bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Summary of Known Genetic and Epigenetic Modification Contributed to Hypertension
Authors: Pratamawati Tiar Masykuroh , Alwi Idrus , Asmarinah
Published: May 2023

Hypertension is a multifactorial disease due to a complex interaction among genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Characterized by raised blood pressure (BP), it is responsible for more than 7 million deaths per annum by acting as a leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Reports suggest that genetic factors are estimated to be involved in approximately 30 to 50% of BP variation, and epigenetic marks are known to contribute to the initiation of the disease by influencing gene expression. Consequently, elucidating the genetic and epigenetic mediators associated with hypertension is essential for better discernment of its pathophysiology. By deciphering the unprecedented molecular hypertension basis, it could help to unravel an individual’s inclination towards hypertension which eventually could result in an arrangement of potential strategies for prevention and therapy. In the present review, we discuss known genetic and epigenetic drivers that contributed to the hypertension development and summarize the novel variants that have currently been identified. The effect of these molecular alterations on endothelial function was also presented.
Biological Activities and GC-MS Analysis of Aloe vera and Opuntia ficus-indica Extracts
Authors: Alghamdi Afaf , Alshehri Wafa , Sajer Bayan , Ashkan Mada , Ashy Ruba , Gashgari Rukaia , Hakmi Haifa
Published: May 2023

To evaluate the potential antimicrobial activity, Aloe vera and Opuntia ficus-indica plants were collected from the Jeddah, Al Baha, and Taif areas of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SA), and their ethanolic extracts were screened by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The di(2-propylpentyl) ester and hexadecenoic acid ethyl ester of phthalic acid were the most abundant compounds in the A. vera extract, and 1-(benzyloxy)-3,5-dinitrobenzene and phenol, 5-ethenyl-2-methoxy were the most abundant compounds in the O. ficus-indica extract. The antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of these plants against seven fungi and five pathogenic bacteria was also tested. Among all the tested fungi, A. chevalieri showed the largest inhibition zone when treated with the A. vera gel ethanolic extract, followed by P. funiculosum and P. minioluteum, which were more sensitive to and showed larger inhibition zones upon treatment with aqueous extract. For the O. ficus-indica ethanolic extract, T. funiculosus showed the largest inhibition zone. The aqueous extract of the O. ficus-indica showed low antimicrobial activity against all tested fungi. By contrast, both the A. vera and O. ficus-indica extracts showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus, Shigella sp., E. coli, and MRSA except S. typhimurium, which was the most resistant bacterium to both the aqueous and ethanol extracts of A. vera and O. ficus-indica.
The Effects of Ag Nanoislands on the Volatile Threshold-Switching Behaviors of Au/Ag/HfO2/Ag Nanoislands/Au Devices
Authors: Long Fanlin , Zhang Yichuan , Qu Zhaozhu , Lv Peiwen , Zhang Baolin
Published: May 2023

Volatile threshold-switching (TS) devices have been used as selectors and to simulate neurons in neural networks. It is necessary to find new ways to improve their performance. The randomness of conductive filament (CF) growth and the endurance of the devices are urgent issues at present. Here, we explored embedded Ag nanoislands (NIs) in HfO2-based TS devices to limit the position of the CF and facilitate its growth at the same time. The Au/Ag(2 nm)/HfO2(4 nm)/Ag NIs/Au volatile TS devices exhibited forming-free characteristics with improved endurance compared with the devices without Ag NIs, which was ascribed to the enhanced localization of the electrical field and increased oxygen vacancies in HfO2 induced by the Ag NIs. A mechanism was proposed to explain the volatile TS behaviors of the devices. The Ag NIs and the thickness of the HfO2 layers played key roles in whether the devices required forming. This work shows that the use of metal NIs is an effective and convenient way to improve the performance of TS devices.
Overview of Helicobacter pylori Infection, Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Its Prevention
Authors: Bashir Samina Khan , Khan Muhammad Bashir
Published: May 2023

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) (formerly known as Campylobacter pyloridis) has been studied for over a century due to its association with peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Its prevalence has been declining due to improvements in hygienic conditions and effective curative and preventive approaches. However, it is still present in different communities and continues to spread, increasing its global presence in both developing as well as developed countries. Extensive research has been ongoing to eradicate this pathogen, and at present, scientists have discovered different management options. This article highlights the global prevalence of H. pylori infection and the factors responsible for its transmission, treatment regimens, and prevention.
CD49d Expression Identifies a Biologically Distinct Subtype of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with Inferior Progression-Free Survival on BTK Inhibitor Therapy
Authors: Alsadhan Anfal , Chen Jonathan , Gaglione Erika M. , Underbayev Chingiz , Tuma Pamela L. , Tian Xin , Freeman Lita A. , Baskar Sivasubramanian , Nierman Pia , Soto Susan , Itsara Andy , Ahn Inhye E. , Sun Clare , Bibikova Elena , Hartmann Tanja Nicole , Mhibik Maissa , Wiestner Adrian
Published: May 2023

Purpose:

To determine the role of CD49d for response to Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Patients and Methods:

In patients treated with acalabrutinib (n = 48), CD49d expression, VLA-4 integrin activation, and tumor transcriptomes of CLL cells were assessed. Clinical responses to BTKis were investigated in acalabrutinib- (n = 48; NCT02337829) and ibrutinib-treated (n = 73; NCT01500733) patients.

