bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uveitis-Glaucoma-Hyphema Syndrome Following iStent Implantation
Authors: Siedlecki Adam , Kinariwala Bhumi , Sieminski Sandra
Published: February 2022

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is a subset of glaucoma surgery that is known for its low rate of complications both intraoperatively and postoperatively compared to traditional filtering surgery. We present a case of a patient who, after receiving uncomplicated cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and concurrent iStent trabecular bypass stent implantation, experienced recurrent episodes of spontaneous microhyphema and inflammation in the late postoperative period. The patient, who had a history of mild asymmetric exfoliative glaucoma but no identifiable sources of trauma, underwent extensive examination to investigate causes of his episodic anterior segment bleeding and mild inflammation with concurrent elevated intraocular pressure. Given the circumstances of the patient’s recurrent symptoms and a negative workup for conventional causes of recurrent hyphema, it was suspected that the patient’s iStent was interacting with the patient’s peripheral iris, causing microtrauma and hyphema. We hypothesized that this contact was potentially exacerbated by pre-existing exfoliation syndrome, which caused zonular weakness and subsequent anterior movement of the lens-iris diaphragm. After the patient’s third recurrence of microhyphema and inflammation, the patient underwent removal of iStent and concurrent OMNI canaloplasty for glaucoma. Six months post-iStent explantation, the patient has had complete resolution of symptoms without recurrence of hyphema. In this case report, we outline the course of this patient’s symptoms and diagnosis, discuss the potential of MIGS devices such as iStent to cause recurrent hyphema, and explore treatment options following removal.
Brain Diseases and Fall-Related Surgery in Older Persons
Authors: Sakakibara Ryuji , Iimura Ayako , Ogata Tsuyoshi , Terayama Keiichiro , Katsuragawa Shuichi , Nagao Takaaki , Suzuki Keiko , Izawa Kaori , Nakajima Kiwa , Haruki Shin-ichi , Tateno Fuyuki , Aiba Yosuke , Nemoto Masaaki , Nakagawa Koichi
Published: February 2022

Background: It is known that age-related brain symptoms (gait difficulty and dementia) increase the likelihood of fall-related surgery. In contrast, it is not known which types of brain disease underlie such symptoms most. Objective: The aim of this study was to correlate brain diseases with the types of surgeries performed at our hospital for patients who had fallen. Methods: This was a retrospective study at a multifaculty university hospital in Japan, with a 12-month recruiting period, a follow-up period of 3.0 ± 2.5 weeks, and ≥1×/week visits. We assembled a neurogeriatric team to diagnose brain diseases with the use of brain imaging to the extent possible and correlated the diagnoses with types of fall-related surgery. Results: Fall-related surgery was conducted by the orthopedics (OP) and neurosurgery (NS) faculties (total n = 124) at a ratio of about 2 to 1. The underlying brain diseases differed by faculty; for OP, surgery was most commonly performed in patients with a combination of white matter disease (WMD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (79%) followed by dementia with Lewy bodies. In contrast, for NS, the most common surgery was for patients with alcoholism (50%) followed by a combination of WMD and AD. Conclusion: Fall-related surgery was performed by the OP and NS faculties at a 2 to 1 ratio. The major underlying brain diseases were a combination of WMD and AD (79%) for OP and alcoholism (50%) for NS.
Acute Cholangitis Secondary to a Clogged Biliary Stent: A Review on the Cause of Clogging and the Appropriate Time of Replacement
Authors: Yusoff Ahmad Ramzi , Kamarul Anuar Qamarina Zettie Dyana , Khalid Shahril , Mokhtar Suryati
Published: February 2022

Choledocholithiasis is preferably treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy and stone removal, to reduce the risk for acute cholangitis. Frequently, patients who are ill, surgically unfit, or unable to undergo stone extraction during the index procedure underwent antibacterial treatment and temporary biliary stenting via ERCP to prevent biliary sepsis and septic shock. After a period of convalescence, a repeat ERCP is scheduled to clear the bile duct and remove the stent, followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy to complete the treatment circuit. Cholangitis may often recur in patients with an indwelling biliary stent while waiting for definitive treatment. Here, we present a case of a 42-year-old female with choledocholithiasis who developed moderate acute cholangitis 5 months after ERCP and insertion of a biliary plastic stent. She was provisionally diagnosed with obstructive jaundice with concurrent acute cholecystitis. Through intravenous antibacterial therapy, stent exchange, and an interval open cholecystectomy, she had fully recovered. We also discuss the underlying mechanism of stent blockage and the optimal interval for stent exchange after temporary placement for benign cases. Understanding the pathophysiology of stent clogging and recognizing the optimal interval for stent replacement may help reduce the risk of stent clogging and potentially fatal acute cholangitis.
Silk-Based Matrices and c-Kit-Positive Cardiac Progenitor Cells for a Cellularized Silk Fibroin Scaffold: Study of an in vivo Model
Authors: Motta Antonella , Barone Rosario , Macaluso Filippo , Giambalvo Filippo , Pecoraro Francesco , Di Marco Patrizia , Cassata Giovanni , Puleio Roberto , Migliaresi Claudio , Guercio Annalisa , Di Felice Valentina
Published: February 2022

