bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exogenous Interleukin-37 Alleviates Hepatitis with Reduced Dendritic Cells and Induced Regulatory T Cells in Acute Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Ruan Yufei , Wen Zhengwang , Chen Ke , Xi Jianan , Wu Bo , Xu Zhiyong , Jiang Minzhi , Zhang Junling , Chen Yiping , Liu Qi
Published: May 2023

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is globally distributed, and the liver is one of the major targeting organs. So far, the mechanisms for cell and organ damage have not fully been elucidated and the treatments for the infection are mainly at symptoms. IL-37 has shown a protective role in certain inflammatory diseases. In the present study, potential protective effect of exogenous IL-37 on murine cytomegalovirus- (MCMV-) infected hepatitis was evaluated through analyses of serum transaminases, the liver histopathology and cytokine expression, and functional state of dendritic cells (DCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). These analyses showed a significant decrease in serum transaminase levels and a lower Ishak histopathologic score at the early stage of MCMV-infected mice with exogenous IL-37 pretreatment. The frequencies of MHC-Ⅱ, CD40, CD80, and CD86 positive DCs in the liver and spleen were decreased significantly at 7 days postinfection (dpi) in MCMV-infected mice with IL-37 pretreatment when compared with those without the pretreatment, while the total number of DCs in the liver was reduced in IL-37-pretreated mice. The induction of Tregs in the spleen was enhanced at dpi 3 with IL-37 pretreatment in MCMV-infected mice. The mRNA expression levels of cytokines in the liver were decreased significantly (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-4) or to some extent (TGF-β and TNF-α). The present study suggested that exogenous IL-37 can alleviate MCMV-infected hepatitis, likely through reduced DCs and induced Tregs with a weaker cytokine storm, demonstrating its potential value in clinical management for HCMV-infected hepatitis.
Exosome Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Cell Exerts Immunomodulatory Effects on B Cells from SLE Patients
Authors: Zhao Ying , Song Wenbin , Yuan Zilin , Li Min , Wang Gang , Wang Liping , Liu Yueping , Diao Bo
Published: May 2023

Background. Excessive proliferation and activation of B cells, resulting in the production of various autoantibodies, is a crucial link and significant feature of the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the pathological basis of systemic multiorgan damage. However, whether exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs-Exo) are involved in the immune regulation of SLE has not been clarified. Objectives. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of hucMSCs-Exo for treating SLE. Methods. hucMSCs-Exo and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients were cocultured in vitro, and B cell apoptosis, activation, proliferation, and inflammation levels were detected by flow cytometry. Subsequently, the expression level of miR-155 in B lymphocytes of SLE patients was detected by qRT-PCR, and the target gene relationship between miR-155 and SHIP-1 was found through bioinformatics and dual luciferase activity experiments, which verified the inhibition of miR-155 in B lymphocytes of SLE patients to regulate immunity. Results. We found that hucMSCs-Exo promoted B cell apoptosis, prevented B cell overactivation, and reduced inflammation. MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) has a powerful regulatory function in B cells. It was demonstrated that hucMSCs-Exo acts synergistically with miR-155 inhibitors to target SHIP-1 to B cells more effectively than exosomes alone. Conclusion. Our results provide insight into how hucMSCs-Exo regulates autoimmunity in patients with lupus and suggest targeting miR-155 for autoimmunity while protecting immunity.
The Impact of In-Service Education and Training on Teachers’ Learning: Perspectives from English Foreign Language Teachers in Tanzania
Authors: Msamba Enitha M. , Msuya Erasmus A. , Anangisye William A. L.
Published: May 2023

This study evaluates the impact of in-service education and training on Tanzanian foreign language teachers learning. The in-service training focused on equipping teachers with knowledge and skills in competency-based language teaching. The qualitative research approach and the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique were used to guide the research process. The data were collected from Manyara and Kilimanjaro Regions. Twenty-one respondents were purposely selected and interviewed in a one-to-one unstructured interview. Information from the interview was managed using ATLAS.ti and thematically analyzed using a thematic approach. The finding indicated that the in-service training effectively impacted teachers learning on subject knowledge, general knowledge, and pedagogical content knowledge relating to competency-based language teaching. Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and other education stakeholders need to sustain the knowledge gained to reflect it in English language teachers’ classroom practice by providing follow-up and support. Moreover, the discrepancy in some facets of knowledge gained and limited change stories related to the planning, teaching, and assessing grammar call for more in-service training so that teachers gain the correct information and appropriately teach and assess grammar by associating it with functional usage.
Microstructural Changes of Bone after Soft Tissue Removal: ATR-FTIR and XRD Spectroscopies
Authors: Alebrahim Mohammad A. , Al-Akhras M-Ali H. , Al-Hiyasat Ahmad S. , Ba Rajjash Ali S. , Mousa M. S. , Al Darayseh Abdulla
Published: May 2023

