bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An alternative bearing fault detection strategy for vibrating screen bearings
Authors: Wei Zhongbin , Xu Yuanbo , Nolan John P
Published: December 2023

The transformation of the mining machinery industry is oriented towards the adoption of highly sophisticated technologies, with the aim of enhancing operational efficiency. Specifically, there is a focus on improving the nature and quality of operations carried out, such as vibrating screen. Vibrating screens, being one of the pivotal machines, have gained extensive utilization in mining processing plants. However, the demanding working conditions can lead to potential failures in certain components of vibrating screens. Bearings are one of the components that are susceptible to faults. Moreover, owing to the unique working environment and structure of vibrating screens, the signals extracted from defective bearings in vibrating screens exhibit greater complexity and distinctiveness, including (i) vibration interference related to the unbalanced shafts, (ii) cyclic impulses produced by the damaged bearing, (iii) non-cyclic random impulsive noise owing to pieces of coal falling into the deck, and (iv) inevitable noise from environmental conditions. To address this issue, an alternative procedure for bearing fault detection from vibrating screens served in the coal industry is proposed in the work. The strategy for bearing fault signature extraction covers three main steps: (a) a new fast resampled iterative filtering (FRIF) method is utilized to remove the vibration interference produced by the unbalanced shafts and simultaneously eliminate large amounts of background noise; (b) a signal processing method based stable distribution is designed to cancel the random impulses (impulsive noise); and (c) an improved energy operator demodulation technique is proposed to identify the bearing fault characteristics from the purified signal. The proposed strategy is validated using simulated and real tests.
Absence of Ductus Venosus: A Comparison of 2 Distinctive Fetal Autopsy Cases and Embryologic Perspectives
Authors: Chan Elaine S. , Suchet Ian , Yu Weiming , Somerset David , Soliman Nancy , Kuret Verena , Chadha Rati
Published: December 2023

In fetal circulation, oxygenated blood from the placenta flows through the umbilical vein into the ductus venosus (DV), then enters the inferior vena cava, and subsequently reaches the right atrium of the heart. The DV serves as a shunt, allowing this oxygen-rich blood to bypass the liver. The absence of the DV (ADV), also known as agenesis of the DV, is a rare congenital anomaly. Without a DV, blood from the umbilical vein must follow alternative routes to the heart. In ADV cases, blood from the umbilical vein must follow 1 of 2 primary drainage patterns: either an extrahepatic shunt or an intrahepatic shunt. This report details the antenatal ultrasound and postmortem findings of 2 fetuses diagnosed with ADV by prenatal imaging studies. The first case involved a fetus with a persistent right umbilical vein connected directly to the suprahepatic IVC, accompanied by early obliteration of the left umbilical vein and true agenesis of the DV. This fetus also had additional congenital anomalies. In contrast, the second case involved a fetus with a normal left umbilical vein that entered the liver. However, despite an ultrasound diagnosis of “absence” of the DV, a DV was present, though markedly hypoplastic and probably minimally functional or non-functional. In this case, blood from the umbilical vein likely followed an alternate intrahepatic route through the portal and hepatic veins, before reaching the heart (intrahepatic shunt). These contrasting cases emphasize the heterogeneity of vascular anomalies and embryologic origins captured by the term “ADV.” Additionally, the terminology of “absence” or “agenesis” may be misleading in some purported ADV cases. Specifically, in the second case, the DV was not absent; it was markedly hypoplastic instead. This also appears to be the first reported case of a hypoplastic DV in a fetus. Both cases underscore the importance of effective collaboration and clear communication between maternal-fetal medicine specialists and pathologists.
Spatial Localization of Eubacterial 16S rRNA in Early Pregnancy Placenta and Decidua
Authors: Thoeni Cornelia , Terry Jefferson
Published: December 2023

Bacteria derived from the maternal circulation have been suggested to seed the human placenta during pregnancy leading to development of an intrinsic placental microbiome; however, other data indicates these bacteria are artifactual contaminants. Limited research on the localization of bacteria in human placental tissue is available, which may help differentiate resident placental bacteria from contaminants. This study spatially localizes bacteria in situ in normal late first to early second trimester human placenta by 16S rRNA chromogenic in situ hybridization and demonstrates patterns consistent with both contaminants and intraparenchymal signals. These results suggest that placental microbiome studies may benefit from spatial strategies that can exclude surface contamination.
Boston Keratoprosthesis type 1 (KPro) without contact lens wearing in end-stage corneal disease: The APEC experience
Authors: De Wit-Carter Guillermo , Hernández-Chavarría César , Navarro-Naranjo Pedro-Ivan , Manzanillo-Rosario Cristal , Navarro-Saucedo Ricardo , García-Albisua Ana Mercedes , Hernandez-Quintela Everardo , Cabrera-Martínez Emmanuel , Ordoñez-Ranz Gabriela , Sanchez-Huerta Valeria
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To report the visual outcomes and survival analysis of keratoprosthesis without contact lens wearing in a tertiary eye care hospital in Mexico City, Asociación Para Evitar La Ceguera (APEC, Coyoacán, México).

