bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metaverse-Empowered Music and Dance: Experience of Emotion and Scene Unification
Authors: Wang Fengfei
Published: April 2022

Music and dance are closely related and symbiotic. On the one hand, dance often requires music accompaniment. On the other hand, dance can enrich the melody and style of music. The emergence of the metaverse has taken the experience of music and dance to a new level. This paper studies the three-dimensional situational experience of music and dance in Virtual Reality (VR) empowered by metaverse to feel the beauty of situational integration. After the spherical video is projected onto a two-dimensional plane to form a panoramic video, the two-dimensional panoramic video needs to be converted into a spherical video for users to watch. Therefore, it is more reasonable to take spherical video distortion as the distortion measure of panoramic video coding. In this paper, spherical video distortion is taken as the measurement standard of video quality, and the panoramic video coding technology is optimized. Furthermore, the corresponding weights are introduced to change the distortion ratio of different interpolation regions in the calculation process of rate distortion cost, and a rate distortion optimization technology based on spherical distortion measurement is proposed. The equal weight feature of spherical pixel is realized on two-dimensional plane, which improves the coding efficiency of panoramic video. Experimental results show that compared with the three benchmarks, the proposed algorithm can achieve 1.6157% bit saving on average and achieve a good Quality of Experience (QoE) when other processes are the same.
Design of an Intelligent Nursing Information Management System for Critically Ill Patients in Neurosurgery
Authors: Wang Hongrong , Liu Yan , Liu Fang
Published: April 2022

In hospitals, one of the dominant issues is the development of an accurate and precise nursing management system which is hard to implement due to the various problems in the implementation of the traditional manual system. For this purpose, we are to solve the imperfect functions of the traditional nursing information management system and the strong subjectivity and low accuracy of the way of manually judging the patient’s condition. Firstly, the Immune Genetic Algorithm (IGA) is used to optimize the Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN). A mortality prediction model using IGA-BPNN is proposed. Secondly, a nursing information management system for critically ill patients in neurosurgery is designed. The IGA-BPNN prediction model is used as a part of the system to predict the mortality of critically ill patients. Finally, the performance of the predictive model and the system is tested using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-III data set design experiment. The results show the following: (1) Precision, Recall, and F1-score of mortality prediction using the IGA-BPNN model are 7.2%, 7.2%, and 7.3% higher than those of other prediction models. The designed model has better performance. (2) The comprehensive performance of the system during operation can reach the standard. The researched content aims to provide important technical support for the nursing information management of critically ill patients in neurosurgery and the intelligent analysis of patients’ condition.
Optimization by Response Surface Methodology of Biodiesel Production from Podocarpus falcatus Oil as a Cameroonian Novel Nonedible Feedstock
Authors: Ngomade Serges Bruno Lemoupi , Tchuifon Raoul Donald Tchuifon , Tagne Rufis Fregue Tiegam , Ngueteu Meme Laloi Tongnang , Patai Hugues Mahouli , Nche George Ndifor-Angwafor , Anagho Solomon Gabche
Published: April 2022

The production of methyl esters (biodiesel) by the transesterification of Podocarpus falcatus oil (PFO) with methanol was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) using the Box-Behnken design. The effects of parameters such as temperature, reaction time, and alcohol/oil molar ratio using yield and viscosity as responses were investigated. The optimum conditions for the production of biodiesel were as follows: temperature at 65°C, reaction time of 180 min, and molar ratio of 10 : 1, while the minimum viscosity was obtained for a temperature of 50°C, a reaction time of 120 min, and a molar ratio of 10 : 1. Physicochemical characterization by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and UV visible spectroscopy showed that the free fatty acid (FFA) content of Podocarpus oil was 1.9%, which is less than the maximum of 2% recommended for the application of the one-step alkaline transesterification process. Also, the biodiesel obtained from the oil was seen to consist mainly of methyl esters, and that its physicochemical characteristics are within the standard set by the American Standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit the Effects of Dexamethasone in Multiple Myeloma Cells
Authors: Deng Mingyang , Yuan Huan , Peng Hongling , Liu Sufang , Xiao Xiang , Wang Zhihua , Zhang Guangsen , Xiao Han
Published: April 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) participate in the occurrence and development of multiple myeloma. This study is aimed at exploring whether the presence of MSCs affects dexamethasone’s antitumor effects against multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma cells (OPM-2 and RPMI8226 cells) were cocultured with MSCs with or without dexamethasone. Cell viability was determined by using cell number count, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and colony formation assay, respectively. Cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were evaluated by using flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of target genes were checked by using qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. It was found that cell viability of multiple myeloma cells increased in the presence of MSCs. Besides, the presence of MSCs suppressed cell apoptosis induced by dexamethasone via the regulation of BCL-2 (B cell lymphoma 2). The presence of MSCs also affected the effects of dexamethasone on cell cycle distribution. Similarly, LINC00461 overexpression suppressed the inhibition of cell proliferation, suppressed the induction of cell apoptosis, and affected the effects on cell cycle distribution induced by dexamethasone insult. However, LINC00461 knockdown enhanced the inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and the induction of cell apoptosis induced by dexamethasone. In summary, MSCs inhibited the effects of dexamethasone on multiple myeloma and its regulatory effects were associated with LINC00461.
The Prognostic Potential of Neurokinin 1 Receptor in Breast Cancer and Its Relationship with Ki-67 Index
Authors: Al-Keilani Maha S. , Elstaty Rana , Alqudah Mohammad A.
Published: April 2022

