bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different Surgical Approaches to the Treatment of Cleft Palate Fistulae as Perceived by Cleft Surgeons
Authors: Smit Johannes A. , Houkes Ruben P. , Lachkar Nadia , Don Griot J. Peter W. , van der Horst Chantal M.A.M. , Tse Raymond W. , Fayyaz Ghulam Qadir , Adams Saleigh , Breugem Corstiaan C.
Published: September 2024

Objective

Palatal fistulas after palatoplasty could pose difficulties for both patients and surgeons. Numerous surgical approaches are available to treat palatal fistulas. In this manuscript, we investigate surgical treatment options for palatal fistula repair looking at the different anatomical locations, and we create a summary of surgical approaches to facilitate the decision-making process for palatal fistulae repair.

Design

In this cross-sectional survey, nine anonymized patient cases with palatal fistulae that differed in severity and anatomical location were presented to participants from the International Cleft Master Course in Amsterdam about “Palatal Fistulas”. Participants were invited to participate in this survey. A total of 141 participants reported their preferred surgical treatment options for fistula repair at different anatomical locations.

Results

We created different options for fistula treatment, catalogued by fistula location. This overview gives the surgeon possible approaches for each location. If the soft palate is involved, this overview underscores the importance of including velopharyngeal insufficiency management into the fistula repair. For hard palate involvement, our overview lists techniques available for nasal lining repair and for oral lining repair in each region.

Conclusions

We provide a comprehensive overview of potential surgical approaches to repair palatal fistulae. This inventory of techniques is grouped per location to support surgeons in their decision-making process when confronted with a palatal fistula.
Spectrum of Findings Seen in Patients With IDH1/2-Mutant Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Kierans Andrea Siobhan , Lutfi Areeb , Afghan Maaz Khan , Khan Sahrish , Javaid Sana , Currie Brian Michael , Rocca Juan , Samstein Benjamin , Golden Encouse , Popa Elizabeta , Hissong Erika , Kasi Pashtoon Murtaza
Published: September 2024

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma—with a growing incidence rate and poor prognosis—is not an uncommon cancer. Molecular profiling can reveal actionable aberrations in at least a third of the tumors. This is especially so in the case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), where mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 genes ( IDH1/2) make up 15%–20% of these tumors. IDH1/2 mutant ICC is a rare disease that has not been adequately reported. To expand the spectrum of findings seen in these patients, we present a single institution case series.

Methods and results

We descriptively characterize the clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings of 12 such patients. IDH1/2 mutant ICC was found in elderly women, with two-thirds of patients having additional co-mutations. Anecdotally, patients who did receive systemic and/or locoregional therapies had long-term durable outcomes.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate an increasing need to personalize an approach for these patients with specific molecular alterations. With the advent of the IDH1 inhibitor ivosidenib and other inhibitors in this space, IDH1/2 mutation have both prognostic and predictive value. Our series builds upon the patterns and findings seen in these patients.
Design of Multimodal In-Vehicle Notifications at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings: A Perception Study
Authors: Dam Abhraneil , Ro Henry , Walker Samantha , Ban Gayoung , Lautala Pasi , Veinott Elizabeth , Jeon Myounghoon
Published: September 2024

Up to 67% of accidents at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings (HRGCs) are due to motorists not stopping in time. To reduce the likelihood of vehicle-train accidents, the current study investigated the design of five novel visual and auditory in-vehicle notifications. An “Inform” notification was tested for “display time.” Notifications, “Slow,” “Intersection,” and “Stop” were tested for “display time” and “speech length”; a notification, “Over Tracks” was tested for “speech length” and “presentation order.” Twenty-six participants viewed driving simulator recordings, and rated the notifications at active rail crossing scenarios using Likert scales. The results showed that shorter speech length was preferred with delayed notification displays, and longer speech length was preferred with early notification displays. However, complex scenarios might require longer speech even with delayed displays, depending on additional variables such as driver speed or visibility. Additionally, the tradeoff between notifications being too urgent and startling should also be considered in safety-critical scenarios.
Cancer Therapeutic Potential and Prognostic Value of the SLC25 Mitochondrial Carrier Family: A Review
Authors: Gao Renzhuo , Zhou Dan , Qiu Xingpeng , Zhang Jiayi , Luo Daya , Yang Xiaohong , Qian Caiyun , Liu Zhuoqi
Published: September 2024

Transporters of the solute carrier family 25 (SLC25) regulate the intracellular distribution and concentration of nucleotides, amino acids, dicarboxylates, and vitamins within the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic matrices. This mechanism involves changes in mitochondrial function, regulation of cellular metabolism, and the ability to provide energy. In this review, important members of the SLC25 family and their pathways affecting tumorigenesis and progression are elucidated, highlighting the diversity and complexity of these pathways. Furthermore, the significant potential of the members of SLC25 as both cancer therapeutic targets and biomarkers will be emphasized.
(Re)Presenting Endarkened Narrative Inquiry Through Vulnerable, Empowered, and Spirit-Driven Narratives
Authors: McClish-Boyd Keondria
Published: September 2024

