bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Child-related risk factors and injuries in cases of physical child abuse
Authors: Walz Cleo , Kullmer Ulrike , Lecht Johannes , Riepert Thomas , Germerott Tanja
Published: November 2023

Background

When evaluating child welfare risk, recognition of abuse-related injuries and knowledge of risk factors for child abuse are important aspects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate child-related risk factors and particularities of injuries in cases of physical child abuse, to use the results for preventive child protection.

Methods

This retrospective case control study evaluated case files of 368 physically abused children (age range 0–14 years) referred to forensic medicine in 2004–2015. Death cases and cases that could not be separated from sexual abuse and neglect were excluded and 363 controls without suspicion of abuse were recruited from a pediatric clinic. Demographic data, state of care and previous illnesses were compared in both groups by determining χ2-test and Fisher’s exact test. Concerning injuries, specified mechanism of origin, type of violence, localization on the body and frequency of life-threatening and repeated abuse were evaluated.

Results

Male gender and age group of infants/toddlers were identified as significant child-related risk factors. In over 90%, injuries resulted from blunt trauma, with the skin (86%) and skeletal system (22%) most commonly involved. Injuries were located in almost 60% on obvious parts of the body. Reported causes for trauma were mostly accident mechanisms. Repeated abuse was found in over half and life-threatening injuries in nearly 20% of the cases.

Conclusion

As part of the daily work pediatricians and other child protection workers are able to identify suspected cases early. Therefore, good understanding of typical risk factors and injuries including plausibility check of the reported origin are important aspects. Periodic reassessment of child well-being and mandatory visit to pediatricians could avoid repeated and severe child maltreatment with life-threatening consequences.
The P38MAPK/ATF2 signaling pathway is involved in PND in mice
Authors: Zhu Mengjiao , Long Si , Tao Yizhi , Zhang Zhifa , Zhou Zhiqiang , Wang Xueren , Chen Wei
Published: November 2023

Accumulating evidence indicates that microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in the hippocampus contributes to the development of perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND). P38MAPK, a point of convergence for different signaling processes involved in inflammation, can be activated by various stresses. This study aims to investigate the role of the P38MAPK/ATF2 signaling pathway in the development of PND in mice. Aged C57BL/6 mice were subjected to tibial fracture surgery under isoflurane anesthesia to establish a PND animal model. The open field test was used to evaluate the locomotor activity of the mice. Neurocognitive function was assessed with the Morris water maze (MWM) and fear conditioning test (FCT) on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7. The mice exhibited cognitive impairment accompanied by increased expression of proinflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α), proapoptotic molecules (caspase-3, bax) and microglial activation in the hippocampus 1, 3 and 7 days after surgery. Treatment with SB239063 (a P38MAPK inhibitor) decreased the expression of proinflammatory factors, proapoptotic molecules and Iba-1 in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The number of surviving neurons was significantly increased. Inhibition of the P38MAPK/ATF2 signaling pathway attenuates hippocampal neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis in aged mice with PND, thus improving the perioperative cognitive function of the mice.
Transvenous Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for an Aldosterone-Producing Tumor of the Left Adrenal Gland: A First in Human Case Report
Authors: Oguro Sota , Ota Hideki , Yanagaki Satoru , Kawabata Masahiro , Kamada Hiroki , Omata Kei , Tezuka Yuta , Ono Yoshikiyo , Morimoto Ryo , Satoh Fumitoshi , Toyama Hiroaki , Tanimoto Kouta , Konno Daisuke , Yamauchi Masanori , Niwa Yuki , Miyamoto Hisao , Mori Kenji , Tanaka Tetsuhiro , Ishihata Hiroshi , Takase Kei
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To describe a novel technique of transvenous radiofrequency catheter ablation of an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) of the left adrenal gland using the GOS System (Japan Lifeline, Tokyo, Japan). Using the GOS system, a flexible radiofrequency tip catheter can be inserted into the adrenal central and tributary veins, the drainers for functional tumors.

Materials and methods

An APA at the left adrenal gland, which was diagnosed by segmental adrenal venous sampling following administration of 0.25 mg cosyntropin, was ablated using the GOS catheter inserted into adrenal tributary veins via a right femoral vein 7-Fr sheath. The effect of radiofrequency ablation on APA was assessed using the international consensus on surgical outcomes for unilateral primary aldosteronism (PA).

Results

No device-related complications were observed. The patient was deeply sedated under blood pressure and heart rate control with continuous administration of β-blockers. Then, the tumor and surrounding adrenal gland were cauterized at 7000 J two times each in sequence. The output time was 7−11 min for each ablation and 80 min in total. For blood pressure and pulse rate control, esmolol hydrochloride and phentolamine mesylate were used. The contrast enhancement of APA disappeared on dynamic CT immediately after the procedure. PA was biochemically cured until 12 months after the procedure.

Conclusion

Using the radiofrequency device with the GOS catheter and system is a method for cauterizing adrenal tumors from blood vessels. This approach resulted in a marked reduction in aldosterone concentrations and a complete biochemical cure of PA over the observation period.

