bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DQfD-AIPT: An Intelligent Penetration Testing Framework Incorporating Expert Demonstration Data
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Li Yang , Xiong Xinli , Zhang Jingye , Yao Qian , Shen Chuanxin
Published: May 2023

The application of reinforcement learning (RL) methods of artificial intelligence for penetration testing (PT) provides a solution to the current problems of high labour costs and high reliance on expert knowledge for manual PT. In order to improve the efficiency of RL algorithms for PT, existing research has considered bringing in the knowledge of PT experts and combining it with the use of imitative learning methods to guide the agent in its decision-making. However, the disadvantage of using imitation learning is also obvious; that is, the performance of the strategies learned by the agent hardly exceeds the demonstrated behaviour of the expert and it can also cause expert knowledge overfitting. At the same time, the expert knowledge in the currently proposed method is poorly interpretable and highly scenario-dependent. The expert knowledge used in these methods is not universal. To address these issues, we propose an intelligent PT framework named DQfD-AIPT. The framework encompasses the process of collecting and using expert knowledge and provides a rational definition of the structure of expert knowledge. To solve the overfitting problem, we perform PT path planning based on the deep Q-learning from demonstrations (DQfD) algorithm. DQfD combines the benefits of RL and imitation learning to effectively improve the PT strategy and performance of agents while avoiding overfitting. Finally, we conducted experiments in a simulated network scenario containing honeypots. The experimental results proved the effectiveness of expert knowledge incorporation. In addition, the DQfD algorithm can improve the efficiency of penetration testing more effectively than that by the classical deep reinforcement learning (DRL) method and can obtain a higher cumulative reward. Not only that, due to the incorporation of expert knowledge, in scenarios with honeypots, the DQfD method can effectively reduce the probability of interacting with honeypots compared to the classical DRL method.
Novel Approximations to the Damped Parametric Driven Pendulum Oscillators
Authors: Alhejaili Weaam , Salas Alvaro H. , El-Tantawy S. A.
Published: May 2023

The damped parametric driven nonlinear pendulum equation/oscillator (NPE), also known as the damped disturbed NPE, is examined, along with some associated oscillators for arbitrary angles with the vertical pivot. For analyzing and solving the current pendulum equation, we reduce this equation to the damped Duffing equation (DDE) with variable coefficients. After that, the DDE with variable coefficients is divided into two cases. In the first case, two analytical approximations to the damped undisturbed NPE are obtained. The first approximation is determined using the ansatz method while the second one is derived using He’s frequency formulation. In the second case, i.e., the damped disturbed NPE, three analytical approximations in terms of the trigonometric and Jacobi elliptic functions are derived and discussed using the ansatz method. The semianalytical solutions of the two mentioned cases are graphically compared with the 4th-order Runge–Kutta (RK4) approximations. In addition, the maximum error for all the derived approximations is estimated as compared with the RK4 approximation. The proposed approaches as well as the obtained solutions may greatly help in understanding the mysteries of various nonlinear phenomena that arise in different scientific fields such as fluid mechanics, plasma physics, engineering, and electronic chips.
Hydrogen Promotes the Effectiveness of Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Luo Shengchang , Wu Jianxin , Qiu Yuanyuan , Xiao Bing , Xi Yanhai , Yang Chengwei , Shi Zhicai , Wang Weiheng
Published: May 2023

Although bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation has been applied to the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), the effect is unsatisfactory due to the specific microenvironment (inflammation and oxidative stress) in the SCI area, which leads to the low survival rate of transplanted cells. Thus, additional strategies are required to improve the efficacy of transplanted cells in the treatment of SCI. Hydrogen possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, whether hydrogen can enhance the effect of BMSC transplantation in the treatment of SCI has not yet been reported. This study was aimed at investigating whether hydrogen promotes the therapeutic effect of BMSC transplantation in the treatment of SCI in rats. In vitro, BMSCs were cultured in a normal medium and a hydrogen-rich medium to study the effect of hydrogen on the proliferation and migration of BMSCs. BMSCs were treated with a serum-deprived medium (SDM), and the effects of hydrogen on the apoptosis of BMSCs were studied. In vivo, BMSCs were injected into the rat model of SCI. Hydrogen-rich saline (5 ml/kg) and saline (5 ml/kg) were given once a day via intraperitoneal injection. Neurological function was evaluated using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) and CatWalk gait analyses. Histopathological analysis, oxidative stress, inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and transplanted cell viability were detected at 3 and 28 days after SCI. Hydrogen can significantly enhance BMSC proliferation and migration and tolerance to SDM. Hydrogen and BMSC codelivery can significantly enhance neurological function recovery by improving the transplant cell survival rate and migration. Hydrogen can enhance the migration and proliferation capacity of BMSCs to repair SCI by reducing the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the injured area. Hydrogen and BMSC codelivery is an effective method to improve BMSC transplantation in the treatment of SCI.
A Novel Approach for Best Parameters Selection and Feature Engineering to Analyze and Detect Diabetes: Machine Learning Insights
Authors: Ali Md Shahin , Islam Md Khairul , Das A. Arjan , Duranta D. U. S. , Haque Mst. Farija , Rahman Md Habibur
Published: May 2023

