bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hearing, Language, and General School Performance in Children with Cleft Lip/Palate Waiting for Alveolar and Hard Palate Reconstruction at the Age of Mixed Dentition
Authors: Pérez Hernández Blanca Isabel , Gonzalez Olivares Hilda , Herrera Rangel Aline Berenice , Lamas González Belma Jessica , Jáuregui-Renaud Kathrine
Published: August 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess hearing, language, and school performance in children with cleft lip/palate waiting for alveolar and hard palate reconstruction at the age of mixed dentition, compared to age-matched children with no birth anomalies. Methods: Forty-four children aged 8–12 years participated in the study (22 with/22 without cleft). After tympanometry and audiometry, a short in-house questionnaire was administered to their guardians to record data on school performance. Then, assessments were performed on velopharyngeal competency, intelligibility, language, and reading/writing skills. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed with p value set at 0.05. Results: Middle ear function, language, and school performance of children with cleft lip/palate were worse than that of children without cleft, particularly on spelling and phoneme-grapheme correspondence. Among children with cleft lip/palate, about half of the variability on the average school notes was related to their results on phonemic synthesis and spelling tests (ANCoVA, R2 = 0.52, p = 0.003), while the spelling results were related to the hearing thresholds (ANCoVA, R2 = 0.39, p = 0.01), regardless if the cleft was unilateral or bilateral. Conclusion: In children with cleft lip/palate, late alveolar and hard palate reconstruction may have an impact on hearing, language development, and performance at school.
Safety and Feasibility of Cholecystectomy with the HugoTM RAS: Proof of Setup Guides and First-In-Human German Experience
Authors: Belyaev Orlin , Fahlbusch Tim , Slobodkin Illya , Uhl Waldemar
Published: August 2023

Introduction: The Hugo RAS robotic platform by Medtronic was recently certified for human use in Europe. Several centers have gained initial experience with this system in urology and gynecology. However, few data about its feasibility and safety in general surgery have been published. Methods: The first-in-human surgical procedures with the Hugo RAS in Germany were performed at our hospital in February 2023. We report our early experience with robotic cholecystectomy using this new platform. The primary aim was to test the setup guides of the manufacturer and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of Hugo RAS for this procedure. Results: A modified setup with two 11-mm ports and two 8-mm ports without an assistant port was used in 14 consecutive cases. A 30° or a 0° camera, a bipolar grasper or a Maryland on the left arm, a monopolar scissors on the right arm, and a double-fenestrated grasper on the additional arm were mounted. Clip application and gallbladder extraction were performed by the bedside assistant through the right arm 11-mm port. There were no complications, no adverse events, and no conversions. Arm collisions were reduced through slight corrections in trocar positions. Conclusion: Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy with the Hugo RAS was safe and feasible. The modularity of robotic arms allows individual setup modifications which may be of advantage for patients and surgeons.
Treatment Outcomes of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Patients Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Tinajero Jose , Ngo Dat , Puing Alfredo , Koller Paul
Published: August 2023

Patients living with HIV are now living longer due to increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a decrease in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining cancer (ADC). However, increasing age and previous chemotherapy exposure for ADC (e.g., anthracyclines and topoisomerase inhibitors) are factors that may increase the risk of developing therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and highlight an unmet need. There are no established guidelines for the treatment of AML in patients with HIV and the literature is limited to treatment outcomes and experience. In addition, cladribine, a purine analog used in AML, has a package insert warning to avoid administration with concurrent agents that undergo phosphorylation, which include HIV ART backbones (e.g., nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTI]). Whether concurrent NRTI-based ART is deliverable with AML induction chemotherapy has not been reported previously. In our single-center experience of seven HIV-AML patients, all patients continued concurrent ART with induction chemotherapy. In 6 evaluable patients, three (50%) of patients went into complete remission (CR). Five (71.4%) patients were able to proceed to allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Median OS was 16.6 months, with patients who received HCT having longer median OS compared to those who were unable to proceed to HCT (49.6 months vs. 3.4 months). Interestingly, none of the patients who received AML regimens that included fludarabine were able to obtain a response. On the contrary, 4 patients who received AML regimens that utilized cytarabine given over a prolonged period of time (e.g., 7 + 3, liposomal daunorubicin/cytarabine) achieved a CR rate of 75%. Concurrent HIV ART and AML induction chemotherapy is deliverable, although much remains to be investigated on potential drug interactions between purine analog-based chemotherapy and HIV ART.
Resolving the Smoking Paradox: No Evidence for Smoking-Induced Preconditioning in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke
Authors: Widmer Roni E. , Bink Andrea , Hamann Janne , Herzog Lisa , El Amki Mohamad , Sarikaya Hakan , Kulcsar Zsolt , Luft Andreas R. , Wegener Susanne
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Smoking is an established risk factor for stroke. However, several studies have reported a better outcome after stroke for patients who smoke. According to this “smoking paradox” hypothesis, smoking might promote less severe strokes, higher collateral scores, and smaller infarct cores. Methods: In this retrospective study, we screened data of 2,980 acute ischemic stroke patients with MCA-M1 occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy. Patients were categorized according to smoking status (current, former, or never). We assessed univariate associations between clinical characteristics and smoking status. Subsequently, we used adjusted regression analysis to evaluate associations of smoking with stroke severity on admission (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]; primary endpoint), infarct core volume, and collateral status (secondary endpoints). Results: Out of 320 patients, 19.7% (n = 63) were current smokers and 18.8% (n = 60) were former smokers. Admission NIHSS, reperfusion success, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) after 3–6 months were similar in all groups. Current smokers were younger, more often male and less likely to have atrial fibrillation compared to former and never smokers. In regression analyses, smoking status was neither associated with admission NIHSS (estimate 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.27–2.35, p = 0.557) nor with collateral status (estimate 0.79, 95% CI: 0.44–1.44, p = 0.447) or infarct core volume (estimate −0.69, 95% CI: −15.15–13.77, p = 0.925 for current vs. never smokers). Conclusion: We could not confirm the smoking paradox. Our results support the fact that smoking causes stroke at a younger age, highlighting the role of smoking as a modifiable vascular risk factor.
Sempre à beira de se tornar outra coisa
Authors: Band Elisa
Published: August 2023

