bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-Menarcheal Growth Patterns in a Contemporary Cohort of Latino Girls
Authors: Gaete Ximena , Ferrer-Rosende Pedro , Pereira Ana , Mericq Verónica
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Menarche is the last stage of pubertal development, which coincides with the completion of longitudinal growth. As a consequence of the lack of national and up-to-date data related to post-menarcheal (PM) growth, the aim of our work was to evaluate PM growth in a group of contemporary healthy Chilean girls followed, prospectively, until 4 years PM. Methods: This study was nested within the GOCS cohort, in a prospective fashion. The girls were followed yearly after menarche for at least for 4 years. We modeled each girl’s growth using a SuperImposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) model. Results: A total of 534 girls were evaluated prospectively; 399 girls had height measured 2 years after menarche, 421 after 3 years, and 364 of 534 had height measured at 4 years PM. Expected height gained PM in the complete study group was 6.6 ± 2.5 cm. We observed that the largest gain in height occurred after the first year PM (3.8 ± 1.5 cm). According to the age of menarche, the group with earlier menarche (<11 years old) had a greater height gain in cm after 4 years PM (8.2 ± 3.2 cm) and the smallest gain was among girls with menarche at an age older than 13 years (4.4 ± 1.6) (p < 0.001). Age at menarche was significantly associated with all PM growth patterns (size, timing, and intensity), indicating that girls with older age at menarche grew taller, later, and slower than girls with younger age at menarche. Adjusting the PM growth pattern by BMI maintained all these associations. Applying the SITAR model specifically, girls experiencing menarche after the age of 13 years exhibited slower growth, occurring slightly earlier and with less intensity when adjusted by BMI at menarche. Conclusion: In a national and updated dataset, we observed that girls grew until 4 years PM an average of 6.6 ± 2.5 cm, with greatest gain occurring in the first year PM (3.8 ± 1.5 cm). Age at menarche was associated with menarche growth patterns.
The Evaluation and Management of Methimazole-Induced Agranulocytosis in the Pediatric Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Fredette Meghan E. , Sasidharan Pillai Sabitha , Ibrahim Osama , Kochhar Manpreet , Cotton Travis M. , Rogo Tanya O. , Scheffler Margaret D. , Bauer Andrew J.
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Agranulocytosis is a rare but serious complication of methimazole (MMI) use for Graves’ disease (GD). Treatment requires discontinuation of MMI, and the use of propylthiouracil (PTU) is also contraindicated. Few reports exist about the optimal alternative treatment regimens for the management of thyrotoxicosis in these medically complex patients in the pediatric population. Case Report: We report prolonged saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) use (29 days) in a 17-year-old female with GD and MMI-induced agranulocytosis, who presented with septic shock. Her treatment course also included β-blockade, cholestyramine, and granulocyte colony stimulating factor. We performed a review of the literature on the use of SSKI in the management of thyrotoxicosis, as well as best practices from the view of endocrinology, infectious disease, hematology, surgery, and intensivists, for the evaluation and management of MMI-induced agranulocytosis. Discussion: The management of MMI-induced agranulocytosis and associated sequelae require subspecialty input and intensive evaluation and monitoring. Alternative treatments to manage hyperthyroidism and control symptoms of thyrotoxicosis during agranulocytosis are a bridge to definitive therapy and include β-blockade, SSKI, cholestyramine, steroids, lithium, and plasmapheresis.
Utilization of the heat from combustion of water for the heating process in water desalination
Authors: Permadi Adi , Syamsuddin Arief , Widyaningrum Trianik , Satar Ibdal , Suharto Totok Eka , Pitoyo Joko
Published: January 2024

The volume of municipal waste has become a national problem so far, so a solution is needed to reduce the waste problem. One solution to reduce the volume of municipal waste is to burn waste. However, the combustion needs to be designed to take advantage of the heat generated by combustion. In this study, the process of burning waste with various types of waste materials was carried out. The heat of burning waste is used to evaporate 1 liter of seawater and the seawater vapor is cooled to produce distilled water. The volume of distilled water and the precipitated salt were weighed. The results of the research from the variation of 6 types of waste materials obtained that the type of clothing waste material gave the fastest time, which was 43.75 minutes, the amount of distilled water was 931 ml, and salt deposited as much as 30 grams. The test results on distilled water showed that almost all parameters met the requirements of drinking water and obtained a salt content of 84%. Further processing by adjusting the hardness is needed to process distilled water into clean water and the addition of iodine can be considered to produce iodized salt.
Business enterprise architecture in fitness center using the open group architecture framework
Authors: Jonathan Eric , Andry Johanes Fernandes
Published: January 2024

