bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waveform conversion characteristic analysis of elastic waves in a hull grillage structure
Authors: Chen Bin-bin , Yao Xiong-liang , Wu Guo-xun
Published: May 2024

Waveform conversion is closely related to energy transmission and redistribution in a coupled structure. In this research, a modified spectral element method (SEM) is used to analyze the characteristics of waveform conversion of finite-size coupled hull grillage based on the Timoshenko elastic foundation beam theory. Based on a theoretical derivation, the energy transfer coefficient of the coupling point and the energy density of the energy efferent and afferent structure are calculated by adding a non-reflecting boundary in an SEM program to research the parameter effects on waveform conversion. This research provides useful guidance for structural design for vibration reduction at a high frequency.
Nephrotic Syndrome Throughout Childhood: Diagnosing Podocytopathies From the Womb to the Dorm
Authors: Finn Laura S.
Published: May 2024

The etiologies of podocyte dysfunction that lead to pediatric nephrotic syndrome (NS) are vast and vary with age at presentation. The discovery of numerous novel genetic podocytopathies and the evolution of diagnostic technologies has transformed the investigation of steroid-resistant NS while simultaneously promoting the replacement of traditional morphology-based disease classifications with a mechanistic approach. Podocytopathies associated with primary and secondary steroid-resistant NS manifest as diffuse mesangial sclerosis, minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and collapsing glomerulopathy. Molecular testing, once an ancillary option, has become a vital component of the clinical investigation and when paired with kidney biopsy findings, provides data that can optimize treatment and prognosis. This review focuses on the causes including selected monogenic defects, clinical phenotypes, histopathologic findings, and age-appropriate differential diagnoses of nephrotic syndrome in the pediatric population with an emphasis on podocytopathies.
Community Gifting and Recipients’ Engagement with Peers and Influencers: Evidence from Natural Experiments on Twitch
Authors: Chaudhry Alexander , Wang Yang , Ouyang Erya
Published: May 2024

Community gifting, the phenomenon of donating digital goods to peers without selecting specific recipients, is one of live streaming's key social technologies for engaging online communities. In this study, the authors investigate the causal relationship between receiving a community gift and the recipient's subsequent social and monetary engagement behaviors by exploiting the randomization of recipient assignment on a popular live streaming platform, Twitch. They find that, relative to nonrecipients within a five-minute window of a community gifting event, community gift recipients exhibit a 69% chance of directing an additional message toward their peers, a 35% chance of directing an additional message toward the streamer, and a 5% chance of gifting an incremental subscription to the community. However, recipients are no more likely to tip the streamer. The authors apply computational linguistics methods to illustrate that recipients’ increased social engagement is accompanied by elevated sentiment and an increased likelihood of joining existing conversations. Finally, a series of moderator analyses show that recipients’ gifting behavior is less frequent when there are more gifting events prior to the focal community gift, enabling the recipient to hide. Moreover, the social engagement effect of receiving a community gift is greater when prior chatter is more voluminous and discontinuous, that is, when it is easier for the recipient to jump into the chat. We conclude that the spillovers to social engagement are more important than those to financial reciprocity given the positive feedback loop implied by our moderator analysis. Our results reveal how and when community gifting impacts audience engagement.
Small Urban Green Spaces: Insights into Perception, Preference, and Psychological Well-being in a Densely Populated Areas of Tehran, Iran
Authors: Naghibi Maryam , Farrokhi Ashkan , Faizi Mohsen
Published: May 2024

In metropolitan areas worldwide, abandoned properties are prevalent, prompting a need for small urban green spaces (SUGS) to meet the growing demand. Understanding residents’ preferences and perceptions of transformed spaces is vital for effective urban design. This study delves into residents’ preferences and perceptions regarding the transformation of such spaces into SUGS and their impact on psychological well-being. By examining how these preferences and perceived health benefits shape the value of transformed spaces, the research aims to inform effective urban design strategies. The participants underwent visual stimulation, with psychological reactions recorded through Electroencephalogram (EEG) readings and assessed via Questionnaire. Machine learning techniques analyzed EEG sub-band data, achieving an average accuracy of 92.8% when comparing leftover and designed spaces. Results revealed that different types of transformed spaces provoke distinct physiological and preference responses. Specifically, viewing SUGS was associated with significant changes in gamma wave power, suggesting a correlation between enhanced gamma activity and increased feelings of empathy. Moreover, participants also reported enhanced comfort, relaxation, and overall mood, and a strong preference for SUGS over untransformed spaces, emphasizing the value placed on these areas for their health benefits. This research highlights the positive impact of even SUGS on mental health, using EEG data to assess emotional states triggered by urban spaces. The study concludes with a call for further research to investigate the long-term benefits of SUGS on well-being, alongside an exploration of the gamma band as a neural marker for emotional restoration in urban green spaces. This research highlights the crucial role of urban design in fostering psychological well-being through the strategic development of green spaces, suggesting a paradigm shift toward more inclusive, health-promoting urban environments.
The feminist origins of ‘political correctness’: PC terms in JSTOR
Authors: Ullén Magnus
Published: May 2024

