Greater Mismatch Research Articles

A Localized Quantitative Precipitation Estimation for S-Band Polarimetric Radar in Taiwan

Abstract A polarimetric radar quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) to estimate the rain rate R from specific attenuation A has been applied in Taiwan’s operational Quantitative Precipitation Estimation and Segregation Using Multiple Sensors (QPESUMS) system since 2016. A 3-yr (2016–18) drop size distribution (DSD) dataset from an operational Particle Size and Velocity (Parsivel) network was used to derive a localized coefficient as well as the α(K) function in the R(A) scheme for S-band radar, where α is a key parameter in the estimation of A and K is the linear fitted slope of differential reflectivity ZDR versus reflectivity Z. The local drop size distribution data were also used to derive the localized R(Z) and R(KDP) relationships, and the relationships were evaluated using radar observations in heavy rain cases. A synthetic quantitative precipitation estimate combining the localized R(A), R(Z), and R(KDP) relationships is compared to its operational counterpart and showed about 8% reduction in the normalized mean error for the mei-yu cases. Typhoon cases exhibited similar improvements by the localized QPE relationships but showed higher uncertainties than in the mei-yu cases. The higher uncertainties in the typhoon QPE verification were likely due to the stronger winds in typhoons than in the mei-yu events that caused greater mismatches between the radar observations at an altitude and the gauges at the ground. Overall, the results demonstrated advantages of localized radar rainfall relationships derived from the disdrometer data to improve the accuracy of the operational rainfall estimation products. Significance Statement A 3-yr (2016–18) drop size distribution (DSD) dataset from the operational Parsivel network in Taiwan was utilized to localize parameters in the QPE relationships for S-band dual-polarimetric radar. These relationships were evaluated using radar observations in the mei-yu front and typhoon events in Taiwan. The results show that using localized radar rainfall relationships derived from the disdrometer data can enhance the accuracy of the operational rainfall products.

Analysis of the factors determining educational mismatches: evidence from the Catalonian employment insertion surveys

PurposeThe existence of mismatches between training and jobs is relatively common and is accentuated in times of crisis where unemployment is growing. The negative effects that this phenomenon can generate on both workers and the economy makes its study relevant. The objective of this research is to analyse whether graduates of the Catalan university system have jobs according to their educational level.Design/methodology/approachThis paper sees how graduates’ own and acquired characteristics influence the probability of a mismatch from the analysis of the microdata of different waves of the employment insertion survey conducted by the Agència per a la Qualitat del Sistema Universitari de Catalunya (AQU).FindingsThe main conclusions focus on confirming that more humanities-oriented degrees tend to have a higher level of mismatch while technology or medicine approach a perfect fit. Therefore, bringing the education and business systems together is important to reduce this gap. Meanwhile, in terms of activities, services such as hospitality and retail have historically been sectors with a poor fit, and what has happened with Catalan graduates has not been an exception.Originality/valueThe main contribution of the research has been to highlight where there is a greater mismatch from the point of view of training, the type of work and its evolution over time, detecting the need to adjust labour supply and demand.

The evolution of morphological castes under decoupled control.

Eusociality, where units that previously reproduced independently function as one entity, is of major interest in evolutionary biology. Obligate eusociality is characterized by morphologically differentiated castes and reduced conflict. We explore conditions under which morphological castes may arise in the Hymenoptera and factors constraining their evolution. Control over offspring morphology and behaviour seems likely to be decoupled. Provisioners (queens and workers) can influence offspring morphology directly through the nutrition they provide, while adult offspring control their own behaviour. Provisioners may, however, influence worker behaviour indirectly if offspring modify their behaviour in response to their morphology. If manipulation underlies helping, we should not see helping evolve before specialized worker morphology, yet empirical observations suggest that behavioural castes precede morphological castes. We use evolutionary invasion analyses to show how the evolution of a morphologically differentiated worker caste depends on the prior presence of a behavioural caste: specialist worker morphology will be mismatched with behaviour unless some offspring already choose to work. A mother's certainty about her offspring's behaviour is also critical-less certainty results in greater mismatch. We show how baseline worker productivity can affect the likelihood of a morphological trait being favoured by natural selection. We then show how under a decoupled control scenario, morphologically differentiated castes should be less and less likely to be lost as they become more specialized. We also suggest that for eusociality to be evolutionarily irreversible, workers must be unable to functionally replace reproductives and reproductives must be unable to reproduce without help from workers.

