bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailor-made Virtualization Monitor Design for CPU Virtualization on LEON Processors
Authors: Parra Pablo , Da Silva Antonio , Losa Borja , García J. Ignacio , Polo Óscar R. , Martínez Agustín , Sánchez Sebastián
Published: February 2023

In recent decades, mixed-criticality systems have been widely adopted to reduce the complexity and development times of real-time critical applications. In these systems, applications run on a separation kernel hypervisor, a software element that controls the execution of the different operating systems, providing a virtualized environment and ensuring the necessary spatial and temporal isolation. The guest code can run unmodified and unaware of the hypervisor or be explicitly modified to have a tight coupling with the hypervisor. The former is known as full virtualization, while the latter is known as para-virtualization. Full virtualization offers better compatibility and flexibility than para-virtualization at the cost of a performance penalty.

LEON is a processor family that implements the SPARC V8 architecture and whose use is widespread in the field of space systems. To the best of our knowledge, all separation kernel hypervisors designed to support the development of mixed-criticality systems for LEON employ para-virtualization, which hinders the adaptation of real-time operating systems.

This article presents the design of a Virtualization Monitor that allows guest real-time operating systems to run virtualized on LEON-based systems without needing to modify their source code. It is designed as a stand-alone component within a hypervisor and incorporates a set of techniques such as static binary rewriting, automatic code generation, and the use of operating system profiles. To validate the proposed solution, tests and benchmarks have been implemented for three guest systems, RTEMS, FreeRTOS, and Zephyr, analyzing the overhead introduced in certain situations characteristic of real-time applications. Finally, the same benchmarks have been run on AIR, one of the hypervisors that uses para-virtualization. The results obtained show that the use of the proposed techniques allows us to obtain similar results to those obtained using para-virtualization without the need to modify the source code of the guest real-time operating systems.
A Strategy to Optimize Nickel Oxide/Crystalline Silicon Heterocontact of HJT Solar Cells
Authors: Yang Xudong , Li Yinlong , Zhao Junfeng , Zhang Zhongqing , Zhou Zhiqiang , Liu Fangfang , Sun Yun , Han Anjun , Liu Wei
Published: February 2023

NiOx is a p-type semiconductor material with wide band-gap (3.6 ∼ 4.0 eV), good thermal and chemical stability. In terms of energy band structure, NiOx/n-Si possesses low valence band offset to allow hole and high conduction band offset to block electron, NiOx is thus a promising hole-selective layer for n-type c-Si based heterojunction (HJT) solar cells. However, intrinsic NiOx suffers from low carrier concentration and poor conductivity, which severely limits its development in photovoltaics. This study aimed to obtain Ag-doped NiOx film with high carrier concentration and low resistivity by co-sputtering using high-purity Ag and NiOx target for high efficiency solar cells. The results show that appropriate Ag doping can increase the acceptor concentration of the film, promote the tunnelling effect, reduce interface recombination, and thus improve the device efficiency. When Ag content is 2.4%, the fill factor of Al/ITO/NiOx:Ag/SiOx/c-Si/SiOx/Al solar cell is increased from 52.97% to 68.42%, and the power conversion efficiency reaches 9.11%. Combined with the analysis of AFORS-HET simulation, the mechanism how Ag doping works in the hetrojunction is revealed.
Metabolic Syndrome and Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Patients in Periurban Hospital in Ghana: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Dzudzor Bartholomew , Essel Samuel , Musah Latif , Agyekum Jennifer Adjepong , Yeboah Kwame
Published: February 2023

Background. There is an increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and risk factors in HIV patients as the levels of AIDS-related mortality and morbidity decrease. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the accumulation of various CVD risk factors that predict the occurrence of CVDs. We investigated the prevalence of MetS and associated risk factors in HIV patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), cART-naïve HIV patients, and non-HIV controls. Methods. In a case-control design, 158 cART-treated HIV patients, 150 cART-naïve HIV patients, and 156 non-HIV controls were recruited from a periurban hospital in Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demography, lifestyle, and medication. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure the plasma levels of glucose, lipid profile, and CD4+ cells. The presence of MetS was defined using the joint scientific statement criteria. Results. The prevalence of MetS was higher in cART-treated HIV patients compared with cART-naïve HIV patients and non-HIV controls (57.3% vs. 23.6% vs. 19.2% and

p
<
0.001

, respectively). MetS was associated with cART-treated HIV patients (odds ratio (95% CI) = 7.24 (3.41–15.39) and

p
<
0.001

), cART-naïve HIV patients (2.04 (1.01–4.15),

p
=
0.048

), and female gender (2.42 (1.39–4.23) and

p
=
0.002

). In cART-treated HIV patients, those on zidovudine (AZT)-based regimens were associated with increased likelihood (3.95 (1.49–10.43) and

p
<
0.006

), while those on tenofovir (TDF)-based had decreased likelihood (0.32 (0.13–0.8) and

p
=
0.015

) of having MetS. Conclusion. In our study population, there was a high prevalence of MetS in cART-treated HIV patients compared to cART-naïve HIV patients and non-HIV controls. HIV patients on AZT-based regimens had an increased likelihood of having MetS, while those on TDF-based regimens had a reduced likelihood of having MetS.
Geometric Properties of Analytic Functions Defined by the (p, q) Derivative Operator Involving the Poisson Distribution
Authors: Santhiya S. , Thilagavathi K.
Published: February 2023

