bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kidney computed tomography perfusion in patients with ureteral obstruction
Authors: Belyaeva Ksenia , Rudenko Vadim , Serova Natalya , Morozov Andrey , Taratkin Mark , Androsov Alexander , Singla Nirmish , Shpunt Igal , Gomez Rivas Juan , Fajkovic Harun , Enikeev Dmitry , Kapanadze Lida
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Kidney perfusion on CT is an encouraging surrogate for renal scintigraphy in assessing renal function. However, data on dynamic volumetric CT in patients with kidney obstruction is lacking. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of CT-based renal perfusion using a dynamic volume to assess renal hemodynamics at different degrees and durations of obstruction.

Materials and methods:

We included patients with unilateral kidney obstruction in our single-center, prospective study. The patients were divided into three groups. Patients without dilatation of the pelvicalyceal system (PCS) and normal parenchyma thickness were included into Group 1; patients with PCS dilatation and parenchyma thickness 1.8–2.4 cm—into Group 2; and patients with ureteropyelocalicoectasia and parenchyma thickness less than 1.8 cm—into Group 3.

Results:

Total of 56 patients were enrolled. In Group 1 mean values of cortical and medullar arterial blood flow, blood volume, and extraction fraction were within the normal range. Changes in contralateral kidney were not determined. Patients from Group 2 showed significant differences in blood flow parameters in the cortical and medulla of the obstructed kidney. No changes in perfusion values in the contralateral kidney was observed. In patients from Group 3 there was a marked decrease in perfusion on the side of obstruction compared to Group 2, indicating that the degree of expansion of the PCS directly correlates with the change in blood flow. However, in the contralateral kidney, these indicators exceeded the normal values of perfusion.

Conclusion:

CT perfusion allows to objectively assess changes in blood flow in the setting of renal obstruction. The degree of obstruction directly affects the measured rate of blood flow.
Cryogenic properties of PEG/nano-SiO2 co-toughened winding resin and its carbon fiber-reinforced composites
Authors: Di Chengrui , Zhu Bo , Huang Tao , Feng Jianshun , Zhao Yanbin , Qiao Kun
Published: April 2024

The epoxy/acid anhydride system was toughened with a homogeneous solution of surface-treated nano-SiO2 and polyethylene glycol (PEG), which satisfies the specific requirements of wet winding processes and effectively enhances the performance of resin and carbon fiber composites at ultra-low temperatures (108K). The results show that when the uniform solution formed by 1 phr SiO2 and 10 phr PEG is added, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the modified resin were increased by 21.4% and 16.1%, respectively, at room temperature. At 108K, the strength and modulus of the modified resin were increased, and the elongation at break was 2.8%. The fracture morphology was analyzed and compared at both room temperature and ultra-low temperature, verifying the relationship between material structure and properties across different temperatures. These findings offer both theoretical and empirical backing for the development of ultra-low temperature carbon fiber composite gas storage tanks.
Validation of the Academic School Climate Scale for Students
Authors: Spring Crystal , Ochoa Andrea
Published: April 2024

This study sought to develop an Academic School Climate Scale measuring students’ perceptions of the learning environments at their schools. With a pilot sample of 1,265 students and validation sample of 14,773 students in Grades 4–12 in schools across the U.S., results of EFA and CFA supported a bifactor model with a general factor and three subscales: High Standards, Teacher Support of Student Learning, and Peer Support of Learning. We found scalar invariance by gender and race, and metric invariance by grade band. Correlations of the Academic School Climate Scale with open classroom climate and school climate indicated concurrent validity.
Factors Influencing Shared Decision-Making Between Healthcare Providers and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer People of Color About Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Morris Samantha M. , Gunter Kathryn E. , Jia Justin L. , Baig Arshiya A.
Published: April 2024