Investigation into elevated dielectric properties of molybdenum particle /PVDF composites by engineering insulating silica shell as an interlayer

The urgent requirement for high reliability and increasingly miniaturized electronic devices necessitates packaging polymers with giant dielectric constant (ε′), low loss and high breakdown strength (Eb). To significantly restrain the dielectric loss and leakage current of molybdenum (Mo)/poly (vinylidene fluoride, PVDF) while still holding a large ε′, the silica (SiO2) encapsulated Mo core@shell structured particles were prepared in this work utilizing a sol-gel method, and then composited with PVDF to explore the silica shell's impact and regulating effect on the dielectric properties of the PVDF composites. The findings on the relationship between microstructure and dielectric properties showcase that the introduced SiO2 interlayer not only enhances the interface interactions but also mitigates the great interfacial mismatch in both ε′ and conductivity between the two components, resulting in elevated Eb of the composites. Moreover, the dielectric loss and conductivity of the composites can be remarkably reduced because the silica shell introduces deep traps inhibiting the passage of long-distance electron migration. And the overall dielectric properties of the Mo@SiO2/PVDF can be effectively tuned by modifying the Mo@SiO2's electric resistivity and optimizing the shell thickness. This work provides a beneficial strategy for the design and preparation of dielectric composites with superior dielectric performances for prospective applications.

Non‐AD pathologies, as measured using a mismatch index between regional brain metabolism and tau PET signal, are associated with age, sex, and amyloid burden.

AbstractBackgroundBrain hypometabolism in the absence of tauopathy may indicate the presence of non‐AD pathologies. We aimed to investigate the mismatch between regional tau pathology and brain metabolism to characterize the profile of patients suspected to have co‐pathologies.MethodSixty‐one clinically impaired patients, attending the Memory Clinic, performed both a [18F]‐Fluorodeoxyglucose‐PET to assess brain metabolism and a [18F]‐MK6240 Tau‐PET to estimate tau burden. To compare these images, we normalized them using data from clinically normal older adults (n = 30), resulting in FDG and tau z‐scores for 74 FreeSurfer‐defined regions. We computed intra‐subject correlation coefficients between tau and FDG data as a mismatch index between tau and metabolism. We then compared FDG and tau z‐scores using intra‐individual paired sampled t‐tests and identified patients with hypometabolism exceeding tau pathology (suspecting co‐pathologies). To increase sensitivity, the same analysis was repeated using temporal regions only. We finally evaluated demographics, cognition, and amyloid burden in the group of patients with suspected co‐pathologies.ResultsIn the entire cohort, the intra‐subject FDG‐Tau correlation was significantly negative in the temporal lobe (r = ‐0.27, p<0.05), but not in the entire neocortex (r = ‐0.11), demonstrating closer association between modalities in the temporal lobe, and greater mismatch in the other regions. Twenty‐five (41%) patients had significantly greater FDG z‐scores than tau z‐scores, including thirteen (21%) with greater hypometabolism than tau pathology in the temporal lobe. These patients were older and more frequently male than patients with greater tau pathology; those with a temporal mismatch also had lower amyloid pathology (Table 1). Older ages and better cognition were associated with the mismatch index in the entire neocortex (r = 0.25/0.49, p<0.05); in addition, lower amyloid burden was associated with the temporal mismatch index (r = 0.27, p<0.05, Fig.1).ConclusionPatients with greater temporal hypometabolism than tau deposition are older, more frequently males, and have lower amyloid burden than patients with greater temporal tau deposition. These patients are suspected to have temporal non‐AD pathologies.

