bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Onus on Coal Consumption and the ‘Beautiful China Initiative’: Economic and Policy Implications
Authors: Rajmil Daniel , Morales Lucía , Andreosso-O’Callaghan Bernadette
Published: August 2023

China’s need for rapid economic growth and its hunger for natural resources significantly challenge its economic and policy vision of sustainability, social stability and economic development. The ‘Beautiful China Initiative’ plans to put China on the path of sustainable development in line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development GoaSls. The Chinese authorities are expected to reconsider traditional economic policy models to integrate environmental protection while ensuring that their economy proliferates. The shift from a traditional and heavy coal-dependent economy towards greener energy and a sustainable economic model brings additional challenges to China due to its historical dependence on coal as its energy engine. This research paper examines causality patterns between economic growth and fossil fuels energy consumption by analysing coal consumption and carbon dioxide emissions policies using Pesaran’s autoregressive distributed lag model. The research findings offer insights into China’s challenges to transition towards a more sustainable economic model, making the country’s ‘Beautiful China Initiative’ quite complex as it needs to navigate through high levels of environment-friendly economic growth whilst trying to avoid the middle-income trap.
“Cannabis Businesses Are Being Good Contributors to the Community”: The Regulated Cannabis Industry and Cannabis Normalization in the United States
Authors: Kinney Alexander B.
Published: August 2023

This study examines how regulated cannabis businesses normalize their trade in the United States. Using interviews ( N = 56) and a cross-sectional survey of cannabis professionals ( N = 144), I find that the U.S. cannabis industry employs three strategies: (1) Using deviant practices to engage in legitimate business, (2) Reconciling divergent cultural frames for reducing stigma against the cannabis industry, and (3) Changing discursive repertoires that uniquely stigmatize cannabis and cannabis users. I argue that each strategy constitutes a new analytical category of social skill that contested industries leverage in a gray market context.
Minority Threat in Schools and Differential Security Manifestations: Examining Unequal Control, Surveillance, and Protection
Authors: Payne Allison Ann , Welch Kelly
Published: August 2023

Using a recent nationally representative sample of schools, this test of Minority Threat Theory, which predicts greater use of punitive social controls in places with more people of color, is the first to use an empirically and conceptually based security typology that distinguishes among strategies intended to (1) control, (2) surveil, and (3) protect students at school. This study not only accounts for the way particular security strategies are often bundled, but also for differential objectives that are seemingly dependent on the racial and ethnic context of schools—essential considerations for understanding how minority threat manifests in school security programs. Ultimately, our results demonstrate the need for policymakers to recognize how disparate implementation of school security strategies may exacerbate inequality for youth of color.
A history of whales in contemporary Brazil: A study of media reports on deaths of cetaceans
Authors: Losada Janaina Zito
Published: August 2023

This essay seeks to understand the sensitive responses of contemporary perspectives and experiences in dealing with whales washed up on beaches killed largely by plastic pollution in our seas and oceans. Identified in Brazilian online mass-circulation periodicals and denounced by environmentally engaged art, the interactions between the bodies of whales and culture are interpreted in the light of studies of the history of human–non-human–animal relationships, human sensibilities triggered by this contact, and media reports denouncing the current environmental crisis and raising awareness of the importance of protecting species, in this case cetaceans. Through the Brazilian periodical press, one can see, in the record of whale deaths, the sensitivity toward non-human animals and the concern with the explanations of this phenomenon.
The Interaction Between Measurement and Individual Difference in Ego Depletion: Task Type, Trait Self-Control and Action Orientation
Authors: Zhang Shilei , Shi Rui , Ma Gaoxiang , Peng Jiaxi , Wang Zhenhong
Published: August 2023

Previous research found that performing an initial self-control task impairs subsequent self-control performance, which is referred to as ego depletion. However, recent meta-analyses and replication studies have led to controversies over whether the ego depletion effect is as reliable as previously assumed. The present study aimed to shed more light on these controversies by combining depletion measurement task type and personality as moderators. Study 1 investigated trait self-control and action orientation’s moderation role for depletion effects on stop-signal task (inhibitory control). Study 2 examined the trait self-control and action orientation’s moderation role for depletion effects on a majority congruent Stroop task (goal maintenance). Results showed that trait self-control moderated the ego depletion effect on stop-signal reaction time (SSRT). High trait self-control people were less vulnerable to the ego depletion effect on the reactive inhibitory control task, whereas the moderating role of trait self-control for ego depletion was not found in the goal maintenance task. More particularly, high action-oriented people were less susceptible to the ego depletion effect on the goal maintenance task, but there was no moderation effect of action orientation for ego depletion in the stop-signal task. We discuss types of task for depletion measurement and individual differences in ego depletion, and we suggest possible avenues for future research.
Infrastructuring exit migration: Social hope and migration decision-making in EU families who left the UK after the 2016 EU referendum
Authors: Godin Marie , Sigona Nando
Published: August 2023