The production of a cellularized silk fibroin scaffold is very difficult because it is actually impossible to differentiate cells into a well-organized cardiac tissue. Without vascularization, not only do cell masses fail to grow, but they may also exhibit an area of necrosis, indicating a lack of oxygen and nutrients. In the present study, we used the so-called tyrosine protein kinase kit (c-Kit)-positive cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) to generate cardiac cellularized silk fibroin scaffolds, multipotent cells isolated from the adult heart to date that can show some degree of differentiation toward the cardiac phenotype. To test their ability to differentiate into the cardiac phenotype in vivo as well, CPC and collagen organoid-like masses were implanted into nude mice and their behavior observed. Since the 3-dimensional structure of cardiac tissue can be preserved by scaffolds, we prepared in parallel different silk fibroin scaffolds with 3 different geometries and tested their behavior in 3 different models of immunosuppressed animals. Unfortunately, CPC cellularized silk fibroin scaffolds cannot be used in vivo. CPCs implanted alone or in collagen type I gel were destroyed by CD3+ lymphocyte aggregates, whereas the porous and partially oriented scaffolds elicited a consistent foreign body response characterized by giant cells. Only the electrospun meshes were resistant to the foreign body reaction. In conclusion, c-Kit-positive CPCs, although expressing a good level of cardiac differentiation markers in vitro with or without fibroin meshes, are not suitable for an in vivo model of cardiac organoids because they are degraded by a T-cell-mediated immune response. Even scaffolds which may preserve the survival of these cells in vivo also induced a host response. However, among the tested scaffolds, the electrospun meshes (F-scaffold) induced a lower response compared to all the other tested structures.
Evaluation of IL-1β and IL-6 Expression following EBNA-1 and BRLF-1 Peptide Treatment in Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Kianfar Roya , Ravanshad Mehrdad , Ghiass Mohammad Adel , Rafiee Nastaran , Shayeghpour Ali , Maleki Ali
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV/HHV-4) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study was conducted to investigate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 in healthy EBV carriers and MS patients with prior EBV infection in response to treatment with EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and replication and transcription activator (BRLF-1/Rta) peptide antigens in whole blood cell culture to assess the cytokine expression across all cells in the peripheral blood. Methods: Isolated whole blood cells from the included participants were incubated at a concentration of 106 cells/mL with BRLF-1 or EBNA-1. The amount of IL-1β and IL-6 transcripts were measured with quantitative RT-PCR at day 3 after incubation. MTT assay was conducted to examine cytotoxicity of the peptides and their effect on cell viability. Changes in cytokine expression and cell viability were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA, respectively. Results: Ten MS patients and ten healthy donors were enrolled in the study. Treatment with the peptide antigens resulted in increased cytokines expression in both MS patients and healthy subjects. Furthermore, IL-1β levels were higher in MS patients compared to healthy EBV carriers. MTT assay revealed no significant difference in cell viability between the two groups. Discussion: The higher levels of IL-1β in response to EBV antigens in MS patients may reflect the host neuroinflammatory environment and support the notion that immune response against EBV has a role as an aggravating factor in the progression of MS by contributing to the neuroinflammatory cascade.
Targeting CaMKII-δ9 Ameliorates Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Myocardial Inflammation
Authors: Yao Yuan , Li Fan , Zhang Mao , Jin Li , Xie Peng , Liu Dairu , Zhang Junxia , Hu Xinli , Lv Fengxiang , Shang Haibao , Zheng Wen , Sun Xueting , Duanmu Jiaxin , Wu Fujian , Lan Feng , Xiao Rui-Ping , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2022

Background:

CaMKII (Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent kinase II) plays a central role in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury—an important therapeutic target for ischemic heart disease. In the heart, CaMKII-δ is the predominant isoform and further alternatively spliced into 11 variants. In humans, CaMKII-δ9 and CaMKII-δ3, the major cardiac splice variants, inversely regulate cardiomyocyte viability with the former pro-death and the latter pro-survival. However, it is unknown whether specific inhibition of the detrimental CaMKII-δ9 prevents cardiac I/R injury and, if so, what is the underlying mechanism. Here, we aim to investigate the cardioprotective effect of specific CaMKII-δ9 inhibition against myocardial I/R damage and determine the underlying mechanisms.

Methods:

The role and mechanism of CaMKII-δ9 in cardiac I/R injury were investigated in mice in vivo, neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, and human embryonic stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes.

