bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
State Absence, Vengeance, and the Logic of Vigilantism in Guatemala
Authors: Dow David A. , Levy Gabriella , Romero Diego , Tellez Juan Fernando
Published: May 2023

Across the world, citizens sidestep the state to punish offenses on their own. Such vigilantism can help communities provide order, yet it raises concerns about public accountability and the rights of the accused. While prior research has identified the structural correlates of vigilantism, an open question is in which cases citizens prefer vigilantism over conventional policing. To make sense of these preferences, we draw on two logics of punishment: state substitution and retribution. Using survey data from a conjoint experiment presented to over 9000 households across Guatemala, we find that preferences for vigilantism depend on how transgressive the crime is as well as how unlikely it is to be prosecuted by the state. Victim and perpetrator gender, as well as crime severity and profession of the perpetrator, affect whether people endorse vigilante punishment. These results ultimately raise concerns about the viability of "informal" forms of policing.
Guānxì and the Centurion: A Preliminary Chinese-Indonesian Intercultural Reading of the Bible (Luke 7:1-10 as a Test Case)
Authors: Baito Linus
Published: May 2023

This article offers a preliminary Chinese-Indonesian intercultural reading of biblical texts. Taking Luke 7:1-10 as a test case, it examines the interplay of three variables: the centurion’s faith (Luke 7:1-10), gua¯nxì, and the Chinese-Indonesian Christian Mission. In doing so, it utilises Thomas Grenham’s intercultural theology as its conceptual framework. I argue that reading gua¯nxì and the centurion of Luke 7:1-10 interculturally will illuminate Christian Mission works in Indonesia. While focusing on the Indonesian Mission, I also promote a multidisciplinary approach to missiology for the global and plural context.
Expectancy or Salience?—Replicating Senders’ Dial-Monitoring Experiments With a Gaze-Contingent Window
Authors: Eisma Yke Bauke , Bakay Ahmed , de Winter Joost
Published: May 2023

Introduction

In the 1950s and 1960s, John Senders carried out a number of influential experiments on the monitoring of multidegree-of-freedom systems. In these experiments, participants were tasked with detecting events (threshold crossings) for multiple dials, each presenting a signal with different bandwidth. Senders’ analyses showed a nearly linear relationship between signal bandwidth and the amount of attention paid to the dial, and he argued that humans sample according to bandwidth, in line with the Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem.

Objective

The current study tested whether humans indeed sample the dials based on bandwidth alone or whether they also use salient peripheral cues.

Methods

A dial-monitoring task was performed by 33 participants. In half of the trials, a gaze-contingent window was used that blocked peripheral vision.

Results

The results showed that, without peripheral vision, humans do not effectively distribute their attention across the dials. The findings also suggest that, when given full view, humans can detect the speed of the dial using their peripheral vision.

Conclusion

It is concluded that salience and bandwidth are both drivers of distributed visual attention in a dial-monitoring task.

Application

The present findings indicate that salience plays a major role in guiding human attention. A subsequent recommendation for future human–machine interface design is that task-critical elements should be made salient.
“I don’t Want to Die Alone” Nurses’ Perception of Ageism: A Qualitative Study
Authors: BAYKAL Dilek , ÇÖMLEKÇİ Necmiye , CAN Gülbeyaz
Published: May 2023

The aim of the study was to learn the perceptions and thoughts of nurses with whom older patients interact constantly. In this research, semi-structured interview was used. In a research hospital in Istanbul between March-June 2019, 16 volunteers were included in the study. Researchers led individual semi-structured interviews regarding nurses’ perceptions, how they overcame those challenges, and need and expectations aging care (dying patients). All interviews were analysed using thematic analysis methods and synthesized into major themes. The research was planned based on the 32-item checklist (COREQ) guideline. Nurses ( N = 16) reported three themes: (i) ageing perceptions (ii) care for dying patients, (iii) expectations and five subthemes emerged in this study. It is understood that nurses have a positive perception of ageing. In addition, nurses have expectations from the state (financial support, gerontology service etc.) and society (respectful, understanding etc.) to reduce the difficulties they experience while caring for dying patient.
Dietary total antioxidant capacity and serum 8-OHdG in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Karagöl Gülbin , Songur Emrah , Rakıcıoğlu Neslişah
Published: May 2023

Background

Dietary total antioxidant capacity serves as an indicator for dietary quality and reflects daily antioxidant intake. This study aimed to determine the oxidative stress status of patients with schizophrenia and to examine the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (dTAC) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker for oxidative stress.

Methods

This study was conducted in Turkey and involved 40 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., and 30 healthy controls matched for age and gender. The participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and nutritional habits were determined through face-to-face interviews and through the use of questionnaires. The dTAC and dietary oxidative balance scores were calculated using a three-day dietary intake record. 8-OHdG levels were analyzed in the serum samples collected from the subjects.

