bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracellular vesicles in COVID-19 prognosis, treatment, and vaccination: an update
Authors: Hernández-Díazcouder Adrián , Díaz-Godínez César , Carrero Julio César
Published: March 2023

The lethality of the COVID 19 pandemic became the trigger for one of the most meteoric races on record in the search for strategies of disease control. Those include development of rapid and sensitive diagnostic methods, therapies to treat severe cases, and development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, the latter responsible for the current relative control of the disease. However, the commercially available vaccines are still far from conferring protection against acquiring the infection, so the development of more efficient vaccines that can cut the transmission of the variants of concerns that currently predominate and those that will emerge is a prevailing need. On the other hand, considering that COVID 19 is here to stay, the development of new diagnosis and treatment strategies is also desirable. In this sense, there has recently been a great interest in taking advantage of the benefits offered by extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane structures of nanoscale size that carry information between cells participating in this manner in many physiological homeostatic and pathological processes. The interest has been focused on the fact that EVs are relatively easy to obtain and manipulate, allowing the design of natural nanocarriers that deliver molecules of interest, as well as the information about the pathogens, which can be exploited for the aforementioned purposes. Studies have shown that infection with SARS-CoV-2 induces the release of EVs from different sources, including platelets, and that their increase in blood, as well as some of their markers, could be used as a prognosis of disease severity. Likewise, EVs from different sources are being used as the ideal carriers for delivering active molecules and drugs to treat the disease, as well as vaccine antigens. In this review, we describe the progress that has been made in these three years of pandemic regarding the use of EVs for diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Key points

• Covid-19 still requires more effective and specific treatments and vaccines.

• The use of extracellular vesicles is emerging as an option with multiple advantages.

• Association of EVs with COVID 19 and engineered EVs for its control are presented.
Disparities in the Receipt of Recommended Curative Treatment for Patients with Early‐Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Rasic Gordana , de Geus Susanna W. L. , Papageorge Marianna V. , Woods Alison P. , Ng Sing Chau , McAneny David , Tseng Jennifer F. , Sachs Teviah E.
Published: March 2023

Background

In early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the receipt of recommended care is critical for long‐term survival. Unfortunately, not all patients decide to undergo therapy. We sought to identify factors associated with the decision to decline recommended intervention among patients with early‐stage HCC.

Methods

The National Cancer Database was queried for patients diagnosed with clinical stages I and II HCC (2004–2017). Cohorts were created based on the receipt or decline of recommended interventions–hepatectomy, liver transplantation, and ablation. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors for declining intervention, and propensity score analysis was used to calculate the respective odds. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Of 20,863 patients, 856 (4.1%) declined intervention. Patients who were documented as having declined intervention were more often Black (vs. other: OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1–1.6; p = 0.0038), had Medicaid or no insurance (vs. Private, Medicare, or other government insurance): OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.6–2.3; p < 0.0001), lived in a low‐income area (vs. other: OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2–1.7; p < 0.0001), and received treatment at a non‐academic center (vs. academic: OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.9–2.5; p < 0.0001). Patients who declined recommended interventions had worse survival compared to those who received treatment (22.9 vs. 59.2 months; p < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

Racial and socioeconomic disparities persist in the decision to undergo recommended treatment. Underutilization of treatment acts as a barrier to addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities in early‐stage HCC outcomes.
The role of the ATP-adenosine axis in ischemic stroke
Authors: Schädlich Ines Sophie , Winzer Riekje , Stabernack Joschi , Tolosa Eva , Magnus Tim , Rissiek Björn
Published: March 2023

In ischemic stroke, the primary neuronal injury caused by the disruption of energy supply is further exacerbated by secondary sterile inflammation. The inflammatory cascade is largely initiated by the purine adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is extensively released to the interstitial space during brain ischemia and functions as an extracellular danger signaling molecule. By engaging P2 receptors, extracellular ATP activates microglia leading to cytokine and chemokine production and subsequent immune cell recruitment from the periphery which further amplifies post-stroke inflammation. The ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 shape and balance the inflammatory environment by stepwise degrading extracellular ATP to adenosine which itself has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory signaling properties. The neuroprotective effects of adenosine are mainly mediated through A1 receptors and inhibition of glutamatergic excitotoxicity, while the anti-inflammatory capacities of adenosine have been primarily attributed to A2A receptor activation on infiltrating immune cells in the subacute phase after stroke. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the ATP-adenosine axis in ischemic stroke, discuss contradictory results, and point out potential pitfalls towards translating therapeutic approaches from rodent stroke models to human patients.
The influence of culture and cognitive reserve on the clinical presentation of behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Skeggs A. , Wei G. , Landin-Romero R. , Hodges J. R. , Piguet O. , Kumfor Fiona
Published: March 2023

