bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Bilayer Scaffold Containing Chitosan/Gelatin/Diclofenac and Bovine Hydroxyapatite on Cartilage/Subchondral Regeneration in Rabbit Joint Defect Models
Authors: Suyatno Andhi , Nurfinti Wa O. , Kusuma Chika P. A. , Pratama Yusuf A. , Ardianto Chrismawan , Samirah Samirah  , Rahadiansyah Erreza , Khotib Junaidi , Budiatin Aniek S.
Published: September 2024

Subchondral defects are often caused by trauma involving cartilage damage, leading to subsequent damage to the underlying bone, specifically the subchondral region. Bilayer scaffolds made from biomaterials, such as bovine hydroxyapatite, possess biocompatible and biodegradable properties that mimic the natural environmental conditions of target tissues so that they can support the formation of new tissues. On the other side, diclofenac as an anti‐inflammatory drug potentiates to inhibit the inflammatory excess regarding the damage. This study aims to study the effectiveness of diclofenac scaffold to rabbit joint defect model. The scaffold was implanted in the rabbit femoral trochlear bone hole, which had a diameter of 5 mm and a depth of 4 mm. After 28 days of intervention, the animals were examined using macroscopic evaluation, hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for type I collagen and type II collagen. Subsequently, the cartilage was evaluated using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) scoring system. The macroscopic ICRS scores were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the bilayer scaffold implantation group compared to the monolayer scaffold and control groups. Histological ICRS scores were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the bilayer scaffold group compared to the control group. Type II collagen expression was higher (p < 0.05) in the bilayer scaffold group compared to the monolayer scaffold and control groups, although type I collagen expression was lower in comparison. In conclusion, this research suggests that the diclofenac‐loaded bilayer scaffold effectively enhances cartilage and subchondral bone regeneration.
The Impact of Medical Explainable Artificial Intelligence on Nurses’ Innovation Behaviour: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
Authors: Li Xianmiao , Zong Qilin , Cheng Mengting
Published: September 2024

Aim:This study aims to investigate the influence of medical explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) on the innovation behaviour of nurses, as well as explore the dual‐pathway mediating effect of AI self‐efficacy and AI anxiety and organizational ethical climate as the moderating effect.

Background:To address the practical application of medical AI technology, alleviate the scarcity of medical resources and fulfil the medical and health demands of the public, it is crucial to improve the innovation behaviour of nurses through the use of medical XAI.

Methods:A cross‐sectional survey was conducted involving 368 Chinese nurses working at tertiary and secondary hospitals in Anhui Province, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Shanghai.

Results:Implementing medical XAI significantly enhanced the innovation behaviour of nurses. Anxiety and self‐efficacy regarding AI mediated the connection between medical XAI and the innovation behaviour of nurses. Furthermore, the organizational ethical climate positively moderated the relationship between medical XAI and AI self‐efficacy.

Conclusion:Medical XAI helps to enhance nurses’ AI self‐efficacy and reduce AI anxiety, thereby enhancing nurses’ innovation behaviour. An organizational ethical climate enhances the positive relationship between medical XAI and AI self‐efficacy.

Implications for Nursing Management:Organizations and technology developers must augment the study about XAI and the system design of human‐centred AI technology. The organizations aim to enhance the education and training of nurses in AI, specifically focussing on boosting nurses’ self‐efficacy in utilizing AI technology. Moreover, they want to alleviate nurses’ fear of new technological advancements. Hospital administrators and leaders develop strategies to address the ethical atmosphere inside their organization.
Characterization of FGFR Alterations and Activation in Patients with High-Risk Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Eisner Joel R. , de Jong Florus C. , Shibata Yoichiro , Mayhew Gregory M. , Davison James M. , Carcione Jenna , Pappan Kirk L. , Thomas Shibu , Triantos Spyros , Santiago-Walker Ademi , Baig Mahadi , Milburn Michael V. , Beebe Kirk D. , Zuiverloon Tahlita C.M.
Published: September 2024

Purpose:

The Genomic Analysis of High-Risk Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (GARNER) study investigated FGFR alteration (ALT) frequency and the clinical outcome relationship with Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) treatment in high-risk non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC). An FGFR predictive response signature (FGFR-PRS) was discovered that identifies patients with an activated FGFR pathway who could potentially benefit from FGFR-targeted therapy beyond those who are FGFR ALT (+).

Experimental Design:

Pretreatment tumor samples and clinical data were analyzed from 582 BCG-treated patients with HR-NMIBC. FGFR-PRS was discovered using a separate bladder cancer dataset and applied to the GARNER and other bladder cancer cohorts. FGFR-PRS was also applied to in vitro data from urothelial cancer cell lines treated with FGFR-active agents.

Results:

A total of 31% of pretreatment GARNER HR-NMIBC tumors were FGFR ALT (+), but this was not significantly associated with BCG response. For the subset of patients with paired pre- and post-BCG treatment samples, nearly one-third of pretreatment ALT (+) patients were ALT (−) posttreatment. FGFR-PRS identified patients with an activated FGFR pathway and identified approximately twofold additional patients compared with ALT status alone, and this increase was similar across tumor stage. A positive relationship between tumor growth inhibition and FGFR-PRS score was shown in bladder cancer in vitro models treated with FGFR-active agents.

