bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transmission of risk to China's construction industry due to international interest rate fluctuations
Authors: Zhang Kai , Chen Lingfei , Zhou Xinmiao
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Under the trend of global economic integration and the new context of stagflation, frequent fluctuations in international interest rates are exerting far-reaching impacts on the world economy. In this paper, the transmission mechanism of the impact of fluctuations in international interest rates (specifically, the American interest rate) on the bankruptcy risk in China's pillar industry, the construction industry (which is also sensitive to interest rates), is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an improved contingent claims analysis, the bankruptcy risk of enterprises is calculated in this paper. Additionally, an individual fixed-effects model is developed to investigate the mediating effects of international interest rates on the bankruptcy risk in the Chinese construction industry. The heterogeneity of subindustries in the industrial chain and the impact of China's energy consumption structure are also analysed in this paper.

Findings

The findings show that fluctuations in international interest rates, which affect the bankruptcy risk of China's construction industry, are mainly transmitted through two major pathways, namely, commodity price effects and exchange rate effects. In addition, the authors examine the important impact of China's energy consumption structure on risk transmission and assess the transmission and sharing of risks within the industrial chain.

Originality/value

First, in the research field, the study of international interest rate risk is extended to domestic-oriented industries. Second, in terms of the research content, this paper is focused on China-specific issues, including the significant influence of China's energy consumption structure characteristics and the risk contagion (and risk sharing) as determined by the current development of the Chinese construction industry. Third, in terms of research methods a modified contingent claim analysis approach to bankruptcy risk indicators is adopted for this study, thus overcoming the problems of data frequency, market sentiment and financial data fraud, which are issues that are ignored by most relevant studies.
Resilience of refugees and asylum seekers in Canada
Authors: Barbo Geneveave
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This review aims to examine the literature on refugees’ and asylum seekers’ resilience, its historical evolution, key principles, assumptions and recommendations, while focusing on the Canadian context.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative literature review has been applied to this manuscript. This approach allows the integration of a wide scope of literature and perspectives, from academic literature to grey literature (e.g. governmental reports and dissertations). Nevertheless, the limitations of this type of review were also discussed.

Findings

In spite of the gaining popularity of the resilience lens, which emphasizes an individual’s ability to overcome adversities and stressful events, more work is required for its effective integration into health practice, programs and policies, particularly as it relates to refugees’ and asylum seekers’ mental health care.

Originality/value

Careful consideration of refugees’ and asylum seekers’ mental health needs and Canadian mental health service delivery and policies is a critical first step in reaching such a goal.
Critical components for successful BIM-based sustainable building design collaboration: structural equation model analysis
Authors: Ohueri Chukwuka Christian , Liew San Chuin , Bamgbade Jibril Adewale , Enegbuma Wallace Imoudu
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The efficient application of building information modeling (BIM) methodology in the sustainable building design process, known as green BIM, provides ideal leverage to significantly enhance multidiscipline team collaboration. However, the practical execution of green BIM is characterized by issues such as duplication of work, information silos and poor cross-party coordination. Besides, there are limited studies on the specific components that are critical to driving green BIM collaborative design. This study aims to establish the critical components of green BIM collaborative design to enable the multidiscipline team to effectively use diverse software to collaboratively exchange accurate information, thus ensuring informed decision-making in the sustainable building design process.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained by using a questionnaire to survey 360 respondents comprising mainly architects and engineers (civil, mechanical and electrical) in Malaysia. Subsequently, data were analyzed via confirmatory factor analysis. Afterward, a measurement model was established and used to test the 11 hypotheses of this study.

Findings

A covariance-based structural equation model of the critical components for successful BIM-based sustainable building design collaboration was established.

Practical implications

The research findings will guide the multidisciplinary team to collaboratively exchange accurate information in green BIM practices.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first attempt in the literature to provide a pragmatic approach for practitioners to combine the established critical components of green BIM to collaboratively exchange heterogeneous sustainability criteria and efficiently design buildings with high sustainability performance, particularly in emerging countries like Malaysia.
A regime complex for food assistance: international law regulating international food assistance
Authors: Delaville Clarisse
Published: October 2023

Purpose

There is no single undertaking regulating food assistance at the international level. International food assistance is regulated by a patchwork of rules emanating from different institutions and normative arrangements. This study aims to explore how international law shapes international food assistance. How is international law regulating food assistance, considering this patchwork of institutions and norms? What dominant narratives enshrined in legal agreements shape the evolution of international food assistance?

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses the concept of “regime complex”, which allows analyzing partially overlapping and nonhierarchical regimes governing a particular issue, shedding light on the narratives and institutional arrangements that lead to the consolidation of international rules. The author identifies two main regimes that govern international food assistance: the food assistance regime and the food trade regime.

Findings

The author shows that using the “regime complex” concept clarifies the evolution of international food assistance, highlighting that international law is a crucial element in shaping international food assistance and showing that the two main institutional regimes governing it interact and shape rules along three main themes: the centrality of donor States’ self-interests, the relationship between international food assistance and trade liberalization and the goal of achieving food security for the beneficiaries.

