bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A longitudinal assessment of major mouthwashes used in alleviating pain and xerostomia among advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Mageswaran Rhubain , Ang Zen Yang
Published: August 2024

Objective

This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the overall efficacy of mouthwashes in oral mucositis pain and mucositis xerostomia in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) at different phases throughout treatment.

Methods

A longitudinal study enrolled 79 advanced NPC subjects receiving CCRT. The subjects were interviewed prospectively three times over 7 weeks for pain and xerostomia scores based on the various types of mouthwash used. The median pain score difference and median xerostomia score difference were utilised to determine mouthwash superiority.

Results

Participants completed three interviews, during which 480 instances of mouthwash use were observed throughout different phases of the treatment period. The results showed that the median pain scores between mouthwashes differed significantly, H-Stat(3) = 30.0, 25.7 and 26.0, respectively, with p < 0.001 for all three interviews. The pain score reductions of lidocaine mouthwash (median = 2, interquartile range (IQR) = 3, 2 and 2.75 over the three interviews, respectively) were significantly higher than those of benzydamine and sodium bicarbonate mouthwashes. There were no significant differences between the studied mouthwashes in their xerostomia score reductions.

Conclusions

Lidocaine mouthwash was superior in managing oral mucositis pain at all phases throughout the entire chemoradiotherapy treatment for advanced NPC patients. There was insufficient evidence to determine the preferred mouthwash for treating oral mucositis xerostomia.
Oral lichenoid drug eruption due to osimertinib for lung cancer
Authors: Alchaikh Hassan Ruba , Soliman Abram , Dasanu Constantin A.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR) are linked with side effects involving skin and mucosa. Herein, we present a unique case of oral lichenoid drug eruption (LDE) in a patient treated with osimertinib.

Case report

A 75-year-old woman was diagnosed with metastatic EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma, and started on osimertinib 80 mg PO daily. At 24 months of therapy, the patient developed a painful, red, and white striated oral lesion involving the left buccal mucosa and the adjacent buccal aspect of gingivae. Biopsy showed oral LDE. Causality assessment between osimertinib and the oral LDE via Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction probability scale revealed a score of 5.

Management and outcome

Osimetinib discontinuation was not felt to be in the best interest of the patient. Therefore, diphenhydramine HCL mouthwash every 6 h PRN (before meals) was started. Spicy and hot foods were discontinued. At a four-week follow-up visit, the patient reported moderate improvement in her symptoms.

Conclusion

Oral LDEs are considered premalignant lesions as they can transform into squamous cell carcinoma; therefore, regular follow-up is needed. Awareness of this potential side effect of osimertinib would also prevent unnecessary (and potentially costly) work-up and lead to its prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Assessment of the deformation rate of venous diameter during internal jugular vein puncture using a newly developed thin-tip three-dimensional needle
Authors: Hashimoto Kazuki , Nawata Shintaro , Wada Shinji , Hamaguchi Shingo , Tanabe Kenichiro , Mimura Hidefumi
Published: August 2024

Background:

The internal jugular vein (IJV) is one of the most used sites for central venous access. Some authors revealed the association of a higher deformation rate of the IJV wall with posterior wall penetration, which may cause a hemorrhagic complication. A newly developed thin-tip needle (three-dimensional (3D) needle) reduced the deformation rate in an ex vivo study. Therefore, we conducted a clinical study to investigate its efficacy in reducing vessel deformity during IJV puncture.

Methods:

This study retrospectively enrolled 80 adult patients who received central venous port (CVP) implantation via the IJV from April 1, 2022, to November 10, 2023, in our institution. Traditional needle-and-catheter was used for ultrasound (US)-guided IJV puncture (usual group) for the former 40 patients before July 18, 2023. Afterward, the 3D needle was used for the latter 40 patients (3D needle group). US images were stored and analyzed to calculate the deformation rate.

Results:

The deformation rate was 58.6% (13.2–100) for the usual needle and 41.8% (10.6–100) for the 3D needle ( p = 0.0034). Patients who required several punctures included 2 for the usual needle and 12 for the 3D needle, respectively ( p = 0.0032). All patients and the usual needle group demonstrated a weak negative correlation between the deformation rate and pre-puncture vessel diameter ( r = 0.24 and 0.41, respectively), with no correlation in the 3D needle group.

Conclusion:

The deformation rate of the IJV wall was smaller in the 3D needle group than in the usual needle group. The use of a 3D needle would be safer when puncturing the IJV.
Endaayaang: the importance of “Indigenizing” housing first for youth
Authors: Fournier Cathy , Mirza Sabina , Naidoo Karen , Green Sheryl , Shirt Clay , Cameron Sarah , Stewart Suzanne L. , Gaetz Stephen
Published: August 2024