The structural alterations that may arise in boiled and nonboiled bones are often overlooked despite their critical importance in the development of defleshing techniques across various scientific disciplines. To elucidate the microstructural characteristics of bones following the removal of soft tissue through conventional methods, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopies were employed. Our findings indicate that the boiled water method resulted in higher crystallinity, as evidenced by the FTIR data, whereas the XRD data revealed the opposite. This underscores the notion that a direct comparison between these two techniques is unfeasible as they measure distinct crystallinity parameters. In addition, the cold water maceration method caused a significant reduction in collagen crosslinking, as evidenced by the lower index observed.
Green Innovation Efficiency Measurement Based on Sensor Data: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Jingkun , Zhang Wang
Published: May 2023

Based on the theoretical knowledge of technological innovation, this paper designs a sensor data value incubation model and a sensor data collection model to collect the original data on green innovation efficiency. In order to explore the spatial and temporal differentiation characteristics of China’s provincial green innovation efficiency and the spatial spillover effect of China’s provincial green innovation efficiency, the entropy weight TOPSIS model is adopted to measure the green innovation efficiency of China’s 30 provinces (cities) from 2005 to 2021 and analyze its temporal and spatial evolution characteristics. This paper uses an exploratory spatial data analysis method to prove the agglomeration phenomenon of China’s provincial green innovation efficiency in the ground space. Finally, a spatial econometric model is introduced to study the impact of government R&D investment, green supervision, and green innovation efficiency on spatial spillover effects. The study found the following three conclusions: First, the efficiency of green innovation in China’s provinces has been fluctuating in stages, and the overall trend has been increasing year by year. The overall efficiency of green innovation in China’s provinces is low, and the overall development is uneven and uncoordinated. Second, from the results of the spatial autocorrelation test, there is a clear and positive spatial correlation between China’s provincial green innovation efficiency and agglomeration in the geospatial space. Third, government R&D inputs and different types of green regulations have a significant impact on green innovation efficiency and have significant spatial spillover effects. Along from the eastern region to the central region, then to the northeast and western regions, the degree of effect on green innovation efficiency and the intensity of spatial spillover effects have gradually weakened. It is believed that the government should reduce R&D investment in the eastern region and increase green sewage charges. Instead, the government should raise R&D investment in the central, northeast, and western regions and offer enterprises green innovation subsidies.
Averaged Control Problems Governed by a Semilinear Distributed Systems
Authors: Zine Rabie , Ould Sidi Hamed , Louartassi Younes , Ould Sidi Maawiya
Published: May 2023

In this work, we consider the regional averaged controllability (RAC) problem governed by a class of semilinear hyperbolic systems. We start by giving the definitions of the exact and approximate RAC systems. After that, we state the problem of RAC for semilinear systems. We propose two methods of solution: using a condition of the analytical operator to the nonlinear part of the system to characterize the optimal control via the fixed point theorem and the Hilbert Uniqueness Method (HUM) with an asymptotic condition on the nonlinear part to find the optimal control of the considered problem. Finally, we present a numerical example to show the effectiveness of the main results.
Interval Prediction Model of Deformation Behavior for Dam Safety during Long-Term Operation Using Bootstrap-GBDT
Authors: Zhao Erfeng , Li Yi , Zhang Jingmei , Li Zhangyin
Published: May 2023

Accurate and reliable prediction on structural deformation is a powerful means to evaluate the safety state of dams during long-term operation. This work is a contribution to the quantification of the cognitive and stochastic uncertainties in prediction models for the dam performance using measured time series, through constructing the prediction interval (PI) by an innovative model combined with the gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) and the bootstrap method. The constructed PI, improved by the kernel density estimation (KDA), consists of an upper bound and a lower bound of the interval to provide a confidence level for dam deformation prediction. The bootstrap method combined with multiple GBDT is utilized to estimate the variance of the model bias, mainly derived from the cognitive uncertainties. The variance of random noise can be furtherly estimated through training the combined model to fit the residuals so as to indicate the stochastic uncertainties. The effectiveness of the newly proposed model is validated employing measured data of the Jinping Ι arch Dam. The results indicate that the methodology can obtain high-quality PIs and accurate prediction values and thus can provide strong support for better appraising dam performance during long-term operation.
Redescription of an insect-associated nematode, Reiterina typica (Stefański, 1922) Sudhaus, 2011 (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) found in scarab grubs in Hungary
Authors: Balog Luca Eszter , Ahmed Mohammed , Török Júlia Katalin , Holovachov Oleksandr
Published: May 2023

Three out of four currently accepted species of the genus Reiterina (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) were described in the early 20th century. The type species of this genus, R. typica (Stefański, 1922) Sudhaus, 2011, has several synonyms, with differences in their individual species descriptions, which necessitates its detailed redescription. A population of this species was isolated from scarab beetles in Hungary and is characterised as follows: body 970 ± 123 μm long in males and 1221 ± 188 μm long in females, V% = 50.1-57.7, female tail conoid (94.5 μm, c = 13, c′ = 3.3), male tail conoid (36 μm, c = 27, c′ = 1.5) with anteriorly opened peloderan bursa supported by nine pairs of genital papillae (1 + 2 + 3 + 3), papillae 4 and 9 open on the dorsal side, and papillae 3 and 8 reaching the edge of the velum, spicules 28-47 μm long. Newly sequenced 18S rDNA genes place Reiterina typica in a clade with other published Reiterina typica sequence and with sequences from the genus Rhabditis.
The Concept of a Religiously Ideal Muslim Woman in Two Treatises on the Customs of Bosnian Muslims
Authors: Duderija Adis
Published: May 2023

