bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defective Bile Acid Signaling Promotes Vascular Dysfunction, Supporting a Role for G‐Protein Bile Acid Receptor 1/Farnesoid X Receptor Agonism and Statins in the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Marchianò Silvia , Biagioli Michele , Bordoni Martina , Morretta Elva , Di Giorgio Cristina , Vellecco Valentina , Roselli Rosalinda , Bellini Rachele , Massa Carmen , Cari Luigi , Urbani Ginevra , Ricci Patrizia , Monti Maria Chiara , Giordano Antonino , Brancaleone Vincenzo , Bucci Mariarosaria , Zampella Angela , Distrutti Eleonora , Cieri Enrico , Cirino Giuseppe , Fiorucci Stefano
Published: November 2023

Background

Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are at increased risk to develop atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. FXR and GPBAR1 are 2 bile acid–activated receptors exploited in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: whether dual GPBAR1/FXR agonists synergize with statins in the treatment of the liver and cardiovascular components of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is unknown.

Methods and Results

Investigations of human aortic samples obtained from patients who underwent surgery for aortic aneurysms and
Gpbar1
−/−
,
Fxr
−/−
, and dual
Gpbar1
−/‐
Fxr
−/−
mice demonstrated that GPBAR1 and FXR are expressed in the aortic wall and regulate endothelial cell/macrophage interactions. The expression of GPBAR1 in the human endothelium correlated with the expression of inflammatory biomarkers. Mice lacking
Fxr
and
Gpbar1
−/−
/
Fxr
−/−
display hypotension and aortic inflammation, along with altered intestinal permeability that deteriorates with age, and severe dysbiosis, along with dysregulated bile acid synthesis. Vasomotor activities of aortic rings were altered by
Gpbar1
and
Fxr
gene ablation. In apolipoprotein E
−/−
and wild‐type mice, BAR502, a dual GPBAR1/FXR agonist, alone or in combination with atorvastatin, reduced cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein plasma levels, mitigated the development of liver steatosis and aortic plaque formation, and shifted the polarization of circulating leukocytes toward an anti‐inflammatory phenotype. BAR502/atorvastatin reversed intestinal dysbiosis and dysregulated bile acid synthesis, promoting a shift of bile acid pool composition toward FXR antagonists and GPBAR1 agonists.

Conclusions

FXR and GPBAR1 maintain intestinal, liver, and cardiovascular homeostasis, and their therapeutic targeting with a dual GPBAR1/FXR ligand and atorvastatin holds potential in the treatment of liver and cardiovascular components of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Complexio in the Late-Medieval Latin De animalibus
Authors: Beneduce Chiara
Published: November 2023

By focusing on the concept of ‘complexion’ in the major medieval Latin commentaries on Aristotle’s so-called De animalibus, this paper identifies and analyzes a case of the use of the concept of ‘complexion’ outside the medical context or, more precisely, at the intersection of natural philosophy and medicine. The preliminary survey undertaken in this paper suggests that ‘complexion’ was a key concept of the De animalibus tradition, i.e., the principle used to explain, in a unified manner, the issues at stake in the medieval scientia de animalibus. The paper further reflects on the reasons why the notion of ‘complexion’ could have served as an organizational principle of the themes treated in the De animalibus commentaries and on the role that the earliest medieval commentaries on the De animalibus themselves could have played in shaping some of the prominent features of the medieval conceptualization of ‘complexion.’
Regime Shifting by Multinational Corporations within Constitutional Courts in Developing Countries: Analysing Tobacco Litigation
Authors: Sekalala Sharifah , Uberoi Diya
Published: November 2023

Increasing awareness of the harms associated with tobacco led governments around the world to introduce a range of measures, from smoke free laws to restrictions in the advertisement of tobacco products, especially in the wake of signing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The tobacco industry began challenging this growth of regulation in international courts and courts in developed countries. More recently, they have brought the fight to low- and middle-income countries. Using constitutional case analysis from tobacco litigation in South Africa, India, Uganda and Kenya, this article argues that there is increasing evidence that tobacco companies are engaged in vertical forum shifting through a reappropriation of constitutional rights from corporations. This we argue, has had an adverse impact on human rights in low- and middle-income countries. We end this article by boldly calling on courts to find (and limit) the kinds of rights that are to apply to corporations.
A European Union ‘Water Diplomacy’? Frames of Water in EU External Action
Authors: Schunz Simon , Topcuoglu Ediz
Published: November 2023

In 2013, the European Union (EU) formulated its ambition to develop a ‘water diplomacy’. Subsequently, it attempted to put this aspiration into practice, notably through various Council Conclusions. Despite this activity, the EU’s evolution as a ‘water diplomat’ remains underexplored. To address this gap, this article examines the EU’s understanding of ‘water diplomacy’ by conducting a comprehensive discourse analysis of its framing of water as an object of diplomacy and the resulting diplomatic approaches. The analysis of key EU documents, triangulated through interviews with policy-makers, reveals that several water frames currently intersect, resulting in a multifaceted EU external water action comprising both a narrow and a broad understanding of water diplomacy. Following an explanation of this finding focusing on the policy entrepreneurship of intra-EU water diplomacy stakeholders, the article concludes by discussing its implications for the academic study and political practice of water diplomacy within and beyond the EU.
Jungian Psycho-Social Studies
Authors: Lu Kevin , Yeoman Ann
Published: November 2023

