bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Effect and Disparity of Airport Economic Zones Utilizing the Synthetic Control Method
Authors: Chao Yiying , Tian Gexin , Wang Xuefeng , Gu Yin
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the economic impact of an airport economic zone (AEZ) on a city using the synthetic control method (SCM). It is an important issue for small-sized and medium-sized cities to make effective strategic plans for AEZs according to their own characteristics. Cities have begun to imitate the successful experiences of AEZs in cities with larger economies, but they often fail to replicate the same path. Moreover, the current methods are likely to reduce the reliability of the causality argument because of the lack of random sampling and random allocation of treatment. The SCM can solve this problem. In this research, the SCM was used to investigate panel data for 37 small- and medium-sized cities in China for the period 2000–2016. The results showed that the presence of an airport had a significant positive economic effect on cities with a higher economic strength and a weak positive effect on cities with a lower economic strength in our treatment group sample. In investigating the causal mechanism for this disparity, we found that the higher the match between the types of industries laid out in the AEZ and the city’s dominant industries, the better the economic development from a long-term development perspective. In addition, since AEZs are embedded in specific socio-economic contexts, it is sometimes difficult to apply successful experiences to AEZs in less developed cities. Our research utilized a new policy evaluation method and has significant implications for decision-makers.
Outcomes >30 Years After Initial Nonoperative Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Authors: Hellberg Clara , Kostogiannis Ioannis , Stylianides Alexandros , Neuman Paul
Published: January 2024

Background:

It is unclear how anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) affects the development of osteoarthritis (OA). This uncertainty is partly caused by the lack of long-term studies on ACL injuries treated primarily without reconstruction and the underreporting of symptomatic OA.

Purpose:

To determine (1) the knee function, symptoms, and activity level, as well as the presence of radiographic and symptomatic OA; (2) how these clinical outcomes have changed over time; and (3) the frequency of subsequent knee surgeries after the index ACL injury in a cohort of patients with ACL injuries treated primarily without reconstruction.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A total of 100 patients underwent initial nonoperative treatment >30 years ago (mean, 33.2 ± 1.4 years). Of these, 81 patients (mean age, 59 ± 8 years) completed the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and Tegner Activity Scale. Seventy-three patients underwent radiography to evaluate tibiofemoral and patellofemoral OA in the ACL-injured knee. Patients only underwent late ACLR if they experienced insufficient knee stability.

Results:

At 33 years after the ACL injury, the KOOS Activities of Daily Living subscore was better than population-based reference values, but scores were similar for the remaining KOOS subscales. Furthermore, 65% of patients had a good or excellent Lysholm score (≥84 points). The Tegner score decreased 4 points from before the injury to 33-year follow-up ( P < .001). Most patients (75%) had evidence of radiographic tibiofemoral and/or patellofemoral OA, but only 38% were classified as having symptomatic OA (defined as radiographic OA in combination with a symptomatic knee according to cutoffs on the KOOS). Approximately 50% underwent meniscal surgery, and 29% subsequently underwent ACLR for recurrent instability. There were 2 patients who underwent total knee replacement.

Conclusion:

Despite a high prevalence of radiographic OA, patients achieved acceptable subjective knee function and had a relatively low prevalence of symptomatic OA at >30 years after an ACL injury when an initial nonoperative treatment strategy was employed.
Évaluation de la structure factorielle et des qualités psychométriques de l'Échelle de Fatigue Pandémique parmi la population adulte québécoise: Evaluation of the factorial structure and psychometric qualities of the Pandemic Fatigue Scale among Quebec adult population
Authors: Marleau Jacques D. , Landaverde Elsa , Généreux Mélissa
Published: January 2024

Objective

The objective of the study is to evaluate the factorial structure and the psychometric qualities of the Pandemic Fatigue Scale among the Quebec adult population.

Method

The data analyzed come from a web survey conducted in October 2021 among 10 368 adults residing in Quebec. The scale's factor structure and invariance by gender, age and language used to complete the questionnaire were tested using confirmatory factor analyses. Convergent and divergent validity were also assessed. Finally, the reliability of the scale was estimated from the alpha and omega coefficients.

Results

The analyzes suggest the presence of a bidimensional structure in the sample of Quebec adults with informational fatigue and behavioral fatigue. The invariance of the measure is noted for sex, for age subgroups and for the language used for the questionnaire. The results of convergent and divergent validity provide additional evidence for the validity of the scale. Finally, the reliability of the scale scores is excellent.

