bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lack of Association of C677T Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Polymorphism with Breast Cancer Risk in Mali
Authors: Diakite Brehima , Kassogue Yaya , Maiga Mamoudou , Dolo Guimogo , Kassogue Oumar , Holl Jane L. , Joyce Brian , Wang Jun , Cisse Kadidiatou , Diarra Fousseyni , Keita Mamadou L. , Traore Cheick B. , Kamate Bakarou , Sissoko Sidi B. , Coulibaly Bourama , Sissoko Adama S. , Traore Drissa , Sidibe Fatoumata M. , Bah Sekou , Teguete Ibrahim , Ly Madani , Nadifi Sellama , Dehbi Hind , Kim Kyeezu , Murphy Robert , Hou Lifang
Published: January 2023

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays a major role in the metabolism of folates and homocysteine, which in turn can affect gene expression and ultimately promote the development of breast cancer. Thus, mutations in the MTHFR gene could influence homocysteine, methionine, and S-adenosylmethionine levels and, indirectly, nucleotide levels. Imbalance in methionine and S-adenosylmethionine synthesis affects protein synthesis and methylation. These changes, which affect gene expression, may ultimately promote the development of breast cancer. We therefore hypothesized that such mutations could also play an important role in the occurrence and pathogenesis of breast cancer in a Malian population. In this study, we used the PCR-RFLP technique to identify the different genotypic profiles of the C677T MTHFR polymorphism in 127 breast cancer women and 160 healthy controls. The genotypic distribution of the C677T polymorphism in breast cancer cases was 88.2% for CC, 11.0% for CT, and 0.8% for TT. Healthy controls showed a similar distribution with 90.6% for CC, 8.8% for CT, and 0.6% for TT. We found no statistical association between the C677T polymorphism and breast cancer risk for the codominant models CT and TT

p
>
0.05

. The same trend was observed when the analysis was extended to other genetic models, including dominant (p = 0.50), recessive (p = 0.87), and additive (p = 0.50) models. The C677T polymorphism of MTHFR gene did not influence the risk of breast cancer in the Malian samples.
Underwater Incomplete Target Recognition Network via Generating Feature Module
Authors: Shen Qi , Jia Jishen , Cai Lei
Published: January 2023

A complex and changeable underwater archaeological environment leads to the lack of target features in the collected images, affecting the accuracy of target detection. Meanwhile, the difficulty in obtaining underwater archaeological images leads to less training data, resulting in poor generalization performance of the recognition algorithm. For these practical issues, we propose an underwater incomplete target recognition network via generating feature module (UITRNet). Specifically, for targets that lack features, features are generated by dual discriminators and generators to improve target detection accuracy. Then, multilayer features are fused to extract regions of interest. Finally, supervised contrastive learning is introduced into few-shot learning to improve the intraclass similarity and interclass distance of the target and enhance the generalization of the algorithm. The UIFI dataset is produced to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm in this paper. The experimental results show that the mean average precision (mAP) of our algorithm was improved by 0.86% and 1.29% under insufficient light and semiburied interference, respectively. The mAP for ship identification reached the highest level under all four sets of experiments.
Vision‐Related Quality of Life among Patients Attending the Diabetes and Eye Clinics in Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya
Authors: Emade Nerice , Nyamori Joseph , Njuguna Margaret , Njambi Lucy , Gichuhi Stephen
Published: January 2023

Importance. The increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus worldwide has resulted in an increase in microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy. Visual impairment, patients’ worries, and restrictions due to diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy may affect patients’ quality of life. Objective. Our main objective was to determine the overall vision‐related quality of life (VRQoL) among patients with diabetes mellitus attending the diabetes and eye clinics in Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. Design. Analytical cross‐sectional study conducted in December 2020 setting: This study was performed at the Diabetes and Eye Clinics in Kenyatta National Hospital, the main national referral centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Participants. Using a purposive consecutive sampling method, we enrolled 100 participants, 50 with diabetic retinopathy and 50 without diabetic retinopathy. Main Outcomes and Measures. We compared the VRQoL of participants with diabetic retinopathy with those without diabetic retinopathy and assessed whether VRQoL worsened with increasing the severity of diabetic retinopathy. VRQoL was assessed using the World Health Organization/Prevention of Blindness and Deafness Vision Function‐20 Questionnaire (VF‐20). With this tool, the higher the mean score, the worse the quality of life. Diabetic retinopathy was graded using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study. VRQoL trend with DR were analysed using the worse eye. Results. Participants with diabetic retinopathy had worse overall total VRQoL mean score (33.4, SD11.5) than those without (26.9, SD 4.7) in all domains; overall self‐rating, 2.6 vs. 2.2, p < 0.001; general functioning, 18.0 vs. 14.7, p = 0.005; psychosocial, 6.7 vs. 5.3, p < 0.001; and visual symptoms, 6.1 vs. 4.8, p < 0.001. VRQoL was worse with increasing severity of diabetic retinopathy in all domains moving from mild NPDR to moderate NPDR, severe NPDR and PDR, overall self‐rating (2.2, 2.5, 3.5, 3.3; p < 0.001); visual symptoms (5.6, 5.6, 7.5, 7.4; p = 0.002); psychosocial (5.7, 6.5, 6.0 8.8; p = 0.004); and general functioning (15.7, 16.9, 17.5 23.6; p = 0.014). Presence of DR, distance vision impairment, and diabetic macula oedema were associated with low overall self‐rating. Conclusion and Relevance. Our findings underscore the need for interventions for early detection and management of diabetic retinopathy to prevent developing more advanced DR and its associated deterioration of VRQoL.
Corticosteroids and Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Goodman Rachel S. , Johnson Douglas B. , Balko Justin M.
Published: January 2023