Non‐AD pathologies, as measured using a mismatch index between regional brain metabolism and tau PET signal, are associated with age, sex, and amyloid burden

AbstractBackgroundBrain hypometabolism in the absence of tauopathy may indicate the presence of non‐AD pathologies. We aimed to investigate the mismatch between regional tau pathology and brain metabolism to characterize the profile of patients suspected to have co‐pathologies.MethodSixty‐one clinically impaired patients, attending the Memory Clinic, performed both a [18F]‐Fluorodeoxyglucose‐PET to assess brain metabolism and a [18F]‐MK6240 Tau‐PET to estimate tau burden. To compare these images, we normalized them using data from clinically normal older adults (n = 30), resulting in FDG and tau z‐scores for 74 FreeSurfer‐defined regions. We computed intra‐subject correlation coefficients between tau and FDG data as a mismatch index between tau and metabolism. We then compared FDG and tau z‐scores using intra‐individual paired sampled t‐tests and identified patients with hypometabolism exceeding tau pathology (suspecting co‐pathologies). To increase sensitivity, the same analysis was repeated using temporal regions only. We finally evaluated demographics, cognition, and amyloid burden in the group of patients with suspected co‐pathologies.ResultIn the entire cohort, the intra‐subject FDG‐Tau correlation was significantly negative in the temporal lobe (r = ‐0.27, p<0.05), but not in the entire neocortex (r = ‐0.11), demonstrating closer association between modalities in the temporal lobe, and greater mismatch in the other regions. Twenty‐five (41%) patients had significantly greater FDG z‐scores than tau z‐scores, including thirteen (21%) with greater hypometabolism than tau pathology in the temporal lobe. These patients were older and more frequently male than patients with greater tau pathology; those with a temporal mismatch also had lower amyloid pathology (Table 1). Older ages and better cognition were associated with the mismatch index in the entire neocortex (r = 0.25/0.49, p<0.05); in addition, lower amyloid burden was associated with the temporal mismatch index (r = 0.27, p<0.05, Fig.1).ConclusionPatients with greater temporal hypometabolism than tau deposition are older, more frequently males, and have lower amyloid burden than patients with greater temporal tau deposition. These patients are suspected to have temporal non‐AD pathologies.

Cardiac interoception in patients accessing secondary mental health services: A transdiagnostic study.

Abnormalities in the regulation of physiological arousal and interoceptive processing are implicated in the expression and maintenance of specific psychiatric conditions and symptoms. We undertook a cross-sectional characterisation of patients accessing secondary mental health services, recording measures relating to cardiac physiology and interoception, to understand how physiological state and interoceptive ability relate transdiagnostically to affective symptoms. Participants were patients (n=258) and a non-clinical comparison group (n=67). Clinical diagnoses spanned affective disorders, complex personality presentations and psychoses. We first tested for differences between patient and non-clinical participants in terms of cardiac physiology and interoceptive ability, considering interoceptive tasks and a self-report measure. We then tested for correlations between cardiac and interoceptive measures and affective symptoms. Lastly, we explored group differences across recorded clinical diagnoses. Patients exhibited lower performance accuracy and confidence in heartbeat discrimination and lower heartbeat tracking confidence relative to comparisons. In patients, greater anxiety and depression predicted greater self-reported interoceptive sensibility and a greater mismatch between performance accuracy and sensibility. This effect was not observed in comparison participants. Significant differences between patient groups were observed for heart rate variability (HRV) although post hoc differences were not significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Finally, accuracy in heartbeat tracking was significantly lower in schizophrenia compared to other diagnostic groups. The multilevel characterisation presented here identified certain physiological and interoceptive differences associated with psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses. The clinical stratification and therapeutic targeting of interoceptive mechanisms is therefore of potential value in treating certain psychiatric conditions.

