bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the duration of ambulatory consultations affect the quality of healthcare? A systematic review
Authors: León-García Montserrat , Wieringa Thomas H , Espinoza Suárez Nataly R , Hernández-Leal María José , Villanueva Gemma , Singh Ospina Naykky , Hidalgo Jessica , Prokop Larry J , Rocha Calderón Claudio , LeBlanc Annie , Zeballos-Palacios Claudia , Brito Juan Pablo , Montori Victor M
Published: October 2023

Background

The objective is to examine and synthesise the best available experimental evidence about the effect of ambulatory consultation duration on quality of healthcare.

Methods

We included experimental studies manipulating the length of outpatient clinical encounters between adult patients and clinicians (ie, therapists, pharmacists, nurses, physicians) to determine their effect on quality of care (ie, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, safety, equity, patient-centredness and patient satisfaction).

Information sources

Using controlled vocabulary and keywords, without restriction by language or year of publication, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Systematic Reviews and Scopus from inception until 15 May 2023.

Risk of bias

Cochrane Risk of Bias instrument.

Data synthesis

Narrative synthesis.

Results

11 publications of 10 studies explored the relationship between encounter duration and quality. Most took place in the UK’s general practice over two decades ago. Study findings based on very sparse and outdated evidence—which suggested that longer consultations improved indicators of patient-centred care, education about prevention and clinical referrals; and that consultation duration was inconsistently related to patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes—warrant low confidence due to limited protections against bias and indirect applicability to current practice.

Conclusion

Experimental evidence for a minimal or optimal duration of an outpatient consultation is sparse and outdated. To develop evidence-based policies and practices about encounter length, randomised trials of different consultation lengths—in person and virtually, and with electronic health records—are needed.

Trial registration number

OSF Registration DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/EUDK8.
Pretreatment radiomic biomarker for immunotherapy responder prediction in stage IB–IV NSCLC (LCDigital-IO Study): a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Wu Shaowei , Zhan Weijie , Liu Lan , Xie Daipeng , Yao Lintong , Yao Henian , Liao Guoqing , Huang Luyu , Zhou Yubo , You Peimeng , Huang Zekai , Li Qiaxuan , Xu Bin , Wang Siyun , Wang Guangyi , Zhang Dong-Kun , Qiao Guibin , Chan Lawrence Wing-Chi , Lanuti Michael , Zhou Haiyu
Published: October 2023

Background

The predictive efficacy of current biomarker of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is not sufficient. This study investigated the causality between radiomic biomarkers and immunotherapy response status in patients with stage IB–IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including its biological context for ICIs treatment response prediction.

Methods

CT images from 319 patients with pretreatment NSCLC receiving immunotherapy between January 2015 and November 2021 were retrospectively collected and composed a discovery (n=214), independent validation (n=54), and external test cohort (n=51). A set of 851 features was extracted from tumorous and peritumoral volumes of interest (VOIs). The reference standard is the durable clinical benefit (DCB, sustained disease control for more than 6 months assessed via radiological evaluation). The predictive value of combined radiomic signature (CRS) for pathological response was subsequently assessed in another cohort of 98 patients with resectable NSCLC receiving ICIs preoperatively. The association between radiomic features and tumor immune landscape on the online data set (n=60) was also examined. A model combining clinical predictor and radiomic signatures was constructed to improve performance further.

Results

CRS discriminated DCB and non-DCB patients well in the training and validation cohorts with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82, 95% CI: 0.75 to 0.88, and 0.75, 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.87, respectively. In this study, the predictive value of CRS was better than programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression (AUC of PD-L1 subset: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.50 to 0.69) or clinical model (AUC: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.81). After combining the clinical signature with CRS, the predictive performance improved further with an AUC of 0.837, 0.790 and 0.781 in training, validation and D2 cohorts, respectively. When predicting pathological response, CRS divided patients into a major pathological response (MPR) and non-MPR group (AUC: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.81). Moreover, CRS showed a promising stratification ability on overall survival (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.89; p=0.020) and progression-free survival (HR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.74; p=0.002).

Conclusion

By analyzing both tumorous and peritumoral regions of CT images in a radiomic strategy, we developed a non-invasive biomarker for distinguishing responders of ICIs therapy and stratifying their survival outcome efficiently, which may support the clinical decisions on the use of ICIs in advanced as well as patients with resectable NSCLC.
A 50 l Cygno prototype overground characterization
Authors: Amaro Fernando Domingues , Antonietti Rita , Baracchini Elisabetta , Benussi Luigi , Bianco Stefano , Borra Francesco , Capoccia Cesidio , Caponero Michele , Cardoso Danilo Santos , Cavoto Gianluca , Costa Igor Abritta , Dané Emiliano , Dho Giorgio , Di Giambattista Flaminia , Di Marco Emanuele , D’Imperio Giulia , dos Santos Joaquim Marques Ferreira , di Cortona Giovanni Grilli , Iacoangeli Francesco , Kemp Ernesto , Júnior Herman Pessoa Lima , Lopes Guilherme Sebastiao Pinheiro , Júnior Amaro da Silva Lopes , Maccarrone Giovanni , Mano Rui Daniel Passos , Gregorio Robert Renz Marcelo , Marques David José Gaspar , Mazzitelli Giovanni , McLean Alasdair Gregor , Meloni Pietro , Messina Andrea , Monteiro Cristina Maria Bernardes , Nobrega Rafael Antunes , Pains Igor Fonseca , Paoletti Emiliano , Passamonti Luciano , Pelosi Sandro , Petrucci Fabrizio , Piacentini Stefano , Piccolo Davide , Pierluigi Daniele , Pinci Davide , Prajapati Atul , Renga Francesco , Roque Rita Cruz , Rosatelli Filippo , Russo Alessandro , Saviano Giovanna , Spooner Neil John Curwen , Tesauro Roberto , Tomassini Sandro , Torelli Samuele , Tozzi Donatella
Published: October 2023

