bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GLA-loaded Liposome Albumin Particles-mediated p53 Targets Cervical Cancer Cell Transplant Tumors
Authors: Du Yanzi , Liu Chengyun
Published: November 2024

Background

p53 is a phosphorylated glycoprotein whose expression is abnormally elevated in various human tumors. p53 also regulates a variety of tumor cells, but research on cervical cancer has not yet been reported.

Purpose

This study intends to investigate the role of targeting p53 in cervical cancer.

Methods

Electron microscopy was used to assess the size of protein particles, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) was used to detect the OD value of nanocomposites at different concentrations using a UV spectrophotometer, MTT and cell cloning were used to detect cell proliferation expression ability, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect p53 expression. Immunofluorescence measured nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression in cells, and western blotting assessed the relative expression of p53 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) proteins. The detection mechanism was further explored through in vivo studies.

Results

Glutaraldehyde (GLA)-loaded liposomal albumin particles showed a positive zeta value, indicating that the CS coating process of GLA was successful. Our data show that the experimental group showed a concentration-dose-dependent growth relationship, indicating that GLA-loaded liposome albumin particles have better antitumor activity in cervical cancer cell lines. Compared with most GLA-loaded liposomal albumin particle groups, P53 expression was inhibited, and the expression of P53 was downregulated in GLA-loaded liposomal albumin particle cervical cancer. In vivo results showed that the measured tumor volume decreased after treatment with GLA-loaded liposomal albumin particles, and mice treated with GLA-loaded liposomal albumin particles had longer survival times. Induction of NF-κB in tumors may be a powerful strategy allowing GLA-loaded liposomal albumin particles to avoid apoptosis and possibly after cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that GLA-loaded liposomal albumin particles may participate in the development and progression of human cervical cancer cells by targeted regulation of NF-κB activity.
Blockades in the Pathway of Speciality Care in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Report Based on Indian Rheumatology Association Database
Authors: Ghosh Alakendu , Chandrashekara S , Shenoy Padmanabha , Kumar Uma , Pandya Sapan , Khare Apurva , Dudam Rajkiran , Goswami Rudra Prosad
Published: November 2024

Aim:

The lack of knowledge among primary care physicians about autoimmune rheumatic diseases can contribute to referral delays by impeding early recognition, accurate diagnosis and timely referral to specialists. The present study is aimed at analysing the factors influencing the diagnostic and referral delay in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to the rheumatology speciality in India. Materials and methods: The independent, multi-centre, database-based, cross-sectional study collected data from seven centres across India through the Indian Rheumatology Association database. The patient-related factors and the referral factors were determined based on the patient narration. Based on the patient’s income, a modified version of the Prasad scale was employed to classify them according to socioeconomic status. The analysis also included the clinical presentation and system involvement. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of early referral based on initial symptoms.

Results:

The study considered 786 out of 833 patients fulfilling the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics criteria. The median delay in referral to a specialist was 1 month, with an interquartile range of 11 months, but the delay ranged from 1 to 192 months. The major causes of referral delay were the management of SLE by other specialists instead of rheumatologists (93%) and a lack of awareness of speciality care (89%). Additionally, more than 25% of primary care practitioners were unaware of rheumatology as a speciality, and a similar percentage of patients received incorrect diagnoses from their general care physician. Early referral within 6 months was associated with a lower prevalence of systemic complications, including pulmonary, gastrointestinal, peripheral vascular, central nervous system and ophthalmic involvement. Significant predictors for early referral included joint pain (49.51% vs. 19.64%; P = .013; odds ratio [OR] = 0.655), hair loss (12.76% vs. 4.76%; P = .279; OR = 0.789) and weight loss (5.05% vs. 1.12%; P = .053; OR = 0.469). Conversely, symptoms such as lung involvement (0.56% vs. 0.98%; P = .042; OR = 3.938), Raynaud’s phenomenon (0.14% vs. 0.98%; P = .002; OR = 15.847) and thrombocytopenia (0.84% vs. 1.12%; P = .035; OR = 3.002) were more likely to lead to referrals to other specialities.

Conclusion:

The delay in patient referral to the rheumatology speciality is primarily attributed to referrals to other specialities and a lack of knowledge about rheumatology. Educating primary care physicians and facilitating direct referrals to specialists could significantly contribute to reducing these delays.
Migration Securitisation and National Security in the Regional Security Complex of Nigeria–Niger Borders
Authors: Sowale Adetayo Olamide
Published: November 2024