Results:

We demonstrate that CaMKII-δ9 inhibition with knockdown or knockout of its feature exon, exon 16, protects the heart against I/R-elicited injury and subsequent heart failure. I/R-induced cardiac inflammation was also ameliorated by CaMKII-δ9 inhibition, and compared with the previously well-studied CaMKII-δ2, CaMKII-δ9 overexpression caused more profound cardiac inflammation. Mechanistically, in addition to IKKβ (inhibitor of NF-κB [nuclear factor-κB] kinase subunit β), CaMKII-δ9, but not δ2, directly interacted with IκBα (NF-κB inhibitor α) with its feature exon 13-16-17 combination and increased IκBα phosphorylation and consequently elicited more pronounced activation of NF-κB signaling and inflammatory response. Furthermore, the essential role of CaMKII-δ9 in myocardial inflammation and damage was confirmed in human cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions:

We not only identified CaMKII-δ9-IKK/IκB-NF-κB signaling as a new regulator of human cardiomyocyte inflammation but also demonstrated that specifically targeting CaMKII-δ9, the most abundant CaMKII-δ splice variant in human heart, markedly suppresses I/R-induced cardiac NF-κB activation, inflammation, and injury and subsequently ameliorates myocardial remodeling and heart failure, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for various ischemic heart diseases.
Global Nepticulidae, Opostegidae, and Tischeriidae (Lepidoptera): temporal dynamics of species descriptions and their authors
Authors: DOBRYNINA VIKTORIJA , STONIS JONAS R. , DIŠKUS ARŪNAS , SOLIS M. ALMA , BARYSHNIKOVA SVETLANA V. , SHIN YOUNG-MIN
Published: February 2022

This study identifies the number of named and described species of three monotrysian, plant-mining lepidopteran families worldwide: Nepticulidae and Opostegidae (Nepticuloidea), and Tischeriidae (Tischerioidea). At the end of 2021, we estimated that a total of 1000 Nepticulidae species, 197 Opostegidae species, and 170 Tischeriidae species have been described since the taxonomic practice of describing species began in the 18th century. We examine and discuss the history of descriptions and authorship of species worldwide for each of the three families. We found that the total (accumulative) number of species described increased with each time period delineated. About five new species were described per year on average, or about 22 new species were described per year in the 21st century. We recognize researchers with the most number of described species in these three taxa.
“Höchst unerwünschte Ausländer”: The Fate of Ethnic German Expellees in Post-War Austria
Authors: Schippmann Sophie-Charlotte
Published: February 2022

“Höchst unerwünschte Ausländer”: The Fate of Ethnic German Expellees in Post-War AustriaThe large influx of ethnic Germans from the East into Germany at the end of the Second World War is a well-known and researched fact. However, there were also about 300,000–632,000 expellees that ended up in post-war Austria. In contrast to Germany, Austria was not required by the Potsdam Agreement to take them in and consequently advocated their deportation. It was not only the financial burden associated with the expellees but also Austria’s aim to convince the Allies of the “victim myth” that motivated Austria to favour deportation over integration. Taking in ethnic German expellees would highlight Austria’s close past with Germany and could even be perceived as an acceptance of legal succession of the Third Reich. The Allies initially supported Austria’s decision but except for a large number of deportations in 1946 the plan was not carried to its conclusion. Around 350,000 expellees were able to remain in Austria. However, the fact that they were not granted equal rights in all areas until 1971 shows they were not welcome in Austria for a long time. „Höchst unerwünschte Ausländer”: Los przesiedlonej ludności niemieckiej w powojennej AustriiFakt, że pod koniec drugiej wojny światowej do Niemiec licznie napływali ze wschodu etniczni Niemcy, jest dobrze znany i zbadany. Jednak od około 300 000 do 632 000 przesiedlonych trafiło także do powojennej Austrii. Na Austrii, inaczej niż na Niemczech, nie ciążył nałożony w tzw. deklaracji poczdamskiej obowiązek ich przyjęcia, wobec czego Austria opowiedziała się za ich deportacją. Z przyjęciem przesiedleńców wiązały się dla niej ciężary finansowe, ale nie tylko: Austria chciała też przekonać aliantów do swego „mitu ofiary”. Austriacy przychylali się raczej do deportacji, a nie do integracji. Przyjęcie niemieckich przesiedlonych rzucałoby nowe światło na ścisłe związki Austrii z Niemcami w przeszłości, a nawet mogłoby być postrzegane jako akceptacja sukcesji prawnej po Trzeciej Rzeszy. Alianci początkowo popierali stanowisko Austrii w tej sprawie. Jednak pominąwszy liczniejsze deportacje, jakie miały miejsce w roku 1946, plany nie zostały urzeczywistnione. Około 350 000 przesiedlonym pozwolono pozostać w Austrii. Niemniej fakt, że nie przyznawano im równych praw we wszystkich sferach życia aż do roku 1971, świadczy o tym, iż przez długi czas nie byli oni w tym kraju dobrze widziani.
Białorusini na tle procesów narodotwórczych społeczeństw Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej
Authors: Radzik Ryszard
Published: February 2022

