bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SIMS U‐Pb dating of micro‐zircons in the lunar meteorites Dhofar 1528 and Dhofar 1627
Authors: Zhang Bidong , Lin Yangting , Hao Jialong , Schrader Devin L. , Wadhwa Meenakshi , Korotev Randy L. , Hartmann William K. , Bouvier Audrey
Published: September 2023

About half of the lunar meteorites in our collections are feldspathic breccias. Acquiring geochronologic information from these breccias is challenging due to their low radioactive‐element contents and their often polymict nature. We used high‐spatial‐resolution (5 μm) NanoSIMS (nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry) U‐Pb dating technique to date micro‐zircons in the lunar feldspathic meteorites Dhofar 1528 and Dhofar 1627. Three NanoSIMS dating spots of two zircon grains from Dhofar 1528 show a discordia with an upper intercept at 4354 ± 76 Ma and a lower intercept at 332 ± 1407 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 0.01, p = 0.91). Three spots of two zircon grains in Dhofar 1627 define a discordia with an upper intercept at 3948 ± 30 Ma and a lower intercept at 691 ± 831 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 0.40, p = 0.53). Both samples likely experienced shock metamorphism caused by impacts. Based on the clastic nature, lack of recrystallization and the consistent U‐Pb and Pb‐Pb dates of the zircons in Dhofar 1528, the U‐Pb date of 4354 Ma is interpreted as the crystallization age of its Mg‐suite igneous precursor. Some of the Dhofar 1627 zircons show poikilitic texture, a crystallization from the matrix impact melt, so the U‐Pb date of 3948 Ma corresponds to an impact event, likely the Imbrium basin‐forming event. These data are the first radiometric ages for these two meteorites and demonstrate that in situ (high spatial resolution) U‐Pb dating has potential for extracting geochronological information about igneous activities and impact events from lunar feldspathic and polymict breccias.
The Benin tusk and Zulu beadwork: Practicing decolonial work at Manchester Museum through shared authority
Authors: Chipangura Njabulo
Published: September 2023

The museum world is currently grappling with questions of how to decolonize anthropological collections and many of these debates are epistemologically oriented. In pursuit of colonial ordering, material culture was extracted from colonized societies, deprived of its contextual meaning, and scrutinized through the lens of colonial knowledge. This article considers how an empirical decolonial practice can be applied drawing on from the current work at the Manchester Museum (MM). Dialogue, open engagements, multivocal conversations, collaborations, and shared authority in knowledge production are some of the decolonial strategies that I share. To illustrate this praxis turn in museum decolonial work, I first look at how we have addressed cultural objects looted from Benin in 1897 that we hold and “contain” at MM in our living cultures collection, underscoring a commitment by MM to transparency and a provision of access to the living collection by different groups of people. The second example is drawn from a collaborative provenance research that I undertook with Nongoma community members in South Africa in rewriting biographies of Zulu beadwork that we house at MM. Overall, I argue that decolonization should embrace a relational practice of caring for objects through active relations of reciprocity and dialogue with communities. The downside of decolonial practices and how are they are inherently shaped by power imbalances and tensions between curators and communities is also critically discussed.
Center indifference and skepticism
Authors: Builes David
Published: September 2023

Many philosophers have been attracted to a restricted version of the principle of indifference in the case of self‐locating belief. Roughly speaking, this principle states that, within any given possible world, one should be indifferent between different hypotheses concerning who one is within that possible world, so long as those hypotheses are compatible with one's evidence. My first goal is to defend a more precise version of this principle. After responding to several existing criticisms of such a principle, I argue that existing formulations of the principle are crucially ambiguous, and I go on to defend a particular disambiguation of the principle. According to the disambiguation I defend, how we should apply this restricted principle of indifference sensitively depends on our background metaphysical beliefs. My second goal is to apply this disambiguated principle to classical skeptical problems in epistemology. In particular, I argue that Eternalism threatens to lead us to external world skepticism, and Modal Realism threatens to lead us to inductive skepticism.
The peptidoglycan synthase PBP interacts with PLASTID DIVISION2 to promote chloroplast division in Physcomitrium patens
Authors: Chang Ying , Tang Ning , Zhang Min
Published: September 2023

The peptidoglycan (PG) layer, a core component of the bacterial cell wall, has been retained in the Physcomitrium patens chloroplasts. The PG layer entirely encompasses the P. patens chloroplast, including the division site, but how PG biosynthesis cooperates with the constriction of two envelope membranes at the chloroplast division site remains elusive.

Here, focusing on the PG synthase penicillin‐binding protein (PBP), we performed cytological and molecular analyses to dissect the mechanism of chloroplast division in P. patens.