Within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, people of color (POC) disproportionately experience intimate partner violence (IPV). While shared decision-making (SDM)—a model of patient-provider communication—about IPV could benefit LGBTQ POC, its unique challenges merit consideration. This study identifies key factors affecting SDM between LGBTQ POC and healthcare providers surrounding IPV. LGBTQ POC participants ( n = 217) in Chicago and San Francisco completed surveys about demographic information, healthcare utilization, and IPV history. Individual interviews and focus groups were then conducted with a Chicago-based subset of participants ( n = 46) who identified as LGBTQ IPV survivors of color. Descriptive analyses were conducted of survey responses while focus group and interview transcripts were analyzed and thematically coded. Although 71% of survey participants experienced IPV, only 35% were asked about IPV in healthcare interactions within the previous year. Focus group and interview participants endorsed encounter-, patient-, and provider-centered factors affecting SDM around IPV. When IPV was discussed, patient-provider trust was essential while concordance of identities could either encourage or discourage IPV disclosure. Patients were hesitant to disclose IPV if they had never discussed their LGBTQ identity with their provider or thought providers would ignore their preferences for addressing IPV. Deterrents to SDM included providers denying the prevalence of IPV among LGBTQ individuals or lacking resources to support LGBTQ IPV survivors of color. This study highlights the identity-driven barriers that LGBTQ POC face in discussing IPV with providers. Utilizing SDM to discuss IPV with LGBTQ POC can better address the diverse health needs of this community. However, its success requires that providers acknowledge the diversity of experiences among this population, promote LGBTQ-inclusive practices, and identify resources welcome to LGBTQ POC.
Quality improvement of Nd: YAG laser marked DMC and QR codes on the surface of PBT/glass fiber composites by DOE methodology
Authors: Sales-Contini Rita de Cássia Mendonça , Costa João Pedro , Pinto Arnaldo MG , Silva Francisco JG , Pinto Isabel M , Sousa Vitor FC
Published: April 2024

Laser technology plays an important role in today’s industrial environment. Laser marking is typically used at the end of the production chain to personalize products and make them traceable to the point of sale. One of the challenges of laser marking is the difficulty of creating contrasts whose reflectivity can cause readability problems for electronic decoding devices on production lines, known as scanners. This problem is related to the wrong choice of marking parameters, which results in waste for companies in terms of production stoppages due to rejection, scrap, and customer complaints. Although these problems are common, this process is increasingly used in the industry. Therefore, there is a gap in studies in this field to optimize the marking parameters in many materials, such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). The present work was developed in a final assembly line of instrument clusters for motorcycles, where tests were carried out with different types of laser marking parameters, through the implementation of a factorial DoE, with a specific type of laser and material. The laser-marked codes were analyzed in a laboratory using a verifier to assess quality according to ISO/IEC 29158:2020. It was found that the lower the parameter values, the poorer the quality of the codes. The data were statistically processed, and it was possible to identify the marking parameters that ensured the best quality and process performance for DMC and QR codes.
Competency articulation at the intersection of happenstance and experiential learning
Authors: Fyfe Laura , Heinrich Bill , Kanar Adam M , D’Intino Katrina
Published: April 2024

This study explored how university students in North America acquired the ability to express their career-related competencies in the context of a pre-professional career education program. We examined the intersection of happenstance learning theory (HLT) and experiential learning theory (ELT) to facilitate significant experiences that inspired students and helped them connect with a profession. Through qualitative interviews with 19 students, we discovered three key insights. First, catalyzing experiences improved competency articulation, as planned experiences provided opportunities for pivotal educational moments and unexpected events that inspired and motivated students. Second, catalyzing experiences sparked action and transformative insights, enhancing students’ career readiness and ability to act on future opportunities. Third, transformation through catalytic experiences occurred through reflection, consolidating the significance of experiences and their personal career narratives. We discuss the practical implications of our findings for program leaders, including creating planned career-related experiences and guiding students toward effective competency articulation.
Deformation prediction for shot peening of compressor blades based on time sequential loading equivalent residual stress
Authors: Zhang Yaqi , Zhang Jiyin , Zhuo Weiwei , Wei Qing
Published: April 2024

The compressor blade is a vital component of the aero-engine. This is a curved, thin-walled structural component that may undergo deformation after machining. Deformation prediction is essential for studying the deformation caused by residual stresses in compressor blades. This paper investigates the prediction of deformation caused by residual stresses based on the shot peening time sequential (path and sequence) under actual shot peening conditions. The compressor blade as a target for shot peening and measuring residual stresses on its surface and superficial layers. The equivalent residual stresses after shot peening were calculated based on the principle of equal moments. The equivalent residual stresses were loaded onto the blade model based on the shot peening time sequential in the finite element simulation analysis (FEA) to simulate the deformation. The model’s feasibility was confirmed by comparing the simulated deformation with the measured blade deformation. The shot peening time sequential of the blade was then optimized using this model. The prediction of shot peening deformation of compressor blades based on time-sequential loading residual stresses is a crucial reference value for studying residual stress deformation in blade machining. This study can also be applied to other processes besides shot peening.
Denying racial animus: Political discourse in Arizona anti-ethnic studies legislation
Authors: Howerton Gloria
Published: April 2024

