bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for cancer of unknown primary: a literature review
Authors: Hermans Karlijn E. P. E. , Kazemzadeh Fatemeh , Loef Caroline , Jansen Rob L. H. , Nagtegaal Iris D. , van den Brandt Piet A. , Schouten Leo J.
Published: April 2023

Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) is metastatic cancer with an unidentifiable primary tumour origin during life. It remains difficult to study the occurrence and aetiology of CUP. Hitherto, it is unclear whether risk factors are associated with CUP, yet identifying these factors could reveal whether CUP is a specific entity or a cluster of metastasised cancers from various primary tumour origins. Epidemiological studies on possible CUP risk factors were systematically searched in PubMed and Web of Science on February 1st, 2022. Studies, published before 2022, were included if they were observational human-based, provided relative risk estimates, and investigated possible CUP risk factors. A total of 5 case–control and 14 cohort studies were included. There appears to be an increased risk for smoking in relation to CUP. However, limited suggestive evidence was found to link alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, and family history of cancer as increased risks for CUP. No conclusive associations could be made for anthropometry, food intake (animal or plant-based), immunity disorders, lifestyle (overall), physical activity, or socioeconomic status and CUP risk. No other CUP risk factors have been studied. This review highlights smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus and family history of cancer as CUP risk factors. Yet, there remains insufficient epidemiological evidence to conclude that CUP has its own specific risk factor profile.
Telehealth in remote Australia: a supplementary tool or an alternative model of care replacing face-to-face consultations?
Authors: Mathew Supriya , Fitts Michelle S. , Liddle Zania , Bourke Lisa , Campbell Narelle , Murakami-Gold Lorna , Russell Deborah J , Humphreys John S. , Mullholand Edward , Zhao Yuejen , Jones Michael P. , Boffa John , Ramjan Mark , Tangey Annie , Schultz Rosalie , Wakerman John
Published: April 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the use of telehealth consultations by telephone and video around the world. While telehealth can improve access to primary health care, there are significant gaps in our understanding about how, when and to what extent telehealth should be used. This paper explores the perspectives of health care staff on the key elements relating to the effective use of telehealth for patients living in remote Australia.

Methods

Between February 2020 and October 2021, interviews and discussion groups were conducted with 248 clinic staff from 20 different remote communities across northern Australia. Interview coding followed an inductive approach. Thematic analysis was used to group codes into common themes.

Results

Reduced need to travel for telehealth consultations was perceived to benefit both health providers and patients. Telehealth functioned best when there was a pre-established relationship between the patient and the health care provider and with patients who had good knowledge of their personal health, spoke English and had access to and familiarity with digital technology. On the other hand, telehealth was thought to be resource intensive, increasing remote clinic staff workload as most patients needed clinic staff to facilitate the telehealth session and complete background administrative work to support the consultation and an interpreter for translation services. Clinic staff universally emphasised that telehealth is a useful supplementary tool, and not a stand-alone service model replacing face-to-face interactions.

Conclusion

Telehealth has the potential to improve access to healthcare in remote areas if complemented with adequate face-to-face services. Careful workforce planning is required while introducing telehealth into clinics that already face high staff shortages. Digital infrastructure with reliable internet connections with sufficient speed and latency need to be available at affordable prices in remote communities to make full use of telehealth consultations. Training and employment of local Aboriginal staff as digital navigators could ensure a culturally safe clinical environment for telehealth consultations and promote the effective use of telehealth services among community members.
AMH predicts miscarriage in non-PCOS but not in PCOS related infertility ART cycles
Authors: Arkfeld Christopher , Han Eric , Tal Reshef , Seifer David B.
Published: April 2023

Background

To study whether AMH levels were associated with miscarriage rates in index ART cycles undergoing fresh autologous transfers in PCOS and non-PCOS related infertility.

Methods

In the SART CORS database 66,793 index cycles underwent fresh autologous embryo transfers with AMH values reported within the last 1-year between 2014 and 2016. Cycles that resulted in ectopic or heterotopic pregnancies, or were performed for embryo/oocyte banking were excluded.

Data were analyzed using Graphpad Prism-9. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) along with multivariate regression analysis adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and number of embryos transferred. Miscarriage rates were calculated as miscarriage per clinical pregnancies.

Results

Of the total 66,793 cycles, the mean AMH was 3.2 ng/ml and were not associated with increased miscarriage rates for AMH < 1 ng/ml (OR 1.1, CI 0.9–1.4, p = 0.3). Of the 8,490 PCOS patients, the mean AMH was 6.1 ng/ml and were not associated with increased miscarriage rates for AMH < 1 ng/ml (OR 0.8, CI 0.5–1.1, p = 0.2). Of the 58,303 non-PCOS patients, the mean AMH was 2.8 ng/ml and there was a significant difference in miscarriage rates for AMH < 1 ng/ml (OR 1.2, CI 1.1–1.3, p < 0.01). All findings were independent of age, BMI and number of embryos transferred. This statistical significance did not persist at higher thresholds of AMH. The overall miscarriage rate for all cycles, and cycles with and without PCOS were each 16%.

