bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Tale of Two Locals: The Strategic Choice of a Trade Union during the 2019 GM–UAW Strike and Member Satisfaction
Authors: Tapia Maite , Ibsen Christian L. , Strolle Mark , Lima Aranzaes Carla , DeOrtentiis Philip S.
Published: October 2024

Industrial relations (IR) scholars emphasize the strategic choices of industrial relations actors to explain IR processes and outcomes. This article asserts that union member satisfaction is critical to realize unions’ objectives and that the local union and work context shapes satisfaction. The authors study the 2019 national UAW strike against General Motors in two, at first sight, very similar union locals. Union members of one local approved the agreement while the other local rejected the agreement. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, the authors explain the different outcomes. Their analysis of a unique worker survey conducted during the strike shows that general member satisfaction was an important dimension for supporting the union’s strategic choices. Qualitative case studies of the two locals highlight the importance of shares of transfer workers—“invisible divides”—when examining member satisfaction. Broadly, findings contribute to the strategic choice literature and emphasize the local union context as a key locus for producing successful outcomes.
Inclination information-aided circumferential deformation reconstruction error correction method for CFRP belt integrated with optical fiber sensor
Authors: Wang Zhengfang , Li Wenhao , Wang Jing , Cui Jinqiao
Published: October 2024

In view of the problem that the distributed optical fiber-based deformation reconstruction method can produce serious accumulated errors, this paper developed a smart fiber optic sensor belt that employs a carbon-fiber composite material as the matrix and strain-sensing fiber optics as the sensing element and is based on the key-point dip angle information acquired by a high-precision tilt sensor. The method of in situ correction for the cumulative error of circumferential deformation was investigated, and the particle swarm optimization algorithm was adopted to perform in situ correction for the reconstructed circumferential deformation field of the sensor belt to reduce the cumulative measurement error of the circumferential deformation field. Simulations and indoor tests were systematically performed. After the correction, the errors of the simulation and indoor tests were reduced from 210.83 and 235.82 mm to 2.17 and 4.04 mm, respectively, which verified the effectiveness and accuracy of the aforementioned method.
Application of Paulo Freire’s Critical Pedagogy Principles to the Jewish–Arab Interface in Israel: Dialog, Awareness, and Identity
Authors: Halabi Rabah
Published: October 2024

Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy has been implemented in many, diverse fields; in this article, I will present the implementation of Freirean thought in a new field that has not been mentioned in the literature to date—the encounter between groups in conflict. I will do this through the educational encounter between Jews and Arabs in Israel. In this article I will argue that the principles of the Freirean approach, mainly the dialog proposed by Freire, are most suitable for running educational dialog between groups in conflict. The use of Freirean dialog principles in meetings between Arabs and Jews is preferable to dialogs based on psychological principles. Freirean dialog does not ignore reality; on the contrary, it originates in reality and combines it with theory. Thus, it allows the participants to reach an awareness of the conflict and their role in it, and enables them to reconstruct their identity and take action if they so desire in order to change reality.
Organizational Diffusion: What India Tells Us about How the Far Right Wins
Authors: Pal Felix
Published: October 2024

Presenting a world-first data set of 2,831 constitutive organizations of history's largest far-right interorganizational network, this article presents a new explanation for far-right normalization: organizational diffusion. Providing, for the first time, empirical evidence of the large network characteristics of the Indian far right, this article paints a picture of what this network actually looks like, how far it has spread, and what explains its success. In doing so, this explanation unearths a far-right strategy of covert civil society expansion that has largely evaded the party-focused extant study of global far-right electoral mobilization. Identifying this strategy of organizational diffusion, this article argues that it produces three effects that produce broad, flexible, and durable mobilizations: segmented representation, reputational control, and leadership accommodation. Organizational diffusion, present in far-right mobilizations as diverse as Ma Ba Tha, Nippon Kaigi, and the Thai military, presents an important far-right mobilizing tool that exhorts scholars to refocus on covert civil society expansion as a key mechanism of far-right normalization.
Migration and neighbourhood trust: Evidence from urban China
Authors: Zhang Xiaobin , Zhang Linlin , Shen Xiaoqiang , Huang Huiling
Published: October 2024

Neighbourhood outcomes of migration have drawn considerable scholarly attention. Previous studies consider neighbourhood trust an indicator of social integration or social resources, revealing inconclusive findings regarding the effects of migration. Unlike previous studies, we view neighbourhood trust as a lifestyle feature. Combining urbanism theory and a typology of trust, we argue that migration causes a reduction in migrants’ neighbourhood trust through the assimilation of the urbanism lifestyle. We provide nationwide empirical evidence of the causal relationship between migration and neighbourhood trust and reveal the underlying mechanism. Our study identifies this relationship in urban China by applying a difference-in-differences empirical strategy and using the China Family Panel Survey. The results show that migration lowers neighbourhood trust levels by 0.473 from a sample mean of 6.692. We find that the declining effect is greater for rural–urban migrants than for within-urban migrants, and it is greater for rural–urban migrants who acquire urban hukou than for those who do not. We also show that rural–urban migration leads to an increase in trust in strangers. Together, these results support our hypothesis that the assimilation of the urbanism lifestyle is a critical mechanism through which migration undermines neighbourhood trust.
Examining Optimal Weights for the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument in North Dakota
Authors: Mclaren Sonya A. , Rieger Danielle J.
Published: October 2024

