bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Against Project Arcadia
Authors: Jenkins David
Published: February 2023

This essay is part of a special issue celebrating 50 years of Political Theory. The ambition of the editors was to mark this half century not with a retrospective but with a confabulation of futures. Contributors were asked: What will political theory look and sound like in the next century and beyond? What claims might political theorists or their descendants be making in ten, twenty-five, fifty, a hundred years’ time? How might they vindicate those claims in their future contexts? How will the consistent concerns of political theorists evolve into the questions critical for people decades or centuries from now? What new problems will engage the political theorists (or their rough equivalents) of the future? What forms might those take? What follows is one of the many confabulations published in response to these queries.

Our earth is approaching its end. Through Project Arcadia our species has a chance at escape. In this paper, I want to argue that Arcadia is all things considered unjustifiable and unadvisable. It is unjustifiable because human beings have proven themselves incapable of stewarding sentient life on planet earth; for example, our collective response to climate change has been dire, handled almost exclusively through adaptation, committing vast areas of the world to desolation, desertification, or disappearance. Basic respect for life, and what we likely will make of some other instances of it, should counsel humility as we contemplate relocating ourselves to other life-supporting domains. It is inadvisable because our species, like the world, is impermanent. We will, at some point, have to contemplate the ceasing of our existence, and it is my argument that we contemplate this ceasing on the terra firm of our own planet. In conclusion, and drawing on the work of Samuel Scheffler and the Japanese concept of mono no aware, I will argue that there is considerable value, admittedly tainted with considerable melancholy, to be had in grasping the opportunity provided by planetary devastation to achieve some semblance of narrative completion.
The Canonical Conundrum of 2065
Authors: Jones Joseph L.
Published: February 2023

This essay is part of a special issue celebrating 50 years of Political Theory. The ambition of the editors was to mark this half-century not with a retrospective but with a confabulation of futures. Contributors were asked: What will political theory look and sound like in the next century and beyond? What claims might political theorists or their descendants be making in ten, twenty-five, fifty, a hundred years’ time? How might they vindicate those claims in their future contexts? How will the consistent concerns of political theorists evolve into questions critical for people decades or centuries from now? What new problems will engage the political theorists (or their rough equivalents) of the future? What forms might those take? What follows is one of the many confabulations published in response to these queries.
Apantli’s Centennial
Authors: Ochoa Espejo Paulina
Published: February 2023

This essay is part of a special issue celebrating 50 years of Political Theory. The ambition of the editors was to mark this half century not with a retrospective but with a confabulation of futures. Contributors were asked: What will political theory look and sound like in the next century and beyond? What claims might political theorists or their descendants be making in ten, twenty-five, fifty, a hundred years’ time? How might they vindicate those claims in their future contexts? How will the consistent concerns of political theorists evolve into the questions critical for people decades or centuries from now? What new problems will engage the political theorists (or their rough equivalents) of the future? What forms might those take? What follows is one of the many confabulations published in response to these queries.
Humanity’s New Natural Condition
Authors: Ploof Rebecca Aili
Published: February 2023

This essay is part of a special issue celebrating 50 years of Political Theory. The ambition of the editors was to mark this half century not with a retrospective but with a confabulation of futures. Contributors were asked: What will political theory look and sound like in the next century and beyond? What claims might political theorists or their descendants be making in ten, twenty-five, fifty, a hundred years’ time? How might they vindicate those claims in their future contexts? How will the consistent concerns of political theorists evolve into the questions critical for people decades or centuries from now? What new problems will engage the political theorists (or their rough equivalents) of the future? What forms might those take? What follows is one of the many confabulations published in response to these queries.
Freedom of Thought 2322
Authors: Swaine Lucas
Published: February 2023

This essay is part of a special issue celebrating 50 years of Political Theory. The ambition of the editors was to mark this half century not with a retrospective but with a confabulation of futures. Contributors were asked: What will political theory look and sound like in the next century and beyond? What claims might political theorists or their descendants be making in ten, twenty-five, fifty, a hundred years’ time? How might they vindicate those claims in their future contexts? How will the consistent concerns of political theorists evolve into the questions critical for people decades or centuries from now? What new problems will engage the political theorists (or their rough equivalents) of the future? What forms might those take? What follows is one of the many confabulations published in response to these queries.
Review Essay: Theorizing Race, Theorizing Politics
Authors: Balfour Lawrie
Published: February 2023

While most of Political Theory’s 50th anniversary issue looks forward to imagining political theory in the future, the Book Review section looks backward to consider those books and schools of political theory not reviewed on the pages of the journal—but which went on to shape the field nonetheless. The aim of this section is not to constitute a new and newly virtuous canon, but rather to goad readers to reflect anew on knowledge production and the institutional and circulatory practices that compose it, reaching from journal readers, to classrooms and conferences, and on to late night conversations and confabulations.
Shaming the Untrustworthy and Paths to Relief in China’s Social Credit System
Authors: von Blomberg Marianne , Yu Haixu
Published: February 2023