The nature of dark matter is still unknown and an experimental program to look for dark matter particles in our Galaxy should extend its sensitivity to light particles in the GeV mass range and exploit the directional information of the DM particle motion (Vahsen et al. in CYGNUS: feasibility of a nuclear recoil observatory with directional sensitivity to dark matter and neutrinos,arXiv:2008.12587, 2020). TheCygnoproject is studying a gaseous time projection chamber operated at atmospheric pressure with a Gas Electron Multiplier (Sauli in Nucl Instrum Meth A 386:531,https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-9002(96)01172-2, 1997) amplification and with an optical readout as a promising technology for light dark matter and directional searches. In this paper we describe the operation of a 50 l prototype named LIME (Long Imaging ModulE) in an overground location at Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF) of INFN. This prototype employs the technology under study for the 1 cubic meterCygnodemonstrator to be installed at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) (Amaro et al. in Instruments 2022, 6(1),https://www.mdpi.com/2410-390X/6/1/6, 2022). We report the characterization of LIME with photon sources in the energy range from few keV to several tens of keV to understand the performance of the energy reconstruction of the emitted electron. We achieved a low energy threshold of few keV and an energy resolution over the whole energy range of 10–20%, while operating the detector for several weeks continuously with very high operational efficiency. The energy spectrum of the reconstructed electrons is then reported and will be the basis to identify radio-contaminants of the LIME materials to be removed for futureCygnodetectors.
Viscous QCD medium effects on the bottom quark transport coefficients
Authors: Shaikh Adiba , Dash Sadhana , Nandi Basanta K.
Published: October 2023

The bottom quark transport coefficients, i.e., drag and diffusion coefficients, have been studied for the collisional and soft gluon radiative processes within the viscous QCD medium. The thermal medium effects are incorporated using the effective fugacity quasiparticle model (EQPM). Both the shear and bulk viscous effects at leading order are embedded through the near-equilibrium distribution functions of the quark–gluon plasma (QGP) constituent quasiparticles. The transport coefficients’ dependence on the bottom quark’s initial momentum and QGP temperature have been investigated. The relative dominance of the radiative over the collisional process for the bottom quark seems to occur at a higher initial momentum compared to that of the charm quark. In contrast, the effect of the viscous corrections seems to be more for the charm quark. Furthermore, we also investigate the validity of the Einstein fluctuation–dissipation theorem for our analysis.
Dielectric Performance of DC Electric Field-Assisted Flash Sintered (Sr, Sb) co-doped TiO2 Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Liang , Feng Shuaishuai , Wang Nan , Li Jiamao , Li Hailing , Xu Dong
Published: October 2023

In this article, (Sr + Sb) co-doped TiO2 colossal dielectric ceramics succeeded in fabricating via flash sintering under an electric field of 500 V cm−1. The flash sintering parameters, phase structure, and electrical properties of all ceramic samples were systematically analyzed. Compared with conventional sintering, the sintering temperature was reduced by about 200 °C and the sintering time was reduced by 90% (18 min, 1150 °C). (Sr + Sb) co-doped TiO2 ceramics had good dielectric properties (ε′ > 104). The successful preparation of co-doped rutile TiO2 dielectric ceramics broadens the application range of flash sintering technology, which is of great research significance.
Physiological characterization of gastric emptying using high-resolution antropyloroduodenal manometry
Authors: Soliman Heithem , Wuestenberghs Fabien , Desprez Charlotte , Leroi Anne-Marie , Melchior Chloé , Gourcerol Guillaume
Published: October 2023

High-resolution antropyloroduodenal manometry (HR-ADM) allows precise characterization of antral, pyloric, and duodenal motility, although its association with gastric emptying (GE) has been poorly investigated. Concurrent HR-ADM with GE measurement showed a lower frequency of antral postprandial contractions and an increased frequency of postprandial pylorospasms in patients with delayed GE. HR-ADM could, therefore, be useful in the future to better select patients for treatments targeting the pylorus.
Exploration of Hub Genes and Pathogenetic Pathways in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Complicated with Early Onset Atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhang Han , Huang Yinde , Li Xin , Chen Wenbin , Lun Yu , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2023

