bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
John Dewey’s Educational Philosophy and Experience for Current Vietnamese Education
Authors: Pham Kien Thi
Published: December 2024

The 4.0 industrial revolution, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, demands that people innovate their thinking, acquire new experiences, and adapt to emerging professions. Consequently, countries are actively reforming their education systems to cultivate creative capacities and foster adaptability to innovation. Educational programs must provide learners with new professional experiences and ensure equal access to education. John Dewey articulated these principles in his educational philosophy. Today, Dewey’s philosophy and pragmatism continue to influence global education profoundly. However, the international context requires countries to develop educational philosophies aligned with worldwide educational goals. This article employs the dialectical materialist method, incorporating comprehensive and historical principles, to argue that education should focus on learners’ experiences and foster democratic education. The study emphasizes Dewey’s focus on practical applications, student engagement, and social responsibility as vital for educational reform. In Vietnam, educational reform based on Dewey’s principles is essential for improving educational quality, meeting labor market demands, and promoting well-rounded individuals who can contribute to socioeconomic progress. The study suggests that integrating Dewey’s educational philosophy can significantly enhance Vietnam’s efforts to modernize its education system and address contemporary needs.
Weaving Words: Ways of Picturing al-Tanūḫī’s Stories
Authors: Bray Julia
Published: December 2024

Bilal Orfali and Enass Khansa have chosen twenty-one pieces from al-Tanūḫī’s Nišwār al-muḥāḍara and al-Faraǧ baʿd al-šidda as part of a new Library of Arabic Literature series for young readers, with pictures by Jana Traboulsi which are in marked contrast to Orientalist 1001 Nights illustrations. The editors’ aim is to recast the stories’ literary aesthetics visually and develop the readers’ imagination by inviting them to think about how the stories explore space and place rather than about plot and characterisation. To mark the fact that this is first time al-Tanūḫī has been illustrated, I compare the editors’ conceptual framing of their anthology, together with a selection of Traboulsi’s illustrations, with my own perception, as the anthology’s English translator, of visual and spatial focal points in the stories. I start by explaining my own point of critical reference, functional visualisation, through an analysis of a story not included in the anthology, and conclude with a brief discussion of factual cultural content in the stories.
Arabe écrit ḥirḏawn = Arabe parlé (palestinien ?) hardun [ḥardūn] = Lacerta/Laudakia stellio : une équivalence trompeuse ?
Authors: Bettini Lidia
Published: December 2024

The aim of this article is to examine whether it is legitimate to say, as is generally believed, that the reptile referred to in medieval Arabic texts as the ḥirḏawn is identical with the reptile known today by the zoonym of Palestinian origin Hardun, which in turn is identified with the Laudakia stellio. To this end, the article examines many medieval Arabic sources dealing with the ḥirḏawn and, at the same time, the circumstances in which the zoonym Hardun was born.
Cast Down Your Bucket on the Mountaintop
Authors: Parker Kai
Published: December 2024

Both scholarship and popular understanding conceptualize Booker T. Washington’s acquiescence to Jim Crow as the foil of the African American struggle for civil rights. However, this article argues that Bookerism was in fact integral to the civil rights movement because it facilitated the incorporation of the caste ideologies of Mohandas K. Gandhi and American academic sociology into the thought of Howard Thurman and Martin Luther King, Jr. Gandhi and sociology utilized Bookerism to idealize caste hierarchy. Although Thurman and King identified with the plight of Dalits in India, their nonviolent desegregationist religious thought reworked sociological and Gandhian notions of caste.
الموسيقى: فلسفة وعلم وفنّ
Authors: البُعزّاتي بنّاصر
Published: December 2024

ملخّص

عند أواخر القرن الرابع قبل الميلاد وأوائل القرن اللاحق، عرفت الموسيقى تحوّلاً على غرار ما عرفته العلوم الرياضية والتجريبية. إذ كانت الموسيقى تستند إلى آليات مماثلة للتي يعود إليها الفضل في تطوّر علوم البصريات والفلك والسمعيات. وبعد اَرْكيتَس واَرِسْتُكْسين، وكلاهما من بلدة تارنت (تارَس)، استقرّت بجانب هذه العلوم، ومضت تشكّل مكوّناً أساسياً ضمن البرنامج التكويني في مختلف التقاليد الفكرية المتنافسة. ولم تقف الاختلافات الفلسفية والعقدية حاجزاً في طريق تطوّر الموسيقى، بفضل تكوين لغة عقلية مخصوصة جيّدة النسج ومحكمة البناء. فشكّلت الموسيقى ملتقى لتأملات فلسفية وعلمية وفنية. تنظر هذه المقالة في بعض أوجه ما عرفته الموسيقى من اهتمام لدى مختلف المفكرين إلى زمن بوتيُس‫.‬
Socioeconomic Dimensions of German Language Proficiency Among Descendants of the Pre-War Population of Masuria: Narratives from Field Research
Authors: Szatkowski Piotr
Published: December 2024