Background. Neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer. This study was aimed at investigating the expression level of NK1R in breast cancer tissues and its relationship with proliferation index as measured by Ki-67, clinicopathological characteristics of patients, and overall survival rate. Methods. Immunohistochemical expression of NK1R and Ki-67 was measured in 164 paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissues of four molecular subtypes (42 HER2-enriched, 40 luminal A, 42 luminal B, and 40 triple negative). NK1R was scored semiquantitatively, while Ki-67 was obtained by the percentage of total number of tumor cells with nuclear staining. The optimal cutoff values for NK1R and Ki-67 were assessed by Cutoff Finder. Pearson’s Chi-square (

χ

2

) and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare the staining scores between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test was used for survival analysis. ANOVA and Student’s

t

-test were used to compare group means. Results. A total of 164 patients were included in the study which represented females with invasive ductal carcinoma. NK1R was expressed at high levels in about 34% of investigated cases. The mean Ki-67 level was about 27% and 41.5% of sample had high Ki-67 (

expression
 
level
>
22
%

). NK1R expression levels were associated with higher tumor grade (

p
=
0.021

) and high Ki-67 (

p
=
0.012

). NK1R expression negatively impacted overall survival in grade II tumors (

p
=
0.027

). Conclusion. NK1R contributes to cellular proliferation and is associated with negative prognosis in breast cancer. These findings suggest the potential role of NK1R as a therapeutic target in breast cancer.
A Multicriteria Decision Model Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process for Managing Safety in Coal Mines
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhang Lei
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a comprehensive quantitative approach for managing safety in coal mines with a multicriteria decision-making model by using fuzzy mathematics. We develop a set of factors that affect the management of safety in coal mines, including ventilation, the mine roof, and mine temperature. The factors also include mine dust, mining gas, and mining water. Other factors are equipment reliability, explosive risk of equipment, maintenance of equipment, staff operations and staff training, staff attendance, index to evaluate and manage workload, and project quality, monitoring systems, and safety information. The approach is then applied to evaluate a case study on the safety management of the Fushan Coal Industry Co., Ltd. Coal Mine in Henan Province of China. The matrix that evaluates each factor is obtained through a membership function and scored by experts, and the weight of each attribute is obtained through an analytic hierarchy process. The evaluation results show that the Fushan Coal Industry Co., Ltd. Coal Mine overall has a good safety track record. However, the mine needs to further enhance how they manage safety, optimize the mine ventilation system, and further strengthen safety management practices to ensure the safety of production processes in the mine.
Generative Adversarial Networks for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Object Detection with Fusion Technology
Authors: Guptha M Nageswara , Guruprasad Y. K. , Teekaraman Yuvaraja , Kuppusamy Ramya , Thelkar Amruth Ramesh
Published: April 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also called as a drone comprises of a controller from the base station along with a communications system with the UAV. The UAV plane can be precisely controlled by a machine operator, similar to remotely directed aircraft, or with increasing grades of autonomy, as like autopilot assistance, up to completely self-directed aircraft that require no human input. Obstacle detection and avoidance is important for UAVs, particularly lightweight micro aerial vehicles, but it is a difficult problem to solve because pay load restrictions limit the number of sensors that can be mounted onto the vehicle. Lidar uses Laser for finding the distance between objects and vehicle. The speed and direction of the moving objects are detected and tracked with the help of radar. When many sensors are deployed, both thermal and electro-optro cameras have great clustering capabilities as well as accurate localization and ranging. The purpose of the proposed architecture is to create a fusion system that is cost-effective, lightweight, modular, and robust as well. Also, for tiny object detection, we recommend a novel Perceptual Generative Adversarial Network method that bridges the representation gap between small and large objects. It employs the Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) algorithm, which iimproves object detection accuracy above benchmark models at the same time maintaining real-time efficiency in an embedded computer for UAVs. Its generator, in particular, learns to turn unsatisfactory tiny object representations into super-resolved items that are similar to large objects to deceive a rival discriminator. At the same time, its discriminator contests with the generator to classify the engendered representation, imposing a perceptual restriction on the generator: created representations of tiny objects must be helpful for detection. With three different obstacles, we were able to successfully identify and determine the magnitude of the barriers in the first trial. The accuracy of proposed models is 83.65% and recall is 81% which is higher than the existing models.
Synchronous and Futuristic Views on the Application of Silver Nanoparticles: A Journey towards Green Synthesis
Authors: Nagaprasad N. , Chandralekha D. , Karri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Reddy , Shanmugam R. , Dwarampudi L. Priyanka , Tesfaye Jule Leta , Krishnaraj R.
Published: April 2022