The main aim of this article is to examine the construction of a religiously ideal Muslim woman as presented in two sources documenting Bosnian Muslim (Bosniak) customs. The concept of a religiously ideal Muslim woman adopted in this article is based on recent theoretical studies in mainstream Sunnism, which can be arranged into three thematic areas: (i) the nature of female sexuality; (ii) gender segregation and veiling; and (iii) husband-wife dynamics and corresponding gender roles and norms. This article argues that the concept of a religiously ideal Bosnian Muslim woman in the two selected sources strongly reflects the ideal presented in mainstream Sunnism, which are premised upon beliefs that women embody an aggressive socio-morally corrupting sexuality, that upholding strict segregation and veiling is vital, and that husbands hold the locus of authority and control over their wives.
Ambivalent Sexism in the State of Qatar
Authors: Lari Noora
Published: May 2023

This article examines public attitudes toward ambivalent sexism in the State of Qatar, which has taken considerable initiatives to prioritize women’s empowerment strategies and promote equality between men and women. It investigates whether these equality initiatives are reflected in nationals’ attitudes toward women by measuring scores on the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI). While prior research has focused almost exclusively on the role of social implications, much less has been explored regarding the public sentiments underlying traditional gender roles and patriarchal attitudes in Qatari society. This study uses original survey data from a national sample of a 2019 survey. The results of the novel analytical descriptive approach used here suggest that individuals in Qatar are highly sexist on average, indicating that as a nation, Qatar scores low on gender equality measures. The analysis also reveals that benevolent sexism is evaluated more positively than hostile sexism, although its underlying dimensions correlate with patriarchal views and gender stereotyping in the context of high gender inequality. These findings are especially important considering the ever-emerging dynamics of gender roles and the increased efforts being gradually expended for improved gender parity.
Morphological variation during post-embryonic development in the centipede Lithobius melanops: traditional and geometric morphometrics approaches
Authors: Stojanović Dalibor Z. , Vujić Vukica D. , Jovanović Zvezdana S. , Milovanović Jelena Z. , Dudić Boris D. , Ilić Bojan S. , Makarov Slobodan E.
Published: May 2023

Two modes of post-embryonic development, hemianamorphosis and epimorphosis, show a distinct pattern among extant centipede (Chilopoda) orders. Although studies on post-embryonic development in Lithobiomorpha date back to the 19th and the 20th century, many ambiguities referring to nomenclature of their post-embryonic stages still exist. In this paper coherent terminology of the post-embryonic stages in Lithobius melanops, which could be applied to other lithobiomorphs, is proposed. Additionally, morphological variability of selected morphological traits was analyzed using traditional and geometric morphometric approaches. We recognized five anamorphic (anamorph 0 to 4) and five epimorphic stages (agenitalis, immaturus, praematurus, pseudomaturus and maturus). Measurement and count of certain morphometric characters, detailed description of genital appendages, shape and size variation of the forcipular apparatus, the cephalic capsule and the terminal legs are given. Moreover, for the purpose of geometric morphometric analyses we separated specimens of epimorphic stages into three groups (agenitalis-, praematurus- and maturus-like) based on the level of differentiation of genital appendages. Sexual size dimorphism of the forcipular apparatus was observed only in the praematurus group. Also, significant inter-group forcipular size and shape differences are found between some tested groups. Furthermore, significant differences in size and shape were recorded for the cephalic capsule between all groups. Finally, significant size differences in ultimate legs are present between all epimorphic groups, while shape differences were detected only between agenitalis and maturus groups. Our results contribute to overcoming terminological disparities and provide guidelines for distinguishing stages via discrete and continuous changes during post-embryonic development of the anamorphic centipede.
Carlquist’s growth ring classification: a functional approach that reinforces porous and annual rings
Authors: Silva Marcelo dos Santos
Published: May 2023

There is no doubt that Carlquist is one of the greatest contemporary wood anatomists. Every student or researcher in the field is likely to have read at least one of his numerous works, and it is difficult to find a topic in wood anatomy that does not lead to one to his publications. Among the many topics addressed by Carlquist are of course growth rings, one of the oldest and most exciting topics in wood anatomy. Carlquist established a functional classification for growth rings based on anatomical variation, in addition to an interpretation of the different anatomical markers “as ecologically adaptive devices.” In this article, I return to Carlquist’s first classification of growth rings and summarize the main changes in his later reviews. I highlight the advances provided by his unprecedented functional approach to growth rings, while also criticizing Carlquist’s proposed growth ring classification, which reinforces a partial view, although dominant until the present day, focused on temperate species: that growth rings are mostly well marked, porous or semi-porous, and with annual periodicity.
Effect of Reduced Chemical Fertilizers with Biochar Application on Microbial Community in Rhizosphere Soil of Amorphophallus konjac
Authors: Hong Yongzhong , Fan Zhiwei , Xu Shengguang , Pan Chunmei , Zhang Xiaohua , Lin Li , Zhang Jinwen
Published: May 2023

