bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Process of Synthesis and Analysis of Nanoparticles Recovered by Magnetic Methods
Authors: Barman Bijoy
Published: January 2025

Magnetic materials, particularly ferrites, are integral to various electronic and biomedical applications due to their unique magnetic and electrical properties. Ferrites, which typically adopt spinel structures, are synthesized by mixing iron oxide (Fe2O3) with other metallic elements, such as nickel, zinc, or manganese. They exhibit ferromagnetic behavior below the Curie temperature and paramagnetic properties above it. Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs), particularly Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3, have gained significant attention for their versatility in fields like catalysis, data storage, and biomedical technologies. Their superparamagnetism, high magnetic susceptibility, and biocompatibility make them particularly promising for targeted drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, and bioseparation. This review explores the various synthesis methods for iron oxide nanoparticles, including co-precipitation, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal synthesis, microemulsion, and sonochemical techniques. Each method has specific advantages and limitations, such as particle size control, monodispersity, and stability. The review also highlights the critical role of nanoscale characterization techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in understanding the structural, morphological, and compositional attributes of synthesized nanoparticles. These tools enable the optimization of synthesis parameters and the tailoring of nanoparticles for specific applications. Overall, advancements in synthesis and characterization are paving the way for innovative applications of iron oxide nanoparticles in catalysis, biomedical science, and beyond.
Investigation Optical Properties of ZnTe@Ag Core-Shell Spherical Nanocomposites Within Varies Dielectric Host Matrices
Authors: Atnaf Tsegaye , Getachew Shewa
Published: January 2025

We theoretically and numerically investigated the local field enhancement factor (LFEF), absorption coefficient, refractive index, and group velocity of spherical core-shell nanocomposites (NCs) using the quasi-static approach. By solving Laplace’s equations, we derived expressions for the enhancement factor, polarizability, absorption coefficient, refractive index, and group velocity for each core-shell NCs. Our findings show that the LFEF, absorption coefficient, and group velocity of spherical core-shell NCs exhibit two peaks, while the real part of the refractive index shows four distinct peaks. Additionally, the core-shell nanocomposites demonstrate greater tunability and a higher intensity of the enhancement factor when the host matrix is changed from CdSe to SiO3. The study further reveals that, for spherical nanocomposites, the first two peaks of the enhancement factor and extinction cross-sections occur at the same frequencies. Moreover, all extinction cross-section peaks are lowest when the dielectric function of the host matrix is SiO3, whereas the peaks are highest for CdSe. The variation in peak values, despite having the same number of peaks for different shapes, indicates that the shape of the core-shell NCs significantly influences the intensity, number, and positions of the peaks in the enhancement factor and optical cross-sections. Such nanocomposites hold potential for applications in optical sensing, biosensing, as well as in photonic and electronic devices.
Analysing Liver Histology in Relation to Elevated HBV DNA Levels in Immuno-Tolerant Phase of Chronic Hepatitis B Viral Infection Patients
Authors: Muhammad Nurudeen , Abdulkadir Yussuf , Musa Yusuf , Ibrahim Yusuf , Samaila Adamu , Borodo Muhammad
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Chronic Hepatitis B viral infection is associated with significant health and financial challenges. An estimated 15-40% of the Chronic Hepatitis B infected patients would develop liver Cirrhosis and a quarter of which may result in Hepatocellular cancer. In Africa, about 65 million people are said to be chronically infected with HBV. Thus, Africa with 12% of the world’s population carries approximately 18% of the global burden of HBV infection. An elevated level of ALT is an important component in the consideration for treatment of CHB, however, the presence of normal level ALT levels with discordantly elevated HBV DNA levels may requires further evaluation with Liver histology. Method: All patients who were newly diagnosed with CHB infection and above 18 years of age were consecutively recruited from December 2019 to October 2020, into the study. Blood samples were taken for the Liver Function Test, HBV immunologic panel and HBV DNA levels. Liver biopsy was performed for 84 patients with variance elevated serum HBV DNA (>2000 IU/mls) and normal serum ALT defined as level <40 Unit/mls. The Data collected was entered and analyzed using the SPSS version 20. The clinical profiles and HBV DNA level of the respondents were presented using mean and standard deviation while frequencies, percentages and charts was used to summarize qualitative variables. Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to analyze factors associated with respondent’s HBeAg status and liver histology. Result: The Liver biopsy histology shows, mild inflammation (A1) was observed in 50 (60%), and moderate inflammation (A2) in 12% while the remaining 10 patients (28%) showed no inflammatory. Similarly, 20 patients (24%) had no fibrosis (F0), 8% had portal fibrosis without septa (F1), 24% had portal fibrosis with rare septa (F2) while the remaining majority (44%) had numerous septa (F3). Conclusion: Chronic HBV infection is Endemic in our region and studies had shown the importance of adequate evaluation and early treatment to avert the associated high morbidity and mortality. Also, significant number of patients with normal ALT levels had fibrosis on liver histology. Liver histology remains an important parameter in the evaluation of patients with CHB, as 57 patients would have missed the opportunity of early treatment. These findings are expected to provide a basis for an informed planning of national and International CHBV treatment guidelines.
Enhancing Cerebral Protection: A Closed-Loop Ventilation Approach (Artificial Intelligence) for Targeted Carbon Dioxide Regulation in Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Azmi Fatin , Shah Nur , Azhar Abdul
Published: January 2025

