bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pandemic response gaps: Infection prevention and control lessons learned during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities in Detroit, Michigan
Authors: Sandhu Avnish , Polistico Jordan Micah F. , Meyer Monica P. , Gonzalez Gonzalo , Kiama Keith , Lebednick Mark , Prentiss Tyler , Misikir Helina , Heinonen Jessica , Zervos John , Kilgore Paul E. , Zervos Marcus J. , Fink Lauren R. , Rehman Najibah K. , Maples Catherine , Chopra Teena
Published: August 2022

Background:

Hospitalizations among skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents in Detroit increased in mid-March 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Outbreak response teams were deployed from local healthcare systems, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Detroit Health Department (DHD) to understand the infection prevention and control (IPC) gaps in SNFs that may have accelerated the outbreak.

Methods:

We conducted 2 point-prevalence surveys (PPS-1 and PPS-2) at 13 Detroit SNFs from April 8 to May 8, 2020. The DHD and partners conducted facility-wide severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing of all residents and staff and collected information regarding resident cohorting, staff cohorting, and personnel protective equipment (PPE) utilized during that time.

Results:

Resident cohorting had been implemented in 7 of 13 (58.3%) SNFs prior to point-prevalence survey 1 (PPS-1), and other facilities initiated cohorting after obtaining PPS-1 results. Cohorting protocols of healthcare practitioners and environmental service staff were not established in 4 (31%) of 13 facilities, and in 3 facilities (23.1%) the ancillary staff were not assigned to cohorts. Also, 2 SNFs (15%) had an observation unit prior to PPS-1, 2 (15%) had an observation unit after PPS-1, 4 (31%) could not establish an observation unit due to inadequate space, and 5 (38.4%) created an observation unit after PPS-2.

Conclusion:

On-site consultations identified gaps in IPC knowledge and cohorting that may have contributed to ongoing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among SNF residents despite aggressive testing measures. Infection preventionists (IPs) are critical in guiding ongoing IPC practices in SNFs to reduce spread of COVID-19 through response and prevention.
Efficient customer relationship management systems for online retailing: The investigation of the influential factors
Authors: Latifi Kimia , Ebrahimi Ahoo , Ranjbaran Mehdi , Mirzaei Arman , Fakhri Zahra
Published: August 2022

In business processes, gaining customer satisfaction is vital for online retailing. In this way, it is necessary to identify the important factors for attracting and retaining customers in online retailing. Many factors are involved in efficient customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Their efficient implementation needs a deep focus on key customers, proper organization, knowledge management, technology, market, sales, ordering, support, and many other factors. Therefore, this paper examines the effective factors (including innovation management, market knowledge, competitive intelligence, entrepreneurship management, stakeholder management, project management, and business project management) on the efficiency of the CRM systems for online retailing. The data were collected from Digikala employees in Iran. Based on Morgan's table (Table A2 (Appendix)), 248 samples were randomly selected, and questionnaires were sent to employees, where 234 were fully answered. Research data and assumptions were evaluated using SPSS and PLS software. Research findings showed that innovation management (ß = .390, t = 6.426, p < .001), market knowledge (ß = .296, t = 4.864, p < .001), and competitive intelligence (ß = .115, t = 2.190, p < .005) directly impact the efficient CRM systems for online retailing. Stakeholder management (ß = .283, t = 9.713, p < .001), project management (ß = .229, t = 5.458, p < .001), and business project management (ß = .544, t = 11.351, p < .001) are also effective through the mediator variable of entrepreneurial management (ß = .143, t = 2.314, p < .005) on the efficient CRM systems for online retailing.
A quantitative synthesis study on body mass index and associated factors among adult men and women in Switzerland
Authors: Matthes Katarina L. , Hartmann Christina , Siegrist Michael , Burnier Michel , Bochud Murielle , Zwahlen Marcel , Bender Nicole , Staub Kaspar
Published: August 2022

Excess weight is caused by multiple factors and has increased sharply in Switzerland since the 1990s. Its consequences represent a major challenge for Switzerland, both in terms of health and the economy. Until now, there has been no cross-dataset overview study on excess weight in adults in Switzerland. Therefore, our aim was to conduct the first synthesis on excess weight in Switzerland. We included all existing nationwide Swiss studies (eight total), which included information on body mass index (BMI). Mixed multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between different socio-demographic, lifestyle cofactors and the World Health Organization (WHO) categories for BMI. Along with lifestyle factors, socio-demographic factors were among the strongest determinants of BMI. In addition, self-rated health status was significantly lower for underweight, pre-obese and obese men and women than for normal weight persons. The present study is the first to synthesise all nationwide evidence on the importance of several socio-demographic and lifestyle factors as risk factors for excess weight. In particular, the highlighted importance of lifestyle factors for excess weight opens up the opportunity for further public health interventions.
Inferring time-dependent calving dynamics at Helheim Glacier
Authors: Downs Jacob , Brinkerhoff Douglas , Morlighem Mathieu
Published: August 2022

