bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discurso digital e divulgação científica no Twitter: análise da heterogeneidade tecnoenunciativa em tuíte reunido pela hashtag #divulgaçãocientífica
Authors: Glück Eduardo Paré , Giering Maria Eduarda
Published: March 2024

This article presents partial results of Glück's thesis (2024). The study aimed to investigate the phenomenon of technoenunciative heterogeneity, in particular the reported technodiscourse, and its implications for science communication action in a scientific dissemination tweet gathered from the hashtag #divulgaçãocientífica. From a theoretical point of view, Digital Discourse Analysis concepts are presented, according to Marie-Anne Paveau, as well as Sophie Moirand's postulations about corpora extension in a digital environment. The analysis of the tweet generated consisted of the following steps: (i) generation of data for analysis on the topic of science dissemination; (ii) description of the tweet from the data generated from the Twitter ecosystem; (iii) identification of strategies for materializing technoenunciative heterogeneity, via Paveau; (iv) considerations about the materialization of the phenomenon of technoenunciative heterogeneity and its implication for scientific dissemination. The analysis corroborates the fact that native digital discourses are of a technolinguistic nature, in a true composite from an ecological, symmetrical, and post-dualist perspective.
Montagem audiovisual à distância: tecnologia inovadora, inclusiva e multiusuário
Authors: Barroso Elianne Ivo , Bessa Márcia , Capper Maria Gabriela , Rodrigues Carolina , Athanazio Ivan , Brígida Théo
Published: March 2024

En este artículo, presentamos el proyecto de implementación del entorno de edición en línea (IER), un servidor multiusuario que tiene como objetivo proporcionar acceso a programas de edición y acabado audiovisual en la modalidad a distancia, que ya está en desarrollo en la Universidade Federal Fluminense ( UFF). Proyecto de innovación tecnológica con enfoque social, la IER se pondrá a disposición de docentes y estudiantes de instituciones educativas públicas de forma gratuita, contribuyendo al proceso de inclusión, la construcción de ciudadanía digital y el derecho a la información, el conocimiento y la comunicación.
Health Inequity and Time From Pediatric Stroke Onset to Arrival
Authors: Pai Akshat M. , To Teresa , deVeber Gabrielle A. , Nichol Daniel , Kassner Andrea , Ertl-Wagner Birgit , Rafay Mubeen F. , Dlamini Nomazulu
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND:

Time from stroke onset to hospital arrival determines treatment and impacts outcome. Structural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors are associated with health inequity and onset-to-arrival in adult stroke. We aimed to assess the association between health inequity and onset-to-arrival in a pediatric comprehensive stroke center.

METHODS:

A retrospective observational study was conducted on a consecutive cohort of children (>28 days–18 years) diagnosed with acute arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) between 2004 and 2019. Neighborhood-level material deprivation was derived from residential postal codes and used as a proxy measure for health inequity. Patients were stratified by level of neighborhood-level material deprivation, and onset-to-arrival was categorized into 3 groups: <6, 6 to 24, and >24 hours. Association between neighborhood-level material deprivation and onset-to-arrival was assessed in multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors.

RESULTS:

Two hundred and twenty-nine children were included (61% male; median age [interquartile range] at stroke diagnosis 5.8-years [1.1–11.3]). Over the 16-year study period, there was an increase in proportion of children diagnosed with AIS living in the most deprived neighborhoods and arriving at the emergency room within 6 hours (
P
=0.01). Among Black patients, a higher proportion lived in the most deprived neighborhoods (
P
=0.02) and level of material deprivation was associated with AIS risk factors (
P
=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study suggests an increase in pediatric stroke in deprived neighborhoods and certain communities, and earlier arrival times to the emergency room over time. However, whether these changes are due to an increase in incidence of childhood AIS or increased awareness and diagnosis is yet to be determined. The association between AIS risk factors and material deprivation highlights the intersectionality of clinical factors and social determinants of health. Finally, whether material deprivation impacts onset-to-arrival is likely complex and requires further examination.
Treating Hypertension: Important for Heart Health, Fundamental for Brain Health
Authors: Singh Sanjula D. , Senff Jasper R. , van Duijn Cornelia M. , Rosand Jonathan
Published: March 2024

The Brain Health crisis stands as one of humankind’s most pressing threats, with age-related noncommunicable brain diseases, particularly stroke, and dementia, affecting hundreds of millions annually and jeopardizing the economic well-being of populations worldwide. Epidemiological studies indicate that ≈40% of dementia and 60% of stroke cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors. In this Comments and Opinions article, we underscore the pivotal role of blood pressure (BP) control in reducing suffering, enhancing economic well-being, and promoting healthy longevity for populations worldwide. Emphasizing that BP control is crucial for both brain and heart health, it advocates for heightened awareness, positioning hypertension as a primary focus for preventing dementia and stroke with potential global impact. Despite its significance, BP control encounters global challenges, with proportions of the population maintaining adequately controlled hypertension ranging from 23% to 90%. The World Health Organization estimated that 46% of the 1.28 billion people with hypertension are unaware of their elevated BP. Given the notable disparities in BP management, addressing BP management also contributes to combating significant health inequalities. The next time you are faced with a patient anxious about the prospect of experiencing a fate similar to a parent with dementia or a sister with a stroke, we suggest a straightforward answer for health care providers: start ensuring BP control. BP is a matter of brain health, and it is a matter of our economic future.
The Current Status and Prospects of Poly(Lactic Acid) Applications in Clinical Treatment
Authors: Yang Zhenqi , Qiao Chang , Liu Jiayun , Qin Tao , Gao Peng , Chen Jian , Yin Guoyong
Published: March 2024

