bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opioid receptor antagonism and neural response to monetary rewards: Pilot studies in light and heavy alcohol users
Authors: Gowin Joshua L , Sloan Matthew E , Kirk-Provencher Katelyn T , Rosenblatt Sophie L , Penner Anne E , Stangl Bethany L , Byrd Nia D , Swan Julia E , Ramchandani Vijay A
Published: August 2023

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a prevalent condition associated with high degree of comorbidity and mortality. Among the few approved pharmacotherapies for AUD, two involve opioid receptor antagonism. Naltrexone and nalmefene are thought to act via opioid receptor blockage to reduce neural response to alcohol and drug-associated cues and consumption, but there have been limited efforts to characterize these effects in humans. In these studies, we sought to test the magnitude of opioid antagonism effects on neural response to monetary rewards in two groups: light drinkers (for the naltrexone study) and heavy drinkers (for the nalmefene study). We conducted double-blind, randomized, crossover pilot studies of reward activation in the brain following acute administration of opioid antagonist and placebo in 11 light and 9 heavy alcohol users. We used a monetary incentive delay task during functional MRI. We found a main effect of cue type on BOLD activation in the nucleus accumbens, demonstrating a neural reward response. The effect of opioid antagonism, relative to placebo, was small and nonsignificant for reward activation in the accumbens for both light and heavy alcohol users. Based on the results of two pilot studies, opioid antagonist medications do not appear to decrease neural activation to monetary rewards in the nucleus accumbens relative to placebo.
Donor-Matched Peripheral Blood–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined With Platelet-Rich Plasma Synergistically Ameliorate Surgery-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rabbits: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Zhang Kaibo , Xu Tianhao , Xie Huiqi , Li Jian , Fu Weili
Published: August 2023

Background:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease that causes joint pain and disability. Stem cell therapy is emerging as a promising treatment for OA.

Purpose:

To evaluate the ability of peripheral blood–derived mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) combined with donor-matched platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat OA in a rabbit model.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

PBMSCs and donor-matched PRP were isolated and prepared from the same rabbit. PBMSCs were treated with serum-free medium, fetal bovine serum, and PRP; a series of PBMSC behaviors, including proliferation, migration, and adhesion, were compared among groups. The ability of PBMSCs or PRP alone and PBMSCs+PRP to protect chondrocytes against proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin 1β [IL-1β]) treatment was compared by analyzing reactive oxygen species (ROS)–scavenging ability and apoptosis. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism genes and proteins, and Western blotting was used to explore the potential mechanism of the corresponding signaling pathway. In vivo, the effect of PBMSCs+PRP on cartilage and inflammation of the synovium was observed in a surgery-induced OA rabbit model via gross observation, histological and immunohistochemical staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

Proliferation, migration, and adhesion ability were enhanced in PBMSCs treated with PRP. Moreover, compared with either PBMSCs or PRP alone, PBMSCs+PRP enhanced ROS-scavenging ability and inhibited apoptosis in IL-1β–treated chondrocytes. PBMSCs+PRP also reversed the IL-1β–induced degradation of collagen type 2 and aggrecan and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13, and this effect was related to increased expression of ECM synthesis and decreased expression of degradation and inflammatory genes and proteins. Mechanistically, PBMSCs+PRP reduced the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor-κBα (IκBα), which further inhibited the phosphorylation of downstream nuclear factor–κB (NF-κB) in the NF-κB signaling pathway. In vivo, compared with PBMSCs or PRP alone, intra-articular (IA) injection of PBMSCs+PRP enhanced cartilage regeneration and attenuated synovial inflammation in OA-induced rabbits.

Conclusion:

These results demonstrate that PRP could enhance biological activities, including viability, migration, and adhesion, in PBMSCs. PBMSCs+PRP could rescue ECM degeneration by inhibiting inflammatory signaling in IL-1β–treated OA chondrocytes. In addition, IA injection of PBMSCs+PRP effectively attenuated OA progression in a surgery-induced OA rabbit model.

Clinical Relevance:

PBMSCs+PRP may provide a promising treatment for knee OA, and this study can advance the related basic research.
Ecotoxicological response surface analysis of salt and pH in textile effluent on Bacillus subtilis and Lactuca sativa
Authors: Mainardi Pedro H , Bidoia Ederio D
Published: August 2023

