bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Determines Above-Anvil Cirrus Plume Infrared Temperature?
Authors: Murillo Elisa M. , Homeyer Cameron R.
Published: August 2022

Above-anvil cirrus plumes (AACPs) in midlatitude convection are important indicators of severe storms and stratospheric hydration events. Recent studies of AACPs have shown large variability in their characteristics, although many of the causes remain unknown. Notably, some AACPs appear equally as cold (or colder) than the broader storm top when compared to the more frequently observed warm AACP feature in infrared satellite imagery. To confidently identify the presence of an AACP, trained experts utilize infrared imagery to support the primary source of AACP identification, visible imagery. Thus, nighttime AACPs are often left unidentified due to unavailable visible imagery, especially for cold AACPs. In this study, 89 warm and 89 cold AACPs from 1-min GOES-16 satellite imagery coupled with ground-based radar observations and reanalysis data are comparatively evaluated to answer the following research questions: 1) Why do some AACPs exhibit a warm feature in infrared imagery while others do not, and 2) what observable storm and environment differences exist between warm and cold AACPs? It is found that cold AACPs tend to occur in tropical environments, which feature higher, cold-point tropopauses. Conversely, warm AACPs tend to occur in midlatitude environments, with lower tropopauses accompanied by an isothermal region (or tropopause inversion layer) in the lower stratosphere. Similar storm characteristics are found for warm and cold AACP events, implying that infrared temperature variability is driven by environmental differences. Together, these results suggest that cold AACPs are predominantly tropospheric phenomena, while warm AACPs reside in the lower stratosphere.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this study is to determine why some storms with a specific cloud-top feature exhibit a broad warm spot in infrared satellite imagery while others appear cold. This is important because storms with this specific cloud-top feature, whether warm or cold, produce much more severe weather than most other storms. These cloud-top features are also potentially indicative of increased water vapor in the stratosphere, which results in warming of Earth’s climate. Our results help us better understand storms that are frequently severe and suggest that the storms with cold features are less important to understanding stratospheric water vapor and climate change.
On the Diffusivity of Moist Static Energy and Implications for the Polar Amplification Response to Climate Warming
Authors: Lu Jian , Zhou Wenyu , Kong Hailu , Leung L. Ruby , Harrop Bryce , Song Fengfei
Published: August 2022

Energy balance models (EBMs) have been widely used in a range of climate problems, but the assumption of constant diffusivity in the parameterization of the moist static energy (MSE) flux can hardly be justified. We demonstrate in this study that the diffusive MSE flux can be derived from the basic energy balance equation with a few tolerable assumptions. The estimated diffusivity is both spatially and seasonally dependent, and its midlatitude average is then tested against several scaling theories for the midlatitude eddy diffusivity. The result supports the diffusivity theory of Held and Larichev modified for the moist atmosphere, affording a dynamics-based parameterization of MSE diffusivity. The implementation of the parameterization in an EBM leads to an interactive MSE diffusivity that accounts for the midlatitude eddy response to climate forcing perturbations. Under a uniform radiative forcing, the EBM with a diffusivity so parameterized produces a weakening of the midlatitude diffusivity and a modestly polar-amplified surface temperature response as an inevitable outcome under the dual constraints of the nonlinear Clausius–Clapeyron relation and the temperature gradient-dependent diffusivity, even in the absence of any poleward-amplifying radiative feedbacks. As the consequence of more isothermal temperature and reduced diffusivity, the variance of the midlatitude surface temperature also decreases with warming.
Is Anthropogenic Global Warming Accelerating?
Authors: Jenkins Stuart , Povey Adam , Gettelman Andrew , Grainger Roy , Stier Philip , Allen Myles
Published: August 2022

Estimates of the anthropogenic effective radiative forcing (ERF) trend have increased by 50% since 2000 (from +0.4 W m−2 decade−1 in 2000–09 to +0.6 W m−2 decade−1 in 2010–19), the majority of which is driven by changes in the aerosol ERF trend, as a result of aerosol emissions reductions. Here we study the extent to which observations of the climate system agree with these ERF assumptions. We use a large ERF ensemble from the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) to attribute the anthropogenic contributions to global mean surface temperature (GMST), top-of-atmosphere radiative flux, and we use aerosol optical depth observations. The GMST trend has increased from +0.18°C decade−1 in 2000–09 to +0.35°C decade−1 in 2010–19, coinciding with the anthropogenic warming trend rising from +0.19°C decade−1 in 2000–09 to +0.24°C decade−1 in 2010–19. This, as well as observed trends in top-of-atmosphere radiative fluxes and aerosol optical depths, supports the claim of an aerosol-induced temporary acceleration in the rate of warming. However, all three observation datasets additionally suggest that smaller aerosol ERF trend changes are compatible with observations since 2000, since radiative flux and GMST trends are significantly influenced by internal variability over this period. A zero-trend-change aerosol ERF scenario results in a much smaller anthropogenic warming acceleration since 2000 but is poorly represented in AR6’s ERF ensemble. Short-term ERF trends are difficult to verify using observations, so caution is required in predictions or policy judgments that depend on them, such as estimates of current anthropogenic warming trend, and the time remaining to, or the outstanding carbon budget consistent with, 1.5°C warming. Further systematic research focused on quantifying trends and early identification of acceleration or deceleration is required.
Zonal Temperature Gradients in the Tropical Free Troposphere
Authors: Bao Jiawei , Dixit Vishal , Sherwood Steven C.
Published: August 2022

