bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 391: Real‐World Flow Diverter Experience: Imaging Outcomes and Predictors of Aneurysm Occlusion
Authors: Martucci M. , Abdulrazzak M. , Achey R. , Patterson T. , Moore N. , Tsai J. , Bain M. , Hussain M. , Toth G.
Published: January 2025

Introduction/Purpose

Flow diverter devices (FDD) are endoluminal stents that have emerged to provide an excellent treatment option for many patients with giant, complex, fusiform and/or wide neck aneurysms. Multiple studies have shown reasonable occlusion rates with FDDs with low morbidity and mortality, but data is scarce on predictors of aneurysm persistent filling after treatment. Our aim was to identify long‐term imaging outcomes with different FDD.

Methods and Materials

Single tertiary care center retrospective analysis, including patients with ruptured or unruptured intracranial aneurysms, treated with FDD over 7 years.

Results

A total of 398 patients were included in the study. Average age was 56 (+/‐14) years, 82% were female. Most patients were current or prior smokers (53%). About 15% had positive family history and 60% had a history of hypertension. Most aneurysms were incidental and asymptomatic (76.1%); only 25 patients (6.3%) presented with a ruptured aneurysm, and 70 patients (17.6%) had unruptured symptomatic aneurysms (headache in 62%). The most common location was the ophthalmic artery (34%), most were saccular in morphology (79%) and measured <10 mm in size (76%). The most common device used was the Pipeline shield FDD (70%) followed by Surpass Evolve FDD (24%). Most patients (87%) had a follow‐up angiogram between 6 months to 1 year after initial FDD embolization procedure. The average time from intervention to follow‐up imaging was 11.2 months, at which point 70% of patients achieved complete occlusion of the treated aneurysm. Patients who had further follow‐up, had a spontaneous occlusion rate of about 22%. Significant predictors for residual filling included a major artery originating from the aneurysm's neck/dome/fundus, larger aneurysm size (>10 mm) without adjunct coiling, or fusiform morphology.

Conclusion

We confirm previous findings that FDD are a durable treatment for intracranial aneurysms with an excellent occlusion rate. We identified predictors of residual filling after treatment, which can guide treatment decisions for aneurysms with an artery originating from the aneurysm, larger size and fusiform aneurysm type.
Abstract 392: Recurrent ischemic strokes in a patient with ITP, case report and literature review
Authors: Ali A. , Machinetc O. , Husar W.
Published: January 2025

Introduction/Purpose

Immune Thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune acquired thrombocytopenia caused by autoantibodies against platelet antigens leading to platelet destruction and platelet underproduction. Patients with ITP usually have a higher risk of bleeding compared to the general population, however thrombocytopenia in ITP is not necessarily protective against thrombosis. While the exact pathophysiology of hypercoagulability in ITP is still not fully understood and not enough data in literature guiding stroke management in patients with ITP as the primary stroke risk factor, there are multiple etiologies suggested including inflammation, antiphospholipid antibodies in some patients, or the effects of certain treatments such as glucocorticoids and Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO‐RAs)

Methods

A single case report, literature review through PubMed

Results

A 65‐year‐old male with a history of unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) while on Rivaroxaban presented with worsening headaches and cognitive dysfunction. A CT scan of the head revealed bilateral subacute frontal lobe infarcts with an embolic appearance. Initial laboratory tests showed thrombocytopenia (54,000), and a hypercoagulable workup, including tests for anticardiolipin antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies, beta‐2 glycoprotein antibodies, factor V Leiden mutation, and Prothrombin gene mutation, returned negative. A bone marrow biopsy revealed immature megakaryocytes without morphological abnormalities. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms did not show any intracardiac or intrapulmonary shunts, and telemetry monitoring did not detect any arrhythmias. The patient was switched from Rivaroxaban to Warfarin, with an INR target of 2.0‐3.0, and was started on glucocorticoids and Rituximab. Follow‐up showed an improvement in platelet count. Eight months after discharge, the patient experienced a new right pontine infarct; at that time, his INR was 2.34, and a repeat stroke workup was inconclusive. The Warfarin dose was adjusted to achieve an INR target of 2.5‐3.5. Over a subsequent 4‐year follow‐up period, the patient did not experience any additional strokes.

