bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for mental disorder development in asylum seekers and refugees resettled in Western Europe and Turkey: Participant-level analysis of two large prevention studies
Authors: Barbui Corrado , Tedeschi Federico , Acarturk Ceren , Anttila Minna , Au Teresa , Baumgartner Josef , Carswell Ken , Churchill Rachel , Cuijpers Pim , Karyotaki Eirini , Klein Thomas , Koesters Markus , Lantta Tella , Nosè Michela , Ostuzzi Giovanni , Pasquini Massimo , Prina Eleonora , Sijbrandij Marit , Tarsitani Lorenzo , Turrini Giulia , Uygun Ersin , Välimäki Maritta , Walker Lauren , Wancata Johannes , White Ross G. , Purgato Marianna
Published: November 2022

Background:

In asylum seekers and refugees, the frequency of mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, is higher than the general population, but there is a lack of data on risk factors for the development of mental disorders in this population.

Aim:

This study investigated the risk factors for mental disorder development in a large group of asylum seekers and refugees resettled in high- and middle-income settings.

Methods:

Participant-level data from two randomized prevention studies involving asylum seekers and refugees resettled in Western European countries and in Turkey were pooled. The two studies randomized participants with psychological distress, but without a diagnosis of mental disorder, to the Self-Help Plus psychological intervention or enhanced care as usual. At baseline, exposure to potentially traumatic events was measured using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire-part I, while psychological distress and depressive symptoms were assessed with the General Health Questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire. After 3 and 6 months of follow-up, the proportion of participants who developed a mental disorder was calculated using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview.

Results:

A total of 1,101 participants were included in the analysis. At 3- and 6-month follow-up the observed frequency of mental disorders was 13.51% (115/851) and 24.30% (207/852), respectively, while the frequency estimates after missing data imputation were 13.95% and 23.78%, respectively. After controlling for confounders, logistic regression analysis showed that participants with a lower education level ( p = .034), a shorter duration of journey ( p = .057) and arriving from countries with war-related contexts ( p = .017), were more at risk of developing mental disorders. Psychological distress ( p = .004), depression ( p = .001) and exposure to potentially traumatic events ( p = .020) were predictors of mental disorder development.

Conclusions:

This study identified several risk factors for the development of mental disorders in asylum seekers and refugees, some of which may be the target of risk reduction policies. The identification of asylum seekers and refugees at increased risk of mental disorders should guide the implementation of focused preventative psychological interventions.
Working Alliance Theory in Workplace Coaching: A Pilot Study Exploring the Missing Role of the Organization
Authors: Kruger F. , Terblanche N. H. D.
Published: November 2022

Working alliance theory describes the therapist–client relationship in psychotherapy and has been adapted to study workplace coaching effectiveness. The application of this theory in workplace coaching research has produced mixed results suggesting that additional factors could be at play. In workplace coaching, the organization often pays for and influences the coaching process. The role of the organization in the working alliance between coach and coachee has, however, not been studied sufficiently. his exploratory, hybrid deductive–inductive qualitative study used the Working Alliance Inventory as theoretical lens to examine coachees’ perspectives on the organizational role in the coach–coachee working alliance. The findings indicate that organizations have a direct impact on the bond, task, and goals of the working alliance by facilitating the coaching process, influencing the coaching agenda and contract, and through coach selection. This tentative analysis suggests that measurements of the working alliance should be extended to include these organizational aspects.
Crime in a Time of Cannabis: Estimating the Effect of Legalizing Marijuana on Crime Rates in Colorado and Washington Using the Synthetic Control Method
Authors: Harper Alexis J. , Jorgensen Cody
Published: November 2022

