws for Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Li Zhen , Chen Xin , Zhao Zhenhua
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates two guidance laws of standoff cooperative tracking static and moving of multiple autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles for targets from the perspective of the control system design. In the scheme of the proposed guidance laws, one vehicle is chosen as leader and others as followers. The leader only needs the measurement of the target, and the followers only measure the leader and its neighbors in the communication topology network. By using the proposed guidance laws, it is guaranteed that all vehicles can track a static or moving target with an evenly spaced formation of circle. Considering the coupling of tracking and cooperation, the stability analysis is performed by constructing two relatively independent subsystems based on Lyapunov theory, and the corresponding rigorous proofs of stability are given. By comparing with the Lyapunov vector field guidance law, the simulation results verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed guidance laws.
Study on the Relationship between Pore Structure and Uniaxial Compressive Strength of Cemented Paste Backfill by Using Air‐Entraining Agent
Authors: Zhao Fengwen , Hu Jianhua , Yang Dongjie , Kuang Ye , Xiao Hongxing , Zheng Minghua , Wang Xueliang
Published: May 2021

To control pores in the backfill, the air‐entraining agents (AEAs) are used as an admixture to realize the pore structure changes under artificial action and explore the effect of pore structure on strength. Two AEAs at different dosages were added to the backfill. The relationship was then analyzed between them from the macro‐ and mesoscopic aspects. The results indicate that AEA can regulate pore structure changes of AEACPB. With the increase in AEA content, the total pore volume of different pore sizes in AEACPB increases, in which the proportion of big and medium pore gradually increases while the proportion of small pore gradually decreases. The AEACPB’s UCS is linearly negatively correlated with the porosity and pore percentage, which is the primary factor affecting the AEACPB of the pore structure. When the total pores’ volume in the AEACPB is constant, the influence of different pore structures differs. A higher proportion of small pores leads to a linear increase in strength; a higher proportion of medium pores leads to a linear decrease in strength; and a higher proportion of big pores leads to an exponential decrease in strength. And the fractal dimension has a linear negative correlation with the UCS by fractal theory analysis.
Improvement of Total Flavonoids from Dracocephalum moldavica L. in Rats with Chronic Mountain Sickness through 1H-NMR Metabonomics
Authors: Maimaiti Atiguli , Tao Yang , Minmin Wang , Weiwei Miao , Wenhui Shi , Aikemu Ainiwaer , Maimaitiyiming Dilinuer
Published: May 2021

Background. We analyzed the effects of total flavonoids from Dracocephalum moldavica L. (D. moldavica L.) on improving chronic mountain sickness (CMS) in rats using the NMR hydrogen spectrum (1H-NMR) metabonomics technology. Method. We extracted the total flavonoids of D. moldavica L with 60% ethanol reflux. A CMS model was established with 48 Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats, which were then randomly divided into six groups (n = 8): control group (normal saline, 0.4 mL/100 g/d, ig); model group (normal saline, 0.4 mL/100 g/d, ig); nifedipine group (nifedipine tablets, 2.7 mg/kg/d, ig); and high-, middle-, and low-dose groups of total flavonoids from D. moldavica L. (DML.H, DML.M, and DML.L, receiving total flavonoids from D. moldavica L. at 400, 200, and 100 mg/kg/d, ig, respectively). The sera of the rats in all the groups were determined, and NMR hydrogen spectrum metabolomics was analyzed. The serum contents of apolipoproteins A1 (Apo-A1) and E (Apo-E) were determined, and histopathological changes in the brain tissue of each group were observed. Results. Serum tests showed that total flavonoids from D. moldavica L. significantly increased the Apo-A1 and Apo-E levels in rats with CMS (

P
<
0.05

). The results of serum metabonomics showed that total flavonoids from D. moldavica L can alleviate amino acid, energy, and lipid metabolism disorders in rats with CMS. Pathohistological examination of brain tissue showed that these flavonoids improved pathological changes, such as meningeal vasodilation, hyperemia, edema of brain parenchyma, inflammatory cell infiltration, increase in perivascular space, and increase in pyramidal cells. Conclusion. Total flavonoids from D. moldavica L. have potential therapeutic effects on CMS. The possible mechanism is the reduction of oxidative damage through the alleviation of metabolism disorder.
Protocols Used by Occupational Therapists on Shoulder Pain after Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Souza Isis Gabriele De , Souza Raphael Fabricio De , Barbosa Felipe Douglas Silva , Scipioni Kelly Regina Dias Da Silva , Aidar Felipe J. , Zanona Aristela De Freitas
Published: May 2021

