bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Democratic Majority and the 2016 American Presidential Election: Feminist Political Behavior Across Multiple Axes of Identity
Authors: Simien Evelyn M. , Hayes Thomas J. , Conway Carolyn
Published: November 2023

Scholarship on women voters using an intersectional lens has shown feminists and women of color within the Democratic Party to be a powerful force in electoral politics—specifically, Black and Latina women—are the most reliable voters. Combined, they represent the majority of women voters in the Democratic Party, and they have shown themselves to be a sizeable voting bloc in the last two American presidential election cycles. Using data from the 2016 American National Election Studies (ANES), we demonstrate important differences in support for the Democratic candidate (Hillary Clinton) between feminists and women of color—Black and Latina—underscoring the need to study gender, race, and ethnicity simultaneously (versus independently) when they are co-constitutive identity categories. By examining women and the groups the Clinton campaign appealed most to—feminists, Black, and Latina women—we add to the scholarship in political science that followed this unique election and demonstrate the importance of feminist identity for vote choice and various modes of political behavior for women voters. Knowing and understanding how women respond through affect and how this affect can result in political behaviors will help determine what it takes for future historic first candidates to emerge successful.
Fault feature detection of planet gear in multi-stage planetary gearbox based on angle compensation synchronous averaging
Authors: Yan Yunhai , Guo Yu , Liu Xiaoqin , Na Jing
Published: November 2023

Planetary gearboxes are often used for power transmission in wind turbines. It makes the gear fault detection of planetary gearboxes very useful and necessary. Generally, windowed synchronous averaging (WSA) is a widely used method to detect planet gear failure in planetary gearboxes. However, the WSA is not directly suitable for the multi-stage planetary gearbox since different planetary stages are working together and vibrations from different stages are coupled to each other. The coupled interference is the synchronous interference, which cannot be reduced by the WSA. It makes the faulty planet gear of interest difficult to detect. To address this issue, an angle compensation synchronous averaging (ACSA) scheme is proposed. The equi-angle resampling is applied to the obtained vibration first. Then, the synchronous interference can be constructed by applying the synchronous averaging-based angle compensation strategy, and removed by subtracting it from the resampled vibration. Subsequently, the fast spectral kurtosis is utilized on the residual vibration to obtain the envelope signal. Next, the WSA is further applied to the residual vibration and envelope signal for constructing the synthetic vibration and synthetic envelope signal corresponding to the planet gear of interest. Finally, the narrowband demodulation and envelope analysis are used to detect planet gear failure. Experiments on a two-stage planetary gearbox positively support the ACSA scheme.
From multilateralism to bilateralism: Making sense of the UK’s security cooperation with EU member states after 2016
Authors: Meislová Monika Brusenbauch , Glencross Andrew
Published: November 2023

The article analyses the renewed importance of bilateralism for the UK’s engagement with individual EU member states in relation to security and defence policy. By systematically scrutinising the bilateral agreements with 18 EU countries concluded between the EU membership referendum in 2016 and the end of Boris Johnson’s premiership in 2022, we argue that the United Kingdom currently finds itself in the process of transitioning from one policy regime (multilateralism) to another (bilateralism); we try to make sense of this strategy by looking at it through the lens of four key aspects stemming from regime theory, namely (1) triggering factors; (2) institutional design and adaptation; (3) path dependency; and (4) regime sustainability. The analysis shows how the sustainability of a purely bilateral regime, with its high degree of customisation and intrinsic reliance on specific reciprocity, is precarious, albeit while leaving open the possibility to incorporate a future multilateral component.
Labour, more or less? Policy reasoning in a fiscal register
Authors: Sloman Peter
Published: November 2023

Michael Jacobs and Andrew Hindmoor’s analysis of ‘Labour, left and right’ is a salutary corrective to ‘electoral-ideological’ accounts of party strategy in Britain, and rightly urges scholars to pay more attention to substantive ‘policy reasoning’. Jacobs and Hindmoor’s account of Labour policy is only partly convincing, however, because it is based on a sharp distinction between left-wing ‘structural reform’ and moderate ‘redistributive’ strategies which is difficult to justify historically, and understates the importance of social policy commitments to Labour’s positioning. This article argues that Labour’s policy trajectory since the 1980s is better understood through a fiscal lens, which reflects the importance of costings debates in UK general election campaigns and of Shadow Chancellors in opposition policy-making. Shifts in Labour’s positioning can thus be explained by looking at the interplay between the party’s economic thought, the leadership’s perception of its electoral needs, and the changing budgetary context.
Experimental study on high-temperature resistance of alkali-activated slag concrete block masonry
Authors: Huang Wenxuan , Zheng Wenzhong , Wang Ying
Published: November 2023

