bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deletion of Endothelial TRPV4 Protects Heart From Pressure Overload–Induced Hypertrophy
Authors: Adapala Ravi K. , Katari Venkatesh , Kanugula Anantha K. , Ohanyan Vahagn , Paruchuri Sailaja , Thodeti Charles K.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:

Left ventricular hypertrophy is a bipolar response, starting as an adaptive response to the hemodynamic challenge, but over time develops maladaptive pathology partly due to microvascular rarefaction and impaired coronary angiogenesis. Despite the profound influence on cardiac function, the mechanotransduction mechanisms that regulate coronary angiogenesis, leading to heart failure, are not well known.

METHODS:

We subjected endothelial-specific knockout mice of mechanically activated ion channel, TRPV4 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4; TRPV4
ECKO
) to pressure overload via transverse aortic constriction and examined cardiac function, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, and apoptosis. Further, we measured microvascular density and underlying TRPV4 mechanotransduction mechanisms using human microvascular endothelial cells, extracellular matrix gels of varying stiffness, unbiased RNA sequencing, small interfering RNA, Western blot, quantitative-PCR, and confocal immunofluorescence techniques.

RESULTS:

We demonstrate that endothelial-specific deletion of TRPV4 preserved cardiac function, cardiomyocyte structure, and reduced cardiac fibrosis compared with TRPV4
lox/lox
mice, 28 days post–transverse aortic constriction. Interestingly, comprehensive RNA sequencing analysis revealed an upregulation of proangiogenic factors (VEGFα [vascular endothelial growth factor α], NOS3 [nitric oxide synthase 3], and FGF2 [fibroblast growth factor 2]) with concomitant increase in microvascular density in TRPV4
ECKO
hearts after transverse aortic constriction compared with TRPV4
lox/lox
. Further, an increased expression of VEGFR2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2) and activation of the YAP (yes-associated protein) pathway were observed in TRPV4
ECKO
hearts. Mechanistically, we found that downregulation of TRPV4 in endothelial cells induced matrix stiffness–dependent activation of YAP and VEGFR2 via the Rho/Rho kinase/large tumor suppressor kinase pathway.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results suggest that endothelial TRPV4 acts as a mechanical break for coronary angiogenesis, and uncoupling endothelial TRPV4 mechanotransduction attenuates pathological cardiac hypertrophy by enhancing coronary angiogenesis.
Neighborhood Social Vulnerability and Interstage Weight Gain: Evaluating the Role of a Home Monitoring Program
Authors: Shustak Rachel J. , Huang Jing , Tam Vicky , Stagg Alyson , Giglia Therese M. , Ravishankar Chitra , Mercer‐Rosa Laura , Guevara James P. , Gardner Monique M.
Published: September 2023

Background

Poor interstage weight gain is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. We sought to examine the association of neighborhood social vulnerability and interstage weight gain and determine if this association is modified by enrollment in our institution's Infant Single Ventricle Management and Monitoring Program (ISVMP).

Methods and Results

We performed a retrospective single‐center study of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome before (2007–2010) and after (2011–2020) introduction of the ISVMP. The primary outcome was interstage weight gain, and the secondary outcome was interstage growth failure. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the Social Vulnerability Index and the outcomes. We introduced an interaction term into the models to test for effect modification by the ISVMP. We evaluated 217 ISVMP infants and 111 pre‐ISVMP historical controls. The Social Vulnerability Index was associated with interstage growth failure (
P
=0.001); however, enrollment in the ISVMP strongly attenuated this association (
P
=0.04). Pre‐ISVMP, as well as high‐ and middle‐vulnerability infants gained 4 g/d less and were significantly more likely to experience growth failure than low‐vulnerability infants (high versus low: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 12.5 [95% CI, 2.5–62.2]; middle versus low: aOR, 7.8 [95% CI, 2.0–31.2]). After the introduction of the ISVMP, outcomes did not differ by Social Vulnerability Index tertile. Infants with middle and high Social Vulnerability Index scores who were enrolled in the ISVMP gained 4 g/d and 2 g/d more, respectively, than pre‐ISVMP controls.

Conclusions

In infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, high social vulnerability is a risk factor for poor interstage weight gain. However, enrollment in the ISVMP significantly reduces growth disparities.
Risk Factors and Outcomes With Progressive Mitral Annular Calcification
Authors: Lee Hee Jeong , Seo Jiwon , Gwak Seo‐Yeon , Kim Kyu , Cho Iksung , Hong Geu‐Ru , Ha Jong‐Won , Shim Chi Young
Published: September 2023

Background

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a chronic degenerative process that may progress. This study aimed to investigate associating factors and clinical implications of MAC progression.