Design

Retrospective cohort with survival analysis

Participants

Twenty-three eyes (22 patients) received KPro type 1 between 2015 and 2020 with a follow-up time of three years.

Methods

We included analyzed data about past medical history, preoperative diagnosis, best-spectacle visual acuity (BSCVA), postoperative complications and retention rate. Univariate, bivariate and survival analysis were performed and reported.

Results

The mean age was 58 ± 13.5 years (SD). 60.86% were male patients (14 eyes). Twelve-eyes (52%) achieved a BSCVA of 20/200 or better in the first and second year of follow-up. At 3 years, only 35% achieved 20/200 or better (BSCVA). Retention rate of Boston type 1 KPro was 87% (20 eyes) at 3 years follow-up. The most common complication was retroprosthetic membrane (RPM) which occurred in 9 eyes (39.1%), followed by corneal melting in 7 eyes (30.4%).

Conclusions

We report the results of a retrospective cohort of twenty-three eyes (22 patients) who were implanted with a Boston type 1 KPro without contact lens wearing to treat corneal blindness. BSCVA improved significantly in most patients achieving 20/200 or better at the 2-year follow-up. Retention rate was 87%, with the presence of RPM as the most common complication.
Phylogenetic Analysis Provides Insight Into the Molecular Evolution of Nociception and Pain-Related Proteins
Authors: Zhai Rujun , Wang Qian
Published: December 2023

Nociception and pain sensation are important neural processes in humans to avoid injury. Many proteins are involved in nociception and pain sensation in humans; however, the evolution of these proteins in animals is unknown. Here, we chose nociception- and pain-related proteins, including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), ion channels (ICs), and neuropeptides (NPs), which are reportedly associated with nociception and pain in humans, and identified their homologs in various animals by BLAST, phylogenetic analysis and protein architecture comparison to reveal their evolution from protozoans to humans. We found that the homologs of transient receptor potential channel A 1 (TRPA1), TRAPM, acid-sensing IC (ASIC), and voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) first appear in Porifera. Substance-P receptor 1 (TACR1) emerged from Coelenterata. Somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2), TRPV1 and voltage-dependent sodium channels (VDSC) appear in Platyhelminthes. Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRPR) was first identified in Nematoda. However, opioid receptors (OPRs) and most NPs were discovered only in vertebrates and exist from agnatha to humans. The results demonstrated that homologs of nociception and pain-related ICs exist from lower animal phyla to high animal phyla, and that most of the GPCRs originate from low to high phyla sequentially, whereas OPRs and NPs are newly evolved in vertebrates, which provides hints of the evolution of nociception and pain-related proteins in animals and humans.
Witnessing distress: Cultural workers’ processing of pandemic experiences on social media platforms
Authors: Soronen Anne , Koivunen Anu
Published: December 2023

This article examines the ways in which Finnish cultural workers experienced and responded to their colleagues’ and peers’ distress on social media platforms during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. The theory of media witnessing as mundane world-witnessing is employed to analyse cultural workers’ modalities of experience as audience-like followers on social media. The data comprise 26 focused interviews conducted via Zoom and over phone in 2021 with cultural workers representing the fields of theatre, television and film industry, literature, music and circus. We argue that various modes of affective and politicised witnessing offered cultural workers the mechanisms to articulate and reflect on their own and others’ experiences of inequality and vulnerability as well as develop a sense of responsibility. In the context of the pandemic, mundane world-witnessing involved engagement and identification with distress, peer support and activism, as witnessed and evaluated by cultural workers on social media. Furthermore, this article theorises a new mode of witnessing prevalent on social media platforms – speculative witnessing – which carries a reflective and hesitant approach to social media ‘bubbles’, obscure algorithmic agency and imagination of absent audiences. In other words, speculative witnessing captures a dimension of metacommunicative scepticism in media witnessing that reflects a specific condition of knowing in the context of social media platforms.
Indigenous identity identification in administrative health care data globally: A scoping review
Authors: Gray Mandi , Williams Kienan , Oster Richard T. , Bruno Grant , Cooper Annelies , Healy Chyloe , Rich Rebecca , Scott Claringbold Shayla , Teare Gary , Wessel Samara , Henderson Rita I.
Published: December 2023

Objective

Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments and organizations have increasingly called for improved Indigenous health data in order to improve health equity among Indigenous peoples. This scoping review identifies best practices, potential consequences and barriers for advancing Indigenous health data and Indigenous data sovereignty globally.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted to capture the breadth and nature of the academic and grey literature. We searched academic databases for academic records published between 2000 and 2021. We used Google to conduct a review of the grey literature. We applied Harfield’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool (QAT) to all original research articles included in the review to assess the quality of health information from an Indigenous perspective.