Belarus Vis a Vis Nation-Building Processes in Central and East European CommunitiesThe text explores the nation-building factors that determined the intensity with which certain nations in Central and East Europe were formed in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century – with some reference to their contemporary situation, especially of today’s Belarus. In addition to Belarus, the analyses also briefly cover nation-building processes in Ukraine (Galicia and Dnieper Ukraine), Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Three categories of factors that are crucial for the processes under discussion have already been distinguished – namely civilization, culture and politics. All three types decisively benefited the Czechs, who succeeded in developing nation-building processes the soonest; the Czechs, among all the other nations in the region, thus first acquired a national awareness at the popular level. On the contrary, the above-mentioned factors did not work to the benefit of the Belarussians and Dnieper Ukrainians. The territories they inhabited were very weakly industrialized and urbanized, while their languages differed from Russian and Polish much less than was the case, on the one hand, of the Slovaks and Czechs, and on the other, of the Hungarians and Austrians (Germans). At the same time, Russian policies obviously hampered the formation of the Belarussian and Ukrainian nations. This article shows the strength with which objective conditions exerted an influence on nation-building processes in our part of the continent.
Resident Training Experiences Providing Spanish-Language Concordant Care: Implications for Growing Health Equity Efforts Within Graduate Medical Education
Authors: Hernandez Raquel G. , Tanaka Kenji , McPeak Katie , Thompson Darcy A.
Published: February 2022

Training experiences where residents provide Spanish-language concordant care (SLCC) have not been widely described despite their increasing need and prevalence in graduate medical education. In this qualitative study, we enrolled nonnative Spanish-speaking residents (n = 21) within SLCC training clinics from 3 geographically unique programs. Participants completed semistructured interviews focused on their overall SLCC training experience. Major themes identified included (1) high levels of satisfaction in their SLCC experience, (2) concern about ongoing language barriers, (3) demonstration of high levels of cultural humility in caring for patients with limited English proficiency, and (4) identification of several valuable programmatic and clinical resources. Based on these findings, we conclude that SLCC training experiences are of significant value to trainees in becoming pediatricians able to promote health equity. Themes identified could help inform how graduate medical education programs utilize SLCC to grow health-equity based efforts to deliver more effective and compassionate care to our linguistically diverse populations.
Remote Work and Post-Bureaucracy: Unintended Consequences of Work Design for Gender Inequality
Authors: de Laat Kim
Published: February 2022

In-depth interviews with IT employees ( N = 84) working under two types of work design—a post-bureaucratic work design labeled “agile,” and a bureaucratic work design labeled “waterfall”—are used to examine gendered patterns in the adoption of remote work. Interviews reveal an unintended consequence of the agile model: It promotes a physical orientation that induces on-site work. Agile is gender-inegalitarian, with more women than men working remotely despite its perceived unacceptability, and low numbers of employees working remotely overall. By contrast, workers within a waterfall work design express a digital orientation to work and feel empowered to work remotely. The waterfall model is associated with gender egalitarianism; most employees opt to work remotely, and men and women do so in even numbers. Findings suggest that when compared to the post-bureaucratic work design, the bureaucratic work design provides more flexibility. This article refines our understanding of barriers to remote work and provides a lens on the gender dynamics underlying work design.
Microdosing as a Response to the Meaning Crisis: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Petranker Rotem , Kim Juensung , Anderson Thomas
Published: February 2022

The use of psychedelic substances in both humanistic and mainstream clinical research has been increasing in the last decade. In particular, the practice of microdosing—ingesting sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelics—has been increasing in popularity, but large-scale qualitative analyses are still uncommon. This study attempted to recognize emergent themes in qualitative reports regarding the experience of microdosing to enrich the theoretical landscape in psychedelic research and propose future research directions for both basic and clinical research. Participants were people who reported microdosing at least once in the last year; they described their experiences using an online survey. Data from 118 informative responses suggested four main emergent themes: reasons for microdosing, the practice of microdosing itself, outcomes linked to microdosing, and meta-commentary about microdosing. We use meaning-making theory and propose that, even at low doses, psychedelic substances can provide a sense of meaning. Our results suggest that many of the reported benefits occur regardless of motivation to microdose and are likely due to the enhanced psychological flexibility and a sense of connectedness made possible due to the use of psychedelics. Double-blind, placebo-controlled experiments are required to substantiate these reports.
What determines omnivores’ meat consumption and their willingness to reduce the amount of meat they eat?
Authors: Roozen Irene , Raedts Mariet
Published: February 2022