Background. Notwithstanding the mounting evidence to suggest that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are yet to be completely understood. This research examined the molecular mechanism behind this vascular complication. Methods. The Gene Expression Omnibus database was retrieved to acquire the gene expression datasets for SLE (GSE109248) and atherosclerosis (GSE100927). The shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of SLE and atherosclerosis were screened with the help of the “limma” package in R software, followed by function enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network construction, key module analysis, hub gene selection, and coexpression analysis. Results. In GSE109248 and GSE100927, 1195 and 418 DEGs in totals were identified, respectively. Subsequently, we acquired 78 common DEGs (70 upregulated genes and eight downregulated genes) with the same expression trends by using the Venn diagram. Finally, 12 hub genes, including PTPRC, TYROBP, FCGR3A, ITGAX, LCP2, IL1B, IRF8, LILRB2, CD68, C1QB, CCR7, and C1QA were identified by using seven different algorithms in Cytohubba. The functional analysis illustrates that these genes were predominantly enriched in immune and inflammation response, lipid and atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis. These results indicate an important role of SLE in inducing excessive inflammation, which may be medicate by these hub genes and can induce osteoporosis and imbalance of the normal mineral balance in the body as well as lipid abnormalities, which eventually leads to premature onset of atherosclerosis. In total, nine transcription factors (TFs) that may participate in regulating the function of these genes were identified. All hub genes and four TFs were validated successfully. Conclusion. The results of our research show that SLE and atherosclerosis have common DEGs, pathophysiology, and hub genes. These findings can provide fresh evidence and insights into a further investigation into the mechanisms at play.
A Data-Driven Approach for Reactive Power Optimization Incorporating Interval Values for Renewable Power Generation
Authors: Jia Honglei , Zhang Cong , Du Jieming , Kuang Na
Published: October 2023

The increasing integration of renewable energy sources into modern electric grids has led to a rise in uncertain factors that must be managed to maintain voltage security during reactive power optimization (RPO). Traditional deterministic RPO methods fail to account for these uncertainties, which can result in power grid security issues such as voltage violations. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a data-driven interval-based reactive power optimization method (IRPOM). The IRPOM represents the uncertainties associated with renewable power generation and load demands as intervals within the RPO problem formulation. The proposed method uses an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the RPO problem. In each iteration, the uncertain power flow is solved using the optimizing-scenarios method- (OSM-) based interval power flow (IPF) algorithm. This approach calculates the real power losses and checks whether state quantities, including voltage, power flow, and generator output, exceed their limits. Furthermore, a data-driven modeling approach is introduced to reduce the conservativeness of the IRPOM solutions. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through detailed computational analysis on a modified IEEE 30-bus system. The results show that the proposed approach ensures economic efficiency while maintaining a low bus voltage threshold crossing probability close to zero.
Die Validierung der deutschsprachigen Version des CompACT-8 zur Messung psychischer Flexibilität
Authors: Unruh Irina , Golijani-Moghaddam Nima , Dawson David L. , Hargarter Lilith , Euteneuer Frank
Published: October 2023

Einleitung: Psychische Flexibilität ist ein störungsunabhängiges Konstrukt, welches durch bewusstes, werteorien­tiertes Handeln bei Akzeptanz von unangenehmen Empfindungen und Gefühlen gekennzeichnet ist. Das Konstrukt ist nicht nur zentral in der Akzeptanz und Commitmenttherapie, sondern stellt einen wichtigen Aspekt der mentalen Gesundheit dar. Derzeit eingesetzte Messinstrumente spiegeln den theoretischen Rahmen aufgrund einer einfaktoriellen Struktur nicht hinreichend wider. Methoden: In dieser Studie soll die deutschsprachige Kurzversion des CompACT, der CompACT-8, validiert werden. 472 Personen aus der Allgemeinbevölkerung nahmen an der Untersuchung teil. Psychometrische Eigenschaften, Reliabilität und Validität wurden bestimmt. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse zeigen ein reliables und valides Messinstrument. Die dreifaktorielle Struktur konnte bestätigt werden. Schlussfolgerung: Die deutschsprachige Version des CompACT-8 kann zur Erfassung der psychischen Flexibilität eingesetzt werden.
Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for De Novo Lesions on the Left Anterior Descending Artery
Authors: Gitto Mauro , Sticchi Alessandro , Chiarito Mauro , Novelli Laura , Leone Pier Pasquale , Mincione Gianluca , Oliva Angelo , Condello Francesco , Rossi Marco Luciano , Regazzoli Damiano , Gasparini Gabriele , Cozzi Ottavia , Stefanini Giulio G. , Condorelli Gianluigi , Reimers Bernhard , Mangieri Antonio , Colombo Antonio
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Drug-coated balloons (DCB) are an emerging tool for modern percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but evidence on their use for de novo lesions on large vessels is limited.

