bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic Cigarette Vape Exposure Exacerbates Post-Ischemic Outcomes in Female but Not in Male Rats
Authors: Pradhyumnan Hari , Patel Shahil H. , Furones-Alonso Ofelia , Zhao Weizhao , Bramlett Helen M. , Raval Ami P.
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:

Nicotine-containing electronic cigarette (EC) vaping has become popular worldwide, and our understanding of the effects of vaping on stroke outcomes is elusive. Using a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, the current exploratory study aims to evaluate the sex-dependent effects of EC exposure on brain energy metabolism and stroke outcomes.

METHODS:

Adult Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes were randomly assigned to air/EC vapor (5% nicotine Juul pods) exposure for 16 nights, followed by randomization into 3 cohorts. The first cohort underwent exposure to air/EC preceding randomization to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (90 minutes) or sham surgery, followed by survival for 21 days. During the survival period, rats underwent sensorimotor and Morris water maze testing. Subsequently, brains were collected for histopathology. A second cohort was exposed to air/EC after which brains were collected for unbiased metabolomics analysis. The third cohort of animals was exposed to air/EC and received transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/sham surgery, and brain tissue was collected 24 hours later for biochemical analysis.

RESULTS:

In females, EC significantly increased (
P
<0.05) infarct volumes by 94% as compared with air-exposed rats, 165±50 mm
3
in EC-exposed rats, and 85±29 mm
3
in air-exposed rats, respectively, while in males such a difference was not apparent. Morris water maze data showed significant deficits in spatial learning and working memory in the EC sham or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion groups compared with the respective air groups in rats of both sexes (
P
<0.05). Thirty-two metabolites of carbohydrate, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and lipid metabolism were significantly altered (
P
≤0.05) due to EC, 23 of which were specific for females. Steady-state protein levels of hexokinase significantly decreased (
P
<0.05) in EC-exposed females; however, these changes were not seen in males.

CONCLUSIONS:

Even brief EC exposure over 2 weeks impacts brain energy metabolism, exacerbates infarction, and worsens poststroke cognitive deficits in working memory more in female than male rats.
Two new earthworm species of the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) from the Southeast region, Vietnam
Authors: LAM DANG HAI , TRAN ANH-THU T. , NGUYEN ANH D.
Published: February 2024

Two new earthworm species, namely Amynthas rarus sp. nov. and Amynthas tayninhensis sp. nov., are described from Tay Ninh Province, southeastern Vietnam. Amynthas rarus sp. nov. is recognized by having male pores in xix, two pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7/8, and genital markings paired in vii, viii, 18/19, and 19/20. Amynthas tayninhensis sp. nov. is distinguished by having a pair of spermathecal pores in 5/6, numerous genital markings in transverse lines in 17/18 including three surrounding male pores, and spermatheca with fully developed diverticula. The COI fragments are also provided for those two new species.
A review of the genus Pachymerium C. L. Koch, 1847 (Geophilomorpha: Geophilidae) from Romania
Authors: POPOVICI GEORGE
Published: February 2024

Based on the review of the original descriptions of Pachymerium antipai Căpușe, 1968, P. atticum Verhoeff, 1901 and P. tabacarui Căpușe, 1968 from Romania and the direct study of the external anatomy of P. ferrugineum (C. L. Koch, 1835) and Geophilus flavus (De Geer, 1778) from Romania, Egypt, Italy and Russia, P. antipai and P. aticum sensu Căpușe (1968) are proposed as junior subjective synonyms of P. ferrugineum, while P. tabacarui is proposed as a junior subjective synonym of G. flavus. The presence of P. atticum in Romania is hereby considered doubtful. Revisions to the diagnosis of Pachymerium are proposed to help differentiate it from other geophilid genera. A discussion of the relative suitability of different morphological characters for distinguishing species within Pachymerium is also included.
The Impact of the 100-mile Border Enforcement Zone on Mexican Americans in Arizona
Authors: Flores-Gonzalez Nilda , Estrada Emir , Tellez Michelle , Carreon Daniela , Romanello Brittany
Published: February 2024

Based on qualitative interview data with Mexican American and White participants, this article examines the impact of immigration-related policies on the U.S.-born adult children of Mexican immigrants. Building on Dunn’s concept of a low-intensity conflict zone, we argue that the militarization of the border carries consequences for Mexican American border residents. Becoming collateral subjects to a system of racialized legal violence, they experience the suspension of constitutional rights through racially motivated arbitrary stops, interrogations, and searches. The frequency and intensity of these experiences lead to anxiety, frustration, and powerlessness, and chips away at their emotional well-being.
Sensorineural hearing loss as an atypical presentation of typhoid fever: A case report
Authors: Javad KV Mohammed , Saif Mohammed , Kalathil Basheer , Mohamed Faiz , Uvais N. A.
Published: February 2024

Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever, is a multisystemic infection primarily caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi, and less commonly by Salmonella enterica serotypes Paratyphi A, B, and C. The classic presentation includes fever, malaise, diffuse abdominal pain, and constipation. If left untreated, typhoid fever can progress to delirium, obtundation, intestinal haemorrhage, bowel perforation, and death within a month of onset. However, the clinical course can deviate from the classic stepladder fever pattern, which now occurs in as few as 12% of cases. 1 In this report, we describe an atypical presentation as sensorineural hearing loss in an otherwise healthy young male.
John Locke’s “Unease”: The Theoretical Foundation of the Modern Separation of Church and State
Authors: Patapan Haig , Sikkenga Jeffrey
Published: February 2024

John Locke is acknowledged to be one of the theoretical founders of the separation of church and state, a distinguishing feature of modern liberal democracies. Though Locke’s arguments for the merits of such separation have been subject to extensive investigation, his argument for its feasibility has remained relatively unexamined. This article argues that Locke was confident that separation of church and state can successfully be implemented in all times and places because of his epistemological and psychological insights that human beings are moved to act by unease and that separating church and state removes the unease that causes religiously based political instability. We conclude by noting that Locke’s understanding of unease is foundational for his larger ambition to secure political liberty.
An Assessment of the COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on US Physicians’ Acceptance of Telemedicine: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Wu Michael Yü-Chi , Wu Cheryl Tsai-Luen , Saleem Naveed , Zhang Mengtong
Published: February 2024

Prior to the COVID-19, various issues in ethics, laws, regulations and security risks limited physicians in their ability to deliver medical care via telemedicine. However, in 2020, telemedicine quickly became mainstream when the US government issued a waiver granting the use of telemedicine to reduce COVID-19 transmission. This study examined the US physicians’ acceptance of telemedicine after its sudden wide-scale implementation. The authors developed a survey based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology to assess the US physicians’ intentions and attitudes toward the use of telemedicine in the delivery of medical care. This survey was distributed between March and June in 2021 across several voluntary online physician groups. The survey was validated using factor analysis. The 110 participants who completed this study were all active physicians practising telemedicine in the USA. The majority of the participants were female (93%), between 34 and 59 years of age (93%), had at least 10 years of medical experience (84%) and practised in a city (92%). The behavioural intention to use telemedicine was influenced by performance expectancy ( β = 0.34, p<.001), social influence ( β = 0.34, p<.001), facilitating conditions ( β = 0.14, p<.05) and attitude towards telemedicine use ( β = 0.36, p<.001). Attitude towards telemedicine use was influenced by performance expectancy ( β = 0.60, p<.001), effort expectancy ( β = 0.16, p<.05) and social influence ( β = 0.16, p<.05). In addition, telemedicine experience moderated the influence of performance expectancy on behavioural intention negatively ( β =−0.39, p<.001) and moderated the influence of facilitating conditions on behavioural intention positively( β = 0.27, p<.001). This study found that the physicians’ performance expectancy of and attitude towards telemedicine use were significant predictors of physicians’ acceptance. Social influence from colleagues and administrators also played an essential role in impacting physicians’ acceptance of telemedicine. Physicians’ effort expectancy merely affected their attitude towards telemedicine use. Facilitating conditions—such as the inability to perform physical exams, labs, etc.—only influenced the physicians’ intention to use telemedicine. Finally, the survey data suggested that as physicians gained telemedicine experience, their performance expectancy predicted lower behavioural intention than counterparts with less experience.
Mechanism Investigation of Tianxiangdan Against Myocardial Ischemia Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and in vitro Experimental
Authors: Jiang Lin , Yue Yuan-Jia , Tang Mei , Wu Yu-Che , Liu Xiao , Li Yu
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Tianxiangdan capsule (TXD) has been clinically used in the treatment of coronary heart disease angina pectoris. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms of TXD against myocardial ischemia and provide evidence for its subsequent clinical application.

Materials and Methods

Active components and mechanisms of action of TXD against myocardial ischemia were predicted and analyzed by network pharmacology and molecular docking. The chemical constituents in TXD were determined by HPLC-MS. The oxidative damage model was established using H2O2, which caused myocardial ischemia damage. The MTT assay and Hoechst 33342 staining were used to evaluate cell viability, while cleaved caspase-3 immunofluorescence staining was used to determine cell apoptosis. The fluorescent probe method detected ROS and intracellular Ca2+, while spectrophotometry was used to measure SOD, MDA, and NO levels in myocardial cells. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of ERɑ, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, and eNOS in cells.

Results

It was found that TXD plays a protective role in myocardial ischemia through the estrogen pathway. The TXD drug-containing plasma exhibited increased cell survival rates and suppressed MDA levels, elevated SOD and NO levels, and significantly suppressed ROS levels as well as intracellular Ca2+ levels. Moreover, the TXD drug-containing plasma pretreated cells had significantly suppressed PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT expression levels, as well as elevated ERɑ and eNOS expression levels.