This paper examines the ways of using the German language by descendants of pre-war inhabitants of Masuria. A series of semi-structured and unstructured interviews (over 50, 48 of which were transcribed) conducted during field research throughout Masuria showed that the higher proficiency in German, or at least a less negative attitude towards German compared to the general population of the region, resulted in better socioeconomic chances after the collapse of communism in Poland. Many descendants of pre-war Masurians have used the knowledge of German in education, business, teaching, translation, and NGOs, giving them better chances to adapt to the new, capitalist economy. It was particularly important in the 1990s and 2000s, when Masuria suffered high unemployment rates. The field research was conducted using multiple snowball sampling in Lutheran parishes, German minority organisations and regional NGOs, and local communities.
Spatial Analysis of Social Vulnerability and Firearm Injury EMS Encounters in King County, Washington, 2019-2023
Authors: Esie Precious , Liu Jennifer , Brownson Karyn , Poel Amy J. , Ta Myduc , Pallickaparambil Aley Joseph
Published: December 2024

Objectives:

In the United States, firearm injuries disproportionately occur in low-income communities and among racial and ethnic minority populations. Recognizing these patterns across social conditions is vital for effective public health interventions. Using timely and localized data, we examined the association between social vulnerability and firearm injuries in King County, Washington.

Methods:

For this ecological, cross-sectional study, we used health reporting areas (HRAs) (n = 61), a subcounty geography of King County. We obtained HRA-level counts of firearm injuries by using responses from King County emergency medical services (EMS) from 2019 through 2023. We measured HRA-level social vulnerability by using the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, categorized into tertiles (low, moderate, and high SVI). We used bivariate choropleth mapping to illustrate spatial associations between SVI and rates of firearm injuries per 10 000 residents. We used Bayesian spatial negative binomial regression to quantify the strength of these associations.

Results:

Bivariate choropleth mapping showed a correlation between SVI and rates of firearm injuries. In spatial models, HRAs categorized as high SVI had a 3 times higher rate of firearm injuries than HRAs categorized as low SVI (incidence rate ratio = 3.01; 95% credible interval, 2.02-4.47). Rates of firearm injuries were also higher in HRAs categorized as moderate versus low SVI (incidence rate ratio = 1.72; 95% credible interval, 1.23-2.40).

Conclusion:

In King County, areas with high social vulnerability had high rates of EMS responses to firearm injuries. SVI can help identify geographic areas for intervention and provide a framework for identifying upstream factors that might contribute to spatial disparities in firearm injuries.
Picking Your Friends is a Risky Business: Psychological Impacts of Social Exclusion and Teammates Selection in a Cyberball Game with Middle School Students
Authors: Munini Sebastiano , Paglieri Fabio , Sapienza Alessandro , Negri Mattia , Marini Marco
Published: December 2024

This study employed the Cyberball paradigm, to investigate the impact of ostracism on need satisfaction in 84 Italian students aged 11 to 14. Believing they were playing with anonymized classmates, participants experienced inclusion or exclusion with partners either chosen by them or assigned randomly. Results revealed that need satisfaction was strongly influenced by inclusion/exclusion, with a noteworthy moderating effect of the team-building processes: in inclusive rounds, choosing teammates increased both the sense of belonging to the group and self-esteem, while in ostracizing rounds, choosing teammates did not exacerbate belongingness-related need threat but led to lower self-esteem reports. This shows that having agency in building one’s own group is a risky proposition: good outcomes become more rewarding, yet exclusion imposes a greater loss of self-esteem.
Life Cycle Assessment of Recycled Plastic Modified Asphalt Pavements: A Case Study in Virginia
Authors: Abernathy Anna M. , Colosi Lisa M. , Samaraee Abdullah Al , Ozbulut Osman E. , Lloyd Lewis N. , Habbouche Jhony
Published: December 2024

This study presents a life-cycle-assessment-based investigation of the environmental impacts of recycled plastic modified (RPM) asphalt mixtures compared with conventional unmodified and polymer-modified mixtures in Virginia, U.S. The types of recycled plastic used as a modifier via the dry process were polyethylene terephthalate and a combination of high- and low-density polyethylene. A “cradle-to-grave” analysis, using real material properties and simulated lifespan, was performed. This analysis revealed that the content of reclaimed asphalt pavement and the type and amount of recycled plastic incorporated had a significant influence on the environmental impact of mixtures during the raw materials extraction stage. The projected performance life of the evaluated mixtures was determined by means of mechanistic-empirical simulations using FlexPaveTM and AASHTOWare® Pavement ME software. The improved performance of RPM mixtures resulted in 14% to 65% increase in the lifespan of surface layer, depending on the pavement structure and traffic considered. This increase correlated with extended duration between rehabilitation intervals, thereby decreasing environmental impacts during the use stage; however, these benefits were offset by incremental increases in vehicle emissions arising from change in roadway roughness, which accumulated over the selected study period to a value 20 times higher than emissions from all other life cycle stages combined for the study period. Results from this study illustrate how changes occurring over all stages of the pavement life cycle influence overall performance. Overall, incorporation of recycled plastics into pavement results in significant diversion of waste from landfills with no significant increase in other measured environmental impacts.
EXPRESS: Generative AI Solutions to Empower Financial Firms
Authors: Dubey Shashank Shaurya , Astvansh Vivek , Kopalle Praveen K.
Published: December 2024

