bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Content Image Analysis of Cellular Responses of the Murine J774A.1 Cell Line and Primary Human Cells Alveolar Macrophages to an Extended Panel of Pharmaceutical Agents
Authors: Tietze Lysann , Urbano Laura , Eisenmann Stephan , Schwarzinger Jacqueline , Kollan Julia , Forbes Ben , Dailey Lea Ann , Hädrich Gabriela
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In vitro screening of macrophages for drug-induced effects, such as phospholipidosis, is useful for detecting potentially problematic compounds in the preclinical development of oral inhaled products. High-content image analysis (HCIA) is a multi-parameter approach for cytotoxicity screening. This study provides new insights into HCIA-derived response patterns of murine J774A.1 cells and primary human alveolar macrophages (hAM).

Methods

Several compounds were compared with reference groups (cationic amphiphilic drugs and apoptosis inducers) at different concentrations (0.01 to 10 µM). After incubation, cells were stained with fluorescence markers and HCIA was performed (Cytation™ 5 Cell Imaging System). Ten parameters were analysed: non-adherent cells, increased or reduced mitochondrial activity, membrane permeability, cell area, nuclear area, polynucleated cells, vacuole area, neutral and phospholipid content. A new system of response categorisation was developed for data analysis.

Results

Murine J774A.1 cells exhibited a drug-induced response pattern that was distinct to the corresponding pattern of hAM cells. Comparison with the literature revealed that primary cells (rat or human origin) have similar response patterns, while cell lines (mouse, rat or human) exhibited a different response pattern. Hierarchical clustering revealed toxicologically aligned clusters of compounds, suggesting potential use for understanding mechanisms of drug effects in cell lines and primary cells.

Conclusions

Valuable information for selecting a suitable cell type for HCIA screening of macrophage responses to drug compounds is provided. All cell types were suitable for screening drug-induced phospholipidosis. Still, human primary alveolar macrophages responded differently to drug treatment compared to macrophage cell lines and may be required to evaluate broader response-patterns and mechanisms of toxicity.
Epistemic oppression and the concept of coercion in psychiatry
Authors: Faissner Mirjam , Braun Esther , Hempeler Christin
Published: January 2025

Coercion is still highly prevalent in contemporary psychiatry. Qualitative research indicates, however, that patients and psychiatric staff have different understandings of what they mean by ‘coercion’. Psychiatric staff primarily employ the concept as referring to instances of formal coercion regulated by law, such as involuntary hospital admission or treatment. Patients, on the other hand, use a broader concept, which also understands many instances of informal psychological pressure as coercive. We point out that the predominance of a narrow concept of coercion in psychiatry can have negative consequences for patients, and argue that this difference in how the concept ‘coercion’ is used is both grounded in epistemic oppression and reinforces such oppression. Epistemic oppression, as defined by Dotson, refers to the persistent epistemic exclusion of members of marginalized groups from participation in practices of knowledge production. We first demonstrate how patients may experience inferential inertia when communicating their experiences of coercion. We then show that the resulting predominance of a narrow concept of coercion in psychiatry can be described as a case of hermeneutical injustice in a context shaped by institutional hermeneutical ignorance. We argue for a change in institutional practices in psychiatry that allows for the adequate consideration of patients’ perspectives on coercion.
Analysing the impact of energy price increases on the vulnerable using the fuel poverty index: a case study of Kobe, Japan
Authors: Tabata Tomohiro , Tsai Peii
Published: January 2025

The global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have significantly increased global energy prices, resulting in higher household burdens for citizens. This study uses fuel poverty indicators to determine household vulnerability to increase in energy price in Japan. A web questionnaire was conducted asking about household income and fuel bills in 2021 and 2022, using Kobe City, Japan, as a case study. As the result, the percentage of fuel-poor households in 2022 was 5.39%, an increase of 0.23% over 2021. This suggests that fuel-poor households are increasing in response to increasing energy prices. The 2022 fuel poverty rate for elderly households was 1.48%, and it was 3.91% for households other than the elderly. Analysis result regarding the characteristics of households determined to be fuel-poor indicated that single-parent households were more likely to fall into fuel poverty than average households. A model combining binomial logistic regression and multiple regression analyses was derived to measure the effect of fuel poverty measures based on the questionnaire survey results. The study results of measures to reduce the time spent using climatization equipment during the daytime in summer by implementing energy sharing showed that all households and single-parent households could move out of fuel poverty. However, elderly households could not move out of fuel poverty, and an additional condition for breaking out of fuel poverty was an increase in the annual household income of elderly households by 0.2 million JPY (Japanese Yen).
Successful pediatric heart transplantation with bivalirudin use in a cyanotic single ventricle patient with an intracorporeal continuous flow ventricular assist device and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Sainathan Sandeep , Mulinari Leonardo
Published: January 2025

