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This paper provides a systematic and critical review of the existing literature on the phenomenon of 'commercial contract cheating' (CCC). Unlike some existing systematic reviews generally on CCC, this paper focuses on the potential causes and suggested preventative measures specifically, intending to develop effective interventions on the basis of empirical insights. We reviewed primary studies with empirical data and systematic reviews focusing on higher education published between 2012 and 2020. A logic model is developed to graphically indicate the complex and dynamic interplay between a variety of factors identified. Our inquiry reveals a highly specified, uncoordinated and fragmented research landscape that urgently needs integrated, holistic and critical reflection. It shows that the current research is still far from establishing causal relationships as the scholarship opts to reveal an abundance of contextual factors identified only, without probing the relational dynamics or striving for causality. A range of broad and tentative recommendations are proposed on that basis but are barely empirically examined. We also attend to lack of conceptual clarity and work towards a more inclusive and future-proof definition of CCC beyond assignment-based conceptualisation. It is argued that CCC should never be reduced to plagiarism (a natural inclination inspired by the plagiarism research tradition) nor neutralised as a legitimate business (a potential risk revealed mostly by the supply side research). As an interdisciplinary field, CCC should move beyond student perceptions of education cheating and affordability, while including more inquiries into the exploitative, predatory nature of the industry.

FLNC, encoding filamin C, is one of the most mutated genes in dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, the precise role of filamin C in mammalian heart remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated Flnc global (FlncgKO) and cardiomyocyte-specific knockout (FlnccKO) mice died in utero from severely ruptured ventricular myocardium, indicating filamin C is required to maintain the structural integrity of myocardium in the mammalian heart. Contrary to the common belief that filamin C acts as an integrin inactivator, we observed attenuated activation of β1 integrin specifically in the myocardium of FlncgKO mice. Although deleting β1 integrin from cardiomyocytes did not recapitulate the heart rupture phenotype in Flnc knockout mice, deleting both β1 integrin and filamin C from cardiomyocytes resulted in much more severe heart ruptures than deleting filamin C alone. Our results demonstrated that filamin C works in concert with β1 integrin to maintain the structural integrity of myocardium during mammalian heart development.

Is it possible for young people to develop intercultural understanding through an ocean-crossing sailing voyage? What would happen to intercultural communication in a tall-ship space? This article unpacks the process of interculturality construction and participants' identity negotiation within an ocean-sailing setting. It applies an analytical tool of intersubjectivity and seeks to relate interculturality to experiential learning theory. It draws upon a mini ethnographic study that collected data during a sailing voyage across the North Sea. The finding reveals six intersubjective factors that influence the process of interculturality co-construction. The article suggests that sail-training, as an outdoor medium of experiential learning, has the potential to stimulate participants to develop an analytical vision towards the self, the other and specific interactive dynamics.

This paper presents an ethnography study that explores the formulation of interculturality from the unique experiences of sail trainees who were bound by space and time during a sailing voyage across the North Sea. The author immersed herself as a mentor-researcher into a 107-year-old tall ship's expedition, sailing across 1000 nautical miles. Empirical data were collected and analysed, ranging from interviews, observations, fieldnotes, to the participants' diaries and logbooks. The study reveals that situated in a confined space largely shaped by the unpredictable conditions at sea, both the researcher and the participants confront challenges due to various factors, driving them out of their comfort zones and prompting them to co-create fluid communicative approaches in the sailing ethnography. Given the uniqueness of the research site, this study provides methodological insights for intercultural or adventure ethnographic research design.

This article explores how a third space could be constructed in an outdoor setting. It uses at-sea sail-training to substantiate the construction of a third space. It uses Yin-Yang philosophy to enrich existing theories of third space and experiential learning. The finding reveals that the thirdness of the oceanic space has a positive impact on self-other understanding in intercultural contexts. It concludes by presenting a three-dimensional Yin-Yang third space of ocean experiences upon tall ships and suggests nine elements in intercultural programmes should be reflected upon as a basis for creating a learning space of interculturality.