China’s social credit system (SCS) formalizes reputational regulation, thereby challenging traditional remedial paths. It adds trust assessments and their dissemination to the regulatory repertoire of Chinese state agencies across all realms. This use of adverse publicity, however, entails the loss of the agency’s control over the scope and intensity of the punishment as the punitive action is realized by information recipients, rather than the agency itself. Traditional legal controls are not fit for shaming. We map how the SCS innovates public regulation by implementing a strategy for regulatory shaming from the central level. In a second step, we discuss its consequences, specifically, how undue damages are remedied. Legal remedies for social credit shaming measures are regularly denied, as their position in the law is unclear. Other existing remedial channels likewise do not consider the particularities of shame sanctions such as irreversibility. Social credit reputational regulation might best be controlled by formulating an agency practice that retains control over the scope of punishment.
Assessment of prediabetes knowledge among adults in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almaski Ameerah , Almughamisi Manal
Published: February 2023

Background: Prediabetes is a serious health condition which can be treated with changes to lifestyle behaviour. It is a significant warning sign of being at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This study aims to assess knowledge of prediabetes and its associated risk factors in the community of Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia (SA). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult respondents in Al-Madinah in 2022. A sample size of 397 participants completed a validated self-administrated survey and data were analysed using descriptive statistics (numbers, percentages, mean and standard deviation). Results: Of the 397 participants who responded to the survey, 56.7% were aged between 21 and 25 years old, with more than half (51.9%) being male and the majority being more educated (72%). Among the participants, 14.1%, 34.3% and 51.5% had a high, moderate and poor knowledge of prediabetes, respectively. Overall, there was a statistically significant association between age (>25 years old) ( p = 0.003), gender difference ( p = 0.006), and prediabetes knowledge. Conclusion: Knowledge of prediabetes is important in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. The population of Al-Madinah demonstrated a low level of prediabetes knowledge; therefore, the design and implementation of community-based intervention programmes with an emphasis on raising prediabetes awareness is crucial. Policymakers, organisations and partnerships will be required to develop a well-designed and effective programme.
Sports-Related Concussion Affects Cognitive Function in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Hou Xianyun , Zhang Yu , Fei Xueyin , Zhou Qian , Li Jie
Published: February 2023

Background:

Rates of sports-related concussion (SRC) are high in adolescents. Ambiguity exists regarding the effect of SRC on cognitive function in adolescents.

Purpose:

To rigorously examine adolescents’ cognitive function after SRC.

Study Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were searched from database inception until September 2021. Studies were included if participants were adolescents aged 13 to 18 years, if the definition of SRC was fully consistent with the Berlin Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport, if the study included a control group or in-group baseline test, and if the study reported cognitive outcomes (eg, visual memory, processing speed) that could be separately extracted.

Results:

A total of 47 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 31 were included in the meta-analysis, representing 8877 adolescents with SRC. Compared with individuals in the non-SRC group, individuals with SRC had worse performance in cognitive function and reported more symptoms not only in the acute phase but also in the prolonged phase (1-6 months after injury) (visual memory: d = −0.21, 95% CI, −0.37 to −0.05, P = .012; executive function: d = −0.56, 95% CI, −1.07 to −0.06, P = .028; and symptoms: d = 1.17, 95% CI, 0.13 to 2.22, P = .028). Lower scores in most of the outcomes of cognitive function were observed at <3 days and at 3 to 7 days, but higher scores for verbal memory ( d = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.17; P = .008) and processing speed ( d = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.24; P < .001) were observed at 7 to 14 days after SRC relative to baseline. The effects of SRC on cognitive function decreased over time (100% of the variance in reaction time, P < .001; 99.94% of the variance in verbal memory, P < .001; 99.88% of the variance in visual memory, P < .001; 39.84% of the variance in symptoms, P = .042) in control group studies. Study design, participant sex, measurement tools, and concussion history were found to be modulators of the relationship between cognitive function and SRC.

Conclusion:

This study revealed that adolescent cognitive function is impaired by SRC even 1 to 6 months after injury. Results of this study point to the need for tools to measure cognitive function with multiple parallel versions that have demographically diversiform norms in adolescents. Effective prevention of SRC, appropriate treatment, and adequate evaluation of cognitive function before return to play are needed in adolescent SRC management. Moreover, caution is warranted when using the baseline-to-postconcussion paradigm in return-to-play decisions.
Artificial Intelligence in Long-Term Care: Technological Promise, Aging Anxieties, and Sociotechnical Ageism
Authors: Neves Barbara Barbosa , Petersen Alan , Vered Mor , Carter Adrian , Omori Maho
Published: February 2023