We describe a case of profound coagulopathy during orthotopic heart transplantation in a cyanotic single ventricle pediatric patient with an intracorporeal continuous flow ventricular assist device performed on bivalirudin for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. This was successfully managed with central veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and hemofiltration as an adjunct to treat bivalirudin-induced coagulopathy due to lack of a reversal agent for bivalirudin.
Nonoperative Management of Gartland Type II Supracondylar Humeral Fractures: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Booker Michaela , Sumandea Faith , Swarup Ishaan , Pandya Nirav
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the nonoperative management of Gartland Type II fractures in pediatric patients.

Recent Findings

Supracondylar humeral fractures (SCF) are one of the most common traumatic fractures in pediatric populations, characterized as transverse fractures at the distal humerus between the medial and lateral columns. Early studies strongly opposed closed reduction and casting as an acceptable treatment modality for Gartland type II fractures as an early case series showed high rates of complications; however, more recent studies have suggested better outcomes.

The optimal management of Gartland Type II supracondylar fractures has yet to be fully elucidated. This review highlights the indications, complications, and outcomes of nonoperative Gartland Type II supracondylar humeral fracture management. Additionally, it demonstrates the need for further research to inform guidelines on managing this condition.
Errors in the Spontaneous Language of Survivors of Pediatric Cerebellar Tumors
Authors: Svaldi Cheyenne , Galli Juan-Ignacio , Paquier Philippe , Keulen Stefanie , Van Elp Henrieke , Catsman-Berrevoets Coriene , Kingma Annet , Jonkers Roel , Kohnen Saskia , de Aguiar Vânia
Published: January 2025

Pediatric cerebellar tumor survivors may present with spontaneous language impairments following treatment, but the nature of these impairments is still largely unclear. A recent study by Svaldi et al. (Cerebellum. 23:523-44, 2023) found a broad spectrum of spontaneous language impairments irrespective of postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome (pCMS) diagnosis in long-term pediatric cerebellar tumor survivors. Several patients presented with reduced grammatical or lexical accuracy, but a detailed error analysis was lacking. The present study builds on this study by 1) investigating the error types in spontaneous language across three language processing levels in the same participant group and 2) by evaluating the possible association between pCMS and the processing nature of the language impairments. Spontaneous language was evaluated in 12 long-term survivors of pediatric cerebellar tumors (M(SD) = 4;8(3;8) years), of whom five were diagnosed with pCMS. The proportion of occurrence of each error type was compared between each patient and five matched controls using individual case statistics, reflecting (lexico-)phonological (i.e., phonemic paraphasias), lexical-semantic (e.g., empty speech) and morphosyntactic processing (e.g., verb inflection errors). Each patient showed a significantly higher proportion of at least one of the included error types across all language processing levels. A higher proportion of general-all-purpose verbs and inaccurate verb inflection were the most common errors and respectively reflected lexical-semantic and morphosyntactic processing. Additional language impairments were identified using the error analysis that were not identified with standard language measures and psycholinguistic analysis, suggesting the added diagnostic value of error analyses.
Chemical fingerprinting of European radiolarites and raw material economies from the Moravian Aurignacian
Authors: Moník Martin , Nerudová Zdeňka , Gregar Filip , Pluháček Tomáš , Součková Jitka , Hamrozi Petr
Published: January 2025

Chemical fingerprinting and spectrophotometry were combined to conduct a provenance analysis of radiolarite artefacts from three Moravian (Czech Republic) Aurignacian sites of Tvarožná I, Nová Dědina I and Milovice I. Of the different methods used, laser ablation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was the best suited to distinguish the different areas containing radiolarite outcrops. Based on their chemical fingerprint, Moravian Aurignacian radiolarite artefacts were most likely imported from the western Slovak part of the Pieniny Klippen Belt. The abundant radiolarite outcrops in the Vienna region were apparently ignored, with the possible exception of two radiolarite artefacts from the Milovice I site. However, these could also have been manufactured from gravel radiolarites found around the site. Upon assigning other lithologies from Aurignacian sites in Moravia to their areas of provenience, it transpired those imports derived primarily from non-south-western regions. A similar situation was previously observed in the Moravian Szeletian, possibly indicating information exchange between the two Upper Palaeolithic cultures. Although the subsequent Gravettian culture relied more on long-distance imports, north-eastern − south-western movements and transfers were predominant up until the end of the Moravian Upper Palaeolithic, largely due to the communication corridor of the Moravian Gate. Upper Palaeolithic Moravia was an important source of raw materials and a hub for gathering other materials and information from concrete supply zones, while others were neglected.
SESTA/FOSTA as de Facto Hate Policy: Combatting Carceral Investments and Uplifting Community-Based Solutions
Authors: Fuentes Kimberly , Levitt Lauren , Soriano Kimberly , Rowland Alisson , Wit Natasha
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Sex workers overlap demographically with individuals who are pushed into informal economies due to their marginalized identities. Although policies increasing the criminalization of sex work are not regarded as hate politics, we argue that these policies are de facto hate policies against LGBTQ + communities and other marginalized groups.

