bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal and Spatial Variation in Drying Shrinkage and Thermal Response of a Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement
Authors: Brody Zachary A. , Donnelly Charles A. , Vandenbossche Julie M.
Published: March 2023

Drying shrinkage and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) are key material properties that affect the long-term performance of a concrete pavement. The importance of these two properties will continue to increase as extreme heat events occur more frequently with climate change. Standard laboratory tests performed to quantify these properties do not replicate the in-situ slab conditions such as spatial and temporal variation in moisture levels. As a result, laboratory-determined material property values may not accurately reflect the response of the pavement to changes in temperature. In this research, strain data from a 16-year-old in-service jointed plain concrete pavement was studied with a focus on the variation in drying shrinkage and response to temperature change. Drying shrinkage over time was estimated at different locations within the slab. Additionally, the structural coefficient of thermal expansion (SCTE) was determined as the strain response of the slab to unit changes in temperature. The frequency and amount of monthly rainfall was compared with SCTE results to explain seasonal variation in SCTE values. The results indicate that slab restraint conditions affect both the development of drying shrinkage and the SCTE of the pavement. Additionally, this study shows that both drying shrinkage and SCTE are not constant through the pavement structure, and both parameters are affected by the moisture content of the concrete. The SCTE was up to 23% larger and 22% smaller than the CTE determined through laboratory testing. In addition, only 31% of the laboratory measured ultimate drying shrinkage was realized in the slab.
Competencies for Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Postgraduate Medical Education: Expert Consensus Using a Modified Delphi Process
Authors: Lai Ka Sing Paris , Waxman Robyn , Blumberger Daniel M. , Giacobbe Peter , Hasey Gary , McMurray Lisa , Milev Roumen , Palaniyappan Lena , Ramasubbu Rajamannar , Rybak Yuri E. , Sacevich Tegan , Vila-Rodriguez Fidel , Burhan Amer M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is recommended in Canadian guidelines as a first-line treatment for major depressive disorder. With the shift towards competency-based medical education, it remains unclear how to determine when a resident is considered competent in applying knowledge of rTMS to patient care. Given inconsistencies between postgraduate training programmes with regards to training requirements, defining competencies will improve the standard of care in rTMS delivery.

Objective

The goal of this study was to develop competencies for rTMS that can be implemented into a competency-based training curriculum in postgraduate training programmes.

Methods

A working group drafted competencies for postgraduate psychiatry trainees. Fourteen rTMS experts from across Canada were invited to participate in the modified Delphi process.

Results

Ten experts participated in all three rounds of the modified Delphi process. A total of 20 items reached a consensus. There was improvement in the Cronbach's alpha over the rounds of modified Delphi process (Cronbach's alpha increased from 0.554 to 0.824) suggesting improvement in internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) increased from 0.543 to 0.805 suggesting improved interrater agreement.

Conclusions

This modified Delphi process resulted in expert consensus on competencies to be acquired during postgraduate medical education programmes where a learner is training to become competent as a consultant and/or practitioner in rTMS treatment. This is a field that still requires development, and it is expected that as more evidence emerges the competencies will be further refined. These results will help the development of other curricula in interventional psychiatry.
Treatment with paraquat affects the expression of ferroptosis-related genes
Authors: Ge Xiaogang , Cai Qiqi , Zhang Sheng , Wu Xianlong , Ying Pan , Ke Jingjing , Yang Zhihui
Published: March 2023

Objective

We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying paraquat (PQ)-induced damage using cell lines (NCTC1469, TC-1, TCMK-1) and bioinformatic analysis of the GSE153959 dataset. Assessment of changes in the expression of ferroptosis-related genes in cellular damage due to paraquat poisoning and the important value of these genes in the pathogenesis.

Methods

Data were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to ferroptosis were identified by Venn plots and analyzed for enrichment. Proteins encoded by these DEGs were studied for interactions. qRT-PCR and western blotting analyses of cultured cells were used to determine the expression of ferroptosis-related DEGs and their corresponding protein levels.

Results

We identified 25 DEGs primarily involved in epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, apoptotic signaling pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and ferroptosis. From these, we uncovered eight ferroptosis-related DEGs, four of which were involved in ER response and regulators of ferroptosis— Chac1 (ChaC glutathione specific gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase 1), Atf3 (activating transcription factor 3), Tfrc (transferrin receptor), and Slc7a11 (solute carrier family 7 member 11). Significant changes in mRNA and protein levels of CHAC1, ATF3, TFRC, and SLC7A11 were confirmed in PQ-exposed cells.

