bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of incorporating dual task into repeated 6‐min walk test on balance and walking functions in patients with subacute stroke: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jung In‐Hyup , Oh Duck‐Won
Published: March 2023

Objective

To explore the effects of incorporating dual task into a repeated 6‐min walk test (6MWT) on balance and walking functions in patients with subacute stroke.

Methods

Twenty‐eight subacute stroke survivors were randomized into experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). EG and CG participated in dual task during the repeated 6MWT and the repeated 6‐min test, respectively, for twice a day, three times weekly over 4 weeks. Outcome assessments were measured pre‐ and post‐test using the 10‐m walk test (10MWT), timed up and go test (TUG), 6MWT, Berg balance scale (BBS), and the activities specific balance confidence scale (ABC).

Results

In the between‐group comparison, change values in the 6MWT and ABC values between pre‐ and post‐test appeared to be significantly different (p < 0.05). In within‐group comparisons, the 10MWT, 6MWT, TUG, and ABC scores showed significant differences between pre‐ and post‐test values in two groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Repeated 6MWT may be beneficial to enhance balance and walking functions in patients with subacute stroke, with more favorable effects when performing dual tasks.
Efficiency of inorganic fungicides against the formation of Erysiphe necator chasmothecia in vineyards
Authors: Möth Stefan , Redl Markus , Winter Silvia , Hüttner Florian , Steinkellner Siegrid
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

A reduction in chasmothecia, an important inoculum of grape powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator Schwein.), is essential for disease control in vineyards; the use of fungicides during the formation of chasmothecia on vine leaves, late in the growing season, may accomplish this. Inorganic fungicides, such as sulphur, copper, and potassium bicarbonate, are very useful for this purpose because of their multisite mode of action. The aim of this study was to evaluate chasmothecia reduction using different fungicide applications late in the growing season in commercially managed vineyards and in an exact application trial.

RESULTS

Chasmothecia on vine leaves were reduced in commercial vineyards by four copper (P = 0.01) and five potassium bicarbonate (P = 0.026) applications. The positive effect of potassium bicarbonate was also confirmed in the application trial, where two applications showed lower chasmothecia numbers than the control (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The application of inorganic fungicides reduced the amount of chasmothecia as the primary inoculum source. Potassium bicarbonate and copper are of further interest for disease control as these fungicides can be used by organic and conventional wine growers. The application of these fungicides should be carried out as late as possible before harvest to reduce chasmothecia formation and, consequently, the potential for powdery mildew infestation in the subsequent season. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
3′‐end mRNA processing within apicomplexan parasites, a patchwork of classic, and unexpected players
Authors: Swale Christopher , Hakimi Mohamed‐Ali
Published: March 2023

The 3′‐end processing of mRNA is a co‐transcriptional process that leads to the formation of a poly‐adenosine tail on the mRNA and directly controls termination of the RNA polymerase II juggernaut. This process involves a megadalton complex composed of cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factors (CPSFs) that are able to recognize cis‐sequence elements on nascent mRNA to then carry out cleavage and polyadenylation reactions. Recent structural and biochemical studies have defined the roles played by different subunits of the complex and provided a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of this machinery in yeast or metazoans. More recently, the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of CPSF function in Apicomplexa has stimulated interest in studying the specificities of this ancient eukaryotic machinery in these organisms. Although its function is conserved in Apicomplexa, the CPSF complex integrates a novel reader of the N6‐methyladenosine (m6A). This feature, inherited from the plant kingdom, bridges m6A metabolism directly to 3′‐end processing and by extension, to transcription termination. In this review, we will examine convergence and divergence of CPSF within the apicomplexan parasites and explore the potential of small molecule inhibition of this machinery within these organisms.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > 3′ End Processing

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification
Magic fermions: Carroll and flat bands
Authors: Bagchi Arjun , Banerjee Aritra , Basu Rudranil , Islam Minhajul , Mondal Saikat
Published: March 2023

Abstract

The Carroll algebra is constructed as the c → 0 limit of the Poincare algebra and is associated to symmetries on generic null surfaces. In this paper, we begin investigations of Carrollian fermions or fermions defined on generic null surfaces. Due to the availability of two different (degenerate) metrics on Carroll spacetimes, there is the possibility of two different versions of Carroll Clifford algebras. We consider both possibilities and construct explicit representations of Carrollian gamma matrices and show how to build higher spacetime dimensional representations out of lower ones. Actions for Carroll fermions are constructed with these gamma matrices and the properties of these actions are investigated.