This article explores Endaayaang, which means a safe place where the heart and spirit feel at home, an Indigenous Housing First for Youth programme, located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The programme is informed by Elders, Traditional Knowledge Holders, Indigenous youth and Indigenous frontline workers and is grounded in Indigenous knowledges and worldviews. The programme helps unhoused Indigenous youth secure, safe and affordable housing, without preconditions. A unique aspect of this programme is creating opportunities for Indigenous youth to (re)connect to their Indigenous identity and culture. This includes providing access to Elders, ceremony and Indigenous teachings to help them find their way home. This research highlights the integral role of helping Indigenous youth (re)connect with their Indigenous identity and the importance of integrating ceremony, and Indigenous principles into Indigenous Housing First for youth programming. We also present an argument about the importance of diversifying and indigenizing Housing First for Youth in Canada to meet the specific needs of Indigenous and other marginalized and racialized populations accessing programming.
Multidirectional Stimulation in an Isolated Murine Heart: A Computational Model
Authors: Sá Lizandra Alcantara , Costa Jorge A , da Mota Silveira-Filho Lindemberg , Xavier de Oliveira Pedro
Published: August 2024

It is common to use very high electric fields (E) to defibrillate hearts, which can damage cardiomyocytes, showing the importance of developing methods that can decrease the E applied in defibrillation protocols. We used COMSOL Multiphysics software to model, simulate, and analyze the application of an E in an isolated heart with monodirectional and multidirectional stimuli, using 2 pairs of electrodes and the superposition principle as a way to decrease the E applied and reduce the required number of stimulation electrodes. When applying an E of 3 V/cm in the 0°, 30°, and 60° directions, individually in the stimulation chamber, E was equal to 3.2 V/cm and its phases were equal to 0°, 30°, and 60°, respectively, validating the superposition principle. We observed a reduction up to 31.8% in | E| when applying a multidirectional stimulus when comparing to the monodirectional stimulus, in order to stimulate the same area of the heart. For the same amount of stimuli directions, we obtained up to 11.7% reduction of | E|, just by modifying the directions of the applied stimuli. In the simulation developed in this work, the superposition principle was validated in a stimulation chamber. For the same stimulated area, the multidirectional E has been always lower than the monodirectional. We observed that, in order to decrease the intensity of E, both the number of applied stimuli and their directions were relevant issues.
Exploring a post-truth referendum: Australia's Voice to Parliament and the management of attention on social media
Authors: Graham Timothy
Published: August 2024

This article examines the circulation of unverified and misleading information during the 2023 Australian Voice to Parliament referendum, focusing on X (formerly Twitter). Adapting Harsin's concept of Regimes of Post-Truth and a participatory perspective of propaganda, we analyse over 224,000 posts, exploring the interplay of Voice-related discussions on X and campaign messaging. We find that the Yes campaign employed a traditional messaging approach, emphasising public support and presenting historical facts and statistics. In contrast, the No campaign's disciplined messaging style mobilised pan-partisan attention, fostering a collaborative ‘truth market’ on X about the constitutional amendment that eclipsed the Yes campaign's more conventional approach. A proliferation of conspiratorial assertions fostered collaborative work from No campaigners as well as participatory efforts from Yes campaigners to debunk and criticise them. We conclude that the No campaign cultivated a series of public relations-induced realities about the referendum, effectively managing attention within a hybrid media system.
Finding the future in digitally mediated ruin: #nostalgiacores and the algorithmic culture of digital platforms
Authors: Brown Maria Gemma , Carah Nicholas , Tan Xue Ying (Jane) , Angus Daniel , Burgess Jean
Published: August 2024

The #nostalgiacores are a series of interrelated hashtags on Instagram and TikTok where users recirculate content from the digital and consumer cultures of the 1990s and 2000s – childhood play centres, dead malls, long-gone toys, and superseded game consoles and phones. In this article, we explore these digital cultures using a critical platform studies approach that involves a combination of network analysis and close textual analysis augmented with purpose-built machine vision tools. We scrape a collection of 359,150 images from Instagram that used one or more of 30 ‘-cores’ hashtags (such as #y2kcore, #webcore and #childhoodcore) that we chose following a period of immersive qualitative investigation of #nostalgiacore scenes on Instagram during 2021 and 2022. 10,000 Instagram images were then randomly selected and processed using a purpose-built unsupervised machine vision model that clusters images together based on their similarities. This research is part of a multi-year project where we develop hybrid digital methods for critically simulating and exploring the interplay between our image-making practices and the algorithmic systems that cluster and curate them. By combining computational approaches with critical platform and cultural studies approaches we speculatively explore both practices of curation and their interplay with the algorithmic classification and recommendation models of digital platforms. Our platform-oriented mode of textual analysis helps us to explore how our digital cultures are both symbolically and technically nostalgic. Instagram users in the #nostalgiacore scene recirculate images from the past as part of practices of critically reflecting on digital platforms and consumer cultures. At the same time those images are recuperated as archives used to train the algorithmic models that optimise attention on digital media platforms like Instagram.
Post-truth and pathways for evaluators
Authors: Brousselle Astrid
Published: August 2024