Conclusion

The results support the presence of a bidimensional structure as in the initial work of Lilleholt et al. They also confirm that the scale has good psychometric qualities and that it can be used among the adult population of Quebec.
Configuration design and crease topology of origami-inspired spinning space deployable structures
Authors: Tang Yingying , Liu Jinguo , Wu Chenchen , Zhao Pengyuan
Published: January 2024

Origami-inspired space deployable structures can be transformed from the folded states into the deployed states in orbit, which satisfied the demands of complex space missions and had been widely used in the space field. It remains to be investigated how the space deployable structures realized a large deployable ratio in the crease design process of origami patterns for the storage space limitation of spacecraft structures. Origami-inspired Regular Polygons Deployable Structures (RPDS) were proposed by designing the origami configurations and analyzing the deployable mechanism from existing space deployable structures, and a novel crease topology with three different approaches was presented in repeating origami modules to enhance the deployable ratio. The topology results indicated that the deployable ratio of RPDS can be increased effectively by shortening the storage height or performing multi-stage deployment, and the flexibility of RPDS can be verified by changing the shape of the central body. The configuration rationality and deployable reliability of RPDS are confirmed by kinematic modeling and numerical simulation. This study provides new insights into extraordinary geometrical and folding properties of origami-inspired deployable structures via configuration design and crease topology, which can be extended to other origami patterns in various origami-inspired applications.
Optimization design of load-sharing and light weight of the twin rotors concentric face gear power-split transmission system based on gear tooth matching condition
Authors: Hao Dong , Dong-bo Zhang , Ze-Xu Cao , Yan Xiao-Rong Hu , Xiao-long Zhao , Xi-yao Liu
Published: January 2024

To improve the dynamic load-sharing performance and achieve lightweight, the twin rotors concentric face gear power-split transmission system (TRFGPSTS) was optimized. The gear tooth matching conditions of the system based on the design characteristics of power flow closed-loop and virtual constraint configuration of the system are established, and the basic parameters of each gear meet the requirements of the system load-sharing layout and synchronous meshing of each branch movement are calculated. Based on the lumped mass parameter method, combined with the calculation results of gear tooth matching, the 45-DOF bending torsional coupling dynamic model of the system was established considering time-varying meshing stiffness, support stiffness, manufacturing and installation errors, and other factors, and the influence of each factor on the dynamic load-sharing performance of the system was analyzed. Combined with the influence law of various factors, a multi-objective dynamic load-sharing optimization design model was established with the best dynamic load-sharing performance and the minimum system quality as the objective function. Through the weighted combination method, the global optimal solution of the system optimization design was determined, and the influence of each parameter on the optimization objective function was analyzed. The correctness of the results was verified by using the genetic algorithm based on Pareto frontier distribution. The results show that the dynamic load-sharing characteristics of the system become worse with the increase of error and torsional stiffness, and are more sensitive to the influence of various error parameters. The optimization process focuses on the geometric parameters such as the Module, the teeth Number, the Pressure angle, and the Tooth width of each gear, which can reflect the degree of influence on the dynamic load-sharing and lightweight of the system. After optimization, the dynamic load sharing coefficient (DLSC) was reduced to 1.017, and the overall geometric volume was reduced to 1.473 × 108 mm3. It provides a theoretical basis for the design and research of a new type of helicopter power transmission system with a compact structure, good maneuverability, and high reliability.
Investigation of multi-input multi-output sine on random mixed vibration control
Authors: Ma Yi , Chen Huaihai , Zheng Ronghui
Published: January 2024

This article investigates Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) mixed vibration control testing for Sinusoid on Random (SoR). The challenge of this vibration test is the mixed signal separation. The response signals at the control channels are composed of the broadband random component and the sinusoidal components. Firstly, the extracted accuracy of the Improved Correlation Integral Method (ICIM) is analyzed. The influences of the parameters used in ICIM are discussed in detail. Secondly, a new method, named Variance Minimum Method (VMM), is proposed for signal separation. Extraction accuracies of the ICIM and the proposed VMM are compared under different parameters. Finally, the control methods are proposed to iteratively update the driving signals of each component in the light of the deviations between the response signals and specified references. A cantilever beam example and biaxial vibration experiment manifest that the VMM and control method can be applied for the multi-shaker SoR vibration control tests.
An estimation method for dynamic vehicle turn center
Authors: Wang Bo , Lu Bing , Huang Wenyi , Sun Chao , Lu Pingping
Published: January 2024

The instantaneous vehicle turn center is of great significance in the design and analysis of vehicle steering and handling. Due to the influences of vehicle flexible components, the vehicle turn center is not intersected at one point and the traditional determination method for vehicle turn center is not applicable for multi-axle vehicles. In this paper, a novel instantaneous tire turn center (TTC) method is proposed to estimate the instantaneous vehicle turn center to provide a guidance for the design of vehicle steering and analysis of handling. The motivation of the tire turn center concept is introduced and the calculation method is developed. The instantaneous vehicle turn center is estimated based on the calculation of instantaneous TTC. The estimation results of the vehicle turn center of a two-axle vehicle and a three-axle off-road vehicle under different vehicle velocities and lateral accelerations during steering are presented based on the vehicle dynamics models built by ADAMS software. Since there is no simplifications of the vehicle in the proposed estimation method, the determined instantaneous vehicle turn center is more accurate and can reflect the actual vehicle motion better as compared to the traditional vehicle turn center in transient motion process. The estimated instantaneous vehicle turn center provides a guidance for design and optimization of vehicle steering as well as steering angles control strategies to make all tire turn centers controlled at the instantaneous vehicle turn center, thus reducing tire wears and improving the whole vehicle steering coordination performance.
Car-following stability improvement of cooperative adaptive cruise control based on distributed model predictive control
Authors: Wang Yiping , Wang Shixuan , Su Chuqi , Li Xueyun , Zhang Qianwen , Zhang Zhentao , Tian Mohan
Published: January 2024