Humans are familiar with “diabetes,” a chronic metabolic disease that causes resistance to insulin in the human body, and about 425 million cases worldwide. Diabetes is a hazard to human health since it can gradually cause significant damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. As a result, it is critical to recognize diabetes early on to minimize its negative consequences. Over the years, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and data mining methods are playing a crucial role in detecting diabetic patients. Considering this opportunity, we present a fine‐tuned random forest algorithm with the best parameters (RFWBP) that is used with the RF algorithm and feature engineering to detect diabetes patients at an early stage. We have employed several data processing techniques (e.g., normalization, conversion into numerical data) to raw data during the prepossessing phase. After that, we further applied some data mining techniques, adding related characteristics to the primary dataset. Finally, we train the proposed RFWBP and conventional methods like the AdaBoost algorithm, support vector machine, logistic regression, naive Bayes, multilayer perceptron, and a regular random forest with the dataset. Furthermore, we also utilized 5‐fold cross‐validation to enhance the performance of the RFWBP classifier. The proposed RFWBP achieved an accuracy of 95.83% and 90.68% with and without 5‐fold cross‐validation, respectively. Moreover, the proposed RFWBP is compared with conventional machine learning methods to evaluate the performance. The experimental results confirm that the proposed RFWBP outperformed conventional machine learning methods.
Data from Comparison of Three Transcytotic Pathways for Distribution to Brain Metastases of Breast Cancer
Authors: Khan Imran , Gril Brunilde , Paranjape Anurag N. , Robinson Christina M. , Difilippantonio Simone , Biernat Wojciech , Bieńkowski Michał , Pęksa Rafał , Duchnowska Renata , Jassem Jacek , Brastianos Priscilla K. , Metellus Philippe , Bialecki Emilie , Woodroofe Carolyn C. , Wu Haitao , Swenson Rolf E. , Steeg Patricia S.
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Advances in drug treatments for brain metastases of breast cancer have improved progression-free survival but new, more efficacious strategies are needed. Most chemotherapeutic drugs infiltrate brain metastases by moving between brain capillary endothelial cells, paracellular distribution, resulting in heterogeneous distribution, lower than that of systemic metastases. Herein, we tested three well-known transcytotic pathways through brain capillary endothelial cells as potential avenues for drug access: transferrin receptor (TfR) peptide, low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LRP1) peptide, albumin. Each was far-red labeled, injected into two hematogenous models of brain metastases, circulated for two different times, and their uptake quantified in metastases and uninvolved (nonmetastatic) brain. Surprisingly, all three pathways demonstrated distinct distribution patterns in vivo. Two were suboptimal: TfR distributed to uninvolved brain but poorly in metastases, while LRP1 was poorly distributed. Albumin distributed to virtually all metastases in both model systems, significantly greater than in uninvolved brain (P < 0.0001). Further experiments revealed that albumin entered both macrometastases and micrometastases, the targets of treatment and prevention translational strategies. Albumin uptake into brain metastases was not correlated with the uptake of a paracellular probe (biocytin). We identified a novel mechanism of albumin endocytosis through the endothelia of brain metastases consistent with clathrin-independent endocytosis (CIE), involving the neonatal Fc receptor, galectin-3, and glycosphingolipids. Components of the CIE process were found on metastatic endothelial cells in human craniotomies. The data suggest a reconsideration of albumin as a translational mechanism for improved drug delivery to brain metastases and possibly other central nervous system (CNS) cancers.

In conclusion, drug therapy for brain metastasis needs improvement. We surveyed three transcytotic pathways as potential delivery systems in brain-tropic models and found that albumin has optimal properties. Albumin used a novel endocytic mechanism.
An African-Specific Variant ofTP53 Reveals PADI4 as a Regulator of p53-Mediated Tumor Suppression
Authors: Indeglia Alexandra , Leung Jessica C. , Miller Sven A. , Leu Julia I-Ju , Dougherty James F. , Clarke Nicole L. , Kirven Nicole A. , Shao Chunlei , Ke Lei , Lovell Scott , Barnoud Thibaut , Lu David Y. , Lin Cindy , Kannan Toshitha , Battaile Kevin P. , Yang Tyler Hong Loong , Batista Oliva Isabela , Claiborne Daniel T. , Vogel Peter , Liu Lijun , Liu Qin , Nefedova Yulia , Cassel Joel , Auslander Noam , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Karanicolas John , Murphy Maureen E.
Published: May 2023

TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in cancer, yet key target genes for p53-mediated tumor suppression remain unidentified. Here, we characterize a rare, African-specific germline variant of TP53 in the DNA-binding domain Tyr107His (Y107H). Nuclear magnetic resonance and crystal structures reveal that Y107H is structurally similar to wild-type p53. Consistent with this, we find that Y107H can suppress tumor colony formation and is impaired for the transactivation of only a small subset of p53 target genes; this includes the epigenetic modifier PADI4, which deiminates arginine to the nonnatural amino acid citrulline. Surprisingly, we show that Y107H mice develop spontaneous cancers and metastases and that Y107H shows impaired tumor suppression in two other models. We show that PADI4 is itself tumor suppressive and that it requires an intact immune system for tumor suppression. We identify a p53–PADI4 gene signature that is predictive of survival and the efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors.