Methods

We utilize a literature review of nine empirical studies (2018–2023) on the effects of SESTA/FOSTA, a sex worker hate policy, as well as 25 interviews from a 2022 community-based study on the effects of California Senate Bill 233 (SB233), which decriminalized condom possession.

Results

SESTA/FOSTA harmed sex workers by reducing their income, restricting access to safety and screening resources, increasing the risk of exploitation and violence, and removing online spaces for community building and political organizing. Moreover, marginalized sex workers felt these effects most keenly. The SB233 interviews further revealed that condom possession was utilized as a means for law enforcement to harass trans women through pervasive harassment, deadnaming, and forcing sexual encounters with the threat of violence and jail time.

Conclusions

SESTA/FOSTA reveals how policies increasing the criminalization of sex workers also hate policies against marginalized groups. However, policies reducing the criminalization of sex workers, such as SB233, may be ineffective without community involvement. For this reason, we recommend community-based policies like SB357, which repealed loitering with intent.

Policy Implications

Hate politics increase carceral investments, leading to police harassment and surveillance of marginalized groups. We recommend community-led policy suggestions as an alternative.
Behavioral Aspects of Population Mobility Following a CBRN Event and Their Implications for Economic Consequence Analysis
Authors: Rose Adam , Djavadi Bess
Published: January 2025

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) events can take a catastrophic toll on human life, the environment, and the economy. This article first presents the beginnings of a framework for the analysis of behavioral aspects of population mobility in the aftermath of a CBRN event in terms of four phases: quarantine, evacuation, resettlement, and return. Population movements are often omitted from economic consequence analyses because of the difficulty of conceptualizing and estimating them. Through a synthesis of the literature in the context of our analytical framework, we provide estimates of the drivers of important dimensions of population mobility relating to compliance, geography, and timing for each major threat type. We also provide an assessment of error bounds on these estimates. Our findings indicate that omission of various dimensions of population mobility can lead to the underestimation of economic consequences of CBRN events by one or two orders of magnitude. The analysis is intended to point out the relative sensitivities of bottom-line economic impacts to the various population mobility dimensions, so as to guide researchers undertaking this estimation and to help prioritize future research on reducing uncertainties in the direction of drivers that are the most impactful.
Glaucoma and Driving: a Review
Authors: Kontos Melissa , Robinson Joshua L.
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

In this article, we review the current literature on glaucoma and its relationship to various visual functions, driving licensure, driving patterns and public safety.

Recent Findings

Drivers with glaucomatous vision impairment tend to be involved in a higher number of motor vehicle collisions and self-report more driving concerns and limitations than those without glaucoma, but not all studies agree entirely. This lack of agreement is reflected in inconsistencies regarding licensure standards throughout the United States and across the world. Many opinions exist regarding the best means of testing, training and licensing individuals with glaucoma with the aim of ensuring of public safety while also allowing for individual independence.

There is no consensus regarding just how much of a public safety threat glaucoma presents in the context of driving, and what specific visual function parameters contribute most to this potential threat. Continued work in this area will be imperative to understand this important, and growing, issue.
Fatigue assessment of as-welded and HFMI-treated high-strength steel joints under variable amplitude loading using local approaches
Authors: Ahola Antti , Leitner Martin , Grönlund Kiia , Brunnhofer Peter , Buzzi Christian , Moshtaghi Masoud , Björk Timo
Published: January 2025