To solve the problem of large fluctuation of vehicle following distance in cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC), a distributed model predictive control (DMPC) strategy is proposed. The idea of hierarchical control is performed to control the CACC system. The controller is divided into an upper controller and a lower controller. The upper controller calculates the expected acceleration of the vehicle according to the platooning state, and the lower controller controls the throttle and braking system pressure of the vehicle according to the expected acceleration. Firstly, the longitudinal dynamic model of vehicle platooning is established. Secondly, the objective function is designed according to the control objectives, so that the platooning can obtain the optimal control quantity at the current time. Meanwhile, the robust design is used to improve the controller performance, and the optimization of reference trajectory and the extension of feasible domain are used to improve the stability of the controller. Car-following Stability therefore can be improved. Then the lower controller is designed based on a reverse engine model and a reverse braking model. Finally, the effectiveness of the designed control strategy is verified by the co-simulation of Carsim and MATLAB/Simulink. The results show that DMPC can reduce the peak value, the standard deviation, and the root mean square of vehicle following distance error and improve the following stability.
Modeling and stability analysis of an extended car-following model behavior of the currents vehicle based on delay of response and signal interruption probability
Authors: Liu Limei , Li Wenjie
Published: January 2024

This paper studies the modeling and stability analysis of an extended car-following model based on delay of response and signal interruption probability. First, by linear analysis, we give the stability condition of the model. The result shows that the stability region of the traffic flow will expand with the decrease in the probability p of signal transmission interruption. When the delay of response effect of the driver weakens, the traffic flow will become more and more stable. Second, the mKdV equation is derived based on the nonlinear reduction perturbation method. This result shows that with the decrease of parameter p, the amplitude of the traffic flow density wave decreases, the traffic flow becomes more and more stable, and the traffic congestion is gradually improved. Finally, numerical simulation verifies the correctness of the solution results.
Comparative study of two retrograde locked intramedullary nail designs for ankle arthrodesis: A finite element analysis
Authors: Araujo-Monsalvo Víctor Manuel , Toledo-Romo María Fernanda , Rodríguez-Castro Germán Aníbal , Vázquez-Escamilla Jesús , Domínguez-Hernández Víctor Manuel , Meneses-Amador Alfonso , Cortés-García Juan Ricardo , Martínez-Coria Elisa
Published: January 2024

Ankle arthrodesis is the gold standard for treatment of end-stage arthritis. The goal of ankle arthrodesis is to obtain bony union between the tibia and the talus. Retrograde intramedullary nailing is typically reserved for ankle and subtalar joints arthrodesis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of two different materials, two locking pin configurations and two nail designs of a retrograde locked intramedullary nail used for ankle arthrodesis. Using the finite element analysis, a numerical study of ankle arthrodesis was developed to evaluate the effect of materials: TI-6Al-4V and stainless steel AISI 316 LVM; two locking pin configurations: five and six pins, on two intramedullary nails: Ø10 × 180 mm and Ø11 × 200 mm. A model of a healthy foot was created from tomographic scans. It was found that the mechanical stimulus required to achieve bone fusion were higher for Ø10 × 180 nails (6.868 ± 0.047) than the Ø11 × 200 nails (5.918 ± 0.047; p < 0.001; mean ± SEM). We also found that six-pin configuration had a higher mechanical stimulus (6.470 ± 0.047) than the five-pin configuration (6.316 ± 0.046; p = 0.020). Similarly, it was higher for titanium (6.802 ± 0.047) than those for stainless steel (5.984 ± 0.046; p < 0.001). Finally, the subtalar zone presented higher values (7.132 ± 0.043) than the tibiotalar zone (5.653 ± 0.050; p < 0.001). The highest mechanical stimulus around the vicinity of tibiotalar and subtalar joint was obtained by Ø10 × 180 nails, made of titanium alloy, with 6P.
Postpartum Depression Screening Scale: Its Availability for Use
Authors: Beck Cheryl Tatano
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVE:

A silent health crisis in the United States is the underdiagnosed and undertreated mental health of women related to childbirth. This discussion paper describes the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS) with its scoring and interpretation along with its psychometric testing and translations.

METHOD:

In addition to the studies conducted by the instrument developers, databases were searched for studies where other researchers used the PDSS to assess postpartum depressive symptoms. Studies were included that measured the psychometrics of the scale and studies that reported the translation of the PDSS into other languages.