Results

Dietary ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP-1, FRAP-2), Trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC) values were lower in patients with schizophrenia than in the healthy controls ( P < 0.05). Serum 8-OHdG levels were found similar in both groups ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Nutritional interventions are needed in patients with schizophrenia given that insufficient antioxidant intake may increase oxidative stress, which in turn affects disease development. Therefore, healthy nutrition, especially sufficient intake of dietary antioxidants, should be encouraged in patients with schizophrenia.
Eiffel Tower: A deep-sea underwater dataset for long-term visual localization
Authors: Boittiaux Clémentin , Dune Claire , Ferrera Maxime , Arnaubec Aurélien , Marxer Ricard , Matabos Marjolaine , Van Audenhaege Loïc , Hugel Vincent
Published: May 2023

Visual localization plays an important role in the positioning and navigation of robotics systems within previously visited environments. When visits occur over long periods of time, changes in the environment related to seasons or day-night cycles present a major challenge. Under water, the sources of variability are due to other factors such as water conditions or growth of marine organisms. Yet, it remains a major obstacle and a much less studied one, partly due to the lack of data. This paper presents a new deep-sea dataset to benchmark underwater long-term visual localization. The dataset is composed of images from four visits to the same hydrothermal vent edifice over the course of 5 years. Camera poses and a common geometry of the scene were estimated using navigation data and Structure-from-Motion. This serves as a reference when evaluating visual localization techniques. An analysis of the data provides insights about the major changes observed throughout the years. Furthermore, several well-established visual localization methods are evaluated on the dataset, showing there is still room for improvement in underwater long-term visual localization. The data is made publicly available at seanoe.org/data/00810/92226/.
Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of basalt-hemp hybrid reinforced polypropylene
Authors: Rhodes Kyleigh , Pelaez-Samaniego Manuel Raul , Kiziltas Alper , Preston Jim , Meysami Mohammad , Geda Andrew , Yadama Vikram
Published: May 2023

A growing concern of climate change and waste pollution is causing a shift in products towards green materials. The automotive industry is exploring environmentally friendly alternatives to glass fibers (GF). This research focuses on understanding interactions between constituents of biocomposites made up of basalt fiber (BF) and hemp hurd particle fiber (HF) reinforced polypropylene (PP), and statistically comparing the mechanical properties. The addition of a coupling agent has significantly improved the performance and fiber-matrix interactions in the biocomposite blends. The elastic modulus of some BF/HF/PP mixtures were comparable to the GF/PP composite; however, the GF still outperformed in strength. Rotational and capillary rheometer analysis determined the viscosities of all formulations displaying that basalt composites were consistently lower in viscosity than the glass fiber composite, indicating easier processing conditions.
Properties of coir fibre/polylactic acid composites based on amylase processing
Authors: Sun Zhicheng , Yang Xingxing , Wang Min , Duan Guoyan , Wang Wei
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of amylase treatment on the properties of polylactic acid (PLA) composite, using coir fiber. The coir fiber was treated with a 5% amylase solution and the modified coir/PLA composite was produced via hot pressing. The mechanical properties, water absorption and moisture absorption properties, and microstructure of the composites were analyzed. The findings revealed that the addition of amylase-treated coir fiber significantly enhanced the strength and stiffness of the composite. Specifically, the tensile strength, bending strength, and impact strength increased by 5 times, 3.6 times, and 2 times, respectively. Furthermore, the composite’s fracture mode changed from pure tensile to shear and tensile mixed fracture. The water absorption performance of the coir fiber composite increased by an average of 29.58% after amylase treatment, which improved the composite’s ability to withstand humidity. Lastly, the microstructure of the composite material was discussed. The enzyme decomposed the starch in the fiber, removing impurities and increasing the surface area, providing more sites for binding to polylactic acid and improving the interface compatibility between the two substances. The results are significant for developing new and sustainable bio-based composites.
Rates and causes of mortality among the homeless in Sydney
Authors: Woodman Logan , Staples Lauren , Karin Eyal , Solterbeck Kirra , Burns Nicholas , Mitchell Rebecca , Nielssen Olav
Published: May 2023

Objective

To report on the rate and causes of mortality, and associations with premature mortality among the homeless in inner city Sydney.

Method

Retrospective cohort study of 2,498 people who attended a psychiatric clinic conducted at the three main homeless hostels between 17 February 2008 and 19 May 2020. Cox’s proportional hazards regression was used to identify factors associated with mortality.

Results

A total of 324 of the 2498 (13.0%) clinic attenders were found to have died in the follow-up period, with a mean age at death of 50.7 years. Unnatural causes of death (119/324, 36.7%) included drug overdose (24.1%), suicide (6.8%) and other injuries (5.9%), at a younger age (44.4 years) than those who died from natural causes (54.4 years). There were 142 (43.8%) deaths from natural causes and 63 (19.4%) in which the cause of death was not determined.

