bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of the Prognosis of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma by Cuproptosis-Related lncRNA Signals Based on Machine Learning and Construction of ceRNA Network
Authors: Xiao Zhiliang , Zhang Menglei , Shi Zhenduo , Zang Guanghui , Liang Qing , Hao Lin , Dong Yang , Pang Kun , Wang Yabin , Han Conghui
Published: March 2023

Background. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma’s (ccRCC) occurrence and development are strongly linked to the metabolic reprogramming of tumors, and thus far, neither its prognosis nor treatment has achieved satisfying clinical outcomes. Methods. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, respectively, provided us with information on the RNA expression of ccRCC patients and their clinical data. Cuproptosis-related genes (CRGS) were discovered in recent massive research. With the help of log-rank testing and univariate Cox analysis, the prognostic significance of CRGS was examined. Different cuproptosis subtypes were identified using consensus clustering analysis, and GSVA was used to further investigate the likely signaling pathways between various subtypes. Univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso), random forest (RF), and multivariate stepwise Cox regression analysis were used to build prognostic models. After that, the models were verified by means of the C index, Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival curves, and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The association between prognostic models and the tumor immune microenvironment as well as the relationship between prognostic models and immunotherapy were next examined using ssGSEA and TIDE analysis. Four online prediction websites-Mircode, MiRDB, MiRTarBase, and TargetScan-were used to build a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network. Results. By consensus clustering, two subgroups of cuproptosis were identified that represented distinct prognostic and immunological microenvironments. Conclusion. A prognostic risk model with 13 CR-lncRNAs was developed. The immune microenvironment and responsiveness to immunotherapy are substantially connected with the model, which may reliably predict the prognosis of patients with ccRCC.
Design and Analysis of a Hemispherical Parallel Mechanism for Forearm–Wrist Rehabilitation
Authors: Li Shuang , Wang Zhanli , Pang Zaixiang , Gao Moyao , Duan Zhifeng
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a bionic cable-driven mechanism to simulate the motion of human wrist which is suitable for human forearm–wrist rehabilitation. It fulfills workspace of the human forearm–wrist and it can train the joint in active and passive. With three degrees of freedom, it completes the supination/pronation of the forearm, the radial/ulnar deviation, and flexion/extension of the wrist. In addition to the movement of single degree of freedom of the forearm–wrist, it can also complete circumduction of the wrist. The mechanism consists of revolving platform, parallel mechanism, supporting mechanism, and movable table. Especially, in the parallel mechanism, a spring is added between the fixed and moving platform, and the moving platform is designed in the shape of a hemispherical shell. Utilizing the resilient properties of the extension spring and the support of the hemispherical shell, the problem of slack in the cable is solved in this mechanism. Since the spring is a passive component and cannot be calculated directly, a method combining kinematics and statics is proposed to calculate the relationship between the pose of the moving platform and the cable. Meanwhile, the kinematics, statics, and workspace solution of the mechanism are derived. Then, the simulation results demonstrate the accurateness and feasibility of the inverse kinematics and workspace derivation of the mechanism. Finally, the experiments are analyzed to verify the mechanism suitable for forearm–wrist rehabilitation tasks.
Computational and Experimental Analysis of a Triode Microfuse with a WO3 Heater
Authors: Talukder Shovon
Published: March 2023

