bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifizierung von Patientinnen mit HR+, HER2– Brustkrebs im Frühstadium mit hohem Rezidivrisiko
Authors: Fasching Peter A. , Kreipe Hans , Del Mastro Lucia , Ciruelos Eva , Freyer Gilles , Korfel Agnieszka , Chouaki Nadia , Stoffregen Clemens , Sapunar Francisco , Cameron David
Published: December 2024

Die Inzidenz von Brustkrebs ist in den letzten 2 Jahrzehnten gestiegen; gleichzeitig hat sich das Überleben durch eine frühere Erkennung und bessere Therapiemöglichkeiten verbessert. Trotz dieser Verbesserungen treten lokoregionäre Rezidive sowie Fernmetastasen bei bis zu 10 resp. 30 % aller mit Brustkrebs im Frühstadium diagnostizierten Frauen auf. Rund 70 % aller Brustkrebsfälle sind HR+ (hormonrezeptorpositiv), HER2– (humaner epidermaler Wachstumsfaktor-Rezeptor-2-negativ) und somit mit einem anhaltenden Rezidivrisiko assoziiert, das bis zu 20 Jahre nach der Diagnose/Erstbehandlung anhält. Wir führten eine narrative Übersichtsarbeit durch und kombinierten dabei unsere Suche in PubMed mit unseren klinischen Erfahrungen, um die Patientinnen-Charakteristika, Biomarker und Instrumente zur Analyse von Genomprofilen zu beschreiben, die Klinik-Ärztinnen und ‑ärzten zur Identifizierung von Patientinnen mit HR+, HER2– frühem Mammakarzinom mit einem hohen Rezidivrisiko zur Verfügung stehen, und um Empfehlungen zur Klassifizierung von Patientinnen gemäß ihrem Rezidivrisiko aufzustellen. Es wurden auch nationale und internationale Behandlungsrichtlinien zusammengefasst. Die korrekte Einschätzung des Rezidivrisikos ist für diese Patientinnen wichtig, weil das prognostizierte Risiko die nachfolgenden Therapie-Entscheidungen steuern wird; unpräzise Einschätzungen können zur Über- bzw. Untertherapie führen, und beide Szenarien haben negative Konsequenzen für die Patientinnen. Es gibt zahlreiche prognostische Werkzeuge und Faktoren, die für die Analyse von Brustkrebs im Frühstadium empfohlen werden; es gibt aber keinen Test, der für sich genommen eine akkurate Prognose bieten kann. Da es keinen Test gibt, der für sich allein genommen imstande ist, eine akkurate Prognose zu bieten, sollte eine Kombination verschiedener Testverfahren verwendet werden. Risikoschwellen sind wichtig, da diese die Entscheidung für eine optimierte, ausgewogene Therapie bei HR+, HER2– frühem Mammakarzinom lenkt. Dennoch sollte jede prognostische Evaluierung individuell durchgeführt werden, da ein patientenspezifisches prognostisches Vorgehen wichtig ist, um eine Über- oder Untertherapie zu vermeiden.
Medikamentöse Absetzstrategien in der Kinderrheumatologie
Authors: Minden Kirsten
Published: December 2024

Die Prognose der juvenilen idiopathischen Arthritis (JIA) hat sich durch die Anwendung neuer Therapiestrategien und moderner Antirheumatika erheblich verbessert. Viele Patienten erreichen heute eine langanhaltende Remission, was die Frage nach einem möglichen Absetzen der Therapie aufwirft. In der klinischen Praxis variiert das Vorgehen beim Absetzen von krankheitsmodifizierenden Antirheumatika erheblich. Dabei spielen Faktoren wie die spezifische Form der JIA, das initiale Therapieansprechen, das Vorhandensein von Krankheitsschäden sowie die Präferenzen von Patienten und Familien eine Rolle. Dieser Übersichtsbeitrag stellt die aktuelle Evidenz zur Therapiedeeskalation bei der JIA vor. Es werden relevante Studien und Prädiktoren für ein erfolgreiches Absetzen der Therapie diskutiert. Zudem werden Strategien zur Erreichung einer medikamentenfreien Remission erörtert, einschließlich der potenziellen Rolle von Biomarkern und bildgebenden Verfahren. Basierend auf den vorhandenen, wenngleich noch begrenzten, Erkenntnissen werden Hinweise für den klinischen Alltag formuliert.
Stimmt es eigentlich, dass subkutanes Methotrexat der oralen Gabe hinsichtlich Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit bei der Behandlung der JIA überlegen ist?
Authors: Raab Anna , Dressler Frank , Klein Ariane
Published: December 2024

