bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Simulation Analysis of Stator Slots for Small Power Permanent Magnet Brushless DC Motors
Authors: Zhu Chuanhui , Lu Rujie , Mei Congli , Peng Tao , Zhang Guoqin
Published: February 2023

With the development of power electronics technology, permanent magnet brushless DC motors have developed rapidly and are now widely used in electric vehicles, flywheel energy storage, rail transit, and other applications. The stator slot structure is one of the main factors affecting the performance of the motor. A low-power permanent magnet brushless DC motor was selected as the research object, and the finite element analysis method was used to study the effects of different slot and pole combinations and stator slot types on the cogging torque, reluctance torque, and back electromotive force of the permanent magnet brushless DC motor. The influence of the stator slot structure of the motor on the performance of the motor was analyzed, and the optimal slot-pole combination and stator slot type were determined. The results showed that the cogging torque of the 2-stage 24-slot motor was 14 mN·m, and the reluctance torque was 75 mN·m. The cogging torque and reluctance torque were the smallest, and the back electromotive force waveform was similar to a trapezoidal wave. The motor cogging torque of the pear-shaped round slot was the smallest, with a value of 460 mN·m, and the motor reluctance torque of the pear-shaped trapezoidal slot was the smallest, with a value of 1.2 N·m. The back electromotive force waveforms of the motors with four different stator slot types were similar.
Evaluating the Impact of Macroeconomic Policy Interventions and Recession on a Sewage Treatment PPP Project Using a System Dynamic Model
Authors: Liu Qian , Liao Zaiyi , Guo Qi , Degefu Dagmawi Mulugeta , Yuan Liang , Jiang Shenjun , Jian Feihong
Published: February 2023

The revenue of a public-private partnership (PPP) project is influenced by macroeconomic scenarios such as economic recession and policy adjustments. But these macrofactors and their dynamic relations with microfactors in PPP projects have not been thoroughly understood. In this article, system dynamics (SD) and real option (RO) are integrated to develop a novel model to investigate the impacts of the macro-risk factors on the revenue of PPP projects. Five scenarios were studied through simulation. The results indicate that the loan interest rate and tax rate are negatively correlated to the revenue, while the GDP growth rate and self-owned capital rate are positively correlated. This indicates that the government can stimulate the private sector to invest in PPP projects by providing lower loan interest and increasing the self-owned capital rate. This integrated approach has been proposed for use by decision-makers to evaluate the impact of economics and policies in the future. This study provides a comprehensive review and reliable theoretical analysis regarding the adoption of PPP by China’s local governments, yielding to main policy implications for further promoting the efficiency of PPP development.
Endothelial Progenitor Cells Affect the Growth and Apoptosis of Renal Cells by Secreting Microvesicles Carrying Dysregulated miR-205 and miR-206
Authors: Zhang Yunbo , Shen Yanling , Song Yanling , Lin Yunyun , Wang Ying , Chen Minghui , Mai Huade , Gu Shenhong
Published: February 2023

Background. This study investigated the mechanism of microRNA (miRNA, miR) in microvesicles (MVs) secreted by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) involved in renal function in vivo and in vitro injury repair of rat primary kidney cells (PRKs). Methods. Gene Expression Omnibus analysis of potential target miRNAs in nephrotic rats. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction verified the correlation of these miRNAs and screened the effective target miRNAs and their downstream putative target mRNAs. Western blot analyzes the protein levels of DEAD-box helicase 5 (DDX5) and the activation of the proapoptotic factor caspase-3/9 (cleaved). Dil-Ac-LDL staining, immunofluorescence, and a transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to identify the successful isolation of EPCs and PRKs and the morphology of MVs. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to detect the effect of miRNA-mRNA on the proliferation of PRKs. Standard biochemical kits were used to detect biochemical indicators in rat blood and urine. Dual-luciferase analysis of miRNA binding to mRNA was conducted. The effect of miRNA-mRNA interaction on the apoptosis level of PRKs was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results. A total of 13 rat-derived miRNAs were potential therapeutic targets, and miR-205 and miR-206 were screened as the targets of this study. We found that the EPC-MVs alleviated the increase of blood urea nitrogen and urinary albumin excretion and the decrease in creatinine clearance caused by hypertensive nephropathy in vivo. The effect of MVs in improving renal function indicators was promoted by miR-205 and miR-206 and inhibited by knockdown of expressed miR-205 and miR-206. In vitro, angiotensin II (Ang II) promoted growth inhibition and apoptosis of PRKs, and similarly, dysregulated miR-205 and miR-206 affected the induction of Ang II. We then observed that miR-205 and miR-206 cotargeted the downstream target DDX5 and regulated its transcriptional activity and translational levels, while also reducing the activation of proapoptotic factors caspase-3/9. Overexpressed DDX5 reversed the effects of miR-205 and miR-206. Conclusion. By upregulating the expression of miR-205 and miR-206 in MVs secreted by EPC, the transcriptional activity of DDX5 and the activation of caspase-3/9 can be inhibited, thereby promoting the growth of PRKs and protecting the injury caused by hypertensive nephropathy.
Preparation of Breadfruit Leaf Biochar for the Application of Congo Red Dye Removal from Aqueous Solution and Optimization of Factors by RSM-BBD
Authors: Laxmi Deepak Bhatlu M. , Athira P. S. , Jayan Neethu , Barik Debabrata , Dennison Milon Selvam
Published: February 2023

