bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Enamelast® and Fluor defender® fluoride varnishes against Streptococcus mutans biofilm: an in vitro study in primary teeth
Authors: Matar M. A. , Darwish S. S. , Salma R. S. , Lotfy W. A.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The aim of the current work was to compare the antibacterial activity of Enamelast® and Fluor defender® fluoride varnish on biofilm generation by Streptococcus mutans on extracted primary teeth.

Methods

Thirty-six primary molars were collected and sliced into seventy-two test model disks. All specimens were examined, and the cracked or broken ones were discarded. A total number of specimens (n = 54) were divided into two experimental analyses viz; biofilm formation (n = 27) and microscopic examination (n = 27). Specimens of each analysis were tested under different experimental conditions: a negative control group (n = 9), Fluor defender group (n = 9), and Enamelast group (n = 9). Following treatment, biofilms were generated by adherent Streptococcus mutans on the test model disks on three time intervals: 24 h (n = 3), 48 h (n = 3), and 72 h (n = 3) for each analysis. Then, for biofilm formation analysis, the biofilm was detected spectrophotometrically at 620 nm after being stained by crystal violet. For microscopical analysis, the surfaces of the test model disks were visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and each image was processed and analyzed using ImageJ software.

Results

At 48 and 72 h, Enamelast® and Fluor defender®-treated group showed significantly (p < 0.001) slight adhered bacterial cells when compared with the negative control group as revealed by the absorbance and SEM. Compared with the Fluor defender®-treated group, the absorbance of the Enamelast®-treated group showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase by approximately 7- and 16.5-fold at 48 and 72 h, respectively. Similarly, SEM showed that the number of bacterial cells adhered to enamel surfaces in the Fluor defender®-treated group was significantly (p < 0.001) fewer than the Enamelast®-treated group by approximately 36.55% and 20.62% at 48 and 72 h after exposure, respectively.

Conclusion

We conclude that the anti-biofilm activity of Fluor defender® against Streptococcus mutans was significantly (p < 0.001) greater than Enamelast® fluoride varnish. The use of Fluor defender® is encouraged as a preventive measure in children with the high risk of developing dental caries.
Dietary recommendations to customize canteen menus according to the nutritional and sensory needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Conti Maria Vittoria , Breda Chiara , Basilico Sara , Luzzi Alessia , Voto Luana , Santero Sara , De Filippo Giorgia , Cena Hellas
Published: August 2023

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are often characterized by food-selectivity, food-neophobia and a marked preference for mild flavor, semi-liquid foods with pale colors. Therefore, they adopt a monotonous dietary pattern, and they prefer ultra-processed food, leading to a high risk of developing malnutrition. In Italy, where 75,072 individuals are diagnosed with ASD, center-based services play a crucial role in their daily management. Despite the centrality of nutrition in maintaining a good state of health, even more for vulnerable subjects, no validated protocol at collective catering level has been developed yet. The manuscript presents customized dietary recommendations aimed at managing the meals for individuals with ASD at collective catering service, derived from a non-systematic literature review exploring food behaviors and nutritional needs in individuals with ASD. Simple practical tips for mealtimes, such as eating together, proper seating, lighting, smell control, presenting food in a simple manner and using the same type of tableware at each meal, to meet the needs of individuals with ASD, were described. The proposal could represent a starting point in developing official guidelines aimed at ASD individuals, in collective catering service.

Level of Evidence: Level V.
Analysis of Student Perceptions of a Newly Developed Integrative System Course Model
Authors: Sechelski Amber , Bhattacharjee Ritvik , Reynolds Austin , Manis Mary , Elshabrawy Hatem A. , Zhao Yuan
Published: August 2023

Background

During Spring 2021, we piloted a course model that integrated the immune system and HEENT (head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat) by concurrently presenting them in the context of clinical cases. Immune system topics (e.g., infection, cancer) were tied to their manifestations in the HEENT system, and concepts from both systems were consolidated in weekly case-based learning and small group discussion (CBL/SGD) sessions.

Methods

To evaluate students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of this model, we administered to the class a voluntary survey containing closed- and open-ended items; conducted a focus group of 10 students selected via convenience sampling; and employed a mixed approach to analyze the resulting data, including multiple qualitative methods.

Results

Thirty-nine of 74 students completed the survey (53% response rate). In response to the item related to overall effectiveness of using CBL/SGD for system integration, nearly half (48.72%) of these students rated the overall effectiveness as average. Constant comparison analysis of the qualitative data revealed three major themes–student satisfaction with integration of immunology and HEENT, content and time involved in CBL/SGD, and suggestions for improvement–and classical content analysis revealed the relative importance of these themes. Participants held positive and negative perceptions, expressed concerns regarding CBL/SGD (e.g., its helpfulness, complexity), and made suggestions for improvement of integration.