This article extends the previous conversations around Endarkened Narrative Inquiry (ENI) and wisdom whisper. Endarkened narrative inquiry is a culturally situated qualitative framework rooted in Black women’s onto-epistemologies and narrative inquiry. Wisdom whisper is a qualitative data collection method that attends to the various nuances of language, attitudes, and upbringing that exist in discourse, particularly from an intergenerational context. In this article, I expand that knowledge base, informed by existing literature, to present the creation of Vulnerable, Empowered, and Spirit-Driven Narratives (VES Narratives) as an approach to qualitative data analysis and (re)presentation from a culturally situated perspective. Specifically, I offer VES Narratives to reconcile O’Neal’s and other scholars’ critiques of using Western Bildungsroman as a coming-of-age technique for people of color, especially women of color.
Differential Diagnoses for Isolated Right Sixth Nerve Palsy in the High Altitude Setting: A Case Report
Authors: Alba Benjamin GJ
Published: September 2024

This case report describes the presentation and management of a patient with an isolated right sixth nerve palsy while trekking in Nepal. Consideration is made of the anatomy of the sixth nerve and the differential diagnoses afforded to this isolated sign, including high altitude cerebral edema. The case stresses the need to exclude life-threatening pathologies for any symptoms associated with altitude and includes decision-making processes on whether to monitor the patient in the field or evacuate them to a definitive care facility.
Female Muslim Tourism and Familial Caretaking: Intersection of Gender and Religion
Authors: Nisha Farisha , Cheung Catherine
Published: September 2024

Underpinned by intersectionality theory, this study deciphered female Muslims’ tourism experiences associated with the gendered practice of familial caretaking, which was amplified by Islamic cultural practices of huqooq-ul-ibaad representing collectivist welfare; males’ qawamum role as financial maintainer socializing females into caretaker and virtue ethics of akhlaaq, reinforcing feminist care ethics. Religion influences ambivalent discourses of caretaking and tourism, involving positive and negative experiences of separateness and togetherness with family. Traditionally, familial caretaking is prioritized over tourism, while contemporary familial caretaking is executed through tourism (i.e., regular caretaking; tourism as a form of familial care). Contemporary female Muslims are empowered through tourism to focus on self-care and gender equality in caretaking, which also emphasizes alternative Islamic perspectives (e.g., Rabbatul-bait positioning as queen of the house, unlike subordination). This study unveiled cultural similarities and differences in female Muslims from a religious-minority context. Tourism stakeholders are encouraged to accommodate cultural diversities and address caretaking constraints.
The push-through total femoral prosthesis for revision of a total hip or knee replacement with extreme bone loss
Authors: Bakircioglu Sancar , Bulut Abdulkadir M , Oral Melih , Çağlar Omur , Atilla Bulent , Tokgözoğlu A Mazhar
Published: September 2024

Purpose:

The aim of the present study was to assess outcomes of using the push-through total femoral prothesis (PTTF) for revision total hip replacement with extreme bone loss.

Methods:

10 consecutive patients who received PTTF between 2012 and 2018 for revision hip arthroplasty were included in the study. Primary functional outcomes were assessed using Harris Hip Score (HHS), Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores. Range of motion, complications, and ambulatory status were also recorded to assess secondary outcomes.

Results:

2 of 10 patients underwent surgery with PTTF for both knee and hip arthroplasty revision. The mean time between index surgery and PTTF was 15 years (3–32 yrs). Acetabular components were revised in 6 of 10 patients during PTTF application. After a mean follow-up of 5.9 years, hip dislocations occurred in 3 patients. All of the dislocated hips were ones with retained conventional non-constrained acetabular bearings. Patient satisfaction was high (MSTS: 67%, HHS: 61.2%, TESS 64.6%) despite high re-operation rate (40%) and minor postoperative problems.

Conclusions:

PTTF should be considered for hip and knee arthroplasty revision procedures in patients with an extreme bone defect. Consistent usage of constrained liners should be considered to avoid hip dislocation, which was our main problem following the procedure.
The influence of information technologies on creative and critical thinking of students / La influencia de las tecnologías de la información en el pensamiento crítico y creativo de los estudiantes
Authors: Li Tao
Published: September 2024

Innovative information technology is developing rapidly and is penetrating many areas of life, including education. The paper measures the impact of innovative information technology, using augmented reality (AR) as an example, on the development of creativity and critical thinking among students. The study was conducted among 180 students from Tonghua Normal University in China. The research design: a pre-test and post-test experiment with a control group. The following research findings were obtained: academic knowledge of the experimental group was higher (15.73) than that of the control group (12.13). ARLE model improved critical thinking (8.77 in AR group, 7.60 in the traditional group) and creativity (593 in AR group, 570 in the traditional group). The resulting data demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed model of learning with the augmented reality technology. The research findings have practical implications. For example, they may be used to create new augmented reality apps for other disciplines and majors. The study presents recommendations on the development of creative and critical thinking, which teachers of various disciplines can apply in practice. The impact of other digital tools in education needs to be carefully studied to determine their effectiveness.
Prevalence and Determinants of Household Access to Improved Latrine Utilization in Somalia: Health Demographic Survey (SHDS) 2020
Authors: Ahmed Hassan Abdi , Ali Dahir Abdi
Published: September 2024