Conclusion

TXD activates estrogen receptor ERɑ, enhances NO release of cardiomyocytes through the estrogen signaling pathway, improves intracellular Ca2+ overload, oxidative stress injury, and apoptosis, and plays a protective role in myocardial ischemia injury.
Practice Research Partnerships in Social Work: Addressing Impact and Credible Evidence
Authors: Julkunen Ilse , Joubert Lynette , Fouché Christa , Webber Martin , Short Monica , Whitaker Louise , Metteri Anna
Published: February 2024

Purpose: This article builds on the Practice Research Collaboratives (PRCs) as an initiative that developed from the Fifth Conference on Practice Research to provide a platform for practice researchers to engage actively around impact and influence. Research question: The unique features of research activities that enable transformational impact in three cases in social work practice research involving long-term community and university research partnerships. Methodology: Literature review and comparison of case studies. Results: The cases show how the processes of implementation are not only seen as linear, but constantly evolving at the same time as intervention fidelity in social work is crucial to improving outcomes for people, which can have transformative impacts for individuals and systems alike. Conclusion: We conclude by describing the importance of understanding the feasibility of complex problems and complex social situation which requires meaningful communication between partners, transparency and involvement of all players throughout the process.
Single-Item Instruments to Measure Aspects of Whole Person Care for an Inpatient Palliative Care Chaplain's Clinical Note: An Examination of Tools
Authors: Galchutt Paul K.
Published: February 2024

As members of the palliative care team, chaplains’ clinical notes in the electronic health record reflect their encounters with patients. Along with their specialized spiritual assessment included within these notes, chaplains document whole-person aspects of the patient attending to such matters as quality of life. This article examines the psychometric properties of single-item instruments that could measure specific whole-person care components to be documented within a palliative care chaplain's clinical note. A literature search discovered three single-item tools, one related to patient-perceived quality of care and two addressing quality of life. While continued work is needed developing single-item measures, the quality of care question, “Heard and Understood,” and the quality of life question, “How satisfied are you currently with your physical and emotional well-being?,” show promise for current use. Additional investigations are needed to develop single-item measures contributing to comprehensive palliative patient care.
Reducing Industrial Water Consumption: The Impact of Organizational Learning
Authors: Awaysheh Amrou , Narayanan Sriram , Jacobs Brian W.
Published: February 2024

Using factory-level data from a large multinational manufacturer, we examine the effects of both organizational experience and knowledge transfer on an increasingly critical environmental performance measure, the consumption of water required for manufacturing. We estimate the direct effects on water consumption from in-factory cumulative production experience and the vicarious learning from peer factories in the same product category. We consider vicarious learning from three potential sources: observation of peer factories’ cumulative production experience; and benchmarking of water consumption performance with the best and worst performing peer factories. For each learning channel, we test for the moderating effects of water scarcity and geographic proximity. We find that factories learn to reduce their water consumption from their own experience but at a greater rate in water-scarce locations. Although we find that factories learn significantly from observing the cumulative production experience of peer factories, this effect does not hold in water-scarce locations or across geographic regions. We document that learning effects from observing others’ experience are quite distinct from learning effects by benchmarking others’ performance. We find vicarious learning effects from benchmarking the best-performing peer factories result in significant reductions in water consumption, and this effect is greater when the factory is in a water-scarce location, and when benchmarking other regions rather than within the same region. Finally, we find less significant vicarious learning from observing the worst-performing factories.
Understanding cognitive engagement in virtual discussion boards
Authors: Burke Ryan A , Jirout Jamie J , Bell Bethany A
Published: February 2024

Cognitive engagement is an essential component in student learning. With the increase of more asynchronous virtual educational tools in classrooms, there is a need to understand how students are engaging with classroom content in these formats. Several studies have examined student and teacher perceptions of cognitive engagement in virtual discussion boards, but prior research has not analyzed the responses themselves. This study explores higher education students’ cognitive engagement when posting to asynchronous online discussions, investigating the levels and types of engagement for both written and video responses. Student responses were qualitatively coded based on themes that aligned with the ICAP framework of cognitive engagement. Descriptive and quantitative analyses were used to understand the types of cognitive engagement observed in online discussions, differences in video and written posts or when they had a choice in how to respond, and if patterns existed throughout the course. Results suggest that students do show deep levels of cognitive engagement in asynchronous discussions, in both written and video posts. Students exhibited deeper levels of cognitive engagement when they were given the choice in how to respond. There were no patterns over time in the course in cognitive engagement within students across the written and video posts. The structure and instructions of the prompts themselves may be important for eliciting deeper levels of responses. More explicit prompting for students to engage in deeper reflections or abstract thinking may help students engage with course content at a deeper level.
Cleaning mafia cash: An empirical analysis of the money laundering behaviour of 2800 Italian criminals
Authors: Nazzari Mirko , Riccardi Michele
Published: February 2024