To address the issues of corrosion weakening of solid-waste-based backfill material caused by mine water, a novel hydrophobic solid waste backfill (HSBF) material was developed using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a silane coupling agent (SCA) as hydrophobic modification additives, and NaOH (SH) and sodium silicate (SS) as alkali activators. Fly ash and slag were chosen as the primary raw solid waste materials. The rheological properties of the hydrophobic-treated backfill slurries were measured, and the resulting physicochemical properties were compared with the unmodified reference group. This study reveals that the fresh HSBF slurry follows a Modified Bingham (M-B) model with shear-thinning characteristics. The addition of PDMS causes an increase in the water contact angle of the hardened HSBF material with F8S2 to up to 134.9°, indicating high hydrophobicity. Morphological observations indicated that PDMS mainly attaches to the inorganic particles' surface through the bridging action of SCA for the hydrophobic modification of the backfill material. The overall strength of the HSBF materials was further ensured via fly ash–slag ratio optimization, and was found to be enhanced up to 98% by increasing slag content from 20% to 50%. This is mainly attributed to the hydration of slag, forming C-S(A)-H gel, which contributes to the increased strength. The novel HSBF material enables the elimination of cement in mine backfilling applications, demonstrating good economic benefits. Its excellent mechanical and hydrophobic properties can not only prevent overburden displacement in goaf areas, but can also mitigate water resource loss from overlying strata and simultaneously reduce the safety risks associated with long-term mine water deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To investigate the indications of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy among patients with mild hypercapnia and to explore the predictors of intubation when HFNC fails. Methods This retrospective study was conducted based on the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Adult patients with mild hypercapnia (45 < PaCO.sub.2 [less than or equal to] 60 mmHg) received either HFNC or non-invasive ventilation (NIV) oxygen therapy. Propensity score matching (PSM) was implemented to increase between-group comparability. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival and cumulative intubation rates, while 28-day mortality and 48-h and 28-day intubation rates were compared using the Chi-squared test. The predictive performances of HR/SpO.sub.2 and the ROX index (the ratio of SpO.sub.2/FiO.sub.2 to respiratory rate) at 4 h were assessed regarding HFNC failure, which was determined if intubation was given within 48 h after the initiation of oxygen therapy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for HR/SpO.sub.2 and the ROX index were calculated and compared. Results A total of 524,520 inpatient hospitalization records were screened, 106 patients in HFNC group and 106 patients in NIV group were successfully matched. No significant difference in 48-h intubation rate between the HFNC group (the treatment group) and the NIV group (the control group) (14.2% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.278); patients receiving HFNC had higher 28-day intubation rate (26.4% vs. 14.2%, p = 0.029), higher 28-day mortality (17.9% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.043), and longer ICU length of stay (4.4 vs. 3.3 days, p = 0.019), compared to those of NIV group. The AUC of HR/SpO.sub.2 at 4 h after the initiation of HFNC yielded around 0.660 for predicting 48-h intubation, greater than that of the ROX index with an AUC of 0.589 (p < 0.01). Conclusion Patients with impending respiratory failure had lower intubation rate, shorter ICU length of stay, and lower mortality when treated mild hypercapnia with NIV over HFNC. As opposed to the ROX index, a modest, yet improved predictive performance is demonstrated using HR/SpO.sub.2 in predicting the failure of HFNC among these patients., Author(s): Lingling Su [sup.1], Qinyu Zhao [sup.2], Taotao Liu [sup.3], Yujun Xu [sup.4], Weichun Li [sup.1], Aiping Zhang [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Taizhou [...]

