bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tongnao Decoction (TND) Alleviated Atherosclerosis by Playing Lowering Lipid, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Roles
Authors: Jiang Hui , Wang Jianli , Sheng Li , Xu Xiaoyu , Zhou Bingmei , Shen Luying , Wu Minghua
Published: May 2022

Background. Tongnao decoction (TND) has been extensively prescribed for the treatment of stroke. However, little is known about the role of TND in the progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Methods. A mouse carotid atherosclerosis model was established with a silastic collar placed around the right common carotid artery and fed on Western diet for 12 weeks. The treatment group was given a gavage of TND at a dose of 1 mg/kg/d. The atherosclerotic lesion size and the compositions were observed using Oil red O staining and immunofluorescent staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate the levels of lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were treated with oxLDL with or without TND for in vitro experiments. Results. TND treatment significantly suppressed the progression of atherosclerosis, as characterized with a smaller lesion size, less percentage of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, endothelial cell apoptosis, and macrophage infiltration. In addition, TND decreased the levels of lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors in atherosclerosis. In vitro results showed that TND inhibited the apoptosis of endothelial cells via activating ERK and AKT pathway. Conclusions. Our study demonstrated that TND significantly protected from atherosclerosis via promoting endothelial cell survival and alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory response, which may have become a treatment in atherosclerotic diseases.
Cognitive Computing Model Based on Machine Learning Algorithm in Artificial Intelligence Environment
Authors: Liu Wenhong
Published: May 2022

In order to effectively solve problems and complete data processing quickly, a data processing model based on computational knowledge training technology is prepared. First, prepare the cognitive model and then learn the data as techniques (distribution, decision-making, etc.) that can be used in the model and the process of scheduling work in the environment. The main points and progress of the research are as follows. Many people see the purpose of the problem that the data and data streams are difficult to identify and influence. The flow of knowledge data in relation to the use of the Internet is based on content-based counting patterns. It is to learn to correctly analyze the information points. In addition, in view of the problem of unsatisfactory effect caused by the randomness of the optional splitting behavior in the VFDT (Fast Decision Tree) algorithm, the decision tree algorithm for data flow is planned for the distribution of data flow. The accuracy of the algorithm can be close to 96%. The performance of the experiments was evaluated.
Computer Digital Technology Combined with Dynamic Visual Communication Sensors in Target Tracking with Big Data
Authors: Han Zhihui , Zhao Jianhua
Published: May 2022

The detection algorithm is explored to improve the dynamic visual sensors (DVS) combined with computer digital technology, build a DVS network, and complete the monitoring and tracking of the target. Ultimately, the problem that needs to be solved is the poor quality of traditional communication sensor data transmission, which needs to be improved by DVS. Firstly, the structure and function of the network are described through dynamic visual perception requirements analysis. Secondly, by introducing a target tracking algorithm that combines event flow and grayscale images, two methods are proposed, namely, the event flow noise reduction method based on event density and the optical flow detection feature tracking algorithm. Finally, through experiments, the tracking and detection effect of the optical flow detection algorithm on the target object in the dark environment is verified in the high-speed motion scene and the reflection environment. The results show that the average error of target object detection and tracking is 3.2 pixels in a dark environment. The average error of target tracking in high-speed motion scenes and reflective environments is 4.86 pixels and 2.88 pixels, respectively. This research has practical reference value for the digital and intelligent development of digital video surveillance systems.
Design and Optimization of Motion Training System Assisted by Human Posture Estimation Algorithm
Authors: Dang Zijun , Dong Huan , Li Tong , Kong Kai
Published: May 2022

With the rapid development of computer technology and electronic information technology, the sports training system no longer depends on the traditional algorithm for operation support, and various advanced posture algorithms are emerging. At the same time, it also further optimizes the intelligence and accuracy of the sports training algorithm. As an advanced algorithm combined with virtual reality technology, human posture estimation algorithm plays an obvious role in optimizing the effect of sports training. This paper will design a motion training system based on the optimized and improved human posture trajectory algorithm, use the depth image correlation theory to solve the problem of non-Gaussian noise crosstalk in the depth image of the traditional human posture algorithm in principle, improve the accurate feature extraction of the depth image by the algorithm, and solve the problem of human feature redundancy, so as to further improve the accuracy of the establishment of a single human model; on the problem of multi-person posture estimation algorithm, this paper proposes a high-resolution multi-person posture high-precision network model and adds the focus mechanism. Based on this, this paper realizes the high-precision and high-speed modeling of multi-person posture, so as to provide an accurate model for the multi-person function of sports training system and improve the efficiency of the algorithm. In the experimental part, this paper takes tennis as a typical case to design the sports training system and experiments based on the system designed in this paper. The experimental results show that the system under the proposed algorithm has obvious advantages in accuracy and training effect.
Regulation of TLR10 Expression and Its Role in Chemotaxis of Human Neutrophils
Authors: Balachandran Yadu , Caldwell Sarah , Aulakh Gurpreet Kaur , Singh Baljit
Published: May 2022