Despite the wide reach of anti-money laundering legislation worldwide and increasing media attention, fostered by journalistic leaks such as Panama Papers, empirical knowledge on how criminals launder their illicit proceeds is still scarce. The few available empirical studies show that money laundering (ML) schemes are often less sophisticated than they are depicted in the political and media debate. To contribute to the empirical knowledge of ML behaviour, and test this hypothesis, the present study analyses the ML activities related to 2818 Italian offenders included in the ML section of the LexisNexis’ WorldCompliance database. Through a quantitative content analysis of textual information related to each offender's profile, it highlights the characteristics of the ML offenders, the methods (or ‘typologies’ in FATF terms) employed, the assets seized, the business sectors involved and the countries in which ML was conducted. The results confirm that criminals tend to employ unsophisticated typologies, as well as prefer Italy or jurisdictions that are close (geographically and culturally) to Italy for laundering their illicit proceeds. Tangible assets (first real estate and registered vehicles) are more frequent than financial assets. Finally, differences exist between the laundering by mafia-related ML offenders and non-mafia ones. The study provides empirical ground to progress in the knowledge of how ML offenders behave, and supports the idea that criminals, when laundering their proceeds, do not act as legitimate entrepreneurs, but may be driven by other constraints and drivers.
The pandemic as a criminological experiment: Crime in the Netherlands during 12 months of COVID-19 measures
Authors: Kruisbergen Edwin W. , Haas Marco B. , Moolenaar Debora E.G. , van Es Lisa , Snijders Joanieke M.A. , Houwing Lise , Stickle Ben
Published: February 2024

COVID-19 caused serious personal and societal damage. It also created, however, a unique natural experiment. How did the pandemic affect crime levels? In this article, we analyse unique empirical data for the Netherlands, covering January 2016–March 2021, to assess if and how crime patterns changed during the first 12 months of COVID-19-related measures. Domestic violence, which was expected to rise, did not increase, nor did distraction burglary. Residential burglary, bicycle theft and pickpocketing, however, decreased considerably, especially during (some of the) weeks when lockdown measures were into force. Online crime rates on the other hand increased. An opportunity theoretical approach regarding crime offers a good explanation for these changes.
Methylglyoxal activates transient receptor potential A1/V1 via reactive oxygen species in the spinal dorsal horn
Authors: Ueno Takeru , Yamanaka Manabu , Taniguchi Wataru , Nishio Naoko , Matsuyama Yuki , Miyake Ryo , Kaimochi Yuta , Nakatsuka Terumasa , Yamada Hiroshi
Published: February 2024

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a highly reactive dicarbonyl metabolite of glucose primarily formed during the glycolytic pathway, is a precursor of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Recently, numerous studies have shown that MGO accumulation can cause pain and hyperalgesia. However, the mechanism through which MGO induces pain in the spinal dorsal horn remains unclear. The present study investigated the effect of MGO on spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) in rat spinal dorsal horn neurons using blind whole-cell patch-clamp recording. Perfusion of MGO increased the frequency and amplitude of sEPSC in spinal horn neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, MGO administration increased the number of miniature EPSC (mEPSC) in the presence of tetrodotoxin, a sodium channel blocker. However, 6-cyano-7-nitroqiunocaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), an AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, blocked the enhancement of sEPSC by MGO. HC-030031, a TRP ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) antagonist, and capsazepine, a TRP vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) antagonist, inhibited the action of MGO. Notably, the effects of MGO were completely inhibited by HC-030031 and capsazepine. MGO generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) via AGEs. ROS also potentially induce pain via TRPA1 and TRPV1 in the spinal dorsal horn. Furthermore, we examined the effect of MGO in the presence of N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN), a non-selective ROS scavenger, and found that the effect of MGO was completely inhibited. These results suggest that MGO increases spontaneous glutamate release from the presynaptic terminal to spinal dorsal horn neurons through TRPA1, TRPV1, and ROS and could enhance excitatory synaptic transmission.
Tinkercad Circuits Platform-Based Learning Experiences of Gifted Students in the Emergency Distance Education Process
Authors: Tüysüz Cengiz , Bodur Nurettin Can , Ugulu Ilker
Published: February 2024

An issue arising in emergency distance education procedures, such as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is a lack of appropriate high-quality content and course activities for high ability students suitable for distance education. In this study, online CAD-based learning experiences structured with the Tinkercad Circuits Platform designed for gifted students were investigated based on the opinions of students regarding the distance education activity and the evaluations of the students’ scientific writing skills. This study used a single case holistic design with 10 gifted 6th-grade students at Usak Science and Art Center in Türkiye. All of the students stated that they had not previously encountered an activity such as the “smart air conditioning system”. The students also stated that although the activity was carried out in the form of distance education, it was positive and fun to be application-based, and that it was fun to research, discuss, design, and code with Tinkercad to look for a solution to the given problem. The evaluation of students’ products showed participants’ high level of proficiency in activities requiring advanced problem-solving skills, including planning the solution to the problem, creating an alternative plan for the solution, realizing, and evaluating the design.
Official statistics and big data in Latin America: Data enclosures and counter-movements
Authors: d’Alva Oscar Arruda , Paraná Edemilson
Published: February 2024

