bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iterative Positive Solutions to a Coupled Riemann-Liouville Fractional
q
-Difference System with the Caputo Fractional
q
-Derivative Boundary Conditions
Authors: Meng Yuan , Du Xinran , Pang Huihui
Published: March 2023

This paper is devoted to the existence of positive solutions for a nonlinear coupled Riemann-Liouville fractional

q

-difference system, with multistrip and multipoint mixed boundary conditions under Caputo fractional

q

-derivative. We obtain the existence of positive solutions and initial iterative solutions by the monotone iteration technique. Then, we also calculate the error limits of the numerical approximation solution by induction. In the end, two examples are given to illustrate the above research results, and in the second example, some graphs of the iterative solutions are also drawn to give a more intuitive sense of the iterative process.
Delirium in a Relatively Young Person due to COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Das Soumitra , Melgar Pablo , Rasool Aniqa Abdul , Adhikari Adarsha , Patel Rudresh , Adre Lorenzo Abednego B. , Lopez Marylaine J.
Published: March 2023

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus), has significantly impacted global health. It can present a range of complications, from asymptomatic to severe respiratory distress syndrome. It has also been linked to complications in multiple organ systems, including neurological symptoms such as headaches and encephalopathy. Delirium, characterized by acute confusion, is common in older adults and associated with prolonged hospital stays and elevated mortality rates. We present a case study of a young mother with a prior medical history of mild to moderate depression who experienced an episode of delirium consequent to a COVID-19 infection. The initial manifestation of her illness was mild diarrhea, but as her condition worsened, she began exhibiting symptoms of delirium. These symptoms include confusion, agitation, sleep disturbance, and disordered behavior. The delirious episode was brief and effectively managed with small doses of psychotropic medications to control aggressive behavior. Upon resolution, no additional treatment was deemed necessary. This case underscores the wide-ranging effects of COVID-19 on physical and psychological well-being and highlights the importance of considering symptoms beyond those associated with respiratory distress.
A Novel Study on Ordered Anti-Involution LA-Semihypergroups
Authors: Abughazalah Nabilah , Yaqoob Naveed
Published: March 2023

In this study, we introduce a new concept called “anti-involution” in relation to ordered LA-semihypergroups. An anti-involution is basically an involuntary automorphism, which is just a fancy term for a mathematical function that can be reversed. We looked at several fundamental results before introducing anti-involution hyperideals. We studied the anti-involution hyperideals of ordered anti-involution LA-semihypergroups using the rough set theory. In an ordered anti-involution LA-semihypergroup, the

ρ

-upper and

ρ

-lower rough approximations of anti-involution hyperideals are an anti-involution hyperideals.
Model to Predict Polymer Fibre Diameter during Melt Spinning
Authors: Bier Alexander M. , Redel Michael , Schubert Dirk W.
Published: March 2023

Polymeric materials were evaluated with regard to their spinnability and respective fibre diameters. A modified single fibre spinning device was firstly used to derive a novel generalised model, utilising process parameters (die diameter, throughput, and stretching relevant take-up pressures) and material properties (zero shear viscosity) to predict the diameter of polymeric fibres on the basis of four different polymers. Further evaluation of the resulting power law dependence was conducted on filaments produced via conventional melt spinning and meltblown processes. Fibres produced on the pilot machines showed close agreement with the model equation with only the need to adjust an easily calculable device dependent factor. The outcome of the presented work is a user-friendly model of high practical relevance, which can be used to predict the diameter of amorphous and semicrystalline polymeric fibres, independent of material and machine used with sufficient accuracy for fast estimations.
Existence of Solutions for Inclusion Problems in Musielak-Orlicz-Sobolev Space Setting
Authors: Dong Ge , Fang Xiaochun
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we mainly prove the existence of (weak) solutions of an inclusion problem with the Dirichlet boundary condition of the following form:

L
∈
A

x
,
u
,
D
u

+
F

x
,
u
,
D
u

,
in
 
Ω

, and

u
=
0
,
on
 
∂
Ω
,

in Musielak-Orlicz-Sobolev spaces

W

0

1

L

Φ

Ω

by using the surjective theorem, where

Ω
⊂

ℝ

N

is a bounded Lipschitz domain,

L

belongs to the dual space

W

0

1

L

Φ

Ω

∗

of

W

0

1

L

Φ

Ω

,

A

is a multivalued maximal monotone operator, and

F

is a multivalued convection term. Some examples for

A

and

F

are given in the paper. Then, we give some properties of the solution set of the inclusion problem. We also show the existence of (weak) solutions of the inclusion problem with an obstacle effect.
The Effect of Mechanical Thrombectomy on the Incidence of Poststroke Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Inhomogeneous Literature
Authors: De Rubeis Gianluca , Ghozy Sherief , Fabiano Sebastiano , Pampana Enrico , Lanzino Giuseppe , Saba Luca , Kallmes David F.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) on the incidence of poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) in anterior circulation stroke. Methods: Literature research was performed on PubMed/OVID/Cochrane CENTRAL for studies published in 2015–2022. A review of the references of the included papers was performed for further eligible articles. Clinical characteristics, NIHSS, dementia tests, and outcomes were recorded. The exclusion criteria were nonhuman and non-English. Studies qualities were assessed with MINORS/RoB2 and GRADE. A meta-analysis was performed using the standardized mean difference (Cohen’s d) to measure effect size. Results: Four studies were included in the systematic review after screening 749 articles. No significant differences were found for age and gender (years: 66.70 ± 11.14 vs. 67.59 ± 10.11, p = 0.37; male 53.8% vs. 56.4%, p = 0.57). MT patients had a more severe stroke than that of the control group (NIHSS: 14.70 ± 4.31 vs. 11.17 ± 4.12; p < 0.0001). The control group consisted of medical therapy-alone patients in all studies. I2 was 76.95%, and Q was 43.4%. MT patients have better performance in overall cognition (d = 0.33 [0.074–0.58]) and in several cognitive domains than in the control group (TMT-A, d = 0.37 [0.04–0.70]; TMT-B, d = 0.35 [0.12–0.58]; digit span test [backward], d = 0.61 [0.18–1.06]; colored progressive matrices, d = 0.48 [0.05–0.91]; Stroop test [word reading], d = 0.60 [0.17–1.03]; color naming, d = 0.51 [0.08–0.94]; Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure [immediate recall], d = 0.79 [0.35–1.23]; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test [immediate recall], d = 0.79 [0.36–1.23]; delayed recall, d = 0.46 [0.035–0.89]; and MOCA, d = 0.46 [−0.04 to 0.96]). Medical therapy patients had a higher score in coping strategy than MT patients (COPE-28 acceptance, d = −1.00 [−1.53 to −0.48]). Conclusions: The incidence of PSCI is lower in MT patients than in the control group.
Generalisierte pustulöse Psoriasis: Ein IL-36-Rezeptor Antikörper zeigt großes Potenzial
Authors: Navarini Alexander
Published: March 2023

Generalized pustular psoriasis is a potentially life-threatening neutrophilic skin disease characterized by recurrent flares of widespread erythema and eruption of sterile pustules. In the Effisayil™ 1 study (NCT03782792), 53 patients with a generalized pustular psoriasis flare were treated with placebo or spesolimab, a humanized anti-interleukin-36 receptor monoclonal antibody, the first targeted treatment to be studied in a randomized clinical trial. Spesolimab treatment resulted in rapid pustular and skin clearance, with an acceptable safety profile. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of spesolimab in 29 Asian patients in the Effisayil™ 1 study. The primary endpoint, a Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Physician Global Assessment (GPPGA) pustulation subscore of 0 (no visible pustules) at Week 1, was achieved by 10 patients (62.5%) randomized to spesolimab and one patient (7.7%) randomized to placebo (risk difference 54.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 17.3-79.8). The key secondary endpoint, a GPPGA total score of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear skin) at Week 1, was achieved by eight (50.0%) and two (15.4%) patients, respectively (risk difference 34.6, 95% CI -3.1-64.7). This was similar to previously published data in the overall population in whom the primary and key secondary endpoints were achieved by 54% versus 6% and 43% versus 11% of patients, respectively. The percentages of Asian patients randomized to spesolimab with a GPPGA pustulation subscore of 0 and GPPGA total score of 0 or 1 were sustained above 60% for up to 12 weeks. In these patients, patient-reported outcomes also improved and markers of systemic inflammation were normalized. Eleven (68.8%) and eight (61.5%) of spesolimab- and placebo-treated patients, respectively, experienced at least one adverse event. In conclusion, spesolimab improved outcomes in Asian patients compared with placebo, supporting its use in the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis flares.
Fluorides and oral health
Authors: Boitsaniuk Svitlana I. , О. Levkiv Mariana
Published: March 2023

Background. The importance of fluorides in caries prevention is discussed in the article and practical recommendations for the use of fluoride containing products are presented. Objectives. The primary objective of this systematic review is to assess the evidence on the comparative effectiveness of topical fluoride therapy (TFT) in the form of toothpastes, mouth rinses, gels and varnishes in prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents. Methods. A systematic electronic literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases using search terms. Current reports in the literature concerning means and methods of use of fluoride-containing medications are considered. Results. A large number of scientific studies, reviews based on them and meta-analyses conclude that the central element of caries prevention, on which the decrease in caries prevalence and caries experience is based, is the regular topical use of fluoride medications for oral cavity. Conclusions. Topical use of fluorides is a key element in successful caries prevention
A rare tumor – adrenal angiosarcoma (case report)
Authors: Kumar M Dr. Arun , Roy Dr. Nilanjan , Jafri Dr. Haris , Popli Dr. Vitesh , Karthik Dr.V.S. , Phuntsho Dr. Thinley
Published: March 2023

