bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breast cancer screening in women with extremely dense breasts recommendations of the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI)
Authors: Mann Ritse M. , Athanasiou Alexandra , Baltzer Pascal A. T. , Camps-Herrero Julia , Clauser Paola , Fallenberg Eva M. , Forrai Gabor , Fuchsjäger Michael H. , Helbich Thomas H. , Killburn-Toppin Fleur , Lesaru Mihai , Panizza Pietro , Pediconi Federica , Pijnappel Ruud M. , Pinker Katja , Sardanelli Francesco , Sella Tamar , Thomassin-Naggara Isabelle , Zackrisson Sophia , Gilbert Fiona J. , Kuhl Christiane K. ,   On behalf of the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI)
Published: March 2022

Breast density is an independent risk factor for the development of breast cancer and also decreases the sensitivity of mammography for screening. Consequently, women with extremely dense breasts face an increased risk of late diagnosis of breast cancer. These women are, therefore, underserved with current mammographic screening programs. The results of recent studies reporting on contrast-enhanced breast MRI as a screening method in women with extremely dense breasts provide compelling evidence that this approach can enable an important reduction in breast cancer mortality for these women and is cost-effective. Because there is now a valid option to improve breast cancer screening, the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI) recommends that women should be informed about their breast density. EUSOBI thus calls on all providers of mammography screening to share density information with the women being screened. In light of the available evidence, in women aged 50 to 70 years with extremely dense breasts, the EUSOBI now recommends offering screening breast MRI every 2 to 4 years. The EUSOBI acknowledges that it may currently not be possible to offer breast MRI immediately and everywhere and underscores that quality assurance procedures need to be established, but urges radiological societies and policymakers to act on this now. Since the wishes and values of individual women differ, in screening the principles of shared decision-making should be embraced. In particular, women should be counselled on the benefits and risks of mammography and MRI-based screening, so that they are capable of making an informed choice about their preferred screening method.

Key Points

• The recommendations in Figure 1 summarize the key points of the manuscript
Prognostic value of cutaneous reinnervation with GAP-43 in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy
Authors: Albayrak Merve , Figueras Carolina , Seguí Elia , Campolo Michela , Gabarrón Eva , Moreno Reinaldo , Maurel Joan , Casanova-Molla Jordi
Published: March 2022

Background and purpose

Oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy (OIN) implies axonal damage of both small and large sensory nerve fibers. We aimed at comparing the neurophysiological changes occurred after treatment and the capability to recovery based on histological marker of re-innervation GAP-43.

Methods

48 patients with cancer were assessed before and after chemotherapy (at 3 months and 12 months if available). We recorded ulnar and sural sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP), determined quantitative sensory thresholds for warm and cold (WDT, CDT), pain thresholds and collected a distal biopsy of skin to assess the intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) with PGP9.5 and GAP-43 markers (in a subgroup of 19 patients).

Results

Increased WDT and CDT as well as diminished IENFD at distal leg were already found in 30% of oncologic patients before treatment. After oxaliplatin, there was a significant increase in thermal thresholds in 52% of patients, and a decrease of SNAP amplitude in the sural nerve in 67% patients. IENFD was reduced in 47% and remained unchanged in 37% after oxiplatin. The density of GAP-43 + fibers and GAP-43/PGP 9.5 ratio was similar before and after treatment showing that cutaneous re-innervation is preserved despite no clinical recovery was observed after one year.

Conclusion

Non-selective axonal loss affects sensory fibers in OIN. However, the presence of intra-epidermal regenerative sprouts detected by GAP-43 may reduce the impact of neurotoxicity in the small fibers with long-term sequelae mostly on myelinated nerve endings. Pre-oxaliplatin GAP-43 failed to identify patients with higher risk of damage or worse recovery after treatment.
Mobile AC/DC test device for electric vehicle charging infrastructure communication
Authors: Baum Lukas , Darvish Sahar , Schulz Detlef
Published: March 2022

The large-scale deployment of charging infrastructure poses challenges to the distribution grid stability. In Hamburg, the project Electrify Buildings for Electric Vehicles (ELBE) implements and tests a demand side management communication protocol that allows the distribution grid operator to reduce the charging power of electric vehicle charging stations if necessary. For this purpose, a test device capable of testing the signal chain as well as a real load reduction is presented for DC charging infrastructure. The standardized high-level communication protocols are described. With the charger’s power electronics located in the DC charging station, the need for a battery emulation arises, which is also discussed. Finally, a novel concept for a mobile and modular test setup for combined testing signal and real load reduction of AC and DC charging infrastructure is presented.
Weighted Error Estimates for Transient Transport Problems Discretized Using Continuous Finite Elements with Interior Penalty Stabilization on the Gradient Jumps
Authors: Burman Erik
Published: March 2022

