bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bee Venom Triggers Autophagy-Induced Apoptosis in Human Lung Cancer Cells via the mTOR Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yu Ji Eun , Kim Yuri , Hong Da Eun , Lee Dong Won , Chang Ju Young , Yoo Seung Sik , Kim Min Ji , Son Dong Ju , Yun Jaesuk , Han Sang-Bae , Hong Jin Tae
Published: December 2022

In oriental medicine, bee venom has long been used as a therapeutic agent against inflammatory diseases. Several studies have reported that isolated and purified bee venom components are effective in treating dementia, arthritis, inflammation, bacterial infections, and cancer. In previous studies, we reported that bee venom inhibits cell growth and induces apoptotic cell death in lung cancer cells. In the present study, we assessed whether bee venom affects autophagy and thereby induces apoptosis. Bee venom treatment increased the levels of autophagy-related proteins (Atg5, Beclin-1, and LC3-II) and the accumulation of LC3 puncta. We found that bee venom could induce autophagy by inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, we found that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)- or si-ATG5-induced autophagy inhibition further demoted bee venom-induced apoptosis. Bee venom-induced autophagy promotes apoptosis in lung cancer cells and may become a new approach to cancer treatment.
NDRG1 Signaling Is Essential for Endothelial Inflammation and Vascular Remodeling
Authors: Zhang Guanxin , Qin Qing , Zhang Chen , Sun Xiaobo , Kazama Kyosuke , Yi Bing , Cheng Fang , Guo Zhi-Fu , Sun Jianxin
Published: December 2022

Background:

NDRG-1 (N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1) is a member of NDRG family that plays essential roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and stress responses. Although the expression of NDRG1 is regulated by fluid shear stress, its roles in vascular biology remain poorly understood. The purpose of the study is to determine the functional significance of NDRG1 in vascular inflammation and remodeling.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

By using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that the expression of NDRG1 is markedly increased in cytokine-stimulated endothelial cells and in human and mouse atherosclerotic lesions. To determine the role of NDRG1 in endothelial activation, we performed loss-of-function studies using NDRG1 short hairpin RNA. Our results demonstrate that NDRG1 knockdown by lentivirus bearing NDRG1 short hairpin RNA substantially attenuates both IL-1β (interleukin-1β) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α)-induced expression of cytokines/chemokines and adhesion molecules. Intriguingly, inhibition of NDRG1 also significantly attenuates the expression of procoagulant molecules, such as PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1) and TF (tissue factor), and increases the expression of TM (thrombomodulin) and t-PA (tissue-type plasminogen activator), thus exerting potent antithrombotic effects in endothelial cells. Mechanistically, we showed that NDRG1 interacts with orphan Nur77 (nuclear receptor) and functionally inhibits the transcriptional activity of Nur77 and NF-κB (nuclear factor Kappa B) in endothelial cells. Moreover, in NDRG1 knockdown cells, both cytokine-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, c-Jun phosphorylation, and AP-1 (activator protein 1) transcriptional activity are substantially inhibited. Neointima and atherosclerosis formation induced by carotid artery ligation and arterial thrombosis were markedly attenuated in endothelial cell-specific NDRG1 knockout mice compared with their wild-type littermates.

Conclusions:

Our results for the first time identify NDRG1 as a critical mediator implicated in regulating endothelial inflammation, thrombotic responses, and vascular remodeling, and suggest that inhibition of NDRG1 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for inflammatory vascular diseases, such as atherothrombosis and restenosis.
Transformer Grammars: Augmenting Transformer Language Models with Syntactic Inductive Biases at Scale
Authors: Sartran Laurent , Barrett Samuel , Kuncoro Adhiguna , Stanojević Miloš , Blunsom Phil , Dyer Chris
Published: December 2022

We introduce Transformer Grammars (TGs), a novel class of Transformer language models that combine (i) the expressive power, scalability, and strong performance of Transformers and (ii) recursive syntactic compositions, which here are implemented through a special attention mask and deterministic transformation of the linearized tree. We find that TGs outperform various strong baselines on sentence-level language modeling perplexity, as well as on multiple syntax-sensitive language modeling evaluation metrics. Additionally, we find that the recursive syntactic composition bottleneck which represents each sentence as a single vector harms perplexity on document-level language modeling, providing evidence that a different kind of memory mechanism—one that is independent of composed syntactic representations—plays an important role in current successful models of long text.
A new species of Protopsyllidioidea from Cretaceous amber
Authors: HAKIM MARINA , AZAR DANY , HUANG DI-YING
Published: December 2022

With new fossils of Protopsyllidioidea discovered from amber, our knowledge of the biodiversity in the superfamily increases, and so does our understanding of the evolution of suborder Sternorrhyncha and its ‘basal’ groups. The new species Burmapsyllidium grimaldii Hakim, Azar & Huang sp. nov., assigned to the family Paraprotopsyllidiidae, is reported from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, and described and illustrated.
Revision of the damselfly Hesperagrion praevolans (Odonata, Zygoptera, Coenagrionidae) from the uppermost Eocene of Florissant (Colorado, USA)
Authors: NEL ANDRÉ
Published: December 2022