Conclusions

The study confirms the high mortality of homeless clinic attenders in Sydney found in a study from 30 years earlier. The lower mortality among regular attenders supports the provision of accessible services to address the physical health needs of homeless people, as well as ready access to mental health and substance use services.
Effects of Tai Chi on Lung Function, Exercise Capacity and Psychosocial Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yang Ying , Yang Li , Yang Xuejin , Tian Yuqi
Published: May 2023

Objectives: To explore whether tai chi can improve lung function, exercise capacity, and health-related outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) databases were searched from inception to January 5, 2023. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions criteria. Results: A total of 1430 participants from 20 randomized controlled trials were included in this review. The results indicated significant effects of tai chi on FEV1, 6WMD, anxiety, and quality of life ( p < 0.01), but not on FEV1%, FEVI/FVC, depression, and social support. Conclusions: Tai chi might be a potential alternative therapy to improve FEV1, 6WMD, anxiety, and quality of life for patients with COPD.
Applying an Established Exposure Response Prevention Protocol for Young People With Tourette Syndrome in an Intensive, Group Format: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Hadji-Michael Maria , Catanzano Matteo , McAllister Eve , Heyman Isobel , Lack Oliver , Murphy Tara , Gilmour Jane
Published: May 2023

Background

The motor and vocal tics that characterise Tourette syndrome are stigmatizing and impact on quality of life. Behavioural interventions such as Exposure Response Prevention or Comprehensive Behavioural Interventions for Tics are first line treatment for Tourette syndrome, but availability is limited. This study is the first to explore the impact of an established manualised Exposure Response Prevention treatment protocol, developed for individual therapy, but here uniquely delivered intensively, to a group.

Methods

A naturalistic study comprised of a consecutive series of children ( N = 20), aged 8–16 years (M = 12, SD = 2.17) were offered Exposure Response Prevention in one of two groups, delivered in series within a specialist clinic. Young people received the equivalent of 12 sessions (matching the manualised individual protocol).

Results

The YGTSS and Giles de la Tourette Syndrome Quality of Life Scale for Children and Adolescents (Satisfaction Scale) showed significant improvement following treatment with moderate to large effect sizes. Thirty-five percent of children demonstrated a reliable improvement on the YGTSS Global Tic Severity score.

Conclusions

These data suggest an established Exposure Response Prevention protocol can be delivered in an intensive, group setting with a positive clinical outcome. Replication in a randomized controlled trial is an important next step.
Colonialities of chrononormativity: Exploring the im/possibilities of un/becoming childhoods
Authors: Pasley And , Jaramillo-Aristizabal Alejandra
Published: May 2023

This paper diffracts the work of Maria Lugones, Elizabeth Freeman, and Karen Barad to develop the notion of colonialities of chrononormativity. This diffractive reading is motivated by a desire to examine the way childhoods are a colonial inheritance, producing multiplicitous configurations of children that embody various un/just distributions of agency. That is, like the coloniality of gender (Lugones, 2007), the coloniality of chrononormativity re/produces the boundaries of acceptability around how childhood ought to be performed, as part of broader colonialities of power (Quijano, 2000). This work does not suggest that these colonialities are separable, recognising the entanglement of gender, capitalism, labour, disability, race, sexuality, age, and the reproduction of inequalities. Rather than colonialities diluting one another, we demonstrate how it is this very entanglement that produces the narrow parameters of normative childhoods, fosters hegemony, and affects intelligibilities. While mapping the boundaries of colonialities of childhood is productive, insofar as it resists the naturalisation of colonial taxonomies, we are more concerned with how tracing these entanglements allows us to attend to the im/possibilities of doing ‘childhood’ differently, affording different responses to what it means to become child.
Improving Self-reported Prescription Medicine Data Quality with a Commercial Database Lookup Tool and Claims Matching
Authors: Defever Kali , Reimer Becky , Trierweiler Michael , Comperchio Elise
Published: May 2023

Estimating prescription medicine use is challenging due to recall bias associated with surveys and coverage bias in administrative data. This study assesses how making operational improvements and combining both survey and administrative data sources can increase data quality on filled prescriptions. We use data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) and administrative data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). First, we investigate improvements from a prescription medicine lookup (PMLU) tool integrating a commercial medicine database into the MCBS. We then examine impacts of matching survey-reported medicines to Part D claims. We find that the PMLU improves accuracy and reduces measurement bias. Claims matching identifies additional medicines, especially for beneficiaries with more chronic conditions and medicines. This study shows that integrating a commercial database and supplementing with administrative data improves data quality and reduces sources of error.
Pemphigus and thyroid disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Linxi , Huang Xin , Yao Yue , Zhang Guoqiang
Published: May 2023

Objective

No consensus exists regarding the association between pemphigus and thyroid disease. To explore the relationship between the two conditions by synthesizing the existing data.

Methods

We performed this review based on PubMed, Embase and Web of Science (from inception to 2022) and used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for assessing the quality of studies. The outcome was represented by pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). And the publication bias and sensitivity analyses were developed.