Significance:

We analyze the African-centric Y107H hypomorphic variant and show that it confers increased cancer risk; we use Y107H in order to identify PADI4 as a key tumor-suppressive p53 target gene that contributes to an immune modulation signature and that is predictive of cancer survival and the success of immunotherapy.

See related commentary by Bhatta and Cooks, p. 1518.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1501
BIN1, Myotubularin, and Dynamin-2 Coordinate T-Tubule Growth in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Perdreau-Dahl Harmonie , Lipsett David B. , Frisk Michael , Kermani Fatemeh , Carlson Cathrine R. , Brech Andreas , Shen Xin , Bergan-Dahl Anna , Hou Yufeng , Tuomainen Tomi , Tavi Pasi , Jones Peter P. , Lunde Marianne , Wasserstrom J. Andrew , Laporte Jocelyn , Ullrich Nina D. , Christensen Geir , Morth J. Preben , Louch William E.
Published: May 2023

Background:

Transverse tubules (t-tubules) form gradually in the developing heart, critically enabling maturation of cardiomyocyte Ca
2+
homeostasis. The membrane bending and scaffolding protein BIN1 (bridging integrator 1) has been implicated in this process. However, it is unclear which of the various reported BIN1 isoforms are involved, and whether BIN1 function is regulated by its putative binding partners MTM1 (myotubularin), a phosphoinositide 3′-phosphatase, and DNM2 (dynamin-2), a GTPase believed to mediate membrane fission.

Methods:

We investigated the roles of BIN1, MTM1, and DNM2 in t-tubule formation in developing mouse cardiomyocytes, and in gene-modified HL-1 and human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. T-tubules and proteins of interest were imaged by confocal and Airyscan microscopy, and expression patterns were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Ca
2+
release was recorded using Fluo-4.

Results:

We observed that in the postnatal mouse heart, BIN1 localizes along Z-lines from early developmental stages, consistent with roles in initial budding and scaffolding of t-tubules. T-tubule proliferation and organization were linked to a progressive and parallel increase in 4 detected BIN1 isoforms. All isoforms were observed to induce tubulation in cardiomyocytes but produced t-tubules with differing geometries. BIN1-induced tubulations contained the L-type Ca
2+
channel, were colocalized with caveolin-3 and the ryanodine receptor, and effectively triggered Ca
2+
release. BIN1 upregulation during development was paralleled by increasing expression of MTM1. Despite no direct binding between MTM1 and murine cardiac BIN1 isoforms, which lack exon 11, high MTM1 levels were necessary for BIN1-induced tubulation, indicating a central role of phosphoinositide homeostasis. In contrast, the developing heart exhibited declining levels of DNM2. Indeed, we observed that high levels of DNM2 are inhibitory for t-tubule formation, although this protein colocalizes with BIN1 along Z-lines, and binds all 4 isoforms.

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that BIN1, MTM1, and DNM2 have balanced and collaborative roles in controlling t-tubule growth in cardiomyocytes.
Functional connectome fingerprinting across the lifespan
Authors: St-Onge Frédéric , Javanray Mohammadali , Pichet Binette Alexa , Strikwerda-Brown Cherie , Remz Jordana , Spreng R. Nathan , Shafiei Golia , Misic Bratislav , Vachon-Presseau Étienne , Villeneuve Sylvia
Published: May 2023

Systematic changes have been observed in the functional architecture of the human brain with advancing age. However, functional connectivity (FC) is also a powerful feature to detect unique “connectome fingerprints,” allowing identification of individuals among their peers. Although fingerprinting has been robustly observed in samples of young adults, the reliability of this approach has not been demonstrated across the lifespan. We applied the fingerprinting framework to the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience cohort (n = 483 aged 18 to 89 years). We found that individuals are “fingerprintable” (i.e., identifiable) across independent functional MRI scans throughout the lifespan. We observed a U-shape distribution in the strength of “self-identifiability” (within-individual correlation across modalities), and “others-identifiability” (between-individual correlation across modalities), with a decrease from early adulthood into middle age, before improving in older age. FC edges contributing to self-identifiability were not restricted to specific brain networks and were different between individuals across the lifespan sample. Self-identifiability was additionally associated with regional brain volume. These findings indicate that individual participant-level identification is preserved across the lifespan despite the fact that its components are changing nonlinearly.
Blunt Traumatic Abdominal Wall Hernias: An Indicator for Emergent Laparotomy?
Authors: Santos Adora T. , Jagiella-Lodise Olivia , Kim Phillip , Freedberg Mari E. , Smith Randi N. , Nguyen Jonathan , Davis M. Andrew , Ayoung-Chee Patricia , Todd S. Rob , Benjamin Elizabeth R. , Sciarretta Jason D.
Published: May 2023

Background

Traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWH) are relatively uncommon; however, the shearing force that results in fascial disruption could indicate an increased risk of visceral injury. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the presence of a TAWH was associated with intra-abdominal injury requiring emergent laparotomy.