This paper establishes a specifically Jungian and Post-Jungian contribution to psycho-social studies. It locates the position an analytical psychological approach may occupy within existing debates before turning its attention to developing archetypal thematic analysis (ATA) as a psycho-social method that may be employed in qualitative research. Using 2019 as a focal point, the authors argue that an archetypal thematic analysis of texts related to two ‘events’—the release of the 30th anniversary edition DVD of Akira and the announcement of Greta Thunberg as Time magazine’s ‘person of the year’—supports the assertion that the archetype of the child has been constellated. This paper proposes that a Jungian hermeneutic may usefully be mobilised to bring structure to a dataset, and to deepen the researcher’s interpretation of the data. Utilising Jung’s theory of synchronicity, and extending Main’s (2006) argument for a synchronistic approach to a reading of contemporary events, where appropriate, the authors provide an interpretation of the data’s possible meaning.
New Framework Proposal: Planetary Youth Research
Authors: Laine Sofia
Published: November 2023

As the ecological crisis grows more intense, youth research must attune itself to the ongoing climate emergency marked by mass extinction, the era of pandemics and world political turmoil. How can youth research participate in finding solutions to the dilemmas involved in achieving sustainable development and the well-being of all living things and beings, and of the planet itself? This article presents a new framework for youth research: planetary youth research. It is structured in accordance with the four pillars of the ‘global ethical framework’ outlined by the Club of Rome in 1974 in its second report, Mankind at the Turning Point: 1) One must learn to identify with future generations; 2) A universal consciousness must be created; 3) Humanity’s relationship with nature should be based on harmony; and 4) A new ethic for the use of raw materials must be created. This article outlines a new framework for planetary youth research by expanding and updating these historical pillars through the application of current trends and findings in youth research and social science research.
Looking Backwards, Going Forwards: How Young Retro Wearers from Italy Relate to the Future
Authors: Stefanovic Jelena
Published: November 2023

Through the analysis of the meanings that are attributed to the clothes that could be classified as retro, this article will examine how young people who are drawn to this particular trend imagine the future. Being empirically rooted, the article contends with the loss of the idea of future, which is often associated with the revivals in fashion as a segment of a wider “retro scenario” (Baudrillard, 1981). According to research findings, not only does that future still exist, but in our path towards it, retro plays a double role: practical, related to the issue of sustainability, which is tightly related to the imagination of future through the lenses of global risks and deterioration; and symbolic, encompassing the entanglement of past, present and future that retro conveys, and stands for the importance of continuity though “embedding” some aspects of past into the idea of future.
Youth and the Pandemic: Uncertainty, Gained Skills, and Strategies
Authors: Bertolini Sonia , Lucca Angela Dolores , Allegretti Veronica
Published: November 2023

The covid-19 pandemic can be seen as a displacing event of collective nature that increased the sense of uncertainty through generations. This could be particularly true among young adults and teenagers who are transitioning into adulthood and thus have to take important life choices in a context where the labor market was already extremely uncertain for them, so much so that they were called the “losers of globalization” (Mills, Blossfeld & Klijzing, 2006). Through an online survey, the research “Youth and Pandemic” investigated which personal resources have been useful to young people to deal with the uncertainty regarding change and future caused by the pandemic.
Becoming a Feminist in the 21st Century: Teen Feminism and Globalization
Authors: Santos Ana Carolina VR
Published: November 2023

According to the World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2021, global risks strongly affect women and girls. The global conformation of risks that unequally affect girls and women demands globally articulated responses. New social dynamics that take shape with globalization demand a cosmopolitan approach that considers the global rather than the national as an analytical reference. It is from this perspective that this paper analyzed the feminism of adolescents. The aim is to understand how said feminism designed by them reflects cosmopolitan experiences of “becoming a feminist.” Through semi-structured interviews and the usage of “frames,” it is demonstrated that the interviewees share, with international artists, their issues, values, and actions, shaping a novelty in the way the process of becoming a feminist is classically treated by literature, laying aside the “methodological nationalism” and adopting a “cosmopolitan” approach that considers the world in its diversity and interconnection.
Effects of Siblings on Cognitive and Sociobehavioral Development: Ongoing Debates and New Theoretical Insights
Authors: Yu Wei-hsin , Yan Hope Xu
Published: November 2023