What are the drivers of waiting times, waiting lists and backlog during and following the COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to the number of patients being treated thus generating larger excess demand and a greater mismatch between demand for health care services and the supply of services provided. This presentation will provide a conceptual framework for understanding the dynamic interrelation between waiting times, waiting lists and the backlog over time. Data from different countries will be used to illustrate and rationalise how waiting times, lists and volumes evolved over time. It will then discuss factors driving the demand and supply of care during Covid, and emphasise the critical role of supply in absorbing the backlog and reducing the waiting list under different scenarios, as well as factors on the demand side both in the short run and the long run. Supply determinants include the availability of health workers as key factor to “bounce back”, their productivity and provider capacity (hospital beds, operating theatres), the cost of providing treatment in a safe environment, financial capacity to fund additional supply both by public and private providers, interventions to minimise staff exhaustion and burnout, payment systems which are aligned with higher volumes, and technologies and digital solutions. Demand determinants include ageing and rising chronic conditions, and multi-morbidity patients (including long-COVID patients), increasing expectations, new technologies, prioritisation protocols, but also fear of infection which can leading to a temporary or permanent reduction in demand but an increase in unmet need. The framework will be used to discuss policy options both on the demand and the supply side to deal with the backlog, but also to improve the resilience and efficiency of health systems.

Manual Wheelchair Movement Performance Differences Between Older Adults with Earlier- and Later-in-Life Incidence

Independent mobility is crucial for healthy aging. Although there are anticipated differences between older adults with earlier-in-life (EL) versus later-in-life (LL) incidence of mobility disability, the degree to which incidence periods impact performance within environments is unknown. While current evaluation methods rely heavily on subjective ratings, historically excluded populations are prone to underrepresent their own challenges. This paper describes an experiment comparing the assumed, perceived, and effective performance of manual wheelchair movement tasks to examine differences between EL and LL groups. Preliminary results found higher muscular exertion in the LL group compared to the EL group for similar movements, particularly in the anterior and posterior deltoid muscles. There was a greater mismatch between the assumed and perceived mental and physical demand for the LL group. For both groups, results suggest poorer mental models for moderate-difficulty tasks compared to high-difficulty tasks, suggesting a need for increased perceptual feedback within moderate-difficulty environments.

Interfacial modification between glass fiber and polypropylene using a novel waterborne amphiphilic sizing agent

High performance structural applications of utilizing glass fiber (GF) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites are normally hindered by the notoriously weak interfacial bonding between GF and PP resulting from their chemical inertness and the great mismatch in surface energies of both raw materials. Tremendous efforts have been made on the development of fiber sizing agents for interfacial modifications of GF-PP composites, since a viable sizing agent can directly build robust and efficient coupling interface between GF and PP, enabling effective stress transfer between fiber and matrix. Herein, this paper reports an interfacial modification methodology of using a novel amphiphilic sizing agent that is a polyacrylate-based waterborne coating synthesized strategically following a one-step reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT)-mediated polymerization-induced self-assemble (PISA) approach. Specifically, after the proposed sizing treatment the surface energy of the sized GF surface decreases from 74.51 mJ·m−2 (of the typical pristine GF surface) to 56.43 mJ·m−2, approaching to 30.2 mJ·m−2 (of the raw PP) and enabling strong possibility of facilitating GF-PP interfacial compatibility. Additionally, the GF-PP interfacial shear strength (IFSS) evaluated by single-fiber fragmentation tests increases from 8.34 MPa (for bare GF) and 11.14 MPa (for commercial GF) to 17.62 MPa for the sized GF. Notably, a series of the sized short GF/PP composite coupons were fabricated and demonstrates promoted tensile and flexural properties, validating the effectiveness and scalability of the proposed GF/PP interfacial treatment. We believe that this amphiphilic polyacrylate-based sizing agent can serve as an effective GF-PP interfacial modifier, offering great potential for practical applications of developing high performance GF-PP composites.