When ‘political correctness’ became a public concern in the USA in the early 1990s, it was almost immediately suggested that the term had long been something of a self-ironic slur in left-wing circles. While a number of people testified to this, the evidence advanced was almost entirely anecdotal, and to date no systematic attempt to gauge the reliability of these testimonies has been made. The present article seeks to rectify this. On the basis of a statistical account of politically correct (PC) terms – ‘politically correct’, ‘politically incorrect’, ‘political correctness’, ‘political incorrectness’ – in the Stockholm University version of the JSTOR database up to 1990, it challenges the received view that the term originated as a left-wing in-group marker which was used self-ironically. The evidence suggests, on the contrary, that the modern understanding of political correctness as a form of censorship first emerged in debates internal to the North American women's liberation movement. The article tables all uses of PC terms in JSTOR up to 1990. Before 1980, PC terms are used very sparingly and practically always non-ironically, with the possible exception of the one area in which the term gains ground in the 1970s: feminism. In JSTOR, prior to 1990, PC terms appear most frequently in feminist activist journal Off Our Backs (OOB). Usage in OOB makes evident that the notion of political correctness in the feminist context at the time was tied to a theoretical discussion concerning female sexuality. Climaxing at an academic conference arranged at Barnard College in 1982, this debate was pivotal for establishing the ironic understanding of political correctness we live with today, including the modern understanding of the concept as a means for the ‘closing of debate’. In sum, evidence suggests that the received view of the origins of the term ‘political correctness’ must be reconsidered.
Modelling dependence in football match outcomes: Traditional assumptions and an alternative proposal
Authors: Petretta Marco , Schiavon Lorenzo , Diquigiovanni Jacopo
Published: May 2024

The approaches routinely used to model the outcomes of football matches are characterized by strong assumptions about the dependence between the number of goals scored by the two competing teams and their marginal distribution. In this work, we argue that the assumptions traditionally made are not always based on solid arguments. Although most of these assumptions have been relaxed in the recent literature, the model introduced by Dixon and Coles in 1997 still represents a point of reference in the betting industry. While maintaining its conceptual simplicity, alternatives based on modelling the conditional distributions allow for the specification of more comprehensive dependence structures. In view of this, we propose a straightforward modification of the usual Poisson marginal models by means of thoroughly chosen marginal and conditional distributions. Careful model validation is provided, and a real data application involving five European leagues is conducted. The novel dependence structure allows to extract key insights on league dynamics and presents practical gains in several betting scenarios.
Hsa_circ_0007482 Promotes Proliferation and Differentiation of Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Hou Dongjie , Lu Ling , Tao Ran
Published: May 2024

Objective

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a complex degenerative joint disease and a major cause of joint dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the function of hsa_circ_0007482 on inflammation, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in KOA.

Design

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the expression of circ_0007482, inflammatory factors, and differentiation-related molecules in KOA chondrocytes and interleukin (IL)-1β–stimulated chondrocytes. The correlation between the circ_0007482 expression and inflammatory factors was analyzed by the Pearson method. KOA cell model was established using IL-1β for 24 hours. The proliferation activity of chondrocytes was evaluated by CCK-8 assay, and cell apoptosis rate was assessed by flow cytometry. The downstream miRNA of circ_0007482 was validated using dual-luciferase reporter assay.

Results

The circ_0007482 expression was elevated in both KOA cartilage tissues and IL-1β–treated chondrocytes and positively correlated with inflammatory factors expression. In comparison to the control group, IL-1β treatment diminished chondrocyte proliferation abilities and increased cell apoptosis and inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA expression. Inhibition of circ_0007482 partially improved IL-1β–induced inflammatory reaction. Circ_0007482 could negatively regulate the expression of miR-558.

