bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biochemical Impact of Nickel‐Induced Metabolic Impairment and the Protective Effects of Resveratrol and Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Feezan Ali , Afzal Samina , Shoaib Syed Muhammad , Rehman Kanwal , Hussain Amjad , Akash Muhammad Sajid Hamid , Shahid Mudassar , Sadaf Bushra
Published: December 2024

Nickel exposure is known to induce oxidative stress and inflammation and disrupt critical metabolic pathways, leading to hepatic dysfunction and impaired glucose regulation. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical effects of nickel‐induced metabolic impairments in an animal model, using a variety of techniques, including ELISA and instrumental analysis, with a specific focus on the expression of key genes involved in insulin regulation and glucose homeostasis. The experiment included four groups: Control, Nickel‐exposed, Nickel‐exposed with standard treatment (ascorbic acid, AA), and Nickel‐exposed with resveratrol (RSV). Serum nickel levels, measured via ICP‐MS, showed a significant increase in the exposed group, with a mean value of 125.74 ± 6.20 ppb. The analysis of various metabolic biomarkers demonstrated that nickel exposure resulted in hyperglycemia, elevated HOMA‐IR, HbA1c, and DPP‐4, increased level of inflammatory cytokines, altered lipid profiles, and impaired liver and kidney function. Nickel exposure triggered inflammation, disrupted carbohydrate metabolism, induced oxidative stress, and altered the expression of genes related to hepatic inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and glucose and lipid metabolism. These changes culminated in mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired glucose metabolism, and insulin resistance, as evidenced by reduced expression of GLUT‐2 and GCK—genes critical for glucose uptake and insulin secretion. Elevated serum levels of amino acids, such as glutamate and valine, further indicated disruptions in amino acid metabolism and oxidative stress. Therapeutic interventions with AA and RSV demonstrated significant protective effects: Both compounds mitigated oxidative stress, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and restored normal expression levels of GCK and GLUT‐2, improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Additionally, AA and RSV alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction, suppressing the overexpression of UCP2, a protein linked to impaired energy metabolism. Serum amino acid levels were also normalized, highlighting their role in reestablishing metabolic balance. In conclusion, this study highlights the therapeutic potential of AA and RSV in mitigating nickel‐induced hepatic and metabolic disturbances. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing oxidative stress and inflammation in metabolic disorders and position RSV as promising candidate for restoring metabolic homeostasis. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying their protective effects.
Toxic Plants and Their Impact on Livestock Health and Economic Losses: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Abdisa Tagesu , Dilbato Tegegn
Published: December 2024

Plants are important components in sustaining the life of humans and animals, balancing ecosystems, providing animal feed and edible food for human consumption, and serving as sources of traditional and modern medicine. However, plants can be harmful to both animals and humans when ingested, leading to poisoning regardless of the quantity consumed. This presents significant risks to livestock health and can impede economic growth. In several developing countries, including Ethiopia, traditional communities have depended on medicinal plants for treating livestock and human diseases. The incidences of livestock poisoning from medicinal and poisonous plants are due to the misuse and lack of dosage standardization. Therefore, this paper aimed to review toxic plants and their effects on livestock health and associated economic losses. Toxic plants contain secondary metabolites that serve as a defense mechanism against predators. The most common secondary metabolites of toxic plants that affect livestock health and the economy include alkaloids (Asteraceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Boraginaceae), cyanides (Sorghum spp. and grass spp.), nitrates (Pennisetum purpureum roots, Amaranthus, nightshades, Solanum spp. Chenopodium spp., and weed spp.), oxalates (Poaecea, Amaranthaceae, and Polygonaceae), and glycosides (Pteridium aquiline). The most common effects of toxic plants on livestock health include teratogenic and abortifacient (Locoweeds, Lupines, Poison Hemlock, and Veratrum), hepatoxicity (Crotalaria, Lantana camara, Xanthium, and Senecio), photosensitization (L. camara, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Brachiaria brizantha, and Heracleum sphondylium), and impairing respiratory and circulatory systems (nitrite and cyanide toxic). Toxic plants lead to substantial economic losses, both direct and indirect. Direct losses stem from livestock deaths, abortions, decreased milk quality, and reduced skin and hide production, while indirect losses are associated with the costs of treatment and management of affected animals. Overall, toxic plants negatively impact livestock health and production, resulting in significant economic repercussions. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the identification of the most prevalent toxic plants, isolate secondary metabolites, conduct toxicity tests, standardize dosages, and develop effective strategies for managing both the toxic plants and their associated toxicity.
Boosting Psychotherapy With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: The Whys and Wherefores of Modulating Neural Plasticity to Promote Therapeutic Change
Authors: Saccenti Daniele , Lauro Leonor J. Romero , Crespi Sofia A. , Moro Andrea S. , Vergallito Alessandra , Grgič Regina Gregori , Pretti Novella , Lamanna Jacopo , Ferro Mattia
Published: December 2024