Despite revolutionizing cancer management, immunotherapies dysregulate the immune system, leading to immune-mediated adverse events. These common and potentially dangerous toxicities are often treated with corticosteroids, which are among the most prescribed drugs in oncology for a wide range of cancer and noncancer indications. While steroids exert several mechanisms to reduce immune activity, immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), are designed to enhance the immune system's inherent antitumor activity. Because ICI requires an intact and robust immune response, the immunosuppressive properties of steroids have led to a widespread concern that they may interfere with antitumor responses. However, the existing data of the effect of systemic steroids on immunotherapy efficacy remain somewhat conflicted and unclear. To inform clinical decision-making and improve outcomes, we review the impact of steroids on antitumor immunity, recent advances in the knowledge of their impact on ICI efficacy in unique populations and settings, associated precautions, and steroid-sparing treatment approaches.
GATA3 Expression in Human Tumors: A Tissue Microarray Study on 16,557 Tumors
Authors: Reiswich Viktor , Schmidt Carol E. , Lennartz Maximilian , Höflmayer Doris , Hube-Magg Claudia , Weidemann Sören , Fraune Christoph , Büscheck Franziska , Möller Katharina , Bernreuther Christian , Simon Ronald , Clauditz Till S. , Blessin Niclas C. , Bady Elena , Sauter Guido , Uhlig Ria , Steurer Stefan , Minner Sarah , Burandt Eike , Dum David , Marx Andreas H. , Krech Till , Lebok Patrick , Hinsch Andrea , Jacobsen Frank
Published: January 2023

Introduction: GATA3 is a transcription factor involved in epithelial cell differentiation. GATA3 immunostaining is used as a diagnostic marker for breast and urothelial cancer but can also occur in other neoplasms. Methods: To evaluate GATA3 in normal and tumor tissues, a tissue microarray containing 16,557 samples from 131 different tumor types and subtypes and 608 samples of 76 different normal tissue types was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: GATA3 positivity was found in 69 different tumor types including 23 types (18%) with at least one strongly positive tumor. Highest positivity rates occurred in noninvasive papillary urothelial carcinoma (92–99%), lobular carcinoma (98%), carcinoma of no special type of the breast (92%), basal cell carcinoma of the skin (97%), invasive urothelial carcinoma (73%), T-cell lymphoma (23%), adenocarcinoma of the salivary gland (16%), squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (16%), and colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma (12%). In breast cancer, low GATA3 staining was linked to high pT stage (p = 0.03), high BRE grade (p < 0.0001), HER2 overexpression (p = 0.0085), estrogen and progesterone receptor negativity (p < 0.0001 each), and reduced survival (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that GATA3 positivity can occur in various tumor entities. Low levels of GATA3 reflect cancer progression and poor patient prognosis in breast cancer.
Effect of Orthostatic Hypotension on Kidney Function
Authors: Na Jin Hee , Kim Sung Rok , Lee Yu-Ji
Published: January 2023

Background: The association between orthostatic hypotension (OH) and long-term changes in kidney function in the general population is not yet well known. Methods: We performed a population-based cohort study based on data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). The primary exposure was the presence of classic OH, defined as a postural drop in blood pressure (systolic blood pressure ≥20 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥10 mm Hg) at 2 min of standing after 5 min of supine rest. The primary outcome was a 12-year change in kidney function, assessed by subtracting the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from the eGFR at 12 years of follow-up. Results: Our study included 5,905 participants (median [interquartile range] age, 49 [44–58] years; 46% males) who met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Classic OH was detected in 268 (4.5%) of the total participants. In the regression analyses, participants with classic OH had a greater decline in eGFR over 12 years compared with those without classic OH; the fully adjusted beta coefficient and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were −1.74 (−3.07, −0.40). Furthermore, classic OH was associated with 27% greater risk of a 30% decline in kidney function compared with those without classic OH; fully adjusted hazard ratio and 95% CIs were 1.27 (1.07, 1.49). Conclusions: Classic OH can negatively affect long-term kidney function in the general population.
Kidney Disease and Viral Infection in COVID-19: Why Are Kidney Organoid and Biopsy Studies Not in Agreement?
Authors: Nicosia Roberto F.
Published: January 2023