Post-truth relates to the combination of tactics of influence and opinion manipulation orchestrated by powerful economic and political interests, principally targeting initiatives or ideas with a transformative potential. Post-truth strategies express themselves in multiple tactics, which happen synchronously at varied levels and through different channels. Scientifically valid information is forced to compete with narratives which are designed to create doubt or skepticism. Disinformation weakens efforts to implement policies intended to support transformative goals. The distortion, discrediting, or ignoring of scientific evidence has become a threat to our societies. This article starts by defining the post-truth phenomenon, first discussing the roots, tactics, and contextual conditions supporting its expansion. Then it explores what stance evaluators can adopt to work in this new era where people are polarized and disinformation is widespread. This article aims to raise awareness of this disruptive phenomenon and brings evaluators together to consider promising practices.
Virtual reality in wine tourism: Immersive experiences for promoting travel destinations
Authors: Sousa Nuno , Alén Elisa , Losada Nieves , Melo Miguel
Published: August 2024

Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a powerful promotional tool in tourism, providing consumers immersive and engaging experiences. However, its specific impact on the wine tourism sector remains underexamined. This study aims to both investigate and convincingly highlight the promotional influence of VR on the intention to visit wine tourism destinations. By providing an immersive VR experience to 405 participants, our research revealed that the quality of VR experiences is essential for generating consumer satisfaction. More crucially, we found that wine tourists’ satisfaction with VR experiences plays a crucial role in motivating them to visit a destination. Our results not only fill a gap in understanding the impact of VR on wine tourist behaviour but also offer valuable insights for marketing professionals and companies in the sector. This study emphasises the critical need for enjoyable, high-quality and satisfying VR experiences to catalyse the intention to visit. In doing so, we contribute to academic knowledge and provide practical guidance for the industry, highlighting VR's effectiveness as a promotional strategy in wine tourism. This research is not merely an exploration but a compelling defense of VR's transformative influence on wine tourist behaviour.
Developing a reading proficiency scale for US college-level CSL courses: A complement to the ACTFL guidelines
Authors: Lin Jia
Published: August 2024

The ACTFL proficiency guidelines are instrumental in shaping foreign language teaching and testing at all grade levels in the United States. However, their limitations, such as the absence of theoretical underpinnings, empirical verification, and language-specific descriptors, greatly constrain their application in teaching and testing Chinese as a second language (CSL) reading in US higher education contexts. Teachers need guidance regarding what component reading skills and knowledge should be taught and measured, as well as their relative difficulties. This study develops a CSL reading proficiency scale as a complement to the ACTFL proficiency guidelines through a measurement-driven approach. The scale development began with modeling the construct of CSL reading ability, as conceptualized in theoretical works. Drawing on this process, an operational descriptive scheme and a descriptor pool were established and subjected to expert review. Descriptors of CSL reading ability that survived the expert review were compiled into a Likert-scale questionnaire. Difficulties of descriptors were operationalized through teachers’ ratings ( N = 179) of whether CSL learners ‘can do’ what these descriptors denoted. The Rasch Rating Scale Model was then utilized to examine the measurement quality of the questionnaire, to calibrate teachers’ ratings, and to group the descriptors to associate them with the ACTFL proficiency levels. Finally, a four-level progression scale with 56 descriptors specifying characteristics of each level on the ACTFL reading proficiency continuum was established. Besides its application in teaching, the CSL reading proficiency scale will benefit testing and textbook writing.
A sociocultural approach to understanding collective trauma in Indigenous communities
Authors: Farero Adam , Eason Arianne E. , Brady Laura M. , Fryberg Stephanie A.
Published: August 2024

Research on the effects of collective trauma tends to take a psychocentric approach, focusing on the impact of being geographically near the traumatic event (physical proximity) or personally knowing a victim (social proximity). We theorize that this approach falls short in describing the effect of collective trauma among interdependent cultural groups, such as Indigenous Peoples, for whom the self and one's group are inextricably tied. Using a concurrent embedded mixed-methods design ( N = 545), the current study explores the influence of cultural proximity (having a shared cultural connection to victims) in the wake of a fatal school shooting involving students from both a Native American tribe and a predominantly White city. After controlling for physical and social proximity, student distress behaviors and staff support behaviors, but not staff members’ own psychological distress, were significantly higher in schools with higher Native student populations, where a larger proportion of students shared cultural connections with the victims. We discuss implications regarding the importance of providing adequate support for Indigenous Peoples, and interdependent cultural groups in general, following collective trauma.
Managed burning of forests: Balancing economic incentives, risks, and liability
Authors: Frey Gregory E.
Published: August 2024

Managed burning of forests can provide benefits to society including mitigated wildfire risk, improved habitat, and more. However, adverse outcomes of escaped fire or smoke pose risks. I reviewed the evolution of the law regulating forest management burns, explored the current legal architecture, and analyzed the economic incentives for involved actors, in order to identify policy options. Liability standards through most of the twentieth century increasingly placed risk burden on landowners and burners, but increased recognition of the benefits of burns led many States to reverse this trend and limit the liability for a subset of qualified burns. Still, there is broad uncertainty about the liability, which can lead to increased costs for all sides. In view of the societal benefits of burning, States may consider how best to provide legal clarity, how to balance associated risks, and where to place the liability burden.
Effect of various weld length ratios on the curvature and distortion of a double-side edge welded fin plate: A study using SYSWELD
Authors: Sudharsanam V , Narayanan C Sathiya , Shanmugarajan B , Prakash L
Published: August 2024