Conclusions:

These data provide support for FGFR-targeted therapy use in FGFR ALT (+) HR-NMIBC and describe tumors with shared FGFR pathway–activated biology that is FGFR ALT (−) but FGFR-PRS (+). The latter suggests a broader potential patient population for FGFR-targeted therapy, which will require subsequent validation in patients treated with FGFR-targeted therapy.
Supplementary Figure 1 from Impact of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy on Recurrence-Free Survival in Patients with High-Risk Localized HCC
Authors: Nakazawa Mari , Fang Mike , Vong Tyrus , Zorzi Jane , Griffith Paige , Anders Robert A. , Oshima Kiyoko , Kim Amy K. , Laurin Jacqueline , Lafaro Kelly J. , Shubert Christopher R. , Burns William R. , He Jin , Burkhart Richard A. , Philosophe Benjamin , Meyer Jeffrey , Liddell Robert P. , Georgiades Christos , Hong Kelvin , Ho Won Jin , Baretti Marina , Strauss Alexandra T. , Yarchoan Mark
Published: September 2024

S1. Flow diagram depicting inclusion and exclusion criteria for current study
DNA Methylation-Derived Immune Cell Proportions and Cancer Risk in Black Participants
Authors: Semancik Christopher S. , Zhao Naisi , Koestler Devin C. , Boerwinkle Eric , Bressler Jan , Buchsbaum Rachel J. , Kelsey Karl T. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Michaud Dominique S.
Published: September 2024

Prior cohort studies assessing cancer risk based on immune cell subtype profiles have predominantly focused on White populations. This limitation obscures vital insights into how cancer risk varies across race. Immune cell subtype proportions were estimated using deconvolution based on leukocyte DNA methylation markers from blood samples collected at baseline on participants without cancer in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. During a mean of 17.5 years of follow-up, 668 incident cancers were diagnosed in 2,467 Black participants. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine immune cell subtype proportions and overall cancer incidence and site-specific incidence (lung, breast, and prostate cancers). Higher regulatory T-cell proportions were associated with higher lung cancer risk [HR, 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06–1.41 per 1% increase in cell proportion] and a borderline increase in overall cancer risk (P = 0.06). Increased memory B-cell proportions were associated with a significantly higher risk of prostate cancer and all cancers (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.04–1.33 and HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05–1.22, per 1% increase in cell proportion, respectively). Other immune cell subtypes did not display statistically significant associations with cancer risk in the main analyses. These results in Black participants align closely with prior findings in largely White populations. Our results add to the growing evidence demonstrating the important role of adaptive immunity in cancer risk.

Significance:

This study describes associations between immune cell types and cancer risk in a Black population; elevated regulatory T-cell proportions that were associated with increased overall cancer and lung cancer risk, and elevated memory B-cell proportions that were associated with increased prostate and all cancer risk.
ATF6 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Growth and Stemness by Regulating the Wnt Pathway
Authors: Rodvold Jeffrey J. , Grimmer Matthew , Ruiz Karen , Marsters Scot A. , Oikonomidi Ioanna , Tan-Aristy Eileen , Pham Victoria C. , Sarkar Tamal , Harnoss Jonathan M. , Shatz-Binder Whitney , Modrusan Zora D. , Wu Thomas D. , Lill Jennie R. , Villemure Elisia , Rudolph Joachim , de Sousa e Melo Felipe , Ashkenazi Avi
Published: September 2024

The unfolded protein response maintains endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis by sensing protein-folding stress and orchestrating cellular adaptation via the endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane proteins IRE1, PERK, and ATF6. Malignant cells can co-opt IRE1 and PERK to sustain growth; however, the importance of ATF6 in cancer remains poorly deciphered. We observed elevated ATF6 transcriptional activity in several cancers, including colorectal carcinoma. Genetic silencing or small-molecule inhibition of ATF6 blocked cell-cycle progression and reduced viability of several human colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro, and disrupted tumor progression in vivo. Unexpectedly, ATF6 interference disabled Wnt and Myc signaling and reduced stemness. ATF6 inhibition attenuated growth of organoids derived from malignant but not normal human intestinal tissue, decreasing Wnt pathway activity and driving cellular differentiation. Wnt-surrogate agonism in a Wnt ligand-dependent colorectal cancer organoid restored pathway activity and rescued growth under ATF6 blockade. Our findings uncover ATF6 as an unexpected facilitator of oncogenic Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer.

