bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Ceramide Kinase Is Effective against Cisplatin-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Cells by Regulating Ceramide and C1P Levels
Authors: Zou Jing , Jian Long
Published: January 2023

Objective: Chemoresistance in ovarian cancer results in treatment failure, yet underlying mechanisms that regulate chemoresistance remain largely unclear. There is emerging evidence relating ovarian cancer drug resistance with bioactive sphingolipids and regulation of sphingolipid metabolism. This work investigated the expression and function of ceramide kinase (CerK), a lipid kinase that regulates central bioactive sphingolipids, in ovarian cancer, as well as the therapeutic potential of targeting CERK. Design: The levels of ceramide, ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), and Cerk in ovarian cancer and normal counterparts were measured. Functions of Cerk in ovarian cancer were examined. Materials, Setting, Methods: Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and mass spectrometry methods were used to measure the level of ceramides, C1P, and CerK in primary tissues. Proliferation and apoptosis assays were performed in ovarian cancer cells after CERK depletion, CERK overexpression, and NVP-231 treatment in the absence or presence of cisplatin. Results: Compared to normal ovarian cells, CerK and its mediating bioactive sphingolipids ceramide and C1P were decreased in ovarian cancer tissues. Interestingly, cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells displayed increased CerK, decreased ceramide, and increased C1P, and furthermore, that CerK level was closely associated with ceramide and C1P levels in ovarian cancer cells. Functional analysis demonstrated that CerK overexpression was sufficient to promote growth and confer chemoresistance in ovarian cancer cells. CerK inhibition via both genetic and pharmacological approaches suppressed growth and induced apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant cells, and furthermore, this significantly augmented cisplatin’s efficacy. Limitations: The functional analysis of C1P was performed on in vitro ovarian cancer cells. In vivo studies were needed to further confirm the effects of CERK inhibition. Conclusions: Our work is the first to show the critical role of CerK as the underlying mechanism of ovarian cancer chemoresistance, through regulating ceramide and C1P.
Evaluation of a Web-Based Intervention for Patients with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Frijstein Minke , Blok Laura , ten Kate-Booij Marianne , Eysbouts Yalck , Trommel Nienke van , Sweep Fred , Massuger Leon , v. Hamont Dennis , Schreuder Henk , Smink Marieke , Molkenboer Jan , Vencken Peggy , Ottevanger Nelleke , Lok Christianne ,   on behalf of the Trophy Study Group
Published: January 2023

Objective: Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) comprise a group of rare diseases originating from the trophoblast affecting women of childbearing age. Providing optimal information to patients with a rare disease is challenging because of the small number of patients and limited clinical expertise of many healthcare professionals. Both knowledge and lack of knowledge in patients may influence illness perception. We investigated whether a web-based interactive intervention influences illness perception and knowledge in women with GTD. Design: This was a multicenter randomized control trial conducted at general and academic hospitals in the Netherlands, including newly diagnosed GTD patients between 2017 and 2019. Methods: Sixty-nine patients were randomized between direct access or postponed access to an online tool on GTD and received online questionnaires about illness perception, knowledge, and anxiety. The main outcome measures were illness perception (primary outcome measure) and knowledge (secondary outcome measure). Results: Patients using the online tool were satisfied with the information from the tool (92%). Although they had a higher level of knowledge compared to the control group (p = 0.006), illness perception did not change. Also, no differences in levels of anxiety, depression, or distress were observed between the groups. Limitations: Participants had access to other information sources and many searched other websites. It is unknown what kind of websites were visited and when. It is unknown if the increased knowledge levels and low levels of distress will sustain over time as no long term follow-up took place. Healthcare professionals were not interviewed on how they experienced the consultation before and after using the tool by the patients. Conclusions: The online tool did not change illness perception but was shown to be valuable for newly diagnosed GTD patients to gain knowledge. The improvement in knowledge after digital education indicates that this tool can be used as an effective method of supporting GTD patients’ informational needs without causing extra distress. Tweetable Abstract: A web-based tool for trophoblastic disease does not change illness perception of patients but is valuable to gain knowledge.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cervical Cancer Screening in São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Martins Toni Ricardo , Witkin Steven S. , Mendes-Corrêa Maria Cássia , Godoy Amanda Scancella de , Cury Lise , Balancin Marcelo Luiz , Ab’Saber Alexandre Muxfeldt , Peres Stela Verzinhasse , Messias Sandra , Tozetto Mendoza Tânia Regina , Longatto-Filho Adhemar
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The early identification of precursor lesions followed by appropriate treatment prevents development of cervical cancer and its consequences. Objective: The present study evaluated the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on cervical cancer screening by comparing the quantity of tests to detect cervical cellular changes performed in São Paulo state in 2019, prior to the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil, to the first (2020) and second (2021) years following its appearance. Materials and Methods: Data from Fundação Oncocentro de São Paulo (FOSP), the agency that analyses approximately 220,000 Papanicolaou (Pap) tests annually, were reviewed. Results: A median of 1,835 Pap tests were performed in 55 municipalities in 2019. This was reduced to 815 tests in 2020, a 56% decrease (p = 0.0026). In 2021, the median number was 1,745, a 53% increase over 2020 levels (p = 0.0233). The 26 municipalities with >1,000 tests in 2020 had a median reduction from 4,433 in 2019 to 2,580 in 2020 (p = 0. 0046). The 29 municipalities with <1,000 tests had a median reduction from 951 in 2019 to 554 in 2020 (p < 0.0001). There was a 44% reduction in the number of follow-up cytological evaluations from 2019 to 2020, followed by a 30% increase in the following year. However, the percentage of women with a normal finding or with any abnormality remained unchanged. The findings from a histological evaluation of women in São Paulo city indicated that the percent of cases positive for CIN-1 (p < 0.0410) and CIN-3 (p < 0.0012) increased in 2020 and 2021 as compared to 2019 levels. Conclusion: A reduction in testing for cervical cancer in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by an elevated incidence of precancerous lesions in each of the first 2 years following its initiation, may portend a subsequent increased occurrence of cervical cancer in Brazil.
Composition, Treatment, and Outcomes by Radiologically Defined Thrombus Characteristics in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Das Saurav , Goldstein Eric D. , de Havenon Adam , Abbasi Mehdi , Nguyen Thanh N. , Aguiar de Sousa Diana , Yaghi Shadi
Published: January 2023