In this study, high‐current‐protecting multilayered thin film microfuses are designed and simulated using the MEMS‐based tool of COMSOL multiphysics software and then fabricated and tested in the laboratory. Portable electronic devices are comprised of a secondary battery or DC charge source, and due to short circuit overcurrent, fire, and explosions can ensue. A protecting device should steadily cater to phenomena like overcurrent situations to avoid hazardous circumstances. The primary purpose of this investigation is to design a heater resistor with a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) to function as a low melting point‐based alloy for the fuse element. A lead‐tin (90Pb:10Sn wt.%) alloy has been employed as the low melting point‐based fuse element, and tungsten oxide (WO3) is integrated with the layer as a heater resistor due to its negative temperature coefficient of resistance characteristics. The electro‐thermo‐mechanical behavior is assessed, and a three‐dimensional structural modeling and simulation technique has been performed in both steady‐state and transient conditions with varying physical and electrical parameters. The heat required to melt the fuse depends on heater geometry, and when we applied 2 A current to the 1 : 30 length and width ratio‐based device, the heater achieved 600 K. Experimentally, nearly at 1 A current and above 4 V, the microfuse reached melting temperature and thus has been blown which provides a scope of controlling nearly 4 W of power electronic devices.
Rapid Onset Severe Immune Thrombocytopenia following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in a Young Patient
Authors: Avila Jorge , Degirmenci Huseyin Berk , Contreras Chavez Pamela , Battinelli Elisabeth M. , Fleisher Jorge
Published: March 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected millions of people around the world. Vaccination against COVID-19 has been approved for the following three vaccines in the United States: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen. Hematological complications of vaccination have been reported in the literature but remain as a rare phenomenon. We present the case of a patient who developed severe thrombocytopenia within twenty-four hours following the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. Commonly encountered differentials including heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and common viral etiologies were ruled out, and other causes such as drug reactions deemed unlikely as the etiology of this presentation after a broad workup. Nucleocapsid antibodies against COVID-19 were found to be positive which indicated that vaccination was at least the second encounter with this virus for our patient, which has been reported previously as the cause of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and this might be the culprit for sudden onset. He responded to the first-line ITP treatment with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as evidenced by the fast recovery of platelet count and lack of recurrence of thrombocytopenia.
Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in the pediatric population - a literature review and development of clinical cases for didactic purposes
Authors: Padilha Eduarda , Fernandes Adriano Yacubian
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 is an acute respiratory syndrome with different reported non-respiratory symptoms, neurological manifestations included. The nervous system impairment during the infection occurs in adults and children, yet the pediatric population has particularities in the clinical course of the disease. We discuss the neurological manifestations of COVID-19 in children, developing cases to be applied in disciplines within a “problem-based” learning methodology. The proceedings of the research were developed with undergraduate medicine students in mind: a literature review on the topic was performed; then observed by the selection of 16 articles reviewed, summarized and discussed. This paper discusses proceedings, challenges and outcomes, of each stage of the research’s agenda. In the literature review, we found many neurological manifestations in the pediatric population. Other aspects relevant to the topic were also found, such as: association of comorbidities, alterations in complementary exams, prognoses and pathophysiological hypotheses. Based on the findings, we created three clinical cases for application in undergraduate studies. We concluded that the topic has great clinical and learning importance, yet more research is needed on the subject.
A importância do diagnóstico precoce no período neonatal para Estreptococo do grupo B
Authors: Jacomini Débora Lais Justo , Murayama Heloisa Beraldi
Published: March 2023

Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B Streptococcus (GBS) correspond to Gram positive diplococcus, usually residing in the microbiota of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract of pregnant women. The transmission of GBS occurs mainly through vertical ascent, especially in the intrapartum period, being one of the main bacteria responsible for the development of sepsis in the neonatal period. Early diagnosis associated with adequate antibiotic prophylaxis predicts lower risks of neonatal infection, in addition to a lower rate of complications and infant mortality. To carry out the research, we used high-impact articles taken from MEDLINE, SciELO, Pubmed, CNPq and LILACS platforms (2015–2022) and compiled a recent theoretical reference, with the exception of the historical reference, under which there was no time limitation. In reference to the levels of preventive medicine it can be observed: The primary prevention shows that the possibility of developing vaccines is viable, but so far in phase II in international studies and with a lack of epidemiological studies regarding the specific capsular serotypes of each Brazilian regions, hindering the development of the measure. Regarding the microbiological screening of GBS indicated by the Ministry of Health in 2012, it should be performed between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy, in contrast to more recent international literature. In secondary prevention, there are new ways of diagnosing GBS infection, for example, the Xpert GBS, a rapid test indicated to test women at risk of preterm birth or in labor who did not undergo the test during prenatal care. The secondary still involves the existing treatment, which would be through the use of first-choice antimicrobials, such as crystalline penicillin or ampicillin, however, in some cases they already have resistance, requiring microbiological evaluation with antibiogram. In conclusion, the topic is extremely important for maternal and child health. GBS infection is a preventable disease with a simple diagnosis, however, there is still a huge literature divergence and lack of Brazilian protocols emphasizing the relevance of screening for GBS, which should be performed extensively in pregnant women, with antibiotic prophylaxis only in specific cases and, if necessary, with a previous sensitivity analysis to antimicrobials, in order to obtain better results.
Cord Blood Insulin Concentration and Hypertension Among Children and Adolescents Enrolled in a US Racially Diverse Birth Cohort
Authors: Wang Guoying , Buckley Jessie P. , Bartell Tami R. , Hong Xiumei , Pearson Colleen , Wang Xiaobin
Published: March 2023

Background:

Although insulin resistance is closely related to hypertension, the debate continues as to whether insulin resistance is a cause or a consequence of hypertension. This study investigated the associations of cord blood insulin concentration with blood pressure (BP) and hypertension in childhood and adolescence.