Textile effluents, although their composition can vary considerably, typically contain high levels of dissolved salts and exhibit wide variations in pH. Ecotoxicological studies regarding the effects of these parameters, however, have been limited owing to the need for sensitive and easy-to-handle bioindicators that require low amounts of sampling, are cost-effective, time-efficient, and ethically endorsed. This kind of study, additionally, demands robust multi-factorial statistical designs that can accurately characterize the individual and combined relationship between variables. In this research, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to calculate the individual and interaction effects of NaCl concentration and pH value of a Simulated Textile Effluent (STE) on the development rate (DR) of the bioindicators: Bacillus subtilis bacteria and Lactuca sativa lettuce. The results demonstrated that the bioindicators were sensitive to both NaCl and pH factors, where the relative sensitivity relationship was B. subtilis > L. sativa. The quadratic equations generated in the experiments indicated that increased concentrations of 50-250 mg L−1 of NaCl caused a perturbance of 1.40%–34.40% on the DR of B. subtilis and 0.50%–12.30% on L. sativa. The pH factor at values of 3–11 caused an alteration of 27.00%–64.78% on the DR of the B. subtilis and 51.37%–37.37% on the L. sativa. These findings suggest that the selected bioindicators could serve as effective tools to assess the ecotoxicological effects of textile effluents on different ecological systems, and the RSM was an excellent tool to consider the ecotoxicological effects of the parameters and to describe the behavior of the results. In conclusion, the NaCl and pH factors may be responsible for disrupting different ecosystems, causing imbalances in their biodiversity and biomass. Before discharge or reuse, it is suggested to remove salts and neutralize pH from textile effluents and, mostly, develop novel, eco-friendlier textile processing techniques.
Association of Sex and Age with Mortality and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Septic Shock: A Secondary Analysis of the Life After Pediatric Sepsis Evaluation
Authors: Prout Andrew J. , Banks Russell K. , Reeder Ron W. , Zimmerman Jerry J. , Meert Kathleen L.
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Sepsis is more common in males than females, but whether outcomes differ by sex in various pediatric age groups is unclear. The Life After Pediatric Sepsis Evaluation (LAPSE) was a multicenter prospective cohort study that evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children after community-acquired septic shock. In this secondary analysis, we evaluated whether male children are at increased risk of mortality or long-term decline in HRQL than female children by age group. Methods: Children (1 month–18 years) with community-acquired septic shock were recruited from 12 pediatric intensive care units in the U.S. Data included sex, age group (<1 year, 1–<13 years, 13–18 years), acute illness severity (acute organ dysfunction and inflammation), and longitudinal assessments of HRQL and mortality. Persistent decline in HRQL was defined as a 10% decrease in HRQL comparing baseline to 3 months following admission. Male and female children were stratified by age group and compared to evaluate the difference in the composite outcome of death or persistent decline in HRQL using the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test. Results: Of 389 children, 54.2% ( n = 211) were male. Overall, 10% (21/211) of males and 12% (22/178) of females died by 3 months ( p = 0.454). Among children with follow-up data, 41% (57/138) of males and 44% (48/108) of females died or had persistent decline in HRQL at 3 months ( p = 0.636), with no observed difference by sex when stratified by age group. There was no significant difference in acute illness severity between males and females overall or stratified by age group. Conclusions: In this secondary analysis of the LAPSE cohort, HRQL, and mortality were not different between male and female children when stratified by age group. There were no significant differences by sex across multiple measures of illness severity or treatment intensity.
Perpetrator Perceptions on the Emotions and Motivations Driving Technology-Facilitated Abuse in Relationships: A Story Completion Study
Authors: Fiolet Renee , Brown Cynthia , McKay Dana , Marsden Sally , Leins Kobi , Harris Bridget
Published: August 2023

Technology-facilitated abuse in relationships (TAR) is a widespread social problem that has a significant impact on victim-survivors. Most contemporary evidence on TAR focuses on victim-survivor and practitioner perspectives rather than those of perpetrators who choose to enact this form of harm. Addressing this deficit, this study explored perpetrators’ discourses on emotions and motivations associated with engaging in TAR. Using story completion method, 35 self-identified perpetrators of TAR completed story stems describing scenarios that may precede the use of abusive online behaviors. Reflexive thematic analysis generated three themes. Abusive behaviors and negative emotions speaks to maladaptive experiences of anger and/or sadness that can precede a decision to use TAR. A loss of trust, a desire for control describes potential motives for using TAR. Finally, inhibitors of abusive behavior investigates rationales perpetrators use for avoidance of TAR behaviors, suggesting avenues for working with perpetrators to refrain from using TAR. We conclude by discussing policy, practice, and research recommendations including strategies for technology designers and suggestions for primary prevention and response to TAR.
Do Couples Take Financially Rational Decisions When They Become Parents? No, But They Believe They Do
Authors: Zimmermann Regula
Published: August 2023

