bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ICSTrace: A Malicious IP Traceback Model for Attacking Data of the Industrial Control System
Authors: Xiao Feng , Chen Enhong , Xu Qiang , Zhang Xianguo
Published: August 2021

Considering that the attacks against the industrial control system are mostly organized and premeditated actions, IP traceback is significant for the security of the industrial control system. Based on the infrastructure of the internet, we have developed a novel malicious IP traceback model, ICSTrace, without deploying any new services. The model extracts the function codes and their parameters from the attack data according to the format of the industrial control protocol and employs a short sequence probability method to transform the function codes and their parameters into a vector, which characterizes the attack pattern of malicious IP addresses. Furthermore, a partial seeded K-means algorithm is proposed for the pattern’s clustering, which helps in tracing the attacks back to an organization. ICSTrace is evaluated based on the attack data captured by the large-scale deployed honeypots for the industrial control system, and the results demonstrate that ICSTrace is effective on malicious IP traceback in the industrial control system.
Cost‐Sensitive Classification for Evolving Data Streams with Concept Drift and Class Imbalance
Authors: Sun Yange , Li Meng , Li Lei , Shao Han , Sun Yi
Published: August 2021

Class imbalance and concept drift are two primary principles that exist concurrently in data stream classification. Although the two issues have drawn enough attention separately, the joint treatment largely remains unexplored. Moreover, the class imbalance issue is further complicated if data streams with concept drift. A novel Cost‐Sensitive based Data Stream (CSDS) classification is introduced to overcome the two issues simultaneously. The CSDS considers cost information during the procedures of data preprocessing and classification. During the data preprocessing, a cost‐sensitive learning strategy is introduced into the ReliefF algorithm for alleviating the class imbalance at the data level. In the classification process, a cost‐sensitive weighting schema is devised to enhance the overall performance of the ensemble. Besides, a change detection mechanism is embedded in our algorithm, which guarantees that an ensemble can capture and react to drift promptly. Experimental results validate that our method can obtain better classification results under different imbalanced concept drifting data stream scenarios.
Improvement in Redox Homeostasis after Cytoreductive Surgery in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Salehi Salome Sadat , Mirmiranpour Hossein , Rabizadeh Soghra , Esteghamati Alireza , Tomasello Giovanni , Alibakhshi Abbas , Najafi Niloofar , Rajab Armin , Nakhjavani Manouchehr
Published: August 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) as one the most common cancer type is associated with oxidative stress. Surgery is the only curative modality for early‐stage CRC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative damage biomarkers as well as enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in patients with CRC before and after tumor resection and in healthy controls. 60 patients with stage I/II colorectal adenocarcinoma and 43 healthy controls were recruited in this study. We measured plasma levels of oxidative damage biomarkers, including advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), malondialdehyde (MDA), and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) at baseline and after tumor removal. We also evaluated the plasma activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as enzymatic antioxidants and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay for nonenzymatic antioxidant capacity. Patients with CRC had significantly higher AGE, AOPP, MDA, and ox‐LDL and also FRAP levels and higher SOD and GPx and lower CAT activity levels compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). We did not observe any statistically significant correlation between redox biomarkers and the size and stage of the tumor. AGEs (72.49 ± 4.7 vs. 67.93 ± 8.8, p < 0.001), AOPP (137.64 ± 21.9 vs. 119.08 ± 33.1, p < 0.001), MDA (3.56 ± 0.30 vs. 3.05 ± 0.33, p < 0.001), and ox‐LDL (19.78 ± 0.97 vs. 16.94 ± 1.02, p < 0.001) concentrations reduced significantly after tumor removal. The largest effect sizes were found in ox‐LDL (d = −2.853, 95% CI 2.50‐3.19) and MDA (d = −1.617, 95% CI 0.43‐0.57). Serum FRAP levels (1097.5 ± 156.7 vs. 1239.3 ± 290, p < 0.001) and CAT (2.34 ± 0.34 vs. 2.63 ± 0.38, p < 0.001), GPx (102.37 ± 6.58 vs. 108.03 ± 6.95, p < 0.001), and SOD (5.13 ± 0.39 vs. 5.53 ± 0.31, p < 0.001) activity levels increased significantly after surgery. The largest effect sizes among antioxidants were seen in SOD (d = 1.135, 95% CI 0.46‐0.34) and GPx (d = 0.836, 95% CI 0.35‐0.23). This study indicated that patients with colorectal cancer had higher levels of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity compared to healthy controls. After surgical resection of tumor, we observed a substantial improvement in redox homeostasis.
Inflammation and Alzheimer’s Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications by Natural Products
Authors: Rather Mashoque Ahmad , Khan Andleeb , Alshahrani Saeed , Rashid Hina , Qadri Marwa , Rashid Summya , Alsaffar Rana M. , Kamal Mohammad Amjad , Rehman Muneeb U.
Published: August 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no clear causative event making the disease difficult to diagnose and treat. The pathological hallmarks of AD include amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and widespread neuronal loss. Amyloid-beta has been extensively studied and targeted to develop an effective disease-modifying therapy, but the success rate in clinical practice is minimal. Recently, neuroinflammation has been focused on as the event in AD progression to be targeted for therapies. Various mechanistic pathways including cytokines and chemokines, complement system, oxidative stress, and cyclooxygenase pathways are linked to neuroinflammation in the AD brain. Many cells including microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes work together to protect the brain from injury. This review is focused to better understand the AD inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes to develop novel anti-inflammatory drugs to slow down the progression of AD.
Unraveling Ewing Sarcoma Tumorigenesis Originating from Patient-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Sole Anna , Grossetête Sandrine , Heintzé Maxime , Babin Loelia , Zaïdi Sakina , Revy Patrick , Renouf Benjamin , De Cian Anne , Giovannangeli Carine , Pierre-Eugène Cécile , Janoueix-Lerosey Isabelle , Couronné Lucile , Kaltenbach Sophie , Tomishima Mark , Jasin Maria , Grünewald Thomas G.P. , Delattre Olivier , Surdez Didier , Brunet Erika
Published: August 2021

