bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycopyrrolate Premedication and Procedure-Related Events in Pediatric Upper Endoscopy
Authors: Tumin Dmitry , Ladin Daniel A. , Ledoux Matthew
Published: October 2024

Glycopyrrolate premedication is used for pediatric upper endoscopy procedures, with limited clinical evidence for efficacy. We investigated whether glycopyrrolate use is associated with lower incidence of procedure-related events and serious adverse events (SAEs) using the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium registry. Pediatric upper endoscopy procedures performed between April 27, 2020 and February 3, 2022 were included ( N = 1046). The primary outcome was the incidence of any procedure-related events during induction, maintenance, or recovery, and the secondary outcome was incidence of SAEs. The event rate was 15%, including 30 SAEs (3%). On multivariable analysis, glycopyrrolate was not associated with the overall event rate (odds ratio [OR]: 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72, 1.61), but was associated with lower odds of SAEs (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.91). Although glycopyrrolate was associated with lower odds of SAEs after accounting for patient and procedure characteristics, validation through prospective trials is needed to support its routine use in clinical practice.
Benefits by Luck: A Study of Lotteries as a Selection Method for Government Programs
Authors: Bueno Natália S. , Nunes Felipe , Zucco Cesar
Published: October 2024

Lotteries could be a just and cost-effective procedure to distribute government benefits in contexts of oversubscription, with the added benefit of allowing assessments of the impact of government programs. However, little is known about whether there is public support for employing lotteries in this context. We examine support for a lottery that selects recipients of new government-built housing units in Brazil and find that neither lotteries participants nor the general public supports their use. We arrive at this result by employing a three-pronged multi-method approach. Quasi-experimental analysis of an original survey of lottery participants reveals that support not only is tepid, but substantially higher among winners than non-winners. In-depth interviews suggest that applicants believe lotteries miss the most deserving beneficiaries. A general population survey experiment reveals that lotteries are not perceived as just or efficient when compared to alternative beneficiary selection methods. While sometimes normatively desirable, the use of lotteries for government programs enjoys limited popular support.
The Efficiency Aspect of Taxation in Pakistan: A Computable General Equilibrium Approach
Authors: Khan Suhrab , Khan Muhammad Aamir , Padda Ihtsham ul Haq
Published: October 2024

This study estimates the efficiency cost of the most important tax categories for Pakistan. This is done by computing the marginal excess burden (MEB) of relevant taxes by employing a Global Computable General Equilibrium model based on the Social Accounting Matrix, 2010–2011. The simulations’ results support the necessity for significant changes to Pakistan’s tax system. The MEB of raising one dollar of tax revenue in the existing tax structure of Pakistan is 13.28 cents. That is, for every dollar of additional tax revenue rise, Pakistan’s economy would incur 13.28 cents of excess burden, which is a deadweight loss to the economy. Moreover, the results also revealed that the tariffs or trade-related taxes have considerably higher distortionary costs per unit of revenue raised. However, the goods and services tax on domestic commodities and income tax have considerably low distortionary costs per unit of revenue raised. This study suggests that the tax authorities of Pakistan should move away from the trade taxes as revenue-raising devices to the broadly based income and consumption taxes on the efficiency point of view.

JEL Codes: C68, H21, H23
The ‘Recency’ of Data Used in Anti-dumping Investigations in South Africa
Authors: Vinti Clive
Published: October 2024

The Agreement on the Implementation of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 does not specify how recent the data must be to the date of initiation of the anti-dumping investigation. In South Africa, dumping is regulated by the International Trade Administration Act 71 of 2002 and the Anti-Dumping Regulations of 2003 (ADR). The ADR states that the period of investigation for dumping must end at least six months before the date of initiation of the investigation. This issue is significant since most dumping instigations in South Africa turn on the calculation of the margin of dumping. This article explores the requirement of the ‘recency’ of the data that is used in an anti-dumping determination in South Africa. As a general rule, it is accepted that an anti-dumping investigation employs historical data, and use of that information does not in itself make the data unreliable. However, it is required that the most recent data are used when it is available rather than outdated data. In essence, the data used must be inherently time-linked to current dumping.

JEL Codes: F10, F13, F14, F17, F19
Robust trajectory tracking of a 3D-printed rapid prototyping manipulator through variable gain super-twisting algorithm
Authors: Wu Sujian , Hu Jinyuan , Shi Guohua , Fan Jinyu , Li Yunyao
Published: October 2024