Toll-like receptors are innate immune receptors that play a critical role in pathogen-associated molecular pattern recognition. TLR10 was recently identified and very limited data are available on its expression, mechanisms that regulate its expression, and its role in primary immune cells. To study the expression pattern of TLR10 in primary immune cells, we examined TLR10 protein expression in naive and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated human neutrophils. Human neutrophils challenged with LPS showed a decrease in total and surface TLR10 expression at 90 min. TLR10 in LPS-activated neutrophils colocalized with flotallin-1, a lipid raft marker, and EEA-1, an early endosomal marker, to suggest its endocytosis. There was increased colocalization of TLR10 with TLR4 at LPS 60 min followed by decrease at later LPS treatment times. Treatment with TLR4 neutralizing antibody decreased cytoplasmic localization of TLR10 in LPS-treated neutrophils. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) depletion and neutralization of p65 subunit of NF-κB in LPS-treated neutrophils decreased TLR10 expression. Live cell imaging of LPS-activated neutrophils showed TLR10 translocation in the leading edge and TLR10 knockdown in neutrophils reduced their fMLP-induced chemotaxis and the number of neutrophils with pseudopodia but without affecting the expression of key proteins of actin nucleation process, ARP-3 and Diap1. Taken together, our findings show that neutrophil activation alters TLR10 expression through ROS production and NF-κB regulation, and TLR10 knockdown reduced neutrophil chemotaxis.
Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor 2: A Novel Biomarker for Predicting Asymptomatic Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Yamanaka Shoichiro , Miyake Ryuta , Yamada Yuki , Kawaguchi Ryuji , Ootake Norihisa , Myoba Shohei , Kobayashi Hiroshi
Published: May 2022

Objectives: Patients with asymptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) are associated with an increased risk of pulmonary thromboembolism events. However, due to low specificity and high false-positive rates, D-dimer testing cannot be used alone to diagnose VTE. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2), a new serodiagnostic marker for ovarian cancer, plays a role in blood coagulation system regulation. We hypothesized that combining D-dimer and TFPI2 would improve its utility in diagnosing VTE. This study aimed to look into the clinical utility of serum D-dimer and TFPI2 levels in detecting asymptomatic VTE in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Design: From January 2008 to December 2015, researchers at Nara Medical University Hospital’s Department of Gynecology conducted a single-center retrospective study. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of preoperative D-dimer, TFPI2, and D-dimer combined with TFPI2 in distinguishing VTE patients from those who did not have VTE. Participants: This study included 122 patients with EOC who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria out of 223 admitted to the hospital with EOC. The patients were divided into two groups: VTE (n = 25) and non-VTE (n = 97). Results: There were significant differences in D-dimer, TFPI2, and CA125 levels and residual tumor between the VTE and non-VTE groups. The D-dimer level was found to be significantly related to age, body mass index, VTE, massive ascites, residual tumor, histology, and Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, whereas the TFPI2 level was only related to VTE. Multivariate analysis revealed that D-dimer (the optimal cutoff value, 3.5 μg/mL) and TFPI2 (the optimal cutoff value, 400 pg/mL) are independent risk factors for preoperative VTE. ROC analysis revealed that the area under the curve was 0.8266 for D-dimer, 0.7963 for TFPI2, and 0.8495 for the combination of D-dimer and TFPI2. When compared to the D-dimer test alone, the combination of D-dimer and TFPI2 had higher specificity (77.3–96.9%) and positive predictive value (48.8–81.2%) for the diagnosis of VTE. Limitations: This is a single-center retrospective study. Conclusion: The combination of D-dimer and TFPI2 may be useful to safely exclude VTE and select patients at high risk of VTE.
Feeling Younger, Rehabilitating Better: Reciprocal and Mediating Effects between Subjective Age and Functional Independence in Osteoporotic Fracture and Stroke Patients
Authors: Kalir Daphna Magda , Shrira Amit , Palgi Yuval , Batz Carmel , Ben-Eliezer Aya , Heyman Noemi , Lieberman Devora , Seleznev Irena , Shugaev Inna , Zaslavsky Oleg , Zikrin Evgeniya , Bodner Ehud
Published: May 2022