Este texto propõe uma análise dos espetáculos Gentil unicórnio e O animal, ambos da dramaturga, diretora e performer italiana Chiara Bersani, apresentados na ocasião da Semana da Cena Italiana Contemporânea em São Paulo (SCENA), realizada no Sesc Pompeia em maio de 2022. Pretende-se indagar como a singularidade que a performer instaura em cena pode nos apontar alguns elementos de abertura de sentidos e de possibilidades estéticas e existenciais, a partir da investigação de diferentes modos de criar e de existir que fogem a esquadrinhamentos domesticados, de corpo ou de linguagem.
A criação da dimensão clínica da dança com pessoas autistas
Authors: Ferreira Silvana Rocco
Published: August 2023

Afirmação da existência de uma dimensão clínica da dança, este artigo é a partilha de afetos e reflexões gerados a partir de encontros de dança com pessoas autistas em perspectiva terapêutica. Partindo da dança e de suas bordas comuns com a clínica, em diálogo com as experiências de Fernand Deligny com crianças autistas, versamos sobre a gestualidade autista e suas consonâncias com o dançar e sobre a corporeidade e os gestos do terapeuta nos processos terapêuticos de pessoas autistas.
Plasma Trimethylamine‐
N
‐Oxide and Incident Ischemic Stroke: The Cardiovascular Health Study and the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Lemaitre Rozenn N. , Jensen Paul N. , Wang Zeneng , Fretts Amanda M. , Sitlani Colleen M. , Nemet Ina , Sotoodehnia Nona , de Oliveira Otto Marcia C. , Zhu Weifei , Budoff Matt , Longstreth W. T. , Psaty Bruce M. , Siscovick David S. , Hazen Stanley L. , Mozaffarian Dariush
Published: August 2023

Background

The association of circulating trimethylamine‐
N
‐oxide (TMAO) with stroke has received limited attention. To address this gap, we examined the associations of serial measures of plasma TMAO with incident ischemic stroke.

Methods and Results

We used a prospective cohort design with data pooled from 2 cohorts. The settings were the CHS (Cardiovascular Health Study), a cohort of older adults, and the MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), both in the United States. We measured plasma concentrations of TMAO at baseline and again during the follow‐up using high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. We assessed the association of plasma TMAO with incident ischemic stroke using proportional hazards regression adjusted for risk factors.

The combined cohorts included 11 785 participants without a history of stroke, on average 73 (CHS) and 62 (MESA) years old at baseline, including 60% (CHS) and 53% (MESA) women. We identified 1031 total incident ischemic strokes during a median 15‐year follow‐up in the combined cohorts. In multivariable analyses, TMAO was significantly associated with incident ischemic stroke risk (hazard ratios comparing a doubling of TMAO: 1.11 [1.03–1.18],
P
=0.004). The association was linear over the range of TMAO concentrations and appeared restricted to those without diagnosed coronary heart disease. An association with hemorrhagic stroke was not found.

Conclusions

Plasma TMAO levels are associated with incident ischemic stroke in a diverse population.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00005133.
Particulate Matter Pollution Remains a Threat for Cardiovascular Health: Findings From the Global Burden of Disease 2019
Authors: Moradi Mahsa , Behnoush Amir Hossein , Abbasi‐Kangevari Mohsen , Saeedi Moghaddam Sahar , Soleimani Zahra , Esfahani Zahra , Naderian Mohammadreza , Malekpour Mohammad‐Reza , Rezaei Nazila , Keykhaei Mohammad , Khanmohammadi Shaghayegh , Tavolinejad Hamed , Rezaei Negar , Larijani Bagher , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: August 2023

Background

Particulate matter (PM) pollution is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, causing substantial disease burden and deaths worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the global burden of cardiovascular diseases attributed to PM from 1990 to 2019.