Conclusion

ER stress and ferroptosis are critical for PQ-induced cell damage. CHAC1, ATF3, TFRC, and SLC7A11 are essential molecules implicated in PQ-induced ferroptosis that may serve as therapeutic targets for the amelioration of PQ poisoning.
Identifying regions of interest in mammogram images
Authors: Jiang Shu , Cao Jiguo , Colditz Graham A.
Published: March 2023

Screening mammography is the primary preventive strategy for early detection of breast cancer and an essential input to breast cancer risk prediction and application of prevention/risk management guidelines. Identifying regions of interest within mammogram images that are associated with 5- or 10-year breast cancer risk is therefore clinically meaningful. The problem is complicated by the irregular boundary issue posed by the semi-circular domain of the breast area within mammograms. Accommodating the irregular domain is especially crucial when identifying regions of interest, as the true signal comes only from the semi-circular domain of the breast region, and noise elsewhere. We address these challenges by introducing a proportional hazards model with imaging predictors characterized by bivariate splines over triangulation. The model sparsity is enforced with the group lasso penalty function. We apply the proposed method to the motivating Joanne Knight Breast Health Cohort to illustrate important risk patterns and show that the proposed method is able to achieve higher discriminatory performance.
Success Factors for Innovation: A Bayesian Network Approach
Authors: Yu Seung Won , Kim Jaeseong
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study is to understand how innovation factors affect innovation and, at the same time, how the process of innovation factors leading to innovation can explain. This study used Bayesian Network Analysis (BNA) to examine the relationship between innovation factors such as information acquisition, research and development, government support system, product innovation and business process innovation using the 2020 Korean Innovation survey (KIS) data. As a result of the analysis, it confirmed that various factors and innovation had a direct or indirect relationship. For example, it found Government tax support, collaborative R&D and information from private research institutes to play an essential role in innovation, and other factors indirectly affect innovation through these factors. The conclusion section discusses the implications and limitations of research results and suggestions for future research.
“You Have to Keep in Mind That You’re Dealing with People's Lives”: How Hospital Service Workers Enact an Ethic of Care
Authors: Ballentine Kess L. , Woo Jihee , Tillman Hollen , Goodkind Sara
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need to examine the health and safety of all workers, especially frontline workers, like hospital service workers (HSWs). Given ongoing pandemic-related challenges like healthcare labor shortages, attention to HSWs is essential. This paper draws from 3 waves of in-depth interviews conducted with HSWs from 2017 to 2020 to understand the evolving nature and challenges of their work from their perspectives. By analyzing the interviews, we found their approach to labor consistent with a feminist ethic of care. The ethic of care framework understands care as a public responsibility necessary for a functioning society. Workers perceived the ethic of care to be consistently violated by their employer, which contributed to poor working conditions, threatening the well-being of workers and patients alike. Drawing from workers’ experiences and insights, the ethic of care framework can inform organizational changes to improve both occupational health and patient care.
Geographic Information Systems Utilization in Pediatric End-of-Life Research: A Scoping Review
Authors: Qualls Kerri A. , Svynarenko Radion , Cozad Melanie J. , Keim-Malpass Jessica , Huang Guoping , Lindley Lisa C.
Published: March 2023

Currently, little is known about how geographic information systems (GIS) has been utilized to study end-of-life care in pediatric populations. The purpose of this review was to collect and examine the existing evidence on how GIS methods have been used in pediatric end-of-life research over the last 20 years. Scoping review method was used to summarize existing evidence and inform research methods and clinical practice was used. The Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA) was utilized. The search resulted in a final set of 17 articles. Most studies created maps for data visualization and used ArcGIS as the primary software for analysis. The scoping review revealed that GIS methodology has been limited to mapping, but that there is a significant opportunity to expand the use of this methodology for pediatric end-of-life care research.
The Endoplasmic Reticulum and Its Contacts: Emerging Roles in Axon Development, Neurotransmission, and Degeneration
Authors: Kuijpers Marijn , Nguyen Phuong T. , Haucke Volker
Published: March 2023

The neuronal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) consists of a dynamic, tubular network that extends all the way from the soma into dendrites, axons, and synapses. This morphology gives rise to an enormous membrane surface area that, through the presence of tethering proteins, lipid transfer proteins, and ion channels, plays critical roles in local calcium regulation, membrane dynamics, and the supply of ions and lipids to other organelles. Here, we summarize recent advances that highlight the various roles of the neuronal ER in axonal growth, repair, and presynaptic function. We review the variety of contact sites between the ER and other axonal organelles and describe their influence on neurodevelopment and neurotransmission.
Fixed time sliding mode control for disturbed robotic manipulator
Authors: Anjum Zeeshan , Zhou Hui , Ahmed Saim , Guo Yu
Published: March 2023