The advent of Generative AI (GenAI) has caused consternation across the industrial landscape. The financial industry is no exception. The scramble to find GenAI solutions in the financial industry has led to a proliferation in the academic and practitioner literature on the subject. However, given the scramble, the field of knowledge remains scattered. The authors offer four deliverables. First, using a survey of the literature and interviews of managers in financial firms, they create a funnel-shaped, two-stage framework of how GenAI can empower financial businesses. The top stage comprises seven GenAI value propositions for financial firms, condensed into the EMPOWER acronym. The bottom stage includes three functions for each proposition. Second, the authors propose 10 novel GenAI-based applications spanning the five verticals of financial services, thus extending the current industrial focus of GenAI applications. Third, they outline the benefits and risks of these GenAI applications, visualizing them in a benefit-risk matrix to assist financial managers in prioritizing these applications. Fourth, they propose research questions to guide academic research and policymaking at the intersection of GenAI and finance.
Partial Encounters: Exploring More-Than-Human Entanglements in Berlin’s Animal Enclosures
Authors: Orrego Santiago
Published: December 2024

Drawing on ethnographic research, this article examines a relatively unexplored set of urban scenarios for human–animal interactions in Berlin, Germany, which I have named “animal enclosures.” Animal enclosures are public spaces where people see and pet captive domesticated farmed animals. The article first unpacks those locations by paying attention to their structural and managerial composition and discusses their ethical implications regarding welfare and captivity. Additionally, focusing on two enclosures, the Tierpark Neukölln and the Kinderbauernhof in Görlitzer Park, it problematizes captivity as an infrastructure limiting animals’ mobility and simultaneously allowing and restring human–animal encounters. Right after, it explores the notions of encounter and contact zones and uses them as analytical resources to analyze how human visitors interact with animals in those urban scenarios mediated by different levels of animal captivity. Finally, it introduces the idea of partial encounters, which are incomplete and biased more-than-human modes of engagement.
Transformer-based segmented learning for kinematics modelling of a cable-driven parallel continuum robot
Authors: Liu Xuchang , Wang Zhengyu , Li Ziqian , Ma Le , Wang Daoming , Xu Xinzhou
Published: December 2024

Continuum robots with structural compliance exhibit significant operational potential in unstructured environments. However, theoretical kinematics modelling for continuum robots is complex due to their uncertain nonlinear characteristics. Although learning-based algorithms can effectively address the inherent challenges, unfortunately they frequently fail to capture internal information in robotic systems involving multiple spatial mappings, which reduces the accuracy of data-driven approaches in such applications. In this regard, we propose a segmented learning approach applied to kinematic modelling for a cable-driven parallel continuum robot (PCR), using Transformer networks to segmentally learn the mapping from task space to configuration space, and from configuration space to actuation space. Additionally, in order to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach, we employ multiple sets of neural-network models and various segmented learning configurations in the experiments. The experimental results across different trajectories show that, the Transformer network model under the segmented learning approach achieves superior trajectory tracking accuracy, compared to state-of-the-art modelling approaches.
Empowering Families of Deaf Children: A Qualitative Study on Parental Experiences in Early Intervention
Authors: Hopkins Karen , Puhlman Jane
Published: December 2024

Ensuring the earliest possible start in early intervention for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children is crucial, given the uncertainties families face upon learning of their child’s diagnosis. The multitude of decisions to foster the child’s linguistic competency requires substantial support for families navigating this process. This study delves into the parent empowerment aspect within Maine’s coordinated early intervention process, Exploring Language and Communication Opportunities (ELCO). This study aimed to explore parent’s experiences during their participation in Maine’s statewide, coordinated, and comprehensive early intervention process for DHH children: ELCO process. Using a phenomenological approach, the researcher explored family experiences through semi-structured interviews. Identified themes across families indicate a sense of empowerment during early visits in intervention, the decision-making process, meeting individuals with lived experiences, and their ability to document their own choices for their child and family. The findings could significantly impact family-centered early intervention practices for DHH children by emphasizing the importance of comprehensive information, support for parents’ decisions, and overall well-being.
Belzutifan as the Primary Treatment of Bilateral Juxtapapillary Retinal Hemangioblastoma in a Patient With Von Hippel-Lindau Disease
Authors: Dameron Corbin M. , Maja Ayodele K. , Mehra Divy , Batra Nikhil N.
Published: December 2024