In agricultural applications, biochar showed potentials to improve soil properties. At present, effects of chemical fertilizer reduction with biochar application on the microbial community in the rhizosphere soil need to be further investigated. In this study, konjac (Amorphophallus
konjac K. Koch) was taken as the research subject, and analyzing the microbial α-diversity, amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) community composition in rhizosphere were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing technology, and tuber yield was calculated. Four treatments of
chemical fertilizer with biochar application were set, T1: common fertilizer 20 g/plant, T2: common fertilizer 10 g/plant, T3: controlled-release fertilizers 10 g/plant, T4: controlled-release fertilizers 10 g/plant with biochar 100 g/plant. The results found that, the Chao1 index, number
of unique ASVs, and total ASV of rhizosphere soil bacteria in T2 increased by 14.45, 13.39, and 14.36% respectively, compared to T1; while that of fungal abundance decreased by 17.82, 48.28, and 18.42%. Similarly, compared to T3, the Chao1 index, number of unique ASVs, and total ASV in bacterial
of rhizosphere soil in T4 increased by 9.36, 19.88, and 9.81%, respectively, while that of fungal abundance decreased by 9.16, 20.18, and 9.62%. The yield of konjac showed no significant difference between T1 and T2 treatments. However, T4 treatment had a significantly higher yield than T3
treatment (P = 0.076), and T4 treatment was significantly higher than T1 treatment (P < 0.05). The results indicated that chemical fertilizer reduction with biochar application can improve bacterial abundance and unique and total ASVs in the rhizosphere soil of konjac, while
reducing fungal abundance and unique and total ASVs. This can effectively promote the transformation of the rhizosphere soil towards a high-fertilizer “bacterial type”, leading to an increase in the yield of konjac.
Comparative Study on the Microstructure and Electrochemical Properties of Distilled Grains Derived Hard Carbon as Anode for Potassium Ion Batteries: Effect of Carbonization Temperature
Authors: Qin Jianliang , Li Shun , Wu Junhui , Qin Wangyuan , Yuan Kai , Tang Zengmin , Xu Jianxiong
Published: May 2023

The design and preparation of novel carbon electrodes are the key to the development of potassium ion batteries (PIBs). The unique short-range ordered graphene sheet and defective amorphous domain composite structure of hard carbon (HC) provide favorable support for the storage and
adsorption of potassium ions. In this paper, derived biomass carbons (DBCs) as a HC material were prepared by simple two-step carbonization of pre-carbonized at 500 °C and the graphitization transformation at a higher carbonization temperature employing the distilled grain biomass as a
carbon source. The effect of carbonization temperature at the second step on the surface structure and electrochemical performance of the DBCs applied in PIBs were checked. It was found that 900 °C of carbonization temperature was favored for the formation of DBCs with a proper degree
of graphitization, large lattice spacing (3.55 Å), and large specific surface area (111.9 m2/g−1). Ascribed to the microstructural advantage, the DBC-900 based PIBs displayed astonishing potassium storage capacity (160.5 mAh/g at 50 mA/g) and extremely low-capacity
attenuation (0.041% per cycle at 50 mA/g after 800 cycles). This work not only provides a kind of HC materials with low-cost and easy preparation for PIBs, but also offers a way for the application of distilled grains.
Deacidification of Acidic Oil Catalyzed by Sulfonated Mesoporous Silica for Biodiesel Production: Optimization, Kinetic, and Enhancement by Using Calcined Kaolin
Authors: Chen Huiqin , Zhong Deguang , Ma Youheng , Cui Lirong , Xiao Zijun , Lu Weidong
Published: May 2023

Acidified oil is characterized as high acid value. Hence, deacidification is indispensable in biodiesel production from acidic oil. Heterogeneous catalysts have many advantages over homogeneous counterparts in deacidification of acidic oil. Therefore, in the present work, sulfonated
mesoporous silica (SMS) was prepared and characterized, followed by the systematical investigation on the effect of reaction variables on the deacidification rate (DR). Furthermore, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the reaction parameters. Results showed that the
optimal studied reaction variables for the deacidification process were as follows: reaction temperature 65 °C, methanol to oleic acid ratio 35:1, catalyst loading of 2%, in which, deacidification rate of 97.78% could be achieved. DR of 62.52% could still be obtained after catalyst had
been used for four consecutive cycles. Finally, significant enhancement of DR could be achieved by using calcined kaolin to assist the deacidification of acidified oil with high water content, indicating that there is great potential in deacidification of acidic oil catalyzed by SMS with the
assistance of calcined kaolin for biodiesel production.
Characterization and Dye Removal Application Using Initiated Carbon Originated from Rubber Seed Shell Biomass
Authors: Beautlin Nisha R. , Anish C. I. , Danielsam N. , Sanjith S. , Gobalakrishnan S. , Jaya Rajan M. , Helal Mahmoud , Alharthi Amal A. , Sami Rokayya , Zewail Reda M. Y. , Uguru H. , Aljuraide N. I. , Chavali Murthy
Published: May 2023