The purpose of deriving weights for factors is to identify and discover what items have the strongest relation to the outcome of interest to create an assessment with the best predictive validity. The current study examined and compared weighted and nonweighted models for the pre-screen of the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI). The total sample of 6,175 youth from the state of North Dakota, United States, was divided into the calibration sample (33%) to build the models and was cross-validated across five independent subsets. The results were that no method consistently nor substantially outperformed the original method. The one exception was the risk total score produced through the logistic regression model substantially improved the predictive accuracy for violent dispositions after the initial YASI administration in the validation subsets. Therefore, it may be worth considering alternative models and warrants further exploration for the users of the scale.
Sex Differences in Coping Strategies and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Taiwanese Police Officers
Authors: Chu Doris C.
Published: October 2024

This study compares Taiwanese male and female police officers’ work stress and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data derived from 1,329 male and 225 female police officers between May and July 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was found that male officers experienced more family-work stress than their female colleagues. Male officers were more likely to engage in avoidance coping and used humor to cope with stress. On the contrary, female officers were more inclined to adopt emotion regulation strategies and distraction to cope with stress. Supervisor support was found to be positively associated with officers’ well-being and negatively connected with officers’ stress. Humor and self-distraction were found to be positively associated with officers’ well-being, whereas avoidance and negative stressor appraisal of COVID-19 were negatively connected with well-being. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Emotional Earmarking: Insights into Remittances and Emotions from a Mixed Methods Study of Migrant Households in Rural Philippines
Authors: Opiniano Jeremaiah M. , Tan Yan
Published: October 2024

Overseas remittances improve the economic conditions and influence the financial behaviors of international migrants’ families that remain in the country of origin. Remittances affect family relationships in the hometown and across transnational borders, but migration research has not yet analyzed these family dynamics through the lens of household finance. Recent studies address the remittance–emotion nexus partially and statically rather than holistically and dynamically, delivering an insufficient understanding of complex and evolving links mediated by the sending, using, and investing of remittances. Built on an existing family financial socialization model, and using mixed methods for case studies in two rural municipalities of the Philippines, this study sets out to determine how emotions come into play as families strive to use remittances productively. A central finding is that migrant households employ what we call emotional earmarking to bring about economic benefits along with concurrent emotional benefits to family relationships. This emotional earmarking can help families (as well as migration and development stakeholders) in the productive use of remittances and the maintenance of family connections despite the physical absence of migrant members.
Being kicked out of a WhatsApp group: Frequency and association with adolescents’ psychosocial well-being and School Achievement
Authors: Lin Shanyan , Longobardi Claudio , Fabris Matteo Angelo , Settanni Michele
Published: October 2024

In the era of the mobile Internet, online groups, which often serve as a primary form of communication and socialization and provide support within personal networks, have become an important cyberspace for adolescents. While the prevalence of being kicked out from online groups is relatively high, the influence of such online exclusion and its underlying mechanisms have been less studied. This study examined the relationship between being kicked out (BKO) from WhatsApp groups and students’ school achievement was explored. Valid participants were 858 students (Mage = 14.01 years, SDage = 2.23) from middle schools and high schools. A negative relationship was found between BKO and students’ grade point average. Fear of missing out, problematic social media use, and internalizing symptoms played mediating roles in this association. This study may provide valuable insights for programs aimed at improving students’ academic performance and well-being.
Structural characteristics and evolution in the crack propagation process of NiCrAlY/YSZ gradient coatings through thermal shock at 900 °C
Authors: Chen Rong , Wan Fayang , He Xuan , Huang Taihong , Song Peng
Published: October 2024

In this study, four different thicknesses of NiCrAlY/8YSZ gradient coatings were fabricated using atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) technology. The failure behavior and lifetime of coatings were subsequently compared and analyzed through thermal shock experiments. The results revealed a pronounced correlation between the initiation and propagation of internal cracks within the gradient coatings and the thickness of the gradient region at a thermal shock temperature of 900°C. Both horizontal and vertical cracks were observed to propagate and interconnect, with horizontal crack propagation being the primary cause of coating failure. Notably, samples featuring a gradient region thickness of 150μm exhibited superior thermal shock resistance, suggesting promising prospects for enhanced coating durability.
SiO2/polydopamine photothermal superhydrophobic coating with good anti-icing performance
Authors: Zhong Yuting , Liu Yan , Yang Xiangming , Chen Hui
Published: October 2024