This paper deals with the design of a variable gain super-twisting algorithm-based controller to solve the high tracking performance, low identification cost, and parameter tuning problem for rapid prototyping manipulators. The key elements of the proposed controller approach are the inverse dynamics-based controller, tracking differentiator (TD), and the variable gain super-twisting algorithm (VGSTA) controller. The inverse dynamic controller relies on part of the dynamic model information, which reduces the identification cost and decouples the manipulator’s torque input. The motion for using VGSTA, apart from its property of providing robustness to the system with respect to the unmodeled part and uncertainties, is also given by its capability of enforcing the controlled objects to the sliding surface in finite time and more explicit tuning parameter, allowing one to tune the system dynamic performance more simply. The proposal has been verified in a 3D-printed rapid prototyping manipulator, the experiment includes the parameter tuning experiment and the controller dynamic performance experiment. The manipulator’s dynamic performance and robustness are identified on the basis of the above experiment.
Design of LQ regulators with prescribed degree of stability for dual-rate systems based on reinforcement learning
Authors: Filipović Vojislav , Matijević Milan , Ćuković Saša
Published: October 2024

This paper considers dual-rate systems, where the output is measured at a relatively slow rate while the control signal is adjusted at a faster rate. The output sampling time is an integer multiple of the input sampling time. The paper examines dual-rate inferential control systems, which consist of a fast model, a slow model, and a switch. Missing output samples are estimated using the fast single-rate model. The single-rate control algorithm is then implemented at the fast-sampling rate. The fast-sampling discrete-time model is derived from the plant’s continuous-time model using the first-order hold (FOH) element. A discrete LQ regulator is proposed for this plant model, with a prescribed degree of stability (all closed-loop eigenvalues are within the range 0 < λ < 1 in magnitude). The matrix gain is calculated offline, and an online method for calculating the regulator gain is provided. The regulator gain is calculated using policy iteration, specifically Hewer’s algorithm. Finally, it is demonstrated that the presented inferential control system remains effective in the presence of multiplicative unmodeled dynamics. The main contributions of the paper are: (i) Designing the LQ regulator with a prescribed degree of stability using reinforcement learning (RL) (generalized policy iteration); and (ii) Considering the robust stability of the inferential control system in the presence of multiplicative unmodeled dynamics using the lifting technique.
Help-seeking from traditional healers in patients with severe mental illness and its relationship with internalized stigma
Authors: Üçok Alp , Tekin Atilla , Göçüm Erkan , Aydın Sena , Sarıbaş Ekin Deniz , Arslan Mehmet Alper , Ince-Guliyev Ezgi , Direk Tecirli Neşe
Published: October 2024

Background:

Help-seeking from traditional healers (TH) is common in patients with severe mental illness. However, the differences between patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are not well-known. Although internalized stigma is also common in patients with severe mental illness, its impact on help-seeking from TH is not studied.

Aim:

To investigate help-seeking from TH and the relationship between help-seeking from TH and internalized stigma in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, we collected information about help-seeking from TH and clinical characteristics by using a semi-structured interview form from 310 patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in two sites with different socio-cultural backgrounds. We measured internalized stigma by using The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale.

Results:

We found that 47% of the patients visited TH in any phase of their illness, and 46% of them sought help from TH before their first contact with a psychiatrist. Those who grew up in rural areas, were less educated, who attempted suicide before, with resistance to treatment, and with a family member who also admitted to TH were more frequent among the help-seekers from TH. This group also had more hospitalizations and higher Clinical Global Impression scores. Internalized stigma was found to be higher in the schizophrenia group, and it was related to help-seeking from TH and delay in admission to psychiatric facilities.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that help-seeking from TH is common both in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and it has socio-cultural, illness-related, and stigma-related predictors.
Better data for budgetary surveillance: EU law on statistics as key to unlocking the potential of public sector accounting
Authors: Helldorff Karoline , Christiaens Johan
Published: October 2024

The quality of the data available for monitoring budgetary discipline of the Member States has been a hot topic within the European Union (EU) institutions and in the literature ever since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2008. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the inadequacy, not only of the data, but also of the policy instruments available for coordinating efforts and decision-making. In this paper, we attempt to unlock the potential of public sector accounting (PSA) for contributing to the improvement of EU surveillance mechanisms. We look beyond the idea of standardised accounting rules for the entire EU public sector (European Public Sector Accounting Standards) into a less controversial area of EU competence, and we explore the conditions for introducing reporting obligations based on PSA data as part of EU law on statistics.

Points for practitioners

The current succession of crises might create momentum for a change in EU fiscal policy-making. New instruments for the monitoring of the budgetary situation in the Member States could become necessary. The EU institutions cannot impose the European Public Sector Accounting Standards. However, a new standardised reporting instrument could become binding EU law if it would come in the shape of a statistical methodology. Basic principles of EU law guarantee that any new statistical reporting obligations are limited to what is necessary, proportionate and cost-effective.
International graduates of social work in Australia: A longitudinal study of those who struggle to develop professional identity
Authors: Yao Hui-Yu , Flynn Catherine
Published: October 2024