The utilization of agricultural waste biomass presents an exciting substitute, established on its possibility to be switched into initiated carbon. In this research, initiated (activated) carbon (AC) was formulated from rubber seed shell biomass, infused with ammonium chloride at a
temperature of 500 °C for 2 h. The activated carbon was characterized by its functional groups, thermal stability, surface morphology, and elemental identification by using FTIR, TGA/DTA, and SEM/EDAX. Additionally, the AC remediation strength was assessed with dye (Congo Red) under various
parameters like dosage and pH; and the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm prototypes were used to evaluate the utmost uptake (qmax) of Congo Red by the adsorptive material. The maximum dye adsorption capacity was achieved at 24.35 g/L and fits well in the Langmuir
isotherm model. Therefore, the findings of this research reveal the possibility of utilizing rubber seed shell biomass as economical and competent raw ingredients to manufacture initiated carbon for wastewater treatment, to improve (increase) the water potability level.
Anticancer Effects of Honey Varieties on Human Cells by Studying Some Physical Parameters, Hydrogen Peroxide Content, Catalase, Glucose Oxidase, and Microbial Activities
Authors: Al-Eisa Rasha A. , Ashour Amal Adnan , Helal Mahmoud , Aljahani Amani H. , Kadi Roqayah H. , Hazzazi Mohannad S. , Sami Rokayya
Published: May 2023

The present work studied the anticancer effects of four honey varieties on human cells by studying some physical parameters, hydrogen peroxide content, catalase, glucose oxidase, and microbial activities. Honey samples were (nigella sativa, moringa, sidr, pumpkin), which were coded
as NS, MO, SI, and PU honey, respectively. The tested bacterial isolates Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis were used for microbial activities. Two types of human cells, breast, and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines were used for anticancer properties. SI Honey samples
showed the lowest value for electrical conductivity 3.19 μS cm−1. PU Honey samples recorded the highest value for hydrogen peroxide contents 1582.05 μM, while SI Honey reported a similar trend of 1501.51 μM. The values of catalase enzyme activity
ranged from 2.78 U/g in SI Honey to 3.91 U/g in MO Honey. Glucose oxidase activity ranged from 4.12 U/g in NS Honey samples to 10.55 U/g in MO Honey. The highest antibacterial activity was detected by SI Honey with a zone of inhibition value of 14.99 mm against Staphylococcus aureus.
PU Honey was the best to inhibit the microbial loud of Enterococcus faecalis 7.93 mm. SI Honey was the most effective against breast adenocarcinoma cells (IC50 66.15 μg/mL), on the same trend MO Honey was the most effective against colon adenocarcinoma cells (IC50
45.13 μg/mL). While NS Honey recorded lower efficiency against both breast and colon adenocarcinoma cancer cells IC50 95.13 μg/mL and IC50 87.66 μg/mL, respectively. The control detected the lowest cytotoxic effects on both breast and colon
adenocarcinoma cancer cells IC50 112.33 μg/mL and IC50 203.97 μg/mL, respectively.
What Types of Novelty Are Most Disruptive?
Authors: Leahey Erin , Lee Jina , Funk Russell J.
Published: May 2023

Novelty and impact are key characteristics of the scientific enterprise. Classic theories of scientific change distinguish among different types of novelty and emphasize how a new idea interacts with previous work and influences future flows of knowledge. However, even recently developed measures of novelty remain unidimensional, and continued reliance on citation counts captures only the amount, but not the nature, of scientific impact. To better align theoretical and empirical work, we attend to different types of novelty (new results, new theories, and new methods) and whether a scientific offering has a consolidating form of influence (bringing renewed attention to foundational ideas) or a disruptive one (prompting subsequent scholars to overlook them). By integrating data from the Web of Science (to measure the nature of influence) with essays written by authors of Citation Classics (to measure novelty type), and by joining computational text analysis with statistical analyses, we demonstrate clear and robust patterns between type of novelty and the nature of scientific influence. As expected, new methods tend to be more disruptive, whereas new theories tend to be less disruptive. Surprisingly, new results do not have a robust effect on the nature of scientific influence.
Water Beads—Exploratory Learning or Exploratory Laparotomy?
Authors: Van Horn Alexandra L. , Sanin Gloria D. , Roeber Heidi L. , Petty John K.
Published: May 2023

Small brightly colored water beads have become increasingly popular toys in the pediatric population, marketed specifically for sensory exploration and learning. Unfortunately, the water-absorbing polymer which gives these toys their ability to grow also serves as means of obstruction if ingested. We report a case of a pediatric patient presenting with small bowel obstruction following the ingestion of a water bead, which was diagnosed and treated swiftly without complication. With the increasing incidence of water bead ingestion, it is essential that the public be aware of the potential risks and the necessity of seeking medical attention if companies do not withdraw such dangerous products from the market.
Surgical Repair of Idiopathic Mid-Forearm Radial Artery Aneurysm Using a Reversed Greater Saphenous Vein Interposition Graft
Authors: Mannino Elizabeth A. , Byrnes Kari Anna , Smith Lou M. , Hopkins Steven P.
Published: May 2023

