bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoking Is Not an Independent Risk Factor for Surgery in Patients with Crohn’s Disease on Biologic Therapy
Authors: Halablab Saleem M. , Alrazim Ayman , Sadaka Christian , Slika Hasan , Adra Nour , Ghusn Wissam , Shmais Manar , Sharara Ala I.
Published: April 2023

Introduction: The development and course of inflammatory bowel disease appear to be influenced by environmental factors. Particularly, smoking has been shown to assume a harmful role in Crohn’s disease (CD) and a protective role in ulcerative colitis. This study aims to examine the effect of smoking on need for surgery in patients with moderate to severe CD receiving biologic therapy. Methods: This was a retrospective study of adult patients with CD at a University Medical Center over a 20-year period. Results: A total of 251 patients were included (mean age 36.0 ± 15.0; 70.1% males; current, former, and nonsmokers: 44.2%, 11.6%, and 43.8%, respectively). Mean duration on biologics was 5.0 ± 3.1 years (>2/3 received anti-TNFs, followed by ustekinumab in 25.9%) and a third of patients (29.5%) received more than one biologic. Disease-related surgeries (abdominal, perianal, or both) occurred in 97 patients (38.6%): 50 patients had surgeries prior to starting biologics only, 41 had some surgeries after, and 6 had insufficient information. There was no significant difference in surgeries between ever-smokers (current or previous) versus nonsmokers in the overall study group. On logistic regression, the odds of having any CD surgery were higher in patients with longer disease duration (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.09) and in those receiving more than one biologic (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.16, 4.59). However, among patients who had surgery prior to biologic therapy, smokers were more likely to have perianal surgery compared to nonsmokers (OR = 10.6, 95% CI = 2.0, 57.4; p = 0.006). Conclusion: In biologic-naive CD patients requiring surgery, smoking is an independent predictor of perianal surgery. Smoking, however, is not an independent risk factor for surgery in this cohort after starting biologics. The risk of surgery in those patients is primarily associated with disease duration and the use of more than one biologic.
HBV DNA Integration into Telomerase or MLL4 Genes and TERT Promoter Point Mutation as Three Independent Signatures in Subgrouping HBV-Related HCC with Distinct Features
Authors: Li Chiao-Ling , Hsu Chia-Lang , Lin You-Yu , Ho Ming-Chih ,   Hu, Chen Chi-Ling , Ho Tung-Ching , Lin Yung-Feng , Tsai Shih-Feng , Tzeng Sheng-Tai , Huang Chin-Fang , Wang Ya-Chun , Yeh Shiou-Hwei , Chen Pei-Jer
Published: April 2023

Introduction: A set of genetic mutations to classify hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) useful to clinical studies is an unmet need. Hepatitis B virus-related HCC (HBV-HCC) harbors a unique genetic mutation, namely, the HBV integration, among other somatic endogenous gene mutations. We explored a combination of HBV DNA integrations and common somatic mutations to classify HBV-HCC by using a capture-sequencing platform. Methods: A total of 153 HBV-HCCs after surgical resection were subjected to capture sequencing to identify HBV integrations and three common somatic mutations in genomes. Three mutually exclusive mutations, HBV DNA integration into the TERT promoter, HBV DNA integration into MLL4, or TERT promoter point mutation, were identified in HBV-HCC. Results: They were used to classify HBV-HCCs into four groups: G1 with HBV-TERT integration (25.5%); G2 with HBV-MLL4 integration (10.5%); G3 with TERT promoter mutation (30.1%); and G4 without these three mutations (34.0%). Clinically, G3 has the highest male-to-female ratio, cirrhosis rate, and associated with higher early recurrence and mortality after resection, but G4 has the best outcome. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a grouping different from the published ones and G2 with an active immune profile related to immune checkpoint inhibitor response. Analysis of integrated HBV DNA provided clues for HBV genotype and variants in carcinogenesis of different HCC subgroup. This new classification was also validated in another independent cohort. Conclusion: A simple and robust genetic classification was developed to aid in understanding HBV-HCC and in harmonizing clinical studies.
Heart failure prediction based on random forest algorithm using genetic algorithm for feature selectio
Authors: Ramdhani Yudi , Putra Cakra Mahendra , Alamsyah Doni Purnama
Published: April 2023

A disorder or illness called heart failure results in the heart becoming weak or damaged. In order to avoid heart failure early on, it is crucial to understand the causes of heart failure. Based on validation, two experimental processing steps will be applied to the dataset of clinical records related to heart failure. Testing will be done in the first step utilizing six different classification algorithms, including K-nearest neighbor, neural network, random forest, decision tree, Naïve Bayes, and support vector machine (SVM). Cross-validation was employed to conduct the test. According to the results, the random forest algorithm performed better than the other five algorithms in tests employing the algorithm. Subsequent testing uses an algorithm with the best accuracy value, which will then be tested again using split validation with varying split ratios and genetic algorithms as a selection feature. The value generated from testing using the genetic algorithm selection feature is better than the random forest algorithm alone, which is recorded to produce an accuracy value of 93.36% in predicting the survival of heart failure patients.
Efficient content-based image retrieval using integrated dual deep convolutional neural network
Authors: Mirajkar Feroza D. , Fatima Ruksar , Qadeer Shaik A.
Published: April 2023

