bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current research and challenges in modelling wear, friction, and noise in mechanical contacts
Authors: Kalifa Mohamed , Starr Andrew , Khan Muhammad
Published: January 2025

In recent years, the investigation of friction noise which using to predict the wear has gained increasing attention within the field of tribology. In a wide variety of industries, the wear of mechanical components is a matter of major concern, as it directly affects the working life of machinery and equipment such as brake systems and high-speed running machines. Numerous earlier studies, using mathematical, analytical, and finite element methods (FEM), have proposed various hypotheses concerning contact dynamics and friction surface characteristics with the goal of modeling the contact mechanisms. Modelling mechanical contact with rough surfaces poses significant challenges. This study emphasizes the need for advanced modelling techniques by revealing the limitations of existing models in accurately predicting wear, friction, and frictional noise. The analysis highlights the importance of linking friction, wear, and noise in both dry and lubricated conditions, and underscores the necessity of addressing current gaps to develop more precise wear prediction methods based on noise generation in industrial applications. This paper is to review prominent existing models, exploring their approaches to noise generation from friction and its subsequent effect on surface wear. The paper aims to identify key limitations and challenges in accurately modelling these interdependencies. While previous research has often focused on wear caused by friction between surfaces, there is a notable gap in understanding the relationships between frictional noise, friction coefficient, surface roughness, and wear under sliding contact. Current models still face limitations, such as the influence of lubricants.
Principled and pragmatic: reconciling competing arguments for ICC attention
Authors: Hultman Lisa , Liyanage Hasini Ransala , Wieselgren Herman
Published: January 2025

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was founded to end impunity for war crimes, such as violence against civilians, but its legitimacy as an impartial institution is often questioned. Previous research has suggested that even though the ICC gets involved in the worst atrocities, investigations and prosecutions are influenced by political interests. We show that member state interests are critical already at the selection stage of initiating preliminary examinations. We theorize that incentives and drivers of ICC involvement move through two pathways. On the one hand, the Prosecutor seeks to maintain public legitimacy through performance; it does so by getting involved in the worst situations and thereby meeting the expectations on the Court as outlined in the Rome Statute. On the other hand, states can refer situations to the ICC as a way of managing their own domestic military challengers; the Prosecutor seeks to maintain cooperation from member states by examining such situations, even if the crimes are less severe. These pathways to examinations matter because state-referrals are more likely to move to investigations. We examine this argument through a global analysis, covering the period 2002–2019, using a multinomial regression model for the two pathways. Our findings support these claims. We also provide additional qualitative descriptions of how domestic challenges have clearly preceded self-referrals by governments in all cases but one. By differentiating the two pathways, we accommodate conflicting claims about the politicization of ICC involvement versus attention to the most severe situations.
Is lipedema a progressive disease?
Authors: Forner-Cordero Isabel , Muñoz-Langa José
Published: January 2025

Background:

It is not yet known whether lipedema is a progressive chronic disease or not. The aim of this paper is to describe the long-term changes in the volume of the lower limbs.

Methods:

The primary endpoint of this prospective cohort study of patients with lipedema was the percentage of volume change (PVC) during follow up. Progression was defined as when the PVC was > 10% from the baseline, whereas improvement was defined as when the PVC was < –10%, and stability as PVC −10% to 10%.

Results:

A cohort of 100 patients with lipedema were included in the study. The average follow-up period from the start of this study was 4.6 years. The average PVC was 2.8%. Stability was observed in 62% of the patients, progression in 28%, and improvement in 10%. In the univariate analysis, a significant positive association was observed between PVC and both BMI-change and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)-change. The more the BMI increased, the more the lipedema progressed ( p < 0.0001), as did the WHtR ( p < 0.0001). In the adjusted regression analysis, age was not seen to be an influencing factor for PVC. Regarding maintenance therapies, no associations were observed.

Conclusion:

Lipedema was seen to be stable in two-thirds of the patients. Age was not related to progression. Progression was related to WHtR increase, which is an indicator of abdominal fat gain. This demonstrates the relationship between fat gain and lipedema progression.
Why classroom climate matters: Exploring Japanese university students’ motivational regulation within a classroom ecology
Authors: Nakata Yoshiyuki , Gao Xuesong (Andy)
Published: January 2025