Idiopathic, non-traumatic, radial artery aneurysms are rare in medical literature. This report presents the case of a 56-year-old man who was incidentally found to have a 1.01 cm × 1.31 cm left radial artery aneurysm during a carpal tunnel workup. The patient had no other aneurysms, nor any known predisposing diseases that could explain his condition. We proceeded with surgical intervention to prevent future complications. We describe the use of a greater saphenous vein interposition graft for the repair of an idiopathic mid-forearm radial artery aneurysm. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery course following repair.
Supervisees’ Perspectives of Inadequate, Harmful, and Exceptional Clinical Supervision: Are We Listening?
Authors: Hutman Heidi , Ellis Michael V. , Moore Jacob A. , Roberson Katheryn L. , McNamara Mackenzie L. , Peterson Lawrence P. , Taylor Englann J. , Zhou Shangyun
Published: May 2023

Supervisees’ experiences in supervision vary remarkably. To capture such variability, Ellis and colleagues offered a framework for understanding and assessing inadequate, harmful, and exceptional supervision. Although their framework was supported, it did not offer a nuanced understanding of these supervision experiences. Using consensual qualitative research–modified, this study sought to obtain a rich description of inadequate, harmful, and exceptional supervision. Participants ( N = 135) were presented with definitions and provided responses ( n = 156) to open-ended questions describing their inadequate ( n = 63), harmful ( n = 30), and/or exceptional ( n = 63) supervision experiences. Supervisees reporting harmful experiences described supervisors as neglectful and callous, whereas inadequate supervision reflected inappropriate feedback, unavailability, and unresponsiveness. Conversely, exceptional supervision involved safety, clinical paradigm shifts, and modeling specific techniques or theories. Implications for supervision research, theory, and practice are discussed.
Employment and Social Security/Insurance among patients affected by mental disorders in Italy: A descriptive multi-center study
Authors: Ventriglio Antonio , Latorre Mariateresa , Calabretta Maria Angela , Cuomo Alessandro , Di Gioia Ilaria , Ducci Giuseppe , Ghio Lucio , Mallozzi Antonietta , Politi Pierluigi , Suma Domenico , Tarricone Ilaria , Valentini Gravinese Giuseppe , Vita Antonio , Working Group ESSIMH , Bellomo Antonello
Published: May 2023

Introduction:

Many mental disorders especially chronic serious ones such as schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, are disabling syndromes and impact on patients’ social and cognitive functioning, including work activity. Thus, affected patients may show a particular socio-economic vulnerability and need specific social security as well as rehabilitation interventions, including pensions or job-placements. In Italy, the Working Group named ‘Employment and Social Security/Insurance in Mental Health (ESSIMH)’ was founded in 2020 in order to collect research evidence on mental illness, employment, social security, and rehabilitation.

Methods:

A descriptive, observational and multi-center study has been conducted in eleven Departments of Mental Health in Italy (Foggia, Brindisi, Putignano, Rome, Bologna, Siena, Pavia, Mantova, Genova, Brescia, and Torino) and involved 737 patients affected by major mental illness and classified in five diagnostic categories: psychoses, mood disorders, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and others. The data collection was performed in 2020 among patients aged 18 to 70 years old.

Results:

The rate of employment in our sample was 35.8% ( n = 264). Occupational disability in our sample was recognized in 58.0% of patients with a mean percentage of severity 51.7 ± 43.1; patients with psychoses (73%) reported higher disability followed by personality (60%) and mood disorders (47.3%) ones. In a logistic multivariate modeling, factors significantly associated with diagnosis were (a) higher level of occupational disability in psychoses; (b) higher number of job- placement programs among psychoses patients; (c) lower level of employment in psychoses; (d) more psychotherapy in personality disorder patients; and (e) more years of MHC program in psychoses patients; factors associated with sex were: (a) higher number of drive licenses among males; (b) more physical activity among males; and (c) higher number of job-placement programs among males.

Conclusion:

patients affected by psychoses were more likely to be unemployed, reported higher occupational disability as well as received more incentives and rehabilitation interventions. These findings confirmed that schizophrenia-spectrum disorders are disabling and patients need psychosocial support and interventions in the framework of a recovery-oriented treatment.
Welcome to the U.S. Army: A Qualitative Examination of the Army’s Reception of New Soldiers
Authors: Kintzle Sara , Schnyder Leslie P. , Alday Eva , Gonzalez Lindsey Alas , Mor Barak Michàlle , Castro Carl A.
Published: May 2023

Joining the Army, a new installation or a new unit are times of significant stress for Soldiers. Support provided during these transitions can affect unit cohesion, Soldier well-being, retention, and mission readiness. This research aimed to explore how Soldiers experience the Army onboarding process as well as perceptions of the welcome experience. Nineteen focus groups were conducted with 120 Soldiers using a semistructured interview protocol. Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts revealed two major themes, varied welcome experience and an inconsistent Total Army Sponsorship Program. Soldiers reported varied transition experiences ranging from positive, neutral, nonexistent, to negative. Results indicate that Soldiers welcome experience was dependent on the specific installation, leaders, and unit. Findings demonstrate that at the installation and unit level, the Army currently lacks standardized processes for onboarding new service members. We note the research limitations and offer several recommendations that can be drawn from the present findings.
Does Social Capital Mitigate Managerial Self-Dealing? Evidence From Insider Trading
Authors: Chung Sung Gon , Lee Jimmy , Park Sang Hyun
Published: May 2023

