bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Detection of Beta‐Lactamases Genes among Enterobacterales in Urine Samples by Using Real‐Time PCR
Authors: Yengui Mariem , Trabelsi Rahma , Khannous Lamia , Mathlouthi Nour Elhouda , Adnan Mohd , Siddiqui Arif Jamal , Noumi Emira , Snoussi Mejdi , Gdoura Radhouane
Published: August 2022

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate newly improved, rapid, and reliable strategies based on real‐time PCR to detect the most frequent beta‐lactamase genes recorded in clinical Enterobacterales strains, particularly in Tunisia (blaSHV12, blaTEM, blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-9, blaCMY-2, blaOXA-48, blaNDM-1, and blaIMP) directly from the urine. Following the design of primers for a specific gene pool and their validation, a series of real‐time PCR reactions were performed to detect these genes in 78 urine samples showing high antibiotic resistance after culture and susceptibility testing. Assays were applied to DNA extracted from cultured bacteria and collected urine. qPCR results were compared for phenotypic sensitivity. qPCR results were similar regardless of whether cultures or urine were collected, with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Out of 78 multiresistant uropathogenic, strains of Enterobacterales (44 E. coli and 34 K. pneumoniae strains) show the presence of the genes of the bla group. In all, 44% E. coli and 36 of K. pneumoniae clinical strains harbored the bla group genes with 36.4%, 52.3%, 70.5%, 68.2%, 18.2%, and 4.5% of E. coli having blaSHV-12, blaTEM, blaCTX-M 15, blaCTX-M-9, blaCMY-2, and blaOXA-48 group genes, respectively, whereas 52.9%, 67.6%, 76.5%, 35.5%, 61.8, 14.7, and 1.28% of K. pneumoniae had blaSHV-12, blaTEM, blaCTX-M 15, blaCTX-M-9, blaCMY-2, blaOXA-48, and blaNDM-1 group genes, respectively. The time required to have a result was 3 hours by real‐time PCR and 2 to 3 days by the conventional method. Resistance genes of Gram‐negative bacteria in urine, as well as cultured bacteria, were rapidly detected using qPCR techniques. These techniques will be used as rapid and cost‐effective methods in the laboratory. Therefore, this test could be a good candidate to create real‐time PCR kits for the detection of resistance genes directly from urine in clinical or epidemiological settings.
Evaluation of Mucous Retention Cyst Prevalence on Digital Panoramic Radiographs in the Local Population of Iran
Authors: Rastegar Homa , Osmani Fereshteh
Published: August 2022

Introduction. Inflammatory diseases and cysts such as mucous retention cysts (MRCs) and benign tumors include a large proportion of lesions of the mouth, teeth, and jaw. The most common complication of this lesion is sinusitis. Due to the high frequency of these cysts in panoramic radiography of patients referred to dentistry, this study aimed to evaluate the frequency of mucous retention cysts in the maxillary sinus on panoramic images of the local population in Birjand in the year 2020. Methods. In this descriptive research design study, 1624 digital panoramic radiographs of patients referred to the oral and maxillofacial radiology department of Birjand Dental School were selected randomly. Cases were evaluated in terms of MRC appearance by two oral and maxillofacial radiology specialists. Then, based on sex, location, and size of the cysts, the images were assessed. In the predesigned checklists, data were recorded. The MRC diagnosis was confirmed by observation of a dome-shaped radiopaque view on the floor or sinus walls with a smooth surface with no cortical margin. MRCs were categorized into one of three groups by size: 1- less than 10 mm, 2- between 10 and 20 mm, and 3- more than 20 mm. Bilateral or unilateral involvement of lesions was noted. Seasons of the year (

P
<
0.05

). There was no significant relationship between the month of the year and the prevalence of cysts (

P
>
0.05

). Results. MRCs were detected in 80 panoramic images of 1624 (9/4), of which 54 patients (67.5%) were male and 26 patients (32.5%) were female. Of those 34 (42.5%), the total cases were between 30 and 40 years old. Most cysts (58.8%) were in the right sinus, and their size was 10–20 mm mainly (43.4%). Based on the results, there was a significant relationship between the prevalence of MRCs with age and sex. Conclusions. Panoramic images are so helpful in MRC detection. In this study, the frequency of MRCs is the highest in males between 30 and 40 years old. These lesions are reported mainly as unilateral and solitary in spring.
Application of Virtual Reality Technology in Adolescent Mental Health Science Education
Authors: Wang Xiaoyang , Zhu Xiaowen , Lin Jingjing
Published: August 2022