We show that in condensed matter systems where the dispersion relation becomes trivial i.e. the energy is not dependent on momentum and bands flatten out, Carroll symmetry generically appears. We give explicit examples of this including that of twisted bi-layer graphene, where superconductivity appears at so called magic angles and connect this to Carroll fermions.
Adiabatic Ground States in Non-smooth Spacetimes
Authors: Sanchez Sanchez Yafet , Schrohe Elmar
Published: March 2023

Ground states are a well-known class of Hadamard states in smooth spacetimes. In this paper, we show that the ground state of the Klein–Gordon field in a non-smooth ultrastatic spacetime is an adiabatic state. The order of the state depends linearly on the regularity of the metric. We obtain the result by combining a propagation of singularities result for non-smooth pseudodifferential operators, properties of the causal propagator, and eigenvalue asymptotics for elliptic operators of low regularity.
Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of whole flours obtained from different species of Triticum genus
Authors: Grande Teresa , Souid Aymen , Ciardi Marco , Della Croce Clara Maria , Frassinetti Stefania , Bramanti Emilia , Longo Vincenzo , Pozzo Luisa
Published: March 2023

Whole wheat is an exceptional source of phenolic compounds representing a promising phytochemical class to prevent diet-related chronic diseases thanks to its antioxidant activities. The present work reports the phenolic profile, the antioxidant capacity, the antimicrobial activity and the effect on Lactobacillus brevis growth of eight whole flours obtained from four ancient and modern wheat genotypes of Italian Triticum genus. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were quantified, and antioxidant activities were assessed using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in vitro tests. HPLC-DAD/FLD was used to detect the presence of phenolic compounds. Moreover, antimicrobial activity of whole flour extracts against some potentially pathogenic Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and the effect of extracts on Lactobacillus brevis growth were assessed. Results showed quantitative differences (p < 0.05) in antioxidant activities, total phenolic content and concentrations of five phenolic acids (resorcinol, tyrosol, caffeic acid, syringic acid and ferulic acid) among the wheat genotypes. Pathogenic bacteria were significantly negatively affected by wheat extracts while the growth of L. brevis was stimulated. The principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed that the phenolic profile and the antioxidant activities were influenced by the genotypic characteristics of studied varieties, suggesting that the ancient Saragolla stand out for the most interesting phenolic profile. Overall, this research emphasizes how ancient and modern Italian Triticum spp. grains must be investigated to select the grains richer in bioactive compounds.

Graphical abstract
Glaucoma triage system: results of implementing a virtual clinic
Authors: Matos Diogo Bernardo , Barão Rafael Correia , José Patrícia , Cabrita Afonso , Barata André Diogo , Pinto Luís Abegão
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study describes the virtual clinic triage system implementation process at Hospital Santa Maria—Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (HSM-CHULN) and analyzes its results regarding healthcare outcomes for the patients and the system.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed, comparing two cohorts (pre-virtual cohort; virtual triage cohort). Outcomes related to waiting time, number of hospital visits, decisions at first contact, and ancillary exam–based decisions were reported.

Results

Two hundred and ninety-two charts were reviewed (pre-virtual cohort: 132; virtual cohort: 160). Mean waiting time between referral and the first medical contact with the glaucoma department decreased on average by 71.3 days (human contact: 286.6 days; virtual triage contact: 215.3 days). Triage system significantly decreased waiting time for glaucoma patients, with an average decrease of 326.8 days between referral and treatment decision. Triage staging allowed to label 107 (66.9; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 59.6%, 74.2%) as non-urgent; 30 (18.8%; 95% CI: 12.7%, 24.9%) as urgent, and 23 (14.3%; 95% CI: 8.9%, 19.7%) as immediate contact, with the scheduling of future appointments reflecting National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in every patient. Moreover, the number of visits to perform the same exams and obtain the same clinical decisions was reduced by 63.6%.

Conclusion

Our virtual screening strategy significantly decreased waiting time, number of hospital visits, and increased chances of data-assisted clinical decision. While results can be further improved, this system can add value in an overburdened healthcare system, where triage systems with remote decision-making may be valuable tools in optimizing glaucoma care, even without allocation of extra resources.
Identification and genetic diversity of grapevine virus L in Greece
Authors: Panailidou P. , Galeou A. , Beris D. , Pappi P. , Theologidis I. , Tzagaki E. , Lotos L. , Varveri C. , Katis N. I. , Maliogka V. I.
Published: March 2023

In this study, grapevine virus L (GVL) was identified for the first time in Greece through the application of high-throughput sequencing of total RNA from grapevine samples. Further investigation of the prevalence of GVL in Greek vineyards by RT-PCR revealed its presence in 5.5% (31/560) of the tested samples, which originated from six viticultural areas of the country. Comparative sequence analysis based on the CP gene revealed a high degree of genetic variability among GVL isolates, while phylogenetic analysis grouped the Greek isolates in three of the five phylogroups formed, with most of them being classified in phylogroup I.
From continuity to change: Soviet and Russian government attitudes on climate change (1989–2009)
Authors: Beuerle Benjamin
Published: March 2023