In this work, biochar produced from breadfruit leaves was utilized to remove the toxic Congo red dye. XRD, FTIR, and FESEM-EDX were implemented to characterize the biochar. Response surface methodology (RSM) and the Box-Behnken design (BBD) techniques were used to evaluate Congo red’s optimum adsorption efficiency. The adsorption of Congo red was studied by varying dye concentrations (5–50 mg/L), times (30–240 min), pH (6–9), and dosages (0.5–2 g/100 mL). X-ray diffractometer results show that the structure of biochar is amorphous. The biochar exhibited unbounded OH, aliphatic CH group, and C=O stretch, as shown by the band peaks at 3340 cm−1, 2924 cm−1, and 1625 cm−1 intensities. RSM-BBD design results showed maximum removal efficiency of 99.96% for Congo red at pH 6.37, dye concentration 45 mg/L, time 105 min, and dosage 1.92 g, respectively. The adsorption of Congo red by biochar was successfully modeled using the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order model. The biochar produced from breadfruit leaves exhibited a high adsorption capacity of 17.81 mg/g for Congo red adsorption. It suggests that the adsorption is both homogenous monolayer and physicochemical.
Cloning, Characterization, and Expression Prolife Analysis of Tyrosinase Genes: Insights into Black Shell Formation in Cyclina sinensis
Authors: Sun Yuyan , Shan Xin , Li Desheng , Liu Xuxiao , Han Zongao , Qin Junjie , Qiu Pan , Guan Bin , Tan Leilei , Wei Min , Dong Zhiguo
Published: February 2023

Shell colors that exhibit a positive relationship with excellent traits can be employed as marker colors for breeding new varieties of bivalves. The clam Cyclina sinensis is an economically important marine bivalve that has three main colors: black, white, and purple. In the present study, we cloned and analyzed the full-length cDNA of the tyrosinase gene (TYR), which is the key gene for melanin synthesis, to explore the formation mechanism of black shells. The full-length cDNA of TYR was cloned by RACE-PCR, and the results showed that the full-length cDNA of TYR was 2993 bp, including a 2262 bp open reading frame encoding 753 amino acids. The results of functional domain prediction showed that deduced TYR protein contains a typical functional domain of tyrosinase, the common central domain. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood methods, and the results indicated that the evolutionary positions of C. sinensis and Meretrix meretrix were closest. The qRT‒PCR results showed that TYR mRNA was highly expressed in the outer edge of the mantle, which suggested that TYR was involved in the synthesis of melanin in the mantle of C. sinensis and might play an important regulatory role in the formation of melanin in black clam shells.
The Roles of TRAF3 in Immune Responses
Authors: Lin Mengjiao , Ji Xiaoli , Lv Yan , Cui Dawei , Xie Jue
Published: February 2023

Seven tumor necrosis factor receptor- (TNFR-) associated factors (TRAFs) have been found in mammals, which are primarily involved in the signal translation of the TNFR superfamily, the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, and the retinoic acid-inducible gene I- (RIG-I-) like receptor (RLR) family. TRAF3 is one of the most diverse members of the TRAF family. It can positively regulate type I interferon production while negatively regulating signaling pathways of classical nuclear factor-κB, nonclassical nuclear factor-κB, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). This review summarizes the roles of TRAF3 signaling and the related immune receptors (e.g., TLRs) in several preclinical and clinical diseases and focuses on the roles of TRAF3 in immune responses, the regulatory mechanisms, and its role in disease.
Fused Deposition Modeling of Single-Use Plastic Alloy
Authors: Liao Wang , Wang Jie , Pan Manping
Published: February 2023

Packaging plastics are called ‘single-use plastics’ because of short lifetime. Among which, the three plastics of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) take more than 70%. Due to incompatibility, few research has been done on the alloy of the three plastics. The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of single-use plastic alloy (SUPA) of ternary PE, PP, and PET as the 3D printing material. Tensile and bending tests are carried out to investigate the mechanical properties, photographs of scanning electron microscope (SEM) are taken for morphology analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are used to study the crystallization behavior of the alloys. The results show that there is an optimal ratio for all the components to obtain the best mechanical performances, i.e., the ratio ofPP/PE=40/60with 20 wt% PET, 2 wt% maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and 2 wt% organic modified montmorillonite (OMMT). This SUPA has a tensile strength of 14.48 MPa, a tensile modulus of 586.42 MPa, a flexural strength of 15.85 MPa, and a flexural modulus of 544.67 MPa. Due to the function of compatibilizer and nanoclay (NC) will be affected by redundancy, the potential primary fibrosis while collecting the feeding filaments and the secondary fibrosis at the nozzle of 3D printing might be responsible for the variation of the mechanical performances.
Functional Assays Combined with Pre-mRNA-Splicing Analysis Improve Variant Classification and Diagnostics for Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Legius Syndrome
Authors: Douben Hannie , Hoogeveen-Westerveld Marianne , Nellist Mark , Louwen Jesse , Haan Marian Kroos-de , Punt Mattijs , van Ommeren Babeth , van Unen Leontine , Elfferich Peter , Kasteleijn Esmee , van Bever Yolande , van Vliet Margreethe , Oostenbrink Rianne , Saris Jasper J. , Wagner Anja , van Ierland Yvette , van Ham Tjakko , van Minkelen Rick
Published: February 2023