Ewing sarcoma is characterized by pathognomonic translocations, most frequently fusing EWSR1 with FLI1. An estimated 30% of Ewing sarcoma tumors also display genetic alterations in STAG2, TP53, or CDKN2A (SPC). Numerous attempts to develop relevant Ewing sarcoma models from primary human cells have been unsuccessful in faithfully recapitulating the phenotypic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic features of Ewing sarcoma. In this study, by engineering the t(11;22)(q24;q12) translocation together with a combination of SPC mutations, we generated a wide collection of immortalized cells (EWIma cells) tolerating EWSR1-FLI1 expression from primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from a patient with Ewing sarcoma. Within this model, SPC alterations strongly favored Ewing sarcoma oncogenicity. Xenograft experiments with independent EWIma cells induced tumors and metastases in mice, which displayed bona fide features of Ewing sarcoma. EWIma cells presented balanced but also more complex translocation profiles mimicking chromoplexy, which is frequently observed in Ewing sarcoma and other cancers. Collectively, these results demonstrate that bone marrow–derived MSCs are a source of origin for Ewing sarcoma and also provide original experimental models to investigate Ewing sarcomagenesis.

Significance:

These findings demonstrate that Ewing sarcoma can originate from human bone-marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells and that recurrent mutations support EWSR1-FLI1 translocation-mediated transformation.
Mind the Gap: Acetazolamide Prolonged Periods without Paralysis in a Girl with Andersen-Tawil Syndrome
Authors: Žakelj Nina , Osredkar Damjan , Šuštar Nataša
Published: August 2021

We present a case report of a 13-year-old girl with Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS), a rare genetic disorder which is characterized by dysmorphic features, ventricular arrhythmias, and frequent episodes of muscle paralysis that interfere with daily activities and social engagement. After the introduction of off-label treatment with acetazolamide periods without paralysis lengthened, our patient became more independent of the help of her parents and required a wheelchair less frequently, thus improving her social life. Based on our experience, we recommend a trial of acetazolamide in patients with ATS.
High-resolution observations of the North Pacific transition layer from a Lagrangian float
Authors: Kaminski Alexis K. , D’Asaro Eric A. , Shcherbina Andrey Y. , Harcourt Ramsey R.
Published: August 2021

Acrucial region of the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL) is the strongly-sheared and -stratified transition layer (TL) separating the mixed layer from the upper pycnocline, where a diverse range of waves and instabilities are possible. Previous work suggests that these different waves and instabilities will lead to different OSBL behaviours. Therefore, understanding which physical processes occur is key for modelling the TL. Here we present observations of the TL from a Lagrangian float deployed for 73 days near Ocean Weather Station Papa (50°N, 145°W) during Fall 2018. The float followed the vertical motion of the TL, continuously measuring profiles across it using an ADCP, temperature chain and salinity sensors. The temperature chain made depth/time images of TL structures with a resolution of 6cm and 3 seconds. These showed the frequent occurrence of very sharp interfaces, dominated by temperature jumps of O(1)°C over 6cm or less. Temperature inversions were typically small (≲ 10cm), frequent, and strongly-stratified; very few large overturns were observed. The corresponding velocity profiles varied over larger length scales than the temperature profiles. These structures are consistent with scouring behaviour rather than Kelvin-Helmholtz-type overturning. Their net effect, estimated via a Thorpe-scale analysis, suggests that these frequent small temperature inversions can account for the observed mixed layer deepening and entrainment flux. Corresponding estimates of dissipation, diffusivity, and heat fluxes also agree with previous TL studies, suggesting that the TL dynamics is dominated by these nearly continuous 10cm-scale mixing structures, rather than by less frequent larger overturns.
Examining the Relationship between Tropopause Polar Vortices and Tornado Outbreaks
Authors: Bray Matthew T. , Cavallo Steven M. , Bluestein Howard B.
Published: August 2021