Occlusive and nonocclusive cervicocephalic thrombi can be encountered during neurovascular imaging in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Radiographic and morphological characteristics on basic and advanced imaging modalities can be important clues towards determination of pathomechanism and the choice of acute and subacute treatment modalities. The aim of this review article is to evaluate the epidemiology, radiographic properties, histologic clot composition of cervicocephalic arterial thrombi, and its response to various medical and endovascular therapy modalities. Future studies are needed to derive and validate a classification system for extracranial and intracranial partially occlusive thrombi to enable further testing of various stroke treatment and prevention strategies in these patients.
Risk Factors of Poly-Victimization and the Impact on Delinquency in Youth: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pires Ana Rita , Almeida Telma Catarina
Published: January 2023

There is a link between antisocial behaviors and poly-victimization, showing that poly-victims have a high probability of engaging in delinquency. These victims show difficulties in self-regulation across multiple biopsychosocial domains. This review examined the impact of poly-victimization on delinquent behaviors in youth. B-on, Google Scholar, PubMed, and EBSCO databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies published, resulting in 16 publications. Results identified the most common risk factors for poly-victimization and how these cumulative risk factors are more predictive of poly-victimization. Also, this phenomenon significantly increases the likelihood of adopting delinquent behavior and the predisposition to develop psychological problems. The results further highlight the psychological impact caused by poly-victimization, and how can influence the adoption of delinquent behaviors.
Crime, Space, and Race: A Spatial Analysis of Assaults with Victim Race and Residence as Predictors
Authors: Korotchenko Stan , Semukhina Olga
Published: January 2023

While it is clear that space matters when it comes to explaining crime, there is a lack of research exploring whether such spatial effects remain significant if victim characteristics are introduced into the analysis. This paper addresses this gap by applying risk terrain modeling to predict assaults for victims of different racial backgrounds and local versus non-local residents. The results show spatial risk factors have different impact on the likelihood of victimization for individuals of different racial backgrounds and those who live in the city where the crime occurs versus those who are visiting. The findings suggest that more attention should be given to integrating the victim characteristics with the characteristics of space when predicting violent crime using spatial analysis.
Virtual Fitting Room Effect: Moderating Role of Body Mass Index
Authors: Yang Shuai , Xiong Guiyang , Mao Huifang , Ma Minghui
Published: January 2023

An emerging virtual-reality technology, virtual fitting rooms (VFRs) allow online shoppers to virtually try on clothes. Despite its increasing popularity, how VFR technology influences different consumer groups is hitherto unknown. Neglecting such nuances may significantly undermine VFR effectiveness. From a large-scale field experiment with real-world transactional data and five laboratory experiments, the authors document the asymmetric effects of VFR use conditional on consumer body types, characterize the theoretical underpinnings, and identify a systematic set of managerially actionable moderators that can mitigate adverse effects. Specifically, while VFR use enhances product evaluations and purchases among consumers with relatively low body mass index (BMI) levels, it negatively influences responses from high-BMI consumers due to self-image threat induced by avatars that resemble consumers’ own bodies. To cope with self-image threat, high-BMI consumers tend to shift the blame to the apparel item, resulting in negative product responses. The authors identify four feasible solutions to alleviate the negative responses among high-BMI users of VFRs, namely, promoting diversified beauty standards, featuring mannequin faces for VFR avatars, providing consumers opportunities to engage in prosocial behavior, and presenting high-status products. These findings offer guidance for retailers to leverage this new technology smartly to enhance both business performance and consumer well-being.
An Assessment of Personality Traits Based on Photos on Instagram
Authors: Schraggeová Milica , Petríková Lucia
Published: January 2023