Since the 2016 EU referendum, estimates on net-migration by the UK’s Office for National Statistics have shown two parallel trends: declining new arrivals from the EU (EU immigration) and increasing departure of EU nationals formerly living in the UK (EU emigration). To date, little is known of the latter and of the circumstances and factors that inform and shape EU citizens’ decisions to leave the UK. Drawing on in-depth qualitative interviews with 37 EU families who left the UK after the EU referendum, this article offers insights into their social hopes, migratory trajectories, motivations and decision-making. Using a family-centred approach, the analysis of these ‘exit trajectories’ through the lens of migration infrastructures reveals a range of challenges EU migrants must negotiate and overcome – often within their households. The analysis complicates assumptions of the meaning and experience of ‘going home’ as seen from a family perspective and reveals the intergenerational tensions, challenges and accommodations that ‘return’ produces and how these differently affect each family member. Faced with diverging interests, needs and expectations, families pursued two main strategies for accommodating these differences: a spatial strategy, namely negotiating and choosing a destination that would suit the present and future of the family members, or a temporal one, planning the exit strategy not as a one-off event but taking place over a longer period. However, accommodation and reconciliation are not always possible, leading in some cases to the fragmentation or dissolution of the family unit.
Fundamental limits for sensor-based robot control
Authors: Majumdar Anirudha , Mei Zhiting , Pacelli Vincent
Published: August 2023

Our goal is to develop theory and algorithms for establishing fundamental limits on performance imposed by a robot’s sensors for a given task. In order to achieve this, we define a quantity that captures the amount of task-relevant information provided by a sensor. Using a novel version of the generalized Fano's inequality from information theory, we demonstrate that this quantity provides an upper bound on the highest achievable expected reward for one-step decision-making tasks. We then extend this bound to multi-step problems via a dynamic programming approach. We present algorithms for numerically computing the resulting bounds, and demonstrate our approach on three examples: (i) the lava problem from the literature on partially observable Markov decision processes, (ii) an example with continuous state and observation spaces corresponding to a robot catching a freely-falling object, and (iii) obstacle avoidance using a depth sensor with non-Gaussian noise. We demonstrate the ability of our approach to establish strong limits on achievable performance for these problems by comparing our upper bounds with achievable lower bounds (computed by synthesizing or learning concrete control policies).
Does the carbon emissions trading scheme improve the corporate environmental information disclosure level? Evidence from China
Authors: Li Peilun , Zhang Huilin , Yang Caiting , Zhang Jiafeng
Published: August 2023

Recently, a great deal of literature has discussed the effects of the carbon emissions trading scheme (CETS) and the factors that affect the corporate environmental information disclosure (CEID) level. However, no researchers have studied how CETS affects the CEID level. Based on a difference-in-difference-in-differences model, we discover that CETS can improve the CEID level. The findings are robust and persistent even after testing for time lags and leads effects, changing the measure of the dependent variable, testing for enterprise relocation, adjusting the fixed effect method, testing for concurrent policies, and performing placebo tests. The reason is that CETS can encourage corporate green technology innovation and environmental protection investment, thus improving the CEID level. Further investigation reveals that the impact of CETS on promoting the CEID level is more significant when the following conditions are met: the enterprises are in provinces and cities in the east and northeast; they are state-owned; and they have strong political connections. This paper expands on the current field of research on the influence effects of CETS, broadens the understanding of the factors influencing the CEID level, and investigates the mechanism by which CETS improves the CEID level.
Ultrasounds-assisted solvothermal synthesis of Ni-Co-Mn MOFs/PANI-CNTs nanocomposites with enhanced electrochemical energy storage performance
Authors: Khalid Wajahat , Abdul Karim Muhammad Ramzan , Atif Muhammad , Shehzad Waseem , Marwat Mohsin Ali , Yaqoob Khurram
Published: August 2023