The horizontal temperature gradients in the tropical free troposphere are generally assumed to be weak. We show with ERA5 data that substantial zonal virtual temperature (Tυ) gradients persist climatologically in the tropical free troposphere and investigate their causes. The gradients change seasonally: Tυ at 500 hPa over the equatorial western Pacific Ocean (EWP) is usually much warmer (up to 3 K) than that over the equatorial central Pacific Ocean (ECP) during December–February (DJF), while the temperature differences between EWP and ECP are much smaller during June–August (JJA). During DJF, Tυ gradients over the Pacific prevail throughout the entire free troposphere, especially in the upper troposphere near 300 hPa. We find that the associated hydrostatic pressure gradients are mainly balanced by the nonlinear terms in the momentum equation, in particular via zonal wind advection. Strong zonal winds occur near the equator in boreal winter, transporting zonal momentum so as to balance the pressure gradient force. The zonal winds are due to large-scale equatorial waves, excited by a heating pattern that is relatively symmetric about the equator. In boreal summer, the large-scale equatorial waves are less active in the Pacific region due to a more asymmetric temperature pattern, so the zonal momentum advection and Tυ gradients are both much weaker. The results point to an important role of the nonlinear terms in the tropical balanced dynamics, stressing the need for an improved theoretical understanding and modeling framework of the tropical atmosphere that includes these nonlinear terms, or their net effect.
Structures and Mechanisms of Heatwaves Related to Quasi-Biweekly Variability over Southern China
Authors: Zheng Bin , Gu Dejun , Lin Ailan , Peng Dongdong , Li Chunhui , Huang Yanyan
Published: August 2022

In the present study, the structures and mechanisms of the heatwaves (HWs) associated with the quasi-biweekly (QBW; 10–20-day period) variability (QBW-HW) over southern China (SC; 106°–120°E, 21°–30°N) are investigated by using observation data from surface stations in China and the related gridded dataset (CN05.1), and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis. We found that the strongest anticyclonic anomaly and subsidence appear over SC during the developing phase of QBW-HW, and then induced excess solar radiation at surface and significant diabatic heating lead to a positive surface air temperature change, thus favoring occurrence of QBW-HW over SC. In addition, we found a wet near-surface atmosphere in the QBW-HW events over SC, and further confirmed that near-surface moisture should play an important role in the occurrence of QBW-HW, via absorptions of longwave and shortwave radiation. This result is quite different from previous studies since they did not pay attention to the near-surface moisture. On the other hand, warmer SAT favors more water vapor evaporated from the moist soil when considering the Clausius–Clapeyron relationship. Then, the positive feedback processes promote the occurrence of QBW-HW over SC. In contrast, during the developing and warm phases of QBW-HW over SC, except for the near-surface level, the troposphere is in a dry condition, even at 850 and 700 hPa. In the QBW-HW events over SC, the factor responsible for the wet near-surface atmosphere is the enhanced surface evaporation, which is attributed to strengthened surface wind speed and background moist soil.

Significance Statement

Under the background of global warming, heatwaves over Southern China are experiencing an increasing trend. In this study, we want to understand the structures and mechanisms of the heatwaves related to 10–20-day (quasi-biweekly) variability. We that found some structures of heatwaves (e.g., anticyclonic anomalies along with subsidence) are consistent with previous studies. In addition, we also show that the moist soil and increased induced near-surface moisture play a key role in the occurrence of heatwaves over Southern China, via enhanced absorptions of longwave and shortwave radiation. This study is helpful for understanding the processes and prediction of heatwaves over Southern China. Future work should examine the findings by some numerical experiments with a climate model.
Blending TAC and BUFR Marine In Situ Data for ICOADS Near-Real-Time Release 3.0.2
Authors: Liu Chunying , Freeman Eric , Kent Elizabeth C. , Berry David I. , Worley Steven J. , Smith Shawn R. , Huang Boyin , Zhang Huai-min , Cram Thomas , Ji Zaihua , Ouellet Mathieu , Gaboury Isabelle , Oliva Frank , Andersson Axel , Angel William E. , Sallis Angela R. , Adeyeye Adedoja
Published: August 2022

