bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intergroup Contact, Relational Solidarity, and Cognitive Attitudes Toward Chinese International Students
Authors: Zhang Yan Bing , Byrd Gabrielle , Ruble Racheal , Imamura Makiko
Published: February 2025

From the intergroup contact perspective, we examined the influence of American college students’ ( N = 375) contact quality and frequency with their most frequent Chinese international student (CIS) contact on their cognitive attitudes toward Chinese international students (CISs), as well as the mediating role played by relational solidarity with the contact and the moderating role of the type of outgroup contact. Results showed that contact quality with the CIS contact positively predicted perceptions of CISs as nice and kind and negatively predicted perceptions of CISs as rude and annoying, shy and socially awkward, and culturally maladjusted, independent of the moderating variable. On the contrary, contact frequency negatively predicted perceptions of CISs as nice and kind and positively predicted perceptions of CISs as rude and annoying when the outgroup contact was an acquaintance. Additionally, results showed that both contact quality and frequency positively predicted relational solidarity with the Chinese contact, which was, in turn, associated with positive and negative perceptions of CISs. Particularly, these significant indirect effects of contact quality were stronger when the CIS contact was a friend, indicating the significance and complexities of our findings.
Electrochemical polishing of TC4 titanium alloy with passivation film protection
Authors: Ma Ning , Peng Yuanzhuo , Chen Yang , Sun Juhe
Published: February 2025

Distinguished from anisotropic electrochemical polishing, isotropic electrochemical polishing (IEP) belongs to a novel polishing technique with the advantages of high polishing efficiency and superior surface quality, which has made extensive use in the field of metal surface treatment. Here, this work firstly studied the effects of different parameters including processing temperature, current density, electrolyte composition and polishing time on the polishing effect of TC4 titanium alloy. The breakdown of passivation film formed on the surface and the uniform etching of metal inside etched holes constituted two basic steps of the IEP process. Adjusting viscosity or adding halogenated elements into electrolyte could enhance mechanical properties and surface quality of substrates after polishing. Based on different etching stages, suitable power parameters were selected to form segmented pulse regulation, thereby improving polishing quality as well as processing stability. The experimental results revealed the mechanism of IEP and its great potential for industrial application.
Stage pT0–T1 rectal cancers: emphasis on submucosal high intensity on high-resolution T2-weighted imaging and other morphological features
Authors: Zhang Tongyin , Hu Yuwan , Li Haoyu , Wang Juan , Xu Qiaoyu , Xu Yanyan , Sun Hongliang
Published: February 2025

Background

Identification and staging of rectal cancer are mainly based on the difference in signal intensity (SI) between the tumor and normal structures of the intestinal wall on T2-weighted imaging. However, differentiating stage pT0–T1 from pT2 rectal tumors is difficult using routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences.

Purpose

To summarize and explore whether MRI findings from routine imaging can help differentiate pT0–T1 from pT2 rectal tumors.

Material and Methods

A total of 110 patients with pT0–T2 rectal cancer underwent preoperative pelvic MRI examinations and tumor resection without preoperative chemoradiotherapy. MRI findings of rectal lesions (including tumor location, shape, longitudinal length, maximum cross-section, submucosal high intensity [SHI], extramural fibrotic scarring, wall shrinkage, lesion-to-wall signal intensity ratio, and presence of lymph node with short axis over 3 mm) and clinical characteristics were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses to screen the independent factors associated with pathological results.

Results

Of all the lesions, 32 tumors were proved to be pT0–T1 and 78 tumors were pT2. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that tumor shape (odds ratio [OR] = 24.607, P < 0.001), SHI (OR = 6.129, P = 0.002), and extramural fibrotic scarring (OR = 0.110, P = 0.007) were independent factors distinguishing pT0–T1 tumors from pT2 tumors. If the rectal lesion has a cauliflower-like shape with SHI and no extramural fibrotic scarring, it is more likely to be a pT0–T1 tumor.

Conclusion

The imaging features obtained from the routine MRI sequence showed potential value for differentiating pT0–T1 from pT2 rectal tumors.
Some common statistical methods for assessing rater agreement in radiological studies
Authors: Geijer Mats , Båth Magnus , Wessman Catrin
Published: February 2025

Rater agreement is commonly assessed in radiologic studies concerning image quality. There are several methods of measuring rater agreement. To choose the appropriate method, the researcher needs to consider the scale of the outcome variable and the design of the study. This article provides a brief overview of available methods, focusing on the most practical and commonly used, including intraclass correlation, the Svensson method, variants of the kappa statistic, the agreement coefficient by Gwet (AC1/AC2), and Krippendorff's alpha. Additional methods that are not primarily intended for rater agreement analysis but are applied in some cases are also discussed.
Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule as the first presenting sign of advanced fallopian tube carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Ji Xuechao , Zhai Peiling , Yang Hanchao , Wang Xinbo , Miao Jinwei , Wang Hui
Published: February 2025