In this study, a new fixed-time sliding mode control approach for trajectory tracking control of robotic manipulator systems is devised, which provides fixed-time convergence, robust stabilization, and high precision. A novel fixed-time non-singular fast terminal sliding mode surface (FNFTSMS) with fixed-time convergence is provided, and with settling time independent of the initial condition of the system and can be pre-determined using design parameters. Furthermore, using adaptive disturbance observer and the suggested FNFTSMS, a new composite robust control approach is developed. The adaptive disturbance observer is intended to boost control performance and compensate for unpredictably occurring disturbances. The Lyapunov stability theory is used to establish the fixed-time stability of sliding surface and system states under the suggested composite control strategy. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out using PUMA560 robot in order to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficacy of the proposed control method in terms of accuracy of tracking, fast response, and convergent speed.
Potential applications of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaf extract as natural anti-staphylococcal additive in food systems: Efficacy and in vivo safety evaluation
Authors: Issuriya Acharaporn , Jatutasri Kawinsak , Sanpinit Sineenart , Chusri Sasitorn , Voravuthikunchai Supayang Piyawan , Kaewmanee Thammarat , Phoopha Sathianpong , Jetwanna Korakot Wichitsa-nguan , Limsuwan Surasak
Published: March 2023

This work aimed to explore the potential use of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa ethanol leaf extract (RTEL) as an alternative food preservative agent for controlling the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Antibacterial activities against food-isolated S. aureus were performed using disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays, followed by evaluating in vivo subacute oral toxicity of the extract. Salad dressing was used as a food model to study bactericidal properties and consumer acceptability. RTEL remarkably inhibited S. aureus with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 7.81–62.5 µg/mL. Repeated oral doses (5, 50, and 300 mg/kg RTEL) for 28 days did not affect any of the measured toxicity parameters. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of RTEL was noted as more than 300 mg/kg body weight/day. The utilization of RTEL (12.5 mg/mL) in the vinaigrette salad dressing did not affect the consumer acceptability of the product, remarkably killed the pathogen within 3–9 h of exposure. The results indicated that RTEL is safe and effective as a natural anti-staphylococcal controlling agent that could be utilized in food systems. Further work is required on the effects of enterotoxin production, an important virulence factor of S. aureus responsible for food-borne disease.
Determinants Influencing Health-Promoting Behaviors in Individuals at High Risk of Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wei Xiao , Xu Mengfan , Yang Li , Gao Zihan , Kuang Jinke , Zhou Kexin
Published: March 2023

Background

Health-promoting behaviors and positive lifestyle changes are crucial for effective stroke prevention. However, individuals at high risk of stroke exhibit poor health behavior due to a deficiency of individual motivation. Moreover, there are only a few studies on health-promoting behaviors that have applied behavior change theories in individuals at high risk of stroke.

Objective

This study aimed to use the theory of the planned behavior (TPB) model to investigate determinants of health-promoting behaviors for stroke prevention and control.

Method

In this cross-sectional study, 263 participants were recruited from five community health centers in Qingdao. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess the reliability and validity of the constructs, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the proposed relationships between the TPB-related variables.

Results

The attitudes, subjective norms, and perceptions of behavioral control positively influenced behavioral intention. The behavioral intention had a positive effect on health-promoting behaviors. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were influenced primarily by the mediating variable behavioral intention to affect health-promoting behaviors. Stroke knowledge was an influential facilitator of behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control.

Conclusion

The TPB-based model is suitable for explaining health-promoting behaviors in individuals at risk of stroke and for guiding the development of effective health management programs. A comprehensive person-centered motivation behavior strategy that is based on health education and complemented by social support and health resource optimization is critical in promoting health behavior motivation and health promotion behaviors in stroke high-risk groups.
Characteristics of pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis and related disorders infected with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Schreiner Teri , Wilson-Murphy Molly , Mendelt-Tillema Jan , Waltz Michael , Codden Rachel , Benson Leslie , Gorman Mark , Goyal Manu , Krupp Lauren , Lotze Tim , Mar Soe , Ness Jayne , Rensel Mary , Roalstad Shelly , Rodriguez Moses , Rose John , Shukla Nikita , Waubant Emmanuelle , Wheeler Yolanda , Casper T Charles , Chitnis Tanuja
Published: March 2023

Background:

Pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (POMS) and related disorders, clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disorder (MOGAD), and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), are commonly treated with immunosuppressants. Understanding the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients may inform treatment decisions.

Objective:

Characterize SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence and severity among a cohort of patients with POMS and related disorders, as well as the impact of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

Methods:

POMS and related disorders patients enrolled in a large, prospective registry were screened for COVID-19 during standard-of-care neurology visits. If confirmed positive of having infection, further analysis was undertaken.

Results:

Six hundred and sixty-nine patients were surveyed between March 2020 and August 2021. There were 73 confirmed COVID-19 infections. Eight of nine hospitalized patients (89%), and all patients admitted to the ICU were treated with B cell depleting therapy. The unadjusted odds ratio of hospitalization among those who tested positive of having had COVID-19 was 15.27 among those on B-cell-depleting therapy ( p = 0.016).