The 21st century is a time of rapid advances in science and technology, and scientific knowledge and literacy are highly relevant to the development of the country. Science education is the main means of learning scientific and cultural knowledge, and its teaching quality determines the formation of national scientific literacy. In addition, information technology teaching assistants are one of the main research areas in the field of educational technology, and they have long attracted the attention of researchers in the field of education. Based on these facts, this research introduces virtual reality technology into science education to make a favorable influence on the psychological well-being of young people, through color feature extraction, gray-level cooccurrence matrix feature extraction, Marching Cubes algorithm, and image synthesis technology to be scientifically and effectively combined with science education, and the popularization rate of students receiving science education has increased by 26.9%. As a result, the mental health of students was improved, and the number of students with subhealth mentality decreased by 16.9%. Adolescence is a transitional period for adolescents from immaturity to maturity. Adolescents are prone to fall into depression, anxiety, rebellion, autism, and other emotions, which will have a damaging impact on the growth of adolescents’ mental health. The use of virtual reality technology in science education has opened up a new field of virtual teaching and learning. This pattern of education will make a huge influence on the future growth of education and the creation of teaching concepts.
A Qualitative Study Exploring Factors Associated with Retention in HIV Care among Women with HIV in a Large HIV Clinic in Lagos, Nigeria, after Implementing the Test and Treat Policy
Authors: Odediran Omoladun O. , Odukoya Oluwakemi O. , Balogun Mobolanle R. , Colasanti Jonathan A. , Akanmu Alani S.
Published: August 2022

Background. In Nigeria, various sociocultural and economic factors may prevent women from being retained in HIV care. This study explores the factors associated with retention in care among women with HIV in a large HIV clinic in Lagos, Nigeria, under the Test and Treat policy. Methods. Women living with HIV/AIDS (n = 24) enrolled in an HIV study at the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) clinic in Lagos, Nigeria, were interviewed from April 1 to October 31, 2021, using a semistructured interview guide. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and the themes were analyzed using the framework of Andersen and Newman’s Behavioural Model for Healthcare Utilization. Results. The mean age of the respondents was 37.4 ± 9.27 years. The identified themes were as follows: being aware of the antiretroviral medications and their benefits, the household’s awareness of the respondents’ HIV status, and the presence of social support. Other themes were the presence of a dependable source of income and the ability to overcome the challenges encountered in obtaining income, ease of travel to and from the clinic (length of travel time and transportation costs), securing support from the clinic, challenges encountered in the process of accessing care at the clinic, and the ability to overcome these challenges. Also mentioned were self-perception of being HIV positive, motivation to remain in care, linkage to care, and intention to stay in care. Conclusion. Several deterring factors to retention in HIV care, such as nondisclosure of status, absence of social support, and clinic barriers, persist under the Test and Treat policy. Therefore, to achieve the “treatment as prevention” for HIV/AIDS, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, it is essential to employ strategies that address these barriers and leverage the facilitators for better health outcomes among women with HIV/AIDS.
Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Coupling Numerical Simulation on Mechanical Heterogeneity of Coal Rock
Authors: Hu Shuiqing , Wang Daobing , Li Yipeng , Liu Xiongfei , Zhou Fujian , Wang Meng , He Chunming , Yu Bo
Published: August 2022

Coal rock is a porous medium composed of organic matter and inorganic minerals, and it is very complex and highly heterogeneous. Coal bed methane (CBM) production is a thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling process in heterogeneous coal rock. THM coupling numerical simulation on the coal rock by considering the effect of mechanical heterogeneity is rarely reported. We use Weibull’s probability density distribution function to characterize the heterogeneity in elastic modulus of the coal rock, establish a THM coupling 3D finite element model of the coal rock by considering the variation in pore pressure caused by methane desorption, the linear thermal expansion effect, and coal rock skeleton shrinkage and deformation, and analyze variation in permeability, porosity, stress, temperature, and pore pressure within the coal rock representative elementary volume (REV) of variable mechanical heterogeneity with the cross-coupling correlation between permeability and porosity, and thermal field, stress field, and pressure field. The results show that the evolution of porosity and permeability in the coal rock is a THM coupling process related to mechanical heterogeneity, thermal expansion effect, pore pressure change caused by CBM desorption, and stressed deformation in the coal rock skeleton. The permeability and porosity fluctuate within the heterogeneous coal rock. The permeability and porosity fluctuate more frequently in the coal rock with stronger mechanical heterogeneity. The mechanical heterogeneity promotes local stress concentration. The time for variation in the stress through the whole the coal rock REV and the value of the first principal stress increase when the coal rock heterogeneity is enhanced. Under the THM coupling effect, the strong heterogeneity of the coal rock causes fluctuation in the thermal field. The evolution of coal porosity and permeability is a THM coupling process. This study provides theoretical guidance for CBM exploitation.
Evaluation of Economic Benefits and Ecological Environment Impact of Export Trade in Anhui Free Trade Zone
Authors: Li Dianyun , Choi Jangwoo
Published: August 2022