Methods and Results

Among 560 patients with MAC identified by transthoracic echocardiography between January 2012 and June 2016, 138 patients (mean±SD age 72.7±10.2 years, 73 women) with mild or moderate MAC who received follow‐up examination within 18 to 36 months were retrospectively analyzed. Progressive MAC was defined as hemodynamic or structural profiles that had worsened by more than 1 grade. Hemodynamic features were assessed by the transmitral mean diastolic pressure gradient (MDPG), and structural features were assessed by the MAC angle in the parasternal short‐axis view. The clinical outcome was defined as a composite of all‐cause mortality, hospitalization for heart failure, and occurrence of ischemic stroke. Forty‐three patients (31.2%) showed progressive MAC. Patients with progressive MAC had higher systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, MAC angle, and MDPG than those with stable MAC. Patients with progressive MAC had smaller left ventricular (LV) end‐systolic dimensions and higher LV ejection fractions compared with those with stable MAC. In multivariate analysis, pulse pressure, LV ejection fraction, MAC angle, and MDPG at baseline were significantly associated with MAC progression. During a median of 39.2 months' follow‐up, patients with progressive MAC showed poorer clinical outcomes than those with stable MAC (log‐rank
P
=0.015).

Conclusions

MAC progression is not rare and is associated with structural substrate and hemodynamic loads that result in mechanical stress. Patients with progressive MAC have poor outcomes.
Machine Learning–Enabled Detection of Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms Improves Detection Rates and Clinical Care
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Woo , Ballekere Anjan , Ali Iman , Marioni Sergio Salazar , Abdelkhaleq Rania , Niktabe Arash , Azeem Hussain , Iyyangar Ananya , Segev Omri , Bibas Orin , Paz Dan , Love Christopher J. , Giancardo Luca , Sheth Sunil A.
Published: September 2023

Background

Unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs) have a relatively low prevalence of ≈3%, but detection can prevent devastating consequences of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Here, we assess the performance of a machine learning algorithm to identify UCAs and determine whether routine use of the algorithm improves detection and patient care.

Methods

From a prospectively maintained multicenter registry across 8 certified stroke centers (1 comprehensive and 7 primary), we identified patients who underwent computed tomography angiography for evaluation of possible stroke from March 14, 2021, to November 31, 2021. A convolutional deep neural network (Viz ANEURYSM) trained to identify UCAs at least 4 mm in size analyzed the images, and ground truth was provided by a blinded expert neuroradiologist. The primary outcome was rate of clinical follow‐up for UCAs detected by the machine learning algorithm.

Results

Among 1191 computed tomography angiograms performed during the study period, 50 (4.2%) were flagged by the machine learning algorithm as possibly demonstrating a UCA, of which 31 cases were confirmed as true positive (positive predictive value, 62%). There were a total of 36 true aneurysms with 4 cases of multiple aneurysms. Overall, the most common locations included internal carotid artery (42%). Of these cases, 10 (27.8%) were not noted in the clinical radiology report or clinical notes, with a median size of 4.4 mm (interquartile range, 1.6 mm), and 24 (67%) were not referred for follow‐up, with median size of 4.4 mm (interquartile range, 4.2 mm). Of the 24 aneurysms not referred for follow‐up, 15 (62.5%) had been noted in the radiology report. A total of 33.3% (5/15) of the detected but not referred cases had a diameter >7 mm, with median PHASES score of 7.

Conclusions

UCAs of sizes and intradural locations that require attention and may warrant treatment are frequently missed in routine clinical care. A machine learning algorithm that flags studies and notifies clinicians may minimize missed care opportunities.
Influence of Cultural Landscapes on Visitors’ Behavior in the Context of COVID-19 Social Distancing Policies: A Case Study of Open Public Spaces Inside Gyeongbok Palace
Authors: Sung Minki
Published: September 2023

Background and objective: Many studies have highlighted the psychological benefits of natural outdoor environments and cultural heritage sites for visitors. However, few studies have investigated the combined impact of natural outdoor settings and cultural heritage sites considering contextual factors such as gender, age, time of day, and period on visiting patterns. This study aims to identify the impact of cultural landscapes on visiting patterns, focusing on the open public spaces of Gyeongbok Palace, Seoul.Methods: A mixed-method approach was used to examine the association between cultural landscape elements and visiting patterns. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were employed to assess how the cultural landscape affected visiting patterns from 2019 to 2021, considering the impact of COVID-19 social distancing policies. An on-site visit observation and analysis of previous case studies were conducted to further investigate the impacts of cultural landscape elements on visitors' behavior patterns.Results: The findings indicated that the cultural landscape played a role in shaping visitors' behaviors and revealed significant variations in visitation patterns based on visitors' age and the day of the week. A strong positive correlation was observed between teenagers and weekday visits, especially in 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions were in place and students were taking online classes. Furthermore, the results showed a noticeable increase in correlation scores in 2021 compared with those in 2019, supporting the notion of heritage sites serving as healing and relaxing places for people to enjoy as they age.Conclusion: The study findings provide an empirical basis for studying cultural heritage assets and other natural outdoor environments as a type of cultural landscape to enhance visitor satisfaction and provide positive benefits to visitors. It highlights the importance of preserving and promoting cultural landscapes as integrated systems of natural and cultural resources, which can be applied to heritage policies and management strategies.
Analysis of Visitor Satisfaction Towards Provincial Parks According to Travel Route Choice Behavior Focusing on Chilgapsan Provincial Park in Chungcheongnam-do
Authors: Lee Saem
Published: September 2023