This article reports on a study that explored Japanese university students’ evolving motivational regulation by mapping its changes over one year of their studies in a collaborative project-based learning environment. An autonomy-supportive collaborative intervention was delivered to the 19 participants with varying or no experience of communicative language teaching and study abroad. Our cluster-based analysis of multiple questionnaire responses revealed increased motivation among the participants. Three learners were selected to represent each clustering group based on the unique characteristics of their motivational trajectories over the year, which reflect the mediating impacts of their previous language learning experiences and their learning experience during the pedagogical intervention. The findings indicate that language teachers can enhance learners’ ‘motivational regulation’ by creating a supportive learning environment in the classroom.
Potential role of formononetin as a novel natural agent in Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis comorbidity
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Liang Qiaoyi , Lin Zhaoqiu , Li Hongyang , Chen Xin , Zou Zhenyou , Mo Jingxin
Published: January 2025

Background

The growing aging population has led to an increase in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and osteoporosis (OP), both of which significantly impair quality of life. The comorbid nature of these conditions suggests a shared genetic etiology, the understanding of which is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Objective

This study aims to explore the shared genetic etiology underlying AD and OP, using a system biology approach to identify potential therapeutic targets and natural compounds for treatment.

Methods

We employed Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) with molecular docking strategies to uncover the genetic links between AD and OP. MT2A and CACNA1C were identified as key pleiotropic hub genes potentially linking AD and OP. Molecular docking was utilized to screen for compounds with therapeutic potential, leading to the identification of formononetin as a compound with significant binding affinity to these hub genes. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validation was conducted to confirm the gene expression changes in disease models.

Results

Our study indicate that formononetin exhibits strong binding affinity to the identified hub genes, MT2A and CACNA1C. qRT-PCR validation confirmed the upregulation of these genes in disease models, which was mitigated upon treatment with formononetin, suggesting a reversal of disease markers.

Conclusions

This study advances our understanding of the genetic intersections between AD and OP and positions formononetin as a promising natural agent for further translational research. Formononetin's multi-target potential makes it a valuable candidate for managing these comorbid conditions, meriting further investigation and development as a therapeutic strategy.
Presentation suitability and readability of ChatGPT’s medical responses to patient questions about on knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Yoo Myungeun , Jang Chan Woong
Published: January 2025

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the presentation suitability and readability of ChatGPT’s responses to common patient questions, as well as its potential to enhance readability. Methods: We initially analyzed 30 ChatGPT responses related to knee osteoarthritis (OA) on March 20, 2023, using readability and presentation suitability metrics. Subsequently, we assessed the impact of detailed and simplified instructions provided to ChatGPT for same responses, focusing on readability improvement. Results: The readability scores for responses related to knee OA significantly exceeded the recommended sixth-grade reading level ( p < .001). While the presentation of information was rated as “adequate,” the content lacked high-quality, reliable details. After the intervention, readability improved slightly for responses related to knee OA; however, there was no significant difference in readability between the groups receiving detailed versus simplified instructions. Conclusions: Although ChatGPT provides informative responses, they are often difficult to read and lack sufficient quality. Current capabilities do not effectively simplify medical information for the general public. Technological advancements are needed to improve user-friendliness and practical utility.
Teachers’ use of reported habitual thoughts in research interviews
Authors: Davidson Christina , Edwards-Groves Christine
Published: January 2025

Use of reported thoughts in research interviews has rarely been examined although research interviews are a major source of data in qualitative research. This paper considers a conversation analytic examination of reported habitual thoughts, produced by twelve teachers during research interviews addressing their participation in a three-year action research study. Data are drawn from a collection of 137 reported thoughts and analysis establishes ways that habitual thoughts were used during interviews to report thought produced repetitively over time, rather than a thought produced on just one occasion. Habitual thoughts exhibited features identified with reported thoughts in other interactional environments but appeared particularly responsive to the local context produced through interviewer-interviewee interaction about the longitudinal research study that had required teachers to reflect on their established classroom practices and make changes to them.
Steady and dynamic load measurements over a generic submarine hull form with various appendage configurations
Authors: Khan Mohammed Kareem , Nagarajan Vishwanath , Sha Om Prakash
Published: January 2025

Experimental studies for the steady and dynamic loads over a generic submarine hull form ( SUBOFF) with various appendage configurations in submerged motion was investigated through scaled model tests in the High Speed Towing Tank facility at Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, India. Steady load measurements were performed for a range of angles of incidence in angle of attack (± 35°) and drift (0° to 35°) including control surface deflections (± 20°). Measurements for dynamic loads were performed in both vertical and horizontal plane of motion for oscillating frequencies ranging from 0.21 to 0.55 Hz. The studies were carried out for four different configurations of SUBOFF comprising of bare hull, bare hull with sail, bare hull with control fins and fully appended hull. The aim of the present study for the load measurements is to gather steady and dynamic force/moment data, estimate hydrodynamic coefficients, validate and extend such data over a wide range of operation scenarios experienced by a submarine including high angle of incidence. The particulars of the SUBOFF model, experimental facility and measurement technique, test results for load measurements and estimated hydrodynamic coefficients are highlighted in the paper. The measurements data generated from the above studies will greatly complement the current research on hydrodynamic load characteristics for submerged bodies both computationally and experimentally.
Unveiling Political (Dis)trust Building across Different Life Stages: A Focus Group Analysis on Trust and Distrust to COVID-Related Restrictions in Italy
Authors: Marangoni Francesco , Padoan Enrico
Published: January 2025

