bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prioritising and including children in intersectoral policymaking: uncovering Immunity to Change in Ghana
Authors: Akofio-Sowah Leonie , Soraghan Maria Lisa , Rajagopalan Srivatsan , Sakyi Kwame S , Kwamie Aku , Jennings Bethany , Ayisi Quartey Florence , Sagoe-Moses Isabella , Owusu Prince , Dalglish Sarah L
Published: December 2024

Despite strong commitments to improving children’s well-being, nearly a third of Ghanaian children aged 36–59 months are not developmentally on track, with additional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Improvements in children’s health and well-being rely on effective intersectoral policies, however, not enough is known about how to achieve this in practice, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We report on a case study of participatory intersectoral policymaking for child health in Ghana in 2021, feeding into the national Early Childhood Care and Development Policy. We used systematic methods to analyse policy documents from 22 Ministries, Departments and Agencies; procedural outputs from national policy convenings; and children’s inputs via a national competition, worksheets at a policy convening and video interviews. Data sources were analysed separately using content analysis for real-time application of findings into the policy process. Subsequently, data were re-analysed together, using an ‘insider-outsider’ approach, to provide a holistic view of the policy process. Beyond traditional child-centred policy areas (ie, health, education, youth and sports, social protection), most ministries lacked budgeted child-specific policies, partly because policymakers felt this was outside their mandate. Analysing children’s inputs to the policy process showed they had substantive policy ideas on their health and well-being that were intersectoral in nature. While underlying social and cultural assumptions about children’s place in society impeded their participation in policymaking, stakeholders nonetheless expressed their commitment to amplifying and institutionalising children’s contributions. Our study adds evidence on how to operationalise intersectoral partnerships, including by mapping mandates, budgets and roles across different functions and levels of government, with the mobilising participation of civil society. We also report on new mechanisms for including children’s perspectives in policymaking. Our findings have implications for child health policy and for other health initiatives that require effective intersectoral, participatory approaches.
Effect of integrating paediatric tuberculosis services into child healthcare services on case detection in Africa: the INPUT stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial
Authors: Denoeud-Ndam Lise , Tchounga Boris Kevin , Masaba Rose , Herrera Nicole , Machekano Rhoderick , Siamba Stephen , Ouma Millicent , Petnga Saint Just , Simo Leonie , Tchendjou Patrice , Bissek Anne Cécile , Okomo Gordon Odhiambo , Casenghi Martina , Tiam Appolinaire
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Paediatric tuberculosis (TB) underdiagnosis is a critical concern. The INPUT stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial assessed the impact of integrating child TB services into child healthcare on TB case detection among children under age 5 years.

Methods

We compared the standard of care, providing TB care in specific TB clinics (control phase), with the Catalysing Paediatric TB Innovations (CaP-TB) intervention, integrating TB services across all child health services (intervention phase). 12 clusters in Cameroon and Kenya transitioned from the standard of care to the intervention at randomly assigned times. Children with presumptive TB were enrolled after obtaining their parents’ consent and were followed throughout TB diagnostic procedures and treatment. Study outcomes included the rate of children with presumptive TB receiving TB investigations and that of children diagnosed with TB (the primary outcome was case detection), per thousand children under 5 years attending facilities. Generalised linear mixed Poisson models estimated the intervention’s effect as adjusted rate ratios (aRR) and associated 95% CIs. Ad hoc country-stratified analyses were conducted.

Results

During control and intervention phases, respectively, 121 909 and 109 614 children under 5 years attended paediatric entry points, 133 (1.1 per thousand) and 610 (5.6 per thousand) children with presumptive TB received TB investigations, and 79 and 74 were diagnosed with TB, corresponding to a case detection rate of 0.64 and 0.68 per thousand, respectively. CaP-TB significantly increased TB investigations in both countries overall (aRR=3.9, 95% CI 2.4 to 5.4), and in each. Overall, TB case detection was not statistically different between intervention and control (aRR 1.32, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.61, p=0.43). Country-stratified analysis revealed a 10-fold increase (aRR 9.75, 95% CI 1.04 to 91.84, p=0.046) in case detection with CaP-TB in Cameroon and no significant effect in Kenya (aRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.44 to 2.01, p=0.88).

Conclusion

CaP-TB increased TB investigations in both study countries and markedly enhanced TB case detection in one, underlining integrated TB services' potential to address paediatric TB underdiagnosis.
Onset of age, site and respiratory symptoms are strongly associated with respiratory decline in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a long-term longitudinal study
Authors: Terao Shin-ichi , Nosaki Yasunobu , Murao Atsunori , Torii Ryota , Ogawa Nanayo , Miura Naofumi , Sasaki Yousuke , Sobue Gen
Published: December 2024

Objective

The objective of this study is to identify factors influencing progression of respiratory decline from the onset of neurological symptoms to respiratory failure in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

In 100 patients with sporadic ALS, %vital capacity (%VC) was continuously measured from the first visit to the respiratory endpoint (REP). Cox proportional hazards model identified factors influencing the duration from onset of ALS to REP (Onset-REP). We performed Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis for onset-REP according to identified factors.