When new parents divide paid and unpaid work, they may not benefit financially from their decisions. New mothers are more likely than new fathers to reduce paid working hours, even if they contribute as much or more to family income. To determine why they make economically inefficient decisions when they divide their labor, this study traces new parents’ financial decision-making. The study is based on 133 in-depth interviews with 54 parents (27 couples) residing in French-speaking Switzerland. Parents were interviewed once before and once or twice during the first 2 years after the birth of their first child. The study focuses on two financial decisions parents must make: about division of working hours and type of childcare. Parents did not calculate the real costs of their labor division; gender norms shaped their cost estimates. They underestimated costs consistent with norms that defined mothers as caregivers and fathers as providers and overestimated costs when fathers acted as caregivers and mothers acted as providers. Even when parents voiced opposition to gender norms, they rationalized gendered labor division as economically efficient and their decisions conformed to those norms. Because real costs of labor division deviated from estimated costs, researchers who conduct studies on parents’ financial decisions should account for that discrepancy.
TBi-YOLOv5: A surface defect detection model for crane wire with Bottleneck Transformer and small target detection layer
Authors: Huang Yi , Fan JiaYuan , Hu Yong , Guo Jinmeng , Zhu Yongjian
Published: August 2023

Surface defect detection of crane wire rope is very important for safe operations of crane. However, the surface defect characteristics of crane wire rope are varied, there is no standardized data and tiny-size, which makes the universal surface defect detection models ineffective. Therefore, a surface defect detection model named TBi-YOLOv5 is proposed in this article. First, a random augment method is used to search the optimal data augment strategy automatically and enforce the generalization ability of the surface defect detection model. Then, in order to enhance the feature extraction ability on both the local and global views, a Bottleneck Transformer (BOT) module is added in YOLOv5, which makes effective fusion of convolutional neural network (CNN) and multi-head self-attention mechanism (MHSA). After that, inspired by the idea of bidirectional feature pyramid network (BiFPN), a small target detection layer (STPL) is added in the neck part of YOLOv5 to detect the tiny-size surface defect on the wire rope. Experiments on the surface defect detection of crane wire rope show the effectiveness of the proposed TBi-YOLOv5. Compared with YOLOv5s, the mean average precision (mAP) of TBi-YOLOv5 has been increased by nearly 4%.
Study on multi-closed loop control of electro-mechanical braking for electric vehicles based on clamping force
Authors: Chen Qiping , Lv Zongyu , Tong Haiyang , Zeng Dequan , Ouyang Lu , Liu Qin
Published: August 2023

In order to improve the clamping force control accuracy of electro-mechanical braking system of electric vehicles, a multi-closed loop control strategy of electro-mechanical braking based on clamping force is proposed. A detailed EMB mathematical model is established. The sliding mode speed controller and improved fuzzy PID clamping force controller are designed, and the joint simulation model of the speed the clamping force controller is established, and simulation experiments are used to verify the effectiveness of the control strategy. Comparative analysis of three simulation conditions, the maximum adjustment time of the proposed control strategy is 0.254 s and the maximum overshoot is 0.45%. The results of research show that the control strategy designed in this paper can quickly and stably reach the target value of clamping force, has a strong anti-interference capability, has some reference value in the electric vehicle braking control.
Improved convolutional neural network and spectrogram image feature for traffic sound event classification
Authors: Xu Ke , Yao Jingyi , Yao Lingyun
Published: August 2023

In recent years, Sound Event Classification (SEC) is a remarkable field of computer audition research. The abilities to automatically capture and classify sound events are meaningful for expanding the auditory ability of autonomous vehicle in a complex driving environment. The Autonomous vehicles will encounter some special road conditions during driving, such as large truck occlusion, tunnels, and buildings that hinder radar detection. Therefore, the perception capabilities of on-board lidar, vision, and other sensors are impacted, resulting in a great threat to the safe driving of the car. At this time, auditory environment perception can provide auditory dimension information for the vehicle. However, with the increase of noise level, the SEC task of autonomous vehicle becomes seriously difficult. Traditional machine learning methods show weak robustness in the highly noisy environment. In this work, an autonomous vehicle Sound Event Classification (AVSEC) framework based on Spectrogram Image Features (SIFs) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) algorithm is proposed to solve the SEC question. Further on, the ambulance, bus, civil defense siren, fire truck, screaming, etc. are taken as the research traffic sounds. Traffic Sound Datasets (TSD) are collected, augmented and customized. Then, directly connected channel (DCC) between convolutional blocks and Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) are designed to optimize the neural network. Testing results show that the AVSEC system achieves an accuracy of 97.18%. Furthermore, the results of AVSEC and other machine learning methods are compared, which shows that the combination of SIFs and AVSEC-net provides better noise robustness and classification accuracy in AVSEC task. The sound classification algorithm designed in this paper, as an advanced auxiliary driving system for sound detection, can identify the sound types in the current traffic environment of the Autonomous vehicles, that is, the traffic scene category. The vehicle computer can remind the driver to pay attention to driving safety through the above sound types, so as to improve the safety of the driver and the vehicle.
Hydrogen influence on kapok methyl ester blended with DEE as an alternate fuel in CI engine
Authors: Udayakumar P , Kasiraman G
Published: August 2023