Among various post-weld treatment techniques, the high-frequency mechanical impact (HFMI) treatment is a robust technique to introduce an enhancement in the fatigue strength of welded high-strength steel joints. In engineering applications, however, structures usually undergo fluctuating cyclic load conditions resulting in variable amplitude load (VAL) conditions. The objective of this work is to validate the use of local notch stress approaches to assess the fatigue strength of as-welded (AW) and HFMI-treated joints made of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels under VAL conditions. The 4R method is applied as an effective stress-based concept considering mean stress correction via four parameters, i.e., material strength R
m, applied stress ratio R, residual stresses σ
res, and weld toe radius r
true. To validate the 4R method, the study extracts and re-analyzes fatigue test data of published literature on CAL and VAL studies. Finite element analyses are carried out to determine effective notch stresses (ENS) for the evaluation of the data using the ENS concept and 4R method. The results of the re-evaluation conducted using the ENS method showed that the existing design curves provide conservative assessments. However, applying equivalent stress concept for VAL data, the experimental data showed damage parameters of D > 1.0 for joints in the AW conditions with respect to the CAL data. The fatigue data was analyzed with the 4R Master Curve, which obtained conservative assessments for both joints in the AW and HFMI-treated conditions, as well as CAL and VAL data and, thus applicability of the 4R method for the fatigue assessments of welded joints was thus further validated by the experimental data.
Erosion Mapping of Coated Composites: Simulating Conditions for Tidal Turbines Blades
Authors: Hassan Emadelddin , Stack Margaret M.
Published: January 2025

The tribological mechanisms of potential composite materials that could be used in tidal turbines considered the effects of various erosion parameters on the degradation modes, both with and without particles, in still and seawater conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a specialised epoxy erosion-resistant coating for glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) in resisting the impact of slurry erosion. Slurry erosion is a process by which solid particles suspended in a fluid medium impinge on a surface, causing material loss due to repeated impacts. The coating efficacy was evaluated through a series of tests, including three different speeds and six different impinging angles and the results were used to generate tidal turbine maps. The study provided insights into the durability and of the epoxy and potential use of the coating in tidal turbine blade industries where resistance to erosion is crucial for long-term performance and safety.
A semi-supervised learning technique assisted multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for computationally expensive problems
Authors: Jiang Zijian , Sun Chaoli , Liu Xiaotong , Shi Hui , Wang Sisi
Published: January 2025

Existing multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) have demonstrated excellent efficiency when tackling multi-objective tasks. However, its use in computationally expensive multi-objective issues is hindered by the large number of reliable evaluations needed to find Pareto-optimal solutions. This paper employs the semi-supervised learning technique in model training to aid in evolutionary algorithms for addressing expensive multi-objective issues, resulting in the semi-supervised learning technique assisted multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (SLTA-MOEA). In SLTA-MOEA, the value of every objective function is determined as a weighted mean of values approximated by all surrogate models for that objective function, with the weights optimized through a convex combination problem. Furthermore, the number of unlabelled solutions participating in model training is adaptively determined based on the objective evaluations conducted. A group of tests on DTLZ test problems with 3, 5, and 10 objective functions, combined with a practical application, are conducted to assess the effectiveness of our proposed method. Comparative experimental results versus six state-of-the-art evolutionary algorithms for expensive problems show high efficiency of SLTA-MOEA, particularly for problems with irregular Pareto fronts.
Engineering few-layer MoS2 and rGO heterostructure composites for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Yi , Xu Jing , Lu Shun , Li Han , Yonar Taner , Hua Qingsong , Liu Terence , Zhang Yongxing
Published: January 2025

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) after the few-layer (FL) processing draws attention to its attractive characteristics, such as broadening interlayer spacing, increasing active sites, and promoting purity of the metallic phase. Notwithstanding, the poor stability and easy aggregation of FL-MoS2 limit its potential for development in the field of electrochemistry. Herein, a nanocomposite between FL-MoS2 and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is successfully constructed via the one-pot hydrothermal method. Furthermore, the FL-MoS2@rGO composite with a stable structure is obtained by regulating the amount of rGO. The excellent supercapacitor capacitances of FL-MoS2 after building heterostructure composites with rGO are displayed, owing to the synergistic effects occurring in heterostructure. The optimal sample of FL-MoS2@rGO-2 possesses a specific capacitance of 346.1 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and a rate ability of 57.2%. Moreover, the capacitance of FL-MoS2@rGO-2 remains 99.1% after 10,000 cyclic charges and discharges. More importantly, the theoretical calculations confirm the source of extra specific capacitance and raise conductivity in FL-MoS2@rGO. Also, a FL-MoS2@rGO-2//AC flexible asymmetric supercapacitor device is successfully fabricated, which presents the superior energy density and power density of 84.31 µWh cm−2 at 700 µW cm−2, and 51.42 µWh cm−2 at 3500 µW cm−2. This work verifies the potential of the heterostructure composite constructed by FL-MoS2 in energy storage of electrochemical application.
Picocyanobacteria in the Chesapeake Bay: isolation, diversity, and adaptation
Authors: Chen Feng
Published: January 2025