Previous studies have argued that the more-than-a-year border closure has failed to curb criminal activities across Nigeria–Niger Republic borders. This stems from the intractability of criminal activities across the borders of Nigeria and the Republic of Niger. As a result, the Nigerian government securities entry and exit of foreigners from the Republic of Niger to justify its land border closure policy of 2019. The government of Nigeria claimed that border closure would address myriads of security challenges emanating from its borders with the Republic of Niger. In contention, the study raised pertinent questions such as: Is securitisation the only framework to control migration? What role could the regional security complex theory play to diagnose, comprehend and proffer solutions to cross-border security problems between Nigeria and Niger? Is migration the real security problem that the Nigerian state needs to combat? How sustainable is border security through the securitisation of migration? With the aid of a secondary source of data, the study argues that dreadful human security implications of banditry, kidnapping and pastoral conflicts across the borders are the product of amity and enmity conditions of security interdependence between Nigeria and the Niger Republic as postulated by the regional security complex theory.
Book review: Abhinav Pandya, Terror Financing in Kashmir
Authors: Mir Tawseef Ahmad , Bhat Touseef Ahmad
Published: November 2024

Abhinav Pandya, Terror Financing in Kashmir (New York, Routledge, 2024), xv + 318 pp., ₹995, ISBN: 978-1-032-35780-5 (Paperback).
Social capital building through mega-sporting events: Did the Qatar 2022 World Cup foster bonding, bridging, and linking social capital?
Authors: Turkmani Ehsan Mohamadi , Nassif Nadim , Houhou Khoudjia , Włodarczyk Arkadiusz , Javid Majid
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of the Qatar 2022 World Cup in promoting bonding, bridging, and linking social capital within the host community and beyond. A total of 403 respondents completed a researcher-made questionnaire 12 months after the event. One sample t-test indicated that all three forms of social capital exceeded the test value significantly (P < 0.01). Residents of Qatar scored significantly higher in bridging and linking social capital compared to participants from other countries (P < 0.01). Arab respondents exhibited greater levels of linking social capital compared to non-Arab Muslims, whereas non-Arab Muslims demonstrated higher levels than respondents from other nationalities (4.444 > 3.852 > 3.349, P < 0.01). Residing in the host community and reaping benefits from an event can lead to a more positive perception of the event's social capital. Facilitating the participation of individuals with diverse backgrounds in sporting events can help to develop social capital across borders.
Methodological Developments and Innovations of the National Crime Victimization Survey, 1972–2023
Authors: Cantor David
Published: November 2024

Over its 50 years of existence, the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) has changed to address the informational needs of its users, as well as adapt to an evolving survey climate. Perhaps more than any other victim survey in the world, data quality has been an emphasis. In this article, the evolution of the methodology of the survey is described up to the point of the 2024 redesign. The first section provides an abbreviated description of the innovations and methods instituted up through the redesign in 1992. This section highlights key milestones and refers the reader to more detailed descriptions of the origins of the NCVS and the 1992 redesign. The second section provides more detail on methodological issues and changes since the 1992 redesign. This article closes with the challenges the survey faces moving forward into the mid-21st century.
Horror and Solidarity: Collective Health During the COVID-19 Emergency in Guayaquil, Ecuador
Authors: Capella Manuel , Quinde María , Mora Lucía
Published: November 2024

In 2020, Ecuador was among the most affected places in the world in the context of the COVID-19 emergency. Serious problems of structural inequality and governance resulted in corpses lying in the streets of Guayaquil—Ecuador’s largest city—while local communities resisted in different ways. We interviewed 18 participants who engaged in actions of solidarity during this context, critically analyzed their discourses, and generated relevant themes. There was a structural scheme of (pandemic) brutality that determined embodied experiences of horror, conditioned by a governance of abandonment and its related problems. To confront such horror, solidary community resistance focused on food, physical and mental health, management of corpses, community-led communication, online education, and political participation. We interpret that this was a process of social determination of collective health and discuss important theoretical, methodological, and ethical–political implications.
Functional Units Analysis of Mandibular Morphology in Patients With Parry-Romberg Syndrome
Authors: Li Xiyuan , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: November 2024

Objective

To characterize mandibular morphology in patients with Parry-Romberg syndrome (PRS).

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

A craniofacial center.

Patients

Thirty-three patients with PRS affecting mandible.

Interventions

Preoperative computed tomography data were analyzed using Mimics 26.0 (Materialise Inc.). Distances between landmarks—condyle process (Con), coronoid process (Cor), mandibular foramen (IAF), gonion (Go), and mental foramen—were measured to represent the sizes of skeletal units. Positional asymmetry was reflected by angles between lines connecting bilateral landmarks and the occlusal plane.

Main outcome measure(s)

Bilateral differences in unit sizes were compared. Absolute difference (Δ) > 5 mm and relative size (RS) < 80% were set to evaluate the severity of hypoplasia. Angular measurements were compared to 0° using one-sample t tests. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between onset ages and both RS and angular measurements.