Results

Our analyze finally included six studies containing 17,567 pemphigus patients. Overall, we revealed that pemphigus is significantly associated with hypothyroidism (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.54–1.87), while not with thyroid cancer (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.41–2.11) and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) (OR 1.64, 95% CI 0.91–2.95). In subgroup analyses, pemphigus was also not associated with Graves’ disease (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.63–1.49) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.88–1.97).

Conclusion

Our results reveal a significant association between pemphigus and hypothyroidism. Considering other relevant studies, we also speculate that the prevalence of AITD is higher in pemphigus patients than in the general population.
First report of house crow Corvus splendens removing burning cotton wicks from oil lamps, extinguishing and eating
Authors: Sarlin Pathissery John , Morris Sancia , Morris Savio , Morris Sandie , Joseph Polycarp , Sherly Darshitha
Published: May 2023

Corvids have long impressed scientists with their flexibility in problem-solving and innovative tool use. Opportunistic observations of five wild house crows ( Corvus splendens), a couple of them approaching burning oil lamps and delicately lifting the flaming wick and extinguishing it to consume the cotton wick are reported here. Although similar behaviour has been reported earlier in a few species, this is the first report of such an observation in house crows. Wild crows probably with no experience performing this fire manipulation, wary of nearby humans, could put the bird or its surroundings in jeopardy. Anecdotal reports of crows setting haystacks and thatched roofs ablaze are popular. The crow’s manoeuvres on the burning lamp and the skilful manipulation of the burning wick without getting hurt are commendable and warrant further research. Studies on the nonhuman fire-handling capability could illuminate our understanding of the behaviour of our ancestral hominins towards the fire that led to their mastery over fire.
Congenital and acquired anomalies of the basilar artery: A pictorial essay
Authors: Catalano Marco , Crimi Luca , Belfiore Giuseppe , Grippaldi Daniele , David Emanuele , Spatola Corrado , Cristaudo Concetto , Foti Pietro Valerio , Palmucci Stefano , Basile Antonio
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The basilar artery is one of the two cases in our body where an arterial vessel is formed by the union of two others – the vertebral arteries. It provides vascular supply to essential structures for the main vital functions; the posterior cerebral arteries originate from it as terminal branches, and form part of the anastomotic circle of Willis.

Imaging findings

Congenital and acquired anomalies of the basilar trunk are described. We provide a schematic and detailed representation of normal anatomical variants – mainly represented by the fenestrated basilar artery or the persistence of carotid-basilar anastomosis; course anomalies are also illustrated, with reference to neuro-vascular conflicts and dolichoectasia. Among congenital anomalies, this pictorial review also shows the variants of the basilar origin, such as in the case of basilar trunk arising from only one of the two vertebral arteries, and the calibre changes – which are represented by aneurysm and hypoplasia. The latter appears to be a risk factor for posterior circulation stroke, when associated with a bilateral posterior foetal variant. Among the acquired forms, this pictorial essay describes some clinical cases of dissections, non-congenital aneurysms, thrombosis and tumour with vascular encasing or compression of basilar artery.

Conclusion

CT angiography and MRI allow us to study the posterior intracranial circulation in detail, providing useful pre-treatment information. Therefore, knowledge of congenital or acquired anomalies of the basilar artery is essential for radiologists, neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons.
Defending victims of cross-border fraud in the EU – A Portuguese view, including the use of preventive “freezing” of bank accounts under anti-money laundering legislation
Authors: Ramos Vânia Costa , Pereira Coelho Diogo
Published: May 2023

The Article looks into recovering assets for victims of frauds using the financial system to launder proceeds, against the backdrop of two case-examples and the lessons learned by the authors from their practice as lawyers in Portugal. It sets out relevant EU instruments (Section I) and then turns into the main difficulties and obstacles in practice (Section II). Finally, it addresses the use of preventive suspension of banking operations (“SOB”) under AML laws at the service of the interests of the victims of cross-border fraud. It argues albeit these have not been built or designed bearing victims' interests in mind they are essential to the recovery of the proceeds and their return to fraud victims. The authors propose to reflect on improving such mechanisms, namely by guaranteeing that it is possible to make consecutive blockings that follow the trail of the proceeds of the fraud through the various jurisdictions involved; and also on the pertinence of giving an explicit place to the victim in the legal framework that regulates the mechanisms for the prevention of money laundering, namely by facilitating the access of the victims to reporting channels that allow for a quick activation of such mechanisms (Section III). The piece concludes stating that although multiple mechanisms are available to ensure the protection of victims' financial interests in this context, the articulation and definition of the strategy is highly complex, making the intervention of a lawyer essential. In any event, if there is no swift intervention and freezing of the proceeds at the outset of the detection of fraud, it is as a rule impossible to recover victims' assets. It is ironic that in practice such freezing is at best made possible by AML laws that were not designed having victims' interests at the forefront.
Resection of Cervical Dumbbell-Shaped Schwannoma Using Posterior Unilateral Approach: Impact on Postoperative Cervical Function and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Okubo Toshiki , Nagoshi Narihito , Tsuji Osahiko , Suzuki Satoshi , Takahashi Yohei , Yagi Mitsuru , Matsumoto Morio , Nakamura Masaya , Watanabe Kota
Published: May 2023

Study Design

A retrospective comparative study

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the radiographical changes in cervical sagittal alignment (CSA) and clinical outcomes after tumor resection using a posterior unilateral approach without spinal fixation for patients with cervical dumbbell-shaped schwannoma (DS).