In this study, finite element modelling (FEM) of gas metal arc welding on two edges of a fin plate was performed, using SYSWELD software. The fin plate material is SA 387 Gr. 12 Cl 2 and its size is 1200 mm × 50 mm × 6 mm. The weld length, L1 on the first edge of the plate was fixed as 400 mm. The weld length, L2 on the second edge was chosen so as to result in five distinct L2/L1 ratios namely 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75 and 2.00. FEM of welding on the two edges of the fin, one after the other was performed for each ratio and the results on weld distortion and curvature were studied. It was found that increasing the L2/L1 ratio results in higher offset of weld distortion caused by first weld and for L2/L1 = 1.4, the mid-span distortion becomes near-zero. However, the net curvature of first weld segment (L1) stays constant for all L2/L1 ratios. The FEM results, in respect of temperature, strain and distortion for the case of L2/L1 = 1.50 matched well with the corresponding results obtained experimentally, thereby confirming the accuracy of the FEM procedure.
The Effectiveness of Educational Interventions for Mental Health Professionals in Reducing Stigmatization Toward People with Pedophilia: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Christophersen Line , Brotto Gäelle
Published: August 2024

Mental Health Professionals (MHP) often harbor strong negative attitudes toward people with a sexual attraction to children, hindering the provision of essential treatment. This reluctance stems from pervasive stigmatization, contributing to mental health issues among people with pedophilia and exacerbating risk factors associated with child sexual abuse. Limited research and small sample sizes in prior studies underscore the need to conduct a meta-analysis, examining the effectiveness of educational interventions as a tool for reducing stigmatization toward people with pedophilia in MHP. Eight studies meeting specific inclusion criteria were identified through a literature search. These criteria included (a) peer-reviewed empirical, (b) quantitative data, (c) a focus on attitudes toward people with pedophilia, (d) a sample of MHP that might come in contact with people with pedophilia (or the general public), (e) the intervention is educational, (f) the educational intervention is based on people with pedophilia, (g) pre- and post-test data, and (h) be written in English. Comparable variables within these studies encompassed dangerousness, social distance, intentionality, deviance, punitiveness, anger, sympathy, and motivation to treat. The intervention significantly improved perceptions of dangerousness ( d = 0.65), social distance ( d = 0.33), intentionality ( d = 0.38), and punitiveness ( d = 0.77). However, it showed non-significant effects on deviance ( d = 0.22), anger ( d = −0.22), sympathy ( d = −0.12), and motivation to treat ( d = −0.04). These findings indicate that educational interventions can reduce MHP stigmatization toward people with pedophilia, especially with contact-based and sufficiently prolonged interventions.
Enhancement of mechanical and thermal properties of carbon fiber phenolic resin composites using silicon carbide filler for thermal protection system applications
Authors: Basingala Praveen Kumar , Neigapula Venkata Swamy Naidu
Published: August 2024

Thermal protection systems (TPS) are vital for re-entry vehicles for their safe passage into the atmosphere from space. Hence, researchers took a keen interest in improving the thermal and ablative properties of composites to be used in making thermal protection systems. Therefore, an attempt was made to improve the thermal and ablative properties of composites made of carbon fibers (Cf) and resorcinol formaldehyde phenolic (Ph) resin with the incorporation of silicon carbide (SiC) particles. The filler was added in various percentages (0 wt% - blank, 1 wt%, 3 wt%, and 5 wt%), and the composites were tested for ablative, thermal and mechanical properties. The results demonstrate that the SiC-modified PAN-based carbon fiber reinforced phenolic (SiC-PANCf-Ph) composite with 3 wt% SiC enhancement exhibited ideal properties. The post-ablation phase composition and microstructure were examined through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The surface morphology evidences the formation of a silicon dioxide (SiO2) layer on the composites. The SiC-PANCf-Ph composites demonstrated the lowest ablation rate, enhancing their potentiality for effective TPS applications.
Maybe God Doesn’t Even Like Miracles That Much
Authors: White Ben
Published: August 2024

Reflections from a pediatric chaplain on the irregularity of miracles with help from a Victorian author and an atheist-humanist colleague.
Licensed to Misbehave? Leader Decisiveness Given Follower's Competence and Misconduct
Authors: Sungu Lincoln Jisuvei , Weng Qingxiong (Derek)
Published: August 2024

Based on the idiosyncrasy credit theory, this article empirically tests the idea that leaders are likely to be more (less) lenient toward more (less) competent subordinates for misconduct—employee behavior that should be punished. With a field survey of 103 supervisors and their 582 subordinates (study 1) and an experiment that manipulates subordinates’ competence and leader dependence on subordinates (study 2), the posited effect is found to be indirect through leader–member exchange (LMX) and stronger when the leader dependence on the follower was higher. The findings suggest that given the exact same misconduct, leaders are more likely to mete differential treatment based on perceived subordinates’ competency, and LMX quality works as the underlying mechanism for these effects. Thus, the present work highlights the dark side of LMX by demonstrating when and why leaders are likely to be compromised when it comes to disciplinary decisions and offers practical implications for organizations on how to handle employee misconduct. Theoretically, our work suggests that the quality of relation between credit holders and those responsible for overseeing norms functions as the underlying mechanism for the idiosyncrasy credit theory.
The accuracy of measuring velocity during weightlifting movements with five velocity-based training devices
Authors: Lemus Sergio A. , Volz Mallory , Blasdale Avery , Beron-Vera Francisco , Chen Cheng-Bang , Mann Bryan J. , Travascio Francesco
Published: August 2024

