bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lexical and sublexical cortical tuning for print revealed by Steady‐State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEPs) in early readers
Authors: Wang Fang , Nguyen Quynh Trang H. , Kaneshiro Blair , Hasak Lindsey , Wang Angie M. , Toomarian Elizabeth Y. , Norcia Anthony M. , McCandliss Bruce D.
Published: November 2022

There are multiple levels of processing relevant to reading that vary in their visual, sublexical, and lexical orthographic processing demands. Segregating distinct cortical sources for each of these levels has been challenging in EEG studies of early readers. To address this challenge, we applied recent advances in analyzing high‐density EEG using Steady‐State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEPs) via data‐driven Reliable Components Analysis (RCA) in a group of early readers spanning from kindergarten to second grade. Three controlled stimulus contrasts—familiar words versus unfamiliar pseudofonts, familiar words versus pseudowords, and pseudowords versus nonwords—were used to isolate coarse print tuning, lexical processing, and sublexical orthography‐related processing, respectively. First, three overlapping yet distinct neural sources—left vOT, dorsal parietal, and primary visual cortex were revealed underlying coarse print tuning. Second, we segregated distinct cortical sources for the other two levels of processing: lexical fine tuning over occipito‐temporal/parietal regions; sublexical orthographic fine tuning over left occipital regions. Finally, exploratory group analyses based on children's reading fluency suggested that coarse print tuning emerges early even in children with limited reading knowledge, while sublexical and higher‐level lexical processing emerge only in children with sufficient reading knowledge.

Research Highlights

Cognitive processes underlying coarse print tuning, sublexical, and lexical fine tuning were examined in beginning readers.

Three overlapping yet distinct neural sources—left ventral occipito‐temporal (vOT), left temporo‐parietal, and primary visual cortex—were revealed underlying coarse print tuning.

Responses to sublexical orthographic fine tuning were found over left occipital regions, while responses to higher‐level linguistic fine tuning were found over occipito‐temporal/parietal regions.

Exploratory group analyses suggested that coarse print tuning emerges in children with limited reading knowledge, while sublexical and higher‐level linguistic fine tuning effects emerge in children with sufficient reading knowledge.
Influenza vaccine effectiveness against influenza A subtypes in Europe: Results from the 2021–2022 I‐MOVE primary care multicentre study
Authors: Kissling Esther , Pozo Francisco , Martínez‐Baz Iván , Buda Silke , Vilcu Ana‐Maria , Domegan Lisa , Mazagatos Clara , Dijkstra Frederika , Latorre‐Margalef Neus , Kurečić Filipović Sanja , Machado Ausenda , Lazar Mihaela , Casado Itziar , Dürrwald Ralf , van der Werf Sylvie , O'Donnell Joan , Linares Dopido Juan Antonio , Meijer Adam , Riess Maximilian , Višekruna Vučina Vesna , Rodrigues Ana Paula , Mihai Maria Elena , Castilla Jesús , Goerlitz Luise , Falchi Alessandra , Connell Jeff , Castrillejo Daniel , Hooiveld Mariette , Carnahan Annasara , Ilić Maja , Guiomar Raquel , Ivanciuc Alina , Maurel Marine , Omokanye Ajibola , Valenciano Marta ,   I‐MOVE study team
Published: November 2022

Background

In 2021–2022, influenza A viruses dominated in Europe. The I‐MOVE primary care network conducted a multicentre test‐negative study to measure influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE).

Methods

Primary care practitioners collected information on patients presenting with acute respiratory infection. Cases were influenza A(H3N2) or A(H1N1)pdm09 RT‐PCR positive, and controls were influenza virus negative. We calculated VE using logistic regression, adjusting for study site, age, sex, onset date, and presence of chronic conditions.

Results

Between week 40 2021 and week 20 2022, we included over 11 000 patients of whom 253 and 1595 were positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2), respectively. Overall VE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was 75% (95% CI: 43–89) and 81% (95% CI: 45–93) among those aged 15–64 years. Overall VE against influenza A(H3N2) was 29% (95% CI: 12–42) and 25% (95% CI: −41 to 61), 33% (95% CI: 14–49), and 26% (95% CI: −22 to 55) among those aged 0–14, 15–64, and over 65 years, respectively. The A(H3N2) VE among the influenza vaccination target group was 20% (95% CI: −6 to 39). All 53 sequenced A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses belonged to clade 6B.1A.5a.1. Among 410 sequenced influenza A(H3N2) viruses, all but eight belonged to clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2.