Tiny unicellular cyanobacteria or picocyanobacteria (0.5–3 µm) are important due to their ecological significance. Chesapeake Bay is a temperate estuary that contains abundant and diverse picocyanobacteria. Studies of Chesapeake Bay picocyanobacteria in the past 20 years led to the finding of new members of subcluster 5.2 Synechococcus. They laid the foundation for revealing the ecophysiology, biogeography, genomics, and molecular evolution of picocyanobacterial in the Chesapeake Bay and other coastal estuaries. The Bay picocyanobacteria are known to better tolerate the changes in temperature, salinity, and heavy metals compared to their coastal and open-ocean counterparts. Many picocyanobacteria isolated from the Bay contain rich toxin–antitoxin (TA) genes, suggesting that the TA system may provide them with a genetic advance to cope with variable estuarine environments. Distinct winter and summer picocyanobacteria are present in the Bay, suggesting a dynamic seasonal shift of the picocyanobacterial community in the temperate estuary. While the Bay contains subcluster 5.2 Synechococcus, it also contains freshwater Synechococcus, Cyanobium, and marine Synechococcus due to river influx and the ocean’s tidal influence. Some Chesapeake Bay picocyanobacterial clades were found in the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, showing a link between the Bay and polar picocyanobacteria. Genomic sequences of estuarine picocyanobacteria provide new insight into the taxonomy and evolution of freshwater, estuarine, and marine unicellular cyanobacteria. Estuaries connect freshwater and marine ecosystems. This overview attempts to extend what we learned from Chesapeake Bay picocyanobacteria to picocyanobacteria in freshwater and marine waters.
Synergy of energy alternatives, FinTech, and natural resources on SDG13: results from panel QCA and econometric models
Authors: Rahman Md. Mominur , Ahmed Tasfia Tasneem , Prova Nafisa Binte Farid , Ahmed Sultan
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the synergistic effects of energy alternatives, financial technology (FinTech), natural resources, and climate action within the BRICS nations, with a focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG13), which centers on climate action. The integration of system theory with panel Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and econometric methods enables a deeper exploration of how these factors interact to influence climate outcomes. The investigation is significant because BRICS countries—representing major emerging economies—are pivotal in global energy consumption, natural resource extraction, and financial systems, making them key players in the global transition towards sustainability. Identifying the configurational patterns of these variables and their impacts on climate action provides critical insights for policymakers aiming to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. The findings reveal intricate configurations of conditions influencing climate action within the BRICS nations, highlighting the significance of factors such as renewable energy consumption, financial technology integration, and natural resources abundance. Econometric analyses further underscore the negative effects of fossil fuel energy consumption, positive effects of renewable energy consumption, financial technology, and natural resources abundance on climate action. This study contributes to the literature by integrating system theory into panel QCA and econometric analyses to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of climate action within the BRICS nations.
Ferro-Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer over Unsteady Stretching Sheet in the Presence of a Nonuniform Magnetic Field
Authors: Magdy M. M. , Abbas W. , Mekheimer Kh. S. , Emam M. S.
Published: January 2025

Ferrofluids have extensive applications in various fields such as electronic packaging, mechanical and thermal engineering, aerospace, and biotechnology due to their unique properties. This study investigates the magneto-thermomechanical interaction between a viscous, incompressible ferrofluid and a heated, stretching sheet in the presence of a nonuniform magnetic field. The focus is on the laminar flow and heat transfer within the boundary layer of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluid resulting from an unsteady stretching sheet with extended heat flux. The governing partial differential equations are transformed into a system of coupled, nonlinear ordinary differential equations using dimensionless transformations. The Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM) is employed to solve this system. The study examines the effects of magneto-thermomechanical interactions on the velocity and temperature boundary layer profiles, as well as their impact on heat transfer and wall skin friction. The results show that an increase in the ferrohydrodynamic interaction parameter ($$\beta$$) leads to higher velocity and temperature magnitudes, while a decrease in the magnetization parameter (M) results in increased velocity within the thermal boundary layer. Additionally, the magnetic doublet parameter significantly affects the velocity profile, and an increase in the thermal radiation parameter (R) slightly decreases the temperature. These findings are validated through comparison with previously published works, demonstrating a high level of agreement. The study contributes to the understanding of the complex interplay between magnetic fields, temperature, and fluid mechanics in ferrofluids and establishes the effectiveness of the Homotopy Perturbation Method (HPM) for analyzing nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic ferrofluid flows.
Estimating school and teacher effects on students’ academic performance using multilevel models with three or more levels: a literature review
Authors: Zhang Lei
Published: January 2025