Conclusion

Patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) face an increased risk of stroke, often of cryptogenic origin. While thrombocytopenia in ITP is not protective against thrombosis, it certainly increases the risk of bleeding in individuals on anticoagulant therapy, making management more complex. Further research is needed to develop guidelines for managing stroke in ITP patients particularly who lack conventional stroke

risk factors

Additionally, the potential role of anti‐inflammatory agents, such as glucocorticoids, in reducing stroke risk in this population warrants investigation.
Abstract 435: Timing of Anticoagulation Therapy After Ischemic Stroke: Comparative Outcomes in Early vs. Late Treatment Strategies
Authors: Elsayed M. M. , Elsayed M. , Hamdi Y. , Sorour M. , Farghaly M. , Elshazly H.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The optimal timing for initiating anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after an ischemic stroke remains a topic of ongoing debate. This study aims to compare the cognitive and functional outcomes of early versus late initiation of anticoagulation therapy in stroke patients with AF, providing insights into the potential benefits of timely intervention.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 300 ischemic stroke patients with confirmed AF who received anticoagulation therapy. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the timing of therapy initiation: the early treatment group, where anticoagulation was started within 24 hours post‐stroke, and the late treatment group, where therapy was initiated beyond 24 hours. Cognitive recovery was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) six months post‐stroke, and functional outcomes were evaluated using the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale.

Results

The analysis revealed that patients who received early anticoagulation therapy demonstrated significantly better cognitive outcomes compared to those in the late treatment group. Specifically, MoCA scores were higher in the early group (24.5 ± 3.5 vs. 21.8 ± 4.0, p < 0.01), indicating enhanced cognitive recovery. Additionally, functional assessments showed that patients in the early treatment group had superior ADL scores, reflecting better functional independence six months post‐stroke.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that early initiation of anticoagulation therapy in stroke patients with AF is associated with more favorable cognitive and functional outcomes compared to delayed treatment. The results underscore the importance of timely intervention in improving recovery trajectories for stroke patients at risk of AF‐related complications. These insights highlight the potential benefits of early anticoagulation in enhancing post‐stroke recovery, offering a compelling argument for revisiting current clinical guidelines on the timing of anticoagulation therapy in this patient population.
Abstract 462: Watershed Shift Phenomenon in MCA Occlusion Patient After Direct Revascularization Surgery
Authors: Oh S.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Direct revascularization procedures, such as superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA‐MCA) bypass, are commonly performed to restore cerebral blood flow in patients with intracranial stenosis. While the primary aim of this surgery is to alleviate ischemic symptoms, unexpected post‐operative changes, such as the watershed shift phenomenon, can complicate patient's neurologic recovery and affect neurological outcomes. In this case report we present a case where occurrence of a watershed shift phenomenon in a patient following STA‐MCA bypass surgery, affecting immediate post‐operative neurologic status, requiring post‐surgical management.

Method

A 66‐year‐old male patient presented with a recurrent dysarthria and right side weakness. Patient showed was selected for a STA‐MCA bypass. Pre‐operative imaging (MRI and MRA) indicated compromised blood flow in the distal MCA territory. Direct revascularization surgery was performed, and the performed successfully.

Results

Post‐surgery, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in her neurological function. However, on POD#1, the patient showed sudden dysarthria, and MR diffusion showed acute infarction on Lt temporal lobe. Symptom was relieved shortly after fluid therapy, but on POD#3 patient showed sudden decrease in mentality and MRI showed newly developed signs of hyperperfusion syndrome, which was soon recovered with blood pressure control. On POD #6 patient showed sudden global aphasia and disorientation. Brain CT angiography and perfusion showed good patency of anastomosis site, but decreased CBF, delayed TTD on temporal lobe adjacent to it, which suggested watershed shift phenomenon. Systolic blood pressure was controlled to 160~180mmHg strictly, and patient recovered from global aphasia. Blood pressure was gradually normalized, and patient was discharged without any neurologic sequlae.

Conclusion

In this case we present the importance of monitoring potential watershed shift phenomenon following STA‐MCA bypass surgery. While immediate post‐operative improvements can be expected, neurovascular dynamics should be continuously evaluated to address any unexpected complications that may arise. It is important to keep in mind that such complications may occur in post‐operative patients who underwent direct revascularization surgery.
Dedifferentiation of caudate functional organization is linked to reduced D1 dopamine receptor availability and poorer memory function in aging
Authors: Korkki Saana M. , Johansson Jarkko , Nordin Kristin , Pedersen Robin , Bäckman Lars , Rieckmann Anna , Salami Alireza
Published: January 2025