Methods:

This study included 951 children enrolled from 1998 to 2012 and followed from birth onwards at the Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Cord blood insulin concentration was measured using a sandwich immunoassay. Hypertension in childhood and adolescence was defined based on the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Results:

The median (interquartile range) for cord blood insulin concentration was 12.1 (7.2–19.0) µIU/mL. The age range of BP measurements was 3 to 18 years (median, 10.6 years). Cord blood insulin concentration was positively associated with systolic and diastolic BP as well as the risk of hypertension at age 3 to 18 years. Compared with the lowest tertile of cord blood insulin concentration, the top tertile insulin concentration was associated with a 5.18 (95% CI, 1.97–8.39) percentile increase in systolic BP, 4.29 (95% CI, 1.74–6.84) percentile increase in diastolic BP, and 1.62-fold (95% CI, 1.27–2.08) higher risk of hypertension. The association between insulin and hypertension was stronger among children born preterm (
P
for interaction=0.048). Furthermore, preterm birth and childhood overweight or obesity enhanced the associations.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that elevated insulin concentration at birth plays a critical role in the early life origins of hypertension and support the hypothesis implicating insulin resistance in the etiology of hypertension.
Validation of Blood Pressure Devices as per 2020 World Health Organization Technical Specifications: A Scoping Review of Global Literature
Authors: Murthy Shruti , Rajwar Eti , Johnson Rosemol , Shrivastava Krati , Kamath Prashanthi , Rahman Rinsy , Devaria Abhinav , Ismavel Vijay Anand , Vetter Beatrice N. , Jacob Anil G. , John Oommen
Published: March 2023

Background:

To identify and summarize the global research literature on validation of automated noninvasive blood pressure measurement devices (BPMDs) with upper arm cuff, develop a repository of validated BPMDs in compliance with the 2020 World Health Organization technical specifications, and identify challenges and gaps in evidence base on validated BPMDs.

Methods:

A scoping review was conducted. Primary research validating BPMDs complying with the 2020 World Health Organization technical specifications (ie, semiautomated/automated noninvasive devices with upper arm cuff), published in English between January 2000 and December 2021, was included. We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, ProQuest and the dabl website.

Results:

We included 269 studies validating 251 BPMDs across 89 manufacturers. Omron (29%), Microlife (10%), and A&D Company (8%) were the top 3 manufacturers. The 3 most frequently used validation protocols were the European Society of Hypertension-international protocol 2002 (27%), European Society of Hypertension-international protocol 2010 (25%), and modified British Hypertension Society protocol 1993 (16%), respectively. Nearly 45% of the validated BPMDs were intended for use in clinical settings, 38% were for home or self-measurement use, and 48% were for general adults. Most studies reported that BPMDs passed the validation criteria. There was inadequate reporting across studies, especially pertaining to validation settings.

Conclusions:

Most BPMDs fulfilled the validation criteria. However, there are considerable gaps in BPMD research in terms of geographical representation, including specific target populations and diseases/conditions, and a range of arm circumferences. Additionally, a potential strategy is required to accelerate the adoption of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)/European Society of Hypertension/International Organization for Standardization Universal Standard (International Organization for Standardization 81060-2:2018) for BPMD validation.
The Medico-oikonomic Model of Human Nature in Bryson’s Oikonomikos
Authors: Čelkytė Aistė
Published: March 2023

In this paper, I argue that Bryson’s Oikonomikos is a fascinating example of the oikonomia genre in several different respects. Although the problematic transmission of this Neopythagorean text makes studying it a challenge, such effort is well-rewarded with an elaborate argument which paints the human bodily constitution, the central bodily functions and oikonomic activities as intrinsically linked. Focusing on Bryson’s argument which roots oikonomic behaviour in human biology, I explore the underlying conceptualisation of human nature and contextualise it within relevant philosophical and scientific traditions.
Exeinai und exousia. Ein frühes Kapitel aus der Geschichte der Freiheitsidee
Authors: Stemmer Peter
Published: March 2023

Exeinai bedeutet, dass es jemandem offensteht, eine bestimmte Handlung zu tun. Damit verbinden sich die Vorstellungen des Handlungsspielraums, des Anders-Könnens und des Anders-gekonnt-Habens wie auch die Vorstellung, selbst über sein Tun und Lassen bestimmen zu können. Exousia ist eng verknüpft mit eleutheria, Freiheit, und seit Aristoteles ist exeinai auch mit dem Begriff ep’ autō(i): etwas liegt bei einem, verbunden. Der Aufsatz bietet die erste detaillierte Untersuchung der Verwendung, der begrifflichen Verbindungen und der Signifikanz von exeinai und exousia. Damit fällt neues Licht auf eine frühe Phase in der Geschichte der Freiheitsidee.
Starvation at the International Criminal Court: Reflections on the Available Options for the Prosecution of the Crime of Starvation
Authors: Luciano Simone Antonio
Published: March 2023