Conclusions

Interfering of circ_0007482 might partially promote cell proliferation and differentiation, while inhibit cell apoptosis to improve joint injury by regulating miR-558 in IL-1β–treated chondrocyte cell model.
Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma: A rare differential diagnosis of sinonasal mass
Authors: Nefzaoui Safa , Zoghlami Imen , Gharsalli Jihene , Sabehi Emna , Romdhane Nadia , Helal Imen , Chiboub Dorra , Hariga Ines , Mbarek Chiraz
Published: May 2024

Sino-nasal respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartomas (REAHs) are rare entity. They are benign tumors with excellent results after complete excision. We report a case of a 57-year-old male with a history of endoscopic surgery for right nasal polyps 20 years ago. The patient presented nasal obstruction that persisted for 10 years without anosmia nor epistaxis. Nasal endoscopy found a tissular mass filling the right nasal cavity extending to the nasopharynx. CT scan and MRI demonstrated soft tissue opacification of the right maxillary sinus and the homolateral anterior ethmoid cells with extension to the nasal cavity. The suspected diagnosis on imaging was an Inverted papilloma with a wide implantation base on the posterior part of the nasal septum. No endocranial or orbital extension was noted. The patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery with complete extirpation of the tumor and a right ethmoidectomy. Histopathological assessment showed features consistent with REAH. No recurrence was noted at 1 year follow-up.
Gigantic laryngeal schwannoma: A case report with literature review
Authors: Nguyen Daniel , Htun Nyein Nyein , Johnson Cary
Published: May 2024

Laryngeal schwannoma is a rare benign nerve sheath tumor that is slow growing. The diagnosis is made from a combination of clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings, and the main method of treatment is resection. We report a case of a 69-year-old presenting with a neck mass causing stridor, dysphagia, and orthopnea. CT of the neck showed an enhancing mass measuring 6.3 cm and extending superior to the larynx. Emergent tracheostomy and mass resection were performed, and histopathology and immunohistochemical findings were obtained from the specimen supporting schwannoma. In conclusion, while rare, schwannoma should always be considered as a differential diagnosis for a laryngeal mass. More studies are needed to assess the size and prognosis of the tumor.
Walking through our differences
Authors: Huang Shu-Mei
Published: May 2024

In this commentary, I respond to Shawn Bodden’s (2023) work ‘Working Through Our Differences’, which discusses the limits of ontology in critical geographical theories. I build upon Bodden's invitation to bring attention to ordinary voices and acts to understand how people place themselves instead of pointing people to their proper place. I echo the proposal and at the same time, suggest that we might want to even follow how people walk with places rather than to places with respect to Indigenous methodologies and critical geographies. To extend the discussion, I suggest a deeper engagement with the potential of walking as an embodied form of working and to see walking in its plural forms. I also found Bodden's critical writing, in line with Clive Barnett and others, offering an opportunity for us to review some of the classical writings on/against cities. Last but not the least, a reconsideration of ‘invitation and hospitality as situated political acts and embodied ethics could prevent us from enclosing politics with particular ontological experimentation’. I conclude by suggesting that not only do we want to work through our differences, as Bodden suggests, but also we wish to walk through our differences.
Large retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma revealed by a left ovarian endometrioma: A case report
Authors: Bourouail Othmane , Kada Ali , Bahou Khawla , Sekkat Hamza , Zouaidia Fouad , Derquaoui Sabrine , Youness Bakali , Mouna Alaoui Mhamdi , Sabbah Farid , Hrora Abdelmalek , Raiss Mohammed
Published: May 2024

Uncommon in nature, retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma represents a neuroblastic benign tumor, predominantly manifesting in young adults, with a notable predilection for females. Often asymptomatic, the condition is frequently diagnosed incidentally due to delayed growth. Clinical manifestations arise primarily from the compression exerted on neighboring organs and vessels. The exclusive curative recourse lies in surgical intervention, underscoring the challenging task of achieving complete tumor excision, particularly when the ganglioneuroma attains considerable development and encapsulates significant retroperitoneal vessels. In this instance, we elucidate a case involving a 33-year-old woman, who had previously undergone a triple valve replacement due to rheumatic valvular disease, presenting persistent pelvic pain, unearthing a substantial asymptomatic retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma concomitant with an ovarian endometrioma. A laparotomy procedure was conducted, and to achieve a comprehensive excision of the mass, a meticulous intratumoral circular dissection of the prominent vessels, notably the superior mesenteric artery and celiac trunk, was undertaken. No local recurrence has been reported, 6 months after surgery. The significance of an experienced and well-trained surgical staff is underscored in addressing the complexities associated with this condition.
Dataset size versus homogeneity: A machine learning study on pooling intervention data in e-mental health dropout predictions
Authors: Zantvoort Kirsten , Hentati Isacsson Nils , Funk Burkhardt , Kaldo Viktor
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study proposes a way of increasing dataset sizes for machine learning tasks in Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy through pooling interventions. To this end, it (1) examines similarities in user behavior and symptom data among online interventions for patients with depression, social anxiety, and panic disorder and (2) explores whether these similarities suffice to allow for pooling the data together, resulting in more training data when prediction intervention dropout.