The objective of the current paper is to find the necessary and sufficient condition for the function to belong to the subclass of

C

d
,
δ
,
μ
,
β

of analytic functions involving the Poisson distribution defined by the

p
,
q

derivative operator. Furthermore, distortion bounds, covering theorems, a radius of starlikeness, and convexity for functions belonging to this class are obtained.
Impact of High-Frequency Trading with an Order Book Imbalance Strategy on Agent-Based Stock Markets
Authors: Yagi Isao , Hoshino Mahiro , Mizuta Takanobu
Published: February 2023

It is known that there is a positive correlation between order book imbalance and future returns. Although some previous studies using actual trading data have suggested that high-frequency trading (HFT) may take this characteristic into account, HFT firms have not disclosed their specific strategies. Furthermore, there has been a long-standing debate in the empirical research field as to whether HFT is the cause of flash crashes, but no final conclusion has been reached. In the present study, we analysed the impacts of HFT taking into account the correlation between order book imbalance and future returns on a stable market and on a market with a flash crash, using agent-based simulations, which are said to be capable of analysing events in their essence. We also analysed how HFT investment performance differs between those two market conditions. The results showed that HFT has the effect of further stabilizing the market when the market is stable but does not take place during flash crashes and so is unable to affect the market either for the good or the bad. The results also suggest that the proposed HFT’s performance is more sensitive to market price fluctuations than conventional HFT (i.e., HFT following a position market-making strategy) and tends to have high risk and high returns.
Swarm and Location-Based QoS Routing Algorithm in MEO/LEO Double-Layered Satellite Networks
Authors: Yang Mingchuan , Shao Xinye , Xue Guanchang , Dou Yingzhe
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we mainly research on the QoS (Quality of Service) routing algorithms for MEO/LEO (medium Earth orbit/low Earth orbit) double-layered satellite networks. In this type of networks, the rapidly changing network topology due to relative motion of satellites is one of the main challenges when designing an efficient routing algorithm. Specifically, the issues of high rerouting overhead and traffic routing with diverse QoS requirements remain to be resolved. This paper proposed a M-BMDP (modified bandwidth constrained minimum delay path) routing algorithm based on swarm and location for MEO/LEO double-layered satellite networks. This algorithm forms a set of LEO groups according to the footprint of MEO satellites and chooses the relative MEO satellites as its group manager. For delay sensitive traffic, the algorithm can improve the QoS as the cost of packet loss based on hop limit. And for users located in reversed crevice zone, the traffic can route through one MEO satellite to reduce the time delay. The simulation results show that the M-BMDP algorithm performs better in rerouting delay, overhead and pack loss rate compared with existing solutions.
Block Copolymer Nanomicelle-Encapsulated Curcumin Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia Injury and Affects Stem Cell Marker Expression by Inhibiting lncRNA GAS5
Authors: Li Fengguang , Xu Yan , Wang Xinghua , Cai Xuan , Li Wanli , Cheng Wei , Li Xing , Yan Gangli
Published: February 2023

Stroke has become the most common cause of death among residents in China, among which ischemic stroke accounts for the vast majority reaching 70% to 80%. It is of great importance to actively investigate the protective mechanism of cerebral ischemia injury after IS (ischemic stroke). We constructed cerebral ischemia injury models in vivo MACO rat and in vitro (oxygen-glucose deprivation cell model) and set up different interference groups. RT-PCR (reverse transcription PCR) was conducted to detect the expression of lncRNA in neuronal cells, brain tissue, and plasma of different groups, and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and western blot were used to detect the expression of the protein in neuronal cells, brain tissue, and plasma of different groups. Cell activity was detected by the CCK-8 assay, while cell apoptosis was examined by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assay. In the rats’ neuronal cells and brain tissue, curcumin can inhibit the expression of lncRNA GAS5 (long noncoding RNA growth arrest-specific 5). In oxygen-glucose-deprived neuronal cells in vitro, curcumin and low-expressed lncRNA GAS5 can enhance cell activity and decline cell apoptosis, but the addition of curcumin and overexpressed lncRNA GAS5 can make this phenomenon disappear. In neuronal cells, plasma, and brain tissue, curcumin and the low-expressed lncRNA GAS5 can inhibit the expression of IL-1β (interleukin 1 beta), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha), IL-6 (interleukin 6), Sox2 (SRY-box transcription factor 2), Nanog, and Oct4 (octamer-binding transcription factor 4). However, overexpressed lncRNA GAS5 and curcumin made the inhibitory effect disappear. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that curcumin could inhibit the expression of lncRNA GAS5, thereby inhibiting the expression of inflammation-related factors IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, and ultimately achieve the purpose of attenuating cerebral ischemic cell damage. However, curcumin and lncRNA GAS5 may not alleviate cerebral ischemic cell damage by affecting stem cell differentiation.
A Case of Bilateral Synchronous Paratesticular Leiomyoma
Authors: Ishikawa Akira , Uraoka Naohiro , Shibata Jun , Nobuhiro Ryosuke , Kobayashi Go , Saito Yoichi , Nose Hiroyuki , Oue Naohide
Published: February 2023

