Partial Correlation Analysis Research Articles

Warming-induced soil moisture stress threatens food security in India.

Soil moisture (SM) interconnects various components of the Earth system and drives the land-atmosphere feedbacks and food production. However, around 40% of global vegetated land experiences SM drying. India is one of the global hotspots of land-atmosphere interactions and an extensively agrarian economy, but underexplored in terms of SM dynamics and its ramifications on food security. Here, we examine the mechanism of SM drying and its implications on cropland productivity in India based on remote sensing measurements and land surface model simulations in recent decades (2000-2019) and future projection of the 21st century. We find SM reduction predominantly in monsoon (4.5%) and winter (3%) seasons that areinthemajor agricultural seasonsofKharif and Rabi, respectively. Machine learning (ML)-based random forest (RF) reveals that temperature (T, 30.76%) is the dominant driver of SM variability, and then precipitation (P, 26.34%), evapotranspiration (ET, 26.08%) and surface greenness (16.82%). Concurrently, India experiences severe warming in terms of land (0.59 ℃/dec), soil (0.48 ℃/dec) and soil heat flux (SHF, 0.16 W/m2/dec) during 2000-2019. Partial correlation analysis between SM and T limiting the influence of P reveals a strong negative (> - 0.5) relationship in the agriculture intensive regions of Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and South India (SI). Drying owing to warming and increased SHF, termed as warming-induced moisture stress, reduces gross primary productivity (GPP) (i.e. browning) and yield of major food crops of wheat, rain-fed rice, maize and soyabean, predominantly in SI and eastern IGP. Granger Causality shows that warming-induced soil moisture stress has a maximum temporal lag of 1month. In a warming world, the ever-growing population demands more food, and therefore, the warming-induced soil moisture stress is a serious threat to food security in India and similar agro-climatic regions of the world. This calls for climate-resilient agriculture, better agronomic management, improved irrigation and adoption of water-efficient crops.

유아가 인식하는 자신의 놀이성: 교사의 평가 및 유아 실행 기능과의 관계

This study investigates young children’s self-perceived playfulness and explores the association with playfulness as assessed by teachers and the children’s executive functions. A sample of 183 preschoolers from childcare centers in the metropolitan area was selected purposively for one-on-one assessments to measure the children’s perceived playfulness and executive functions. Teachers were also asked to evaluate the playfulness of the children. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and partial correlation analysis were conducted on the collected data. The results indicated that children generally perceived themselves as highly playful, and this perception was partially correlated with the teachers’ evaluations. No gender differences were found in the children’s self-perceived playfulness, but there were significant age-related differences within the groups. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the children’s self-perceived playfulness and their executive functions. The findings suggest that children’s self-perceptions of their playfulness are related to both teachers’ assessments and their own executive functioning, thereby generalizing the tendencies observed in previous research where playfulness was assessed by adults such as teachers or parents.

Power Distance and Indulgence Are Positively and Negatively Correlated with Ageism, Respectively: Evidence from 31 Countries

As the aging of the world accelerates, clarifying the relationship between cultural differences and ageism is an urgent issue. Therefore, in this study, we conducted a correlation analysis between the six cultural scales of Hofstede et al. and the two ageism scales calculated from data on 35,232 people from 31 countries included in the World Values Survey Wave 6 (WVSW6) by Inglehart et al. The results of a partial correlation analysis controlling for economic and demographic factors showed that power distance (PDI) and indulgence versus restraint (IVR) are positively and negatively correlated with ageism, respectively. This is the first study to show that these two cultural scales, which previous studies have not paid much attention to, are related to ageism.