Background: Closed-loop ventilators (CLVs): CLVs also known as automated ventilators, are advanced systems that automatically adjust ventilator settings based on the patient’s respiratory mechanics. Unlike open-loop ventilators (OLVs), which require manual parameter adjustments, CLVs use real-time feedback to maintain target oxygen saturation (SpO2) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) levels, enhancing patient comfort and reducing complications. Cerebral Protection in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Maintaining normoxia, and normocapnia is crucial for cerebral protection in TBI. High carbon dioxide (CO2) levels cause vasodilation, increasing intracranial pressure, while low levels cause vasoconstriction, reducing cerebral perfusion. CLVs automatically adjust ventilator settings based on continuous patient feedback, optimizing CO2 levels and cerebral blood flow (CBF). Case Presentation: A 19-year-old male with severe TBI was intubated and connected to a fully automated CLV and set to "Brain Injury" mode. The ventilator automatically adjusted parameters to achieve target end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) levels, evidenced by subsequent arterial blood gas (ABG) results showing desired partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) levels. Conclusion: CLVs in TBI patients automatically manage CO2 elimination and oxygen delivery using simplified settings, adjusting based on real-time oxygen saturation (SpO2) and EtCO2 levels. This approach maintains normocapnia and normoxia, meeting cerebral protection criteria with fewer manual adjustments, advantageous in the emergency department (ED). CLVs offer a practical solution in the ED, automating ventilator adjustments to maintain desired CO2 levels, thus shifting the clinician's role from manual “presetting” to “deciding” target CO2 levels. This automation improves efficiency and patient outcomes in a hectic clinical environment.
Recharge Estimation of Andassa River Catchment, North-Western Ethiopia
Authors: Getaneh Amare , Minbiyew Teferi , Gashu Yohannes
Published: January 2025

