bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data from Proteasome Inhibitors Silence Oncogenes in Multiple Myeloma through Localized Histone Deacetylase 3 Stabilization and Chromatin Condensation
Authors: Maneix Laure , Iakova Polina , Moree Shannon E. , Hsu Joanne I. , Mistry Ragini M. , Stossi Fabio , Lulla Premal , Sun Zheng , Sahin Ergun , Yellapragada Sarvari V. , Catic André
Published: April 2023

Proteasome inhibitors have become the standard of care for multiple myeloma. Blocking protein degradation particularly perturbs the homeostasis of short-lived polypeptides such as transcription factors and epigenetic regulators. To determine how proteasome inhibitors directly impact gene regulation, we performed an integrative genomics study in multiple myeloma cells. We discovered that proteasome inhibitors reduce the turnover of DNA-associated proteins and repress genes necessary for proliferation through epigenetic silencing. Specifically, proteasome inhibition results in the localized accumulation of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) at defined genomic sites, which reduces H3K27 acetylation and increases chromatin condensation. The loss of active chromatin at super-enhancers critical for multiple myeloma, including the super-enhancer controlling the proto-oncogene c-MYC, reduces metabolic activity and cancer cell growth. Epigenetic silencing is attenuated by HDAC3 depletion, suggesting a tumor-suppressive element of this deacetylase in the context of proteasome inhibition. In the absence of treatment, HDAC3 is continuously removed from DNA by the ubiquitin ligase Seven in Absentia Homolog 2 (SIAH2). Overexpression of SIAH2 increases H3K27 acetylation at c-MYC–controlled genes, increases metabolic output, and accelerates cancer cell proliferation. Our studies indicate a novel therapeutic function of proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma by reshaping the epigenetic landscape in an HDAC3-dependent manner. As a result, blocking the proteasome effectively antagonizes c-MYC and the genes controlled by this proto-oncogene.
Significance:
Integrative genomics reveals that a key function of proteasome inhibitors involves limiting the activity of MYC and MYC-dependent genes through epigenetic repression.
Data from Trends of Ovarian Cancer Incidence by Histotype and Race/Ethnicity in the United States 1992–2019
Authors: Phung Minh Tung , Pearce Celeste Leigh , Meza Rafael , Jeon Jihyoun
Published: April 2023

The effect of risk factors on ovarian cancer differs by histotype, and the prevalence of such risk factors varies by race/ethnicity. It is not clear how ovarian cancer incidence has changed over time by histotype and race/ethnicity.

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER-12) 1992–2019 data to examine the trend of ovarian cancer incidence for three histotypes (high-grade serous N = 19,691, endometrioid N = 3,212, and clear cell N = 3,275) and four racial/ethnic groups (Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White). Joinpoint and age-period-cohort analyses were conducted to analyze ovarian cancer incidence trends.

High-grade serous cancer was the most common histotype, but its incidence has significantly decreased over time for all racial/ethnic groups; the decrease was largest for non-Hispanic White women (average annual percent change AAPC during 2010–2019 = −6.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), −8.0 to −4.2). Conversely, clear cell cancer was most common in the Asian/Pacific Islanders, and its incidence has increased over time, particularly among Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander women (AAPC during 2010–2019 = 2.8; 95% CI, 0.8 to 4.7, and AAPC = 1.5; 95% CI, 0.7 to 2.2, respectively). Endometrioid cancer incidence has decreased in non-Hispanic White but increased in Hispanic women (AAPC during 2010–2019 = −1.3; 95% CI, −1.9 to −0.8, and AAPC = 3.6; 95% CI, 1.0 to 6.3, respectively).

The differential incidence trends by histotype and race/ethnicity underscore the need to monitor incidence and risk factor trends across different groups and develop targeted preventive interventions to reduce the burden of ovarian cancer and disparity by race/ethnicity.
Significance:
During 1992–2019, high-grade serous ovarian cancer incidence has decreased while clear cell cancer incidence has increased regardless of race/ethnicity. Endometrioid cancer incidence has decreased in non-Hispanic White but increased in Hispanic women. Differential ovarian cancer incidence trends highlight the need for targeted preventive interventions by histotype and race/ethnicity.
Data from Quantitative, Spatially Defined Expression of Leukocyte-associated Immunoglobulin-like Receptor in Non–small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Aung Thazin N. , Gavrielatou Niki , Vathiotis Ioannis A. , Fernandez Aileen I. , Shafi Saba , Yaghoobi Vesal , Burela Sneha , MacNeil Tyler , Ahmed Fahad Shabbir , Myint Han , Flies Dallas B. , Langermann Solomon , Rimm David L.
Published: April 2023

