bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immigrant and ethnic minority patients` reported experiences in psychiatric care in Europe – a scoping review
Authors: Kjøllesdal Marte Karoline Råberg , Iversen Hilde Hestad , Skudal Kjersti Eeg , Ellingsen-Dalskau Lina Harvold
Published: November 2023

Background

There is little evidence on experiences in psychiatric care treatment among patients with immigrant or ethnic minority background. Knowledge about their experiences is crucial in the development of equal and high-quality services and is needed to validate instruments applied in national patient experience surveys in Norway. The aim of this scoping review is to assess and summarize current evidence on immigrant and ethnic minorities` experiences in psychiatric care treatment in Europe.

Methods

Guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute were followed and the research process adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. The literature search was carried out in Medline, Cinahl, Web of Science, Cochrane database of systematic reviews, Embase, and APA PsychInfo, up to Dec 2022, for articles on immigrant patients` experiences in psychiatric care. Reference lists of included articles were screened for additional relevant articles. Titles and abstracts were screened, and potentially relevant articles read in full-text, by two researchers. Evidence was extracted using an a priori extraction form and summarized in tables and text. Any disagreement between the reviewers regarding inclusion of articles or extracted information details were resolved through discussion between authors.

Results

We included eight studies in the scoping review. Immigrant and ethnic minority background patients did not differ from the general population in quantitative satisfaction questionnaires. However, qualitative studies showed that they experience a lack of understanding and respect of own culture and related needs, and difficulties in communication, which do not seem to be captured in questionnaire-based studies.

Conclusion

Raising awareness about the importance of respect and understanding for patients` cultural background and communication needs for treatment satisfaction should be addressed in future quality improvement work.
Effect of initial recurrence site on the prognosis of different tissue types of non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li Yanli , Liu Lizhu , You Ruiming , Li Qingwan , Jiang Zhaojuan , Pu Hongjiang , Li Zhenhui , Chen Xiaobo
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To explore the correlation between the initial recurrence site and survival after recurrence (PRS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We collected 588 stages I–III NSCLC patients with recurrence after radical resection in Yunnan Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to December 2018. We used Kaplan–Meier survival curves to compare PRS in patients with different site recurrences. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the impact of the initial recurrence site on PRS.

Results

The recurrence site included the lung (n = 109), brain (n = 113), bone (n = 79), abdomen (n = 28), pleura (n = 24), lymph node (n = 81), and multisite (n = 154). In the total population, patients with multisite recurrence had substantially worse PRS (24.8 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.46–32.20) than that of patients without multiple sites recurrence (42.2 months, 95% CI 32.24–52.10) (P = 0.026). However, patients with lung recurrence had better RFS (63.1 months, 95% CI 51.13–74.00) than those who did not (31.0 months, 95% CI 25.10–36.96) (P < 0.001). In adenocarcinoma, patients with pleural recurrence had substantially worse PRS (21.3 months, 95% CI 15.07–27.46) than that of patients without pleural recurrence (46.9 months, 95% CI 35.07–58.80) (P = 0.031). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that lung recurrence (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40–0.82; P = 0.003) was independent protective prognostic factor for PRS in the total population, while pleural recurrence (HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.14–4.17; P = 0.018) was independent adverse prognostic factors for PRS in adenocarcinoma patients.

Conclusion

The initial recurrence site was associated with PRS in NSCLC patients. Identification of recurrence sites could guide the subsequent treatment.
Microglial activation, tau and amyloid deposition in TREM2 p.R47H carriers and mild cognitive impairment patients: a multi-modal/multi-tracer PET/MRI imaging study with influenza vaccine immune challenge
Authors: Cousins Oliver , Schubert Julia J. , Chandra Avinash , Veronese Mattia , Valkimadi Polena , Creese Byron , Khan Zunera , Arathimos Ryan , Hampshire Adam , Rosenzweig Ivana , Ballard Clive , Corbett Anne , Aasland Dag , Velayudhan Latha , O’Neill Michael , Collier David , Awais Ramla , Sander Kerstin , Årstad Erik , Howes Oliver , Turkheimer Federico , Hodges Angela
Published: November 2023

Background

Microglia are increasingly understood to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. The rs75932628 (p.R47H) TREM2 variant is a well-established risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. TREM2 is a microglial cell surface receptor. In this multi-modal/multi-tracer PET/MRI study we investigated the effect of TREM2 p.R47H carrier status on microglial activation, tau and amyloid deposition, brain structure and cognitive profile.