Discussion

The clinical utility of AMH continues to increase as more studies investigate its predictive abilities regarding reproductive outcomes. This study adds clarity to the mixed findings of prior studies that have examined the relationship between AMH and miscarriage in ART cycles.

AMH values of the PCOS population are higher than the non-PCOS. The elevated AMH associated with PCOS decreases its utility in predicting miscarriages in IVF cycles as it may be representing the number of developing follicles rather than oocyte quality in the PCOS patient population. The elevated AMH associated with PCOS may have skewed the data; removing this sub-population may have unmasked significance within the non-PCOS associated infertility.

Conclusions

AMH < 1 ng/mL is an independent predictor of increased miscarriage rate in patients with non-PCOS infertility.
Impact of concomitant mitral valve surgery on the clinical outcomes of patients with moderate functional mitral regurgitation and HFpEF undergoing aortic valve replacement: a cohort study
Authors: Tiemuerniyazi Xieraili , Yang Ziang , Nan Yifeng , Song Yangwu , Zhao Wei , Xu Fei , Feng Wei
Published: April 2023

Background

Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) worsens the prognosis of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). While concomitant mitral valve surgery (MVS) is recommended for severe FMR during aortic valve replacement (AVR), the optimal treatment of moderate FMR, especially in those with HFpEF, remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MVS in patients with moderate FMR and HFpEF undergoing AVR.

Methods

A total of 212 consecutive patients (AVR: 34.0%, AVR-MVS: 66.0%) during 2010 and 2019 were enrolled. Survival outcomes were compared. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance the baseline characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test were applied to compare the survival outcomes. The primary endpoint was the overall mortality.

Results

The mean age was 58.9 $$\pm$$
±
11.9 years, and 27.8% of them were female. During a median follow-up of 16.4 months, AVR-MVS did not reduce the risk of mid-term MACCE (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57–4.17, Plog-rank = 0.396), while it showed a tendency toward higher MACCE risk in the IPTW analysis (HR: 2.62, 95% CI: 0.84–8.16, Plog-rank = 0.096). In addition, AVR-MVS increased the risk of mortality as compared to isolated AVR (0 vs. 10%, Plog-rank = 0.016), which was sustained in the IPTW analysis  (0 vs. 9.9%, Plog-rank<0.001).

Conclusion

In patients with moderate FMR and HFpEF, isolated AVR might be more reasonable than AVR-MVS.
Pretreatment synthetic magnetic resonance imaging predicts disease progression in nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma after intensity modulation radiation therapy
Authors: Yang Fan , Wei Haoran , Li Xiaolu , Yu Xiaoduo , Zhao Yanfeng , Li Lin , Li Yujie , Xie Lizhi , Wang Sicong , Lin Meng
Published: April 2023

Background

To investigate the potential of synthetic MRI (SyMRI) in the prognostic assessment of patients with nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and the predictive value when combined with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as well as clinical factors.

Methods

Fifty-three NPC patients who underwent SyMRI were prospectively included. 10th Percentile, Mean, Kurtosis, and Skewness of T1, T2, and PD maps and ADC value were obtained from the primary tumor. Cox regression analysis was used for analyzing the association between SyMRI and DWI parameters and progression-free survival (PFS), and then age, sex, staging, and treatment as confounding factors were also included. C-index was obtained by bootstrap. Moreover, significant parameters were used to construct models in predicting 3-year disease progression. ROC curves and leave-one-out cross-validation were used to evaluate the performance and stability.

Results

Disease progression occurred in 16 (30.2%) patients at a follow-up of 39.6 (3.5, 48.2) months. T1_Kurtosis, T1_Skewness, T2_10th, PD_Mean, and ADC were correlated with PFS, and T1_Kurtosis (HR: 1.093) and ADC (HR: 1.009) were independent predictors of PFS. The C-index of SyMRI and SyMRI + DWI + Clinic models was 0.687 and 0.779. Moreover, the SyMRI + DWI + Clinic model predicted 3-year disease progression better than DWI or Clinic model (p ≤ 0.008). Interestingly, there was no significant difference between the SyMRI model (AUC: 0.748) and SyMRI + DWI + Clinic model (AUC: 0.846, p = 0.092).

Conclusion

SyMRI combined with histogram analysis could predict disease progression in NPC patients, and SyMRI + DWI + Clinic model further improved the predictive performance.
Multi-sensor geolocators unveil global and local movements in an Alpine-breeding long-distance migrant
Authors: Rime Yann , Nussbaumer Raphaël , Briedis Martins , Sander Martha Maria , Chamberlain Dan , Amrhein Valentin , Helm Barbara , Liechti Felix , Meier Christoph M.
Published: April 2023

Background

To understand the ecology of long-distance migrant bird species, it is necessary to study their full annual cycle, including migratory routes and stopovers. This is especially important for species in high-elevation habitats that are particularly vulnerable to environmental change. Here, we investigated both local and global movements during all parts of the annual cycle in a small trans-Saharan migratory bird breeding at high elevation.