Fallopian tube carcinoma has a rare incidence and dismal prognosis. Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule is an intra-abdominal tumor that metastasizes to the umbilicus. To date, fewer than 10 cases of fallopian tube carcinoma with Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule have been reported, with most of them exhibiting a very poor prognosis. Herein, we described a case of fallopian tube carcinoma with Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule. A 57-year-old woman was referred to the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University in May 2020 owing to a mass in the middle of her umbilicus. She was first diagnosed with an umbilical mass and underwent a resection of the umbilical mass, which revealed adenocarcinoma, most likely of reproductive origin. One month after the first surgery, she underwent laparoscopic cytoreductive surgery, and pathological examination revealed fallopian tube adenocarcinoma with pelvic lymph node metastasis. She was diagnosed with fallopian tube carcinoma (stage IIIC) and then underwent 10 cycles of chemotherapy. She achieved a complete response, and no recurrence or progression has been reported until now. The overall survival time exceeded 50 months. Thus, for patients with umbilical masses, physicians should consider the possibility of Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule. When a malignancy is suspected in the abdominal or pelvic cavity but the physical examination and imaging studies reveal no abnormality, laparoscopic surgery should be used for determining the primary tumor. For patients with fallopian tube carcinoma and Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy can achieve good results.
These Thy Libations, Osiris! A Reconsideration of the Four Clay Troughs from the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62)
Authors: Brown Nicholas
Published: February 2025

While excavating the tomb of Tutankhamun, an enigmatic set of objects was discovered in the Burial Chamber: four clay troughs, also known as mud trays. Originally, these clay troughs were believed to be stands for the emblems found nearby and in close association to them. However, closer examination of the religious and archaeological context of the artefacts enables another interpretation of their function. First, the author compares the four troughs from KV62 with other known examples from the Valley of the Kings, along with previous hypotheses as to the function(s). The article continues with an analysis of the Burial Chamber’s association to Osirian funerary rites, and the long-standing traditions of funerary offerings and rites for the deceased present there. The research concludes with the author’s proposal that the mud trays functioned instead as libation offering basins for a funerary rite likely associated with Osiris.

[Formula: see text]
Combined effects of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol alleviate migraine-like symptoms in mice
Authors: Zorrilla Erik , Krivoshein Georgii , Kuburas Adisa , Schenke Maarten , Piña Cassandra L. , van Heiningen Sandra H. , Waite Jayme S. , Dehghani Anisa , Castonguay William C. , Flinn Harold C. , van den Maagdenberg Arn M.J.M. , Russo Andrew F. , Tolner Else A. , Wattiez Anne-Sophie
Published: February 2025

Background

The therapeutic use of cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to treat migraine has been understudied. Using three mouse models, we examined the impact of CBD and THC on migraine-relevant behaviors triggered by: 1) calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), 2) sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and 3) cortical spreading depolarization (CSD).

Methods

Both male and female CD1 mice were treated with CBD (100 mg/kg) or THC (1 mg/kg) alone or in combinations of CBD (1, 30 or 100 mg/kg) and THC (1 mg/kg) prior to injection of CGRP or SNP. The mice were assessed for light aversion (photophobia), squint (non-evoked pain), and periorbital tactile hypersensitivity, as well as possible adverse effects. In a separate set of experiments, CSD events were optogenetically induced in familial hemiplegic migraine 1 (FHM1) mutant and wildtype littermates (WT) mice (C57BL/6 background), followed by grimace and motor assessments with and without combinations of CBD (30 or 100 mg/kg) and THC (1 mg/kg).

Results

In CD1 mice, a 100:1 CBD:THC combination mitigated light aversion induced by CGRP and SNP in males and females. Rescue of CGRP- and SNP-induced squint was observed only in male mice with 100:1 CBD:THC. None of the treatments rescued periorbital tactile hypersensitivity in either sex. In FHM1 mutant and WT mice, the 100:1 CBD:THC ratio did not affect CSD characteristics but did reduce CSD-induced grimace features (i.e., head pain mimic). No adverse effects of any of the cannabinoid treatments were observed using cognitive, emotional, or motor tests.

Conclusions

A 100:1 ratio of CBD:THC has a beneficial effect on some of the most bothersome migraine-related symptoms in three mouse models. Our findings support a potential therapeutic efficacy of combined CBD and THC treatments.
Ghana's Right to Information Act and public sector information accessibility
Authors: Adu-Gyamfi Samuel , Brenya Edward , Mills Godfred Badu , Apau Dennis
Published: February 2025