This study analyses the accuracy assessment of personality traits based on photos on the Instagram social network. The theoretical starting point is the Realistic Accuracy Model based on the correct detection and interpretation of information about individuals. The research sample consisted of a group of participants who provided their Instagram profiles for assessment ( N = 4) aged M = 23.0, SD = 1.63 and a group of independent assessors ( N = 342; 258 women). The accuracy of the assessment was based on the assessors’ consensus and the degree of agreement between assessors and the accuracy criterion. The highest assessor consensus was for extraversion, and the most accurately assessed traits were neuroticism and agreeableness – with women being more accurate in their assessments.
Low-latency GNSS multipath simulation and building wall detection in urban environments
Authors: O’Connor Marcus , Kersten Tobias , Skupin Christian , Ruwisch Fabian , Ren Le , Wübbena Temmo , Schön Steffen
Published: January 2023

Precise navigation for fully autonomous driving—especially in dense urban areas—requires periodic precise position estimates. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology has the potential to provide absolute positioning accuracy at a centimeter level. However, buildings in urban environments cause signal distortions and signal reflections—the so-called multipath—which are the most challenging parts in the GNSS error budget. Hence, we developed a scalable real-time multipath simulator for mitigating potential multipath receptions. The simulator uses three-dimensional (3D) building information, satellite, and user positions. The key drivers of latency are the calculation of reflection, diffraction, and line-of-sight, as well as the response time of the 3D building model database. The memory manager of the graphic processing units (GPUs) in combination with a dedicated load balancer enables fast and efficient multipath analysis. Selected case studies demonstrate the simulator’s potential to significantly improve the position accuracy of the processing engine. The use of the multipath simulator reduces the error in 61% of the error measurements in a stress test scenario to less than half of the non-multipath processing. The scalability of the simulator is demonstrated by combining the multipath simulator with a traffic simulator. Furthermore, we present a novel methodology for the detection of walls using GNSS signals to better account for incomplete or erroneous 3D building information in GNSS signal processing.
Framing as a Bridging Concept for Climate Change Communication: A Systematic Review Based on 25 Years of Literature
Authors: Guenther Lars , Jörges Susan , Mahl Daniela , Brüggemann Michael
Published: January 2023

In line with the urgency of problems related to climate change, studies on the framing of this issue have flourished in recent years. However, as in framing research overall, a lack of definitions complicates the synthesis of theoretical/empirical insights. This systematic review contrasts trends of framing in climate change communication to those observed in reviews of communication research overall and harnesses framing’s power to bridge perspectives by comparing frames across different frame locations (i.e., frame production, frame content, audience frames, and framing effects), as part of the wider cultural framing repository. Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches of content analysis, this review draws on 25 years of peer-reviewed literature on the framing of climate change ( n = 275). Among the findings, we observe that research has not made use of framing’s bridging potential. Hence, the conceptual (mis)fit between frame locations will be discussed, and directions for future research will be given.
Racial Politics in the Contemporary Prison Society: The Importance of Race and Ethnicity to Prison Social Organization
Authors: INFANTE ARYNN A. , MORSE STEPHANIE J. , FAHMY CHANTAL , WRIGHT KEVIN A.
Published: January 2023

Prior research documents race and ethnicity as central to how individuals navigate the social and physical space of prisons. Racial segregation persists as a feature of prison life, and in navigating this racialized structure, racial groups construct and enforce a set of racialized norms to govern behavior (i.e., the “racial code”) that reinforce and reify prison racial politics. These processes, however, have remained largely descriptive in nature. Using data from a sample of incarcerated men in Arizona prisons ( N = 251), this article extends prior work by operationalizing the concept of the racial code, assessing its dimensionality, distinguishing it from the prison code, and differentiating how features of prison social organization influence racial code adherence and mobilization. Results suggest that the racial code is distinct from the prison code and that racial differences exist in the extent of adhering to versus mobilizing the racial code, net of gang status.
Grit, academic engagement in math and science, and well-being outcomes in children during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study in Hong Kong and Macau
Authors: Datu Jesus Alfonso D. , Buenconsejo Jet U. , Shek Cheuk Ying Cherry , Choy Yat Ling Elaine , Sou Kuai Long Elvo
Published: January 2023