Methods

The trauma registry was queried over an 8-year period (7/2012-7/2020) for adult patients with blunt thoracoabdominal trauma diagnosed with a TAWH. Those patients who were identified with a TAWH and greater than 15 years of age were included in the study. Demographics, mechanism of injury, ISS, BMI, length of stay, TAWH size, type of TAWH repair, and outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Overall, 38,749 trauma patients were admitted over the study period, of which 64 (.17%) had a TAWH. Patients were commonly male (n = 42, 65.6%); the median age was 39 years (range 16-79 years) and a mean ISS of 21. Twenty-eight percent had a clinical seatbelt sign. Twenty-seven (42.2%) went emergently to the operating room, the majority for perforated viscus requiring bowel resection (n = 16, 25.0%), and 6 patients (9.4%) who were initially managed nonoperatively underwent delayed laparotomy. Average ventilator days was 14 days, with a mean ICU LOS of 14 days and mean hospital LOS of 18 days. About half of the hernias were repaired at the index operation, 6 of which were repaired primarily and 10 with mesh.

Conclusion

The presence of a TAWH alone was an indication for immediate laparotomy to evaluate for intra-abdominal injury. In the absence of other indications for exploration, nonoperative management may be safe.
Therapeutic Role of Subcutaneous Access Loop Created Adjunct to Hepaticojejunostomy for Management of Bile Duct Injury
Authors: Raafat Mohamad , Morsy Morsy M. , Mohamed Salah I. , Hamad Mostafa A. , Sayed Mostafa M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) is usually required for major bile duct injury (BDI) as a definitive treatment. Hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (HJAS) is the most feared long-term complication following RYHJ. The ideal management of HJAS remains undefined. The provision of permanent endoscopic access to the bilio-enteric anastomotic site can make endoscopic management of HJAS feasible and attractive option. In this cohort study, we aimed to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes of subcutaneous access loop created adjunct to RYHJ (RYHJ-SA) for management of BDI and its usefulness for endoscopic management of anastomotic stricture if occurred.

Materials and Methods

This is a prospective study including patients who were diagnosed with iatrogenic BDI and underwent hepaticojejunostomy with subcutaneous access loop between September 2017 and September 2019.

Results

This study included a total number of 21 patients whom ages ranged between 18 and 68 years. During follow-up, three cases had HJAS. One patient had the access loop in subcutaneous position. Endoscopy was done but failed to dilate the stricture. The other 2 patients had the access loop in subfascial position. Endoscopy of them failed to enter the access loop due to failure of fluoroscopy to identify the access loop. The three cases underwent redo-hepaticojejunostomy. Parajejunal (parastomal) hernia occurs in 2 patients in whom the access loop was fixed subcutaneous position.

Conclusion

In conclusion, modified RYHJ with subcutaneous access loop (RYHJ-SA) is associated with reduced quality of life and patient satisfaction. Moreover, its role in endoscopic management of HJAS after biliary reconstruction for major BDI is limited.
Posterior Approach to the Popliteal to Peroneal Bypass
Authors: Williamson Sigrid L , Yu Bernice , Luo Robert
Published: May 2023

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a clinical syndrome related to peripheral artery disease (PAD) that is marked by ischemic rest pain or tissue loss such as nonhealing ulcers or gangrene. Without revascularization CLI carries a 30-50% risk of major limb amputation within 1 year. Initial surgical revascularization is recommended for patients with CLI who have a greater than 2-year life expectancy. We present the case of a 92-year-old male with severe peripheral artery disease with gangrene of bilateral toes who underwent right popliteal to distal peroneal bypass via the posterior approach using ipsilateral reversed GSV. The posterior approach provides excellent exposure and should be considered in distal surgical revascularization where the popliteal artery serves as inflow and distal peroneal artery as target outflow vessel.
Type II Congenital Pyloric Atresia with Desquamative Enteropathy Diagnosed Postoperatively: A Case Report
Authors: Morton Zoey , Stickler Erin , Thelan Leslie , Worth Samantha , Groot Samuel , Gates Robert
Published: May 2023

Congenital pyloric atresia (CPA) is a rare condition that presents as gastric outlet obstruction in the first few weeks of life. Isolated CPA typically carries a good prognosis but when associated with other conditions such as multiple intestinal atresia or epidermolysis bullosa (EB), the outcomes are generally poor. This report describes a four-day-old infant who presented with nonbilious emesis and weight loss in whom an upper gastrointestinal contrast study revealed gastric outlet obstruction determined to be consistent with pyloric atresia. The patient underwent operative repair via Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty. Postoperatively, the patient continued to have severe diarrhea and was found to have desquamative enteropathy though had no skin findings consistent with EB. This report emphasizes consideration of CPA as a differential diagnosis for neonates presenting with nonbilious emesis and demonstrates the association between CPA and desquamative enteropathy without EB.
Pathologic Tumor Size versus Mammography, Sonography, and MRI in Breast Cancer Based on Pathologic Subtypes
Authors: Nonnemacher Cory J. , Dale Paul , Scott Anthony , Bonner Mary
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The standard of care for imaging of breast pathology has historically been mammography and sonography. MRI is a modern adjunct in the surgeon’s toolkit. We looked to examine the differences in imaging modalities and their ability to predict the size in relation to the pathologic size after excision with focus on pathologic subtypes.