Methods

We compared TREM2 p.R47H carriers (n = 8; median age = 62.3) and participants with mild cognitive impairment (n = 8; median age = 70.7). Participants underwent two [18F]DPA-714 PET/MRI scans to assess TSPO signal, indicative of microglial activation, before and after receiving the seasonal influenza vaccination, which was used as an immune stimulant. Participants also underwent [18F]florbetapir and [18F]AV1451 PET scans to assess amyloid and tau burden, respectively. Regional tau and TSPO signal were calculated for regions of interest linked to Braak stage. An additional comparison imaging healthy control group (n = 8; median age = 45.5) had a single [18F]DPA-714 PET/MRI. An expanded group of participants underwent neuropsychological testing, to determine if TREM2 status influenced clinical phenotype.

Results

Compared to participants with mild cognitive impairment, TREM2 carriers had lower TSPO signal in Braak II (P = 0.04) and Braak III (P = 0.046) regions, despite having a similar burden of tau and amyloid. There were trends to suggest reduced microglial activation following influenza vaccine in TREM2 carriers. Tau deposition in the Braak VI region was higher in TREM2 carriers (P = 0.04). Furthermore, compared to healthy controls TREM2 carriers had smaller caudate (P = 0.02), total brain (P = 0.049) and white matter volumes (P = 0.02); and neuropsychological assessment revealed worse ADAS-Cog13 (P = 0.03) and Delayed Matching to Sample (P = 0.007) scores.

Conclusions

TREM2 p.R47H carriers had reduced levels of microglial activation in brain regions affected early in the Alzheimer’s disease course and differences in brain structure and cognition. Changes in microglial response may underlie the increased Alzheimer’s disease risk in TREM2 p.R47H carriers. Future therapeutic agents in Alzheimer’s disease should aim to enhance protective microglial actions.
Circular RNA ZBTB46 depletion alleviates the progression of Atherosclerosis by regulating the ubiquitination and degradation of hnRNPA2B1 via the AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Fu Yahong , Jia Qiaowei , Ren Mengmeng , Bie Hengjie , Zhang Xin , Zhang Qian , He Shu , Li Chengcheng , Zhou Hanxiao , Wang Yanjun , Gan Xiongkang , Tao Zhengxian , Chen Xiumei , Jia Enzhi
Published: November 2023

Background

CircZBTB46 has been identified as being associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and has the potential to be a diagnostic biomarker for CAD. However, the specific function and detailed mechanism of circZBTB46 in CAD are still unknown.

Methods

The expression levels and properties of circRNAs were examined using qRT‒PCR, RNA FISH, and subcellular localization analysis. ApoE−/− mice fed a high-fat diet were used to establish an atherosclerosis model. HE, Masson, and Oil Red O staining were used to analyze the morphological features of the plaque. CCK-8, Transwell, and wound healing assays, and flow cytometric analysis were used to evaluate cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. RNA pull-down, silver staining, mass spectrometry analysis, and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) were performed to identify the interacting proteins of circZBTB46.

Results

CircZBTB46 is highly conserved and is significantly upregulated in atherosclerotic lesions. Functional studies revealed that knockdown of circZBTB46 significantly decreased the atherosclerotic plaque area, attenuating the progression of atherosclerosis. In addition, silencing circZBTB46 inhibited cell proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, circZBTB46 physically interacted with hnRNPA2B1 and suppressed its degradation, thereby regulating cell functions and the formation of aortic atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, circZBTB46 was identified as a functional mediator of PTEN-dependent regulation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and thus affected cell proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis.

Conclusion

Our study provides the first direct evidence that circZBTB46 functions as an important regulatory molecule for CAD progression by interacting with hnRNPA2B1 and regulating the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Epidemiology of influenza over a ten-year period in Belgium: overview of the historical and current evidence
Authors: Prezzi A. , Saelens X. , Vandijck D.
Published: November 2023

Background

Generally influenza, a contagious respiratory disease, leads to mild illness, but can present as a severe illness with significant complications for some. It entails significant health challenges and an economic burden. Annual vaccination is considered the most effective preventive measure against influenza, especially in high-risk groups.

Method

Epidemiological, demographic and vaccination data of influenza from 2009-to-2019 is collected from Sciensano, the Belgian Institute for Health. Sciensano monitors influenza virus through two surveillances: the Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) surveillance in primary care and the Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) surveillance in hospital settings.

Results

49.6% [± 8.5] of all ILI-samples tested positive in this period. Influenza A was the dominant circulating type, accounting for 73.7% [± 27.5] of positive samples, while influenza B accounted for 24.3% [± 26.7]. For SARI-surveillance, the average rate of samples tested positive was 36.3% [± 9.3]. Influenza A was responsible for respectively 77.7% [± 23.8] of positive samples and influenza B for 22.2% [± 23.7]. Since 2010, epidemics typically lasted about 9.3 weeks [± 2.7]. From 2012 to 2019 the average vaccine effectiveness was 34.9% [± 15.3].