Methods

Recently, multi-sensor geolocators have opened new research opportunities in small-sized migratory organisms. We tagged Northern Wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe from the central-European Alpine population with loggers recording atmospheric pressure and light intensity. We modelled migration routes and identified stopover and non-breeding sites by correlating the atmospheric pressure measured on the birds with global atmospheric pressure data. Furthermore, we compared barrier-crossing flights with other migratory flights and studied the movement behaviour throughout the annual cycle.

Results

All eight tracked individuals crossed the Mediterranean Sea, using islands for short stops, and made longer stopovers in the Atlas highlands. Single non-breeding sites were used during the entire boreal winter and were all located in the same region of the Sahel. Spring migration was recorded for four individuals with similar or slightly different routes compared to autumn. Migratory flights were typically nocturnal and characterized by fluctuating altitudes, frequently reaching 2000 to 4000 m a.s.l, with a maximum of up to 5150 m. Barrier-crossing flights, i.e., over the sea and the Sahara, were longer, higher, and faster compared to flights above favourable stopover habitat. In addition, we detected two types of altitudinal movements at the breeding site. Unexpected regular diel uphill movements were undertaken from the breeding territories towards nearby roosting sites at cliffs, while regional scale movements took place in response to local meteorological conditions during the pre-breeding period.

Conclusion

Our data inform on both local and global scale movements, providing new insights into migratory behaviour and local movements in small songbirds. This calls for a wider use of multi-sensor loggers in songbird migration research, especially for investigating both local and global movements in the same individuals.
Co-curricular engagement among engineering undergrads: do they have the time and motivation?
Authors: Olewnik Andrew , Chang Yunjeong , Su Mengchen
Published: April 2023

Background

Co-curricular activities are often touted as valuable STEM learning opportunities in higher education settings. Particularly in engineering, industry encourage and seek students with co-curricular experiences. However, many engineering undergraduates do not regularly participate in those experiences. Some researchers have suggested that the rigors of the curriculum leave little time for co-curriculars. Yet, little research has empirically examined the reality of the undergraduate students’ involvement in co-curriculars. Thus, as an initial study, we situated our study in a large public university to explore students’ motivations for co-curriculars. In this paper we report on our efforts to understand student perceptions about the value and costs of that involvement. We considered how undergraduate engineering students used their time and what motivated them to engage (or not) in co-curriculars using Expectancy-Value Theory (EVT). Students’ motivation was investigated with a quantitative research methodology and complemented by interview data.

Results

Results of our motivation survey show that students who participated in co-curriculars perceived less cost than those who never participated. We also found that the achievement values of co-curriculars does not necessarily motivate student involvement. Interview data were used to further interpret quantitative data results.

Conclusions

In the context of study findings and existent literature, we discuss several implications for future research and practice. First, we argue for a more granular investigation of student time use and its impact on co-curricular participation. Second, despite the potential for high impact outcomes, students who have never participated perceived high cost for co-curricular engagement. Those perceptions may aggravate inequitable engagement of student populations, including historically marginalized populations in the STEM field. Third, students do not necessarily associate co-curricular experiences with the types of achievement values and learning that institutions, alumni, and industry might consider most important. Thus, to build and support co-curricular programs that provide the holistic educational experiences and learning that are anticipated, research that supports design of co-curricular programs and policies to improve engagement and persistence in those programs for all students is necessary.
Spontaneous spheroids from alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stromal cells maintain pluripotency of stem cells by regulating hypoxia-inducible factors
Authors: Li Ni , Dai Xiaofeng , Yang Fei , Sun Yang , Wu Xingwen , Zhou Qianrong , Chen Kai , Sun Jian , Bi Wei , Shi Le , Yu Youcheng
Published: April 2023

Background

Spontaneous spheroid culture is a novel three-dimensional (3D) culture strategy for the rapid and efficient selection of progenitor cells. The objectives of this study are to investigate the pluripotency and differentiation capability of spontaneous spheroids from alveolar bone-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AB-MSCs); compare the advantages of spontaneous spheroids to those of mechanical spheroids; and explore the mechanisms of stemness enhancement during spheroid formation from two-dimensional (2D) cultured cells.

Methods

AB-MSCs were isolated from the alveolar bones of C57BL/6 J mice. Spontaneous spheroids formed in low-adherence specific culture plates. The stemness, proliferation, and multi-differentiation capacities of spheroids and monolayer cultures were investigated by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and oil-red O staining. The pluripotency difference between the spontaneous and mechanical spheroids was analyzed using RT-qPCR. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIFs) inhibition experiments were performed to explore the mechanisms of stemness maintenance in AB-MSC spheroids.

Results

AB-MSCs successfully formed spontaneous spheroids after 24 h. AB-MSC spheroids were positive for MSC markers and pluripotency markers (Oct4, KLF4, Sox2, and cMyc). Spheroids showed higher Ki67 expression and lower Caspase3 expression at 24 h. Under the corresponding conditions, the spheroids were successfully differentiated into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. AB-MSC spheroids can induce neural-like cells after neurogenic differentiation. Higher expression of osteogenic markers, adipogenic markers, and neurogenic markers (NF-M, NeuN, and GFAP) was found in spheroids than in the monolayer. Spontaneous spheroids exhibited higher stemness than mechanical spheroids did. HIF-1α and HIF-2α were remarkably upregulated in spheroids. After HIF-1/2α-specific inhibition, spheroid formation was significantly reduced. Moreover, the expression of the pluripotency genes was suppressed.