Historically, silver has been recognized as a powerful antibacterial agent with a broad spectrum of functions, and it has been employed safely in healthcare for several years. It seems that the incorporation of silver into embedded medical devices may be advantageous when particular genetic features, including such antibacterial behavior, are needed for the device to function. According to current and prior bacterial studies, it appears that the toxicity against bacteria was significantly more significant than the toxicity against human cells. Silver nanoparticles are nanoparticles with sizes ranging between one and one hundred nanometers (nm) in size. When it comes to molecular diagnostics, therapies, and equipment that are employed in a wide range of medical procedures, silver nanoparticles have a number of unique qualities that make them very useful. The physical and chemical approaches are the two majority ways for the creation of silver nanoparticles. The challenge with chemical and physical approaches is that the synthesis is complicated and can result in harmful compounds being absorbed onto the surfaces of the materials. In order to address this, the biological technique offers a viable alternative solution. Bacteria, fungus, and plant extracts are the three principal biological systems concerned in this process. A complete overview of the mechanism of action, manufacture, and uses in the medical area, as well as the healthcare and ecological concerns that are believed to be produced by these nanoparticles, is provided in this paper. The emphasis is on the proper and effective synthesis of silver nanoparticles even while exploring their numerous promising utility and attempting to assess the current status in the debates over the toxicity concerns that these nanoparticles pose, as well as attempting to reflect the needs in the debates over the toxicity concerns that these nanoparticles pose.
On the Vector Degree Matrix of a Connected Graph
Authors: Zeyada Nasr A. , Saleh Anwar , Albaity Majed , Amin Amr K.
Published: April 2022

A matrix representation of the graph is one of the tools to study the algebraic structure and properties of a graph. In this paper, by defining the vector degree matrix of graph G, we provide a new matrix representation of the graph. For some standard graphs, VD‐eigenvalues, VD‐spectrum, and VD‐energy values are defined and calculated. Moreover, we calculate the VD‐matrix and calculate the VD‐eigenvalues for graphs representing the chemical composition of paracetamol and tramadol.
The Layout of the Combustion Cavity and the Fracture Evolution of the Overlying Rock during the Process of Underground Coal Gasification
Authors: Li Zhaolin , Wang Lianguo , Ren Bo , Ding Ke
Published: April 2022

Based on the thermodynamic and elastodynamic theories, the controlling equation of temperature-stress coupling action on rocks containing random damage units is established by combining the Mogi-Coulomb damage criterion. And the numerical calculation model of combustion cavity expansion under temperature-stress coupling condition is established by using ABAQUS secondary development program. The fracture field evolution law during the expansion of the gasification cavity was studied under two conditions: perpendicular to (condition 1) and along the intermediate principal stress (condition 2). It is found that under the condition 1, the gasification cavity gradually forms a smaller fracture circle, while the surrounding rock at the floor of the gasification cavity generates a wide range of equivalent damage areas under the condition 2, which is unfavorable for practical engineering. The condition 1 deployment scheme is more practical in terms of the degree of rupture and the subsequent gasification process. The gasification cavity is obviously affected by the horizontal stress. When the horizontal stress is small, the stability of the surrounding rock is seriously damaged. It is necessary to fully consider the influence of in situ stress in the layout of the gasification cavity; at the same time, measures are added to the process to reduce the degree of rupture of the surrounding rock. The evolution law of the temperature field and rupture field of the surrounding pressure in the combustion cavity during the whole process of UCG was numerically simulated. The floor rupture zone develops gradually with the advancement of the working face of the combustion cavity, and deeper rupture zones appear in several areas, which need special attention in the engineering.
Role of Aspirin in Gastric Cancer Prevention
Authors: Umar Asad , Loomans-Kropp Holli A.
Published: April 2022

The role of aspirin in cancer prevention has been well described for multiple cancers, with strong data for gastrointestinal cancers. Studies, primarily conducted in colorectal cancer, suggest that aspirin exerts its cancer-preventive effects through the inhibition of gastrointestinal inflammation. Compared with colorectal cancer, the role of aspirin in gastric cancer prevention is less well described, however it stands to reason that aspirin and/or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may inhibit gastric cancer progression through the inhibition of COX-2. As discussed in this issue of Cancer Prevention Research, aspirin may prevent gastric cancer, albeit it appears to exert a disparate effect in men and women, the reason for which remain unclear. These results expand upon prior studies by prospectively examining aspirin use at a wider range of doses and durations in non-Asian participants and lend support to observations from previously conducted studies in Asian populations.

