bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of wound healing activity of the crude extract and solvent fractions of Rumex nervosus Vahl (Polygonaceae) leaves in mice
Authors: Andualem Abel , Getahun Kefyalew Ayalew , Goshu Bahiru Tenaw , Belayneh Yaschilal Muche
Published: January 2025

Background

In Ethiopian traditional medicine, Rumex nervosus Vahl leaves are used to treat wounds. However, despite traditional claims and supportive in vitro findings, no scientific study has been conducted to evaluate the in vivo wound healing activity of R. nervosus Vahl leaves.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the wound healing activity of crude extract of the leaves of R. nervosus Vahl and its solvent fractions in mice.

Methods

R. nervosus Vahl leaves were extracted with 80% methanol, and then the crude extract was fractionated using ethyl acetate, chloroform, and water. Ointments at 5% and 10% strengths were formulated from the crude extract and its fractions. The healing activity of the crude extract was evaluated using linear incision, circular excision, and burn wound models in mice. Additionally, the activity of solvent fractions was assessed using circular excision wounds in mice.

Results

Treatment of wounds with ointments containing 5% and 10% crude extract showed significantly increased wound contraction rate, shorter epithelialization period, and higher skin-breaking strength (P < 0.05) compared with the negative control. Both 5% and 10% formulations of the aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions significantly increased wound contraction and decreased the period of epithelialization in the excision wound model (p < 0.05), however, the chloroform fraction showed no significant wound healing effect compared with the negative control.

Conclusion

The 80% methanol crude extract as well as the aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions of R. nervosus Vahl leaves possess wound healing activity as evidenced by improved wound contraction rate and tensile strength and decreased epithelialization period.
The relationship between levels of physical activity, adherence to the MIND diet, and cognitive impairment in adults aged 65 years or older in Pakistan
Authors: Islam Binish , Li Tianjiao , Ibrahim Tasiu Ibrahim , Yang Dan , Lv Hanxiao , Zhang Qian , Xu Mengying , Gassara Goudja , Wang Jianwu
Published: January 2025

Background

In contrast to existing evidence focusing on high-income countries, this study offers novel insights into the demographic and geographical context that have yet to be explored in the existing literature. Comparatively, in Pakistan, cognitive impairment is one of the neglected disorders that can develop into dementia and Alzheimer's disease. As no treatment is available, lifestyle modifications are a valid intervention for cognitive health.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the relationship between physical functionality, adherence to the Mediterranean-DASH diet Intervention for Neurological Delay (MIND), and cognitive impairment among elderly individuals in Pakistan.

Methods

From January to June 2023, this cross-sectional study recruited 462 participants aged 65 and above. We used proven tools in gerontological research, such as the MIND diet quiz and Quick Physical Activity Rating scale (QPAR), to evaluate diet and physical activity levels. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination.

Results

Our analysis revealed that 26.40% of the participants had mild cognitive impairment, whereas 48.50% demonstrated low adherence to the MIND diet. The mean QPAR score was 20.51 ± 18.77. A significant association was found between lower physical activity levels and increased cognitive impairment (adjusted odds ratio 9.94, confidence interval (CI): 6.07–16.27). Additionally, higher adherence to the MIND diet correlated with reduced cognitive impairment (odds ratio 0.29, CI: 0.18–0.46).

Conclusions

These findings highlight the critical role of diet and physical activity in cognitive health among the elderly population. The study emphasizes the need for targeted public health interventions and further longitudinal research to explore the long-term effects of these factors on cognitive health.
‘We’re More Prepared than Before: Understanding the Strategies Used by a Non-governmental Organization During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Dhillon Satveer , Luginaah Isaac , Elliott Susan J. , Nagawa Justine , Niwagaba Ronah Agaba
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on populations worldwide, particularly on older adults residing in low - and middle-income countries. Due to these negative impacts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provided extensive support, which affected their operations.

Methods

Using the social resilience framework, the purpose of this study was to better understand what strategies NGOs used to support vulnerable populations and how they are building back stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall of 2022, 26 (virtual) in-depth interviews were conducted with staff and volunteers from an NGO supporting older adults in Uganda.

Results

Several key themes emerged including using existing resources to better support older adults and staff and the importance of having multiple sources of revenue to support organizational operations.

Discussion

The key lessons learned by NGO staff and volunteers can be utilized to enact policy and practice change to help strengthen NGOs’ social resilience. This would allow them to continue implementing innovative strategies to support vulnerable populations during times of crisis.
A Portable, Spectroscope-Inspired Three-Dimensionally Printed Smartphone Spectrophotometer
Authors: Nguyen Tim , Tobin Nick , Bournef Henry , Gross Erin M. , Destino Joel F.
Published: January 2025