METHODS:

Consecutive patients undergoing DCB-based PCI on the left anterior descending artery in 2 Italian centers from 2018 to 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and compared with patients who received left anterior descending PCI with contemporary drug-eluting stents (DES). In-stent restenosis was excluded. The DCB group included both patients undergoing DCB-only PCI and those receiving hybrid PCI with DCB and DES combined. The primary end point was target lesion failure at 2 years, defined as the composite of target lesion revascularization, cardiac death, and target vessel myocardial infarction.

RESULTS:

We included 147 consecutive patients undergoing DCB-based treatment on the left anterior descending artery and compared them to 701 patients who received conventional PCI with DES. In the DCB group, 43 patients (29.2%) were treated with DCB only and 104 (70.8%) with a hybrid approach; DCB length was greater than stent length in 55.1% of cases. Total treated length was higher in the DCB group (65 [40–82] versus 56 [46–66] mm;
P
=0.002), while longer DESs were implanted (38 [24–62] versus 56 [46–66] mm;
P
<0.001) and a higher rate of large vessels were treated (76.2% versus 83.5%;
P
=0.036) in the DES cohort. The cumulative 2-year target lesion failure incidence was not significantly different between the 2 groups (DCB, 4.1% versus DES, 9.8%; hazard ratio, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.20–1.27];
P
=0.15). After a 1:1 propensity score matching resulting in 139 matched pairs, the DCB-based treatment was associated with a lower risk for target lesion failure at 2 years compared with DES-only PCI (hazard ratio, 0.2 [95% CI, 0.07–0.58];
P
=0.003), mainly driven by less target lesion revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS:

A DCB-based treatment approach for left anterior descending revascularization allows a significantly reduced stent burden, thereby potentially limiting target lesion failure risk at midterm follow-up.
Evaluation Index System of Green Public Open Space Based on Internet of Things and Mental Health
Authors: Li Jiexu , binti Abdul Aziz Faziawati , Zhang Ning
Published: October 2023

With the emergence of the IoT era, wireless sensor networks will be more and more widely used. In addition to collecting, transmitting and processing simple data such as humidity, temperature and density of the dome, they can also provide multimedia information services such as video and images. It enables more comprehensive and accurate environmental monitoring. Therefore, MSDs have a huge demand in military, daily, forestry, biomedicine and other fields. The intensive city model has obvious advantages in meeting people's diverse needs and comfortable life. Most obviously, it speeds up the rhythm of life for residents, thereby increasing efficiency and saving time. Starting from this aspect, this paper conducts a research on the evaluation index system of public built on the following areas of open space IoT and mental health. In this paper, the GRNN neural network model is constructed, the mean condition is calculated, the density function can be estimated, the network output, and the schematic diagram of the generalized regression neural network is improved. Using the established system, the index in 2018 is selected as the base year, and after transformation, the standardized values of the past years are formed, which are substituted into the cells to form different matrices. The value of each cell is counted to obtain the subsystem coordination degree, and the global coordination degree is obtained through calculation. The evaluation results of ecological civilization construction and development in 2018 and 2019, 2020 and 2021 were compared. The experimental data shows that compared with 2018, economic development will change from 1 to 2.000, social harmony will change from 1 to 2.480, ecological health will decrease to 0.850, environmental friendliness will decrease to 0.750, and comprehensive evaluation will decrease to 0.513. This shows that while the economy is developing this year, the construction of ecological civilization has been gradually carried out, and good results have been achieved. This reflects the effectiveness of the system. The subject of the evaluation index system of green public open space based on the Internet of Things and mental health has been well completed.
For Centenary of the Lausanne Treaty
Authors: Akbulut Olgun
Published: October 2023

The Treaty of Lausanne was signed on 24th July 1923 as a peace treaty that ended the first world war for Turkey and the allied powers. In a section entitled “protection of minorities”, it provides rights for minorities. However, the beneficiaries of minority rights in Lausanne are more narrow than those provided in other treaties and declarations of the time. With a legal basis in domestic law, Turkey traditionally applied the rights provided in the Lausanne Treaty only for three so-called non-Muslim groups, i.e. Greeks, Armenians and Jews. Neither the Turkish delegation nor the members of the allied forces’ delegations could foresee that some members of the Muslim groups of 1923 might quit Islam in the future and recourse to Lausanne rights as new beneficiaries. This article, by referring to preparatory works of the Treaty, examining its legal validity internationally and nationally, and applying interpretative principles of international treaties, argues for the extension of Lausanne rights to other groups via re-interpretation and re-implementation.
Samuel Beckett et Fyodor Dostoïevski
Authors: Brown Llewellyn
Published: October 2023

Les liens entre Beckett et Dostoïevski, plus nombreux que supposé précédemment, se manifestent par une série de motifs en commun qui permettent de relire le tournant conduisant de L’Innommable à En attendant Godot. Estragon fait allusion à l’œuvre Carnets du sous-sol, dont le motif éponyme provient du roman de Tchernychevsky Que faire ? Représentant des qualités négatives, il s’agit du lieu de prédilection du personnage de Dostoïevski. C’est aussi le domaine de la voix monologique de L’Innommable, et qu’Estragon désigne rétrospectivement à partir du lieu de stabilité que représente la scène théâtrale, mais qui retrouvera sa place centrale dans le théâtre ultérieur.
A Corpus-Based Study of the Order of Adjectives in Japanese Antonym Sequences: The Role of Markedness and Frequency
Authors: Nithithanawiwat Phornthip
Published: October 2023