Background and objective: Chilgapsan Provincial Park is located at the core ecological axis of Chungcheongnam-do and consists of a high share of Level 1 biotope areas, thereby requiring policy approaches for biodiversity conservation and efforts to preserve forest ecosystem services. At the same time, policies to improve service quality for visitors are needed. In particular, it is important to improve and manage service quality according to single-destination and multi-destination travel routes by subdividing visitors. The purpose of this research is to identify visitor characteristics and satisfaction towards Chilgapsan Provincial Park in Chungcheongnam-do.Methods: This study conducted frequency analysis, cross-tabulation analysis, and logit regression analysis using SPSS 21.0 version.Results: The results showed that landscape satisfaction was higher for single-destination visitors, but the overall satisfaction towards the provincial park was higher for multi-destination visitors. In addition, satisfaction towards amenities was low compared to other types of satisfaction. By travel route, visitors generally showed a high intention to revisit, with the mean exceeding 4 on the 5-point Likert scale. As a result of examining the effect on travel route through binomial logistic regression, The findings of this study have shown that age, landscape satisfaction, and visiting satisfaction had statistical significance.Conclusion: This study examined the variables that affect the satisfaction and revisit intention of visitors, improving the efficiency of provincial park management and operation. This study might be helpful to provide fundamental information for sustainable forestry management and policy measures associated with provincial parks.
Eugenia campininha (Myrtaceae), a new species from São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: MUNIZ HELTON J. T. , MORSCHBAKER ANTÔNIO , FARIA JAIR E. Q. , SOBRAL MARCOS
Published: September 2023

N/A
A new species of the genus Paulianidia Jarrige and a new combination in Pseudolathra Casey (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Paederinae)
Authors: KOSZELA KATARZYNA , SARMIENTO YOAN CAMILO GUZMAN , ŻYŁA DAGMARA
Published: September 2023

The genus Paulianidia (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Paederinae) was described by Jarrige, 1978 and thus far, it consists of 24 species. It is endemic to Madagascar and has been sampled in the leaf litter layer of soil in mountainous regions with little sign of degradation. Here, we describe a new species in the genus, Paulianidia parahammondi sp. nov., and compare it with its supposedly closest relative. We provide an updated key to all Paulianidia species and an updated genus description. We also discuss the systematic position of Paulianidia, and provide characters for distinguishing it from other Paederinae of Madagascar. Additionally, the Paederinae species Lathrobium catenulatum Fauvel, 1905 is transferred here to Pseudolathra Casey, 1905 as P. catenulata (Fauvel, 1905) comb. nov.
The identity of Chivinia Shestakov (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Braconinae), with description of a similar species from the Oriental region
Authors: LONG KHUAT DANG , ACHTERBERG CORNELIS VAN , DZUONG NGUYEN VAN , OANH NGUYEN THI , MAI PHAM QUYNH
Published: September 2023

A peculiar new species from Vietnam (Bracon (Pseudochivinia) tobiasi Long & van Achterberg, sp. nov.) is described and illustrated. It is included in a new subgenus Pseudochivinia Long & van Achterberg, subgen. nov., because it does not fit into the superficially similar subgenus Chivinia Shestakov. The new subgenus shares with Chivinia Shestakov the absence of vein r-m of the fore wing (resulting in the absence of a closed second submarginal cell) but can be distinguished from Chivinia and other subgenera of the genus Bracon Fabricius by the deep and crenulate medio-longitudinal depression of the first metasomal tergite and the different venation. Bracon (Chivinia) zimini Shestakov, 1932 is redescribed and illustrated for the first time.
Insights into the Drivers and Spatiotemporal Trends of Extreme Mediterranean Wildfires with Statistical Deep Learning
Authors: Richards Jordan , Huser Raphaël , Bevacqua Emanuele , Zscheischler Jakob
Published: September 2023

Extreme wildfires continue to be a significant cause of human death and biodiversity destruction within countries that encompass the Mediterranean Basin. Recent worrying trends in wildfire activity (i.e., occurrence and spread) suggest that wildfires are likely to be highly impacted by climate change. To facilitate appropriate risk mitigation, it is imperative to identify the main drivers of extreme wildfires and assess their spatiotemporal trends, with a view to understanding the impacts of the changing climate on fire activity. To this end, we analyze the monthly burnt area due to wildfires over a region encompassing most of Europe and the Mediterranean Basin from 2001 to 2020 and identify high fire activity during this period in eastern Europe, Algeria, Italy, and Portugal. We build an extreme quantile regression model with a high-dimensional predictor set describing meteorological conditions, land-cover usage, and orography, for the domain. To model the complex relationships between the predictor variables and wildfires, we make use of a hybrid statistical deep learning framework that allows us to disentangle the effects of vapor pressure deficit (VPD), air temperature, and drought on wildfire activity. Our results highlight that while VPD, air temperature, and drought significantly affect wildfire occurrence, only VPD affects wildfire spread. Furthermore, to gain insights into the effect of climate trends on wildfires in the near future, we focus on the extreme wildfires in August 2001 and perturb VPD and temperature according to their observed trends. We find that, on average over Europe, trends in temperature (median over Europe: +0.04 K yr−1) lead to a relative increase of 17.1% and 1.6% in the expected frequency and severity, respectively, of wildfires in August 2001; similar analyses using VPD (median over Europe: +4.82 Pa yr−1) give respective increases of 1.2% and 3.6%. Our analysis finds evidence suggesting that global warming can lead to spatially nonuniform changes in wildfire activity.
Evaluation of ERA5 Reanalysis Precipitation Data in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Chen Yueli , Ding Minghu , Zhang Guo , Wang Ying , Li Jianduo
Published: September 2023