Among various energy storage devices, one of the emerging classes to be considered nowadays is advanced eco-friendly supercapacitors. Despite vast research regarding their electrochemical performance, there is still room for further refinement. Here, such an attempt has been made by producing nanocomposites of NiCoMn ternary transition metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with conductive-natured carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with polyaniline (PANI). A rather different approach i.e., ultrasounds assisted solvothermal method has been employed to prepare the MOFs and their nanocomposites with varying concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60 mg) of PANI functionalized CNTs (PC). A comparison analysis suggests that NiCoMn/PC-40 (40 mg PANI-CNTs) has shown excellent electrochemical performance. In the material of worth attention, the formation of flower-like morphology and crystallinity was explored and confirmed by SEM and XRD characterizations. FT-IR analysis facilitated the exploration of compositional and functional groups of the best-performing material. The large cyclic area, highest specific capacity, excellent stability, less ion transport resistance, and excellent morphology proved NiCoMn/PC-40 as an excellent next-generation supercapacitor battery-grade material with the dominance of diffusive response (71.7%). It has been shown 1194 C/g of specific capacity with an extraordinary energy density of 82 Wh/kg and 1105 W/kg of power density by the NiCoMn/PC-40. At 20 A/g, 100% cyclic stability after 5000 charge/discharge cycles with 97.5% columbic efficiency was achieved. In essence, the excellent electrochemical performance, ease of fabrication, and affordable cost can provide a breakthrough in value addition of NiCoMn/PC-40 worth as a proficient energy storage material.
Effect of diabetes mellitus on physical activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Fujita Remi , Ota Susumu , Yamamoto Yuri , Kataoka Akito , Warashina Hideki , Inoue Tomoe , Ozeki Shinya , Sugiura Hideshi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) may be comorbid with diabetes mellitus (DM), and physical activity is a recommended lifestyle strategy for both diseases. The present study investigated the physical activity differences by intensity between knee OA patients with or without DM, and evaluated if physical activity was associated with the presence of DM in knee OA patients.

Methods

A total of 183 patients (mean age 74.9 ± 6.4 years) with moderate-to-severe knee OA underwent evaluation of knee function (i.e., knee flexion/extension range-of-motion, knee-extension muscle strength, and knee pain), the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, and physical activity measurement using an accelerometer. Physical activity by intensity was compared between knee OA patients with and without DM. The association between physical activity, including knee function and the TUG test time, and DM was assessed.

Results

The 2 groups (with or without DM) did not differ significantly in knee OA severity or age. Compared to knee OA patients without DM, knee OA patients with DM had a significantly lower average daily step count ( p < 0.001), and significantly shorter times spent performing light-intensity physical activity (LPA; p < 0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA; p = 0.006). After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, we found that a lower average daily step count and shorter LPA time significantly correlated with DM ( β = −0.200, p = 0.006; β = −0.216, p = 0.004, respectively) and a longer TUG test time ( β = −0.196, p = 0.014; β = −0.208, p = 0.011, respectively). A shorter MVPA time significantly correlated with lower contralateral knee-extension muscle strength ( β = 0.187, p = 0.032).

Conclusion

Knee OA patients with DM had significantly lower physical activity levels than those without DM. Furthermore, the presence of DM correlated with a lower step count and a shorter LPA time in knee OA patients.
A guide to support trainee’s success in the psychotherapy written case submission
Authors: Northwood Korinne , Warren Nicola , Cutbush Jimsie , Parker Stephen
Published: August 2023

Objective

Many trainees find the Psychotherapy Written Case (PWC) requirement of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists training program challenging. The skills developed and assessed through this experience are critical to the competencies expected of a psychiatrist. However, the process of psychodynamic psychotherapy is often dramatically different from the expectations associated with early clinical placements in acute psychiatric settings. To support trainees in achieving success in the PWC, a guide to the written report was developed based on a review of existing resources and various stakeholder perspectives.

Conclusions

The submission should reflect a training case rather than an idealised or fictionalised story attempting to demonstrate the therapist’s competence. The PWC submission must meet the requirements of a general psychiatric report and provide a considered reflection on the experience of the novice therapist.
Social Imagery and Judicial Legitimacy: Evidence From Evangelical Christians
Authors: Badas Alex , Schmidt Eric R.
Published: August 2023

Extant research reveals that Americans hold politically consequential beliefs about the demographic composition of political groups and organizations—even when these beliefs are at odds with objective reality. In this article, we investigate the social imagery of the U.S. Supreme Court, with particular attention to beliefs about the Supreme Court Justices’ religious identities. In survey analysis, we find that evangelicals who believe there are more evangelical Christians on the Court grant the Court more legitimacy compared to non-evangelicals. Further, when evangelical Christians believe there are more atheists on the Court, they view the Court less legitimately than non-evangelicals. To rule out the potential of endogeneity, we conduct a conjoint experiment which demonstrates that evangelicals believe evangelical judges will increase the fairness of the Court and are more likely to support evangelical nominees compared to the average nominee. Likewise, they tend to believe out-group judges will harm the fairness of the Court and are less likely to support out-group judges. Our results have implications for diversity on the Court and how non-ideological factors can affect the Court’s legitimacy.
Feasibility of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping With Carbon Nanoparticles in Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Sun Wei , Chen Xing , Fu Shilong , Huang Xiaohao
Published: August 2023

Introduction

This retrospective study aims to investigate the feasibility of using carbon nanoparticles to detect sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in cervical cancer.

Methods

This study involved 174 patients with cervical cancer. Cervix tissues adjacent to the cancer were injected with 1 mL of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions according to the instructions. The pelvic lymph nodes were then dissected, and the black-stained sentinel lymph nodes were sectioned for pathological examination.

