bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Haemostasis and fibrinolysis after regular high-intensity interval training in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kristiansen Jacobina , Grove Erik Lerkevang , Sjúrðarson Tórur , Rasmussen Jan , Mohr Magni , Kristensen Steen Dalby , Hvas Anne-Mette
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have prothrombotic changes compared with healthy individuals. Regular exercise reduces cardiovascular mortality in patients with stable CAD. However, the underlying mechanism for the beneficial effect is unknown. We investigated whether regular exercise would inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombin generation and increase fibrinolysis in patients with CAD.

Materials and methods

Patients with CAD were randomised 1:1 to a supervised high-intensity exercise training programme or standard care for 12 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. Platelet aggregation was evaluated with the Multiplate Analyser, thrombin generation using the calibrated automated thrombogram and fibrinolysis employing a clot lysis assay.

Results

A total of 169 stable patients with CAD were randomised, and 142 patients (67±9 years, 83% males) completed the study; 64 in the exercise group and 78 in the standard care group. All but one patients received single antiplatelet therapy. From baseline to 12 weeks postintervention (Δ), no significant between-group differences were found in adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation (Δ−15 aggregation units (AU), AU×min, 95% CI −70 to 40 in the exercise group and Δ−26 AU×min, 95% CI −77 to 26 in the standard care group, p=0.44); endogenous thrombin potential (medians: Δ−5%, 95% CI −12 to 3 in the exercise group and Δ−6%, 95% CI −13 to 1 in the standard care group, p=0.26); nor in 50% clot lysis time (medians: Δ−9%, 95% CI −23 to 7 in the exercise group and Δ−17%, 95% CI −29 to −3 in the standard care group, p=0.60).

Conclusions

Twelve weeks of high-intensity whole-body endurance exercise did not affect platelet aggregation, thrombin generation or fibrinolysis in patients with stable CAD.

Trial registration number

NCT04268992.
Establishment and experiment of a pressure-bearing subsidence model of layered soil in forest region
Authors: Zhou Yuan , Sun Shufa , Wang Jingkai , Yu Miao , Yin Haoyu , Yang Fei , Luo Hao
Published: November 2022

Forest vehicle operation causes different degrees of compaction damage to the soil, which is related to the pressure-bearing characteristics of the soil. However, scholars have not profoundly investigated the pressure-bearing factors of forest soil. In this paper, disturbed brown coniferous forest soil was collected layer by layer, dried, screened, and tested with indoor pressing-plate tests with different pressing-plate shapes and diameters (side lengths). A kind of pressure–subsidence ( P–Z) curve of hard soil, which is different from those of farmland soil and homogeneous remolded soil, was obtained and drawn as the P–Z curve. The results show that in the process of pressure subsidence, the forest soil gradually changed from loose to compact. Furthermore, the change of pressure-bearing subsidence of layered soil from this forest region was characterized first by the rapid increase of soil subsidence with the increase of pressure. Then, the subsidence speed became slower with the increase of pressure; finally, subsidence speed was much less affected by the increase in pressure. According to the pressure-bearing subsidence curve of forest soil, a new subsidence model is put forward in this paper. The new model has a good prediction effect on the subsidence curve of forest soil. This paper aims to provide a theoretical basis for studying soil pressure-bearing characteristics and the development of vehicles in high-passing forest areas.
Testing the charge-radius coupling of composite Goldstone (Higgs) bosons at hadron colliders
Authors: Cacciapaglia G. , Gascon-Shotkin S. , Lesauvage A. , Manglani N. , Sridhar K.
Published: November 2022

We explore the collider relevance of a charge-radius coupling among light mesons in composite Higgs models. In particular, we focus of a coupling of the photon to the composite Higgs and a composite singlet, arising from isospin violation in the underlying theory. This coupling offers a deep probe of the composite nature of the Higgs mechanism, being sensitive to the electromagnetic and weak isospin structure of its constituents. The main collider effect consists in the production of the Higgs boson in association with a light composite pseudo-scalar. We present an exploratory cut-and-count analysis at hadron colliders, like the LHC, showing that an efficient background suppression can be achieved. More sophisticated techniques, however, are necessary to select a sufficient number of signal events, due to the small production rates. This justifies further investigation of this channel, which is highly complementary to other searches for compositeness in the Higgs sector.
Investigation on electronic properties modulation of vdW GaN/WSe2 heterostructure by electric field
Authors: Liu Jiankang , Liu Cheng , Liang Jie , Jiang Bing , Ji Zhenyi , Hong Sheng
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we designed two van der Waals (vdW) GaN/WSe2 heterostructures based on the GaN and WSe2 monolayers. And then we further investigated the effect of the external electric field on electronic properties of the more stable GaN/WSe2 vdW heterostructure by first-principle calculations. Results show that without external electric field, the GaN/WSe2 is a typical type-I band alignment heterostructure. But both the VBO and CBO are smaller than 1 eV, which limits their application in electric devices. So we further adopt an external electric field to adjust the electronic properties of the heterostructure. Results show that when applying an external electric field of [Formula: see text] V/Å, the band alignment of GaN/WSe2 heterostructure changes from type-I to type-II, and the electrons and holes are separated into different layers. Then the recombination of the holes and electrons is blocked and the lifetime of photo-induced carriers can be prolonged. To understand the inherent physical mechanism, the variation trends of the band gap and band offset as the change of external electric field were discussed. Results show that the location and contribution factors of conduction band minimum (CBM) and valence band maximum (VBM) caused by external electric field are the main factors causing this change in the heterostructure.
Neural Topic Modeling via Discrete Variational Inference
Authors: Gupta Amulya , Zhang Zhu
Published: November 2022