Methotrexat (MTX) ist das am meisten verschriebene konventionelle Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD). In zahlreichen internationalen Leitlinien für die polyartikuläre juvenile idiopathische Arthritis (pJIA) ist MTX als Erstlinientherapie als Basismedikament empfohlen, trotzdem mangelt es an Konsensus-basierten Empfehlungen zur Verabreichungsform. Diese ist nicht standardisiert und abhängig von der Präferenz des behandelnden Rheumatologen [1, 2]. Insgesamt gibt es nur wenige Publikationen zur Evidenz bzgl. der Applikationsweise von MTX bei der JIA. Die Ergebnisse sind sehr variabel und widersprüchlich, wahrscheinlich bedingt durch sehr unterschiedliche Studiendesigns (retrospektive Registeranalysen, prospektive Beobachtung, prospektive Behandlungsstudie) und überwiegend sehr geringe Fallzahlen [3]. In den letzten Jahren wurden einige größere Studien durchgeführt zum Vergleich der Wirksamkeit von oralem zu subkutanem (s. c.) MTX, jedoch ausschließlich bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis (RA). In einem kürzlich veröffentlichten Update der aktuellen Literatur zeigt sich keine eindeutige Evidenz, dass die s. c.-Gabe der oralen überlegen ist [4].
L3 acquisition of Portuguese clefts by L1-Mandarin
L2-English speakers
Authors: Li Xinyi , Santos Ana Lúcia , Lobo Maria
Published: December 2024

This study explored the trajectory of
L3
acquisition (L3A) of three structurally
different clefts in European
Portuguese (EP) by L1-Mandarin
Chinese (MC) L2-English
learners, within the framework of the Feature Reassembly
Hypothesis (Lardiere, 2008, 2009). This study also considers
the predictions of L3A models that differ with respect to
the role of the previously acquired languages on the
acquisition of a target L3. Regarding the analyzed
structures, L1 factor models (e.g., Na Ranong & Leung, 2009) would
predict an early acquisition of pseudoclefts,
and a delay in acquiring é-que
clefts and standard
clefts. Models such as the Cumulative-Enhancement
Model (Flynn et al., 2004), the Typological Primacy
Model (Rothman, 2011), the Scalpel Model
(Slabakova,
2017) and the Linguistic Proximity
Model (Westergaard et al., 2017) would predict a
facilitating L2 effect on the acquisition of standard
clefts and pseudoclefts. 60 MC speakers across three proficiency levels
and 21 EP speakers completed an acceptability judgment
task (AJT) centered on EP clefts. The learners
also performed an AJT of English clefts
at a later time. The results suggested a scale of difficulty
(standard cleft > pseudocleft
> é-que cleft) in
development up to advanced stages. The syntactic structure
of standard clefts, essentially the left peripheral focus,
could be mapped from the L2 onto the L3 lexical items before
L3ers reach low-intermediate (B1),1 while the association of a [+
focus] feature on specific L3 items appears to cause
difficulty in acquiring é-que
clefts until the learners reach a more advanced
(C1)2 level. The
results supported a facilitating L2 effect on the
acquisition of standard clefts, which contradicts
predictions that would be made by L1 factor models.
The Evolution of Concrete Expansion Deformation under Wet-Dry Cycles and Composite Salt Corrosion
Authors: Zhang Shuiliang , Gong Minghui , Sun Aiqing , Shang Mengjun , Yao Jinwei , Song Hui
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the expansion and deformation characteristics of concrete with varying strengths under the conditions of aqueous solution, wet-dry cycles, and complex salt corrosion environments. The experimental results indicate that under the action of wet-dry cycles, the expansion rate of C30 and C50 concrete specimens in the aqueous solution increases with time, but the overall degree of deformation is relatively small. Due to its higher water-cement ratio, the expansion rate of C30 concrete is generally greater than that of C50 concrete. In a 3% sodium sulfate solution, the expansion rate of C50 concrete is lower than that of C30, which is related to its lower water-binder ratio and denser microstructure. In a 5% sodium sulfate solution, the expansion rate of C30 concrete is significantly higher than that of C50, demonstrating a faster rate of expansion. In the environment of mixed sodium sulfate and sodium chloride solution, the presence of chloride ions effectively mitigates sulfate erosion, reducing the expansion rate. Furthermore, with the increase in sulfate concentration, the expansion and deformation of concrete increase. The expansion and deformation of C50 concrete in sodium sulfate solution are less than that of C30, which is related to its higher tensile strength. The research provides a scientific basis for the durability assessment and protection of concrete structures in sulfate erosion environments.
Formulation Optimization Method of Local Insulating Spray Materials Based on Rapid Curing
Authors: Wang Chengzhi , Yang Long , Ning Xiao , Xiao Junchao , Tang Li , Xie Xueping , Lu Qi
Published: December 2024

With the increasing incidence of bird damage affecting the reliability of transmission lines, addressing bird pest control has become an important task for the operation and maintenance of transmission lines. A viable solution involves the application of spray coating polyurea elastomer composite materials to insulate exposed conductive points and weakly insulated connection parts of transmission line towers. To improve the comprehensive performance of polyurea elastomers, in this study, the curing system of polyurea elastomers was modified by incorporating Al2O3, SiO2, and BN nanoparticles. An orthogonal experiment was designed to study the influence of different fillers on the comprehensive performance of polyurea elastomers. These nanoparticles partially filled the defects inherent in the polyurea elastomers and microparticles, improving the Alternating Current (AC) breakdown strength of the polyurea elastomer. Compared with filler-free polyurea elastomers, optimal performance of the polyurea elastomer was achieved when using 5 wt% Al2O3, 0.4 wt% SiO2, and 5 wt% BN, resulting in a 15.75% increase in the AC breakdown strength and a 10.00% enhancement in the thermal conductivity.
Laboratory studies of the process of drying melon slices by convective method
Authors: Rakhmatov O , Rakhmatov F O , Rakhmatov O O
Published: December 2024