Significance:

ATF6 intervention reduces colorectal cancer cell and organoid viability by interrupting dysregulated Wnt signaling, identifying a novel facilitator and potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.
Long-Term Effects and Impressions of Minimal Footwear in Older Adults
Authors: Futrell Erin , Kaufman Regina , Chevan Julia
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Foot pathologies can lead to difficulty walking and falls in older adults. Intrinsic foot muscles contribute to the structural support and alignment of the foot and provide somatosensory input from the ground. Minimally cushioned footwear may naturally strengthen intrinsic foot muscles and enhance sensory input to the foot; however, these effects are largely unknown in older adults. Further, there is little evidence regarding the prescription of minimal footwear and the perceptions of this footwear by older adults. Methods: Twenty-four adults age ≥65 volunteered to use minimal footwear for prescribed times during daily activities for 16 weeks. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of 5 intrinsic foot muscles was measured using ultrasound imaging at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. Semi-structured interviews were recorded regarding participants’ impressions of the footwear, the progressive wear schedule, the footwear’s effects on orthopedic-related pain, balance, and foot awareness/sensation. Results: Across the cohort, there was no significant difference in CSA of the 5 muscles after 16 weeks of minimal footwear use. Thirteen participants had clinically meaningful increased CSA of the abductor hallucis muscle (Abh). These positive responders had no significant differences in age, grip strength, foot structure, or fall risk scores compared to participants with little to no CSA change. Interview results indicated a generally positive experience with minimal footwear for 68.1% of the cohort. A large percentage of the cohort reported no difficulty with the progressive wear schedule (77.2%), no aggravation of preexisting conditions and no new pain (77.2%), improved balance (63.6%), and improved foot awareness/sensation (72.7%) with minimal footwear use. The progressive wear schedule was perceived as inconvenient by some in the first few weeks (22.8%), but resulted in mild to no adverse effects when followed as prescribed. Conclusion: Sixteen weeks of progressive minimal footwear use in older adults did not lead to changes in intrinsic foot muscle CSA; however, half of the cohort had clinically meaningful increased CSA in the Abh muscle. It is unclear what individual qualities were associated with this positive response. Older adults reported generally positive experiences with minimal footwear with self-reported improvements in balance and foot awareness/sensation. The wear schedule may have been too conservative or not long enough to produce foot muscle hypertrophy, but subjective reports suggest beneficial neuromuscular adaptations and sensory changes occurred. Future research may need a greater length of time and larger samples to further determine the effects of long-term minimal footwear use in older adults.
Can a Trusted Messenger Change Behavior When Information Is Plentiful? Evidence from the First Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in West Bengal
Authors: Banerjee Abhijit , Alsan Marcella , Breza Emily , Chandrasekhar Arun G. , Chowdury Abhijit , Duflo Esther , Goldsmith-Pinkham Paul , Olken Benjamin A.
Published: September 2024

Can information from a credible messenger shift behavior in an information-saturated environment? In a randomized controlled trial involving twenty-eight million individuals in West Bengal, we find that SMS-delivered video messages containing information about COVID-19 symptoms and health-preserving behaviors recorded by a credible messenger increased adherence to targeted and non-targeted preventive behaviors, measured by two objective measures (symptoms reported to a health worker, and phone usage at home), as well as self-reported behaviors. We find large spillovers onto non-targeted recipients. Credible light-touch messaging can play an important role in crisis response, even when similar information is widely available.
The Returns to College Major Choice: Average and Distributional Effects, Career Trajectories, and Earnings Variability
Authors: Andrews Rodney J. , Imberman Scott A. , Lovenheim Michael F. , Stange Kevin
Published: September 2024

A growing literature examining labor market returns to college major is motivated by large returns to skill. Prior research focuses on mean effects rather than earnings growth and variability. Using administrative data from Texas, we find that mean differences mask important features of the returns to college majors. First, earnings growth varies across fields. Second, there is considerable effect heterogeneity across workers. Third, major choice affects earnings variability within workers over time. We use our results to simulate a lifecyle utility model and compare mid-career utility and mean earnings returns across fields while highlighting the important role of risk preferences.
In memory of Dr Juan Li, a young geologist (1987–2023)
Authors: LI XIN , MA AN-LIN , HU XIU-MIAN , GARZANTI EDUARDO , JIANG SHIJUN , CHEN XI , KEMP DAVID B. , WANG JIAN-GANG , HE LAN-FANG , SUN GAO-YUAN , AN WEI , ZHONG HAN-TING , WU HE-PIN , HE TIAN-CHEN , WANG DI , SUN JUE , LI TAO , WANG XIA , HAN ZHONG , ZHANG SHI-JIE , LIANG WEN-DONG , LAI WEN , XU YI-WEI , XUE WEI-WEI , WEN DING-JUN , JIANG JING-XIN , HUANG DI-YING
Published: September 2024

This special issue of Mesozoic is dedicated to the memory of a great specialist in carbonate sedimentology, Dr Juan Li, who passed away on July 19th, 2023. Juan Li sadly left us while logging the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) interval in the Tibetan Himalaya. This special issue has collected contributions to Mesozoic–Cenozoic geological studies from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from colleagues, friends, and fellow scientists to express our remembrance and regret.
Cretabaltoraea volsella gen. et sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) from Cretaceous Kachin amber and its relationship with Eocene Baltoraea (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)
Authors: PERIS DAVID , JELÍNEK JOSEF , SABATELLI SIMONE , LIU MEI-KE , ZHAO QIAN , CAI CHEN-YANG , MÄHLER BASTIAN , KAIRIŠS KRISTAPS , AUDISIO PAOLO
Published: September 2024