Originality/value

Using the regime complex concept, the author brings new light on the broader institutional and legal framework influencing the governance of international food assistance, showing that different regimes take part in its shaping.
Promoting food security through public stockholding – Indian perspective and challenges at the WTO
Authors: Shajahan Ahamed Ashiq
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the applicable legal framework, various concerns regarding the price support methodology and the merits and pitfalls of the Bali peace clause that currently shields India’s public stockholding (PSH) policy, to provide suggestions on moving forward in the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations.

Design/methodology/approach

At the WTO, PSH for food security is considered a trade-distorting price support measure when food stocks are purchased from farmers at administered prices instead of market prices. The price support is measured by a specific methodology stipulated under the Agreement on Agriculture. India is concerned that the price support methodology overestimates the actual support provided to the farmers and makes India susceptible to violating the WTO law.

Findings

The paper explains the domestic implications for India arising due to the applicable WTO law. Given the centrality of India’s PSH programmes in ensuring food security, India must seek more clarity on the interpretation of Article 18.4 of the AoA and the ambiguous provisions of the Bali peace clause.

Originality/value

The paper provides a timely and updated analysis of the contentious issue of PSH for food security, exclusively from the Indian perspective, highlighting the persisting challenges for India in WTO agriculture negotiations. This is timely as many WTO members have raised serious concerns about India’s market price support policies recently and this analysis informs the reader about the underlying issues.
Sex and individual differences in the effect of chronic low‐dose ethanol on behavioral strategy selection
Authors: Bryant Kathleen G. , Singh Binay , Barker Jacqueline M.
Published: October 2023

Background

The development of an alcohol use disorder (AUD) involves impaired behavioral control and flexibility. Behavioral inflexibility includes an inability to shift behavior in response to changes in behavioral outcomes. Low levels of ethanol drinking may promote the formation of inflexible, habitual reward seeking, but this may depend on the timing of ethanol exposure in relation to learning. The goal of this study was to determine whether a history of low‐dose ethanol exposure promoted contingency‐insensitive sucrose seeking and altered behavioral strategy selection.

Methods

Male and female C57BL/6J mice were trained to perform a response (lever press) for sucrose on two different reinforcement schedules: one that is thought to promote inflexible responding (random interval) and one that maintains flexible responding (variable ratio [VR]). Following instrumental training each day, mice were exposed to saline or low‐dose ethanol (0.5 g/kg; i.p.) either proximal (1 h after) or distal (4 h after) to learning. Mice were then tested for sensitivity to changes in contingency in a contingency degradation test.

Results

A history of low‐dose ethanol exposure shifted behavioral strategy selection, as measured by reward tracking behavior, but this depended on sex and reinforcement schedule history. Both male and female mice used different strategies depending on the reinforcement schedule, but only males exhibited ethanol‐induced shifts in strategy selection. A history of low‐dose ethanol exposure did not impact contingency sensitivity in males but promoted insensitivity in females specifically on the VR lever.

Conclusions

Female mice show distinct behavioral effects of repeated, low‐dose ethanol exposure as compared to males, with sex differences in the use of reward tracking strategies to guide behavior. Future studies should investigate sex differences in the neural consequences of chronic low‐dose ethanol exposure that may underlie behavioral changes.
Procyclical Credit Rating Policy*
Authors: Auh Jun Kyung
Published: October 2023

This paper examines whether credit rating agencies applied consistent rating standards to US corporate bonds in the periods surrounding the 2008 financial crisis. Based on estimates of issuing firms' credit quality from a structural model, I find that rating standards are in fact procyclical: ratings are stricter during an economic downturn than during an economic expansion. As a result, firms receive overly pessimistic ratings in a recession, relative to during an expansion. I further show that a procyclical rating policy amplifies the variation in corporate credit spreads, accounting for, on average, 11% of the increase in spreads during a recession. In the cross‐section, firms with a higher rollover rate of debt, fewer alternative channels to convey their credit quality to the market, and firms with businesses that are more sensitive to economic cycles are more affected by the procyclical rating policy.
Imaginal research for unlearning mastery divination with Tarot as a decolonizing methodology, NOT. Authentic paths towards decolonization
Authors: Sosteric Mike , Ratkovic Gina , Sosteric Tristan
Published: October 2023

A recent article in Anthropology of Consciousness entitled ‘Imaginal research for unlearning mastery: Divination with Tarot as a decolonizing methodology’ argues that the Western Tarot may be a useful tool to facilitate decolonization despite (or perhaps in spite) of the colonial and imperial imprints of the accumulating class. This response points out the Tarot is in fact a tool developed by the accumulating class, designed specifically to facilitate the imposition of elite master narratives. This letter calls into question the appropriateness and effectiveness of using the Tarot as a tool for decolonization.
Promoting childbirth in a rural health facility: A quasi‐experimental study in western Kenya
Authors: Mwanzia Lydia , Baliddawa Joyce , Biederman Erika , Perkins Susan M. , Champion Victoria L.
Published: October 2023

Background

The high maternal and neonatal mortality rate in sub‐Saharan Africa could be reduced by using navigation by means of mobile devices to increase the number of women who choose to give birth in a health center (HC) with a skilled healthcare practitioner.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental design was used to test a midwife‐delivered navigation by means of mobile phone. A total of 208 women were randomized to two groups (intervention and control). Women in the intervention group received up to three navigation calls from midwives. Women in the control group received usual antenatal education during prenatal visits. Data were collected using semistructured questionnaires. Childbirth location was determined through medical records.

