bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial of cognitive–behavioural therapy for functional cognitive disorder after concussion
Authors: Rioux Mathilde , Mamman Rinni , Byworth Miles T , Panenka William J , Howard Andrew K , Perez David L , Schmidt Julia , Courchesne Caitlin , LeMoult Joelle , Heran Manraj KS , Silverberg Noah D
Published: October 2024

Background

Functional cognitive disorder (FCD) may be common after a concussion, and no evidence-based treatment options are available. The current study evaluated the feasibility of a novel cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) protocol tailored to FCD after concussion.

Methods

Participants were randomised to CBT (n=11) or the current standard of care, cognitive rehabilitation (n=13). Both interventions consisted of eleven 50 min manualised videoconference sessions. CBT involved cognitive reappraisal and exposure-based strategies. Cognitive rehabilitation involved traditional memory compensation strategy training. Prespecified feasibility criteria were set for recruitment, perceived credibility, patient adherence, therapist protocol compliance and retention. The primary efficacy outcome was the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire-Satisfaction (MMQ-S). The first five CBT completers completed a semistructured interview about their experience with the intervention.

Results

Most feasibility benchmarks were met, as 86% of invited patients consented, 96% of participants rated their intervention as credible, participants attended 96% of sessions, therapists covered all essential content in 94% of sessions and 100% of participants completed the post-treatment evaluation. Both groups improved on the MMQ-S. Post-treatment MMQ-S scores were similar between groups (Cohen’s d=−0.05 (95% CI [−0.86, 0.75])). Two themes resulted from the qualitative data analysis, which highlighted aspects of the CBT interventions that participants valued.

Implications

This pilot trial supports the feasibility of CBT tailored to FCD after concussion and suggests that patients with FCD may benefit from either CBT or standard cognitive rehabilitation. A larger trial is needed to evaluate the efficacy of these interventions for FCD after concussion and potentially FCD in other clinical contexts.

Trial registration number

NCT05581810.
Hierarchical Bayesian Data Selection
Authors: Cotter Simon L.
Published: October 2024

There are many issues that can cause problems when attempting to infer model parameters from data. Data and models are both imperfect, and as such there are multiple scenarios in which standard methods of inference will lead to misleading conclusions; corrupted data, models which are only representative of subsets of the data, or multiple regions in which the model is best fit using different parameters. Methods exist for the exclusion of some anomalous types of data, but in practice,
data cleaning
is often undertaken by hand before attempting to fit models to data. In this work, we will employ hierarchical Bayesian data selection; the simultaneous inference of both model parameters, and parameters which represent our belief that each observation within the data should be included in the inference. The aim, within a Bayesian setting, is to find the regions of observation space for which the model can well-represent the data, and to find the corresponding model parameters for those regions. A number of approaches will be explored, and applied to test problems in linear regression, and to the problem of fitting an ODE model, approximated by a finite difference method. The approaches are simple to implement, can aid mixing of Markov chains, and are broadly applicable to many inferential problems.
Social Media Authentication and Combating Deepfakes Using Semi-Fragile Invisible Image Watermarking
Authors: Nadimpalli Aakash Varma , Rattani Ajita
Published: October 2024

With the significant advances in deep generative models for image and video synthesis, Deepfakes and manipulated media have raised severe societal concerns. Conventional machine learning classifiers for deepfake detection often fail to cope with evolving deepfake generation technology and are susceptible to adversarial attacks. Alternatively, invisible image watermarking is being researched as a proactive defense technique that allows media authentication by verifying an invisible secret message embedded in the image pixels. A handful of invisible image watermarking techniques introduced for media authentication have proven vulnerable to basic image processing operations and watermark removal attacks. In response, we have proposed a semi-fragile image watermarking technique that embeds an invisible secret message into real images for media authentication. Our proposed watermarking framework is designed to be fragile to facial manipulations or tampering while being robust to benign image-processing operations and watermark removal attacks. This is facilitated through a unique architecture of our proposed technique consisting of critic and adversarial networks that enforce high image quality and resiliency to watermark removal efforts, respectively, along with the backbone encoder-decoder and the discriminator networks. This allows images shared over the Internet to retain the verifiable watermark as long as facial manipulations or any other Deepfake modification technique is not applied. Thorough experimental investigations on SOTA facial Deepfake datasets demonstrate that our proposed model can embed a

\(64\)

-bit secret as an imperceptible image watermark that can be recovered with a high-bit recovery accuracy when benign image processing operations are applied while being non-recoverable when unseen Deepfake manipulations are applied. In addition, our proposed watermarking technique demonstrates high resilience to several white-box and black-box watermark removal attacks. Thus, obtaining state-of-the-art performance.
Enhanced Extraction of Activation Time and Contractility From Myocardial Strain Data Using Parameter Space Features and Computational Simulations
Authors: Kirn Borut
Published: October 2024