Background.Primary adrenal angiosarcoma is an exceptionally rare tumor with an incidence of <1% of soft tissue sarcomas. Less than 50 cases being described in literature; most of them were nonfunctional presenting with symptoms of abdominal lump, weight loss, fatigue or weakness. The treatment remains multi-modal with involvement of surgeon as well as medical oncologist. Objective. The aim of this case report is to describe an entity which is rare in terms of incidence. It was functional as well as metastatic and managed with multimodality therapy. Methods. The case is a 47-year-old man diagnosed with metastatic adrenal angiosarcoma. The patient was managed with chemotherapy followed by surgery. Results. The final histopathological examination of the specimen and immunohistochemistry revealed angiosarcoma. At present the patient is under follow-up. Conclusion. Even though surgery forms the main stay of management, the role of multi-modality therapy forms the cornerstone for adrenal angiosarcomas forms the cornerstone for adrenal angiosarcomas. angiosarcoma Primary adrPrimary adrenal angiosarcoma is an exceptionally rare tumor with an incidence of <1% of soft tissue sarcomas. Less than 50 cases being described in literature; most of them were nonfunctional presenting with symptoms of abdominal lump, weight loss, fatigue or weakness. The treatment remains multi-modal with involvement of surgeon as well as medical oncologist.enal angiosarcoma is an exceptionally rare tumor with an incidence of <1% of soft tissue sarcomas. Less than 50 cases being described in literature; most of them were nonfunctional presenting with symptoms of abdominal lump, weight loss, fatigue or weakness. The treatment remains multi-modal with involvement of surgeon as well as medical oncologist
A fotografia em saúde mental: um olhar para o subjetivo
Authors: Ribeiro Lahanna da Silva , Bragé Émilly Giacomelli , Rocha Débora Gomes da , Ramos Domênica Bossardi , Lacchini Annie Jeanninne Bisso
Published: March 2023

Objetivo: identificar quais ações em saúde mental são realizadas a partir da fotografia. Método: revisão integrativa de literatura, entre os anos de 2010 a 2019, nas bases de dados LILACS, PubMed e SciELO. Utilizaram-se os descritores controlados: “saúde mental”, “psiquiatria” e “fotografia”. Resultados: foram analisados 9 artigos, os quais demonstraram diferentes ações em saúde mental a partir da fotografia: oficinas fotográficas, pesquisas com fotovoz e foto-elicitação e mostras fotográficas. Observou-se que as populações dos estudos foram indivíduos em sofrimento psíquico, bem como pessoas em situação de rua, vítimas de violências e outros públicos vulneráveis. As ações fotográficas incentivaram a desconstrução de estigmas, fortaleceram vínculos e ressignificaram suas vivências. Conclusão: a fotografia pôde ser vista como um dispositivo de promoção da saúde mental ao permitir que os indivíduos compartilhem suas experiências e seus sentimentos, os quais, comumente, ocultam-se em metodologias convencionais. Verificou-se a escassez de estudos que abordassem ações fotográficas na saúde mental, demonstrando a necessidade de aprofundar os conhecimentos acerca dessa ferramenta.
Endothelial K
Ca
3.1 and K
Ca
2.3 Mediate S1P (Sphingosine-1-Phosphate)–Dependent Vasodilation and Blood Pressure Homeostasis
Authors: Li Jing-Jing , Zhao Xin-Yi , Wang Yan , Xu Rui , Di Xiao-Hui , Zhang Yu , Yang Hongyan , Han Meng-Zhuan , Bai Ru-Yue , Xie Lin , Pang Zheng-Da , Zhang Xing , Zhang Jianbao , Du Xiao-Jun , Deng Xiu-Ling , Zhang Yi , Xie Wenjun
Published: March 2023

Background:

S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate) has been reported to possess vasodilatory properties, but the underlying pathways are largely unknown.

Methods:

Isolated mouse mesenteric artery and endothelial cell models were used to determine S1P-induced vasodilation, intracellular calcium, membrane potentials, and calcium-activated potassium channels (K
Ca
2.3 and K
Ca
3.1 [endothelial small- and intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels]). Effect of deletion of endothelial S1PR1 (type 1 S1P receptor) on vasodilation and blood pressure was evaluated.

Results:

Mesenteric arteries subjected to acute S1P stimulation displayed a dose-dependent vasodilation response, which was attenuated by blocking endothelial K
Ca
2.3 or K
Ca
3.1 channels. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, S1P stimulated immediate membrane potential hyperpolarization following activation of K
Ca
2.3/K
Ca
3.1 with elevated cytosolic Ca
2+
. Further, chronic S1P stimulation enhanced expression of K
Ca
2.3 and K
Ca
3.1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in dose- and time-dependent manners, which was abolished by disrupting either S1PR1-Ca
2+
signaling or downstream Ca
2+
-activated calcineurin/NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells) signaling. By combination of bioinformatics-based binding site prediction and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we revealed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells that chronic activation of S1P/S1PR1 promoted NFATc2 nuclear translocation and binding to promoter regions of K
Ca
2.3 and K
Ca
3.1 genes thus to upregulate transcription of these channels. Deletion of endothelial S1PR1 reduced expression of K
Ca
2.3 and K
Ca
3.1 in mesenteric arteries and exacerbated hypertension in mice with angiotensin II infusion.