The phenomenon of neural plasticity pertains to the intrinsic capacity of neurons to undergo structural and functional reconfiguration through learning and experiential interaction with the environment. These changes could manifest themselves not only as a consequence of various life experiences but also following therapeutic interventions, including the application of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) and psychotherapy. As standalone therapies, both NIBS and psychotherapy have demonstrated their efficacy in the amelioration of psychiatric disorders’ symptoms, with a certain variability in terms of effect sizes and duration. Consequently, scholars suggested the convenience of integrating the two interventions into a multimodal treatment to boost and prolong the therapeutic outcomes. Such an approach is still in its infancy, and the physiological underpinnings substantiating the effectiveness and utility of combined interventions are still to be clarified. Therefore, this opinion paper aims to provide a theoretical framework consisting of compelling arguments as to why adding NIBS to psychotherapy can promote therapeutic change. Namely, we will discuss the physiological effects of the two interventions, thus providing a rationale to explain the potential advantages of a combined approach.
Supplementary Figure S8 from Oxygen-Enhanced MRI Detects Incidence, Onset, and Heterogeneity of Radiation-Induced Hypoxia Modification in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Dubec Michael J. , Price James , Berks Michael , Gaffney John , Little Ross A. , Porta Nuria , Sridharan Nivetha , Datta Anubhav , McHugh Damien J. , Hague Christina J. , Cheung Susan , Manoharan Prakash , van Herk Marcel , Choudhury Ananya , Matthews Julian C. , Parker Geoff J.M. , Buckley David L. , Harrington Kevin J. , McPartlin Andrew , O’Connor James P.B.
Published: December 2024

Supplementary Figure S8. Treatment-induced changes in OE-MRI biomarkers relative to baseline (BL).
Supplementary Figure S2 from Oxygen-Enhanced MRI Detects Incidence, Onset, and Heterogeneity of Radiation-Induced Hypoxia Modification in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Dubec Michael J. , Price James , Berks Michael , Gaffney John , Little Ross A. , Porta Nuria , Sridharan Nivetha , Datta Anubhav , McHugh Damien J. , Hague Christina J. , Cheung Susan , Manoharan Prakash , van Herk Marcel , Choudhury Ananya , Matthews Julian C. , Parker Geoff J.M. , Buckley David L. , Harrington Kevin J. , McPartlin Andrew , O’Connor James P.B.
Published: December 2024

Supplementary Figure S2. Illustration of the data that is used to derive the ΔR1, HFMRI and HVMRI parameters.
Table S7 from DeePathNet: A Transformer-Based Deep Learning Model Integrating Multiomic Data with Cancer Pathways
Authors: Cai Zhaoxiang , Poulos Rebecca C. , Aref Adel , Robinson Phillip J. , Reddel Roger R. , Zhong Qing
Published: December 2024

Generalization errors for breast cancer subtype classification
Figure S3 from DeePathNet: A Transformer-Based Deep Learning Model Integrating Multiomic Data with Cancer Pathways
Authors: Cai Zhaoxiang , Poulos Rebecca C. , Aref Adel , Robinson Phillip J. , Reddel Roger R. , Zhong Qing
Published: December 2024

Analysis of performance of drug response prediction by target pathways
Figure S2 from DeePathNet: A Transformer-Based Deep Learning Model Integrating Multiomic Data with Cancer Pathways
Authors: Cai Zhaoxiang , Poulos Rebecca C. , Aref Adel , Robinson Phillip J. , Reddel Roger R. , Zhong Qing
Published: December 2024

Consistency of drug response predictions from different machine learning models
Figure 7 from DeePathNet: A Transformer-Based Deep Learning Model Integrating Multiomic Data with Cancer Pathways
Authors: Cai Zhaoxiang , Poulos Rebecca C. , Aref Adel , Robinson Phillip J. , Reddel Roger R. , Zhong Qing
Published: December 2024

Ablation study of DeePathNet using transformer-only model and plain neural networks (MLP). A, Box plots showing the predictive performance from the independent test set across the 549 drugs for random forest (green), MLP (dark gray), DeePathNet with randomly wired pathways (light gray), and DeePathNet (pink). Outliers for R2 are hidden for clearer visualization. B, Bar plots showing predictive performances of the four models from cross-validation on cancer type classification. C, Bar plots showing predictive performance from the independent test set on breast cancer subtype classification. CIs represent 95% CI of the mean (n = 10 experiments). D, Down-sample analysis showing DeePathNet with cancer pathways performs better on drug response prediction with smaller training sample sizes compared with DeePathNet with random wired pathways. The solid line represents the mean R2, and CIs represent 95% CIs of the mean (n = 10 experiments). ***, P < 0.001, paired t test.
Figure 3 from DeePathNet: A Transformer-Based Deep Learning Model Integrating Multiomic Data with Cancer Pathways
Authors: Cai Zhaoxiang , Poulos Rebecca C. , Aref Adel , Robinson Phillip J. , Reddel Roger R. , Zhong Qing
Published: December 2024