Context: The clinical course of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) can be complicated by acute kidney injury and proteinuria. Kidney cells express receptors for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Direct infection of the kidney parenchyma by SARS-CoV-2 has been proposed as the cause of renal dysfunction in COVID-19. Subject of Review: Kidney organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent cells can be reproducibly infected by SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and used to study therapeutics. However, kidney biopsy studies of COVID-19 patients with renal dysfunction have shown no evidence of viral infection. Second Opinion: Kidney organoids are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is probably facilitated by their limited architectural complexity and maturation compared to the intact organ and by the in vitro culture conditions. Conversely, kidneys in COVID-19 patients appear resistant to infection and may be injured through indirect mechanisms mediated by the host response to the respiratory viral infection, genetic susceptibility to the immune response, physiological disturbances, and therapies. More studies are needed to better understand why kidney organoids are more susceptible than mature kidneys to SARS-CoV-2 infection and further characterize the mechanisms of kidney injury in COVID-19.
Clinical Study on the Risk Factors for the Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Masui Takashi , Adachi Shiori , Uemura Hirokazu , Kimura Takahiro , Kitahara Tadashi
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy and the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of all thyroid cancer cases. It usually has a favorable course, with the 10-year survival rate exceeding 90%. However, the literature reports a recurrence rate of 7–23% after initial surgical treatment. It is important to consider medical treatment policies for this recurrence. Methods: In this study, we examined the risk factors for the recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma. We treated 274 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma at our hospital between 2009 and 2018. Results: Recurrence occurred in 20 cases (7.3%). Lympho-vascular invasion and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis made significant independent contributions. Conclusion: The selection of the surgical mode should be based on the recurrence and after comprehensive consideration of the clinical features.
Functional Characterization of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells in Optimized Coculture Systems
Authors: Chen Chuer , Wang Hengjin , He Xiaoxuan , Li Nan , Yuan Fang , Xu Jingfang , Jiang Chunming
Published: January 2023

Background: Obtaining sufficient renal tubular epithelial cells (RTCs) and maintaining the functions of RTCs are vital for developing a bioartificial renal tubule-assisted device for continuous renal replacement therapy. Methods: We established an optimal Transwell coculture system using human primary renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells at different cell ratios to investigate morphological and functional changes in RTCs. Changes in cell proliferation, megalin expression, cell cycle, apoptosis, and levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) after cell culture were investigated. Results: RPTEC/BMMSC coculture at a cell ratio of 3:1 resulted in optimal morphology, function, and growth of RPTECs, in which, viability, proliferation, cytochrome P450 activity, and megalin expression in RPTECs were significantly increased compared to those in other cocultures or RPTECs alone. Additionally, IGF-1 and BMP-7 levels were significantly higher in the 3:1 RPTEC/BMMSC coculture than in the RPTECs alone. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that coculture with RPTECs has great potential for use in renal replacement therapy, thereby providing fundamental information for manufacturing a bioartificial kidney.
One-Day versus Three-Day Low-Residue Diet and Bowel Preparation Quality before Colonoscopy: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Scaglione Giuseppe , Oliviero Giovanni , Labianca Orazio , Bianco Maria Antonia , Granata Rocco , Ruggiero Luigi , Iovino Paola
Published: January 2023

Background: One-day low-residue diet (LRD) is recommended before colonoscopy, but only three single-center trials compared the 1-day versus 3-day LRD. The aim of this multicenter study was to compare the impact of a 3-day versus 1-day LRD on its ability to adequately and successfully prepare the bowel of outpatients that require a colonoscopy. The outpatients’ tolerance and adherence to the LRD were also considered. Methods: Consecutive outpatients were randomized to 1-day versus 3-day LRD at three open-access endoscopy units. The primary endpoint consisted of the proportion of patients with a satisfactory degree of bowel cleanliness (Score 2–3 on the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale [BBPS] in each segment). Secondary endpoints were patients’ tolerance and adherence to the prescribed diet evaluated by a standardized questionnaire. Results: 289 patients were included in the study (1-day LRD arm = 143, 3-day LRD arm = 146). BBPS ≥2 was not significantly different in the two dietary regimens in any of the three colonic segments (71% vs. 72%, p = 0.9). The percentage of patients with incomplete preparation was similar in the two arms (9% vs. 9%; p = 1.0). No significant differences were found among colonoscopy findings in terms of abnormalities (81% vs. 84%, p = 0.8). Both groups scored similarly in overall tolerance to LRD (48% vs. 49%, p = 1.0) and also in whether they would have adopted a different dietary regimen (p = 0.3). Conclusion: Our multicenter randomized study confirmed that optimal bowel cleansing is reached through a 1-day LRD.
Acidity improvement of refined-bleached used vegetable oils as dielectric liquid using two-level factorial design
Authors: Johal Muhammad Syahrani , Ab Ghani Sharin , Chairul Imran Sutan , Ahmad Khiar Mohd Shahril , Mohamad Din Mohamad Nazri
Published: January 2023