Characterisation of the clinical profile of behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) has predominantly been based on Western samples. Some small studies have suggested that the clinical profile may differ in culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Additionally, there is evidence that patients from non-English speaking backgrounds may have more cognitive reserve, allowing them to tolerate more disease pathology before clinical symptoms emerge. This study aims to characterise the clinical profiles of patients with bvFTD from culturally diverse backgrounds. BvFTD patients were classified as Australian-born (Australian) or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse-English-speaking (CALD-English) and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse-Language Other Than English (CALD-LOTE). Clinical features, cognitive test performance and cognitive reserve were compared between groups. Voxel-based morphometry was used to examine the neural correlates of cognitive reserve. 107 patients with bvFTD (53 Australian, 36 CALD-English, 18 CALD-LOTE) and 51 controls were included. Analysis of neuropsychiatric features revealed more elation in Australian patients compared to CALD-English patients, with trends for CALD-LOTE patients to report more irritability. CALD-LOTE patients also had higher cognitive reserve and showed relatively greater verbal than non-verbal cognitive impairment. Neuroimaging analyses revealed that higher cognitive reserve was associated with lower integrity in the frontal–temporal regions associated with typical disease pathology in bvFTD. Our findings support the hypothesis that cognitive reserve may delay early cognitive decline in culturally and linguistically diverse patients, although these patients may still show poor verbal performance due to cultural testing biases. Clinically, these results highlight the need to consider cultural and linguistic background to inform the assessment of dementia.
Understanding fluorescence time curves during ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with or without vascular ligation
Authors: Joosten J. J. , Slooter M. D. , van den Elzen R. M. , Bloemen P. R. , Laméris W. , de Bruin D. M. , Bemelman W. A. , Hompes R.
Published: March 2023

Background

Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICG-FA) may be of added value during pouch surgery, in particular after vascular ligations as lengthening maneuver. The aim was to determine quantitative perfusion parameters within the efferent/afferent loop and explore the impact of vascular ligation. Perfusion parameters were also compared in patients with and without anastomotic leakage (AL).

Methods

All consenting patients that underwent FA-guided ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) between July 2020 and December 2021 were included. After intravenous bolus injection of 0.1 mg/kg ICG, the near-infrared camera (Stryker Aim 1688) registered the fluorescence intensity over time. Quantitative analysis of ICG-FA from standardized regions of interests on the pouch was performed using software. Fluorescence parameters were extracted for inflow (T0,Tmax,Fmax, slope, Time-to-peak) and outflow (T90%andT80%). Change of management related to FA findings and AL rates were recorded.

Results

Twenty-one patients were included, three patients (14%) required vascular ligation to obtain additional length, by ligating terminal ileal branches in two and the ileocolic artery (ICA) in one patient. In nine patients the ICA was already ligated during subtotal colectomy. ICG-FA triggered a change of management in 19% of patients (n = 4/21), all of them had impaired vascular supply (ligated ileocolic/ terminal ileal branches). Overall, patients with intact vascular supply had similar perfusion patterns for the afferent and efferent loop. Pouches with ICA ligation had longerTmaxin both afferent as efferent loop than pouches with intact ICA (afferent 51 and efferent 53 versus 41 and 43 s respectively). Mean slope of the efferent loop diminished in ICA ligated patients 1.5(IQR 0.8–4.4) versus 2.2 (1.3–3.6) in ICA intact patients.

Conclusion

Quantitative analysis of ICG-FA perfusion during IPAA is feasible and reflects the ligation of the supplying vessels.
Comorbidities and their management in women with breast cancer—an Australian survey of breast cancer survivors
Authors: Koczwara Bogda , Meng Rosie , Battersby Malcolm , Mangoni Arduino A. , Spence Danielle , Lawn Sharon
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Breast cancer survivors experience significant burden from comorbid chronic conditions, but little is known about how well these conditions are managed. We conducted a national survey of Australian breast cancer survivors to examine the burden of chronic conditions, their impact and care alignment with the principles of chronic condition management.

Methods

A study-specific survey incorporated questions about chronic conditions using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), functional status using the Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES) and perceived quality of care for cancer and non-cancer conditions using the Patient Assessment of Care for Chronic Conditions Survey (PACIC). Members of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) were invited via email to complete the survey either online or through direct mail.

Results

The survey was sent to 2198 BCNA members and 177 responses were received (8.1%). Respondents were women aged 32–88 years (median 60.1 years). The majority were married (116; 67.7%) and had private insurance (137; 80.0%) and reported good to excellent health (119; 73.5%). Other health conditions were reported by 157 (88.7%), the most common being chronic pain (27.1%) and fatigue (22.0%). When asked about management of comorbidities or cancer, less than 20% were routinely asked about management goals, helped to set goals or asked about health habits.