Generalization error of DeePathNet and random forest for drug response prediction. A, Violin plots showing predictive performances of DeePathNet and random forest using CLP as the training set and evaluated on the independent CCLE test set across the 549 GDSC drugs. The vertical axis is inverted for MAE. ****, P value < 0.0001 by two-tailed paired Student t test. B, Violin and swarm plots showing the performance difference in R2 (top), MAE (middle), and Pearson’s r (bottom) between DeePathNet and random forest for each drug. A drug is more accurately predicted by DeePathNet when it exhibits a positive value for the R2 or Pearson’s r difference, or a negative value of the MAE difference (the horizontal axis is inverted for MAE). The numbers of drugs more accurately predicted by DeePathNet or random forest are annotated on the top right and left of the plot, respectively. The name of the drug that achieved the largest improvement with DeePathNet is annotated for each metric. C and D, Similar to A and B, but using CLP+ as the training set and CCLE+ as the independent test set.
Figure 1 from DeePathNet: A Transformer-Based Deep Learning Model Integrating Multiomic Data with Cancer Pathways
Authors: Cai Zhaoxiang , Poulos Rebecca C. , Aref Adel , Robinson Phillip J. , Reddel Roger R. , Zhong Qing
Published: December 2024

Overview of DeePathNet. A, DeePathNet has its network architecture built using the LCPathway dataset and takes multiomic data as the input to model pathway interactions and predict drug responses or classify cancer types and subtypes. B, DeePathNet architecture supports any number of omic data types as the input. Step 1: DeePathNet encodes multiomic information into cancer pathways. Step 2: DeePathNet uses a transformer encoder to learn the interactions among these pathways. Step 3: The encoded pathway vector is passed into an MLP for the prediction. Circles represent neurons in a neural network. Arrows represent the direction of information flow. (A, Created with BioRender.com.)
The Curious Case of the Islamic Journeymen: Questions and Texts toward a Comparative Study of Guilds
Authors: Beilinson Orel
Published: December 2024

Nearly a century after Bernard Lewis’ seminal article, much about craft guilds in Islamic societies remains unknown. Even less is known about journeymen, a stratum of hired workers who were neither apprentices nor master craftsmen. European thought and historiography—especially Marxism, under whose influence much of the works on guilds were written—ascribed to them an essential role in the history of labor and politics. In the Middle East, it is unclear whether such a position existed, when it emerged, whether it was imported, and under what conditions. When journeymen do seem to appear in the sources, it is still difficult to say whether they matched their Western European equivalents in conditions, demographics, aspirations, and political potential. These questions are crucial for comparing guilds, social structures, and life courses across time and space. At the heart of this dossier are six texts, which are also reproduced here in translation. These sources—a contemporary description and five works of historical scholarship written in Arabic, Serbian, Russian, Albanian, and Georgian—remain fundamental studies of guilds in the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The translations thus provide access to non-Anglophone scholarship. The accompanying article analyzes the historiography and puts these sources under scrutiny. It shows the limitations of imposing European models on Islamic guilds, including misinterpretations. Analyzing and contextualizing these interpretations reveals dynamics worth exploring, raises new questions, and revives old debates abandoned prematurely. These include the relationship between religious and craft associations, the management of young and mobile men, and the logic of industrial development in Europe, the Islamic World, and beyond.
Edible insects as a futuristic fiber resource: unlocking the potential of ‘entomofibers’ (chitin and chitosan) from North-Eastern India
Authors: Chakravorty J. , Bhadra P. , Moyong M. , Borah S. , Newar R.
Published: December 2024

Dietary fiber plays a crucial role in human health and wellbeing. Although plants are usually considered to be the major source of dietary fibers for human consumption, insects have also been reported to contain fiber as one of the macronutrients suitable for human diet. Insect consumption is an ancient dietary practice that has existed since the Paleolithic era. Insects are known to be protein-rich food, but insect-fiber has not received as much attention as insect-protein till date. Therefore, the present study made an attempt to comprehensively review the fiber content of edible insects across the world in general and northeastern India in particular, based on published information. Chitin, a key constituent of insect exoskeleton, is structurally analogous to cellulose, which is often termed as ‘plant fiber.’ In this review, chitin and its derivative chitosan, along with some other polysaccharides have been referred as entomofibers and primary focus has been given to chitin and chitosan as the major components of crude fiber found in edible insects. The fiber content of most preferred edible insects from North East India and the insects raised for commercialization were compared with fiber content of conventional food sources. Upon analyzing the data, it could be concluded that edible insects offer an exceptional, viable, and sustainable source of dietary fiber, surpassing many conventional, plant-based fiber sources in terms of nutritional value and environmental sustainability. Thus, selective edible insects can be promoted as a source of “ecofiber/entomofiber” apart from edible insects designated as “ecoprotein” sources to address various health issues including constipation, diabetes, dysbiosis, obesity etc.
The Origins of the Printer Battista Torti in Ovid’s Fasti
Authors: Manelli Edoardo
Published: December 2024