Bilateral synchronous paratesticular leiomyoma (BSPL) is a rare tumor that originates from smooth muscle cells in the paratesticular region. Four BSPL cases have been reported sporadically, starting with the 1991 report by Aus and Boiesen. Herein, we report the case of a 60-year-old male with a bilateral scrotal mass with a maximum size of 7.5 cm. Histological examination revealed oval to spindle-shaped tumor cells with a fascicular growth pattern. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for α-smooth muscle actin. The pathological diagnosis was a leiomyoma. Based on the simultaneous bilateral nature of the disease, BSPL was diagnosed. In conclusion, we encountered a rare case of BSPL, and our report may contribute to the understanding of this disease.
Effects of Cathepsin K Inhibitors on Dentin Erosion: An in vitro Study
Authors: Chen Yi-ying , Lin Xiu-jiao , Lu Zhi-cen , Wiegand Annette , Yu Hao
Published: February 2023

Cathepsin K (catK) modulates the degradation of dentin collagen. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of catK inhibitors on dentin erosion. Dentin beams were eroded (4 times/d for 5 days) and immersed in deionized water (negative control), 0.1 M NaCl, 0.3 M NaCl, 0.5 M NaCl, or 1 μm odanacatib (each n = 16) for 30 min after each erosive challenge. Erosive dentin loss (EDL) and demineralized organic matrix (DOM) thickness were evaluated profilometrically. Additionally, dentin beams were demineralized, immersed in the respective solutions for 30 min each (n = 5), and then incubated in artificial saliva for 5 days. Dentin collage degradation was evaluated by quantifying the levels of the C-terminal peptide of type I collagen (CTX), C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), and hydroxyproline (HYP) in the incubation media. Significantly lower EDL and dentin collagen degradation (CTX, ICTP, and HYP) and thicker DOM layers were observed in the samples treated with 0.3 m NaCl and 1 μm odanacatib than in those treated with deionized water (all p < 0.05). The samples treated with 1 μm odanacatib showed significantly lower levels of CTX and HYP than those treated with 0.3 M NaCl (all p < 0.05). The present findings support the potential use of catK inhibitors in controlling dentin erosion.
Prefácio à tradução francesa de Siris, de 1745
Authors: Conte Jaimir
Published: February 2023

A tradução aqui apresentada consiste no Prefácio à tradução francesa de Siris, obra de George Berkeley publicada em inglês em 1744 e traduzida para o  francês em 1745 por  David-Renaud Boullier. Neste prefácio a Siris, publicada em francês com o título Recherches sur les vertus de l’eau de goudron, où l’on a joint des réflexions philosophiques sur divers autres sujets, além de oferecer um bom resumo da obra, Boullier explica a filosofia imaterialista de Berkeley e a apresenta favoravelmente como um antídoto interessante para as concepções materialistas.
Interfaces entre Pedologia e Arqueologia: Compreendendo a interdisciplinaridade entre as áreas com base em revisões bibliográficas
Authors: Campos Tiago Andrade
Published: February 2023

O presente texto pretende servir como instrumento na busca para trazer à tona a importância da interdisciplinaridade nas ciências, mais especificamente, entre a Arqueologia e as Geociências, por meio da Geoarqueologia, uma área que tem se consolidado nas últimas décadas, mas que não é utilizada por grande parte dos pesquisadores em seus trabalhos. Dentro da Geoarqueologia, a Pedologia tem se mostrado de fundamental importância para a determinação de aspectos primordiais em escavações arqueológicas, ao passo que, análises realizadas por arqueólogos também podem servir como mais um meio na construção de novas hipóteses e constatações nos estudos dos solos. Sendo assim, com base em revisões bibliográficas e a realização de estudos mais aprofundados na área da Pedologia, realizados no âmbito do desenvolvimento de disciplinas e trabalhos do curso de Geografia, na Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas da Universidade de São Paulo (FFLCH/USP), pretende-se traçar um paralelo entre Pedologia e Arqueologia, mostrando as contribuições e interfaces entre ambas. Tal interação entre as ciências tende a auxiliar para que suas constatações e descobertas tornem-se ainda mais completas e fomentem o aprofundamento em discussões que possam ser estabelecidas entre áreas que, apesar de aparentemente serem distintas e distantes, são diretamente interligadas.
Exposição museológica inclusiva: o caso do Museu de Arqueologia Regional da FCT-UNESP, Presidente Prudente, SP
Authors: Souza Graziella Plaça Orosco de , Silva Fernando Lopes da , Leonardo Paulo Henrique da Silva , Faccio Neide Barrocá , Passos Thiago de Moraes dos
Published: February 2023