Professional identity development in social work students and graduates is complicated by intertwining internal and external factors. This article reports findings from a subset of data from a longitudinal qualitative study which aims to understand what factors contribute to this group’s sense of professional identity. It draws on multiple interviews conducted with six international students/graduates in Australia, at approximately six-monthly intervals between 2021 and 2023. Findings indicate that the participants encountered intersecting barriers to professional identity, which outweighed facilitating factors. The study makes a unique contribution by addressing the current knowledge gap about how international students and graduates become social workers.
Using living experience and practitioner research to create unique programmes providing help for caregivers, professionals and students to increase support for children living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Gibbs Anita
Published: October 2024

In this article, I draw on my intersectional identities as a caregiver of a child with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, as a registered social worker with extensive experience in the justice sector, and as an employed educator and researcher at a tertiary institute, to explore how I have used these multiple identities to create new initiatives that support families where Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is an issue, and introduce critical disability training for professionals working in the field.
Nuclear TOP1MT Confers Cisplatin Resistance via Pseudogene in HNSCC
Authors: Tong T. , Zhai P. S. , Qin X. , Zhang Z. , Li C. W. , Guo H. Y. , Ma H. L.
Published: October 2024

Cisplatin resistance is one of the major causes of treatment failure in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). There is an urgent need to uncover the underlying mechanism for developing effective treatment strategies. A quantitative proteomics assay was used to identify differential proteins in cisplatin-resistant cells. Mitochondrial topoisomerase I (TOP1MT) localization was determined using laser confocal microscopy and nucleocytoplasmic separation assay. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to identify the interaction between pseudogenes, miRNAs, and real genes. In vivo experiments verified the interaction between TOP1MT and pseudogenes on cisplatin resistance. TOP1MT was identified as a driving factor of cisplatin resistance in vitro, in vivo, and in HNSCC patients. Moreover, TOP1MT exceptionally translocated to the nucleus in cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cells in a signal peptide–dependent manner. Nuclear TOP1MT (nTOP1MT) transcriptionally regulated the mitochondrial functional pseudogene MTATP6P1, which bound to miR-137 and miR-491-5p as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and promoted the expression of MTATP6. An increase in MTATP6 enhanced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which conferred cisplatin resistance in HNSCC. Our findings revealed that nTOP1MT transcriptionally activated MTAPT6P1 and increased MTATP6 expression via ceRNA, which facilitated OXPHOS and cisplatin resistance. These results provide novel insight for overcoming cisplatin resistance in HNSCC.
Factors Associated With Recovery Housing Availability for Individuals Involved in the Carceral System
Authors: Subbaraman Meenakshi S. , Mericle Amy A. , Patterson-Manansala Deidre , Karriker-Jaffe Katherine J. , Howell Jason , Taxman Faye S.
Published: October 2024

Substance use and carceral system involvement are often connected, highlighting the need for substance use disorder recovery support services among those leaving carceral facilities. However, no prior study has examined whether recovery housing and carceral facilities are co-located. Using data from the National Study of Addiction and Treatment Recovery Residences (2020-2021, N = 10,358), we examined availability of recovery housing proximate to carceral facilities. Results show that recovery residences are often collocated with state and federal prisons and detention centers in the US. Specifically, the odds of having any recovery housing are 74% higher and recovery housing density is 35% higher in counties with versus without state prisons ( ps < 0.001). Findings for federal prisons were similar. Future studies involving individuals with SUD who are leaving carceral facilities should examine factors facilitating and inhibiting access to recovery housing as well as how recovery housing affects the communities in which they are located.
Collaborative climate labs: A youth-led methodology for co-creating community responses to climate change
Authors: Malafaia Carla , Diógenes-Lima Juliana , Pereira Bruna , Macedo Eunice , Menezes Isabel
Published: October 2024

This article presents the Collaborative Climate Laboratories (CiCli-Labs), a participatory research methodology that bridges citizenship, science and politics. This methodology is grounded on young people’s knowledge and experience about their communities and seeks to develop a strategy for co-designing climate solutions with local stakeholders. Carried out in schools, the CiCli-Labs engage scientists, activists, business owners, and politicians in discussing climate problems identified by young people. By bringing together different positionalities that emerge from people’s diverse social roles, the CiCli-Labs aim to foster conditions for democratic citizenship and climate justice, embracing the necessarily conflicting yet binding dimensions of politics that can produce transformative and reciprocal learning. Additionally, it responds to the growing demand within educational research for community-based approaches capable of tackling the shortcomings in promoting youth agentic power in participatory designs, often marked by one-off events and youth-washing practices. The CiCli-Labs’ methodology builds on community profiling, through which students identify climate-related issues that work as catalysts for broader dialogues with local actors, challenging traditional adult-centric power dynamics. The methodology evolves through a sequential design based on the adaptation of participatory tools and methods: i) Climate Problem Tree; ii) Climate Social Cartography; iii) Pros-and-Cons Circuit; iv) Solutions Funnel; v) Climate Speed Dating; vi) Hands on Earth and Eyes on Clouds. The methodology was implemented in eight schools in northern Portugal, involving more than 300 students (grades 8 to 12). We discuss the rationale and practicality of the CiCli-Labs while mobilising empirical illustrations of the methodological process and participants’ perceptions about it, thereby contributing to furthering the problematisation of democratic research practices with young people.
Common property in the city: Curbing urban vacancy in São Paulo
Authors: Friendly Abigail
Published: October 2024