Results

The affected side's skeletal units were smaller. Severe hypoplasia was more common in the angular unit. Angles between Con-Con’, Cor-Cor’, IAF-IAF’, and the occlusal plane were less than 0°, whereas the angle with Go-Go’ was greater than 0°. Age of onset was positively correlated with the condylar unit size and the Con-Con’ to occlusal plane angle.

Conclusions

Patients with PRS affecting mandible exhibit smaller skeletal units on the affected side, particularly in the angular unit. Most landmarks on affected side tend to cluster toward the occlusal plane. Earlier onset of PRS correlates with more pronounced condylar asymmetry. Evaluating the severity of functional units involvement and implementing appropriate treatment should be considered.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA): A Change Initiative in an Underresourced School
Authors: Wachutka Kate , Echevarria Mercedes , Walsh Jennifer
Published: November 2024

Background: School-aged children with unidentified mental illnesses experience poor health outcomes; managing this issue requires a collaborative community approach. Objectives: The objective was to implement an evidence-based mental health education and sustainment program within an underresourced school setting for staff and parents/guardians supervising children to optimize adult mental health literacy (MHL). Methods: The intervention included Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training; measurements of pre- and post-MHL were completed with the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS). Sustainment was achieved by developing a school-centered mental health toolkit and integrating a school champion. Results: There was a significant MHL score change from pretest to posttest. The toolkit bolstered sustainability by increasing the utilization of community resources. Conclusions: This mental health awareness initiative proved effective and can be expanded across similar underresourced schools to fill voids.
A Queuing Model Based Rapid Evaluation Method for Automotive Control Design
Authors: Xiaolin Zuo , Jiawei Pan , Changxu Wu
Published: November 2024

This paper evaluates the ergonomics performance of automotive driving systems through a new computational model, aiming to enhance vehicle control design more cost-effectively than traditional experimental human factors research in the automotive field. Parameters such as spatial coordinates and control dimensions were measured for different driver interaction controls (e.g., hazard light switches, steering wheel buttons) across three typical passenger vehicles. These parameters were integrated into the QN-MHP-U to simulate driver operational behaviors and predict task performance. A computational method was introduced to assess the ergonomic scores of automotive control designs based on the modeling results. The QN-MHP-U provides a systematic and universally applicable solution for evaluating and comparing vehicle control designs within automotive driving systems. This allows automotive designers to assess and improve vehicle control designs from an ergonomic perspective more efficiently in terms of time and economic costs.
Vibration control of the seat suspension with a magnetorheological damper-based controllable inerter
Authors: Cao Jing , Liu Pengfei , Ning Donghong , Sun Shuaishuai , Liu Guijie
Published: November 2024

Semi-active devices have been extensively studied for seat suspension to improve passenger riding experience. However, the traditional semi-active devices can only control the amplitude of the generated force and cannot change the direction of the force as needed. This paper proposes a vibration control method for a new seat suspension with a magnetorheological (MR) damper-based controllable inerter (MRDCI) to break the performance bottleneck of the traditional semi-active seat suspension. The MRDCI consists of two MR dampers, two sets of rack and pinion, and a flywheel. The device can convert reciprocating vibration into unidirectional shaft rotation, and the flywheel can release stored energy to generate a controllable force for vibration reduction. It can work as a controllable inerter. Then, a semi-active controller for the seat suspension is designed for vibration control, and it includes a sliding mode controller that calculates the desired control force and a semi-active control strategy for the control of MRDCI to track the desired control force. Finally, experimental tests are conducted to verify the vibration control performance of the suspension. The results show that the new suspension performs better than the traditional passive and semi-active variable damping (VD) suspensions. Under road excitation, the proposed seat suspension’s RMS acceleration and FW-RMS acceleration are reduced by 9.38% and 15.8% compared to the traditional semi-active VD seat suspension.
Fractional systems with commensurate orders inherit the monotonicity of magnitude-frequency response from their integer-order counterparts
Authors: Tavazoei Mohammad , Tavazoei Mohammad Saleh
Published: November 2024

It has been previously revealed that the stability and the monotonicity of step response in an integer-order LTI system are two specifications, which are preserved in its fractional counterparts possessing commensurate orders between zero and one. In this paper, it is shown that the monotonicity of magnitude-frequency is another specification which is inherited from integer-order systems to their commensurate order counterparts. This finding completes the trilogy of stability, extrema-freeness of the step response, and monotonicity of magnitude-frequency, as the specifications whose holding in integer-order systems yields in meeting them in their fractional-order counterparts with commensurate orders in the range (0,1). The obtained analytical result is confirmed by some examples on frequency-domain analysis of fractional-order systems.
Preventable Emergency Department Utilization Among Patients With Foster Care History Compared to Patients Without Foster Care History
Authors: Malthaner Lauren Q. , McLeigh Jill D. , Knell Gregory , Jetelina Katelyn K. , Atem Folefac , Messiah Sarah E.
Published: November 2024

