bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a core outcome set for interventions in people with mild cognitive impairment: study protocol
Authors: Gabb Victoria Grace , Harding Sam , McNair Angus G K , Clayton Julie , Barrett-Muir Winsome , Richardson Alan , Woodward Natalie , Alderman Sophie , Dooley Jemima , Webb Joseph , Rudd Sarah , Coulthard Elizabeth , Turner Nicholas
Published: January 2025

Introduction

There is no standardised national guidance on clinical management for people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and therapeutic interventions are limited. Understanding what outcomes are important and meaningful to people living with MCI and developing a core outcome set (COS) for research and clinical practice will improve the impact of clinical research and contribute towards developing effective care pathways for MCI. This study aims to develop a COS for adults living with MCI intended for use in interventional and clinical settings.

Methods and analysis

The COS will be developed using a five-stage study design: (1) systematic literature search, (2) qualitative interviews, (3) evidence synthesis from stages 1 and 2, (4) two-round Delphi survey and (5) consensus meeting(s). First, we will conduct an umbrella review of existing MCI interventional studies and extract a list of outcomes. Qualitative interviews will be held with key stakeholders including individuals living with MCI, friends and family, and relevant professionals to identify further outcomes considered important. Outcomes from the review and interviews will be synthesised into a ‘long list’ of outcomes for potential inclusion in the COS. Two rounds of Delphi surveys followed by a consensus meeting will be used to reach stakeholder consensus on which outcomes should be included in the final COS.

Ethics and dissemination

We have received ethical approval from the London—Queen Square Research Ethics Committee (23/PR/1580). Patient and public involvement and engagement are central to developing the COS. The results will be disseminated via conferences, peer-reviewed publications, briefing notes to key agencies, to the public via social media and blog posts and directly to stakeholders who participate in the project.

Trial registration number

Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials Initiative 2117; PROSPERO registration: CRD42023452514.
Admission outcomes and their associated factors among children admitted to the paediatric emergency unit within 24 hours of Dilla University Referral Hospital, Ethiopia, 2023: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dube Samuel Jigso , Seboka Binyam Tariku , Demeke Abel Desalegn , Feleke Mekdes Mekonnen , Jarso Abdo Hajo , Bati Asresu Feleke , Udo Etaferaw , Markos Selam Tadele , Kassaw Chalachew , Yeheyis Tomas , Debebe Amdehiwot Aynalem , Gechere Ephrem Geja , Dessie Yihenew Ayehu
Published: January 2025

Background

Children in paediatric emergency units are those who need special attention, and unless treated early, they are a vulnerable population to unwanted outcomes like death, discharge against medical advice or referral to other institutions within 24 hours.

Objectives

To assess admission outcomes and their associated factors among children admitted to the paediatric emergency unit of Dilla University Referral Hospital, Ethiopia, 2023.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed among children admitted to the paediatric emergency unit at Dilla University Referral Hospital from 8 May 2023 to 8 June 2023. A total of 885 complete charts of the children aged 29 days to 14 years were analysed. Structured checklist was used for data collection. STATA V.14 was used for data analysis. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to determine the factors associated with admission outcomes. Overall model fitness was checked using the likelihood ratio test.

Result

Out of 885 patient charts reviewed, the magnitude of patients improved, transferred, died, referred and discharged against medical advice was 51%, 40.9%, 7.6%, 0.1% and 0.4%, respectively. Children presented with diarrhoea (adjusted OR (AOR) =2.92, 95% CI 1.46 to 5.84), severe respiratory distress (AOR=5.08, 95% CI 2.49 to 10.35), coma (AOR=3.71, 95% CI 1.24 to 11.13), comorbidity (AOR=3.33, 95% CI 1.49 to 7.41) and delay to seek healthcare (AOR=1.99, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.83) were significantly associated factors with emergency unit mortality, whereas pneumonia (AOR=1.76, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.65) and severe acute malnutrition (AOR=3.46, 95% CI 2.06 to 5.81) were significantly associated factors with intrahospital unit/ward transfer.

Conclusion

The magnitude of mortality, transfer to the ward and discharge against medical advice were relatively higher. Interventions focused on early diagnoses, and the initiation of appropriate treatments was of the utmost relevance to improving patient outcomes.
How faculty with critical care specialties learn in a university hospital: a qualitative phenomenological study
Authors: Jeong Hyeyoon , Cho Hyena , Seo Kyoung-Woo , Lee Janghoon , Kim Miran , Yu Jihye
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The study aims to explore the workplace learning experiences of medical faculty in critical care specialties at a university hospital, focusing on how they develop their professional identity and construct the meaning of their work.

Design

Qualitative, phenomenological study.

Setting

The current study was conducted at a university hospital in South Korea between November 2022 and October 2023.

Participants

Five faculty members (two males and three females) from critical care specialties (eg, emergency medicine) with over 15 years of experience, each having served as faculty at a university hospital for more than 5 years.

