bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of augmented-dosed surgery versus botulinum toxin A injection for acute acquired concomitant esotropia: a 2-year follow-up
Authors: Yu Xiaoning , Pan Weiyi , Tang Xiajing , Zhang Yidong , Lou Lixia , Zheng Sifan , Yao Ke , Sun Zhaohui
Published: August 2023

Background/aims

This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) injection and augmented-dosed surgery in the treatment of acute acquired concomitant esotropia (AACE), and explore potential risk factors associated with recurrence.

Methods

A total of 104 patients diagnosed with AACE between October 2020 and January 2021 were included and voluntarily chose to undergo augmented surgery or BTXA injection. The follow-up assessments ended in November 2022. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to identify potential factors that influence the dose-response of bilateral medial rectus recession (MRrec). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazards models were performed to evaluate rate and risk factors for AACE relapse.

Results

A total of 31 AACE patients chose augmented-dosed esotropia surgery, and 73 chose BTXA treatment. During the 2-year follow-up, the surgical group achieved more stable postoperative results with no recurrence of diplopia, while only 68.68% (95% CI 55.31% to 78.79%) patients achieved orthophoria in the BTXA group. For patients undergoing BTXA treatment, hours of near work per day were demonstrated to be a significant risk factor for AACE relapse (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.67). The dose-response of augmented-dosed bilateral MRrec was positively correlated with preoperative deviation angle (R
2
=0.833; β=0.043, 95% CI 0.031 to 0.055; p<0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings provided quantitative evidence that augmented-dosed surgery would achieve more stable and favourable surgical outcomes for AACE patients compared with BTXA injection. However, BTXA treatment is still proposed for patients with small deviation angles due to its advantages of reduced trauma, operational simplicity, low cost and quick recovery.
Efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies on pain intensity and disability for plantar fasciitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lourenço Bianca Martins , Campos Mariana Gabrich Moraes , Maia Laísa , Castro Brenda , Trede Renato Guilherme , Oliveira Vinícius Cunha
Published: August 2023

Objective

To investigate the effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies on pain intensity and disability for plantar fasciitis.

Design

Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Data sources

AMED, MEDLINE, PEDro, Cochrane, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO without language or date restrictions up to 3 February 2023.

Eligibility criteria

RCTs that evaluated the efficacy of any pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies compared with control (placebo, sham, waiting list or no intervention) on pain intensity and disability in people with plantar fasciitis. Two reviewers independently screened eligible trials, extracted data, assessed the methodological quality of included trials and assessed the certainty of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework. Mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs were reported.

Results

Seventeen different therapies investigated in 28 trials were included in the quantitative analysis. For non-pharmacological therapies, moderate certainty evidence showed short-term effects of customised orthoses on pain intensity when compared with control (MD of −12.0 points (95% CI −17.1 to −7.0) on a 0–100 scale). Low certainty evidence showed short-term effects of taping on pain intensity (−21.3 (95% CI −38.6 to −4.0)). Long-term effects and effects on disability are still uncertain. For pharmacological therapies, low to very low quality evidence from few trials with small samples was inconclusive and supports that high-quality trials are needed.

Conclusions

Moderate-quality and low-quality evidence demonstrates customised orthoses and taping, respectively, reduce pain intensity in the short term in patients with plantar fasciitis.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021224416.
Employing diffusion of innovation theory for ‘not missing the mass’ in community-engaged research
Authors: Turin Tanvir C , Kazi Mashrur , Rumana Nahid , Lasker Mohammad Ali Ashraf , Chowdhury Nashit
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Engaging with minority communities, such as immigrants and ethnic minorities, often involves adopting top-down approaches, wherein researchers and policymakers provide solutions based on their perspective. However, these approaches may not adequately address the needs and preferences of the community members, who have valuable insights and experiences to share. Therefore, community-engaged approaches, which involve collaborative partnerships between community members and researchers to identify issues, co-create solutions, and recommend policy changes, are becoming more recognized for their effectiveness and relevance. Yet, prevailing community engagement efforts often focus on easily reachable and already engaged segments of the community, sometimes overlooking the broader population.

Methods

When working with immigrant and racialized communities, we encountered difficulties in engaging the wider community through traditional researcher-led approaches. We realized that overcoming these challenges required innovative strategies rooted in community-based participatory research principles and the diffusion of innovation theory. We recognized that a nuanced understanding of the community's dynamics and preferences was crucial in shaping our approach and building trust and rapport with the community members.

Results

The need to bridge the gap between researcher-led initiatives and community-driven involvement has never been more pronounced. Our experience, chronicled in this article, highlights the journey of our research program with an immigrant/racialized community. This reflection enhances our comprehension of community engagement that deliberately strives to reach a larger cross-section of the community. By providing practical methods for reaching the broader community and navigating the intricacies of engagement, we aim to assist fellow researchers in conducting effective community-engaged research across various minority communities.