Topic models extract commonly occurring latent topics from textual data. Statistical models such as Latent Dirichlet Allocation do not produce dense topic embeddings readily integratable into neural architectures, whereas earlier neural topic models are yet to fully take advantage of the discrete nature of the topic space. To bridge this gap, we propose a novel neural topic model, Discrete-Variational-Inference-based Topic Model (DVITM), which learns dense topic embeddings homomorphic to word embeddings via discrete variational inference. The model also views words as mixtures of topics and digests embedded input text. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations empirically demonstrate the superior performance of DVITM compared to important baseline models. In the end, case studies on text generation from a discrete space and aspect-aware item recommendation are presented to further illustrate the power of our model in downstream tasks.
Correlations between salivary- and blood-derived gonadal hormone assessments and implications for inclusion of female participants in research studies
Authors: Huang Tingyu , Howse Fiona M. , Stachenfeld Nina S. , Usselman Charlotte W.
Published: November 2022

Even in the 21st century, female participants continue to be underrepresented in human physiology research. This underrepresentation is attributable in part to the perception that the inclusion of females is more time consuming, less convenient, and more expensive relative to males because of the need to account for the menstrual cycle in cardiovascular study designs. Accounting for menstrual cycle-induced fluctuations in gonadal hormones is important, given established roles in governing vascular function and evidence that failure to consider gonadal hormone fluctuations can result in misinterpretations of biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Thus, for cardiovascular researchers, the inclusion of females in research studies implies a necessity to predict, quantify, and/or track indexes of menstrual cycle-induced changes in hormones. It is here that methodologies are lacking. Gold standard measurement requires venous blood samples, but this technique is invasive and can become both expensive and technically preclusive when serial measurements are required. To this end, saliva-derived measures of gonadal hormones provide a means of simple, noninvasive hormone tracking. To investigate the feasibility of this technique as a means of facilitating research designs that take the menstrual cycle into account, the purpose of this review was to examine literature comparing salivary and blood concentrations of the primary gonadal hormones that fluctuate across the menstrual cycle: estradiol and progesterone. The data indicate that there appear to be valid and promising applications of salivary gonadal hormone monitoring, which may aid in the inclusion of female participants in cardiovascular research studies.
Improved SSD Model for Pedestrian Detection in Natural Scene
Authors: Hong Feng , Lu Chang hua , Tao Wang , Jiang Weiwei
Published: November 2022

The indagation improves the SSD network to improve the target detection performance in unmanned driving at night. In target detection, the goal is to identify and locate the different types of objects present in an image. The first-level target detection method pulls categorization information and target position information for use by the second-level target detection algorithm using the featured MAP created by the deep network. The depth characteristics, on the other hand, are processed using long-distance convolution and downsampling. Given the lack of geographical information, research alludes to the concept of semantic segmentation and proposes a method for improving the first-level target identification algorithm SSD by mixing shallow characteristics from the backbone network with deep features obtained through sampling. In addition, this research enhances the generation method and loss function of the preselection box by taking into account the peculiarities of pedestrian detection data. Undertakings to experiments on the two data sets provided by INRIA and Caltech show that the improved model USSD reported in this paper improves both the efficiency of detection and speed of retrieval.
ANGPTL4 Regulates Lung Adenocarcinoma Pyroptosis and Apoptosis via NLRP3\ASC\Caspase 8 Signaling Pathway to Promote Resistance to Gefitinib
Authors: Fang Yue , Li Xuan , Cheng Hao , Zhang Lu , Hao Jiqing
Published: November 2022

