bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Stress‐Strain Index in School‐Aged Children: A 3‐Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Yang Zhengfei , Wu Bo , Li Zhouyue , Yu Mengting , Jiang Jinyun , Chen Shuyuan , Xu Shengsong , Zeng Junwen , Wang Mengyi , Yang Xiao
Published: October 2023

Purpose. To determine three‐year change of the corneal biomechanical parameter stress‐strain index (SSI) in schoolchildren aged 7– 9 years and their correlation with refractive error and axial length (AL). Methods. This is a prospective cohort study. Data of the AL, refractive error, and corneal biomechanical parameter SSI were collected at baseline and a 3‐year follow‐up for 217 schoolchildren. SSI, AL, and refractive error were measured via corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (Corvis ST), IOLMaster biometry, and cycloplegic refraction. Three years of changes in SSI and its association with refractive error and AL were analyzed. Participants were divided into persistent nonmyopia (PNM), newly developed myopia (NDM), and persistent myopia (PM). The three‐year difference in SSI among the three groups was analyzed. Results. After three years of follow‐up, the corneal biomechanical parameter SSI decreased in all participants (P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between the change in SSI and the change in AL (r = −0.205, P = 0.002) and a positive correlation between the change in refractive error (r = 0.183, P = 0.007). After three years of follow‐up, there was a decrease in the SSI for the NDM, PM, and PNM participants, with a median change of −0.05 for PNM and −0.13 and −0.09 for the NDM and PM, respectively. There was a significant decrease in corneal biomechanical properties for NDM patients compared with PNM patients (P < 0.01). Conclusion. In 7‐ to 9‐year‐old schoolchildren, SSI decreased after three years of the longitudinal study, and the change in SSI was correlated with the change in AL and refractive error. There was a rapid decrease in corneal biomechanical properties among newly developed myopic patients.
The Potential Mechanism of Curcumin in Treating Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis
Authors: Siyuan Wu , Xiaozhi Lv , Jialin Wu , Wei Haigang , Liu Shiwei , Zou Chen , Song Jing , Xia Li , Yilong Ai
Published: October 2023

Aims. This study explores the effects of curcumin as a therapeutic agent against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods. We acquired the targets of curcumin from three digital databases, including the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, Search Tool for Interactions of Chemicals, and SwissTargetPrediction. Then, we identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the weighted gene coexpression network analysis-based key modules using the expression profiles of GSE23558 to acquire the OSCC-related genes. Additionally, the GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man databases were also used to identify the OSCC-related genes. Finally, curcumin-OSCC interaction genes were obtained by overlapping curcumin targets and OSCC-related genes. The enrichment analysis was performed by the ClusterProfiler algorithm and Metascape, respectively. Then, a protein-protein interaction network was created, and the maximal clique centrality algorithm was used to identify the top 10 hub genes. Besides, we examined the expression levels of hub genes in OSCC using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Results. 927 DEGs were identified, including 308 upregulated ones and 619 downregulated ones. The cluster one-step network construction function of the WGCNA algorithm recognized a soft-thresholding power of 6, and 9083 genes were acquired. 2591 OSCC-related genes were obtained by overlapping the GSE23558-identified genes and the OSCC-related genes from disease target bases. Finally, we identified 70 candidate drug-disease interaction genes by overlapping the disease-related genes with the curcumin target. The enrichment analysis suggested that response to oxidative stress, epithelial cell proliferation, and AGE/RAGE pathway might involve in the effect of curcumin on OSCC. The topologic study identified the ten hub genes, including VEGFA, AKT1, TNF, HIF1A, EGFR, JUN, STAT3, MMP9, EGF, and MAPK3. A significant difference was observed in VEGFA, AKT1, TNF, HIF1A, EGFR, MMP9, EGF, and MAPK3 expression levels between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and the normal controls. However, no significant difference was observed in JUN (

P
=
0.14

) and STAT3 (

P
=
0.054

). Conclusion. This study provided an overview and basis for the potential mechanism of curcumin against OSCC. The following experiments should be performed to further understand the effectiveness and safety of curcumin in treating OSCC.
Microstructure Evolution and Multiscale Heat Transfer Characteristics of Resin-Based Ablative Material under Aerodynamic Heating
Authors: Gao Junjie , Deng Daiying , Han Haitao , Yu Jijun
Published: October 2023