In this study, we examine whether the social capital surrounding the firm’s corporate headquarters mitigates managerial self-dealing in the form of opportunistic insider trading. We find strong evidence that the level of social capital in the region surrounding the firm’s headquarters is negatively and significantly associated with insider trading profitability. We also find that the negative association between social capital and insider trading profitability is more pronounced when governance is weaker and corporate opacity is higher, instances where insiders have greater opportunities to trade on their private information. Further analyses on the potential mechanisms suggest that the negative association is stronger when the firm’s social networks are denser and when the civic norms in the region are stronger. Overall, our article contributes to the growing social capital literature in accounting and finance by providing direct empirical evidence that social capital mitigates managerial self-serving behavior in the form of opportunistic insider trading.
Citation advantage of COVID-19-related publications
Authors: Liu Weishu , Huangfu Xuping , Wang Haifeng
Published: May 2023

With the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists from various disciplines responded quickly to this historical public health emergency. The sudden boom of COVID-19-related papers in a short period of time may bring unexpected influence to some commonly used bibliometric indicators. By a large-scale investigation using Science Citation Index Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index, this brief communication confirms the citation advantage of COVID-19-related papers empirically through the lens of Essential Science Indicators’ highly cited paper. More than 8% of COVID-19-related papers published during 2020 and 2021 were selected as Essential Science Indicators highly cited papers, which was much higher than the set global benchmark value of 1%. The citation advantage of COVID-19-related papers for different Web of Science categories/countries/journal impact factor quartiles was also demonstrated. The distortions of COVID-19-related papers’ citation advantage to some bibliometric indicators such as journal impact factor were discussed at the end of this brief communication.
Traditional Hierarchies of Zamindars and Kammis in Pakistani Punjab: Contemporary Contests Through Vartan Bhanji
Authors: Qadar Abdul , Waheed Arslan
Published: May 2023

This article challenges the traditional understanding of the role of landownership in rural Punjab in the context of recent socio-economic restructuring of Pakistani society. Based on extensive ethnographic fieldwork of contemporary practices of gift exchange ( vartan bhanji) in a village, we argue that the Kammi biraderis, once considered lower class, now assert their elevated socio-economic status through vartan bhanji on important social occasions like marriages. Zamindars now see themselves in competition both with Kammi biraderis and each other for social prestige and superior status, as new claims made by different biraderis challenge traditional hierarchies created through historically structured socio-economic inequalities.
Pediatric COVID-19 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation transport during the pandemic
Authors: Daverio Marco , Belda Hofheinz Sylvia , Vida Vladimiro , Scattolin Fabio , López Fernández Eduardo , García Torres Enrique , Tajuelo-Llopis Imanol , Izquierdo-Blasco Jaume , Pàmies-Catalán Antoni , Di Nardo Matteo , De Piero Maria Elena , Balcells Joan , Amigoni Angela
Published: May 2023

Introduction

ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in pediatric patients with COVID-19 has a survival rate similar to adults. Occasionally, patients may need to be cannulated by an ECMO team in a referring hospital and transported to an ECMO center. The ECMO transport of a COVID-19 patient has additional risks than normal pediatric ECMO transport for the possible COVID-19 transmissibility to the ECMO team and the reduction of the ECMO team performance due to the need of wearing full personal protective equipment. Since pediatric data on ECMO transport of COVID-19 patients are lacking, we explored the outcomes of the pediatric COVID-19 ECMO transports collected in the EuroECMO COVID_Neo/Ped Survey.

Methods

We reported five European consecutive ECMO transports of COVID-19 pediatric patients collected in the EuroECMO COVID_Neo/Ped Survey including 52 European neonatal and/or pediatric ECMO centers and endorsed by the EuroELSO from March 2020 till September 2021.

Results

The ECMO transports were performed for two indications, pediatric ARDS and myocarditis associated to the multisystem inflammatory syndrome related to COVID-19. Cannulation strategies differed among patients according to the age of the patients, transport distance varied between 8 and 390 km with a total transport duration between 5 to 15 h. In all five cases, the ECMO transports were successfully performed without major adverse events. One patient reported a harlequin syndrome and another patient a cannula displacement both without major clinical consequences. Hospital survival was 60% with one patient reporting neurological sequelae. No ECMO team member developed COVID-19 symptoms after the transport.

