bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age‐Associated Changes in Endothelial Transcriptome and Epigenetic Landscapes Correlate With Elevated Risk of Cerebral Microbleeds
Authors: Mohan Kshitij , Gasparoni Gilles , Salhab Abdulrahman , Orlich Michael M. , Geffers Robert , Hoffmann Steve , Adams Ralf H. , Walter Jörn , Nordheim Alfred
Published: August 2023

Background

Stroke is a leading global cause of human death and disability, with advanced aging associated with elevated incidences of stroke. Despite high mortality and morbidity of stroke, the mechanisms leading to blood‐brain barrier dysfunction and development of stroke with age are poorly understood. In the vasculature of brain, endothelial cells (ECs) constitute the core component of the blood‐brain barrier and provide a physical barrier composed of tight junctions, adherens junctions, and basement membrane.

Methods and Results

We show, in mice, the incidents of intracerebral bleeding increases with age. After isolating an enriched population of cerebral ECs from murine brains at 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, we studied age‐associated changes in gene expression. The study reveals age‐dependent dysregulation of 1388 genes, including many involved in the maintenance of the blood‐brain barrier and vascular integrity. We also investigated age‐dependent changes on the levels of CpG methylation and accessible chromatin in cerebral ECs. Our study reveals correlations between age‐dependent changes in chromatin structure and gene expression, whereas the dynamics of DNA methylation changes are different.

Conclusions

We find significant age‐dependent downregulation of the
Aplnr
gene along with age‐dependent reduction in chromatin accessibility of promoter region of the
Aplnr
gene in cerebral ECs.
Aplnr
is associated with positive regulation of vasodilation and is implicated in vascular health. Altogether, our data suggest a potential role of the apelinergic axis involving the ligand apelin and its receptor to be critical in maintenance of the blood‐brain barrier and vascular integrity.
The Evolution of Conformity, Malleability, and Influence in Simulated Online Agents
Authors: Downing Keith L.
Published: August 2023

The prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) tools that filter the information given to internet users, such as recommender systems and diverse personalizers, may be creating troubling long-term side effects to the obvious short-term conveniences. Many worry that these automated influencers can subtly and unwittingly nudge individuals toward conformity, thereby (somewhat paradoxically) restricting the choices of each agent and/or the population as a whole. In its various guises, this problem has labels such as filter bubble, echo chamber, and personalization polarization. One key danger of diversity reduction is that it plays into the hands of a cadre of self-interested online actors who can leverage conformity to more easily predict and then control users’ sentiments and behaviors, often in the direction of increased conformity and even greater ease of control. This emerging positive feedback loop and the compliance that fuels it are the focal points of this article, which presents several simple, abstract, agent-based models of both peer-to-peer and AI-to-user influence. One of these AI systems functions as a collaborative filter, whereas the other represents an actor the influential power of which derives directly from its ability to predict user behavior. Many versions of the model, with assorted parameter settings, display emergent polarization or universal convergence, but collaborative filtering exerts a weaker homogenizing force than expected. In addition, the combination of basic agents and a self-interested AI predictor yields an emergent positive feedback that can drive the agent population to complete conformity.
Holy G/ghost?
Authors: Crace Benjamin D.
Published: August 2023

This article contests the current narrative of the development of the Pentecostal theology of tongues. It argues that 19th and 20th century Spiritualism is a critical and overlooked contextual factor in the historiography of the transition from xenolalia to glossolalia, and, consequently, Pentecostal theology more broadly. Its rival claims to hosting spiritual communication formed part of the backdrop against which a Pentecostal theology of tongues emerged. In light of Spiritualism’s impact, the author concludes that the missionary disappointment narrative needs serious revision. Further, he concludes that the historical psychical research into Spiritualism has potential purchase for contemporary pneumatology.
Who Has the Spirit?
Authors: Bowes William B.
Published: August 2023

While Jude and 1 John emerged from different situations, each letter makes a case against the beliefs and behaviors of groups causing disruption in their respective communities. Both arguments against their opponents involve appeals to authority, necessary because the opponents legitimize themselves and their authority by claiming God’s Spirit. In this article, the author argues that the message of both letters is better understood when read alongside first-century views of S/spirit possession and represent contemporaneous attempts to distinguish who legitimately possesses God’s Spirit. For Jude, this entails conformity to divinely established authoritative structures, defining and unifying the community and delimiting behaviors. For 1 John, this entails conformity to the community’s authoritative tradition, defining and unifying the community and distinguishing truth from error. Reading these letters in this way aids our understanding of how early communities handled division and how their pneumatologies relate to the need to adhere to a certain order.
Parliamentarians and Normative Power Diffusion
Authors: Keva Silja
Published: August 2023