The use of weightlifting exercises is prevalent in competitive and recreational environments, as well as sport-specific training. Traditionally, weightlifting coaches prescribe specific training loads based on an individual's maximal ability. Velocity-based training offers an alternative method that promises to quantify strength based on velocity and provides information that increases competitiveness through real-time feedback. Various velocity measurement devices are available on the market. Their precision is critical for the adequate implementation of velocity-based training. The aim of the present study was to compare the concentric peak velocity measurements of five of these devices during two weightlifting movements, the snatch and clean, to data collected with a 12-camera motion capture system, which was considered as gold standard. It was hypothesized that the velocity measurement devices used in this study would vary in accuracy based on their retail prices. Velocity readings associated with light and moderate (40% and 70% of one-repetition max) loads were measured for both the snatch and clean performed by 12 competitive weightlifters. A least products regression was used to assess validity by comparing five devices against a criterion measure. A general linear model showed statistical differences in the velocities measured with these five devices ( p < 0.001). Specifically, the GymAware RS linear position transducer was the most accurate device, demonstrating no fixed or proportional bias when used to quantify velocity during the snatch and clean. The remaining four devices significantly underestimated peak velocity, which would directly impact the daily planning of lifters’ training. Practitioners must consider the error and bias of each device before implementing velocity-based training.
The in vitro effect of myeloperoxidase oxidized LDL on THP-1 derived macrophages
Authors: Jeradeh Elias , Frangie Christian , Bazzi Samer , Daher Jalil
Published: August 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) linked to atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis is primarily caused by the accumulation of oxidized forms of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in macrophages (MΦs) in the subendothelial layer of arteries leading to foam cell and fatty streak formation. Many studies suggest that LDL that is modified by myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a key player in the development of atherosclerosis. MΦs can adopt a variety of functional phenotypes that include mainly the proinflammatory M1 and the anti-inflammatory M2 MΦ phenotypes which are both implicated in the process of atherogenesis. In fact, MΦs that reside in atherosclerostic lesions were shown to express a variety of phenotypes ranging between the M1- and M2 MΦ types. Recently, we pointed out the involvement of MPO oxidized-LDL (Mox-LDL) in increasing inflammation in MΦs by reducing their secretion of IL-10. Since little is known about Mox-LDL-mediated pro-atherosclerostic responses in MΦs, our study aimed at analyzing the in vitro effects of Mox-LDL at this level through making use of the well-established model of human THP-1-derived Mφs. Our results demonstrate that Mox-LDL has no effect on apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cell death in our cell model; yet, interestingly, our results show that Mox-LDL is significantly engulfed at a higher rate in the different MΦ subtypes supporting its key role in foam cell formation during the progression of the disease as well as previous data that were generated using another primary MΦ cell model of atherosclerosis.
The association of rotator cuff muscle morphology and glenoid morphology in primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis
Authors: Siso Deniz , Wee Hwabok , Ponnuru Padmavathi , Lewis Gregory S , Du Jing , Updegrove Gary F , Armstrong April D , Vidt Meghan E
Published: August 2024

Background

This retrospective study investigated associations of rotator cuff muscle atrophy (MA) and fatty infiltration (FI) with glenoid morphology.

Methods

Patients with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis who presented to Penn State Bone and Joint Institute's orthopaedic clinic from September 2002 to December 2019 as total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) candidates were evaluated. MA was determined by the cross-sectional area of each rotator cuff muscle on pre-operative MR and CT scans. Fat-free muscle and FI areas were quantified using Hounsfield units (HU). Glenoid morphology was assessed using glenoid version and inclination and modified Walch classification.

Results

Sixty-one patients (61 shoulders) were evaluated. B3 glenoids had a greater percent FI of supraspinatus (40.8 ± 7.3) versus A2 glenoids (31.6 ± 12.9, p = 0.032); infraspinatus and teres minor muscles (49.7 ± 9.1) versus A1 (31.1 ± 13.1, p = 0.039), A2 (30.2 ± 13.3, p = 0.028), and B1 glenoids (31.6 ± 11.9, p = 0.038); and subscapularis (36.7 ± 11.1) versus A2 glenoids (25.5 ± 14.7, p = 0.032). B2 glenoids had a larger area ratio of infraspinatus and teres minor to subscapularis (0.96 ± 0.16) than A1 (0.82 ± 0.13, p = 0.026) and A2 glenoids (0.57 ± 0.25, p = 0.038).

Conclusion

B3 glenoids had a greater FI of all rotator cuff muscles. B2 glenoids had a larger relative size of infraspinatus and teres minor muscles than subscapularis.
Characterization of the Anti-Inflammatory, Immune Response, and Anti-Bacterial Properties of the Polar Extracts of Indigenous Korean Plants
Authors: Hwang Sungmin , Kim Ji Soo , Na Go Kyoung , Lee Hyeon Jeong , Yun Bohyun , Park Ji-Won , Han Seahee , Park Min-Ju , Lee WonWoo , Choi Kyung-Min , Park Jung Up
Published: August 2024

Objective

The rich botanical biodiversity resulting from diverse climates and geographical distinctiveness offers a plethora of biological resources that can be pivotal in developing innovative biomaterials. This investigation sought to evaluate the functional properties of indigenous Korean plant species.