This study investigates whether the order of adjectives in antonym pairs (e.g., ii ‘good, warui ‘bad’) in single sentences of Japanese follows principles of markedness and whether the more frequently used antonym is more likely to be used first. Based on data collected from the Tsukuba Web Corpus, the results of the study were that both markedness and frequency equally influence the order of antonym pairs. This study suggests that markedness plays a role in determining the ordering of adjectives in antonym pairs. Additionally, it was found that markedness affects the order in terms of factors of positivity and magnitude.
The study of the tribe Gastrodieae (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae) in Sri Lanka I: two new species of Gastrodia
Authors: BANDARA CHAMPIKA , ATTHANAGODA ANUSHA GAYAN , BANDARA NADEESHA LEWKE , KUMAR PANKAJ
Published: October 2023

As the first step in the taxonomic study of the tribe Gastrodieae (Orchidaceae), two new species, Gastrodia munasinghae and G. thilakapremae are described here from Sri Lanka based on the distinct morphological differences and long-term field observations. Detailed taxonomic descriptions along with the line drawings, color plates, notes on habitat and ecology, distribution and conservation status, phenology and pollination ecology as well as morphological comparison to the other Gastrodia species in Sri Lanka are also discussed. Both species are endemic to the Island and are assessed as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List criteria. Furthermore, notes are provided along with a distribution map for field identification of all Gastrodia species in Sri Lanka.
An updated synopsis of Neurolaena (Neurolaeneae, Asteraceae) with a new species from the Colombian Andes
Authors: BUENO VINICIUS R. , GOSTEL MORGAN R. , HEIDEN GUSTAVO
Published: October 2023

Neurolaena is a genus native to the Americas and occurring from Mexico to Bolivia, including the Caribbean Islands. It includes shrubs or small trees with alternate leaves, paniculiform capitulescence, discoid or radiate capitula, 3–7-seriate involucre, and pappus with 25–70 bristles. Based on recent taxonomic studies in Neurolaeneae, we provide updates for the infrageneric classification of Neurolaena and recognize the occurrence of disc florets not associated with paleae for the first time in the genus. Furthermore, we describe a new species, N. curtipalea, which is the second species of the genus found in South America and the only species endemic to the Colombian Andes. It can be distinguished from the widespread N. lobata, occurring from Mexico to Bolivia and across the Caribbean Islands, by eucamptodromous (vs. penninervous) venation, radiate (vs. discoid) capitula, 5-seriate (vs. 6-seriate) involucre, paleae shorter (vs. longer) than corolla disc, and disc florets with white (vs. yellow) corollas. The new species is described, illustrated, and mapped, its taxonomic affinities are discussed, and a key to the infrageneric taxa and species belonging to Neurolaena is provided.
Barbarism – The Active Dystopia
Authors: Palmer Jack
Published: October 2023

This is the corrected version of the retracted article under the same title, which was published with the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.11649/slh.2817. In this article, I argue that dystopia also has an ambivalently “active” function in Bauman’s sociology. Across his work, as a counter-image to the “active utopia” of socialism, the traces of the “active dystopia” can be tracked, defined as a pointed elucidation of the possibilities for barbarism latent within the present, the clearest expression of which is presented in Modernity and the Holocaust (1989). The article proceeds roughly in three steps. Firstly, I revisit the arguments in Bauman’s foundational cultural and critical sociology that developed alongside his revisionist reading of Marxism in the 1960s and 1970s, on epistemologies of the future, common sense and the limitations of the predictive ambitions of social science. Then, I develop a particular focus on an unpublished, though essential, typescript entitled “Is the Science of the Possible Possible?”, suggesting that it is usefully read in terms of the emphasis on possibility and potentiality in Modernity and the Holocaust. Throughout these sections, I intersperse a reading of Modernity and the Holocaust in the light of this foundational work, presenting it as an exemplary form of critical sociology as active dystopia, which elucidates the possibility for barbarism residing within modern societies. Finally, I consider how his thinking situates him in a lineage of critical thought animated by the “active dystopia”, arguing that what is often mistaken for gloominess and pessimism is, in fact, a crucial resource for sociology in its speculative imagination of possible futures.
Synthesis and Biological Toxicity Evaluation of Red Light-Emitting Carbon Quantum Dots
Authors: Hu Jingdan , Sang Jingxue , Li Ping , Wei Xinpei , Wang Zhun , Song Kai
Published: October 2023