This article explores views about older people and aging underpinning practices and perceptions of development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in long-term care homes (LTC). Drawing on semi-structured interviews with seven AI developers, seven LTC staff, and four LTC advocates, we analyzed how AI technologies for later life are imagined, designed, deployed, and resisted. Using the concepts of “promissory discourse” and “aging anxieties”, we investigated manifestations of ageism in accounts of AI applications in LTC. Despite positive intentions, both AI developers and LTC staff/advocates engaged in simplistic scripts about aging, care, and the technological capacity of older people. We further uncovered what we termed sociotechnical ageism—a form that is not merely digital but rests on interacting pre-conceptions about the inability or lack of interest of older people to use emerging technologies coupled with social assumptions about aging, LTC, and technological innovation.
An experimental study on the creep feed grinding of laser macro-structured alumina considering constant material removal volume
Authors: Nadi Mohsen , Esmaeilzadeh Akhtar Haji , Raftar Omid Rohani , Khajehzadeh Mohsen , Razfar Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2023

Engineering ceramics such as alumina have found special applications in aerospace, electronics, and automotive industries due to their superior mechanical and thermal properties. Among these properties, chemical stability at high temperatures, high strength to weight ratio, hardness, strength, wear, and corrosion resistance are of prime importance. Due to these superior properties, processing of these ceramics encounters some difficulties and requires special machining processes such as diamond grinding; in addition to high manufacturing costs, this technique suffers from noticeable challenges such as high grinding forces and temperatures which may lead to serious surface damages. To overcome these challenges, in recent years, laser-assisted grinding has been introduced; in this process, laser source is used to preheat or structuring the workpiece surface in order to reduce grinding forces and temperatures. In this research, first four different patterns were created on alumina using a pulsed laser. Then, these weakened structures were machined using creep feed grinding. In order to provide a better understanding from the effect of each pattern, the volume of the material that can be removed was kept constant in all four patterns. Finally, the effect of created patterns on grinding forces and surface roughness has been studied. Besides, scanning electron microscopy has been used to investigate possible surface damages. The results showed that the normal and tangential forces in the non-structured case were 2 and 2.7 times higher than the forces recorded in the best patterned samples. However, no significant effect of the created patterns on the surface roughness was observed. Furthermore, serious heat damage and cracks were not observed in the structured workpieces, but non-structured workpieces were crushed during operation. Among the created patterns, pattern with perpendicular grooves to the grinding direction was introduced as the best.
Mortality among those certified under lunacy legislation in Scotland during World War I
Authors: White Margaret
Published: February 2023

Mortality in asylum populations increased during World War I. This paper seeks to analyse the mortality data from Scotland, where governmental statistics allow comparison between different lunacy institutions, poorhouses and prisons, as well as people certified under lunacy legislation but living in the community. Detailed study is made of two Lothian asylums, the Royal Edinburgh Asylum and the Midlothian and Peebles District Asylum, and the 1918 influenza pandemic is considered in the asylum context. Similarities and differences between the situation in Scotland and that in England and Wales are discussed, and parallels are drawn with the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland.
Safe deep reinforcement learning in diesel engine emission control
Authors: Norouzi Armin , Shahpouri Saeid , Gordon David , Shahbakhti Mahdi , Koch Charles Robert
Published: February 2023

A deep reinforcement learning application is investigated to control the emissions of a compression ignition diesel engine. The main purpose of this study is to reduce the engine-out nitrogen oxide [Formula: see text] emissions and to minimize fuel consumption while tracking a reference engine load. First, a physics-based engine simulation model is developed in GT-Power and calibrated using experimental data. Using this model and a GT-Power/Simulink co-simulation, a deep deterministic policy gradient is developed. To reduce the risk of an unwanted output, a safety filter is added to the deep reinforcement learning. Based on the simulation results, this filter has no effect on the final trained deep reinforcement learning; however, during the training process, it is crucial to enforce constraints on the controller output. The developed safe reinforcement learning is then compared with an iterative learning controller and a deep neural network–based nonlinear model predictive controller. This comparison shows that the safe reinforcement learning is capable of accurately tracking an arbitrary reference input while the iterative learning controller is limited to a repetitive reference. The comparison between the nonlinear model predictive control and reinforcement learning indicates that for this case reinforcement learning is able to learn the optimal control output directly from the experiment without the need for a model. However, to enforce output constraint for safe learning reinforcement learning, a simple model of system is required. In this work, reinforcement learning was able to reduce [Formula: see text] emissions more than the nonlinear model predictive control; however, it suffered from slightly higher error in load tracking and a higher fuel consumption.
Pitch control of electrohydraulic semi-rotary-actuated wind turbine with actuator and valve fault using generalized power-based exponential rate reaching law sliding mode controller
Authors: Venkaiah Paladugu , Sarkar Bikash Kumar , Chaterjee Amitava
Published: February 2023