Atmospheric simulation-based gridded precipitation datasets have been widely used in hydrological and land surface modeling, but may contain larger uncertainties in mountainous regions. This study compared the performance of the fifth European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis (ERA5) precipitation data with two fused precipitation datasets [China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System version 2.0 (CLDAS2.0) and China Meteorological Forcing Dataset (CMFD)] in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin (YZRB), which has a complex terrain and climate. Compared to in situ observations, ERA5 could capture the spatial–temporal pattern of precipitation but showed high precipitation, especially in the downstream region (lower Nuxia discharge station). In terms of the correlation coefficient, the overall performance of the ERA5 data was slightly worse than that for CMFD data at both the monthly and yearly scales, and was comparable to that of the CLDAS2.0 data. Given that the spatial mismatch between the gridded and in situ data may influence the evaluation, we also employed the water balance method to constrain basinwide precipitation amounts. We found that CLDAS2.0 and CMFD precipitation data tended to cause long-term water imbalance, and ERA5, with a much larger multiyear average annual precipitation, could better close the water budget. Further analysis showed that the differences in multiyear average annual precipitation between ERA5 and in situ observations were closely related to the slope and standard deviation of the subgrid-scale orography, indicating the substantial influence of subgrid topography on precipitation simulation. These findings highlight that ERA5 could be a potential reference dataset for hydrological modeling of the YZRB.
Spatial-Mode-Based Calibration (SMoC) of Forecast Precipitation Fields with Spatially Correlated Structures: An Extended Evaluation and Comparison with Gridcell-by-Gridcell Postprocessing
Authors: Zhao Pengcheng , Wang Quan J. , Wu Wenyan , Yang Qichun
Published: September 2023

Postprocessing forecast precipitation fields from numerical weather prediction models aims to produce ensemble forecasts that are of high quality at each grid cell and, importantly, are spatially structured in an appropriate manner. A conventional approach, the gridcell-by-gridcell postprocessing, typically consists of two steps: 1) perform statistical calibration separately at individual grid cells to generate unbiased, skillful, and reliable ensemble forecasts and 2) employ ensemble reordering to link ensemble members of all grid cells according to certain templates to form spatially structured ensemble forecasts. However, ensemble reordering techniques are generally problematic in practical use. For example, the well-known Schaake shuffle is often criticized for not considering real physical atmospheric conditions. In this context, a fundamentally new approach, namely, spatial-mode-based calibration (SMoC), has recently been developed for postprocessing forecast precipitation fields with inbuilt spatial structures, thereby eliminating the need for ensemble reordering. SMoC was tested on 1-day-ahead forecasts of heavy precipitation events and was found to produce ensemble forecasts with appropriate spatial structures. In this paper, we extend SMoC to calibrate forecasts of light and no precipitation events and forecasts at long lead times. We also compare SMoC with the gridcell-by-gridcell postprocessing. Results based on multiple evaluation metrics show that SMoC performs well in calibrating both forecasts of light and no precipitation events and forecasts at long lead times. Compared with the gridcell-by-gridcell postprocessing, SMoC produces ensemble forecasts with similar forecast skill, improved forecast reliability, and clearly better spatial structures. In addition, SMoC is computationally far more efficient.
Early and slow weight loss responders’ perceptions of an adaptive diabetes prevention trial: A qualitative perspective
Authors: King Danielle , Miller Carla K , Cheavens Jennifer S , Fujita Kentaro
Published: September 2023

Objective:

Behavioural weight loss interventions demonstrate success on average, yet participants who respond more slowly may benefit from an augmented, tailored approach. Thus, an augmented intervention for early, slow weight loss responders was implemented. This qualitative analysis explored participants’ perceptions of and experiences of the 12-month weight loss programme to inform future intervention development and implementation.

Design:

Individual interviews were conducted post-treatment. In-person, in-depth interviews were offered prior to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic; videoconferencing interviews were offered following the pandemic onset.

Setting:

A Midwestern US university workplace.

Method:

Adults ⩾ 21 years old with overweight or obesity and prediabetes ( n = 39) were recruited and volunteered to participate in a semi-structured interview.