Methods

A total of 6418 routine care patients from the Internet Psychiatry in Stockholm are analyzed using (1) clustering and (2) dropout prediction models. For the latter, prediction models trained on each individual intervention's data are compared to those trained on all three interventions pooled into one dataset. To investigate if results vary with dataset size, the prediction is repeated using small and medium dataset sizes.

Results

The clustering analysis identified three distinct groups that are almost equally spread across interventions and are instead characterized by different activity levels. In eight out of nine settings investigated, pooling the data improves prediction results compared to models trained on a single intervention dataset. It is further confirmed that models trained on small datasets are more likely to overestimate prediction results.

Conclusion

The study reveals similar patterns of patients with depression, social anxiety, and panic disorder regarding online activity and intervention dropout. As such, this work offers pooling different interventions’ data as a possible approach to counter the problem of small dataset sizes in psychological research.
Revealing patient-reported experiences in healthcare from social media using the design-acquire-process-model-analyse-visualise framework
Authors: Murray Curtis , Mitchell Lewis , Tuke Jonathan , Mackay Mark
Published: May 2024

Understanding patient experience in healthcare is increasingly important and desired by medical professionals in a patient-centred care approach. Healthcare discourse on social media presents an opportunity to gain a unique perspective on patient-reported experiences, complementing traditional survey data. These social media reports often appear as first-hand accounts of patients’ journeys through the healthcare system, whose details extend beyond the confines of structured surveys and at a far larger scale than focus groups. However, in contrast with the vast presence of patient-experience data on social media and the potential benefits the data offers, it attracts comparatively little research attention due to the technical proficiency required for text analysis. In this article, we introduce the design-acquire-process-model-analyse-visualise framework to provide an overview of techniques and an approach to capture patient-reported experiences from social media data. We apply this framework in a case study on prostate cancer data from /r/ProstateCancer, demonstrate the framework’s value in capturing specific aspects of patient concern (such as sexual dysfunction), provide an overview of the discourse, and show narrative and emotional progression through these stories. We anticipate this framework to apply to a wide variety of areas in healthcare, including capturing and differentiating experiences across minority groups, geographic boundaries, and types of illnesses.
The Impact of Relationship Intelligence on Team-based Practice: An Application for the Private Sector in Mainland China
Authors: Li Dan , Patterson Michael
Published: May 2024

This article aims to examine the impact of developing and applying relationship intelligence in team-based practice to provide a clear understanding of the role relationship intelligence plays in team productivity in mainland China. Relationship intelligence, a component of emotional intelligence, focuses on interpersonal interactions that are crucial in team-building but receives less attention. Exploratory qualitative research was undertaken, with emotional intelligence as the theoretical framework and the input-process-output criteria indicating group effectiveness. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews with managers and staff of the private sector based in mainland China after utilizing the Strengths Deployment Inventory 2.0 as a learning tool. The findings identify three ways in which the integration of relationship intelligence positively affected team practice: high overall performance, a positive work climate, and improved attitudes toward coworkers and work-related tasks. The positive outcomes provide researchers and practitioners with valuable information on how relationship intelligence might be leveraged to enhance communication, collaboration, and overall team performance.
State Taxation of the Motorcycle Transport Business and Internally Generated Revenue in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, 2015 to 2021
Authors: Akor Ikechukwu Charles , Ogeze Ukeje Ikechukwu , Ezirim Gerald Ekene , Iwuoha Victor , Ibeh Chukwuemeka Emmanuel , Kanu Clementina
Published: May 2024

In classical literatures, the informal sector is regarded as all those economic activities that are neither taxed nor monitored by any form of government. However, with the downturn of economic activities in Nigeria due to the dwindling oil revenue which forms the major revenue generation and export earnings of Nigeria, the informal sector, specifically the motorcycle transport business popularly known in Nigeria as Okada has come under some form of government taxation and monitoring in some states in the country. This was to shore up their revenue base which has dwindled over the years. Extant literatures have not been able to examine the contribution of informal sector, specifically, the motorcycle transport business to internally generated revenue of the sub-units, especially Ebonyi State within the period under study. Thus, we pose the question: has the taxation of the motorcycle transport business operation improved on the internally generated revenue of Ebonyi State between 2015 and 2021? We anchored our analysis on Public Choice Theory of politics and economics. Data for the study were collected through both primary and secondary sources. The study found that despite the intensive taxation of the informal sector in Ebonyi State, specifically, the motorcycle transport business; the internally generated revenue of the state seems to be decreasing rather than increasing, given the number of taxable objects that has been brought under its internally generated revenue sources. The study recommended that the government should do more in the area of its internally generated revenue to ensure efficiency in collectability and remittances.
Exploring the Spanish Tourists’ Intentions to Travel to Zones That Have a Low-Impact of COVID-19 by Taking into Account Their Cognitive and Affective Risk Perceptions About the Pandemic
Authors: Álvarez-García Begoña , Monje-Amor Ariadna , Abeal Vázquez José Pablo
Published: May 2024