Conclusions

In this population of survivors with good health status and high rates of private insurance, comorbidities were common and their management, as well as management of breast cancer, was poorly aligned with chronic condition management principles.
Long-term cortisol secretion in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: roles of sex, comorbidity, and symptom presentation
Authors: Pauli-Pott Ursula , Skoluda Nadine , Nater Urs M. , Becker Katja , Derz Friederike , Kaspar Elena , Kasperzack Daria , Kehm Kira , Kött Marie , Mann Christopher , Schurek Pia , Pott Wilfried , Schloß Susan
Published: March 2023

Low activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPAA) has been found in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The condition may be related to the reduced attention regulation capacity and/or to comorbid oppositional defiant or conduct disorder (ODD/CD). Sex differences are probable but not sufficiently studied. We analyzed the HPAA activity and sympathetic nervous system reactivity (SR) in children with ADHD while accounting for ADHD symptom presentation, comorbidity, and sex differences. The sample comprised 205 children, 98 (61 boys, 37 girls) with ADHD and 107 (48 boys, 59 girls) healthy controls. DSM-5 phenotypic symptom presentation and comorbid ODD/CD were assessed using clinical interviews. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was used to assess the long-term, cumulative activity of the HPAA. SR was assessed via skin conductance response (SCR). For control purposes, comorbid internalizing symptoms and indicators of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) were assessed. Children were medication naive. Boys presenting with predominantly inattentive symptoms (ADHD-I) showed lower HCC than healthy boys. Girls presenting with combined symptoms (ADHD-C) showed higher HCC than did healthy girls (p’s < 0.05, sex-by-group interaction, F (2,194) = 4.09, p = 0.018). Boys with ADHD plus ODD/CD showed a blunted SR (p < 0.001, sex-by-group interaction, F (2,172) = 3.08, p = 0.048). Adjustment for ACE indicators led to non-significant differences in HCC but did not affect differences in SR. HCC constitutes an easily assessable, reliable, and valid marker of phenotypic ADHD-related features (i.e. symptom presentation and comorbidity). It indicates more homogenous subgroups of ADHD and might point to specifically involved pathophysiological processes.
The speed of internationalization in regionally clustered family firms: a deeper understanding of innovation activities and cluster affiliation
Authors: Mendes Telma , Braga Vítor , Silva Carina , Braga Alexandra
Published: March 2023

This article aims to explore how innovation activities and cluster affiliation moderate the relationship between family involvement and post-internationalization speed in family firms. Based on a sample of 639 Portuguese family businesses (FBs) created and internationalized between 2010 and 2018, we show that, all things being equal, higher levels of family involvement in ownership and management lead to a lower post-internationalization speed. When considering the effect of cluster affiliation, we found that clustered FBs have a lower propensity to slow down the post-internationalization process than their non-clustered counterparts. Likewise, when we account for the interactive effect of innovation activities, the results confirm that innovative FBs are less likely to slow down the post-internationalization process compared to non-innovative FBs. In addition, the concern of family firms in developing innovation was particularly pronounced when they belong to clusters. This finding is explained by the existence of socially proximate relationships with other cluster members, based on similarity, trust, knowledge exchange, and sense of belonging, which push family firms to innovate to counteract the detrimental effects of a higher family involvement in the post-internationalization speed. Our study, therefore, stresses the importance of clusters and innovation activities in moderating the relationship between family involvement and post-internationalization speed.
Neuropsychological Test Norms for the Assessment of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Impairment Among South African Adults
Authors: Deist Melanie , Suliman Sharain , Kidd Martin , Franklin Donald , Cherner Mariana , Heaton Robert K. , Spies Georgina , Seedat Soraya
Published: March 2023

Reliable and valid neurocognitive (NC) test batteries that assess multiple domains of cognitive functioning are vital tools in the early detection of HIV-associated NC impairment. The HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center’s International Neurobehavioral Battery (HNRC Battery) is one such diagnostic tool and has shown cultural validity in several international neuroHIV studies. However, no published norms are currently available for the full HNRC Battery in South Africa. To accurately interpret NC test results, appropriate reference norms are required. In light of this challenge, data were collected from 500 healthy, HIV-uninfected participants to develop demographically corrected South African norms. When demographically corrected United States of America (U.S.) norms were applied to the performance scores of our neurologically intact, HIV-negative sample, an impairment rate of 62.2% was observed compared to a 15.0% impairment rate when the newly generated South African norms were applied. These results reiterate the findings of other low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the need for localized, country-specific norms when interpreting NC performance.
Methods for Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB): A Systematic Review and Guidelines
Authors: Lalanza Jaume F. , Lorente Sonia , Bullich Raimon , García Carlos , Losilla Josep-Maria , Capdevila Lluis
Published: March 2023