There is evidence showing that the triarchic model of grit and its dimensions (i.e., perseverance of effort, consistency of interests, and adaptability to situations) predict engagement and well-being outcomes in high school and undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. However, there has been limited research on how this model of grit relates to engagement and optimal psychological outcomes in primary school students. This research investigates the association of grit's dimensions with academic engagement in math and science as well as well-being outcomes (i.e., positive emotions, negative emotions, and flourishing) in primary school students. Participants were primary school students ( Mage = 10.42; SDage = 1.26) from Hong Kong (n = 279) and Macau (n = 124). Results showed that perseverance of effort positively predicted cognitive and behavioral engagement in math as well as positive emotions even after controlling for demographic covariates (i.e., age, gender, setting, and year level), conscientiousness, and achievement goal orientations. Adaptability to situations positively predicted cognitive and social engagement in math and flourishing. Consistency of interests negatively predicted both cognitive engagement in science and negative emotions. Indeed, this study indicates that perseverance and adaptability may facilitate children's positive academic and psychological functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
Ranking coherence in topic models using statistically validated networks
Authors: Simonetti Andrea , Albano Alessandro , Plaia Antonella , Tumminello Michele
Published: January 2023

Probabilistic topic models have become one of the most widespread machine learning techniques in textual analysis. Topic discovering is an unsupervised process that does not guarantee the interpretability of its output. Hence, the automatic evaluation of topic coherence has attracted the interest of many researchers over the last decade, and it is an open research area. This article offers a new quality evaluation method based on statistically validated networks (SVNs). The proposed probabilistic approach consists of representing each topic as a weighted network of its most probable words. The presence of a link between each pair of words is assessed by statistically validating their co-occurrence in sentences against the null hypothesis of random co-occurrence. The proposed method allows one to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality topics, by making use of a battery of statistical tests. The statistically significant pairwise associations of words represented by the links in the SVN might reasonably be expected to be strictly related to the semantic coherence and interpretability of a topic. Therefore, the more connected the network, the more coherent the topic in question. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the method through an analysis of a real text corpus, which shows that the proposed measure is more correlated with human judgement than the state-of-the-art coherence measures.
Outcomes of heart-lung transplantation in Eisenmenger syndrome compared to primary pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Sainathan Sandeep , Ryan John , Said Sameh , Mullinari Leonardo , Sanchez Pablo
Published: January 2023

Objective

Heart-Lung Transplantation (HLTX) is required both in primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) and Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) when there is associated end-stage heart disease. Although PPH is associated with an otherwise structurally normal heart, ES is associated with congenital heart defects, which may increase the complexity of the operation. This study analyzes if the diagnosis (PPH vs. ES) is related to short-term outcomes after HLTX.

Methods

Patients ≥18 years of age with PPH and ES who underwent HLTX were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing database from 2005 to 2021. Patients were propensity score matched on heart and lung listing status at the time of transplant. Univariable, multivariable, and Kaplan–Meir survival analyses were performed.

Results

The unmatched cohort had 128 PPH and 44 ES patients, and the matched cohort had 44 patients in each group. PPH patients had lower waitlist times and PA pressures but higher FEV1, heart, and lung listing status and ECMO bridge. There were no differences in immediate postoperative outcomes such as dialysis, stroke, and airway dehiscence. PPH patients had a higher treatment rejection in the first year. The 30-day, 1-year, and 3-year survival were better in the PPH group. However, a landmark analysis excluding deaths within 30 days eliminated differences in survival between the groups. Post-transplant dialysis and postoperative mechanical ventilation >5 days were risk factors for 1-year mortality in ES.

Conclusion

The short-term outcomes of HLTX are inferior in ES compared to PPH and much of the attrition in ES occurs in the immediate postoperative period.
A Home Repair and Modification Program Embedded Within Mount Sinai Visiting Doctors
Authors: Schiller Gabrielle , Seligman Audrey , Lubetsky Sara , DeCherrie Linda V. , Reckrey Jennifer , Kopke Victoria , Bacher Nancy , Bhatia Sonica , Ornstein Katherine A.
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to conduct an evaluation of a home modification and repair pilot program implemented within Mount Sinai Visiting Doctors. This program enrolled patients via referral from the home-based clinical team between August 15, 2019 and December 31, 2020. Patient functional status and home modification and repair needs were assessed by a social worker and subsequent interventions were tracked. This study includes two separate, concurrent analyses: (1) descriptive analyses based on data on program enrollees, repairs, and costs and (2) provider perspectives on the program. The program enrolled 33 patients. The average spending per patient was $528. The clinical team found this program feasible to implement and helped reduce burnout. Future program implementation and expansion will require more investment in staffing to ensure timely needs assessment and service delivery, and the addition of an occupational therapist to better assess and meet patient functional needs.
A role of biomaterials in tissue engineering and drug encapsulation
Authors: Agrawal Reeya , Singh Sangeeta , Saxena Kuldeep K. , Buddhi Dharam
Published: January 2023