Why did citizens trust (or not trust) political actors making binding decisions? How did levels of trust vary with age, and why? This article addresses these questions by examining the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy as a natural experiment. Drawing on focus groups from different age cohorts and conducting a qualitative thematic analysis, we aim to determine whether and how citizens’ appraisals—and, crucially, their justifications—vary across age groups, with particular focus on youth perspectives. Our findings suggest that younger citizens based their assessments on the perceived governmental “responsibility,” whereas older citizens evaluated it on the basis of the government’s perceived “rationality.”
Exploring the Resilience, Strengths, Coping Strategies, and Cultural Influences in African Families Impacted by Intimate Partner Violence: A Scoping Review
Authors: Akinbode Tanitoluwa D. , Carter Maya L.
Published: January 2025

Efforts to ascertain the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Africa have been ongoing, but comparatively, scant attention has been directed toward investigating the coping strategies utilized by families affected by IPV as well as the cultural dynamics that influence their actions. This scoping review examines the literature on the coping strategies and cultural influences that affect families experiencing IPV in Africa. Using the methodology outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, we conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, identifying 35 articles conducted across 10 African countries that met our inclusion criteria. Studies were selected based on their focus on IPV survivors in Africa and their attention to coping strategies, strengths, and cultural influences. In line with the four-factor model of coping strategies by Ayers et al., our review highlights active coping (problem-solving behaviors and cognitive restructuring), avoidance coping (minimizing or ignoring stressors), distraction coping (diverting attention through emotional release or activities) and seeking social support among African IPV families. In addition, culturally based coping mechanisms, including silence, placating behaviors, and leveraging religious and community support, were also identified. These findings underscore the complex interplay of individual, cultural, and contextual factors influencing coping strategies in the context of IPV in African families.
Integrating Culture Into Care: Leveraging Community Engagement to Address Anxiety in a Rural Community
Authors: Killough Cynthia M. , Runyan Joyce , Bishop Brenda , Sedillo Donna , Benally Randall , Brakey Heidi Rishel
Published: January 2025

We share insights from a community engagement studio aimed at addressing anxiety in Quay County, a remote rural area in New Mexico. The studio involved eight local experts representing various sectors, including health care, education, and faith-based organizations. These experts identified key insights surrounding anxiety, including its causes, community perceptions of mental health services, and strategies for addressing anxiety within the community. Contributions included a rubber band metaphor to describe lingering anxiety, the role of societal pressures (particularly for men), and the impact of physical activity and infrastructure on mental well-being. The studio also highlighted the importance of integrating faith-based support and promoting community pride as a mental health intervention. Our insights underscore the value of community engagement in understanding and addressing mental health challenges in rural settings.
Multilevel Mentorship Prepares Youth for the Oncology Workforce in Appalachian Kentucky
Authors: Bardhan Roshmita , Rose Lauren Hudson , Burke Holly , Vanderford Nathan L.
Published: January 2025

Kentucky faces the highest age-adjusted overall cancer incidence rates and the second highest overall cancer mortality rates in the United States, with the eastern Appalachian Region of the state contributing significantly to this burden. As one of 57 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country, the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center is Kentucky’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. This designation is important for receiving the support necessary to fund programs that can further the cancer research, education, and community outreach opportunities for Kentuckians. The Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology program, created in 2016, offers cancer research, clinical, outreach, and educational experiences to Appalachian Kentucky high school students and undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Kentucky. The program creates multiple levels of mentorship designed to enrich students’ interest in pursuing a cancer-related career. Mentorship partners include cancer researchers, clinicians, workshop presenters, community members, program staff, and program peers. The program has demonstrated significant success, including a high matriculation rate, numerous student-authored publications, and influential community engagement initiatives. Implications for practice include the potential to implement similar programs for other populations around the country, thus furthering knowledge and fostering passion in underrepresented groups.
The Punitive Public? Exploring the Opinion-Election Connection in Criminal Justice Policy
Authors: Krishnamurthy Arvind , Bram Curtis , Nathan Charles
Published: January 2025