This paper is aimed at investigating the microstructure evolution of resin-based ablative materials under aerodynamic heating. The microstructure, morphology, material density, and thermophysical parameters at different positions of the material after aerodynamic heating were deeply studied. The changes in the microstructural characteristics of materials caused by complex reaction processes were investigated, including microstructural morphology, porosity, the overlap relationship between microstructural components, and the mutual positional relationship. The relationship between microstructural evolution and material heat transfer is discussed. By analyzing the heat transfer mechanism and heat transfer path of the microstructure, combing with the analysis results of the evolution of the microstructure and the physical properties of the material, multiscale heat transfer unit cell models were established to predict the equivalent thermal conductivity. Thereby, the evolution of physical properties and microstructure of resin-based ablative materials under aerodynamic heating and the relationship between microstructure evolution and heat transfer process are obtained. It can improve the accuracy of ablative heat transfer simulation. In addition, it can provide reference for the process design of ablative materials and promote the application and development of ablative materials in the field of aircraft.
Supplementary Data from DNA2 Nuclease Inhibition Confers Synthetic Lethality in Cancers with Mutant p53 and Synergizes with PARP Inhibitors
Authors: Folly-Kossi Helena , Graves Joshua D. , Garan Lidija A. Wilhelms , Lin Fang-Tsyr , Lin Weei-Chin
Published: October 2023

Figures S1-S7, Table S1
FIGURE 7 from DNA2 Nuclease Inhibition Confers Synthetic Lethality in Cancers with Mutant p53 and Synergizes with PARP Inhibitors
Authors: Folly-Kossi Helena , Graves Joshua D. , Garan Lidija A. Wilhelms , Lin Fang-Tsyr , Lin Weei-Chin
Published: October 2023

DNA2 inhibitor d16 synergizes with PARPis in cancer cells. A, BT549, MDAH-2774, and MDA-MB-468 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of d16, RU, or both as indicated. MTT assay was performed 72 hours following treatment. B, CI values were calculated (in brackets) and Fa-CI plots were generated using CompuSyn software. CI < 1 indicates synergism. The isobolograms for each CI analysis are shown in Supplementary Fig. S7A. C, MDAH-2774 and BT549 were treated with d16 (10 µmol/L), talazoparib (Tala; 2.5 µmol/L) or both for 72 hours, and cell viability was measured by MTT assay. D, MDAH-2774, BT549, and C33A cells stably expressing either a scrambled shRNA (shScr) or an shRNA against mutp53 (shp53) were treated with increasing concentrations of d16, RU, or both as indicated for 72 hours followed by MTT assay. The data shown represent mean ± SD (n = 3 biological replicates). P values are *, P < 0.05 and ***, P < 0.001 indicating statistically significant difference (two-tailed t test). Expression of mutp53 in these stable cell lines is shown in Fig. 4B. The detailed Fa-CI plots are shown in Supplementary Fig. S7B. E–G, Cpd 16 and PARP1/2 inhibitor talazoparib synergistically induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-468 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of d16, talazoparib, or both as indicated for 21 hours. Active caspase-3/7 was determined by Caspase-Glo 3/7 Assay and was normalized to protein concentrations. Data shown are the mean ± SE from three independent experiments. CI values, Fa-CI plots and Isobologram were generated using CompuSyn software. CI < 1 indicates synergism.
Successful Combination of Olaparib and 225Ac-Dotatate in a Patient with Neuroendocrine Tumor G3 and BRCA Mutation
Authors: Kröcher Anke , Folprecht Gunnar , Winzer Robert , Sergon Mildred , Bornhäuser Martin , Kotzerke Jörg , Brogsitter Claudia
Published: October 2023

Based on the results of the NETTER-1 trial, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with Lutetium-177 (177Lu) – DOTATATE is authorized for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) grade 1 (G1) and grade 2 (G2) of the intestine. After the failure of 177Lu-DOTATATE therapy, targeted alpha-particle therapy (TAT) may be a possible treatment option. Here, we present a patient with cancer of unknown primary NET G2 later G3. The patient was referred to our hospital with urosepsis due to a second-degree urinary retention. After stent insertion, a contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a huge pelvic tumor without metastases. Initially, the patient had undergone surgical treatment. Later the patient developed liver metastasis and was treated by 177Lu-DOTATATE therapy and four lines of systemic therapy. A disease progression was observed and with the knowledge of a germline BRCA1 mutation, the patient was treated with TAT (Actinium-225 [225Ac]-DOTATATE) combined with olaparib. The patient achieved a significant treatment response for 12 months indicating that a combination therapy with an alpha emitter and olaparib demands further investigations in clinical trials.
Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity, Its Complications, and Progression in a 10-Year Follow-Up in the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS)
Authors: Falter Tanja , Hennige Anita M. , Schulz Andreas , Gieswinkel Alexander , Lotz Johannes , Rossmann Heidi , Beutel Manfred , Michal Matthias , Pfeiffer Norbert , Schmidtmann Irene , Münzel Thomas , Wild Philipp S. , Lackner Karl J.
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Overweight and obesity lead to numerous complications and their treatment. The associated costs represent a health and sociopolitical burden. Therefore, the development of overweight and obesity is of great importance for health policy. Methods: The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS), a population-based observational study of individuals aged 35–74 years in the city of Mainz and the district of Mainz-Bingen, examined current data on the prevalence and development of overweight and obesity and their association with concomitant diseases and medication use. Results: Among men, 48.1% were overweight and 26.3% had obesity. Among women, these proportions were 32.1% and 24.1%, respectively. Elevated body mass index (BMI) was associated with numerous complications, particularly insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, elevated triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. Accordingly, medications to treat these conditions were used significantly more often in individuals with elevated BMI. During the 10-year observation period, mean weight increased in the population. Both men and women had a moderate but significant increase in BMI compared to men and women of the same age at baseline. Individual weight changes over the 10-year observation period, on the other hand, were age-dependent. In the two younger age decades, weight gain was observed, while in the oldest age decade, mean body weight decreased. Conclusion: These current data confirm that overweight and obesity are associated with relevant complications and that these complications lead to significant use of appropriate medications. The study also suggests that there is a significant trend toward increased prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30) over the 10-year period.
COVID-19: The Dysregulated Response to Infection – Why Consider Polymethylmethacrylate Membrane in Hemodialysis Patients?
Authors: Spasiano Andrea , De Luca Gianmarco , Bartoli Giulia , Dello Strologo Andrea , Arena Maria , Grandaliano Giuseppe
Published: October 2023