Background: Some meat eaters are faced with a dilemma: they like to eat meat, but they are also concerned about animal welfare, the environmental impact of meat production, and health risks associated with meat consumption. Aim We investigated the interrelationship between ‘meat attachment’ (people's affective connection towards meat) and the ‘4Ns’ (four defence arguments omnivores use to justify their meat consumption: eating meat is normal, necessary, nice, and natural), two constructs often used by researchers to measure omnivores justifications for meat consumption. Second, we compared the predictive power of both constructs on omnivores’ (willingness to reduce) meat consumption in a regression model that also included age, gender, educational level, financial status, and participants’ beliefs concerning environmental, ethical and health issues of eating meat. Methods: In total 203 Belgian omnivores (47.4% men) completed an online questionnaire in February 2020. Their ages ranged from 18 to 55 (M = 23.57, SD = 4.64). Results: Results indicate that the correlations between the different dimensions of ‘meat attachment’ and the 4Ns are significantly positive ( p < 0.001). A comparison of the predictive power of both constructs on omnivores’ (willingness to reduce) meat consumption showed that the ‘meat attachment’ construct performs statistically better than the 4Ns construct. In addition, omnivores’ beliefs concerning the ethical implications of eating meat are also an important predictor in their meat consumption, whereas environmental and health related aspects are not. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that national health campaigns warning about the health risks of excessive meat consumption might be less effective than health campaigns focussing on the ethical issues associated with meat eating.
Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer in referral centers in Italy
Authors: Solaini Leonardo , Bencivenga Maria , Rosa Fausto , D’ignazio Alessia , Marino Elisabetta , Ministrini Silvia , Sofia Silvia , Sacco Michele , Mura Gianni , Rausa Emanuele , Prizio Marco De , Graziosi Luigina , Degiuli Maurizio , Tiberio Guido Alberto Massimo , Alfieri Sergio , Marrelli Daniele , Morgagni Paolo , Ercolani Giorgio
Published: February 2022

Background:

The coronavirus pandemic had a major impact in Italy. The Italian health system’s re-organization to face the emergency may have led to significant consequences especially in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer in nine Gruppo Italiano RIcerca Cancro Gastrico (GIRCG) centers.

Methods:

All patients assessed for gastric adenocarcinoma at nine GIRCG centers between January 2019 and November 2020 were included. Patients were grouped according to the date of “patient 1’s” diagnosis in Italy: preCOVID versus COVID. Clinico-pathological and outcome differences between the two groups were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 632 patients were included in the analysis (205 in the COVID group). The cT4 weighted ratios were higher in 2020 from April to September, with the greatest differences in May, August and September. The cM+ weighted ratio was significantly higher in July 2020. The mean number of gastrectomies had the greatest reduction in March and May 2020 compared with 2019. The median times from diagnosis to chemotherapy, to complete diagnostic work-up or to operation were longer in 2019. The median time from the end of chemotherapy to surgery was 17 days longer in the preCOVID group.

Conclusions:

A greater number of advanced or metastatic cases were diagnosed after the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially after the “full lockdown” periods. During the pandemic, once gastric cancer patients were referred to one of the centers, a shorter time to complete the diagnostic work-up or to address them to the best treatment option was required.
The effect of Chinese pop background music on Chinese poetry reading comprehension
Authors: Dong Yang , Zheng Hao-Yuan , Wu Sammy Xiao-Ying , Huang Fang-Ya , Peng Shu-Na , Sun Skylar Yuan-Ke , Zeng Hong
Published: February 2022

Students prefer to listen to music while reading because they believe it will help them focus on constructing a contextual mental picture. However, the effect of background music on the reading comprehension of primary school new readers remains unclear. This study examines the effects of two musical factors (familiarity and tempo) on the construction of poetry mental picture in 129 Chinese primary school readers with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. The study controlled for nonverbal intelligence, age, gender, working memory, and receptive vocabulary, and results showed that background music had a negative effect on poetry reading performance. Specifically, students had similar performance in easy poetry reading with background music but performed better in difficult poetry reading with unfamiliar music and slower melody. The effect size of unfamiliar background music was larger than that of melody tempo. This study provided literature on the effect of background music on surface decoding in poetry reading and suggested that the appropriate approach for readers who are in the learning to read stage should be to refrain from listening to music while reading.
Empirical links between emotions and listening to music mid- and post-exercise
Authors: Shin Myoungjin , Kim Yongse , Ahn Jihoon
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of music on core affect mid- and post-exercise and to verify the benefits of exercising with music based on its relationships with affect and emotions according to dual-process theories. To this end, a study was conducted on 80 participants consisting of 40 sports major students who exercised regularly and 40 non-sports major students, under the conditions of 70% (moderate intensity) and 80% (heavy intensity) maximum heart rate. The results demonstrated that participants who listened to music while exercising experienced a positive affect mid-exercise but not post-exercise. Furthermore, a positive relationship was observed between pleasure and general emotions that involve cognitive appraisal.
Predicting academic achievement in music in secondary schools: The role of personality and self-theories of musicality
Authors: Lin Hsin-Rui , Kopiez Reinhard , Müllensiefen Daniel , Hasselhorn Johannes
Published: February 2022

