bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Working through a pandemic: The mediating effect of nurses' health on the relationship between working conditions and turnover intent
Authors: Havaei Farinaz , Tang Xuyan , Adhami Nassim , Kaulius Megan , Boamah Sheila A. , McMillan Kimberly
Published: October 2023

Aim

While research has demonstrated that nurses' health and working conditions are important predictors of turnover in COVID‐19, the relationship between these factors is not well understood. Our study investigated the mechanism through which working conditions and nurses' physical and mental health could impact intent to leave the nursing profession.

Design

Secondary data from a cross‐sectional survey of 3478 nurses in British Columbia administered in May 2021 were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Methods

Two models were assessed utilizing workplace conditions as the predictor, nurses' health as the mediator, and reported turnover intent (Model 1), and anticipated time to turnover (Model 2) as the outcomes.

Results

Nurses' health partially mediated the relationship between working conditions and turnover intent, where poorer workplace conditions were directly and indirectly associated with greater likelihood of leaving the profession. Nurses' health fully mediated the relationship between working conditions and nurses' anticipated time to turnover, after controlling for age. The findings from this study underscore the importance of enhancing working conditions and improving nurses' mental health and safety on the job.

Patient or Public Contribution

The British Columbia Nurses' Union provided the data for this study; survey data from 3478 nurses were utilized in our study.
Incomplete capture of apremilast in Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum: An example of exposure misclassification of specialty treatments in United Kingdom general practice databases
Authors: Persson Rebecca , Jick Susan
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Nearly all apremilast users captured in Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum have only one prescription, which is inconsistent with its prescribing pattern. The goal of this study was to assess capture of apremilast prescriptions in CPRD Aurum by comparison to CPRD GOLD and general practitioner (GP) questionnaires.

Methods

We compared the number of apremilast prescriptions for patients in Aurum to (1) those in GOLD and (2) those reported by the GPs via questionnaire responses.

Results

There were 441 Aurum patients with an apremilast prescription (424 [96%] in England) and 341 GOLD patients (11 [3%]) in England). In Aurum 91% of all patients (and 96% of English patients) had only one apremilast prescription while in GOLD 29% of all patients (and 82% of English patients) had only one prescription. We received questionnaire responses from GPs for 50 of 390 (13%) patients participating in Aurum who had 57 total apremilast exposed months captured in Aurum. GPs reported 8 (16%) patients with only one prescription and a median of 4 (range 1–35) apremilast prescriptions per patient, yielding 463 total months of apremilast exposure.

Conclusions

CPRD Aurum captures only one apremilast prescription for most recorded users, though questionnaire responses indicated most patients received multiple prescriptions. Researchers using any UK GP database should be aware of potential for significant exposure misclassification of apremilast and other treatments classified as specialist or shared care by local Area Prescribing Committees.
Identification of genes associated with abiotic stress tolerance in sweetpotato using weighted gene co‐expression network analysis
Authors: Kitavi Mercy , Gemenet Dorcus C. , Wood Joshua C. , Hamilton John P. , Wu Shan , Fei Zhangjun , Khan Awais , Buell C. Robin
Published: October 2023

Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.), a key food security crop, is negatively impacted by heat, drought, and salinity stress. The orange‐fleshed sweetpotato cultivar “Beauregard” was exposed to heat, salt, and drought treatments for 24 and 48 h to identify genes responding to each stress condition in leaves. Analysis revealed both common (35 up regulated, 259 down regulated genes in the three stress conditions) and unique sets of up regulated (1337 genes by drought, 516 genes by heat, and 97 genes by salt stress) and down regulated (2445 genes by drought, 678 genes by heat, and 204 genes by salt stress) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) suggesting common, yet stress‐specific transcriptional responses to these three abiotic stressors. Gene Ontology analysis of down regulated DEGs common to both heat and salt stress revealed enrichment of terms associated with “cell population proliferation” suggestive of an impact on the cell cycle by the two stress conditions. To identify shared and unique gene co‐expression networks under multiple abiotic stress conditions, weighted gene co‐expression network analysis was performed using gene expression profiles from heat, salt, and drought stress treated ‘Beauregard’ leaves yielding 18 co‐expression modules. One module was enriched for “response to water deprivation,” “response to abscisic acid,” and “nitrate transport” indicating synergetic crosstalk between nitrogen, water, and phytohormones with genes encoding osmotin, cell expansion, and cell wall modification proteins present as key hub genes in this drought‐associated module. This research lays the groundwork for exploring to a further degree, mechanisms for abiotic stress tolerance in sweetpotato.
Differences in muscle activity during squat exercises according to the knee angle and standing angle of a sliding tilt table: A comparative study
Authors: Park Tae Sung , Shin Myung‐Jun , Kang Jong Ho
Published: October 2023

Background and Purpose

Weight‐bearing exercises can help improve physical function; however, they may be difficult to perform in patients with neurological issues or lower limb fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of the leg muscles during squatting when using a new exercise aid designed to help patients with difficulty in performing squats, termed the sliding tilt table, at different knee angles and to estimate the squat level for each angle.