The issue of urban vacancy is both a complex and a prevalent phenomenon in multiple contexts globally, providing an opening to address systemic issues of precarity. In this article, I explore the issue of urban vacancy in São Paulo, where the problem of vacant property has been highlighted for years alongside housing challenges and socio-spatial segregation. While São Paulo’s real estate market is often unreachable for the urban poor, a Brazilian constitutional directive on the social function of property – the obligation to use property to further the common good – enables municipalities to take punitive action against owners of vacant property through a triad of policy tools. Therefore, despite the often-exclusionary nature of vacancy, transformational possibilities may exist. Exploring the application of these tools, I view urban vacancy through a perspective on common property, untangling emergent contestations and opportunities for transformation.
Clinical predictors of warfarin-associated bleeding: A case-control study
Authors: Javath Hussain Shahanaze , Deepanjali Surendran , Munuswamy Hemachandren
Published: October 2024

Despite the advent of directly acting oral anticoagulants, warfarin is still widely used in resource-poor settings. Bleeding as a result of warfarin overdosage is common and risk factors seem to vary between patient populations. Predictors of bleeding in patients using warfarin were studied using a case-control design. We calculated the Hypertension, Abnormal Renal/Liver Function, Stroke, Bleeding History or Predisposition, Labile INR, Elderly, Drugs/Alcohol (HAS-BLED) score (a bleeding risk prediction tool). Cases chosen were adults prescribed warfarin presenting with bleeding and controls were likewise taking warfarin but had no bleeding in the previous six months. The most common indication for warfarin use was venous thromboembolism. Recent decrease in food intake was strongly associated with bleeding. Older age, higher warfarin doses, recent illness in the past fortnight and prior bleeding were also independent predictors. A higher HAS-BLED score was not predictive independently. Closer monitoring of international normalised ratio is therefore advisable during acute illnesses and in those with decreased food intake.
Is Partisan Selective Exposure an American Peculiarity? A Comparative Study of News Browsing Behaviors in the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong
Authors: Kobayashi Tetsuro , Zhang Zhifan , Liu Ling
Published: October 2024

While partisan selective exposure has been robustly observed in controlled settings, its cross-national differences have been understudied. Many earlier studies were conducted in the United States (US); however, partisan selective exposure is weak outside the US. This study measured browsing behavior using comparable mock news sites in the US, Japan, and Hong Kong to probe the antecedents of cross-national differences in partisan selective exposure. Two observational studies showed that partisan selective exposure is robustly detected in the US but weak or almost absent in Hong Kong and Japan, and that affective polarization toward political out-groups partially explains the cross-national differences observed between the US and Japan, as well as between Hong Kong and Japan. Perceived media credibility and dialectical self did not explain cross-national differences. The universality of partisan selective exposure and its mechanisms are discussed.
Sowing Indigenous Autonomy: Building a Common Political-Ethical Territory of Struggle with Zapatista Seed Pedagogics
Authors: Sáenz Charlotte María
Published: October 2024

This article inquires into the workings of Zapatista Seed Pedagogics’ (ZSP) building of a political-ethical commons outside the movement’s autonomous territories. Parting from a previous theorization of ZSP as a decolonizing educational process, this writing draws on interviews with external activists of neozapatista networks who have encountered and/or accompanied the movement in the last three decades. These evolving conversations reflect on their learnings in what is a life-long pedagogical process. These include: 1) an ongoing struggle for dismantling internalized hierarchies and vanguards in habits of thinking, being, and doing; 2) the recuperation of historical ancestral memory that builds collective subjectivity; and 3) the organization of collectivities that participate in a common political-ethical territory of struggle transcending nation-state identities. This exploration of ZSP reveals reflexive conscientization in subjects willing to learn and listen differently, suggesting the emergence of a transgeographic political-ethical subject immersed in a co-construction of knowledge with Zapatismo itself.
Concurrent bearing faults diagnosis with CNN-based object detection—An evaluation
Authors: Dong Yue , Yang Weilin , Zhang Chao , Zhang Yongwei , Xu Dezhi , Pan Tinglong
Published: October 2024