Results:

In patients treated with acalabrutinib, treatment-induced lymphocytosis was comparable for both subgroups but resolved more rapidly for CD49d+ cases. Acalabrutinib inhibited constitutive VLA-4 activation but was insufficient to block BCR and CXCR4–mediated inside–out activation. Transcriptomes of CD49d+ and CD49d− cases were compared using RNA sequencing at baseline and at 1 and 6 months on treatment. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed increased constitutive NF-κB and JAK–STAT signaling, enhanced survival, adhesion, and migratory capacity in CD49d+ over CD49d− CLL that was maintained during therapy. In the combined cohorts of 121 BTKi-treated patients, 48 (39.7%) progressed on treatment with BTK and/or PLCG2 mutations detected in 87% of CLL progressions. Consistent with a recent report, homogeneous and bimodal CD49d-positive cases (the latter having concurrent CD49d+ and CD49d− CLL subpopulations, irrespective of the traditional 30% cutoff value) had a shorter time to progression of 6.6 years, whereas 90% of cases homogenously CD49d− were estimated progression-free at 8 years (P = 0.0004).

Conclusions:

CD49d/VLA-4 emerges as a microenvironmental factor that contributes to BTKi resistance in CLL. The prognostic value of CD49d is improved by considering bimodal CD49d expression.

See related commentary by Tissino et al., p. 3560
Data from Combinatorial BCL-2 family expression in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells predicts clinical response to Azacitidine/Venetoclax
Authors: Waclawiczek Alexander , Leppa Aino-Maija , Renders Simon , Stumpf Karolin , Reyneri Cecilia , Betz Barbara , Janssen Maike , Shahswar Rabia , Donato Elisa , Karpova Darja , Thiel Vera , Unglaub Julia M. , Grabowski Susanna , Gryzik Stefanie , Vierbaum Lisa , Schlenk Richard F. , Rollig Christoph , Hundemer Michael , Pabst Caroline , Heuser Michael , Raffel Simon , Muller-Tidow Carsten , Sauer Tim , Trumpp Andreas
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The BCL-2 inhibitor Venetoclax (VEN) in combination with Azacitidine (5-AZA) is currently transforming Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) therapy. However, there is a lack of clinically relevant biomarkers that predict response to 5-AZA/VEN. Here, we integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, functional and clinical data to identify predictors of 5-AZA/VEN response. Although cultured monocytic AML cells displayed upfront resistance, monocytic differentiation was not clinically predictive in our patient cohort. We identified leukemic stem cells (LSC) as primary targets of 5-AZA/VEN whose elimination determined therapy outcome. LSCs of 5-AZA/VEN refractory patients displayed perturbed apoptotic dependencies. We developed and validated a flow cytometry-based “Mediators-of-Apoptosis-Combinatorial-Score” (MAC-Score) linking the ratio of protein expression of BCL-2, BCL-xL, and MCL-1 in LSCs. MAC-Scoring predicts initial response with a positive predictive-value of >97% associated to increased event-free survival. In summary, combinatorial levels of BCL-2-family members in AML-LSCs are a key denominator of response and MAC-Scoring reliably predicts patient response to 5-AZA/VEN.
Moinho de Salto Veloso: a imigração e a arquitetura em madeira
Authors: Biasi Juliana Aparecida , Likoski Keverson Augusto Ariotti , Felisberto Lara Lima , Freitas Marcelo Oseias de , Kohl Renan
Published: May 2023

O século XX trouxe para o Brasil grupos imigrantes de diversas identidades culturais. Na região Sul, o destaque foram os grupos italianos, que trouxeram consigo sua arquitetura e culinária. Com isso, inicia-se uma nova etapa do procedimento da base de sua culinária: a produção da farinha, realizada com a mecanização de novos maquinários. Neste contexto, surgiu o moinho, responsável pelo desenvolvimento da grande parte das cidades do Meio Oeste catarinense, entre elas, a cidade de Salto Veloso. Desta forma, o objetivo deste artigo é realizar uma análise arquitetônica do Moinho Velosense, atentando-se para os elementos, técnicas construtivas e materiais da região e a participação da comunidade, os quais, foram pontos fundamentais para a formação da paisagem cultural de Salto Veloso.
Pedro Paulo de Melo Saraiva: arquitetura moderna e edifício público em Brasília, 1960-2010
Authors: Andreata Galimbertti Ugo , Augusto de Almeida Alves André
Published: May 2023

Recorrentemente abordada pelo seu pragmatismo e pela filiação de suas estruturas à Escola Paulista Brutalista, a arquitetura de Pedro Paulo de Melo Saraiva (1933-2016) constitui contribuição ampla, original e significativa à arquitetura moderna brasileira.  Situando-a no entrecruzamento entre arquitetura moderna, Estado, Brasília e projeto, o artigo analisa três prédios projetados pelo arquiteto em três momentos da vida brasileira e brasiliense: o edifício-sede da CNI (1962), a Escola de Administração Fazendária (1973) e o edifício-sede do Confea (1999).  Assim considerados enquanto signos da sociedade brasileira e de seu processo de modernização no segundo pós-guerra, tais projetos revelam atributos de que Brasília e a metrópole contemporânea mais necessitam: representar aquilo que é público e democrático.
Two‐Piece Craniotomy Is Associated With Improved Postoperative Outcomes of Combined Revascularization in Patients With Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Kanamori Fumiaki , Takasu Syuntaro , Hatano Norikazu , Araki Yoshio , Seki Yukio , Saito Ryuta
Published: May 2023

Background

Revascularization for both anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) territories in patients with moyamoya disease is often performed in a single operation. The influence of craniotomy type on postoperative outcomes has not been investigated. This study aimed to clarify the effects of craniotomy type on acute postoperative outcomes after combined revascularization by comparing 2‐piece, and large 1‐piece craniotomy approaches.