Results

In total, 77 academic articles and 49 grey literature records were included. Much of the academic literature was published in the last 12 years, demonstrating a more recent interest in Indigenous health data. Overall, we identified two ways for Indigenous health data to be retrieved. The first approach is health care organizations asking clients to voluntarily self-identify as Indigenous. The other approach is through data linkage. Both approaches to improving Indigenous health data require awareness of the intergenerational consequences of settler colonialism along with a general mistrust in health care systems among Indigenous peoples. This context also presents special considerations for health care systems that wish to engage with Indigenous communities around the intention, purpose, and uses of the identification of Indigenous status in administrative databases and in health care settings. Partnerships with local Indigenous nations should be developed prior to the systematic collection of Indigenous identifiers in health administrative data. The QAT revealed that many research articles do not include adequate information to describe how Indigenous communities and stakeholders have been involved in this research.

Conclusion

There is consensus within the academic literature that improving Indigenous health should be of high priority for health care systems globally. To address data disparities, governments and health organizations are encouraged to work in collaboration with local Indigenous nations and stakeholders at every step from conceptualization, data collection, analysis, to ownership. This finding highlights the need for future research to provide transparent explanation of how meaningful Indigenous collaboration is achieved in their research.
Immobilized: (In)congruent collateral consequences and racialized driver's license restrictions
Authors: McElhattan David , Headworth Spencer
Published: December 2023

For Americans convicted of crimes, collateral consequences impose barriers extending long past the completion of official sentences. The present study develops a novel distinction between congruent and incongruent collateral consequences. Congruent consequence laws impose barriers that are closely linked to their triggering offenses, while incongruent measures impose barriers that are only loosely connected to triggering offenses—or are disconnected entirely. Focusing specifically on the impactful consequence of restricting legal driving privileges, this article examines how the determinants of these policies vary according to the degree of congruity between triggering offense and collateral consequence. Using novel data on driver's license restriction laws, we find that the Black composition of state felony record populations is positively associated with the extensiveness of license restrictions for nondriving safety offenses. Conversely, we do not find a statistically significant relationship between states’ felony record racial composition and their volume of license restrictions for driving safety offenses. These findings reveal a major divergence in pathways leading to congruent and incongruent collateral consequence statutes at the state level. The results are further notable given driving's central role in the US socioeconomic system.
Measurements and analyses on the two-phase fuel transient flow characteristics of dual fuel co-direct injector
Authors: Wei Daijun , Ju Canze , Yang Xiyu , Zhou Tanqing , Wang Xiaoyan , Dong Quan
Published: December 2023

In this research, an innovative two-phase fuel transient flow coefficient measurement system is proposed to investigate the flow characteristics and coupling effects of two-phase fuel, and to fill the gap of the two-phase fuel flow characteristics measurement technology of dual fuel injector. For this purpose, microphotography technology is used to obtain the original image of the injector hole, and the accurate area of the injector hole can be obtained by image processing. The two-phase injection momentum and the transient injection pressure are measured by the impact force sensor and the pressure sensor respectively, and the two-phase fuel transient flow coefficient is obtained. Due to the change of the increasing rate of the effective flow area at the nozzle, the gas transient flow coefficient shows two different increasing trends during the upward stage of the gas needle valve. With the background pressure increase, the maximum gas transient flow coefficient decreases and injection duration increases. The influence of pilot diesel injection on subsequent gas injection stages is mainly reflected in that when the gas energizing time is 0.8 ms, the fluctuation range of gas mass flow caused by diesel injection is 52.6%, and the fluctuation range is 14.9% when the gas energizing time is 2 ms, but the influence of diesel injection on the peak value of gas transient flow coefficient can be ignored.
The effective nature of projective techniques in political brand image research
Authors: Khan Dawood , Pich Christopher , Spry Louise
Published: December 2023

This study explores the effectiveness of qualitative projective techniques to explore the corporate political brand image of Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf party [PTI] from a multiple-stakeholder perspective. This study addresses core gaps in projective techniques research of eliciting responses from a large cross-section of multiple stakeholders in varied non-western contexts. A qualitative interpretivist approach was adopted. More specifically, expressive projective techniques were embedded within focus group discussions. Nine focus group discussions (comprising 37 participants) were carried out in Karachi and Lahore (Pakistan) from June to November 2020. Each focus group lasted 60 to 90 minutes. A six-phased contextualist thematic analytical approach was employed to interpret the findings generated from the projective techniques and subsequent discussions. Projective techniques were established as an efficient and effective tool for exploring corporate political brand image research in Pakistan. The leadership element of the corporate political brand trinity was revealed to be larger than policies and party and it had both positive associations as well as being perceived as opportunistic. Policies were associated with dissatisfaction and incompetence whereas, the party element of the brand was viewed as ineffective and a subordinate brand. This study addresses explicit calls for further insights and research on the use of projective techniques in dynamic contexts and settings. In addition, this research adds to the limited understanding of the choice of stimuli and appraisal of projective techniques. Finally, this study provides a systematic ten-step guide entitled the projective techniques toolkit which outlines how to successfully conduct research using projective techniques. This research and developed toolkit will benefit practitioners and academics alike.
Association between non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and the risk of incident dementia: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kim Sang Hyuk , Han Kyungdo , Park Jongkyu , Park Dong Won , Moon Ji-Yong , Sim Yun Su , Kim Tae-Hyung , Kim Sang-Heon , Sohn Jang Won , Yoon Ho Joo , Lee Hyun , Choi Hayoung
Published: December 2023