With the development of deep learning, convolution neural network (CNN)-based classifiers have already been demonstrated as a powerful method to detect bearing fault in wavelet-transformed time-frequency images. However, the real-world motor operations that suffer from concurrently occurred bearing faults have to define the fault labels that take all possible bearing fault combinations into account. Such a large number of labels significantly increase the labor and time costs in dataset labeling and network training. In this study, the CNN-based object detection is suggested to perform concurrent bearing faults diagnosis instead of conventional classifiers. Since object detection is capable of identifying multiple individual bearing faults independently in a single time-frequency image, it only requires to define the individual bearing fault labels rather than all possible bearing fault combinations. It dramatically reduces the workload in dataset preparation. In addition, to address the issue of relatively high noise level in weak abnormal vibrations, a moving average scheme is applied on the time-domain vibration signal in advance of time-frequency image generation. With the assistance of the moving average, the noise level is effectively suppressed, and x times higher detection accuracy is achieved in concurrent bearing fault diagnosis.
Co-designing with community for net zero: Case study of a housing estate
Authors: Nava Sahar , Chalabi Zaid , Bell Sarah , Burman Esfand
Published: October 2024

To meet the UK’s 2050 net zero carbon targets, Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) is used to calculate the lifetime carbon emissions of building projects. This paper aims to compare different estate regeneration scenarios for meeting the interim 2030 benchmarks for the 2050 target. The research consists of a case study employing co-design and WLCA experiments, and impact evaluation surveys. The results of the WLCA demonstrate the lower operational impacts of fossil-fuel-free scenarios, and lower embodied and overall carbon emissions of retrofitting scenarios. To make an informed decision towards the future of the estates, different regeneration scenarios need to be studied, and the stakeholders should understand the carbon emissions of different materials and systems. The findings of this study can be used to compare regeneration schemes of other building types.

Practical application: This study underscores the critical role of early-stage design decisions and engaging with the communities in minimising the carbon footprint of building projects and making informed decisions. The study reinforces the potential superiority of retrofitting over new builds, which serves as a clear call for the inclusion of retrofit options in the analysis of diverse regeneration and redevelopment scenarios. The study’s outcomes also highlight the pivotal role of stakeholder engagement in comprehending the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of materials and systems, influencing the participatory development and evaluation of regeneration scenarios. This approach is paramount to devising strategies that align with net zero ambitions, thereby ensuring environmentally and socially responsible estate regeneration.
Green Shoots: Political Education in the UK Trade Union Movement on the Climate Crisis
Authors: Tannock Stuart
Published: October 2024

In labor, climate and social movement organizing contexts, calls have been made for the importance of political education; yet the meaning of political education is often left poorly defined. This article argues that what is usually being called for is a model of radical (political) education. Using the example of political education developed by the UK trade union movement to address the climate crisis, the article suggests how a model of radical education can help to identify and understand gaps and limitations in attempts to develop effective political education for building power to create a more just and sustainable world.
Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Technology-Based Mathematical Fact Practice on Mathematics Outcomes
Authors: Burns Matthew K. , Duesenberg-Marshall McKinzie D. , Romero Monica E. , Sussman-Dawson Katya J. , Singell Emily
Published: October 2024

The current study meta-analyzed 17 effects from 12 studies to examine the effect of technology-based mathematical fact practice on mathematics outcomes, and how comparison intervention, risk for mathematics disabilities, and type of measure modified the results. There was a moderate effect of technology-based mathematical fact practice on mathematics outcomes (weighted g = 0.43). There was a moderate effect in comparison to business-as-usual conditions (weighted g = 0.54), but a much smaller effect for practice that was compared to practice that was not delivered with technology (weighted g = 0.25). Students who were at-risk for mathematics disabilities benefited from technology-based mathematical fact practice (weighted g = 0.55), and there was a large effect on mathematics achievement ( g = 0.87), but only from two studies. Finally, the interaction of the number of sessions and number of weeks (total dosage) significantly predicted the effect size and accounted for 23% of the variance, but neither variable predicted the effect size on its own. Implications for practice and future research are included.
Research on the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) in Iran: A Narrative Literature Review
Authors: Komasi Saeid , Sellbom Martin , Hopwood Christopher J.
Published: October 2024

Background:

Many original studies have evaluated the validity and utility of the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD) in Iran. However, the present review is a unique attempt to summarize the data in a critical framework to cover gaps in the AMPD research and determine future directions. The review aimed to explore the psychometric evidence for the AMPD, including reliability (alpha coefficient) and validity (construct, convergent, criterion, and incremental types) data in Iran. We also reviewed the overlap between the two AMPD criteria and the associations between the constructs and general psychopathology.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, PsycNet, Google Scholar, and three national databases for English and Persian records related to the AMPD from January 2013 to 2023. Several keywords and criteria were applied to select studies before summarizing the data.

Results:

The self-report scales were the first-line measures to assess the AMPD constructs, while interviews were rarely used. The research body provided relative support for both the unidimensional nature of Criterion A measures and the five-factor structure of Criterion B measures. Regarding Criterion B, however, there are still questions about the validity of the disinhibition factor and its clinical utility and generalizability.