The damselfly family Coenagrionidae is rather frequently found in the Cenozoic fossil record (Nel & Paicheler, 1993), but it remains unknown in the Mesozoic. The known fossils are generally isolated wings, very difficult to accurately attribute to precise genera, to the point that many fossils can be only considered as ‘genera and species undetermined’ (Nel et al., 1997). The oldest described coenagrionid fossil is the late Palaeocene Marado marado Petrulevičius, 2021 (Maíz Gordo Formation, Argentina), a genus and species based on an isolated incomplete wing. Thus, other Eocene representatives of the family are important for future accurate dating of the occurrence of the family and its subdivisions, especially those that have been attributed to extant genera; a future step after the important work of Dijkstra et al. (2014) for the understanding of the evolution of these damselflies.
The second European representative of the epallagid genus Labandeiraia in the lowermost Eocene Oise amber (Odonata, Zygoptera)
Authors: NEL ANDRÉ
Published: December 2022

Among the calopteran damselflies, the family Epallagidae was clearly dominating the diversity of the Holarctic Cenozoic (11 described species in eight extinct genera), while the Calopterygidae were extremely rare at the same time (six Cenozoic species in two extant and one fossil genera) (Fossilworks database at http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=home, consulted 21/10/2022). They mainly belonged to the extinct subfamily Eodichrominae Cockerell, 1923, and their most diverse genus was the early Eocene genus Labandeiraia Petrulevičius et al., 2007, known from compression fossils from the lacustrine Green River Formation (USA) and the marine Fur Formation in Denmark (Petrulevičius et al., 2007; Bechly et al., 2020).
Parelateriformius from the Middle–Late Jurassic of China reinterpreted as the earliest Dascillidae (Coleoptera: Dascilloidea)
Authors: LI YAN-DA , JIN ZHEN-YU , ŚLIPIŃSKI ADAM , HUANG DI-YING , CAI CHEN-YANG
Published: December 2022

The elateriform genus Parelateriformius Yan & Wang from the Middle–Late Jurassic Daohugou beds has been placed previously in the extinct Lasiosynidae or the extant Eulichadidae. Our reinvestigation of the type specimens and additional materials suggests that the character combination of Parelateriformius (e.g., tarsomeres 2–4 distinctly lobed, posterior pronotal margin crenulate, radial cell short and with truncate base, and metakatepisternal suture complete) is not accordant with either Lasiosynidae or Eulichadidae. Instead, it should belong to the family Dascillidae and appears closely related to the extant Petalon. A new species of Parelateriformius is also described, as P. grimaldii Li & Cai sp. nov. Our discovery highlights the antiquity of Dascillidae, which is consistent with the recent fossil-calibrated molecular dating of beetles.
Libanonemopalpus grimaldii, a new genus and species of Bruchomyiinae from Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber (Diptera: Psychodidae)
Authors: AZAR DANY , SZWEDO JACEK , MAALOUF MOUNIR , MAALOUF RAMY , MAKSOUD SIBELLE
Published: December 2022

Libanonemopalpus grimaldii gen. et sp. nov. is characterised, illustrated, and described from the lower Barremian amber of Bqaatouta (Lebanon). It represents the earliest record, the first and only Bruchomyiinae psychodid with functional piercing mouthparts. The discovery of this Cretaceous psychodid fly improves our knowledge of the palaeobiodiversity of Bruchomyiinae and particularly on the evolution of mouthparts in this group.
Robotic Proctectomy: Beyond the Initial Learning Curve
Authors: Rosen Seth A. , Rupji Manali , Liu Yuan , Paul Olson Terrah J.
Published: December 2022

Background

Multiple authors have described an initial learning curve (LC) for robotic proctectomy (RP), but there is scant literature regarding continued technical progression beyond this stage. Total operating time is the most commonly used metric to measure proficiency. Our goal was to examine RP experience after the initial LC looking for evidence of further technical progression.

Methods

We reviewed our robotic surgery database for a single surgeon during operations 100 through 550 to identify 83 RPs for tumor. These were divided into quartiles by series order, indicating surgeon experience level over time. Demographics and outcomes were compared among the groups. We defined percent console time (PCT) as a new metric. PCT was defined as console time divided by total operative time (TOT).

Results

From March 2014 through March 2019, 450 robotic colorectal operations were performed, including 83 RPs for polyp or cancer. No significant differences were found among the quartiles in regard to demographics, tumor features, hospital stay, conversions, or readmissions. As experience was gained, there were significant increases in intracorporeal anastomosis (ICA), TOT, and PCT. Complications decreased with experience. Number of lymph nodes in the specimen increased. On multivariate analysis, later experience group, body mass index ≥30, and ICA were associated with increased PCT.