Sports currently have an impact on human life, especially in the health sector. One way of exercising that is popular with many people today is by exercising at the fitness center. One of them is a fitness center located in Bandung. This research aims to obtain design results that can adapt business processes in fitness centers and can help the company's performance so that its vision and mission are achieved. The current business process is still experiencing problems because business has not yet been integrated with information technology (IT), so a business process proposal was made using the business architecture method. By conducting interviews and observations, data can be collected. From this data, it can be seen that business implementation in fitness centers is not yet optimal, so it is necessary to develop information system technology that is in line with the company's business. This technology development is based on business architecture which produces a company blueprint and is assisted by the open group architecture framework (TOGAF) which can help analyze company needs. The results of this research are in the form of recommendations which will later be proposed so that benefits for the company can be achieved more quickly.
The Use of Frozen Theme Strategic Intervention Material to Improve the Uniformly Accelerated Motion Proficiency of Grade 9 Students
Authors: Pantilon Lasheundra Nie D.
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to determine the used of Frozen Theme Strategic Intervention Material in improving the uniformly accelerated motion (UAM) proficiency of grade nine students at Jesus F. Magsaysay Technical Vocational High School. The study used quasi-experimental research method which involved fourthy five students in the control group and fourthy five in the experimental group. The control group was taught using the traditional method of instruction (TMI) while the experimental group was taught using the Frozen Theme Strategic Intervention Material (FT-SIM). A fifty-item conceptual test and the UAM Learning Strategies questionnaire were the tools used in the study.

The study revealed that a typical Grade nine student is aged fourteen and male. Prior to the treatment, the Grade nine students in both the control and experimental groups were performing Fairly Satisfactory in terms of level of proficiency.  After the treatment, the students’ proficiency on UAM in the experimental group had improved to Very Satisfactory while the control group remained to be in the Fairly Satisfactory level. There is a significant difference in the level of proficiency of science students in the experimental group and no significant difference was noted in the control group.  Both the control and experimental groups rarely practice the learning strategies in the uniformly accelerated motion (UAM), hence, the strategic intervention material was developed.  The content teachers evaluated the instructional material as very useful.
A natureza imaterial do homem: estudo comparativo do vitalismo homeopático com as principais concepções médicas e filosóficas. 2ª ed.
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina, Teixeira Marcus Zulian
Published: January 2024

Além da materialidade grosseira do corpo físico, sempre se acreditou na existência de uma natureza imaterial do homem, assumindo várias conotações ao longo das diversas épocas e civilizações humanas. Em todas as filosofias e religiões, termos como alma, espírito, mente, força vital, etc. são citados, representando uma entidade energética-espiritual com ascendência sobre a entidade orgânica-material. Além disso, atribui-se ao Espírito (Alma) uma natureza eterna, imortal, ao contrário da existência limitada e passageira do corpo físico. Até o século XIX, existia na Medicina a noção de uma força vital responsável pela manutenção do equilíbrio das funções orgânicas e da saúde, sendo substituída, no século XX, pelos princípios cartesianos que localizaram a causa das doenças nos órgãos, nos tecidos e nas células. Dentre as especialidades médicas atuais, a Homeopatia apresenta em seu corpo doutrinário concepções científicas e filosóficas. Dentre essas, propaga a noção de que o binômio saúde doença se fundamenta num substrato material-energético (corpo físico-força vital). Apesar de utilizar esse conceito filosófico para tentar explicar a gênese profunda das enfermidades, apresenta um modelo terapêutico fundamentado nos conhecimentos experimentais e científicos da Medicina moderna. Nessa obra, procuramos estudar comparativamente as diversas escolas médicas (Homeopatia, Medicina Tradicional Chinesa, Medicina Ayurvédica e Medicina Antroposófica) e filosóficas (Hinduismo, Ocultismo, Teosofia, Rosacruz, Cabala e Espiritismo) que valorizam os veículos sutis de manifestação da individualidade humana (princípio vital, mente, alma, espírito, etc.), evidenciando, através das inúmeras semelhanças conceituais encontradas, que este conhecimento metafísico se originou de uma fonte primordial comum, incorporando-se à cultura de todas as civilizações primevas. Através das inúmeras citações e referências bibliográficas desta obra, o leitor poderá se aprofundar no estudo desta natureza imaterial humana, sem que alimentemos a pretensão de esgotar um assunto de tamanha complexidade e importância para o entendimento do homem e de seu papel no atual ciclo de evolução da Terra.
Effect of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Analysis From the Perspective of Long‐Term Variability
Authors: He Lixiang , Liu Menghui , Zhuang Xiaodong , Guo Yue , Wang Peng , Zhou Zhuoming , Chen Zhuohui , Peng Longyun , Liao Xinxue
Published: January 2024

Background

An association between variability of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular events has been reported. We examined whether intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) for weight loss decreased variability of cardiovascular risk factors with a view to additional cardiometabolic benefits.