Conclusions:

B-cell-depleting treatment was associated with a higher risk of COVID-19, higher rates of hospitalization, and ICU admission, suggesting this therapy carries a higher risk of severe infection in POMS and related disorders.
Primary healthcare professionals’ role in monitoring infant growth: A scoping review
Authors: Rossiter Chris , Cheng Heilok , Denney-Wilson Elizabeth
Published: March 2023

Excessive weight gain in infancy is an established risk for childhood obesity. Primary healthcare professionals have regular contact with infants and are well placed to monitor their growth. This review explores primary healthcare professionals’ practice in monitoring growth for infants from birth to 2 years, addressing assessment methods, practitioner confidence and interventions for unhealthy weight gain. Reviewers searched four databases for studies of primary healthcare professionals working in high-income countries that reported on practice monitoring infant growth. Thirty-six eligible studies documented health professionals’ practice with infants. While most clinicians regularly weighed and measured infants, some did not record measurements comprehensively. Growth monitoring occurred regularly during well-child visits but was less common during unscheduled visits. Some participants were less proficient at interpreting growth trajectories or lacked confidence in detecting excessive weight gain and in communicating concerns to parents. Few interventions addressed unhealthy growth among infants. Primary healthcare professionals require support to monitor growth trajectories effectively, to communicate appropriately with parents and to engage them in developing healthy behaviours early. Strategies are also required to monitor infants not regularly attending primary health care.
Lower levels of physical activity volume are beneficial, and it’s never too late to start: Results from the HUNT Study, Norway
Authors: Breidablik Hans Johan , Hufthammer Karl Ove , Rangul Vegar , Andersen Jon Roger , Meland Eivind , Hetlevik Øystein , Vie Tina Løkke
Published: March 2023

Aims:

We aimed to explore (a) how different patterns of physical activity (PA) over time (36 years) were associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality, (b) if the association was similar for males and females and for different body mass levels and (c) how change in PA was associated with mortality for subjects who started out as physically inactive.

Methods:

The study is based on the prospective population-based cohort Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) from 1984 to 2020, across four study waves. Data were linked to the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. There were 123,005 participants, divided into three groups: persistently active, persistently inactive and mixed, with two cut-offs for PA: 60 and 150 minutes per week. The results are reported as cumulative incidence and hazard ratios (HRs).

Results:

At 60 minutes of PA per week, 8% of participants were persistently inactive, 15% were persistently active and 77% had a mixed pattern. At 150 minutes, the corresponding numbers were 32%, 2% and 65%. Compared to the persistently inactive group, for the 60-minute cut-off, the mixed group had an all-cause mortality HR of 0.83 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70–0.98), and the persistently active group had an HR of 0.51 (95% CI 0.40–0.65). For the 150-minute cut-off, the corresponding HRs were 0.84 (95% CI 0.75–0.94) and 0.48 (95% CI 0.26–0.88). The patterns were similar for males and females and across body mass index levels. Initially inactive participants had lower mortality if they ended up physically active, regardless of their activity level at an intermediate time point.

Conclusions:

At least 60 minutes of PA per week was associated with a marked reduction in mortality when this was a lasting habit over three decades. Given that six times as many people reach this less ambitious goal, it is vital to encourage all levels of PA in public health promotion. Any increase in PA during the lifespan is beneficial.
Critical discourse studies eleven years on in China (from 2011 to 2021): A critical review
Authors: Wang Jiayu , Jin Guangyu
Published: March 2023

Since critical discourse analysis (CDA) was introduced to China in 1990s, it has developed into an influential and thriving field. This article reviews the development of CDA in China from 2011 to 2021, during which CDA had thrived to be a productive field in terms of the in-depth theoretical and methodological explorations and the overwhelming majority of empirical studies which considerably expanded its scope to a much wider range of discourses. It also came to involve a broader array of disciplines including corpus linguistics, cognitive linguistics, multimodality, translation studies, and eco-linguistics. It can be found that while keeping pace with the international CDA studies, Chinese scholars consistently gear CDA to China’s social, political, and cultural contexts and strive to use CDA to deliberate on and solve social problems in contemporary Chinese society. This brief review endeavors to communicate with the international academia regarding the latest developments of CDA in China.
Argumentative strategies to evade state apologies: The Turkish example
Authors: Demir Yeliz , Schaafsma Juliette
Published: March 2023

