Characteristics and variability of storm tracks in the north Pacific, Bering Sea, and Alaska

The North Pacific and Bering Sea regions represent loci of cyclogenesis and storm track activity. In this paper climatological properties of extratropical storms in the North Pacific/Bering Sea are presented based upon aggregate statistics of individual storm tracks calculated by means of a feature-tracking algorithm run using NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data from 1948/49 to 2008, provided by the NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, Climate Diagnostics Center. Storm identification is based on the 850-hPa relative vorticity field (ζ) instead of the often-used mean sea level pressure; ζ is a prognostic field, a good indicator of synoptic-scale dynamics, and is directly related to the wind speed. Emphasis extends beyond winter to provide detailed consideration of all seasons. Results show that the interseasonal variability is not as large during the spring and autumn seasons. Most of the storm variables—genesis, intensity, track density—exhibited a maxima pattern that was oriented along a zonal axis. From season to season this axis underwent a north–south shift and, in some cases, a rotation to the northeast. This was determined to be a result of zonal heating variations and midtropospheric moisture patterns. Barotropic processes have an influence in shaping the downstream end of storm tracks and, together with the blocking influence of the coastal orography of northwest North America, result in high lysis concentrations, effectively making the Gulf of Alaska the “graveyard” of Pacific storms. Summer storms tended to be longest in duration. Temporal trends tended to be weak over the study area. SST did not emerge as a major cyclogenesis control in the Gulf of Alaska

Social cognitive consequences of differences in the emotional grounding of concepts: the role of embodiment

American Psychological Association (PsycINFO Classification Categories and Codes): 2300 Human Experimental Psychology; 2340 Cognitive Processes; 2560 Psychophysiology; 2720 Linguistics & Language & Speech; 3000 Social PsychologyThe present work examines the affective grounding of first-native (L1) and secondlearned (L2) languages, and how they differently impact intra-individual, inter-individual and intergroup processes. In the first chapter we framed our work in the Socially Situated Cognition approach, and proposed the application of its assumptions to linguistic communication. In the second chapter we reviewed literature showing the differences in processing L1-L2, and concluded that these languages are not likely to be grounded in the same way. In the first empirical chapter we examined this assumption in two affective priming experiments. Congruency effects were observed only in L1 for prime/target word pairs, and in L1-L2 for pairs of word/photos (facial expressions). These results suggest different groundings of L1-L2, and that the presence of facial expressions, that facilitate affective simulation processes, may overrule L2 constraints. The second set of three experiments revealed that L2 induces social distance and a more abstract type of processing. Moreover, the social distance induced by L2 was mediated by a more abstract construal-level that is consistent with the disembodied nature of L2. The last set of two experiments indicates that the evaluation of sentences with affective content, presented in L1-L2, depends on their valence and on the group membership of the described targets. Affective simulation (measured with EMG) was more intense in L1, and for the in-group, and differences in simulation of in-group/out-group sentences were enhanced in L2. The last chapter presents a summary of the main findings, their contributions and limitations, and suggests future research directions.O presente trabalho examina a ancoragem afectiva da língua-nativa (L1) e da segunda-língua (L2), e como estas influenciam de forma diferente processos intraindividuais, inter-individuais e intergrupais. No primeiro capítulo enquadramos o trabalho na abordagem da Cognição Social Situada propondo a aplicação das suas premissas à comunicação linguística. No segundo capítulo revemos estudos que mostram diferenças no processamento de L1-L2 concluíndo que, provavelmente, estas línguas não são corporalizadas da mesma maneira. No primeiro capítulo empírico examinamos esta premissa em dois experimentos de primação afectiva. Observámos efeitos de congruência apenas em L1 para pares de palavras primo-alvo, e em L1-L2 para pares de palavras/fotos (expressões faciais). Estes resultados sugerem diferenças na ancoragem afectiva de L1-L2 e que a presença de expressões faciais, facilitadoras de processos de simulação afectiva, anula os constrangimentos impostos por L2. O segundo conjunto de três experimentos revelou que L2 induz distância social e um processamento mais abstracto. Para além disso, a distância social induzida por L2 foi mediada por um construal-level mais abstracto, o que é consistente com a natureza descorporalizada de L2. No último conjunto de dois experimentos observou-se que a avaliação de frases de conteúdo afectivo, apresentadas em L1-L2, depende da sua valência e da pertença grupal dos alvos descritos. A simulação afectiva (medida com EMG) foi mais intensa em L1, e para o in-group, e as diferenças na simulação de frases do in-group/outgroup foram realçadas em L2. O último capítulo apresenta os resultados principais, seus contributos e limitações, e sugestões para investigação futura