Introduction: The current study aimed to find reciprocal effects between subjective age and functional independence during rehabilitation from osteoporotic fractures and stroke and whether these effects can be mediated by indicators of well-being. Methods: Participants were 194 older adults (mean age = 78.32 years, SD = 7.37; 64.8% women) who were hospitalized following an osteoporotic fracture or stroke. Participants completed measures of subjective age and well-being (i.e., optimism, self-esteem, and life satisfaction) several times during rehabilitation. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was completed by nursing personnel at admission and at discharge. Results: Younger subjective age at admission predicted higher FIM scores at discharge. The reverse effect, that is, of FIM scores at admission on subjective age at discharge, was nonsignificant. Optimism during hospitalization mediated the effect of subjective age on subsequent FIM scores while self-esteem and life satisfaction did not. Sensitivity analyses further showed that the effect of subjective age on FIM was significant for both fracture and stroke patients. Discussion: The findings highlight the effect of subjective age on rehabilitation outcomes among osteoporotic fractures and stroke patients and suggest several potential mechanisms behind this effect. Rehabilitation outcomes following osteoporotic fractures or strokes could improve if subjective age and an optimistic outlook are taken into consideration.
Pathophysiology of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Implications for Treatment
Authors: Garcia-Garcia Julián , Usategui-Martin Ricardo , Sanabria Maria Rosa , Fernandez-Perez Esther , Telleria Juan Jose , Coco-Martin Rosa M.
Published: May 2022

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex, multifactorial, progressive retinal disease that affects millions of people worldwide and has become the leading cause of visual impairment in developed countries. The disease etiopathogenesis is not understood fully, although many triggers and processes that lead to dysfunction and degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) have already been identified. Thus, the lack of cellular control of oxidative stress, altered proteostasis, dysfunction of lipid homeostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction form an internal feedback loop that causes the RPE to fail and allows accumulation of abnormal misfolded proteins and abnormal lipids that will form drusen. An inadequate antioxidant response, deficits in autophagy mechanisms, and dysregulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) help to increase the deposition of abnormal drusen material over time. The drusen then act as inflammatory centers that trigger chronic inflammation of the subretinal space in which microglia and recruited macrophages are also involved, and where the complement system is a key component. Choriocapillaris degeneration and nutritional influences are also classic elements recognized in the AMD pathophysiology. The genetic component of the disease is embodied in the recognition of the described risk or protective polymorphisms of some complement and ECM related genes (mainly CFH and ARMS2/HTRA1). Thus, carriers of the risk haplotype at ARMS2/HTRA1 have a higher risk of developing late AMD at a younger age. Finally, gut microbiota and epigenetics may play a role in modulating the progression to advanced AMD with the presence of local inflammatory conditions. Because of multiple implicated processes, different complex combinations of treatments will probably be the best option to obtain the best visual results; they in turn will differ depending on the type and spectrum of disease affecting individual patients or the disease stage in each patient at a specific moment. This will undoubtedly lead to personalized medicine for control and hopefully find a future cure. This necessitates the continued unraveling of all the processes involved in the pathogenesis of AMD that must be understood to devise the combinations of treatments for different concurrent or subsequent problems.
Latvian Tradition in State Responsibility
Authors: Miļūna Ieva
Published: May 2022

This Chapter examines the role of the law of state responsibility in the practice of the Latvian State. The author elaborates on Latvian state creation and practice in the 1920s and 1930s which present a solid ground for the newly founded State’s participation in the legal affairs of the international community. Latvian state practice contributes to the law of state responsibility by elaborating on the concepts of rule of law, international wrongful acts and the necessity to comply with Latvia’s internationally binding legal obligations. Special attention is devoted to the concept of State continuity, and the author claims that in Latvian history the rules of state responsibility predetermined enforcement of the primary rules of state continuity. The author also examines the Latvian state practice since 1990 by examples, which show the application of international law and thus its normative effect as well as arguably refer to a violation of international law, thereby elaborating on the crucial functions of the rule of law.
Notes on Purusia Lane, Juninia Lane, and Sibapipunga Martins & Galileo (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae), and description of a new species of Juninia
Authors: HEFFERN DANIEL , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: May 2022

The differences between Purusia Lane, 1956, Juninia Lane, 1966, and Sibapipunga Martins & Galileo, 1993 are commented, especially the almost non-existence of morphological characters separating females from these three genera. A new provisional key to genera of Hemilophini with 12-segmented antennae is provided. Juninia raberi, a new species from Panama is described. Additionally, the type locality of Amphionycha annulifera Kirsch, 1889 is corrected, and the holotype is illustrated for the first time.
Redescription of Arcotheres tivelae (Gordon, 1936), a pea crab endemic to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae)
Authors: NG PETER K. L. , CLARK PAUL F. , NADERLOO REZA
Published: May 2022