Over the past five years, numerous nations around the globe, including the United Kingdom (UK) and India, have initiated legislative initiatives aimed at formally creating and enforcing a fundamental entitlement for their citizenry, the right to information and public sector information accessibility. In 2019, Ghana adopted a legislation that mandates public entities to make information easily accessible to the public and interested stakeholders. This study adopted a documentary approach to explain the politics surrounding the passing of the Right to Information (RTI) Bill based on the punctuated equilibrium model and a comparative analysis of the right to information access in the UK, India, and Ghana. After three years of advocacy, Ghana's RTI Act witnessed mixed results regarding open governance (transparency and accountability). To fully utilize the potential of the RTI Law for the benefit of its citizens and the promotion of its overall development goal, Ghana must continue cultivating a culture of transparency and good governance.
Space guidelines for resilient public libraries in the post-COVID-19 era: A systematic review
Authors: Park Hyoran , Lim Hokyun
Published: February 2025

This systematic review examines post-COVID-19 public library design, identifying key trends and recommendations for safe, functional and welcoming spaces. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology, the study analysed relevant literature from 2020 to 2024 across multiple databases. Three main themes emerged: structural changes, fixtures and fittings, and operational modifications. Structural changes emphasize flexible, open spaces. Fixtures and fittings include smart technologies, the rearrangement of furniture and protective barriers. Operational modifications focus on occupancy management and contactless services. The key findings highlight the importance of adaptable design, hygiene technologies and space reconfiguration for social distancing while maintaining the library’s community role. The study also noted increased emphasis on outdoor spaces and digital services. This review provides insights for library professionals navigating post-pandemic challenges, concluding that future library designs should prioritize flexibility, safety and adaptability while preserving core functions. Further research on long-term impacts and user experiences is recommended.
Increased Tibial Tubercle–Trochlear Groove Distance and Sulcus Angle Are Associated With Patellar Osteochondritis Dissecans in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Lijesen Emilie , Adhiyaman Akshitha , Tracey Olivia C. , Bram Joshua T. , Oji Nnaoma M. , Chipman Danielle E. , Simpson Shae K. , Mintz Douglas N. , Fabricant Peter D. , Green Daniel W.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions in the knee are most commonly found in the medial femoral condyle (MFC). However, a paucity of literature has explored the characteristics or morphology of patellar OCD lesions.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to analyze patellar tracking and patellofemoral measurements of pediatric patients with patellar OCD compared with patients with MFC OCD. It was hypothesized that the patients with patellar OCD would demonstrate an increased bony sulcus angle, cartilaginous sulcus angle, and tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance compared with patients with MFC OCD.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients aged ≤18 years diagnosed with either a patellar or MFC OCD lesion at a single tertiary care hospital between January 2016 and May 2023 were analyzed. Patients with a history of patellar instability were excluded. The Caton-Deschamps index, cartilaginous bony height, trochlear depth, patellar tilt, lateral patellar displacement, cartilaginous sulcus angle, bony sulcus angle, and TT-TG distance were assessed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients were matched 1:2 based on sex and chronological age within 2 years between the patellar and MFC OCD groups.

Results:

A total of 40 extremities in 34 patients with patellar OCD were matched to 80 extremities in 73 patients with MFC OCD. The mean age at the time of MRI was 14.1 ± 2.3 years, and 23% were female. Compared with patients with MFC OCD, patients with patellar OCD had a significantly greater TT-TG distance (11.55 ± 4.15 vs 13.35 ± 4.07 mm, respectively; P = .03). The cartilaginous sulcus angle (150.63°± 7.20° vs 128.09°± 14.07°, respectively; P < .001) and bony sulcus angle (144.70°± 7.78° vs 137.37°± 9.62°, respectively; P < .001) were higher in the patellar OCD group compared with the MFC OCD group. Of patients with patellar OCD, 40% had a TT-TG distance >15 mm, and of patients with MFC OCD, 20% had a TT-TG distance >15 mm. The patellar OCD group had 3.7 times the risk of having a patellar dislocation compared with the MFC OCD group.

Conclusion:

An increased TT-TG distance and sulcus angle were associated with patellar OCD in pediatric patients. Patients with abnormal patellofemoral morphology who undergo treatment for a patellar OCD lesion may subsequently develop a patellar dislocation; in this study, patients with patellar OCD without a history of patellar dislocations demonstrated a nearly 4-fold higher dislocation rate compared with an age- and sex-matched group of patients with MFC OCD.
Veno-arterial ECMO support for severe amlodipine toxicity combined with cardiogenic shock: A case report
Authors: Sun Yi , Wang Tingting , Xia Jiading , Hua Liwei , Cao Shuchen , Zhang Kun
Published: February 2025

Introduction:

Management of severe circulatory collapse in the setting of amlodipine toxicity can be challenging. High doses of vasopressors and conventional therapies fail to improve hemodynamics, resulting in the use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) to treat severe cardiogenic shock and peripheral vasodilatation. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), which helps remove plasma protein-bound toxins and significantly reduces mortality, may be a useful adjunct to invasive hemodynamic support in severe cases of amlodipine poisoning.

Case summary:

A 32-year-old female with a history of intentional consumption of ninety 5-mg amlodipine tablets (totaling 450 mg) was admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) after 3 h. Her amlodipine serum concentration was 147 ng/mL. She presented with cardiogenic shock and fatal vasoplegia and received VA-ECMO and TPE. The patient was weaned off ECMO after 4 days and discharged home on Day 10 of hospitalization.