Content-based image retrieval (CBIR) uses the content features for retrieving and searching the images in a given large database. Earlier, different hand feature descriptor designs are researched based on cues that are visual such as shape, colour, and texture used to represent these images. Although, deep learning technologies have widely been applied as an alternative to designing engineering that is dominant for over a decade. The features are automatically learnt through the data. This research work proposes integrated dual deep convolutional neural network (IDD-CNN), IDD-CNN comprises two distinctive CNN, first CNN exploits the features and further custom CNN is designed for exploiting the custom features. Moreover, a novel directed graph is designed that comprises the two blocks i.e. learning block and memory block which helps in finding the similarity among images; since this research considers the large dataset, an optimal strategy is introduced for compact features. Moreover, IDD-CNN is evaluated considering the two distinctive benchmark datasets the oxford dataset considering mean average precision (mAP) metrics and comparative analysis shows IDD-CNN outperforms the other existing model.
DETECTING GROUPER (EPINEPHELINAE) DIET COMPOSITION AND PREY AVAILABILITY IN RAJA AMPAT CORAL REEFS THROUGH DNA AND eDNA METABARCODING
Authors: Madduppa Hawis , Prabowo Budi , Bengen Dietriech Geoffrey , Ayu Inna Puspa , Subhan Beginer , Sani Lalu M Iqbal , Prabowo Budi
Published: April 2023

Gaining extensive knowledge of prey sources is an essential approach for understanding trophic structure and relationships, especially in highly diverse coral reef ecosystems. Groupers are a major Asian reef fish commodity, making it important to study grouper prey and the trophic relations involved. The wide distribution of groupers across different environments could lead to distinctive predatory behaviour. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate and compare the taxonomic classification and composition of prey in the diets of two common groupers (Epinephelus areolatus and E. malabaricus) based on DNA metabarcoding of stomach contents and potential prey detection using environmental DNA tools at sites in the coral reefs of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. DNA recovered from the water column comprised taxa from the Arthropoda, Chordata, Cnidaria and Mollusca, several of which were also found in grouper guts, with Cnidaria the most abundant class. Diversity was high for potential prey species in the environment and prey consumed by each grouper species. The high overlap in prey identified from gut contents indicates these two epinephelids have a similar feeding strategy. However, nMDS ordination showed segregation between the prey consumed by each species and potential prey available in the environment. The results indicate a low likelihood of competition between the two grouper species, related to the abundance and wide choice of potential prey in the highly biodiverse Raja Ampat coral reef ecosystem.
MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM AT PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Acero Liwayway
Published: April 2023

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP)-Marine Turtle Conservation Program (MTCP) can be found in West Coast of Palawan Philippines. Geographical location is located in the global center of marine biodiversity, the Coral Triangle. This study described the profile of PPSNRP-MTCP in terms of location, species of marine turtles, number of hatchlings released per year, management organizational structure, conservation activities and, determined the perceived management challenges and opportunities encountered by employees during COVID 19 pandemic. Documentary analysis, net-notgraphy and focal group virtual discussion and structured questionnaires were used in data gathering. There are 3 species that were recorded in the conservation site; Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata and Lepidochelys olivacea. Hatchling success from 2015 to 2021 is at an average of 82%, and the mean hatchlings per year is 1659.4 (+/- sd.699.31). Lowest was 697 in 2014-2015, highest in 2019-2020 with 2,476 hatchlings. MTCP is under the supervision of Protected Area Superintendent (PASu). The management activities are; regular monitoring of egg nesting and hatching of the eggs, implementation of easement zone, community coastal clean-up, releasing of hatchlings and conservation awareness campaign. Debris left by typhoon Odette is the perceived very high challenge while the absence of noise during nesting season is perceived at a very high opportunity.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE MOLUCCAN MEGAPODE (Eulipoa wallacei) NATURAL HABITAT IN HARUKU ISLAND, INDONESIA AND ITS VEGETATION COMPOSITION
Authors: Leimena Handy Erwin Pier , Sjarmidi Achmad , Syamsudin Tati Suryati
Published: April 2023

The characteristics of island vegetation greatly influence the activities of endemic birds in island areas, such as the Moluccan endemic megapodes (Eulipoa wallacei) on Haruku Island. Therefore, it is essential to identify the specific location of the habitat utilized by individual birds for their daily activities on Haruku Island and to analyze the composition of the vegetation and the variety of plant species. Identification of bird habitat locations using radio-tracking on four newly hatched chicks and four adult birds. A total of 330 individual tracking points were recorded during the study period. The vegetation sample used a total of 420 plots for seedlings, saplings, poles, and trees which were then analyzed for importance value index (IVI), diversity, evenness, and similarity. We found that the Tanjung Maleo forest was their nesting habitat, while the Marunimei and Lalean forests were their daily habitats. A total of 91 plant species and 60 plant families were discovered with the vegetation diversity value of the three habitats was moderate (H’mean = 3.07) and tended to be dominated by air plant (Kalanchoe pinnata), sword fern (Nephrolepsis exalta), cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), coco-grass (Cyperus rotundus), Indian camphorweed (Pluchea indica), and lanzone (Lansium domesticum) (Emean = 0.88), and have a relatively low level of species similarity between habitats (SImean = 38.30%). We found that the daily habitat of the Moluccan megapode on Haruku Island was around their nesting sites and has a complex structure because it was composed four vegetation strata. Therefore, for conservation purposes, habitat management must prioritize preserving forest habitats around the bird nesting sites.
Trauma severity predictors
Authors: Senju André Luís Antoneli , Machado-Kayzuka Giovanna Cristina Conti , Sabage Luís Expedito , Negrato Carlos Antonio , Nardi Aguinaldo César , Cotta Filho Cezar Kayzuka , Mazzo Alessandra
Published: April 2023