This article studies successive Soviet and Russian government positions on climate change between the late 1980s and the Putin era. It thereby bridges a gap between expanding research on both the role of the Soviet Union in climate change science and diplomacy and on Russian climate change policy after the turn of the millennium. While far-reaching late Soviet plans for decisive participation in the groundbreaking Rio Earth Summit contrasted with the lack of priority accorded to it by Russia during a period of political and economic turmoil, this article argues that there was, before and after 1991, a remarkable continuity of real concern in government about anthropogenic climate change and its negative consequences, not least for the Soviet Union and Russia. This continuity of concern took form in 1989 and lasted for a decade. In contrast to the misleading picture presented to outside observers, notably by the highly visible Yuri Izrael’ and some of the Russian delegations at international climate conferences in the 1990s, a neglect of anthropogenic climate change and its dangers for Russia took hold in the Russian government only after Vladimir Putin came to power. A renewed official recognition of the dangers of anthropogenic climate change materialized only with the 2009 Climate Doctrine. However, until recently this recognition remained half-hearted in comparison with the clear government positions of the late 1980s and the 1990s.
Evaluation of the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict chemical composition in Ulva ohnoi
Authors: Palou Anna , Jiménez Patricia , Casals Joan , Masaló Ingrid
Published: March 2023

Green algae of the genus Ulva have been identified as suitable organisms for biomass production and good candidates for the development of seaweed blue-biotech industries. The fluctuation of chemical composition during the growth of the algae, which depends largely on environmental factors, makes the development of rapid phenotyping protocols necessary. In this work the efficacy of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict dry matter, mineral fraction, nitrogen, and carbon contents directly from wet untreated samples and from dried samples was studied. Partial least square (PLS) models from spectra recorded on 80 samples were used to predict dry matter, and 44 samples to predict carbon, nitrogen and mineral fraction on a wet and dry weight basis. NIR models developed from spectra acquired on wet samples had good accuracy (R2>0.9) for the prediction of N (on a ww and dw basis) and C (on a ww basis). Models with lower R2 scores have been obtained for dry matter (R2=0.610) and MF (R2=0.506-0.693). The models developed to predict carbon and nitrogen directly on wet and untreated samples present NIRS as a valuable tool to determine these parameters in a rapid and low-cost way, allowing making decisions about the optimal harvesting time.
Word-order variation and coherence in German infinitival complementation
Authors: Bosch Sina , De Cesare Ilaria , Demske Ulrike , Felser Claudia
Published: March 2023

This study provides a synthesis of corpus-based and experimental investigations of word-order preferences in German infinitival complementation. We carried out a systematic analysis of present-day German corpora to establish frequency distributions of different word-order options: extraposition, intraposition, and ‘third construction’. We then examined, firstly, whether and to what extent corpus frequencies and processing economy constraints can predict the acceptability of these three word-order variants, and whether subject raising and subject control verbs form clearly distinguishable subclasses of infinitive-embedding verbs in terms of their word-order behaviour. Secondly, our study looks into the issue of coherence by comparing acceptability ratings for monoclausal coherent and biclausal incoherent construals of intraposed infinitives, and by examining whether a biclausal incoherent analysis gives rise to local and/or global processing difficulty. Taken together, our results revealed that (i) whilst the extraposition pattern consistently wins out over all other word-order variants for control verbs, neither frequency nor processing-based approaches to word-order variation can account for the acceptability of low-frequency variants, (ii) there is considerable verb-specific variation regarding word-order preferences both between and within the two sets of raising and control verbs under investigation, and (iii) although monoclausal coherent intraposition is rated above biclausal incoherent intraposition, the latter is not any more difficult to process than the former. Our findings indicate that frequency of occurrence and processing-related constraints interact with idiosyncratic lexical properties of individual verbs in determining German speakers’ structural preferences.
Using emotion to guide decisions: the accuracy and perceived value of emotional intensity forecasts
Authors: Carlson Steven J. , Levine Linda J. , Lench Heather C. , Flynn Elinor , Winks Kaitlin M. H. , Winckler Britanny E.
Published: March 2023

Forecasts about future emotion are often inaccurate, so why do people rely on them to make decisions? People may forecast some features of their emotional experience better than others, and they may report relying on forecasts that are more accurate to make decisions. To test this, four studies assessed the features of emotion people reported forecasting to make decisions about their careers, education, politics, and health. In Study 1, graduating medical students reported relying more on forecast emotional intensity than frequency or duration to decide how to rank residency programs as part of the process of being matched with a program. Similarly, participants reported relying more on forecast emotional intensity than frequency or duration to decide which universities to apply to (Study 2), which presidential candidate to vote for (Study 3), and whether to travel as Covid-19 rates declined (Study 4). Studies 1 and 3 also assessed forecasting accuracy. Participants forecast emotional intensity more accurately than frequency or duration. People make better decisions when they can anticipate the future. Thus, people’s reports of relying on forecast emotional intensity to guide life-changing decisions, and the greater accuracy of these forecasts, provide important new evidence of the adaptive value of affective forecasts.
Argumentation as a Speech Act: Two Levels of Analysis
Authors: Haro Marchal Amalia
Published: March 2023