Targeting the interaction of leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) and its ligands has been shown to reinstate antitumor immunity. In addition, the introduction of the LAIR-1 decoy protein, LAIR-2, sensitizes previously resistant lung tumors to programmed death-1 (PD-1) blockade, indicating the potential of LAIR-1 as an alternative marker for anti-PD-1 resistance in lung cancer. Here, we assessed LAIR-1 as compared with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in various tumors, with a focus on non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its histologic subtypes using multiplexed quantitative immunofluorescence (mQIF) in 287 (discovery cohort) and 144 (validation cohort) patients with NSCLC. In addition, using multispectral imaging technology on mQIF images, we evaluated the localization of LAIR-1 on various cell types. We observed that CD14+, CD68+, and CD163+ monocytes and CK+ tumor cells predominantly expressed LAIR-1 more than other cell types. Furthermore, LAIR-1 expression in the tumor compartment was significantly higher in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) than those with lung squamous cell carcinoma subtype (**, P = 0.003). Our results indicated that high tumor LAIR-1 expression in patients with LUAD is negatively associated with OS (overall survival, HR = 2.4; *, P = 0.02) highlighting its prognostic value in LUAD but not in other subtypes. The Pearson correlation between LAIR-1 and PD-L1 is 0.31; however, mutual exclusive staining pattern (i.e., several cases were positive for LAIR-1 and negative for PD-L1) was observed. Altogether, our data suggest that the combination therapy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 with anti-LAIR-1 or the anti-LAIR-1 monotherapy alone may be promising cancer immunotherapeutic strategies.
Significance:
The spatial, quantitative assessment of LAIR-1 in NSCLC shows positive association of OS with high LAIR-1+/CD68+ cell densities and negative association of OS with high LAIR-1 expression in LUAD tumor subtype.
Data from Whole-genome and epigenomic landscapes of malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumors harboring KIT exon 11 557–558 deletion mutations
Authors: Ohshima Keiichi , Nagashima Takeshi , Fujiya Keiichi , Hatakeyama Keiichi , Watanabe Yuko , Morimoto Kimiko , Kamada Fukumi , Shimoda Yuji , Ohnami Sumiko , Naruoka Akane , Serizawa Masakuni , Ohnami Shumpei , Kenmotsu Hirotsugu , Shiomi Akio , Tsubosa Yasuhiro , Bando Etsuro , Sugiura Teiichi , Sugino Takashi , Terashima Masanori , Uesaka Katsuhiko , Urakami Kenichi , Akiyama Yasuto , Yamaguchi Ken
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with KIT exon 11 deletions involving in codons 557–558 (KIT Δ557–558) exhibit higher proliferation rates and shorter disease-free survival times compared with GISTs with other KIT exon 11 mutations. We analyzed 30 GIST cases and observed genomic instability and global DNA hypomethylation only in high-risk malignant GISTs with KIT Δ557–558. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the high-risk malignant GISTs with KIT Δ557–558 (12 cases) had more structural variations (SVs), single nucleotide variants, and insertions and deletions compared with the low-risk, less malignant GISTs with KIT Δ557–558 (6 cases) and the high- (6 cases) or low-risk (6 cases) GISTs with other KIT exon 11 mutations. The malignant GISTs with KIT Δ557–558 showed higher frequency and significance in copy number (CN) reduction on chromosome arms 9p and 22q, and 50% of them had loss of heterozygosity or CN-dependent expression reduction in CDKN2A. Additionally, SVs with driver potential were detected in 75% of them, in which AKT3 and MGMT were recurrently identified. Genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression analyses showed global intergenic DNA hypomethylation, SNAI2 upregulation, and higher expression signatures, including p53 inactivation and chromosomal instability, as characteristics of malignant GISTs with KIT Δ557–558 that distinguished them from other GISTs. These genomic and epigenomic profiling results revealed that KIT Δ557–558 mutations are associated with increased genomic instability in malignant GISTs.
Data from Treatment Patterns and Outcomes of Pre-operative Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy in Patients with Early-onset Rectal Cancer
Authors: Badesha Jasleen K , Zhou Marilyn , Arif Arif A , Gill Sharlene , Speers Caroline , Peacock Michael , De Vera Mary A , Stuart Heather C , Brown Carl J , Donellan Fergal , Loree Jonathan M
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Pre-operative radiotherapy for early-stage rectal cancer has risks and benefits that may impact treatment choice in young patients. We reviewed radiotherapy use and outcomes for rectal cancer by age.

Patients with early-stage rectal cancer in the Canadian province of British Columbia from 2002-2016 were identified (n=6232). Baseline characteristics, treatment response, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and locoregional recurrence rate (LRR) were compared between patients <50 (early-onset) (n=532) and ≥50 years old (average-onset) (n=5700).

Early-onset patients were more likely to receive pre-operative chemoradiotherapy than short-course radiotherapy (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.67-2.89, P<0.0001), but also had higher nodal (P=0.00096) and overall clinical staging (P=0.033). Cancer downstaging and pCR rates were similar in those receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy by age. Early-onset and average-onset patients had similar DSS (P=0.91) and DFS (P=0.27) in multivariate analysis unless non-colorectal deaths, which were higher in older patients, were censored in the DFS model (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.68, P=0.042). LRR also did not differ between age groups (P=0.88). Outcomes did not differ based on radiotherapy type.