We perform Bayesian inference of the parameters of a time-dependent model of ice flow and calving at Helheim Glacier, East Greenland. We find that, while a time-independent calving parameterization can recover the mean observed terminus position, such a model is unable to recover sub-annual variability, even when forced with seasonally varying climate. To address this, we develop a simple stochastic model relating surface runoff rates and calving threshold. Again inferring model parameters from observations, we find that this parameterization is able to reproduce observations with respect to both mean position and characteristic temporal variability. This result demonstrates the importance of considering potential sub-annual controls on calving rates in numerical models, which may include variable undercutting rates or surface runoff-dependent surface crevasse propagation.
Exponential convergence to a quasi-stationary distribution for birth–death processes with an entrance boundary at infinity
Authors: He Guoman , Zhang Hanjun
Published: August 2022

We study the quasi-stationary behavior of the birth–death process with an entrance boundary at infinity. We give by the h-transform an alternative and simpler proof for the exponential convergence of conditioned distributions to a unique quasi-stationary distribution in the total variation norm. In addition, we also show that starting from any initial distribution the conditional probability converges to the unique quasi-stationary distribution exponentially fast in the
$\psi$
-norm.
IMPLICATIONS OF SINGLE-STEP GRAPHITIZATION FOR RECONSTRUCTING LATE HOLOCENE RELATIVE SEA-LEVEL USING RADIOCARBON-DATED ORGANIC COASTAL SEDIMENT
Authors: Sefton Juliet P , Kemp Andrew C , Elder Kathryn L , Hansman Roberta L , Roberts Mark L
Published: August 2022

Late Holocene relative sea-level reconstructions are commonly generated using proxies preserved in salt-marsh and mangrove sediment. These depositional environments provide abundant material for radiocarbon dating in the form of identifiable macrofossils (salt marshes) and bulk organic sediment (mangroves). We explore if single-step graphitization of these samples in preparation for radiocarbon dating can increase the number and temporal resolution of relative sea-level reconstructions without a corresponding increase in cost. Dating of salt-marsh macrofossils from the northeastern United States and bulk mangrove sediment from the Federated States of Micronesia indicates that single-step graphitization generates radiocarbon ages that are indistinguishable from replicates prepared using traditional graphitization, but with a modest increase in error (mean/maximum of 6.25/15 additional 14C yr for salt-marsh macrofossils). Low 12C currents measured on bulk mangrove sediment following single-step graphitization likely render them unreliable despite their apparent accuracy. Simulated chronologies for six salt-marsh cores indicate that having twice as many radiocarbon dates (since single-step graphitization costs ∼50% of traditional graphitization) results in narrower confidence intervals for sample age estimated by age-depth models when the additional error from the single-step method is less than ∼50 14C yr (∼30 14C yr if the chronology also utilizes historical age markers). Since these thresholds are greater than our empirical estimates of the additional error, we conclude that adopting single-step graphitization for radiocarbon measurements on plant macrofossils is likely to increase precision of age-depth models by more than 20/10% (without/with historical age markers). This improvement can be implemented without additional cost.
Prediction and copy number variation identification of ZNF146 gene related to growth traits in Chinese cattle
Authors: Ding X. T. , Liu X. , Li X. M. , Wen Y. F. , Xu J. W. , Liu W. J. , Li Z. M. , Zhang Z. J. , Chai Y. N. , Wang H. L. , Cheng B. W. , Liu S. H. , Hou B. , Huang Y. J. , Li J. G. , Li L. J. , Yang G. J. , Qi Z. F. , Chen F. Y. , Shi Q. T. , Wang E. Y. , Lei C. Z. , Chen H. , Ru B. R. , Huang Y. Z.
Published: August 2022

The great demographic pressure brings tremendous volume of beef demand. The key to solve this problem is the growth and development of Chinese cattle. In order to find molecular markers conducive to the growth and development of Chinese cattle, sequencing was used to determine the position of copy number variations (CNVs), bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the function of ZNF146 gene, real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used for CNV genotyping and one-way analysis of variance was used for association analysis. The results showed that there exists CNV in Chr 18: 47225201-47229600 (5.0.1 version) of ZNF146 gene through the early sequencing results in the laboratory and predicted ZNF146 gene was expressed in liver, skeletal muscle and breast cells, and was amplified or overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, which promoted the development of tumour through bioinformatics. Therefore, it is predicted that ZNF146 gene affects the proliferation of muscle cells, and then affects the growth and development of cattle. Furthermore, CNV genotyping of ZNF146 gene was three types (deletion type, normal type and duplication type) by Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR). The association analysis results showed that ZNF146-CNV was significantly correlated with rump length of Qinchuan cattle, hucklebone width of Jiaxian red cattle and heart girth of Yunling cattle. From the above results, ZNF146-CNV had a significant effect on growth traits, which provided an important candidate molecular marker for growth and development of Chinese cattle.
BAHA Attract to Osia conversion patients: comparison of the two systems and long-term outcomes
Authors: Szabo L , Nagy R , Posta B , Kiss J G , Rovo L , Bere Z
Published: August 2022

Objective

Osia is a new, transcutaneous, active bone-conduction implant. This study aimed to compare the BAHA Attract and the first-generation Osia system after BAHA Attract to Osia conversion surgery.