Results

Six key themes emerged: cultivating ‘doctor-ishness’ in the realm of critical care, beacon of inner drive: guiding professional growth, nexus for leveraging expertise and fostering professional growth, the challenging reality of becoming an ‘ideal’ faculty, the shifting tides of the medical profession’s role and weaving workplace learning into a unique rhythm of practice. These themes collectively highlight that faculty members’ workplace learning involves a transition from functional professionals to reflective practitioners.

Conclusions

Workplace learning of faculty members with critical care specialties is understood as an ongoing, context-dependent and individualised process in which emotions play a crucial role in determining the depth and significance of learning and shaping professional identities. This study highlights their capacity for agency and potential, offering a perspective beyond previous research that has primarily focused on their hardships. By shedding light on their workplace learning from an insider’s view and underscoring the need to support professional development in these high-stakes fields, our findings suggest theoretical and practical interventions to foster the mutual growth of faculty and hospital organisations.
Implementing an intrahospital transport preparation (IHT) and management project for critically ill patients: identification of barriers and facilitators using consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) – a qualitative study
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhang Xiaotian , Li Guifen , Lu Ying , Xie Rui , Cui Man , Li Baohua , Du Lanfang , Ma Li
Published: January 2025

Objective

To investigate the factors contributing to or hindering intrahospital transport preparation and management projects using the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) framework.

Design

Semistructured interviews were used in a qualitative descriptive study.

Setting

This study was conducted in the emergency room of a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China, between December 2023 and January 2024.

Participants

Purposive sampling was employed to recruit 22 doctors and nurses involved in intrahospital transport.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

A content analysis technique was employed to transcribe and analyse all gathered data. Iterative methods were used for the data collection and analysis.

Results

39 implementation determinants—11 barriers, 25 facilitators and 3 neutral factors—were identified. These determining factors aligned with 23 of the 26 CFIR constructs and 5 CFIR domains. Facilitators were identified in four primary domains: ease of implementation, scientific and project completion, patient advantages and enhanced capacity for safe and professional transfer. Additionally, hurdles were identified in the CFIR domains of intervention characteristics, outer settings and inner settings. These barriers include inadequate training and mobilisation, insufficient information systems, unclear reward and punishment policies, a shortage of labour and material resources and the absence of established reward and punishment laws.

Conclusion

This study identified the factors influencing the emergency department’s intrahospital transport planning and management project implementation. Despite numerous obstacles, the project provides a clear pathway for advancing intrahospital transport planning and management.
Occupational and non-occupational factors of post-COVID-19 condition: a cross-sectional survey in the French general working population
Authors: Rushyizekera Melissa , Delpierre Cyrille , Makovski Tatjana T , Coste Joël
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Although the working population carries the greatest burden of long COVID, occupational and non-occupational factors of the condition have not yet been well documented in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate these factors.

Methods

A nationwide random sampling cross-sectional survey was conducted among the adult population in mainland France after the large Omicron waves in the autumn of 2022. Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) was defined according to the WHO. Associations of occupational and non-occupational factors with PCC were tested in a conceptual model accounting for the relationships between these factors and considering two control groups (previously infected participants without PCC and participants with no reported or diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection). Interactions between occupational and non-occupational factors were considered.

Results

The survey included 1131 working adults. PCC was positively associated with reported infection while providing care (prevalence ratio (PR)=2.06 (95% CI 1.08 to 3.94)), being in contact with a colleague (PR=1.61 (95% CI 1.04 to 2.48)) and increased workload (PR=2.85 (95% CI 1.12 to 7.24)), whereas it was negatively associated with reported infection while being in contact with the public or clients (PR=0.23 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.76)). Several non-occupational factors were associated with PCC: sex, household size, household financial satisfaction, number of pre-existing chronic conditions, anxiety, injury sequelae and perceived SARS-CoV-2 infection severity. No interactions were found between these factors.

Conclusions

Reducing the burden of long COVID in the working population requires public health strategies that consider a wide spectrum of factors, including work conditions in a broad sense. Specific attention should be given to the most vulnerable workers accumulating such factors.
Coexistence of cardiac sarcoidosis and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy-associated genetic variants: a multicentre case-control study
Authors: Rossi Valentina Alice , Palazzini Matteo , Ammirati Enrico , Gasperetti Alessio , Grubler Martin , Brunckhorst Corinna , Manka Robert , Giannopoulos Andreas , Tanner Felix C , Medeiros-Domingo Argelia , Gentile Piero , Bramerio Manuela , Schmidt Dörthe , Tondo Claudio , Flammer Andreas J , Ruschitzka Frank , Duru Firat , Saguner Ardan Muammer
Published: January 2025

Background

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by non-caseating granulomas, while arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic condition mainly affecting desmosomal proteins. The coexistence of CS and genetic variants associated with ACM is not well understood, creating challenges in diagnosis and management. This study aimed to describe the clinical, imaging and genetic features of patients with both conditions.