Wind power systems comprise complex components and get exposed to harsh environments due to wind speed variations. Researchers in the domain of wind turbine system control are getting more and more attracted to applying sliding mode control, which emerges as an interesting viable option because of its ease of implementation in practice. Design of suitable nonlinear reaching laws in sliding mode control remains an active domain of research which can simultaneously offer fast convergence and improved control performance. This article develops a detailed model of a proportional valve-controlled semi-rotary-actuated wind turbine with valve deadband, valve fault, and actuator fault. Then, the work proposes a generalized power-based exponential rate reaching law-based sliding mode control for pitch control. Detailed derivation of the reaching time for the proposed sliding mode controller with the reaching law has been presented and its stability analysis has been carried out based on Lyapunov theory. Furthermore, the controller performance has been studied as a passive fault-tolerance controller. Extensive performance evaluations have been carried out using benchmark test signals and real wind data, and the superiority of the proposed controller has been demonstrated in comparison to other state-of-the-art sliding mode controls employing a variety of exponential reaching laws and recently proposed wind turbine pitch controller. The proposed generalized power-based exponential rate reaching law-based sliding mode control was able to achieve the lowest integral absolute error value of 0.0014 with real wind data in comparison to the other competing controllers considered here, that is, exponential reaching law-based sliding mode control, exponential rate reaching law-based sliding mode control, constant proportional rate reaching law-based sliding mode control, enhanced exponential reaching law-based sliding mode control, and improved exponential rate reaching law-based sliding mode control, which were able to achieve integral absolute error values of 0.0086, 0.0065, 0.0050, 0.0034, and 0.0015, respectively. Furthermore, the robustness of the proposed generalized power-based exponential rate reaching law-based sliding mode control has been aptly demonstrated with the instantaneous imposition of fault in the actuator.
The Symptom Experience and Functioning of Non-Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Within the First 20 days
Authors: Tütün Yümin Eylem , Sürmeli Mahmut , Topcuoğlu Ceyhun , Başol Göksülük Merve , Yümin Murat
Published: February 2023

The adverse physical, psychological, and mental health consequences associated with COVID-19 illness are well-documented. However, how specific symptoms change over time and how COVID-19 affects one’s day-to-day activities of daily living (ADL), Quality of Life (QoL), sleep quality, and fatigue severity are not well described. This longitudinal and descriptive study examined the changes in COVID-19 symptoms, ADL, QoL, sleep quality, and fatigue severity within the first 20 days. A convenience sample ( n = 41) of non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were recruited and followed for 20 days. Participants completed self-report measures: COVID-19 symptoms, ADL, QoL, sleep quality, and fatigue severity at days: 1, 10, and 20 following a diagnosis. Findings revealed that symptoms decreased over 20 days ( p < .001). In parallel with the decrease in symptoms, QoL and ADL improved over 20 days ( p < .05). However, sleep quality and fatigue severity did not improve within 20 days ( p > .05). Our findings contribute to the growing evidence that COVID-19 symptoms can linger, especially fatigue and sleep quality, that affect overall day-to-day functioning for at least 20 days after diagnosis. To mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on QOL and ADL, findings underscore the need for clinicians to work collaboratively with patients to develop a symptom management plan for a variety of symptoms including fatigue and sleep quality. Beginning to repurpose existing self-management strategies for the longer term COVID-19 symptoms could be beneficial and help to optimize patient outcomes. Future work should examine these variables over a longer timeframe and among different samples of non-hospitalized patients.
Physical and Extracurricular Activity in Adolescents With and Without ADHD: Examining Group Differences and the Role of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome Symptoms
Authors: Wiggs Kelsey K. , Thornton Keely , Fredrick Joseph W. , Cusick Caroline N. , Langberg Joshua M. , Becker Stephen P.
Published: February 2023

Objective:

This study examined extracurricular and physical activity related to ADHD (diagnosis and symptoms) and cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) symptoms.

Methods:

Participants were 302 adolescents (ages 12–14) with and without ADHD and primary caregivers. ADHD diagnosis was determined with parent interview. Questionnaires provided information on parent-reported demographic characteristics, ADHD symptoms, and extracurricular activity involvement; and adolescent-reported ADHD and CDS symptoms and indices of physical activity.

Results:

Although ADHD diagnosis and symptom dimensions were correlated with less extracurricular and physical activity involvement, CDS symptoms were most often independently associated with these outcomes. Females and adolescents from lower income homes also often had less involvement in extracurricular and physical activity.

Conclusions:

Findings point to the need for more research in this area, careful assessment of risk factors (i.e., CDS symptoms, economic burden), and interventions that address inactivity in adolescents with ADHD, including those that address inequity related to income and sex.
Associations Between ADHD, Sleep Problems, and Mental Health Symptoms in Adolescents
Authors: Loram George , Ling Mathew , Silk Tim , Sciberras Emma
Published: February 2023

Objective:

This study examined associations between objective and subjective sleep parameters, and mental health symptoms (internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and irritability) and whether these relationships differed for adolescents with and without ADHD.