Graphical Abstract
Epidemiology and molecular typing of multidrug-resistant bacteria in tertiary hospitals and nursing homes in Flanders, Belgium
Authors: van Kleef-van Koeveringe Stefanie , Matheeussen Veerle , Schuermans Annette , De Koster Sien , Perales Selva Natascha , Jansens Hilde , De Coninck Dieter , De Bruyne Katrien , Mensaert Klaas , Kluytmans-van den Bergh Marjolein , Kluytmans Jan , Goossens Herman , Dhaeze Wouter , Leroux-Roels Isabel ,   on behalf of the i-4-1-Health Study Group
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to map MDRO carriage and potential transmission within and between three Flemish tertiary care hospitals and their neighbouring nursing homes. A cross-sectional MDRO prevalence survey was organized between October 2017 and February 2019. Perianal swabs were cultured for detection of MDRO. Determination of clonal relatedness based on wgMLST allelic profiles was performed. The prevalence of MDRO in Belgian hospitals and NHs is on the rise, compared to previous studies, and transmission in and between institutions is observed. These results re-emphasize the need for a healthcare network-wide infection prevention strategy in which WGS of MDRO strains can be supportive.
Inhibitory effect of trans-tiliroside on very low-density lipoprotein secretion in HepG2 cells and mouse liver
Authors: Nagatomo Akifumi , Kohno Mamiko , Kawakami Hirosato , Manse Yoshiaki , Morikawa Toshio
Published: November 2023

An acylated flavonol glycoside, trans-tiliroside (1), is found in certain parts of different herbs, including the seeds of Rosa canina (Rosaceae). Previous studies on compound 1 have focused on triglyceride (TG) metabolism, including its anti-obesity and intracellular TG reduction effects. In the present study, the effects of compound 1 on cholesterol (CHO) metabolism were investigated using human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived HepG2 cells and mice. Compound 1 decreased CHO secretion in HepG2 cells, which was enhanced by mevalonate in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased the secretion of apoprotein B (apoB)-100, a marker of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Compound 1 also inhibited the activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer proteins, which mediate VLDL formation from cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver. In vivo, compound 1 inhibited the accumulation of Triton WR-1339-induced TG in the blood of fasted mice and maintained low levels of apoB-100. These results suggest that compound 1 inhibits the secretion of CHO as VLDL from the liver and has the potential for use for the prevention of dyslipidemia.

Graphical abstract
Differences in the Social Motivations and Emotions of Humans and Other Great Apes
Authors: Tomasello Michael
Published: November 2023

Humans share with other mammals and primates many social motivations and emotions, but they are also much more cooperative than even their closest primate relatives. Here I review recent comparative experiments and analyses that illustrate humans’ species-typical social motivations and emotions for cooperation in comparison with those of other great apes. These may be classified most generally as (i) ‘you > me’ (e.g., prosocial sympathy, informative and pedagogical motives in communication); (ii) ‘you = me’ (e.g., feelings of mutual respect, fairness, resentment); (iii) ‘we > me’ (e.g., feelings of obligation and guilt); and (iv) ‘WE (in the group) > me’ (e.g., in-group loyalty and conformity to norms, shame, and many in-group biases). The existence of these species-typical and species-universal motivations and emotions provides compelling evidence for the importance of cooperative activities in the human species.
Hepatitis C virus may accelerate breast cancer progression by increasing mutant p53 and c-Myc oncoproteins circulating levels
Authors: Fathy Amira , Abdelrazek Mohamed A. , Attallah Abdelfattah M. , Abouzid Amr , El-Far Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was reported to relate to polymorphous and frequent extrahepatic manifestation. Despite the limited studies, HCV viral oncoproteins may be implicated in breast cancer (BC) tumor aggressiveness. In a trial to elucidate a mechanistic link, this study aimed to investigate a mutant p53 and c-Myc oncoprotein expression levels in BC patients with and without HCV infection.

Methods

A total of 215 BC patients (119 infected and 96 non-infected with HCV) were collected. ELISA was used for detection of anti-HCV antibodies, mutant p53, c-Myc, HCV-NS4, CEA, CA 125, and CA-15.3.

Results

HCV infection was related to BC late stages, lymph-node invasion, distant metastasis, high grades, and large size. HCV-infected patients had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher WBCs, ALT and AST activity, bilirubin CEA, CA125 and CA15.3 levels, and reduced hemoglobin, albumin, and RBCs count. Regardless of tumor severity, HCV infection was associated with significant elevated levels of mutant p53 (22.5 ± 3.5 µg/mL; 1.9-fold increase) and c-Myc (21.4 ± 1.8 µg/mL; 1.5-fold increase). Among HCV-infected patients, elevated levels of p53 and c-Myc were significantly correlated with elevated tumor markers (CEA, CA 125, and CA15.3) and HCV-NS4 levels.

Conclusions

This study concluded that HCV infection may be accompanied with BC severity behavior and this may be owing to elevated expression of mutant p53 and c-Myc oncoproteins.
Geriatric nutritional risk index as a prognostic marker of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor combination therapy in patients with renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective multi-center study
Authors: Watari Shogo , Katayama Satoshi , Shiraishi Hiromasa , Tokunaga Moto , Kubota Risa , Kusumi Norihiro , Ichikawa Takaharu , Tsushima Tomoyasu , Kobayashi Yasuyuki , Bekku Kensuke , Araki Motoo
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) in predicting the efficacy of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combination therapy for metastatic or unresectable renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and associated patient prognosis.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted using data from 19 institutions. The GNRI was calculated using body mass index and serum albumin level, and patients were classified into two groups using the GNRI values, with 98 set as the cutoff point.