Methods

We analyzed patient records across a 4-year period from 2017 to 2021 who were treated surgically for breast cancer at our facility. We used a retrospective chart review to collect measurements that were recorded of the tumors by the radiologist for available mammography, ultrasound, and MRI which were compared to pathology report measurements of the final specimens. We subdivided the results by pathologic subtypes including invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Results

658 total patients met criteria for analysis. Mammography overestimated specimens with DCIS by 1.93 mm ( P = .15), US underestimated by .56 (.55), and MRI overestimated by 5.77 mm ( P < .01). There was no statistically significant difference in any modalities with IDC. With specimens of ILC, all 3 imaging modalities underestimated tumor size, with only US being significant.

Discussion

Mammography and MRI consistently overestimated tumor size with the exception of ILC while US underestimated tumor size on all pathologic subtypes. MRI significantly overestimated tumor size in DCIS by 5.77 mm. Mammography was the most accurate imaging modality for all pathologic subtypes and never had a statistically significant difference from actual tumor size.
Increased Penetrating Trauma and Trauma Severity During the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: McNair Adina M. , Rhodes Heather X. , Biswas Saptarshi
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 mandated lockdown created unintended outcomes in traumatic injury patterns and psychosocial behaviors compared to previous years during the same timeframe. The aim of this research is to describe a population of trauma patients during the past 5 years to determine particular trends in trauma patterns and trauma severity. A retrospective cohort study on all adult (≥18 years) trauma patients admitted to this ACS verified Level I trauma center in South Carolina, inclusive years 2017 to 2021. A total of 3281 adult trauma patients were included during the lockdown period across 5 years. There was an increase in penetrating injuries in 2020 compared to 2019 (9% vs 4%, P < .01). The psychosocial impacts of government-mandated lockdowns may lead to increased alcohol consumption leading to a higher degree of injury severity and morbidity markers in the trauma population.
Health literacy among children living with a long-term condition: ‘What I know and who I tell’
Authors: Peck Blake , Bray Lucy , Dickinson Annette , Blamires Julie , Terry Daniel , Carter Bernie
Published: May 2023

Background:

Little is known about the health literacy of children living with long-term conditions. This study aimed to gain insight into the life of children with a long-term condition in the context of health literacy, specifically their understanding of their health and the barriers and facilitators to sharing information about their condition with others.

Design:

Child-centred qualitative arts-based approach with children aged 6–12 years.

Setting:

Children participating in the study came from three countries – the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Method:

A participatory arts-based qualitative child-centred approach prompted children to draw, label and use stickers, body-outlines and collage to describe elements central to health literacy. This encompassed their long-term condition, their understanding of their condition, its management and decision-making associated with sharing information about their condition with others. The sessions were audio-recorded, and reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken.

Results:

Four central themes related to key elements of child health literacy: (1) pragmatic understanding – what it feels like and what happens in my body; (2) management regime – what do I have to do to keep on going; (3) information sharing – I don’t tell random people; and (4) benefits of sharing – they’ve got my back.

Conclusion:

Children indicated a pragmatic or process type understanding of their condition and its management. Children were discerning about who they shared information about their condition with, but tended to establish a network of well-informed peers capable of providing support if needed. Despite gaps in children’s health literacy, parents and families have an important role to play in checking children’s understandings and developing critical health literacy.
The epidemiology of self-immolation in Iraq: A systematic review
Authors: Ahmed Darya Rostam
Published: May 2023

Background:

Self-immolation is one of the most brutal suicide methods and is a significant social and medical problem throughout the world. Self-immolation is more common in low-income countries than in high-income countries.

Aim:

The aim is to evaluate the trends in self-immolation and examine its frequency in Iraq.

Methods:

The PRISMA guideline was used to conduct this systematic review study. We searched for publications in English, Arabic and Kurdish in PubMed and Google Scholar. A total of 105 publications were identified through the search; however, 92 were eliminated due to duplication and irrelevant content. Finally, 13 full articles were included for data extraction. The inclusion criteria were articles that investigated self-immolation. However, letters to editors and media reports on self-immolation were excluded. The retrieved studies were selected, reviewed and then quality assessed.