Discussion

Despite antigenic mismatch between vaccine and circulating strains for influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09, 2021–2022 VE estimates against circulating influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 were the highest within the I‐MOVE network since the 2009 influenza pandemic. VE against A(H3N2) was lower than A(H1N1)pdm09, but at least one in five individuals vaccinated against influenza were protected against presentation to primary care with laboratory‐confirmed influenza.
Editorial: The critical need to assess pubertal development in studies of child and adolescent psychopathology
Authors: Klump Kelly L.
Published: November 2022

Nearly all developmental studies of youth psychopathology assess the effects of age on risk factor‐youth outcomes, yet very few examine the effects of pubertal development on developmental trajectories. Growing evidence underscores the importance of both stages of puberty (adrenarche and gonadarche) in risk for psychopathology and the need to consider these developmental stages as predictors and moderators of mental health outcomes and trajectories. The purpose of this Editorial is to provide examples of this evidence and highlight gaps in our literature base as well as opportunities for future research.
Influence of sex on renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system metabolites and enzymes in Doberman Pinschers
Authors: Adin Darcy B. , Hernandez Jorge A.
Published: November 2022

Background

Estrogen modulates the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) in women, but sex differences have not been fully explored in dogs.

Objective

We hypothesized that the RAAS profile of intact female (IF) Doberman Pinschers (DP) would differ from spayed female (SF) and intact male (IM) DP.

Animals

Eighteen healthy DP (6 IF, 6 SF, 6 IM).

Methods

Absolute and indexed RAAS metabolites, angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 activities, and genotypes (pyruvate kinase dehydrogenase 4, titin, and ACE variants) were compared among sex groups using Kruskal‐Wallis or chi‐square tests, and linear regression controlling for age. Data are expressed as median (minimum, maximum) and P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

The ACE activity was higher in IF DP (656 pmol/L; 436, 784) compared to SF DP (411 pmol/L; 287, 451; P = .01) and IM DP (365 pmol/L; 276, 1200; P = .04) after controlling for age. Angiotensin II, angiotensin I, and plasma renin activity marker (PRA‐S) were higher in IF DP compared to SF DP, but not significantly (P ≤ .25). After controlling for age, angiotensin 1‐7/angiotensin I was lower in IF DP compared to SF DP (P = .01). Genotypes did not differ among groups. Most DP (94%) were ACE variant positive.

Conclusions and Clinical Significance

Sex and reproductive status influenced the RAAS of DP, with IF DP showing genotype‐independent higher ACE activity. These findings hold implications for sterilization practices in female dogs, and support sex and reproductive status as a source of variability in RAAS studies. Additionally, the frequency of the ACE gene variant was very high in this group of DP.
Orchipedum shareeanniae (Orchidaceae), a new species from Samar, Philippines
Authors: Ordas Jorge Anton D. , Tandang Danilo N. , Zamudio Sarah Grace S. , Docot Rudolph Valentino A. , Moran Cecilia B.
Published: November 2022

We describe Orchipedum shareeanniae as a new species endemic to Samar Island Natural Park in the Philippines and the fourth species in the genus. It is distinct from other Orchipedum species by its labellum, specifically its spreading, semicircular, pectinate lateral lobes with 6–8 linear appendages which are minutely pubescent apically. We provide a detailed description, illustrations, field images, and notes of this new species. Our discovery highlights the importance of performing botanical explorations in unexplored areas in the Philippines and supports the nomination of Samar Island Natural Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Declining long‐run income elasticities and the rise of cyclicality of trade: Evidence from Greece, 1995–2018
Authors: Lazarou Nicholas‐Joseph , Zervas Andreas
Published: November 2022

We estimate export and import demand elasticities of Greece between 1995 and 2018 by establishing cointegrating relationships between exports or imports, income and the real effective exchange rate. When accounting for structural breaks in the series, we observe that the long‐run income elasticities of exports and imports are elastic and decline throughout the sample period. The structural component of the Greek trade growth decreases across time. The cyclical counterpart rises and exhibits high variation. Changes in the real effective exchange rate have the opposite than predicted effects on trade in the postcrisis period for exports and throughout the sample for imports.
EyeKids: Real-Time Tracking and Monitoring System for Child Safety
Authors: Zahilah Raja , Zaharan Siti Zahidah
Published: November 2022

EyeKids is a tracking and monitoring system that implements Global Positioning System (GPS) technology for obtaining location data, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network for data transmission, and a cloud database for storing tracking data with the main purpose of allowing a parent to ensure their child safety remotely. Child safety is the number one priority of any parent. They are concerned about their child’s well-being and wanted to keep an eye on their child’s every movement. This project is meant to provide a solution to the concerned parents. This system includes three main components, a child tracking device, a parent-side application, and a cloud database. The tracking device is built using Arduino Uno Microcontroller Board, SIM808 GPS/GPRS/GSM module, and a push button. The tracking device sends its device ID, latitude, and longitude to the PHP server first using an HTTP request before it goes through the uploading process on the server to Firebase Database via HTTPS. Mobile EyeKids Parent-side application is based on Android where it is developed using the Flutter framework and implements Firebase Authentication for user authentication. The application consists of three main tracking functions, tracker, path tracking, and tracking analysis. The tracker function allows parents to track their child’s location based on the coordinate obtained which is displayed on a map. Path tracking functions show paths taken by children throughout a selected day on the map. Parents also are able to view analysis of child movement based on tracking data stored in the cloud database. The integration of hardware and software components of the system is evaluated to assess the correctness of the system through white box testing, black box testing, and user acceptance testing. The project follows a Rational Unified Process development model that has been adjusted to suit the size of the project and its requirements. The project has successfully developed and tested to be able to track child movement when the device is turned on and provide child location reports on a monthly basis.
Predicting the Carbon Dioxide Emissions Using Machine Learning
Authors: Geevaretnam Jothi Letchumy , Megat Mohd. Zainuddin Norziha , Kamaruddin Norshaliza , Rusli Hazlifah , Maarop Nurazean , Wan Hassan Wan Azlan
Published: November 2022