In the current context in which tourism is beginning to recover, this study examines the worldwide trend of tourists traveling to destinations with a low impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in a country such as Spain, which is highly dependent on tourism activity. By employing the SEM methodology and an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB), which includes the cognitive and affective dimensions of perceived risk about the pandemic and past behavior, the results show the positive effect that past behavior and the core variables of the TPB have on the behavioral intentions of Spanish tourists, despite the negative impact that their cognitive risk perception has on these core variables. The study’s findings have useful practical implications for tourism authorities and stakeholders in Spain and other countries that are also highly dependent on tourism.
Exploring the Linkage Between Self-Construal and Student Learning Process with Moderation of Demotivation and Disengagement Drawing on TRA
Authors: Qiu Feng
Published: May 2024

This study confers certain psychological factors that may affect the learning process of the students such as self-construal, demotivation, and disengagement. Nevertheless, extensive work has been accomplished on the theme of individuals’ motivation and engagement within numerous domains across the world. How self-construal (SC), demotivation (DM), and disengagement (DE) may affect students’ learning process (SLP) got far less reflection by the investigators. Therefore, this study attempts to validate the relationships between self-construal and students’ English learning process with the moderation of two factors, that is, demotivation and disengagement based on a theory of reasoned action. Data were carefully accumulated between September 2022 and November 2022 by targeting 783 students who were trying to learn English within the Chinese market. We currently applied structural modeling to confirm the proposed connections along with the validation process using the SmartPls tool. It is found that SC has a positive connection with SLP. Second, the results proved the insignificant role of both moderating variables such as DM and DE between the relationships of SC and SLP, respectively. This study provides insights into new understandings about motivations along with riveting findings for those individuals or students who were disconnected or demotivated to learn English. Moreover, the study equips numerous fascinating applications for English learners along with future potentials for researchers showing current deficiencies of the work.
A Study on the Antecedents of Individual Entrepreneurship Orientation of Female Students: An Examination Using Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Sulphey M. M. , Klepek Martin
Published: May 2024

This study examines the relationship between antecedents of Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation (IEO) in female students. The study uses locus of control, Machiavellianism, resilience, and mindfulness as independent variables. Data for the study was collected using standardized self-rating questionnaires on 854 female students as a unit of analysis. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (EFA and CFA) have been used to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement. Consequently, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted using Python after validating the measurement model. The final model describes the relationship of Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation with the internal dimension of locus of control together with Machiavellianism, resilience, and mindfulness. All mentioned constructs had a significant positive influence on the dependent variable. Simultaneously, mindfulness was found to have a positive effect on resilience and internal locus of control on Machiavellianism. This study has expanded the dynamic research boundary and resonates with the recent developments in IEO conceptualizations. Moreover, this work is one of the few studies conducted exclusively among female students.
The Effects of Volunteer Management and Personality on Quality of Life and Intention to Donate in the Context of Compulsory Volunteering: An Environmental Psychology Approach
Authors: Cho Heetae , Lim Jinsun , Chiu Weisheng
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to examine the effects of volunteer management and personality on volunteer job satisfaction, intention to donate, and quality of life based on an environmental psychology model. A total of 238 responses were collected from students who took a mandatory volunteering course offered by a university in Singapore. It is the limitation of this study, as we only collected data from students who participated in the mandatory volunteering course offered by a university in Singapore. This study conducted confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling analysis. Results showed that volunteer management and personality had positive effects on volunteer job satisfaction, which increased their compulsory intention to donate and their quality of life. In addition, personality played a moderating role in the relationship between volunteer management and volunteer job satisfaction. These findings suggest that organizations involved in compulsory volunteer programs should look at the interaction between personality and its management climate to enhance volunteer satisfaction, and in turn, foster intention to donate.
Identification of Problem-Solving Techniques in Computational Thinking Studies: Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Wu Ting-Ting , Asmara Andik , Huang Yueh-Min , Permata Hapsari Intan
Published: May 2024