Results

Of 174 cases, 88.5% of patients (154/174) had at least 1 sentinel lymph node, and 131 patients (75.29%) had bilateral pelvic sentinel lymph nodes. The left pelvic lymph node was the most common sentinel lymph node (34.16%). At least 1 sentinel lymph node was observed in 285 out of 348 hemipelvises, with a detection rate of a side-specific sentinel lymph node of 81.89%. In total, 47 hemipelvises had metastasis of the lymph node, and 33 involved the sentinel lymph node, with a sensitivity of 70.21% and a false-negative rate of 29.79%. There were 238 hemipelvises with no metastasis of the lymph node, as well as negative sentinel lymph nodes, with a specificity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 94.44%. The univariate analysis demonstrated that risk factors included tumor size (OR .598, 95% CI: .369-.970) and deep stromal invasion (OR .381, 95% CI: .187-.779). The deep stromal invasion was the only variable for the false-negative detection of a sentinel lymph node.

Conclusion

Sentinel lymph node mapping with carbon nanoparticles might be applied to predict the metastasis of pelvic lymph nodes in cervical cancer. However, tumor size and deep stromal invasion might negative influence the detection rate of SLN.
The Control of Cortical Folding: Multiple Mechanisms, Multiple Models
Authors: Moffat Alexandra , Schuurmans Carol
Published: August 2023

The cerebral cortex develops through a carefully conscripted series of cellular and molecular events that culminate in the production of highly specialized neuronal and glial cells. During development, cortical neurons and glia acquire a precise cellular arrangement and architecture to support higher-order cognitive functioning. Decades of study using rodent models, naturally gyrencephalic animal models, human pathology specimens, and, recently, human cerebral organoids, reveal that rodents recapitulate some but not all the cellular and molecular features of human cortices. Whereas rodent cortices are smooth-surfaced or lissencephalic, larger mammals, including humans and nonhuman primates, have highly folded/gyrencephalic cortices that accommodate an expansion in neuronal mass and increase in surface area. Several genes have evolved to drive cortical gyrification, arising from gene duplications or de novo origins, or by alterations to the structure/function of ancestral genes or their gene regulatory regions. Primary cortical folds arise in stereotypical locations, prefigured by a molecular “blueprint” that is set up by several signaling pathways (e.g., Notch, Fgf, Wnt, PI3K, Shh) and influenced by the extracellular matrix. Mutations that affect neural progenitor cell proliferation and/or neurogenesis, predominantly of upper-layer neurons, perturb cortical gyrification. Below we review the molecular drivers of cortical folding and their roles in disease.
Prediction of friction coefficient and torque in self-lubricating polymer radial bearings produced by additive manufacturing: A machine learning approach
Authors: Baş Hasan , Karabacak Yunus Emre
Published: August 2023

Additive manufacturing is a rapidly developing technology that enables the production of complex parts with intricate geometries. Self-lubricating radial bearings are one of the machine elements that can be produced using additive manufacturing. In this research, we present a machine learning-based approach to model the friction coefficient and friction torque in self-lubricating radial bearings manufactured by additive manufacturing using polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and nylon. The proposed approach includes different machine learning models (artificial neural networks, support vector machines, regression trees, linear regression models) that utilize experimental data to predict the coefficient of friction and friction torque of different types of radial bearings. Experimental data were obtained by performing tribological tests on self-lubricating radial bearings under various operating conditions. The results reveal that the machine learning models are successful in predicting the friction coefficient and friction torque in self-lubricating radial bearings with high accuracy. The approach can be utilized to optimize the design and performance of self-lubricating radial bearings manufactured using additive manufacturing.
Exposure to Cadmium Telluride Quantum Dots and Gene Expression Profile of Huh-7 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line
Authors: Alothaid Hani , Al-Anazi Mashael R. , Al-Qahtani Arwa A. , Colak Dilek , Yusuf Azeez , Aldughaim Mohammed S. , Mahzari Ali M. , Habibullah Mahmoud M. , Alarifi Saud , Alkahtani Saad , Al-Qahtani Ahmed A.
Published: August 2023