This paper describes the new International Comprehensive Ocean–Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS) near-real-time (NRT) release (R3.0.2), with greatly enhanced completeness over the previous version (R3.0.1). R3.0.1 had been operationally produced monthly from January 2015 onward, with input data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Telecommunication Systems (GTS) transmissions in the Traditional Alphanumeric Codes (TAC) format. Since the release of R3.0.1, however, many observing platforms have changed, or are in the process of transitioning, to the Binary Universal Form for Representation of Meteorological Data (BUFR) format. R3.0.2 combines input data from both BUFR and TAC formats. In this paper, we describe input data sources; the BUFR decoding process for observations from drifting buoys, moored buoys, and ships; and the data quality control of the TAC and BUFR data streams. We also describe how the TAC and BUFR streams were merged to upgrade R3.0.1 into R3.0.2 with duplicates removed. Finally, we compare the number of reports and spatial coverage of essential climate variables (ECVs) between R3.0.1 and R3.0.2. ICOADS NRT R3.0.2 shows both quantitative and qualitative gains from the inclusion of BUFR reports. The number of observations in R3.0.2 increased by nearly 1 million reports per month, and the coverage of buoy and ship sea surface temperatures (SSTs) on monthly 2° × 2° grids increased by 20%. The number of reported ECVs also increased in R3.0.2. For example, observations of SST and sea level pressure (SLP) increased by around 30% and 20%, respectively, as compared to R3.0.1, and salinity is a new addition to the ICOADS NRT product in R3.0.2.

Significance Statement

The International Comprehensive Ocean–Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS) is the largest collection of surface marine observations spanning from 1662 to the present. A new version, ICOADS near-real-time 3.0.2, includes data transmitted in the Binary Universal Form for Representation of Meteorological Data (BUFR) format, in combination with Traditional Alphanumeric Codes (TAC) data. Many of the organizations that report observations in near–real time have moved to BUFR, so this update brings ICOADS into alignment with collections and archives of these international data distributions. By including the BUFR reports, the number of observations in the upgraded version of ICOADS increased by nearly one million reports per month and spatial coverage of buoy and ship SSTs increased by 20% over the previous version.
Three-Dimensional Convective–Stratiform Echo-Type Classification and Convectivity Retrieval from Radar Reflectivity
Authors: Dixon Michael , Romatschke Ulrike
Published: August 2022

The Echo Classification from COnvectivity (ECCO) algorithm identifies convective and stratiform types of radar echo in three dimensions. It is based on the calculation of reflectivity texture—a combination of the intensity and the heterogeneity of the radar echoes on each horizontal plane in a 3D Cartesian volume. Reflectivity texture is translated into convectivity, which is designed to be a quantitative measure of the convective nature of each 3D radar grid point. It ranges from 0 (100% stratiform) to 1 (100% convective). By thresholding convectivity, a more traditional qualitative categorization is obtained, which classifies radar echoes as convective, mixed, or stratiform. In contrast to previous algorithms, these echo-type classifications are provided on the full 3D grid of the reflectivity field. The vertically resolved classifications, in combination with temperature data, allow for subclassifications into shallow, mid-, deep, and elevated convective features, and low, mid-, and high stratiform regions—again in three dimensions. The algorithm was validated using datasets collected over the U.S. Great Plains during the PECAN field campaign. An analysis of lightning counts shows ∼90% of lightning occurring in regions classified as convective by ECCO. A statistical comparison of ECCO echo types with the well-established GPM radar precipitation-type categories show 84% (88%) of GPM stratiform (convective) echo being classified as stratiform (convective) or mixed by ECCO. ECCO was applied to radar grids for the continental United States, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Europe, illustrating its robustness and adaptability to different radar grid characteristics and climatic regions.
Investigation of Maximum Hail-Size Forecasting Using Bulk Microphysics Schemes
Authors: Wu Wanchen , Huang Wei , Deng Lin , Wu Chong
Published: August 2022

This study uses the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model to investigate the performance of hail parameterizations of the WRF double-moment 7-class (WDM7), aerosol-aware Thompson (AAT), and National Taiwan University triple-moment (NTU3M) bulk microphysics schemes (BMSs) on a real case of a hailstorm initiated in Shandong Province, China. The maximum hail size is particularly evaluated because it is crucial to hail severity prediction, along with areal coverage and intensity of the 24-h solid precipitation during the simulations. Compared with the radar-derived maximum hail size, the objective analysis shows that the NTU3M scheme has the best score in the forecast skill of hail-fall coverage and size, while two BMSs with single-moment rimed ice species overestimate hail diameters aloft but underpredict the coverage at the surface. A deeper investigation suggests that the derived size tendencies from the three BMSs are comparable to the benchmark solutions from the detailed hailstone growth and melting models. The NTU3M scheme displays the most consistent size tendency of the maximum diameter with the benchmark solution in the growth processes. The behaviors of melted diameter by parameterizations are highly related to the treatments of number concentration, which are consistent with the predicted hail severity and coverage. Finally, the sensitivity study shows that increasing the model resolution does not improve the forecast of the maximum hail size, given the biases in the hail mass budget equations and the parameterization of particle size distribution, with single-moment rimed ice species of the AAT scheme.