Conclusion:

Amlodipine toxicity can result in severe cardiac failure with circulatory collapse. We describe the case of a patient with cardiovascular collapse who successfully bridged to recovery from refractory shock secondary to severe amlodipine toxicity as a result of ECMO and TPE treatment.
Does Marx have a method?
Authors: Rose Gillian
Published: February 2025

This previously unpublished lecture was delivered by Gillian Rose in 1987 at the University of Sussex, as part of a multi-lecturer series called Sociological Theory and Methodology. In it, Rose explores the concept of ‘method’ in Marx's work and its broader implications for philosophy and social theory. Against the tendency to interpret and employ Marx's thought instrumentally or dogmatically, Rose emphasises its dialectical character. Unlike traditional notions of method as a set of rules or procedures for inquiry, Rose defines Marx's method as a process that ‘follows the path’ (from the etymology of method: meta-hodos) from what we perceive as immediate experience to its social mediations, showing how specific concrete relations give rise to systematic subjective illusion. The lecture concludes by describing the ‘paradox’ of sociological reason: ‘The general statement of rules always presupposes the results which are to be explained. They are an essential and deadly exercise. […] Sociology must be disciplined or methodological in order to be rational. But equally, it must recognise its inherent tendency to lose its object if it becomes excessively instrumental. Hence, it must constantly radicalise its methods.’ In typical fashion, Rose challenges us to resist the allure of abstract methods, fixed positions or any other form of intellectual comfort, and offers a stark warning of the dangers of such complacency.
Balanced Salt Solution Versus Normal Saline as Resuscitation Fluid in Pediatric Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Chandelia Sudha , Angurana Suresh Kumar , Prasad Shankar , Tiwari Mithlesh Kumar , Jayashree Muralidharan , Nallasamy Karthi , Bansal Arun
Published: February 2025

Objective

Fluid resuscitation is an important intervention in children with septic shock. The composition of resuscitation fluid is a matter of debate. Our aim was to study the effects of balanced salt solution (BSS) versus normal saline (NS) for resuscitation in pediatric septic shock.

Data sources

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, LILAC, Cochrane Collaboration, ClinicalTrials.gov, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.

Study selection

Two independent authors screened title and abstracts and then full papers of included studies.

Data extraction

Two authors extracted data from full papers independently. Random-effects model was used for analysis of RCTs. We used Cochrane's risk of bias tool for assessing the quality of studies. Primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes were rates of acute kidney injury (AKI), need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), and adverse effects (hyperchloremia, metabolic acidosis, and fluid overload); and duration of PICU and hospital stay.

Data synthesis

Five RCTs with 992 children were included. Resuscitation with BSS versus NS was not associated with reduction in mortality (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.45-1.50, p = 0.52; RCTs = 5); with similar results on sensitivity analysis (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.41-1.41, p = 0.52; 4 RCTs = 4). However, resuscitation with BSS was associated with lower rates of AKI (sensitivity analysis RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.50-0.82, p = 0.0004; RCTs = 3); lesser need for RRT (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.35-0.76, p = 0.0008; RCTs = 2); and lower rate of hyperchloremia (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.87, p = 0.0002; RCTs = 3). The data is scant for other secondary outcomes (metabolic acidosis, fluid overload, and duration of PICU and hospital stay) to make any suggestions. The overall ‘risk of bias’ was low and unclear in most domains.

Conclusion

Use of BSS as resuscitation fluid in pediatric septic shock was not associated with reduction in mortality. However, BSS was associated with decreased risk of AKI, need of RRT and hyperchloremia.

Clinical Trial Registration (if any)

PROSPERO (CRD42022332208).
Mandatory Reporting of Intimate Partner Violence: Examining Predictors and Experiences Among Intimate Partner Violence Victims
Authors: Vølstad Astrid Gravdal , Douglas Kevin S. , Vatnar Solveig Karin Bø
Published: February 2025

Mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence (MR-IPV) is a controversial topic. This study examined the practice of MR-IPV by investigating what factors were associated with MR-IPV experience among victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). The study also investigated the experiences of IPV victims who have experienced MR-IPV, to better understand the consequences of MR-IPV. Eighty-six IPV victims were recruited through help services and administered a questionnaire about their experiences with IPV and MR-IPV. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore statistical predictors of having experienced MR-IPV. Candidate predictors included IPV characteristics and risk factors, sociodemographic/contextual variables, and contact with the help services. IPV severity and persistence were of particular interest, as these define the threshold for whether MR-IPV applies in Norwegian law. IPV victims with MR-IPV experience were asked questions about the experienced consequences of MR-IPV. Neither characteristics of the IPV victimization, risk factors, sociodemographic variables nor contact with the help services were predictive of MR-IPV experience. However, having perpetrated severe psychological aggression was predictive of MR-IPV experience (OR = 4.99). Participants with MR-IPV experience ( n = 39) reported both positive and negative consequences of MR-IPV, but generally more positive consequences for themselves. A majority agreed that, overall, they were better off after MR-IPV was used. Our results indicate that the Norwegian MR-IPV law might not be practiced as intended. The consequences of MR-IPV for IPV victims appear complex and warrant further study. However, overall, the use of MR-IPV led to positive reported consequences for the majority of the participants in this study.
Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms, Psychological Inflexibility, and Self-Compassion in IPV Survivor University Women
Authors: Bektaş-Aydın Ceren , Yüksel-Şahin Fulya
Published: February 2025