Conclusions

Using multiple methods allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of students’ perceptions of the new course model, and we have taken actions to improve course quality in the future.
Control of Transition Time by the Likely Future as Signalled from the Past in Children with ASD
Authors: Wood Aleksandra , Simon Carsta
Published: August 2023

The signaling perspective offers an alternative to the Skinnerian view of understanding behavior. The signaling effects of reinforcers have predominantly been explored in the laboratory with nonhuman subjects. To test the implications of this view for applied behavior analysis, we contrasted the effect of discriminative stimulus versus reinforcer control in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We aimed to determine whether the duration of their transitions from one reinforcer context to another is controlled by their most recent past or the likely future based on more extended past experience. Reinforcer context (rich, moderate, or lean) was signaled in the first condition. We observed that transition times to the leaner reinforcer were longer than those to the richer. The reinforcer context was unsignaled in the second condition. The differences between transition times disappeared in the second condition. The difference in durations of transitions to signaled and unsignaled reinforcer densities suggests that behavior is primarily controlled by signals of likely future reinforcers as extrapolated from extended past experience rather than strengthened by the most recent event.
Transition analysis of boundary-based active configurations in temporal simplicial complexes for ingredient co-occurrences in recipe streams
Authors: Fujisawa Koudai , Kumano Masahito , Kimura Masahiro
Published: August 2023

Aiming at knowledge discovery for temporal sequences of cooking recipes published in social media platforms from the viewpoint of network science, we consider an analysis of temporal higher-order networks of ingredients derived from such recipe streams by focusing on the framework of simplicial complex. Previous work found interesting properties of temporal simplicial complexes for the human proximity interactions in five different social settings by examining the configuration transitions before and after triplet interaction events corresponding to 2-simplices. In this paper, as an effective extension of the previous work to the case of higher dimensionaln-simplices corresponding to newly published recipes, we propose a novel method of configuration transition analysis by incorporating the following two features. First, to focus on changes in the topological structure of temporal simplicial complex, we incorporate analyzing the transitions of boundary-based configurations. Next, to focus on the temporal heterogeneity in usage activities of ingredients, we incorporate analyzing the transitions of active configurations by introducing the activity degree of configuration. Using real data of a Japanese recipe sharing site, we empirically evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, and reveal some characteristics of the temporal evolution of Japanese homemade recipes published in social media from the perspective of ingredient co-occurrences.
Classical splitting of parametrized quantum circuits
Authors: Tüysüz Cenk , Clemente Giuseppe , Crippa Arianna , Hartung Tobias , Kühn Stefan , Jansen Karl
Published: August 2023

Barren plateaus appear to be a major obstacle for using variational quantum algorithms to simulate large-scale quantum systems or to replace traditional machine learning algorithms. They can be caused by multiple factors such as the expressivity of the ansatz, excessive entanglement, the locality of observables under consideration, or even hardware noise. We propose classical splitting of parametric ansatz circuits to avoid barren plateaus. Classical splitting is realized by subdividing an N qubit ansatz into multiple ansätze that consist of $$\mathcal {O}(\log N)$$

O
(
log
N
)

qubits. We show that such an approach allows for avoiding barren plateaus and carry out numerical experiments, and perform binary classification on classical and quantum datasets. Moreover, we propose an extension of the ansatz that is compatible with variational quantum simulations. Finally, we discuss a speed-up for gradient-based optimization and hardware implementation, robustness against noise and parallelization, making classical splitting an ideal tool for noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) applications.
Sparse grid time-discontinuous Galerkin method with streamline diffusion for transport equations
Authors: Zeiser Andreas
Published: August 2023

High-dimensional transport equations frequently occur in science and engineering. Computing their numerical solution, however, is challenging due to its high dimensionality. In this work we develop an algorithm to efficiently solve the transport equation in moderately complex geometrical domains using a Galerkin method stabilized by streamline diffusion. The ansatz spaces are a tensor product of a sparse grid in space and discontinuous piecewise polynomials in time. Here, the sparse grid is constructed upon nested multilevel finite element spaces to provide geometric flexibility. This results in an implicit time-stepping scheme which we prove to be stable and convergent. If the solution has additional mixed regularity, the convergence of a 2d-dimensional problem equals that of a d-dimensional one up to logarithmic factors. For the implementation, we rely on the representation of sparse grids as a sum of anisotropic full grid spaces. This enables us to store the functions and to carry out the computations on a sequence regular full grids exploiting the tensor product structure of the ansatz spaces. In this way existing finite element libraries and GPU acceleration can be used. The combination technique is used as a preconditioner for an iterative scheme to solve the transport equation on the sequence of time strips. Numerical tests show that the method works well for problems in up to six dimensions. Finally, the method is also used as a building block to solve nonlinear Vlasov-Poisson equations.
Chemical looping approaches to decarbonization via CO2 repurposing
Authors: Schmidt Collin , Shi Hanzhong , Maiti Debtanu , Hare Bryan J. , Bhethanabotla Venkat R. , Kuhn John N.
Published: August 2023