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable and bio-based polymer that has gained significant attention as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. PLA is derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane through a fermentation process
that converts sugars into lactic acid, which is then synthesized into lactic acid. As a bioabsorbable synthetic polyester, PLA has the following benefits, biodegradability, biodegradability, renewable source, non-toxic, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, energy savings. With the emergence of
new manufacturing technologies, especially nanomaterial technology, PLA can be endowed with more structural and biological properties. This review discusses the current application of the PLA-based biomaterials in drug delivery systems, medical fixation devices, tissue regenerative engineering
scaffolds and Provides viewpoints regarding their prospective utilization.
A New Strategy to Authenticate Prognosis and Tumor Immunity Model Based on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts lncRNA in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhang Hui , Lu Yong , Chen Xiaosheng , Zheng Changzheng , Guo Gaowei , Lin Jinming , Li Xinji , Zheng Zexian , Chen Lingwu
Published: March 2024

There is growing evidence indicating that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in regulating both cancer immunity and the cancer microenvironment. Specifically, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been found to have a significant impact on a variety of tumor types.
However, the specific lncRNAs associated with CAFs have not yet been thoroughly studied in the context of bladder cancer. This study examined specific lncRNAs derived from TCGA data for the bladder tumor immune microenvironment (TME). Through our analysis, we identified 67 fibroblast-specific
lncRNAs (referred to as FIBLnc), and further identified ten gene signatures that include RGS5, EPB41L4A-AS1, SNHG5, MAGI2-AS3, PVT1, EMX2OS, NEAT1, DLEU1, TMEM99, and A1BG-AS1. To establish the robustness of our findings, we also analyzed the gene expression profiles in the GSE13507, GSE19915,
GSE31684, GSE48276, and GSE48277A datasets. The results from these datasets, along with the TCGA dataset, were highly accurate in detecting differences in overall survival using the FIBLnc signatures. In functional analysis, FIBLnc revealed its association with immune checkpoints and tumor
progression. Furthermore, patients who were treated with anti-PD-1 or anti-CTLA4 could benefit from the FIBLnc score to predict their immunotherapy response. We further investigated the expression and prognostic power of lncRNAs EPB41L4A-AS1, TMEM99, and A1BG-AS1 in TCGA, bladder cell lines,
and 24 paired tissues. Our results showed lower expression of EPB41L4A-AS1 and higher expression of TMEM99 and A1BG-AS1 in bladder malignancy, which correlated with a worse prognosis. Furthermore, we found that lncRNAEPB41L4A-AS1 could inhibit bladder cell carcinoma invasion in vitro.
Overall, our study highlights the value of FIBLnc in assessing the immune environment status of individuals with bladder cancer and predicting their immunotherapy response. This investigation sheds light on the intricate processes involved in bladder cancer and underscores the importance of
considering the FIBLnc score in the prognosis and management of this malignant tumor.
Serum Inflammatory Markers Used in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prediction Models: A Systematic Review
Authors: Giannakopoulou Sofia-Panagiota , Antonopoulos Alexios , Panagiotakos Demosthenes
Published: March 2024

The aim of this review was to perform a critical appraisal of serum inflammatory biomarkers used for the prediction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We conducted a systematic review of studies listed on MEDLINE and Scopus from January 2000 to December 2023, focused on the prognostic value of serum inflammatory biomarkers [i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in individuals without known CVD. Eligible studies used a multivariate prediction model and included discrimination or risk reclassification analysis. The Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool was used to evaluate study quality and potential bias. Thirty-five studies (i.e., total 208,897 participants) that evaluated the added prognostic value of CRP, IL-6, TNF-α on CVD risk prediction were retrieved. Significant improvements in CVD risk model’s predictive ability were observed in 7 out of 32 studies relating CRP and 1 out of 8 studies relating IL-6 with CVD risk. The single study found no added prognostic value of TNF-α use in CVD risk model. The integration of serum inflammatory biomarkers into CVD risk prediction models does not appear to improve risk discrimination models, suggesting that these biomarkers may act as surrogate markers, but not as predictors of atherosclerotic CVD.
Updated adult ferritin reference intervals based on a large, healthy UK sample, measured on Roche Cobas series analysers
Authors: Rodgers Sam , Woolley Timothy , Smith Joshua , Prinsloo Peter , Fernando Natasha
Published: March 2024

Background

There is a lack of standardization of reference intervals (RIs) for ferritin across laboratories, particularly for postmenopausal women. Depending on the RI used, there can be more than a 4-fold difference in the upper limit of normal between laboratories, resulting in potential misinterpretation.