The use of blast furnace slag improves resource utilization and supports the achievement of sustainable development goals. The use of alkali-activated slag cementitious material (AASCM) provides a new direction for improving the fire resistance of masonry structures. The masonry investigated in this study was alkali-activated slag crushed aggregate concrete masonry (ASCCM) in which aggregates of blocks and mortars were crushed and screened using AASCM paste specimens. The compression behavior of 12 specimens during and after exposure to high temperatures, specifically 300, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900°C was investigated. The specimens were maintained under the target temperature for 2 h. The compressive strength and axial deformation of the specimen were recorded. The compressive strength losses during exposure to 300, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900°C are 15.9, 20.3, 38.3, 43.9, 63.3 and 73.8%, respectively. The compressive strength losses after exposure to 300, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900°C are 10.6, 15.8, 34.0, 37.2, 58.6 and 72.2%, respectively. The rate of loss in elastic modulus is greater than that in compressive strength. During exposure to 300, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900°C, the loss rates of elastic modulus are 56.5, 74.4, 83.3, 86.3, 92.9 and 93.9%, respectively. After exposure to 300, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900°C, the loss rates of elastic modulus are 49.6, 67.3, 77.5, 82.0, 90.7 and 94.5%, respectively. The peak compressive strain values are 9.9 and 11.1 times that at room temperature. Equations for calculating the compressive strength, elastic modulus, peak compressive strain, and ascending section curve of the stress–strain relationship with temperature were derived. The research results provide a new choice for high temperature resistant masonry materials, and provide theoretical basis and data support for the application of AASCM in masonry structures in high-temperature environments.
Uncovering the audience perspective: A qualitative analysis of experiences and evaluations of two immersive journalism productions in the Netherlands
Authors: Greber Hannah , Lecheler Sophie , Aaldering Loes , de Haan Yael , Kruikemeier Sanne , Goutier Nele , de Bruin Kiki
Published: November 2023

There has been limited adoption of Immersive Journalism (IJ) by the audience; simultaneously, the audience’s perspective is rarely considered in the production and research of IJ. At this point, however, it is crucial to incorporate an audience perspective to identify potentially unintended effects of IJ and improve on the innovation of IJ. This study investigates the audience’s experience and evaluation of IJ by qualitatively analyzing their thoughts after viewing two IJ cases. Our results indicate that the audience may pick up on intended effects, such as a sense of presence and an intense emotional experience, but some also express unease towards these effects. Furthermore, the audience struggles to comprehend this study’s two immersive journalistic cases as part of the journalistic genre. These findings provide insight into the gap between the initial hype and the current reality of IJ and provide the basis for propositions for future IJ productions.
Access to Rehabilitation After Hospitalization for Traumatic Brain Injury: A National Longitudinal Cohort Study in Sweden
Authors: Klang Andrea , Molero Yasmina , Lichtenstein Paul , Larsson Henrik , D’Onofrio Brian Matthew , Marklund Niklas , Oldenburg Christian , Rostami Elham
Published: November 2023

Background

Rehabilitation is suggested to improve outcomes following traumatic brain injury (TBI), however, the extent of access to rehabilitation among TBI patients remains unclear.

Objective

To examine the level of access to rehabilitation after TBI, and its association with health and sociodemographic factors.

Method

We conducted a longitudinal cohort study using Swedish nationwide healthcare and sociodemographic registers. We identified 15 880 TBI patients ≥18 years hospitalized ≥3 days from 2008 to 2012 who were stratified into 3 severity groups; grade I (n = 1366; most severe), grade II (n = 5228), and grade III (n = 9268; least severe). We examined registered contacts with specialized rehabilitation or geriatric care (for patients ≥65 years) during the hospital stay, and/or within 1 year post-discharge. We performed a generalized linear model analysis to estimate the risk ratio (RR) for receiving specialized rehabilitation or geriatric care after a TBI based on sociodemographic and health factors.

Results

Among TBI patients, 46/35% (grade I), 14/40% (grade II), and 5/18% (grade III) received specialized rehabilitation or geriatric care, respectively. Being currently employed or studying was positively associated (RR 1.7, 2.3), while living outside of a city area was negatively associated (RR 0.36, 0.79) with receiving specialized rehabilitation or geriatric care. Older age and a prior substance use disorder were negatively associated with receiving specialized rehabilitation (RR 0.51 and 0.81).

Conclusion

Our results suggest insufficient and unequal access to rehabilitation for TBI patients, highlighting the importance of organizing and standardizing post-TBI rehabilitation to meet the needs of patients, regardless of their age, socioeconomic status, or living area.
Thermal analysis for hydromagnetic flow of Darcy-Forchheimer hybrid nanofluid with velocity and temperature slip effects: Scrutinization of stability and dual solutions
Authors: Memon Muhammad Asif , Jacob Kavikumar , Lanjwani Hazoor Bux , Khan Umair , Sherif El-Sayed M , Pop Ioan
Published: November 2023