Results

Overall, 180 (87%) women gave birth in a HC with a 3% advantage for the intervention group. A total of 86% (88/102) of the control group gave birth in a HC versus 89% (92/103) for the intervention group (Χ2 = 0.44, p‐value = 0.51), with an unadjusted odds ratio of 1.33 (95% CI: 0.57, 3.09). Among those with personal phones, 91% (138/152) had a birth in a HC versus 79% (42/53) in those without a personal phone (Χ2 = 4.89, p‐value = 0.03).

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that it is feasible to deliver phone‐based navigation to support birth in a HC; personal phone ownership may be a factor in the success of this strategy.
Formal theories clarify the complex: Generalizing a neural process account of the interaction of visual exploration and word learning in infancy
Authors: Bhat Ajaz A. , Samuelson Larissa K. , Spencer John P.
Published: October 2023

The interaction of visual exploration and auditory processing is central to early cognitive development, supporting object discrimination, categorization, and word learning. Research has shown visual–auditory interactions to be complex, created from multiple processes and changing over multiple timescales. To better understand these interactions, we generalize a formal neural process model of early word learning to two studies examining how words impact 9‐ to 22‐month‐olds' attention to novelty. These simulations clarify the origin and nature of previously demonstrated effects of labels on visual exploration and the basis of mutual exclusivity effects in word learning. We use our findings to discuss key questions for this special section: what makes a good theory and how should formal theories interface with empirical paradigms and findings?
Mindful parenting and child behaviour problems: A chain mediating role of parental and child communicating performance
Authors: Fu Chengyu , Tang Jiayi , Chen Dan , Zhang Ruotong , Chong Yeng Zh. , Xu Wei
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study investigates the impact of mindful parenting on child behaviour problems and examines the chain mediating role of parental and child communicating performance in this relationship.

Methods

A 10‐month follow‐up survey was conducted, utilizing the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale (IM‐P), the Parent–Child Communication Inventory, and the abbreviated version of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL).

Results

At baseline (T1), higher levels of mindful parenting in parents were significantly and positively associated with both T1 parental communicating performance and child communicating performance. After 10 months, all three variables showed significant negative associations with child behaviour problems. T1 parental communication performance positively correlated with T1 child communication performance. After controlling for T1 child behaviour problems, children's gender and age, and parents' gender, the indirect association between T1 parents' levels of mindful parenting and T2 child behaviour problems was significant, mediated by T1 parental communicating performance and T1 child communicating performance.

Conclusion

Mindful parenting enhances parental communication behaviour, leading to improved child communication behaviour and reduced child behaviour problems.
Adversarial Dynamics in Centralized Versus Decentralized Intelligent Systems
Authors: Brinkmann Levin , Cebrian Manuel , Pescetelli Niccolò
Published: October 2023

Artificial intelligence
(AI) is often used to predict human behavior, thus potentially posing limitations to individuals’ and collectives’ freedom to act. AI's most controversial and contested applications range from targeted advertisements to crime prevention, including the suppression of civil disorder. Scholars and civil society watchdogs are discussing the oppressive dangers of AI being used by centralized institutions, like governments or private corporations. Some suggest that AI gives asymmetrical power to governments, compared to their citizens. On the other hand, civil protests often rely on distributed networks of activists without centralized leadership or planning. Civil protests create an adversarial tension between centralized and decentralized intelligence, opening the question of how distributed human networks can collectively adapt and outperform a hostile centralized AI trying to anticipate and control their activities. This paper leverages multi‐agent reinforcement learning to simulate dynamics within a human–machine hybrid society. We ask how decentralized intelligent agents can collectively adapt when competing with a centralized predictive algorithm, wherein prediction involves suppressing coordination. In particular, we investigate an adversarial game between a collective of individual learners and a central predictive algorithm, each trained through deep Q‐learning. We compare different predictive architectures and showcase conditions in which the adversarial nature of this dynamic pushes each intelligence to increase its behavioral complexity to outperform its counterpart. We further show that a shared predictive algorithm drives decentralized agents to align their behavior. This work sheds light on the totalitarian danger posed by AI and provides evidence that decentrally organized humans can overcome its risks by developing increasingly complex coordination strategies.
Flatness-Based Control in Successive Loops for Autonomous Quadrotors
Authors: Rigatos G. , Abbaszadeh M. , Busawon K. , Dala L. , Pomares J. , Zouari F.
Published: October 2023