Introduction. Shoulder pain as a consequence after a stroke has multifactorial causes and can prevent the functional return of the upper limb. In addition, the effectiveness of clinical protocols applied by occupational therapists remains uncertain. Objective. To identify the main treatments currently used by occupational therapists for pain in the shoulder after a stroke. Method. Articles in English published between 2015 and 2019, of the randomized clinical trial type, with populations that stroke survivors a stroke and sequelae of shoulder pain were selected. The terms and combinations used were “shoulder pain and stroke and occupational therapy,” in the electronic databases, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Occupational Therapy Systematic Evaluation of Evidence (OTseeker), and PubMed. Statistical Review Manager (version 5.3) established the significance level

P
≤
0.05

. Results. Thirty-nine articles were found, but only four met the inclusion criteria. Electrical stimulation, therapeutic bandaging, and dry needling were eventually employed. For the meta-analysis, pain was the primary outcome, and range of motion (ROM) and upper limb function were secondary. Pain, ROM (external rotation, abduction, and flexion), and manual function were compared, and the meta-analysis showed improvement in the treatment group in clinical trials: pain (MD -2.08; 95% CI -3.23, -0.93;

P
=
0.0004

), ROM (MD 4.67; 95% CI 1.54, 7.79;

P
=
0.0003

), and manual function (MD 1.84; 95% CI 0.52, 3.16;

P
=
0.006

). Conclusion. Dry needling, California tripull taping (CTPT), and functional electrical stimulation controlled by brain-machine interface (BCI-FES) are proved effective in shoulder pain and functionality.
[Retracted] Using Factor Decomposition Machine Learning Method to Music Recommendation
Authors: Sun Dapeng
Published: May 2021

The user data mining was introduced into the model construction process, and the user behavior was decomposed by analyzing various influencing factors through the factorization machine (FM) learning method. In the recommendation screening stage, the collaborative filtering recommendation is combined to screen the recommendation candidate set. The idea of user‐based collaborative filtering (CF) is used for reference to obtain music works favored by similar users. On the other hand, we learn from item‐based CF, which ensures that the candidate set covers user preference. Firstly, the user’s interest value is predicted by using dynamic interest model. Then, the common problems such as cold start and hot items processing are fully considered. The frequent pattern growth algorithm is compared with the association rule algorithm based on the collaborative filtering recommendation algorithm and the content‐based recommendation algorithm, which proves the superiority of the algorithm and its role in solving the recommendation problem after applying the recommendation. The music data in the database data conversion effectively improve the efficiency and accuracy of mining. According to the implementation of the algorithm described in this article, the accuracy of the music recommendation results used to recommend user satisfaction is proved. And the recommended music is indeed feasible and practical.
Intelligent Prediction and Optimization Algorithm for Chronic Disease Rehabilitation in Sports Using Big Data
Authors: Zhang Xuelei , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates chronic diseases in the older population in the Chinese province of Henan and analyzes the rehabilitation needs and the current supply of related services in different levels of medical and elderly care institutions. We explore the fundamental causes for the diversified needs and insufficient supply of chronic disease patients in professional medical services and daily care. Using big data and deep learning (DL) in the sports domain, we propose a novel and intelligent prediction system for chronic diseases. Our model explores effective sinking methods of high-quality medical resources, training and guidance practices, assistance and guidance measures, and the ability to improve the grassroots services so that more chronically ill populations can stay in the community family as long as possible. In such an environment, they can receive cheap, safe, and suitable services. It can also lead to further improvement in constructing the government’s regional medical rehabilitation care service system and can formulate long-term care relevant compensation policies.
Topology Control and Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) in Cyber‐Physical System
Authors: Li Ang , Zhang Chen , Zheng Baoyu , Li Lei
Published: May 2021

The system reachability set is calculated by covering all possible behaviours of the system through a finite number of simulation steps to ensure that the system trajectory stays within a set safety region. In this paper, the theory of the game method is applied to the design of the controller, a very small controller is designed, and good control results are obtained by simulation. The system gradually shows a divergent trend and cannot achieve stable control. A multihop channel reservation Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol based on a parallel mechanism is proposed. The multihop channel reservation mechanism is proposed based on periodic node sleep, and the node uses the reservation frame to make the reservation of the channel and transmits the data according to the reservation information; the parallel mechanism is used to make the reservation information and data transmission simultaneously.
Optimal Service Commission Contract Design of OTA to Create O2O Model by Cooperation with TTA under Asymmetric Information
Authors: Shi Pingping , Hu Yaogang , Wang Yongfeng
Published: May 2021