A computational model enables the extraction of two critical myocardial tissue properties: activation time (AT) and contractility (Con) from recorded cardiac strains. However, interference between these parameters reduces the precision and accuracy of the extraction process. This study investigates whether leveraging features in the parameter space can enhance parameter extraction. We utilized a computational model to simulate sarcomere mechanics, creating a parameter space grid of 41 × 41 AT and Con pairs. Each pair generated a simulated strain pattern, and by scanning the grid, we identified cohorts of similar strain patterns for each simulation. These cohorts were represented as binary images—synthetic fingerprints—where the position and shape of each blob indicated extraction uniqueness. We also generated a measurement fingerprint for a strain pattern from a patient with left bundle branch block and compared it to the synthetic fingerprints to calculate a proximity map based on their similarity. This approach allowed us to extract AT and Con using both the measurement fingerprint and the proximity map, corresponding to simple optimization and enhanced parameter extraction methods, respectively. Each synthetic fingerprint consisted of a single connected blob whose size and shape varied characteristically within the parameter space. The AT values extracted from the measurement fingerprint and the proximity map ranged from −59 to 19 ms and from −16 to 14 ms, respectively, while Con values ranged from 48% to 110% and from 85% to 110%, respectively. This study demonstrates that similarity in simulations leads to an asymmetric distribution of parameter values in the parameter space. By using a proximity map, this distortion is considered, significantly improving the accuracy of parameter extraction.
Study on Bonding Performance of Magnesium Phosphate Cement Mortar in Chloride Corrosion Environment
Authors: Yu Jiahuan , Chen Jiajian , Chen Bing , Feng Hu , Li Yuhan
Published: October 2024

The effects of nano‐SiO2 and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) on the physical and mechanical properties of magnesium phosphate cement (MPC)‐based mortar under salt corrosion environment were studied. The variation of strength under salt corrosion environment was compared and studied. The chloride ion permeability of modified MPC mortar was evaluated by electric flux method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to observe the composition and morphology of the samples under salt corrosion environment. Results showed that appropriate amount of nano‐SiO2 can significantly improve the compressive strength, flexural strength, and chloride ion penetration resistance of MPC‐based mortar under 3% NaCl solution corrosion. There existed an optimal dosage. The incorporation of HPMC would significantly reduce the compressive and flexural strength and the resistance to chloride ion penetration of MPC‐based mortar. Appropriate amount of nano‐silica and HPMC could improve the bonding performance of modified MPC‐based mortar under salt corrosion environment.
Microclimate Assessment in a 19th‐Century Heritage Building From Romania
Authors: Caciora Tudor , Ilies Dorina Camelia , Costea Monica , Blaga Lucian , Berdenov Zharas , Ilies Alexandru , Hassan Thowayeb H. , Peres Ana Cornelia , Safarov Bahodirhon , Josan Ioana , Noje Ioan-Cristian , Dehoorne Olivier , Grama Vasile , Baias Stefan
Published: October 2024

The quality of the internal microclimate is a very important issue nowadays, considering that people in developed societies spend a good part of their day inside buildings and means of transport. But the poor quality of indoor air has a double effect; on the one hand, it can harm human health, and on the other hand, it can cause the degradation of materials. Thus, the current study considers the potential influence of a number of 20 pollutants on the exhibits, visitors, and employees of a synagogue that is over 140 years old in the Municipality of Oradea (Romania), which today is included in the list of historical monuments and is open to be visited. The monitoring period consisted of 9 months, during which parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, CO concentration, light intensity, concentration of particulate matter, and other pollutants were monitored. All the obtained values were then reported to the international standards in force for each indicator, both regarding the potential for human health and the integrity of the exhibits. The results indicate that the values of most pollutants respect the allowed thresholds, with more or less permitted exceptions. The most problematic are the values of temperature, relative humidity, HCHO, and VOC, which substantially exceed the allowed limits and vary a considerable difference. This can induce additional stress on the exhibits, leading over time to damage and premature aging; in terms of human health, the indoor microclimate can, in rare cases, cause discomfort associated with headaches, dizziness, and irritation, but the potential to cause persistent ailments is quite low. To maintain a clean internal microclimate, preventive conservation through the continuous monitoring of internal parameters as well as the establishment of long‐term strategies to stabilize the values of pollutants are necessary actions.
Path Optimization in Robotic Welding of Plate Heat Exchangers: An Improved Ant Colony Approach
Authors: Chu Xianlong , Li Xinning , Wu Hu , Yang Xianhai , Yang Liyong
Published: October 2024