Significance Statement

Improving hail-forecasting skill, including the size, severity, and the spatial and temporal coverage of hail fall, has become an important subject for numerical weather prediction models as the model resolution increases. The objective of this study is to investigate the fundamental differences in hail parameterizations of three bulk microphysics schemes that lead to differences in the prediction of severe hail events and the spatial coverage of hail fall, hopefully providing insights into hail prediction with a regional numerical weather prediction model in the future.
EAKF-Based Parameter Optimization Using a Hybrid Adaptive Method
Authors: Cao Lige , Wu Xinrong , Han Guijun , Li Wei , Wu Xiaobo , Wu Haowen , Li Chaoliang , Li Yundong , Zhou Gongfu
Published: August 2022

To effectively reduce model bias and improve assimilation quality, we adopt a hybrid adaptive approach of ensemble adjustment Kalman filter (EAKF) and multigrid analysis (MGA), called EAKF-MGA, to implement parameter optimization as follows. For each assimilation cycle, observations are used to adjust the prior ensembles of both state variables and parameters using the EAKF without inflation. Then, the MGA is adaptively triggered to extract multiscale information from the observational residual to innovate the ensemble mean of the state once again. Results of biased twin experiments consisting of a barotropic spectral model and idealized observation systems show that the proposed EAKF-MGA is insensitive to state variance inflation and localization during the parameter optimization process, compared with the EAKF with adaptive inflation. We also find that computational efficiency is another important advantage of the EAKF-MGA for both state estimation and parameter estimation since extremely small ensemble size is allowed, while the EAKF with adaptive inflation does not work anymore. In essence, the EAKF-MGA is designed to estimate and correct systematic errors jointly with model’s state variables. Through alleviating biases, including the model bias caused by the biased parameter and the analysis bias resulting from the sampling noise given the limited ensemble size, it can be guaranteed that the analysis in the EAKF-MGA will be proceeded onward with the standard assumption of the unbiased model background field in modern data assimilation theory to be met.
Short-Term Weather Forecast Skill of Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Hennon Christopher C. , Coleman Andrew , Hill Andrew
Published: August 2022

We evaluate the short-term weather forecast performance of three flavors of artificial neural networks (NNs): feed forward back propagation, radial basis function, and generalized regression. To prepare the application of the NNs to an operational setting, we tune NN hyperparameters using over two years of historical data. Five objective guidance products serve as predictors to the NNs: North American Mesoscale and Global Forecast System model output statistics (MOS) forecasts, the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model, National Weather Service forecasts, and the National Blend of Models product. We independently test NN performance using 96 real-time forecasts of temperature, wind, and precipitation across 11 U.S. cities made during the WxChallenge, a weather forecasting competition. We demonstrate that all NNs significantly improve short-range weather forecasts relative to the traditional objective guidance aids used to train the networks. For example, 1-day maximum and minimum temperature forecast error is 20%–30% lower than MOS. However, NN improvement over multiple linear regression for short-term forecasts is not significant. We suggest this may be attributed to the small number of training samples, the operational nature of the experiment, and the short forecast lead times. Regardless, our results are consistent with previous work suggesting that applying NNs to model forecasts can have a positive impact on operational forecast skill and will become valuable tools when integrated into the forecast enterprise.

Significance Statement

We used approximately two years of historical weather data and objective forecasts for a number of cities to tune a series of artificial neural networks (NNs) to forecast 1-day values of maximum and minimum temperature, maximum sustained wind speed, and quantitative precipitation. We compare forecast error against common objective guidance and multiple linear regression. We found that the NNs exhibit about 25% lower error than common objective guidance for temperature forecasting and 50% lower error for wind speed. Our results suggest that NNs will be a valuable contributor to improving weather forecast skill when adopted into the existing forecast enterprise.
Sport Fanship at the Age of the Pandemic: Preliminary Thoughts in Times of (Global) Change
Authors: Galily Yair , Samuel-Azran Tal , Hayat Tsahi
Published: August 2022

Sport fanship is immeasurable and represents one of society’s most universal leisure activities. The current collection of research on the fanship phenomena is truly global: 25 scholars from 4 continents (including North and south America, UK, Australia, Norway, Netherland, and Israel) looked closely at various dimensions of sport fanship. The ongoing COVID pandemic presents both spectators on and off the field with various challenges side to unique opportunity to rethink the way sport fans consume and interact. Thus, the aim of this double special issue with 13 papers was to assemble both applied or theoretical research from experts within fields of psychology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, political science, economy, media, and gender studies.
Housing and loneliness among individuals with serious mental illnesses
Authors: Nagata Shinichi , Brusilovskiy Eugene , Townley Greg , McCormick Bryan , Thomas Elizabeth C. , Snethen Gretchen , Salzer Mark S.
Published: August 2022

Background:

People with serious mental illnesses (SMI) have higher levels of loneliness than the general population. Furthermore, people with SMI tend to be less satisfied with their housing and tend to move more frequently.

Aim:

This study aims to examine relationships between housing variables (whom they live with, duration of residence, and satisfaction) and loneliness among individuals with SMI.