Countries are often reluctant to publicly recognize and express regret for past wrongdoings despite urgent pressures or calls to do so, and in the past decades there have been numerous examples of states that have issued statements that evade an admission of wrongdoing or apology. Evading an apology requires politicians in authority to make argumentative maneuvers to steer the discourse to their own advantage. But what do such maneuvers look like? This paper sets out to address this question by drawing on a Turkish example and by analyzing President Erdoğan’s message of condolences addressed to the Armenian community in 2014, when he was the Prime Minister of Turkey. We utilized the pragma-dialectical notion of ‘strategic maneuvering’ in uncovering how he exploited the topical potential, addressed the audience expectations, and chose from available presentational means to defend the standpoint that ‘Turkey should not be blamed for the events of 1915’. Our analysis suggests that even when political authorities evade an apology, they may still try to observe dialectically reasonable and rhetorically effective argumentation. The message we analyzed shows how this can be done by pairing evasive language about past atrocities with expressions of empathy with the victims and by highlighting the importance of dialogue, mutual tolerance, and compromise in establishing a common future.
Influences of key design parameters to operating performance of a compressed natural gas injection system using solenoid pressure regulator
Authors: Hung Nguyen Ba , Lim Ocktaeck
Published: March 2023

A study is carried out to examine the effects of design parameters on operating performance of a compressed natural gas (CNG) injection system. This system consists of a solenoid-type injector, a solenoid pressure regulator, and a rail tube. To depict the operation of the injection system, mathematical models are built, including electrical and mechanical models of a solenoid pressure regulator and a solenoid injector. To control rail tube gas pressure, a control model is built using proportional integral derivative (PID) algorithm. The simulated gas pressure is compared with experimental result for validating the mathematical models. The influences of design parameters, including rail tube volume, stiffness of spring, and number of coil turns in the solenoid pressure regulator, on the operating performance of the CNG system are examined. The simulation results indicate that the stability of controlled gas pressure is increased when increasing the volume of the rail tube and spring stiffness. Besides, by decreasing the number of coil turns in the solenoid pressure regulator, the stability of controlled gas pressure and flow rate of the injection is increased.
Exploring mediated representations of migrant domestic workers in the Chinese-language media in Hong Kong
Authors: Ho Janet , Sewell Andrew
Published: March 2023

Since the 1970s, local residents in Hong Kong have been employing migrant domestic workers (MDWs) for caregiving, cooking, and housekeeping. The vast majority of MDWs are women from the Philippines and Indonesia. Despite their long-standing and numerically significant presence in Hong Kong, many MDWs are still experiencing prejudice or being mistreated. This study focuses on Chinese media coverage of MDW mistreatment cases in Hong Kong and contributes to a growing body of research on the media representation of MDWs. Critical discourse analysis was conducted on 398 articles published between 2010 and 2019 in three popular Chinese-language newspapers, and the discursive representations of perpetrators and victims in the reports were examined. Adopting the conceptual tools of social control and structural inequality, and tracing their connection with the discursive representations, the study highlights the three significant phenomena of perpetrator exoneration and victim blaming, narrativization, and sensationalism. Findings reveal that MDW mistreatment becomes a secondary concern as the articles often highlight the academic achievements and emotional suffering of the perpetrators, relying on entertainment values and neglecting the deeper roots of the issue. The article then examines the ways in which media discourse arises from and shapes prevailing perceptions of MDW issues, showing how the potential for gender-based violence towards MDWs arises from the intersections of inequality across dimensions such as gender, ethnicity and class.
Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Ponatinib and Dasatinib in Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With Central Nervous System Relapse: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Zhu Yuanxin , Zhu Ying , Miao Lei , Jia Tao , Mao Jianping , Xue Lianguo , Wang Ying
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Central nervous system leukemia (CNSL) is the most common extramedullary relapse site in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph-positive) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with a poor prognosis and high relapse rate.

Methods

We characterized the clinical data of 21 Ph-positive B-ALL patients to analyze the efficacy and safety of ponatinib for patients with central nervous system relapsed Ph-positive ALL retrospectively.

Results

There were 11 males and 10 females in the cohort, and their median age was 45 (9-58) years old. The total CR (complete remission) rate was 90.5%. All 9 patients achieved CR in the ponatinib group, and 10 patients achieved CR in the dasatinib group (100% vs 83.3%, respectively; P = .486) and minimal residual disease-positive CR in the ponatinib group and dasatinib group (88.9% vs 58.3%, P = .178). The medium time after achieving CR was 5 and 8 weeks ( P = .047). The total median overall survival (OS) was 31.1 months, and the 3-year OS was 49.0%. The median relapse-free survival (RFS) was 31.0 months, and the 3-year RFS was 45.2%. Patients in the ponatinib group showed a significantly longer OS than those patients in the dasatinib group with (medium OS not reached vs 27.6 months, P = .045) or without (medium OS not reached vs 27.6 months, P = .039) T315I mutations. The median RFS between the ponatinib group and the dasatinib group with T315I was not reached and 16.2 months, P = .065. The median RFS between the ponatinib group and the dasatinib group without T315I was not reached and 16.2 months, P = .036. No treatment-related deaths were observed during the therapy.

