bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Critical Period of Weed-Crop Competition in Malt Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in North Showa Zone, Central Ethiopia
Authors: Bizualew Zenebech , Mekonnen Getachew , Alemayehu Getahun
Published: December 2024

Weeds are the principal limiting biological factor in national barley production, with losses that vary from region to region, depending on the cultivation system, predominant weed communities and weed control methods employed by the farmers. Therefore, field experiment was conducted under rain fed conditions in 2017 cropping season to determine the critical period of Weed-Crop Competition in malt barely (Hordeum vulgareL.) at Debre Birhan University in North Showa Zone, Central highlands of Ethiopia. A total of eighteen treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of increasing duration of weedy and weed-free set each consisted weed competition and weed-free durations up to 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 days after crop emergence (DAE) were compared with two checks namely completely weedy and weed free up to harvest. The major weed families competing vigorously with barley were Compositae and Gramineae and Cyperaceae. According to the current study, the weed density and weed dry weight were decreased, whereas crop parameters like the number of days required to reach heading of barely, the number of days required to reach physiological maturity, number of seed per spike, spike length, thousand seed weight, aboveground dry biomass, grain yield and harvesting index of crop were highly increased, with increasing duration of weed-free periods. The highest yield loss due to weed competition from the weedy check treatment of barely as compared to weed free check. Uncontrolled weed growth significantly reduced barely grain yield by 70.38% compared to the grain yield obtained from the weed-free check plots. The beginning and the end of critical period of weed crop competition were based on 5 and 10 % acceptable yield loss levels, which were determined by fitting logistic and Gompertz equations to relative yield data, representing increasing duration of weed-interference and weed-free periods. In conclusion, the results of the study revealed that, to reduce the loss in the grain yield of barley by more than 10% and higher economic return, it is important to keep the crop weed-free between 33 to 49 days after crop emergence (639 to 1049 GDD) at Debre Berhan.
Cost and Results of Prosthesis Placement for Hernia Repair at Ignace Deen Hospital (Guinea)
Authors: Yawo Kondano , Ibrahima Oulare , Mampan Koundouno , Lamarana Balde , Mohamed Kaba , Cire Diallo , Mariama Camara , Mohamed Kourouma , Laila Mbouemboue , Togba Soumaoro , Houssein Fofana , Aboubacar Toure
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cost and results of prosthesis placement in hernia repairs in the general surgery department of university hospital centre CHU Ignace Deen. Material and methods: This was a prospective, descriptive cohort of 06 months' duration (June to December 2023) monitored in the general surgery department of university hospital centre (CHU) Ignace Deen. All patients operated on for hernias with placement of a drill bit who agreed to answer our questions were included in the study. The variables were sociodemographic, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary. Results: We included 120 patients, representing 57.4% of all surgical procedures. The mean age was 58.1 ± 16.1 years, with extremes ranging from 20 to 91 years. The 60 to 69 age group was most affected (25.8%). The sex ratio was 3.2 in favor of men. The site of the hernias was dominated by the inguinal region (93%). The Liechtenstein technique was used for all patients. Only one type of mesh was used, polypropylene. Mean operating time was 89.9 ± 28 min. The average cost of treatment was 3,308,333.3 ± 56,9594.3 Guinean francs (GF). Pain was noted in 12 patients (10%), recurrence in 3 (2.5%) and delayed healing in 5 (4.2%). Average hospital stay was 1.8 ± 1.1 days. Conclusion: The results of our study show that the use of the wick in hernia repair is highly beneficial for the patient, as the post-operative outcome was favorable in the majority of cases.
Effect of Saline Stress on the Growth and Physiological Behavior of Young Planting Acacia nilotica in Nursery and After Transplantation
Authors: Chimene Abib , Julien Hand , Sidoine Malla
Published: December 2024