The Relationship between Self-Concept and Job Satisfaction on the Performance of Private High School Teachers

This study aims to find out and analyze: (1) The relationship between self-concept and teacher’s performance, (2) the relationship between job satisfaction and teacher’s performance, (3) the relationship between self-concept and job satisfaction together on teacher’s performance. This study is quantitative research with partial correlation and multiple correlation methods. This research was conducted at a private high school in Seberang Ulu 1 District, Palembang with 89 teacher respondents. Data collection techniques are in the form of questionnaires and documentation. The validity test uses the validity of the construct while the reliability test uses Cronbranch Alpha. The prerequisite test for analysis uses the normality test, linearity test, multicollinearity test and the data are analyzed using partial correlation analysis and multiple correlation followed by the t-test. The results of this study showed that there was a significant relationship between self-concept and job satisfaction on the performance of private high school teachers in Seberang Ulu 1 District, Palembang with a correlation value of 0.533, the simultaneous contribution or contribution of self-concept and job satisfaction variables to teacher’s performance was 28.4% while 71.6% was determined by other variables.

Characteristics of locus coeruleus functional connectivity network in patients with comorbid migraine and insomnia

BackgroundMigraine and insomnia are prevalent conditions that often co-occur, each exacerbating the other and substantially impacting the quality of life. The locus coeruleus (LC), a brainstem region responsible for norepinephrine synthesis, participates in pain modulation, sleep/wake cycles, and emotional regulation, rendering it a potential nexus in the comorbidity of migraine and insomnia. Disruptions in the LC-noradrenergic system have been hypothesized to contribute to the comorbidities of migraine and insomnia, although neuroimaging evidence in humans remains scarce. In this study, we aimed to investigate the intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) network of the LC in patients with comorbid migraine and subjective chronic insomnia and patients with migraine with no insomnia (MnI) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and seed-based FC analyses.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 30 patients with comorbid migraine and chronic insomnia (MI), 30 patients with MnI, and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing and rs-fMRI. The LC-FC network was constructed using seed-based voxel-wise FC analysis. To identify group differences in LC-FC networks, voxel-wise covariance analysis was conducted with sex and age as covariates. Subsequently, a partial correlation analysis was conducted to probe the clinical relevance of aberrant LC-FC in patients with MI and MnI.ResultsExcept for the insomnia score, no other significant difference was detected in demographic characteristics and behavioral performance between the MI and MnI groups. Compared with HCs, patients with MI exhibited altered LC-FC in several brain regions, including the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), anterior cerebellum, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), thalamus, and parahippocampal gyrus (PHG). Lower FC between the LC and DLPFC was associated with greater insomnia severity, whereas higher FC between the LC and DMPFC was linked to longer migraine attack duration in the MI group.ConclusionOur findings reveal the presence of aberrant LC-FC networks in patients with MI, providing neuroimaging evidence of the interplay between these conditions. The identified LC-FC alterations may serve as potential targets for therapeutic interventions and highlight the importance of considering the LC-noradrenergic system in the management of MI.

Estimating the dynamics and driving factors of gross primary productivity over the Chinese Loess Plateau by the modified vegetation photosynthesis model

Gross primary productivity (GPP) is a key parameter in research on the global carbon cycle and changes. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics and influencing factors of GPP on the Loess Plateau (LP) helps identify the health status of ecosystems, thereby enabling the implementation of effective conservation and restoration measures. In this study, we used a modified vegetation photosynthesis model (VPM) to simulate a long-term series of GPP in the LP from 2001 to 2022, and the impacts of different land-use patterns and meteorological factors on GPP were investigated using a transition matrix, linear regression, and partial correlation analyses. The findings suggested that the modified simulation yielded a more reliable performance (coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.89, root mean square error (RMSE) = 143.47 gC·m−2·yr−1) and was suitable for further research endeavors. (1) The GPP on the LP significantly increased by 232.65 TgC from 2001 to 2022. The southeastern region contributed more than the northwestern region, and the GPP exhibited higher multi-year averages and growth rates below 1000 m elevation. (2) Forests in the southeastern region of the LP, characterized by a heightened growth rate, will influence future spatial variations in GPP increases across the LP. Despite the decline in grassland and cultivated land areas, substantial land coverage has significantly contributed to the overall GPP growth. Urbanization encroaching on cultivated land has emerged as a key contributor to the decline in GPP in low-altitude regions. (3) Air temperature was the main physical driving force for GPP change in the LP. Additionally, the GPP in forested regions exhibited a negative correlation with rainfall, whereas the GPP in areas undergoing the return of cropland to forest–grassland and cropland reclamation correlated negatively with solar radiation. (4) The attribution analysis indicated that the surge in vegetation GPP on the LP was collectively driven by human activities and meteorological changes, with human activities dominating these changes by 61.41 %. This study deepens the understanding of terrestrial ecology in semi-humid regions and provides scientific insights for implementing ecological governance strategies in the LP.