Age-related alterations in cortico-striatal function have been highlighted as an important determinant of declines in flexible, higher-order, cognition in older age. However, the mechanisms underlying such alterations remain poorly understood. Computational accounts propose age-related dopaminergic decreases to impoverish neural gain control, possibly contributing to reduced specificity of cortico-striatal circuits, that are modulated by dopamine, in older age. Using multi-modal neuroimaging data (fMRI, PET) from a large lifespan cohort (n = 180), we assessed the relationship between dopamine D1-like receptors (D1DRs) and cortico-striatal function during rest and an n-back working memory task. The results revealed gradual age-related decreases in the specificity of functional coupling between the centrolateral caudate and cortical association networks during both rest and working memory, which, in turn, was associated with poorer short- and long-term memory performance with older age. Critically, reduced D1DR availability in the caudate and the prefrontal cortex predicted less differentiated caudate-cortical coupling across the lifespan, in part accounting for the age-related declines observed on this metric. These findings provide novel empirical evidence for a key role of dopamine in maintaining functional specialization of cortico-striatal circuits as individuals age, bridging with computational models of deficient catecholaminergic neuromodulation underpinning age-related dedifferentiation of brain function.
Anatomical and palynological peculiarities of rare species Hyacinthella atropatana (Hyacinthaceae) in Armenia
Authors: ACHOYAN ARPINE , HAYRAPETYAN ALLA , MURADYAN ALVARD
Published: January 2025

Hyacinthella atropatana (Hyacinthaceae) is endemic to South Transcaucasia and is also listed in the Red Book of Plants of Armenia under the EN (Endangered) category. There are three known locations of this species, namely the Darelegis and Meghri floristic regions (Armenia) and Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan).
The comparative anatomical analysis of H. atropatana specimens from both Armenian populations was conducted for the first time. The results revealed no anatomical differences between the examined specimens. The observed anatomical features, including the mechanical tissue in the scape and palisade tissue in the leaf, underscore the species’ xerophilic adaptations. Our research contributes also novel quantitative data to supplement existing literature. An evaluation of the species’ anatomical traits in relation to other investigated Hyacinthella and Scilla species substantiates H. atropatana’s closest structural similarity to the genus Hyacinthella, particularly regarding scape and leaf anatomy. At the same time, H. atropatana was distinguished from the representatives of both genera by having the smallest number of vascular bundles in both the scape and the leaf, as well as a smaller number of cortex layers in the scape. The data obtained confirmed the previous opinion on the uniqueness of this species.
A comprehensive study of the pollen characteristics of H. atropatana was conducted also for the first time. It revealed a noticeable palynomorphological similarity between the two Armenian populations, as well as between samples collected in Armenia and Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan), which may be attributed to the considerable resemblance of their habitats. Additionally, our research established that within the Hyacinthella genus, H. atropatana is distinctive both in the size of pollen grains (somewhat larger than those noted for other studied species) and the uniqueness of pollen exine ornamentation. The data received support the previously proposed assumption about some isolation of this species within the Hyacinthella genus and its placement in a separate section, Atropatana.
2. A brief introduction to research design
Authors: Navarro Danielle , Foxcroft David
Published: January 2025

This chapter introduces the foundational principles of research design, emphasizing the interplay between data collection and analysis. It provides an overview of the key concepts in operationalizing theoretical constructs into measurable variables and highlights the different scales of measurement—nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio—along with the distinctions between continuous and discrete variables. The chapter also delves into assessing the reliability and validity of measurements, defining their roles in ensuring consistent and accurate data collection. Additionally, it explores the roles of variables, distinguishing predictors from outcomes, and provides an understanding of the critical differences between experimental and non-experimental research designs. The focus is on equipping readers with tools to critically evaluate existing research rather than designing studies from scratch.

A significant portion of the chapter is dedicated to potential threats to research validity, including confounders, artefacts, history and maturation effects, and biases such as selection and non-response bias. The chapter also addresses specific challenges like experimenter bias, demand effects, and the complexities of interpreting Likert scale data. It outlines methodologies to mitigate these risks, such as randomization and double-blind designs, while acknowledging the inherent limitations of research studies. Concluding with a discussion of the importance of understanding reliability and validity, the chapter reinforces the necessity of sound research design for producing trustworthy and generalizable findings.
16. Bayesian statistics
Authors: Navarro Danielle , Foxcroft David
Published: January 2025

Chapter 16 introduces Bayesian statistics as an alternative to the frequentist perspective commonly used in psychology and other scientific disciplines. The chapter begins by critiquing the dominance of frequentist methods, noting their limitations and the challenges they pose for applied research. Bayesian statistics is presented as a framework that prioritises belief revision and rational decision-making, underpinned by clear probabilistic reasoning. The chapter explains the fundamental principles of Bayesian inference, emphasising how prior beliefs, likelihoods, and observed data interact to update our understanding of hypotheses. Through illustrative examples, such as predicting rainfall based on umbrella usage, the chapter demonstrates the intuitive and flexible nature of Bayesian reasoning, culminating in a clear explanation of Bayes’ rule. This foundational knowledge is then applied to hypothesis testing, showing how Bayesian methods enable researchers to quantify evidence in favour of both null and alternative hypotheses, with Bayes factors serving as a robust measure of evidentiary strength.

