bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lightbox: Sensor Attack Detection for Photoelectric Sensors via Spectrum Fingerprinting
Authors: Kim Dohyun , Cho Mangi , Shin Hocheol , Kim Jaehoon , Noh Juhwan , Kim Yongdae
Published: August 2023

Photoelectric sensors are utilized in a range of safety-critical applications, such as medical devices and autonomous vehicles. However, the public exposure of the input channel of a photoelectric sensor makes it vulnerable to malicious inputs. Several studies have suggested possible attacks on photoelectric sensors by injecting malicious signals. While a few defense techniques have been proposed against such attacks, they could be either bypassed or used for limited purposes.

In this study, we propose Lightbox, a novel defense system to detect sensor attacks on photoelectric sensors based on signal fingerprinting. Lightbox uses the spectrum of the received light as a feature to distinguish the attacker’s malicious signals from the authentic signal, which is a signal from the sensor’s light source. We evaluated Lightbox against (1) a saturation attacker, (2) a simple spoofing attacker, and (3) a sophisticated attacker who is aware of Lightbox and can combine multiple light sources to mimic the authentic light source. Lightbox achieved the overall accuracy over 99% for the saturation attacker and simple spoofing attacker, and robustness against a sophisticated attacker. We also evaluated Lightbox considering various environments such as transmission medium, background noise, and input waveform. Finally, we demonstrate the practicality of Lightbox with experiments using a single-board computer after further reducing the training time.
Digital Musical Instruments in Special Educational Needs Schools: Requirements from the Music Teachers’ Perspective and the Status Quo in Germany
Authors: Förster Andreas , Lepa Steffen
Published: August 2023

Digital musical instruments (DMIs) offer the possibility to create barrier-free access to active music-making and to unique sound aesthetics for a broad group of people, including those who experience disabling barriers to access when using traditional acoustic musical instruments. However, current music education research focuses primarily on app-based DMIs. Although these devices have numerous advantages, such as ubiquitous availability and flexibility, they may be experienced as disabling by people with severe cognitive or complex disabilities. Thus, they only partially exploit the potential of DMIs for special educational needs (SEN) music practices, which we outline in this article. However, given that no comprehensive studies have yet been conducted on the use of DMIs in SEN schools, the actual motives and barriers for SEN school teachers to employ different types of DMIs in class are largely unknown. To address this research gap, we present the results of a quantitative survey covering all SEN schools in 12 of Germany's 16 federal states. We surveyed the status quo of DMI use in SEN schools and the perceived potential of DMIs and DMI-related information needs from the music teachers’ perspective. Our findings demonstrate that DMIs are only rarely used in Germany, with the exception of established standard DMIs such as keyboards and music apps. Unfortunately, accessible DMIs (ADMIs) are hardly used. Related to the rare use of DMIs in SEN schools, we also identified a lack of domain-specific knowledge among music teachers and concluded that there was a need to develop DMIs specifically designed for use in classroom education. Finally, we discuss the potential of using open-source DMI technology as well as the importance of identifying music teachers’ attitudes during DMI development.
Designing for Educational Resilience to Reduce School Dropout: A Case Study of Namibian San Learners
Authors: Kays Rosetha , Goagoses Naska , Winschiers-Theophilus Heike
Published: August 2023

School dropout amongst minority groups is a serious problem worldwide. Focusing on educational resilience can offer a novel beneficial approach to overcome the challenge. In this paper, we focus on San learners in Namibia, gaining a deeper understanding of the adversities they face resulting in school dropout, and identifying personal and environmental factors that promote the development of educational resilience. Narrative interviews were conducted with ten San who completed secondary school and ten who dropped out of school, to identify challenges and factors. Rich picture sessions with twelve primary learners were used to identify current challenges. Based on an in depth analysis of the local adversities, a mobile digital application was designed, deploying a role model approach with local content. This empirical study provides a contribution to local technology design for social and mental well-being as part of a holistic solution for resilience building among marginalized learners.
Exploring the Influence of Temperature on Anode Degradation in Cycling-Aged Commercial Cylindrical Graphite-Si|NCA Cells
Authors: Alcaide Francisco , Álvarez Garbiñe , Bekaert Emilie , Bonilla Francisco , Gucciardi Emanuele , Urdampilleta Idoia , Vicedo Rut , Ayerbe Elixabete
Published: August 2023

The degradation mechanisms of commercial graphite–SiOx/NCA battery related to the aging process in full cell under cycling conditions at three different temperatures, namely, 10 °C, 25 °C, and 45 °C, have been studied via post-mortem analysis, emphasizing the high energy density graphite–SiOx anode behaviour. The aging process of the full battery has been studied by non-destructive electrochemical methods. Then, to gain more understanding on the mechanisms that govern the graphite–SiOx degradation, full cells are disassembled, and the anodes are studied by physicochemical analysis techniques, electron microscopy techniques, and electrochemical characterizations. The battery cycled at 25 °C, between 2.5 and 4.2 V, shows higher cyclability than those cycled at 45 °C and 10 °C, at SoH 80%. Under these conditions, the structural and morphological changes undergo by graphite–SiOx and SiOx particles, respectively, and the loss of active material, together with the SEI growth explain the anode degradation.
Differential regulation of autophagy on urine-concentrating capability through modulating the renal AQP2 expression and renin-angiotensin system in mice
Authors: Xu Chuanming , Yi Xiaoli , Tang Le , Wang Hui , Chu Shuhan , Yu Jun
Published: August 2023