Young patients with rectal cancer are more likely to present with higher staging and receive long-course chemoradiotherapy. DSS did not differ by age group, however young patients had worse DFS when we censored competing risks of death in older patients.
Data from Toll-like Receptor Signaling–deficient Cells Enhance Antitumor Activity of Cell-based Immunotherapy by Increasing Tumor Homing
Authors: Morales-Molina Alvaro , Rodriguez-Milla Miguel Ángel , Gambera Stefano , Cejalvo Teresa , de Andrés Belén , Gaspar María-Luisa , García-Castro Javier
Published: April 2023

Cancer immunotherapy aims to activate the immune system. Some immunotherapeutic agents can be loaded in carrier cells for delivering to the tumors. However, a challenge with cell-based therapies is the selection of the appropriate cells to produce effective clinical outcomes. We hypothesize that therapies based on cells presenting a natural low proinflammatory profile (“silent cells”) in the peripheral blood would result in better antitumor responses by increasing their homing to the tumor site. We studied our hypothesis in an immunotherapy model consisting of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) carrying oncolytic adenoviruses for the treatment of immunocompetent mice. Toll-like receptor signaling–deficient cells (TLR4, TLR9, or MyD88 knockout) were used as “silent cells,” while regular MSCs were used as control. Although in vitro migration was similar in regular and knockout carrier cells, in vivo tumor homing of silent cells was significantly higher after systemic administration. This better homing to the tumor site was highly related to the mild immune response triggered by these silent cells in peripheral blood. As a result, the use of silent cells significantly improved the antitumor efficacy of the treatment in comparison with the use of regular MSCs. While cancer immunotherapies generally aim to boost local immune responses in the tumor microenvironment, low systemic inflammation after systemic administration of the treatment may indeed enhance their tumor homing and improve the overall antitumor effect. These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate donor cells as therapeutic carriers in cell-based therapies for cancer treatment.
Significance:
Cells carrying drugs, virus, or other antitumor agents are commonly used for the treatment of cancer. This research shows that silent cells are excellent carriers for immunotherapies, improving tumor homing and enhancing the antitumor effect.
Data from Distinct IDH1/2-associated Methylation Profile and Enrichment of TP53 and TERT Mutations Distinguish Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma from Conventional Chondrosarcoma
Authors: Dermawan Josephine Kam Tai , Nafa Khedoujia , Mohanty Abhinita , Xu Yingjuan , Rijo Ivelise , Casanova Jacklyn , Villafania Liliana , Benhamida Jamal , Kelly Ciara M. , Tap William D. , Boland Patrick J. , Fabbri Nicola , Healey John H. , Ladanyi Marc , Lu Chao , Hameed Meera
Published: April 2023

Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (DDCS) is a rare high-grade chondrosarcoma characterized by a well-differentiated chondrosarcoma (WDCS) component that abruptly transitions to a high-grade, noncartilaginous sarcomatous component. To date, the molecular pathogenesis of DDCS and its distinction from conventional chondrosarcoma remain poorly understood. By targeted sequencing, we examined the mutational and copy-number profiles of 18 DDCS, including macrodissected WDCS components, compared with 55 clinically sequenced conventional chondrosarcomas. In conjunction with publicly available external data, we analyzed the methylation and expression profiles of 34 DDCS and 94 conventional chondrosarcomas. Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH1/IDH2) mutations were present in 36% conventional chondrosarcomas and 71% DDCS. Compared with conventional chondrosarcomas, DDCS had higher frequencies of TP53 and TERT promoter mutations and CDKN2A/B copy-number losses. Paired analysis of macrodissected WDCS and the high-grade components revealed TERT promoter mutations as early events. Despite phenotypic similarities, the percentage of genome with copy-number alterations in DDCS was significantly lower than that in other high-grade sarcomas. Differential methylation analysis revealed reduction of IDH1/IDH2-associated global hypermethylation characteristically seen in conventional chondrosarcoma and a distinct methylation profile in DDCS. The WDCS and high-grade components in DDCS showed similar methylation profiles. These CpG sites were associated with upregulated expression of genes involved in G2–M checkpoints and E2F targets. Genomic profiling revealed enrichment of TP53, TERT promoter, and CDKN2A/B alterations in DDCS. Integrated methylation and gene expression analysis revealed distinct IDH1/IDH2-associated methylation and transcriptional profiles as early events in DDCS, which may underlie the pathogenesis of dedifferentiation in chondrosarcomas.
Significance:
DDCS is a rare, high-grade chondrosarcoma with a dismal prognosis. About 50%–80% of DDCS harbor IDH1/IDH2 mutations. We uncover a significant alteration of IDH-associated methylation profile in DDCS, which we propose is key to the progression to dedifferentiation. In this context, the potential effect of the use of IDH inhibitors is unclear but important to address, as clinical trials of selective IDH1 inhibitors showed worse outcome in DDCS.
Efficacy and Safety of Vonoprazan and Amoxicillin Dual Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Wen-Lin , Lin Bo-Shen , Li Yue-Yue , Ding Yu-Ming , Han Zhong-Xue , Ji Rui
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Vonoprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, has a strong acid suppression effect and potent efficacy in acid-associated diseases, including Helicobacter pylori eradication. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan/amoxicillin dual therapy for H. pylori eradication. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search through PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to June 2022, to identify randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing vonoprazan/amoxicillin dual therapy and triple therapies for H. pylori eradication. Primary outcomes were cure rates and relative efficacy. Secondary outcomes included adverse events, dropout rate, and subgroup analysis. Results: Five studies with 1,852 patients were included in the analysis. The cure rates of vonoprazan/amoxicillin dual therapy were 85.6% with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 79.7–91.5% and 88.5% (95% CI: 83.2–93.8%) in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. The efficacy of vonoprazan/amoxicillin dual therapy was not inferior to that of triple therapy with pooled risk ratio (RR) of 1.03 (95% CI: 0.97–1.10) and 1.02 (95% CI: 0.98–1.08) in intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses; while it was significantly superior to the omeprazole or lansoprazole-based triple therapy (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05–1.25, p = 0.001). For clarithromycin-resistant strains, vonoprazan/amoxicillin dual therapy showed superiority to vonoprazan-based triple therapy (86.7% vs. 71.4%, RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03–1.39, p = 0.02); however, vonoprazan/amoxicillin dual therapy was significant inferior to vonoprazan-based triple therapy for clarithromycin-sensitive strains (83.0% vs. 92.8%, RR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85–0.95, p = 0.0002). The adverse effects of vonoprazan/amoxicillin dual therapy were lower than those of triple therapy (21.2% vs. 26.5%, RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.73–1.01, p = 0.06), especially the incidence of diarrhea (p = 0.01). Conclusions: The efficacy of vonoprazan/amoxicillin dual therapy is noninferior to vonoprazan-based triple therapy but superior to the omeprazole or lansoprazole-based triple therapy and has less side effects. Patients with clarithromycin-resistant strains are particularly expected to benefit from vonoprazan/amoxicillin dual therapy.
Echocardiographic Measures of Left Atrial Structure and Function and the Association with Atrial Fibrillation following Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Madsen Andreas Ruhvald , Skaarup Kristoffer Grundtvig , Iversen Allan Zeeberg , Jørgensen Peter Godsk , Pedersson Philip Rüssell , Biering-Sørensen Tor
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). This arrhythmia is associated with adverse outcomes, making it important to identify high-risk patients. The aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of measures of left atrial (LA) structure and function in AF prediction following ACS. Methods: Three hundred and eighty-one patients who had a percutaneous coronary intervention for ACS were included in the study. Our endpoint was new-onset AF. Results: With a median follow-up time of 5.4 [3.9–6.8] years, 56 patients (14.7%) developed AF. Patients developing AF had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased maximal and minimal LA volumes (LAVmax and LAVmin, respectively). LAVmax and LAVmin remained significantly increased in AF patients when indexing to either body surface area (LAVmax/BSA and LAVmin/BSA, respectively), left ventricle length in end diastole (LAVmax/LVLd and LAVmin/LVLd, respectively), or late mitral annular diastolic velocity (LAVmax/a’ and LAVmin/a’, respectively), while LA expansion index (LAEi), LA emptying fraction (LAEF), and peak LA longitudinal strain (PALS) were decreased. In univariable Cox regressions, all LA measures were found to be predictors of AF. After multivariable adjustment for clinical and echocardiographic parameters, all measures reflecting atrial function (LAVmin, LAVmin/BSA, LAVmin/LVLd, LAVmin/a’, LAVmax/a’, LAEF, LAEi, and PALS) (p ≤ 0.05) but no structural measures (LAVmax, LAVmax/BSA, and LAVmax/LVLd) remained significant independent predictors of AF. Conclusion: Echocardiographic measures of LA function are independent predictors of AF following ACS. Evaluation of LA function might improve the prognostic workup, aid in risk stratification for AF, and improve selection for further examinations.
Revisiting Apuleius’ De re publica (Fulgentius, Expositio sermonum antiquorum 44)
Authors: Costantini Leonardo
Published: April 2023

This study focuses on a fragment of Apuleius’ lost De re publica preserved in Fulgentius, Expositio sermonum antiquorum 44. After reviewing earlier scholarship on this passage, it is argued that its Plautine vocabulary is consistent with Apuleius’ archaising style, far from being evidence against Apuleius’ paternity. An echo of Aristophanes, Knights 542 is discussed (a tag that later became a political adage), as well as of Plato, Republic 488a-489a and Cicero, Republic 1.11. It is suggested that the fragment might derive from a dialogue somewhat akin to the eponymous ones by Plato and Cicero, or from a speech on moral philosophy.
New evidence on cryptic speciation in soil-inhabiting nematodes, with morphological and molecular characterisation of Xiphinema sangesarense n. sp. (Dorylaimida: Longidoridae) from north-central mountains of Iran
Authors: Poureskandarian Mohammad Ali , Pourjam Ebrahim , Pedram Majid
Published: April 2023