Results:

Content analysis identified recurring themes among early and early slow weight loss responders. Social support received during weekly group sessions was a critical intervention component. Some early slow responders expressed difficulty with self-regulatory strategies such as setting specific yet attainable goals, and requested additional contact prior to the maintenance study phase – treatment randomisation at month 5 disrupted group dynamics. Early slow responders who received the intervention via videoconferencing believed the format interfered with their ability to establish friendships with other participants and gain insight and support from others’ lived experiences.

Conclusion:

Weight loss interventions may be more efficacious when considering participant heterogeneity during implementation of behavioural strategies. Findings suggest early slow weight loss responders may benefit from greater emphasis on goal setting and striving, agentic thinking, and social support. Future research is needed to examine the implications of these insights on intervention outcomes.
Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Visual Multimedia Instructions on Improvement in Business Administration Skills Among Widows in Rural Communities
Authors: Ahmad Jamilah , Enojo Enojo Kennie , Nasiru Ibrahim Mohammed , Sani Ine-Ere Rita , Akabuike Chikelue Chris , Pauline Ogbonne Ijeoma , Gever Verlumun Celestine C.
Published: September 2023

This study determined the impact of computer-assisted visual multimedia instructions (CAMI) on improvement in business administration skills among widows in rural areas using a quasi-experimental design. The result showed that at Time 1, the widows in both the control and CAMI groups reported low knowledge of business administration skills such as teamwork, delegation, supervision, financial management and customer service skills. After CAMI, the widows significantly differed with those in the treatment group reporting significantly higher mean scores on all the measures of business administration. Widows in CAMI group (unlike the control group) also reported an improvement in their business start-up intentions.
The Social Origins of Rebellion: Toward a New Quantitative Research Agenda
Authors: Koren Ore , Uzonyi Gary
Published: September 2023

Quantitative approaches to conflict research are evolving to incorporate better theoretical, methodical, and dataset tools. One key area where our progress is especially limited relates to the social origins of rebel groups: how a group’s political identity emerges as a focal point for mobilization and future conflict behaviors. We benchmark two key empirical agendas in civil war and rebellion research and then discuss key contributions of this special issue. In bringing together multiple theoretical perspectives and original datasets, including the individual-level and group-level data, the contributions to this special feature push the research frontier further along these lines. Jointly, they demonstrate that a rebel group’s origins – where it comes from, who are its constituents, what is its political appeal, and how it organizes – have far-reaching implications to explanations along different dimensions and across a wide range of contexts and regions.
Anywhere but Here: Neighborhood Violence and Local School Preferences in Baltimore City
Authors: Burdick-Will Julia , Gebo Leela , Williams Alexandra D.
Published: September 2023

In this study, we examine whether students in violent neighborhoods actively avoid their local school as a form of social and physical protection. Specifically, we use 10 years of administrative data (2010–2020) from the high school choice open enrollment program in the Baltimore City Public School System to evaluate the interaction between neighborhood violence and geographic proximity when predicting choice behavior. We find that, adjusting for observed school characteristics and constant unobserved student characteristics, students from more violent neighborhoods are substantially less likely to choose their closest school than are students in safer neighborhoods; even when the closest school is listed, it is ranked lower for students from more violent neighborhoods than for students in safer ones. These findings have implications for how we think about the relationship between neighborhoods and educational opportunity in an era of choice.
In/formal reappropriations: Spatialised needs and desires in residential alleys in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Moreau Miza
Published: September 2023

This paper engages in critical debate with urban informality in interstitial urban spaces through the lens of micro-scalar spatial practices motivated by everyday needs and desires. The aim is to examine the generative potential of small-scale reappropriations to change the functions, meanings and governing policies of undervalued urban spaces. An empirical focus is taken on residential alleys in inner-city neighbourhoods of Melbourne, Australia. Remnants of 19th-century sanitation and drainage infrastructure, these alleys are now underdetermined spaces of manifold functions and meanings. Drawing from extensive fieldwork documentation and interviews, this study maps and interrogates the interplay of formal and informal spatial practices. Formal practices, driven by assertion of authority rather than vision for public space, operate like Bourdieu’s habitus. Informal practices, driven by everyday needs and desires, have a teleoaffective dimension that can modify the social field in which these dispositions are formed and thereby alter habitus.
Social Worlds and the Roles of Political Philosophy
Authors: Stewart Andrew
Published: September 2023

The term “social world” is increasingly familiar in philosophy and political theory. Rawls uses it quite often, especially in his later works. But there has been little explicit discussion of the term and the idea of social worlds. My aim in this paper is to show that political philosophers, Rawlsian or not, should think seriously about social worlds and the roles these things play and ought to play in their work. The idea of social worlds can help political philosophers think about what they do in new and fruitful ways and enrich debates about the roles, aims, and methodology of political philosophy.