The control problem for the multivariable and nonlinear dynamics of unmanned rotorcrafts is treated with the use of a flatness-based control approach which is implemented in successive loops. The state-space model of 6DOF autonomous quadrotors is separated into two subsystems, which are connected between them in cascading loops. Each one of these subsystems can be viewed independently as a differentially flat system and control about it can be performed with inversion of its dynamics as in the case of input–output linearized flat systems. The state variables of the second subsystem become virtual control inputs for the first subsystem. In turn, exogenous control inputs are applied to the second subsystem. The whole control method is implemented in two successive loops and its global stability properties are also proven through Lyapunov stability analysis. The validity of the control method is further confirmed through simulation experiments showing precise tracking of 3D flight paths by the 6DOF quadrotor.
New findings of soil mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Korea
Authors: Bayartogtokh Badamdorj , Bae Yang-Seop
Published: October 2023

This work deals with eight species of oribatid mites from different regions of Korea. Two new species,  Cultroribula choiseongsiki sp. nov. and Cultroribula baeyeonjaei sp. nov. are proposed, and six species, Liochthonius hystricinus (Forsslund, 1942), Liochthonius simplex (Forsslund, 1942), Poecilochthonius italicus (Berlese, 1910), Nanhermannia dorsalis (Banks, 1896), Nanhermannia forsslundi Karppinen, 1958, and Damaeus gracilipes (Kulczynski, 1902) are newly reported to the fauna of Korea. Supplementary descriptions and illustrations of each species along with their distributional data are given.
Two new species of the subgenus Flagellozetes (Cosmogalumna) Aoki, 1988 (Acari, Oribatida, Galumnidae) from China
Authors: Hu Ya , Zheng Qianfen , Yang Maofa
Published: October 2023

Two new species, Flagellozetes (Cosmogalumna) maolanensis sp. nov. and F. (C.) longtanensis sp. nov. were discovered among the oribatid mite materials collected in China. Descriptions of two new species are presented based on specimens collected from Guizhou Maolan National Nature Reserve and Guangxi Longtan National Nature Reserve. F. (C.) maolanensis sp. nov. can be distinguishable from other species within the subgenus by the combination of the following character states: reticulate pattern in the middle part of notogaster represented by rambling neural ridges, the presence of regularly polygonal reticulation ornamentation on ventral shield, the junction of notogaster and pteromorphs forms a row of ridges, the surface of notogaster porose areas with short striae, and the surface of pteromorphs with sparsely and dispersedly protrusion. F. (C.) longtanensis sp. nov. differs from F. (C.) hrioyoshii (Nakamura & Fujikawa) by the smooth surface of prodorsum, the absence of reticulate pattern on pteromorphs, the absence of granules on notogaster porose areas, and the presence of polygonal network sculpture and granules posterior part of ventral plate. This study highlights the unexplored gaps that exist in the fauna of Chinese oribatid mites.
The XIN Jieliu Award and WEN Tinghuan Award established by Systematic and Applied Acarology Society
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Qiang
Published: October 2023

N/A
Lophomonas
as a respiratory pathogen—jumping the gun
Authors: Mewara Abhishek , Gile Gillian H. , Mathison Blaine , Zhao Huan , Pritt Bobbi , Bradbury Richard S.
Published: October 2023

Human infections with the protozoan
Lophomonas
have been increasingly reported in the medical literature over the past three decades. Initial reports were based on microscopic identification of the purported pathogen in respiratory specimens. Later, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect
Lophomonas blattarum
, following which there has been a significant increase in reports. In this minireview, we thoroughly examine the published reports of
Lophomonas
infection to evaluate its potential role as a human pathogen. We examined the published images and videos of purported
Lophomonas,
compared its morphology and motility characteristics with host bronchial ciliated epithelial cells and true
L. blattarum
derived from cockroaches, analyzed the published PCR that is being used for its diagnosis, and reviewed the clinical data of patients reported in the English and Chinese literature. From our analysis, we conclude that the images and videos from human specimens do not represent true
Lophomonas
and are predominantly misidentified ciliated epithelial cells. Additionally, we note that there is insufficient clinical evidence to attribute the cases to
Lophomonas
infection, as the clinical manifestations are non-specific, possibly caused by other infections and comorbidities, and there is no associated tissue pathology attributable to
Lophomonas
. Finally, our analysis reveals that the published PCR is not specific to
Lophomonas
and can amplify DNA from commensal trichomonads. Based on this thorough review, we emphasize the need for rigorous scientific scrutiny before a microorganism is acknowledged as a novel human pathogen and discuss the potential harms of misdiagnoses for patient care and scientific literature.
Direct Discharge from the Critical Care Resuscitation Unit: Results from a Longitudinal Assessment
Authors: Tran Quincy K. , Widjaja Austin , Plotnikova Anya , Yang Jerry , Epstein Jacob , Aquino Alexa , Albelo Fernando , Kowansky Taylor , Vashee Isha , Austin Samuel , Haase Daniel J. , Esposito Emily
Published: October 2023