Recent studies have shown that modifying the chemical structure of used vegetable oils (UVOs) as an alternative dielectric liquid for oil-immersed transformers has improved these oils' physical, electrical and chemical properties. However, previous researchers have implemented the one-factor-at-a-time method as their experimental design approach. Therefore, they overlooked the possibility that combining mixing process parameters at optimum ratios will yield a better result. Hence, in this study, the two-level (2k) factorial design is applied to achieve the lowest acidity level of UVOs through chemical refining process namely as refined-bleached used vegetable oils (RBUVOs). The involved process parameters are oil temperature, mixing speed and mixing time. Based on the results of 23 factorial design, it is found that oil temperature has the most significant effect on acidity, with a percentage contribution of 35.76%. The result also shows that the best mixing process parameters of RBUVOs were: oil temperature (60 °C), mixing speed (1,000 rpm) and mixing time (30 min). Note that these mixing process parameters produced better RBUVOs with an acidity value of 0.0221 mg KOH/g. A regression model is also developed to predict the acidity of RBUVOs as a function of oil temperature, mixing speed and mixing time.
Adaptive position control of DC motor for brush-based Adaptive position control of DC motor for brush-based
Authors: Sorfina Ummi , Islam Syed Zahurul , Ching Kok Boon , Soomro Dur Muhammad , Yahaya Jabbar Al-Fatta
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we have developed an automatic brush-based PV cleaning system to control and synchronize the 3 motors together with a smooth periodic of cleaning while moving it horizontally over the PV surface. The mechanical design involved installing linear guides at the top and bottom of the rail to support the aluminium plate that holds the carrier motors and rotating brush. Two different movements of translational and rotational motion of the motors are managed by an algorithm programmed in Arduino Mega. In investigating the performance of motor parameters and dust removal rate, we conducted an experiment by spreading dry sand over the PV surface. Results showed that the torque of the cleaning brush motor increases with the increase in load. The obtained torque of the carrier motor was found to be 9.167 Nm ( stall torque, 9.8 Nm) with a full load of 18 brushes. The torque is inversely proportional to the speed but directly proportional to power. The required power to move the 2.93 kg of cleaning system was 19.20 W with 3.015 Nm of torque. The system achieved 86.8% of the dust removal rate from the four cycles of cleaning operations.
Five-Year Clinical Outcome of the Biodegradable Polymer Ultrathin Strut Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Compared to the Biodegradable Polymer Biolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: From the SORT OUT VII Trial
Authors: Hansen Kirstine Nørregaard , Jensen Lisette Okkels , Maeng Michael , Christensen Martin Kirk , Noori Manijeh , Kahlert Johnny , Jakobsen Lars , Junker Anders , Freeman Phillip , Ellert-Gregersen Julia , Raungaard Bent , Terkelsen Christian Juhl , Veien Karsten Tange , Christiansen Evald Høj
Published: January 2023

Background:

Biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents were developed to improve safety and efficacy outcomes for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, few long-term follow-up efficacy studies are available. The study sought to investigate 5-year results from the SORT OUT VII trial (Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials With Clinical Outcome) comparing the biodegradable polymer ultrathin-strut sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (O-SES) versus the biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting Nobori stent (N-BES).

Methods:

This registry-based, randomized, multicenter, single-blinded, noninferiority trial compared O-SES and N-BES in an all-comer population. The composite primary end point, target lesion failure, consisted of cardiac death, myocardial infarction related to the target lesion, or target lesion revascularization within 1 year. Follow-up was extended to 5 years.

Results:

Five-year follow-up was completed for 2521 patients (99.8%). Five-year target lesion failure did not differ between O-SES (12.4%) and N-BES (13.1%; rate ratio [RR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.75–1.18]). Cardiac death (RR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.67–1.34]), target myocardial infarction (RR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.76–1.71]), target lesion revascularization (RR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.67–1.21]), and definite stent thrombosis rates (RR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.41–1.33]) did not differ significantly between the 2 stents. Within the first year, definite ST was significantly lower for O-SES (0.4%) compared to N-BES (1.2%; RR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.12–0.92]), but no difference was from 1 through 5 years: O-SES 1.2% and N-BES 0.9% (RR, 1.28 [95% CI, 0.58–2.82]).

Conclusions:

Five years after treatment with biodegradable polymer stents, target lesion failure did not differ among O-SES and N-BES. Definite stent thrombosis was less often seen within the first year in the O-SES but the difference was not maintained after 5 years.

Registration:

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01879358.
Reduced Workflow Times for Reperfusion Therapy After Acute Ischemic Stroke Using a Visual Task Management Application
Authors: Matsumoto Shoji , Nakahara Ichiro , Yasuda Ayuko , Ishii Akira , Kubo Michiya , Yamada Kentaro , Okawa Masakazu , Nishi Hidehisa , Miura Toshiyasu , Koike Daisuke , Okita Shinpei , Aoki Michiru , Tanaka Koji , Suyama Yoshio , Morioka Jun , Hasebe Akiko , Tanabe Jun , Suyama Kenichiro , Watanabe Sadayoshi , Kuwahara Kiyonori , Ishihara Takuma , Koyama Hiroshi , Kira Jun‐ichi
Published: January 2023

Background

Reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke efficacy is highly time dependent; therefore, stroke centers are required to further reduce the delays from hospital arrival to treatment efficiently. We developed a visual task management application, Task Calculation Stroke (Task Calc. Stroke: TCS), to facilitate hospital acute ischemic stroke treatment by supporting parallel staff task completion. We evaluated TCS for the reduction of reperfusion therapy delays and improvement of clinical outcomes.