The legalization of marijuana for recreational use continues to expand across America. Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize marijuana in 2012. A primary concern regarding legalization is how these policy changes affect crime rates. Researchers have begun to estimate the effect marijuana legalization has had on crime rates. We extend this literature by using a different analytical approach. State level data covering years 2000–2019 were analyzed using the synthetic control method to find that legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Colorado and Washington was generally not associated with variations in index crime rates. These findings substantiate prior research. Increased crime rates should not be a primary concern as more states move to adopt recreational marijuana use legislation. Instead, the benefits to states via harm reduction, increased tax revenue, and a more efficient allocation of policing resources ought to be more of a consideration for states when passing recreational marijuana legislation.
A standardized procedure for quantitative evaluation of residual viral activity on antiviral treated textiles
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Amanah Alaowei Y , Ali Kiran M , Payne Lucy C , Kisthardt Samantha , Scholle Frank , Ormond R Bryan , Mathur Kavita , Gluck Jessica M
Published: November 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has increased the demand for antiviral technologies to mitigate or prevent the risk of viral transmission. Antiviral treated textiles have the potential to save lives, especially in healthcare settings that rely on reusable patient-care textiles and personal protective equipment. Currently, little is known about the role of textiles in cross-contamination and pathogen transmission, despite the wealth of information on hard surfaces and fomites harboring viruses that remain viable in certain circumstances. In addition, there is no international standard method for evaluating residual viral activity on textiles, which would allow a thorough investigation of the efficacy of antiviral textile products. Therefore, this pilot study aims to develop and refine a standardized protocol to quantitatively evaluate residual viral activity on antiviral textiles. Specifically, we focused on general textiles, such as bed linens, commonly used in healthcare settings for patient care. The Tissue Culture Infectious Dose 50 (TCID50) method is frequently used to quantitatively evaluate viral infectivity on textiles, but has not been established as a standard. This procedure involves observing the cytopathic effect of a given virus on cells grown in a 96-well plate after several days of incubation to determine the infectivity titer. We used HCoV-229E and Huh-7 human liver cancer cells for this investigation. We worked to improve the TCID50 method through variations of different steps within the protocol to attain reproducible results. Our proposed optimized hybrid protocol has shown evidence that the protocol is technically simpler and more efficient, and provides successful, consistent results. The analysis showed a significant difference between the treated fabric compared with controls.
How will actual wearing time influence the protective effect of surgical masks?
Authors: Shi Yihan , Zhang Xing , Xu Kangli , Jin Xiangyu , Zhao Yi , Huang Chen
Published: November 2022

The protection effects of wearing masks against viruses and bacteria have been verified many times over previous pandemics and infectious diseases. However, the supply of the surgical masks can barely meet the surging demand at the early stage (first 12 months) of the outbreak of a pandemic. Thus, it is essential to use surgical masks wisely in such urgent times. In this work, we selected two types of surgical masks and systematically explored how actual wearing time influences the protective performances of the masks. Each type of surgical masks was worn for 4, 10, 24, 32 and 48 h, respectively, and the results show that with the increase of actual wearing time, both particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) and bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) of the masks decline. After wearing for 32 h, the PFEs of both types of masks were still far above the corresponding standard (≥30%, according to YY0469-2011). After wearing for 10 h, the BFEs of both masks were over 95% (which is regarded as the safe value), whereas after 24 and 32 h of wearing, the BFE of one type of mask decreased obviously to 91.6% and 80.0%, respectively. Based on these results, it is rational to conclude that the wearing time of surgical masks should be no more than 10 h.
Study on preparation and performance of multifunctional linen fabric finishing agent
Authors: Sui Zhihui , Guo Zhian , Li Yaping , Zhang Qi , Zu Bin , Zhao Xin
Published: November 2022

The research in textiles is being driven by economy and functionality. Therefore, the present research is focused on the development of multifunctional textiles with simple process. Herein, a highly efficient multifunctional linen fabric finishing agent was developed with nano-ZnO, dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate, vinyl trimethoxysilane, methyl methacrylate, and butyl acrylate as raw materials. The finishing agent imparted linen fabric multiple performance characteristics such as hydrophobic, antibacterial and ultraviolet protection. Infrared spectroscopy analysis, particle size test and transmission electron microscopy were used to analyze the main characteristics of multifunctional linen fabric finishing agent, including the main groups, particle size distribution and particle morphology. The results showed that the nano-ZnO/fluorosilicone-polyacrylate emulsion finishing agent had been successfully prepared, and the finishing agent had good stability. By means of scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, and X-ray diffractometry, it was found that the finishing agent successfully covered the surface of the linen fabric, which increased the thermal decomposition temperature of the linen fabric and reduced the crystallinity of the linen fabric, indicating that improved the heat stability and softness of the fabric. Similarly, the application performance of linen fabric was tested. Compared with the original linen fabric, the finished linen fabric had good ultraviolet protection, antibacterial, hydrophobicity, washing fastness and breaking strength, leading to the improvement of the wear performance of linen fabric. Thus, the multifunctional linen fabric finishing agent has the advantages of simple technology, low cost and promising prospect.
Reconstruction of the cotton fiber length distribution from a High Volume Instrument® fibrogram
Authors: Turner Christopher , Sayeed Md Abu , Hequet Eric
Published: November 2022