Methods:

Data were collected from 188 adults with SMI in greater Philadelphia area. Classification and Regression Trees (CART) were used to examine whether whom they live with, duration of residence, and housing satisfaction were associated with loneliness.

Results:

Housing satisfaction was found to be the most prominent predictor of loneliness. Those who were unsatisfied with their overall housing conditions always had the highest level of loneliness, regardless of other factors. Even if they were satisfied with their housing conditions, their loneliness was higher if they had just moved to the new residence. Participants had lower loneliness the longer they lived in a residence and had the lowest loneliness levels after about three years.

Conclusion:

Housing is associated with loneliness among people with SMI. Psychiatric service providers should increase support to factors contributing to housing satisfaction and duration of residence, including active engagement in the community.
Effects of Nursing Care Provided to the Relatives of Palliative Care Patients on Caregivers’ Spiritual Well-Being and Hope: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kurtgöz Aslı , Koç Zeliha
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of nursing care, based on Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, given to the relatives of palliative care patients on caregivers’ spiritual well-being and hope. This research was planned as a randomized controlled trial and conducted among 60 patient relatives (intervention group: 30, control group: 30) taking care of their patients in five palliative care units in Turkey. Data were collected via the Introductory Information Form on Patient Relatives, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. Although administered nursing care caused a significant difference in the Beck Hopelessness Scale scores of the intervention group (U= 235.5, p = 0.001); no change was measured in scores from the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (U=385.0, p = 0.336). The findings of the study evidenced that nursing care based on Theory of Human Caring diminished the hopelessness levels of patient relatives while causing no effect on their spiritual well-being.
Gender, wheat trait preferences, and innovation uptake: Lessons from Ethiopia and India
Authors: Badstue Lone , Krishna Vijesh V , Jaleta Moti , Gartaula Hom , Erenstein Olaf
Published: August 2022

During the post-Green Revolution era, numerous improved wheat varieties were released and disseminated to enhance tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and increase productivity. Still, in the wheat-based farming systems of the Global South, gender-based and other social inequalities continue to undermine equitable access to improved varieties, especially for women, poor, and marginalized farmers. Here, we present a case for gender-sensitive technology development, dissemination, and evaluation as part of wheat varietal improvement programs. We take stock of the various challenges that persist in the uptake of modern wheat varieties by male and female smallholders. We focus on Ethiopia and India, two geographies with substantive wheat economies, widespread poverty, and gender inequalities. The socio-economic literature on wheat is relatively thin with limited and dated gender-sensitive evaluation studies on varietal technologies in these countries. Varietal technology evaluations could ideally cover gender differences in relation to wheat varietal trait preferences, technology adoption, and associated decision-making and labor-use changes related to new varieties and complementary technologies, as well as nutritional and economic benefits. The paper calls for a need to change the institutional arrangements in wheat research-and-development (R&D) programs to understand and pursue better paths for wheat improvement to proactively contribute toward gender equity and inclusivity.
Going all-in for well-being
Authors: Shirley Dennis , Hargreaves Andy
Published: August 2022

Social-emotional learning (SEL) programs have become one of the most popular tools that schools use to help students learn to manage their emotions and build better relationships. But Dennis Shirley and Andy Hargreaves argue that these programs are insufficient to help students face today’s challenges. It would be far better, they explain, for schools to focus on programs that enhance students’ well-being. A focus on well-being involves no longer relying on psychological solutions to solve societal problems. Instead, education leaders must look to the root causes that underlie student distress and seek to address those issues. They propose three places to start: (1) promoting a prosperity agenda, (2) encouraging ethnical technology use, and (3) embracing the restorative power of nature. Further, instead of teaching students to tamp down negative emotions, schools should empower them to marshal those emotions to bring about needed change in these areas and thus promote their own well-being.
Paul, Pagans and Eschatological Ethnicities: A Response to Denys McDonald
Authors: Fredriksen Paula
Published: August 2022

An invited response to Denys McDonald’s JSNT essay: ‘“Ex-Pagan Pagans”? Paul, Philo, and Gentile Ethnic Reconfiguration’.
Nutritional knowledge and immunity-boosting food consumption patterns before and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown periods in Osun State, Nigeria
Authors: Folorunso Adekunle , Olu-Lawal Fareedah , Omoniyi Saheed
Published: August 2022

Background: A healthy diet can ensure a robust immune system that can resist any onslaught by viruses and bacteria. Aim: To assess the nutritional knowledge and consumption patterns of immunity boosting foods of adults before & after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown periods and the effect of the lockdown on daily food intake among respondents in selected towns in Osun state. Methods: Cross sectional data was collected from six largest local governments areas purposively selected from the three senatorial districts of Osun State (n = 1000) using a well-structured, self-administered questionnaire and the data collected was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Pearson's correlation test The study assessed the food intakes of adults using a qualitative food frequency questionnaire. Results: The results indicated that the majority (89.8%) of the respondents had high knowledge of the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Daily food intake was affected by COVID-19 lockdown, consumption of healthy food among the respondents was high during lockdown as 77% strongly agreed that vitamins and minerals supplement can be considered healthy and immunity boosting, while there was a reduction in the consumption of healthy foods after the lockdown periods. The test of hypothesis showed that the occurrence of pandemic and nutritional knowledge had a significant relationship with the consumption of healthy foods. Conclusion: This study extends and confirms previous research on high nutritional knowledge of immunity-boosting foods in relation to COVID-19 among the respondents and a general reduction in the consumption of healthy foods after the COVID −19 lockdown periods.
Mild elevation of C-reactive protein in a young patient with severe periodontitis: a case report with 2 years of follow-up
Authors: Hasuike Akira , Nagao Mayu , Moriya Yoshitomo , Numasaki Hikaru , Sato Shuichi
Published: August 2022