This paper contributes to the literature on racism denial through an analysis of the political discourse in defense of 2010’s Arizona Revised Statute 15-112 (ARS § 15-112), which can be considered a key antecedent to political moral panics centered on the presentation of history and identity in US schools. ARS § 15-112 was designed with the expressed intent of terminating Mexican American Studies education, and eventually all ethnic studies, in Arizona public and charter K-12 schools. This paper considers the discursive maneuvering used by political actors to simultaneously justify this legislation and dodge accusations of racial animus, both prior to the legislation’s signing and in the years following. It further analyzes the political discourse that allows for racism denial in certain spheres, including the legal realm, despite politically benefiting from the use of the Latino Threat Narrative. This paper discusses four primary forms of racism denial pervasive in this political discourse: 1) Absence discourse; 2) Framing racism around ‘extremes’; 3) Positive self-presentation; 4) Helping discourse. In addition to exploring how all four forms of denial are used in this case, the paper teases out helping discourse from positive selfpresentation, showing how the former focuses on reframing the actor while the latter reframes the action. Importantly, anti-MAS political actors and members of their shielding institutions attempted to frame racism and racial animus as inherently individual rather than systemic in every form of denial discussed.
Mines, environment, questions, and disagreements: An analysis of the Turów coal mine disputes
Authors: Ondráček Tomáš , Łupkowski Paweł , Urbański Mariusz
Published: April 2024

This is a story of costs of 114 million EUR incurred by stubbornness and unwillingness to cooperate, or, in other words, by sticking to dead ends in discussions where parties disagree strongly enough that they cannot find common ground. This paper proposes an approach to analyzing such cases of disagreement by employing a multidimensional model involving deontic, ontological, and ethical axes. We use an example of the Turów coal mine disputes, which, from March 2020 to February 2022, involved the governments of the Republic of Poland, the Czech Republic, and the European Court of Justice. Our model results in a tree-like structure of the consecutive issues being considered, represented by questions, governed by the dependency between questions and external actions and events related to the dispute. We aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics and resolution paths in such complex disagreements.
On the augmentation of heat transfer with hybrid nanofluid containing microorganisms on flat plate under thermal radiation, using mixtures models
Authors: Rehman Sohail , Hashim  , Boujelbene Mohamed , Waqas Muhammad
Published: April 2024

In this study, an investigation of a hybrid nanofluid flow across a stretched flat sheet is presented. On a flat, flexible surface, a water-based hybrid nanoliquid is propagating in a horizontal orientation, while a strong magnetic field is located along an upright direction to the flow. The flow is incompressible, magnetically influenced and electrically conducting. The aluminum – and graphene (Go) are dispersed in the working fluid. The main interest of this exploration corresponds to microorganism diffusivity with Brownian motion and thermophoresis diffusion for two different nanoparticles, which are modeled in a different set of equations. The flow and heat-mass transfer equations are constructed using Buongiorno's nanofluid model and hybrid nanofluid volumetric friction. The Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg procedure combined with the shooting procedure is employed to find the numerical solutions of governing equations. The results reveal that increasing magnetic force drags down the frictional coefficient. The highest energy transfer 19% was recorded with 1% of Al2O3 and 5% of Go. Higher Peclet number detracts the motile density. The faster heat transmission was observed by thermal radiation. The volumetric percentage of nanomaterials was influenced by both types of Brownian characteristics. The novel parameter [Formula: see text] influences the Sherwood and Nusselt numbers. When compared to Go, the temperature profile and the heat transmission rate for the second particle Al2O3 are higher. The Sherwood number declines with a rise in the thermophoresis parameter and rises with an improvement in the Lewis number and Brownian motion. Effect of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] on mass transport rate are encouraging.
How do high-tech industry, energy efficiency (gas and oil), and social globalization affect load capacity factor in Saudi Arabia? A Time-varying quantile regression
Authors: Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday , Özkan Oktay , Ahmed Zahoor , Olanrewaju Victoria Olushola
Published: April 2024

The significant allure of widely available fossil energy sources at a reasonable cost engenders formidable impediments to the transition toward renewable energy sources in Saudi Arabia, one of the world's foremost energy-producing nations. Mitigating the escalating levels of emissions and addressing the substantial ecological deficits requires a comprehensive investigation of the prospective contributions of energy efficiency and high-tech industry as integral components in the strategic response to environmental challenges. In light of this, our current study employs quarterly data spanning from 1990 to 2021 and introduces an innovative approach known as time-varying quantile regression (TVQR), which has not been previously utilized in the existing literature. We complement this with time-varying nonparametric quantile causality to assess the impacts of disaggregated energy efficiency, the high-tech industry, and social globalization on ecological quality (proxied by load capacity factor (LF)) across different quantiles and time intervals in Saudi Arabia. Our TVQR analysis reveals that both the high-tech industry and oil and gas efficiency have a positive impact on environmental quality, as evidenced by their ability to enhance the LF indicator across a significant portion of quantiles and time intervals. Conversely, economic growth and social globalization have a negative impact on environmental quality. Additionally, the selected explanatory variables exhibit significant predictive power over LF across various time frames and quantiles. Lastly, we have formulated a comprehensive policy framework aimed at enhancing ecological quality.
A 30-nation investigation of lay heritability beliefs
Authors: Ferris Laura J. , Hornsey Matthew J. , Morosoli José J. , Milfont Taciano L. , Barlow Fiona Kate
Published: April 2024