A long-standing line of research attributes criminal legal policy outcomes in America to policy attitudes held by the public. For these scholars, one possible mechanism driving this relationship is a punitive public electing punitive politicians. This article presents new evidence demonstrating that citizens’ criminal legal policy attitudes do not directly translate into their electoral choices. We use three conjoint experiments to demonstrate this disjunction. Our first two experiments demonstrate agreement about which classes of offenders are more deserving of release. This agreement generally holds for Democrats, Republicans, and respondents at all levels of racial resentment. However, when respondents were asked to choose between hypothetical legislative candidates promising to release these same classes of offenders, the consensus breaks down. In a hypothetical electoral context, partisan and racial resentment-based divisions intensify. These findings suggest that the translation between criminal legal policy attitudes and electoral preferences is not straightforward.
Vibration mechanism study based on coupled dynamic model for TBM main drive system
Authors: Xu Wenjun , Wu Hanyang , Huo Junzhou , Wang Dongyun
Published: January 2025

Tunnel boring machine (TBM) is seriously damaged during tunneling due to excessive vibration. Insufficient research on the TBM vibration mechanism has led to low accuracy in the calculation of the dynamic response of the TBM main drive system under uncertain load. In this paper, multi-degree-of-freedom coupled dynamics model of the main drive system containing the cutterhead, gear drive, shield, and propulsion system was established, taking bearing and drive gear nonlinear contact forces, uncertain load into account. A multi-position vibration test was carried out based on practical engineering. The vibration mechanism and vibration transmission law along the main structure are studied. The results show that the frequency response of the cutterhead presented a wide frequency domain bandwidth. The main frequency band of support shell is concentrated at 18–20 Hz, which is mainly caused by the excitation of the first three-order natural frequencies of the system under the action of the system’s broadband external excitation load. At the same time, it is found that the coupled vibration of radial overturning vibration and lateral translation vibration is easy to appear in the actual system vibration. The influence of the main mass and stiffness parameters of the system on the various modes of the system is analyzed. The overturning vibration of the shield body has a significant “amplification effect,” and its amplitude reaches 123.60% and 118.99% of the cutterhead, respectively. This study provides a basis for the system’s dynamic design and evaluation of the TBM performance in tunnel construction.
Study on the flow field and structural stress field of the primary retarder considering the throttling characteristics of the valve
Authors: Zhou Huanhui , Ran Zilin , Dai Hu , Yang Weida , Chen Xianwei
Published: January 2025

The valve plays an important role in the control of the filling rate ( qfill) and braking characteristics of the hydrodynamic retarder (HR). However, the dynamic throttling characteristics of the valve were rarely considered in previous studies. Therefore, this paper considers the influence of the external valve system (retarder valve) of HR on its flow field, structural field and braking characteristics. Firstly, numerical calculation and experimental verification are carried out on the flow passage model without inlet and outlet (Plan A), with inlet and outlet (Plan B) and with retarder valve (Plan C). After considering the throttling characteristics of the retarder valve, the maximum errors of the impeller rotational speed ( n), qfill and braking torque ( T) characteristic curves are 2.678% and 3.517%, respectively, and the average errors are 4.526% and 5.012%, respectively. Compared with the other two schemes, the average error and maximum error of HR have been greatly reduced. Then, this paper compares the differences between the three schemes from the perspective of flow field and structural field, and expounds the influence of retarder valve on the numerical calculation results of retarder from the internal mechanism. Finally, this paper discusses the influence of n, qfill and retarder valve opening on the calculation results of Scheme C. The results show that the opening of the valve port will seriously affect the flow rate at the inlet of HR, and the flow rate in the retarder valve will have a hysteresis effect on the circulation flow in the mainstream region of HR. The research method of this paper can provide reference for the numerical study of turbomachinery.
Shame is Personal, Not Ontological
Authors: Shield Madeleine
Published: January 2025

Ontological accounts of shame claim that the emotion has to do with our basic human vulnerability: on this view, one is ashamed over having had this vulnerability exposed before others. Against this view, I argue that it is not our vulnerable dependency on others itself which causes us to feel ashamed, but our rejection in the face of such vulnerability. Shame is not the result of simply being looked at, then, but being looked at and not being seen. In this sense, the shame we do feel over being vulnerable before, and dependent on, others is not a necessary part of human relations, but a sign that something has gone wrong within them; it is personal, not ontological.
Appendicitis
Authors: Hemingway Claire
Published: January 2025

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies. Patients often present with migratory abdominal pain. The initial pain is typically vague, central abdominal pain later localising to the right lower quadrant. Timely diagnosis and referral to secondary care is a key process in its management, particularly in patient groups presenting atypically, notably children, pregnant women and elderly patients. Clinicians in primary care can use observations, urinalysis and clinical risk scores to help guide decision making.
Optokinetic After-Nystagmus: A Marker for Migraine? A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Kassin-Dufresne Mikaël , Charest Bossé Marie-Catherine , Aron Margaret
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Vestibular migraine (VM), particularly its chronic variant, poses a diagnostic challenge. Patients suffering from VM may not have the characteristic headaches associated with the dizziness. In these cases, a marker for migraine pathology in general could help appropriately diagnose certain types of dizziness as migrainous despite these patients not meeting current diagnostic criteria for VM. Migraine patients in general (headache and vestibular) are known to share a tendency toward intolerance of certain stimuli, including busy visual stimuli. True optokinetic stimulation, measured by the production of optokinetic after-nystagmus (OKAN) simulates these busy visual stimuli.