A new species of the dagger nematode, genus Xiphinema, was recovered from the rhizospheric soil samples collected from rangelands in Semnan province, north-central Iran, and described based upon both morphological and molecular data. Xiphinema sangesarense n. sp. is characterised by 3.7-4.8 mm long females having 136-154 μm long odontostyle, 74-87 μm long odontophore, two equally developed genital tracts with crystalloid bodies in the tubular part of the uterus, short dorsally convex, ventrally slightly convex tail with a mucron at the end, four juvenile developmental stages and males present, functional. The new species most closely resembles X. azarbaijanense and is regarded as its tentative cryptic form, but was separated from it by reproductive mode, and morphological and molecular differences. Compared to X. afratakhtehense, the second similar species, it could be separated based on morphological differences, especially characteristics of juveniles and molecular data. Furthermore, the new species has close morphology with five know species, namely: X. aequum, X. horvatovicae, X. illyricum, X. macedonicum and X. vuittenezi, in terms of morphological characteristics (mainly structure of uterus and similar female tail), and their differences are discussed. In phylogenetic analyses of the new species using several sequences of two partial large subunit (LSU) D2-D3, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, the new species formed a clade with Xiphinema sp. in the LSU tree, and in the ITS tree it formed a clade with X. afratakhtehense. In the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene tree, sequences of the new species occupied a placement inside the clade of several sequences of X. afratakhtehense.
Pseudostaurosira ellipticolanceolata, a new araphid diatom (Bacillariophyta) from Flanders, Belgium
Authors: ANDRÉ CORALIE , SABBE KOEN , VAN DE VIJVER BART
Published: April 2023

N/A
Implementation of Energy Effective Error Resistant Adders and Multipliers in Image Denoising Applications
Authors: Dhanasekar J. , Sudha V. K.
Published: April 2023

The design of digital VLSI circuits must take energy efficiency into consideration. Reducing the circuit’s power consumption, which has been a major issue since 2000, would increase the necessity for energy efficiency. Error-tolerant systems heavily rely on approximate computation
methods to increase power efficiency. The key factors of the system’s overall power consumption and area computation are adders and multipliers, which are also crucial in approximate computing. High energy-efficiency adders can be used to create additional multipliers. In order to dramatically
minimize power consumption, this work builds and implements 8×8 Dadda multipliers using 1 bit approximation adders. Calculation is sped up by using the Dadda multiplier. In turn, by reducing propagation latency, the suggested design lowers power consumption in digital CMOS circuitry.
The proposed multiplier design with approximate adders, which was created in Verilog HDL, simulated in FPGA, and synthesized in FPGA platform, is implemented on an ASIC platform using Cadence 90 nm Technology. The Gaussian filter additionally employs the proposed Dadda multiplier for picture
denoising in approximation adder-based image processing applications.
Spatial and Seasonal Variations of Sea Surface Temperature Threshold for Tropical Convection
Authors: Hu Shineng , Xie Shang-Ping , Seager Richard , Cane Mark A.
Published: April 2023

Tropical rainfall variations are of direct societal relevance and drive climate variations worldwide via teleconnections. The convective rainfall tends to occur when sea surface temperature (SST) exceeds a threshold, SSTthr, usually taken to be constant in time and space. We analyze 40-yr monthly observations and find that SSTthr varies by up to 4°C in space and with season. Based on local convective instability, we develop a quantitative theory that largely explains the SSTthr variations using the climatological state of the tropical atmosphere. Although it is often assumed that spatial variations of tropical upper-tropospheric temperature are small and can be neglected, it is shown that lower climatological values favor a lower SSTthr. Similarly, a small increase in climatological surface relative humidity also leads to a decrease in SSTthr, as does a lower climatological air–sea temperature difference. Consequently, efforts to understand and predict natural or forced variations in tropical rainfall must account for, in addition to SST, the temperatures aloft and the near-surface humidity and temperature and requires improved understanding of what controls their distribution in space and time.
Impact of Design Factors for ESA CCI Satellite Soil Moisture Data Assimilation over Europe
Authors: Heyvaert Zdenko , Scherrer Samuel , Bechtold Michel , Gruber Alexander , Dorigo Wouter , Kumar Sujay , De Lannoy Gabriëlle
Published: April 2023