The Great Asian Mismatch: Training Versus Care in Heart Failure

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) in South-East Asia is relatively higher than in Western countries, and yet there is a lack of established fellowship programs within the region to help cultivate HF specialists. Part of this may be due to a misunderstanding that HF training and curricula require the incorporation of advanced therapies, such as ventricular assist device implantation and heart transplantation, which are rarely performed in this region. Developing a structured curriculum tailored to the needs of HF care in South-East Asia may help to provide for this subspecialty the much-needed and long-overdue recognition it deserves. Collaboration between local societies and their international counterparts is an important starting point. Customization of local and regional curricula, depending on local needs and capabilities, allows for the gap in this Great Asian Mismatch to be bridged and to ensure that equitable training is delivered for all.

Estimating carbon stocks and stock changes in Interior Wetbelt forests of British Columbia, Canada

AbstractThe Interior Wetbelt (IWB) of British Columbia includes the globally rare Inland Temperate Rainforest (ITR) that if managed for its substantial carbon (C) stocks can contribute to Canada's Nationally Determined Commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement. We provide spatially explicit estimates of above‐ and belowground live and dead biomass and soil C stocks derived from three sources: (1) government online Vegetation Resources Inventory (VRI); (2) the GlobBiomass spatial dataset; and (3) field plots (n = 27) within old‐growth forests of the ITR. For live aboveground C, we summarize C stocks by elevation classes and decadal forest age. The upper bound on total C densities (above‐ and belowground live and dead biomass and soil C) based on VRI was a maximum of 806 megagrams (Mg) C ha−1. The mean total biomass C density measured in field plots was 583 Mg C ha−1 with a maximum of 1275 Mg C ha−1, which is on par with some of the world's most C‐dense temperate forests. About half the C is in live biomass pools with the rest in dead biomass and soil organic C pools. The mean C density from the VRI over all elevations was 182 Mg C ha−1, with soil organic C ~40% and live tree stems ~27%. Vegetation Resources Inventory estimates were 75% lower than field‐based measurements with the greatest mismatch in areas with the highest C density. Approximately 22% of the IWB has been logged, the majority since 1970s, resulting in live above ground C declining by at least 18%, although this is likely an underestimate. Logging was heavily concentrated in low (<1000 m; 28.3% of elevation zone) to mid‐elevations (1000–2000 m; 20.9%) compared with upper elevations (>2000 m; 1.2%). The region contains underappreciated C stocks that can help Canada meet its climate and conservation targets, but only if there are major forestry reforms that protect C‐dense old‐growth forests, allow degraded forests time to recover the logging‐related C debt, and improve monitoring of C stocks and stock changes.

Stress-induced controllable magnetic properties in flexible epitaxial Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite films

Flexible ferrite film has high potential applications in electronic skins and wearable devices. However, it is an enormous challenge to fabricate flexible ferrite film because of its high fragility. This work uses a novel etching sacrificial Sr3Al2O6 (SAO) layer to synthesize flexible Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (MZFO) ferrite film. The MZFO film remains its single crystal structure after being transferred onto a flexible substrate. Owing to the great lattice mismatch between SAO and MZFO, the as-grown and transferred MZFO films exhibit the difference in magnetic properties, which is more sensitive along out-of-plane direction. The controllable magnetic properties of the film under the bending test are characterized by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR). A huge FMR field (Hr) shift of 704 Oe is achieved along out-of-plane direction when the bending radii are 5 mm. Meanwhile, the FMR linewidth (δH) of bent MZFO film (1267 Oe) is about 4 times higher than that of the unbent film (310 Oe). These controllable changes mainly come from the contribution of the two magnon scattering (TMS) effect. Finally, the Hr and δH almost return to their initial states when the stress is released, indicating a great recoverability.