This study delineates the successful fabrication of red light-emitting carbon quantum dots (R-CQDs), approximately 3.5 nm in size, via hydrothermal methods. These carbon quantum dots (CQDs) display distinctive fluorescence properties, particularly a laser-dependency. The infrared and
Raman spectra were subjected to a thorough investigation, revealing the presence of hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups on the surface of the CQDs. Experimental findings indicate a significant correlation between the antibacterial effect of R-CQDs on E. coli and Yeast and their concentration.
Subsequent research suggests that this antibacterial activity primarily stems from the CQDs’ disruption of cell membrane integrity, leading to the leakage of intracellular substances and consequently inhibiting the growth of these two microorganisms. The study also reveals that R-CQDs
can trigger chromosomal aberrations in the root tip cells of broad beans and induce micronuclei formation. The frequency of micronuclei is directly proportional to the CQDs dosage, and an extended treatment duration results in an increased micronucleus rate. This suggests potential damage
to the genetic material of broad beans by CQDs, which could adversely affect their growth and development. The study further identifies a significant impact of R-CQDs on the height of rice seedlings, causing a substantial reduction. Moreover, it was found that CQDs can infiltrate the rice
body and instigate oxidative stress responses.
Construction of a New Prognostic Model for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Telomere-Related Genes
Authors: Liu Lin , Liu Jia , Wang Keyi , Zhu Yuchi
Published: October 2023

We investigated the prognostic value of telomere-related genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using the TCGA-OSCC dataset and GSE41613 external validation set. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OSCC and control samples and intersected them with telomere-related
genes. Three risk model genes (IGF2BP2, EIF5A2, and PLOD2) were obtained through Cox and LASSO analyses. A risk model was constructed based on the expression of these genes. The OSCC samples were divided into high and low-risk groups using the median risk score. Univariate and multivariate
Cox analyses identified risk score and age as independent prognostic factors. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed enrichment in chemical stimulus and appendage development pathways. We constructed a transcription factor (TF)-mRNA network involving two mRNAs (EIF5A2, PLOD2) and 17 TFs, including
STAT1-EIF5A2 and TEAD1-EIF5A2. Immune-infiltration analysis showed significant differences in the abundance of 11 immune cells between the high and low-risk groups, including T cells CD8, activated mast cells, and macrophages M0. Our findings contribute to the development of a telomere-related
risk model (including IGF2BP2, EIF5A2, and PLOD2) for predicting the prognosis of OSCC, providing new insights for further studies in this area.
Improving Mechanical Properties, Corrosion Resistance and Biocompatibility of Zn-1Mg-0.3Y Alloys Through Equal Channel Angular Pressing
Authors: Zhang Bi , Chen Yishen , Yang Yong , Gu Houyun , You Hui
Published: October 2023

This paper discusses refining the microstructure of Zn–Mg–Y alloy via equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), leading to enhanced mechanical properties of the Zn alloy. Following ECAP, the strength and elongation of the Zn–Mg–Y alloy increased from 227 MPa and
3% in the as-cast state to 350 MPa and 23%. The increase in strength is primarily attributed to the reduction in grain size, the refinement of the lamellar eutectic Mg2Zn11 phase, and the granular YZn12 phase. Additionally, the nanoscale precipitates generated
during ECAP-induced deformation can also contribute positively to strengthening. Beyond strength enhancement, the refinement of the second phase can mitigate stress concentration at the Zn/Mg2Zn11 and Zn/YZn12 interfaces, thereby enhancing the deformability
of the Zn alloy. Electrochemical and immersion experiments demonstrate an enhanced corrosion resistance of the Zn–Mg–Y alloy after ECAP processing. This improvement can be primarily attributed to the increased uniformity of the microstructure after refinement, which inhibits the
occurrence of localized corrosion. Regarding biocompatibility, Zn–Mg–Y alloys in both the cast and ECAP states exhibited cell viabilities exceeding 100% in MC3T3 cell cultures using 50% and 25% extracts, outperforming the control group of Ti. In summary, the Zn–Mg–Y
alloy prepared through ECAP significantly enhances mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. These findings open new avenues for advancing the development of improved degradable Zn alloys.
Black Campus Climate: Towards a Liberatory and Equitable Black Campus Experience
Authors: McDougal Serie , Collier Tanesha , Lewis Libby , Thomas James M.
Published: October 2023

This study is an investigation of how Black faculty, staff, administration, and students relate to one another at an institution of higher education, and how their campus experiences diverge and converge. Twenty-one focus group interviews were conducted with 26 Black students, 18 Black faculty members, and 17 Black staff members and administrators. The objective was to contribute knowledge that could lead to more informed service, teaching, support, administration, and leadership on the Black campus and in the university. Several themes were discovered in the analysis, resulting in the identification of key challenges faced by the Black campus, the solutions respondents perceived as promising, and the supports they benefit.
Creative Maladjustment, Progressive Politics, and Humanistic Psychology
Authors: Benjamin Elliot
Published: October 2023