Despite social scientists’ long-standing interest in the influences of siblings, previous research has not settled the debates on how relevant sibship size is to child development and whether growing up with more siblings could be beneficial. Using 30 years of longitudinal data and fixed-effects models, this study offers the most comprehensive evidence on how sibship size is tied to cognitive and sociobehavioral development. We also advance the literature by systematically comparing the consequences of gaining a sibling for children with varying ordinal positions. Contrary to prior studies using selective data from limited observation spans, we find that children experience net decreases in cognitive test scores as their family size grows. At the same time, our analysis shows that sibling additions are only important to first- and second-born children’s—not later-born children’s—cognitive development. Even for the first- and second-born, the marginal effect of adding a sibling lessens with each addition. Our results thus demonstrate the time-dependent nature of family resource-dilution processes. For sociobehavioral development, the evidence indicates that having an older sibling is beneficial, but gaining a younger sibling increases behavioral problems for some (e.g., first-born children). Because more children from large families have older siblings, children from larger families exhibit less problematic behavior, on average. By uncovering the complex relationship between siblings and noncognitive development, this study also generally contributes to the sociology of family and inequality.
Reference ranges of thyroid hormones during the first trimester in Catalan women using the Atellica® IM Solution Immunoassay Analyzer
Authors: Giralt Marina , Díaz-Troyano Noelia , Comas Immaculada , Blanco Albert , Conesa Laura , Mendoza Manel , Zafon Carles , Goya María , Ferrer Roser
Published: November 2023

Background

Gestational hypothyroidism has been shown to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes as well as adverse outcomes for the child. Thyroid hormones concentrations change in gestation, especially within the first trimester, so the results of thyroid function test often are outside non-pregnant reference ranges. The objective of this study was to establish the first trimester reference ranges for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) for pregnant women in Barcelona (Spain).

Methods

It was a prospective study in which 673 women were recruited during their first trimester of gestation (8–13 weeks). Serum TSH, FT4 and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) were measured with Atellica® IM 1600 (Siemens Healthineers). After excluding 418 women, the reference ranges for TSH and FT4 were calculated by the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. Potential variables examined in this study were age, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, iodine supplementation and smoking habit.

Results

The reference ranges established on the Atellica® IM 1600 for the first trimester pregnancy in our population were 0.111 to 4.291 mIU/L for TSH and 11.45 to 17.76 pmol/L for FT4. No significant differences were found in thyroid hormones concentrations regarding maternal age (≤30 years vs >30 years) ( p = .117), iodine supplementation ( p = .683) and smoking habit ( p = .363). The prevalence of TPOAb was estimated at 10.0%.

Conclusions

We found that in our local population, the optimal TSH upper reference limit in the first trimester of gestation was 4.3 mIU/L, similar to that proposed by de ATA-2017 guideline (4.0 mIU/L).
Book review: Tarun Khanna and Michael Szonyi (eds.), Making Meritocracy: Lessons from China and India, from Antiquity to the Present
Authors: Mitter Rana
Published: November 2023

Tarun Khanna and Michael Szonyi (eds.), Making Meritocracy: Lessons from China and India, from Antiquity to the Present (New York: Oxford University Press, 2022), pp. 394, $110. ISBN 9780197602461 (Hardcover).
Does Procedural Justice Matter in Probation? Investigating the Relationship Between Procedural Just Treatment and Law-Abiding Behavior Among a Sample of High-Risk Offenders
Authors: Buckner Zachary , Martin Shanda , Norris Katherine , Walker D’Andre
Published: November 2023

Community supervision programs are instrumental for reducing the prison population and successfully reintegrating offenders back into society. Prior literature suggests that supportive relationships between legal authorities and their clients may foster law-abiding behavior. Using data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) program (N = 781), the current study investigates whether fair (procedurally just) treatment by community supervision officers is associated with compliance and receiving a formal violation. Findings from multivariate analyses suggest that individuals who perceive their supervising officer as treating them procedurally just are more likely to comply with directives and less likely to receive formal violations. Such findings underscore the importance of legal authorities treating probationers with dignity and respect. Policy implications and limitations are discussed.
Examining Single Session Peer-Teaching Instructional Approaches on Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers’ Throwing Techniques
Authors: Beseler Bradley , Plumb Mandy S. , Spittle Michael , Johnson Nicola F. , Harvey Jack T. , Mesagno Christopher
Published: November 2023