In the latter sections, the chapter contrasts Bayesian and frequentist approaches, highlighting the interpretive clarity and evidentiary consistency of Bayesian statistics. Practical examples include Bayesian t-tests, demonstrating how this approach provides more cautious and nuanced interpretations compared to orthodox methods. The chapter also discusses the pitfalls of traditional p-values, particularly in scenarios involving data peeking or optional stopping, and argues for Bayesian methods as a more honest and human-aligned approach to statistical inference. By the end, readers are encouraged to critically evaluate their statistical paradigms, with recommendations for further resources to deepen their understanding of Bayesian analysis.
Right to Information in India: A Tool of Decentralised Democracy
Authors: Singh Renu
Published: January 2025

The Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 passed with great fanfare as a path-breaking legislation by the then government completed a journey of 19 years on 12th October, 2024. The Act empowered millions of people and kick-started their journey of an RTI application, evoking the concept of participatory citizenship. Without an iota of doubt, it can be said, ‘RTI has empowered the lay man to communicate directly with the public authority, squashing the practice of delivery of services by the authority, by challenging the practice of allotting the “middleman” the charge of disbursement of entitlements’ hence shifting from a ‘need based-approach to a rights-based approach to development. It has been observed through studies that the RTI has played an active role in checking public authority at the grassroots levels for any misappropriation of people’s money. However, the transformation in work culture, from secretive to openness, changing of minds of the public authorities as well as of the people, will definitely take a long time to bring RTI in practice to its full potential.
Preference for Distinct Variants in Learning Sound Correspondences During Dialect Acquisition
Authors: Yu Xiaoyu , Do Youngah
Published: January 2025

Sound correspondences (SCs) have been found to be learnable phonological patterns in second dialect acquisition. Cross-linguistically, SCs consist of similar as well as distinct variants. However, in the study of SC learning, the effect of the similarity between the corresponding variants remains understudied. The salience hypothesis proposes that distinct dialect variants are more salient and learnable, while the learning bias hypothesis in phonological learning predicts that SC patterns with similar variants are preferred by learners. We conducted an artificial language learning experiment to test how sound similarity affects SC learning. Specifically, the degrees of similarity between variants were evaluated from multidimensional metrics, including phonetic and phonological measures, which are cross-validated with typological evidence. While there was no effect of variant similarity in learning simple one-to-one SCs, a preference for the most distinct dialect variant was found in the learning of SCs exhibiting more complex mapping structures (i.e., two-to-one and one-to-two). Our results confirm a preference for distinct variants in SC learning, although this effect relies on two conditions. First, the preference for distinction emerges only in the presence of complex mapping structures. Second, this preference requires an activation threshold, in that the distance of the SC must be sufficiently large to trigger the effect.
Comprehensive analysis of the compressive behavior of Fischer-Koch-S, F-RD, and neovius TPMS cellular structures in 3D-printed PLA specimens
Authors: Abdulazizov Mukhammadaziz , Pervaiz Salman
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates the compression-tested mechanical properties of 3D Polylactic acid (PLA) printed Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) lattice structures, exploring the impact of varying input parameters. The input parameters included in this study are cellular structure, printing speed, and unit cell size. This study serves as a valuable guide for achieving specific mechanical properties through the selection of optimal parameters. The three input parameters would have a major effect in the overall mechanical properties of the specimens. Four output parameters were studied in this experiment elastic modulus, yield stress, plateau stress, and toughness. A Desirability Function Analysis (DFA) was implanted to achieve the most optimal parameter combination and it was compared to the original parameters. By comparing the mechanical properties of the original nine samples against the predicted optimized parameter, the toughness was increased by 2.15%, elastic modulus increased by 108.33%, yield stress increased by 4% and plateau stress increased by 3.97%.
Fault-tolerant consensus control of linear multi-agent systems with polynomial faults based on event triggered mechanism
Authors: Pang Guochen , Liu Yang , Qiu Jianlong , Chen Xiangyong , Liu Yang
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates the problem of fault-tolerant consensus control in multi-agent systems, with an emphasis on triggers induced by polynomial faults. Polynomial models are utilized to precisely capture the diverse range of faults that may manifest within the system, enabling an accurate representation of fault dynamics through polynomial approximations. An observer is subsequently designed to estimate both system faults and external disturbances with a high degree of accuracy. To optimize communication efficiency, an event-triggering mechanism based on periodic sampling is introduced, significantly reducing superfluous data transmissions. Based on the estimated faults and disturbances, a distributed fault-tolerant controller is devised. This controller effectively mitigates the impact of actuator faults while attenuating external disturbances, thereby substantially enhancing system robustness. The proposed approach ensures synchronization, disturbance rejection, and robust consensus control throughout the multi-agent network. The efficacy of the proposed methods is demonstrated through extensive simulation studies. Moreover, the approach not only decreases the frequency of event triggers but also enlarges the domain of attraction. The practical feasibility and effectiveness of the approach are further validated through two comprehensive simulation examples.
Children’s prosocial lying: Polite versus altruistic lies in different social contexts
Authors: Cui Dan , Zhang Xia , Li Yanfang
Published: January 2025