Methods

This retrospective study included 337 consecutive combined revascularizations of the ACA and MCA territories in patients with moyamoya disease. Surgeries were classified into 2‐piece and large 1‐piece craniotomy groups. For indirect bypass, the following methods were used: (1) large 1‐piece craniotomy and encephalo‐myo‐galeo‐periosteal‐synangiosis for the MCA and ACA territories; (2) 2‐piece craniotomy and encephalo‐myo‐synangiosis for the MCA territory and encephalo‐periosteal‐synangiosis for the ACA territory. Acute postoperative outcomes were compared between the groups.

Results

Two‐piece and large 1‐piece craniotomies were performed in 230 and 107 patients, respectively. The incidence of radiological and symptomatic infarction tended to be lower in the 2‐piece craniotomy group than that in the large 1‐piece craniotomy group (3.9% versus 11.2%;
P
=0.014, and 2.6% versus 6.5%;
P
=0.12, respectively). Logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders further explained the relationship between craniotomy type and radiological infarction (large 1‐piece/2‐piece craniotomy: odds ratio, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2–7.6;
P
=0.015).

Conclusion

In combined revascularization of the ACA and MCA territories in moyamoya disease, 2‐piece craniotomy may reduce the risk of postoperative cerebral infarction.
Neglected Rural Women: Comparative Study on the Regional Differences of Agricultural Feminization in Mainland China
Authors: Cai Hong , Guo Mingwen , Huang Yuanlin
Published: May 2023

The main objective of the thesis was to analyze the structure, distribution, and impact of women farmers who have been neglected for a long time in the agricultural development of mainland China based on the national population census data from 1982 to 2020. Findings showed that the proportion of female agricultural labor force in 24 regions increased to varying degrees from 1990 to 2010. Areas where the distribution of female agricultural labor is relatively densely distributed largely overlap with cotton planting and growing areas and commodity grain bases, and nearly 1/4 of the areas have more female farmers than males. The feminization of agricultural labor force in China compared with developing regions of Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, has special because of balancing the relationship between rural women, rural families, and agricultural production and maximizing the economic efficiency of farmers during the transition period. The article recommends, in the promotion of rural revitalization strategy, China needs to actively integrate gender awareness, cultivate more female elites in agricultural technology, marketing, and management, giving play to the “super half effect” of rural women in cultural inheritance.
Why are University Teachers in Northeastern China Lost? An Analysis based on the Survey of Teachers’ Intention to Leave
Authors: Yang Yannan , Ma Zhengyu , Xue Xia
Published: May 2023

In recent years, universities in northeastern China have been losing teachers. This paper uses the survey results of university teachers in Northeastern China to analyze the factors that cause the loss of teachers in universities in Northeastern China. Based on the findings of this study, the factors that affect the flow tendency of teachers at worklife include promotion and development, university management, working conditions, salary and interpersonal relationship, of which promotion and development has the greatest impact. The factors that affect the flow tendency of teachers in the external environment include family responsibility, organizational prestige, conditions for talent acquisition and urban living environment, of which organizational prestige has the greatest impact. To alleviate the loss of teachers in universities from northeastern China, universities can improve the promotion and development channels of teachers, perfect their working conditions and management level, raise the basic salary standard of teachers and establish a remuneration system for distribution according to performance. For good measure, they can also stabilize the current teachers while attracting more outstanding talents by exploiting the advantages of location, making more efforts to build high-level disciplines, and offering more favorable conditions for talent introduction.
Is the Hobbesian State of Nature Racialized?
Authors: Sreedhar Susanne
Published: May 2023

Thomas Hobbes, like other early modern social contract theorists, has been accused of promoting racist views in his philosophy – ideas used to justify European imperialism and the devastation of Indigenous peoples. I argue that his philosophy does not assume or promote a naturalized racial hierarchy. I demonstrate that the logic of Hobbes’s project requires rejecting a racially essentialist conception of human nature. His is a thoroughgoing and unrepentant anti-essentialism; he claims that there are no objective, immutable, necessary differences between ‘civilized’ people and ‘savages.’ Instead, I locate Hobbes’s bias in his reliance on culturally-specific notions of government. Finally, I suggest that the Hobbes’s natural law requirement of ‘acknowledging’ equality can be applied to questions about race. Though this was not its purpose, this requirement might provide a useful – and distinctively Hobbesian – tool to combat the impulse behind the problematic and persistent desire to find ‘real’ differences among racial groups.
Writing about the Mawlid al-Sharīf in Eighth/Fourteenth-Century Maghrib: A Sufi-Legal Discourse
Authors: Atanasova Kameliya
Published: May 2023