This article investigates whether crimes of starvation not committed as a method of warfare could be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court. It assesses whether it is possible to use crimes already typified in the articles of the Rome Statute to prosecute all those cases of starvation that cannot be prosecuted as war crimes because they were committed neither during an armed conflict nor in association with an armed conflict. More specifically, it addresses the question of whether nowadays peacetime starvation could be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court as an act of genocide, an act of persecution, an act of extermination or as an “inhumane act”.
Pragmatic competence in native German adults with and without Developmental Dyslexia
Authors: Hüser Laura , von Kriegstein Katharina , Müller-Axt Christa
Published: March 2023

Developmental Dyslexia (DD) is a life-long deficit in reading and spelling with unclear causes. DD negatively impacts many language skills. Relatively little is known about whether skills of pragmatic competence are compromised in individuals with DD. Here, we assess DD symptomatology in a group of native German dyslexic adults. We first test for the presence of DD subtypes along the dimensions of phonological awareness and naming speed, two key deficits in DD. We then assess pragmatic competence in adults with DD compared to control participants without DD. We found that a subclassification of DD according to phonological awareness and naming speed only partially applies and that dyslexic participants show a lower pragmatic competence than control participants.
Orientalist representation of Iranian women in three American newspapers
Authors: Morady Moghaddam Mostafa , Mozafari Fatemeh
Published: March 2023

This article explores three famous American newspapers as an attempt to find out how Iranian women are depicted in these three American newspapers. Three national newspapers (The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post) were consulted as authority to gain information about Iranian women. Two hundred and thirteen headlines about Iranian women were identified in these three newspapers published over a period of 10 years. Through qualitative corpus analysis, we noticed that Iranian women are represented with regard to five generic categories (patterns): Ethics and Dress Coding (EDC); Political Activism (PA); Political System (PS); Social Condition and Trends (SCT); and Praising Comments (PC). The patterns identified in these three newspapers regarding Iranian women indicate that material culture (physical aspect of culture) is highlighted by the American press when referring to Iranian women. The article also concludes that these three newspaper agencies manifest a pseudo-logical representation of Iranian women, which fails to acknowledge the dynamic life of Iranian women, and ignores local identities at the expense of globalization.
Aspectual Coercion and Lexical Semantics Part 1: Using Selection to Describe the Interaction between Construction and Verb Meaning
Authors: Michaelis Laura A.
Published: March 2023

Coercion is an inferential strategy used to resolve conflict between an operator and its argument. Such conflicts are resolved in favor of the semantic requirements of the operator (Talmy, 2000). Jackendoff (1997) and De Swart (1998), among others, represent coercion through type-shifting operators that intervene between an aspectual operator and its situation-type argument, ensuring that the argument is of the appropriate type for the operator. This framework has a mapping problem: the rules that it uses to represent aspectual-type shifts simply replace one aspectual type (the input) with another (the output), so it does not explain how the input representation constrains the output representation. This article offers a solution to the mapping problem: treating aspectual type shifts as operations on the decomposed semantic representations of verbs. I will show that two such operations can capture both implicit and explicit aspectual type-shifts in English, involving both tense constructions and aspectual constructions.
Status of Kazakh Language in Mongolia
Authors: Auyeskhan Raima
Published: March 2023

Kazakh people settled in the territories of present-day western Mongolia about three centuries ago. Over time their language has diverged from that spoken in Kazakhstan. In the more recent period, external migration to Kazakhstan has caused a significant reduction in the number of Kazakhs residing in Mongolia, while domestic migration resulted in about 25% of the remaining population scattering unevenly across the country. Both of these phenomena affected and still affect the number of speakers, the language function, the intergenerational transmission and thus, language preservation. This article presents the results of research on the endangerment level of the Kazakh language in Mongolia, investigating its causes and trends in the country’s many speakers’ communities.
Horse Tack Terms in the Mongolic Languages
Authors: Gombkötő Bence
Published: March 2023

The Mongolic languages have a rich terminology related to horse tack. The tack includes the bridle, horse’s bit, halter, lead rope, reins, saddle, horse blanket, stirrup, various straps and girths. They all have special names in Mongolic. The aim of this paper is to collect these specific terms from the Mongolic languages and discuss them from a morphological and etymological perspective. The latter is important because the vocabulary of animal husbandry in Mongolic was strongly influenced linguistically by the Turkic people.
An Amuro-Mongolic Etymon and Its Diachronic Implications
Authors: Janhunen Juha A.
Published: March 2023

The paper discusses the etymological connection between Amuric *alr ‘berry’ and Mongolic *alïr-su/n ‘lingonberry’. The two items represent the common root *alïr and must reflect a trace of language contact. However, unlike several other lexical items shared by Amuric and Mongolic, this word is not attested in Tungusic, except as a very late and localized secondary borrowing from Mongolic. This means that the connection may be due to a relatively old direct contact between Pre-Proto-Amuric and Pre-Proto-Mongolic. This, in turn, has implications to the question concerning the prehistorical locations of the Amuric, Mongolic, and Tungusic language families in southern and central Manchuria.
Public Responses to Emergency Energy Conservation Messaging: Evidence from the 2021 Winter Storm in Norman, Oklahoma
Authors: Goodin Amy S. , Rogers Cynthia L. , Zhang Angela
Published: March 2023