We showed that PBP, acting in the final step of PG biosynthesis, is likely a chloroplast inner envelope protein that can aggregate at mid‐chloroplasts during chloroplast division. Physcomitrium patens had five orthologs of PLASTID DIVISION2 (PDV2), an outer envelope component of the chloroplast division complex. Our data indicated that PpPDV2 proteins interact with PpPBP and are responsible for recruiting PpPBP to the chloroplast division site, in addition to PpDRP5B. Furthermore, we found that PBP deletion and carbenicillin application restrain constriction of the chloroplast division complex, rather than its assembly.

This work provides direct molecular evidence for a link between chloroplast division of P. patens and PG biosynthesis and indicates that PG biosynthesis is required for the constriction of the chloroplast division apparatus in P. patens.
Alpha‐band oscillations and emotion: A review of studies on picture perception
Authors: Codispoti Maurizio , De Cesarei Andrea , Ferrari Vera
Published: September 2023

Although alpha‐band activity has long been a focus of psychophysiological research, its modulation by emotional value during picture perception has only recently been studied systematically. Here, we review these studies and report that the most consistent alpha oscillatory pattern indexing emotional processing is an enhanced desynchronization (ERD) over posterior sensors when viewing emotional compared with neutral pictures. This enhanced alpha ERD is not specific to unpleasant picture content, as previously proposed for other measures of affective response, but has also been observed for pleasant stimuli. Evidence suggests that this effect is not confined to the alpha band but that it also involves a desynchronization of the lower beta frequencies (8–20 Hz). The emotional modulation of alpha ERD occurs even after massive stimulus repetition and when emotional cues serve as task‐irrelevant distractors, consistent with the hypothesis that evaluative processes are mandatory in emotional picture processing. A similar enhanced ERD has been observed for other significant cues (e.g., conditioned aversive stimuli, or in anticipation of a potential threat), suggesting that it reflects cortical excitability associated with the engagement of the motivational systems.
Choosing human over AI doctors? How comparative trust associations and knowledge relate to risk and benefit perceptions of AI in healthcare
Authors: Kerstan Sophie , Bienefeld Nadine , Grote Gudela
Published: September 2023

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is accelerating rapidly. Beyond the urge for technological optimization, public perceptions and preferences regarding the application of such technologies remain poorly understood. Risk and benefit perceptions of novel technologies are key drivers for successful implementation. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the factors that condition these perceptions. In this study, we draw on the risk perception and human‐AI interaction literature to examine how explicit (i.e., deliberate) and implicit (i.e., automatic) comparative trust associations with AI versus physicians, and knowledge about AI, relate to likelihood perceptions of risks and benefits of AI in healthcare and preferences for the integration of AI in healthcare. We use survey data (N = 378) to specify a path model. Results reveal that the path for implicit comparative trust associations on relative preferences for AI over physicians is only significant through risk, but not through benefit perceptions. This finding is reversed for AI knowledge. Explicit comparative trust associations relate to AI preference through risk and benefit perceptions. These findings indicate that risk perceptions of AI in healthcare might be driven more strongly by affect‐laden factors than benefit perceptions, which in turn might depend more on reflective cognition. Implications of our findings and directions for future research are discussed considering the conceptualization of trust as heuristic and dual‐process theories of judgment and decision‐making. Regarding the design and implementation of AI‐based healthcare technologies, our findings suggest that a holistic integration of public viewpoints is warranted.
Regulation of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol biosynthesis and biocontrol capacity by the BolA family protein IbaG in
Pseudomonas fluorescens
2P24
Authors: Dong Qiuling , Yan Qing , Zhang Bo , Zhang Li-qun , Wu Xiaogang
Published: September 2023

The monothiol glutaredoxin GrxD plays an essential role in the biosynthesis of the antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG) and the biocontrol capacity of the soil bacterium
Pseudomonas fluorescens
2P24. However, the detailed mechanism underlying GrxD-mediated activation of the production of 2,4-DAPG remains unclear. Here, we found that GrxD directly interacted with IbaG, a BolA protein family member. The mutation of
ibaG
significantly decreased 2,4-DAPG production. Furthermore, expressing
ibaG
restored the production of 2,4-DAPG in the
grxD ibaG
double mutant to wild-type levels in the presence of dithiothreitol, suggesting that IbaG was required for GrxD-mediated regulation of 2,4-DAPG production. Transcriptome sequencing analyses revealed that IbaG plays a global role in gene regulation by affecting the expression of numerous genes throughout the genome. We also demonstrated that IbaG is an important regulator of several cellular processes, including swarming motility, biofilm formation, siderophore production, and acid resistance. Altogether, our data suggest that IbaG has an essential role in 2,4-DAPG production, motility, and biofilm formation. We also propose a regulatory mechanism linking GrxD to 2,4-DAPG production via IbaG.