This article explores heat transfer characteristics of magnetohydrodynamics water-base silver (Ag) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) hybrid nanomaterials flow in a Darcy-Forchheimer porous medium induced by a stretching/shrinking surface with impacts of heat sink/source. Moreover, thermal radiation effects and the slip boundary conditions are also incorporated in the given problem. Governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are first altered into the ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using suitable similarity transformations. These achieved ODEs are solved by the well-known shooting technique in Maple software to get the required numerical solutions for the variation in different physical parameters. Here, the numerical findings show duality in solutions in case of stretching/shrinking parameter over different ranges of the comprised distinguished parameters. In this regard, the stability analysis is done and the first solution is found stable and physically acceptable, while the second one unstable and physically infeasible. Besides, the skin friction increases for the case of shrinking but it decreases for case of stretching parameter due to the greater impacts of the mass transfer parameter while the heat transfer phenomenon upsurges for the case of shrinking parameter. Moreover, the skin friction, and the heat transfer rise with variation of the suction parameters when the quantity of solid nanoparticles volume fraction is increased.
Factors associated with short birth interval among reproductive-age women in East Africa
Authors: Tesema Getayeneh Antehunegn , Wolde Maereg , Tamirat Koku Sisay , Worku Misganaw Gebrie , Fente Bezawit Melak , Tsega Sintayehu Simie , Tadesse Aster , Teshale Achamyeleh Birhanu
Published: November 2023

Background:

Child and maternal mortality continue as a major public health concern in East African countries. Optimal birth interval is a key strategy to curve the huge burden of maternal, neonatal, infant, and child mortality. To reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, the World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 33 months between two consecutive births. Even though short birth interval is most common in many East African countries, as to our search of literature there is limited study published on factors associated with short birth interval. Therefore, this study investigated factors associated with short birth intervals among women in East Africa.

Objective:

To identify factors associated with short birth intervals among reproductive-age women in East Africa based on the most recent demographic and health survey data

Design:

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted based on the most recent demographic and health survey data of 12 East African countries. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique was employed to recruit the study participants.

Methods and analysis:

A total weighted sample of 105,782 reproductive-age women who had two or more births were included. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with short birth interval. Four nested models were fitted and a model with the lowest deviance value (–2log-likelihood ratio) was chosen. In the multivariable multilevel binary logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratio with the 95% confidence interval was reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association between short birth interval and independent variables.

Results:

The prevalence of short birth interval in East Africa was 16.99% (95% confidence interval: 16.76%, 17.21%). Women aged 25–34 years, who completed their primary education, and did not perceive the distance to the health facility as a major problem had lower odds of short birth interval. On the contrary, women who belonged to the poorest household, made their own decisions with their husbands/partners or by their husbands or parents alone, lived in households headed by men, had unmet family planning needs, and were multiparous had higher odds of having short birth interval.

Conclusion:

Nearly one-fifth of births in East Africa had short birth interval. Therefore, it is essential to promote family planning coverage, improve maternal education, and empower women to decrease the incidence of short birth intervals and their effects.
How cryptomarket communities navigate marketplace structures, risk perceptions and ideologies amid evolving cryptocurrency practices
Authors: Childs Andrew
Published: November 2023

Cryptomarkets are increasingly requiring users to purchase products with Monero (a ‘privacy coin’) to further obfuscate the digital trail of money compared to conventional cryptocurrencies (e.g. Bitcoin). This is the first study to explore how cryptomarket communities are used to facilitate norms and behaviours to expedite these emerging cryptocurrency practices. Through a qualitative analysis of Monero threads in a Reddit cryptomarket community (3451 total posts), this research illustrates how online communities often underpin the adoption of new technologies in cryptomarkets. The findings reveal: how the online community functions, adapts, and fails to support cryptocurrency transitions; the appraisal and contestation of cryptocurrency risks; and the ideological drivers and symbolic resources used to align community practices to adopt Monero. This research contributes to an understanding of the processes that underpin the constant evolution of online illicit markets as human and non-human elements are constantly re-assembled.
Different associations between organ-specific immune-related adverse event and survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with programmed death-1 inhibitors-based combination therapy
Authors: Chen Yuzhong , Shi Yuanjian , Ding Hanlin , Feng Yipeng , Zhang Te , Liang Yingkuan , Wang Hui , Song Xuming , Chen Bing , Xia Wenjie , Mao Qixing , Shen Bo , Xu Lin , Dong Gaochao , Jiang Feng
Published: November 2023

Background:

The profile of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors-based combination therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its relationship with survival have not been fully described.

Objective:

Designed to capture the spectrum of irAEs and explore the association between irAEs and clinical outcomes in patients with NSCLC.

Design:

This retrospective single-center study included patients with advanced NSCLC treated with PD-1 inhibitors (mainly in combination with chemotherapy) at Jiangsu Cancer Hospital.

Methods:

The relationship between irAEs and survival was explored using landmark analysis and time-dependent Cox regression. The subgroup analyses focused on investigating the effects of organ-specific irAE, irAE grade, and steroid dose used to treat irAE.