This work consisted of studying the effect of saline constraint represented by different concentrations of NaCl (0, 2, 4, 8 and 11 g / l) at Acacianilotica on certain nursing parameters (germination, growth, biochemical and nutritional) and the survival rate one year after transplanting young clubs in field. The results obtained 14 days after seeding show that the germination rate falls below 40 g / l of NaCl and passes from 90% to 39.2% to 11 g / l of NaCl. After 3 months of stress, it is spring that the growth marked by the height, the diameter of the collar, the number of sheet and the foliar surface decrease as the NaCl concentration increases unlike ray biomass. Salinity has favored the accumulation of soluble, polyphenol, proline and total protein levels in the plant during the experimentation. Regarding the nutritional effect, NaCl negatively affects the nutritional scale of the plants. One year after transplantation, NaCl processed plantations have the best survival rates and the highest was obtained with 4 g / l of NaCl (89.61%). Thus, the submission of young Acacia nilotica plants to a salt strike of 4 g / l NaCl could allow to produce saltwoods for the salinity of the Sahelian zone of Cameroon and this fact contribute to the success of the reforestation campaigns by lower decreases of the mortality rates of transplantation.
The Harmonious Balance: Exploring the Impact of Music on Concentration and Academic Performance Among Cairo University Students
Authors: Ead Hamed , Abdelrahman Neama , Hassan Yasmine
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the intricate relationship between music listening habits and the concentration and academic performance of Cairo University students. Building on established research, including the well-known "Mozart effect," we examine both the potential benefits and drawbacks of integrating music into study routines. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we distributed quantitative surveys to 200 students and conducted qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights. The study focuses on key areas: frequency of music listening while studying, preferred genres, and perceptions of music's effects on focus, stress reduction, and overall academic performance. Our findings reveal that while certain genres, such as classical music, significantly enhance concentration and reduce anxiety, others may prove distracting, underscoring the importance of personal preferences in music selection. By correlating students’ perspectives with historical and contemporary research, this study elucidates how various music genres influence cognitive processes and learning outcomes. The results offer actionable strategies for both educators and students to optimize learning environments and enhance academic success, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of music's role in educational contexts. This research underscores the need for a tailored approach to music in study routines, advocating for informed choices that align with individual learning styles to foster a harmonious balance between music and academic performance.
Parent-Child Communication Intentions and Adolescents’ Dating Behaviour in the Assin South District, Ghana
Authors: Boakye Anthony
Published: December 2024

Background: Most parents conceive that discussion sexual related matters are a bad practice and does not need to occur. This study investigates the parent-child communication intentions and adolescents’ dating behaviour in the Assin South District, Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed with 400 participants which comprised parents age 30-59 and older adolescents age 15-19 years. Data were analysed using frequency distribution, Pearson’s chi-squared test of independence and binary logistic regression. Results: Parent-child dyad communication easiness was statistically significant related to adolescents’ dating behaviour at p<0.05, (OR=2.504, 95%CI ([1.063-5.896]). Parent-child dyad do not discuss sexual health matters was statistically significant at P<0.05, (OR=0.429, 95%CI [0.187-0.985]). Parent-child dyad engage in talks for adolescents’ positive social conduct was statistically significant at P<0.05, (OR=0.211, 95%CI [0.046-0.972]). Parent-child dyad engage in communication for adolescents’ appropriate nurturing was also observed as statistically significant to adolescents’ dating behaviour at p<0.05, (OR=0.223, 95%CI [0.051-0.978]). Parent-child dyad engage in communication to share thoughts, feelings and ensure stable relations during adulthood among adolescents was also observed as statistically significant to adolescents’ dating behaviour at p<0.05, (OR=5.988, 95%CI [1.192-30.088]). Conclusion: Parents in Assin South District could guide adolescents to make informed decisions about dating if they (adolescents) choose to engage in or are already dating.
Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices of Teaching Grammar Through Focus-on-Form and Context: The Case of EFL Teachers in Ethiopia Preparatory Schools
Authors: Tadegew Tsegaye
Published: December 2024

This inquiry rigorously examines the intricate interplay between Ethiopian preparatory EFL teachers’ epistemological beliefs and the pedagogical enactment of grammar instruction, emphasizing focus-on-form methodologies within contextualized teaching paradigms. This study’s paramount objective is to ascertain the degree of congruity between teachers’ theoretical orientations and their practical deployment in classroom settings, while discerning the ramifications for communicative competence within EFL contexts. To this end, two grade twelve English teachers at Mekprey Preparatory School were selected via purposive sampling, aligning participant expertise with the study’s nuanced focus. A qualitative research design, underscored by an exploratory framework, facilitated in-depth data collection through systematic classroom observations and semi-structured interviews, yielding a rich corpus of insights. Analytical procedures hinged on thematic analysis, rigorously delineating both latent and manifest patterns in the alignment—or lack thereof—between instructional beliefs and observed practices. Results illuminated a pronounced dissonance between teachers’ professed commitment to contextualized, communicative grammar pedagogy and their predominant focus on discrete grammatical features, ostensibly tailored to the exigencies of exam-centric instruction. This misalignment underscores the pervasive influence of examination imperatives, which appear to circumscribe the adoption of communicative methods. In response, the study advocates for targeted professional development initiatives that surmount the inherent challenges of embedding focus-on-form and contextualized instructional strategies in exam-driven settings. Furthermore, it calls for a recalibration of curricular frameworks to harmonize the dual imperatives of communicative competence and high-stakes testing, thereby fostering a more holistic and efficacy-driven approach to EFL grammar pedagogy.
Challenges of Community Health Nurses During Postnatal Home Visitation in Selected Districts of the Ashanti Region, Ghana
Authors: Agyeman-Duah Yvonne , Bimerew Million
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Efforts have been made to improve maternal and child health care globally, with a focus on promoting postnatal care for mothers and babies. In spite of the known significance of postnatal visits for enhancing maternal and child health care, concerns still exist regarding maternal and infant health care in the Ashanti Region and Ghana as a whole. The study aimed to explore and describe the challenges experienced by community health nurses that may have an impact on postnatal home visitation in selected districts of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Method: Qualitative research method was used to collect data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using 15 CHNs. Data were analysed using a thematic content analysis approach. Results: Two main themes and six categories emerged from the overall analysis of the data from the CHNs. One theme emerged based on the objective of the study and the other theme emerged based on the analysis of the responses of the participants. Themes emerged include: challenges of postnatal home visitation and preparation for and responsibilities during postnatal visits. Conclusion: The study concludes that postnatal home visits face significant challenges due to institutional limitations, socio-cultural barriers, and mother-related issues, which can hinder effective care. Additionally, community health nurses (CHNs) strive to provide essential services through preparation, skills application, and ongoing education.
Construction and Practice of Off-Campus Practice Bases for Food Majors in the Context of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Hu Xiao-Jun , Wang Biaoshi , Li Chunlan , Zhou Wei , Li Heng
Published: December 2024