The paper provides an introduction to biomaterials covered and their available types, such as metal, ceramic, polymer, and composites. Biomaterials are structures, devices, or materials that may repair or implant tissue. Biomaterials are biocompatible that have high mechanical strength, and need a long time to break down. A biomaterial is any natural or synthetic material that regularly touches the human body or is utilized to replace or restore biological tissue—metallic systems in the body and numerous ceramic and polymeric implant materials and systems. Polymers as biomaterials have had a significant impact on medical technology development. Furthermore, features of biomaterials such as mechanical, physical, and chemical qualities have been detailed to assist users in selecting the best biomaterial for their needs based on these properties. While these materials do not replace human tissues’ function, they have good physical and mechanical qualities that allow them to be used as body tissue substitutes. Apart from this, biomaterials are applied in various fields, including medicine and pharmacy. Biodegradable polymeric biomaterials, in particular, offer the advantage of being able to be broken down and removed once their purpose is completed. The most common biomaterials are used in tissue engineering, medicine delivery systems, orthopedic, orthodontic, wound healing, and cardiovascular applications. The conclusion summarizes that biomaterials are the most advantageous in medical science. Biomaterial and cellular biology researchers have been working to make biomanufacturing technologies more broadly available for a long time. The main area of focus is medicine, where technology is critical in studying and preventing uncommon diseases.
The Role of Restrictive Emotionality and Social Interaction Anxiety in the Association Between Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder and Masculine Depression
Authors: Kagan Maya
Published: January 2023

Muscle dysmorphic disorder (MDD) is a mental disorder characterized by men’s exaggerated self-perception as insufficiently muscular and lean and pathological preoccupation with achieving a muscular body. MDD has been recognized as a risk factor associated with negative mental health outcomes in men. However, previous studies did not sufficiently explore the link between MDD and masculine depression. Therefore, the present study examines the mediating role of social interaction anxiety and the moderating role of restrictive emotionality in the relationship between MDD and masculine depression. Structured questionnaires were distributed online among 849 Israeli men. The moderated mediation analysis indicated that a positive association between MDD and masculine depression was moderated by restrictive emotionality and partially mediated by social interaction anxiety. These findings have profound meaning in terms of the psychosocial aspects of men’s lives, underlining the risk factors inherent in the association between men’s dissatisfaction with their body and their mental health.
A Transposition of the Minkov-Hofstede Model of Culture to the Individual Level of Analysis: Evidence from Mongolia
Authors: Minkov Michael , Sokolov Boris , Tasse Marc A. , Jamballuu Erdenebileg , Schachner Michael , Kaasa Anneli
Published: January 2023

After Hofstede proposed individualism-collectivism (IDV-COLL) as a dimension of national culture, numerous studies have used that name to refer to individual-level psychological constructs, based on theories and empirical operationalizations that are not necessarily compatible with the Hofstede tradition. This has created confusion. In this study, we investigate whether the two revised Minkov-Hofstede dimensions of national culture - IDV-COLL and “flexibility-monumentalism” (FLX-MON) - have individual-level counterparts and if they are isomorphic (have the same structure at both levels of analysis). We find that the three main conceptual facets of national COLL (conformism, ascendancy, and exclusionism) and the three of MON (self-esteem, self-stability, and generosity) materialize as six independent individual-level dimensions in a nationally representative sample from Mongolia ( n = 1500). This structure emerged in a confirmatory factor analysis, multidimensional scaling, and hierarchical cluster analyses. This is the first series of analyses of the structure of the individual-level ingredients of national IDV-COLL and FLX-MON,
Side Effects and Its Management in Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer: A Matter of Communication and Counseling
Authors: Johnsson Aina , Fugl-Meyer Kerstin , Bordas Pal , Åhman Janet , Von Wachenfeldt Anna
Published: January 2023

Objective:

Women with a newly diagnosed hormone receptor-positive breast cancer are offered adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET). Although the treatment reduces the risk of relapse and death not all women are adherent to it. Many factors, including the therapy’s menopausal side effects, can adversely affect adherence to the treatment. This study explores the extent to which women treated with AET perceived that health care providers addressed their side effects.

Methods:

Ten focus groups were set up, containing between four to nine women. In total, 58 women participated in the study—45 from the Stockholm metropolitan region and 13 from the scarcely populated Norrbotten region. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.

Results:

The women were usually satisfied with the care they received from the health care providers. However, their experiences were more complex when it came to their satisfaction with the care in terms of the menopausal side effects of therapy, sexuality in particular. The participants reported that their healthcare providers rarely asked about sex life-related side effects of the treatment.

