bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Coats-Like Disease in a Forty-Four-Year-Old Patient with FSHD Type I
Authors: Bruzzone Francesca , Beltraminelli Tim , Casanova Alex , Menghini Moreno
Published: June 2023

A forty-four-year-old female patient known for FSHD type I, with unremarkable past ocular history, complained of progressive visual acuity deterioration during a routine ophthalmological visit. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.0 decimal Snellen equivalent bilaterally. Dilated fundus examination showed evidence of retinal Coats-like disease in the left eye, while the right eye showed significant retinal vascular tortuosity. Multimodal examinations (OCT scans and FA-fluorescein angiography) revealed large areas of retinal ischemia, thus confirming a retinal vascular disorder compatible with the diagnosis of Coats-like disease. Left eye laser photocoagulation of the ischemic areas was performed to avoid neovascular complications that had not been detected during follow-up visits (12 months), and BCVA in the left eye remained stable at 1.0 decimals Snellen equivalent. Coats-like disease in a patient affected by FSHD type I should always be screened even in the absence of any prior ocular diseases. Guidelines concerning the ophthalmological management of adults affected by FSHD are lacking. Based on this case, we recommend performing a yearly complete ophthalmological checkup with dilated fundus examination and retinal imaging. Patients should, furthermore, be encouraged to seek medical attention when noticing deterioration of visual acuity or other visual symptoms in order to avoid missing potential sight-threatening ocular complications.
Can 18-Month-Olds Revise Attributed Beliefs?
Authors: Király Ildikó , Oláh Katalin , Kovács Ágnes M.
Published: June 2023

Successful social interactions rely on flexibly tracking and revising others’ beliefs. These can be revised prospectively, new events leading to new beliefs, or retrospectively, when realizing that an attribution may have been incorrect. However, whether infants are capable of such belief revisions is an open question. We tested whether 18-month-olds can revise an attributed FB into a TB when they learn that a person may have witnessed an event that they initially thought she could not see. Infants first observed Experimenter 1 (E1) hiding two objects into two boxes. Then E1 left the room, and the locations of the objects were swapped. Infants then accompanied Experimenter 2 (E2) to the adjacent room. In the FB-revised-to-TB condition, infants observed E1 peeking into the experimental room through a one-way mirror, whereas in the FB-stays-FB condition, they observed E1 reading a book. After returning to the experimental room E1 requested an object by pointing to one of the boxes. In the FB-stays-FB condition, most infants chose the non-referred box, congruently with the agent’s FB. However, in the FB-revised-to-TB condition, most infants chose the other, referred box. Thus, 18-month-olds revised an already attributed FB after receiving evidence that this attribution might have been wrong.
Was Stalin a Marxist? And If He Was, What Does This Mean for Marxism?
Authors: Suny Ronald Grigor
Published: June 2023

Stalin was a Marxist, but a certain kind of Marxist who selected out of the body of work of Marx, Engels, and Lenin a non-democratic and inhumane form of Marxism leaving out the humanist and democratic aspects of the original Marxist programme. The means he chose to build what he considered a socialist society fatally tainted the goal of a society in which working people make the fundamental decisions that determine their lives.
Capital and Brokerage in International Criminal Justice: Elite Power in and at the Border of the Field
Authors: Christensen Mikkel Jarle
Published: June 2023

This article analyses the sociological foundations of the elite power in the field of international criminal justice. Building on a multiple correspondence analysis of 365 elite agents, the article shows how different accumulations of cultural, economic and social capital structure relations between elite groups active in the fight against atrocity crimes. Building on its analysis of these forms of capital, the article investigates how different combinations of capital empower specific elites to broker connections between social groups in and at the border of the field of international criminal justice. Analysing such forms of intra- or inter-field brokerage, the article shows how they allow specific elites to access and exert institutional and networked power that can be used to affect existing and craft new international criminal justice initiatives.
Regulatory Expropriation – A New Hope: The Use of Legal Theory for Investment Law
Authors: Kammerhofer Jörg
Published: June 2023

What use could legal theory be for international investment law? This article shows that theoretical and doctrinal arguments are inextricably linked, using regulatory expropriation as a case-study. It proceeds from mainstream investment lawyers’ doctrinal arguments to the theoretical questions that are engendered by them and does this in three steps. First, it analyses the common debate on regulatory expropriation whose participants, while offering outwardly different solutions, actually see the problem the same way and draw the same conclusion. Second, it engages in a structural analysis of the traditional international investment agreement (IIA) expropriation clause. Third, it analyses one of the structural limits engendered by the relation between IIAs and customary international law in detail: we cannot assume that expropriation clauses ‘incorporate’ or ‘are to be interpreted while taking into account’ general law. This relationship is much less straightforward and helpful for defining the limits of indirect expropriation than is commonly argued.
Will the International Criminal Court (icc) Be Able to Secure the Arrest of Vladimir Putin When He Travels?
Authors: Sarkin Jeremy Julian
Published: June 2023