Results

In all, 119 patients with clear cell RCC who received first-line drug therapy with ICIs were analyzed. Patients with GNRI ≥ 98 had significantly better overall survival (OS) (p = 0.008) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (p = 0.001) rates than those with GNRI < 98; however, progression-free survival (PFS) did not differ significantly. Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis showed that low GNRI scores were significantly associated with poor OS (p = 0.004) and CSS (p = 0.015). Multivariate analysis showed that the Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score was a better predictor of prognosis (OS; HR 5.17, p < 0.001, CSS; HR 4.82, p = 0.003) than GNRI (OS; HR 0.36, p = 0.066, CSS; HR 0.35, p = 0.072). In a subgroup analysis of patients with a good KPS and GNRI ≥ 98 vs < 98, the 2-year OS rates were 91.4% vs 66.9% (p = 0.068), 2-year CSS rates were 91.4% vs 70.1% (p = 0.073), and PFS rates were 39.7% vs 21.4 (p = 0.27), respectively.

Conclusion

The prognostic efficiency of GNRI was inferior to that of the KPS score at the initiation of the first-line ICI combination therapy for clear cell RCC.
Overcoming Religious and Racioreligious Othering in Preschools: Transforming Educational Policies for More Social Just Pedagogies
Authors: Thoma Nadja
Published: November 2023

The article addresses religious and racioreligious othering in preschools in South Tyrol, an autonomous province in Northern Italy with a predominantly catholic population in which migration is still discussed as a rather ‘new’ phenomenon. Theoretically, the article draws on education policy research and on migration pedagogy as a way to understand how religion-related policy recommendations are connected to social hierarchisations and how they are enacted in educational practice. Empirically, the article is based on ethnographic research in South Tyrolean preschools. During the fieldwork in three preschools, religion proved to be a relevant category of othering and hierarchisation. With an analysis of a policy paper, fieldnotes and transcribed audio recordings, the article aims at contributing to an understanding on how teachers, despite their good intentions, contribute to religious and racioreligious othering and how children as active agents centre their friendships and resist religion-based hierarchisations. The article ends with suggestions on how pedagogical policies and practices can support children and teachers in countering religious and racioreligious othering.
Predicting the Temperature-Driven Development of Stage-Structured Insect Populations with a Bayesian Hierarchical Model
Authors: Studens Kala , Bolker Benjamin M. , Candau Jean-Noël
Published: November 2023

The management of forest pests relies on an accurate understanding of the species’ phenology. Thermal performance curves (TPCs) have traditionally been used to model insect phenology. Many such models have been proposed and fitted to data from both wild and laboratory-reared populations. Using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo for estimation, we implement and fit an individual-level, Bayesian hierarchical model of insect development to the observed larval stage durations of a population reared in a laboratory at constant temperatures. This hierarchical model handles interval censoring and temperature transfers between two constant temperatures during rearing. It also incorporates individual variation, quadratic variation in development rates across insects’ larval stages, and “flexibility” parameters that allow for deviations from a parametric TPC. Using a Bayesian method ensures a proper propagation of parameter uncertainty into predictions and provides insights into the model at hand. The model is applied to a population of eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) reared at 7 constant temperatures. Resulting posterior distributions can be incorporated into a workflow that provides prediction intervals for the timing of life stages under different temperature regimes. We provide a basic example for the spruce budworm using a year of hourly temperature data from Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear on-line.
Managing multi-functional peri-urban landscapes: Impacts of horse-keeping on water quality
Authors: Kumblad Linda , Petersson Mona , Aronsson Helena , Dinnétz Patrik , Norberg Lisbet , Winqvist Camilla , Rydin Emil , Hammer Monica
Published: November 2023

Eutrophication assessments in water management to quantify nutrient loads and identify mitigating measures seldom include the contribution from horse facilities. This may be due to lack of appropriate methods, limited resources, or the belief that the impact from horses is insignificant. However, the recreational horse sector is growing, predominantly in multi-functional peri-urban landscapes. We applied an ecosystem management approach to quantify nutrient loads from horse facilities in the Stockholm Region, Sweden. We found that horses increased the total loads with 30–40% P and 20–45% N, with average area-specific loads of 1.2 kg P and 7.6 kg N ha−1 year−1. Identified local risk factors included manure management practices, trampling severity, soil condition and closeness to water. Comparisons of assessment methods showed that literature standard values of area-specific loads and water runoff may be sufficient at the catchment level, but in small and more complex catchments, measurements and local knowledge are needed.
Student-Led Curricular Development in the Biomedical Science Master’s Program Using Virtual Dissection
Authors: Coskun Emre , Beier Molly K. , Jackson Kelsie N. , Wang David R. , Seacat Allison , Ausel Erica L.
Published: November 2023