Methods

Seventy-three patients with DS who were followed up for at least 2 years were included. The Eden classification was used to designate the types of DS. The CSA and range of motion (ROM) were analyzed using radiographs. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and JOA cervical myelopathy questionnaire.

Results

The CSA in the neutral, flexion, and extension position and cervical ROM were not significantly reduced in the follow-up period. The JOA scores showed significant improvement after surgery. The postoperative radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes of Eden type II or III DS, which needed facetectomy for the resection, did not show any statistically significant difference compared with those of Eden type I tumor, which was resected without facetectomy. Fifty-two cases (71.2%) achieved gross total resection, whereas 21 cases (28.8%) remained in partial resection (PR). One case underwent reoperation due to the regrowth of the remnant tumor whose margin was at the entrance of the intervertebral foramen.

Conclusions

Tumor resection using the posterior unilateral approach preserved CSA and resulted in favorable clinical outcomes in patients with DS. When the resection ends in PR, the proximal margin of the remnant tumor should be located distally away from the entrance of the foramen to prevent regrowth.
Association Between Chronic Diseases and Need for Dental Treatment in a Stomatology of Special Patients Service
Authors: Abanto-Silva Lillie Elizabeth , López-Torres Ana Cristina , Garcés-Elías María Claudia , León-Manco Roberto A.
Published: May 2023

Aim:

To determine the association between chronic diseases (CD) and the need for dental treatment in patients of the stomatology of special patients service (SSPS) of the Teaching Dental Center (TDC) of Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) in Lima-Peru from 2016 to 2019.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study with a total population of 2024 digital medical records of individuals over 18 years old. A dependent variable was need for dental treatment, so an instrument to assess it was created; additionally, the presence of CD was evaluated. Other covariates considered were pharmacological treatment, last dental visit, provenance, age group, and sex. Statistical analyses were performed, including a bivariate analysis using the Chi-square test. Finally, a Poisson linear regression was performed to determine crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with the variables showing associations, with a 95% confidence level (95%CI) and a p < .05 value.

Results:

The need for low-complexity dental treatment was present in 2.62% ( n = 52) of patients, moderate complexity in 27.21% ( n = 541) of patients, and high complexity in 70.17% ( n = 1395) of patients. In relation to CD, 30.58% ( n = 608) had one, 31.39% ( n = 624) had two, and 38.03% ( n = 756) had three or more. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of three to more CD and the need for high-complexity vs. low-complexity treatment, an aPR of 1.02 (95%CI): 1.01–1.04; p = .019) was obtained.

Conclusion:

There is a positive association between the presence of three or more CD and the need for high complexity dental treatment compared to low-complexity dental treatment, adjusted for use of pharmacological treatment and age.
The effect of the perceptible built environment on pedestrians’ walking behaviors in commercial districts: Evidence from Hong Kong
Authors: Yang Chendi , Lo Siu Ming , Ma Rui , Fang Hongqiang
Published: May 2023

In order to structure an efficient and comfortable commercial district for pedestrians, we need to understand the interaction between pedestrian walking behavior and the complex elements of the built environment. Previous studies have focused on people’s activities in the context of the neighborhood rather than the commercial district. This study investigates the potential associations between multi-dimensional environmental factors and pedestrians under various temporal distributions in a densely populated commercial district. Multi-source urban data and semantic segmentation technics have been adopted to measure the built environmental quality from four classic dimensions of urban design, and combining the observations of pedestrian volumes of representative streets in the commercial district, we assess the relationship between the two at different times on the basis of a generalized linear model (GLM). The analytical results identify that the Morphology, Visual perception, Function, and Street configuration features of the commercial environment have a significant impact on walking activity, and temporal differences exist. The findings highlight the importance of built environment quality to pedestrians and street attractiveness, and inform designers, stakeholders, and municipalities on the revitalization of traditional commercial districts.
Good Luck or Bad Omen: Attitudes Towards the Slender Loris in the City of Bengaluru, India
Authors: Bhaskaran Varsha , Nagendra Harini , Gupta Kaberi Kar
Published: May 2023