Recent scholarship on the relationship between premodern Sufism and Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) has highlighted the overlap between Sufis and jurists at the level of social and intellectual life. Despite this growing body of studies on Sufi-jurist dynamics, the role of Sufi metaphysics in this intellectual intersection remains unexplored. To address this gap, I provide a close reading of an entry in the Miʿyār al-muʿrib, a fatwa collection written in the ninth/fifteenth-century by Aḥmad al-Wansharīsī (d. 914/1508) that deals with the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, the mawlid al-sharīf. The entry in Wansharīsī’s collection consists of three interconnected texts: a fourteenth-century fatwa by Ibn ʿ⁠Abbād al-Rundī (d. 792/1390), a metalinguistic commentary by Wansharīsī, and an excerpt from the Janāʾ al-jannatayn, a treatise by Shams al-Dīn b. Marzūq al-Tilimsānī (d. 781/1379) on the preeminence of the Night of Birth (laylat al-mawlid) over the Night of Power (laylat al-qadr). I analyze this triad of texts in order to create a road map for understanding the intersection of Sufi metaphysical and legal discourses. I begin by situating my argument within existing scholarship on Sufi-jurist dynamics in the premodern period (pre-thirteenth/nineteenth century). Next, I introduce readers to the main historical figures in the article – Ibn ʿ⁠Abbād, Ibn Marzūq, and Wansharīsī. In the third and fourth parts of the article, I explore these interconnected texts and argue that Wansharīsī uses Ibn Marzūq’s excerpt on the mawlid as a kind of precedent text to help his readers decipher Ibn ʿ⁠Abbād’s fatwa. In this way, the fatwa compiler links the two texts and their corresponding Sufi metaphysical and juridical elements.
Pollen morphology of Scorzonera s.l. (Asteraceae, Cichorieae, Scorzonerinae) occurring in Iran
Authors: EBRAHIMI ATEFEH , ATTAR FARIDEH , NAZEMIYEH HOSSEIN , MIRTADZADINI MANSOUR , BLACKMORE STEPHEN
Published: May 2023

Pollen characters of 48 species of Scorzonera s.l. distributed in Iran were investigated by using light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains are isopolar, radially symmetric, generally 3-zonocolporate, rarely 2-colpororate or 4-colporate. The pollen grains are oblate-spheroidal in shape (P/E=0.89 to 0.99) with the polar axes 37.1–58.1 µm and the equatorial axes 38.8–60.6 µm. We adopted the four pollen types recognized by Blackmore based on the number and position of their lacunae. For the first time, some pollen grains of S. longipapposa and S. tortuosissima were shown to have 26 (24+2) lacunae. We compared pollen morphological characters with the findings of the most recent systematic treatment. Type A with 6 lacunae was observed in Takhtajaniantha pusilla and S. parviflora, type B with 18 lacunae in Gelasia, type C with 20 lacunae in Pseudopodospermum and type D with 24 lacunae in Ramaliella, S. renzii and the Podospermum clade (except S. laciniata) in Scorzonera. We also observed 15 or 18 lacunae in S. rupicola. The pollen in Scorzonera appears to evolve toward reduction of spines in S. parviflora, extension of spines in the Podospermum clade, enlargement of the space between ridges and increase in the number of lacunae (S. longipapposa and S. tortuosissima). 26 pollen characters of the examined species were analysed by UPGMA and PCA. Pollen size, spine size, distance between spines, number and arrangement of spines between two equatorail lacunae, exine thickness, spine length/P or E, dimensions of lacunae and polar area were shown to contribute significantly to understanding the morphology of Scorzonera.
Reestablishment of Amazonian species Eugenia pisonis (Myrtaceae)
Authors: GIARETTA AUGUSTO , CARIENNE DE MORAIS LAYRA
Published: May 2023

Eugenia pisonis is an Amazonian species here reestablished as distinguished from Eugenia moschata by leaf blades with conspicuous black dots ca. 1 mm from each other abaxially, apex abruptly long-acuminate, hypanthium glabrous or glabrate, sepals glabrous, petal globe in the bud markedly 4-costate, and fruit obovoid or oblate. Diagnostic characters are provided and imaged.
The identity of Phlogacanthus curviflorus var. menchanensis (Acanthaceae)
Authors: MEHMUD SELIM , DAS KANGKAN KUMAR , CHETIA TWINKLE , ROY HIMU , BHATTACHARYYA DEBJYOTI , BUJARBARUA PRANAB , BORTHAKUR SASHIN KUMAR
Published: May 2023

N/A
Staurosirella eruciformis, a new Staurosirella (Bacillariophyta) species from a historic sample from Scotland, UK
Authors: VAN DE VIJVER BART
Published: May 2023

N/A
Impact of La Niña on the Following-Summer East Asian Precipitation through Intermediate SST Anomalies
Authors: Wen Na , Li Laurent
Published: May 2023