Discussion

ICA became a routine part of RP after the initial LC, with increases in TOT and PCT. Number of lymph nodes increased and number and severity of complications decreased with experience. Increased PCT may indicate increased expertise during RP.
Removal of ethnicity adjustment for creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate equations
Authors: Gama Rouvick , Javeria Peracha  , Kate Bramham  , Cockwell Paul
Published: December 2022

Creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate equations (eGFRcreatinine) are used to measure excretory kidney function in clinical practice. Despite inter and intra-patient variability, eGFRcreatinine has excellent clinical utility and provides the basis for the classification system for chronic kidney disease (CKD), for kidney function monitoring, treatment interventions and referral pathways. The 4-variable modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) eGFRcreatinine equation was introduced in 2000 and recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2008. Subsequently, the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) eGFRcreatinine equation was introduced in 2009 and is more accurate than MDRD in patients with mild and moderate CKD. In 2014, NICE recommended that CKD-EPI eGFRcreatinine replace MDRD eGFRcreatinine in routine clinical practice across England. Both equations originally incorporated adjustments for age, gender and ethnicity. However, the evidence for ethnicity adjustment has been increasingly questioned, and in 2021 NICE recommended that kidney function should be estimated by CKD-EPI eGFRcreatinine without using ethnicity adjustment. Recently, a CKD-EPI equation has been presented without ethnicity adjustment; however, this has not been validated outside of North America and NICE continues to recommend CKD-EPI 2009. We review the status of eGFRcreatinine in clinical practice, including the limitations of eGFRcreatinine and the rationale for removal of ethnicity adjustment and the potential impact of this change on clinical care for patients with kidney disease.
Patient Satisfaction Scores Impact Pediatrician Practice Patterns, Job Satisfaction, and Burnout
Authors: Sas David J. , Absah Imad , Phelan Sean M. , Joshi Avni Y. , Creo Ana L. , Behl Supriya , Hanson Kristine T. , Kumar Seema
Published: December 2022

Patient satisfaction (PS) surveying has become a commonly used measure of physician performance, but little is known about the impact on pediatricians. To investigate our hypothesis that PS surveys negatively impact pediatricians, we conducted a survey at an academic children’s medical center. Of 155 eligible physicians, 115 responded (response rate 74%). Two-thirds (68%) did not find the PS score report useful and 88% did not feel that PS scores accurately reflect the physician’s clinical ability. A third reported ordering tests, medications, or consultations due to pressure for higher PS scores. In addition, one-third agreed that PS surveys contribute to burnout and make it difficult to practice meaningful medicine. Overall, PS score reporting has a negative impact on pediatricians, especially those who are female, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of color), subspecialists, younger, and attended non-US medical schools. Further investigation into improved methods for providing feedback to pediatric physicians is warranted.
Understanding Customer Participation Dynamics: The Case of the Subscription Box
Authors: Umashankar Nita , Kim Kihyun Hannah , Reutterer Thomas
Published: December 2022

Although subscription boxes are incredibly popular, box companies often miss out on the benefits of a subscription model. Customers routinely skip boxes, and even when they do not, they often return products from each box. Hoping to avoid these returns, box companies ask customers to preview upcoming boxes, evaluate delivered boxes, and justify skipped boxes. The authors are interested in how such extensive customer participation can discourage skipping or, even better, encourage spending. An analysis of 30,000 apparel box customers’ repeated preview, feedback, and purchase behavior reveals that, in addition to whether customers participate, the way in which and when they participate matter, and often in counterproductive ways. Specifically, customer participation with the delivered box drives future purchases, whereas participation before and after the delivered box appears to decrease box opt-in and spending. Further, the double-edged nature of customer participation, especially when such participation involves emotionality, has long-lasting effects, indicating the important role of customer participation dynamics in shaping purchase behavior.
Exploring a Collaborative Approach to Peer Feedback in EFL Writing: How Do Students Participate?
Authors: Guo Kai , Chen Xinyu , Qiao Shen
Published: December 2022

Although prior studies have suggested the benefits of a collaborative approach to providing peer feedback in EFL writing, little is known about how students engage in collaborative peer feedback (CPF) activities. This paper reports on a case study involving five Chinese EFL students who collaboratively provided feedback on five argumentative essays written by their peers. We examined the CPF results generated by the students and found that they paid more attention to content-related issues and that negative feedback was more frequent than positive feedback. We also investigated the steps that the students took during CPF and the collaboration skills that they adopted. This revealed a four-step CPF procedure that included initiation, planning, deliberation and summarisation. Furthermore, our analysis showed that the students effectively used six of the nine social process skills in the framework of Hesse et al.: action, interaction, task completion, adaptive responsiveness, negotiation and responsibility initiative. However, the other three skills, namely audience awareness, self-evaluation and transactive memory, were not sufficiently applied. We suggest that EFL teachers integrate CPF into writing classrooms to enhance students’ peer feedback performance. To enable successful CPF, teachers should help develop their students’ collaboration skills.
W. E. B. Du Bois’s forgotten sociology of morality: Contesting the foundations and informing the future of the sociology of morality
Authors: Abbott Owen
Published: December 2022