Methods and Results

This study was a post hoc secondary analysis of the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) study. Cardiovascular risk factors were measured at 1‐year intervals for 4 years in 4249 adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes who were randomly assigned to ILI or diabetes support and education. Long‐term variability was defined as the SD of cardiovascular risk factors during 4‐year follow‐up. At multiple linear regression analysis, compared with the diabetes support and education group, the ILI group was associated with reduced variability of fasting blood glucose (β=−1.49 [95% CI, −2.39 to −0.59]), total cholesterol (β=−1.12 [95% CI, −1.75 to −0.48]), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (β=−1.04 [95% CI, −1.59 to −0.49]), as well as increased variability of systolic blood pressure (β=0.27 [95% CI, 0.00–0.54]). No significant effect of ILI was found on the variability of diastolic blood pressure (β=−0.08 [95% CI, −0.22 to 0.05]).

Conclusions

Among adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes, ILI may reduce long‐term variability of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Our results support that ILI should be recommended to individuals with diabetes as part of management of long‐term glycemic and blood lipid control.
COVID‐19 Infection Is Associated With Poor Outcomes in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Renedo Daniela , Leasure Audrey C. , Young Rebecca , Rivier Cyprien A. , Alhanti Brooke , Mac Grory Brian , Messe Steven R. , Reeves Mathew J. , Hassan Ameer E. , Schwamm Lee , de Havenon Adam , Matouk Charles C. , Sheth Kevin N. , Falcone Guido J.
Published: January 2024

Background

Patients with ischemic stroke and concomitant COVID‐19 infection have worse outcomes than those without this infection, but the impact of COVID‐19 on hemorrhagic stroke remains unclear. We aimed to assess if COVID‐19 worsens outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods and Results

We conducted an observational study of ICH outcomes using Get With The Guidelines Stroke data. We compared patients with ICH who were COVID‐19 positive and negative during the pandemic (March 2020–February 2021) and prepandemic (March 2019–February 2020). Main outcomes were poor functional outcome (defined as a modified Rankin scale score of 4 to 6 at discharge), mortality, and discharge to a skilled nursing facility or hospice. The first stage included 60 091 patients with ICH who were COVID‐19 negative and 1326 COVID‐19 positive. In multivariable analyses, patients with ICH with versus without COVID‐19 infection had 68% higher odds of poor outcome (odds ratio [OR], 1.68 [95% CI, 1.41–2.01]), 51% higher odds of mortality (OR, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.33–1.71]), and 66% higher odds of being discharged to a skilled nursing facility/hospice (OR, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.43–1.93]). The second stage included 62 743 prepandemic and 64 681 intrapandemic cases with ICH. In multivariable analyses, patients with ICH admitted during versus before the COVID‐19 pandemic had 10% higher odds of poor outcomes (OR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.07–1.14]), 5% higher mortality (OR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.02–1.08]), and no significant difference in the risk of being discharged to a skilled nursing facility/hospice (OR, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.90–0.95]).

Conclusions

The pathophysiology of the COVID‐19 infection and changes in health care delivery during the pandemic played a role in worsening outcomes in the patient population with ICH.
Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes Associated With Permanent Pacemaker Implantation Following Tricuspid Valve Surgery
Authors: Kassab Joseph , Harb Serge C. , Desai Milind Y. , Gillinov A. Marc , Layoun Habib , El Dahdah Joseph , Chedid El Helou Michel , Nakhla Shady , Elgharably Haytham , Kapadia Samir R. , Cremer Paul C. , Mentias Amgad
Published: January 2024

Background

Data regarding permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation following tricuspid valve surgery (TVS) are limited. We sought to evaluate its incidence, risk factors, and outcomes.

Methods and Results

Medicare beneficiaries who underwent TVS from 2013 to 2020 were identified. Patients who underwent TVS for endocarditis were excluded. The primary exposure of interest was new PPM after TVS. Outcomes included all‐cause mortality and readmission with endocarditis or heart failure on follow‐up. Among the 13 294 patients who underwent TVS, 2518 (18.9%) required PPM placement. Risk factors included female sex (relative risk [RR], 1.26 [95% CI, 1.17–1.36],
P
<0.0001), prior sternotomy (RR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.02–1.23],
P
=0.02), preoperative second‐degree heart block (RR, 2.20 [95% CI, 1.81–2.69],
P
<0.0001), right bundle‐branch block (RR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.03–1.41],
P
=0.019), bifascicular block (RR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.06–1.93],
P
=0.02), and prior malignancy (RR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.01–1.49],
P
=0.04). Tricuspid valve (TV) replacement was associated with a significantly higher risk of PPM implantation when compared with TV repair (RR, 3.20 [95% CI, 2.16–4.75],
P
<0.0001). After a median follow‐up of 3.1 years, mortality was not different in patients who received PPM compared with patients who did not (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02 [95% CI, 0.93–1.12],
P
=0.7). PPM placement was not associated with a higher risk of endocarditis but was associated with a higher risk of heart failure readmission (HR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.14–1.43],
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