Methods

This retrospective study used a large dataset of blood test results from 25,425 healthy participants aged 18 to 97 over a 7-year period. Exclusion criteria were used to screen out individuals with conditions known to affect iron metabolism or raise ferritin as part of the acute phase response. Distributions were assessed using density and Q-Q plots, and age-banded cut-offs were determined. The non-parametric method was used to establish RIs for sex and age bands.

Results

For females, 4 age bands were established (18–39, 40–49, 50–59 and 60+). For males, 2 bands were identified (18–39 and 40+). Performance against a validation dataset, followed by an expansive validation against an inclusive dataset, demonstrated the robustness of the derived RIs.

Conclusion

This study addresses the inconsistency in serum ferritin RIs by presenting intervals based on demographic parameters. This approach can potentially enhance the accuracy of interpreting serum ferritin levels, assisting clinicians in identifying patients requiring further evaluation.
Mind Yourself So You Can Mind Me; The Role of Parental Behaviour in Perinatal Death on the Surviving Sibling’s Grief
Authors: Jennings Orla , Leitao Sara , O’Donoghue Keelin
Published: March 2024

Children’s grief, in perinatal loss, can be misunderstood and overlooked. Parental behaviour while mourning infant loss and parental ability to respond to their own grief has a crucial role in the child’s grief. This study aimed to explore parental behaviour as a determining factor in siblings’ grief following perinatal death. Six mothers and two fathers experiencing perinatal loss were interviewed about their perception of the child’s experience of perinatal death. Thematic analysis allowed for identifying of relevant themes. The main themes related to parents’ expression of grief, insight and understanding of their children’s grief and communicating the death/anticipated death with their surviving children. Findings showed that children seek out information on their deceased sibling and need supportive parents to guide them through their grief. Our study highlights that supporting parents in their grief is a key factor for a healthy grieving process in children and must be considered when supporting families in perinatal death.
The effect of fibroblast growth factor-2 on the outcomes of tooth replantation: A systematic review of animal studies
Authors: Najeeb Shariq , Manekia Farwa Ali , Sadiq Muhammad Shahrukh Khan , Adanir Necdet , Khurshid Zohaib , Zafar Muhammad Sohail , Heboyan Artak
Published: March 2024

Background/Aim: The ideal treatment of tooth avulsion is replantation. However, replanting teeth may lead to root resorption. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is a cytokine that plays an important role in wound repair and tissue regeneration. Recently, FGF-2 has been studied a potential regenerative agent to prevent root resorption and ankylosis. The aim of this review is to analyze and summarize the currently available literature focusing on using FGF-2 based regenerative modalities to improve the outcomes of tooth replantation. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was conducted via PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and ISI Web of Knowledge, using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms “Basic fibroblast growth factor,” “Fibroblast growth factor-2,” “tooth replantation,” and “replantation” for studies published between January 2001 and June 2021. Data was extracted and quality assessment was carried using the ARRIVE guidelines. Results: Nine animal studies were included in this review. In six studies, FGF-2 had a favorable effect on the tissue regeneration around roots of replanted teeth when compared to other treatment groups. However, quality assessment of the studies revealed many sources of bias and deficiencies in the studies. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that FGF-2 may improve the outcomes of delayed replantation of avulsed teeth. However, more long-term animal studies, with improved experimental designs, and clinical trials are required to determine the clinical potential of the growth factor in improving the outcomes of delayed tooth replantation.
FabricGAN: an enhanced generative adversarial network for data augmentation and improved fabric defect detection
Authors: Xu Yiqin , Zhi Chao , Wang Shuai , Chen Jianglong , Sun Runjun , Dong Zijing , Yu Lingjie
Published: March 2024

When deep learning is applied to intelligent textile defect detection, the insufficient training data may result in low accuracy and poor adaptability of varying defect types of the trained defect model. To address the above problem, an enhanced generative adversarial network for data augmentation and improved fabric defect detection was proposed. Firstly, the dataset is preprocessed to generate defect localization maps, which are combined with non-defective fabric images and input into the network for training, which helps to better extract defect features. In addition, by utilizing a Double U-Net network, the fusion of defects and textures is enhanced. Next, random noise and the multi-head attention mechanism are introduced to improve the model’s generalization ability and enhance the realism and diversity of the generated images. Finally, we merge the newly generated defect image data with the original defect data to realize the data enhancement. Comparison experiments were performed using the YOLOv3 object detection model on the training data before and after data enhancement. The experimental results show a significant accuracy improvement for five defect types – float, line, knot, hole, and stain – increasing from 41%, 44%, 38%, 42%, and 41% to 78%, 76%, 72%, 67%, and 64%, respectively.
Effects of fluorosilane addition on polyurethane electrospun membranes with waterproof and breathable performance
Authors: Li Yixin , Gu Jiatai , Cao Kai , Qin Xiaohong
Published: March 2024