Since SARS-CoV-2 spread through China at the end of 2019, COVID-19 has been probably the most difficult challenge in the last decades for healthcare systems all around the world, still representing a danger for fragile patients with different comorbidities. Chronic dialysis patients affected by COVID-19 experienced severe disease with a higher mortality rate compared to the general population. Morbidity and mortality of this severe acute respiratory syndrome depend on both acute respiratory failure and systemic immunological involvement with consequent inflammation-mediated injury. Indeed, the most important determining factor of COVID-19 severity is the strength of the so-called “cytokine storm” associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, this severe infection varies clinically from an asymptomatic condition to a generalized and violent inflammatory response and acute respiratory distress syndrome, with consequent pulmonary interstitial edema and a high risk of multi-organ failure. The use of extracorporeal therapies targeting cytokine clearance to improve patients’ outcomes has been widely debated, especially in end-stage kidney disease’s patients on maintenance dialysis or in individuals affected by acute kidney injury admitted to intensive care units. Different studies were conducted to demonstrate how specific dialyzers could decrease the COVID-19 inflammatory state. The aim of this narrative review was to summarize main studies about this topic, focusing primarily on the role of polymethylmethacrylate dialyzer and underlining pros and cons of this sorbent.
A Deeper Insight into COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5 Variants and Genotype-Phenotype Correlation of a Turkish Cohort with Alport Syndrome
Authors: Yavaş Cüneyd , Ozdemir Ozgenturk Nehir , Dogan Mustafa , Gezdirici Alper , Keskin Ece , Gokpınar İli Ezgi , Dogan Tunay , Celebi Evrim , Bender Onur , Un Cemal
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Alport syndrome (AS) is an inherited, rare, progressive kidney disease that affects the eye and ear physiology. Pathogenic variants of COL4A5 account for 85% of all cases, while COL4A3 and COL4A4 account for the remaining 15%. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing of the COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5 genes was performed in 125 Turkish patients with AS. The patients were compared to 45 controls and open-access population data. Results: The incidence of AS variants in patients was found as 21.6%. 27 variants were identified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic, 28 as variant of uncertain significance, and 52 as benign/likely benign. We also found 31 novel variants (14 in COL4A3, 6 in COL4A4, and 11 in COL4A5) of which 27 were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic. Pathogenic/likely Pathogenic variants were most commonly found in the COL4A5 gene, consistent with the literature. This study contributed novel variants associated with AS to the literature. Conclusion: Genetic testing is a crucial part for the diagnosis and management of AS. Studies on the genetic etiology of AS are limited for the Turkish population. We believe that this study will contribute to the literature and the clinical decision-making process of patients with AS and emphasize the importance of genetic counseling.
Cystoid Macular Edema following Treatment with Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel and Atezolizumab for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Yamane Hiroaki , Itagaki Tomoko , Kajitani Keiko , Koura Yuji , Kawabuchi Yoshiharu , Ohara Masahiro
Published: October 2023

Cystoid macular edema (CME) is a rare side effect associated with chemotherapy. Although the development of CME has been reported to occur following treatment with taxane drugs, such as nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (Nab-PTX), the occurrence of CME with treatment with atezolizumab has not yet been reported. Here, we report the case of a 49-year-old woman who developed CME 19 months into chemotherapy with Nab-PTX and atezolizumab. Improvement was not achieved with steroid injections into the Tenon’s sac, and Nab-PTX and atezolizumab treatments were ceased. One month later, there was subjective improvement in her symptoms. Although many reports have indicated that cessation of chemotherapy has successfully improved CME, a specific treatment for CME has not yet been established. Clinicians should be aware of the ophthalmologic side effects and offer immediate treatment if symptoms develop.
Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor in the Adrenal Gland: A Case Report
Authors: Rodriguez-Nakamura Reiko M. , Sanchez-Garcia Martin , Del-Valle Rivera Arturo , Mota-Garduño Elizabeth , Chávez Mercado Leonora , Espinoza Guibarra Sergio Adolfo , Vasquez-Gomez Omar
Published: October 2023