Conclusions:

Health care providers need to communicate and consult about issues related to their patients’ sex lives following their breast cancer diagnosis and during their treatment.
Beneath the Laarve: Masking during the Basel Carnival of Fasnacht (Faasnacht)
Authors: Cieslarová Olga Věra , Pehal Martin , Kern Werner
Published: January 2023

Describing the historical development of the mask ( Laarve) 2 within the carnival tradition of the Basel Fasnacht ( Faasnacht, Switzerland) during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, this article offers a case study of the so-called reflexive turn in late modern (‘post-traditional’) societies. Drawing on the concept of ritual reflexivity, we argue that the gradual development of the Fasnacht masks into oversized constructions covering the ritualist's whole head ( Laarve) went hand in hand with the development of various other ritual mechanisms aimed at facilitating within the ritual framework a meditative, inward-oriented stance ( enstasis). 3 This is especially interesting as carnivals tend to be associated with precisely the opposite dynamics: transcending social norms through the celebration of excess and inebriation which, in its extreme forms, may lead to ekstasis (or at least a headache). The described ritual elements are interpreted as a series of mirroring mechanisms nested within one another. The ritual handling of the Laarve by the ritualists (its donning and taking off at regular intervals) is then understood simultaneously as a facilitator and a marker fuelling and isolating individual phases of an otherwise non-discrete reflexive process. Based on first-hand accounts of ritualists’ experiences of mask-wearing, we will show how Basel Fasnacht walks a tightrope between ‘modelling’ and ‘mirroring’ societal, communal and idiosyncratic levels of meaning-making.
The Impact of Leader Gratitude Expressions on Followers’ Behaviours: Increasing Gratitude and Increases Proactivity
Authors: Chen Silu , Zhu Yanghao , Guo Li , Liu Wenxing
Published: January 2023

Researchers have become increasingly interested in exploring leaders’ behaviours that promote followers’ proactive behaviours, but the literature is limited to leadership styles and generally does not consider leader displays of emotion. In this study, the impact of leader expressions of gratitude on followers’ proactive behaviours was examined from a self-evaluative perspective. Data from a field study ( N = 184) and an experimental vignette study ( N = 150) in China supported our hypotheses that leader gratitude expressions were positively related to followers’ proactive behaviours. Role breadth self-efficacy and perceived social worth mediated the relationship between leader gratitude expressions and followers’ proactive behaviours. This mediating effect was strengthened for followers with high relational identification. These results contribute to a nuanced understanding of gratitude by shedding light on the phenomenon of leader gratitude expressions and their positive outcomes. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.
Sliding mode control of Lorenz chaotic system of fluid thermal convection between infinite plates based on LMI
Authors: Gao Hongliang , Zhang Hongcong , Xiong Lang
Published: January 2023

Aiming at the unpredictability and nonlinearity of the Lorenz chaotic system, this paper takes the fluid thermal convection of the infinite plate as the model, and studies the sliding mode control of the fluid thermal convection of the infinite plate based on LMI. Based on the characteristics of the Lorenz chaotic system, the sliding mode control method is applied to attenuate the effects of some nonlinear factors, and the Lyapunov function is designed to obtain the control law that satisfies the sliding mode conditions. Further, a dynamic compensation algorithm is presented, it can efficiently regulate the poles of a closed-loop system, and ensure that the specific matrix is negative definite. The simulation results show that under the action of the compensator, the dynamic perturbed Lorenz chaotic system has a good state response, which makes the sliding mode control of the Lorenz chaotic system stable.
Minimisation for the design of parallel cluster-randomised trials: An evaluation of balance in cluster-level covariates and numbers of clusters allocated to each arm
Authors: Martin James , Middleton Lee , Hemming Karla
Published: January 2023

Background:

Cluster-randomised trials often use some form of restricted randomisation, such as stratified- or covariate-constrained randomisation. Minimisation has the potential to balance on more covariates than blocked stratification and can be implemented sequentially unlike covariate-constrained randomisation. Yet, unlike stratification, minimisation has no inbuilt guard to maintain close to a 1:1 allocation. A departure from a 1:1 allocation can be unappealing in a setting with a small number of allocation units such as cluster randomisation which typically include about 30 clusters.

Methods:

Using simulation (10,000 per scenario), we evaluate the performance of a range of minimisation procedures on the likelihood of a 1:1 allocation of clusters (10–80 clusters) to treatment arms, along with its performance on covariate imbalance. The range of minimisation procedures includes varying: the proportion of clusters allocated to the least imbalanced arm (known as the stochastic element) – between 0.7 and 1, percentage of first clusters allocated completely at random (known as the bed-in period) – between 0% and 20% and adding ‘number of clusters allocated to each arm’ as a covariate in the minimisation algorithm. We additionally include a comparison of stratifying and then minimising within key strata (such as country within a multi country cluster trial) as a potential aid to increasing balance.