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRVB) has been widely used to improve cardiovascular health and well-being. HRVB is based on breathing at an individual’s resonance frequency, which stimulates respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and the baroreflex. There is, however, no methodological consensus on how to apply HRVB, while details about the protocol used are often not well reported. Thus, the objectives of this systematic review are to describe the different HRVB protocols and detect methodological concerns. PsycINFO, CINALH, Medline and Web of Science were searched between 2000 and April 2021. Data extraction and quality assessment were based on PRISMA guidelines. A total of 143 studies were finally included from any scientific field and any type of sample. Three protocols for HRVB were found: (i) “Optimal RF” (n = 37), each participant breathes at their previously detected RF; (ii) “Individual RF” (n = 48), each participant follows a biofeedback device that shows the optimal breathing rate based on cardiovascular data in real time, and (iii) “Preset-pace RF” (n = 51), all participants breathe at the same rate rate, usually 6 breaths/minute. In addition, we found several methodological differences for applying HRVB in terms of number of weeks, duration of breathing or combination of laboratory and home sessions. Remarkably, almost 2/3 of the studies did not report enough information to replicate the HRVB protocol in terms of breathing duration, inhalation/exhalation ratio, breathing control or body position. Methodological guidelines and a checklist are proposed to enhance the methodological quality of future HRVB studies and increase the information reported.
Kahoot! and its effect on financial accounting marks at the university
Authors: Ortiz-Martínez Esther , Santos-Jaén Jose Manuel , Marín-Hernández Salvador
Published: March 2023

New technologies have led to digital educational tools to improve learning. Game-Based Learning makes it possible to test whether there is a positive impact on official grades. We have collected the scores of the Kahoot! games, the marks of the continuous assessment, the final exam, and the final mark of the subject, to create an ad-hoc database. Finally, we have analyzed a database consisting of 392 marks of higher students from the first semester of the 2018/2019 academic year. We have calculated a correlation matrix, tested a hypothesis for differences in mean paired samples, and proposed three regression models to obtain that there is a positive influence of the games on the official marks. Therefore, Kahoot! is a didactic tool that improves students’ learning and is reflected in their official marks.
Enhancing adolescent reasoning skills through a video game program
Authors: Merino-Campos Carlos , del-Castillo Héctor , Pascual-Gómez Isabel
Published: March 2023

Much research has been done on the benefits of video games in a physical education context (Camunas-Vega & Alcaide-Risoto, 2020; Fang et al., 2020). However, little attention has so far been paid to the effectiveness of commercial video games combined with actual basketball practice in helping students improve their reasoning skills (Chuang et al., 2021; Rogers et al., 2020). The study presents a quasi-experimental pre-post design with a control group in order to evaluate the impact of a specific training program in reasoning with the video game NBA 2K16. A convenience sample of 215 high school students participated in the study. Three reasoning subscales of the Evalua-9 psycho-pedagogical test (inductive α = 0.88; deductive α = 0.85; spatial α = 0.89) were used for data collection. Our findings show a significant moderate effect in the students who participated in the training program. An additional outcome was that sex differences in spatial and deductive reasoning in the pre-test disappeared in the post-test. We discuss the educational implications of the use of the video game as the main learning tool to enhance the reasoning process of Secondary Education students in Physical Education.
Ontological Governance: Gender, Hormones, and the Legal Regulation of Transgender Young People
Authors: Mitchell Matthew
Published: March 2023

Legal institutions worldwide construct theories about gender’s ontology—i.e., theories about what genderis—and use those constructions to govern. In this article, I analyse how the Family Court of Australia constructed ontologies of gender to govern young people’s gender-affirming hormone use. By analysing the ‘reasons for judgment’ published about cases where minors applied for the Court’s authorisation to use hormones, I show that the Court constructed two theories about the ontology of gender concurrently—one essentialist and the other performative—which it leveraged to arbitrate the legitimacy of hormone use. By critically examining the Court’s ontological assertions, I argue that both theories advanced anti-queer directives that tethered the legitimacy of hormone use to its promise to produce normatively gendered subjects. This analysis highlights that legal regimes concerned with controlling gender-affirming practices have much more at stake than access to those practices alone. By governing mechanisms of gender’s production, these regimes do not merely shape how gender can be expressed but also the possible forms of gender itself.
Parental and Pandemic Burnout, Internalizing Symptoms, and Parent-Adolescent Relationships: A Network Analysis
Authors: Moroń Marcin , Jach Łukasz , Atłas Karina , Moroń Rafał
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and preventive measures undertaken by many governments have had a significant impact on family relationships, which could result in worsened parenting. In our study, we used network analysis to examine the dynamic system of parental and pandemic burnout, depression, anxiety, and three dimensions of relationship with an adolescent: connectedness, shared activities, and hostility. Parents (N = 374; Mage = 42.9) of at least one child at the age of adolescence completed an online survey. The central symptoms in the network were parental emotional exhaustion and parental anxiety. Parental emotional exhaustion correlated negatively with activities shared with the adolescent, but positively with hostility. Anxiety correlated positively with parental emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion and anxiety were the strongest bridge symptoms between parental burnout, internalizing symptoms, and parenting. Our results suggest that psychological interventions supporting parent-adolescent relationships should address primarily parental emotional exhaustion and anxiety.
Improving Reactions to Forced-Choice Personality Measures in Simulated Job Application Contexts Through the Satisfaction of Psychological Needs
Authors: Borman Tristan C. , Dunlop Patrick D. , Gagné Marylène , Neale Matthew
Published: March 2023