The taxonomy of the pinnotherid crab, Pinnotheres tivelae (Gordon, 1936), now assigned to Arcotheres Manning, 1993, is revised. Type specimens from Muscat, Gulf of Oman, are compared with extensive material from the type locality and Persian Gulf. Arcotheres tivelae is shown to be a valid species, is redescribed, figured to modern standards and males are reported for the first time. This species had been confused with A. placunae (Hornell & Southwell, 1909) from Pakistan and western India, but the two species can be distinguished by the morphology of the carapace, third maxilliped, ambulatory leg features and characters of the male first gonopod. Arcotheres tivelae is morphologically closest to three other species also found in venerid clams, A. exiguus (Bürger, 1895), A. rayi Ahyong & Ng, 2007, and A. obesus (Dana, 1852), but the distal morphology of its male first gonopod is distinct from its congeners. Furthermore, A. tivelae is recorded from Kuwait for the first time.
What Distinguishes MJO Events Associated with Atmospheric Rivers?
Authors: Toride Kinya , Hakim Gregory J.
Published: May 2022

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are long and narrow bands of intense water vapor transport that often induce heavy precipitation and flooding along the west coast of North America. Previous studies demonstrate that the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) contributes to the predictability of AR activity on a subseasonal time scale. However, individual AR responses vary widely following the same phase of MJO. Here we investigate 96 MJO events following phase 3 (convection over the Indian Ocean) and analyze the differences between events that brought large-scale ARs to the entire Pacific Northwest coastal region and those that did not. The MJO events with ARs tend to stay longer at phase 3 than those without ARs. We use linear regression to isolate the extratropical signals linearly related to the MJO and explore how the residual fields differ between the two groups. The linearly dependent signal shows slow-moving planetary-scale water vapor transport across the North Pacific. The residual field exhibits a contrasting extratropical low-frequency (>10 days) pattern in the Gulf of Alaska resembling the Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern: a trough for events with ARs and a ridge for events without ARs. This low-frequency variability alters the Pacific waveguide such that, for MJO events with ARs, baroclinic waves are directed into the Pacific Northwest with an orientation that favors anomalous positive IVT. For MJO events without ARs, the ridge strengthens large-scale anticyclonic flow over the North Pacific and prevents moisture access to the Pacific Northwest.
The Roles of Westward-Propagating Waves and the QBO in Limiting MJO Propagation
Authors: Huang Kai , Pegion Kathleen
Published: May 2022

A recent study categorized the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) during boreal winter season into four types called stand, jump, slow, and fast MJO. This study focuses on the stand and jump MJO. Based on whether their convection penetrates the Maritime Continent (MC), stand and jump MJOs are seen as non-penetrating (NP) MJOs, while the other two are seen as eastward-penetrating (EP) MJOs. Results reveal the relative roles of the westward-propagating wave (WPW), as well as the QBO and ENSO, in limiting MJO propagation. Lack of the premoistening over the southern sea surface of the MC stops NP MJO from penetrating the MC. The active convection of the WPWs hinders the descending branch of the NP MJO circulation and therefore leads to the insufficient meridional advective moistening over the southern sea surface of the MC. The independent convection over the Pacific for jump MJOs is influenced by a combined effect of the QBO and ENSO. The tropopause instability induced by the MJO is found to significantly decouple from its convection over the Pacific in westerly QBO (QBOW) winters more than in easterly QBO (QBOE) winters. For jump MJOs, the independent convection over the central Pacific comes from local WPWs whose amplification and further development into deep convection are correlated to jump the MJOs’ decoupled tropopause instability. For stand MJOs, however, the seasonal-mean La Niña–like cool SST anomalies weaken the WPW activity over the central Pacific and confine WPWs within the western Pacific. Therefore, the decoupled tropopause instability of stand MJOs is out phase of WPWs and fails to induce an independent convection over the central Pacific.
Centennial Annual Rainfall Pattern Changes Show an Increasing Trend with Higher Variation over Northern Australia
Authors: He Jie , Feng Puyu , Wang Bin , Zhuang Wei , Zhang Yongqiang , Liu De Li , Cleverly Jamie , Huete Alfredo , Yu Qiang
Published: May 2022

Global warming and anthropogenic activities have imposed noticeable impacts on rainfall pattern changes at both spatial and temporal scales in recent decades. Systematic diagnosis of rainfall pattern changes is urgently needed at spatiotemporal scales for a deeper understanding of how climate change produces variations in rainfall patterns. The objective of this study was to identify rainfall pattern changes systematically under climate change at a subcontinental scale along a rainfall gradient ranging from 1800 to 200 mm yr−1 by analyzing centennial rainfall data covering 230 sites from 1910 to 2017 in the Northern Territory of Australia. Rainfall pattern changes were characterized by considering aspects of trends and periodicity of annual rainfall, abrupt changes, rainfall distribution, and extreme rainfall events. Our results illustrated that rainfall patterns in northern Australia have changed significantly compared with the early period of the twentieth century. Specifically, 1) a significant increasing trend in annual precipitation associated with greater variation in recent decades was observed over the entire study area, 2) temporal variations represented a mean rainfall periodicity of 27 years over wet to dry regions, 3) an abrupt change of annual rainfall amount occurred consistently in both humid and arid regions during the 1966–75 period, and 4) partitioned long-term time series of rainfall demonstrated a wetter rainfall distribution trend across coastal to inland areas that was associated with more frequent extreme rainfall events in recent decades. The findings of this study could facilitate further studies on the mechanisms of climate change that influence rainfall pattern changes.