Active areas of research on chemical looping technologies for the conversion of CO2 to CO are contrasted and discussed, including current performance, methods for material design, and next steps in expanding their development. Generation of CO from CO2 is of interest in sustainable chemistry and engineering to convert anthropogenic CO2 emissions into feedstock for Fischer–Tropsch (FT), methanol to gasoline (MTG), gas-to-liquid (GTL), and other synthesis pathways for fuels and materials. Chemical looping strategies have been identified which not only produce CO, but also H2 from H2O and methane sources, supplying the other key component of syngas. Configurations of these chemical looping technologies into the materials economy potentially constitute sustainable carbon loop cycles for fuels as well as carbon sequestration into industrial and commercial materials. Major areas of research in CO2 conversion by chemical looping, collectively referred to here as CO2CL, including Solar-Thermal Chemical Looping (STCL), Reverse Water Gas Shift Chemical Looping (RWGS-CL), Chemical Looping Reforming (CLR), Super Dry Reforming (SDR), Autothermal Catalyst Assisted Chemical Looping (ACACL), and Reverse Boudouard Reforming (RBR) are discussed in terms of their process characteristics, historical development of oxygen carrier (OC) material, state of the art methods for material design, and future work needed to advance the scale-up of these technologies. This perspective centers around the non-methane utilizing processes for CO2CL, focusing on the phenomena of oxygen transfer between gas molecules and the oxygen carrier (OC).
An Integrated Spherical Fuzzy Multi-criterion Group Decision-Making Approach and Its Application in Digital Marketing Technology Assessment
Authors: Gao Kai , Liu Tingting , Yue Dingjun , Simic Vladimir , Rong Yuan , Garg Harish
Published: August 2023

Digital marketing technology can not only help enterprises effectively control marketing costs but also accurately identify target customers and determine customer needs to improve marketing conversion rates. Multiple conflicting and asymmetric criteria need to be taken simultaneously into account to effectively assess digital marketing technology. Accordingly, the target of our paper is to propound an enhanced additive ratio assessment (ARAS) methodology to aid experts in evaluating digital marketing technology in a complex uncertain setting. The spherical fuzzy (SF) set is an expansion of the picture fuzzy set (PFS) that has been recognized as a powerful model to portray indeterminacy and vagueness. A fresh score function is proffered to compare the SF numbers and its merits are also analyzed. Then, some novel operations for SF numbers are defined and several aggregation operators based on them are propounded. Further, a mixed multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) method is developed by incorporating the method based on the removal effects of criteria (MEREC), step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA), and enhanced ARAS approach under SF information. Also, a case concerning digital marketing technology evaluation is executed to prove the efficiency and practicability of the presented SF-MEREC–SWARA–ARAS method. Finally, contrast and sensitivity investigations are also implemented to highlight the strengths and robustness of the proffered methodology, respectively.
Innovation Commons for the Data Economy
Authors: Guidi Sara
Published: August 2023

Data-driven innovation entails an overall positive effect on society. Innovation is a central policy goal in the EU, and the regulation of the data economy tends to elect innovation as a primary objective. However, considerably less attention is devoted to the identification of the qualitative characteristics of the desired innovation. From a technological point of view, (data-driven) innovation can be cumulative, combinatorial, or generative. In all three instances, innovation commons are crucial. The design of successful data commons demands the analysis of the relational dimension of the data economy, which can be conducted through the framework of business ecosystems. Incentives for data-based competition or cooperation in ecosystems are inspired by a metaphorical cognition of the economic function of data: whether data is considered a resource or an infrastructure ultimately affects the design of innovation commons. To conclude, the paper draws the policy implications of this framework. Policymakers and regulators may select one narrative over another, thus molding the features of future innovation.
Multilingualism and Translation in Ancient Judaism
Authors: Fraade Steven D.
Published: August 2023

In this book, Steven Fraade explores the practice and conception of multilingualism and translation in ancient Judaism. Interrogating the deep and dialectical relationship between them, he situates representative scriptural and other texts within their broader synchronic - Greco-Roman context, as well as diachronic context - the history of Judaism and beyond. Neither systematic nor comprehensive, his selection of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek primary sources, here fluently translated into clear English, best illustrate the fundamental issues and the performative aspects relating to translation and multilingualism. Fraade scrutinizes and analyzes the texts to reveal the inner dynamics and the pedagogical-social implications that are implicit when multilingualism and translation are paired. His book demonstrates the need for a more thorough and integrated treatment of these topics, and their relevance to the study of ancient Judaism, than has been heretofore recognized.
Costs of Reducing Nutrients from Riparian Buffers in Western Maryland
Authors: Siemek Stephanie M. , Kucher Oleg , Eshleman Keith N.
Published: August 2023

We estimate the economic cost of nutrient reductions from riparian buffers in two counties in western Maryland. The costs and gains for farmers are estimated for establishing riparian buffers under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. For nutrient reductions, we utilize nitrogen and phosphorus mitigation loads from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model and own estimates from our synoptic studies. We show that costs of reducing nutrients vary based on buffer type, its location, and the nutrient pollutant. We also show that installing riparian buffers alongside existing forests could be a more cost-effective practice for reducing nitrogen than other riparian buffers.
Icons and ontological (in)security
Authors: Steele Brent J. , Subotic Jelena
Published: August 2023