Background. The critical care resuscitation unit (CCRU) facilitates interhospital transfer (IHT) of critically ill patients for immediate interventions. Due to these patients’ acuity, it is uncommon for patients to be directly discharged home from this unit, but it does happen on occasion. Since there is no literature regarding outcomes of patients being discharged from a resuscitation unit, our study investigated these patients’ outcome at greater than 12 months after being discharged directly from the CCRU. Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients directly discharged from the CCRU between January 01, 2017, and December 31, 2020. The primary outcome was number of ED visits or hospitalizations within 6 months. Secondary outcomes were number of ED visits or hospitalizations within 6, 12, and >12 months from CCRU discharge. Results. We analyzed 145 patients’ records. Mean age was 56 (standard deviation [SD] ± 19), with a majority being male (72%) and Caucasian (58%). The most common discharge destination was home (139 patients, 96% of total subjects) versus hospice (2%) or nursing facilities (2%). Most patients (55%) did not have any hospital revisits within the first 6 months of discharge, while 31% had 1‐2 revisits, and 14% had ≥3 revisits. The most common discharge diagnoses were soft tissue infection (16.5%), aortic dissection (14%), and stroke (11%). Factors which were associated with a greater likelihood of any return hospital visit within 6 months receiving mechanical ventilation during CCRU stay (coefficient −2.23, 95% CI 0.01–0.87, P = 0.036), while high hemoglobin on CCRU discharge was associated with no ED revisit (coeff. 0.42, 95% CI 1.15–2.06, P = 0.004). Conclusions. Most patients who were discharged from the CCRU did not require any hospital revisits in the first 6 months. Requiring mechanical ventilation and having soft tissue infection were associated with high unplanned hospital revisits following discharge. Further research is needed to validate these findings.
Screening and Colonoscopy Quality Measures: Ethnic Disparities and Impact on Patients’ Outcome
Authors: Abu Baker Fadi , Nicola Dorin , Mari Amir , Zeina Abdel-Rauf , Beshara Amani , Natour Randa Taher , Kopelman Yael
Published: October 2023

Background. Recent reports have confirmed the improving trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and outcomes. Still, disparities in incidence and mortality in CRC continue to persist between major ethnic groups despite the provision of widespread screening and improved care. We aimed to outline, from an endoscopic point of view, ethnic disparities in major endoscopic measures concerned with CRC screening and detection and track their impact on patients’ outcomes. Methods. We reviewed electronic reports of patients referred for colonoscopy procedures over 20 years. We compared demographic, clinical, and endoscopic findings between major ethnic population groups in Israel. In addition, trends of screening utilization, bowel preparation, and polyp detection rates were tracked, and the incidence of CRC diagnosis was followed. Results. A total of 51307 patients had undergone colonoscopies, of whom 16% were Arabs, and 84% were Jewish. The procedures performed for CRC screening throughout the study period were significantly lower in Arabs (5% vs. 13.1%;

P

 < 0.0001). In parallel, for most of the follow-up period, the Arab patients had higher rates of inadequate bowel preparation (overall: 19.9% vs. 12%;

P

 < 0.001) and a lower polyp detection rate (16.7% vs. 22.5%;

P

 < 0.0001). Expectedly, the incidence of CRC has steadily decreased in the Jewish group, while an adverse pattern of increasing incidence was documented in the Arab patient during the follow-up period. Conclusion. Characterized by lower screening utilization and poor bowel preparation, the incidence of CRC development in Arab patients is increasing, while improving trends of CRC were observed in their Jewish counterparts.
Epigenetic Clocks: In Aging-Related and Complex Diseases
Authors: Margiotti Katia , Monaco Francesca , Fabiani Marco , Mesoraca Alvaro , Giorlandino Claudio
Published: October 2023

Background: There is evidence that complex diseases and mortality are associated with DNA methylation and age acceleration. Numerous epigenetic clocks, including Horvath, Hannum, DNA PhenoAge, DNA GrimAge, and Dunedin Pace of Aging Methylation, continue to be developed in this young scientific field. The most well-known epigenetic clocks are presented here, along with information about how they relate to chronic disease. Summary: We examined all the literature until January 2023, investigating associations between measures of age acceleration and complex and age-related diseases. We focused on the scientific literature and research that are most strongly associated with epigenetic clocks and that have shown promise as biomarkers for obesity, cardiovascular illness, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative disease. Key Messages: Understanding the complex interactions between accelerated epigenetic clocks and chronic diseases may have significant effects on both the early diagnosis of disease and health promotion. Additionally, there is a lot of interest in developing treatment plans that can delay the onset of illnesses or, at the very least, alter the underlying causes of such disorders.
YTHDC1-Modified m6A Methylation of Hsa_circ_0102678 Promotes Keratinocyte Inflammation Induced by Cutibacterium acnes Biofilm through Regulating miR-146a/TRAF6 and IRAK1 Axis
Authors: Zhou Meng , Liu Yuzhen , Xu Haoxiang , Chen Xu , Zheng Nana , Duan Zhimin , Ge Yiping , Li Dongqing , Lin Tong , Zeng Rong , Chen Qing , Li Min
Published: October 2023