The aim of this research paper is to determine the prevalence of improved household latrine utilization and its determinants in Somalia, using the Somali Health Demographic Survey (SHDS) 2020 dataset. Limited sanitation is a major global problem mainly for the poor and disadvantaged. According to the SHDS 2020 report, around 22.3% of households in Somalia utilize unimproved toilet facilities. In this study, a secondary data analysis was carried out on the SHDS 2020 dataset. The study included 15 826 households weighted for representativeness. Four models were constructed after identifying relevant factors for the outcome variable. The first model, null (empty), had no independent variables. The second model assessed the effect of individual-level determinants on the outcome. The third model determined how community-level variables influenced on the response variable. Finally, a multilevel multivariable logistic regression model examined the combined impact of individual- and community-level factors on the outcome variable. The prevalence of improved latrine utilization in Somalia was (41.1%). The factors: educational status (AOR: 1.899 (1.598, 2.258)), wealth index (AOR: 7.815 (6.990, 8.736)), urban residence (AOR: 2.467 (2.262, 2.690)), households living in various regions/states, including Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Southwest, Puntland, Jubaland, and Somaliland, indicate statistically significant findings and were more likely to utilize improved latrines (AOR: 0.259 (0.229, 0.294)), (AOR: 0.223 (0.196, 0.254)), AOR: 0.196 (0.168, 0.230)), (AOR: 0.220 (0.194, 0.251)), (AOR: 0.204 (0.180, 0.232)), (AOR: 0.086 (0.077, 0.095)). Hirshabelle had a 0.259 times more likelihood of improved latrine utilization than the rest of the regions/states, (AOR: 0.259 (0.229, 0.294)). The prevalence of improved latrine utilization was quite low in Somalia. Higher wealth index, living in more urbanized areas, and the household head’s educational status were all significant predictors of improved latrine utilization. The finding implies a need to increase household’s access to latrine facilities and improve latrine utilization, particularly for rural households in the country.
Technocracy, populism, and the (de)legitimation of international organizations
Authors: van der Veer Reinout , Meibauer Gustav
Published: September 2024

Our understanding of the contestation of liberal international order relies on an intuitive dualism. Technocratic norms underpin the legitimation of international organizations (IOs) because IOs embody a functional and depoliticized mode of problem-solving based on expertise and non-majoritarianism. Populist norms challenge IO authority as IOs create constraints on the popular will of the “true people.” We empirically examine whether this duality extends to the actors engaging in IO (de)legitimation by leveraging a novel and unprecedentedly fine-grained database on IO (de)legitimation by national governments. We find that (de)legitimation patterns of governments with technocratic or populist tendencies are far more dynamic and diverse than a dualistic account suggests. In particular, we find complex patterns of (de)legitimation that suggest challenges to and defenses of IO authority are driven more by a strategic, as opposed to an ideological, logic. We outline implications for the literatures on the international liberal order, technocracy, and populism.
Draw-a-Monster: Scaffolding and nurse-child improvisations at a child health center
Authors: Aronsson Karin , Rindstedt Camilla
Published: September 2024

This case study documents social interaction between a nurse and a 4-year-old boy during routine Draw-a-Man assessments at a child health center. Detailed analyses illuminate how the nurse scaffolded head, legs, arms, eyes, and mouth step by step, as elements of a jointly improvised monster story. Nurse-child interaction alternated between scaffoldings and joint improvisations during the child’s drawing of a man who would ‘guard’ a monster. The drawing was co-construed through storytelling and alignments. Divergent participation frameworks were invoked, when the child did not let go of his precious drawing, insisting on taking it home to dad, while the nurse invoked the center’s routines (archiving all drawings). This brief micro drama was resolved through whispered by-play between mother and child. The analyses show how a drawing task is co-construed through improvisations and storytelling, and it also illuminates the role of joint performance for building we-teams and adult-child alignments.
The study on the wood candidates for the impact limiter of a spent fuel cask
Authors: Tianbao Lan , Si-qi Zhu , Keke Lu , Feng Sheng
Published: September 2024