PPM implantation frequently occurs after TVS, notably in female patients and patients undergoing TV replacement. Although mortality is not increased, it is associated with higher rates of heart failure rehospitalization.
Culprit Lesion Vessel Size and Risk of Reperfusion Injury in ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Lechner Ivan , Reindl Martin , Tiller Christina , Holzknecht Magdalena , Oberhollenzer Fritz , Mayr Agnes , Bauer Axel , Metzler Bernhard , Reinstadler Sebastian J.
Published: January 2024

Background

Microvascular obstruction (MVO) and intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) are well‐established imaging biomarkers of failed myocardial tissue reperfusion in patients with ST‐segment elevation–myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. MVO and IMH are associated with an increased risk of adverse outcome independent of infarct size, but whether the size of the culprit lesion vessel plays a role in the occurrence and severity of reperfusion injury is currently unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the association between culprit lesion vessel size and the occurrence and severity of reperfusion injury as determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods and Results

Patients (n=516) with first‐time ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction underwent evaluation with cardiac magnetic resonance at 4 (3–5) days after infarction. MVO was assessed with late gadolinium enhancement imaging and IMH with T2* mapping. Vessel dimensions were determined using catheter‐based reference. Median culprit lesion vessel size was 3.1 (2.7–3.6) mm. MVO and IMH were found in 299 (58%) and 182 (35%) patients. Culprit lesion vessel size was associated with body surface area, diabetes, total ischemic time, postinterventional thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow, and infarct size. There was no association between vessel size and MVO or IMH in univariable and multivariable analysis (
P
>0.05). These findings were consistent across patient subgroups with left anterior descending artery and non–left anterior descending artery infarctions and those with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow post–percutaneous coronary intervention.

Conclusions

Comprehensive characterization of myocardial tissue reperfusion injury by cardiac magnetic resonance revealed no association between culprit lesion vessel size and the occurrence of MVO and IMH in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction.
Dyslipidemia and Efficacy of Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Acute Moderate Ischemic Stroke: A Post Hoc Analysis of the RICAMIS Study
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Na , Wu Qiong , Zhang Nan‐Nan , Chen Hui‐Sheng
Published: January 2024

Background

Ischemic conditioning‐induced cardioprotection was attenuated by dyslipidemia in some animal and clinical studies, which is not investigated in patients with stroke. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the RICAMIS (Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Acute Moderate Ischemic Stroke) trial to investigate the association of dyslipidemia on admission with the efficacy of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC).

Methods and Results

In this analysis, eligible patients were divided into dyslipidemia and normal‐lipid groups according to the levels of 4 blood lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol), which were further subdivided into RIC and control subgroups. We analyzed the differences in functional outcome between RIC and control subgroups in dyslipidemia and normal‐lipid patients, respectively, and the interaction effects of RIC treatment with blood lipid levels were evaluated. Among 1776 patients from intention‐to‐treat analysis, 1419 patients with data of blood lipid profiles were included in the final analysis. A significantly higher proportion of modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 1 was identified in the RIC versus control subgroup across the normal‐total cholesterol group (69.9% versus 63.5%;
P
=0.04), normal‐triglycerides group (68.1% versus 60.5%;
P
=0.016), high–low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol group (65.7% versus 57.7%;
P
=0.025), and normal–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol group (68.3% versus 60.5%;
P
=0.005). Similar statistical trends were found in the high‐total cholesterol group (62.8% versus 55.5%;
P
=0.059), high‐triglycerides group (67.8% versus 60.1%;
P
=0.099), normal–low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol group (69.8% versus 63.7%;
P
=0.105), but no statistical significance was found in the low–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol group (63.4% versus 61%;
P
=0.705). Furthermore, no significant interaction effect of RIC intervention by blood lipid profiles was found. Similar results were obtained for lipids as continuous variables.