Method

Five patients who had previously used the BAHA Attract system were converted to the first generation of the Osia system. Surgical aspects of the two different systems, audiological performance and subjective opinions of the patients were investigated. Pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry in quiet was performed with each patient's BAHA 5 sound processor on Attract, and the test battery was repeated six weeks after the Attract to Osia conversion and at different time points after the first fitting. Details of the surgery and patients' feedback were analysed.

Results

Audiology tests showed significant improvement when using either system; however, the Osia system performance was better. Based on patient feedback, all the five implantees preferred the Osia system.

Conclusion

The study results suggest that the Osia system is a safe and powerful hearing implant that provides good clinical outcomes.
Towards a regulation of food advertising?
Authors: Tedstone A. E. , Bell H. , Brayley M. , Wall R.
Published: August 2022

For 20 years the UK Government has recognised that food advertising plays a part in food choices and hence diets of the population, particularly for children. In 2007 the UK brought in regulations to stop the advertising of less healthy foods on television (TV) during child-specific programming. Less healthy foods were defined using the 2004/2005 nutrient profiling model (NPM) as products high in saturated fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). Evaluations showed that children were still seeing and being affected by the adverts for less healthy foods. To try to mitigate childhood obesity, in 2018, the UK Government announced its intention to consult on further restrictions on the advertising of HFSS products on TV and online. Two years later, the intention to implement a 9pm advertising ban on TV and a further consultation on restricting online advertising of HFSS products was announced. New legislative controls on the advertising of HFSS foods are expected to be brought into legislation in the UK in January 2024. In the present paper, the history of advertising restrictions in the UK and the evidence informing them is reviewed. There will also be a reflection on where further actions might be needed in due course.
Finding “Harry Peglar”: Re-examining the discovery of a Franklin expedition sailor’s skeleton by the 1859 McClintock search expedition
Authors: Stenton Douglas R.
Published: August 2022

A review of historical documents concerning the 1859 discovery of the skeleton of a member of the 1845 Franklin expedition on southern King William Island revealed a significant but previously unrecognized geographical error about the site’s reported and mapped location. Archeological investigations conducted in 2019 established the site’s correct location and the fact that it had unwittingly been rediscovered in 1973. Misconceptions concerning the site’s location and key aspects of its interpretation highlight the importance of careful evaluation of historical and archeological data regarding the 1845 Franklin expedition.
Determination of protein–protein interactions at the single-molecule level using optical tweezers
Authors: Sánchez Wendy N. , Robeson Luka , Carrasco Valentina , Figueroa Nataniel L. , Burgos-Bravo Francesca , Wilson Christian A. M. , Casanova-Morales Nathalie
Published: August 2022

Biomolecular interactions are at the base of all physical processes within living organisms; the study of these interactions has led to the development of a plethora of different methods. Among these, single-molecule (in singulo) experiments have become relevant in recent years because these studies can give insight into mechanisms and interactions that are hidden for ensemble-based (in multiplo) methods. The focus of this review is on optical tweezer (OT) experiments, which can be used to apply and measure mechanical forces in molecular systems. OTs are based on optical trapping, where a laser is used to exert a force on a dielectric bead; and optically trap the bead at a controllable position in all three dimensions. Different experimental approaches have been developed to study protein–protein interactions using OTs, such as: (1) refolding and unfolding in trans interaction where one protein is tethered between the beads and the other protein is in the solution; (2) constant force in cis interaction where each protein is bound to a bead, and the tension is suddenly increased. The interaction may break after some time, giving information about the lifetime of the binding at that tension. And (3) force ramp in cis interaction where each protein is attached to a bead and a ramp force is applied until the interaction breaks. With these experiments, parameters such as kinetic constants (koff, kon), affinity values (KD), energy to the transition state ΔG≠, distance to the transition state Δx≠ can be obtained. These parameters characterize the energy landscape of the interaction. Some parameters such as distance to the transition state can only be obtained from force spectroscopy experiments such as those described here.
Design of gripping devices based on a globoid transmission for a robotic biomaterial aliquoting system
Authors: Voloshkin Artem , Rybak Larisa , Cherkasov Vladislav , Carbone Giuseppe
Published: August 2022

Every year the shortage of biosamples is increasing, while the requirements for their quality are constantly tightening, which requires the introduction of new technological solutions. To solve these problems, a robotic system for aliquoting biological liquid was developed. The aliquotation process is described. The station includes a serial robot on which a gripper based on a globoid worm is installed. The gripping device is parameterized and takes into account the gripping force for different finger deflections. 3D models were developed using Computer Aided Design (CAD) system tools, after which working layouts were created using 3D printing. The design process and test results are discussed to show the efficiency of the built prototype with lab tests.
EFFIGY CENSER AND FIGURINE PRODUCTION AT THE POSTCLASSIC MAYA CITY OF MAYAPAN, MEXICO
Authors: Peraza Lope Carlos , Masson Marilyn A. , Cruz Alvarado Wilberth , Russell Bradley W.
Published: August 2022