Pulmonary Auscultation using Mobile Devices - Feasibility Study in Respiratory Diseases

A auscultação pulmonar convencional é essencial no controlo das doenças respiratórias. Contudo, a deteção de sons adventícios fora do ambiente hospitalar continua a ser um desafio. Nós estudámos a exequibilidade de realizar auscultação com o microfone incorporado de um smartphone em contexto clínico. Noventa e cinco pacientes (mediana[intervalo interquartil] 16[11-24] anos; 52% mulheres; 42 fibrose quística, 24 asma, 17 outras doenças respiratórias e 12 sem doença respiratória) foram recrutados nos serviços de Pediatria e Pneumologia de um hospital terciário. Os clínicos realizaram auscultação convencional em 4 locais (traqueia, peito anterior direito e bases pulmonares direita e esquerda), documentando quaisquer sons adventícios. A auscultação com o smartphone foi gravada nos mesmos locais. As gravações (n=738) foram classificadas por dois investigadores e o acordo calculado (%; kappa de Cohen(IC95%)). Foram obtidas gravações com qualidade em 88% dos participantes e 69% das gravações (91%; k=0.80(IC95% 0.75-0.85)), com uma proporção de qualidade superior na traqueia (79%) e inferior no grupo da asma (52%). Foram encontrados sons adventícios em apenas 27% dos participantes e 12% das gravações (91%; k=0.57(IC95% 0.46-0.68)), o que poderá ter contribuído para o acordo razoável entre a auscultação convencional e a auscultação com o smartphone (86%; k=0.25(IC95% 0.13-0.37)). Os nossos resultados demonstram que a auscultação com o smartphone foi exequível, mas que é necessária mais investigação para melhorar o seu acordo com a auscultação convencional.Conventional lung auscultation is essential in the management of respiratory diseases. However, detecting adventitious sounds outside medical facilities remains challenging. We assessed the feasibility of lung auscultation using the smartphone's embedded microphone in real-world clinical practice. Ninety-five patients (median[interquartile range] 16[11-24]y; 52% female; 42 cystic fibrosis, 24 asthma, 17 other respiratory diseases and 12 no respiratory diseases) were re-cruited at Pediatrics and Pulmonology departments of a tertiary hospital. Clinicians performed conventional auscultation at 4 locations (trachea, right anterior chest, right and left lung bases), documenting any adventitious sounds. Smartphone auscultation was recorded in the same loca-tions. The recordings (n=738) were classified by two annotators and agreement calculated (%; Cohen's k(95%CI)). Recordings with quality were obtained in 88% of the participants and 69% of the recordings (91%; k=0.80(95%CI 0.75-0.85)), with the quality proportion being higher at the trachea (79%) and lower in the asthma group (52%). Adventitious sounds were present in only 27% of the participants and 12% of the recordings (91%; k=0.57(95%CI 0.46-0.68)), which may have contributed to the fair agreement between conventional and smartphone auscultation (86%; k=0.25(95%CI 0.13-0.37)). Our results show that smartphone auscultation was feasible, but further investigation is required to improve its agreement with conventional auscultation

Effects of a stigma reduction intervention on help-seeking behaviors in university students: A 2019-2021 randomized controlled trial