The icing phenomenon has become a safety hazard for the normal operation of equipment. In this work, we report a strategy for simply obtaining photothermal anti-icing coatings by spraying acrylic resin, polydimethylsiloxane and polydopamine modified SiO2 particles on a steel plate substrate. The prepared icephobic AR/PDMS/SiO2@PDA composite coating not only has excellent superhydrophobicity (WCA = 162°). It also shows good anti- and de-icing performances. The superhydrophobic surface was able to delay freezing for 614 s at −20°C, and the ice adhesion of its surface was 54 kPa. In addition, PDA-modified SiO2 particles endow the coating with photothermal properties. Under the irradiation of simulated sunlight, the photothermal coating rapidly reached 61°C within 3 min, and the ice droplets completely melted in 155 s. Besides, it's able to withstand a wide range of chemical attacks and mechanical impacts. After 15 icing-de-icing cycles and 40 sandpaper abrasions cycles test, the prepared coatings can still maintain remarkable ice-removal performance, demonstrating excellent mechanical robustness and stability in harsh environments.
Components of home-based palliative and supportive care for adults with heart failure: A scoping review
Authors: Perera Madhurangi , Halahakone Ureni , Senanayake Sameera , Kularatna Sanjeewa , Parsonage William , Yates Patsy , Singh Gursharan K.
Published: October 2024

Background:

Palliative care and supportive care provided in the home for people with heart failure can improve quality of life, caregiver wellbeing and reduce healthcare costs. Identifying components of home-based palliative and supportive care in heart failure is useful to inform tailored care to people with heart failure.

Aim:

To identify and describe components of home-based palliative and supportive care in adults with heart failure.

Design:

A scoping review was undertaken in accordance with Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The protocol was registered prospectively with the Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GHCME ).

Data sources:

Embase, PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane databases were searched from inception in May 2023 and re-run in January 2024. Original research focussed on palliative and supportive care in the home setting that included adults diagnosed with heart failure who have not undergone nor awaiting a heart transplant was included.

Results:

Results were extracted from 13 papers based on eight studies. The findings highlight that nurses supported by a multidisciplinary team, providing symptom management, patient and carer education and discussion of goals of care and advance care planning, facilitates home-based palliative and supportive care for people with heart failure.

Conclusion:

Ensuring patient and caregiver-centred care supported by a multidisciplinary team is essential to delivering home-based palliative and supportive care for people with heart failure. Further research focussed on the role of digital interventions in home-based palliative and supportive care, the composition of the multidisciplinary team and research which includes individuals across all stages of heart failure is needed.
The role of ischaemia-modified albumin in the prognosis of acute pancreatitis and its correlation with the NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response
Authors: Geng Cheng , Zhang Junxiang , Wu Shixing , Zhang Bolin , Tian Xinxin , A Tigu , Su Hongde , Xu Xinjian
Published: October 2024

Objective

To investigate the correlation between the serum levels of ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) and disease severity in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods

A rat AP model was established and blood samples from each group were analysed at different time points. After the experiment, the pancreatic tissues of the rats were collected for pathological examination and the measurement of protein levels of NF-κB and NF-κB p65. Serum levels of amylase (α-AMY), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were also compared between groups of rats.

Results

The serum IMA concentration in the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group was greater than that in the mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) group. The levels of the NF-κB and NF-κB p65 proteins were increased in the MAP and SAP groups in a time-dependent manner. α-AMY, TNF-α and IL-6 were increased at all time points in the MAP and SAP groups. The increases were greatest at 24 h in the SAP group. In terms of pathological changes in the pancreas, renal and lung tissues, the damage in the SAP group was more obvious than that in the MAP group.

Conclusions

Serum IMA level was associated with inflammatory markers and NF-κB p65 in rats with AP.
Evolution of nonmetallic inclusions in high Mn–high Al steel during heat treatment
Authors: Wang Xiaoxiao , Deng Zhiyin , Zhu Miaoyong
Published: October 2024

In order to reveal the evolution behaviours of the inclusions in a high Mn–high Al steel ( w(Mn) = 18 wt% and w(Al) = 1.5 wt%) at 1200 °C, heat treatment experiments were carried out in laboratory for different hours (0–10 h). It was found that, CaO-Al2O3-MnO-MgO system oxides (Type I), CaO-Al2O3-MnO-MgO + (Ca, Mn)S complex oxysulphides (Type II) and (Ca, Mn)S sulphides (Type III, w(MnS) > 95 wt%) were detected before and after heat treatment. During heat treatment, the dominant inclusions changed from Type I (oxides) into Type II (oxysulphides), and the size of the inclusions increased slightly. With heating time, the Al2O3 content increased in the oxide part of Type I and Type II inclusions, while the content of CaO decreased. MnS was quite stable in the steel, and it can precipitate on the oxides, thus forming a (Ca, Mn)S transition layer in between the MnS outer layer and the oxides. The MnS outer layer might be helpful to reduce the stress concentration during rolling.
Women Question and Public Health Administration in Colonial Bengal, 1880s–1940s
Authors: Sanyal Sneha
Published: October 2024