Conclusions:

This study provides evidence for the mechanistic role of K
Ca
2.3/K
Ca
3.1-activated endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization in vasodilation and blood pressure homeostasis in response to S1P. This mechanistic demonstration would facilitate the development of new therapies for cardiovascular diseases associated with hypertension.
Protective Role for Smooth Muscle Cell Hepcidin in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Loick Paul , Mohammad Goran Hamid , Cassimjee Ismail , Chandrashekar Anirudh , Lapolla Pierfrancesco , Carrington Alison , Vera-Aviles Mayra , Handa Ashok , Lee Regent , Lakhal-Littleton Samira
Published: March 2023

Background:

Hepcidin is a liver-derived hormone that controls systemic iron homeostasis, by inhibiting the iron exporter ferroportin in the gut and spleen, respective sites of iron absorption and recycling. Hepcidin is also expressed ectopically in the context of cardiovascular disease. However, the precise role of ectopic hepcidin in underlying pathophysiology is unknown. In patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), hepcidin is markedly induced in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the aneurysm wall and inversely correlated with the expression of LCN2 (lipocalin-2), a protein implicated in AAA pathology. In addition, plasma hepcidin levels were inversely correlated with aneurysm growth, suggesting hepcidin has a potential disease-modifying role.

Methods:

To probe the role of SMC-derived hepcidin in the setting of AAA, we applied AngII (Angiotensin-II)-induced AAA model to mice harbouring an inducible, SMC-specific deletion of hepcidin. To determine whether SMC-derived hepcidin acted cell-autonomously, we also used mice harboring an inducible SMC-specific knock-in of hepcidin-resistant ferroportinC326Y. The involvement of LCN2 was established using a LCN2-neutralizing antibody.

Results:

Mice with SMC-specific deletion of hepcidin or knock-in of hepcidin-resistant ferroportinC326Y had a heightened AAA phenotype compared with controls. In both models, SMCs exhibited raised ferroportin expression and reduced iron retention, accompanied by failure to suppress LCN2, impaired autophagy in SMCs, and greater aortic neutrophil infiltration. Pretreatment with LCN2-neutralizing antibody restored autophagy, reduced neutrophil infiltration, and prevented the heightened AAA phenotype. Finally, plasma hepcidin levels were consistently lower in mice with SMC-specific deletion of hepcidin than in controls, indicating that SMC-derived hepcidin contributes to the circulating pool in AAA.

Conclusions:

Hepcidin elevation in SMCs plays a protective role in the setting of AAA. These findings are the first demonstration of a protective rather than deleterious role for hepcidin in cardiovascular disease. They highlight the need to further explore the prognostic and therapeutic value of hepcidin outside disorders of iron homeostasis.
Consistency pays off in science
Authors: Erkol Şirag , Sikdar Satyaki , Radicchi Filippo , Fortunato Santo
Published: March 2023

The exponentially growing number of scientific papers stimulates a discussion on the interplay between quantity and quality in science. In particular, one may wonder which publication strategy may offer more chances of success: publishing lots of papers, producing a few hit papers, or something in between. Here we tackle this question by studying the scientific portfolios of Nobel Prize laureates. A comparative analysis of different citation-based indicators of individual impact suggests that the best path to success may rely on consistently producing high-quality work. Such a pattern is especially rewarded by a new metric, the E-index, which identifies excellence better than state-of-the-art measures.
Which factors are associated with Open Access publishing? A Springer Nature case study
Authors: Momeni Fakhri , Dietze Stefan , Mayr Philipp , Biesenbender Kristin , Peters Isabella
Published: March 2023

Open Access (OA) facilitates access to research articles. However, authors or funders often must pay the publishing costs, preventing authors who do not receive financial support from participating in OA publishing and gaining citation advantage for OA articles. OA may exacerbate existing inequalities in the publication system rather than overcome them. To investigate this, we studied 522,411 articles published by Springer Nature. Employing correlation and regression analyses, we describe the relationship between authors affiliated with countries from different income levels, their choice of publishing model, and the citation impact of their papers. A machine learning classification method helped us to explore the importance of different features in predicting the publishing model. The results show that authors eligible for article processing charge (APC) waivers publish more in gold OA journals than others. In contrast, authors eligible for an APC discount have the lowest ratio of OA publications, leading to the assumption that this discount insufficiently motivates authors to publish in gold OA journals. We found a strong correlation between the journal rank and the publishing model in gold OA journals, whereas the OA option is mostly avoided in hybrid journals. Also, results show that the countries’ income level, seniority, and experience with OA publications are the most predictive factors for OA publishing in hybrid journals.
DIAGNOSTICS OF SUBJECTIVE APPRAISAL OF DIFFICULT LIFE TASKS
Authors: Bityutskaya Ekaterina V. , Korneev Alexey A.
Published: March 2023