Nanoparticles have shown promising potential for efficient drug delivery, circumventing biological interferences like immunological and renal clearance and mechanical and enzymatic destruction. However, a handful of research papers have questioned the biomedical use of metal-based nanoparticles like cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe-QDs) for their cytotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic potential. Herein, we examined the effects of CdTe-QD NPs on gene expression profile of hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh-7) cell line. Huh-7 cells were treated with CdTe-QD NPs (10 μg/ml for 6, 12, and 24 hours, and 25 μg/ml for 6 and 12 hours), and transcriptomic analysis was performed using microarray to evaluate the global gene expression profile. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were observed for both the doses (10 and 25 μg/ml) of CdTe-QD NPs at different time points. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that genes involved in molecular function of cell cycle, organizational injury and abnormalities, cell death and survival, gene expression, cancer, organismal survival, and cellular development were differentially expressed. Overall, we have demonstrated differential expression of several genes, involved in maintaining cell survival, metabolism, and genome integrity. These findings were confirmed by RT-qPCR study for some canonical pathway genes signifying possible implication in NP toxicity-mediated cell survival and inhibition of cell death.
Duration of sick leave after operated and non-operated distal radial fracture: a Finnish cohort study of 19,995 patients
Authors: Ax Maarit , Palola Vili , Ponkilainen Ville , Launonen Antti P. , Mattila Ville M.
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether operative treatment for distal radial fracture reduces the length of sick leave and the costs of treatment. We identified 19,995 patients from a registry who received a state sick leave allowance between 2010 and 2019 owing to distal radial fractures. We compared these patients to a registry of operations and identified 4346 operated patients. Operated patients had a mean sick leave of 75 days, whereas non-operated patients had a sick leave of 63 days. In the operated group, the cost of sick leave was €7505 (UK£6419; US$8070), which was 34% higher than in the non-operated group. Over the analysed period, the duration of sick leave decreased. Although several studies have shown better early functional outcomes after operation, this does not seem to shorten sick leave.

Level of evidence: III
The older athlete: Moving for longevity
Authors: Al-Zubaidi Dr Hussain , Hassan Dr Shahnaz
Published: August 2023

Increasing functional impairment is not a given, but can be the result of an accumulation of limited physical activity throughout our lives. Lack of muscle strength, poor balance, and coordination are all factors that can be trained. These often contribute to some of the challenges faced by older people, including: falls, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, joint stiffness, and musculoskeletal pain. Getting the message through to our patients that physical activity can be a powerful tool to help protect against the health impact of ageing is vital at any stage of life. However, it is important that we try to engage patients early, so as to make a real difference later down the line. Queries can arise around a patient’s ability to complete exercise. Their risk of injury and the impact medications may have on them. Understanding the physiology behind ageing can assist us in tailoring physical activity advice for the older population.
Late onset leflunomide-induced cutaneous ulcers in a seronegative arthritis patient: A case report
Authors: Couture-Lapointe Camille , Grenier Pierre-Olivier , Bessette Louis , Veillette Hélène
Published: August 2023

The differential diagnosis for chronic cutaneous ulcers is wide. Once the common causes have been excluded, infrequent ones, including drugs, should be considered. We report the case of a 67 year old woman with multiple ulcers not responding to conventional treatment. Multiple investigations including laboratory testing, skin biopsies and tissue cultures were negative. A few cases of leflunomide-induced cutaneous ulcers are reported in the literature. Our patient was on this drug for 12 years. Discontinuation of leflunomide led to ulcers resolution. This is the longest reported time interval between leflunomide initiation and ulceration onset.
A report of disseminated actinic granuloma: An unusually extensive presentation
Authors: Ahlers Carolyn , Parker Eva Rawlings
Published: August 2023

In this report, a case of disseminated actinic granuloma in a 50-year-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus is described. This case is unique due to the unusually extensive cutaneous involvement of the face, neck, trunk, and extremities at initial presentation. The lesions were in a striking photo-distribution, highlighting ultraviolet light as an important environmental trigger for this process. Interestingly, the patient refused the recommended systemic therapy with hydroxychloroquine, despite her significant burden of skin disease. This refusal stems from an unexpected reluctance on the part of the patient to take this medication due to the publicity and media coverage of side effects associated with inappropriate prescribing of this drug during the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting a new and surprising treatment barrier that clinicians may need to overcome.
Tapping the Potential of Academic Leadership, Experiential Learning, and Employability of Students to Enhance Higher Educational Institute Performance
Authors: Pandita Alka , Kiran Ravi
Published: August 2023

This research study is primarily conducted to tap the potential of academic leadership, experiential learning, and students’ employability in enhancing higher education performance. The study uses a survey to collect responses of 400 respondents from Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). PLS-SEM has been used to design the model. Academic leadership (AL) covers three dimensions, Academic culture (AC), Academic environment (AE), and Academic operations (AO). It is essential to understand how AL influences Experiential Learning (EL). EL is based on the Kolb model and covers four subdivisions of experience viz Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation. All these dimensions are essential; however, Abstract Conceptualization emerges more substantial than the other three dimensions, setting the stage for the emergence of Active Experimentation. Higher Educational Institute Performance (HEIP) has three dimensions, student satisfaction (SS), employers’ satisfaction (ES), and sustainability perspective (SP). Initially, the study examines the impact of AL on EL. The results highlight that AL influences EL. The next stage was to explore the direct effects of EL on HEIP. The results again support that EL affects performance. In HEI, a lot of focus is being imparted to employability competencies, thus we tried to examine how EL through indirect effect with the mediation of employability impacts HEIP. The results lend support to the mediation effect of employability which enhances the impact of EL on HEIP. Thus, given these results, it can be inferred that AL has a pertinent role to play and develop EL in HEIs. Furthermore, there is a need to focus intensely on the employability perspective in HEIs. The study has meaningful implications for policymakers at universities to enable them to strategize around practices conducive to the creation of experiential learning environment and employability to enhance HEIP.
The Mechanisms of Ethnoracialization and Asian American Support for Race-conscious Admissions
Authors: Lee Ji-won , Byrd W. Carson
Published: August 2023