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Legius syndrome (LS) are caused by inactivating variants in NF1 and SPRED1. NF1 encodes neurofibromin (NF), a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for RAS that interacts with the SPRED1 product, Sprouty-related protein with an EVH (Ena/Vasp homology) domain 1 (SPRED1). Obtaining a clinical and molecular diagnosis of NF1 or LS can be challenging due to the phenotypic diversity, the size and complexity of the NF1 and SPRED1 loci, and uncertainty over the effects of some NF1 and SPRED1 variants on pre-mRNA splicing and/or protein expression and function. To improve NF1 and SPRED1 variant classification and establish pathogenicity for NF1 and SPRED1 variants identified in individuals with NF1 or LS, we analyzed patient RNA by RT-PCR and performed in vitro exon trap experiments and estimated NF and SPRED1 protein expression, RAS GAP activity, and interaction. We obtained evidence to support pathogenicity according to American College of Medical Genetics guidelines for 73/114 variants tested, demonstrating the utility of functional approaches for NF1 and SPRED1 variant classification and NF and LS diagnostics.
Regulatory Role of Fatty Acid Metabolism-Related Long Noncoding RNA in Prostate Cancer: A Computational Biology Study Analysis
Authors: Wang Yutao , Su Hao , Lu Yi , Li Hongjun
Published: February 2023

In elderly men, prostate cancer is a leading cause of death. Tumor cells require more energy to progress than normal cells, and this energy is mainly dependent on the large amount of ATP support generated by lipid metabolism. Therefore, in this study, we focused on long noncoding RNAs related to lipid metabolism in prostate cancer to discover the biological mechanisms of lipid metabolism regulation. The TCGA-PRAD cohort was used in this study for computational biology analysis. In lipid metabolism biological pathways, 1959 long noncoding RNAs were identified by Pearson correlation coefficient analysis of protein-coding genes, then univariate regression with

P

values fewer than 0.05. We further identified 784 lncRNAs that were lipid metabolism-related lncRNAs considered to have prognostic value for disease-free survival. Subsequently, we constructed two lncRNA expression patterns of lipid metabolism based on these lncRNAs by nonnegative matrix dimensionality reduction. These two expression patterns showed significant differences in disease-free survival curves for those diagnosed with prostate cancer. We found significant differences in mRNA surveillance pathway and mRNA processing between C1 and C2 groups based on the WGCNA method to explore the biological characteristics of these two expression patterns. Finally, we constructed a disease-free survival (PFS) model based on these lncRNAs. The results identified lncRNAs involved in lipid metabolism and revealed differences in their expression patterns. Additionally, the results offer candidate ideas and approaches concerning the precision treatment of prostate cancer by studying lipid metabolism by candidate long noncoding RNAs.
Analysis of the Game Behavior of Smart Community Regulatory Participants to Co-Create the Smart City: Post-Human Stakeholder Perspectives
Authors: Wan Lijun , Li Shanjie , Yin Shi
Published: February 2023

The sustainable development of smart community is the key to China’s grassroots governance and also the general trend of China’s urban modernization. In the supervision of the smart community, the optimization of the behavior of the regulatory subject cannot be separated. Previous studies have focused more on how subjects participate in supervision and less on the behavior of stakeholders in the game. This paper analyzes the game behavior of regulatory participants in the process of sustainable development of smart community and studies the optimization strategy of regulatory behavior according to the game behavior logic among participants. The results show the following. (i) Government behavior plays a leading role in supervision. (ii) When the government invests resources in the screening of third-party evaluation agencies and service purchase and mainly adopts policy punishment methods for stakeholders with rent-seeking behavior, the probability of regulatory participation stakeholders’ positive behavior is the greatest. (iii) The improvements should be made from the aspects of information network construction, the refinement of reward and punishment measures, and the improvement of evaluation party access rules. This not only helps to enhance the good supervision situation of the supervision enthusiasm of the participants but also can realize the self-discipline operation of the smart community and enhance the responsibility consciousness of the evaluation institutions.
The Ubiquitin-specific Protease USP36 Associates with the Microprocessor Complex and Regulates miRNA Biogenesis by SUMOylating DGCR8
Authors: Li Yanping , Carey Timothy S. , Feng Catherine H. , Zhu Hong-Ming , Sun Xiao-Xin , Dai Mu-Shui
Published: February 2023