Conclusions

Blood lipids on admission was not associated with the neuroprotective effect of RIC.
Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition: The Societal Implications of Policy and Legislation on Renewable Energy
Authors: Nurhidayah Laely , Alam Shawkat , Utomo Nurrahman Aji , Suntoro Agus
Published: January 2024

The global shift to decarbonization and a sustainable economic development underscores the importance of a just energy transition. In 2019, Indonesia’s energy sector accounted for 34.5 per cent of its total emissions (lulucf included). While transitioning to green energy is paramount, it is laden with interwoven challenges encompassing technological innovation, infrastructure expansion, financing, and harmonizing socio-economic and environmental outcomes. At the heart of a just energy transition is the commitment to counteract potential setbacks, such as unemployment, ecological degradation, and ensuring equitable prospects within the transformative phase. This article delves into Indonesia’s legislative and policy framework regarding energy transition, spotlighting the obstacles and potentialities of implementing current strategies as well as contemplating the formulation of future policies that champion justice in the energy metamorphosis. Our research methodology includes a literature review with extensive interviews with pivotal stakeholders. The goal is to gauge the ramifications of Indonesia’s energy policies in their social, economic, and environmental dimensions. While Indonesia has an impressive potential in renewable energy resources, a distinct challenge remains – the absence of transparency in orchestrating a just energy transition. Forthcoming legislation and strategies should focus on community needs, particularly of marginalized people, ensuring that they benefit from a just energy transition. Incorporating stakeholders in policy deliberations is vital to shape comprehensive, inclusive strategies.
A Critical Feminist Evaluation of Climate Adaptation Law and Policy: The Case of Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Macpherson Elizabeth , Masselot Annick , Jefferson David , Gunn Julia
Published: January 2024

Laws and policies designed to help communities adapt to the effects of climate change are proliferating around the world. Our analysis of Aotearoa New Zealand’s adaptation policies reveals that the experiences of women are not adequately accounted for, and that technocratic, masculinist, and top-down adaptation approaches have been prioritized over knowledges and approaches from diverse perspectives. We argue for a critical feminist reconceptualization of climate adaptation, based on: (1) taking a relational approach to embedding an ethics of care; (2) putting equity and justice in context; and (3) acknowledging diverse agency and knowledge production. Our approach suggests possible paths toward more inclusive and equitable climate adaptation based on relational understandings of reciprocal, human-environment relationships. This analysis has broad, global relevance for other countries that seek to adopt adaptation policies, by identifying possible new pathways toward just and equitable climate adaptation.
“Chunjiang huayue ye” in the History of Sinographic Literature in East Asia
Authors: Bian Dongbo
Published: January 2024

Zhang Ruoxu’s poem “Chunjiang huayue ye,” reached Japan and Korea in the anthology Tangshi xuan compiled by the Ming dynasty scholar Li Panlong. In the mid-Edo period, under the influence of the “Kobunjigaku” (Ancient Rhetoric School) represented by Ogyū Sorai, the Tangshi xuan anthology enjoyed a phase of great popularity and became the widest-read Tang poetry work at the time. Because “Chunjiang huayue ye” was included in Tangshi xuan, it was also widely read. Many versions of Tangshi xuan containing abundant commentaries on “Chunjiang huayue ye” were published in Japan; most of these focus on art appreciation and comment on the poem in considerable depth. China, Japan, and Korea also produced many response poems and imitations of “Chunjiang huayue ye.” Of these, the Chinese imitations were closest to the original work, the Japanese ones had greater ideological depth and echoed the commentaries on the poem, and the Korean ones were all rhymed response poems that were integrated into Korean culture over time. As a literary classic, “Chunjiang huayue ye” transcended its original era and at the same time broke the barriers of space, becoming world literature appreciated by people in other countries.
Investigations on the immature stages of some species of Eulecaniinae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae)
Authors: ĐUROVIĆ GORDANA , SPODEK MALKIE , ÜLGENTÜRK SELMA
Published: January 2024

The dependence on adult female morphology for the determination of soft scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) creates several problems. In this paper, various nymphal stages of soft scale insects from the Ankara district of Türkiye and Israel, belonging to Coccidae: subfamily Eulecaniinae, namely Eulecanium cerasorum (Cockerell), E. ciliatum (Douglas), E. tiliae (Linnaeus), Paleolecanium bituberculatum (Signoret), Physokermes piceae (Schrank) and Rhodoccus perornatus (Cockerell & Parrott) were studied. The morphology of all the nymphal stages of these species is described and illustrated, and identification keys are provided to each instar. The results show that nymphal stages can be used to accurately identify soft scale insect species.
Geostationary Satellite–Derived Positioning of a Tropical Cyclone Center Using Artificial Intelligence Algorithms over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Ho Chang-Hoi , Hyeon Donggyu , Chang Minhee , McFarquhar Greg , Won Seong-Hee
Published: January 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) models were developed to determine the center of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the western North Pacific. These models integrated information from six channels of geostationary satellite imagery: the brightness temperature of four infrared (IR) and one shortwave IR channels, as well as the reflectivity of one visible channel. The first model is a convolutional neural network designed for spatial data processing, and the second is a convolutional long short-term memory model that effectively captures spatiotemporal information. For training, verification, and testing purposes, spatial images from six channels were obtained from the Japanese Himawari-8 satellite from 2016 to 2021. The position of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts 6- or 12-h prediction was assigned as an initial value to the AI models. Errors in the initial value were 20–50 km compared to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center best track, depending on TC intensity. Weak (strong) TCs exhibited large (small) errors. This error dependency was found in Automated Rotational Center Hurricane Eye Retrieval (ARCHER) product, which is currently used by several operational organizations. ARCHER errors were typically small when observations from both geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites were included. Significant errors remained in the absence of microwave channel information from polar-orbiting satellites. This study successfully developed two AI models that consistently determined the location of the TC center using only six-channel images from geostationary satellites. These models exhibited comparable or better performance than the ARCHER products. The newly developed AI models can potentially be implemented for operational use.
Projected Changes in Mean and Extreme Precipitation over Northern Mexico
Authors: Nazarian Robert H. , Brizuela Noel G. , Matijevic Brody J. , Vizzard James V. , Agostino Carissa P. , Lutsko Nicholas J.
Published: January 2024