Background

Chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, are associated with an increased risk of dementia. However, few data are available regarding the risk of dementia in individuals with bronchiectasis.

Objectives

To explore the association between bronchiectasis and the risk of incident dementia using a longitudinal population-based cohort.

Methods

A total of 4,068,560 adults older than 50 years without previous dementia were enrolled from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database in 2009. They were followed up until the date of the diagnosis of dementia or December 31, 2020. The study exposure was the diagnosis of bronchiectasis, and the primary outcome was incident dementia comprising Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Results

During the median follow-up duration of 9.3 years, the incidence of all-cause dementia was 1.6-fold higher in individuals with bronchiectasis than in those without bronchiectasis (15.0 vs. 9.3/1000 person-years, p < .001). In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the risk of all dementia was significantly higher in individuals with bronchiectasis than in those without bronchiectasis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.14). In a subgroup analysis by dementia type, individuals with bronchiectasis had an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without bronchiectasis (aHR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.12); the risk of vascular dementia did not significantly differ between the two groups (aHR 1.05, 95% CI 0.90–1.21).

Conclusion

Bronchiectasis was associated with an increased risk of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
More Choices, More Problems? Ranked Choice Voting Errors in New York City
Authors: Cormack Lindsey
Published: December 2023

Examining the impacts of ranked choice voting (RCV) on voter efficacy is important as more areas consider adoption. The greater number of choices provided by longer RCV ballots may introduce opportunities for voters to misunderstand the ballot, make errant marks, or accidentally mark two or more candidates for one ranking, resulting in voidable ballots due to “overvoting.” Using ballot data from the 2013 general election, the 2017, and 2021 New York City democratic mayoral primaries, this paper asks whether voidable overvote ballots are more concentrated in constituencies with lower levels of educational attainment, average household incomes, and differing racial make-ups, and if this relationship is more pronounced under RCV than traditional elections. In the first RCV election in 2021, voters in locations with lower levels of educational attainment and median household incomes had higher shares of overvote voidable ballots than those in locations with higher educational attainment and incomes.
Integration of Motivational Interviewing and Self-Affirmation Theory into a Culturally Adapted Motivational Interview: A Case Study
Authors: Lee Christina S. , Sherman David K.
Published: December 2023

Annually, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use are responsible for the 11.8 million deaths worldwide, exceeding the number of deaths from all cancers ( Ritchie & Roser, 2018 ). Motivational Interviewing (MI), a person-centered addiction counseling approach ( Miller & Rollnick, 2013 ), is designed for those with low motivation to change. MI is presumed to minimize client defensiveness by avoiding confrontation. Culturally adapting evidence-based treatments such as MI may reduce alcohol-related health disparities among Latinx adults. A completed randomized trial tested the relative efficacy of Culturally Adapted Motivational Interview (CAMI) compared to MI in Latinx drinkers. CAMI had beneficial alcohol use effects among persons who reported high discrimination and stigma ( Lee et al., 2019 ). Self-Affirmation Theory, which provides a mechanism where stigma effects can be buffered, was integrated into the CAMI. Augmenting affirmation in the CAMI is postulated to lower defensiveness and increase openness to information that pose a threat to self-image ( Sherman & Cohen, 2006 ). The purpose of this case example is to present the novel features of CAMI and to suggest how affirmation may have played in the CAMI’s beneficial effects for individuals with high discrimination. The case example illustrates how the CAMI addresses three conditions for self-affirmation associated with strongest effects on motivating behavior change ( Ferrer & Cohen, 2019 ): the presence of psychological threat, timing and availability of resources.
Chemotherapy-induced Emesis: Experienced Burden in Life, and Significance of Treatment Expectations and Communication in Chemotherapy Care
Authors: Widgren Ylva , Silén Marit , Wåhlin Ingrid , Lindberg Magnus , Fransson Per , Efverman Anna
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Because antiemetics have become more effective and integrative therapies such as acupuncture are used in combination with antiemetics, people receiving chemotherapy for cancer today might expect less emesis than in the past. It is not previously described if and how people receiving modern antiemetics during chemotherapy experience emesis. The objective of this study was to describe experiences regarding emesis among persons undergoing emetogenic chemotherapy, and how it affects their quality of life, daily life and work. A further aim was to describe views on the significance of treatment expectations and communication with healthcare personnel while undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