Results:

This study included 13 articles. According to the findings, self-immolation accounted for 26.38% of all burn admissions in the Iraqi provinces and the Kurdistan region, with 16.02% of those occurring in the middle and southern provinces of Iraq and 36.75% in the Kurdistan region. It is more common in women than in men, especially among young, married, illiterate, or poorly educated people. Sulaymaniyah had a higher percentage of self-immolation than other governorates in Iraq, accounting for 38.3% of burn admissions. Cultural and social norms, domestic violence, mental health problems, family conflicts and financial problems were identified as the most common causes of self-immolation.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of self-immolation is high among the Iraqi population, compared to other countries, particularly among the Kurdish population and in Sulaymaniyah. Self-immolation is relatively common among women. There are sociocultural factors that could contribute to this problem. Families must be restricted from having easy access to kerosene, and high-risk individuals should have access to psychological consultation to reduce the risk of self-immolation.
Bias and balance in civil war mediation
Authors: Menninga Elizabeth J
Published: May 2023

This article identifies a mechanism through which multiparty mediation – mediation with multiple active third parties – has positive effects on civil war resolution. Balanced mediation efforts – those providing third parties biased toward both sides of the dispute – have unique advantages in generating peaceful outcomes. In particular, balanced efforts alleviate the commitment concerns faced by both the rebel group and the government, improving the prospects for peace. In this article, I develop a measure, Mediation balance, which aggregates the mediators’ biases when multiple third parties are present. I also consider, both theoretically and empirically, how the number of mediators interacts with mediation balance to shape outcomes. I test my theory on civil war mediation attempts between 1989 and 2005, finding that balanced mediation efforts improve the probability of reaching an agreement. Furthermore, the strength of this effect is influenced by the number of mediators involved. Mediation balance also influences the probability the agreement halts the violence, albeit in unexpected ways.
Leader or lackey? Understanding the United Nations Secretary-General’s role in conflict diplomacy
Authors: Mpinganjira Frank Lonjezo Peter
Published: May 2023

Is the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General (SG) an independent actor in conflict diplomacy, or are his political interventions influenced by the parochial interests of the UN Security Council (UNSC) permanent member states – the P5? Previous studies have suggested that the political independence of the UN is constrained whenever a conflict evokes the strong parochial interests of individual P5 states. Using a newly compiled dataset, this article presents the first large-N historical study on the SG’s conflict interventions. The study quantifies the interventions while distinguishing between interventions mandated by the UNSC, which have always been high-profile in nature, and nonmandated interventions, with key emphasis on high-profile nonmandated interventions. The study ascertains whether both types of intervention were inhibited by the parochial interests of individual P5 states or whether the nonmandated interventions were uninfluenced by P5 interests. The results reveal that while parochial P5 interests have a significant bearing on UNSC-mandated interventions, they do not influence nonmandated interventions. Crucially, UN Charter dictates generally exert a greater influence on nonmandated interventions than on UNSC-mandated interventions. These findings present a strong case for the formal autonomy of the UN Secretariat and contribute to the growing literature on the role of executive heads in international organization secretariats.
Piezoelectric signals of HAp and collagen with different glucose concentrations: A method for diabetes detection
Authors: Vargas Susana , Rodriguez-Vargas Rogelio G. , Quintanilla Francisco , Rodriguez Rogelio
Published: May 2023

Piezoelectric signals were obtained from samples based on hydroxyapatite (HAp) and collagen (C) containing different glucose (G) concentrations. HAp was obtained by coprecipitation using Ca2+ and HPO42− as precursor ions in solution. C and G were added at the beginning of the coprecipitation method during the HAp growth. The presence of glucose in HAp and collagen samples drastically reduces the voltage amplitudes and considerably increases the relaxation times of the piezoelectric signals. HAp and collagen are the main constituents of bone, muscle, etc., then, it is possible to use piezoelectric technology for local and early detection of high glucose concentrations: small pressures applied by electrodes or by actuators placed in appropriate places on the body to establish a background concentration and, from this, to determine regions of the body with high local glucose concentrations: weak signals and large relaxation times are associated with a diminishing in the sensitivity, and are indicative of the presence of regions of abnormally high glucose concentrations.
What Should Contractarian Economists Do?
Authors: Kwarciński Tomasz , Turek Krzysztof M.
Published: May 2023

The paper examines Robert Sugden’s arguments for contractarian economics, which exclude objective valuation. From a metaethical stance we claim that it is possible and desirable to enrich the axiology of contractarian economics to make it more convincing and applicable. Analyzing Sugden’s argument against paternalism, we show that adopting a richer axiology is compatible with the contractarian framework. Examining Sugden’s claim for redistribution, we demonstrate that explaining the psychological stability of a market economy is problematic without a richer axiology. Considering sweatshop problem, we argue that without a richer axiology, contractarian economists are unable to recognize mutually advantageous exploitation. The paper concludes with the postulates on contractarian economics.
Utility of rapid chromatographic Immunoassay to rule out typhoid Fever among malaria negative patients
Authors: Kashyap Bineeta , Nirmal Kirti
Published: May 2023