Conclusion

In sharing our insights and successful strategies for community engagement, we hope to contribute to the field's knowledge. Our commitment to fostering meaningful collaboration underscores the importance of co-creating solutions that resonate with the diverse voices within these communities. Through these efforts, we envision a more inclusive and impactful approach to addressing the complex challenges faced by minority populations.
Responsible exit of humanitarian aid agencies at the end of programmes: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Bahati Djoki , Sy Houssynatou , Kalhor Aram , Marchal Bruno
Published: August 2023

Introduction

In humanitarian settings, aid agencies are constantly challenged by difficult decisions such as when and how to terminate aid without harming the aid recipients, local institutions, staff members and the organisation. Despite important efforts devoted to responsibly leaving a setting, hurtful exits are still common in contemporary relief aid. Moreover, debates on how humanitarian aid agencies exit are limited, with no previous comprehensive evidence synthesis on the concept of ‘responsible exit’. The objective of this scoping review is to map evidence and knowledge gaps, to identify and describe concepts, theories and existing frameworks related to ‘responsible exit’ of humanitarian aid agencies.

Methods and analysis

Our search uses searches of several bibliographic databases (CAB Direct (including Global Health), Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar) as well as manual searches of specific journals and retrieval of grey literature through searches of organisational websites and direct contact with experts and organisations. Reference tracking will be used to identify additional sources. Searches will cover papers available up to the dates of the searches (December 2022 to January 2023), with no date restrictions applied to the literature search. To be included, published or unpublished papers must explicitly discuss the exit of humanitarian aid agencies from humanitarian settings and be accessible. We will exclude all exits related to military, local and governmental humanitarian operations, education, development, employment, and business sectors. Only papers written in English and French will be considered. Three reviewers will conduct the selection process against the predefined criteria. Data will be extracted in an iterative process following pre-established items and the results will be presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Extension for Scoping Reviews flow chart, tables and/or graphs, and descriptive formats.

Ethics and dissemination

Being a review, conducted on publicly available information, no ethical approval is required. The results will be disseminated through publication in an open access journal, scientific conferences, workshops, and via humanitarian aid agencies to facilitate further research and possible practical translations of generated knowledge.
Predicting risk of suicidal behaviour after initiation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in children, adolescents and young adults: protocol for development and validation of clinical prediction models
Authors: Lagerberg Tyra , Virtanen Suvi , Kuja-Halkola Ralf , Hellner Clara , Lichtenstein Paul , Fazel Seena , Chang Zheng
Published: August 2023

Introduction

There is concern regarding suicidal behaviour risk during selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment among the young. A clinically useful model for predicting suicidal behaviour risk should have high predictive performance in terms of discrimination and calibration; transparency and ease of implementation are desirable.

Methods and analysis

Using Swedish national registers, we will identify individuals initiating an SSRI aged 8–24 years 2007–2020. We will develop: (A) a model based on a broad set of predictors, and (B) a model based on a restricted set of predictors. For the broad predictor model, we will consider an ensemble of four base models: XGBoost (XG), neural net (NN), elastic net logistic regression (EN) and support vector machine (SVM). The predictors with the greatest contribution to predictive performance in the base models will be determined. For the restricted predictor model, clinical input will be used to select predictors based on the top predictors in the broad model, and inputted in each of the XG, NN, EN and SVM models. If any show superiority in predictive performance as defined by the area under the receiver-operator curve, this model will be selected as the final model; otherwise, the EN model will be selected. The training and testing samples will consist of data from 2007 to 2017 and from 2018 to 2020, respectively. We will additionally assess the final model performance in individuals receiving a depression diagnosis within 90 days before SSRI initiation.

The aims are to (A) develop a model predicting suicidal behaviour risk after SSRI initiation among children and youths, using machine learning methods, and (B) develop a model with a restricted set of predictors, favouring transparency and scalability.

Ethics and dissemination

The research is approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (2020–06540). We will disseminate findings by publishing in peer-reviewed open-access journals, and presenting at international conferences.
Improving wound swab collection in paediatric patients: a quality improvement project
Authors: Leonard Sean H , Chin-Yee Ian , Delport Johan , Crozier Abby , Abdulsatar Farah
Published: August 2023

Microbiology sample swabs may be unsuccessful or rejected for a variety of reasons. Typically, errors occur in the preanalytical phase of sample collection. Errors with collection, handling and transport can lead to the need to repeat specimen collection. Unsuccessful specimens contribute to delays in diagnosis, increased patient stress and increased healthcare costs. An audit of sample swabs from London Health Sciences Centre Children’s Hospital from August through October 2021 yielded complete success rates of 100% for ear and eye culture swabs, 98.1% for methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusswabs and 88.9% for wound swabs. This project aimed to improve wound swab success to 95% on the paediatric inpatient and paediatric emergency departments by May 2022.