Methods

This was a multicentre retrospective case-control study involving three groups of patients: those with biopsy-proven CS and pathogenic or likely pathogenic genetic variants linked to ACM (n=5); patients with genetic variants but no CS (n=5); and patients with CS without genetic variants (n=5). Clinical data, including symptoms, electrocardiographic findings and imaging results from echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance and positron-emission tomography, were analysed.

Results

Patients with CS and genetic variants were more likely to exhibit atrioventricular block (100%), PR prolongation (204 ms vs 160 ms) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (80%) compared with those with genetic variants alone (0% for both). Imaging findings showed a higher prevalence of septal involvement in patients with both conditions (80%) than in those with genetic variants alone (20%). No significant differences were observed between patients with CS and genetic variants and those with CS without genetic variants. The genetic variants identified included variants in PKP2 (40%), DSG2 (20%), DSP (20%) and TTN (20%).

Conclusions

The coexistence of CS and ACM-associated genetic variants is associated with distinct clinical features, including PR prolongation, AVB1°, septal involvement and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. These findings emphasise the need to evaluate for CS in individuals with ACM and associated genetic variants who present with conduction abnormalities or septal involvement, guiding tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Art of TIL immunotherapy: SITC’s perspective on demystifying a complex treatment
Authors: Turcotte Simon , Donia Marco , Gastman Brian , Besser Michal , Brown Robert , Coukos George , Creelan Benjamin , Mullinax John , Sondak Vernon K , Yang James C , Rohaan Maartje W , Marie Svane Inge , Lotze Michael T , Haanen John B A G , Goff Stephanie L
Published: January 2025

In a first for solid cancers, cellular immunotherapy has entered standard of care in the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. The infusion of autologous tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL) is capable of mediating durable tumor regression and is now Food and Drug Administration-approved for patients with disease refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Since the advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for patients with hematological malignancies, a growing network of centers capable of delivering effector T cell products to patients has developed. Administration of TIL can be layered onto that institutional framework, but there are many complex and unique aspects to TIL immunotherapy. The highly multidisciplinary clinical expertise and coordination required to successfully and safely deliver TIL to patients began within the National Cancer Institute Surgery Branch and have been subsequently adopted worldwide. The general steps, most of which require hospital inpatient resources, include a surgical procedure to harvest sufficient tumor for TIL manufacturing, admission for non-myeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy followed by TIL, and intravenous interleukin-2 (IL-2, aldesleukin). Here, we provide the principles, practice, and required resources underlying the efficient and safe delivery of TIL immunotherapy derived from the clinical expertise of high-volume centers around the world. This article enhances published clinical practice guidelines by providing underlying clinical rationale and data-driven examples to demystify TIL immunotherapy in order to facilitate uptake and improve patient access to this promising treatment modality in clinical and research settings.
Six at Sixty. ‘Have you tested for 22q?’
Authors: Scambler Peter
Published: January 2025

In 1997, theJournal of Medical Geneticspublished our paper on the spectrum of clinical features associated with interstitial chromosome 22q11 deletions. This copy number variation is associated with an extraordinary range of clinical features, which led initially to its association with several diagnostic labels. Since 1997 work on clinical and basic science aspects of the syndrome and the genes reduced to hemizygosity have provided a wealth of information pertaining to both best practice care and underlying biology. It is recognised that 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is an excellent model for probing mechanisms underlying psychiatric disease, cardiovascular development and much more.
Exploration of parental perspectives and involvement in therapeutic communication approaches for deaf and/or hard-of-hearing children at special schools in South Africa
Authors: Casoojee Aisha , Khoza-Shangase Katijah , Kanji Amisha
Published: January 2025