The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (icc) in March 2023 against Russian President Vladimir Putin for crimes committed in Ukraine is one of the most momentous cases taken up by the Court. As Putin is unlikely to be arrested in Russia, the only way that he may be arrested and surrendered to the Court is if he travels to another state, particularly one that is a member of the icc, which would then have obligations to arrest him. May thus, the case against Putin by the icc brings into focus, once again, the crucial need for cooperation with the Court by states around the world. This is because the icc needs states to arrest accused persons if it is to successfully prosecute perpetrators of human rights violations. This article employs the issues concerning the non-arrest of the then President of Sudan Omar Al-Bashir in multiple icc State parties as a lens through which to examine the issues of state cooperation. Thus, the cases of Al-Bashir and Putin have many parallels which are examined. Importantly, between 2009, when the first arrest warrant against him was issued, and 2016, Al-Bashir had already undertaken more than 75 trips to at least 22 states without being arrested. At least seven of those states had ratified the Rome Statute. This article, therefore, examines other cases that were brought by the icc against Malawi, Chad, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (drc), South Africa, Djibouti, Uganda, and Jordan. The article examines what can be learnt overall for issues of state cooperation. The article also reviews a range of ways that the icc can go about fostering greater state cooperation, and what it can do to ensure greater compliance by states when they do not cooperate.
A technique for high-density wood softening in the micro-sectioning process for wood anatomy studies
Authors: Solanki Riya Tudu
Published: June 2023

Wood identification for commercial applications is important and has a significant demand worldwide. Microscopic wood identification involves many processes such as softening, sectioning, and data analysis. Softening of wood is a crucial method for obtaining good sections for microscopic analysis but softening high-density wood is difficult. An alternate method of softening high-density wood for wood identification is presented. Different concentrations of alkali, NaOH, were tried, and optimized for different treatment times to obtain adequate softening of high-density wood. 20% NaOH treatment for 5 days at 30°C was used to soften high-density wood of variable density between 1 and 1.118 g/cm3. The species studied were Calophyllum spp., Shorea robusta, and Handroanthus spp., in which softening was satisfactory.
Lifting the Tide on Biodiversity Conservation through Trade and Investment: Biodiversity Conservation under ChAFTA and the WTO
Authors: Alam Shawkat
Published: June 2023

Trade has an important and lasting impact on biodiversity conservation. This is especially true for two of the most unique mega-diverse ecosystems in the world: Australia and China. Not only does trade perpetuate unsustainable economic practices that exacerbate biodiversity loss, but it also has a direct influence on the ability for both Australia and China to implement effective policies aimed at biodiversity conservation. This article will explore the nexus between biodiversity conservation and international trade through the lens of the Australia – China trade relationship. To explore this issue, this article will first discuss the ideological foundations of the WTO, viz, a rules-based system aimed at promoting trade liberalisation. Whilst the WTO does not specifically regulate biodiversity, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) does contain several provisions as general exceptions which enable Members to reconcile competing priorities of trade liberalisation on one hand, and sustainable development on the other. This article will then explore the trade and biodiversity nexus present within the China and Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). Whilst ChAFTA contains several innovations which can improve biodiversity conservation, the Agreement also contains provisions which inhibit transparency and the ability for environmental non-government organisations to submit amicus curiae briefs in ISDS arbitration. Through a comparative analysis of other bilateral trade treaties, this article advocates for an approach which addresses these issues, including addressing systemic concerns regarding global biodiversity conservation.
China’s Role of Bioprospecting in Antarctica and Future Prospects
Authors: Chen Yitong
Published: June 2023

The rapid advancement of biotechnology in the late 20th century promoted bioprospecting in Antarctica and has been a regular topic of discussion in the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) since 2002. However, there still needs to be an explicit regulatory framework in the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). Meanwhile, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) posed competitive governance mandates on regulating bioprospecting in the Antarctic Treaty Area and challenging the legitimacy of ATS. China’s increasing Antarctic presence is also reflected in its bioprospecting activities. However, its enthusiasm for bioprospecting remains inconsistent with its approach towards the ATS through reluctant contribution on regulation. This article will analyze the discussions on bioprospecting in the ATCM as contained within the ACTM meeting documents. Then, this article will analyze how China should actively pursue legitimate bioprospecting interests in the Antarctic from three aspects, which include improving domestic laws and regulations on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing activities, speedy enactment of Antarctic legislation, and leading the establishment of regulations on Antarctic bioprospecting in the ATCM. It concludes with an outlook on bioprospecting regulation and China’s role in future prospects.
Implementing Biodiversity Offsetting in Alignment with the Mitigation Hierarchy – the Experience of Land Use Planning Law in New South Wales
Authors: Govind Paul J
Published: June 2023