Methods

In this multicenter cohort study, patients were directly admitted to 4 comprehensive stroke centers in Japan and given intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and/or mechanical thrombectomy from June 2018 to December 2020. The research team visited each facility and instructed the staff on TCS use for acute ischemic stroke (training stage), after which the staff used TCS independently (TCS stage). We then compared door‐to‐needle time for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, door‐to‐puncture time for mechanical thrombectomy, and clinical outcomes at discharge according to the modified Rankin Scale among patients treated before training (original stage), during the training stage, or the TCS stage.

Results

During the study period, 316 patients with acute ischemic stroke received reperfusion therapy; of these, 246 received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and 162 mechanical thrombectomy (including 92 receiving both the treatments). The mean door‐to‐needle time was significantly reduced from 58.0 minutes in the original stage to 54.6 minutes in the training stage (
P
=0.049) and 47.8 minutes in the TCS stage (
P
<0.001). The door‐to‐puncture time did not change during the training stage; however, in the TCS stage, it significantly reduced from 93.8 minutes in the original stage to 88.5 minutes (
P
=0.004). The distribution of modified Rankin Scale scores at discharge significantly shifted favorably at the TCS stage (
P
=0.003).

Conclusion

In this study, TCS application could reduce workflow time for reperfusion therapy and might have led to improved clinical outcomes.
Act of Fiction: Simultaneously Experienced Multiple Perspectives of (Un)reality When Engaging with Narrative-Based Art
Authors: Amir Einat , Sofaer Joshua , Sams Mikko
Published: January 2023

The authors propose a new conception of the mechanism that occurs during a narrative-based art experience—the “Act of Fiction.” They claim that there is no “suspension of disbelief” but rather something more similar to our decision-making systems, enabling us to simultaneously be present in the real and the unreal (fictional). The article’s first part contains a narrative account in which an Act of Fiction takes place; it exemplifies what it also describes. The second part provides an analysis of this phenomenon through a review of current literature and our position on it. The third part proposes an outline for a primary examination of what might be happening in the brain in the experience of an Act of Fiction. The authors conclude by suggesting directions for future research.
Ex Gratia Payments and Reparations: A Missed Opportunity?
Authors: van de Put Steven
Published: January 2023

States have been increasingly engaging in a practice of ex gratia payments during armed conflict as a way to win ‘hearts and minds’ or mitigate local animosity from combat operations that cause civilian loss or damage. These represent voluntary payments for damages which are not the result of a violation of the laws of war. This practice provides a contrast to reparations, which are the result of a legal obligation to remedy breaches of law. This article critically assesses how these two concepts interact with each other. Analysing the current practice, this work argues that ex gratia payments can represent another barrier for victims seeking redress. Crucial here is that these payments are seen as both an explicit and implicit waiver of any future claims. This ignores the potential for synergy between the two concepts on both moral and operational grounds. To better facilitate this potential synergy, this article takes inspiration from some of the human rights jurisprudence surrounding reparations programs and considers ex gratia payments in light of their standards instead of accepting them as a blanket waiver. This would align these payments better with both the operational and moral imperatives underlying these payments.
The longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) of Kentucky with notes on larval hosts, adult nectar use, and semiochemical attraction
Authors: CHAPMAN ERIC G. , RICHARDS AUSTIN B. , DUPUIS JULIAN R.
Published: January 2023

The longhorn beetle fauna of Kentucky has long been overlooked in the literature with revisions and historic publications reporting few records from the state. Here, we document the occurrence of 222 species of Cerambycidae in Kentucky, with 140 new state records. For each species, we summarize its distribution (overall and in the state), the counties, years, and months in which it has been collected, collecting methods, what collections house the specimens, larval host plants, adult flower visitation, chemical lure attraction, recent taxonomic changes, and other pertinent information about the species. Using this dataset, the bias-corrected Chao1 species richness estimator predicted that 241 species should be found in Kentucky, indicating that our sampling is nearly comprehensive. Additionally, we provide a list of 42 species that have been found in at least one neighboring state and the distance from the closest record of the species to Kentucky; among this candidate list are 11 species known from within 50 km of the state. This checklist remedies the historical oversight of Kentucky cerambycid diversity in the literature, and we hope it will serve as a resource for future collectors, particularly the information on chemical lure attraction, which has not been summarized to this extent for any other state to date.
Analysis of Joule Heating and Chemical Reaction Effects in Electroosmosis Peristaltic Transport of Couple-Stress, Micropolar and Nanofluids
Authors: Venugopal Reddy K. , Gnaneswara Reddy M. , Rami Reddy G. , Makinde O. D.
Published: January 2023