See related article, p. 265
Cochlear Fibrosis after Vestibular Schwannoma Resection via the Middle Cranial Fossa Approach
Authors: Shapiro Scott , Kemper Nathan , Jameson Austin , Lipschitz Noga , Hazenfield Michael , Zuccarello Mario , Samy Ravi
Published: April 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of cochlear fibrosis after vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection via middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach. Design: A retrospective case review was conducted. Setting: The review was conducted in a tertiary care academic medical center. Participants: Patients who (1) underwent resection of VS via MCF approach between 2013 and 2018, (2) had complete pre- and post-audiometric testing, and (3) had clinical follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for at least 1 year after surgery were included. Main Outcome Measure(s): The main outcome of this study was cochlear fibrosis as assessed by MRI 1 year after surgery. Results: Fifty-one patients underwent VS resection via MCF technique during the study period. Of 31 patients with AAO-HNS class A or B preoperative hearing ability, 18 (58.0%) maintained class A, B, or C hearing postoperatively. Of 16 patients who lost hearing and had MRI 1 year after surgery, 11 (61.1%) had MRI evidence of fibrosis in at least some portion of the labyrinth and 4 (22.2%) showed evidence of cochlear fibrosis. Of 16 patients with preserved hearing and MRI 1 year after surgery, 4 (25%) had fibrosis in some portion of the labyrinth, with no fibrosis in the cochlea. Conclusions: In patients who lose hearing during VS resection with the MCF approach, there is usually MRI evidence of fibrosis in the labyrinth 1 year after surgery. However, there is also, but less commonly, fibrosis involving the cochlea. It is unclear if this will affect the ability to insert a cochlear implant electrode array.
The Dopamine System: Insights between Kidney and Brain
Authors: de Donato Antonio , Buonincontri Veronica , Borriello Gianmarco , Martinelli Giuseppe , Mone Pasquale
Published: April 2022

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common diseases in adult age, and it is typical of older adults. Recent data suggest that almost half of the elders have CKD. It is now clear that CKD is accompanied, in the early stages, by cognitive impairment, together with depression and subtle abnormalities in motor control (such as gait and balance alterations). Summary: Several data suggest a link between brain dopamine and kidney diseases. Metabolic syndrome and diabetes can affect dopamine neuron survival (leading to Parkinson’s disease). Several uremic toxins in CKD (uric acid, indoxyl sulfate) and trace elements accumulating in CKD (aluminum, manganese) can also modify the dopaminergic system. Hormones produced by the kidney such as vitamin D are neuroprotective for dopamine neurons. Dopaminergic drugs are useful for the treatment of a common sleep disorder in CKD, the restless legs syndrome. However, experiments on animal models of CKD show conflicting results regarding a modification of dopamine neurons. Key Messages: Several observations suggest a limited relevance of the dopaminergic system in CKD-related cognitive impairment. However, a common sleep disturbance in CKD, the restless legs syndrome, improves with dopaminergic drugs. Therefore, it remains to be established the role of the dopamine system in subtle motor dysfunction observed in CKD, such as tremors, gait alterations, and central sleep apnea.
Neuropsychological Profile of Early Cognitive Impairment in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Seki Misa , Yoshizawa Hiroshi , Hosoya Megumi , Kitagawa Kazuo
Published: April 2022

Introduction: The neuropsychological feature of vascular mild cognitive impairment is a deficit of the frontal-subcortical circuit; however, the features in the early stage are not consistent. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the neuropsychological features of the very early stage of cognitive impairment with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and to elucidate the cognitive differences among CSVD subtypes. Methods: A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was applied to nondemented subjects scoring below the cutoff point 26 of the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. After factor analysis was conducted to identify covert cognitive factors in the battery, correlation analyses were performed between the factors and CSVD subtypes: white matter hyperintensity (WMH), lacunar infarcts (LIs), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), perivascular spaces, and cortical atrophy. Results: Among the 465 recruited patients, 139 underwent a full neuropsychological test battery. Through factor analysis, the following three factors were extracted: executive function, memory, and attention. Of the CSVD features, total WMH was correlated with executive function and memory, whereas deep WMH was correlated with memory alone. Of the CSVD subtypes, LIs and CMBs were correlated only with executive function. Frontal and posterior atrophy were correlated with memory and attention, whereas medial temporal atrophy was correlated with memory alone. Conclusions: Executive dysfunction accompanied by subtle impairment of memory and processing speed was the main feature of neuropsychological profiles in the subjects with CSVD, even in the very early stage. Furthermore, each CSVD feature and focal cerebral atrophy are associated with cognitive impairment.
Relationship between Helicobacter pylori and Incident Hypertension as well as Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yue Limin , Zhang Rongguang , Chen Shuaiyin , Duan Guangcai
Published: April 2022