Biodiversity offsetting is firmly established as an integral part of environmental law regimes across the world. Whether offsets are appropriate for a particular development is determined through the application of a mitigation hierarchy. Whilst a rich vein of scholarship exists dealing with the operation of the mitigation hierarchy in principle, the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy has received comparatively small coverage. From a legal perspective this prompts questions relating to the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy as part of the planning law process. This article critically examines the issue in the context of laws regulating biodiversity loss in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The article contributes to filling this gap through a critical analysis and evaluation of the statutory regime and specific examples of relevant case law in NSW where development applications have been rejected on the basis, broadly speaking, of failing to demonstrate adherence to the requirements of the mitigation hierarchy. The primary findings presented by the article maintain that the extent to which decision-makers can influence and enhance biodiversity protection through implementation of the mitigation hierarchy is inherently limited due to the underlying rationale and values of planning law. While the decisions carry value in terms of showing what might be reasonably expected from developers in terms of demonstrating how their development applications adhere to the mitigation hierarchy, change that has broader application and can be applied in a more objective manner must be provided through legislative or regulatory change. The experience of NSW can offer some lessons for the implementation of biodiversity offsets in different jurisdictions considering the recent 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) on the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Strategic games
Authors: Osborne Martin J. , Rubinstein Ariel
Published: June 2023

The model of a strategic game is central to game theory. In a strategic game, each individual chooses an action from a given set and is affected not only by this action but also by the other individuals’ actions. We study mainly the notion of Nash equilibrium, according to which a profile of actions is stable if no individual wants to deviate from her action given the other individuals’ actions.
Monopoly
Authors: Osborne Martin J. , Rubinstein Ariel
Published: June 2023

This chapter studies several variants of a model that fits a very different situation, in which the producer of a single good is the only one serving a market.

The variants differ in the type of options the producer can offer potential buyers. In the basic case, the producer can post a price per unit, and each buyer can purchase any amount of the good at that price. In other cases, the producer has other instruments like offering all consumers a set of price-quantity pairs.

In each case, every potential buyer chooses the option he most prefers. The producer predicts correctly the buyers’ responses and acts to advance her target (like maximizing profit or increasing production).
Equilibrium with prices and expectations
Authors: Osborne Martin J. , Rubinstein Ariel
Published: June 2023

In the models of markets we have discussed so far, equilibrium prices make the individuals’ decisions compatible. Each individual takes the prices as given when deciding on his action, and at the equilibrium prices the demand and supply of every good are equal.

In this chapter, an individual’s behavior is affected not only by the prices but also by his expectations regarding other parameters. Each individual takes these expectations, like the prices, as given. In equilibrium, each individual behaves optimally, the supply and demand for each good are equal, and the expectations of individuals are correct.

We present three models. In the first model, each individual chooses one of two bank branches. His decision is affected only by his belief about the expected service time in each branch. In the second model, potential buyers of a used car, who cannot observe the quality of the cars for sale, take into account their expectation of the average quality of these cars as well as the price. In the third model, the unit cost of catching fish depends on the total amount of fish caught. Each fisher makes his decision taking as given both the price of fish and his expectation about the unit cost he will incur.
Combined measurement of circulating tumor cells and magnetic nanoparticles-assisted multiple blood markers improves the diagnostic efficiency of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shi Xiaodong , Lu Fuhui , Zhang Ying
Published: June 2023

The study aims to evaluate the efficiency and clinical value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), blood tumor markers, and serum microRNAs for diagnosing lung adenocarcinoma in its early stages. The study included 40 patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma, 40 individuals with benign
pulmonary nodules, and 40 healthy volunteers in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The negative enrichment–fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to classify and quantify the aneuploidy and its number distribution in CTCs in groups 1–3. Magnetic nanoparticles were used
to extract DNA. The levels of miR-223-3p and miR-486-5p in the serum of groups 1–3 were then determined using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. CTC aneuploidy and its number distribution was detected and the detection of various blood markers was
performed. The diagnostic accuracy was determined through receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) drawn among the groups. The total number of CTCs and aneuploidies in patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma was higher than in patients with benign pulmonary nodules and healthy people.
Patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma had significantly higher levels of miR-223-3p and miR-486-5p than patients with benign pulmonary nodules and healthy people. ROC analysis found that the sensitivity and area under the ROC curve of CTCs combined with multiple blood markers for distinguishing
patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma from those without lung nodules were 80.12% and 0.945%, respectively. The sensitivity and area under the ROC curve of the patients were 85.38% and 0.948%, respectively. The detection of CTCs, carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin 19 fragment, miR-223-3p,
and miR-486-5p was effective for early-stage lung adenocarcinoma and benign lung nodules. The diagnosis of miR-223-3p is clinically significant, as the accurate diagnostic index of miR-223-3p is better than that of CTCs and other blood indicators. However, CTCs combined with blood markers
have the highest efficiency in diagnosing early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.
Curcumin inhibits acute pulmonary embolism and inflammation by inhibiting high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)
Authors: Wang Min , Yu Xinming , Tao Lili , Cui Xiaowen
Published: June 2023