In industrial robot welding heat exchanger plate route planning, there are drawbacks to using the traditional ant colony algorithm (ACA), including poor search efficiency and a propensity to trend toward the local optimum. To address the above issues, first of all, the article introduces the improved pheromone volatilization factor, which is adjustable based on iteration times in the ACA. Secondly, it combines the new perturbation strategy and the cross‐mutation operation, proposes an improved genetic algorithm, and fuses it into the ACA, which increases the diversity of the ACA’s path searching and improves the ability of the local and global search. Finally, the improved ACA mechanism is verified by experiments and compared with six existing path planning algorithms (including three ACA variant algorithms and three mainstream algorithms). The experimental results show that the IACAG algorithm has excellent performance in welding heat exchanger path planning and can achieve lower calculation time and iteration times under the conditions of optimal solution and zero deviation, showing comprehensive advantages in solution quality, stability, and efficiency.
Impact of Artificial Intelligence–Based Technology on Nurse Management: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gonzalez-Garcia Alberto , Pérez-González Silvia , Benavides Carmen , Pinto-Carral Arrate , Quiroga-Sánchez Enedina , Marqués-Sánchez Pilar
Published: October 2024

Aim: To describe the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by nurse managers to enhance management, leadership, and healthcare outcomes.

Background: AI represents a significant transformation in healthcare management by enhancing decision‐making, communication, and resource optimization. However, the integration and strategic application of AI in nursing management are underexplored, particularly regarding its impact on leadership roles and healthcare delivery.

Methods: Methodological guidelines described by PRISMA were followed, and quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The databases searched included the Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHLi, and PubMed. The review included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‐method studies published between January 2015 and April 2024.

Results: Fourteen studies were selected for the review. The key findings indicate that AI technologies facilitate better resource management, risk assessment, and decision‐making. AI also supports nurse managers in leading changes, enhancing communication, and optimizing administrative tasks.

Conclusion: AI has been progressively integrated into nursing management, demonstrating significant benefits in operational efficiency, decision support, and leadership enhancement. However, challenges, such as resistance to technological change and ethical complexities, need to be addressed.

Implications for Nursing Management: Specific training programs for nurse managers are essential to optimize the integration of AI. Such programs should focus on the management of AI applications and data analyses. In addition, creating interdisciplinary groups involving nurse managers, AI developers, and nursing staff is crucial for tailoring AI solutions to meet the unique needs of healthcare settings.
Phytoremediation: Sustainable Approach for Heavy Metal Pollution
Authors: Kumar Abhijit , Dadhwal Mishika , Mukherjee Gunjan , Srivastava Apeksha , Gupta Saurabh , Ahuja Vishal
Published: October 2024

Rapid industrialization, mining, and other anthropogenic activities have poisoned our environment with heavy metals, negatively impacting all forms of life. Heavy metal pollution causes physiological and neurological disorders, as heavy metals are endocrine disrupters, carcinogenic, and teratogenic. Therefore, it becomes mandatory to address the challenge of heavy metal contamination on a global scale. Physical and chemical approaches have been employed for pollutant removal and detoxification, but these methods cannot be adopted universally due to high cost, labor intensiveness, and possible negative impact on natural microflora. Phytoremediation is one of the preferred and safest approaches for environmental management due to its high efficiency and low cost of investment. The plant can uptake the pollutants and heavy metals from water and soil through an intense root network via rhizofiltration and process via phytostabilization, phytovolatilization, and accumulation. At a cellular level, the phytoremediation process relies on natural mechanisms of plant cells, e.g., absorption, transpiration, intracellular storage, and accumulation to counter the detrimental effects of pollutants. It is widely accepted because of its novelty, low cost, and high efficiency; however, the process is comparatively slower. In addition, plants can store pollutants for a long time but again become a challenge at the end of the life cycle. The current review summarizes phytoremediation as a potential cure for heavy metal pollutants, released from natural as well as anthropogenic sources. It will provide insight into the advancement and evolution of advanced techniques like nanoremediation that can improve the rate of phytoremediation, along with making it sustainable, cost‐effective, and economically viable.
Factors Associated With Uptake of Breast Cancer Screening Among Catholic Nuns in Lake Zone, Tanzania
Authors: Marandu Gotfrida , Laisser Rose , Malale Kija , Rambau Peter
Published: October 2024

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Breast cancer screening programs are widely promoted because of their effectiveness in the early detection of cancer. However, a significant proportion of eligible Catholic nuns in the Lake Zone of Tanzania remain underscreened. This study is aimed at investigating the factors associated with breast cancer screening uptake among Catholic nuns in Lake Zone, Tanzania.

Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study design among 385 catholic nuns. Simple random sampling was deployed to enrolled catholic nuns, the ODK collect v2023.2.4 was electronically used to collect data. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with the uptake of breast cancer screening. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 18.0, with a significance level set at a p value less than 0.05.