This paper studies the service commission contract of an online travel agency (OTA) to integrate the online to offline (O2O) model by cooperation with a traditional travel agency (TTA) under asymmetric information. The principal-agent models are established with symmetric and asymmetric service information, respectively. Further, the impacts of asymmetry information on the revenue of the OTA, TTA, and the whole O2O model and the properties of optimal commission contract are analyzed. The paper notes management implications: (1) OTA designs service commission contracts by weighing the fixed payment and service commission coefficient for different incentives to TTAs with different serviceabilities and (2) because the existence of asymmetric information always leads to the damage of OTA’s expected revenue, OTA should encourage the TTA to disclose private service information.
2b or Not 2b: How Opposing FGF Receptor Splice Variants Are Blocking Progress in Precision Oncology
Authors: Epstein Richard J. , Tian Li Jun , Gu Yan Fei
Published: May 2021

More than ten thousand peer-reviewed studies have assessed the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) in cancer, but few patients have yet benefited from drugs targeting this molecular family. Strategizing how best to use FGFR-targeted drugs is complicated by multiple variables, including RNA splicing events that alter the affinity of ligands for FGFRs and hence change the outcomes of stromal-epithelial interactions. The effects of splicing are most relevant to FGFR2; expression of the FGFR2b splice isoform can restore apoptotic sensitivity to cancer cells, whereas switching to FGFR2c may drive tumor progression by triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The differentiating and regulatory actions of wild-type FGFR2b contrast with the proliferative actions of FGFR1 and FGFR3, and may be converted to mitogenicity either by splice switching or by silencing of tumor suppressor genes such as CDH1 or PTEN. Exclusive use of small-molecule pan-FGFR inhibitors may thus cause nonselective blockade of FGFR2 isoforms with opposing actions, undermining the rationale of FGFR2 drug targeting. This splice-dependent ability of FGFR2 to switch between tumor-suppressing and -driving functions highlights an unmet oncologic need for isoform-specific drug targeting, e.g., by antibody inhibition of ligand-FGFR2c binding, as well as for more nuanced molecular pathology prediction of FGFR2 actions in different stromal-tumor contexts.
Dynamical Hybrid System for Optimizing and Controlling Efficacy of Plant‐Based Protein in Aquafeeds
Authors: Dossou Serge , Dawood Mahmoud A. O. , Zaineldin Amr I. , Abouelsaad Ibrahim A. , Mzengereza Kumbukani , Shadrack Ronick S. , Zhang Yukun , El-Sharnouby Mohamed , Ahmed Hamada A. , El Basuini Mohammed F.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, a mathematical model was used to evaluate a dynamical hybrid system for optimizing and controlling the efficacy of plant‐based protein in aquafeeds. Fishmeal (FM), raw rapeseed meal (RM), and a fermented meal with yeast (RM‐Yeast) and fungi (Aspergillus oryzae RM‐Koji) were used as test ingredients for the determination of apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, energy, and essential amino acids (EAA) for olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus, 7 ± 0.02 g) using diets containing 0.5% Cr2O3 as an inert indicator. Among all ingredients tested, FM had the maximum ADC of dry matter (P < 0.05), protein (P < 0.05), lipid (P > 0.05), and energy (P > 0.05). Fermented meals (RM‐Yeast and RM‐Koji) showed higher ADC (P < 0.05) of crude protein compared with RM, while there was no significance in ADCs of crude lipid and energy among different forms of rapeseed meal. Besides, ADC of crude lipid for RM‐Yeast and RM‐Koji, on the one hand, and ADC of gross energy for RM‐Yeast, on the other hand, were not varied from that for FM (P > 0.05). Amino acid digestibility reflects protein digestibility in most cases. Interestingly, protease, lipase, and amylase activities were better expressed in RM‐Koji, RM‐Yeast, and FM over RM, respectively. The current results deliver important information on nutrients and energy bioavailability in raw and fermented RM, which can be implemented to accurately formulate applied feeds for olive flounder. Compared with other applicable systems, the complexity of the approach implemented has been considerably reduced.
Influencing Factors of Social Service Satisfaction of the Elderly under the Background of Internet Attention
Authors: Lin Miao
Published: May 2021

Improving the life service for the elderly is a topic of great concern to the government and society. This paper explores the influence of net attention on social work service satisfaction of the elderly. This paper studies and analyzes the current situation of the elderly’s net attention and social satisfaction, constructs the index system of social service satisfaction through the sample data of 17 districts and counties in A province, and establishes a multilayer linear model to analyze the influencing factors of social service satisfaction, and empirically analyzes the feasibility of the proposed model’s rationality and effectiveness. The structure shows that the scores of elderly people’s satisfaction with public services in all regions of A province are higher than 60 points, and the biggest difference of standard deviation of each region is 3.91 points. Public service expenditure has a negative effect on social service satisfaction, but population density, geographical location, and per capita GDP have no obvious effect. The regression coefficient of public service expenditure is ‐0.099134, which can reduce the score of social service satisfaction. Elderly participation in public welfare activities, elderly awareness of government, and elderly participation in government can improve the social service satisfaction score.
Targeting DDX3X Triggers Antitumor Immunity via a dsRNA-Mediated Tumor-Intrinsic Type I Interferon Response
Authors: Choi Hyeongjwa , Kwon Juntae , Cho Min Soon , Sun Yifan , Zheng Xiaofeng , Wang Jing , Bouker Kerrie B. , Casey John L. , Atkins Michael B. , Toretsky Jeffrey , Han Cecil
Published: May 2021