In the context of the vigorous development of innovation and entrepreneurship, the construction of off-campus practice bases for food majors in colleges and universities is of great significance. This paper takes the Institute of Agricultural Products Processing of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences as a typical case to deeply analyze the existing problems in the construction of this practice base, including imperfect management mechanisms, insufficient integration of practice content and majors, and the need to strengthen the construction of teaching staff. Then put forward innovative ideas and strategies, covering aspects such as resource integration and optimization, teaching staff construction, curriculum and project innovation, cooperation mechanism innovation, and management and guarantee innovation. Elaborated on practical exploration and reform measures, such as building a collaborative education platform, building a high-level teaching staff team, establishing a characteristic practical curriculum system, comprehensively improving students' practical and innovative abilities, and strengthening the cooperation mechanism of industry, academia, research and learning between schools and institutes. Finally, it emphasizes that off-campus practice bases for food majors are of crucial significance for cultivating students' practical abilities, etc., and looks forward to the future development direction, including further strengthening the connection between practice bases and college professional courses, establishing a more scientific and reasonable evaluation system, and integrating new technology training and other contents. As a typical case, the Institute of Agricultural Products Processing of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, provided experience and models for the development of off-campus practice bases for food majors.
Exploring Case-based Teaching Methods Under the "New Engineering" Background - Using Culinary Hygiene and Safety Course as an Example
Authors: Li Heng , Hu Xiao-jun
Published: December 2024

Culinary Hygiene and Safety is one of the core courses in the culinary and nutrition education major in higher education institutions. Under the current "New Engineering" background, students in this major should possess strong abilities to analyze and solve practical application problems. Therefore, a systematic and efficient teaching model is necessary. This study proposes introducing case-based teaching into this course and analyzes the teaching objectives, teaching content, teaching methods, and assessment methods. It explores a teaching model that facilitates the close integration of theory and production practices, courses, and industrial development. This teaching model align with the professional foundation characteristics of different student sources, capable of laying a solid theoretical and practical foundation for students' graduation, further studies, employment, and entrepreneurship. It is recommended that this teaching model be extended to the other courses offered by the College of Food Science and Engineering, thus facilitating the cultivation of applied "new engineering" talents.
Test Item Writing Competence Among Oman College of Health Sciences Nurse Faculty
Authors: Ambusaidi Mohammed
Published: December 2024

Background: The demand for nursing faculty to deliver high-quality teaching and assessment has surged, emphasizing the need for accurate learning assessment through effective testing and outcome measurement. Yet, the literature reveals that many nursing faculty are underprepared in measurement and evaluation, lacking essential competencies in test development and often failing to follow established guidelines. While both teacher-made tests (TMT) and standardized test scores are used to inform nursing faculty what the students have learned, the validity and reliability of TMT remain a significant concern. This study, guided by Social Justice Theory, assessed nursing faculty competencies in TMT development within Oman’s College of Health Sciences, evaluating the fairness and effectiveness of these assessments based on content coverage, difficulty level, and test validity and reliability. Methodology: Descriptive statistics were used to portray the sample; Pearson's correlation was used to determine the relationship between TMT and committee-designed standardized end-of-semester final examinations (CDESFE). Results: Results showed a strong positive correlation between student scores on teacher-made tests (TMT) (M = 23.95, SD = 4.74) and committee-designed standardized exams (CDESFE) (M = 31.99, SD = 6.22), r (1672) =.613, p <.001. MANOVA analysis indicated no significant differences between TMT and CDESFE regarding best-practice guidelines and item analysis (Wilk’s Ʌ =.93, F (2, 21) =.78, p =.47, partial ŋ2 =.69). Multiple regression analysis further demonstrated that both TMT and CDESFE scores significantly predict students' overall academic achievement (F (2, 1671) = 2241, p <.001, R² =.73), underscoring the predictive value of both testing methods for student success. Conclusion: With a gap in how nurse faculty implement TMT, there are potential negative consequences on students’ progress towards licensure examination. This study contributes to nursing science and education through objective, efficient, fair, and equitable assessment measures in the classroom setting. These findings may also transfer to the clinical setting, where nursing students, staff, and faculty are assessed during and after educational sessions and workshops.
Knowledge of Non-Communicable Diseases Among Adolescents in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Enuagwuna Fredrick , Tobin-West Charles , Asiboje Efemierhere , Wilcox Shekinah
Published: December 2024