This review aimed to determine which are the indexes for early detection and evaluation of clinical and physiological deterioration of traumatized patients. A Scoping Review according to the methods proposed by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) was performed from February 2018 to December 2018 on LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), National Library of Medicine (PubMed), and SCOPUS databases. Sixty-two studies were included, of which 43 evaluated patients with general trauma. A variety of physiological variables, such as Glasgow Coma Score, Glucose, Days in the Intensive Care Unit, Lactate, and predictor indexes - Injury Severity Score (ISS), Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS), Revisited Trauma Score (RTS), and APACHE II were identified. The values observed in the studies among patients were compared to the ones determined by the basic literature, being called Critical Values (CV). The group of gravity indexes, besides clinical and regulatory protocols, found in this review are the solidification of the healthcare process involving the traumatized patient’s responses to the actions of the healthcare team. The analysis of these indexes must be emphasized to determine, with greater reliability, the prognosis of the patient. With these data, it may be possible to effectively predict mortality rates.
La garnatilla (Granada, Espanha). Memórias e tristezas dos que partiram rumo a américa do sul. Um estudo sobre o bairro do Brás em São Paulo
Authors: Monteiro Arlete Assumpção
Published: April 2023

O presente artigo integra uma pesquisa mais ampla sobre a importância da imigração espanhola para o desenvolvimento industrial de São Paulo. Estudo realizado na região de origem dos que partiram em busca de melhores condições de vida, a Comunidade Autônoma de Andalucia, composta pelas províncias de Almeria, Granada, Málaga, Jaén, Córdova, Cádiz, Huelva e Sevilha, a capital. A pesquisa foi realizada sob a orientação do historiador Prof. Dr. Juan Marchena Fernandez, catedrático da Universidad Pablo de Olavide, localizada em Sevilha, que sugeriu que fosse realizado um trabalho de campo na cidade mediterrânea de Motril, província de Granada, onde a população vivia da agricultura, principalmente tratando dos vinhedos para produção do vinagre, da agricultura da cana-de-açúcar e do trabalho nos engenhos para produção do açúcar. Com a   crise econômica que a região vivenciou no final do século XIX e princípio do XX, motivada pela praga nos vinhedos, a filoxera, e pela decadência da produção do açúcar nos engenhos, além da preocupação das famílias em evitar que os jovens em idade do serviço militar fossem para as guerras nas colônias espanholas, a saída foi emigrar, sendo uma das alternativas a América do Sul, principalmente para São Paulo, Brasil e para o Chaco Argentino. Tal estudo teve a preocupação de se entender melhor o Bairro do Brás (e arredores), importante “locus” de fixação dos imigrantes espanhóis em São Paulo.
Characterization of Aortic Flow Patterns by High‐Frame‐Rate Blood Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Children
Authors: Cantinotti Massimiliano , Marchese Pietro , Scalese Marco , Giordano Raffaele , Franchi Eliana , Assanta Nadia , Koestenberger Martin , Barnes Benjamin T. , Celi Simona , Jani Vivek , Voges Inga , Kutty Shelby
Published: April 2023

Background

Blood speckle tracking echocardiography allows for direct quantification of interventricular and aortic flow profiles, principally in children. Here, we sought to demonstrate the feasibility and reproducibility of blood speckle tracking echocardiography in the aortas of healthy children.

Methods and Results

One hundred healthy White children evaluated for the screening of congenital heart disease were prospectively enrolled. Echocardiographic examinations were performed using a Vivid E 95 ultrasound system, with blood speckle tracking from a focused and zoomed view of the aortic root and the ascending aorta. Vortex position, height (mm), width (mm), sphericity index, and area (cm
2
) were measured and indexed by body surface area. Median (interquartile range) age was 8.2 (5.6–11.0) years, median (interquartile range) weight was 28 (19–35) kg, and median (interquartile range) body surface area was 1.01 (0.79–1.16) m
2
. Vortices were visualized in only a single phase of the cardiac cycle in 25 subjects—14 (56.0%) were evident in early diastole and 11 (44.0%) in late systole. Vortices visualized in diastole had a mean area of 0.27±0.1 cm
2
/m
2
, while those in systole had a mean area of 0.34±0.12 cm
2
/m
2
. In a subset of 20 patients, inter‐ and intraobserver coefficient of variation and intraclass correlation coefficients were determined and showed good reproducibility.