Induction of nucleic acid sensing–mediated type I interferon (IFN) has emerged as a novel approach to activate the immune system against cancer. Here we show that the depletion of DEAD-box RNA helicase 3X (DDX3X) triggers a tumor-intrinsic type I IFN response in breast cancer cells. Depletion or inhibition of DDX3X activity led to aberrant cytoplasmic accumulation of cellular endogenous double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA), which triggered type I IFN production through the melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5)-mediated dsRNA-sensing pathway. Furthermore, DDX3X interacted with dsRNA-editing ADAR1 and dual depletion of DDX3X and ADAR1 synergistically activated the cytosolic dsRNA pathway in breast cancer cells. Loss of DDX3X in mouse mammary tumors enhanced antitumor activity by increasing the tumor-intrinsic type I IFN response, antigen presentation, and tumor infiltration of cytotoxic T and dendritic cells. These findings may lead to the development of a novel therapeutic approach for breast cancer by targeting DDX3X in combination with immune-checkpoint blockade.

Significance:

This study elucidates the novel role of DDX3X in regulating endogenous cellular dsRNA homeostasis and type I IFN signaling in breast cancer.
Locus-Specific Characterization of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Expression in Prostate, Breast, and Colon Cancers
Authors: Steiner Margaret C. , Marston Jez L. , Iñiguez Luis P. , Bendall Matthew L. , Chiappinelli Katherine B. , Nixon Douglas F. , Crandall Keith A.
Published: May 2021

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have been implicated in a variety of diseases including cancers. Recent research implicates HERVs in epigenetic gene regulation. Here we utilize a recently developed bioinformatics tool for identifying HERV expression at the locus-specific level to identify differential expression of HERVs in matched tumor-normal RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Data from 52 prostate cancer, 111 breast cancer, and 24 colon cancer cases were analyzed. Locus-specific analysis identified active HERV elements and differentially expressed HERVs in prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. In addition, differentially expressed host genes were identified across prostate, breast, and colon cancer datasets, respectively, including several involved in demethylation and antiviral response pathways, supporting previous findings regarding the pathogenic mechanisms of HERVs. A majority of differentially expressed HERVs intersected protein coding genes or lncRNAs in each dataset, and a subset of differentially expressed HERVs intersected differentially expressed genes in prostate, breast, and colon cancers, providing evidence towards regulatory function. Finally, patterns in HERV expression were identified in multiple cancer types, with 155 HERVs differentially expressed in all three cancer types. This analysis extends previous results identifying HERV transcription in cancer RNA-seq datasets to a locus-specific level, and in doing so provides a foundation for future studies investigating the functional role of HERV in cancers and identifies a number of novel targets for cancer biomarkers and immunotherapy.

Significance:

Expressed human endogenous retroviruses are mapped at locus-specific resolution and linked to specific pathways to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in prostate, breast, and colon cancers.
A Role for Genetics in Racial Disparities of Therapy-Related Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Brown Austin L. , Richard Melissa A.
Published: May 2021

Cardiomyopathy is a significant source of morbidity and early mortality among survivors of childhood cancer, and may disproportionately affect minorities. However, there have been few studies evaluating these outcomes among racially and ethnically diverse survivor populations. A study by Sapkota and colleagues systematically characterizes disparities in the incidence of treatment-associated cardiomyopathy on the basis of genetic ancestry and investigates genetic variants responsible for this inequality. The noteworthy findings include a disproportionate risk of cardiomyopathy among African-American childhood cancer survivors and the identification of inherited genetic variants, which may confer increased susceptibility to cardiomyopathy among these individuals. Although larger studies are needed to confirm these findings, incorporating this knowledge into clinical risk profiles may help focus attention on patient populations who are particularly vulnerable to adverse cardiovascular outcomes and most likely to benefit from preventive strategies.

See related article by Sapkota et al., p. 2556
Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Adulthood: Examining Potential Psychological, Biological, and Behavioral Mediators in the Whitehall II Cohort Study
Authors: Deschênes Sonya S. , Kivimaki Mika , Schmitz Norbert
Published: May 2021

Background

This study investigated potential psycho‐bio‐behavioral mediators of the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in adulthood.