There is a wealth of evidence justifying the use of personality assessments for selection. Nonetheless, some reluctance to use these assessments stems from their perceived vulnerability to response distortion (i.e., faking) and the somewhat negative applicant reactions they elicit, when compared to other assessments. Adopting a forced-choice personality assessment format appears to alleviate the former problem but exacerbates the latter. In this study, we introduce basic psychological needs as a theoretical foundation to develop interventions to improve reactions to forced-choice personality assessments. We propose that the forced-choice format impedes respondents’ desire to respond to items in a preferred way, interfering with autonomy need satisfaction, and constrains respondents’ opportunity to show their capabilities, interfering with competence need satisfaction. In this pre-registered between-subjects experiment (N = 1565), we investigated two modifications to a ranked forced-choice personality questionnaire and compared these to traditional forced-choice and single-stimulus (Likert) formatted questionnaires. One modification, where participants could write a free-text response following the assessment, did not show significant effects on reactions. The second modification allowed participants to view all items they had ranked last (first) and then identify any the participant believed in fact described them well (poorly). That modification positively affected perceived autonomy- and competence-support, and fairness perceptions, bridging approximately half of the gap between reactions to forced-choice and single-stimulus assessment formats. This study suggests that a modification to forced-choice personality questionnaires may improve applicant reactions and that basic psychological needs theory may be a fruitful lens through which to further understand reactions to assessments.
Investigating the land-to-sea transition in carnivorans from the evolution of sacrum morphology in pinnipeds
Authors: Esteban Juan Miguel , Martín-Serra Alberto , Pérez-Ramos Alejandro , Rybczynski Natalia , Pastor Francisco J. , Figueirido Borja
Published: March 2023

The form and function of the sacrum are of great relevance to understand the evolution of locomotion in tetrapods because it is a key piece of the vertebrate skeleton. The sacrum connects the caudal and presacral regions of the vertebral column and the hindlimbs through the pelvis. Here, we investigate sacrum shape evolution in pinnipeds (Carnivora: Pinnipedia) in relation to terrestrial mammalian carnivorans (fissipeds), and we include crown and stem taxa to quantify the morphological changes they experience in relation to the aquatic environment they inhabit. We use 3D geometric morphometric methods to explore the morphological variability and disparity of the sacrum in a set of terrestrial and aquatic carnivoran species. Our results show that the morphology of the sacrum of each pinniped family is remarkably different and that these differences may be related to the aquatic mode of locomotion (pectoral or pelvic oscillation), the use of hindlimbs to support body weight on land (otariids in contrast with phocids), and the presence or absence of a functional tail. In addition, disparity-through-time analyses indicate that the sacrum of pinnipeds is less constrained than that of fissipeds, which suggests a gravitational origin of such constraints in fissipeds. In conclusion, our results give further support to the important role played by this skeletal structure in the locomotory adaptations of mammals.
$$\alpha$$ILP: thinking visual scenes as differentiable logic programs
Authors: Shindo Hikaru , Pfanschilling Viktor , Dhami Devendra Singh , Kersting Kristian
Published: March 2023

Deep neural learning has shown remarkable performance at learning representations for visual object categorization. However, deep neural networks such as CNNs do not explicitly encode objects and relations among them. This limits their success on tasks that require a deep logical understanding of visual scenes, such as Kandinsky patterns and Bongard problems. To overcome these limitations, we introduce$$\alpha {\textit{ILP}}$$αILP, a novel differentiable inductive logic programming framework that learns to represent scenes as logic programs—intuitively, logical atoms correspond to objects, attributes, and relations, and clauses encode high-level scene information.$$\alpha$$αILP has an end-to-end reasoning architecture from visual inputs. Using it,$$\alpha$$αILP performs differentiable inductive logic programming on complex visual scenes, i.e., the logical rules are learned by gradient descent. Our extensive experiments onKandinsky patternsandCLEVR-Hansbenchmarks demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of$$\alpha {\textit{ILP}}$$αILPin learning complex visual-logical concepts.
A sealant with a hemostatic mechanism independent of the blood coagulation function was effective in both elective and emergency surgery for thoracic aorta
Authors: Morita Shigeki , Yaku Hitoshi
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Matsudaito is a unique surgical sealant with a powerful hemostatic effect that works independent of a patient’s blood coagulation function. Because of its mechanism, this sealant is expected to be particularly useful in patients with a poor blood coagulation function, such as in cases of acute aortic syndrome requiring emergency surgery. We, therefore, evaluated the hemostatic static effect of the sealant in both emergency and elective surgery of the thoracic aorta.

Methods

We used data obtained from post-marketing surveillance of the sealant. Patients who underwent replacement of the thoracic aorta were enrolled. The hemostatic effect was evaluated as effective if a further hemostatic procedure was not performed after applying the sealant.