Problem-solving skills are an ability that must be cultivated to equip students with the skills needed to deal with today’s increasingly complex and volatile environment. Computational thinking represents a new paradigm in problem-solving skills. After Wing proposed Computational Thinking as problem-solving skills in 2006, other scholars investigated this topic; nevertheless, the link between Computational Thinking and problem-solving has not been clearly discussed in previous studies. To uncover evidence for the connection between Computational Thinking and problem-solving skills, we conduct a systematic literature review of 37 papers collected from Web of Science database. The results indicate that (a) problem-solving is discussed in the 37 articles in the context of Computational Thinking, (b) the most frequently employed Computational Thinking stages in problem-solving skills are decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithm, (c) Computational Thinking is closely linked to problem-solving, and (d) Computational Thinking and problem-solving stages serve the same functions in solving problems. The results of this study will encourage the development of education research, particularly in the application of CT as a problem-solving tool in various real-life scenarios.
Mindfulness During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns: Intolerance Uncertainty and Psychological Well-Being Among Employees
Authors: Irak Doruk Uysal , Dede Beyza , Demir Nehir
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased uncertainty worldwide, which has various negative impacts on psychological well-being. In times like these, it is important to explore how individual resources such as trait mindfulness would help people deal with uncertainty. The aim of the current study was to examine the role of intolerance to uncertainty (IU) as a mediator between trait mindfulness and psychological well-being, including stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional burnout, among employees. Two hundred ninety-three employees completed an online self-report questionnaire during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in Turkey. The nonparametric bootstrap procedure in AMOS 26.0 was used to test the proposed model. The findings indicated full mediation between trait mindfulness and psychological well-being measures among employees. In other words, employees who reported higher levels of mindfulness perceived their current situation as less threatening, and they were able to tolerate uncertainty, which decreased participants’ stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional burnout. The findings are important for understanding the impact of mindfulness on the psychological well-being of people and the role of intolerance uncertainty in this relationship. The results will be useful for the development of new interventions to promote resources that will increase individual awareness and control during difficult circumstances.
Visualizing Research Trends in English Language Teaching (ELT) From 2013 to 2022: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ibna Seraj Prodhan Mahbub , Klimova Blanka , Khan Rubina
Published: May 2024

The body of literature on English Language Teaching (ELT) research is increasing, but there is a paucity of bibliometric studies in this field. Thus, this bibliometric study visualizes a cumulative statistical report on the growth of studies with their impact and presents the research trends for further directions. This bibliometric study was conducted quantitatively by analyzing publication trends by year, country, institution, and citation; leading journals and authors; keywords for emerging themes in ELT on the 803 published research articles in the Scopus database from 2013 to August 2022. For analyzing data, this study employed two software, that is, VOSviewer and Harzing’s Publish and Perish software. The findings showed that the most productive year was 2021, with 149 publications. The highest number of publications was published in Turkey ( n = 92). The highest number of publications was produced by Sultan Qaboos University, Oman ( n = 17). The highest number of citations (123) was received by the study of Bruton in 2013. The number of research studies is increasing, and the leading country, institutions, and authors are mostly from the EFL or ESL contexts. The results found that there were 144 different journals and conferences as well as 159 authors during this specified time frame. Finally, the finding showed that there were 2,460 authors’ keywords and 14,268 keywords in the title and abstract. On the basis of the analysis, this study also presents future directions for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
Parolee concentration, parolee embeddedness, and the reciprocal relationship with crime rates: A longitudinal study of neighbourhoods and re-entry
Authors: Luo Xiaoshuang Iris , Hipp John R. , Boessen Adam
Published: May 2024

Drawing on recent scholarship on mass incarceration and prisoner re-entry, this study examines the reciprocal relationship between returning parolees and neighbourhood crime rates in five large cities in Texas. Besides the more common approach of counting the number of people on parole in communities (parolee concentration), we propose a novel approach for measuring people on parole by capturing their exposure in the community as parolee embeddedness (i.e., the cumulative number of days that people on parole resided in the neighbourhood). Results show that parolee concentration has a significant positive effect on both violent and property crime, but parolee embeddedness is significantly associated with reductions in violent and property crime. Our findings detect different effects depending on the measurement of people on parole and their community context, illustrating the need to better understand the dynamics of parolee re-entry in the era of mass incarceration.
Nuclear receptor Rev-erbα role in fine-tuning erythropoietin gene expression
Authors: Kumar Sumit , Arora Rashmi , Gupta Shalini , Ahuja Nancy , Bhagyaraj Ella , Nanduri Ravikanth , Kalra Rashi , Khare Asheesh Kumar , Kumawat Saumyata , Kaushal Vipashu , Sharma Mahathi , Gupta Pawan
Published: May 2024