Following and extending Searle’s speech act theory, both Pragma-Dialectics and the Linguistic Normative Model of Argumentation characterize argumentation as an illocutionary act. In these models, the successful performance of an illocutionary act of arguing depends on the securing of uptake, an illocutionary effect that, according to the Searlean account, characterizes the successful performance of any illocutionary act. However, in my view, there is another kind of illocutionary effect involved in the successful performance of an illocutionary act of arguing, which affects both the speaker’s and the hearer’s set of rights, obligations, and entitlements. In order to give an account of this second type of effect, I will argue that it is necessary to distinguish two levels in the analysis of the illocutionary act of arguing. The first one is related to the illocutionary effect of securing of uptake and thus to the speech act performed by the speaker, while the second one allows us to account for the changes produced by the performance of the illocutionary act of arguing in the deontic modal competence of both the speaker and the hearer.
Chinese Legal Thought on the Global and the Domestic Stage: A Rhetorical Study
Authors: Seppänen Samuli
Published: March 2023

Chinese Communist Party ideologues and a number of prominent legal scholars have become outspoken about the global significance of Chinese legal thought. The question is, however, whether the ambitious statements about the global importance of Chinese legal thought are supported by legal theoretical arguments, which could be influential abroad. This article examines the interaction between the domestic and global stages of Chinese legal speech through the tools of rhetorical theory. Arguments about the nature and global significance of Chinese law are made for different purposes and for different audiences. The most ambitious statements about the global significance of Chinese legal thought are produced within a ‘ceremonial’ genre of speech. Domestic Chinese ceremonial speech is meaningful in the Chinese context, but it translates poorly to globally influential ideological speech. Foreign audiences will find more persuasive arguments about the significance of Chinese legal thought in Chinese deliberative speech, such as parts of Chinese legal scholarship. While arguments made in the deliberative genre are more persuasive than ceremonial speech, specific argumentative moves within this genre are not always helpful for the international advocacy of Chinese legal thought. Moreover, arguments in the deliberative genre are not consistently reflected in Chinese judicial decisions. These observations highlight the role of language and persuasion in the globalisation of law.
Theoretical and numerical studies on dissolution of horizontal salt body and pattern formation incorporated with a dynamic moving interface
Authors: Hong Joung Sook , Kim Min Chan
Published: March 2023

The dissolution of a horizontal salt body is theoretically and numerically investigated by considering the coupled dynamics of the dissolution reaction and the diffusive and convective mass transfer at the salt surface. To take into account the nature of the recessing salt surface and the dissolution-driven convection, a dynamic moving boundary condition coupled with a dissolution reaction are employed By employing a newly derived moving interface condition and parameters, a theoretical analysis predicts the onset of gravitational instability, suggesting scaling relationships between parameters to describe the onset of instability (in transport-dominant (Damkholer number$Da \to \infty $and Rayleigh number$Ra > {10^5}$), onset time${\tau _d}\sim R{a^{ - 2/3}}$and${\tau _d}\sim (RaDa)^{1/4}$for reaction-dominant regimes$(Da \to 0)$). The scaling relationships on dissolution (the average height change,$\Delta {h_{avg}}\sim \sqrt \tau $for the diffusion-dominant regime and$\Delta {h_{avg}}\sim R{a^{0.79/3}}{\tau ^{0.86}}$for the convection-dominant regime) are also suggested to explain the pattern formation. Under a convective mass transfer condition, the concentration gradient of the solute developed during the recession of the salt surface results in an adverse density gradient, which causes gravitational instability motion and finally determines the formation of a dissolution pattern. In addition, two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical simulations visualize dissolution-driven convective flow fields, the recession of the liquid-solid interface and pattern formation on the dissolving interface. Theoretical and numerical analyses of the dissolution process suggest that the control of gravitational instability is important to prevent or enhance dissolution pattern formation. This systematic parameter study provides a deep understanding of the effect of gravitational instability on convection-driven dissolution in a horizontal geometry.
Not an “Ordinary Man”: J. Gresham Machen and the Un-Queering of Evangelical Theology
Authors: Steelman Austin
Published: March 2023

In the 1920s, Princeton Seminary professor J. Gresham Machen was the leading fundamentalist intellectual of the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy. His Calvinist theology, commitment to biblical inerrancy, and opposition to liberalism were passed on to and spread by his influential students including Carl McIntire, Harold Ockenga, and Francis Schaeffer. But in the early days of 1906, the young man who would go on to indelibly shape evangelical theology wrote home from Germany where he was a graduate student that he could never go into Christian ministry because of his “moral fault” that no “ordinary man” could understand. This article analyzes the coded language of J. Gresham Machen's letters during his pivotal personal crisis in the context of changing German understandings of “homosexuality” and Machen's lifelong homosocial tendencies. Moreover, it connects Machen's confrontation with his sexuality with his simultaneous confrontation with German liberal theology. In the fall of 1905, Machen found himself drawn to the more experiential and pluralistic Christianity of Wilhelm Herrmann. However, in facing his own perceived immorality, Machen found “Calvinism a very comforting doctrine indeed.” He rejected modernism and spent his life defending a rigid orthodoxy against the theologies that would come to accommodate and embrace queerness. The results of his personal crisis echoed through the history of twentieth-century American evangelicalism. This article analyzes the historical process of “un-queering” theology that emanated from that crisis and demonstrates that resistance to queerness was woven into the ideological fabric of evangelicalism far earlier than scholars have yet recognized.
Kefir as a therapeutic agent in clinical research: a scoping review
Authors: Bessa Milena Klippel , Bessa Giancarlo Rezende , Bonamigo Renan Rangel
Published: March 2023