Result: The prevalence uptake of breast cancer screening (i.e., breast self‐examination, clinical examination, or mammography examination) was 64% (n = 247, 95% CI, 59.3%–68.9%). A total of 57.4% had inadequate knowledge on the uptake of breast cancer screening (n = 221, 95% CI, 52.4%–62.4%). Also, the study found that 61.3% (95% CI, 56.4%–66.2%) of Catholic Nuns have negative attitudes towards the uptake of self‐breast examination among Catholic nuns. The findings revealed that 55.6% (n = 133, 95% CI, 50.6%–60.6%) and 52.7% (n = 52.7%, 95% CI, 47.7%–57.7%) of Catholic nuns negatively accept breast cancer screening and self‐breast examination, respectively. Nuns aged above 60 years were less likely to not perform BCS with a COR of 0.62 (95% CI, 0.39–0.97). Also, Catholic nuns who are in the nonhealth field are more likely to not perform BCS with a COR of 1.71 (95%, 1.07–2.74). Likewise, Catholic nuns who had negative acceptability of the Self‐breast examination were more likely to not perform BCS with an AOR of 1.65 (95% CI, 1.07–2.55).

Conclusion: A study found a low uptake of breast cancer screening among Catholic nuns. This highlights the need for breast health intervention programs within religious congregations to address misconceptions and promote early detection.
Resonance Suppression of Multi‐Inverter Systems Based on Global Admittance Reshaping
Authors: Zhang Jike , Wang Guifa , Liu Ruiming , Zhang Tianchen , Wang Jiankang
Published: October 2024

This paper proposes an active damping control method based on converter‐side current feedback to mitigate the resonance issue in multi‐inverter grid‐connected systems caused by coupling with the grid impedance. The method aims to address the reduction in grid power quality by utilizing an active damping device without modifying the hardware and software of the grid‐connected inverters. By introducing an additional small‐capacity power electronic device in parallel, the proposed method establishes two parallel admittances at the common connection point, creating specific conduction paths for system harmonics and reshaping the overall system admittance. In parallel operation of two photovoltaic grid‐connected inverters with different capacities, the access of the inherent admittance and virtual admittance of the source damper reduces the harmonic distortion rate of the grid‐connected current from 19.81% to 2.04% and from 15.86% to 0.52%, respectively. Simulation results validate the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed strategy.
Regular Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drug Use Increases Stress Fracture Risk in the General Population: A Retrospective Case‐Control Study
Authors: Ciuciu Alexandra , Mulholland Christopher , Bozzi Michael A. , Frymoyer Chris C. , Cavinatto Leonardo , Yaron David , Harwood Marc I. , Close Jeremy D. , Mehallo Christopher J. , Tomlinson Ryan E.
Published: October 2024

Previous studies have shown that the use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with increased stress fracture risk. This phenomenon has been studied predominantly in high‐activity individuals, so data regarding the general population are limited despite the substantial economic and resource burden of stress fracture injuries within the general US population. Furthermore, our preclinical studies demonstrate that regular use of NSAIDs also diminishes the intrinsic ability of bone to resist fracture. To determine the association of regular NSAID use with stress fractures in the general population, we surveyed subjects presenting with either stress fracture or uncomplicated ankle sprain to assess their use of NSAIDs over the three months before their injury. We hypothesized that subjects with stress fractures would have increased regular NSAID usage as compared to controls. Subjects diagnosed with a stress fracture (n = 56) and subjects with uncomplicated ankle sprains (n = 51; control) were surveyed about their NSAID use at the time of their diagnosis and in the previous three months using a questionnaire based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Subjects were surveyed in person on the day of their injury diagnosis or by phone within 30 days of their diagnosis. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine significant differences in NSAID usage between stress fracture and control subjects. Subjects diagnosed with stress fractures had a statistically significant increase in both current use (p = 0.03) and regular use (p = 0.04) of ibuprofen/naproxen/celecoxib as compared to control subjects. There were no significant differences in the use of aspirin, acetaminophen, or prescription medications containing acetaminophen between groups. Consistent with previous clinical reports, we observed a strong correlation between regular ibuprofen/naproxen/celecoxib use and stress fracture incidence in the general population. These results indicate that patients at high risk of stress fracture should avoid regular use of ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib.
Organizational Impacts of Restrictive Immigration Policy on Rural Safety Net Organizations
Authors: Perez-Lua Fabiola M. , Tafolla Sharon , De Trinidad Young Maria-Elena
Published: October 2024