Conclusion

(1) Ph-positive CNSL patients seemed to have a high rate of response and postinduction MRD negativity with ponatinib and dasatinib, but ponatinib seemed to show a shorter time to achieve remission than dasatinib. (2) Ponatinib maintenance treatment might show superior survival for Ph-positive CNSL patients with or without the T315I mutation. (3) Ponatinib and dasatinib seemed to be both safe for the clinical application of Ph-positive CNSL.
Lesional Epilepsy in Children: Removing Doubt to Cut It Out
Authors: Englot Dario J.
Published: March 2023

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Experimental investigations on nonlinear mechanical behaviors of Kevlar tether
Authors: Wang Ban , Li Haozheng , Zhang Juyong
Published: March 2023

A Kevlar tether usually exhibits strong nonlinearity in engineering applications, bringing new challenges to the modeling of tether dynamics. The nonlinear mechanical behaviors, including creep behavior, nonlinear stiffness, hysteresis effect, and dynamical property of a Kevlar tether, are investigated through a series of experiments. The longitudinal loading experiment setup is established, from which the relationships between tether deformation, tension, and time can be obtained. The creep process of Kevlar tethers is divided into three stages, namely, linear creep stage, deceleration creep stage, and long-term creep stage. This paper studied the longitudinal nonlinear stiffness of a Kevlar tether, whose nonlinearity is fitted by the cubic function model. The hysteresis effect under single loading and unloading is fitted well by the Kawabata stress-strain model, which verifies the correctness and validity of Kawabata model. The nonlinear dynamical model, which includes the elastic force, hysteresis force, and damping force, is established to describe the general dynamical property of the Kevlar tether. The experiment results verify the correctness of the dynamical model form. To simplify the analysis, a simplified model is proposed to describe the dynamical property of the Kevlar tether, and the parameters have a good consistency. The works in this paper contribute to the accurate modeling of flexible tether and lay the foundation for the further research of tether dynamics and control.
Unstable Middle Phalanx Base Fractures Treated With an Internal Joint Stabilizer: Preliminary Results
Authors: Klein David M. , Teytelbaum David E. , Patel Jay S. , Combs Taylor E. , Heifner John J. , Orbay Jorge L.
Published: March 2023

Background:

Unstable fractures of the base of the middle phalanx are notorious for causing chronic loss of proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint function, and they remain a challenge for the hand surgeon. We report on a temporary intraoperatively constructed internal joint stabilizer for unstable PIP joint injuries.

Methods:

Across 2 institutions, a retrospective chart review was performed for cases with acute presentation of pilon fracture or fracture-dislocation of the base of the middle phalanx which were surgically treated with an internal joint stabilizer. Information collected included time from injury to surgical intervention, time from implantation to device removal, complications, and preoperative and postoperative range of motion.

Results:

Seven patients met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 51 (range: 24-72) years and a mean follow-up of 29 (range: 11-72) months. After removal of the fixator, the mean arc of PIP joint motion was 8° to 88° (range: 0°-100°). There were no infections, no hardware loosening or failures, and no revision procedures.

Conclusion:

The current findings are comparable to the results for dynamic external fixators. An internal joint stabilizer for unstable injuries to the base of the middle phalanx provides satisfactory functional outcomes, allows early postoperative motion, and mitigates the routine complications which may arise with external fixation.
Protocol for A Mixed-Methods Study: Dementia-Inclusive Streets and Community Access, Participation, and Engagement (DemSCAPE)
Authors: Seetharaman Kishore , Chaudhury Habib , Hung Lillian , Phinney Alison , Freeman Shannon , Groulx Mark , Hemingway Dawn , Lanthier-Labonté Stéphanie , Randa Cari , Rossnagel Emma
Published: March 2023

Neighbourhoods are known to help maintain functional abilities and enable out-of-home activities and social participation for people living with dementia. Dementia friendly and inclusive communities (DFC) frameworks recognize the importance of developing supportive and empowering environments for people living with dementia and their families. Beyond the core objective of raising awareness and eliminating stigma associated with dementia, most DFC frameworks also focus on improving accessibility and navigability in the neighbourhood environment. Limited research on this topic points to the importance of evidence-based design of the neighbourhood built environment to promote mobility and wayfinding, legibility, familiarity, and safety for people living with dementia. Increased relevance of DFCs for policy and practice calls for expanding this body of knowledge. The proposed study, titled “Dementia-inclusive Spaces for Community Access, Participation, and Engagement (DemSCAPE),” focuses on identifying neighbourhood destinations considered important by people living with dementia, as well as neighbourhood built environmental features relevant for their outdoor mobility, engagement, and social participation. This study protocol paper offers key information on 1) the need for mixed methods research on this topic and its theoretical and methodological underpinnings, 2) study sampling and recruitment strategy, 3) data collection methods, which include a series of structured and semi-structured sit-down interviews and a walk-along interview, 4) procedure for data analysis, 5) ethical and methodological considerations, and 6) measures taken to enhance study rigour.
The suprascapular nerve block (SScNB) is easily administered using a landmark-based technique: A cadaveric study to assess nerve staining post-injection
Authors: Brennan C , Slevin Z , Savaridas T
Published: March 2023

Aims

The suprascapular nerve is an ideal target for nerve blockade to alleviate shoulder pain given its widespread innervation to the shoulder girdle. To widen availability of this treatment, we investigate whether an anatomical landmark technique can be adopted by novice injectors to provide efficacious blockade.