Results:

This study included 301 patients, 199 of whom received PD-1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy. The most common irAEs were skin toxicity (19.3%), endocrinopathy (21.3%), and pneumonitis (17.6%). In the entire cohort, the median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients developing and not developing irAE was 12.3 and 10.7 months ( p < 0.001), and the median overall survival (OS) was 23.5 months and 20.1 months ( p = 0.137), respectively. Subgroup analyses indicated that grade 3 or higher irAE, high steroid dose, and immune-related pneumonitis were detrimental to OS, whereas skin toxicity was beneficial to survival. These findings were further corroborated by both landmark analyses and Cox regression models conducted over four time points (1, 3, 6, and 12 months).

Conclusion:

In the real world, NSCLC patients receiving PD-1 inhibitor-based combination therapy (particularly combined with chemotherapy) experience longer PFS with irAE, though not necessarily OS. Immune-related skin toxicity is associated with a better prognosis, whereas pneumonitis grade ⩾3 irAE and high steroid dose compromise survival. Clinicians should remain cognizant of the organ-specific manifestations of irAE and take proactive measures to mitigate the progression of irAE.
Services of Public Libraries in the Age of Technology: A Pakistani Perspective
Authors: Haider Mohamad Sohail , Ya Chen , Hussain Muhammad
Published: November 2023

The research evaluated public libraries in Pakistan concerning their ICT resources, services and use of various ICT tools in service delivery. The research was quantitative and relied on a survey to collect the necessary data. The study’s population was all the public libraries in the country that were run by any department or directorate. A census-based survey was done to get information from the whole population. The data was collected from the heads of the libraries through questionnaire, and then it was analyzed with the help of SPSS version 23. The public libraries were governed by various bodies, and variations were also found in the nomenclature of the libraries’ heads. Most libraries’ heads were LIS professionals; however, many were operated by non-professional employees. Most libraries offered services like circulation, reference, orientation, open shelf and photocopying facilities. It was also identified that most libraries did not offer some common services such as document reservation services, OPAC, indexing and abstracting services, interlibrary loans, SDI and audiovisual services, scanning and CD/DVD writing facilities. Since this is the first study of its kind, its findings could prove useful to the government of Pakistan in improving public library services. In addition, it will fill a gap in the literature and direct researchers to investigate other facets of public libraries.
The Relative Contribution of Cochlear Synaptopathy and Reduced Inhibition to Age-Related Hearing Impairment for People With Normal Audiograms
Authors: Gómez-Álvarez Marcelo , Johannesen Peter T. , Coelho-de-Sousa Sónia L. , Klump Georg M. , Lopez-Poveda Enrique A.
Published: November 2023

Older people often show auditory temporal processing deficits and speech-in-noise intelligibility difficulties even when their audiogram is clinically normal. The causes of such problems remain unclear. Some studies have suggested that for people with normal audiograms, age-related hearing impairments may be due to a cognitive decline, while others have suggested that they may be caused by cochlear synaptopathy. Here, we explore an alternative hypothesis, namely that age-related hearing deficits are associated with decreased inhibition. For human adults (N = 30) selected to cover a reasonably wide age range (25–59 years), with normal audiograms and normal cognitive function, we measured speech reception thresholds in noise (SRTNs) for disyllabic words, gap detection thresholds (GDTs), and frequency modulation detection thresholds (FMDTs). We also measured the rate of growth (slope) of auditory brainstem response wave-I amplitude with increasing level as an indirect indicator of cochlear synaptopathy, and the interference inhibition score in the Stroop color and word test (SCWT) as a proxy for inhibition. As expected, performance in the auditory tasks worsened (SRTNs, GDTs, and FMDTs increased), and wave-I slope and SCWT inhibition scores decreased with ageing. Importantly, SRTNs, GDTs, and FMDTs were not related to wave-I slope but worsened with decreasing SCWT inhibition. Furthermore, after partialling out the effect of SCWT inhibition, age was no longer related to SRTNs or GDTs and became less strongly related to FMDTs. Altogether, results suggest that for people with normal audiograms, age-related deficits in auditory temporal processing and speech-in-noise intelligibility are mediated by decreased inhibition rather than cochlear synaptopathy.
A Rare Case of an Isolated Facial Nerve Aplasia: Radiological Findings
Authors: Messaoud Ola , Horache Kenza , Cherraqi Amine , Meriem Fikri , Mohamed Jiddane , Firdaous Touarsa
Published: November 2023

Congenital facial palsy is a rare condition that can be categorized into traumatic and developmental etiologies. Trauma related congenital facial palsy represents by far the most frequent cause with a spontaneous complete recovery within weeks, contrary to developmental causes that can be syndromic or non-syndromic, and have a poor prognosis. We present the case of an 11-month-old boy who suffers a congenital facial palsy. He undergoes an MRI examination with the adapted sequences to assess the facial nerve, and a high-resolution CT scan that reveals a seventh cranial nerve agenesis.
Introduction: Lockdown and the intimate
Authors: Laketa Sunčana , Gökarıksel Banu , Fregonese Sara
Published: November 2023