Du Bois’s work, especially his early work, was explicitly concerned with morality, including dedicated studies into the moral lives of black Americans and their perceived moral standing in American society. His wider oeuvre was also regularly concerned with the role of stratified moral status and power-laden judgement as instruments of oppression. Yet, the long-overdue revival of Du Bois’s contribution to sociology has given little credence to his work on morality. Likewise, the resurgent sociology of morality has scarcely engaged with Du Bois’s work at all. The primary intention of this article is thus to introduce and explore Du Bois’s work on morality. In so doing, the article sets out the aims of Du Bois’s work on morality, explores his empirical investigations into the topic, and argues that recognition of Du Bois’s ongoing concern for the relationship between racialisation and moral status allows the moral content of his more familiar writings and concepts to come to the fore. Throughout, it is argued that Du Bois’s work on morality anticipates many of the features of contemporary sociologies of morality in its emphasis on moral contestation and power, in its focus on practices and care, and in its intention to use the study of morality for the purpose of social reform. But his work also goes beyond current approaches in its recognition of the significance of moral judgement to processes of racialisation. How Du Bois’s work contributes to the future of current sociologies of morality is the focus of the conclusion.
Determination of shear behavior of magneto-rheological elastomers under harmonic loading
Authors: Mazlum Ugur , Celik Ilhan
Published: December 2022

Magneto-rheological (MR) materials can respond reversibly and quickly under the effect of an external magnetic field. MR materials contain micron-sized iron particles. These iron particles are typically dispersed in an elastomer or a liquid. These materials due to their properties constitute a kind of smart material in terms of engineering material. Such materials are used as isolators in various engineering applications, structures, and sound control subsystems. This study aimed to determine the mechanical properties for shear behavior of MR materials for under harmonic loading. Parameters such as matrix materials with different hardness values, powder types, magnetic field, frequency, and deformation were studied. The parameters related to the MR material itself were analyzed with the obtained data. The present study reveals that considering the sensitivity to magnetic field parameter, composite materials having the most suitable properties were produced with Shore 2 hardness value and SQ magnetic powder. It had been observed on increase about 200% at the rate of Shore A10 and A2 as a result of comparing the hardness scale. Also according to the powder rate while there was an increase on worth effect of relative MR, it is seen that the biggest increase had been in SQ powder with 199% worth. When looked some studies in literature, about comparing different hardness values such as matrix materials powder types etc. there aren’t any studies. The state of magnetic field thinks that features such as MR effect, Storage, and Loss modulus haven’t been examined yet.
The Effect of Anticipatory Apology and Appreciation in Online Support-Seeking Messages on Support Provision in the U.S. and Korea
Authors: Jang JooYoung , Feng Bo
Published: December 2022

This experiment examined how online support-seeking messages containing anticipatory apology and/or appreciation influence support provision in the U.S. and Korea. The mediating role of regard for face was also assessed. A total of 983 participants (568 in the U.S. sample, 415 in the Korean sample) read and responded to support-seeking messages posted on an interactive online platform. Results showed that support-seeking messages with anticipatory apology and/or appreciation elicited higher quality (in terms of person-centeredness) supportive messages than support-seeking messages without anticipatory apology or appreciation. Participants’ perceptions of support-seeker's regard for face mediated the effect of anticipatory apology in support-seeking messages on level of person-centeredness in received support messages. This pattern of findings was observed in both the American and Korean samples.
Feasibility of using the ProtekDuo cannula in V-P ECMO and PROpella configurations during ground and air transport
Authors: Maybauer Marc O , Reaves Zachary R , Brewer Joseph M
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Use of the ProtekDuo cannula has been described for right ventricular assist devices (RVADs) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) systems.

Case Report

We describe remote cannulation and transport of two patients with ProtekDuo cannula. One patient had isolated acute right ventricular failure (aRVF), was cannulated with ProtekDuo cannula in venopulmonary (V-P) configuration and transported by ambulance. Another patient had biventricular failure after myocardial infarction, was supported with ProtekDuo and Impella CP in PROpella configuration, and transported by helicopter.

Discussion

We appear to be the first group to report remote cannulation using the ProtekDuo cannula followed by ambulance and helicopter transport, which were performed without complication. We describe the pros and cons of these configurations in comparison to the gold standard of shock management with venoarterial ECMO, as well as important considerations for transport.