Autophagy exhibits a double-edged effect on cell survival and plays an essential role in renal pathophysiology. We for the first time reported a novel function of autophagy that controls the urine-concentrating capability in physiological conditions. We found that water deprivation (WD) differentially regulated autophagy in the kidneys of mice in a time-dependent manner and autophagy regulates the urine-concentrating capability mainly by regulating AQP2/V2R and ACE/ANG II signaling in the renal cortex in WD mice.
Exploring the Potential of Exome Sequencing in Idiopathic Azoospermia: A Genetic Burden and Network Analysis Study
Authors: Alkšere Baiba , Puzuka Agrita , Lazovska Marija , Vainselbaum Ninel Miriam , Vasiļonoks Jānis Kristaps , Penka Elvita , Fodina Violeta , Ērenpreiss Juris
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the linkage of the association of azoospermia phenotype with genetic alterations, involved in genome instability. Male infertility is a multifactorial pathology, and genetic alterations might be the underlying factors in majority of cases of severe male infertility. The recent emergence of next-generation sequencing offers an opportunity to analyze many genes and their interactions at once, and whole-exome sequencing (WES) together with whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was recently suggested for implementation of diagnosis workup in severe infertility cases. However, the reports on WES in conjunction with burden tests and gene network analysis are scarce or lacking in cases of severe male infertility. WES was performed on 21 nonobstructive azoospermia patients. DNA samples were sequenced using the Twist Comprehensive Exome Panel. Genetic burden test was performed with Testing Rare vAriants using Public Data. Protein interactions were investigated with ConsensusPathDB and Cytoscape. For single nucleotide variants and copy number variations (CNV) analysis, samples were analyzed with the Illumina’s BaseSpace Variant Interpreter. Genetic variant burden was found elevated in 1,473 genes out of 30,000 known testis expressed genes. Three hundred and two genes with increased loss-of-function (LoF) variant set were present in more than one sample. Overrepresentation analysis with pathway-based set of genes with high variant burden demonstrated 26 pathways. Overrepresentation analysis with protein complex-based gene sets obtained 14 sets, showing the involvement in cell proliferation and DNA repair. Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) network analysis with Cytoscape identified two clusters: (1) genes, involved in DNA binding/condensation and repair processes and (2) genes with the role in ribosome biosynthesis and gene expression processes. Increased loss of function germline variant burden and sumoylation may have critical significance in spermatogenesis. These parameters may be used for focused diagnosis in nonobstructive azoospermia patients. This may have both general significance for the decreased organism functionality but in particular is critical in spermatogenesis.
The Effect of Patency Files on Apical Canal Anatomy Using SEM Imaging
Authors: Cavender Michael S. , Waters Christopher
Published: August 2023

Introduction. There are many reasons to maintain apical patency during routine endodontic treatment. Thousands of canals are treated utilizing a patency file every year all around the world. The effect patency has on the apical anatomy of the root has been controversial for generations. Objective. This ex vivo descriptive study was created to show the effect patency files actually have on the apical root canal anatomy using visually detailed SEM images supported by dental radiographs. Materials and Methods. Three extracted maxillary anterior teeth that represent the multitude of canals in vivo were instrumented utilizing patency files. Two of the three maxillary anterior teeth were instrumented with hand files, the other maxillary anterior tooth with a .06 taper rotary file. The teeth were then scanned with an electron microscope to view the effect that the instruments had on the apical canal anatomy. A fourth tooth, a maxillary second molar, was shaped with an .06 taper rotary file and cone fitted. This tooth was radiographed with a gutta percha cone fitted to reveal the position of the narrowest constriction after patency was achieved. Results. The patency files, both hand files and rotary, were shown not to adversely affect the apical canal anatomy. Additionally, the SEM’s revealed a precise demarcation of cementum to dentin which was at the root surface after patency was achieved. Conclusion. The patent use of greater tapered rotary files provides a clear demarcation of the CDJ which allows a precise acquisition of the narrowest constriction of the canal with the use of an electronic apex locator for establishing the ideal working length and precision placement of a gutta percha cone.
Real-Time Fire Detection Method Based on Computer Vision for Electric Vehicle Charging Safety Monitoring
Authors: Gao Yuchen , Yang Qing , Zhang Shiyu , Gao Dexin
Published: August 2023

In the process of charging and using electric vehicles, lithium battery may cause hazards such as fire or even explosion due to thermal runaway. Therefore, a target detection model based on the improved YOLOv5 (You Only Look Once) algorithm is proposed for the features generated by lithium battery combustion, using the K-means algorithm to cluster and analyse the target locations within the dataset, while adjusting the residual structure and the number of convolutional kernels in the network and embedding a convolutional block attention module (CBAM) to improve the detection accuracy without affecting the detection speed. The experimental results show that the improved algorithm has an overall mAP evaluation index of 94.09%, an average F1 value of 90.00%, and a real-time detection FPS (frames per second) of 42.09, which can meet certain real-time monitoring requirements and can be deployed in various electric vehicle charging stations and production platforms for safety detection and will provide a guarantee for the safe production and development of electric vehicles in the future.
Nanoparticle Delivery of Immunostimulatory Alu RNA for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Garland Kyle M. , Kwiatkowski Alexander J. , Tossberg John T. , Crooke Philip S. , Aune Thomas M. , Wilson John T.
Published: August 2023