The regulation of red blood cell (RBC) homeostasis by erythropoietin (EPO) is critical for O2 transport and maintaining the adequate number of RBCs in vertebrates. Therefore, dysregulation in EPO synthesis results in disease conditions such as polycythemia in the case of excessive EPO production and anemia, which occurs when EPO is inadequately produced. EPO plays a crucial role in treating anemic patients; however, its overproduction can increase blood viscosity, potentially leading to fatal heart failure. Consequently, the identification of druggable transcription factors and their associated ligands capable of regulating EPO offers a promising therapeutic approach to address EPO-related disorders. This study unveils a novel regulatory mechanism involving 2 pivotal nuclear receptors (NRs), Rev-ERBA (Rev-erbα, is a truncation of reverse c-erbAa) and RAR-related orphan receptor A (RORα), in the control of EPO gene expression. Rev-erbα acts as a cell-intrinsic negative regulator, playing a vital role in maintaining erythropoiesis at the correct level. It accomplishes this by directly binding to newly identified response elements within the human and mouse EPO gene promoter, thereby repressing EPO production. These findings are further supported by the discovery that a Rev-erbα agonist (SR9011) effectively suppresses hypoxia-induced EPO expression in mice. In contrast, RORα functions as a positive regulator of EPO gene expression, also binding to the same response elements in the promoter to induce EPO production. Finally, the results of this study revealed that the 2 NRs, Rev-erbα and RORα, influence EPO synthesis in a negative and positive manner, respectively, suggesting that the modulating activity of these 2 NRs could provide a method to target disorders linked with EPO dysregulation.
The role of Interleukin-22 in severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Yang Hongli , Cao Ruofan , Zhou Feifei , Wang Ben , Xu Qianqian , Li Rui , Zhang ChunHua , Xu Hongwei
Published: May 2024

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) begins with premature activation of enzymes, promoted by the immune system, triggering a potential systemic inflammatory response that leads to organ failure with increased mortality and a bleak prognosis. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a cytokine that may have a significant role in SAP. IL-22, a member of the IL-10 cytokine family, has garnered growing interest owing to its potential tissue-protective properties. Recently, emerging research has revealed its specific effects on pancreatic diseases, particularly SAP. This paper provides a review of the latest knowledge on the role of IL-22 and its viability as a therapeutic target in SAP.
Comparative whole-genome resequencing to uncover selection signatures linked to litter size in Hu Sheep and five other breeds
Authors: Zhong Tao , Hou Dunying , Zhao Qianjun , Zhan Siyuan , Wang Linjie , Li Li , Zhang Hongping , Zhao Wei , Yang Shizhong , Niu Lili
Published: May 2024

Hu sheep (HS), a breed of sheep carrying the FecB mutation gene, is known for its “year-round estrus and multiple births” and is an ideal model for studying the high fecundity mechanisms of livestock. Through analyzing and comparing the genomic selection features of Hu sheep and other sheep breeds, we identified a series of candidate genes that may play a role in Hu sheep’s high fecundity mechanisms. In this study, we conducted whole-genome resequencing on six breeds and screened key mutations significantly correlated with high reproductive traits in sheep. Notably, the CC2D1B gene was selected by the fixation index (FST) and the cross-population composite likelihood ratio (XP-CLR) methods in HS and other five breeds. It was worth noting that the CC2D1B gene in HS was different from that in other sheep breeds, and seven missense mutations have been identified. Furthermore, the linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis revealed a strong linkage disequilibrium in this specific gene region. Subsequently, by performing different grouping based on FecB genotypes in Hu sheep, genome-wide selective signal analysis screened several genes related to reproduction, such as BMPR1B and PPM1K. Besides, FST analysis identified functional genes related to reproductive traits, including RHEB, HSPA2, PPP1CC, HVCN1, and CCDC63. Additionally, a missense mutation was found in the CCDC63 gene and the haplotype was different between the high reproduction (HR) group and low reproduction (LR) group in HS. In summary, we discovered genetic differentiation among six distinct breeding sheep breeds at the whole genome level. Additionally, we identified a set of genes which were associated with reproductive performance in Hu sheep and visualized how these genes differed in different breeds. These findings laid a theoretical foundation for understanding genetic mechanisms behind high prolific traits in sheep.
Morphological and biochemical variation of Ajuga chamaecistus Ging. ex Benth. in different habitats of Markazi province in the center of Iran
Authors: Mahmoodi Fatemeh , Bikdeloo Mahdi , Khadivi Ali , Akramian Morteza
Published: May 2024

Background

Medicinal plants, such as Ajuga chamaecistus Ging. ex Benth. are a natural and available source of treatment for a wide range of diseases. The objective of the present study was to assess the morphological and biochemical variation of 70 accessions of this species collected from seven geographical areas of Markazi province in the center of Iran.

Results

The measured traits exhibited considerable variability across the populations. Positive correlations were observed between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content, as well as total flavonoid content. Principal component analysis showed six components explaining 72.15% of the total variance, and the PC1 explained 20.68% of the total variance. The Ward dendrogram based on morphological variables identified two main clusters. Morphological analysis of A. chamaecistus showed a high variation between qualitative and quantitative traits that help the breeders for selecting the desired genotypes. The accessions collected from the Robat-Mil area showed the highest values for the recorded morphological characteristics. Also, the populations of Robat-Mil, Hassanabad, and Khaneh-Miran were characterized by high values of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity, which can be used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.