Waterproof and breathable fibrous membrane is a new type of polymer functional material widely used in outdoor protection, sports equipment, industrial production, and other fields. To impart waterproof ability and breathability, a common practice is to modify the electrospun membrane with low surface-energy materials, such as fluorosilane. However, when directly added to the electrospinning solution, the effects of fluorosilane on the property of the prepared membrane have been scarcely reported. Herein, we prepared the electrospun polyurethane membrane by adding two types of fluorosilane into the polyurethane solution. The effects of fluorosilane type and concentration on the conductivity and viscosity of the electrospinning solution were investigated. Moreover, the prepared polyurethane/fluorosilane fibrous membranes are analyzed in terms of their surface morphology, structure, water contact angle, breathable performance, and mechanical properties. Results show that the dual effects of fluorosilane content exert an opposing influence on the jet drawing process, which yields a minimum fiber diameter when the fluorosilane content is 20%. Under this condition, the membrane shows the highest water vapor transmission rate (10.4 kg/(m2·d). In addition the membranes have the maximum water contact angle (138°) and breaking strength (12 MPa) when the fluorosilane content is 40%. This study provides insights into fabricating electrospun waterproof and breathable membranes in equipment for outdoor sports and protection.
Social Responsibility and Commitment to Children; Pediatric Nurses’ Experiences With Redeployment During the First Wave of COVID-19: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kynø Nina Margrethe , Winger Anette , Svendsen Edel Jannecke , Børsting Tove Elisabeth Augustin
Published: March 2024

COVID-19 represented a challenge for health care worldwide and led to new tasks and a rethinking of resource use. It was necessary to establish capacity within hospitals and to reassign critical resources between hospitals. This study aimed to explore pediatric nurses’ experiences of redeployment, new tasks, and use of specialized competencies during the first wave of COVID-19. An exploratory design, involving qualitative individual interviews with 12 pediatric nurses was used. The analysis resulted in 3 main themes. Firstly, a feeling of social responsibility focused on how pediatric nurses felt committed to use their competencies during the crisis, whether they remained on the pediatric ward or were redeployed. Secondly, fewer children to counterbalance the shortage of pediatric nurses showed how redeployment was offset by fewer pediatric patients. Thirdly, adapting pediatric nursing competencies to new tasks described how the nurses adapted their skills to new tasks either in pediatric or adult wards. The results revealed that pediatric nurses had a social and ethical commitment to society in a crisis. They agreed to be redeployed and take on new tasks but were still concerned about the health and well-being of the children and their families, which led to a sense of ambivalence. They questioned whether their skills were being used appropriately in redeployment to adult wards. Fewer pediatric patients mitigated the workload of the remaining nurses. There is a risk of neglecting the needs of hospitalized children and their families during a pandemic. There was concern that “voluntary coercion” was a counterproductive strategy for reassignment.
Political Reservation for Women: The (Un)making and Futures of the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023
Authors: Kannabiran Kalpana
Published: March 2024

This article attempts to contextualise the issue of political reservation for women and trace the decadal shifts in articulation of this demand over 27 years, that is, since 1996, when it was first introduced as the 81st Amendment and defeated, until its passage as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023. The wider contexts of the struggles for women’s rights to voice, visibility, and equality; the implementation of reservation for women with internal reservation for women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the 73rd and 74th Amendments; and the recommendations of the Mandal Commission and later the Sachar Committee guide us in historicising this moment and refusing its rhetorical appropriation by any particular political party. This context is examined through a close reading of parliamentary debates and reports of parliamentary committees in 1996–1997 and 2009–2010 and a brief glimpse at the other backward classes and Muslim feminist engagements within larger movements for equal citizenship.
Thyroid Cancer With Cutaneous Metastases
Authors: Sciscent Bao Y. , Eberly Hanel W. , Goyal Neerav , Goldenberg David
Published: March 2024

Objectives: Thyroid carcinoma with cutaneous metastases is a rare clinical finding. Cutaneous metastases from thyroid carcinoma have been associated with a poor prognosis, but these data are limited to case reports. The exact mechanism of cutaneous metastases from thyroid carcinoma is not clear. Our study aims to report the demographic, clinical, and histologic findings of patients with cutaneous metastases from thyroid carcinoma. Methods: A review was conducted using the Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases to review literature from inception to May 2023. Data extracted included patient age at diagnosis of cutaneous metastases, patient sex, thyroid carcinoma histotype, location of metastases, the time interval between diagnoses of thyroid carcinoma and cutaneous metastases, and overall survival (OS) from the time of cutaneous metastases. Results: One hundred thirty-six patients were identified and 75 were female. The most common types of thyroid carcinoma with cutaneous metastases were papillary (47.79%), followed by follicular (30.15%), and medullary (11.03%). In addition, 11 cases of anaplastic carcinoma, 2 cases of oncocytic carcinoma, and 2 cases of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma were reported. The average age at diagnosis of cutaneous metastases was 63.13 years, and the average time interval between the diagnoses of primary thyroid carcinoma and cutaneous metastases was 48.27 months. The most common location of metastases was the scalp (n = 48). Other common locations included the neck, chest, and face. The OS after diagnosis of metastases was only available in 34 patients with an average of 13.07 months. Of these 34 cases, 10 were medullary, 10 were papillary, 9 were anaplastic, and 5 had follicular carcinoma. Conclusions: This study represents an up-to-date review of the cases of thyroid carcinoma with cutaneous metastases. While cutaneous metastasis remains a rare finding, one needs a high index of suspicion, and their presence portends a poor prognosis.
Evaluating the Douglas-Cohen IRT Goodness of Fit Measure With BIB Sampling of Items
Authors: Donoghue John R. , Sgammato Adrienne
Published: March 2024