Conclusion:

Although a decade of research on the AMPD in Iran has contributed to improving our knowledge, the current review provided a more comprehensive and clear profile of this model’s validity and generalizability to Iranian culture. We discussed the details of validation studies, limitations, and future considerations.
Evaluation of climate change coverage across news sources in selected Malaysian electronic newspapers
Authors: Hassan Isyaku , Musa Rabiu Muazu , Abdullah Mohamad Razali , Latiff Azmi Mohd Nazri , Abdullah Ahmad Taufik Hidayah
Published: October 2024

Climate change is a serious threat to the survival of our society. It causes unpredictable and extreme weather that endangers human and natural lives. Human activities such as carbon emissions, waste dumping, and deforestation worsen the problem. News media can play a key role in educating people and encouraging positive actions to protect the environment. This study analysed news-related content on the effects of climate change reported via various means of information and examined the extent of coverage for such information. There exist significant disparities in the characteristics of the information disseminated by various news platforms, with social media as the most frequent platform for sharing climate change information. Broadcast media and online news outlets are less common. Print media is the least outlet while some sources are unknown. There are no consistent patterns in the impact of climate change as reported by news outlets. These findings provide valuable insights into the current media landscape by delineating its portrayal of climate change.
Sanguineous cardiopulmonary bypass prime accelerates the inflammatory response during pediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Bierer Joel , Stanzel Roger , Henderson Mark , Sapp John , Andreou Pantelis , Marshall Jean S. , Horne David
Published: October 2024

Background

The inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in pediatric patients remains an unresolved challenge. Sanguineous CPB prime, composed of allogenic blood products, is one potentially important stimulus. This study aims to identify specific inflammatory mediators active in sanguineous CPB prime and their impact on the inflammatory response at CPB initiation.

Methods

In a post-hoc analysis of a prospective observational cohort study (NCT05154864), where pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were enrolled after informed consent, patients were grouped by CPB prime type ( sanguineous vs crystalloid). Arterial samples were collected post-sternotomy as a baseline and again at CPB initiation from all patients. In the sanguineous group, CPB prime samples were also collected after buffered ultrafiltration but before CPB initiation. Luminex® measured concentrations of 24 inflammatory mediators for comparison between groups. Statistical analyses were by Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Data are presented as median [IQR].

Results

Forty consecutive pediatric patients participated. The sanguineous group ( n = 26) was younger (4.0 [0.2 – 6.0] vs 48.5 [39.0 – 69.5] months; p = 2.6 × 10−7) and smaller (4.9 [34 – 6.6] vs 17.2 [14.9 – 19.6] kg; p = 2.6 × 10−7) than the crystalloid group ( n = 14). Despite this, baseline concentrations of 20 complement and cytokine concentrations were comparable between groups ( p > 0.05) while four showed differences between groups ( p < 0.05). The sanguineous prime contained supraphysiologic concentrations of complement mediators: C2, C3, C3a, C3b, and C5a. Correspondingly, upon CPB initiation, patients receiving sanguineous prime exhibited a significantly larger burden of C2, C3, C3b, C5, and C5a ( p < 0.001) relative to the crystalloid group. Cytokine and chemokine mediators were present at trace levels in the sanguineous prime.

Conclusions

Sanguineous prime contains activated complement that accelerates the inflammatory response at CPB initiation in neonates and infants. Immunomodulatory interventions targeting complement during CPB prime preparation could offer substantial benefits for these vulnerable patients.
Evaluation of the sedative-motor effects of novel GABAkine imidazodiazepines using quantitative observation techniques in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Sharmin Dishary , Rüedi-Bettschen Daniela , Berro Laís F , Cook Jemma E , Reeves-Darby Jaren A , Pareek Tanya , Mian Md Yeunus , Rashid Farjana , Golani Lalit , Moreira-Junior Eliseu da Cruz , Platt Donna M , Cook James M , Rowlett James K
Published: October 2024

Background:

Benzodiazepines bind to γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor subtypes identified by different α subunits (i.e., α1GABAA, α2GABAA, α3GABAA, and α5GABAA). Sedative-motor effects of benzodiazepines are thought to involve α1GABAA and α3GABAA subtypes.

Aims:

We evaluated observable measures of sedative-motor effects and species-typical behaviors in monkeys following acute administration of novel GABAkines (positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors), with varying degrees of selective efficacy at different GABAA receptor subtypes. We predicted that the induction of sedative-motor effects would depend on the degree of α1GABAA and α3GABAA efficacy.

Methods:

Adult female rhesus monkeys ( N = 4) were implanted with chronic indwelling i.v. catheters. Quantitative behavioral observation was conducted by trained observers following administration of multiple doses of the conventional benzodiazepine alprazolam and the GABAkines MP-III-80 (preferential efficacy at α2/α3/α5GABAA subtypes), KRM-II-81, MP-III-24 (both with preferential efficacy for α2/α3GABAA subtypes), and MP-III-22 (preferential potency and efficacy for α5GABAA subtypes).