An inexpensive and simple three-dimensional (3D) printed spectrophotometer that interfaces with smartphone cameras for visualizing and measuring visible wavelength absorbance and analyte quantitation is reported. A conventional spectroscope inspired the spectrophotometer design to maximize visual engagement for educational purposes and functions as a single-beam visible spectrophotometer capable of precise calibration, standard curve generation, and quantitative analysis of real-life samples. Spectrophotometer calibration results using a four-point, red-green-blue coordinate-to-wavelength conversion demonstrate that the 3D-printed device exhibits a linear 5.0 nm/mm dispersion over the 400–700 nm range. Quantitative analysis validation using a smartphone camera and Open Source software (ImageJ) analysis for tartrazine determination demonstrate the molar absorptivity for the external standard tartrazine was significantly lower compared to the literature and commercial instrumentation (0.0062 μM–1 cm–1 versus 0.0216 μM–1 cm–1 for the commercial instrument). Still, the accuracy of the device was within the linear range is remarkable, as tartrazine determination in a real-life sample (Mello Yello soft drink) was found to be not statistically different compared to the result obtained on a commercial spectrophotometer (10.6 μM versus 10.5 μM, n = 5, p > 0.05). The device design and computer-aided drafting files are available publicly for Open Access replication and modification, with considerable promise for expanded capabilities and applications beyond visible spectroscopy and educational purposes.
LRP11 facilitates lipid metabolism and malignancy in hepatocellular carcinoma by stabilizing RACK1 through USP5 regulation
Authors: Liang Litao , Jia Wenbo , Wang Jinyi , Feng Yanzhi , Zhu Deming , Zhao Wenhu , Xu Chao , Ling Xiangyu , Lv Qingpeng , Ai Xiaoming , Kong Lianbao , Ding Wenzhou
Published: January 2025

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and a major public health challenge. Lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in the metabolic reprogramming observed in HCC, although the underlying mechanisms are still being elucidated. Nile red staining and lipid assays showed that LRP11 knockdown significantly reduces lipid accumulation in HCC cells, with a concurrent decrease in key lipid metabolism markers such as FSAN, ACLY and ACSL4, as demonstrated by Western blotting. Mass spectrometry (MS) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) revealed that LRP11 recruits USP5, enhancing USP5-mediated deubiquitination of RACK1. Truncation analysis identified LRP11 residues 309–500 as critical for interaction with the RACK1 residues 91–231. These findings suggest that LRP11 may influence lipid metabolism and progression in HCC through USP5-mediated stabilization of RACK1. Based on these results, LRP11 emerges as a potential target for further exploration in HCC therapy. Targeting LRP11 or disrupting its interactions with USP5 or RACK1 could offer new avenues for treatment, though additional research is required to validate these therapeutic possibilities.
Hyperspectral imaging in living and deceased donor kidney transplantation
Authors: Wrigge Rasmus , Sucher Robert , Haak Fabian , Meyer Hans-Jonas , Unruh Julia , Hau Hans-Michael , Mehdorn Matthias , Tautenhahn Hans-Michael , Seehofer Daniel , Scheuermann Uwe
Published: January 2025

Objective and background

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is an innovative, noninvasive technique that assesses tissue and organ perfusion and oxygenation. This study aimed to evaluate HSI as a predictive tool for early postoperative graft function and long-term outcomes in living donor (LD) and deceased donor (DD) kidney transplantation (KT).

Patients and methods

HSI of kidney allograft parenchyma from 19 LD and 51 DD kidneys was obtained intraoperatively 15 minutes after reperfusion. Using the dedicated HSI TIVITA Tissue System, indices of tissue oxygenation (StO2), perfusion (near-infrared [NIR]), organ hemoglobin (OHI), and tissue water (TWI) were calculated and then analyzed retrospectively.

Results

LD kidneys had superior intraoperative HSI values of StO2 (0.78 ± 0.13 versus 0.63 ± 0.24; P = 0.001) and NIR (0.67 ± 0.10 versus 0.56 ± 0.27; P = 0.016) compared to DD kidneys. Delayed graft function (DGF) was observed in 18 cases (26%), in which intraoperative HSI showed significantly lower values of StO2 (0.78 ± 0.07 versus 0.35 ± 0.21; P < 0.001) and NIR (0.67 ± 0.11 versus 0.34 ± 0.32; P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an excellent predictive value of HSI for the development of DGF, with an area under the curve of 0.967 for StO2 and 0.801 for NIR. Kidney grafts with low StO2 values (cut-off point 0.6) showed reduced renal function with a low glomerular filtration rate and elevated urea levels in the first two weeks after KT. Three years after KT, graft survival was also inferior in the group with initially low StO2 values.

Conclusion

HSI is a useful tool for predicting DGF in living and deceased KT and may assist in estimating short-term allograft function. However, further studies with expanded cohorts are needed to evaluate the association between HSI and long-term graft outcomes.
Application of a methodological framework for the development and multicenter validation of reliable artificial intelligence in embryo evaluation
Authors: Gilboa D. , Garg Akhil , Shapiro M. , Meseguer M. , Amar Y. , Lustgarten N. , Desai N. , Shavit T. , Silva V. , Papatheodorou A. , Chatziparasidou A. , Angras S. , Lee J. H. , Thiel L. , Curchoe C. L. , Tauber Y. , Seidman D. S.
Published: January 2025

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) models analyzing embryo time-lapse images have been developed to predict the likelihood of pregnancy following in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, limited research exists on methods ensuring AI consistency and reliability in clinical settings during its development and validation process. We present a methodology for developing and validating an AI model across multiple datasets to demonstrate reliable performance in evaluating blastocyst-stage embryos.