Este artigo busca refletir sobre a acessibilidade em museus ao analisar a contribuição de uma exposição arqueológica tátil para o aprendizado sobre aspectos da cultura Guarani. Para tanto, apresenta resultados de uma experiência prática vivenciada por monitor e visitantes cegos, desenvolvida durante visita monitorada à exposição organizada pelo Museu de Arqueologia Regional da FCT-UNESP, campus de Presidente Prudente, SP. A visita consistiu em caminhamento com mediação monitorada pela área da exposição de longa duração do museu e experiência tátil em exposição previamente preparada pelos pesquisadores do museu com a participação de um acadêmico cego. A experiência com o acadêmico ocorreu em um período de seis meses, com atividades de seleção de materiais, descrição das peças, confecção das etiquetas de identificação e treinamento para monitoria. Os visitantes, também cegos, tiveram contato com a exposição por um período de 2 horas, quando puderam conhecer por meio da experiência tátil, aspectos da cultura Guarani por meio das características de fabricação de vasilhas cerâmicas. A experiência comprovou ser possível garantir a acessibilidade da comunicação museal por meio de exposições previamente pensadas e preparadas para tal finalidade.
Arqueologia e o Museu Nacional: os primeiros cem anos
Authors: Ribeiro Roberto da Silva
Published: February 2023

A ideia que se faz das pesquisas arqueológicas no Brasil no século XIX ainda não é clara. O objetivo deste artigo é fazer um levantamento da atividade arqueológica no Brasil e sua relação com as instituições museológicas em seus primeiros cem anos centrando-nos no período do reinado de D. Pedro II quando a arqueologia brasileira tem seu primeiro florescimento e alguns dos museus ainda hoje existentes têm sua origem. Podemos dividir os cem primeiros anos da nossa arqueologia em três períodos: um período formativo; uma segunda fase mais científica com missões estrangeiras e uma terceira fase centrada no Museu Nacional e que termina com a República.
Breve biografía de un depósito arqueológico: el D25 (Museo de La Plata, Argentina), 13 años después
Authors: Igareta Ana
Published: February 2023

El Depósito 25 del Museo de La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina) es la reserva arqueológica más grande de la institución fundada a fines del siglo XIX pero históricamente careció de personal fijo encargado de sus colecciones. Ello no solo limitó las posibilidades de consulta y análisis del material sino que generó un progresivo estado de desorden y descuido que impactó en todos los conjuntos. La situación comenzó a modificarse  en el año 2008 cuando la designación de una encargada puso en marcha un proyecto integral de acondicionamiento de las instalaciones y de las más de 100.000 piezas que posee en guarda. Se trató de una labor compleja que inició con la limpieza total de la reserva y su contenido por primera vez en medio siglo, continuó con un trabajo minucioso de relevamiento y registro del material de colección y terminó con la elaboración de un inventario topográfico general. A ello se sumaron tareas de monitoreo y control de las plagas identificadas, el reemplazo de mobiliario y contenedores orgánicos por inorgánicos y el diseño e implementación de protocolos para la organización y registro de las actividades realizadas por el personal e investigadores visitantes. Trece años después, las colecciones de la reserva se encuentran adecuadamente acondicionadas, organizadas y accesibles, habiéndose convertido en fuente permanente de consulta para investigadores del país y el exterior, y la información obtenida es presentada en publicaciones científicas, pedagógicas, tecnológicas y de arte. El presente trabajo revisa brevemente el trayecto recorrido, dando cuenta del conjunto de complejas problemáticas enfrentadas en cada etapa y de las sencillas y concretas estrategias desarrolladas para resolverlas.
“Nossas coleções pertencem a vocês também”: Uma análise da exposição “Objects of Wonder” do National Museum of Natural History
Authors: Bombonato Rebeca Ribeiro
Published: February 2023

Para quem o museu é feito? Essa pergunta pode causar grandes debates dentro da sociedade civil, mas como os museus abordam esse tema? O museu foi criado para ser visitado, para se comunicar com o público, e para ser um local onde possa existir uma troca de experiências. O museu não apenas pesquisa e preserva, mas comunica tais conhecimentos. As inúmeras pesquisas realizadas em um museu contribuem para o desenvolvimento dos saberes humanos, mas qual é o real alcance desse conhecimento? Permaneceria ele contido dentro dos muros do museu e da Academia? É pensando nesse alcance que situamos a exposição “Objects of Wonder” no National Museum of Natural History em Washington DC. Aberta para visitação em 2017, esta exposição tem por objetivo mostrar ao visitante a origem e uso dos objetos que fazem parte das coleções sob a guarda do museu. Por meio de vitrines temáticas, a exposição apresenta ao visitante os diferentes departamentos do museu e como os conhecimentos são gerados pelas coleções. O presente artigo faz uma análise desta exposição, desde sua estrutura até os discursos envolvidos, com especial ênfase na função comunicacional dos museus.
The Heraion Collection at the Museum of Delos: between research and expography
Authors: Francisco Gilberto da Silva , Guedes Carolina Machado
Published: February 2023