This study investigates whether and how energy consumers respond to public appeals for voluntary conservation during an extended and extreme winter energy emergency. Public appeals are an increasingly important tool for managing demand when grid disruptions are anticipated, especially given the increase in severe-weather events. We add to the few studies on winter energy crises by investigating a case in which there were repeated public appeals during an extended event. Using a survey implemented via social media immediately after the February 2021 winter storm, we asked residents of Norman, Oklahoma, a series of questions about their responses to the public appeals distributed by the utility company, including whether they followed the actions suggested in the messages as well as where they got information and their level of concern about the storm impacts. We compare mean responses across a range of categorical answers using standard independent t tests, one-way ANOVA tests, and chi-squared tests. Among the 296 respondents, there was a high degree of reported compliance, including setting the thermostat to 68°F (20°C) or lower (72%), avoiding using major appliances (86%), and turning off nonessential appliances, lights, and equipment (89%). Our findings suggest a high degree of willingness to voluntarily reduce energy consumption during an energy emergency. This is encouraging for energy managers: public appeals can be disseminated via social media at a low cost and in real time during an extended emergency event.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this study is to better understand whether and how energy consumers respond to public appeals for voluntary conservation during a winter energy emergency event. This is important because voluntary conservation can help utility managers minimize grid disruptions, particularly if consumers respond to evolving conditions. Our survey results suggest that individuals are willing to voluntarily conserve energy and follow conservation recommendations provided by utility managers during a severe winter event.
Aid and Governance: Impact of Chinese Aid on the Evaluation of Government Performance in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Atitianti Philip A. , Asiamah Samuel K.
Published: March 2023

One of a government's primary responsibilities is to provide public goods and services for the benefit of citizens. A government that excels in such provision may therefore win favorable evaluations from its citizens. However, if external state and non-state actors through foreign aid issuance become providers of what citizens expect from their government, citizens may doubt their government's competence. In recent decades, China has become an important donor to Africa, providing the continent with several aid projects. Consequently, this study examines whether aid from China undermines citizens’ evaluations of government performance. Geocoded data on Chinese aid projects are matched to 4 waves of Afrobarometer survey respondents from 31 sub-Saharan African countries. Using an instrumental variable estimation, the findings indicate that Chinese aid undermines the evaluation of government performance. Testing for the mechanism through which this effect manifests, the results suggest Chinese aid engenders corruption perceptions and erodes trust.
Surface grafting of Poly (ether ether ketone) on silica particles as novel filler for dental composites: Physico-chemical characterization
Authors: Amdjadi Parisa , TabatabaeiRad Mohadese , Najafi Farhood , Seifi Massoud , Ghasemi Amir , Nojehdehian Hanieh
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to describe the fabrication of a novel dental composite by surface modification of silica fillers with polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and assess surface coverage of fillers and the effect of different concentration of modified fillers on degree of conversion, flexural strength, polymerization shrinkage, water sorption and solubility, viscosity and thermal expansion of the formulated composites. In this experimental study, aminosilane derivative of PEEK was synthesized and grafted to the silica filler surface, then evaluated using a fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). Silica-PEEK fillers were then mixed with Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin base in 10, 30, and 50 wt%. The most relevant physico-chemical properties were evaluated and compared with a control composite resin group containing conventional 3-(methacryloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (γ-MPS) modified fillers. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test. (α = 5%). The experimental composite with 30% modified fillers showed highest flexural strength and degree of conversion (DC) ( p < 0.05), and comparable polymerization shrinkage and viscosity to the control composites ( p > 0.05). After thermocycling, the composite with 30% modified fillers showed the lowest solubility and water sorption ( p < 0.05). Surface modification of silica fillers with PEEK polymer significantly increases the resistance of the filler–matrix interface to hydrolysis. The above mentioned intervention can improve mechanical properties of the composite and may be considered as a promising protocol to reduce the failure of dental composites.
The Emerging Role of Accelerated Cellular Senescence in Periodontitis
Authors: Aquino-Martinez R.
Published: March 2023