The lockdowns imposed upon cities, regions, and countries as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic are extraordinary state-sanctioned spatial interventions, both in terms of scale and scope. However, rather than a time-delimited event nor an exceptional circumstance of a temporary crisis, the pandemic lockdown was entangled with long-standing and on-going intimate and embodied histories of political violence, upheaval, militarization, displacement and dispossession. Be it as a result of war, terrorism, natural disaster, or pandemic – lockdown is more than an intervention in physical space and infrastructure alone. It is also an intervention that mobilizes, and often relies on, the sphere of the intimate along different and often unequal geographies of vulnerability. In this Theme Issue, we build on feminist geopolitics and feminist political geography to examine the intimacies of lockdown, seen through the experiences of refugees, migrants, low-income residents, as well as within the contexts of war and terrorism. Here, the politics of embodiment, domesticity and affectivity is central for understanding how lockdowns actively shape and are shaped by intimate geographies, thus advancing the theorization of the lockdown more broadly. The contributions to this Theme Issue gather around the following questions: how does the spatial politics of lockdown mobilize the sphere of the intimate? More broadly, how does the intimate help forge possibilities and places of counter-narratives of solidarity, shared vulnerabilities and care in contrast to renewed militarization, rising authoritarianism, violence, and the expanding spatialities of confinement in everyday life?
Illness Perceptions, Fear of Cancer Recurrence, and Mental Health in Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Authors: Horwood Michael , Loades Maria Elizabeth , Kosir Urska , Davis Cara
Published: November 2023

Background: The Common-Sense Model of illness self-regulation underpins illness-specific cognitions (including both illness perceptions and a fear of cancer recurrence; FCR). There is evidence in adults of associations between FCR, illness perceptions, and mental health in adult cancer survivors. However, there is limited empirical research examining these constructs within the developmentally distinct population of adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of cancer. The current study aimed to bridge that gap to inform potentially modifiable treatment targets in this population. Method: A cross-sectional, correlational design was used to examine the associations between illness perceptions, FCR, and mental health. A web-based survey was completed by a convenience sample of AYA survivors. Regression and mediation analyses were performed. Results: Overall, more negative illness perceptions were associated with more severe FCR and greater depressive and anxiety symptomatology. Higher FCR was predictive of worse overall mental health. More negative overall illness perceptions predicted the relationship between FCR–depression, mediating 24.1% of the variance. Contrastingly, overall illness perceptions did not predict or mediate the relationship between FCR–anxiety. However, the specific illness perceptions regarding timeline, personal control, and emotional representation, were predictive of the FCR–anxiety relationship. Discussion: Illness perceptions and FCR were predictive of mental health outcomes. Identifying and therapeutically targeting negative illness perceptions in those young adults who have survived adolescent cancer could therefore be a means of reducing anxiety and depressive symptomatology. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
A reinvestigation of the stock price reactions to announcements of Black top executive appointments
Authors: Bermiss Sekou , Green Jeremiah , Hand John R. M.
Published: November 2023

We investigate the stock market reactions to the announcements of Black CEO and top management team (TMT) appointments in light of two conflicting studies that advance competing and opposite theories. In 2021, Gligor and colleagues theorized that reactions will be negative due to racial stereotyping, and found negative mean stock price reactions for both Black CEOs and TMTs. Conversely, in 2023, Jeong and colleagues theorized that the stock market will respond positively to the appointment of Black CEOs, because these CEOs have to meet a “higher bar” to be appointed. They reported a positive mean reaction to such appointments. In our quasi-replication of these two prior studies, we find a reliably positive mean reaction for Black CEOs but an immaterial median reaction, and no marginal stock price impact to the announcement of the appointment of a Black CEO and TMT executives after controlling for explanatory factors that go outside the racial bias and higher bar theories. In light of the fragility and lack of robustness in these results, we recommend that future research in the area of Black top executives and the stock market be cautious when presenting and interpreting results.
Bimbowrieite, NaMgFe3+5(PO4)4 (OH)6⋅2H2O, a new dufrénite-group mineral from the White Rock No.2 quarry, South Australia, Australia
Authors: Elliott Peter , Kampf Anthony R.
Published: November 2023