Conclusion

Influenza is quickly considered a trivial disease, but can have substantial repercussions. It remains difficult to identify the level of treat of influenza due to antigenic evolution. Measures to prevent, control and treat are needed. Vaccines that provide broader and more durable protection that can be produced more rapidly could be a potential solution.
An individualized nomogram for predicting and validating spread through air space (STAS) in surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma: a single center retrospective analysis
Authors: Wang Jing , Yao Yuanshan , Tang Dongfang , Gao Wen
Published: November 2023

Objective

A single-center study was conducted to explore the association between STAS and other clinical features in surgically resected adenocarcinoma to enhance our current understanding of STAS.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled patients with lung adenocarcinoma (n = 241) who underwent curative surgeries. Patients undergoing surgery in 2019 were attributed to the training group (n = 188) and those undergoing surgery in January 2022 to June 2022 were attributed to the validation (n = 53) group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictive factors for STAS, which were used to construct a simple nomogram. Furthermore, ROC and calibration curves were used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram. In addition, we conducted decision curve analysis (DCA) to assess the clinical utility of this nomogram.

Results

In our cohort, 52 patients were identified as STAS-positive (21.6%). In univariate analysis, STAS was significantly associated with age, surgical approach, CEA, CTR (Consolidation Tumor Ratio), TNM stage, tumor grade, gross tumor size, resection margin, vessel cancer embolus, pleural invasion, lymph node metastasis, high ki67 and positive PD-L1 staining (P < 0.05). Lower age, CTR > 0.75, vessel cancer embolus, high Ki67 and PD-L1 stain positive were significant predictors for STAS during multivariate logistics analysis. A simple nomogram was successfully constructed based on these five predictors. The AUC values of our nomogram for the probability of tumor STAS were 0.860 in the training group and 0.919 in the validation group. In addition, the calibration curve and DCA validated the good performance of this model.

Conclusion

A nomogram was successfully constructed to identify the presence of STAS in surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma patients.
Genitourinary cancers updates: highlights from ASCO 2023
Authors: Qin Qian , Sheffield Hollie , Taasan Sean M. , Wang Andrew Z. , Zhang Tian
Published: November 2023

Significant scientific advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapy approaches have improved clinical outcomes and increased treatment options for patients with genitourinary (GU) malignancies. We highlight the clinical trial developments released at the ASCO 2023 annual meeting, including PARP inhibitors for prostate cancer, antibody drug conjugates and fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors for urothelial cancer, and HIF2a inhibitors for renal cell carcinoma. Novel agents such as bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, and radiopharmaceuticals are currently in early phase development and also have high potential impact for the GU cancer landscape. With more treatment options, the field will need to define best treatment sequencing to optimize outcomes for each patient.
A flexible dose-response modeling framework based on continuous toxicity outcomes in phase I cancer clinical trials
Authors: Lee Se Yoon
Published: November 2023

Background

The past few decades have seen remarkable developments in dose-finding designs for phase I cancer clinical trials. While many of these designs rely on a binary toxicity response, there is an increasing focus on leveraging continuous toxicity responses. A continuous toxicity response pertains to a quantitative measure represented by real numbers. A higher value corresponds not only to an elevated likelihood of side effects for patients but also to an increased probability of treatment efficacy. This relationship between toxicity and dose is often nonlinear, necessitating flexibility in the quest to find an optimal dose.

Methods

A flexible, fully Bayesian dose-finding design is proposed to capitalize on continuous toxicity information, operating under the assumption that the true shape of the dose-toxicity curve is nonlinear.

Results

We conduct simulations of clinical trials across varying scenarios of non-linearity to evaluate the operational characteristics of the proposed design. Additionally, we apply the proposed design to a real-world problem to determine an optimal dose for a molecularly targeted agent.

Conclusions

Phase I cancer clinical trials, designed within a fully Bayesian framework with the utilization of continuous toxicity outcomes, offer an alternative approach to finding an optimal dose, providing unique benefits compared to trials designed based on binary toxicity outcomes.
Mediating effect of self-concealment between non-suicidal self-injury and internet addiction in college students: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Xushu , Ma Qin , Peng Xueping , Yang Haijun , Ye Zixiang , Yang Cui , He Changjiu
Published: November 2023

Background

Internet addiction, defined as uncontrolled behaviour resulting from the use of the Internet without the influence of addictive substances, which can seriously impair academic, occupational and social functioning. Non-suicidal self-injury, defined as self-injurious behaviour without the intent to die, and its addictive characteristics are similar to those of Internet addiction. Currently, there is a lack of research on the relationship between non-suicidal self-injury and Internet addiction. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between non-suicidal self-injury and internet addiction among college students and the role of self-concealment in this relationship.

Methods

In this study, data were collected online between December 2022 and January 2023 from 600 university students in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, using purposive sampling. The questionnaires included the Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Inventory (NSSI), the Self-Concealment Scale (SCS) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT).