Cotton fiber length is one of the most critical parameters of fiber quality for ring-spun and air-jet-spun yarns. Currently, two of the most common instruments for testing cotton fiber length are the USTER High Volume Instrument (HVI) and the USTER Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS). The HVI bases its length measurement on the fibrogram concept. It is fast but reports only two length measurements—the upper half mean length (UHML) and the uniformity index (UI), where the UI is the percentage ratio of mean length (ML) to UHML. The AFIS is slower and more costly per test because it individualizes fibers to provide a complete fiber length distribution per sample. This paper presents a method that can reconstruct a complete fiber length distribution from an HVI fibrogram based on established fibrogram theory. Results show that the algorithm can accurately recover different types of distributions based on synthetically generated data. Results also show that reconstructed distributions of three different types of samples—upland, pima, and viscose—differ in ways that make sense based on known characteristics of their length distributions. Finally, a variety of statistics computed from the reconstructed distributions are compared to the HVI-reported length parameters. Results show a good correlation with HVI output with R2 ranging from 0.730 to 0.965 across nine different methods of calculating the ML, UHML, and UI. Interestingly, statistics calculated from an approximation of the length distribution by weight are the most closely related to the HVI length parameters.
Tourism as a Space of Possibilities: Reconciliation Tourism Enterprises in a Conflict-Ridden Destination
Authors: Belhassen Yaniv
Published: November 2022

This study explores reconciliation tourism initiatives in Israel and the West Bank as a discursive arena in which ideas about reconciliation are constructed for tourism purposes by eight organizations that offer travel experiences that include reconciliation as a major theme. By critically analyzing the manner in which ideas about reconciliation are constructed for tourism purposes, the research provides insights into issues of reconciliation in destinations with active conflict. The presentation of fieldwork data centers on three themes: the recognition of multiple narratives, the inclusiveness of victimhood, and the commitment to transformative ontology. Each theme is supported by evidence and discussed in relation to its theoretical frameworks. Implications are drawn for practitioners tasked with marketing reconciliation tourism initiatives in conflict-ridden destinations.
Cross-cultural measurement of social withdrawal motivations across 10 countries using multiple-group factor analysis alignment
Authors: Bowker Julie C. , Sette Stefania , Ooi Laura L. , Bayram-Ozdemir Sevgi , Braathu Nora , Bølstad Evalill , Castillo Karen Noel , Dogan Aysun , Greco Carolina , Kamble Shanmukh , Kim Hyoun K. , Kim Yunhee , Liu Junsheng , Oh Wonjung , Rapee Ronald M. , Wong Quincy J. J. , Xiao Bowen , Zuffianò Antonio , Coplan Robert J.
Published: November 2022

The goal of this study was to evaluate the measurement invariance of an adapted assessment of motivations for social withdrawal ( Social Preference Scale–Revised; SPS-R) across cultural contexts and explore associations with loneliness. Participants were a large sample of university students ( N = 4,397; Mage = 20.08 years, SD = 2.96; 66% females) from 10 countries (Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, India, Italy, South Korea, Norway, Turkey, and the United States). With this cross-cultural focus, we illustrate the multiple-group factor analysis alignment method, an approach developed to assess measurement invariance when there are several groups. Results indicated approximate measurement invariance across the 10 country groups. Additional analyses indicated that overall, shyness, avoidance, and unsociability are three related, but distinct factors, with some notable country differences evident (e.g., in China, India, and Turkey). Shyness and avoidance were related positively to loneliness in all countries, but the strength of the association between shyness and loneliness differed in Italy and India relative to the other countries. Results also indicated that unsociability was related positively to loneliness in the United States only. Theoretical and assessment implications are discussed.
The manufacture process of war clubs: Replicating indigenous technological systems of conflict from the Lower Colorado Basin
Authors: Curran Joseph B
Published: November 2022

This study provides a multi-disciplinary framework operationalizing the study of weaponry through experimental archaeology. In this scenario, I focus on war clubs, a type of Indigenous weapon commonly found across North America. The goal of this study is to understand how these weapons were engineered for violent conflict. My methodology utilizes archival research, museum study, and experimental archaeology analyses to elaborate on features of design, manufacture, use, and tactics of war club technologies. To operationalize this framework, I focus on a case study of conflict technology in the Lower Colorado River Basin from 1540–1857. Despite war clubs being prolific and an integral part of the technological systems of conflict in this region, this is the initial in-depth material analysis of this weapon type. From this study we can begin to infer how and why weapons systems were chosen, designed, created, and used through the experiential and embodied process of making.
Can adult learners sense L2 emotional words automatically? The role of L2 use on the emotional Stroop effect
Authors: Ahn Sunyoung , Jiang Nan
Published: November 2022