Methods

Five injectors were recruited with varying experience. 10 shoulders of Thiel embalmed cadavers were injected with blue dye. Written instructions and an illustration of the Dangoisse landmark technique were provided prior to injection. Cadavers were dissected and the presence or absence of dye staining reported by three observers and a consensus agreement reached.

Results

Dissection demonstrated diffuse staining in the suprascapular fossa. 90% of shoulders had adequate staining of the suprascapular nerve directly, or distal branches, which would provide adequate anaesthesia. Inter-observer agreement was good (k = 0.73) for staining at the supraspinous fossa and excellent (k = 0.87) for staining distally. The technique was performed by novice injectors with a good success rate.

Conclusion

This technique is reproducible by a range of clinicians to effectively provide anaesthesia of the SScN. Within a resource strained healthcare environment greater uptake of this technique is likely to be of benefit to a wider group of patients.
Family Physician Prescribing Practices and Perspectives on Shared Decision-Making Regarding the Use of Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Patients 75 Years or Older With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Ali Jahaan , Abbasi-Dezfouly Reza , Khera Sheny , Kivi Paul , Tian Peter George Jaminal
Published: March 2023

Introduction:

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is common in older adults, yet guideline-recommended oral anti-coagulants (OACs) for stroke prevention are underused in this population. With a growing population of older adults at risk of AF seeking primary care, the objective of the study was to determine the management practices and perspectives of family physicians on the initiation of OACs for stroke prevention in AF patients 75 years or older, including their engagement of patients in shared decision-making.

Methods:

This was an online survey of family physicians affiliated with a Primary Care Network in Alberta, Canada.

Results:

Patient’s risk (of falls, bleeding, or stroke) was the most common factor (17/20, 85%) physicians considered when deciding to initiate OAC in older adult patients with AF. Physicians used the CHADS2VASC (13/14, 93%) and HASBLED (11/15, 73%) tools to determine stroke and bleeding risks, respectively. Majority (11/15, 73%) of the physicians agreed that they feel confident initiating OAC for AF patients ≥75, while 20% (3/15) were neutral. All physicians agreed that their patients participated in shared decision-making to initiate OAC for stroke prevention.

Conclusion:

Family physicians strongly consider patient risks and utilize risk-assessment tools when initiating OAC in older adults with AF. Despite all physicians reporting the use of shared decision-making and that their patients were educated on the indications for OAC, confidence in initiating treatment was variable. Further exploration into factors impacting physician confidence is needed.
High-Performance Work Systems and Coping Strategies in Regulating Burnout and Safety Workarounds in the Healthcare Sector
Authors: Waqar Hassan , Mahmood Asif , Ali Muhammad
Published: March 2023

The healthcare sector is essential for any country because it indirectly affects its economy. The productivity of land will increase if there is a healthy workforce, and it will enhance its economy, which will, in return, lead to the human welfare of the country. The present quantitative study has investigated the relationship between high-performance work systems (HPWS) on safety workarounds through the role of burnout as mediation, and explored coping strategies as a moderator between burnout and safety workarounds. These constructs play a vital role in efficiently managing different organizational activities to generate better productivity and employee performance, and educate employees about rules that can be used and adopted to ensure a healthy work-life. The data were collected from 550 nurses through a questionnaire in the healthcare sector of Lahore, Punjab (Pakistan). AMOS and SPSS were used to test the direct relationships between the constructs, and analyze the moderation of coping strategies and the mediation effect of burnout. The results have demonstrated the strong moderated mediation of coping strategies and burnout between existing HPWS and safety workarounds. The study of coping strategies would help managers and employees handle job stress and alleviate burnout in the healthcare sector through safety workarounds to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
Improved access to HCT with reduced racial disparities through integration with leukemia care and haploidentical donors
Authors: Bashey Asad , Zhang Xu , Morris Lawrence E. , Holland H. K. , Bachier-Rodriguez Lizamarie , Solomon Scott R. , Solh Melhem
Published: March 2023