Cities are characterised by social and cultural diversity. The management of urban wildlife requires developing a better understanding of cultural beliefs associated with wildlife in diverse urban settings. We document a range of cultural beliefs associated with the slender loris ( Loris lydekkerianus), an endemic, nocturnal primate, in the Indian megacity of Bengaluru. Many residents associate the loris with practices such as black magic, and they believe that the animal’s call is a bad omen that brings death and misfortune. Others consider it a harbinger of good luck that offers protection to young children. These superstitious beliefs may motivate illegal wildlife trafficking of the loris. Urbanisation has led to changes in these perceptions, and many respondents now report that they consider these beliefs to be old-fashioned superstitions that hold no place in a modern city. This study contributes to knowledge on changing urban attitudes to wildlife, which is vital to developing conservation strategies that involve local residents.
“I Got it from my Mama:” The influence of working-class parents on young people’s cultural capital for success in school and work
Authors: Kundu Anindya , Liu Yimeng , Ahn June
Published: May 2023

In discussing what young people need in order to thrive in school and work environments, the existing education and workforce literature largely credits the types of social and cultural capital that are gained from middle-class upbringings, and rarely are working-class and low-income counterparts valued or considered conducive to achievement. In this research paper, we discuss how minoritized students from low-income homes described their first experiences in summer internships and their earliest memories related to work. Our student participants, 25 Bronx high school seniors, largely credited their guardians’ and family members’ work ethic (cultural capital) in working-class jobs as critical in their own motivational development. Our findings indicate that the experiences underrepresented youth have at home, through lessons and examples, lead to positive benefits and the development of certain forms of cultural capital, which can lead to academic success and occupational identity formation.
The development of a novel, multilingual IBD knowledge questionnaire for Asian patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Razima Wan Ibrahim Nik , Danaee Mahmoud , Khoo Xin-Hui , Sithambaram Suresh , Shahrani Shahreedhan , Hwong-Ruey Leow Alex , Chang Jo-Ven , Francis Mayberry John , Normiha Hilmi Ida
Published: May 2023

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease is an uncommon disease in developing nations whereby patient’s knowledge on the disease may be limited. The CCKNOW questionnaire, a widely known questionnaire to assess patient’s knowledge on the disease, may be too complex to comprehend for patients in developing countries. The aim of this study is to develop a new tool known as AIBDKQ questionnaire to evaluate the local inflammatory bowel disease patient’s knowledge.

Methods

This was a prospective study carried out in four phases. In phase 1, three gastroenterologists with expertise in IBD generated a total of 21 questions related to the general knowledge of the disease in the English language. Phase 2 involved content and face validity whereby the questions were further validated by other gastroenterologists. In phase 3, the validated questions were translated into three languages namely Malay, Mandarin and Tamil which are commonly used in Malaysia. In phase 4 (statistical validity), administration of the questionnaires to patients and hospital staff were conducted to assess the construct validity, discriminative ability, predictive validity and reliability of the questionnaires.

Results

A total of 21 questions were generated initially. Further evaluation indicated that 20 items had adequate kappa and content validity index for relevance (CVI: 0.714 to 1, Kapp: 0.645 to 1) and clarity (CVI: 0.714 to 1, Kapp: 0.645 to 1). The questionnaires in four languages were administered to 213 patients to assess the construct validity. Six items were removed (three for low communality, one for small loading factors, two for cross loading), resulting in 16 final questions. Assessment with 34 hospital staff involving nurses, doctors and clerks showed significant differences in knowledge between the groups (F = 14.007, p < 0.001) and were able to discriminate doctors from nurses and clerks. Another group of 18 hospital staff administered with AIBDKQ and CCKNOW questionnaires showed a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.8 indicating strong correlation and concurrent predictive validity between the two questionnaires. Final assessment with 38 patients for reliability assessment revealed high intraclass correlation of the questionnaire among the four languages.

Conclusions

The AIBDKQ has an excellent discriminant ability and internal consistency with a strong correlation when compared to the standard CCKNOW questionnaire.
'A perfect storm' or missed care? Focus group interviews with dementia care professionals on Advance Care Planning
Authors: Tetrault Annika , Nyback Maj-Helen , Fagerström Lisbeth , Vaartio-Rajalin Heli
Published: May 2023

Background

Dementia is one of the leading causes of dependency and disability among older people and currently the seventh leading cause of death among all diseases. In recent years, healthcare research in Advance Care Planning in dementia care has received increased attention. Advance Care Planning is a discussion process conducted in anticipation of future deterioration of a person’s health condition. The purpose of the study was to investigate the views of dementia nurses and geriatricians on Advance Care Planning in dementia care.

Methods

The study design is a qualitative study using semi-structured focus group interviews with dementia care professionals in a region in Western Finland. A total of seventeen dementia care professionals participated. A modified version of the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven was used for the data analysis.

