bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Prognostic Impact of the Warburg Effect in Esophageal Carcinoma: Monocarboxylate Transporters as Candidates for Therapeutic Targeting
Authors: Afonso Julieta , Barbosa Andreia , Aguiar Pastrez Paula Roberta , Bonatelli Murilo , Alves da Costa Ricardo Filipe , Pinheiro Céline , Longatto-Filho Adhemar , Baltazar Fátima
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Esophageal cancer (EC) seems to display increased glycolytic activity, but clinical studies on the expression/prognostic significance of glycometabolism-related proteins, as well as functional assays, are missing. Methods: Expression of 10 glycolytic biomarkers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in tissue sections from 95 patients. Two esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines were used to assess the effect of monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) downregulation on cell viability and extracellular lactate/glucose accumulation. Results: Expression of MCT1, MCT4, CD147, and GLUT1 was significantly associated with an ESCC histopathology, while a poor clinicopathological profile was seen in GLUT1- and LDHA-positive EC cases. In the ESCC group, MCT1 immunoreactivity is associated with high TNM stage and metastasis. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was significantly influenced by MCT4 and CAIX positivity and HKII negativity. Those biomarkers were considered independent prognostic factors of OS in multivariate analysis. Dual inhibition of MCT1/4 expression decreased cell viability and extracellular lactate accumulation in ESCC cells. Conclusion: Elevated glycolytic rates correlate with a poor clinicopathological profile in EC patients. MCT4 and CAIX positivity independently predict a worse prognosis. Due to the lack of information on treatment modalities, we could not further infer the role of these biomarkers in predicting response to therapy, which needs to be assessed in future studies. In addition, MCT1/4 targeting should be performed both “in vitro” and “in vivo” to further explore its impact on tumor growth and response to classical therapies. HKII expression and function, particularly in the tumor stroma, should be investigated.
DPP4 Inhibitor Sitagliptin Reduces Inflammatory Responses and Mast Cell Activation in Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Sun Xiuying , Xu Yu , Zhou Jinhui
Published: February 2023