Methods to detect item response theory (IRT) item-level misfit are typically derived assuming fixed test forms. However, IRT is also employed with more complicated test designs, such as the balanced incomplete block (BIB) design used in large-scale educational assessments. This study investigates two modifications of Douglas and Cohen’s 2001 nonparametric method of assessing item misfit, based on A) using block total score and B) pooling booklet level scores for analyzing BIB data. Block-level scores showed extreme inflation of Type I error for short blocks containing 5 or 10 items. The pooled booklet method yielded Type I error rates close to nominal [Formula: see text] in most conditions and had power to detect misfitting items. The study also found that the Douglas and Cohen procedure is only slightly affected by the presence of other misfitting items in the block. The pooled booklet method is recommended for practical applications of Douglas and Cohen’s method with BIB data.
A Review of Virtual Impression Management Behaviors and Outcomes
Authors: Blunden Hayley , Brodsky Andrew
Published: March 2024

Over the past half century, virtual interactions have become a mainstay of contemporary organizations, whether leveraged for formal job interviews or day-to-day communication. Despite this central role, there is a lack of a holistic understanding of how employees make and manage impressions in these virtual contexts. In this article, we review, organize, and evaluate the state of the growing body of cross-disciplinary research on virtual impression management. We develop a guiding theoretical framework that identifies three categories of virtual impression management behavior (verbal, nonverbal, and meta behavior) that meaningfully alter impressions, and the conditions under which these outcomes vary. Through considering this body of research as a whole, we highlight that virtual interactions are quite rich when it comes to creating impressions. By illustrating where virtual impression management research has concentrated thus far, our review enables us to conclude by offering an agenda for future research on virtual impression management.
Resilience Within Constraints: An Event Oriented Approach to Crisis Response
Authors: Minniti Maria , Rodriguez Zachary , Williams Trent A.
Published: March 2024

Scholars have started unpacking how individuals, organizations, and communities interact to build a shared capacity for resilience. This research, however, has not yet examined how the institutional environment influences local responses to crises. This is an important omission since crises do not occur in a vacuum—decisions of actors, at one level, constrain or catalyze the resilience responses of communities and the individuals and organizations within them. Furthermore, research on resilience often assumes a relatively static nature of crises, without accounting for the need to revise responses over time. Using an original set of high frequency data on COVID-19 rates in the United States, we investigate the relationship between healthcare decision agency at the county level and the incidence of the pandemic as reflected in the number of COVID cases and death by county. Our results provide robust evidence that higher degrees of decision-making autonomy are associated with lower rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths. That is, a positive relationship exists between decision-making autonomy and higher capacities for resilience. We further show that this relationship is strengthened, the larger and more heterogeneous is the mix of healthcare organizations in a county, and the higher is the need for revising responses given the changing nature of the crisis. Our results emphasize the need for a system approach to the study of resilience, and suggest that, by enabling the customization of responses to local needs and resources, decision-making autonomy enhances the shared capacities for resilience.
Laser metal deposition of TiB/Ti6Al4V composites with first-scale network microstructure
Authors: Lekoadi Paul Masekuru , Tlotleng Monnamme , Siyasiya Charles Witness , Masina Bathusile Nelisiwe
Published: March 2024

This study investigated the effect of in-situ alloying of Ti6Al4V and TiB2 during laser metal deposition for microstructure, hardness and tensile properties enhancement. It was found that the addition of TiB2 at powder feed rates of range 0.1–0.3 rpm resulted in the formation of TiB whiskers with columnar and equiaxed network morphologies, in a lamella α + β matrix. By increasing TiB2 at 0.4–0.5 rpm, a complete dissolution of the equiaxed and columnar network morphologies were achieved. The dissolution led to a random distribution of formed TiB whiskers, resulting in enhanced hardness and ultimate tensile strength (UTS), with the 0.5 rpm giving the highest hardness and UTS values of 511 ± 13 HV and 1745 MPa, respectively.
CO2 cerebrovascular reactivity measured with CBF-MRI in older individuals: Association with cognition, physical function, amyloid and tau proteins
Authors: Sur Sandeepa , Lin Zixuan , Li Yang , Yasar Sevil , Rosenberg Paul B , Moghekar Abhay , Hou Xirui , Jiang Dengrong , Kalyani Rita R , Hazel Kaisha , Pottanat George , Xu Cuimei , Pillai Jay J , Liu Peiying , Albert Marilyn , Lu Hanzhang
Published: March 2024