Conclusion

Use of the ProtekDuo cannula for remote cannulations and transport is feasible and appears safe.
Dixon T2 imaging of vertebral bone edema: reliability and comparison with short tau inversion recovery
Authors: Dagestad Magnhild H , Toppe Monika K , Kristoffersen Per M , Gjefsen Elisabeth , Andersen Erling , Assmus Jörg , Vetti Nils , Espeland Ansgar
Published: December 2022

Background

It is uncertain whether T2-weighted Dixon water images (DixonT2w) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) are interchangeable when evaluating vertebral bone edema, or if one method is superior or visualizes the edema differently.

Purpose

To compare image quality and Modic change (MC)-related edema between DixonT2w and STIR and estimate inter-observer reliability for MC edema on DixonT2w.

Material and Methods

Consecutive patients (n = 120) considered for the Antibiotics in Modic changes (AIM) trial underwent lumbar 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging with two-point DixonT2w and STIR. Two radiologists assessed MC-related high-signal lesions on DixonT2w and compared image quality and lesion extent with STIR. Cohen's kappa and mean of differences ± limits of agreement were calculated.

Results

Fat suppression and artefacts were similar on DixonT2w and STIR in 116 of 120 (97%) patients. Lesion conspicuity was similar in 88, better on STIR in 10, and better on DixonT2w in 9 of 107 patients with MC-related high-signal lesions. Contrast-to-noise ratio for STIR versus DixonT2w was 19.1 versus 17.1 (mean of differences 2.0 ± 8.2). Of 228 lesions L4-S1, 215 (94%) had similar extent on DixonT2w and STIR, 11 were smaller/undetected on STIR, and two were smaller/undetected on DixonT2w. Lesions missed on STIR (n = 9) or DixonT2w (n = 1) had a weak signal increase on the other sequence (≤17%; 0% = vertebral body, 100% = cerebrospinal fluid). Inter-observer reliability (mean kappa L4-S1) was very good for presence (0.87), moderate for height (0.44), and good for volume (0.63) of lesions on DixonT2w.

Conclusion

DixonT2w provided similar visualization of MC-related vertebral edema as STIR.
Implementation of a telerehabilitation program for children with neurodevelopmental disorders during the lockdown caused by COVID-19
Authors: Báez-Suárez Aníbal , Padrón-Rodriguez Iraya , Santana-Cardeñosa Debora , Santana-Perez Lara , Lopez-Herrera Victoria Maria , Pestana-Miranda Romina
Published: December 2022

Introduction:

Telerehabilitation is a tool for patients who, for different reasons, cannot participate in person with their physical presence. We aimed to identify the factors associated with satisfaction with telerehabilitation in families with children with neurodevelopmental disorders through a program that included physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Methods:

The program was developed during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Outcome measures: Child's age, the school stage to which they belonged, the person of reference in their daily care at home. The resources provided to the families, as well as the frequency of activities and difficulties detected, were evaluated through a survey.

Findings:

One hundred thirteen families responded to the survey. The general assessment resources were classified as very good. The average frequency of carrying out the activities was two times a week, with an average of 30 minutes per session. The ability to understand the information in the manual was not affected by the academic status of the caregivers ( p = 0.286).

Conclusions:

This is the first study to quantify the multidisciplinary approach to children with neurodevelopmental disorders using telerehabilitation. The results show high levels of participation and satisfaction. The resources could be shared for their applicability in other countries whose families have similar needs conditioned by COVID-19.
Numerical investigation on composite laminates under double-position low-velocity impacts
Authors: Huang Linhai , Sun Jin , Zhang Diantang , Zhao Junhua
Published: December 2022

The dynamic mechanical behaviors of the [Formula: see text] fiber-reinforced composite laminates subjected to double-position low-velocity impacts are investigated by finite element method. Two impact positions symmetrical about the center of the laminates are impacted sequentially with three impact distances (10 mm, 20 mm, and 40 mm) under three impact energies (5 J, 10 J, and 20 J) to study the interference effect of impact damage. For comparison, plastic damage model (PDM) and elastic damage model (EDM) are established to describe the intra-laminar constitutive, respectively. Compared with available experimental data, the mechanical responses calculated by PDM are more accurate, especially at high energies. Affected by the impact interference, the oscillation of force-time curve for the second impact rather than the first impact is relatively weaker, while the severity of impact damage is reversed. The results show that the maximum displacement is more suitable for characterizing the degree of damage interference than bending stiffness, peak force, and energy dissipation.
Flow behaviour in vented brake discs with straight and airfoil-shaped radial vanes
Authors: Bombek Gorazd , Hribernik Aleš
Published: December 2022