Significance Statement

Characterizing long-term rainfall pattern changes under different rainfall conditions is important to understand the impacts of climate change. We conducted diagnosis of centennial rainfall pattern changes across wet to dry regions in northern Australia and found that rainfall patterns have noticeably changed in recent decades. The entire region has a consistent increasing trend of annual rainfall with higher variation. Meanwhile, the main shifting period of rainfall pattern was during 1966–75. Although annual rainfall seems to become wetter with an increasing trend, more frequent extreme rainfall events should also be noticed for assessing the impacts of climate changes. The findings support further study to understand long-term rainfall pattern changes under climate change.
Evaluation of the WRF-Lake Model in the Large Dimictic Reservoir: Comparisons with Field Data and Another Water Temperature Model
Authors: Guo Shibo , Wang Fushan , Zhu Dejun , Ni Guangheng , Chen Yongcan
Published: May 2022

The WRF-lake, as a one-dimensional (1D) lake model popularly used for coupling with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) system and modeling lake–atmosphere interactions, does not consider the heat exchange caused by inflow–outflow, which is an important characteristic of large reservoirs and can affect the energy budget and reservoir–atmosphere interactions. We evaluated the WRF-lake model by applying it at a large dimictic reservoir, Miyun Reservoir, in northern China. The results show that the WRF-lake model, though ignoring inflow–outflow, yields good surface water temperature simulation through reasonable parameterization. The Minlake model, as a better physically based model in reservoirs, was used to test the effect of inflow–outflow, including heat carried by inflow–outflow water exchange and water level change on the 1D model’s performance. The effect of heat carried by inflow–outflow is mainly in summer, negatively correlated with hydraulic residence time and positively correlated with temperature difference between inflow and outflow. For a reservoir with hydraulic residence time of 3 years and temperature difference between inflow and outflow about 10°C in summer, the heat carried by inflow–outflow is far less than the heat exchange through the surface (<2%) and therefore has little influence on total energy balance. The effect of water level change is mainly on latent heat and sensible heat in unit area, rather than outgoing longwave radiation. Though influencing the temperature in deep layers, the water level change does not have a significant impact on the surface temperature.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of WRF-lake, an important submodule of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) system, in the large dimictic reservoir. This is important because WRF-lake does not consider the effect of inflow–outflow and water level change, which are important characteristics of large reservoirs and can affect the heat budget and reservoir–atmosphere interactions. The applicability of WRF-lake in large reservoirs with frequent inflow–outflow and water level change is widely concerned but has never been discussed in previous studies. Our research explored the applicability of WRF-lake in the large dimictic reservoir and discussed the effect of inflow–outflow and water level change quantitively.
Rain Impacts on the Surface Atmosphere and Upper Ocean in the Central Equatorial Pacific
Authors: Whitt Daniel B.
Published: May 2022

The impacts of rainy days (>24 mm) on the physics of the surface atmosphere and upper ocean are characterized in the central Pacific Ocean (140°–170°W) on the equator, where deep-cycle turbulence substantially influences the sea surface temperature and air–sea heat flux on diurnal and longer time scales. Here, rainfall is relatively weak on average (1–3 mm day−1), and enough rain to substantially alter the diurnal cycle of upper-ocean buoyancy only occurs on the order of once in 100 days, albeit more frequently to the west and during El Niño and boreal winter. Rainy days are associated with multiple systematic changes in the surface atmosphere, but the freshwater and the reduction in daily downwelling shortwave radiation (by ∼50 W m−2) are codominant and drive systematic changes in the ocean during and the day after the rainy day. These two drivers explain ensemble average reductions in the upper-ocean salinity (−0.12 psu at 1 m) and temperature (−0.16°C at 1 m) and increases in buoyancy (+0.0005 m s−2 at 1 m), which are typically confined to a shallow fresh/warm mixing layer on the order of 10 m thick in the daytime. At deeper depths, the intrinsic ocean temperature, salinity, and velocity variability make it challenging to extract an ensemble average response to rainy days in observations, but some examples from observations and large-eddy simulations suggest that rainfall can significantly reduce the vertical extent and heat flux in the deep-cycle turbulence, although the bulk energetics and buoyancy flux of the turbulence are not necessarily modified by rain.