Nowadays, the scale of international trade is expanding at a great pace, leading to the development of the economy of different countries. Global industrialization and urbanization are developing with each passing day, and this fast economic expansion is putting a tremendous impact on the environment. Like the other countries, the scale of Chinese export trade is also increasing with time, resulting in the stable economy of our country. With the improvement of living standards, people are continuously demanding high environmental facilities. Further, the impact of trade (enterprises, companies, industries, etc.) on the ecological environment has become a worldwide problem because economic progress brought forth by trade expansion may directly affect the environment by causing pollution to rise or the degradation of natural resources. This indeed is a serious issue; therefore, various countries have started focusing on the impact of export trade on the ecological environment. In recent years, the issue of economic benefits and the environmental impact of export trade has become a hot topic of research. Therefore, this study focuses on the relationship between trade, economy, and environmental quality in China. For the accomplishment of our research study, we selected Anhui free trade zone (FTZ) as an example to analyze the interaction between the economic benefits of Anhui export trade and the local environment. It is among the top trading provinces in China having a faster economic development. In order to accurately study the economic benefits and environmental impact of export trade in the Anhui FTZ, this paper selects industrial waste gas, wastewater, and solid waste to establish an export trade environmental impact indicating system. After comparative analysis, three factors that include industrial soot (dust) emissions for export trade, chemical oxygen demand for trade, and general industrial solid waste dumping and discards are selected to evaluate the impact on the environment of the free trade zone. Based on this, the export trade environment vector autoregressive (VAR) model is established, and the variance decomposition method is used to analyze the dynamic impact of various factors on the environmental impact index. Further, we established an economic benefit VAR model based on the export economic benefit index (EI), export value (EV), and export product concentration (EPC) index and judged the economic benefit of the Anhui free trade zone based on the contribution rate of the obtained three factors. The experimental results show that the export volume and product concentration directly affect the economic benefits of the region, and at the same time, the expansion of export trade promotes the growth of economic benefits.
Pantograph Catenary Performance Detection of Energy High-Speed Train Based on Machine Vision
Authors: Wang Rong , Li Wan , Tan Lizhi , Liu Haiyu , Le Qiqing , Jiang Songyun , Nguyen Kevin T.
Published: August 2022

With the rapid development of high-speed rail in China, addressing the issue of safety assurance during the operation of the train is very important. A very important part of a train’s power supply system is the pantograph and catenary system, which consists of a pantograph and a catenary. Failure of the pantograph-catenary system can cause significant damage to the normal operation of the train. The dynamic performance of the pantograph-catheter system must be detected in real time during the operation of the train. This paper is based on the study and analysis of pantograph-catheter dynamic performance parameters and developed a system for real-time detection of pantograph-catheter dynamic performance parameters based on a car visual system. The results are as follows: based on this detection method, the visual error is low and the accuracy is high. The machine-based directional height detection module developed in this paper has a good detection effect and high test accuracy; the arcing detection module designed in this paper can effectively detect the arcing and store the arcing pictures and can display the duration of single arcing and the arcing rate of the section in real-time. The practical application effect is good. The results show that the focal length of the camera lens is 16 mm, and the error of the machine vision system is low. The system designed in this paper may make a great contribution to the operation condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of the pantograph-catenary system of a high-speed train in the future.
Identification of Human Retinal Organoid Cell Differentiation-Related Genes via Single-Cell Sequencing Data Analysis
Authors: Dong He , Yu Liang , Song Jian , Ji Lili , Yu Xiaoxia , Zhang Lijun
Published: August 2022

Objective. To study the development process of the human retina, we analyzed the development track of main cell types and transitional cell populations, identifying the retinal organoid cell differentiation-related genes (RDRGs). Methods. Single-cell RNA sequencing data (scRNA-Seq) of human retinal organoids were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database in this study. Data were processed with quality analysis and analysis of variance. Principal component analysis and

t

-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding were used to conduct dimension reduction analysis and type annotation for the screened data. Marker genes and RDRGs were identified by differential analysis. Cell differentiation characteristics were determined by trajectory analysis. Enrichment pathways were analyzed by Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), and functional modules were obtained by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Results. iPSCs were mainly located at the root of differentiation trajectory, while neurons and astrocytes were distributed in different branches, respectively. Meanwhile, 220 RDRGs were obtained. They were involved in the biological functions related to vision and visual development, as well as significantly enriched in signaling pathways associated with retinal vascular development and retinal neuroregulation. Protein-protein interaction network construction and functional subnetwork analysis were conducted on RDRGs, and two functional submodules were obtained. The enrichment analysis presented that the two submodules played a vital role in retinal development, visual perception, and cell respiration. Conclusions. This study identified RDRGs and revealed the biological functions involved in these genes, which are expected to provide evidence for researching retinal development and diseases.
ZL-1211 Exhibits Robust Antitumor Activity by Enhancing ADCC and Activating NK Cell–mediated Inflammation in CLDN18.2-High and -Low Expressing Gastric Cancer Models
Authors: Konno Hiroyasu , Lin Tracey , Wu Renyi , Dai Xinchuan , Li Shou , Wang Grace , Chen Min , Li Wenying , Wang Lina , Sun Bee-Chun , Luo Zhen , Huang Tom , Chen Yuping , Zhang John , Ye Qiuping , Bellovin David , Wan Bing , Kang Lishan , Szeto Christopher , Hsu Karl , Kabbarah Omar
Published: August 2022