Introduction: DPP4 is thought to be involved in certain immune processes and plays an important role in allergic reactions in the lungs. The effect of the DPP4 inhibitor sitagliptin on the effector phase of allergic rhinitis (AR) in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice and on mast cell degranulation in vitro was assessed. Methods: The AR mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection combined with OVA intranasal method. OVA was injected intraperitoneally 3 times for the first 2 weeks, and the mice were subsequently given DPP4 inhibitors by oral gavage, accompanied by an OVA intranasal challenge. The impacts of DPP4 inhibitors on DPP4 levels in mouse model were determined. Nasal mucosa tissue was collected for H&E staining and toluidine blue staining. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and histamine levels were analyzed, and IL-4, IL-5, and IL-12 as well as IFN-γ levels were assessed. Following the treatment of dinitrophenol (DNP)-IgE or DNP-IgE plus sitagliptin in RBL-2H3 cells, β-hexosaminidase activity was analyzed and toluidine blue staining was performed. Results: DPP4 level was reduced in AR patients, as well as in AR mouse models. Nasal allergic symptoms such as sneezing and nose-scratching showed high frequency in OVA-induced mice. Sitagliptin treatment during the intranasal challenge of OVA decreased DPP4 levels, suppressed allergic symptoms, eosinophil infiltration, IgE levels, mast cell infiltration, as well as the levels of inflammatory cytokines. We further found that sitagliptin inhibited mast cell activation and histamine levels in vitro. Conclusion: Sitagliptin suppresses the effector phase of AR, and this mechanism is partly attributed to the suppression of inflammatory response and mast cell degranulation.
Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Convection-Enhanced Delivery of Autologous Cerebrospinal Fluid Enhances Basal Ganglia Visualization during MRI-Guided Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
Authors: Moosa Shayan , Bond Aaron E. , Wang Tony R. , Farzad Faraz , Asthagiri Ashok R. , Elias W. Jeffrey
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of convection-enhanced delivery of autologous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for enhancing intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the basal ganglia during stereotactic neurosurgery. Methods: This pilot study was conducted in 4 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who underwent MRI-guided deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus (GPi). CSF was obtained via lumbar puncture after general anesthesia and prior to incision. A frameless stereotaxy system was installed, and an infusion catheter was inserted to the GPi using intraoperative MRI. Infusion of autologous CSF was performed at a convective rate of 5 µL/min with a maximum volume of infusion (Vi) of 500 mL. T2-weighted MRI scans were obtained every 15 min up to a maximum of 105 min in order to calculate the volume of distribution (Vd). Safety was assessed with adverse event monitoring, and clinical outcomes were measured with changes in unmedicated UPDRS part III and PDQ-39 scores from baseline to 6 months postoperatively. Results: All four infusions were safe and without adverse events. The mean unmedicated UPDRS part III and PDQ-39 scores improved by 24% and 26%, respectively. The Vd:Vi ratio ranged from 2.2 to 2.8 and peaked 45 min from the onset of infusion, which is when the borders of the GPi could generally be visualized based on T2-weighted MRI. Two patients underwent refinement of the stereotactic targeting based on infusion-enhanced images. Conclusions: The convective administration of autologous CSF to deep brain structures appears safe and feasible for enhancing intraoperative MRI during stereotactic procedures. Infusion-enhanced imaging with target-specific infusates could be developed to visualize neurochemical circuits or cellular regions that currently are not seen with anatomic/structural MRI.
Nail Amyloidoma: Two Case Reports of a New Entity
Authors: Bonito Frederico , Kolivras Athanassios , Sass Ursula , Richert Bertrand
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Amyloidosis is a group of diseases characterized by extracellular deposits of abnormal insoluble proteins in different tissues. Amyloidoma is a localized tumoral deposit of amyloid in the absence of systemic amyloidosis, and it has been described in different anatomic sites. We report two cases of amyloidoma in the nail unit and provide insights into this recently described entity. Case Presentation: Both cases presented as an asymptomatic, slowly growing nodule underneath the distal nail bed of a toe with associated onycholysis. Histopathology was characterized in both patients by the presence of deposits of Congo red-positive, homogeneous, amorphous, and eosinophilic material within the dermis and subcutaneous tissue admixed with aggregates of plasma cells. In both cases, an extensive workup excluded systemic amyloidosis. Treatment was based on local excision, and no local recurrence or progression to systemic amyloidosis was observed at 1 year of follow-up. Conclusion: These are the first reports of amyloidomas of the nail unit. The clinical and histopathological presentations parallel those of an amyloidoma affecting the skin. Local excision seems to be an efficient treatment modality, but long-term follow-up is warranted in order to exclude recurrence, an associated marginal B-cell lymphoma, or progression to systemic amyloid L amyloidosis.
Prognosis of Heart Valve Calcification on Cardiovascular Events in Hemodialysis Patients without Central Venous Catheters
Authors: Huang Xiao-mei , Zhang Yi , Du Min , Gu Lian-qing , Fu Hui-ling , Yu Fen , Xu Li , Li Jing-jing , Wang Yin , Sun Xiao-feng
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Heart valvular calcification (HVC) is an important predictor of cardiovascular events (CEs) and all-cause mortality in dialysis patients. Patients in the early stage of dialysis or those with central venous catheters (CVC) are also at high risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. It could be a confounding factor for the prognosis of HVC on CE. Methods: From March 2017 to April 2022, the prognosis of HVC on CE and all-cause mortality was studied retrospectively in 158 hemodialysis (HD) patients who used arteriovenous fistulas or arteriovenous grafts as vascular access and entered HD for more than 12 months. Results: Out of 158 patients, 70 (44.3%) were diagnosed with HVC via echocardiography. A total of 180 CEs occurred during follow-up. Among them, acute heart failure accounted for 62.66%, and its prevalence was significantly higher in the HVC group than that in the non-HVC group (p < 0.0001). The cumulative incidence of CE-free survival in the HVC group was significantly lower than that in the non-HVC group (p = 0.030). Only 11 patients died, and there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between the two groups (p = 0.560). Multivariate COX regression analyses showed that HD vintage, mitral valve calcification, and aortic valve regurgitation (AR)/aortic valve stenosis (AS) but not aortic valve calcification were risk factors for CE (p < 0.05). Conclusion: After excluding the factors of the early stage of HD and CVC, HVC remained a predictor of adverse CE in HD patients.
Medical or Common Knowledge? Knowledge of Medical Professionals on Obesity Diagnosis Criteria and Treatment
Authors: Mojkowska Aleksandra , Sobczak Krzysztof , Leoniuk Katarzyna , Henzler Michał , Jackowski Marek
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Proper diagnosis of obesity, its severity, and complications and their effective treatment requires an interdisciplinary healthcare approach. Nevertheless, obesity remains under-identified and undertreated. Academic knowledge concerning obesity pathology, diagnosis, and treatment is advancing. It is not clear whether this translates into clinical practice. The goal of the study was to assess the knowledge of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on obesity and particularly on the criteria for diagnosis as well as for conservative and surgical treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among active HCPs (N = 184), including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and paramedics who had contact with adult patients with obesity. The proprietary research survey, implemented in an online tool, was used to assess knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment of obesity and self-assessment of that knowledge. The analysis was limited to the following: body mass index (BMI) definition, BMI values, visceral obesity definition, bariatric surgery indications, choice of treatment method, role of diet and physical activity, knowledge of obesity pharmacotherapy, length of obesity pharmacotherapy, financing of bariatric procedures, and goals of bariatric treatment. The correct answers were determined according to the Polish guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity. Results: Half of the respondents (52.2%) were doctors, 20.7% were nurses and midwives, 19.0% were physiotherapists, and 8.2% were other medical professionals. Among questions related to knowledge on obesity, 67.1% of respondents provided correct answers, with respondents answering questions concerning obesity diagnosis correctly more frequently (70.1%) than those concerning methods of treatment (64.6%). The largest number of correct answers was related to the definition of BMI and normal BMI values. The smallest number of correct answers pertained to the diagnostic criteria for visceral obesity and pharmacological treatment of obesity. There was no statistically significant impact of a responder's knowledge levels on the obesity of different HCPs. Workplace and participation in training sessions were found to have the largest impact on the level of knowledge on obesity. HCPs’ own assessment of their knowledge on obesity was negatively correlated with their actual level of knowledge. Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity implies that essentially every HCP has daily contact with patients with excessive body weight. Knowledge of BMI values cannot be considered as exclusively medical knowledge: these values were established years ago and are present in widely available sources. Our research showed that 32.9% of HCPs did not have sufficient knowledge about how to diagnose and treat obesity.
The Impact of Concomitant Ulcerative Colitis on the Clinical Course in Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: An Investigation Using a Nationwide Database in Japan
Authors: Moroi Rintaro , Yano Kota , Tarasawa Kunio , Shimoyama Yusuke , Naito Takeo , Shiga Hisashi , Hamada Shin , Kakuta Yoichi , Fushimi Kiyohide , Fujimori Kenji , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi
Published: February 2023