Dynamic evolution of frontal-temporal network connectivity in temporal lobe epilepsy: A magnetoencephalography study.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) frequently involves an intricate, extensive epileptic frontal-temporal network. This study aimed to investigate the interactions between temporal and frontal regions and the dynamic patterns of the frontal-temporal network in TLE patients with different disease durations. The magnetoencephalography data of 36 postoperative seizure-free patients with long-term follow-up of at least 1 year, and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in this study. Patients were initially divided into LONG-TERM (n = 18, DURATION >10 years) and SHORT-TERM (n = 18, DURATION ≤10 years) groups based on 10-year disease duration. For reliability, supplementary analyses were conducted with alternative cutoffs, creating three groups: 0 < DURATION ≤7 years (n = 11), 7 < DURATION ≤14 years (n = 11), and DURATION >14 years (n = 14). This study examined the intraregional phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) between theta phase and alpha amplitude across the whole brain. The interregional directed phase transfer entropy (dPTE) between frontal and temporal regions in the alpha and theta bands, and the interregional cross-frequency directionality (CFD) between temporal and frontal regions from the theta phase to the alpha amplitude were further computed and compared among groups. Partial correlation analysis was conducted to investigate correlations between intraregional PAC, interregional dPTE connectivity, interregional CFD, and disease duration. Whole-brain intraregional PAC analyses revealed enhanced theta phase-alpha amplitude coupling within the ipsilateral temporal and frontal regions in TLE patients, and the ipsilateral temporal PAC was positively correlated with disease duration (r = 0.38, p <.05). Interregional dPTE analyses demonstrated a gradual increase in frontal-to-temporal connectivity within the alpha band, while the direction of theta-band connectivity reversed from frontal-to-temporal to temporal-to-frontal as the disease duration increased. Interregional CFD analyses revealed that the inhibitory effect of frontal regions on temporal regions gradually increased with prolonged disease duration (r = -0.36, p <.05). This study clarified the intrinsic reciprocal connectivity between temporal and frontal regions with TLE duration. We propose a dynamically reorganized triple-stage network that transitions from balanced networks to constrained networks and further develops into imbalanced networks as the disease duration increases.

The moderation effect of morphological awareness on the relationship between word detection skills and reading comprehension in Chinese children with and without dyslexia

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the moderating effect of morphological awareness on the relationship between word detection skills and reading comprehension in Chinese children with and without dyslexia. The study included 116 Chinese children in third to sixth grades, with 60 children diagnosed with dyslexia and 56 matching typically developing children. ANCOVAs revealed significant group differences in word detection skills and morphological awareness, with children with dyslexia performing significantly worse than their typically developing peers. Partial correlation analyses showed significant correlations between reading comprehension and morphological awareness in typically developing children and between reading comprehension and both word detection skills and morphological awareness in children with dyslexia. Moderation analyses revealed that morphological awareness significantly moderated the relationship between word detection skills and reading comprehension in both groups. For typically developing children, the relationship was significant at higher levels of morphological awareness, while for children with dyslexia, the relationship was significant at lower levels of morphological awareness. The findings suggest that word detection skills may serve as a compensatory mechanism for children with dyslexia when morphological awareness is at lower levels, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and individualised approaches to reading instruction.