This systematic review presents the first synthesis of the scientific literature on estimating school and teacher/class effects on student academic performance using random-effects (RE) models with three or more levels. The review delves into the theoretical framework underpinning the estimation of educational effects, the associated statistical methods, and the empirical findings from multilevel analyses to date. It includes 94 analyses in 32 papers from diverse geographical regions, focusing on both primary and secondary education levels. The findings reveal a broad spectrum of Variance Partition Coefficients (VPCs) from RE models, highlighting the variability in the impact of school and teacher/class levels on student outcomes. The review emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive and diverse datasets, particularly the inclusion of detailed teacher-level data in African studies and the utilization of robust official educational databases in Chinese research. It also acknowledges the contributions of Latin American countries in advancing multilevel modeling and the holistic approach to educational analysis demonstrated in Cyprus. The conclusions underscore the importance of contextualizing educational policies and practices based on the multifaceted influences on student performance. The review calls for future research to expand data collection efforts, adopt standardized reporting practices, and explore advanced statistical techniques to address methodological challenges and approximate causal relationships more accurately.
Victimization and Victim-Oriented Development of Ukrainian Doctrine of Criminal Law through European Union Dimensions
Authors: Tuliakov Viacheslav
Published: January 2025

In the twenty-first century, one of the crucial roles of the Criminal Code is to protect the rights and interests of crime victims. Criminal law is a complex field that must balance established principles with evolving societal dynamics. This involves various stakeholders, including the state, perpetrators, victims and civil society, each with differing views and implications on criminal law. The modern era, marked by post-truth narratives and a reputational society, further complicates matters. Casuistry now prevails over systematic approaches, leading to a disconnect between criminal law’s foundational principles and intended societal outcomes. Contemporary criminal law operates on multiple dimensions, addressing individual, societal and institutional levels while aiming to balance the interests of these entities. The transition from the “age of information” to the “age of reputation” underscores the importance of information subjected to external evaluation. In the context of a state of victimization and the need to harmonize Ukrainian criminal legislation with European Union and Council of Europe standards, it is vital to protect human rights. This aligns with the recommendation of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers that crime should be recognized as a wrong against society and a violation of individual rights, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding victim rights. Approaching criminal law from a victimological perspective offers unique insights into victim participation in criminal liability, crime qualification and offender culpability. This perspective encourages assessing the efficacy of Ukrainian criminal law prohibitions and promoting victim engagement in crime control on national and international levels.
The rise of open-source intelligence
Authors: Van Puyvelde Damien , Tabárez Rienzi Fernando
Published: January 2025

This article challenges the perception of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) as a revolutionary shift driven by the explosion of publicly accessible data. Instead, we argue that the rise of OSINT reflects an evolution of traditional intelligence practices: the collection, processing, analysis and dissemination of vast amounts of information. While the exponential growth of open–source data is reshaping the intelligence landscape, it is neither revolutionizing nor democratizing intelligence. Rather, it is prompting both state and non–state actors to explore how best to integrate OSINT practices and enhance digital literacy within their communities. Core OSINT challenges – information overload, reliability, and legal and ethical concerns – remain consistent with broader intelligence issues. Addressing these challenges provides a foundation for consolidating OSINT as a community of practice, and linking it to debates on the disputed role of security expertise in the public debate.
Assessing financial literacy among the young
Authors: Oberrauch Luis , Kaiser Tim , Lusardi Annamaria
Published: January 2025

Since 2012, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an initiative of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), has been collecting data to evaluate the financial literacy of 15-year-old students in various countries. The triennial assessments provide an opportunity to study the determinants of financial literacy among the young and how it evolves over time. This article looks back at a decade of PISA financial literacy data and examines the four waves of student-level data collected so far (2012, 2015, 2018, and 2022). We document stylized facts across waves and provide guidance on using the test scores estimated from psychometric models.
COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes in Los Angeles County, March 2020–April 2022
Authors: van Rest Amanda , Clarke Anthony , Gounder Prabhu , Nie Pingting (Karen) , Das Chandana , Bush CaSaundra , Rubin Zachary
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

Nursing home (NH) residents have an elevated risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and severe outcomes. However, literature regarding outbreak outcomes at the facility level is limited.

Methods:

NH outbreaks beginning between March 1, 2020, and February 22, 2022, at facilities under Los Angeles County jurisdiction were assigned to 1 of 6 time periods defined by dominant variants, surges in community transmission, and vaccination levels. Outbreaks were defined as 1 or more NH resident cases with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection and no periods of 14 or more days between successive COVID-19 resident cases. Outbreak size and duration were the number of NH resident cases and the number of days between the index case(s) and 14 days after the last resident case(s). Rates of severe outcomes were measured per 100 licensed beds among all outbreaks per time period.