This article investigates the convective drying process of ring-shaped melon slices using a laboratory drying unit. It details the unit’s structure and operating principle, along with its technical characteristics. The experimental procedure is outlined, and the results of the drying experiments on Ak-Urug melon pulp in an oscillating mode are presented. The study includes plots of the mass change of dried melon slices over time for different thicknesses (21 mm, 18 mm, and 15 mm) and a graph illustrating the relationship between the coolant path and the drying time.
Dependence of pollutant emissions on operating parameters of gas pumping units at subzero temperatures
Authors: Terekhov A A , Uaman F F , Galimov A A , Bespalov I D , Mavlyutova S M
Published: December 2024

Pollutant emissions from gas-fired equipment are determined by the combustion parameters and the design of the units and burners. In addition to the design, NOX and CO emissions significantly depend on environmental parameters, including air temperature. The article examines the features of pollutant formation processes during operation of gas turbine units of various designs and configurations: both stationary units such as the GTK-10M designed for main gas transportation and converted marine engines DR-59L used as a drive for gas pumping units at subzero outside air temperatures. The operation of hot water boilers as part of a gas heating unit was also investigated. The studies were conducted to develop mathematical models of pollutant formation to create a continuous calculation control system that will allow for high-precision determination and prediction of limit values for NOX and CO emissions and minimize the impact of emissions on the environment.
Complex unit for sowing saxaul seeds on degraded soils in desert and semi-desert zones
Authors: Pulatov A T , Farmonov E T , Sharipov Z , Kamilov A I , Zhizdyuk A A , Utepbergenov B
Published: December 2024

The article is devoted to developing measures to combat soil erosion of lands susceptible to degradation and desertification. These measures are aimed at accelerating environmental management processes and improving ecology through the implementation of new promising technologies and technical means into agricultural production. A combined sowing unit was developed that in one pass prepares the soil for sowing and sows seeds. A unit for mechanical destruction of the seed dome was developed. A technological scheme for the process of sowing saxaul seeds was proposed. Technical specifications for the sowing unit were also developed.
Investigation of the three-wave lidar capabilities for monitoring the lower tier forest vegetation
Authors: Belov M L , Belov A M , Gorodnichev V A , Alkov S V , Shkarupilo A A
Published: December 2024

The possibilities of the three-wave pulsed lidar for monitoring the lower tier of forest vegetation have been studied. The simulation analysis results of the lower tier forest vegetation groups identification on a neural net using measured vegetation spectral reflectance for different wavelengths of the three-wave lidar are presented. It is shown that the best options are lidars with wavelengths 532, 1064, 1570 nm and 532, 1064, 2030 nm. The three-wavelength lidar with these wavelengths allows the identification of five lower tier forest vegetation groups (undergrowth of deciduous trees; undergrowth of coniferous trees; areas of swamps, mosses and shrubby plants; soils with different percentages of vegetation coverage; areas of dry forest, soils without vegetation, lichens, burnt areas) with a probability of correct identification over 0.8 and a probability of incorrect identification under 0.08 (for a relative RMS noise values of 1%).
Method for determining the trajectory of a sensor-controlled ground agricultural vehicle
Authors: Melikov A V , Djalilov A U , Denmukhammadiev A M , Gapparov A U
Published: December 2024

The article describes a method for determining the unmanned ground agricultural vehicle trajectory, based on calculations of only the boundary values of restrictions, using root-finding and polynomial evaluation. The paper presents a mathematical description of the unmanned ground vehicle trajectory. This thesis also describes a mathematical model for generating the trajectory of movement unmanned ground vehicle; methods for determining the velocity of movement vehicle and the time optimal trajectory. The article presents the results of an experiment on generating the unmanned ground agricultural vehicle trajectory.
Contemporary analysis of the use of transboundary waters in Central Asia
Authors: Narzullaev O , Bekov I
Published: December 2024

This article comprehensively examines the complex and critical issue of transboundary water resource management in the Central Asian region. The analysis highlights that the region’s water resources, primarily sourced from the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers, are vital for the socio-economic development of Central Asia, fulfilling the needs of agriculture, industry, and the population. It addresses specific challenges faced by Uzbekistan, including environmental crises such as water shortages, inefficient irrigation practices, and the degradation of the Aral Sea. To tackle these pressing issues, the article explores modern approaches and solutions, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, innovative irrigation technologies, and effective water management strategies. The need for Uzbekistan and its neighboring countries to strengthen collaboration and implement joint measures is underscored to ensure fair and sustainable use of transboundary water resources. Moreover, the article provides valuable insights into achieving sustainability through improved water management practices. By analyzing the current state and future prospects of water resource management in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region, it emphasizes that cooperative efforts are essential for addressing shared challenges and fostering sustainable development. Ultimately, this comprehensive examination serves as a call to action for regional stakeholders to prioritize collaborative solutions in managing their vital water resources effectively.
Analysis of the turbidity process in the pumping station forebay for the water management
Authors: Arifjanov A , Atakulov D , Sattorov A , Melikuziyev S , Juraboyev I
Published: December 2024