This paper presents experimentally obtained flow characteristics inside the vane passage of a vented brake disc and at the brake disc exit. The flow conditions of three different brake discs were compared: a basic design with straight vanes and two prototypes with different vane heights, shapes (airfoil shape) and numbers. The possible effect on brake disc cooling performance was studies. Hot-wire anemometry was applied to measure the pumping performance of different discs, and particle imaging velocimetry was used to map the velocity field. All three discs were tested on a brake disc dynamometer according to the SAE J2522 standard, and the maximum temperature was measured during the thermal capacity test. No prototype outperformed the original brake disc. Moreover, the brake disc with the increased vane thickness and reduced vane height (prototype C) performed significantly worse, whereas prototype B, designed with an increased vane height and increased number of vanes, performed similarly to the original brake disc. A comparison of the flow characteristics of the three discs indicated that the significant decrease in the cooling airflow rate deteriorated the cooling performance of prototype C the most. On the other hand, the improved pumping performance did not improve the cooling performance of prototype B. Only the comparison of the internal cooling air flow pattern of the original and prototype B brake discs revealed the reason. While the characteristic jet-wake flow structure formed within the vane passage of the original brake disc, the inter-vane channel flow within brake disc B was distributed much more uniformly in a circumferential direction, with significantly lower flow velocities near the pressure vane side. This reduced the convective heat transfer on the brake disc vanes, which number, as well as the heat transfer surface area increased without the desired cooling effect.
A numerical study on knock combustion suppression using targeted fuel injection in an SI engine
Authors: Meng Shuo , Han Zhiyu , Wu Zhenkuo
Published: December 2022

A novel concept to suppress knock combustion using the targeted fuel injection in a spark-ignition (SI) engine is proposed, which utilizes a customized injector to inject a small portion of the total fuel toward the end-gas region in the late compression stroke so that charge cooling effect by fuel vaporization is imposed on the local mixtures. CFD studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of various targeted fuel injection strategies on the processes of charge cooling, air-fuel mixing and combustion in a 1.2-L gasoline SI engine with a high compression ratio. A knock prediction model adopting a level set G-equation model coupled with a transported Livengood-Wu integral correlation was applied to predict the knock event by capturing the occurrence of end-gas auto-ignition. It was found that the local gas temperatures in the sprayed region decreased and knock combustion tendency was suppressed indeed, and the degree of the reduction in local gas temperature and knock tendency was affected by the selected targeted injection strategy. However, the results also indicated that excessive fuels injected could result in worsen air-fuel mixing that led to incomplete combustion. Hence, the injection strategy needs to be optimized by balancing the knock tendency and combustion efficiency. The study further shown that the spark timing could be advanced by 3.3° crank angle in a particular injection strategy case by comparing with the non-targeted-injection case, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed concept.
Comparative study on the spray and combustion characteristics between diesel and kerosene underlow-temperature combustion (LTC)mode conditions
Authors: Li Bo , Cui Zechuan , Fan Liyun , Leng Xianyin , Tian Jiangping , Dong Dongsheng , Xiao Ge
Published: December 2022

Kerosene, an intermediate component of wide distillation fuel, has drawn increasing attention for low-temperature combustion mode due to its compromise of evaporation and ignition characteristics between diesel and gasoline. This study focuses on the comparison of spray and combustion characteristics between diesel and kerosene under low-temperature combustion mode conditions based on visualization tests in a constant volume chamber. Different injection pressures, ambient temperatures, and oxygen concentrations were tested at a constant ambient density of 16.67 kg/m3. The image processing results reveal that the liquid penetration distance of kerosene shows a maximum reduction of 33.5% compared to diesel with a smaller cone angle and spray area at 160 MPa and 800 K. At the same time, the ignition delay of kerosene is 0.9 ms longer than that of diesel, and the injection and combustion processes of kerosene are separated, making it much more similar to the premixed combustion. An increase in injection pressure improves the spray penetration distance but exerts little influence on the flame lift-off length and ignition delay for both fuels. Kerosene presents a lower spatially integrating natural luminosity, especially at low injection pressure. The liquid spray penetration distance and the ignition delay of kerosene are more sensitive to the increase in ambient temperature. However, the higher ambient temperature presents a greater effect on the SINL of diesel. With the decrease of ambient oxygen concentration, the ignition delay, flame lift-off length, spatially integrating natural luminosity, and soot oxidation rate of both fuels decrease obviously. Especially at 15 vol.% ambient oxygen, kerosene presents a much weaker luminosity. These results imply that kerosene exhibits a very similar trend to diesel in terms of spray and combustion characteristics. Moreover, kerosene has a stronger potential to reduce soot formation than diesel with a better fuel-air mixing process under low-temperature combustion mode conditions.
Vegetation changes and sediment dynamics in the Lake Alaotra region, central Madagascar
Authors: Broothaerts Nils , Razanamahandry Vao Fenotiana , Brosens Liesa , Campforts Benjamin , Jacobs Liesbet , Razafimbelo Tantely , Rafolisy Tovonarivo , Verstraeten Gert , Bouillon Steven , Govers Gerard
Published: December 2022