This study assessed the role of Curcumin in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and inflammation. Male rats were assigned into sham operation group, APE group, low-dose and high-dose of Curcumin group for this study. Levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
inflammatory indicators were analyzed, including also, pathological changes of lung tissue. We also assessed High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) and Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) protein expressions. Results showed that, inflammation
indicators were reduced after treatment at 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h, when compared with APE group, but were still higher than sham operation group (P <0.05). Serum inflammation index was higher at 2 h after modeling (P <0.05). Moreover, treatment groups showed continuously reduced
HMGB1 protein expression, with lower level of HMGB1 in high dose group (P <0.05). RAGE expression continued to increase in APE and treatment groups (P <0.05). However, its level in treatment groups was lower than APE group (P <0 05). The NF-KB expression continued
to increase in APE and treatment groups (P <0.05) with a lower level in treatment group (P <0.05). Curcumin effectively suppressed inflammatory response in acute pulmonary embolism, by reducing RAGE/NF-KB signal activity and inhibiting inflammatory response by inhibiting
HMGB1 expression.
Hydroquinone reduces DNA replication tolerance to stress and increases chemotherapy sensitivity in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Huang Zhibin , Hong Xiaobin
Published: June 2023

This study mainly studies whether hydroquinone (HQ) can reduce the pressure of DNA replication tolerance and improve oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) chemo-sensitivity. 40 mice were assigned into control group, model group, HQ low-dose group and HQ high-dose group. The pathological
changes of oral tissues were observed by staining. Then cells were extracted and cultured, and half of HQ high-dose group was used to construct Polη-deficient group followed by analysis of cell viability by MTT assay, DNA damage by IMI 1.0 software, and expression of Polη.
Compared with control group, the tumor tissue cells in model group were more, while the number of cancer cells in HQ group was reduced and decreased more with the increased concentration. HQ and OSCC cell viability were negatively correlated and Polη affected viability. OMT and
tailing rate increased with the increased HQ concentration and loss of Polη caused severe DNA damage. HQ could down-regulate Polη, reduce the survival of OSCC cells and increase DNA damage. Down-regulation of Polη expression caused DNA replication failure to
skip DNA damage, resulting in replication stagnation to death. HQ could be used to reduce the tolerance stress of DNA replication and increase chemosensitivity.
Effects of dihydroartemisinin on cardiac fibroblast activity induced by angiotensin II
Authors: Cai Ansheng , Li Junjiao , Li Ya , Ma Haifang , Shan Tieying , Zhang Suhua , Miao Guoying , Li Zhiying
Published: June 2023

Dihydroartemisinin is currently now being studied for the treatment of diseases. The mechanism of action of dihydroartemisinin on cardiovascular diseases is unclear. We explored the effect of dihydroartemisinin on the activity of cardiac fibroblasts and the underlying mechanism. The
cardiac fibroblasts were divided into blank control group, dihydroartemisinin group, vascular angiotensin II (AngII) group and angiotensin II+dihydroartemisinin group followed by analysis of cell proliferation, Col I and FN levels, and the levels of TGF-β1, α-SMA and
IGF-I. The morphology of myocardial fibroblasts was spindle-shaped. Further immunofluorescence staining assessed positive expression of Vimentin of the myocardial fibroblasts and no expression of α-SMA, which confirmed the successful culture of the myocardial fibroblasts. Overexpression
of AngII significantly promoted the proliferation ability of mouse cardiac fibroblasts, which was significantly reduced after dihydroartemisinin treatment. As shown by RT-qPCR, TGF-β1, α-SMA and IGF-I levels in AngII mice increased, while their levels reduced after
dihydroartemisinin intervention. After overexpression of AngII in cardiomyocytes, cell proliferation and colonies formation increased and decreased after dihydroartemisinin treatment, suggesting that dihydroartemisinin inhibited the growth of cardiomyocytes. It showed that dihydroartemisinin
could alleviate the expression of AngII-induced activation markers of mouse cardiac fibroblasts. Therefore, our research confirms that dihydroartemisinin plays an important role in anti-myocardial fibrosis, mainly through regulating the expression of TGF-β1.
Meteorological Analysis on Extremely Depleted 18O Rainfall Events during the Summer in Adelaide, Australia
Authors: Wang Dizhou , Zhang Xinping , Luo Zidong , Xiao Xiong , Liu Zhongli , He Xinguang , Rao Zhiguo , Guan Huade
Published: June 2023