Family-centred intervention optimises the development of communication abilities and academic outcomes in children with hearing loss. Cognisance of family values, respect for family differences and adaptations to cultural and linguistic diversity ensure the collaboration of parent-professional relationships. This study investigated the parental involvement and parental perceptions regarding the communication intervention approaches implemented (i.e., traditional speech-language therapy and listening and spoken language-South Africa—adapted Auditory Verbal Therapy) for children with profound hearing loss. The study was conducted at special schools for children with hearing loss across four provinces in South Africa, where grade-level core skills are taught using a mainstream curriculum complemented by specialised instruction. Data were collected through a parental self-administered survey and a retrospective record review. An inductive analysis of transcripts was conducted, and the Fisher’s exact test assessed associations between data sets. Findings demonstrated limited informational counselling provided to parents regarding communication intervention options. Following the initiation of the communication intervention process, findings indicate parental buy-in, fuelled by their aspirations for their child with a hearing loss. Although results suggest that parents prefer a listening and spoken language therapeutic communication modality, this approach is hindered by the lack of culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate care. This is an important finding, particularly in multilingual and multicultural contexts like South Africa. These context-specific outcomes emphasise that communication interventionists must be cognizant of parental-informed decision-making, cultural contexts and linguistic sensitivity for effective parent-professional collaborations.
EULAR standardised training model for ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive synovial tissue biopsy procedures in large and small joints
Authors: Möller Ingrid , Largo Raquel , Bong David A. , Filer Andrew , Najm Aurélie , Alivernini Stefano , Terslev Lene , Koski Juhani , Balint Peter , Bruyn George A.W. , Iagnocco Annamaria , Bruns Alessandra , Uson Jacqueline , Acebes Carlos , Rodríguez Ana , Guillen-Astete Carlos , Herrero-Beaumont Gabriel , Miguel Maribel , Garrido Jesús , D’Agostino Maria Antonietta , Naredo Esperanza
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To develop an EULAR training model for education in synovial tissue biopsy (STB) under ultrasound guidance (UG) following a stepwise approach: (1) development of educational material on UGSTB in large and small joints; (2) assessment of the validity, reliability and feasibility of the UGSTB educational procedure on cadaveric specimens; (3) validation of this procedure in live patients.

Methods

Using a nominal group (NG) and a DELPHI consensus methodology, educational audio-visual (AV) material and minimal requirements for education in UGSTB were developed by an expert panel. Then the experts performed an UGSTB on cadaveric joints using the developed approach. The samples retrieved from the cadaveric joints were confirmed histologically and the procedure was then tested by a group of ultrasonographers with different expertise for feasibility and face validity. The AV material and the practical procedures’ phases were subsequently ranked by the experts to finalise the training model for performing UGSTB in patients. The ST retrieved in patients was assessed for tissue quality.

Results

Based on NG and DELPHI processes, educational material and a stepwise standardised cadaver-based training model were developed. The knee was the cadaveric joint with the highest yield of histologically good quality of ST. 90% of the UGSTB from patients showed synovial membrane and 77% intact lining layer.

Conclusions

This EULAR endeavour provided a consensus-based comprehensive educational material and a practical cadaver-based model for training in UGSTB, which has shown feasibility and validity in tissue acquisition in specimens and patients.
Symptom and problem burden, performance status and palliative care phases in specialist palliative care: cross-sectional analysis of care episodes
Authors: Lehmann-Emele Eva , Gesell Daniela , Hodiamont Farina , Wikert Julia , Bausewein Claudia
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Palliative care phases (stable, unstable, deteriorating, terminal and bereavement) are useful in describing the palliative care situation of patients/relatives and their care needs as well as the suitability of care plans. Little is known about care setting-specific differences of the phases and their association with burden of symptoms/problems and functional status. We aimed to describe the presence and association of symptom/problem burden and functional status with the palliative care phase at the beginning of care episodes in specialist palliative care units, specialist home care teams and advisory services.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of a prospective, cross-sectional, multicentre study collecting data on patients’ complexity in Germany. Analyses using the palliative care phase, symptom/problem burden measured by the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS), functional status measured by the Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status (AKPS), severity of confusion and agitation, age and gender were conducted, including descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and multinomial logistic regression.

Results

3115 phases from three settings were included, with an average age of 72 years (SD±13.3) and 49% male. The distribution of phases at episode start varied among settings: data showed in palliative care units 20.3% stable, 43.4% unstable, 31.5% deteriorating and 4.8% terminal; in palliative care advisory, 26% stable, 33.9% unstable, 32.8% deteriorating and 7.3% terminal; and in specialist palliative home care, 42.4% stable, 21.3% unstable, 29.1% deteriorating and 7.2% terminal phases. Multinomial logistic regression showed that besides functional status, in palliative care units and specialist palliative home care, high physical symptom burden and palliative care advisory, high emotional burden increased the odds of being in an unstable phase.

Conclusions

Setting-specific differences in patient characteristics and symptom and problem burden associated with palliative care phases lead towards different demands on the teams providing patient care.
The reaction of thionyl chloride with β amino alcohols: a computational investigation to delineate the mechanisms of the well-established synthesis that forms the 1-chloro-(2-alkylamino)ethanes and the 1,2,3 alkyloxathiazolidine-2-oxide compounds
Authors: Scotland Kevin M. , Vreugdenhil Andrew J. , Shetranjiwalla Shegufa
Published: January 2025