Mid-latitude jet streaks are known to produce conditions broadly supportive of tornado outbreaks, including forcing for large-scale ascent, increased wind shear, and decreased static stability. Although many processes may initiate a jet streak, we focus here on the development of jet maxima by interactions between the polar jet and tropopause polar vortices (TPVs). Originating from the Arctic, TPVs are long-lived circulations on the tropopause, which can be advected into the mid-latitudes. We hypothesize that when these vortices interact with the jet, they may contribute supplemental forcing for ascent and shear to tornado outbreaks, assuming other environmental conditions supportive of tornado development exist. Using a case set of significant tornado outbreak days from three states—Oklahoma, Illinois, and Alabama—we show that a vortex-jet streak structure is present (within 1250 km) in around two-thirds of tornado outbreaks. These vortices are commonly Arctic in origin (i.e., are TPVs) and are advected through a consistent path of entry into the mid-latitudes in the week before the outbreak, moving across the Northern Pacific and into the Gulf of Alaska before turning equatorward along the North American coast. These vortices are shown to be more intense and longer-lived than average. We further demonstrate that statistically significant patterns of wind shear, quasi-geostrophic forcing for ascent, and low static stability are present over the outbreak regions on the synoptic scale. In addition, we find that TPVs associated with tornadic events occur most often in the spring and are associated with greater low-level moisture when compared to non-tornadic TPV cases.
Post-Chinese, Post-Western and Post-Asian Relations: Engaging a Pluriversal East Asia
Authors: Shih Chih-yu
Published: August 2021

Arguing that studies of China must simultaneously be studies of East Asia, this article offers a philosophically critical reflection on the meaning of Chineseness in lieu of the theme of the special issue—East Asia. The two regions are reciprocally holographical of each other. The latter part of the article will further propose a research agenda of post-Asianness. I hope to convey a message that is hidden but strong: that East Asia is a redundant agenda and yet fungible at the same time. This ontological irony can be likewise applied to both Chineseness and Asianness. Ultimately, China, East Asia and Asia are mainly strategic agendas and identities. The critical reflections outlined in this article are intended to display, facilitate and complicate the pluriversality of all post-identities.
Book review: Catherine Jones and Sarah Teitt, eds. China–North Korea Relations: Between Development and Security
Authors: Mishra Sandip Kumar
Published: August 2021

Catherine Jones and Sarah Teitt, eds. China–North Korea Relations: Between Development and Security (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2020), pp. 232, ₹2,949, ISBN 9781788979702 (hardback).
Communicative Practices from the Margins: The Multilingual and Multicultural Repertoires on University Spaces
Authors: Simungala Gabriel , Ndalama Deborah , Jimaima Hambaba
Published: August 2021

We draw from the meaning-making practices on the margins, the communicative repertoires of the multilingual and multicultural students at two Southern African universities: the University of Zambia in Lusaka, Zambia; and the University of Malawi in Zomba, Malawi. As our locus, we are interested in the unique linguistic/semiotic coinages which constitute the students’ linguistic repertoires as multilingual innovations amenable to placemaking. In an attempt to do this, we purposefully unearth lexical innovations which we analyse within the broader framework of translanguaging. Thus, we show the emergence of (new) lexical items through the (re-)invention and disinvention of communicative resources, and the deployment of material artefacts of place as a basis for the creativity and innovation through repurposing of lexical items for new uses. Thus, we privilege students as active manipulators of their communicative practices by showing the semiotic/linguistic creativity and innovation inherent in their repertoires.
Urban Waste Management in Post-Genocide Rwanda: An Empirical Survey of the City of Kigali
Authors: Squire Jeffrey NT , Nkurunziza Joseph
Published: August 2021

African countries are urbanizing rapidly, presenting complex challenges for urban waste management. A compelling nexus between urbanization and waste management can be found in Kigali, the capital and largest city in Rwanda. Since its founding in 1907, the city of Kigali has witnessed steady growth in terms of both population and geographical boundaries. Using mainly qualitative methods, this study provides an empirical survey of waste management practices in post-genocide Rwanda with an emphasis on the city of Kigali, the capital. The study analyzed current regulatory arrangements and legislative instruments, approaches to public cleaning, and minimization, collection, and final disposal of wastes. We found Kigali to be an exceptionally clean city with carefully organized and well-coordinated waste management service delivery systems in place. Conversely, the absence of effective minimization strategies, coupled with a lack of safe treatment and disposal facilities, militate against sustainable waste management.
The Ghost of the Constitutional Review in Tunisia: Authoritarianism, Transition to Democracy and Rule of Law
Authors: Tamburini Francesco
Published: August 2021

The existence of a constitutional control is the essential cornerstone in any democratic system. Without a constitutional justice it is impossible to maintain a pluralist democracy with a real rule of law. The Tunisian constitutional history is emblematic of the relevance of the constitutional review. This article outlines the difficult and hampered life of the Tunisian constitutional justice that crossed two authoritarian regimes: a “revolution”; and the transition to democracy. It is in the latter phase that the creation of the constitutional court proved to be the paramount element in the passage from a procedural democracy to a substantive democracy.
Collective Risk and Distributional Equity in Climate Change Bargaining
Authors: Mahajan Aseem , Kline Reuben , Tingley Dustin
Published: August 2021