MUSCLE OXYGENATION BETWEEN THE PARETIC AND NONPARETIC LEG MEASURED DURING ARTERIAL OCCLUSION AND EXERCISE IN CHRONIC STROKE

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Oxygen delivery and demand are reduced in the paretic leg of individuals post-stroke, reflecting decreases of vascular function and reductions of muscle quantity and quality. However, it is unknown how muscle oxygenation, the balance between delivery and utilization of oxygen, at the muscle is altered post-stroke and how it relates to functional ambulation and aerobic exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in muscle oxygenation between the paretic and nonparetic leg of post-stroke individuals and determine if there is an association with the six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance. <h3>METHODS AND RESULTS</h3> This was a single group cross-sectional study and a sub-study of a larger two-arm parallel-group superiority trial. Skeletal muscle O2 saturation (SMO2) of the paretic and nonparetic vastus lateralis muscles were monitored continuously with two near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) devices, a non-invasive measure of muscle oxygenation. NIRS outcomes were measured at rest, during arterial occlusion, acute submaximal exercise and 6MWT. Muscle oxygenation was evaluated by the rate of SMO2 deoxygenation and reoxygenation during and after occlusion and exercise, and by SMO2 averages for rest and the 6MWT (see figure). Eleven subjects (91% male; 32.2±6.1 months post-stroke; age 62.9±13.6 years, with a Chedoke–McMaster Stroke Assessment score of 4.1±1.4 of the paretic leg; 7 representing normal movement) participated. There was no significant difference in SMO2 between legs at rest (p=0.13) or during the 6MWT (p=0.26). The arterial occlusion desaturation slope in the nonparetic leg (-0.70±0.36%/second) was significantly steeper than the paretic leg (-0.53±0.24%/second; p=0.03), suggesting impaired oxygen consumption in the paretic leg. The post-occlusion resaturation slope was significantly steeper in the nonparetic leg (5.7±1.6%/second) compared to the paretic leg (4.6±1.8%/second; p=0.04), indicating poorer microvascular function in the paretic leg. The exercise deoxygenation slope in the paretic leg (-0.6±0.6%/second) was significantly steeper than the non-paretic leg (-0.3±0.2%/second; p=0.047), indicating a greater mismatch between oxygen delivery and consumption at the onset of exercise, however, there was no significant difference between legs in the post-exercise resaturation slope (p=0.39). Average 6MWT SMO2 of each leg was not significantly correlated with 6MWT distance (Paretic: r=-0.06, p=0.85; Nonparetic: r=0.25, p=0.46). <h3>CONCLUSION</h3> Oxygen consumption and microvascular responsiveness are reduced in the paretic compared to the nonparetic leg. At the onset of exercise there is a mismatch between oxygen delivery and consumption in the paretic leg, which may require strategies to improve muscle oxygenation in this population.

Smart Charging Needs, Wants and Demands, Charging Experiences and Opinions of EV Drivers

To reduce emissions of harmful substances (such as CO2, NOx and particulate matter) from transportation a fuel transition is essential. Electric transport is one of the most promising options for achieving this. In order to make this new electric transport market function efficiently, new interactions between new and existing parties are required. The growth of electric transport increases the peak demand for electricity. This creates a greater mismatch between moments of supply and moments of demand. In other words, EV drivers want to have their car charged before departure, and grid operators need to allocate resources to meet this demand. Flexibility from both players is required. Charging must be further optimised (become “smarter”) to facilitate this flexibility. Smart charging means: controlling and optimising the time and speed of charging. For example, when there is a large supply of solar and wind energy, there is little other demand for electricity and the price for electricity is low. With the contribution of many organisations, the Vereniging Elektrische Rijders (VER) and ElaadNL have jointly investigated the experiences and opinions of electric drivers about the smart charging of electric cars with a broad survey called the “National Charging Research”. In total, more than 1800 Dutch electric drivers took part in this study. Among other things, the research paid attention to the way in which EV drivers charge their electric cars, which bottlenecks they experience (at home and away) and what the experience is with smart charging. The main finding was that many EV drivers are familiar with smart charging. They are willing to apply smart charging, but they want to be in control of their sessions. To give them that control, both insight and transparency are essential. To meet the needs and wants of both EV drivers and grid operators, alignment with the momentum of European legislation is required to avoid a mismatch of energy between moments of supply and demand.