RESULTS:

Evidence is presented that the PDSS is a reliable and valid screening scale for use by psychiatric mental health nurses and other health care providers. The scale also has been translated into 14 languages, so it is available to screen non-English speaking mothers.

CONCLUSION:

Childbirth is one of the most powerful triggers of psychiatric illness in a woman’s life. Postpartum depression is a treatable mental health condition, but first, women need to be screened so they can be identified and referrals made. Screening for this devastating mood disorder in new mothers is an essential role of psychiatric mental health nurses and other clinicians so that treatment can be started as early as possible to avoid harmful consequences.
Optical coherence tomography characteristics and factors affecting visual acuity in diabetic papillopathy
Authors: Ajmani Udit , Takkar Brijesh , Rani Padmaja Kumari , Chhablani Jay , Sahoo Niroj Kumar
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To analyse baseline imaging characteristics and factors affecting poor visual acuity in diabetic papillopathy.

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational study conducted at a tertiary eye care centre in eyes with a diagnosis of diabetic papillopathy. Demographic data including age, gender, duration of diabetes, type of diabetes, HbA1c values and other systemic co-morbidities were recorded. Baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and various imaging characteristics were noted.

Results

37 eyes of 22 patients with diagnosis of diabetic papillopathy were included [mean age of 46.6 ± 13.5 years, five (22.7%) females and 17 (77.3%) males]. Bilateral involvement was seen in 15 (68.2%) patients. The mean baseline BCVA was 0.51 ± 0.49 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/60). Two eyes (5.4%) had features of concurrent mild NPDR, 9 eyes (24.3%) had moderate NPDR, 10 eyes (27.03%) had severe NPDR while 16 (43.2%) other had PDR. All eyes had optic disc edema while 4 had disc pallor at presentation. Telangiectatic vessels/ neovascularisation of disc was present in 17 eyes (45.9%) detected either clinically or on optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. 11 (29.7%) eyes had a peripapillary cuff of subretinal fluid accompanying the disc edema. Sixteen eyes (43.2%) had centre involving macular edema seen on OCT. In eyes with a macular edema, the mean central macular thickness was 407.4 ± 71.42 microns at baseline. On assessing the baseline factors that contribute to the final visual acuity, presenting visual acuity was the only variable found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion

Although described to have good visual outcome, eyes presenting with poor visual acuity tend to have worse vision on follow up. This may aid in prognosticating and guiding management plan.
Online compassion on the border: The case of Chinese undergraduates on social media in the first weave of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Xu Shuangshuang , Lin Ye , Wu Aruna
Published: January 2024

As a prosocial response towards others’ suffering exposed on social media, online compassion played a critical role in the pandemic crisis. Against the backdrop of the pandemic and the over-use of social media, it may be difficult to elicit and maintain online compassion. This study examines the unique challenges faced by online compassion towards social media news in the first weave of pandemic. The theoretical frame of cultural psychology of semiotic mediation was adopted to highlight online compassion as a fluid bordering process characterized by the mechanisms of distinction, affectivization and transformation. An empirical interview study with Chinese undergraduate students was also included to show the dynamic evolving process of online compassion from December, 2019 to June 2020. The results revealed a hierarchical semiotic regulation process integrating both the pre-reflective affective level and the higher cognitive level, leading to different paths of online compassion evolving into distress or acts in real life.
Uncovering young people's situational construction of sexual consent
Authors: Knountsen Evangelia Kousounadi , Frank Vibeke Asmussen , Herold Maria
Published: January 2024

Aim: To investigate how young Danes construct sexual consent generally, but also specifically in relation to heavy alcohol intoxication. Methods: Drawing on 30 qualitative in-depth interviews with young people, aged 19–25 years, and adopting a critical discursive psychological framework, we explored the interpretative repertoires that the participants made use of to construct sexual consent and the subject positions those repertoires enabled. Results: The participants made use of three interpretative repertoires that we named as follows: (1) sexual consent as an agreement between rational individuals; (2) sexual consent as a heteronormative practice; and (3) intoxicated sexual consent. Discussion: Young people draw on different repertoires when discussing sexual consent in general, sexual consent in relation to gendered practices and expectations, and sexual consent in relation to heavy alcohol intoxication. Conclusion: It is vital to keep the situational nature of young people's constructions of sexual consent in mind if we wish to understand and eventually reduce the number of non-consensual sexual experiences.
The clash of cultures: Individualization and standardization in education
Authors: Skarpenes Ove , Hidle Kari-Mette Walmann
Published: January 2024