This study investigates the impact of boreal winter–peaked La Niña on the following-summer precipitation in East Asia through intermediate sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies playing the role of relay in observation and numerical models. There are widespread dry conditions in both North and South China and wet conditions in coastal areas of central and eastern China. Such a pattern is mainly attributed to an anomalous low pressure over the western tropical Pacific and an anomalous anticyclone over northeast Asia. It is found that the delayed impact of La Niña on the East Asian climate is operated through intermediate SST anomalies—the Z-shape cold SST anomalies in the tropical North Pacific. There might be three ways for the SST anomalies to operate. First, they produce tropical atmospheric perturbations that can penetrate into the subtropical jet through the westerly trough over the northeast subtropical Pacific, the wave train being then excited along the jet. Second, perturbations created through the monsoon trough over the western Pacific can directly stimulate northward-propagating Rossby waves along the East Asian coast, mainly at low level. And third, perturbations over the tropical Atlantic–northwest Africa can also trigger downstream propagating waves along the subtropical jet. The observation effects of the intermediate SST anomalies and their possible impact mechanisms on atmospheric circulation are largely reproduced within numerical simulations performed with the Community Earth System Model.
Ocean Temperature Observations in Hurricane Dorian (2019)
Authors: Densmore Casey R. , Sanabia Elizabeth R. , Jayne Steven R.
Published: May 2023

Upper-ocean temperatures from 72 airborne expendable bathythermographs (AXBTs) collected during U.S. Air Force Hurricane Hunter flights into Hurricane Dorian (2019) over a 72-h period are examined. Three transects collected behind the storm reveal increased cross-track sea surface temperature gradient magnitudes as Dorian intensified to a category-5 hurricane and slowed while approaching the Bahamas. The cold wake, evident in vertical and horizontal cross sections from in situ and satellite sensors, appears as an expected response to tropical cyclone passage. Atypical, however, is the 2°C surface cooling observed over 36 h in a pair of transects ahead of hurricane force winds in Dorian, likely due to changes in the tropical cyclone’s translation speed and direction and/or proximity to the Gulf Stream and continental shelf. Collocated AXBT pairs document a dynamical regime shift from mixing to upwelling as Dorian slows and turns. Relationships between time-integrated wind stress and sea surface temperature indicate track-relative differences varying with storm translation speed and heading changes, paralleling the shift in cooling dynamics.

Significance Statement

We studied in situ and satellite ocean temperature observations beneath Hurricane Dorian (2019) as the storm moved slowly, turned north, and weakened near Grand Bahama Island. We found a distinct change in the spatial distribution of cool upper-ocean temperatures beneath the storm, which indicated a shift in the primary cooling mechanism from ocean mixing to upwelling. This mechanism shift is important because hurricanes depend on warm ocean temperatures for energy, and upwelling roughly doubles the area of cooling beneath the storm. Our results highlight the effects of large heading changes on the upper-ocean response beneath tropical cyclones, especially in tandem with slow translation speeds.
Analyzing the Effect of Regional Modality in Polling Surveys: A Case Study of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election Results in Florida
Authors: Levy Eric , Chiang ERIC , Levy Ting
Published: May 2023

Pre-election polls have been conducted using different modes of data collection with varying degrees of accuracy. As media’s appetite for horserace polling increased, the demand for all types of data collection increased, raising the price of achieving a representative sample. Mixing modes of data collection have been popular due to the increased cost of polling using traditional methods such as face-to-face interviews, mail-in surveys, or live operator phone surveys. Due to technological advances in self-administered surveys, other forms of data collection provide more cost-effective solutions. Florida Atlantic University’s Business and Economics Polling Initiative conducted political polls throughout the fall of 2020 in anticipation of the general election for President of the United States. This unique dataset from polls conducted in September and October of 2020 showed interactive voice response (IVR) landline polling to be the most accurate statewide and across most regions of Florida. The survey data collected via opt-in online panels and via mobile phone text messaging exhibited results outside of the margin of error for certain regions. However, given the trend of declining landline phones and greater instances of exclusive mobile phone usage, polling by way of online and mobile phone surveys is becoming increasingly important.
A Multimodal Approach to Control of Massive Hemorrhage Secondary to Rectal Cancer
Authors: Kelly Lauren S. , Byun John K. , Panetti Ryan A. , Mousavi Mohammad-Ali , Lenza Christopher , Vossough-Teehan Sima , Kunac Anastasia
Published: May 2023

The management of patients with symptomatic rectal masses can be challenging and is further complicated in cases of advanced age, comorbidities, prior surgeries, and acute hemorrhage. In this report, we describe a patient who presented with massive hemorrhage from a 7 cm low rectal tumor with subsequent cardiac arrest. After return of spontaneous circulation, emergent pelvic angiography identified extensive tumor enhancement and blush off the anterior division of the right internal iliac artery from multiple parasitized vessels. The right internal iliac artery was embolized with multiple microcoils to decrease the tumor blood supply and slow the rate of bleeding. The patient was then taken directly from the angiography suite to radiation oncology for planning CT, and within several hours, underwent his first session of radiation. In conjunction with angioembolization, short-course radiation therapy can be an effective treatment modality for advanced bleeding rectal tumors not amenable to surgical resection.
Successful Coil Embolization of a Large Anterior Tibial Artery Pseudoaneurysm After Open Reduction Internal Fixation of a Bi-condylar Tibial Plateau Fracture
Authors: Park Jasmine J. , Perry Luke D. , Tamburrini Danielle , Kumar Sanjay
Published: May 2023