Background. Prior research has identified ANGPTL4 as a key player in the control of the body’s lipid and glucose metabolism and a contributor to the onset of numerous cardiovascular conditions. Recently, it has been shown that ANGPTL4 also plays a critical role in tumor growth and progression. Nowadays, the number of EGFR-TKI resistant patients is increasing, and it is important to investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in regulating gefitinib resistance in PC9/GR non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods. The expression of ANGPTL4 in A549, PC9, H1975, BEAS-2B and PC9/GR cells was verified by Western blot and qRT-PCR assays, and the effect of gefitinib on the proliferative ability of each cell was probed by CCK-8 assay. By using shRNA to inhibit ANGPTL4 expression in cells, the effect of ANGPTL4 on cell migratory ability was examined and the effect of ANGPTL4 on cellular gefitinib sensitivity was confirmed using the CCK-8 assay and the edu proliferation test. Mouse transplantation tumors were constructed, and the effect of ANGPTL4 on cellular gefitinib sensitivity was investigated in vivo by flow cytometry, Tunel staining assay, immunohistochemical staining, and ROS fluorescence staining assay. ANGPTL4 expression in homoRNA overexpression cells was constructed, and the changes in the expression levels of ASC\NLRP3\Caspase 8 pathway and focal and apoptotic proteins were investigated in vitro, in vivo, afterknockdown and overexpression of ANGPTL4 expression by Westen blot assay. Results. ANGPTL4 was highly expressed in PC9/GR cells. Interfering with ANGPTL4 expression resulted in decreased proliferation and migration ability, decreased resistance to gefitinib, and increased scorching and apoptosis in PC9/GR cells. Interfering with ANGPTL4 expression in PC9/GR cells was shown to promote sensitivity to gefitinib and to mediate the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase 8 pathway to induce cell scorching and apoptosis. Conclusions. ANGPTL4 promotes gefitinib resistance in PC9/GR cells by regulating the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase 8 pathway to inhibit scorch death. ANGPTL4 may be an effective new target for inhibiting EGFR-TKI resistance in lung adenocarcinoma cells.
A Next-Generation Codebook Evolution Strategy for Massive Arrays Using Deep Neurals Networks
Authors: Choi Minwoo , Sung Wonjin
Published: November 2022

The discrete Fourier transform (DFT)-based codebook is currently among the mostly commonly adopted codebooks for beamforming using arrays of different shapes and sizes, including the large-scale two-dimensional uniform planar array (UPA). DFT-based codevectors can be easily generated in arbitrary angle resolutions and apply well to millimeter-wave (mmWave) channels due to their directive nature of resulting beams. However, a fixed set of codevectors is applied regardless of the user distributions and the propagation environment, which may exhibit limited beamforming performance under certain transmission scenarios. In this paper, we propose a new way of generating a set of beamforming vectors for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission using massive arrays under the limited feedback of the channel state information (CSI). Precoder matrix indicator (PMI) and channel quality indicator (CQI) reports from the users have become the sources for the generation of a new set of codevectors, which are autonomously determined by the deep learning (DL) module at the base station (BS). The process is operated in an iterative fashion to produce updated versions of the codebook with the reduced return of the loss function at the deep neural network (DNN). The time-varying codebook for each BS automatically reflects the characteristics of a given wireless environment to adapt to its channel and traffic conditions. The reference signal (RS) at the BS is periodically transmitted in the form of beamformed CSI-RS, thus the operation is transparent to the users of the system and no significant specification changes are necessary. A simple plug-and-play type of BS installation suffices to achieve the potential gain of the proposal, which is demonstrated by the implementation details of the DL engine and the corresponding performance simulation results.
Impact of Gastrointestinal Symptoms on Health-Related Quality of Life in an Australian Parkinson’s Disease Cohort
Authors: Kenna Jade E. , Bakeberg Megan C. , Abonnel Maddison Y. , Mastaglia Frank L. , Anderton Ryan S.
Published: November 2022

Background. Gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) are often underreported and may remain untreated. Constipation is a common nonmotor symptom that can adversely affect health-related quality of life (QoL); however, the impact of other GIS has not been adequately investigated. Objectives. To investigate the relationship between QoL and constipation using the Bristol Stool Chart, bowel movement frequency, and a perceived constipation measure; and to explore the relationship between QoL and other GIS in an Australian PD cohort. Methods. The impact of constipation and other GIS on QoL, as measured using the PDQ-39 scale, was assessed in a cohort of 144 (89 males, 55 females) clinic-attending PwP. Constipation was assessed using the Bristol Stool Chart as well as a composite constipation measure, and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) was used to rate other GIS. Covariate corrected linear regression models were utilised to determine significant associations between GIS and QoL scores. Results. Individual and combined constipation measures were significantly associated with poorer QoL (

p
=
0.032

and

p
=
0.002

, respectively). Analysis of GSRS symptom domains showed that in addition to symptoms of gastrointestinal hypomotility, a number of other symptoms such as increased eructation and increased flatus were also associated with poorer QoL. Conclusions. The findings point to the importance of GIS as contributor to health-related QoL in PwP. A better understanding of the relationship between GIS and QoL will help facilitate the development of more effective screening and treatment programs to improve symptom management and QoL for PwP.
Method of Series Arc Fault Detection Based on Phase Space Reconstruction and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Zhou Rui , Huang Jitao , Xu Wentao , Wang Lele , Gao Han , Hua Huichun
Published: November 2022