Is it possible for medical practitioners to complete their professional training and pursue their careers without understanding the history of public health? The evolution of public health over time holds significant implications for the appropriate responses to modern-day challenges in public health practice. The article emphasises the changing nature of healthcare practices in the late years of the Raj and draws attention to the growth of public health administration and its impact on women’s health. The last two decades of the nineteenth century witnessed debates and discussions on disseminating health education among women through different agencies. There was a noticeable growth of voluntary associations devoted to maternal and child health care. Not only the Dufferin Fund but also different philanthropic organisations set up by British elite women and thus closely connected to the colonial state like the Lady Reading Fund, Lady Chelmsford Fund, and so on, became involved in providing professional training for Indian women in medicine (doctors, hospital assistants, midwives, nurses, health visitors, etc.), establishing hospitals and dispensaries dedicated to women and children in the urban and rural areas, organising healthcare activities for them (baby shows and welfare exhibition), among others. The proceedings of these voluntary associations, journals like the Indian Medical Gazette, government reports on the subject, along with the archival documents help to understand how the women’s healthcare issues were addressed by different agencies (colonial state, medical practitioners and philanthropic organisations) through educational and medical interventions between the 1880s and the 1940s.
Epithelioid (Histiocytoid) hemangioma of the testis: A case report and literature review of a rare benign tumor
Authors: Marino Filippo , Lorusso Giuseppe , Gandi Carlo , Ragonese Mauro , Pierconti Francesco , Sacco Emilio
Published: October 2024

Testicular hemangioma is a rare benign vascular neoplasm originating from the inner layer of the tunica albuginea, predominantly affecting the pediatric population and often associated with hemangiomas in other organs. Histopathologically can be categorized into four types, including capillary, cavernous, papillary endothelial hyperplasia, and epithelioid (histiocytoid). We report a case of a 24-year-old presenting with left inguinal pain, diagnosed with an epithelioid (histiocytoid) hemangioma of the testis. Diagnostic evaluation included scrotal doppler ultrasonography, which revealed a small, hypoechoic formation with evident vascularization. Serum tumor markers were within normal limits. Surgical excision via testis-sparing surgery (TSS) was performed based on frozen section analysis. A literature review underscores the rarity of testicular histiocytoid hemangiomas. Advancements in diagnostic technique have improved the accuracy of diagnosis and allowed for more conservative surgical approaches, preserving fertility and minimizing long-term adverse effects. In conclusion, while testicular hemangiomas may present characteristic features on ultrasound, frozen section examination remains crucial in guiding surgical decision-making. TSS offers significant advantages over traditional excisional surgery, including reduced morbidity and preservation of cancer control, making it an essential option in the management of testicular hemangiomas, particularly in young patients concerned about fertility preservation.
Surface engineering of carbon fiber using microwave micro arcing (MwMA) for enhanced performance of resulting PEEK composites
Authors: Chaudhary Sudhir Kumar , Zafar Sunny , Sharma Satinder
Published: October 2024

In this work microwave micro arcing (MwMA) has been utilized to engineer the surfaces of carbon fibers (CF) to enhance the interfacial bonding of resulting PEEK based composites. The CF were subjected to MwMA at different power levels ranging from 360 W to 900 W for 60 s to engineer their surfaces. The influence of MwMA on CF at various power levels was analyzed using SEM, contact angle measurement, AFM scans, and XPS study. Subsequently, MwMAed CF reinforced PEEK composite laminates were developed using compression molding. The MwMA on CF increased the surface wetting energy by 38% at 540 W microwave power level. XPS analysis suggested that MwMA at 540 W introduced oxygen containing functional group (C-O and C = O), which are likely responsible for increasing the adhesion between CF and PEEK polymer. The current study suggests that MwMA CF at 540 W showed an increment in tensile strength, flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength, and impact strength nearly by 22%, 61%, 28%, and 98% respectively. The MwMA method is novel method to improve the surface properties of carbon fibers and shows the potential use in structural applications.
Evaluation of Injectate Distribution of the Middle Mental Nerve Block Within the Mandibular Canal in a Cadaveric Canine Model
Authors: Fechney Angus , Clarke David E.
Published: October 2024