What role do national icons play in a political community’s drive for ontological security? And what implications does this have for global politics? This article situates national icons in service of state ontological security. Icons both unify and divide political communities; therefore they serve, but also disrupt, ontological security-seeking of collectives. Building on research on ontological security and status in International Relations, we examine two case studies of national icons – Vesna Vulović, the celebrated Serbian flight attendant who miraculously survived a major plane crash, and Muhammad Ali, the American boxing legend. Both Vulović and Ali initially generated, and then countered, ontological security for their national communities as they transformed from popular culture celebrities into anti-regime political activists. We conclude the article by discussing opportunities for future avenues of research on icons and the politics of identity going forward.
Modelling and shock control for a V-shaped blunt leading edge
Authors: Kang Dake , Yan Chao , Liu Sijia , Wang Zhaowei , Jiang Zhenhua
Published: August 2023

Hypersonic flow on a V-shaped blunt leading edge (VSBLE) at Mach 12 is numerically investigated. A series of self-induced shock–shock interactions and shock wave/boundary layer interactions (SWBLIs) cause extremely high heat flux peaks on the crotch of the VSBLE. Based on these shock structures, a simplified model that divides the flow field into inviscid and viscous areas is constructed. This model can quickly solve the shock interactions and predict the heating/pressure peaks with high accuracy. Furthermore, a shock control bump (SCB) is placed on the SWBLI region to split the strong incident shock into a weaker multi-wave system. The mechanism study of the SCB shows that the inviscid effect significantly reduces the heating/pressure peaks, and the viscous effect suppresses the SWBLI-induced separation. Finally, a VSBLE with SCBs is numerically investigated. The heat flux peak is reduced by 66 % compared to that without the SCBs. The robustness of the SCB under various working conditions is also evaluated. This paper provides an idea for the simplified solution of complex shock interactions and extends the application of the SCB as a thermal protection device in hypersonic flow for the first time.
The Slaughter-House Dissents and the Reconstruction of American Liberalism
Authors: BRANDWEIN PAMELA
Published: August 2023

American liberalism has long been divided between early “classic” and modern forms, a transformation associated with the rise of the social welfare state and the New Deal. The long-running critique of Hartzian consensus theory has left intact that division, which is likewise expressed in literature on the Reconstruction Amendments. This article offers a new staged theory of American liberal development in the nineteenth century, accomplished through the prism of public law. Newly elaborating and theorizing the governing frameworks of the antebellum “well-regulated society” and reading judicial disagreement in the Slaughter-House Cases (1873, 83 U.S. 36) in terms of these institutional frameworks, I show how the dual liberty paradigm of the well-regulated society was rearranged in Bradley’s dissent. By elevating a conceptual split between the dissents of Field and Bradley and by tracing in Bradley’s dissent the reorganization of police powers jurisprudence, I illuminate the fashioning and rapid diffusion of modern rights individualism.
From terra incognita to hotspot: the largest South Pacific green turtle nesting population in the forgotten reefs of New Caledonia
Authors: Fretey Jacques , Read Tyffen C. , Carron Léa , Fontfreyde Christophe , Fourdrain Aurélie , Kerandel Julie-Anne , Liardet Vincent , Oremus Marc , Reix-Tronquet Morgane , Girondot Marc
Published: August 2023

The green turtle Chelonia mydas is a large marine turtle present in tropical and subtropical seas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List based on the trend of nesting populations at 32 sites, of which only three are in the Pacific Ocean. New Caledonia is a sui generis overseas territory of France in the south-west Pacific Ocean c. 1,210 km east of Australia. The presence of green turtles in New Caledonian waters is known, although the main nesting sites are far from the main island, on remote uninhabited islands. Since 1988 field missions to these remote reefs, namely d'Entrecasteaux, Bellona and Chesterfield, have collected data to quantify the nesting of green turtles in New Caledonia. For the first time we analyse the data collected during these missions. D'Entrecasteaux, Bellona and Chesterfield Reefs host a large nesting colony of green turtles, with the upper credible estimate of nesting activities reaching 150,000 nesting tracks in some years. These numbers exceed the estimated number of green turtle activities in the Pacific. The trend of the number of nesting activities is stable and has the same relationship with the Southern Oscillation Index as observed at Australian nesting sites. Our recommendations for the French authorities are to continue monitoring these populations, collect new demographic parameters and ensure the protection of these remote reefs, which should be considered a national treasure for New Caledonia.
Playing the fool: jesters of the Safavid and Zand courts
Authors: Izzo Gianni
Published: August 2023