Methods

This study was a cross‐sectional, observational study performed in the general community. Participants comprised 30 healthy adult men. Squats were performed by setting the knee joints at 30, 60, and 90° and the tilt table angles to 15, 30, and 45°. The muscle activity of the vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius was measured using surface electromyography.

Results

As the tilt table and knee joint angle increased, the %maximal voluntary isometric contraction increased. Similar patterns were found in both legs.

Conclusions

Weight‐bearing exercises, such as squats, are important exercise elements in patients who require lower limb rehabilitation. Therefore, it is necessary to provide efficient lower limb rehabilitation exercises by adjusting the squat level according to the patient's ability, which can be achieved using a sliding tilt table.
Duration of and time to response in oncology clinical trials from the perspective of the estimand framework
Authors: Weber Hans‐Jochen , Corson Stephen , Li Jiang , Mercier François , Roychoudhury Satrajit , Sailer Martin Oliver , Sun Steven , Todd Alexander , Yung Godwin ,   the Industry Working Group on Estimands in Oncology
Published: October 2023

Duration of response (DOR) and time to response (TTR) are typically evaluated as secondary endpoints in early‐stage clinical studies in oncology when efficacy is assessed by the best overall response and presented as the overall response rate. Despite common use of DOR and TTR in particular in single‐arm studies, the definition of these endpoints and the questions they are intended to answer remain unclear. Motivated by the estimand framework, we present relevant scientific questions of interest for DOR and TTR and propose corresponding estimand definitions. We elaborate on how to deal with relevant intercurrent events which should follow the same considerations as implemented for the primary response estimand. A case study in mantle cell lymphoma illustrates the implementation of relevant estimands of DOR and TTR. We close the paper with practical recommendations to implement DOR and TTR in clinical study protocols.
The efficacy of natural bioactive compounds against prostate cancer: Molecular targets and synergistic activities
Authors: Mia Md. Abdur Rashid , Dey Dipta , Sakib Musfiqur Rahman , Biswas Md. Yeaman , Prottay Abdullah Al Shamsh , Paul Niloy , Rimti Fahmida Hoque , Abdullah Yusuf , Biswas Partha , Iftehimul Md. , Paul Priyanka , Sarkar Chandan , El‐Nashar Heba A. S. , El‐Shazly Mohamed , Islam Muhammad Torequl
Published: October 2023

Globally, prostate cancer (PCa) is regarded as a challenging health issue, and the number of PCa patients continues to rise despite the availability of effective treatments in recent decades. The current therapy with chemotherapeutic drugs has been largely ineffective due to multidrug resistance and the conventional treatment has restricted drug accessibility to malignant tissues, necessitating a higher dosage resulting in increased cytotoxicity. Plant‐derived bioactive compounds have recently attracted a great deal of attention in the field of PCa treatment due to their potent effects on several molecular targets and synergistic effects with anti‐PCa drugs. This review emphasizes the molecular mechanism of phytochemicals on PCa cells, the synergistic effects of compound‐drug interactions, and stem cell targeting for PCa treatment. Some potential compounds, such as curcumin, phenethyl‐isothiocyanate, fisetin, baicalein, berberine, lutein, and many others, exert an anti‐PCa effect via inhibiting proliferation, metastasis, cell cycle progression, and normal apoptosis pathways. In addition, multiple studies have demonstrated that the isolated natural compounds: d‐limonene, paeonol, lanreotide, artesunate, and bicalutamide have potential synergistic effects. Further, a significant number of natural compounds effectively target PCa stem cells. However, further high‐quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals against PCa.
A rare case of lipoid pneumonia mimicking lung malignancy on radiological imaging: A case report
Authors: Yuen Chi Sum , Zhu Tong , Chu Shun Him Colin
Published: October 2023

Lipoid pneumonia is a rare benign lung disease pathologically characterized by the presence of lipids in the alveoli. It may mimic lung malignancy on radiological imaging. In this case report we present a case of lipoid pneumonia that radiologically manifested as a lung mass and summarize the typical investigation findings and the management of the disease from the literature review to serve as a reminder of and refresh our knowledge of this rare disease entity.
Re: Impaired ascending aortic elasticity in fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Bassareo P. P.
Published: October 2023

This Correspondence comments on Xu et al. Click here to view the article.
Data Assimilation: A Dynamic Homotopy-Based Coupling Approach
Authors: Reich Sebastian
Published: October 2023

Homotopy approaches to Bayesian inference have found wide- spread use especially if the Kullback–Leibler divergence between the prior and the posterior distribution is large. Here we extend one of these homotopy approaches to include an underlying stochastic diffusion process. The underlying mathematical problem is closely related to the Schrödinger bridge problem for given marginal distributions. We demonstrate that the proposed homotopy approach provides a computationally tractable approximation to the underlying bridge problem. In particular, our implementation builds upon the widely used ensemble Kalman filter methodology and extends it to Schrödinger bridge problems within the context of sequential data assimilation.
On the 3D Navier-Stokes Equations with Stochastic Lie Transport
Authors: Goodair Daniel , Crisan Dan
Published: October 2023