Kapok oil methyl ester (KOME) is used as a pilot fuel, while hydrogen and diethyl ether (DEE) are used as secondary fuels to improve the performance, emissions and combustion of a direct injection compression ignition engine. With a compression ignition engine, a slight modification to the system enables hydrogen gas through the intake manifold. A flow metre limits the quantity of energy the hydrogen may produce off, and two flame arresters prevent backfires in the fuel line. At full load and maximum hydrogen energy sharing, KOME + 20%DEE obtained a brake thermal efficiency of 30.31%, which is 14% higher than without hydrogen enrichment and about 8% higher than diesel's value (0% hydrogen energy share). The main problem with previous research is that hydrogen with a high heating value makes greater amounts of nitric oxide. Diethyl ether, on the other hand, has fixed this major problem, and the absence of carbon in hydrogen fuel lowers CO, HC and smoke emissions.
Self-Transcendence: A Cross-Cultural Study With Democracy in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lau Jennifer , Huang Yi-Hui Christine , Cai Qinxian , Li Jun , Sun Jie , Liu Ruoheng
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic and the steps governments took to combat it tormented societies across the globe. Accordingly, existential positive psychologists have emphasized the importance of self-transcendence in mitigating the distress and agony caused by prolonged and rigorous health measures. In this cross-cultural study, the correlation between self-transcendence, people’s confidence in government, and democracy was examined. Based on the findings of an online survey ( n = 36,304) conducted in 16 societies in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the multi-level analysis established that self-transcendence had a negative relationship with people’s confidence in their own government, especially in less democratic societies. Besides expanding the Schwartz theory of basic values and inspiring theoretical developments for new research, this paper recommends that related institutions obtain community consent before pushing out strict health measures.
Mitigating Perceived Environment Insignificance Through Information Engagement
Authors: Gong Yuanchao , Tian Jianchi , Li Yang , Zhou Jie , Pongpiachan Siwatt , Chen Xuefeng , Sun Yan
Published: August 2023

A well-functioning natural environment benefits individuals’ well-being, but people tend to overlook this personally relevant benefit because they feel remote from the environment (also known as psychological distance). Drawing on the construal level theory, we proposed environmental information engagement as a way to mitigate psychological distance. We assert that prolonged exposure to and interaction with environmental information decreases the abstractness of environmental issues thereby lowering psychological distance. Cross-lagged analyses using data from a national longitudinal survey in China ( N = 2,322) verified this effect both instantly and over time. However, the effect was not detected in people with weak environmental values. Theoretical and practical implications are provided.
Optimizing cyclosporine A dose post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in paediatric cancer patients
Authors: Elnaggar Mennatallah , Hafez Hanafy , Abdallah Amr , Hamza Mahmoud , Khalaf Marwa M. , El-Haddad Alaa
Published: August 2023

Background/Objectives

Cyclosporine A (CSA) dosing has been complicated by considerable intra-patient and inter-patient variability in pharmacokinetics, which is affected by different factors. We aimed to assess the various factors that might affect the CSA dose and its plasma level.

Patients and methods

This retrospective study included paediatric cancer patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant at the Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357 from matched related donors with CSA as graft versus host disease prophylaxis. The CSA initial dose was 1.5 mg/kg IV Q12H. Then, it was titrated according to the level and drug toxicity. Cyclosporine A trough levels were assessed two to three times per week using the Emit 2000 cyclosporine-specific assay. Moreover, factors that may affect cyclosporine levels, such as age, sex, weight and the antifungal used, were analyzed to determine their effect on CSA plasma levels.

Results

There were 119 patients included in the study. The median age was 10 years; and 43% of them used voriconazole as a prophylactic antifungal. The multivariate analysis revealed that female patients, those >9 years or on voriconazole reached the target level at low initial CSA doses. A higher probability (93%) of reaching the desired plasma level with doses 1.5 mg/kg IV Q12H was observed among patients >9 years, and on voriconazole. While those who were ≤9 years and not on voriconazole required doses >1.5 mg/kg IV Q12H, with an 89% probability of reaching the desired level.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the initial CSA dose should consider the patient's age and the antifungal used. Patients >9 years and/or on voriconazole may require lower initial CSA doses and could start with 1.5 mg/kg IV Q12H.
Perception of pacifier use among caregivers of infants 0–1 years of age
Authors: Janwadkar Aashika , Duran Genefer , Irving T. Deseree , Shah Dhaivat , Arevalo Ronald , Sanchez Miguel , Adjo Janine , Rubin David
Published: August 2023