Recent meta-analyses have confirmed the significance of three personality traits of the Five-Factor Model (FFM) in predicting academic achievement, namely, conscientiousness, emotional stability (neuroticism), and openness. However, there is little agreement on which FFM traits are relevant in predicting academic achievement in music. The underlying mechanisms for the observed correlations between personality traits and academic achievement are also unclear. Thus, by including self-theories as mediator variables, we examine the relationships between personality traits, academic achievement in music and their underlying mechanisms. We analyzed longitudinal data collected from secondary school students ( N = 564, Mage = 11.98) in Germany and the United Kingdom in 2017 and 2018. A series of path models were used to examine the effect of personality traits and self-theories on academic achievement in music and overall achievement, while controlling for previous achievement. Conscientiousness and agreeableness emerged as best predictors of the development of overall performance and achievement in music, respectively. Subjective theories about one’s own musicality (e.g., musical self-theories) affect academic achievement in music even when personality traits and previous achievements are accounted for. This study demonstrates that personality traits contribute to the development of musical self-theories that in turn affect the growth of academic achievement in music.
Improving corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of AZ31 magnesium alloy by ultrasonic cold forging and micro-arc oxidation
Authors: Zhu Bowu , Wang Lei , Wu Yuanzhi , Yue Wen , Liang Jun , Cao Baocheng
Published: February 2022

Corrosion resistant and biocompatible AZ31 magnesium alloy surfaces were successfully prepared by ultrasonic cold forging and subsequent micro-arc oxidation. The properties of these ultrasonic cold forging pretreated (UCFT)AZ31 magnesium alloy surfaces containing Sr–Ca–P micro-arc oxide coating (MAO/UCFT/AZ31) were studied. Results showed that surface grain refinement of AZ31 Mg alloy in the depth of 400 μm owing to the ultrasonic cold forging pretreatment was verified, and which provides more discharge channels for subsequent micro-arc oxidation. Comparing with the AZ31 magnesium alloy (AZ31) and ultrasonic cold forging technology treated AZ31 magnesium alloy samples (UCFT/AZ31), the corrosion resistance of MAO/UCFT/AZ31 significantly improved, which is also supported by the immersion experiments and electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid. Meanwhile, the MAO/UCFT/AZ31 samples also had excellent cytocompatibility as well as MAO/AZ31 samples. These results may beneficial to the developing of biodegradable medical materials in future.
Gender Patterns in the Use of Physical Violence Against a Violent Partner: Results of a Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study in New Zealand
Authors: Fanslow Janet L. , Hashemi Ladan , Gulliver Pauline , McIntosh Tracey
Published: February 2022

We examine gendered patterns in the use of violence in response to the partner's violence (“fighting back”). Within each gender, we examined if socio-demographic differences in prevalence were present, and if contextual factors influenced the use of violence against a violent partner. Data from a large, population-based sample of New Zealand adults was used to identify ever-partnered respondents who had experienced physical IPV ( n = 407 women, and n = 391 men). Weighted percentages and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated for the use of violence against a violent partner, stratified by gender. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between each contextual risk factors and the use of violence against a violent partner. For both men and women, at the multivariable level, use of violence against a violent partner was associated with contextual factors related to the abuse. However, for almost all of these variables a higher proportion of women than men experienced the risk factor; for example, a higher proportion of women than men reported having experienced severe IPV (57.6% women; 43.7% men), injuries resulting from IPV (44.5% women, 15.0% men), and fear of a partner (22.7% women, 4.9% men). Women were also more likely to report experiencing other types of IPV (particularly sexual IPV) and were more likely to report that their children were present at the time of violence. These factors contributed to the higher proportion of women who reported fighting back at least once (53.4% of women and 22.3% of men). Health, social, and legal services need to conduct appropriate and thorough assessment of nature and context (current and historical) of the violence that individuals have been exposed to as part of service provision. Assessments need to be carried out with a gender-lens in order to provide comprehensive and appropriate responses.
Ag-Ag2O-TiO2@Eggshell membrane polymer nanocomposite: Conductivity and healing the wound infected with S. aureus studies ICSEM-2021
Authors: Ali Majeed MA , Husain Talib Kh. , Ali Aisha H , Mahmood Ahmed R , Alheety Mustafa A , Singh Pramod K
Published: February 2022

The natural polymer-containing nanocomposite (Ag-Ag2O-TiO2@Eggshell membrane protein) was prepared using a rapid and efficient one-pot method. Diagnosis of this nanostructure was performed by X-ray diffraction, Energy dispersive X-ray, and SEM. The characterization results proved that this multifunctional nanocomposite was successfully synthesized within the scale of nanoscience. The conductivity of this polymer was studied in the presence of sodium iodide using acetonitrile as a solvent by complex impedance spectroscopy. The conductivity measurements prove that the highest conductivity was obtained with the highest salt concentration 1:5=Na:O. Furthermore, Ag-Ag2O-TiO2@Eggshell membrane protein nanocomposite was used to study its ability for healing the wound infected with antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus for 2 weeks. The histopathological results have shown that there is an improvement in all the indicative signs of disease with rapid development of the epidermal layer proliferating and then healing of the infected wounds rapidly.
Intracameral Microimaging of Maturation of Human iPSC Derivatives into Islet Endocrine Cells
Authors: Zhao Kaixuan , Shi Yue , Yu Jia , Yu Lina , Mael Amber , Li Yuxin , Kolton Anthony , Joyce Thomas , Odorico Jon , Berggren Per-Olof , Yang Shao-Nian
Published: February 2022