Periodontal inflammation is associated with systemic disease. Low-grade inflammation (LGI) is critical to the link between periodontal disease and several systemic disorders. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a common circulating biomarker for acute-phase immune responses, and it is closely related to LGI. The present case demonstrated excellent results using a comprehensive approach for periodontitis in a young woman with severe periodontitis and mild CRP elevation. A 21-year-old Japanese woman complained of tooth mobility and bleeding during tooth brushing. She was pre-obese (body mass index = 29.9), and she had a mildly elevated CRP level (5.2 mg/L). Of all periodontal sites, 34.5% had deep pockets (≥6 mm). The patient was diagnosed with stage III, grade C periodontitis and generalized aggressive periodontitis. Comprehensive periodontal treatments, including regenerative procedures for vertical bone loss and furcation involvement, were performed. Periodontal tissue inflammation was resolved, and periodontal regeneration was achieved. During the 2-year follow-up period, her teeth did not exhibit any signs of instability, attachment loss, or bone loss. Despite the weak nature of the evidence, this case suggests that CRP is valuable for assessing LGI, and it may potentially be considered during periodontal grading in the future.
RNA-seq analysis reveals differentially expressed inflammatory chemokines in a rat retinal degeneration model induced by sodium iodate
Authors: Chen Sheng , Liu Guo , Liu Xin , Wang Yun , He Fen , Nie Danyao , Liu Xinhua , Liu Xuyang
Published: August 2022

Objective

Retinal degeneration (RD) is a group of serious blinding eye diseases characterized by photoreceptor cell apoptosis and progressive degeneration of retinal neurons. However, the underlying mechanism of its pathogenesis remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, retinal tissues from sodium iodate (NaIO3)-induced RD and control rats were collected for transcriptome analysis using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Analysis of white blood cell-related parameters was conducted in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related cataract (ARC) patients.

Results

In total, 334 mRNAs, 77 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 20 other RNA types were identified as differentially expressed in the retinas of NaIO3-induced RD rats. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses showed that differentially expressed mRNAs were mainly enriched in signaling pathways related to immune inflammation. Moreover, we found that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in RP patients than in ARC patients.

Conclusion

Overall, this study suggests that multiple chemokines participating in systemic inflammation may contribute to RD pathogenesis.
A unique method of a PLC controller based performance evaluation of optimization algorithms and power quality methods in a grid-connected hybrid wind-solar system
Authors: Gonal Veeresh S , Sheshadri GS
Published: August 2022

The electricity demand is growing due to increasing population and fast industrial development . To meet the worldwide energy requirement, the greatest possibilities are the wind-solar energy sources due to excessive accessibility, simplicity in use, and non-polluting in nature . The integration of these resources offers higher advantages, but the quality of the power scheme gets influenced by the different characteristics of wind and solar energy. Thus in the proposed work, an augmented controller and rectifier have been designed to improve the power quality in which the source current gets optimized by using the Hybrid Bat-Dragonfly optimization algorithm. The quality of the optimized power will be enhanced through the Five Legged Power Converter (FLPC) by converting the DC into AC by using a three-phase bridge rectifier without any power loss. The occurrences of harmonics in the current are reduced using a sieve optimized algorithm design.
Hip Impingement Location in Maximal Hip Flexion in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement With and Without Femoral Retroversion
Authors: Lerch Till D. , Antioco Tiziano , Boschung Adam , Meier Malin K. , Schmaranzer Florian , Novais Eduardo N. , Tannast Moritz , Steppacher Simon D.
Published: August 2022

Background:

Symptomatic patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) have limitations in daily activities and sports and report the exacerbation of hip pain in deep flexion. Yet, the exact impingement location in deep flexion and the effect of femoral version (FV) are unclear.

Purpose:

To investigate the acetabular and femoral locations of intra- or extra-articular hip impingement in flexion in patients with FAI with and without femoral retroversion.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

An institutional review board–approved retrospective study involving 84 hips (68 participants) was performed. Of these, symptomatic patients (37 hips) with anterior FAI and femoral retroversion (FV <5°) were compared with symptomatic patients (21 hips) with anterior FAI (normal FV) and with a control group (26 asymptomatic hips without FAI and normal FV). All patients were symptomatic, had anterior hip pain, and had positive anterior impingement test findings. Most of the patients had hip/groin pain in maximal flexion or deep flexion or during sports. All 84 hips underwent pelvic computed tomography (CT) to measure FV as well as validated dynamic impingement simulation with patient-specific CT-based 3-dimensional models using the equidistant method.