Methods

Forty-six indigenous plants during a year-long expedition across inhabited and uninhabited Korean islands were collected. The plant specimens were divided into 5 parts (flower, fruit, stem, leaf, and whole body) and subjected to extraction using water, 30% ethanol, and 70% ethanol, followed by characterizations of anti-inflammatory, immune response, and anti-bacterial activity.

Results

Thirty-eight percent of the extracts (59 extracts from 31 species) exhibited statistically significant anti-inflammatory effects. Concurrently, 22% of the extracts (35 extracts from 24 species) demonstrated notable immune boosting effects. Additionally, 17 extracts exhibited significant inhibitory effects against the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential utility of extracts of plants from Korean islands as natural agents for next-generation pharmaceutical and medical applications by emphasizing their effectiveness in combating inflammation, enhancing immune responses, and conferring anti-bacterial benefits.
China’s internet controls: What if citizens disengage?
Authors: DeButts Matt , Pan Jennifer
Published: August 2024

For thirty years, the Chinese internet has been characterized by engagement between citizens and the government, and between the Chinese internet and the global internet. In this commentary, we formalize the concept of disengagement: the unwillingness to participate in digital activity. We review the origins of disengagement, its association with other social trends, and evaluate the possibility of its emergence. We argue that disengagement may have profound social, political, and economic consequences for the country. Finally, we call for future scholarship with renewed focus on disengagement and its consequences.
Improving Family Development Ability: The Treatment Effect of Family Savings: Empirical Evidence From a Generalized Propensity Score Matching Approach
Authors: Wu Aihui , Wang Cuntong
Published: August 2024

Based on the theory of asset building, this study provides an in-depth analysis of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) conducted in 2016. The main objective is to examine the measurement structure of China’s family development ability and explore the relationship between the family saving rate, government subsidies, and family development ability using the structural equation modeling approach. Additionally, this research identifies the causal treatment effects of family savings rate and government subsidies on family development ability through propensity score matching and generalized propensity score matching methods. Consequently, it offers a comprehensive analysis of the impact of family savings rate and government subsidies on family development ability. The findings indicate that the influence of government subsidies on improving family development ability is negligible, while the effect of family saving rate on various factors of family development ability is significant. Specifically, the relationship follows an inverted U-shaped curve, with a family saving rate of approximately 35% demonstrating optimal performance. One possible explanation for this trend is that increased family savings instill a sense of future confidence among family members, thereby promoting family development ability. The robustness of these conclusions is confirmed through various causal inference models. These empirical findings provide valuable evidence and serve as a reference for exploring the transformation and development of social policy models in China.
The Impact of Knowledge and Trust on COVID-19 Vaccination Intention: Analysis of a Population Group with Low Incentives to Vaccinate in Spain
Authors: Torres González Obdulia , Santos-Requejo Libia
Published: August 2024

Young people, as a group, are not strongly incentivised to vaccinate against COVID-19, given how the disease affects them. To discover the factors which help increase people’s intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine, using a variety of dimensions to measure Knowledge (K), Trust (T), the Health Belief Model (HBM), and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in Spanish university students as a collective. We analysed the proposed models using multiple-regression analysis, incorporating the variables of the constructs in a hierarchical manner, introducing them in the following order: TPB, K, T. HBM was excluded, given that no significant statistical relationship was found. The data used for the study are drawn from an anonymous questionnaire put to 3,542 students at the University of Salamanca (Spain). Our model accounts for 43.1% of the variance in vaccination intention. Neither severity nor susceptibility, which are fundamental constructs in the health belief model, have an impact on vaccination intention for this group of people. The Theory of Planned Behaviour accounts for 32.1% of the variance. Interesting mediating effects are discovered, indicating that knowledge lowers levels of trust in the Government, but increases trust in scientific experts. Both types of trust have a positive impact on vaccination intention. Messages based on the risk of contracting the disease do not appear to be effective incentives for this group of people to take up the vaccine. Information campaigns need to be transparent and rigorous. This does not mean that they need to go into great depth on a technical level; however, it is advisable that the information come from trustworthy scientific experts.
Supporting Early Language by Supporting Systemic Solutions
Authors: Bergelson Elika
Published: August 2024

A large body of research shows connections between infants’ and toddlers’ home language input and a wide range of receptive and expressive early language skills. Some facets of caretaker input and early language skills are associated with socioeconomic status (SES), though not all. Given the complexity of language learning, language use, and its many pathways of connection to SES, testing causal links between these dimensions is difficult at best. Interventions aimed at changing parent language use have seen mixed success, in part because “language infusions” generally fail to target underlying challenges facing underresourced families, and perhaps because parent language is the wrong target. System-level interventions such as paid parental leave and expansion and enrichment of childcare and early education options hold greater promise for improving families’ lives, with positive repercussions for a broad range of family and child outcomes, including linguistic ones.
Getting Information to Consumers: How to Inform Their Choices Effectively
Authors: VanEpps Eric , Chin Alycia
Published: August 2024