Stakeholders from paediatric clinical services including physicians, nurses and the laboratory medicine team at our centre were engaged to guide quality improvement interventions to improve specimen success rate. Based on feedback, we implemented visual aids to our electronic laboratory test information guide. Additionally, visual reminders of correct sample collection equipment were placed in high traffic areas for nursing staff.

After the interventions were implemented, a three-month follow-up showed that wound swab success rate rose to 95.3%. This study achieved its aim of improving wound swab success rate to 95%. It adds to the growing pool of evidence that preanalytical phase intervention such as visual aids can increase swab success rates, in healthcare settings.
Managing moderate-to-severe paediatric asthma: a scoping review of the efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol
Authors: Pitrez Paulo Marcio , Nanthapisal Sira , Castro Ana Paula Beltran Moschione , Teli Chirag , P G Abhijith
Published: August 2023

Background

Fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate (FP/SAL) is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) combination, indicated for the regular treatment of children (aged >4 years) with asthma that is inadequately controlled with ICS monotherapy plus as-needed short-acting β2-agonists, or already adequately controlled with ICS/LABA.

Objective

Compared with the adult population, fewer clinical studies have investigated the efficacy of FP/SAL in paediatric patients with moderate and moderate-to-severe asthma. In this review, we synthesise the available evidence for the efficacy and safety of FP/SAL in the paediatric population, compared with other available therapies indicated for asthma in children.

Eligibility criteria

A literature review identified randomised controlled trials and observational studies of FP/SAL in the paediatric population with moderate-to-severe asthma.

Sources of evidence

The Medline database was searched using PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), with no publication date restrictions. Search strategies were developed and refined by authors.

Charting methods

Selected articles were screened for clinical outcome data (exacerbation reduction, nocturnal awakenings, lung function, symptom control, rescue medication use and safety) and a table of key parameters developed.

Results

Improvements in asthma outcomes with FP/SAL include reduced risk of asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalisations, protection against exercise-induced asthma and improvements in measures of lung function. Compared with FP monotherapy, greater improvements in measures of lung function and asthma control are reported. In addition, reduced incidence of exacerbations, hospitalisations and rescue medication use is observed with FP/SAL compared with ICS and leukotriene receptor antagonist therapy. Furthermore, FP/SAL therapy can reduce exposure to both inhaled and oral corticosteroids.

Conclusions

FP/SAL is a reliable treatment option in patients not achieving control with ICS monotherapy or a different ICS/LABA combination. Evidence shows that FP/SAL is well tolerated and has a similar safety profile to FP monotherapy. Thus, FP/SAL provides an effective option for the management of moderate-to-severe asthma in the paediatric population.
Barriers and facilitators to implementation of musculoskeletal injury mitigation programmes for military service members around the world: a scoping review
Authors: Bullock Garrett S , Dartt Carolyn E , Ricker Emily A , Fallowfield Joanne L , Arden Nigel , Clifton Daniel , Danelson Kerry , Fraser John J , Gomez Christina , Greenlee Tina A , Gregory Alexandria , Gribbin Timothy , Losciale Justin , Molloy Joseph M , Nicholson Kristen F , Polich Julia-Grace , Räisänen Anu , Shah Karishma , Smuda Michael , Teyhen Deydre S , Allard Rhonda J , Collins Gary S , de la Motte Sarah J , Rhon Daniel I
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Musculoskeletal injury (MSK-I) mitigation and prevention programmes (MSK-IMPPs) have been developed and implemented across militaries worldwide. Although programme efficacy is often reported, development and implementation details are often overlooked, limiting their scalability, sustainability and effectiveness. This scoping review aimed to identify the following in military populations: (1) barriers and facilitators to implementing and scaling MSK-IMPPs; (2) gaps in MSK-IMPP research and (3) future research priorities.

Methods

A scoping review assessed literature from inception to April 2022 that included studies on MSK-IMPP implementation and/or effectiveness in military populations. Barriers and facilitators to implementing these programmes were identified.

Results

From 132 articles, most were primary research studies (90; 68.2%); the remainder were review papers (42; 31.8%). Among primary studies, 3 (3.3%) investigated only women, 62 (69%) only men and 25 (27.8%) both. Barriers included limited resources, lack of stakeholder engagement, competing military priorities and equipment-related factors. Facilitators included strong stakeholder engagement, targeted programme design, involvement/proximity of MSK-I experts, providing MSK-I mitigation education, low burden on resources and emphasising end-user acceptability. Research gaps included variability in reported MSK-I outcomes and no consensus on relevant surveillance metrics and definitions.