The transport of atmospheric water vapor plays a crucial role in the production of precipitation and the variation of precipitation isotopic composition (δ18Op). This study investigates three precipitation events with extremely depleted heavy isotopes in the summer of Adelaide, Australia. Using fundamental water vapor diagnosis and moisture calculation method, this research analyzes the impact of rainout degrees along moisture transport paths, atmospheric circulation patterns, water vapor sources, and moisture transport on the extreme depletion of precipitation isotopes in the study area. The purpose of this study is to reveal the direct cause of extremely depleted δ18Op at the hourly time scale. The results show the diversity and complexity of δ18Op variation in summer precipitation events in Adelaide. The rainout caused by local and upstream large precipitation may be the main reason for extremely low values of δ18Op. The phenomenon of subcloud secondary evaporation, which is driven by the interaction between relatively low humidity and high temperature at near-surface levels, plays a pivotal role in the entire precipitation process. This mechanism is particularly pronounced during the onset or cessation of precipitation events, thereby resulting in the observed enrichment of δ18Op values. The oxygen stable isotopic composition of water vapor (δ18Oa) would usually become higher, when the air mass mixes with new moisture with relatively high δ18Oa, suppressing the influence of the previous rainout.
Serum total bilirubin level is associated with contrast induced nephropathy after primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Özilhan Murat Oğuz , Açıkgöz Sadık Kadri
Published: June 2023

Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN) is a major complication of angiographic procedures. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is the preferred treatment for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) but is associated with a risk of CIN. Oxidative stress and free radical damage play a role in the pathogenesis of CIN. Bilirubin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and has been shown to have a protective effect on endothelial cells. The present study aimed to assess the association between serum bilirubin level and development of CIN after pPCI. Sequential STEMI patients (n = 595) who underwent pPCI between January 2021 and December 2022 were enrolled. Among the participants, 116 (19.5%) developed CIN. Serum total bilirubin level was significantly lower in the CIN group ( P = .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, serum bilirubin level was found as an independent predictor of CIN. Age, gender, contrast volume, and white blood cell count were other independent predictors of CIN. A higher serum bilirubin level is associated with a lower risk of CIN in the present study. In STEMI patients undergoing pPCI, serum bilirubin level may be helpful to predict the risk of CIN and may help ensure early initiation of preventive treatment and careful follow-up.
Temporoparietal Fascia Graft and Polydioxanone Plate Repair of Nasal Septal Perforation
Authors: Rossi Meyer Monica K. , Abtahi Ali R. , Owen Scott R.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Surgical repair of septal perforations has been historically cumbersome. Recently described techniques utilizing interposition grafting with polydioxanone (PDS) plates wrapped in a temporoparietal fascia (TPF) graft have reported successful closure in 90% to 100% of cases. Our objective is to expand the investigation into the use of interposition grafts of polydioxanone plates combined with a temporoparietal fascia graft for nasal septal perforation repair.

Methods:

Retrospective review of the medical record was performed for all septal perforation repairs using the TPF-PDS plate interposition graft technique from August 1, 2017 to March 1, 2021 at the University of Iowa. Minimum post-operative follow-up was 1 month.

Results:

Our series included 31 patients with symptomatic nasal septal perforations. Thirteen patients underwent open while 18 patients underwent endonasal graft placement. The mean perforation size was 1.49 cm2. The mean post-operative follow-up was 11.5 months.

Conclusions:

Repair of symptomatic nasal septal perforations using an interposition graft of polydioxanone plate wrapped in temporoparietal fascia demonstrated an overall success rate of 90%.
Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy in the real world: Naturalistic use and effectiveness of an evidence-based platform in New Zealand
Authors: Guiney Hayley , Mahoney Alison , Elders Anna , David Charlie , Poulton Richie
Published: June 2023

Objective:

Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) is an efficacious, scalable intervention that could help meet the significant demand for psychological treatment. Yet, there is limited real-world evidence for its effectiveness. This study investigated the use and effectiveness of a free iCBT programme (‘Just a Thought’) in New Zealand.

Methods:

We analysed 18 months of user data from the Just a Thought website to understand the characteristics of those who used the Depression and Generalised Anxiety Disorder courses, how many lessons they completed, how mental distress changed across each course and the factors associated with adherence and improvement in mental health.

Results:

The results for both courses followed very similar patterns. Course adherence was low overall. There were small differences in adherence by age, gender and ethnicity, and larger differences for those who were ‘prescribed’ Just a Thought by a healthcare worker. Mixed models showed significant reductions in mental distress, with some tapering of improvement across latter lessons. Those most likely to show clinically meaningful reductions in mental distress had completed more lessons, were older and had a higher baseline level of distress.