Northern Mexico is home to more than 32 million people and is of significant agricultural and economic importance for the country. The region includes three distinct hydroclimatic regions, all of which regularly experience severe dryness and flooding and are highly susceptible to future changes in precipitation. To date, little work has been done to characterize future trends in either mean or extreme precipitation over northern Mexico. To fill this gap, we investigate projected precipitation trends over the region in the NA-CORDEX ensemble of dynamically downscaled simulations. We first verify that these simulations accurately reproduce observed precipitation over northern Mexico, as derived from the Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP) product, demonstrating that the NA-CORDEX ensemble is appropriate for studying precipitation trends over the region. By the end of the century, simulations forced with a high-emissions scenario project that both mean and extreme precipitation will decrease to the west and increase to the east of the Sierra Madre highlands, decreasing the zonal gradient in precipitation. We also find that the North American monsoon, which is responsible for a substantial fraction of the precipitation over the region, is likely to start later and last approximately three weeks longer. The frequency of extreme precipitation events is expected to double throughout the region, exacerbating the flood risk for vulnerable communities in northern Mexico. Collectively, these results suggest that the extreme precipitation-related dangers that the region faces, such as flooding, will increase significantly by the end of the century, with implications for the agricultural sector, economy, and infrastructure.

Significance Statement

Northern Mexico regularly experiences severe flooding and its important agricultural sector can be heavily impacted by variations in precipitation. Using high-resolution climate model simulations that have been tested against observations, we find that these hydroclimate extremes are likely to be exacerbated in a warming climate; the dry (wet) season is projected to receive significantly less (more) precipitation (approximately ±10% by the end of the century). Simulations suggest that some of the changes in precipitation over the region can be related to the North American monsoon, with the monsoon starting later in the year and lasting several weeks longer. Our results also suggest that the frequency of extreme precipitation will increase, although this increase is smaller than that projected for other regions, with the strongest storms becoming 20% more frequent per degree of warming. These results suggest that this region may experience significant changes to its hydroclimate through the end of the century that will require significant resilience planning.
Reassessing the Role and the Benefits of Junior Ministers in Coalition Governments
Authors: Shpaizman Ilana
Published: January 2024

Junior ministers are very common in coalition governments. Existing research argues that parties assign junior ministers to satisfy the office goals of coalition partners or as a mechanism to manage delegation costs. This article aims to reassess this argument. Using interviews, personal calendars, coalition agreements and an original data set on junior ministers in Israel, it finds that junior ministers are engaged in policymaking either on general issues under the ministry’s jurisdiction or issues that are salient to their party. Although rival junior ministers have the capacity and the incentive to monitor the minister, they do so only on the margins, either because they do not need to, or because they focus on safeguarding their policymaking autonomy. Finally, all junior ministers assist the minister and represent the ministry.
Live-Streaming Tourism: Model Development and Validations
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Li Bin , Hua Nan
Published: January 2024

Based on affordance theory, this study proposes the attributes of live streaming tourism (enjoyment, escapism, social presence, synchronism, self-presentation, social interaction, and utility) and examines their impacts on consumers’ attitudes and behavioral intentions concerning tourism destinations. In this study, data were collected from 985 respondents to cross-validate the proposed theoretical model using three distinct approaches: an experimental design, a cross-sectional survey on memory recall experiences, and cross-cultural (US vs. Chinese) sample comparisons. Multi-group PLS-SEM results indicated that Chinese tourists emphasized social presence in live streaming tourism, whereas US tourists ascribed more value to synchronism in live streaming tourism than their Chinese counterparts. Self-presentation and utility were two robust factors in live streaming tourism that influenced tourists’ visiting intentions. In the recollection of live streaming tourism experiences, self-presentation, synchronicity, and utility were critical factors that led to positive outcomes for tourism destinations. However, in the study’s experiments, escape, self-presentation, and social plkkresence were the most important factors that affected tourists’ behaviors.
Event-triggered practical tracking control for an uncertain free-flying flexible-joint space robot with dead-zone input
Authors: Li Jian , Liang Yuqi , Zhu Lingling , Wu Zhaojing
Published: January 2024