Methods

This multicenter analysis utilizes time-lapse images, pregnancy outcomes, and morphologic annotations from embryos collected at 10 IVF clinics across 9 countries between 2018 and 2022. The four-step methodology for developing and evaluating the AI model include: (I) curating annotated datasets that represent the intended clinical use case; (II) developing and optimizing the AI model; (III) evaluating the AI’s performance by assessing its discriminative power and associations with pregnancy probability across variable data; and (IV) ensuring interpretability and explainability by correlating AI scores with relevant morphologic features of embryo quality. Three datasets were used: the training and validation dataset (n = 16,935 embryos), the blind test dataset (n = 1,708 embryos; 3 clinics), and the independent dataset (n = 7,445 embryos; 7 clinics) derived from previously unseen clinic cohorts.

Results

The AI was designed as a deep learning classifier ranking embryos by score according to their likelihood of clinical pregnancy. Higher AI score brackets were associated with increased fetal heartbeat (FH) likelihood across all evaluated datasets, showing a trend of increasing odds ratios (OR). The highest OR was observed in the top G4 bracket (test dataset G4 score ≥ 7.5: OR 3.84; independent dataset G4 score ≥ 7.5: OR 4.01), while the lowest was in the G1 bracket (test dataset G1 score < 4.0: OR 0.40; independent dataset G1 score < 4.0: OR 0.45). AI score brackets G2, G3, and G4 displayed OR values above 1.0 (P < 0.05), indicating linear associations with FH likelihood. Average AI scores were consistently higher for FH-positive than for FH-negative embryos within each age subgroup. Positive correlations were also observed between AI scores and key morphologic parameters used to predict embryo quality.

Conclusions

Strong AI performance across multiple datasets demonstrates the value of our four-step methodology in developing and validating the AI as a reliable adjunct to embryo evaluation.
Effect of conservative treatment on greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wang Si-Qi , Guo Ning-Yi , Liu Wei , Huang Hong-jie , Xu Bing-bing , Wang Jian-quan
Published: January 2025

Objective

Numerous studies have investigated conservative treatments for GTPS. However, there remains a lack of comparative analyses among treatment modalities, making it challenging to formulate the optimal conservative treatment strategy. This study aimed to compare conservative treatments for greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) in terms of their effectiveness in relieving pain and improving functional outcomes.

Methods

In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov along with other databases were searched to identify relevant studies. The quality of the selected studies was evaluated using risk of bias assessments, and the data were extracted. Network meta-analysis was performed using random effects models to evaluate the effects of treatment modalities on pain reduction and functional improvement. The evidence of the included studies was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations framework.

Results

Nineteen RCTs involving 1701 participants were included. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane ROB2. The results of network meta-analysis revealed that exercise therapy yielded the most significant improvement on reducing pain scores measured using the NRS and enhancing functional outcomes measured using the VISA-G. Additionally, injection therapy showed significant advantages in improving functional outcomes measured by using the Harris Hip Scale.

Discussion

This study confirmed the significant efficacy of exercise programs on pain reduction and functional improvement in GTPS patients. Additionally, we identified the positive effects of injection therapy and physical modalities on managing pain and enhancing functional outcomes among GTPS patients. Owing to the limited number of included studies, comparing the effects of different conservative treatments remains challenging. Future studies should expand the quantity of RCTs to identify the optimal conservative treatment strategy for GTPS.

Conclusion

This study reaffirmed the superiority of exercise therapy in the treatment of GTPS and revealed the effectiveness of injection and physical modalities. As the number of studies increase, we anticipate more reliable conclusions to further optimize conservative treatment strategies for GTPS. Ultimately, our study can help clinicians determine the optimal conservative treatment for GTPS and may spur future research on conservative treatments for tendinopathy.
Automated and code-free development of a risk calculator using ChatGPT-4 for predicting diabetic retinopathy and macular edema without retinal imaging
Authors: Choi Eun Young , Choi Joon Yul , Yoo Tae Keun
Published: January 2025

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and macular edema (DME) are critical causes of vision loss in patients with diabetes. In many communities, access to ophthalmologists and retinal imaging equipment is limited, making screening for diabetic retinal complications difficult in primary health care centers. We investigated whether ChatGPT-4, an advanced large-language-model chatbot, can develop risk calculators for DR and DME using health check-up tabular data without the need for retinal imaging or coding experience.

Methods

Data-driven prediction models were developed using medical history and laboratory blood test data from diabetic patients in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES). The dataset was divided into training (KNHANES 2017–2020) and validation (KNHANES 2021) datasets. ChatGPT-4 was used to build prediction formulas for DR and DME and developed a web-based risk calculator tool. Logistic regression analysis was performed by ChatGPT-4 to predict DR and DME, followed by the automatic generation of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) code for the web-based tool. The performance of the models was evaluated using areas under the curves of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUCs).

Results

ChatGPT-4 successfully developed a risk calculator for DR and DME, operational on a web browser without any coding experience. The validation set showed ROC-AUCs of 0.786 and 0.835 for predicting DR and DME, respectively. The performance of the ChatGPT-4 developed models was comparable to those created using various machine-learning tools.