Results

From 46 hospitals in Japan, a total of 542 patients (327 elective and 215 emergency cases) were enrolled. Hospital mortality was 4.0% and 11.6% in elective and emergency cases, respectively (p < 0.05). Among the 1039 anastomoses (609 elective and 430 emergency cases), effective hemostasis was confirmed in 436 (71.6%) elective and 259 (60.2%) emergency cases. The data from the clinical trial of the sealant showed a hemostatic rate of 44.4% in elective control cases without the sealant.

Conclusion

Given that the hemostatic rate in emergency surgery with the sealant seemed to be better than that in elective surgery without the sealant (determined from the clinical trial), we concluded that the sealant was effective in both emergency and elective thoracic surgery of the aorta.
Changing Causal Narratives and Risk Perceptions on Foreign Investment: the Riskification of Chinese Investments in the Nordic Region
Authors: Mattlin Mikael , Rajavuori Mikko
Published: March 2023

This article surveys recent legislative and policy changes on foreign investments in four Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway). Until recently, only Finland had national legislation on foreign investments, although historically the Nordic countries were forerunners in introducing foreign investment controls. A general rethink in the USA and the European Union on the links between liberal economies, investment policies and security has occurred in recent years. This has cast investments by enterprises from major authoritarian countries, foremost China, in a different light. Rather than investment numbers as such, or realised risks related to Chinese investments, a ‘causal narrative’ has emerged in the Nordic countries that draws attention to the nature of the Chinese party-state and its’ unclear relationship to Chinese companies, underlining potential strategic motivations and security risks behind Chinese investments. Rapidly changing risk perceptions have driven legislative and policy changes on foreign direct investment (FDI), e.g. investment screening. Chinese investments have thus become riskified, to use a term coined by Olaf Corry. Shifting risk perceptions have similarly preceded previous ‘formative epochs’ in Nordic FDI legislation in the early twentieth century, after the Second World War and at the end of the Cold War. Each formative epoch has been characterised by a distinctive ‘risk profile’. We postulate that these shifting risk perceptions significantly shape the reception of FDI as a key channel of cross-border connectivity.
Niche Partitioning Among Marine Mammals Inhabiting a Large Estuary as Revealed by Stable Isotopes of C, N, S, and O
Authors: Cani Alessandra , Cardona Luis , Valdivia Meica , González Enrique M. , Drago Massimiliano
Published: March 2023

Detailed knowledge on habitat use by marine mammals is critical to understand their role in the ecosystem. The stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) have been widely used to study the trophic ecology of marine mammals, but the stable isotope ratios of other elements such as sulfur (δ34S) and oxygen (δ18O) can better inform about habitat use in areas with strong salinity and redox gradients. The Río de la Plata estuary represents the largest freshwater runoff in the south-western Atlantic Ocean and supports a rich community of marine mammals. Here, we analyzed δ34S values in bone from seven marine mammal species inhabiting the estuary and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean, in order to complement previous isotopic data (δ13C, δ15N and δ18O) and compare their resolution as habitat tracers. As expected, δ34S and δ18O offered relevant insights into the characterization of the habitat used by marine mammals and allowed a better delineation of habitat partitioning between them. Bottlenose dolphins, South American sea lions and South American fur seals seem to be frequent users of the less saline areas of the estuary, whereas Burmeister´s porpoises, franciscana dolphins and false killer whales seemed to prefer the saltier marine waters close to the bottom. Fraser´s dolphins were the only inhabitants of true offshore waters. Our findings demonstrate how the integration of different stable isotope ratios can help disentangle fine habitat partitioning between marine mammals living in a complex ecosystem such as Río de la Plata.
Use of Information Systems (Mobile Phone App) for Enhancing Smallholder Farmers’ Productivity in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: Implications on Food Security
Authors: Mdoda Lelethu , Christian Mzuyanda , Agbugba Ikechi
Published: March 2023

The rapid growth of information systems in the form of mobile phone applications in developing countries resulted in several benefits compared to other choices in relation to costs, environmental exposure, and simplicity of usage. However, smallholder farmers fail to meet the soaring demand for food and other agro commodities in time, and dodging market overflows is an extreme encounter among communal farmers due to a deficiency of information and unacquainted administration. Therefore, the study analyzes the factors influencing the use of information systems for enhancing smallholder production in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study applied a descriptive survey research design. A multi-stage simple random technique was used to collect data from 220 emerging growers using a semi-structured survey. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model. The study indicated that most smallholder growers in the mentioned study area use information systems (IS) for their agricultural activities and agribusinesses and have further changed the farming landscape. Interestingly, agricultural productivity has been enhanced, as well as improved the food security status among rural households. Smallholder farmers have experienced problems in using information systems on their farms. Empirical results reveal that socio-economic factors influence the use of mass media for agricultural purposes by smallholder farmers. Therefore, the study recommends the government should embark on educational awareness and training of farmers in using information systems to enhance productivity.
Tribological behavior of shape memory cyanate ester materials and their tunable friction mechanism
Authors: Tang Zhangzhang , Guo Lihe , Xu Mingkun , Ruan Hongwei , Yang Jing , Wang Tingmei , Zhang Jianqiang , Wang Qihua , Zhang Yaoming
Published: March 2023