Purpose: To describe the efficacy of belzutifan as a treatment for juxtapapillary retinal hemangioblastomas in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease. Methods: A case and its findings were analyzed, and a systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE. Results: At a routine follow-up, a 63-year-old woman with a history of von Hippel-Lindau disease and slowly progressive bilateral juxtapapillary retinal hemangioblastomas presented with decreased visual acuity (VA) in the right eye resulting from significant lesion growth and an increase in central macular edema and exudate. Oral belzutifan therapy was initiated. A significant bilateral regression and decrease in tumor size, improved macular thickening and edema, and improved VA were seen over a 6-month period. Conclusions: The current literature on the therapeutic effects of oral belzutifan is limited; however, recent reports have been promising. This case shows the potential efficacy of belzutifan as a first-line treatment for vision-threatening juxtapapillary retinal hemangioblastomas in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease.
Reduced irradiation exposure areas enhanced anti-tumor effect by inducing DNA damage and preserving lymphocytes
Authors: Chen Huiqin , Li Yuan , Shen Qiaofeng , Guo Guanqun , Wang Zhigang , Pan Hanyu , Wu Min , Yan Xueqing , Yang Gen
Published: December 2024

Background

Partial stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) targeting hypoxic regions of large tumors (SBRT-PATHY) has been shown to enhance the efficacy of tumor radiotherapy by harnessing the radiation-induced immune response. This approach suggests that reducing the irradiation target volume not only achieves effective anti-tumor effects but also minimizes damage to surrounding normal tissues. In this study, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of reduced-tumour-area radiotherapy (RTRT) , and explored the relationship between tumor control and immune preservation and the molecular mechanisms underlying of them.

Methods

In mouse breast cancer models, we compared the anti-tumor effects of RTRT and conventional radiotherapy (CNRT) by assessing tumor growth, metastasis, and survival rates. Additionally, we evaluated the peritumoral tissue damage and the immune microenvironment. The maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and DNA damage induced by irradiated tumor cells were also assessed in vitro.

Results

In pre-clinical models, both RTRT and CNRT significantly inhibited primary tumor growth when compared to non-irradiated controls, with no significant difference between RTRT and CNRT. However, RTRT significantly extended survival times in mice, and increased the likelihood of inducing abscopal effects, thereby providing potential for better control of distant metastases. Further investigations revealed that the enhanced efficacy of RTRT may be attributed to the preservation of lymphocytes within the peritumoral tissue, as well as reduced damage to the surrounding skin and circulating lymphocytes. In vitro assays demonstrated that RTRT induced DNA damage and dsDNA in tumor cells, activating the cGAS-STING pathway. RTRT also triggered the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which synergistically amplified the anti-tumor immune response.

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that appropriately narrowing the irradiation target volume effectively killed tumor cells while reducing damage to surrounding tissues, and preserving peritumoral lymphocytes. This approach improved the safety of radiotherapy while maintaining its efficacy in tumor control and provided an opportunity for combining high-dose radiotherapy with immunotherapy.
Internal validation of self-reported case numbers in hospital quality reports: preparing secondary data for health services research
Authors: Ji Limei , Geraedts Max , de Cruppé Werner
Published: December 2024

Background

Health services research often relies on secondary data, necessitating quality checks for completeness, validity, and potential errors before use. Various methods address implausible data, including data elimination, statistical estimation, or value substitution from the same or another dataset. This study presents an internal validation process of a secondary dataset used to investigate hospital compliance with minimum caseload requirements (MCR) in Germany. The secondary data source validated is the German Hospital Quality Reports (GHQR), an official dataset containing structured self-reported data from all hospitals in Germany.

Methods

This study conducted an internal cross-field validation of MCR-related data in GHQR from 2016 to 2021. The validation process checked the validity of reported MCR caseloads, including data availability and consistency, by comparing the stated MCR caseload with further variables in the GHQR. Subsequently, implausible MCR caseload values were corrected using the most plausible values given in the same GHQR. The study also analysed the error sources and used reimbursement-related Diagnosis Related Groups Statistic data to assess the validation outcomes.

Results

The analysis focused on four MCR procedures. 11.8–27.7% of the total MCR caseload values in the GHQR appeared ambiguous, and 7.9–23.7% were corrected. The correction added 0.7–3.7% of cases not previously stated as MCR caseloads and added 1.5–26.1% of hospital sites as MCR performing hospitals not previously stated in the GHQR. The main error source was this non-reporting of MCR caseloads, especially by hospitals with low case numbers. The basic plausibility control implemented by the Federal Joint Committee since 2018 has improved the MCR-related data quality over time.

Conclusions

This study employed a comprehensive approach to dataset internal validation that encompassed: (1) hospital association level data, (2) hospital site level data and (3) medical department level data, (4) report data spanning six years, and (5) logical plausibility checks. To ensure data completeness, we selected the most plausible values without eliminating incomplete or implausible data. For future practice, we recommend a validation process when using GHQR as a data source for MCR-related research. Additionally, an adapted plausibility control could help to improve the quality of MCR documentation.
The joint effects of inflammation and renal function status on in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Huang Zhichao , Zhu Xiaoyue , Xu Xiuman , Wang Yi , Zhu Yafang , Chen Dongqin , Cao Yongjun , Zhang Xia
Published: December 2024

Objective

We aimed to determine the predictive value of renal function status [estimating glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)] in conjunction with inflammatory biomarkers [white blood cell(WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] for in-hospital outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).