The nuclear fuel transportation package is meticulously designed to enclose radioactive materials, guaranteeing containment even after undergoing a free-drop impact test and considering potential accident situations to prevent radioactive leakage. The impact limiters attached to the transport cask are engineered to absorb impact energy. Wood, renowned for its strong energy absorption capacity, is often specified as the core material within impact limiters. It is crucial to accurately determine the wood material employed in the impact limiter. This study carried out crushing experiments on various common wood materials to obtain stress versus strain data for the selection of the appropriate wood material. Indicators such as density, crushing strength, and densification strain are utilized to assess the suitability of wood as the filler material of the impact limiter. Paulownia wood is chosen based on density, the appropriate energy absorption value per unit volume, and response acceleration. The dispersity of the strengths of Paulownia wood is taken into account with the weakest-link models. The finite element method is adopted to precisely design and verify the impact limiter. The arrangement of the glulam wood is designed to balance the energy absorption in hypothetical accident conditions. Finally, tests on the application of the impact limiter in the transportation cask were conducted to validate the proper design of the impact limiter. This study can offer reference and data support for the research on wood filler materials.
Students Follow Structured Guidance in an Asynchronous Online-Only Course, Despite Diverging Preferences
Authors: Wehrhahn Franziska , Gaschler Robert , Zhao Fang
Published: September 2024

Online-only course design has to balance students’ needs to experience (1) competence and (2) autonomy as it may affect their motivation. Lecture units can provide structured guidance by being made accessible in a fixed order, or support students’ autonomy by providing free access to all lecture units. Online-only courses with lecture units including videos and quizzes can help provide psychology education to diverse populations. This includes nontraditional students who might struggle to attend traditional courses. We used a questionnaire with two vignettes in Study 1 ( N = 152) and found that most students preferred free access to lecture units. Yet, using Moodle log data in Study 2 ( N = 424) showed that most students did follow structured guidance in an asynchronous online-only course. Combining the assessment of preferences and behavior in Study 3 ( N = 159), we replicated the divergence of preferences and behavior. Students preferring structured guidance and students following it in asynchronous online-only courses reported higher intrinsic motivation than students with diverging preferences and study behavior. This suggests that for many students, support through structured guidance does not compromise perceived autonomy. Structured guidance can be useful for course designers to balance students’ needs for autonomy and competence.
Intelligent fault diagnosis of hoisting systems under complex working conditions using deep graph convolutional generative adversarial networks with limited data
Authors: Li Yang , Meng Xiangyin , Xu Feiyun , Xiao Shide
Published: September 2024

Owing to the difficulty of collecting adequate fault data from hoisting systems under complex working conditions, data-driven diagnostic methods suffer from decreased accuracy due to inadequate fault information. To deal with this problem, we introduce an intelligent few-shot fault diagnosis approach using a deep graph convolutional generative adversarial networks (DGCGANs) algorithm. The goal of the proposed method is to acquire a more comprehensive few-shot fault feature information, thus facilitating the generation and augmentation of scarce data. Results of two cases including laboratory and real-world industrial datasets demonstrate the viability and efficacy of our approach for diagnosing few-shot faults. Specifically, the proposed DGCGAN method outperforms existing advanced diagnostics, thereby offering superior accuracy in identifying hoisting system faults with limited data. Finally, the practicality and adaptability of the proposed DGCGAN-based fault diagnosis method are further substantiated through comprehensive ablation studies.
Gambling Economy and Social Protests in Macao: A Happy Problem?
Authors: Kwong Ying-ho , Wong Mathew YH
Published: September 2024

Gambling has both negative and positive impacts on every economy. The existing literature of gambling-related protests has mostly centered on “cost-challenging protests,” referring to resistance against social costs such as legalized gambling, problem gambling, and environmental deterioration. In this article, we adopt alternative types of collective action, namely “benefit-sharing protests,” referring to those that seek state or casino companies to share economic benefits. By analyzing 754 protests in Macao from 2000 to 2021, this study examines the trends and characteristics of gambling-related movements in the Chinese special administrative region. The results indicate that most protests were benefits-sharing in nature rather than cost-challenging. The conclusion strongly supports the thesis that improved performance by the gambling sector can help alleviate conflicts within society. Interestingly, as revenue from the gambling sector increases, there is a corresponding rise in benefit-sharing protests, which acknowledge the contributions of the gambling industry and advocate for enhanced welfare transformation for residents. These findings offer a novel perspective on understanding protests related to gambling in the context of Macao’s well-established gambling economy.
Association between illness perception and adherence to inhaler therapy in elderly Chinese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Liu You-Ran , Wang Yan , Wang Jie , Wang Xi
Published: September 2024