High-performance polymer friction materials with tunable tribological behavior to fit varied work conditions remain a challenge of widespread interest for a variety of applications. Shape memory polymer exhibits morphing and modulus changing over temperature changing provides a promising material to adjust the friction process. Herein, we investigated the tribological properties of shape memory cyanate ester (SMCE) under different conditions. The SMCE exhibits the tribological behavior of good friction material with stable high coefficient of friction (COF) and a low wear rate. Besides, the COF increases and wear rate decreases with the temperature increasing show the tunable friction property of the SMCE. We propose a new model of wear-compensation through shape recovery to explain the adjustable friction behavior of thermal-responsive polymer from the aspect of shape recovery and energy conversion. This study provides a high-performance friction material and paves the route for the application of shape memory polymer (SMP) in tribology field with tunable property.
Crystallographic orientation dependence on nanoscale friction behavior of energetic β-HMX crystal
Authors: Yin Ying , Li Hongtao , Cao Zhihong , Li Binghong , Li Qingshan , He Hongtu , Yu Jiaxin
Published: March 2023

Tribology behaviors of energetic crystals play critical roles in the friction-induced hotspot in high-energy explosive, however, the binder and energetic crystals are not distinguished properly in previous investigations. In this study, for the first time, the nanoscale friction of β-octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (β-HMX) crystal is studied with nanoscratch tests under the ramping load mode. The results show that the nanoscale friction and wear of β-HMX crystal, as a typical energetic material, is highly depended on the applied load. The friction coefficient of β-HMX crystal is initially high when no discernible wear is observed, and then it decreases to a stable value which varies from ∼0.2 to ∼0.7, depending on the applied load, scratch direction, and crystal planes. The β-HMX (011) surfaces show weakly friction and wear anisotropy behavior; in contrast, the β-HMX (110) surfaces show strongly friction and wear anisotropy behavior where the friction coefficient, critical load for the elastic—plastic deformation transition and plastic—cracking deformation transition, and deformation index at higher normal load are highly depended on the scratch directions. Further analyses indicate the slip system and direction of β-HMX surfaces play key roles in determining the nanoscale friction and wear of β-HMX surfaces. The obtained results can provide deeper insight into the friction and wear of energetic crystal materials.
Interpretable Dropout Prediction: Towards XAI-Based Personalized Intervention
Authors: Nagy Marcell , Molontay Roland
Published: March 2023

Student drop-out is one of the most burning issues in STEM higher education, which induces considerable social and economic costs. Using machine learning tools for the early identification of students at risk of dropping out has gained a lot of interest recently. However, there has been little discussion on dropout prediction using interpretable machine learning (IML) and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) tools.In this work, using the data of a large public Hungarian university, we demonstrate how IML and XAI tools can support educational stakeholders in dropout prediction. We show that complex machine learning models – such as the CatBoost classifier – can efficiently identify at-risk students relying solely on pre-enrollment achievement measures, however, they lack interpretability. Applying IML tools, such as permutation importance (PI), partial dependence plot (PDP), LIME, and SHAP values, we demonstrate how the predictions can be explained both globally and locally. Explaining individual predictions opens up great opportunities for personalized intervention, for example by offering the right remedial courses or tutoring sessions. Finally, we present the results of a user study that evaluates whether higher education stakeholders find these tools interpretable and useful.
Customer satisfaction and sale performance in New York State brewery tasting rooms
Authors: Li Jie , Wagner Sara M. , Gómez Miguel I. , Mansfield Anna Katharine
Published: March 2023

The US craft brewery industry has grown steadily in recent years before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of small, independently owned craft breweries rely on tasting rooms for revenues and profits. Using data collected from a survey of tasting room visitors from 21 craft breweries in New York, this research investigates factors influencing visitors’ customer satisfaction (CS) and the link between brewery tasting room CS and sales performance. The results show that brewery interior ambience, beer tasting execution, and friendliness and knowledge of servers are the main factors influencing CS in tasting rooms. Furthermore, results suggest that higher CS levels increase visitors’ purchase likelihood and beer purchase amounts (by volume and value). These findings indicate that breweries should focus on such factors as strengthening staff training, enhancing tasting room ambience, and improving beer tasting execution that have the highest positive influence on CS to increase sales. This study has implications for the rapidly growing craft brewery industry in the USA.
Association Among Negative Life Events, Sense of Security, and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Adolescents After the 2013 Ya’an Earthquake
Authors: Fung Hong Wang , Liu Caimeng , Yuan Guangzhe Frank , Liu Jiaxin , Zhao Jingjing , Chien Wai Tong , Lee Vincent Wan Ping , Shi Wei , Lam Stanley Kam Ki
Published: March 2023

Objective:

About a fourth of Chinese adolescents developed clinically significant depressive symptoms following a disaster. However, little is known about whether and how post-trauma negative life events and a sense of security are associated with depressive symptoms in this population. This study examined the psychological experiences of Chinese young people who had experienced the 2013 Ya’an earthquake in Sichuan, China.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019. A total of 693 Chinese middle school students completed a questionnaire that measured their level of depressive symptoms, trauma exposure, stressful life events, and sense of security.