The article’s analysis focuses on the turbidity process in the pumping station’s forebay, which is one of the current issues with water management. The KFK-Sokh pumping station, located in the PK-1995+00 section of the Big Fergana main canal, was selected as a research object. In natural field studies, several characteristic cross-sections along the length of the forebay were selected. To determine the amount of turbidity in the stream, water samples were taken along the size and depth of each section. The amount of turbidity in the obtained samples was determined using the Spectrophotometer UV755 device. Considering the variability of water consumption, the speed distribution along the length and depth of the forebay was studied. The influence of the flow rate change at the entrance to the forebay on fuzzy printing is analyzed. Conclusions and recommendations are given based on the obtained results.
Geochemical signatures of the Taku schist, Peninsular Malaysia: implications for sedimentary protoliths and tectonic setting
Authors: Faesal A , Aminuddin M I K A , Warmada I , Yonezu K , Setiawan N I
Published: December 2024

The Taku Schist, located in the north-east of Peninsular Malaysia, represents a significant Indosinian orogenic feature resulting from the collision between the Sukhothai Arcs and Sibumasu. This study aims to unravel the tectonic and metamorphic evolution of the Taku Schist through detailed geochemical analyses. Utilizing X-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we identified the metasedimentary rocks of the Taku Schist as predominantly greywacke and shale. These rocks are classified within a quartzose sedimentary provenance, indicative of a Continental Island Arc (CIA) setting. The geochemical composition reflected the episodic compressions experienced by the Taku Schist, leading to the transformation of the Sibumasu sedimentary cover and the Bentong-Raub mélange into various greenschist facies. Additionally, this study identified amphibolite facies, with their formation conditions and depths being closely linked to their relative positions within the upper plate of the Sukhothai Arc. These findings provide new insights into the complex tectonic history and metamorphic processes affecting the Taku Schist.
Mining tourism: A sustainable ex-mining management strategy in Sawahlunto city
Authors: Fajri H , Saputra B , Pegi A L , Renaldi I , Halawa H S , Wahyuni N
Published: December 2024

The city of Sawahlunto in West Sumatra, Indonesia, has transformed from a former coal mine to a cultural tourism destination, but environmental and economic sustainability challenges remain. This research aims to evaluate mining tourism practices in Sawahlunto and identify strategies to improve sustainability and economic diversification in the city. The research used a descriptive qualitative method with data collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. The research findings show that Sawahlunto has successfully preserved its mining heritage through various initiatives such as Goedang Ransoem Museum (Public Kitchen Museum), Mining Tunnel Mbah Soero, and Railway Museum. However, significant challenges remain, particularly related to the need for more holistic ecological restoration and economic diversification.
Stabilization of clay soil of Lajut Village, Central Lombok District, with a mixture of rice husk ash and quicklime on California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value
Authors: Fitrayudha A , Pujiastuti H , Putrajati U , Hamdani H , Hidayati N , Hidayat A R , Zarkasi A , Sukuryadi  , Safitri N
Published: December 2024

Clay soil bears physical characteristics that are susceptible to changes in high shrinkage growth due to changes in water content, so the bearing capacity is strongly influenced by water content. This study determined the characteristics of clay soil from Lajut Village, Praya Tengah Subdistrict, Central Lombok Regency before and after adding rice husk ash. The stabilization materials consisted of rice husk ash and quicklime, with variations of rice husk ash + quicklime of 4%+4%, 8%+8%, and 12%+12%. Physical and mechanical properties of the clay soil were examined and the results of physical properties testing demonstrated original moisture content of 54.80% and plasticity index of 29.66%. Based on the Proctor standard test, the primary soil contained 32.93% water and 1,292 grams/cm3 dry weight volume. The variation of 8% rice husk ash and quicklime produced the optimum California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value (22.00%) and optimum CBR soaking variation (7.48%). Conclusively, rice husk ash and quicklime show the capacity to increase CBR value of clay soil.
Mine design on mangrove block site of Indrabakti Mustika company in Lameruru, North Konawe regency, Southeast Sulawesi province
Authors: Ferry  , Ariyanto  , Fitriawan E R , Rasikhun H
Published: December 2024

The increasing demand for nickel in Indonesia grows with the trend of electric vehicles, inspiring nickel mining companies to enhance their supplies. PT IBM, a company engaged in nickel mining, is operating laterite nickel resource mining activities in a 576-ha area of open-cut mining in the village of Lameruru, North Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi province. The mining activities are divided into several blocks, including a mangrove block to meet the production target of 125,000 WMT ore per month in case other blocks fail to meet the cut-off grade (CoG) of 1.2% Ni. This study recommends a mining design to effectively determine the overburden and ore extracted in the mangrove block. This quantitative research collected data from literature studies and field studies. The results of the mine design revealed eight mining sequences with a total amount of mined overburden and mined ore volume of 1,584,589 BCM and 1,069,481 WMT, respectively. The stripping ratio obtained was 1:1.48, indicating that it takes 1.48 BCM overburden to obtain 1 WMT ore.
New camera is inspired by the structure of cats’ eyes
Authors: Dumé Isabelle
Published: December 2024