Conclusion

Despite a robust body of literature, there is a dearth of information about programme implementation; specifically, barriers or facilitators to success. Additionally, variability in outcomes and lack of consensus on MSK-I definitions may affect the development, implementation evaluation and comparison of MSK-IMPPs. There is a need for international consensus on definitions and optimal data reporting elements when conducting injury risk mitigation research in the military.
Correlation of low numbers of intratumoral FOXP3+ cells with worse progression-free survival in angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma
Authors: Liu Hung-Lin , Weng Shao-Wen , Chou Chih-Chi , You Huey-Ling , Wang Ming-Chung , Ma Ming-Chun , Huang Wan-Ting
Published: August 2023

Aims

Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) is a T cell lymphoma with aberrant immune activity. It is characterised by inflammatory and immune reactions. However, the impact of regulatory T (Treg) cells on AITL remains unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively collected 46 AITL cases and performed immunohistochemical analysis of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) expression. The number of immunostained FOXP3 cells was determined using a digital pathology system with whole-slide imaging. The average number of FOXP3+ cells per high-power field (HPF) was determined by randomly counting 20 HPFs. AITL cases were categorised into high-expression and low-expression groups based on the median count of FOXP3+ cells in all analysed samples. The relationship between FOXP3 expression and clinicopathological features was assessed.

Results

Among the studied patients, 14 (30.4%) were females and 32 (69.6%) were males, and the median age at diagnosis was 64.1 years. The median expression of FOXP3 was 84.9 positive cells/HPF. FOXP3 expression negatively correlated with Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA positivity in tumour (p=0.041). The patients with low FOXP3 expression presented with aggressive clinical behaviour, including advance-staged diseases (p=0.043), splenomegaly (p=0.008), B symptoms (p=0.019) and extranodal involvement (p=0.019). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was higher in the patients with low FOXP3 expression, compared with those with high FOXP3 expression. Low FOXP3 expression had an adverse effect on progression-free survival (PFS, p=0.033), and increased the risk of recurrence 2.320-fold (HR 2.320 (95% CI 1.109 to 4.856); p=0.025).

Conclusions

Patients with AITL with low FOXP3 expression tend to have aggressive clinical presentation and shortened PFS. These findings may help with risk stratification and determination of new treatment strategy.
Clustering by multiple long-term conditions and social care needs: a cross-sectional study among 10 026 older adults in England
Authors: Khan Nusrat , Chalitsios Christos V , Nartey Yvonne , Simpson Glenn , Zaccardi Francesco , Santer Miriam , Roderick Paul J , Stuart Beth , Farmer Andrew J , Dambha-Miller Hajira
Published: August 2023

Background   

People with multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) face health and social care challenges. This study aimed to classify people by MLTC and social care needs (SCN) into distinct clusters and quantify the association between derived clusters and care outcomes.

Methods 

A cross-sectional study was conducted using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, including people with up to 10 MLTC. Self-reported SCN was assessed through 13 measures of difficulty with activities of daily living, 10 measures of mobility difficulties and whether health status was limiting earning capability. Latent class analysis was performed to identify clusters. Multivariable logistic regression quantified associations between derived MLTC/SCN clusters, all-cause mortality and nursing home admission.

Results

Our study included 9171 people at baseline with a mean age of 66.3 years; 44.5% were men. Nearly 70.8% had two or more MLTC, the most frequent being hypertension, arthritis and cardiovascular disease. We identified five distinct clusters classified as high SCN/MLTC through to low SCN/MLTC clusters. The high SCN/MLTC included mainly women aged 70–79 years who were white and educated to the upper secondary level. This cluster was significantly associated with higher nursing home admission (OR=8.71; 95% CI: 4.22 to 18). We found no association between clusters and all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

We have highlighted those at risk of worse care outcomes, including nursing home admission. Distinct clusters of individuals with shared sociodemographic characteristics can help identify at-risk individuals with MLTC and SCN at primary care level.
Causal effect of shifting from precarious to standard employment on all-cause mortality in Sweden: an emulation of a target trial
Authors: Matilla-Santander Nuria , Matthews Anthony A , Gunn Virginia , Muntaner Carles , Kreshpaj Bertina , Wegman David H , Sánchez-Martínez Néstor , Hernando-Rodriguez Julio C , Albin Maria , Balogh Rebeka , Davis Letitia , Bodin Theo
Published: August 2023

Background

We aimed at estimating the causal effect of switching from precarious to standard employment on the 6-year and 12-year risk of all-cause mortality among workers aged 20-55 years in Sweden.

Methods

We emulated a series of 12 target trials starting every year between 2005 and 2016 using Swedish register data (n=251 273). We classified precariously employed individuals using a multidimensional approach at baseline as (1) remaining in precarious employment (PE) (73.8%) and (2) shifting to standard employment (26.2%). All-cause mortality was measured from 2006 to 2017. We pooled data for all 12 emulated trials and used covariate-adjusted pooled logistic regression to estimate intention-to-treat and per-protocol effects via risk ratios (RRs) and standardised risk curves (the parametric g-formula).

Results

Shifting from precarious to standard employment decreases the 12-year risk of death by 20% on the relative scale (RR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73; 0.93), regardless of what happens after the initial shift. However, we estimated a 12-year risk reduction of 30% on the relative scale for workers shifting from precarious to standard employment and staying within this employment category for the full 12 years (RR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.54; 0.95).