Estimating the recharge amount of a given area is essential for sustainable management of groundwater resource. Andassa catchment which has area coverage of 609.68 square kilometer is located in north western Ethiopia. The area has flat, moderately slope and cliff topography. The rivers which have dendritic drainage pattern general flow south to north direction. Geological-geomorphological-structural feature suggest that the Andassa plain is a potential source of groundwater. The catchment has oligocene to miocene flood basalt with some deposit intercalation. There are tertiary and quaternary formations in the study area. The objective of this study was to estimate groundwater recharge of Andassa catchment using chloride mass balance, base flow separation, soil moisture balance, water balance methods were used to estimate the recharge value of the catchment. Meteorological, river discharge, pump tests, boreholes, springs and hand dug wells data together with well completion reports were used to estimate the recharge value. PET for the area was calculated using Penman gives annual potential evapo-transpiration value of 1335.26mm/year. Actual evapotranspiration (AET) for the area calculated using Turc and Thornthwaite Mather gives a value of 908.486mm/year and 1012.4 mm/year respectively. The recharge value is 370.68mm/y, 321.5 mm/y, 282.1mm/y and 255mm/year for base flow separation, soil moisture balance, water balance and chloride mass balance approaches respectively and the average recharge of the area is 307.3mm/year. The groundwater-bearing formation of the area is grouped as very low, low, moderate, high and very high aquifers based on transmissivity and yield of the borehole or springs. Very high productive aquifer in the low lands is recharged from regional groundwater flow and the middle elevated areas aquifer mainly shows local recharge.
Ethnography of the Dying Culture of Northern Punjab: An Insight into Potohar
Authors: Hafeez Swera , Ahmad Rai
Published: January 2025

The study aims to analyze and Document the traditional cultural practices of Potohar region Along with analyzing the factors contributing to the decline of Potohari culture. It is therefore significant to examine the impacts of modernization, globalization and urbanization on local traditions of this region. The Potohar Plateau in northern Punjab, Pakistan, is a region imbued with a rich cultural heritage characterized by unique linguistic, social, and artistic traditions. The era of modernization, globalization, and socio-economic changes are contributing to the erosion of these traditional practices. This research study focused on ethnographic methodology for conduction if qualitative research by using interviews conduction for primary data collection whereas using already present research papers and historical documents as a source of secondary data collection. The results of the study highlights that sustainable and progressive strategies are being adopted for the revitalization of cultural, linguistic, ethnic and traditional practices and identities. Through the adoption of various research methodologies and archival research, this study reveals the intricate traditions, customs, and values that have defined the Livelihood of the people of Potohar for decades. This ethnographic study seeks to document the traditional aspects of Potohari culture, identify the factors leading to its decline, and provide recommendations for cultural preservation. For the future policy makers, it is therefore necessary to ensure implementation of sustainable practices.
Study on Article 55 of the Maritime Law to the Carrier’s Compensation Liability of Cargo Loss
Authors: Wang Yalong , Zhang Changtao
Published: January 2025

The Article 55 of Maritime Law is often applied for to calculate the carrier's compensation for the loss or damage of goods when disputes arising from a maritime cargo transport contract. In recent years, some judges held the points that costs of rendering the damaged goods harmless should not be covered under the carrier's liability of compensating scope according to the Article 55, the loss to the goods should only be limited to the stipulated scopes under the said article, which has attracted widespread attention in the shipping community and sparked a debate on whether any conflict to the compensating principles between Article 55 of the Maritime Law and Article 584 of the Civil Law which established the principle of full compensation. Whether the Maritime Law as a special law could exclude the application of other common law when a same concern rose, especially when there is no a clearer article stipulated by the special law. This article will make a study on the comprehending of the article 55 based on some cases, combining the revised draft of Maritime Law of the People's Republic of China that discussed and principally approved on conference of executive meeting of the State Council on August 30, 2024.
Exploring Bio-Ethanol Production from Fruit Wastes Through Fermentation with Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Aspergillus Niger
Authors: Lata Debebe , Birhanu Lukas , Lengichow Mohammed , Degemu Getnet , Atnaf Tsegaye , Kebenessa Ayansa
Published: January 2025