This paper is devoted to the event-triggered practical tracking control of a class of uncertain free-flying flexible-joint space robots (FFSRs) under unknown dead-zone input. The remarkable characteristics of the paper are reflected by the coarse information on the reference signal since its time derivatives are not necessarily available for feedback, and moreover, by the serious uncertainties which contain unknown nonlinear dynamics, parameters without known nominal parts, and the external disturbance. Then, the traditional control schemes on this topic become incapable. For this, a novel event-triggered control scheme is proposed by a skilful use of adaptive technique. Specifically, a dynamic gain with a smart choice of its updating law is incorporated into the vectorial backstepping framework, which not only overcomes the serious uncertainties contained in the system and dead-zone input but also handles the influence of sampling errors. Consequently, two adaptive event-triggered controllers are designed which ensure that all the states of the resulting closed-loop system are bounded while the system output practically tracks the reference signal, along with the exclusion of the Zeno phenomenon. Finally, an example is given to validate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.
Development and Validation of the Emotion Laden Sentences Toolbox for Emotion Recognition (ELSTER)
Authors: Verma Rohit , Kalsi Navkiran , Shrivastava Neha Priya , Sheerha Anita , Dhyani Ishita , Narnoli Shubham
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Emotion recognition plays a crucial role in our social interactions and overall well-being. The present cross-sectional study aimed to develop and validate Emotion Laden Sentences Toolbox for Emotion Recognition (ELSTER), that utilizes emotion-laden sentences as stimuli to assess individuals’ ability to perceive and identify emotions conveyed through written language.

Methods:

In Phase I, a comprehensive set of emotion-laden sentences in English language were validated by 25 (eight males and 17 females) qualified mental health professionals (MHPs). In Phase II, the sentences that received high interrater agreement in Phase I were selected and then a Hindi version of the same sentences was also developed. The English and Hindi database was then validated among 50 healthy individuals (30 males and 20 females).

Results:

The percentage hit rate for all the emotions after exclusion of contempt was 84.3% with a mean kappa for emotional expression being 0.67 among MHPs. The percentage hit rate of all emotion-laden sentences across the database was 81.43% among healthy lay individuals. The mean hit rate percentage for English sentences was similar to Hindi sentences with a mean kappa for emotional expression being 0.63 for the combined English and Hindi sentences.

Conclusion:

The ELSTER database would be useful in the Indian context for researching textual emotion recognition. It has been validated among a group of experts as well as healthy lay individuals and was found to have high inter-rater reliability.
Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Patients with Schizophrenia and Its Relation with Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Padmanabhan Anu , Prabhu Padma B. , Vidyadharan Varsha , Tharayil Harish M.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Schizophrenia is a chronic severe mental illness with heterogeneous clinical presentation, course, and outcome. Cognitive impairment is one of its core features. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) imaging using OCT (optical coherence tomography) could provide easy access for in vivo imaging of the retina, rendering it as a “window to the brain.” Studies done on schizophrenia have shown RNFL thinning. This study attempts to look into the association between cognitive impairment, disease duration, and RNFL abnormality in patients with schizophrenia using OCT.

Methods:

Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia meeting DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria and who were confirmed to be in remission for at least six months clinically and scoring less than three on PANSS-8 (positive and negative symptom scale-8) remission scale were included. They were administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) for cognitive assessment. RNFL measures were taken using spectral domain-OCT. Variables were compared using Pearson’s correlation test, one-way ANOVA test, and independent t-test as appropriate.

Results:

A total of 36 patients were studied. MoCA scores and RNFL thickness showed a positive correlation. Patients with schizophrenia had reduced average RNFL thickness and reduced RNFL thickness in superior, inferior, and temporal quadrants. Average RNFL thickness, Superior and inferior quadrant RNFL thickness showed a positive correlation with MoCA scores. No correlation was obtained between macular volume, macular thickness, duration of illness, and MoCA scores.

Conclusion:

Patients with schizophrenia have reduced average RNFL thickness. Patients with low MoCA scores have RNFL thinning.
Effect of quick acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy on improving motor and swallowing function in patients with stroke
Authors: Ma Yinfei , Guo Hairui , Geng Lijuan , Jia Zhongfen , Li Guangzhi , Shen Wei , Wang Jianyu
Published: January 2024

Objective

To investigate the effect of quick acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy on motor and swallowing function of patients with stroke.

Design

A retrospective study.

Setting

Single center study.

Participants

One hundred and twenty patients with stroke were divided into control and observation group based on the therapeutic regimen.

Intervention

Control group (n = 60) only received rehabilitation therapy, and observation group (n = 60) received rehabilitation therapy combined with quick acupuncture. Acupuncture was performed once a day, and 6 times/week for 4 consecutive weeks.