A camera inspired by the structures within cats’ eyes has been built by researchers in Korea and the US, who say that the device could be employed in autonomous vehicles, drones and surveillance systems.
Charity after Augustine
Authors: Teubner Jonathan D
Published: December 2024

Through a unique blend of the personal and historiographical, Charity after Augustine is an exploration of why the Augustinian tradition’s attempts to build solidarity or social cohesion in the societies of the Latin West have ended in disaster just as often as they have brought about justice. The conceit at the heart of the book is that the concrete practices of love or charity—almsgiving, works of mercy, good works—can tell us much about how religious leaders attempted to bind and hold communities together while also, in fits and starts with some startling reversions, attempting to expand the community and incorporate others. The first part probes the ways Augustine’s understanding of love is put into practice and how this understanding informs a tradition of political action inspired by Christian concepts of love and enacted through practices of charity. In a second, more expansive part, the book turns to the ways in which the Benedictine tradition as illustrated by Gregory the Great and Bernard of Clairvaux receives this vision, invigorates it with new visions of care and leadership, and puts it into practice in radically different contexts from those of Augustine’s age. At the heart of Charity after Augustine is an attempt to find a non-idealized vision of love that can inform thick, meaningful relations within a community that are not diluted by the inclusion of others
Prologue
Authors: Teubner Jonathan D
Published: December 2024

The Prologue serves as a general orientation for the book. The focus of this section is to explicate the context and motivation for writing Charity after Augustine. It lays out the two head-births of the work: first, the author’s experience leading a religious peacebuilding non-governmental organization (NGO) that worked mainly in the Middle East, which provided the motivation to think about the ways in which our practices of love can bind communities together as well as rend them asunder; and second, reflections on the ways in which the history of Berlin and Germany more broadly illustrates the two senses of cleaving—to hold together and to separate. These reflections inform a reframing of “political Augustinianism,” refocusing attention on the centrality of pastoral leadership for an Augustinian political ethic.
Benedict and the New Pastoral Arts
Authors: Teubner Jonathan D
Published: December 2024

Chapter 4 focuses on the Rule of St. Benedict’s transformations of pastoral power. It examines how Benedict synthesizes Augustinian internalism and a Cassian-inspired confidence in the spiritual leader’s faculty of detecting intentions in external acts. This continues the Augustinian trajectory of centralizing the techniques of “love” to the pastoral vocation, but arms the pastor with the ability to detect that which remained obscure to Augustine, viz., true or genuine intentions. The transformation in the understanding of pastoral leadership can be seen in Benedict’s reformulation of the abbot’s vocation and duties. This chapter contests certain strict disjunctions often said to exist between the Rule of the Master’s presentation of the abbot and that found in the Rule of St. Benedict, concluding that when emboldened by a confidence in the perspicacity of intentions in external action, love is just as powerful a coercive tool as fear is, if not more so.
Gregory the Great and Charity’s Professional Demands
Authors: Teubner Jonathan D
Published: December 2024

Chapter 5 turns to Gregory the Great’s pastoral leadership, considering the ways in which it is shaped by the Benedictine synthesis of spiritual internalism and moral externalism. Gregory offers a model of pastoral counsel that draws together the power that accompanies the authoritative interpretation of Scripture with discretio to assess and pronounce on the spiritual condition of subordinates. The transformations of an Augustinian conceptualization of charity and its practices inform the chapter’s reading of Gregory’s Registrum epistularum. Throughout Gregory’s letters we can observe his charitable practices, through which he as pope was, sometimes singlehandedly, responsible for keeping besieged communities fed, clothed, and protected. Gregory’s use of charity begins to regularize the pastoral “power of the purse” in a way that has broad implications for political leadership in “western” Christendom.
Blues and African American Culture
Authors: Jimoh A Yęmisi
Published: December 2024

African American music and literature have been consistently intertwined. This connection is true in narrative, which has its basis in the history and culture-keeping of orature, and in poetry, which transcends geography and culture in aligning with music. Among African Americans, the influence of Black music on literary art is longstanding, as is the use of music instrumentally and lyrically, especially blues, to convey all manner of life’s experiences. From the early liberation narratives of Frederick Douglass and the groundbreaking writing of W. E. B. Du Bois to the novels, poems, and plays of Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, Fanonne Honorée Jeffers, Suzan-Lori Parks, William Henry Lewis, Jesmyn Ward, and Toni Morrison, among others, references to music, songs, and musicians, as well as replication of musical rhythms in writing, regularly occur in literature by African Americans. Stories also fill the sonic expressions of many African American musicians. Duke Ellington musically recreates scenes from Shakespear’s plays, and John Coltrane uses his saxophone as a speaking instrument to recite an eponymous poem from his album A Love Supreme. The cultural productions of African American writers and musicians are mutually significant intertexts that, with the African American cultural practice of riffs, repetition, and revision, have sustained these artists through time.
Ethical Leadership Perspectives and the School Superintendency
Authors: Fowler Denver J. , Jouganatos Sarah M.
Published: December 2024