Retinal Microvasculature Changes Linked to Executive Function Impairment after COVID-19

Background/Objectives: Studies using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) have revealed that individuals recovering from COVID-19 have a reduced retinal vascular density (VD) and larger foveal avascular zones (FAZs) than healthy individuals, with more severe cases showing greater reductions. We aimed to examine aspects of the retinal microvascularization in patients with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) classified by COVID-19 severity and how these aspects relate to cognitive performance. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 104 PCC participants from the NAUTILUS Project, divided into severe (n = 59) and mild (n = 45) COVID-19 groups. Participants underwent cognitive assessments and OCTA to measure VD and perfusion density (PD) in the superficial capillary plexus (SVP) and FAZ. Analysis of covariance and partial Pearson and Spearman correlations were used to study intergroup differences and the relationships between cognitive and OCTA variables. Results: Severe PCC participants had significantly lower central (p = 0.03) and total (p = 0.03) VD, lower central (p = 0.02) PD measurements, and larger FAZ areas (p = 0.02) and perimeters (p = 0.02) than mild cases. Severe cases showed more cognitive impairment, particularly in speed processing (p = 0.003) and executive functions (p = 0.03). Lower central VD, lower central PD, and larger FAZ areas and perimeters were associated with worse executive function performance in the entire PCC sample and in the mild COVID-19 group. Conclusions: Retinal microvascular alterations, characterized by reduced VD and PD in the SVP and larger FAZ areas, were associated with cognitive impairments in PCC individuals. These findings suggest that severe COVID-19 leads to long-lasting microvascular damage, impacting retinal and cognitive health.

Hydraulic impact of pressure transients from water conveyance tunnel on the complex hydrogeological system: A case study HPP Pirot, Serbia

Hydraulic tunnels, integral components of hydropower plant (HPP) systems, traversing diverse rock masses, pose challenges for long-term operation. The study’s main goal was to investigate how hydraulic transients originating from the headrace tunnel transfer through the concrete lining and manifest in surrounding aquifer systems. In this experimental study at the water pressure tunnel of HPP Pirot (Serbia), a novel monitoring approach was employed. The internal piezometers with highly sensitive probes are distributed strategically along the tunnel in different geological environments. This approach involved monitoring of water pressure in the surrounding rock masses and observing the impact of hydraulic transients generated by HPP operation. A comprehensive analysis of monitoring data, incorporating ordinal and partial correlations and considering geological features, provides a profound understanding of groundwater dynamics, pressure transient phenomena, and hydrogeological characterization during HPP operation. The study highlights the complex and spatially diverse hydrogeological environment, emphasizing the varying reactivity of pore pressure during HPP operation, particularly concerning Water Mass Oscillations (WMO). Reactive piezometers near the surge tank demonstrate significant pressure variations, while those located further away display synchronous pressure changes with reduced amplitudes. Schematic hydrogeological models have been created based on the hydraulic impacts of HPPs in different geological environments along the tunnel route. The water pressure response enabled aquifer characterization of (1) a thin-layered, low-fissured aquifer closely related to the reservoir, with low influence on WMO transients; (2) a low-fissured, compartment aquifer or non-aquifer with minimal to no influence on WMO transients; (3) a well-structured karst aquifer system influenced by WMO transients; (4) a fault-controlled zone of deep hypogene karst aquifer discharge highly influenced by WMO transients; and (5) an aquifer with a dominant development of the karst conduit system highly influenced by WMO transients. The study highlights the significance of monitoring water pressure within the rock mass as a fundamental element in analyzing the interaction between water pressure tunnels and the hydrogeological environment. Applying the presented instrumentation and methodology facilitates effective monitoring in research areas where pressure tunnels are constructed.

Stool and blood metabolomics in the metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Introduction/objectivesChanges in the stool metabolome have been poorly studied in the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Moreover, few studies have explored the relationship of stool metabolites with circulating metabolites. Here, we investigated the associations between stool and blood metabolites, the MetS and systemic inflammation.MethodsWe analyzed data from 1,370 participants of the KORA FF4 study (Germany). Metabolites were measured by Metabolon, Inc. (untargeted) in stool, and using the AbsoluteIDQ® p180 kit (targeted) in blood. Multiple linear regression models, adjusted for dietary pattern, age, sex, physical activity, smoking status and alcohol intake, were used to estimate the associations of metabolites with the MetS, its components and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. Partial correlation and Multi-Omics Factor Analysis (MOFA) were used to investigate the relationship between stool and blood metabolites.ResultsThe MetS was significantly associated with 170 stool and 82 blood metabolites. The MetS components with the highest number of associations were triglyceride levels (stool) and HDL levels (blood). Additionally, 107 and 27 MetS-associated metabolites (in stool and blood, respectively) showed significant associations with hsCRP levels. We found low partial correlation coefficients between stool and blood metabolites. MOFA did not detect shared variation across the two datasets.ConclusionsThe MetS, particularly dyslipidemia, is associated with multiple stool and blood metabolites that are also associated with systemic inflammation. Further studies are necessary to validate our findings and to characterize metabolic alterations in the MetS. Although our analyses point to weak correlations between stool and blood metabolites, additional studies using integrative approaches are warranted.