Nanofluids have analysis of wide applications of energy technologies in recent times as the thermal amplification of several manufacturing industries. A mathematical model is developed to stimulate electrokinetic transfer through peristaltic pumping of couple-stress micropolar nanofluids
in a microchannel. The effects of Joule heating and chemical reaction have been considered. The remarkable properties of nanofluid are demonstrated by thermophoresis and Brownian motion characteristics. Thermophoresis has relevance in mass transport processes in many higher temperature gradient
operating systems. The highly non-linear partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations by using appropriate similarities transformations. The graphical estimates are presented for the axial velocity, spin velocity, temperature of nano fluid, concentration and pumping
characteristics. The outcomes of this study reveal the activation of Joule heating and chemical reaction effects in electroosmosis peristaltic transport of couple-stress, micropolar and nanofluids. This model is applicable to the study of chemical fraternization/separation procedures and bio
microfluidics devices for the resolution of diagnosis.
Study of Heat and Mass Transfer in a Rotating Nanofluid Layer Under Gravity Modulation
Authors: Manjula S. H. , Kiran Palle , Gaikwad S. N.
Published: January 2023

In this paper we investigate the effect of gravity modulation and rotation on thermal instability in a horizontal layer of a nanofluid. Finite amplitudes have been derived using the minimal Fourier series expressions of physical variables in the presence of modulation and slow time.
Here we incorporates the layer of nanofluid with effect of Brownian motion along with thermophoresis. Heat and mass transfer are evaluated in terms of finite amplitudes and calculated by Nusselt numbers for fluid and concentration. It is found that, gravity modulation and rotation can be used
effectively to regulate heat and mass transfer. This modulation can be easily felt by shaking the layer vertically with sinusoidal manner. The numerical results are obtained for amplitude of modulation and presented graphically. It is found that rotation and frequency of modulation delays
the rate of heat and mass transfer. This shows that a stabilizing nature of gravity modulation and rotation against a non rotating system. A comparison made between modulated and unmodulated and found that modulated system influence the stability problem than un modulated system. Similarly
modulated system transfer more heat mass transfer than unmodulated case. Finally we have drawn streamlines and nanoparticle isotherms to show the convective phenomenon.
Effect of Carvedilol Versus Metoprolol on Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Intervention Therapy
Authors: Uğuz Erkan , Kurtul Alparslan , Şen Fatih
Published: January 2023

Carvedilol can inhibit inflammation, vasoconstriction, and oxidative stress, which play important roles in the development and progression of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). To the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated the potential effect of carvedilol on the prevalence of CIN after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The present study aimed to determine whether carvedilol use is associated with the development of CIN. A total of 319 patients (mean age, 59.2 ± 12.4 years; 77.7% male) with ACS who underwent urgent PCI at our institution between May 2019 and May 2022 were included prospectively. Overall, 100 and 219 patients were assigned to the carvedilol and metoprolol groups, respectively. The prevalence of CIN was significantly lower in the carvedilol group (6.0%) than in the metoprolol group (18.3%; P = .003). Multivariate analysis revealed that carvedilol use (odds ratio [OR] .250, 95% confidence interval [CI] .092-.677, P = .006), amount of contrast agent (OR 1.004, 95% CI 1.000-1.008, P = .031), and admission estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR .978, 95% CI 0.960-.995, P = .014) were independently associated with the development of CIN. The use of carvedilol may be a promising option for the prevention of CIN in patients with ACS undergoing urgent PCI.
Organizational reputation in executive politics: Citizen-oriented units in the German federal bureaucracy
Authors: Fleischer Julia , Pruin Andree
Published: January 2023

In recent years, governments have increased their efforts to strengthen the citizen-orientation in policy design. They have established temporary arenas as well as permanent units inside the machinery of government to integrate citizens into policy formulation, leading to a “laboratorization” of central government organizations. We argue that the evolution and role of these units herald new dynamics in the importance of organizational reputation for executive politics. These actors deviate from the classic palette of organizational units inside the machinery of government and thus require their own reputation vis-à-vis various audiences within and outside their parent organization. Based on a comparative case study of two of these units inside the German federal bureaucracy, we show how ambiguous expectations of their audiences challenge their organizational reputation. Both units resolve these tensions by balancing their weaker professional and procedural reputation with a stronger performative and moral reputation. We conclude that government units aiming to improve citizen orientation in policy design may benefit from engaging with citizens as their external audience to compensate for a weaker reputation in the eyes of their audiences inside the government organization.

Points for practitioners Many governments have introduced novel means to strengthen citizen-centered policy design, which has led to an emergence of novel units inside central government that differ from traditional bureaucratic structures and procedures. This study analyzes how these new units may build their organizational reputation vis-à-vis internal and external actors in government policymaking. We show that such units assert themselves primarily based on their performative and moral reputation.
Tensile strength and anisotropy of repeated hot-rolled carbon nanotube/aluminum matrix composites
Authors: Tsukamoto Hideaki
Published: January 2023