The article highlights the origins of the law printer Battista Torti, who was active in Venice from 1481 to 1540. After a brief introduction describing the peculiarities of his career and his books, specific attention will be given to the colophon to his edition of Ovid’s Fasti (BAV, Inc. II.345; Stamp. Ferr. II.672). This colophon is unique, because for the first and last time Torti mentioned the name of what is considered to be his birthplace, Nicastro—now Lamezia Terme—a city in Calabria, southern Italy. However, there are clues, especially in a contract dated 1489, that permit a reconsideration of his origins.
Neo-Feudalism and Neo-Traditionalism as Responses to Liberalism
Authors: Kubik Jan
Published: December 2024

The rise of right-wing populism as a challenge to liberalism has two major explanations: cultural and economic. Cultural explanations must strike a balance between general mechanisms and specific conditions of concrete regions or countries. There is an argument that a large segment of the population in east central Europe has rejected liberalism because it sees liberalism as an alien implant from “the West.” However, this explanation does not answer two key questions: Why this rejection seems to have come after a considerable delay and why it took the form of right-wing populist reaction. Relying on the concepts of neo-traditionalism and neo-feudalism, I propose answers to these questions.
On secondary recycling of high-density polyethylene with reinforcement of stubble powder by a material extrusion process for construction applications
Authors: Kumar Ranvijay , Singh Rupinder , Kumar Vinay , Ranjan Nishant
Published: December 2024

In the past two decades, several studies have been reported using agricultural waste as reinforcement in thermoplastic matrices for lightweight and tunable mechanical properties. However, the recycling of thermoplastic with reinforcement of agricultural waste has constraints in the form of the volume of recycled material to support the concept of a circular economy. One of the solutions for bulk consumption of such agricultural and thermoplastic waste is its use in construction applications. In the present study, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was secondary (2°) recycled by reinforcement of stubble waste powder (SWP) through the material extrusion (MEX) process for possible applications in the construction industry. The melt flow index (MFI) investigation suggested the maximum loading of 15% SWP with the recycled HDPE matrix in the present case study. Further, the filament was prepared by using the design of experiment (DoE) with input parameters (heat treatment (pre-heat treatment (PreHT) and post-heat treatment (PostHT), barrel temperature (170–180°C) and screw speed (3–5 RPM) on single screw extruder). The results suggest that the combination of PreHT, 170°C-barrel temperature and 4 RPM screws speed resulted in a maximum Young’s modulus (E) of 1386.57 MPa. The PreHT has promoted the recrystallization of the HDPE-SWP blend, which has significantly increased E. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) reveals that the HDPE-SWP composite was more thermally stable after each thermal cycle. In addition, the results of this study were also supported and correlated with the observation of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface profiling and 3D printability with MEX.
An In-depth Review of the Off-label Use of Apremilast in Dermatology
Authors: Bubna Aditya Kumar , Viplav Vinayak
Published: December 2024

Background

Apremilast is a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor approved by the US-Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) for the management of adult patients with plaque psoriasis (who are candidates for phototherapy/systemic therapy), moderate-to-severely active psoriatic arthritis and Behcet’s disease associated with oral ulcers.

Purpose

This review aims to summarize the current evidence for the off-label use of apremilast in various dermatological disorders.

Methods

A comprehensive search of relevant literature was conducted using databases like PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase. Studies investigating the use of apremilast for dermatological conditions beyond its approved indications were included.

Results

The use of apremilast has been outlined in a number of reports for inflammatory dermatoses. Randomized controlled trials showed promise for atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa and vitiligo. Open-label trials suggested potential benefit in cutaneous sarcoidosis, discoid lupus erythematosus, rosacea and lichen planus.

Conclusion

Apremilast can be considered a valid therapeutic option for a range of inflammatory dermatological conditions beyond its approved uses. Further, owing to lack of immunosuppression, apremilast delineates an added advantage when compared to the usual immunosuppressive drugs used by dermatologists. However, stronger evidence from well-designed clinical trials is needed to establish its role in these aforementioned disorders.
Unexpected Outcomes: Late Fat Hypertrophy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Following Fat Grafting to the Posterior Pharynx for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
Authors: Prescher Hannes , Svientek Shelby R. , Habeshy Marissa Y. , Kasten Steven J. , Buchman Steven R. , Vercler Christian J.
Published: December 2024

Autologous fat grafting for posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation has been described as a safe and effective treatment option for a subset of patients with mild to moderate velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Reported complications including hyponasality and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are exceedingly rare. We describe the development of severe fat graft hypertrophy and subsequent OSA in a series of 3 patients several years after undergoing autologous fat grafting for VPI. All patients required revisional surgery for the removal of the engrafted fat. Although rare, OSA can result from hypertrophy of autologous fat grafted into the posterior pharyngeal wall for treatment of VPI.
Use of Implementation Science Concepts in the Study of Misinformation: A Scoping Review
Authors: Bang Carla , Carroll Kelly , Mistry Niyati , Presseau Justin , Hudek Natasha , Yanikomeroglu Sezgi , Brehaut Jamie C.
Published: December 2024