The aim of this study is to measure the effectiveness of an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based group intervention program on post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, psychological inflexibility, and self-compassion in intimate partner violence (IPV) survivor university women. The research was conducted at a state university in İstanbul, Türkiye. Participants consisted of 22 IPV survivor university women with 10 in the treatment group and 12 in the waitlist-control group. Participants were assigned to groups based on their preferences. The treatment group participated in a 12-session ACT intervention group, each lasting 120 to 150 min. During this period, no intervention was applied to the waitlist-control group. At the end of the treatment, the intervention group’s average PTS symptom scores and psychological inflexibility scores significantly decreased, while their self-compassion scores significantly increased. This effect persisted during the 1-month follow-up period. On the other hand, no changes were observed in the PTS, psychological inflexibility, and self-compassion levels of the control group. When comparing the treatment group with the control group, it was observed that the treatment group had significantly lower levels of PTS and psychological inflexibility and significantly higher levels of self-compassion in both the post-test and follow-up assessments. Consequently, the results revealed the effectiveness of the program on PTS, psychological inflexibility, and self-compassion among a group of IPV survivor university women. Thus, we concluded that ACT may serve as an effective therapy for addressing IPV among university women and that it is culturally applicable to the Turkish context.
From Private to Public: Narratives of Gender-Based Violence Among the Everyday Voices of the #MeToo Movement
Authors: Gjika Anna , Stubbs-Richardson Megan , Paul MacKenzie
Published: February 2025

In 2017, the #MeToo movement garnered international attention when millions of people used the hashtag to share personal experiences of sexual violence. The present study examines how noncelebrity users discussed their experiences of sexual victimization through a qualitative and quantitative content analysis of a random sample of #MeToo tweets ( N = 1,427). We found that survivors prioritized details about the “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how” of trauma in their disclosures. Key themes in their responses included child sexual abuse (22.7%), long-term adverse effects (17.6%), and polyvictimization (10.4%) across the life course. Survivors also utilized #MeToo to highlight the prevalence of violence against women (26.4%) and offer critiques of rape culture and social structures (23.9%) as indirect causes of their victimization and subsequent negative experiences. Our analysis demonstrates the utility of Twitter for broadening current understandings of the context in which sexual violence occurs, while also offering a nuanced analysis of the persisting difficulties many survivors face in narrating personal experiences of violence.
Examining the Influence of Exposure to Community Violence on Posttraumatic Stress in Community Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Ferguson Jewelia J. , Goldstein Silvi C. , Thomas Emmanuel D. , Newberger Noam G. , Meade Enya A. , Weiss Nicole H.
Published: February 2025

Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) report multiple and diverse traumas. Exposure to community violence may be important to consider when examining the development, maintenance, and exacerbation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the relative and unique associations between PTSD symptom clusters and witnessing and experiencing community violence among women experiencing IPV. Participants were 171 community women experiencing IPV ( Mage = 40.56; 40.3% white, 31.5% Black, and 17.5% Hispanic or Latina). Experiencing and witnessing community violence were significantly and positively correlated with overall PTSD symptoms and with each PTSD symptom cluster. The PTSD symptom cluster of arousal and reactivity was uniquely associated with experiencing and witnessing community violence above and beyond other PTSD symptom clusters. Findings indicate the relevance of assessing—and intervening—on arousal and reactivity PTSD symptoms in this population.
“Slowly, Over Time, You Completely Lose Yourself”: Conceptualizing Coercive Control Trauma in Intimate Partner Relationships
Authors: Kassing Kristy , Collins Anthony
Published: February 2025