We exploited the anterior chamber of the eye (ACE) of immunodeficient mice as an ectopic site for both transplantation and microimaging of engineered surrogate islets from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-SIs). These islets contained a majority of insulin-expressing cells, positive or negative for PDX1 and NKX6.1, and a minority of glucagon- or somatostatin-positive cells. Single, non-aggregated hiPSC-SIs were satisfactorily engrafted onto the iris. They underwent gradual vascularization and progressively increased their light scattering signals, reflecting the abundance of zinc-insulin crystal packaged inside mature insulin secretory granules. Intracameral hiPSC-SIs retrieved from recipients showed enhanced insulin immunofluorescence in correlation with the parallel increase in overall vascularization and light backscattering during the post-transplantation period. This approach enables longitudinal, nondestructive and intravital microimaging of cell fates, engraftment, vascularization and mature insulin secretory granules of single hiPSC-SI grafts, and may offer a feasible and reliable means to screen compounds for promoting in vivo hiPSC-SI maturation.
Karachi Stock Exchange: Board Chairman Versus the Board of Directors
Authors: Bashir Mohsin , Mirza Khalid
Published: February 2022

The events described in this case took place in the year 2010 at Karachi Stock Exchange. Mr Zubyr Soomro, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of KSE, was elected out of the minority pool of independent, non-broker members nominated by the apex regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). He found himself caught in a sticky siutation with the board’s elected members over replacing a financial instrument called badla financing or carry-over transaction (COT) with margin financing. Due to pre-existing governance issues within the board, this disagreement turned into a huge conflict leading to demands for the removal of the chairman. The conflict started when Mr Soomro voiced his concerns about the hefty risk inherent in badla financing due to the way it was implemented. The elected brokers who were a majority in the board felt quite strongly that the chairman had gone beyond his authority to intervene in this matter. As the broker community came together to pressurize the chairman to vacate his position, Soomro deliberated the avenues available to him and shortlisted two possible routes. He could either go public with his narrative, using the media to carefully construct a narrative that would point out the pitfalls in badla or he could proceed with a dignified resignation from his post.
An Economic Case for Waiving Intellectual Property Rights on Covid Vaccines
Authors: Roy Gopal Krishna
Published: February 2022

India and South Africa approached the World Trade Organisation to negotiate the temporary waiver of Intellectual Property (IP) rights on Covid-19 vaccines to remove the artificial barrier of patents and boost vaccine production. This commentary advocates for the waiver of IP rights on Covid-19 vaccines. First, the article makes a case for the debate on the validity of the Covid-19 vaccine to qualify for a patent. Market failure and underinvestment in research and development arguments do not hold for granting a patent to Covid vaccines. Next, the article briefly reviews the evidence on the association between vaccination and virus mutations. Evidence suggests that waiving patents is vital to increase vaccination worldwide and curb mutation and reduce the risk of more infectious new variants. Finally, the article argues that the rationale for a patent is economical, based on incentivising innovation and therefore, the losses suffered by various sectors of the economy due to new variant induced fatalities and lockdowns need to be considered for a case for its waiver.
Becoming intimate with algorithms: Towards a critical antagonism via algorithmic art
Authors: Wiehn Tanja
Published: February 2022

This article takes departure in the notion of intimacy to identify the critical dependencies with contemporary algorithms. The presented concept of algorithmic intimacies points to how contemporary life is premised on the co-habitation with algorithms which poses various challenges to tactical approaches against algorithmic forms of governance. The article argues that thinking through these algorithmic intimacies allows to acknowledge the multi-dependency on digital infrastructures, the difficulties to counteract algorithmic governance, and the impossibility of fully stepping outside of these structures of dominance. Taking the vantage point in the analysis of three artworks, the article contemplates the potential of artistic practices as formulations of antagonistic strategies. Through the analyses, the article suggests to contend with these intimacies to better situate and understand the stakes of algorithmic ubiquity.
Exploring impacts of AR on group package tours: Destination image, perceived certainty, and experiential value
Authors: Tsang Seng-Su , Kuo Chin , Hu Tung-Kuang , Wang Wen-Cheng
Published: February 2022

With the growing demand for experience, technologies such as augmented reality (AR) have been widely adopted across fields to increase individuals’ interactive experiences. In tourism, group package tours have become a common touring approach; however, research in investigating tourists’ journey experiences facilitated by modern technologies such as AR remains rare. This study aims to examine factors affecting tourists’ behavioral intentions to choose group package tours. An extended theory of the planned behavior model with three antecedents—destination image, perceived certainty, and experiential value— is posited to evaluate the potential influence of AR. Using data of 557 survey respondents, the structural equation modeling shows a good fit for the empirical results. The findings reveal that AR gives tourists access to more explicit destination images, increases the certainty of group package tours, and creates experiential value during a trip, thereby enhancing behavioral intentions to opt for a group package tour. The study concludes with theoretical and empirical implications for tourism and related industries.
Introduction
Authors: Cohen Elizabeth F.
Published: February 2022