Bimbowrieite, NaMgFe3+5(PO4)4(OH)6⋅2H2O, is a new mineral found in a mineralogically zoned rare-element bearing pegmatite at the White Rock No.2 quarry, Bimbowrie Conservation Park, South Australia, Australia. Crystals are dark olive green to greenish brown and are bladed with dimensions of up to 150 μm. Crystals occur as aggregates up to 0.4 mm across associated with ushkovite, bermanite, leucophosphite and sellaite. Bimbowrieite is pleochroic, biaxial (+), with α = 1.785(5), β = 1.795(5), γ = 1.805(5) and 2V(meas.) = 89.4(5)°. The average of 28 chemical analyses gave the empirical formula: (Na0.81Ca0.19)Σ1.00(Mg0.75Mn2+0.19Fe2+0.05)Σ0.99(Fe3+4.99Al0.01)Σ5.00(PO4)3.97(OH)5.88⋅2.05 H2O based on 24 oxygen atoms. Bimbowrieite is monoclinic, space group C2/c with a = 25.944(5), b = 5.1426(10), c = 13.870(3 Å, β = 111.60(3)°, V = 1720.4(7) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure was refined to R1 = 1.97% for 1060 observed reflections with F0 > 4σ(F0). Bimbowrieite is isostructural with dufrénite. The structure is based on a trimer of face-sharing octahedra in which an M2 octahedra shares two trans faces with two M4 octahedra. Trimers link in the c-direction by sharing corners with two M3 octahedra and with T1 and T2 tetrahedra. Linkage in the a-direction is via corner-sharing M1 octahedra and linkage in the b-direction is via corner-sharing T1 and T2 tetrahedra.
How I diagnose and treat thrombocytopenia in geriatric patients
Authors: Foy Patrick , Friedman Kenneth D. , Michaelis Laura C.
Published: November 2023

Thrombocytopenia in older individuals is a common but diagnostically challenging condition that has variable clinical impact to those who are affected. Diagnostic approach requires evaluation of the preexisting clinical conditions, detailed review of medications, and assessment for disorders that warrant urgent treatment. In this article, we describe a systematic approach to diagnosis of thrombocytopenia and present a schematic review for management strategies. Three clinical scenarios are presented that are relevant for their prevalence and management challenges in an older adult population. The first scenario addresses primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and reviews different treatment options. The second one addresses complications of thrombocytopenia in management of the myelodysplastic syndrome. The last one reviews diagnostic challenges of drug-induced ITP.
A mouse model of ATRX deficiency with cognitive deficits and autistic traits
Authors: Quesnel Katherine M. , Martin-Kenny Nicole , Bérubé Nathalie G.
Published: November 2023

Background

ATRX is an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling protein with essential roles in safeguarding genome integrity and modulating gene expression. Deficiencies in this protein cause ATR-X syndrome, a condition characterized by intellectual disability and an array of developmental abnormalities, including features of autism. Previous studies demonstrated that deleting ATRX in mouse forebrain excitatory neurons postnatally resulted in male-specific memory deficits, but no apparent autistic-like behaviours.

Methods

We generated mice with an earlier embryonic deletion of ATRX in forebrain excitatory neurons and characterized their behaviour using a series of memory and autistic-related paradigms.

Results

We found that mutant mice displayed a broader spectrum of impairments, including fear memory, decreased anxiety-like behaviour, hyperactivity, as well as self-injurious and repetitive grooming. Sex-specific alterations were also observed, including male-specific aggression, sensory gating impairments, and decreased social memory.

Conclusions

Collectively, the findings indicate that early developmental abnormalities arising from ATRX deficiency in forebrain excitatory neurons contribute to the presentation of fear memory deficits as well as autistic-like behaviours.
Enhanced cancer immunotherapy through synergistic ferroptosis and immune checkpoint blockade using cell membrane-coated nanoparticles
Authors: Mu Yeteng , Fan Yuxin , He Lianping , Hu Nannan , Xue Han , Guan Xingang , Zheng Zhijian
Published: November 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has achieved unprecedented success in inhibiting the progression and metastasis of many cancers. However, ICB regents as a single treatment have a relatively low overall response rate due to the tumor’s low immunogenicity and immunosuppressive microenvironment. Herein, we report a PD-1 cellular membrane-coated ferroptosis nanoinducer to potentiate cancer immunotherapy toward triple-negative breast cancer.

Results

This study demonstrates that PD-1 membrane-coated RSL3 nanoparticles (PD-1@RSL3 NPs) have the ability to disrupt the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, leading to the activation of antitumor immunity in breast cancer. In addition, the nanoparticles promote the induction of tumor cell ferroptosis through GPX4 inhibition, enhanced infiltration of CD8+ T cells, and maturation of dendritic cells. The potentiated antitumor immune response induced by PD-1@RSL3 NPs significantly delayed tumor progression and extended the survival rate of mice with breast cancer xenografts.

Conclusions

Our study suggest the potential of PD-1@RSL3 NPs as an effective therapeutic approach for breast cancer by promoting tumor cell ferroptosis and inducing antitumor immunity.
Optimizing diabetes classification with a machine learning-based framework
Authors: Feng Xin , Cai Yihuai , Xin Ruihao
Published: November 2023

Background

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder usually caused by insufficient secretion of insulin from the pancreas or insensitivity of cells to insulin, resulting in long-term elevated blood sugar levels in patients. Patients usually present with frequent urination, thirst, and hunger. If left untreated, it can lead to various complications that can affect essential organs and even endanger life. Therefore, developing an intelligent diagnosis framework for diabetes is necessary.