Conclusions

Spontaneous spheroids from AB-MSCs enhance stemness and pluripotency. HIF-1/2α plays an important role in the stemness regulation of spheroids. AB-MSC spheroids exhibit excellent multi-differentiation capability, which may be a potent therapy for craniomaxillofacial tissue regeneration.
Burden of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among pregnant women in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mosisa Getu , Diriba Dereje Chala , Tsegaye Reta , Kejela Gemechu , Bayisa Diriba , Oluma Adugna , Wakuma Bizuneh , Abadiga Muktar , Turi Ebisa , Abera Tesfaye , Bayisa Lami , Tufa Girma
Published: April 2023

Background

The ultimate goal of preventing intestinal parasites among pregnant women is to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Numerous primary studies were conducted in East Africa presented intestinal parasite infection and associated factors among pregnant women. However, the pooled finding is not known. Therefore, this review aimed to identify the pooled prevalence of intestinal parasite infection and its determinants among pregnant women in East Africa.

Methods

Articles published from 2009 to 2021 were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and HINARI databases. The search for unpublished studies such as thesis and dissertations was checked in Addis Ababa University and Africa Digital Library. PRISMA checklist was used to report the review. Articles published in the English Language were considered. The data were extracted by two authors using data extraction checklists on Microsoft excel. Heterogeneity among the included studies was checked using I2 statistics on forest plots. Sensitivity and sub-group analyses were conducted to assess the presence of primary studies, and study characteristics responsible for the observed heterogeneity.

Results

Of the 43 identified articles, about 23 articles were removed due to duplications. Then, by assessing the abstracts and full texts, four articles were removed because they failed to meet the eligibility criteria. Finally, 16 articles were included in the systematic and meta-analysis.The pooled prevalence of intestinal parasites among pregnant women in East Africa was 38.54 (28.77, 48.32). In this study, variables like residing in rural areas (OR: 3.75; CI: 1.15,12.16), availability of latrine(OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 2.22, 3.91), eating raw fruits/vegetables (OR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.16, 5.11). and sources of water as unprotected sources (OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.11,4.35) show statistically significant association with the increased burden of intestinal parasites among pregnant women.

Conclusion

The burden of intestinal parasite infection among pregnant women in East Africa was high. Therefore, efforts should be made in deworming pregnant women at the community and institutional level by stakeholders to reduce the burden of intestinal parasite infections and related complications.
Utilisation of Mangifera indica plant extracts and parts in antimicrobial formulations and as a pharmaceutical excipient: a review
Authors: Alaiya Mojisola Atinuke , Odeniyi Michael A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Antimicrobial resistance and the environmental threat posed by some synthetic antimicrobial agents necessitate more research into development of novel pharmaceutical products that are environmentally friendly. Also, the use of plant derived excipients is growing and opening up new avenue to solve current drug delivery issues in the pharmaceutical industry.

Main body

This review summarizes studies related to the antimicrobial property ofMangifera indicaextracts, possible mechanisms of antimicrobial action and antimicrobial formulations from the plant and overview of researches relating to the use ofM. indicaas a pharmaceutical excipient. Electronic searches were conducted on databases such as Pub Med, Wiley Online Library (WOL) and Google Scholar with focus on published articles relating toM. indica. Inclusion and exclusion criteria include publications relating to antimicrobial properties ofM. indicaextracts, its antimicrobial formulations and its use as a pharmaceutical excipient. The electronic searches yielded about 190 articles. From the studies reviewed, the mechanisms of action of phytochemicals described corroborate the antimicrobial activity exhibited byM. indicaextracts and its selected formulations. In addition, mango pectin was observed to possess potential as a pharmaceutical excipient. Very few previous review articles based their focus on incorporating mechanism of action of phytochemicals with antimicrobial activity.

This review examined antimicrobial properties ofM. indicaextracts and formulations, major phytochemicals in the plant parts and their possible modes of action. In addition, the study assessed the use of natural polymer derived from mango plant as excipients in pharmaceutical and pharmacological preparations.

Conclusion

The study concluded that effective antimicrobial activity of mango plant extracts and formulations requires synergy of actions among various phytochemical constituents of the extract or formulation. It is recommended that more researches focused on discovery of new phytochemicals inM. indica,their mechanisms of action and effective utilization of the plant in the pharmaceutical industry should be further explored.
Navigating the Ocean of Suspicion
Authors: Malmström Maria Frederika
Published: April 2023