Methods and Results

Participants were 5610 British civil servants (mean age, 55.5; 28% women) from the Whitehall II cohort study without CHD at baseline in 1997 to 1999 (wave 5) when retrospective data on the number of ACEs were collected via questionnaire (range, 0–8). Potential mediators assessed at wave 5 included depression and anxiety symptoms, health behaviors (smoking, alcohol dependence, sleep, and physical activity), and cardiometabolic dysregulations. New diagnoses of CHD (myocardial infarction, definite angina, coronary artery bypass grafting, or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) were assessed from wave 6 (2001) to wave 11 (2012–2013). Logistic regressions examined associations between ACEs, potential mediators, and CHD during the follow‐up period. Natural indirect effects were examined using mediation analysis. A total of 566 (10.1%) participants developed CHD during the follow‐up period. ACEs were associated with an increased likelihood of CHD (odds ratio per ACE, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00–1.19). Controlling for age and sex, mediation analyses revealed an indirect effect of depression symptoms (natural indirect effects, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03–1.07), anxiety symptoms (natural indirect effects, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.10–1.15), and a greater number of cardiometabolic dysregulations (natural indirect effects, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01–1.03) in the association between ACEs and incident CHD. Behavioral factors were not statistically significant mediators.

Conclusions

Depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and cardiometabolic dysregulations partially mediated the association between ACEs and CHD. Regular screening and treatment of symptoms of psychological disorders and cardiometabolic dysregulations may help mitigate the long‐term health burden of ACEs.
A new species of Bolitoglossa (Caudata: Plethodontidae) of the Bolitoglossa franklini group from an isolated cloud forest in northern Guatemala
Authors: DAHINTEN-BAILEY HELLEN , SERRANO MARCELO J. , ALONSO-ASCENCIO MARGARITA , CRUZ-FONT JOSE J. , ROSITO-PRADO ISABELLA , RUIZ-VILLANUEVA KENNEDY J. A. , VÁSQUEZ-ALMAZAN CARLOS , ARIANO-SÁNCHEZ DANIEL
Published: May 2021

We describe Bolitoglossa qeqom sp. nov. from an isolated cloud forest in Cerro Guachmalén, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, based on multiple lines of evidence (morphological, molecular, and biogeographic data). This region comprises a mountain ridge without previous herpetological surveys. The new species is a large salamander with uniform purplish-black coloration and is distinguished by having relatively long legs with only one costal groove between adpressed limbs, numerous maxillary teeth, few vomerine teeth, only one phalange free of webbing in digit III of feet, and a relatively short tail. It is geographically closest to its sister clade of B. lincolni + B. franklini and the xeric Chixoy river canyon appears to be the major biogeographic barrier that isolated the new taxon. The cloud forest inhabited by this species has undergone severe habitat destruction in the region and land conservation actions are urgent.
Implementing a New Formulation in WRF-LES for Buoyant Plume Simulations: bPlume-WRF-LES Model
Authors: Bhimireddy Sudheer R. , Bhaganagar Kiran
Published: May 2021

A new formulation—bPlume-WRF-LES model—was implemented within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model to simulate the two-way coupling between the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and gas plume (denser and lighter) released into the atmosphere. The existing WRF large-eddy simulation (WRF-LES) modeling system was modified by coupling an additional transport equation for the plume gas mixture and by accounting for the buoyant production term in the turbulence kinetic energy equation. The focus of the work was to understand the effect of atmospheric forcings on plume rise, plume mixing, and plume dynamics during the early stages of plume development. For this purpose, the bPlume-WRF-LES model was used to simulate the release of buoyant plumes from a large area source into different atmospheric conditions with varying stratification and mean wind forcing values. Plumes released in a convective ABL background rise according to the 2/3 power law with time before reaching the boundary layer top and spreading laterally. The convective ABL eddy turnover time scale () dictates the rate at which plume mixes with the ambient air inside the convective boundary layer (CBL) and the plume dilution rate scales as . Both the stratification and wind forcing enhance the plume mixing from the early plume development stage, and dilute the plume much faster. An increase in the mean winds within the CBL contributes to uniform mixing and greater bent-over plume behavior at a shorter downwind distance from the source.
Impact of TROPICS Radiances on Tropical Cyclone Prediction in an OSSE
Authors: Christophersen Hui W. , Dahl Brittany A. , Dunion Jason P. , Rogers Robert F. , Marks Frank D. , Atlas Robert , Blackwell William J.
Published: May 2021