There are severe impacts and consequences to humans, societies, and the environment due to global warming. Though there are various activities that contributes to global warming, the major contributor is carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Human activities release large amounts of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, gas, or coal in producing energy. Net zero is the new ambition of industries in balancing the CO2 emissions in environment. Thus, this study finds the best predictive model for CO2 emissions using machine learning model with the dataset of CO2 emissions from 1991 until 2020. Machine Learning techniques is an efficient approach to study the CO2 emissions prediction and has been very appealing to few research. The dataset is split into a train-test (estimation-validation) set with 80% train set and 20% test set (80:20) proportion. The predictive model was developed using Random Forest, Support Vector Machine and Artificial Neural Network algorithms with different parameters to get the outcome. The predictive model's performance was evaluated based on the error measurement metric of Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). Its reveals that Support Vector Machine with linear kernel function is the best model among others which produces 65.7254 Mean Absolute Error (MAE), 112.2196 Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and 0.2279% Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) from the train set. For industries committed to net zero carbon emissions, this analysis will be an advising factor on the prediction system to find the CO2 emissions and how much fossil fuels’ reduction is required in achieving net zero carbon emission by 2050.
Models for the Interplay of Mechanics, Electrochemistry, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Deshpande Vikram S. , McMeeking Robert M.
Published: November 2022

We review a broad range of topics related to the interplay of electrochemistry and mechanics in all solid-state batteries. The modeling frameworks that exist in the literature are varied in terms of their sophistication and ability to capture critical observations. Modeling frameworks for diffusion induced stress and fracture due to lithiation swelling and shrinkage in storage materials for the cathodes are well-established along with models for lithium-ion transport in solid electrolytes. Similarly, aspects of the effect of stress on the redox reactions at the Li metal/electrolyte interface are well-understood. These models typically modify Butler–Volmer kinetics but neglect the effect of creep or other plastic deformations of the metal electrode on the interface kinetics. Nevertheless, they successfully describe the roughening of the metal electrode/electrolyte interface during deposition or plating. By contrast, Butler–Volmer kinetics accounting only for the interfacial stress are unable to predict voids that have been observed to form in the metal electrode and we discuss a hypothesis that creep deformation of the metal electrode has a more fundamental effect on the redox reactions. Similarly, models for the nucleation and growth of lithium filaments in solid electrolytes are also inconsistent with recent observations which suggest that cracks in solid electrolytes are only partially filled with lithium metal. We conclude by summarizing aspects of the interplay of electrochemistry and mechanics in all solid-state batteries that are well-understood and areas where significant open questions remain.
A Distance-based Separability Measure for Internal Cluster Validation
Authors: Guan Shuyue , Loew Murray
Published: November 2022

To evaluate clustering results is a significant part of cluster analysis. Since there are no true class labels for clustering in typical unsupervised learning, many internal cluster validity indices (CVIs), which use predicted labels and data, have been created. Without true labels, to design an effective CVI is as difficult as to create a clustering method. And it is crucial to have more CVIs because there are no universal CVIs that can be used to measure all datasets and no specific methods of selecting a proper CVI for clusters without true labels. Therefore, to apply a variety of CVIs to evaluate clustering results is necessary. In this paper, we propose a novel internal CVI – the Distance-based Separability Index (DSI), based on a data separability measure. We compared the DSI with eight internal CVIs including studies from early Dunn (1974) to most recent CVDD (2019) and an external CVI as ground truth, by using clustering results of five clustering algorithms on 12 real and 97 synthetic datasets. Results show DSI is an effective, unique, and competitive CVI to other compared CVIs. We also summarized the general process to evaluate CVIs and created the rank-difference metric for comparison of CVIs’ results.
Cross-domain residual deep NMF for transfer learning between different hyperspectral image scenes
Authors: Lei Ling , Huang Binqian , Ye Minchao , Yao Futian , Qian Yuntao
Published: November 2022

Hyperspectral image (HSI) classification has long been a hot research topic. Most previous researches concentrate on the classification task of a single HSI scene, called single-scene classification. This research focuses on two closely related HSI scenes (called source and target scenes, respectively), and the problem is named cross-scene classification. This paper aims to explore the shared feature sub-space between two HSI scenes. A transfer learning algorithm called cross-domain residual deep nonnegative matrix factorization (CDRDNMF) is proposed. CDRDNMF is a multi-layer architecture consisting of dual-dictionary nonnegative matrix factorization (DDNMF) layers. In each layer, DDNMF is performed on source and target features for domain-invariant feature extraction. Then a data recovery process is completed, and the residual components from the recovery are passed to the next layer after activation. With such a multi-layer architecture, CDRDNMF delivers knowledge transfer and multi-scale feature extraction tasks. The experimental results prove the excellent performance of CDRDNMF on cross-scene classification.
Heat transfer and electro-osmotic analysis on peristaltic pumping of a fractional second-grade fluid through a cylindrical tube
Authors: Channakote Mahadev M. , Asha S. K.
Published: November 2022