Methods

We retrospectively screened a total of 409 AIS patients treated with IVT. The study participants were classified into two groups according to post-stroke pneumonia or functional outcome. They were divided into four groups according to the cut-offs of inflammatory biomarkers and eGFR by receiver operating characteristics(ROC) curves for two outcomes of post-stroke pneumonia and functional status: WBC↓/eGFR↑, WBC↓/eGFR↓, WBC↑/eGFR↑, and WBC↑/eGFR↓for post-stroke pneumonia; and CRP↓/eGFR↑, CRP↓/eGFR↓, CRP↑/eGFR↑, and CRP↑/eGFR↓for functional outcome. Logistic regression models were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of post-stroke pneumonia or at-discharge functional outcome, using the WBC↓/eGFR↑group or CRP↓/eGFR↑group as the reference. The Net Reclassification Index (NRI) and the Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) were calculated to analyze the combined predictive value.

Results

Compared with patients in WBC↓/eGFR↑group, those in WBC↑/eGFR↑group had increased risk of post-stroke pneumonia (OR 5.15, 95% CI 1.67–15.87) and poor functional outcome (OR 5.95, 95% CI 2.25–15.74). Furthermore, patients in WBC↑/ eGFR↓group had the highest risk of clinical outcomes (all P value for trend < 0.001), the multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) were 7.04 (2.42–20.46) for post-stroke pneumonia and 8.64 (3.30–22.65) for poor functional outcome. The addition of WBC and eGFR to the basic model significantly improved risk prediction for post-stroke pneumonia (category-free NRI 69.0%, 95% CI 47.3%–90.7%; IDI 5.4%, 95% CI 2.6%–8.3%) and functional outcome (category-free NRI 59.4%, 95% CI 39.2%–79.9%; IDI 5.3%, 95% CI 2.9%–7.8%). Similarly, when we added CRP and eGFR to the basic model with conventional risk factors, the risk discrimination and prediction for post-stroke pneumonia and functional outcome was also significantly improved.

Conclusion

Combining renal function status and inflammatory biomarkers within 4.5 h after onset could better predict in-hospital outcomes of AIS patients with IVT.
A comparison of acellular dermal matrices (ADM) efficacy and complication profile in women undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Glynou Sevasti Panagiota , Sousi Sara , Cook Hannah , Zargaran Alexander , Zargaran David , Mosahebi Afshin
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer amongst women in the United Kingdom, with implant-based reconstruction (IBR) using Acellular Dermal Matrices (ADM) gaining popularity for post-mastectomy procedures. This study compares outcomes of different ADMs that are commonly used in women undergoing IBR, this was short and long-term complications.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CDSR databases was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines, focusing on women undergoing IBR with FlexHD, AlloDerm, Bovine, or Porcine ADMs. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was also conducted.

Results

A total of 51 studies were captured by the search, of which 27 were included in the network meta-analysis. Alloderm was the most used ADM (54%), followed by Porcine (17%), Bovine (11%), DermAcell (11%), and FlexHD (7%). The mean follow-up was 27.8 months. The complication rates varied. Porcine ADMs had the highest rate of seroma formation (10.3%) and of haematoma formation (2.7%). AlloDerm FD had the highest rate of wound dehiscence (3.1%). Implant failure was highest in AlloDerm FD ADMs (11.8%), followed by Porcine ADMs (11.2%). Infections were most common in Porcine (11.2%) and AlloDerm FD ADMs (11.0%). Capsular contracture was rare across all ADM types, with no significant differences observed. In the NMA, AlloDerm FD showed significantly higher risks of infection, explantation, and wound dehiscence compared to AlloDerm RTU.

Conclusion

The overall complication profiles of ADMs used in IBR are similar, except for the higher risks associated with AlloDerm FD compared to RTU. These findings suggest that the choice of ADM may not significantly impact overall outcomes, except in specific cases like AlloDerm FD. Further high-quality, long-term, double-arm studies are necessary to confirm comparative profile of specific ADM types and to account for potential confounding variables through multivariable regression analysis.
Cognitive impairment at older ages among 8000 men and women living in Mexico City: a cross-sectional analyses of a prospective study
Authors: González-Carballo Carlos , Kuri-Morales Pablo , Chiquete Erwin , Rojas-Russell Mario , Santacruz-Benitez Rogelio , Ramirez-Reyes Raúl , Garcilazo-Ávila Adrián , Berumen Jaime , Trichia Eirini , Friedrichs Louisa Gnatiuc , Orellana Paulina , Ochoa-Rosales Carolina , O’Donovan Gary , Emberson Jonathan R , Tapia-Conyer Roberto , Aguilar-Ramirez Diego , Alegre-Díaz Jesus
Published: December 2024

Background

There is limited population-based evidence on the prevalence of cognitive impairment in Mexico, a country with a rapidly aging population and where key risk factors, such as diabetes and obesity, are common. This study describes the distribution of cognitive impairment in adults from Mexico City.