As part of the NASA Earth Venture-Instrument program, the Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission, to be launched in January 2022, will deliver unprecedented rapid-update microwave measurements over the tropics that can be used to observe the evolution of the precipitation and thermodynamic structure of tropical cyclones (TCs) at meso- and synoptic scales. TROPICS consists of six CubeSats, each hosting a passive microwave radiometer that provides radiance observations sensitive to atmospheric temperature, water vapor, precipitation, and precipitation-sized ice particles. In this study, the impact of TROPICS all-sky radiances on TC analyses and forecasts is explored through a regional mesoscale observing system simulation experiment (OSSE). The results indicate that the TROPICS all-sky radiances can have positive impacts on TC track and intensity forecasts, particularly when some hydrometeor state variables and other state variables of the data assimilation system that are relevant to cloudy radiance assimilation are updated. The largest impact on the model analyses is seen in the humidity fields, regardless of whether or not there are radiances assimilated from other satellites. TROPICS radiances demonstrate large impact on TC analyses and forecasts when other satellite radiances are absent. The assimilation of the all-sky TROPICS radiances without default radiances leads to a consistent improvement in the low- and midtropospheric temperature and wind forecasts throughout the 5-day forecasts, but only up to 36-h lead time in the humidity forecasts at all pressure levels. This study illustrates the potential benefits of TROPICS data assimilation for TC forecasts and provides a potentially streamlined pathway for transitioning TROPICS data from research to operations postlaunch.
Causes and Consequences of Sea Ice Initialization Shock in Coupled NWP Hindcasts with the GC2 Climate Model
Authors: Johns T. C. , Blockley E. W. , Ridley J. K.
Published: May 2021

We present a coupled retrospective forecast (hindcast) study using the Met Office Global Coupled Model, version 2 (GC2), in which we identify and mitigate causes of initialization shock that lead to rapid error growth in sea ice forecasts. Sea ice state variables and volume budget terms as a function of forecast lead time are evaluated relative to analyses from an uncoupled Met Office ocean–sea ice analysis system [Forecast Ocean Assimilation Model, version 13 (FOAMv13)]. Two sources of initialization shock are highlighted and addressed, both of which are related to effective differences in physics between the analysis system and coupled forecast model. The primary shock to sea ice state variables arises from the use of a salinity-independent freezing temperature for seawater in GC2 as opposed to a salinity-dependent formulation in FOAMv13. A secondary effect arises from differences in the sea ice roughness and hence air–ice drag in the GC2 forecast model compared to the FOAMv13 analysis system. Generalizing from the findings of this study, we suggest that using nonnative analyses as initial conditions for coupled numerical weather prediction (NWP) studies will likely make them prone to initialization shock in some model components, to the detriment of forecast skill. To reduce the undesirable impacts of initialization shock on short-range forecast skill noted in this study we would therefore recommend the use of initial conditions (analyses) physically consistent with the native model components of the coupled forecast model, a native coupled analysis likely being the optimal initialization method.
Comparison of Biases in Warm-Season WRF Forecasts in North and South America
Authors: Piersante Jeremiah O. , Schumacher Russ. S. , Rasmussen Kristen L.
Published: May 2021

Ensemble forecasts using the WRF Model at 20-km grid spacing with varying parameterizations are used to investigate and compare precipitation and atmospheric profile forecast biases in North and South America. By verifying a 19-member ensemble against NCEP Stage IV precipitation analyses, it is shown that the cumulus parameterization (CP), in addition to precipitation amount and season, had the largest influence on precipitation forecast skill in North America during 2016-2017. Verification of an ensemble subset against operational radiosondes in North and South America finds that forecasts in both continents feature a substantial mid-level dry bias, particularly at 700 hPa, during the warm season. Case-by-case analysis suggests that large mid-level error is associated with mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) east of the high terrain and westerly subsident flow from the Rocky and Andes Mountains in North and South America. However, error in South America is consistently greater than North America. This is likely attributed to the complex terrain and higher average altitude of the Andes relative to the Rockies, which allow for a deeper low-level jet and long-lasting MCSs, both of which 20-km simulations struggle to resolve. In the wake of data availability from the RELAMPAGO field campaign, the authors hope that this work motivates further comparison of large precipitating systems in North and South America, given their high impact in both continents.
Comparative Trial of the Effects of Left Ventricular and Biventricular Pacing on Indices of Cardiac Function and Clinical Course of Patients With Heart Failure: Rationale and Design of the READAPT Randomized Trial
Authors: Dilaveris Polychronis , Antoniou Christos-Konstantinos , Chrysohoou Christina , Xydis Panagiotis , Konstantinou Konstantinos , Manolakou Panagiota , Kordalis Athanasios , Gatzoulis Konstantinos , Tsioufis Costas
Published: May 2021