Pseudoaneurysms are false aneurysms that consist of turbulent blood flow between the outside layers of the arterial wall, the tunica media and tunica adventitia. Typically, pseudoaneurysms develop after injury to an artery, most often as a result of blunt trauma. Femoral pseudoaneurysms can also develop after catheter-based vascular interventions due to laceration of the artery from access needles, insufficient time or pressure held at the access site after the procedure, amongst other causes. Rarely, arterial injury during orthopedic pinning procedures has been known to cause pseudoaneurysms. There are only two documented cases within the literature in which a patient underwent closed intermedullary nailing of a proximal tibia fracture after trauma and developed an anterior tibial artery pseudoaneurysm. There are few reports of pseudoaneurysm development as the result of external fixation device placement presumably caused by the inability to directly visualize internal anatomy.
Clinical Indicators to Determine the Timing of Surgery for Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction
Authors: Nakao Eiichi , Honda Michitaka , Takano Yoshinao , Suzuki Nobuyasu , Todate Yukitoshi , Kawamura Hidetaka , Miyakawa Teppei , Toshiyama Satoshi , Yamamoto Ryuya , Konno Shinichi
Published: May 2023

Background

Decompression of the intestine with a long tube or nasogastric tube is the first-choice treatment for adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). Scheduling surgery while weighing the risks of surgery against conservative care is a crucial factor in clinical decision-making. Whenever feasible, unnecessary surgeries should be avoided, and it is essential to provide clinical markers for this. This study aimed to obtain evidence regarding the optimal timing of ASBO and when conservative treatment options are not successful.

Methods

The data of patients diagnosed with ASBO and receiving long tube insertion for more than 7 days were reviewed. We investigated transit ileal drainage volume and recurrence. The primary outcomes were the change in the drainage volume from the long tube over time and the percentage of patients who required surgery. We evaluated some cutoff values to determine the indication for surgery based on the insertion duration and volume of long tube drainage.

Results

Ninety-nine patients were enrolled in this study. Fifty-one patients showed improvement with conservative treatment, whereas 48 ultimately required surgery. When a daily drainage volume of ≥500 mL was considered an indication for surgery, 13-37 cases (25%-72%) would be judged unnecessary within 6 days of long tube insertion, while 5 cases (9.8%) would be judged unnecessary on day 7.

Discussion

Unnecessary surgical interventions for ASBO might be avoided by assessing the drainage volume on day 7 after inserting a long tube.
The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale for Spleen Does Not Equally Predict Interventions in Penetrating and Blunt Trauma
Authors: Abdel-Aziz Hossam , Murray Clark , Roberts Drew , Capron Gwenviere , Starr Frederic , Bokhari Faran , Brigode William
Published: May 2023

Background

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Organ Injury Scale (OIS) for the spleen (and other organs) was created in 1989. It has been validated to predict mortality, need for operation, length of stay (LOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS.

Purpose

We aimed to determine if the Spleen OIS is applied equally to blunt and penetrating trauma.

Research Design/Study Sample

We analyzed the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database from 2017-2019, including patients with spleen injuries.

Data Collection

Outcomes included the rates of mortality, operation, spleen-specific operation, splenectomy, and splenic embolization.

Results

60900 patients had a spleen injury with an OIS grade. Mortality rates increased in Grades IV and V for both blunt and penetrating trauma. In blunt trauma, the odds for any operation, spleen-specific operation, and splenectomy increased, for each increase in grade. Penetrating trauma showed similar trends in grades up to grade IV, but were statistically similar between grade IV and V. Splenectomy was higher in penetrating trauma for all grades. Splenic embolization peaked at 25% of grade IV trauma before decreasing in grade V. Rates in penetrating trauma were significantly lower in all grades, peaking at 2.5% of Grade III injuries.

Conclusions

The mechanism of trauma is a significant factor for all outcomes, independent of AAST-OIS. Hemostasis is predominantly surgical in penetrating trauma, achieved with angioembolization more frequently in blunt trauma. Penetrating trauma management is influenced by the potential for injury to peri-splenic organs.
Teaching as a way of creating Italian transnational literature: A mission of the Italian Diaspora Studies Seminar at the University of Calabria
Authors: Ganeri Margherita
Published: May 2023

In this essay, I will illustrate the mission and the most significant innovative teaching activities promoted by the Italian Diaspora Studies Seminar, a research center founded in 2017 at the University of Calabria, where I work. The Seminar aims to promote scholarly research into the abovementioned fields while building educational programs inspired by them. In particular, we investigate the perspective of specific Italian transnationalism that identifies itself with the network of Italian diasporic literature disseminated worldwide. Our goal is not limited to research; we seek to pursue a proactive perspective. It is a fact that contemporary writers of Italian heritage are generally unaware of contemporary Italian writers and that many of them are not familiar even with the Italian canonical masterpieces from the past, and the same goes vice versa. For this reason, our mission is to create new bridges to fill these gaps. One of the purposes of the “Italian Diaspora Seminar” is the ambition to investigate the opportunity to create, both theoretically and pragmatically, an inclusive ground in which to detect and promote new connections among Italian, diasporic, and migrant Italian contemporary writers. Our goal is to reinforce a sense of community that will lay the foundations for the growth of inclusive, inter-dialoguing, and unified Italian transnational literature.
The Transnational Italian Studies major at UCSB: A paradigm shift
Authors: Fogu Claudio
Published: May 2023

This article illustrates the three criteria underpinning the creation of a Transnational Italian Studies major at UCSB in 2020: translation, imaginary, and nation-ness.
How, when and where to intervene in self-harm in youth in low- and middle-income countries: Thinking beyond healthcare systems
Authors: Aggarwal Shilpa , Armstrong Greg
Published: May 2023

Background:

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) account for 78% of global suicides. Self-harm is the clearest antecedent of suicide. The health and social systems have struggled to provide adequate evidence based help to young people with self-harm. In addition, the negative attitudes towards those who self-harm in these settings interfere with help-seeking behaviour.