Series arc fault detection can improve the safety of low-voltage power systems. The existing arc fault detection is mainly based on various indicators of a frequency domain or time-frequency domain transformation for feature extraction, which is difficult to extract comprehensive arc information, resulting in low detection accuracy. This paper presents a method for extracting comprehensive information, combined with a convolutional neural network to detect arc faults. First, the arc fault experimental platform is developed according to the UL1699 standard, and the current signals of various loads under different operating conditions are collected. Then, the current of a single cycle is embedded by coordinate delay, and the distance matrix is calculated by using 50 vectors reconstructed by a single cycle. Finally, a convolutional neural network classification model is designed, which is used to mine the information in the distance matrix to detect series arc faults. The experimental results show that the average accuracy of the method for arc fault identification of various loads is 99.00% and that the sampling frequency is low. It is suitable for lines with different loads and has certain robustness, so this method has the potential to be implemented on hardware.
The Application of the Activated Carbon from Cordia africana Leaves for Adsorption of Chromium (III) from an Aqueous Solution
Authors: Kassahun Estifanos , Fito Jemal , Tibebu Solomon , Nkambule Thabo T. I. , Tadesse Talebachew , Sime Takele , Kloos Helmut
Published: November 2022

The objective of this study is to investigate the adsorption performance of activated carbon derived from the leaves of Cordia africana for the removal of Cr (III) from an aqueous solution. The plant sample was collected, washed, dried, grounded, and sieved at 125 μm mesh size. Adsorbent activation was done using H3PO4 at concentrations of 25–85% and pyrolysis temperature of 400–500°C. The activated carbon was characterized by proximate, SEM, BET, and FTIR analyses. A batch adsorption study was conducted to determine the effect of contact time, adsorbent dose, initial chromium concentration, and mixing speed on Cr (III) removal. The regeneration of the activated carbon was investigated by using 1 M of HNO3 as a desorbing solution for seven cycles. At optimum acid concentration and pyrolysis temperature, a surface area of 700 m2/g was recorded. The moisture content, volatile matter, ash composition, fixed carbon, and bulk density of the activated carbon were found to be 5.3%, 24.2%, 6.2%, 64.3%, and 0.75 g/mL, respectively. The SEM and FTIR analyses indicated that the surface morphology was full of cracks and different peaks were associated with plenty of functional groups, respectively. The maximum Cr (III) removal was attained at a contact time of 180 min (89%), adsorbent dose of 1.5 g (54%), initial concentration of 0.6 g/L (47%), and mixing speed of 300 rpm (64%). The equilibrium data were better described by Freundlich isotherm at R2 value of 0.88, which implies that the adsorption process is conducted on a heterogeneous surface. The pseudo-first-order kinetics model with R2 value of 0.99 best fits with the equilibrium data, which implies that physisorption controls the adsorption kinetics. Generally, it can be concluded that this locally prepared adsorbent is promising for the removal of chromium from industrial wastewater, but further factorial approach assessment has to be checked.
Exploring EPR Parameters of 187Re Complexes for Designing New MRI Probes: From the Gas Phase to Solution and a Model Protein Environment
Authors: Andolpho Gustavo A. , da Cunha Elaine F. F. , Ramalho Teodorico C.
Published: November 2022

Breast cancer is one of the major types of cancer around the world, and early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. New contrast agents (CAs), with reduced toxicology, are needed to improve diagnosis. One of the most promising Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) CA is based on rhenium conjugated with a benzothiazole derivate (ReABT). In this sense, DFT has been used to evaluate the best methodology for calculating the hyperfine coupling constant (Aiso) of ReABT. Then, a thermodynamic analysis was performed to confirm the stability of the complex. Furthermore, a docking study of ReABT at the enzyme PI3K active site and Aiso calculations of ReABT in the enzyme environment were carried out. The best methodology for the Aiso calculation of ReABT was using the M06L functional, SARC-ZORA-TZVP (for Re) and TZVP (for all other atoms) basis set, relativistic Hamiltonian, and the CPCM solvation model with water as the solvent which confirm that the relativistic effects are important for calculating the Aiso values. In addition, thermodynamic analysis indicates that ReABT presents a higher stability and a lower toxicity than Gd-based CAs. The docking studies point out that ReABT interacts with amino acids residues of alanine, aspartate, and lysine from the PI3K active site. Considering the enzyme environment, Aiso values decrease significantly. These findings indicate that the CA candidate ReABT could be a good candidate for a new contrast agent.
Ginsenoside Rb1 Prevents Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Muscle Stem Cells via NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Dong Wenxi , Chen Wenhao , Zou Hongbo , Shen Zile , Yu Dingye , Chen Weizhe , Jiang Haojie , Yan Xialin , Yu Zhen
Published: November 2022