This study aims to strengthen carbon nanotube (CNT)/Al composites, which were fabricated by a combination of spark plasma sintering (SPS) and repeated hot rolling techniques. Dry ball milling was conducted to uniformly disperse CNT in Al powders. The microstructures of the CNT/Al composites including dispersibility of CNT were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Ball milling treatments promoted to reduce the number of CNT aggregations and increase C concentrations in the CNT aggregations in the composites. Anisotropic tensile behavior was also investigated, which demonstrated that the post-SPS repeated hot rolling can highly enhance the tensile strength as well as deformability of the composites.
The human skin organ culture model as an optimal complementary tool for murine pemphigus models
Authors: Hartmann Veronika , Hariton William VJ , Rahimi Siavash , Hammers Christoph M , Ludwig Ralf J , Müller Eliane J , Hundt Jennifer E
Published: January 2023

Pemphigus is a severe autoimmune bullous disease of the skin and/or mucous membranes caused by autoantibodies that mainly target the adhesion proteins desmoglein (Dsg) 3 and/or Dsg1. Clinically, pemphigus is characterized by flaccid blistering, leading to severe water and electrolyte loss. Before the introduction of corticosteroid treatment, the disease turned out to be fatal in many cases. Despite recent therapeutic improvements, treatment of pemphigus patients is centred on prolonged systemic immunosuppression and remains challenging. Current drug development for pemphigus has a strong focus on disease-causing B cells and autoantibodies and, more recently, also on modulating autoantibody-induced tissue pathology and keratinocyte signalling. This drug development requires reliable pre-clinical model systems replicating the pathogenesis of the human disease. Among those are neonatal and adult mouse models based on the transfer of Dsg3, Dsg1/3 or Dsg1-specific autoantibodies. To reduce the number of animal experiments, we recently established a standardized human skin organ culture (HSOC) model for pemphigus. This model reproduces the clinical phenotype of autoantibody-induced tissue pathology in pemphigus vulgaris. For induction of blistering, a recombinant single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting both Dsg1 and 3 is injected into pieces of human skin (obtained from plastic surgeries). Further characterization of the HSOC model demonstrated that key morphologic, molecular and immunologic features of pemphigus are being replicated. Thus, the pemphigus HSOC model is an excellent alternative to pemphigus animal model systems that are based on the transfer of (auto)antibodies.
Transforming the Welfare State, One Case at a Time: How Utrecht Makes Customized Social Care Work
Authors: Sabel Charles , Zeitlin Jonathan , Helderman Jan-Kees
Published: January 2023

Advanced welfare states are under pressure to customize services, promptly enough to prevent a cascade of harms. With these goals, the Netherlands in 2015 decentralized social care services to municipalities, and within municipalities to neighborhood teams in continuing contact with clients. The overall results have been disappointing. But the experience of Utrecht, the Netherlands’ fourth-largest city, has been strikingly different. By using hard-to-resolve cases to signal conflicts in rules, obstructive jurisdictional boundaries, and the shortcomings of private service providers, Utrecht is learning to customize and speed delivery of social care through incremental steps. This article explains how Utrecht's success addresses apparently intractable limits to the adaptability of the rule-bound welfare state, such as the problem of low-level discretion or street-level bureaucracy and the division of services into silos, in the process bridging, and perhaps effacing, the gap between the Habermasian life world and the system world of formal rules.
Identifying Predictors of Extubation on the day of Passing an SBT in Critically ill Adults
Authors: Patel Sneha , Stollings Joanna L. , Casey Jonathan D. , Wang Li , Rice Todd W. , Semler Matthew W.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Many patients who pass a spontaneous awakening trial (SAT) and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) do not undergo extubation that day. We aimed to identify predictors of extubation on the day of passing an SBT and to develop prediction models for extubation among mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

In a cohort of mechanically ventilated patients who had passed an SBT in a single, academic medical intensive care unit (ICU) from 2018 to 2019, we developed a logistic regression model for identifying predictors of extubation.

Results

Of 745 patients in our study, 77% were extubated the day they passed a SBT. Independent predictors of extubation included higher Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) (−2 compared to −4: odds ratio (OR) 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56 to 2.14), receipt of sedation on the day prior (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.74), absence of diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.59 to 1), absence of neurological illness (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.96), indication for intubation of altered mental status, seizure, or agitation (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.65), and absence of hemodynamic instability or cardiac arrest (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.95).

Conclusion and Relevance

Patients on mechanical ventilation were more likely to be extubated on the day they passed an SBT if they had higher RASS scores, received sedation the day prior, or did not have diagnosis of sepsis, neurological illness, or hemodynamic instability. Future research should attempt to identify and address modifiable risk factors for failure to extubate after passing an SBT.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents: An Opportunity to Build Resilient Systems
Authors: Nadeem Erum , R. Van Meter Anna
Published: January 2023

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents is significant. Educational progress and mental health, in particular, have been negatively affected. Among youth from vulnerable communities, pre-existing academic and health disparities have been exacerbated. Youth outcomes are often attributed to individual resilience – or lack thereof; in this paper, we describe how failure to adapt and effectively cope at the system level (ie, lack of system resilience) is implicated in the current dual educational and mental crisis. We describe opportunities to make our systems more nimble and better-equipped to support youth moving forward.
Self-Regulatory Strategy Use, Efficacy, and Strategy-Situation-Fit in Self-Control Conflicts of Initiation, Persistence, and Inhibition
Authors: Wenzel Mario , Bürgler Sebastian , Brandstätter Veronika , Kreibich Antonia , Hennecke Marie
Published: January 2023