miRNA biogenesis is a cellular process that produces mature miRNAs from their primary transcripts, pri-miRNAs, via two RNAse III enzyme complexes: the Drosha-DGCR8 microprocessor complex in the nucleus and the Dicer-TRBP complex in the cytoplasm. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNA biogenesis is tightly regulated by posttranscriptional and posttranslational modifications and aberrant miRNA biogenesis is associated with various human diseases including cancer. DGCR8 has been shown to be modified by SUMOylation. Yet, the SUMO ligase mediating DGCR8 SUMOylation is currently unknown. Here, we report that USP36, a nucleolar ubiquitin-specific protease essential for ribosome biogenesis, is a novel regulator of DGCR8. USP36 interacts with the microprocessor complex and promotes DGCR8 SUMOylation, specifically modified by SUMO2. USP36-mediated SUMOylation does not affect the levels of DGCR8 and the formation of the Drosha-DGCR8 complex, but promotes the binding of DGCR8 to pri-miRNAs. Consistently, abolishing DGCR8 SUMOylation significantly attenuates its binding to pri-miRNAs and knockdown of USP36 attenuates pri-miRNA processing, resulting in marked reduction of tested mature miRNAs. Induced expression of a SUMOylation-defective mutant of DGCR8 inhibits cell proliferation. Together, these results suggest that USP36 plays an important role in regulating miRNA biogenesis by SUMOylating DGCR8.

Significance:

This study identifies that USP36 mediates DGCR8 SUMOylation by SUMO2 and is critical for miRNA biogenesis. As USP36 is frequently overexpressed in various human cancers, our study suggests that deregulated USP36-miRNA biogenesis pathway may contribute to tumorigenesis.
Residual Hearing Does Not Influence the Effectiveness of Beamforming when Using a Cochlear Implant in Conjunction with Contralateral Routing of Signals
Authors: Stronks Hendrik Christiaan , Briaire Jeroen Johannes , Frijns Johan Hubertus Maria
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Contralateral routing of signals (CROS) overcomes the head shadow effect by redirecting speech signals from the contralateral ear to the better-hearing cochlear implant (CI) ear. Here we tested the performance of an adaptive monaural beamformer (MB) and a fixed binaural beamformer (BB) using the CROS system of Advanced Bionics. Methods: In a group of 17 unilateral CI users, we evaluated the benefits of MB and BB for speech recognition by measuring speech reception threshold (SRT) with and without beamforming. MB and BB were additionally evaluated with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements using a KEMAR manikin. We also assessed the effect of residual hearing in the CROS ear on the benefits of MB and BB. Speech was delivered in front of the listener in a background of homogeneous 8-talker babble noise. Results: With CI-CROS in omnidirectional settings with the T-mic active on the CI as a reference, BB significantly improved SRT by 1.4 dB, whereas MB yielded no significant improvements. The difference in effects on SRT between the two beamformers was, however, not significant. SNR effects were substantially larger, at 2.1 dB for MB and 5.8 dB for BB. CI-CROS with default omnidirectional settings also improved SRT and SNR by 1 dB over CI alone. Residual hearing did not significantly affect beamformer performance. Discussion: We recommend the use of BB over MB for CI-CROS users. Residual hearing in the CROS ear is not a limiting factor for fitting a CROS device, although a bimodal option should be considered.
Apresentação
Authors: Vicente Eduardo
Published: February 2023

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Repair of Alveolar Bone Defects with Osteogenic Polypeptide Modified HA_CF_PEEK Dental Implants
Authors: Liu Fan , Wang Yanhong , Qu Xiaofu , Liu Lin , Hong Guang
Published: February 2023

The implant implanted into the body directly interacts with the bone tissue around the implant through its surface. The surface properties of the implant can affect the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of surrounding cells and ultimately determine the quality of osseointegration
and the effect of implantation surgery. In this project, nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) and carbon fiber (CF) were added into the matrix, poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK), forming the composite material HA/CF/PEEK. Since biologically active proteins and peptides can promote cell viability and proliferation,
the osteogenic polypeptide sequence BEE1 was polymerized and grafted onto the surface of HA/CF/PEEK composites to generate HA/CF/PEEK-DPP and HA/CF/PEEK-DPP-BEE1 composites. The above materials were tested for physical characterization and in vitro cell activity by establishing a Beagle
dog dentition defect model. HA/CF/PEEK type composites were selected for peri-implant bone defect repair and compared with titanium mesh alone or Bio-Gide membrane for alveolar bone defect repair. In the experiment, the HA/CF/PEEK material modified with osteogenic polypeptides changed in element
composition, hydrophilicity, and surface morphology. in vitro cell assays detected that the surface of HA/CF/PEEK material modified with osteogenic polypeptides was more conducive to cell adhesion and proliferation and had no cytotoxicity. The peri-implant defect repair test showed
that the HA/CF/PEEK-DPP-BEE1 composite material for alveolar bone repair in experimental dogs was better than that of titanium mesh or Bio-Gide membrane. Meanwhile, the mineralization speed and histomorphometry test at the bone defect further proved that this material could better promote
bone neogenesis at the defect. Mineralization.
Energy Cascade from Internal Solitary Waves to Turbulence via Near-N Waves in the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Xiaojiang , Huang Xiaodong , Yang Yunchao , Zhao Wei , Wang Huizan , Yuan Chunxin , Tian Jiwei
Published: February 2023