Results:

In maximal hip flexion, femoral impingement was located anterior-inferior at 4 o’clock (57%) and 5 o’clock (32%) in patients with femoral retroversion and mostly at 5 o’clock in patients without femoral retroversion (69%) and in asymptomatic controls (76%). Acetabular intra-articular impingement was located anterior-superior (2 o’clock) in all 3 groups. In 125° of flexion, patients with femoral retroversion had a significantly ( P < .001) higher prevalence of anterior extra-articular subspine impingement (54%) and anterior intra-articular impingement (89%) compared with the control group (29% and 62%, respectively).

Conclusion:

Knowing the exact location of hip impingement in deep flexion has implications for surgical treatment, sports, and physical therapy and confirms previous recommendations: Deep flexion (eg, during squats/lunges) should be avoided in patients with FAI and even more in patients with femoral retroversion. Patients with femoral retroversion may benefit and have less pain when avoiding deep flexion. For these patients, the femoral location of the impingement conflict in flexion was different (anterior-inferior) and distal to the cam deformity compared with the location during the anterior impingement test (anterior-superior). This could be important for preoperative planning and bone resection (cam resection or acetabular rim trimming) during hip arthroscopy or open hip preservation surgery to ensure that the region of impingement is appropriately identified before treatment.
Addressing health disparities as a function of ethnicity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: González Luis A , Ugarte-Gil Manuel F , Pons-Estel Guillermo J , Durán-Barragán Sergio , Toloza Sergio , Burgos Paula I , Bertoli Ana , Borgia R Ezequiel , Alarcón Graciela S
Published: August 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with significant health disparities, as it disproportionately and more severely affects vulnerable and disadvantaged population groups in the United States and around the world, that is, women, ethnic minorities, individuals living in poverty, less educated, and lacking medical insurance. Both, genetic and non-genetic factors, contribute to these disparities. To overcome these health disparities and reduce poor outcomes among disadvantaged SLE populations, interventions on non-genetic amendable factors, especially on social health determinants, are necessary.
Law and Transitions to Capitalism
Authors: Brophy Susan Dianne
Published: August 2022

Embedded in early debates about the transition to capitalism is the idea that law and legal relations play a pre-determined yet artificial role. While this reflects Marx's general claims about law and capitalism, the more that the legal sphere is held as the realm of fiction, the more that the economic sphere's association to the natural realm grows in concert. This undermines Marx's broader objective to interrogate the apparent naturalization of economic rationales in Capital I. In this essay, I dissect the notion of law as artifice not simply to displace the conceptual association between law and derivation, externality, or fakery, but to rethink the definitive transformation of labour compulsion as it is portrayed in the transition debates. Aided by Elleni Centime Zeleke's Ethiopia in Theory, I ascertain the Eurocentric limits of the early debates, and I recuperate a constructive notion of artifice in a way that does not treat law as a derivative phenomenon prone to stagist interpretations. This perspective informs my call for an approach to law and ‘transitions to capitalism’ that is less enthralled by law's mystifying force and more attentive to the material conditions of labour compulsion.
The Good, the Bad, and the Vision: Exploring the Mental Health Care Experiences of Transitional-Aged Youth Using the Photovoice Method
Authors: Jackson Brianna , Booth Richard , Jackson Kimberley T.
Published: August 2022

Transitional-aged youth (TAY) between the ages of 16 and 24 experience higher rates of mental distress than any other age group. It has long been recognized that stability, consistency, and continuity in mental health care delivery are of paramount importance; however, the disjointed progression from paediatric to adult psychiatric services leaves many TAY vulnerable to deleterious health outcomes. In Spring 2019, eight TAY living with mental health challenges participated in a Photovoice study designed to: (1) illuminate their individual transition experiences; and, (2) support a collective vision for optimal mental health care at this nexus. Participants took photographs that reflected three weekly topics— the good, the bad, and the vision—and engaged in a series of three corresponding photo-elicitation focus group sessions. Twenty-four images with accompanying titles and captions were sorted into nine participant-selected themes. Findings contribute to an enhanced awareness of psychiatric service delivery gaps experienced by TAY, and advocate for seamless and supportive transitions that more effectively meet the mental health care needs of this population.
Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Percutaneous Third-Generation Double First Metatarsal Osteotomy Combined With Closing-Wedge Proximal Phalangeal Osteotomy for Moderate and Severe Hallux Valgus
Authors: Castellini Jorge Luis Alberto , Grande Ratti María Florencia , Gonzalez Diego Leandro
Published: August 2022

Background:

The treatment for severe hallux valgus deformity presents a challenge with high risk of complications. Third generation MIS techniques have increased their publications in recent years. The aim was to compare clinical and radiologic outcomes in moderate and severe cases and report minor and major complications.