Vascular pathology is the second leading cause of cognitive impairment and represents a major contributing factor in mixed dementia. However, biomarkers for vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) are under-developed. Here we aimed to investigate the potential role of CO2 Cerebrovascular Reactivity (CVR) measured with phase-contrast quantitative flow MRI in cognitive impairment and dementia. Forty-five (69 ± 7 years) impaired (37 mild-cognitive-impairment and 8 mild-dementia by syndromic diagnosis) and 22 cognitively-healthy-control (HC) participants were recruited and scanned on a 3 T MRI. Biomarkers of AD pathology were measured in cerebrospinal fluid. We found that CBF-CVR was lower (p = 0.027) in the impaired (mean±SE, 3.70 ± 0.15%/mmHg) relative to HC (4.28 ± 0.21%/mmHg). After adjusting for AD pathological markers (Aβ42/40, total tau, and Aβ42/p-tau181), higher CBF-CVR was associated with better cognitive performance, including Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA (p = 0.001), composite cognitive score (p = 0.047), and language (p = 0.004). Higher CBF-CVR was also associated with better physical function, including gait-speed (p = 0.006) and time for five chair-stands (p = 0.049). CBF-CVR was additionally related to the Clinical-Dementia-Rating, CDR, including global CDR (p = 0.026) and CDR Sum-of-Boxes (p = 0.015). CBF-CVR was inversely associated with hemoglobin A1C level (p = 0.017). In summary, CBF-CVR measured with phase-contrast MRI shows associations with cognitive performance, physical function, and disease-severity, independent of AD pathological markers.
Rare Cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Meningitis in Children: 10-Year Experience in a Single Center
Authors: Liu Lijun , Zhu Lvchang , Hu Chanchan , Zhu Shuzhen , Ye Sheng
Published: March 2024

Objective

The primary objective was to elucidate the epidemiologic characteristics, risk determinants, and clinical outcomes associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa–induced meningitis.

Methods

All cases of meningitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were treated at the hospital between 2012 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed and detailed.

Results

During a 10-year period, only 10 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Three patients had previously undergone neurosurgical procedures and 4 patients had leukemia.

Conclusions

Although Pseudomonas aeruginosa meningitis possesses a low incidence rate, the rate of mortality is high. Patients with leukemia or those who have undergone neurosurgery are the most susceptible to diagnosis. Cases of severe neutropenia present only mild or no cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. In patients with sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa meningitis, the timely use of anti- Pseudomonas carbapenems for intravenous treatment is highly effective. For drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa meningitis, intrathecal polymyxins administration can be an effective treatment option.
Mechanical behaviors of composites made of natural fibers through environmentally friendly treatment
Authors: Sun Shuo , Pillay Selvum , Ning Haibin
Published: March 2024

Natural fiber reinforced composites have garnered significant interests as potential substitutes for conventional materials because of their eco-friendly attribute and favorable physical and mechanical properties. Typically the natural fiber undergoes chemical treatment before processing with the matrix to produce composites, however, the chemical treatment can have a negative impact on the environment. This research work presents an environmentally friendly treatment method for hemp fibers by using boiling water and shear force for specific time periods. The purpose of the treatment is to break down the technical fiber bundles into elementary fibers, which creates a fourfold increase in bonding surface area between the fibers and matrix. The change in fiber length and size before and after the debundling treatment were analyzed using optical microscope, confocal microscope, and scanning electron microscopy. The treated fibers were then made into mats through a wet-laid process and compression molded with low density polyethylene via film stacking. The effects of different fiber treatment variables, including debundling time, on mechanical properties were compared with composites reinforced with conventional alkali treated fibers. The results presented show that the composites reinforced by hemp fiber using the new treatment method have equivalent or improved tensile, flexural and impact properties than the composite reinforced with alkali treated fibers.
Impact of Care-Recipient Health Conditions on Employed Caregiver Well-Being: Measure Development and Validation
Authors: Duxbury Linda , Ding Regina , Stevenson Margaret , Sadavoy Joel
Published: March 2024

Purpose: The research was designed to help our understanding of the relationship between care-recipient health and caregiver well-being. Design: To achieve this goal, we followed the measurement development steps outlined by Hinkin. We began by identifying 18 care-recipient health conditions that encapsulated the breath of caregiver duties pertaining to specific recipient health conditions. Methods: Using a sample of n = 1696 employed caregivers, we then developed and empirically validated a research instrument that allows researchers and practitioners to (1) identify whether the caregiver was providing care to an individual who suffered from one or more of 18 health conditions and (2) quantify the demands imposed on the caregiver of caring for someone with this health issue. Results: Factor analysis identified four different constructs each of which measures the demands placed on the caregiver of caring for someone suffering from several closely related health conditions: problems with daily functioning, mental health problems, cardiovascular problems, and cancer/immune system issues.
Performance evaluation of a solar based Brayton cycle integrated vapor compression-absorption trigeneration system for power, heating and low temperature cooling
Authors: Anjum Aftab , Mishra Radhey Shyam , Samsher
Published: March 2024