Methods and Results

We used the GBD (Global Burden of Disease) study 2019 to investigate disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and deaths attributed to PM as well as its subgroups. It was shown that all burden measures' age‐standardized rates for PM were in the same decreasing trend, with the highest decline recorded for deaths (−36.7%). However, the all‐age DALYs increased by 31%, reaching 8.9 million in 2019, to which YLLs contributed the most (8.2 million [95% uncertainty interval, 7.3 million–9.2 million]). Men had higher deaths, DALYs, and YLLs despite lower years lived with disability in 2019 compared with women. There was an 8.1% increase in the age‐standardized rate of DALYs for ambient PM; however, household air pollution from solid fuels decreased by 65.4% in the assessed period. Although higher in men, the low and high sociodemographic index regions had the highest and lowest attributed YLLs/YLDs ratio for PM pollution in 2019, respectively.

Conclusions

Although the total age‐standardized rate of DALYs for PM‐attributed cardiovascular diseases diminished from 1990 to 2019, the global burden of PM on cardiovascular diseases has increased. The differences between men and women and between regions have clinical and policy implications in global health planning toward more exact funding and resource allocation, in addition to addressing inequity in health care access.
Explainable Machine Learning to Predict Anchored Reentry Substrate Created by Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Computational Models
Authors: Bifulco Savannah F. , Macheret Fima , Scott Griffin D. , Akoum Nazem , Boyle Patrick M.
Published: August 2023

Background

Postablation arrhythmia recurrence occurs in ~40% of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Fibrotic remodeling exacerbates arrhythmic activity in persistent atrial fibrillation and can play a key role in reentrant arrhythmia, but emergent interaction between nonconductive ablation‐induced scar and native fibrosis (ie, residual fibrosis) is poorly understood.

Methods and Results

We conducted computational simulations in pre‐ and postablation left atrial models reconstructed from late gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans to test the hypothesis that ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation creates new substrate conducive to recurrent arrhythmia mediated by anchored reentry. We trained a random forest machine learning classifier to accurately pinpoint specific nonconductive tissue regions (ie, areas of ablation‐delivered scar or vein/valve boundaries) with the capacity to serve as substrate for anchored reentry‐driven recurrent arrhythmia (area under the curve: 0.91±0.03). Our analysis suggests there is a distinctive nonconductive tissue pattern prone to serving as arrhythmogenic substrate in postablation models, defined by a specific size and proximity to residual fibrosis.

Conclusions

Overall, this suggests persistent atrial fibrillation ablation transforms substrate that favors functional reentry (ie, rotors meandering in excitable tissue) into an arrhythmogenic milieu more conducive to anchored reentry. Our work also indicates that explainable machine learning and computational simulations can be combined to effectively probe mechanisms of recurrent arrhythmia.
The Principle of Separation of Powers: the Case of Lithuania
Authors: Šinkūnas Haroldas , Pūraitė-Andrikienė Dovilė
Published: August 2023

The principle of separation of powers is one of the most important constitutional principles underlying the organization of public power. In interpreting this principle, the Lithuanian Constitutional Court has defined it is a fundamental principle of the organization and functioning of a democratic state governed by the rule of law, which requires not only separation of the branches of government but also ensuring a balance between them. The constitutional rule stating that ‘in Lithuania, State power is executed by the Seimas, the President of the Republic and the Government, and the Judiciary’ is the starting point for revealing the content of the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution. This article discusses the exercise of legislative, executive and judicial powers by the public authorities specified in the Constitution and presents some cases of violation of the constitutional principle of separation of powers that have been examined by the Lithuanian Constitutional Court. These issues are analyzed in the context of challenges to the principle of separation of powers in other Central and Eastern European countries.
The European Convention on Human Rights and the Lithuanian Constitutional Court: the echr’s Formal Status, Impact and Interaction Between the Court and the ECtHR
Authors: Bubnytė-Širmenė Karolina
Published: August 2023

The article explores the attitude of the Lithuanian Constitutional Court to the European Convention on Human Rights, revealing its evolution from the establishment of the Court in 1993 until today. It is assumed that the most significant impact of the Convention was perceived in earlier constitutional jurisprudence, while its increased quality and quantity brought changes in the Court’s attitude to the Convention, also influencing its relationship with the European Court of Human Rights. The author undertakes the following tasks: 1) to define the formal legal status of the Convention within the Lithuanian legal system; 2) to reveal the impact of the Convention on Lithuanian constitutional jurisprudence and to identify related changes; 3) to discuss the relationship between the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights as it has evolved and 4) to find out whether there is room for domestic development of the rights guaranteed under the Convention and how this manifests.
Bridging Between an Effective Economy and Environmental Protection Under the Lithuanian Constitution
Authors: Juškevičiūtė-Vilienė Agnė
Published: August 2023