Emergency department (ED) utilization for preventable reasons by patients with foster care history is unexplored. Medical records of ED encounters from primary care patients were pulled from a southwestern children’s hospital system. Necessity of ED encounter was categorized using the New York University- ED Algorithm into emergent, intermediate, or non-emergent. Associations were explored at the encounter- and patient-level. Partial proportional logistic models generated odds of preventable (i.e., intermediate or nonemergent) ED utilization among encounters, and Poisson models determined incidence of preventable ED use at the patient level. Findings suggested that when a patient with history in foster care used the ED, the odds that it was preventable were lower than if the child did not have such experience. Further, patients with foster care history were less likely to use the ED for concerns that did not need immediate attention but were more likely to use the ED for intermediate reasons.
Identity Crisis Among Clinical Officers at Malawi’s Public Hospitals Amidst the Implementation of Functional Reviews
Authors: Chinguwo Paliani
Published: November 2024

In Malawi’s healthcare system, a significant doctor shortage compels clinical officers who are mid-level health professionals, to shoulder responsibilities traditionally reserved for medical doctors. This study delves into the unintended consequences of functional reviews within Malawi’s health sector. The research, employing a qualitative case-study approach across five public hospitals, investigated how the functional reviews triggered an identity crisis among clinical officers. The findings revealed that the implemented changes caused an identity crisis among clinical officers. This identity crisis, demonstrably exacerbated occupational stress among clinical officers. To address this unforeseen consequence and safeguard the well-being of clinical officers in particular and healthcare workers in general, this paper proposes the incorporation of psychosocial risk assessments before implementing functional reviews in the health sector. This proactive approach can help identify potential threats to social identity and mitigate the risk of increased stress among healthcare workers. Ultimately, this research contributes to the growing body of knowledge that underscores the intricate link between social identity and the impact of large-scale workplace changes within the healthcare system.
Climate Change Impact on Outdoor Organizations Today
Authors: Jackson Jeff S. , Slay Stuart L. , Tarter Shana L.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Outdoor recreation and tourism providers, education programs, and outdoor recreation facilities are experiencing the effects of climate change and severe weather firsthand. This research assessed the impact that climate change was having on these operations in 2023.

Methods

Respondents from 127 outdoor organizations completed an online survey assessing the impacts of climate change and severe weather. Any outdoor operation that owed a duty of care to clients who they take outdoors or host at their facilities was invited to participate. This included outdoor tourism and recreation providers, outdoor education programs (both school and expedition based), groups involved in conservation work, and facilities such as parks, ski areas, and other outdoor recreation facilities. Respondents were from Canada's far north to Mexico, with 14% from further international locations.

Results

Climate change is having moderate to serious impacts on outdoor operations. Extreme heat and air quality were of primary concern, with storm event flooding, wildfires, snowpack, and changes in the ranges of disease-carrying insects top concerns. Fewer than half the operations have established criteria to aid in decision making, yet most had to revise operational plans in 2023 due to extreme weather.

Conclusions

There was pervasive uncertainty regarding decisions involving extreme heat and air quality, particularly the short-term health impacts on clients and the long-term health impacts on workers. There was uncertainty regarding trusted sources for guidance and the many overlapping or contradictory jurisdictional recommendations. Practical direction is required for operations and decision makers, as is further research specific to this sector's needs.
Tele-Ultrasound in the Wilderness: A Tutorial Experience for Medical Students
Authors: Kurek Julie , King Samantha A. , Felipe Naillid , Philip Jobin , Haines Caver , Lareu Stephanie , Clinton Michelle , Sward Doug , Euerle Brian , Salerno Alexis
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Providers can evaluate patients who sustain trauma during outdoor activities by using the extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) and the limited knee ultrasound. Remote tele-mentored ultrasound (RTMUS) can help minimally trained providers in the wilderness if they have difficulty obtaining a view or have questions about the interpretation of an image. The goal of our study was to determine the feasibility of using RTMUS to teach the FAST exam and knee ultrasound exam to ultrasound-naive medical students during a wilderness medicine outdoor activity.

Methods

Medical students from two large academic institutions were randomized to receive either in-person or RTMUS education during a wilderness activity 1 d before completion of FAST and knee ultrasound exams. All students received limited ultrasound instruction before the event. The images obtained by the students were compared. Two ultrasound-trained emergency physicians evaluated the images for their ability to identify structures and support a diagnosis from the images. Simple descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference between the RTMUS group and the in-person group. The images captured by the in-person group were more likely to identify structures and support a diagnosis than those captured by the RTMUS group.