Result

This paper proposes a machine learning-based diabetes classification framework machine learning optimized GAN. The framework encompasses several methodological approaches to address the diverse challenges encountered during the analysis. These approaches encompass the implementation of the mean and median joint filling method for handling missing values, the application of the cap method for outlier processing, and the utilization of SMOTEENN to mitigate sample imbalance. Additionally, the framework incorporates the employment of the proposed Diabetes Classification Model based on Generative Adversarial Network and employs logistic regression for detailed feature analysis. The effectiveness of the framework is evaluated using both the PIMA dataset and the diabetes dataset obtained from the GEO database. The experimental findings showcase our model achieved exceptional results, including a binary classification accuracy of 96.27%, tertiary classification accuracy of 99.31%, precision and f1 score of 0.9698, recall of 0.9698, and an AUC of 0.9702.

Conclusion

The experimental results show that the framework proposed in this paper can accurately classify diabetes and provide new ideas for intelligent diagnosis of diabetes.
Efficacy and safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate versus entecavir in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure with hepatitis B: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Neng , He Sike , Zheng Yu , Wang Lichun
Published: November 2023

Background

Oral nucleoside (acid) analogues (NAs) are recommended for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV-ACLF). The efficacy and safety of tenofovir (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) in these patients remain unclear.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and Embase database was conducted to select studies published before December 2022 on TDF or ETV for HBV-ACLF. The primary outcomes were survival rates at 4, 12, and 48 weeks. Secondary outcomes were virologic and biochemical responses, serum antigen conversion, liver function score, and safety.

Results

Four prospective and one retrospective cohort studies were selected. The overall analysis showed comparable survival rates at 4, 12, and 48 weeks for all patients receiving TDF or ETV (4-week: RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.90–1.51, p = 0.24; 12-week: RR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.88–1.13, p = 0.94; 48-week: RR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.58–1.57, p = 0.86). Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score at 12 weeks were comparable in both groups but lower than baseline (CTP: SMD = -0.75, 95% CI:-2.81–1.30, p = 0.47; MELD: SMD = -1.10, 95% CI:-2.29–0.08, p = 0.07). At 48 weeks, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels were found to decrease to different degrees from baseline in both the TDF and ETV groups, and the decrease was greater in the TDF group than in the ETV group. No significant differences were found in biochemical, virologic response, and serum antigen conversion between the two groups during the observation period.

Conclusion

TDF treatment of HBV-ACLF is similar to ETV in improving survival, liver function, and virologic response but the effects on renal function in two groups in the long term remain unclear. More and larger long-term clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.
Texture and color enhancement imaging improves the visibility of gastric neoplasms: clinical trial with image catalogue assessment using conventional and newly developed endoscopes
Authors: Futakuchi Toshiki , Dobashi Akira , Horiuchi Hideka , Furuhashi Hiroto , Matsui Hiroaki , Hara Yuko , Kobayashi Masakuni , Ono Shingo , Tamai Naoto , Gomisawa Kazutaka , Yamauchi Takashi , Suka Machi , Sumiyama Kazuki
Published: November 2023

Background

Texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) enhances the changes in endoscopic features caused by gastric neoplasms, such as redness/whiteness and elevation/depression. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of TXI in improving the visibility of gastric neoplasms compared with white light imaging (WLI) using conventional (CE) and newly developed endoscopes (NE).

Methods

We recruited patients who were histologically diagnosed with gastric neoplasms; endoscopy was performed, and gastric neoplasms photographed using three imaging modalities, including WLI, TXI mode 1 (TXI-1) and TXI mode 2 (TXI-2). Two different endoscopes (CE and NE) were used for the same patients. Six endoscopists provided the visibility scale scores ranging from 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent) for gastric neoplasms. The primary outcome was the visibility scale scores based on each modality and endoscope. The secondary outcome was the identification of factors including H. pylori infection, atrophy, location, size, morphology, histological diagnosis and intestinal metaplasia that affect the differences in visibility scale scores between TXI-1/TXI-2 and WLI.

Results

Fifty-two gastric neoplasms were analyzed. The mean visibility scale scores with the NE were 2.79 ± 1.07, 3.23 ± 0.96 and 3.14 ± 0.92 for WLI, TXI-1 and TXI-2, respectively. The mean visibility scales with the CE were 2.53 ± 1.10, 3.04 ± 1.05 and 2.96 ± 1.92 for WLI, TXI-1 and TXI-2, respectively. For both endoscopes, significant differences were observed in visibility scale scores between WLI and TXI-1 (p < 0.001) and between WLI and TXI-2 (p < 0.001). The visibility scale scores of NE were superior to those of CE in all modalities. In the secondary outcome, there was no factor affected the differences of visibility scale scores between TXI-1/TXI-2 and WLI.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that TXI-1 and TXI-2 enhanced the visibility scale scores of gastric neoplasms compared with that of WLI. Moreover, newly developed endoscope has the potential to improve visibility compared to conventional endoscope.