Safety net organizations in rural regions face structural barriers to providing services. Organizations that serve rural Latino communities may face additional barriers related to restrictive immigration policies and anti‐immigrant climates. This study examines the impacts of restrictive immigration policies on safety net organizations that provide critical services to Latinos in rural areas to elucidate the mechanisms by which immigration policies influence Latino health. We conducted a qualitative analysis of 20 in‐depth interviews with safety net organizations providing legal, nutritional, healthcare, labor, educational, and advocacy services to Latinos in rural California. Rural Latino‐serving safety net organizations face immigration‐related funding restrictions and anti‐immigrant climates. Under restrictive immigration policies, rural safety net organizations are forced to extend beyond their organizational missions to circumvent immigration‐related funding restrictions and address anti‐immigrant climates to deliver their services. Staff working in these organizations are at the frontlines of anti‐immigrant climates and experienced an emotional toll from their work. States should address anti‐immigrant climates and increase funding to support organizations who serve Latinos in rural regions. To ensure that rural safety net organizations meet their mission, immigration‐related eligibility requirements from safety net services should be removed. In addition, funders should allocate resources towards mental health services to address the impacts of anti‐immigrant climates on staff who serve in rural Latino communities.
Fluorescence in situ Hybridization Analysis of Oligonucleotide 5S Ribosomal DNA, 45S Ribosomal DNA, and (TTTAGGG)3 Locations in Gloriosa superba L.
Authors: Zhao Hongyou , Wang Duo , Li Haitao , Li Shuang , Wang Yanfang , Xu Anshun , Yang Chunyong , Li Ge , Wang Yanqian , Zhang Lixia
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Gloriosa superba L. is a horticulturally and medicinally important plant native to Africa. However, the few cytogenetic studies of the species are mainly focused on chromosome counting and chromosome morphology-based karyotyping. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a powerful tool for the detection of DNA repetitive elements in a specific region of a chromosome. Methods: Here, detailed karyotypes of G. superba were constructed by FISH using 5S and 45S rDNAs, and telomeric repeat (TTTAGGG)3 oligonucleotides. Results and Conclusion: Twenty-two chromosomes were observed. Two 5S rDNA hybridization signals were detected in the proximal regions of the short arms of one pair of chromosomes, which were adjacent to the (TTTAGGG)3 terminal signals. Four 45S rDNA signals were detected near the centromere region of the short arm of the four chromosomes, but one of these was very weak and almost undetectable compared to the others. Telomeric repeat hybridization signals were distributed at the terminal region of each chromosome. The chromosomes displayed were intact, and the chromosome counts were accurate. Chromosome length ranged from 3.46 to 9.31 μm. These results will facilitate the cytogenetic mapping of other major repeats, thus contributing to an improved understanding of the G. superba genome structure and evolutionary history.
Associations of Co-Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals with Sex Steroid Hormones among Children Aged 6–19 Years
Authors: Ding Qi , Hao Tingting , Gao Yuan , Jiang Shanjiamei , Zhu Yu , Huang Yue'e , Liang Yali
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that may have a combined effect on sex hormone levels in children. This study investigated the correlations between co-exposure to PAHs and HMs and levels of sex steroid hormones in children. Methods: We employed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2016, including 1,167 participants aged 6–19 years. Sex hormone indicators include testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), and the TT/E2 ratio. Weighted multivariate linear regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were used to analyze the associations between co-exposure to PAHs and HMs and sex steroid hormone levels. Results: Co-exposure to PAHs and HMs was associated with a 16.2% reduction (95% CI [−0.321, −0.004]) in SHBG level among prepubertal males and a 16% reduction (95% CI [−0.30, −0.03]) in E2 level among pubertal males by the WQS regression, and cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) contributed the highest weight, respectively. In the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model, co-exposure to PAHs and HMs was positively associated with TT/E2 in pubertal males and negatively correlated with FAI in pubertal females, and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-PYR) and Cd were the most important components, respectively. Conclusions: Co-exposure to PAHs and HMs was associated with sex hormone levels in children. These findings highlight the necessity for preventing the effects of these chemicals on sex hormones.
Covering Gaza
Authors: Harb Zahera
Published: October 2024

When journalists witness the same horrors inflicted on their people by a powerful military, anxieties around the concepts of objectivity, impartiality, balance and neutrality in journalism become paramount. Amid military campaigns described as war crimes, journalistic values, including truthfulness, accuracy and accountability, gain even greater significance. Journalists are vital in bearing witness to these atrocities, uncovering the truth and holding perpetrators accountable, even in the most perilous conditions. In the context of the war on Gaza, as well as the conflicts in southern Lebanon and Ukraine, traditional objectivity, I suggest here, is unattainable. The only semblance of truth emerges within a positioned or contextual framework. This perspective is evident in the coverage by Gazan journalists during the Israeli military atrocities, reflecting the broader challenges of war journalism. This article argues that journalists faced with the stark realities of war, they inevitably adopt a positioned objectivity, recognizing the impossibility of detachment or neutrality when confronted with the horrors of conflict. Many Western journalists and audiences have long viewed objectivity and impartiality as absolute ideals unaffected by context. However, this mindset should be challenged, as context should indeed shape our understanding of these concepts.
Avicenna on the Faculties of the Soul: A Critical Analysis with an Examination of Faḫr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s Criticisms
Authors: Amirkhani Sajad , Varzdar Keramat
Published: October 2024