The high-resolution mooring observations reported here reveal a cascade process from internal solitary waves (ISWs) to turbulent mixing via high-frequency internal waves near the maximum local buoyancy frequency (near-N waves) in the deep water of the northern South China Sea (SCS). Riding on the parent ISW, near-N waves with a peak frequency of 20 cph emerged at the trough of the ISW and extended to the rear face of the ISW. Most of the near-N waves occurred around the thermocline, where the isothermal displacements induced by the near-N waves were largest with an amplitude of 12 m. The energy of near-N waves was 5% of that of the parent ISW, and instability investigations showed that due to the strong shear, Ri in the region of strong near-N waves was less than 1/4, suggesting that the near-N waves were unstable and might dissipate rapidly. Simulations based on the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV)–Burgers equation reproduced the formation of observed near-N waves due to the energy cascade from ISWs. Our observational results demonstrate a new energy cascade route from ISWs to turbulence in the deep water, deepening the understanding of the energy dissipation process of ISWs and their roles in the enhanced mixing in the northern SCS.
Ideas in the Space Between: Stockpiling and Processes for Managing Ideas in Developing a Creative Portfolio
Authors: Ananth Poornika , Harvey Sarah
Published: February 2023

Research on the creative process has focused on how an idea develops within a single focal creative project. But creators often work to develop creative portfolios featuring multiple projects that overlap and intertwine over time. Through an inductive qualitative study of creative workers in independent theater and in architecture, we explore how creators manage ideas across multiple projects when developing creative portfolios. Our emergent model shows how creators shift ideas across projects by stockpiling ideas from one creative project, transforming them into resources, and mobilizing them in their portfolios. Our analysis reveals that these practices unfold in distinct ways across two different processes for managing ideas: managing ideas strategically to build portfolios by realizing stockpiled ideas in new creative products across different opportunities, and managing ideas symbolically to balance creative outputs with new meanings constructed from unrealized ideas that represent the creator’s identity and journey. Our findings reveal the critical role of stockpiling in creative work, showing how different ways of stockpiling transform ideas into resources for developing a portfolio. Our portfolio perspective on the creative process informs our understanding of creative portfolios as they develop and evolve as well as the dynamics of creative processes as they unfold across different projects.
Updates on Surgical Treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Kendrick Katherine , Kothari Shanu N.
Published: February 2023

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition that is on the rise. Obesity is one risk factor that has increased in parallel with the rise of GERD. Typical symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, cough, and chest pain. Patients with typical symptoms are empirically treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). If the diagnosis is not clear, further evaluation is performed with endoscopy, pH monitoring, and esophageal manometry. Untreated GERD increases the risk of esophagitis, esophageal stricture, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Treatment begins with lifestyle modification and medical therapy. If these fail, surgical and endoscopic surgical techniques are available, to provide treatment, symptom relief, and reduce long-term PPI use.
Historical Notes on the Founding of the Surgical Palliative Care Society
Authors: Hinshaw Daniel B.
Published: February 2023

The latter half of the twentieth century witnessed the emergence of the hospice movement as a response to the increasing medicalization of death and the associated suffering. Palliative care, a term coined by the Canadian urologic surgeon Balfour Mount, represents an expansion of hospice philosophy upstream within the health care system extending to the care of hospitalized patients with life-threatening illnesses. This article offers a brief history of the development of surgical palliative care, i.e., palliative care directed specifically toward relief of suffering associated with serious surgical illnesses and culminating in the formation of the Surgical Palliative Care Society.
Negative Splenic Angiography in Blunt Trauma: Does Embolization Affect Splenic Salvage?
Authors: Yoo Rachel , Evanson Davin , Gaziano Michael , Muller Alison , Martin Anthony , Chauhan Nikunj , Butts Christopher A. , Cortes Vicente , Reilly Eugene F. , Bamberger Peter K. , Geng Thomas , Ong Adrian
Published: February 2023

Angioembolization in blunt splenic trauma is used to maximize splenic preservation. Superiority of prophylactic embolization over expectant management in patients with a negative splenic angiography (SA) is debated. We hypothesized that embolization in negative SA would be associated with splenic salvage. Of 83 patients undergoing SA, 30 (36%) had a negative SA. Embolization was performed in 23 (77%). Grade of injury, contrast extravasation (CE) on computed tomography (CT) or embolization were not associated with splenectomy. In 20 patients with either a high-grade injury or CE on CT, 17 (85%) underwent embolization with a failure rate of 24%. In the remaining 10 without high-risk features, 6 underwent embolization with a 0% splenectomy rate. Despite embolization, the failure rate of nonoperative management (NOM) remains significant in those with high-grade injury or CE on CT. A low threshold for early splenectomy after prophylactic embolization is needed.
Beyond the Bipartisan System in the Taipei Mayoral Elections—Rise of Market-Oriented Strategies in Electoral Campaigns?
Authors: Chan Tayden Fung , Zhao Luna L.
Published: February 2023