Results:

44,279 cases were analyzed from 1,587 outbreaks. Median outbreak duration peaked during the first winter surge (39 days; time period 3); median outbreak size per 100 licensed beds peaked in time period 6 (17), after widespread vaccination - during the second winter surge. Hospitalizations and deaths per 100 resident cases fell from 31 and 24 prior to widespread vaccination to 11 and 7, respectively, after.

Conclusions:

NH COVID-19 outbreaks may have been affected by vaccine uptake and community transmission levels. Because outbreak size and duration peaked during peak community transmission but severe outcome rates did not, the latter may be preferable to outbreak size and duration as outbreak metrics.
Case C-123/22, Comm'n v. Hung. (C.J.E.U.)
Authors: Barrett Gavin
Published: January 2025

On June 13, 2024, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered its judgment in Case C-123/22 European Commission v. Hungary, a follow-up action to Case C-808/18 European Commission v Hungary condemning Hungary's non-compliance with EU legislation on common standards and procedures for returning illegally staying third-country nationals and on common procedures regarding international protection. Hungary had responded to the earlier judgment in what the Commission deemed a wholly inadequate manner. The Commission requested that a lump sum and penalty payment be imposed on Hungary by the ECJ. The Court now responded by ordering a record lump sum payment and record-equalling penalty payment, forcefully underlining judicial power in policing rule of law compliance.
OP03 Regionalization And Patient-Centered Care: A Rapid-Realist Review And Implications For Health Technology Assessment
Authors: Quigley Joan , O’Donnell Catherine , Hawkins Neil
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Healthcare regionalization is the movement of responsibility of health care towards a regional body. It has been introduced in many countries and exists in many forms across high-, middle- and low-income countries. Supporters of regionalization purport that a more actively managed system, with better coordination and integration, could lead to improved quality and patient-centered care. However, evidence for this is unclear.

Methods

Systematic searches combining terms for regionalization and patient-centered care in MEDLINE identified 5,765 titles for review. Three levels of screening were conducted by two independent reviewers: title only, abstract and title, and full-paper review. Rapid-realist synthesis methodology was used to gather a deeper understanding of the relationship between healthcare regionalization and patient-centered care, seeking to identify potential mechanisms and the context in which these operate. We also sought to determine whether novel methodologies such as this can be used by health technology assessment (HTA) bodies in an efficient manner that produces results directly applicable to decision-makers.

Results

Studies from high-income countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Italy, were included. The realist synthesis identified mechanisms by which whole healthcare-system regionalization can help or hinder the rollout of patient-centered care. Mechanisms were classified in relation to specific dimensions of patient-centered care including access and “patient as person.” Facilitators to the use of rapid-realist review in health policy include similarity of screening, searching, and extraction to traditional systematic review. Barriers include the scope of the literature considered relevant, length of time to familiarize with the method, and presentation of the findings in an accessible way for policymakers.

Conclusions

This is the first realist synthesis of the relationship between whole healthcare-system regionalization and patient-centered care. Regionalization may help or hinder achievement of patient-centered care. Policymakers should note barriers to, and facilitators of, patient-centered care in the context of large-scale health system reform. Rapid-realist review has applications for HTA, particularly in the exploration of non-standard interventions.
OP04 The Modernized Cardiff Model: Multifaceted Modeling In The Era Of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: McEwan Philip , Foos Volker , Chen Jieling , Evans Marc , Roberts Geraint , Jenkins Robert , Gibson Andrew
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In the era of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, thorough evaluation of medicines with multiple treatment effects/indications demands a multifaceted modeling philosophy, despite the requirement of health technology assessment (HTA) models to focus on one disease. Using Cardiff, a model previously built for type 2 diabetes (T2D), we illustrate the changes needed to capture contemporary, holistic, patient-centered decision-making, and argue that HTA bodies should revise their approach.

Methods

The upgraded model enables therapy selection and escalation determined by HbA1c thresholds, cardiovascular risk (QRISK3), comorbidities (established cardiovascular or chronic kidney disease), and weight (body mass index ≥35 kg/m2). Risk factor trajectories were updated by incorporating UKPDS-90 equations and other relevant data sources. Clinical outcomes were predicted using new risk equations incorporating cardiovascular outcomes trial data whenever possible. The updated model was applied to assess quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and lifetime costs in newly diagnosed T2D patients in the UK, modeled via a conventional glycemic-centric approach versus a multifactorial treatment algorithm. Extrapolation to the national level utilized estimates of annual incidence.