"Introduction Stigma is one of the most frequently identified help-seeking barriers, but there is a lack of research on the effects of stigma reduction interventions on actual mental health help-seeking behaviors during crucial academic years. This research explores the effects of stigma on university students' mental health care help-seeking behaviors before and during the pandemic. Methods A randomized control trial spanned from 2019 to 2021 at the University of Porto, along five evaluation moments, with students into one control group and two intervention groups—the interventions aimed to reduce depression stigma. Results Among the 702 participants (mean age 18.87, 59.4 % female), the intervention groups significantly increased help-seeking behaviors. In 2020, the intervention groups, having reduced stigma, continued to demonstrate to be more prompt to seek mental health help. In 2021, 22 months, the effects of the intervention on help-seeking were no longer significant; however, participants in the intervention groups showed less severe symptomatology. Conclusion Stigma reduction interventions have a pronounced effect on enhancing help-seeking behaviors among university students, even during times of crisis. This study advocates for prioritizing stigma reduction in academic settings, highlighting its value in promoting mental health access during crucial academic and life challenges."Through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, IP, national funds finance this work under UIDB / 04750/2020. The sponsor had no role in the study design, in the data collection, interpretation of data, writing of the report, or in the decision to submit the paper for publication

Frailty in Portuguese Older Patients From Convalescence Units: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome, associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, studies about frailty in continuous care units are scarce. In this way, this study aimed to assess frailty in older patients admitted in convalescence units (CUs) and analyze its association with demographic, social and clinical characteristics. Methods: This cross-sectional study included older patients admitted in eight CUs of the Integrated Continued Care National Network in Northern Portugal. Exclusion criteria were: total ≤ 11 in Glasgow coma scale, < 10 in mini-mental state examination or being unable to communicate. A comprehensive protocol was administered to assess health-related and lifestyle characteristics, comorbidity, dependence on activities of daily living (ADL), depressive and anxiety symptoms, cognition, and socio-familial risk. Frailty was assessed by Tilburg frailty indicator (TFI). Results: A sample of 165 patients was included (median age = 77; 65% female), with 80% classified as frail, mostly women (P = 0.002), widowed (P = 0.016), shorter (P = 0.005), feeling more tired (P < 0.005) and with less energy (P < 0.005). Also, these patients reported more vision problems (P = 0.006), difficulties in walking (P = 0.022) and climbing stairs (P = 0.029), pain (P = 0.004), falls (P = 0.046), non-alcohol use (P = 0.043) and non-physical activity (P = 0.032). Frail patients had a higher number of previous hospitalizations (P = 0.018), comorbidity (P = 0.006), dependence on instrumental (P < 0.001) and basic (P = 0.006; P < 0.001) ADL, depressive (P < 0.001) and anxiety (P = 0.002) symptoms. After adjusting for covariates, frailty was associated with females (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.45, P = 0.011), vascular disease (aOR = 4.40, P = 0.040), vision problems (aOR = 10.85, P < 0.001), high dependency on instrumental ADL (aOR = 0.74, P = 0.002), and depressive symptoms (aOR = 1.37, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Frailty is high among older patients in CUs, particularly in females, with vascular disease, vision problems, instrumental ADL dependence and depressive symptoms. Thus, frailty should be screened, and preventive and therapeutic measures should be considered for those at high risk, in order to minimize possible negative consequences. © The authors | Journal compilation J Clin Med Res and Elmer Press Inc™ | www.jocmr.org This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cite

Study of chemical oxygen demand and ammonia removal efficiencies by image analysis and multivariate statistics tools