The spatial contexts of effigy censer and figurine molds at Mayapan, Yucatan, Mexico suggest a tightly controlled industry in which elite representatives of state government and religious orders exerted oversight over production and distribution. Attached artisans at Mayapan made these and other restricted goods for residents of palaces and patrons of the city's public buildings. The study of effigy ceramic production reveals that, like earlier, Classic period Maya kingdoms, Postclassic elites also sponsored the crafting of symbolically charged goods. This finding expands understanding of Postclassic period economic organization, which is best-known for its expansive regional market exchange. The limited distribution of effigy censers and figurines further attests their primary use in the context of state-sponsored ceremonies and, to a lesser extent, high-status mortuary settings. Unlike other places and times in Mesoamerica, neither figurines nor effigy censers are representative of household-scale religious practice for the majority of urban residents at Mayapan.
The good, the loyal or the active? MPs’ parliamentary performance and the achievement of static and progressive career ambitions in parliament
Authors: Schobess Richard , de Vet Benjamin
Published: August 2022

Although often theorized, empirical research on the relationship between MPs’ parliamentary behaviour and their chances to realize career ambitions is relatively scarce. This article holistically analyses the effect of MPs’ (1) party loyalty, (2) activity level and (3) the quality of their parliamentary work on MPs’ prospects for re-election and their promotion to higher parliamentary office. Based on a unique combination of behavioural and peer assessment data on 325 federal and regional MPs in Belgium (2014–2019), we find that particularly MPs’ loyalty and activity level improve their career prospects in the subsequent term, in contrast to more qualitative aspects of their parliamentary work. These findings provide important new insights into how and to what degree legislators are rewarded for their parliamentary performance.
A novel compact quad-band planar antenna using meander-line, multi-stubs, and slots for WiMAX, WLAN, LTE/5G sub-6 GHz applications
Authors: Maamria Tarek , Challal Mouloud , Benmahmoud Fateh , Fertas Khelil , Mesloub Ammar
Published: August 2022

This article concerns the design of a new quad-band monopole antenna with a specific configuration and reduced size. The antenna design is based on a single step meander-line parasitic structure, parasitic stubs, and double inverted L-shaped defected microstrip structure units on the top side of the substrate, and double rectangular-shaped defected ground structure units along with partial ground plane on the bottom side. This design procedure allows to achieve quad-band characteristics and improve the impedance matching. The fabricated antenna prototype with overall dimensions of (0.24λ0 × 0.17λ0 × 0.013λ0) is operating at 2.55, 3.65, 4.65, and 5.8 GHz with fractional bandwidth about 7.7, 12.84, 9.23, and 12.8%, respectively. The antenna exhibits an omnidirectional and a monopole like radiation patterns in the H- and E-planes, respectively, with suitable gains between 2.1 and 3.75 dBi. The measurement results are in good agreement with simulation values, which indicates that the proposed antenna design is suitable for WiMAX, LTE B7 (2.52–2.75 GHz), Sub-6 GHz 5G (n77) (3.39 – 3.87 GHz), Sub-6 GHz 5G (n78) (4.4–4.86 GHz), and WLAN, LTE B46 (5.1–5.82 GHz) wireless applications.
Measuring Employees’ Communication for Innovation: The Employee Innovation Potential Scale
Authors: Vrgović Petar , Walton Abram L. J. , Sandall Darrel L. , Dinić Bojana
Published: August 2022

Abstract. This research aimed to introduce and validate a new self-report measure of organizational communication related to early stages of employee-driven innovation – the Employee Innovation Potential Scale (EIPS). Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed consecutively on two samples of employees from Serbian companies ( N = 723). The final form of the EIPS comprises 25 items and measures four factors: insight into company problems and their causes, company values employees' ideas, idea communication, and interest in company improvements. Employees who shared more ideas had higher scores on all four factors compared to employees who did not share any ideas or just a few, which confirmed factors’ criterion validity. Moreover, employees who shared more global and radical ideas had higher scores on the first two factors. The results supported the four-factor solution of EIPS and its criterion validity.
Social Undermining and Three Forms of Organizational Commitment
Authors: Jing Emma Lei , Gellatly Ian R. , Feeney Justin R. , Inness Michelle
Published: August 2022