IMPORTANCE

The production of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG) is positively influenced by the monothiol glutaredoxin GrxD in
Pseudomonas fluorescens
2P24. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying GrxD-mediated regulation of 2,4-DAPG biosynthesis is mostly uncharacterized. Here, we show the function of the BolA-like protein IbaG in 2,4-DAPG biosynthesis. We also demonstrate that GrxD directly interacts with IbaG and influences the redox state of IbaG. Altogether, this work provides new insights into the role of the highly conserved IbaG protein in regulating 2,4-DAPG synthesis, biofilm formation, and other biocontrol traits of
P. fluorescens
.
Actinomyces turicensissecondary to oral breast trauma as a cause of recurrent breast abscess
Authors: Nann Silas Daniel , Williams Brielle , Guggenheimer Katharine
Published: September 2023

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection, caused by species of the bacteriumActinomycesspp. This report proposes oral breast trauma as a cause of infection. An adult female in her 30s presented with a recurrent left breast abscess to a local hospital. She had previously undergone nine operations for abscess in the past 2 years. Shortly prior to her first presentation, a sexual partner with reported dental infection bit her periareolar area. The treating team noted that her bacterial culture from the first operation was positive forActinomycesspp. She was treated with long-term intravenous antibiotics and had no further recurrences of infection. Oral trauma to the periareolar area by an individual with pre-existing dental disease has led to the introduction and establishment of this pathogen in the ductal system of the breast. This infection should be considered in cases of treatment resistant recurrent breast abscess.
Large gastric ulcer presenting as gastric pneumatosis
Authors: Ladna Michael , George John , Forsmark Christopher
Published: September 2023

A man presented with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Cross-sectional imaging of the abdomen and pelvis showed gastric pneumatosis. He was treated conservatively with broad-spectrum antibiotics, bowel rest, nasogastric tube placement for gastric decompression and intravenous proton pump inhibitor therapy. He developed an upper gastrointestinal bleed during hospitalisation and underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) which revealed a large >50 mm cratered gastric ulcer. Initial biopsy was inconclusive for malignancy thus a repeat EGD was scheduled however prior to that procedure he returned to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed recurrence of gastric pneumatosis. Repeat EGD showed a 4 mm linear gastric ulcer and repeat biopsies showed gastric mucosa with moderate chronic inactive gastritis without any metaplasia, dysplasia, carcinoma or amyloid. He was once again treated successfully with conservative measures and discharged after short hospitalisation.
Effect of invitation letter in language of origin on screening attendance: randomised controlled trial in BreastScreen Norway
Authors: Hofvind Solveig , Iqbal Nadia , Thy Jonas E , Mangerud Gunhild , Bhargava Sameer , Zackrisson Sophia , Berstad Paula
Published: September 2023

Objective

To explore attendance at organised mammographic screening among immigrant groups that received an invitation letter and information leaflet (invitation) in their language of origin and Norwegian compared with Norwegian only.

Design

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Population based screening programme for breast cancer in Norway (BreastScreen Norway), which invites women aged 50-69 to two-view mammographic screening biennially.

Participants

All women invited to BreastScreen Norway in the study period April 2021 to June 2022 whose language of origin was Arabic (women born in Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, or Morocco), English (women born in the Philippines), Polish (women born in Poland), Somali (women born in Somalia), or Urdu (women born in Pakistan) (n=11 347).

Intervention

The study group received an invitation to screening in their language of origin and in Norwegian, whereas the control group received an invitation in Norwegian only during the study period.

Main outcome measure

Attendance at BreastScreen Norway during the study period.

Results

Overall attendance was 46.5% (2642/5683) in the study group and 47.4% (2682/5664) in the control group. No statistical differences in attendance were observed after stratification by language of invitation, age at invitation, or years since immigration.

Conclusions

No difference in attendance was observed between immigrant women invited to BreastScreen Norway in their language of origin and in Norwegian compared with Norwegian only. Several barriers to cancer screening may exist among immigrants, and translating the invitation is probably only a part of a complex explanation.

Trial registration

NCT04672265.ClinicalTrials.gov
NCT04672265
.
Emotion Design for Video Games: A Framework for Affective Interactivity
Authors: Croissant Maximilian , Schofield Guy , McCall Cade
Published: September 2023

Emotionally evocative games hold great potential for both industry and our basic understanding about human affect. The question of how best games elicit and respond to player emotion brings together research from psychology, design, and human-computer interaction (HCI). However, there is much confusion regarding the nature of emotions, emotional game-player interaction, and the process of creating emotional games. This article reviews important work from relevant fields to provide an interdisciplinary model that integrates current theories and highlights conceptual gaps for relevant fields. Based on this model, we propose a methodological framework that provides a step-by-step process of developing an emotion-adaptive game. This framework is open to different models of emotion, and its modular nature allows games to adapt to developments in the science of emotion and technological innovations in emotion detection. Together, the theoretical overview and framework can help reduce the confusion that surrounds creating and researching emotions in games.
Evaluation of Vancomycin Utilization in the Medical and Gynecology Wards of Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Adugna Baye Yrga , Dlie Zewdu Yilma , Mekonnen Biset Asrade , Kassaw Abebe Tarekegn
Published: September 2023