Madagascar is known for its high erosion rates in the central highlands, yet the role of human disturbance versus natural processes is not well understood and is a topic of ongoing debate. At present the necessary quantitative data to couple vegetation dynamics and sediment fluxes over time in Madagascar is scarce. This study aims to provide more insight in vegetation changes and sediment transfers over the last millennia in the Lake Alaotra region, and specifically on the role of human disturbances and natural processes. Our vegetation reconstruction is based on pollen records from two lake sediment cores, covering the last 2600 years. Sediment accumulation rates were calculated from cores obtained from the floodplains, from wetlands surrounding the lake, and from Lake Alaotra itself. Our data show an early opening in the landscape, between 2050 and 1700 cal a BP, with a transition from a wooded grassland or woodland/grassland mosaic towards open grassland and an increase in charcoal accumulation rates. (Indirect) human impact is suggested as the main driver for these vegetation changes. Floodplain and wetland sediment accumulation rates only increase in the last 1000 years and peak in the last 400 years. This increased accumulation can mainly be linked to the increased anthropogenic pressure (grazing and farming activities) that triggered increased lavaka (gullies) activity. No changes in accumulation rate were observed in Lake Alaotra, indicating that most sediments are buffered in the floodplains and wetlands. Overall, our pollen and charcoal data suggest an indirect effect of human disturbance on vegetation shifts whilst strong evidence was found for a direct effect of human disturbance on sediment accumulation through intensified use of the grasslands.
Promoting human-centred AI in the workplace. Trade unions and their strategies for regulating the use of AI in Germany
Authors: Krzywdzinski Martin , Gerst Detlef , Butollo Florian
Published: December 2022

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world of work. For trade unions, the issue of how to regulate the use of AI is a central but difficult topic because the technology is still at an early stage and experience on its use limited. Focusing on Germany, this article addresses the following questions: (1) what areas of application and use cases for AI are relevant for trade unions and works councils?, (2) what role do trade union positions and demands play in the political discussion on regulating the use of AI?, (3) what strategies are trade unions using to influence the regulation and use of AI in the workplace?, and (4) what experiences are they gaining during this process? Reviewing trade union strategies, this article shows which concepts of human-centred AI the trade unions are trying to promote, how they try to ensure that works councils and trade unionists get appropriate training to understand the new technologies, and how dealing with AI is changing the way works councils work. The article also shows how the characteristics of the German system of industrial relations influence discussions on AI and the processes of implementing it in the workplace.
Identity processes and musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Breakwell Glynis M , Jaspal Rusi
Published: December 2022

Musicians, both professional and amateur creators of music, faced economic, social, and psychological hardship during the pandemic. In this article, we use identity process theory from social psychology to interpret the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on identity processes among musicians, including the significance of identity resilience and identity threat to their experience, and the strategies that may be employed in response to possible threats to identity. First, we provide a brief overview of empirical research into identity and well-being among musicians during the pandemic, which has shown the potential for identity threat and the multitude of coping strategies deployed by musicians during this period, most notably the move to virtual settings. We exemplify the theoretical observations made regarding identity processes and coping through three case studies focusing on quite different strategies musicians used to deal with identity threat during the 2020–2021 COVID-19 lockdowns. Awareness of the risks of identity threat and the variety of coping strategies that they can deploy against it could be valuable to musicians and others in the creative industries facing future societal upheavals. In crises, musicians can use music to create coping strategies both for themselves and to support others.
Musical identities in action: Embodied, situated, and dynamic
Authors: MacDonald Raymond , Saarikallio Suvi
Published: December 2022

This article provides a critical overview of musical identities as a research topic. A broad distinction between identities in music (IIM) and music in identities (MII) highlights how musical engagement is central to identity construction. These concepts are integrated with recent advances in psychological theory derived from enactive cognition (4E cognition) to propose a new framework for understanding musical identities, Musical Identities in Action (MIIA). This framework foregrounds musical identities as dynamic (constantly evolving, dialogical, and actively performed), embodied (shaped by how music is physically expressed and experienced), and situated (emergent from interaction with social contexts, technologies, and culture). Musical identities are presented as fluid and constructed through embodied and situated action. Interdisciplinary research on music and adolescence is utilized to show how the MIIA framework can be applied to specific contexts and how musical identities interact with other aspects of life. Examples of the embodied nature of musical identities are provided from early interactions to professional performance and everyday informal engagement. Technology is highlighted as one topical and situated context, using digital playlists and a recent online improvisation project as examples. Implications of the MIIA framework for education and health are also presented, proposing that a key goal of music education is the development of positive musical identities. Recent advances in humanities research such as post-qualitative inquiry (PQI) and metamodern philosophical theory are proposed as useful multidisciplinary approaches for developing new knowledge related to musical identities.
A Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma with Clear Cell Papillary-Like Primary Tumor and Lymph Node Metastasis: A Diagnostic Conundrum
Authors: Demko Nadine , Glennon Kate I , Arseneault Madeleine , Lach Katherine , Nishimura Tamiko , Tanguay Simon , Riazalhosseini Yasser , Brimo Fadi
Published: December 2022