Conclusions

We demonstrate feasibility and reproducibility of blood speckle tracking and identified vortical flow patterns in the aortic root and ascending aorta in healthy children. These data may serve as a baseline for evaluating aortic flow patterns in children with congenital and acquired heart disease.
The genera Egmundella Stechow, 1921 and Cyclocanna Bigelow, 1918 (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) in waters of Northwest Africa
Authors: GIL MARTA , RAMIL FRAN
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we study material belonging to the hydroid genera Egmundella Stechow, 1921 and Cyclocanna Bigelow, 1918 collected off the coast of Northwest Africa, from Morocco to Guinea Bissau, between 2004 and 2012, during several international surveys. Currently, the genus Egmundella is included in the family Campanulinidae Hincks, 1869, but its taxonomic status is doubtful, since most of the life cycles of its species are unknown. A total of four species have been identified: E. grimaldii Leloup, 1940, E. modesta Millard & Bouillon, 1975, E. superba Stechow, 1921 and E. ansini n. sp. Egmundella grimaldii is found for the first time since its original description, and fertile material is described herein. Its gonotheca is morphologically similar to that of C. producta (G.O. Sars, 1874), suggesting that both species could be congeneric. A description of specimens of C. producta collected along the NW African coast is also provided.
On the first Baryonychinae (Theropoda, Spinosauridae) teeth from South America
Authors: LACERDA MAURO B.S. , ARAGÃO PAULO R.L. , VIEIRA FABIANA S. , SALES MARCOS A.F. , LIPARINI ALEXANDRE
Published: April 2023

We report the first occurrence in South America of spinosaurid specimens belonging to the clade Baryonychinae. The material comprises three tooth crowns recovered from the Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian–Valanginian) of the Feliz Deserto Formation, State of Sergipe, northeast Brazil. The three specimens have the typical conidont condition, displaying a fluted morphology, veined enamel texture and carinae extending to the cervix region, conditions similar to those shared among spinosaurid theropods. Furthermore, a notable feature is the presence of a serrated carinae composed of 6–7 diminutive denticles per millimetre, a key feature shared by baryonychine spinosaurids. Phylogenetic and multivariate analyses performed on dentition-based and crown-based datasets of theropod taxa confirm the relationship of the three tooth crowns described here with the well-supported spinosaurid clade. Our results retrieve the taxa which comprise the “classically” baryonychine clade as individual branches within a polytomy which includes the three tooth crowns and a subclade of spinosaurines (Spinosaurus + Angaturama/Irritator). Additionally, the discriminant and cluster analyses suggest that the materials are more similar to Suchomimus than to Baryonyx morphometrically, but clearly bearing similarities with baryonychines (sharing a similar morphospace). These new findings paleogeographically expand the occurrence of this clade to western Gondwana, and comprise one of the oldest spinosaurid records worldwide, which brings implications on hypotheses for the emergence and evolution of the clade. Furthermore, these new records indicate the presence of more than one spinosaurid taxon in the Lower Cretaceous deltaic paleoenvironment of the Feliz Deserto Formation.
New Dendrobranchiata fossil preserved in the Brazilian Cretaceous (Aptian/Albian) from the Araripe Basin, Piauí State
Authors: BARROS OLGA ALCÂNTARA , OLIVEIRA PAULO VICTOR DE
Published: April 2023

The fossil shrimp Somalis piauiensis n. gen. n. sp. is a new fossil record of Penaeoidea from the Araripe Basin. The purpose of this study is to describe a new decapod crustacean from the Romualdo Formation of the Santana Group and compare it with other fossil Dendrobranchiata described from this basin. The new fossil is characterized by a carapace with antennal and branchiostegal spines. Long rostrum, with thirteen evident dorsal spines yielding a serrate appearance. The laminar scaphocerite is large with a weakly rounded lateral margin and is longer than the rostrum. The fossil specimen is the first occurrence of shrimp in the Piauí territory.
What Are the Balanced and Unbalanced Dynamics of a Tropical Cyclone?
Authors: Ji Dong , Qiao Fangli
Published: April 2023

Recently, Ji and Qiao took into account the unbalanced components and derived an extended Sawyer–Eliassen (SE) equation. This study developed a new derivation of this extended SE equation from the perspective of restoring forces, and gives a physical interpretation for the coefficients that appear in the SE equation. For an unbalanced vortex, we demonstrated that the thermodynamic fields are only determined by the distribution of gradient wind, and thus, the gradient wind and thermodynamic fields always remain in balance as the unbalanced vortex evolves. Consequently, we attributed the gradient wind imbalance to the agradient wind rather than to the thermodynamic fields. Subsequently, we explored the effect of the agradient wind on the secondary circulation, and showed that the agradient wind strengthens the secondary circulation in its vicinity, which can be explained as a consequence of the restoring forces and mass continuity. Furthermore, we speculated that the SE equation, together with the radial velocity equation, could reproduce the primary characteristic of the axisymmetric boundary layer dynamics by prescribing the parameterization of subgrid-scale turbulent mixing. Specifically, the noU_BL and noVa_BL experiments conducted by Fei et al. in an article published in 2021 were reinterpreted, and the oscillation wavelength of the agradient wind in the eyewall was approximated based on this framework. Additionally, a new numerical solution algorithm to overcome the hyperbolicity near the boundary layer was proposed. This study attempts to develop a complete dynamic theory for tropical cyclones in both qualitative and quantitative perspectives.
Near-Surface Wind Convergence over the Gulf Stream—The Role of SST Revisited
Authors: Small R. J. , Rousseau V. , Parfitt R. , Laurindo L. , O’Neill L. , Masunaga R. , Schneider N. , Chang P.
Published: April 2023