International climate negotiations occur against the backdrop of increasing collective risk: the likelihood of catastrophic economic loss due to climate change will continue to increase unless and until global mitigation efforts are sufficient to prevent it. We introduce a novel alternating-offers bargaining model that incorporates this characteristic feature of climate change. We test the model using an incentivized experiment. We manipulate two important distributional equity principles: capacity to pay for mitigation of climate change and vulnerability to its potentially catastrophic effects. Our results show that less vulnerable parties do not exploit the greater vulnerability of their bargaining partners. They are, rather, more generous. Conversely, parties with greater capacity are less generous in their offers. Both collective risk itself and its importance in light of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report make it all the more urgent to better understand this crucial strategic feature of climate change bargaining.
African Internationalisms and the Erstwhile Trajectories of Kenyan Community Development: Joseph Murumbi’s 1950s
Authors: Milford Ismay , McCann Gerard
Published: August 2021

This article sheds new light on the relationship between internationalism, decolonisation and ideas about development through a reassessment of an overlooked period in the life of Joseph Murumbi (1911–90), cultural collector and Kenya’s second vice-president. It follows Murumbi’s engagement with three internationalist spaces during the 1950s: in the Afro-Asian worlds of India and Egypt he honed his vision for community development and the practical coordination of internationalism; in London he pushed British activists to take a more internationalist approach to anti-colonialism in a case of ‘reverse tutelage’; disillusioned with the British Left, in Scandinavia and Israel he questioned the translatability of community development and the practical role of external sympathisers as Kenyan independence approached. Murumbi’s trajectory confirms the inseparability of internationalism and nationalism in 1950s Africa, reinserting internationalist thought into narratives of Kenyan freedom struggles and suggesting how alternative visions for post-colonial Kenya were lost. Moreover, we argue, this reassessment of Murumbi’s life advances the burgeoning scholarship on internationalisms in the decolonising world by showing that Murumbi’s internationalist practices and his interest in the supposedly ‘local’ question of community development drove one another. Murumbi thus shows us a particular set of entanglements between the ‘local’ and the ‘global’.
This Is Us: An Analysis of Mediated Family Communication at End-of-Life
Authors: Nickels Bonnie M. , Tenzek Kelly E. , Lattimer Tahleen A.
Published: August 2021

Death is a ubiquitous theme in television dramas and we argued that mediated depictions of end-of-life experiences have the potential to provide glimpses into the ways in which characters experience real-life issues and can serve as conversation starters within family viewers. The study aimed to identify how a popular television drama, This is Us, depicted end-of-life communication. Analysis of season one revealed 54 conversations about end-of-life, two explicit death scenes, and three implied death scenes. Results also illustrate how the storyline within the show clearly depicts the impact end-of-life has on the family system, emphasizing the ongoing interdependence, hierarchy, and boundary (re)negotiation as a result of death. Findings advance understanding of how mediated narratives can illustrate end-of-life scenarios and conversations within the family system and can provide observational opportunities for modeling end-of-life communication behaviors within their families.
Concurrence of rectocoele and anal incontinence, and outcome of their simultaneous surgical correction
Authors: Haberal Elifcan , Yarbuğ Karakayalı Feza , Karakaya Emre
Published: August 2021

Rectocoele and faecal incontinence coexist in most patients. We determined an excellent one-year outcome of simultaneous repair of the former and correction of the latter can be achieved.
Netflix and Chill: Teaching Sexual Scripts in a Sociology Classroom
Authors: Izienicki Hubert
Published: August 2021

Whereas most sociologists consider sexuality a social construct, the general public tends to view it in more essentialist terms. This tendency is commonly manifested in the idea of sexual drives as internal overpowering biological forces guiding human sexual behavior. To counter this narrative, sociologists William Simon and John H. Gagnon introduced a concept of sexual scripts to demonstrate the social underpinnings of sexuality and the narratives surrounding it. Drawing on their insights, I used the popular phenomenon of “Netflix and Chill” to teach students about the socially constructed nature of human sexuality. During class time, I ask students to put together a sexual script—step-by-step instructions—on how to successfully complete Netflix and Chill. This activity teaches students about the learned aspects of our sexual behavior and is effective both for in-person and online learning environments.
Temporal Stability of Moral Dilemma Judgments: A Longitudinal Analysis Using the CNI Model
Authors: Luke Dillon M. , Gawronski Bertram
Published: August 2021

Although moral dilemma judgments are influenced by a variety of situational factors, there is evidence for considerable disagreement between individuals. Using the CNI model to disentangle (a) sensitivity to consequences, (b) sensitivity to moral norms, and (c) general preference for inaction versus action in responses to moral dilemmas, the current research examined the temporal stability of individual differences along the three dimensions. Across two time points 1 month apart, sensitivity to consequences ( r = .81) and sensitivity to norms ( r = .84) showed high levels of stability that were comparable to the Big Five personality traits; general preference for inaction versus action showed lower stability ( r = .41). Exploratory analyses revealed reliable associations between the three dimensions of moral dilemma judgments and three of the Big Five (extraversion, agreeableness, openness). Together, these findings provide evidence for stable individual differences in moral dilemma judgments that are related to basic personality traits.
Attitudes and preferences towards palliative and end of life care in patients with advanced illness and their family caregivers in Latin America: A mixed studies systematic review
Authors: Dittborn Mariana , Turrillas Pamela , Maddocks Matthew , Leniz Javiera
Published: August 2021

Background:

Achieving universal access to palliative care is considered a global and equity priority. Understanding patients and caregivers’ attitudes and preferences towards palliative and end-of-life care in Latin America is essential to develop person-centred services in the region.