Coercive control is a form of violence characterized by patterns of restrictive regulation, including through isolation, threats, psychological manipulation, economic abuse, technology-facilitated control, stalking, and physical and/or sexual violence. While literature has focused on the diverse forms of control imposed by perpetrators of this abuse, few studies have discussed the traumatic impact of coercive control on victim-survivors themselves. Using a theoretical thematic analysis, this study draws upon data from 15 qualitative questionnaires exploring the lived experiences of women as victim-survivors of coercive control in Australia. The first phase of analysis identified the diverse and interconnected methods of coercive control experienced by participants. The second phase found that victim-survivors who have been subjected to these patterns of harm can experience specific emotional trauma, shaped by processes of threat and restraint. This paper, therefore, proposes the concept of “coercive control trauma” to articulate ways in which coercive control in intimate relationships can contribute to the complex and often under-recognized psychological harm experienced by victim-survivors. The concept of coercive control trauma may provide victim-survivors with validation, insight, and an empowering sense of self-understanding during processes of recovery. It may also assist those who are supporting individuals recovering from coercive control by helping to further comprehend the experiences of victim-survivors, and to provide more appropriate forms of support.
Predictive Strength of Math Screening Across English Language Proficiency Scores in Third to Eighth Grade
Authors: Hall Garret J. , Doyle Emma , Vazquez Edgardo Mejias
Published: February 2025

Using data from students in Grades 3–8 in school years 2018–2019 ( N = 1,871) and 2021–2022 ( N = 1,740), we examined the strength of fall math screening using Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) for predicting end-of-year state math assessment performance levels and whether this prediction varied across English language proficiency (ELP). In addition, we examined whether differential predictive strength varied across screenings using English or Spanish MAP math (2018–2019 only). MAP math was similarly predictive across the ELP continuum (odds ratios between 6 and 15; log-odds between 1.5 and 2.5). However, in 2018–2019, there was more variation in screening prediction across ELP for students assessed using the English MAP math compared to Spanish MAP math. For 2021–2022, there was little evidence of differential screening prediction across ELP. Our findings suggest that MAP math is moderately predictive across ELP and school years. We discuss limitations, future directions, and implications for research and practice.
Effect of twisted tape with rotating vane angles on performance of double-pipe heat exchanger
Authors: Kumar Lakhan , Yadav Vinay Kumar , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Kacker Ruchin , Srivastava Harsh Vardhan
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the influence of primary swirl induced by a twisted tape (TT) and secondary swirl generated by rotating vanes on the performance of a double-pipe heat exchanger. A novel aspect of this work is the detailed examination of varying vane angles (15°, 30°, 45°, and 60°), a parameter rarely explored in prior studies, to optimize thermal performance. Experiments were conducted using water as the working fluid across a Reynolds number range of 5500 to 10,000. Results reveal significant heat transfer enhancements, with improvements of up to 102.54% for a vane angle of 60° compared to TT alone. However, the performance evaluation criterion of 1.49 identifies 30° as the optimal vane angle, balancing enhanced heat transfer and acceptable friction losses. Regression analysis confirms the strong correlation between vane angle, Nusselt number (R² = 0.9865), and friction factor (R² = 0.9993). Experimental validation demonstrates excellent agreement between correlation predictions and measured values within ±10%. This study offers valuable insights into optimizing passive heat transfer enhancement techniques.
Catalysing urban reform through coalition-building in African cities: key dimensions and typologies
Authors: Weldeghebrael Ezana Haddis
Published: February 2025

Addressing Africa’s intricate urban problems demands that adverse relations be challenged. Building solidarities across class and other social divides is instrumental in driving inclusive urban reforms. This paper aims to contribute to the emerging literature on urban reform coalition-building in Southern cities by expanding our conceptual understanding of the form, purpose and content of coalitions. Through analysing the African Cities Research Consortium’s research reports and online research, the paper identifies key analytical dimensions of urban reform coalitions: form, temporality, goal, degree of formalization, class composition and key outputs. The findings suggest that reform coalitions aiming to benefit the wider segment of the urban population and disadvantaged groups, and reform coalitions that facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange platforms tend to foster cross-class alliances. Nonetheless, building inclusive reform coalitions is predicated on a well-organized disadvantaged group. The paper proposes five distinct types to invite in-depth analysis of urban reform coalitions in the global South.
‘I will resurrect’: Reading and writing grief as political action
Authors: Manivannan Q
Published: February 2025

Activists and protestors write grief as text to mourn losses, remember and document resistances to oppressive regimes, and present alternative futures. This article studies how grief is written, through letters and poetry from activists and their families in India, between 2019 and 2022, alongside the ethics of reading and (re)presenting such grief. Expanding upon the ethics of visual depictions of death to public and textual representation, the article posits grief writing as a mode of political action and mobilization. By witnessing and reading the words of imprisoned, murdered, and grieving protest participants, scholars and activists not only make sense of grief, but perform ‘wake work’ by attending to the dead beyond their pain and suffering, recognizing fuller, more holistic depictions of resistance, care and political action.
Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract Enhances the Viability and Inhibits Ferroptosis in High Glucose-induced Rat Podocytes by Downregulating ACSL4
Authors: Liu Meixiao , Sui Yuelin , Pang Yin , Liu Jianhui , Zhang Haifeng
Published: February 2025

Background:

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication in patients with diabetes mellitus, which is mainly characterized by glomerular podocyte injury. Ferroptosis is crucial in the pathogenesis of DN. Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) has attracted attention due to its multiple pharmacological activities, but it is unclear whether it can delay the progression of DN by inhibiting ferroptosis.