It was recently found that patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis exhibit widespread loss of adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, which contributes to the accumulation of immunostimulatory double-stranded Alu RNA in circulating leukocytes and an attendant increase in levels of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., type I IFNs). A specific Alu RNA (i.e., AluJb RNA) was implicated in activating multiple RNA-sensing pathways and found to be a potent innate immune agonist. Here, we have performed a bioinformatic analysis of A-to-I RNA editing in human melanoma samples and determined that pre-therapy levels of A-to-I RNA editing negatively correlate with survival times, suggesting that an accumulation of endogenous double-stranded Alu RNA might contribute to cancer patient survival. Furthermore, we demonstrated that immunostimulatory Alu RNA can be leveraged pharmacologically for cancer immunotherapy. AluJb RNA was in vitro transcribed and then formulated with endosome-destabilizing polymer nanoparticles to improve intracellular delivery of the RNA and enable activation of RNA-sensing pathways. AluJb RNA/polymer complexes (i.e., Alu-NPs) were engineered to form colloidally stable nanoparticles that exhibited immunostimulatory activity in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the therapeutic potential of Alu-NPs for the treatment of cancer was demonstrated by attenuated tumor growth and prolonged survival in the B16.F10 murine melanoma tumor model. Thus, these data collectively implicate intratumoral Alu RNA as a potentiator of antitumor innate immunity and identify AluJb RNA as a novel nucleic acid immunotherapeutic for cancer.

Significance:

Loss of A-to-I editing leads to accumulation of unedited Alu RNAs that activate innate immunity via RNA-sensing pattern recognition receptors. When packaged into endosome-releasing polymer nanoparticles, AluJB RNA becomes highly immunostimulatory and can be used pharmacologically to inhibit tumor growth in mouse melanoma models. These findings identify Alu RNAs as a new class of nucleic acid innate immune agonists for cancer immunotherapy.
A Druggable FOXA1-Glucocorticoid Receptor Transcriptional Axis Drives Tumor Growth in a Subset of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Dorso M. , Patel Payal T. , Pankov Aleksandr , Boyer Jacob A. , Soni Rajesh K. , Del Priore Isabella S. , Hayatt Omar , Kulick Amanda , Hagen Connor J. , de Stanchina Elisa , Junttila Melissa R. , Daemen Anneleen , Friedman Lori S. , Hendrickson Ronald C. , Chandarlapaty Sarat
Published: August 2023

The FOXA1 pioneer factor is an essential mediator of steroid receptor function in multiple hormone-dependent cancers, including breast and prostate cancers, enabling nuclear receptors such as estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) to activate lineage-specific growth programs. FOXA1 is also highly expressed in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but whether and how it regulates tumor growth in this context is not known. Analyzing data from loss-of-function screens, we identified a subset of NSCLC tumor lines where proliferation is FOXA1 dependent. Using rapid immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry of endogenous protein, we identified chromatin-localized interactions between FOXA1 and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in these tumor cells. Knockdown of GR inhibited proliferation of FOXA1-dependent, but not FOXA1-independent NSCLC cells. In these FOXA1-dependent models, FOXA1 and GR cooperate to regulate gene targets involved in EGF signaling and G1–S cell-cycle progression. To investigate the therapeutic potential for targeting this complex, we examined the effects of highly selective inhibitors of the GR ligand-binding pocket and found that GR antagonism with ORIC-101 suppressed FOXA1/GR target expression, activation of EGF signaling, entry into the S-phase, and attendant proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings point to a subset of NSCLCs harboring a dependence on the FOXA1/GR growth program and provide rationale for its therapeutic targeting.

Significance:

NSCLC is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. There is a need to identify novel druggable dependencies. We identify a subset of NSCLCs dependent on FOXA1-GR and sensitive to GR antagonism.
Experiências de enfrentamento da COVID-19 em Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos
Authors: Coutinho Vanice do Vale , Mendonça Érica Toledo de , Diaz Flávia Batista Barbosa de Sá , Amaro Marilane de Oliveira Fani , Siman Andreia  Guerra
Published: August 2023

Introdução: as Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPI) sofreram com a mortalidade e as altas taxas de infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2. Objetivo: descrever as experiências e as estratégias adotadas por profissionais de ILPI, no enfrentamento à COVID-19 nos primeiros meses de pandemia. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo de caso qualitativo, realizado em três ILPI de Minas Gerias, Brasil. A coleta de dados foi realizada através da técnica de grupo focal, no mês de setembro de 2020, com a participação de catorze profissionais. Os resultados foram submetidos à Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: dentre as experiências de enfrentamento, estão as mudanças nas práticas de biossegurança, como a utilização de equipamentos de proteção individual e testagem de profissionais e idosos. Foi adotado um plano de contingência com protocolos específicos. Ressalta-se também alterações na rotina de higienização das instituições. Ainda evidenciou solidão, medo, insegurança, o que resultou na implementação de estratégias como visitas virtuais, arteterapia, oficinas de músicas, desenho e jogos, na tentativa de reduzir a ansiedade. Conclusões: sugere-se que medidas de biossegurança e protocolos possam ter contribuído para o sucesso no combate à COVID-19 nesses ambientes. A melhoria no processo de trabalho dos profissionais e acolhimento às necessidades psicossociais dos idosos foram fundamentais.
Condições hemodinâmicas, respiratórias e sua segurança na realização de exercícios em unidade de terapia intensiva
Authors: Rocha­­ Daniella Andrade Tavares da , Avena Katia de Miranda , Duarte Helder Brito , Mendes Kristine Menezes Barberino , Feijó Luciana Ferreira
Published: August 2023