High-resolution observations have demonstrated the presence of strong time-mean near-surface wind convergence (NSWC) anchored across oceanic frontal zones, such as the western boundary currents. Initial analyses appeared to show a close association between this time-mean NSWC and time-mean properties of the underlying sea surface temperature (SST), such as the gradients and second derivatives (e.g., Laplacian of SST), acting through pressure-adjustment and vertical-mixing mechanisms. However, a series of recent papers have revealed the instantaneous NSWC to be dominated by atmospheric fronts and have suggested the importance of air–sea processes occurring instead on shorter, synoptic time scales. In this paper, using the ERA5 reanalysis dataset in the Gulf Stream region, we aim to reconcile these viewpoints by investigating the spatial and temporal dependence of NSWC and its relationship to SST. It is revealed that while atmospheric frontal processes govern the day-to-day variability of NSWC, the relatively weak but persistent pressure-adjustment and vertical-mixing mechanisms provide lower-frequency modulations in conditions both with and without atmospheric fronts. In addition to their temporal characteristics, each mechanism is shown through spectral analysis to dominate on specific spatial scales. In light of recent work that has tied remote atmospheric responses to NSWC anomalies in western boundary current regions, these results emphasize the importance of oceanic frontal zones for atmospheric variability on all spatiotemporal scales.
La Sicilia di Carlo Levi fra mito e realtà
Authors: Gallo Cinzia
Published: April 2023

Nei vari episodi che compongono Le parole sono pietre, il volto variegato della Sicilia appare nella sua veste più autentica. All’episodio incentrato sul signor Impellitteri, con cui rivive il mito americano, fanno da contraltare la situazione della zolfara di Lercara Friddi, in cui i minatori, privi di qualsiasi diritto, imboccano la strada dell’associazionismo, e la descrizione coloristica di Palermo, con gli scheletri delle catacombe che mostrano “una disseccata uguaglianza”. Nella seconda parte, le immagini coloristiche sono funzionali, invece, a mettere in rilievo la stratificazione culturale della Sicilia. Più originale è la terza parte, in cui la vita di Salvatore Carnevale è rievocata attraverso una prosa in cui si intrecciano registro aulico e registro colloquiale, periodi brevi, paratattici, e periodi complessi, ricchi di subordinate o ellittici del verbo. Se, dunque, possono apparire spontanei i collegamenti, per il contenuto, con L’olivo e l’olivastro di Consolo, sotto l’aspetto formale Levi si mostra unico.
Polls of fear? Electoral violence, incumbent strength, and voter turnout in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: van Baalen Sebastian
Published: April 2023

How, and under what conditions, does electoral violence influence voter turnout? Existing research often presumes that electoral violence demobilizes voters, but we lack knowledge of the conditions under which violence depresses turnout. This study takes a subnational approach to probe the moderating effect of local incumbent strength on the association between electoral violence and turnout. Based on existing work, I argue that electoral violence can reduce voter turnout by heightening threat perceptions among voters and eroding public trust in the electoral system, thereby raising the expected costs of voting and undermining the belief that one’s vote matters. Moreover, I propose that in elections contested across multiple local rather than a single national voting district, the negative effect of electoral violence on turnout should be greater in districts where the incumbent is stronger. This is because when the incumbent is stronger, voters have lesser strategic and purposive incentives to vote than voters in localities where the opposition is stronger. I test the argument by combining original subnational event data on electoral violence before Côte d’Ivoire’s 2021 legislative elections with electoral records. The results support the main hypothesis and indicate that electoral violence was associated with significantly lower voter turnout in voting districts where the incumbent was stronger, but not where the opposition was stronger. The study contributes new knowledge on the conditions under which electoral violence depresses voter turnout, and suggests that voters in opposition strongholds can be more resilient to electoral violence than often assumed.
Microchips and sneakers: Bilateral trade, shifting power, and interstate conflict
Authors: Zeng Yuleng
Published: April 2023

Strong commercial ties promote peace as states shun the opportunity costs of economic disruption. However, trade also enriches and empowers states, rendering them more capable of enforcing long-term settlements. Given economic disruption does not last forever, countries can be incentivized to trade short-term economic losses for long-term political or territorial gains. This trade-off can restrict or even reverse the pacifying effect of commerce as it renders states incapable of committing to existing peaceful deals. I argue the scope condition hinges on the existing power imbalance and the security externalities of trade, defined as states’ abilities to translate trade gains into (potential) military power. For countries where the existing power gap is not extreme, the impact of bilateral strategic trade is contingent upon a country’s trade externality relative to its opponent’s. Although increased bilateral trade can be peace-promoting when the relative externality is small, the pacifying effects can dissipate as a relatively weaker state becomes more capable of exploiting trade gains. Building on recent work in network analysis, I propose a new measurement of trade externalities to test the above theory and find supporting results.
Tramadol/paracetamol treatment attenuates the development of collagen antibody-induced arthritis and interferes with prednisolone treatment in mice
Authors: Kroos Sanne , Halima Mahmoud , Kroon Jan , van der Woude Diane , Meijer Onno C , van de Wal Maarten D , Verhave Peternella S , Schaaf Marcel JM , Toes René EM , Kampstra Arieke SB
Published: April 2023

The collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model is highly effective in inducing arthritis, making it an attractive model for screening therapeutic compounds such as glucocorticoids (GCs). The severity of discomfort in this model makes it desirable to administer analgesics, but it is a prerequisite that these do not interfere with the model or tested therapeutics. In the present study, we studied the effect of 1 mg/mL tramadol and 3.5 mg/mL paracetamol (TP) on CAIA in male BALB/cAnNCrl mice and the possible interference of TP analgesia with the activity of the GC drug prednisolone (Pred). Our results showed that TP abolished the Pred-induced amelioration of CAIA, as well as several other Pred-induced effects, such as the reduction in thymus weight and the increase in insulin level. This most likely results from the effects of TP on the hepatic metabolism of this drug, since it strongly increased the Cyp3a11 expression in the liver. Altogether, we conclude that TP analgesia is not suitable for the CAIA model in male BALB/cAnNCrl mice, in particular when evaluating the effects of GCs such as Pred.
Dynamic Structural Equation Modeling of the Relationship Among Daily Workplace Incivility, Daily Emotional Exhaustion, Self-Reported Health and Psychological Capital
Authors: Yang Chia-Hao , Hwang Fang-Ming , Lin Bo-Chen , Chang Chia-Ming
Published: April 2023

This was a daily diary study using intensive longitudinal methods to evaluate the dynamic structure of relationships among employees’ self-reported health, psychological capital, daily workplace incivility, and daily emotional exhaustion. We recruited 200 participants working in health and fitness clubs for experience sampling and had them file the same questionnaires for 10 consecutive working days. A total of 179 participants (men = 57, 31.85%; women = 122, 68.15%) completed the questionnaires, with a response rate of 89.5%, leading to 1790 data points at the within-person level. We used a multilevel location-scale model of dynamic structural equation modeling (DSEM) for data analysis. We ran the model in Mplus software (version 8.4) and found an autoregressive ‘carry over’ relationship between the previous day’s emotional exhaustion changes on current emotional exhaustion changes ([Formula: see text] = 0.067, CI = [0.003, 0.132]). Daily workplace incivility significantly and positively predicted daily emotional exhaustion at the within-person level ([Formula: see text] = 0.953, CI = [0.465, 1.489]). Self-reported health was negatively associated with a person’s mean ratings of daily emotional exhaustion ([Formula: see text] = −0.256, CI = [0.465, 1.489]) and moderated the strength of the workplace incivility effect on emotional exhaustion ([Formula: see text] = −0.201, CI = [−0.292, −0.121]). Finally, psychological capital was negatively related to a person’s mean ratings of daily emotional exhaustion ([Formula: see text] = −0.240, CI = [−0.377, −0.102]).
Comparative urbanism for hope and healing: Urbicide and the dilemmas of reconstruction in post-war Syria and Poland
Authors: Kusiak Joanna , Azzouz Ammar
Published: April 2023

This paper expands the repertoire of comparative urbanism by putting forward a method of ‘hopeful comparison’, in which we explore an asynchronous comparison between post-war Poland and Syria. Similar to the way that Polish architects used urban design as a ‘practice of hope’ during the Second World War, contemporary Syrian architects are now drafting reconstruction plans even if their implementation does not seem politically possible. Yet what role can an ethical, affective stance such as hope play in the methodology of comparative urbanism? In our comparative strategy the role of radical hope is threefold. First, it creates the comparative connection between two cities destroyed by urbicide, thus countering the destructive connectivities of war and, in case of Syria, capitalism, and foregrounding resilience and human connection (which also opens up the potential of healing). Second, radical hope provides a temporal reorientation of knowledge, redirecting the analysis from the traumatic past towards an open future. Third, in this way a hopeful comparison becomes a practical tool for thinking through concrete ethical and political dilemmas concerning reconstruction and property regimes. How to think about reconstruction when the conflict is still ongoing, and, if the property system is now weaponised as part of the conflict, how to avoid inadvertently reproducing this violence in the process of property restitution and reconstruction.
Support Seeking Behavior During Supportive Conversations: The Role of Impression Management Concerns and the Communication Medium
Authors: Rains Stephen A. , Pavlich Corey A. , Tsetsi Eric , Lutovsky Bethany R. , Ashtaputre Anjali , Nemcova Katerina
Published: April 2023