Introoduction: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare disease, especially in Asian countries. PSC often develops during ulcerative colitis (UC). Little is known about the severity of PSC in patients with UC. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the impact of concomitant UC on the clinical course of patients with PSC using a nationwide database in Japan. Methods: We collected data on patients who were admitted for PSC using a nationwide database and divided eligible admissions according to concomitant UC (PSC-UC group vs. PSC-alone group). We conducted propensity score matching and compared the rates of liver transplantation, biliary drainage, and other clinical events between the two groups. We also conducted a multivariate analysis to identify the clinical factors that affect biliary drainage, cholangiocarcinoma, and liver transplantation. Results: We enrolled 672 patients after propensity score matching. The rate of liver transplantation in the PSC-UC group was lower than that in the PSC-alone group (2.2 vs. 5.4%, p = 0.002), whereas the rate of biliary drainage did not differ between the two groups (38.1 vs. 33.8%, p = 0.10). On multivariate analysis, concomitant UC was identified as a clinical factor that decreased the risk of liver transplantation (odds ratio = 0.40, 95% confidence interval: 0.23–0.68, p = 0.0007). Discussion: Concomitant UC in patients with PSC may decrease the risk of liver transplantation. The milder disease activity of PSC with UC is more likely compared to that of PSC without UC.
Multimorbidity Patterns in Older Adults: the Role of Social Variables and Lifestyle Behaviors
Authors: Caballero Francisco Félix , Lana Alberto , Struijk Ellen A. , Arias-Fernández Lucía , Cárdenas-Valladolid Juan , Salinero-Fort Miguel Ángel , Banegas José R. , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando , Lopez-García Esther
Published: February 2023

Introduction: While some condition clusters represent the chance co-occurrence of common individual conditions, others may represent shared causal factors. The aims of this study were to identify multimorbidity patterns in older adults and to explore the relationship between social variables, lifestyle behaviors, and the multimorbidity patterns identified. Methods: This was a cross-sectional design. Data came from 3,273 individuals aged ≥65 from the Seniors-ENRICA-2 cohort; information on 60 chronic disease categories, categorized according to the 2nd edition of the International Classification of Primary Care and the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases, was obtained from clinical record linkage. To identify multimorbidity patterns, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted over chronic disease categories with a prevalence >5%, using Oblimin rotation and Kaiser’s eigenvalues-greater-than-one rule. The association between multimorbidity patterns and their potential determinants was assessed with multivariable linear regression. Results: The three-factor solution (Musculoskeletal diseases and mental disorders, Cardiometabolic diseases, and Cardiopulmonary diseases) explained 64.5% of the total variance. Being older, lower occupational category, higher levels of loneliness, lower levels of physical activity, and higher body mass index were associated with higher scores in the multimorbidity patterns identified. Female sex was linked to the Musculoskeletal diseases and mental disorders pattern, while being male was revealed to the two remaining multimorbidity patterns. A high diet quality was inversely related to Cardiometabolic diseases, while optimal sleep duration was inversely related to Cardiopulmonary diseases. Conclusion: Three multimorbidity patterns were identified in older adults. Multimorbidity patterns were differently associated with social variables and lifestyles behavioral factors.
An Alport Syndrome Journey: From Powerless to Empowered – A Patient Perspective
Authors: Bonebrake Lisa
Published: February 2023

As an Alport syndrome patient, caregiver, and executive director of Alport Syndrome Foundation, I am aware of the frequently challenging road in seeking an accurate diagnosis. Our journeys are scattered with misdiagnosis, missed opportunities for accurate diagnosis, counterproductive medications, and overwhelming guilt when our children are diagnosed. We understand that most of our healthcare providers know very little about our disease. Typically, it is incumbent upon us to become empowered through education and connection with our patient community to be sure that our physical and emotional health is well managed.
A “questão penitenciária” no Rio Grande do Sul como arma política contra o Império (1884-1889)
Authors: Cesar Tiago da Silva
Published: February 2023