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) were first described by Harold Brunn in 1939. IMTs are mainly found in the lungs and other sites of the body; hence, its occurrence in the adrenal gland is exceptional. In the literature, less than 10 cases of IMTs in the adrenal gland have been reported. The etiology of IMT remains unknown, with post-inflammatory changes and a neoplastic origin being proposed. We present a case of a 19-year-old woman and adrenal gland IMT. The patient presented with abdominal pain and low cardiac output without hypovolemic shock. Computed tomography revealed a tumor in the adrenal gland measuring 11.4 cm with extravasation of contrast medium within the tumor. Treatment included conservative management with selective embolization due to minimal invasion of the inferior artery of the adrenal gland. The patient was then discharged with possibility of future elective surgery. Four months later, the size of the tumor decreased to 6.3 cm, and her Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group physical status was 0. The Multidisciplinary Tumor Board suggested surgical management. The final histopathology report was compatible with an IMT of the adrenal gland, with the immunohistochemical report showing positivity for anti-actin muscle-specific and anti-actin smooth muscle and negativity for anaplastic lymphoma kinase. IMTs of the adrenal gland may be treated electively through multidisciplinary management together with interventional radiology and surgery, achieving a favorable outcome for the patient.
Quantitative Flow Ratio-Derived Index of Microcirculatory Resistance as a Novel Tool to Identify Microcirculatory Function in Patients with Ischemia and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Gao Beibei , Wu Guomin , Xie Jianchang , Ruan Jie , Xu Peng , Qian Yufeng , Gu Junjie , Li Wei , Jin Xiangbo , Tong Guoxin , Huang Jinyu
Published: October 2023

Background: Coronary microvascular disease (CMVD) is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, there is no reliable and noninvasive quantitative diagnostic method available for CMVD. The use of a pressure wire to measure the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) is possible, but it has inevitable practical restrictions. We hypothesized that computation of the quantitative flow ratio could be used to predict CMVD with symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). Methods: We retrospectively assessed the diagnostic efficiency of the quantitative flow ratio-derived index of microcirculatory resistance (QMR) in 103 vessels from 66 patients and compared it with invasive IMR using the thermodilution technique. Results: Patients were divided into the CMVD group (41/66, 62.1%) and non-CMVD group (25/66, 37.9%). Pressure wire IMR measurements were made in 103 coronary vessels, including 44 left descending arteries, 18 left circumflex arteries, and 41 right coronary arteries. ROC curve analysis showed a good diagnostic performance of QMR for all arteries (area under the curve = 0.820, 95% confidence interval 0.736–0.904, p < 0.001) in predicting microcirculatory function. The optimal cut-off for QMR to predict microcirculatory function was 266 (sensitivity: 82.9%, specificity: 72.6%, and diagnostic accuracy: 76.7%). Conclusion: QMR is a promising tool for the assessment of coronary microcirculation. The assessment of the IMR without the use of a pressure wire may enable more rapid, convenient, and cost-effective assessment of coronary microvascular function.
Short Stature and Distinct Growth Characteristics in Angelman Syndrome
Authors: Gruber Noah , Daka Ayman , Lapidot Noy , Modan-Moses Dalit , Pinhas-Hamiel Orit , Ben Zeev Bruria , Heimer Gali
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare, genetic, neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe impairments in speech, cognition, and motor skills accompanied by unique behaviors, distinct facial features, and high prevalence of epilepsy and sleep problems. Despite some reports of short stature among AS patients, this feature is not included in the clinical criteria defined in 2005. We investigated growth patterns among AS patients with respect to mutation type, growth periods, family history, and endocrine abnormalities. Methods: Data were collected from patients’ medical files in AS National Clinic. Mutation subtypes were divided to deletion and non-deletion. Four growth periods were defined: preschool, childhood, peak height velocity, and final height. Results: The cohort included 88 individuals (46 males), with 54 (61.4%) carrying deletion subtype. A median of 3 observations per individual produced 280 data points. Final height SDS was significantly lower compared to general population (−1.23 ± 1.26, p < 0.001), and in deletion group versus non-deletion (−1.67 ± 1.3 vs. −0.65 ± 0.96, p = 0.03). Final height SDS was significantly lower compared to height SDS in preschool period (−1.32 vs. −0.47, p = 0.007). Patient’s final height SDS was significantly lower than the parents’ (∆final-height SDS = 0.94 ± 0.99, p = 0.002). IGF1-SDS was significantly decreased compared to general population (−0.55 ± 1.61, p = 0.04), with lower values among deletion group (−0.70 ± 1.44, p = 0.01). Conclusions: AS patients demonstrate specific growth pattern with deceleration during childhood and adolescence, resulting in significantly decreased final height compared to normal population, and even lower among deletion subgroup, which could be attributed to reduced IGF1 levels. We propose adding short stature to the clinical criteria and developing adjusted growth curves for AS population.
EVALUATION OF COUNTRIES' SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCES USING HYBRID LOPCOW-PIV TECHNIQUES
Authors: KAHREMAN Yusuf , KUTLU Muhammet
Published: October 2023