Nonresponse to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been related with right ventricular dysfunction. Ventriculoarterial coupling (VAC) assesses energy efficiency of the failing heart and stroke work maximization for a given contractility, for both systemic and pulmonary circulations. Preferential left ventricular pacing (pLVP) can overcome iatrogenic right ventricular dysfunction by achieving left ventricle resynchronization and by allowing for intrinsic activation of the right side, with ramifications extending beyond cardiac output and atrial fibrillation occurrence. In the present article, we detail the design of a single-center randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effects of a pLVP algorithm. More specifically, following randomization of 220 CRT-eligible patients to standard biventricular pacing and pLVP, their clinical course will be followed for 12 months, through echocardiography to study indices of systolic and diastolic function of ventricles, left and right side VAC to evaluate efficiency, and cardiopulmonary exercise test to objectively document improvements in functional status, as well as a self-reported quality of life questionnaire. Device programming will be based on echocardiography-evaluated maximization of stroke volume and subsequent interventricular and atrioventricular delay adjustments delegated to the device. Findings of this trial may provide evidence for alternative programming of the devices, linking pLVP to improved clinical outcomes.
Hospital-treated deliberate self-poisoning patients: Drug-induced delirium and clinical outcomes
Authors: Gale Lindsay , McGill Katie , Twaddell Scott , Whyte Ian M , Lewin Terry J , Carter Gregory L
Published: May 2021

Objective:

Drug-induced delirium has been attributed to opioid, benzodiazepine, antipsychotic, antihistaminic and anticholinergic drug groups at therapeutic doses. Delirium also occurs in hospital-treated self-poisoning (at supra-therapeutic doses), although the causative drug classes are not well established and co-ingestion is common. We tested the magnitude and direction of association of five major drug groups with incident cases of delirium.

Methods:

A retrospective longitudinal cohort ( n = 5131) study was undertaken of deliberate and recreational/chronic misuse poisoning cases from a regional sentinel toxicology unit. We described ingestion and co-ingestion patterns and estimated the unadjusted and adjusted odds for developing a drug-induced delirium. We also estimated the odds of drug-induced delirium being associated with three outcomes: intensive care unit admission, general hospital length of stay and discharge to home.

Results:

Drug-induced delirium occurred in 3.9% of cases ( n = 200). The unadjusted odds ratios for development of delirium were increased for anticholinergics 10.79 (5.43–21.48), antihistamines 6.10 (4.20–8.84) and antipsychotics 2.99 (2.20–4.06); non-significant for opioids 1.31 (95% confidence interval = [0.81, 2.13]); and reduced for benzodiazepines 0.37 (0.24–0.58); with little change after adjustment for age, gender and co-ingestion. Delirium was associated with intensive care unit admission, longer length of stay and discharge destination.

Conclusion:

Drug-induced delirium was uncommon in this population. Co-ingestion was common but did not alter the risk. In contrast to drug-induced delirium at therapeutic doses in older populations, opioids were not associated with delirium and benzodiazepines were protective. Drug-induced delirium required increased clinical services. Clinical services should be funded and prepared to provide additional supportive care for these deliriogenic drug group ingestions.
US nationwide assessment of school health policies and practices using state-level data
Authors: Bryan Leah N , Brener Nancy , Barker Lawrence , Lo Annie , Underwood J Michael
Published: May 2021

Objective:

After the discontinuation of School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS) in 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began exploring innovative ways to gather school health information using existing surveillance systems. School Health Profiles (Profiles) is a school-based system of surveys that monitors school health policies and practices in states and other jurisdictions. The objective of this study was to assess whether prevalence estimates calculated using nationally representative SHPPS as an established benchmark were similar to estimates using aggregated Profiles data.

Method:

Nationwide 2014 Profiles estimates were calculated from data across all 50 US states and the District of Columbia and compared to national 2014 SHPPS estimates. Fifty-seven questions were identical between the data sources. Equivalence tests were used to determine similarity between data sources.

Results:

Overall, the median difference between 2014 SHPPS and 2014 Profiles estimate was one percentage point and distribution-free 95% confidence intervals were (−0.8, 3.1). Of the 57 school health policy and practice indicators examined in this study, 38 (66.7%) were found to be equivalent. Of these equivalent indicators, the median percentage point difference between data sources was 0.8 (−0.8, 2.5). A nonparametric sign test showed that none of the medians of the estimate differences examined were significantly different from zero.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the expanded utility of state-level data to meet public health surveillance needs. This study found that aggregated, state-level Profiles data can be used to calculate nationwide prevalence estimates that are reasonably consistent with results from a nationally representative survey.
Homenagem: Remembering the Life and Work of Abdias Nascimento
Authors: Perry Keisha-Khan Y. , Dzidzienyo Anani
Published: May 2021