CLDN18.2 (Claudin18.2)-targeting therapeutic antibodies have shown promising clinical efficacy in approximately 30% of gastric cancers expressing high levels of CLDN18.2 and less pronounced activity in low expressing malignancies. Here, we report that ZL-1211 is a mAb targeting CLDN18.2 engineered to promote enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) with the goal of achieving more potent activity in a wider spectrum of high- and low-CLDN18.2 expressing tumors. ZL-1211 demonstrated more robust in vitro ADCC activity than clinical benchmark not only in CLDN18.2-high but also CLDN18.2-low expressing gastric tumor cell lines. Greater antitumor efficacy was also observed in mouse xenograft models. Natural killer (NK) cell played critical roles in ZL-1211 efficacy and NK-cell depletion abrogated ZL-1211–mediated ADCC activity in vitro. ZL-1211 efficacy in vivo was also dependent on the presence of an NK compartment. Strikingly, NK cells strongly induced an inflammatory response in response to ZL-1211 treatment, including increased IFNγ, TNFα, and IL6 production, and were recruited into tumor microenvironment in patient-derived gastric tumors expressing CLDN18.2 upon ZL-1211 treatment to lyse the tumor cells. Taken together, our data suggest that ZL-1211 more effectively targets CLDN18.2-high gastric cancers as well as -low expressing malignancies that may not be eligible for treatment with the leading clinical benchmark by inducing enhanced ADCC response and activating NK cells with robust inflammation to enhance antitumor efficacy. Clinical activity of ZL-1211 is currently under evaluation in a phase I clinical trial (NCT05065710).

Significance:

ZL-1211, anti-CLDN18.2 therapeutic antibody can target CLDN18.2-high as well as -low gastric cancers that may not be eligible for treatment with clinical benchmark. ZL-1211 treatment induces NK-cell activation with robust inflammation to further activate antitumor immunity in tumor microenvironment.
Delivery Timing and Associated Outcomes in Pregnancies With Maternal Congenital Heart Disease at Term
Authors: Mok Thalia , Woods Allison , Small Adam , Canobbio Mary M. , Tandel Megha D. , Kwan Lorna , Lluri Gentian , Reardon Leigh , Aboulhosn Jamil , Lin Jeannette , Afshar Yalda
Published: August 2022

Background

Current recommendations for delivery timing of pregnant persons with congenital heart disease (CHD) are based on expert opinion. Justification for early‐term birth is based on the theoretical concern of increased cardiovascular stress. The objective was to evaluate whether early‐term birth with maternal CHD is associated with lower adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes.

Methods and Results

This is a retrospective cohort study of pregnant persons with CHD who delivered a singleton after 37 0/7 weeks gestation at a quaternary care center with a multidisciplinary cardio‐obstetrics care team between 2013 and 2021. Patients were categorized as early‐term (37 0/7 to 38 6/7 weeks) or full‐term (≥39 0/7) births and compared. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to calculate the adjusted odds ratio for the primary outcomes. The primary outcomes were composite adverse cardiovascular, maternal obstetric, and adverse neonatal outcome. Of 110 pregnancies delivering at term, 55 delivered early‐term and 55 delivered full‐term. Development of adverse cardiovascular and maternal obstetric outcome was not significantly different by delivery timing. The rate of composite adverse neonatal outcomes was significantly higher in early‐term births (36% versus 5%,
P
<0.01). After adjusting for confounding variables, early‐term birth remained associated with a significantly increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes (adjusted odds ratio 11.55 [95% CI, 2.59–51.58]).

Conclusions

Early‐term birth for pregnancies with maternal CHD was associated with an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes, without an accompanying decreased rate in adverse cardiovascular or obstetric outcomes. In the absence of maternal or fetal indications for early birth, induction of labor before 39 weeks for pregnancies with maternal CHD should be reserved for routine obstetrical indications.
Clinical Diagnosis and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Transient and Minor Neurological Symptoms: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Whiteley William N. , MacRaild Allan , Wang Ying , Dennis Martin , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Gray Alasdair , Reed Matthew J. , Graham Catriona , Wardlaw Joanna M.
Published: August 2022

Background:

The utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain in patients with transient or minor neurological symptoms is uncertain. We sought to determine the proportion of participants with transient or minor neurological symptoms who had MRI evidence of acute ischemia at different clinical probabilities of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke.