Are parliamentarians involved in normative power diffusion? This case study of Japanese parliamentarians’ international activities shows how they engage in international norm diffusion at interparliamentary meetings in a way that multiplies the normative power efforts of Japan’s government. While parliamentarians are neither official foreign policy actors nor diplomats, they actively promote topics that support Japan’s normative power interests and employ mechanisms identified for normative power diffusion. Thus, parliamentarians become multipliers of Japan’s normative power efforts and have the ability to reach legislators in Japan’s key partner countries. This paper argues that, when abroad, Japanese legislators adopt the identity of an international representative of Japan, who supports promoting Japan’s interests in various areas, such as climate change, overseas agricultural investments, or regional financial stability.
A Sustainable Method to Convert Waste Heat Energy to Electricity by Using Thermo-Electric Generators
Authors: Gupta Rinki , Rout Vaishnavi , Rajput Khushi , Chawla V. K. , Fouad Hassan , Akhtar M. S.
Published: August 2023

This paper aims to generate clean electricity by utilizing waste heat available in the environment. To achieve this, a thermoelectric generator (TEG) is used in conjunction with a Peltier module, voltage regulator, and USB charging module. The Peltier modules are connected in series
to maximize voltage and minimize loss. The proposed methodology is first numerically modeled and simulated using Ansys and COMSOL, after which the model is developed with an assembly of all the above-mentioned modules. The paper mainly focuses on the sustainable use of waste heat energy to
produce clean energy in the form of electricity. The paper demonstrates the working principle of thermoelectric generators and their efficiency in generating electricity from waste heat energy. It also explores the various applications of thermoelectric generator technology. The results of
all three simulations are compared, and the paper emphasizes the adoption of thermoelectric generators as a practical option to recover wasted heat and reduce the environmental impact of energy-intensive industries. Overall, this paper showcases a practical solution to mitigate environmental
degradation caused by industrial waste heat, while simultaneously producing clean energy.
Intelligent Cleaning Strategy of Photovoltaic Solar Cell Modules
Authors: Jiang Xiaojing
Published: August 2023

With the decrease of disposable energy and the increase of social demand for power resources, photovoltaic power generation technology has been rapidly developed. The photovoltaic modules exposed outdoors for a long time accumulate serious ash, and the photovoltaic power generation
efficiency is affected, so the photovoltaic modules need to be cleaned. Since various factors affecting the power generation efficiency of photovoltaic modules are difficult to quantify and mostly rely on the experience judgment of operation and maintenance personnel, this paper uses the historical
operation data of photovoltaic power stations, comprehensively considers various influencing factors, establishes an intelligent cleaning data model, and combines the cleaning cost analysis to provide a basis for intelligent control of photovoltaic module cleaning robots.
Tailoring the Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of Mn Doped ZnO Thin Films for Gas Sensing Response
Authors: Kundara Santosh Kumar , Verma Manish Kumar , Bidiyasar Rahul , Chawla Kanhaiya , Lal Nathu , Lal Chhagan , Tripathi Balram , Jakhar Narendra , Mahmoud Mohamed H. , Akhtar M. Shaheer
Published: August 2023

This manuscript presents a study on the photoinduced and gas sensing response of Mn-doped ZnO thin films (Zn1−xMnxO, x = 5, 10 mol %) synthesized using the spin coating method. The fabricated thin films were characterized to investigate their structural,
bonding, optical, surface morphology, electrical, and gas sensing properties. SEM images displayed a homogeneous surface morphology across the fabricated films with typical grain size ranging from 25 to 30 nm. Optical absorption spectra demonstrated a variation in the optical band gap, ranging
from 3.41 eV to 3.87 eV, indicating the tunability of the optical properties with the Mn doping concentration. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra exhibited Near Band Edge emission, as well as blue and green emission peaks, which can be attributed to the presence of defects and impurities in the
Mn-doped ZnO thin films. The photoinduced effect was observed through the variation in I–V characteristics due to the excitation of electron-hole pairs, highlighting the influence of Mn doping on the charge transport properties of the thin films. Additionally, the gas sensing
response of the Mn-doped ZnO thin films to hydrogen gas was investigated. The results indicated an improved gas sensing response with increasing Mn concentration in the doped ZnO thin films, suggesting the active role of Mn in enhancing the sensitivity of ZnO to hydrogen gas. Based on these
findings, Mn-doped ZnO thin films show promise for application in gas sensors.
Study on Adsorption of Phosphate in Water Environment by Mg–Al Modified Biochar
Authors: Yang Dan , Chen Shou-Kun , Xu Chen-Hui , Zhou Zhou
Published: August 2023