Results

Onset sites were the upper limb (U-ALS), lower limb (L-ALS), bulbar paralysis (B-ALS) and respiratory paralysis (R-ALS) in 37, 19, 32 and 12 patients, respectively. Duration from the onset of ALS to the onset of respiratory symptoms (Onset-Rp) and REP (Onset-REP) was 16.1 (SD 12.1) and 24.9 months (SD 14.6), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that age at onset, site of onset, Onset-Rp and %VC decline rate significantly influenced Onset-REP duration. Elderly patients had a significantly shorter Onset-REP duration. Onset-REP duration did not significantly differ between patients with U-ALS and L-ALS, but was longer in these patients than in those with B-ALS and R-ALS. Onset-REP duration was positively associated with Onset-Rp duration. The average monthly %VC decline rate was −5.6% (SD 3.3). Age at onset, onset site and Onset-Rp duration significantly influenced the %VC decline rate.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed strong and independent patient-specific factors that influence the Onset-REP duration and the %VC decline rate in patients with ALS. These could inform future clinical trials and interventions considering the respiratory function and natural history of patients with ALS.
Systemic intravenous thrombolysis and spinal stroke: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Bishara Haya , Bloch Sivan
Published: December 2024

Background

Spinal cord infarction (SCI) is associated with poor clinical outcome. Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a well-established treatment for cerebral ischaemic stroke. However, its efficacy in SCI is unknown.

Objective

We present a case of acute spinal cord ischaemia with significant improvement following thrombolysis and review the current literature to explore the safety and feasibility of this treatment.

Methods

We reviewed the literature for cases of SCI that were treated with IVT. We reviewed their medical history, clinical presentation and the reported outcome.

Results

Other than our case, our review includes 19 cases of SCI treated with IVT. Their mean age was 62.87±15.27 and 36% of them were women. Most of the cases were spontaneous and treated within 240 min of onset. Favourable outcome was achieved in 89% of cases, including the few cases treated within extended time window. No clinical worsening due to haemorrhage was reported in either case.

Conclusions

IVT may be considered in certain settings as treatment for SCI following the appropriate work-up. Favourable outcome was achieved in most cases and no case experienced clinical worsening due to post-thrombolysis haemorrhage. Safety and efficacy of this approach need further investigation.
Facilitators, barriers and acceptability of malaria reactive surveillance and response strategies in Vietnam: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Xuan Thang Nguyen , Win Han Oo ­ , Htike Win , Thi Van Anh Ngo , Duc Thang Ngo , Son Ha Dinh , Thi Luan Bui , Tuan Anh Vu , Ha Nam Nguyen , May Chan Oo  , Kaung Myat Thu  , Kaung Myat Khant  , Ei Phyu Htwe  , Aye Tun Nilar , O'Flaherty Katherine , Agius Paul A , Fowkes Freya J I
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Vietnam has achieved significant reductions in its malaria caseload over the past decades and is progressing towards malaria elimination. To achieve malaria elimination, the Vietnam Ministry of Health issued Guidelines for Malaria Surveillance and Prevention, a surveillance guide that describes malaria reactive surveillance and response (RASR) strategies—its implementation—is yet to be evaluated. Here, the facilitators, barriers and acceptability of the implementation of RASR strategies in Vietnam are explored and discussed thoroughly to provide recommendations for improvement of RASR strategies.

Methods

A mixed-methods study was conducted in Binh Thuan and Phu Yen Provinces in Vietnam from November 2021 to April 2022 including quantitative surveys with health stakeholders and staff (n=36) and frontline health service providers (n=38), qualitative focus group discussions with frontline health service providers and mobile migrant populations (n=70) and semistructured in-depth interview with health stakeholders and staff (n=28). Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed descriptively and thematically.

Results

Vietnam’s health system supports RASR strategies, and the RASR implementation data are well captured in the electronic communicable disease surveillance system of the Ministry of Health. Overall, RASR strategies are acceptable to both stakeholders and community members. However, successful implementation of RASR strategies is hindered by declining community interest in malaria elimination programme and limitations of infrastructure, budget, human resources, and terrain difficulties.

Conclusions

Overall health system support and policy commitment are key to successful implementation of RASR strategies and therefore for achieving malaria elimination. Despite high-performance and well-accepted RASR strategies, more financial and human resource investments are warranted to investigate and respond to all malaria foci in time. Village health workers could be used effectively to engage community members and mobile migrant populations in RASR activities.
Injury prevention in youth football (soccer): a comprehensive description of the development process of the ‘FUNBALL’ programme
Authors: Obërtinca Rilind , Meyer Tim , aus der Fünten Karen
Published: December 2024