Methods:

Cohort of participants with transient or minor neurological symptoms from emergency and outpatient settings. Clinicians at different levels of training gave each participant a diagnostic probability (probable when TIA/stroke was the most likely differential diagnosis; possible when TIA/stroke was not the most likely differential diagnosis; or uncertain when diagnostic probability could not be given) before 1.5 or 3T brain MRI ≤5 days from onset. Post hoc, each clinical syndrome was defined blind to MRI findings as National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke criteria TIA/stroke; International Headache Society criteria migraine aura; non-TIA focal symptoms; or nonfocal symptoms. MRI evidence of acute ischemia was defined by 2 reads of MRI. Stroke was ascertained for at least 90 days and up to 18 months after recruitment.

Results:

Two hundred seventy-two participated (47% female, mean age 60, SD 14), 58% with MRI ≤2 days of onset. Most (92%) reported focal symptoms. MR evidence of acute ischemia was found, for stroke/TIA clinical probabilities of probable 23 out of 75 (31% [95% CI, 21%–42%]); possible 26 out of 151 (17% [12%–24%]); and uncertain 9 out of 43, (20% [10%–36%]). MRI evidence of acute ischemia was found in National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke criteria TIA/stroke 40 out of 95 (42% [32%–53%]); migraine aura 4 out of 38 (11% [3%–25%]); non-TIA focal symptoms 16 out of 99 (16% [10%–25%]); and no focal features 1 out of 29 (3% [0%–18%]). After MRI, a further 14 (5% [95% CI, 3–8]) would be treated with an antiplatelet drug compared with treatment plan before MRI. By 18 months, a new ischemic stroke occurred in 9 out of 61 (18%) patients with MRI evidence of acute ischemia and 2 out of 211 (1%) without (age-adjusted hazard ratio, 13 [95% CI, 3–62];
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions:

MRI evidence of acute brain ischemia was found in about 1 in 6 transient or minor neurological symptoms patients with a nonstroke/TIA initial diagnosis or uncertain diagnosis. Methods to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of MRI are needed in this population.
Bishops and Pentecost
Authors: Jillions John A.
Published: August 2022

The heart of Orthodox identity has to do with a sense of continuity with the past through the apostolic church, the Scriptures, ecumenical councils, the Fathers (and Mothers), the saints, the sacraments, and the tradition of liturgical life, all manifested in the role assigned to the bishops. Its identity is equally about the experience of Pentecost in the present: through the love, joy, peace, and freedom in the Holy Spirit, revealed in the unrepeatable uniqueness of each saint. Despite the Orthodox Church’s complicated history, painful internal debates, cultural differences, geographic separation, state oppression and persecution, there remains a powerful unity around these two dimensions of Orthodox identity. This article examines these dimensions, with particular focus on the order of service for consecrating a new bishop.
‘Taking the Spirit as our Guide’
Authors: Cross Terry L.
Published: August 2022

This article is a constructive work in ecclesiology from a Pentecostal perspective. It is proposed that the unique nature of Pentecostal spirituality and theology combine to form several bases for the doctrine of the church. Written for a Pentecostal-Orthodox dialogue, it will be clear that there are several crossovers in this proposal for a pneumatic ecclesiology that resonates well with the Eastern Churches. Three areas receive attention in this proposal: first, an encounter with the Spirit as a basis for a Pentecostal ecclesiology; second, the ministry of the Spirit and gifts as a basis for the church’s mission; and third, leadership through the Spirit as a basis for discipleship.
Exploring Snowfall Variability through the High-Latitude Measurement of Snowfall (HiLaMS) Field Campaign
Authors: Cooper Steven J. , L’Ecuyer Tristan S. , Wolff Mareile Astrid , Kuhn Thomas , Pettersen Claire , Wood Norman B. , Eliasson Salomon , Schirle Claire E. , Shates Julia , Hellmuth Franziska , Engdahl Bjørg Jenny Kokkvoll , Vásquez-Martín Sandra , Ilmo Trond , Nygård Knut
Published: August 2022