In this paper we consider the semi-discretization in space of a first order scalar transport equation. For the space discretization we use standard continuous finite elements with a stabilization consisting of a penalty on the jump of the gradient over element faces. We recall some global error estimates for smooth and rough solutions and then prove a new local error estimate for the transient linear transport equation. In particular we show that for the stabilized method the effect of non-smooth features in the solution decay exponentially from the space time zone where the solution is rough so that smooth features will be transported unperturbed. Locally the L2-norm error converges with the expected order $O(h^{k+\frac 12})$
O
(

h

k
+

1

2

)
, if the exact solution is locally smooth. We then illustrate the results numerically. In particular we show the good local accuracy in the smooth zone of the stabilized method and that the standard Galerkin fails to approximate a solution that is smooth at the final time if underresolved features have been present in the solution at some time during the evolution.
Reductions in sickness with repeated exposure to HMD-based virtual reality appear to be game-specific
Authors: Palmisano Stephen , Constable Rikeya
Published: March 2022

While head-mounted display (HMD) based gaming is often limited by cybersickness, research suggests that repeated exposure to virtual reality (VR) can reduce the severity of these symptoms. This study was therefore aimed at: (1) examining the exposure conditions required to reduce cybersickness during HMD VR; and (2) learning whether such reductions generalise from one HMD VR game to another. Our participants played two commercially-available HMD VR video games over two consecutive days. Their first exposure to HMD VR on both days was always to a 15-min virtual rollercoaster ride. On Day 1, half of our participants also played a virtual climbing game for 15-min, while the rest of them finished testing early. Participants in the latter group were only exposed to the climbing game late on Day 2. We found that sickness was significantly reduced for our participants on their second exposure to the virtual rollercoaster. However, sickness to the rollercoaster on Day 2 was unaffected by whether they had played the climbing game on Day 1. Sickness during virtual climbing was also unaffected by group differences in exposure to the virtual rollercoaster. This convergent evidence suggested that the reductions in cybersickness produced by repeated exposure to HMD VR were game-specific. While these benefits did not generalise to the second game, two 15-min exposures to the same HMD VR game was sufficient to significantly reduce cybersickness in this study.
Census-based typological usability fragility curves for Italian unreinforced masonry buildings
Authors: Zucconi Maria , Di Ludovico Marco , Sorrentino Luigi
Published: March 2022

The main vulnerability models available in the literature aim to develop damage fragility curves to estimate the damage level suffered by a building after a seismic event. However, recent earthquakes have highlighted the great importance of predicting the usability of residential buildings, i.e. the condition of a building being habitable or occupiable after a seismic event. The building usability performance can be used as an indicator for allocating economic funding after a seismic event because recent researches have demonstrated a stronger correlation between repair costs and usability assessment rather than between repair costs and structural damage. Therefore, this work focused on the development of census-based fragility curves for the preventive forecast of the usability of Italian unreinforced-masonry buildings. The proposed usability model was calibrated based on the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake database, including almost 60,000 unreinforced-masonry buildings, and this database was increased by adding data from the Italian census to account for uninspected constructions. Six typological classes were defined considering two parameters available both in the post-earthquake and Italian census databases: construction timespan and state of repair. Additionally, it was highlighted in which cases the number of stories was also relevant. The usability fragility curves were defined as a function of peak ground acceleration for two building usability states: partially unusable and unusable. The results confirmed that older buildings are more vulnerable and clearly pointed out the crucial role of the state of repair as a parameter influencing the building usability.
Clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and DCIS with microinvasion (DCIS-Mi) of the breast
Authors: Jia Huiqing , Zhao Peng , Chen Zhaoxu , Wang Guanqun , Dong Xianning , Xing Xiaoming , Tan Xiaohua , Wang Chengqin
Published: March 2022

Objective

Our purpose is to evaluate the correlation of TILs with clinicopathological characteristics and disease free survival (DFS) in DCIS and DCIS-Mi breast cancer (BC) patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 360 DCIS patients and 125 DCIS-Mi patients treated by a single institution from 2016 to 2019. TILs are regarded as continuous variables and are divided into low (≤ 5%), medium (5–40%) and high (≥ 40%) for statistical analysis.

Results

In DCIS and DCIS-Mi patients, larger tumor size, higher nuclear grade, hormone receptor (HR) negativity and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2) overexpression are all related to high TILs (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with DCIS, DCIS-Mi patients were significantly associated with high TILs (P < 0.001). Based on the different results of the subtypes, we further studied the correlation between TILs and DFS in 279 cases of HER2+ patients (204 of DCIS; 75 of DCIS-Mi). In HER2+ group, DCIS-Mi was significantly associated with HR negativity (P = 0.015) and high TILs (P = 0.002) compared with DCIS patients. In the survival analysis, we found that TILs had no effect on the DFS of DCIS (P = 0.938), DCIS-Mi (P = 0.807), and HER2+ (P = 0.379) BC patients. In the univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis, the correlation between TILs and the prognosis of DFS has not been confirmed in the three BC groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

TILs have played an non-negligible role in the progress of DCIS to DCIS-Mi, especially in HER2+ BC. The predictive and prognostic value of TILs still needs further research to confirm.
“I Know Hyena. Do you Know Hyena?” Challenges in Interpreter-Mediated Dementia Assessment, Focusing on the Role of the Interpreter
Authors: Torkpoor Rozita , Fioretos Ingrid , Essén Birgitta , Londos Elisabet
Published: March 2022