Current literature on political marketing seldom investigates elections in non-Western regions or countries. The analysis of the Taipei mayoral elections (TMEs) can fill this academic vacuum. This article studies the election campaigns for the TMEs between 1994 and 2018 to understand and analyse the political marketing strategies used by candidates and political parties in Taiwan, an East Asian democracy. While the New Party (NP) stuck to a product-oriented strategy, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) employed sales-oriented strategies in most TMEs. This article argues that political parties with strong ideologies find it hard to use the market-oriented electoral strategy. The victory of Ko Wen-je in 2014 and 2018 TMEs can be analysed in terms of the successful employment of a market-oriented strategy. However, given the changing environment of local politics, Ko and his party, the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), may not follow market-oriented strategies in future TMEs.
Procedures for Analyzing Multidimensional Mixture Data
Authors: Su Hsu-Lin , Chen Po-Hsi
Published: February 2023

The multidimensional mixture data structure exists in many test (or inventory) conditions. Heterogeneity also relatively exists in populations. Still, some researchers are interested in deciding to which subpopulation a participant belongs according to the participant’s factor pattern. Thus, in this study, we proposed three analysis procedures based on the factor mixture model to analyze data in the multidimensional mixture context. Simulations were manipulated with different levels of factor numbers, factor correlations, numbers of latent classes, and class separation. Issues with regard to model selection were discussed at first. The results showed that in the two-class situations the procedures of “factor structure first then class number” (Procedure 1) and “factor structure and class number considered simultaneously” (Procedure 3) performed better than the “class number first then factor structure” (Procedure 2) and yielded precise parameter estimation and classification accuracy. It would be appropriate to choose Procedures 1 and 3 when strong measurement invariance is assumed while using an information criterion, but Procedure 1 saved more time than Procedure 3. In the three-class situations, the performance of all three procedures was limited. Implementations and suggestions have been addressed in this research.
Prejudice toward people with borderline personality disorder: Application of the prejudice toward people with mental illness framework
Authors: Sheppard Hannah , Bizumic Boris , Calear Alison
Published: February 2023

Background:

People living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) face high levels of prejudice and discrimination from both the community and medical professionals, but no measure of prejudice toward people living with BPD exists.

Aims:

The current study aimed to adapt an existing Prejudice toward People with Mental Illness (PPMI) scale and investigate the structure and nomological network of prejudice toward people with BPD.

Methods:

The original 28-item PPMI scale was adapted to create the Prejudice toward People with Borderline Personality Disorder (PPBPD) scale. The scale and related measures were completed by three samples: 217 medical or clinical psychology students, 303 psychology undergraduate students, and 314 adults from the general population.

Results:

The original four-factor structure of the PPMI was supported in the PPBPD scale. Reported prejudice toward people with BPD was more negative than prejudice toward people with mental illness in general. The association of the PPBPD scale with antecedents and consequences was assessed, including social dominance orientation, right-wing authoritarianism, ethnocentrism, personality traits, empathy, prior contact, and feelings toward other stigmatized groups and mental illnesses.

Conclusions:

This study provided evidence for the validity and psychometric properties of the PPBPD scale across three samples and investigated anticipated relationships with theoretically related antecedents and consequences. This research will help improve understanding of the expressions underlying prejudice toward people with BPD.
Morphology and properties of filter paper prepared by highly fibrillated poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fiber
Authors: Zhong Aixin , You Tianle , Wang Yi , Huang Ziqi , Liang Yun , Long Jin , Tang Min , Hu Jian
Published: February 2023

Poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fiber is a kind of rigid-rod polymer fiber and has a fibrillar structure. It can be fibrillated through a refining process. In this study, the highly fibrillated poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fiber, which consists of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fibrils, was prepared by refining and fractionalizing. It was found that the poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fibril has a specific surface area of 41.5 m2/g, and the diameter can be tens of nanometers. Poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fibrils can be prepared into the paper by a wet-laid formation process. It was found that the average pore size of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) paper was 0.64 μm. The filtration efficiency of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) paper was 99.96% for particles with a size of 150 nm. After being heated at 400°C for 5 min, the poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) paper could still retain a complete structure and have a filtration efficiency of 99.58%. It is suggested that poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) paper has a potential application in high-efficiency particulate air filters used in air and gas treatment systems in some industrial facilities to resist heated air with a temperature of 400°C.
Exploring the effectiveness of fashion recommendations made by social media influencers in the centennial generation
Authors: Cabeza-Ramírez L. Javier , Sánchez-Cañizares Sandra M. , Santos-Roldán Luna M. , Fuentes-García Fernando J.
Published: February 2023