Lay beliefs about human trait heritability are consequential for cooperation and social cohesion, yet there has been no global characterisation of these beliefs. Participants from 30 countries ( N = 6128) reported heritability beliefs for intelligence, personality, body weight and criminality, and transnational factors that could influence these beliefs were explored using public nation-level data. Globally, mean lay beliefs differ from published heritability ( h2) estimated by twin studies, with a worldwide majority overestimating the heritability of personality and intelligence, and underestimating body weight and criminality. Criminality was seen as substantially less attributable to genes than other traits. People from countries with high infant mortality tended to ascribe greater heritability for most traits, relative to people from low infant mortality countries. This study provides the first systematic foray into worldwide lay heritability beliefs. Future research must incorporate diverse global perspectives to further contextualise and extend upon these findings.
Transformative incrementalism: Palestinian women’s strategies of resistance and resilience amid gendered insecurity and neoliberal co-optation
Authors: Kayali Liyana
Published: April 2024

Palestinian women have envisioned and enacted resistance and resilience in different ways throughout the long-running Palestinian resistance movement. Strategies have ranged from direct collective actions to the resolute maintenance of everyday life in the face of ongoing occupation, settler-colonialism, displacement and violence. Palestinian women in the occupied West Bank have begun to develop tactics that attempt to negotiate a widespread aversion to ‘illegitimate’ and aid donor-prescribed actions, as well as to the gendered risks with which politically active women must contend. While this approach once encompassed the principle of resilience, recent times have seen the growing rejection of neoliberal resilience narratives in the belief that they normalize and entrench an oppressive status quo. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in the West Bank, this article explores how women’s search for legitimate and feasible modes of resistance and resilience has generated tactics characterized by incrementalism, but which form part of a transformative social change strategy. In so doing, it reveals the dynamic ways in which women constantly renegotiate resistance to violence in Palestine. It also demonstrates how development models based upon neoliberal understandings of resilience exacerbate gendered impacts of insecurity while eroding women’s capacities to withstand them.
Ethio-Eritrean Relation: From Jubilant Liaison to Paroxysm Hostility Since 2018
Authors: Dessie Yalemzewd
Published: April 2024

For the past two decades, the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea has posed political, economic and social security threats in the Horn of Africa. The seemingly unexpected resurgence of jovial contact between Eritrea and Ethiopia grabbed national, regional and international attention. It was Abiy who jumpstarted the peace process in June 2018. Unfortunately, their relationship gradually deteriorated from a cheerful amorousness to a vicious enmity. Thus, Ethiopia and Eritrea have both shown the ability and readiness to utilise proxy armies against one another. However, the literature on Ethiopia–Eritrea relations now avoids the topic of how peace and security might be restored. Therefore, the primary goal of this article has been to discuss and analyse the development of the Ethio-Eritrean relationship since 2018, from jubilant liaison to paroxysm hostility. To record and analyse this exciting issue, the article would be limited to primary sources such as letters, reports, journals, interviews, live streaming media and published secondary texts that this writer has access to.
Evaluation of Teratogenic Profile of Combination of Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor in Sprague–Dawley Rats
Authors: Rajan Kattula Rao Vinay , Kumar K. Eswar
Published: April 2024

Background

The individual teratogenicity profiles of Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor are known, but the combined effects remain unexplored.

Purpose

To evaluate the teratogenic profile of a combination of Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Materials and Methods

This study adhered to the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Sprague–Dawley rats were acclimated and housed individually under controlled conditions. A polygamous breeding scheme was implemented, and pregnant female rats were assigned to control, vehicle control or treatment group following OECD Test Guideline 414. Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor were administered to pregnant rats at various doses, such as MRHD, 5MRHD, 8MRHD and 10MRHD, from gestation days 6 to 17. Clinical observations, body weight and food consumption of pregnant rats were monitored. Postmortem examinations included caesarean section, reproductive performance (the number of corpora lutea, implantation sites, early and late resorptions and live foetuses) and assessment of foetal analysis. The foetal analysis incorporated external malformation evaluation, visceral examination and skeletal examination using alizarin red solution.