Conclusion

By utilizing ChatGPT-4 with code-free prompts, we overcame the technical barriers associated with using coding skills for developing prediction models, making it feasible to build a risk calculator for DR and DME prediction. Our approach offers an easily accessible tool for the risk prediction of DM and DME in diabetic patients during health check-ups, without the need for retinal imaging. Based on this automatically developed risk calculator using ChatGPT-4, health care workers will be able to effectively screen patients who require retinal examinations using only medical history and laboratory data. Future research should focus on validating this approach in diverse populations and exploring the integration of more comprehensive clinical data to enhance predictive performance.

Graphical Abstract
Surgical management options for childhood intracranial arachnoid cysts: a comparative study
Authors: Elmesallamy Wael Abd Elrahman Ali , Elbana Mohamed , Abaza Hassan , Fahmy Mohammed , Taha Mahmoud M.
Published: January 2025

Background

The symptomatic and incidentally discovered childhood intracranial arachnoid cysts may make it challenging to define the best management option, which may be surgical or observational. The best surgical option is still in debate, either regarding the type or the indication of surgery. This study aims to evaluate cysto-peritoneal shunts, endoscopic fenestration, and our technique of microsurgical partial excision of the cyst wall with maintenance of subarachnoid patency as surgical treatment options for childhood intracranial arachnoid cysts.

Results

This retrospective study was performed to compare three surgical options for treatment of childhood intracranial arachnoid cysts during the period from January 2015 to October 2022, with a follow-up of at least one year. These options included a cysto-peritoneal shunt, endoscopic fenestration, and microsurgical patency of the subarachnoid space without basal fenestration. Clinical improvement rating and operative complications showed insignificant differences between the three surgical options; however, total disappearance of the arachnoid cysts was significantly associated with the microsurgical option (p = 0.0312).

Conclusion

Surgical management of childhood arachnoid cysts either by cysto-peritoneal shunt, endoscopic fenestration, or microsurgical techniques was efficient according to the accessibility of the cysts, and the microsurgical patency of the subarachnoid space had the most significant effect on the disappearance of the cysts.
Prognostic Models From Transcriptomic Signatures of the Tumor Microenvironment and Cell Cycle in Stage III Colon Cancer From PETACC-8 and IDEA-France Trials
Authors: Gallois Claire , Sroussi Marine , André Thierry , Mouillet-Richard Sophie , Agueeff Natacha , Mulot Claire , Vernerey Dewi , Louvet Christophe , Bachet Jean-Baptiste , Dourthe Louis-Marie , Mazard Thibault , Jary Marine , Coutzac Clélia , Lecaille Cédric , Tabernero Josep , Van Laethem Jean-Luc , Lepage Côme , Emile Jean-François , de Reyniès Aurélien , Taieb Julien , Laurent-Puig Pierre
Published: January 2025

PURPOSE

The objective of this work was to establish prognostic models in stage III colon cancer (CC) on the basis of transcriptomic signatures of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and cell cycle from the PETACC-8 (training set) and IDEA-France (validation set) trials.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

3'RNA sequencing was performed in 1,733 patients from the PETACC-8 trial and 1,248 patients from the IDEA-France trial. Four transcriptomic signatures were analyzed: T-cell and macrophage M2 signatures, the expression of CXCL13, and a score on the basis of the Oncotype DX CC Recurrence Score using the same formula from the stromal score and the cell cycle score. The Immune Proliferative Stromal (IPS) score was defined as the number of dichotomized signatures that fall under the category of a dismal prognosis (from 0 to 4). Time to recurrence (TTR) was defined as the time from the date of random assignment to local and/or metastatic relapse and/or death because of CC, whichever occurs first.

RESULTS

High Oncotype-like and M2 scores and low CXCL13 expression and T-cell score were associated with a shorter TTR. A multivariable model including these signatures and all known prognostic factors applied to the IDEA-France cohort by obtaining a value of this model for each patient showed TTR significantly different depending on the quartile of this value and a 3-year rate of patients without recurrence ranging from 56% for the lowest quartile to 89% for the highest quartile (
P
< .0001). The IPS score was significantly associated with TTR in multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

Using transcriptomic data of patients with stage III CC from two large-scale adjuvant trials, a prognostic model on the basis of signatures of the TME and the cell cycle provides important information in addition to known prognostic factors for patient stratification on risk of recurrence.
Για το βιβλίο Επισφαλείς βιογραφίες: Εργασιακές διαδρομές και ταυτότητες στον μετασχηματιζόμενο κόσμο της εργασίας του Γιώργου Τσιώλη
Authors: Μπιθυμήτρης Γιώργος
Published: January 2025

N/A
Tο αναπηρικό κίνημα και ο αγώνας για αναγνώριση: Συνθήκη για μετασχηματίζουσα μάθηση ατόμων με αναπηρία
Authors: Χατζηπέτρου Ανθή
Published: January 2025