The present study investigated whether adult learners of second language (L2) can automatically activate emotional connotation during emotional word recognition as compared native (L1) users and whether L2 use plays a significant role in it. The automaticity of activation was measured through the emotional Stroop task. In this task, emotional words and neutral words were displayed in two different colors, and the participants were asked to indicate the color by button press. Results showed a delay in L2 learners’ response to emotional words (the emotional Stroop effect) without significant differences from L1 users’ response, indicating comparable automaticity in activating emotional connotation in performing the task. Further analyses on the effect of L2 use revealed its significant role in increasing the emotional Stroop effect. Specifically, L2 learners with higher amount of L2 use in daily life produced a significant emotion Stroop effect comparable to L1 users, while L2 learners with lower L2 use did not. We discuss the importance of L2 use in actual context in automatic processing of L2 emotional words, especially among adult learners who began L2 learning in adulthood in a case of underrepresented languages as L2.
Estimating the cost consequence of the early use of botulinum toxin in post-stroke spasticity: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lindsay Cameron , Humphreys Ioan , Phillips Ceri , Pandyan Anand
Published: November 2022

Objective

To estimate the cost-consequence of treating spasticity early with botulinum toxin in the acute stroke unit.

Design

Secondary cost-consequence analysis, using data from a double-blind randomised-controlled trial.

Setting

Single-centre specialised stroke unit.

Subjects and Interventions

Patients with Action Research Arm Test grasp-score of <2 and who developed spasticity within six weeks of a first stroke were randomised to receive injections of: 0.9% sodium-chloride solution (placebo) or onabotulinumtoxin-A (treatment).

Main measures

Resource use costs were calculated for the study. Mean contracture costs for each group were calculated. The Barthel Index and Action Research Arm Test were used to generate a cost per unit of improvement.

Results

There were no significant differences associated with early treatment use. The mean contracture cost for the treatment group was £817 and for the control group was £2298 (mean difference = −£1481.1(95% CI −£2893.5, −£68.7) ( p = 0.04). The cost per unit of improvement for the Barthel Index was −£1240 indicating that the intervention costs less and is more effective. The cost per unit of improvement for the Action Research Arm Test was −£450 indicating that the intervention costs less and is more effective.

Conclusions

Treating spasticity early in stroke patients at risk of contractures with botulinum toxin leads to a significant reduction in contracture costs. The cost per improvement of Barthel and Action Research Arm Test indicates that the intervention costs less and is more effective.

Trial Registration data

EudraCT(2010-021257-39) and ClinicalTrials.gov-Identifier:NCT01882556.
Effect of respiratory muscle training in patients with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhang Fan , Wang Hui , Bai Yan , Huang Liuyan , Zhang Huachun
Published: November 2022

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of respiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength, lung function, cardiopulmonary fitness, and quality of life for chronic kidney disease patients.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials published randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of respiratory muscle training for chronic kidney disease patients from inception to December 2021, and rerun on September 2022. The quality of included studies was evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool-2. The outcomes were analyzed as mean differences with a fixed/random effect model. The strength of evidence was evaluated with the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

Results

Eleven randomized controlled trials were included. All but two of the studies were in hemodialysis patients. The follow-up time range was 4 to 12 weeks. Compared to controls, respiratory muscle training significantly improved maximal expiratory pressure (mean difference = 17.36, p = 0.013), maximal inspiratory pressure (mean difference = 18.26, p = 0.002), forced expiratory volume at 1 second (mean difference = 0.20, p= 0.020), forced vital capacity (mean difference = 0.26, p = 0.008), but not for 6-minute walk test (mean difference = 39.85, p= 0.138).

Conclusions

As a non-pharmacological therapy, respiratory muscle training can effectively improve maximal expiratory pressure, maximal inspiratory pressure, forced expiratory volume at 1 second, and forced vital capacity in patients with chronic kidney disease and is safe for such populations.
Post-operative pain following percutaneous nephrolithotripsy- clinical correlates
Authors: Lotan Paz , Goldberg Hanan , Nevo Amihay , Darawsha Abd Elhalim , Gefen Sheizaf , Criederman Gherman , Rubinstein Roy , Herzberg Haim , Holland Ronen , Lifshitz David , Golomb Dor
Published: November 2022

Objectives:

Management of postoperative pain following percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) is a significant goal. We sought to identify risk factors and clinical correlates of postoperative pain in order to improve perioperative management and patient satisfaction.

Materials and methods:

A single-center, retrospective analysis, from a prospectively maintained database, of all consecutive patients who underwent PCNL for renal calculi between January 2011 and August 2018. Postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and analgesic use. We considered VAS score above 4 as meaningful. Pain management was standardized according to patirnt reported VAS scores. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors and clinical correlates.