Results

In pregnant rats exposed to Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor, the external examination was conducted on 206, 209, 199, 184, 198 and 201 foetuses in their respective groups, each consisting of 19 litters. Within this cohort, approximately 33% of foetuses underwent visceral examination. Additionally, across six groups approximately 50% of foetuses underwent skeletal examination. Importantly, no abnormalities were detected in skeletal, visceral or histopathological assessments across the treatment groups encompassing doses of a combination of Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor at MRHD, 5MRHD, 8MRHD and 10MRHD. Additionally, no significant morbidity or mortality related to the treatment was observed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study indicates that the combination of Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor at doses equivalent to MRHD, 5MRHD, 8MRHD and 10MRHD did not induce significant teratogenic effects, affirming their safety during pregnancy in rats.
Does Selective Secondary Schools Make a Difference? A Quasi-Experimental Study in Chilean Public Schools
Authors: Allende González Claudio , Valenzuela Juan Pablo
Published: April 2024

This study utilizes longitudinal data from two 10th-grade student cohorts in Chile to investigate the effects of selective secondary schools. Employing propensity scores and difference-in-difference methods, we find significant and positive short-term effects, ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 SD, with minor variations across subjects and cohorts studied. Likewise, these schools are not a viable alternative for vulnerable students, even though the greatest measured effect is on students with lower socioeconomic status. Our findings suggest that the additional value of selective schools may not be directly linked to standardized test performance but rather related to the interactions among equally talented students.
Turning a Blind Eye to Gender at Work: A Call to Action for Management Scholarship
Authors: Thomas Candice L. , Cobb Haley R. , Koziel Ryszard J. , Spitzmueller Christiane
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we provide a fiery critique of the tendency for management research to adopt gender-blind perspectives and call on management scholars to step up and call workplaces what they are: gendered. Blending perspectives from diversity scholarship, organizational sciences, popular culture, feminism, etc., we provide a multifaceted argument for why ignoring gender in our work is harmful to our field and to gender equity efforts.
Investigation of polypharmacy, antimicrobial-related potential drug–drug interactions in patients with hematological malignancies
Authors: Oktay Zeynep , Güner Rahmet , Kayaaslan Bircan , Hasanoğlu İmran , Kaya Kalem Ayşe , Özet Gülsüm
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) occur when one drug interferes with the pharmacological activity of another and can lead to increased side effects. The purpose of this study was to examine potential interactions between antimicrobials and other drugs in patients with hematological malignancies (HMs).

Method

The medications used by 233 patients with HMs before and during hospitalization in Ankara City Hospital Hematology Clinic services between January 2021 and July 2021 were examined. Potential DDIs (pDDIs) were identified through UptoDate, Drugs.com, and MedScape databases. The effects of major antimicrobial-related pDDIs on patients were examined. Agreement between the two interaction systems was judged based on the kappa test. SPSS R Version 4.0.2 was used in the statistical analysis of the data, p<.05 was considered significant.

Results

The prevalence of polypharmacy before hospitalization was determined as 22.7%. Diagnosed with acute leukemia and multiple myeloma, more antimicrobial-related pDDIs were detected during hospitalization ( p<.001). A total of 758 antimicrobial-related pDDIs, which were in the major category in at least one of the three databases, were detected in 72.5% (169/233) of the participants. It was determined that the total hospitalization period of patients with major antimicrobial-related pDDIs was longer ( p<.001). There was negligible agreement between UptoDate and Dugs.com and between Drugs.com and MedScape (kappa: 0.008 for both). There was no compatibility between UptoDate and MedScape (kappa<0).

Conclusion

Interactions between antimicrobials and other drugs are undesirable problems. Further studies are required to evaluate the clinical and economic effects of the interactions on patients with HMs.
Reduced model and nonlinear analysis of localized instabilities of residually stressed cylinders under axial stretch
Authors: Liu Yang , Yu Xiang , Dorfmann Luis
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we present a dimensional reduction to obtain a one-dimensional model to analyze localized necking or bulging in a residually stressed circular cylindrical solid. The nonlinear theory of elasticity is first specialized to obtain the equations governing the homogeneous deformation. Then, to analyze the nonhomogeneous part, we include higher-order correction terms of the axisymmetric displacement components leading to a three-dimensional form of the total potential energy functional. Details of the reduction to the one-dimensional form are given. We focus on a residually stressed Gent material and use numerical methods to solve the governing equations. Two loading conditions are considered. First, the residual stress is maintained constant, while the axial stretch is used as the loading parameter. Second, we keep the pre-stretch constant and monotonically increase the residual stress until bifurcation occurs. We specify initial conditions, find the critical values for localized bifurcation, and compute the change in radius during localized necking or bulging growth. Finally, we optimize material properties and use the one-dimensional model to simulate necking or bulging until the Maxwell values of stretch are reached.
Systematic review of the impact of protease-inhibitor-based combination antiretroviral therapy on renal transplant outcomes in recipients living with HIV infection
Authors: Milosh Brooke , Bugaighis Mona , Cervia Joseph
Published: April 2024