Most of the earlier studies intended on the peristaltic pumping of non-Newtonian fluids via channels/tubes to better know the flow activities of flowing systems. The extant effort is modeled to examine the peristaltic motion of the viscoelastic fluid through a cylindrical tube to characterize the rheological features of blood in the vascular system by incorporating the electro-osmotic phenomenon. Caputo’s definition provides analytical solutions to the dilemma. To evaluate the potential function, the Debye–Huckel linearization approximation is utilized. The long-wavelength [Formula: see text] and low Reynolds number approximations [Formula: see text] are used to simplify the simultaneous equations. The effects of physical constraints depicting the flow phenomena are obtained and conferred via graphs. The impact of several regulatory elements is deliberated and exposed in a succession of figures. The significant outcome of the result is that the pressure gradient is consistently enhanced as the external electric field strength increases. It is also observed that the growing applied electric field strength can control the negative value of the pressure gradient. This work is relevant to the electrophoresis in hematology, electrohydrodynamic therapy, and biometric electro-osmotic pumps. The present results provide a significant baseline for experiment analyses and more general models of microvascular blood flow.
How do Java mutation tools differ?
Authors: Amalfitano Domenico , Paiva Ana C. R. , Inquel Alexis , Pinto Luís , Fasolino Anna Rita , Just René
Published: November 2022

A framework for aiding future Java mutation tool comparisons.
Clinical Observation of Low-Temperature Plasma Knife Tonsil Adenoidectomy for Pediatric Snoring and Analysis of Influencing Factors
Authors: Guo Li , Hu Yirong
Published: November 2022

Objective. To investigate the clinical efficacy of low-temperature plasma knife tonsil adenoidectomy for pediatric snoring and to analyze the factors influencing the efficacy. Methods. 90 children with snoring who were scheduled for surgical treatment in our hospital from June 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into control group (group C) and observation group (group O), with 45 cases in each group. The children in group C were treated with power cutting system to remove adenoids combined with conventional peeling of bilateral tonsils, while the children in group O were treated with low-temperature plasma adenoidectomy combined with bilateral tonsillectomy, and both the groups received psychological care, preoperative preparation, health guidance, postoperative posture care and close monitoring of vital signs during the perioperative period. The clinical efficacy, perioperative related indexes (including operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain time, and hospital stay) were compared between the two groups. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen decrement index (ODI), longest apnea time (LAT), and lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2) were measured before operation and 1 week after operation to evaluate the ventilatory function of the two groups. According to the curative effect, 90 children with snoring were divided into cure + significant effective group and valid + invalid group. The general data and preoperative biochemical indexes of the two groups were collected, and logistic regression model was used to analyze the related influencing factors of the curative effect. Results. The total effective rate of group O (100.00%, 45 cases) was significantly higher than that of group C (91.11%, 41 cases) (P < 0.05); the operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain time, and hospitalization time of group O were shorter/less than those of group C; the AHI, ODI, and LAT of group O at 1 week after surgery were shorter/less than those of the control group; and LSaO2 was higher than that of group C. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in age, BMI, course of disease, preoperative AHI, preoperative LsaO2, and surgical method between cure + significant effective group and valid + invalid group (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that high BMI, high preoperative AHI, and power cutting system for adenoids combined with routine peeling of the bilateral tonsils were independent risk factors for postoperative outcome in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) (P < 0.05).
A Longitudinal Study of Stress in New Nurses in their First Year of Employment
Authors: Fang Yan , Yang Jingping , Zhang Mengling , Song Jihong , Lin Rongjin
Published: November 2022

Objective. This study aimed to analyze changes in occupational stress in new nurses during the first year of employment. Methods. A prospective longitudinal study was conducted from 2020 to 2021 using one questionnaire four times on 127 newly employed nurses in a tertiary general teaching hospital in the province of Fujian. Results. The results showed that new nurses had moderate to high levels of stress in all four stages, with the highest stress level at 4 and 8 months of employment and the lowest stress level at 12 months; the differences in stress scores at different time points were statistically significant (

p
<
0.05

). The trends in each stressor dimension varied across different periods. The highest scores were for pressure caused by “time allocation and workload,” which peaked in month 8. The same trend was observed for stress from “patient care” and “work environment and equipment.” “Management and interpersonal relationships” scored the highest overall stress score at the start of employment before declining. The lowest stress score was from “work environment and equipment” at the start of employment, and the lowest was from “management and interpersonal relationships” from month 4 onward. Conclusion. New nurses had higher overall occupational stress during their first year of employment under different stressors. Therefore, nursing managers should actively focus on stress factors of new nurses and provide targeted interventions to help them during their training period.
Ultrathin Bronchoscopy for the Diagnosis of Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kim Soo Han , Kim Jinmi , Pak Kyoungjune , Eom Jung Seop
Published: November 2022