Dementia assessment requires functional communication and interaction between healthcare professionals and the patient being assessed. These can be affected by the requirement for an interpreter to communicate with the patient. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the interactions between patient, healthcare professionals and interpreter, focusing on the role of the interpreter and the challenges that may arise in interpreter-mediated dementia assessment. The study had an ethnographic design in which the data consisted of audio and video recordings of 19 dementia assessments conducted in the presence of an interpreter. The data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The results showed that the interpreter could affect the patient’s performance and results during the dementia assessment. The interpreter could alter the meaning and content of what was communicated, sometimes change information and instructions exchanged between the patient and healthcare professionals, could avoid interpreting everything being said, and occasionally made their own corrections to what was being communicated. This occurred mainly because of the interpreter’s lack of linguistic skills and the interpreter failing to adhere to the ethical guidelines governing their profession. These challenges could also occur when the interpreter was not familiar with the context of dementia assessment. Alterations made by the interpreter to what was being communicated could lead to incorrect evaluation of the patient’s cognitive abilities and health status. This, in turn, may lead to misjudgment of the patient’s remaining resources and symptoms and their required treatment and support.
Materials systems for interleave toughening in polymer composites
Authors: Vallack Nicola , Sampson William W.
Published: March 2022

We review the literature describing the use of interleaves to increase interlaminar fracture toughness in fibre-reinforced polymer composites and hence to improve damage tolerance. From an analysis of data provided in the literature from the use of microfibre and nanofibre interleaves, we show that the performance of these widely researched systems is clearly differentiated when plotted against the mean coverage of the interleaf. Using a simple analysis, we suggest that this can be attributed to the influence of their porous architectures on the infusion of resin. We show also that the superior toughening performance of microfibre interleaves is only weakly influenced by the choice of fibre. We find also that the inclusion of carbon nanotubes within interleaves to deliver multifunctional composites can be optimised by using a hybrid system with microfibres.

Graphical abstract
Progressive Depletion of B and T Lymphocytes in Patients with Ataxia Telangiectasia: Results of the Italian Primary Immunodeficiency Network
Authors: Cirillo Emilia , Polizzi Agata , Soresina Annarosa , Prencipe Rosaria , Giardino Giuliana , Cancrini Caterina , Finocchi Andrea , Rivalta Beatrice , Dellepiane Rosa M. , Baselli Lucia A. , Montin Davide , Trizzino Antonino , Consolini Rita , Azzari Chiara , Ricci Silvia , Lodi Lorenzo , Quinti Isabella , Milito Cinzia , Leonardi Lucia , Duse Marzia , Carrabba Maria , Fabio Giovanna , Bertolini Patrizia , Coccia Paola , D’Alba Irene , Pession Andrea , Conti Francesca , Zecca Marco , Lunardi Claudio , Bianco Manuela Lo , Presti Santiago , Sciuto Laura , Micheli Roberto , Bruzzese Dario , Lougaris Vassilios , Badolato Raffaele , Plebani Alessandro , Chessa Luciana , Pignata Claudio
Published: March 2022

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is a rare neurodegenerative genetic disorder due to bi-allelic mutations in the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) gene. The aim of this paper is to better define the immunological profile over time, the clinical immune-related manifestations at diagnosis and during follow-up, and to attempt a genotype–phenotype correlation of an Italian cohort of AT patients. Retrospective data of 69 AT patients diagnosed between December 1984 and November 2019 were collected from the database of the Italian Primary Immunodeficiency Network. Patients were classified at diagnosis as lymphopenic (Group A) or non-lymphopenic (Group B). Fifty eight out of 69 AT patients (84%) were genetically characterized and distinguished according to the type of mutations in truncating/truncating (TT; 27 patients), non-truncating (NT)/T (28 patients), and NT/NT (5 patients). In 3 patients, only one mutation was detected. Data on age at onset and at diagnosis, cellular and humoral compartment at diagnosis and follow-up, infectious diseases, signs of immune dysregulation, cancer, and survival were analyzed and compared to the genotype. Lymphopenia at diagnosis was related per se to earlier age at onset. Progressive reduction of cellular compartment occurred during the follow-up with a gradual reduction of T and B cell number. Most patients of Group A carried bi-allelic truncating mutations, had a more severe B cell lymphopenia, and a reduced life expectancy. A trend to higher frequency of interstitial lung disease, immune dysregulation, and malignancy was noted in Group B patients. Lymphopenia at the onset and the T/T genotype are associated with a worst clinical course. Several mechanisms may underlie the premature and progressive immune decline in AT subjects.
3D-Visualization of Ultrasonic NDT Data Using Mixed Reality
Authors: Rehbein Jörg , Lorenz Sebastian-Johannes , Holtmannspötter Jens , Valeske Bernd
Published: March 2022

