Retrieval of hourly PM2.5 using top-of-atmosphere reflectance from geostationary ocean color imagers I and II.

To produce real-time ground-level information on particulate matter with a diameter equal to or less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), many studies have explored the applicability of satellite data, particularly aerosol optical depth (AOD). However, many of the techniques used are computationally demanding; to overcome these challenges, machine learning(ML)-based research has been on the rise. Here, we used ML techniques to directly estimate ground-level PM2.5 concentrations over South Korea using top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance from the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager I (GOCI-I) and its next generation GOCI-II with improved spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions. Three ML techniques were used to estimate ground-level PM2.5 concentrations: random forest, light gradient boosting machine (LGBM), and artificial neural network. Three schemes were examined based on the input feature composition of the GOCI spectral bands: scheme 1 using all GOCI-I bands, scheme 2 using only GOCI-II bands that overlap with GOCI-I bands, and scheme 3 using all GOCI-II bands. The results showed that LGBM performed better than the other ML models. GOCI-II-based schemes 2 and 3 (determination of coefficient (R2) = 0.85 and 0.85 and root-mean-square-error (RMSE) = 7.69 and 7.82 µg/m3, respectively) performed slightly better than GOCI-I-based scheme 1 (R2 = 0.83 and RMSE = 8.49 µg/m3). In particular, TOA reflectance at a new channel (380 nm) of GOCI-II was identified as the most contributing variable, given its high sensitivity to aerosols. The long-term estimation of PM2.5 concentrations using the proposed models was examined for ground stations located in two major cities. GOCI-II-based models produced a more detailed spatial distribution of PM2.5 concentrations owing to their higher spatial resolution (i.e., 250 m). The use of TOA reflectance data, instead of AOD and other aerosol products commonly used in previous studies, reduced the missing rate of the estimated ground-level PM2.5 concentrations by up to 50%. Our results indicate that the proposed approach using TOA reflectance data from geostationary satellite sensors has great potential for estimating ground-level PM2.5 concentrations for operational purposes.

Perception and Experience of Sexual and Gender Minority Korean Youth in School Counseling.

To comprehensively explore the school counseling experience of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youths in South Korea, we interviewed 14 SGM youths about their school counseling experience and the climate of their schools toward SGM. Results showed that a hostile school climate and the accessibility, confidentiality, trustworthiness, and LGBTQ competency of school counselors drove the reluctance of these youths to receive school counseling services. Implications for the role of school counseling services for SGM youths were discussed based on the findings of this work and the suggestions offered by the interviewed SGM youths. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10447-022-09490-0.

Estimation of surface-level NO2 and O3 concentrations using TROPOMI data and machine learning over East Asia.

In East Asia, air quality has been recognized as an important public health problem. In particular, the surface concentrations of air pollutants are closely related to human life. This study aims to develop models for estimating high spatial resolution surface concentrations of NO2 and O3 from TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) data in East Asia. The machine learning was adopted by fusion of various satellite-based variables, numerical model-based meteorological variables, and land-use variables. Four machine learning approaches-Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boost (XGB), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM)-were evaluated and compared with Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) as a base statistical method. This study also modeled the NO2 and O3 concentrations over the ocean surface (i.e., land model for scheme 1 and ocean model for scheme 2). The estimated surface concentrations were validated through three cross-validation approaches (i.e., random, temporal, and spatial). The results showed that the NO2 model produced R2 of 0.63-0.70 and normalized root-mean-square-error (nRMSE) of 38.3-42.2% and the O3 model resulted in R2 of 0.65-0.78 and nRMSE of 19.6-24.7% for scheme 1. The indirect validation based on the stations near the coastline for scheme 2 showed slight decrease (~0.3-2.4%) in nRMSE when compared to scheme 1. The contributions of input variables to the models were analyzed based on SHapely Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values. The NO2 vertical column density among the TROPOMI-derived variables showed the largest contribution in both the NO2 and O3 models.

Acute unilateral anesthesia mumps after hysteroscopic surgery under general anesthesia: a case report.