Information disclosure policies influence nearly every consumer domain. Disclosure research across various sectors, particularly finance and nutrition, demonstrates how policymakers can enhance consumer decision-making and promote a fair marketplace. In particular, five key considerations make policies more effective: understanding existing consumer preferences, capturing and maintaining consumer attention, providing actionable knowledge, anticipating firm responses, and recognizing potential perverse effects of information provision. An overarching “theory of change” organizes these considerations and other steps to reveal how disclosure policy can promote consumer well-being. Implementing disclosure policies using these psychological and behavioral insights will maximize their effectiveness.
The Impact of a Personal Finance Education Course on Financial Confidence and Markers of Financial Stress among Medical Residents: A Longitudinal Pilot Study
Authors: Anaebere Tiffany Chioma , Hernandez Maria Guevara , Wood D Brian , Dongarwar Deepa , Adu-Gyamfi Sylvia , Moran Joseph , Idehen George , Luong Ethan , Park Angela , Meece Lydia , Salihu Hamisu M.
Published: August 2024

OBJECTIVES

The adverse effects of physician stress on health system performance are well documented. Financial stress is a notable cause of anxiety in medical residents; however, most residency programs lack formal, comprehensive financial education programs. Early single-center studies link financial education interventions to improved immediate fiscal well-being, but programs evaluating its long-term effects are lacking.

METHODS

Fifty (50) Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine resident physicians from CommonSpirit Health's St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton, CA and Mercy One Medical Center in Des Moines, IA participated in a virtual 8-hour financial education course in April 2022. Participants completed pre-, post-, and 18-month follow-up course surveys to measure financial confidence in seven financial domains and six markers of stress of financial origin (SOFO).

RESULTS

Forty (40) of 50 residents (80%) completed the pre-and post-course surveys and 19 (38%) completed pre-, post-, and 18-month follow-up surveys. Immediately after the course, there was a statistically significant increase in financial confidence in all seven course domains (p < 0.01) and a significant reduction in SOFO markers (p < 0.01-0.02). At 18 months, financial confidence markers remained increased in most course domains, except related to debt and mortgage, passive income, and taxes. There was a strong association between financial confidence and SOFO immediately post course. Residents with low financial confidence were 15 times as likely to experience SOFO than those with higher financial confidence (p = 0.02). These associations did not persistent at 18 months.

CONCLUSION

Financial stress is a major contributor to anxiety among physician trainees. Our financial education program demonstrated a significant impact on financial confidence and markers of SOFO, especially in the short term. This offers promising results for personal finance education to serve as a feasible intervention to address physician stress but suggests the need for longitudinal education to maintain its beneficial effects.
NG2 is a target gene of MLL-AF4 and underlies glucocorticoid resistance in MLLr B-ALL by regulating NR3C1 expression
Authors: Lopez-Millan Belén , Rubio-Gayarre Alba , Vinyoles Meritxell , Trincado Juan L. , Fraga Mario F. , Fernandez-Fuentes Narcís , Guerrero-Murillo Mercedes , Martinez Alba , Velasco-Hernandez Talia , Falgàs Aïda , Panisello Carla , Valcarcel Gemma , Sardina José Luis , López-Martí Paula , Javierre Biola M. , Del Valle-Pérez Beatriz , García de Herreros Antonio , Locatelli Franco , Pieters Rob , Bardini Michela , Cazzaniga Giovanni , Rodríguez-Manzaneque Juan Carlos , Hanewald Thomas , Marschalek Rolf , Milne Thomas A. , Stam Ronald W. , Tejedor Juan Ramón , Menendez Pablo , Bueno Clara
Published: August 2024