Introdução: A permanência prolongada na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) compromete a funcionalidade e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Programas de exercícios podem contribuir na melhora do status funcional e aceleração do retorno às atividades. Objetivo: avaliar a segurança de exercícios em pacientes na UTI, descrevendo as condições hemodinâmicas e respiratórias e a ocorrência de efeitos adversos. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo não controlado, do tipo “antes e depois”, realizado com 42 pacientes internados em UTI, submetidos à mobilização através de cinesioterapia passiva, cinesioterapia ativa, sedestração e deambulação. Além dos dados epidemiológicos e clínicos, foram avaliados os efeitos adversos da mobilização. As variáveis hemodinâmicas e respiratórias foram mensuradas à beira do leito, em três momentos: antes, durante e imediatamente após a mobilização. Resultados: Foram estudados pacientes idosos (65,8±13,7 anos), predominantemente mulheres (59,5%), com diagnóstico admissional de natureza clínica (64,3%). Os pacientes em ventilação mecânica realizaram predominantemente cinesioterapia passiva (57,1%) e aqueles em ventilação espontânea realizaram predominantemente sedestração (28,6%) e deambulação (28,6%). Dentre os efeitos adversos, observou-se padrão muscular ventilatório insatisfatório (7,1%), saturação periférica de oxigênio inferior a 90% (4,8%), alteração da pressão arterial (7,1%). Não houve registro de alteração da frequência cardíaca, extubação acidental ou perda de acesso venoso durante as mobilizações, assim como não foram observadas alterações no comportamento hemodinâmico, respiratório e da oxigenação antes, durante e após a mobilização. Conclusão: exercícios físicos demonstraram-se seguros, viáveis em qualquer âmbito clínico, respeitando-se os limites de segurança, podendo trazer benefícios potenciais para pacientes internados em UTI.
Chronic consumption of contaminated feed with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide in rodents: effects on male reproductive health
Authors: Simões Jamile Silveira Tomizzi , Gonçalves Douglas , Nai Gisele Alborghetti , Rossi Renata Calciolari , Favareto Ana Paula Alves
Published: August 2023

Introduction: The herbicide 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most widely used pesticides in the world. There is evidence that this herbicide can induce deleterious effects in non-target organisms, including impairment of reproduction function. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive effects ofthe chronic consumption of contaminated feed with 2,4-D in rats using food environmental spraying simulation. Methods: Animals orally exposed received nebulized chow with 2,4-D solution in different concentrations for 180 days: 0 (control - CG), 20.69 (LCG), 34.63 (MCG), or 51.66 ppm day−1 (HCG). Results: Sperm quality was impaired to 2,4-D. The percentage of sperm with progressive movement, number of sperm in the testis and daily sperm production were decreased in all exposed groups to the herbicide compared to CG. Sperm counts in thecaput/corpus and cauda epididymis were reduced in MCG and HCG, and sperm transit time was delayed in the epididymis of LCG. There was a negative impact on sperm morphology and plasma membrane integrity in MCG and HCG, respectively. Germ cell exfoliation within the lumen of the seminiferous tubules and epithelial vacuolization in epididymis were found in the HCG. Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the negative impact on male reproductive morphophysiology after chronic exposure to 2,4-D using food nebulization in environmentally relevant concentrations, based on agronomic use of the herbicide. The reproductive injuries identified raise concerns about the impacts of wide population exposure to 2,4-D.
Análise bibliométrica das principais doenças decorrentes da exposição à altitude no mundo
Authors: Aquino-Canchari Christian Renzo , Baquerizo-Quispe Nicole Stephanie , Florez-Soto Diana Maricielo , Lorenzo-Roque Adriana Isabel
Published: August 2023

Introdução: Cerca de 140 milhões de pessoas no mundo vivem em regiões de grande altitude, porém, existem poucos estudos bibliométricos. Objetivo: Descrever a produção científica sobre as principais doenças decorrentes da exposição à altitude no mundo. Métodos: Estudo observacional, do tipo bibliométrico. Após busca sistemática no Scopus, foram incluídos artigos originais, cuja variável principal foi mal da montanha, edema cerebral de altitude e edema pulmonar de altitude. As características de cada estudo foram extraídas manualmente e analisadas por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados: Foram encontrados 2.305 artigos sobre mal da montanha (n=1.531), edema pulmonar de altitude (n=549) e edema cerebral de altitude (n=225), respectivamente no Scopus. Em relação ao periódico mais influente foi High Altitude Medicine and Biology nas três doenças, o país com maior número de artigos foi os Estados Unidos (458, 168 e 75), o idioma mais utilizado foi o inglês (91,31%, 85,33% e 84,19%),o autor com maior número de publicações foi Bartsh P. (2,94%, 18,60% e 3,42%) e a maioria dos artigos foi de acesso aberto (41,08%, 42,06% e 76,53%), respectivamente. Conclusão: A produção científica de artigos originais sobre mal da montanha, edema pulmonar de altitude e edema cerebral de altitude em Scopus tem aumentado nos últimos anos, porém ainda é escassa em comparação com outras doenças.
Hezekiah’s “Showing” and the Babylonian Ambassadors’ “Seeing” of the Royal Treasures
Authors: Martins Francisco
Published: August 2023