Activated sludge systems are frequently used in wastewater treatment for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia removal. However, several problems can affect the operation of these systems leading to abnormal conditions such as filamentous bulking, viscous bulking and pinpoint flocs, among others. These occurrences, which may lead to the decrease of COD and ammonia removal efficiencies, are linked to biomass morphological and physiological changes and can be studied by microscopic evaluation. However, traditional microscopic inspection by a human operator, and correspondent manual assessment, is a subjective and labor intensive procedure. Automated image processing and analysis presents considerable convenience in such cases. For this study, a lab-scale activated sludge reactor was operated for 100 days and monitored through microscopic staining and image analysis. The operational parameters were modified inducing the above mentioned abnormal conditions, apart from the normal operation. Biomass morphology was obtained by bright field microscopy combined with grayscale image processing. Biomass physiology was also studied by employing epifluorescence combined with color image processing. The LIVE/DEAD® BacLight™ Bacterial Viability Kit was employed to determine the biomass viability, and the LIVE BacLight™ Bacterial Gram Stain Kit for the biomass Gram status. Two ad-hoc Matlab specially developed programs were employed. COD and ammonia removal efficiencies were studied by clustering the data points in two large clusters: “95% or above” and “below 95%” for the COD, and “90% or above” and “below 90%” for ammonia. These clusters were selected based on the behavior of these two parameters throughout the experiment time. The results showed that the COD removal efficiency was well predicted by the best 10 physiological parameters with an overall accuracy of 94.1%, for the ensemble of the tested conditions. Relatively high accuracies of 90.6% and 91.2% were also obtained for the ammonia removal efficiency regarding the best 9 physiological and morphological parameters, respectively. Thus, for the ammonia removal efficiency both types of parameters are equally useful, leading to 95.3% accuracy when the best 3 physiological and 6 morphological parameters were used

Monitoring filamentous bulking and pin-point flocs in a lab-scale activated sludge system using image analysis

Activated sludge processes are the most frequently used techniques regarding biological wastewater treatment. However, depending on the process operation conditions, several malfunctions could take place, in which filamentous bulking and deflocculation processes, such as pin-point flocs, are the most common problems, causing the sludge settling ability decrease and effluent quality deterioration. Bright field Image analysis is nowadays considered a powerful tool to quantitatively characterize aggregated and filamentous bacteria. Furthermore, the use of epifluorescent staining techniques, coupled to image analysis, presents a promising method to determine bacteria gram nature and viability. Encouraged by the success of image analysis procedures over the last years, the present work studied a lab-scale activated sludge system, under operation conditions causing filamentous bulking and pin-point flocs phenomena. Sludge settling ability and turbidity values were measured verifying the nature of the settling problem. COD contents, as well as nitrogen contents, in terms of N-NH4+, N-NO3- and N-NO2-, were surveyed in the feeding effluent, reactor bulk and settler. Regarding the biomass characterization, four major morphological descriptors groups were studied, covering free filamentous bacteria contents, aggregates contents, aggregates size and aggregates morphology. With respect to the aggregates characterization, these were divided in 3 classes (large, intermediate and small aggregates) according to their size. Percentages of gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, viable and damaged bacteria were also evaluated based on fluorescent image analysis. Finally, the raw resulting data was fed into a multivariate statistical analysis, in order to enlighten the relationships between the obtained image analysis information and operational parameters. An improvement of the sludge morphological characterisation was found by combining fluorescent and bright field image analysis procedures. Furthermore, the results obtained during the monitoring period indicate that automated image analysis can help clarifying the nature of the events within the aeration tank, when the system is submitted to disturbances

Automatic identification of activated sludge disturbances and assessment of operational parameters

Activated sludge systems are prone to be affected by changes in operating conditions leading to problems such as pinpoint flocs formation, filamentous bulking, dispersed growth, and viscous bulking. These problems are often related with the floc structure and filamentous bacteria contents. In this work, a lab-scale activated sludge system was operated sequentially obtaining filamentous bulking, pinpoint floc formation, viscous bulking and normal conditions. Image processing and analysis techniques were used to characterize the contents and structure of aggregated biomass and the contents of filamentous bacteria. Further principal component and decision trees analyses permitted the identification of different conditions from the collected morphological data. Furthermore, a partial least squares analysis allowed to estimate the sludge volume index and suspended solids key parameters. The obtained results show the potential of image analysis procedures, associated with chemometric techniques, in activated sludge systems monitoring.The authors acknowledge the financial support to D.P.M. through the post-doctoral grant SFRH/BPD/82558/2011 and to the Project PTDC/EBB-EBI/103147/2008 both funded by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Portugal) and Fundo Social Europeu (FSE)