Conclusion:

Alongside previous efficacy research, this real-world data indicate that iCBT is most likely to be effective at the population level and across different subgroups if users complete as much of the course as possible. Strategies to increase course adherence and maximise the public health benefits of iCBT include healthcare workers ‘prescribing’ iCBT and tailored solutions to meet the needs of young people, Māori and Pasifika.
An Evaluation of Fit Indices Used in Model Selection of Dichotomous Mixture IRT Models
Authors: Sen Sedat , Cohen Allan S.
Published: June 2023

A Monte Carlo simulation study was conducted to compare fit indices used for detecting the correct latent class in three dichotomous mixture item response theory (IRT) models. Ten indices were considered: Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), the corrected AIC (AICc), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), consistent AIC (CAIC), Draper’s information criterion (DIC), sample size adjusted BIC (SABIC), relative entropy, the integrated classification likelihood criterion (ICL-BIC), the adjusted Lo–Mendell–Rubin (LMR), and Vuong-Lo–Mendell–Rubin (VLMR). The accuracy of the fit indices was assessed for correct detection of the number of latent classes for different simulation conditions including sample size (2,500 and 5,000), test length (15, 30, and 45), mixture proportions (equal and unequal), number of latent classes (2, 3, and 4), and latent class separation (no-separation and small separation). Simulation study results indicated that as the number of examinees or number of items increased, correct identification rates also increased for most of the indices. Correct identification rates by the different fit indices, however, decreased as the number of estimated latent classes or parameters (i.e., model complexity) increased. Results were good for BIC, CAIC, DIC, SABIC, ICL-BIC, LMR, and VLMR, and the relative entropy index tended to select correct models most of the time. Consistent with previous studies, AIC and AICc showed poor performance. Most of these indices had limited utility for three-class and four-class mixture 3PL model conditions.
Clientelism, Brokers Dominance, and Rigged Election: A Process of Authoritarian Democracy in Bangladesh
Authors: Miaji Muhammad Zahidul Islam , Islam Md. Nazmul
Published: June 2023

It is often assumed that power is exerted through patron–client exchanges in Bangladesh. These patron–client relationships are dispersed and multifaceted, kept together by moral closeness and tenderness. The incumbent government of Bangladesh rigged the last 2014 and 2018 national elections through the clientelist process. In Bangladesh, clientelism has become an art form that encompasses a wide variety of illegal electoral strategies and crimes. Brokers have a crucial part to play in this process because they are responsible for controlling patron–client interactions. Even while clientelism is thought of as an investment in public goods for the underprivileged, it has been demonstrating severe democratic degradation causes in countries that are still in the process of creating their democracies. This study explores how clientelism, broker dominance, and particularly the patron–client situation led Bangladesh to transition from a two-party or multiparty democratic state to a one-party dominant state that is flavored with authoritarian democracy. It also demonstrates how this has led to the emergence of a society in which free and fair election is an illusion.
Effects of the Universal Prevention Curriculum for Schools on Substance Use Among Peruvian Adolescents: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Paschall Mallie J. , Salazar Silva Fernando , Sloboda Zili , Ringwalt Christopher L. , Grube Joel W.
Published: June 2023

This group-randomized trial assessed the effects of a universal prevention training curriculum for school administrators and teachers that focused on effective strategies to prevent adolescent substance use and related problems. Twenty-eight schools in three regions of Peru were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control condition (14 schools per condition). Repeated cross-sectional samples of 11 to 19-year-old students participated in four surveys from May 2018 to November 2019 (N = 24,529). School administrators and teachers at intervention schools participated in a universal prevention training curriculum focusing on the development of a positive school climate as well as effective policies related to school substance use. All intervention and control schools were offered Unplugged, a classroom-based substance use prevention curriculum. Outcome measures included: lifetime drug use; past-year and past-month tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use; awareness of school tobacco and alcohol use policies; perceived enforcement of school policies; school bonding; perceived friends’ use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and other drugs; and personal problems in general and problems related to substance use. Multi-level analyses indicated significant reductions in past-year and past-month smoking, friends’ substance use, and problems related to substance use and in general at intervention relative to control schools. Significant increases were found in intervention vs. control schools related to students’ awareness of school substance use policies, perceived likelihood of getting caught for smoking, and school bonding. These findings suggest that the universal prevention training curriculum and the school policy and climate changes it promoted reduced substance use and related problems in the study population of Peruvian adolescents.
Predicting global energy demand for the next decade: A time-series model using nonlinear autoregressive neural networks
Authors: Abu Al-Haija Qasem , Mohamed Omar , Abu Elhaija Wejdan
Published: June 2023