The book of Kings offers a detailed description of Hezekiah’s reign. Among the episodes recorded, there is the visit of a Babylonian embassy to whom the king shows the treasures of his palace. This act prompts the prophet Isaiah to announce that all these riches will be carried away to Babylon (2 Kgs 20:12–19). Although the plot is relatively straightforward in its broad contours, scholars have struggled to make sense of the relationship between the king’s gesture and Isaiah’s reaction. This article argues that a semantic-pragmatic phenomenon observed in Akkadian offers a path towards a new understanding of the text’s inner logic and meaning. Hezekiah’s “showing” and the Babylonian envoys’ “seeing” of the royal treasures acquire, in light of the parallel evoked, unexpected “legal overtones”: the king’s actions constitute a kind of legal symbolic act, whose dire consequences are fully explicated by Isaiah’s pronouncement.
Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread as a Single Ritual Complex
Authors: Thames John Tracy
Published: August 2023

Discussions of the prehistory of the rituals Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread have frequently held that they stem from distinct origins and purposes. In part, this claim corresponds with the biblical presentation of the rituals as distinct and separable. But in an academic tradition reaching back to the early 19th century, scholarly reconstructions have additionally assumed that the rituals suggest sociological details about the putatively distinct populations that observed them—that Passover was a rite associated with nomadic pastoralists and Unleavened Bread served an agrarian populace. This article challenges such notions based on ritual texts from Emar. Emar’s ritual writings—especially those detailing the zukru festival—demonstrate that Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread share a structure for equinoctial ritualizing that suggests a history of those rites as integral to one another and refutes notions of their separability based on equation with social lifestyles.
From Missed Tolerance to Civil Equality
Authors: Dumitran Daniel
Published: August 2023

The analysis dedicated to the history of Transylvanian Jews follows their communities’ evolution in a regional context, from the perspective of integration projects, through the policy of tolerance and civil equality recognition, to see whether the tendencies characteristic of Central Europe, and especially Hungary, were relevant for them. The investigation refers to the last quarter of the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century, defined by significant evolutions of demographics and legal status of the Jews. The research conclusions underline the integration of Transylvanian Jews in the Central European cultural area, with differences between the communities determined by their religious orientation.
Double Push and the Contingent Path: Migration and Remigration of South Asian Minorities in Post-2019 Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Yuk Wah , Kwok Kim
Published: August 2023

Hong Kong (HK) is encountering a new wave of outmigration. Numerous recent surveys and news reports have been recording the escalating effects of migration. However, almost all of these are about HK’s majority group—the Chinese Hong Kongers. The city’s South Asian minorities are rarely mentioned or included in these records. This article examines South Asian minorities’ aspirations and frustration amid the continuous exodus of Hong Kongers, their views on the city’s recent migration waves due to its great social changes, and the conditions that could trigger these minorities’ (re)migration. By engaging with the literature on immigrant minorities' remigration and the expanding global South Asian diaspora, this research contributes to our understanding of the remigration of HK’s South Asian minorities—a subject heretofore glaringly understudied.
Information and price convergence: Government telegraphs in British India
Authors: Andrabi Tahir , Bharat Sheetal , Kuehlwein Michael
Published: August 2023

In contrast to the abundant literature on railways, there are few studies of the impact of telegraphs—another revolutionary nineteenth-century technology—on price convergence. Most measure the impact on international commodity-price differences between developed countries given an efficient form of transportation: ocean shipping. This article estimates the impact of government telegraphs within a major developing economy—British India—which lacked efficient pre-railway transportation. We use data from almost 200 districts, collected for the period between 1862 and 1920, when over 13,000 district pairs were linked by government telegraphs. We estimate that before the introduction of railways, the presence of telegraphs reduced grain-price dispersion by 7%–13%. There were also spill-over effects on neighbouring districts, the timing of which strongly suggests causation from telegraphs to prices. The results imply that telegraphs played their own important role in the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century market integration in the developing world. Like railroads, telegraphs in British India significantly contributed to linking geographically dispersed commodity markets to each other to create a more unified economy.
Age-friendly Environment and Aging in Place: Finding from Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Kim Seon , Kim Junpyo , Kim Kyeongmo , Buckley Thomas
Published: August 2023