Methods

This cross-sectional population-based study included participants from the Mexico City Prospective Study which recruited 150,000 adults aged ≥ 35 years in 1998–2004. In 2015–2019 about 10,000 survivors were resurveyed with identical information from the original survey and additional assessments including a cognitive assessment. The main analyses included those aged 50–89 years with complete cognitive assessment and covariate data at resurvey. Cognitive impairment was defined by a score ≤ 24 on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The distribution of MMSE scores and cognitive impairment by age, sex, and major disease risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, and adiposity) was analyzed among those with complete MMSE data and some degree of self-reported formal education.

Results

Of the 9,288 participants aged 50–89 years at the 2015–2019 resurvey with complete data, 8,197 reported having at least some years of formal education. Among these (mean age 66 years; 31% men), their mean MMSE score was 26.2 (SD 3.6) points, 1,941 (24%) had cognitive impairment, their mean body-mass index (BMI) was 28.6 (SD 5.5) kg/m2, 3,008 (37%) had hypertension and 2,467 (30%) had diabetes. The sex- and district-standardised prevalence of cognitive impairment increased strongly with age, from 10% in those 50–59 years to 55% in those aged 80–89. At any given age, the prevalence of cognitive impairment was higher in women than in men. After accounting for the effects of age, sex, and district there was little difference in the prevalence of cognitive impairment between participants with or without diabetes, hypertension, overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25 km/m2), or high levels of fat mass.

Conclusions

In this population of adults aged 50–89 years from Mexico City, the prevalence of cognitive impairment was high, particularly among women. The extent to which cognitive impairment relates to health outcomes in this population needs to be investigated.
A machine learning model to predict the risk factors causing feelings of burnout and emotional exhaustion amongst nursing staff in South Africa
Authors: Van Zyl-Cillié Maria Magdalena , Bührmann Jacoba H. , Blignaut Alwiena J. , Demirtas Derya , Coetzee Siedine K.
Published: December 2024

Background

The demand for quality healthcare is rising worldwide, and nurses in South Africa are under pressure to provide care with limited resources. This demanding work environment leads to burnout and exhaustion among nurses. Understanding the specific factors leading to these issues is critical for adequately supporting nurses and informing policymakers. Currently, little is known about the unique factors associated with burnout and emotional exhaustion among nurses in South Africa. Furthermore, whether these factors can be predicted using demographic data alone is unclear. Machine learning has recently been proven to solve complex problems and accurately predict outcomes in medical settings. In this study, supervised machine learning models were developed to identify the factors that most strongly predict nurses reporting feelings of burnout and experiencing emotional exhaustion.

Methods

The PyCaret 3.3 package was used to develop classification machine learning models on 1165 collected survey responses from nurses across South Africa in medical-surgical units. The models were evaluated on their accuracy score, Area Under the Curve (AUC) score and confusion matrix performance. Additionally, the accuracy score of models using demographic data alone was compared to the full survey data models. The features with the highest predictive power were extracted from both the full survey data and demographic data models for comparison. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse survey data according to the highest predictive factors.

Results

The gradient booster classifier (GBC) model had the highest accuracy score for predicting both self-reported feelings of burnout (75.8%) and emotional exhaustion (76.8%) from full survey data. For demographic data alone, the accuracy score was 60.4% and 68.5%, respectively, for predicting self-reported feelings of burnout and emotional exhaustion. Fatigue was the factor with the highest predictive power for self-reported feelings of burnout and emotional exhaustion. Nursing staff’s confidence in management was the second highest predictor for feelings of burnout whereas management who listens to employees was the second highest predictor for emotional exhaustion.

Conclusions

Supervised machine learning models can accurately predict self-reported feelings of burnout or emotional exhaustion among nurses in South Africa from full survey data but not from demographic data alone. The models identified fatigue rating, confidence in management and management who listens to employees as the most important factors to address to prevent these issues among nurses in South Africa.
PharmRL: pharmacophore elucidation with deep geometric reinforcement learning
Authors: Aggarwal Rishal , R. Koes David
Published: December 2024

Background

Molecular interactions between proteins and their ligands are important for drug design. A pharmacophore consists of favorable molecular interactions in a protein binding site and can be utilized for virtual screening. Pharmacophores are easiest to identify from co-crystal structures of a bound protein-ligand complex. However, designing a pharmacophore in the absence of a ligand is a much harder task.

Results

In this work, we develop a deep learning method that can identify pharmacophores in the absence of a ligand. Specifically, we train a CNN model to identify potential favorable interactions in the binding site, and develop a deep geometric Q-learning algorithm that attempts to select an optimal subset of these interaction points to form a pharmacophore. With this algorithm, we show better prospective virtual screening performance, in terms of F1 scores, on the DUD-E dataset than random selection of ligand-identified features from co-crystal structures. We also conduct experiments on the LIT-PCBA dataset and show that it provides efficient solutions for identifying active molecules. Finally, we test our method by screening the COVID moonshot dataset and show that it would be effective in identifying prospective lead molecules even in the absence of fragment screening experiments.