Purpose:

To investigate whether MOLE can alleviate podocyte injury and delay the progression of DN by inhibiting ferroptosis.

Methods:

DN model cells were established using rat podocytes induced by high glucose (HG); the cells were processed with MOLE, dapagliflozin (DAPA, positive control), and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) overexpression plasmids. Cell viability, Fe2+ concentration, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels were monitored by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and corresponding kits.

Results:

MOLE treatment markedly enhanced HG-induced rat podocyte viability, decreased intracellular Fe2+ concentration, ROS level, MDA concentration, and elevated GSH concentration. ACSL4 overexpression reversed the protective effect of MOLE on podocytes.

Conclusion:

MOLE ameliorates rat podocyte injury and delays DN progression by inhibiting ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis. This finding provides a theoretical basis for further developing MOLE-based therapeutic agents for DN treatment.
Wilson’s Disease: A Case Study, Societal Challenges and Environmental Influences on Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Srivastava Sunita , Kumar Anil , Dogra Preeti , Jaifirin Daniel
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Wilson’s disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene, which leads to excessive copper accumulation in organs such as the liver, brain and other vital tissues. This copper buildup can result in severe complications, including cirrhosis, liver failure and neurological deficits. It adds a lot of physical disability and psychosocial burden on the patient and their family.

Methodology: This article reports the diagnosis and management of a 30-year-old patient who was admitted and seeking treatment at a tertiary care hepatology hospital in New Delhi. It focuses on the presentation of the case with specific medical and nursing management, paying close attention to the societal challenges and environmental influences.

Results: A confirmatory diagnosis of Wilson’s disease was made. The patient was treated with Cuprimine (D-Penicillinase) along with zinc, other antibiotics and dietary modifications.

Conclusion: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment along with a copper-restricted diet can enhance health outcomes to a great extent.
The uncertain social insurance of intra-EU mobile construction workers
Authors: Lillie Nathan , Kärkkäinen Katarzyna , Kayran Elif Naz
Published: February 2025

Freedom of movement in the EU is much more developed in terms of economic freedoms than in terms of social and welfare policies. Social insurance arrangements for mobile workers are handled within a reciprocity-based regulatory framework. This article analyses the intra-EU social insurance system from the point of view of highly mobile construction workers. Under the relevant legislation, these workers should receive social insurance either from their home country, if posted by their employer, or from the host country, if moving individually. The article shows, however, that employers often undermine the system to save on labour costs. For those in a weak labour market position, social insurance is unavailable, while those from wealthier welfare states rely on home-country social insurance, and those who are able to, negotiate and navigate complex systems themselves. Consequently, those most in need of social insurance are least able to access it.
Different status, same demands? The social policy preferences of platform workers in OECD countries
Authors: Chueri Juliana , Busemeyer Marius R
Published: February 2025

Platform work has introduced a new dimension of precarity in the labor market, as platform workers face high labor market risks and have limited access to social protection. The expansion of this employment status raises the question of whether platform workers have distinct social policy preferences from workers with similar socioeconomic backgrounds who are not employed in the platform economy. This paper empirically examines how and under what circumstances the social policy preferences of platform workers differ from those of other workers. We find that platform workers are more likely to demand more compensatory labor market policies than regular workers. Also, they are more likely to demand more social investment-type policies than regular and atypical workers who do not engage in the platform economy. We also find evidence for contextual effects: whereas welfare state generosity is associated with weaker demand from platform workers for compensatory labor market policies, it is associated with higher support for social investment. Our results suggest that the expansion of platform work will fuel demands for welfare expansion, specifically focusing on social investment.
All-carbon fibre structural battery composites
Authors: Asp Leif E. , Chaudhary Richa
Published: February 2025

Structural batteries refer to multifunctional composite materials capable of storing and delivering electrical energy while carrying mechanical loads. One of the most promising structural battery concepts demonstrated to date utilises carbon fibres in both electrodes, providing combined high electrochemical capacity, electric conductivity and elastic modulus and strength. This paper reports on the state-of-the-art for all-carbon fibre based structural batteries.
School Building Leaders Share Actions and Barriers Addressing Dropout of Students With Disabilities
Authors: Poch Apryl L.
Published: February 2025

School building leaders have the potential to play a considerable role in dropout prevention. The purpose of this exploratory study was to have school building leaders from two Midwestern districts identify actions and barriers to preventing the dropout of students with disabilities. School building leaders participated in individual interviews, a focus group, and member checking. Inductive thematic analysis revealed a hierarchical coding structure that included six categories, 11 main themes, and several in vivo codes. School building leaders primarily reported actions specific to school level academic supports. Barriers originated from within and outside the school environment, and students’/families’/educators’ behaviors/beliefs.
Differential Parental Treatment and Parent–Child Relationships: A Cluster Analysis Approach
Authors: Gozu Hamide
Published: February 2025