Conclusions

In this study, ultrasound-naive medical students who received in-person education on conducting the knee exam and FAST exam obtained higher-quality images than students who received RTMUS education. This study suggests that if RTMUS is used for medical purposes, increased ultrasound training may be needed prior to initiation of RTMUS.
Overall Prompting Effectiveness for Optimising Human-Machine Interaction in Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Wilbers Simon , Espinosa-Leal Leonardo , van de Sand Ron , Reiff-Stephan Jörg
Published: November 2024

This paper presents the Overall Prompting Effectiveness (OPE) framework, designed to enhance interactions with systems employing generative AI(genAI) through prompt engineering. Leveraging principles from Total Productive Maintenance (TPM): Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), the OPE framework provides a systematic tool for iterative refinement of prompts, crucial for optimising human-AI interactions in cyber-physical-social-human systems. Evaluating prompting results in three actionable categories: Availability, Performance, and Quality, OPE aims to generate more accurate, relevant, and effective AI responses. Preliminary applications and workshops with prompt engineers underscore the potential of OPE to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of AI engagements. The integration of OPE within Large Language Models (LLMs) or other genAI systems promises to expand automation capabilities, enhancing the intellectualisation and personalisation of CPS. This framework fosters continuous improvement in prompt quality and contributes to the synthetic knowledge management and smart reasoning mechanisms essential for advanced CPS. Our findings suggest that OPE could play a significant role in cognitive engineering, offering a novel methodology for enhancing decision-making and problem-solving in intelligent systems. This aligns with the current research directions in CPS, emphasising the need for tools supporting technology's socialisation and personalisation in complex integrated environments.
Human-CoMo: A Combination of Cognitive Knowledge Engineering and Data Modelling for Human-Cyber-Physical Systems in Intelligent Manufacturing
Authors: Bocklisch Franziska , Lampke Thomas
Published: November 2024

Many cyber-physical systems face the challenge of appropriately integrating domain-specific human expert knowledge into the cyber part to create a shared sphere of knowledge and intelligent interactions between humans and the semi-autonomous technical system. Cognitive engineering contributes methods and insights into higher-order cognition that help to embed human knowledge in an appropriate way. The original research introduces a novel transdisciplinary framework called Human-CoMo, which demonstrates a systematic modelling process, different human perspectives, and the integration of expert knowledge at multiple hierarchical levels. Fundamental principles inspired by human cognition, such as conceptual chunking and knowledge precision, are characterised. Furthermore, it is shown how knowledge hierarchies can be methodically reflected in appropriate data analysis and modelling levels for small and big data applications including artificial intelligence approaches. Combined knowledge- and data-based modelling approaches offer more flexibility to integrate the strengths of humans and technology in a complementary way. The cognitive foundations and their computational reflections are outlined for the technical example process electroplating from the field of materials and surface engineering. The possibilities and limitations of integrating human knowledge through formalisation and implications for future forms of human-machine interaction are discussed.
Tourism Demand Interval Forecasting With an Intelligence Optimization-Based Integration Method
Authors: Zhou Yilin , Li Hengyun , Wang Jianzhou , Yu Yue
Published: November 2024

Interval forecasting for tourism demand holds significant theoretical and practical insights. However, research on integrating social reviews into multi-source for interval prediction is still developing. To fill this research gap, this study proposes an integrated method for tourism demand interval prediction by combining multi-source data with a modified swarm intelligence optimizer. This method can extract essential intrinsic features from multi-source data and select an appropriate probability density function to extend point predictions to initial prediction intervals, then further refine the initial prediction intervals to improve the prediction accuracy. Empirical studies on the tourism demand of Mount Siguniang and Jiuzhaigou validate the superior predictive capabilities of the proposed model. Experimental results demonstrate that (a) incorporating a multi-source dataset with social reviews significantly enhances the accuracy of the proposed model; and (b) the modified transit search algorithm effectively balances the coverage and width of prediction intervals, thus improving the generalizability of the model.
Assessment of percutaneous closure for decannulation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A retrospective study
Authors: Martins-Fernandes Diana , Rocha-Neves João , Ferreira Ana Rita , Martins Hélio , Gaião Sérgio , Paiva José Artur
Published: November 2024

Background:

Despite the evidence supporting the use of Perclose Proglide® (PP) suture-mediated vascular closure devices in various clinical scenarios, limited evidence exists regarding its role in percutaneous arterial closure of the femoral artery after venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Compared to conventional methods, this study evaluates the effectiveness and complications of bedside percutaneous femoral artery closure using Perclose ProGlide (PP) for VA-ECMO decannulation.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort of consecutive patients managed with mechanical circulatory support VA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock, who survived decannulation between January 2017 and August 2023. A comparison between PP and other decannulation strategies was established to evaluate the effectiveness and procedure-related complications of bedside percutaneous femoral artery closure using a PP with a post-closure technique compared to conventional approaches of surgical and manual decannulation.