In this article, the author gives a personal experiential account of the relationship of Martin Luther King Jr’s formulation of creative maladjustment to progressive politics and humanistic psychology. In particular, the author focuses on what he views as two significant current illustrations of creative maladjustment, which are former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama’s concept of “going high” and existential humanistic psychologist Kirk Schneider’s concept of “life-enhancing anxiety.” The author relates these conceptualizations to what he perceives as the alarming dangers both in the world and in the United States from the horrific possibilities of nuclear war, climate devastation, and the destruction of U.S. democracy. More specifically, the author focuses on what he views as the disastrous possibility of Donald Trump becoming President of the United States in 2024. The author discusses all of this in relation to the core principles of humanistic psychology and to progressive political grass roots actions, and shares some of his own relevant experiences in this regard.
Silencing Equity-Minded Teacher Preparation: How Do Teacher Educators Respond?
Authors: Kolman Joni S. , Battle Carol , Vernikoff Laura , Kamrass Morvay Jenna
Published: October 2023

This article describes how five teacher educators respond to silencing aimed at disrupting their equity-minded teacher preparation. Drawing on interview data, we illustrate the silencing these teacher educators experience, their patterns of response, and the drivers for their responses. Our findings suggest that these teacher educators’ race, personal experiences, and beliefs about preservice teacher learning, as well as the supports offered by colleagues, teacher candidates, and university administrators, shape their responses to silencing. We conclude by suggesting pathways of support for equity-minded teacher educators in this moment of silencing-as-policy.
Building Global Relationships: Open Educational Resources and Collaborative Online International Learning Courses
Authors: Orzech Mary Jo , Zhang Jie , Kegler Jennifer Little , Pearlman Ann Giralico , Greenfield Victoria
Published: October 2023

Using open educational resources (OERs) in collaborative online international learning (COIL) courses provides students and faculty the opportunity to share content, enhance knowledge, and develop intercultural competence across geopolitical and other boundaries. Faculty perceptions at the research site regarding benefits and challenges of using OER are consistent with positive findings of other OER research that validate its potential. This case study describes experiences of two college courses taught with different international partners. It shares the journey of co-planning, implementing, and revising assignments highlighting OER instructional materials. Technology and accessibility considerations influence the curricular decisions for each course. They demonstrate how the timely availability of relevant OER content can be particularly impactful for international learning environments like COIL. The article underscores the faculty-librarian-instructional designer collaboration throughout the project and offers suggestions for future study.
Adding Fuel to the Collective Fire: Stereotype Threat, Solidarity, and Support for Change
Authors: Cortland Clarissa I. , Kinias Zoe
Published: October 2023

We hypothesize a yet-unstudied effect of experiencing systemic stereotype threat on women’s collective action efforts: igniting women’s support for other women and motivation to improve organizational gender balance. Hypotheses are supported in two surveys (Study 1: N = 1,365 business school alumnae; Study 2: N = 386 women Master of Business Administration [MBA]), and four experiments (Studies 3–6; total N = 1,897 working women). Studies 1 and 2 demonstrate that experiencing stereotype threat is negatively associated with women’s domain-relevant engagement (supporting extant work on the negative effects of stereotype threat), but positively associated with women’s support and advocacy of gender balance. Studies 3 to 6 provide causal evidence that stereotype threat activation leads to greater attitudes and intentions to support gender balance, ruling out negative affect as an alternative explanation and identifying ingroup solidarity as a mechanism. We discuss implications for working women, women leaders, and organizations striving to empower their entire workforce through developing equitable and inclusive practices.
Research as a Strategy for Equity in Independent Schools
Authors: Kallio Julie , Filip-Fouser Marta , Yemez Allison Finn , Monzo Alison B. , Labieniec Denise , Odell Sarah
Published: October 2023

Independent schools are increasingly looking to research as a strategy for building equitable systems and practices, through the creation of an embedded researcher position. This commentary grapples with how independent schools are building internal research capacity find. Using a self-study methodology with interviews, job document review, and educational autobiographies, we examine the practices and positions of researchers at six independent schools—five in the United States and one in Turkey—through the lens of research as a strategy for equity. We that researchers and leaders conceived of the research roles as aligned with equity-focused improvement, yet implementation was contingent on how the role was situated in the organization and the ability of the researcher to negotiate definitions of research and research processes with leaders, teaching faculty, and students. We conclude with theoretical and practical implications of using research and the role of an embedded researcher as a strategy for equity-focused school improvement in independent schools.
A study of the antecedents of fake news sharing and the moderating effect of online trust
Authors: Choi Youngkeun
Published: October 2023

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between behavioral factors and fake news sharing and explore the moderating effect of online trust on that relationship. For this, the present study collected data from 352 social media users in South Korea through the survey for which the professional survey company gave electronic gift cards to respondents to increase the response rate and reduce the non-response bias. And, it used hierarchical multiple regression analyses. First, the results show that the more socialization, pass-time, or information-seeking gratification participants perceive online, the more favorable fake news sharing they have. Conversely, entertainment was not significantly associated with fake news sharing in this study. Second, the positive relationship between socialization gratification support and fake news sharing is stronger for participants with high rather than low online trust. However, online trust was found to have no significance on the relationship between other gratification factors and fake news sharing. This study enhances understanding of sharing fake news online, linking negative social media use to fake news sharing. It connects antecedents and variables based on U&G theory and prior research. It also recommends screen time tracking apps with warnings to address social media fatigue and prevent fake news.
The maritime consequences of peace: The impact of treaties with the Barbary states on Venetian shipping in the eighteenth century
Authors: Sofia Pierre Niccolò
Published: October 2023