Excessive release of phosphate has gained prominence as a pivotal contributor to water contamination. Biochar, known for its abundant surface acreage and unparalleled adsorptive prowess, has been widely employed in aqueous remediation. Within the scope of this investigation, unprocessed
biochar was derived from Chaetomorpha valida via pyrolysis methodologies involving temperatures ranging from 320 °C, 460 °C, 620 °C, and 860 °C, respectively. Mg-BC620, Al-BC620, and Mg–Al-BC620 were prepared using the co-precipitation
method at the optimal temperature to maximize the resource utilization of Chaetomorpha valida. The physicochemical attributes of altered biochars were evaluated employing X-ray diffractometry and other analytical techniques. The influence of different factors on phosphate’s adsorptive
aptitude of altered biochar was investigated, and the adsorptive behavior and mechanism of biochar were studied using diverse kinetics of adsorption and assortment of isotherm models. The outcomes revealed that the optimal pyrolysis temperature was 620 °C, and the altered biochar displayed
a strikingly elevated affinity for phosphate sorption, outperforming the unaltered biochar. Among the modified biochars, Mg–Al-BC620 outperformed the rest, boasting an astonishing eradication rate of 94.92% when dosed at 8 g/L, maintaining a pH equilibrium of 7 in the solution,
while confronting an inceptive phosphate density of 150 mg/L. The utmost threshold of adsorption proficiency predicted by the Langmuir equation was 228.130 mg/g, which was 88.56 times that of BC620. This modified biochar exhibits a strong affinity for phosphate and excellent adsorption
selectivity, providing a promising avenue for the resource utilization of Chaetomorpha valida and has broad application prospects for scavenging phosphate in aqueous mediums.
Exploring Key Genes and Molecular Mechanisms Related to Myocardial Hypertrophy Based on Bioinformatics
Authors: Dai Peifang , Wang Hang , Mu Xin , Ren Zhen , Liu Genli , Gao Longying
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to identify key genes and molecular mechanisms associated with cardiac hypertrophy using bioinformatics analysis. Datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed using the GEO2R tool to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to
cardiac hypertrophy. The top 10 DEGs from two datasets (GSE18801 and GSE47420) were used to generate heatmaps and a volcano plot. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed using the DAVID website. The protein interaction data for DEGs were visualized
using Cytoscape software. A total of 767 DEGs were identified in GSE18801 and 447 DEGs in GSE47420, with 48 common differential genes named co-DEGs. GO enrichment analysis suggested these co-DEGs were mostly related to extracellular matrix organization, muscle system process, and tissue remodeling.
KEGG pathway analysis demonstrated co-DEGs were related to malaria, estrogen signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, and apelin signaling pathway. Eight hub genes were identified, including Fn1, Fbn1, Dcn, Ctgf, Timp1, Lox, Tlr4, and Lcn2. These hub genes might serve as therapeutic potential
biomarkers of cardiac hypertrophy.
Observing Mineral Dust in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Europe: Current Capabilities and Challenges ahead for the Development of Dust Services
Authors: Mona Lucia , Amiridis Vassilis , Cuevas Emilio , Gkikas Antonis , Trippetta Serena , Vandenbussche Sophie , Benedetti Angela , Dagsson-Waldhauserova Pavla , Formenti Paola , Haefele Alexander , Kazadzis Stelios , Knippertz Peter , Laurent Benoit , Madonna Fabio , Nickovic Slobodan , Papagiannopoulos Nikolaos , Pappalardo Gelsomina , Pérez García-Pando Carlos , Popp Thomas , Rodríguez Sergio , Sealy Andrea , Sugimoto Nobuo , Terradellas Enric , Vukovic Vimic Ana , Weinzierl Bernadette , Basart Sara
Published: August 2023

Mineral dust produced by wind erosion of arid and semiarid surfaces is a major component of atmospheric aerosol that affects climate, weather, ecosystems, and socioeconomic sectors such as human health, transportation, solar energy, and air quality. Understanding these effects and ultimately improving the resilience of affected countries requires a reliable, dense, and diverse set of dust observations, fundamental for the development and the provision of skillful dust-forecast-tailored products. The last decade has seen a notable improvement of dust observational capabilities in terms of considered parameters, geographical coverage, and delivery times, as well as of tailored products of interest to both the scientific community and the various end-users. Given this progress, here we review the current state of observational capabilities, including in situ, ground-based, and satellite remote sensing observations in northern Africa, the Middle East, and Europe for the provision of dust information considering the needs of various users. We also critically discuss observational gaps and related unresolved questions while providing suggestions for overcoming the current limitations. Our review aims to be a milestone for discussing dust observational gaps at a global level to address the needs of users, from research communities to nonscientific stakeholders.
Clarifying the Distinction between Steric and Baroclinic Sea Surface Height
Authors: Zaron Edward D. , Ray Richard D.
Published: August 2023

One of the most fundamental uses of ocean models is for the prediction of sea level. Vertical integration of the hydrostatic equation leads to the partitioning of sea level in terms of atmospheric pressure, steric height, and bottom pressure. In an effort to validate the baroclinic wave dynamics of numerical ocean models, some researchers have compared the steric height from models with the sea level anomaly derived from satellite altimetry. The use of steric height in these comparisons captures the qualitative aspects of the baroclinic waves, but it neglects a nonnegligible contribution from bottom pressure. A more accurate evaluation of baroclinic wave dynamics using sea level would involve projecting the pressure field onto orthogonal barotropic and baroclinic components to isolate the baroclinic sea level anomaly. This note illustrates the quantitative difference between steric height and baroclinic sea level, which amounts to approximately a 20% bias of steric height over baroclinic sea level, depending on location.