Results:

Among 122 patients decannulated from VA-ECMO with a mean age of 48.6 ± 13.1 and 78 (63.9) males, 49.2% comprised the PP group. Despite the older age ( p = 0.021) and higher prevalence of arterial hypertension ( p = 0.045), the PP group had a larger number of patients free from decannulation-related adverse events. Additionally, a higher haemoglobin level 24 h post decannulation ( p = 0.047), with no difference in terms of transfusion of red blood cells between groups ( p = 0.263) was found. The pseudoaneurysm was the most frequently reported complication, while the arterial cannulation surgical wound site infection was only documented in the open repair subgroup. A trend towards reduced Intensive Care (ICU) and hospital length of stay after decannulation was noted, although it did not reach statistical significance. There was no difference in mortality between both groups and no procedure-related deaths occurred. A mean of 2.7 PP devices were required to achieve complete haemostasis in the PP cohort, where technical failure was documented in four cases (6.7%).

Conclusions:

Bedside Percutaneous decannulation of VA-ECMO using a PP device with a post-closure technique is safe and reliable for achieving effective haemostasis, with fewer vascular complications than conventional approaches and a low device failure rate.
Cephalic to jugular vein bypass surgery of subclavian vein stenosis for arteriovenous fistula salvage in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Gao Min , Pan Ming-Ming , Han Yu-Chen
Published: November 2024

Background:

Ipsilateral subclavian vein stenosis in a well-functioning upper extremity arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a significant factor contributing to AVF failure and sometimes swelling of ipsilateral upper extremity. Graft bypass surgery can alleviate outflow tract stenosis in upper extremity AVF, restore function, and efficiently relieve arm swelling. The present study aimed to evaluate patency and postoperative complications after cephalic to jugular graft bypass surgery in patients with upper extremity AVF failure or upper extremity swelling on the same side of the AVF resulting from ipsilateral subclavian vein stenosis.

Methods:

Five patients with upper extremity AVF and ipsilateral subclavian vein stenosis undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were included. Three patients had AVF dysfunction, while two experienced swelling of the arm due to high venous pressure in the AVF. The surgical procedure involved creating a subcutaneous tunnel in the shoulder to connect a 6 mm polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) graft, from either near the fistula site ( n = 3) or at the mid-upper arm cephalic vein ( n = 2), to the jugular vein.

Results:

Graft bypass surgery was successful, and all patients were able to resume hemodialysis postoperatively. Upper extremity edema improved, without any postoperative wound infections, non-healing wounds, steal syndrome, or high-flow AVF leading to heart failure as a complication. Five to 19 months after surgery, the bypass grafts exhibited a primary patency rate of 100%, and vascular access fulfilled the requirements for hemodialysis.

Conclusions:

Cephalic to jugular vein bypass surgery for upper extremity AVF with ipsilateral subclavian vein stenosis effectively preserved function of the original fistula, and was associated with few postoperative complications.
The Histopathology of Abemaciclib-Induced Interstitial Lung Disease: A First Case Report With Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy
Authors: Kaburaki Shota , Tanaka Toru , Murata Akari , Kamio Koichiro , Tanaka Yosuke , Terasaki Yasuhiro , Kasahara Kazuo , Seike Masahiro
Published: November 2024

Abemaciclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, is crucial in treating hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative metastatic or recurrent breast cancer. However, its association with drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DI-ILD) is concerning. We present an 82-year-old woman with breast cancer receiving abemaciclib, who developed persistent cough and malaise. Initial diagnostics suggested pneumonia, supported by ground-glass opacities and consolidations on chest high-resolution computed tomography. Suspecting DI-ILD, a transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) was performed, revealing fibrosing organizing pneumonia and confirming abemaciclib-induced ILD. Discontinuing abemaciclib led to significant symptom improvement, supporting the diagnosis. This case report describes the clinical presentation and diagnostic approach in a patient with suspected abemaciclib-induced ILD, including the use. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of fibrosing organizing pneumonia as a histopathological pattern in abemaciclib-induced ILD, expanding knowledge of this therapy’s pulmonary adverse events. Histopathological features included diffuse lymphocytic infiltration, polypoid intra-alveolar fibrosis, intraluminal granulation tissue plugs with dense hyalinization, hyalinized fibrotic alveolar septa lesions, and obliterative fibrotic processes affecting alveolar ducts. Our case suggests that TBLC might be useful in recognizing DI-ILD by providing detailed lung tissue examination, which can facilitate early diagnosis and guide management. Identifying fibrosing organizing pneumonia indicated a potentially corticosteroid-responsive pathology, suggesting a more favorable prognosis compared with patterns like diffuse alveolar damage. This case highlights the potential for abemaciclib-induced ILD to occur even after prolonged treatment periods, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and consideration of diagnostic intervention for patients on cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors presenting with respiratory symptoms. Timely recognition and appropriate management may mitigate adverse outcomes. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to better understand the role of TBLC and histopathological examination in diagnosing and managing abemaciclib-induced ILD.
Association of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T with territorial middle cerebral artery brain infarctions and dynamic cerebral autoregulation
Authors: Bolognese Manuel , Weichsel Laura , Österreich Mareike , Müller Martin , Karwacki Grzegorz Marek , Lakatos Lehel-Barna
Published: November 2024