Results:

A total of 496 patients were analyzed. Younger age was associated with VAS above 4 on the operative day and the first postoperative following PCNL ( p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Female gender was associated with VAS above 4 in the first 2 days following the operation ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Younger age and female gender would most likely benefit from pre-emptive improved pain management protocols following PCNL.
Review of ballistic protection materials: Properties and performances
Authors: Barhoumi Houda , Bhouri Naoufel , Feki Imed , Baffoun Ayda , Hamdaoui Mohamed , Ben Abdessalem Saber
Published: November 2022

Ballistic clothing is a crucial safety element that helps to save lives of its wearers. According to the protection level, the ballistic vest is reinforced by one or two armor panels designed to resist to attacks destinated to upper parts of the body. The resistance behavior of ballistic body armor depends on several factors. The most important factors are related to the ballistic fabric properties such as the type of fabric, its thickness, its structure, its strength and strain, and the type of the employed resin. In this review paper, the factors influencing the ballistic performances of soft armor panel and hard armor panel are presented. They are investigated based on an in-depth review of previous research studies and experimental test results. This paper also reports the various methods developed by the researchers to improve the performance of ballistic materials. Thus, ballistic material manufactures and researchers could find some guidelines on promising materials and structures that can be used to build efficient body armors.
Intervention, war expansion, and the international sources of civil war
Authors: Langø Hans-Inge
Published: November 2022

Why do some civil wars turn into interstate wars? I analyze an asymmetric information model of civil war onset, rebel-sided intervention, and interstate retaliation with endogenous stakes. Interstate war occurs when rebels believe that the threat of intervention will compel the government to acquiesce, the third party believes that the government will tolerate an intervention, but they both underestimate the government's resolve. The model also has implications for civil wars. Retaliation can deter intervention and rebellion, but intervention can compel the government to give up power, so predicting civil war requires accounting for this triadic interaction.
Branded childhood: Infants as digital capital on Instagram
Authors: Ågren Ylva
Published: November 2022

The relationships between childhood, labour and value are changing in today’s digital culture. Drawing on a visual discourse analysis of 10 Scandinavian influencers’ Instagram accounts, this paper explores how the connections between the commercialisation and sacralisation of children appear in the digital age. The results show how infants function as digital capital for building relationships between consumers and products and how they are structured into a framework around consumption and used in narratives to strengthen the parents’ brand. The findings suggest an urgent need for a legal framework for child labour in social media.
The more the better? The complementarity of United Nations institutions in the fight against torture
Authors: Carraro Valentina
Published: November 2022

When the United Nations Universal Periodic Review was established in 2007, it was stressed that it should complement the work of the United Nations treaty bodies. At the same time, fears were expressed that similarities between the two procedures might lead to potentially problematic duplications or contradictions among them. To shed light on whether this is the case, this article devises a framework to assess the degree to which human rights bodies provide duplicating or contradicting recommendations to States. Focusing on the case of torture, it creates an original database of recommendations delivered to 14 countries in the years 2012–2016. Results show that duplications are frequent and provide opportunities to States to use the Universal Periodic Review to contest the implementation of treaty bodies’ recommendations. Contradictions are limited, although when they occur, they create room for States to selectively choose which recommendations to implement.
Numerical investigation on thermal-hydraulic performance of air preheater equipped with helical inserts
Authors: Kumar Ashwani , Zainith Prabhakar , Sharma Anshul , Mishra Niraj Kumar
Published: November 2022

In the present work, a numerical study has been done for the air preheater equipped with different types of helical inserts inside the tubes with segmental baffles in shell. The simulations have been carried out to analyse the heat transfer rate in terms of heat transfer coefficient and friction factor with ANSYS 18.0. The air preheater is divided into two sections shell side and tube side, which contains ambient air and flue gases respectively. The air preheater consists of 34 tubes with a length of 3 m. In the present study, three different types of inserts are investigated with a pitch to diameter ratio (p/d) of 2, 1.7 and 1.4, and the number of turns of 100, 87 and 73, respectively. The insert under study is helical shaped with circular cross-section of diameter 20 mm. Four different values of Reynolds number are used in the range of 4000–24,000. The effects of pressure drop, heat transfer coefficient on different pitch to diameter ratio (p/d) 2, 1.7 and 1.4 of inserts and on the plain tube are discussed in this present work. The results of an air preheater with inserts in tubes get higher value of heat transfer coefficient as compared to the plain tubes. The thermal performance factor of air preheater with inserts of (p/d = 1.4) shows higher factor of 2.31 as compared to the plain tubes at low Reynolds number.
Intrauterine Injection of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosome Gel Significantly Improves the Pregnancy Rate in Thin Endometrium Rats
Authors: Zhang Shengning , Wang Dongmei , Yang Fang , Shen Yanjun , Li Dong , Deng Xiaohui
Published: November 2022