Background: Ultrathin bronchoscopy (external diameter, ≤3.5 mm) is useful for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions because of its good accessibility. Objectives: We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the diagnostic yield of ultrathin bronchoscopy for peripheral pulmonary lesions. Methods: We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE (from inception to May 2021), and meta-analysis was performed using R software. The diagnostic yield was evaluated by dividing the number of successful diagnoses by the total number of lesions, and subgroup analysis was performed to identify related factors. Results: Nineteen studies with a total of 1,977 peripheral pulmonary lesions were included. The pooled diagnostic yield of ultrathin bronchoscopy was 0.65 (95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.70). Significant heterogeneity was observed among studies (χ2, 87.75; p < 0.01; I2, 79.5%). In a subgroup analysis, ultrathin bronchoscopy with 1.2 mm channel size showed a diagnostic yield of 0.61 (95% confidence interval, 0.53–0.68), whereas ultrathin bronchoscopy with 1.7 mm channel size showed 0.70 (95% confidence interval, 0.66–0.74) (χ2, 5.35; p = 0.02). In addition, there was a significant difference in diagnostic yield based on lesion size, histologic diagnosis (malignant vs. benign), bronchus sign, and lesion location from the hilum, whereas no significant difference was found based on lobar location. The overall complication rate of ultrathin bronchoscopy was 2.7% (pneumothorax, 1.1%). Conclusions: Ultrathin bronchoscopy is an excellent tool for peripheral pulmonary lesion diagnosis with a low complication rate. The diagnostic yield of ultrathin bronchoscopy was significantly higher with larger channel size, which might be attributed to the availability of radial endobronchial ultrasound.
Clinical Effectiveness of Calcium Oxalate Stone Treatments
Authors: Gutbrod Joseph , Keys McKay Charles Clayton , Coe Lillian , Bergsland Kristin , Coe Fredric , Worcester Elaine , Prochaska Megan
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Lowering kidney stone risk and urine calcium oxalate supersaturation is a primary clinical focus for kidney stone prevention and can be achieved with multiple strategies. Common strategies include advice to increase fluid intake, restrict dietary sodium, or prescribing a thiazide-type diuretic. We investigated how physicians make these decisions in real-world practice and evaluate their efficacy based on 24-h urine collections. Methods: We reviewed medical charts for 203 kidney stone formers with idiopathic calcium stones from University of Chicago Kidney Stone Clinic between 2005 and 2020. Patients had three 24-h urines before an initial pre-treatment clinic visit and one follow-up 24-h urine. We analyzed changes in urine composition based on treatment advice using t tests and ANOVA. Results: Patients who received advice to increase fluid intake had lower urine volume at baseline (1.5 vs. 2.5 L/day, p < 0.001) and larger increase in urine volume at follow-up (0.6 vs. 0.1 L/day, p < 0.001) compared to those who did not receive the advice. Patients who were advised to restrict dietary sodium had a higher urine sodium at baseline (208 vs. 139 mEq/day, p < 0.001), a larger reduction in urine sodium (−28 vs. 13 mEq/day, p = 0.002), and larger reduction in urine calcium (−74 vs. −28 mg/day, p = 0.005) compared with those not advised to restrict dietary sodium. Patients started on a thiazide had a higher baseline urine calcium (281 vs. 213 mg/day) and larger reduction in urine calcium (−83 vs. −9 mg/day, p < 0.001) compared with patients not started on a thiazide. In combination, thiazide prescriptions with dietary sodium restriction reduced urine calcium by 99 mg/day and reduced calcium oxalate supersaturation from 8.0 to 5.5 and calcium phosphate supersaturation from 1.4 to 1.0. Conclusion: Providers use 24-h urine data to guide treatment strategy decisions. These strategies achieved the intended effects on urine composition and lowered kidney stone risk.
Trabecular Bone Score as an Index of Bone Fragility in Patients with Acromegaly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bioletto Fabio , Barale Marco , Prencipe Nunzia , Berton Alessandro Maria , Parasiliti-Caprino Mirko , Gasco Valentina , Ghigo Ezio , Procopio Massimo , Grottoli Silvia
Published: November 2022

Background: Acromegaly is characterized by impaired bone quality and increased fracture risk. However, due to the pathophysiology of acromegalic osteopathy, bone mineral density (BMD) does not represent a reliable predictor for fragility fractures in this setting. Trabecular bone score (TBS) has been recently evaluated as an alternative index of skeletal fragility in acromegalic patients. However, no conclusive data are still available in this regard. Methods: PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Ovid, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched until June 2022 for studies reporting data either about the comparison of TBS values between acromegalic patients and non-acromegalic controls or about the relationship – within acromegalic patients – between TBS values and fracture risk. Effect sizes were pooled through a random-effect model. Results: Eight studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis, encompassing 336 acromegalic patients and 490 non-acromegalic controls. Overall, TBS was significantly lower in acromegalic patients compared to controls (−0.089, 95% CI: [−0.111, −0.067], p < 0.01), irrespective of acromegaly disease activity and gonadal status. With respect to fracture risk, TBS was significantly lower in acromegalic patients with vertebral fractures than in those without (−0.099, 95% CI: [−0.166, −0.032], p < 0.01). Conclusion: In this meta-analysis, we specifically assessed the role of TBS as an index of bone quality and fracture risk in patients with acromegaly. Our results support the notion that TBS could be of value in the assessment and management of skeletal fragility in acromegalic patients, especially in light of the poor information provided in this setting by BMD.
Distinct Persons; Distinct Territories: Rethinking the Spaces of International Organizations
Authors: Lythgoe Gail C.
Published: November 2022