Clear cell papillary renal cell tumor (CCPRCT) is a distinct clinical entity with characteristic pathological features and non-aggressive clinical behavior. Diagnostically challenging cases present when there are immunomorphological findings of CCPRCT associated with heterogeneous morphologies, aggressive histological features, and advanced pathological stages—so-called CCPRCT-like tumors. In this report, we describe a heterogeneous, multifocal renal tumor with immunomorphological characteristics of CCPRCT but with associated aggressive features such as sarcomatoid and necrotic areas, perirenal and sinus fat involvement, and most notably, lymph node metastasis composed entirely of classic CCPRCT morphology and immunophenotype. Immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies did not support a translocation renal cell carcinoma. Molecular analyses did not identify common mutations or chromosomal abnormalities seen in clear cell renal cell carcinoma or ELOC-mutated renal cell carcinoma. This case highlights that rare renal cell tumors remain difficult to classify and the distinction between CCPRCT and CCPRCT-like tumors remains to be better defined.
Protectors of Society: Understanding the Impact of Courtesy Stigma on the Experiences of Volunteers Working With Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offences
Authors: Parkes Jessica , Gray Dr. Debra , McKeague Dr. Lynn
Published: December 2022

Volunteers are integral to the criminal justice system. For some, this involves providing support in the community to those convicted of sexual offences, which has been found to reduce the risk of reoffending. Currently, the impact on volunteers of working within this context is not well understood, despite the significant stigmatisation of those convicted of sexual offences. This study aimed to address this gap through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, focusing on how ‘courtesy stigma’ (Goffman, 1968), a type of stigma-by-association, impacted on this experience. Eleven volunteers within one organisation were interviewed. Volunteers strongly identified with the volunteer role, and stigma served to strengthen their role identity as individuals who helped those no-one else would help. Participants also exhibited some maladaptive coping strategies and symptoms indicative of burnout. These results contribute significantly to the small body of work on volunteer role identity, stigmatisation, and the social and psychological impacts of volunteer association with a highly stigmatised population.
Numerical investigation of ballistic impact on multilayered ceramic/metal target plate with or without air gap
Authors: Singh Deepak Kumar , Banerjee Arkadeb , Datta Debasis
Published: December 2022

The present work is based on numerical simulations of the ballistic behavior of multilayered alumina/aluminum armor plates of varying thicknesses against normal impacts of ogive-nosed steel projectiles. The numerical simulation and the associated models have been validated against published experimental results. A total of nine distinct combinations of ceramic–metal armor plates are impacted normally at different strike velocities, ranging from 200 to 1200 m/sec to determine the residual velocities and ballistic limit velocities of the projectile for each combination of target plate. In a few circumstances, a small air gap has been considered in a combination to compare its ballistic performance to that of a target without an air gap. The optimal ratio of ceramic in a ceramic metal bilayered target plate is determined numerically. This article visualizes the progressive damage of target plates and projectiles at various strike velocities to explore the effects of thicknesses and relative positions of ceramic layers in ceramic/metal armors of a given total thickness in terms of ballistic limit velocity, deformation, and damage of the projectile and target plate.
Visual protest repertoires and protesters’ health identity: a battlefield of the anti-new normal movement
Authors: Sun Zhen , Luo Wei
Published: December 2022

This study explores the health identity of the anti-new normal protesters during the coronavirus pandemic through analyzing the visual protest repertoires that were employed by the protesters in the two waves of demonstrations occurring across the world between 2020 and 2021. The authors examine the protesters’ interpretations of the coronavirus and its mandatory protective measures, their imaginations of the social milieu that has been forever transformed by COVID-19, and their expectations of life. The protesters prioritize the innate physical body, which is essentialized in that there is a static relationship between the physical body and the self as well as between the self and others. The current study enriches our understandings of the new normal opponents’ health identity and provides insights into how it differs from that of the supporters. It helps health educators to effectively construct and deliver health promotion messages and foster healthy behaviors during the pandemic.
Preschool teachers’ beliefs and practices of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP)
Authors: Mengstie Missaye Mulatie
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore preschool teachers’ beliefs and practices on developmentally appropriate practices. The study sites are a mix of public and private preschools that are located in Gondar City, Ethiopia. From these study sites, six participants were purposively selected. Date data were collected through in-depth interviews. Audio-recorded in-depth interviews were transcribed verbatim. Then the Amharic transcript was then translated into the English language and made ready for further thematic analysis. The results indicated a discrepancy between preschool teachers’ beliefs and their actual classroom practices of DAP. The participants reported strong beliefs about the importance of DAP for children’s development and learning. However, they did not follow the DAP guides when teaching children. The preschool teachers attributed this discrepancy to external factors such as shortage of inputs, large class size, lack of parental support and administrative problems. Therefore, the Ministry of Education, policy makers, teacher training colleges and school administrators should design strategies that enable preschool teachers to practice their strong beliefs in implementing DAP in the classroom.