The High-Latitude Measurement of Snowfall (HiLaMS) campaign explored variability in snowfall properties and processes at meteorologically distinct field sites located in Haukeliseter, Norway, and Kiruna, Sweden, during the winters of 2016/17 and 2017/18, respectively. Campaign activities were founded upon the sensitivities of a low-cost, core instrumentation suite consisting of Micro Rain Radar, Precipitation Imaging Package, and Multi-Angle Snow Camera. These instruments are highly portable to remote field sites and, considered together, provide a unique and complementary set of snowfall observations including snowflake habit, particle size distributions, fall speeds, surface snowfall accumulations, and vertical profiles of radar moments and snow water content. These snow-specific parameters, used in combination with existing observations from the field sites such as snow gauge accumulations and ambient weather conditions, allow for advanced studies of snowfall processes. HiLaMS observations were used to 1) successfully develop a combined radar and in situ microphysical property retrieval scheme to estimate both surface snowfall accumulation and the vertical profile of snow water content, 2) identify the predominant snowfall regimes at Haukeliseter and Kiruna and characterize associated macrophysical and microphysical properties, snowfall production, and meteorological conditions, and 3) identify biases in the HARMONIE-AROME numerical weather prediction model for forecasts of snowfall accumulations and vertical profiles of snow water content for the distinct snowfall regimes observed at the mountainous Haukeliseter site. HiLaMS activities and results suggest value in the deployment of this enhanced snow observing instrumentation suite to new and diverse high-latitude locations that may be underrepresented in climate and weather process studies.
Southeast China Extreme Drought Event in August 2019: Context of Coupling of Midlatitude and Tropical Systems
Authors: Jiang Jilan , Su Tonghua , Liu Yimin , Wu Guoxiong , Yu Wei , Li Jinxiao
Published: August 2022

An extreme drought occurred over Southeast China (SEC) in August 2019. We demonstrate synergistic effects of midlatitude and tropical circulation on this extreme event and highlight the impacts of the coupling and locking of two cyclones at different latitudes, which are otherwise ignored. We propose the relaying roles of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and western North Pacific in connection with the tropical convection and SEC precipitation. The equivalent-barotropic anticyclone over the TP and lower-tropospheric cyclone over the western North Pacific both resulted from the positive Indian Ocean dipole and El Niño Modoki. The equivalent-barotropic cyclone over Northeast China originated from the dispersion of Rossby waves upstream along the subtropical waveguide associated with the North Atlantic tripole sea surface temperature anomaly pattern and the Rossby wave response to the TP precipitation deficiency. Further, they jointly contributed to this drought by inducing strong northerly wind anomalies in the entire troposphere over East China. These anomalous northerly winds led to decreased warm moisture from the south and substantial sinking motions, which inhibited the occurrence of the SEC local convection and precipitation. The SEC precipitation is closely related to convection over the Maritime Continent from a climate perspective. This relationship is verified by observations, linear baroclinic model experiments, and general circulation model sensitivity experiments with and without the TP, in which precipitation anomalies over the southern TP and Philippine Sea play important bridge roles. The results will advance the prediction of the SEC extreme drought events.
Pornography Use and Sexual Scripts Among Men Who Have Committed Sexual Offenses
Authors: Osuna Amanda Isabel , Holt Karen
Published: August 2022

Drawing from sexual scripting theory, the present study employed semi-structured interviews with 101 individuals incarcerated for sexual offenses in a Midwestern minimum-security prison to explore: (1) Do individuals who have committed sexual offenses report that porn scripts influenced or informed their sexual behavior? and (2) How do participants understand the norms and values inherent in porn? Through a qualitative analysis, several themes were identified which included living the porn, transforming sex, porn as grooming and offending, and porn as risk. For some individuals, porn serves as a salient factor in how they navigate their sexual behaviors and relationships, however, most did not report relying on these scripts in their offenses. We discuss treatment and supervision implications related to pornography use.
Shifting From Warriors to Guardians: Officer Reflections on Law Enforcement Training in Washington State
Authors: Strah Beck M. , Pollock Joycelyn M. , Becker Laurie T.
Published: August 2022

Contemporary law enforcement methods are largely defined by crime control and militarization in the “warrior” policing model. In 2013, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) adopted an alternative “guardian” training model for the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) focused on procedural justice, community partnerships, de-escalation, and crisis intervention. The current study investigates BLEA graduates’ perceptions of guardian policing and training elements. Researchers interviewed new officers who completed BLEA training with the guardian curriculum ( n = 17) and officers trained in a warrior-based curriculum ( n = 11). Themes are analyzed from interview data, including officer perceptions of BLEA guardian training and related programs. The paper concludes with discussion of limitations, themes, and policy implications of the research.
Comparing the Psychometric Properties of a Scale Across Three Likert and Three Alternative Formats: An Application to the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
Authors: Zhang Xijuan , Zhou Linnan , Savalei Victoria
Published: August 2022

Zhang and Savalei proposed an alternative scale format to the Likert format, called the Expanded format. In this format, response options are presented in complete sentences, which can reduce acquiescence bias and method effects. The goal of the current study was to compare the psychometric properties of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) in the Expanded format and in two other alternative formats, relative to several versions of the traditional Likert format. We conducted two studies to compare the psychometric properties of the RSES across the different formats. We found that compared with the Likert format, the alternative formats tend to have a unidimensional factor structure, less response inconsistency, and comparable validity. In addition, we found that the Expanded format resulted in the best factor structure among the three alternative formats. Researchers should consider the Expanded format, especially when creating short psychological scales such as the RSES.
YOLO based deep learning on needle-type dashboard recognition for autopilot maneuvering system
Authors: Chang Chia-Ming , Liou Yuan-Dean , Huang Yi-Cheng , Shen Shang-En , Yu PeiJou , Chuang TingHsueh , Chiou Shean-Juinn
Published: August 2022