Aims and method:

In our submission of a comment, we discuss the reasons for thinking beyond healthcare systems in LMICs to address self-harm in youth and the possible ways to achieve it.

Results and conclusion:

We truly believe that harnessing the potential of social systems such as schools is important for addressing self-harm in LMICs. We present our arguments in favour of feasible measures that can be implemented to achieve this.
Security Predicament of Syrian Refugees Through Gender Lens in Line with EU–Turkey Joint Action Plan 2015
Authors: Das Rippy , Sharma Kabindra
Published: May 2023

War has numerous repercussions for each gender. In the instances of war-induced displacement, both genders are usually subject to intensive risks in their journey as refugees, from reaching destined countries through dangerous routes to gender differences and inequalities they face in the host countries. The tales of agony and calamity shed light on the fact that the refugee crisis is very much a crisis for both genders not limited to one gender. Since the Second World War, the Middle East has been regarded as the world’s most conflict-prone region. Continuous Wars and civil wars have always raised questions about human threats and Syria is not exceptional. As a consequence of the Syrian civil war which was started in 2011, 13.5 million Syrians substituting for more than half of Syria’s population are deracinated, destitute or confined in difficult to access areas. Tens of thousands of Syrians have fled their nation in search of safety and access to essential amenities. Many Syrians choose to reach Europe other than Middle East countries as their destination to get asylum where they risk their lives by making the dangerous journey through the Mediterranean Sea route and both men and women face different refugee predicaments throughout their journey. At the same time, the European Union (EU) is playing a significant role in managing the Syrian Crisis, although it has been facing a remarkable advent of refugees and migrants. In 2015, the EU and Turkey officially followed a joint ‘Action Plan’, which mainly aimed to deter the gargantuan influx of outcasts and transients into the EU. However, the plan has faced a lot of criticism which argued that although the EU presented as a humanitarian actor in dealing refugee crisis, it is trying to push its responsibilities towards Turkey. Against this backdrop, this article has examined the crisis faced by the Syrian refugees after the adoption of the joint action plan. Further, it has analysed, if the said joint action plan has made their refugee journey more complicated in the EU by adding new challenges for both Syrian men and women differently.
More on the Use of Goggles and Snorkel in Learning-to-Swim: New Results for Children Without Fear of Water
Authors: Misimi Fatmir , Kajtna Tajna , Štirn Igor , Zoretić Dajana , Misimi Samir , Kapus Jernej
Published: May 2023

In recent research, we found that the use of goggles and snorkel benefited non-swimmers with fear of water in a learn-to-swim program. Our purpose in this study was to examine the effects of using goggles and snorkel during a learn-to-swim program on the aquatic skills of young non-swimmers without fear of water. We modelled this research on our prior study. Following informed parental consent, 40 children (aged 10–11 years) were randomly divided into two groups: one that used goggles and snorkel (GS) and one that did not (NGS). After 4 weeks (five sessions per week) of learn-to-swim intervention, both groups improved aquatic skills such that the only group differences were for the blowing bubbles test, for which the learn-to-swim program resulted in smaller gains for the GS than the NGS group. Thus, the use (vs. non-use) of goggles and snorkels during the learn-to-swim program had no significant effect on most aquatic skills of young non-swimmers without fear of water. The only exception was a significant finding of reduced improvement in blowing bubbles in the goggles and snorkels group when compared to the no goggles and snorkel group. Together with past findings these results highlight important learn-to-swim differences between young non-swimmers with and without fear of water.
Can peritumoral edema evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging before neoadjuvant chemotherapy predict complete pathological response in breast cancer?
Authors: Cakir Pekoz Burcak , Dilek Okan , Koseci Tolga , Tas Zeynel Abidin , Irkorucu Oktay , Gulek Bozkurt
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

The complete pathological response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer is essential for the accurate prediction of prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the presence and type of peritumoral edema detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting pCR to NAC in breast cancer patients.

Methods and Results

One hundred five patients with the diagnosis of invasive carcinoma were evaluated by MRI before NAC. Edema was evaluated in fat-suppressed T2-weighted images. The patients were categorized into three groups: patients with no peritumoral edema, patients with peritumoral edema, and patients demonstrating subcutaneous edema. The cases were categorized as being pCR and non-pCR. Molecular subtypes, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), tumor size, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were evaluated. A positive relationship was found between the presence of edema and tumor size. Subcutaneous edema was found to be statistically higher in non-pCR patients. While the number of pCR patients with subcutaneous edema was 17 (30.4%), the number of non-pCR patients with subcutaneous edema was 26 (53.1%) ( p  =  0.018). LVI was found to be statistically higher in patients with edema. The number of edema-negative and LVI (+) patients was 4 (15.4%), while the number of edema-positive and LVI (+) patients was 28 (35.4%) ( p = 0.042). Intratumoral and peritumoral ADC values were significantly higher in tumors with edema.