THEORY AND PRACTICE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING

Success in language teaching and learning is a multidisciplinary process in which language testing is an important pillar of success beside the other surrounding factors which range from the teaching learning context to the learners and teachers’ personal and educational factors. The aim of the present study is to identify to what extent there is a harmony between the teaching learning context on one hand and the theories and techniques of language testing on the other, and whether there is a matching between these theories of language testing and the practicality of these theories. We believe that there is a great mismatch between theories and practice of language testing as a result of the practices and the necessary expertise and knowledge needed in testing. This situation affects, to a great extent, the experience of language teaching learning process. This paper is a qualitative historical survey on language teaching learning context and theories of testing and language testing in particular. To process the study some related studies and literature will be explored, and some instances of language testing will be used to support this theoretical framework and to confirm our hypothesis that there is a gap between what is taught and what is examined. The study will include its importance, the methodological procedures that will be followed to attain the findings, recommendations and suggestions for future studies to let discussion in this area furthered in the future.

The coupling of BOLD signal variability and degree centrality underlies cognitive functions and psychiatric diseases

Brain signal variability has been consistently linked to functional integration; however, whether this coupling is associated with cognitive functions and/or psychiatric diseases has not been clarified. Using multiple multimodality datasets, including resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP: N = 927) and a Beijing sample (N = 416) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) and rsfMRI data from a Hangzhou sample (N = 29), we found that, compared with the existing variability measure (i.e., SDBOLD), the mean-scaled (standardized) fractional standard deviation of the BOLD signal (mfSDBOLD) maintained very high test-retest reliability, showed greater cross-site reliability and was less affected by head motion. We also found strong reproducible couplings between the mfSDBOLD and functional integration measured by the degree centrality (DC), both cross-voxel and cross-subject, which were robust to scanning and preprocessing parameters. Moreover, both mfSDBOLD and DC were correlated with CBF, suggesting a common physiological basis for both measures. Critically, the degree of coupling between mfSDBOLD and long-range DC was positively correlated with individuals’ cognitive total composite scores. Brain regions with greater mismatches between mfSDBOLD and long-range DC were more vulnerable to brain diseases. Our results suggest that BOLD signal variability could serve as a meaningful index of local function that underlies functional integration in the human brain and that a strong coupling between BOLD signal variability and functional integration may serve as a hallmark of balanced brain networks that are associated with optimal brain functions.

Phenological mismatch caused by water regime change may explain the population variation of the vulnerable lesser white-fronted goose in east Dongting Lake, China

Phenological mismatches between migratory birds and food availability driven by global warming have been found to influence the fitness and population dynamics of several herbivorous goose species in Arctic breeding sites. However, the effect of phenological mismatches at wintering sites have been inadequately studied. We used long-term data to explore the consequences of water regime changes on phenological mismatch (i.e., days between arrival of geese and timing of the optimal Normalized Difference Vegetation Index [NDVIopt]) and detect the relative role of the mismatch as a driver of annual variations in abundance and distribution of the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List) in East Dongting Lake, which is the one of this species’ largest wintering sites worldwide. The NDVI of the Carex meadow (i.e., the dominant vegetation in East Dongting Lake wetland and also the major food resource for the geese) was used as the phenology metric. Results showed that the water recession pattern greatly influenced food conditions when geese arrived at the site. Early water recession led to significantly higher NDVI, whereas late water recession led to significantly lower NDVI than did the optimal water recession. However, the suitable habitat area was significantly larger under the optimal water recession pattern. Both early and late water level recessions caused greater mismatches and resulted in lower geese abundance and a more concentrated distribution. NDVI was positively correlated with aboveground biomass and negatively correlated with N% of Carex spp. High biomass and low N% related to high NDVI caused by early water recession may indicate unfavorable food conditions at the time that geese arrive and reduced sustainable food availability in mid-winter, while a low NDVI and limited habitat area caused by late water recession may indicate an insufficient food supply. In conclusion, non-optimal water recession led to a greater phenological mismatch and resulted in limited habitat quality (e.g., lower leaf N%) under early water recession but limited habitat quantity (e.g., smaller habitat area and lower aboveground biomass) under late water recession, and ultimately threatened the Lesser White-fronted Goose. Our results contributed to explaining the decline of the Lesser White-fronted Goose population in this wintering site.