Background: Despite the fact that inhaled medications serve as the foundation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment, patient adherence to inhaler therapy remains low, significantly impacting health outcomes in disease management. The Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation suggests that illness perception plays a crucial role in individual behavior. Nevertheless, the relationship between illness perception and inhaler adherence, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remains unclear in the elderly Chinese COPD population. Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between dimensions of illness perception and adherence to inhaler therapy in elderly Chinese patients with COPD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by recruiting 305 participants (mean age: 70.96 years; 69.8% male) using convenience sampling from a tertiary hospital in Anhui, China. The Chinese versions of the Test of Adherence to Inhalers (TAI) and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) were used to evaluate adherence to inhalation and perception of their illness in patients with COPD. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between inhaler adherence and illness perception in patients with COPD. Results: 84.3% of participants showed poor adherence, and the mean (standard deviation) B-IPQ total score was 44.87 (6.36). The results indicated an essential correlation between illness perception and inhaler adherence. Specifically, personal control (AOR = 2.149, p < 0.001), treatment control (AOR = 1.743, p < 0.001), comprehension (AOR = 5.739, p < 0.001) and emotions (AOR = 1.946, p < 0.001) within illness perception emerged as significant positive predictors for inhaler adherence among patients with COPD. Conclusion: This study suggests that clinical practitioners should monitor the illness perception of patients with COPD and develop targeted intervention measures to improve patient adherence to inhaler therapy.
Early Experience With Fenestration Modification of Castor Branched Stent-Graft for Aortic Arch Diseases
Authors: Zeng Zhaoxiang , Huo Weixue , Li Tao , Bao Xianhao , Lu Ye , Jing Zaiping , Feng Jiaxuan , Liang Chuan , Feng Rui
Published: September 2024

Purpose:

This study aimed to assess the safety and viability of combining branched stent graft with fenestrated thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in treating aortic arch lesions.

Materials and Methods:

The cohort included patients presenting with aortic arch lesions who underwent treatment with a combination of branched stent graft and fenestrated TEVAR between July 2020 and November 2022. Technical success was defined as the precise deployment of the stent graft, maintenance of branch vessel patency, and the absence of type I endoleak. The secondary outcomes examined were complications and all-cause mortality.

Results:

The study cohort comprised 21 patients (average age: 61.0±14.8 years) with aortic arch lesions from 3 tertiary care hospitals. The aortic arch lesions encompassed aortic dissection (N=8), aortic aneurysm (N=8), pseudoaneurysm (N=1), intramural hematoma (N=1), and penetrating aortic ulcer (N=3). The technical success rate achieved was 95.2% (20/21). Failure in one case was due to an intraoperative type I endoleak, which was rectified with an additional stent graft placement. The 30-day mortality rate was 4.8% (1/21). One patient suffered a stroke but responded well to medical intervention. The median hospital stay was 10.9±5.4 days. During the follow-up period, one death (4.8%) was associated with aortic complications. A type II endoleak was observed and managed with close monitoring. Two patients underwent re-interventions for retrograde type A dissection and stent migration, respectively. No occlusions were observed in the target branch arteries.

Conclusions:

The combination of branched stent graft with fenestrated TEVAR emerges as a viable strategy for addressing specific lesions in the aortic arch.

Clinical Impact

This study demonstrates the feasibility of using branched stent grafts with fenestrated TEVAR for treating aortic arch lesions, achieving a technical success rate of 95.2%. Compared to traditional open surgery, this innovative, minimally invasive approach reduces perioperative mortality and complications, such as stroke and spinal cord ischemia. For clinicians, it offers a viable alternative for patients unfit for open repair, particularly in complex aortic arch cases. While the initial outcomes are promising, further research is needed to assess long-term durability and risks, including stent graft migration and late endoleak, ensuring the technique’s safety and efficacy over time.
Conventional Therapy Combined With Quxie Capsule Modulating Gut Microbiome in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients With the Third or Above Line Setting: Result From an Investigator-Initiated, Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase II Study
Authors: Gu Zhien , Wang Lei , Zhai MA Jiawei , Zhang Tong , Yang Yufei
Published: September 2024

Background:

In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), Quxie Cap-sule (QX)—a combination of conventional therapy (including chemotherapy, targeted therapy or supportive care)—has shown a significant overall survival benefit compared with placebo and might have the property of dual effects of antitumor and immunity enhancement, both mediated by the microbiome. In preclinical models, QX has also shown activity against colorectal cancer. This study aimed to describe how the aforementioned effects of QX look after when focusing on the patients in third or above line setting.

Methods:

A Simon’s Minimax two-stage phase II design was used in this study, which enrolled mCRC patients who progressed after second-line treatment. Patients received conventional therapy plus QX until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Before and after 1-month intervention, we collected patients’ stool samples for microbiome analysis by 16s rRNA sequencing approaches. And the microbiome analysis before and after 1-month intervention was done through bioinformation analysis platform.

Results:

Fifteen patients were enrolled and gut microbiome were analyzed from 7 of 10 patients that with PFS over 3.7 months. Microbiome community analysis on genus level showed that the proportion of Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001 (0.04% vs 1.06%, P = .02249) significantly increased after conventional therapy plus QX while the proportion of Alistipes (2.96% vs 1.35%, P = .03461), Flavonifractor (0.04% vs 0.02%, P = .02249), Bifidobacterium (6.11% vs 1.14%, P = .02249) and Butyricimonas (0.24% vs 0.11%, P = .03603) significantly decreased after intervention . LEfSe analysis showed that after intervention, samples were highly related with unclassified-f-lachnospiraceae, Eubacterium and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001.