Method:

Fifteen participants (median age 62 years, n = 1 man and n = 14 women, with breast (n = 13) or colorectal (n = 2) cancer) undergoing adjuvant or neo-adjuvant highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy were interviewed individually. The data were then analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results:

Three themes described the participants’ experiences: “Your whole life is affected, or continues as usual,” covering descriptions of emesis limiting some participants’ everyday lives, while others experienced no emesis at all or had found ways to manage it. Overall, participants described satisfaction with their antiemetic treatment. “Experiences and expectations more important than information”, that is, the participants reported wanting all the information they could get about possible adverse effects of treatment, although they believed previous experiences were more important than information in creating expectations about treatment outcomes. The participants reported that being seen as a unique person was of utmost importance: “ Meet me as I am.” This creates trust in healthcare personnel and a feeling of safety and security in the situation.

Conclusions:

These findings underline the importance of person-centered care and support in creating positive treatment expectations. Future research is called for regarding the potential antiemetic effects of positive communication regarding strengthening positive treatment expectations during emetogenic chemotherapy.
Current Characteristics of Herbal Medicine Interventions for Cancer on Clinical Databases: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Youn Bo-Young , Kim Ji-Hyun , Jo Yong-Kyu , Yoon Sanghoon , Im Ji-Yeong , Kim Hyo-Jung , Lee Jae-Dong , Ko Seong-Gyu
Published: December 2023

Background:

The utilization of herbal medicine has been noteworthy for treating cancer; however, there is not enough information regarding the characteristics of clinical trials of herbal medicine interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristic of registered trials using herbal medicine interventions for cancer.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was performed via the website ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN registry, Chinese clinical trial registry, and international clinical trials registry platform to gather associated registered clinical trials using an advanced search with the developed keyword strategy as of March 26, 2023. All obtainable information from the trials was collected without any restrictions to conduct a comprehensive review.

Results:

A total of 169 registered trials were included for evaluation. Of all trials, 102 trials were eligible for this study. Countries from Asia registered the most trials (62.75%), and hospitals sponsored most of the trials (42.16%). Randomized, Phase 2, interventional trials were dominant, and approximately 64.71% of the trials anticipated recruiting less than 100 participants. More than half of the trials were from 2016 to 2023 (53.92%). While 45 trials were completed, only 16 trials had results for further analysis. According to the completed results, the types of herbal medicines from the trials mainly focused on lung, breast, and colorectal cancer.

Conclusion:

This study is the first to explore the characteristics of clinical trials of herbal medicine for cancer registered in large clinical databases. The acquired trials had relatively informative data; however, better-designed trials may be needed for health professionals to consider herbal medicine as an option when treating cancer patients.
Physical Activity and Self-Compassion: A Systemic Review
Authors: Hall J. Nicole , Cunningham-Baker Hudson , Bodenlos Jamie S. , Pekmezi Dori
Published: December 2023

Physical activity (PA) and self-compassion (SC) have been shown to positively impact mental and physical health. Findings from a prior review provided evidence of the positive effect of PA on SC. The increased interest and published studies in this area in recent years are not surprising. Since the last review, we have experienced surges in stress and inactivity as well as a global pandemic. Thus, the aims of the current review are to provide an update on the state of the science for PA activity and SC, pinpoint gaps and advances, and provide future directions for this burgeoning literature. A total of 10 recent studies, with n = 6808 participants, were reviewed, including 7 non-experimental and 3 experimental studies. Most (6 out of 7) of the non-experimental studies reported a significant association between SC and PA or related variables in varying populations. Overall, this review corroborated past findings on the relationship between SC and PA, highlighted the extension of this work to new populations and physical activities, and identified interesting emerging trends. A better understanding of how these critical components of self-care “work” could help dramatically improve quality of life and have important public health implications, especially in our post-pandemic world.
Scripts for consensual sex as risk factors for sexual aggression: A three-wave longitudinal study with university students in Germany
Authors: Krahé Barbara , Berger Anja
Published: December 2023

Background:

Sexual aggression is a major problem among young adults. Sexual scripts are cognitive schemata representing typical elements of sexual interactions and serve as guidelines for sexual behavior. They may be linked to the risk of sexual aggression if they contain elements known to be associated with the perpetration of sexual aggression, such as alcohol use, sex with casual partners, and ambiguous communication of sexual intentions.

Objectives:

The study was designed to examine pathways from risky sexual scripts for consensual sex to risky sexual behavior and sexual aggression perpetration in men and women.

Design:

The study employed a three-wave longitudinal design with 12-month intervals. Participants were 2425 university students in Germany (58% female).