With the rise of the data-driven economy, the state-owned sector of official statistics has been pressurised to ‘modernise’ and engage with big data. However, most of these data sources are controlled by tech corporations. We address the conflicts this brings about from a Latin American perspective through three case studies involving national statistical offices, international organisations, and the private sector. We investigate strategies for enabling data markets for official statistics and analyse how the statistical field has acted in this context. In doing so, we contribute to understanding the political economy of big data in Latin America and debates on how digitalisation encompasses the reshaping of state-business relations. Supported by secondary data and semi-structured interviews, we appraise Bourdieu's theory of fields, Marxian readings on the enclosure of commons, and Polanyi's double movement to analyse how data commodification challenges data as public goods – a fundamental principle for official statistics. The findings demonstrate that data enclosures have prevented the state's access to compiling official statistics and show that the initiatives for introducing big data in Latin American national statistical offices have involved testing data markets through public–private partnerships supported by international organisations and big tech. As a result, the statistical field has reacted to the data market with a ‘double movement’: mobilising symbolic capital such as ‘trust’ for partnering with businesses to access data and technologies and, conversely, defending the public value of data in counter-movements protective of the relative autonomy of the national statistical offices and the state's control over informational capital.
The Pandemic-Stratified Workplace: Workspace, Employee Sense of Belonging, and Inequalities at Work
Authors: Dalessandro Cristen , Lovell Alexander
Published: February 2024

In the wake of 2020, employees are currently diverging according to remote, hybrid, and completely onsite workspaces. However, questions remain regarding the impact of this stratification when it comes to employee cohesion and sense of belonging at work, and whether extant theories of belonging adequately capture employees’ feelings of belonging in post-pandemic work environments across the world. Thus, drawing from original, international survey data ( N = 6,497), we explore how working remotely, in a hybrid environment, or onsite/in office matters for employees’ sense of belonging at work. Using logistic regression, we observed no differences according to workspace. However, we did find that older employees, those paid hourly, and those identifying as a “minority” in some way were significantly less likely to report feeling a sense of belonging at work. Lastly, a follow-up regression showed that compared to their peers working onsite or in an office, “minority”-identified employees who began working remotely before the pandemic (but not those who started working remotely after the pandemic began) felt an elevated sense of belonging. These results suggest, first, that despite the potentially disruptive nature of work changes in the short term, workspace by itself does not significantly impact employee sense of belonging. However, for “minority”-identified employees in particular, remote work options may offer elevated feelings of belonging in some cases. Going forward, organizations should continue to focus on effective diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies to bolster belonging among all employees across different workspaces.
Catalyzing Equity in STEM Teams: Harnessing Generative AI for Inclusion and Diversity
Authors: Nixon Nia , Lin Yiwen , Snow Lauren
Published: February 2024

Collaboration is key to STEM, where multidisciplinary team research can solve complex problems. However, inequality in STEM fields hinders their full potential, due to persistent psychological barriers in underrepresented students’ experience. This paper documents teamwork in STEM and explores the transformative potential of computational modeling and generative AI in promoting STEM-team diversity and inclusion. Leveraging generative AI, this paper outlines two primary areas for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. First, formalizing collaboration assessment with inclusive analytics can capture fine-grained learner behavior. Second, adaptive, personalized AI systems can support diversity and inclusion in STEM teams. Four policy recommendations highlight AI's capacity: formalized collaborative skill assessment, inclusive analytics, funding for socio-cognitive research, human-AI teaming for inclusion training. Researchers, educators, and policymakers can build an equitable STEM ecosystem. This roadmap advances AI-enhanced collaboration, offering a vision for the future of STEM where diverse voices are actively encouraged and heard within collaborative scientific endeavors.
Study of side burr formation in steady-state nano-polishing of Si-wafer using molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Dodmani Amit , Owhal Ayush , Mishra Vinod , Roy Tribeni
Published: February 2024

With advancements in the semiconductor industry, it is required to have angstrom level surface finish on silicon wafers which is achieved by nano-polishing. However, side burr is formed due to material pile-up from material removal due to abrasive which becomes detrimental to achieving the high surface finish. This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to explore the mechanism underlying side burr formation during nano-polishing of mono-crystalline silicon (Si)-wafer. The study utilizes a diamond nano-abrasive grit to scratch the surface of the Si-wafer and investigates the formation of pile-ups during the steady-state process. It was observed that increasing the depth of cut by four times led to a 6.3-fold increase in the number of amorphous atoms, indicating greater bond breakage in the direction of scratching. As a result, the cutting force exceeds the thrust force at larger depths of the cut. The correlation between the side burr height and the depth of cut is also studied. Results show that the side burr height ratio increases with the depth of cut, indicating a higher sensitivity of side burr height to the depth of cut. The study suggests that to achieve a ductile mode of material removal and minimize the height of the side burr during nano-polishing of Si-wafers, it is crucial to maintain the depth of cut at or below half (≤0.5) of the abrasive radius and ensure an average friction coefficient below 0.6. The outcome of this study can be useful for the actual manufacturing of miniaturized sensors, actuators, and microsystems for microelectromechanical system devices where a high surface finish is crucial.
The Relation of Ductus Venosus Pulsatility Index and Nuchal Translucency Thickness in a First-Trimester Sonographic Examination: A Matched Case-Control Study
Authors: Hajiahmadi Somayeh , Zarean Elahe , Gazvini Saeideh , Talebi Vahid
Published: February 2024