Misinformation hinders the impact of public health initiatives. Efforts to counter misinformation likely do not consider the full range of factors known to affect how individuals make decisions and act on them. Implementation science tools and concepts can facilitate the development of more effective interventions against health misinformation by leveraging advances in behavior specification, uptake of evidence, and theory-guided development and evaluation of complex interventions. We conducted a scoping review of misinformation literature reviews to document whether and how important concepts from implementation science have already informed the study of misinformation. Of 90 included reviews, the most frequently identified implementation science concepts were consideration of mechanisms driving misinformation (78%) and ways to intervene on, reduce, avoid, or circumvent it (71%). Other implementation science concepts were discussed much less frequently, such as tailoring strategies to the relevant context (9%) or public involvement in intervention development (9%). Less than half of reviews (47%) were guided by any theory, model, or framework. Among the 26 reviews that cited existing theories, most used theory narratively (62%) or only mentioned/cited the theory (19%), rather than using theory explicitly to interpret results (15%) or to inform data extraction (12%). Despite considerable research and many summaries of how to intervene against health misinformation, there has been relatively little consideration of many important advances in the science of health care implementation. This review identifies key areas from implementation science that might be useful to support future research into designing effective misinformation interventions.
Factors associated with gender specific adolescent presentations to the emergency department for suicide risk behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gingoyon Argie , Schumacher Anett , Lo Ronda F , Mahesh Hemantika , Wilkinson Logan , Segovia Alicia , Finkelstein Yaron , Korczak Daphne J
Published: December 2024

Background

Adolescent presentations to the emergency department (ED) for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors (SRTBs) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender expansive youth were particularly impacted by the loss of gender-specific services, however, data examining ED pandemic presentations of gender expansive youth for SRTBs are scarce.

Methods

Data were collected at a tertiary care center in Canada. Adolescents aged 12 to 17 presenting with SRTBs were recruited during two periods: March 2018 - March 2020 (pre-pandemic) and March 2021 - May 2023 (during pandemic). Patient demographics, mental health symptoms, and pre-ED visit healthcare utilization were examined.

Results

We identified 202 adolescents (70 pre-pandemic; 132 during pandemic), with a mean age of 14.3 years. Compared with pre-pandemic, during pandemic adolescents were more likely to identify as gender expansive [pre: 5.7% versus during: 24.2%; p = .01] and were of European descent [pre: 28.6% versus during: 59.1%; p < .01]. During the pandemic, gender expansive adolescents, on average, exhibited higher suicidal ideation, measured by Suicide Ideation Questionnaire Junior scores, compared with cisgender adolescents [gender expansive: mean = 64.3 (standard deviation = 12.1) versus cisgender participants: mean = 58.0 (standard deviation = 14.5); p = .03]. There were no differences in demographics, healthcare utilization, depression or anxiety symptom severity between gender expansive and cisgender adolescents.

Conclusions

Adolescents presenting to the ED with SRTBs during the pandemic were more likely to identify as gender expansive than those presenting pre-pandemic. Gender expansive adolescents exhibited increased suicidal ideation compared to cisgender adolescents during the pandemic.
Exploring research gaps and future trajectories in Queer diaspora studies
Authors: Proudman Freya
Published: December 2024

Despite the growth in Queer diaspora research over the last 30 years, several gaps and tensions persist in the literature. This article outlines the current state of the literature and suggests future research agendas for addressing theoretical, empirical, and methodological gaps in order to sustain the field’s continued development. It draws upon the author’s empirical research on Queer Ukrainian diasporas to further highlight these gaps and justify research needs. Starting with theoretical tensions, these mostly concern difficulties navigating various understandings and applications of the term ‘Queer diaspora’. This is best represented by two main, yet opposing, conceptualisations of Queer diaspora referred to as ‘ diasporisation of Queer’ and ‘ Queering the diaspora’. This article discusses their current limitations and suggests how empirical research can further develop these theoretical frameworks. Empirical challenges primarily involve population gaps resulting from the tendency of Queer diaspora research to explore migrants from certain sending and receiving countries. Other empirical gaps concern improving our understanding of the relationships between Queer diasporas and factors including time, language, and digital spaces. Finally, through a discussion around methodology, this article joins the calls for greater adoption of intersectional approaches which also offer an opportunity to reflect on research ethics.
Social theory, the ecological emergency, and the direction of history: A review essay
Authors: Wagner Peter
Published: December 2024