Introduction: CircRNAs are closely related to many human diseases; however, their role in acne remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the role of hsa_circ_0102678 in regulating inflammation of acne. Methods: First, microarray analysis was performed to study the expression of circRNAs in acne. Subsequently, RNase R digestion assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay were utilized to confirm the characteristics of hsa_circ_0102678. Finally, qRT-PCR, Western blotting analysis, immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assay, circRNA probe pull-down assay, biotin-labeled miRNA pull-down assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, and m6A dot blot assay were utilized to reveal the functional roles of hsa_circ_0102678 on inflammation induced by C. acnes biofilm in human primary keratinocytes. Results: Our investigations showed that the expression of hsa_circ_0102678 was significantly decreased in acne tissues, and hsa_circ_0102678 was a type of circRNAs, which was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of primary human keratinocytes. Moreover, hsa_circ_0102678 remarkably affected the expression of IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α, which induced by C. acnes biofilm. Importantly, mechanistic studies indicated that the YTHDC1 could bind directly to hsa_circ_0102678 and promote the export of N6-methyladenosine-modified hsa_circ_0102678 to the cytoplasm. Besides, hsa_circ_0102678 could bind to miR-146a and sponge miR-146a to promote the expression of IRAK1 and TRAF6. Conclusion: Our findings revealed a previously unknown process by which hsa_circ_0102678 promoted keratinocyte inflammation induced by C. acnes biofilm via regulating miR-146a/TRAF6 and IRAK1 axis.
Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Vazquez Sima , Zuckerman David A. , Gandhi Chirag , Al-Mufti Fawaz , Muh Carrie , Santarelli Justin , Pisapia Jared M.
Published: October 2023

Background: Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization has been increasingly applied in adult populations for the treatment of chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH). There is a paucity of literature on the indications, safety, and outcomes of MMA embolization in the pediatric population. Summary: A systematic literature review on pediatric patients undergoing MMA embolization was performed. We also report the case of successful bilateral MMA embolization for persistent subdural hematomas following resection of a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. Persistent bilateral subdural hematomas following resection of a large brain tumor resolved following MMA embolization in a 13-year-old male. Indications for MMA embolization in the pediatric literature included cSDH (6/13, 46.2%), treatment or preoperative embolization of arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous malformation (3/13, 23.1%), preoperative embolization for tumor resection (1/13, 7.7%), or treatment of acute epidural hematoma (1/13, 7.7%). Embolic agents included microspheres or microparticles (2/13, 15.4%), Onyx (3/13, 23.1%), NBCA (3/13, 23.1%), or coils (4/13, 30.8%). Key Messages: Whereas MMA embolization has primarily been applied in the adult population for subdural hematoma in the setting of cardiac disease and anticoagulant use, we present a novel application of MMA embolization in the management of persistent subdural hematoma following resection of a large space-occupying lesion. A systematic review of MMA embolization in pediatric patients currently shows efficacy; a multi-institutional study is warranted to further refine indications, timing, and safety of the procedure.
Vascular Age Assessed From an Uncalibrated, Noninvasive Pressure Waveform by Using a Deep Learning Approach: The AI-VascularAge Model
Authors: Mitchell Gary F. , Rong Jian , Larson Martin G. , Korzinski Timothy J. , Xanthakis Vanessa , Sigurdsson Sigurdur , Gudnason Vilmundur , Launer Lenore J. , Aspelund Thor , Hamburg Naomi M. , Gotal John D. , Vasan Ramachandran S.
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Aortic stiffness, assessed as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, provides a measure of vascular age and risk for adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes, but it is difficult to measure. The shape of arterial pressure waveforms conveys information regarding aortic stiffness; however, the best methods to extract and interpret waveform features remain controversial.

METHODS:

We trained a convolutional neural network with fixed-scale (time and amplitude) brachial, radial, and carotid tonometry waveforms as input and negative inverse carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity as label. Models were trained with data from 2 community-based Icelandic samples (N=10 452 participants with 31 126 waveforms) and validated in the community-based Framingham Heart Study (N=7208 participants, 21 624 waveforms). Linear regression rescaled predicted negative inverse carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity to equivalent artificial intelligence vascular age (AI-VA).