Many football injury prevention programmes (IPPs) have been developed to target various injuries and populations. There was no specific IPP for youth players in place before. However, several existing IPPs designed for adults were also assessed in the youth population. All the existing ones face the challenge of long-term adherence even though efficacy has been demonstrated for many weeks to seasons. The main barriers to a successful long-term implementation of IPPs are time constraints and the lack of attractiveness for the players as they do not contain football-specific and motivating exercises. Increasing its attractiveness was the main aspect of designing the programme. To achieve this, a new approach was used. The ‘FUNBALL’ programme includes competitive, pair-based exercises and frequent ball use. It offers more flexibility as there is a choice between two different exercises for each category. It was developed through close collaboration between the research community, closely involved in real-life football, and the end-users. Tailoring IPPs to the preferences of end-users could mean a significant advancement on long-term adherence compared with previous programmes. However, further research is needed to assess this assumption.
Assessing diagnostic accuracy of intravascular imaging for functionally significant coronary stenosis: updated findings from a meta-analysis
Authors: D'Ascenzo Fabrizio , Improta Riccardo , Giacobbe Federico , Di Pietro Gianluca , Zugna Daniela , Siliano Stefano , Gatti Marco , Bruno Francesco , Kakuta Tsunekazu , Tahk Seung-Jea , Pawlowski Tomasz , Burzotta Francesco , Faletti Riccardo , Sardella Gennaro , Deferrari Gaetano Maria , Mancone Massimo , De Filippo Ovidio
Published: December 2024

Background

Accurate discrimination of functionally significant coronary stenosis using intravascular imaging remains uncertain, particularly with regard to vessel size. This meta-analysis evaluates the diagnostic performance of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for identifying functionally significant coronary stenosis as confirmed by fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar identified studies that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of IVUS and OCT by minimal luminal area (MLA) with FFR as the reference standard. Sensitivity and specificity were analysed across different vessel diameters including left main coronary artery (LM) lesions. Hierarchical models estimated the summary receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity and specificity.

Results

31 studies involving 4039 patients and 4413 lesions were analysed. For IVUS, a median MLA threshold of 2.9 mm² (IQR: 2.6–3.2) predicted significant lesions, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76. In vessels≥3 mm, this threshold increased to 3.0 mm² (IQR: 2.7–3.1) with an AUC of 0.76 while in smaller vessels it decreased to 2.6 mm² (IQR: 2.4–2.7) with an AUC of 0.79. For LM lesions, the median threshold was 6.0 mm² (IQR: 4.9–6.2) with an AUC of 0.88. OCT demonstrated a median threshold of 2.0 mm² (IQR: 1.7–2.3) and an AUC of 0.82 with better performance in larger vessels (≥3 mm, median 3.0 mm², AUC 0.87) than in smaller ones (<3 mm, median 1.8 mm², AUC 0.75).

Conclusions

IVUS and OCT show moderate diagnostic accuracy for identifying functionally significant coronary stenosis with OCT providing improved accuracy in vessels≥3 mm. IVUS is more accurate in assessing LM lesions, suggesting that vessel size should guide modality selection.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD 42024514538.
Leucocyte telomere length and conduction system ageing
Authors: van Duijvenboden Stefan , Nelson Christopher P , Raisi-Estabragh Zahra , Ramirez Julia , Orini Michele , Wang Qingning , Aung Nay , Codd Veryan , Stoma Svetlana , Allara Elias , Wood Angela M , Di Angelantonio Emanuele , Danesh John , Harvey Nicholas C , Petersen Steffen E , Munroe Patricia B , Samani Nilesh J
Published: December 2024

Background

Deterioration of the cardiac conduction system is an important manifestation of cardiac ageing. Cellular ageing is accompanied by telomere shortening and telomere length (TL) is often regarded as a marker of biological ageing, potentially adding information regarding conduction disease over and above chronological age. We therefore sought to evaluate the association between leucocyte telomere length (LTL) on two related, but distinct aspects of the cardiac conduction system: ECG measures of conduction (PR interval and QRS duration) and incident pacemaker implantation in a large population-based cohort.

Methods

In the UK Biobank, we measured PR interval and QRS duration from signal-averaged ECG waveforms in 59 868 and 62 266 participants, respectively. Incident pacemaker implantation was ascertained using hospital episode data from 420 071 participants. Associations with LTL were evaluated in (Cox) multivariable regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders. Putative causal effects of LTL were investigated by mendelian randomisation (MR).

Results

Mean PR interval and QRS duration were 144.2 ms (± 20.4) and 92.3 ms (± 7.8), respectively, and there were 7169 (1.7%) incident pacemaker implantations, during a median follow-up period of 13.6 (IQR 1.5) years. LTL was significantly associated with PR interval (0.19 ms (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.35), per 1 SD shorter LTL, p=0.021), but not QRS duration. After adjusting for age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors, shorter LTL remained associated with an increased risk for incident pacemaker implantation (HR per SD decrease in LTL: 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.06), p=0.012). MR analysis showed a trend towards an association of shorter LTL with longer PR interval and higher risk of pacemaker implantation but was likely to be underpowered.