Awareness among veterinarians has increased regarding the need for comprehensive pain relief, but many companion animal veterinarians do not administer regional analgesia pre-emptively during dental procedures. The middle mental nerve (MMN) block desensitizes the ipsilateral mandibular incisor and canine teeth as well as soft tissues rostral to the delivery site. There is little published information on the efficacy of the MMN block in dogs. The objective of this study was to determine injectate distribution within the mandibular canal using a radiopaque contrast media/methylene blue solution. Half a milliliter of solution was injected within the opening of the middle mental foramen using a standard hypodermic syringe and a 25G x 25 mm needle. The course of the injectate was traced both via computed tomography (CT) and, in some cadavers, gross dissection. Post-treatment CT revealed that in 90% of the cases, the contrast diffused at least as far caudally as the mesial root of the third premolar tooth. The injectate was not identified within the canal of 5% of cadaveric mandibles examined. Although the solution used diffused caudally within the mandibular canal when injected using recommended clinical techniques, this may not completely represent the extent of clinical effects experienced in live patients. This technique also confirmed that the needle does not need to be advanced into the mandibular canal to achieve adequate diffusion to at least the mesial root of the third premolar tooth.
Research on extraction and identification of automotive wind noise based on LSTM combined road and drum experiments
Authors: Huang Lina , Wang Dengfeng , Cao Xiaolin , Huang Bingtong , He Yang , Zhang Xiaopeng
Published: October 2024

Wind noise is a significant source of noise when vehicles are driven at high speeds. While wind tunnel experiments are commonly method to study real automotive wind noise, anechoic wind tunnel laboratory are prohibitive for automakers on account of their high costs and limited experimental period. Therefore, this paper proposes to extract automotive wind noise through combining road experiment and drum experiment, define significant wind noise prime regions, and verify its effectiveness. Subsequently, the Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network algorithm (LSTM) is employed to reveal the complex nonlinear relationship between wind noise and its impact areas, in order to establish an identification model for automotive wind noise. The performance of the model is then compared with Backpropagation Neural Networks (BPNN) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) models. The results indicate that the LSTM wind noise identification model exhibits higher accuracy, shorter training time, and stronger generalization ability, thus demonstrating the superiority of this model.
Multiobjective optimization of magnetic abrasive finishing process with periodic re-distribution of magnetic abrasive particles on 17-4PH stainless steel
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Komma Venkateswara Rao
Published: October 2024

Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) exhibits considerable potential as a promising process for enhancing surface finish quality for softer as well as harder materials. This work proposes a novel approach to harness the potential of MAF for obtaining superior surface quality of precipitation-hardening martensitic steel (17-4PH steel) while performing periodic re-distribution of magnetic abrasive particles. The experiments were conducted using the Box-Behnken design of experiments and response surface methodology (RSM). RSM-based desirability function approach and genetic algorithms were used for multiobjective optimization. The set of pareto-optimal solutions obtained through multiobjective optimization were ranked using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) by assigning equal importance to the selected performance parameters (percentage change in surface roughness (PCSR) and material removal rate (MRR)). The optimized values of PCSR and MRR obtained through the desirability function of RSM and genetic algorithm were validated experimentally and compared with the predicted values obtained through the regression model. Results showed that the desirability function of RSM provided better results than the genetic algorithm for the selected conditions and confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Influence of re-melting rate on the dry sliding wear characteristics of LPBFed Cu–Cr–Zr alloy
Authors: Saravana Kumar M , Jeyaprakash N , Yang Che-Hua
Published: October 2024

For the past few decades, Copper alloys have made significant contributions to a variety of industrial applications due to their efficient electrical and thermal conductivity. However, moving mechanical assemblies continues to raise concerns about wear-related mechanical breakdowns on a worldwide scale. Hence, this research focuses on examining the wear parameters such as load, sliding velocity and distance based on the re-melting strategy of the (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) LPBF process. The sliding tests were carried out over a wide range load (15, 25, 35 and 45 N), sliding velocity (1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 m/s) and sliding distance (1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500 m) with a pin-on-disc configuration. The LPBFed Cu–Cr–Zr alloy coupon was printed with four different re-melting ranges (5, 15, 30 and 45%) and it was explored to minimise the occurrence of un-melted particles and inter-particle gaps. The wear results show that the wear parameters have a positive correlation with the Wear Rate (WR) and co-efficient of friction (COF) and also witnessed that the WR and COF decrease with increasing the re-melting rate. The nano-hardness analysis was compared on the un-melted and spattered particles and the re-melted surface. The results show that the spattered particles possess 35.8% more nano-hardness than the other surface on the Cu alloy coupon printed with a 45% re-melting range. The FE-SEM images of the worn-out surface reveal that un-melted and spattered particles have a major contribution in reducing the wear resistance of the printed Cu alloy coupons.
Genital-oral transmission of Candida lusitaniae
Authors: Veraldi Stefano , Bortoluzzi Paolo , Germiniasi Francesca , Grancini Anna
Published: October 2024