Background. Drug use evaluation is an approach that focuses on evaluating and optimizing drug use practices to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the appropriateness of vancomycin usage patterns and their practical application in hospitalized patients. Methods. An institutional-based descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study design was carried out among 265 hospitalized patients from May 1, 2022, to July 30, 2022. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Result. Among the 265 study participants, 60.4% were male respondents, while 86.8% of vancomycin was administered for treatment; however, 13.2% was administered for prophylaxis. In addition, 41.9% and 27.5% of vancomycin were ordered for treatment of meningitis and pneumonia, respectively. The culture was performed for only 17.4% of patients, and 82.6% of vancomycin was used for empiric therapy. Most (66.8%) of vancomycin was given in the dose range of 800–1000 mg. The finding indicates that 57.36% and 39.25% were due to incorrect doses and durations, respectively. Only 17.4% of patients had sensitivity tests. Conclusions. Vancomycin inappropriateness was common with the indication, dose, frequency, and duration of therapy according to the guidelines. Vancomycin was mostly indicated as empiric therapy, even though the sensitive test was performed in a small amount. Given the widespread use of vancomycin as an empiric drug, its utilization should be monitored closely. Therefore, the usual sensitive test is recommended to identify those intermediate and resistant results and to predict the outcomes of the treatment.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome Accompanied by Mixed-Type Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Suzuki Eiji , Kanno Takashi , Saito Yurie , Shimbo Takuro
Published: September 2023

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that leads to a wide spectrum of clinical and immunological abnormalities. Hematologic abnormalities are an important manifestation of SLE. The incidence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) has been reported in approximately 10% of patients with SLE. Among them, mixed-type AIHA, which is caused by warm autoantibodies and cold hemagglutinin, is relatively rarely reported. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman, who was admitted to our hospital due to shortness of breath, jaundice, and severe anemia, with SLE and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) complicated by mixed-type AIHA. Laboratory data revealed severe hemolytic anemia (low hemoglobin, high indirect bilirubin, and high lactate dehydrogenase levels), low complement levels, and the presence of antinuclear antibodies and lupus anticoagulant. Imaging results revealed pleural effusion and pulmonary embolisms, and echocardiogram revealed high estimated right ventricular pressure. She was diagnosed with SLE and APS complicated by mixed-type AIHA based on positive direct antiglobulin and cold agglutinin tests (thermal amplitude ≥30°C). As mixed-type AIHA is a severe and chronic condition, she was administered potent treatments with immunosuppressants. However, because she was a carrier of human T-cell leukemia virus type-1, only a moderate amount of prednisolone was administered. She refused to take warfarin. Fortunately, her symptoms and laboratory abnormalities improved after prednisolone administration, and no relapse occurred after tapering the prednisolone dose. Although mixed-type AIHA is characterized by fewer clinical symptoms than cold agglutinin disease, hemolytic anemia is more severe and chronic. Therefore, it is important to confirm the presence of cold agglutinins, which are active at ≥30°C in patients with SLE and warm AIHA. In addition, it is important to consider that AIHA is associated with thromboembolism, and patients with lupus anticoagulant or anticardiolipin antibodies having a history of AIHA are at a high risk of developing thrombosis.
Treatment of Advanced Gingival Recession Secondary to Surgical Failure with Large Size Deepithelized Gingival Graft Associated with a Modified Tunnel Flap
Authors: Zhao Lingzhou , Gao Yuan , Xiao Yihan , Tan Xinwei , Li Xiaochen , Deng Tianzheng
Published: September 2023