Background. In the modern psychology of coping, there is a strong need to create a tool to measure appraisals of di[ cult life tasks (DLT). ^ e DLT is one of the most common types of life situations associated with the achievement of signi] cant goals. Objective. ^ e aim is to adapt the questionnaire, which measures the cognitive appraisal of di[ cult life situations, to research special types of di[ culties (life tasks) and to estimate psychometric properties of the developed version of the questionnaire. Sample. The study involved 1032 respondents aged 17 to 67 years (Mage = 23.86; SD = 6.53; 686 women), students and specialists of various pro] les. Methods.^ e research had a survey design. ^ ree questionnaires were used in the work: “Appraisal Criteria of the Di[ culty of One’s Life Situation”, “Types of Orientations in Di[ cult Situation”, “Ways of Coping” questionnaire. To process quantitative data we used con] rmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, Cronbach’s α coe[ cient, Student’s t-test, Cohen’s d coe[ cient. Content analysis was used to diJ erentiate between the types of situations. Results. A new structure of the questionnaire for appraisal criteria has been developed. ^ is structure corresponds to empirical data on life tasks and includes 7 scales: 1) general features of di[ cult life tasks, 2) uncontrollability of the situation; 3) unclearness of the situation; 4) need for a quick and active response; 5) diE culty of making a decision (dilemma); 6) diE culty of predicting the situation; 7) negative emotions. ^ e scales showed a su[ cient consistency (Cronbach’s α value varied from 0.548 to 0.805). Correlations, descriptive statistics of the scales, and a pattern of score distribution are presented. DiJ erences in the appraisal of the di[ culties by men and women were revealed on the following scales: general features, negative emotions, unclearness of the situation, and di[ culty of making a decision (women have higher scores on average). Convergent validity testing revealed expected relationships between the scales of the questionnaire and other constructs. General features of di[ cult life tasks include the signi] cance of the situation and its consequences, great eJ ort, anxiety, and subject’s in_ uence on the consequences of the situation. Conclusion. ^ is study tested a questionnaire that measured subjective appraisal of a di[ cult life tasks. ^ e reliability and validity of the questionnaire were con] rmed. ^ e questionnaire can be used to analyse and compare life tasks of diJ erent types, as well as to develop models that include parameters to assess di[ culty and coping strategies.
Wufuyin Granules Ameliorate Cartilage Degeneration by Inhibiting Pyroptosis Through Suppressing the Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasomes
Authors: Ye Zhengcong , Wang Chanfeng , Han Lei , Shen Qinrong , Huang Xiaogang
Published: March 2023

Cartilage degeneration is reported to be one of the pathological symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA). Pyroptosis is highly involved in the development of cartilage degeneration and is regulated by the NLRP3 inflammasome. The present study aims to check the impact of Wufuyin granules (WFYG)
against cartilage degeneration and explore the potential mechanism. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) model was constructed in rats. The IL-1β and IL-18 level in chondrocytes and peripheral blood of KOA rats was detected by ELISA. Western Blot, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay were
applied to determine the IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 levels in chondrocytes. The ROS level was visualized via immunofluorescence assay. The pyroptosis rate of chondrocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry and AO/EB staining. The release of IL-1β and IL-18
was repressed by WFYG both in-vitro and in-vivo. The pyroptosis rate of chondrocytes isolated from KOA rats was suppressed by a high dosage of WFYG. ROS in the cartilage tissue was significantly inhibited by the introduction of WFYG. IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1
were downregulated by WFYG both in-vitro and in-vivo. WFYG ameliorates cartilage degeneration by inhibiting pyroptosis, possibly through suppressing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes.
Synchronization of Alternative Models in a Supermodel and the Learning of Critical Behavior
Authors: Duane Gregory S. , Shen Mao-Lin
Published: March 2023

“Supermodeling” climate by allowing different models to assimilate data from one another in run time has been shown to give results superior to those of any one model and superior to any weighted average of model outputs. The only free parameters, connection strengths between corresponding variables in each pair of models, are determined using some form of machine learning. It is demonstrated that supermodeling succeeds because near critical states, interscale interactions are important but unresolved processes cannot be effectively represented diagnostically in any single parameterization scheme. In two examples, a pair of toy quasigeostrophic (QG) channel models of the midlatitudes and a pair of ECHAM5 models of the tropical Pacific atmosphere with a common ocean, supermodels dynamically combine parameterization schemes so as to capture criticality, associated critical structures, and the supporting scale interactions. The QG supermodeling scheme extends a previous configuration in which two such models synchronize with intermodel connections only between medium-scale components of the flow; here the connections are trained against a third “real” model. Intermittent blocking patterns characterize the critical behavior thus obtained, even where such patterns are missing in the constituent models. In the ECHAM-based climate supermodel, the corresponding critical structure is the single ITCZ pattern, a pattern that occurs in neither of the constituent models. For supermodels of both types, power spectra indicate enhanced interscale interactions in frequency or energy ranges of physical interest, in agreement with observed data, and supporting a generalized form of the self-organized criticality hypothesis.

Significance Statement

In a “supermodel” of Earth’s climate, alternative models (climate simulations), which differ in the way they represent processes on the smallest scales, are trained to exchange information as they run, adjusting to one another much as weather prediction models adjust to new observations. They form a consensus, capturing atmospheric behaviors that have eluded all the separate models. We demonstrate that simplified supermodels succeed, where no single approach can, by correctly representing critical phenomena involving sudden qualitative transitions, such as occur in El Niño events, that depend on interactions among atmospheric processes on many different scales in space and time. The correct reproduction of critical phenomena is vital both for predicting weather and for projecting the effects of climate change.
Recanalization of Inferior Vena Cava and Bilateral Iliac Veins 15 Years after May–Thurner Syndrome-Related Occlusion
Authors: Kelly Robert , Blecha Matthew
Published: March 2023