Intravenous arachnoid granulation hypertrophy in patients with Parkinson disease

Intravenous arachnoid granulations (AGs) are protrusions of the arachnoid membrane into the venous lumen and function as contributors to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow circuit. Patients with Parkinson disease (PD) often present with accumulation of alpha synuclein. Previous works have provided evidence for neurofluid circulation dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases associated with changes in CSF egress, which may have implications regarding AG morphology. The present study aims to investigate group differences in AG volumetrics between healthy and PD participants, as well as relationships between AG characteristics and clinical assessments. Generalized linear models revealed significant increases in AG volumetrics and number in PD compared to healthy controls. Partial Spearman-rank correlation analyses demonstrated significant relationships between AG metrics and motor and cognitive assessments. Finally, AG volumetrics were positively correlated with objective actigraphy measures of sleep dysfunction, but not self-report sleep symptoms.

Diminished functional segregation and resilience are associated with symptomatic severity and cognitive impairments in schizophrenia: a large-scale study

BackgroundThe research findings on the topological properties of functional connectomes (TP-FCs) in patients with schizophrenia (SZPs) exhibit inconsistencies and contradictions, which can be attributed to limitations such as small sample...

Relationship between fundamental motor skills and physical fitness in children with global developmental delay.

Understanding the significance of motor skills in promoting physical fitness (PF) can offer valuable insights for devising comprehensive intervention and clinical rehabilitation programs for children with global developmental delay (GDD). However, it remains unclear whether fundamental motor skills (FMS) can improve the PF of children with GDD. To investigate the correlation between FMS and PF in children with GDD. A total of 180 children with GDD and 180 typically developing (TD) children aged 3-5 years were selected. All participants completed the Gesell Developmental Schedule, FMS, and PF tests at Beijing Children's Hospital between September 2022 and August 2023. Partial correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between FMS and PF. Children with GDD had significantly lower FMS and PF scores compared to TD children (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between males and females with GDD in FMS and PF score (P > 0.05). A more severe developmental delay was associated with lower FMS and PF scores. The correlation coefficients between individual FMS items and individual PF items, as well as the total PF score, ranged from 0.20 to 0.56. Regression analysis indicated that manual dexterity (β = 0.241, P = 0.029) and body balance (β = 0.399, P = 0.001) significantly predicted the total PF score. In children with GDD, both FMS and PF are underdeveloped. Focusing on motor skills development is vital for promoting their PF.

Expanded gray matter atrophy with severity stages of adult comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea

ObjectiveTo investigate gray matter volume (GMV) changes in patients with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA) of differing severity and relationships between GMV alterations and clinical measures. MethodsThirty-four COMISA patients and 24 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. All patients underwent structural MRI and completed measures related to respiration, sleep, mood, and cognition. COMISA patients were further divided into a mild and moderate COMISA (MC) and a severe COMISA (SC) group. Changes in GMV of COMISA patients were investigated via VBM. The voxel-wise differences in GMV were compared between HC group and COMISA group. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed on individual GMV maps in MC, SC, and HC groups to further investigate effects of different stages of COMISA severity on GMV. Partial correlation analysis was then performed to analyze relationships between altered GMV and clinical measures. ResultsGMV atrophy was mainly located in the temporal lobes and fusiform gyrus in COMISA group. The post-hoc analysis of the ANCOVA revealed temporal lobes and fusiform gyrus atrophy in MC and SC groups compared to HC and the temporal lobe atrophy was expanded in SC group based on cluster size. Moreover, the SC group showed GMV atrophy of the right amygdala compared to both MC and HC groups. Partial correlation analysis revealed positive relationships between the GMV and mood-and cognitive-related measures and negative correlation between GMV and respiration measure. ConclusionsOur findings showed GMV atrophy expansion from temporal lobe to limbic system (right amygdala) as severity stages increase in COMISA patients. These findings contribute to our understanding of neurobiological mechanisms underlying different stages of severity in COMISA patients.