American Academy of Pediatrics approves pacifier use for soothing and calming; it recommends delaying its use until breastfeeding is well established. Though pacifiers have protective effects against sudden infant death syndrome, prolonged use of a pacifier can lead to complications. American Academy of Family Physicians discourages the use by 6 months to 1 year of age. Pacifier use guidelines are not established primarily due to a paucity of information regarding initiation, termination, benefits, and harmful effects of pacifiers by parents. We aim to investigate pacifier use among caregivers of 0–1-year-old infants. It was a descriptive study of parents or caregivers of children 0–1 year of age who completed a questionnaire focused on pacifier use. Statistical analysis was calculated using SPSS version 23. One hundred thirty-three caregivers were interviewed. One hundred eighteen (88.7%) caregivers were mothers. Ninety-one (68.4%) of caregivers identified as Hispanic and 42 (30.1%) as African American. Caregivers reported that mean pacifier use was 16 months and 3.4 h/day. One hundred six (80%) reported the most common use of the pacifier alone was to calm the baby. For the weaning method, 37 (27.8%) stated that gradual decrease of pacifiers was useful whereas 33 (24.8%) stated that abrupt removal of pacifiers was effective. Seventy-two (54.1%) reported that their family and friends recommended pacifiers. Eleven (8.3%) caregivers reported that information about pacifiers was provided by medical and day-care providers. Pacifier use was not significantly related to the feeding method during the first 2 months of life. This study identifies impressions and common misconceptions of pacifier use which may assist in the development of comprehensive guidelines.
Colonoscopy in the young: An indication-based analysis of outcome
Authors: Abu Baker Fadi , Samhat Ahmad , Taher Natour Randa , Zeina Abdel-Rauf , Kopelman Yael
Published: August 2023

Background:

Data on colonoscopy’s diagnostic yield in young adults with lower gastrointestinal symptoms are scarce. We evaluated this yield in young patients by performing an indication-based analysis of outcomes.

Methods:

We reviewed diagnostic colonoscopies performed in young adults (age <50 years) over 10 years. We created two groups of young adults (18–39 years, n = 4941) and quadragenarians (40–49 years; n = 6605), included a control group of average-risk patients referred for screening colonoscopies during the same period (50–60 years, n = 1453). We evaluated clinical indications for colonoscopies among the young and performed an indication-based analysis of patients’ outcomes.

Results:

Chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain (42.4 and 36.2%), rectal bleeding (19.8 and 18.4%), and constipation were major indications for colonoscopy performance in quadragenarian and younger patients, respectively. Overall, diverticulosis (8.7 vs 1.3 and 3.9%; p1,2 < 0.000) and polyp detection rates (PDR) (19.6 vs 6.1 and 12.1; p1,2 < 0.000) were significantly higher in the control group, while inflammatory bowel disease (10.9 and 3.6% vs 0.1%; p1,2 < 0.000) was more prevalent in both young patients’ groups. Indication-based analysis revealed that rectal bleeding was linked with increased PDR and significantly and independently associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) development (odds ratio = 10.160. p < 0.001 and 95% confidence interval = 6.201–16.647), even in the younger patients. In contrast, performing a colonoscopy for the evaluation of constipation was associated with the lowest yield.

Conclusion:

We outlined the expected diagnostic yields of colonoscopy performed in young patients for multiple indications, showing that rectal bleeding was consistently associated with CRC and polyp detection.
The effect of smoking on MRI lesion resolution in NMOSD-AQP4 and MOGAD
Authors: Berhanu David , Leal Rato Miguel , Messina Silvia , Leite Maria Isabel , Geraldes Ruth , Palace Jacqueline
Published: August 2023

Background:

The effect of smoking on the resolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with aquaporin-4 positive antibody (NMOSD-AQP4) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) has not been studied before.

Objective:

We aimed to determine the effect of smoking on lesion resolution in MRI and assess its correlation with clinical recovery after a relapse.

Methods:

We conducted a cohort study including NMOSD-AQP4 and MOGAD patients with acute and follow-up MRI scans. We collected demographic, clinical, imaging and smoking data. Logistic regression models were fitted to predict the effect of smoking on lesion resolution and to assess whether clinical recovery was associated with MRI lesion resolution.

Results:

A total of 105 patients were included (57 with NMOSD-AQP4 and 48 with MOGAD). Current and past smoking was associated with a higher risk of persistent lesions in NMOSD-AQP4 and MOGAD (risk ratio (RR) = 3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.5–4.7, p < 0.001). Additionally, the presence of lesion resolution was associated with better clinical recovery (RR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.7–2.2, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Smoking is associated with worse MRI lesion resolution in patients with NMOSD-AQP4 and MOGAD, and lesion resolution correlates with clinical recovery. Our findings suggest a detrimental effect of smoking in inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) diseases.
Risk, political security and extra-judicial penality under Xi
Authors: Li Enshen
Published: August 2023