Conclusions

PharmRL addresses the need for automated methods in pharmacophore design, particularly in cases where a cognate ligand is unavailable. Experimental results demonstrate that PharmRL generates functional pharmacophores. Additionally, we provide a Google Colab notebook to facilitate the use of this method.
Health checks for autistic adults: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Parr Jeremy R. , Taylor Helen , Wilson Colin , Scarlett Clare , Al-Asmori Sarah , Buckley Carole , Cooper Sally-Ann , Fernandez-Garcia Cristina , Finch Tracy , Lees Rhianna , Lennox Nicholas , Merrick Hannah , Moss Sebastian , Nicolaidis Christina , Osbourne Malcolm , Raymaker Dora M. , Robinson Tomos , Urbanowicz Anna , Wason James M. S. , Ingham Barry
Published: December 2024

Background

Autistic people commonly have physical and mental health conditions. They also frequently experience barriers to accessing healthcare, contributing to problems identifying and treating health conditions. These factors may lead to increased and earlier morbidity and lower average life expectancy for autistic people. Health checks specifically designed for autistic people, incorporating adjustments to healthcare, may help to overcome these barriers and reduce health inequalities. This trial aims to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a primary care health check for autistic adults and explore factors related to implementation such as acceptability and feasibility of delivery. The trial is co-designed and delivered by health professionals, autistic people, carers and supporters, and researchers.

Methods

This is a clinical and cost-effectiveness, cluster randomised controlled trial of a primary care health check for autistic adults. Primary care practices will be randomised into one of two groups (intervention or control). Two hundred autistic adults (aged 18 years and over) who provide baseline data will be recruited via participating practices. Data will be collected through quantitative and qualitative methods. The primary outcome will be the incidence of new health needs/conditions detected and met at 9 months (data gathered from participant’s GP records). Secondary outcomes will include the following: cost-effectiveness, measured as incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained over 9 months; the extent of health monitoring and health promotion needs met at 9 months; the incidence of social care needs identified at 9 months; changes in participant or carer general health; changes in quality of life; primary and secondary health and social care resource usage and costs. A qualitative study will explore views about the acceptability of the health check, its utility and future use.

Discussion

This study will examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a primary care health check for autistic adults in identifying new health conditions and needs. If the intervention is effective, it would provide strong evidence for implementation into routine healthcare, therefore enabling earlier health condition diagnosis and opportunities for treatment, reducing the health inequalities experienced by autistic people.

Trial registration

ISRCTN, retrospectively registered on 20 July 2023. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN30156776 (ISRCTN registration number: 30156776).
Comparison of baseline global gene expression profiles of prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and DU145
Authors: Ahmed Khalid , Omarova Zhannur , Sheikh Alisalman , Abuova Gulzhan , Ghias Kulsoom , Abidi Syed Hani
Published: December 2024

Introduction

DU145 and LNCaP are classic prostate cancer cell lines. Characterizing their baseline transcriptomics profiles (without any intervention) can offer insights into baseline genetic features and oncogenic pathways that should be considered while interpreting findings after various experimental interventions such as exogenous gene transfection or drug treatment.

Methods

LNCaP and DU145 cell lines were cultured under normal conditions, followed by RNA extraction, cDNA conversion, library preparation, and RNA sequencing using the Illumina NovaSeq platform. The sequences were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and for gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment.

Results

A total of 3916 and 2301 genes were found to be differentially upregulated and downregulated between LNCaP and DU145 cell lines, respectively. The GO and pathway analysis of up-regulated DEGs indicated significant enrichment of genes involved in extracellular matrix organization and cell-substrate adhesion, while down-regulated genes are involved in epithelial cell migration, cell death regulation, and cell proliferation.

Conclusion

The results showed significant differences in baseline gene expression and cellular pathways that may account for the varying metastatic potentials between LNCaP and DU145 cell lines, which should be considered when interpreting findings after experimental interventions.
Effect of Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash Incorporated as Viscosity Modifying Agent on Fresh, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete
Authors: Amjad Usman , Sarir Muhammad , Khan Diyar , Haq Inzimam Ul , Khawaja Muhammad Wajahat Ali , Mahmood Khalid
Published: December 2024

The global construction industry faces a crucial challenge reconciling economic growth with environmental sustainability, notably due to the significant environmental impact of cement production, particularly in countries like Pakistan. As the demand for cement grows, so does the carbon footprint and environmental degradation, necessitating the exploration of sustainable alternatives like sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), a byproduct of sugarcane processing, to mitigate these issues while also addressing rising costs in concrete production. Embracing SBA offers a promising avenue to alleviate environmental concerns and enhance the sustainability of the construction sector. This study investigated the SBA properties and effectiveness as a viscosity modifying agent (VMA) in self-compacting concrete (SCC), examining varying SBA content effects on fresh and hardened SCC properties. The hydration and microstructure properties were evaluated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) to investigate SBA-based SCC. The results indicate that SBA has the potential to enhance mechanical and microstructural properties by possibly increasing the formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH) gel. Adding 5% SBA demonstrated favorable fresh properties while incorporating up to 15% SBA showed improvements in compressive strength. Overall, adding SBA to cement manufacturing during clinkerization can reduce environmental pollution and lower production costs.
More than a feeling: emotional regulation strategies for simulation-based education
Authors: LeBlanc Vicki R. , Brazil Victoria , Posner Glenn D.
Published: December 2024