Aim:

To synthesize and appraise the evidence about patients with advanced illness and their caregivers’ attitudes and preferences towards palliative and end-of-life care in Latin America.

Design:

Mixed studies systematic review with sequential exploratory synthesis (thematic and narrative synthesis). Quality was assessed using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool.

Data sources:

MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, Lilacs, Web of Science, Scielo and Scopus to March 2021. Empirical studies examining patient or caregiver attitudes and/or preferences towards palliative and end-of-life care were included.

Results:

Of 3575 records screened, 45 articles were included, comprising 7 countries and a total of 1220 patients and 965 caregivers (26.8% non-cancer-related participants). Data were organized around seven themes: Symptom management and nutrition; End-of-life medical decisions; Communication patterns; Place of end-of-life care and death; God and religious community as source of hope and support; Caregiver’s role; and Mixed understandings of palliative care. Main findings include; conflicted views around palliative care and pain relief; patients’ preference to be informed about their condition contrasting with caregivers’ reluctance to discuss this with patients; common preference for shared decision-making; and overburdened caregivers lacking professional home-care support. Methodological flaws were found in general.

Conclusion:

Core themes provide context-specific evidence to inform the design of culturally sensitive palliative and end-of-life care services, models and public policies in Latin America.
How financial products organize spatial networks: Analyzing collateralized debt obligations and collateralized loan obligations as “networked products”
Authors: Beaverstock Jonathan , Leaver Adam , Tischer Daniel
Published: August 2021

During the 2010s, collateralized loan obligations rapidly became a trillion-dollar industry, mirroring the growth profile and peak value of its cousin—collateralized debt obligations—in the 2000s. Yet, despite similarities in product form and growth trajectory, surprisingly little is known about how these markets evolved spatially and relationally. This paper fills that knowledge gap by asking two questions: how did each network adapt to achieve scale at speed across different jurisdictions; and to what extent does the spatial and relational organization of today's collateralized loan obligation structuration network, mirror that of collateralized debt obligations pre-crisis? To answer those questions, we draw on the global financial networks approach, developing our own concept of the networked product to explore the agentic qualities of collateralized debt obligations and collateralized loan obligations—specifically how their technical and regulatory “needs” shape the roles and jurisdictions enrolled in a global financial network. We use social network analysis to map and analyze the evolving spatial and relational organization that nurtured this growth, drawing on data harvested from offering circulars. We find that collateralized debt obligations spread from the US to Europe through a process of transduplication—that similar role-based network relations were reproduced from one regulatory regime to another. We also find a strong correlation between pre-crisis collateralized debt obligation- and post-crisis collateralized loan obligation-global financial networks in both US$- and €-denominations, with often the same network participants involved in each. We conclude by reflecting on the prosaic way financial markets for ostensibly complex products reproduce and the capacity for network stabilities to produce market instabilities.
Coupled effects of surface interaction and damping on electromechanical stability of functionally graded nanotubes reinforced torsional micromirror actuator
Authors: Yang Weidong , Liu Menglong , Ying Linwei , Wang Xi
Published: August 2021

This paper demonstrated the coupled surface effects of thermal Casimir force and squeeze film damping (SFD) on size-dependent electromechanical stability and bifurcation of torsion micromirror actuator. The governing equations of micromirror system are derived, and the pull-in voltage and critical tilting angle are obtained. Also, the twisting deformation of torsion nanobeam can be tuned by functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced composites (FG-CNTRC). A finite element analysis (FEA) model is established on the COMSOL Multiphysics platform, and the simulation of the effect of thermal Casimir force on pull-in instability is utilized to verify the present analytical model. The results indicate that the numerical results well agree with the theoretical results in this work and experimental data in the literature. Further, the influences of volume fraction and geometrical distribution of CNTs, thermal Casimir force, nonlocal parameter, and squeeze film damping on electrically actuated instability and free-standing behavior are detailedly discussed. Besides, the evolution of equilibrium states of micromirror system is investigated, and bifurcation diagrams and phase portraits including the periodic, homoclinic, and heteroclinic orbits are described as well. The results demonstrated that the amplitude of the tilting angle for FGX-CNTRC type micromirror attenuates slower than for FGO-CNTRC type, and the increment of CNTs volume ratio slows down the attenuation due to the stiffening effect. When considering squeeze film damping, the stable center point evolves into one focus point with homoclinic orbits, and the dynamic system maintains two unstable saddle points with the heteroclinic orbits due to the effect of thermal Casimir force.
Role of multimodal anaesthetic in post-operative analgesic requirement for robotic assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Masilamani Murugu Kalai Selvan , Sukumar Aiswarya , Cooke Pete William , Rangaswamy Chandrashekar
Published: August 2021

Purpose:

Robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is considered as standard of care for surgical management of localised prostate cancer. Procedure specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) guidelines are available for open radical prostatectomy. There is a lack of evidence for optimal pain management protocol in patients undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy. This study investigates the impact of multimodal anaesthetic on post-operative analgesic requirements.