Conclusions

This study finds that shifting from low to higher-quality employment conditions (ie, stable employment, sufficient income levels and high coverage by collective agreements) decreases the risk of death. Remaining in PE increases the risk of premature mortality. Our results emphasise the necessity of ensuring decent work for the entire working population to accomplish the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Early minimally invasive intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation: a phase 2a feasibility, safety, and promise of surgical efficacy study
Authors: Kleinig Timothy J , Abou-Hamden Amal , Laidlaw John , Churilov Leonid , Kellner Christopher Paul , Wu Teddy , Mocco J , Lau Hui , Adamides Alexios , Kavar Bhadrakant , Dimou James , Cranefield Jennifer , McDonald Amy , Plummer Stephanie , Davis Stephen , Campbell Bruce C V
Published: August 2023

Background

Surgical treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is unproven, although meta-analyses suggest that both early conventional surgery with craniotomy and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) may be beneficial. We aimed to demonstrate the safety, feasibility, and promise of efficacy of early MIS for ICH using the Aurora Surgiscope and Evacuator.

Methods

We performed a prospective, single arm, phase IIa Simon’s two stage design study at two stroke centers (10 patients with supratentorial ICH volumes ≥20 mL and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥6, and surgery commencing <12 hours after onset). Positive outcome was defined as ≥50% 24 hour ICH volume reduction, with the safety outcome lack of significant ICH reaccumulation.

Results

From December 2019 to July 2020, we enrolled 10 patients at two Australian Comprehensive Stroke Centers, median age 70 years (IQR 65–74), NIHSS score 19 (IQR 19–29), ICH volume 59 mL (IQR 25–77), at a median of 227 min (IQR 175–377) post-onset. MIS was commenced at a median time of 531 min (IQR 437–628) post-onset, had a median duration of 98 min (IQR 77–110), with a median immediate postoperative hematoma evacuation of 70% (IQR 67–80%). A positive outcome was achieved in 5/5 first stage patients and in 4/5 second stage patients. One patient developed significant 24 hour ICH reaccumulation; otherwise, 24 hour stability was observed (median reduction 71% (IQR 61–80), 5/9 patients <15 mL residual). Three patients died, unrelated to surgery. There were no surgical safety concerns. At 6 months, the median modified Rankin Scale score was 4 (IQR 3–6) with 30% achieving a score of 0–3.

Conclusion

In this study, early ICH MIS using the Aurora Surgiscope and Evacuator appeared to be feasible and safe, warranting further exploration.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12619001748101.
APE1 regulates mitochondrial DNA damage repair after experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Dai Kun , Wang Zongqi , Gao Bixi , Li Longyuan , Gu Feng , Tao Xinyu , You Wanchun , Wang Zhong
Published: August 2023

Background

Subarachnoid haemorrhage
(SAH) can result in a highly unfavourable prognosis. In recent years, the study of SAH has focused on early brain injury (EBI), which is a crucial progress that contributes to adverse prognosis. SAH can lead to various complications, including mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) is an essential protein with multifaceted functionality integral to DNA repair and redox signalling. However, the role of APE1 in mitochondrial DNA damage repair after SAH is still unclear.

Methods

Our study involved an in vivo endovascular perforation model in rats and an in vitro neuron oxyhaemoglobin intervention. Then, the effects of APE1 on mitochondrial DNA damage repair were analysed by western blot, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR, mitochondrial bioenergetics measurement and neurobehavioural experiments.

Results

We found that the level of APE1 decreased while the mitochondria DNA damage and neuronal death increased in a rat model of SAH. Overexpression of APE1 improved short-term and long-term behavioural impairment in rats after SAH. In vitro, after primary neurons exposed to oxyhaemoglobin, APE1 expression significantly decreased along with increased mitochondrial DNA damage, a reduction in the subunit of respiratory chain complex levels and subsequent respiratory chain dysfunction. Overexpression of APE1 relieved energy metabolism disorders in the mitochondrial of neurons and reduced neuronal apoptosis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, APE1 is involved in EBI after SAH by affecting mitochondrial apoptosis via the mitochondrial respiratory chain. APE1 may potentially play a vital role in the EBI stage after SAH, making it a critical target for treatment.
George Gamow and Ralph Alpher: a review of their cosmological collaboration as mentor and protégé 1942–1955
Authors: Alpher Victor S. , Mitton Simon A.
Published: August 2023