Advances in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, including combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), have transformed HIV into a chronic condition. Kidney diseases cause morbidity and mortality in patients living with HIV (PLWH), though cART has permitted kidney transplants with acceptable post-transplant graft and patient survival. Risk of allograft rejection remains high, which may be related to interactions between cART, specifically protease inhibitors (PI), and immunosuppressants prescribed post-transplant. This systematic review evaluates renal transplant outcomes in PLWH treated with PI- vs non-PI-based cART. A search strategy was generated with terms related to renal transplant, HIV, and cART and run on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane. Studies were evaluated using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines on Covidence by two reviewers and then evaluated for bias. Of 803 studies, 9 were included. Included papers were prospective or retrospective cohort studies or chart reviews of adult patients. Outcome measures included acute graft rejection, graft survival, and patient survival. One study had significant results demonstrating that PI-based therapy was correlated with increased graft rejection rates. Two studies demonstrated significant graft survival benefit to non-PI-based therapy, while one demonstrated significant benefit to PI-based therapy. Two studies found significant patient survival benefit to non-PI-based therapy. For each outcome measure, remaining data suggested improved outcomes with non-PI-based therapies without achieving statistical significance. The results demonstrate superior outcomes in PLWH taking non-PI-based cART, though the paucity of significant results suggests that PLWH who require PI-based cART for virological control may continue their regimen safely post-kidney transplant.
A 12-Week Ballroom Dance Training Improves Physical Fitness Performance More Than Walking Training in Older Women, Regardless of Vitamin B12 or D Adequacy
Authors: da Silva Honorato Anderson , Gomes Bruna Prado , Scherer Fabiana Cristina , Pereira Camila , Junior Hélio Sanches , Cavazzotto Timothy Gustavo , Tomeleri Crisieli Maria , de Castro Teixeira Denilson
Published: April 2024

Aim:

This study aimed to compare the effects of Ballroom Dancing (BD) versus Walking Training (WT) on the physical fitness performance in physically independent older women with adequate or inadequate levels of vitamins B12 and D.

Methods:

Forty-three sedentary women aged 68.5 ± 6.5 years, were allocated to the BD (n = 23) or WT (n = 20) groups. They took part in a 12-week intervention, performed 3 times a week, for about 50 minutes with moderate effort intensity. Data were collected through Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 6 minutes Walk Test (6MWT), Hand Grip Test (HGT), Isokinetic tests for lower limbs and blood tests to detect serum levels of vitamins B12 and D.

Results:

The BD group performed better after the intervention in relation to the WT in the Sit and Stand Test (SST) (BD pre = 3.1 score vs post = 3.8 score; WT pre = 2.8 score vs post = 3.4 score; P = .02) and in the Peak Torque 180° extension (PKTOQ 180° extension) (BD pre = 56.7 Nm vs post = 61.2 Nm, WT pre = 56.7 Nm vs post = 56.1; P < .01).

Conclusion:

A time effect was observed in all other variables, with the exception of HGT. Both interventions improved physical fitness performance, regardless of the adequacy of vitamins B12 and D, but the older women from BD obtained significant improvements in more variables than the WT.
HNF4A-Bridging the Gap Between Intestinal Metaplasia and Gastric Cancer
Authors: Zhao Yihang , Tang Hong , Xu Jianhua , Sun Feifei , Zhao Yuanyuan , Li Yang
Published: April 2024

Background:

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) of gastric epithelium has traditionally been regarded as an irreversible stage in the process of the Correa cascade. Exploring the potential molecular mechanism of IM is significant for effective gastric cancer prevention.

Methods:

The GSE78523 dataset, obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, was analyzed using RStudio software to identify the differently expressed genes (DEGs) between IM tissues and normal gastric epithelial tissues. Subsequently, gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GESA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were used to find potential genes. Additionally, the screened genes were analyzed for clinical, immunological, and genetic correlation aspects using single gene clinical correlation analysis (UALCAN), Tumor–Immune System Interactions Database (TISIDB), and validated through western blot experiments.

Results:

Enrichment analysis showed that the lipid metabolic pathway was significantly associated with IM tissues and the apolipoprotein B ( APOB) gene was identified in the subsequent analysis. Experiment results and correlation analysis showed that the expression of APOB was higher in IM tissues than in normal tissues. This elevated expression of APOB was also found to be associated with the expression levels of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A ( HNF4A) gene. HNF4A was also found to be associated with immune cell infiltration to gastric cancer and was linked to the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Moreover, HNF4A was also highly expressed in both IM tissues and gastric cancer cells.