This article explores the ambiguity of familiar materialities and the relationships between material and affective experiences. Those flows and interactions are crucial sites for interrogating social meanings, valences, and effects of suspicion. It explores how politically active Cairenes navigate suspicious spaces, bodies, and nonliving things in the cityscape and how materiality shapes and is shaped by the emotional-aesthetic responses of individuals and groups to the stimuli it provides. In this specific context, the distinct form of what the author calls agential ambivalence, where feelings of control apply to tactics for managing surveillance and to reckless risk-taking are key. Agential ambivalence is required to “stay alive” in Cairo. The activists the author knows still take extreme risks and sometimes even make seemingly careless decisions. Ambivalence in face of suspicion is a given, but it takes specific shapes and dynamics.
FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine-based Chemotherapy for Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Multi-institutional, Patient-Level, Meta-analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Eshmuminov Dilmurodjon , Aminjonov Botirjon , Palm Russell F. , Malleo Giuseppe , Schmocker Ryan K. , Abdallah Raëf , Yoo Changhoon , Shaib Walid L. , Schneider Marcel André , Rangelova Elena , Choi Yoo Jin , Kim Hongbeom , Rose J. Bart , Patel Sameer , Wilson Gregory C. , Maloney Sarah , Timmermann Lea , Sahora Klaus , Rössler Fabian , Lopez-Lopez Víctor , Boyer Emanuel , Maggino Laura , Malinka Thomas , Park Jeong Youp , Katz Matthew H. G. , Prakash Laura , Ahmad Syed A. , Helton Scott , Jang Jin-Young , Hoffe Sarah E. , Salvia Roberto , Taieb Julien , He Jin , Clavien Pierre-Alain , Held Ulrike , Lehmann Kuno
Published: April 2023

Background

Pancreatic cancer often presents as locally advanced (LAPC) or borderline resectable (BRPC). Neoadjuvant systemic therapy is recommended as initial treatment. It is currently unclear what chemotherapy should be preferred for patients with BRPC or LAPC.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and multi-institutional meta-analysis of patient-level data regarding the use of initial systemic therapy for BRPC and LAPC. Outcomes were reported separately for tumor entity and by chemotherapy regimen including FOLFIRINOX (FIO) or gemcitabine-based.

Results

A total of 23 studies comprising 2930 patients were analyzed for overall survival (OS) calculated from the beginning of systemic treatment. OS for patients with BRPC was 22.0 months with FIO, 16.9 months with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (Gem/nab), 21.6 months with gemcitabine/cisplatin or oxaliplatin or docetaxel or capecitabine (GemX), and 10 months with gemcitabine monotherapy (Gem-mono) (p < 0.0001). In patients with LAPC, OS also was higher with FIO (17.1 months) compared with Gem/nab (12.5 months), GemX (12.3 months), and Gem-mono (9.4 months; p < 0.0001). This difference was driven by the patients who did not undergo surgery, where FIO was superior to other regimens. The resection rates for patients with BRPC were 0.55 for gemcitabine-based chemotherapy and 0.53 with FIO. In patients with LAPC, resection rates were 0.19 with Gemcitabine and 0.28 with FIO. In resected patients, OS for patients with BRPC was 32.9 months with FIO and not different compared to Gem/nab, (28.6 months, p = 0.285), GemX (38.8 months, p = 0.1), or Gem-mono (23.1 months, p = 0.083). A similar trend was observed in resected patients converted from LAPC.

Conclusions

In patients with BRPC or LAPC, primary treatment with FOLFIRINOX compared with Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy appears to provide a survival benefit for patients that are ultimately unresectable. For patients that undergo surgical resection, outcomes are similar between GEM+ and FOLFIRINOX when delivered in the neoadjuvant setting.
The views on distributive justice and economic inequality revisited: the political philosophy and the economic perspectives on (in)equality
Authors: Ivanov Denis
Published: April 2023

This review attempts to provide pointers to some of the parallel evolution of the concept of distributive justice put forward by philosophers, political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists. In political philosophy, debates originating in the 17th century have primarily focused on the conditions for redistribution, the definition of justice, and how to make society more just. These debates have evolved from discussions between egalitarians and utilitarians to modern theories of capabilities and inequality of opportunity. Economic inequality from the economists perspective is often linked to the measurement of socioeconomic conditions at a specific point in time (although initial conditions or future income may also be considered), and often does not include considerations of fairness or institutional guarantees of liberty, equal opportunity, or fair distribution. This review emphasizes that distributive justice and inequality are separate concepts with separate discussions. Political philosophers debate distributive justice along multiple axes, including utilitarian and egalitarian perspectives, as well as theories of ex ante inequality of opportunity and capabilities. In contrast, economists focus on issues such as measurement, the existence of an efficiency/inequality trade-off, and the endogeneity of inequality.
O różnych koncepcjach i praktykach edytorskich na przykładzie akt sejmiku kowieńskiego z lat 1733–1795
Authors: Glabisz Grzegorz
Published: April 2023

Wydanie akt sejmikowych kowieńskich z lat 1733–1795 należy uznać za ważne wydarzenie w historii polskiego edytorstwa, gdyż jest to pierwsza nowoczesna edycja części akt sejmikowych z jednego okręgu (powiatu kowieńskiego) dotycząca Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego. Celem artykuł jest prezentacja tego zbioru dokumentów, jak również przyjętych w nim rozwiązań edytorskich (zasady gromadzenia materiału, selekcji, porządkowania oraz kwestie redakcyjne) na tle dotychczasowej dyskusji nad wydawaniem tego typu bardzo ważnych źródeł do dziejów dawnej Rzeczypospolitej.
Two-Sided Cultural Fit: The Differing Behavioral Consequences of Cultural Congruence Based on Values Versus Perceptions
Authors: Lu Richard , Chatman Jennifer A. , Goldberg Amir , Srivastava Sameer B.
Published: April 2023