Methods and materials:

In our Institute, RARP is performed with a multimodal anaesthetic technique. Forty-one consecutive cases from October 2018 to March 2019 operated on by the same surgeon and anaesthetised by the same anaesthetic consultant were included in the study. All the patients received standardised multimodal anaesthetic technique. Data from visual analogue pain scores, nausea, vomiting and requirement of analgesics were collected from hospital records and results were analysed.

Results:

Our results showed that 60% of patients reported either no pain or mild pain. None of the patients required stronger opioids or parenteral analgesic. Only three patients required antiemetic. Length of hospital stay was 1.19 days which is comparable to published outcomes from high volume centres performing RARP.

Conclusion:

Our study adds to the currently published literature that RARP when combined with the multimodal anaesthetic technique can significantly reduce stronger opioid analgesic requirement in the post-operative period without compromising LOS.
Determinants of pyelonephritis onset in patients with obstructive urolithiasis
Authors: Abi Tayeh Georges , Safa Ali , Sarkis Julien , Alkassis Marwan , Khalil Nour , Nemr Elie , el Helou Elie
Published: August 2021

Background:

Acute obstructive pyelonephritis due to urolithiasis represents a medico-surgical emergency that can lead to life-threatening complications. There are still no established factors that reliably predict progression toward acute pyelonephritis in patients presenting with a simple renal colic.

Objective:

To investigate clinical and paraclinical factors that are associated with the onset of acute obstructive pyelonephritis.

Methods:

Patients presenting to the emergency department for renal colic with obstructive urolithiasis on imaging were enrolled in the study. Demographic data, vital signs, medical comorbidities, blood test results, urinalysis, and radiological findings were recorded. Obstructive pyelonephritis was defined by the presence of two or more of the following criteria: fever, flank pain or costovertebral angle tenderness, and a positive urine culture.

Results:

Seventeen patients out of 120 presenting with renal colic, were diagnosed with acute obstructive pyelonephritis (14%). Parameters that were associated with the onset of obstructive pyelonephritis were: diabetes ( p = 0.03), elevated CRP ( p = 0.01), stone size (>5 mm) ( p = 0.03), dilatation of renal pelvis ( p = 0.01), peri-renal fat stranding ( p = 0.02), and positive nitrites on urinalysis ( p < 0.01). Hyperleukocytosis, acute kidney injury, multiple stones, pyuria (>10/mm3), hypertension, and were not associated with the onset of obstructive pyelonephritis.

Conclusion:

This study showed that known diabetic status, elevated CRP, positive urine nitrites, stone size (>5 mm), pyelic dilatation, and peri-renal fat stranding were associated with the onset of pyelonephritis in patients presenting to the emergency department with obstructive urolithiasis.
What makes a global movement? Analyzing the conditions for strong participation in the climate strike
Authors: Laux Thomas
Published: August 2021

The Fridays For Future movement and their global climate strikes put climate change on political agendas worldwide and created a new wave of climate activism. The emergence of a global movement is a rare and contingent phenomenon that promises insights for political sociology and globalization research. This study consists of a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of 17 democratic countries to analyze the conditions for strong mobilization of the third global climate strike. Four mechanisms are identified, showing that trust in environmental movements, the availability of resources through international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) and information and communication technologies (ICT), and frame resonance are sufficient for explaining strong mobilization. These results illustrate that global movements depend on several equifinal mechanisms for mobilization on the nation-state level. Furthermore, the findings illustrate that the global features of a global movement are necessary but not sufficient for explaining its emergence.
School Citizenship Education Through YPAR: What Works? A Mixed-Methods Study in Italy
Authors: Albanesi Cinzia , Prati Gabriele , Guarino Antonella , Cicognani Elvira
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of the processes of a Youth-led Participatory Action Research (YPAR) citizenship education project by examining a 2-year intervention that involved 43 Italian high school students. We collected qualitative data (focus groups with students and interviews with teachers) to capture participants’ perspectives, as well as longitudinal quantitative data to monitor the process over time (assessing school climate, perceived quality of participation, and group participation norms). The results revealed that YPAR was successful in reducing hierarchy, facilitating group activities, and recognizing youth voice, thus changing students’ perception of their school environment and views on participation and active citizenship. The intervention also changed teachers’ perceptions of students. YPAR proved to be a suitable option for citizenship education in school.
New Onset Poststroke Dementia at one Year in Africans
Authors: Ojagbemi Akin , Bello Toyin , Owolabi Mayowa , Baiyewu Olusegun
Published: August 2021

Background:

There is limited information on new onset poststroke dementia (NPSD) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We estimated incidence, cumulative incidence, risk factors and outcome of NPSD at 1 year in Nigerian survivors of a first-ever stroke.