Conclusion:

Our findings indicate that HNF4A regulates the microenvironment of lipid metabolism in IM tissues by targeting APOB. Higher expression of HNF4A tends to lead to a worse prognosis in gastric cancer patients implying it may serve as a predictive indicator for the progression from IM to gastric cancer.
Educational Nutritional Intervention Program for Adolescents Based on Social Cognitive Theory: Pilot Study of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Flores-Vázquez Ana Silvia , Rodríguez-Rocha Norma Patricia , Macedo-Ojeda Gabriela
Published: April 2024

The eating habits of adolescents are often inadequate, with high consumption of unhealthy foods and low consumption of healthy foods. It is necessary to design and implement effective interventions to improve eating habits at this age and evaluate their feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness. The use of theories for behavior change in health interventions favors the adoption of healthy behaviors. Due to this, the objective was set to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and effect on food consumption of a new educational nutritional intervention program for adolescents based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and supported by the Trans-theoretical Model (TTM) and identify areas of improvement in study design and intervention for future larger-scale studies. A pilot study of a cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in adolescents of both sexes, 12 to 15 years of age, students from a public secondary school in Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico. The results show that a nutritional education intervention for adolescents, based on SCT and supported by the TTM, is feasible, acceptable, and with positive results in the modification of the consumption of ultra-processed foods, vegetables/fruits, and water. This pilot study identified some aspects that could be improved to enhance the effectiveness of the interventions in future studies.
The effect of housing prices on tourism employment: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Jun , Liu Qin
Published: April 2024

This study highlights the importance of the relationship between housing prices and tourism labour mobility. This study uses dynamic panel threshold approach to examine the nonlinear effect of housing prices on tourism labour mobility in Chinese mainland during the years 2000-2021. The empirical results show that rising housing prices are positively associated with tourism and its subsectors’ employment across different levels of housing prices. At the regional level, there exists regional heterogeneity of housing price affecting labour mobility within tourism industry and its subsectors in Eastern, Central and Western regions. Lastly, further discussion and policy suggestion are provided.
Probiotics in autism spectrum disorder: Recent insights from animal models
Authors: Golbaghi Navid , Naeimi Saeideh , Darvishi Afra , Najari Niloofar , Cussotto Sofia
Published: April 2024

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a wide range of behavioral alterations, including impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors. Numerous pharmacological interventions have been developed for autism spectrum disorder, often proving ineffective and accompanied by a multitude of side effects. The gut microbial alterations observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including elevated levels of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, as well as reduced levels of Bifidobacterium, provide a basis for further investigation. Recent preclinical studies have shown favorable outcomes with probiotic therapy, including improvements in oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of neurotransmitters, and restoration of microbial balance. The aim of this review is to explore the potential of probiotics for the management and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, by investigating insights from recent studies in animals.

Lay abstract

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a wide range of behavioral alterations, including impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors. Numerous pharmacological interventions have been developed for autism spectrum disorder, often proving ineffective and accompanied by a multitude of side effects. The gut microbiota is the reservoir of bacteria inhabiting our gastrointestinal tract. The gut microbial alterations observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including elevated levels of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, as well as reduced levels of Bifidobacterium, provide a basis for further investigation into the role of the gut microbiota in autism spectrum disorder. Recent preclinical studies have shown favorable outcomes with probiotic therapy, including improvements in oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of neurotransmitters, and restoration of microbial balance. The aim of this review is to explore the potential of probiotics for the management and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, by investigating insights from recent studies in animals.
Holding and restraining children for clinical procedures: A scoping review of health professional reported and observed practice
Authors: da Silva Ronaldo Antonio , Tordivelli Rayssa Steiner , Garcia de Avila Marla Andréia , Bray Lucy , Ferraz de Almeida Graziela Maria , Francisco Janaina Chinaque , Gaíva Maria Aparecida Munhoz
Published: April 2024

Holding and restraining children during non-urgent clinical procedures continues to be surrounded by uncertainty and mired in controversy. This review aimed to locate, appraise and map the evidence related to health professionals reported and observed practice of holding and restraining children, from birth to 16 years, for clinical procedures. This scoping review, conducted in April 2022, was based on the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol. Screening and full text review resulted in the inclusion of 30 papers. In total, 14 different terms were used to refer to the act of holding or restraining a child for a procedure, in many papers the action of holding was not defined. Professionals report the main factors influencing their decisions to use restraint and/or holding were the age of a child, with younger children being restrained or held most frequently; a child’s behaviour; and concerns around a child’s safety. Professionals also report that they can perceive pressure from parent/carers to hold or restrain their child and describe how holding practices can be influenced by service and organisational pressures. Health professionals, mainly nurses, continue to report ethical and moral tensions linked to their involvement in the restraint or holding of a child against their will for a clinical procedure. Evidence indicates a need to move practice forward as the issues identified in paediatric practice are long-standing and historical.
The association of the physical and social environment with mortality in urban areas: an ecological study on the city of Bologna, Italy
Authors: Nicoli Aldini Teresa Giulia , Bygvraa Despoina Andrioti
Published: April 2024

Aims:

The urban environment influences health through many pathways. The aim of the present study was to map the distribution of mortality, environmental predictors (distribution of green areas and transport networks), and social predictors (income deprivation) in the mid-sized city of Bologna (Italy), and to analyse the relationship between these variables.