In authoritarian regimes, risk tends to be politically positioned to reflect the ruling party's interests, needs and priorities. In this article, I focus on the People's Republic of China (China) as a case study to isolate the issue of risk, and more specifically, analyse why risk is framed as a political tenet, what becomes the evidence of such risk, and how it relates to the country's legal approach to maintaining political stability in the Xi Jinping era. This article critically scrutinizes the latest political dynamics and police practices to argue that China has formulated an extra-judicial penal jurisprudence through what I call ‘forward-leaning’ policing (前倾式警务) against those who are perceived to present a threat of political harm. By using data on 2226 cyber-dissident cases during 2014–2021, my analysis points to this ‘warrior style’ policing being an intensified application of coercive police actions, which is heavily weighted towards incarceration as the main approach to addressing political dissent, especially through administrative detention. In doing so, the judicial process that traditionally determines conviction and sentencing is either circumvented or reduced to symbolic significance.
An industry case study using parametric modelling to facilitate Passive House design
Authors: Marschall Max G , Sepulveda Corradini J Pablo
Published: August 2023

A Passive House’s airtight, well-insulated building envelope can lower operating energy use but also increase the possibility of overheating during the summer. The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) Excel modelling tool for Passive Houses treats the entire structure as a single thermal zone; this simplification may be in part to blame for the instrument’s poor capacity to forecast the risk of overheating. The current study offers new information on two subjects. First, we compare PHPP’s overheating evaluation method to that of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers’ (CIBSE) ‘TM59’ standard, which involves conducting dynamic energy modelling at the room level. Our results support the idea that PHPP underestimates overheating. In the analysed case, glazing solar heat gain coefficient, and air change rate were some of the most crucial factors affecting compliance. Second, we highlight the usefulness of parametric design for compliance.
Transition from sheltered workplace: Vocational skills are not the main concern
Authors: Özbek Ahmet Bilal , Girli Alev
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the transition of employees with intellectual disabilities to inclusive work environments from sheltered workplaces. The study was conducted in a sheltered workplace in Turkey for people with intellectual disabilities. Data was collected from 71 participants in interviews. Interviews were conducted with employees ( n = 28), families of employees ( n = 24), company human resource managers ( n = 8), sheltered workshop foremen ( n = 7), and special education teachers ( n = 4). The study group asked about the future of the sheltered workplace and participants’ views on transition to inclusive work environments. The answers of the participants were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings showed that many participants had positive views about transition along with concerns about accidents and security problems that may occur in inclusive environments. It was observed that negative attitudes and views were related with lack of knowledge about inclusive work environment conditions.
Chest wall soft tissue thickness is associated with humeral shaft non-union: A radiographic study
Authors: Chowdhury Alex , Peters Kizzie A , Colaço Henry B , MacLeod Iain AR
Published: August 2023

Background

Anecdotally, upper truncal obesity and large breasts have often been associated with inferior outcomes from non-operative management of diaphyseal humerus fractures. However, this assertion is without basis in the literature.

Aims

To produce radiographic measurements of chest wall soft tissue thickness (STT) and determine association with non-union in diaphyseal humerus fractures.

Methods

Two hundred and seventeen consecutive non-operative humeral shaft fractures were included. Radiographic STT measurements were taken at three standardised points (upper, middle and lower) using a simple reproducible method, with ratios derived (dividing these figures by the mid-humerus diameter). Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to assess association with non-union.

Results

There were 58 (26.7%) cases of non-union. On multivariable analysis, the middle (odds ratio (OR) 1.39, p <  0.001) and lower (OR 1.23, p = 0.009) STT measurements were independently associated with non-union. Additionally, the middle (OR 1.85, p < 0.001) and lower (OR 1.47, p < 0.001) STT ratios were independently associated with non-union. A receiver operating characteristic curve determined a threshold value of a middle STT ratio of ≥ 3 (OR 3.73, p < 0.001, sensitivity 69.0%, specificity 62.3%), which was independently associated with non-union.

Conclusion

Chest wall STT is independently associated with humeral shaft non-union. Threshold values can assist in decision making for these fractures.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: where are we and where are we going?
Authors: Chen Ning , Xu Xiaoling , Fan Yun
Published: August 2023

Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a kind of malignant tumour with high invasiveness and a poor prognosis. Immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), is a rapidly growing therapeutic method that activates and enhances anti-tumour immunity to treat patients with malignancy. Several clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of ICIs in the treatment of ESCC. ICIs have been approved for the treatment of patients with ESCC. However, only a subset of patients can obtain excellent benefits from ICI therapy. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring predictive biomarkers of immunotherapy response. In this review, we highlighted the predictive biomarkers for the prognosis of ESCC patients treated with ICIs and pointed out the existing problems and the direction of future research in this field.
Immune gene signatures as prognostic criteria for cancer patients
Authors: Larionova Irina , Tashireva Liubov
Published: August 2023