Significance Statement

The bottom pressure variability associated with superinertial internal waves is not negligible, but it has been neglected in a recent series of ocean model validation studies. Baroclinic surface pressure, and its associated sea level anomaly, should be used instead of steric height for model–data comparisons of baroclinic sea level variability.
Euro-Atlantic Weather Regimes and Their Modulation by Tropospheric and Stratospheric Teleconnection Pathways in ECMWF Reforecasts
Authors: Roberts Christopher D. , Balmaseda Magdalena A. , Ferranti Laura , Vitart Frederic
Published: August 2023

This study combines operational reforecasts (2001–21) with results from a lower-resolution 41-yr reforecast (1980–2020) to provide a robust assessment of wintertime Euro-Atlantic regimes and their modulation by tropospheric and stratospheric teleconnection pathways in the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Subseasonal to Seasonal Prediction project (S2S). In both operational and lower-resolution reforecasts, the climatological properties of wintertime Euro-Atlantic regimes, including regime structures, frequencies, and transition probabilities, are accurately simulated at S2S lead times. However, the 41-yr reforecasts allow us to diagnose substantial errors in regime statistics when conditioned on modes of intraseasonal-to-interannual variability. In particular, ECMWF reforecasts underestimate the response of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) to the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and fail to reproduce the modulation of MJO–NAO teleconnections by El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Teleconnection and atmospheric wave diagnostics highlight two specific issues that are likely to contribute to these conditional errors in ECMWF reforecasts: (i) insufficient propagation of Rossby wave activity from the Pacific to the Atlantic following MJO phase 3 during El Niño conditions, when the direct tropospheric teleconnection pathway is most active; and (ii) an underestimated response of the stratospheric polar vortex following MJO phase 8 during La Niña conditions, when the indirect stratospheric teleconnection pathway is most active. Improving the representation of tropospheric and stratospheric teleconnection pathways is thus a priority for improving ECMWF forecasts of extratropical weather regimes and their associated surface impacts.

Significance Statement

Subseasonal to Seasonal Prediction project (S2S) forecasts are used operationally at ECMWF to provide early warning of cold conditions in Europe associated with persistent large-scale circulation patterns known as weather regimes. On average, ECMWF reforecasts accurately simulate wintertime Euro-Atlantic regime structures and frequencies at S2S lead times. However, regime forecasts show substantial errors when we restrict our analysis to certain phases of intraseasonal and interannual variability, such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). These errors are related to deficiencies in the simulated response of weather regimes to well-predicted variability in the tropics. Improving the representation of such tropical–extratropical teleconnections will improve predictions of extratropical weather regimes and their associated surface impacts.
Ten-Year Review of Tracheostomy Techniques and Related Complications
Authors: Umstot Richard , Samanta Damayanti , Umstot Emma , Area Scott A. , Richmond Bryan K. , Jarrouj Aous
Published: August 2023

Background

Tracheostomy is a frequently performed procedure that allows for definitive airway access in critically ill patients. Complications associated with tracheostomy have been well documented in the literature. This study aims to examine if different tracheostomy techniques were associated with specific complications. Secondary objectives were to determine the rate and commonality of post-tracheostomy complications.

Methods

This was a descriptive retrospective study of patients who underwent tracheostomy between June 2009 and June 2019. Patients included in the study were ≥18 years and were admitted to a rural tertiary care hospital system.

Results

Overall procedure complication rate was 34.3% with pneumonia (18.6%), obstruction (6.2%), bleeding (4.0%), and accidental tube decannulation (3.8%) being the most common. Rate of complications was not associated with the timing of the tracheostomy, the incision type, tube location, tracheostomy technique, and securing technique. However, tube size significantly differed between patients with or without complications ( P = .016). Tube size 8 Shiley was most commonly used in both groups and was significantly associated with reduced complication rate (72.0% vs 78.8%, P = .002).

Conclusion

Tracheostomy technique should be guided by proceduralist experience and patient clinical picture to determine the best approach. However, the association of post-tracheostomy complication with tube size perhaps will guide clinicians with tube size selection.
Do Women Prefer In-Group Police Officers? Survey and Experimental Evidence From India
Authors: Jassal Nirvikar , Barnhardt Sharon
Published: August 2023

Several nations have enacted gender reforms in policing, many of which are premised on the notion that women favor female officers, especially in the context of tackling violence against women (VAW). We investigate this topic in India. Evidence from the first nationally representative survey on policing ( N ≈ 15,000) demonstrates high levels of bias against policewomen, including among women and VAW complainants. To estimate the causal effect of police gender on officer evaluations, we design an unusual video experiment with assistance from the news corporation New Delhi Television ( N ≈ 1000). We find that policewomen are not generally preferred to policemen, and citizens have significantly unfavorable attitudes toward female officers when seen tackling VAW rather than non-VAW cases. These negative ratings are driven by female respondents. We highlight certain context-specific explanations and note that the manner in which policewomen are typecast may undercut the positive implications associated with representation. Our study is an example of shared identity increasing mistrust, and it expands the discussion about citizens using ascriptive characteristics to make inferences about politicians to include front-line bureaucrats like police officers.
Primacy Effects in Extended Cognitive Strategy Choice: Initial Speed Benefits Outweigh Later Speed Benefits
Authors: Weis Patrick P. , Kunde Wilfried
Published: August 2023

Background

Human performers often recruit environment-based assistance to acquire or process information, such as relying on a smartphone app, a search engine, or a conversational agent. To make informed choices between several of such extended cognitive strategies, performers need to monitor the performance of these options.