Results

The data analysis identified one main theme and three sub-themes describing the views of dementia nurses and geriatricians on Advance Care Planning in dementia care. The main theme was the ‘perfect storm’ with sub-themes relating to the person with dementia, the care process, and the care professional. The unfavorable circumstances creating a ‘perfect storm’ are related to the nature of the illness and the associated stigma, to the unclarity in the suggested care path with inadequate guidelines for Advance Care Planning, and to the demands placed on dementia nurses and geriatricians, as well as to insufficient resources.

Conclusions

Dementia nurses and geriatricians acknowledge the importance of advance directives and express a generally positive view of Advance Care Planning in dementia care. They also hold views on a number of factors which affect the conditions for conducting Advance Care Planning. The lack of Advance Care Planning in dementia care can be seen as a form of missed care caused by multiple forces coming together simultaneously.
Evaluation of different treatment modalities on the efficacy of hydroxypropyl Guar (HP-Guar) formulation on tear film stability (TFS) in subjects exposed to adverse environmental conditions
Authors: Abusharha Ali , Pearce Ian E. , Afsar Tayyaba , Alsaqr Ali , Fagehi Raied , Razak Suhail
Published: May 2023

The study aimed to assess the efficacy of hydroxypropyl guar (HP) formulation (Systane) to protect tear film parameters under desiccating environment using protection and relief treatment modalities. The subjects were exposed to adverse environmental conditions using a Controlled Environment Chamber (CEC) where the relative humidity (RH) was 5% and the ambient temperature was 21 °C and screened for Tear break-up time (TBUT), Tear film evaporation rate (TFER) and lipid layer thickness (LLT) using the HIRCAL grid, Servomed EP3 Evaporimeter and Keeler’s TearScope-Plus respectively. Significant improvement in LLT was noticed in the protection modality. The mean tear film evaporation rate doubled after exposure to the humidity of 5% to a value of 105.37 g/m2/h (0.29 µl/min). All subjects displayed a significant reduction in non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) with a mean NITBUT of 7.7 s after exposure to a desiccating environment for 15 min. A significant increase in NITBUT after the instillation of the drops was recorded in both methods. The results obtained from this study showed that a solution containing HP-Guar significantly improves tear film parameters under a desiccating environment. Apart from the tear evaporation rate, all tear parameters showed improvement after the use of HP-Guar eye drops. It is evident that tear film parameters respond differently to the management modalities and using CEC has the potential to provide researchers with a readily available method to evaluate the efficiency of tear supplementation.
Role of bioactive magnetic nanoparticles in the prevention of wound pathogenic biofilm formation using smart nanocomposites
Authors: Eghbalifam Naeimeh , Shojaosadati Seyed Abbas , Hashemi-Najafabadi Sameereh
Published: May 2023

Background

Biofilm formation and its resistance to various antibiotics is a serious health problem in the treatment of wound infections. An ideal wound dressing should have characteristics such as protection of wound from microbial infection, suitable porosity (to absorb wound exudates), proper permeability (to maintain wound moisture), nontoxicity, and biocompatibility. Although silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been investigated as antimicrobial agents, their limitations in penetrating into the biofilm, affecting their efficiency, have consistently been an area for further research.

Results

Consequently, in this study, the optimal amounts of natural and synthetic polymers combination, along with AgNPs, accompanied by iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), were utilized to fabricate a smart bionanocomposite that meets all the requirements of an ideal wound dressing. Superparamagnetic IONPs (with the average size of 11.8 nm) were synthesized through co-precipitation method using oleic acid to improve their stability. It was found that the addition of IONPs to bionanocomposites had a synergistic effect on their antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. Cytotoxicity assay results showed that nanoparticles does not considerably affect eukaryotic cells compared to prokaryotic cells. Based on the images obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), significant AgNPs release was observed when an external magnetic field (EMF) was applied to the bionanocomposites loaded with IONPs, which increased the antibacterial activity and inhibited the formation of biofilm significantly.

Conclusion

These finding indicated that the nanocomposite recommended can have an efficient properties for the management of wounds through prevention and treatment of antibiotic-resistant biofilm.

Graphical Abstract
Multifunctional antibacterial bioactive nanoglass hydrogel for normal and MRSA infected wound repair
Authors: Zhang Long , Niu Wen , Lin Yuyao , Ma Junping , Leng Tongtong , Cheng Wei , Wang Yidan , Wang Min , Ning Jingya , Yang Shuanying , Lei Bo
Published: May 2023

Large-scale skin damage brings potential risk to patients, such as imbalance of skin homeostasis, inflammation, fluid loss and bacterial infection. Moreover, multidrug resistant bacteria (MDRB) infection is still a great challenge for skin damage repair. Herein, we developed an injectable self-healing bioactive nanoglass hydrogel (FABA) with robust antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ability for normal and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infected skin wound repair. FABA hydrogel was fabricated facilely by the self-crosslinking of F127-CHO (FA) and alendronate sodium (AL)-decorated Si-Ca-Cu nanoglass (BA). FABA hydrogel could significantly inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and MRSA in vitro, while showing good cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility. In addition, FABA hydrogel could inhibit the expression of proinflammatory factor TNF-α and enhance the expression of anti-inflammatory factor IL-4/ IL-10. Based on its versatility, FABA hydrogel could complete wound closure efficiently (75% at day 3 for normal wound, 70% at day 3 for MRSA wound), which was almost 3 times higher than control wound, which was related with the decrease of inflammatory factor in early wound. This work suggested that FABA hydrogel could be a promising dressing for acute and MRSA-infected wound repair.