This article analyzes how the Partido Republicano Rio-Grandense (PRR), founded on February 23, 1882, politically instrumentalized the deleterious and negligent penal-prison population in the Rio Grande do Sulfrom 1884 to 1889, according to the pages of the newspaper A Federação, against the Imperial State. It seeks to elucidate how province penitentiary management incited attacks, not only tocrown representatives but also on the monarchic regime itself, based on reports, denunciations, complaints, memoranda, testimonies from different institutions and individuals about hygienic, security conditions, administration, order and morality experienced by theRio Grande do Sul prisons. Through an exhaustive search of these written texts, some transcribed from provincial and publican newspapers from PRR’s official organ, it was possible to notice how PRR leaders skillfully built a critical discourse rather than attention received or not from the provincial executive’s responsible authorities.
Há um século. Mário Domingues, o anarquista negro que fustigou o colonialismo Português
Authors: Alves Tânia
Published: February 2023

Este texto é uma resenha crítica à obra da autoria de José Luís Garcia intitulada Mário Domingues – A Afirmação Negra e a Questão Colonial. Textos 1919-1928 (Lisboa: Tinta da China, 2022). Pretende dar aos leitores uma visão crítica deste livro dedicado à vida e aos escritos anticoloniais e antirracistas de Mário Domingues dados à estampa na imprensa portuguesa entre os anos 1919-1928.
Grammatical Perspective-Taking in Comprehension and Production
Authors: Anderson Carolyn Jane , Dillon Brian
Published: February 2023

Language use in conversation requires conversation partners to consider each other’s points-of-view, or perspectives. A large body of work has explored how conversation partners take into account differences in knowledge states when choosing referring expressions. This paper explores how well findings from perspective-taking in reference generalize to a relatively understudied domain of perspective: the processing of grammatical perspectival expressions like the motion verbs come and go in English. We re-visit findings from perspective-taking in reference that conversation participants are subject to egocentric biases: they are biased towards their own perspectives. Drawing on theoretical proposals for grammatical perspective-taking and prior experimental studies of perspective-taking in reference, we compare two models of grammatical perspective-taking: a serial anchoring-and-adjustment model, and a simultaneous integration model. We test their differing predictions in a series of comprehension and production experiments using the perspectival motion verbs come and go as a case study. While our comprehension studies suggest that listeners reason simultaneously over multiple perspectives, as in the simultaneous integration model, our production findings are more mixed: we find support for only one of the simultaneous integration model’s two key predictions. More generally, our findings suggest a role for egocentric bias in production for grammatical perspective-taking as well as when choosing referring expressions.
Floral ontogeny of Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) species provides insights into floral evolution but does not possess taxonomic value at the genus level
Authors: SUN LI-YONG , WAN XIAO-XIA , NIE TANG-JIE , CHEN YAO , YIN ZENG-FANG
Published: February 2023

Floral ontogeny can assist in understanding formation of mature floral structure and provide taxonomic and evolutionary insights at the species and genus level. In this study, floral ontogeny of Magnolia liliiflora, M. maudiae and M. figo was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that tepal primordia of these species are initiated asynchronously in whorls, whereas stamen and carpel primordia are initiated spirally and centripetally. Variation in tepal number in M. maudiae was also observed at the early stage of differentiation. Our study demonstrates that floral ontogeny is remarkably homogenous in Magnoliaceae, and thus it cannot serve as a basis for classification at the genus or lower taxonomic levels. Nonetheless, the transition of floral development from typical spiral flowers to typical whorled flowers is of great significance for understanding evolution of angiosperm flowers.
A new species of Mutinus (Phallaceae, Phallales) from Shandong Province, China
Authors: ZHOU ZHONG-LIANG , LI ZHUANG , LYU YUE , LIU AO , GAO YI-MING , WANG PAN-MENG
Published: February 2023

A new species, Mutinus taishanensis (Phallaceae, Phallales, Basidiomycota), was found growing in a forest of Phyllostachys flexuosa and Quercus palustris in Zhulin Temple, Mount Tai Scenic Area (Tai’an City, Shangdong Province, China). It is described as new based on morphological, molecular and ecological evidence. Our phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequences of the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal DNA (LSU), subunit 6 of ATP synthase (atp6) and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) support the inclusion of this new species in the genus Mutinus as it forms an independent clade in the phylogenetic tree. Morphologically, M. taishanensis differs from any known species by the combination of light red to red pseudostipe, red conical fertile portion (covering about 1/4–1/5 of the total length of pseudostipe), and relatively small basidiospores. We present this new species with illustrated morphological description. phylogeny and comparison with morphologically similar or phylogenetically related species.
miR-134 Up-Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in Chronic Sinusitis
Authors: Cao Wei , Liu Yuanzhou , Chen Yandan
Published: February 2023