Ayelet Shachar's lead essay in The Shifting Border draws out dramatic transformations of bordering practices currently taking place worldwide. These have yielded spatial relocations for bordering, a privatization of enforcement, and legal innovations that tie the border to individual people as they move, among many other changes. Shachar argues in favor of a form of reciprocity, in which states that shape shift their borders are also compelled to recognize rights for people who require humanitarian assistance. In response, Shachar's interlocutors offer an array of reflections and friendly amendments.
Preventing academic burnout and ensuring the wellbeing of teachers returning to academic studies
Authors: Hoter Elaine , Rutlinger Reiner Reina
Published: February 2022

This article examines how mature Israeli teachers returning to academia after many years cope with the burden of their masters' studies in addition to their work as teachers and how the college can improve the well-being of these students and help avoid academic burnout. The study is based on repeated in-depth interviews with 18 female teachers. The analysis of the interviews and observations points to four areas that need to be considered. First, transformation, how returning to academic studies while working full-time changed the students’ lives. Second, the academic climate, the clarity of the elements in the program, coordination between the lecturers, relationships with teaching staff, as well as the facilities offered in the college. Third, academic burnout, which includes time management, challenges of balancing work, family and studies, and coping with frustration. The final theme is support, the importance of support by families, workplace, the staff, and their peers on their learning experience. The results point to the need for more coordination between staff, involving students in academic and administrative decisions and to introduce an ongoing program accompanying the M.Ed program that includes a support system to help reduce stress and avoid academic burnout.
Using the Census Planning Database to Generate Differential Expected Yield Rates to Self-administered Mail Surveys
Authors: Lewis Taylor , McMichael Joseph
Published: February 2022

Expected yield rates are essential to a survey’s data collection plan, as they inform requisite sample sizes to meet the survey’s objectives. Given an overall expected yield rate for a self-administered mail survey, this short take describes a simple method for using the Census Planning Database to assign differential yield rates to lower-level geographies within the study area.
Gaming AI without AI
Authors: Frank Aaron B
Published: February 2022

War games have played an essential role in the development of military force structures, strategies, operational concepts, and more. Military organizations are currently confronting uncertainties over the ways in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) may affect warfare at nearly every level, from combat tactics to operational concepts to force structure to deterrence and national and international security. This paper explores how game designers and players can approach questions regarding how AI may be employed in alternative contexts allowing for insight into how emerging and imagined technologies may affect warfare at many different levels of analysis. It identifies six application areas of AI technologies that games should consider—(1) principal–agent relations, (2) organizational and operational complexity, (3) attention management, (4) exploratory analysis, (5) information exploitation and model validation, and (6) adaptive behavior in open-ended systems—and suggests conceptual and practical strategies for investigating them in games that can be played in the absence of real-world systems and algorithms that perform these functions.
Effect of Ultraviolet B Irradiation on Melanin Content Accompanied by the Activation of p62/GATA4-Mediated Premature Senescence in HaCaT Cells
Authors: Yan Juan , Ma Li-Ping , Liu Fang , Sun Bo , Tian Mei , Lu Xue , Liu Hai-Xiang , Gao Ling , Liu Qing-Jie
Published: February 2022

Objective

To explore the effect and mechanism of ultraviolet B (UVB) on melanin synthesis and premature senescence in human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells.

Methods

HaCaT cells were irradiated with 0, 20, 50, 80, 100, 150, and 200 mJ/cm2 of UVB. NaOH method was used for melanin content assay, cellular tyrosinase (TYR) activity was determined by 3,4-Dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-DOPA) oxidation to dopachrome, premature senescence was analyzed by senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining kit, and the levels of p21, p16, p62, and GATA4 proteins were detected by Western blotting. Premature senescence was inhibited by the inhibitors of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) or ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3–related (ATR), and the p53 signaling pathway was activated by Nutlin-3. The mRNA levels of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in HaCaT cells after 80 mJ/cm2 of UVB irradiation.

Results

The melanin level increased significantly with the elevation of irradiation dose ( F = 28.19, 43.82, 143.60, P < .05), reaching the peak at the dose of 80 mJ/cm2. The tyrosinase activity increased significantly ( F = 84.50, P < .05), the percentage of premature senescence increased ( F = 16.31, P < .05), the levels of p62 decreased, and the level of GATA4 increased obviously with the increase of UVB dose after irradiation. The UVB-induced promotion of GATA4 level was significantly inhibited by being treated with ATM or ATR inhibitor. However, this did not occur in the Nutlin-3-treated group. The mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α increased significantly at 72 h at 80 mJ/cm2 of UVB irradiation.

Conclusions

Melanin contents increased first and decreased afterward with the increasing of UVB irradiation. The decrease of p62-mediated selective autophagy was accompanied by the accumulation of GATA4 after different doses of UVB irradiation. Activation of this p62/GATA4 pathway depends on the ATM and ATR but is independent of p53, and the SASP factor was activated in HaCaT cells at 80 mJ/cm2 of UVB irradiation.