Methods

Prospective observational study comparing response to optokinetic stimulation between migraine patients and controls. Questionnaires regarding general sensitivities to busy visual stimuli were completed prior to beginning the study. Both subjective and objective markers of stress were measured before and after exposure to the stimulus. Initial slow-phase velocity, slow cumulative eye position, and adjusted time constant of OKAN were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

The groups differed only with regard to sensitivity to blinking lights and history of motion sickness on initial questionnaire. Regarding subjective symptoms of discomfort, migraine patients tended to report higher scores than controls both before and after testing, but there was no significant difference from before to after stimulus in each group’s scores. There were no statistically-significant differences between initial slow-phase velocity, slow cumulative eye position, and adjusted time constant of OKAN between groups.

Conclusions

In this study, OKAN measurements were not useful in differentiating migraine patients at large from control subjects. We hypothesize that there may be a distinct subgroup of migraine patients that are more sensitive to visually-disturbing situations that may differ from other migraine sufferers. Future studies will aim to identify such patients and compare them to controls.
Disturbances in Body-Based Mental and Motor Imagery in Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa – A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies
Authors: Naraindas Akansha M. , Cooney Sarah M.
Published: January 2025

Imagining one’s body is crucial for how we perceive our appearance (i.e. imagining how we might appear to others), for imagining movement (motor imagery), navigation, and self-recognition. Mental body representations can be categorized into a perceptual component, known as the body image, and an action-related component, referred to as the body schema. A disturbed body image, involving altered perceptions and attitudes towards appearance, is a diagnostic feature of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). The review identifies experimental paradigms used to measure body-based mental and motor imagery in individuals with AN and BN, investigating body representation beyond perceptual size and shape distortions compared to healthy controls. Three databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, and Embase) were searched, and 19 articles were included. Four characteristics of mental imagery were found to be distorted in individuals with AN and BN: body-scaling, imagined action, mental rotation, and spatial reference frame processing. Fourteen tasks were identified to assess these distortions in body-based mental imagery. This review highlights that altered body representations in AN and BN extend beyond conscious size and shape perceptions to include unconscious representations for movement and action planning. Future research should examine how body-based mental imagery sustains psychopathology in AN and BN.
Dias-Logan syndrome with a de novo p.Leu360Profs*212 heterozygous pathogenic variant of BCL11A in a Chinese patient: A case report
Authors: Shu Yizhuo , Chen Xiaoling , Wei Zhuoqun , Chen Chunyue
Published: January 2025

Dias-Logan syndrome, also known as intellectual developmental disorder with persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), or BCL11A-related intellectual developmental disorder, is an extremely rare neurogenetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability (ID), delayed psychomotor development, variable dysmorphic features, and asymptomatic persistence of fetal hemoglobin. The prevalence and incidence of this condition are currently unknown. We report an 8-year-old Han Chinese male patient with Dias-Logan syndrome who carries a de novo heterozygous pathogenic variant, c.1078dupC (p.Leu360Profs*212), in the BCL11A gene, leading to ID and γ-globin suppression, identified through trio-based whole exome sequencing (trio-WES). All his blood parameters were normal except for an elevated HbF level, which was 19.9% of total hemoglobin. Given the negative family history for ID, epilepsy, and alcohol consumption, de novo inheritance was presumed. Consequently, trio-WES analysis (parents and child) was conducted as it can identify potential new causal variants in the offspring. So far, a comprehensive understanding of the phenotypic spectrum of Dias-Logan syndrome and the impact of genotypic variation on disease severity is still lacking. Therefore, our case report enriches the existing literature on the clinical spectrum and genotype–phenotype correlations of BCL11A-related syndrome and provides some helpful information for diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling.
Unveiling the mystery of hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma: A unique case report with literature review
Authors: Teng Da , Xu Yue , Meng Qingtao , Yang Qingsong
Published: January 2025

Hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma is a rare mesenchymal liver tumor within the perivascular epithelioid cell tumor family, known for its uncertain malignancy and potential for aggressive behavior. Clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and imaging results lack specificity, making pathological examination critical for definitive diagnosis. This case report presents a 61-year-old male patient with a single tumor in the right liver lobe, measuring approximately 101 mm × 99 mm. Initial imaging misdiagnosed the mass as hepatocellular carcinoma. Following multidisciplinary treatment discussions and subsequent tumor resection, histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma. Accurate diagnosis of hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma is challenging, relying on histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry as diagnostic standards. Continuous monitoring of patients with hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma over an extended period is deemed essential. This report highlights the positive impact of multidisciplinary treatment in diagnosing and managing hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma.
Chord Types and Figuration: A Bayesian Learning Model of Extended Chord Profiles
Authors: Finkensiep Christoph , Ericson Petter , Klassmann Sebasian , Rohrmeier Martin
Published: January 2025

Making sense of a musical excerpt is an acquired skill that depends on previous musical experience. Having acquired familiarity with different types of chords, a listener can distinguish tones in a musical texture that outline these chords (i.e., chord tones) from ornamental tones such as neighbor or passing notes that elaborate the chord tones. However, music-theoretical definitions of chord types usually only mention chord tones, excluding typical figurations. The aim of this project is to investigate (i) how knowledge about (chord-specific) figurations can be incorporated into characterizations of chord types and (ii) how these characterizations can be acquired by the listener. To this end, we develop a computational model of chord types that distinguishes chord tones and “figuration tones” and can be learned using Bayesian inference following methods in computational cognitive science. This model is trained on two datasets using Bayesian variational inference, comprising scores of Western classical and popular music, respectively, and containing harmonic annotations as well as heuristically determined note-type labels. We find that the proposed characterization of chords is indeed learnable and the specific inferred profiles match previous music-theoretic accounts. In addition, we can observe patterns in the use of figuration, such as the distribution of figuration tones being related to the diatonic contexts in which chords appear and chord types differing in their predisposition to generate non-chord tones. Moreover, the differences in figuration distributions between the two corpora indicate style-specific peculiarities in the role and usage of figurations. The different patterns of typical figuration tones for specific chord types indicate that harmony and figuration are not independent.
Clinical Outcomes of Isolated ACL Reconstruction Versus Combined ACL and ALL Reconstruction With Indication Guided by Intraoperative Ultrasound: A Propensity Score–Matched Study of 260 Patients With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up
Authors: Ripoll Thomas , Vieira Thais Dutra , Saoudi Samy , Marris Victor , Nicolle Romain , Noguero Antoine , Marot Vincent , Berard Emilie , Cavaignac Etienne
Published: January 2025

Background:

Additional anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction has been associated with improved clinical outcomes and reduced failure rates in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Despite the excellent clinical results reported, there is still a heated debate about its indications. Currently, the indications are mainly based on the patient’s clinical criteria and not the imaging diagnosis of the injury of this ligament.

Purpose:

To compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing isolated ACL reconstruction and combined ACL and ALL reconstruction conditioned to intraoperative ultrasound-guided diagnosis of the ALL lesion.

Study design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed. Patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction between January 2017 and January 2022 were included. Patients were excluded if they had a previous history of ipsilateral knee surgery or if they underwent other concomitant procedures, including multiligament reconstruction surgery or osteotomy. The decision to perform an ALL reconstruction in addition to isolated ACL reconstruction was based on ultrasound diagnosis of this lesion. At the end of the study period, further knee injury and any other reoperations or complications were recorded and compared between patients who had isolated ACL reconstruction (no-ALLR group) and combined ACL and ALL. Propensity score matching was performed between groups. A multivariable analysis using the penalized Cox model was performed to explore the relationship between the graft rupture, surgical procedure type, and potential explanatory variables.

Results:

A total of 339 patients met the predefined eligibility criteria; 146 ACL reconstructions were performed in an isolated manner (no-ALLR group) and 193 were combined with ALL (ALLR group). After matching, 130 patients were allocated to each group. The mean follow-up was 36.7 months. The overall graft failure rate was 4.6% (6.9% in the no-ALLR group and 2.3% in the ALLR group; P = .076). The adjusted Cox regression showed that graft failure rate was nonsignificantly different between the groups (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.36 [95% CI, 0.096-1.364]; P = .133). Younger age (≤20 years) was associated with graft failure (adjusted HR, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.121-0.719]; P = .007).