Chronic sinusitis is an upper respiratory tract disease. miR-134 involves in several diseases. However, its regulatory mechanism in chronic sinusitis has not been assessed. We aim to explore miR-134’s role in chronic sinusitis and the possible mechanism. miR-134 and MMP9 level
was measured in chronic sinusitis tissues and normal tissues. The co-expression of miR-134 and MMP9 in PHNECs was detected by immunofluorescence. MMP-9 expression and IκB and α protein phosphorylation was detected by western blot. Immunofluorescence showed positive
MMP-9 expression in epithelial cells. miR-134 level was significantly elevated in patients with chronic sinusitis and was co-localized with MMP-9 in the CRSwNP sample of epithelial cells. miR-134 up-regulated MMP-9, which was inhibited after addition of inhibitor BAY 11-7082. In conclusion,
miR-134 up-regulates MMP-9 through NF-κB signaling to mediate the occurrence of chronic sinusitis, indicating that miR-134 may participate in the tissue remodeling of chronic sinusitis.
Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSC) Homing with Chemotaxis Transplantation of Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1a Promotes the Corneal Damage Repair
Authors: Zhang Xia , Dai Jing , Lin Ying , Su Huanjun , Luo Xi
Published: February 2023

This study analyzed the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) homing with chemotaxis transplantation of SDF-1a on the repair of corneal damage. The SDF-1a with varied concentration was added. They were divided into A group, B group, C group, D group and control group followed
by analysis of corneal cell survival by MTT, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and Trkb level by immunohistochemical staining. There was an increasing tendency on the quantity of chemotactic cells (P <0.05) with a highest quantity in C group. The recruitment of BMSC could be prompted
by SDF-1a and the chemotactic effect was the best when SDF-1a concentration was 100 ng/ml. The survival rate and Trkb protein level in experimental groups was higher than that in control group with highest survival rate and Trkb level in C group. In conclusion, corneal injury repair is prompted
by BMSC homing with chemotaxis transplantation of SDF-1a, indicating that it might be used as a novel approach to promote corneal injury repair.
Long Non-Coding RNA Metastasis Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 (LncRNA MALAT1) Shuttling Through Exosome from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell (BMSC) Regulates the Differentiation of Osteoblast in Osteoporosis Rats
Authors: Zi Lu , Hu Xiaojun
Published: February 2023

This study assesses the effect of LncRNA MALAT1 on osteoblast differentiation in OP rats. The BMSC were transfected with LncRNA MALAT1. The OP rats’ model was established and then assigned into NC set, OP set, BMSC set, BMSCs/LncRNA-NC set and BMSCs/LncRNA MALAT1 set followed
by analysis of LncRNA MALAT1, microRNA-34 and cSATB2 expression by RT-PCR, and Bax, Caspase-3 and ALP level in exosome by Western Blot assy. The protein expression of Bax and Caspase-3 in OP set was significantly increased compared with NC set but reduced in BMSCs/LncRNA MALAT1 set without
significant differences between BMSC set and BMSC/NC set. There was orderly array of collagenous fiber in lamellar bone of NC set. The quantity of bone lacuna was moderate with orderly array of bone trabecula. There was disorderly array of collagenous fiber in lamellar bone of model set. There
were a large number of distribution of osteoblast in the breakdown area with the dissolution of periosteum. The protein level of Bax and Caspase-3 was reduced by LncRNA MALAT1 from BMSC and the level of ALP, microRNA-34 and cSATB2 in the differentiation of osteoblast was increased, thereby
promoting the differentiation of osteoblast.
The Sensitivity of Convective Cloud Ensemble Statistics to Horizontal Grid Spacing in Idealized RCE Simulations
Authors: Savre Julien , Craig George
Published: February 2023

In this work, cloud ensemble statistics are extracted from idealized radiative–convective equilibrium simulations performed at horizontal grid spacings Δ ranging from 2 km to 125 m. At the coarsest resolution, convection remains randomly distributed in space such that the equilibrium statistical mechanics theory proposed by Craig and Cohen in 2006 (CC06; assumes Poisson distributed clouds and exponential mass flux distributions) remains valid. Using classical organization metrics, clustering is already observed at Δ = 1 km, but substantial deviations between the simulated cloud ensemble statistics and CC06 are only observed for grid spacings Δ < 500 m. At these resolutions, the cloud mass flux distributions exhibit heavy tails and cloud counts become overdispersed (higher variance than a Poisson distribution). These changes in ensemble statistics are accompanied by a shift in subcloud organization patterns as well as with the fact that individual cloudy updrafts start to be resolved. Consequently, a horizontal grid spacing no larger than 250 m is recommended, not only to properly resolve the dynamics of individual convective clouds, but also to capture the mesoscale organization of the cloud ensemble. Finally, it is shown that the CC06 theory and our high-resolution results including mesoscale organization may be reconciled if one considers 1) areas smaller than approximately 2 km in size, corresponding roughly to the narrow bands along which clouds develop almost randomly; and 2) individual cloud cores instead of cloud objects, core mass fluxes being shown to generally follow exponential distributions.
Community interventions for anxiety and depression in adults and young people: A systematic review
Authors: Buechner Hadassah , Toparlak Sureyya M , Ostinelli Edoardo G , Shokraneh Farhad , Nicholls-Mindlin Jessica , Cipriani Andrea , Geddes John R , Syed Sheriff Rebecca
Published: February 2023

Background:

Growing evidence suggests that community-based interventions may be effective for anxiety and depression. This study aimed to describe studies of community interventions delivered to adults and/or young people, either in person or online, evaluated in randomised controlled trials and provide an indication as to their effectiveness, acceptability, quality of data and where possible, mechanisms of action. We included interventions delivered at and/or by museums, art galleries, libraries, gardens, music groups/choirs and sports clubs.