The substitution reaction mechanism of β-amino alcohols and thionyl chloride to form the 1-chloro-(2-alkylamino)ethane and the 1,2,3-alkyloxathiazolidine-2-oxide products was investigated using computational methods. The reactions that result in these compounds are very similar; they both use the N-(2-alkyl/arylamino)ethanols and thionyl chloride; however, the synthesis of 1,2,3-alkyl/aryloxathiazolidine-2-oxide requires the use of an amine base, which quite commonly results in a purer product, not a different compound as is the case here. The mechanism of the formation of 1-chloro-(2-alkylamino)ethanes involves the formation of a quaternary nitrogen species as one of the first steps. This step has a low relative energy barrier and occurs readily. It occurred in the reaction of all substituents tested except for the methyl and phenyl substituents. Based on this work, it was demonstrated that the amine base is not actually needed to form the 1,2,3-alkyl/aryloxathiazolidine-2-oxide. Experimental reactions to produce the 1-chloro-(2-alkylamino)ethanes were performed and the products were characterized by 1H and 13C-NMR and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS experimental results supported the computational results, in that trace amounts of the 1,2,3-oxathiazolidine-2-oxides were found in the residue of this reaction. This demonstrated that the 1,2,3-oxathiazolidine -2-oxides can be formed in trace amounts without a base. The base would be required to make the 1,2,3-alkyloxathiazolidine-2-oxides in higher yields. The computational chemistry results demonstrate that the amine base suppresses the quaternization of the nitrogen by reacting preferentially with the acidic protons, which is the normal mode of action of the amine base in thionyl chloride reactions.
Holocene earthquake-triggered submarine landslides and turbidites in western Baffin Bay
Authors: Normandeau Alexandre , Jenner Kimberly A , Desiage Pierre-Arnaud , De Moura Neves Barbara , Edinger Evan , Van Nieuwenhove Nicolas , Limoges Audrey , Cote David , Sherwood Owen
Published: January 2025

Although northern Baffin Bay is recognized as one of the most active seismic zones in Canada, there is limited evidence of Holocene earthquake-triggered mass transport deposits (MTDs) or turbidites in the marine record. Here, we present a record of MTDs and turbidites in two areas of Baffin Bay where earthquakes are the most likely triggering mechanism. Our study focuses on a submarine channel system in Scott Trough (proximal to the Baffin Bay seismic zone – BBSZ) and on MTDs identified from the Home Bay slope, distal to the BBSZ. The channel system in Scott Trough is a sediment-starved relict system from deglaciation, which is now at 200 m water depth, precluding many turbidity current triggers normally associated with active submarine channels. Instead, we propose that the Holocene turbidites in Scott Trough are a result of seismic activity. This hypothesis is further supported by the presence of a turbidite dated at ca 1933 CE resulting from an M 7.4 earthquake. Three other turbidites are recorded in the Scott Trough channel system at ca 9.3, 4.3-3.6 and 2.4 cal ka BP. In Home Bay, two distinct MTDs were dated at just older than 9.1 cal ka BP, which suggests they were triggered by an earthquake during post-glacial, glacio-isostatic adjustment. There is limited evidence for more recent Holocene MTDs in Home Bay, which is consistent with lower seismic activity in the region when compared to Scott Trough. These results provide convincing evidence for a marine record of Holocene earthquakes but should be considered an initial study upon which future Holocene sediment records can be compared.
Thomas precession, relativistic torque, and non-planar orbits
Authors: Czarnecki Andrzej , Zelnikov Andrei
Published: January 2025

We analyze the angular momentum balance for a particle undergoing Thomas precession. The relationships among relativistic torque, the center of mass, and the center of inertia for a spinning particle are clarified. We show that spin precession is accompanied by orbital angular momentum precession, and present examples of the resulting out-of-plane motion.
Unleashing Creativity in the Metaverse: Generative AI and Multimodal Content
Authors: El Saddik Abdulmotaleb , Ahmad Jamil , Khan Mustaqeem , Abouzahir Saad , Gueaieb Wail
Published: January 2025

The Metaverse presents an emerging creative expression and collaboration frontier where generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can play a pivotal role with its ability to generate multimodal content from simple prompts.
These prompts allow the metaverse to interact with GenAI, where context information, instructions, input data, or even output indications constituting the prompt can come from within the metaverse.
However, their integration poses challenges regarding interoperability, lack of standards, scalability, and maintaining a high-quality user experience. This paper explores how GenAI can productively assist in enhancing creativity within the contexts of the Metaverse and unlock new opportunities. We provide a technical, in-depth overview of the different generative models for image, video, audio, and 3D content within the Metaverse environments. We also explore the bottlenecks, opportunities, and innovative applications of GenAI from the perspectives of end users, developers, service providers, and AI researchers. This survey commences by highlighting the potential of GenAI for enhancing the Metaverse experience through dynamic content generation to populate massive virtual worlds. Subsequently, we shed light on the ongoing research practices and trends in multimodal content generation, enhancing realism and creativity and alleviating bottlenecks related to standardization, computational cost, privacy, and safety. Lastly, we share insights into promising research directions toward the integration of GenAI with the Metaverse for creative enhancement, improved immersion, and innovative interactive applications.
MetaFly: Aerial "MetaSurface-in- The-Middle" Attacks on Wireless Backhaul Links
Authors: Shaikhanov Zhambyl , Hassan Fahid , Badran Sherif , Guerboukha Hichem , Miquel Jornet Josep , Mittleman Daniel M. , Knightly Edward
Published: January 2025