Candida lusitaniae is a vaginal commensal. Cases of vaginitis, vulvovaginitis and recurrent vulvovaginitis caused by this yeast are very rare. In the oral cavity, C. lusitaniae causes stomatitis in immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of stomatitis and angular cheilitis caused by C. lusitaniae in a female patient with type 2 diabetes. The infection was most likely transmitted following genital-oral intercourse with the patient’s girlfriend, who was affected by C. lusitaniae vulvovaginitis.
Statistical methods for clinical trials interrupted by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic: A review
Authors: Basu Joydeep , Parsons Nicholas , Friede Tim , Stallard Nigel
Published: October 2024

Cancellation or delay of non-essential medical interventions, limitation of face-to-face assessments or outpatient attendance due to lockdown restrictions, illness or fear of hospital or healthcare centre visits, and halting of research to allow diversion of healthcare resources to focus on the pandemic led to the interruption of many clinical trials during the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Appropriate analysis approaches are now required for these interrupted trials. In trials with long follow-up and longitudinal outcomes, data may be available on early outcomes for many patients for whom final, primary outcome data were not observed. A natural question is then how these early data can best be used in the trial analysis. Although recommendations are available from regulators, funders, and methodologists, there is a lack of a review of recent work addressing this problem. This article reports a review of recent methods that can be used in the setting of the analysis of interrupted clinical trials with longitudinal outcomes with monotone missingness. A search for methodological papers published during the period 2020–2023 identified 43 relevant publications. We categorised these articles under the four broad themes of missing value imputation, modelling and covariate adjustment, simulation and estimands. Although motivated by the interruption due to SARS-CoV-2 and the resulting disease, the papers reviewed and methods discussed are also relevant to clinical trials interrupted for other reasons, with follow-up discontinued.
“They Only Silence the Truth”: COVID-19 retractions and the politicization of science
Authors: Abhari Rod , Horvát Emőke-Ágnes
Published: October 2024

Retracted COVID-19 articles have circulated widely on social media. Although retractions are intended to correct the scientific record, when trust in science is low, they may instead be interpreted as evidence of censorship or simply ignored. We performed a content analysis of tweets about the two most widely shared retracted COVID-19 articles, Mehra20 and Rose21, before and after their retractions. When Mehra20 was seen as a politicized attack on Donald Trump and hydroxychloroquine, its retraction was broadly shared as proof that the article had been published for political reasons. However, when Rose21 was seen as evidence of vaccine harm by vaccine opponents, its retraction was either ignored or else framed as a conspiracy to censor the truth. These results demonstrate how retractions can be selectively used by scientific counterpublics to reframe the regulation of science as evidence of its institutional corruption.
Ameliorative Potency of Iridoid Glucoside Compound Catalpol on Inhibiting NF-κB-mediated Inflammation in Allergic Rhinitis-induced Mice
Authors: Wang Haiting , Wang Jing
Published: October 2024

Background

Over time, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) has surged due to various risk factors, notably attributed to global urbanization, rendering heightened levels of pollutants, including traffic-related emissions and particulate matter. About 25% of the global children population and 40% of the adult population were reported with AR. Even though AR is recognized as a systemic inflammatory disease, it often results in diverse other comorbidities, such as dermatitis, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, and otitis, requiring extensive and expensive treatment.

Objectives

We assessed the effectiveness of iridoid glucoside catalpol against AR in a mouse model. Catalpol is recommended in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diverse acute and chronic diseases.

Materials and Methods

AR was induced in mice with an ovalbumin-sensitized AR model and treated with 10 and 20 mg of catalpol. Nasal severity scoring was performed to confirm the AR induction in mice. Allergic mediators immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine were quantified in the serum to assess the anti-allergic response of catalpol. In nasal lavage fluid (NALF), the inflammatory mediators IgE Ab, prostaglandin D2, leukotriene C4, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured to analyze the anti-inflammatory potency of catalpol. The binding capacity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) to DNA was evaluated to assess the catalpol inhibitory potency against NF-κB-mediated inflammation in AR mice. To confirm the ameliorative potency of catalpol in AR mice, a histopathological analysis of nasal mucosa was performed.

Results

Catalpol treatment significantly decreased the nasal symptoms and reduced the allergic mediators in the serum of experimental animals. It effectively inhibited the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, ECP, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the NALF, and also suppressed the NF-κB DNA-binding activity in AR mice. The decrease in ciliary loss, goblet cells, eosinophil infiltration, and vascular congestion observed with our nasal mucosa histopathological analysis confirmed the ameliorative potency of catalpol.