In this study, soil moisture retrievals of the combined active–passive ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) soil moisture product are assimilated into the Noah-MP land surface model over Europe using a one-dimensional ensemble Kalman filter and an 18-yr study period. The performance of the data assimilation (DA) system is evaluated by comparing it with a model-only experiment (at in situ sites) and by assessing statistics of innovations and increments as DA diagnostics (over the entire domain). For both assessments, we explore the impact of three design choices, resulting in the following insights. 1) The magnitude of the assumed observation errors strongly affects the skill improvements evaluated against in situ stations and internal diagnostics. 2) Choosing between climatological or monthly cumulative distribution function matching as the observation bias correction method only has a marginal effect on the in situ skill of the DA system. However, the internal diagnostics suggest a more robust system parameterization if the observations are rescaled monthly. 3) The choice of atmospheric reanalysis dataset to force the land surface model affects the model-only skill and the DA skill improvements. The model-only skill is higher with input from the MERRA-2 than with input from the ERA5 reanalysis, resulting in larger DA skill improvements for the latter. Additionally, we show that the added value of the DA strongly depends on the quality of the satellite retrievals and land cover, with the most substantial soil moisture skill improvements occurring over croplands and skill degradation occurring over densely forested areas.
Navigating Policy and Local Context in Times of Crisis: District and School Leader Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: De Voto Craig , Superfine Benjamin M. , DeWit Marc
Published: April 2023

Purpose: To examine how federal/state-level policy guidance and local context have influenced district and school leader responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how these external/internal factors might provide a window into K-12 crisis leadership and policy sensemaking more broadly. Research: Investigating two districts over two years (2020–2022), data gathered include 39 hours of interviews with K-12 leaders (n = 41) and teachers (n = 18), federal/state-level policy documents (N = 64) governing these districts, and school staff responses to the Comprehensive Assessment of Leaders for Learning survey (N = 111). Drawing theoretically upon sensemaking, crisis leadership/management, law/policy implementation, and organizational theory, these data were analyzed using both inductive and deductive coding over several phases. Findings: In tracing the confluence of federal/state-level guidance and local capacities, we find both influenced K-12 leaders’ sensemaking and subsequent responses to COVID-19. However, districts that possessed adequate expertise and organizational resources were better positioned to respond to the crisis, whereas those lacking such capacities experienced increased anxiety/stress. Conclusion: We argue that the COVID-19 pandemic provides a new window into the critical external/internal factors influencing K-12 leader sensemaking and subsequent responses to crises more broadly. We also discuss the potential role intermediate service agencies might play in the development of a stronger crisis response infrastructure for associated districts and schools. Finally, we point out how principal preparation programs and professional development efforts could prospectively address such crisis-related challenges faced by K-12 leaders.
The load-haul-dump operation cycle recognition based on multi-sensor feature selection and bidirectional long short-term memory network
Authors: Qi Zhimin , Gu Qing , Meng Yu , Bai Guoxing , Ding Dawei
Published: April 2023

The operational cycle identification of the load-haul-dump (LHD) can help support the production process optimization in the underground mining industry and thus reduce mining costs. However, most of the existing research works use only the hydraulic bucket signal of LHD as the data source, and the stability and robustness of the identification method are poor. A few advanced research works use the variational Bayesian Gaussian mixture model to introduce other signals, but the accuracy of this recognition method is not perfect at present. In addition, the current identification methods are unable to simultaneously recognize the four working conditions of the LHD which include loading, hauling, dumping, and transiting. To solve these problems, a random forest feature selection (RFFS) and bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) based operation cycle recognition algorithm is proposed. Firstly, RFFS is used to remove redundant features based on the multi-sensor signals of the LHD. Then, Bi-LSTM is applied to fully exploit the temporal correlation between different operation regimes and accurately recognize the operation cycles. The effectiveness and superiority of the algorithm are verified by the experiment on the actual data of the LHD. The proposed algorithm can recognize four working conditions simultaneously, among which the recognition accuracy of loading conditions is the highest, up to 95.42%, and the weighted accuracy of this algorithm can reach 91.75% using the occupied time of each working condition as the weighting factor.
Influence on mechanical properties with the addition of limestone powder in polyester/fiberglass composite
Authors: de Oliveira Brito Matheus Thomas , do Nascimento Neto Paulo Francisco , Marinho França Rafaela Jordânia , Tinô Sérgio Renan Lopes , Fontes Raphael Siqueira , Batista Ana Claudia de Melo Caldas
Published: April 2023

With industrialization and population growth, solid waste management has become a universal challenge. The destination and incorrect storage of the waste from quarries have become a recurring problem caused by the extraction of mineral resources. The possibility of use for this waste, to minimize its impacts, is the creation of new products that can be useful to engineering using stone powder. Therefore, this study aims to create a new composite using limestone powder with different granulometry to analyze the influence that its insertion and the grain size can cause in these materials. The produced laminates were submitted to uniaxial tensile tests under the norm ASTM D 3039 and volumetric density ASTM D 792, The modifications that occurred in the properties of the specimens were studied in detail, obtaining results that show that the insertion of limestone powder provides the material with new mechanical characteristics, such as the rigidity increase. Among the produced composites, the one that had received limestone as obtained presented the best performance, increasing 9.33% of its elasticity modulus in comparison to the original.
Reprint: How Teacher Education Matters
Authors: Darling-Hammond Linda
Published: April 2023