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (HUMSC)-exosome gel played a significant role in promoting thin endometrial receptivity and improving the pregnancy rate by inhibiting endometrial fibrosis and accelerating subendometrial microangiogenesis. High-quality HUMSC-exosome were obtained by pretreating HUMSC with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Exosome gel mixture has good biocompatibility and physical rheological properties, stabilizing the structure of exosomes and prolonging the action of exosomes in the uterine cavity. HUMSC or HUMSC-derived exosomes were used to treat rat model of thin endometrium. In animal experiments, four groups, including the HUMSC, HUMSC-exosome, model (negative control), and sham operation groups, were designed. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by the thickness of the endometrium, the number of glands, the subendometrial vessel density, the markers of endometrial receptivity, and the pregnancy rate. In an in vivo study, three groups, involving HUMSC-coculture, HUMSC-exosome, and the control, were explored. The proliferation and migration of the human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were further determined by cell scratch and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. The protein expression of the TGF-β1/smad2/3 signaling pathway was determined by Western blot. After treatment, the thickness of the endometrium, the number of glands, and the subendometrial microangiogenesis were obviously increased, and the level of inhibition of endometrial fibrosis, molecular markers of endometrial receptivity, and the pregnancy rate were also significantly improved. HUMSC-exosome and HUMSC significantly promoted the migration and proliferation of HESCs. And it was confirmed that HUMSC-exosome were superior to HUMSC in inhibiting HESCs fibrosis through TGF-β1/smad2/3 signaling pathway at the protein expression level.
Ticking the right boxes: A critical examination of the perceptions and attitudes towards the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) acronym in the UK
Authors: Parry Keith D , Clarkson Beth G , Kavanagh Emma J , Sawiuk Rebecca , Grubb Laura
Published: November 2022

The Black Lives Matter movement and coronavirus pandemic have raised awareness of society's categorisation of non-white people and institutional language used. We add to contemporary debate on the BAME acronym (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) by providing a critical examination of the perceptions and attitudes towards it in the UK. Drawing on in-depth interviews with women from these communities who were working in the hyper-masculinised and white-dominated sporting industry, we privilege the voices of those who traditionally have been omitted. Adopting a Critical Race Theory approach and an intersectional lens three overarching themes were identified: rejection and indifference towards the BAME acronym; filling in the form – inadequacies of the system; and, making up the quota – perpetuating (work-related) insecurity(ies). The findings provide analytical insight into institutional language and highlight the potential for the BAME acronym to cause distress and alienation while preserving the concept of Whiteness.
Living with risk: Retired couples’ experiences of a financialised retirement income system
Authors: Austen Siobhan , Broomhill Ray , Costa Monica , Sharp Rhonda
Published: November 2022

This paper presents new data on the nature and consequences of the risks for retirees inherent in the Australian retirement income system. This system can be regarded as ‘financialised’ in that retirement savings are primarily managed by non-government financial institutions and, although the Age Pension remains as a safety net, responsibility for the provision and management of retirement incomes has increasingly shifted to individuals. In this article we report the results of a qualitative study of older mixed-sex couple households’ experiences of this system and discuss the implications for retirement incomes policy. We conclude that while the system of government-mandated employer superannuation contributions (the Superannuation Guarantee) is undoubtedly raising the living standard of many older Australians, the financialised nature of the retirement income system, as a whole, poses significant financial risks for many retirees.
DESSRT: A Novel Framework for Empirical Red Teaming at Scale
Authors: Behlendorf Brandon , Ackerman Gary
Published: November 2022

Background

Red Teaming is widely used to discover vulnerabilities, test defensive measures, and anticipate emerging but novel threats. It has rarely been conducted both systematically and at scale, substantially limiting confidence in its results and the generalizability of its findings.

Aim

We introduce distributed, empirical, systematic, and scalable red teaming (DESSRT), a framework for translating tactical-level Red Teaming into a replicable research methodology. We apply DESSRT to address whether the information about and availability of computed tomography (CT) scanners influences adversary decision-making in aviation security.

Method

Using a convenience sample of 143 university students, participants role-played as adversaries in an eight-hour attack planning exercise. Via a custom instrument, participants were randomly assigned across three adversary profiles built on historical cases and then designed a simulated attack. Afterwards, one of three injects about CT scanners were randomly assigned, and participants were asked about potential changes in attack plans (including target changes). Differences among assigned profiles and CT scanner injects were evaluated using standard statistical tests of association.

Results

Although differences in explosive and weapon package selections were not statistically significant across profiles, security evasion methods were. Following injects, participants were equally as likely to change tactics across profiles, with the majority (53%) changing at least one tactical area. When asked, the majority (18) of those who changed targets (27/143) reported that the additional information on CT scanners did have some effect on their target change decision.