This text is part of the ongoingresearch on the Sanctuary of Hera (Heraion) in Delos, a project of the French School of Athens (École française d’Athènes - EfA) with a network of collaborators from Brazilian universities. More specifically, it addresses the close linkages between archaeological research on the Sanctuary of Hera in Delos, dating back to the 19th century, and the local museum, built in the early 20th century. We approach issues linked to the research process between the archaeological site and the museum, in addition to the prevalent logic in the presentation of many objects from the archaeological site in the museum’s public exhibition. Finally, we propose strategies based on a virtual setting with the aim of reorganizing some limits between the archaeological site, the local museum and communications.
Apresentação do dossiê Os Museus de Arqueologia e a Arqueologia nos museus: pesquisa, preservação e comunicação
Authors: Lima Leilane Patricia de
Published: February 2023

Apresentação do dossiê Os Museus de Arqueologia e a Arqueologia nos museus: pesquisa, preservação e comunicação cujo objetivo principal é reunir artigos que tenham como referência temática as interfaces entre Arqueologia e Museologia, e, por sua vez, as interfaces entre museu, musealização e curadoria de acervos arqueológicos, considerando os museus como instituições culturais complexas e de múltiplas dimensões, que podem ser observadas por diferentes perspectivas. O dossiê é composto por 14 artigos, com abordagens teórico-metodológicas diversas e com uma variedade de estudos de caso e relatos de experiências que, certamente, contribuirão para discutir, e refletir, sobre as relações entre museu, musealização, curadoria e acervo arqueológico. Tais artigos são escritos em quatro idiomas (português, espanhol, inglês e francês) por trinta e seis docentes, investigadores e/ou profissionais de instituições museológicas, localizadas no Brasil, na Argentina, no Peru, nos Estados Unidos, na Grécia e em Portugal.
Transcatheter Electrosurgery: A Narrative Review
Authors: Bruce Christopher G. , Khan Jaffar M. , Rogers Toby , Yildirim D. Korel , Babaliaros Vasilis C. , Greenbaum Adam B. , Lederman Robert J.
Published: February 2023

Transcatheter electrosurgery describes the ability to cut and traverse tissue, at a distance, without an open surgical field and is possible using either purpose-built or off-the-shelf devices. Tissue traversal requires focused delivery of radiofrequency energy to a guidewire tip. Initially employed to cross atretic pulmonary valves, tissue traversal has enabled transcaval aortic access, recanalization of arterial and venous occlusions, transseptal access, and many other techniques. To cut tissue, the selectively denuded inner curvature of a kinked guidewire (the Flying-V) or a single-loop snare is energized during traction. Adjunctive techniques may complement or enable contemporary transcatheter procedures, whereas myocardial slicing or excision of ectopic masses may offer definitive therapy. In this contemporary review we discuss the principles of transcatheter electrosurgery, and through exemplary clinical applications highlight the range of therapeutic options offered by this versatile family of procedures.
Which Market Enhances Market Efficiency by Improving Liquidity? Evidence of Market Liquidity in Relation to Returns of Stocks
Authors: Liu Guy , Li Jinke , Gregoriou Andros , Bo Yibo
Published: February 2023

Market efficiency can be enhanced by market liquidity if it promotes value creation, leading to increasing stock returns. A positive relation between liquidity and stock returns implies capital movement towards more efficient investment at a low cost for value creation. Existing studies are controversial for the relation being positive, negative, or inconclusive. With such inconsistency, this paper uses data from more than 3,200 company stocks from the UK, the United States, Germany, and China securities markets over a 10-year period to estimate the relation across these four markets, respectively. The framework of estimation is robust to outliers and macro shocks, while eliminating the issues of multicollinearity, autocorrelation, and endogeneity. The study finds some interesting results. We report strong evidence for Germany and the UK of a positive relationship between returns and liquidity. In contrast, China exhibits the opposite result, and the United States provides inconclusive evidence, possibly caused by significant diversification of value perception on liquidity. Our results imply that the German and the UK markets are more efficient than the emerging market of China because liquidity assists capital movement more efficiently. The policy implication of this research is that, for emerging stock markets, the costs of capital movement should be reduced in order to increase the efficiency of funding allocation.
China in Transnational Extractives Governance: A Mapping Exercise
Authors: Park Hyeyoon
Published: February 2023

China became one of the biggest players in the global extractive resource supply chain, along with increasing extractive resource demand for green industries. Interestingly, over the last two decades, Chinese actors started participating in transnational extractive governance initiatives (TEGI) supporting transparency, a norm for governance-by-disclosure. This article aims to answer the question of what types of Chinese actors engage in what TEGIs regarding transparency. Based on mapping forty-eight TEGIs, this article shows a nuanced pattern of China’s involvement in extractives governance beyond a dualistic approach to China in global governance—whether China is a threat or nonthreat. Importantly, China does not act as a unified monolithic actor; rather, different types of actors engage TEGIs distinctively. Chinese corporations are most actively engaging in thin transparency TEGIs lacking stringent verification rules and featuring limited multistakeholder participation. It could potentially accelerate the risk of green washing of those companies and disempower weaker actors.
Can Tibetan Plateau Snow Depth Influence the Interannual Association between Tropical Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperatures and Rapidly Intensifying Typhoons?
Authors: Cai Yuhao , Zhao Haikun , Klotzbach Philip J. , Raga Graciela B. , Xu Jing , Wu Liguang , Han Xiang , He Bian , Cao Jian
Published: February 2023