Abstract. In this study, we set out to challenge the widely held belief that mistreatment will always lower feelings of organizational commitment. We test this widespread belief by examining the relationship between social undermining (SU) and three forms of organizational commitment, affective, normative, and continuance commitment. Using time-lagged data provided by an online panel of 626 working adults, we found that exposure to SU lowered reported levels of affective (emotion-based) and normative (obligation-based) commitment but increased the level of continuance (economic-based) commitment. Subsequent moderated regression analyses revealed that the negative relations between SU and both affective and normative commitment were nuanced – they were both stronger for individuals whose anxious attachment was low rather than high. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Dietary Transition Determining the Tradeoff Between Global Food Security and Sustainable Development Goals Varied in Regions
Authors: Liu Yujie , Tan Qinghua , Chen Jie , Pan Tao , Penuelas Josep , Zhang Jie , Ge Quansheng
Published: August 2022

Global food security is directly linked to human health and sustainable development. It is critical to comprehensively twig future changes in global food demand and progress in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), considering the transition of dietary patterns. We presented a global‐scale analysis quantifying the status of national food consumption and SDG performance in 2017, and the food demands and SDG index scores in 2030 were predicted under three healthy dietary patterns using 11 SDG indicators. High‐income nations scored well on most SDG indicators but poorly on food waste and the environment. Total global food demand was projected to be the highest under the national dietary guidelines pattern (12.69–13.37 million ton/d) and the lowest under the WHO healthy diet pattern (10.55–11.18 million ton/d). However, food demand under different dietary patterns varied among regions. Transitioning from current diets to healthy diets was projected to gain SDG index score for most countries. Strategies for shifts in dietary patterns to determine the tradeoff between global food security and sustainable development should be tailored to local conditions. The EAT‐Lancet dietary pattern is an optimal choice for determining the tradeoff between food security and sustainable development on a global scale. Given the current status of food access and nutrition, the National and the WHO dietary patterns are recommended for Asia and Africa, respectively.
Kinetic Generation of Whistler Waves in the Turbulent Magnetosheath
Authors: Svenningsson I. , Yordanova E. , Cozzani G. , Khotyaintsev Yu. V. , André M.
Published: August 2022

The Earth's magnetosheath (MSH) is governed by numerous physical processes which shape the particle velocity distributions and contribute to the heating of the plasma. Among them are whistler waves which can interact with electrons. We investigate whistler waves detected in the quasi‐parallel MSH by NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. We find that the whistler waves occur even in regions that are predicted stable to wave growth by electron temperature anisotropy. Whistlers are observed in ion‐scale magnetic minima and are associated with electrons having butterfly‐shaped pitch‐angle distributions. We investigate in detail one example and, with the support of modeling by the linear numerical dispersion solver Waves in Homogeneous, Anisotropic, Multicomponent Plasmas, we demonstrate that the butterfly distribution is unstable to the observed whistler waves. We conclude that the observed waves are generated locally. The result emphasizes the importance of considering complete 3D particle distribution functions, and not only the temperature anisotropy, when studying plasma wave instabilities.
Extreme Poleward Expanding Super Plasma Bubbles Over Asia‐Pacific Region Triggered by Tonga Volcano Eruption During the Recovery‐Phase of Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Rajesh P. K. , Lin C. C. H. , Lin J. T. , Lin C. Y. , Liu J. Y. , Matsuo T. , Huang C. Y. , Chou M. Y. , Yue J. , Nishioka M. , Jin H. , Choi J. M. , Chen S. P. , Chou Marty , Tsai H. F.
Published: August 2022

The Tonga volcano eruption of 15 January 2022 unleashed a variety of atmospheric perturbations, coinciding with the recovery‐phase of a geomagnetic storm. The ensuing thermospheric variations created rare display of extreme poleward‐expanding conjugate plasma bubbles seen in the rate of total electron content index over 100–150°E, reaching ∼40°N geographic latitude. This is associated with fluctuations in FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 (F7/C2) ion‐density measurements and spread‐F in ionograms. Preceding to this, an unusually strong pre‐reversal enhancement (PRE) occurred in the global ionospheric specification (GIS) electron density profiles derived from F7/C2 observations. The GIS also revealed a decrease of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest density due to the storm impact. Reduced E‐region conductivity by volcano‐induced waves and enhanced F‐region wind, further accelerated by reduced ion‐drag over the EIA, apparently intensified the PRE. Accompanied with the strong PRE, volcano‐induced seed perturbations triggered the super plasma bubble activity.
Changes of Tropical Cyclones Landfalling in China From 1979 to 2018
Authors: Li Guangxin , Li Qinglan , Xu Yinglong , Xu Pengcheng , Wang Wenlan , Huang Dian , Wu Yueyuan , He Lunkai
Published: August 2022

This study investigates the long‐term changes of tropical cyclones (TCs) that originated over the western North Pacific (WNP) and made landfall in China from 1979 to 2018. The TC best track data sets from the three primary weather agencies, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), and the TCs landfall data from the CMA are used in this study. Trend analysis of the mean locations of the TCs' lifetime maximum intensity (LMI) suggests that the locations of the LMI of TCs have moved closer to the coast gradually. This shift may be associated with a landward migration of TC genesis. The changes in TC LMI possibly contribute to the slight increase in the TCs' landfall intensity and the significant growth of TCs' overland duration. Further analyses indicate that all these changes may be mainly due to both dynamic and thermodynamic conditions in the WNP, which tend to be more favorable for the formation and development of TCs, and some of the favorable conditions have shifted toward the land during the 40 years.
Convective Updraft and Downdraft Characteristics of Continental Mesoscale Convective Systems in the Model Gray Zone
Authors: Wang Dié , Prein Andreas F. , Giangrande Scott E. , Ramos‐Valle Alexandra , Ge Ming , Jensen Michael P.
Published: August 2022