I begin by analyzing Rawls’s uses of “social world.” I then propose a broadly Rawlsian conception of social worlds as logically possible closed networks of social relations between agents. Next, I put this conception to work, arguing that the idea of navigating the landscape of social worlds can help us better understand the four apparently disparate roles of political philosophy that Rawls presents. Moving beyond Rawls interpretation, I use the idea of social worlds to develop an analogy and distinction between world-oriented and principle-oriented approaches to political philosophy. While principle-oriented approaches grant centrality and importance to engagement with principles of justice, legitimacy, or other political concepts, world-oriented approaches grant centrality and importance to engagement with social worlds. I propose two examples of world-oriented approaches, political philosophy as navigation and political philosophy as world-building, and argue that they are viable and worthy of further consideration.
Torus Tubarius Hypertrophy After Adenoidectomy
Authors: Teng Zhi-Pan , Li Qi , Shen Xiao-Fei
Published: September 2023

Backgrounds: Adenoidectomy is widely used to cure sleep-disordered breathing symptoms in children, torus tubarius hypertrophy (TTH) after adenoidectomy causing recurred snoring, sleep apnea, nasal obstruction, or mouth breathing was rarely reported, and the causes of TTH are still unclear. Objectives: To report a rare complication TTH after adenoidectomy, and the features of TTH. Material and Methods: A total of 36 pediatric patients with TTH diagnosed by our hospital from January 2017 to 2023 were included in this study. All children were treated conservatively for a month at first, and 13 patients underwent partial resection of TTH. The influencing factors (sex, age, allergic rhinitis [AR], and first operation way) were analyzed. Results: There were 36 patients with TTH: 27 boys and 9 girls. The age of the first operation ranged from 20 to 63 months, and the interval time of TTH after operation ranged from 3 to 55 months. Thirteen patients underwent partial resection of TTH. Thirteen children had definite symptoms and signs of AR. Conclusions and Significance: TTH is a rare complication after adenoidectomy, which is common in male children (75.0%) and in patients who took adenoidectomy before the age of 5 years (94.4%). TTH can occur as early as 3 months after adenoidectomy. AR and the operation way might have relationships with TTH.
Many foods are more acid-forming than acid-alkaline formulas indicate
Authors: McMullen Michael K
Published: September 2023

Foods contain substances impacting the acid-base balance. The Western diet is often viewed as being overly acid due to its high-level of animal-based protein and low-level of vegetable intake. Meanwhile, with ageing the ability to excrete acid compounds is reduced as kidney function declines and so there is a risk of acid retention and subsequent interstitial acidosis. Two systems used for calculating the Dietary Acid Load (DAL): the potential acid load of foods (PRAL) and the net endogenous acid production (NEAP). This report outlines weaknesses in these formulas and concludes that dietitians and nutritionists lack the necessary tools to research the acid-base hypothesis. Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of food selection in the ageing population. Background: Foods contain substances impacting the acid-base balance. The Western diet is often viewed as being overly acid due to its high-level of animal-based protein and low-level of vegetable intake. There are concerns that the disproportionate acid intake promotes low-grade metabolic acidosis in the interstitial fluid, interstitial acidosis, and may lead to chronic disease. Two formulas are used for calculating the DAL: the PRAL and the NEAP. Both PRAL and NEAP are based on levels of protein and minerals. Aim: To identify additional food constituents that impact DAL. Methods: Review of the literature concerning the acid-forming and alkaline-forming constituents of foods. Results: Five additional food constituents were identified as potentially having a meaningful impact on DAL. The oxidation of taurine and the metabolism of fructose and purines increase acidity, whereas organic acids increase alkalinity. Additionally, polyphenols affect the microbiota which break down uric acid excreted in the intestinal tract. Conclusions: Neither PRAL nor NEAP provides complete assessments of the impact of foods on DAL. These formulas could be improved by the inclusion of dietary amino acids rather than protein, taurine, purines, fructose, organic acids and polyphenols. Currently, dietitians and nutritionists lack the necessary tools both to research the acid-base hypothesis and recommend managed diets. Managed diets are of particular importance for the elderly because of their reduced kidney function which increases the risk of acid retention and subsequent interstitial acidosis.
“Race Trouble”: Competing Accounts in a Trial About Anti-White Racism
Authors: Tracy Karen
Published: September 2023

To understand one type of race trouble, this study examines a federal civil trial brought by a white employee suing her African American supervisor for creating a racially hostile work environment. After explaining race trouble and its connection to talk about racism, background is provided on civil trials and this particular trial. Events about which competing accounts were offered in the trial included assignment of office space, meeting conduct, and use of the N-word and African American language. For each event I show how anti-white racism was argued for and how that argument was resisted. In the conclusion, I consider what this trial illuminates about twenty-first century U.S. race relations.
Effects of KISS1 structural polymorphism on the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome and reproductive hormones in Iraqi women who take metformin
Authors: Kadhem Ali Hakem , Gholizadeh Ashraf , Khalaj-Kondori Mohammad
Published: September 2023

Objective

To identify the effects of metformin and kisspeptin structural polymorphism on the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Iraqi women.