Significance Statement

Rain significantly impacts social and ecological systems in many ways that are readily apparent in populated areas, but the impacts of rain over the ocean are not as well known. In this paper, sustained in situ observations over decades and highly resolved numerical simulations of ocean turbulence during a few rain events are used to characterize the impacts of rainy days on the surface–atmosphere and upper-ocean physics in the center of action of El Niño in the central equatorial Pacific. These results contribute to broader efforts to observe, understand, and accurately model the surface atmosphere, the upper ocean, and air–sea interaction in the central Pacific and thereby improve long-range weather and climate observations and predictions.
Lower Rates of Unplanned Conversion to Open in Robotic Approach to Esophagectomy for Cancer
Authors: Silva Jack P. , Putnam Luke R. , Wu Jessica , Ding Li , Samakar Kamran , Abel Stuart , Nguyen James D. , Dobrowolsky Adrian B. , Bildzukewicz Nikolai A. , Lipham John C.
Published: May 2022

Background

Minimally invasive approaches to esophagectomy have gained popularity worldwide; however, unplanned conversion to an open approach is not uncommon. This study sought to investigate risk factors associated with converting to an open approach and to evaluate outcomes following conversion.

Methods

Patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for cancer were identified using the 2016-2019 Procedure Targeted NSQIP Database. Multivariable, stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate factors associated with unplanned conversion to open esophagectomy. Propensity-matched comparison of robotic (RAMIE) to traditional MIE was performed.

Results

A total of 1347 patients were included; 140 patients (10%) underwent conversion to open. Morbid obesity, diabetes, hypertension, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and squamous cell carcinoma were associated with a higher likelihood of conversion. A robotic approach was associated with a lower likelihood of conversion to open (OR .57, 95% CI 0.32-.99). On multivariable analysis, squamous cell carcinoma pathology was the only variable independently associated with higher odds of conversion (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.02-6.98). Propensity-matched comparison of RAMIE vs MIE showed no significant difference in conversion rate (6.5% vs 9.1%, P = .298), morbidity, or mortality.

Discussion

A robotic approach to esophagectomy was associated with a lower likelihood of unplanned conversion to open, and patients who were converted to open experienced worse outcomes. Future studies should aim to determine why a robotic esophagectomy approach may lead to fewer open conversions as it may be an underappreciated benefit of this newest operative approach.
Patient-Family and Provider Partnerships in the Management of Pediatric Uncomplicated Appendicitis
Authors: Gil Lindsay A. , Gibson Aubrey , Gibson Jason , Deans Katherine J. , Minneci Peter C.
Published: May 2022

In recent years, studies have demonstrated non-operative management with antibiotics alone to be a safe and effective treatment option for children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Shared decision-making is critical in the treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis due to the markedly different risks and benefits associated with surgery and non-operative management. In this report, we discuss the importance of shared decision-making in surgery using a case of uncomplicated appendicitis as an example. We present both the patient-family and provider perspectives on evaluating and deciding between operative and non-operative management and discuss the value of shared decision-making in the unique setting of an acute pathologic process with surgical and medical treatment options.
The Impact of Caring for Children With Severe Neurological Impairment on Clinicians
Authors: Bogetz Jori F. , Trowbridge Amy , Jonas Danielle , Root Maggie C. , Mullin Jonathan , Hauer Julie
Published: May 2022

Clinicians face many challenges in caring for children with severe neurological impairment (SNI). This study aimed to understand expert clinician perspectives on the personal impact of caring for children with SNI to highlight the challenges and potential solutions by underscoring the aspects of care that can be sustaining. Twenty-five clinicians participated including physicians (n = 8, 32%), social workers (n = 5, 20%), nurses/nurse practitioners (n = 5, 20%), case managers (n = 3, 12%), developmental therapists (n = 2, 8%), and other psychosocial clinicians (n = 2, 8%). Clinicians represented a variety of specialties including complex care/hospitalists (n = 10, 19%), palliative care (n = 7, 13%), and critical care (n = 6, 12%). Thematic content analysis revealed 3 major themes: (1) worries and challenges; (2) positive impact from being present; and (3) personal growth and meaning-making. Many clinicians described the ways listening, examining biases, learning about family perspectives, and normalizing the need for emotional processing helped them to understand their patients, families, and themselves more deeply.
Stereovision-based method for free vibration measurement of a mine hoisting rope
Authors: Wu Ganggang , Xiao Xingming , Ma Chi , Jiang Yuqiang
Published: May 2022