Increasing research has been conducted on the role of probiotics in disease treatment. Kefir, a safe, low-cost probiotic fermented milk drink, has been investigated in manyin vitroand animal studies, although parameters for human therapeutic dose or treatment time have not yet been determined. Here we perform a scoping review of clinical studies that have used kefir as a therapeutic agent, compiling the results for perspectives to support and direct further research. This review was based on Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, including studies on the effects of kefir-fermented milk in humans. Using the term KEFIR, the main international databases were searched for studies published in English, Spanish or Portuguese until 9 March 2022. A total of 5835 articles were identified in the four databases, with forty-four eligible for analysis. The research areas were classified as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal health/disorders, maternal/child health and paediatrics, dentistry, oncology, women’s and geriatric health, and dermatology. The many study limitations hampered generalisation of the results. The small sample sizes, methodological variation and differences in kefir types, dosage and treatment duration prevented clear conclusions about its benefits for specific diseases. We suggest using a standard therapeutic dose of traditionally prepared kefir in millilitres according to body weight, making routine consumption more feasible. The studies showed that kefir is safe for people without serious illnesses.
A novel approach toward the generation of oocytes by direct diploid cell haploidization
Authors: Setton Robert , Xie Philip , Rosenwaks Zev , Palermo Gianpiero D.
Published: March 2023

Oocyte-mediated somatic cell haploidization is a process in which a diploid cell halves its chromosomal content by segregating its homologue within the ooplasm. Replacing the donor oocyte nucleus with a patient’s female diploid somatic nucleus can generate patient-genotyped oocytes. Insemination of these resulting constructs enables their activation and induces a reductive meiotic division, haploidizing the diploid female donor cell that can subsequently support syngamy with the male genome and create a zygote. So far, experimental data for this method have been limited and have not consistently proven the generation of chromosomally normal embryos. Overall, we achieved reconstruction of murine oocytes with a micromanipulation survival rate of 56.5%, and a correct haploidization and fertilization rate of 31.2%, resulting in a 12.7% blastocyst rate. Time-lapse analysis revealed that reconstructed embryos underwent a timely polar body extrusion and pronuclear appearance followed by a satisfactory embryonic cleavage, comparable with the control. Whole genome sequencing of the analyzed embryos indicated that 27.3% (6/22) were properly diploid. Our findings suggest that diploid cell haploidization may be a feasible technique for creating functional gametes in mammals.
A pilot randomized study of a telephone-based cognitive-behavioral stress-management intervention to reduce distress in phase 1 oncology trial caregivers
Authors: Carr Alaina L. , Bilenduke Emily , Adolf Esmeralda , Kessler Elizabeth R. , Arch Joanna J. , Ranby Krista W. , Kilbourn Kristin
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Caregivers of adult phase 1 oncology trial patients experience high levels of distress and face barriers to in-person supportive care. The Phase 1 Caregiver LifeLine (P1CaLL) pilot study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and general impact of an individual telephone-based cognitive behavioral stress-management (CBSM) intervention for caregivers of phase I oncology trial patients.

Methods

The pilot study involved 4 weekly adapted CBSM sessions followed by participant randomization to 4 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions or metta-meditation sessions. A mixed-methods design used quantitative data from 23 caregivers and qualitative data from 5 caregivers to examine the feasibility and acceptability outcomes. Feasibility was determined using recruitment, retention, and assessment completion rates. Acceptability was assessed with self-reported satisfaction with program content and participation barriers. Baseline to post-intervention changes in caregiver distress and other psychosocial outcomes were assessed for the 8-session intervention.

Results

The enrollment rate was 45.3%, which demonstrated limited feasibility based on an a priori criterion enrollment rate of 50%. Participants completed an average of 4.9 sessions, with 9/25 (36%) completing all sessions and an 84% assessment completion rate. Intervention acceptability was high, and participants found the sessions helpful in managing stress related to the phase 1 oncology trial patient experience. Participants showed reductions in worry and isolation and stress.