This study finds that the observed decrease in winter–spring Tibetan Plateau snow depth since 2000 has played an important role in weakening the correlation between rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific and tropical Indian Ocean sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Tibetan Plateau snow depth modulates convective activity through changes in the South Asian high. Increased Tibetan Plateau snow depth promotes basinwide tropical Indian Ocean cooling in spring through a Gill-type response. In the following seasons, downward latent heat flux anomalies associated with a weaker monsoon circulation contributes to warm SST anomalies over the western tropical Indian Ocean, thus favoring a positive phase of the Indian Ocean dipole. This evolution of tropical Indian Ocean SSTs associated with anomalously high Tibetan Plateau snow depth potentially weakens the relationship between rapidly intensifying tropical cyclone frequency and spring tropical Indian Ocean SSTs. When the effect of Tibetan Plateau snow depth is removed via partial correlation analysis, we find a significant relationship between spring tropical Indian Ocean SSTs and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones as well as corresponding large-scale environmental factors. The results of this study enhance understanding of changes in tropical cyclone intensity and have implications for seasonal forecasting of tropical cyclone intensity over the western North Pacific basin. This study also emphasizes the importance of Tibetan Plateau thermal forcing in atmosphere–ocean coupling.
Minimally Invasive Realignment for Slipping Rib Syndrome
Authors: Ninad Nehal , Christie Dudley B.
Published: February 2023

Slipping rib syndrome has remained a lesser-known entity despite its presence in the medical literature for over 100 years. If left undiagnosed, it can be associated with significant morbidity. Operative repair for the syndrome remains the definitive treatment. Traditional repair involved rib resection which can be technically challenging and have painful recovery. Minimal invasive techniques have been described recently which circumvent these issues. Here, we present our experience with our minimally invasive realignment technique for slipping rib syndrome. Our data suggested early hospital discharge, minimal perioperative complication, and near complete resolution of symptoms. We advocate for further research to enhance timely recognition and management for this entity and additionally recommend minimally invasive operative approach for definitive treatment.
The Theorizing of Terrorism Within Criminology
Authors: Fisher Daren , Kearns Erin M.
Published: February 2023

Objectives: While terrorism studies were once castigated as atheoretical and unempirical, criminology has been well suited to apply theories of crime to terrorism and to then test those theories with rigorous methods and robust data. The present study takes stock of how criminologists have theorized about terrorism and tested those theories over time in 13 of the discipline's leading journals. Methods: The study systematically examines theoretical framing, hypotheses, methodological approach, focus within criminology and criminal justice, and policy recommendations in terrorism-focused articles. Results: While terrorism has become more central within top journals, sparse attention has been paid to many criminological theories that could help us understand terrorism. Additional qualitative, theoretical, and mixed-methods research is needed. Further, few articles address the making of terrorism laws. We identify other systematic strengths and weaknesses across the literature and highlight domains for future research. Conclusions: Criminological research on terrorism has engaged theories within and beyond the discipline and employed a range of methodologies with diverse data sources to make contributions to both our broader field and to the larger body of scholarship on terrorism. Yet, many opportunities exist for criminologists to expand research on the making, breaking, and reaction to break laws regarding terrorism.
Read and Imagine: Visual Imagery Experience Evoked by First versus Second Language
Authors: Blazhenkova Olesya , Kanero Junko , Duman Irem , Umitli Ozgenur
Published: February 2023

This research examined visual imagery evoked during reading in relation to language. Following the previous reports that bilinguals experience less vivid imagery in their second language (L2) than first language (L1), we studied how visual imagery is affected by the language in use, characteristics of text, and readers’ individual differences. In L1 and L2, 382 bilinguals read object texts describing pictorial properties of objects such as color and shape, spatial texts describing spatial properties such as spatial relations and locations, and excerpts from novels. They rated imagery vividness after each segment and the whole text, and rated the specific imagery characteristics (e.g., color, spatial relations). Regardless of the types of text or the timing of rating, the vividness of imagery was higher in L1 than in L2. However, English proficiency also predicted vividness in L2. Further, vividness in the object and spatial trials were predicted by the individual’s object and spatial imagery skills. The effect of language on imagery depends on the text nature and difficulty, when and how vividness is measured, and individual differences.
Social, Emotional and Behavioral Screening Profiles Among Students in a Large Urban School District
Authors: Robinson-Link Patrick , Fowler Danielle , Daniels Brian , Battal Jill
Published: February 2023