Bioethanol, a sustainable alternative fuel derived from organic materials, is essential for addressing global energy demands and environmental concerns. This study aimed to produce bioethanol from banana and mango peels using co-cultures of Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiae through a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process. Fully ripened banana and mango peels, obtained from a local market, were dried, ground into fine particles, and used as substrates for bioethanol production. The fermentation process was carried out by sequentially inoculating the substrates with Aspergillus niger to enhance starch hydrolysis, followed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae to facilitate fermentation. The process lasted for 7 days under controlled conditions, with a pH range of 5.5-6.0 and a temperature of 28±2°C. Among the tested samples, the mixed substrate of banana and mango peels yielded the highest ethanol concentration at 79% (w/v), while mango peels alone produced 74% and banana peels produced 71%. The enhanced performance of the mixed substrate highlights the synergistic effect of combining different fruit wastes. The presence of Aspergillus niger played a crucial role in breaking down complex starches into simpler sugars, enabling Saccharomyces cerevisiae to effectively convert these sugars into ethanol. This study demonstrates the potential of fruit waste, specifically banana and mango peels, as cost-effective and sustainable raw materials for bioethanol production, providing a promising alternative to fossil fuels. Future research should focus on optimizing fermentation conditions, exploring the potential of additional fruit waste substrates, and scaling up the process for commercial viability.
Value Chain Analysis of Hot Pepper in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Alemu Gosa , Angasu Birhanu , Sime Nimona
Published: January 2025

This study focused on the analysis of hot pepper value chain in West Hararghe zone with specific objectives of identifying and mapping actors and their functions along hot pepper value chain, identifying the marketing channels of hot pepper in the area, estimate the distribution of benefits of actors along the hot pepper value chain, identifying the factors that affect the supply of hot pepper to the market in the study area. Primary data were collected from 172 farmers and 44 hot pepper traders using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and Econometrics models were used to analyze the collected data. Descriptive statistics results showed that the main hot pepper value chain actors in the study area are input suppliers, farmers/producers, collectors, wholesalers, processors, retailers and consumers. The study result showed that the major production constraints of hot pepper were low quality of improved seed, weed, disease pest, drought/ shortage of rainfall, cold rooftop water, lack of chemicals and lack of access to extension services. On marketing side, low price of product, illegal traders, unfair weighing and lack of legal action on illegal traders were the major problems. About 61.05% of the quantity of hot pepper supplied to market goes outside of the zone. The highest gross marketing of producers was 96.13% (channel 2) which was followed by 90.48% (channel 5). The multiple linear regression model result indicated that age, sex and education were the significant variable that affected quantity of hot pepper supplied to market positively, whereas distance to market, disease and drought affected significantly and negatively. Therefore, policies aiming at increasing farmer’s awareness of producing value added hot pepper produce and increasing quantity supplied to market are recommended to strengthen chain development.
Biochar's Role in Enhancing Soil Fertility and Current Trends of Utilization for Sustainable Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Production: A Review
Authors: Gebisa Leta , Regasa Meseret
Published: January 2025

Biochar, a carbonaceous material prepared from diverse organic waste, has gained substantial attention due to its excellent attributes, like carbon content, CEC, abundant specific surface area, structural characteristics, plant nutrient contribution, water and plant nutrient retention etc. Incorporating biochar to the soil system introduces supplementary organic matter, thereby augmenting the comprehensive nutrient composition and microbial dynamics within the soil ecosystem for a long time that completely fit for perennial crops cultivated in acid prone areas like coffee production. Biochar producing organic materials are easily accessible in coffee production areas from coffee husks that pollute the river streams and generally create environmental pollution. However, as biochar advantages are too aged technology to solve general soil fertility problems, there is no comprehensive research recommendation generated for biochar application in coffee producing area specially in organic coffee producing countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review attempts to gather more available empirical research on google scholars by using clearly defined, systematic terms to obtain answers for a specific question like ‘how to use biochar for coffee production and coffee nursery media preparations. More than 70 papers written by different authors and project papers were searched from google scholars and research gets. Through this investigation, we obtained critical information that may suggest the sustainable effects of biochar on enhancing soil fertility and improving both the production and productivity of coffee, while simultaneously preserving the ecological integrity of the soil system. Applying biochar for soil fertility enhancement is a critical technic that boosts the soil physical, chemical, and biological contents while mitigating the greenhouse gas like methane emission and sequestering the carbon stalk within the soil systems.
Navigating Indian Diaspora Dynamics in Gulf Countries: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Dar Zahoor , Janbaz Shanaza
Published: January 2025