Significance of results

The P1CaLL study demonstrated adequate acceptability and limited feasibility and provided data on the general impact of the intervention on caregiver distress and other psychosocial outcomes. Caregivers of phase 1 oncology trial patients would benefit from supportive care services; a telephone-based intervention may have more utilization and thus make a larger impact.
Macropartisanship Revisited
Authors: Green Donald P. , Hamel Brian T. , Miller Michael G.
Published: March 2023

Canonical work argues that macropartisanship—the aggregate distribution of Democrats and Republicans in the country at a given time—is responsive to the economic and political environment. In other words, if times are good when Democrats are in charge (or bad when Republicans are in charge), more Americans will identify with the Democratic Party. We extend the pioneering work of MacKuen, Erikson, and Stimson (1989), who analyzed macropartisanship from 1953 through 1987, to 2021, assessing whether consumer sentiment and presidential approval still influence macropartisanship in an era of nationalized elections and affective polarization. We find that change has occurred. The effect of consumer sentiment on macropartisanship is no longer statistically distinguishable from zero, and we find evidence of “structural breaks” in the macropartisanship time series. Macropartisanship appears to have become less responsive to economic swings; approval-induced changes in macropartisanship have become more fleeting over time.
Political determinants of health: (re) examining the role of governance in reducing maternal mortality
Authors: Tiwari Chhavi , Jain Neha , Goli Srinivas , Puri Parul
Published: March 2023

Given change in the universal developmental agenda and the quality of governance in the last two decades, this paper re-examines the relationship between governance, health expenditure and maternal mortality using panel data for 184 countries from 1996 to 2019. By employing the ‘dynamic panel data regression model’, the study reveals that a one-point improvement in the governance index decreases maternal mortality by 10–21%. We also find that good governance can better translate health expenditure into improved maternal health outcomes through effective allocation and equitable distribution of available resources. These results are robust to alternative instruments, alternative dependent variables (such as infant mortality rate and life expectancy), estimation by different governance dimensions and at the sub-national level. Additional findings using ‘Quantile regression’ estimates show that the quality of governance matters more than the health expenditure in countries with a higher level of maternal mortality. While the ‘Path regression’ analysis exhibits the specific direct and indirect mechanisms through which the causal inference operates between governance and maternal mortality.
On the Systematic Occurrence of Compound Cold Spells in North America and Wet or Windy Extremes in Europe
Authors: Messori Gabriele , Faranda Davide
Published: March 2023

The repeated co‐occurrence of cold spells over Eastern North America and wet or windy extremes over Western Continental Europe during recent winters, has led to hypothesize a link between the two. Here, we analyze the interplay between the large‐scale atmospheric circulation and co‐occurring cold spells in North America and wet or windy extremes in Europe. We collectively term these occurrences compound cold–wet–windy extremes. We leverage a recent approach grounded in dynamical systems theory, which provides an analytically and computationally efficient analysis of spatially resolved, multivariate climate extremes. We find that there are specific, recurrent large‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns systematically associated with both the individual extremes and co‐occurring cold–wet–windy anomalies. Evidence for this is also found when focusing on compound cold–wet–windy extremes, although with a weaker signal. This motivates further analyses focusing specifically on the statistics and drivers of these compound extreme occurrences.
Pore‐Scale Observations of Hydrogen Trapping and Migration in Porous Rock: Demonstrating the Effect of Ostwald Ripening
Authors: Zhang Yihuai , Bijeljic Branko , Gao Ying , Goodarzi Sepideh , Foroughi Sajjad , Blunt Martin J.
Published: March 2023

We use high‐resolution three‐dimensional X‐ray imaging to study hydrogen injection and withdrawal in the pore space of Bentheimer sandstone. The results are compared with a replicate experiment using nitrogen. We observe less trapping with hydrogen because the initial saturation after drainage is lower due to channeling. Remarkably we observe that after imbibition, if the sample is imaged again after 12 hr, there is a significant rearrangement of the trapped hydrogen. Many smaller ganglia disappear while the larger ganglia swell, with no detectable change in overall gas volume. For nitrogen, the fluid configuration is largely unchanged. This rearrangement is facilitated by concentration gradients of dissolved gas in the aqueous phase—Ostwald ripening, We estimate the time‐scales for this effect to be significant, consistent with the experimental observations. The swelling of larger ganglia potentially increases the gas connectivity, leading to less hysteresis and more efficient withdrawal.
Conditions for Inception of Relativistic Runaway Discharges in Air
Authors: Pasko Victor P. , Celestin Sebastien , Bourdon Anne , Janalizadeh Reza , Jansky Jaroslav
Published: March 2023

Terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes are linked to growth of long bidirectional lightning leader system consisting of positive and stepping negative leaders. The spatial extent of streamer zones of a typical lightning leader with tip potential exceeding several tens of megavolts is on the order of 10–100 m. The photoelectric absorption of bremsstrahlung radiation generated by avalanching relativistic runaway electrons occurs efficiently on the same spatial scales. The intense multiplication of these electrons is triggered when the size of the negative leader streamer zone crosses a threshold of approximately 100 m (for sea‐level air pressure conditions) allowing self‐replication of these avalanches due to the upstream relativistic electron seeds generated by the photoelectric absorption. The model results also highlight importance of electrode effects in interpretation of X‐ray emissions from centimeter to meter long laboratory discharges, in particular, a similar feedback effect produced by generation of runaway electrons from the cathode material.
Long‐Lead Drought Forecasting Across the Continental United States Using Burg Entropy Spectral Analysis With a Multiresolution Approach
Authors: Han Jeongwoo , Singh Vijay P.
Published: March 2023