We prove the existence and uniqueness of maximal solutions to the 3D SALT (Stochastic Advection by Lie Transport) Navier-Stokes Equation in velocity and vorticity form, on the torus and the bounded domain respectively. In particular we demonstrate the efficacy of Goodair et al. (Existence and Uniqueness of Maximal Solutions to SPDEs with Applications to Viscous Fluid Equations, 2023. Stochastics and Partial Differential Equations: Analysis and Computations, pp.1-64) in showing the well-posedness for both the velocity and vorticity form of the equation, as well as obtaining the first analytically strong existence result for a fluid equation perturbed by Lie transport noise on a bounded domain.
Existence and non-existence results for a semilinear fractional Neumann problem
Authors: Cinti Eleonora , Colasuonno Francesca
Published: October 2023

We establish a priori $$L^\infty $$

L
∞

-estimates for non-negative solutions of a semilinear nonlocal Neumann problem. As a consequence of these estimates, we get non-existence of non-constant solutions under suitable assumptions on the diffusion coefficient and on the nonlinearity. Moreover, we prove an existence result for radial, radially non-decreasing solutions in the case of a possible supercritical nonlinearity, extending to the case $$0<s\le 1/2$$

0
<
s
≤
1
/
2

the analysis started in [7].
Global Perceptions on ERAS® in Pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Karunakaran Monish , Roulin Didier , Ullah Shahid , Shrikhande Shailesh V. , De Boer Hans D. , Demartines Nicolas , Barreto Savio George
Published: October 2023

Background

Uptake of ERAS® pathways for pancreatic surgery have been slow and impacted by low compliance.

Objective

To explore global awareness, perceptions and practice of ERAS® peri‐pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

A structured, web‐based survey (EPSILON) was administered through the ERAS® society and IHPBA membership.

Results

The 140 respondents included predominantly males (86.4%), from Europe (45%), practicing surgery (95%) at academic/teaching hospitals (63.6%) over a period of 10–20 years (38.6%). Most respondents identified themselves as general surgeons (68.6%) with 40.7% reporting an annual PD volume of 20–50 cases, practicing post‐PD clinical pathways (37.9%), with 31.4% of respondents auditing their outcomes annually. Reduced medical complications, cost and hospital length of stay, and improved patient satisfaction were perceived benefits of compliance to enhancing‐recovery. Multidisciplinary co‐ordination was considered the most important factor in the implementation and sustainability of peri‐PD ERAS® pathways, while reluctance to change among health care practitioners, difficulties in data collection and audit, lack of administrative support, and recruitment of an ERAS® dedicated nurse were reported to be important barriers.

Conclusions

The EPSILON survey highlighted global clinician perceptions regarding the benefits of compliance to peri‐PD ERAS®, the importance of individual components, perceived facilitators and barriers, to the implementation and sustainability of these pathways.
Low incidence of severe acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease in a long-term retrospective study with ATG Grafalon routine use
Authors: Kovacsova Flora , Folber Frantisek , Weinbergerova Barbora , Stepanova Radka , Kabut Tomas , Tomiska Miroslav , Krejci Marta , Mayer Jiri
Published: October 2023

Since 2006, combined graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with ATG Grafalon has been our department’s base of peri-transplant supportive care. This recent retrospective study included 398 patients who underwent their first allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after receiving a defined dose of ATG Grafalon. Our observations recorded reduced incidence of severe acute and chronic GVHD without negative impact on overall survival in a nonselected group with standard and uniform GVHD prophylaxis.
Prevalence, demographic and spatial distribution of treated epilepsy in France in 2020: a study based on the French national health data system
Authors: Coste Joël , Mandereau-Bruno Laurence , Carcaillon-Bentata Laure , Mikaeloff Yann , Bouilleret Viviane
Published: October 2023

Background

Although still incomplete, the epidemiology of epilepsy shows substantial variations in the burden of the condition according to demographic, social and territorial characteristics. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of treated epilepsy and to investigate its demographic and spatial distribution in 2020 in France, a country where the nationwide epidemiological situation of the condition remains largely unknown.

Methods

We used the French national health data system, which covers nearly the entire population residing in France (over 67 million of inhabitants in metropolitan and overseas departments). Prevalent cases were identified using long-term disease status, hospitalisation for epilepsy (ICD-10 codes G40 or G41), and reimbursements for antiseizure medications and electroencephalograms.

Results

In 2020, we identified 685,122 epilepsy cases, corresponding to an overall prevalence of 10.2 per 1000 inhabitants [95% confidence interval 10.1–10.2], with similar rates in men and women. Estimates were found to increase with age, with an accelerated rise in the second half of the life, which occurred earlier in men than in women. We observed a monotonic gradient of variation with socio-economic deprivation (in non-military metropolitan subjects aged 18–54 years) as well as territorial heterogeneity, with the mountainous centre of France as well as some French overseas departments having the highest prevalence.