The Anatomage table is a virtual dissection technology increasingly used to supplement anatomy education while its efficacy and integration is still being evaluated. To address the gap in student curricular leadership in such technological integration, previous master’s and current medical students led a curricular development effort to design, create, and incorporate hands-on Anatomage learning activities into a master’s level anatomy course during the 2021–2022 academic year. To assess changing perspectives regarding the table’s role in curriculum integration and content retention, surveys were conducted before and after voluntary participants completed the learning activities. Overall, participants had a more positive perspective on the integration of the Anatomage table into the curriculum and its use to retain material compared to non-participants. Participants were significantly more likely to feel motivated to learn anatomy while interacting with the table. Compared to peers who only experienced the table in didactic lecture, activity participants were significantly more likely to perceive that the table helped them learn the skeletal system, a perception supported by significantly higher scores on skeletal anatomy exam questions. Less positive perspectives were observed overall for the muscular system, demonstrating the efficacy of the table varied with content. This research contributes to our understanding of virtual technology in anatomy education, and, although the integration of student-developed activities was complex, various educational features and pedagogical approaches were successfully utilized to establish a novel supplemental resource that contributes to multimodal learning and an academic foundation that prepares learners for their future careers in biomedical sciences and medicine.
Unveiling the antioxidant capacity of fermented foods and food microorganisms: a focus on cyanobacteria
Authors: Nawaz Taufiq , Gu Liping , Fahad Shah , Saud Shah , Hassan Shah , Harrison Matthew Tom , Liu Ke , Zhou Ruanbao
Published: November 2023

Cyanobacteria, which are photosynthetic prokaryotes, have gained attention in recent years for their potential health benefits. One notable property of cyanobacteria is their high antioxidant capacity, which has been attributed to various beneficial properties. Antioxidants are crucial in the human body as they help scavenge free radicals that can cause cellular damage and lead to diseases. The fermentation of food using cyanobacteria and other microorganisms has been a traditional practice for centuries and has been found to enhance the antioxidant capacity of food. This review paper aims to explore the potential of cyanobacteria in unlocking the antioxidant potential of fermented foods and food microorganisms. At the same time, the mechanisms of action of cyanobacteria-derived antioxidants and the potential health benefits of consuming fermented foods containing cyanobacteria are discussed.
Aromatic hydrocarbons as Molecular Propellants for Electric Propulsion Thrusters
Authors: Borrfors André Nyberg , Harding Dan J. , Weissenrieder Jonas , Ciaralli Simone , Hallock Ashley , Brinck Tore
Published: November 2023

The aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs) fluorobenzene, naphthalene, and 1-fluoronaphthalene are introduced as promising alternatives to xenon as propellant for in-space electric propulsion (EP). These storable molecules have similar mass, lower cost, and lower ionization energies compared to xenon, as well as the critical advantage of low post-ionization fragmentation compared to other molecular propellant candidates. The ionization characteristics of AHs are compared with those of xenon and the diamondoid adamantane, previously evaluated as a molecular propellant for EP. Quantum chemical calculations and BEB theory together with 25 eV electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS) measurements have been used to predict the fragmentation of the AHs and adamantane when ionized in a plasma with an electron temperature of 7 eV (a typical electron temperature in EP plasmas). A high fraction (81 − 86%) of the detected AH ions originate from intact molecules, compared to 34% for adamantane, indicating extraordinarily low fragmentation for the selected AHs. The ionization potential of the AHs is similar to that of adamantane but lower compared to xenon (8.14–9.2 eV for the AHs, 9.25 for adamantane and 12.13 eV for xenon). BEB calculations have also been used to predict total ionization cross sections. The calculated ionization cross section of the AHs is comparable to that of adamantane but 3–5 times higher than that of xenon, which together with the low ionization potential can contribute to more efficient ionization. The AHs may have the potential to perform better than xenon, despite the absence of fragmentation in xenon.
Teaching with Interactive Shakespeare Editions
Authors: Turchi Laura B.
Published: November 2023

This Element presents three case studies of interactive digital editions of Shakespeare incorporated into classroom teaching: WordPlay Shakespeare, PerformancePlus and myShakespeare. Each interactive edition combines the text of a Shakespeare play with a recorded performance. The case studies seek to understand whether and how interactive Shakespeare editions support ambitious teaching, where students are expected to engage in authentic academic tasks, experience social learning (dialogic rather than didactic), and demonstrate their new knowledge through meaningful assessments. In our time of pandemic and considerable public contention over equity and justice, ambitious teaching further requires attention to the whole selves of students – their psychological and social development as well as their intellectual attainment. This Element examines the opportunities that interactive digital editions give teachers, software developers and scholars to connect Shakespeare's works to twenty-first century students.
Resisting Racial Capitalism
Authors: Danewid Ida
Published: November 2023