Results

A total of 573 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a valid recovery rate of 95.50%.

Conclution

The results suggest that self-concealment plays a partial mediating role between non-suicidal self-injury and internet addiction among college students. The authors emphasized the importance of internet addiction. In order to reduce the occurrence of internet addiction, schools should provide targeted interventions to promote the psychological health of college students’ internet addictive behaviours.
A chronological study of gunshot residue (GSR) detection techniques: a narrative review
Authors: Krishna Sreelakshmi , Ahuja Pooja
Published: November 2023

Background

The investigation and reconstruction of firearm-related crimes for the determination of the shooting distance, time since fire, and gunshot residue (GSR) persistence using the analysis of GSR comprising organic and inorganic components are crucial. However, the conventional color tests and allied techniques for GSR analysis are destructive and have limited sensitivity and selectivity.

Main text

The review gives an elaborate and chronological description of all the methods used to date along with the future aspects of GSR detection techniques. It highlights the significant methods of spectrometry and spectroscopy applied as analytical techniques for the evaluation of GSR. The study is divided into various sections, ranging from the conventional color tests to the current techniques used in GSR analysis. While there is inconsistency and unreliability in these techniques, the current approaches discussed in this study using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), and electrochemical sensor-based methods have significant potential for GSR detection. Addressing such limitations will enhance the forensic capabilities of law enforcement and provide an added advantage to forensic laboratories during an investigation. It will also reinforce the use of such spectroscopic data in a criminal investigation. The techniques discussed here have the capability to detect both organic and inorganic components of GSR that has the potential to link GSR particles to the type of ammunition discharged.

Conclusions

The validity and reliability of these approaches have proved to establish their capability to differentiate between potential false positives known for standard forensic analysis techniques currently used for GSR detection and identification. The paper anticipates a systematic study of the novel methodologies relevant to the current scope of research concerning GSR analysis, when fully developed and implemented in practice will help forensic scientists to detect, identify, and analyze GSR, making it a new and important type of evidence.
Local imperceptible adversarial attacks against human pose estimation networks
Authors: Liu Fuchang , Zhang Shen , Wang Hao , Yan Caiping , Miao Yongwei
Published: November 2023

Deep neural networks are vulnerable to attacks from adversarial inputs. Corresponding attack research on human pose estimation (HPE), particularly for body joint detection, has been largely unexplored. Transferring classification-based attack methods to body joint regression tasks is not straightforward. Another issue is that the attack effectiveness and imperceptibility contradict each other. To solve these issues, we propose local imperceptible attacks on HPE networks. In particular, we reformulate imperceptible attacks on body joint regression into a constrained maximum allowable attack. Furthermore, we approximate the solution using iterative gradient-based strength refinement and greedy-based pixel selection. Our method crafts effective perceptual adversarial attacks that consider both human perception and attack effectiveness. We conducted a series of imperceptible attacks against state-of-the-art HPE methods, including HigherHRNet, DEKR, and ViTPose. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves excellent imperceptibility while maintaining attack effectiveness by significantly reducing the number of perturbed pixels. Approximately 4% of the pixels can achieve sufficient attacks on HPE.
Structural integrity of grey and white matter in schizophrenic patients by diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Khalil Aya Mohamed Reda , Samier Heba Mohamed , Dawoud Mahmoud Abdelaziz , Elsharawy Fatma Anas
Published: November 2023

Background

Schizophrenia is a chronic disabling mental illness. A novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique known as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a non-invasive and does not need external contrast materials. It is capable of identifying anomalies in the white matter micro-structure of the brain. This work conducted the DTI in schizophrenic patients to evaluate altered structural integrity in grey and white matter.

Methods

This prospective case control study was conducted on 25 schizophrenic patients selected from neuropsychiatric department, and 25 age/sex-matched healthy controls.

Results

Schizophrenic patients showed diminished fractional anisotropy in fornix, corpus callosum, right cingulum, right superior and inferior occipito-frontal fasciculi. Increased mean diffusivity in right inferior occipito-frontal fasciculus, corpus callosum, right thalamus and right basal ganglia were noted in schizophrenic patients. Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity had a predictive value for detection of schizophrenic patients.

Conclusions

DTI of white and grey matter tracts is considered a promising tool for diagnosis of schizophrenic patients which usually have prolonged illness, chronic course and poor outcome.
Matching barriers and facilitators to implementation strategies: recommendations for community settings
Authors: Balis Laura E. , Houghtaling Bailey
Published: November 2023

Background

Implementation science aims to improve the integration of evidence-based interventions in real-world settings. While its methods and models could potentially apply to any field with evidence-based interventions, most research thus far has originated in clinical settings. Community settings often have fewer resources, missions beyond health, and a lack of support and expertise to implement evidence-based interventions when compared to many clinical settings. Thus, selecting and tailoring implementation strategies in community settings is particularly challenging, as existing compilations are primarily operationalized through clinical setting terminology. In this debate, we (1) share the process of using an existing match tool to select implementation strategies to increase uptake of nutrition and physical activity policy, systems, and environment interventions in community settings and (2) discuss the challenges of this process to argue that selecting implementation strategies in community settings has limited transferability from clinical settings and may require a unique implementation strategy compilation and pragmatic matching tool.