Conclusion

Overall, the DESSRT framework provides a novel mechanism for translating traditional Red Teaming exercises into a replicable and empirical research method. Although not a replacement for historical data, where available, DESSRT allows analysts and researchers to test theories about human decision-making, generate novel what-if insights to support planning efforts, and validate parameters within complex models.
A new statistical damage model for true triaxial pre-and post-peak behaviors of rock considering intermediate principal stress and initial compaction effects
Authors: Zheng Zhi , Xu Hongyu , He Benguo , Yang Chengxiang , Huang Shuling , Huang Xiaohua , Zhou Jiaju , Wang Wei
Published: November 2022

Deep underground engineering excavation will induce complex change in the true three-dimensional stress state of the surrounding rock, causing rock damage and then leading to a change in mechanical properties. In this research, the true triaxial compression tests are conducted to study the influence of σ2 and σ3 on the mechanical properties of marble, such as the characteristic strength (crack initiation stress σci, damage stress σcd, peak strength σp, and residual strength σr), post-peak deformation, ductility and brittleness. The peak strength σp, crack initiation stress σci and damage stress σcd of rock increase with the increase in σ2, while the variation of residual strength σr with σ2 is different from that of peak strength. As σ2 increases or σ3 decreases, the pre-peak plasticity of the rock decreases, the post-peak curve shape of the rock changes significantly, and the overall shape of the post-peak curve transforms from Class I to Class II. The Mogi-Coulomb strength criterion with intermediate principal stress effect was used to characterize the rock microelement strength, and then the new statistical damage constitutive model considering the initial compaction effect and damage threshold was proposed, and the model validation was carried out based on the experimental results and the effects of the proposed model parameters m and F0 on the rock strength and post-peak curve morphology were further explored.
Women and Local Politics: How Different Offices Affect Female Candidacies
Authors: Krebs Timothy B. , Wagner John K.
Published: November 2022

Women’s office seeking has been the subject of considerable research, but how likely a female candidate is to seek one office over another has not. Using a unique data set of office seeking in California local governments between 1996 and 2019, we address the likelihood that women will seek certain types of offices over others; and whether and how female office seeking is affected by the context of local elections. In general, we find that women are most likely to seek citywide administrative offices, followed by school board seats. Local office-seeking by women, however, also varies by jurisdiction size, political context, and over time, particularly for county-level offices. Our focus on offices as a key part of female candidate entry sheds important new light on candidate behavior and the prospects for greater descriptive representation in local government.
Oral Teratoma with Hairy Polyp-Like Features: A Brief Report of a Rare Presentation
Authors: Scarini João Figueira , de Lima-Souza Reydson Alcides , Lavareze Luccas , Emerick Carolina , Miyaok Rafaella Dini , Kinasz Letícia Raysa Schiavon , Maunsell Rebecca , Egal Erika Said Abu , Altemani Albina , Mariano Fernanda Viviane
Published: November 2022

We present a 21-day-old female child presenting with a large oral epithelialized tumor implanted at the rhinopharynx and ethmoid plate through a cleft palate, associated with feeding and respiratory difficulties. The histopathological exam showed mature central adipose tissue, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and neurovascular structures, lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Proliferative cartilaginous, glandular, lymphatic, bony, and immature myxoid tissue was seen at the posterior region and insertion. Despite the characterization of the tumor as a teratoma containing structures derived from the three embryonic leaflets, the anterior portion presented a microscopic bigeminal pattern fully compatible with hairy polyp.
Evaluation of Risk Factors Associated With Antihypertensive Treatment Success Employing Data Mining Techniques
Authors: Şen Selçuk , Demirkol Denizhan , Kaşkal Mert , Gezer Murat , Bucak Ayşenur Yaman , Gürel Nermin , Selalmaz Yasemin , Erol Çiğdem , Üresin Ali Yağız
Published: November 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of potential risk factors on antihypertensive treatment success.

Methods:

Patients with hypertension who were treated with antihypertensive medications were included in this study. Data from the last visit were analyzed retrospectively for each patient. To evaluate the predictive models for antihypertensive treatment success, data mining algorithms (logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, and artificial neural network) using 5-fold cross-validation were applied. Additionally, study parameters between patients with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension were statistically compared and multiple regression analyses were conducted for secondary endpoints.

Results:

The data of 592 patients were included in the analysis. The overall blood pressure control rate was 44%. The performance of random forest algorithm (accuracy = 97.46%, precision = 97.08%, F1 score = 97.04%) was slightly higher than other data mining algorithms including logistic regression (accuracy = 87.31%, precision = 86.21%, F1 score = 85.74%), decision tree (accuracy = 76.94%, precision = 70.64%, F1 score = 76.54%), and artificial neural network (accuracy = 86.47%, precision = 83.85%, F1 score = 84.86%). The top 5 important categorical variables (predictive correlation value) contributed the most to the prediction of antihypertensive treatment success were use of calcium channel blocker (−0.18), number of antihypertensive medications (0.18), female gender (0.10), alcohol use (−0.09) and attendance at regular follow up visits (0.09), respectively. The top 5 numerical variables contributed the most to the prediction of antihypertensive treatment success were blood urea nitrogen (−0.12), glucose (−0.12), hemoglobin A1c (−0.12), uric acid (−0.09) and creatinine (−0.07), respectively. According to the decision tree model; age, gender, regular attendance at follow-up visits, and diabetes status were identified as the most critical patterns for stratifying the patients.