Results:

Minimisation is unlikely to result in an exact 1:1 allocation unless the stochastic element is set higher than 0.9. For example, with 20 clusters, 2 binary covariates and setting the stochastic element to 0.7: only 41% of the possible randomisations over the 10,000 simulations achieved a 1:1 allocation. While typical sizes of imbalance were small (a difference of two clusters per arm), allocations as extreme as of 10:10 were observed. Adding the ‘number of clusters’ into the minimisation algorithm reduces this risk slightly, but covariate imbalance increases slightly. Stratifying and then minimising within key strata improve balance within strata but increase imbalance across all clusters, both on the number of clusters and covariate imbalance.

Conclusion:

In cluster trials, where there are typically about 30 allocation units, when using minimisation, unless the stochastic element is set very high, there is a high risk of not achieving a 1:1 allocation, and a small but nonetheless real risk of an extreme departure from a 1:1 allocation. Stratification with minimisation within key strata (such as country) improves the balance within strata although compromises overall balance.
The coach's role during an athlete's rehabilitation following sports injury: A scoping review
Authors: King Jamie , Burgess Theresa L , Hendricks Candice , Carson Fraser
Published: January 2023

Coaches play a pivotal role during an athletes’ rehabilitation, assisting them to deal with the psychological challenges linked with injury recovery and return to sport. However, coaches’ views of their roles during rehabilitation, and the extent to which their influences may facilitate psychological coping is unclear. Although athletes value input from their coaches during their injury rehabilitation, their satisfaction with the support provided is varied. To explore the current literature on the role of coaches during an athlete's rehabilitation from injury, a scoping review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, was conducted on EBSCOhost, PubMed and Scopus databases. A total of 27 articles met the inclusion criteria after 2716 studies were excluded based on the eligibility criteria during phases of title, abstract and full-text screening. Factors to consider when exploring coaches’ roles during injury rehabilitation include athlete's and coaches’ age and gender, the type of sport and level of competition, the athletes’ role in the team, and the injury severity and type. The major role that coaches play during rehabilitation is providing social support to the injured athlete. The amount and availability of social support, as well as different forms of social support and their perceived prominence to athletes’ well-being, are key concepts worth considering when analyzing the role of coaches during injury rehabilitation. Social support provided by coaches to athletes undergoing rehabilitation aids in maintaining the coach–athlete relationship, thereby preventing any unrest between the two upon return to sport.
Evolving treatment landscape of immunotherapy in breast cancer: current issues and future perspectives
Authors: Valenza Carmine , Rizzo Graziella , Passalacqua Maria Ilenia , Boldrini Laura , Corti Chiara , Trapani Dario , Curigliano Giuseppe
Published: January 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) deeply changed the treatment landscape of breast cancer (BC). In particular, anti-programmed-death (ligand) 1 antibodies were approved for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), both in first line for metastatic disease and in neoadjuvant setting, on the basis of a demonstrated improvement of the survival outcomes. In light of these results, current clinical trials aim at improving this benefit investigating novel combinations and strategies, at exploring the role of ICIs beyond TNBC, and at better selecting the patients in order to spare non-responders from avoidable toxicities. This narrative review aims at summarizing and discussing the evolving landscape of immunotherapeutic treatments for BC, highlighting the current challenges and the future perspectives.
Quality of life with palbociclib plus fulvestrant versus placebo plus fulvestrant in postmenopausal women with endocrine-sensitive hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: patient-reported outcomes from the FLIPPER trial
Authors: Tibau Ariadna , Martínez M. Teresa , Ramos Manuel , De La Cruz-Merino Luis , Santaballa Ana , O’Connor Miriam , Martínez-Jañez Noelia , Moreno Fernando , Fernández Isaura , Virizuela Juan Antonio , Alarcón Jesús , de La Haba-Rodríguez Juan , Sánchez-Rovira Pedro , Albacar Cinta Rosa , Bueno Muiño Coralia , Kelly Catherine , Casas Maribel , Bezares Susana , Rosell Libertad , Albanell Joan
Published: January 2023

Background:

In the FLIPPER trial, palbociclib/fulvestrant significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo/fulvestrant in postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer (ABC).

Objective:

We assessed health-related quality of life (QoL) using patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Design and methods:

In this phase II double-blinded study, PROs were assessed at baseline after every three cycles and at the end of the treatment using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23. Time to deterioration (TTD) in global health status (GHS)/QoL was defined as a decrease of ⩾10 points. Changes from baseline (CFB) and TTD were analysed using linear mixed-effect and Cox regression models, respectively.