Objective. To describe the use of a large size deepithelized gingival graft (DGG) associated with full-split tunnel technique in a clinical case of advanced gingival recession secondary to surgical failure (GRSF). Clinical Considerations. The presented case report helped to achieve satisfactory root coverage, ideal keratinized tissue gain, improvement in soft tissue quality and esthetics, scar deformity correction, and vestibular depth deepening with a one-step procedure of large size DGG associated with full-split tunnel technique for a condition of deep gingival recessions of 7-11 mm caused by a failed bone implantation surgery. Conclusions. The large size DGG associated with full-split tunnel technique provided a versatile one-step procedure to obtain ideal results for advanced GRSF. Clinical Significance. GRSF that is generally associated with inadequate keratinized tissue and scar formation could be rather difficult to deal with. The large size DGG associated with full-split tunnel technique, as a one-step procedure, provided a predictable and practical treatment modality.
Low-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid Contributes to Noise-Induced Cochlear Inflammation
Authors: Zhang Guoping , Gao Yiling , Zhao Zhen , Pyykko Ilmari , Zou Jing
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Our previous work indicated that the activation of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling pathway contributed to noise-induced cochlear inflammation. Previous studies have reported that low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (LMW-HA) accumulates during aseptic trauma and promotes inflammation by activating the TLR4 signaling pathway. We hypothesized that LMW-HA or enzymes synthesizing or degrading HA might be involved in noise-induced cochlear inflammation. Methods: The present study included two arms. The first arm was the noise exposure study, in which TLR4, proinflammatory cytokines, HA, hyaluronic acid synthases (HASs), and hyaluronidases (HYALs) in the cochlea as well as auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were measured before and after noise exposure. The second arm was analysis of HA delivery-induced reactions, in which control solution, high-molecular-weight HA (HMW-HA), or LMW-HA was delivered into the cochlea by cochleostomy or intratympanic injection. Then, the ABR threshold and cochlear inflammation were measured. Results: After noise exposure, the expression of TLR4, proinflammatory cytokines, HAS1, and HAS3 in the cochlea significantly increased over the 3rd to 7th day post-noise exposure (PE3, PE7). The expression of HYAL2 and HYAL3 dramatically decreased immediately after noise exposure, gradually increased thereafter to levels significantly greater than the preexposure level on PE3, and then rapidly returned to the preexposure level on PE7. The expression of HA, HAS2, and HYAL1 in the cochlea remained unchanged after exposure. After cochleostomy or intratympanic injection, both the hearing threshold shifts and the expression of TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the cochleae of the LMW-HA group were obviously greater than those of the control group and HMW-HA group. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the LMW-HA and control groups on the 7th day (D7) after cochleostomy tended to increase compared to that on the 3rd day (D3), whereas levels in the HMW-HA group tended to decrease on D7 compared to D3. Conclusion: HAS1, HAS3, HYAL2, and HYAL3 in the cochlea are involved in acoustic trauma-induced cochlear inflammation through the potential proinflammatory function of LMW-HA.
Development and Validation of CCTA-based Radiomics Signature for Predicting Coronary Plaques With Rapid Progression
Authors: Chen Qian , Xie Guanghui , Tang Chun Xiang , Yang Liu , Xu Pengpeng , Gao Xiaofei , Lu Mengjie , Fu Yunlei , Huo Yingsong , Zheng Shaoqing , Tao Xinwei , Xu Hui , Yin Xindao , Zhang Long Jiang
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:

Rapid plaque progression (RPP) is associated with a higher risk of acute coronary syndromes compared with gradual plaque progression. We aimed to develop and validate a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)–based radiomics signature (RS) of plaques for predicting RPP.

METHODS:

A total of 214 patients who underwent serial CCTA examinations from 2 tertiary hospitals (development group, 137 patients with 164 lesions; validation group, 77 patients with 101 lesions) were retrospectively enrolled. Conventional CCTA-defined morphological parameters (eg, high-risk plaque characteristics and plaque burden) and radiomics features of plaques were analyzed. RPP was defined as an annual progression of plaque burden ≥1.0% on lesion-level at follow-up CCTA. RS was built to predict RPP using XGBoost method.

RESULTS:

RS significantly outperformed morphological parameters for predicting RPP in both the development group (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.82 versus 0.74;
P
=0.04) and validation group (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.81 versus 0.69;
P
=0.04). Multivariable analysis identified RS (odds ratio, 2.35 [95% CI, 1.32–4.46];
P
=0.005) as an independent predictor of subsequent RPP in the validation group after adjustment of morphological confounders. Unlike unchanged RS in the non-RPP group, RS increased significantly in the RPP group at follow-up in the whole dataset (
P
<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The proposed CCTA-based RS had a better discriminative value to identify plaques at risk of rapid progression compared with conventional morphological plaque parameters. These data suggest the promising utility of radiomics for predicting RPP in a low-risk group on CCTA.
Reciprocity and High Resilience against Economic Fluctuations
Authors: Jung UnChan
Published: September 2023

Pauline scholars have long analysed the Jerusalem collection described in 1 Cor 16:1–4, 2 Cor 8–9 and Rom 15:25–29 to unveil Paul’s motivations, but only recently have they considered the economic implications and ramifications of the long-distance gift. Some have tried to associate the long-distance gift with several socio-economic contexts, such as economic inequality, prevalent poverty, patronage and/or gift exchange. This article, however, brings economic fluctuations to the fore to explicate 2 Cor 8:1–15 (esp. vv. 10–15), arguing that Paul’s chief rhetorical inducement to the Corinthians is the practical benefit of increasing their long-term resilience and survivability against the mutable economies facing most ordinary people through balanced exchanges among those of various economic statuses.
Shared Parenting in Europe
Authors: Koivula Tapio
Published: September 2023