Methods

Samples were collected at the family planning center of Al-Hassan Teaching Hospital (infertility clinic), Iraq. Hormonal and hematological parameters were measured. Kisspeptin structural polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using a conventional thermal cycler and Phyre2 predictions. Kisspeptin concentrations were assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was the only sex hormone that changed in women with PCOS after metformin treatment. FSH concentrations were significantly increased after therapy compared with before therapy (9.39 ± 2.1 vs 5.13 ± 1.53 IU/L). We found that a single nucleotide polymorphism substituting G to C was related to PCOS. The kisspeptin structural polymorphism showed that the C allele was related to low FSH concentrations after treatment (6.92 ± 2.2 IU/L to 5.34 ± 1.58 IU/L). Kisspeptin concentrations were significantly lower after metformin treatment than before metformin treatment (395.44 ± 67.83 vs 273.18 ± 42.98 ng/mL).

Conclusion

A variation in the KISS1 gene or its protein structure may be involved in the development of PCOS. The response to metformin may be used as an indicator and could contribute to the early diagnosis and medical therapy of PCOS.
Reliability of Software Prediction of Post Orthodontic Treatment Changes
Authors: Sankrit Swatika , Gupta Ankur , Tiwari Dhruv Krishana , Chandana Anil K. , Bhattacharya Preeti , Bhandari Ravi , Singh Shivani
Published: September 2023

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of Dolphin VTO prediction in patients requiring extraction treatment by comparing the VTO-predicted values and post-treatment values.

Method

Digital pre and post-treatment lateral cephalograms of 52 patients having Class I bimaxillary protrusion were taken and transferred in Dolphin Imaging software for analysis and VTO prediction. A composite analysis was made containing 17 dental and soft tissue parameters (Holdaway, Mc Namara, Rakosi, Steiners, and Tweed analysis).

Results

A comparison between post-treatment and VTO-predicted values showed that software was able to predict soft tissue changes accurately in regions such as nose, inferior sulcus depth, and chin region ( p > .05). In dental changes, software was able to predict the inclination of upper incisors to Sn and palatal plane correctly ( p > .05). Parameters for other areas such as upper and lower lip, position of upper and lower incisor show significant difference in their VTO and post-treatment values ( p < .05) showing inaccuracy of the software.

Conclusion

The VTO prediction of dental and soft tissue changes was significantly different from the post-treatment values for parameters such as superior sulcus depth, lower lip to h line, subnasal to h line, upper lip thickness, lip strain, nasolabial angle, interincisal angle, Ui-NA, Li-NB, and IMPA. For nasal prominence, inferior sulcus depth, chin thickness, UI-SN, and UI-PP, there was no significant difference seen. Since, for most of the parameters, a significant difference was found between the post-treatment and the predicted values, so it was inferred that the software-based VTO prediction could not be fully relied for any treatment planning.
Enabling ‘AI’? The situated production of commensurabilities
Authors: Jaton Florian , Sormani Philippe
Published: September 2023

How can we examine so-called ‘artificial intelligence’ (‘AI’) without turning our backs on the STS tradition that questions both notions of artificiality and intelligence? This special issue attempts a step to the side: Instead of considering ‘AI’ as something that does or does not exist (and then taking a position on its benefits or harms), its ambition is to document, in an empirical and agnostic way, the performances that make, sometimes, ‘AI’ appear or disappear in situation. And it comes out, from this perspective, that 'AI' could be considered a vast commensuration undertaking.
Diagnostic Performance of 3D-NERVE as an Adjunct to Electromyography for the Assessment of Brachial Plexus Injury in Infants
Authors: Zhao Leilei , Zhao Jianshe , Ma Changyou , Lu Yi , Dong Chunhua
Published: September 2023

Objective: This study aimed to explore diagnostic performance of 3D-NERVE as an adjunct to electromyography for the assessment of brachial plexus injury in infants. Methods: Imaging of infants with brachial plexus injury using 3D-NERVE and/or 3D-STIR from 2019 to 2022 were reviewed. Images were evaluated between the 2 sequences for nerve-to-fat ratio, nerve-to-muscle ratio, muscle-to-fat ratio, fat suppression homogeneity, and display rate of brachial plexus branches. Results: This study included 37 infants who were referred for a clinical diagnosis of brachial plexus injury. A total of 21 infants accepted 3D-NERVE sequence scanning, and 16 infants accepted 3D-NERVE and 3D-STIR sequences scanning. The results of examination were generally consistent with electromyography. The 2 sequences were compared, yielding the following results. There were no pulsation artifacts (0/16), and 1 case with heterogeneous fat saturation (1/16) was seen on 3D-NERVE. There were no pulsation artifacts (0/16), and 5 cases with heterogeneous fat saturation (5/16) were seen on 3D-STIR. 3D-NERVE performed better ( P < .05) for nerve-to-fat and nerve-to-muscle ratios compared with 3D-STIR, and no significant difference in the muscle-to-fat ratio ( P > .05). The 3D-NERVE and STIR helped depict 100% (16/16) of the brachial roots and brachial plexus trunk. Brachial plexus bundles and brachial plexus branches were observed in 93.75% (15/16) and 68.75% (11/16) of the 3D-NERVE and 93.75% (15/16) and 62.5% (10/16) of the 3D-STIR, respectively. The differences were not statistically significant ( P > .05). Conclusion: Nerve trauma was better visualized with the 3D-NERVE, which is an effective adjunct to electromyography for doctors to assess brachial plexus injury and consequently helps in better treatment planning.
Ingroup Empathy, Help, and Blame After Anti-LGBT+ Hate Crime
Authors: Paterson Jenny L. , Walters Mark A. , Hall Lisa
Published: September 2023