RESULTS:

The AI-VascularAge model predicted negative inverse carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity with R
2
=0.64 in a randomly reserved Icelandic test group (n=5061, 16%) and R
2
=0.60 in the Framingham Heart Study. In the Framingham Heart Study (up to 18 years of follow-up; 479 cardiovascular disease, 200 coronary heart disease, and 213 heart failure events), brachial AI-VA was associated with incident cardiovascular disease adjusted for age and sex (model 1; hazard ratio, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.50–2.40] per SD;
P
<0.0001) or adjusted for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, prevalent diabetes, hypertension treatment, and current smoking (model 2; hazard ratio, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.24–1.82] per SD;
P
<0.0001). Similar hazard ratios were demonstrated for incident coronary heart disease and heart failure events and for AI-VA values estimated from carotid or radial waveforms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results demonstrate that convolutional neural network–derived AI-VA is a powerful indicator of vascular health and cardiovascular disease risk in a broad community-based sample.
Fourth contribution to the Macratriinae LeConte, 1862 of the Papuan Region and Wallacea (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) with descriptions of sixteen new species
Authors: TELNOV DMITRY
Published: October 2023

Descriptions of the following 16 new species of Macratriinae LeConte, 1862 are presented based on the material from various scientific institutions: Macratria anus, M. bimaculosa, M. bonggo, M. koiari, M. korowai, M. kundratai, M. longitarsis, M. perkovskyi, M. ripicola, M. roosilehti, M. saccharum, M. sentani, M. spatulatocalcarata, M. susuami, M. tigrina, M. tongkonan spp. nov. New distribution records of eight Macratria Newman, 1838 species are provided.
A new genus for Dasycrotapha plateni and D. pygmaea (Aves: Zosteropidae)
Authors: SANGSTER GEORGE , VINCIGUERRA NICHOLAS T. , GAUDIN JIMMY , ANDERSEN MICHAEL J.
Published: October 2023

N/A
Cross-border Activities Associated With Pattern of Amphetamine-type Stimulants Usage Among Drug Users in Southwest of China
Authors: Zhang Mingmei , Li Jiashuang , Fan Jianhua , Feng Dongli , Li Qun , Tang Songyuan , Li Jing
Published: October 2023

Cross-border activities are possibly associated with the use of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), this study was to explore poly-substance of ATS use and influencing factors among ATS use populations in southwest China. A cross-sectional study was conducted by response driven and continuous samplings from January to July 2021. Descriptive, univariate and logistic regression were carried out. ATS users accounted for 95.6% of the target population, of whom one-third had cross-border experiences with 4.1% of the cross-border purchase of drugs. ATS users were mainly over 31 years old (53.9%), male (98.7%), minority (79.1%), and unmarried (72.7%). Cross-border users consumed more ketamine (8%) and methamphetamine (40%) ( P < .05). After adjusting for socioeconomic-demographic factors, cross-border activity [OR: 0.336 (0.141, 0.799)], occupation [OR: 0.273 (0.080, 0.929)], injecting drug behavior [OR: 6.239 (1. 087, 35.811)], frequency [OR: 0.251 (0.073, 0.859)], and ATS use location [OR: 2.915 (1.040, 8.168)] were possible factors influencing ATS use patterns ( P < .05). Cross-border activity may be associated with polydrug use, especially predominantly methamphetamine use, among ATS users along the Southwest border. It implied that the focus of drug prevention and control in border areas should be on cross-border populations.
Insertion of a totally implantable vascular access device in a patient with dextrocardia and colon cancer: a case report
Authors: Dong Mingyan , Huang Lihui , Zhang Qiaohong , Piao Yicui , Liu Zijie , Zhu Shuchen , Luo Haiguan
Published: October 2023

Colon cancer in patients with situs inversus totalis is rarely associated with dextrocardia, and chemotherapy is commonly used for treatment. Central venous access devices are used to administer intravenous fluids and chemotherapy in patients with colon cancer. Compared with peripherally inserted central catheters and Hickman-type tunneled catheters, totally implantable vascular access devices (TIVADs) are safer and more effective. However, positioning the catheter tip may be challenging in patients with dextrocardia and situs inversus. We herein describe a novel case involving a patient with dextrocardia and colon cancer who was treated by TIVAD insertion with intracavitary electrocardiography-aided tip localization.
Associations Between Buprenorphine\Naloxone and Methadone Treatment and non-Opioid Substance Use in Prescription-Type Opioid Use Disorder: Secondary Analyses From the OPTIMA Study: Associations entre le traitement avec la buprénorphine/naloxone et avec la méthadone et l'utilisation de substances non opioïdes dans le trouble lié à l'usage d'opioïdes de type sur ordonnance : analyses secondaires de l'étude OPTIMA
Authors: Bakouni Hamzah , Sharafi Heidar , Drouin Sarah , Fortin Raphaelle , Marsan Stéphanie , Brissette Suzanne , Socias Maria Eugenia , Le Foll Bernard , Lim Ron , Jutras-Aswad Didier
Published: October 2023

Objectives

There is limited evidence on how opioid agonist treatment (OAT) may affect psychoactive non-opioid substance use in prescription-type opioid use disorder (POUD) and whether this effect might explain OAT outcomes. We aimed to assess the effect of methadone on non-opioid substance use compared to buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NX), to explore whether non-opioid substance use is associated with opioid use and retention in treatment, and to test non-opioid use as a moderator of associations between methadone with retention in OAT and opioid use compared to BUP/NX.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of data from the OPTIMA trial, an open-label, pragmatic, parallel, two-arm, pan-Canadian, multicentre, randomized-controlled trial to compare standard methadone model of care and flexible take-home dosing BUP/NX for POUD treatment. We studied the effect of methadone and BUP/NX on non-opioid substance use evaluated by urine drug screen (UDS) and by classes of non-opioid substances (i.e., tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], benzodiazepines, stimulants) (weeks 2–24) using adjusted generalized estimation equation (GEE). We studied the association between non-opioid substance-positive UDS and opioid-positive UDS and retention in treatment, using adjusted GEE and logistic regressions.