Among the various solar technologies, solar power tower (SPT) technology is being widely used for large-scale energy generation. Therefore, this work developed a trigeneration system for SPT plant that produces power, heating and cooling at low temperature efficiently from a high temperature SPT heat source. In order to create heating and low temperature (at −20°C) cooling benefits for food preservation, this trigeneration unit integrates a cascaded vapor compression-absorption refrigeration system combined with a helium Brayton cycle for power generation. The exergy-energy analysis was performed by the numerical technique using engineering equation solver software to evaluate the performance of the proposed SPT plant. The power output, exergy and energy efficiency of the SPT plant were found as 14,865 kW, 39.53% and 28.82%, respectively. The coefficient of performances values for cooling and heating were observed as 0.5391 and 1.539, respectively. Exergy evaluation revealed that approximately 78.18% of the total energy destruction of the entire plant is attributed to the solar subsystem only. Furthermore, a parametric investigation shows that the temperature of the evaporator, generator and helium turbine inlet, and the efficiency of the heliostat and receiver all have a significant impact on the plant performance. Furthermore, a comparative analysis with relevant previous studies has shown that the proposed system outperforms systems based on supercritical CO2 cycles and the Rankine cycles.
Study on dynamic performance of high-speed railway vehicle using roller rig and numerical simulation
Authors: Liang Yaru , Luo Ren , Zeng Jing , Wang Qunsheng
Published: March 2024

The development of high-speed trains has increased the demand for dynamic vehicle tests on roller rigs. This study presents a nonlinear multi-body dynamic model of a vehicle system running on a roller rig and an actual track. Dynamic tests for a high-speed vehicle were performed using a full-scale roller rig to validate the numerical model. The hunting stability characteristics of the vehicle were investigated by performing a comparative analysis of the roller rig tests and numerical simulations of the vehicle on roller rigs and tracks. The results indicate that the critical hunting speed of the vehicle on a roller rig is lower than that on a track, particularly under significantly high or low equivalent conicity and yaw damper failure conditions. The characteristics of the hunting stability, riding performance, and lateral acceleration of the bogie frame were comparable in both rig tests and line operations, exhibiting consistent trends under the normal operation of the suspension system with the wheel/rail matches existing within the ideal range of equivalent conicity. However, the lateral acceleration or lateral Sperling index of the carbody could better detect the carbody hunting under low equivalent conicities, particularly when the lateral acceleration of the bogie was not sufficiently effective.
Do They Look the Same Unless They Are Angry? Investigating the Other-Race Effect in the Presence of Angry Expressions
Authors: Imhoff Roland , Müller Barbara C. N. , Heidrich Verena
Published: March 2024

Ethnic out-group members are disproportionately more often the victim of misidentifications. The so-called other-race effect (ORE), the tendency to better remember faces of individuals belonging to one’s own ethnic in-group than faces belonging to an ethnic out-group, has been identified as one causal ingredient in such tragic incidents. Investigating an important aspect for the ORE—that is, emotional expression—the seminal study by Ackerman and colleagues (2006) found that White participants remembered neutral White faces better than neutral Black faces, but crucially, Black angry faces were better remembered than White angry faces (i.e., a reversed ORE). In the current study, we sought to replicate this study and directly tackle the potential causes for different results with later work. Three hundred ninety-six adult White U.S. citizens completed our study in which we manipulated the kind of employed stimuli (as in the original study vs. more standardized ones) whether participants knew of the recognition task already at the encoding phase. Additionally, participants were asked about the unusualness of the presented faces. We were able to replicate results from the Ackerman et al. (2006) study with the original stimuli but not with more standardized stimuli.
Late-Holocene environmental conditions revealed by a small mammal assemblage in mountain areas of Northwestern Argentina
Authors: Ortiz Pablo E , Jayat J Pablo , Novillo Agustina , Torres-Carro Vanessa , Barbière Franck
Published: March 2024