Objective

In the present study, we investigated whether participants monitor an extended cognitive strategy’s performance—here, speed—more closely during initial as compared to later encounters.

Methods

In three experiments, 737 participants were asked to first observe speed differences between two competing cognitive strategies—here, two competing algorithms that can obtain answers to trivia questions—and eventually choose between both strategies based on the observations.

Results

Participants were sensitive to subtle speed differences and selected strategies accordingly. Most remarkably, even when participants performed identically with both strategies across all encounters, the strategy with superior speed in the initial encounters was preferred. Worded differently, participants exhibited a technology-use primacy effect. Contrarily, evidence for a recency effect was weak at best.

Conclusion

These results suggest that great care is required when performers are first acquainted with novel ways to acquire or process information. Superior initial performance has the potential to desensitize the performer for inferior later performance and thus prohibit optimal choice.

Application

Awareness of primacy enables users and designers of extended cognitive strategies to actively remediate suboptimal behavior originating in early monitoring episodes.
Bureaucracy at the Border: The Fragmentation of United States Foreign Aid
Authors: Carcelli Shannon P.
Published: August 2023

Foreign policy scholars often assume that leaders pursue a national interest. However, states often spread their foreign policy authority thinly across bureaucracies and programs with overlapping or conflicting interests. This is especially pronounced in foreign aid, which serves a clear foreign policy purpose but is often mired in bureaucracy. Why is foreign aid often so fragmented? Focusing on the United States, I explain foreign aid fragmentation as a byproduct of domestic politics. When moderate legislators are ideologically diffuse, leadership must persuade them to support a foreign aid agenda by offering pet projects. This increases aid’s fragmentation. In contrast, when moderates are relatively homogeneous, leaders can gather support through more traditional compromise, decreasing the need for fragmented pet projects. I test this theory using a mixed-methods approach, employing a novel agency-level dataset of US foreign aid appropriations and a case study of a 1992 act delivering aid to the former Soviet Union.
Traveling to Criminal Opportunity: Defendant Mobility, Socioeconomic Context, and Prosecutorial Charge Reductions
Authors: Hernandez Raquel A. , Johnson Brian D.
Published: August 2023

Objective: We investigate the role that neighborhood socioeconomic contexts and defendant mobility patterns play in prosecutorial charge reductions. Methods: Using data from a large sample of criminal defendants prosecuted during 2010 to 2011 in New York County (N = 68,113), we analyze differences in charge reductions for defendants who reside and offend in low- and high-income areas, and for those who traverse socioeconomically divergent neighborhoods when committing crime. Results: Net of individual defendant characteristics, like gender and race, we find that defendants from low-income neighborhoods who offend in high-income locales are significantly less likely to benefit from discretionary charge reductions. Conclusions: Defendant mobility patterns play a key role in defining the social context of criminal punishment. This suggests it is essential to consider both where a defendant resides and where their crime is committed when assessing the role of ecological stereotypes and place-based attributions in criminal court actor decision-making.
Intercultural romantic relationship quality: What is the role of accommodation?
Authors: Froidevaux Nicole M. , Campos Belinda
Published: August 2023

Research comparing the romantic relationship quality of individuals in intercultural and intracultural relationships has yielded inconsistent findings. The current study examined whether accommodation, the process of responding constructively to relationship problems, would reveal new insight on this topic. Undergraduate students ( N = 343) reported on whether they were in an intercultural or intracultural romantic relationship and completed surveys of accommodation, romantic relationship quality, and demographic characteristics. Analyses revealed that individuals in intercultural romantic relationships reported higher romantic relationship commitment and satisfaction than individuals in intracultural romantic relationships. The association of accommodation with romantic relationship commitment was also found to be weaker in the intercultural group than the intracultural group after accounting for age and gender, but not after accounting for ethnicity or relationship length. Overall, results suggest that accommodation may be less relevant for individuals in intercultural romantic relationships, and that ethnicity and relationship length are important factors for understanding the role of accommodation within intercultural romantic relationships. Our findings underscore the importance of examining the possibility of distinct psychological processes in intercultural couples, who comprise an increasingly common form of close relationship.
Why do people spread fake news? Modelling the factors that influence social media users’ fake news sharing behaviour
Authors: An Yan , Huang Yinan , Danjuma Ndonima Uhwe , Apuke Oberiri Destiny , Tunca Elif Asude
Published: August 2023