Amid climate change, extreme droughts have occurred more frequently, accompanied by increasing socio‐economic‐environmental losses. To be prepared for upcoming droughts, proactive drought management planning based on drought forecasting is being highlighted. This study, therefore, developed a long‐term drought forecasting model using Burg entropy spectral analysis with the maximal overlap discrete wavelet transform across the continental United States (CONUS). The model forecasted monthly self‐calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI) up to median lead times of 12 months with root mean square error less than 0.8 and the modified Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient greater than 0.6 across CONUS. The lead‐time with an acceptable accuracy was affected by how the model parameterized low‐frequency structure of scPDSI that was significantly correlated to sea surface temperature climate mode. The correlation between low‐frequency signals and Niño‐3.4 tended to be weaker for the regions located at higher elevations. Thus, higher variability in spectral structures of low‐frequency signals at higher elevation‐regions led to shorter memory/persistency of time series that shortened the forecast lead time. Besides, higher variability in precipitation linked to the variability of scPDIS also shortened the forecast lead time. To appraise the applicability of the suggested forecast model to drought management planning, drought characteristics (i.e., severity, duration, and area) were obtained by the three‐dimensional drought clustering algorithm for the forecasted and observed scPDSI. Then, risk was analyzed for drought characteristics using the vine copula. Risk analysis for drought characteristics forecasted up to a 12‐month lead time showed the potential for applicability of the model to drought mitigation plans.
Reducing default mode network connectivity with mindfulness-based fMRI neurofeedback: a pilot study among adolescents with affective disorder history
Authors: Zhang Jiahe , Raya Jovicarole , Morfini Francesca , Urban Zoi , Pagliaccio David , Yendiki Anastasia , Auerbach Randy P. , Bauer Clemens C. C. , Whitfield-Gabrieli Susan
Published: March 2023

Adolescents experience alarmingly high rates of major depressive disorder (MDD), however, gold-standard treatments are only effective for ~50% of youth. Accordingly, there is a critical need to develop novel interventions, particularly ones that target neural mechanisms believed to potentiate depressive symptoms. Directly addressing this gap, we developed mindfulness-based fMRI neurofeedback (mbNF) for adolescents that aims to reduce default mode network (DMN) hyperconnectivity, which has been implicated in the onset and maintenance of MDD. In this proof-of-concept study, adolescents (n = 9) with a lifetime history of depression and/or anxiety were administered clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires, and each participant’s DMN and central executive network (CEN) were personalized using a resting state fMRI localizer. After the localizer scan, adolescents completed a brief mindfulness training followed by a mbNF session in the scanner wherein they were instructed to volitionally reduce DMN relative to CEN activation by practicing mindfulness meditation. Several promising findings emerged. First, mbNF successfully engaged the target brain state during neurofeedback; participants spent more time in the target state with DMN activation lower than CEN activation. Second, in each of the nine adolescents, mbNF led to significantly reduced within-DMN connectivity, which correlated with post-mbNF increases in state mindfulness. Last, a reduction of within-DMN connectivity mediated the association between better mbNF performance and increased state mindfulness. These findings demonstrate that personalized mbNF can effectively and non-invasively modulate the intrinsic networks associated with the emergence and persistence of depressive symptoms during adolescence.
Pathways to the persistence of drug use despite its adverse consequences
Authors: McNally Gavan P. , Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel Philip , Millan E. Zayra , Lawrence Andrew J.
Published: March 2023

The persistence of drug taking despite its adverse consequences plays a central role in the presentation, diagnosis, and impacts of addiction. Eventual recognition and appraisal of these adverse consequences is central to decisions to reduce or cease use. However, the most appropriate ways of conceptualizing persistence in the face of adverse consequences remain unclear. Here we review evidence that there are at least three pathways to persistent use despite the negative consequences of that use. A cognitive pathway for recognition of adverse consequences, a motivational pathway for valuation of these consequences, and a behavioral pathway for responding to these adverse consequences. These pathways are dynamic, not linear, with multiple possible trajectories between them, and each is sufficient to produce persistence. We describe these pathways, their characteristics, brain cellular and circuit substrates, and we highlight their relevance to different pathways to self- and treatment-guided behavior change.
Intrinsic neural timescales in autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. A replication and direct comparison study
Authors: Uscătescu Lavinia Carmen , Kronbichler Martin , Said-Yürekli Sarah , Kronbichler Lisa , Calhoun Vince , Corbera Silvia , Bell Morris , Pelphrey Kevin , Pearlson Godfrey , Assaf Michal
Published: March 2023

Intrinsic neural timescales (INT) reflect the duration for which brain areas store information. A posterior–anterior hierarchy of increasingly longer INT has been revealed in both typically developed individuals (TD), as well as persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZ), though INT are, overall, shorter in both patient groups. In the present study, we aimed to replicate previously reported group differences by comparing INT of TD to ASD and SZ. We partially replicated the previously reported result, showing reduced INT in the left lateral occipital gyrus and the right post-central gyrus in SZ compared to TD. We also directly compared the INT of the two patient groups and found that these same two areas show significantly reduced INT in SZ compared to ASD. Previously reported correlations between INT and symptom severity were not replicated in the current project. Our findings serve to circumscribe the brain areas that can potentially play a determinant role in observed sensory peculiarities in ASD and SZ.
American zebra optimization algorithm for global optimization problems
Authors: Mohapatra Sarada , Mohapatra Prabhujit
Published: March 2023