Η διδακτορική διατριβή που παρουσιάζεται εκπονήθηκε στη  Σχολή  Ανθρωπιστικών  Επιστημών  του  Ελληνικού  Ανοικτού Πανεπιστημίου  και  υποστηρίχθηκε  τον Ιούνιο του 2023. Η τριμελής συμβουλευτική επιτροπή συγκροτήθηκε από τον Επίκουρο Καθηγητή του  Ελληνικού  Ανοικτού Πανεπιστημίου  Ζαχαρία  Παληό  (επιβλέπων),  τον  Καθηγητή του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης Γιώργο Τσιώλη και τον Ομότιμο Καθηγητή  του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών Γεράσιμο Κουζέλη. Στη διατριβή εξετάζεται η σύνθετη σχέση μεταξύ βιογραφίας, μάθησης και (δια)μόρφωσης.
Branding y vínculos socioculturales. Un estudio exploratorio de la publicidad de la banca en España.
Authors: Nicolás Ojeda Miguel Ángel , San Nicolás César , Hellín Ortuño Pedro Antonio
Published: January 2025

Frente a la continua evolución del ecosistema mediático, motivada por la manifiesta influencia tecnológica, las organizaciones
se encuentran ante un permanente contexto comunicativo de máximo interés orientado hacia la gestión corporativa de
sus marcas. Estas continúan valiéndose de la publicidad para producir una buena parte de su sentido simbólico frente a sus consumidores. Apoyado en una metodología cualitativa, se realiza un análisis de contenido de una muestra de cuatro acciones de comunicación de la banca desde un enfoque publicitario. El objetivo es interpretar las narrativas publicitarias
de las marcas bancarias españolas como parte de un proceso complejo de gestión corporativa orientada a transformar los
valores convencionales de uso de sus productos o servicios en valores simbólicos de cambio social. Las conclusiones indican
que esta relación entre las marcas bancarias y la dimensión social que proponen, a través de sus acciones de comunicación,
responde a una gestión estratégica de lo que podemos denominar “branding y vínculos socioculturales”. Una estrategia que trata de dar respuesta a las expectativas generadas en su comunidad de consumidores hacia los intereses sociales y culturales de naturaleza colectiva y compartida.
Managing Channel Profits with Positive Demand Externalities
Authors: Gao Long , Jian Dawei , Gumus Mehmet , Mishra Birendra K.
Published: January 2025

Demand externalities arise when past sales stimulate future demand. They pervade many consumer markets. To penetrate such markets, how should manufacturers contract with retailers? We formulate the problem as a dynamic game, wherein the retailer can privately observe and control evolving market conditions, and consumers can act either myopically or strategically. Our contribution is threefold. (i) We characterize the optimal contract: It resolves a dynamic tradeoff between exploiting demand externalities, screening new information, and optimizing channel efficiency; moreover, it has a simple implementation of quantity discount. (ii) We characterize the dual role of demand externalities. Although demand externalities can improve channel surplus by expanding market size, they can also exacerbate information friction by enhancing the retailer’s ability to manipulate the market. Ignoring the dark side of the agency cost, previous studies may have overestimated the benefit of demand externalities. (iii) We provide new practical guidance. We show private information per se need not hurt channel efficiency: The manufacturer can use recursive advance selling to extract new information for free. Our results also shed light on when and why manufacturers should moderate demand externalities and prefer long-term contracts. By highlighting the dual role of demand externalities in long-run channel performance, this study sharpens our understanding of channel theory and practice.

This paper was accepted by Dmitri Kuksov, marketing.

Funding: L. Gao was partly supported by Academic Senate COR Grants of UCR.

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.00008 .
Social and Individual Influences on ATV and UTV Operating Practices of Young Adult Agricultural Workers
Authors: Barnett Kaleigh , Rudolphi Josie , Rohlman Diane
Published: January 2025

Highlights

Over 50% of the young adult agricultural workers surveyed reported never wearing a helmet, seatbelt, or hearing protection when operating an ATV or UTV.

Young adult agricultural workers’ mean ATV and UTV safety scores ranged from 1 to 4.44 on a scale of 1 to 5.

Gender, supervisor influence, and risk-taking behaviors significantly influenced young agricultural workers ATV and UTV safety scores.

Abstract. ATV and UTV crashes are a leading cause of agricultural-related injury and death in the United States. Young adult agricultural workers (under the age of 25) contribute substantially to the agricultural workforce and often utilize ATVs and UTVs in their work. However, it is unknown if they have adopted recommended safe operating behaviors that could reduce the potential for injury or death. As such, we evaluated young adult agricultural workers’ reported ATV and UTV operating practices and safety influences. Agricultural students from four Midwestern colleges and universities responded to an online survey about ATV and UTV operating behaviors, social influences (supervisor, peer, and parental risk-taking behaviors), and individual risk-taking orientation and tendencies. An ATV/UTV safety score was calculated from participants’ responses, and linear regression methods were used to examine associations between scores and other aspects of risk-taking. Out of 193 respondents, a large proportion of participants reported never wearing hearing protection (68.6%), a seatbelt (59.2%), or a helmet (58.1%) while operating an ATV or UTV. The analysis identified gender (p < 0.001), global risk-taking (p = 0.001), risk-taking orientation at work (p = 0.012), and supervisor influence (p = 0.015) as significant factors influencing young adult agricultural workers’ safety scores. The findings suggest that gender, individual risk-taking tendencies, and supervisor influence play crucial roles in safety behavior, indicating that risk management initiatives for young adult agricultural workers should not only focus on individual behavior change but also consider the broader social and workplace influences on safety. Keywords: Agriculture, Behaviors, Health, Occupational, Safety, Young adults.
Using a Farm Safety Checklist to Assess Learner Performance Following a Safety Education Training
Authors: Toole Ruth D. , Vincent Stacy K. , Byrd Alex Preston , Namkoong Kang , Song Yongwook , Sprayberry Sarah R.
Published: January 2025

Highlights

Percent agreement score showed moderate acceptability in preparing participants to complete the SFS application.