Spatiotemporal variability of leaf critical senescence age across northern lands and its key drivers

Leaf senescence, a pivotal phenological event, signifies the aging of vegetation canopies and triggers abrupt shifts in various biogeochemical processes. However, the spatiotemporal pattern of leaf senescence age and its primary driving factors across northern lands remains unclear. In this study, we introduced a concept termed leaf critical senescence age (CSA) to characterize the initiation of senescence stage, which quantifies the time span between the onset dates of vegetation growth and senescence. Then, utilizing long-term remote sensing vegetation index data, we investigated the spatiotemporal variations of leaf CSA over northern lands (>30°N). Spatially, leaf CSA displayed extensive variability (ranging from 42 to 263 days), with an average of 146 ± 32 days. Deciduous broadleaf forests exhibited the longest CSA (177 ± 28 days), while shrublands demonstrated the shortest (121 ± 22 days). Temporally, most plant functional types experienced a reversal in leaf CSA trends around 2010, leading to the contrasting trends between 1982–2010 (+0.21 days/year) and 2010–2015 (−2.36 days/year) across northern lands. Further random-forest regression and partial correlation analysis together indicated that temperature was the dominant factor driving spatiotemporal variations in leaf CSA. These findings suggest that climate warming is reshaping the geographical pattern of leaf senescence age, posing great uncertainty to future projections of terrestrial feedback to climate change.

Terrestrial input and biological processes drive varying mineral/organic matrix-related mercury sequestration and deposition in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf

Thawing Arctic permafrost is releasing massive amounts of terrestrial mercury (Hg) into the Arctic shelf, which is expected to form a Hg sink in sediments. Here we analyzed the coupling roles of terrestrial input and biological processes in varying mineral/organic matrix-related Hg sequestration and deposition on the East Siberian Arctic shelf (ESAS), using Pearson and partial correlation analysis. Results show that the occurrence of Hg in the Laptev Sea under the Lena River-dominated input exhibits strong correlations with the organic carbon (OC) content and sediment specific surface area. This indicates that the prolonged riverine loading processes facilitate Hg sequestration by organic/mineral matrices and these land-derived mineral-OC-Hg complexes remain stable during cross-shelf transportation. By contrast, the comparative samples with coastal erosion-dominated Hg input in the western East Siberian Sea shows limited Hg complexation, primarily due to the absence of regulation by riverine processes and/or the high sedimentation rates. The correlations between Hg and OC source proxies (δ13C and lignin) indicate that these matrix-free Hg could be more readily sequestrated by the marine OC, which facilitates its deposition via the biological pump. While unexpectedly low Hg abundance in the Chukchi Sea may indicate that the effective biological scavenging of Hg sequestration could be constrained by insufficient terrestrial Hg input. Our findings of the matrix-related Hg sequestration by mineral and/or OC association in this study may shed light on the biogeochemical cycle of Hg in the Arctic aquatic regime, which could reduce the methylmercury formation in water column, and the methylation within sediments needs further exploration.

Identifying neural correlates of balance impairment in traumatic brain injury using partial least squares correlation analysis