Conclusion

The presence of subcutaneous edema and LVI may be utilized for the prediction of pCR outcomes in breast cancer patients scheduled for NAC treatment.
Research status and development of infrared camouflage textile materials
Authors: Su Ying , Yu Bin , Zhao Xiaoming
Published: May 2023

With the rapid development of infrared detection and tracking technology, the combat concealment and viability of various military targets are seriously threatened, and the demand for military infrared camouflage is increasingly urgent. Individual combatants, as small moving targets, have the characteristics of small size, strong mobility, complex and changeable background, etc. Their infrared camouflage is more flexible and accurate than the equipment and engineering camouflage. The infrared camouflage textile material is soft and portable, which is the main embodiment of the infrared camouflage technology for individual soldiers. It can be used for infrared camouflage clothing, military tents, sleeping bags, and other equipment. Its research and development have been highly valued by many countries. In this article, details of the working principle, preparation methods, and recent research progress of flexible infrared camouflage textile materials are summarized. First of all, from the military application of infrared technology and the principle of infrared camouflage, the development status of infrared camouflage textile materials is summarized, and the research results of near-infrared and thermal infrared camouflage textile materials are introduced. Secondly, the camouflage conditions and research directions of new multi-band recombination and adaptive infrared camouflage textile materials are discussed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of the future development of infrared camouflage textile materials, especially adaptive infrared camouflage textile materials, are considered.
Creation of new textile utilizing Nishijin’s hikibaku technique and exploring new applications in other industries
Authors: Kano Masashi , Kuwahara Noriaki
Published: May 2023

Nishijin is famous for its traditional technique of cutting Japanese paper to a thickness of 0.2 to 0.3 mm and weaving it with warp and weft threads. This technique is called ‘ hikibaku’. In the previous paper, we reported on the creation of a new textile with a new tactile feeling by using natural cowhide instead of Japanese paper used in hikibaku. In this paper, we describe the details of the automation of the hikibaku technique that created the new textile, and conduct a durability test of the newly produced textile using artificial leather, which is of stable quality, instead of natural cowhide, and discuss its new applications.
Efficiency marker evaluation based on optimized deep learning supported by Bayesian optimization technique
Authors: Salama Wessam M. , Aly Moustafa H. , Abed Ahmed M. , Eladly Amira M.
Published: May 2023

In this article the efficiency of marker patterns is calculated based on a new optimized automated computer-aided design system interested in nesting the irregular objects using deep learning techniques to reduce the unused area of garment layout. The automatic hyper-parameter is adjusted based on Bayesian optimization technique. Our proposed work is based on four phases: segmentation using the Grab-Cut technique which is utilized to increase our framework performance and decrease the cost. Moreover, different optimization algorithms, including k-nearest neighbor, naive Bayes, decision trees, and support vector machine are performed for classifying the pattern size from the fabric layer. Furthermore, the data augmentation technique is applied to overcome the lack of datasets and improve our framework performance by increasing the number of datasets. The optimized framework achieves 98.99% area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, an accuracy of 98.97%, a sensitivity ([Formula: see text]) of 98.98%, a precision ([Formula: see text]) of 98.89%, an [Formula: see text]-score of 98.99%, a mean square error of 0.03% to 4.91%, an efficiency of 99.66%, a p-value of 0.0207, a t-statistics of 1.336, and a computational time of 3.21 s.
High flame-retardant polyether sulfone/carbon fiber/polyethylene terephthalate fiber hybrid composites with low density
Authors: Yang Qian , Chen Chihan , Li Zhimin , Chen Changjie , Wang Xinhou
Published: May 2023

Polyether sulfone (PES) in filter material has been reported extensively. However, PES fibers have not yet been used in flame-retardant composites. This study systematically investigates the effect of PES/carbon fiber (CF)/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber content, hot-pressing temperature, pressure, and duration on the flame-retardant property. The flame-retardant properties, tensile properties, morphology, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) have been studied. The results show that the optimum parameter is PES/CF/PET fiber content of 65/30/5 wt%, hot-pressing temperature of 270°C, hot-pressing pressure of 35 MPa, and hot-pressing duration of 50 min. The fiber hybrid composite has a 50% lower density compared to conventional CF composites. The sample successfully passes the vertical burning test (UL-94) V-0 flammability rating, and it can be immediately extinguished and no droplets are produced during the testing process. Further, the cone calorimeter results demonstrated that the composite also has a low heat release rate (the peak of the heat release rate is 47.226 kW/m2) and a low smoke density (the peak of the smoke production rate is 0.0107 m2/s). The carbon residue rate of the PES/CF/PET fiber hybrid composite reached 44.45% at 900°C. The carbonization of the benzene ring on the PES fiber backbone is the main mechanism of flame retardancy of the PES/CF/PET fiber hybrid composite.
Should we admire the shrewd steward (Luke 16.1–9)? Moral exemplarism and Christian ethics
Authors: David Edward A.
Published: May 2023

The parable of the shrewd steward (Luke 16.1–9) is notoriously difficult to interpret. We encounter a figure who, when threatened with dismissal, dishonestly erases the debts of his master’s debtors. Yet, surprisingly, the master commends the steward. So, what exactly are we meant to admire in the steward? With help from Linda Zagzebski’s theory of moral exemplarism, I discuss why we should – and should not – consider the steward to be morally exemplary. I also consider the place of moral exemplars within Christian ethics.
Apocalypses now and then: a review article
Authors: Northcott Michael S.
Published: May 2023

A review of two recent books that tackle environmental catastrophe through a secular reading of theological concepts and from the perspectives of faith-based and secular ecological justice movements.