Sarcopenia, featured by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle function and mass, is associated with the impaired function of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) caused by increasing oxidative stress in senescent skeletal muscle tissue during aging. Intact function of MuSCs maintains the regenerative potential as well as the homeostasis of skeletal muscle tissues during aging. Ginsenoside Rb1, a natural compound from ginseng, exhibited the effects of antioxidation and against apoptosis. However, its effects of restoring MuSC function during aging and improving age-related sarcopenia remained unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of Rb1 in improving MuSC function and inhibiting apoptosis by reducing oxidative stress levels. We found that Rb1 inhibited the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protected the cells from oxidative stress to attenuate the H2O2-induced cytotoxicity. Rb1 also blocked oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of caspase-3/9, which antagonized the decrease in mitochondrial content and the increase in mitochondrial abnormalities caused by oxidative stress via promoting the protein expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Mechanistically, it was proven that Rb1 exerted its antioxidant effects and avoided the apoptosis of myoblasts by targeting the core regulator of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway. Therefore, these findings suggest that Rb1 may have a beneficial role in the prevention and treatment of MuSC exhaustion-related diseases like sarcopenia.
Progesterone as a Neuroprotective Agent in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lee Ming-Te , McNicholas Roisin , Miall Lawrence , Simpson Nigel , Goss Kevin C.W. , Robertson Nicola J. , Chumas Paul
Published: November 2022

Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in the newborn baby is a major contributor to neonatal mortality and morbidity across the world. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the current standard treatment for moderate to severe HIE, but not all babies benefit. Potential neuroprotective actions of progesterone (PROG) include anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects and reduction of energy depletion, tissue/cellular oedema, and excitotoxicity. In pre-clinical studies of neonatal HIE, PROG has neuroprotective properties but has not been the subject of systematic review. Here, our objective was to evaluate the evidence base for PROG as a potential therapeutic agent in HIE. The PICO framework was used to define the following inclusion criteria. Population: human neonates with HIE/animal models of HIE; intervention: PROG +/− other agents; comparison: V.S. control; outcome: pathological, neurobehavioural, and mechanistic outcome measures. Medline, EMBASE, and CINHAL were then searched between August to October 2018 using pre-defined medical subject heading and keywords. Study inclusion, data extraction, and risk of bias (ROB) analysis using the SYRCLE ROB tool were carried out by two authors. 14 studies were included in the review. They typically displayed a high ROB. This systematic review suggests that PROG reduced neuropathology and reduced neurobehavioural deficits post-hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) insult in 8 and 3 studies, respectively. However, there was sex dimorphism in the effects of PROG. In addition, there are limitations and biases in these studies, and there remains a need for well-designed large pre-clinical studies with greater methodological quality to further inform the efficacy, safety, dose, timing, and frequency of PROG administration. With such data, large animal studies could be planned combining PROG administration with and without TH.
The System Will Not Be Labeled: gm Food Marketing and American Secularism
Authors: Seales Chad
Published: November 2022

This article examines the lack of transparent labeling for Genetically Modified (gm) foods to show how the marketing of biotechnology obscures the relationship between the production and consumption of industrial agriculture. On the side of production, biotech corporations directly market gm seeds to farmers, to promote brand loyalty and protect proprietary claims. On the side of consumption, however, the biotech industry resists labeling gm ingredients of food products. The article argues that the producer/consumer split in gm food marketing is part of a broader American secularism that circulates a hidden religion of industrial biotechnology within cultural symbols of consumer freedom, personal choice, and moral goodness.
Introduction to Special Issue on Religion, Media, and Marketing
Authors: Taylor Sarah McFarland , Einstein Mara
Published: November 2022

This special issue probes the ways in which religion and marketing hybrids are flourishing in the digital age. The powerful partnership of marketing and religion magnetically attracts consumers to products both secular and sacred. Popular media have increasingly noticed this phenomenon, but it warrants more serious and concerted attention from the academy. Our article contributors consequently explore the religio-cultural and media implications of what is a two-sided phenomenon: marketing religion as a product and marketing products as religion.
Marketing the Image of the Modern Muslim Woman in the Age of Black Lives Matter
Authors: Wheeler Kayla Renée
Published: November 2022

Using a feminist critical discourse analysis, this article examines modest dress stylist Hakeemah Cummings’ Instagram posts from December 2019 to July 2021 to show how she constructs the image of the “modern Muslim woman.” Cummings represents a postfeminist woman who believes it is possible to have it all—a successful career and a happy family, all while looking beautiful and being modest. As an influencer, she markets this image of the “modern Muslim woman” to her followers on Instagram, showing them that they too can have a similar life if they consume particular products and perform certain actions. I argue that Cummings has expanded the definition of the “modern Muslim woman” to include a commitment to racial justice, following the Prophetic model of supporting marginalized community. Rather than dismantling the “modern Muslim woman” image, which traditionally excludes Black women, she expands the image to center Black women and Black issues.
A Positive International Law Approach to the South Korea–Japan Conflicts: Breaking the Vicious Circle
Authors: Ju Jinyul
Published: November 2022