With the changing world conditions, many environmental and social risks have preceded economic risks. Accordingly, many economic variables have begun to be evaluated together with the concept of sustainability. Undoubtedly, the most important and inclusive of these is sustainable development. It has emerged as a necessity to evaluate the concepts of development and growth for economies and whether they are sustainable. The aim of this study is to analyze the sustainable development performance of countries. For the present purpose, performance evaluation was made on a total of eight criteria, including environmental, social, governance, financial and economic, which are thought to be effective on the sustainability performance of countries. 167 countries whose data can be accessed for the year 2020 were included in the analysis. In the study, the LOPCOW (Logarithmic Percentage Change-driven Objective Weighting) method was used to determine the importance levels of the eight criteria. PIV (Proximity Indexed Value) method was used to rank the sustainable development performances of the countries. The results revealed that Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Ireland are the countries with the best sustainable development performance. It has been deduced that besides economic indicators, other factors such as environmental, social, and management performances are important in measuring the sustainable development performance of countries.
Reviews of Low Carbon Scenarios, Carbon Neutrality,  and Net Zero Emissions in Thailand: Impacts on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Macroeconomy
Authors: Thampanishvong Kannika , Limmeechokchai Bundit
Published: October 2023

Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns result in global climate change. Human activities that burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas have been identified as the main driver of climate change. The extreme weather events, especially floods and droughts, have already caused severe economic impacts. These impacts will continue to intensify unless transformative and holistic adaptations are put in place. The Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) aims at keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5° Celsius. To achieve the targets, balancing between anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) sources and sinks needs strong efforts and long-term low emissions development strategies of the participating countries. Thailand's long-term low GHG emissions development strategy (LT-LEDS) submitted to UNFCCC in 2022 included national adaptation and economy-wide GHG mitigation in the energy, industrial processes and product use, waste, agriculture and land use, land-use change and forestry sectors, and international supports needed to meet the net zero emissions targets. Thus, this paper reviews several low-carbon development strategies in Thailand to meet the targets of carbon neutrality and net zero emissions. The impacts of LT-LEDS include GHG emissions reduction and the macroeconomic impacts. Results of several low-carbon development strategies in Thailand show that achieving the nationwide carbon neutrality and net zero GHG emissions is possible; but all feasible options and measures need to be implemented immediately.
Motor Signals Mediate Stationarity Perception
Authors: Halow Savannah , Liu James , Folmer Eelke , MacNeilage Paul R.
Published: October 2023

Head movement relative to the stationary environment gives rise to congruent vestibular and visual optic-flow signals. The resulting perception of a stationary visual environment, referred to herein as stationarity perception, depends on mechanisms that compare visual and vestibular signals to evaluate their congruence. Here we investigate the functioning of these mechanisms and their dependence on fixation behavior as well as on the active versus passive nature of the head movement. Stationarity perception was measured by modifying the gain on visual motion relative to head movement on individual trials and asking subjects to report whether the gain was too low or too high. Fitting a psychometric function to the data yields two key parameters of performance. The mean is a measure of accuracy, and the standard deviation is a measure of precision. Experiments were conducted using a head-mounted display with fixation behavior monitored by an embedded eye tracker. During active conditions, subjects rotated their heads in yaw ∼15 deg/s over ∼1 s. Each subject’s movements were recorded and played back via rotating chair during the passive condition. During head-fixed and scene-fixed fixation the fixation target moved with the head or scene, respectively. Both precision and accuracy were better during active than passive head movement, likely due to increased precision on the head movement estimate arising from motor prediction and neck proprioception. Performance was also better during scene-fixed than head-fixed fixation, perhaps due to decreased velocity of retinal image motion and increased precision on the retinal image motion estimate. These results reveal how the nature of head and eye movements mediate encoding, processing, and comparison of relevant sensory and motor signals.
Solar Activity, Weather, and Climate: The Elusive Connection
Authors: Tinsley Brian A.
Published: October 2023

The search for an explanation of correlations of weather and climate with solar activity has uncovered some subtle effects of the varying solar inputs, which include irradiance, energetic particles, electric fields induced by the solar wind, and the modulation of the galactic cosmic ray flux. Relevant phenomena have been identified in stratospheric chemistry and dynamics and in aerosols, atmospheric electricity, and clouds. The effects are small and appear intermittently in statistical analyses of observations. Correlations and theory permit responses to several solar inputs effective on the decadal time scales, making it difficult to distinguish them observationally. No mechanism for tropospheric decadal change can be considered to be definitely established, but for the day-to-day time scale there is clear observational evidence for clouds responding to solar wind–induced current flow (JZ) in the global electric circuit, due to changes in ionospheric potential, and independently from Forbush decreases of the cosmic ray flux. The responses to JZ also correlate separately with ionospheric potential changes due to changes in day-to-day thunderstorm activity. The identified mechanism is for electric charge effects on in-cloud scavenging, and this implies a decadal response, in view of decadal changes in JZ. However, a complete and quantitative model of the inferred electrically induced changes in cloud microphysics is not yet available. The failures, successes, and controversies of the search illustrate the somewhat chaotic process of scientific discovery.
Impact of Atmospheric Circulation Variability on U.S. Midwest Moisture Sources
Authors: Carr Theo , Ummenhofer Caroline C.
Published: October 2023