Conclusions

Our results revise upwards the estimation of epilepsy prevalence in France, showing that it now ranks among the highest in developed countries. Our study also confirms the important socio-territorial heterogeneity of the condition that reflects health inequalities in this country.
Photovoltaic system fault detection techniques: a review
Authors: El-Banby Ghada M. , Moawad Nada M. , Abouzalm Belal A. , Abouzaid Wessam F. , Ramadan E. A.
Published: October 2023

Solar energy has received great interest in recent years, for electric power generation. Furthermore, photovoltaic (PV) systems have been widely spread over the world because of the technological advances in this field. However, these PV systems need accurate monitoring and periodic follow-up in order to achieve and optimize their performance. The PV systems are influenced by various types of faults, ranging from temporary to permanent failures. A PV system failure poses a significant challenge in determining the type and location of faults to quickly and cost-effectively maintain the required performance of the system without disturbing its normal operation. Therefore, a suitable fault detection system should be enabled to minimize the damage caused by the faulty PV module and protect the PV system from various losses. In this work, different classifications of PV faults and fault detection techniques are presented. Specifically, thermography methods and their benefits in classifying and localizing different types of faults are addressed. In addition, an overview of recent techniques using different artificial intelligence tools with thermography methods is also presented.
Product life cycles, product innovation and firm growth
Authors: Murakami Hiroki
Published: October 2023

This paper studies research and development (R &D) for product innovation of firms faced with “product life cycles.” We represent the concept of product life cycles with bounded revenue and profit functions and describe R &D for product innovation as an activity to control the “birth rate of a new product” (i.e., the probability of product innovation). We then derive the optimal level of R &D, corresponding to the optimal birth rate of a new product, and show that the growth rate of the firm’s expected total revenue converges to the optimal birth rate of a new product in the long run.
Efficacy of ethyl-4-bromophenyl carbamate on different Rhipicephalus microplus stages implanted in cattle
Authors: Iturbe-Requena Sandra Lizeth , Cuenca-Verde César , Prado-Ochoa María Guadalupe , Vázquez-Valadez Víctor Hugo , Muñoz-Guzmán Marco Antonio , Angeles Enrique , Alba-Hurtado Fernando
Published: October 2023

The effect of ethyl-4-bromophenyl carbamate on different Rhipicephalus microplus stages implanted in cattle was evaluated using the pen test with infestation chambers. Twelve steers were distributed into four groups (n = 3), each with four chambers (12 chambers per group), where approximately 1,000 R. microplus larvae were placed in each chamber. The chambers of the first group were sprayed with a solution of ethyl-4-bromophenyl carbamate (0.668 mg/mL) on day 2 post-infestation (PI) (exposed larvae). The chambers of the second group were sprayed with the same solution on day 8 PI (exposed nymphs), and the chambers of the third group were sprayed on day 16 PI (exposed adults) with the same solution. The chambers of the fourth group were used as controls. The percentages of engorged females, egg laying, egg production and egg hatching were evaluated in all groups. The percentage of cumulative reduction of hatched larvae was 98.3, 96.1 and 94.4% when larvae, nymph and adult stages were treated, respectively. The average cumulative reduction of hatched larvae, considering the three treated stages, was 96.3%, whereby the reproductive potential of this tick was drastically reduced. In conclusion, ethyl-4-bromophenyl carbamate acted as an ixodicide (lethal effect) when larval stages were sprayed and as a growth regulator when nymphal and adult stages were sprayed. The sum of these effects had a direct impact on the efficacy of the product in the pen test, and future studies will indicate the potential use of this product for tick control.
Expert knowledge–based system for risk assessment of the occurrence of Amyloodinium ocellatum in semi-intensive fish farms
Authors: Gutiérrez-Estrada Juan Carlos , de la Rosa-Lucas Ignacio , Pomares-Padilla Alejandro , Pulido-Calvo Inmaculada
Published: October 2023

The implementation of a system to assess the risk of Amyloodinium ocellatum occurrence in rearing ponds in fish farms located in southern Spain is a fundamental aspect to ensure the economic viability of these facilities. For this purpose, a computer program (called Amy) for Windows PCs and an application for mobile devices (AmyAPP), based on the Android operating system, were developed integrating transformation functions and weightings associated with environmental parameters and fish behavioural factors from which it is possible to estimate the level of risk of occurrence of A. ocellatum. The weights for each of the environmental parameters and behavioural factors were estimated from the responses of a panel of experts (the fish farmers) using a Delphi methodology. The results indicate that, under operational validation, Amy/AmyAPP responses were statistically sensitive to the occurrence of A. ocellatum outbreaks in sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) rearing ponds.
Associations between Family Routines, Family Relationships, and Children’s Behavior
Authors: Hosokawa Rikuya , Tomozawa Riho , Katsura Toshiki
Published: October 2023