Using self-directed learning to guide the training provided evidence for successful SFS application completion.

Researchers plan to modify the self-directed learning approach to increase future SFS training success rates.

Abstract. This study evaluates the use of Self-Directed Learning (SDL) and Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) to improve the accuracy of adult educators' completion of the Safe Farm Steward (SFS) application. PBA is a form of assessment commonly utilized in youth education, but there is limited evidence of its implementation among adults. Through implementing SDL, the researchers introduced a farm safety model to extension agents, agriculture teachers, and college professors to improve their performance assessment. The cohort attended a three-day professional development training followed by farm visitations; the training and visitations employed materials that incorporated SDL techniques. This study’s findings indicate that the professional development training was moderately acceptable in preparing the cohort to accurately complete the SFS application. Though the cohort did not meet the expected score on each individual construct, the overall PBA demonstrated moderate acceptability compared to the expected score. The researchers highlight gaps in professional development where recommendations for improvement could be made. Keywords: Agricultural education, Extension, Faculty, Farm safety, Performance-based assessment, Self-directed learning.
A balance of sub-national minimum-income schemes in Spain in a new multi-level scenario
Authors: Martinez Laureano , Laparra Miguel , Zugasti Nerea
Published: January 2025

This article aims to shed light on the challenges of minimum-income schemes in multi-level models through analysis of the Spanish case. The approval of a nationwide state benefit in 2020, the Ingreso Mínimo Vital (MLI Minimum Living Income), which coexists with regional minimum-income schemes, provides a favourable scenario for this purpose. The article develops a comparative analysis of the regulation of regional minimum-income schemes. After grouping the regional schemes according to their institutional design, this classification is contrasted with information related to elements such as the level of coverage and the adequacy of the different regional programmes. The analysis leads to a diverse panorama where regions with restrictive regulations achieve intermediate levels of coverage while others with more generous regulations achieve low levels of coverage. This highlights the limitations of relying solely on regulatory or institutional analysis to characterise social protection models and underscores the importance of administrative capacity to enforce laws as a critical variable in social policy analysis. The Spanish case shows the need to improve the articulation of national and sub-national policies for adequate implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Late initiation of antenatal care visit amid implementation of new antenatal care model in Sub-Saharan African countries: A multilevel analysis of multination population survey data
Authors: Mare Kusse Urmale , Andargie Gashaye Gobena , Moloro Abdulkerim Hassen , Mohammed Ahmed Adem , Mohammed Osman Ahmed , Wengoro Beriso Furo , Lahole Begetayinoral Kussia , Hadaro Tesfahun Simon , Leyto Simeon Meskele , Mamo Petros Orkaido , Hedato Abdulhakim Hora , Seifu Beminate Lemma , Wondmeneh Temesgen Gebeyehu , Ebrahim Oumer Abdulkadir , Sabo Kebede Gemeda
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Although late initiation of antenatal care has been linked with adverse pregnancy outcomes, a significant number of pregnant women in resource-limited regions are seeking this care late. There has been a lack of information on the extent and factors influencing late initiation of antenatal care in the African context following the implementation of the new antenatal care model in 2016. Thus, we aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of late antenatal care visit and its determinants among women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) using national surveys conducted after the implementation of new guidelines.

Methods

We analyzed data from the recent demographic and health survey (DHS) conducted in 16 SSA between 2018 and 2022 using a weighted sample of 101,983 women who had antenatal care follow-up during their index pregnancy. A multilevel logistic regression models were fitted and likelihood and deviance values were used for model selection. In the regression model, we used adjusted odds ratios along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals to determine the factors associated with late antenatal care visit.

Results

The pooled prevalence of late antenatal care visit among pregnant women in SSA was 53.8% [95% CI: 46.2% - 61.3%], ranging from 27.8% in Liberia to 75.8% in Nigeria. Women’s age and education, working status, partner’s education, health insurance coverage, birth order, household wealth, age at marriage, decision on health care, residence, and community-level women’s illiteracy were the factors associated with late antenatal care visit.

Conclusion

More than half of pregnant women in SSA initiated attending antenatal care during late pregnancy, with significant differences seen among countries. These results underscore the necessity for focused interventions to tackle these issues and enhance prompt access to antenatal services for better maternal and child health outcomes in the area. Moreover, creating tailored interventions for younger women, those with multiple previous births, employed women, and those who experienced early marriage to address their specific challenges and obstacles in seeking care is crucial.
Development of a mental health-related structural stigma measurement framework in the healthcare system setting: A modified Delphi study
Authors: Gurung Dristy , Subedi Bhawana , Kohrt Brandon A. , Wahid Syed Shabab , Rai Sauharda , Thornicroft Graham , Gronholm Petra C.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

There is a worldwide dearth in literature on the nature, causes, and consequences of structural stigma in mental healthcare. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring key components for measuring structural stigma in healthcare system settings.