South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK) and Japan have been suffering the vicious circle of serious conflicts concerning South Koreans’ tort claims. Even if two Korean emperors were compelled by Japan in 1905 and 1910, without proving the existence of customary international law prohibiting forced annexation in the early 20th century, the 1910 Annexation Treaty can not become invalid. Even if the 1910 Annexation Treaty was invalid, among other things, the 1951 Peace Treaty can be the evidence of the Japanese rule (1910–1945) being a fait accompli. Even if the Japanese rule was illegal, the issues of South Korean tort claims were already settled by the 1965 Claims Agreement and/or the 2015 Agreement. The ROK government should acknowledge its legal responsibility to satisfy South Korean claims including the so-called Comfort Women victims under the related agreements with Japan. In regard to other issues such as sexual slavery and/or Crime against Humanity, if a diplomatic solution is not available to the ROK and Japan, the two countries should better agree to submit the issues before an ad hoc international tribunal or the ICJ. This would be the only way to break the vicious circle.
The Consumer Protection Approach in Kazakhstan
Authors: Sultanova Aliya , Ilyassova Gulzhazira
Published: November 2022

The paper explores current theoretical and practical challenges on the way to improve consumer protection in Kazakhstan in the existing environment. Kazakhstan consistently implements reforms to improve the national consumer protection system, given the growing public demand for better quality services in many areas of life. The entire consumer protection system is now being restructured to secure consumer rights based on here and now principle. Theoretical conclusions and proposals for improving consumer protection legislation and law enforcement practices were based on the research findings. More specifically, new administrative, judicial, blended protection approaches, enhancing consumer protection efficiency, were suggested following generalization of European practice. The study revealed common EU approaches to transition from the conventional administrative approach to a blended consumer legal protection approach. The research findings suggested that consumers may be protected only with the effective cooperation of all state bodies and consumer organizations.
Epidendrum claustralis (Orchidaceae), another new species from the high Andean forests of the Rupestre group
Authors: NAVARRO ROMO WENDY CAROLAY , HÁGSATER ERIC
Published: November 2022

Epidendrum claustralis, a new species of the Rupestre Group is described and illustrated. It is a novelty from the Departments of Junín, San Martín and Amazonas, Peru. It is compared to the most similar species, Epidendrum excelsum. The species is characterized by the entire lip and with two prominent parallel calli that lean towards each other after pollination or the loss of the pollinarium, closing the entrance of the nectary, and thus avoiding another pollination event.
Cardamine pakistanica (Cardamineae; Brassicaceae), a new species from North Pakistan
Authors: AL-SHEHBAZ IHSAN A. , GERMAN DMITRY A.
Published: November 2022

N/A
Migration and partisan identification as British Unionists or Irish Nationalists in Northern Ireland
Authors: Bjarnason Thoroddur , Shuttleworth Ian , Stevenson Clifford , Finell Eerika
Published: November 2022

The notion that mobility weakens collective norms and increases tolerance has a long pedigree in sociology. In this article, we examine the association of migration with partisan identification as British Unionists or Irish Nationalists in Northern Ireland, a region where the overlap of opposing religious and national identities is reflected in the residential segregation of its population. In representative samples of the population, we find that Irish Nationalist identification among Catholics and British Unionist identification among Protestants was lower among people not born in Northern Ireland and return migrants from beyond the British Isles. Having lived in the Republic was associated with more Nationalist identification among Catholics but less Unionist identification among Protestants and others. Moreover, having lapsed from the family religion is associated with decreased partisan identification. While international migration has in many countries led to increased tensions, conflict and the ascendance of exclusionary national populist movements, our results thus suggest that mobility beyond the British Isles has contributed to less nation–state conflict in Northern Ireland.
Intraoperative Blood Pressure Variability and Early Postoperative Stroke: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Valencia Morales Diana J. , Garbajs Nika Zorko , Tawfic Sarah S. , Jose Thulasee , Laporta Mariana L. , Schroeder Darrell R. , Weingarten Toby N. , Sprung Juraj
Published: November 2022

Background

This study aims to assess the association of postoperative stroke with intraoperative hemodynamic variability and transfusion management.

Methods

In this case-control study, adult patients (≥ 18 years) who had a stroke within 72 hours of a surgical procedure were matched to 2 control patients according to age, sex, and procedure type. Primary risk factors assessed were intraoperative fluid administration, blood product transfusion, vasopressor use, and measures of variability in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate: maximum, minimum, range, SD, and average real variability. The variables were analyzed with conditional logistic regression, which accounted for the 1:2 matched case-control study design.

Results

Among 687 581 procedures, we identified 64 postoperative strokes (incidence, 9.3 [95% CI, 7.2-11.9] strokes per 100 000 procedures). These cases were matched with 128 controls. Stroke cases had higher Charlson cmorbidity index scores than did controls (P = .046). Blood pressure and heart rate variability measures were not associated with stroke. The risk of stroke was increased with red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (odds ratio [OR], 14.82; 95% CI, 3.40-64.66; P < .001), vasopressor use (OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 1.59-9.60; P = .003), and longer procedure duration (OR, 1.23/h; 95% CI, 1.01-1.51; P = .04). Multivariable analysis of procedure duration, RBC transfusion, and vasopressor use showed that only RBC transfusion was independently associated with an increased risk of stroke (OR, 10.10; 95% CI, 2.14-47.72; P = .004).