In this paper we present an approach where ultrasonic testing data (UT) is linked with its spatial coordinates and direction vector to the examined specimen. Doing so, the processed nondestructive testing (NDT) results can be visualized directly on the sample in real-time using augmented or virtual reality. To enable the link between NDT data and physical object, a 3D-tracking system is used. Spatial coordinates and NDT sensor data are stored together. For visualization, texture mapping was applied on a 3D model. The testing process consists of data recording, processing and visualization. All three steps are performed in real-time. The data is recorded by an UT-USB interface, processed on a PC workstation and displayed using a Mixed-Reality-system (MR). Our system allows real-time 3D visualization of ultrasonic NDT data, which is directly drawn into the virtual representation. Therefore, the possibility arises to assist the operator during the manual testing process. This new approach results in a much more intuitive testing process and a data set optimally prepared to be saved in a digital twin environment. The size of the samples is not limited to a laboratory scale, but also works for larger objects, e.g. a helicopter fuselage. Our approach is inspired by concepts of NDE 4.0 to create a new kind of smart inspection systems.
Between Clinical and Biblical Conceptualizations of Guilt and Shame: Luke 7:36–50 as a Case Study
Authors: Szkredka Sławomir
Published: March 2022

The distinction between guilt and shame is well established in psychology. Research suggests that shame-proneness correlates with problematic outcomes, while guilt-proneness is more likely related to adaptive behaviors. Consequently, shame is considered an unhealthy moral emotion, while guilt is seen as an adaptive response to one’s failures. Biblical stories appear problematic in this regard. The Story of the Sinful Woman in Luke 7:36–50 exhibits strategies for inscribing not just guilt but also shame as a proper reaction to sin. As such, it appears to engender an unhealthy moral emotion. Careful analysis, however, reveals that the evocation of shame is framed by a relationship with God, whose forgiveness re-creates the shamed self. The narrative accommodates shame by working it into thoroughgoing relational transactions of sin and forgiveness. Those committed to facilitating psychological healing using biblical stories can benefit from considering the distinct scriptural configuration of moral emotions.
Response to intervention for high school students: examining baseline word reading skills and reading comprehension outcomes
Authors: Solis Michael , Kulesz Paulina , Williams Kelly
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this post hoc analysis was to analyze if pre-intervention word reading skills contributed to intervention response on reading comprehension outcomes. High school students with reading difficulties were randomized to a business as usual (BaU) or treatment condition that provided 2 years of an intensive, multicomponent word reading and reading comprehension intervention. Participants were assessed on measures of word reading and reading comprehension for pretest and reading comprehension only for posttest. Findings revealed no statistically significant differences with word-level fluency modeled as a continuous variable between treatment and control on reading comprehension. Regardless of assignment to condition, higher word-level fluency scores predicted higher posttest outcomes on years 1 and 2 reading comprehension scores.
Influence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting on Health Morbidity, Health Service Utilization and Satisfaction with Care among Somali Women and Teenage Girls in the United States
Authors: Johnson-Agbakwu Crista E. , Fox Kathleen A. , Banke-Thomas Aduragbemi , Michlig Georgia J.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

There is scant evidence on the health morbidities experienced by Somali women and girls affected by female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and their resultant health-seeking behavior in the USA as compared to those who have not undergone the procedure. To fill this gap, we conducted a comprehensive examination of health morbidity among women and teenage girls with and without FGM/C in a Somali migrant community.

Methods

Using a comprehensive community-based participatory research approach, a cross-sectional survey was administered to 879 Somali women and teenage girls in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. We employed Chi-square and analysis of variance to disentangle health and healthcare use among those with and without FGM/C.

Results

The majority of respondents had undergone FGM/C (79%). Respondents with FGM/C experienced significantly more health concerns compared to uncut women and girls, with those possessing Type III FGM/C experiencing significantly more obstetric, gynecologic, sexual, and mental health morbidity than those with Type I or Type II. Rates of service use, while varied, were low overall, particularly for mental health services, even with health insurance. The majority of respondents who sought care indicated that their concerns were resolved, and they were satisfied with the healthcare received.

Conclusions

Community-engaged strategies that build upon satisfaction with care of women who seek care to enhance trust, nurture community embeddedness and facilitate peer navigation, while equipping health and social service providers with the competency and tools to provide respectful, trauma-informed care, will be critical to advance health equity for FGM/C-affected communities.
Involvement of cytokinins in STOP1-mediated resistance to proton toxicity
Authors: Jiang Fei , Lyi Sangbom M. , Sun Tianhu , Li Li , Wang Tao , Liu Jiping
Published: March 2022