With the commonality of parental separation in Europe today, safeguarding the best interests of the child has become increasingly challenging. The potential of shared parenting to serve the best interests of the child and to safeguard parental rights post-separation have been drivers for its increased prominence in public discourse, and some European States have already adopted legislation to encourage or even set it as a preference over sole custody – a change that has doubtless been brought about by studies on child welfare and advocacy for parental equality. The aim of this article is to analyse the concept of shared parenting through the lens of European human rights law in order to discover how it is viewed in relation to the best interests of the child, and whether having legal measures in place to encourage it should be considered a component of the best interests of the child.
Children’s Perceptions of their Involvement in Judicial Child Protection, Family and Criminal Proceedings
Authors: Leiria Margarida , Nunes Cristina
Published: September 2023

The present study synthesises published investigations into children’s involvement in the judicial child protection, family and, as victims and witnesses, in criminal proceedings, their perceptions and attitudes relative to their experience, and to each specific context in which they participated. Using the prisma Statement, we consulted five electronic databases (B-On, pbsc, asc, PsycInfo, and medline) to examine relevant studies (empirical, systematic reviews and meta-analyses), and we defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. We included 13 studies in the present review, published between 1992 and 2020 and carried out in different judicial contexts (criminal, protection, and family), to which we applied a methodological quality assessment instrument. From the main evidence of each study, we carried out an integrative synthesis. The findings identified children’s perceptions and attitudes towards the justice system, what they considered the most positive and the most negative aspects of their involvement, and the specificities of each judicial context. Implications for practice and further research were considered.
What Periodic Reviews Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child Say About Child Buddhist Monks
Authors: Parkes Deborah W.
Published: September 2023

Based on a review of documents filed within Periodic Review processes under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, this article explores to what degree the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and States Parties reflect on children living in Buddhist temples or monasteries as child monks. Documents for 12 countries with traditions of child Buddhist monks are examined: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Contextual factors that may influence whether attention is paid to these children are discussed. Recommendations for strengthening review processes are offered.
Child Soldiers, Agency, and Aristotelian Virtue Ethics
Authors: Souris Renée Nicole
Published: September 2023

The international community first responded to child soldiering by embracing within law and policy a narrative that saw child soldiers largely as passive victims. Empirical work with child soldiers has since revealed a more complex picture of children’s agency and actual experiences. From this work, a more recent narrative – which I call the political actor narrative – has taken shape within scholarly work on child soldiers. While the former narrative may be wrong to universalise the condition of all child soldiers as passive victims, the latter narrative is limited in what it can tell us about how child soldiering affects moral character development. I argue that we have good reason to seek a more comprehensive narrative that mixes elements of the passive victim and political actor narratives into a new narrative that provides resources for character-based normative analysis, and I show how virtue ethics provides the conceptual resources to do this.
The Protection Paradox
Authors: Quarles van Ufford Sara
Published: September 2023

Child participation is considered crucial for the authorities’ ability to protect children from violence – yet children’s actual participation is limited, and participation and protection rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are often understood as opposites. This article aims to explore children’s rights to participation and protection against violence in Swedish social services’ handling of violence against children. Child welfare reports, investigations and child social records, were analysed using quantitative content analysis and thematic analysis. Insufficient conditions for child participation and poor access to protection and support were indicated. Upon closer analysis of cases that did not lead to protection or support, different aspects of an overarching theme, The Protection Paradox, were identified, which meant protection against participation or unprotected autonomy.
Minority-Serving Hospitals Are Associated With Low Within-Hospital Disparity
Authors: Chen Ya-Wen , Kim Tommy D. , Molina Rose L. , Chang David C. , Oseni Tawakalitu O.
Published: September 2023

Background

Disparities in obstetric care have been well documented, but disparities in the within-hospital population have not been as extensively explored. The objective is to assess cesarean delivery rate disparities at the hospital level in a nationally recognized low risk of cesarean delivery group.

Methods

An observational study using a national population-based database, Nationwide Inpatient Sample, from 2008 to 2011 was conducted. All patients with nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex pregnancies from Black and White patients were included. The primary outcome was delivery mode (cesarean vs vaginal). The primary independent variable was race (Black vs White).

Results

A total of 1,064,351 patients were included and the overall nulliparous, term, singleton, and vertex pregnancies cesarean delivery rate was 14.1%. The within-hospital disparities of cesarean delivery rates were lower in minority-serving hospitals (OR: 1.20 95% CI: 1.12-1.28), rural hospitals (OR 1.11 95% CI: 1.02-1.20), and the South (OR 1.24 95% CI 1.19-1.30) compared to their respective counterparts. Non-minority serving hospitals (OR: 1.20 95% CI 0.12-1.25), and urban hospitals (OR1.32 95% CI 1.28-1.37), the Northeast (OR 1.41 95% CI 1.30-1.53) or West (OR 1.52 95% CI 1.38-1.67), had higher within-hospital racial disparities of cesarean delivery rates. The odds ratios reported are comparing within-hospital cesarean delivery rates in Black and White patients.