Background

Cardiac high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) is linked to the cardioembolic origin, severity, and outcome of acute ischemic stroke. Furthermore, larger brain infarctions are often accompanied by impaired dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA), which is also indicative of a poor prognosis.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate whether hs-cTnT levels can serve as a predictor of dCA impairment.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

In 330 consecutive patients with stroke (age 71 years [IQR 59-78]; 100 women; 229 territorial and 111 non-territorial brain infarcts) with successful dCA assessment, hs-cTnT levels were measured within 24 hours of stroke onset. These measurements were analyzed in relation to cerebrovascular risk factors, stroke origin, stroke severity (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS at entry), modified Rankin scale (mRs) at 3 months, and stroke volume determined by cranial computed tomography perfusion (CTP). dCA was assessed using transfer function analysis, which assessed the relationship between middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity and blood pressure. Coherence, gain, and phase were estimated across 3 frequency ranges: very low (0.02-0.07 Hz), low (0.07-0.15 Hz), and high (0.15-0.5 Hz).

Results

In univariate analysis, hs-cTnT was associated with cardioembolism and territorial infarction. In the multinomial logistic regression analysis, independent risk factors for the presence of a territorial infarction included atrial fibrillation, the NIHSS score, the infarct core on CTP, cardioembolism, and large vessel disease, but not hs-cTnT levels. Risk factors for a poor outcome (mRs >2) included age, hs-cTnT, and NIHSS score. Overall, the coherence, gain, and phase were not predicted by hs-cTnT levels.

Conclusions

Hs-cTnT levels are associated with poor stroke outcomes. However, they do not predict dCA impairment.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04611672, 11.10.2020
Asperity interaction induced vibration excitation of cylindrical roller bearings with localized defect
Authors: Huang Xinyu , Cong Feiyun , Xu Shouliang , Dou Shuxian , Yao Ruifeng , Tang Ning
Published: November 2024

One of the difficulties in detecting localized faults of cylindrical roller bearings by vibration analysis is the lack of obvious early fault characteristics. To carry out the relationship between internal faults and external vibration signals is meaningful from the perspective of diagnosis. In this paper, a dynamic model of asperity interaction in the joint surface of cylindrical roller bearings is established. A new contact stiffness analysis model based on the microscopic asperity contact model is derived, which enhances the accuracy of the contact stiffness of the cylindrical roller bearing under heavy load condition. Furthermore, the vibration excitation caused by the impact and deformation of the asperity is derived. The effects of surface roughness and radial load on impact energy and vibration excitation are investigated by simulation. Experimental analysis has found that the vibration excitation of bearings is closely related to the impact energy caused by the asperity interaction behavior. The above results underscore the necessity of incorporating asperity contact considerations in the stiffness modeling of cylindrical roller bearings under heavy loads.
Trauma, bicultural immersion, and growing into self: The impacts of media narratives on former refugees
Authors: Harding Natasha , Fitzpatrick Sally , McCormack Lynne
Published: November 2024

Background: Building on robust research linking discrimination and poorer mental health outcomes, the current study explores the impacts of macro-level attitudes, such as in media and politics, on refugee wellbeing during resettlement. Method: A purposive sample of six former refugees of Banyamulenge ethnicity from the Democratic Republic of Congo participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, analyzed independently by two authors, and then jointly using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Five superordinate group experiential themes emerged from the data, Fleeing, rejection, and illusive safety, straddling two cultures, media stigmatizing identity, different is good, and, g rowth and wellbeing. Themes speak to overcoming turbulence and past trauma, of being othered and rejected along the way to safety that is often elusive. Participants grapple with bicultural identities, and the media’s power in shaping societal narratives. Over time, their history becomes a source of pride for redefining self through strength of character, resilience, and psychological growth. Discussion and conclusion: Findings indicate that for these participants, media was stigmatizing, and negatively impacted wellbeing, confidence, and self-esteem by threatening their self-identity and presenting challenges in other areas of their life, such as work, school, and friendships. Despite this, participants’ experiences of resettlement and bicultural immersion promoted personal growth and a positive outlook for the future. This study recognizes the need to elevate Banyamulenge youth voices as a group poorly represented in research and contributes to a better understanding of how macro-level attitudes in media impact the wellbeing of ethnic minority youth in Australia.
The psychological impact of living with peritoneal mesothelioma: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Lond Benjamin , Apps Lindsay , Quincey Kerry , Williamson Iain
Published: November 2024