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) may be a risk factor for hypertension, but the reported studies have given conflicting results. This study aimed to explore the association between H. pylori infection and hypertension risk and blood pressure. Method: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Weipu, and Wanfang databases were searched for articles published up to June 2, 2021. Dual-selection and data abstraction were conducted. Random-effect models were used to measure pooled estimates. All data were analyzed with Stata 14.0 SE (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). Results: A total of 55 studies with 198,750 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Among them, 33 studies reported the relationship between H. pylori infection and the risk of hypertension, and 25 studies reported the association of H. pylori infection with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Three studies reported both of the above. Meta-analysis showed that H. pylori infection increased the risk of hypertension by 32% (odd ratio: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.15–1.52). Compared with non-H. pylori-infection individuals, the subjects with H. pylori infection had elevated levels of SBP (WMD: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.21–2.50) and DBP (WMD: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.81–1.43). Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggested that H. pylori infection increased the risk of hypertension. This may provide a new strategy for hypertension prevention. However, the association between H. pylori infection and hypertension needs to be confirmed in further prospective cohort studies.
Correlation of Body Mass Index with Epidermal Biophysical Properties Varies with Gender in Chinese
Authors: Ye Li , Lai Qingsong , Wen Si , Wang Xiaohua , Yang Bin , Man Mao-Qiang
Published: April 2022

Background: Epidermal function is associated with diabetes and renal disease. Whether obesity can reflect the changes in epidermal function is not clear yet. Objective: We assessed here the correlation of epidermal functions with body mass index (BMI) in a large Chinese cohort. Methods and Subjects: A total of 1,405 Chinese aged 21–98 years old were enrolled in this study. Epidermal functions, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration, and skin surface pH, were measured on the flexor forearm and the shin. Subjects’ height and body weight were also measured. Results: Age positively correlated with both TEWL and skin surface pH, while it negatively correlated with stratum corneum hydration on both the forearm and the shin of females. Similarly, age positively correlated with skin surface pH, while negatively correlating with stratum corneum hydration on both the forearm and the shin of males. In females, BMI positively correlated with skin surface pH, while it negatively correlated with stratum corneum hydration on both the forearm and the shin. However, BMI correlated neither with skin surface pH on both the forearm and the shin nor with stratum corneum hydration on the shin of males. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that correlations of BMI with age and epidermal functions vary with gender.
Two new species and taxonomical and geographical notes on Aegomorphus Haldeman (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)
Authors: Heffern Daniel , Santos-Silva Antonio , Botero Juan Pablo
Published: April 2022

Acanthoderes crocostigma Bates, 1880 is transferred to Acakyra Martins & Galileo, 1996. Acanthoderes umbrata Bates, 1885 is synonymized with Acanthoderes purulensis Bates, 1885. Variation of the elytral pubescent pattern in Aegomorphus longitarsis (Bates, 1880) is reported, and the species is recorded for the first time from Colombia (Boyacá) and Brazil (Amazonas). The variation of the elytral pubescent pattern in Aegomorphus doctus (Bates, 1880) is reported, and the species is recorded for the first time from the Mexican state of Jalisco. We comment on the type-locality of Aegomorphus borrei (Dugès, 1885). Two new species are described from Mexico (Jalisco): Aegomorphus cunninghami and A. nogueirai.
Statistical analysis on the cnidome of genus Hydra using Generalized Linear Models
Authors: Deserti María Irene , Acuña Fabián Horacio
Published: April 2022

In the systematics of cnidarians, the different types of cnidocysts are considered an important taxonomic character. In Hydra, the four types of cnidocysts found in the ectoderm, concentrated in tentacles and their measurements, together with other morphological and reproductive characteristics, are very important for the taxonomy of the species. In this study, we explore in detail the biometric and statistical characteristics of the cnidome of three species of Hydra collected in three different environments for each climate season. A total of 17,378 capsules were measured. We used ANOVA test and Generalized Linear Model to analyze the distribution and differences reflected in each cnidome, considering the factors “individuals”, “season”, “lagoon” and “species”. The results were clear: the cnidome keep specific information that, together with other taxonomic characteristics, allows us to discern between species of different groups. The same happens with cnidome of the same species but from different lagoons or climatic seasons: we observed a variation of parameters for each type of cnidocyst that could differentiate “ecological races”, since these differences are not enough to declare different species.
Influence of Hospital Characteristics on Hospital Transfer Destinations for Patients With Stroke
Authors: Zachrison Kori S. , Amati Viviana , Schwamm Lee H. , Yan Zhiyu , Nielsen Victoria , Christie Anita , Reeves Mathew J. , Sauser Joseph P. , Lomi Alessandro , Onnela Jukka-Pekka
Published: April 2022

Background:

Patients with stroke are frequently transferred between hospitals. This may have implications on the quality of care received by patients; however, it is not well understood how the characteristics of sending and receiving hospitals affect the likelihood of a transfer event. Our objective was to identify hospital characteristics associated with sending and receiving patients with stroke.

Methods:

Using a comprehensive statewide administrative dataset, including all 78 Massachusetts hospitals, we identified all transfers of patients with ischemic stroke between October 2007 and September 2015 for this observational study. Hospital variables included reputation (US News and World Report ranking), capability (stroke center status, annual stroke volume, and trauma center designation), and institutional affiliation. We included network variables to control for the structure of hospital-to-hospital transfers. We used relational event modeling to account for complex temporal and relational dependencies associated with transfers. This method decomposes a series of patient transfers into a sequence of decisions characterized by transfer initiations and destinations, modeling them using a discrete-choice framework.