Methods:

Hospital-based prospective observational study. Assessments for global cognition, learning, memory, executive and activities of daily life (ADL) functioning were conducted at 3 poststroke timepoints (Baseline, 3- and 12 months). NPSD was ascertained according to the “National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Association Internationale pour la Recherche et l’Enseignement en Neurosciences (NINDS-AIREN) criteria.” Outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D 10), health related quality of life in stroke patients (HRQOLISP-26) and caregivers strain index (CSI).

Results:

Among 144 stroke survivors who were free of dementia at baseline, we found a 1-year cumulative incidence of 4.52% (95% C.I = 3.20, 6.39). In multivariate Cox regression analyses, diabetes was associated with NPSD (Hazard Ratio = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.02, 4.35). NPSD at 3 months was independently associated with motor decline [Mean difference (MD) in mRS = 1.6, 95% C.I = 0.9, 2.3)], depression (MD in CES-D = 2.9, 95% C.I = 0.3, 5.4), caregivers burden (MD in CSI = 1.2, 95% C.I = 0.5, 1.8), and poor quality of life (MD in HRQOLISP-26 = −11.2, 95% C.I = −15.7, −6.8) at 1 year.

Conclusion:

Approximately 4.5% of stroke survivors in Nigeria had NPSD at 1 year. Diabetes, which can be prevented, represent a primary prevention target for NPSD and its consequences in SSA.
Peritoneal dialysis in Indonesia: Current status, challenges and prospects
Authors: Jonny  , Violetta Laurencia , Kusumaningrum Venna Febrian
Published: August 2021

Despite an increase in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) use of 20% per year, the overall PD prevalence in Indonesia is only 1–2%, with the goal of 30% yet to be reached by 2019. In the absence of contraindications, increasing continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) use may be an attractive option for Indonesia to reduce the high costs of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treatment. The implementation of CAPD in Indonesia faces several challenges, including the cost of PD, the unique archipelagic geography, limited facilities and trained medical personnel in rural areas, inadequate reimbursement rates and incentive fees, high rates of PD discontinuation, as well as insufficient knowledge regarding CAPD by the general public and health professionals. Changes in the policy of medical service incentive fees and improvements in the national health insurance system regulation over CAPD may improve the utilization of PD for ESKD patients in Indonesia. Nationwide promotional and preventive efforts on chronic kidney disease, dialysis modality education and establishment of PD training programs for medical professionals are necessary.
A postgraduate capstone project: Impact on student learning and organizational change
Authors: Elwell Gordon R. , Dickinson Thad E. , Dillon Michael D.
Published: August 2021

The capstone course serves to integrate accumulated knowledge with a culminating experience or project and is a common component in undergraduate and graduate programs. The research on capstones courses shows that many capstone experiences or projects involve students working with outside clients, such as local businesses and organizations, to solve problems or develop new projects or campaigns. Such capstone experiences or projects seek to offer students real-world, career-building experience, while the clients seek to benefit from the learned academic knowledge of the students. Where the literature is scarce on client-based capstone projects is when the client is the student’s employer or career-related organization. A graduate program in administration at a public Midwestern university in the USA offers a different approach to the student–client model by requiring a degree-culminating capstone project that challenges adult students to apply their learned knowledge to solve administrative problems not for an outside client but at their place of employment or career-related organization. The researchers surveyed 66 alumni and interviewed 6 on how the capstone project had benefited their work-related learning and its impact on their employer or career-related organization. Students perceived an improvement in their ability to define and analyze administrative problems in their workplace, while the employers or organizations which implemented the project recommendations experienced positive organizational change. This case study contributes to the literature on capstone courses by examining the relevance of a work- or career-related capstone project to students and their workplace.
Research on the centre distance separability of parallel shaft line gear pair
Authors: He Chao , Chen Yangzhi , Lin Weijia , Lyu Yueling
Published: August 2021

For gear pairs with centre-distance separability, transmission ratios are not affected by centre distance error. Based on space curve meshing theory, the centre distance separability of a line gear pair was studied. A novel line gear pair called the separable and pure rolling parallel shaft line gear pair (SPRPSLG) was proposed, which has centre-distance separability characteristics and pure rolling transmission. The basic design theory of the SPRPSLG pair was established. A design method of the SPRPSLG pair with an eccentric arc tooth profile was given. An SPRPSLG pair example was designed and manufactured using the form milling method. Kinematic experiments and meshing efficiency experiments were conducted. Gear contact spot testing and gear contact simulation analysis were carried out. The SPRPSLG pair was shown to have centre distance separability, which provides a further theoretical basis for the popularization and application of line gears.
Numerical study on the effect of blade tip clearance change on stall margin of the transonic axial flow compressor rotor
Authors: Yan Song , Chu Wuli , Li Yu , Dai YuChen
Published: August 2021