This study investigates prosocial lying in children, focusing on their use of polite and altruistic lies in interactions with peers and adults. Despite its significance in moral development, the distinction between polite and altruistic lies remains underexplored, particularly spontaneous altruistic lies and polite lies among peers. Our research, conducted with children aged 7, 9, and 11 years, investigates how these lies are employed across different social contexts. The findings reveal that polite and altruistic lies are driven by distinct motivations and exhibit unique developmental patterns. Children are more likely to use polite lies with adults, while altruistic lies show consistent frequencies across recipient types. These findings highlight the essential differences between children’s polite and altruistic lies, offering new insights into their moral and social development.
Assembly deviation analysis for large closed thin-walled structures with geometrical deviation and jointed deformation
Authors: Gao Chang , Yu Haidong , Gu Bin , Lin Yujin
Published: January 2025

The combined effect of geometrical deviations and jointed deformation in the assembly process are essential for the assembly accuracy of large closed thin-walled cylindrical structures, such as roundness and flatness of the edge, which determines the further assembly between two cylindrical structures. In this paper, a new geometrical deviation propagation model is proposed for large closed cylindrical structures with high local stiffness, in which the geometrical deviation, jointed deformation, and coordinated deformation in the closed assembly process are considered simultaneously. The constraint conditions of the dimensional deviations and shape deviations are derived by small displacement torsor. A virtual deviation feature is developed to describe the equivalent deviation caused by jointed deformation of two cylindrical parts. The correlation of the structural stiffness between unenclosed structure and closed cylindrical structure are established and the geometrical accuracy is obtained by the deformation coordinated conditions. The quantitative index of deviation contribution between parts and assembly is developed based on the deviation propagation model. The influence of geometrical deviation and jointed deformation on the geometric accuracy of assembled structure is revealed. The new deviation propagation model is verified by the experimental data, which may be used for prediction and control of assembly deviation for large closed thin-walled cylindrical structures with high local stiffness.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Reported Cases
Authors: Stathi Dimitra , Lee Florence Ning , Dhar Mili , Bobotis Stergios , Arsenaki Elisavet , Agrawal Taruna , Triantafyllidis Konstantinos Katsikas , Kechagias Konstantinos S
Published: January 2025

Background:

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare but serious complication that can develop during pregnancy, with up to 30% of patients presenting with euglycemia, making prompt recognition challenging. It is associated with increased perinatal mortality rates, although the exact risk of maternal mortality remains unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the available literature and provide an overview of reported cases of DKA during pregnancy.

Methods:

PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus library databases were screened from inception until January 2024. Included studies provided data on classic or euglycemic DKA during pregnancy. All study designs were considered eligible for inclusion.

Results:

We identified 66 eligible articles, which included 57 case reports and case series with individual patient data, and 9 studies without individual patient data. The mean age at diagnosis was 28.8 years, and the average gestational age at diagnosis was 29.5 weeks. The majority of women had type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (45.9%), followed by gestational diabetes (GDM) (40.5%). Most cases were classified as classic DKA (70.3%), with nearly one-third developing euglycemic DKA (29.7%). The most common trigger factors were infections (28%), followed by poor adherence to treatment (13.5%). The most frequent symptoms included nausea (32.4%), vomiting (32.4%), osmotic symptoms (21.6%), and abdominal pain (20.2%). All cases were treated with intravenous insulin and fluids. The vast majority (98.9%) of women eventually fully recovered, with only 1 reported death due to organ failure (1.3%). Intrauterine death or stillbirth occurred in one-third of cases (35.2%), including 1 instance of a twin pregnancy.

Conclusions:

DKA is a condition that clinicians may encounter during pregnancy. Although rare, increased awareness and early recognition are crucial for optimal management and improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.
A novel appliance for Class II dentoalveolar correction
Authors: Har-Zion Gilad
Published: January 2025

In recent years, a segmental approach to Class II correction has gained popularity among orthodontists. This concept is best represented by the Carrière Motion 3D™ Class II Appliance (CMA), which is an efficient and effective appliance for the treatment of Class II malocclusions. Although it is original and innovative, it also has some inherent flaws that can potentially interfere with its daily use. A segmental approach is described, based on a section of 0.016 × 0.022-inch stainless steel archwire connected to a molar band distally and to a bracket on the mesial side. This simple alternative presents a ‘do-it-yourself’ and an easy-to-construct mechanism that employs the same principles and identical mechanics to achieve Class II correction yet overcomes most of the disadvantages of other modalities. In our clinic, we found that this optional, useful sectional appliance can correct Class II malocclusion effectively, predictively and on a regular basis.
Enhancing accessibility to the dementia risk profile (DRP) and knowledge of dementia risk reduction (KoDeRR) measuring tools to diverse communities through translation and adaptation in the Nepali language
Authors: Koirala Yashi , Doherty Kathleen , Eccleston Claire , Vickers James
Published: January 2025