Method:

We developed and followed a preregistered protocol: PROSPERO CRD42020204471. Randomised controlled trials in adults and young people were identified in an extensive search with no date/time, language, document type and publication status limitations. Studies were selected according to predetermined eligibility criteria and data independently extracted and then assessed using Risk of Bias 1. The studies were deemed too heterogeneous for meta-analysis and were therefore reported using a narrative synthesis.

Results:

Our analysis included 31 studies, with 2898 participants. Community interventions most studied in randomised controlled trials were community music (12 studies, 1432 participants), community exercise (14 studies, 955 participants) and community gardens/gardening (6 studies, 335 participants). The majority of studies were from high-income countries – many were in specific populations (such as those with physical health problems) and were generally of low quality. Dropout rates across the included studies were low (1 participant on average per 100 participants). The inadequate description of interventions limited identification of potential mechanisms of action.

Discussion:

The uncertainty of the evidence allows only a weak recommendation in support of community interventions for anxiety and depression. The results suggest community engagement is a promising area for wide-reaching interventions to be implemented and evaluated, but more high-quality trials are needed, especially in young people and under-represented communities.
Reporting Sexual Victimization During Incarceration: A National-Level Assessment of Formal Reporting in Jails
Authors: Freemon Kayla R. , Montes Andrea N. , Morgan Skyler , Cochran Joshua C.
Published: February 2023

The National Inmate Survey estimates over 22,000 individuals in United States jails were sexually victimized between 2011 and 2012. However, most incidents were never formally reported to correctional authorities. Empirical analysis of this reporting gap and its causes is limited, and studies examining correctional populations focus on individuals in prisons. The current study extends this work by considering individuals incarcerated in jails. Using jail data from the National Inmate Survey, 2011–2012, we examine factors associated with reporting sexual victimization. We find that most incidents of sexual victimization in jails are not formally reported. Our findings suggest that primary determinates of reporting in-jail sexual assault include incident and jail environment characteristics. Implications for policy that improves reporting and prevents in-jail sexual assault are discussed.
Racial Disparities in the Enforcement of COVID-19 Public Health Violations
Authors: Leal Wanda E. , Gloyd Elizabeth L. , Piquero Alex R. , Leeper Piquero Nicole
Published: February 2023

To curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, most cities and states implemented COVID-19 public health restrictions that became enforceable offenses. Unfortunately, concerns about unequitable enforcement arose among minority and impoverished communities. The current study uses official data from San Antonio, Texas to investigate the relationship between zip code racial and ethnic composition and income on the enforcement of COVID-19 public health violations. Over 28,000 enforcement activities from March 2020 to March 2021 were analyzed using random effects logistic regression. Results indicate that enforcement activities in zip codes with above average percent Black and above average percent Hispanic were more likely to receive citations, even though citations were issued in less than one percent of all enforcement activities.
The role of elasticity measures for characterizing anchor points in DEA
Authors: Aramesh Morteza , Sohraiee Sevan , Hosseinzadeh Lotfi Farhad
Published: February 2023

As an important concept in data envelopment analysis (DEA), elasticity measure has wide theoretical and practical applications in formulating various economic concepts. Anchor points also appear to be particularly interesting and highly useful in DEA, especially for recognizing a decision making unit (DMU) as a benchmark. This paper is an attempt to use left-and right-hand elasticity measures to present a novel definition (characterization) for anchor points. The study results reveal that if there exists an increase in a bundle of input with no rate of change in a bundle of output or if there is a decrease in a bundle of output, but a bundle of input has no rate of change, then such an extreme point is the anchor point.
Teacher Professional Development and Student Reading in Middle and High School: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Basma Badriah , Savage Robert
Published: February 2023

This systematic review investigates the effect of teacher professional development (TPD) on adolescent students’ reading achievement in middle and high school. A systematic search of TPD and student reading achievement studies (1975–2020) identified 15 medium-quality articles meeting this study’s inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of 14 of these studies corrected by Hedges’ g showed that TPD on student reading was associated with a small overall effect of g = 0.062, p < .05 on student reading outcomes. However, the effect size was moderated by delivery of the TPD, TPD hours, student population, and assessment. None of the 14 studies reported TPD theory-driven quality indicators for TPD delivery (e.g., school support, use of technology, and promotion of self-reflection or reported measures of teacher change). Conclusion of findings in literacy TPD includes the need for TPD theory-driven studies.
Preventive Effects of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in First-Year University Students at Risk for Depression: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ogawa Sayaka , Hayashida Masaki , Tayama Jun , Saigo Tatsuo , Nakaya Naoki , Sone Toshimasa , Kobayashi Masakazu , Bernick Peter , Takeoka Atsushi , Shirabe Susumu
Published: February 2023