Methods:

Retrospective series of cases with prospective data collection of 156 consecutive feet that underwent percutaneous double first metatarsal osteotomy (PEDO) and first phalanx osteotomy between 2008 and 2019 for moderate (hallux valgus angle [HVA] between ≥20 and <40 degrees and/or intermetatarsal angle [IMA] <16 degrees) and severe (HVA ≥40 degrees and/or IMA ≥16 degrees) hallux valgus deformities. Primary outcomes included radiographic and clinical parameters. Secondary outcomes included minor and major complications.

Results:

A total of 156 procedures were performed in 128 patients. Mean age was 54.3 years (SD 14.3) (range, 19-82 years), median follow-up was 22.6 months (range, 12-96 months). Radiographic changes pre- to postoperation were as follows: HVA changed from 38.2 (SD 10.1) degrees to 11.2 (SD 8.3) degrees ( P < .001), IMA from 14.7 (SD 3.2) degrees to 7.9 (SD 3.7) degrees ( P < .001), and distal articular metatarsal angle from 19.7 (SD 6.3) degrees to 8.8 (SD 5.7) degrees ( P < .001) after PEDO technique. Clinical changes pre- to postoperation were as follows: American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale scores improved from 47.3 (SD 16.5) to 87 (SD 11.6) ( P < .001) and visual analog scale scores from 5 (2.7) to 0.9 (1.3) ( P < .001). The satisfaction rate was 97% in the total sample. Recurrence rate (HVA ≥20 degrees) was 7.7%. Hallux varus (HVA <0 degrees) occurred in 5.8%, acute osteomyelitis in 1.3%, partial avascular necrosis in 0.6%, screw removal in 0.6%, and reoperation in 1.9%. No nonunion was observed.

Conclusion:

Clinical and radiographic parameters improved significantly, with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up in moderate and severe hallux valgus. Long experience in percutaneous surgery and specific instruments are needed for this technique. Recurrence was linked to preoperative HVA ≥40 degrees and postoperative tibial sesamoid position; Hallux varus was linked to lateral soft tissue release.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
The periodic solution of a pendulum under magnetic action
Authors: Ma Hongjin , Zhang Weiwei
Published: August 2022

A pendulum system is widely used for vibration attenuation and energy harvesting. This paper considers a pendulum under the attraction of double magnets. The governing equation is obtained by Newton’s second law, and it is simplified to Duffing–Holmes oscillator. Its approximate periodic solution with a good accuracy is obtained with easy by Ji-Huan He’s frequency formulation.
TBX1 regulates myogenic differentiation by activating the TGFβ-Smad2/3 pathway in myoblasts
Authors: Cen Haimei , Luo Hong , Luo Bin , Fan Pin , Zhang Yusheng , Zhang Yu
Published: August 2022

TBX1 is systematically conserved in the T-box transcription factor family and regulates craniofacial muscle development during various stages of myogenesis, including commitment, proliferation, terminal differentiation, and survival. However, the role and mechanism by which TBX1 regulates the myogenic development of myoblasts remains unclear. In our study, we overexpressed TBX1 in mouse C2C12 myoblasts using a lentivirus method. We found that TBX1 inhibited cell proliferation and muscle differentiation, which had no effect on apoptosis. During myogenic differentiation, we also found that TBX1 overexpressing cells regulate myogenic differentiation by upregulating the expression levels of Smad2 and Smad3 and downregulating the expression level of MEF2C. After treatment with a specific inhibitor of Smad3 (SIS3), the myogenic differentiation of wild-type and TBX1 overexpressing cells increased. Thus, TBX1 may regulate myoblast muscle differentiation by enhancing the expression of Smad2 and Smad3. TBX1 may be a therapeutic target for muscular dystrophy.
Selenoproteins and the senescence-associated epitranscriptome
Authors: Lee May Y , Ojeda-Britez Stephen , Ehrbar Dylan , Samwer Antonia , Begley Thomas J , Melendez J Andres
Published: August 2022

Selenium is a naturally found trace element, which provides multiple benefits including antioxidant, anticancer, and antiaging, as well as boosting immunity. One unique feature of selenium is its incorporation as selenocysteine, a rare 21st amino acid, into selenoproteins. Twenty-five human selenoproteins have been discovered, and a majority of these serve as crucial antioxidant enzymes for redox homeostasis. Unlike other amino acids, incorporation of selenocysteine requires a distinctive UGA stop codon recoding mechanism. Although many studies correlating selenium, selenoproteins, aging, and senescence have been performed, it has not yet been explored if the upstream events regulating selenoprotein synthesis play a role in senescence-associated pathologies. The epitranscriptomic writer alkylation repair homolog 8 (ALKBH8) is critical for selenoprotein production, and its deficiency can significantly decrease levels of selenoproteins that are essential for reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification, and increase oxidative stress, one of the major drivers of cellular senescence. Here, we review the potential role of epitranscriptomic marks that govern selenocysteine utilization in regulating the senescence program.