The “gray zone” of convective modeling is defined as the range of horizontal grid spacings (Δx) at which turbulent transport processes are only partially resolved by the dynamics of the numerical model. This zone typically covers Δx from a few kilometers to several hundred meters, wherein the realistic representation of convective cloud processes can be challenging. This study characterizes the convective draft behaviors at multiple Δx across the gray zone and determines the appropriate Δx that can reliably capture these salient convective properties. We perform an ensemble of idealized simulations of mesoscale convective systems (MCS) using the Weather Research and Forecasting model at various Δx from 4 km to 250 m over the central U.S. An evaluation of key MCS kinematic properties is constrained using unique, long‐term vertical velocity estimates obtained by radar wind profilers deployed by the Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement user facility. MCS simulations for all Δx tested overestimate (underestimate) the probabilities of convective updrafts (downdrafts) compared to the observations. In terms of the convective draft intensity, finer‐Δx models overestimate the updraft intensity, while the opposite is found for downdrafts. Moving from Δx = 4 km to 250 m, downdrafts become stronger and more frequent especially at middle and upper levels, attributed to additional drag from an increasing graupel frequency and compensation of enhanced updraft velocity. Simulated draft characteristics, including core size, intensity, and probability of occurrence, exhibit pronounced changes at Δx greater than 500 m, but suggest less sensitivity when Δx is reduced below 500 m.
Specifying Satellite Drag Through Coupled Thermosphere‐Ionosphere Data Assimilation of Radio Occultation Electron Density Profiles
Authors: Dietrich Nicholas , Matsuo Tomoko , Hsu Chih‐Ting
Published: August 2022

The largest obstacle to managing satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) is accurately forecasting the neutral mass densities that appreciably impact atmospheric drag. Empirical thermospheric models are often used to estimate neutral densities but they struggle to forecast neutral densities during geomagnetic storms when they are highly variable. Physics‐based models are thus increasingly turned to for their ability to describe the dynamical evolution of neutral densities. However, these models require observations to constrain dynamical state variables to be able to forecast mass densities with adequate fidelity. The LEO environment has scarce neutral state observations. Here, we demonstrate, in simulated experiments, a reduction in orbit errors and neutral densities using a physics‐based, data assimilation approach with ionospheric observations. Using a coupled thermosphere‐ionosphere model, the Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model, we assimilate Constellation Observing System for Meterology, Ionosphere, and Climate electron density profiles (EDPs) derived from radio occultation (RO) observations. We use the EDPs to directly update neutral states, improving errors for neutral temperature by 70% and neutral winds by 20%. Updated neutral temperature and neutral winds additionally improve helium composition errors by 60% and 40%, respectively. Improved neutral density estimates correspond to a reduction in orbit errors of 1.2 km over 2 days, a 70% reduction over a no‐assimilation control, and a 29 km improvement over 9 days. This study builds on the results of our earlier work to further develop and demonstrate the potential of using a vast and growing RO data source, with a physics‐based model, to overcome our limited number of neutral observations.
Content and delivery preferences for information to support the management of high blood pressure
Authors: Chapman N. , Marques F. Z. , Picone D. S. , Adji A. , Broughton B. R. S. , Dinh Q. N. , Gabb G. , Lambert G. W. , Mihailidou A. S. , Nelson M. R. , Stowasser M. , Schlaich M. , Schultz M. G. , Mynard J. P. , Climie R. E.
Published: August 2022

Blood pressure(BP) management interventions have been shown to be more effective when accompanied by appropriate patient education. As high BP remains poorly controlled, there may be gaps in patient knowledge and education. Therefore, this study aimed to identify specific content and delivery preferences for information to support BP management among Australian adults from the general public. Given that BP management is predominantly undertaken by general practitioners(GPs), information preferences to support BP management were also ascertained from a small sample of Australian GPs. An online survey of adults was conducted to identify areas of concern for BP management to inform content preferences and preferred format for information delivery. A separate online survey was also delivered to GPs to determine preferred information sources to support BP management. Participants were recruited via social media. General public participants (n = 465) were mostly female (68%), >60 years (57%) and 49% were taking BP-lowering medications. The management of BP without medications, and role of lifestyle in BP management were of concern among 30% and 26% of adults respectively. Most adults (73%) preferred to access BP management information from their GP. 57% of GPs (total n = 23) preferred information for supporting BP management to be delivered via one-page summaries. This study identified that Australian adults would prefer more information about the management of BP without medications and via lifestyle delivered by their GP. This could be achieved by providing GPs with one-page summaries on relevant topics to support patient education and ultimately improve BP management.
Fundamentals and comprehensive insights on pulsed laser synthesis of advanced materials for diverse photo- and electrocatalytic applications
Authors: Theerthagiri Jayaraman , Karuppasamy K. , Lee Seung Jun , Shwetharani R. , Kim Hyun-Seok , Pasha S. K. Khadheer , Ashokkumar Muthupandian , Choi Myong Yong
Published: August 2022