Method:

Participants were 373 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years ( M = 13.21, SD = 2.37). Sleep was measured both via actigraphy and self- and parent-report scales. Mental health symptoms were measured via a range of validated measures.

Results:

Few relationships were detected when examining actigraphy variables. Subjective sleep parameters were associated with almost all mental health variables. Some relationships were moderated by ADHD status, generally consistent with stronger relationships between subjective sleep quality and mental health in the non-ADHD group.

Conclusion:

Sleep problems, particularly subjective difficulties, are associated with a range of mental health outcomes, regardless of the presence of ADHD. Sleep problems may be a beneficial intervention target for adolescents experiencing mental health issues.
The value of entrepreneuring in the context of multidimensional poverty
Authors: Hashim Hina , Gaddefors Johan
Published: February 2023

The role of entrepreneurship in alleviating poverty has been extensively researched by entrepreneurship researchers and policy makers. The focus of this research has mostly been in the context of business, for example, the links between value creation leading and economic poverty amelioration. We believe that poverty is multidimensional and requires attention to detail. Similarly, we argue that entrepreneurship is more than an engine for economic outcomes; rather it is a process for socioeconomic value creation and change. Therefore, we approach entrepreneurship as a verb – ‘entrepreneuring’, an unfolding value process which points at the inherent processual character of entrepreneurship. We argue that entrepreneuring enables the context of poverty by creating different values. To understand its nuances, we explore the concept of ‘value’ in entrepreneuring that offers a means of escaping poverty. To do so, we conducted a qualitative narrative study of entrepreneurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in an impoverished part of northern Pakistan. This article initially reviews literature about entrepreneurship and poverty. Next, we propose a conceptual framework to understand how and why entrepreneuring happens in the context of poverty, and who is involved. Finally, we provide a theoretical framework as to how entrepreneuring creates values that allow individuals to enable the context of poverty.
An examination of the opinions of teachers working in public education centres on adult literacy programs in the context of functional literacy
Authors: Demirbilek Mesut , Keser Sıtar
Published: February 2023

Functional literacy is the learning of knowledge and skills for vital necessities as a higher level of basic literacy and then the operational use of this information in individual, socio-cultural, or economic fields. This research aims to examine the opinions of teachers in the context of functional literacy related to the II level primary education program for adults conducted in Public Education Centres. A phenomenological design was used in the study. A total of 12 teachers working in literacy courses in Public Education Centres were included in the study group. This study was conducted by taking the opinions of teachers and concluded that the second-level literacy courses are not sufficient at the social, individual, and educational levels in the context of functional literacy. In the context of these results, it is recommended that the content of the II level primary education program is reconstructed to provide functional skills in a framework that enriches daily life practices focused on the needs of adult individuals.
Perception and satisfaction of nephrology education and training in Iraq
Authors: Ali Ala , Al-Omar Dhurgham , Lami Faris , Bhandari Sunil
Published: February 2023

Background:

Interest in training in nephrology is declining around the world. This is a particularly worrisome issue for future nephrology practice with the aging population and the increasing number of patients with kidney disease. We wished to understand the perception and measure the satisfaction of Iraqi medical interns regarding nephrology and explore factors affecting career decisions towards becoming a specialist nephrologist.

Methods:

A web-based authors-constructed survey consisting of a Likert-type scale questionnaire to assess perception and satisfaction was used. It comprised multiple-choice yes/no/maybe questions and addressed the willingness to pursue a career in nephrology. Iraqi medical interns in their final 2 years of training, 2021–2022, were assessed.

Results:

One hundred and twenty internal medicine Iraqi fellows participated in the survey (response rate 84.2%). Sixty-eight fellows (74%) described nephrology as a complex science. Acid–base and electrolytes disorders and transplantation were the most challenging topics, followed by glomerular diseases. Twenty-one fellows (23%) were satisfied with the quality of training and nephrology education during their medical school, residency and internship. In addition, 14% stated that they would pursue a future career in nephrology. The most selected barrier (34%) against choosing nephrology was a fellow’s perception of the patient’s complexity and the potentially futile outcome.

Conclusion:

The majority (76%) of Iraqi medical interns are currently not satisfied with nephrology training and education. One in seven would pursue a future career in nephrology. New targeted innovative approaches are urgently needed for the various grades of trainees to highlight the benefits of nephrology as a career.
Scapholunate instability: why are the surgical outcomes still so far from ideal?
Authors: Bain Gregory I. , Amarasooriya Melanie
Published: February 2023