Accelerated cellular senescence may be a crucial process for periodontitis progression because it integrates the damaging effects of major periodontitis risk factors. Cellular senescence is a manifestation of aging at the cellular level. However, recent technological advances have shown that healthy young cells continuously exposed to sublethal oxidative stress undergo accelerated senescence. Although accumulation of senescent cells is normal in aged tissues, persistent bacterial infection, chronic inflammation, diabetes, and smoking promote the early onset of senescence by causing DNA damage. As a result, the premature accumulation of senescent cells not only increases tissue destruction but also limits regeneration. Senescent cells are a source of chronic inflammation, and once they start to accumulate, a “two-source” periodontal inflammation results from both bacteria-triggered and senescence-associated inflammation. Senescent cells also transmit senescence to nearby healthy cells, generating a vicious cycle that extends the affected area over time. Since senescent cells Accumulate, Limit regeneration, Transmit senescence, Exacerbate inflammation, and Remodel tissues, the acronym ALTER is suggested to summarize key senescence-associated features implicated in tissue deterioration. Given that different homeostatic mechanisms are disrupted during the transition of gingivitis to periodontitis and that the network of senescence-associated events disrupts local homeostasis, accelerated activation of cellular senescence could be a central underlying mechanism for periodontitis progression. In this review, the emerging contribution of premature DNA damage-driven cellular senescence in periodontitis is discussed. This novel knowledge is particularly important to better understand the host contribution in periodontal destruction and will help to develop new therapeutic strategies.
Autorecovery and everyday disaster in Mexico City’s peripheries
Authors: McElvain Beki
Published: March 2023

This article is concerned with urbanization as it shapes and is shaped by disaster finance instruments. It takes a critical look at the specific urbanizing qualities of these instruments by bringing an established theory of peripheral urbanization together with recent work on disaster urbanization to advance a theory of ‘everyday disaster’—or smaller-scale events that occur repeatedly in the same areas, or events with extended recovery periods so prolonged that they integrate with the precarities of everyday life; and ‘autorecovery’—or recovery processes that self-organize and improvise in response to the uneven distribution of state resources. It grounds these theories in extended ethnographic work done in Mexico City. It argues that where localized everyday disasters are ongoing, they fall through the cracks of existing financing schemes because of ongoing scalar mismatches between instruments and actually existing disaster conditions. These mismatches are compounded by state neglect and facilitated by the disconnectedness that defines peripheries. As disaster governance in global Southern states is pushed to global markets through risk transfer instruments, failure to effectively insure everyday disasters expands spaces of precarity that reproduce peripheral processes. These forms of governance affect urban spatial configurations, not only through disaster itself, but through modes of repair like autorecovery.
Quantifying Uncertainty with Pavement Performance Models: Comparing Bayesian and Non-Parametric Methods
Authors: Karanam Gnana Deepika , Goenaga Boris , Underwood Benjamin Shane
Published: March 2023

An important part of pavement management systems is accurately estimating the performance-time-degradation relationship. One common approach to establishing this relationship is to use performance family curves. These curves are developed by collecting performance data at specific points in time and collectively shifting pavements of various ages to identify the probable underlying function. This paper compares two alternative methods for characterizing such a family curve function. First, a Bayesian method (Method-A) is used, which fits both the family curve and the shift factor function in parallel by assuming a Beta distribution for pavement performance condition rating (PCR). Second, a non-parametric method (Method-B) is developed, which fits the model in two steps; (1) by fitting the family; and (2) by horizontal shift to minimize the error. PCR values from flexible pavements in North Carolina (NC-PCR) are used for this comparison. These data include a total of 30,988 pavement sections segregated according to surface type and traffic level. Data from 2013 to 2015 are used for model calibration, and data from 2016 are used for model validation. The root means square error and k-fold cross-validation test are used to conduct the comparison, and Method-A is found to be preferred. The uncertainty in both models is quantified and compared. On the basis of this uncertainty, the Bayesian method is preferred, but in cases with large data sets, a non-parametric method does result in lower uncertainty.
Laboratory Performance and Compositional Evaluation of Bio-Based Recycling Agents
Authors: Moraes Raquel , Yin Fan , Rodezno Carolina
Published: March 2023

This study sought to evaluate the chemical composition of bio-based recycling agents (RAs) as indicated by fatty acids content and their impacts on the rheological properties of virgin and recycled asphalt binders. The study consisted of two phases: Phase 1 evaluated five bio-based RAs using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and measured binder properties at low temperatures with a bending beam rheometer (BBR). Based on the collected results, two bio-based RAs were selected for evaluation in Phase 2. Phase 2 verified through rheological (BBR and dynamic shear rheometer) and chemical (gel permeation chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) characterization of the effectiveness of the two selected RAs in improving the performance properties of recycled asphalt binders’ blends. Considering that the overall stability of the fatty acids of a recycling agent blended with an asphalt binder is governed by physicochemical factors related to the state of dispersion of the molecular microstructure rather than the inherent reactivity of the molecular components with oxygen, a fatty acid index (i.e., Δfatty acids) was proposed. Based on the results of this research, the Δfatty acids index was found effective in evaluating the oxidation stability of RAs with different chemical compositions and in screening their impacts on the rheological and chemical properties of recycled asphalt binders.
Factors Associated With the Severity of Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving Electric Motorcycles and Electric Bicycles: A Random Parameters Logit Approach With Heterogeneity in Means
Authors: Wang Tao , Yu Jin , Chen Yuzhi , Ma Changxi , Ye Xiaofei , Chen Jun
Published: March 2023