Older adults prefer ageing in place (AIP) rather than institutionalized facilities. Although its advantages, AIP can be challenging when communities are unable to meet residents’ needs. This study aims to identify the relationship between the level of age-friendliness of community and AIP. We used AARP Age-friendly Community Survey data with 6670 older adults in the USA. We used responses from 63 items assessing various aspects of a community's age-friendliness to identify different types of age-friendly communities (AFCs) through latent profile analysis (LPA). We then ran multinomial logistic regression to examine whether the types of AFC were associated with AIP. LPA revealed three types of AFC: Underdeveloped, developing, and developed. Regression results showed older adults living in underdeveloped and developing communities are less likely to AIP compared to those in the developed community. These results show a positive impact of AFC on intention to AIP. Policymakers should consider expanding AFC initiatives for the growing number of older adults.
KΛINH / KΛINIΔION: A Note on Two Minor Agreements (Mt 9.2, 6 / Lk 5.18, 24)
Authors: Andrejevs Olegs
Published: August 2023

On Markan priority, Mt 9.2 and Lk 5.18 contain a famous minor agreement against Mark, with the paralytic being brought to Jesus ἐπὶ κλίνης (as opposed to Mark’s κράβαττος). As the story unfolds, Matthew sustains the use of κλίνη in Mt 9.6, while Luke switches to κλινίδιον in Lk 5.19, 24. This leads to another minor agreement, whereby κλίνη (Matthew) and κλινίδιον (Luke) sustain the joint rejection of Mark’s κράβαττος. Michael Goulder ( 1978 , 1989 , 1993 ) and Mark Goodacre ( 2002 ) have proposed that Luke envisioned κλίνη as a raised bed. They follow the scholars who take the diminutive suffix of κλινίδιον to refer to a small bed (stretcher, etc.). On their hypothesis, Luke mechanically copied κλίνη from Matthew in 5.18, subsequently correcting himself to κλινίδιον in 5.19, 24. Our article corrects the frequent misconception of κλινίδιον as a functional diminutive. It is shown that κλίνη and κλινίδιον were interchangeable in a number of contexts, with referents ranging from a household bed/couch to a litter. Examples of the expression ἐπὶ κλίνης in contexts similar to the story of the paralytic are provided. It is suggested that Luke committed no error in using both terms to describe the paralytic’s vehicle.
Clip migration complicated by choledocholithiasis after laparoscopic biliary surgery: a report of four cases
Authors: Wu Xudong , Yan Huanjun , Zhao Shuangying , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhu Kelei
Published: August 2023

Background

Migration of tissue clips into the common bile duct and formation of common bile duct stones after laparoscopic biliary surgery are extremely rare complications, and their etiologies remain elusive. We herein report four cases of migrated clips complicated by stones after laparoscopic biliary surgery.

Case presentation

Two patients (72- and 62-year-old women) were admitted because of varying degrees of epigastric pain, and two patients (88- and 69-year-old men) were admitted because of epigastric pain with chills and fever. They had previously undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) plus laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) in our hospital. In Cases 1, 2, and 4, surgery revealed gallbladder triangle adhesion, inflamed dilated bile ducts, and fragile tissues. Blood tests showed elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. Imaging indicated common bile duct stones. All patients underwent successful surgery with Hem-o-lok clips. No postoperative pain recurred.

Conclusion

Clip migration after laparoscopic biliary surgery may be associated with preoperative biliary duct inflammation, improper use of tissue clips, and postoperative biliary leak-induced inflammation. The clinical presentation is similar to that of calculous cholangitis. Once symptoms of cholangitis appear in patients with a history of LC or LCBDE, the possibility of clip migration and stone formation should be considered.
Geography’s abolitionist turn: Notes on freedom, property, and the state
Authors: Hamlin Madeleine
Published: August 2023

Recent years have seen a burgeoning of scholarship in abolition geography. But what does it mean to theorize abolition in geography and what do geographers bring to abolition? This paper seeks to theorize geography’s abolitionist turn, tracing its roots from Du Bois’ ideas of abolition democracy through to contemporary iterations and variations. In doing so, it offers property and the state as key analytics: property insofar as it undergirds carcerality, racial capitalism, and settler colonialism alike, and the state insofar as it comprises both a site from which to make demands and a perpetrator of carceral and racial violence.
Multi-Objective Deep Reinforcement Learning for Crowd Route Guidance Optimization
Authors: Nishida Ryo , Tanigaki Yuki , Onishi Masaki , Hashimoto Koichi
Published: August 2023

In this study, we propose an improved version of Pareto deep Q-network (PDQN), a multi-objective deep reinforcement learning method, and attempt to demonstrate its effectiveness in a real-world problem such as crowd route guidance strategy optimization. Overcrowding during crowd movement can sometimes lead to accidents; therefore, it is imperative to guide crowds to move safely and efficiently. Safety and efficiency are conflicting objectives, and how to dynamically determine guidance can be formulated as a multi-objective sequential decision-making problem. PDQN is suitable for solving these problems, but its applicability to complex real-world problems has not been fully verified. To apply PDQN to real problems, we propose to adjust the parameters of PDQN and improve the action selection criteria during learning. A toy problem and a crowd guidance problem using multi-agent crowd simulation are adopted to evaluate the performance of improved PDQN. Experimental results show that the improved PDQN can search for good strategies compared with the original PDQN and can obtain better strategies than simplified strategies.
Correlations between Bone Histopathology and Serum Biochemistry in Uremic Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis
Authors: Canavese C. , Barolo S. , Gurioli L. , Cadario A. , Portigliatti M. , Isaia G. , Thea A. , Marangella M. , Bongiorno P. , Cavagnino A. , Peona C. , Boero R. , Damicone M. , Cardelli R. , Rossi P. , Piccoli G.
Published: August 2023