Recently, the possibility of using immune gene signatures (IGSs) has been considered as a novel prognostic tool for numerous cancer types. State-of-the-art methods of genomic, transcriptomic, and protein analysis have allowed the identification of a number of immune signatures correlated to disease outcome. The major adaptive and innate immune components are the T lymphocytes and macrophages, respectively. Herein, we collected essential data on IGSs consisting of subsets of T cells and tumor-associated macrophages and indicating cancer patient outcomes. We discuss factors that can introduce errors in the recognition of immune cell types and explain why the significance of immune signatures can be interpreted with uncertainty. The unidirectional functions of cell types should be entirely addressed in the signatures constructed by the combination of innate and adaptive immune cells. The state of the antitumor immune response is the key basis for IGSs and should be considered in gene signature construction. We also analyzed immune signatures for the prediction of immunotherapy response. Finally, we attempted to explain the present-day limitations in the use of immune signatures as robust criteria for prognosis.
Feasibility of wearable devices and machine learning for sleep classification in children with Rett syndrome: A pilot study
Authors: Migovich Miroslava , Ullal Akshith , Fu Cary , Peters Sarika U , Sarkar Nilanjan
Published: August 2023

Sleep is vital to many processes involved in the well-being and health of children; however, it is estimated that 80% of children with Rett syndrome suffer from sleep disorders. Caregiver reports and questionnaires, which are the current method of studying sleep, are prone to observer bias and missed information. Polysomnography is considered the gold standard for sleep analysis but is labor and cost-intensive and limits the frequency of data collection for sleep disorder studies. Wearable digital health technologies, such as actigraphy devices, have shown potential and feasibility as a method for sleep analysis in Rett syndrome, but have not been validated against polysomnography. Furthermore, the collected accelerometer data has limitations due to the rigidity, periodic limb movement, and involuntary muscle contractions prevalent in Rett syndrome. Heart rate and electrodermal activity, along with other physiological signals, have been linked to sleep stages and can be utilized with machine learning to provide better resistance to noise and false positives than actigraphy. This research aims to address the gap in Rett syndrome sleep analysis by comparing the performance of a machine learning model utilizing both accelerometer data and physiological data features to the gold-standard polysomnography for sleep analysis in Rett syndrome. Our analytical validation pilot study ([Formula: see text] = 7) found that using physiological and accelerometer features, our machine learning models can differentiate between awake, non-rapid eye movement sleep, and rapid eye movement sleep in Rett syndrome children with an accuracy of 85.1% when using an individual model. Additionally, this work demonstrates that it is feasible to use digital health technologies in Rett syndrome, even at a young age, without data loss or interference from repetitive movements that are characteristic of Rett syndrome.
The Floating Schools of Bangladesh: An Indigenous Solution for the Lack of Access to Primary Education in Flood-Prone Areas
Authors: Alam Md. Bayezid , Zhu (朱志勇) Zhiyong
Published: August 2023

Highlights

We explore the context, pattern, and outcomes of floating schools in Bangladesh. Floating schools provide mobile education in geographically isolated areas. The floating school is an indigenous solution for a local problem. Replicable in other communities facing similar challenges. Findings will benefit education policymaking in flood-prone areas.
First Responder Attitudes Regarding Working Near a Supervised Injection Facility: Relationship to Burnout, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Compassion Satisfaction
Authors: Pennington Michelle L. , Dupree Jessica , Hoffman Kristy , Beattie Emily H. , Coe Elizabeth , Ostiguy William , Kimbrel Nathan A. , Meyer Eric C. , Gulliver Suzy B.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Emergency responders are the most frequent overdose responders, however, little is known about the impact of supervised injection facility (SIF) location on first responders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether firefighter/paramedic attitudes about being stationed near an SIF were related to burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction.

Methods:

Firefighter/paramedics from Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services ( n = 54) completed an online survey. General linear models were used to assess differences in burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction based on attitudes regarding being stationed near an SIF while controlling for occupational stress.

Findings:

Firefighters with negative attitudes regarding station placement near an SIF experienced more burnout compared with those with neutral/mixed attitudes and less compassion satisfaction compared with those with positive attitudes. There were no differences between those with positive and neutral/mixed attitudes.

Conclusions:

These findings have implications for education and training of emergency responders stationed near SIFs. They also highlight the need for more research into the effects of and possible clinical opportunities needed to support first responders’ work near an SIF.