An experiment was conducted to better understand how impression management concerns and the communication medium influence the messages produced by support seekers during supportive conversations. Support seekers were primed to anticipate a positive face threat (or not primed) and then completed a supportive conversation with a peer either face-to-face or using instant messaging. Seekers primed to anticipate a face threat were more likely to use avoidance behaviors and less likely to use incriminating justifications as conversations persisted compared to the no prime condition. Seekers in the instant messaging condition were less likely to use exonerating justifications as conversations persisted compared to participants who communicated face-to-face. A three-way interaction for approach behaviors showed that the decreased likelihood of approach behaviors over the course of a conversation was strongest in the face threat prime condition among participants using instant messaging. The implications of these findings for supportive communication theory are considered.
Effect of virotherapy treatment on the dynamics of tumor growth through fractional calculus
Authors: Jan Rashid , Boulaaras Salah , Jawad Muhammad , Rajagopal Karthikeyan
Published: April 2023

It has been reported that the quick progression and abnormal division of cells give rise to tumors. New cells are produced to fulfill new duties and replace older cells in the body of the host. It is obvious that tumors are deadly and affect practically every aspect of human life. Businesses, families, patients, and society as a whole lose financial resources and opportunities as a result of cancer and its treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to look at how tumors behave dynamically as a result of therapy and to highlight for policymakers and health officials the key elements of the system. In this research work, we formulate the transmission phenomena of tumor growth with the effect of virotherapy treatment in the fractional framework. Besides that, we focussed in our work on qualitative analysis and dynamic behavior of tumor dynamics. Using Banach’s and Schaefer’s theorems and the fixed-point theorem, the uniqueness and existence of the solution to the suggested model of tumor are examined. The necessary circumstances are established for our tumor system’s Ulam-Hyers stability. Laplace Adomian decomposition approach is used to examine the solution pathways and show the contribution of input factors on the dynamics of tumor growth. More specifically, we focused on the time series and chaotic behavior of the suggested system with change in input factors. The system’s most crucial components are recommended for regulating the dynamics of the tumor system.
Leave No Stone Unturned: A Case of an Actinomyces Rhinolith Presenting With Chronic Cough and Throat Pain
Authors: Harmon Matthew , Stramiello Joshua A. , Shabaik Ahmed , Vahabzadeh-Hagh Andrew M.
Published: April 2023

Actinomycosis infection in the nasal cavity, especially an actinomyces rhinolith, is extremely rare. It should be considered in cases where a heterogenous calcified mass is found within the nasal cavity on endoscopy and radiographically. Treatment includes surgical debridement and a prolonged course of antibiotics, unique from the more typically encountered fungus ball. This case highlights the broad differential for chronic cough and throat pain and the importance of considering sinonasal contributions to throat symptoms.
Efficacy and safety of calcium polystyrene sulfonate in patients with hyperkalemia and stage 3–5 non-dialysis chronic kidney disease: a single-center randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Xia , Chen Dacheng , Song Xia , Wang Jinquan , Zhang Haitao
Published: April 2023

Objective

To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of the short-term administration of different doses of calcium polystyrene sulfonate in the treatment of hyperkalemia in patients with stage 3–5 non-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

Methods

A prospective, open, randomized, controlled, single-center clinical observation was conducted. In total, 107 patients were randomly assigned to receive calcium polystyrene sulfonate at 15 (group A) or 30 mg/day (group B) for 1 week. Patients were assessed on days 0, 3, and 7.

Results

After 3 days of treatment, the serum potassium levels in groups A and B had decreased by 0.68 ± 0.46 and 0.75 ± 0.43 mmol/L, respectively. After 7 days, the serum potassium levels in groups A and B had decreased by 0.64 ± 0.37 and 0.94 ± 0.49 mmol/L, respectively. Conversely, serum sodium, phosphorus, and calcium levels did not significantly change during the treatment period. Constipation was the most common adverse drug reaction, and no treatment-related serious adverse events were observed.

Conclusion

Calcium polystyrene sulfonate administered at a dose of 15 or 30 g/day can rapidly reduce potassium levels in patients with stage 3–5 non-dialysis chronic kidney disease without adverse effects on sodium, phosphorus, or calcium levels.
Extracorporeal therapy in the treatment of sepsis: In vitro assessment of the effect of an absorbent cartridge on the circulating bacterial concentration and its interaction with the antibiotic therapy
Authors: de Cal Massimo , Lorenzin Anna , Risino Benedetta , Zanetti Fiammetta , Fanton Giulia , Fallico Loredana , Rassu Mario , De Rosa Silvia , Ronco Claudio , Zanella Monica
Published: April 2023

Sepsis is one of the major causes of death worldwide. In its physiopathological process, a broad spectrum of pro and antiinflammatory mediators plays a strategic role, leading to a sepsis induced state of immunoparalysis. The rationale behind the employment of extracorporeal purification techniques as a complement to therapy for sepsis is based on their ability to remove the mediators involved. Until now, attention was focused on the immunomodulation allowed by purification therapies. However, the focus of studies on the application possibilities that these techniques offer as a supplement to antimicrobial therapy and resuscitation of critically ill patients must be extended. In this study, the possible removal by adsorption that the Jafron® HA330 cartridge operates against bacteria (S. aureus) was evaluated in vitro. Subsequently, it was evaluated whether the adsorptive capabilities toward bacteria were maintained by using a cartridge functionalized with Vancomycin and whether the latter maintains its bactericidal activity. This study showed that HA330 reduces the circulating bacterial load, even in the presence of pre-adsorbed Vancomycin. Vancomycin, once adsorbed by the cartridge, does not guarantee its bactericidal activity during the 2-h of hemoperfusion treatment.
Avoiding, Resisting and Enduring: A New Typology of Worker Responses to Workplace Violence
Authors: Meiser Ellen T , Wilson Eli R
Published: April 2023