An important role of a Physical Education (PE) teacher is to assist students to develop the fundamental motor skills (FMS) that will allow them to participate in physical activities with competence and confidence. Thus, PE teachers require the knowledge and skills to carry out this crucial task. In the crowded curricula of Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programs, there are limited opportunities for pre-service PE teachers to learn how to analyze and perform a large list of motor skills. Our purposes in this study were to determine whether a single session peer-teaching intervention could improve pre-service PE teachers’ short-term non-dominant hand overarm throwing performances and to examine these students’ perceptions of the interventions. We allocated 47 pre-service PE teaching students (24 males; 23 females) to one of three experimental groups: a Video Analysis Group (VAG; n = 17), a Verbal Group (VG; n = 19), and a Control Group (CG; n = 11), based on the class in which they were enrolled. VAG and VG participants worked with a partner of their choice in reciprocal peer-teaching to improve each other’s non-dominant hand throwing technique. VAG and VG interventions were identical except that VAG participants accessed video analysis technology. CG participants completed unrelated course work that involved no overarm throwing activities. A single 20-minute session of peer teaching with video analysis feedback during practice led to rapid enhancements in non-dominant hand overarm throwing skills. While all three groups improved their performance by retention testing, participants in the VAG group improved most quickly. Participants in both the VAG and VG groups reported that their respective interventions improved their throwing and Qualitative Movement Diagnosis (QMD) skills. Based on these results, we suggest that PETE programs integrate peer-teaching and video analysis sessions into fundamental movement courses to accelerate students’ motor skill acquisitions.
Unilateral Tonsillar Enlargement as Initial Presentation of Bilateral Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Authors: Ottinger Allie M. , Singh Roshansa , Chen Dong , Parham Kourosh
Published: November 2023

Unilateral tonsillar enlargement is a common indication for tonsillectomy, but there are varying rates of malignancy among tonsils removed for asymmetry and a lack of clear guidelines for management within the literature. Lymphoma of the palatine tonsils is among the concerns leading to tonsillectomy, but chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) of the tonsil is rare. We report a case of primary CLL/SLL of the palatine tonsil in a 51-year-old gentleman who presented with tonsillar asymmetry and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but lacked signs and symptoms suspicious for malignancy, including lymphadenopathy and “B-symptoms.” To our knowledge, only 7 cases of CLL/SLL of the palatine tonsil have been reported in the English literature, with the tonsil being the primary site of involvement in only 4 of those cases. Our unique case highlights the importance of thorough physical exam, family history, and tissue biopsy in patients presenting to the otolaryngologist with OSA and asymmetric tonsils.
Strategies and Tactics to Communicate ‘Nature’: Beyond Anthropocentrism in Swedish Media
Authors: Nicoletta Gerardo Costabile , Yüksek Derya
Published: November 2023

Media play a central role in the discursive struggles over the meaning of nature, climate change and human–nature relationships through the strategic selection and salience of media content. This paper investigates the strategies and tactics mobilized by media producers in communicating environmental issues. The investigation is based on a selection of seven media productions in the Swedish context, comprising TV series and documentaries produced between 2015 and 2020. Through a discourse-theoretical analysis of these audio–visual products and interviews with their producers, we identify a five-cluster model, ranging from mainstream anthropocentric strategies to alternative ecocentric tactics. Our model aims to delineate media strategies reproducing hegemonic anthropocentrism to critically inquire about environmental ideologies in media communication and explore potential alternative tactics for more ecocentric representations of nature.
The medicine in the circle: A case example of embodied arts-based community practice to address intergenerational trauma in rural South Africa
Authors: Swanepoel Marlize , Conradie Uné
Published: November 2023

This article shares extracts from an arts-based community model of mental healthcare that works with family and social systems to develop collective resilience and address intergenerational trauma in a culturally informed manner. The practice is situated in an African philosophy of collectivism, where the group is a resource and source of support. It invites arts therapists to engage with psychological practices outside of an individualistic focus with a practical approach to considering the ecosystem which influences health and well-being. Theories such as embodiment and polyvagal theory, community and collective resilience and intergenerational trauma are explored and translated to practise with an example of implementation in a remote farming community in the Western Cape of South Africa. The authors focus on practice elements derived from Dramatherapy and Applied Drama, which highlights embodied practices as they are applied to address intergenerational trauma and develop collective resilience.
Proactive digital workplace transformation: Unpacking identity change mechanisms in remote-first organisations
Authors: Brünker Felix , Marx Julian , Mirbabaie Milad , Stieglitz Stefan
Published: November 2023

Digital transformation fundamentally changes the way individuals conduct work in organisations. In accordance with this statement, prevalent literature understands digital workplace transformation as a second-order effect of implementing new information technology to increase organisational effectiveness or reach other strategic goals. This paper, in contrast, provides empirical evidence from two remote-first organisations that undergo a proactive rather than reactive digital workplace transformation. The analysis of these cases suggests that new ways of working can be the consequence of an identity change that is a precondition for introducing new information technology rather than its outcome. The resulting process model contributes a competing argument to the existing debate in digital transformation literature. Instead of issuing digital workplace transformation as a deliverable of technological progress and strategic goals, this paper supports a notion of digital workplace transformation that serves a desired identity based on work preferences.
Achieving stakeholder alignment in digital transformation: A frame transformation perspective
Authors: Hoblos Nizar , Sandeep MS , Pan Shan L
Published: November 2023