Graphical Abstract
Get this thing out of my body! Factors determining consent for translational oncology research: a qualitative research
Authors: Caroline Desprès , Marie-France Mamzer
Published: May 2023

Background

Depending on the needs of scientific research at a given time, biobanks make biological samples and data available to researchers. In this article, we aim to describe the reasons and underlying logic that determine the decision to grant or deny consent to the conservation of tumour samples in a biological resource platform for research purposes. We make use of the CARPEM biological resource platform model, where broad consent is required.

Methods

The results are based on semi-structured interviews, conducted between 2019 and 2021, with 25 individuals having various profiles.

Results

All the people interviewed readily accepted the principle of conserving a tumour sample for research purposes. They explained their decision by citing the desire to participate in research dedicated to improving therapeutic medicine. Their trust in research institutions or in doctors was an important factor in their consent. The tumorous nature of the samples also played an important role, as did the absence of constraints. Finally, the high level of consent was also based on the difficulty they had in conceiving what the future risks might be once the sample had been taken, whereas the fact that they did not know the nature or purpose of the research to be carried out when they signed the consent form posed some problems. These results stem from a lack of a culture of ethics among the people interviewed.

Conclusion

The information provided in the context of consent at the CARPEM tumour bank seems inadequate for consent to be considered 'informed', given the low level of knowledge that people have of the risks and issues. Information is missing even though we feel it would not change consent or only marginally. This raises questions, since part of the act of granting consent is based on the implicit trust French people have in the hospital that collects the data and in research practices in general. In the minds of those who participate, transparency is the ground on which trust rests. Lack of transparency could be deleterious for future research practices. However, it is not by striving to improve information leaflets that the consent-related information will improve but, rather, by more effectively helping future patients to assimilate that information.
IL-17A-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction induces pyroptosis in colorectal cancer cells and promotes CD8 + T-cell tumour infiltration
Authors: Feng Wen-Qing , Zhang Yu-Chen , Xu Zhuo-Qing , Yu Su-Yue , Huo Jian-ting , Tuersun Abudumaimaitijiang , Zheng Min-Hua , Zhao Jing-Kun , Zong Ya-Ping , Lu Ai-Guo
Published: May 2023

Background

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), a proinflammatory cytokine primarily secreted by Th17 cells, γδT cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells, performs essential roles in the microenvironment of certain inflammation-related tumours by regulating cancer growth and tumour elimination proved in previous literature. In this study, the mechanism of IL-17A that induces mitochondrial dysfunction promoted pyroptosis has been explored in colorectal cancer cells.

Method

The records of 78 patients diagnosed with CRC were reviewed via the public database to evaluate clinicopathological parameters and prognosis associations of IL-17A expression. The colorectal cancer cells were treated with IL-17A, and the morphological characteristics of those cells were indicated by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. After IL-17A treatment, mitochondrial dysfunction was tested by mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The expression of pyroptosis associated proteins including cleaved caspase-4, cleaved gasdermin-D (GSDMD), IL-1β, receptor activator of nuclear NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck like protein containing a card (ASC), and factor-kappa B was measured through western blotting.

Results

Positive IL-17A protein expression was observed in CRC compared to the non-tumour tissue. IL-17A expression indicates a better differentiation, earlier stage, and better overall survival in CRC. IL-17A treatment could induce mitochondrial dysfunction and stimulate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, IL-17A could promote pyroptosis of colorectal cancer cells and significantly increase the secretion of inflammatory factors. Nevertheless, the pyroptosis induced by IL-17A could be inhibited through the pre-treatment with Mito-TEMPO (a mitochondria-targeted superoxide dismutase mimetic with superoxide and alkyl radical scavenging properties) or Z-LEVD-FMK (caspase-4 inhibitor, fluoromethylketone). Additionally, after being treated with IL-17A, an increasing number of CD8 + T cells showed in mouse-derived allograft colon cancer models.

Conclusion

IL-17A, as a cytokine mainly secreted by γδT cells in the colorectal tumour immune microenvironment, can regulate the tumour microenvironment in multiple ways. IL-17A could induce mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis through the ROS/NLRP3/caspase-4/GSDMD pathway, and promote intracellular ROS accumulation. In addition, IL-17A can promote the secretion of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β、IL-18 and immune antigens, and recruit CD8 + T cells to infiltrate tumours.

Graphical Abstract