High scores on Harm Avoidance (HA) on Cloniger’s Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) have been identified as a risk factor for depression. Group cognitive-behavioral therapy (GCBT) has been found effective in preventing depression and improving depressive symptoms among university students. However, no randomized controlled trials of GCBT have been conducted with university students with high HA. Although we initiated a randomized controlled trial in this study, some participants submitted incomplete questionnaires at baseline interfering with assured randomization; therefore, we report this study as a non-randomized controlled trial. We evaluated whether a GCBT intervention would be effective at reducing HA and, thereby, preventing depression in university students with high HA. We performed final analysis of data on 59 participants in the intervention group and 60 in a control group. We used scores on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) as the primary outcome measure and analysis of covariance to assess group differences on mean BDI-II change scores before the intervention and at six months and one year after the intervention. The intervention group had lower BDI-II scores than the control group at six months after the intervention. GCBT may have facilitated cognitive modification in individuals with high HA, or GCBT may have fostered mutual modeling by group participants. Thus, GCBT may contribute to reducing depressive symptoms in university students with high HA, and associated risk for developing depression.
Automatic range of motion measurement via smartphone images for telemedicine examination of the hand
Authors: Gu Fanbin , Fan Jingyuan , Wang Zhaoyang , Liu Xiaolin , Yang Jiantao , Zhu Qingtang
Published: February 2023

Background

Telemedicine support virtual consultations and evaluations in hand surgery for patients in remote areas during the COVID-19 era. However, traditional physical examination is challenging in telemedicine and it is inconvenient to manually measure the hand range of motion (ROM) from images or videos. Here, we propose an automatic method using the hand pose estimation technique, aiming to measure the hand ROM from smartphone images.

Methods

Twenty-eight healthy volunteers participated in the study. An eight-hand gestures measurement protocol and the Google MediaPipe Hands were used to analyze images and calculate the ROM automatically. Manual goniometry was also performed according to the guideline of the American Medical Association. The correlation between the automatic and manual methods was analyzed by the intraclass correlation coefficient and Pearson correlation coefficient. The clinical acceptance was testified using Bland-Altman plots.

Results

A total of 32 parameters of each hand were measured by both methods, and 1792 measurement results were compared. The mean difference between automatic and manual methods is −2.21 ± 9.29° in the angle measurement and 0.48 ± 0.48 cm in the distance measurement. The intraclass correlation coefficient of 75% of parameters was higher than 0.75, the Pearson correlation coefficient of 84% of parameters was over 0.6, and 40.6% of parameters reached well-accepted clinical agreements.

Conclusions

The proposed method provides a helpful protocol for automatic hand ROM measurement based on smartphone images and the MediaPipe Hands pose estimation technique. The automatic measurement is acceptable and comparable with existing methods, showing a possible application in the telemedicine examination of hand surgery.
Remembering and Narrativising COVID-19: An Early Sociological Take
Authors: Manning Peter , Moore Sarah , Tchilingirian Jordan , Woodthorpe Kate
Published: February 2023

How the COVID-19 pandemic, and the deaths that occurred during the acute phase of the pandemic (2020–2021), will be remembered is yet to be determined. Writing from a UK perspective, this short article reflects on the way in which memory, narratives and death are constructed, contested and (re)produced. Drawing on the authors’ respective sociological sub-fields, it makes a case for an ongoing sociological appraisal of emergent COVID-19 narratives, that can encompass and intertwine understandings of temporality, accountability and loss.
Modeling of yarn strength and its influencing factors in the pneumatic splicing process
Authors: Ji Xia , Wang Shunguo
Published: February 2023

Yarn splicing strength is one of the most important indexes to evaluate yarn twist quality, and it determines final performance of the yarn. This paper establishes a prediction model of yarn splicing strength. The strength prediction model was used to predict the mechanical properties of yarn composed of different fibers during splicing. The effects of fiber properties, splicing and tensile strain on the splicing strength of yarn were described by using the characteristic parameters of the fiber and yarn. Finally, the interaction between parameters is analyzed by charts, and the optimal solution is obtained. The results show that the yarn splicing strength prediction model established by the mechanical analysis and geometric structure can reflect the mechanical state of the yarn in the pneumatic splicing chamber, and can be used to calculate the yarn splicing strength. Yarns with higher tensile modulus will obtain higher splicing strength under the action of lower twist and higher tensile stress. Therefore, the strength prediction model provides a theoretical basis for the study of the relationship among yarn strength and fiber properties, splicing, tensile strain and other parameters, and also provides guidance for the optimization of the modern spinning process. Furthermore, the influence of air pressure on the splicing strength is also discussed.
Revisiting Teaching Quality Gaps: Urbanicity and Disparities in Access to High-Quality Teachers Across Tennessee
Authors: Rodriguez Luis A. , Nguyen Tuan D. , Springer Matthew G.
Published: February 2023

There is continued concern over the inequitable distribution of highly experienced and effective teachers among historically marginalized student populations. Using longitudinal data from Tennessee, this study assesses whether students of racially/ethnically minoritized and economically disadvantaged backgrounds have unequal exposure to teachers based on alternate definitions of teaching quality. We find minoritized and economically disadvantaged students are 5 to 15 percentage points less likely to be exposed to high-quality teachers. These teacher quality gaps tend to be the largest in urban school contexts. Moreover, school-level exposure gaps tend to be associated with several school, district, and neighborhood factors.
Acquisition during normative code-mixing: Trinidadian children’s varilingual pronoun usage
Authors: Jackson Samantha
Published: February 2023