Conclusions

Shorter LTL was significantly, and possibly causally, associated with prolongation of atrioventricular conduction and pacemaker implantation, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings support further research to explore the role of ageing on cardiac conduction beyond chronological age.
Flow-diverting stents for the treatment of unruptured distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms: analysis of the CRETA Registry
Authors: Scarcia Luca , Clarençon Frédéric , Dmytriw Adam A , Shotar Eimad , Premat Kevin , Jabbour Pascal , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula I , Gooch Reid , Psychogios Marios-Nikos , Ntoulias Nikolaos , Sporns Peter B , Puri Ajit S , Singh Jasmeet , Kuhn Anna Luisa , Hassan Ameer E , Algin Oktay , Möhlenbruch Markus A , Hohenstatt Sophia , Russo Riccardo , Bergui Mauro , Goren Oded , Kole Matthew J , Bankole Nourou Dine Adeniran , Bibi Richard , Boulouis Gregoire , Morimoto Takeshi , Sakakibara Fumihiro , Pop Raoul , Juravle Ciprian , Ho Joanna WK , Ferrario Angel , Pujol Lereis Virginia , Cooper Jared , Gandhi Chirag D , Salsano Giancarlo , Castellan Lucio , Camilli Arianna , Consoli Arturo , Sgreccia Alessandro , Raz Eytan , Chung Charlotte , Burel Julien , Papagiannaki Chrysanthi , Rasheed Umair , Baqir Hassan Khawaja Muhammad , Hong Tao , Ji Zhe , Rautio Riitta , Sinislao Matias , Ruggiero Maria , Lafe Elvis , Da Ros Valerio , Bellini Luigi , Gabrieli Joseph D , Cester Giacomo , Levitt Michael R , Carroll Kate T , Abecassis Zack A , Caragliano Antonio Armando , Vinci Sergio L , Bellanger Guillaume , Cognard Christophe , Marnat Gaultier , Saleille Lisa , Limbucci Nicola , Capasso Francesco , Piano Mariangela , Rollo Claudia , Guedon Alexis , Arpaia Francesco , Romi Andrea , Di Caterino Fortunato , Biondi Alessandra , Kalsoum Erwah , Mykola Vyval , Guenego Adrien , Patel Aman B , Pereira Vitor M , Pedicelli Alessandro , Alexandre Andrea Maria
Published: December 2024

Background

Data about the safety and the efficacy of flow diversion for distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms are limited. We present the largest multicenter analysis evaluating the outcomes of flow diversion in unruptured DACA aneurysm treatment.

Methods

Databases from 39 centers were retrospectively reviewed for unruptured DACA aneurysms treated with flow-diverting stents. Demographics, clinical presentation, radiographic characteristics, procedural complications, and outcomes were assessed.

Results

A total of 168 patients with 168 unruptured DACA aneurysms were treated between January 2018 and December 2022. One hundred and twenty-five were women (74.4%) and the median age was 61 (IQR 52–67) years. The most common morphology was saccular (91.7%), with branch involvement in 61.9% of cases. Median parent vessel diameter was 1.9 mm (IQR 1.7–2.2) and stents were successfully deployed in 99.4% of cases. In 96.4% a single stent was implanted, while 3.6% of cases required two stents. Median imaging follow-up was 16.5 (IQR 7–24) months. At last follow-up the rate of occlusion (O’Kelly–Marotta scale C or D) was 82.1%. Symptomatic thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications occurred in 5.3% of patients and the mortality rate was 0.6%. The rate of retreatment was 1.2%.

Conclusions

Flow-diverting stents are a reasonably safe and effective treatment option for unruptured DACA aneurysms.
Post-traumatic stress disorder in the Australian Defence Force: estimating prevalence from defence electronic health system records
Authors: Wallace Duncan , Heffernan E , Meurk C , McKay D , Jones C N
Published: December 2024

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the year 2015–2016.

Methods

The electronic health records of serving members of the ADF were screened for the term PTSD over a 12-month period. A 10% sample of these records were examined alongside a randomised matched sample of records. Each record was reviewed by two psychiatrists to verify a diagnosis of PTSD from the file.

Results

The rates of documented PTSD in health records were lower than expected. 802 serving members were identified with clinically diagnosed PTSD during 2015–2016 year, and the prevalence was 0.96%. The rate was higher, 1.33%, when reserve members were excluded. The sample was predominantly of male, non-commissioned officers with the Army having the highest rate of PTSD of the three services.

Conclusions

In this review of a sample of regular and reserve ADF member’s electronic health records, a lower-than-expected prevalence of documented PTSD was found. This finding was of particular interest given findings from previous research that the prevalence of PTSD was likely to be higher. Possible explanations for this finding included the role of stigma in delaying or minimising presentations due to fear of adverse impact on career, possible bias in recording of diagnosis and delayed-onset PTSD.
Shot-noise-induced lower temperature limit of the nonneutral plasma parallel temperature diagnostic
Authors: Zhong Adrianne , Fajans Joel , Wurtele Jonathan S.
Published: December 2024

We develop a new algorithm to estimate the temperature of a nonneutral plasma in a Penning-Malmberg trap. The algorithm analyzes data obtained by slowly lowering a voltage that confines one end of the plasma and collecting escaping charges, and is a maximum likelihood estimator based on a physically-motivated model of the escape protocol presented in (Beck in Measurement of the magnetic and temperature dependence of the electron-electron anisotropic temperature relaxation rate. PhD thesis, 1990). Significantly, our algorithm may be used on single-count data, allowing for improved fits with low numbers of escaping electrons. This is important for low-temperature plasmas such as those used in antihydrogen trapping. We perform a Monte Carlo simulation of our algorithm, and assess its robustness to intrinsic shot noise and external noise. The assumptions in this paper allow for a lower bound for measurable plasma temperatures of approximately $3\,\mathrm{K}$
3

K
for plasmas of length $1\,\mathrm{cm}$
1

cm
, with approximately 100 particle counts needed for an accuracy of $\pm 10 \%$
±
10
%
.
SMALL BUSINESSES DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN THE SPORTS INDUSTRY ECONOMY
Authors: YU ZHIJIANG , WANG FEI
Published: December 2024