Here we describe Cretabaltoraea volsella Peris, Jelínek & Audisio gen. et sp. nov. of the family Nitidulidae (Coleoptera). As implied by its generic name, the new species is described after a fossil specimen preserved in the Upper Cretaceous Kachin amber from northern Myanmar. This new species is rather similar to the two fossil nitidulid species of Baltoraea Kurochkin & Kirejtshuk, 2010, previously described from the Eocene Baltic amber. The comparison between this group of fossils and the study of Baltoraea simillima Kurochkin & Kirejtshuk, 2010 using CT-scanning suggest that Cretabaltoraea volsella gen. et sp. nov. and the two Baltoraea species should be placed in the extinct Apophisandrinae, a basal subfamily of Nitidulidae which until now only includes a group of Cretaceous fossils from the Kachin amber, described as ancient pollinators of both gymnosperms and basal angiosperms.
Updates to Burmapsyllidium setosum (Protopsyllidioidea: Paraprotopsyllidiidae)
Authors: HAKIM MARINA
Published: September 2024

Burmapsyllidium Hakim, Azar & Huang, 2021 is an extinct hemipteran genus, known only from amber bioinclusions. To date, it encompasses the two species, Burmapsyllidium setosum Hakim, Azar & Huang, 2021 and Burmapsyllidium grimaldii Hakim, Azar & Huang, 2022, both discovered in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Hakim et al., 2021, 2022). This genus is interesting amongst the Paraprotopsyllidiidae, as it is the only taxon displaying M two-branched in the forewings—like in other Protopsyllidioidea where M is two-, three- and rarely four-branched—while the rest of Paraprotopsyllidiidae have M simple. In this work, I revise the diagnosis of Burmapsyllidium setosum and provide a correction to the morphology of the tarsomeres (claws) observed in the type material.
New age constraints for the upper zongshan Formation: a morphometric study of the late cretaceous orbitoidal foraminifera in Gamba area of southern Xizang (Tibet)
Authors: FANG PEI-YUE , SUN YUE , LUO HUI , ZHU YOU-HUA
Published: September 2024

This study refines the biostratigraphic framework of the upper Zongshan Formation in southern Xizang (Tibet) by conducting a meticulous morphometric analysis of larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) from the Gamba area. Focusing on the genera Orbitoides and Omphalocyclus, we employed a comprehensive morphometric approach to delineate the stratigraphic transition within the formation. A total of 42 samples were collected across pivotal lithological intervals, leading to the identification of species groups that provide precise age constraints for the upper Zongshan Formation. Specifically, the O. tissoti–O. media group and Om. anatoliensis within Limestone II to Calcareous Marl II support a late Campanian age, while the presence of the O. megaloformis–O. gruenbachensis group and potential Om. cideensis in Limestone III suggest a younger age bracket extending into the early Maastrichtian. Our findings not only clarify the stratigraphic position of the upper Zongshan Formation but also contribute significantly to the ongoing investigations of final evolutionary stages of the eastern Neotethys.
New zircon U-Pb age of the top Duoni Formation, Basu County: constraits on the collision between Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks in Eastern Tibet
Authors: ZHANG YONG , GAO HAI-LONG , HUANG REN-BO , SU YI-TONG , FU YAN-ZHE , CAI CHEN-YANG , HUANG DI-YING
Published: September 2024

The Duoni Formation is widely distributed along the Bangong-Nujiang suture belt and surrounding blocks in Tibet, serving as a key sedimentary record of the collision between the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks. The upper sections of the formation typically contain andesite, volcanic rocks and tuff offering potential for precise stratigraphic correlations across the suture belt. The Duoni Formation in the central and western belt has been well-constrained geochronologically through zircon U-Pb dating; however, the insufficient age constraints on Duoni Formation in eastern Tibet hinder effective stratigraphic correlation and limit the understanding of the timing of this collision. Building on prior stratigraphic and paleontological studies, we collected three tuff samples from the upper Duoni Formation at the Wada coal mine section in Basu County, eastern Tibet. Zircon U-Pb dating was used to determine the age of the Duoni Formation, yielding results of 112.8 ± 1.0 Ma for sample XZ01, 111.48 ± 0.37 Ma for sample XZ03, and 110.95 ± 0.41 Ma for sample XZ05. These absolute ages correspond with early Albian and are generally consistent with those absolute ages from the central and western suture belt. Our study therefore suggests the similar timing for the Qiangtang-Lhasa collision across the whole Bangong-Nujiang belt.
Austropeirates maculipes gen. et sp. nov. and first record of the genus Peirates from Australia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: MALIPATIL M. B. , LIU YINGQI
Published: September 2024

Austropeirates gen. nov. and its type species, A. maculipes sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae) are described based on macropterous male and micropterous female individuals from Australia and compared with related taxa within the subfamily Peiratinae. Peirates castaneipennis Reuter, 1887, so far known to occur in New Caledonia, is recorded from several localities in Australia: as the only representative of the genus Peirates Serville, 1831. A key is provided for the six genera of Peiratinae occurring in Australia.
Use of colored fruit-baited traps for trapping Cerambycidae (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea) reveals six new records for the state of Rondônia, southwestern Brazilian Amazon
Authors: PUKER ANDERSON , EVANGELISTA LUIZ FILIPE FERREIRA , CARLI CAMILA DA SILVA , CUPELLO MARIO , MONNÉ MARCELA LAURA
Published: September 2024