Objective.Balance impairment is one of the most debilitating consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). To study the neurophysiological underpinnings of balance impairment, the brain functional connectivity during perturbation tasks can provide new insights. To better characterize the association between the task-relevant functional connectivity and the degree of balance deficits in TBI, the analysis needs to be performed on the data stratified based on the balance impairment. However, such stratification is not straightforward, and it warrants a data-driven approach.Approach.We conducted a study to assess the balance control using a computerized posturography platform in 17 individuals with TBI and 15 age-matched healthy controls. We stratified the TBI participants into balance-impaired and non-impaired TBI usingk-means clustering of either center of pressure (COP) displacement during a balance perturbation task or Berg Balance Scale score as a functional outcome measure. We analyzed brain functional connectivity using the imaginary part of coherence across different cortical regions in various frequency bands. These connectivity features are then studied using the mean-centered partial least squares correlation analysis, which is a multivariate statistical framework with the advantage of handling more features than the number of samples, thus making it suitable for a small-sample study.Main results.Based on the nonparametric significance testing using permutation and bootstrap procedure, we noticed that the weakened theta-band connectivity strength in the following regions of interest significantly contributed to distinguishing balance impaired from non-impaired population, regardless of the type of stratification:left middle frontal gyrus, right paracentral lobule, precuneus, andbilateral middle occipital gyri. Significance.Identifying neural regions linked to balance impairment enhances our understanding of TBI-related balance dysfunction and could inform new treatment strategies. Future work will explore the impact of balance platform training on sensorimotor and visuomotor connectivity.

Dynamic of upwelling variability in southern Indonesia region revealed from satellite data: Role of ENSO and IOD

The Southern Indonesian (SI) region is known for its high-intensity coastal upwelling caused by monsoonal wind. Interannual phenomena such as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) also influence upwelling activity in this region. This study analyzed the relationship between upwelling intensity (UIsst) and those variables and their impact on oceanographic features such as Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a concentration. We used satellite imagery data, including SST from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and chlorophyll-a from MODIS, to analyze the aforementioned issue. To identify the impact of wind patterns on coastal upwelling, we analyzed using zonal wind stress from ERA-5 Data. Quantification of UIsst is defined as the SST gradient between the coastal and open ocean waters. Linear and partial correlation analysis between UIsst with the Ocean Niño Index (ONI) and Dipole Mode Index (DMI) were conducted to see the influence of ENSO and IOD phenomena. Anomaly analysis was also conducted on SST, chlorophyll-a concentration, zonal windstress and UIsst to see how large the values were during the years of the ENSO and IOD events. Upwelling in the SI region typically occurs during southeast monsoon (SEM) periods, starting earlier in the East side (Nusa Tenggara Islands) and moving towards the West side (South Coast of Java). The correlation analysis (both linear and partial) indicates that the IOD has a stronger influence on UIsst in the SI region compared to ENSO, especially during June to October (SEM periods). This finding is confirmed by anomaly analysis, which reveals significant changes in SST, chlorophyll-a concentration, zonal windstress, and UIsst during ENSO and IOD events. The magnitude of the anomalies is generally stronger during IOD events than those observed under ENSO conditions.

Chemosensory anhedonia facilitates depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment in late-life depression.

Chemosensory anhedonia refers to the lack of hedonic ability to experience pleasure through the senses of smell and taste, which reduces the pleasure and comfort of food, and increases the risk of nutritional and immune deficiencies. However, there is no direct scientific evidence regarding chemosensory anhedonia in patients with late-life depression (LLD). The aim of this study was to investigate chemosensory anhedonia in patients with LLD, and its potential association with depressive symptoms and cognitive function. A total of 114 patients with LLD and 92 normal controls were included in this study. They experienced clinical assessment, Chemosensory Pleasure Scale assessment, 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale assessment and cognitive assessments, which contain the Verbal Fluency Test. The associations between chemosensory pleasure and depressive symptoms or cognitive function in patients with LLD were explored using partial correlation analysis and mediation analysis. The Chemosensory Pleasure Scale scores were lower in the LLD group than in the normal control group, and were negatively correlated with the total scores and factors' scores (retardation, cognitive bias and anxiety/somatization) of the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and positively correlated with the Verbal Fluency Test scores. The scores for the Food and Imagination dimensions of the Chemosensory Pleasure Scale showed partial mediating effects on the differences in Cognitive bias (a factor of the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) between patients with LLD and normal controls. Patients with LLD showed significant chemosensory anhedonia, and both depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment were associated with the severity of chemosensory anhedonia. Enhancing chemosensory pleasure in patients with LLD could potentially ameliorate their depressive symptoms. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.