Parents aim to establish positive and harmonious relationships with their children, regardless of age. Parental differential treatment is likely to influence the quality of parent–child relationships. Moreover, female and male college students may react differently to parental differential treatment in the context of these relationships. Therefore, the current study explored whether perceived maternal and paternal closeness and discord differ among interparental clusters of parental differential treatment when analyzed in relation to the gender of college students. The participants were 316 college students from a northeastern university who had at least one sibling. Their ages ranged from 19 to 25 years. Participants rated how differently their parents treated them and their siblings and then assessed their relationships with their parents. A cluster analysis identified three groups: equal, favored, and disfavored treatment. Further analyses indicated that participants in the disfavored cluster reported poorer relationships with both parents. In contrast, those who perceived favored or equal treatment reported higher-quality parent–child relationships. Additionally, females and males tend to respond differently to disfavored treatment; specifically, females experience more conflicts with their fathers. These findings can inform family counselors and guide future research on the impact of differential treatment on parent-child relationships.
Finite-time boundary control of a one-link Timoshenko arm
Authors: Endo Takahiro , Ide Shunta
Published: February 2025

This paper addresses the vibration suppression of a flexible arm modeled by a hybrid PDE-ODE model. Flexible arms, known for their speed, efficiency, and safety, are commonly modeled with the Euler–Bernoulli beam. However, this study uses the Timoshenko beam model for improved accuracy, accounting for shear and rotational inertia, making it applicable to more scenarios. A novel finite-time boundary controller is proposed to suppress vibrations within finite time, where the finite-time control is not previously proposed for the Timoshenko arm modeled by the hybrid PDE-ODE model. In particular, the proposed controller simplifies implementation by utilizing boundary sensing and actuation. The paper proves the finite-time stability of the system and validates the controller through numerical simulations. This work offers a practical and innovative solution for efficient vibration suppression in flexible arms.
The Impact of a University Sexual Assault Prevention Program on Student Comfort With Help-Seeking
Authors: Kilmer Melissa L. , Palmer Jane E. , Wood Leila
Published: February 2025

To reduce sexual victimization on college campuses, many institutions offer mandatory sexual assault prevention programs for students. However, little is known on how such programs may affect willingness to access campus resources. This study attempts to fill this gap with a sample of college students at a mid-sized university in an urban setting ( n = 2,100). Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, we found that students who received the program displayed greater levels of comfort related to seeking help on-campus. Results serve to advance discussions related to potential impacts of prevention programs for students. Practical implications for institutions of higher education are discussed.
“When We First Split up, He Took the Kids and Ran”: Child Abductions in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Tutty Leslie M. , Nixon Kendra L. , Radtke H. Lorraine
Published: February 2025

After separation because of intimate partner violence (IPV), fathers may threaten to or abduct children. In these mixed methods secondary analysis of a data set from 2005 to 2009 with 370 Canadian mothers, 242 (65.4%) of fathers had not threatened abduction, 70 (18.9%) had threatened abduction, and 58 (15.7%) had abducted children. The women with abduction histories reported more serious IPV on several Composite Abuse Scales. Seventy-one women commented about abductions: 36 described actual but brief abductions, 17 described more serious abductions, and 18 noted their partners' direct threats to abduct. Recommendations to better address mothers’ issues about abductions are provided.
Assessing antineoplastic drug contamination in South African oncology pharmacies: Workplace and biological monitoring
Authors: Botha Ruan , Nelson Gill , Sessink Paul , Brouwer Derk
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Antineoplastic drugs (ADs) are hazardous substances commonly used in medical oncology, posing health risks to pharmacy personnel through occupational exposure. Despite safety guidelines, contamination of surfaces in oncology pharmacies remains prevalent. In this study, we assessed surface contamination and biological uptake of ADs in selected South African oncology pharmacies.

Methods

Six pharmacies (three from each of two medical oncology service providers, SP1 and SP2) participated. Surface wipe samples were collected from three areas in each pharmacy (containment-primary engineering control (C-PEC), floor, adjacent surface) before and after decontamination procedures. Nine ADs were quantified, using high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). 24-h urine samples were collected from six pharmacy personnel. The DeRmal Exposure Assessment Method (DREAM) was used to estimate exposure risks. The results were compared with those from an observational study that assessed compliance with safety protocols in the same six pharmacies.

Results

Surface contamination was higher in SP1 than in SP2 pharmacies, with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) being the most frequently detected AD. Post-decontamination samples showed a 17.4% reduction in 5-FU contamination, although SP1 pharmacies still had higher post-decontamination concentrations than SP2 pharmacies, especially on floors. Cyclophosphamide and ifosphamide were detected in the urine of two participants from SP1.

Conclusion

We demonstrated higher contamination and occupational exposure risks in SP1 than in SP2 pharmacies, indicating a need for strict decontamination protocols and better use of personal protective equipment in the SP1 pharmacies. The SP2 pharmacies may serve as a model for oncology pharmacy safety in South Africa.