Elevated spring and summer rainfall in the U.S. Midwest is often associated with a strong Great Plains low-level jet (GPLLJ), which transports moist air northward to the region from the Gulf of Mexico. While the intensity of hourly precipitation extremes depends on local moisture availability and vertical velocity, sustained moisture convergence on longer time scales depends on horizontal moisture advection from remote sources. Therefore, the magnitude of moisture convergence in the Midwest depends in part on the humidity in these moisture source regions. Past work has identified the time-mean spatial distribution of moisture sources for the Midwest and studied how this pattern changes in years with anomalous rainfall. Here, using reanalysis products and an Eulerian moisture tracking model, we seek to increase physical understanding of this moisture source variability by linking it to the GPLLJ, which has been studied extensively. We find that on interannual time scales, an anomalously strong GPLLJ is associated with a shift in the distribution of moisture sources from land to ocean, with most of the anomalous moisture transported to—and converged in—the Midwest originating from the Atlantic Ocean. This effect is more pronounced on synoptic time scales, when almost all anomalous moisture transported to the region originates over the ocean. We also show that the observed positive trend in oceanic moisture contribution to the Midwest from 1979 to 2020 is consistent with a strengthening of the GPLLJ over the same period. We conclude by outlining how projected changes in a region’s upstream moisture sources may be useful for understanding changes in local precipitation variability.

Significance Statement

In this work, we study how the origin of moisture that forms precipitation in the U.S. Midwest covaries with large-scale atmospheric circulation. Our results show that an intensification of the mean winds tends to increase the proportion of total rainfall that originates from the ocean. This analysis may help to constrain future projections of rainfall extremes in the central United States, as projected changes in humidity over the ocean are typically more robust and better understood than those over land.
Changes to Middle East and Southwest Asia Compound Drought and Heat since 1999
Authors: Hoell Andrew , Robinson Rachel , Agel Laurie , Barlow Mathew , Breeden Melissa , Eischeid Jon , McNally Amy , Slinski Kimberly , Quan Xiao-Wei
Published: October 2023

We diagnose physical factors related to frequent compound drought and heat extremes over a Middle East and Southwest Asia (MESA; 30°–40°N, 35°–65°E) region in a recent (1999–2022) compared to a prior (1951–98) period. The recent compound extremes were related to conflict, disease transmission, and water shortages in this already semiarid region. Observed estimates and four transient climate model ensembles are used to identify the effect of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and atmospheric forcing by greenhouse gases and aerosols on these compound extremes in autumn (September–November), winter (December–February), spring (March–May), and summer (June–August) that may lead to practical forecast skill for future compound events. Observations and climate models indicate that MESA compound drought and heat in the autumn, winter, and spring wet seasons for the recent period were related to the La Niña phase of ENSO and an attendant northward shift of the storm track that hinders precipitation-bearing storms from moving through MESA. A comparison of different conditions in the model simulations is used to isolate the effects of La Niña and the atmospheric forcing by greenhouse gases and aerosols on compound MESA drought and heat. A comparison of recent and prior periods in the climate models, which isolates the effects of the atmospheric forcing, indicates that greenhouse gases and aerosols are related to the increases in MESA heat frequency in all seasons. A comparison of La Niña to ENSO neutral and El Niño in the recent period of the climate models indicates that La Niña is related to increases in MESA drought frequency in the wet seasons.

Significance Statement

Compound drought and heat pose serious threats to the Middle East and Southwest Asia (MESA) where political and socioeconomic challenges leave its people vulnerable to climate extremes. In this region, frequent seasonal compound drought and heat in a recent (1999–2022) compared to a prior (1951–98) period were related to conflict and water shortages. Physical factors related to these compound extremes in the recent period over MESA were identified, potentially rendering future occurrences predictable. La Niña and atmospheric forcing by greenhouse gases and aerosols contributed to the compound extremes, with the former related to anomalously low precipitation in the September–November, December–February, and March–May wet seasons and the latter related to anomalous high temperatures in all seasons, including June–August.
Processes Contributing to Bering Sea Temperature Variability in the Late Twentieth and Early Twenty-First Century
Authors: Hayden Emily E. , O’Neill Larry W.
Published: October 2023