Social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) screening frequently employs a variable-based approach wherein individual scale scores indicate risk. However, a person-centered approach wherein risk is indicated by profiles, or constellations of scores across all scales, could help schools prioritize students based on the pervasiveness of SEB needs and match students to appropriate interventions. This study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify profiles within two diverse student samples ( n = 16,270 in year one; n = 4019 in year two) based on teacher ratings on the Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System, Second Edition (BIMAS-2). Results suggested four profiles including one profile with elevated risk across all scales, one profile with low behavioral risk and above average social functioning, one profile with borderline risk across all scales, and one profile with typical scores across most scales. Implications for linking universal screening to intervention are discussed. Impact and Implications: Many school districts employ universal screening to prevent and address wide-ranging student needs. Grouping students based on shared sets of needs has the potential to efficiently identify and prioritize students with pervasive risk in order to match them to comprehensive services. Results from this study capture the first attempt to identify student need profiles using BIMAS-2 scores. Future research should refine this process to derive more usable and consistent student profiles allowing direct links to comprehensive student services.
How I Treat Cytopenias after CAR T-cell Therapy
Authors: Jain Tania , Olson Timothy S , Locke Frederick L.
Published: February 2023

Increasing use of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) has unveiled diverse toxicities warranting specific recognition and management. Cytopenias occurring after CAR-T infusion invariably manifest early (<30 days), commonly are prolonged (30-90 days), and sometimes persist or occur late (>90 days). Variable etiologies of these cytopenias, some of which remain incompletely understood, create clinical conundrums and uncertainties about optimal management strategies. These cytopenias may cause additional sequelae, decreased quality of life, and increased resource utilization. Early cytopenias are typically attributed to lymphodepletion chemotherapy however infections and hyperinflammatory response such as immune effector cell-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-like syndrome may occur. Early and prolonged cytopenias often correlate with severity of cytokine release syndrome or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. Bone marrow biopsy in patients with prolonged or late cytopenias is important to evaluate for primary disease and secondary marrow neoplasm in both pediatric and adult patients. Commonly cytopenias resolve over time and evidence for effective interventions is often anecdotal. Treatment strategies, which are limited and require tailoring based upon likely underlying etiology, include growth factors, thrombopoietin-receptor agonist, stem cell boost, transfusion support, and abrogation of infection risk. Here we provide our approach, including workup and management strategies, for cytopenias following CAR-T.
Hematopoietic stem cell aging and leukemia transformation
Authors: Colom Díaz Patricia A. , Mistry Jayna J. , Trowbridge Jennifer J.
Published: February 2023

With aging, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have an impaired ability to regenerate, differentiate, and produce an entire repertoire of mature blood and immune cells. Owing to dysfunctional hematopoiesis, the incidence of hematologic malignancies increases among elderly individuals. Here, we provide an update on HSC-intrinsic and -extrinsic factors and processes that were recently discovered to contribute to the functional decline of HSCs during aging. In addition, we discuss the targets and timing of intervention approaches to maintain HSC function during aging and the extent to which these same targets may prevent or delay transformation to hematologic malignancies.
A sudden increase in heart rate during ablation of the right superior pulmonary venous vestibule is correlated with pain-relief in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Fang Ping , Wang Xianghai , Zhang Meijun , Liu Jichun , Wei Youquan , Wang Jinfeng , Yang Hao , Xie Xiangrong , Tang ShengXing
Published: February 2023

Background

A sudden increase in heart rate (HR) during ablation of the right superior pulmonary venous vestibule (RSPVV) is often detected in patients undergoing circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI). In our clinical practices, we observed that some patients had few complaints of pain during the procedures under conscious sedation.

Aim

We aimed to investigate whether there is a correlation between a sudden increase in HR during AF ablation of the RSPVV and pain relief under conscious sedation.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 161 consecutive paroxysmal AF patients who underwent the first ablation from July 1, 2018, to November 30, 2021. Patients were assigned to the R group when they had a sudden increase in HR during the ablation of the RSPVV, and the others were assigned to the NR group. Atrial effective refractory period and HR were measured before and after the procedure. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, vagal response (VR) during ablation, and the amount of fentanyl used were also documented.

Results

Eighty-one patients were assigned to the R group, and the remaining 80 were assigned to the NR group. The post-ablation HR (86.3 ± 8.8vs.70.0 ± 9.4 b/min;p ≤ 0.001) was higher in the R group than in pre-ablation. Ten patients in the R group had VRs during CPVI, as well as 52 patients in the NR group. The VAS score [2.3 (1.3–3.4)vs. 6.0 (4.4–6.9);p ≤ 0.001)] and the amount of fentanyl used (107 ± 12vs.172 ± 26 ug;p ≤ 0.001) were significantly lower in the R group.

Conclusion

A sudden increase in HR during the ablation of the RSPVV was correlated with pain relief in patients undergoing AF ablation under conscious sedation.
The iterative bisection procedure: a useful tool for determining parameter values in data-generating processes in Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Austin Peter C.
Published: February 2023

Background

Data-generating processes are key to the design of Monte Carlo simulations. It is important for investigators to be able to simulate data with specific characteristics.