In this study, we used colored fruit-baited traps for trapping cerambycid beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea: Cerambycidae) in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon, state of Rondônia, northern Brazil. Our collections revealed six new records for the state, Sphallotrichus bidens (Fabricius, 1801), Cosmoplatidius abare Napp & Martins, 2006, Chydarteres dimidiatus dimidiatus (Fabricius, 1787), Neolampedusa obliquator (Fabricius, 1801), Deltosoma fernandezi Dalens & Giuglaris, 2014, and Corimbion nigroapicatum Martins, 1970. The latter two also represent new records for Brazil. Photographs of the dorsal habitus of the six species are provided. We also provide distribution maps for D. fernandezi, previously recorded only from French Guiana, and C. nigroapicatum, previously known from Colombia and Bolivia. The use of colored fruit-baited traps for trapping Cerambycidae is briefly discussed in the light of published data and the new information provided herein.
Multiple Exact Solutions of Radiative Micropolar Hybrid Nanofluid: Hiemenz Flow
Authors: Aly Emad H. , Usafzai Waqar Khan
Published: September 2024

Even though micropolar models are widely employed for many applications and treated numerically, exact solutions still possibly exist, in particular, in boundary layer problems. This topic studies an extended micropolar model, that based on hybrid nanofluids that retains the original
model as a special case. We investigate the stagnation point flow of a bidirectional surface under velocity slip and heat radiation effect whose boundary layer equations are reduced to similarity form for exact solutions. Wall mass flux, material parameter, velocity slip, nanoparticles concentration
and heat radiation affecting the existence of unique or numerous solutions of fluid flow and heat transfer are analyzed. The critical points appearing for both the stretching and shrinking sheets are definitive in locating the existence of physical solutions. It is noted that the stretching/shrinking
strength parameter has a vital role in delineating the existence of exact solutions. Also, the velocity slip strongly suppresses the stretching or shrinking velocity pushing the peak velocity close to the minimal. The boundary thickness in temperature profiles are highly affected by the nanoparticle
concentrations, mass transpirations and heat radiation effect. Results for the non-dimensional linear and gyration velocities, heat transfer and the heat transfer gradient are investigated pictorially detailing the effect of state parameters characterizing the transport phenomenon.
Framing the Effects of Multiple Slips on Squeezing Flow of Chemical Reacting Hybrid Nanofluid Between Two Parallel Discs
Authors: Das Kalidas , Sutradhar Bikash , Kundu Prabir Kumar
Published: September 2024

In this article, the effect of slip conditions on an unsteady, incompressible 2D hybrid nanofluid flow under the influence of heat source or sink and joule heating between two parallel rotating discs separated by a variable distance is discussed. Copper (Cu), and titanium dioxide (TiO2)
are used as nanoparticles and transformer oil is a based fluid of the hybrid nanofluid. The dimensional non-linear leading equations are transformed into dimensionless ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by suitable similarity transformation. The system of equations is solved using the
Runge-Kutta-6(RK-6) shooting method and simulated using Mapple-21. The features of the flow of the fluid are investigated for several different parameters, and the findings are displayed using graphs and charts. The effect of various variable parameters, such as velocity slip parameter, temperature
slip parameter, concentration slip parameter, heat source/sink parameter, and Brinkman number on the velocity distribution, temperature distribution, skin friction coefficient, and local Nusselt number, Sherwood number are the most important findings of this research. The findings demonstrate
that temperature slip, heat source, and joule heating all contribute to a decrease in the rate of heat transport. The value of skin friction was enhanced by 43.69% when λ1 increased from 0.05 to 0.1, and the Nusselt number was reduced by 89.12% and 8.05% near the lower
disc and upper disc, respectively, when λ2 increased from 0.2 to 0.4.
Affective Polarization and Consensus Building Among Parliamentary Elites
Authors: Sánchez-Ferrer Leonardo , Torcal Mariano
Published: September 2024

This article presents evidence that political representatives in Spain exhibit significant levels of affective polarization, drawing on data from a 2022 to 2023 survey of Spanish Members of Parliament (MPs) in the national and regional parliaments. These attitudes, measured by affective social distance from supporters of other parties, hinder parliamentary agreements but only in regional parliaments, a tendency that is especially visible among leftist and nationalist representatives toward supporters of the new radical right-wing party (VOX). By contrast, there is no evidence that affective social affinity is associated with less consensual attitudes. Given the absence of studies on affective polarization among political elites, these findings are important because they suggest that, although elites might contribute to the growing trends of pernicious polarization among their supporters and may deteriorate compromise at the regional level, this kind of polarization does not necessarily preclude consensus and agreement in national politics.
Fifty years of fighting sex discrimination: Undermining entrenched misogynies through recognition and everyday resistance
Authors: Gilmore Sarah , Harding Nancy , Ford Jackie
Published: September 2024