The wrist is a universal joint with intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments that function and fail as ligamentous complexes. Those related to scapholunate instability (SLI) include the dorsal scapholunate complex (DSLC), volar radiolunate complex and scaphotrapeziotrapezoid complex. Together the DSLC, scaphoid and lunate create an ‘acetabulum’ for the capitate, with the dorsal intercarpal ligament being a labrum to contain the capitate. SLI results from failure of the DSLC, typically from its scaphoid attachments. Failure of the lunate and or triquetral attachments increases the instability. DSLC failure leads to radioscaphoid instability, which is the symptomatic clinical problem. SLI reconstruction with open surgery and trans-osseous tendon graft techniques have been challenging. We discuss a biological arthroscopic approach to identify, mobilize and debride the disrupted DSLC. This ligament/capsular/periosteum sheet is then advanced and secured to the debrided footprint. Thereby reconstituting the acetabulum, labrum and scaphoid stability.
Mechanism of Kruppel-Like Factor 4 in Pyroptosis of Nasal Mucosal Epithelial Cells in Mice With Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Yao Jiaoli , Kong Qingfeng , Wang Yin , Zhang Yanting , Wang Qinxue
Published: February 2023

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic nasal inflammation, characterized by nasal epithelial dysfunction. Gene therapy targeting transcription factors is a promising strategy for quenching allergic inflammation, including AR.

Objective

This study sought to probe the mechanism of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in pyroptosis of nasal mucosal epithelial cells (NEpCs) in AR mice and provide targets for AR treatment.

Methods

AR mouse models were established using sensitization with ovalbumin, followed by injection with short hairpin RNA KLF4 (sh-KLF4). AR symptoms were assessed by the times of sneezing and nose rubbing, hematoxylin-eosin, and periodic acid-Schiff staining. Levels of KLF4, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), cleaved caspase-1, and N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N) in nasal mucosal tissues were determined by Western blot assay, and levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in nasal lavage fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The binding of KLF4 to the NLRP3 promoter was verified using chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase assays. The functional rescue experiment was performed with oe-NLRP3 and sh-KLF4 in AR mice.

Results

KLF4 was upregulated in nasal mucosal tissues of AR mice. KLF4 inhibition reduced the times of sneezing and nose rubbing, inflammatory cell infiltration, and goblet cell hyperplasia in nasal mucosal tissues, and levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18. KLF4 was enriched on the NLRP3 promoter and improved NLRP3 expression. NLRP3 overexpression reversed the inhibition of sh-KLF4 on pyroptosis of NEpCs in AR mice.

Conclusion

KLF4 bound to the NLRP3 promoter and promoted pyroptosis of NEpCs in AR mice via activating NLRP3.
Perceived vs. observed mHealth behavior: A naturalistic investigation of tracking apps and daily movement
Authors: Mao Chang (Molly) , Bayer Joseph B. , Ross Morgan Q. , Rhee Lisa , Le Huyen T. K. , Mount Jerry , Chang Hsiu-Chi , Chang Yung-Ju , Hedstrom Alexander , Hovick Shelly R.
Published: February 2023

Research on mHealth apps provides mixed evidence regarding their effectiveness for behavior change, including physical activity. Synthesizing prior perspectives, we test predictors of tracking app and physical activity intentions (Study 1; n = 658) and their links to everyday mobility (Study 2; n = 418; n = 27,617,440 observations). Study 1 showed that individuals have overlapping perceptions of tracking apps and physical activity. Taking a naturalistic mobile sensing approach, Study 2 found that tracking app and physical activity intentions predicted self-reported physical activity – but not logged movement (i.e., walking, cycling, or running). Tracking app use was not related to the level of logged movement in daily life. However, participants who regularly used tracking apps were more likely to view them as impactful, suggesting that daily mHealth app use is related to perceived (vs. observed) behavior change. Together, our studies illuminate how perceptions of mobility and mobile media – and their effects – can become intertwined in users’ minds.
Magnesium and Fracture Risk in the General Population and Patients Receiving Dialysis: A Narrative Review
Authors: Cowan Andrea C. , Clemens Kristin K. , Sontrop Jessica M. , Dixon Stephanie N. , Killin Lauren , Anderson Sierra , Acedillo Rey R. , Bagga Amit , Bohm Clara , Brown Pierre Antoine , Cote Brenden , Dev Varun , Harris Claire , Hiremath Swapnil , Kiaii Mercedeh , Lacson Eduardo , Molnar Amber O. , Oliver Matthew J. , Parmar Malvinder S. , McRae Jennifer M. , Nathoo Bharat , Quinn Kathleen , Shah Nikhil , Silver Samuel A. , Tascona Daniel J. , Thompson Stephanie , Ting Robert H. , Tonelli Marcello , Vorster Hans , Wadehra Davinder B. , Wald Ron , Wolf Myles , Garg Amit X.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of Review:

Magnesium is an essential mineral for bone metabolism, but little is known about how magnesium intake alters fracture risk. We conducted a narrative review to better understand how magnesium intake, through supplementation, diet, or altering the concentration of dialysate magnesium, affects mineral bone disease and the risk of fracture in individuals across the spectrum of kidney disease.

Sources of Information:

Peer-reviewed clinical trials and observational studies.