May–Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a relatively rare condition involving mechanical compression of a vein between an artery and a bone which may result in venous stenosis, reflux, occlusion, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The most common location for MTS to occur is the left iliocaval confluence, specifically where the left common iliac vein crosses under the right common iliac artery and becomes compressed against a vertebral body. Our case represents a unique presentation of MTS where a missed diagnosis of MTS during a presentation of acute LLE DVT over 15 years ago which would later progress to chronic bilateral iliac vein occlusion and IVC obliteration. This also ultimately contributed to recurrent left lower extremity (LLE) DVT. The hypothesis for this case is that our patient had May–Thurner syndrome at the time of his original LLE DVT 15 years ago that went undiagnosed. He likely had “spillover” thrombus that occluded the right iliac venous system and resulted in IVC thrombosis at that time. What resulted was obliteration of the IVC between the iliac vein confluence and the renal vein level and bilateral iliac veins. The chronicity of the occlusion creates a uniqueness to this case as there are sparse reports of such longstanding ileo-caval occlusion being recanalized after such a prolonged duration.
Fasting Glucose, Glycated Hemoglobin, and 2h Post-load Blood Glucose Are Independently Associated With Arterial Stiffness in Diabetes: The ELSA-Brasil Study
Authors: Pereira Wille D. S. , Lelis Deborah F. , Cunha Roberto S. , Griep Rosane H. , Barreto Sandhi M. , Molina Maria del Carmen B. , Schmidt Maria Inês , Duncan Bruce B. , Bensenor Isabela , Lotufo Paulo A. , Mill José Geraldo , Baldo Marcelo P.
Published: March 2023

The association of diabetes with increased large artery stiffness is not definitively established. We aimed to describe the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) in participants with and without diabetes and whether the cf-PWV could vary among the different laboratory-based criteria used. A cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from 13,912 adults was used. cf-PWV as well as anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical data were measured. Diabetes was defined by previous medical diagnosis, medication use, fasting glucose, an oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The prevalence of diabetes was 18.7%, higher in men than in women. After adjustment, participants with diabetes showed higher cf-PWV (men: 9.7 ± 1.7 vs 9.4 ± 1.7 m/s, P < .05; women: 9.4 ± 1.6 vs 9.1 ± 1.7 m/s, P < .05). We observed a progressive increase in cf-PWV as >1 laboratory-based criterion for diabetes diagnosis was reached. Also, participants with diabetes with alterations in any laboratory-based criteria had higher cf-PWV than participants without diabetes, regardless of sex. In summary, diabetes is associated with higher cf-PWV as is each laboratory-based parameter used for its diagnosis. These results support the strong consequences of glucose dysregulation on the vascular system and provide evidence to screen all parameters involved in glycemic metabolism to improve vascular health.
Long-term Follow-up of Pediatric Chronic Rhinosinusitis After Surgical Treatment
Authors: Makary Chadi A. , Bonnici Maximilian , Jones Garrett , Sullivan Patrick , Stokes Cara , Ramadan Hassan H.
Published: March 2023

Objective:

To study the long-term outcomes of pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) after surgical treatment.

Methods:

Cross-sectional survey of patients who were treated surgically for CRS as children more than 10 years ago. Survey included SNOT-22 questionnaire, additional functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) since last treatment, status of allergic rhinitis and asthma, and availability of any CT scan sinus/face for review.

Results:

About 332 patients were contacted by phone or email. Seventy-three patients filled the survey (22.5% response rate). Current age was 26 years (±+/−4.7, 15.3-37.8 years). Age at initial treatment was 6.8 years (+/−3.1, 1.7-14.7 years). Fifty-two patients (71.2%) had FESS and adenoidectomy, and 21 patients (28.8%) had adenoidectomy only. Follow-up since surgical treatment was 19.3 years (+/−4.1). SNOT-22 score was 34.5 (+/−22.2). None of the patients had any additional FESS for the duration of the follow-up, and only 3 patients had septoplasty and inferior turbinoplasty as adults. Twenty-four patients had CT scan sinuses/face available for review. Scans were obtained at an average of 14 years after surgical intervention (+/−5.2). CT LM score was 0.9 (+/−1.9), compared to 9.3 at time of their surgery (+/−5.9) ( P < .0001). Currently 45.8% and 36.9% of patients have asthma and AR, compared to 35.6% and 40.6% respectively as kids ( P = .897 and P = .167).

Conclusion:

Children who had surgery for CRS do not seem to have CRS as adults. However, patients continue to have active allergic rhinitis that may affect their quality of life.
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection of Larynx and Cervical Trachea
Authors: Lau Ryan J. , Lackey Taylor G. , Samedi Von , Fink Daniel S.
Published: March 2023

Objectives:

To present a patient with the first case of NTM (nontuberculous mycobacteria) infection of the larynx extending to cervical trachea, and the first case of subglottic stenosis associated with an NTM infection.

Methods:

Case report and review of the literature.

Results:

A 68-year-old female with history of prior smoking, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, bronchiectasis, and tracheobronchomalacia presented with a 3-month history of shortness of breath, exertional inspiratory stridor, and hoarseness. Flexible laryngoscopy demonstrated ulceration of medial aspect of right vocal fold and subglottic tissue abnormality with crusting and ulceration extending through the upper trachea. Microdirect laryngoscopy with tissue biopsies and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser ablation of disease completed, and intraoperative culture revealed positive Aspergillus and acid-fast bacilli with Mycobacterium abscessus (type of NTM). Patient began antimicrobial treatment of cefoxitin, imipenem, amikacin, azithromycin, clofazimine, and itraconazole. Fourteen months after initial presentation, patient developed subglottic stenosis with limited extension into the proximal trachea prompting CO2 laser incision, balloon dilation, and steroid injection of the subglottic stenosis. Patient remains disease free without further subglottic stenosis.