To define which noninvasive investigations are of value in predicting bone histology, we analyzed transiliac bone specimens (66 biopsies, 14 autopsies) from 80 uremic patients on chronic dialysis. Results were compared with values of different measurements of parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (APH), osteocalcin, calcitonin, baseline and post-deferroxamine (DFO) aluminium (Al), - β2 microglobulin, ferritin and bone mineral density Among histomorphometric parameters, woven osteoid, active osteoblastic surface and resorption surface showed the best correlations with dynamic and biochemical marks of active bone metabolism. Among biochemical parameters, intact PTH and APH were better related to histomorphometric and dynamic bone parameters than other PTH measurements as well as osteocalcin, while calcitonin was related to no parameters. Stainable Al alone, and not total bone Al content was related to bone histology. Baseline Al was related to lamellar osteoid, while post-DFO Al was related to stainable Al. β2 microglobulin was positively related to active osteoid surface and ferritin was inversely related to the mineral apposition rate, while bone mineral density was related only to total bone volume.

We conclude that, though definite diagnosis requires the use of histological methods, few simple biochemical parameters may offer insight to the bone metabolic status, useful to the physician in day to day clinical practice.
A Reabsorbable Tubular Chamber for the Treatment of Large Diaphyseal Bone Defects. Experimental Study in Rabbits
Authors: Giardino R. , Fini M. , Nicoli Aldini N. , Giavaresi G. , Rocca M. , Martini L. , Zaffe D. , Canè V.
Published: August 2023

Twenty-five rabbits were used to test the healing of diaphyseal defects by means of a reabsorbable tubular chamber. In 20 animals a 10 mm gap was created in the left radius and bridged with a poly-L-lactide chamber (experimental side). The same defect was created on the right radius, remaining untreated (control side). In the remaining 5 animals, the right radius was left intact and they were used only for biomechanical tests at 12 months. X-rays and histomorphometry showed no bone repair at the control side while the inner surface of the chamber was progressively lined by neoformed bone (75% of the normal cortical thickness). Biomechanical data demonstrated that elastic modulus and ultimate stress were not significantly different in both experimental and intact radii. The chamber, by preventing the passage of soft tissues and creating a close space for intrinsic repair factors, seems to be a suitable device for the repair of long bone defects.
Suppression of DNA Synthesis of Cultured Mesothelial Cells by Supplemented Albumin
Authors: Horiuchi T. , Hayashi K. , Kumano K.
Published: August 2023

Mesothelial cells, harvested from rat omentum, were cultured with 10% FCS/MEM till the third passage, and then seeded at a density of 2-3x104/cm2 in a 96 well micro-titer plate. Both albumin and glucose were added to each culture medium at final concentrations of 0–2 g/dl and 0–90 mM, respectively. On days 2 and 3, 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) was added and incubated for 24-h to be incorporated into cellular DNA and detected by the ELISA principle.

The lowest DNA synthesis was seen when both 2.0 g/dl of albumin and 90 mM of glucose were supplemented to the medium while the highest was obtained without albumin supplement. In the range of 0–90 mM of glucose and 0–2 g/dl of albumin, generally speaking, DNA synthesis of cultured mesothelial cells could be suppressed by either glucose or albumin, and it was greatly enhanced when both concentrations increased.
Aorta Transplantation in Man: Clinical and Immunological Studies
Authors: Scolari M.P. , De Sanctis L.B. , Iannelli S. , Bonomini V. , D'Addato M. , Stella A. , Mirelli M.
Published: August 2023

Aortic transplantation has progressively gained interest over the last few years and it is becoming a first choice indication in the substitution of infected prostheses. The most frequent complication in long-term vascular outcome (wall thickening, aneurysmatic dilation, stenosis), may occur through an immunological mechanism.

In this study we investigated nine recipients, aged 48 to 65 years, of aorta segment replacement for anti-HLA antibody production (specificity and Ig class), CD3-CD4-CD8 T cell subpopulation dynamics and aorta wall thickness. Mismatch-specific IgG antibodies to HLA class I and HLA class II antingens were detected 1, 3 and 6 months after transplantation and persisted at a high concentration for at least 1 year. Furthermore, the absolute number of CD3, CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes increased progressively after aorta allograft.

Tomography scanning showed a progressive thickness of the aorta wall. We can speculate that these anti-HLA antibodies in the recipients have the potential to harm the implant; therefore, aorta allograft should involve the induction of immunological tolerance by appropriate immunosuppressants.
The virus in the queues
Authors: Vale Beth
Published: August 2023

Queues have been at the centre of South Africa’s COVID-19 story. National lockdown was declared on 26 March 2020, around the time ‘month-end’ salaries and government grants are paid out. Within the first few days, reports came of the long lines outside banks and supermarkets, with journalists regularly citing people’s failure to ‘social distance’. This article uses the queue as an analytic tool to explore the unequal vulnerabilities entailed in the experience of COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa.
HIV prevalence among a retrospective clinical cohort of transgender women in Canada: Results of the Montreal-Toronto Trans study, collected 2018–2019
Authors: Lacombe-Duncan Ashley , Persad Yasmeen , Shokoohi Mostafa , Underhill Angela , Cote Pierre , Wheatley Megan , Gupta Meenakshi , Kyne Luke T , Besharati Amir A , Chan LY Louie , Hranilovic Sue , Nguyen Quang , Loutfy Mona
Published: August 2023

Background

HIV prevalence data among transgender (trans) people are not routinely collected in national estimates, including Canada, contributing to gender-based inequities. We examined HIV prevalence and associated factors among trans women in clinical care in two large Canadian cities.