Discussion

Significant within-hospital disparities of cesarean delivery rates across hospitals highlight the importance of facility-level factors. Policies aimed at advancing health equity must address hospital-level drivers of disparities in addition to structural racism.
A pilot trial examining the effects of veteran voices and visions, an adaptation of hearing voices groups for a large public health system in the United States
Authors: Kalofonos Ippolytos , Zito Michael , Fletcher Erica , Calderon Ronald , Nazinyan Mariam , Kern Robert
Published: September 2023

Background:

The Hearing Voices Approach, a community-based peer-led support group model, is generating interest as a novel way to engage with psychosis. Hearing Voices (HV) groups are run by peers, ‘experts-by-experience’, and emphasize group ownership and community-building rather than adherence to a therapist-led, predetermined structure. Diverse beliefs about experiences are respected and viewed as potentially meaningful. Groups work within each individual’s explanatory framework to reframe understandings.

Aims:

This paper describes the effects of participation in Veteran Voices and Visions (VVV) groups, an adaptation of the HV approach, co-led by clinicians and Veteran peer support specialists, adapted for Veterans who have experienced psychosis and receive care at the VA, a large public health system in the United States.

Method:

This mixed methods pilot study has a convergent parallel design, integrating quantitative and qualitative data from participants in pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments.

Results:

Over 16 weeks, quantitative analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in distress, due to auditory hallucinations, as measured by the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). The Beliefs about Voices Questionnaire- Revised (BAVQ-R) results showed a reduction in malevolence and omnipotence and an increase in benevolence related to auditory hallucinations, but no change in resistance. Engagement showed a trend-level reduction. Qualitative data from midpoint (Week 8) and endpoint (Week 16) interviews revealed several perceived benefits from groups: 1) normalization and camaraderie, 2) increased hope and confidence, 3) self-understanding and reframing of experiences, and 4) building relationships outside of groups. Overall, VVV groups reduced distress due to voices, negative beliefs about voices, and perceived power of voices.

Conclusions:

Study findings contribute to a growing body of literature indicating HV groups support those who have experienced psychosis by reducing social isolation and fostering community, which may facilitate social integration. Overall, our findings highlight the potential benefits of adapting HV groups to health systems.
Frailty Index was Associated With Adverse Outcomes in Admitted Elderly Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Lin Yi , Shi Xiaochong , Huang Lingling , Chen Aixia , Zhu Haihui
Published: September 2023

We aimed to investigate the role of the laboratory frailty index (LFI) in diabetic complications and incident disability in admitted older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We retrospectively collected the clinical data of older patients with T2DM from December 2018 to May 2020. Frailty was quantified using the LFI, which considers the accumulation of 27 items of abnormal laboratory outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between LFI and diabetes-related adverse outcomes. In total, 293 consecutive older patients with T2DM were recruited for this study. According to the predefined LFI criteria, 110 (37.5%) participants were non-frail, 131 (44.7%) were prefrail, and 52 (17.8%) were frail. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that LFI was associated with the diabetic microangiopathy complications (odds ratio for prefrail [ORprefrail] 1.760, 95% confidence interval for prefrail [CIprefrail] 1.019-3.041, P = .043; ORfrail 4.667, 95% CIfrail 2.012-10.826, P < .001) and activities of daily living (ADL) disability (ORprefrail 2.323, 95% CIprefrail 1.209-4.463, P = .011; ORfrail 9.367, 95% CIfrail 4.030-21.775, P < .001), but not with the diabetic macroangiopathy complications and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Frailty, as determined by the LFI, was proven to be an effective tool for the prediction of diabetic microangiopathy complications and ADL disability.
Automatic tuning of robust model predictive control in iterative tasks using efficient Bayesian optimization
Authors: Tong Junbo , Du Shuhan , Fan Wenhui , Chai Yueting
Published: September 2023

Robust model predictive control (RMPC) is an effective technology for controlling uncertain systems while robustly handling constraints, and its closed-loop performance heavily relies on the selection of objective functions. However, the objective functions are typically chosen to be close to the real control objectives, despite an objective function that leads to less conservative constraints often provides better closed-loop performance. In this paper, we propose an automatic tuning framework for RMPC in iterative tasks. In particular, we parameterize RMPC and develop a Bayesian optimization (BO) method to tune it by solving a black-box optimization problem. We then introduce an efficient transfer learning framework within BO, which speeds up the searching process and enhances the controller performance. The effectiveness of the proposed tuning framework is illustrated on numerical examples.
Output feedback control for overhead cranes subject to double-pendulum swing effects and uncertain disturbances
Authors: Lei Meizhen , Wu Xianqing , Zhao Yijiang , Li Fang
Published: September 2023