Objective:

Accumulating evidence suggests that abnormal ductus venosus (DV) flow is associated with fetal anomalies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between quantitative DV Doppler parameters and nuchal translucency (NT).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 76 singleton pregnancies with an NT ≥3 mm were enrolled in the experimental group, and 156 singleton pregnancies with an NT <3 mm were recruited in the control group. Ductus venosus Doppler parameters were collected for both groups. The relationship of the DV Doppler parameters between the two groups and the correlation within the experimental group were analyzed. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to determine the best diagnostic cut-off point of DV pulsatility index (DVPI) to indicate a measured NT ≥3 mm.

Results:

There was a significantly higher values for DVPI, DV resistance index (DVRI), and systolic velocity/maximum velocity during atrial wave ratio in fetuses with an NT ≥3 mm compared with those in the control group ( P < .00). Fetuses with increased NT, DVPI, and DVRI showed significant positive correlations with NT ( P < .00; r = 0.44 and P < .00; r = 0.37, respectively). The best diagnostic cut-off point of DVPI for indicating a measured NT ≥3 mm was 1.15, indicating acceptable performance for the area under the curve of 0.83 (95% confidence interval: 0.770–0.892).

Conclusion:

In this study, in fetuses with an NT ≥3, the DVPI was higher than that in those with an NT <3. In addition, a positive correlation between DVPI and an NT ≥3 was observed.
Anticipated time to seek medical advice for possible lung cancer symptoms and barriers to timely presentation in Palestine: a national cross-sectional study
Authors: Elshami Mohamedraed , Sawafta Nawras , Mansour Ahmad , Alser Mohammed , Al-Slaibi Ibrahim , Abukmail Hanan , Shurrab Hanan , Qassem Shahd , Usrof Faten Darwish , Alruzayqat Malik , Aqel Wafa , Nairoukh Roba , Kittaneh Rahaf , Habes Yousef Mahmoud Nimer , Ghanim Obaida , Aabed Wesam Almajd , Omar Ola , Daraghma Motaz , Aljbour Jumana , Elian Razan E. M. , Zuhour Areen , Habes Haneen , Al-Dadah Mohammed , Albarqi Shurouq I. , Bottcher Bettina , Abu-El-Noor Nasser
Published: February 2024

Background

Lung cancer (LC) has poor survival outcomes mainly due to diagnosis at late stages. This study explored the anticipated time to seek medical advice for possible LC symptoms and barriers to early presentation in Palestine.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited adult participants from hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces of 11 governorates using convenience sampling. A modified, translated-into-Arabic version of the validated LC awareness measure was used to assess LC symptom awareness, the time needed to seek medical advice and barriers to early presentation.

Results

A total of 4762 participants were included. The proportion that would immediately seek medical advice for possible LC symptoms varied according to the symptoms’ nature. For respiratory symptoms, this ranged from 15.0% for ‘painful cough’ to 37.0% for ‘coughing up blood’. For non-respiratory symptoms, this ranged from ‘4.2% for ‘unexplained loss of appetite’ to 13.8% for ‘changes in the shape of fingers or nails’. Participants with good LC symptom awareness were more likely to seek medical advice within a week of recognizing most LC symptoms. About 13.0% would delay their visit to see a doctor after recognizing an LC symptom. The most reported barriers were emotional with ‘disliking the visit to healthcare facilities’ (59.8%) as the leading barrier.

Conclusion

LC respiratory symptoms were more likely to prompt early seeking of medical advice. Good LC symptom awareness was associated with a higher likelihood of help-seeking within a week. Educational interventions are needed to promote LC awareness and address the perceived barriers to early presentation in low-resource settings, such as Palestine.
Identifying and developing strategies for implementation of a guided internet- and mobile-based infant sleep intervention in well-baby and community mental health clinics using group concept mapping
Authors: Drozd Filip , Pettersen Sandtrø Hege , Leksbø Turid Skjerve , Haga Silje Marie , Jacobsen Heidi , Størksen Hege Therese
Published: February 2024

Background

This study aimed to identify strategies for the implementation of a guided internet- and mobile-based intervention (IMI) for infant sleep problems (“Sleep Well, Little Sweetheart”) in well-baby and community mental health clinics.

Study design

We used group concept mapping, a two-phased mixed methods approach, conducted as a two-day workshop in each clinic. We recruited 20 participants from four clinics and collected sorting and rating data for implementation strategies based on the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change taxonomy and brainstorming sessions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multidimensional scaling, and hierarchical cluster analysis to create cluster maps, laddergrams, and Go-Zone graphs. Participants were presented with the results and discussed and interpreted the findings at each of the clinics in spring 2022.