Enteric fever, an endemic disease, is a significant health problem in developing low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We studied the utility of Typhoid IgM/IgG assay in Widal titre positive samples among malaria negative patients. A total of 30 febrile patients were included. A blood sample was collected for performing the Widal test and a rapid lateral flow immune assay (Typhoid IgG/IgM tests). A total of 13/30 were positive on blood culture; however, Salmonella typhi grew on only two (6.6%). Of the 30 samples, 24 (80%) were positive for the rapid immunochromatographic (ICT) test None of the samples negative by the rapid ICT test grew Salmonella typhi. The rapid ICT test has better sensitivity and is easy to perform with minimal infrastructure; hence, it is a practical alternative to the age old Widal test
Recurrent croup is a good indicator of underlying paediatric airway issues: A 10-year retrospective cohort study of airway endoscopy
Authors: Hampton Thomas , Ghazal Asswad Randa , Bhat Jaya , Stevens Kate , Whitehall Emma , Milinis Kristijonas , De Su , Donne Adam , Krishnan Madhan
Published: May 2023

Objective

Children with a history of recurrent croup alert the ENT clinician to the potential for underlying laryngotracheal pathology. There is equipoise about the likelihood of identifying any underlying structural issues or subglottic stenosis in those children who undergo airway assessment.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary UK paediatric hospital of a decade of children with recurrent croup who underwent a rigid laryngo-tracheo-bronchoscopy (airway endoscopy).

Main Outcome(s)

airway pathology seen on endoscopy and need for further airway surgery.

Results

In ten years, 139 children underwent airway endoscopy for recurrent croup. Operative findings were abnormal in 62 (45 %) cases. Twelve cases (9%) had subglottic stenosis. Although recurrent croup was more common in males (78% of cases), this was not found to predispose them to operative findings. Children with previous intubations had >2 times the risk of abnormal findings and children born prematurely (<37 wks) had a trend towards abnormal operative findings versus children with no airway findings in our cohort. Even in those patients with abnormal findings, none necessitated further airway surgery.

Conclusions

Surgeons and parents can be reassured that rigid airway endoscopy for children with recurrent croup demonstrated high diagnostic utility but will rarely lead to further surgical intervention. Greater understanding about recurrent croup may require consensus clarification about definitions of recurrent croup and/or a universal adoption of a minimum standard operative record or grading system after rigid endoscopy for recurrent croup.
“Letting the Uniform Take It”: Emotion absenting and its role in institutional maintenance
Authors: Hartmann Mia Rosa Koss , Meier Ninna
Published: May 2023

Emotion regulation is essential to the maintenance of institutions. To date, institutional scholars have focused on how individual actors express or suppress emotions according to internalized institutional “feeling rules.” Drawing on an empirical study of police officers, this article offers emotion absenting as a socially practiced, embodied form of emotion regulation. Police officers’ shared emotion absenting enabled them to practice fear in unarticulated yet highly coordinated ways in alignment with their institutional role. The practice of emotion absenting is learned through socialization into policework and the institution of law enforcement. Because police officers learn to regulate emotions together in subtle ways through the coordination of their bodies, emotion absenting can be functionally invisible in social interactions. This suggests that inappropriate emotions are not necessarily suppressed—that is, removed from the situation. Rather, our study shows that such emotions may function as a resource among members of a group, especially when these emotions are practiced in institutionally competent ways.
Dreaming of a Remittance House: Understanding Transnational Housing Aspirations
Authors: Vargas-Silva Carlos , Boccagni Paolo
Published: May 2023

Migrant housing investments in the countries of origin are a demonstration of their transnational engagement and their potential contribution to local development. Yet, these investments remain relatively understudied on a large scale. In this paper, we explore three related questions on the drivers, prevalence, and development of transnational housing, drawing on an original survey of Ecuadorian and Indian migrants in different European cities. First, what factors account for the likelihood of migrants owning a remittance house? Second, for those migrants without houses abroad, what factors account for the likelihood of aspiring to have a remittance house in the first place, as opposed to “not being interested”? Third, how do factors affecting the likelihood of owning a remittance house compare to those affecting the likelihood of being a remittance house dreamer? Our findings suggest that, among those without a remittance house, the likelihood of being a transnational house dreamer decreases with the length of residence abroad, while the length of stay has no statistically significant impact on the likelihood of transnational house ownership. We also find that migrants with greater economic capacity are less likely to be dreamers and more likely to be transnational house-owners, suggesting that the difference between being a transnational house-dreamer and a transnational house-owner is often financial. Finally, greater attachment to the country of origin increases the likelihood of being both a transnational house owner and a transnational dreamer. We also discuss how the results change across migrant groups and across genders.
Diversity of network communication mode and interpersonal interactions: Relationship with social support and well-being
Authors: Lin Xin Yao , Lachman Margie E.
Published: May 2023