Conclusion:

Combined ACL and ALL reconstruction conditioned to intraoperative ultrasound-guided diagnosis of the ALL lesion has an equivalent ACL graft failure rate to isolated ACL. Intraoperative ultrasound diagnosis of an ALL injury may be an indication for the addition of an ALL reconstruction.
Functional Recovery and Clinical Outcome After Internal Fixation Using Osteochondral Autologous Transplantation for Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee
Authors: Amai Kenta , Kanto Ryo , Onishi Shintaro , Nakayama Hiroshi , Yoshiya Shinichi , Tachibana Toshiya , Iseki Tomoya
Published: January 2025

Background:

Functional recovery and return to sports after fixation of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee with osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) have not been well investigated.

Purpose:

To retrospectively evaluate the functional recovery and clinical outcomes after internal fixation with OAT for knee OCD.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A consecutive series of patients who underwent OAT for OCD lesions between 2010 and 2020 were initially enrolled in the study. Patients with adult-onset OCD and those who underwent fragment removal and/or mosaicplasty were excluded. Lysholm score, Tegner activity scale, return-to-sports rate (at the practice/training and preinjury levels), and time to return were evaluated. Clinical factors influencing postoperative functional recovery were analyzed.

Results:

Included were 24 patients (26 knees); there were 23 male and 1 female patients, with a mean age of 14.7 years. The mean follow-up period was 27.6 months. A total of 17 lesions were located in the medial femoral condyle and 9 in the lateral femoral condyle. The mean Tegner score was 7.0 preoperatively and 6.5 postoperatively, with no significant difference. The return-to-sports rate was 96.2% at the practice/training level and 84.6% at the preinjury level, with an average return time of 5.1 months and 9.6 months, respectively. In a subgroup analysis of knees that returned to preinjury level ( n = 22) by lesion location, there was a significant difference between knees with lesions in the lateral femoral condyle (12.9 months) versus the medial femoral condyle (8.1 months) ( P = .02). The rate of return to preinjury level after primary surgery was significantly higher than after revision surgery after failed drilling ( P = .02).

Conclusion:

Return-to-sports rates and clinical outcomes were favorable after fixation with OAT in patients with knee OCD. A shorter time to return to sports was observed in knees with medial lesions compared with lateral lesions. Furthermore, the rate of return to sports at the preinjury level was significantly higher after primary surgery than after revision surgery after drilling.
Comparison of Dynamic Postural Stability in Autografts Versus Allografts Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Remnant Preservation: A Prospective Study With 1-Year Follow-up
Authors: Rhim Hye Chang , Lee Jin Hyuck , Lee Seo Jun , Kang Chun Hyung , Han Seung-Beom , Jang Ki-Mo
Published: January 2025

Background:

Graft selection is an important part of preoperative planning for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). In addition, ACLR with the remnant preservation technique has recently gained attention due to potential benefit in bone-tendon healing, graft revascularization, and proprioceptive nerve remodeling. However, the ideal graft choice remains controversial, and there is limited research comparing autograft and allograft in ACLR with remnant preservation.

Purpose:

To compare knee muscle strength, neuromuscular control, and patient-reported outcomes between hamstring (HS) tendon autografts and tibialis anterior (TA) allografts in patients undergoing ACLR with remnant preservation through posterior transseptal portal for >1 year.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 70 patients who underwent ACLR with remnant preservation between 2018 and 2021 using HS tendon autograft (n = 35) or TA allograft (n = 35) were analyzed at 3 different time points (preoperative, 6 months, and 12 months). Quadriceps and HS muscle strengths were measured with an isokinetic device. Proprioception was evaluated with reproduction of passive positioning for joint position sense and overall stability index (OSI) for dynamic postural stability. Patient-reported outcomes included the Lysholm score and the International Knee Documentation Committee score.

Results:

There were no significant differences in demographic information including age, body mass index, concomitant meniscal injuries, and sports activities ( P > .05) between HS tendon autograft and TA allograft groups. Quadriceps and HS strength in both groups, HS strength in deep knee flexion in both groups, and OSI in the HS tendon autograft group significantly improved at 12 months ( P < .05). Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant interactions between time and grafts for OSI ( F[2, 136] = 5.08; P = .007). The subsequent independent t test demonstrated that the OSI was significantly higher in the TA allograft group (2.7 ± 1.0) than that of the HS tendon autograft group (2.1 ± 0.8) at 12 months ( P = .009), indicating better dynamic postural stability in the HS tendon autograft group.

Conclusion:

No significant differences were found in knee muscle strength or patient-reported outcomes between HS tendon autograft and TA allograft after ACLR with remnant preservation for up to 1 year except for dynamic postural stability favoring HS tendon autograft.
Perspectives of Midwives and Nurse Practitioners in Kentucky on Exercise Counseling During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Perera Madhawa , Nagpal Taniya S. , Blankenship Maire M. , Tolusso Danilo V. , Cox Jordyn M. , Prashadika Dilini , Schafer Mark , Tinius Rachel A.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Healthcare professionals are in an optimal position to deliver exercise information to pregnant women, yet previous research suggests this seldom happens. Midwives and nurse practitioners, who may have more time with pregnant women, are particularly well suited for this role.