Dementia is one of the fastest emerging global public health concerns today, as the World Health Organisation has predicted that the number of cases will triple from 55 million in 2023 to 152 million by 2050. Current evidence indicates that approximately 45% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed by acting on potentially modifiable risk factors. However, public knowledge regarding this remains unknown in numerous poorly resourced countries, including Nepal, where the prevalence of dementia continues to increase. The lack of availability of dementia knowledge or risk-measuring tools in the native language may be accountable for this identified gap. Thus, our study aimed to translate and culturally adopt two significant measuring tools, KoDeRR, which measures the Knowledge of Dementia Risk Reduction and the DRP, which generates a Dementia Risk Profile focusing on 9 modifiable risk factors identified by WHO. KoDeRR and DRP have been translated and adapted into Nepali following the TRAPD protocol. Cognitive interviews were then conducted with five bilingual individuals to pre-test KoDeRR and DRP for cultural appropriateness, face validity, and appropriateness of language usage. Certain terms, including dementia, do not exist in Nepali, and some English words do not have direct translation. Similarly, some English words must be translated into multiple Nepali words to suit audiences from different literacy levels and various regions of Nepal. It is essential to be mindful of the choice of words used in the tools since intergenerational language disparities exist in Nepali-speaking communities, and the cultural appropriateness of the language used can vary from one language to another. Translating and adapting dementia survey tools into non-English languages is challenging and time-consuming. Despite these challenges, translating and adapting measuring tools such as KoDeRR and DRP in non-English languages will facilitate researchers’ understanding of risk reduction knowledge and the risk profile of diverse communities.
Family Incarceration and Mental Health Among 101,417 Affected Families: A Systematic Review and Multilevel Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Huinan , Jingru Li Crystal , Lam Wong Evon , Peng Zhixiang , Wang Anan , Chan Selina Kit Yi , Hou Wai Kai
Published: January 2025

Most if not all previous evidence focused primarily on psychological disorders of prisoners/ex-prisoners, whereas the secondary trauma symptoms across the whole family await clarification. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to family incarceration and psychiatric symptoms and moderators of the associations. This systemic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines (CRD42023495095). Studies on the mental health of family incarceration from inception to March 4th, 2024 were searched in PsycINFO, PubMed, and Medline. Methodological quality was assessed. Meta-analysis of correlation coefficients r with the random-effects model was performed using “metafor” package in R. Fifty-three studies (34 non-duplicate samples, 2005–2024) with 101,417 people experiencing family incarceration across eight countries were included in the final synthesis. Participants aged 2 to 99 years. Most (96.23%) were conducted in high-income countries (i.e., Australia, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, the US, and the UK), with 3.77% in Mexico and Poland. Over half were longitudinal studies with follow-up periods from 2 to 53 years. Exposure to family incarceration was positively associated with psychiatric symptoms. Stronger effect sizes were found between incarceration and substance abuse disorder and externalizing disorders. Incarceration relates to secondary trauma symptoms in the long run among the affected families especially for children, African Americans in the US, and middle-income countries. Family-based intervention should be made to target the whole family with priorities on substance abuse disorder and externalizing disorders.
Beyond the Clickbait: Analysing the Masculinist Ideology in Andrew Tate’s Online Written Discourses
Authors: Roberts Steven , Jones Callum , Nicholas Lucy , Wescott Stephanie , Maloney Marcus
Published: January 2025

There is now an expansive literature on the manosphere – the loosely connected groups of digital communities that revolve around men’s rights, aspirations and entitlements, and the perceived constraints upon these. Such studies have produced important critical insights into the collective and organized dimension of the networked harassment of women in digital settings, as well as highlighting the manosphere’s craving to reanimate regressive modes of masculinity. At this time, however, scholars have written relatively little about the manosphere’s high -profile key figures; so-called ‘manfluencers’. While ‘manfluencers’ are symptomatic, rather than a cause, of unequal gender relations, their cultural traction and their role in amplifying misogyny situates these figures as worthy of sociological investigation. In this article, we are concerned with Andrew Tate, the globe’s most prolific and most followed social media producer of masculinity-related content. Building on studies that analyse Tate’s viral video content, here we centre his written discourses, providing an empirically and theoretically driven analysis of his longer-form written content appearing on his website (16,029 words across 64 webpages) and on his Telegram messaging platform (150,288 words across 2191 posts), domains where his more committed followers access unfiltered and persistent communications. Deploying the concept of masculinism as a framework, we combine computational keyword and keyword co-occurrence analysis with a qualitative, close reading of a purposefully derived sub-sample of data. While somewhat subtler compared to his video content, our analysis exposes how Tate’s emphasis on self-help advice for boys and men and his glorifying of essentialism, gender hierarchy and individualism operates as the insidious ideological scaffolding that allows for, leads to and celebrates misogyny, and does so in ways that permits it to be taken up by young men trying to make sense of a context in which previous norms that privileged them are being challenged.
The COVID-19 impact: Insights into the pharmaceutical sector through 10-K reports
Authors: Wang Shan , Yang Fan , Fang Xinyue , Wang Fang
Published: January 2025