Methods

Retrospective chart data of trans women aged 16+ were collected from six family medicine and/or HIV clinics in Montreal and Toronto, Canada, 2018–2019. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with documented HIV positive or missing HIV status relative to documented HIV negative status.

Results

Among 1,059 patients, 7.5% were HIV positive, 54.4% HIV negative, and 38.1% missing HIV data. Findings showed lower odds of being HIV positive for those <30 years or 30–50 years (vs. >50 years); higher odds were seen for those: of Black race/ethnicity (vs. white), landed immigrant or refugee (vs. Canadian citizen), receiving social assistance (vs. not), and whom ever having used recreational drugs.

Conclusions

Albeit high, the prevalence of HIV was lower than expected based on global estimates. Missing HIV status data suggest gaps in testing. Findings highlight socioeconomic and clinical realities among trans women in Canada and inform future HIV prevention and support.
Psychological Science Meets Wearable Cognitive Assistance
Authors: Klatzky Roberta L. , Satyanarayanan Mahadev
Published: August 2023

A wearable cognitive assistant (WCA) is a computer-based application that guides a user through a task with input from wearable devices with the aid of computational resources in nearby locations (cloudlets). Psychological science informs development of WCAs and is encountering new issues for research. We discuss three relevant research areas: response time, action segmentation, and task comprehension.
Assessing the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Subjects with Family History of Hypertension
Authors: Samaddar Dibyodyuti , Sinha Shivangi , Shekhar Raj , Singh Samir Kumar , Gupta Anita , Singh Tej Bali
Published: August 2023

Background

Hypertension (HTN) has a genetic predisposition and it also impairs microcirculation, thereby, affecting the well vascularized structures like the brainstem and causing changes in Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEPs).

Purpose

To find out the usefulness of BAEPs as a screening tool in apparently healthy individuals with a family history of HTN.

Methods

One hundred and ten volunteers, aged 17 to 23 years, were enrolled in the study as participants with proper consent. After excluding the subjects with existing diseases or co-morbidities (e.g. diabetes, HTN, schizophrenia, neuropathy, etc.), those on ototoxic or neurotoxic drugs, a preliminary physical examination was performed, following which BAEPs were recorded with a proper device. Statistical analysis is done with SPSS 2016 software using the chi-square test.

Results

A consistent distortion in the inter-peak latency of III-V waves is noted when a family history of HTN is present in either parent or maternal grandparents. Other statistically significant findings are present in V/I% (HTN in mother), wave I (HTN in paternal grandfather), wave III (HTN in maternal grandfather), and inter-peak latency I-V (HTN in maternal grandmother).

Conclusion

BAEP may be used as a screening tool in individuals with a family history of HTN with supportive evidence from further studies in the near future.
Workers Speak Out at OSHA's First Workers’ Voice Summit
Authors: Kerson Roger , Vasquez Diana
Published: August 2023

The inaugural Workers’ Voice Summit was held in Washington DC in 2022. Worker advocates from across the country spoke directly with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), part of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) about their concerns and ideas for solutions moving forward. Worker advocates shared their experiences with ineffective OSHA enforcement and a lack of accountability for poor employer behaviors. National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) network members developed priorities in advance of the summit that laid out a path for progress. Priorities included: engagement of workers and advocates as collaborators with OSHA; protection for workers from being silenced due to immigration status; enabling workers to fully participate in workplace investigations and enforcement proceedings; protection for temporary workers; and collaboration with state and federal agencies to maximize worker protections. The summit was a good start and worker advocates are prepared to keep pushing.
Pseudo-tunneling procedure: An easy technique for insertion of PICCs and Midline catheters in patients with small veins of the arm
Authors: Benvenuti Stefano , Porteri Elena , Ceresoli Rosanna , Pintossi Cristian , Annovazzi Caterina , Zanatta Francesca , Alberti Daniele
Published: August 2023

Background:

Axillary vein in the brachial tract or Basilic vein in the proximal third of the arm has got usually an enough diameter to receive a catheter of 4 or 5 Fr. In this case the exit site should be too proximal to the axilla with an higher risk of infection. Pseudo-tunneling procedure can create an exit site at the middle of the arm without using tunnelers during insertion of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters and Midlines in patients who present deep veins of the arm too small to receive a catheter to consent infusion and blood samples.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to present our experience with pseudo-tunneling procedure, also using a particular variation of the technique.

Methods:

From January 2014 to August 2022 150 Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters and 221 Midlines were insert in pediatric and adults patients with too small deep veins at the middle third of the arm with this technique by the same trained team of Vascular Access Unit at ASST Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia.

Results:

All procedures were successfully performed at the first or at the second attempt. No insertion related complications were observed.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest pseudo-tunneling technique is a safe and effective procedure for of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters and Midline insertion avoiding central venous catheterization even in patient with small vein at the arms.