Results

Participants identified 10 clusters of strategies, of which Training, Embedding and Coherence, User Involvement and Participation, and Clinician Support and Implementation Counseling were rated as most important and feasible. Economy and Funding and Interactive and Interdisciplinary Collaboration were rated significantly lower on importance and feasibility compared to many of the clusters (all ps < 0.05). There was a correlation between the importance and feasibility ratings (r =.62, p =.004).

Conclusions

The use of group concept mapping made it possible to efficiently examine well-baby and community clinics’ perspectives on complex issues, and to acquire specific knowledge to allow for the planning and prioritization of strategies for implementation. These results suggest areas of priority for the implementation of IMIs related to infant sleep problems.

Trial registration

The study was pre-registered at Open Science Framework (www.osf.io/emct8).
Distribution and prevalence of ixodid tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting cattle in Karamoja region of northeastern Uganda
Authors: Etiang Patrick , Musoba Abubakar , Nalumenya David , Ndekezi Christian , Bbira Johnson , Ochwo Sylvester , Tweyongyere Robert , Muhanguzi Dennis
Published: February 2024

Background

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are a significant threat to livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. Transhumance pastoralism practiced in Karamoja region and other factors like cattle trade, communal grazing and the presence of wildlife predispose cattle to TTBDs. Tick species abundance and distribution data can be used as a tool for early disease diagnosis and inform tick control strategies. However, these data for north-eastern Uganda are currently limited; previous surveys were relatively localized and targeted fewer cattle kraals and numbers.

Methods

We randomly collected tick specimens from 1,534 cattle spread across Karamoja region in both the peak month of the rainy (May 2020) and the dry (February2021) seasons. The ticks were identified using morpho-taxonomic keys and the tick species identities confirmed by the 16 S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

A collection of 18,637 ticks was examined and fifteen tick species from three genera (ten Rhipicephalus; three Amblyomma; two Hyalomma species) were identified. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was the most dominant (37.9%) tick species, followed by Amblyomma variegatum (32.3%); A. lepidum (17.3%); R. evertsi evertsi (7.8%); and R. decoloratus (1.4%). Eight of these tick species were ubiquitous in the study districts while six were found in isolated areas. The peak month of the dry season collection was associated with a higher proportion of tick-infested cattle (91%) compared to the peak month of the rainy season (89.8%); a difference that was not found statistically significant (χ2 = 0.5077, n = 1385, p = 0.476). The overall cattle infestation rate was mainly dominated by five tick species namely: A. variegatum (55%), R. appendiculatus (53%), A. lepidum (41%), R. evertsi (22%), and R. decoloratus (8%). The proportion of tick-infested cattle was highest in Napak District (95.4%) and lowest in Amudat District (80.9%) during the peak month of the rainy season. Napak and Amudat Districts also had the highest and lowest proportion of tick-infested cattle (94.8% and 80.7% respectively) during the peak month of the dry season. Rhipicephalus microplus was confirmed in Amudat, Kaabong and Napak districts.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates high tick infestation rates in cattle by a battery of tick species in Karamoja region. We identified both R. microplus and R. decoloratus which indicates that R. microplus has recently been introduced in this region. This calls for effective tick control responses to prevent further spread of this invasive cattle tick specie.
Abnormal interlimb coordination of motor developmental delay during infant crawling based on kinematic synergy analysis
Authors: Zhang Li , Xu Chong , Chen Lin , Liu Yuan , Xiao Nong , Wu Xiaoying , Chen Yuxia , Hou Wensheng
Published: February 2024

Background

Previous studies have reported that abnormal interlimb coordination is a typical characteristic of motor developmental delay (MDD) during human movement, which can be visually manifested as abnormal motor postures. Clinically, the scale assessments are usually used to evaluate interlimb coordination, but they rely heavily on the subjective judgements of therapists and lack quantitative analysis. In addition, although abnormal interlimb coordination of MDD have been studied, it is still unclear how this abnormality is manifested in physiology-related kinematic features.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate how abnormal interlimb coordination of MDD during infant crawling was manifested in the stability of joints and limbs, activation levels of synergies and intrasubject consistency from the kinematic synergies of tangential velocities of joints perspective.

Methods

Tangential velocities of bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle over time were computed from recorded three-dimensional joint trajectories in 40 infants with MDD [16 infants at risk of developmental delay, 11 infants at high risk of developmental delay, 13 infants with confirmed developmental delay (CDD group)] and 20 typically developing infants during hands-and-knees crawling. Kinematic synergies and corresponding activation coefficients were derived from those joint velocities using the non-negative matrix factorization algorithm. The variability accounted for yielded by those synergies and activation coefficients, and the synergy weightings in those synergies were used to measure the stability of joints and limbs. To quantify the activation levels of those synergies, the full width at half maximum and center of activity of activation coefficients were calculated. In addition, the intrasubject consistency was measured by the cosine similarity of those synergies and activation coefficients.