COVID-19 has lasting impacts on pharmaceutical companies, and it is crucial for managers to fully understand and monitor the impact areas to prepare for future organizational resilience building and transformation. However, the research on COVID-19 impacts is still discrete and anecdotal. Based on a textual analysis of 447 public pharmaceutical companies’ 10-K annual reports and statistical analysis of their financial data, this research systematically identifies major impact areas experienced by public pharmaceutical companies during COVID-19, the patterns of impacts (distribution and sentiment of impacts), and their association with firm characteristics. A topic modeling analysis reveals four impact areas, including new product development processes, sales and operations, COVID-19 treatment and prevention drug early development, and COVID-19 drug clinical trials. Companies reporting COVID-19 drug clinical trials are the most optimistic in the sample, while companies reporting sales and operations are the most pessimistic. Furthermore, firms exhibit heterogeneity in terms of the impacts they experience. Those whose primary business focus is on research and development are more likely to report impacts related to new product development processes, while those with diverse business focus tend to highlight issues on sales and operations. The impact areas uncovered in this research point out the domain for managers to watch for potential transformation, whereas the findings on firm heterogeneity guide managers to make efforts tailored to their firm characteristics.
Technology for measuring freezing of gait: Current state of the art and recommendations
Authors: Mancini Martina , McKay J Lucas , Cockx Helena , D’Cruz Nicholas , Esper Christine D , Filtjens Benjamin , Heimler Benedetta , MacKinnon Colum D , Palmerini Luca , Roerdink Melvyn , Young William R , Hausdorff Jeffrey M ,   On behalf of the ICFOG Investigators
Published: January 2025

This report summarizes the existing literature on the use of technology for the assessment of freezing of gait (FOG) as well as the use of technology to provide insights into the mechanisms of FOG in people with Parkinson's disease. Specifically, this work was carried out for the 3rd International Workshop on Freezing of Gait in Jerusalem in 2023. This review focuses on the most used technologies to quantitatively assess FOG in a laboratory environment and describes the technologies that hold promise for assessing FOG in daily life. Examples of implementation of machine learning algorithms are provided as well as algorithmic biases. Lastly, a standardized assessment using inertial measurement units during a clinical protocol is proposed and a 5-year outlook is discussed. We anticipate this review will help move the field forward in the coming years.
Predictive potential of circular walking in prodromal Parkinson's disease
Authors: Micó-Amigo M Encarna , Kingma Idsart , Heinzel Sebastian , Solbrig Susanne , Hobert Markus A , Elshehabi Morad , Brockmann Kathrin , Metzger Florian G , van Lummel Rob C , Berg Daniela , Maetzler Walter , van Dieën Jaap H
Published: January 2025

Background

Development of objective, reliable and easy-to-use methods to detect the onset of motor changes in Parkinson's disease (PD) is required to identify the temporal window in which neuromodulatory therapies could be implemented. Turning impairments are present at early stages of PD. However, it is unclear, to date, whether circular walking is also altered in prodromal PD.

Objective

Explore the predictive potential of circular walking in prodromal PD.

Methods

We included 102 subjects from a nine-year prospective cohort study (with 712 participants) in the current nested case-control analysis: 16 diagnosed with PD during follow-up (incident PD) and 96 healthy controls, matched in gender, age, and education with a 1:6 ratio. Forty-one gait features were extracted from baseline assessments with accelerometers under single and dual-tasking conditions. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to test the temporal association of non-correlated gait features to the probability of being diagnosed with PD.

Results

We identified associations between time from baseline measurement to PD diagnosis for eleven gait features, mostly based on harmonic ratios, step and stride variability, and index of harmonicity, partially in combination with gait speed. Most significant associations indicated that low gait symmetry and low rhythmicity were associated with larger hazard of being diagnosed with PD. Area under the curve ranged 0.63-0.69.