Methods:

We searched for relevant articles in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. The methodologic quality of clinical trials was assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black criteria checklist.

Key Findings:

The role of magnesium intake in fracture prevention is unclear in both the general population and in patients receiving maintenance dialysis. In those with normal kidney function, 2 meta-analyses showed higher bone mineral density in those with higher dietary magnesium, whereas 1 systematic review showed no effect on fracture risk. In patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, a higher concentration of dialysate magnesium is associated with a lower concentration of parathyroid hormone, but little is known about other bone-related outcomes. In 2 observational studies of patients receiving hemodialysis, a higher concentration of serum magnesium was associated with a lower risk of hip fracture.

Limitations:

This narrative review included only articles written in English. Observed effects of magnesium intake in the general population may not be applicable to those with chronic kidney disease particularly in those receiving dialysis.
A methodology to evaluate different histological preparations of soft tissues: Intervertebral disc tissues study
Authors: Azril  , Huang Kuo-Yuan , Hobley Jonathan , Rouhani Mehdi , Liu Wen-Lung , Jeng Yeau-Ren
Published: February 2023

A tissue preparation method will inevitably alter the tissue content. This study aims to evaluate how different common sample preparation methods will affect the tissue morphology, biomechanical properties, and chemical composition of samples. The study focuses on intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue; however, it can be applied to other soft tissues. Raman spectroscopy synchronized with nanoindentation instrumentation was employed to investigate the compositional changes of IVD, specifically, nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF), together with their biomechanical properties of IVD. These properties were examined through the following histological specimen types: fresh cryosection (control), fixed cryosection, and paraffin-embedded. The IVD tissue could be located using an optical microscope under three different preparation methods. Paraffin-embedded samples showed the most explicit details where the lamellae structure of AF could be identified. In terms of biomechanical properties, there was no significant difference between the fresh and fixed cryosection ( p > 0.05). In contrast, the fresh cryosection and paraffin-embedded samples showed a significant difference ( p < 0.05). It was also found that the tissue preparations affected the chemical content of the tissues and structure of the tissue, which are expected to contribute to biomechanical properties changes. Fresh cryosection and fixed cryosection samples are more promising to work with for biomechanical assessment in histological tissues. The findings fill essential gaps in the literature by providing valuable insight into the characteristics of IVD at the microscale. This study can also become a reference for a better approach to assessing the mechanical properties and chemical content of soft tissues at the microscale.
Trends in Rifampicin Resistance Among Children With Presumptive TB in the Pre-COVID and COVID-Era
Authors: Alao Michael Abel , Ogunbosi Babatunde Oluwatosin , Ibrahim Olayinka Rasheed
Published: February 2023

Publications on COVID-19’s impact on the global tuberculosis burden are from adult cohorts, pediatric data are lacking for inform decision. We compared the TB trends in southern Nigerian children in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 era. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of early morning sputum/gastric washing or stool samples from children with presumptive TB evaluated using GeneXpert in a tertiary hospital from January 2016 to May 2022. Of the 20 589 persons screened for presumed TB in the pre-COVID-19 and the COVID-19 era, only 1104 (88.7%) of 1245 children had complete data for analysis. In the COVID era, a significantly higher number of children were presumed to have TB 755 (68.4%), P < .001. The overall incidence of MTB detected by Xpert MTB/RIF during the study period was 6.4% (71/1104). The incidence of MTB in the pre-COVID-19 era was 24/349 (6.9%), which was slightly higher than the COVID-19 era (47/755; 6.2%), P > .05). The annual trends of MTB detected peaked in 2019 [18/115; 15.7%] in the pre-COVID-19 era, then plummeted to 12/228 (5.3%) in 2020 in the COVID-19 era, and reached its all-time low of 6/160 (3.8%) in the first half of 2022, ( P < .001). The overall incidence of Rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) was 2.8% among the MTB detected cases and all occurred in the COVID-19 era. This study found a significant decline in MTB diagnosis and in the emergence of RR-TB in the COVID-19 era. This necessitates re-prioritizing worldwide efforts to manage childhood tuberculosis, including increased testing, if the aim of eliminating tuberculosis by 2035 is to be met.
Quality of Cancer Care in Tanzania as Experienced by Patients: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kidayi Paulo L. , Manhica Hélio , Mtuya Christina C. , Johnson Mahande Michael , Furaha Serventi , Aune Ragnhild E. , Björling Gunilla
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Cancer is a disease of public importance in Tanzania. Considering a limited health care system with few cancer centers and low health literacy in general, people are diagnosed at late stage and face difficulties in accessing care for their cancer. All these challenges affect the caring situation for the nurses who meet the patients at the cancer care centers.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the journey of cancer care experienced by patients with cancer. Research questions: How do patients experience the quality of care at the cancer care centers? How do patients experience the family’s and the community's role?