Digital transformation (DT) offers organizations the opportunity for operational and strategic innovation, leading to increased efficiencies and transformative changes. However, successfully implementing DT initiatives requires collaboration among diverse stakeholders with varying perspectives, motivations, and capabilities. This study explores how stakeholders frame the DT process to achieve alignment and implement DT initiatives. Drawing upon the concepts of frames and frame alignment mechanisms, the study examines how stakeholders strategically influence each other’s interpretations through frame alignment mechanisms. A case study of a council-wide DT initiative in an Australian city council was conducted to analyze stakeholders' strategic alignment efforts. The findings reveal differing interpretations of the DT process among stakeholders and the strategic efforts to align the various interpretations through a frame transformation of planning, implementation, and communication frames. Based on the findings, a process model for achieving alignment in DT initiatives is proposed, capturing the dynamic nature of frames and their interactions. This study contributes to the understanding of stakeholder dynamics and strategic framing in the context of DT initiatives.
Not open and shut: Complex and prolonged blood-brain barrier responses after stroke
Authors: Mandeville Emiri T , Buchan Alastair M , Tiedt Steffen
Published: November 2023

Blood-brain barrier dysfunction (BBB) occurs rapidly after stroke and contributes to edema, inflammation, and secondary brain injury including haemorrhage. Two recent studies shed light on the temporal extent of post-stroke BBB dysfunction as well as its consequences for drug delivery. Zhang et al. found increases in BBB permeability that persist up to one-year post-ischemia. Despite increased paracellular leakage, Stanton et al. showed that transcellular transporter systems are required to deliver therapeutics into brain parenchyma. Both studies remind us of the complexity of BBB responses after stroke and provide novel entry points for future research into the underlying mechanisms.
Proteomic analysis of jugular venous blood in acute large vessel occlusion stroke with futile recanalization
Authors: Lan Xiao-Yan , Li Di , Cui Yu , Nguyen Thanh N , Li Shen , Chen Hui-Sheng
Published: November 2023

Futile recanalization (FR) after endovascular treatment (EVT) remains a significant challenge for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO). The pathogenesis of FR has not been well elucidated. We prospectively enrolled anterior circulation LVO-AIS patients who achieved successful recanalization after EVT. The jugular venous blood ipsilateral to stroke was collected before and immediately after recanalization. Plasma proteomic analysis based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed using data-independent acquisition method. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) among patients with or without FR in the whole or propensity score matching (PSM) cohorts were screened according to the absolute value of fold change ≥1.5 and P value <0.05. We identified 104 and 34 DEPs between patients with or without FR in the whole cohort and PSM cohort, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the identified proteins were primarily related to specific biological processes including immune response, complement activation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, protein ubiquitylation as well as autophagy, suggesting that these may be mechanisms in FR pathogenesis. Collectively, we discovered proteins that may be potential research targets for FR. The combination of proteomic and bioinformatic analysis could provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of FR in a comprehensive manner.
A longitudinal prospective study of septoplasty impact on headache and allergic rhinitis in patients with septal deviation
Authors: Feroz Shanila , Dawood Muhammad Hamza , Sohail Sheza , Daniyal Muhammad , Zafar Ayesha , Shahid Ukashah Bin , Ahmed Shamim
Published: November 2023

Objective

To measure the severity of allergic rhinitis (AR) and different types of headaches in patients with septal deviation before and after septoplasty.

Methods

This multicentre, prospective, longitudinal, observational study enrolled patients with deviated nasal septum, nasal symptoms and headaches associated with persistent AR lasting at least 2 months without resolution. The nasal obstruction evaluation (NOSE) scale, immunoglobulin-E (Ig-E) levels and visual analogue scale (VAS) for headache pain severity were evaluated before and after septoplasty using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

A total of 196 patients were enrolled in the study (102 males; 94 females). A total of 134 patients (68%) were diagnosed with severe AR and 166 (85%) experienced headaches with AR. The majority (100 of 166 patients; 60%) had sinusoidal headaches, while 25% (42 of 166 patients) reported a combination of sinusoidal headache and migraine and 14% (24 of 166 patients) experienced migraines. A comparison of preoperative and postoperative Ig-E levels, NOSE and VAS scores demonstrated that septoplasty significantly improved AR symptoms and headaches. Although there were significant improvements in headaches overall post-septoplasty, only the sinusoidal components improved, while migraine remained unaffected.

Conclusion

Septoplasty improved AR and sinusoidal headaches in patients with septal deviation, but migraines remained unaffected.
Concept of an elementary work as introduction to the line integral in engineering studies
Authors: Aleksandrova Nelli , Drumond Custódia
Published: November 2023

The paper is devoted to the line integral topic belonging to the section of vector calculus in Mathematical Analysis applied to the undergraduate Mechanical Engineering program. An efficient way of teaching line integrals is proposed and developed based on the elementary work/force principles. By this way, the mathematical concept of the line integral is supposed to be learned in harmony with the elementary mechanics to appreciate its diversity and to set up the right idea about the scientific area covered by Mechanical Engineering and related academic and technical fields. In terms of practical training, the research also offers two new techniques of analytical calculus for line integrals containing singularities and provides a new coherent engineering approach to deal with vector fields as integrands in line integrals.
Infrastructural gaslighting and the crisis of participatory planning
Authors: Legacy Crystal , Gibson Chris , Rogers Dallas
Published: November 2023