George Antonovich Gamow (1904–1968) and Ralph Asher Alpher (1921–2007) were associates from 1942 until 1968. In this paper, we examine an intense period of collaboration at George Washington University. Our inquiry pivots on a collection of 53 letters and postcards in the Library of Congress (LoC) that Alpher received from Gamow during his absences from Washington DC. In order to set our examination of the letters in their historical context, we present brief biographies of Gamow and Alpher, summarise the state that nuclear astrophysics had already reached by 1945, and examine the initial impact of the αβγ paper. We conducted detailed analysis of twenty of the LoC letters which documents successive attempts by Alpher and Gamow to address the deficiencies in their model of primordial element building by neutron-capture in the big bang. We give a detailed account of the interactions between Gamow writing from Los Alamos, New Mexico, and his two co-workers Alpher and Robert Herman in Washington DC. The correspondence brings their enthusiasm and commitment to life as they react to the advances and setbacks they encountered. Our narrative illustrates the remarkable partnership that Gamow and Alpher shared, a this was, infused with friendship and therein scientific discovery.
Axions beyond Gen 2
Authors: Boutan Christian , Carosi Gianpaolo , Rosenberg Leslie J , Rybka Gray , Backes K. M. , Bartram Chelsea , Baryakhtar Masha , Bird Mark D. , Braggio Caterina , Budker Dmitry , Co Raymond T. , Daw Edward , Dixit Akash , Geraci Andrew A. , Lee Chang , Lee Soohyung , Marsh David , O’Hare Ciaran , Saikawa Ken’ichi , Salemi Chiara P. , Semertzidis Yannis K. , Sonnenschein Andrew , Spector Aaron , Tobar Michael E. , Vogel Julia , Zhitnitsky Ariel
Published: August 2023

The QCD (Quantum ChromoDynamics) axion emerged as one of the best-motivated dark matter candidates. In 2018, the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX), one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Gen 2” flagship dark-matter projects, demonstrated first sensitivity to the highly plausible “DFSZ” dark matter axion couplings over a small frequency range. We anticipate this development marks the first step in constructing yet more powerful experiments that can explore large swaths of the axion parameter space at high sensitivity and result in a discovery. But, realizing this requires advances in both our understanding of the theory and experiment design. Between 25 January and 27 January 2021, the “Axions Beyond Gen 2 Workshop” was held, where selected members of the community discussed our broad understanding of the QCD axion and charted a course for future experiments having sensitivity and mass reach well beyond the current “Gen 2” experiments. These proceedings are summaries of the topics presented and discussed.
Thermoelectric properties of Mg-doped mercury selenide HgSe
Authors: Selmani Y. , Labrim H. , Jabar A. , Bahmad L.
Published: August 2023

By using the density functional theory (DFT) in combination with Boltzmann transport theory, the influence of Mg concentrations (x) doping on the thermoelectric properties of Hg[Formula: see text]MgxSe ternary alloys was systematically investigated. The generalized gradient approximations of Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (GGA-PBE) have been used to illustrate the exchange correlation potential. The thermodynamic stability of the studied compounds was analyzed in terms of formation energy. Various thermoelectric transport parameters, such as the Seebeck coefficient (S), the thermal conductivity over relaxation time (k/[Formula: see text]), the electrical conductivity over relaxation time ([Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]), the power factor (PF) and the figure of merit (ZT) have been deduced and discussed. The obtained results of thermoelectric properties show that the studied materials can be useful for thermoelectric devices at room temperature. It can also be seen that Mg concentrations can increase the thermal efficiency of the HgSe alloy.
Calibration of Spectropolarimetry Package for Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) on Board Aditya-L1 Mission
Authors: Narra Venkata Suresh , Hegde Bhavana , Dasamantarao Utkarsha , Venkatasubramanian Natarajan , Somasundaram Pawan Kumar , Padhavu Umesh Kamath , Budihal Raghavendra Prasad
Published: August 2023

Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is the prime payload on board Aditya-L1 mission. One of the unique capabilities of VELC is the coronal magnetic field measurements from space. To achieve this, VELC performs dual beam spectropolarimetric observations in coronal emission line centered at 10747[Formula: see text]Å. Spectropolarimetric channel of VELC consists of different polarimetric components such as quarter waveplate (QWP), polarising beam displacer (PBD) and half waveplate (HWP). Calibration of individual components is essential to ensure that they meet the performance requirements of the payload. This work discusses the details of the calibration tests carried out to evaluate the performance of different polarimetric components of VELC and the results obtained.
Designing Black Children in Video Games
Authors: Chen Yuki , Kemper Jonaya , Harpstead Erik , Higashi Ross , Uchidiuno Judith
Published: August 2023

Community + Culture features practitioner perspectives on designing technologies for and with communities. We highlight compelling projects and provocative points of view that speak to both community technology practice and the interaction design field as a whole.
--- Sheena Erete, Editor
The Future of Conferences Is Unconferences: Exploring a Decentralized Network of Regional Meetups
Authors: Park Soya , Kang Eun-Jeong , Joy Karen , Bellini Rosanna , Lumbroso Jérémie , Metaxa Danaë , Monroy-Hernández Andrés
Published: August 2023

This forum is dedicated to exploring the notion of meaningfulness in design processes, taking the perspectives of community groups, nongovernmental organizations, and those who are marginalized in society as starting points. Authors will reflect conceptually and methodologically on practical engagements.
--- Rosanna Bellini and Angelika Strohmayer, Editors
Process-Data Quality: The True Frontier of Process Mining
Authors: Ter Hofstede Arthur H. M. , Koschmider Agnes , Marrella Andrea , Andrews Robert , Fischer Dominik A. , Sadeghianasl Sareh , Wynn Moe Thandar , Comuzzi Marco , De Weerdt Jochen , Goel Kanika , Martin Niels , Soffer Pnina
Published: August 2023