Matching barriers to implementation strategies

The impetus for this debate paper came from our work selecting implementation strategies to improve the implementation and eventual scaling of nutrition and physical activity policy, systems, and environment interventions in a community settings. We conducted focus groups with practitioners and used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research-Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change match tool to select potential implementation strategies to overcome prominent barriers. There was limited congruence between tool outputs and optimal strategies, which may in part be due to differences in context between clinical and community settings. Based on this, we outline needs and recommendations for developing a novel and pragmatic matching tool for researchers and practitioners in community settings.

Conclusions

More work is needed to refine the implementation barrier-strategy matching process to ensure it is relevant, rapid, and rigorous. As leading implementation strategy scholars note, as more researchers document contextual factors and strategies selected to address them, the knowledge base will increase, and refined mapping processes can emerge.
Peptide-modified PAMAM-based bone-targeting RNA delivery system
Authors: Patil Suryaji , Gao Yong-Guang , Qian Airong
Published: November 2023

Background

Osteoporosis, among other bone diseases, has become a prevalent cause of decreased quality of life in older and postmenopausal women. Traditional anti-osteoporotic therapies, though widely prescribed, are limited by a lack of cell- or tissue-specific targeting ability and effectiveness without side effects. Gene therapy is rapidly replacing traditional therapeutics, primarily because of its specific targeting ability and efficiency. Among viral- and non-viral-based gene therapies, the latter is often preferred over the former due to lower cytotoxicity, immunogenicity, and ease of modification with different molecules to improve efficiency and extend gene expression. We designed and synthesized a multifunctional bone-targeting ribonucleic acid (RNA) delivery system based on polyamidoamine (PAMAM). PAMAM was modified with the serine-aspartate-serine-serine-aspartate (SDSSD) peptide to deliver antagomir 138-5p to osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cell line) in vitro and in vivo using the ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model.

Results

The results showed that this system was less cytotoxic than polyethylenimine (PEI) and could bind to RNA favorably while maintaining gene delivery ability in vitro. In vivo data showed that the distal tibia and femur of the mice in the PAMAM-SDSSD (PS) + RNA group had improved bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone volume compared to those in the PS + Negative Control (NC) or OVX groups. Moreover, the femurs of the PS + RNA group mice demonstrated a higher breaking point, stress, stiffness, and elasticity than those of the PS + NC or OVX mice, suggesting improved femur strength in the OVX mice treated with RNA delivered through SDSSD-modified PAMAM.

Conclusion

This study shows that SDSSD modification of PAMAM not only improves gene delivery capacity but also enhances the cell targeting efficiency of nanoparticles towards osteoblasts. The successful delivery of antagomir 138-5p to osteoblasts demonstrates cell-specificity and gene delivery to alleviate osteoporotic symptoms.
Amplitude-preserving P-/S-wavefield separation with the discontinuous Galerkin method on unstructured meshes
Authors: Huang Jiandong , Yang Dinghui , He Xijun , Liu Tao , Meng Weijuan
Published: November 2023

The decoupling of P and S waves is an essential prerequisite for elastic reverse time migration, which effectively reduces crosstalk artifacts, but most wavefield separation algorithms are implemented on uniform rectangular grids. We develop an amplitude- and phase-preserving P- and S-wavefield separation approach on unstructured meshes, which can effectively decompose the original elastic wavefield into P and S wavefields. The isotropic case is considered. With the aid of viscoelastic theory, we choose to attenuate P or S waves and preserve the other wave mode, so as to achieve wavefield decomposition. Viscoelastic wave equations are first reformulated as decoupling wave equations with a selective strong attenuation. We then use the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method to simulate decoupling P or S wavefield propagation on triangular and tetrahedral meshes. We adopt a quadrature-free DG approach and the arbitrary mesh is mapped into the reference mesh for numerical calculation, where no additional volume and surface integrations are involved. The amplitude and phase information of this vector decomposition agrees with that of the original elastic data. Four numerical examples are used to demonstrate the superior performance of this vector decomposition algorithm. The isotropic example indicates the applicability and correctness of our scheme and the second example displays superiority in handling strong velocity contrasts. The third example exhibits mesh flexibility in dealing with complex structures, such as caves, faults, and undulating surfaces. The last example indicates the effectiveness of our developed algorithm extended to a 3D case.
Comparing Active Surveillance and Watchful Waiting With Radical Treatment Using Machine Learning Models Among Patients With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Hu Siqi , Chang Chun-Pin , Snyder John , Deshmukh Vikrant , Newman Michael , Date Ankita , Galvao Carlos , Porucznik Christina A. , Gren Lisa H. , Sanchez Alejandro , Lloyd Shane , Haaland Benjamin , O'Neil Brock , Hashibe Mia
Published: November 2023