Acute unilateral parotid gland swelling after general anesthesia, anesthesia mumps is rare and when occurred, it is associated with the patient's position and with long-lasting surgery. The exact mechanism or etiology has not been fully established but stasis of gland secretion, blockage of Stensen's duct by direct compression, or retrograde flow of air by increased the oral cavity pressure are suspicious reasons. We experienced a case of soft tissue swelling in the left preauricular and submandibular regions in a 40-year-old female patient after short-lasting, hysteroscopic myomectomy performed in the lithotomy position with no suspicious predisposing factor. It is required to pay attention on the fact that even with the usual face mask ventilation can lead to the development of anesthesia mumps.

Antidepressants modulate glycine action in rat hippocampus.

Antidepressants are drugs that relieve symptoms of depressive disorders. Fluoxetine, tianeptine, and milnacipran are different types of antidepressants, and they have widely been used for relieving of depression symptoms. In the present study, the effects of fluoxetine, tianeptine, and milnacipran on the glycine-induced ion current by nystatin-perforated patch clamp and on the amplitude of field potential in the hippocampal CA1 region by multichannel extracellular recording, MED64, system, were studied. In the present results, fluoxetine, tianeptine, and milnacipran reduced glycine-induced ion current in the hippocampal CA1 neurons in nystatin-perforated patch clamp method. These drugs enhanced the amplitude of the field potential in the hippocampal CA1 region in MED64 system. These results suggest that antidepressants may increase neuronal activity by enhancing field potential through inhibition on glycine-induced ion current.

Analysis of expert consultation referrals to the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists (KSA): a comparison of procedural sedation and general anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Procedural sedation during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures is currently widely used by clinicians across a broad range of specialties. However, procedural sedation is a poorly controlled practice in many countries, often performed in potentially unsafe environments. METHODS: In 2009, the Legislation Committee of the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists, based on expert consultation referrals provided by police departments, civil courts, and criminal courts, initiated the construction of database to compile all anesthesia-related adverse events. Using this database (July 2009 to April 2012), we have compared causative mechanisms and injury patterns in procedural sedation (Sedation) cases (N = 25) with those in general anesthesia (GA) cases (N = 29). RESULTS: The severity of injury in Sedation cases was similar to that in GA cases, with death occurring in 72.0 % of cases. Hypoxia secondary to airway obstruction or respiratory depression was the most common specific mechanism of Sedation-related injuries (64.0 %). In-depth analysis of pre-procedural evaluation and intraoperative monitoring revealed a common lack of vigilance in the Sedation cases, and most injuries were judged as preventable with better monitoring. Non-anesthesiologist administration of propofol (NAAP) was performed in the great majority of Sedation cases (88.0 %). CONCLUSION: Our analysis of procedural sedation based on anesthesia-related adverse events compiled in the national database revealed a high severity of patient injury similar to that due to general anesthesia. Most procedural sedations were shown to be poorly controlled without adequate pre-procedural patient evaluation or intraoperative monitoring. Thus, it is essential to establish proper practical guidelines for procedural sedation and ensure strict adherence to these guidelines, especially during the NAAP.

Intrathecal clonidine reduces hypersensitivity after nerve injury by a mechanism involving spinal m4 muscarinic receptors.

UNLABELLED: alpha2-Adrenergic agonists reduce mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in animals with nerve injury and effectively treat neuropathic pain in humans. Previous studies indicate a reliance of alpha2-adrenergic agonists in this setting on spinal cholinergic activation and stimulation of muscarinic receptors. The subtype(s) of muscarinic receptors in the spinal cord that produces antinociception in normal animals is controversial, and those involved in reducing hypersensitivity and interacting with alpha2-adrenergic systems after nerve injury are unstudied. To examine this, the left L5 and L6 spinal nerves were tightly ligated in rats, resulting in reduction in withdrawal threshold to punctate mechanical stimuli. Intrathecal clonidine, 15 micro g, returned the withdrawal threshold to normal. Using highly specific m1 and m4 antagonists, we observed no reduction in the effect of clonidine by the m1 antagonist, but inhibition of clonidine's effect by the m4 antagonist. Western analysis revealed no difference in quantitative expression of m1 and m4 receptor protein in the dorsal spinal cord of spinal nerve-injured animals compared with sham-operated controls, suggesting this interaction with m4 receptors does not reflect an increase in receptor expression. IMPLICATIONS: Neuraxial clonidine is an effective adjunct in the treatment of neuropathic pain and increases acetylcholine concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid in humans. These data in animals suggest that spinal m4 type muscarinic receptors are important to the effect of clonidine in treating hypersensitivity to touch after nerve injury.