This article marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of the UK’s Sex Discrimination Act (1975). The UK offers an important historical case study of how such laws are, or are not, translated into practice. The success of the Act is mixed: there has been progress but much more needs to be done. In this study, we seek understanding of the mechanisms through which changes, albeit limited, have been made, with the aim of identifying strategies for continuing progress towards equalities. Using a feminist methodology of researching differently within an archive of memories, and the underutilized work of feminist psychoanalytical theorist Jessica Benjamin, we identify that women engaged in micro-revolutions involving everyday strategies of resistance. Over time, these accumulate and bring about changes on which we can continue to build. The article, first, contributes a theory of women’s agency as quiet revolutionaries; second, it pushes forward feminist theories of recognition; and, finally, it advances methods of researching differently.
Neoliberal urban segregation and property tax: A critical view of Santiago, Chile
Authors: López-Morales Ernesto , Herrera Nicolás , Garretón Matías
Published: September 2024

Urban property taxes are primordial land value capture mechanisms that can potentially redistribute public income to underprivileged areas in a city. However, in Santiago, Chile, a city with considerable socio-spatial segregation correlated with significant disparities in municipal budgets, social welfare, and intergenerational reproduction of wealth, the property tax system is weak to address this issue effectively. This study analyses the potential redistributive capacity of property taxes in Greater Santiago, comparing the evolution of real estate surplus values with municipal budgets. These results show that a 2% increase in property taxes would suffice to equalize per capita municipal budgets, essential to redistribute social welfare. In Chiles’s neoliberal planning framework, we argue that weak property taxes are critical for the intergenerational reproduction of wealth and poverty in different municipalities. Property as capital is efficient for capturing unearned value in the long term and obtaining rental income, two mechanisms of inequality reproduction, as property accumulation is only feasible if it is not progressively taxed. In sum, this analysis of property taxes in Santiago contributes to the theoretical understanding of passive mechanisms of inequality reproduction in a neoliberal system and empirical support for a progressive increase of property taxes.
A cloud energy management strategy for intelligent connected HEVs based on end-edge-cloud collaboration
Authors: Wang Yuefei , Tang Hengzhi , Pan Bin , Wang Siqiang , Niu Yingao , Wang Run
Published: September 2024

Intelligent connected hybrid electric vehicle (ICHEV) is one of the important means to achieve the energy saving and carbon neutralization in the future. For the large-scale application of ICHEVs, a vehicle-road-cloud collaborative cloud energy management method is proposed. First, an end-edge-cloud three-layer architecture for ICHEVs energy management system is presented, and a cloud energy management strategy (CEMS) based on the cooperation of vehicle-road end, edge cloud and central cloud is proposed. Then, an improved deep learning model of stacked denoising autoencoder (I-SDA) is constructed to predict the traffic speed of a single road section, and a full-trip vehicle speed prediction algorithm called multi-step spatio-temporal collaboration (MSSTC) algorithm is proposed for the central cloud. Next, the energy management is modeled as a multi-stage optimized decision problem, and a general DP solution algorithm is designed to obtain the state of charge (SOC) and torques of the vehicle. On this basis, the optimal full-trip SOC trajectory acquisition algorithm (OSocTA) for the central cloud and the optimal torque distribution algorithm (OTD) for the edge cloud are proposed. The final experiments show that compared with the traditional charge depleting charge sustaining (CDCS) strategy, the fuel consumption of the CEMS proposed in this paper is reduced by about 48%, which can better meet the needs of building cost-effective vehicle energy management in the future large-scale applications of ICHEV.
Deep reinforcement learning based trajectory real-time planning for hypersonic gliding vehicles
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Song Shenmin , Shi Xiaoping
Published: September 2024

To overcome the shortcomings of traditional NLP methods for trajectory planning problems, an intelligent trajectory real-time planning method is designed for hypersonic gliding vehicles (HGVs), which is composed of two stages: the agent training stage and the real-time trajectory generation stage. During the training stage, the HGV model is considered as an agent, and an environment containing flight information and relative information is constructed. Given the trajectory planning problem possessing continuous state-action space, the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (TD3) is employed, based on which the HGV agent is trained in the environment. To match the real flight environment for HGVs, the process and terminal constraints are taken into consideration, such as the limit of dynamic pressure, overload, and the terminal miss distance, etc. The reward shaping technique is adopted to tackle the multiple constraints. The second stage is the real-time trajectory generation stage, during which a trajectory satisfying the multiple constraints is generated online by the TD3-based method. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
BLF-based neuroadaptive control for full state constrained nonlinear systems with input saturation: A feasibility-condition-free approach
Authors: Lu Yingbo , Li Pengfei , Huang Ao , Wu Qing’e , Song Mengshi
Published: September 2024

For nonlinear systems under full state constraints, current barrier Lyapunov function (BLF)-based control methods depend on feasibility conditions. In this paper, we propose a novel BLF-based adaptive neural network control method to deal with full state constrained nonlinear systems without feasibility conditions, both unknown external disturbances and input saturation are considered in the design process. Firstly, BLFs are introduced to guarantee the tracking errors obviate the symmetric constraints. Then, in order to obtain the nominal control signals within the predefined asymmetric constraints, hyperbolic tangent functions are employed to limit the virtual control signals, which is the key to completely circumvent feasibility conditions. Furthermore, neural networks are used to approximate the unknown functions and the control signal errors. Finally, Both Lyapunov stability theory-based analysis and simulation verify the effectiveness of the proposed control method. The proposed BLF-based neuroadaptive control strategy facilitates more extensive application to practical engineering.
The Role of MicroRNAs in Mesenchymal Stem Cell–Based Modulation of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Harrell Carl Randall , Volarevic Ana , Djonov Valentin , Arsenijevic Aleksandar , Volarevic Vladislav
Published: September 2024