Conclusions

Blood pressure variability was not associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke; however, RBC transfusion was an independent risk factor.
Racial Disparity Among Patients Undergoing Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States
Authors: Kulkarni Abha , Arafat Mohammod , Hou Linle , Liang Shiochee , Kassotis John
Published: November 2022

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). However, racial disparities in the utilization of TAVR persist. This meta-analysis attempts to determine whether the prevalence of adverse outcomes (procedure-related complications) represent barriers to the use of TAVR among African Americans (AA). The TAVR cohort consisted of 89.6% Caucasian (C) and 4.7% AA, while the SAVR cohort included 86.9% C and 6.4% AA. The utilization rate (UR) of TAVR was 1.48 and .35 among C and AA, respectively, while the UR of SAVR was 1.44 and .48 among C and AA, respectively. Following TAVR, for AA the odds ratio (OR) was greater for stroke (OR = 1.22, P = .02) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) (OR = 1.57, P < .001) and lower for undergoing the insertion of a permanent pacemaker (OR = .81, P < .001). While there was a significant difference between C and AA in TAVR and SAVR utilization, outcomes between groups following TAVR are comparable; therefore, adverse outcomes do not appear to be a barrier to the use of TAVR among eligible AA.
Relationship Between Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Serum Uric Acid in Patients With Untreated Essential Hypertension in China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ma Xiaoxiang , Zhang Xin , Yang Yanhua , Jiang Li , Huang Zhaoyi
Published: November 2022

Several studies have reported that the atherogenic index of plasma ( AIP) is associated with serum uric acid (SUA) in healthy middle-aged men, kidney transplant patients, and diabetic patients. We assessed the relationship between AIP and SUA in patients with untreated essential hypertension (EH) in China. In the cross-sectional study, we evaluated 5003 patients with untreated EH in China; 1490 were assigned to the hyperuricemia (HUA) group and 3513 to the normouricemia (non-HUA) group according to the diagnostic criteria of HUA (SUA level≥6 mg/dL in females and ≥7 mg/dL in males). A higher AIP level was found in the HUA group ( P < .001), and AIP was positively and independently correlated with SUA after adjusting for statistically significant variables (β = .204, P < .001). Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the AIP was closely and independently related to HUA after adjusting for confounders (odds ratio [OR]: 11.980, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.186–45.047, P < .001). Our findings suggested that the AIP was positively and independently associated with SUA, and elevated AIP might be a significant risk factor for HUA in patients with untreated EH in China.
The clinical and laboratory impact of reporting faecal elastase-1 in watery stool samples
Authors: Jones Alison M
Published: November 2022

Background

Low faecal elastase-1 (FE-1) results are suggestive of pancreatic insufficiency, but watery diarrhoea may lead to falsely low results.

Methods

FE-1 results reported on watery samples over a three-year period were reviewed. Results in watery samples were compared to those from a formed sample. The follow-up of patients in whom an FE-1 result ≤199 ug/g stool (Schebo ELISA) was reported on a watery sample was also reviewed.

Results

In total, 288 watery samples were identified. All results (19/19) ≥200 ug/g in watery samples were also ≥200 ug/g when measured in a formed sample from the same patient. There were 41 results ≤199 ug/g in watery samples, of which 29 (71%) were ≥200 ug/g when measured in a formed sample. Thirty-seven patients with a single FE-1 value ≤199 ug/g from a watery sample were followed up. Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT) was commenced in 15 patients. This was inappropriate in at least one patient. Reporting practice was subsequently changed to not report FE-1 values ≤199 ug/g in watery samples. This change was assessed after 12 months. Repeat samples were received from 15/56 (27%) of patients. Overall, 10/15 (67%) of samples were ≥200 ug/g on repeat. PERT was not commenced inappropriately in any of these patients.

Conclusions

There is value in measuring FE-1 in watery samples, as 144/288 (50%) of watery samples analysed were ≥200 ug/g, enabling a diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency to be excluded. Not reporting FE-1 values ≤199 ug/g in a first-time watery stool samples appears clinically safe and has potentially reduced inappropriate diagnoses and prescribing.
A qualitative evaluation of remote training to develop a fitness surveillance system
Authors: Egan Cate A , Merica Christopher B , Paul David R , Bond Laura , Rose Seth , Martin Andrew , Vella Chantal
Published: November 2022

Objectives:

In the USA, 18% of school-aged young people are classified as obese, and rural populations appear to be particularly at risk. Achieving high levels of fitness reduces the risk of obesity and underlying health conditions. To better understand youth obesity trends and fitness levels, annual fitness testing ([FT], that is, surveillance) in schools has been recommended. Although many K–12 schools conduct FT, surveillance programmes that compile unified standardised test results are rare.

Design:

Qualitative design.

Setting:

Physical education teachers from 11 schools ( n = 13; n = 4 men) participated in remote training about conducting FitnessGram FT.