Simulation-based education often involves learners or teams attempting to manage situations at the limits of their abilities. As a result, it can elicit emotional reactions in participants. These emotions are not good or bad, they simply are. Their value at any given moment is determined by their utility in meeting the goals of a particular situation. When emotions are particularly intense, or a given emotion is not aligned with the situation, they can impede learners’ ability to engage in a simulation activity or debriefing session, as well as their ability to retain knowledge and skills learned during the session. Building on existing guidance for simulation educators seeking to optimize the learning state/readiness in learners, this paper explores the theory and research that underpins the practical application of how to recognize and support learners’ emotions during simulation sessions. Specifically, we describe the impact of various emotions on the cognitive processes involved in learning and performance, to inform practical guidance for simulation practitioners: (1) how to recognize and identify emotions experienced by others, (2) how to determine whether those emotional reactions are problematic or helpful for a given situation, and (3) how to mitigate unhelpful emotional reactions and leverage those that are beneficial in achieving the goals of a simulation session.
An Egyptian child with Wolman disease presenting with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: El Hawary Rabab , Meshaal Safa , Eldash Alia S. , Lotfy Sohilla , Abd Elaziz Dalia , Alkady Radwa , Darwish Rania , Erfan Aya , Saad Mai , Chohayeb Engy , Galal Nermeen , Elmarsafy Aisha M.
Published: December 2024

Background

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) deficiency is hyperinflammatory disease caused by the deficiency of the enzyme which hydrolyzes cholesterol esters and triglycerides; thus, there is pathologic accumulation of cholesterol in various tissues. Wolman disease (WD) and cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD) are two phenotypes of the same disorder with low or absent LAL activity. CESD has lower mortality and presents by hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and hepatic fibrosis, while WD classic presentations include hepatosplenomegaly, malabsorption, failure to thrive, and organ-specific symptoms such as hepatic damage or adrenal calcification.

Case presentation

Herein, we describe a 3-month-old female patient with an unusual presentation of Wolman disease in the form of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The patient presented with severe diarrhea, dehydration, metabolic acidosis, and sepsis. Laboratory workup revealed anemia and thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow aspirate showed hypocellular marrow with few macrophage cells showing phagocytosis. The patient had elevated levels of ferritin, triglycerides, fibrinogen, and soluble CD25, and thus, the diagnosis of HLH was suspected. Next-generation sequencing was performed, and it revealed one homozygous previously reported pathogenic variant in LIPA gene: c.398del; p. (Ser133Ter); thus, the diagnosis of Wolman disease was confirmed.

Conclusions

Wolman disease should be suspected in infants with HLH criteria, as the early diagnosis will improve outcomes in these patients especially if enzyme replacement therapy is available.
Rising Import Tariffs, Falling Exports: When Modern Supply Chains Meet Old-Style Protectionism
Authors: Handley Kyle , Kamal Fariha , Monarch Ryan
Published: December 2024

We examine the impacts of the 2018–2019 US import tariff increases on US exports through the lens of supply chain linkages. Using 2016 confidential firm-trade linked data, we identify exporters who were importing products that eventually faced tariff increases to construct product-level exposure to import tariffs. We find that the most exposed products had lower exports in 2018–2019, with the largest effects in 2019. The decline in exports in 2019 is equivalent to an ad valorem tariff on US exports of 2 percent to 4 percent. (JEL F13, F14, F23, L14)
Do Carbon Offsets Offset Carbon?
Authors: Calel Raphael , Colmer Jonathan , Dechezleprêtre Antoine , Glachant Matthieu
Published: December 2024

We develop and implement a new method for identifying wasted subsidies and use it to provide systematic evidence of the misallocation of carbon offsets in the Clean Development Mechanism—the world's largest carbon offset program. Using newly constructed data on the locations and characteristics of over 1,000 wind farms in India, we estimate that at least 52 percent of approved carbon offsets were allocated to projects that would very likely have been built anyway. We estimate that the sale of these offsets to regulated polluters resulted in substantially higher global carbon dioxide emissions.(JEL H23, O13, Q42, Q54, Q58)
Trade Disruptions and Reshoring
Authors: Chakrabarti Anindya S. , Mahajan Kanika , Tomar Shekhar
Published: December 2024

Firms are increasingly concerned about the resilience of their sales and sourcing decisions. Using administrative data, we show that a temporary disruption in trade due to state border closures in India led to a persistent trade collapse within the country—interstate trade relative to intrastate remains five percent lower even six months after all restrictions were lifted. Reshoring explains this phenomenon as plants more dependent on interstate sales (input-sourcing) shift from inter- to intrastate sales (input-sourcing). State borders rather than distance are salient in explaining the observed substitution. We propose a novel product-level measure that determines the extent of reshoring. (JEL D22, F14, L14, L23, O14, R12)