This article looks at the history of jesters affiliated with the Iranian court during the Safavid and Zand periods. I present several case studies of jesters (dalqak), featuring Kal ʿEnāyat and Dalāleh Qezī from the Safavid period and Lūṭī Ṣāleḥ from the Zand period. From various primary resources including memoirs, European travelogues, and court-associated chronicles, I relate several accounts associated with these personalities and describe their unique relationship with the ruling shāh of their time. Through various staged and spontaneous performances involving irony, subterfuge, and satire, jesters – as embodied “mirrors for princes” – demonstrate the inherent precarity of the shāh's rule and the need to be accountable to his subjects. In comparing the Safavid jester to others across time and place, the performative simulation of transcending the status quo's gender, class, political, and moralistic boundaries will be shown to help preserve them.
Worst-case Omega ratio under distribution uncertainty with its application in robust portfolio selection
Authors: Li Qiuyang , Xie Xinqiao
Published: August 2023

Omega ratio, a risk-return performance measure, is defined as the ratio of the expected upside deviation of return to the expected downside deviation of return from a predetermined threshold described by an investor. Motivated by finding a solution protected against sampling errors, in this paper, we focus on the worst-case Omega ratio under distributional uncertainty and its application to robust portfolio selection. The main idea is to deal with optimization problems with all uncertain parameters within an uncertainty set. The uncertainty set of the distribution of returns given characteristic information, including the first two orders of moments and the Wasserstein distance, can handle data problems with uncertainty while making the calculation feasible.
Homogenous access to fetal cardiac care in a heterogeneous state
Authors: Ronai Christina , Garcia Godoy Laura , Madriago Erin
Published: August 2023

Background:

Timely prenatal diagnosis of CHD allows families to participate in complex decisions and plan for the care of their child. This study sought to investigate whether timing of initial fetal echocardiogram and the characteristics of fetal counselling were impacted by parental socio-economic factors.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of fetal cardiac patients from 1 January, 2017 to 31 December, 2018. We reviewed gestational age at first fetal echo, maternal age and ethnicity, zip code, rurality index, and hospital distance. Counselling was evaluated based on documentation regarding use of interpreter, time billed for counselling, and treatment option chosen.

Results:

Total of 139 maternal–fetal dyads were included, and 29 dyads had single-ventricle heart disease. There was no difference in income, hospital distance or rurality index, and first fetal echo timing. There was no significant difference between maternal ethnicity and maternal age, gestational age at initial visit, or follow-up. Patients in rural areas had increased counselling time (p < .05). There was no difference between socio-economic factors and ultimate parental choices (termination, palliative delivery, or cardiac interventions).

Conclusion:

Oregon comprises a heterogeneous population from a large geographical catchment. While prenatal counselling and family decision-making are multifaceted, we demonstrated that dyads were referred from across the state and received care in a uniformly timely manner, and once at our centre received consistent counselling despite differences in parental socio-economic factors.
A communication intervention to improve prognostic understanding and engagement in advance care planning among diverse advanced cancer patient–caregiver dyads: A pilot study
Authors: Shen Megan J. , Prigerson Holly G. , Maciejewski Paul K. , Daly Bobby , Adelman Ronald , McConnell Trevino Kelly M.
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Accurate prognostic understanding among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers is associated with greater engagement in advance care planning (ACP) and receipt of goal-concordant care. Poor prognostic understanding is more prevalent among racial and ethnic minority patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a patient–caregiver communication-based intervention to improve prognostic understanding, engagement in ACP, and completion of advance directives among a racially and ethnically diverse, urban sample of patients and their caregivers.

Methods

Patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers (n = 22 dyads) completed assessments of prognostic understanding, engagement in ACP, and completion of advance directives at baseline and post-intervention, Talking About Cancer (TAC). TAC is a 7-session intervention delivered remotely by licensed social workers that includes distress management and communication skills, review of prognosis, and information on ACP.

Results

TAC met a priori benchmarks for feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity. Prognostic understanding and engagement in ACP did not change over time. However, patients showed increases in completion of advance directives.

Significance of results

TAC was feasible, acceptable, and delivered with high fidelity. Involvement of caregivers in TAC may provide added layers of support to patients facing advanced cancer diagnoses, especially among racial and ethnic minorities. Trends indicated greater completion of advance directives but not in prognostic understanding or engagement in ACP. Future research is needed to optimize the intervention to improve acceptability, tailor to diverse patient populations, and examine the efficacy of TAC in a randomized controlled trial.
Parental perspectives on the clinician’s approach to serious illness communication: A qualitative study
Authors: Mills Nicholas , Chapman Megan , Sutherland Ingrid , Gillam Lynn , Collins Anna
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To explore the perceptions of parents caring for a child with a life-limiting condition on approaches to communication used by clinicians engaging in routine serious illness communication.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative design was used, employing a thematic analysis of data derived through semi-structured interviews which presented hypothetical vignettes of serious illness conversations to elicit parental perspectives. Adult parents of children with a life-limiting condition, in a stable phase of care, known to the Neurodevelopment and Disability Department of a tertiary Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, were purposively sampled to achieve a broad representation of relevant clinical and sociodemographic factors.