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of poor health and early death globally. Although NCDs are most common in middle to late adulthood, many lifestyle habits that contribute to these diseases begin during adolescence. This research evaluated the knowledge of non-communicable diseases among adolescents in public and private secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Methods: The study used a comparative cross-sectional design to collect research data from 640 adolescents. Participants were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique and data was analysed using IBM Statistical Product for the Service Solution version 29. Results: Few respondents from private (6.3%) and public (5.3%) schools had good knowledge, majority from private (75%) and public (66.9) schools had fair knowledge, while 18.8% (private) and 27.8% (public) had poor knowledge on non-communicable diseases. Socioeconomic status and knowledge level were statistically significant (p<0.05). The prevalence of NCDs (asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure) was 3.4% and 2.5% among private and public school adolescents. Conclusion: There is need for continuous health education on NCDs risk factors among adolescents to ensure they adopt healthy lifestyles through informed choices to foster good and quality health into adulthood.
Risk and Determinants of Non-communicable Diseases Among Adolescents in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Enuagwuna Fredrick , Asiboje Efemierhere , Ofurum Ifeoma , Wilcox Shekinah
Published: December 2024

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of poor health and premature mortality worldwide. Although NCDs are majorly prevalent in middle to late adulthood, most lifestyle habits are started during adolescence a significant period of development. This research evaluated the risk and determinants of non-communicable diseases among adolescents in public and private secondary schools in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Methods: The study used a comparative cross-sectional design to collect research data from 640 adolescents. Participants were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique and data was analysed with IBM Statistical Product for the Service Solution version 29. Results: Private and public school respondents report on NCDs (asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure) was 3.4% and 2.5% respectively. NCDs behavioural and metabolic risk factors were prevalent among both private and public school adolescents. Private school students exhibited higher prevalence of physical activity (75% vs. 61.6%), soft drink consumption (96.3% vs. 92.5%), alcohol consumption (45.6% vs. 36.9%), overweight (17.3% vs. 7.5%), obesity (5.9% vs. 1.6%), prehypertension (12.8% vs. 5%) and hypertension (6.6% vs. 1.6%). Conversely, public school students had higher prevalence of daily fruit intake (19.4% vs. 8.8%) and tobacco use (7.5% vs. 2.2%). Socioeconomic status, behavioural risk factors and metabolic risk factors were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study identified NCDs risk factors among adolescents that can lead to development of NCDs in adulthood, hence there is need for preventive measures that are targeted and data-driven to ensure adolescents adopt healthy lifestyles.
Evaluation of Breast Cancer Gene Type 1 (BRCA1) Protein Levels in Cancer Tissue Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Miser-Salihoğlu Ece , İlhan Hasan , Tamer Uğur , Akaydin Sevgi
Published: December 2024