Since its emergence over two decades ago, process mining has flourished as a discipline, with numerous contributions to its theory, widespread practical applications, and mature support by commercial tooling environments. However, its potential for significant organisational impact is hampered by poor quality event data. Process mining starts with the acquisition and preparation of event data coming from different data sources. These are then transformed into event logs, consisting of process execution traces including multiple events. In real-life scenarios, event logs suffer from significant data quality problems, which must be recognised and effectively resolved for obtaining meaningful insights from process mining analysis. Despite its importance, the topic of data quality in process mining has received limited attention. In this paper, we discuss the emerging challenges related to process-data quality from both a research and practical point of view. Additionally, we present a corresponding research agenda with key research directions.
Rage Against the AI Machine: A Sketch in Time
Authors: Sturdee Miriam
Published: August 2023

In this first feature of a bimonthly format, we introduce a fun, visual method for exploring topics with scholars from across the field of HCI, and beyond…
GBT-CHAIN: A System Framework for Solving the General Trilemma in Permissioned Blockchains
Authors: Wang Han , Li Hui , Smahi Abla , Xiao Mingrui , Li Shuo-Yen Robert
Published: August 2023

As a subset of distributed systems, blockchain technology is equally bound by the CAP trilemma. Specifically, no distributed system can satisfy consistency, availability, and partition tolerance simultaneously. Informally, the innovative blockchain trilemma has been theorized to include security, scalability, and decentralization. While many software approaches on blockchains claim to solve the trilemma problem, almost all known approaches have been proven to involve tradeoffs and fail to reach the upper bounds, meaning they do not achieve the theoretical limit value in each term of a trilemma. In this article, we propose a general trilemma based on the above two trilemmas. For permissioned blockchains, we then describe a system framework called GBT-CHAIN to solve the
G
eneral
B
lockchain
T
rilemma. In the proposed framework, the consensus and data layer, the network layer, and the physical layer work in cooperation. According to our theoretical proof and experimental analysis, the three properties of the trilemma consisting of consistency, scalability, and partition tolerance are perfectly satisfied without tradeoffs. Our results demonstrate that the general blockchain trilemma is resolved by combining consensus algorithms and physical topologies, in particular for permissioned blockchains.
An Error Protection Protocol for the Multicast Transmission of Data Samples in V2X Applications
Authors: Bendrick Alex , Peeck Jonas , Ernst Rolf
Published: August 2023

There is a trend towards communication of larger data objects in wireless vehicle communication. In many cases, communication uses publish-subscribe protocols. Data rate requirements of such protocols are best addressed by wireless multicast protocols, but the existing protocols lack an error protection that is suitable for real-time and safety-critical applications. We present an application-aware protocol that supports the popular DDS (Data Distribution Service) middleware. By exploiting data object deadlines and slack for retransmissions and employing an adaptable, multicast-aware prioritization mechanism, the reliable exchange of large data objects is enabled. The protocol is sufficiently general to be used on top of different communication standards such as 802.11- and cellular-based V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technologies. The protocol was implemented in an OMNeT++ simulation model and evaluated against recent state-of-the-art alternatives using parameters and constraints taken from a motivational truck platooning example. Furthermore, the protocol was implemented using an open-source DDS implementation as the basis and tested on a physical wireless demonstrator setup. The evaluation shows that the presented multicast protocol substantially outperforms the alternatives keeping streaming applications operational even under high frame error rates.
Faire: Repairing Fairness of Neural Networks via Neuron Condition Synthesis
Authors: Li Tianlin , Xie Xiaofei , Wang Jian , Guo Qing , Liu Aishan , Ma Lei , Liu Yang
Published: August 2023

Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have achieved tremendous success in many applications, while it has been demonstrated that DNNs can exhibit some undesirable behaviors on concerns such as robustness, privacy, and other trustworthiness issues. Among them, fairness (i.e., non-discrimination) is one important property, especially when they are applied to some sensitive applications (e.g., finance and employment). However, DNNs easily learn spurious correlations between protected attributes (e.g., age, gender, race) and the classification task and develop discriminatory behaviors if the training data is imbalanced. Such discriminatory decisions in sensitive applications would introduce severe social impacts. To expose potential discrimination problems in DNNs before putting them in use, some testing techniques have been proposed to identify the discriminatory instances (i.e., instances that show defined discrimination

1

). However, how to repair DNNs after detecting such discrimination is still challenging. Existing techniques mainly rely on retraining on a large number of discriminatory instances generated by testing methods, which requires huge time overhead and makes the repairing inefficient.