How do people establish and maintain cultural fit with an organization? Prior research has offered two perspectives that have heretofore been conceptually disconnected. One focuses on personal values, whereas another emphasizes perceptions of the cultural code. We develop a theoretical account that integrates these approaches by linking them to distinct mechanisms and behavioral consequences of cultural fit. We propose that value congruence—the match between one’s values and those that prevail in an organization—relates to the mechanism of group attachment and shapes behavior when one periodically steps back from day-to-day interactions, assesses one’s identification with an organization, and determines whether to stay or voluntarily depart. In contrast, we argue that perceptual congruence—the degree to which one implicitly understands an organization’s prevailing values and norms—relates to the mechanism of interpersonal coordination and influences behavior when one engages in routine peer interactions. Accordingly, we theorize that these two forms of cultural fit relate to distinct behaviors, voluntary exit and linguistic conformity with peers, respectively. Drawing on email and survey data from a midsized technology firm, we find support for our theory and discuss the implications of our findings for research on person-culture fit, dual-process models of culture and cognition, and the pairing of surveys with digital trace data.

Funding: This work was supported by the Berkeley Culture Center, the Cortese Distinguished Chair in Management, the Grether Chair of Business Administration and Public Policy.
Service within the extremely gendered North Atlantic Treaty Organization: civil and military personnel’s approaches to gender equality-focused policies
Authors: Bohdalová Lucie , Stojarová Věra
Published: April 2023

The article emphasises the challenges in the implementation of gender equality-focused policies in military missions and demonstrates the backlash these policies can create in everyday social interaction in military missions. A qualitative method of thematic analysis was used to study 17 in-depth interviews with former civilian and military personnel in the International Security Assistance Force and Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. The discursive exploratory analysis displayed that normative masculine constructions foster an environment in which women are perceived as: a threat to the unit they are part of; disruptive to male bonding in the unit; an objectified body; and an essential part of the successful mission in Afghanistan. Gender equality-focused policies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization face resistance in implementation because they threaten resources perceived greatly important in the organisation: normative masculine constructions. The military fails in attempts to manage diversity, and the military culture further values and reinforces sameness.
Gender, disability and political representation: understanding the experiences of disabled women
Authors: Evans Elizabeth , Reher Stefanie
Published: April 2023

Women face multiple barriers during political recruitment and representational processes. Concomitantly, a burgeoning scholarship has revealed the existence of various obstacles to elected office faced by disabled people. While studies have examined the intersections between gender, race and class, we know little about how the intersection between disability and gender shapes people’s experiences. This article provides an exploratory case-study analysis of the UK. We centre the perspectives of disabled women in our analysis, drawing upon qualitative interviews undertaken with 41 disabled women candidates, politicians and party activists, as well as participant observation of online events organised to discuss disabled women and elected office. Three themes emerged from this research: first, disabled women feel that they are perceived as ‘not up to the job’; second, disabled women are ‘othered’ during recruitment processes; and, third, hyper-visibility experienced by some, but not all, disabled women can be experienced positively but mainly negatively.
Characterising the HIV self-testing market in Kenya: Awareness and usage, barriers and motivators to uptake, and propensity to pay
Authors: West Rebecca L. , Freeman Lily , Pahe Charlotte , Momanyi Harmon , Kidiga Catherine , Malaba Serah , Ciecielag Joanna , Ridge Mary-Clare , Goldwin Emma , Awsumb Heather , Sharma Sunny
Published: April 2023

HIVST has a key role in ensuring countries meet their 95-95-95 goals. For HIVST to be sustainable, we should explore sharing costs with users as well as the overall experience. This research explores why a consumer would use HIVST and willingness to pay for HIVST through surveying 1,021 participants 18–35 living in Nairobi or Kisumu who were not diagnosed as HIV positive and who are not currently taking PrEP for HIV. A majority (89.8%) would pay 100 KSH and 64.7% would pay 300 KSH, at higher prices likelihood of paying dropped sharply. Price reduction or subsidization coupled with interventions to address the identified barriers may increase HIVST uptake. We identified 5 distinct groups based on willingness to pay and drivers/ barriers to HIVST uptake. These were created using dimension reduction, hierarchical clustering, and k-means analysis to group respondents. 79% of participants had ever heard of HIVST, and 24% had ever used HIVST. The 5 groups included active users, unlikely users, and three segments interested in HIVST with different barriers: need for HCP support, need for increased privacy/confidentiality, and fear of positive result/disclosure.
Expected goals in football: Improving model performance and demonstrating value
Authors: Mead James , O’Hare Anthony , McMenemy Paul
Published: April 2023