What does freedom mean without, and despite, the state? Ida Danewid argues that state power is central to racial capitalism's violent regimes of extraction and accumulation. Tracing the global histories of four technologies of state violence: policing, bordering, wastelanding, and reproductive control, she excavates an antipolitical archive of anarchism that stretches from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro to the borderlands of Europe, the poisoned landscape of Ogoniland, and the queer lifeworlds of Delhi. Thinking with a rich set of scholars, organisers, and otherworldy dreamers, Danewid theorises these modes of refusal as a utopian worldmaking project which seeks not just better ways of being governed, but an end to governance in its entirety. In a time where the state remains hegemonic across the Left–Right political spectrum, Resisting Racial Capitalism calls on us to dream bolder and better in order to (un)build the world anew.
Bankrolling Empire
Authors: Sheth Sudev
Published: November 2023

By the 1660s, the mighty Mughal Empire controlled the Indian subcontinent and impressed the world with its strength and opulence. Yet hardly two decades would pass before fortunes would turn, Mughal kings and governors losing influence to rival warlords and foreign powers. How could one of the most dominant early modern polities lose their grip over empire? Sudev Sheth proposes a new point of departure, focusing on diverse local and hitherto unexplored evidence about a prominent financier family entrenched in bankrolling Mughal elites and their successors. Analyzing how four generations of the Jhaveri family of Gujarat financed politics, he offers a fresh take on the dissolution of the Mughal empire, the birth of princely successor states, and the nature of economic life in the days leading up to the colonial domination of India.
How a Ledger Became a Central Bank
Authors: Quinn Stephen , Roberds William
Published: November 2023

Before the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, the Bank of Amsterdam ('Bank') was a dominant central bank with a global impact on money and credit. How a Ledger Became a Central Bank draws on extensive archival data and rich secondary literature, to offer a new and detailed portrait of this historically significant institution. It describes how the Bank struggled to manage its money before hitting a modern solution: fiat money in combination with a repurchase facility and discretionary open market operations. It describes techniques the Bank used to monitor and stabilize money stock, and how foreign sovereigns could exploit the liquidity of the Bank for state finance. Closing with a discussion of commonalities of the Bank of Amsterdam with later central banks, including the Federal Reserve, this book has generated a great deal of excitement among scholars of central banking and the role of money in the macroeconomy.
Exploring the impact of mindfulness-based training on the well-being of physical therapists
Authors: Patel Akash , Bhargava Ruchi , Roman Gretchen
Published: November 2023

Introduction:

Experimental evidence is needed to evaluate interventions that curtail burnout for physical therapists. The goal of this research was to assess the impact of mindfulness-based training (MBT) on the well-being of physical therapists. We hypothesized physical therapists would demonstrate greater work engagement, empathy, and job satisfaction, and lower depression, anxiety, stress, and moral distress following MBT.

Methods:

Thirteen physical therapists (10 female/3 male; 35.38 ± 9.32 years old) completed this two-arm embedded mixed-methods pilot study. The control group (n = 4) was followed while the intervention group (n = 9) completed six MBT sessions over 3 months. Sessions were assigned a representative topic area (meaning in physical therapy, situational- and self-awareness, compassion fatigue/burnout, implicit biases, establishing boundaries and managing conflict, self-care) with relevant reflective writing, small group discussions, and mindfulness strategies. Non-parametric statistics compared quantitative outcomes across and within groups, and a thematic framework matrix was established by way of qualitative description for data analysis.

Results:

Physical therapists in the intervention group had improved pre- to post-scores for work engagement, mental health, and moral distress (p ≤ 0.043). Inability to effect change contributed to compassion fatigue/burnout, whereas difficulty prioritizing self/limited personal time impeded self-care. “I realized how easy it is to get caught up in life and in helping out those around you, you completely forget to take time to check in with how you are doing (Physical Therapist 3).”

Conclusion:

Implementing an MBT program demonstrates promise and may benefit the well-being of physical therapists while simultaneously enhancing employee retention and improving patient care.
Community engagement and financial arrangements: Navigating institutional change
Authors: Sprague Martinez Linda , Howard Riana C. , Schotland Marieka , Lobb Rebecca , Battaglia Tracy , Stone Susan , Auerswald Coco , Ozer Emily
Published: November 2023

Despite their documented benefits, the widespread adoption of community-engaged and participatory approaches among health researchers remains limited. Institutional practices and policies influence the uptake of community engagement and participatory approaches. We examine the role of financial arrangements between university researchers and community partners, by exploring efforts to bridge the gap between research administration and researchers at two research-intensive institutions. The type of financial arrangement a researcher has with a community partner plays an important role in setting the stage for the structure of the partnership as it relates to shared decision-making and ownership of the research. Continued efforts to clarify and streamline subcontracting processes are needed as is infrastructure to support community partners and researchers as they navigate financial arrangements if progress is to be made.
Effects of antagonistic muscle actuation on the bilaminar structure of ray-finned fish in propulsion
Authors: Bodaghi Dariush , Wang Jian-Xun , Xue Qian , Zheng Xudong
Published: November 2023