Results

Interlimb coordination patterns during infant crawling were the combinations of four types of single-limb movements, which represent the dominance of each of the four limbs. MDD mainly reduced the stability of joints and limbs, and induced the abnormal activation levels of those synergies. Meanwhile, MDD generally reduced the intrasubject consistency, especially in CDD group.

Conclusions

These features have the potential for quantitatively evaluating abnormal interlimb coordination in assisting the clinical diagnosis and motor rehabilitation of MDD.
Neuroendocrine and squamous cell phenotypes of NUT carcinoma are potential diagnostic pitfalls that discriminating it from mimickers, such as small cell and squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ninomiya Hironori , Sato Yukiko , Inamura Kentaro , Dobashi Akito , Takeuchi Kengo , Mitani Hiroki , Mun Mingyon , Nishio Makoto , Ishikawa Yuichi
Published: February 2024

Introduction

NUT carcinoma is a rare cancer associated with a poor prognosis. Because of its rarity, its diagnosis is challenging and is usually made by excluding other diagnoses. Immunohistochemical analysis is a reliable technique that contributes to a correct diagnosis, but overestimating the expression of neuroendocrine (NE) markers may result in an incorrect diagnosis. In this study, we established the immunohistochemical phenotypes of NUT carcinoma compared with tumors that mimic its phenotype to identify potential diagnostic pitfalls.

Methods

Eight cases of NUT carcinoma were examined along with eight basaloid squamous cell carcinomas and thirteen cases of small cell carcinoma using an immunohistochemical panel consisting of various antibodies.

Results

Of the eight NUT carcinomas, three patients had a smoking history. All the cases examined for INSM1 were positive (6/6, 100%), although the staining was somewhat weak. Among the NE markers, synaptophysin was variably positive in two NUT carcinomas (2/6, 33%); however, all cases were negative for ASCL1, chromogranin A, and CD56. Moreover, the squamous cell markers, p40 and CK5/6, were weakly expressed in 4/6 (67%) and 3/6 (50%) of the NUT carcinomas, respectively.

Conclusions

For tumors with an ambiguous morphology, applying the neuroendocrine phenotype of NUT carcinoma may be misleading; particularly, when distinguishing it from small-cell carcinoma. Similarly, null or weak expression of squamous cell markers may be observed in NUT carcinoma, but this differs from squamous cell carcinoma, which consistently demonstrates strong positivity for squamous cell markers.
Oxygenation influences xylose fermentation and gene expression in the yeast genera Spathaspora and Scheffersomyces
Authors: Barros Katharina O. , Mader Megan , Krause David J. , Pangilinan Jasmyn , Andreopoulos Bill , Lipzen Anna , Mondo Stephen J. , Grigoriev Igor V. , Rosa Carlos A. , Sato Trey K. , Hittinger Chris Todd
Published: February 2024

Background

Cost-effective production of biofuels from lignocellulose requires the fermentation of d-xylose. Many yeast species within and closely related to the genera Spathaspora and Scheffersomyces (both of the order Serinales) natively assimilate and ferment xylose. Other species consume xylose inefficiently, leading to extracellular accumulation of xylitol. Xylitol excretion is thought to be due to the different cofactor requirements of the first two steps of xylose metabolism. Xylose reductase (XR) generally uses NADPH to reduce xylose to xylitol, while xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) generally uses NAD+ to oxidize xylitol to xylulose, creating an imbalanced redox pathway. This imbalance is thought to be particularly consequential in hypoxic or anoxic environments.

Results

We screened the growth of xylose-fermenting yeast species in high and moderate aeration and identified both ethanol producers and xylitol producers. Selected species were further characterized for their XR and XDH cofactor preferences by enzyme assays and gene expression patterns by RNA-Seq. Our data revealed that xylose metabolism is more redox balanced in some species, but it is strongly affected by oxygen levels. Under high aeration, most species switched from ethanol production to xylitol accumulation, despite the availability of ample oxygen to accept electrons from NADH. This switch was followed by decreases in enzyme activity and the expression of genes related to xylose metabolism, suggesting that bottlenecks in xylose fermentation are not always due to cofactor preferences. Finally, we expressed XYL genes from multiple Scheffersomyces species in a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recombinant S. cerevisiae expressing XYL1 from Scheffersomyces xylosifermentans, which encodes an XR without a cofactor preference, showed improved anaerobic growth on xylose as the primary carbon source compared to S. cerevisiae strain expressing XYL genes from Scheffersomyces stipitis.

Conclusion

Collectively, our data do not support the hypothesis that xylitol accumulation occurs primarily due to differences in cofactor preferences between xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase; instead, gene expression plays a major role in response to oxygen levels. We have also identified the yeast Sc. xylosifermentans as a potential source for genes that can be engineered into S. cerevisiae to improve xylose fermentation and biofuel production.