Raman spectroscopy is a chemical process that utilizes the interaction between light and matter to get significant insights into the structure or characteristics of matter. Raman spectroscopy techniques, such as quantitative evaluation, early diagnostic capabilities, and elucidation of the spectral properties of tissues, are excellent candidates for use in research. In cancer, changes in genes and proteins expressed by related genes are associated with a poor prognosis and aggressive tumor characteristics. Due to modifications and regulatory steps in protein translation, the results of the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of genes may not correctly reflect the results of protein expression. For this reason, the mRNA and protein expressions of genes are studied in parallel in molecular studies on cancer. In our study, the breast cancer gene type 1 (BRCA1) gene, which is frequently studied in breast cancer and is relatively more difficult to measure by traditional methods due to its high molecular weight, was selected, and protein quantification was performed in tissue samples by Raman spectroscopy. With Raman spectroscopy, it is possible to obtain rapid and precise quantitative results even with a small amount of sample, so it is quite advantageous compared to traditional methods. In our study, we performed surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to analyze the quantitative protein amount. SERS is a highly sensitive method for detecting compounds at low concentrations. For this purpose, magnetic nanoparticles modified with protein antibodies were used, and the target protein was withdrawn from the complex environment and transferred to an appropriate buffer environment. The calibration curve for BRCA1, which plots Raman intensity against concentration, was derived by calculating the average response reading from duplicate assays conducted under identical conditions. The BRCA1 protein levels of cells were determined from the regression curve of the BRCA1 protein. The relation between the concentration of BRCA1 protein and SERS spectrum intensity was determined to be logarithmic in the range of 300 µg·mL−1 to 292 ng·mL−1 ( R2 = 0.9928, limit of detection = 10.41 µg·mL−1, and limit of quantitation = 31.24 µg·mL−1).
Shortwave Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging to Detect Contaminants in the U.S. Food Supply
Authors: Malakauskas David M. , Ding Hongjian , Berman Ben P. , Thantu Nap , Karem Kevin L. , Gammino Victoria M.
Published: December 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures the safety of the nation's food supply using sampling and laboratory analysis of imported and domestic foods. Accurate detection and identification of extraneous filth elements in inspected food samples is critical in producing evidence for regulatory decision-making. As part of ongoing efforts to increase the efficiency and accuracy of data collection, to better inform regulatory decision-making, scientists at the FDA have been exploring the application of emerging imaging technologies. To this end, we tested the ability of shortwave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral image analysis to simultaneously detect and identify filth elements from a variety of chemically digested single- and multiple-ingredient food matrices. We tested five stored-product beetle species on a background of four different food matrix types. Our analyses successfully detected whole beetles and fragments as small as 0.65 mm in 95% of samples. All beetle species tested were accurately detected from the background matrices, and initial classification results show identification to genus. Our results show that SWIR spectral image analysis is a very promising technology for application in the detection and identification of filth elements in food products in a regulatory context and further development has the potential to increase analytical efficiency at FDA regulatory labs.
Student officer research projects: Evidence-based knowledge embedded into policing practice?
Authors: Skilling Louise , Thomas Leanne
Published: December 2024

Modern policing is faced with a rapidly changing landscape which continues to present new challenges and opportunities to policing (NPCC, 2015). With limited resources, it is hoped policing education will support police services to deal with these challenges through embedding evidence-based practices (Mitchell and Lewis, 2017). The large number of new recruits from the police uplift provides an exciting opportunity to incorporate these practices into operational policing (Lum and Koper, 2017; Pepper et al., 2020). The purpose of this study was to investigate evidence-based research projects produced by student police officers and explore whether they provide knowledge that is relevant and embedded into policing practice. Using qualitative methods data was gathered from key informants and graduates from the University of South Wales' five established police partners in England and Wales. The findings identified that knowledge from the projects was being disseminated within the police organisations, and that student police officers were informally applying evidence-based knowledge they had gained from their research projects in their day-to-day operational policing roles, and some were transferring this knowledge as tutors and supervisors. This study concluded that research projects produced by student officers can have a direct impact and contribution to policing practice and policy. However, to capitalise on this opportunity police services would benefit from developing formalised processes to embed this knowledge into practice.
Types of Insomnia Mediate the Bidirectional Relation Between Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Longitudinally in Older Adults
Authors: Bolstad Courtney J. , Lin Zhuozhi , Pollock Meredith A. , Chen Xiaoman , Niu Ruoyu , Nadorff Michael R.
Published: December 2024

The current study examined onset and maintenance insomnia as mediators of the bidirectional relation between anxiety and depressive symptoms over a three-year period. The sample included 3,415 US community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged 66–103. Participants completed measures of types of insomnia, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms at four time points. Analyses included two double mediation models adjusted for baseline depressive or anxiety symptoms, chronic health problem burden, use of sleep medications, age, and sex. Both covariate-adjusted models showed significant direct relations between anxiety and depressive symptoms, and these relations were modestly partially mediated by onset and maintenance insomnia. In older adults, onset and maintenance insomnia are distinct outcomes of both anxiety and depressive symptoms and also predictors of each symptom cluster. Further research testing these models is warranted and, if supported, may support prevention and treatment studies focused on primary and secondary prevention of these problems in older adults.
The Role of Neuropathology Evaluation in the Nonclinical Assessment of Seizure Liability
Authors: Sokolowski Katie , Liu Judy , Delatte Marcus S. , Authier Simon , McMaster Owen , Bolon Brad
Published: December 2024