Methods:

At each wave (Time 1–Time 3), participants completed measures of risky sexual scripts and risky sexual behavior, defined by three aspects: Casual sex, alcohol consumption, and ambiguous communication of sexual intentions. Reports of sexual aggression perpetration were collected since the age of consent (14 years; Time 1) or in the past 12 months (Time 2 and Time 3) using the Sexual Aggression and Victimization Scale.

Results:

Perpetration rates for men were 9.8% at Time 1, 12.2% at Time 2, and 9.5% at Time 3. For female participants, the corresponding rates were 6.0% at Time 1, 6.3% at Time 2, and 5.1% at Time 3. The gender difference was significant at Time 1 and Time 2, but not at Time 3. As hypothesized, more risky sexual scripts prospectively predicted more risky sexual behavior, which predicted a higher risk of sexual aggression perpetration. The findings held for men and women and for participants with exclusively opposite-sex and with both opposite- and same-sex contacts.

Conclusion:

Scripts for consensual sex may be risk factors for sexual aggression among men and women if they contain elements identified as risk factors for sexual aggression. The findings suggest that changing risky sexual scripts for consensual sex may be a promising strategy for preventing sexual aggression perpetration.
Psychosocial impact of recurrent urogenital infections: a review
Authors: Thomas-White Krystal , Navarro Pita , Wever Fiorella , King Lindsay , Dillard Lillian R , Krapf Jill
Published: December 2023

Recurrent urogenital infections such as bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and urinary tract infections have a high prevalence and pronounced psychosocial impact. However, no review has compared the psychosocial impacts across infection types. This narrative review discusses the impact of common recurrent urogenital infections on psychosocial aspects, including quality of life, stress, mental health, sexual health, work productivity, race and ethnicity, and satisfaction of medical care. Validated questionnaires show that women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and urinary tract infections have decreased scores on all aspects of quality of life. Those with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and urinary tract infections show lower mental health scores compared to the general population, with increased risk of anxiety and depression. Recurrent urogenital infections affect sexual relationships and intimacy, including avoidance due to symptoms or as a method of prevention. Recurrent infections also increase medical cost and negatively affect work productivity, leading to a combined estimated cost of over US$13 billion per year. There are clear effects of racial inequality involving minority populations that affect diagnosis, treatment, prevalence, and reporting of recurrent urogenital infections. Satisfactory medical treatment improves quality of life and mental health in those suffering from these conditions. Research evaluating psychosocial aspects of recurrent urogenital infections is variable and is not comparable across vulvovaginal conditions. Even so, psychosocial factors are important in understanding contribution and consequence of urogenital infections. Education, awareness, normalization, community support, and access to care can help to alleviate the negative implications of recurrent urogenital infections.
The pivotal role of timing of intravenous thrombolysis bridging treatment prior to endovascular thrombectomy
Authors: Molad Jeremy , Hallevi Hen , Seyman Estelle , Ben-Assayag Einor , Jonas-Kimchi Tali , Sadeh Udi , Rotschild Ofer , Simaan Naaem , Horev Anat , Cohen Jose , Leker Ronen R. , Honig Asaf
Published: December 2023

Background:

The role of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) as bridging treatment prior to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is under debate and better patient selection is needed.

Objectives:

As the efficacy and safety of IVT diminish with time, we aimed to examine the impact of bridging treatment within different time frames from symptom onset.

Design:

A retrospective registry study.

Methods:

Data were extracted from ongoing prospective EVT registries in two large tertiary centers. The current study included IVT-eligible patients with onset to door (OTD) < 4 h. We examined the efficacy and safety of bridging treatment through a comparison of the IVT + EVT group with the direct-EVT group by different time frames.

Results:

In all, 408 patients (age 71.1 ± 14.6, 50.6% males) were included, among them 195 received IVT + EVT and 213 underwent direct EVT. Both groups had similar characteristics. In the IVT + EVT group only, longer OTD was associated with lower rates of favorable outcome ( p = 0.021) and higher rates of hemorrhagic transformation (HT; p = 0.001). In patients with OTD ⩽ 2 h, IVT + EVT compared to direct EVT had higher rates of TICI 2b-3 (86.2% versus 80.7%, p = 0.038). In patients with OTD > 2 h, IVT + EVT had lower rates of favorable outcome (33.3% versus 56.9%, p = 0.021), worse discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [7 (2–13) versus 3 (1–8), p = 0.024], and higher rates of HT (34.0% versus 8.5%, p < 0.001).