Consistent daily routines are associated with children’s well-being. Family routines provide both a predictable structure to guide behavior and an emotional environment that supports development. Enforcing family routines, improving family relationships, and creating a healthy home environment are necessary to maintain children’s psychosocial health. This study examined the associations between family routines, family relationships, and elementary school children’s behavior. Parents of 1515 third-grade students (8–9 years old) completed a self-administered questionnaire in Japan in 2017. We conducted a path analysis to examine the associations between the predictor variable of family routines, the mediating variable of family relationships, and the criterion variable of children’s behavior. A total of 717 valid responses were included in the analysis. The results showed that family routines were significantly related to children’s behavior (internalizing problem behaviors, externalizing problem behaviors, and prosocial behaviors) through family relationships (cohesiveness, expressiveness, and conflict). Family routines were positively associated with cohesiveness and expressiveness, and negatively associated with conflict. Cohesiveness was negatively associated with externalizing problem behaviors. While expressiveness was negatively associated with internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, it was positively associated with prosocial behaviors. Conversely, conflict was positively associated with internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, and negatively associated with prosocial behaviors. Our findings indicate that family routines may protect children’s mental health from the stressors of daily life and foster interpersonal and social competence. Moreover, family routines may stabilize family relationships, reduce children’s problem behaviors, and improve social competence.
Optical characterizations of lightly doped (PbS)1−x Znx thin films influenced by film thickness and annealing temperature for applications in highly intensive radiation systems
Authors: Shokr E. Kh. , Mohamed W. S. , Adam A. G. , Ali H. M.
Published: October 2023

The lightly Zn-doped (PbS)1−x (Zn)x thin films were synthesized by the thermal deposition technique. The structure, morphology, and elemental analyses were carried out by XRD, SEM, and EDS, respectively, and characterised by UV–VIS–NIR spectroscopy. The optical absorption, transmission, and reflection have been studied and analysed. The linear and non-linear parameters have been determined, explained, and compared with the reported results. The effects of Zn-doping, film thickness, and annealing temperature on NLO-parameters have been considered. The better 2.78 × 10–10 and 2.93 × 10–10 esu values of the non-linear refractive index n2 and 3rd-order optical polarizability χ(3), respectively, were attained by (PbS)0.97 (Zn)0.03 film of 150 nm thick annealed at 200 °C.
The proneural subtype is not associated with survival benefit from bevacizumab in newly diagnosed glioblastoma: a secondary analysis of the GLARIUS trial
Authors: Weller Johannes , Zeyen Thomas , Schäfer Niklas , Schaub Christina , Potthoff Anna-Laura , Steinbach Joachim P. , Hau Peter , Seidel Clemens , Goldbrunner Roland , Tabatabai Ghazaleh , Vatter Hartmut , Tzaridis Theophilos , Schneider Matthias , Herrlinger Ulrich
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The AVAglio trial reported a significant survival benefit for first line bevacizumab treatment in patients with IDH wildtype glioblastoma of the proneural gene expression subtype. We here aim to replicate these findings in an independent trial cohort.

Methods

We evaluate the treatment benefit of bevacizumab according to gene expression subtypes of pretreatment tumor samples (n = 123) in the GLARIUS trial (NCT00967330) for MGMT unmethylated glioblastoma patients with Kaplan-Meier analyses, log-rank tests and Cox regression models.

Results

Employing the Phillips classifier, bevacizumab conferred a significant PFS advantage in patients with proneural IDH wild-type tumors (10.4 vs. 6.0 months, p = 0.002), but no OS advantage (16.4 vs. 17.4 months, p = 0.6). Multivariable analysis adjusting for prognostic covariates confirmed the absence of a significant OS advantage from bevacizumab (hazard ratio, 1.05, 95% CI, 0.42 to 2.64; p = 0.14). Further, there was no interaction between the proneural subtype and treatment arm (p = 0.15). These results were confirmed in analyses of tumor subgroups according to the Verhaak classifier.

Conclusion

In contrast to AVAglio, glioblastoma gene expression subgroups were not associated with a differential OS benefit from first-line bevacizumab in the GLARIUS trial.
On partially observed jump diffusions II: the filtering density
Authors: Davie Alexander , Germ Fabian , Gyöngy István
Published: October 2023

A partially observed jump diffusion $$Z=(X_t,Y_t)_{t\in [0,T]}$$

Z
=

(

X
t

,

Y
t

)

t
∈
[
0
,
T
]

given by a stochastic differential equation driven by Wiener processes and Poisson martingale measures is considered when the coefficients of the equation satisfy appropriate Lipschitz and growth conditions. Under general conditions it is shown that the conditional density of the unobserved component $$X_t$$

X
t

given the observations $$(Y_s)_{s\in [0,t]}$$

(

Y
s

)

s
∈
[
0
,
t
]

exists and belongs to $$L_p$$

L
p

if the conditional density of $$X_0$$

X
0

given $$Y_0$$

Y
0

exists and belongs to $$L_p$$

L
p

.
Dyadic Clustering in International Relations
Authors: Carlson Jacob , Incerti Trevor , Aronow P. M.
Published: October 2023

Quantitative empirical inquiry in international relations often relies on dyadic data. Standard analytic techniques do not account for the fact that dyads are not generally independent of one another. That is, when dyads share a constituent member (e.g., a common country), they may be statistically dependent, or “clustered.” Recent work has developed dyadic clustering robust standard errors (DCRSEs) that account for this dependence. Using these DCRSEs, we reanalyzed all empirical articles published in International Organization between January 2014 and January 2020 that feature dyadic data. We find that published standard errors for key explanatory variables are, on average, approximately half as large as DCRSEs, suggesting that dyadic clustering is leading researchers to severely underestimate uncertainty. However, most (67% of) statistically significant findings remain statistically significant when using DCRSEs. We conclude that accounting for dyadic clustering is both important and feasible, and offer software in R and Stata to facilitate use of DCRSEs in future research.
Feasibility of Live Video Feed Transmission from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Medical Surveillance During the 2022 Montreal Marathon
Authors: Lafortune Raphaël , Afram Eddy , Grossman Arielle , Drolet Ann-Rebecca , de Champlain François , Iannuzzi David , Homier Valérie
Published: October 2023