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, with long-term overall survival rates of ∼85%. However, B-ALL harboring rearrangements of the MLL gene (also known as KMT2A), referred to as MLLr B-ALL, is common in infants and is associated with poor 5-year survival, relapses, and refractoriness to glucocorticoids (GCs). GCs are an essential part of the treatment backbone for B-ALL, and GC resistance is a major clinical predictor of poor outcome. Elucidating the mechanisms of GC resistance in MLLr B-ALL is, therefore, critical to guide therapeutic strategies that deepen the response after induction therapy. Neuron-glial antigen-2 (NG2) expression is a hallmark of MLLr B-ALL and is minimally expressed in healthy hematopoietic cells. We recently reported that NG2 expression is associated with poor prognosis in MLLr B-ALL. Despite its contribution to MLLr B-ALL pathogenesis, the role of NG2 in MLLr-mediated leukemogenesis/chemoresistance remains elusive. Here, we show that NG2 is an epigenetically regulated direct target gene of the leukemic MLL-ALF transcription elongation factor 4 (AF4) fusion protein. NG2 negatively regulates the expression of the GC receptor nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1) and confers GC resistance to MLLr B-ALL cells. Mechanistically, NG2 interacts with FLT3 to render ligand-independent activation of FLT3 signaling (a hallmark of MLLr B-ALL) and downregulation of NR3C1 via activating protein-1 (AP-1)–mediated transrepression. Collectively, our study elucidates the role of NG2 in GC resistance in MLLr B-ALL through FLT3/AP-1–mediated downregulation of NR3C1, providing novel therapeutic avenues for MLLr B-ALL.
Impact of prior inotuzumab ozogamicin treatment on brexucabtagene autoleucel outcomes in adults with B-cell ALL
Authors: Aldoss Ibrahim , Roloff Gregory W. , Faramand Rawan , Kopmar Noam E. , Lin Chenyu , Advani Anjali S. , Dekker Simone E. , Gupta Vishal K. , O'Connor Timothy E. , Jeyakumar Nikeshan , Muhsen Ibrahim N. , Valtis Yannis , Zhang Amy , Miller Katharine , Sutherland Katherine , Dykes Kaitlyn C. , Ahmed Mohamed , Chen Evan , Zambrano Hector , Bradshaw Danielle , Mercadal Santiago , Schwartz Marc , Tracy Sean , Dholaria Bhagirathbhai , Kubiak Michal , Mukherjee Akash , Majhail Navneet , Battiwalla Minoo , Mountjoy Luke , Malik Shahbaz A. , Mathews John , Shaughnessy Paul , Logan Aaron C. , Ladha Abdullah , Stefan Maryann , Guzowski Caitlin , Hoeg Rasmus T. , Hilal Talal , Moore Jozal , Connor Matthew , O'Dwyer Kristen M. , Hill LaQuisa C. , Tsai Stephanie B. , Sasine Joshua , Solh Melhem M. , Lee Catherine J. , Kota Vamsi K. , Koura Divya , Veeraputhiran Muthu , Blunk Betsy , Oliai Caspian , Leonard Jessica T. , Frey Noelle V. , Park Jae H. , Luskin Marlise R. , Bachanova Veronika , Galal Ahmed , Bishop Michael R. , Stock Wendy , Cassaday Ryan D. , Pullarkat Vinod , Shah Bijal D. , Muffly Lori S.
Published: August 2024

The effect of prior inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) treatment on brexucabtagene autoleucel (brexu-cel) outcomes remains unclear in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We conducted a retrospective multicenter analysis of 189 patients with relapsed/refractory ALL treated with brexu-cel. Over half of the patients received InO before brexu-cel (InO exposed). InO-exposed patients were more heavily pretreated (P = .02) and frequently had active marrow disease before apheresis (P = .03). Response rate and toxicity profile after brexu-cel were comparable for InO-exposed and InO-naïve patients; however, consolidation therapy after brexu-cel response was used at a higher rate in InO-naïve patients (P = .005). With a median follow-up of 11.4 months, InO-exposed patients had inferior progression-free survival (PFS; P = .013) and overall survival (OS; P = .006) in univariate analyses; however, prior InO exposure did not influence PFS (hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-2.03) in multivariate models. Within InO-exposed patients, InO responders had superior PFS (P = .002) and OS (P < .0001) relative to InO-refractory patients. The timing of administering InO did not affect brexu-cel outcomes, with comparable PFS (P = .51) and OS (P = .86) for patients receiving InO as bridging therapy or before apheresis. In conclusion, although InO exposure was associated with inferior survival outcomes after brexu-cel in unadjusted analyses, these associations were no longer significant in multivariate analyses, suggesting it is unlikely that InO negatively affects brexu-cel efficacy. Our data instead imply that InO-exposed recipients of brexu-cel tend to be higher-risk patients with intrinsic adverse leukemia biology.
DSN-BR-Based Online Inspection Method and Application for Surface Defects of Pharmaceutical Products in Aluminum-Plastic Blister Packages
Authors: Liu Mingzhou , Gong Yu , Wang Xiaoqiao , Liu Conghu , Hu Jing
Published: August 2024

Ensuring high product quality is of paramount importance in pharmaceutical drug manufacturing, as it is subject to rigorous regulatory practices. This study presents a research focused on the development of an on-line detection method and system for identifying surface defects in pharmaceutical products packaged in aluminum-plastic blisters. Firstly, the aluminum-plastic blister packages exhibit multi-scale features and inter-class indistinction. To address this, the deep semantic network with boundary refinement (DSN-BR) model is proposed, which leverages semantic segmentation domain knowledge, to accurately segment the defects in pixel level. Additionally, a specialized image acquisition module that minimizes the impact of ambient light is established, ensuring high-quality image capture. Finally, the image acquisition module, image detection module, and data management module are designed to construct a comprehensive online surface defect detection system. To validate the effectiveness of our approach, we employ a real dataset for instance verification on the implemented system. The experimental results substantiate the outstanding performance of the DSN-BR, achieving the mean intersection over union (MIoU) of 90.5%. Furthermore, the proposed system achieves an inference speed of up to 14.12 f/s, while attaining an F1-Score of 98.25%. These results demonstrate that the system meets the actual needs of the enterprise and provides theoretical and methodological support for intelligent inspection of product surface quality. By standardizing the control process of pharmaceutical manufacturing and improving the management capability of the manufacturing process, our approach holds significant market application prospects.