Implicit spatial assumptions inform the law of international organisations, including the very concept of an international organization. In this paper, I argue that the reproduction of a physicalized and stato-centric notion of territory informs the idea that international organizations are functional entities without territories because ‘territory’ – as it has been long been conceptualised – has already been apportioned among states. While other disciplines underwent major epistemic change in their conceptualization of space, law retained reified assumptions of its spaces, especially so of territory. As a result, international lawyers have long assumed only states can be territorial actors. Yet with a reconceptualisation of territory, inspired by thinkers such as Lefebvre, we might instead think of the spaces of international organisations as their territories, constituted through their social practices exercising control. Moreover, this territory is distinct from the territories of member states and is not simply the aggregate of member states’ territories.
Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera) XII: Notes on the Chinese Metriogryllacris Karny, 1937
Authors: ZHANG QIANWEN , PANG SIYU , BIAN XUN
Published: November 2022

This paper reports two new species based on new material deposited in Guangxi Normal University, namely Metriogryllacris (Metriogryllacris) obscurata sp. nov. (Chinese name: �­纹姬蟋螽) and M. (M.) hamata sp. nov. (Chinese name: 小钩姬蟋螽). Also, the female sex of M. (M.) bimacula Yu, Liu & Bian, 2022 and male sex of M. (M.) nigrilimbis Liu & Bian, 2021 are firstly described.
Effect of microRNA-1246 Derived from Exosomes on Apoptosis of Astroglioma Cells
Authors: Wang Wei , Ye Sunzhi , Yang Jiajia , Huang Zhaofeng , Lin Luyang , Zhu Yingying , Chen Daqing
Published: November 2022

Glioma is a common cancer in the central system. Exosomes play a key role in malignancies. This study mainly investigates the effect and mechanism of microRNA-1246 from self-derived exosomes on the apoptotic activities of astroglioma cells. Samples of malignant glioma were collected
to measure microRNA-1246 expression. The glioma cells were cultured and their secreted exosomes were collected. Cells were randomized into NC group, miRNA-1246-mimic group and miRNA-1246-inhibitor group followed by analysis of invasion capability, expression of miR-1246 and CAMD1 gene, and
AMD1 and apoptosis-related proteins expression by Western-blot as well as the relationship between miRNA-1246 and CAMD1. Under electron microscope, exosomes exhibited round shapes with a diameter of 50–290 nm and a positive expression of CD9 and CD63. miRNA-1246 was upregulated in exosomes
from astroglioma patients. miRNA-1246 downregulated CADMI and apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2, but upregulated Caspase-3 and pro-apoptosis proteins in glioma cells. Moreover, miRNA-1246 facilitates astroglioma cells invasion while restraining apoptotic activities. CADM1 was confirmed to be
a target of miRNA-1246. In conclusion, miR-1246 is highly expressed in exosomes that originated from astroglioma cells and suppressed the apoptosis of glioma cells via targeting CAMD1 genes.
Magnolol Suppresses Breast Cancer Cells via Regulating miR-140-5p/TLR4 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Ke , Shi Xianfeng
Published: November 2022

Objective: To discuss Mag effects and relative mechanisms in breast cancer treatment by vitro study. Materials and methods: In first step, using difference concentrations of Mag to treat breast cancer cell lines; In next step, the cell liens were divided into NC, Mag and
Mag+si-miRNA group. Using MTT to measure cell proliferation rates; using TUNEL and flow cytometry to evaluate apoptosis cell number and rate; measuring invasion cell number and wound healing rate using transwell or wound healing; evaluating relative gene expressions using RT-qPCR and WB assay.
Results: Cell proliferation rates, invasion cell number, Ki67 positive cell number, wound healing rates significant depressed (P < 0.05) and cell apoptosis rate and apoptosis cell number significantly increased (P <0.05, respectively), meanwhile, miR-140-5p, TLR4,
MyD88 and NF-κB(p65)gene significantly changed (P < 0.05) and TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB(p65) protein significant down-regulation (P < 0.05). However, with si-miRNA which inhibited miR-140-5p supplement, the cell biological activities significantly
increased (P <0.001), with miR-140-5p significant down-regulation, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB(p65) significantly up-regulation (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Mag had anti-tumor effects to breast cancer via miR-140-5p/TLR4 axis by vitro cell experiment.
Skillful U.S. Soy Yield Forecasts at Presowing Lead Times
Authors: Vijverberg Sem , Hamed Raed , Coumou Dim
Published: November 2022