STOP1 (sensitive to proton rhizotoxicity1) is a master transcription factor that governs the expression of a set of regulatory and structural genes involved in resistance to aluminum and low pH (i.e., proton) stresses in Arabidopsis. However, the mechanisms and regulatory networks underlying STOP1-mediated resistance to proton stresses are largely unclear. Here, we report that low-pH stresses severely inhibited root growth of the stop1 plants by suppressing root meristem activities. Interestingly, the stop1 plants were less sensitive to exogenous cytokinins at normal and low pHs than the wild type. Significantly, low concentrations of cytokinins promoted root growth of the stop1 mutant under low-pH stresses. Moreover, lateral and adventitious root formation was stimulated in stop1 and by low-pH stresses but suppressed by cytokinins. Further studies of the expression patterns of a cytokinin signaling reporter suggest that both the loss-of-function mutation of STOP1 and low-pH stresses suppressed cytokinin signaling outputs in the root. Furthermore, the expression of critical genes involved in cytokinin biosynthesis, biodegradation, and signaling is altered in the stop1 mutant in response to low-pH stresses. In conclusion, our results reveal a complex network of resistance to low-pH stresses, which involves coordinated actions of STOP1, cytokinins, and an additional low-pH-resistant mechanism for controlling root meristem activities and root growth upon proton stresses.
Performance Comparison of Computational Methods for the Prediction of the Function and Pathogenicity of Non-Coding Variants
Authors: Wang Zheng , Zhao Guihu , Li Bin , Fang Zhenghuan , Chen Qian , Wang Xiaomeng , Luo Tengfei , Wang Yijing , Zhou Qiao , Li Kuokuo , Xia Lu , Zhang Yi , Zhou Xun , Pan Hongxu , Zhao Yuwen , Wang Yige , Wang Lin , Guo Jifeng , Tang Beisha , Xia Kun , Li Jinchen
Published: March 2022

Non-coding variants in the human genome significantly influence human traits and complex diseases via their regulation and modification effects. Hence, an increasing number of computational methods are developed to predict the effects of variants in human non-coding sequences. However, it is difficult for inexperienced users to select appropriate computational methods from dozens of available methods. To solve this issue, we assessed 12 performance metrics of 24 methods on four independent non-coding variant benchmark datasets: (1) rare germline variants from clinical relevant sequence variants (ClinVar), (2) rare somatic variants from Catalogue Of Somatic Mutations In Cancer (COSMIC), (3) common regulatory variants from curated expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data, and (4) disease-associated common variants from curated genome-wide association studies (GWAS). All 24 tested methods performed differently under various conditions, indicating varying strengths and weaknesses under different scenarios. Importantly, the performance of existing methods was acceptable for rare germline variants from ClinVar with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.4481–0.8033 and poor for rare somatic variants from COSMIC (AUROC = 0.4984–0.7131), common regulatory variants from curated eQTL data (AUROC = 0.4837–0.6472), and disease-associated common variants from curated GWAS (AUROC = 0.4766–0.5188). We also compared the prediction performance of 24 methods for non-coding de novo mutations in autism spectrum disorder, and found that the combined annotation-dependent depletion (CADD) and context-dependent tolerance score (CDTS) methods showed better performance. Summarily, we assessed the performance of 24 computational methods under diverse scenarios, providing preliminary advice for proper tool selection and guiding the development of new techniques in interpreting non-coding variants.
Study on the monitoring and classification of winter wheat freezing injury in spring based on 3S technology
Authors: Wang Z. G. , Wang H. Q. , Feng M. C. , Qin M. X. , Zhang X. R. , Xie Y. K. , Wang C. , Yang W. D. , Xiao L. J. , Zhang M. J.
Published: March 2022

Frequent freezing injury greatly influences winter wheat production; thus, effective prevention and a command of agricultural production are vital. The freezing injury monitoring method integrated with ‘3S’ (geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning system (GPS) and remote sensing (RS)) technology has an unparalleled advantage. Using HuanJing (HJ)-1A/1B satellite images of a winter wheat field in Shanxi Province, China plus a field survey, crop types and winter wheat planting area were identified through repeated visual interpretations of image information and spatial analyses conducted in GIS. Six vegetation indices were extracted from processed HJ-1A/1B satellite images to determine whether the winter wheat suffered from freezing injury and its degree of severity and recovery, using change vector analysis (CVA), the freeze injury representative vegetation index and the combination of the two methods, respectively. Accuracy of the freezing damage classification results was verified by determining the impact of freezing damage on yield and quantitative analysis. The CVA and the change of normalized difference vegetation index (ΔNDVI) monitoring results were different so a comprehensive analysis of the combination of CVA and ΔNDVI was performed. The area with serious freezing injury covered 0.9% of the total study area, followed by the area of no freezing injury (3.5%), moderate freezing injury (10.2%) and light freezing injury (85.4%). Of the moderate and serious freezing injury areas, 0.2% did not recover; 1.2% of the no freezing injury and light freezing injury areas showed optimal recovery, 15.6% of the light freezing injury and moderate freezing injury areas showed poor recovery, and the remaining areas exhibited general recovery.
Benthic community descriptions at underwater peaks in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
Authors: Kim Stacy , Cazenave François
Published: March 2022

In McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, fine-scale bathymetry is poorly defined, and benthic communities at water depths over 30 m have not been well described. We describe the benthic communities on two previously unknown bathymetric highs, sampled in 2012 and 2014, using scuba divers, a remotely operated vehicle, and a specially designed time-lapse camera system (SeeStar). One site (Mystery Peak) was capped by a dense thicket of the sponge Homaxinella balfourensis, a temporally variable community that likely formed in response to iceberg disturbance. Below the H. balfourensis cap (at 40 m) and at the second site (Tongue Peak, 70 m), the communities conformed to a known ecological pattern driven by food availability from benthic diatoms. Overall, mixed hydroids and bryozoans were the dominant organisms, and at greater depths the sponge Rosella podagrosa also became abundant. Over time, there were only minor changes in these communities on isolated bathymetric highs. Ice is a physical factor that interacts with depth and influences benthic communities through disturbance by icebergs and anchor ice, and through food supply by sea ice coverage. The SeeStar time-lapse camera system performed exceptionally and opens up opportunities for new winter observations in the Antarctic.
Financing Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere in Thailand
Authors: Anamwathana Panarat , Huff Gregg
Published: March 2022

This article analyses Thailand's place in Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere and how Japan financed its goal of integrating the kingdom into the sphere. Financial arrangements to incorporate Thailand in a yen bloc go well beyond finance to reveal Japanese attitudes and policy towards the Co-Prosperity Sphere. In Thailand, Japan's use of ‘special yen’ created near open-ended Japanese purchasing power. Japan could obtain whatever resources it could ship home but provide Thailand almost no goods in exchange. Although in response to Japanese demands the Thai government printed large quantities of money, prices rose not too much faster than monetary expansion. Thailand, unlike most of wartime Southeast Asia, avoided hyperinflation. It is argued that principal explanations for this economically unexpected stability were Thailand's particular economic structure and the behaviour of Thai peasants.
Ultrastructural and Molecular Development of the Myotendinous Junction Triggered by Stretching Prior to Resistance Exercise
Authors: Jacob Carolina dos S. , Barbosa Gabriela K. , Rodrigues Mariana P. , Pimentel Neto Jurandyr , Rocha-Braga Lara C. , de Oliveira Camilla G. , Chacur Marucia , Ciena Adriano P.
Published: March 2022

The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is a highly specialized region of the locomotor apparatus. Here, we investigated the ultrastructural and molecular effects in the MTJ region after static stretching prior to the ladder-based resistance training. Thirty-two male, 60-day oldWistarrats were divided into four groups: Sedentary, Resistance Training, Stretching, and Stretching-Resistance Training. The gastrocnemius muscle was processed for transmission electron microscopy techniques and Western blot assay. We observed that the static stretching prior to the ladder-based resistance training increased the MTJ components, the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and FGF-6 protein expression. Also, we demonstrated the lower transforming growth factor expression and no difference in the lysyl oxidase expression after combined training. The MTJ alterations in response to combined training demonstrate adaptive mechanisms which can be used for the prescription or development of methods to reduce or prevent injuries in humans and promote the myotendinous interface benefit.
Communication skills training for medical residents: Enhancing a psychosocial approach of patient care
Authors: Gil F.L. , Hernández-Ribas R. , Sánchez N. , Gil J. , Casellas-Grau A.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

One of the issues that has increasingly become relevant to medical practice is the ability to communicate well with patients. Better communication results in better care for the patient, as well as greater satisfaction for the physician. For this reason, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a communication skills training program for medical residents (MR).

Method

Eighty-six MR underwent a 6-month training program in three phases: a 12-h theory and practice workshop, a period of real practice, and a 4-h workshop in which the most challenging scenarios were role played with an actress. In each phase (T0, T1, and T2), participants’ beliefs about their competence in caring for patients’ psychosocial aspects and their self-confidence in communication skills were assessed.

Results

No differences were found between T0 and T1 in participants’ beliefs of self-competence in psychosocial care. However, this competence significantly improved after completion of the entire program. Only 7 of the 12 areas explored in communication skills significantly improved between T0 and T1. However, after T2 completion, significant improvements were observed in all 12 areas.

Significance of results

The research results highlight the usefulness and importance of training young doctors to foster their psychosocial approach to patient care and improve their confidence in their own communication skills. The results also show the appropriateness of the structure of the training: the key features of the programme were the follow-up of the participants in three phases over 6 months, and a focus on the needs of the residents and the resolution of difficult clinical cases, with the support of an actress. Therefore, the training presented in this study may become a guide for other trainings in other contexts with similar objectives.
Toward improving nitrogen use efficiency in rice production: the socio-economic, climatic and technological determinants of briquette urea adoption
Authors: Anik Asif Reza , Begho Toritseju , Sharna Shaima Chowdhury , Eory Vera , Rahman Md. Mizanur
Published: March 2022

Deep placement of briquette urea (BU) is environmentally friendly and promotes for better nitrogen use efficiency. Nonetheless, its farm-level adoption is low. This paper contributes to the existing literature on climate-smart technology adoption by examining the factors that affect the BU adoption decision using the national representative Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS-15) dataset consisting of 3384 rice farmers in Bangladesh. BU adoption probability is higher for farms that specialize in rice production, have more assets, use mobile phones for farming and have better access to extension services. Also, empowered women have a higher propensity to adopt BU. However, living in the feed the future zone decreases adoption probability. BU adoption probability is inversely correlated with rainfall and salinity vulnerability, while the opposite is observed for cyclone and drought vulnerability. Compared to the prilled urea (PU) users, the BU adopters applied a significantly lower amount of urea. The adopters produce more and have a relatively higher return, though the differences are insignificant. The relatively high price of BU compared to PU and the associated high labor requirement dampers the benefit of adopting the technology. Reallocation of subsidies from PU toward BU could be an effective way of promoting BU technology.
The Blink and the Body
Authors: Benau Erik M. , Atchley Ruth Ann
Published: March 2022