Recent studies on political attitude formations have developed the ethnoracialization framework, which emphasizes the roles of racial hierarchies and ethnic identities interconnected with national origins. However, existing research has not established analytical strategies to incorporate this framework, leaving a gap between theory and practice. We propose an alternative analytical model to examine ethnoracialized political attitudes using the case of Asian Americans’ support for race-conscious college admissions. Using data from the 2016 National Asian American Survey, our effect coding reveals how Asian Americans’ race-conscious admissions attitudes vary by ethnicity. Then, we investigate whether this variation can be attributed to theoretical predictors of such attitudes, including the mention of previously supportive Supreme Court decisions on race-conscious admissions, through regression modeling. Most ethnic groups’ mean support scores significantly vary from the grand mean of Asian Americans, and those gaps remain significant even after controlling for socioeconomic backgrounds and general predictors. As an exception, redistributionism accounted for some ethnic variations. Certain predictors such as individual experiences of the U.S. opportunity structure and the racial justice frame shaped overall race-conscious admissions attitudes but did not reduce ethnic variations. These findings highlight the need for increased attention to the analysis of ethnic communities when studying ethnoracialized political attitudes, as our current theories appear insufficient in explaining variations observed between ethnic groups. Thus, conducting research that explores the interplay between Asian Americans, racialization, and ethnic communities will provide a more comprehensive understanding of Asian Americans and potentially other ethnoracialized groups.
Post-Vaccine SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection and Associated Factors Among Health Care Providers in Addis Ababa Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa, 2022: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Getahun Enyew Belay , Kebede Nigisti Mekonnen , Belay Fidelawit Enyew , Adissu Tewodros Setegn , Haile Zegeye Wubeshet
Published: August 2023

Background of the study

The protection against Coronavirus variants 2019 by pre-existing antibodies due to the current vaccination or natural infection is a global concern. In Ethiopia, case reports show that a significant number of health professionals are reported to get re-infected after vaccination. There are also more studies that revealed the symptomatic SARS-COV-2 re-infection, in particular, among healthcare providers actively engaged in Addis Ababa public health facilities.

Objective

This study has aimed at assessing the magnitude of post-vaccine reinfection of SARS-COV-2 and associated factors among health care providers in Addis Ababa public hospitals, Addis Ababa, 2022 G.C.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 11 to July 30, 2022. A total of 422 health professionals were included. A simple random sampling method was employed to select 40% of the total hospitals. Then the total sample size was equally allocated to each selected hospital, and then each individual was selected purposefully. The data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The analysis was done using SPSS version 26.0, and for data entry, EPi Info version 7.1 was used. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the p-value.

Results

Overall, 418 healthcare providers were enrolled in this study, making the response rate 99.05%. The magnitude of SARS-COV-2 reinfection was 60 (14.4%) (95% CI 10.8-17.9). Healthcare professionals who took infection prevention (IP) training on COVID-19 (AOR = 7.177: CI = 4.761-9.698) were associated with SARS-COV-2 reinfection; those with a history of chronic respiratory diseases (AOR = 3.029: CI = 2.406-9.133) were associated with SARS-COV-2 reinfection; health professionals who took the third dose of SARS-COV-2 vaccine (AOR = 1.75: CI = 1.14-2.68) and being a midwife were statistically significant.

Conclusion and Recommendation

This study showed the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 reinfection among vaccinated healthcare providers with a pre-vaccination infection history was high; IP training on COVID-19 was needed; educational status, profession, type of vaccine taken in the first dose, chronic respiratory diseases, and number of vaccinations were significantly associated with SARS-COV-2 reinfection after vaccination. Giving IP training, encouraging taking the vaccine as protocol, and using proper personal protective equipment are recommended.
Exploring the Diagnostic Role of Spectral Doppler as a Predictor of Malignancy Within Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Akhoundi Neda , Naseri Zahra , Siami Alireza , Hazara Sara , Noorbakhsh Mahta , Hazara Kobra , Rezazadeh Elmira
Published: August 2023

Objective:

In recent years, spectral Doppler has become a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing suspected thyroid nodules. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical use of spectral Doppler in managing thyroid nodules.

Materials and Methods:

This prospective cohort study included 153 patients who underwent thyroid nodule evaluation, using sonography. Peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) were measured, within the suspected lesions.