Despite longstanding criticisms of teacher education, the weight of substantial evidence indicates that teachers who have had more preparation for teaching are more confident and successful with students than those who have had little or none. Recent evidence also indicates that reforms of teacher education creating more tightly integrated programs with extended clinical preparation interwoven with coursework on learning and teaching produce teachers who are both more effective and more likely to enter and stay in teaching. An important contribution of teacher education is its development of teachers’ abilities to examine teaching from the perspective of learners who bring diverse experiences and frames of reference to the classroom.
The Relationship Between Dispositional Awe and Reactive Aggression: The Serial Mediation Role of Trait Anger and Self-Control
Authors: Qu Yangwenjie
Published: April 2023

Previous research has shown that state awe will decrease aggressive behavior in individuals and reduce implicit trait aggression. However, hardly any studies have been conducted to show the relationship between individual dispositional awe and reactive aggression as well as the underlying psychological mechanisms. Based on the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotion and the expanded model of awe, this study explored the effects of trait anger and self-control on the relationship between dispositional awe predicting reactive aggression. The trait anger, self-control, dispositional awe, and reactive aggression scales were completed by a total of 611 college students who were recruited from universities. The findings demonstrated a negative correlation between dispositional awe and reactive aggression ( r = − .35 , p < .01). The link between dispositional awe and reactive aggression is mediated by trait anger ( β = − .201, 95% CI [−.25, −.15]) and self-control ( β = −.038, 95% CI [−.07, −.01]). Additionally, a serial mediation effect of trait anger and self-control was observed between dispositional awe and reactive aggression ( β = −.022, 95% CI [−.04, −.01]). This study reveals the relationship between dispositional awe and reactive aggression and its mechanism of effect which has some practical implications for the prevention and reduction of reactive aggression among college students.
Persistent Disparities in Pediatric Health Care Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Phan Thao-Ly T. , Enlow Paul T. , Lewis Amanda M. , Arasteh Kamyar , Hildenbrand Aimee K. , Price Julia , Schultz Corinna L. , Reynolds Victoria , Kazak Anne E. , Alderfer Melissa A.
Published: April 2023

Objective:

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional health care, including pediatric health care. We described the impact of the pandemic on disparities in pediatric health care engagement.

Methods:

Using a population-based cross-sectional time-series design, we compared monthly ambulatory care visit volume and completion rates (completed vs no-show and cancelled visits) among pediatric patients aged 0-21 years in 4 states in the mid-Atlantic United States during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020–February 2021) with the same period before the pandemic (March 2019–February 2020). We used unadjusted odds ratios, stratified by visit type (telehealth or in-person) and sociodemographic characteristics (child race and ethnicity, caregiver primary language, geocoded Child Opportunity Index, and rurality).

Results:

We examined 1 556 548 scheduled ambulatory care visits for a diverse pediatric patient population. Visit volume and completion rates (mean, 70.1%) decreased during the first months of the pandemic but returned to prepandemic levels by June 2020. Disparities in in-person visit completion rates among non-Hispanic Black versus non-Hispanic White patients (64.9% vs 74.3%), patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged versus advantaged communities as measured by Child Opportunity Index (65.8% vs 76.4%), and patients in rural versus urban neighborhoods (66.0% vs 70.8%) were the same during the remainder of the first year of the pandemic as compared with the previous year. Concurrent with large increases in telehealth (0.5% prepandemic, 19.0% during the pandemic), telehealth completion rates increased.

Conclusions:

Disparities in pediatric visit completion rates that existed before the pandemic persisted during the pandemic. These findings underscore the need for culturally tailored practices to reduce disparities in pediatric health care engagement.
Assessing Quality Gap of Outpatient Service in Public Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study in China
Authors: Lin Qian , Hao Horng-Shuh , Zhang Dan
Published: April 2023

In China, most ambulatory care is provided by public hospitals. However, many public hospitals’ outpatient services fall short of meeting patients’ demands. This study aimed to assess the quality gap of outpatient service in public hospitals by using an indicator system developed based on the SERVQUAL model. This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2019 at 13 public hospitals in Shenzhen. In total, 1876 outpatients were included in the study, and participants were asked to fill out the modified SERVQUAL questionnaire. The scale consists of 23 items scattered in 6 dimensions, including Safety, Reliability, Responsiveness, Tangibles, Assurance, and Empathy. Descriptive analysis, t-test or F-test, and optimal scale analysis were performed. The patients’ expectation of outpatient services exceeded the hospitals’ services they perceived and resulted in negative gaps between the mean expectation and perception scores for each indicator. The gaps were as follows: Reliability =  Empathy >  Responsiveness >  Safety >  Assurance >  Tangibles. Quality gaps differed significantly between age, education, and hospital type. The overall impression mean scores are 7.45 ± 1.18 (out of 9 points) and 7.27 ± 1.23 for general and specialized hospitals. And the willingness to recommend the hospital to others mean scores are 4.06 ± 0.62 (out of 5 points) and 3.92 ± 0.65 for general and specialized hospitals. Patients’ impression of the hospital and willingness to recommend the hospital were significantly correlated with age, citizenship, health insurance, referral type, frequency of visits, Safety, Tangibles, Reliability, and Assurance. The outpatient service provided by Shenzhen’s public hospitals did not meet patients’ needs. Hospital administrators should evaluate the quality gap of outpatient services to identify the flaws within the delivery of ambulatory care and make improvements according to the findings to drive patient-centered care.
Book review: J. Daniel Elam, Impossible and Necessary: Anticolonialism, Reading, and Critique
Authors: Mohanty Rabindra K.
Published: April 2023