Conclusion:

Laryngeal NTM infections are exceedingly rare. Failure to consider NTM infection in the differential diagnosis when presented with an ulcerative, exophytic mass in patients with increased risk factors (structural lung disease, Pseudomonas colonization, chronic steroid use, prior NTM positivity) may result in insufficient tissue evaluation, delayed diagnosis, and disease progression.
How Not to Turn the Grand Challenges Literature Into a Tower of Babel?
Authors: Carton Guillaume , Parigot Julia , Roulet Thomas
Published: March 2023

The Grand Challenges literature brings under its umbrella a wide variety of disjointed phenomena but runs the risk of reinventing the wheel as well as overlooking incremental progress and past work. To avert this, scholars need to (dis)connect (dis)similar issues, build on past research on these issues, and create opportunities for generalizability through theoretical examinations.
Personality and attachment in the homeless: A systematic review
Authors: Neves Horácio Andreia , Bento António , Gama Marques João
Published: March 2023

Background:

Homeless people present high rates of psychopathology, including personality disorders. Given the link between personality disorders and attachment, and the potential importance of these two traits for understanding homeless populations.

Aims:

Our aim was to review all studies focusing on attachment and on the full assessment of personality disorders in the homeless.

Method:

Overall, 213 studies were screened through title and abstract. Of these, 63 articles were chosen for full-text assessment.

Results:

A total of 14 articles met eligibility criteria and were included in the present review. Six studies evaluated personality disorders and eight studies assessed attachment in the homeless. In general, reports suggested that personality disorders are highly common in the homeless, with frequencies ranging between 64% and 79% for any personality disorder. The most common personality diagnoses were paranoid (14%–74%), borderline (6%–62%), avoidant (14%–63%), and antisocial (4%–57%) personality disorders. Attachment reports differed in the methods used and presented diverse results and correlates. Even so, insecure types of attachment dominated in the homeless, accounting for 62% to 100% of the samples.

Conclusions:

The high prevalence of personality disorders and insecure types of attachment in the homeless may impact intervention strategies for these people. The available literature evaluating attachment and the full assessment of personality disorders in the homeless is scarce, which supports the need for more research on these two topics.
Foaming epoxy-amine-carbamate: The effect of different neat amines on rheological and cellular morphology
Authors: Du Ngoc Uy Lan , Bethke Christian , Gong Shuaiping , Altstaedt Volker , Ruckdaeschel Holger
Published: March 2023

The use of carbamate to foam epoxy depends significantly on the precured modulus to stabilize the cellular structure. The optimum precured modulus is developed from the reaction of epoxy resin and the neat amine. The selection of the neat amine relies on its reaction temperature with epoxy, which is required to be below the decomposition temperature of carbamate. This study investigates the effect of three different neat amines on the rheological behavior of foaming epoxy-carbamate-amine. They are bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether epoxy (DGEBA), isophorone diamine carbamate (IDPA.CO2), N-aminoethylpiperazine (AEP), 2,4-Diamino-1-methyl-cyclohexan (DMC) and isophorone diamine (IDPA). The mixtures of DGEBA-amine-carbamate are filled in 25% and 75% of the volume of a closed mold. Precuring is carried out at 60°C for 2 h. The foaming and complete curing are conducted at 180°C for 1 h. Having H-active at piperazine, AEP reacts with DGEBA faster and develops a higher precured modulus compared to DMC and IDPA. It is important to note that DGEBA-AEP-IDPA.CO2 exhibits viscoelastic behavior beyond 138°C, seen by its rheological storage modulus lower than loss modulus and its tan delta larger than 1. The reaction between DGEBA and the H-active piperazine of AEP leads only to linear linkage and is unable to further crosslink compared to the primary amine (-NH2). This results in a lower glass transition temperature Tg of DGEBA-AEP-IPDA.CO2. The effect of amine on foaming is more obviously at 25% filling level. DGEBA-AEP-IPDA.CO2 has more spherical and homogeneous cellular structure and the density of 285 kg/m3. Having quite similar chemical structure, both DGEBA-DMC-IPDA.CO2 and DGEBA-IPDA-IPDA.CO2 produce the epoxy foams having cell-interconnection and coalescence; their densities are also similar 301 kg/m3 and 305 kg/m3, respectively. All the foams are closed-cell at 75% of filling level. The cell morphologies are well reflecting the foaming modulus and tan delta behavior.
Unequal Impact of COL1A1 and COL1A2 Variants on Dentinogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Yamaguti P.M. , de La Dure-Molla M. , Monnot S. , Cardozo-Amaya Y.J. , Baujat G. , Michot C. , Fournier B.P.J. , Riou M.C. , Caldas Rosa E.C.C. , Soares de Lima Y. , dos Santos P.A.C. , Alcaraz G. , Guerra E.N.S. , Castro L.C. , de Oliveira S.F. , Pogue R. , Berdal A. , de Paula L.M. , Mazzeu J.F. , Cormier-Daire V. , Acevedo A.C.
Published: March 2023

Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) is the main orodental manifestation of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) caused by COL1A1 or COL1A2 heterozygous pathogenic variants. Its prevalence varies according to the studied population. Here, we report the molecular analysis of 81 patients with OI followed at reference centers in Brazil and France presenting COL1A1 or COL1A2 variants. Patients were submitted to clinical and radiographic dental examinations to diagnose the presence of DI. In addition, a systematic literature search and a descriptive statistical analysis were performed to investigate OI/DI phenotype–genotype correlation in a worldwide sample. In our cohort, 50 patients had COL1A1 pathogenic variants, and 31 patients had COL1A2 variants. A total of 25 novel variants were identified. Overall, data from a total of 906 individuals with OI were assessed. Results show that DI was more frequent in severe and moderate OI cases. DI prevalence was also more often associated with COL1A2 (67.6%) than with COL1A1 variants (45.4%) because COL1A2 variants mainly lead to qualitative defects that predispose to DI more than quantitative defects. For the first time, 4 DI hotspots were identified. In addition, we showed that 1) glycine substitution by branched and charged amino acids in the α2(I) chain and 2) substitutions occurring in major ligand binding regions—MLRB2 in α1(I) and MLBR 3 in α2(I)—could significantly predict DI ( P < 0.05). The accumulated variant data analysis in this study provides a further basis for increasing our comprehension to better predict the occurrence and severity of DI and appropriate OI patient management.
Descriptive representation and conflict reduction: Evidence from India’s Maoist rebellion
Authors: Milliff Aidan , Stommes Drew
Published: March 2023

Can greater inclusion in democracy for historically disadvantaged groups reduce rebel violence? Democracy-building is a common tool in counterinsurgencies and post-conflict states, yet existing scholarship has faced obstacles in measuring the independent effect of democratic reforms. We evaluate whether quotas for Scheduled Tribes in local councils reduced rebel violence in Chhattisgarh, an Indian state featuring high-intensity Maoist insurgent activity. These quotas did not originate as a counterinsurgency technique, but instead as an effort to address the longstanding political marginalization of India’s Scheduled Tribes. We employ a geographic regression discontinuity design to study the wartime effects of quotas implemented in Chhattisgarh, finding that reservations reduced Maoist violence in the state. Exploratory analyses of mechanisms suggest that reservations reduced violence by bringing local elected officials closer to state security forces, providing a windfall of valuable information to counterinsurgents. Our study shows that institutional engineering, like reforms to create more inclusive representative democracy, can shape the trajectory of insurgent violence. Institutional engineering creating more inclusive representative democracy during an ongoing conflict can affect the political economy of information sharing in civil war and, ultimately, affect the trajectory of insurgent violence.
Prone restraint death: Possible role of the Valsalva maneuver
Authors: Michaud Alain
Published: March 2023

There is an on-going debate about the safety of prone restraint and the exact role of the prone position in physical restraint death. Cardiac arrest in prone restraint death is essentially the end-result of a violent physical altercation wherein a combative individual suddenly loses consciousness while trying to counteract an opposing force. The direct correlations of increased static weight force with decreased inferior vena cava diameter, decreased cardiac output, and decreased stroke volume in prone restraint studies suggest that decreased venous return and decreased cardiac output could have a significant role to play in prone restraint death. Although the degree of changes observed in those studies might not be sufficient to cause cardiac arrest, they could predispose people who instinctively try to free themselves of the restraints to severe complications. The Valsalva maneuver, or forceful expiration against a closed airway, is frequently performed spontaneously in daily activities involving straining and resistance exercise, but has never been considered in restraint death. Pre-existing diminished venous return could increase the risk of major complications in individuals performing the Valsalva maneuver. A substantial decrease in venous return and cardiac output could increase the risk of cerebral hypoperfusion, loss of consciousness, hypoventilation, and sudden death. By increasing the risk of increased intra-abdominal pressure and its negative effect on venous return, high body mass index may be a significant risk factor in prone restraint death. The Valsalva maneuver may have different roles in prone restraint cardiac arrest and might be overlooked in prone restraint death.
Methamphetamine use in homicide victims
Authors: Tan Luzern , Stephenson Lilli , Byard Roger
Published: March 2023

Methamphetamine use is increasing in the Australian population. It has a known association with violent and erratic behaviour and with an increased risk of unnatural deaths. To determine whether victims of homicide have significant exposure to methamphetamine 100 randomly selected de-identified homicide cases from 2012 to 2021 were accessed from the Forensic Science SA (FSSA) Pathology Database to determine the type of homicide and whether methamphetamine was detected in the blood. A total of 76 males and 24 females were found (M:F = 3:1). Of these, 30 victims (30%) had methamphetamine detected in blood, consisting of 26 males and 4 females (M:F = 6:1; male age range 18–53 years, average 36.8 years; female age range 28–63 years average 44.8 years). Levels of methamphetamine ranged from 0.02 to 3.3 mg/L with an average of 0.64 mg/L, with the highest numbers of positive cases occurring in victims of gunshot wounds (45.5%), and the lowest in those with lethal blunt force trauma (23.5%). This study has demonstrated that victims of homicide in an Australian population are more likely to have used methamphetamine than members of the general population. The reasons for this remain unclear although involvement in a drug selling environment may be an important determinant.