In this essay, we argue that pupils in compulsory school education seem to be exposed to conflicting pressures from an (internal) tendency towards individualisation and an (external) tendency towards standardisation. Drawing on Luc Bolanski and Laurent Thévenot’s pragmatic sociology of orders of worth, we develop a theoretical framework to discuss the two conflicting cultures. In the first part of the analysis, we present the broad and enhanced tendency towards individualisation in terms of methods and content in Norwegian compulsory education – the construction of an inspirational pupil – and in the second part of the analysis, we present the development of standards for assessment – the construction of an industrial pupil. In the final section we discuss two forms of processes – individualisation and standardisation – rooted in two incompatible orders of worth, the inspirational and industrial order, respectively, and argue that these processes represent a major challenge in schools, a conflicting pressure to which pupils are being subjected.
Exploring the Mutual Benefits of Reciprocal Mentorship in a Community-Based Program: Fostering Community Cultural Wealth of Latino Students and Families
Authors: Gil Elizabeth , Parnther Ceceilia
Published: January 2024

This case study examines reciprocal mentoring in a community-based program (CBP) serving immigrant Latino families with school-aged children. University student volunteers shared technological and college knowledge and grew in leadership skills. Simultaneously, they gained familial and cultural support and belonging from program families. The CBP fostered all forms of community cultural wealth capital. Study findings can inform educational leaders seeking to develop mutually beneficial partnerships between education institutions and community organizations to support student success.
Multi-step solar radiation prediction using transformer: A case study from solar radiation data in Tokyo
Authors: Dong Huagang , Tang Pengwei , He Bo , Chen Lei , Zhang Zhuangzhuang , Jia Chengqi
Published: January 2024

The widespread advancement of computer technology resulted in the increasing usage of deep learning models for predicting solar radiation. Numerous studies have been conducted to explore their research potential. Nevertheless, the application of deep learning models in optimizing building energy systems, particularly in a multi-step solar radiation prediction model for model predictive control (MPC), remains a challenging task. This is mainly due to the intricacy of the time series and the possibility of accumulating errors in multistep forecasts. In this study, we propose the development of a transformer-based attention model for predicting multi-step solar irradiation at least 24 h in advance. The model is trained and tested using measured solar irradiation data and temperature forecast data obtained from the Tokyo Meteorological Agency. The findings indicate that the transformer model has the capability to effectively mitigate the issue of error accumulation. Additionally, the generative model exhibits a significant improvement in accuracy, with a 62.35% increase when compared to the conventional regression LSTM model. Additionally, the transformer model has been shown to attain superior prediction stability, mitigate the effects of error accumulation in multi-step forecasting, and circumvent training challenges stemming from gradient propagation issues that can occur with recurrent neural networks.
The effect of surgical factors on recurrence of tendon sheath giant cell tumours
Authors: Ertem Hakan , Selük Sefa , Orman Osman , Öztürk Kahraman , Baydar Mehmet
Published: January 2024

In this retrospective study, we evaluated the impact of tumour-related and surgical factors on the recurrence of giant cell tumours of tendon sheath. A total of 95 patients were treated at our institution between February 2012 and March 2021. We identified the factors most likely to be associated with recurrence from evaluation of classification, neurovascular invasion, bone erosion and joint invasion. Based on these criteria, we identified 49 patients with a high risk of recurrence. Of the 95 patients, recurrence was observed in 17. Among the 49 patients classified as high-risk, 13 were found to have recurrence. This study demonstrates that recurrence is more common in the high-risk patient group.

Level of evidence: IV
Temporal integration characteristics of an image defined by binocular disparity cues
Authors: Haraguchi Fumiya , Hisakata Rumi , Kaneko Hirohiko
Published: January 2024

We can correctly recognize the content of an image by presenting all of the elements within a limited time, such as in a slit view or a divided painting image. It is important to clarify how temporally divided information is integrated and perceived to understand the temporal properties of the information-processing mechanism of visual systems. Previous studies related to this topic have often used two-dimensional pictorial stimuli; however, few have considered the temporal integration of binocular disparity for the recognition of objects defined with disparity. In this study, we examined image recognition properties based on the temporal integration of binocular disparity, by comparing that based on the temporal integration of luminance. The effect of element onset asynchrony (the time lag among presented elements) was somewhat similar between disparity and luminance with respect to randomly divided elements. On the other hand, under slit-vision conditions, the tolerance range of spatiotemporal integration for luminance stimuli was much wider than that for disparity stimuli. These results indicate that the temporal integration mechanism in localized areas is common to disparity and luminance, but that for global motion shows differences between the two mechanisms. Thus, we conclude that global motion has little contribution to the temporal integration of binocular disparity information for image recognition.
Computational reparations as generative justice: Decolonial transitions to unalienated circular value flow
Authors: Eglash Ron , Robinson Kwame P , Bennett Audrey , Robert Lionel , Garvin Mathew
Published: January 2024