This paper traces and critiques gaslighting – the manipulation of circumstances by elite actors to sow doubt or confusion in residents over what is ‘real’ – as an affective experience of infrastructure planning. Predominantly observed within intimate relationships, scholars now identify gaslighting as a structural condition that manipulates whole communities and reproduces systemic oppression. We concur, extending analysis to the realm of urban infrastructure planning, and drawing connections with Rancièrian critiques of elite orders of governance. In infrastructural worlds, regulatory arrangements have been harmonised to suit coalitions of elite government and private actors whilst extolling the virtues of participatory governance. Megaprojects are legitimised by planning processes that cement monopolies and shroud elite public-private deal-making, while detractors are delegitimised discursively in political and media discourse. Yet, dissent is also pacified via participatory planning processes that invite publics to give testimony but undermine their epistemic and moral validity. This, we contend, is an example of infrastructural gaslighting. The case of Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) is instructive – a ‘Market-Led Proposal’ from corporate infrastructure giant Transurban, backed by the Victorian government – where participatory planning was not simply tokenistic, but rather a discombobulating experience, concealing and ‘breadcrumbing’ information to publics, while undermining deliberative capacities. Exposing grounded experiences of infrastructural gaslighting, we join other critical urban scholars seeking conditions for just planning practices. Infrastructural planning regimes are consequential, but the realities they police are illusions that are as tenuous as they are politically constituted and, like other forms of gaslighting, are ready for challenge.
The Complexities of Mental Health Help Seeking Among Latinx College Students: Qualitative Inquiry Using the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Geegan Sarah A. , Parker Kimberly A. , Pfeiffer Samantha N. , Rodriguez Daniela , Tristan Adam
Published: November 2023

Current Latinx college students seek mental health treatment at much lower rates compared to the general student population. This is particularly concerning, as these rates have remained stubbornly low, even as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing sources of anxiety. Thus, university officials and mental health practitioners across the country have emphasized the need for interventions encouraging these students to utilize campus mental health resources. However, additional research is needed to form a foundation of knowledge for help seeking interventions. This investigation applies the theory of planned behavior to understand Latinx students’ help-seeking perspectives. Findings revealed that Latinx students viewed campus mental health resources as lacking value for them. Additionally, cultural norms established by family members represented a barrier to help seeking. Finally, Latinx students faced steep challenges navigating US health care systems and felt that mental health resources were not designed to serve minorities. This key insight can guide mental health help-seeking interventions.
Novel dual targeting cubosomes modified with angiopep-2 for co-delivery GNA and PLHSpT to brain glioma
Authors: Lin Tongyuan , Wei Qing , Zhang Huamin , Yang Yong , Jiang Bo , Wang Zhangyi , Li Siyuan , Wang Qiang , Hu Mengru , Chen Weidong , Wang Lei , Ding Baijing
Published: November 2023

3Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive malignant brain tumor. However, the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme faces great challenges owing to difficult penetration of the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, more effective treatment strategies are desired quite urgently. In our study, a dual-targeting drug delivery system for co-loading with hydrophobic Gambogenic acid and hydrophilic PLHSpT was developed by cubosomes with angiopep-2 decorating. The Ang-cubs-(GNA + PLHSpT) was prepared by high-temperature emulsification-low-temperature solidification demonstrating excellent physical properties.Transmission electron microscopy revealed that Ang-cubs-(GNA + PLHSpT) was nearly spherical with a “core-shell” double-layer structure. Differential scanning calorimetry suggested that a new phase was formed. Small-angle X-ray scattering also verified that Ang-cubs-(GNA + PLHSpT) retains the Pn3m cubic. Moreover, laser confocal indicated that Ang-cubs-(GNA + PLHSpT) was capable of crossing BBB via binding to lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1, likely suggesting the potential tumor-specific targeting characteristic. Compared to free drug and cubs-(GNA + PLHSpT), Ang-cubs-(GNA + PLHSpT) was easily taken up by C6 cell and exhibited better anti-glioma effects in vitro. Importantly, GNA and PLHSpT co-loaded Ang-cubs could suppress tumor growth and significantly prolong survival in vivo. In conclusion, Ang-cubs-(GNA + PLHSpT) acts as a new dual-targeting drug delivery system for the treatment of GBM.
Numerical simulation analysis of forming of continuous fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: Relaxation, creep, and hot stamping
Authors: Guo Wei , Zhao Jialong , Zhao Feng , Liu Xiaorui , Feng Tao , Yan Hongxu
Published: November 2023