Pulmonary fibrosis is a complex and multifactorial condition that involves a cascade of events, including lung injury, damage of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), generation of immune cell–driven inflammation, and activation of fibroblasts and their differentiation into myofibroblasts, resulting in the excessive production and deposition of collagen and progressive scarring and fibrosis of the lung tissue. As lung fibrosis advances, the scarring and stiffening of lung tissue can significantly hinder the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, potentially leading to respiratory failure that can be life-threatening. Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs are used to slow down the progression of the disease, manage symptoms, and enhance the patient’s quality of life. However, prolonged immunosuppression could increase the susceptibility to severe bacterial, viral, or fungal pneumonia in lung-transplant recipients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic agents that can effectively reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis without compromising the protective immune response in patients with severe lung fibrosis. Results obtained in recently published studies demonstrated that mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-derived microRNAs (MSC-miRNAs) could attenuate detrimental immune response in injured lungs and prevent progression of lung fibrosis. Through the post-transcriptional regulation of target mRNA, MSC-miRNAs modulate protein synthesis and affect viability, proliferation, and cytokine production in AECs, fibroblasts, and lung-infiltrated immune cells. In order to delineate molecular mechanisms responsible for beneficial effects of MSC-miRNAs in the treatment of lung fibrosis, in this review article, we summarized current knowledge related to anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory pathways elicited in immune cells, AECs, and myofibroblasts by MSC-miRNAs.
Inflammatory Response and Oligo-Element Alterations following Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Al-Bader A. , Christenson J. T. , Simonet F. , Abul H. , Dashti H. , Schmuziger M.
Published: September 2024

Oligo-elements such as zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) have a significant influence on the function of the immune system. Various immunological and inflammatory changes are known to occur in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in serum oligo-elements levels during and following cardiopulmonary bypass. The serum levels of Zn, Se and Cu were determined in 67 consecutive patients, with coronary artery disease admitted for coronary artery bypass grafting. Blood samples for oligo-elements, analysis were withdrawn into metal-free tubes just prior to the start of cardiopulmonary bypass; at 30, 60 and 90 min into cardiopulmonary bypass; following weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass; 30 min after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass; at 24 h; and on the 5th postoperative day. Trace elements analyses were performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Interleukin 6 and 8, as well as serum albumin, creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase-MB fractions were also analyzed. The mean age was 63 ± 9 years and 91% (61) were men. The mean preoperative left ventricular function was 52 ± 12%, Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina class was 3.7 ± 0.5 and 30% (20) of the operations were re-do's. All patients had normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass-time was 85 ± 31 min. One patient was lost for the recovery sampling (hospital mortality, 1.5%). Nine patients had a postoperative cardiac index < 2.0 liter/min per m2, which required pharmacological support and additional intra-aortic balloon pump in two of them. Other postoperative complications were few. There was a rapid depletion of S-selenium and S-Zn levels, which were halved at 30 min after cardiopulmonary bypass and remained low throughout the study period. The Cu/Zn ratio increased significantly at the start of cardiopulmonary bypass, which indicated an inflammatory reaction and was not normalized until the 5th postoperative day. Length of ischemia time, presence of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia did not influence the results, while a prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass-time > 120 min resulted in a higher Cu/Zn ratio than observed for shorter cardiopulmonary bypass-times. This indicates a more profound inflammatory response. Inflammatory parameters responded in the same manner as described earlier by others. These data indicate that severe loss of various oligo elements occur in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and suggests that a supplementary administration of zinc and perhaps also selenium could be appropriate during cardiopulmonary bypass.
Inferior Epigastric Artery as a Conduit for Myocardial Revascularization: A Two-Year Clinical and Angiographic Follow-Up
Authors: Donatelli F. , Triggiani M. , Benussi S. , D'Ancona G.
Published: September 2024

The inferior epigastric artery has been proposed as a suitable conduit for myocardial revascularization but its mid-term patency rate has not been assessed. A prospective clinical and angiographic study on the use of the inferior epigastric artery as an additional arterial conduit together with bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting was conducted in 38 patients. No deaths or major postoperative complications occurred. Twenty-three patients underwent repeat angiography after an average of 21.2 months. The left and right internal thoracic artery grafts patency rate was 95.6% (44/46). while inferior epigastric artery patency rate was 52.2% (12/23). By relating patency to the grafted coronary branch, the following results were obtained: 100% for the left anterior descending (3/3). right coronary (1/1) and ramus medianus (1/1); 40% (4/10) and 37.5% (3/8) for diagonals and obtuse marginals respectively. The low patency rates observed when the inferior epigastric artery is used on diagonals and obtuse marginals indicate that this vessel cannot be considered a suitable conduit for extensive application of arterial revascularization. We suggest that the inferior epigastric artery should only be used in patients presenting with contraindications to bilateral internal thoracic artery or right gastroepiploic artery grafting, or exhibiting unsuitable saphenous veins.
Effect of Boiling and Stretching on the Optical and Mechanical Properties of Polyester Fibres
Authors: Fouda I. M. , Shabana H. M.
Published: September 2024