Conclusion

Our findings have proven catalpol inhibits NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response in AR mice. With further analysis, a potent natural compound, catalpol, can be formulated as a drug to treat AR.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Caregivers of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Samyuktha V N , Grace Hannah , Kattula Dheeraj , Oommen Samuel Philip
Published: October 2024

Background/Aim:

It is well known that caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) face challenges. These challenges increased further due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the related restrictions. There was very little data from India on these challenges. This study was done with the primary aim to gain insights about the challenges faced by parents of children with NDD through their personal stories.

Methods:

Participants were recruited using purposive sampling method and semi-structured interviews were conducted through a telephone or in person. Data saturation was achieved by the sixth participant and 2 more interviews were performed for further confirmation. Interviews were transcribed, and a 7-step Colaizzi’s phenomenological method was used to identify different themes.

Results:

The impact of COVID-19 on caregivers of children with NDD can be summarized into 4 broad themes. First, there were challenges related to “therapy” which included closure of day-care centers and schools, inaccessibility to professionals, and disruption in home-based learning. Second, there were “child” related challenges which included inappropriate behaviors. Third, there were “family” challenges which included misunderstandings between parents and difficulties in adhering to family routines. Lastly, there were “personal” challenges related to physical and psychological health.

Conclusion:

The personal stories of caregivers of children with NDD highlight the pressing need to provide appropriate support and formulate holistic models to enhance well-being of caregivers during difficult periods.
Isovaleric Acidemia in a Neonate Presenting as Sepsis and Encephalopathy: A Case Report
Authors: Arumugam Senthil Kumar , Rangasamy Ramalingam
Published: October 2024

Isovaleric acidemia (IVA) is an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disease caused by the deficiency of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD). The symptoms of IVA mimic sepsis, delaying the diagnosis. It can progress to coma and death if untreated. Thrombocytopenia and/or pancytopenia and hyperammonemia are the notable metabolic abnormalities. We report a neonate who presented to us with thrombocytopenia and encephalopathy. Tandem mass spectrometry was suggestive of IVA. Clinical exome sequencing identified a homozygous mutation in the IVD gene at codon 320 (p.Gln320His). The infant responded to specific treatments for IVA, such as carnitine and glycine supplementation. The infant attained appropriate development despite prolonged encephalopathy.
ML-powered Internet of Medical Things (MLIoMT) Structure for Heart Disease Prediction
Authors: Mulani Altaf O. , Sardey Mohini P. , Kinage Kishor , Salunkhe Shweta Sadanand , Fegade Tanuja , Fegade Poonam Girish
Published: October 2024

Background

ML-powered Internet of Medical Things (MLIoMT) is a burgeoning framework poised to transform healthcare, particularly in the timely identification of heart disease.

Objectives

This article proposes an innovative MLIoMT structure aimed at leveraging machine learning (ML) algorithms for heart disease detection.

Materials and Methods

Through the integration of wearable sensors, mobile applications, cloud computing, and advanced ML techniques, MLIoMT enables continuous monitoring of vital signs and cardiac health indicators in real time. By analyzing this data stream, abnormalities indicative of heart disease can be detected early, facilitating timely intervention and personalized healthcare recommendations. The MLIoMT framework employs diverse ML methods, such as deep learning and ensemble techniques to enhance the accuracy and reliability of heart disease prediction models.

Results

The proposed structure holds promise for revolutionizing preventive healthcare, enabling proactive management of cardiac health, and ultimately reducing the burden of heart disease. Results in terms of accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score show that the proposed system has better performance and efficiency.

Conclusion

Overall, MLIoMT represents a significant advancement in healthcare technology, with the potential to improve patient outcomes and enhance overall quality of life.
Risk of Sarcopenia, Hospitalization, and Mortality Among Malaysian Older Adults With Knee Pain: Five-Year Follow-up Study
Authors: Chiew Chiaw Lee , Mat Sumaiyah , Kamaruzzaman Shahrul Bahyah , Chin Ai-Vyrn , Tan Maw Pin
Published: October 2024

This study explored the longitudinal relationship between the presence of knee pain and knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms with risk of sarcopenia, hospitalization, and mortality. Data from Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study was utilized. The presence of knee pain and knee OA symptoms was determined at baseline between 2013 and 2015, whereas sarcopenia was determined in 2019 using SARC-F with telephone interviews. Hospitalization status was identified by asking participants “Have you been admitted to hospital since you enrolled into the MELoR study?” Death Registry data were obtained from the National Registry Department. Data from 577 individuals, mean age (SD) = 68.214 (7.095), range = 54 to 97 years, and 55.5% women at baseline, were included. Knee pain and knee OA symptoms were associated with increased risk of probable sarcopenia at follow-up, odds ratios (95% confidence interval) =2.71 [1.61, 4.58] and 2.73 [1.59, 4.71], respectively, after adjustment for confounders. Knee pain and knee OA symptoms were not associated with hospitalization and mortality. Knee pain and knee OA symptoms were associated with increased risk of probable sarcopenia at five-year follow-up in an urban older population in Kuala Lumpur. Future studies should seek to identify modifiable risk factors for the development of sarcopenia in individuals with knee OA.
From low- to high-intensity review in the protection of EU fundamental rights
Authors: Harvey Darren
Published: October 2024