Transcending the capabilities of traditional architectures, metasurfaces offer nearlimitless control over the fundamental electromagnetic properties of wireless signals, presenting new opportunities for wireless communication. However, they also bring forth unprecedented security challenges, particularly for millimeter-wave and sub-THz wireless backhaul links employed for many critical functions, such as financial trading on Wall Street. In this article, we expose a new category of aerial ''MetaSurface-in-the-Middle'' attacks, wherein an adversary armed with an on-drone metasurface, MetaFly, can intercept wireless backhaul links with an almost imperceptible trace. Strikingly, such adversarial metasurfaces can be fabricated in minutes using standard office items like a foil sheet and a laminator. The attack is implemented and experimentally evaluated in both a large indoor atrium and outdoor rooftops in a large metropolitan area, demonstrating the adversary's ability to establish a secondary diffraction beam for eavesdropping while maintaining minimal impact on legitimate communication.
Unlocking Sustainable and Scalable Sensing Systems at the Far Edge
Authors: Josephson Colleen
Published: January 2025

Growing population and climate change are putting massive stress on the planet. Extreme weather with less predictability has led to conditions like drought, flooding, wildfires and famine. Environmental monitoring is a promising technique for coping with this new climate reality and, ideally, preventing it from getting worse. For example, using soil moisture sensors to control irrigation could enable us to reduce agricultural water consumption by 10-50% [4, 74], which would have significant benefits for preventing desertification and groundwater depletion. Wildfire risk monitoring systems could significantly reduce the impact of fires that have been growing in frequency and destruction. High-density humidity and leaf wetness sensor deployments improve our capacity to monitor disease-causing conditions, letting us avoid or minimize pesticide applications. In addition to traditional sensing modalities, we also need novel sensing technologies that will enable us to more easily and scalably quantify things we currently have no easy way to measure. Moreover, we must build out this sensing infrastructure in a way that does not make environmental problems worse - computing has a large and growing carbon footprint, so it is essential that computing solutions aiming to address the climate crisis are themselves environmentally sustainable.
Joey: Supporting Kangaroo Mother Care with Computational Fabrics
Authors: Shao Qijia , Liu Jiting , Bejerano Emily , Colman Leung Ho Man , Nie Jingping , Jiang Xiaofan (Fred) , Zhou Xia
Published: January 2025

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a low-cost, evidence-based intervention with proven benefits to both infants and their families. It refers to holding the infant with the infant's chest skin against the caregiver's chest skin in an upright positionc[2]. Based on a report from the World Health Organizationc[3], KMC benefits are evidenced by a 32% reduction in neonatal mortality. It has been adopted as a standard of care for infants with low birth weights worldwide, especially in resource-constrained environments. Continuous monitoring of KMC practices is clinically important. In particular, the duration of KMC sessions and infant vital signs during KMC hold significant clinical values.
CA-125 as a Biomarker in Renal Medullary Carcinoma: Integrated Molecular Profiling, Functional Characterization, and Prospective Clinical Validation
Authors: Grimm Sandra L. , Karki Menuka , Blum Kyle A. , Bertocchio Jean-Philippe , He Rong , Tripathi Durga N. , Zacharias Niki M. , Lebenthal Justin M. , Sheth Rahul A. , Rao Priya , Genovese Giannicola , Lu Zhen , Bast Robert C. , Ingram Davis R. , Lazcano Rossana , Wani Khalida M. , Wang Wei-Lien , Lazar Alexander J. , Tannir Nizar M. , Walker Cheryl L. , Coarfa Cristian , Msaouel Pavlos
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a highly aggressive malignancy defined by the loss of the SMARCB1 tumor suppressor. It mainly affects young individuals of African descent with sickle cell trait, and it is resistant to conventional therapies used for other renal cell carcinomas. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for early detection and disease monitoring of RMC.

Experimental Design:

Integrated profiling of primary untreated RMC tumor tissues and paired adjacent kidney controls was performed using RNA sequencing and histone chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing. The expression of serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), was prospectively evaluated in 47 patients with RMC. Functional studies were conducted in RMC cell lines to assess the effects of SMARCB1 reexpression.

Results:

MUC16, encoding for CA-125, was identified as one of the top upregulated genes in RMC tissues, with concomitant enrichment of active histone marks H3K4me3 and H3K27ac at its promoter. Elevated serum CA-125 levels were found in 31 of 47 (66%) patients with RMC and correlated significantly with metastatic tumor burden (P = 0.03). Functional studies in RMC cell lines demonstrated that SMARCB1 reexpression significantly reduced MUC16 expression.