Conclusions:

Decrease of gut bacteria with potential roles in carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer and increase in the abundance of gut anticancer bacteria such as Lachnospiraceae may partly explain how conventional therapy combined with QX can influence carcinogenesis and tumor progression in colon cancer.

Trial registration:

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100053874).
Sustainable cooling solutions for building environments: A comprehensive study of earth-air cooling systems
Authors: Bhandari Ramesh
Published: September 2024

This research paper demonstrates a case study of a community-centric Earth-Air Cooling system on the Budhanilkantha. The research comprises critical attempts, encompassing heat exchanger design employing the Log Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD) technique, load estimations accomplished utilizing TRNSYS, and temperature abatement assessments executed through ANSYS simulations. The cooling system employed Geothermal energy for summer cooling. The optimization of heat exchanger dimensions required the development of pressure drop-surface area graphs utilizing spreadsheet tools. This resulted in an optimal design characterized by a tube velocity of 4.5m/s, a tube length of 46m, and a total of 12 tubes. This design led to a 33% temperature reduction, noticeably beyond the projected threshold of 23%. The Earth-Air Cooling system displayed a large heat dissipation capacity of 53.2kW, exceeding the peak cooling load requisites. This method provides a cooling mechanism for Budhanilkantha and indicates a more comprehensive application in analogous environmental contexts. To find the optimal sizing of the heat exchanger, a methodology was designed to develop an equation applicable to the domain of Nepal and all around the world that comprises similar climatic conditions.
Experimental study on the optimization of operating conditions for hybrid powertrain gasoline engines
Authors: Feng Chenhong , Ding Yongming , Xin Junpeng
Published: September 2024

With the rapid expansion of the market for hybrid vehicles, the development of dedicated hybrid powertrain engines has become an important research direction. This study focuses on the techniques to improve the fuel economy of dedicated hybrid powertrain operating conditions of 2000 rpm, 110 Nm. Turbocharging can enhance the performance and fuel economy of gasoline engines while reducing emissions. However, intake boosting increases the pressure and temperature of the mixture in the cylinder at the compression end timing, leading to a higher risk of knock, which is not conducive to the safety and fuel consumption reduction of gasoline engines. Low-temperature combustion with mixture dilution can effectively reduce the occurrence of knock and NOx emissions. In this study, the effects of EGR and VVT strategies as different dilution methods on the combustion of turbocharged gasoline engines were investigated. The experimental results indicate that both EGR and VVT can achieve mixture dilution in the cylinder, reducing the combustion temperature and thus lowering NOx emissions. Furthermore, advancing the ignition timing results in CA50 trending towards the optimal fuel consumption point, shortening the combustion duration CA10–90, and reducing ISFC. Compared to VVT, EGR can better suppress knock, leading to an earlier ignition phase CA50, a shorter combustion duration, and ultimately less fuel consumption. The research findings provide technical support for the optimization of dedicated hybrid powertrain operating conditions.
Condition monitoring of a CNC hobbing cutter using machine learning approach
Authors: Tambake Nagesh , Deshmukh Bhagyesh , Pardeshi Sujit , Salunkhe Sachin , Čep Robert , Abouel Nasr Emad
Published: September 2024

The state of cutting tools profoundly influences the efficiency of the machining processes within the manufacturing industry. Cutting tool faults are highly undesirable and can adversely impact the performance of machine tools, leading to a shortened operational lifespan. Consequently, it is imperative to minimize power consumption by closely monitoring the condition of cutting tools. This necessitates implementing an effective supervision system to continually assess and predict potential faults. In simpler terms, this entails identifying issues that could compromise the lifespan of cutting tools before they escalate into problems like wear, breakage, or complete failure. This proactive approach ensures the optimal and efficient utilization of cutting tools, reduces the need for maintenance and repair, and enhances process stability, among other benefits. In this paper, a novel approach of machine learning for the condition monitoring of hobbing cutters used in Computer Numerical Control Machines (CNCs) was built. Vibration signals from hobbing blades were recorded under various conditions, including healthy and faulty states. The histogram presents a comprehensive overview of the statistical distribution for five variables related to the studied dataset. MATLAB code and scripts are utilized for extracting relevant statistical features, and for identification of the most relevant features, decision tree algorithms were used. For training the ML algorithms the hyperparameters were selected by the Grid Search Method and the Principal component analysis (PCA) was enabled for the reduction of dimensionality and to simplify the data set. The various conditions of hobbing cutters were then classified using tree-based classification models, giving 100% classification accuracy. It helps to develop a novel condition monitoring system for CNC hobbing cutters using machine learning methods to identify problems in hobbing blades. This would ultimately lead to lower power consumption and enhanced performance of machine tools.
A seafarers’ cognitive error mining model based on IDA and TRACEr and mitigation measures for ship collision accidents
Authors: Ma Yue , Liu Qing , Yang Liu
Published: September 2024