While monolingual English speakers acquire most pronouns by age 5, acquisition amid prevalent, normative code-mixing, such as in Trinidad, is underexplored. This study examines how Trinidadian 3- to 5-year-olds express third-person subject, object, reflexive and possessive pronouns and factors influencing pronoun choices. Seventy-five preschoolers produced pronouns via a word elicitation task conducted in Trinidadian English Creole and Trinidad and Tobago English. Responses were coded for children’s age, gender, district and socioeconomic status; task language; grammatical gender/number; and response form. Conditional inference trees facilitated statistical analysis. When choices were available, children exhibited variable production, with Creole forms often dominant. Grammatical gender influenced whether English or Creole pronouns were selected. Task language influenced possessive pronoun choices, indicating developing sociolinguistic competence. The non-significance of other variables suggests widespread mixing of English and Creole pronouns. Findings underscore the importance of describing understudied populations, especially where variation is inherent, to ensure accurate language assessment.
Family Accommodation in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Its Association With Insight
Authors: Devi Usha , Sharma Pragya , Shekhawat Lokesh Singh , Arshad Rushi
Published: February 2023

Background:

Family accommodation (FA) is defined as a family members’ involvement by doing certain behavior in response to the daily rituals of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). FA is associated with more severe symptoms of OCD. Similarly, poor insight is associated with high severity of OCD symptoms. FA and insight are also related to each other, as more accommodative behavior of family members is associated with poor insight.

Methods:

This cross-sectional observational study assessed 103 adult OCD patients with an illness duration of at least one year. Participants were assessed using Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) symptom checklist, Y-BOCS to assess severity, and Family Accommodation Scale-SR (Hindi) to evaluate FA. Insight was assessed with the 11th item of Y-BOCS.

Results:

FA was common in the families of our participants. The mean±SD Y-BOCS score was 28.72±5.09, and the mean FAS-SR score was 44.1±12.03. A significant positive correlation existed between the FA and YBOCS scores, that is, with the increase in FA, YBOCS scores also significantly increased. A considerable number reported poor insight, and had high scores on YBOCS and their caregiver had high FA scores.

Conclusion:

FA is indicative of high symptom severity of OCD and higher FA is associated with poor insight, so FA needs further research for its interplay with OCD symptomatology and role in the maintenance of symptoms.
Dynamic bundles to detect the spatiotemporal characteristics and impact factors of ecosystem services in northern China
Authors: Li Ruonan , Kong Lingqiao , Yang Yanzheng , Wang Yu , Zheng Hua , Liang Mei
Published: February 2023

Understanding the spatiotemporal distribution of multiple ecosystem services (ESs) and their complex internal relationships is crucial for regional collaborative sustainable development. The lack of research on the temporal dynamics of multiple ESs and their internal relationships limits the effective management of ecosystem services. Based on spatial patterns and temporal dynamics, we mapped the changes in five key ESs and assessed the internal relationships over 1324 counties in northern China from 2000 to 2018. The spatial differences in ES relationships were clustered into four distinct ES bundles, and we quantified the driving force of spatiotemporal pattern changes in ES bundles. Our results showed that the relationships among ESs changed with time. From 2000 to 2018, the ES bundle pattern changed mainly in the east. The relationship of some counties changed from the trade-off between provisioning and regulating ESs to synergy, while the others changed from low synergy to high synergy. The identification of impact factors of the service cluster pattern showed that the dominant force factor for improving ecosystem service synergy in northern China is the initial condition, and the contribution of human land management and economic development is approximately 11.0% in the high-level synergy bundles and greater than 20.0% in other bundles. By addressing the spatiotemporal change in ES bundles, we clearly identified the direction and strength of the ES response to ecosystem management and provided a basis for large-scale land management evaluation and effective information for future policy making in northern China and other areas with similar natural conditions.
Evaluating Accessibility Based on the Combined High-Speed Rail and Air Transportation Network in China
Authors: Ma Shuyan , Zhang Pei , Wang Jiaoe , Zhao Ziwei
Published: February 2023

Both high-speed rail (HSR) and air transportation networks have important impacts on accessibility to cities. However, few attempts have been made to analyze the combined modal accessibility of HSR and air, especially in the case of China. To fill this gap, this study aims to measure accessibility under a combined HSR and air transportation network in China. Average travel time (ATT), weighted average travel time (WATT), and potential accessibility (PA) are employed as indicators of accessibility. The results show that inter-urban accessibility under the combined network shows a decreasing trend from the central to the surrounding region, with the level of combined network urban accessibility significantly higher than that of either individual network. Under the ATT, WATT, and PA indicators, the combined network outperforms the HSR network by 46.53%, 47.69%, and 49.23%, respectively, and the airline network by 15.49%, 13.17%, and 75.45%, respectively. In addition, the combined network shows a more equitable distribution of accessibility than that of the HSR network.