In 1992, the Lithuanian Constitution created the preconditions for the stable and successful economic development of the state and laid down foundations for regulating economic relationships that ensure the predictability of economic, social, and legal relationships. The article analyzes how the concept of social justice as chosen by the drafters of the Constitution influences Lithuanian economic policy, as well as what foundations are consolidated in the Constitution for the economic system and freedom of individual economic activity. A brief study is presented in order to reveal the patterns of regulation of the Lithuanian economy in constitutional law, as well as the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court in relation to freedom of individual economic activity over the thirty years that the Constitution has been in force. Study of this jurisprudence shows that, in the first decade of restored Lithuanian independence, freedom of economic activity was particularly encouraged by the Constitutional Court, with the aim of creating the foundations for a market economy as soon as possible. Later, the main aim of the state was to ensure Lithuania’s energy independence, while in the third decade of independence constitutional jurisprudence increasingly analyzed the possibilities of finding a balance between environmental protection requirements and economic freedom. The second part of the article examines the constitutional foundations for environmental protection and the constitutional doctrine interpreting them; it is maintained that environmental protection can, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, be recognized as an important public interest, which may justify restrictions on freedom of individual economic activity; however, these restrictions must guarantee a balance between the two constitutional values of environmental protection and freedom of individual economic activity.
Puzzles and Patronage in the Persian Cosmopolis: Moʿin al-Din Esfezāri’s Acrostic Letter to Mahmud Gāvān
Authors: Walravens Meia
Published: August 2023

This article studies a literary puzzle, a maktub-e movashshah or acrostic letter, that is among the Persian monshaʾāt (stylized literary letters) of the Herat-based historian and secretary Moʿin al-Din Mohammad Zamji Esfezāri (fl. 1468–94/873–99). Created in praise of the Bahmani vizier Mahmud Gāvān (d. 1481/886), Esfezāri’s composition fits within a corpus of letters that testifies to the existence of epistolary contacts between Gāvān and the élites of the court of Soltān-Hosayn Bāyqarā (r. 1469–1506/873–911). Esfezāri’s letter is especially valuable because it elucidates Timurid intellectuals’ interests in such relations in the second half of the fifteenth/ninth century. An analysis of its message shows that Timurid literati could pursue long-distance patronage in the Deccan, without necessarily migrating to the region. The letter’s acrostic form, moreover, is an interesting case of how authors of Persian texts could strike a balance between local expectations and transregional aspirations in the Persian cosmopolis.
Meeting Lofty Aspirations? English National Planning Policy, International Law, and Climate Change
Authors: Mills Alistair
Published: August 2023

The National Planning Policy Framework (nppf) is the primary expression of central government planning policy for England. Given the importance of the planning system for a transition to a more sustainable future, including seeking to reduce and avoid greenhouse gas emissions, the nppf is a highly significant document. The nppf refers to the ideas of sustainable development and intergenerational equity, important in international environmental law. However, intergenerational equity has scarcely featured in the many legal challenges regarding the interpretation of the nppf. Having considered the extent to which the nppf achieves the aspirations set out in the instruments to which it refers, this article suggests potential changes to policy so as to provide greater support to the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Two Times Problem: Where Is the Problem?
Authors: Herzog Michael H.
Published: August 2023

Gruber et al. (2022) offered a framework how to explain “Physical time within human time”, solving the ‘two times problem’. Here, I am asking whether such a problem exists at all. To question the question, I will appeal to neurobiological, evolutionary, and philosophical arguments suggesting that human time does not need to be reconciled with physical time.
A new subgenus, Australixodes n. subgen. (Acari: Ixodidae), for the kiwi tick, Ixodes anatis Chilton, 1904, and validation of the subgenus Coxixodes Schulze, 1941 with a phylogeny of 16 of the 22 subgenera of Ixodes Latreille, 1795 from entire mitochondrial genome sequences
Authors: BARKER STEPHEN C. , KELAVA SAMUAEL , HEATH ALLEN C. G. , SEEMAN OWEN D. , APANASKEVICH DMITRY A. , MANS BEN J. , SHAO RENFU , GOFTON ALEXANDER W. , TEO ERNEST J. M. , BYRNE ANDREW F. , ITO TAKUYA , TAN CRAIG J. , BARKER DAYANA , NAKAO RYO
Published: August 2023

A new subgenus, Australixodes n. subgen., is described for the kiwi tick, Ixodes anatis Chilton, 1904. The subgenus Coxixodes Schulze, 1941 is validated for the platypus tick, Ixodes (Coxixodes) ornithorhynchi Lucas, 1846, sister group of the subgenus Endopalpiger Schulze, 1935. A phylogeny from mitochondrial genomes of 16 of the 22 subgenera of Ixodes (32 spp.) indicates, for the first time, the relationships of the subgenera of Ixodes Latreille, 1795, the largest genus of ticks.
The new annotated checklist of the wild bees of Europe (Hymenoptera: Anthophila)
Authors: GHISBAIN GUILLAUME , ROSA PAOLO , BOGUSCH PETR , FLAMINIO SIMONE , DIVELEC ROMAIN LE , DORCHIN ACHIK , KASPAREK MAX , KUHLMANN MICHAEL , LITMAN JESSE , MIGNOT MAUD , MÜLLER ANDREAS , PRAZ CHRISTOPHE , RADCHENKO VLADIMIR G. , RASMONT PIERRE , RISCH STEPHAN , ROBERTS STUART P.M. , SMIT JAN , WOOD THOMAS J. , MICHEZ DENIS , REVERTÉ SARA
Published: August 2023