The global energy crisis is increasing the demand for innovative materials with high purity and functionality for the development of clean energy production and storage. The development of novel photo- and electrocatalysts significantly depends on synthetic techniques that facilitate the production of tailored advanced nanomaterials. The emerging use of pulsed laser in liquid synthesis has attracted immense interest as an effective synthetic technology with several advantages over conventional chemical and physical synthetic routes, including the fine-tuning of size, composition, surface, and crystalline structures, and defect densities and is associated with the catalytic, electronic, thermal, optical, and mechanical properties of the produced nanomaterials. Herein, we present an overview of the fundamental understanding and importance of the pulsed laser process, namely various roles and mechanisms involved in the production of various types of nanomaterials, such as metal nanoparticles, oxides, non-oxides, and carbon-based materials. We mainly cover the advancement of photo- and electrocatalytic nanomaterials via pulsed laser-assisted technologies with detailed mechanistic insights and structural optimization along with effective catalytic performances in various energy and environmental remediation processes. Finally, the future directions and challenges of pulsed laser techniques are briefly underlined. This review can exert practical guidance for the future design and fabrication of innovative pulsed laser-induced nanomaterials with fascinating properties for advanced catalysis applications.
MEK1/2 inhibition rescues neurodegeneration by TFEB-mediated activation of autophagic lysosomal function in a model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Chun Yoon Sun , Kim Mi-Yeon , Lee Sun-Young , Kim Mi Jeong , Hong Tae-Joon , Jeon Jae Kyong , Ganbat Dulguun , Kim Hyoung Tae , Kim Sang Seong , Kam Tae-In , Han Sungho
Published: August 2022

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which is characterized by cognitive deficit due to synaptic loss and neuronal death. Extracellular amyloid β plaques are one of the pathological hallmarks of AD. The autophagic lysosomal pathway is the essential mechanism to maintain cellular homeostasis by driving clearance of protein aggregates and is dysfunctional in AD. Here, we showed that inhibiting MEK/ERK signaling using a clinically available MEK1/2 inhibitor, trametinib (GSK1120212, SNR1611), induces the protection of neurons through autophagic lysosomal activation mediated by transcription factor EB (TFEB) in a model of AD. Orally administered trametinib recovered impaired neural structures, cognitive functions, and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in 5XFAD mice. Trametinib also reduced Aβ deposition via induction of autophagic lysosomal activation. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed upregulation of autophagic lysosomal genes by trametinib administration. In addition, trametinib inhibited TFEB phosphorylation at Ser142 and promoted its nuclear translocation, which in turn induced autophagic lysosomal related genes, indicating that trametinib activates the autophagic lysosomal process through TFEB activation. From these observations, we concluded that MEK inhibition provides neuronal protection from the Aβ burden by increasing autophagic lysosomal activity. Thus, MEK inhibition may be an effective therapeutic strategy for AD.
Astrocyte biomarker signatures of amyloid-β and tau pathologies in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ferrari-Souza João Pedro , Ferreira Pâmela C. L. , Bellaver Bruna , Tissot Cécile , Wang Yi-Ting , Leffa Douglas T. , Brum Wagner S. , Benedet Andréa L. , Ashton Nicholas J. , De Bastiani Marco Antônio , Rocha Andréia , Therriault Joseph , Lussier Firoza Z. , Chamoun Mira , Servaes Stijn , Bezgin Gleb , Kang Min Su , Stevenson Jenna , Rahmouni Nesrine , Pallen Vanessa , Poltronetti Nina Margherita , Klunk William E. , Tudorascu Dana L. , Cohen Ann D. , Villemagne Victor L. , Gauthier Serge , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Souza Diogo O. , Karikari Thomas K. , Zimmer Eduardo R. , Rosa-Neto Pedro , Pascoal Tharick A.
Published: August 2022

Astrocytes can adopt multiple molecular phenotypes in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Here, we studied the associations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) levels with brain amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathologies. We assessed 121 individuals across the aging and AD clinical spectrum with positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging for Aβ ([18F]AZD4694) and tau ([18F]MK-6240), as well as CSF GFAP and YKL-40 measures. We observed that higher CSF GFAP levels were associated with elevated Aβ-PET but not tau-PET load. By contrast, higher CSF YKL-40 levels were associated with elevated tau-PET but not Aβ-PET burden. Structural equation modeling revealed that CSF GFAP and YKL-40 mediate the effects of Aβ and tau, respectively, on hippocampal atrophy, which was further associated with cognitive impairment. Our results suggest the existence of distinct astrocyte biomarker signatures in response to brain Aβ and tau accumulation, which may contribute to our understanding of the complex link between reactive astrogliosis heterogeneity and AD progression.
Increased genetic diversity loss and genetic differentiation in a model marine diatom adapted to ocean warming compared to high CO2
Authors: Jin Peng , Wan Jiaofeng , Zhou Yunyue , Gao Kunshan , Beardall John , Lin Jiamin , Huang Jiali , Lu Yucong , Liang Shiman , Wang Kaiqiang , Ma Zengling , Xia Jianrong
Published: August 2022