Methods:

Data included two semi-structured interviews per teacher on experiences with distance fitness training, implementing FitnessGram, and data entry for annual surveillance.

Results:

Inductive analysis using axial and open coding identified four themes: (1) barriers prior to study, (2) study training, (3) implementation challenges and suggestions and (4) teacher feedback. Teachers had an interest in FT but lacked the recommended training and equipment needed to implement it annually.

Conclusion:

Teachers believed the training they received (as part of this study) prepared them to collect reliable and valid data, and that FT had benefits for their students and programmes. Every teacher expressed interest in reporting annual surveillance data. Efforts to train teachers for FT through virtual professional development may be a viable means of establishing a unified surveillance system.
What’s that on Your Phone? Effects of Mobile Device Task Type on Pedestrian Performance
Authors: Labonte-LeMoyne Elise , Cameron Ann-Frances , Sénécal Sylvain , Fredette Marc , Faubert Jocelyn , Lepore Franco , Léger Pierre-Majorique
Published: November 2022

Background

The number of accidents due to distracted pedestrian is on the rise and many governments and institutions are enacting public policies which restrict texting while walking. However, pedestrians do more than just texting when they use their mobile devices on the go.

Objective

Exploring pedestrian multitasking, this paper aims to examine the effects of mobile device task type on pedestrian performance outcomes.

Method

We performed two studies in lab simulations where 78 participants were asked to perform different tasks on a mobile device (playing a game, reading, writing an email, texting one person, group texting) while performing a pedestrian visual discrimination task while either standing or walking on a treadmill. Behavioral performance as well as neurophysiological data are collected.

Results

Results show that compared to a no-phone control, multitasking with any of the tasks on a mobile device leads to poor performance on a pedestrian visual discrimination task. Playing a game is the most cognitively demanding task and leads to the greatest performance degradation.

Conclusion

Our studies show that multitasking with a mobile device has the potential to negatively impact pedestrian safety, regardless of task type. However, the impacts of different mobile device tasks are not all equivalent. More research is needed to tease out the different effects of these various tasks and to design mobile applications which effectively and safely capture pedestrians’ attention.

Application

Public policy, infrastructure, and smart technologies can be used to mitigate the negative effects of mobile multitasking. A more thorough understanding of mobile device task-specific factors at play can help tailor these counter-measures to better aid distracted pedestrians.
Challenges to Indigenous Knowledge Incorporation in Basic Environmental Education in Anglophone Cameroon
Authors: Njoh Ambe J. , Esongo Njie M. , Ayuk-Etang Elisabeth N.M. , Soh-Agwetang Fri C. , Ngyah-Etchutambe Ijang B. , Asah Fotoh J. , Fomukong Eni B. , Tabrey Hans T.
Published: November 2022

The study employed qualitative data to analyse factors influencing efforts to incorporate indigenous knowledge (IK) in basic formal environmental education (EE). Anglophone Cameroon’s education subsystem constitutes the empirical referent; it employed an environmental scanning model (ESM) to identify major historical, economic, social, political, economic, cultural, and technological (HESPECT) factors that influence these efforts. It reveals that the curriculum is devoid of IK. It further found that the factors examined have mixed implications for efforts to institute IK in the curriculum. It concludes that EE in Anglophone Cameroon stands to enormously benefit from the incorporation of IK.
Goal Derailment and Goal Persistence in Response to Honor Threats
Authors: Günsoy Ceren , Cross Susan E. , Castillo Vanessa A. , Uskul Ayse K. , Wasti S. Arzu , Salter Phia S. , Gul Pelin , Carter-Sowell Adrienne , Yegin Afşar , Altunsu Betul , Crist Jaren D. , Perez Michael J.
Published: November 2022

In honor cultures, maintaining a positive moral reputation (e.g., being known as an honest person) is highly important, whereas in dignity cultures, self-respect (e.g., competence and success) is strongly emphasized. Depending on their cultural background, people respond differently to threats to these two dimensions of honor. In two studies, we examined the effects of morality-focused and competence-focused threats on people’s goal pursuit in two honor cultures (Turkey, Southern United States, and Latinx) and in a dignity culture (Northern United States). In Study 1, Turkish participants were more likely to reject a highly qualified person as a partner in a future task if that person threatened their morality (vs. no-threat), even though this meant letting go of the goal of winning an award. Participants from the U.S. honor and dignity groups, however, were equally likely to choose the people who gave them threatening and neutral feedback. In Study 2, Turkish and U.S. honor participants were more likely to persist in a subsequent goal after receiving a morality threat (vs. no-threat), whereas U.S. dignity participants were more likely to persist in a subsequent goal after receiving a competence threat (vs. no-threat). These results show that people’s responses to honor threats are influenced by the dominant values of their culture and by the tools that are available to them to potentially restore their reputation (e.g., punishing the offender vs. working hard on a different task). This research can have implications for multicultural contexts in which people can have conflicting goals such as diverse work environments.