Conclusions:

The correlation between serum CA-125 levels and metastatic burden suggests that CA-125 is a clinically relevant biomarker for RMC. These findings support further exploration of CA-125 for disease monitoring and targeted therapeutics in RMC.
Vaccination in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: A Position Statement of the Diabetes Mellitus Study Group of the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
Authors: Melo Pedro , Freitas Paula , Carvalho Raquel , Simões Carvalho Francisco , Jordão Sofia , do Vale Sónia , Carvalho Davide , Abreu Silvestre , Barros Luísa , de Castro João Jácome ,   Diabetes Mellitus Study Group of the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
Published: January 2025

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a very prevalent chronic disease worldwide, including in Portugal, and it is accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality. People with DM must follow the National Vaccination Program. Additionally, the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (Sociedade Portuguesa de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo, SPEDM) has drawn up a position statement to promote and speed up the relevant vaccination coverage of people with DM and thus prevent infections and reduce the impact of such diseases on a population at increased risk. This position statement includes vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae, influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)/coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and herpes zoster (HZ), and it refers to the adult population with DM outside the context of pregnancy. In agreement with the Portuguese Directorate-General of Health (Direcção-Geral da Saúde, DGS), in 2020, SPEDM recommended immunization with the 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) in adults with DM due to the increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease. Currently, as two more recent vaccines are available, SPEDM preferentially recommends, in this population, the use of the 20-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV20) or, as an alternative, the 15-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV15) followed, at an interval of 12 months, by the PPV23. Annual influenza vaccination should be carried out in accordance with the DGS norms in force; DM is among the groups at greatest clinical risk, regardless of age. SPEDM, in agreement with the DGS, also recommends SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in adults with DM, following the proposed schedules. Considering the increased risk of hospitalization due to RSV infection in people with DM, SPEDM recommends RSV vaccination for adults with DM aged 60 or older, especially if other risk factors coexist. Finally, given the greater susceptibility of people with DM to developing HZ and its complications, SPEDM recommends HZ vaccination in people with DM aged 50 years or older, as well as in people with DM aged 18 years or older with significant immune compromise, other risk factors, or a personal history of HZ. Considering the changing nature of the epidemiological and vaccine context, this position statement will be periodically reviewed.
DA receita-modelo para UMA receita com ar familiar: hedonismo estético e utilitarismo poético na abordagem semiótica do social
Authors: Quezada Macchiavello Óscar , Yalán Dongo Eduardo , Cuevas-Calderón Elder
Published: January 2025

This article examines the tensions between aesthetic and utilitarian dimensions in culinary representations by comparing the paragon recipe of haute cuisine with popular recipes disseminated through digital platforms and programs such as “20 Lucas.” It investigates how language constructs objects of value in these contrasting contexts. Using a structural semiotic analysis grounded in the works of Algirdas Julien Greimas, Émile Benveniste, and the contemporary reflections of Baptiste Morizot, this study explored culinary narratives through their linguistic, social, and economic dimensions. This study reveals that classical recipes, such as pistou soup, emphasize aesthetic hedonism and cultural stability. In contrast, contemporary popular recipes, such as those featured in “20 Lucas,” have adopted poetic utilitarianism. These recipes not only adapt to economic constraints, but also highlight creative and participatory processes, reflecting current social dynamics. This article expands Greimas’ semiotics by integrating contemporary economic and media conditions, underscoring that objects of value are not static entities, but dynamic processes shaped by negotiations between cultural, practical, and social dimensions. It redefines culinary semiotics by addressing the idealized values and material interactions inherent in contemporary practices.
"Adianta mais que remédio": faces da medicina popular na fronteira de Ponta Porã (BR) e Pedro Juan Caballero (PY)
Authors: Nascimento Valdir Aragão do , Banducci Júnior Álvaro
Published: January 2025

This article discusses the relations established by Pontaporanense and Pedrojuaninos, residents of neighboring cities on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, with knowledge and practices of popular medicine and the way they elaborate the binomials health / disease and trust / distrust regarding the promoting well-being in daily life. The objective is to understand how these populations deal with the promotion of health and general well-being through therapeutic habits of prevention and cure that precede, delay or exempt the need for access to official medicine. The research was based on field surveys, of ethnographic orientation, with the use of observation techniques and application of structured and free interviews.
Passarelas e perolones: mediações transformistas na avenida Libertador, Caracas
Authors: Ochoa Marcia , Oliveira Thiago
Published: January 2025