This article examines Avicenna’s responses to three questions regarding the soul: (1) Why does the soul require faculties? (2) Why are the soul’s faculties multiple? (3) What is the criterion for their multiplicity? Avicenna uses the rule of one and the soul’s simplicity to explain these questions, introducing multiple faculties to resolve the paradox of the soul performing various actions. He argues that the diversity of faculties is due to the generic difference between actions. Faḫr al-Dīn al-Rāzī raises four objections to Avicenna’s explanation. This paper also scrutinizes al-Rāzī’s objections to understand Avicenna’s theory better.
Sustainable integration of insects into European food chains
Authors: Veldkamp T. , Meijer N. , Alleweldt F. , Deruytter D. , Van Der Borght M. , Vandeweyer D. , Gasco L. , Roos N. , Smetana S. , Fernandes A. , van der Fels-Klerx H.J.
Published: October 2024

The European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) is a cornerstone of the European Green Deal, aiming for transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy by addressing waste reduction and promoting recycling of low-opportunity cost biomass. The EU Horizon 2020 project SUStainable INsect CHAIN (SUSINCHAIN) aligns with these goals, focusing on the efficient utilisation of insects in the food chain to strengthen sustainable supply chains, enhance consumer acceptance, and create market opportunities. The project, targeted at Technology Readiness Level 6, addresses barriers through comprehensive research, technology demonstrations, and stakeholder collaboration. Results contribute to scaling up the insect sector by overcoming supply and demand challenges, fostering trust, and developing best practices. The opinions generated encompass market opportunities, insect rearing, processing, safety, and sustainability, providing guidelines for stakeholders, public authorities, policymakers, and academia to collectively drive the growth and acceptance of the European insect sector.
The Martijn Trilogy Manuscripts: An Open Dataset for Analyzing Scribal Variation
Authors: Moors Sofie , Kestemont Mike , Sleiderink Remco
Published: October 2024

The authors present a dataset containing transcriptions of manuscripts of the Middle Dutch strophic poem Martijn Trilogy by the Flemish poet Jacob van Maerlant. Of his very large oeuvre, Maerlant’s Strophic Poems had the longest tradition: originally written in the thirteenth century, copyists and printers continued to disseminate them until about 1500. These ten shorter poems on social, religious, and ethical issues stand out for their unusual and complex stanza form. The Martijn Trilogy was his most successful strophic poem: 17 text witnesses are extant, and the trilogy was imitated and even translated into French and Latin. This dataset contains hyperdiplomatic transcriptions of all witnesses, amounting to a total of 15,814 verses or 79,337 tokens. This open-access dataset abides by the fair principles, is licensed under a cc-by-sa license, and is made available in multiple, complementary file formats. Since these transcriptions are strictly diplomatic, this corpus offers valuable possibilities for research on scribal attributions (scribal profiling), abbreviations, stemmatology, textual stability and more.
Can Data Empower Indigenous People? Unveiling an Innovative Dataset for Quantitative Analysis, Replication Modeling, and Economic Development
Authors: Onsay Emmanuel , Rabajante Jomar
Published: October 2024

Indigenous peoples are among the most vulnerable, ignored, and marginalized groups in society. Poverty is the oldest social problem and difficult to counter. The Indigenous people with which the authors live and work, the Agta Tabangnon, suffer from poverty and multidimensional socioeconomic deprivations. Indigenous peoples’ studies are qualitative, while poverty studies are typically generic, exposed to large sampling errors, and intended for nationwide decisions. Therefore, measuring poverty for specific tribes through complete enumeration with multifaceted disaggregation is critical for economic development. There is no comprehensive census specifically designed for Indigenous peoples to encompass the multidimensional aspects of their way of life. Nonetheless, the authors are resourceful in generating useful datasets from their partners. The locale is situated in the poorest district of the poorest province in the poorest region of Luzon, Philippines. The datasets contain multidimensional poverty indicators that are readily usable, along with complementary analytics to visualize the data. They may serve to measure poverty in Indigenous communities across different regions and countries. By utilizing this data, further empirical analysis, regressions, machine learning, and econometric modeling can be conducted. It can be freely utilized to target policies that address the multifaceted poverty and promote economic development within tribal communities.
Arizona Mormon Youths’ Religious Socialization and 2020 Voting Choices
Authors: Romanello Brittany , Baker Paula , Estrada Emir , Pasco Michelle C.
Published: October 2024