This article is focused on ethical leadership perspectives and the school superintendency. To preface this content, a brief introduction of ethics is included as well as a concise review of ethical leadership research. The remainder of the article synthesizes three completed studies in the United States focused on ethical leadership perspectives and the school superintendency. More specifically, the studies reviewed in the article were aimed at determining how the ethical leadership perspectives of superintendents vary according to both leader demographics and state education/school district characteristics. In addition, the three completed studies reviewed within the article aimed to determine the ethical leadership perspectives of the state and district superintendents in the United States. In synthesizing the three studies, the article also prefaces forthcoming research in this arena to be launched in the near future in addition to other possibilities for connecting the research to the practitioner setting.
Teaching on Deterrence and Nuclear Politics
Authors: Black Michelle
Published: December 2024

The study of deterrence has been embedded in national security educational curriculum for decades, be it academic or professional military education. However, not all syllabi and course material provide the same lessons and paradigms on deterrence and nuclear decision-making education. This is dependent on which side the lecturer sits on their opinion of nuclear weapons and their potential for war. Many know of the “great debate” over the continuation of the nuclear bomb that has been the center of conversation since the end of the Cold War. This “do we or don’t we keep it” question seems to be a consistent tug of war within U.S. congressional conversations and even testimonies, in which members of the military often argue about the importance of keeping and maintaining a nuclear force. Today, especially, this is an important debate subject, given the Russia–Ukraine war and the possibility that tactical nukes could be used if “needed” by Russia. With these concerns, debates, and current events, how can professors educate students on this topic while maintaining a fair, balanced, and impartial perspective? There needs to be an impartial approach to teaching students, both academic and military, from a neutral mindset. Curriculum on deterrence and nuclear politics must highlight the importance of addressing the historical aspects of deterrence and nuclear ambitions while introducing new and emerging concepts that have found their way into literature and application. Additionally, curriculum needs to cover the impact of nuclear weapons, and how it can negatively influence strategy and even the path toward peace.
The History of Ethanol Production in Brazil with a Focus on Environmental Health
Authors: Eaglin Jennifer
Published: December 2024

As the hazards of man-made climate change increase, Brazil’s green energy matrix has become a model for energy policy around the world. Sugar-based ethanol, referred to as alcohol in Brazil, emits 90 percent less carbon than petroleum and is a crucial component in the country’s diversified energy system. However, attention on the noncarbon-based fuel seldom addresses the sugar-ethanol industry’s long history of environmental degradation that predated its low-carbon image. In fact, Brazilian ethanol production has a long connection to environmental health issues in the country. Large-scale ethanol production produced pervasive water and air pollution, which the industry still grapples with in the 21st century. Specifically, ethanol distillation produces a byproduct, vinasse, that producers regularly dumped in local waters to negative environmental effect. More broadly, ethanol pushed the expansion of monocultural sugarcane production, which ties to air pollution linked to land change and cane-cutting methods. Despite these environmental issues, Brazilian producers and government officials successfully shaped sugar-ethanol’s green image around the fuel’s lower carbon emissions compared to gasoline. In the early 21st century, this image pushed ethanol to the front of energy transition efforts. As one of the largest alternative fuel industries in the world, Brazilian ethanol’s historical connection to pollution complicates debates about the possibilities and limitations of large-scale energy transitions.
Critiques of Adoption
Authors: Kim JaeRan , Chung-Sherman Melanie (JaeHee)
Published: December 2024

Despite the euphemisms of “forever families” and “child’s best interests,” adoption practices, policies, and ideologies contribute to illicit adoption practices, including child trafficking, the sale of children, first or birth mother trafficking, and abuse of process, that harm adopted individuals, birth or first families, and adoptive families.
A chromosome-level reference genome facilitates the discovery of clubroot resistant gene Crr5 in Chinese cabbage
Authors: Yang Shuangjuan , Wang Xiangfeng , Wang Zhaojun , Zhang Wenjing , Su Henan , Wei Xiaochun , Zhao Yanyan , Wang Zhiyong , Zhang Xiaowei , Guo Li , Yuan Yuxiang
Published: December 2024

Brassica rapa includes a variety of important vegetable and oilseed crops, yet it is significantly challenged by clubroot disease. Notably, the majority of genotypes of B. rapa with published genomes exhibit high susceptibility to clubroot disease. The present study presents a high-quality chromosome-level sequence of the genome of the DH40 clubroot-resistant (CR) line, a doubled haploid line derived from the hybrid progeny of a European turnip (ECD01) and two lines of Chinese cabbage. The assembled genome spans 420.92 Mb, with a contig N50 size of 11.97 Mb. Comparative genomics studies revealed that the DH40 line is more closely related to the Chinese cabbage Chiifu than to the turnip ECD04. The DH40 genome provided direct reference and greatly facilitate the map-based cloning of the clubroot resistance gene Crr5, encoding a nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) protein. Further functional analysis demonstrated that Crr5 confers clubroot resistance in both Chinese cabbage and transgenic Arabidopsis. It responds to inoculation with Plasmodiophora brassicae and is expressed in both roots and leaves. Subcellular localization shows that Crr5 is present in the nucleus. Notably, the TIR domain of Crr5 can autoactivate and trigger cell death. In addition, we developed two Crr5-specific KASP markers and showcased their successful application in breeding CR Chinese cabbage through marker-assisted selection. Overall, our research offers valuable resources for genetic and genomic studies in B. rapa and deepens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying clubroot resistance against Plasmodiophora brassicae.
The Health and Health-Related Quality of Life Impacts of Having a Sibling on Probation or Parole in the United States
Authors: Hutson Tara , Heitkemper Elizabeth , Hecht Jonathan D. , Shlafer Rebecca , Thurman Whitney
Published: December 2024