PURPOSE

In 2021, 59.6% of low-risk patients with prostate cancer were under active surveillance (AS) as their first course of treatment. However, few studies have investigated AS and watchful waiting (WW) separately. The objectives of this study were to develop and validate a population-level machine learning model for distinguishing AS and WW in the conservative treatment group, and to investigate initial cancer management trends from 2004 to 2017 and the risk of chronic diseases among patients with prostate cancer with different treatment modalities.

METHODS

In a cohort of 18,134 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 2004 and 2017, 1,926 patients with available AS/WW information were analyzed using machine learning algorithms with 10-fold cross-validation. Models were evaluated using performance metrics and Brier score. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios for chronic disease risk.

RESULTS

Logistic regression models achieved a test area under the receiver operating curve of 0.73, F-score of 0.79, accuracy of 0.71, and Brier score of 0.29, demonstrating good calibration, precision, and recall values. We noted a sharp increase in AS use between 2004 and 2016 among patients with low-risk prostate cancer and a moderate increase among intermediate-risk patients between 2008 and 2017. Compared with the AS group, radical treatment was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer–specific mortality but higher risks of Alzheimer disease, anemia, glaucoma, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.

CONCLUSION

A machine learning approach accurately distinguished AS and WW groups in conservative treatment in this decision analytical model study. Our results provide insight into the necessity to separate AS and WW in population-based studies.
Old “New Media” and Literary Studies before 1960
Authors: Kiséry András , Nee David
Published: November 2023

New media played an important but largely understudied role in the formation of literary studies as a discipline. The dominant tradition of literary criticism has implied that literature was superior to and fully distinct from competing media and that the methods and concepts of literary scholarship were untouched by the emergence of new technological media. This introduction surveys some of the ways in which modern literary scholarship was in fact entangled with new media: from the revolutionary effect of the photostat on textual studies, to the rise of the concept of “orality” in tandem with new techniques for transcribing sound, to twentieth-century literary scholars’ extensive experiments with film and video as novel pedagogical aids. Along with the contributions to this special issue, this introduction shows that revisiting the false starts and dead ends of media-attuned literary scholarship during this formative period can help us defamiliarize our own convictions and open up alternative visions for the place of literary studies in a media-saturated world.
Public Attitudes, Inequities, and Polarization in the Launch of the 988 Lifeline
Authors: Callaghan Timothy , Ferdinand Alva O. , Motta Matt , Lockman Alee , Shrestha Aakriti , Trujillo Kristin Lunz
Published: November 2023

Context: To address the considerable burden of mental health need in the United States, Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act in 2020. The act rebranded the national suicide prevention lifeline as 988, a three-digit number akin to 911 for individuals to call in the case of a mental health emergency. Surprisingly little is known about American attitudes toward this new lifeline.

Methods: The authors use a demographically representative survey of 5,482 US adults conducted June 24–28, 2022, to examine the influence of mental health status, partisan identification, and demographic characteristics on public awareness of the new 988 lifeline, public support for the lifeline, and intention to use it.

Findings: The authors find that while only a quarter of Americans are aware of the lifeline, support for the 988 lifeline is widespread, with more than 75% of Americans indicating they would be likely to use the new number if needed. The authors identify key disparities in awareness, support, and intended use, with Republicans, individuals with low socioeconomic status, and Blacks less supportive of the 988 lifeline and in some cases less likely to use it.

Conclusions: The results point to the need for additional interventions that increase public awareness of 988 and reduce disparities in program knowledge, support, and intention to use.
Evaluation of a Coach-Centered Youth ACL Injury Risk Reduction Workshop Using RE-AIM Sports Setting Framework
Authors: Yates Brandon A. , Janosky Joseph , Ologhobo Titilayo , Russomano James , Ling Daphne I. , Kinderknecht James J. , Schoenthaler Antoinette M. , Marx Robert G.
Published: November 2023

Introduction/Purpose

Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and short-term effectiveness of a community-based anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk reduction program (IRP) live workshop using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework modified for sports settings.

Methods

We conducted a prospective longitudinal study. Custom surveys were administered before and after the workshop and 1 month later to capture contextual variables needed to evaluate the program using four of the five RE-AIM domains. Live workshops were conducted at community centers throughout the northeastern US, and coaches were trained on risk factors for ACL injuries and how to identify and correct musculoskeletal movements known to increase ACL injury risk.