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare life-limiting cancer that is likely to have an extremely negative impact on mental health; however, no studies to date have explored the impact and needs of those living with the condition. Ten individuals diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma (eight women, two men) participated in interviews and could share and discuss photographs to convey their illness experiences. Data analysis was informed by ‘Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis’. Two themes are presented: ‘Experiences of Care’ and ‘Psychological Distress’. Individuals experienced a lengthy diagnostic journey with little follow-up support. Women also reported negative impacts on body image due to abdominal swelling and scaring, diminished sexual ability and loss of fertility. Individuals recalled vivid feelings of anxiety and post-traumatic stress, and tried to cope by compartmentalising their fears and modifying diets. These findings demonstrate the need to further signpost services, help individuals manage gendered issues, and alleviate feelings of anxiety.
A space age instrument for space voyagers: The personal, professional, and cultural relevance of astronaut chronographs
Authors: Levasseur Jennifer
Published: November 2024

One group of small artifacts from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s collection, astronaut chronographs, consumes more curatorial attention than any others thanks to a dedicated group of enthusiasts and collectors. The Omega Speedmaster Professional, featured in this article, was selected first for astronaut use during Project Gemini and remained in use for decades, particularly during spacewalks. Closely tracking time when consumables are limited combines physical necessities with the very human compulsion to mind the clock, so the chronographs linking astronauts, like us with our smart watches, in the observance of time. This article examines how astronaut chronographs fit into a larger historical narrative of timekeeping and exploration, and the extraordinary importance some astronauts put in these mechanical timekeepers. As objects of study and care for the Museum, they are a unique subset of materials that provoke questions about the cultural significance of time, planning for complex space missions, and caring for artifacts worn on the human body.
Evaluating porosity formation in gas metal arc directed energy deposition of an aluminium alloy
Authors: Chaurasia Prashant K. , Barik Birendra K. , Das Atanu , De Amitava
Published: November 2024

Porosity formation in gas metal arc directed energy deposition of aluminium alloys is a critical challenge as it affects the structural integrity of build parts. An experimental investigation is reported here to examine the influence of energy input on pore size and area fraction in single- and multi-layer build samples of an aluminium alloy for short-circuiting and pulsed current gas metal arc. The energy input is estimated from real-time current and voltage transients. The porosity distribution in deposited samples is measured using an image segmentation approach. The pulsed current mode yielded 16–22% lower pore area fraction in comparison to short-circuiting mode. For the range of process conditions considered, an increase in energy input reduced pore area fraction significantly.
Does the frequency of cultural switching modulate bilinguals’ performance on Executive Functions tasks? A study of highly proficient bicultural-bilinguals
Authors: Xie Wenhan , Ng Bee Chin
Published: November 2024

Aims and Objectives:

This study investigates how bicultural switching could influence cognitive performance on Executive Functions tasks among bicultural-bilinguals.

Methodology:

Study 1 ( n = 233) integrates self-report questionnaire data on cultural and language behaviour with a priming experiment, providing empirical evidence of young adult bilinguals’ ability to shift between multiple cultures. Study 2 ( n = 48) explores the effect of cultural switching frequency on young adult bicultural bilinguals’ performance on tests for interference and inhibition control, set-shifting ability, and attention.

Data and Analysis:

Study 1: A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to determine the effect of different primes on participant’s ratings. We ran a two-way mixed ANOVA to ascertain the effect of interlocutors (Grandparents/relatives, Parents, Siblings, Peers/co-workers, Social media) on behaviour (Cultural, Language). Study 2: A one-way ANOVA was conducted on Simon, Flanker, and Wisconsin Card Sort tasks (WCST). Each of the three attention network components was analysed using a 2 (trial-type, within-subjects) × 2 (Switching Group, between-groups) mixed-ANOVA for the Attention Network task.

Findings:

Study 1: Participants who alternate frequently between cultural frames made a clearer distinction between Western primes than those who switched between cultural frames less, suggesting that the frequency of cultural switching could impact cognition. Study 2: Bicultural bilinguals who switched between cultural frames frequently resolved stimulus-response conflict significantly faster in the Flanker task, made fewer mistakes within each sorting block in the WCST, and had a smaller conflict effect compared to infrequent switchers in the Attention Network Task.

Significance:

This study examines the effects of bicultural switching on Executive Functions of highly proficient bicultural bilinguals, highlighting it as a potential confound in bilingual research. Bicultural switching effects on interference and inhibition-control persist even in participants at the developmental peak of their cognitive processing capabilities after controlling for a plethora of socio-linguistic variables. Our research highlights how this understudied aspect of multiculturalism may have broad implications for bilingual research in Executive Functions.