Based on a diverse Late-Holocene (1889–1743 cal yrs BP) small mammal assemblage (14 species, 204 individuals) resulting from the trophic activity of owls, we reconstruct the paleoenvironmental conditions of Las Chacritas area, Catamarca Province, northwestern Argentina. Twenty modern and one additional Late-Holocene samples from the region were used as comparative parameters in the paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Through direct comparison with a present-day assemblage from Las Chacritas, and using Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling, spatial and temporal beta diversity (employing the Sorensen dissimilarity index), and the temporal beta diversity index (TBI) including all the small mammal samples, we quantitatively reconstruct the relationships among modern and Late-Holocene assemblages. Direct comparison showed significant differences, with relative abundances changing markedly over time, with several species of the Late-Holocene assemblage absent in the modern sample whereas many species frequent in the modern community absent in the Late-Holocene. NMDS analysis associated the Late-Holocene assemblage with modern samples of western drier environments. Beta diversity was low for presence-absence and moderate for abundance data, with higher contribution of turnover than nestedness, although for abundance data the proportion of nestedness was higher. TBI showed high variation among both Holocene sites and their present-day counterparts, whereas species gains dominated in modern samples. Our results suggest that the habitats surrounding Las Chacritas have modified markedly since the Late-Holocene. Presence of species today frequent in arid environments and absence of forest-dwelling species suggest that open, dry and relatively rocky habitats characterized this area in that interval.
Validating Cognitive and Emotional Urges in Comprehending One’s Surroundings: The Case of Attraction from Attitudes
Authors: Singh Ramadhar
Published: March 2024

Durganand Sinha found that attitudes formed from a preceding experience influenced participants’ responses to the succeeding one in a laboratory experiment on memory ( Davis & Sinha, 1950 ). He also found that the people of Darjeeling who were affected by the landslide in 1950 had spread rumours to make sense of their surroundings via cognitive and emotional responses ( Sinha, 1952 ). In this article, the author pays tributes to Sinha by making a new case for the importance of attitudes-and-attraction experiments in bolstering his earlier findings. That attitude similarity effects on attraction are stronger when the correctness of the participant’s views is objectively unverifiable rather than verifiable matches with the evidence for efforts about meaning among the Darjeeling residents in the absence of information. Likewise, validation of one’s attitudes by peers and then experiencing positive affect in attraction represent the very same respective cognitive and emotional urges of the Darjeeling people during the post-landslide period. These findings jointly validate Sinha’s views on the prevalence of attitude-driven responding, fusion between responses and sequential relation between cognitive and emotional urges in everyday life.
Applications and Mechanisms of Taohong Siwu Decoction in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Liu Runjia , Li Yanqing , Zhang Xiaochen , Tang Kaixuan , Li Jiatong , Fang Tianhe , Tian Xuanhe , Han Bingbing
Published: March 2024

Ischemic stroke is a kind of sudden vascular disease of the brain brought on by ischemic hypoxic necrosis of the brain tissue which is becoming a significant global source of death and long-term impairment. Present common treatment options for cerebral ischemia including thrombolytic therapy, mechanical embolization, and intracranial arterioplasty can only benefit a few patients due to the narrow therapeutic time windows. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescriptions possess the qualities of multi-ingredients, multi-targets, synergistic and multi-efficacy advantages as a means of treating ischemic stroke. Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) is a famous TCM prescription that promotes blood flow, removes blood clots, adds nourishment, and tonifies blood. Clinical and laboratory research results show the significant advantages of THSWD in ischemic stroke treatment. This review summarizes THSWD’s natural materials and processing methods, pharmacological effects, and related mechanisms to treat ischemic stroke. Its mechanism of action focuses on improving hemorheology, anti-inflammatory response, reducing excitotoxicity, anti-calcium overload, anti-oxidative stress, etc. Moreover, we systematically summarize THSWD and its use in combination with other treatments. Finally, the research obstacles of THSWD in the treatment of ischemic stroke are summarized, and the application prospects in the medical field are prospected.
From Promise to Practice: How Health Researchers Understand and Promote Transdisciplinary Collaboration
Authors: Lawless Michael T. , Tieu Matthew , Archibald Mandy M. , Pinero De Plaza Maria Alejandra , Kitson Alison L.
Published: March 2024

There is an increasing emphasis on transdisciplinary research to address the complex challenges faced by health systems. However, research has not adequately explored how members of transdisciplinary research teams perceive, understand, and promote transdisciplinary collaboration. As such, there is a need to investigate collaborative behaviors, knowledge, and the impacts of transdisciplinary research. To address this gap, we conducted a longitudinal realist evaluation of transdisciplinary collaboration within a 5-year National Health and Medical Research Council–funded Center of Research Excellence in Transdisciplinary Frailty Research. The current study aimed to explore researchers’ perceptions and promotion of transdisciplinary research specifically within the context of frailty research using qualitative methods. Participants described transdisciplinary research as a collaborative and integrative approach that involves individuals from various disciplines working together to tackle complex research problems. However, participants often used terms like interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary interchangeably, indicating that a shared understanding of transdisciplinary research is needed. Barriers to transdisciplinary collaboration included time constraints, geographical distance, and entrenched collaboration patterns. To overcome these challenges, participants suggested implementing strategies such as creating a shared vision and goals, establishing appropriate collaboration systems and structures, and role modeling collaborative behaviors, values, and attitudes. Our findings underscore the need for practical knowledge in developing transdisciplinary collaboration and leadership skills across different career stages. In the absence of formal training, sustained and immersive programs that connect researchers with peers, educators, and role models from various disciplines and provide experiential learning opportunities, may be valuable in fostering successful transdisciplinary collaboration.