Previous literature has highlighted the social media influencer’s (SMI’s) credibility as a crucial factor in explaining the persuasive power of recommendations. To date, however, there have been very few studies that have shed light on the role of the audience’s product involvement in mitigating risk and enhancing the authenticity of SMIs’ messages. The present analysis sought to fill this gap, checking whether the relationship between involvement (fashion consciousness), perceived risk, and perceived message authenticity among SMIs’ had an impact on the audience’s attitude and purchase intention. To do so, we present a new exploratory model using an extension of the theory of planned behavior, and we focus on fashion recommendations aimed at the centennial generation. The empirical analysis was carried out on a sample of 690 SMI followers, using partial least squares–structural equation modeling. The results confirmed that high levels of involvement with fashion products improved the perceived authenticity of the recommendations, increased the influence of the social group of belonging, and intensified the power of the recommendations. This paper contributes to the literature by studying a set of variables that have proved relevant to the analysis of influencer marketing. Moreover, as a novelty, the research provides knowledge on the presence of perceived risk and the influence of product involvement on younger consumers. Our results could help managers, marketers, and influencers in the fashion and textile industry. By identifying product involvement as a key construct, we confirmed that the different operators must work on product promotions that appeal to fashion values.
Degrowth is coming to town: What can it learn from critical perspectives on urban transport?
Authors: Kębłowski Wojciech
Published: February 2023

Degrowth offers a particularly trans-disciplinary and robust critique of growth-driven configurations of space, society and economy. However, its proponents are yet to seriously engage with urban environments by clearly outlining how, where, for whom and under what conditions the principles of degrowth could be applied in urban contexts. In this article, I focus on transport as a vehicle for understanding and addressing this challenge, thus contributing to the broader agenda of spatialising and urbanising degrowth. I turn to the specific case of ‘fare-free public transport’ (FFPT), a policy that exists in full form in nearly 300 localities worldwide. By referring to empirical material collected in FFPT programmes in Aubagne (France), Tallinn (Estonia) and Chengdu (China), I show that fare abolition can act as a policy that contradicts many principles of growth-driven capitalism by advancing an agenda of inter- and intra-municipal solidarity, working towards socio-spatial justice. Consequently, I demonstrate that when analysing and planning urban transport, degrowth may well build on diverse ‘critical’ perspectives on transport to engage head-on with explicitly political–economic questions underpinning urban agendas, thus avoiding joining the glossary of de-politicised and technocratic notions, and disregarding the socio-economic, political and spatial complexity of the urban. In this way, the article contributes to ongoing reflections about the role of urbanisation in the degrowth debate.
Infected Ruptured Parathyroid Cyst Presenting with Hypercalcemia and Airway Obstruction: A Case Report
Authors: Naqvi Syed H. A. , Hung Paul , Allen David , Naqvi Syed H. S. , Ricks Elizabeth T. , Saluja Karan , Eguia Arturo A. , Karni Ron J.
Published: February 2023

Parathyroid cysts (PC) are infrequently encountered and characterize less than 1% of all head and neck masses. When present, PCs may present as a palpable neck mass and lead to hypercalcemia and rarely respiratory depression. Furthermore, the diagnostics of PCs is difficult as they can masquerade as a thyroid or mediastinal mass given their proximity. PCs are theorized to be a progression of parathyroid adenomas and often routine surgical excision is sufficient for cure. To our knowledge, there is no documented report of a patient with an infected parathyroid cyst that led to severe dyspnea. This case describes our experience of a patient with an infected parathyroid cyst presenting as hypercalcemia and airway obstruction.
Long-term retainment of a foreign body in the esophagus in an adult: a case report
Authors: Li Yong , Wang Rongguo , Feng Qing , Zhang Sai , Wang Ce , Song Xiaofei
Published: February 2023

Ingestion of a foreign body (FB) is a common emergency encountered in otorhinolaryngology. In most cases, FBs pass through the digestive tract spontaneously without any serious consequences, but some of them require nonsurgical interventions, and more severe cases require surgical interventions. The types of FBs ingested may differ in different countries and regions. In adults, bones, fish bones, and dental prostheses are most commonly found in the esophagus, and most of the FBs are retained in the esophagus less than 1 month. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an unusual FB (a beer bottle cap) that was stuck in the upper esophagus for longer than 4 months. The main complaints of the patient were a sore throat and FB sensation, and an FB was diagnosed by a chest radiograph and computed tomography of the esophagus. He then had rigid endoscopic removal of the FB performed under anesthesia with propofol sedation. During a 3-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and no esophageal stricture was observed. Impaction of FBs in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to severe adverse events. Therefore, early detection and timely management of FBs are important.
Upper-neck irradiation versus standard whole-neck irradiation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: De Felice Francesca , Marchetti Claudia , Serpone Maria , Camarda AnnaMaria , Vischioni Barbara , Ingargiola Rossana , Musio Daniela , Orlandi Ester
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

To evaluate the role of upper-neck irradiation versus standard whole-neck irradiation in patients with N0-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods:

We conducted a PRISMA guideline based systematic review and meta-analysis. Randomized clinical trials assessing upper-neck irradiation versus whole-neck irradiation with or without chemotherapy in non-metastatic N0-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were identified. The studies were searched on the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library up to March 2022. Survival outcomes, including overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival and relapse-free survival, and toxicities rate were evaluated.