In this study, the viscoelastic constitutive equation of continuous glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites based on the generalized Maxwell model and SCFM model was constructed by combining genetic algorithm. Based on this, a multi-scale numerical model for describing material relaxation and creep is proposed, and the accuracy of different scale models was compared through experiments. The forming state of the workpiece under various stamping speeds and preheating temperatures was also examined using a hot stamping numerical model. The independent design of the hot stamping hemispherical mold was used to confirm the hot stamping model's accuracy. The study's findings demonstrate that the macroscopic model can accurately simulate the relaxation and creep of composite materials. The hot stamping simulation results are match up well with experimental results. Composite molding defects appeared at the waist of the part, and defects were accompanied by resin loss.
A data-driven ensemble machine learning approach for predicting the mechanical strength of 3D printed orthopaedic bone screws
Authors: Agarwal Raj , Singh Jaskaran , Gupta Vishal
Published: November 2023

The mechanical strength of three-dimensional (3D) printed orthopaedic bone screws plays a major role in load-bearing bone fractures and deformities. Orthopaedic screws need to have enough mechanical strength to support and rehabilitate fracture sites under loads. Several process parameters are used in 3D printing technology for part fabrication; monitoring the mechanical strength of fabricated parts is a difficult and tedious task. The prediction of mechanical strength by a data-driven machine learning (ML) approach can be the solution. The present work leverages ensemble ML algorithms for predicting the mechanical strength of 3D-printed orthopaedic screws. Fused deposition modelling-based technology is utilised for orthopaedic cortical screw fabrication. Different process parameters were varied at different levels for the fabrication of orthopaedic screws. Ensemble ML techniques such as XGBoost, AdaBoost and GradientBoost are employed. The robustness and performance of predictive models were compared at different error metrics to offer an adequate predictive ML model. The XGBoost ensemble model was observed to be the most accurate with the least error metrics. Honeycomb-patterned with 100% infill percentage, layer height of 0.06 mm, and wall thickness of 1 mm may be selected for the maximum strength of a 3D-printed cortical screw. Moreover, the ensemble ML model's predictive performance and adequacy were higher than the base learning models.
Evolution of air-entraining vortices in inclined intake pumping stations under low sump water depth condition
Authors: Li Yunzhe , Feng Jianjun , Zhu Guojun , Zhou Yanbo , Zhang Yetian
Published: November 2023

The air-entraining vortices may appear in a pump sump when the pumping station operates at a low water depth, which will induce undesirable phenomena such as cavitation and vibration. In this paper, the evolution process of air-entraining vortices is studied in detail based on the volume of fluid (VOF) two-phase flow numerical simulation method, to clarify its hydraulic characteristics and influence. The results show that the water-air interface in the sump varying periodically with time under a low water depth consists of four stages, that is, slow rise, fast rise, continuous stability and reduction. The shape of the air-entraining vortices shows a periodic evolution under the interference of water surface fluctuations, from the surface dimple to the full air core to intake, then to the vortex pulling air bubbles to intake, and finally back to the surface dimple. The inhaled air volume fraction in the suction pipe changes with the evolution of the air-entraining vortices. In addition, the average angle of velocity distribution and the average swirl angle are analyzed in depth to improve the understanding of flow pattern caused by the complicated and diversified inhaled air.
Synergizing green energy, natural resources, global integration, and environmental taxation: Pioneering a sustainable development goal framework for carbon neutrality targets
Authors: Saqib Najia , Usman Muhammad , Radulescu Magdalena , Șerbu Razvan S , Kamal Mustafa , Belascu Lucian A
Published: November 2023

Addressing the intricate associations between green energy consumption, natural resources, economic globalization, and environmental taxes is central focus of Europe's ecological sustainability. This study uses cutting-edge techniques to investigate the impacts of green energy consumption, economic globalization, environmental taxation, as well as the potential moderating effects of natural resource rent in conjunction with environmental taxation in European countries during 1995–2020. The empirical findings of this study show that green energy, environmental tax and globalization are negatively associated with ecological footprint, while natural resource is positively linkedwith ecological footprint. Green energy consumption in conjunction with environmental tax has a significant and negative moderating impact on ecological footprint. Similar findings were observedfor the concurrence between natural resources rent and environmental tax, which means that environmental tax has some ability to improve the natural resources management and consequently contribute to improve environmental quality. The establishment of environmental taxation schemes and the use of green energy enable the pursuit of environmentally conscious economic, and energy policies by better-aligning industries with sustainable practices and promoting a balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship. Environmental tax system should support a larger adoption of green energy into European countries for reaching the target of carbon neutrality until 2050. It also contributes to the worldwide effort to achieve carbon neutrality and a sustainable future by offering useful insights and concrete recommendations for the development and implementation of environmentally responsible economic and energy strategies.
Fertility and Reproductive Health: A Qualitative Study of Homeless Migrants in Delhi
Authors: Negi Sarika
Published: November 2023