Over recent decades, the Bering Sea has experienced oceanic and atmospheric climate extremes, including record warm ocean temperature anomalies and marine heatwaves (MHWs), and increasingly variable air–sea heat fluxes. In this work, we assess the relative roles of surface forcing and ocean dynamical processes on mixed layer temperature (MLT) tendency by computing a closed mixed layer heat budget using the NASA/JPL Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO) Ocean State and Sea Ice Estimate. We show that surface forcing drives the majority of the MLT tendency in the spring and fall and remains dominant to a lesser degree in winter and summer. Surface forcing anomalies are the dominant driver of monthly mixed layer temperature tendency anomalies (MLTa), driving an average of 72% of the MLTa over the ECCO record length (1992–2017). The surface turbulent heat flux (latent plus sensible) accounts for most of the surface heat flux anomalies in January–April and September–December, and the net radiative flux (net longwave plus net shortwave) dominates the surface heat flux anomalies in May–August. Our results suggest that atmospheric variability plays a significant role in Bering Sea ocean temperature anomalies through most of the year. Furthermore, they indicate a recent increase in ocean warming surface forcing anomalies, beginning in 2010.

Significance Statement

In recent years, the Bering Sea has experienced extremes in ocean temperature, which have had adverse impacts on ocean ecology and marine fisheries and have contributed to increasingly variable sea ice extent. Our results identify anomalous heating by air–sea heat flux anomalies as the process responsible for most of the observed ocean temperature anomalies over the period 1992–2017. We additionally show that there has been an increase in atmosphere-driven ocean warming since 2010. Our work highlights the importance of investigating how ocean–atmosphere interactions might change under future climate change and how this will impact the Bering Sea.
Update on Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation
Authors: Morgan Katherine A.
Published: October 2023

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation is a therapeutic option to effectively achieve pain relief and improvements in quality of life for selected patients with debilitating pain from chronic pancreatitis. The understanding of the best application and clinical execution of this procedure is in evolution, with outcomes studies and clinical trials in progress.
Exploring the Associations Between Non-Traditional Lipid Parameters and Epicardial Adipose Tissue Volume
Authors: Ren Junli , Yao Guang , Ren Lichen , Wang Yiran , Gao Jianbo , Zhang Yonggao
Published: October 2023

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the relationship between non-traditional lipid parameters and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). A total of 770 patients with coronary computed tomography angiography examinations were included. The non-traditional lipid parameters included the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), the atherogenic coefficient (AC), monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (MHR), and lipoprotein combined index (LCI). To investigate the association between non-conventional lipid markers and the EAT-volume (EAT-v), a univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to compare the predictive ability among the four non-traditional lipid parameters. In the univariate analysis, we identified factors that might have effects on EAT-v (all P<.05) and adjusted for these in the multivariate analysis. We found that except for MHR, other non-traditional lipid parameters were still associated with high EAT-v after adjustment (all P<.05). In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) of AIP was greater than that of other non-traditional lipid parameters and lipid profiles. There was an association between both non-traditional lipid parameters and EAT-v. After adjustment, the AIP remained an independent predictor of EAT-v and it outperformed other non-traditional lipid parameters.
Highly Precise Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Analysis of Major Mineral Nutrients in Edible Salts Using Miniaturized Salt Ponds and Alternating Laser-Ablation Data Sampling
Authors: Park Jeong , Han Song-Hee , Nam Sang-Ho , Lee Yonghoon
Published: October 2023

In this work, we applied a hydrophilicity-enhanced solid substrate and an alternating laser-ablation data sampling (ALADS) scheme to improve laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurement precision and demonstrated the performance in analyzing K, Mg, Ca, and S contained in commercially available edible salt products. Five edible salt products from Australia, Bolivia, France, and South Korea were dissolved in water and a tiny volume of each solution was dropped on the solid substrate, that is, a miniaturized salt pond. After being dried, the residual salt crystals distributed still inhomogeneously, but the homogeneity could be significantly improved in comparison with that from typical drop-and-dry methods. The ALADS scheme was applied to extract three precise measurements from 9798 single-shot LIBS spectra covering the entire salt pond. The measurements obtained by ALADS were found to agree well with one another regardless of the inhomogeneous distribution of salt crystals. As a result, the measurement precision was proved remarkably. Limits of detection for K, Mg, Ca, and S were estimated to be 0.64, 1.7, 14, and 530 mg/kg, respectively, which are enough to analyze those elements contained in salts typically at the level of 100 parts per million (ppm) to ∼3 wt% for the purpose of salt quality assessment.
Change in BMI in Children Over the First 30 Months After the Start of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Authors: Greve Katherynne T. , Foster Todd L. , Pancoast Rayanne , Yarber Courtney , Adams Heather , Patel Rita
Published: October 2023