In this study, we explored the experiences of adult siblings of brothers who have been on probation or parole and the impacts on the participants’ health and health-related quality of life. We conducted semi-structured interviews and focused field observations of 8 adult siblings. The major themes were siblings being primary support providers, feelings of existing in a perpetual state of unknown, and perceived needs and resources. These themes reflected the types of support that participants provided; the associated strains and instability perpetuated by the criminal legal system; and the perceived resources needed to mitigate the negative impacts of participants’ experiences.
Examining the Role of System Acceptance and Community Feeling in Predicting Nursing Students' Online Learning Satisfaction
Authors: Çunkuş Köktaş Nesrin , Keskin Gülseren , Taşdemir Gülay
Published: December 2024

Online learning has transitioned from being optional to a mandatory experience in nursing education. Consequently, it is crucial to understand nursing students' satisfaction and the factors influencing it to create and implement a successful online learning environment. This study aimed to examine the roles of system acceptance and community feeling in predicting nursing students' online learning satisfaction. The sample of the relational and cross-sectional study consisted of 451 nursing students studying online in the two universities in Western Turkey. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Online Learning Systems Acceptance, Community Feeling Scale, and Satisfaction Scale. A positive correlation was found between the perceived ease and benefit variables and satisfaction levels of nursing students in the study within the scope of online learning systems acceptance. A positive correlation was found between the actional and affective components of community feeling and satisfaction levels of nursing students in the study. Besides, the affective component was found to be the most significant factor in explaining satisfaction with online learning. The learning environment can be improved by increasing the diversity and interaction of nursing students with methods or instruments such as online collaborative learning approaches and online community building.
Associations of systemic immune-inflammation index and systemic inflammation response index with maternal gestational diabetes mellitus: Evidence from a prospective birth cohort study
Authors: Xie Shuanghua , Zhang Enjie , Gao Shen , Su Shaofei , Liu Jianhui , Zhang Yue , Luan Yingyi , Huang Kaikun , Hu Minhui , Wang Xueran , Xing Hao , Liu Ruixia , Yue Wentao , Yin Chenghong
Published: December 2024

Background:

The role of inflammation in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has recently become a focus of research. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), novel indices, reflect the body’s chronic immune-inflammatory state. This study aimed to investigate the associations between the SII or SIRI and GDM.

Methods:

A prospective birth cohort study was conducted at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from from February 2018 to December 2020, recruiting participants in their first trimester of pregnancy. Baseline SII and SIRI values were derived from routine clinical blood results, calculated as follows: SII = neutrophil (Neut) count × platelet (PLT) count/lymphocyte (Lymph) count, SIRI = Neut count × monocyte (Mono) count/Lymph count, with participants being stratified into quartiles. Follow-up included a 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 20–32 weeks of gestation, using the glucose thresholds of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG). Logistic regression was used to analyze the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for the SII, SIRI, and GDM risk.

Results:

Among the 28,124 women included in the study, the average age was 31.8 ± 3.8 years, and 15.76% (4432/28,124) developed GDM. Higher SII and SIRI quartiles were correlated with increased GDM rates, with rates ranging from 12.26% (862/7031) in the lowest quartile to 20.10% (1413/7031) in the highest quartile for the SII (P
trend <0.001) and 11.92–19.31% for the SIRI (P
trend <0.001). The SII and SIRI were positively correlated with GDM risk. The ORs (95% CIs) of the second, third, and fourth SII quartiles were 1.09 (0.98–1.21), 1.21 (1.09–1.34), and 1.39 (1.26–1.54), respectively. The SIRI findings paralleled the SII outcomes. For the second through fourth quartiles, the ORs (95% CIs) were 1.24 (1.12–1.38), 1.41 (1.27–1.57), and 1.64 (1.48–1.82), respectively. These associations were maintained in subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions:

The SII and SIRI are potential independent risk factors contributing to the onset of GDM.
Molecular Pathotyping and Phylogeny of Recent Subgenotype XIV.2 Newcastle Disease Viruses from Chickens and Pigeons in Nigeria
Authors: Umar Bala N. , Adamu Jibril , Abdu Paul A. , Ahmad Kabiru H. , Sada Aliyu , Kazeem Haruna M.
Published: December 2024

Genomic studies of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) affecting chickens and pigeons in Nigeria are limited. This study characterized NDVs from chickens and pigeons within households and live bird markets in Bauchi State, Nigeria. A total of 80 pooled oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples were collected from November 2021 to February 2022 and tested using one-step RT-PCR. Interestingly, 73 (91.25%) of the samples were found to be positive, and 40 sequences of the partial NDV F gene were obtained. The fusion protein cleavage site amino acid motifs 112R-R-Q/R-K-R-F117 and 112G-R-Q-G-R-L117 were observed for the virulent (95.0%) and lentogenic (5.0%) pathotypes, respectively. The virulent NDV strains clustered with subgenotype XIV.2 NDV strains from Nigeria and neighboring Benin, whereas the lentogenic pathotypes belonged to the genotype II cluster along with NDV vaccine strains. This study highlighted the serious threat of virulent NDV, warranting surveillance and improved biosecurity to control local and transboundary spread of NDV.
Soft-Tissue Chondroma of the Eyelid
Authors: Carter Lea M. , Al-Rohil Rami N. , Proia Alan D.
Published: December 2024