Conclusions

Overall, the present results showed that the best place for the growth of A. chamaecistus with the production of significant contents of phenol and flavonoid is in Robat-Mil area.
Health mediation does not reduce the readmission rate of frequent users of emergency departments living in precarious conditions: what lessons can be learned from this randomised controlled trial?
Authors: Rotily Michel , Persico Nicolas , Lamouroux Aurore , Rojas-Vergara Ana Cristina , Loundou Anderson , Boucekine Mohamed , Apostolidis Themistoklis , Odena Sophie , Chischportich Celia , Auquier Pascal
Published: May 2024

Background

Severe overcrowding of emergency departments (EDs) affects the quality of healthcare. One factor of overcrowding is precariousness, but it has rarely been considered a key factor in designing interventions to improve ED care. Health mediation (HM) aims to facilitate access to rights, prevention, and care for the most vulnerable persons and to raise awareness among healthcare providers about obstacles in accessing healthcare. The primary aim was to determine whether HM intervention for frequent users of EDs (FUED) living in precarious conditions could reduce the readmission rate at 90 days.

Methods

Between February 2019 and May 2022, we enrolled and interviewed 726 FUED in four EDs of southeastern France in this randomised controlled trial. The HM intervention started in the ED and lasted 90 days. In addition to the primary endpoint (first readmission at 90 days), secondary endpoints (readmission at 30 and 180 days, number of hospitalisations at 30, 90, 180 days, admissions for the same reasons as the first admission) were also studied. The outcomes were measured in the ED information systems. Statistical methods included an intention-to-treat analysis and a per-protocol analysis. Comparisons were adjusted for gender, age, ED, and health mediator.

Results

46% of patients reported attending the ED because they felt their life was in danger, and 42% had been referred to the ED by the emergency medical dispatch centre or their GP; 40% of patients were considered to be in a serious condition by ED physicians. The proportion of patients who were readmitted at 90 days was high but did not differ between the control and the HM intervention groups (31.7% vs. 36.3%, p = 0.23). There was no significant difference in any of the secondary outcome measures between the control and HM intervention groups. Per-protocol analysis also showed no significant difference for the primary and secondary endpoints.

Conclusions

This randomised controlled trial did not show that our health mediation intervention was effective in reducing the use of emergency services by FUED living in precarious conditions. Some limitations are discussed: the duration of the intervention (90 days), the long-term effects (> 6 months), the involvement of the ED staff.

Trial registration

Registered on clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03660215 on 4th September 2018.
Phytoconstituents of Artemisia annua as potential inhibitors of SARS CoV2 main protease: an in silico study
Authors: Irfan Eraj , Dilshad Erum , Ahmad Faisal , Almajhdi Fahad Nasser , Hussain Tajamul , Abdi Gholamreza , Waheed Yasir
Published: May 2024

Background

In November 2019, the world faced a pandemic called SARS-CoV-2, which became a major threat to humans and continues to be. To overcome this, many plants were explored to find a cure.

Methods

Therefore, this research was planned to screen out the active constituents from Artemisia annua that can work against the viral main protease Mpro as this non-structural protein is responsible for the cleavage of replicating enzymes of the virus. Twenty-five biocompounds belonging to different classes namely alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, carvone, myrtenol, quinic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, rutin, apigenin, chrysoplenetin, arteannunin b, artemisinin, scopoletin, scoparone, artemisinic acid, deoxyartemisnin, artemetin, casticin, sitogluside, beta-sitosterol, dihydroartemisinin, scopolin, artemether, artemotil, artesunate were selected. Virtual screening of these ligands was carried out against drug target Mpro by CB dock.

Results

Quercetin, rutin, casticin, chrysoplenetin, apigenin, artemetin, artesunate, sopolin and sito-gluside were found as hit compounds. Further, ADMET screening was conducted which represented Chrysoplenetin as a lead compound. Azithromycin was used as a standard drug. The interactions were studied by PyMol and visualized in LigPlot. Furthermore, the RMSD graph shows fluctuations at various points at the start of simulation in Top1 (Azithromycin) complex system due to structural changes in the helix-coil-helix and beta-turn-beta changes at specific points resulting in increased RMSD with a time frame of 50 ns. But this change remains stable after the extension of simulation time intervals till 100 ns. On other side, the Top2 complex system remains highly stable throughout the time scale. No such structural dynamics were observed bu the ligand attached to the active site residues binds strongly.

Conclusion

This study facilitates researchers to develop and discover more effective and specific therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections. Finally, chrysoplenetin was identified as a more potent drug candidate to act against the viral main protease, which in the future can be helpful.