Test article (TA)-induced seizures represent a major safety concern in drug development. Seizures (altered brain wave [electrophysiological] patterns) present clinically as abnormal consciousness with or without tonic/clonic convulsions (where “tonic” = stiffening and “clonic” = involuntary rhythmical movements). Neuropathological findings following seizures may be detected using many methods. Neuro-imaging may show a structural abnormality underlying seizures, such as focal cortical dysplasia or hippocampal sclerosis in patients with chronic epilepsy. Neural cell type-specific biomarkers in blood or cerebrospinal fluid may highlight neuronal damage and/or glial reactions but are not specific indicators of seizures while serum electrolyte and glucose imbalances may induce seizures. Gross observations and brain weights generally are unaffected by TAs with seizurogenic potential, but microscopic evaluation may reveal seizure-related neuron death in some brain regions (especially neocortex, hippocampus, and/or cerebellum). Current globally accepted best practices for neural sampling in nonclinical general toxicity studies provide a suitable screen for brain regions that are known sites of electrical disruption and/or display seizure-induced neural damage. Conventional nonclinical studies can afford an indication that a TA has a potential seizure liability (via in-life signs and/or microscopic evidence of neuron necrosis), but confirmation requires measuring brain electrical (electroencephalographic) activity in a nonclinical study.
It's a men's world: Influence of media literacy for women's empowerment through social media engagement in Bangladesh
Authors: Tasnima Touhida , Abu Bakar Ah Siti Hajar , Padzil Ruhana , Md Syed Md Azalanshah
Published: December 2024

This study critically examines how media literacy is vital in empowering women and influencing their use of social media in Bangladesh. The study delves into media literacy as digital skills and contextual knowledge about social media using qualitative methodology, including semi-structured online interviews and thematic analysis. The findings uncover the significant benefits of media literacy for women, including enhanced connectivity, improved communication, and access to information for personal and professional growth while ensuring their secure use of online platforms. Nevertheless, despite their literacy, women's active empowerment through social media engagement is still hindered by gender identity and societal norms. This study asserts that media literacy is a dynamic, context-specific activity. It highlights the passive nature of Bangladeshi women's empowerment through social media, as they often act as recipients rather than active participants. The study's findings contribute valuable insights into how women utilize social media and literacy, shedding light on the complexities of promoting and challenging their autonomy and agency in the context of empowerment. However, the study also highlights the need for further research, emphasizing that this work is part of an ongoing and important process. This reiteration will make the audience feel that their work is part of an ongoing and important process.
Beyond social polarisation: Memetic (de)legitimisation and quasi-legitimisation of non-fungible tokens
Authors: Dynel Marta
Published: December 2024

This paper contributes to the nascent research on Internet memes examined as items of (de)legitimising discourse, its empirical focus being memes addressing NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The mystifying NFT trade became hype in 2021, attracting massive media coverage and stimulating heated discussion across social media, which includes memetic content production. This study explores the multimodal discourses of (de)legitimisation in NFT memes. Based on a dataset of relevant 993 memes extracted manually from an automatically generated corpus of 1628 Twitter memes, a deductive-inductive multimodal analysis proves the original dichotomy (underlying the polarised views expressed through memes) insufficient. Seven memetic patterns dictated by (de)legitimisation stances are identified. In addition to NFT-legitimising and NFT-delegitimising categories, ambiguous equipotential (de)legitimisation memes, two categories of memes with blended (de)legitimising stances and two categories of elusive-stance memes are distinguished. The notion of ‘quasi-legitimisation’ is proposed to capture the memetic categories that normalise the thorny concept of NFTs.
The health economic analysis of surgery versus rehabilitation in non-traumatic musculoskeletal shoulder disorders: A systematic review of trial-based studies
Authors: Lathiere Thomas , Jaubert Anouck , Lewis Jeremy , David-Tchouda Sandra , Beard David , Pinsault Nicolas
Published: December 2024

Objective

Non-traumatic musculoskeletal shoulder disorders are common. Their treatment, surgical or non-surgical, is associated with a considerable financial burden to health systems. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the cost-effectiveness of surgical or rehabilitative treatments in this population.

Data sources

PubMed, Embase, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis registry, PEDro Database, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar.

Review methods

Trial-based economic evaluations assessing nonoperative and/or operative interventions for the management of non-traumatic shoulder disorders, published from January 2000 to October 2024, were searched. The selection process, data extraction and quality assessment (carried out with the Quality of Health Economic Studies instrument) were independently conducted by two reviewers.

Results

Four studies (883 patients) were included in the review. Subacromial decompression for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain was found not to be cost-effective when compared with physiotherapy. Although it was not as cost-effective, Physiotherapy could be a socially beneficial alternative to mobilisation under anaesthesia in the early management of a frozen shoulder, due to lower costs and the delays in accessing surgical management in the pain-predominant phase. Productivity loss was the main driver of costs. It was not possible to determine the cost-effectiveness of other shoulder-related disorders due to sparsity of evidence.