Results

Three hundred and seventy-three coaches attended the workshop, but 171 (46.4%; mean age, 33 ± 10 yr; 58% male) completed pre- and post-workshop surveys demonstrating significant improvements (P < 0.0001) in measures of program effectiveness, including knowledge (8.1%), attitudes/beliefs (18.0%), and confidence (39.6%). Overall, 98% of coaches were satisfied with the workshop delivery quality and content. Fifty-three coaches completed a 1-month follow-up survey, 75.5% of whom reported adoption of the ACL IRP. Of these, 100% reported implementing the ACL IRP before practice/training sessions, and 97.5% reported implementing it before games/competitions.

Conclusions

Overall, the results of this evaluation demonstrate the ACL IRP workshop feasibility and provide guidance for enhancement of the workshop. Our ACL IRP workshop was effective at increasing coaches’ knowledge and perspectives about injury risk reduction principles. Although the behavioral strategies incorporated in the program design promoted high ACL IRP workshop satisfaction, further improvements are needed to increase survey response rates during post-workshop follow-up.
Tributaries of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and lessons learned
Authors: Pederson Thoru
Published: November 2023

Almost without exception, scientific breakthroughs are not epistemological orphans. Historians of science have developed a body of scholarship on this, and the cases arising in our era continue to confirm the phenomenon. The work by Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman that proved foundational for the subsequent development of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 had its antecedent roots yet is also a striking example of both serendipity and their persistence. Their receipt of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was greatly deserved and, as Alfred Nobel likely envisioned the broad impact to be for all the prizes, affirms to the public at large that there is such a thing as the scientific method, and that there are such things as facts. The importance of society recognizing this has always been critically important, perhaps never more so than now.
Public perception and acceptance of CCUS: preliminary findings of a qualitative case study in Greece
Authors: Stavrianakis Kostas , Nielsen Jacob , Morrison Zoe
Published: November 2023

The development and implementation of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies plays an increasingly important part in European Union (EU) and global decarbonisation policies and strategies that seek to address climate change to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. Several studies have shown the important role social acceptance plays in determining the outcomes of CCUS projects and how social acceptance is shaped by the national and local contexts. Yet most studies on CCUS and social acceptance have focused on countries in northern Europe and North America despite the increasing numbers of CCUS projects in other regions of the world. This study seeks to help address this gap by conducting a case study on how local dynamics shaped people's acceptance and awareness of CCUS in a Greek community. Based on semi-structured interviews with community members near a CCUS pilot plant, this single case study explores the factors and dynamics that shaped the interviewees' perceptions of CCUS technologies. Our findings indicate that, despite the low level of awareness of CCUS technologies, participants could draw on their situated knowledge to identify potential drawbacks with their application. We identified scepticism regarding the adoption of new technologies and the organisations involved based on past experiences, and a notable lack provision of technology and location-specific information as well public engagement by the project consortium. Our recommendations for future projects and community engagement include the early involvement of the public in project development, location-based transparent information, appropriate channels to facilitate knowledge exchange, and educational initiatives to build communities' capability to influence projects.
More Than Meets the Eye: The Unintended Consequence of Leader Dominance Orientation on Subordinate Ethicality
Authors: Brady Garrett L. , Sivanathan Niro
Published: November 2023

Leaders play a pivotal role in establishing ethical norms and behaviors within organizations. Across seven studies (three in the Supplementary Information), we explore how subordinates infer their leader’s moral character outside the domain of ethical conduct and document this process’s downstream consequences. Specifically, we focus on the dual-strategies theory, which posits that leaders exert influence and obtain deference via two broad orientations of behaviors and cognitions: dominance and prestige. In a field setting of employees and their managers, we find that leader dominance orientation positively relates to subordinate self-reported unethical behavior, whereas leader prestige is negatively related to the same. In a second sample of working adults, we use a time-lagged study design to show that leader dominance (prestige) positively (negatively) relates to subordinate-reported unethical behavior at work partly because of a belief that the leaders engage in more (less) unethical behaviors, which contributes to a belief that norm-violating behaviors are more (less) acceptable within teams under dominance- (prestige-) oriented leaders. Finally, across four experimental studies, we observe that participants assigned to a dominance-oriented (versus prestige-oriented) leader perceived their leader as having lower moral character and expressed a greater likelihood of engaging in unethical behavior. We also document actual unethical behavior for monetary gain. This effect was mediated by the belief that unethical behavior was normative within the team. Our results highlight the importance of moral (mis)perception by demonstrating the consequences of a leader’s hierarchical orientation on subordinate ethical perceptions and behaviors at work.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.15640 .
Sparks of symmetric matrices and their graphs
Authors: Deaett Louis , Fallat Shaun , Furst Veronika , Hutchens John , Mitchell Lon , Zhang Yaqi
Published: November 2023