Using the ARDL method, this study examines the sustainability of China’s sports industry from 1980 to 2021, focusing on the impact of the number of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The findings show a negative correlation between the number of MSMEs and carbon emissions from sports manufacturing, with a 1% increase in MSMEs leading to a 0.26% and 0.34% reduction in emissions in the short and long term, respectively. The study also finds that increased imports of sports commodities are associated with lower CO2 emissions, highlighting the sustainability benefits of global trade. Conversely, a positive correlation between state spending on sports and CO2 emissions indicates a need for more sustainable investment strategies. Additionally, population growth is linked to higher emissions, underscoring the need for sustainable management practices. The study recommends focusing on supporting MSMEs and startups, adjusting state spending, and utilizing digital technologies to promote a more sustainable sports manufacturing sector in China.
A Metric Differential Privacy Mechanism for Sentence Embeddings
Authors: Bollegala Danushka , Otake Shuichi , Machide Tomoya , Kawarabayashi Ken-ichi
Published: December 2024

Sentence embeddings represent the meaning of a given sentence using a fixed dimensional vector. Different approaches have been proposed in the Natural Language Processing (NLP) community for learning encoders that can produce accurate sentence embeddings that perform well for diverse downstream tasks requiring sentence representations. Despite prior work focusing mainly on creating accurate sentence embeddings, how to keep private the sensitive information contained in the sentences remains an unexplored research problem. In this article, we propose Covering Metric Analytic Gaussian (CMAG), a
covering
metric Differential Privacy (DP) mechanism for sentence embeddings such that minimal random noise is added to a set of sentence embeddings produced by an encoder to protect the private information expressed in those sentences. Given a sentence embedding

s

, CMAG considers the Mahalanobis distance between

s

and the other sentence embeddings

s

’ in the local neighbourhood of

s

to determine the minimal amount of random noise that must be added to

s

to obtain provable metric DP guarantees. Experimental results show that the proposed DP mechanism protects private information better than previously proposed DP mechanisms while reporting good performance in a broad range of downstream NLP tasks.
Domain Ontology-Driven Knowledge Graph Generation from Text
Authors: Meng Zhixin , Zhan Shaoxiong , Xu Ruiqing , Mayer Wolfgang , Zhu Ye , Zhang Hong-Yu , He Chuan , He Keqing , Cheng Debo , Feng Zaiwen
Published: December 2024

A knowledge graph serves as a unified and standardized representation for extracting and representing textual information. In the field of knowledge extraction and representation research, named entity recognition and relation extraction provide effective solutions for knowledge graph generation tasks. However, it is a challenge that lies in extracting domain-specific knowledge from the rich and general textual corpora and generating corresponding domain knowledge graphs to support domain-specific reasoning, question-answering, and decision-making tasks. The hierarchical domain knowledge representation model (i.e. domain ontology) provides a solution for this problem. Therefore, we propose an end-to-end approach based on domain ontology embedding and pre-trained language models for domain knowledge graph generation from text, which incorporates domain node recognition and domain relation extraction phases. We evaluated our domain ontology-driven model on the Wikidata-TekGen dataset and the DBpedia-WebNLG dataset, and the results indicate that our approach based on the pre-trained language models with fewer parameters compared with the baseline models has significantly contributed to the domain knowledge graph generation without prompts.
A Mathematical Model of Suspension Filtration With Formation of a Consolidated Sediment
Authors: Khuzhayorov Bakhtiyor Kh. , Makhmudov Jamol M. , Viswanathan K. K. , Nazarov Otabek U. , Begmatov Tulkin I.
Published: December 2024

A model for suspension filtration in a porous medium is developed with the formation of a consolidating sediment. A system of equations including the equation for determining the pressure and the equations for determining the saturation of the medium by different phases is derived based on various hypothetical considerations and assumptions regarding the mass exchange between phases and the consolidation of the sediment. The model is solved numerically, and the influence of sediment consolidation on the filtration characteristics of the suspension is estimated.
Video Detection and Fusion Tracking for the Targets in Traffic Scenario
Authors: Li Pan , Zhang Jianing , Han Chengxi , Xu Luping , Feng Baoguo , Zhou Yongjun , Zhang Sen , Zhang Bo
Published: December 2024

In smart transportation systems, obtaining timely and accurate information about the location, speed, category, and shape of traffic targets requires more than what a single sensor can offer. This shortfall has prompted increased attention and rapid development of fusion systems centered around radar and video. Radar, while effective at measuring speed, often faces issues such as false tracks, redundant tracks, and low visibility in tracking traffic targets. On the other hand, video provides high visualization but struggles with problems such as target adhesion, low detection confidence, and difficulty in speed measurement. The complementary nature of these technologies underscores the importance of fusion systems in addressing the limitations of individual sensors to improve the accuracy and reliability of smart transportation systems. This paper introduces a fusion tracking method that combines radar and video data for tracking traffic targets. By leveraging the target’s morphological information at various pixel positions, this method supplements the radar data, thereby enhancing the accuracy of data association. The experimental results demonstrate that the association algorithm for optimal data fusion proposed in this paper improves performance by 3.86% and 2.13% compared with the traditional fusion method and the IOU matching fusion, respectively. In addition, it shows greater resilience to complex environments.
On a Notion of Biflatness Related to a Closed Ideal
Authors: Sahami Amir , Ghaderi Eghbal , Aj Mona , Bodaghi Abasalt
Published: December 2024