Results:

Among 73 114 ischemic stroke admissions there were 7189 (9.8%) transfers during the study period. After accounting for travel time between hospitals and structural network characteristics, factors associated with increased likelihood of being a receiving hospital (in descending order of relative effect size) included shared hospital affiliation (5.8× higher), teaching hospital status (4.2× higher), stroke center status (4.3× and 3.8× higher when of the same or higher status), and hospitals of the same or higher reputational ranking (1.5× higher).

Conclusions:

After accounting for distance and structural network characteristics, in descending order of importance, shared hospital affiliation, hospital capabilities, and hospital reputation were important factor in determining transfer destination of patients with stroke. This study provides a starting point for future research exploring how relational coordination between hospitals may ensure optimized allocation of patients with stroke for maximal patient benefit.
Outcomes of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Plus Intra‐Aortic Balloon Pumping for Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Nishi Takeshi , Ishii Masanobu , Tsujita Kenichi , Okamoto Hiroshi , Koto Satoshi , Nakai Michikazu , Sumita Yoko , Iwanaga Yoshitaka , Matoba Satoaki , Kobayashi Yoshio , Hirata Ken‐Ichi , Hikichi Yutaka , Yokoi Hiroyoshi , Ikari Yuji , Uemura Shiro
Published: April 2022

Background

Clinical outcomes of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock remain poor with high in‐hospital mortality. Veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) has been widely used for patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock refractory to conservative therapy, which is likely fatal without mechanical circulatory support. However, whether additional intra‐aortic balloon pumping (IABP) use during VA‐ECMO support improves clinical outcomes remains controversial. This study sought to investigate prognostic impact of the combined VA‐ECMO plus IABP treatment compared with VA‐ECMO alone.

Methods and Results

From the nationwide Japanese administrative case‐mix Diagnostic Procedure Combination (DPC), the JROAD (Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases)–DPC, we identified 3815 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention and managed with VA‐ECMO. Of these, 2964 patients (77.7%) were managed with IABP (VA‐ECMO plus IABP), whereas 851 (22.3%) were managed without IABP (VA‐ECMO alone). We compared in‐hospital, 7‐day, and 30‐day mortality between the VA‐ECMO plus IABP versus the VA‐ECMO alone support. Patients managed with VA‐ECMO plus IABP demonstrated significantly lower in‐hospital, 7‐day, and 30‐day mortality than those managed with VA‐ECMO alone (adjusted odds ratios [95% CI] of 0.47 [95% CI, 0.38–0.59], 0.41 [95% CI, 0.33–0.51], and 0.30 [95% CI, 0.25–0.37], respectively). The findings were consistent in the propensity matching and inverse probability of treatment‐weighting models.

Conclusions

This large‐scale, nationwide study demonstrated that the combination of VA‐ECMO plus IABP support was associated with significantly lower mortality compared with VA‐ECMO support alone in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
Congochromis rotundiceps sp. nov., a new cichlid species (Actinopterygii: Cichlidae) from the Congo Drainage
Authors: WINGI NADINE USIMESA , SCHEDEL FREDERIC D.B , SCHLIEWEN ULRICH KURT
Published: April 2022

A new dwarf cichlid, Congochromis rotundiceps sp. nov., (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) is described from the central Congo basin. It is a species of Congochromis based on the following characters: (1) four pores in the dentary laterosensory canal; (2) absence of a laterosensory canal in the angulo-articular, (3) six pores in the preopercle laterosensory canal; (4) a single tubular infraorbital bone behind the lachrymal; (5) 12 circumpeduncular scales; (6) jaw teeth comparatively robust, unicuspids, not closely spaced; and (7) presence of a small, supraneural bone. Congochromis rotundiceps sp. nov. is distinguished from all other Congochromis species by the combination of the following characters: (1) a larger eye diameter (31.4–35.1% HL), (2) a shorter snout length (29.8–32.7% HL), (3) a shorter upper lip length (29.2–32.0% HL), (4) a shorter lower lip length (26.2–33.6% HL), (5) a shorter lower lip width (27.7–31.2% HL), and (6) a shorter anal-fin length (15.3–16.97% SL). Diagnostic characters were extracted mainly from meristic counts and distance measurements from 326 chromidotilapiine cichlid specimens representing all chromidotilapiine genera and 40 described or undescribed species. The analysis of the complete meristic and distance measurements database allowed the diagnosis of C. rotundiceps sp. nov., but not for diagnostic separation of many other chromidotilapiine genera, species, and lineages. This result highlights the necessity to explore additional characters to elucidate chromidotilapiine cichlid taxonomy further.
Revision of Pristonesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae, Pristocerinae), an endemic Afrotropical genus
Authors: AZEVEDO CELSO O. , COLOMBO WESLEY D.
Published: April 2022