J. Daniel Elam, Impossible and Necessary: Anticolonialism, Reading, and Critique (Hyderabad, Orient Black Swan, 2021), 212 pp., ₹895.00 (Hardback). ISBN: 978-8-1949-2583-5.
Translation and adaptation to Spanish of Aberdeen varicose veins questionnaire
Authors: Ibarra Sanchez Gabriela , Ansuategui Vicente Marina , Revuelta Suero Sergio , Cases Perez Cristina , Comanges Yeboles Alejandra , Gonzalez Fajardo Jose Antonio
Published: April 2023

Objective

The purpose of the study is to translate the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) into Spanish and evaluate the feasibility and reliability of the Spanish-translated AVVQ in patients with chronic venous disease.

Methods

Reliability was assessed by test and retest of the Spanish translated AVVQ in a sample of 77 patients. The questionnaires were answered within a 2-week interval.

Results

There was a 100% test and retest response. The AVVQ showed 6.5% of missing responses. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.71 indicating an adequate level of internal consistency. Spearman’s rho showed a significant strong association between test and retest scores (rho = 0.84, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The Spanish-translated AVVQ is a reliable tool in our daily clinical practice in order to measure the impact of venous disease in the quality of life.
Risk factors for decreased walking ability in hospitalized patients with aspiration pneumonia
Authors: Yanagita Yorihide , Arizono Shinichi , Tawara Yuichi , Oomagari Masaki , Machiguchi Hikaru , Yokomura Koshi , Katagiri Norimasa , Iida Yuki
Published: April 2023

Objective

To evaluate the factors that influence walking ability in patients hospitalized due to aspiration pneumonia.

Methods

This retrospective observational study evaluated patients hospitalized with aspiration pneumonia. The primary endpoint was preservation of walking ability. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed with the preservation of walking ability as the dependent variable.

Results

A total of 143 patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: those whose walking ability decreased after hospitalization ( n = 61) and those whose walking ability was maintained after hospitalization ( n = 82). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that A-DROP (odds ratio [OR] 3.006; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.452, 6.541; P < 0.01), the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (OR 0.919; 95% CI 0.875, 0.960; P < 0.001) and days to initial mobilization (OR 1.221; 95% CI 1.036, 1.531; P < 0.05) were the independent early predictors for preservation of walking ability.

Conclusion

Nutritional status and early mobilization were important risk factors affecting the maintenance of walking ability in patients hospitalized due to aspiration pneumonia. Thus, a combination of nutrition and early rehabilitation is needed for these patients.

Registry of Research Studies involving Human Subjects

This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN 000046923).
A power-with versus power-over framework of leadership behaviors, employee expectations, and employee creativity: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wei Hongguo , Wu Bingqing , Park Haesang , Bilimoria Diana
Published: April 2023

Drawing on a power-over versus power-with framework and implicit leadership theories, this study examines how positive relations-oriented and task-oriented leadership behaviors affect employee creativity. A meta-analysis study with 143 empirical studies ( N = 40,023) reveals that both positive relations-oriented and task-oriented leadership behaviors were positively related to employee creativity and that psychological empowerment mediated these relationships. Further, the effect of positive relations-oriented leadership behaviors on employee psychological empowerment and creativity was stronger in countries of high (rather than low) power distance, whereas the impact of task-oriented leadership behaviors was stronger in countries characterized by low (rather than high) power distance. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Traffic Risk Assessment of Lane-Changing Process in Urban Inter-Tunnel Weaving Segment
Authors: Zhao Yi , Zhou Jiayi , Zhao Chuwei , Li Minghao
Published: April 2023

This study aims to assess the traffic risk of the lane-changing (LC) process in the urban inter-tunnel weaving (UIW) segment. Time to collision (TTC) and extended time to collision (ETTC) are selected as indices for traffic risk assessment. An instantaneous traffic risk level classification method integrating Pareto’s law and the K-means clustering algorithm is proposed. Based on the classification results, the study also proposes an overall LC risk assessment method. Field-collected trajectory data are used to evaluate and characterize the traffic risk associated with the LC process. The instantaneous traffic risk analysis shows that the high-risk state accounts for a high percentage of the LC process in the UIW segment, and the front vehicle on the starting lane has the highest potential for conflict with the target vehicle. The overall risk index analysis shows that the risk distribution of the LC process is significantly clustered in the weaving segment and that the safety level of the UIW segment needs to be improved. This study quantifies the safety level and analyzes the characteristics of traffic risks of the LC process in the UIW segment to provide a decision basis for the development of assisted driving schemes and improvement of traffic safety management in the UIW segment.