Methods

We used a modified Delphi method consisting of 3 rounds with global experts (stigma researchers, persons with lived experiences of mental health conditions (PWLEs), and policymakers). In the first round, indicators identified through a literature review (n = 39 studies) were appraised through expert consultation workshops with 22 panellists, including 54.5% women, 41% PWLEs, and 68.2% from low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). Round 2 (n = 53 panellists; 51% women, 8.3% PWLEs, and 56.6% from LMICs) involved ranking indicators through an online survey, and Round 3 (n = 58 panellists; 46% women, 21.7% PWLEs, and 60.4% from LMICs) involved re-ranking the results from Round 2. Smith’s salience index was calculated to measure consensus and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance to determine the degree of agreement. Narrative opinions and feedback from panellists during all three Delphi rounds were also sought.

Results

A list of indicators within five core measurement domains was identified in Round 1. Round 2 results were heterogeneous as indicated by the low to moderate salience of most indicators. Round 3 resulted in 4–5 indicators in each domain, that were ranked as highly salient by the expert panellists. Experts also provided narrative feedback on the definition of structural stigma, barriers to its measurement, domain-specific comments, and indicators-specific comments.

Conclusion

The framework aids in defining mental health-related structural stigma in healthcare and framing it in terms of inequities within healthcare system structures. These structures result in negative experiences of PWLEs and limit their access to quality healthcare. This conceptualization, informed by PWLE and stakeholders in LMICs, makes it easier to measure structural stigma and monitor changes in diverse healthcare settings around the world.
Determining application rates of FYM and pressmud to improve soil health properties in salt degraded soils
Authors: Dotaniya M. L. , Meena M. D. , Choudhary R. L. , Meena M. K. , Meena V. D. , Singh H. V. , Jat R. S. , Doutaniya R. K. , Kumar Kuldeep , Singh Harpreet , Rai P. K.
Published: January 2025

Improving food grain production by enhancing plant nutrient availability is critical for meeting future production. In this line, degraded soils may have the potential to meet the food demand of future population. However, the key challenge is excessive concentration of salts. It adversely mediates the soil fertility parameters, physical properties and soil enzymatic activities. Addition of organic substances, such as farm yard manure (FYM) and pressmud (PM), may improve soil health parameters. An incubation experiment was conducted with graded application of FYM (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 t/ha) and PM (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 t/ha) to monitor the nutrient release pattern of FYM and PM; and its effect on soil physico-chemical properties and soil enzymatic activities. The results showed that soil pH and EC were reduced after the one year incubation period. It was also observed that available plant nutrients like N, P, K, S and soil enzymatic activities reported highest in treatment FYM and PM (each applied 10 t/ha) over control. The findings of this study suggested that organic amendments can improve soil fertility, mitigate salt ion toxicity, and enhance food production potential, particularly in arid and semi-arid soils.
GGSYOLOv5: Flame recognition method in complex scenes based on deep learning
Authors: Sun Fucai , Du Liping , Dai Yantao
Published: January 2025

The continuous development of the field of artificial intelligence, not only makes people’s lives more convenient but also plays a role in the supervision and protection of people’s lives and property safety. News of the fire is not uncommon, and fire has become the biggest hidden danger threatening the safety of public life and property. In this paper, a deep learning-based flame recognition method for complex scenes, GGSYOLOv5, is proposed. Firstly, a global attention mechanism (GAM) was added to the CSP1 module in the backbone part of the YOLOv5 network, and then a parameterless attention mechanism was added to the feature fusion part. Finally, packet random convolution (GSConv) was used to replace the original convolution at the output end. A large number of experiments show that the detection accuracy rate is 4.46% higher than the original algorithm, and the FPS is as high as 64.3, which can meet the real-time requirements. Moreover, the algorithm is deployed in the Jetson Nano embedded development board to build the flame detection system.
Automated recognition and segmentation of lung cancer cytological images based on deep learning
Authors: Wang Qingyang , Luo Yazhi , Zhao Ying , Wang Shuhao , Niu Yiru , Di Jinxi , Guo Jia , Lan Guorong , Yang Lei , Mao Yu Shan , Tu Yuan , Zhong Dingrong , Zhang Pei
Published: January 2025

Compared with histological examination of lung cancer, cytology is less invasive and provides better preservation of complete morphology and detail. However, traditional cytological diagnosis requires an experienced pathologist to evaluate all sections individually under a microscope, which is a time-consuming process with low interobserver consistency. With the development of deep neural networks, the You Only Look Once (YOLO) object-detection model has been recognized for its impressive speed and accuracy. Thus, in this study, we developed a model for intraoperative cytological segmentation of pulmonary lesions based on the YOLOv8 algorithm, which labels each instance by segmenting the image at the pixel level. The model achieved a mean pixel accuracy and mean intersection over union of 0.80 and 0.70, respectively, on the test set. At the image level, the accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for malignant and benign (or normal) lesions were 91.0% and 0.90, respectively. In addition, the model was deemed suitable for diagnosing pleural fluid cytology and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology images. The model predictions were strongly correlated with pathologist diagnoses and the gold standard, indicating the model’s ability to make clinical-level decisions during initial diagnosis. Thus, the proposed method is useful for rapidly localizing lung cancer cells based on microscopic images and outputting image interpretation results.
Comparative performance of disability measures
Authors: Landes Scott D. , Hall Jean P. , Swenor Bonnielin K. , Vaitsiakhovich Nastassia
Published: January 2025