Crimes motivated by hatred toward a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity typically cause greater physical and emotional harm than comparative crimes not motivated by hate. Compounding these impacts, hate crime victims receive less empathy, less support, and are blamed more for their victimization both by society in general and by criminal justice agencies. However, as hate crimes are the epitome of intergroup hostility, the crimes are also likely to engender an ingroup empathy bias in which fellow LGBT+ people provide greater empathy to hate crime victims, potentially motivating greater support and reducing victim blaming for these particularly marginalized victims. Across three studies, we examined LGBT+ participants’ empathic reactions to hate crime victims, along with their willingness to help victims and blame victims. In the Pilot Study ( N = 131) and Study 1 ( N = 600), we cross-sectionally showed that indirect experiences of hate crimes predicted a stronger LGBT+ identity which, in turn, was associated with greater empathy that predicted greater willingness to help victims and blame the victim less. In Study 2 ( N = 657), we experimentally manipulated the motivation of a crime (hate vs. non-hate) and the group membership of the victim (ingroup-LGBT+ vs. outgroup-heterosexual) and found that crimes that had one or more group elements (i.e., involved an ingroup member and/or was motivated by hate) elicited greater empathy that, in turn, increased the willingness to help the victim and reduced victim blaming. Together, the findings provide cogent evidence that LGBT+ communities respond to anti-LGBT+ hate crimes with overwhelming empathy, and this ingroup empathy bias motivates helping behaviors and reduces victim blame, thereby buffering the marginalizing consequences of hate crimes. Policy implications include acknowledging and harnessing the importance of shared identities when practitioners and criminal justice agencies respond to anti-LGBT+ hate crimes.
Olfactoscapes in Malawi: Exploring the smells children like and are exposed to in semi-urban classrooms
Authors: Kucirkova Natalia , Mwenda Chinula Neema
Published: September 2023

Moving beyond the “canned” lens on literacies dominant in contemporary literacy studies in Malawi, this study connects theoretical perspectives on sensory and critical literacies to original empirical data on children’s lived “olfactory literacies”. We focus on situational and locally experienced odours in two classrooms in semi-urban Malawi. We present findings from interviews and drawings with 25 children who shared their olfactory preferences with the local researcher. Children’s views were supplemented with the researcher’s and teachers’ evaluations of the olfactory qualities of their classroom environments. Our study advances the field by being the first to unite theoretical provocations on sensory literacies in global child research with critical and empirical insights into children’s local olfactoscapes.
Thoughts and perspectives on biomechanical numerical models under impacts: Are women forgotten from research?
Authors: Roth Sebastien
Published: September 2023

The present paper explores a series of articles in the literature which deal with impact biomechanics of the head and thorax/abdomen segments, investigating the “sex specific properties/data” used in the studies. Statements in these studies are analyzed and point out, the use of male or female subjects for the developments of finite element models and their validation against experimental data. The present analysis raises the question about “androcentrism,” and how biomechanical engineering findings and the design of the derived protecting devices are focused on male subjects.
Patient and provider perspectives on barriers to myocardial infarction care among persons with human immunodeficiency virus in Tanzania: A qualitative study
Authors: Prattipati Sainikitha , Tarimo Tumsifu G , Kweka Godfrey L , Mlangi Jerome J , Samuel Dorothy , Sakita Francis M , Tupetz Anna , Bettger Janet P , Thielman Nathan M , Temu Gloria , Hertz Julian T
Published: September 2023

Introduction

People with HIV (PLWH) have an increased risk myocardial infarction (MI), and evidence suggests that MI is under-diagnosed in Tanzania. However, little is known about barriers to MI care among PLWH in the region.

Methods

In this qualitative study grounded in phenomenology, semi-structured interviews were conducted in northern Tanzania. Purposive sampling was used to recruit a diverse group of providers who care for PLWH and patients with HIV and electrocardiographic evidence of prior MI. Emergent themes were identified via inductive thematic analysis.

Results

24 physician and patient participants were interviewed. Most participants explained MI as caused by emotional shock and were unaware of the association between HIV and increased MI risk. Providers described poor provider training regarding MI, high out-of-pocket costs, and lack of diagnostic equipment and medications. Patients reported little engagement with and limited knowledge of cardiovascular care, despite high engagement with HIV care. Most provider and patient participants indicated that they would prefer to integrate cardiovascular care with routine HIV care.

Conclusions

PLWH face many barriers to MI care in Tanzania. There is a need for multifaceted interventions to educate providers and patients, improve access to MI diagnosis, and increase engagement with cardiovascular care among this population.