Introduction:

In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been increasingly used for medical surveillance purposes in mass-gathering events. No studies have investigated the reliability of live video transmission from UAVs for accurate identification of distressed race participants in need of medical attention. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of time during which live medical surveillance UAV video feed was successfully transmitted and considered of sufficient quality to identify acute illness in runners participating in the 2022 Montreal Marathon (Canada).

Methods:

Four UAVs equipped with high-resolution cameras were deployed at two pre-defined high-risk areas for medical incidents located within the last 500 meters of the race. The video footage was transmitted in real-time during four consecutive hours to a remote viewing station where four research assistants monitored it on large screens. Interruptions in live feed transmission and moments with inadequate field of view (FOV) on runners were documented.

Results:

On September 25, 2022, a total of 6,916 athletes ran during the Montreal Marathon and Half Marathon. Out of the eight hours of video footage analyzed (four hours per high-risk area), 91.7% represented uninterrupted live video feed with an adequate view of the runners passing through the high-risk areas. There was a total of 18 live feed interruptions leading to a total interruption time of 22 minutes and 19 seconds (median interruption time of 32 seconds) and eight distinct moments with inadequate FOV on runners which accounted for 17 minutes and 33 seconds (median of 1 minute 47 seconds per moments with inadequate FOV). Active surveillance of drone-captured footage allowed early identification of two race participants in need of medical attention. Appropriate resources were dispatched, and UAV repositioning allowed for real-time viewing of the medical response.

Conclusion:

Live video transmission from UAVs for medical surveillance of runners passing through higher risk segments of a marathon for four consecutive hours is feasible. Live feed interruptions and moments with inadequate FOV could be minimized through practice and additional equipment redundancy.
Clinical outcomes of a balloon-expandable stent for symptomatic	obstructions of the subclavian or innominate arteries
Authors: Fumagalli Riccardo M. , Schürch Kerstin , Grigorean Alexandru , Holy Erik W. , Münger Mario , Pleming William , Kucher Nils , Barco Stefano
Published: October 2023

Summary: Background: Upper-extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may present with a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms. If an endovascular treatment is planned, percutaneous angioplasty and stent placement may lead to a better patency compared to percutaneous angioplasty alone. We assessed the characteristics and clinical course of patients with upper-extremity PAD who received angioplasty and a balloon-expandable stent. Patients and methods: We analyzed data from consecutive patients treated with angioplasty and placement of a balloon-expandable BeSmooth Peripheral Stent System® (Bentley, Germany) at the Angiology Department (University Hospital Zurich) between 2018 and 2022. The primary outcome was re-intervention at the target lesion within 6 months from index angioplasty and during available follow-up. The study was approved by the local ethical commission. Results: A total of 27 patients were treated. The median age was 70 (Q1–Q3: 60–74) years and 59% were men. The subclavian artery (74%) represented the most frequently treated target lesion, followed by the innominate artery (26%). The mean improvement in blood pressure in the treated arm was 21 (95%CI 7 to 35) mmHg at 24 hours and 29 (95%CI 15 to 43) mmHg at 6 months. At 6 months, 2 (8%) patients required a target lesion re-intervention. During the remaining follow-up period up to 24 months, one of these two patients required additional intervention and a total of 3 (11%) patients died due to sepsis, cancer, and unknown causes, respectively. Conclusions: Percutaneous catheter-based treatment with a balloon-expandable stent for symptomatic upper extremity PAD appeared to be effective and safe.
On the Resolution Sensitivity of Equatorial Precipitation in a GFDL Global Atmospheric Model
Authors: Lin Pu , Ming Yi , Robinson Thomas
Published: October 2023

We performed a series of aquaplanet simulations at the horizontal resolution from 50 to 6 km with identical parameterization settings using the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's Atmosphere Model version 4 implemented with the two‐moment Morrison‐Gettelman cloud microphysics with prognostic precipitation (GFDL AM4‐MG2). At the finer resolution, the global mean resolved‐scale precipitation increases and that from cumulus parameterization decreases. The model also simulates less/thinner clouds over the low latitudes and more/thicker clouds over the high latitudes as the resolution increases. The precipitation over the deep tropics is investigated in detail. We find little resolution sensitivity in the daily mean precipitation extremes. Changes of the equatorial resolved precipitation with resolution cannot be fully explained by the resolution dependence in the vertical velocity amplitude. We report a robust sensitivity in the convective organization over the deep tropics to the model resolution. In simulations of finer resolution, the localized convection is suppressed, and the organized convective system associated with large‐scale circulations becomes more prominent.
Using Convolutional Neural Network to Emulate Seasonal Tropical Cyclone Activity
Authors: Fu Dan , Chang Ping , Liu Xue
Published: October 2023