Results:

Among the 209 identified thyroid nodules, 193 (92%) were benign and 16 (7.6%) were malignant. The RI and PI values of malignant nodules were significantly higher than measured within benign nodules. There was also a significant difference in the EDV between benign and malignant nodules ( P = .012). The RI had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic, area under the curve, of 0.839 (95% confidence interval, 0.748–0.930). The optimal cutoff value for RI was 0.73. The results indicate that the RI with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.64, in the univariate analysis, and an OR of 2.31, in the multivariate analysis, might be successful in predicting a malignant thyroid nodule.

Conclusion:

This cohort study demonstrated a high sensitivity and specificity for RI and PI as predictors of malignancy in thyroid nodules, with diagnostic cutoff points of 0.73 and 1.37, respectively.
Magnetic sepiolite/iron(III) oxide composite for the adsorption of lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Uygun Osman , Murat Ayşenur , Çakal Gaye Ö.
Published: August 2023

Clay minerals are effective adsorbents used for the remediation of toxic heavy metals from wastewater due to their large surface areas and great cation-exchange capacities. In this study, the removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions via adsorption was investigated using raw and iron-modified Turkish sepiolite. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of modification and environmental conditions on the sorptive properties of sepiolite samples. Initially, the raw sepiolite (Sep) and magnetic sepiolite/Fe2O3 composite (MagSep) prepared using the co-precipitation method were characterized via mineralogical and petrographical means and the physicochemical properties were determined. Then, the batch adsorption of lead (Pb2+) ions on the sepiolite samples was examined under various conditions (solution pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial Pb2+ ion concentration, temperature, shaking rate). The adsorption capacity of MagSep was found to be greater than that of Sep under all experimental conditions. The results showed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the Langmuir isotherm best correlated with the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 60.6 and 90.1 mg g–1 for Sep and MagSep, respectively. The characterization of the Pb-adsorbed sepiolite samples showed that lead formed covalent bonds with the sepiolite samples and attached to the sepiolite surface mainly through ion exchange. MagSep can be used efficiently in the field of wastewater treatment for the removal of Pb2+ ions as it does not release any toxic pollutants and can be separated easily with the use of a magnetic field.
Structure and thermal expansion of end-member olivines I: Crystal and magnetic structure, thermal expansion, and spontaneous magnetostriction of synthetic fayalite, Fe2SiO4, determined by high-resolution neutron powder diffraction
Authors: Tripoliti Evangelia K. , Dobson David P. , Fortes A. Dominic , Thomson Andrew R. , Schofield Paul F. , Wood Ian G.
Published: August 2023

The lattice parameters and the crystal and magnetic structures of Fe2SiO4 have been determined from 10 K to 1453 K by high-resolution time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction. Fe2SiO4 undergoes two antiferromagnetic phase transformations on cooling from room temperature: the first, at 65.4 K, is to a collinear antiferromagnet with moments on two symmetry-independent Fe ions; the second transition, at ~23 K, is to a structure in which the moments on one of the sets of Fe ions (those on the ‘M1 site’) become canted. The magnetic unit cell is identical to the crystallographic (chemical) unit cell and the space group remains Pbnm throughout. The magnetic structures have been refined and the results found to be in good agreement with previous studies; however, we have determined the spontaneous magnetostrictive strains, which have not been reported previously. In the paramagnetic phase of Fe2SiO4, at temperatures of 70 K and above, we find that the temperature dependence of the linear thermal expansion coefficient of the b axis takes an unusual form. In contrast to the behaviour of the expansion coefficients of the unit-cell volume and of the a and c axes, which show the expected reduction in magnitude below ~300 K, that of the b axis remains almost constant between ~70 K and 1000 K.
Targeting macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF): a promising therapy for inflammatory ocular diseases
Authors: Vázquez Alicia , González Marisol I. , Reyes José L.
Published: August 2023

Inflammatory ocular diseases are characterized by the presence of a persistent inflammatory response which cause tissue injury, decrease visual acuity and in severe cases, blindness. Several cytokines represent a therapeutic opportunity since they are key amplifiers of these pathologies, and thus neutralizing agents against them have been developed. Amongst others, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an early produced inflammatory cytokine, has consistently been found elevated in patients with distinct ocular diseases (inflammatory and autoimmune). Here, we present and discuss evidence showing that preclinical trials using diverse strategies to neutralize MIF resulted in significant attenuation of disease signs and therefore MIF blockage might be a promising therapy for ocular diseases.
Genetic mapping of craniofacial traits in the Mexican tetra reveals loci associated with bite differences between cave and surface fish
Authors: Powers Amanda K. , Hyacinthe Carole , Riddle Misty R. , Kim Young Kwang , Amaismeier Alleigh , Thiel Kathryn , Martineau Brian , Ferrante Emma , Moran Rachel L. , McGaugh Suzanne E. , Boggs Tyler E. , Gross Joshua B. , Tabin Clifford J.
Published: August 2023

Background

The Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, includes interfertile surface-dwelling and cave-dwelling morphs, enabling powerful studies aimed at uncovering genes involved in the evolution of cave-associated traits. Compared to surface fish, cavefish harbor several extreme traits within their skull, such as a protruding lower jaw, a wider gape, and an increase in tooth number. These features are highly variable between individual cavefish and even across different cavefish populations.