Abstract. We evaluated the interaction of emotion, interoceptive awareness (IA), and attention using an attentional blink (AB) task. Healthy undergraduates completed a cardiac awareness task and, based on previously validated cut scores, were classified as high or average perceivers ( n = 19 in each group; matched on age and gender). Participants completed an AB task with counterbalanced emotional and/or neutral lexical stimuli as the first target (T1) and/or the second target (T2). Both high and average perceivers exhibited retroactive interference in conditions where T2 immediately followed T1. However, only the average perceivers exhibited a significant blink effect: They reported T2 inaccurately in trials in which one intervening stimulus occurred between T1 and T2. High perceivers exhibited their best performance in trials where both targets were emotional; average perceivers exhibited their worst performance in these trials. These results contribute to a small but growing literature that suggests IA and exteroceptive attention are related systems.
Very Low Frequency Earthquakes in Between the Seismogenic and Tremor Zones in Cascadia?
Authors: Fan Wenyuan , Barbour Andrew J. , McGuire Jeffrey J. , Huang Yihe , Lin Guoqing , Cochran Elizabeth S. , Okuwaki Ryo
Published: March 2022

Megathrust earthquakes and their associated tsunamis cause some of the worst natural disasters. In addition to earthquakes, a wide range of slip behaviors are present at subduction zones, including slow earthquakes that span multiple orders of spatial and temporal scales. Understanding these events may shed light on the stress or strength conditions of the megathrust fault. Out of all types of slow earthquakes, very low frequency earthquakes (VLFEs) are most enigmatic because they are difficult to detect reliably, and the physical nature of VLFEs are poorly understood. Here we show three VLFEs in Cascadia that were dynamically triggered by a 2009 Mw 6.9 Canal de Ballenas earthquake in the Gulf of California. The VLFEs likely locate in between the seismogenic zone and the Cascadia episodic tremor and slip (ETS) zone, including one event with a moment magnitude of 5.7. This is the largest VLFE reported to date, causing clear geodetic signals. Our results show that the Cascadia megathrust fault might slip rapidly at some spots in this gap zone, and such a permissible slip behavior has direct seismic hazard implications for coastal communities and perhaps further inland. Further, the observed seismic sources may represent a new class of slip events, whose characteristics do not fit current understandings of slow or regular earthquakes.
Analysis of Blue Corona Discharges at the Top of Tropical Thunderstorm Clouds in Different Phases of Convection
Authors: Dimitriadou Krystallia , Chanrion Olivier , Neubert Torsten , Protat Alain , Louf Valentin , Heumesser Matthias , Husbjerg Lasse , Köhn Christoph , Østgaard Nikolai , Reglero Victor
Published: March 2022

We report on observations of corona discharges at the uppermost region of clouds characterized by emissions in a blue band of nitrogen molecules at 337 nm, with little activity in the red band of lightning leaders at 777.4 nm. Past work suggests that they are generated in cloud tops reaching the tropopause and above. Here we explore their occurrence in two convective environments of the same storm: one is developing with clouds reaching above the tropopause, and one is collapsing with lower cloud tops. We focus on those discharges that form a distinct category with rise times below 20 μs, implying that they are at the very top of the clouds. The discharges are observed in both environments. The observations suggest that a range of storm environments may generate corona discharges and that they may be common in convective surges.
Dynamic Clusters to Infer Topologic Controls on Environmental Transport of River Networks
Authors: Roy Juthika , Tejedor Alejandro , Singh Arvind
Published: March 2022

The knowledge of structural controls of river networks (RNs) on transport dynamics is important for modeling and predicting environmental fluxes. To investigate impacts of RN’s topology on transport processes, we introduce a systematic framework based on the concept of dynamic clusters, where the connectivity of subcatchments is assessed according to two complementary criteria: minimum‐ and maximum‐flow connectivity. Our analysis from simple synthetic RNs and several natural river basins across the United States reveals the key topological features underlying the efficiency of flux transport and aggregation. Namely, the timing of basin‐scale connectivity at low‐flow conditions is controlled by the abundance of topologically asymmetric junctions (side‐branching), which at the same time, result in a slow‐down of the flux convergence at the outlet (maximum‐flow). Our results, when compared with observed topological trends in RNs as a function of climate, indicate that humid basins exhibit topologies which are “naturally engineered” to slow‐down fluxes.
EMIC‐Wave Driven Electron Precipitation Observed by CALET on the International Space Station
Authors: Bruno A. , Blum L. W. , de Nolfo G. A. , Kataoka R. , Torii S. , Greeley A. D. , Kanekal S. G. , Ficklin A. W. , Guzik T. G. , Nakahira S.
Published: March 2022