At a time when nature conservation has become essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of our environment, it is widely acknowledged that conservation actions must be implemented within a solid taxonomic framework. In preparation for the upcoming update of the IUCN Red List, we here update the European checklist of the wild bees (sensu the IUCN geographical framework). The original checklist, published in 2014, was revised for the first time in 2017. In the present revision, we add one genus, four subgenera and 67 species recently described, 40 species newly recorded since the latest revision (including two species that are not native to Europe), 26 species overlooked in the previous European checklists and 63 published synonymies. We provide original records for eight species previously unknown to the continent and, as original taxonomic acts, we provide three new synonyms, we consider two names as nomina nuda, ten names as nomina dubia, three as species inquirenda, synonymize three species and exclude 40 species from the previous checklist. Around a hundred other taxonomic changes and clarifications are also included and discussed. The present work revises the total number of genera for IUCN Europe to 77 and the total number of species to 2,138. In addition to specifying the taxonomic changes necessary to update the forthcoming Red List of European bees, we discuss the sampling and taxonomic biases that characterise research on the European bee fauna and highlight the growing importance of range expansions and species invasions.
Revealing the diversity of ant-eating spiders in Colombia II: morphology, distribution, and taxonomy of the trilobatus group of the genus Tenedos O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897 (Araneae: Zodariidae)
Authors: MARTÍNEZ LEONEL , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO D. , MARTÍNEZ CARLOS PRIETO
Published: August 2023

Tenedos O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897, is the most diverse arrangement of Neotropical zodariids. The genus is composed by several species group, which only the barronus group is formally recognized. However, several groups remain uncharacterized despite being easily distinguishable by the distinctive sexual morphology. We formally proposed a second species group in Tenedos, the trilobatus group, including the known species Tenedos trilobatus Jocqué & Baert, 2002 from Colombia and T. figaro Jocqué & Baert, 2002 from Ecuador, whose type specimens are redescribed herein. Seven new species of the trilobatus group from Colombia are proposed based on both sexes: T. anchicaya sp. n. (♂♀), T. chiribiquete sp. n. (♂♀), T. cumbre sp. n. (♂♀), T. gabi sp. n. (♂♀), T. quimbaya sp. n. (♂♀), T. huila sp. n. (♂♀), T. valle sp. n. (♂♀). New data on the distribution range of Tenedos trilobatus in Colombia are included. We further provide distribution maps and an identification key for all species of the group. Morphological remarks of the new group and a comparison of it with the barronus group are included.
A Nanofibrous Neural Channel Combined with a Passive and Active Exercise Improve Muscle Re-Innervation in a Rat Model of Sciatic Nerve Injury: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Chen Ji , Wang Lijun , Sun Jinliang , Tang Yuanjin , Ren Bo
Published: August 2023

In the current study, we compared the effects of passive (bicycle) and active (treadmill) exercise combined with an electrospun crocetin-loaded neural conduits on sciatic nerve repair in a rat model. The animals were treated with a nanofibrous neural conduit and received regular excesses.
Study showed that the animals treated with both exercise and neural conduits had significantly higher SFI values and better response to painful stimulus. In addition, gastrocnemius muscle re-innervation was significantly better in the crocetin-loaded conduits+exercise group.
In Vivo Imaging Guided GMBP1 Modified Nanoplatform for Real Time Monitoring and Photothermal Therapy of Multidrug Resistance in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Zhan Wenhua , Li Hanrui , Zhou Yun , Li Ke , Liu Changhu
Published: August 2023

Chemotherapy for gastric cancer (GC) is easy to cause multidrug resistance. Accordingly, it is of great significance to accurately monitor multidrug resistance for individualized treatment in GC. Molecular imaging technology provides a powerful means for the detection of multidrug resistance
in GC. Research suggests that GMBP1 can specifically combined with overexpressed GRP78 receptor on GC multidrug resistance cells. Therefore, we constructed a dual-mode imaging nanocomplex based on GMBP1 (Au@bMSN-Cy7.5-GMBP1) that enables real-time multidrug resistance monitoring In Vivo
through fluorescence imaging and photoacoustic imaging. In addition, Au@bMSN-Cy7.5-GMBP1 has a good photothermal effect so that it can be used for In Vivo photothermal therapy of multidrug resistance of GC. Au@bMSN-Cy7.5-GMBP1 has good stability and photothermal effect and its particle
size is about 100 nm. Au@bMSN-Cy7.5-GMBP1 has low cytotoxicity and can effectively inhibit tumor cell growth under laser irradiation. Au@bMSN-Cy7.5-GMBP1 has low hematotoxicity and good biosafety. Au@bMSN-Cy7.5-GMBP1 can be observed to accumulate gradually in the tumor site through fluorescence
imaging and photoacoustic imaging, so as to realize real-time monitoring of GC multidrug resistance. In Vivo photothermal therapy results show that Au@bMSN-Cy7.5-GMBP1 can effectively inhibit tumor growth under laser irradiation, and realize photothermal treatment of multidrug resistance
in GC. Au@bMSN-Cy7.5-GMBP1 provides an excellent nano-platform for individualized treatment and multidrug resistance monitoring of GC.
Surface Characteristics, Osteogenic Activity and Antibacterial Effect of Magnesium-Doped Porous Coating on Titanium Surface
Authors: Ni Xiaohui , Jiao Yang , Cai Baisheng , Liu Renbao , Lu Kaihang , Zhang Pengpeng , Wu Xingling , Zhao Quanming
Published: August 2023