Results:

Of the 189 randomised (1:1) patients, 178 (94%) completed ⩾1 post-baseline assessment; 50% received ⩾22 cycles of study treatment, with a questionnaire compliance >90%. Mean baseline scores were comparable between arms. GHS/QoL scores were maintained throughout the palbociclib/fulvestrant treatment. CFB showed significant differences for GHS/QoL, appetite loss, constipation and systemic therapy side effect scores favouring placebo/fulvestrant. TTD in GHS/QoL was delayed in placebo/fulvestrant versus palbociclib/fulvestrant [30.3 versus 11.1 months; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.57, 95% CI: 1.03–2.39, p = 0.036]; this difference was not significant in patients with progressive disease (aHR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.6–2.2, p = 0.658). No statistically significant differences in TTD were found for the other QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 scales.

Conclusions:

Although TTD in GHS/QoL was prolonged with placebo/fulvestrant, no differences were observed on other functional or symptom scales. This finding and the improvement in PFS support the combination of palbociclib/fulvestrant as a beneficial therapeutic option for HR+/HER2− ABC.

Trial registration number:

Sponsor Study Code: GEICAM/2014-12 EudraCT Number: 2015-002437-21 ClinTrials.gov reference: NCT02690480
The Relative Citation Ratio: Evaluating a New Measure of Scientific Influence Among Academic Sports Medicine Surgeons
Authors: Smith Tiffany A. , Sudah Suleiman Y. , Manzi Joseph E. , Michel Christopher R. , Kerrigan Daniel J. , Dijanic Christopher N. , Constantinescu David S. , Menendez Mariano E. , Plyler Ryan
Published: January 2023

Background:

Objective measures of research influence are being increasingly utilized to evaluate and compare academic faculty. However, traditional bibliometrics, such as the Hirsch index and article citation count, are biased by time-dependent factors and are limited by a lack of field normalization. The relative citation ratio (RCR) is a new field- and time-normalized article-level metric developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the RCR among fellowship-trained academic sports medicine surgeons and to analyze physician factors associated with RCR values. We hypothesized that the mean RCR score for fellowship-trained academic sports medicine surgery faculty will fall above the NIH standard.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

A retrospective data analysis was performed using the iCite database for all fellowship-trained sports medicine surgery faculty associated with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited orthopaedic surgery residency programs in December 2021. In eligible faculty, the mean RCR, weighted RCR, and total publication count were compared by sex, career duration, academic rank, and presence of additional degrees. A mean RCR value of 1.0 is the NIH-funded field-normalized standard. The data herein are presented as the median and interquartile range, in addition to the mean and standard deviation, to account for outliers of the mean and weighted RCR scores.

Results:

A total of 624 fellowship-trained sports medicine surgery faculty members from 160 orthopaedic surgery residency programs were included in the analysis. Overall, faculty produced impactful research, with a median RCR of 1.6 (interquartile range, 1.0-2.2) and a median weighted RCR of 19.3 (interquartile range, 5.1-69.3). Advanced academic rank and career longevity were associated with increased weighted RCR and total publication count. All subgroups analyzed had an RCR value >1.0.

Conclusion:

Study findings indicate that fellowship-trained academic sports medicine surgery faculty are highly productive and produce impactful research, as evidenced by the high median RCR value relative to the benchmark NIH RCR value of 1.0.
Safety evaluation of oubli fruit sweet protein (brazzein) derived from Komagataella phaffii, intended for use as a sweetener in food and beverages
Authors: Lynch Barry , Wang Tina , Vo Trung , Tafazoli Shahrzad , Ryder Jason
Published: January 2023

Naturally sweet proteins have no glycemic effect and offer a fundamentally new approach to sweetness and health for individuals seeking to reduce their added sugar intake. However, unlike many commercial sweeteners, little research has been performed on the potential safety implications of adding these uniquely sweet proteins to food and beverages. In this study, a naturally sweet protein found in the West African Oubli plant ( Pentadiplandra brazzeana), referred to as Oubli fruit sweet protein or brazzein, was expressed in Komagataella phaffii (formerly Pichia pastoris) and produced via precision fermentation, and a safety and risk assessment was undertaken for its use as a sweetener in food and beverages. Potential consumption levels of brazzein were estimated to be 3 mg/kg body weight/day based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The safety of brazzein derived from K. phaffii was evaluated through in silico allergenicity, in vitro genotoxicity (reverse mutation and mammalian micronucleus assays), and a 90-day dietary oral toxicity study in rats. There was no indication of allergenicity in the in silico analyses. Brazzein was non-genotoxic in the in vitro assays and showed no adverse effects in the 90-day oral toxicity study up to the highest dose tested, where the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was 978 and 985 mg/kg body weight/day in males and females, respectively. The totality of evidence in the in silico allergenicity, in vitro genotoxicity, and 90-day dietary toxicity studies demonstrates that brazzein derived from K. phaffii is considered safe for use as a sweetener in food and beverages.