Our study aim was to assess body mass index (BMI) change in children in the immediate 6 months of the pandemic, to follow longitudinal BMI change up to 30 months after the pandemic start, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with these changes. Our study included a retrospective chart review of 1298 children 2 to 18 years old with office visits at an Indianapolis primary care clinic. Body mass index and sociodemographic information were collected at visits during 3 time periods: Prepandemic (March 1, 2019-February 28, 2020), Early Pandemic (June 1, 2020-November 30, 2020), and Late Pandemic (December 1, 2020-September 30, 2022). Data analysis indicated statistically significant increases in BMI monthly rate of change from Prepandemic to Early Pandemic periods. Interestingly, BMI rate of change stabilized from Early Pandemic to Late Pandemic periods but remained positive, suggesting children had slower, but persistent, continued BMI increase after the pandemic initiation.
Design and simulation of small-sized antenna in microwave transmission method for water content measurement instrument
Authors: Jia Huiqin , Wan Dan-dan , Zhou Jia-Cheng , Wei Yi
Published: October 2023

Herein, the microwave transmission method is proposed that demonstrates such advantages as non-invasiveness, excellent penetration performance, and fast detection. As a key component of the microwave method water content measurement instrument, the antenna is required to have a smaller radiation size than the inner diameter of the oil pipe. To address this technical challenge, a small-sized microwave projection method based on water content measurement antenna is designed in this study for the water content measurement of oil-water mixtures in downhole pipelines. Also, the half-cut antenna with a size of [Formula: see text] is proposed to operate in the frequency band of 2–6 GHz (The measured gain of the antenna varies from 2.48 dBi to 4.98 dBi). Then, the designed half-cut antenna is applied to the established water-content test environment for analysis as to the relationship between water content and the variation in transmission coefficient of the half-cut antenna. According to the test results, the relative water content error is about 0.31% between the simulation and measured results for the transmission coefficient [Formula: see text] in the range of 0%–30%, while that is about 0.16% for the transmission coefficient [Formula: see text] in the range of 40%–100%. The experimental results can be extended to the measurement of the part with high water content of the oil-water mixture in the pipeline, which provides a practical reference for field tests and basic research.
RvE1 Promotes Axin2+ Cell Regeneration and Reduces Bacterial Invasion
Authors: Wu Y-C. , Yu N. , Rivas C.A. , Mehrnia N. , Kantarci A. , Van Dyke T.E.
Published: October 2023

Vital pulp therapy and root canal therapy (RCT) are the dominant treatment for irreversible pulpitis. While the success rate of these procedures is favorable, they have some limitations. For instance, RCT leads to removing significant dentin in the coronal third of the tooth that increases root-fracture risk, which forces tooth removal. The ideal therapeutic goal is dental pulp regeneration, which is not achievable with RCT. Specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) are well known for inflammatory resolution. The resolution of inflammation and tissue restoration or regeneration is a dynamic and continuous process. SPMs not only have potent immune-modulating functions but also effectively promote tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Resolvins have been shown to promote dental pulp regeneration. The purpose of this study was to explore further the cellular target of Resolvin E1 (RvE1) therapy in dental pulp regeneration and the impact of RvE1 in infected pulps. We investigated the actions of RvE1 on experimentally exposed pulps with or without microbial infection in an Axin2 Cre-Dox; Ai14 genetically defined mouse model. Our results showed RvE1 promoted Axin2-tdTomato+ cell expansion and odontoblastic differentiation after direct pulp capping in the mouse, which we used to mimic reversible pulpitis cases in the clinic. In cultured mouse dental pulp stem cells (mDPSCs), RvE1 facilitated Axin2-tdTomato+ cell proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation and also rescued impaired functions after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. In infected pulps exposed to the oral environment for 24 h, RvE1 suppressed inflammatory infiltration, reduced bacterial invasion in root canals, and prevented the development of apical periodontitis, while its proregenerative impact was limited. Collectively, topical treatment with RvE1 facilitated dental pulp regenerative properties by promoting Axin2-expressing cell proliferation and differentiation. It also modulated the resolution of inflammation, reduced infection severity, and prevented apical periodontitis, presenting RvE1 as a novel therapeutic for treating endodontic diseases.
Mindfulness and the Paradoxes in Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology
Authors: van den Bold Ingeborg
Published: October 2023

Although some claim that phenomenology and mindfulness have much in common, others hold that these comparisons are based on a flawed understanding of Husserl’s phenomenological reduction. This article addresses the debate on the alleged similarities and differences between phenomenology and mindfulness practice. It first illustrates the differences by contrasting a pair of key ideas in Husserl’s philosophy and in Kabat-Zinn’s conception of mindfulness, respectively, that appear to be similar, but turn out to be quite different: the natural attitude versus the mind’s natural tendency. A Merleau-Pontian turn is then proposed, away from Husserl’s philosophy, toward the paradoxes which Merleau-Ponty regards as inherent to the phenomenological reduction and the phenomenon of expression. This article claims that it is not so much the phenomenological reduction as such that resembles mindfulness practice, but that a more helpful comparison can be found in their shared paradoxes: the paradox of productive unachievability and the paradox of expression. In the end, it is discussed how these shared paradoxes matter for the debate on phenomenology and mindfulness.