Currently, there are no suitable means to measure the composite vibration response of mine hoisting rope. However, machine vision-based measurement technology is a potential way to solve this problem. Therefore, a non-contact and non-intrusive stereovision method is proposed to obtain the 2D vibration displacement of a moving hoisting rope. In this methodology, a novel 3D digital image correlation (DIC) method that combines digital image processing (DIP) algorithm with 2D-DIC algorithm is developed, and the method can simplify the procedure of rope target stereo matching in two synchronous image sequences. In order to confirm the correctness of the stereovision method, some free vibration responses of a rope are measured in a hoist experimental system. Test results demonstrate that the stereovision measurement technique can keep satisfactory consistency with the laser displacement sensor for vibration data identification. The method is verified to have high adaptability to different lighting conditions and be reasonable to measure the vibration parameters of dynamic mine hoisting rope.
Preforming of non-crimp fabrics with distributed magnetic clamping and Bayesian optimisation
Authors: Jagpal Rajan , Evangelou Evangelos , Butler Richard , Loukaides Evripides G
Published: May 2022

A novel preforming process was developed for non-crimp fabric (NCF) materials that generated in-plane tension through discontinuous blank boundary conditions. The method employed magnetic clamps and was designed to be both flexible and scalable, with clear routes to industrialisation. The capability of the process was explored in physical trials for a hemispherical and a cubic geometry. Characterisation of a biaxial veiled NCF showed the veil had a dominant effect on the bending mechanics. Subsequently a macroscale finite element model was developed to include an efficient bending idealisation and non-orthogonal in-plane material behaviour. Finally, global process optimisation of the preforming process was demonstrated. The optimisation approach used Gaussian process modelling with a periodic kernel to estimate the wrinkle size for untested clamping arrangements and then deployed Bayesian optimisation to find the optimal configuration. Results indicated that distributed magnetic clamping was effective and amenable to surrogate modelling.
The self-enforcing dynamics of crime and protection
Authors: Kløve Eva , Mehlum Halvor
Published: May 2022

This article presents a model describing a symbiotic relationship between criminals and a partnership of protection providers, called the Firm. The partners of the Firm earn profits as they have market power in the supply of protection. The Firm recruits its new partners among criminals. As a result, the prospect of graduating to the Firm adds an incentive for violent crime. The result is a violence multiplier where more violence increases the profits to the partners of the Firm, in turn contributing to the incentive for violence. The violence multiplier also generates an incentive for the protection providers to welcome new partners, even though new partners dilute the profits. The model combines elements from contest theory and rent-seeking theory but, nevertheless, generates results that are in contrast to standard results from the rent-seeking literature. For example, due to the interdependence between protection providers and criminals, a decrease in the cost of violence increases violence more than pari passu and increases the value of being a criminal. Also, tougher competition between criminals may benefit all of them. The empirical relevance of key elements of this framework are confirmed by exploring unique data on incarcerated youth in South Africa. The empirical results confirm a hierarchical gang structure and indicate that this structure does indeed promote violence.
Banana seed exchange networks in Burundi – Linking formal and informal systems
Authors: Nduwimana Innocent , Sylla Serigne , Xing Yanru , Simbare Alice , Niyongere Celestin , Garrett Karen A. , Bonaventure Omondi Aman
Published: May 2022

Seed system network analysis can reveal exchange connections between stakeholders and test scenarios such as those of seed systems shocks. We investigated the seed exchange network structure, disease surveillance risk, and gender contribution in Burundi, under two banana disease risk scenarios. Two sites where banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is endemic in Cibitoke Province were compared with a site free of the disease in Gitega Province. All sites had formal seed interventions using community nurseries. A quantitative survey on seed sharing was done followed by a qualitative evaluation through focus group discussions. Banana seed sourcing options were fewer in the disease-free site, which also had higher cultivar diversity. Most farmers sourced seed informally within a three-kilometer radius. Seed sharing within and between villages was based on social and family linkages, especially for women. The interaction between the formal system and informal seed exchange was more active where new cultivars, or better seed quality was expected. The BBTD endemic region had lower seed quality assessment stringency. Farmers used both direct mother plant assessment and seed source reputation in seed evaluation. The formal banana seed systems are sources of new varieties, and trusted for clean seed but the informal system was still used as a main source of seed, especially local cultivars. Assessing disease surveillance scenarios shows women in a weaker position for healthy seed acquisition. Identifying the roles of individuals in seed systems can support decision processes for seed interventions in vegetatively propagated crops.
Effectiveness of Yoga versus Exercise for Reducing Falling Risk in Older Adults: Physical and Psychological Indices
Authors: Bartos Luis J. , Meek Geoffrey A. , Berger Bonnie G.
Published: May 2022