Soy harvest failure events can severely impact farmers, insurance companies, and raise global prices. Reliable seasonal forecasts of misharvests would allow stakeholders to prepare and take appropriate early action. However, especially for farmers, the reliability and lead time of current prediction systems provide insufficient information to justify within-season adaptation measures. Recent innovations increased our ability to generate reliable statistical seasonal forecasts. Here, we combine these innovations to predict the 1–3 poor soy harvest years in the eastern United States. We first use a clustering algorithm to spatially aggregate crop producing regions within the eastern United States that are particularly sensitive to hot–dry weather conditions. Next, we use observational climate variables [sea surface temperature (SST) and soil moisture] to extract precursor time series at multiple lags. This allows the machine learning model to learn the low-frequency evolution, which carries important information for predictability. A selection based on causal inference allows for physically interpretable precursors. We show that the robust selected predictors are associated with the evolution of the horseshoe Pacific SST pattern, in line with previous research. We use the state of the horseshoe Pacific to identify years with enhanced predictability. We achieve high forecast skill of poor harvests events, even 3 months prior to sowing, using a strict one-step-ahead train-test splitting. Over the last 25 years, when the horseshoe Pacific SST pattern was anomalously strong, 67% of the poor harvests predicted in February were correct. When operational, this forecast would enable farmers to make informed decisions on adaption measures, for example, selecting more drought-resistant cultivars or change planting management.

Significance Statement

If soy farmers would know that the upcoming growing season will be hot and dry, they could decide to take anticipatory action to reduce losses, that is, buy more drought resistant soy cultivars or change planting management. To make such decisions, farmers would need information even prior to sowing. On these very long lead times, a predictable signal can emerge from low-frequency processes of the climate system that can affect surface weather via teleconnections. However, traditional forecast systems are unable to make reliable predictions at these lead times. In this work, we used machine learning techniques to train a forecast model based on these low-frequency components. This allowed us to make reliable predictions of poor harvest years even 3 months prior to sowing.
Was Franz Baur’s Infamous Long-Range Weather Forecast for the Winter of 1941/42 on the Eastern Front Really Wrong?
Authors: Wiuff Rasmus
Published: November 2022

In October 1941, Nazi Germany’s High Command realized that the war against the Soviet Union could not be ended before winter. The German professor Franz Baur prepared a long-range weather forecast for the winter of 1941/42. Baur never revealed anything about this forecast. However, according to an article published 10 years after Baur’s death, Baur predicted that the winter of 1941/42 would be normal or milder than normal, primarily based on the main argument that the previous two winters had been very severe and never in climatic history had more than two severe winters occurred in a row. The winter ended up being one of the worst. Today, Baur’s prognoses from wartime are public. In this article, it is shown that the previous description of Baur’s prognosis for the winter of 1941/42 is incorrect. Baur had a problematic relationship with his colleagues, so it is possible that the story of his prognosis is incorrect due to personal and professional contradictions. Baur’s postulated prognosis for the winter of 1941/42 destroyed his reputation. Based on the original prognoses from wartime and Baur’s scientific and personal history, this article shows that this judgment was too harsh and unfair.
Biopolitical and juridical creations of the quarantine hotel: A discourse analysis of the Norwegian case
Authors: Gjerde Lars Erik Løvaas
Published: November 2022

The quarantine hotel is one of several political instruments used to control the spread of Covid-19 in diverse countries, from Norway to China. I apply discourse analysis to map the discursive struggle to define the quarantine hotel in Norway. The government and other key political actors channel a biopolitical discourse constituting the quarantine hotel as necessary to protect the Norwegian population from imported contagion. This discourse's meaning is contested by a juridical counter-discourse articulated by lawyers and travellers, which constitutes the quarantine hotel as imprisonment/internment and a breach of rights. Travellers tend to combine this with a biopolitical counter-discourse, dismissing the quarantine hotel's biopolitical properties, strengthening the juridical critique. These discourses are important resources in a transnational, ongoing struggle, where the prize is the legitimacy of the politics of Covid-19, and the very ordering of the post-pandemic world.
The Relationship Between Pre-Loss Grief, Preparedness and Psychological Health Outcomes in Relatives of People With Cancer
Authors: Schmidt Viktoria , Kaiser Julia , Treml Julia , Kersting Anette
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to examine the simultaneous effects of pre-loss grief, preparedness for death and preparedness for caregiving on different psychological health outcomes in relatives of people with cancer. Two hundred ninety-nine relatives of people with cancer participated in a cross-sectional online survey. Participants were included if they spoke German and were 18 years or older. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted. Pre-loss grief was significantly associated with depression (β = .388, p < .001), anxiety (β = .429, p < .001), somatization (β = .221, p < .001) and satisfaction with life (β = −.205, p < .001). Preparedness for death was significantly associated with somatization (β = −.247, p < .001). Results suggest that people with high scores in pre-loss grief and low scores in preparedness for death are in need of early support. Interventions should address pre-loss grief and the various aspects of preparedness for death and take into account the psychological health in relatives of people with cancer. Future studies should investigate underlying mechanisms.
Gender Differences in Abusive Parenting among Incarcerated Parents in Japan
Authors: Sasaki Ayako , Mochizuki Akemi , Yoshihara Daiki
Published: November 2022