Results:

There were two randomized clinical trials with 747 samples finally included. Upper-neck irradiation had similar overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.69, 95% confidence interval = 0.37-1.30), distant metastasis-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval = 0.53-1.60) and relapse-free survival (risk ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval = 0.69-1.55) compared to whole-neck irradiation. No differences in both acute and late toxicities were recorded between upper-neck irradiation and whole-neck irradiation.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis supports the potential role of upper-neck irradiation in this population of patients. Further research is needed to confirm results.
Urban Road Traffic Flow Prediction with Attention-Based Convolutional Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory Networks
Authors: Liu Zhiquan , Hu Yao , Ding Xiangying
Published: February 2023

Accurate traffic prediction is critical for industry practitioners and researchers in intervening and dredging future traffic in advance to avoid traffic congestion. Considering that most prediction models fail to effectively capture the complex nonlinearity of traffic data and thus cannot obtain satisfactory prediction results, we propose a novel deep-learning architecture for traffic flow prediction, called AC-BLSTM (attention-based convolutional bidirectional long short-term memory). The proposed model captures traffic information through multilayer network architectures composed of convolutional bidirectional long short-term memory (conv-BiLSTM) network and attention mechanism. The spatiotemporal features of traffic flow are extracted by convolutional neural network (CNN) and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) network. Then attention mechanism combines the outputs of CNN and BiLSTM to assign corresponding weights to the features extracted at different times. In addition, we employ a parallel sub-module structure to model three temporal properties of traffic flow, that is, weekly, daily, and recent dependencies. Finally, the results of these three parts are fused to predict the traffic flow values through the fully connected (FC) layers. Experiment results using a real-world urban road traffic dataset demonstrate that compared with other competing models, the proposed model has better prediction performance.
Development of Deceleration-Based Friction Prediction Models and Methods on Semiprepared Runway Surfaces
Authors: Ward Andrew B. , Falls Anthony J. , Rutland Craig A.
Published: February 2023

Both civilian and military airfield managers require the safe operation of aircraft on runway surfaces. This includes the operation of ground traffic on airfield operating surfaces as well as connecting road infrastructure. Often times in austere environments, this road infrastructure is unpaved and consists mostly of either semiprepared or unbound soils. It has been shown in numerous research efforts that surface friction is an excellent indicator of safe operating conditions. Although a great deal of work has been done to quantify safe surface conditions for landing and takeoff operations on rigid and flexible pavement structures, limited research exists to extend such efforts to soil-based or semiprepared surfaces. The objective of this research was to develop deceleration-based surface friction prediction models on unpaved surfaces with varied moisture conditions and soil types. Surface friction, in this study, was quantified using the Findlay Irvine Mk2-D GripTester. Deceleration was measured using four smartphone inertial measurement units (IMUs), one Bowmonk IMU, and one Xsens IMU. Tests were conducted in three ground vehicles: a high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle, a civilian ½-ton pickup truck, and a civilian full-size sport utility vehicle. The various deceleration-based devices tested here adequately correlated (coefficient of determination >0.6) with Mk2-D GripTester measurements collected on unpaved soil runways. The models and measurement methods detailed here are of considerable use to both semiprepared runway and ground vehicle operations managers around the world needing to measure safe surface conditions following inclement weather.
“We Expected a Revolution and Got a Slow Burn”: Microfoundations of Institutional Change in the Community Foundation Field
Authors: LePere-Schloop Megan , Walk Marlene , Paarlberg Laurie E.
Published: February 2023

Demographic shifts, economic restructuring, online-giving platforms, and growing competition threaten traditional models of community philanthropy. Responding to these pressures, philanthropy thought leaders have supported “a new way forward” for community foundations—community leadership. However, change is difficult, and little research examines organizational processes of moving toward community leadership. This study uses a simultaneous qualitative mixed methods design to describe organizational paths to community leadership while considering field-level aspiration toward such change. To confirm previous research, we examine community foundation mission descriptions from 2011 to 2016, finding limited evidence that the field is aspiring toward the community leadership model. Using interviews with leaders of organizations that have begun to shift toward community leadership, we unpack how such transformation occurs. We find that change, even amid field-level pressures, unfolds through localized improvisation and bricolage as community foundations adapt their work to demands in their community.
33 ans après la première affaire du foulard : où en est la laïcité en France ?
Authors: Wieviorka Michel
Published: February 2023

Résumé

En 1989, l’affaire dite du « foulard » ou du « voile islamique » voit en France les passions se déchaîner à propos de la laïcité à l’école. L’épisode est vieux d’un tiers de siècle, et cet article s’intéresse à ce qu’il présente de fondateur dans des débats qui, depuis, se sont structurés, intensifiés et diversifiés. Islam, terrorisme, immigration, égalité des femmes et des hommes, racisme et antisémitisme sont au cœur de la vie intellectuelle et politique, une novlangue est apparue, « cancel culture », islamo-gauchisme », « wokisme », etc., et deux extrémismes désormais proposent un principe d’unité indifférent ou hostile à ce qui fait diversité. D’une part le nationalisme, ce qui n’est pas étonnant. Et d’autre part la perversion de l’idée républicaine que l’auteur appelle « républicanisme », et dont il analyse les implications.