Self-control is the ability to (1) initiate, and (2) persist in boring, difficult or disliked activity, and to (3) inhibit impulses to act. We explored the self-regulatory strategies that people use for these three types of self-control conflicts and their subjective efficacy as a function of conflict type. In addition, we hypothesized that people who more frequently create strategy-situation fit by tying strategies to the conflict types they are effective for, are more successful at self-control. A pilot study identified 22 different self-regulatory strategies that could be used for more than one type of self-control conflict. We then used a large data set from two pooled experience sampling datasets ( n = 14,067 reported self-control conflicts) to quantify these strategies’ popularity and subjective efficacy in daily life. Eight strategies were positively and three negatively associated with subjective self-regulatory success but subjective efficacy often depended on type of conflict: Some strategies were effective and some maladaptive only for some types of self-control conflicts. Individuals who created strategy-situation fit for some strategies also reported greater self-regulatory success, as hypothesized. We discuss regulatory flexibility as a crucial component of good self-control.
The impact of non-renewable energy production and energy usage on carbon emissions: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang YunQian , Li Li , Sadiq Muhammad , Chien FengSheng
Published: January 2023

A high level of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission has become a global issue due to extensive production and energy usage that needs regulators’ attention and researchers’ emphasis. Hence, the study aims to explore the effectiveness of energy production and usage on carbon dioxide emission in China. The current study has taken the electricity production from oil, coal and nuclear as the measurement of energy production, while fossil fuel energy consumption and energy use have been taken as the measurement of energy usage, and energy import has been taken as the control variable. The secondary data has been gathered using a secondary source like World Bank from 1991 to 2020. The Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) was employed by the study to examine the linkage among variables, while the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test was adopted to check the stationarity. The results revealed that electricity production from oil, coal and nuclear has a positive connection with CO2 emission. The findings also exposed that the FFEC, energy import, and energy use also have a positive linkage with CO2 emission. This study monitors the policymakers while establishing regulations to control CO2 emissions by limiting the country's energy production and usage.
Placing “trust” in science: The urban–rural divide and Americans’ feelings of warmth toward scientists
Authors: Krause Nicole M.
Published: January 2023

Long-standing discussions of the so-called urban–rural divide in the United States have uncovered meaningful differences between urbanites and rural residents, but much of this work has focused on political attitudes. However, there is reason to believe that geographic divides also influence Americans’ science attitudes, including, for example, positive affect toward scientists and levels of trust in them. Unfortunately, existing work has not clearly ruled out confounding factors such as religiosity, political views, media habits, and conspiracism. This brief article addresses this problem by drawing on survey data from 2016 to test the hypothesis that rural residency will be associated with colder feelings toward the scientific community, even with controls in place. The results offer support for this expectation. These findings lend support to recent arguments that rural Americans’ science attitudes are influenced by factors that go beyond demographics, conspiracism, political polarization, differences of religiosity, and (partisan) media consumption.
Analysis of alkaloids and reducing sugars in processed and unprocessed tobacco leaves using a handheld near infrared spectrometer
Authors: Castillo Miguel S , Acosta Juan J , Hodge Gary R , Vann Matthew C , Lewis Ramsey S
Published: January 2023

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy calibration models were developed to predict chemical properties of flue-cured tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaf samples using a microPHAZIRTM handheld NIR spectrometer. The sample data set consisted of 348 leaf-bundled samples of upper-stalk flue-cured tobacco leaves collected from an array of cultivars evaluated in multiple locations. Unprocessed leaf samples were intact whole unground leaves collected from curing barns. Processed leaf samples were further dried and ground before scanning. The NIR prediction models for percent reducing sugars, percent total alkaloids, and percent nicotine were very good for processed leaves [r2 (SEP in %) values = 0.98 (0.82), 0.92 (0.17), and 0.92 (0.14), respectively]. The models for the same three variables for unprocessed leaves were also very good, with only slightly lower fit statistics [r2 (SEP) = 0.93 (1.58), 0.87 (0.22), and 0.88 (0.18), respectively). Fit statistics for anabasine NIR models were intermediate with r2 (SEP in %) values ranging from 0.73 (0.003) to 0.76 (0.003), while the lowest fit statistics were observed for anatabine and norticotine with r2 (SEP in %) ranging from 0.49 (0.005) to 0.55 (0.017), respectively, for both unprocessed and processed leaves. Hence, use of a handheld NIR spectrometer would be of more limited value for these variables. The chemical composition of flue-cured tobacco leaf samples for some chemical traits can be directly assessed at the point when the leaves exit the curing barns, thus minimizing the need to dry and grind samples for colorimetric and chromatographic analyses.
Book review: Sabita Singh, The Politics of Marriage in Medieval India: Gender and Alliance in Rajasthan
Authors: Roy Kumkum
Published: January 2023

Sabita Singh, The Politics of Marriage in Medieval India: Gender and Alliance in Rajasthan (Oxford University Press, 2019), xxvii + 292 pages, ₹1195 (Hardback).