In Arizona, Mormonism has a historical presence as a conservative and globalized faith. Though the Mormon Church officially maintains political neutrality, it also encourages civic engagement. Through an analysis of interview data collected from 38 Mormon youth as part of the Arizona Youth Identity Project, this paper explores the enactment of political agency in reaction to complex socialization processes. Mormon youths’ voting choices in the 2020 election season were shaped by religious socialization and Mormonism as an “ethnoreligious” identity. While religious upbringing was important in political decision-making, our study found that most youth were politically unaffiliated and voted across party lines instead. Further, we analyze how intersectional identities such as gender, race, and sexual orientation contributed to this generation’s political values and voting outcomes, even creating external tensions with peers and older Mormon leadership. As Arizona Mormon youth participated in a historic election season, this study highlights the nuances of religious socialization and voting choices.
Immune Dysregulation in the Oral Cavity during Early SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Graves C. , Babikow E. , Ghaltakhchyan N. , Ngo T.Q. , Liu C. , Wang S. , Shoji A. , Bocklage C. , Phillips S.T. , Markovetz M. , Frazier-Bowers S.A. , Divaris K. , Freire M. , Wallet S. , Wu D. , Jacox L.A.
Published: October 2024

Tissue-specific immune responses are critical determinants of health-maintaining homeostasis and disease-related dysbiosis. In the context of COVID-19, oral immune responses reflect local host-pathogen dynamics near the site of infection and serve as important “windows to the body,” reflecting systemic responses to the invading SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study leveraged multiplex technology to characterize the salivary SARS-CoV-2–specific immunological landscape (37 cytokines/chemokines and 11 antibodies) during early infection. Cytokine/immune profiling was performed on unstimulated cleared whole saliva collected from 227 adult SARS-CoV-2+ participants and 37 controls. Statistical analysis and modeling revealed significant differential abundance of 25 cytokines (16 downregulated, 9 upregulated). Pathway analysis demonstrated early SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with local suppression of oral type I/III interferon and blunted natural killer–/T-cell responses, reflecting a potential novel immune-evasion strategy enabling infection. This virus-associated immune suppression occurred concomitantly with significant upregulation of proinflammatory pathways including marked increases in the acute phase proteins pentraxin-3 and chitinase-3-like-1. Irrespective of SARS-CoV-2 infection, prior vaccination was associated with increased total α-SARS-CoV-2-spike (trimer), -S1 protein, -RBD, and -nucleocapsid salivary antibodies, highlighting the importance of COVID-19 vaccination in eliciting mucosal responses. Altogether, our findings highlight saliva as a stable and accessible biofluid for monitoring host responses to SARS-CoV-2 over time and suggest that oral-mucosal immune dysregulation is a hallmark of early SARS-CoV-2 infection, with possible implications for viral evasion mechanisms.
Does Local Area Social Mobility Affect Political Alienation?
Authors: McNeil Andrew , Sturgis Patrick
Published: October 2024

While existing research has considered how individual-level social mobility experiences affect a person’s political outlook, less attention has been paid to how historic levels of social mobility in local areas influence political attitudes and political behaviour. We link individual-level data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study to small area estimates of social class mobility derived from the decennial census. We find that living in a low absolute social mobility area was associated with a higher probability of voting ‘Leave’ in the 2016 UK European Union membership referendum. However, we find no evidence that historical social mobility rates in the local area predict abstention in general elections or attitudinal indicators of political alienation. Given declining rates of upwards mobility, and increasing levels of downwards mobility, our results have important implications for understanding geographies of political discontent.
Linguistic differences in the political communication of winning mayors in Colombia’s local elections between 2019 and 2023 / Diferencias lingüísticas en la comunicación política de gobernantes ganadores en las elecciones locales 2019–23 en Colombia
Authors: Aguilar-Pardo David , Garzón-Velandia Diana-Camila , Carvajal-Builes Juan-Camilo , Barreto-Galeano María-Idaly , Zárate-Ceballos Henry , Sabucedo-Cameselle José-Manuel
Published: October 2024

The use of language reflects different sociocognitive processes which are crucial in political psychology. In political communication in elections and governance, the manipulation of language to mobilize actions may be imperceptible by citizens, especially in the vast volumes of news posted on digital platforms like Twitter (now X). For this reason, we set out to analyse the differences in the linguistic style and content of the messages of 18 mayors of large cities in Colombia during the electoral campaign and the start of the period of governance through a two-stage design. We found that the politicians’ language during the electoral campaign had a persuasive function focused on promoting inclusive identities and generating empathy using prosocial topics. In contrast, the linguistic style during the term of office was more formal and complex, highlighting the legitimacy of the acts of governance. Differences were also found in the candidates on the left and right related to how they discuss economic issues during the electoral campaign. These findings show the need to take a multidisciplinary approach to address the effects of language and technology on the understanding and explanation of the psycho-political processes involved in elections and governance.
Del Nido versus conventional blood cardioplegia in patients with combined aortic root surgery: A retrospective study
Authors: Huang Yingshan , Zhu Xiangni , Kong Jichang , Zhang Ling , Gui Wenting , Wang Jiao , Yang Yunling , Xie Yan , Wang Dongmei , Li Xinyue , Zhou Long , Song Yi , Wang Xiaoqi
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of Del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) and conventional blood cardioplegia (CBC) in combined aortic surgery.