The current ecological emergency is sometimes seen as a new epoch in the history of humankind. The expressions Anthropocene and Great Acceleration are two recent proposals for naming this epoch, which have been and are being widely debated. However, this debate found social theory rather unprepared, with attempts at conceptualizing long-term social change having largely been abandoned in the face of conceptual, methodological, and empirical difficulties decades ago. This essay discusses three recent book publications, the coincidence of which may indicate that the reluctance towards addressing the existence and direction of major socio-historical transformations is about to be overcome. From the angle of social philosophy, Rahel Jaeggi's Fortschritt und Regression (“Progress and regression”) explores in a novel way the question of the normative directedness of history. Based in political and economic sociology, Ingolfur Blühdorn's Unhaltbarkeit (“Intenability”) and Jens Beckert's Verkaufte Zukunft (“Future sold”) focus more explicitly on the ecological emergency, in particular climate change. Reading these three books together, the question arises how the long-term irreversibility of global warming relates to the direction of human history over the past two centuries and the future possibility of change of direction.
Time to Amputation After Traumatic Digital Injury Does Not Affect Complication Rates: A Retrospective Multi-Institutional Analysis
Authors: Ash Makenna , Wang Jennifer , Menon Ambika , Brown Ciara , Ghareeb Paul
Published: December 2024

Background:

Revisionary digital amputations are often performed after partial or full traumatic digital amputation to minimize complications while preserving as much length and functionality as possible. Many surgeons attempt revisionary procedures swiftly after initial injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of time from injury to surgery on rate of complications and reoperation in revisionary traumatic digital amputations.

Methods:

This was a retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing revisionary digital amputation for initial traumatic amputation at a single hospital from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2021. Demographics, comorbidities, surgical details, complications, and time from injury to surgery were collected. Five-factor modified fragility index scores were also computed for each patient. Primary outcomes of interest included complications and need for additional procedures. Secondary outcomes of interest included development of neuroma, phantom limb, and referral to a long-term pain specialist.

Results:

A total of 97 patients were identified as meeting all inclusion criteria. The average time to surgery was 14.4 days. Body mass index, comorbidities, and time to surgery were not associated with increased risk of complication. Increasing time to surgery was not significantly associated with increased risk of complications, development of neuroma, phantom limb, or a referral to long-term pain service. The only factors which were significantly associated with reoperation were absence of diabetes and hypertension.

Conclusion:

Increasing time to surgery after initial injury was not significantly associated with increased risk of complications or reoperation. Surgeons should consider this when assessing urgency of surgery in patients after traumatic digital amputation.
Meshing model and temperature field analysis of small module gear with curve configuration
Authors: Liang Dong , Liu Yun , Sun Qunlong , Hua Chengli
Published: December 2024

This paper provides a new approach for the design of small module gear with curve configuration, and studies the meshing temperature rise of the generated tooth surface under dry running condition. To predict the meshing temperature of small module gear with curve configuration, the normal load and motion velocity of two contact points are analyzed based on vector mapping method, and the contact stress and contact deformation are obtained based on Hertzian contact theory. The frictional heat flux at different speed and torque is calculated as the heat source, and the convective heat transfer coefficient of tooth surfaces are calculated as the heat dissipation condition. Finite element model of temperature field of small module gear with curve configuration is established, and the meshing temperature field is obtained. Variation trend of the maximum steady-state temperature is in good agreement with the experimental test results. Simulation results of flash temperature also agree well with Blok theory. The results show the rotational speed and the torque are high, the meshing temperature rise of the gear pair will be high. The maximum temperature is distributed in the middle area of single tooth on the first contact trace of the gear.
Endovascular therapy for aneurysmal dilatation and arteriovenous fistula of the superior mesenteric artery
Authors: Shu Xiaojun , Wang Feifei , Tan Yingxin
Published: December 2024

Objectives

We present a clinical case illustrating the feasibility of endovascular treatment of superior mesenteric aneurysm associated with an arteriovenous fistula.

Methods

The patient presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea on admission. Computed tomography angiography revealed an aneurysmal dilatation of the superior mesenteric artery and vein with an arteriovenous fistula. Endovascular therapy successfully managed the condition by reconstructing the artery, closing the fistula, and occluding the aneurysm.

Results

No aneurysm rupture or endoleak occurred, and the patient’s symptoms on admission resolved.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment is a viable alternative for patients with superior mesenteric aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas, but larger studies and further follow-up are needed to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of endovascular treatment.
Examining soccer skill performance using a dual task paradigm
Authors: Latorre Román Pedro Ángel , Párraga Montilla Juan Antonio , Cabrera Linares José Carlos , Ramírez Lucas Juan Miguel
Published: December 2024