Social interactions today expand beyond in-person interactions. Therefore, it is important to recognize that social interactions can occur with social network members across multiple communication modes (in-person, phone, and online). The current study explored the role that social support plays in the relationship between mode frequency (in-person, phone, and online), network communication mode diversity (breadth and evenness of communicating with network members via different communication modes), and well-being (positive affect, stress, and loneliness) from the 3-year UCNET (UC Berkley Social Networks Study, N = 1159) dataset. The study contained samples for two age groups (cohorts) – 21–31 year-olds and 50–70 year-olds, which also allowed for an exploration of age differences in these relationships. Longitudinal random-intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM) showed a high degree of stability over the 3 years for all variables. Cross-sectional structural equation mediation models showed that social support mediated the relationships of mode frequency (in-person, phone, and online) and network communication mode diversity with well-being (more positive affect and less loneliness and stress). Age differences were found in the relationship between frequency of communication modes and social support, in that the frequency of communication mode was positively related to social support for younger adults, but not for middle-aged/older adults. Current findings provided future research directions geared toward further understanding of the mode frequency and network communication mode diversity constructs and how they relate to various psychosocial outcomes.
The entrepreneurial gender gap: The role of in-group support and national embeddedness values in young women’s entrepreneurship
Authors: Weiss Jan , Anisimova Tatiana , Shirokova Galina , Durst Susanne
Published: May 2023

This article uses a global multilevel sample to advance our understanding of the gender gap in youth entrepreneurship by investigating the joint moderating influence of in-group support and national embeddedness values on young women’s entrepreneurial activity relative to that of young men. Based on a mixed embeddedness theoretical lens, our moderation analysis demonstrates the importance of in-group support in narrowing the gender gap in youth entrepreneurship. Moreover, in-group support enhances young women’s entrepreneurship vis-à-vis that of young men primarily in countries with strong embeddedness values. Our findings contribute to the entrepreneurial gender gap literature as well as to the comparative entrepreneurship literature, by providing evidence of the joint role of micro-level and macro-level cultural layers in reducing the entrepreneurial gender gap. Implications for theory, practice and policy are provided.
Catheter directed thrombolysis for a pulmonary arterial thrombus on VA ECMO in a child – a case report
Authors: Procopiuc Livia , Boot Elizabeth , James Paul , Karunanithy Narayan , Meadows Chris , Nyman Andrew , Lillie Jon
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) as a bridge to cardiac transplantation is considered a high risk support strategy in the paediatric population.

Methods

We describe the case of a 12 year old boy who required V-A ECMO support for rapidly deteriorating cardiomyopathy and developed a massive pulmonary embolus (PE) peri-cannulation. Subsequent investigations were also positive for heparin induced thrombocytopenia.

Results

We elected to treat the PE with ultrasound accelerated catheter directed thrombolysis using the advantages of this minimally invasive targeted method to try and resolve the PE and avoid a cerebral haemorrhage, both of which would have taken the patient off the urgent transplant list.

Conclusion

The PE resolved in 24 h and he went on to receive a cardiac transplant and have a favourable outcome.
Post COVID-19 Transformation in the Frequency and Location of Traffic Crashes Involving Older Adults
Authors: Soltani Ali , Azmoodeh Mohammad , Qadikolaei Mohsen Roohani
Published: May 2023

Although numerous studies have been conducted to discover the spatial patterns of road crashes, relatively few have focused on the patterns of road crashes suffered by socially disadvantaged groups, while simultaneously accounting for urban environmental features. This study used advanced econometric (negative binomial regression) and spatial (geographically weighted Poisson regression) approaches to capture latent geographical diversity in crash patterns. The police-reported crash data for the over-65 population in metropolitan Adelaide, Australia, were investigated for two periods: before and after COVID-19. Using both spatial and nonspatial models, the effects of land use mix, population density, road network design, distance to the central business district, and accessibility of public transit on crash frequency, and location at the neighborhood level were investigated. The findings revealed that, in addition to sociodemographic factors, the aforementioned components had nonlinear effects in varied geographical contexts. Although the number of crashes fell by 20% during the periods studied, the fundamental reasons for such incidents did not change. The results of the study could assist academics and policy makers in Australia to better understand the multidimensional implications of the built environment on the road safety of the elderly—a vulnerable group in society who were disproportionately affected by the global pandemic. The hybrid technique presented in this research has the potential to be useful in other scenarios experiencing varying crash patterns.
Design Issues in Widening of Unspiraled Horizontal Curves
Authors: Gunay Banihan
Published: May 2023

In highway alignment, when the traveled way is widened for unspiraled horizontal curves, a linear increase, widening from zero to its maximum value along the application length, leads to an undesired straight edge or an apparent kink, since there is no transition curve between the tangent section of the road and the main circular curve (unlike spiraled horizontal alignment where gradual and proportional offsets of widening can easily be accomplished with respect to the transition curve). Although compound curves or modified spirals can be employed to solve this problem, using complex curves for simple (unspiraled) alignment has not been a favored approach. This paper addresses this issue and proposes using a single circular arc on the inside edge of widening where possible. On trying many circular arcs iteratively until certain conditions are met, within a given range of superelevation runoff length, several arcs have been produced for each cell of the widening table provided by AASHTO. All the arcs satisfied the all-governing condition of sharing the same tangent with the main circular curve at the end of the application distance. Provided that the superelevation runoff length falls within the limits determined in the paper, the work presents a simple and time saving approach for designers to adapt. Although the computations are based on 7.2 m traveled way width, similar arcs can easily be produced by others for various widths. The paper, therefore, shows how to map the application domain of such arcs for given curve parameters.