Biomedical titanium and its alloys have become the preferred materials for bone and joint implants due to their excellent biocompatibility, high specific strength, and low elastic modulus. However, poor biological activity and bacterial infection on the surface of titanium alloys have
become major obstacles to their clinical application. Improving the osteogenic and antibacterial properties of titanium through surface modification is currently an important research area. In this study, a microporous magnesium-doped titanium dioxide coating was prepared on a titanium surface
via microarc oxidation. This coating not only has a good porous surface morphology, with magnesium distributed on the surface of the coating, but also exhibits good resistance to corrosion and wear. In vitro cell experiments showed that the coating promoted proliferation, differentiation
and mineralization in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, while bacterial experiments showed that the coating inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with good antibacterial activity. This study provides a new theoretical and experimental basis for
improving the biological activity of titanium.
Anlotinib: A Novel Molecular-Targeted Drug for Tumours
Authors: Na Jintong , Liu Xiyu , Sun Xinjun , Fan Dianfa , Qian Zhangbo , Yao Min , Pan Lina , He Ziqing , Liu Qiaoqiao , Shen Zhen , Jiao Rong , Lin Xia , Gan Lu , Li Guiyin , Zhong Liping
Published: August 2023

Anlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It inhibits tumour growth by inhibiting the phosphorylation of angiogenesis-related receptors and attenuating the expression of related signals downstream of this pathway. Anlotinib has shown good antitumour activity and tolerability in patients
with tumours, and multitargeted inhibition of angiogenesis does not lead to drug resistance due to excessive bypass activation. Moreover, its antitumour activity is superior to that of sunitinib, a conventional angiogenesis inhibitor. Results from several clinical studies have indicated that
anlotinib improves progression-free survival and overall survival. Most adverse effects of anlotinib treatment were found to be alleviated by dose adjustment and symptomatic supportive therapy in several clinical trials. Therefore, anlotinib is a promising drug for oncology patients that is
safe, effective, and tolerable, allowing patients with advanced cancer to benefit from drug therapy. This article reviews the basic information, antitumour mechanisms, clinical applications, clinical trial findings, and adverse effects of anlotinib and describes the problems in anlotinib research.
It concludes with an outlook on future work.
Prognostic Nutritional Index as a Predictor of No-Reflow Occurrence in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Safak Ozgen , Yildirim Tarik , Emren Volkan , Avci Eyup , Argan Onur , Aktas Zihni , Yildirim Seda Elcim , Akgun Didar Elif , Kisacik Halil Lutfi
Published: August 2023

Nutritional status and its index (Prognostic Nutritional Index, PNI) is an important prognostic factor for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The present study investigated whether PNI it is associated with no-reflow in patients with STEMI. In this retrospective study, 404 patients with STEMI and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) were consecutively included, between January 2016 and December 2018. No-reflow phenomenon (NRP) was detected in 103 (25.4%) patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis C-reactive protein (CRP) (odds ratio (OR): 1.693, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.126–2.547, P = .011), left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR: 0.777, 95% CI: 0.678–0.891, P < .001), SYNTAX score (OR: 1.114, 95% CI: 1.050–1.183, P = .001), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (OR: 1.033, 95% CI: 1.013–1.055, P = .002), hemoglobin level (OR: 0.572, 95% CI: 0.395–0.827, P = .003), PNI (OR: 0.554, 95% CI: 0.448–0.686, P < .001) were associated with NRP. The area under curve of PNI was significantly higher than albumin (z = 4.747, P < .001) and lymphocyte values (z = 3.481 P < .001). PNI was associated with no-reflow occurrence and mortality. So, PNI may be useful to predict NRP risk in patients with STEMI before pPCI.
The Effect of Habitual Speech Rate on Speaker-Specific Processing in English Stop Voicing Perception
Authors: Ting Connie , Kang Yoonjung
Published: August 2023

This study investigates listeners’ ability to track individual speakers’ habitual speech rate in a dialogue and adjust their perception of durational contrasts. Previous studies that found such adjustments are inconclusive as adjustments can be attributed to exemplars of target structures in the dialogue rather than perceptual calibration of habitual speech rates. In this study, English listeners were presented with a dialogue between a fast and slow speaker, containing no stressed syllable-initial voiceless stops. Listeners then categorized /pi/-/bi/ syllables differing along a voice onset time continuum. Results did not show conclusive evidence that listeners’ response differed systematically depending on speakers’ habitual speech rate.
Investigation of ring, airjet and rotor spun yarn structures on the fragmented fibers (microplastics) released from polyester textiles during laundering
Authors: Jabbar Abdul , Tausif Muhammad
Published: August 2023