It has been widely recognized that tropical cyclone (TC) genesis requires favorable large‐scale environmental conditions. Based on these linkages, numerous efforts have been made to establish an empirical relationship between seasonal TC activities and large‐scale environmental favorability in a quantitative way, which lead to conceptual functions such as the TC genesis index. However, due to the limited amount of reliable TC observations and complexity of the climate system, a simple analytic function may not be an accurate portrait of the empirical relationship between TCs and their ambiences. In this research, we use convolution neural networks (CNNs) to disentangle this complex relationship. To circumvent the limited amount of seasonal TC observation records, we implement transfer‐learning technique to train ensemble of CNNs first on suites of high‐resolution climate model simulations with realistic seasonal TC activities and large‐scale environmental conditions, and then on a state‐of‐the‐art reanalysis from 1950 to 2019. The trained CNNs can well reproduce the historical TC records and yields significant seasonal prediction skills when the large‐scale environmental inputs are provided by operational climate forecasts. Furthermore, by inputting the ensemble CNNs with 20th century reanalysis products and Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) simulations, we investigated TC variability and its changes in the past and future climates. Specifically, our ensemble CNNs project a decreasing trend of global mean TC activity in the future warming scenario, which is consistent with our future projections using high‐resolution climate model.
Ice Shelf Water Structure Beneath the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica
Authors: Na Ji Sung , Davis Peter E. D. , Kim Byeong‐Hoon , Jin Emilia Kyung , Lee Won Sang
Published: October 2023

Understanding ice shelf water (ISW) structure is crucial for studying the basal melting of ice shelves. In this study, we performed large‐eddy simulation experiments to assess ISW structure and basal melt patterns under different current velocity scenarios observed in the Larsen C ice shelf, Antarctica. The LES results revealed that the thickness of ISW is primarily determined by the meridional velocity (perpendicular to the grounding line), while the zonal velocity influences the potential temperature and salinity of ISW. We found that a key parameter determining the basal melt rate was northward meltwater advection which originates from variances in meltwater generation. This advection, in turn, leads to the tilted isopycnals and the potential for thermohaline interleaving in a diffusive convection regime. The different slopes of isopycnals induce distinct heat fluxes, resulting in different basal melt rates far from and near the grounding line (∼0.44 and 1.59 m yr−1, respectively).
Dissolved Organic Radiocarbon in the West Indian Ocean
Authors: Druffel Ellen R. M. , Lewis Christian B. , Griffin Sheila , Flaherty Alessandra , Rudresh Megha , Hauksson Niels E. , Key Robert M. , McNichol Ann P. , Hwang Jeomshik , Walker Brett D.
Published: October 2023

We report marine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, and DOC Δ14C and δ13C in seawater collected from the West Indian Ocean during the GO‐SHIP I07N cruise in 2018. We find bomb 14C in DOC from the upper 1,000 m of the water column. There is no significant change in ∆14C of DOC in deep water northward, unlike that of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), suggesting that transport of deep water northward is not controlling the 14C age of DOC. Variability of DOC ∆14C, including high values in the deep waters, is more pronounced than in other oceans, suggesting that dissolution of surface derived particulate organic carbon is a source of modern carbon to deep DOC in the West Indian Ocean. Low δ13C are present at two of the five stations studied, suggesting a source of low δ13C DOC, or additional microbial utilization of deep DOC.
Tropical Cyclone Fullness and Outer Region Size Growth: The Role of Spatial Distribution of Very Deep Convection
Authors: Hong Jiacheng , Wu Qiaoyan
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates the relationship between the growth of the 34‐kt wind radius (R34) of tropical cyclones (TCs) and their fullness using best‐track data from 2001 to 2020. The storms were categorized into four groups based on a fullness scale: FS1 (fullness ≤ 0.4), FS2 (0.4 < fullness ≤ 0.6), FS3 (0.6 < fullness ≤ 0.8), and FS4 (fullness > 0.8). These groups exhibit unique spatial patterns of very deep convective clouds with infrared brightness temperatures <208 K. The mean R34 growth rates in 24 hr decrease from FS1 to FS4, which is linked to the higher coverage of very deep convection around R34 in storms with lower fullness. This study demonstrates that TC fullness can characterize the spatial distribution of deep convection in storms and serve as a representation of the growth of TC outer region size. These results have implications for understanding the mechanisms behind TC outer size growth.
A Refined Understanding of the Ice Cloud Longwave Scattering Effects in Climate Model
Authors: Fan Chongxing , Chen Yi‐Hsuan , Chen Xiuhong , Lin Wuyin , Yang Ping , Huang Xianglei
Published: October 2023