Energy demand forecasting has been an indispensable research target for academics, which has led to creative solutions for energy utilities in terms of power system design, control, and planning. The usefulness of energy demand forecasting is confined to the power engineering industry but globally exceeds such outcomes to contribute to the environment and health sectors. Despite the large number of research projects published on this topic, the challenge of energy demand forecasting still exists, especially with the developments in modeling concepts via artificial intelligence, which motivates more attractive solutions for the variables involved in energy demand forecasting. Mathematical correlation or extrapolation-like methods cannot be effective in all situations; however, when a time series neural network is presented, most statistical, empirical, and theoretical problems can be easily handled. This paper presents a simple and easy-to-understand method for the next decade of energy demand forecasting based on a nonlinear autoregressive (NAR) neural network. From its time series past values, NAR structurally is an optimal predictor for a future variable. A publicly available data set for global energy consumption has been used to construct the network model with sufficiently accurate results. The evidence has appeared in precisely following the exponential trend of energy consumption as well as the regressions for training, testing, and validation, which ensures the model's robustness and avoids getting involved in overfitting. The proposed model concepts and results can be easily used in undergraduate engineering education, training graduates, and future research.
Designing for epistemic justice: Epistemic apprenticeship as an institutional commitment
Authors: Churcher Millicent
Published: June 2023

This paper develops the concept of epistemic apprenticeship as a response to failures among privileged social actors to perceive the knowledge bases of unjustly marginalised groups as sources of valuable insight. Inspired by Elizabeth Spelman’s reflections on apprenticeship and intersectional feminism, an epistemic apprenticeship represents an obverse form of apprenticeship; one in which socially privileged knowers become apprentices to those who do not enjoy equivalent power and privilege. This paper critiques and extends Spelman’s account of apprenticeship by focussing on how the institutional sedimentation of dominant social imaginaries works against the volitional and virtuous practice of apprenticeship, and by exploring what a commitment to epistemic apprenticeship demands at the level of institutional practice. As part of this discussion, I scrutinise the conditions under which institutionalised apprenticeships may fall short of their meliorative potential, and may obstruct rather than aid efforts to achieve greater epistemic justice.
The Value of Illegality: Venezuelan Migrants in Ecuador and the (Re)Entrenchment of Neoliberal Capitalism
Authors: Hiemstra Nancy
Published: June 2023

Despite Ecuadorians’ own extensive experiences as international migrants, as Venezuelan migration into Ecuador has increased sharply in the last five years, the Ecuadorian government has enacted a barrage of restrictive and exclusionary policies at and within the country's borders. Consequently, Venezuelans in Ecuador are forced into illegality, a spatialized social condition that entails simultaneous marginalization and inclusion in the contemporary socioeconomic order. This paper draws on theorizations of governmentality, destitution economies, and status value to argue that the illegalization of migrants produces various forms of value for the government and broader public. First, illegality works as a governmental mechanism to reconcile neoliberal capitalism with the inequalities it exacerbates. At the national scale, illegalization of Venezuelan migrants facilitates political legitimation for the Ecuadorian government, and at the local scale, illegality makes migrants hyper-visible in ways that obscure the negative consequences of neoliberal economic strategies. Second, illegality facilitates strategies for economic exploitation of migrants by private actors at the local scale. Exploring how illegality produces value in Ecuador is useful for understanding other cases of South–South migration and draws attention to the disciplinary functions of migration management outside the Global North. This article provides a case study of multiple mobilities in the context of growing poverty, historical inequalities, and the entrenchment of neoliberal capitalism.
How does staff and patient feedback on hospital quality relate to mortality outcomes? A provider-level national study
Authors: Borrelli Antonio Michael , Birch Rebecca J , Spencer Katie
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to use national data to examine the relationship between staff and inpatient survey results (National Health Service (NHS) Friends and Family Test (FFT)) and assess how these align with more traditional measurements of hospital quality as captured by the summary hospital mortality indicator (SHMI). Provider level FFT responses were obtained for 128 English non-specialist acute providers for staff and inpatients between April 2016 and March 2019. Multilevel linear regression models assessed the relationship between staff and patient FFT recommendations, and separately how SHMI related to each of staff and patient FFT recommendations. A total of 1,536 observations were recorded across all providers and financial quarters. Patients were more likely to recommend their provider (95.5%) than staff (76.8%). In multivariable regression, a statistically significant association was observed between staff and patient FFT recommendations. A statistically significant negative relationship was also observed between staff FFT recommendations and SHMI. The association between SHMI and staff FFT recommendations suggests that staff feedback tools may provide a useful analogue for providers in potential need of intervention and improvement in care. For patients meanwhile, qualitative approaches and hospital organisations working in partnership with patients may provide better opportunities for patients to drive improvement.
“From ‘it’s not possible’ to ‘how we can do it’”. Challenges, opportunities and proposals to adopt intersectionality in local administration
Authors: Coll-Planas Gerard , del Amo Teresa , Solà-Morales Roser
Published: June 2023