Recently, football has seen the creation of various novel, ubiquitous metrics used throughout clubs’ analytics departments. These can influence many of their day-to-day operations ranging from financial decisions on player transfers, to evaluation of team performance. At the forefront of this scientific movement is the metricexpected goals, a measure which allows analysts to quantify how likely a given shot is to result in a goal however, xG models have not until this point considered using important features, e.g., player/team ability and psychological effects, and is not widely trusted by everyone in the wider football community. This study aims to solve both these issues through the implementation of machine learning techniques by, modelling expected goals values using previously untested features and comparing the predictive ability of traditional statistics against this newly developed metric. Error values from the expected goals models built in this work were shown to be competitive with optimal values from other papers, and some of the features added in this study were revealed to have a significant impact on expected goals model outputs. Secondly, not only was expected goals found to be a superior predictor of a football team’s future success when compared to traditional statistics, but also our results outperformed those collected from an industry leader in the same area.
Natural β-carotene prevents acute lung injury induced by cyclophosphamide in mice
Authors: El-Baz Farouk K. , Ali Sami I. , Elgohary Rania , Salama Abeer
Published: April 2023

IL-17 is associated with varied inflammatory and immune-related diseases. However, the biological function of IL-17 and its expression in acute lung damage are not entirely known. Thanks to the powerful antioxidant properties of β-carotene, we presumed that it would show a potent protecting effect against cyclophosphamide (CP) -induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. We studied the mechanisms underlying the effect of β-carotene supplementation against CP-induced ALI in mice. We isolated the β-carotene fromScenedesmus obliquusmicroalgae n-hexane extract and identified it by HPLC and1H-NMR analysis. Within the experiments, 40 mice were assigned into five groups randomly: Group 1 (Control): Mice received saline. Group 2 (β-carotene control): Mice were administered β-carotene (40 mg/kg; orally) once daily for 10 sequent days without CP injection. Group 3 (CP): One i.p injection of 200 (mg/kg) of CP was given to mice. Group 4 and 5 (CP + β-carotene): Mice were administered β-carotene (20 and 40 mg/kg; orally) once a day for ten days following the CP injection. Lung samples were collected for lab analysis, after scarifying the animals at the experiment end. Administration of β-carotene orally reduced CP-induced ALI and inflammation. β-carotene significantly decreased wet-to-dry weight ratios (W/D), down-regulated IL-17, NF-κB, and IKBKB, decreased the contents of TNF-α, COX-2, and PKC, and increased the contents of SIRT1 and PPARγ in the lung tissues. β-carotene ameliorated the histopathological changes induced by CP and reduced the scoring number of inflammatory cell infiltration and emphysema when compared to CP. Consequently, we conclude natural β-carotene is a promising anti-inflammatory mediator for different inflammatory-related complications.
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of conventional and interlaminar full-endoscopic decompressive laminectomy to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (ENDO-F trial): Protocol for a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial
Authors: Kim Jin-Sung , Bae Junseok , Lee Dong Chan , Shin Sang-Ha , Keum Han Joong , Choi Young Soo , Eun Sang Soo , Shin Seung Ho , Hong Hyun Jin , Kim Ji Yeon , Kim Tae Hyun , Lim Woojung , Kim Junghoon , Park Sang-Min , Park Hyun-Jin , Lee Hong-Jae
Published: April 2023

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common spinal degenerative condition. Minimally invasive interlaminar full-endoscopic decompressive laminectomy provides greater patient satisfaction and faster recovery than open decompressive laminectomy. The aim of our randomized controlled trial will be to compare the safety and efficacy of interlaminar full-endoscopic laminectomy and open decompressive laminectomy. Our trial will include 120 participants (60 per group) who will undergo surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis. The primary outcome will be the Oswestry Disability Index measured at 12 months postoperatively. Secondary patient-reported outcomes will include back and radicular leg pain measured via a visual analog scale; the Oswestry Disability Index; the Euro-QOL-5 Dimensions score measured at 2 weeks and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively; and patient satisfaction. The functional measures will include time to return to daily activities postoperatively and walking distance/time. The surgical outcomes will include postoperative drainage, operation time, duration of hospital stay, postoperative creatine kinase (an indicator of muscle injury) level, and postoperative surgical scarring. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography images and simple radiographs will be obtained for all patients. The safety outcomes will include surgery-related complications and adverse effects. All evaluations will be performed by a single assessor at each participating hospital who will be blinded to group allocation. The evaluations will be conducted preoperatively and at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The randomized, multicenter design of the trial, blinding, and justification of the sample size will reduce the risk of bias in our trial. The results of the trial will provide data regarding the use of interlaminar full-endoscopic laminectomy as an alternative to open decompressive laminectomy that results in similar surgical findings with less invasiveness.