This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of abusive parenting among the incarcerated population in Japan. Using a national survey of incarcerated parents (95 women and 79 men), the results showed that incarcerated mothers are at greater risk of abusive parenting and that childhood abuse history predicted abusive parenting for mothers but not for fathers. On the other hand, intimate partners’ parental attitudes impacted the abusive parenting of both incarcerated mothers and fathers, but differed by gender. Special attention was given to gender differences throughout the study, aiming to guide gender-responsive parenting programs in correctional settings.
Weft-knitted fabric defect classification based on a Swin transformer deformable convolutional network
Authors: Hu Yuejie , Jiang Gaoming
Published: November 2022

With the vigorousness of the knitting industry, defect detection and classification of weft-knitted fabrics have become the research fields with extensive application value. However, convolution neural network models suffer from the limitation of convolutional operation, which makes them unable to capture the global features of fabric images abundantly. Although the transformer can compensate for this deficiency, it still has shortcomings such as poor small target recognition and unsatisfactory local information extraction ability. In order sufficiently to actualize the mutual support of relative advantages between the convolution neural network and the transformer, a Swin transformer deformable convolutional network integrated model is proposed in this paper. The Swin transformer deformable convolutional network utilizes the self-attention mechanism with global perception to establish dependencies comprehensively between long-range elements. Meanwhile, the deformable convolution is introduced according to the shaped characteristics of defects to extract local features effectively. Furthermore, a dataset containing 5474 images of weft-knitted fabrics was designed due to the less adequate databases. Experimental results on our weft-knitted fabric dataset and the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) database demonstrated that the proposed Swin transformer deformable convolutional network is superior to current state-of-the-art methods and has immense potential in fabric defect detection and classification.
Concrete Counterfactual Tests for Process Tracing: Defending an Interventionist Potential Outcomes Framework
Authors: Runhardt Rosa W.
Published: November 2022

This article uses the interventionist theory of causation, a counterfactual theory taken from philosophy of science, to strengthen causal analysis in process tracing research. Causal claims from process tracing are re-expressed in terms of so-called hypothetical interventions, and concrete evidential tests are proposed which are shown to corroborate process tracing claims. In particular, three steps are prescribed for an interventionist investigation, and each step in turn is shown to make the causal analysis more robust, amongst others by disambiguating causal claims and clarifying or strengthening the existing methodological advice on counterfactual analysis. The article's claims are then illustrated using a concrete example, Haggard and Kaufman's analysis of the Argentinian transition to democracy. It is shown that interventionism could have strengthened the authors’ conclusions. The article concludes with a short Bayesian analysis of its key methodological proposals.
Effectiveness of adhesive taping to reduce pain, swelling and trismus after fracture mandible surgery
Authors: Agarwal Namrata , Nelson Meenal , Mishra Shrivats , Agarwal Pawan , Sharma Dhananjaya
Published: November 2022

Swelling, pain and trismus constitute the major post-operative morbidity after surgery for mandibular fractures. We assessed the role of kinesio taping in mitigating these. Two groups of 15 patients were compared; those who had such applied to the side of the fracture and a control group of those who did not. Pain, swelling and trismus were assessed pre-operatively, and on the second, third and fifth post-operative days, and found to be significantly less in the study group. This simple technique is therefore effective. It is a simple frugal intervention without any side effects.
Patients at risk of suicide and their meaning in life experiences
Authors: Søberg Ane Inger Bondahl , Danbolt Lars Johan , Sørensen Torgeir , Haug Sigrid Helene Kjørven
Published: November 2022

Patients in specialist mental healthcare services who are at risk of suicide may experience their struggles as existential in nature. Yet, research on meaning in life has been relatively scarce in suicidology. This qualitative study aimed to explore how patients at risk of suicide perceived their encounters with specialist healthcare professionals after a suicide attempt (SA), with special reference to meaning in life experiences. The study was conducted in specialised mental healthcare services in Norway. Data were collected via individual interviews with eight patients aged 20–75 years. Using a four-step procedure, the interviews were analysed by systematic text condensation. The participants understood their feelings of shame, self-contempt and challenging life experiences as contributing factors to their SA. They perceived that existential themes in relation to financial difficulties, shame and trauma were resolved, while issues associated with the SA, such as death, loss and beliefs, were given less attention. The participants were either ambivalent about continuing to live or wished to rebuild a meaningful life. Overall, their experiences of meaningfulness were hampered. Assisting patients with meaning in life experiences may help them alter their life interpretations and increase their ability to rebuild their lives as meaningful. The present study should be seen as a contribution to meaning-informed approaches in specialist mental healthcare services. More research is needed to equip healthcare personnel in their overall aims of preventing suicide and supporting patients at risk in their efforts to live a meaningful life.