In this study, the effects of antagonistic muscle actuation on the propulsion of a bilaminar-structure fish fin ray were investigated using a two-dimensional computational flow–structure interaction (FSI) model. The structure and material properties of the model were based on the realistic biological data of the sunfish fin. The effect of muscle actuation was modelled using root displacement offset between the two hemitrichs. Parametric FSI simulations were conducted by assuming a sinusoidal function of the offset over a cycle and varying the amplitude and phase difference between the actuations and pitching/plunging motions. The results show that the phase of muscle actuation is a critical factor affecting its effects. Three performance regions can be identified with different phase ranges, including a thrust-favour region, an efficiency-favour region and a thrust-efficiency-unfavour region. In each region, the relationships among the root actuations, fin-ray kinematics, vortex dynamics and resulting performance are studied and discussed. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation between the trailing–leading amplitude ratio and thrust coefficient as well as a negative relationship between the efficiency and angle of attack at the centre of mass of the fin ray are observed.
The mean wall-normal velocity in turbulent boundary layer flows under pressure gradient
Authors: Wei Tie , Li Zhaorui , Knopp Tobias , Vinuesa Ricardo
Published: November 2023

Using a combination of proper variable transformation and integral methods, we rigorously derive an analytical formulation for the mean wall-normal velocity in turbulent boundary layers (TBLs) subjected to arbitrary pressure gradients. The accuracy and robustness of this novel formulation are validated extensively through comparisons with two independent sets of numerical simulation data, demonstrating excellent agreement in both near-equilibrium and non-equilibrium TBLs. In addition, the robustness of the analytical formulations to various choices of boundary-layer edge definition is further confirmed in non-equilibrium TBLs. Our formulation includes a streamwise derivative term, which has minimal significance in near-equilibrium TBLs but plays a crucial role in determining the mean wall-normal velocity in non-equilibrium TBLs. Moreover, we investigate the physical significance of the pre-factors associated with the mean wall-normal velocity components, and unveil a close connection between a previously defined pressure gradient parameter and the ratio of these pre-factors in the analytical equation governing the mean wall-normal velocity. The insights gained from the examination of the pre-factors and their connection to the pressure gradient parameter offer valuable knowledge for interpreting and predicting the behaviour of turbulent boundary layers in various practical applications.
Direct numerical simulation of Taylor–Couette flow with vertical asymmetric rough walls
Authors: Xu Fan , Su Jinghong , Lan Bin , Zhao Peng , He Yurong , Sun Chao , Wang Junwu
Published: November 2023

Direct numerical simulations are performed to explore the effects of the rotating direction of the vertically asymmetric rough wall on the transport properties of Taylor–Couette (TC) flow, up to a Taylor number of

${Ta} = 2.39\times 10^{7}$

. It is shown that, compared with the smooth wall, the rough wall with vertical asymmetric strips can enhance the dimensionless torque

${Nu}_{\omega }$

. More importantly, at high Ta, clockwise rotation of the inner rough wall (where the fluid is sheared by the steeper slope side of the strips) results in a significantly greater torque enhancement compared to counter-clockwise rotation (where the fluid is sheared by the smaller slope side of the strips), due to the larger convective contribution to the angular velocity flux. However, the rotating direction has a negligible effect on the torque at low Ta. The larger torque enhancement caused by the clockwise rotation of the vertically asymmetric rough wall at high Ta is then explained by the stronger coupling between the rough wall and the bulk, attributed to the larger biased azimuthal velocity towards the rough wall at the mid-gap of the TC system, the increased turbulence intensity manifested by larger Reynolds stress and a thinner boundary layer, and the more significant contribution of the pressure force on the surface of the rough wall to the torque.
Slow motion of a sphere near a sinusoidal surface
Authors: Li Gaojin
Published: November 2023

Particle motion near non-plane surfaces can exhibit intricate hydrodynamics, making it an attractive tool for manipulating particles in microfluidic devices. To understand the underlying physics, this work investigates the Stokesian dynamics of a sphere near a sinusoidal surface, using a combination of perturbation analysis and boundary element simulation. The Lorentz reciprocal theorem is employed to solve the particle mobility near a small-amplitude surface. Compared with a plane wall, the curved topography induces additional translation and rotation velocity components, with the direction depending on the location of the sphere and the wavelength of the surface. At a fixed distance from the surface, the longitudinal and vertical mobilities of the sphere are strongly affected by the wavelength and amplitude of the surface, whereas its transverse mobility is only mildly influenced. When a sphere settles perpendicular to a sinusoidal surface, the far-field hydrodynamic effect drives the particle towards the local hill, while the near-field effect attracts the particle to the valley. These results provide valuable insights into the particle motion near surfaces with complex geometry.
Effects of cannabidiol on reward contextual memories induced by cocaine in male and female mice
Authors: Briânis Rayssa C. , Iglesias Lia P. , Bedeschi Lucas G. , Moreira Fabrício A.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

Preclinical studies suggest that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid, may reduce addiction-related behaviours for various drug classes in rodents, including ethanol, opiates, and psychostimulants. CBD modulates contextual memories and responses to reward stimuli. Nonetheless, research on the impact of CBD on cocaine addiction-like behaviors is limited and requires further clarification. This study tested the hypothesis that CBD administration inhibits the acquisition and retrieval of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in adult male and female C57BL6/J mice. We also ought to characterise a 5-day CPP protocol in these animals.

Methods:

Male and female C57BL/6J mice were administered CBD (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) 30 minutes before cocaine (15 mg/kg) acquisition of expression of CPP.