Application to Practice:

While these findings represent early exploratory evidence, increased burnout and reduced compassion satisfaction may be common reactions among first responders who experience negative attitudes toward SIFs. Prevention efforts could incorporate programs to enhance health and well-being of first responders and education regarding substance use and harm reduction, while workforce surveillance for signs of distress or burnout could be implemented to trigger additional mental health services and interventions. while policymakers should remain aware of SIF-related impacts on all stakeholders, including first responders.
Alveolar Adenoma With CD34 Diffusely Positive Stromal Cells: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Zhou Gang , Estrella Perez Ydamis , Leng Bing
Published: August 2023

Alveolar adenoma (AA) is a rare type of pulmonary neoplasm showing proliferation of alveolar epithelium and septal mesenchyme. Clinically, AA is asymptomatic, benign, and usually diagnosed incidentally. Surgical excision is curative. The etiology of AA is controversial and the pathogenesis is unknown, but it is thought to stem from type II pneumocytes and fibroblasts or fibroblast-like cells. The stromal cells in AA may show rare staining for CD34. Diffuse CD34 positivity of the interstitial stromal cells has rarely been described and reviewed. Here, we report a case of AA with strong and diffuse CD34 staining in the stromal cells.
How Avoidant Leadership Style Turns Employees Into Adversaries: The Impact of Laissez-Faire Leadership on Employee-Organization Relationships and Employee Communicative Behavior
Authors: Jin Jie , Men Linjuan Rita
Published: August 2023

The study aimed to establish linkages among laissez-faire leadership, perceived organizational justice, employee-organization relationships, and employees’ negative megaphoning behavior. Through an online survey of 397 employees working in large and medium corporations in the United States and the structural equation modeling analysis of the data, this study revealed the following findings. Results showed that laissez-faire leadership and employees’ engagement in negative megaphoning behavior were positively related. There was also a strong and positive association between perceived organizational justice and employee-organization relationships. Employees’ relationships with the organization were negatively related to employees’ engagement in negative megaphoning behavior. Perceived organizational justice was revealed as a mediator in the relationship among laissez-faire leadership, employee-organization relationships, and employees’ engagement in negative megaphoning behavior. These results show how laissez-faire leadership relates to negative outcomes of organizational relationships and reputation, and provide insight into the potential mechanisms at play.
Neo-Ottoman Turk-Scape: Analyzing the Role of Dizis as Türkiye’s Soft Power
Authors: Reyaz Mohammad , Khan Zeba
Published: August 2023

Türkiye has grabbed the world’s attention in the last three decades for its strategic use of soft power as an instrument of cultural diplomacy. Buoyed by relative economic success in the post-Cold War period, the new ruling elites of Türkiye used Islamic practices and value-system, particularly its Ottoman past, as tools of the soft power in cultural diplomacy. Turkish dizis (television series), particularly those based on historical figures, have played a critical role in the nation branding exercise of Türkiye. These dizis have not only created a soft spot for the country, and boosted its tourism, but it also helped the government, particularly President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan project himself as a leader with potentials to lead the Muslim world or Ummah. This article assesses the role of Turkish dizis as a soft power instrument in cultural diplomacy and the nation branding of Türkiye. Interestingly, Turkish dizis were primarily produced for domestic consumption, and were not necessarily targeting foreign audience, at least in the beginning. Thus, they perform the dual function of molding public opinion within the country, while also helping create a positive image about Türkiye and its past among the foreign audience. But nostalgia of the past alone is not sufficient, if not complemented by reciprocal actions on the ground.
The seeds of reform; the evolution of the alternative care system in the Maldives
Authors: Rogers Justin , Ali Mariya
Published: August 2023

This article will present the evolution of alternative care provision in the Maldives. The Maldives is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, with a population of around 530,000. Since the signing and ratification of the UNCRC in 1991, there have been many improvements in children’s lives; for example, progress has been made in school attendance, improved child literacy rates and infant mortality has been reduced significantly. However, the country still faces several challenges in terms of child welfare, including internal child trafficking, child abuse, neglect and child marriage. There are currently 187 children living apart from their families in alternative care, which accounts for 0.02% of children in the country. The predominant form of alternative care provision remains institutional, which is typified by large numbers of children cared for by relatively low numbers of care staff.

The article will explain, how historically, when a child was unable to remain with their parents, informal kinship care was the predominant form of provision. Often this would result in grandmothers, aunts and the wider family/kinship groups looking after children. However, with the establishment of a large reformatory school Islaahiya in Male Atoll in 1979, residential care was created as an option for boys who were described as having behavioural issues. It remained a key alternative care provider in the country until it closed in 2013. In 2004, the state-run institution Kudakudhinge Hiya was established to care for 45 boys and girls from 0 to 9 years old. Then in 2016 with the support of the Qatar Foundation, the state built another institution Fiyavithi, which still cares for 80 children under 13 years of age.

The article will conclude with an overview of the most recent developments in the Maldives’ alternative care system. It will highlight how the Child Rights Protection Act (2019) has sown the seeds of care reform with primary legislation enacting regulations for family-based provision. This has formalised the previously established foster care panel that was set up in 2012. There are now 18 registered formal foster carers across the Maldives who are caring for 16 children. Furthermore, in 2020 whilst waiting for the growth in foster care, the state government started to shift from large-scale institutions by establishing nine smaller institutions, located across the atoll, each caring for no more than 25 children. The ministry has also embarked on processes of family reunification. The article will critically discuss these developments, highlight the challenges experienced during these recent reforms and provide key messages for policy and practice going forward.