The Afrotropical pristocerine genus Pristonesia is revised. Seven species are recognized, one previously described species, P. nyamuragira (Benoit), and six species are described and illustrated as new: P. oracil sp. nov., P. parcetil sp. nov., P. querfil sp. nov., P. sicril sp. nov., P. tainatril sp. nov., and P. uvenil sp. nov. A key to the Afrotropical species is presented. Additionally, the main morphological diagnostic characters and the morphological relationships of Pristonesia with other pristocerine genera are discussed. The diagnostic characters are revised, and the genus can be identified by the presence of apical projections on the harpe; a setose apical aedeagal lobe; a predominantly flattened cuspis; and the absence of a cupula on the ventral side of the genitalia.
The rediscovery of Machadagrion garbei (Santos, 1961) (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) with notes on the hitherto unknown female
Authors: VILELA DIOGO SILVA , DE ATAYDE LENCIONI FREDERICO AUGUSTO , FURIERI KARINA SCHMIDT , SANTOS JEAN CARLOS
Published: April 2022

Machadagrion garbei (Santos, 1961) was only known by the male holotype from Vila Nova, Bahia state, Brazil, and one male from Junqueira, Alagoas state, Brazil, collected in 1963. Over 50 years of its original description we report its rediscovery with specimens collected in Barra do Jacuípe, Camaçari County, Bahia state, Brazil, and Serra de Itabaiana, Sergipe state, Brazil. We provide illustrations and diagnosis from both sexes, including the description of the female.
Measurements from inside a Thunderstorm Driven by Wildfire: The 2019 FIREX-AQ Field Experiment
Authors: Peterson David A. , Thapa Laura H. , Saide Pablo E. , Soja Amber J. , Gargulinski Emily M. , Hyer Edward J. , Weinzierl Bernadett , Dollner Maximilian , Schöberl Manuel , Papin Philippe P. , Kondragunta Shobha , Camacho Christopher P. , Ichoku Charles , Moore Richard H. , Hair Johnathan W. , Crawford James H. , Dennison Philip E. , Kalashnikova Olga V. , Bennese Christel E. , Bui Thaopaul P. , DiGangi Joshua P. , Diskin Glenn S. , Fenn Marta A. , Halliday Hannah S. , Jimenez Jose , Nowak John B. , Robinson Claire , Sanchez Kevin , Shingler Taylor J. , Thornhill Lee , Wiggins Elizabeth B. , Winstead Edward , Xu Chuanyu
Published: April 2022

The 2019 Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality (FIREX-AQ) field experiment obtained a diverse set of in situ and remotely sensed measurements before and during a pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) event over the Williams Flats fire in Washington State. This unique dataset confirms that pyroCb activity is an efficient vertical smoke transport pathway into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). The magnitude of smoke plumes observed in the UTLS has increased significantly in recent years, following unprecedented wildfire and pyroCb activity observed worldwide. The FIREX-AQ pyroCb dataset is therefore extremely relevant to a broad community, providing the first measurements of fresh smoke exhaust in the upper troposphere, including from within active pyroCb cloud tops. High-resolution remote sensing reveals that three plume cores linked to localized fire fronts, burning primarily in dense forest fuels, contributed to four total pyroCb “pulses.” Rapid changes in fire geometry and spatial extent dramatically influenced the magnitude, behavior, and duration of pyroCb activity. Cloud probe measurements and weather radar identify the presence of large ice particles within the pyroCb and hydrometers below cloud base, indicating precipitation development. The resulting feedbacks suggest that vertical smoke transport efficiency was reduced slightly when compared with intense pyroCb events reaching the lower stratosphere. Physical and optical aerosol property measurements in pyroCb exhaust are compared with previous assumptions. A large suite of aerosol and gas-phase chemistry measurements sets a foundation for future studies aimed at understanding the composition of smoke plumes lifted by pyroconvection into the UTLS and their role in the climate system.
Can Areawide Building Retrofitting Affect the Urban Microclimate? An LES Study for Berlin, Germany
Authors: Maronga Björn , Winkler Matthias , Li Dan
Published: April 2022

In this work, we investigate the effect of areawide building retrofitting on summertime, street-level outdoor temperatures in an urban district in Berlin, Germany. We perform two building-resolving, weeklong large-eddy simulations: one with nonretrofitted buildings and the other with retrofitted buildings in the entire domain to meet today’s energy efficiency standards. The comparison of the two simulations reveals that the mean outdoor temperatures are higher with retrofitted buildings during daytime conditions. This behavior is caused by the much smaller inertia of the outermost roof/wall layer in the retrofitting case, which is thermally decoupled from the inner roof/wall layers by an insulation layer. As a result, the outermost layer heats up more rigorously during the daytime, leading to increased sensible heat fluxes into the atmosphere. During the nighttime, the outermost layer’s temperature drops down faster, resulting in cooling of the atmosphere. However, as the simulation progresses, the cooling effect becomes smaller and the warming effect becomes larger. After 1 week, we find the mean temperatures to be 4 K higher during the daytime while the cooling effects become negligible.