From a maritime-history perspective, little is still known about eighteenth-century Venice, especially in non-Italian literature. Classic interpretations of eighteenth-century Venetian shipping suggest that the Venetians never regained a significant role as carriers in the Mediterranean after the sixteenth century. Although Venetian shipping was heavily impacted by the arrival of the ‘Northerners’ in the Mediterranean at the end of the sixteenth century, its capacity for long-term recovery has yet to be clarified. The primary impediment to Venetian maritime activity was the high threat of attacks by the so-called ‘Barbary corsairs’ on their merchant ships, which drove up transport costs. The Republic of Venice signed treaties with Algiers, Morocco, Tripoli and Tunis from 1763 onwards, but historians remain sceptical about the effects of this peace. This article seeks to demonstrate that the treaties with the Barbary states represented a groundbreaking turning point for eighteenth-century Venetian shipping: from the 1760s onwards, liberated from the burden of high risks and high protection costs, Venetian shipping made a vigorous and lasting resurgence on all routes in the Mediterranean and beyond. Following the treaties, the Venetians became significant carriers in the Mediterranean sea trade and were able to rival other competitors in international markets. From this standpoint, the Venetian shipping sector not only recovered but also flourished until the ultimate dissolution of the Republic in 1797.
Roots of Sexual Abuse: A Pathway Model for Adolescents Who Offend
Authors: Newstrom Nicholas P. , Swinburne Romine Rebecca , Miner Michael H.
Published: October 2023

Theoretical models implicate insecure attachment, peer isolation, hostile masculinity, and the use of sex for coping in sexual perpetration against children. This study builds on previous research and tests the direct and indirect effects of attachment, interpersonal and sexual control problems, and masculine adequacy to explain sex offending against children in adolescents. Structural equation modeling was used to conduct a path analysis using 464 adolescent males. A significant path model was fitted that identified three paths between anxious attachment, social isolation, sexual dyscontrol, masculine adequacy, and offending against a child. The model partially confirms previous research on adolescents who commit sexual abuse. The best fitting model indicates a direct path from anxious attachment to sexual offending against a child, but also indicates two indirect paths, where anxious attachment and committing child sexual abuse was partially mediated by social isolation and masculine adequacy, which, in turn, were negatively associated with each other, and a path including sexual dyscontrol, which was positively associated with both social isolation and masculine adequacy. The results suggest that commission of child sexual abuse by adolescent males is related to individual proclivities, social experiences, and attitudes toward sexuality and masculinity.
Noise isolation in building HVAC system using recyclable plastic bottles
Authors: Dogra Sourabh , Gulia Preeti , Gupta Arpan
Published: October 2023

The paper proposes an improvement of the acoustic environment in a sustainable building by utilizing differently sized discarded bottles. The HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) ducts in buildings serve as conduits for purified air, but they also generate noise as a result of turbulent flow caused by internal irregularities within the ducts. This study involves the modification in the design of ducts by utilizing the discarded or recyclable bottles. By incorporating recyclable bottles along the periphery of the duct, there is decrease in the generation of flow noise. The work presents a comprehensive investigation that employs numerical, experimental, and theoretical methods to assess the sound transmission loss (STL) within the redesigned air duct. The four-microphone impedance tube technique is utilized to measure the STL. The findings reveal that connecting bottles along the length of the air duct at specific intervals leads to a significant reduction in low-frequency noise. Additionally, increasing the number of bottles arranged radially along the air duct leads to a further enhancement and widening of the bandwidth of sound transmission loss (STL).
Numerical study on latent heat storage systems with and without fins during simultaneous charging and discharging process
Authors: Khobragade Sandip , Devanuri Jaya Krishna
Published: October 2023

A numerical study is carried out on phase change material (PCM) impregnated in shell and tube heat exchangers with and without fins. The simultaneous charging and discharging (SCD) process is considered for the study, where the heat transfer occurs between heat transfer fluids (HTFs) and PCM simultaneously. The study intends to analyze the heat transport behavior of PCM and energy transport between the hot and cold HTFs. In the SCD process, the hot HTF is circulated through the hot tube, whereas cold HTF is made to simultaneously pass through the cold tube. The influence of the latent heat storage system (LHSS) inclination on the thermodynamic behavior of PCM with and without fins is inspected. To evaluate the effect of orientation four angles are considered. The angles include 90°, 60°, 30° and 0°. The investigation shows that the orientation significantly influences convective strength and melt fraction. An increase in melt fraction by 13.1% and 39.35% is observed when orientation is changed from 90° to 0° in finned and unfinned LHSS. It is also observed that the LHSS with fins gave an 18.31% higher melt fraction than without fins for vertical configuration. The LHSS with fins gave uniform temperatures and higher average Nusselt numbers. Among various configurations considered, LHSS with fins can be considered for 90° (vertical) and 60° orientations. In contrast, the LHSS without fins can be preferred for 30° and 0° (horizontal) positions.