In this work, we propose the method
Faire
to effectively and efficiently repair the fairness issues of DNNs, without using additional data (e.g., discriminatory instances). Our basic idea is inspired by the traditional program repair method that synthesizes proper condition checking. To repair traditional programs, a typical method is to localize the program defects and repair the program logic by adding condition checking. Similarly, for DNNs, we try to understand the unfair logic and reformulate it with well-designed condition checking. In this article, we synthesize the condition that can reduce the effect of features relevant to the protected attributes in the DNN. Specifically, we first perform the neuron-based analysis and check the functionalities of neurons to identify neurons whose outputs could be regarded as features relevant to protected attributes and original tasks. Then a new condition layer is added after each hidden layer to penalize neurons that are accountable for the protected features (i.e., intermediate features relevant to protected attributes) and promote neurons that are accountable for the non-protected features (i.e., intermediate features relevant to original tasks). In sum, the repair rate

2

of
Faire
reaches up to more than 99%, which outperforms other methods, and the whole repairing process only takes no more than 340 s. The evaluation results demonstrate that our approach can effectively and efficiently repair the individual discriminatory instances of the target model.
CoAIcoder: Examining the Effectiveness of AI-assisted Human-to-Human Collaboration in Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Gao Jie , Choo Kenny Tsu Wei , Cao Junming , Lee Roy Ka-Wei , Perrault Simon
Published: August 2023

While AI-assisted individual qualitative analysis has been substantially studied, AI-assisted
collaborative
qualitative analysis (CQA) – a process that involves multiple researchers working together to interpret data—remains relatively unexplored. After identifying CQA practices and design opportunities through formative interviews, we designed and implemented CoAIcoder, a tool leveraging AI to enhance human-to-human collaboration within CQA through four distinct collaboration methods. With a between-subject design, we evaluated CoAIcoder with 32 pairs of CQA-trained participants across common CQA phases under each collaboration method. Our findings suggest that while using a shared AI model as a mediator among coders could improve CQA efficiency and foster agreement more quickly in the early coding stage, it might affect the final code diversity. We also emphasize the need to consider the independence level when using AI to assist human-to-human collaboration in various CQA scenarios. Lastly, we suggest design implications for future AI-assisted CQA systems.
A Design Vocabulary for Data Physicalization
Authors: Hornecker Eva , Hogan Trevor , Hinrichs Uta , Van Koningsbruggen Rosa
Published: August 2023

Although physical artifacts that represent data have been used for centuries, the research field—known as data physicalization—has only recently gained traction. Compared to data visualization, there is no established vocabulary for analyzing and discussing the properties of physicalizations. Through a grounded analysis of examples and literature, we propose a comprehensive design vocabulary, which consist of three separate, but connected parts:
explicit variables
,
implicit properties
, and
consequential aspects
. Explicit variables build on visual variables known from visualization and extend it to account for physicalization’s multi-modal nature. Implicit properties concern elements which are central to the design intention and user experience of physicalizations, yet are not a result of “explicit” encoding strategies. Finally, consequential aspects refer to unintentional effects of design decisions, that influence how a physicalization is experienced. Our work illustrates how physicalizations incorporate opportunities and challenges that are not afforded in other data representations, such as embodiment and
imagined touch
. With this, we contribute to generating theory on physicalization. Our design vocabulary can support (1) creators through informing their design processes and highlighting design strategies, (2) educators, and (3) academics and practitioners to analyse existing physicalizations, and reflect on the impact of design decisions on interpretation and experience.
Automata-Based Quantitative Reasoning
Authors: Bansal Suguman
Published: August 2023

Existing solution approaches for problems in
formal quantitative analysis
suffer from two challenges that adversely impact their theoretical understanding and large-scale applicability. These are the
lack of generalizability
, and
separation-of-techniques.
Lack of generalizability refers to the issue that solution approaches are often specialized to the underlying
cost model
that evaluates the quantitative property. Different cost models deploy such disparate algorithms that there is no transfer of knowledge from one cost model to another. Separation-of-techniques refers to the inherent dichotomy in solving problems in quantitative analysis. Most algorithms comprise of two phases: A
structural phase
, which reasons about the structure of the quantitative system(s) using techniques from automata or graphs; and a
numerical phase
, which reasons about the quantitative dimension/cost model using numerical methods. These techniques are incompatible with one another, forcing the phases to be performed sequentially, thereby impacting scalability.

The article presents a novel framework that addresses the aforementioned challenges. The introduced framework, called
comparator automata
or
comparators
in short, builds on automata-theoretic foundations to generalize across a variety of cost models. The crux of comparators is that they enable automata-based methods in the numerical phase, hence eradicating the dependence on numerical methods. In doing so, comparators are able to integrate the structural and numerical phases. On the theoretical front, we demonstrate that comparator-based solutions have the advantage of generalizable results, and yield complexity-theoretic improvements over a range of problems in quantitative analysis. On the practical front, we demonstrate through empirical analysis that comparator-based solutions render more efficient, scalable, and robust performance, and demonstrate broader applicability than traditional methods for quantitative reasoning.