Results

Eleven parents (72% female) of children aged 7 months to 18 years participated. Two major themes characterized parental perspectives on serious illness communication: “Approaches clinicians can use to lay the foundation for quality communication” including checking in, validation, aligning with hopes and a commitment to listening and being present; and “Approaches clinicians can use to aid the delivery of information” including honesty and compassion, presenting possibilities, providing a plan, and conveying the clinician’s experience.

Significance of results

This study provides novel insights into the perspectives of parents of children with life-limiting conditions that inform how clinicians may best approach serious illness communication. The findings highlight the need for clinicians working in pediatric health care to be cognizant of parents’ needs before and during conversations. Laying the foundation for quality communication is important alongside the approaches outlined that aid in the delivery of information.
Multi-pattern synthesis in fourth-dimensional antenna arrays using BGM-based quasi-Newton memetic optimization method
Authors: Chakraborty Avishek , Saxena Ravi Shankar , Verma Anshoo , Juyal Ashima , Gupta Sumit , Singh Indrasen , Ram Gopi , Mandal Durbadal
Published: August 2023

The advancement in wireless communication is fueling the growth of innovative antenna array designs toward cost-effective and performance-oriented solutions. This paper proposed unconventional methods to design antenna arrays for multi-pattern synthesis without using attenuators or phase shifters. A low-cost alternative is proposed with “Time-modulation”-based antenna array capable of electronic scanning and beam steering. Here, “Time” is utilized as a fourth-dimensional (4D) array parameter, and that is why “Time-modulated” arrays are also called as 4D antenna arrays. The idea is to control the high-speed switch attached with each antenna periodically to produce desirable current and phase tapering. This article expanded the “Time-modulation” concept to synthesize multiple radiation patterns like monopulse patterns, scanned beam patterns, shaped beam patterns, and cosecant-squared beam patterns for multifunctional radar systems. Suitable time schemes are developed to generate the narrowband sum–difference patterns useful for monopulse radars. Simultaneous scanned beam patterns are also proposed for narrowband communication. Furthermore, to address the wideband applications, shaped flat-top beam patterns and cosecant-squared beam patterns are also proposed. In this regard, 20- and 16-element “Time-modulated” linear array antennas are developed, and the parameters of the arrays are controlled by suitably designed objective functions with quasi-Newton method (QNM)-based memetic optimization method. For this purpose, first a well-known genetic algorithm is adopted to search the potential trust regions in the exploration stage and QNM is used for fine-tuning. Furthermore, the Broyden’s good method-based direction-updating equation is used with QNM to improve the performance.
Non‐Radiative Effect of Land Use/Land Cover Differences on Land Surface Temperature Simulated by Noah‐MP Land Surface Model Over East Asia
Authors: Zhang Guo , Li Huoqing , Li Jianduo , Meng Chunlei , Cai Xitian
Published: August 2023

Biophysical effects of land cover changes on land surface temperature (Ts), including two effects, that is, radiative effects (caused by surface albedo changes) versus non‐radiative effects (caused by changes in the energy flux distribution), have attracted the attention of many researchers. However, the uncertainties of land use and land cover (LULC) and vegetation schemes on non‐radiative effects, and the roles of non‐radiative effects on Ts, remain uncertain. In this study, we investigate the local impact of LULC differences by comparing Noah with multiparameterization (Noah‐MP) land model simulations with different LULC data sets and those with vegetation schemes whether they include interactive canopies. We attribute Ts changes induced by LULC differences obtained from Noah‐MP simulations to radiative and non‐radiative effects over East Asia based on the decomposed temperature metric theory. The results indicate that vegetation cools Ts over urban regions by 4.0–6.0°C. Grassland and cropland decrease the Ts over barren regions. Forests are warmer (cooler) than grassland and cropland in high latitudes (in mid and low latitudes). Grassland is cooler than cropland. However, the magnitude of Ts changes induced by these differences is lower than that induced by differences between vegetation and urban. The non‐radiative effect generally explains more than 50% of the local changes in Ts. The interactive canopies enlarge Ts changes for afforestation or replacements of urban region by vegetation. The effect of uncertainties in LULC data sets is negligible. This study highlights the importance of non‐radiative biophysical effects and interactive canopies on local changes in Ts.
Evidence of Abrupt Transitions Between Sea Ice Dynamical Regimes in the East Greenland Marginal Ice Zone
Authors: Watkins Daniel M. , Bliss Angela C. , Hutchings Jennifer K. , Wilhelmus Monica M.
Published: August 2023