In this paper, a disturbance-observer–based control approach is developed for overhead crane systems. Different from existing control strategies, the issues consisting of the output feedback, input saturation, double-pendulum dynamics, and uncertain disturbances are taken into consideration here. In particular, a disturbance observer is designed first, which can exactly estimate uncertain disturbances. Next, to enhance the performance of the controller, a virtual position signal is constructed and a corresponding Lyapunov function is introduced. Then, based on the provided Lyapunov function and the designed disturbance observer, a composite control approach is developed for overhead crane systems with double-pendulum dynamics and the convergence of the system states is proved via rigorous theoretical analysis. Finally, the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control approach are verified by simulation tests.
Forecasting of oil production driven by reservoir spatial–temporal data based on normalized mutual information and Seq2Seq-LSTM
Authors: Cui Chuanzhi , Qian Yin , Wu Zhongwei , Lu Shuiqingshan , He Jiajie
Published: September 2023

Traditional machine learning methods are difficult to accurately forecast oil production when development measures change. A method of oil reservoir production prediction based on normalized mutual information and a long short-term memory-based sequence-to-sequence model (Seq2Seq-LSTM) was proposed to forecast reservoir production considering the influence of liquid production and well spacing density. First, the marine sandstone reservoirs in the Y basin were taken as the research object to establish the sample database. Then, the feature selection was carried out according to the normalized mutual information, and liquid production, production time, equivalent well spacing density, fluidity and original formation pressure were determined as input features. Finally, a Seq2Seq-LSTM model was established to forecast reservoir production by learning the interaction from multiple samples and multiple sequences, and mining the relationship between oil production and features. The research showed that the model has a high accuracy of production prediction and can forecast the change of production when the liquid production and well spacing density change, which can provide scientific recommendations to help the oilfield develop and adjust efficiently.
Personal and Professional Reflections on the History and Future of the JLSP
Authors: Giles Howard
Published: September 2023

In this essay, I introduce a personal perspective on how the JLSP emerged and developed with respect to some of its key moments. In addition, I provide suggestions about how future research in the social psychology of language could contribute to its growth. A case is made for renewed efforts to engage societally-meaningful research questions on an array of proposed topics that could benefit a range of communities’ own felt needs and concerns.
Acute administration of alprazolam, alcohol and their combination on cognitive performance and mood: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Aitken Blair , Hayley Amie C , Ford Talitha C , Geier Lauren , Shiferaw Brook A , Downey Luke A
Published: September 2023

Background:

Recreational co-consumption of benzodiazepines and alcohol is a common practise; yet, the cognitive effects of this combination remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the acute cognitive effects of combining a 1 mg dose of alprazolam with a moderate dose of alcohol (target 0.04% blood alcohol concentration (BAC)) in a non-clinical population.

Methods:

In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, participants completed computerised cognitive assessments and the brief biphasic alcohol effects scale (B-BAES) after consuming 1 mg of alprazolam, both with and without a moderate dose of alcohol (target 0.04% BAC).

Results:

Among 20 healthy participants (mean age = 28.6, SD ± 4.0 years, 60% female), we found that a peak BAC of 0.03% had no significant impact on cognitive performance. Both the individual use of alprazolam and its combination with alcohol resulted in impaired reaction time, digit vigilance, and verbal, spatial and numeric working memory tasks, although an additive effect when alcohol and alprazolam were consumed together was not evident. The most pronounced cognitive effects occurred at 100 min after dosing, coinciding with increased alprazolam concentrations. Sedative effects were heightened with alcohol, alprazolam and their combination while no stimulative effects were reported.

Conclusions:

Our findings highlight the significant implications of a therapeutic dose of alprazolam on impairing cognitive performance. This is particularly relevant considering the frequency of non-medical alprazolam use. Future studies should explore different dosages, administration timings and long-term effects to inform the development of public health policies and guidelines regarding the combined use of alcohol and benzodiazepines.
Family and Vocation in the Early Italian Renaissance: Boccaccio and Narratives of Filial Freedom
Authors: McClure George
Published: September 2023

With an eye to joining literary and family history, this article examines Boccaccio's role in consolidating a new genre regarding the struggles of young people to choose their own paths against the constraints of paternal authority. In works of fiction, humanist scholarship, and biography, Boccaccio portrayed the struggle for filial freedom, both in terms of his own vocational aspirations as a young poet and in the struggle of young women to assert their freedom in the choice of spouse or vocation.