A novel bio-inspired meta-heuristic algorithm, namely the American zebra optimization algorithm (AZOA), which mimics the social behaviour of American zebras in the wild, is proposed in this study. American zebras are distinguished from other mammals by their distinct and fascinating social character and leadership exercise, which navies the baby zebras to leave the herd before maturity and join a separate herd with no family ties. This departure of the baby zebra encourages diversification by preventing intra-family mating. Moreover, the convergence is assured by the leadership exercise in American zebras, which directs the speed and direction of the group. This social lifestyle behaviour of American zebras is indigenous in nature and is the main inspiration for proposing the AZOA meta-heuristic algorithm. To examine the efficiency of the AZOA algorithm, the CEC-2005, CEC-2017, and CEC-2019 benchmark functions are considered, and compared with the several state-of-the-art meta-heuristic algorithms. The experimental outcomes and statistical analysis reveal that AZOA is capable of attaining the optimal solutions for maximum benchmark functions while maintaining a good balance between exploration and exploitation. Furthermore, numerous real-world engineering problems have been employed to demonstrate the robustness of AZOA. Finally, it is anticipated that the AZOA will accomplish domineeringly for forthcoming advanced CEC benchmark functions and other complex engineering problems.
Deep multilevel wet etching of fused silica glass microstructures in BOE solution
Authors: Konstantinova T. G. , Andronic M. M. , Baklykov D. A. , Stukalova V. E. , Ezenkova D. A. , Zikiy E. V. , Bashinova M. V. , Solovev A. A. , Lotkov E. S. , Ryzhikov I. A. , Rodionov I. A.
Published: March 2023

Fused silica glass is a material of choice for micromechanical, microfluidic, and optical devices due to its chemical resistance, optical, electrical, and mechanical performance. Wet etching is the key method for fabricating of such microdevices. Protective mask integrity is a big challenge due extremely aggressive properties of etching solution. Here, we propose multilevel microstructures fabrication route based on fused silica deep etching through a stepped mask. First, we provide an analysis of a fused silica dissolution mechanism in buffered oxide etching (BOE) solution and calculate the main fluoride fractions like$${HF}_{2}^{-}$$HF2-,$${F}^{-}$$F-,$${(HF)}_{2}$$(HF)2as a function of pH and NH4F:HF ratio. Then, we experimentally investigate the influence of BOE composition (1:1–14:1) on the mask resistance, etch rate and profile isotropy during deep etching through a metal/photoresist mask. Finally, we demonstrate a high-quality multilevel over-200 μm etching process with the rate up to 3 μm/min, which could be of a great interest for advanced microdevices with flexure suspensions, inertial masses, microchannels, and through-wafer holes.
Evaluation of artificial intelligence model for crowding categorization and extraction diagnosis using intraoral photographs
Authors: Ryu Jiho , Kim Ye-Hyun , Kim Tae-Woo , Jung Seok-Ki
Published: March 2023

Determining the severity of dental crowding and the necessity of tooth extraction for orthodontic treatment planning are time-consuming processes and there are no firm criteria. Thus, automated assistance would be useful to clinicians. This study aimed to construct and evaluate artificial intelligence (AI) systems to assist with such treatment planning. A total of 3,136 orthodontic occlusal photographs with annotations by two orthodontists were obtained. Four convolutional neural network (CNN) models, namely ResNet50, ResNet101, VGG16, and VGG19, were adopted for the AI process. Using the intraoral photographs as input, the crowding group and the necessity of tooth extraction were obtained. Arch length discrepancy analysis with AI-detected landmarks was used for crowding categorization. Various statistical and visual analyses were conducted to evaluate the performance. The maxillary and mandibular VGG19 models showed minimum mean errors of 0.84 mm and 1.06 mm for teeth landmark detection, respectively. Analysis of Cohen’s weighted kappa coefficient indicated that crowding categorization performance was best in VGG19 (0.73), decreasing in the order of VGG16, ResNet101, and ResNet50. For tooth extraction, the maxillary VGG19 model showed the highest accuracy (0.922) and AUC (0.961). By utilizing deep learning with orthodontic photographs, dental crowding categorization and diagnosis of orthodontic extraction were successfully determined. This suggests that AI can assist clinicians in the diagnosis and decision making of treatment plans.
A photoelectron spectroscopic investigation of aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen in the gas phase
Authors: Sa’adeh Hanan , Prince Kevin C. , Richter Robert , Vasilyev Vladislav , Chong Delano P. , Wang Feng
Published: March 2023

We have investigated the electronic structure of isolated molecules of paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen using computational methods and benchmarked the results against valence and core photoelectron spectra.