Discussion:

In this study, we found OTD times to have a significant effect on the impact of IVT bridging treatment. Our study shows that among patients with OTD < 2 h bridging treatment may be associated with higher rates of successful recanalization. By contrast, in patients with OTD > 2 h, bridging treatment was associated with worse outcomes. Further time-sensitive randomized trials are needed.
The language of intractability and the Gaza War: Conflating anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism is historically problematic and misses how much contemporary Israel has become a role model for ethno-nationalists worldwide
Authors: Agnew John
Published: December 2023

The 2023 Gaza War quickly became a war of words. In the war over public opinion, support for the lot of the Palestinians or criticism of Israeli government actions alike were put down to an anti-Zionism inspired by anti-Semitism. My purpose is to question this conflation and to suggest that in fact historically and today it has been pro-Zionism that has been inspired more by popular anti-Semitism, a conspiratorial view of the world in which Jewish people figure exclusively as “enemies” of the nations in which they live, rather than the opposite. Zionism, as its early proponents all said, was a solution to anti-Semitism. In creating a Jewish nation state, Jews could be shielded from the animus and consequences of anti-Semitism. In doing so, of course, any Palestinian collective political future would necessarily be compromised. The competing claims to the same territory this entails cannot be resolved by simply adopting “better language.” The language war confuses the real issue at hand: Israelis and Palestinians alike are inheritors of the logic of the territorialized (ethno) nation state imported from nineteenth-century Europe. The historical irony is that Israel is now a “role model” for the populist-nationalists whose political ancestors demonized their Jewish populations as “other” and “disloyal.” This points to the tragedy of the nation state that the Gaza War represents. Shared political space is impossible to comprehend while locked into this logic.
MicroRNA-322 Attenuates Cartilage Matrix Degradation in Osteoarthritis via Direct Suppression of TRAF3
Authors: Wang Jirong , Chai Lan , Tang Ying , Wang Guofu , Bao Yizhong , Ma Bo
Published: December 2023

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease. A growing number of studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of OA. However, the specific function of miR-322 in OA is unknown. This study was aimed to explore the ability of miR-322 in the cartilage matrix degradation and the mechanism in OA.

Methods

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect miR-322 expression in cartilage and OA-associated gene expression in chondrocytes treated with miR-322 mimics/inhibitors or interleukin (IL)-1β, respectively. The targets of miR-322 were analyzed using software and the luciferase reporter experiment. In vivo, intra-articular injection of miR-322 mimics was administered at the knee of DMM mice. After 12 weeks, the knee joints of mice were collected for histological analysis.

Results

The expression of miR-322 was decreased in knee cartilage of DMM mice and was significantly reduced by IL-1β. miR-322 mimics inhibited IL-1β-induced extracellular matrix degradation, as evidenced by higher expression of Col2α1 and Aggrecan, and lower expression of Adamts5, MMP3, and MMP13. In contrast, miR-322 inhibitor promoted extracellular matrix degradation of chondrocytes. TRAF3 was the predicted target of miR-322 from databases. Luciferase reporter assay verified the targeting relationship between miR-322 and TRAF3. The effect of miR-322 on extracellular matrix degradation was partially reversed by overexpression of TRAF3. In addition, H&E and Safranin-O fast green staining assays in OA mouse models showed that miR-322 mimics attenuated the progression of OA in vivo.

Conclusions

miR-322 suppressed chondrocytes matrix degradation and alleviated OA cartilage injury via inhibition of the TRAF3.
Reindeer and the quest for Scottish enlichenment
Authors: Dominy Nathaniel J. , Hobaiter Catherine , Harris Julie M.
Published: December 2023

In the hall of animal oddities, the reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus) is the only mammal with a color-shifting tapetum lucidum and the only ruminant with a lichen-dominated diet. These puzzling traits coexist with yet another enigma––ocular media that transmit up to 60% of ultraviolet (UV) light, enough to excite the cones responsible for color vision. It is unclear why any day-active circum-Arctic mammal would benefit from UV visual sensitivity, but it could improve detection of UV-absorbing lichens against a background of UV-reflecting snows, especially during the extended twilight hours of winter. To explore this idea and advance our understanding of reindeer visual ecology, we recorded the reflectance spectra of several ground-growing (terricolous), shrubby (fruticose) lichens in the diets of reindeer living in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.
Oral and long-acting injectable antipsychotic discontinuation and relationship to side effects in people with first episode psychosis: a longitudinal analysis of electronic health record data
Authors: Patel Rashmi , Brinn Aimee , Irving Jessica , Chaturvedi Jaya , Gudiseva Shanmukha , Correll Christoph U. , Fusar-Poli Paolo , McGuire Philip
Published: December 2023

Background:

Discontinuation of treatment in people with first episode psychosis (FEP) is common, but the extent to which this is related to specific adverse effects of antipsychotic medications is unclear.

Objectives:

To investigate whether antipsychotic discontinuation is associated with the prescription of particular antipsychotics and particular adverse effects.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

We assembled de-identified electronic health record (EHR) data from 2309 adults with FEP who received care from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust between 1st April 2008 and 31st March 2019. Associations between antipsychotic medications, clinician-recorded side effects and treatment discontinuation were investigated across a mean follow-up period of 34.2 months using Cox regression.