The CJEU often reviews the validity of EU legislation for compliance with fundamental rights standards. Prior to the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the CJEU's approach to fundamental rights review was characterized by a low-intensity standard of review. Since the elevation of the Charter to primary law status, the CJEU has come to subject EU legislation to far more rigorous levels of scrutiny. This paper critically evaluates the methodology utilized by the CJEU to determine whether low- or high-intensity proportionality review is deployed in cases where EU legislation limits fundamental rights. This question has yet to receive detailed consideration in the literature. Looking to the future of EU fundamental rights, the paper rejects the idea that the nature of the right can determine whether a restriction placed upon that right is subject to low- or high-intensity review. There are practical and normative grounds for rejecting this approach. Instead, the paper argues that the intensity of review should be modulated on the basis of the severity of the interference with the right in question. It is thus seriousness of interference and not the nature of the right in question which determines the applicable standard of review.
Revisiting the social deficit: Social rights and the liberal conception of the person in EU law
Authors: Schöyen Elisabeth
Published: October 2024

The article aims to add to the common narrative of the social deficit, outlining another hurdle to realizing social rights: the conception of the person underlying EU law and policy. The conception of the person is a socio-legal imaginary, an amalgam of held beliefs about human nature. It is manifest in the imagined legal subject which we legislate for, and it influences legislation and legal institutions. To do so, the article proceeds in three steps. A first part expands on the relevance of analysing the conception of the person or ‘the imagined EU legal subject’. A second part draws inspiration from Martha Nussbaum's political philosophy, and in particular her understanding of vulnerability and care-dependence relationships, to present an alternative conception of the person. A third part submits that it is precisely the failure to consider the centrality of care and dependency in human life, highlighted by Nussbaum and many other feminist scholars, which frustrates the realization of social rights in the EU.
EU governance through funding: What consequences for the scope of application of EU fundamental rights?
Authors: Gambardella Ilaria
Published: October 2024

The definition of the national situations that are covered by the scope of EU law for the purpose of applying EU fundamental rights is not an easy task. Therefore, it will be sometimes difficult for Member States and individuals to understand to what extent national action is constrained by EU law. The difficulties in drawing the line between what is in or out of the scope of EU law are amplified by the diversification of EU law making by EU institutions, which brings new situations in the border area. This trend in particularly remarkable in the field of governance through funding, which is now entering a new phase of its evolution. The use of EU funds, where old and new forms of EU law and governance are combined, constitutes the perfect testing ground to analyse the current reach of EU fundamental rights to national situations and, consequently, the limitations imposed on national actors implementing EU law.
Questioning the coherence of the freedom to conduct a business: Insights from the Court of Justice of the European Union
Authors: Couperus Eline
Published: October 2024

This article examines the jurisprudential development of Article 16 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the Court of Justice of the European Union (Court), which safeguards the freedom to conduct a business. The paper argues that the Court has adopted an incoherent approach in interpreting this freedom, leading to legal uncertainty. Through an analysis of the Court's case law, the paper explores the Court's varying interpretations across three policy areas: the Common Agricultural Policy, the information society and labour/social law. The paper posits that the Court's interpretations lack coherence, with some rulings characterizing the freedom to conduct a business as a ‘weak’ freedom, allowing for significant market interventions, while in other decisions the Court adopts a more ‘forceful’ stance, in which it prioritizes businesses freedom over individual social and civil rights. The paper concludes by suggesting that the Court's incoherent application of Article 16 of the Charter has implications for the predictability and reliability of the freedom to conduct business within the EU's constitutional order. It highlights the need for a comprehensive normative framework to guide the Court's balancing act of Article 16 with other fundamental rights recognized in the Charter.
Congenital pulmonary airway malformation in a cat
Authors: Chong Deborah L. A. , Löhr Christiane V. , Sriboonyapirat Pun , Williams Kurt J.
Published: October 2024

Congenital structural anomalies of the lower airways of the respiratory tract are uncommon in cats. We describe here a case of cystic pulmonary lesions in a 6-wk-old domestic shorthair cat consistent with congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM; formerly referred to as cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, or congenital pulmonary adenomatoid malformation; Stocker type II). CPAM is rarely reported in veterinary species and, to our knowledge, has not been reported in cats. In humans and veterinary species, individuals with CPAM (Stocker types I–IV) can be asymptomatic at birth but are predisposed to developing respiratory abnormalities that typically manifest clinically in the early years of life. We review the pathologic features of CPAM.