Conclusions

Despite low sensitivity and specificity, the findings potentially reflect prodromal motor impairments of PD manifested during circular walking, assessed quantitatively with a low-cost and wearable instrument. This will contribute to the characterization of pre-diagnostic PD motor symptoms.
Datafied ageing futures: Regimes of anticipation and participatory futuring
Authors: Jarke Juliane , Manchester Helen
Published: January 2025

With this paper we join others in their call to resist and challenge regimes of anticipations that suggest our futures are inevitably linked to certain imaginaries about data-driven systems. The future is not simply happening but is made now – through regimes of anticipation that shape our expectations, imaginaries, visions and hypes, and define what is thinkable and desirable. Who or what is able to claim the future is an exercise of power and a matter of social justice. However, current anticipations circulating about datafied futures are often determined by powerful social actors such as states or technology companies. In this paper, we explore how we might open up futures-making to different people in relation to futures of ageing. Central is the question of whether and how we can actually think (and imagine) outside of powerful anticipation regimes around the increasing spread and relevance of data-driven systems and/or ageist assumptions about how to ‘fix’ the problem of demographic ageing. We draw on data from a series of design fiction workshops with older adults, civil society organisations and civil servants in Germany, Austria and the UK. Our analysis explores how participatory futuring might allow participants to question their own assumptions and anticipations about the futures of data-driven technologies in ageing societies but that, due to ‘discursive closure’, this may not lead to radically different futures imaginaries.
A Study on the Efficacy of ChatGPT-4 in Enhancing Students’ English Communication Skills
Authors: Wang Ying
Published: January 2025

Optimizing communication learning experiences for students is a promising development in English language education, enabled by ChatGPT-4, an artificial intelligence software that excels in customizing lessons to suit specific requirements, interests, and preferred modes of communication for each student. Given its critical role in enhancing students’ communication proficiency, students’ utilization and acceptance of ChatGPT can have a positive impact. However, limited evidence exists regarding the extent to which ChatGPT-4 enhances students’ English communication skills. This study investigates the potential influence of ChatGPT-4 in enhancing students’ English communication abilities, using an experiment with 68 undergraduate students from the Wuhan University of Engineering Science, China. Participants were randomly assigned to two distinct groups. One experimental group was assigned to use ChatGPT-4, whereas the control group received traditional teacher-led instructions. Additionally, a questionnaire was administered. The results revealed that the use of ChatGPT-4 contributed to the development of students’ English communication abilities. Furthermore, the students’ English communication abilities significantly changed after using ChatGPT-4. Overall, student acceptance of ChatGPT changed significantly after implementing ChatGPT-4; the impact of ChatGPT-4 on their English communication was remarkable, creating a sense of calm and comfort among students, which is highly beneficial for language learning. A multitude of suggestions and recommendations were provided.
Optimizing Slack Resource Allocation: An Economic Approach to Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Authors: Zhang Lu-Yao , Zhang Xing-Can , Choi Seong-Jin
Published: January 2025

This study explores how slack resources can enhance firms’ sustainable competitive advantage by combining economics and organizational behavior within a strategic management framework. Specifically, we examine the relationships between three types of slack resources—available, recoverable, and potential—and three environmental dimensions: munificence, dynamism, and complexity. Our dataset comprises 34,261 observations from 4,045 listed firms across 34 provincial-level administrative regions in China, spanning the years 1993 to 2021. The results indicate that each type of slack resource has an inverted U-shaped relationship with performance, suggesting the existence of a Pareto optimal level of resource allocation. However, this relationship and the position of the Pareto optimal point are not constant. Environmental factors moderate the relationship between slack resources and performance, leading to fluctuations in Pareto optimal values and per-unit value. By expanding and integrating the resource-based view and the structure–conduct–performance paradigm, we explain the relationships between various slack resources and different industrial environments. Based on our findings, we provide suggestions for enhancing sustainable competitive advantage.
Social Workers’ Experiences of Public Perceptions of the Social Work Profession: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Nilsson Kristofer , Nordfeldt Marie , Landstedt Evelina
Published: January 2025

Public perceptions play a crucial role in shaping the image of any profession, and social work is no exception. It is widely assumed that adverse public views of social work can negatively impact the legitimacy of social services and the well-being of social workers—ultimately threatening efficiency and retention. Yet, empirical studies addressing these assumptions are rare. The current study investigates social workers’ experiences of public perceptions of the social work profession and key factors contributing to public views. Focus groups with Swedish social workers were conducted, and data were analysed via qualitative content analysis. The dirty work framework was applied in interpreting the findings. The analysis revealed that adverse public views are experienced as prevalent and that organisational structures, legislation, and social work practice contribute to such views. However, media portrayals are seen as the most influential factor in establishing adverse public views. Based on the social workers’ experiences, it is concluded that the social services in Sweden can be understood as socially and morally tainted, but that levels of taint differ between social services areas, and efforts to reduce such taint are discussed.