The spark of a matrix is the smallest number of nonzero coordinates of any nonzero null vector. For real symmetric matrices, the sparsity of null vectors is shown to be associated with the structure of the graph obtained from the off-diagonal pattern of zero and nonzero entries. The smallest possible spark of a matrix corresponding to a graph is defined as the spark of the graph. Connections are established between graph spark and well-known concepts including minimum rank, forts, orthogonal representations, Parter and Fiedler vertices, and vertex connectivity.
Heuristical Approach for Optimizing Population Mean Using Ratio Estimator in Stratified Random Sampling
Authors: Triveni G. R. V. , Danish Faizan
Published: November 2023

In this study, we have developed a Ratio type estimator in Stratified sampling to estimate the population average of study variable by using the information of a concomitant variable. By utilizing Taylor’s series, we have derived the expressions for Bias and MSE upto first degree of approximation. In numerical illustration, employing a real data set, we have demonstrated that the proposed estimator has highest Percentage relative efficiency when compared to the considered existing estimatrs. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that Separate ratio type estimators have the highest relative efficiency when contrasted with the Combined ratio type estimators.
Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of Angelica glauca and Valeriana jatamansi in NW Himalaya, India
Authors: TAPWAL ASHWANI , KUMAR AJAY , SHARMA SANDEEP
Published: November 2023

Abstract. Tapwal A, Kumar A, Sharma S. 2023. Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of Angelica glauca and Valeriana jatamansi in NW Himalaya, India. Asian J For 7: 89-97. The diverse mycorrhizal association helps to conserve plant biodiversity, ecosystem function, and the accumulation of pharmaceutically important compounds in medicinal plants. Climate change may have an impact on plant diversity as well as on associated microbiota. The mycorrhizal association and diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in the rhizosphere of two important medicinal plants of the North-Western (NW) Himalayas were explored during different seasons in two distant locations. The endomycorrhizal association in Angelica glauca Edgew. and Valeriana jatamansi Jones was confirmed by morpho-anatomical characterization of the roots. Microsclerotia, vesicles, and intracellular hyphal coils were found in the roots of both medicinal plant species. The research revealed 24 AMF representing eight genera in the rhizosphere of A. glauca and 19 AMF representing seven genera in the rhizosphere of V. jatamansi. The AMF colonization varied between 55.63-86.34% in the roots of A. glauca and 55.23-78.74% in V. jatamansi. The Spore Density (SD) in the rhizosphere soil of selected medicinal plants was highest during the winter season. The rhizosphere soil of A. glauca exhibited a rich diversity of AM fungi during the rainy season. On the other hand, in various seasons and locations, the maximum diversity of AM fungi was observed during the summer season in V. jatamansi. The genera–Glomus and Acaulospora had the highest species in both study sites.
“Everybody Learning Every Second”: General Education Teachers’ Perspectives and Experiences Including Students With Extensive Support Needs
Authors: Zagona Alison L. , Lansey Kirsten R. , Kurth Jennifer A.
Published: November 2023

When students with extensive support needs (ESN) are included in general education classrooms, they benefit from the expertise of the general education teacher. Despite the central role of the general education teacher in an inclusive classroom, little is known about their perspectives and experiences including students with ESN. The purpose of this study was to investigate general education teachers’ perspectives on inclusive education, how they support students with ESN in their classroom, and experiences that shaped their knowledge of inclusive education. We conducted five focus groups with 16 general education teachers at two elementary schools where all students with disabilities are included in general education classrooms. The general education teachers in this study expressed positive views of inclusive education and advocated for students with ESN to be included in general education classrooms. They supported students with ESN by collaborating with other teachers and providing individualized supports for students. The general education teachers emphasized the role of the school district in shaping the way they provide supports for students with ESN, and they described learning about inclusive education from other teachers. Implications for research and practice are presented and are focused on advancing inclusive education for students with ESN.
Equality Frameworks on the Island of Ireland
Authors: Collins Evelyn , Crowley Niall
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT: This paper explores the frameworks of equality legislation, institutions and policy mechanisms that underpin the equality agenda in Northern Ireland and in Ireland. These are statutory frameworks that hold potential to progress social change for greater equality and the elimination of discrimination. They set down the norms and standards to be reflected in individual practice, institutional functions and societal culture. The paper looks first at points of origin for these equality frameworks, examining how they have emerged and evolved in each jurisdiction. This enables a comparative perspective to be explored on the equality legislation, institutions and statutory duties in both jurisdictions. Connections developed, at the institutional level, between these two frameworks are examined as sources of learning and solidarity. Emerging pressures on these equality frameworks and their effective operation are also discussed. The paper concludes by setting out steps to strengthen these equality frameworks in Ireland and in Northern Ireland.