Because longwave (LW) absorption by greenhouse gases and clouds is more significant than the LW scattering effect by clouds, most climate models neglect cloud LW scattering to save computational costs. Ignoring cloud LW scattering directly overestimates outgoing longwave radiation (OLR). This study included ice‐cloud LW scattering treatment in the Exascale Energy Earth System Model (E3SM) version 2 and ran fully‐coupled simulations, prescribed sea surface temperature simulations, and offline radiative transfer calculations to comprehensively assess the impact of ice‐cloud LW scattering on global climate simulation. The instantaneous effect due to ice‐cloud LW scattering reduces the OLR by ∼1 W/m2 on the global average and 2 W/m2 on the tropical average. Tropospheric warming and high cloud amount reduction act to partially compensate for such instantaneous OLR reduction caused by the inclusion of LW scattering. When the simulation reaches the equilibrium, the surface warms by 0.66 K on average with respect to the simulation without LW scattering, with the Arctic surface temperature differences more than twice as large as that of the global mean. The impact of including LW scattering on the simulated climate change in response to 4 × CO2 is also assessed. While including the cloud LW scattering does not significantly modify radiative forcing and total radiative feedback under such a scenario, it results in a 10% more positive cloud feedback.
The BRCA1/BARD1 complex recognizes pre-ribosomal RNA to facilitate homologous recombination
Authors: Wu Duo , Huang Huang , Chen Tenglong , Gai Xiaochen , Li Qilin , Wang Chunhui , Yao Jia , Liu Yu , Cai Shang , Yu Xiaochun
Published: October 2023

The BRCA1/BARD1 complex plays a key role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in both somatic cells and germ cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism by which this complex mediates DSB repair is not fully understood. Here, we examined the XY body of male germ cells, where DSBs are accumulated. We show that the recruitment of the BRCA1/BARD1 complex to the unsynapsed axis of the XY body is mediated by pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA). Similarly, the BRCA1/BARD1 complex associates with pre-rRNA in somatic cells, which not only forms nuclear foci in response to DSBs, but also targets the BRCA1/BARD1 complex to DSBs. The interactions between the BRCT domains of the BRCA1/BARD1 complex and pre-rRNA induce liquid–liquid phase separations, which may be the molecular basis of DSB-induced nuclear foci formation of the BRCA1/BARD1 complex. Moreover, cancer-associated mutations in the BRCT domains of BRCA1 and BARD1 abolish their interactions with pre-rRNA. Pre-rRNA also mediates BRCA1-dependent homologous recombination, and suppression of pre-rRNA biogenesis sensitizes cells to PARP inhibitor treatment. Collectively, this study reveals that pre-rRNA is a functional partner of the BRCA1/BARD1 complex in the DSB repair.
Both sexes develop DKD in the CD1 uninephrectomized streptozotocin mouse model
Authors: Trink Jackie , Nmecha Ifeanyi Kennedy , Zhang Dan , MacDonald Melissa , Gao Bo , Krepinsky Joan C.
Published: October 2023

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is characterized by a progressive increase in albuminuria and typical pathologic features. Recent studies have shown that sex is an important factor to consider in the pathogenesis of DKD. Presently, the hallmarks of this disease have primarily been studied in male rodent models. Here we explored the influence of sex in a murine model of DKD. CD1 mice underwent a right nephrectomy followed by intraperitoneal injection with 200 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce type 1 diabetes. Due to a high mortality rate, females required a reduction in streptozotocin to 150 mg/kg. Mice were followed for 12 weeks. Both sexes developed comparable hyperglycemia, while albuminuria and glomerular volume were increased to a greater degree in females and kidney hypertrophy was only seen in females. Males had a greater increase in blood pressure and glomerular basement membrane thickening, and a greater decrease in endpoint weight. Serum TGFβ1 levels were increased only in females. However, both sexes showed a similar increase in induction of kidney fibrosis. T cell and macrophage infiltration were also increased in both sexes. While some differences were observed, overall, both sexes developed clinical and pathologic characteristics of early DKD. Future studies evaluating therapeutic interventions can thus be assessed in both sexes of this DKD model.
An Honest Joker reveals stereotypical beliefs about the face of deception
Authors: Zhou Xingchen , Jenkins Rob , Zhu Lei
Published: October 2023

Research on deception detection has mainly focused on Simple Deception, in which false information is presented as true. Relatively few studies have examined Sophisticated Deception, in which true information is presented as false. Because Sophisticated Deception incentivizes the appearance of dishonesty, it provides a window onto stereotypical beliefs about cues to deception. Here, we adapted the popular Joker Game to elicit spontaneous facial expressions under Simple Deception, Sophisticated Deception, and Plain Truth conditions, comparing facial behaviors in static, dynamic nonspeaking, and dynamic speaking presentations. Facial behaviors were analysed via machine learning using the Facial Action Coding System. Facial activations were more intense and longer lasting in the Sophisticated Deception condition than in the Simple Deception and Plain Truth conditions. More facial action units intensified in the static condition than in the dynamic speaking condition. Simple Deception involved leaked facial behaviors of which deceivers were unaware. In contrast, Sophisticated Deception involved deliberately leaked facial cues, including stereotypical cues to lying (e.g., gaze aversion). These stereotypes were inaccurate in the sense that they diverged from cues in the Simple Deception condition—the actual appearance of deception in this task. Our findings show that different modes of deception can be distinguished via facial action analysis. They also show that stereotypical beliefs concerning cues to deception can inform behavior. To facilitate future research on these topics, the multimodal stimuli developed in this study are available free for scientific use.