A woman in her early 20s underwent excision of a 6-mm diameter, tender, mobile mass in the temporal left upper eyelid associated with eyelid swelling and blurred vision. Surgery disclosed a large tarsal lesion that appeared to be a cyst but was found to be a soft-tissue chondroma featuring an island of hyaline cartilage surrounded by dense tarsal fibrous connective tissue containing smaller foci of myxoid cartilage. The woman reported that a nodule had been present at this site since childhood. The soft-tissue chondroma has not recurred after 1.5 years. This case represents one of the few known reports of a soft-tissue chondroma in the eyelid.
An Atypical Case of Orbital Wall Infarction Secondary to Sickle Cell Disease in an Adult and Review of Literature
Authors: Kok Li Teng , Marjanovic Branka , Malik Mohsan
Published: December 2024

Sickle cell disease is known to cause painful vaso-occlusive crises in long bones with large marrows. Orbital infarction is a rare complication of sickle cell disease and usually presents in children and adolescents with acute onset periocular swelling mimicking orbital cellulitis. We describe an atypical case of a 38-year-old man with homozygous sickle cell disease who presented with isolated, complete ptosis of his OD with minimal swelling. He described brow aches on the same side, with no features of proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, or compressive optic neuropathy. Orbital imaging revealed infarction in the right frontal bone and orbital roof, with inflammatory soft tissue swelling. His condition resolved completely after 4 days with conservative medical therapy alone.
Beneficial Impact of Follow-Up 24-Hour Urine Testing on Adherence to Pharmacological Therapy for Kidney Stone Prevention
Authors: Smith Kevin B. , Crivelli Joseph J. , Yan Phyllis L. , Hsi Ryan S. , Shahinian Vahakn B. , Asplin John R. , Hollingsworth John M. , Denton Brian T.
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

Preventive pharmacological therapy (PPT) is recommended for certain patients with urinary stone disease to reduce their recurrence risk, but they frequently do not adhere. With causal inference methods, we evaluated whether follow-up urine testing could be used to improve PPT adherence.

Materials and Methods:

Using claims data from Optum’s deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart database (2008-2019), we identified patients with urinary stone disease who were prescribed PPT (thiazide diuretic, alkali therapy, or allopurinol) after baseline 24-hour urine testing and assessed their adherence with the proportion of days covered method. After distinguishing between patients who did and did not receive follow-up urine testing, we examined the association between follow-up testing and PPT adherence with logistic regression. We then emulated a target trial using propensity score matching, stratification, and doubly robust estimators to estimate the equivalent causal effect.

Results:

Among 4166 patients, 496 (11.9%) completed both baseline and follow-up testing. Follow-up testing was associated with a 9.0% increase in adherence odds after adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, and disease-related and treatment-related patient characteristics. Furthermore, we estimated a 7.1% increase in proportion of days covered caused by follow-up testing using causal inference methods. Subgroup analyses indicated the most significant effects are among women, those with low baseline medication adherence, and those not at high risk of stone formation.

Conclusions:

These data suggest that follow-up urine testing after starting PPT may have a beneficial effect on long-term medication adherence.
Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of combined enteral nutrition therapy for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Wu Yun , Jiang Zhenyu , Su Ri Gu Ge , Wang Lu , Tian Feilong , Liu Lin
Published: December 2024

Background:

So far, there are still many difficulties in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), among which enteral nutrition (EN) is the most valuable and controversial treatment. Therefore, this study will compare the effectiveness of conventional medication with EN in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods:

Searching the Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Clinical trial, CNKI, Chinese biomedical literature, VIP, and Wanfang databases, Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies on conventional drug + EN and conventional drug therapy for IBD were also retrieved, The data of their efficiency and nutritional status (hemoglobin, albumin, and body mass index) were extracted independently, After a qualitative evaluation of the included literature. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan5.3 software.

Results:

A total of 33 study articles were included, including 2466 IBD patients, 1248 patients in the test group (conventional drugs combined with EN), and 1218 patients in the control group (conventional drugs). The meta-analysis showed that the clinical response of conventional drugs with EN for IBD was higher than the conventional drug group (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.17–1.34, Z = 6.37, P < .00001); incidence of total adverse effects: compared with the combination group (RR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.64–1.48, Z = 0.11, P = .91). Nutritional status: hemoglobin, albumin, and body mass index in the combined EN group were significantly higher than those in the control group.

Conclusion:

For IBD patients (including UC and CD), the combination of conventional drugs and EN was more effective than conventional drug treatment alone, hemoglobin, albumin and body mass index were significantly higher than conventional drug treatment alone, and the difference in adverse reactions was not significant. However, the current research evidence is not enough to fully prove the reliability of the combination therapy, and further studies need to be verified in the future.