This study modelled the factors that influence fake news spreading behaviour among social media users. To gather our data, we used an online survey to sample 385 social media users in Nigeria, using a chain referral approach. Smart PLS structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data (SEM). We discovered that lack of mindfulness, religiosity, instant news sharing, self-expression all predicted fake news sharing behaviour of social media users. The impacts of lack of mindfulness and religiosity were found to have a greater effect on fake news sharing behaviour. Exploration was found to have a negative effect on fake news sharing. We concluded this study with some theoretical and practical implications.
Efficacy of the Hepcon system in reducing hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications in antiphospholipid syndrome patients undergoing cardiac surgery
Authors: Michael Sheu , Sofia Molina Garcia , Wei Wei , Patrick Grady , John Apostolakis , Dana Angelini
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery are at increased risk for thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. Anticoagulation during CPB is typically monitored with activated clotting time (ACT) which may be falsely prolonged in patients with APS. The Hepcon Hemostasis Management System quantitatively determines the whole blood heparin concentration through heparin/protamine titration.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of APS patients who underwent cardiac surgery requiring CPB at the Cleveland Clinic between April 2013, and July 2020. The primary endpoint was the composite rate of hemorrhagic or thromboembolic complications per surgical case in patients monitored by Hepcon versus patients monitored by ACT. Secondary endpoints were median volume of chest tube output and packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion within the first three post-operative days.

Results

43 patients were included. 20 (47%) patients were monitored using Hepcon while 23 (53%) were monitored using ACT. For the primary endpoint of rate of thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications per surgical case, there was no statistically significant difference between the Hepcon and ACT groups (HMS, 6/20 [30%]; ACT, 7/23 [30%]; p = >0.99). For the secondary endpoints, there was no statistically significant difference in median post-operative chest tube output (780 mL vs. 850 mL; p = 0.88) and median post-operative PRBC transfusion (1 unit vs. 0 unit; p = 0.28) between the Hepcon and ACT groups, respectively.

Conclusion

There was no difference in the composite outcome of thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications in patients monitored by Hepcon versus those monitored by ACT.
Making Versus Viewing Art: Effects on Affect, Enjoyment, and Flow
Authors: Drake Jennifer E. , Eizayaga Mariana , Wawrzynski Sarah
Published: August 2023

In two studies, we compared whether making and viewing art improved affect and whether the affective benefits were due to participants’ experience of enjoyment and flow. In Study 1, participants engaged in an art-making and art-viewing activity separated by one week. In Study 2, participants were randomly assigned to an art-making or art-viewing activity. In both studies, we induced a negative mood in participants by having them watch a sad film clip. We measured positive and negative affects before and after the mood induction and after the activity. In Study 2, participants rated levels of enjoyment and flow experienced during the activity. Both making and viewing art reduced negative affect equally. However, making art improved positive affect more than viewing art, and making art was associated with greater enjoyment than viewing art. Actively making art is a potentially more powerful way to improve affect than passively viewing art.
Uneven and combined development in anthropology
Authors: Kasmir Sharryn , Franquesa Jaume , Gill Lesley , Lem Winnie , Smith Gavin
Published: August 2023

In this brief essay, we suggest that contemporary efforts at reworking Leon Trotsky’s theory of uneven and combined development (UCD) are enriched by an historical ethnographic lens focused on “real people doing real things,” which grounds and de-fetishizes the abstractions of capitalist development. We sketch three ways to develop UCD to better apprehend contemporary capitalism: tracing the effects of unevenness and combination within social formations; pointing to the ways those processes fracture historical consciousness; and underscoring the political implications for dividing populations and for creating novel combinations of people and socio-political experience.
Prevalence Rate and Risk Factors of Sexual Assault Among University Students in the Netherlands
Authors: Wellum Alice K. , Ramaekers Reine M. D. , Schepers Jan , Welie Jos V. M. , Lange Gesa , Hurks Petra M.
Published: August 2023

This research documents the prevalence rate and demographic risk factors for sexual assault among undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at a Dutch university. The present study used a sample of N  = 2,887 students who filled in responses to a campus climate survey about students’ experiences with sexual assault and diverse demographic variables. Results showed that approximately one in four students (25.3%) experience non-consensual sexual touching, and almost one in ten are raped (9.2%). Next, to examine the effects of demographic factors and their interactions on sexual assault, the dataset was divided randomly into two subsamples. Exploratory multiple regression analyses were conducted on the first subsample and confirmatory multiple regression analyses on the second. Variables that increased odds for unwanted sexual touching, rape, and any type of sexual assault were gender; being a member of a student or a study association; having a disability; and being in a relationship (in this context, “any type of sexual assault” refers to any incident that included unwanted touching, attempted rape, or rape). LGBQ+ sexual orientation was significant for any kind of sexual assault and for rape; and being a member of a sport association was significant for any kind of sexual assault and for sexual touching.
A Cross-Sectional, Decade-Long Examination of the Impacts of International Service Learning in Teacher Education
Authors: Kearney Sean P. , Maakrun Julie , Thai Thuan , Athota Vidya Sagar
Published: August 2023