Conclusion

Priority should be given to interventions that reduce productivity loss and facilitate patients’ return to work as soon as possible. There is a definite need for multiplication and standardization of high-quality economic studies (and the trials they are based on) regarding the management of non-traumatic musculoskeletal shoulder disorders.
A Field Experiment on Marketplace Literacy and Self-Help Group Membership in Subsistence Marketplaces
Authors: Viswanathan Madhu , Sreekumar Arun , Jaikumar Saravana , Dutta Shantanu
Published: December 2024

We conducted a field experiment to gain marketing insights into low-income, subsistence consumers in emerging markets. We examined two phenomena– marketplace literacy which is knowledge and skills about the marketplace to overcome challenges with low income and relatively lower literacy, and membership in self-help groups that has empowered women around the world. We studied how these factors influence strategies for managing product quantities essential for day-to-day survival in contexts with resource constraints. In a prospective design, low-income women were randomly assigned to self-help groups and marketplace literacy education, with pre- and post-measurement. Our findings suggest that, whereas self-help group membership and marketplace literacy help women in low-income households improve their strategies to manage product quantities, the interaction of these two variables leads to counterintuitive outcomes. Our findings provide a nuanced understanding of how consumer and marketing insights can empower consumers in resource-constrained settings to become more effective.
Eye Size at Peak Attractiveness for Self and Other Faces in Individuals with High Self-Face Dissatisfaction
Authors: Ayase Izumi , Mori Masaki , Kato Takaaki
Published: December 2024

It is well known that faces with large eyes are generally perceived as more attractive. However, it remains unclear whether individuals with high levels of dissatisfaction with their faces assess them in the same way. This study investigated whether the eye size at which the face is perceived the most attractive in one's face and others’ faces differs based on the degree of self-face dissatisfaction one has. Thirty-one Japanese university students completed the Face Dissatisfaction Scale and rated the attractiveness of self-face and other-face photos with 11 different eye magnifications (0%, ± 10%, ± 20%, ± 30%, ± 40%, and ±50%). A two-way analysis of variance showed that individuals with a high degree of self-face dissatisfaction perceive faces with larger eyes as more attractive than individuals with a low degree of self-face dissatisfaction. The finding suggests that high dissatisfaction with self-face may be associated with a large cognitive gap between the actual and the ideal eye size.
Automated ultrasonographic pupillary assessment: a new neuro-ophthalmological assessment tool
Authors: Chen Weiting , Tang Min , Jin Yaling , Chen Lihui , Lin Jiuzhou , Yang Xuelin
Published: December 2024

Objective

To evaluate correlations between ultrasonographic pupillary assessment (UPA) and automated UPA in neurocritical patients.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational study of 20 adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit with neurological pathology. Between UPA and automated UPA, 40 pupillary measurements were made. The time required to conduct UPA and automated UPA on a single patient was consistently < 3 minutes. Automated UPA required a markedly shorter operational time than UPA.

Results

There were strong positive associations between UPA and automated UPA measurements, with the following correlations: right eye at rest, r = 0.9973; left eye at rest, r = 0.9989; right eye post-pupillary light response, r = 0.9975; left eye post-pupillary light response, r = 0.9955. Bland–Altman analyses confirmed the strong agreement between the two methods under both conditions, with most measurements falling within the limits of agreement. Both the right and left pupillary diameters at rest demonstrated consistency, and the post-pupillary light response measurements for both eyes indicated good agreement, with a few outliers.

Conclusions

Automated UPA was strongly correlated with UPA in neurocritical patients. Automated UPA is a rapid, feasible, and noninvasive method that enables the precise evaluation of pupillary size and light response.
Why is the extreme right everywhere? some notes
Authors: Caillé Alain
Published: December 2024

This is a translation of an essay by Alain Caillé originally published in French in La Revue du MAUSS. It addresses the topical issue of the global rise of the far right and examines its relation to traditional totalitarianism and democracy. It discovers paradoxes in the recent political history: the movement is a neoliberal reaction to neoliberalism. Instead of empowering progressive political appeal, economic conditions have driven people into the embrace of ‘tyrannical buffoons’ who promise the intensification of neoliberal reform. This leads to an ‘inverted totalitarianism’ or ‘parcellitarianism’.
Cardiooncology in the ICU – Cardiac Urgencies in Cancer Care
Authors: Wu Stephanie , Jamal Faizi
Published: December 2024

Cardiovascular disease is an increasing risk of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, related to an growing number of aging survivors with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and the use of traditional and novel cancer therapies with cardiotoxic effects. While many cardiac complications are chronic processes that develop over time, there are many acute processes that may arise in hospitalized patients. It is important for hospitalists and critical care physicians to be familiar with the recognition and management of these conditions in this unique population. This article reviews the presentation and management of common cardiac urgencies in critically ill cancer patients including acute decompensated heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, arrhythmias, hypertensive crises, pulmonary embolism, pericardial tamponade and myocarditis.
Prognostic Factors of Hospital Mortality After Near Hanging: A Retrospective two-Center French Study
Authors: Gueddoum Yanis , Goury Antoine , Legros Vincent , Floch Thierry , Mourvillier Bruno , Thery Guillaume
Published: December 2024

Introduction

suicide is a global public health issue, with over 800 000 people taking their own lives every year. However, most suicide attempts do not result in death. Hanging is the most common method used in France, often leading to post-hanging coma (PHC). The prognosis for patients admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) following PHC is poor, yet predictive criteria of mortality have been poorly evaluated.