Drawing on research on chefs and aspiring chefs in commercial kitchens, this article typologises workers’ strategic responses to violence and illustrates how these responses are shaped by occupational status and work experience, as well as industry structures. While previous scholarship indicates that workers actively avoid or resist violence in the workplace, this literature largely neglects ways in which workers endure violence in strategic ways. Based on ethnographic data and in-depth interviews, this article explores three key responses to violence – avoidance, resistance and endurance – and argues that while these reactions may complement workers’ occupational self-interest, they ultimately serve to reinforce, normalise and even exacerbate violence within commercial kitchens and other similar workplaces.
Three-arc gear coupling design analysis for high load-carrying applications
Authors: Guan Yongqiang , Wang Jianmei , Wang Qiang , Ning Ke , Wang Bo
Published: April 2023

Three-arc gear couplings are machine elements which can meet the requirements of high load-carrying capacity. Effectively enhancing the load-carrying capacity of gear couplings has been an important research objective. Three-arc tooth design solution is proposed that effectively improves tooth performance, an analytical model of the three-arc tooth geometry parameters is given, and a functional relationship between key design parameters and load-carrying capacity and wear performance is established in this paper. The radius of the displacement circle and the radians of the three arc segments are used to design the three-arc tooth, the working domain coefficient and the radians of large arc are constructed and used as core variables. Through the Hertz theory and numerical simulation model, the contact theory of the hub tooth surface with modified drum coefficient is proposed, and the clearance, equivalent stress and surface contact stress of the tooth under the action of misalignment angle are studied, and then the evaluation model of the load-carrying capacity and wear performance of the three-arc hub tooth is established. Compared with the single-arc tooth, the three-arc tooth can improve the load-carrying capacity under the premise of ensuring the strength, misalignment angle and size, and at the same time, the reasonable design of the three-arc tooth can improve the wear performance.
Informed machine learning methods for application in engineering: A review
Authors: Mackay Calum Torin , Nowell David
Published: April 2023

Machine Learning (ML) has proved to be successful at identifying and representing underlying relationships in large data sets which would be difficult to process manually. However, the large amounts of data required for unsupervised learning mean that these traditional approaches encounter problems where data is sparse. In addition, these models are often used with insufficient regard for the details of the underlying optimization process. This poses a problem in engineering where the ability to explain model predictions (explainability) is often a prerequisite. There is a particular issue where ML methods may reach a conclusion which does not agree with existing physical understanding. Further, for problems where some of the underlying physics is already known, the traditional ML approach is effectively using large data sets to “re-learn” existing physical understanding. A potential solution to these issues is the incorporation of physical domain knowledge into the model or its training process to produce Informed Machine Learning. This paper provides an overview of the current state of informed machine learning for application in engineering. Firstly, the definition of explainable machine learning is explored. A selection of methods that incorporate physical priories into the machine learning pipeline is then described, leading to a review of current applications of informed machine learning in engineering. As a result of this analysis, a taxonomy is developed which provides a potential path for method development.
Evaluation of European Union carbon and energy networks: Evidence from market efficiency
Authors: Ren Xiaohang , Li Yiying , Duan Kun , Mishra Tapas
Published: April 2023

This article investigates dynamic networks of the informational efficiency between European Union carbon and energy markets in a quantile-based framework. The market (in)efficiency degree is gauged by capturing the potentially fractional integration order of the market price series using the Feasible Exact Local Whittle estimator on a rolling basis. Rather than relying on a mean-based method, we employ the causality-in-quantiles approach, through which the cross-market linkage of the inefficiency degree is uncovered in a full-distributional characterization. The dynamic linkage is identified through the perspectives of data in return and volatility, respectively. We find that both carbon and energy markets are inefficient, while the inefficiency degree of the former is slightly higher. The inefficiency degree of the two types of markets is featured by asymmetry and non-linearity over the data distribution, while its cross-market linkage is found to be bi-directional. The spillover degree of the dynamic linkage remains the highest at around the median quantile of the “information giver,” while such the degree weakens at the extreme quantiles. Our findings possess insightful implications for effective operations of the emission trading toward a low carbon transition.
15 Years of Parental Burnout Research: Systematic Review and Agenda
Authors: Mikolajczak Moïra , Aunola Kaisa , Sorkkila Matilda , Roskam Isabelle
Published: April 2023

Parental burnout (PB), an exhaustion disorder related to parenting, is receiving increasing attention. In this article we aim to take stock of the findings accumulated about PB over the past 15 years. We review and organize the literature around four questions: (a) What is parental burnout? (b) Which factors are associated with an increased risk of PB? (c) What are the consequences of PB? (d) What are the current treatment options? In order to answer these questions, the article includes a correlational meta-analysis ( k = 49, Ntotal = 35,170) of all empirical studies published on PB up to July 2021. In the last part of the article, we provide a road map for future research by pinpointing particularly promising paths and methodological improvements needed to draw stronger conclusions.