Methods:

The study employed an ecological cross-sectional design using data from public sources. The units of analysis were the 18 city districts. The percentage of green areas, percentage of transport networks and age-standardised mortality rates were calculated for each district. These variables, and an indicator of income deprivation, were plotted on the city map to analyse their distribution. Simple and multiple linear regressions with mortality as the outcome and environmental and social data as predictors were run.

Results:

The results showed an unequal distribution of the variables in the city, with the north-eastern districts presenting worse values. Green areas did not result significantly in being related to mortality. The income indicator and transport networks have an impact on mortality in the simple regression, but only transport networks were found to have a statistically significant relation with mortality in the multiple regression.

Conclusions:

The results suggested that living close to major transport networks could affect mortality rates in the city, but further research is needed. Future studies are also needed to analyse the interaction between environmental exposures and socioeconomic factors in affecting health. These findings can be useful for urban planning and health promotion interventions.
There is no place to go in “America's Finest City”: Basic sanitation deprivation is punishment in San Diego, California, USA
Authors: Welsh Carroll Megan , O’Donnell Rebekah , Rios Adriana , Kodituwakku Lahiru , Zampa Giovanna , Swayne Madison RE , Felner Jennifer K , Calzo Jerel P
Published: April 2024

Safe and consistent access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) resources is an internationally recognized human right. Yet in the U.S., access to public toilets, handwashing facilities, potable water, and menstrual supplies is grimly limited, especially for unhoused people. This article develops the concept of “sanitation justice” and argues for its urgent consideration alongside calls for racial, gender, social, and environmental justice. We advance this argument via a case study analyzing three novel data sources on WaSH access in San Diego, California's second-largest city, with a focus on public restrooms: geospatial data on facility locations, infrastructure assessments, and interviews with unhoused people on their restroom needs and challenges. We present a conceptual model, informed by the prior literature and our data, for visualizing how deliberate sanitation deprivation in the U.S. urban environment functions as a punishment regime inflicted on city residents, unhoused residents especially, to the detriment of public health and safety. As our data show, WaSH access is the most basic way governments can support not only public health but also social and economic mobility. We conclude with a vision of sanitation justice that centers the voices of those most affected by sanitation deprivation.
Reimagining American public media: A key infrastructure for local journalism
Authors: Lincoln Louisa , Pickard Victor
Published: April 2024

As the state of U.S. local journalism continues to deteriorate, contributing to growing news deserts and the proliferation of mis- and disinformation, alternative models for sustaining local news are increasingly paramount. One such alternative to the failing commercial model that deserves more attention, we argue, is the American public media system. While less robust than its international counterparts, the U.S. public media system tends to be less reliant on market support, less subject to commercial pressures, and more devoted to a universal service mission. This study explores to what extent the American public media system may serve to lessen the severity of the local journalism crisis. Drawing on interviews and conversations with two dozen public media practitioners and analysts, our research examines how public media could be reimagined and repurposed to better serve local information needs. We conclude that a renewed investment in the existing system in tandem with structural reforms presents a possible pathway towards a more sustainable future for local news.
Afro-Ecuadorian Women, Territory and Natural Resource Extraction in Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Authors: Boudewijn Inge A. M. , Bone Juana C. Francis , Jenkins Katy , Zaragocin Sofia
Published: April 2024

Afro-descendant women in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, are amongst the most marginalized groups in the country. Living in a region severely affected by environmental degradation due to multiple and overlapping forms of resource extraction, they also face the impacts of drug-trafficking conflicts crossing the Colombian border, as well as institutional and everyday racism. Many of these conditions are rooted in a long history of colonialism. In this article, we highlight the relative absence of Afro-Ecuadorian women’s voices, histories and experiences from research on resource extraction and argue that Black feminist theoretical approaches provide an essential tool for understanding intersections of gender, race and activism, as well as (alternatives to) development, and the impacts of natural resource extraction in Ecuador. In so doing, the article proposes a theoretical framework to open up spaces that situate Afro-Ecuadorian women’s knowledge at the centre of efforts to resist marginalization and extractivism.