Objectives

This qualitative study examined the exercise advice and counseling provided by midwives and nurse practitioners in Kentucky, focusing on the barriers they face.

Methods

Twenty-one midwives and nurse practitioners were recruited until the sample size reached saturation. A survey with open-ended questions was distributed to potential participants in regional hospitals, universities, and professional associations. The framework method was employed to identify common themes in the responses from participants.

Results

Five main themes emerged: nature of advice, discussing exercise benefits, safety concerns, barriers to counseling, and suggestions for improvement. Findings revealed that midwives and nurse practitioners recommend moderate exercise, aiming for 150 min weekly, monitoring heart rate for intensity, continuing prepregnancy exercise routines, starting low-intensity exercise during pregnancy such as walking, slowing down as pregnancy advances, and avoiding heavy lifting and vigorous activities. Many midwives and nurse practitioners in our sample took a reactive approach to exercise counseling, providing exercise advice if pregnant women asked questions or if they were at high risk for hypokinetic diseases. It was also observed that midwives and nurse practitioners discussed the maternal benefits of exercise more than the fetal benefits. Only a few nurse practitioners and midwives were content with their counseling, while the majority did not feel their counseling was effective.

Conclusions

Many midwives and nurse practitioners in Kentucky provided comprehensive and accurate physical activity guidelines to pregnant women. However, there is room for them to improve: proactive counseling should include discussions on fetal benefits and using the “talk test” for exercise intensity. Advising patients to slow down as pregnancy progresses should be reconsidered, and evidence-based guidance on specific exercises should be prioritized.
Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis: A critical review of knowledge gaps and opportunities
Authors: Jones Xaviar M , Bottini Nunzio , Boin Francesco , Marbán Eduardo
Published: January 2025

Cardiovascular complications are observed in up to one-third of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Early identification and management of SSc-associated primary cardiac disease is often challenging, given the complex disease pathophysiology, significant variability in clinical presentation, and scarce disease-modifying therapeutics. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms involved in SSc-associated cardiac disease pathogenesis, novel diagnostic tools and emerging therapies.
From Pregnancy to Postpartum: The Dynamic Reorganization of the Maternal Brain
Authors: Chechko Natalia , Nehls Susanne
Published: January 2025

The postpartum period is marked by radical changes in the maternal brain. Seeking to explore the mechanisms that underlie these changes, this article focuses on the relevant hormonal, inflammatory, and behavioral factors. Longitudinal imaging studies have shed valuable light on both short- and long-term alterations in postpartum brain structure and connectivity, particularly in the regions that play key roles in emotion regulation and stress response. It is plausible that these peripartum changes contribute to the mental health challenges new mothers face, including postpartum depression. Adding to our understanding of postpartum neurobiology, this insight highlights the importance of personalized intervention in the promotion of maternal well-being.
Comparison of oronasal and nasal masks in home mechanical ventilation: an observational cohort and bench study
Authors: Fresnel Emeline , Caillard Christian , Lebret Marius , Razakamanantsoa Léa , Kerfourn Adrien , Dupuis Johan , Muir Jean-François , Lhuillier Elodie , El Husseini Kinan , Similowski Thomas , Cuvelier Antoine , Patout Maxime
Published: January 2025

Background

In patients with chronic respiratory failure, home non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is delivered through oronasal or nasal masks. Masks are a cornerstone for NIV success but can be associated with side-effects. However, the type, frequency and consequences of these side-effects are unknown. Here, we aimed to study the prevalence, nature and impact of mask-related adverse events in a cohort of stable patients. We then investigated differences between oronasal and nasal masks both in our cohort and in a bench study.

Methods

This was a prospective observational cohort including patients established on long-term NIV admitted for their elective review. Data regarding mask-related side-effects were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Our bench study was performed using a three-dimensional printed head connected to an artificial lung.

Results

800 patients were included, of whom 84% had an oronasal mask. Moderate to very severe mask-related side-effects occurred in 47% of patients and severe to very severe side-effects occurred in 18% of patients. Side-effects were associated with poorer daytime arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (p=0.005), poorer subjective sleep quality (p=0.003) and poorer quality of life (p<0.001). Mask-related side-effects were more frequently reported with the use of oronasal masks compared to nasal masks (p=0.023). Our bench study showed that nasal masks were more stable than oronasal masks (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Mask-related side-effects are frequent and associated with poorer outcomes. Our data suggest that nasal masks may have a better tolerance profile and should be used as a first-line interface.