Methods

We described an iterative bisection procedure that can be used to determine the numeric values of parameters of a data-generating process to produce simulated samples with specified characteristics. We illustrated the application of the procedure in four different scenarios: (i) simulating binary outcome data from a logistic model such that the prevalence of the outcome is equal to a specified value; (ii) simulating binary outcome data from a logistic model based on treatment status and baseline covariates so that the simulated outcomes have a specified treatment relative risk; (iii) simulating binary outcome data from a logistic model so that the model c-statistic has a specified value; (iv) simulating time-to-event outcome data from a Cox proportional hazards model so that treatment induces a specified marginal or population-average hazard ratio.

Results

In each of the four scenarios the bisection procedure converged rapidly and identified parameter values that resulted in the simulated data having the desired characteristics.

Conclusion

An iterative bisection procedure can be used to identify numeric values for parameters in data-generating processes to generate data with specified characteristics.
Effects of family multi-generational relationship on multimorbidity and healthy life expectancy for second generations: insight from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Xi Jun-Yan , Zhong Si-Rui , Zhou Yu-Xiao , Lin Xiao , Hao Yuan-Tao
Published: February 2023

Objective

In the context of aging, Chinese families consisting of more than three generations (grandparents, parents, children) are the norm. The second generation (parents) and other family members may establish a downward (contact only with children) or two-way multi-generational relationship (contact with children and grandparents). These multi-generational relationships may have the potential effect on multimorbidity burden and healthy life expectancy in the second generation, but less is known about the direction and intensity of this effect. This study aims to explore this potential effect.

Methods

We obtained longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study from 2011 to 2018, which included 6,768 people. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the association between multi-generational relationships and the number of multimorbidity. The Markov multi-state transition model was used to analyze the relationship between multi-generational relationships and the severity of multimorbidity. The multistate life table was used to calculate healthy life expectancy for different multi-generational relationships.

Results

The risk of multimorbidity in two-way multi-generational relationship was 0.830 (95% CIs: 0.715, 0.963) times higher than that in downward multi-generational relationship. For mild multimorbidity burden, downward and two-way multi-generational relationship may prevent aggravation of burden. For severe multimorbidity burden, two-way multi-generational relationship may aggravate the burden. Compared with two-way multi-generational relationship, the second generations with downward multi-generational relationship has a higher healthy life expectancy at all ages.

Conclusion

In Chinese families with more than three generations, the second generations with severe multimorbidity burden may aggravate the condition by providing support to elderly grandparents, and the support provided by offspring to the second generations plays a vital positive role in improving the quality of life and narrowing the gap between healthy life expectancy and life expectancy.
Gross hematuria as the presentation of ureteral paraganglioma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Cheng Tsung-Han , Lu Ze-Hong , Hsu Che-Wei
Published: February 2023

Background

Paraganglioma of genitourinary tract is uncommon, and origin from ureter is even rarer. We aim to present a case of paraganglioma from ureter in a 48-year-old female patient, who presented with gross hematuria.

Case presentation

We present a 48-year-old female who complained of gross hematuria for one week. A left ureteral tumor was found by image study. However, hypertension was unexpectedly recorded during diagnostic ureteroscopy survey. Due to persisted gross hematuria and bladder tamponade, she underwent left nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff resection. Blood pressure surged again when the tumor was surgically approached. Ureteral paraganglioma was confirmed according to pathological report. After the surgery, the patient recovered well, and no more gross hematuria was noted. She is now under regular follow-up at our outpatient clinic.

Conclusion

Ureteral paraganglioma should be kept in mind not only when blood pressure fluctuates during operation, but also before we manipulate the ureteral tumor when gross hematuria is the only sign. Whenever the presumption of paraganglioma is raised, laboratory evaluation and anatomical or even functional imaging should be considered. The concomitant anesthesia consultation before the surgery should not be deferred, either.
Evaluation of Internet users’ interest in paediatric dental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Aksoy Emre , Tunc Emine Sen
Published: February 2023

Background

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on dental care providers; patients had trouble accessing routine dental care due to concerns about dentist and patient safety. People spent more time at home due to lockdown restrictions and a growth in individuals working from home. This increased the likelihood of looking for dental care information on the Internet. In the present study the aim was to compare the trends of Internet searches about paediatric dentistry before and after the pandemic.

Methods

The monthly variation in relative search volume (RSV) and the lists of paediatric dentistry-related queries were determined from December 2016 to December 2021 using Google Trends. Two separate datasets were obtained before and after the pandemic. One-way ANOVA was used to determine whether there was a significant difference in RSV scores between the first 2 years of COVID-19 and the first 3 years before COVID-19. T-tests were used for bivariate comparisons.

Results

There was a statistically significant increase in queries regarding dental emergencies, especially toothache (p < 0.01) and dental trauma (p < 0.05). The RSV of paediatric dentistry queries increased over time (p < 0.05). Other queries about recommended dental procedures during the pandemic, such as the Hall technique and stainless steel crowns, showed an increasing trend. However, these were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

More searches were carried out, related to dental emergencies, on the Internet during the pandemic. Moreover, non-aerosol generating procedures such as the Hall technique became increasingly popular according to the frequency of searches carried out.