Conclusion:

Data mining algorithms have the potential to produce predictive models for screening the antihypertensive treatment success. Further research on larger populations and longitudinal datasets are required to improve the models.
Hope Inquiry: Vital Moves From the Gut in the Middle Cut Together
Authors: Enriquez Judith Guevarra
Published: November 2022

In this encounter, I move in the middle of things, more specifically of other texts not my own for I did not bring them into being or strung them in their word order as you do. They are borrowed and yet they get and feel me. I attend to the doings of hope and not so much its what-ness or aboutness. I propose a hope inquiry that begins in the middle. Its inquiry does not ask what it really means or a getting into the bottom of things. There is no bottom, just the middle bits. Its question is an invitation to ponder and fold into at least three dance moves: (a) to attend to the not-yet-ness of things, places and possibilities; (b) to rest in presence, fully stuck in the here and now; and (c) to find returns, detours, and dead-ends with deep intent. Hope is an inward movement—a reconnection to one’s gut—our body-middle.
Researching Men's Violence Against Women as Feminist Women Researchers: The Tensions We Face
Authors: Dheensa Sandi , Morgan Karen , Love Beverly , Cramer Helen
Published: November 2022

Qualitative and feminist researchers aim to build rapport, show empathy, be non-judgemental, and equalise power imbalances. A crucial challenge researchers face is how to navigate and balance competing aims and values when interacting with and interviewing participants who have perpetrated intimate partner violence and abuse towards women. In this article, four female researchers evaluating perpetrator programmes for abusive men use reflexive analysis to identify the tensions encountered in such research. We outline how these tensions affected us and the data produced, and end with recommendations, which we hope will help prepare researchers, particularly women, for conducting interviews with violent/abusive men.
The quantitative evaluation of retinal layers after resolution of subretinal fluid in acute central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Dursun Erdem , Dursun Gamze Akyüz
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the average retinal layer thicknesses in eyes with unilateral acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) (with subretinal fluid (SRF)) and after complete resolution of SRF in these eyes and to compare the results with those obtained in healthy eyes.

Methods

Fifty-four eyes of 27 patients with unilateral acute CSC (CSC in active phase) who had complete resolution of SRF and 25 eyes of 25 healthy control subjects enrolled in this retrospective study. The average thicknesses of the retinal layers were measured by segmentation analysis of optical coherence tomography at baseline and 6 months after complete resolution of SRF.

Results

The mean outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness was significantly lower in eyes with CSC than in fellow eyes (p < 0.001). The mean ONL thickness was increased after resolution of SRF, but still low compared to unaffected fellow eye and the increment was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There were significant strong inverse correlations between visual acuity and ONL thicknesses at baseline and 6 months after complete resolution of SRF (p < 0.001, r = − 0.810; p < 0.001, r = − 0.705, respectively).

Conclusion

ONL thickness was thinned in cases with acute CSC, and although there was some increment in ONL thickness 6 months after complete resolution of SRF, it was still thinner compared to unaffected fellow eyes.
Trauma and resilience informed research principles and practice: A framework to improve the inclusion and experience of disadvantaged populations in health and social care research
Authors: Edelman Natalie L
Published: November 2022

Trauma, socio-economic, cultural and structural issues are associated with poor outcomes for most health conditions and may also make research participation difficult and onerous, perpetuating intervention-generated inequalities by generating evidence from those least in need. Trauma-informed and resilience-informed approaches to care may help address these concerns across health and social care research. These approaches take an empowerment-based response to adversity, and are suitable for integration and extension as Trauma and Resilience Informed Research Principles and Practice (TRIRPP) for studies beyond the topics of resilience and trauma. Four TRIRPP aims were identified: addressing the adversity context that may underpin the lives of research participants and the phenomenon under study; improving study accessibility and acceptability for individuals and populations facing adversity; recognising and addressing traumatisation in potential participants; and recognising and promoting resilience. Recommendations include interview participant control of recording devices, over-sampling of under-represented populations in population surveys, and actively seeking to engage disenfranchised individuals in patient and public involvement from design to dissemination. The practice of research has the power to address adversity and trauma or to perpetuate it at both an individual and a societal level. It is feasible and worthwhile to integrate trauma-informed and resilience-informed approaches across research topics and designs. Further work should extend the TRIRPP recommendations and evaluate their use.