The growing interest in the incorporation of intersectionality in public policies, combined with the lack of tools, entails two risks: the rhetoric use of the term and its depoliticization. The present article seeks to analyse the obstacles and facilitating factors for intersectional mainstreaming in the local administration, based on the study case of Terrassa City Council (Spain), which spearheaded a European project to promote bringing intersectionality to local policies. The article, based on the analysis of 16 interviews, and the responses of 4 questionnaires and 13 reports, identifies three challenges: the lack of definition, lack of applicability and complexity of the intersectional perspective; the clash between the dynamics of the public administration and the intersectional proposal; and the segmented structure of the administration. Each challenge is associated with opportunities and specific proposals that emerged in the fieldwork.
Finite element analysis of lattice designed lumbar interbody cage based on the additive manufacturing
Authors: Bozyiğit Bülent , Oymak Mehmet Akif , Bahçe Erkan , Uzunyol Ömer Faruk
Published: June 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) methods, which facilitate the production of complex structures with different geometries, have been used in producing interbody cages in recent years. In this study, the effects of Ti6Al4V alloy interbody lattice designed fusion cages between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae where degenerative disc diseases occur were investigated using the finite element method. Face centered cubic (FCC), body centered cubic (BCC), and diamond structures were selected as the lattice structure suitable for the interbody cage. A kidney shaped interbody lumbar cage was designed. The designated lattice structures were selected by adjusting the cell sizes suitable for the designed geometry, and the mesh configuration was made by the lumbar lattice structure. 400 N Axial force and 7.5 N.m moments were applied to the spine according to lateral bending, flexion, and torsion. 400 N axial force and 7.5 N.m flexion moment is shown high strain and total deformation then lateral bending and torsion on BCC FCC and diamond lattice structured interbody cages. In addition, the effects of lattice structures under high compression forces were investigated by applying 1000 N force to the lattice structures. When von Mises stresses were examined, lower von Mises stress and strains were observed in the BCC structure. However, a lower total deformation was observed in the FCC. Due to the design of the BCC and the diamond structure, it is assumed that bone implant adhesion will increase. In the finite element analysis (FEA), the best results were shown in BCC structures.
Anti-Photoaging Effects of the Ethanol Extract from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Seed Meal on UVB-irradiated HaCaT Cells and Mice
Authors: Wang Tong , Wang Xiangyu , Li Yan , Xie Mi , Gao Liying , Wang Yuefei , Li Bin , Huang Shan
Published: June 2023

Background

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. is a traditional Chinese medicine, and its flowers, leaves, and seeds are widely used as food. Currently, E. ulmoides seed oil is capable of improving glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice, but E. ulmoides seed meal is not fully utilized, and the anti-photoaging effect of it is still unclear.

Objectives

We examined the anti-photoaging effect of the ethanol extracts of E. ulmoides seed meal (EUSM) in UVB-stimulated HaCaT cells and mice.

Materials and Methods

EUSM was analyzed using Q-Orbitrap-based high-resolution LC-MS/MS. In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted using normal mice and HaCaT cells, respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson’s staining were used to evaluate epidermal thickness and degree of skin fibrosis. The production of hyaluronic acid (HA) and total protein using ELISA kits. The expression of levels for collagen type I α 1 (COL1A1), hyaluronidase-1 (HYAL-1), MMP-3, and MMP-9 were assessed using semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results

EUSM contains all-trans-retinoic acid, medicagenic acid, and other chemical constituents. EUSM increased the level of total collagen by reducing matrix metalloproteinase expression, and it enhanced the content of HA. In addition, EUSM reduced the production of wrinkles in UVB-induced mouse skin and showed that EUSM decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the mouse skin tissue.

Conclusion

EUSM has therapeutic potential for UVB-induced skin photoaging and provided a rationale for the application of EUSM in the cosmetic field.
Cognitive remediation therapy – implementation and translation into clinical practice in rural and metropolitan New South Wales mental health services
Authors: Gott Chloe A , Thomas Matt , Allan Julaine , Kennedy Jessica , Black Yvette , Dark Frances , Lappin Julia M
Published: June 2023

Objective

Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) is an effective intervention in managing the significant cognitive deficits experienced by those living with psychosis. Given its strong evidence base CRT is recommended in Australian and international guidelines for rehabilitation of people with psychosis, however, access to CRT remains limited. In this commentary, we describe recent efforts to implement CRT programs within NSW mental health services. Development of CRT delivery has been successfully achieved in both rural and metropolitan settings, utilising both face-to-face and telehealth methods.

Conclusions

The delivery of CRT in public mental health services is feasible and adaptable to diverse settings. We strongly advocate for sustainable implementation of CRT into routine clinical practice. This will require policy and practice change to enable resources for CRT training and delivery to become embedded in the roles of the clinical workforce.