We present an analysis of the relativistic electron precipitation (REP) event measured by the CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) experiment on board the International Space Station during a relatively weak geomagnetic storm on 31 December 2016. CALET observations were compared with the measurements of the Van Allen Probes in the near‐equatorial plane to investigate the global radiation belt dynamics and the REP drivers. The magnetically conjugate observations from these two missions demonstrate that the significant MeV precipitation directly detected by CALET in low‐Earth orbit during a period of radiation belt depletion following the passage of a high‐speed stream, was associated with dusk‐side electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves. In addition, the combined wave, REP and trapped electron data suggest that the reported radiation belt depletion can be likely ascribed to the concomitant loss effects of EMIC wave scattering driving the atmospheric precipitation, as well as outward radial diffusion associated with magnetopause shadowing.
Statistical Study on the North‐South Asymmetric Distribution of the Mid‐Low‐Latitude Nightside Disturbed Magnetic Fields
Authors: Ou Jiaming , Du Aimin , Ge Yasong , Luo Hao , Zhang Ying , Guo Zhifang
Published: March 2022

The nightside magnetic field at the middle and low latitude observatory is usually disturbed, decreasing in its north component (noted as Bx) during the periods of enhanced space weather activity. As indicated by the SYM‐H index, the decreasing field mainly originated from the magnetospheric westward ring current and the cross‐tail currents. In the meridian direction, the maximum of the disturbed field has been observed not always located at the geomagnetic dipole equator. One possible explanation is that the latitudinal position of the magnetotail current systems is affected by the orientation of solar wind to the Earth's geomagnetic dipole axis (noted as tilt angle). For a non‐zero tilt angle, the current deviates from the equatorial position (e.g., Malin & Mete Işikara, 1976; 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1976.tb07096.x). In this study, the mid‐low latitudinal distribution of the nightside disturbed field is systematically investigated every ∼1.5 hr, based on the magnetic surveys of the Swarm satellite constellation at polar orbits of ∼450 km altitude. The meridian distribution of Bx regularly appears like an upward‐opening parabolic shape with its vertex representing the magnetic minimum. In summer, the minimum is found generally located in the southern hemisphere, while in winter the pattern is reversed. The overall distribution demonstrates north‐south asymmetry. When the disturbed level is low, the deviation of the magnetic minimum from the dipole equator usually gets larger. The north‐south asymmetric distribution during storm times is further analyzed. In the initial phase, the magnetic minimum was shifted prominently (about 10°–30°) from the equator, then moved back (with the offset less than 10°) in the main phase and recovery phase in most cases. Moreover, the latitudinal deviation undergoes a diurnal variation, which is conspicuous in spring and autumn. It seems the asymmetric distribution is anti‐correlated to the contribution of the ring current, indicated by the SYM‐H index. The warping structure of the cross‐tail current sheet probably plays a predominant role in generating the north‐south asymmetry of the magnetic field disturbances for non‐zero dipole tilt angles. Monitoring the external magnetic configuration via the low‐Earth‐orbit satellites will provide fundamental evidence to identify the relative position of the ring current and the cross‐tail current, as well as the dynamic processes in the near magnetotail.
Seasonal Surface Eddy Mixing in the Kuroshio Extension: Estimation and Machine Learning Prediction
Authors: Guan Wenting , Chen Ru , Zhang Hong , Yang Yi , Wei Hao
Published: March 2022

Results of coarse‐resolution climate models are sensitive to the specification of ocean eddy mixing coefficients. Therefore, it is important to estimate, rationalize and predict eddy diffusivities. Here, we estimate the seasonal variability of surface eddy diffusivities in the Kuroshio Extension region using numerical particles advected by a submesoscale‐permitting model solution. We find that both the spatial structure and the domain‐averaged value of the particle‐based eddy diffusivities have a significant seasonal cycle. We also assess the predictability of cross‐stream mixing lengths in this region using the methods of machine learning, suppressed mixing length theory (SMLT), and multiple linear regression (LR). The predictors we choose are all variables from SMLT that represent eddy‐ and mean‐flow properties, and these predictors correlate well with the particle‐based cross‐stream mixing lengths. We demonstrate that, compared to SMLT and LR, machine learning methods, in particular the random forest (RF) and convolutional neural network (CNN), can better represent both the spatial structure and the domain‐averaged value of cross‐stream mixing lengths. The skill in predicting the mixing lengths with CNN has much less seasonal variability than that with RF. Our results indicate that the machine learning approach may be useful in future development of eddy parameterization schemes.
Geochemical Data from Polynesian Artifacts Pack Pofatu Database
Authors: Tripathy-Lang Alka
Published: March 2022

A new resource may help match artifacts with their original stone sources—“a really a niche part of archaeology that requires geological expertise.”
Potential of Leaking Modes to Reveal Underground Structure
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: March 2022

Instead of waiting for earthquake waves to tell scientists about the structure of Earth’s interior, scientists can now use ambient noise from humans to “see” underground.