Results

Overall, methadone was not associated with non-opioid substance-positive UDS compared to BUP/NX (OR: 0.78; 95%CI, 0.41 to 1.48). When non-opioid substances were studied separately, methadone was associated with lower odds of benzodiazepine-positive UDS (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.98) and THC-positive UDS (OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.77), but not with different odds of stimulant-positive UDS (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.78 to 2.16) compared to BUP/NX. Substance-positive UDS, overall and separate classes, were not associated with opioid-positive UDS or retention in treatment.

Conclusion

Methadone did not show a significant effect on overall non-opioid substance use in POUD compared to BUP/NX treatment but was associated with lower odds of benzodiazepine and THC use in particular. Non-opioid substance use did not predict OAT outcomes. Further research is needed to ascertain whether specific patterns of polysubstance use (quantity and frequency) may affect treatment outcomes.
Banking for the Other Half: The Factors That Explain Banking Desert Formation
Authors: Langford W. Scott , Thomas Harrison W. , Feldman Maryann P.
Published: October 2023

Banks are one of the key drivers of economic development across communities. Banking deserts—defined by inadequate banking access—limit access to capital, inhibit wealth accumulation, and increase exposure to predatory lending. Banking desert formation could be profit-driven, with lower-income and less densely populated regions more likely to become banking deserts. Discrimination could also play a role here: banks may have less presence in areas with higher minority populations. The authors use a panel, census tract-level data set for the entire state of North Carolina to investigate how these forces impact banking access and banking desert formation. Panel methodologies are incorporated to investigate the extent to which profit and discrimination mechanisms each drive banking access and banking desert formation. Profit and discrimination mechanisms are shown to play roles, highlighting the need for policies that mitigate bank branch losses in underserved neighborhoods.
Experimental study on preparation and properties of carbon nanotubes-, graphene –natural rubber composites
Authors: Chen Hailong , Chen Nan , Ma Qingqing , He Yan
Published: October 2023

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs-), graphene (GNs)-natural rubber (NR) composites were prepared by wet mixing process and dry mixing process, respectively. Thermal conductivity, 300% tensile stress, tear strength and elongation at break of the samples were measured experimentally. The effects of mixing process, carbon materials content and type on thermal properties and mechanical properties of composites were studied. The experimental results show that, the thermal conductivity of the mixed rubber, the 300% tensile stress and the tear strength of the vulcanizate all increase first and then decrease slightly with the increase of the carbon material content, regardless of the mixing process. However, the elongation at break of vulcanizate showed an opposite trend. When the carbon material content is 2.0% (w.t.%), thermal conductivity, 300% tensile stress and tear strength all reach their maximum, while elongation at break obtains minimum. Under the same amount of addition, GNs is more conducive to improving the thermal conductivity and elongation at break of composites, while CNTs are more conducive to improving the tensile strength and tear strength of composites. For CNTs-, GNs-NR composites, the wet mixing process can greatly improve the thermal conductivity, tensile strength and tear strength of composites, while the dry mixing process can greatly improve the elongation at break of composites. Therefore, when preparing CNTs-, GNs-NR composites, it is necessary to select a suitable mixing process according to the performance requirements of the final product.
Analysis of vortex combustion flow in a chamber o

f

guide ring coupling with swirl flow
Authors: Sun Xiangting , Zeng Zhuoxiong , Wu Ruibing
Published: October 2023

To investigate the impact of different vortex structure on the combustion stability in a chamber, this paper evaluates the performance of a vortex combustion chamber coupled with a swirler and a guide ring. The simulated cases include different guide ring angles of 95°, 105°, 115°, 125° and 135°, in addition to a control case without coupling the guide ring. The distributions of velocity, vorticity, temperature, outlet temperature distribution factor ( OTDF), reaction rate, turbulent kinetic energy ( k), synergy angle ( β), and NO emission are numerically analyzed. Results show that the coupling of the swirler and guide ring changes the vortex structure and significantly influences the chamber performance. The increase of the guide ring angles ( α) enhances the interaction between the swirl flow and the direct jet, which intensifies heat and mass transfer, as well as turbulence. The application of the guide ring induces external entrainment of the jet, leading to the formation of a large central recirculation zone compared to that without a guide ring. With increasing the α from 95° to 135°, both average outlet velocity and tangential velocity ( Vt) at the coaxial line position decrease, while the flame length decreases by 286 mm. And the OTDF variation among all cases is less than 0.065. The β of the central section decreases from 76.18° to 70.17°. Furthermore, combustion chamber without the guide ring exhibits higher temperature and OTDF.