Human factor is the main cause of maritime accidents. However, the in-depth study on the mechanism of cognitive errors in seafarers’ human error needs to be supplemented. This study empirically analyzes 116 collision cargo ships along the Yangtze River trunk line. To explore the relationship between seafarers’ task errors and the cognitive process of accidents, a seafarers’ cognitive error mining model is proposed, which integrates the Information, Decision, and Action (IDA) cognitive model into the Technique for the Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors (TRACEr). According to the approach of mining from the outside to the inside, firstly, the error mode in the cognitive stage of seafarer tasks are identified. Then the fine-grained main manifestation of the task errors is mined by K-means, and Apriori algorithm is employed to mine the hidden features between the external and internal error modes. The results show that there are four main problems of Yangtze River ship accidents, and seafarers have four to seven corresponding causal chains from psychological error mechanism to performance shaping factors for each major issue in the cognitive stage. On the basis of the results, this study summarizes the guiding principles of accident prevention and seafarer management measures to provide decision support for water traffic safety.
Power and pedagogic failure: Seeking a politics of empathy towards an anti-racist academy
Authors: Head Naomi , Kaur Sophia
Published: September 2024

This article reflects on the challenges of developing anti-racist commitments in a UK university during and ‘post’ pandemic and re-envisions pedagogic failure in this context. Tackling racism requires that our conversations start from a recognition that we are always situated in relationship not just to others but to the structures and cultures of our environments and communities. There are long histories of empathy and its role, risks and limits in intersectional understandings of the transformation of inequalities. We contend that empathy is integral to anti-racist pedagogies because it: centres relationality in critical and reflective learning; has the capacity to be subversive through its challenge to the ‘dominant transmission model of education prevalent in the neoliberal colonial university’; reveals how the university acts upon and works to erase consciousness of our emotional and embodied selves, and has the capacity to unsettle our epistemic horizons to reveal our complicity in colonial practices. Developing a dialogue between the co-authors who worked on a small, funded project on anti-racist learning within a UK Russell Group university in 2022–2023, the article explores the barriers experienced, along with the possibility of constituting ‘generative and fulfilling spaces’.
The art of listening in the age of AI
Authors: Scudder Mary F
Published: September 2024

Listening is essential to student learning. But how can instructors build practices of listening into their courses? This article makes the case for adopting a listening-centered approach to university instruction to subvert the dominant “transmission model” of education. It also provides an example of how such an approach can be implemented in practice. Specifically, I present the “plague narrative,” a reflective writing assignment modeled after Thucydides’ account of the plague of Athens in 430 BCE. The plague narrative gives instructors the opportunity to listen to students’ experiences and to learn about their needs and situations. The exercise also offers students a relatively “low stakes” opportunity to engage in political theorizing and critique. Instructors, if properly focused on listening, can use this assignment to better understand their students while helping them make sense of contemporary political life. I conclude by considering how this assignment can disrupt the forces that might push a student to rely on generative AI tools and instead encourage them to use their own critical thinking and writing skills.
Solidarity as subversion: Attempting climate justice practice within the Neoliberal University
Authors: Collins Bennett , Watson Ali
Published: September 2024

The neoliberal higher education model has often co-opted efforts from justice-based movements to disrupt academic complicity in a capitalist and colonial system of exploitation. Higher education institutions have already begun looking to, and appropriating, language and ideas from the climate justice movement to perform a response to the injustices that have led to and resulted from the climate crisis. As one way of subverting this appropriation, this article articulates, and reflects on, a specific approach to the Vertically Integrated Program (VIP) model, an educational idea originally developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology where undergraduate students work as researchers with faculty and graduate students. The approach put forth in this article is one based on the experience of the authors in developing a VIP that aims to foster and practice a culture of solidarity with an organisation that is addressing the causes and effects of historical injustices facing the community from which it grew. The practice of solidarity at a time of climate crisis offers a potential solution, showing students that it can be used to break down the walls of higher education, to practice solidarity with those excluded outside of it, and to remind us all of our humanity.
Comparison of neoadjuvant chemotherapy response and prognosis among pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, epirubicin and pirarubicin in HR ⩽ 10%/HER2-negative breast cancer: an exploratory real-world multicentre cohort study
Authors: Hong Yue , Peng Jing , Chen Qitong , Zhou Qin , Xu Feng , Yao Jia , Zou Qiongyan , Yuan Liqin , Li Lun , Long Qian , Liao Liqiu , Liu Mingwen , Liu Xuan , Zhang Danhua , Wang Shouman , Yi Wenjun
Published: September 2024

Background:

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), epirubicin and pirarubicin are the main anthracyclines widely used in China. PLD demonstrates therapeutic response comparable to epirubicin and pirarubicin in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) of breast cancer.

Objectives:

The objectives of our study were to retrospectively assess the real-world effectiveness and prognostic characteristics of PLD as NAC for HR ⩽ 10%/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer.

Design:

This was a retrospective study.