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a holistic test (Soccer Skills and Cognitive Aptitude Test [SoSCAT]) that assesses soccer skills and performance in a dual-task (DT) context. A total of 73 male soccer players aged 12–18 years joined in this study. They were playing in three official Spanish regional leagues, and were divided according to their age into under 14 (U14, n = 25), under 16 (U16, n = 26), and under 18 (U18, n = 22). Additionally, players were categorized dichotomously into high-talented (n = 20) and lower-talented (n = 53) groups. Several soccer-skill and cognitive tests were evaluated. Regarding absolute reliability, the standard error of measurement (SEM) was 2.27 (5.30%) and the minimal detectable change (MDC) was 4.17 (9.75%). In relative reliability, the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.908 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.826–0.951, p < 0.001). By category, the U18 group showed a higher performance in SoSCAT (p < 0.001) than U16 and U14. In addition, the DT cost (DTC) and ΔTime were the lowest in the U18 group (p = 0.041). Moreover, the high-talent group showed the best performance in SoSCAT (p = 0.001), DTC (p < 0.001), and in ΔTime (p < 0.001). To sum, the SoSCAT is a reliable tool for use under the DT context and it discriminates between levels of players and determines several variables that are relevant to soccer performance and that could help to early identify soccer talent.
Coping Processes in an Emerging Profession: Narratives of Social Workers in China
Authors: Zhang Yangyong
Published: December 2024

Coping is a concern for both social work academics and practitioners, but its process has rarely been studied. This study investigated the coping processes utilized by social workers to remain in the profession in China. Forty-nine social workers were individually interviewed, followed by three focus groups convened to review the results. The findings showed that Chinese social workers presented an apparent coping habitus of reconciling structures and individual agency. “Outside-in” and “inside-out” processes were interconnected to elaborate their coping practices. Furthermore, the “inside-out” process was a strength-oriented coping practice and aimed to improve personal agency, and was treated as the primary coping process; while the “outside-in” process was a resource-based coping practice and regarded as a secondary solution to garner resources and support from external stakeholders. The implications for government, policy, research, social work practice, and education are discussed.
Assessing the Impact of Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility Activities on Customer Value: Examining the Role of Brand Attitude and Customer–Company Identification
Authors: Sharma Divya , Kumar Rakesh
Published: December 2024

Despite recent evidence indicating a rise in customer attention to businesses’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, few studies have investigated how CSR impacts customer value. Addressing this gap, this study aims to assess the influence of perceived CSR activities (legal CSR, economic CSR, social CSR and environmental CSR) on brand attitudes and customer–company identification (CCI). Furthermore, the impacts of brand attitude and CCI on customer value are explored. The data were collected from 199 respondents through a structured questionnaire. Analysis was performed via structural equation modelling in Amos and SPSS. The results show that social CSR and environmental CSR positively influence brand attitudes and CCI. In contrast, legal CSR and economic CSR have insignificant impacts on brand attitude and CCI. Moreover, customer value is positively and significantly affected by brand attitude and CCI. These results underscore the need for organizations to put more emphasis on their social and environmental CSR to improve customers’ value.
Assessing the suitability of settlement delineations for monitoring infilling: A web- and GIS-based expert evaluation approach
Authors: Eichhorn Sebastian , Harig Oliver , Siedentop Stefan , Hecht Robert
Published: December 2024

21st century urbanisation features not only the growth of city populations but also the emergence of densification (infilling) as significant trends in urban development. While urban sprawl has long been acknowledged for its adverse effects, understanding densification remains challenging due to inadequate empirical and statistical frameworks. This study investigates the suitability of different geospatial datasets and methods for delineating settlement areas and assessing infill housing, an aspect crucial for urban planning and development. Quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal notable variations in the classification of settlement areas and infilling across datasets. Quantitatively, the study shows distinct differences in the delineation of settlement areas, with the share of infilling varying significantly. Qualitatively, expert assessments highlight the strengths and weaknesses of datasets regarding their accuracy and consistency, revealing that the method to delineate settlement areas significantly impacts the balance between infilling and greenfield development. The study underscores the need for a nuanced approach to conceptualising densification measurement, particularly in defining urban boundaries.
State Tolerance of Ambiguity Drives Performance and Well-Being Outcomes Within Project Managers: Evidence from a Five-Wave Longitudinal Study
Authors: O’Connor Peter J. , Wiewiora Anna W. , Spark Andrew
Published: December 2024

This study investigates Tolerance of Ambiguity in project managers, focusing on how their ability to navigate ambiguous situations varies over time and influences their performance. In a four-week study of 275 project managers, we tracked changes in Tolerance of Ambiguity in project managers and found that these temporary fluctuations were significantly associated with positive mood, adaptive performance, and project progress. Factors such as self-control, coping skills, creativity, and supportive leadership emerged as key drivers of these changes. This study highlights Tolerance of Ambiguity as a dynamic, context-dependent competency in project managers, offering novel insights for enhancing project managers’ ability to navigate ambiguous situations.
Rapid, multiplex and automated detection of bacteria and fungi in endophthalmitis via a microfluidic real-time pcr system
Authors: Wang Siyu , Liu Yiteng , Li Yingqi , Gao Yibo , Zou Zhongliang , Xu Na , Song Qi , Liu Fangyan , Song Yihong , Wang Xian , Fan Zixin
Published: December 2024

Background

Endophthalmitis is an ophthalmologic emergency requiring accurate and rapid diagnosis for treatment. Currently, the diagnosis commonly relies on culture and molecular biology, which falls short of clinical rapid diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a self-build Microfluidic Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) System for rapidly identifying potential pathogens of endophthalmitis.