Trial Registration

This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000042429, 16/11/2020).
Evaluation of cardiac diagnostic tests findings based on pro-BNP levels in COVID-19 pregnant patients
Authors: Mazandarani Mahdi , Sharififar Rahmat , Lashkarbolouk Narges , Ghorbani Somayeh
Published: November 2023

Background

Pro–b-type natriuretic peptide (Pro-BNP) is an inflammatory marker that indicates cardiac damage and inflammation. The elevation of this marker in COVID-19 patients can be used as a predictive factor in the prognosis of these patients.

Method

Our cross-sectional study investigated the evaluation of cardiac diagnostic test findings based on pro-BNP levels in pregnant COVID-19 patients in Sayyad Shirazi Hospital, Gorgan, Iran, in 2020–2022. A hundred and ten pregnant patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection were evaluated for cardiac diagnostic tests (electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography (Echo)) and pro-BNP levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software. Chi-square and Student's t-test will be used to test and compare the relationship between variables and compare them. A P-value less than 0.05 is considered statistically significant. The chi-square test was used to compare the ratio of qualitative variables among the groups if the presuppositions of chi-square distribution were established. Otherwise, Fisher's exact test was used.

Result

The mean age of participants were 31.06 ± 5.533 years and 49.1% of patients had pro-BNP levels above the cut-off value for predicting an adverse outcome of COVID-19. The mean ± standard deviation of pro-BNP levels in the low group was 46.125 ± 17.523 pg/mL and in the high group was 878.814 ± 1038.060 pg/mL. This study revealed that patients with higher pro-BNP plasma levels had a significant relation between, myocardial infarction (MI), pericardial effusion (PE), urgent Caesarean section (C/S), and mortality. In addition, no significant relation between gravid, trimester, vaccination, arrhythmia, heart block, and valves diseases with high pro-BNP levels was found.

Conclusion

The current research showed that pro-BNP levels can be used as a diagnostic and valuable prognostic tool in pregnant women to diagnose cardiac complications by using ECG and Echo.
Retinal changes and cardiac biomarker assessment in relation to chronic kidney disease: a single centre study
Authors: Mustafar Ruslinda , Hishamuddin Khairun Amalin Mohd , Mohd Rozita , Kamaruzaman Lydia , Halim Wan Haslina Wan Abdul , Hsien Yong Meng , Sze Tan Kuan , Zaki Wan Mimi Diyana Wan , Ali Aziah , Bain Arbaiyah
Published: November 2023

Background

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising in Malaysia. Early detection is necessary to prevent disease progression, especially in terms of cardiovascular (CV) risk, the main cause of death in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Retinal changes have proven to be a good predictor of CKD whereas cardiac biomarkers are useful in cardiovascular risk stratification. We aimed to demonstrate the correlation between retinal changes and cardiac biomarkers with CKD.

Methods

This single-centre cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with CKD stages 3, 4, and 5 (not on dialysis) from the Nephrology Clinic, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. A total of 84 patients were recruited with an even distribution across all three stages. They underwent fundus photography where images were analysed for vessel calibre (central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE), central retinal arterial equivalent (CRAE), and tortuosity indices. Optical coherence tomography was used to measure macular volume. Blood samples were sent for laboratory measurement of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). These parameters were analysed in relation to CKD.

Results

The mean age was 58.8 ± 11.7 years, with 52.4% male and 47.6% female patients. Among them, 64.3% were diabetics. Retinal vessel tortuosity (r = -0.220,p-value = 0.044) had a negative correlation with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). CRVE showed a positive correlation with proteinuria (r = 0.342,p = 0.001) but negative correlation with eGFR (r = -0.236,p = 0.031). Hs-CRP positively correlated with proteinuria (r = 0.313,p = 0.04) and negatively correlated with eGFR (r = -0.370,p = 0.001). Diabetic patients had a higher CRVE compared to non-diabetic patients (p = 0.02). History of ischaemic heart disease was associated with a smaller macula volume (p = 0.038). Male gender (r2 = 0.066,p = 0.031) and HbA1c had a positive influence (r2 = 0.066,p = 0.047) on retinal vessel tortuosity. There was a positive influence of age (r2 = 0.183,p = 0.012) and hs-CRP (r2 = 0.183,p = 0.045) on CRVE. As for macula volume, it negatively correlated with diabetes (r2 = 0.015,p = 0.040) and positively correlated with smoking (r2 = 0.015,p = 0.012).

Conclusion

Our study showed that eGFR value affects retinal vessel tortuosity, CRVE and hs-CRP. These parameters bear potential to be used as non-invasive tools in assessing CKD. However, only macula volume may be associated with CVD risk among the CKD population.