The Latin roots of the word reparations are “re” (again) plus “parere” which means “to give birth to, bring into being, produce”. Together they mean “to make generative once again”. In this sense, the extraction processes that cause labor injustice, ecological devastation, and social degradation cannot be repaired by simply transferring money. Reparations need to take on the full sense of “restorative”: the transition to a decolonial system that can support value generators in the control of their own systems of production, protect the value they create from extraction, and circulate value in unalienated forms that benefit the human and non-human communities that produced that value. With funding from the National Science Foundation, we have developed a research framework for this process that starts with “artisanal labor”: employee-owned business and worker collectives that have people doing what they love, despite low incomes. Focusing primarily on Detroit's Black-owned urban farms, artisanal textile businesses, Black hair salons, worker collectives, and other community-based production, with additional connections to Indigenous and other communities, we have introduced digital fabrication technologies, sensors, artificial intelligence, server-side apps and other computational support for a transition to unalienated circular value flow. We will report on our investigations with the challenges at multiple scales. At each level, we show how computational supports can act as restorative mechanisms for lost circular value flows, and thus address both past and ongoing disenfranchisement.
Cortical Hand Knob Paradoxical Thromboembolic Stroke in an Adolescent with Secundum Atrial Septal Defect and Paget-Schroetter Syndrome
Authors: Parfyonov Maksim , Porritt Danielle , Peacock Dakota , Dragoman Ryan , Lee James
Published: January 2024

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS) is an increasingly recognized diagnosis in young patients in which the subclavian vein is compressed within the costoclavicular space. With repetitive compression, thrombosis can develop and has been referred to as “effort thrombosis” or the Paget-Schroetter syndrome. Here, we present a 16-year-old boy with vTOS who presented with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the hand knob region of precentral gyrus due to paradoxical embolus in the setting of atrial septal defect.
A Multisample Path Analysis Including a Novel Psychological Indicator, Attitude Toward Life, After the First Wave of COVID-19
Authors: Li Fan , Gu Haiping , Tokac Umit , Werner Kimberly , Fish Anne F. , Lou Qingqing
Published: January 2024

Introduction

During the COVID-19 outbreak, China applied a unique volunteerism system in which nurses and physicians traveled to the epicenter to care for patients. During the same period, another group, nurse and physician nonvolunteers, stayed at their home hospitals outside of the epicenter and cared for patients without COVID-19. Yet only one Chinese study examined psychological responses comparing these groups.

Objective

To explore whether relationships among compassion satisfaction, general health, attitude toward life, satisfaction with life, perceived stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology differ between volunteers and nonvolunteers. Attitude toward life is examined for the first time in COVID-19 research.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted (259 nurse and physician volunteers, 330 nurse and physician nonvolunteers). Online survey data were analyzed using multisample path analysis.

Results

There was no significant difference between volunteer and nonvolunteer models. In the volunteer model, paths significantly related to PTSD symptomatology included compassion satisfaction (total effect, β = −0.12), general health (total effect, β = −0.09), attitude toward life (direct effect, β = −0.30; total effect, β = −0.30), and perceived stress (direct effect, β = 0.30; total effect, β = 0.30), and in nonvolunteers included general health (direct effect, β = −0.11; total effect, β = −0.11) and attitude toward life (direct effect, β = −0.47; total effect, β = −0.47).

Conclusion

No significant difference between models means both groups could benefit from psychological intervention. Within each model, significant paths were identified. For volunteers, counselors might focus on compassion satisfaction and perceived stress and, for both volunteers and nonvolunteers, on health and attitude toward life. Delivering counseling based on key indicators in China may help prevent or mitigate PTSD. Globally, researchers could identify factors to target and determine to whom long-term counseling might be directed. Findings about attitude toward life lay the groundwork for future research.
Kidney dysfunction predicts 90 days mortality after stroke thrombectomy independent of cardiovascular risk factors and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Heinze Marlene , Schell Maximilian , Nägele Felix Leonard , Cheng Bastian , Flottmann Fabian , Fiehler Jens , Schmidt-Lauber Christian , Thomalla Götz
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Kidney dysfunction (KD) is a risk factor for cerebrovascular events and has been shown to have a detrimental effect on outcome after stroke. We evaluated the influence of KD at admission and pre-existing diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) before thrombectomy for anterior circulation stroke on functional independence and mortality 90 days after stroke in this cross-sectional study.

Patients and methods:

We included patients with acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation treated with thrombectomy at our hospital between June 2015 and May 2022. We analyzed clinical characteristics, laboratory values and pre-existing diagnosis of CKD. KD at admission was defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Outcomes were defined as a modified Rankin Scale Score of 0-2 for functional independence and mortality at 90 days. We fitted multivariate regression analysis to examine the influence of pre-treatment KD and pre-diagnosed CKD on outcome.