Sea ice modulates the energy exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean through its kinematics. Marginal ice zone (MIZ) dynamics are complex and are not well resolved in routine observations. Here, we investigate sea ice dynamics in the Greenland Sea MIZ using in situ and remote sensing Lagrangian drift datasets. These datasets provide a unique view into ice dynamics spanning spatial scales. We find evidence of tidal currents strongly affecting sub‐daily ice motion. Velocity anomalies show abrupt transitions aligned with gradients in seafloor topography, indicating changes in ocean currents. Remote‐sensed ice floe trajectories derived from moderate resolution satellite imagery provide a view of small‐scale variability across the Greenland continental shelf. Ice floe trajectories reveal a west‐east increasing velocity gradient imposed by the East Greenland Current, with maximum velocities aligned along the continental shelf edge. These results highlight the importance of small scale ocean variability for ice dynamics in the MIZ.
Most Global Gauging Stations Present Biased Estimations of Total Catchment Discharge
Authors: Huang Peng , Wang Genxu , Guo Li , Mello Carlos R. , Li Kai , Ma Jiapei , Sun Shouqin
Published: August 2023

Stream gauging stations provide critical streamflow measurements for hydrological applications; however, they may not accurately capture total catchment discharge due to unmonitored regional groundwater flow. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of streamflow data from gauging stations worldwide to represent total catchment discharge through a modified hydrological model that includes baseflow signatures to constrain groundwater flow processes. We find that approximately 70% of gauging stations present biased estimations of total catchment discharge (bias >10%). This result implies that hydrology‐related processes may not be fully understood, and misleading conclusions may be drawn owing to the low streamflow measurement effectiveness. By influencing subsurface hydrological processes, catchment factors, including catchment area, topography, climate, and geological features, are linked to the effectiveness of streamflow measurements. Our findings highlight the importance of accurate streamflow measurement effectiveness for obtaining a reliable understanding of catchment hydrological processes to support sustainable water resource management.
The Precipitation‐Recycling Process Enhanced Extreme Precipitation in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Jinxia , Wang Shanshan , Huang Jianping , He Yongli , Ren Yu
Published: August 2023

The amount, frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation over Xinjiang have increased dramatically under the wetting trend in Northwest China, but long‐term trends in the precipitation‐recycling process remain largely unexplored. Based on dynamic recycling model and MERRA2 reanalysis, we revealed a mean recycling ratio for extreme precipitation in Xinjiang of 42.3% with a growth rate of 2.3% decade−1 during 1982–2019. The increasing trend of extreme precipitation was almost equally attributed to increased recycling precipitation (49%) and external precipitation (51%). The extreme precipitation in Xinjiang exhibited two peak centers, the Tianshan Mountains region (TS) and Kunlun Mountains region (KL), highlighting variations in the water cycle. Specifically, the external cycle predominated the increased extreme precipitation in TS (61%), while the recycling process mainly influenced the increase in KL (67%) due to markedly enhanced evapotranspiration. Moisture source attribution further proved the crucial role of evapotranspiration from Xinjiang and its vicinity in extreme precipitation.
Interaction of Cloud Dynamics and Microphysics During the Rapid Intensification of Super‐Typhoon Nanmadol (2022) Based on Multi‐Satellite Observations
Authors: Wu Zuhang , Zhang Yun , Zhang Lifeng , Zheng Hepeng
Published: August 2023

Using multi‐satellite observations, the cloud dynamic and microphysical characteristics were revealed during the rapid intensification (RI) of super‐typhoon Nanmadol (2022). As the storm intensifies, the eyewall contracts, the upper‐level divergence strengthens, and the cirrus cloud increases, leading to stronger upper‐level radial outflow and the vertical updraft. Meanwhile, it is found that there exists a dynamically attractive area in the outer rainbands, where particles grow effectively and form “a small amount of large particles” around 300 km from the eye. A theory of cloud dynamics‐microphysics interaction, called “tunnel theory,” is further proposed to explain the generation, accumulation, and concentrated downflow of large particles in the outer rainbands during RI. Results suggest the unique feature of particle distribution in the outer rainbands could be a potential indicator for RI.
Climate‐Induced Decadal Ocean Wave Height Variability From Microseisms: 1931–2021
Authors: Bromirski Peter D.
Published: August 2023

Long‐term coastal wave climate changes under global warming cannot be reliably assessed from relatively short duration buoy significant wave height (Hs) observations that began about 1980. Alternatively, microseisms at double the wave frequency (DFM) provide proxy records of near‐coastal wave activity. An empirical wave reconstruction methodology transforms DFM from UC Berkeley seismic station BKS to seismic Hs (sHs). Broadband digital seismic observations since 1992 at BKS provide DFM reference spectral levels. Earlier digitized archived BKS seismogram DFM levels are adjusted to give spectral levels that are consistent with current observations, yielding a combined 90‐year sHs record for winters (November–March) spanning the 1931–2021 epoch. Mean winter sHs derived from digitized 1980s seismograms are well‐correlated with nearby buoy Hs. Comparison of deep‐water extreme Hs with sHs demonstrates that sHs is dominated by near‐coastal wave activity. Much greater decadal and interannual variability occurred during the 1931–1970 epoch, including extended periods of exceptionally low sHs during 1939–1947 and 1957–1965 that have not occurred since global warming accelerated near 1970, suggesting that winter extratropical storm intensity has generally increased. Comparisons of winter sHs variability with anomalous sea level pressure (SLPa) patterns across the North Pacific demonstrate the association of coastal sHs with broad‐scale atmospheric variability, with differences between long‐term averages of winter SLPa indicating an Aleutian Low intensification, consistent with both increased mean sHs and occurrence of extreme events since 1970. Recent record global annual temperatures suggest that warming may be accelerating, resulting in stronger storms that intimates further increased winter Hs may be forthcoming.
Reversing pancreatic β-cell dedifferentiation in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Son Jinsook , Accili Domenico
Published: August 2023