Homelessness gives rise to a diverse kind of vulnerability which affect different sections of the population distinctly. Scholars have reported that the homeless are more prone to health issues than the general population. This article focuses on the reproductive health and fertility outcomes of two homeless ethnic populations in Delhi, who were migrants and belonged to scheduled caste groups. It was found that their culture played an important role in their reproductive decisions and health service-seeking behavior. The results showed that the participants were vulnerable due to gaps in Antenatal Care-seeking behavior, lack of support during admission and in the intrapartum phase, and traditional practice of home deliveries. It was observed that homelessness left fewer choices of space for women to deliver their children, especially in the case of the expectant women who either wanted to avoid institutional delivery or missed the window to go back to their native homes. Findings from the research indicate that there is an urgent need to understand and address the requirements of women in the homeless population and integrate them into the mainstream health system through infrastructural and support services.
Ambedkarization and Dalit Assertion: Notes from Banaras District in East Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Husain Zeeshan
Published: November 2023

More than two decades ago, political scientist Jagpal Singh coined the term “Ambedkarization” to describe a process happening in west Uttar Pradesh. This was about the increasing presence of the images and ideas of one of the founding fathers of India, B. R. Ambedkar, among the Dalits of west Uttar Pradesh. This was based on Singh’s fieldwork in Meerut district between 1992 and 1994. My article revisits the concept and tries to find out its relevance in east Uttar Pradesh. This is based on my fieldwork in a village in Banaras district, which was carried out intermittently between 2018 and 2021. My research question is how relevant is the concept of Ambedkarization in today’s context, where it has succeeded and where it has failed, and finally what could be its impact on India’s democracy. It posits that the process of Ambedkarization is still relevant to understand social change among Dalits of rural Banaras in east Uttar Pradesh. The article takes up the issues of religion and political economy in the process of Ambedkarization and the upward social mobility of Buddhists and Ravidasis. Lastly, the article argues that the Ambedkarization process has newer challenges in the form of neoliberal policies of Indian state and the growth of Islamophobia. Only by resolving these challenges Ambedkarization process can fully actualize its potential to make India an inclusive democracy.
Colonic de novo Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma of Intestinal-Type: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Li Fuyu , Chen Danni , Chen Jin , Nie Ling
Published: November 2023

Colorectal clear cell adenocarcinomas are rare tumors. They can be divided into two types: intestinal- and Müllerian-type. Most intestinal-type clear cell adenocarcinomas show a composite morphology, and most early-stage (T1) intestinal-type clear cell adenocarcinomas have an adenoma component. We report an additional early-stage (T1) colonic clear cell adenocarcinoma that was a de novo adenocarcinoma without any adenoma component. It had a pure morphology and the smallest size (0.6 cm) ever reported. Immunohistochemical results demonstrated an intestinal phenotype (KRT20+, KRT7−, CEA+, and CDX2+). Periodic acid-schiff and alcian blue stains were both negative, which demonstrated decrease in mucin expression in the clear tumor cells. Enteroblastic differentiation was observed in a few colorectal clear cell adenocarcinomas in the literature, while it had not been observed in the present tumor. The tumor did not have deep submucosal invasion and cancer embolus, endoscopic submucosal dissection with regular follow-up was an appropriate treatment for the patient. Due to the rarity and diversity of primary colorectal clear cell adenocarcinomas, the cause of clear cytoplasm change and the impact on patient prognosis remain unknown. Accumulating evidence indicates that clear cell adenocarcinomas of intestinal-type is a histological variant of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
Establishment and Validation of a Postoperative VTE Prediction Model in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Radical Resection: CRSPOT Nomogram
Authors: Wu Yanan , Wang Lu , Yin Qiaoli , Deng Liqin , Ma Junyang , Tian Xiaoxia
Published: November 2023

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening postoperative complication of malignant tumors. We identified risk factors for postoperative VTE in patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and constructed and validated a clinical prediction model. Clinical data of 982 patients undergoing radical resection of CRC from September 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022, in Ningxia Medical University General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were randomly divided into training ( n = 617) and validation groups ( n = 264). Data included baseline characteristics, preoperative complications, examination results, and intraoperative and postoperative indicators. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors, build a predictive model, and draw a predictive nomogram (CRSPOT). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) for evaluating the model's predictive ability. Independent risk factors for postoperative VTE were as follows: postoperative hemoglobin of <10 g/L (odds ratio [OR] 0.413, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.220–0.777), postoperative D-dimer of ≥3.5μg/mL (OR 2.156, 95% CI 1.145–4.061), BMI of ≥25 kg/m2 (OR 2.313, 95% CI 1.225–4.369), operation time of ≥4 h (OR 2.292, 95% CI 1.232–4.262), lower extremity varicose veins (OR 4.499, 95% CI 1.764–11.476), postoperative ileus (OR 5.760, 95% CI 2.031–16.337), and postoperative hypoxemia (OR 9.230, 95% CI 4.562–18.672). The nomogram's AUC was 0.826, demonstrating a reliable predictive ability. The CRSPOT nomogram reliably predicts postoperative VTE in patients undergoing radical resection of CRC, identifying high-risk patients early, allowing early implementation of antithrombotic strategies, and helping to reduce the incidence and mortality of postoperative VTE.