Although high CO2 and warming could act interactively on marine phytoplankton, little is known about the molecular basis for this interaction on an evolutionary scale. Here we explored the adaptation to high CO2 in combination with warming in a model marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Whole-genome re-sequencing identifies, in comparison to populations grown under control conditions, a larger genetic diversity loss and a higher genetic differentiation in the populations adapted for 2 years to warming than in those adapted to high CO2. However, this diversity loss was less under high CO2 combined with warming, suggesting that the evolution driven by warming was constrained by high CO2. By integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and physiological data, we found that the underlying molecular basis for this constraint is associated with the expression of genes involved in some key metabolic pathways or biological processes, such as the glyoxylate pathway, amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, and diel variability. Our results shed new light on the evolutionary responses of marine phytoplankton to multiple environmental changes in the context of global change and provide new insights into the molecular basis underpinning interactions among those multiple drivers.
Obsessive compulsive symptom dimensions are linked to altered white-matter microstructure in a community sample of youth
Authors: Grazioplene Rachael G. , DeYoung Colin G. , Hampson Michelle , Anticevic Alan , Pittenger Christopher
Published: August 2022

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) are common in school-aged children and predict the development of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). White-matter abnormalities have been described in OCD, but the white matter correlates of OCS in the developing brain are unclear. Some correlates of OCS (or a diagnosis of OCD) may reflect correlates of a transdiagnostic or even general psychopathology factor. We examined these questions in a large sample of typically developing youth (N = 1208), using a hierarchical analysis of fixel-based white matter measures in relation to OCS and general psychopathology. General psychopathology was associated with abnormalities in the posterior corpus callosum and forceps major in an age-dependent manner, suggesting altered maturation (specifically, hypermaturation in younger subjects). A unidimensional measure of OCS did not associate with any white-matter abnormalities, but analysis of separate OCS dimensions (derived from factor analysis within this sample) revealed the ‘Bad Thoughts’ dimension to associate with white-matter abnormalities in dorsal parietal white-matter and descending corticospinal tracts, and the ‘Symmetry’ dimension to associate with abnormalities in the anterior corpus callosum. Repetition/checking and Symmetry OCS were additionally associated with posterior abnormalities overlapping with the correlates of general psychopathology. Contamination symptoms had no white-matter correlates. Secondary analysis of fractional anisotropy (FA) revealed distinct white-matter abnormalities, suggesting that fixel-based and FA analyses identify distinct features of white matter relevant to psychopathology. These findings suggest that OCS dimensions correlate with dissociable abnormalities in white matter, implicating separable networks. Future studies should examine these white-matter signatures in a longitudinal framework.
Neural and behavioral effects of modification of visual attention in body dysmorphic disorder
Authors: Wong Wan-Wa , Rangaprakash D. , Diaz-Fong Joel P. , Rotstein Natalie M. , Hellemann Gerhard S. , Feusner Jamie D.
Published: August 2022

In individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), perceptual appearance distortions may be related to selective attention biases and aberrant visual scanning, contributing to imbalances in global vs. detailed visual processing. Treatments for the core symptom of perceptual distortions are underexplored in BDD; yet understanding their mechanistic effects on brain function is critical for rational treatment development. This study tested a behavioral strategy of visual-attention modification on visual system brain connectivity and eye behaviors. We acquired fMRI data in 37 unmedicated adults with BDD and 30 healthy controls. Participants viewed their faces naturalistically (naturalistic viewing), and holding their gaze on the image center (modulated viewing), monitored with an eye-tracking camera. We analyzed dynamic effective connectivity and visual fixation duration. Modulated viewing resulted in longer mean visual fixation duration compared to during naturalistic viewing, across groups. Further, modulated viewing resulted in stronger connectivity from occipital to parietal dorsal visual stream regions, also evident during the subsequent naturalistic viewing, compared with the initial naturalistic viewing, in BDD. Longer fixation duration was associated with a trend for stronger connectivity during modulated viewing. Those with more severe BDD symptoms had weaker dorsal visual stream connectivity during naturalistic viewing, and those with more negative appearance evaluations had weaker connectivity during modulated viewing. In sum, holding a constant gaze on a non-concerning area of one’s face may confer increased communication in the occipital/parietal dorsal visual stream, facilitating global/holistic visual processing. This effect shows persistence during subsequent naturalistic viewing. Results have implications for perceptual retraining treatment designs.