This essay provides a brief introduction to this special issue focused on the life and work of Black Brazilian scholar-activist Abdias Nascimento. The contributors include, Vera Lucia Benedito, Ollie Johnson, Zachary Morgan, Elisa Larkin Nascimento, and Cheryl Sterling who all participated in a 2015 conference at Africana Studies at Brown University. This group of scholars aptly illustrate that Nascimento had long contributed to the internationalization of Black Studies as a field in US academe and he was crucial in establishing Brazil as a central component of the Black World. The essays have much to teach us about Nascimento’s views on the relationship between art and politics, the role of military service in shaping his activism, the significance of black politicians in the reconceptualization of Brazilian democracy, and the importance of preserving archives and expanding our understanding of the Black radical tradition.
Influence of stitching on the out-of-plane behavior of composite materials – A mechanistic review
Authors: Drake Daniel A , Sullivan Rani W , Lovejoy Andrew E , Clay Stephen B , Jegley Dawn C
Published: May 2021

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are widely used in the aerospace industry due to their high stiffness and strength-to-weight ratios. However, their applicability can be limited by their relatively low interlaminar properties when compared to metallic alternatives. Through-thickness reinforcement approaches, such as stitching, z-pinning, needling, tufting, and three-dimensional weaving, have been developed in recent decades to enhance the interlaminar properties of composites. Stitching is considered to be an efficient and cost-effective method to reinforce composites in the through-thickness direction. Additionally, stitch parameters (stitch density, linear thread density, thread material, pretension, etc.) highly influence the in-plane and out-of-plane properties. This paper summarizes results from over one hundred papers on the influence of stitch parameters on fracture energy, interlaminar strength, and impact characteristics of stitched composite laminates, sandwich composites, and high-temperature composites. Much of the research on the influence of stitch parameters has focused on thermoset polymer matrix composites (PMCs), while fewer studies have investigated the impact of stitch parameters on high temperature or sandwich composites. Modification of existing and new test methods have been developed to adequately measure the effectiveness of stitching on the out-of-plane behavior of PMC panels. Results demonstrate that out-of-plane properties of PMCs are highly dependent on stitch parameters and can be enhanced by through-thickness stitching.
Using UDL to Plan a Book Study Lesson for Students With Intellectual Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms
Authors: Anderson Laura K.
Published: May 2021

Students with intellectual disabilities are among the least likely students to spend a significant amount of time in general education classrooms. When they are included, they may spend their time on non-academic learning experiences. Universal Design for Learning is a lesson planning framework that can guide teachers in inclusive lesson planning. This article explores the Universal Design for Learning framework and how teachers can incorporate it into the lesson planning process for a book study in high school English Language Arts. This lesson planning process provides genuine learning experiences to students with intellectual disabilities in the general education classrooms. The article offers examples of how to incorporate multiple means of representation, multiple means of engagement, and multiple means of expression and action within the four steps of the lesson planning process: learning goals, instructional methods, instructional materials, and assessment.
Forecasting Revenue Impacts from COVID-19: The Case of Florida Municipalities
Authors: Guo Hai (David) , Chen Can
Published: May 2021

Early in the pandemic, Florida municipal managers indicated that forecasting the impact on local revenues was one of their top priorities in responding to the pandemic, yet such a tool has not been widely available. This study offers simple and straightforward fiscal planning guides for assessing the short-term and long-term impacts of the COVID 19 recession on local government revenues by estimating the revenue declines among 411 Florida municipalities from FY 2021 to FY 2023. The forecast results predict revenues will be reduced by $5.11 billion from 2019 pre-pandemic levels for Florida cities in fiscal years 2021 through 2023. The decline is forecast to be 3.54 percent in FY 2021, 4.02 percent in FY 2022, and 3.29 percent in FY 2023. The revenue structure matters for estimating the revenue decline.
A Cross-Sectional Study on Internet Addiction Among Adolescent Children of Parents With Mental Illness
Authors: Sahanapriya G.K. , Bijulakshmi P , Rajendhiran Gopi , Mathumathi S , Ramasubramanian Vikhram , Kannan M.
Published: May 2021

Background:

The internet can cause adverse psychological issues in children whose parents show less competence because of their mental illness. This study aims to find the level of internet addiction among adolescents who have a parent with psychiatric illness and its relationship to the type and duration of their parent’s illness.

Method:

This study was conducted among 283 adolescents whose parents suffered from mental illness. They were selected from the inpatient and outpatient services of a neuropsychiatric hospital in India. Informed written consent was obtained from the parent not suffering from psychiatric illness, and a semistructured interview accommodating various factors and statements from the internet addiction test was used to find the level of internet addiction.

Result:

A total of 79.5% of adolescents showed scores indicative of internet addiction, with 14.5% of the participants having mild levels of addiction, 60.8% having moderate levels of addiction, and 4.2% having severe levels of addiction. There is a significant relationship between internet addiction scores and the type and duration of psychiatric illness in a parent.

Conclusion:

The internet addiction scores in adolescents have a significant relationship to the various types of illnesses and the duration of illness of their parents.