The release of fragmented fibers (FFs), including microplastics from textiles, during their service life is considered an established source of environmental pollution. The yarn structure is identified to affect the amount and length distribution profile of shed FFs from textiles. In the present work, the impact of yarn structures spun from 100% polyester staple fibers, using commercially relevant spun yarn technologies in the textile industry, on the release of FFs from textiles is studied. The bespoke woven fabric samples produced from three types of spun yarns, which include ring, airjet (air vortex) and rotor yarns, were subjected to an accelerated washing process, for up to five washes, to quantify shed FFs and their length distribution profile. The morphological shapes of FF ends associated with the nature of fiber damage were also investigated. The results demonstrated that airjet and rotor yarn structures had released 28% and 33% less mass of FFs, respectively, as compared to the ring yarn structure during the whole washing process. The length distribution profile identified that the ring yarn structure shed longer length FFs as compared to both airjet and rotor ones. The damaged ends highlight the importance of textile manufacturing processes on the generation of FFs. The results of this study give a better understanding of the yarn structural effect of commercially relevant technologies on shedding of FFs, which are released as a pollutant to the environment.
Animalising International Relations
Authors: Cudworth Erika , Hobden Stephen
Published: August 2023

This article explores what it means to ‘animalise’ International Relations (IR). The posthuman move in the social sciences has involved the process of de-centring the human, replacing an anthropocentric focus with a view of the human as embedded within a complex network of inter-species relations. In a previous work we drew attention to the lack of analysis within International Relations of the key role played by more-than human animals in situations of conflict. The current COVID-19 pandemic again indicates that an analysis of international relations that does not have at its core an understanding of a more than human world is always going to be an incomplete account. The paper argues for the animalising of International Relations in order to enhance inclusivity, and suggests five ways in which this might be approached. As it becomes increasingly clear that a climate-related collapse is imminent, we argue for a transformative approach to the discipline, stressing interlinked networks and a shared vulnerability as a political project which challenges capitalism (advanced/late/carboniferous/genocidal) and the failure of states to address the concatenation of crises that life on the planet confronts.
Quantized practical fixed-time consensus tracking for networked Euler–Lagrange systems under the predetermined workspace
Authors: Li He , Liu Cheng-Lin , Zhang Ya , Chen Yang-Yang
Published: August 2023

This paper tries to solve the quantized practical fixed-time consensus tracking problem for networked Euler–Lagrange systems under the predetermined workspace. To realize the information interaction under the limited bandwidth, a set of encoder, decoder, and average quantizers are constructed to process the interaction data. On this basis, a fixed-time observer is proposed so that each follower can estimate the leader’s information within the quantized communication environment. Afterward, the local tracking control algorithm is designed by using backstepping strategy and adaptive technology, and the state constraint function is introduced to cope with the asymmetric time-varying constraint problem. With the Lyapunov stability criterion, all error signals are guaranteed to remain in the compact sets near the origin within the fixed time. Ultimately, a numerical example is carried out to testify the validity of the proposed scheme.
The Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic Made People Feel Threatened, but Had a Limited Impact on Political Attitudes in the United States
Authors: Brandt Mark J. , Vallabha Shree , Turner-Zwinkels Felicity M.
Published: August 2023

We investigated if the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset caused changes in political attitudes. Influential theories predict that the pandemic’s onset will cause people to adopt more conservative attitudes, more culturally conservative attitudes, or more extreme attitudes. We comprehensively tested the external validity of these predictions by estimating the causal effect of the pandemic’s onset on 84 political attitudes and eight perceived threats using fine-grained repeated cross-sectional data (Study 1, N = 232,684) and panel data (Study 2, N = 552) collected in the United States. Although the pandemic’s onset caused feelings of threat, the onset only caused limited attitude change (six conservative shifts, four extremity shifts, 12 liberal shifts, 62 no change). Prominent theories of threat and politics did not make accurate predictions for this major societal threat. Our results highlight the necessity of testing psychological theories’ predictive powers in real-life circumstances.
Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis to Identify Complex Solutions and Optimal Combinations of Conditions Influencing COVID Vaccine Acceptance: A Primer for QCA
Authors: Brush Gregory J. , Guo Xiaoling , Hunting Amabel , Frethey-Bentham Catherine
Published: August 2023

Quantitative studies in marketing are dominated by variance-based approaches. These have limitations for understanding macromarketing outcomes that often derive from different combinations of causal conditions, and where factors productive of the same outcome may be different from those impeding it. In this paper we draw on set-theoretic theory and propose qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) as an analytical method able to complement and extend macromarketing research programs. Fuzzy-set QCA is used to explore combinations of conditions influencing COVID vaccine adoption, with readers provided with detailed guidance through the process and current best practices. We consider a number of important but often neglected issues in fuzzy-set QCA; outlining how to conduct robustness checks, appropriateness of a two-step approach, identifying individual cases with specific conditions for further analysis, and examining the problems and opportunities provided by irrelevant cases and contradictions. A summary of macromarketing issues that may benefit from QCA, and recommended practices for conducting a QCA, are provided.
Empirical Study on the Development of Driving Environments for Personal Mobility Vehicles
Authors: Kim Sunhoon , Hwang Sooncheon , Lee Dongmin , Myeong Myohee
Published: August 2023

Personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) are the potential future travel mode, typically for “first-mile and last-mile trips,” in urban areas. Accordingly, the popularity of PMVs is increasing, and the purpose of using PMVs is diversifying in South Korea. Before revision of the law concerning PMVs, the driving ways and roads for PMVs were not defined by regulations in South Korea. Therefore, most PMV users preferred to drive on sidewalks and bicycle lanes to avoid collisions with larger vehicles. Furthermore, PMVs have been involved in many accidents. To solve these problems, the government of South Korea revised the Road Traffic Act to permit PMVs to travel on bicycle lanes and considered building a new type of lane for PMVs based on the results of field experiments conducted in this study. In these experiments, the minimum turning radius with various speeds, driving performance on roads with vertical alignments, lateral placements in curved sections were examined. In addition, conflicts and inconvenience of PMVs driving on bicycle lanes were tested. In the experiments, three different types of PMVs—electric scooter (e-scooter), electric unicycle (e-unicycle), and segway—were used. Through the experiments, the feasibility of using PMVs on bicycle lanes was assessed, and the design criteria for PMV lanes were derived.
Transportation Curriculum with Culturally Responsive Teaching: Lessons Learned from Pre-Service Teachers and Future Transportation Workforce
Authors: Naz Farah , Saha Troyee , Hyun Kyung (Kate)
Published: August 2023

With K-12 students from diverse social and cultural backgrounds in the classroom today, it is crucial to develop a more inclusive and socially diverse curriculum, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics. Transportation in particular is a topic that can relate to people’s culture and can be a suitable medium to introduce diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is a technique that can help connect students’ cultures, languages, and life experiences with their learning. Despite the known benefits of CRT, this strategy had not been adequately implemented in transportation education because of the limited awareness and knowledge of educators. This research contributes to the literature by investigating the current state of knowledge, awareness, and resources present in transportation pedagogy and investigates the feasibility of transportation as a suitable topic to incorporate culturally responsive learning strategies through surveys and workshops with pre-service science teachers and the future transportation workforce. Five key elements emerged from the analysis. First, the existing lack of diversity in STEM curriculum started to change to be inclusive. Second, teachers’ awareness and preparation are crucial for creating quality educational materials. Third, curriculum topics that can relate to cultural components in daily living enhance social diversity in transportation education. Therefore, fourth, transportation can be a good curriculum topic and, fifth, barriers including the difficulty of incorporating many cultural components, privacy, and legal issues still exist. The identified gaps and highlighted areas can contribute to the current state of knowledge and practice of CRT in STEM and transportation pedagogy.
Prediction and optimisation for surface roughness distribution in external spline shaping based on micro-element method
Authors: Ma Xiaofan , Yao Bin , Liu Wanshan , Cai Zhiqin , Li Zhengminqing , Li Zhisheng
Published: August 2023

Previous surface topography prediction models for external spline shaping do not consider the relationship between the tool and workpiece geometry and cutter edge wear. In this work, by considering the tool–workpiece geometry correlation, a model for the tooth surface topography of the external spline is established based on the micro-element method. Combined with adhere model, a gear shaper wear model is founded on the wear mechanism of cutter edge micro-element derived from the abrasive wear mechanism. The distribution characteristics of tooth topography are analysed through an external spline shaping experiment, which verifies the validity of the presented model. For the uneven distribution of tooth surface topography, a shaping process optimisation algorithm is proposed based on the advance-and-retreat method, which can obtain tooth surfaces with uniform surface topography distribution and reduce tool wear. This work can guide the optimisation of the external spline shaping process, improve the integrity of the tooth surface and prolong the serviceable life of gear shaper.
Research on precise control of piston eccentricity by electromagnetic levitation in labyrinth piston compressor
Authors: Zhang Wenshan , Pan Yingjiu
Published: August 2023

The piston in the Labyrinth piston compressor (LPC) usually runs eccentrically in the cylinder, which results in large internal leakage and low volumetric efficiency. An active electromagnetic control method based on the electromagnetic levitation theory was proposed in this paper to control the piston eccentricity, and a triple close-loop multi-factor coupled feedback control strategy composed of a current loop, a velocity loop, and a displacement loop was designed to realize the levitation control of the piston. The experimental research shows that there is serious piston eccentricity in the LPC, and the piston eccentricity is positively correlated with the increase of compressor pressure ratio and speed. By adopting the active electromagnetic control system proposed in this paper, the piston eccentricity is significantly reduced, and the maximum reduction is over 88%. Further research shows that the volume flow rate and volumetric efficiency of the LPC with control are maximum improved by about 45.6% and 44%, respectively. In conclusion, the piston eccentricity in the LPC could be effectively reduced by adopting the active electromagnetic control method proposed in this paper, thus improving its performance.