Results

To investigate these traits, we created a novel feeding behavior assay wherein bite impressions could be obtained. We determined that fish with an underbite leave larger bite impressions with an increase in the number of tooth marks. Capitalizing on the ability to produce hybrids from surface and cavefish crosses, we investigated genes underlying these segregating orofacial traits by performing Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis with F2 hybrids. We discovered significant QTL for bite (underbite vs. overbite) that mapped to a single region of the Astyanax genome. Within this genomic region, multiple genes exhibit coding region mutations, some with known roles in bone development. Further, we determined that there is evidence that this genomic region is under natural selection.

Conclusions

This work highlights cavefish as a valuable genetic model for orofacial patterning and will provide insight into the genetic regulators of jaw and tooth development.
Prehospital pulse pressure and mortality of septic shock patients cared for by a mobile intensive care unit
Authors: Jouffroy Romain , Gilbert Basile , Tourtier Jean Pierre , Bloch-Laine Emmanuel , Ecollan Patrick , Boularan Josiane , Bounes Vincent , Vivien Benoit , Gueye Papa
Published: August 2023

Background

Septic shock medical treatment relies on a bundle of care including antibiotic therapy and hemodynamic optimisation. Hemodynamic optimisation consists of fluid expansion and norepinephrine administration aiming to optimise cardiac output to reach a mean arterial pressure of 65mmHg. In the prehospital setting, direct cardiac output assessment is difficult because of the lack of invasive and non-invasive devices. This study aims to assess the relationship between 30-day mortality and (i) initial pulse pressure (iPP) as (ii) pulse pressure variation (dPP) during the prehospital stage among patients cared for SS by a prehospital mobile intensive care unit (MICU).

Methods

From May 09th, 2016 to December 02nd, 2021, septic shock patients requiring MICU intervention were retrospectively analysed. iPP was calculated as the difference between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at the first contact between the patient and the MICU team prior to any treatment and, dPP as the difference between the final PP (the difference between SBP and DBP at the end of the prehospital stage) and iPP divided by prehospital duration. To consider cofounders, the propensity score method was used to assess the relationship between (i) iPP < 40mmHg, (ii) positive dPP and 30-day mortality.

Results

Among the 530 patients analysed, pulmonary, digestive, and urinary infections were suspected among 43%, 25% and 17% patients, respectively. The 30-day overall mortality rate reached 31%. Cox regression analysis showed an association between 30-day mortality and (i) iPP < 40mmHg; aHR of 1.61 [1.03–2.51], and (ii) a positive dPP; aHR of 0.56 [0.36–0.88].

Conclusion

The current study reports an association between 30-day mortality rate and iPP < 40mmHg and a positive dPP among septic shock patients cared for by a prehospital MICU. A negative dPP could be helpful to identify septic shock with higher risk of poor outcome despite prehospital hemodynamic optimization.
What are the factors affecting older adults’ experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea?
Authors: Kim Sujin , Hwang Jongnam
Published: August 2023

Background

Unmet healthcare need is a critical indicator, showing a plausible picture of how the healthcare system works in the unprecedented pandemic situation. It is important to understand what factors affect healthcare services of older adults in the midst of the outbreak, as this could help identify service- and performance-related challenges and barriers to the healthcare system. This study aimed to identify factors associated with unmet healthcare needs among the older Korean population amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were used from the Experience Survey on Healthcare Use of Older Adults during the COVID-19 (COVID-19 Survey) in Korea (n = 1,917). Our main outcome, unmet healthcare need, was measured based on self-reported experience of overall, regular, and irregular outpatient care services-related unmet healthcare needs. Independent variables were selected based on previous studies on determinants of unmet healthcare need during the COVID-19 pandemic and Andersen’s expanded behavioural model, which theorizes that healthcare-seeking behaviours are driven by psychosocial, enabling, and need factors.

Results

Using multiple logistic regression models, we identified a good understanding of the nation’s health system was associated with lower likelihood of all types of unmet healthcare needs among older Korean adults (OR: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.25–0.61; OR: 0.36, 95%CI: 0.20–0.63; OR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.23–0.75). Decreased social activities (i.e., shopping and visiting family members) and worsened psychological health issues (i.e., increased anxiety & nervousness and greater difficulty sleeping) were also factors affecting overall and irregular outpatient services-related unmet needs.

Conclusions

To ensure timely access to necessary healthcare services for older adults in the era of the COVID-19 outbreak, improving older adult’s understanding on how the healthcare system works is necessary. Moreover, changes in psychological condition and daily activities due to COVID-19 should be considered as possible barriers to healthcare services among older adults during the global pandemic.