Our purpose in this study was to examine the effectiveness of yoga to address multiple risk factors of falling in active and low active older adults. Community–dwelling older adults ( N = 35) over the age of 65 actively participated in either a yoga program, an exercise program, or a no–program control. Participants completed measures associated with falling risks. Physical measures included lower body strength, static balance, and lower body flexibility. Psychological measures included perceived self-efficacy with respect to falls and health–related quality of life. We determined between–group differences using planned comparisons, effect size, confidence intervals, and probability of superiority. Results of planned comparisons and practical significance testing indicated that yoga participants scored higher than the exercise and control participants on both right and left lower body flexibility tests. Yoga participants also scored higher than the control participants on right leg static balance, and the right and left lower body flexibility tests. The exercise participants scored higher than yoga participants on the RAND-36 Quality of Life subscales of Energy/Fatigue, Pain, and General Health. The probability of superiority results indicated that the no–program older adult participants would benefit by enrolling in the yoga rather than the exercise program to reduce physical risks of falling. These findings were discussed in relation to promoting physical activity programs to reduce risks of falling, and the roles of the protocol, practical significance, and measures employed when determining program effectiveness.
De-centring Populism: An Empirical Analysis of the Contingent Nature of Populist Discourses
Authors: Roch Juan
Published: May 2022

Multiple voices warn about an analytical deadlock in the field of populism studies mainly due to an excess of description and a lack of contextualisation. Reflecting on the current responses to this impasse, this study presents a framework for contextualising populism and seeks to enrich and expand the potential of populism research. The main argument of this article is that a more dynamic and interactive analytical framework is necessary to show the contingent and fragile nature of populist discourses and complement existing research. To illustrate this approach, the case of Podemos is analysed to show how the populist discourse varies over time for the same populist actor and to what extent this variation responds to contextual pressures. The study concludes that the contingent nature of populism can be related to two main conditions: the variable power over discourse of populist mobilisation and the normative pressures within the political sphere.
Exploring the Barriers in Maintaining the Health Guidelines Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study Approach
Authors: NeJhaddadgar Nazila , Toghroli Razie , Yoosefi lebni Javad , A Melca Isabela , Ziapour Arash
Published: May 2022

Due to the Irretrievable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on society, this study aimed to analyze the barriers and reasons for the Iranian people’s implementation of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. The study explores the barriers and reasons for non-compliance by Iranian people in following and maintaining the health guidelines to combat the spread of the coronavirus in 2021. This research is qualitative and recorded participants’ feedback from the Ardabil province of Iran. The study used a purposeful sampling method and lasted from April to May 2021 to collect the data through semi-structured interviews with 45 participants based on their gender, education, employment status, and marital status. The researchers analyzed the qualitative content until the required data-target through interviews implementation. This study incorporated MAXQDA version 10 to analyze the data and followed Goba and Lincoln’s criteria to ensure quality research results. After analyzing the data, two main categories (internal and external barriers) and seven subcategories were obtained. The internal barriers exhibited further classified subcategories, such as mental, belief, and awareness barriers. The results indicated that external barriers included social, political, managerial, and economic barriers. The study results designated that a set of internal and external factors might cause individuals' non-compliance with health guidelines and standard SOPs in the advent of the pandemic COVID-19. Recognition of such factors, identified following the social, cultural, and political context and individuals' characteristics during the COVID-19 outbreak, can be used effectively to plan educational and management programs. As a result, elimination and eradication of obstacles and the relevant dimensions may facilitate disease control. Moreover, the high prevalence and spread of the disease can be managed by reducing the influence of factors preventing proper health behaviors.
Anger Is All the Rage: A Theoretical Analysis of Anger Within Emotional Ecology to Foster Growth and Political Change
Authors: Heilman Elizabeth E.
Published: May 2022

Background and Purpose:

Anger is implicated in nearly every social pathology, from war to bullying to child abuse. Yet, it is also the spark of reform for nearly every positive social movement, from civil rights to labor rights to handicapped rights. This article examines how anger has been understood and misunderstood across different discursive spaces in society, research, and education to offer a peace-promoting, emotional ecology theory of anger to foster emotional growth and political change.

Research Design:

This article employs theoretical research, which is a logical exploration of a system of beliefs and assumption to increase understanding, develop new theory, and explore implications.

Findings:

Anger is reconceptualized as a crucial emotional and political experience rooted in the emotional ecologies and histories of family, school, and society. Three distinctive features characterize it: An ethical response, an emotional response, and an action response. Five steps to anger resolution follow from this analysis including: mindfulness, compassion, insight, action, and a therapeutic response (or MCIAT).

Recommendations:

Future studies on anger should span developmental stages and include ways anger intersects with curricula, emotional experience and intellectual understanding. Teachers, social workers, and therapists must work together to address the emotional and political aspects of anger in education. Addressing our most painful and angering global challenges in all their complexity requires full integration of the personal, educational, civic, and therapeutic dimensions of emotional ecology and this worthy enterprise should inspire interdisciplinary dialogue and future research.