The change of the blade tip clearance size has an important impact on the performance of the compressor. Considering that the performance curve of the compressor is often limited by surge and stall boundaries, this paper used the numerical simulation method to investigate the influence mechanism of the blade tip clearance size change on the stall margin of transonic axial flow compressor rotor. By mathematically decomposing the calculation formula of the stall margin of rotor, the approximate calculation formula of the change of rotor’s stall margin was obtained. Then, the detailed quantitative analysis of the factors that affect the rotor’s stall margin was carried out, the influence weights of various factors on the rotor’s stall margin was also obtained. Finally, the physical mechanism of the change of the rotor’s performance parameters was obtained by the analysis of rotor tip flow field after the blade tip clearance size change.
Assessment of the genotoxic potential of tetrachlorvinphos insecticide by cytokinesis-block micronucleus and sister chromatid exchange assays
Authors: Cobanoglu Hayal , Cayir Akin
Published: August 2021

Tetrachlorvinphos is an organophosphate that is classified as a carcinogen in humans by several authorities. Due to very limited data regarding the genotoxic potential, we aimed to comprehensively investigate in vitro genotoxic potential of tetrachlorvinphos. We performed our study by applying the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assays to human peripheral blood lymphocytes. We evaluated micronucleus (MN) and SCE frequencies and cytokinesis-block proliferation index in both exposed and non-exposed lymphocytes. We also calculated the chromosomal instability level in response to exposure by combining the results of MN and SCE. We found that MN frequency did not increase with exposure to tetrachlorvinphos (0–50 µg/ml). In contrast, we observed that SCE frequencies significantly increased with exposure to ≥5 µg/ml tetrachlorvinphos. Furthermore, exposure to tetrachlorvinphos at concentrations of 50 µg/ml induced a significant increase in chromosomal instability level ( p < 0.05). Cytokinesis-block proliferation index level did not significantly decrease in response to tetrachlorvinphos exposure. Our findings reveal that tetrachlorvinphos resulted in different DNA damages that were measured by two assays. Furthermore, our findings suggested that exposure to tetrachlorvinphos increased chromosomal instability that is a hallmark of many malignancies. We conclude that although tetrachlorvinphos does not significantly increase the MN level, the significant increase of both SCE and CIN frequencies indicates the genotoxic potential of tetrachlorvinphos in human peripheral lymphocytes. Additionally, tetrachlorvinphos is not cytotoxic in the range of tested concentrations.
CTRP13 Protects H9c2 Cells Against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation (H/R)-Induced Injury Via Regulating the AMPK/Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway
Authors: Jiang Weifeng , Song Jungang , Zhang Suitao , Ye Yanyan , Wang Jun , Zhang Yilin
Published: August 2021

Myocardial infarction (MI) is identified as the myocardial necrosis due to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and remains a leading cause of mortality. C1q/TNF-related protein 13 (CTRP13) is a member of CTRP family that has been found to be involved in coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the role of CTRP13 in MI remains unclear. We aimed to explore the functional role of CTRP13 in H9c2 cells exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Our results demonstrated that H/R stimulation significantly decreased the expression of CTRP13 in H9c2 cells. H/R-induced an increase in ROS production and reductions in activities of SOD and CAT were prevented by CTRP13 overexpression but were aggravated by CTRP13 silencing. Moreover, CTRP13 overexpression could reverse the inductive effect of H/R on caspase-3 activity and bax expression, as well as the inhibitory effect of H/R on bcl-2 expression in H9c2 cells. However, CTRP13 silencing presented opposite effects with CTRP13 overexpression. Furthermore, CTRP13 overexpression enhanced the H/R-stimulated the expression levels of p-AMPK and nuclear Nrf2, and Nrf2 transcriptional activity. However, inhibition of AMPK reversed the CTRP13-mediated activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling and the cardiac-protective effect in H/R-exposed H9c2 cells. Additionally, silencing of Nrf2 reversed the protective effects of CTRP13 against H/R-stimulated oxidative stress and apoptosis in H9c2 cells. Finally, recombinant CTRP13 protein attenuated myocardial I/R-induced injury in rats. Taken together, these findings indicated that CTRP13 protected H9c2 cells from H/R-stimulated oxidative stress and apoptosis via regulating the AMPK/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. Our results provided evidence for the therapeutic potential of CTRP13 in myocardial I/R injury.
Maintaining exceptionality: Interrogating gestational limits for abortion
Authors: Millar Erica
Published: August 2021

Gestational limits on abortion are often seen as a condition for decriminalisation. Focusing on the final reports of three institutional law reform inquiries into abortion in Australia, this article argues that gestational limits were recommended through foreclosing the subject position of the unwillingly pregnant woman who experiences gestational time as a threat to her bodily integrity and imagined future. Structural features of law reform commissions tethered models of decriminalisation to the era of criminalisation. Abortion was also rendered meaningful in the reports through discursive tropes that centred foetal viability and constructed later abortion in terms of a delay that required explanation, with the medico-judicial categories used to explain this delay – which distinguished between ‘medical’ and ‘psychosocial’ abortions – recentring the decision-making authority of doctors. Gestational limits on abortion rearticulate the exceptionality of abortion, reinscribing the illegitimacy of abortion and the people who have them, at least at later stages of pregnancy.