Results:

As with alprazolam, all GABAkines induced significant levels of mild sedation (“rest/sleep posture”). Deep sedation was observed with alprazolam, MP-III-80, and MP-III-22; motoric effects (observable ataxia) were obtained with alprazolam, KRM-II-81, and MP-III-22 only. Surprisingly, the order of potency for rest/sleep posture was significantly associated only with potency at α5GABAA subtypes.

Conclusions:

GABAkines with preferential efficacy at α2/α3GABAA and/or α5GABAA subtypes engendered sedative-motor effects in monkeys, although only compounds with α5GABAA activity engendered deep sedation. Moreover, the significant relationship between potency obtained with in vitro electrophysiology data and the rest/sleep posture measure suggests a role for the α5GABAA subtype in this milder form of sedation.
Learning to control and coordinate mixed traffic through robot vehicles at complex and unsignalized intersections
Authors: Wang Dawei , Li Weizi , Zhu Lei , Pan Jia
Published: October 2024

Intersections are essential road infrastructures for traffic in modern metropolises. However, they can also be the bottleneck of traffic flows as a result of traffic incidents or the absence of traffic coordination mechanisms such as traffic lights. Recently, various control and coordination mechanisms that are beyond traditional control methods have been proposed to improve the efficiency of intersection traffic by leveraging the ability of autonomous vehicles. Among these methods, the control of foreseeable mixed traffic that consists of human-driven vehicles (HVs) and robot vehicles (RVs) has emerged. We propose a decentralized multi-agent reinforcement learning approach for the control and coordination of mixed traffic by RVs at real-world, complex intersections—an open challenge to date. We design comprehensive experiments to evaluate the effectiveness, robustness, generalizablility, and adaptability of our approach. In particular, our method can prevent congestion formation via merely 5% RVs under a real-world traffic demand of 700 vehicles per hour. In contrast, without RVs, congestion will form when the traffic demand reaches as low as 200 vehicles per hour. Moreover, when the RV penetration rate exceeds 60%, our method starts to outperform traffic signal control in terms of the average waiting time of all vehicles. Our method is not only robust against blackout events, sudden RV percentage drops, and V2V communication error, but also enjoys excellent generalizablility, evidenced by its successful deployment in five unseen intersections. Lastly, our method performs well under various traffic rules, demonstrating its adaptability to diverse scenarios. Videos and code of our work are available at https://sites.google.com/view/mixedtrafficcontrol .
Risk of COVID-19 infection in patients with NSCLC receiving EGFR-TKI targeted therapy during the first wave in China
Authors: Huang Peng , Liao Ling-Ming , Zhao Jia-li , Luo Chen , Yi Yan-Ling , Chen Yu , Huang Long
Published: October 2024

Objective

We examined the factors influencing hospitalization and prognosis among patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) targeted therapy during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

In total, 267 patients diagnosed with NSCLC who were receiving treatment with third-generation EGFR-TKIs were included in our retrospective study. Data on patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, and survival were collected and analyzed.

Results

Over a mean follow-up of 18 months, 80.5% (215/267) of the patients contracted COVID-19, and 12.6% (27/215) of these patients were hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment. Vaccinated patients, those with body mass index (BMI) ≥22.3 kg/m2, and those with no comorbidities had lower rates of infection and hospitalization than unvaccinated patients, those with BMI <22.3 kg/m2, and those with comorbidities, respectively. Continued NSCLC treatment in patients with COVID-19 was identified as a risk factor for patient survival.

Conclusions

NSCLC treatment can be continued for patients who received COVID-19 vaccines, those with higher BMI, and those without comorbidities during the COVID-19 epidemic, but treatment interruption might be required for patients during the active phase of infection.
STE-NT for Mini-implants
Authors: Sahu Manish , Chain Stephen , Gupta Mayank , Srivastav Shrish Charan , Grover Sulabh
Published: October 2024

Orthodontic treatment has become a common practice in recent times. With today’s patients turning toward high-profile needs, it is apparent that they receive orthodontic treatment with the same consideration given to the esthetic needs of these patients. With these, an orthodontist usually turns to contemporary orthodontics and recent advancements to achieve this result, such as mini-implants. However, the correct placement of these mini-implants is vital to the result. The correct position not only aids in the treatment but also helps in the compliance of the patient. Such a procedure is ST-ENT for the placement of mini-implants.
Insights from triggers and prodromal symptoms on how migraine attacks start: The threshold hypothesis
Authors: Sebastianelli Gabriele , Atalar Arife Çimen , Cetta Ilaria , Farham Fatemeh , Fitzek Mira , Karatas-Kursun Hulya , Kholodova Marharyta , Kukumägi Kadri-Hebo , Montisano Danilo Antonio , Onan Dilara , Pantovic Aleksandar , Skarlet Jeva , Sotnikov Dmytro , Caronna Edoardo , Pozo-Rosich Patricia ,   on behalf of International Headache Academy of the International Headache Society (IHS-iHEAD)
Published: October 2024

Background

The prodrome or premonitory phase is the initial phase of a migraine attack, and it is considered as a symptomatic phase in which prodromal symptoms may occur. There is evidence that attacks start 24–48 hours before the headache phase. Individuals with migraine also report several potential triggers for their attacks, which may be mistaken for premonitory symptoms and hinder migraine research.