Methods

This retrospective study involved elective patients who underwent combined aortic root surgery between September 2017 and July 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: the DNC and the CBC group. The primary outcome was high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase-MB levels at the 0, 1, 2, and three postoperative days. The secondary outcomes contained postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, return to spontaneous rhythm after aortic de-clamping, postoperative myocardial infarction, new-onset atrial fibrillation, postoperative mechanical circulatory support, mechanical ventilation duration, intensive care unit stay, postoperative hospital stay, and the reduction of left ventricle end-diastolic diameter at 3 months after surgery.

Results

223 patients were included and divided into the CBC ( n = 111) and the DNC group ( n = 112). There was no statistical difference in patients’ demographics and preoperative parameters between the two groups. No in-hospital mortality. The total cardioplegia volume [35.25 (30.30,43.65) ml/kg versus 21.43 (18.42,25.62) ml/kg, p < 0.001] and infusion times [2 (2,3) times versus 1 (1,2) times, p < 0.001] were less and the incidence of return to spontaneous rhythm after de-clamping was higher in the DNC group [59.5% versus 83%, p < 0.001]. Postoperative high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase-MB levels were comparable between the two groups. DNC is related to a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay than CBC. The rate of return to spontaneous rhythm after aortic de-clamping seemed to decrease with the prolongation of aortic cross-clamping (ACC) duration, and there was no difference between the two groups when the time exceeded 120 min.

Conclusions

The safety and efficacy of using DNC were comparable to CBC in combined aortic surgery. The rate of return to spontaneous rhythm after aortic de-clamping seemed to decrease with the prolongation of ACC time. Further studies may be needed to fully elucidate the advantages of DNC in postoperative recovery and its long-term effects on patient outcomes.
Much ado about nothing? Assessing the actual benefits of proton beam therapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Terlizzi Mario , Bossi Alberto
Published: October 2024

We are discussing and commenting on the paper by Yu et al. titled “Updated Analysis of Comparative Toxicity of Proton and Photon Radiation for Prostate Cancer,” published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in June 2024.
Paranoid About Androids: A Review of Robotics in Radiology
Authors: Hughes Hannah , Cornelis Francois H. , Scaglione Mariano , Patlas Michael N.
Published: October 2024

In tandem with the ever-increasing global population, the demand for diagnostic radiology service provision is on the rise and at a disproportionate rate compared to the number of radiologists available to practice. The current “revolution in robotics” promises to alleviate personnel shortages in many sectors of industry, including medicine. Despite negative depictions of robots in popular culture, their multiple potential benefits cannot be overlooked, in particular when it comes to health service provision. The type of robots used for interventional procedures are largely robotic-assistance devices, such as the Da Vinci surgical robot. Advances have also been made with regards to robots for image-guided percutaneous needle placement, which have demonstrated superior accuracy compared to manual methods. It is likely that artificial intelligence will come to play a key role in the field of robotics and will result in an increase in the levels of robotic autonomy attainable. However, this concept is not without ethical and legal considerations, most notably who is responsible should an error occur; the physician, the robot manufacturer, software engineers, or the robot itself? Efforts have been made to legislate in order to protect against the potentially harmful effects of unexplainable “black-box” decision outputs of artificial intelligence systems. In order to be accepted by patients, studies have shown that the perceived level of trustworthiness and predictability of robots is crucial. Ultimately, effective, widespread implementation of medical robotic systems will be contingent on developers remaining cognizant of factors that increase human acceptance, as well as ensuring compliance with regulations.
No shelter is safe: Syrian refugees and housing precarity in Beirut, Lebanon
Authors: Abi-Ghanem Maureen
Published: October 2024

Since the Syrian conflict began in 2011, Lebanon has maintained an incomplete vision for its most recent wave of refugees, specifically through its “zero-camp” policy for displaced Syrians. However, it has provided no alternative shelter. In a country with no comprehensive affordable housing scheme, this has led displaced Syrians to seek informal ways of accessing spaces of refuge on their own and UNHCR to become the leading humanitarian organization in helping the most vulnerable refugees access shelter. The research reported in this field note, drawing on interviews, discussions, participant observation and analysis of secondary data, investigates how these displaced Syrians have accessed shelter and tenure in two upscale neighbourhoods in Beirut, navigating a delicate balance of legal, social, economic and spatial factors shared by both the displaced and local communities. The situation has been further complicated by Beirut’s historic sectarian divisions. The findings of the study provide an update on Syrian refugee self-settlement after the 2019 economic crisis in well-to-do neighbourhoods in Beirut, challenging the assumption that the shelter available to refugees in privileged areas might provide greater security in dire economic times.