Results:

Results of hierarchical multiple-regression analyses showed that the level of life stress from stressful life events was positively associated with the level of depressive symptoms (β = 0.416, P < 0.001) and the level of the sense of security was negatively associated with the level of depressive symptoms (β = −0.352, P < 0.001) when analysis controlled for age, gender, and trauma exposure.

Conclusions:

These findings highlight the importance of considering the influence of life stressors and the sense of security in devising measures and strategies for the prevention of the manifestation of depression among young people, particularly those who were exposed to disasters.
Increasing rate of 21st century volume loss of the Patagonian Icefields measured from proglacial river discharge
Authors: Van Wyk de Vries Maximillian , Romero Matias , Penprase Shanti B. , Ng G.-H. Crystal , Wickert Andrew D.
Published: March 2023

The Northern and Southern Patagonian Icefields are rapidly losing volume, with current volume loss rates greater than 20 km3 a−1. However, details of the spatial and temporal distribution of their volume loss remain uncertain. We evaluate the rate of 21st-century glacier volume loss using the hydrological balance of four glacierised Patagonian river basins. We isolate the streamflow contribution from changes in ice volume and evaluate whether the rate of volume loss has decreased, increased, or remained constant. Out of 11 glacierised sub-basins, seven exhibit significant increases in the rate of ice volume loss, with a 2006–2019 time integrated anomaly in the rate of glacier volume loss of 135 ± 50 km3. This anomaly in the rate of glacier-volume-loss is spatially heterogeneous, varying from a 7.06 ± 1.69 m a−1 increase in ice loss to a 3.18 ± 1.48 m a−1 decrease in ice loss. Greatest increases in the rate of ice loss are found in the early spring and late summer, suggesting a prolonging of the melt season. Our results highlight increasing, and in some cases accelerating, rates of volume loss of Patagonia's lake-terminating glaciers, with a 2006–2019 anomaly in the rate of glacier volume loss contributing an additional 0.027 ± 0.01 mm a−1 of global mean sea-level rise.
Classification of simple Harish–Chandra modules over the Ovsienko–Roger superalgebra
Authors: Dilxat Munayim , Chen Liangyun , Liu Dong
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we give a new method to classify all simple cuspidal modules for the $\mathbb {Z}$-graded and $1/2\mathbb {Z}$-graded Ovsienko–Roger superalgebras. Using this result, we classify all simple Harish–Chandra modules over some related Lie superalgebras, including the $N=1$ BMS$_3$ superalgebra, the super $W(2,2)$, etc.
Early voting experiences and habit formation
Authors: Dinas Elias , Valentim Vicente , Broberg Nikolaj , Franklin Mark N.
Published: March 2023

Research has shown that first-time voting experiences affect subsequent voting behavior, with salient elections boosting subsequent turnout and non-salient ones suppressing it. We challenge this view. Following research on the context-dependent nature of habit formation, we argue that all elections should affect subsequent turnout in elections of the same type. Comparing individuals that differ only in how salient their first eligible election was (Presidential or Midterm), we find support for this expectation. Individuals are more likely to vote for, and be interested in, elections of the same type as their first voting experience. Leveraging voting age laws in the US, we also show that such laws affect subsequent participation by changing the type of election individuals are first eligible for.
On short-scale inviscid instabilities in flow past surface-mounted obstacles and other non-parallel motions
Authors: Smith F.T. , Bodonyi R. J.
Published: March 2023

A theoretical investigation of short-scale inviscid instability in boundary-layer flow past an obstacle on a surface is described, with the application to trip-wire transition and wall roughness effects in mind. An analytical model and computational results show that the occurrence of an inflexion point in a local velocity profile is necessary but not sufficient for the instability to arise.
The ‘Minituft’ surface flow visualisation method; experience of use in the RAE 5m pressurised low-speed wind tunnel
Authors: Dobney D. G. , Hanson P. , Fiddes S. P.
Published: March 2023

The development and use of a ‘minituft’ surface flow visualisation technique in the RAE 5m Pressurised Low-Speed Wind Tunnel is described.

The method, due to Crowder, uses very fine nylon monofilaments to show surface flow direction. These tufts are made visible by coating them in a fluorescent dye and then illuminating them with a powerful ultra-violet light source.

Because of their small size, a large number of tufts may be used without interfering with the flow to a great extent. However, it is shown that if accurate force measurements are required, then it is advisable to test the model in the absence of tufts.