Background: The literature has expounded on the impacts of international service-learning (ISL) in teacher education as positively affecting everything from improving academic achievement to developing a greater moral and ethical sense. Other studies have examined the role of cultural competence and dimensions of power between those providing and receiving service. Purpose: This paper examines a decade-long ISL immersion program to understand the outcomes on students in three key areas that have received attention in the literature: motivation, employment, and academics. Methodology: A longitudinal case study comprising a cross-section of students who were asked to reflect on their immersion experiences, which took place from 2011 to 2020. Reflective journals completed during and directly after each immersion supplemented the survey data. Findings: While much of the data supports previous studies regarding the impacts of ISL, there are some anomalous findings, especially in the longer-term effects of ISL within teacher education. While participants’ perceptions of the impacts were significant, evidence of that impact was lacking. Implications: Although short-term impacts of the immersion were more significantly noted, students perceived the impact for more extended periods than previously thought. However, the evidence to suggest that these perceptions are realizable is lacking.
Lubrication analysis of the piston ring for the two-stroke marine diesel engine based on modified radial tension
Authors: Jiao Bowen , Ma Xuan , Wang Yongqiang , Liu Zhigang , Li Tongyang , Lu Xiqun
Published: August 2023

As the piston ring is inserted into the bore, it is forced against the liner by radial tension, thereby creating a seal. Radial tension not only affects the piston ring’s seal, but also significantly influences its tribological properties. To investigate the effect of non-uniform radial tension of piston ring on the lubrication properties, a contact finite element model of piston ring and cylinder liner tribo-pairs is constructed in this study. The contact pressure distribution between the tribo-pairs is determined based on this model. The obtained pressure is then regarded as the non-uniform radial tension of the ring, which is fitted to a formula. The formula is validated in two ways. Firstly, its generality is verified by simulating several different piston rings using the contact model and comparing their results with the formula. Second, a test rig was designed and set up to measure the piston ring’s circumferential tension. To verify the formula’s accuracy, an equivalent principle model of distributed pressure and concentrated force was proposed. This formula is used as an initial force to modify the piston ring mixed lubrication model. Based on this model, the lubrication performance of the piston ring with uniform radial tension and non-uniform radial tension into consideration is investigated. The findings demonstrate that the piston ring radial tension is of significance to its lubrication performance and can be modified to lessen local friction and wear issues, particularly those related to the piston ring gap, and thus improve the dependability of the piston ring.
Changes in Selected Cognitive and Motor Skills as Well as the Quality of Life After a 24-Week Multidimensional Music-Based Exercise Program in People With Dementia
Authors: Prinz Alexander , Schumacher Anneke , Witte Kerstin
Published: August 2023

The loss of independence is one of the greatest consequences of dementia. Multidimensional music-based exercise programs could counteract. The present study investigates the effects of such a program on people with dementia and bases on a 24-week intervention with three measurement time points. Sixty-nine people with dementia were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 43) and control group (n = 26). The following outcome parameters were measured: leg strength, gait, grip strength, balance, reaction time, selected cognitive abilities, and quality of life. A mixed ANOVA with repeated measurement showed significant interaction effects between group and time. After 24-weeks in contrast to the control group the intervention group significantly improved in leg strength ( P = .001), balance ( P = .001), gait ( P = .001), grip strength (right P = .002, left P = .011), reaction time ( P = .003), global cognition ( P = .039), verbal fluency ( P = .002), attention ( P = .013) and quality of life ( P = .011). In conclusion, the program enhanced selected cognitive and motor skills and quality of life.
Transventricular Cardioscopic Release of a Trapped Prosthetic Mitral Valve Leaflet
Authors: Chilvers Nicholas J.S. , Evans Zachariah M. , Balasubramanian Sankar , O’Leary Denis , Ledingham Simon , Clark Stephen C.
Published: August 2023

Trapped prosthetic valve leaflets are a rare but challenging complication. A 68-year-old male patient had previously undergone redo aortic valve replacement. Postoperatively, he decompensated with severe mitral regurgitation, requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and a salvage mitral valve replacement via right thoracotomy with very difficult access. This procedure was complicated by a trapped valve leaflet. He recovered well initially but presented 2 years later with worsening heart failure due to mitral stenosis and rising pulmonary artery pressures. Due to the high risk of sternotomy and right thoracotomy, a transventricular cardioscopic release of the trapped mitral valve leaflet was undertaken by left minithoracotomy. The procedure was successful, and the patient was discharged home on day 12. This novel minimally invasive approach, which does not require myocardial preservation, is ideal for high-risk patients with this rare complication and has not previously been described. We hope that by sharing our experience, others will consider this innovative approach.
What is Distinctive of Film Emotions?
Authors: Franco Abel B.
Published: August 2023