Main measures

The simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment scale and Barthel index were used to assess limb motor function and daily living ability. The Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale and Swallowing Quality of Life questionnaire were conducted to estimate the dysphagia severity and life quality of patients with swallowing disorders. The therapeutic efficacy and complications after treatment were analyzed and counted.

Results

After treatment, the scores of the observation group were significantly improved compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). In the observation group, the therapeutic efficacy was 93% (n = 56); the complication rate was 5% (n = 3); the therapeutic efficacy of the control group was 75% (n = 45); and the complication rate was 25% (n = 15), indicating that the therapeutic efficacy of the observation group is better and the incidence of complications is lower than that of the control group.

Conclusion

This study suggests that rehabilitation therapy combined with rapid acupuncture therapy has a potential therapeutic effect on the relief of swallowing and motor dysfunction after stroke.
The potential of group music education for developing empathy: An empirical study
Authors: Cuervo Laura , Campayo Emilia
Published: January 2024

This study examines the effect on students’ empathy of using group music activities based on composition and improvisation strategies. The research was carried out over a 9-month period using a pre–posttest control group quasi-experimental design. Sixty-three students took part in the study: 32 in the experimental group and 31 in the control group. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index scale was used to provide a multidimensional approach to measure empathy. The scale’s cognitive components, perspective taking and fantasy, and its emotional components, empathic concern and personal distress, were adopted in the study. The research design used was quasi-experimental, as it was not possible to randomize the sample. Results show significant differences in empathy and cooperation skills between secondary students after implementing the music composition and improvisation activities in the experimental group. These students enhanced their ability to break with routine and place themselves in an imaginary situation that they associated with their musical creations. Moreover, helping them to understand others through the translation of personal emotions and moods into musical sequences contributed to the development of consideration of others’ viewpoints and helped to reduce confrontation in the classroom. This way, musical activities in groups based on creative strategies had potential to improve students’ empathy.
Investigating the relevance of the advanced activities of daily living tool for the screening and diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and dementia to the Sub-Saharan African migrant population in Belgium: A qualitative focus group study
Authors: Lamnteh Mary Edna J , Gorus Ellen , Dominique Van De Velde , Rose Njemini , Patricia De Vriendt
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Early diagnosis of dementia is partly based on the evaluation of the basic (b-), instrumental (i-) and advanced (a-) activities of daily living (ADL). Adapting the item content of assessment tools to maintain relevance, understanding, and equivalence of the items and scales across other groups is pertinent. However, there are limited assessment tools developed on or adapted for use on the growing older Sub-Saharan African (SSA) migrant population in Europe. Focusing on the item content, we evaluated the relevance of the advanced activities of daily living (a-ADL) tool to the older SSA migrant population in Belgium.

Method:

Two focus group discussions were organized with participants from the SSA community in Gent, Belgium. Relevant, irrelevant, unclear, and new items were identified. The data was analyzed through the inductive method while consensus agreements were used to arrive at refined themes.

Results:

Out of the 49 items on the tool, both groups unanimously agreed that 15 items were relevant and 23 irrelevant. Thirteen new items were identified, whereas 15 items were considered unclear.

Conclusion:

Participants agreed the tool was relevant but should be adapted. Verification and validation of these results in a larger SSA older migrant population in Belgium is strongly recommended.
Effects of Adaptive Cruise Control System on Traffic Flow and Safety Considering Various Combinations of Front Truck and Rear Passenger Car Situations
Authors: Bai Jun , Lee Jaeyoung , Mao Suyi
Published: January 2024

Existing studies on the heterogeneity in traffic flow have considered either conventional car–truck or conventional vehicle–automated vehicle combinations. Nevertheless, these assumptions are not realistic as there will be possible combinations of cars–trucks and conventional–automated vehicles in the future. This study aims to investigate heterogeneous traffic flow with or without an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system for the pair of a front truck and a rear passenger car. Vissim microscopic traffic simulation software and the HighD dataset were applied. The major findings include the following. (1) The greater the penetration rate of ACC vehicles in the same speed interval, the smaller the space headway of the rear car. (2) Both conventional and ACC cars accelerate or decelerate frequently when their speeds exceed that of the front truck in the car-following state. In the free-flow state, a conventional car keeps a constant speed or accelerates, while an ACC car mainly adopts an acceleration strategy. (3) The variation of speed differences and space headways is smallest when both the front truck and rear car have ACC. (4) The probability of conflicts between the front truck and rear car pair decreases with the increase of market penetration of ACC vehicles. Compared to conventional cars, the rear car equipped with ACC exhibits a lower probability of conflicts. Statistical tests further confirmed the significant differences between any two of the four combinations based on the ACC equipment.