Methods

we retrospectively collected prehospital and in-hospital data from 65 patients hospitalized in 2 French ICU for PHC, between first March 2010 and first August 2023, and compared characteristics between patients alive and dead.

Results

hospital mortality was 52%. Among baseline characteristics, SAPSII and pre-hospital cardiac arrest were associated with mortality, respectively 47 versus 62 ( P = .005) and 32% versus 85% ( P = .001). Concerning neuroprognostication, abnormal pupillary light reflex (PLR) was more frequent in patients who died (14% vs 56%, P = .002), as abnormal EEG (0% vs 32%, P = .002) and abnormal transcranial doppler (10% vs 35%, P = .031).

Conclusion

we identified several poor prognostic factors associated with hospital mortality after PHC. Further larger-scale studies are needed to supplement these findings.
Vanishing points and moving targets: Child welfare recipients in the Polish-Ukrainian borderlands at the dawn of communist Poland (1944-1949)
Authors: Gruziel Dominika
Published: December 2024

This article discusses child welfare in the Polish-Ukrainian borderlands in communist Poland after the Second World War. The author analyses the provision practices to the multinational cohort of borderland children, which were delivered amid massive movements of populations, military contestation of the newly drawn Polish-Ukrainian border and a radicalisation of the Polish state’s understanding of citizenship. The study argues that while communist Poland framed child welfare as an age-based category of assistance, the engagement with minors’ ethnic, national and cultural characteristics would become increasingly prominent in shaping the central state and local providers’ patterns of provision.
Affective governmentality and gendered labour in education policy: Sites of non-traditional coproduction
Authors: Warner Sarah Adele
Published: December 2024

In recent years shifts in education policy in Australia have generated new governance arrangements which have increased the material and affective labour of parents associated with school education. However, affective labour undertaken by parents is often understood as a private concern and an issue of personal choice. This article challenges this view by examining the labour of parents in connection with the aims of public policy in school education. By employing the concept of affective governmentality to connect governing strategies with citizen experience, the article explores the connection between the emotional labour of parents’ and policy aims in school education policy. Based on interviews and qualitative questionnaires with parents of school-aged children in Australia, the study uses an interpretive lens to unpack the role of emotional labour. The study reveals the dual role of parents, mostly mothers who serve both as recipients and active agents in public policy. The research shows that emotional responses and gendered labour are interconnected - depicting them as dynamic forces that both motivate and mobilise support for policy objectives. This research contributes to our understanding of the interplay between emotions, policy dynamics and gendered labour and has implications for our understanding of what constitutes a ‘policy actor’.
Cisplatin in Combination with Apigenin Inhibits Human Osteosarcoma Cells Proliferation by Promoting Osteogenic Differentiation:  A Mechanistic Insight
Authors: Alqarni Abdullah , Hosmani Jagadish , Assiri Khalil , Alassiri Saeed , Alqahtani Ali Mosfer
Published: December 2024

Background

Osteosarcoma, the predominant primary bone cancer in the pediatric and adolescent population globally, exhibits a relatively low annual incidence but contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Purpose: The current study aims to explore the impact of cisplatin, apigenin, and their combination on human osteosarcoma cell line (MG-63) osteosarcoma cells, given the challenges in clinical treatment such as chemotherapy’s adverse effects, resistance development, and relapses.

Methods

Cytotoxicity assessment using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was conducted for cisplatin, apigenin, and their combination. Apoptotic potential was evaluated through ethidium bromide (EtBr)/acridine orange (AO) dual staining for the combination treatment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell cycle arrest were analyzed posttreatment with the cisplatin + apigenin combination using 2′-7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, respectively. Proapoptotic and antiapoptotic gene expression was assessed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. Additionally, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression of B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (BMIL1) were analyzed in both untreated and cisplatin + apigenin treated cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis was performed for p16INK4a, E-cadherin, and Notch1.

Results

Results indicated that the combination treatment significantly inhibited MG-63 cell proliferation compared to individual treatments. Enhanced apoptosis and ROS production were observed in the combination treatment, along with cell cycle arrest at the sub G0- G1 phase. Furthermore, the combination downregulated BMIL1 and Bcl2 expression while upregulating mRNA expression of Bax, Caspase 3, Caspase 9, Apaf-1, and p53. Gene expression results corroborated BMIL1 downregulation in the combination treatment. Additionally, protein levels of p16INK4a and E-cadherin were significantly decreased in the combination treatment compared to individual treatments and untreated control.

Conclusions

In conclusion, cisplatin and apigenin combination exhibited superior efficacy against osteosarcoma.