Film emotions are genuine emotions whose formation and development is affected by conflictive factors. Whereas their arousal, similar to that of real-life emotions, is disproportionately strengthened by the cinematographic medium, their subsequent course is both weakened and interrupted. Their objects, which I view as members of our personal emotional world (not in terms of their supposed fictionality, as often assumed), are also proper intentional objects of emotions: our fear is about the shark on the screen, our pity about the main character. This view allows also for an explanation of two of film emotions’ neglected features: (a) the viewer's emotional attachment and empathy toward film objects and (b) the long-lasting emotional impact films can have on viewers.
Effectiveness and tolerability of methotrexate monotherapy in Crohn’s disease patients: a multicenter observational study
Authors: Park Jihye , Chun Jaeyoung , Park Soo Jung , Park Jae Jun , Kim Tae Il , Yoon Hyuk , Cheon Jae Hee
Published: August 2023

Background:

Methotrexate monotherapy is recommended as a maintenance therapy for Crohn’s disease (CD). However, long-term follow-up data are scarce.

Objectives:

We aimed to examine the effectiveness and tolerability of methotrexate monotherapy in 94 CD patients from three inflammatory bowel disease Clinics in Korea.

Design:

This was a multicenter retrospective observational study.

Methods:

Patients with active CD treated with methotrexate monotherapy were included. Clinical characteristics, laboratory indicators, endoscopy indices were evaluated at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. Independent factors associated with long-term clinical and endoscopic outcomes were determined.

Results:

Methotrexate was administered orally (70.2%) or parenterally (29.8%). The mean methotrexate induction dose was 15.3 ± 0.4 mg/week, and the mean duration of therapy was 26.2 months. Of 76 patients who were treated for >6 months, the clinical remission rates were 76.3%, 74.6%, and 80.0% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively, by per-protocol analysis. The mean CRP levels were 7.5 ± 1.3, 5.3 ± 1.2, 3.8 ± 0.7, and 2.6 ± 0.5 mg/L at 0, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Of 31 patients who underwent follow-up endoscopy after 27.5 months, the endoscopic remission rate was 38.7%. Baseline hemoglobin level <10 g/dL was a significant independent factor negatively associated with clinical remission at 6 [odds ratio (OR): 0.023, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.003–0.206, p = 0.001] and 12 (OR: 0.079, 95% CI: 0.009–0.699, p = 0.023) months. Parenteral administration was a significant independent factor positively associated with clinical remission (OR: 11.231, 95% CI: 1.027–122.811, p = 0.047) and endoscopic remission (hazard ratio: 4.711, 95% CI: 1.398–15.874, p = 0.012) at 12 months.

Conclusions:

Methotrexate monotherapy was effective and tolerable as a maintenance therapy in CD patients.
Evaluating and Comparing the Correlation and Performance of PROMIS and FAAM ADL in a Foot and Ankle Patient Population
Authors: Bernstein David N. , Friswold Alec , Waryasz Gregory , DiGiovanni Christopher W. , Tobert Daniel G.
Published: August 2023

Background

There is a paucity of literature assessing 2 of the commonly used static Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) forms (PROMIS Global-10 and PROMIS Physical Function Short Form 10a [PF SF 10a]) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Activities of Daily Living (FAAM ADL).

Methods

The PROMIS Global-10, PROMIS PF SF 10a, and FAAM ADL were compared among new foot and ankle patients. Spearman rho (ρ) correlations were calculated, and ceiling and floor effects were determined.

Results

The FAAM ADL demonstrated strong correlations with PROMIS PF SF 10a, P = .88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86-0.90, P < .001, and PROMIS Global-10 Physical Health (P = .75, 95% CI: 0.71-0.78, p < .001). The FAAM ADL and PROMIS Global-10 Mental Health demonstrated a moderate correlation (P = .41, 95% CI: 0.34-0.47, P < .001). No PROM demonstrated an appreciable floor effect. The PROMIS Global-10 Physical Health demonstrated the lowest ceiling effect (n=11 [1.6%]).

Conclusion

Because the PROMIS Global-10 captures physical health adequately, provides mental health insight, and performs as well (if not better), we recommend the PROMIS Global-10 among the PROMs studied. Level of Evidence: Level III
Instruction Increases Canadian Students’ Preference for and Use of Lateral Reading Strategies to Fact-Check Online Information
Authors: Brodsky Jessica E. , Brooks Patricia J. , Pavlounis Dimitri , Johnston Jessica Leigh
Published: August 2023

Canadian middle and high school students (N = 2,278) completed a “CTRL-F” curriculum teaching them how to evaluate online information by reading laterally to investigate sources, check claims, and trace information to original contexts. A subset of CTRL-F students (N = 316) were in classes with teacher-matched control groups (N = 287). Some CTRL-F students (N = 994) completed a delayed posttest. At pretest, students indicated preference for some lateral reading strategies, but preference rarely translated into use. Following instruction, CTRL-F students showed greater preference for and use of lateral reading than controls and greater alignment between preference and use. The curriculum’s impact varied by demographic factors but not by differences in implementation. Gains were maintained from posttest to delayed posttest. Direct instruction and practice in lateral reading appear to strengthen connections between students’ preferences and utilization of these strategies to evaluate online content relevant to academic and personal life.