Trial registration: This trial is registered at cris.nih.go.kr. (KCT0006198; protocol version 1; 27 May 2021).
Activity and Stability of Lipases Immobilized onto Acetylated Bacterial Cellulose
Authors: Khanh Vu Linh Tran , Kim Nguyen Anh Thuy , Le Ngoc Lieu
Published: April 2023

Bacterial cellulose (BC) materials were used for lipase immobilization to improve enzyme activity and stability. BC films produced by Komagataeibacter xylinus were first acetylated in an acetic anhydride/iodine system to convert their OH groups to more hydrophobic acetyl groups. Activity yield (44.4%) and maximum specific activity (12.44 μmol mg–1 min–1) were achieved when 400 mg of BC was acetylated in 20 mL of acetic anhydride containing 0.275 mM of iodine. Studies on the catalytic activity of lipase also show that the immobilization of lipase on acetylated BC (ABC) films significantly enhanced its tolerance to temperature and pH. Immobilized lipases retained 89% and 56% of their catalytic activities after being incubated at 60 °C and 80 °C for 1 h, respectively; while those of free lipases significantly decreased to 24% (60 °C) and only 11% (80 °C). Immobilized lipases incubated at pH 5.0 and pH 10.0 for 24 h also retained high catalytic activities (70% and 82%, respectively), considerably higher than those of free lipases (19% - pH 5.0 and 63% - pH 10.0). Tolerance to organic solvents, such as n-hexane, acetone, ethanol, isopropanol of ABC-immobilized lipase was also improved. The immobilization of lipase on ABC films significantly improved its reusability and storage stability: ABC-immobilized lipase still could be reused for 30 cycles with residual activities of more than 90%, and still retained 95% of its early activity after 15-day storage at 4 °C. This implies that ABC-immobilized lipase is potentially applied in food, medicine, biodiesel and detergent industries.
Rimaykunawan, ñawpa yachaykunawan ima, sumaq mosqoypa kamariynin. Kikinmanta simikunaq hamut’ayninwan, qhelqaqpa willarikuyninwan ima
Authors: Quispe-Collantes Roxana
Published: April 2023

Q’estesqa

Unu raymay killapin, iskay waranqa chunka isqonniyoq watapin, Perú suyupiqa hoq mana hayq’aq ruwakusqanta ruwarani, qhelqaspay, chaymanta mamitaypa churawasqan Qosqomanta runasimiywan, harawimanta hatun k’uskiyniyta hark’arani. Kay qhelqaqa hoq hatun mosqoymanta willarikuyninmi kakun, noqaq kawsayniymantapacha awasqa kakun, aylluykunawan kawsayniymantapachawanpas awasqa kakun, llaqtarunakunawan kawsayniymantapachawan ima awasqa kakun, warmiruna hina kawsayniymantapas tarikun, runasimipi rimaq llaqtakunamanta qhawarichiqnin hina, hark’aqninpuwanpas kaspa, hamut’asqa k’uskikunaq qhelqaqnin kaspa ima.
Heraclitean Flux Metaphysics
Authors: Bassford Andrew Dennis
Published: April 2023

This essay offers an original interpretation and defense of the doctrine of flux, as it is presented in Plato’s Theaetetus. The methodology of the paper’s analysis is in the style of rational reconstruction, and it is highly analytic in scope, in the sense that I will focus on the text itself, and only on certain parts of it too, while ignoring the rest of Plato’s extensive corpus, and without worrying about whether, how, and to what extent the interpretation of the view coheres well with the other elements of the secret doctrine view discussed in the dialogue, as well. In the first part of the essay, I’ll offer my interpretation of the doctrine. Then, in the second part of the essay, I’ll examine two potential criticisms of the doctrine, including Socrates’s infamous linguistic paradox, and show how my interpretation of Heraclitean flux metaphysics is able to circumvent both.
Investigation of magnetized convection for second-grade nanofluids via Prabhakar differentiation
Authors: Ali Qasim , Riaz Samia , Memon Imran Qasim , Chandio Irfan Ali , Amir Muhammad , Sarris Ioannis E. , Abro Kashif Ali
Published: April 2023

The application of nanoparticles in the base fluids strongly influences the presentation of cooling as well as heating techniques. The nanoparticles improve thermal conductivity by fluctuating the heat characteristics in the base fluid. The expertise of nanoparticles in increasing heat transference has captivated several investigators to more evaluate the working fluid. This study disputes the investigation of convection flow for magnetohydrodynamics second-grade nanofluid with an infinite upright heated flat plate. The fractional model is obtained through Fourier law by exploiting Prabhakar fractional approach along with graphene oxide

(

GO

)

({\rm{GO}})

and molybdenum disulfide

(

Mo

S

2

)

({\rm{Mo}}{{\rm{S}}}_{2})

nanoparticles and engine oil is considered as the base fluid. The equations are solved analytically via the Laplace approach. The temperature and momentum profiles show the dual behavior of the fractional parameters

(

α
,
β
,
γ

)

(\alpha ,\beta ,\gamma )

at different times. The velocity increases as

Grashof number

{\rm{Grashof\; number}}

increases and declines for greater values of magnetic parameter and Prandtl number. In the comparison of different numerical methods, the curves are overlapped, signifying that our attained results are authentic. The numerical investigation of governed profiles comparison shows that our obtained results in percentages of

0.2

0.2

≤ temperature ≤

4.36

4.36

and velocity

0.48
≤
7.53

0.48\le 7.53

are better than those of Basit et al. The development in temperature and momentum profile, due to engine oil–GO is more progressive, than engine oil–MoS2.