Developing a fully automatic auxiliary flying system with robot maneuvering is feasible. This study develops a control vision system that can read all kind of needle-type meters. The vision device in this study implements a modified YOLO-based object detection model to recognize the airspeed readings from the needle-type dashboard. With this approach, meter information in the cockpit is replaced by a single camera and a powerful edge-computer for future autopilot maneuvering purpose. A modified YOLOv4-tiny model by adding the Spatial Pyramid Pooling (SPP) and the Bidirectional Feature Pyramid Network (BAFPN) to the Neck region of the convolutional neural networks (CNN) structure is implemented. The Taguchi method for acquiring a set of optimum hyperparameters for the CNN is applied. An improved deep learning network with higher Mean Average precision (mAP) compared with conventional YOLOv4-tiny and possessing a higher Frames Per Second (FPS) value than YOLOv4 is deployed successfully. Established a self-control system using a camera to receive airspeed indications from the designed virtual needle-type dashboard. Moreover, the dashboard’s pointer is controlled by applying the proposed control method, which contains PID control in addition to the pointer’s rotation angle recognition. A modified YOLOv4-tiny model with a fabricated system for visual dynamical recognition control is implemented successfully. The feasibility of bettering mean accuracy precision and frame per second in achieving autopilot maneuvering is verified.
“Coalition of the Willing”: Promoting Antiracism Through Empowering Community College Campus Members
Authors: Hotchkins Bryan K. , Mcnaughtan Jon , Lujan Jarett
Published: August 2022

Objective/Research Question: Critical race theory (CRT) was used with a basic qualitative study to interrogate how racism unfolds at community colleges and how Black community college presidents enact antiracism. The purpose of this study is to enhance understandings about how community college presidents of African descent construct antiracism, how those definitions are communicated, and the rationale for creating opportunities to disrupt racism within predominantly White campus environments. Methods: Six presidents participated in three semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 75-minutes each. The sample included three men and three women. Interviews focused on institutional communications about racial tensions concerning how presidents’ identities (e.g., race and gender) influenced decision making with campus stakeholders and presidential roles in defining and enacting antiracism. Results: Three themes emerged including how Accountability matters, the need for Space creators, and importance of developing Student “critical” mass. Participants discussed how they created spaces and utilized cultural capital networks to advance campus diversity agendas to benefit their institutions. Presidents posited that although community college leaders were likely motivated to participate in anti-racist practices due to the bettering of institutional image, decisive work needed to be done despite knowing endemic racism occurs in perpetuity. Conclusions/Contributions: This study highlights the need for enhanced training of presidents about how to conceptualize and engage campus racism. Additionally, presidents posited that the majority of students on their campuses were ready to engage in antiracism leadership activism, but they needed training to be empowered to develop anti-racist programs and practices. Finally, institutions need to develop stronger and more systematic ways to call out racism and promote anti-racist programing and practices.
Synergistic combination of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and nitrosoamine-safe thiuram disulfide as advanced rubber vulcanizing accelerators
Authors: Alam Md Najib , Debnath Subhas C , Boondamnoen Orathai , Kumar Koramala N , Kim Jin H , Choi Jungwook
Published: August 2022

In this study, we developed a combination accelerator system to synergistically improve the vulcanizing activity of 2-marcapto benzothiazole (MBT) with different nitrosamine-safe thiuram disulfides (TDs), namely, bis-(N-benzyl piperazino) thiuram disulfide (BPTD), bis-(N-phenyl piperazino) thiuram disulfide (PPTD), and bis-(N-ethyl piperazino) thiuram disulfide (EPTD), which can be used as nitrosamine-safe cross-linking accelerators for sulfur based rubber vulcanization. The results were compared with that of a conventionally unsafe TD, tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (TMTD) combined with MBT, to evaluate the efficiencies of these nitrosamine-safe TD accelerators for industrial applications. The curing and mechanical properties of rubber vulcanization were investigated to understand the synergism between MBT and nitrosoamine-safe TDs. The results indicate that novel TDs combined with MBT significantly improve the curing characteristics and mechanical properties following to the TDs with smaller molecular size and higher basicity. The MBT/BPTD system had higher modulus values because BPTD has a higher molar mass, which facilitates a better distribution of accelerators in the rubber matrix. Overall, the MBT/EPTD accelerator systems with equal molar ratios can compete with the curing rates, tensile strengths, and moduli of unsafe TMTD accelerator systems in the vulcanization of rubber.
Decision-making skills in the fourth industrial revolution
Authors: de Vries Michiel S , Kroukamp Hendri
Published: August 2022