Methods

This study included 22 patients who presented to Shenzhen Eye Hospital and the Ophthalmology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University in China between January 2023 and March 2024. The samples were cultured using conventional methods and underwent Microfluidic RT-PCR and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).

Results

The Microfluidic RT-PCR System identified pathogens in 11 of 22 cases (50.00%), compared with 40.91% for microbiology culture. 14 cases (63.64%) had concordant results, and 5 cases were positive for the microfluidic system only. The agreements between culture and microfluidic system, as well as culture and mNGS were 100.00% (6/6) and 50.00% (3/6), respectively. The average waiting time for the microfluidic system was about 30 min if excepting DNA extraction time, which was much shorter than 2.88 days for culture and 1.57 days for mNGS.

Conclusion

The microfluidic-based RT-PCR system was preliminarily proved to be a sensitive, easy-to-operate, and rapid in-hospital technology. It is expected to become a rapid diagnostic platform for endophthalmitis.
Genomic regions associated with flag leaf and panicle architecture in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Singh Gurjeet , Jyoti Subroto Das , Uppalanchi Priyanka , Chepuri Rushika , Mondal Sejuti , Harper Chersty L. , Elumalai Punniakotti , Mix Ken , Wagner Nicole , Sanchez Darlene L. , Samonte Stanley Omar PB. , Talukder Shyamal K.
Published: December 2024

Background

Flag leaf (FL) and panicle architecture (PA) are critical for increasing rice grain yield as well as production. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) can better understand the genetic pathways behind complex traits like FL and PA.

Results

In this study, 208 diverse rice germplasms were grown in the field at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at Beaumont, TX, during 2022 and 2023 following Augmented Randomized Complete Block Design. After heading, eight different flag leaf and panicle architecture (FLPA) related traits were measured. GWAS analyses were performed to identify potential genomic regions associated with FLPA traits. A total of 97 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) (48 in 2022 and 49 in 2023) were distributed across all 12 chromosomes. GWAS revealed four QTLs (qSBPP4-2, qFLW6-2, qGNPP9, and qGWPP2-3) with phenotypic variation ranging from 11.7 to 22.3%. Two genetic loci were identified as multi-trait QTLs, i.e., S04_32100268 (qFLL4-1 and qFLA4-1) and S04_11552936 (qFLW4 and qFLA4-2) during 2022 and 2023, respectively. Additionally, these loci were further utilized to analyze candidate genes, and 65 genes were predicted in the 100-kb genomic region upstream and downstream. In silico expression analysis revealed 15 genes were expressed during the reproductive stage. These genes were associated with protein kinase, heat shock transcription factor family, sugar transporter conserved site and transcription factor bHLH95- like basic helix-loop-helix domain protein, as well as those that regulate the FLPA-related traits. Os04g0631100 was identified as a potential candidate gene that is highly expressed during the endosperm development stage, and it is associated with an important sugar transporter protein that will be helpful in grain improvement.

Conclusion

GWAS results revealed four major and two multi-trait QTLs. Expanding their candidate genes, and expression analysis provide the genetic information for molecular improvement of the FLPA-related trait in rice breeding programs.
A case report about focal status epilepticus as first presentation in Alzheimer’s disease: finding the culprit
Authors: Devulder Astrid , Vanderlinden Greet , Cleeren Evy , Goovaerts Valerie , Theys Tom , Van Laere Koen , Van Paesschen Wim
Published: December 2024

Background

Neuronal hyperexcitability has been proposed to play a key role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Understanding the relation between this enhanced excitability and AD pathology could provide a window for therapeutic interventions. However epileptiform activity is often subclinical, hidden on scalp EEG and very challenging to assess with current diagnostic modalities.

Case presentation

A woman in her sixties presented with acute confusion. Despite a normal scalp electroencephalogram (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed cytotoxic edema of the right mesial temporal lobe and hippocampal hypermetabolism was present on ([18F]-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET). Bilateral foramen ovale (FO) electrodes were placed to directly record mesial temporal activity and revealed continuous mesial temporal epileptic activity, while scalp EEG remained normal. After recovery, a new diagnosis of AD was established on cerebrospinal fluid. The lateralization of the epileptiform activity was congruent with the predominant side of tau pathology in the mesial temporal cortex on 18F-MK6240 PET. On follow-up MRI, two and five months later, the right hippocampus became atrophic.

Conclusion

This case highlights the significant role of neuronal hyperexcitability in early AD pathogenesis and how shared mechanisms between AD and epilepsy can complicate clinical management.