Researchers and federal agencies are currently discussing the best way to measure disability in US federal surveys. One idea being discussed is expanding/supplementing the question sets commonly used to capture disability status in order to better capture a broader segment of the disabled population. We used data from the 2010–2018 National Health Interview Survey to examine the performance of questions commonly used to measure disability in the US–the ACS-6 and Washington Group Short Set questions–in capturing intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health disabilities, and physical health disabilities. We found that neither set of disability questions was sufficient to fully capture these disability statuses. We contend that current disability questions used in US population surveys must be expanded/supplemented in order to increase the inclusiveness of disability measurement, and thereby, improve efforts to reduce disparities experienced by the disabled population.
Climate Change and Impacts in the Pacific, Lalit Kumar (ed.) (2020)
Authors: Smith Roy
Published: January 2025

Review of: Climate Change and Impacts in the Pacific, Lalit Kumar (ed.) (2020)

Cham: Springer, 538 pp.,

ISBN 978 3 03032 877 1 (hbk), £95
War at the Margins: Indigenous Experiences in World War II, Lin Poyer (2022)
Authors: Mückler Hermann
Published: January 2025

Review of: War at the Margins: Indigenous Experiences in World War II, Lin Poyer (2022)

Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai‘i Press, 330 pp.,

ISBN 978 0 82489 182 4 (pbk), $28.00

ISBN 978 0 82489 181 7 (hbk), $68.00
Grasping structural racism from the field
Authors: Carlos Rita
Published: January 2025

Based on a review of literature and field studies in penal institutions, this article proposes ways of analyzing the effects of racializing (di)visions (re)produced by justice actors in France today as in the past. While structural racism leads non-White youth to be over-incarcerated, they become the scapegoat of dysfunctions and failures of the (para)carceral system as the motor of its extension andhardening. Linking the criminal justice system to the national slavery and colonial enterprise helps us see the historical role of the State in this racially selective violence and seize the trickledown racism at play on the field, from higher-level officials to subordinate employees, targeting young poor afro-descendants and defining their trajectories.
Da “nota de pesar” à “injusta agressão"
Authors: Medeiros Santos Flavia , Klinkerfus J.P
Published: January 2025

O presente artigo é resultado do trabalho etnográfico realizado na plataforma de notícias da Polícia Militar de Santa Catarina, o PMSC Notícias. Ao analisar as narrativas em notícias sobre a morte, o morrer e os mortos publicadas em 2021, as autoras exploram as desigualdades sociais existentes nas mortes, nas representações do morrer e no tratamento aos mortos. A partir dessa análise, foram categorizados cinco tipos de mortes: a) naturais; b) violentas “culposas”; c) violentas “dolosas” causadas por “criminosos”; d) violentas “dolosas” causadas pela PMSC; e e) suicídios que evidenciam ausências e inscrições que fortalecem a instituição policial ao mesmo tempo que essa legitima suas ações e valores por meio de narrativas em “notas de pesar” e de “injusta agressão”.
Corpos fabricados e almas vagantes
Authors: Affonso Pedro Henrique , Bairrão José Francisco Miguel
Published: January 2025

O presente artigo visa explorar possíveis interlocuções entre a psicanálise de Jacques Lacan e o denominado perspectivismo ameríndio, tal como proposto pela literatura etnológica. A argumentação se desdobra em três eixos: os fundamentos epistêmicos-metodológicos constituintes da noção ontológica de realidade/mundo; a concepção de corpo enquanto matriz perceptiva e identitária; as práticas em torno do relato do sonho. A discussão proporciona reflexões potencialmente profícuas para a reformulação dos fundamentos antropocêntricos da psicanálise e a ampliação do escopo de noções psicanalíticas referentes ao corpo e aos sonhos.
O olho e/é o outro
Authors: Fonseca Iubel Aline , Magalhães Lopes Pedro
Published: January 2025

O artigo discute a interseção entre pensamentos indígenas e conceitos psicanalíticos, como o infamiliar (Das Unheimliche) de Freud e a extimidade de Lacan. Através de exemplos etnográficos de povos indígenas Pano e Wayana, o texto aborda a relação dos indígenas com a alteridade, especialmente em relação aos espíritos (yuxin) que habitam e vivificam seus corpos e experiências. Esses espíritos são íntimos e estrangeiros ao mesmo tempo, semelhante ao conceito de infamiliar de Freud. O termo extimidade de Lacan também é explorado, destacando como algo íntimo pode ser exterior e como os sujeitos estão entrelaçados com o Outro. A análise busca estabelecer pontes entre os mundos indígenas e a psicanálise, enfatizando a centralidade da alteridade na constituição da subjetividade e das relações.