PET fibres, having an irregular cross-sectional shape, were boiled for different intervals of time and stretched using a stress-strain device, then examined by a two-beam interferometric method. Refractive indices and birefringence were measured. The results were used to calculate virtual and isotropic refractive indices, strain and stress optical coefficients and other structural parameters for various strain values. Also, the number of network chains per unit volume, Nc, the work per unit volume, W, the average work per chain, W', the storable elastic energy of the network, W", the reduction in entropy, AS, and the number of crystals per unit volume, Y, were determined. These parameters changed on boiling and stretching, and reorientation occurred. An empirical formula is suggested to correlate the change in certain parameters with the draw ratio, and its constants are determined.
Modified Polyimides Based on Epoxy Resin, Part 1
Authors: Patel H.S. , Prabhu K.G.
Published: September 2024

A 2-furanyl imino derivative of a novolak epoxy resin (FNE) was prepaid 1 and characterised. The Diels-Alder polymerisation of FNE with various bismaleimides was carried out in solution as well as in bulk. The resultant novolak epoxy resin based polyimides were characterised by elemental analyses, 1R spectral studies, and thermogravimetry. The "in-situ" glass reinforced composites of FNE-bismaleimides were prepared and characterised by chemical resistance and mechanical properties.
Technological Evaluation of Methacrylic Acid/Fenugreek Gum Grafted Products as Thickener in Textile Printing
Authors: El-Molla M.M. , El-Thalouth I. Abd
Published: September 2024

The graft copolymerisation of methacrylic acid onto fenugreek gum has been performed using potassium persulphate as initiator. The rheological properties of the grafted product and its utilization as a thickening agent in printing cotton fabrics with reactive dyes were thoroughly investigated. It was found that polyinethacrylic acid/fenugreek gum grafted products are characterised by non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behaviour. The apparent viscosity at a constant rate of shear depends on the amount of the monomer used. Furthermore, the results obtained indicate that polymethacrylic acid/fenugreek gum grafted products can be used safely, either alone or in a mixture with sodium alginate, to give printed goods characterized by soft handling and excellent colour fastness properties. Infra-red spectra of fenugreek gum before and after grafting with methacrylic acid indicate some physicochemical changes in the structure.
Successful Open Repair of a Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm After Multiple Failed Endovascular Treatments in a 22-Years-Old Individual With Loeys-Dietz Syndrome
Authors: Santoro Annarita , Rizk Mohamed , Inga Tavara Laura , Ramadan Moh’d Shafiq , Melissano Germano
Published: September 2024

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a rare genetically triggered disease characterized by aortic involvement, predisposing individuals to aneurysm and dissection at young age. Open repair is considered the treatment of choice despite the fact that it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. On the other hand, endovascular treatment may be also considered an acceptable option in specific cases such as emergency or in patients unfit for open surgery or when landing zones are within surgical grafts. We report the case of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) open surgical repair (OSR) in a 22-year-old male patient diagnosed with type 2 Loeys-Dietz syndrome, treated by means of a TAAA replacement with a 30-mm multi-branched “Coselli” aortic graft (Vascutek, Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK) after multiple previously interventions, including a thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and a custom made endograft for the visceral aorta.
‘More like a partnership’: A qualitative evaluation of Communication Coaching for Sonographers (CCS) in obstetric ultrasound
Authors: Kaur Essie , Arezina Jane , Bryant Louise , Pollak Kathryn , Wallace Rebecca , Harrison Gill , Bender Atik Ruth , Sicklen Roxanne , Coates Jen , Hardicre Natasha , Lardner Teresa , Horwood Karen , Beety Hannah , Arnold Jon , Johnson Judith
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Sonographers are required to deliver unexpected news to expectant parents in real time during obstetric ultrasound scans. The complexity of these interactions requires sonographers to conduct the clinical task while communicating their findings and managing the expectant parent’s response within the designated appointment time. Communication coaching for sonographers (CCS) is a tailored intervention that has previously been associated with improvements in confidence and news delivery practice. The current study explored the views and experiences of sonographers who completed CCS to evaluate and inform future delivery of this intervention.

Methods:

Nine sonographers participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews after completing CCS. We analysed data using a Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) approach.

Results:

Participants reported CCS to be valuable and informative. The key themes identified included (1) innovating the path: tailored and novel training for sonographers, (2) humanising care: honouring the self, service-users and relevant others in the delivery of compassion-focused care and (3) making space: considerations for successfully delivering coaching. Participants said the coaching provided practical suggestions and was experienced as a ‘safe space’ for reflective practice that helped to enhance their capacity to identify and respond to emotion in others. There were practical challenges to taking part in CCS and organisational factors could act as a barrier; managerial championing of the intervention was crucial to uptake and completion.

Conclusions:

Participants viewed CCS positively. To implement CCS, there needs to be organisational coordination. Further controlled studies will be needed to establish the effectiveness of CCS.