Results:

Nine hundred fifty-three patients were included in this analysis (mean age 73.8 years, 54.2% female). KD was present in 31.8%, and patients with KD were older and more often female, presented more often with comorbidities such as arterial hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, and were less often independent before the index stroke. In multivariate analysis adjusted for age, independence before the index stroke, diabetes, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, initial NIHSS, thrombolysis treatment, and recanalization outcome, KD on admission had no significant influence on functional independence 90 days after stroke, but predicted mortality with an odds ratio of 1.80 (95% CI 1.23–2.63, p = 0.003). This influence also persisted when controlling for pre-diagnosed CKD (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.05–2.43, p = 0.027).

Discussion:

KD might function as a surrogate parameter for comorbidity burden and thus increased risk of mortality in this cohort.

Conclusions:

KD on admission is associated with an 80% higher risk of mortality at 90 days after stroke thrombectomy independent of cardiovascular risk factors and CKD awareness. KD on admission should not exclude patients from thrombectomy but might support prognostic evaluation.
Orthognathic Surgery in the US. What are the Risk Factors for Readmission?
Authors: Stanbouly Dani , Selvi Firat , Chuang Sung-Kiang , Kinard Brian
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

Contemporary orthognathic surgery is safe and predicable. However, there are opportunities for further improvement. The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency and identify risk factors for readmission following orthognathic surgery in the US.

Materials and methods:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) on patients who underwent orthognathic surgery in 2017 and 2018. There were multiple heterogenous predictor variables that were broadly comprised of patient characteristics and hospitalization characteristics. The primary outcome variable was readmission. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for hospital readmission. A P-value less than .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The final study sample consisted of 8578 patients (mean age, 27.2 years), of whom 74 patients (0.9%) readmitted. Relative to a length of stay (LOS) of 0 to 2 days, a LOS of >2 days (OR 1.90, P < .05) was a risk factor for readmission. Patients with acute post procedural pain were 3 times more likely to readmit ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Patients with an LOS of >2 days were at risk for readmission relative to patients with an LOS of 0 to 2 days. Post-procedural pain was also a significant risk factor for readmission. Finally, patients with mandibular hypoplasia were less likely to readmit.
OsVPE2, a Member of Vacuolar Processing Enzyme Family, Decreases Chilling Tolerance of Rice
Authors: Deng Huabing , Cao Sai , Zhang Guilian , Xiao Yunhua , Liu Xiong , Wang Feng , Tang Wenbang , Lu Xuedan
Published: January 2024

Chilling is a major abiotic stress affecting rice growth, development and geographical distribution. Plant vacuolar processing enzymes (VPEs) contribute to the seed storage protein processing and mediate the programmed cell death by abiotic and biotic stresses. However, little is known about the roles of plant VPEs in cold stress responses and tolerance regulation. Here, we found that OsVPE2 was a chilling-responsive gene. The early-indica rice variety Xiangzaoxian31 overexpressing OsVPE2 was more sensitive to chilling stress, whereas the OsVPE2-knockout mutants generated by the CRISPR-Cas9 technology exhibited significantly enhanced chilling tolerance at the seedling stage without causing yield loss. Deficiency of OsVPE2 reduces relative electrolyte leakage, accumulation of toxic compounds such as reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and promotes antioxidant enzyme activities under chilling stress conditions. It was indicated that OsVPE2 mediated the disintegration of vacuoles under chilling stress, accompanied by the entry of swollen mitochondria into vacuoles. OsVPE2 suppressed the expression of genes that have a positive regulatory role in antioxidant process. Moreover, haplotype analysis suggested that the natural variation in the OsVPE2 non-coding region may endow OsVPE2 with different expression levels, thereby probably conferring differences in cold tolerance between japonica and indica sub-population. Our results thus reveal a new biological function of the VPE family in regulating cold resistance, and suggest that the gene editing or natural variations of OsVPE2 can be used to create cold tolerant rice varieties with stable yield.
Rapid genomic evolution in Brassica rapa with bumblebee selection in experimental evolution
Authors: Frachon Léa , Schiestl Florian P.
Published: January 2024

Background

Insect pollinators shape rapid phenotypic evolution of traits related to floral attractiveness and plant reproductive success. However, the underlying genomic changes remain largely unknown despite their importance in predicting adaptive responses to natural or to artificial selection. Based on a nine-generation experimental evolution study with fast cyclingBrassica rapaplants adapting to bumblebees, we investigate the genomic evolution associated with the previously observed parallel phenotypic evolution. In this current evolve and resequencing (E&R) study, we conduct a genomic scan of the allele frequency changes along the genome in bumblebee-pollinated and hand-pollinated plants and perform a genomic principal component analysis (PCA).

Results

We highlight rapid genomic evolution associated with the observed phenotypic evolution mediated by bumblebees. Controlling for genetic drift, we observe significant changes in allelic frequencies at multiple loci. However, this pattern differs according to the replicate of bumblebee-pollinated plants, suggesting putative non-parallel genomic evolution. Finally, our study underlines an increase in genomic variance implying the putative involvement of multiple loci in short-term pollinator adaptation.