Exploring the heterogeneity of factors influencing the severity of electric bicycle crashes and electric motorcycle crashes can help target accident prevention policies to improve traffic safety. Therefore, this paper establishes a mean heterogeneity random parameter logit model using crash data from 2016 to 2020 in Guangxi to explore the different factors influencing the severity of crashes involving electric motorcycles and electric bicycles. The results show that the key influences on crash severity differ in electric motorcycle crashes and electric bicycle crashes. At the same time, some common factors affect the two types of crashes to different degrees. In addition, the complex interaction effects of unobserved heterogeneity were considered to explore the random parameters of the two types of crashes. The effect of unobserved heterogeneity on the distribution characteristics of the random parameters was then determined. For example, in electric motorcycle crashes, street lighting at night has a random parameter characteristic. The likelihood of serious crashes decreased when both street lighting at night and vehicle left turn were involved, and decreased when both street lighting at night and no signal control were involved. In electric bicycle crashes, large trucks have a random parameter characteristic. The likelihood of serious crashes increased when both large trucks and motor vehicle lights not turned on were involved, and increased when both large trucks and visibility less than or equal to 200 meters were involved. The results provide a basis for improving the road safety of electric motorcycles and electric bicycles.
The Role of Computer Technologies in Structuring Evidence Gathering in Cybercrime Investigations: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Steinmetz Kevin F. , Schaefer Brian P. , Brewer Christopher G. , Kurtz Don L.
Published: March 2023

In recent decades, law enforcement agencies have increasingly prioritized cybercrime investigations, as evinced by the growing adoption of specialized cybercrime units and personnel. A burgeoning literature has emerged which examines cybercrime units and investigators. Yet, little attention has been given to the role of computers in shaping these investigations. This study addresses this gap through an analysis of qualitative interviews with 47 cybercrime investigative personnel including sworn detectives, civilian analysts, and unit administrators. This analysis confirms and extends prior research by exploring challenges presented by computers to cybercrime investigations including issues surrounding anonymization, encryption, jurisdiction, caseloads, backlogs, data volume, eliciting data from electronic service providers, and the ever-changing technological landscape. Also considered are the advantages offered by such technologies for cybercrime investigations. Computer and network technologies facilitate undercover investigations, provide easy access to global networks and databases, and supply large quantities of evidence to help secure convictions. Finally, this study considers elements of cybercrime investigations not supplanted by computer databases, automation, or network systems. Directions for future research and policy implications are considered.
Robust predictive control of perturbed switched linear systems with stable and unstable subsystems in the presence of uncertainties
Authors: Dashtabadi Zeinab , Koofigar Hamid Reza
Published: March 2023

In this article, robust model predictive control is proposed for discrete-time switched linear systems in the presence of external disturbances, model uncertainties and constraints on the states and input. To solve the problem, a mode-dependent average dwell time switching strategy is constructed in controller design procedure, with less limitations than the existing average dwell time switching. Using some mathematical tools, the model predictive control problem is turned into a feasible linear matrix inequality. The control algorithm is presented via two theorems, and the stability analysis is analytically presented, based on multiple Lyapunov function method. Compared with the previous studies, the underlying switched system may consist of stable and unstable subsystems, perturbed by model uncertainties and external disturbances. The simulation results are also given to study the effectiveness of the proposed robust model predictive control algorithm, from a comparison viewpoint.
Parents’ Experiences Transitioning From Early Intervention Services to School Services
Authors: Rios Kristina , Buren Molly
Published: March 2023

Early intervention (EI) provides requisite support to address the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and assists families in understanding how to meet their child’s needs. However, at age 3, those services are no longer offered and families are required to transition to school services. To date, there are limited studies about families’ perceptions of their child transitioning from EI to school services. To address this gap in the literature, a qualitative study, with semi-structured interviews, was conducted with 14 parents. The study examined the transition process from EI to school services. The findings suggest that parents had positive experiences in EI, particularly with the EI team. Notably, participants expressed feeling elevated levels of stress during the transition from EI services to school services and relied on EI and school professionals to secure services with minimal input in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
“I Came Here, and it Got Worse Day by Day”: Examining the Intersections Between Migrant Precarity and Family Violence Among Women with Insecure Migration Status in Australia
Authors: Vasil Stefani
Published: March 2023