Significance Statement

Building retrofitting is taking place in Europe and other continents as a measure to reduce energy consumption. The change in the building envelope directly influences the urban atmosphere. Our study reveals that areawide retrofitting in a German city district can have negative effects on the outdoor microclimate in summer by causing higher air temperatures.
Dynamical Analysis of Tropopause Folding Events in the Coastal Region of Antarctica
Authors: Kohma Masashi , Mizukoshi Masatoshi , Sato Kaoru
Published: April 2022

Tropopause folding events (TFs) are characterized by the rapid and deep descent of the tropopause and are considered to play a significant role in mass exchange between the stratosphere and troposphere. In the present study, TFs occurring in the Antarctic coastal region were examined using the ERA5 dataset. First, the climatological distribution of TF frequency in the extratropics of the Southern Hemisphere was examined. Similar to results from previous studies, TFs were found to often occur along the coast of Antarctica, which is located more than 1000 km south of the maximum of the eddy kinetic energy of synoptic-scale disturbances. This result suggests that the climatological pattern of frequency of TFs in the southern high latitudes cannot be explained only by the geographical distribution of storm tracks. Next, a composite analysis of TFs at Syowa Station was performed. When the negative anomaly of the tropopause height was greatest, strong Q-vector divergence and downwelling were observed in the vicinity of the TF locations. The distribution of Q vectors is related to a local westerly jet and strengthening of the frontal structure associated with meridionally contracted synoptic-scale disturbances. The roles of the topography of the Antarctic Plateau and the radiative cooling on the surface of the continent during the contraction of the disturbances are also discussed based on ray-tracing theory.
Comparing and Interpreting Differently Designed Random Forests for Next-Day Severe Weather Hazard Prediction
Authors: Loken Eric D. , Clark Adam J. , McGovern Amy
Published: April 2022

Recent research has shown that random forests (RFs) can create skillful probabilistic severe weather hazard forecasts from numerical weather prediction (NWP) ensemble data. However, it remains unclear how RFs use NWP data and how predictors should be generated from NWP ensembles. This paper compares two methods for creating RFs for next-day severe weather prediction using simulated forecast data from the convection-allowing High-Resolution Ensemble Forecast System, version 2.1 (HREFv2.1). The first method uses predictors from individual ensemble members (IM) at the point of prediction, while the second uses ensemble mean (EM) predictors at multiple spatial points. IM and EM RFs are trained with all predictors as well as predictor subsets, and the Python module tree interpreter (TI) is used to assess RF variable importance and the relationships learned by the RFs. Results show that EM RFs have better objective skill compared to similarly configured IM RFs for all hazards, presumably because EM predictors contain less noise. In both IM and EM RFs, storm variables are found to be most important, followed by index and environment variables. Interestingly, RFs created from storm and index variables tend to produce forecasts with greater or equal skill than those from the all-predictor RFs. TI analysis shows that the RFs emphasize different predictors for different hazards in a way that makes physical sense. Further, TI shows that RFs create calibrated hazard probabilities based on complex, multivariate relationships that go well beyond thresholding 2–5-km updraft helicity.
Keeping up with the Joneses: Social comparison of integrating work and family lives
Authors: Carlson Dawn S , Quade Matthew J , (Maggie) Wan Min , Kacmar K Michele , Yin Kui
Published: April 2022

Does everyone around you seem to be juggling the work and family roles more successfully than you? This research examines the influence of social comparison of work–family balance in the work role overload to emotional exhaustion relationship through two paths – a spillover path to both job and family emotional exhaustion for the job incumbent and a crossover path to the spouse to their own family emotional exhaustion. Further, we examine whether the personality trait of social comparison orientation exacerbates these processes. We used matched responses over two time periods from 403 dual-earning, married couples living in the United States to test our hypotheses. We found support for all our hypothesized relationships. Social comparison plays a role in individuals’ perception of work–family demands, which may contribute to undesirable consequences for both the job incumbent and the spouse.
A Choice Model of Utility Maximization and Regret Minimization
Authors: Hur Taegyu , Allenby Greg M.
Published: April 2022

Consumers often try to achieve multiple goals when purchasing products and services, where choices are sought that maximize utility and other objectives such as to minimize regret. If the performance of choice outcomes are associated with high level of uncertainty at the time of purchase, consumers worry that the alternative of interest may turn out to be not optimal, an outcome they want to avoid when making a purchase. The authors propose a new regret function and explore its properties. Then, they propose a generalized framework of multiple goal pursuit and apply it to a utility maximization and regret minimization problem. Pareto-optimal sets are an outcome of multiple goal optimization problems where there are multiple alternatives that are nondominated. The proposed framework enables the authors to generalize a dual-goal problem as a constrained optimization problem where either utility is maximized subject to the constraint on regret or regret is minimized subject to the utility constraint. The proposed model fits the data better, provides improved predictions, and offers a tractable solution to a problem of utility maximization and regret minimization.