India has had a longstanding relationship with the Gulf region that is variously understood as part and parcel of 'neighbourhood policy', 'civilisational affinities in the peninsular regions', and historically as exorable from the colonial space. India also made several bilateral agreements with Gulf countries after bifurcation; thus, it has minimal exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The intricate tapestry of Indian expatriate communities in Gulf nations epitomises a confluence of demographic shifts and socio-economic transformations. This discourse endeavours to elucidate the multifaceted challenges and latent opportunities arising from the evolving population dynamics of Indian nationals in these territories. Against the backdrop of labour migration, cultural integration, and geopolitical factors, this analysis seeks to illuminate the social and cultural implications as well as the entrepreneurial opportunities inherent within this diaspora. By delving into the intersections of identity, economic contribution, and transnational affiliations, this examination posits that a nuanced understanding of these dynamics is imperative for harnessing the benefits while mitigating the adversities encountered by Indian populations in the Gulf region. This paper focuses on Indians working in the GCC countries. It covers the historical backdrop of Indian settlement in the Gulf, the contemporary demographic profile, and the economic and social contribution to their host countries, the challenges they face in the Gulf countries, and the emerging opportunities as India continues to grow and the Gulf countries seek to diversify their economies.
Colonial Pipeline Cyberattack Drives Urgent Reforms in Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Resilience
Authors: Mittal Manav
Published: January 2025

The May 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack was a critical event in the cybersecurity landscape, revealing significant vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. The attack, executed by the DarkSide group, exploited a compromised VPN password to gain access to the company's IT systems, leading to major disruptions, including fuel shortages across the Eastern United States. The attack caused widespread panic, long gas station lines, and a surge in fuel prices, highlighting the economic and social impact of cyber threats on everyday life. The incident prompted significant regulatory changes, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) introducing new cybersecurity requirements for pipeline operators, including mandatory vulnerability assessments, improved incident response protocols, and enhanced security measures for operational technology (OT) systems. These measures reflect the increasing recognition of cybersecurity as a priority for national security, particularly for critical infrastructure. This paper explores the technical aspects of the attack, including the exploitation of system vulnerabilities and the impact on both IT and OT systems. It emphasizes lessons learned, such as the importance of proactive threat mitigation, robust employee training, and the need for effective incident response plans. Furthermore, it stresses the critical role of public-private partnerships in strengthening infrastructure resilience. The ongoing evolution of cyber threats underscores the need for adaptive and comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to safeguard essential systems against future risks.
Assessment of Groundwater Potential in Parts of the Coastal Niger Delta, Nigeria: Implications for Well Design
Authors: Abam Tamunoene , Mogaba Paul , Abija Fidelis
Published: January 2025