This paper provides an alternative lens of viewing digital technologies and networked spaces in outdoor intercultural learning, by introducing the Taoist philosophy of Ziran (nature) and Wuwei (inaction). The application of digital technology to outdoor learning has become prevailing and triggered critical debates and discussions among scholars and practitioners. The majority of the perspectives are, however, oriented in Western ideologies, and very rarely has any research considered this issue in the context of outdoor intercultural learning. A mini-ethnographic study was conducted to reconcile the nature-technology dichotomy during an EU-exchange sail-training voyage. Methodological implications are provided for conducting fieldwork in outdoor learning research, in line with the Ziran-Wuwei principles. The findings suggest that educators and facilitators follow the dialectical, relational, and contextual orientations to manage the (non)use of digital devices to maximise learners' outdoor experiential engagement and reflections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the in-betweenness and the temporal freedom in leisure and intercultural experiences, particularly in the outdoor setting of a sailing expedition. An ethnography study was conducted to explore the in-betweenness of liminoid leisure space and self-other interculturality during an EU-exchange tall ship sail-training voyage. The physical confinement of the sailing ship blurred the boundaries of the participants' perceived and experiential leisure space, the pre-determined ship schedule and routines provided an unconventional sense of time fluidity, and the assembled socio-cultural diversity onboard formed a stage of unfamiliarity. The finding reveals that the spatial, temporal and relational features on a sailing ship enabled individuals to go through leisure hybridity together and co-negotiate meanings that promote diversity and understanding, participants' perceived and temporal freedom and satisfaction, and relational harmony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the current status and attrition among HIV-infected persons receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and to analyze factors affecting attrition in Hainan. Methods In this study, HIV-infected patients who started ART treatment in Hainan Province from 2005 to 2022 were selected from the antiviral treatment submodule of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,a total of 4 286 HIV-infected persons were receiving . A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze factors affecting attrition. Results Among the 4 286 study subjects, 3 718 were males (86.7%), with a sex ratio of 6.55:1. Unmarried individuals accounted for 58.4%, and the average age was (39.68±13.17) years. Transmission through homosexual contact accounted for 49.8%, and 84.3% were in WHO clinical stage I. Treatment regimens containing Efavirenz (EFV) accounted for 71.7%. During a follow-up of 19 677.44 person-years, the overall attrition rate was 0.80 per 100 person-years, with the first-year post-ART initiation attrition rate being 21.10 per 100 person-years. The results of Cox regression analysis showed that the time of treatment initiation in 2016-2022 (AHR=2.40, 95%CI: 1.40-4.10), and the last HIV viral load (VL) 20-<1 000 copies/mL (AHR=3.69, 95%CI: 2.08-6.54), the last HIV-1 VL≥1 000 copies/mL (AHR=15.98, 95%CI: 9.46-27.01), and no last HIV-1 VL test (AHR=92.90, 95%CI: 57.68-149.62), the time interval from diagnosis to treatment for 1-12 months (AHR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.12-2.36), and an interval longer than 12 months (AHR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.07-2.62) were the main factors that increased the risk of attrition. Treatment regimens containing Lopinavir/ritonavir (Lpv/r) (AHR=0.34, 95%CI:0.18-0.66) and treatment regimens containing integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) (AHR=0.24, 95%CI: 0.09-0.58) were the factors that reduced the risk of attrition after antiretroviral therapy. Conclusions The attrition of ART in HIV/AIDS patients in Hainan Province is related to a longer interval from diagnosis to treatment, treatment plan, and abnormal HIV viral load test results. Case-based measures should be taken to address factors influencing antiretroviral treatment attrition, while improving the timeliness of antiviral treatment and treatment management service quality to further improve the efficacy of antiviral treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the molecular mechanism of fungal elicitors regulating shikonin synthesis, RNA sequencing and analysis were performed on the roots of Arnebia euchroma sterile seedlings after bio-induction by elicitors prepared from Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the Fusarium oxysporum experimental group differentially expressed 1 735 genes; the Rhizoctonia solani experimental group differentially expressed 1 043 genes. GO (gene ontology) analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes of 2 experimental groups were mainly enriched in cellular processes in biological processes, membrane in cellular components, and catalytic activity in molecular functions. KEGG (kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) analysis revealed that 2 experimental groups were enriched in a large number of differentially expressed genes in the pathways of plant-pathogen interaction, phytohormone signaling pathways and phenylpropanoid synthesis. The same transcription factors were differentially expressed in 2 experimental groups, mainly including bHLH, AP2/ERF-ERF and LOB. The expression of AeGHQH, AeDSH1, AeAP, AePAL, AeDI2, AePGT, AeHMGR and AeG10H genes, which were involved in the synthesis and positive regulation of shikonin, were found to be up-regulated in 2 experimental groups, with more significant up-regulation in the Fusarium oxysporum experimental group. Above results elaborated the response mechanism of Arnebia euchroma in the biological induction of fungal elicitors at the molecular level, which laid a theoretical foundation for the future application of fungal elicitors in the cultivation and production of Arnebia euchroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Remnant cholesterol (RC) seems associated with native aortic stenosis. Bioprosthetic valve degeneration may share similar lipid-mediated pathways with aortic stenosis. We aimed to investigate the association of RC with the progression of bioprosthetic aortic valve degeneration and ensuing clinical outcomes. Methods and results We enrolled 203 patients with a median of 7.0 years (interquartile range: 5.1–9.2) after surgical aortic valve replacement. RC concentration was dichotomized by the top RC tertile (23.7 mg/dL). At 3-year follow-up, 121 patients underwent follow-up visit for the assessment of annualized change in aortic valve calcium density (AVCd). RC levels showed a curvilinear relationship with an annualized progression rate of AVCd, with increased progression rates when RC >23.7 mg/dL (P = 0.008). There were 99 deaths and 46 aortic valve re-interventions in 133 patients during a median clinical follow-up of 8.8 (8.7–9.6) years. RC >23.7 mg/dL was independently associated with mortality or re-intervention (hazard ratio: 1.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.31–2.99; P = 0.001). Conclusion Elevated RC is independently associated with faster progression of bioprosthetic valve degeneration and increased risk of all-cause mortality or aortic valve re-intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]