While understanding the diversity of women's lived experiences is a key focus area in the international feminist literature on family violence, research with migrant women in Australia remains limited. This article seeks to contribute to the growing body of intersectional feminist scholarship that examines how immigration or “migration status” impacts the dynamics of migrant women's experiences of family violence. The article examines precarity in relation to migrant women's lives in Australia and focuses on the ways that their specific circumstances contribute to and are compounded by the experience of family violence. It also considers how precarity functions as a structural condition that has implications in terms of various forms or patterns of inequality that can heighten women's vulnerability to violence and undermine their efforts to ensure their safety and survival.
Multimodal imaging of epiretinal neovascularization associated with type 3 macular neovascularization
Authors: Manayath George J , Ninan Rohan Suresh , Verghese Shishir , Narendran Venkatapathy
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To report a case of type 3 macular neovascularization presenting with an epiretinal neovascularization.

Methods

Case report.

Results

A 65-year-old gentleman presented with complaints of reduced vision in the left eye (LE) having a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200. Based on fundus examination and multimodal imaging findings he was diagnosed with type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV). An additional unusual finding was the presence of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) and epiretinal neovascularization (ERN), with the latter finding being confirmed on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). He underwent three doses of intravitreal ranibizumab injection following which there was reduction in the epiretinal vascularity.

Conclusions

Multimodal imaging of this case highlights the presence of epiretinal neovascularization associated with type 3 MNV, which has not been reported previously.
Perceived organizational support, marginalization, isolation, emotional exhaustion, and job satisfaction of PETE faculty members
Authors: Kinder Christopher J. , Richards Kevin Andrew , Trad Alyssa M. , Woods Amelia Mays , Graber Kim C.
Published: March 2023

Research has highlighted the role of workplace experiences in relation to outcomes, such as job satisfaction, among inservice physical education teachers. More recently, scholars have extended this line of scholarship to explore how higher education faculty members experience and navigate the sociopolitical context of higher education. Guided by occupational socialization theory, the purpose of this study was to understand the interactions among workplace experiences, which include perceived organizational support, marginalization, isolation, and emotional exhaustion, and their association with physical education teacher education faculty members’ perceived job satisfaction. Toward this end, a theoretically driven conceptual model was developed and evaluated using structural equation modeling. The sample comprised 283 United States (US)-based physical education teacher education (PETE) faculty members, and data were collected through an online survey that aimed to measure the identified study variables. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to verify the factor structure before advancing to structural equation modeling. The results of structural equation modeling supported the hypothesized relationships among variables, C3(141) = 294.56, p < .001; RMSEA = .075 (90% CI = [.066, 0.085], p < .001); SRMR = .057; NNFI = .962; CFI = .969. While some of the pathways were not significant, the associations of perceived organizational support on emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction were partially mediated by marginalization and isolation. Faculty members’ perceived organizational support and emotional exhaustion were important predictors of the perceptions of job satisfaction. Further research exploring the skills faculty utilize to increase and manage emotional exhaustion is warranted.
Scoping review of telehealth use by Indigenous populations from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States
Authors: Moecke Débora Petry , Holyk Travis , Beckett Madelaine , Chopra Sunaina , Petlitsyna Polina , Girt Mirha , Kirkham Ashley , Kamurasi Ivan , Turner Justin , Sneddon Donovan , Friesen Madeline , McDonald Ian , Denson-Camp Nathan , Crosbie Stephanie , Camp Pat G
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Telehealth has the potential to address health disparities experienced by Indigenous people, especially in remote areas. This scoping review aims to map and characterize the existing evidence on telehealth use by Indigenous people and explore the key concepts for effective use, cultural safety, and building therapeutic relationships.

Methods

A search for published and gray literature, written in English, and published between 2000 and 2022 was completed in 17 electronic databases. Two reviewers independently screened retrieved records for eligibility. For included articles, data were extracted, categorized, and analyzed. Synthesis of findings was performed narratively.

Results

A total of 321 studies were included. The most popular type of telehealth used was mHealth (44%), and the most common health focuses of the telehealth interventions were mental health (26%) and diabetes/diabetic retinopathy (13%). Frequently described barriers to effective telehealth use included concerns about privacy/confidentiality and limited internet availability; meanwhile, telehealth-usage facilitators included cultural relevance and community engagement. Although working in collaboration with Indigenous communities was the most frequently reported way to achieve cultural safety, 40% of the studies did not report Indigenous involvement. Finally, difficulty to establish trusting therapeutic relationships was a major concern raised about telehealth, and evidence suggests that having the first visit-in-person is a potential way to address this issue.

Conclusion

This comprehensive review identified critical factors to guide the development of culturally-informed telehealth services to meet the needs of Indigenous people and to achieve equitable access and positive health outcomes.