Metacognition in the Middle: Mismatch between Anticipated and Actual Exam Grades of Allied Health Anatomy Students

Introduction: Accurate evaluation of one's knowledge and performance is a key metacognitive skill critical to success in the classroom. Students who lack this skill may over-estimate their knowledge and under-prepare for exams, resulting in poor academic performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the ability of allied health students to evaluate their exam performance in an anatomy course to identify which groups, if any, need support with this skill. Methods In an IRB-approved study, first-year physician assistant (PA), physical therapy (PT), and occupational therapy (OT) students (n=129) participated in a doctoral-level anatomy course. This course covered human anatomy through asynchronous lectures and synchronous virtual labs (due to COVID). Students’ anatomical knowledge was assessed via four exams throughout the course. Prior to the start of the course and again at the end, students were invited to complete a de-identified pre-survey including the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI), a 52-item survey that assesses metacognition. Throughout the course, students were asked to reflect on their exam performances (anticipated grade, actual grade, and satisfaction) using a modified Likert scale. For analyses, students were divided into terciles based on their mean combined exam performance. Reflections and MAI scores were then compared across terciles in SPSS using Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results Average exam scores of high (93%±2.0), middle (86%±2.7), and low-performers (74%±4.6) were significantly different from each other (p<0.01). A total of 113 (88%) and 59 (46%) students completed the pre- and post-surveys, respectively, resulting in 52 matched pairs (40%). Overall, students significantly improved their metacognition (p<0.01). Reflection participation ranged from 67% to 97%. When asked how their actual grade measured against their anticipated grade, high- and middle-performers’ anticipated grades were similar to each other but significantly higher than those of low-performers (p<0.01 for three exams). High-performers reported significantly greater exam satisfaction than middle- and low-performers on two exams (p<0.01). The performance terciles scored similarly across all metacognition subcategories in the post-survey except declarative knowledge, the factual knowledge of structures and concepts that provides the foundation for higher-order thinking (p=0.01). Conclusion In this study, middle-performers appear to have the greatest mismatch between their anticipated grade, actual grade, and exam satisfaction when compared to high- and low-performers. These students anticipate strong exam performances, but appear to fall short, leaving them less satisfied. This metacognitive disconnect may be related to how students evaluate their knowledge. Students seem to evaluate their progress based on their declarative knowledge, which may not accurately represent their ability to apply that knowledge. Significance Metacognitive activities that improve student self-evaluation skills should be implemented in anatomy courses to minimize the metacognitive disconnect between anticipated and actual exam performance.

Astrocyte glutamate uptake coordinates experience-dependent, eye-specific refinement in developing visual cortex.

The uptake of glutamate by astrocytes actively shapes synaptic transmission, however its role in the development and plasticity of neuronal circuits remains poorly understood. The astrocytic glutamate transporter, GLT1 is the predominant source of glutamate clearance in the adult mouse cortex. Here, we examined the structural and functional development of the visual cortex in GLT1 heterozygous (HET) mice using two-photon microscopy, immunohistochemistry and slice electrophysiology. We find that though eye-specific thalamic axonal segregation is intact, binocular refinement in the primary visual cortex is disrupted. Eye-specific responses to visual stimuli in GLT1 HET mice show altered binocular matching, with abnormally high responses to ipsilateral compared to contralateral eye stimulation and a greater mismatch between preferred orientation selectivity of ipsilateral and contralateral eye responses. Furthermore, we observe an increase in dendritic spine density in the basal dendrites of layer 2/3 excitatory neurons suggesting aberrant spine pruning. Monocular deprivation induces atypical ocular dominance plasticity in GLT1 HET mice, with an unusual depression of ipsilateral open eye responses; however, this change in ipsilateral responses correlates well with an upregulation of GLT1 protein following monocular deprivation. These results demonstrate that a key function of astrocytic GLT1 function during development is the experience-dependent refinement of ipsilateral eye inputs relative to contralateral eye inputs in visual cortex.