The maintenance of glucose homeostasis is fundamental for survival and health. Diabetes develops when glucose homeostasis fails. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell failure. The failure of β-cells to compensate for insulin resistance results in hyperglycemia, which in turn drives altered lipid metabolism and β-cell failure. Thus, insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells is a primary component of glucose homeostasis. Impaired β-cell function and reduced β-cell mass are found in diabetes. Both features stem from a failure to maintain β-cell identity, which causes β-cells to dedifferentiate into nonfunctional endocrine progenitor-like cells or to trans-differentiate into other endocrine cell types. In this regard, one of the key issues in achieving disease modification is how to reestablish β-cell identity. In this review, we focus on the causes and implications of β-cell failure, as well as its potential reversibility as a T2D treatment.
Thrap3 promotes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by suppressing AMPK-mediated autophagy
Authors: Jang Hyun-Jun , Lee Yo Han , Dao Tam , Jo Yunju , Khim Keon Woo , Eom Hye-jin , Lee Ju Eun , Song Yi Jin , Choi Sun Sil , Park Kieun , Ji Haneul , Chae Young Chan , Myung Kyungjae , Kim Hongtae , Ryu Dongryeol , Park Neung Hwa , Park Sung Ho , Choi Jang Hyun
Published: August 2023

Autophagy functions in cellular quality control and metabolic regulation. Dysregulation of autophagy is one of the major pathogenic factors contributing to the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Autophagy is involved in the breakdown of intracellular lipids and the maintenance of healthy mitochondria in NAFLD. However, the mechanisms underlying autophagy dysregulation in NAFLD remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the hepatic expression level of Thrap3 was significantly increased in NAFLD conditions. Liver-specific Thrap3 knockout improved lipid accumulation and metabolic properties in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD model. Furthermore, Thrap3 deficiency enhanced autophagy and mitochondrial function. Interestingly, Thrap3 knockout increased the cytosolic translocation of AMPK from the nucleus and enhanced its activation through physical interaction. The translocation of AMPK was regulated by direct binding with AMPK and the C-terminal domain of Thrap3. Our results indicate a role for Thrap3 in NAFLD progression and suggest that Thrap3 is a potential target for NAFLD treatment.
Reg3γ: current understanding and future therapeutic opportunities in metabolic disease
Authors: Shin Jae Hoon , Bozadjieva-Kramer Nadejda , Seeley Randy J.
Published: August 2023

Regenerating family member gamma, Reg3γ (the mouse homolog of human REG3A), belonging to the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), functions as a part of the host immune system to maintain spatial segregation between the gut bacteria and the host in the intestine via bactericidal activity. There is emerging evidence that gut manipulations such as bariatric surgery, dietary supplementation or drug treatment to produce metabolic benefits alter the gut microbiome. In addition to changes in a wide range of gut hormones, these gut manipulations also induce the expression of Reg3γ in the intestine. Studies over the past decades have revealed that Reg3γ not only plays a role in the gut lumen but can also contribute to host physiology through interaction with the gut microbiota. Herein, we discuss the current knowledge regarding the biology of Reg3γ, its role in various metabolic functions, and new opportunities for therapeutic strategies to treat metabolic disorders.
Genome editing in the treatment of ocular diseases
Authors: Choi Elliot H. , Suh Susie , Sears Avery E. , Hołubowicz Rafał , Kedhar Sanjay R. , Browne Andrew W. , Palczewski Krzysztof
Published: August 2023

Genome-editing technologies have ushered in a new era in gene therapy, providing novel therapeutic strategies for a wide range of diseases, including both genetic and nongenetic ocular diseases. These technologies offer new hope for patients suffering from previously untreatable conditions. The unique anatomical and physiological features of the eye, including its immune-privileged status, size, and compartmentalized structure, provide an optimal environment for the application of these cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, the development of various delivery methods has facilitated the efficient and targeted administration of genome engineering tools designed to correct specific ocular tissues. Additionally, advancements in noninvasive ocular imaging techniques and electroretinography have enabled real-time monitoring of therapeutic efficacy and safety. Herein, we discuss the discovery and development of genome-editing technologies, their application to ocular diseases from the anterior segment to the posterior segment, current limitations encountered in translating these technologies into clinical practice, and ongoing research endeavors aimed at overcoming these challenges.