Methods:

Our study enrolled patients with HR ⩽ 10%/HER2-negative breast cancer who received PLD-, epirubicin- or pirarubicin-based NAC from three centres in Hunan Province, China, between 2015 and 2022. We employed inverse probability of treatment weighting to balance the differences in patients’ characteristics among the PLD, epirubicin, and pirarubicin groups. The endpoints were pathological complete response (pCR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results:

A total of 267 patients were included. After NAC, the pCR rates in PLD group were superior to epirubicin group (PLD, 34.1%; epirubicin, 20.8%, p = 0.038). The differences in EFS (log-rank p = 0.99) and OS (log-rank p = 0.33) among the three groups were not statistically significant. Among the three groups, non-pCR patients had worse EFS than pCR patients (log-rank p = 0.014). For patients with pCR, the differences in EFS (log-rank p = 0.47) and OS (log-rank p = 0.38) were not statistically significant among the three groups, and the EFS (log-rank p = 0.59) and OS (log-rank p = 0.14) of non-pCR patients in the PLD group were similar to those in the epirubicin and pirarubicin groups.

Conclusion:

PLD had a similar therapeutic response and prognosis compared to epirubicin or pirarubicin in NAC for patients with HR ⩽ 10%/HER2 negative breast cancer, which means that PLD represents a potential NAC option.
Enhanced interaction between genome-edited mesenchymal stem cells and platelets improves wound healing in mice
Authors: Li De-Yong , Li Yu-Meng , Lv Dan-Yi , Deng Tian , Zeng Xin , You Lu , Pang Qiu-Yu , Li Yi , Zhu Bing-Mei
Published: September 2024

Impaired wound healing poses a significant burden on the healthcare system and patients. Stem cell therapy has demonstrated promising potential in the treatment of wounds. However, its clinical application is hindered by the low efficiency of cell homing. In this study, we successfully integrated P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 ( PSGL-1) into the genome of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) using a Cas9-AAV6-based genome editing tool platform. Our findings revealed that PSGL-1 knock-in enhanced the binding of ADSCs to platelets and their adhesion to the injured site. Moreover, the intravenous infusion of PSGL-1 -engineered ADSCs (KI-ADSCs) significantly improved the homing efficiency and residence rate at the site of skin lesions in mice. Mechanistically, PSGL-1 knock-in promotes the release of some therapeutic cytokines by activating the canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway and accelerates the healing of wounds by promoting angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and granulation tissue formation at the wound site. This study provides a novel strategy to simultaneously address the problem of poor migration and adhesion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Photocuring 3D printing technology as an advanced tool for promoting angiogenesis in hypoxia-related diseases
Authors: Lee Sang Yoon , Phuc Huynh Dai , Um Soong Ho , Mongrain Rosaire , Yoon Jeong-Kee , Bhang Suk Ho
Published: September 2024

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a promising strategy for fabricating complex tissue analogs with intricate architectures, such as vascular networks. Achieving this necessitates bioink formulations that possess highly printable properties and provide a cell-friendly microenvironment mimicking the native extracellular matrix. Rapid advancements in printing techniques continue to expand the capabilities of researchers, enabling them to overcome existing biological barriers. This review offers a comprehensive examination of ultraviolet-based 3D bioprinting, renowned for its exceptional precision compared to other techniques, and explores its applications in inducing angiogenesis across diverse tissue models related to hypoxia. The high-precision and rapid photocuring capabilities of 3D bioprinting are essential for accurately replicating the intricate complexity of vascular networks and extending the diffusion limits for nutrients and gases. Addressing the lack of vascular structure is crucial in hypoxia-related diseases, as it can significantly improve oxygen delivery and overall tissue health. Consequently, high-resolution 3D bioprinting facilitates the creation of vascular structures within three-dimensional engineered tissues, offering a potential solution for addressing hypoxia-related diseases. Emphasis is placed on fundamental components essential for successful 3D bioprinting, including cell types, bioink compositions, and growth factors highlighted in recent studies. The insights provided in this review underscore the promising prospects of leveraging 3D printing technologies for addressing hypoxia-related diseases through the stimulation of angiogenesis, complementing the therapeutic efficacy of cell therapy.
Mapping the discursive landscape of data activism: Articulations and actors in an emerging movement
Authors: Liminga Agnes , Lindgren Simon
Published: September 2024

Growing awareness of the societal consequences of datafication in recent years has given rise to a new form of civil society engagement called data activism. This article examines the discourse surrounding data activism on the social media platform Twitter. Through a mixed-methods approach combining computational analysis of Twitter content and close readings of Twitter profiles, we explore how new forms of civil society action related to data justice are articulated and linked to other forms of activism, conflicts and problems, and the actors involved in these articulations. Our analysis reveals a distinction between two articulatory patterns in the data activism discourse. The first involves grassroots actors, such as community organisations and individual citizens, who challenge existing power structures and advocate for social change. The second, on the other hand, is associated with academics, capitalists and policymakers who already hold positions of power and influence. This asymmetry is consistent with previous findings in data activism research. We encourage future research to extend these patterns, using additional methods and case studies, to further refine and contextualise the understanding of data activism within the civil society realm.