Há décadas as transformistas venezuelanos "desfilam" na Avenida Libertador, em Caracas, para se exibirem e se envolverem em trabalho sexual. Na Venezuela, "transformista" refere-se a uma pessoa designada como do gênero masculino que ocupa o gênero feminino. Este ensaio propõe entender a ocupação transformista da avenida dentro da estrutura da teoria queer of color e da modernidade venezuelana. A Avenida Libertador é um espaço urbano desenvolvido após um longo processo de modernização. Diz-se que ela nasceu com a democracia. Por meio de sua localização nessa avenida, as transformistas negociam a modernidade em seus corpos e no imaginário urbano de Caracas. Da passarela ao "perolón", elas projetam uma presença imponente nessa plataforma, o que lhes dá visibilidade e, ao mesmo tempo, as submete a uma violência incrível.
Metric structural human connectomes: Localization and multifractality of eigenmodes
Authors: Bobyleva Anna , Gorsky Alexander , Nechaev Sergei , Valba Olga , Pospelov Nikita
Published: January 2025

We explore the fundamental principles underlying the architecture of the human brain’s structural connectome through the lens of spectral analysis of Laplacian and adjacency matrices. Building on the idea that the brain balances efficient information processing with minimizing wiring costs, our goal is to understand how the metric properties of the connectome relate to the presence of an inherent scale. We demonstrate that a simple generative model combining nonlinear preferential attachment with an exponential penalty for spatial distance between nodes can effectively reproduce several key features of the human connectome. These include spectral density, edge length distribution, eigenmode localization, local clustering, and topological properties. Additionally, we examine the finer spectral characteristics of human structural connectomes by evaluating the inverse participation ratios (IPRq) across various parts of the spectrum. Our analysis shows that the level statistics in the soft cluster region of the Laplacian spectrum (where eigenvalues are small) deviate from a purely Poisson distribution due to interactions between clusters. Furthermore, we identify localized modes with large IPR values in the continuous spectrum. Multiple fractal eigenmodes are found across different parts of the spectrum, and we evaluate their fractal dimensions. We also find a power-law behavior in the return probability—a hallmark of critical behavior—and conclude by discussing how our findings are related to previous conjectures that the brain operates in an extended critical phase that supports multifractality.
‘You Can Be a Citizen of Mars
Authors: Dennis Dorcas
Published: January 2025

This paper examines how a local Ghanaian Pentecostal church mediates global mobility and structural immigration barriers for alienated persons through ritual performance. Imperial alienating immigration processes for ‘undesired’ persons on the move to the Global North engender a religious ritual performance designed to confront the alienating structures, negotiate imposed dominant labels, and reconstruct belonging. In the ritual process, passports become sacred tools for mediating travel, while prophecies reveal travel constraints and future events. The ritual empowers and emboldens participants to pursue their travels as an orchestrated success program divinely prepared for them. The ritualization of travel is a symbolic performance of contestations of imperial travel barriers and alienations. Using data from ethnographic fieldwork at the Power Cathedral in Kumasi, popular for its innovative ‘Token of Passports’ (ToP) rituals, the article offers an account of the phenomenon in Ghana’s Pentecostal space to show how local religions mediate mobility for alienated groups.
Proof of Concept
Authors: Lundblad Kristina
Published: January 2025

The production, reading, and correcting of article proofs is a highly important part of scholarly publishing, and the proof of an article is the only place where researcher, journal production team, and publisher come together, directly or indirectly. Yet, the proof process is rarely examined or discussed, and scholars seem to regard it as something separated from the research process. This paper brings attention to this matter. It presents data from a survey on scholars’ experiences of article proofs and assesses the results in relation to the structure and business concept of the mainstream academic publishing industry. It elucidates the connections between research, offshore outsourcing of typesetting, the reign of quantitative values, and the quest for profit in academic publishing.
Ubuntu in Namibia and Kenya: How Emerging Adults Live an Essential African Value Today
Authors: Rotzinger Julia S. , Jensen Lene Arnett , Thalmayer Amber Gayle
Published: January 2025

Psychology in Africa often relies on Euro-American theories, despite their limitations in African cultures. Here, a shift to an Afrocentric perspective was made by exploring Ubuntu in two sub-Saharan African countries using a cultural-developmental psychology approach for in-depth emic understanding. Ubuntu (also known as botho, etc.) is a moral ideal that at core means placing a higher importance on the community than on oneself. Most literature on this important African concept has been theoretical rather than empirical, and little is known about how well it describes contemporary worldviews and experiences of emerging adults. In this interview study, Namibian and Kenyan emerging adults (ages 18–20 years, N = 23) shared their views on, identification with, and behaviors shaped by Ubuntu values. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop four themes that convey the advantages and disadvantages described: I am because I am connected; Together we do better; Following and passing on traditions; and Costs of community—freeloaders and restrictions. Findings support the theoretical literature on Ubuntu while contributing the voices of a new generation, coming of age into a mix of tradition and globalization. Participants identified strongly with Ubuntu values and practiced them in old and new ways. They also sometimes desired more autonomy in the realms of education and spirituality. This empirical study on Ubuntu offers insights into the lived experience of a philosophy and values of ongoing importance in the African region and sets the stage for a research agenda to integrate this important construct into cross-cultural psychology.