Few patients with nonfavorable risk (NFR) acute leukemia and myeloid dysplasia syndrome (AL/MDS) undergo allogeneic transplantation (HCT). We assessed whether this could be improved by integrating HCT/leukemia care and the use of haploidentical donors. Of 256 consecutive patients aged <75 years who received initial therapy at our center for NFR AL/MDS from 2016 to 2021, 147 (57%) underwent planned HCT (70% for patients aged <60 years). In the logistic regression analysis, age (OR 1.50 per 10-year increment; P < .001) and race (Black vs White [OR 2.05; P = .023]) were significant factors for failure to receive HCT. Reasons for no HCT included comorbidities (37%), poor KPS, lack of caregiver support, refractory malignancy (19% each), and patient refusal (17%). Lack of donor or insurance were rarely cited (3% each). In older patients (≥60 years), comorbidities (49 vs 15%; P < .001) and KPS (25% vs 10%; P = .06) were more common, and lack of caregivers was less common (13% vs 30%; P = .031). In Black vs White patients, lack of caregivers (37% vs 11%; P = .002) was more frequent. The median time from initial treatment to HCT was 118 days and was similar for Black and White patients. Landmark analysis showed that HCT within 6 months of the initial treatment produced better survival. Multivariable analysis showed that HCT resulted in a significant survival benefit (HR 0.60; P = .020). With the above approach, most of the currently treated patients aged <75 years can access planned HCT. Black patients remain at greater risk of not receiving HCT.
The role of three-dimensional scaffolds based on polyglycerol sebacate/ polycaprolactone/ gelatin in the presence of Nanohydroxyapatite in promoting chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Talouki Pardis Yousefi , Tackallou Saeed Hesami , Shojaei Shahrokh , Benisi Soheila Zamanlui , Goodarzi Vahabodin
Published: March 2023

Background

Tissue engineering for cartilage regeneration has made great advances in recent years, although there are still challenges to overcome. This study aimed to evaluate the chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) on three-dimensional scaffolds based on polyglycerol sebacate (PGS) / polycaprolactone (PCL) / gelatin(Gel) in the presence of Nanohydroxyapatite (nHA).

Materials and methods

In this study, a series of nHA-nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated using 100:0:0, 60:40:0, and 60:20:20 weight ratios of PGS to PCL: Gel copolymers through salt leaching method. The morphology and porosity of prepared samples was characterized by SEM and EDX mapping analysis. Also, the dynamic contact angle and PBS adsorption tests are used to identify the effect of copolymerization and nanoparticles on scaffolds' hydrophilicity. The hydrolytic degradation properties were also analyzed. Furthermore, cell viability and proliferation as well as cell adhesion are evaluated to find out the biocompatibility. To determine the potential ability of nHA-nanocomposite scaffolds in chondrogenic differentiation, RT-PCR assay was performed to monitor the expression of collagen II, aggrecan, and Sox9 genes as markers of cartilage differentiation.

Results

The nanocomposites had an elastic modulus within a range of 0.71–1.30 MPa and 0.65–0.43 MPa, in dry and wet states, respectively. The PGS/PCL sample showed a water contact angle of 72.44 ± 2.2°, while the hydrophilicity significantly improved by adding HA nanoparticles. It was found from the hydrolytic degradation study that HA incorporation can accelerate the degradation rate compared with PGS and PGS/PCL samples. Furthermore, the in vitro biocompatibility tests showed significant cell attachment, proliferation, and viability of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). RT-PCR also indicated a significant increase in collagen II, aggrecan and Sox9 mRNA levels.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrated that these nanocomposite scaffolds promote the differentiation of hADSCs into chondrocytes possibly by the increase in mRNA levels of collagen II, aggrecan, and Sox9 as markers of chondrogenic differentiation. In conclusion, the addition of PCL, Gelatin, and HA into PGS is a practical approach to adjust the general features of PGS to prepare a promising scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.

Graphical Abstract
Predicting miRNA-disease associations based on PPMI and attention network
Authors: Xie Xuping , Wang Yan , He Kai , Sheng Nan
Published: March 2023

Background

With the development of biotechnology and the accumulation of theories, many studies have found that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in various diseases. Uncovering the potential associations between miRNAs and diseases is helpful to better understand the pathogenesis of complex diseases. However, traditional biological experiments are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more efficient computational methods for exploring underlying disease-related miRNAs.

Results

In this paper, we present a new computational method based on positive point-wise mutual information (PPMI) and attention network to predict miRNA-disease associations (MDAs), called PATMDA. Firstly, we construct the heterogeneous MDA network and multiple similarity networks of miRNAs and diseases. Secondly, we respectively perform random walk with restart and PPMI on different similarity network views to get multi-order proximity features and then obtain high-order proximity representations of miRNAs and diseases by applying the convolutional neural network to fuse the learned proximity features. Then, we design an attention network with neural aggregation to integrate the representations of a node and its heterogeneous neighbor nodes according to the MDA network. Finally, an inner product decoder is adopted to calculate the relationship scores between miRNAs and diseases.

Conclusions

PATMDA achieves superior performance over the six state-of-the-art methods with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.933 and 0.946 on the HMDD v2.0 and HMDD v3.2 datasets, respectively. The case studies further demonstrate the validity of PATMDA for discovering novel disease-associated miRNAs.