Results:

Cocaine induces a CPP in both female and male mice in the 5-day CPP protocol. CBD failed to prevent the acquisition or retrieval of place preference induced by cocaine. CBD did not decrease the time spent on the side paired with cocaine at any of the doses tested in male and female mice, in either acquisition or expression of contextual memory.

Conclusion:

This study found no support for the hypothesis that CBD decreases reward memory involved in the formation of cocaine addiction. Further research is necessary to investigate the involvement of CBD in other behavioural responses to cocaine and other psychostimulant drugs. This study, however, characterised a 5-day CPP protocol for both female and male C57BL/6J mice.
Trend to equilibrium solution for the discrete Safronov–Dubovskiĭ aggregation equation with forcing
Authors: Das Arijit , Saha Jitraj
Published: November 2023

We consider the discrete Safronov-Dubovskiĭ aggregation equation associated with the physical condition, where particle injection and extraction take place in the dynamical system. In application, this model is used to describe the aggregation of particle-monomers in combination with sedimentation of particle-clusters. More precisely, we prove well-posedness of the considered model for a large class of aggregation kernel with source and efflux coefficients. Furthermore, over a long time period, we prove that the dynamical model attains a unique equilibrium solution with an exponential rate under a suitable condition on the forcing coefficient.
Engineering Territory: Space and Colonies in Silicon Valley
Authors: UTRATA ALINA
Published: November 2023

Although space colonization appears to belong to the world of science fiction, private corporations owned by Silicon Valley billionaires—and supported by the US state—have spent billions making it a reality. Analyses of space colonialism have sometimes viewed these projects as distinct from earthly histories of colonialism, instead locating them within traditions of libertarianism, neoliberalism, or techno-utopianism. By reconstructing technology elites’ political visions for celestial settlements within the literature on colonial-era corporations and property, this study argues that the idea of outer space as an empty frontier relies on the same logic of territorialization that was used to justify terrestrial colonialism and indigenous dispossession. It further traces how the idea of “engineering territory” has inspired wider Silicon Valley political exit projects such as cyberspace, seasteading, and network states, which, rather than creating spaces of anarchical freedom, are attempting to recreate the territorial state in new spaces.
Generalized divisor functions in arithmetic progressions: II
Authors: Nguyen D. T.
Published: November 2023

We obtain a new bound on the second moment of modified shifted convolutions of the generalized threefold divisor function and show that, for applications, the modified version is sufficient.
Threats to the Critically Endangered yellow-headed tortoise Indotestudo elongata in Jalthal Forest, eastern lowland Nepal
Authors: Subba Asmit , Khanal Laxman
Published: November 2023

Jalthal Forest (62.6 km2) is a remnant forest patch of a once continuous, lush and dense area of sal Shorea robusta and mixed deciduous vegetation in eastern lowland Nepal that is now surrounded by a dense human population. The forest is one of the last remnants of suitable habitat for the Critically Endangered yellow-headed tortoise Indotestudo elongata. This study explored the distribution of and conservation threats facing the yellow-headed tortoise in Jalthal Forest through field surveys in 20 community forests and structured interviews with 80 members of 22 community forest user groups and local people during September–November 2021. We surveyed 11.3 km2 of the forest and observed only four individuals of I. elongata, indicating a population density of 0.35/km2. Local people perceived that the species is decreasing mainly because of hunting (42%) and habitat deterioration from incursion of invasive species (30%). Based on the interviews with local people involved in hunting, an annual mean of 6.8 tortoises were killed during 2017–2021. The purposes of hunting were consumption (70%) and ethnomedicinal uses (30%) by the Meche and Sathar communities. Awareness campaigns and networks of communication amongst all stakeholders are required to conserve this species in Jalthal Forest.
NOTES FROM ROME 2022–23
Authors: Siwicki Christopher
Published: November 2023

This gazette presents to the reader outside Rome news of recent archaeological activity (July 2022–June 2023) gleaned from public lectures, conferences, exhibitions and newspaper reports.
Quantifying the uniqueness and efficiency of the MLAT relative to L1 attainment as a predictor of L2 achievement: A conceptual replication
Authors: Sparks Richard L. , Dale Philip S.
Published: November 2023

In this conceptual replication of Sparks and Dale ([2023]. The prediction from MLAT to L2 achievement is largely due to MLAT asessment of underlying L1 abilities. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 1–25) utilizing a dataset previously reported by Sparks et al. ([2009]. Long-term relationships among early L1 skills, L2 aptitude, L2 affect, and later L2 proficiency. Applied Psycholinguistics, 30, 725–755.), L1 achievement scores over 1st–5th grades and L2 aptitude scores from the Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) in 9th grade were examined as predictors of L2 achievement for U.S. secondary students completing L2 courses in 9th and 10th grades. The study’s focus was on the uniqueness and efficiency of MLAT with respect to measuring L1 achievement in predicting L2 achievement. All L1 measures and MLAT predicted L2 literacy and language, and L1 measures predicted MLAT scores. Word decoding was the strongest overall L1 predictor, though there was variation across the L2 measures. The unique contribution of MLAT was modest, as the majority of total prediction (77–86%) was due to L1 measures. The efficiency of MLAT in capturing predictive variance from L1 abilities was moderately high (median ∼73%) but variable across the L1 and L2 measures. Findings are generally consistent with those of Sparks and Dale (2023) showing that prediction from MLAT to L2 is largely due to MLAT’s assessment of L1 abilities, even though a substantial amount of L2 prediction-relevant L1 variance is missed by MLAT.
Maternal depressive symptoms and child language development: Exploring potential pathways through observed and self-reported mother-child verbal interactions
Authors: Bird Amy , Reese Elaine , Salmon Karen , Waldie Karen , Peterson Elizabeth , Atatoa-Carr Polly , Morton Susan
Published: November 2023

Maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) in the postnatal period may impact children’s later development through poorer quality parent-child interactions. The current study tested a specific pathway from MDS (child age 9 months) to child receptive vocabulary (4 ½ years) through both self-reported and observed parent-child verbal interactions (at both 2 and 4 ½ years). Participants (n = 4,432) were part of a large, diverse, contemporary pre-birth national cohort study: Growing Up in New Zealand. Results indicated a direct association between greater MDS at 9 months and poorer receptive vocabulary at age 4 ½ years. There was support for an indirect pathway through self-reported parent-child verbal interactions at 2 years and through observed parent-child verbal interactions at 4 ½ years. A moderated mediation effect was also found: the indirect effect of MDS on child vocabulary through observed verbal interaction was supported for families living in areas of greater socioeconomic deprivation. Overall, findings support the potential role of parent-child verbal interactions as a mechanism for the influence of MDS on later child language development. This pathway may be particularly important for families experiencing socioeconomic adversity, suggesting that effective and appropriate supportive parenting interventions be preferentially targeted to reduce inequities in child language outcomes.
Large cliques or cocliques in hypergraphs with forbidden order-size pairs
Authors: Axenovich Maria , Bradač Domagoj , Gishboliner Lior , Mubayi Dhruv , Weber Lea
Published: November 2023

The well-known Erdős-Hajnal conjecture states that for any graph
$F$
, there exists
$\epsilon \gt 0$
such that every
$n$
-vertex graph
$G$
that contains no induced copy of
$F$
has a homogeneous set of size at least
$n^{\epsilon }$
. We consider a variant of the Erdős-Hajnal problem for hypergraphs where we forbid a family of hypergraphs described by their orders and sizes. For graphs, we observe that if we forbid induced subgraphs on
$m$
vertices and
$f$
edges for any positive
$m$
and
$0\leq f \leq \binom{m}{2}$
, then we obtain large homogeneous sets. For triple systems, in the first nontrivial case
$m=4$
, for every
$S \subseteq \{0,1,2,3,4\}$
, we give bounds on the minimum size of a homogeneous set in a triple system where the number of edges spanned by every four vertices is not in
$S$
. In most cases the bounds are essentially tight. We also determine, for all
$S$
, whether the growth rate is polynomial or polylogarithmic. Some open problems remain.
Editorial Comments: The 2023 Model Core Content of Disaster Medicine
Authors: Franc Jeffrey Michael , Stratton Samuel J.
Published: November 2023

The recently published Model Core Content of Disaster Medicine introduces proposed curriculum elements for specialized education and training in Disaster Medicine. This editorial comments on the publishing decision for the manuscript.
The Effect of Rousseau on Kant’s Resolution of the Antinomy of Practical Reason
Authors: Alberg Jeremiah
Published: November 2023

I examine chapters I and II of the Dialectic of Pure Practical Reason from the Critique of Practical Reason, to show that Kant resolved the antimony of practical reason by first giving an accurate representation of the cause of a properly moral act and then recognizing that this accurate representation raised further problems, problems that were anticipated by Rousseau, especially in his Reveries of a Solitary Walker. Rousseau’s reveries allowed Kant to explore, and to some extent overcome, the darker implications of their common understanding of virtue. In the second Critique this takes the form of explaining how one can understand and existentially achieve one’s own satisfaction based on contentment with oneself rather than enjoyment.
Acidification Of Northeastern USA Lakes From Rising Anthropogenic‐Sourced Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Its Effects on Aluminum Speciation
Authors: Johannesson Karen H. , Horne Jaxon Dii , Misra Anant , Aliperta Catherine , Meletis Orpheus V. , Santore Robert C. , White Christopher D. , Mavrommati Georgia , Burdige David J.
Published: November 2023

The impact of rising atmospheric CO2 (pCO2atm) from anthropogenic activities on pH, dissolved inorganic carbon, carbonate mineral saturation, and aluminum (Al) speciation is evaluated for 18 northeastern USA lakes using polythermal, sliding activity reaction path models. pCO2atm was forced using two scenarios from the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report in which pCO2atm attains either 600 or 1,100 ppm in 2,100. Results suggest pH will decrease 0.15 and 0.32 pH units, will decrease 24% and 49%, and Ωaragonite will decrease 21% and 45%, respectively. These changes are of the same magnitude as those expected for the oceans. The effects of rising pCO2atm on sub‐lethal 20% effect concentrations (i.e., EC20) of Al for brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are evaluated with the biotic ligand model, which indicates Al toxicity effects will increase as pH decreases. These changes could reverse gains in water quality and fisheries health achieved since implementation of the Clean Air Act.