Methods

This review aims to summarize published studies that describe contributions to understanding the fine difference between prodromal/premonitory symptoms and triggers, give insights for research, and propose a way forward to study these phenomena. We finally aim to formulate a theory to unify migraine triggers and prodromal symptoms. For this purpose, a comprehensive narrative review of the published literature on clinical, neurophysiological and imaging evidence on migraine prodromal symptoms and triggers was conducted using the PubMed database.

Results

Brain activity and network connectivity changes occur during the prodromal phase. These changes give rise to prodromal/premonitory symptoms in some individuals, which may be falsely interpreted as triggers at the same time as representing the early manifestation of the beginning of the attack. By contrast, certain migraine triggers, such as stress, hormone changes or sleep deprivation, acting as a catalyst in reducing the migraine threshold, might facilitate these changes and increase the chances of a migraine attack. Migraine triggers and prodromal/premonitory symptoms can be confused and have an intertwined relationship with the hypothalamus as the central hub for integrating external and internal body signals.

Conclusions

Differentiating migraine triggers and prodromal symptoms is crucial for shedding light on migraine pathophysiology and improve migraine management.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Traveling-Salesman Problem with Drone
Authors: Zhu Tengkuo , Boyles Stephen D. , Unnikrishnan Avinash
Published: October 2024

Drones and electric vehicles (EVs) represent promising technologies for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of last-mile delivery services. This paper focuses on the optimization of customer deliveries through the integration of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and a drone. Our model, named the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle traveling-salesman problem with drone (PHEVTSPD), assumes the PHEV can be recharged, either fully or partially, at charging stations, while the drone can be launched or retrieved from the EV. Both the EV and drone are capable of independently serving the customer. In comparison with traditional truck-only or drone-only delivery models, the hybrid EV–drone model overcomes the limitations of drone payload capacity and EV service area, thereby significantly improving delivery efficiency and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. This research presents a three-index mixed-integer linear program (MILP) formulation of PHEVTSPD. Additionally, a linear or piecewise linear approximation of the concave time–state-of-charge (SoC) function is adopted in the model. To solve the proposed problem, we introduce an adaptive large-neighborhood search (ALNS) metaheuristic. Numerical analysis results reveal that the proposed ALNS method outperforms variable neighborhood search (VNS) with an average optimality gap of approximately 3% when solving instances with 10 nodes. Furthermore, a piecewise linear function with a six-line-segment approximation demonstrates an average of 10.8% lower cost compared with a linear approximation.
Intralesional injection of mitomycin C following visual internal urethrotomy for recurrent urethral stricture: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Mostafa Diaaeldin , Higazy Ahmed , Raslan Mostafa L. , Salim Mohamed S.
Published: October 2024

Aim:

To assess the efficacy of Intralesional injection of mitomycin C (MMC) following visual internal urethrotomy (VIU) in the management of recurrent urethral stricture.

Materials:

Fifty male patients diagnosed with recurrent single bulbar urethral stricture measuring less than 1.5 cm previously treated with VIU were randomly allocated into two equal groups, (Group A) planned for VIU only and (Group B) planned for VIU with intralesional MMC injection using Botox injection needle. All patients were objectively evaluated pre- and post-operatively at 3, 6, and 12 months using uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine volume, and retrograde urethrography.

Results:

Forty-five patients completed their follow-up in our study. Patients who underwent intralesional MMC injection showed significant improvement in uroflowmetry, post-voiding residual, and with a success rate (82.6% in Group B, compared to 50% in Group A with a highly statistically significant difference, p-value: <0.001). VIU with MMC was the only factor associated with a marked decrease in stricture recurrence ( p = 0.02) as shown in the Multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Conclusion:

Intralesional injection of mitomycin C seems to be a safe and effective modality in reducing the recurrent stricture rate after VIU.
Portuguese Households on a Tightrope: Income Vulnerability during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Matos Cristina
Published: October 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese government implemented emergency fiscal measures to protect incomes. Despite these efforts, Portugal’s poverty rate increase in 2020 was the steepest among all European Union member states. The present article maintains that the prevailing labor market institutions limited the impact of the pandemic-related emergency measures. These institutions include social policies (such as low social benefits, minimum wages near the poverty line, and weak employment protection) as well as employment practices (such as precarious employment contracts and low wages). Established institutions increased households’ vulnerability to poverty and exacerbated the GDP/poverty nexus.

JEL Classification: A120, B520, I380, N340.