This study is motivated through the so‐called approximate homology results of Banach algebras arising from their closed ideals. For a Banach algebra , the notion of approximate ‐biflatness is presented, where is a closed ideal of . Moreover, some related results between our concept of homology and the known notions of amenability in the setting of Banach algebras are studied. For a locally compact group G, a necessary and sufficient condition for the measure algebra M(G) to be approximately L1(G)‐biflat is found, where L1(G) is the correspondence group algebra of G. Additionally, some applications of (approximately) ‐biflatness for the Fourier algebras, Lipschitz algebras, and matrix algebras are given. Furthermore, for validation of our concept, some examples for the differences between this new notion and the classical ones are indicated.
Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Induced by a Metal Mixture in Liver Cells With Antioxidant Barrier Decreased
Authors: Valverde M. , Rosales-Cruz P. , Torrejon-Gonzalez E. , Ponce-Ortiz A. , Rodriguez-Sastre M. A. , Rojas E.
Published: December 2024

Occupational exposure to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) affects many sectors, necessitating research to understand their transformation mechanisms. In this study, we characterized the process of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a rat hepatic epithelial cell line with decreased expression of catalase and glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic (GCLC) subunit that was exposed to a mixture of As, Cd, and Pb at equimolar occupational exposure concentrations. We evaluated the expression of genes and proteins involved in EMT. Our findings revealed that cells with a decreased antioxidant barrier showed a decreased expression and abundance of epithelial genes when exposed to a mixture of metals. Additionally, we observed alterations in the expression of transcription factors (TFs) associated with EMT and an increase in the expression and abundance of mesenchymal genes. Specifically, we found that E‐cadherin expression decreased by ~50% at both the gene and protein levels. In contrast, the expression of vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin, and N-cadherin genes increased by ~70%, whereas their corresponding protein levels increased by nearly 100%. Furthermore, the TFs zinc finger e‐box binding homeobox 1 and snail family transcriptional repressor 1 showed a 30% increase in gene expression and an ~80% increase in protein expression. These changes enable the cells to acquire migratory capabilities. Our results confirmed that exposure to this mixture of As, Cd, and Pb can induce EMT in cells with a decreased antioxidant barrier.
Stratified Medicine Pediatrics: Cell-Free DNA and Serial Tumor Sequencing Identifies Subtype-Specific Cancer Evolution and Epigenetic States
Authors: George Sally L. , Lynn Claire , Stankunaite Reda , Hughes Debbie , Sauer Carolin M. , Chalker Jane , Waqar Ahmed Saira , Oostveen Minou , Proszek Paula Z. , Yuan Lina , Shaikh Ridwan , Jamal Sabri , Brew Ama , Tall Jennifer , Rogers Tony , Clifford Steven C. , Vormoor Josef , Shipley Janet M. , Tweddle Deborah A. , Jones Chris , Willis Courtney , Burke G.A. Amos , Vedi Aditi , Howell Lisa , Johnston Robert , Rees Helen , Adams Madeleine , Jesudason Angela , Ronghe Milind , Elliott Martin , Ross Emma , Makin Guy , Campbell-Hewson Quentin , Grundy Richard G. , Turnbull Jennifer , Wilson Shaun , Lee Victoria , Gray Juliet C. , Stoneham Sara , Gatz Susanne A. , Marshall Lynley V. , Angelini Paola , Anderson John , Cresswell George D. , Graham Trevor A. , Al-Lazikani Bissan , Cortés-Ciriano Isidro , Kearns Pamela , Hutchinson J. Ciaran , Hargrave Darren , Jacques Thomas S. , Hubank Michael , Sottoriva Andrea , Chesler Louis
Published: December 2024

We profiled a large heterogeneous cohort of matched diagnostic relapse tumor tissue and paired plasma-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from patients with relapsed and progressive solid tumors of childhood. Tissue and cfDNA sequencing results were concordant, with a wider spectrum of mutant alleles and higher degree of intratumor heterogeneity captured by the latter, if sufficient ctDNA was present. Serial tumor sequencing identified putative drivers of relapse, with alterations in epigenetic drivers being a common feature. In keeping with epigenetic alterations being a common driver of many childhood cancers, fragmentomic analysis of cfDNA identified tumor-specific epigenetic states and transcription factor binding sites accessible in chromatin. This study leverages a large and well-annotated genomic dataset of aggressive childhood malignancies, identifies genomic and epigenetic drivers of childhood cancer relapse, and highlights the power and practicality of cfDNA analysis to capture both intratumoral heterogeneity and the epigenetic state of cancer cells.