Results:

The mean age of patients was 26.7 years and 1492 (64.6%) were male. Among first prescribed antipsychotic medications, discontinuation occurred earlier with haloperidol [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.69–4.60] and quetiapine (HR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.16–1.80) than with olanzapine. Discontinuation occurred sooner when there was evidence of extrapyramidal symptoms (HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.08–1.64) or sexual dysfunction (HR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.03–2.46). Among antipsychotics prescribed at any point during treatment, lurasidone (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.10–1.78) and aripiprazole (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01–1.19) were associated with earlier discontinuation than olanzapine. Conversely, clozapine (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.41–0.73) and paliperidone 1-monthly (PP1M) long-acting injectable (HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.68–0.94) were associated with later discontinuation. Unexpectedly, for antipsychotics prescribed at any stage of treatment, sedation (HR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.81–0.97), weight gain (HR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.64–0.83), and multiple side effects (HR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.76–0.90) were associated with later discontinuation.

Conclusion:

Earlier treatment discontinuation associated with sexual or extrapyramidal side effects could be related to their rapid onset and poor tolerability. Later treatment discontinuation associated with clozapine and PP1M could be related to the relative efficacy of these treatments. These findings merit consideration when selecting antipsychotic therapy for people with FEP.
Barriers to and facilitators of online health information-seeking behaviours among cancer patients: A systematic review
Authors: Ferraris Giulia , Monzani Dario , Coppini Veronica , Conti Lorenzo , Maria Pizzoli Silvia Francesca , Grasso Roberto , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: December 2023

Objective: Disparities in cancer care contribute to higher rates of cancer mortality. Online health information would be a resource for cancer patients to obtain knowledge and make health decisions. However, factors that hinder or facilitate online searching behaviours among patients remain unexplored. The current systematic review aims to identify and synthesise evidence of cancer patients’ barriers to and facilitators of online health information-seeking behaviours. Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus) were systematically searched, and a total of 123 full-text studies were reviewed of which 24 met the inclusion criteria. Results: Thematic analysis was performed to identify barriers and facilitators of online health information-seeking behaviours. Seven key themes were identified: (1) socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, income, ethnicity and language), (2) psychosocial aspects (psychological wellbeing, need for a face to face contact, motivation, support), (3) accessibility (Internet access, residence), (4) quality and quantity of information (amount, reliability), (5) cancer stage and symptoms (time since diagnosis, experiencing symptoms), (6) aspects related to healthcare professionals (relationship with the patients and opinions on online health information) and (7) digital literacy (computer skills and literacy). Conclusions: Findings underscore the significance of recognising the multifaceted nature of barriers and facilitators affecting cancer patients’ online health information-seeking behaviours. A strong link between these factors and cancer patients’ ability to make informed decisions and cope effectively with their diagnosis emerged. Consequently, addressing these barriers and leveraging the identified facilitators could lead to improvements in patient-centred care, ultimately contributing to better healthcare services and informed decision-making for cancer patients. Future research should prioritise exploring strategies for enhancing cancer care accessibility across all stakeholders involved.

Registration

CRD42023408091
Experiential futuristic science fiction: Genre and techniques
Authors: Wu Yan
Published: December 2023

Experiential futurism is an important subgenre of futuristic science fiction in China, with the greatest number of works and the richest content. Several important works in this genre have gained widespread influence. Experiential futuristic works focus on conveying the experience of the future through words, and often use considerable appeal to call on people to pay attention to and to think about the future. Such works can be divided into two types: those attempting to convey the experience of a stand-alone technology and those attempting to convey a panoramic experience. The methods for creating experiential futuristic fiction include wonder creation, perception reinforcement, immersion creation, emotion activation and cognitive enhancement. Experiential futuristic works play a pioneering role in today's era of virtual reality and the metaverse.
Policy Around the Teaching of English in Technical Education in Cameroon: Achievements, Issues, and Prospects From the Perspectives of Pedagogic Inspectors
Authors: Takam Alain Flaubert , Fassé Innocent Mbouya
Published: December 2023

Examining the teaching and learning of English as a Second Official Language (ESOL) in Cameroon through language laws and other official documents (like the syllabi) in terms of their actual implementation is an important step in the development of ESOL education. Such investigations may contribute to the strengthening of the minority official languages and facilitate conversations on the current state of ESOL teaching and learning and on future strategies to improve its policy, especially in technical education, a field that has so far been grossly under-researched. Through interviews conducted with pedagogic inspectors, this study, unlike most studies mentioned above, investigates the ESOL education policy in place at the Ministry of Secondary Education and its implementation in technical education schools. The Ministry’s determination to improve its ESOL programs shows the positive potential in the ESOL management in French Cameroon’s technical education. However, new proactive approaches are needed in the future. One important recommendation made insistently was the need for an approach focused on reorienting ESOL programs and teacher training for technical education.