Conclusion

Five transports of pediatric patients with COVID-19 supported with ECMO were reported in the EuroECMO COVID_Neo/Ped Survey. All transports were performed by an experienced multidisciplinary ECMO team and were feasible and safe for both the patient and the ECMO team. Further experiences are needed to better characterize these transports and draw insightful conclusions.
Metformin attenuates white matter injury and cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion
Authors: He Yixi , Li Zhenghao , Shi Xiaoyu , Ding Jing , Wang Xin
Published: May 2023

Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) is a series of cognitive dysfunction associated with cerebrovascular diseases and currently lacks effective treatments. The white matter, which is essential for neuronal information processing and integration, is nourished by a network of capillaries and is vulnerable to chronic hypoperfusion. Here, we show that metformin, a widely used drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, alleviates the white matter damage and improves cognitive impairment in a mouse model of VCID established by bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS)-induced chronic hypoperfusion. Mechanistically, metformin restores the dysfunctions of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) under hypoxia. Metformin up-regulates prolyl hydroxylases 2 via activating the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway, leading to hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) degradation in OPCs. These findings suggest that metformin may have a promising therapeutic role in alleviating cognitive abnormalities by ameliorating white matter damage of VCID.
Longitudinal trajectories of posttraumatic headache after pediatric mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Marbil Mica Gabrielle , Ware Ashley L , Galarneau Jean-Michel , Minich Nori Mercuri , Hershey Andrew D , Orr Serena L , Defta Dana M , Taylor H Gerry , Bigler Erin D , Cohen Daniel M , Mihalov Leslie K , Bacevice Ann , Bangert Barbara A , Yeates Keith Owen
Published: May 2023

Objective

This prospective, longitudinal cohort study examined the trajectory, classification, and features of posttraumatic headache after pediatric mild traumatic brain injury.

Methods

Children ( N = 213; ages 8.00 to 16.99 years) were recruited from two pediatric emergency departments <24 hours of sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury or mild orthopedic injury. At 10 days, three months, and six months postinjury, parents completed a standardized questionnaire that was used to classify premorbid and posttraumatic headache as migraine, tension-type headache, or not otherwise classified. Multilevel mixed effects models were used to examine posttraumatic headache rate, severity, frequency, and duration in relation to group, time postinjury, and premorbid headache, controlling for age, sex, and site.

Results

PTH risk was greater after mild traumatic brain injury than mild orthopedic injury at 10 days (odds ratio = 197.41, p < .001) and three months postinjury (odds ratio = 3.50, p = .030), especially in children without premorbid headache. Posttraumatic headache was more frequent after mild traumatic brain injury than mild orthopedic injury, β (95% confidence interval) = 0.80 (0.05, 1.55). Groups did not differ in other examined headache features and classification any time postinjury.

Conclusions

Posttraumatic headache risk increases after mild traumatic brain injury relative to mild orthopedic injury for approximately three months postinjury, but is not clearly associated with a distinct phenotype.
What do patients’ efficacy and tolerability ratings of acute migraine medication tell us? Cross-sectional data from the DMKG Headache Registry
Authors: Ruscheweyh Ruth , Dresler Thomas , Förderreuther Stefanie , Gaul Charly , Gossrau Gudrun , Jürgens Tim Patrick , Ruschil Victoria , Straube Andreas , Scheidt Jörg
Published: May 2023

Background

Most migraine patients need an effective acute medication. Real-world data can provide important information on the performance of acute migraine medication in clinical practice.

Methods

We used data from the German Migraine and Headache Society Headache Registry, where patients rate efficacy and tolerability of and satisfaction with each of their acute headache medications.

Results

A total of 1756 adult migraine patients (females: 85%, age: 39.5 ± 12.8 years, headache days per month: 13.5 ± 8.1) were included. Of these, 93% used acute medication, most frequently triptans (59.3%) and/or non-opioid analgesics (56.4%), and 58.5% rated efficacy as good or very good. This was more frequent for triptans (75.4%) than for non-opioid analgesics (43.6%, p < 0.001). Among non-opioid analgesics, naproxen was rated most effective (61.9% very good or good, p < 0.001 compared to ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol). Patient-rated efficacy significantly declined with higher headache frequencies (p < 0.001), and this effect remained significant after omitting patients overusing acute medication.

Conclusion

In the present population recruited at specialized headache centers, patients rated triptans as more effective than non-opioid analgesics, naproxen as more effective than ibuprofen, and acute medication efficacy decreased with increasing headache frequency. Trial registration: The German Migraine and Headache Society Headache Registry is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS 00021081).
Prioritizing Cyclists at Signalized Intersections Using Observations from Connected Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Vial Alphonse , Salomons Maria , Daamen Winnie , van Arem Bart , Hoogendoorn-Lanser Sascha , Hoogendoorn Serge
Published: May 2023

When making trips in urban environments, cyclists lose time as they stop and idle at signalized intersections. The main objective of this study was to show how augmenting the situational awareness of traffic signal controllers, using observations from moving sensor platforms, can enable prioritization of cyclists and reduce lost time within the control cycle in an effective way. We investigated the potential of using observations from connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) as a source of new information, using a revised vehicle-actuated controller. This controller exploits CAV-generated observations of cyclists to optimize the control for cyclists. The results from a simulation study indicated that with a low CAV penetration rate, prioritizing cyclists by tracking reduced cyclist delays and stops, even with a small field of view. As the delay of car directions were not taken into account in this study, the average car delay increased considerably with an increasing number of cyclists. Future work is needed to optimize the control that balances the delays and stops of cyclists and cars.