Courses and training in public decision-making have often disappeared from Public Administration curricula. This paper argues that this is unfortunate as skills therein are severely needed to steer developments towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Whereas some see this as a macro development that befalls countries, this paper argues otherwise. Decision-making by individual and corporate actors is judged to be central in the 4IR. This makes the steering thereof possible and desirable. Without being trained in the needed skills in decision-making our graduates will not be prepared to do so and will not become the responsible public officials able to direct 4IR developments.
Against ‘institutional racism’
Authors: Matthew D. C.
Published: August 2022

This paper argues that the concept and role of ‘institutional racism’ in contemporary discussions of race should be reconsidered. It starts by distinguishing between ‘intrinsic institutional racism’, which holds that institutions are racist in virtue of their constitutive features, and ‘extrinsic institutional racism’, which holds that institutions are racist in virtue of their negative effects. It accepts intrinsic institutional racism, but argues that a ‘disparate impact’ conception of extrinsic conception faces a number of objections, the most serious being that it has no plausible account of what it is that makes extrinsically racist institutions racist. It also argues that claims about the explanatory indispensability of institutional racism are overstated (individual racism is at least as important), critiques structural approaches to racial inequality, and suggests that there is reason to doubt whether institutional reform can provide us with all that morality may require in the racial domain.
Not everyone can be a winner, baby: A pragmatist response to problems of contemporary ‘crisis studies’
Authors: Selk Veith , Scerri Andy , Jörke Dirk
Published: August 2022

A growing genre of ‘crisis studies’ traces liberal-democratic instability to technocratic reformism and populist reaction to it. Most contributions recommend restoring economic growth, rebuilding civic culture and eschewing populist ‘us-versus-them’ narratives. This literature relies on a problematic way of thinking we label irenicism, and show to be a contemporary variant of what political realists call progressive moralizing. Irenicism portrays liberal-democracy as the product of voluntary consensus among rational individuals to sustain institutions that, by promoting endless economic growth, support universal interests and values. By way of a synthesis of realist thinking and Dewey’s pragmatic approach to experimental theory-building, irenicism is shown to preserve a lacuna for political interpretation. The task for current political theory should not be to affirm old ideas in the face of new challenges. Rather, it should be to do away with ‘traditionalized’ ideas, to clear the field for experimental responses to democratic political thought and action.
Does Changing the Narrative Improve Host Community Attitudes Toward Climate Migrants? Experimental Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Kolstad Ivar , Bezu Sosina , Lujala Päivi , Mahmud Minhaj , Wiig Arne
Published: August 2022

A number of studies suggest that prevailing narratives about the situation of the poor and vulnerable affect how they are viewed and treated. Theoretically, a potentially powerful way to make host communities more welcoming of climate migrants is to shift the blame for their situation away from the migrants themselves and onto other forces or agents. We present results from a randomized field experiment conducted among long-term residents of host communities in the Satkhira district of Bangladesh that exposed three treatment groups to narratives that shift responsibility for climate migration toward natural forces, Western countries, and local authorities, respectively. Despite statistical power to detect reasonably small effects, we find no positive effects of these narratives on host-community attitudes toward climate migrants. On the contrary, the local authorities treatment had a borderline negative effect on host-community attitudes. Our results suggest caution in attempting to influence attitudes toward migrants through attribution of blame to outside forces or third parties. Such narrative interventions may shift responsibility away from not just migrants but also the treated host-community residents and increase social identification between host-community members relative to outsiders.
Together–A couples’ program integrating relationship and financial education: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Falconier Mariana K , Kim Jinhee , Lachowicz Mark J
Published: August 2022

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of the TOGETHER program through a randomized controlled trial. A sample of community couples, predominantly African-American and low-income, was randomly assigned to either a no-intervention control group ( N = 147) or the intervention group ( N = 145) that participated in the program consisting of a 20-hour integrated relationship and financial education workshop and referrals to community services for family needs. Both groups completed self-report instruments upon enrollment (T1), 8 weeks later (workshop end = T2), and 6 months later (T3) regarding general and financial individual coping and well-being, general and financial relationship functioning, and financial self-efficacy and management. Dyadic multilevel models controlling for demographic variables and baseline measurement of outcome variables were used to test T1 – T2, T2 – T3, and T1 – T3 mean differences. Improvements in the intervention group were statistically significantly different from the control group at 6-month follow-up in the following areas: Stress levels, use of positive individual and dyadic strategies to manage financial and non-financial stress, conflict management, relationship satisfaction and commitment, and budgeting. Considering the reciprocal influence of individual/relational emotional and financial aspects, TOGETHER may be a particularly useful relationship education program for financially distressed couples. However, given the absence of significant differences between the intervention and control groups in financial stress, financial shared goals and values, cash and credit management, and savings/investment, future studies should continue evaluating whether the financial literacy component of the program may have a positive impact in such outcomes. Limitations and implications are discussed.