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were carried out with 15 patients treated for colorectal-, breast-, or prostate cancer in three cancer care centers in Tanzania. A purposive sampling was used. Qualitative content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman was employed.

Results

Three main themes and six sub-themes emerged. The main themes were e xperiences of cancer care services, the role of the family, community challenges and cancer care. The sub-themes were communication, resource allocation at the cancer care centers, fmily's denial, family challenges, limitations of primary care and misconceptions, and accessibility of cancer service and the health care system. The findings show that patients experienced incapacitated health care facilities for cancer care, misconceptions in the community and challenges for the families.

Conclusions

The quality of cancer care in Tanzania needs to be improved, patients face challenges in all levels of health care facilities, including families, and the community at large. The distance to oncology care, economic hardship, and lack of knowledge in the community including families, lead to late diagnosis and suffering for the patients. There is a great need for education regarding cancer within healthcare, as well as in the community, to change the situation for patients with cancer.
A study of differential microRNA expression profile in migraine: the microMIG exploratory study
Authors: Gallardo V. J. , Gómez-Galván J. B. , Asskour L. , Torres-Ferrús M. , Alpuente A. , Caronna E. , Pozo-Rosich P.
Published: February 2023

Background

Several studies have described potential microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers associated with migraine, but studies are scarcely reproducible primarily due to the heterogeneous variability of participants. Increasing evidence shows that disease-related intrinsic factors together with lifestyle (environmental factors), influence epigenetic mechanisms and in turn, diseases. Hence, the main objective of this exploratory study was to find differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with migraine compared to healthy controls in a well-controlled homogeneous cohort of non-menopausal women.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with migraine according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) and healthy controls without familial history of headache disorders were recruited. All participants completed a very thorough questionnaire and structured-interview in order to control for environmental factors. RNA was extracted from PBMC and a microarray system (GeneChip miRNA 4.1 Array chip, Affymetrix) was used to determine the miRNA profiles between study groups. Principal components analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis were performed to study samples distribution and random forest (RF) algorithms were computed for the classification task. To evaluate the stability of the results and the prediction error rate, a bootstrap (.632 + rule) was run through all the procedure. Finally, a functional enrichment analysis of selected targets was computed through protein–protein interaction networks.

Results

After RF classification, three DE miRNA distinguished study groups in a very homogeneous female cohort, controlled by factors such as demographics (age and BMI), life-habits (physical activity, caffeine and alcohol consumptions), comorbidities and clinical features associated to the disease: miR-342-3p, miR-532-3p and miR-758-5p. Sixty-eight target genes were predicted which were linked mainly to enriched ion channels and signaling pathways, neurotransmitter and hormone homeostasis, infectious diseases and circadian entrainment.

Conclusions

A 3-miRNA (miR-342-3p, miR-532-3p and miR-758-5p) novel signature has been found differentially expressed between controls and patients with migraine. Enrichment analysis showed that these pathways are closely associated with known migraine pathophysiology, which could lead to the first reliable epigenetic biomarker set. Further studies should be performed to validate these findings in a larger and more heterogeneous sample.
Exosomal circ_0026611 contributes to lymphangiogenesis by reducing PROX1 acetylation and ubiquitination in human lymphatic endothelial cells (HLECs)
Authors: Yao Wenjian , Jia Xiangbo , Zhu Li , Xu Lei , Zhang Quan , Xia Tian , Wei Li
Published: February 2023

Background

Esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignancy that originates in the digestive tract. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a complicated process, and tumor lymphangiogenesis has been reported to be associated with the spread of tumor cells to lymph nodes (LNs), including in ESCC. However, little is currently known about the mechanisms involved in lymphangiogenesis in ESCC tumors. According to previous literature, we know that hsa_circ_0026611 expresses at a high level in serum exosomes of patients with ESCC and shows a close association with LNM and poor prognosis. However, details on the functions of circ_0026611 in ESCC remain unclear. We aim to explore the effects of circ_0026611 in ESCC cell-derived exosomes on lymphangiogenesis and its potential molecular mechanism.

Methods

We firstly examined how circ_0026611 may express in ESCC cells and exosomes by quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The potential effects circ_0026611 may exert on lymphangiogenesis in ESCC cell-derived exosomes were assessed afterward via mechanism experiments.

Results

circ_0026611 high expression pattern was confirmed in ESCC cells and exosomes. ESCC cell-derived exosomes promoted lymphangiogenesis by transferring circ_0026611. Besides, circ_0026611 interacted with N-α-acetyltransferase 10 (NAA10) to inhibit NAA10-mediated prospero homeobox 1 (PROX1) acetylation with subsequent ubiquitination and degradation. Furthermore, circ_0026611 was verified to promote lymphangiogenesis in a PROX1-mediated manner.

Conclusions

Exosomal circ_0026611 inhibited PROX1 acetylation and ubiquitination to promote lymphangiogenesis in ESCC.

Graphical Abstract