Results

The updated treatment algorithm captured and quantified the impact of nuanced comorbidity management called for in guidelines. In a cohort of newly diagnosed T2D patients, 81 percent initiated an SGLT2 inhibitor within five years, predominantly due to increasing cardiovascular risk, versus zero percent when escalation was dictated by HbA1c alone. Broad, early use of SGLT2 inhibitors resulted in an additional 0.73 predicted QALYs and GBP10,757 (USD13,600) in predicted lifetime cost savings per patient versus a “traditional” approach. Cost savings were primarily due to avoided renal events; extrapolation to the national level predicted cost savings to the payer of GBP2.8 billion (USD3.5 billion), which traditional models cannot capture.

Conclusions

The modernized Cardiff model incorporates multifactorial prescribing guidelines and contemporary evidence around cardio-renal protection and is more adept at modeling costs and outcomes of multidimensional antidiabetic treatments; traditional glucose-centric modeling methods may introduce bias. Economic modeling and HTA processes must adapt to follow the complexities of modern disease management and remain relevant as healthcare systems address the cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome epidemic.
OP18 Incorporating Environmental Impacts In The Economic Evaluation Of Health Technology Assessment: State Of The Art And Challenges
Authors: Guirado-Fuentes Carmen , Sacks Analía Abt , García-Pérez Lidia , Carrion Carme , Trujillo-Martín Mar
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Environmental impact has been poorly addressed in health technology assessment (HTA) processes despite its potential role in promoting more sustainable health systems. Initiatives to incorporate this dimension into economic evaluations (EE) that support HTA are few and far between. We aim to identify the state of the art and challenges for incorporating environmental impact into the EE of HTA.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review to identify publications on the assessment of the environmental dimension of health technologies from different approaches: establishment of theoretical frameworks and methods; data search strategies; identification of parameters, designs, and indicators; as well as descriptions of practical applications in HTA (literature review, EE, or budget impact analysis). The literature search was conducted through PubMed. Selected studies should provide insights to incorporate environmental impact into the EE of HTA regardless of the technology or environmental aspect considered (carbon footprint, use of resources, waste generation, etc.).

Results

From a total of 219 references initially identified, 22 publications meeting the selection criteria were found. The holistic approach is recognized as the most appropriate for incorporating the environmental dimension, through the evaluation of the entire life cycle of the technology, as well as the management of the disease and the use of resources throughout the care process. A large amount of information and accurate estimates about the impact of the technology are needed. Therefore, the first reported approaches have focused on particular aspects of the environmental impact of a health technology (mainly the carbon footprint).

Conclusions

The practical incorporation of the environmental dimension into the HTA is still very incipient. Foundations have begun to be established for its incorporation into economic evaluation. A consensus is required on the most appropriate methodologies and tools to collect the necessary data. It would also require a multidisciplinary approach and a framework for cooperation between all the stakeholders.
OP20 Incorporating External Information In Survival Extrapolation Using A Simplified Bayesian Approach
Authors: McConnell David , White Arthur , Lamrock Felicity , O’Callaghan Joan , McCullagh Laura , Leahy Joy , Trela-Larsen Lea
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Cost-effectiveness modeling often requires extrapolation of survival data from clinical trials over a long-term horizon. The choice of extrapolation method is often uncertain and can have a profound impact on the results. We propose a novel Bayesian approach towards incorporating external information (e.g., registry data or clinical opinion) into the extrapolation process as a means of reducing this uncertainty.

Methods

Standard parametric survival curves are fitted to immature time-to-event data using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). Separately, external information on expected cohort-level survival at a future time point is used to specify a prior probability distribution. These are combined to generate posterior distributions of survival curve extrapolations that simultaneously incorporate both observed data and external information. This is done using importance sampling and multivariate normal approximations of the likelihood and posterior distributions; it requires only summary model parameter estimates (and not patient-level data). We apply our method to analyze survival data from the KEYNOTE-426 trial of pembrolizumab+axitinib in advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Results

The method was implemented in R, and outputs survival curve parameters that are compatible with cost-effectiveness models developed in other software (e.g., Microsoft Excel). In all examples considered, our method resulted in extrapolated survival predictions that were more closely aligned with the external information compared with the standard (MLE-based) approach. Incorporation of external information decreased between-distribution variance (reduced structural uncertainty), and generally also decreased within-distribution variance as well (reduced parameter uncertainty). Results were comparable with those obtained from the method of Cooney and White, which uses similar ideas but requires full patient-level data and is more computationally complex.

Conclusions

The extrapolation method we describe can reduce uncertainty when valid external information is available. Only MLE-based parameter estimates are required to implement our method, thus secondary model users such as HTA agencies can adjust survival extrapolations from existing cost-effectiveness models without access to patient-level data. Implementation is straightforward and computationally efficient, and outputs are easily incorporated into existing cost-effectiveness models.