Significance:

In tumors of childhood, we identify mutations in epigenetic genes as drivers of relapse, with matched cfDNA sequencing showing significant intratumor genetic heterogeneity and cell-state specific patterns of chromatin accessibility. This highlights the power of cfDNA analysis to identify both genetic and epigenetic drivers of aggressive disease in pediatric cancers.
First historical checklist of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from Morocco, between 1840–2024
Authors: BENHALIMA SOUÂD , BOSMANS ROBERT
Published: December 2024

The checklist of Spiders (Araneae) of Morocco is presented for the first time, based on about two centuries of arid research (between 1840 and 2024), including an extensisve bibliographic study. This updated list includes a total of 549 species belonging to 225 genera and 46 families. A bibliographic review, as complete as possible, was compiled which to date includes 172 references, providing a database available for the first time and accessible for any future research on Moroccan spiders. This work is also the first step towards a catalog and an Atlas of this group of arachnids, which is currently being compiled and is the first of its kind in Morocco and even North Africa.
Aeschnosoma yelenae sp. nov. from French Guiana (Odonata: Corduliidae), with notes on its phylogenetic affinities and bionomics
Authors: FLECK GÜNTHER , MÉZIÈRE NICOLAS
Published: December 2024

Aeschnosoma yelenae sp. nov., based on a single male specimen, is described from lowland coastal forest (Sinnamary) in French Guiana. This species belongs to the auripennis-group and seems to be closely related to Aeschnosoma heliophila Fleck known from a single watershed in a Brazilian elevated plateau in western Bahia State (part of Cerrado) impacted heavily by agro-industrial activities. The shape of the anal appendages, especially the distal fifth of the cerci being bent at a right angle in dorsal view, is the most convenient structural character to separate this species from its congeners. Like A. heliophila, the new species flies in sunshine several metres above the ground in clearings dotted with shrubs surrounded or bordered by a dense formation of taller trees.
Entrainment, Detrainment, and Dilution of Dry and Moist Atmospheric Thermals
Authors: Morrison Hugh
Published: December 2024

This study examines the entrainment, detrainment, and dilution of dry and moist (cloud) atmospheric thermals in large-eddy simulations. In a neutrally stable environment (with respect to dry dynamics), moist thermals have an increase in radius R with thermal height zt (α ≡ dR/dzt) about 4 times smaller compared to dry thermals when density stratification is considered and ∼2.4 times smaller without density stratification (i.e., applying the Boussinesq approximation). An analytic expression relating α to several dimensionless parameters is derived from the thermal impulse–circulation relation to clarify the factors impacting α. This expression shows that the difference in buoyancy structure between moist and dry thermals, with buoyancy concentrated in the central cores of moist thermals owing to latent heating, explains their smaller spreading rates. Individual contributions of entrainment and detrainment are analyzed using a direct parcel-based approach in the simulations. Moist thermals have similar fractional detrainment but much smaller fractional entrainment rates compared to dry thermals, consistent with the differences in α. Despite having smaller α, moist thermals are similarly dilute (quantified by a passive tracer) as dry thermals because of their greater mixing efficiency with the environment. Thus, moist thermals are substantially dilute but expand much less in size/volume as they rise compared to dry thermals. The α values for moist thermals in (dry) neutral and statically stable environments are similar, but fractional entrainment and especially detrainment rates are greater in the stable environment. Large detrainment rates are associated with a breakdown of the broader thermal vortex ring structure, especially with low environmental relative humidity, attributed in part to evaporation and buoyancy reversal.

Significance Statement

Thermals—blobs of rising buoyant air—are nearly ubiquitous in cumulus clouds. However, the mechanisms by which cloud thermals mix with surrounding air and spread outward as they incorporate (entrain) this air are uncertain. Many past studies have examined dry thermals as a proxy for understanding cloud thermals. Using a numerical model, the current study shows that cloud thermals spread roughly 2–4 times less than dry thermals but have a higher mixing efficiency. As a result, cloud thermals are similarly diluted by environmental air as dry thermals despite having a smaller spreading rate. This is important because dilution generally reduces the buoyancy of cloud thermals, helping to determine how fast and how far clouds as a whole rise.
Stigmatization by an Authoritarian Government: Russian NGOs Under the 2012 Foreign Agents Law
Authors: Zavyalova Anastasiya
Published: December 2024

Most organizational stigma research focuses on preexisting stigma, leaving largely unexplored the question of how the stigmatization process unfolds. The few studies on the stigmatization of organizations have not explored the dynamics between the stigmatizer and the stigmatized or the role of the government. I address these voids by explicating the process of top-down stigmatization of Russian NGOs after the passage of the 2012 foreign agents law. Through an inductive approach relying on archival data, online sources, and interviews, I uncover an authoritarian government’s deliberate stigmatization of select NGOs by assigning to them the resurrected historical label of “foreign agent.” I present a three-phase process model of stigmatization: stigmatizing label emergence, stigma enforcement and contestation, and stigma propagation. I also detail the iterative manner through which the government used burdening, isolating, and intimidating enforcement tactics and how the stigmatized organizations devised coping strategies: persist, adjust, dispute, and evade. The outcomes of the process were the broadening of the scope of targets and criteria for stigmatization and the NGOs’ destabilized existence. I highlight the critical roles of power imbalance, limited action by international authorities, and lagged media attention. I conclude by discussing how these findings may generalize beyond authoritarian regimes.
What, When, and Why: Viscoelastic Hemostatic Assays and Their Uses in Trauma Resuscitation
Authors: Burkhart Jennaye G. , Smith Ross P. , Hill Terra M. , Winfield Robert D.
Published: December 2024

Viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHAs) have become a valuable tool in guiding transfusion therapy, particularly in trauma care. While various forms of VHA exist, all provide a quantitative assessment of clot kinetics, strength, and dissolution. Studies have demonstrated that VHA can reduce both mortality and utilization of blood products in the general population. Interpreting VHA results requires consideration of specific patient factors, such as age and altered physiological properties as in pregnancy and the process of aging. Further research is needed to establish accurate reference ranges for these specific populations. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the technical aspects of VHA as well as their clinical uses in trauma resuscitation.
Integrated Optics Waveguides and Mesoporous Oxides for the Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compound Traces in the Mid-Infrared
Authors: Frank Felix , Baumgartner Bettina , Verstuyft Mattias , Teigell Beneitez Nuria , Missinne Jeroen , Van Thourhout Dries , Roelkens Gunther , Lendl Bernhard
Published: December 2024

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an ever-growing hazard for health and environment due to their increased emissions and accumulation in the air. Quantum cascade laser-based infrared (QCL-IR) sensors hold significant promise for gas monitoring, thanks to their compact, rugged design, high laser intensity, and high molecule–specific detection capabilities within the mid-infrared spectrum's fingerprint region. In this work, tunable external cavity QCLs were complemented by an innovative germanium-on-silicon integrated optics waveguide sensing platform with integrated microlenses for efficient backside optical interfacing for the tunable laser spectrometer. The waveguide chip was coated with a mesoporous silica coating, thereby increasing the signal by adsorptive enhancement of VOCs while at the same time limiting water vapor interferences. Different least square fitting methods were explored to deconvolute the resulting spectra, showing subparts-per-million by volume (sub-ppmv) limits of detection and enrichment factors of up to 22 000 while keeping the footprint of the setup small (29 × 23 × 11 cm³). Finally, a use-case simulation for the continuous detection of VOCs in a process analytical technology environment confirmed the high potential of the technique for the monitoring of contaminants. By successfully demonstrating the use of photonic waveguides for the monitoring of VOCs, this work offers a promising avenue for the further development of fully integrated sensors on a chip.
The Extraordinary Effect of Religious Sect Endorsements on Vote Choice: Evidence From Iglesia ni Cristo’s “Vote as One” Teaching
Authors: Ravanilla Nico
Published: December 2024

Sects and strict denominations are growing more rapidly and retaining members better than mainstream religions. To what extent do they influence vote choice? I investigate whether the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), a religious sect in the Philippines, can compel all members to “vote as one” and support a full ticket of endorsed candidates. Using a triple difference identification strategy, I show that the municipal-level vote-shares of INC-endorsed national candidates are unit elastic with respect to the share of INC voters across municipalities. Conventional low-information rationality models of voting cannot fully explain this. But augmented with social voting in which actions of other group members inform the objective function of voters, a voting model with religious sect endorsements can produce extremely large behavioral responses. These findings have implications on policy as well as on our understanding of strict religions’ influence on politics.
Getting the Facts Straight: A Survey Experiment of Crime and Immigration Attitudes
Authors: Puddy Haley N. , Burton Alexander L. , Jonson Cheryl Lero
Published: December 2024

Immigration is at the forefront of the nation’s public policy agenda. Despite research finding the contrary, a primary concern held by some Americans is that immigration increases crime in the United States. The current study embeds an information experiment in a survey of 430 U.S. adults to assess whether fact-based information on the immigration-crime relationship influences attitudes toward immigration and its effect on crime. Results reveal that the presentation of fact-based information reduced negative perceptions toward the immigration-crime relationship only when participants were exposed to the information for 10 seconds or longer. Additionally, geographical, political, and emotional factors shaped attitudes. Policy implications are discussed.
Lipid-Lowering Therapy Associated Erectile Dysfunction and Testicular Pain: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Mahadevappa Manjappa , Hussain Sakeer , Dharwadkhar Sachin , Madapat Kevin Jose
Published: December 2024

Lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) includes a diverse group of pharmaceuticals designed to reduce blood levels of cholesterol and triglyceride (TG), helping to prevent cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction and stroke. LLT includes treatment with several lipid-lowering drugs (LLD), including hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statin), PCSK9 Inhibitors, cholesterol-absorbing inhibitors (Ezetimibe), Bile Acid Sequestrants, Fibrates, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Bempedoic Acid, and combination therapy. The efficacy and safety of these molecules vary widely. Statins are the first-line LLD for treating hypercholesterolemia and are widely used for cardiovascular disease prevention. Common side effects include muscle-related issues such as myalgia, muscle atrophy, and, rarely, rhabdomyolysis. However, adverse effects on male reproductive health are infrequent and often underreported. Other medication classes employed in LLT mostly share many of the ADRs seen with statins, although individual classes may have unique ADRs depending on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Here, we are reporting a unique case of a 50-year-old male patient with no prior history of sexual dysfunction or testicular issues and other comorbidities or habits, who developed loss of libido, erectile dysfunction (ED) and testicular pain with most of the LLD, which promptly resolved on discontinuation of the LLT. This case highlights the importance of considering potential reproductive side effects when prescribing LLT and monitoring male patients for symptoms of sexual dysfunction.