Conclusions

Overall, our study enhances our understanding of the complex interactions between pollinator and plants, providing a stepping stone towards unravelling the genetic basis of plant genomic adaptation to biotic factors in the environment.
Genome-scale identification and comparative analysis of transcription factors in thermophilic cyanobacteria
Authors: Tang Jie , Hu Zhe , Zhang Jing , Daroch Maurycy
Published: January 2024

Background

The transcription factors (TFs) in thermophilic cyanobacteria might represent a uniquely evolved gene repertoire in light of the strong selective pressure caused by hostile habitats. Understanding the molecular composition of the TF genes in thermophilic cyanobacteria will facilitate further studies regarding verifying their exact biochemical functions and genetic engineering. However, limited information is available on the TFs of thermophilic cyanobacteria. Herein, a thorough investigation and comparative analysis were performed to gain insights into the molecular composition of the TFs in 22 thermophilic cyanobacteria.

Results

The results suggested a fascinating diversity of the TFs among these thermophiles. The abundance and type of TF genes were diversified in these genomes. The identified TFs are speculated to play various roles in biological regulations. Further comparative and evolutionary genomic analyses revealed that HGT may be associated with the genomic plasticity of TF genes in Thermostichus and Thermosynechococcus strains. Comparative analyses also indicated different pattern of TF composition between thermophiles and corresponding mesophilic reference cyanobacteria. Moreover, the identified unique TFs of thermophiles are putatively involved in various biological regulations, mainly as responses to ambient changes, may facilitating the thermophiles to survive in hot springs.

Conclusion

The findings herein shed light on the TFs of thermophilic cyanobacteria and fundamental knowledge for further research regarding thermophilic cyanobacteria with a broad potential for transcription regulations in responses to environmental fluctuations.
Enhancing maize growth through the synergistic impact of potassium enrich biochar and spermidine
Authors: Huang Shoucheng , Huang Ping , Masood Sajid , Iqbal Muhammad Mazhar , Naz Tayyaba , Danish Subhan , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Salmen Saleh H.
Published: January 2024

Maize cultivated for dry grain covers approximately 197 million hectares globally, securing its position as the second most widely grown crop worldwide after wheat. Although spermidine and biochar individually showed positive impacts on maize production in existing literature, their combined effects on maize growth, physiology, nutrient uptake remain unclear and require further in-depth investigation. That’s why a pot experiment was conducted on maize with spermidine and potassium enriched biochar (KBC) as treatments in Multan, Pakistan, during the year 2022. Four levels of spermidine (0, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45mM) and two levels of potassium KBC (0 and 0.50%) were applied in completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that 0.45 mM spermidine under 0.50% KBC caused significant enhancement in maize shoot length (11.30%), shoot fresh weight (25.78%), shoot dry weight (17.45%), root length (27.95%), root fresh weight (26.80%), and root dry weight (20.86%) over control. A significant increase in maize chlorophyll a (50.00%), chlorophyll b (40.40%), total chlorophyll (47.00%), photosynthetic rate (34.91%), transpiration rate (6.51%), and stomatal conductance (15.99%) compared to control under 0.50%KBC validate the potential of 0.45 mM spermidine. An increase in N, P, and K concentration in the root and shoot while decrease in electrolyte leakage and antioxidants also confirmed that the 0.45 mM spermidine performed more effectively with 0.50%KBC. In conclusion, 0.45 mM spermidine with 0.50%KBC is recommended for enhancing maize growth.
Margin status impact on recurrence of phyllodes tumors in high-risk groups: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Ranjbar Aliyeh , Zangouri Vahid , Shokripour Mansoureh
Published: January 2024

Background

Phyllodes tumor (PT) is an fibroepithelial tumor with potential for local recurrence. The optimal margin for surgical resection of PT is still debated, particularly in cases of positive margins. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for phyllodes tumor recurrence and the effect of a free margin on tumor recurrence by considering these risk factors.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective observational study of patients diagnosed with PT who had undergone surgical management. The data were collected from medical records from 2001 to 2020 in the breast clinic of Shahid Motahhari Clinic of Shiraz. Patients were followed up for at least 3 years after the operation to be checked for local recurrence or distant metastasis at regular intervals.

Results

This retrospective study included 319 patients with PT who underwent surgical management. Of these patients, 83.9% (n = 267), 7.6% (n = 24), and 8.5% (n = 27) were classified as benign, borderline, and malignant, respectively. 8.8% of all patients and 7.6% of non-malignant cases experienced local recurrence, and risk factors for recurrence included oral contraceptive use, smoking, size > 4 cm, stromal overgrowth, and stromal cell atypia. A negative surgical margin decreased the prevalence of recurrence in tumors > 4 cm and with stromal overgrowth significantly.

Conclusion

The study found that a negative margin in all patients did not reduce the recurrence rate in benign and borderline phyllodes tumors, suggesting close follow up as a reasonable alternative. However, a negative margin may be effective in reducing recurrence in certain high-risk groups.