The location, design, drilling and completion of wells for potable groundwater abstraction require exploration and mapping of groundwater potential zones within the geologic framework of any region. In this study, field data acquisition involved seven vertical electrical sounding and three horizontal resistivity profiling (HRP) carried out. Field data were interpreted using IPI2win 1-D software while subsurface lithologic layering and correlation was realized in rockworks v 22. Modelled true geolectric sections after curve matching revealed the study area to be underlain predominantly by clayey lithologic units followed by coarse grained sands with silty sands and fine sands in minor fraction. Total investigation depth range between 314.0m and 510.0m and fresh water was found to occur at a depth of 168m in VES L2, 430m in VES L3 and 154m in VES L6 locations. Iron water was found in some coarse sands at a depth interval of 129 m to 314 m at VES L1 while fresh water in coarse sands underlain by iron water saturated fine sands occurs at a depth interval of 73.20 m to 206 m at VES L2. At VES L3, fresh water saturated coarse sands were found at a depth interval of 131 m to 430m. Boreholes should be drilled to 430m and screened from 131m to 430m at L3. At VES L4, fine sands overlying coarse grained sands were saturated with iron water from 50.20 m to 422m. At VES L6, fresh water saturated coarse grained sandy aquifer was found from 114 m to 154m. Although VES L2, L3 and L6 provides the most suitable prospective locations for fresh water in the area at depths of 168m for L2, 430m for L3 and 154m for L6, lithologic modelling revealed that both coarse sands and fine sands are either juxtaposed or interfingered at the shallow, intermediate and deeper depths, hence, there is strong potential for iron water and fresh water inter-mixing during pumping. All twenty proposed boreholes are recommended not to be pumped at rates exceeding 3,500 l/min. Boreholes should be 450m apart to prevent well interferences and pumping schedule of 10 to 14 boreholes daily will greatly reduce stresses on the well field as well as potential risk from saline intrusion. Three saline water encroachment monitoring boreholes should be sited at 1.5km from L1 and L2 and 2.4km from L7 respectively at the East, West and Southern sections of the plant area.
Clinical Value of Abnormal Prothrombin and Carbohydrate Antigen 125 in the Diagnosis of Patients With Gallbladder Cancer
Authors: Liu Yanguo , Wu Yanfang , He Shujie
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study was aimed at ascertaining the application value of abnormal prothrombin (PIVKA-II) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in gallbladder cancer (GBC) diagnosis.

Methods

A total of 70 GBC patients, 70 patients with benign gallbladder diseases (gallbladder stones and gallbladder polyps), and 70 normal health examination people were selected as the malignant, benign, and normal groups, respectively. The differences in serum levels and positive rates of PIVKA-II and CA125 were compared. The correlation between serum PIVKA-II and CA125 levels and different clinicopathological characteristics (TNM stage and differentiation degree) of GBC patients was analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum PIVKA-II and CA125 for GBC, and sensitivity, specificity, and Youden’s index were calculated.

Results

Serum PIVKA-II and CA125 levels and positive rates of patients in the malignant group were higher vs those in the benign and normal groups. Gallbladder cancer patients at stages III-IV had higher serum PIVKA-II and CA125 levels than those at stages I-II, and poorly differentiated GBC patients had higher serum PIVKA-II and CA125 levels than moderately differentiated and well-differentiated GBC patients. The AUC of serum PIVKA-II and CA125 alone and in combination were 0.771, 0.789, and 0.866, respectively, and the AUC of the two combined was higher vs that of the two alone.

Conclusion

Serum PIVKA-II and CA125 levels in GBC patients are increased and have significant clinical application value in the diagnosis of GBC.
Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children With Down Syndrome in an Australian Population
Authors: Kim Rebecca , Teng Arthur , Soma Marlene
Published: January 2025

Objectives:

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known to be higher in children with Down syndrome (DS) than the general pediatric population, with lower rates of surgical cure. This study aims to determine the prevalence and predictors of OSA and evaluate the outcomes of surgical intervention for OSA in a cohort of Australian children with DS.

Methodology:

A retrospective chart review was conducted on 156 patients with DS from 0 to 18 years who had undergone overnight, attended polysomnography (PSG) at Sydney Children’s Hospital from January 2010 to July 2023. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between OSA and age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and tonsillar size. The outcomes of surgery were determined by comparing the pre-operative and post-operative PSG results.

Results:

The prevalence of OSA at first PSG was 65.8%, defined by an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) ≥1 event/hour. Elevated BMI in children above 2 years was associated with the presence of OSA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.71). Male gender was a predictor for an OAHI >5 events/hour (OR = 4.01, 95% CI = 1.09-14.78). Among 35 patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy and had a valid pre-operative and post-operative PSG, median OAHI was reduced from 12.6 to 3.8 events/hour ( P = .002). In 13 patients who had secondary upper airway surgery, median OAHI was reduced from 8.5 to 2.6 events/hour ( P = .075).

Conclusion:

Children with DS and OSA who undergo surgical intervention may experience improvements to their PSG parameters.
Severe Hypertension on the Background of Buspirone Use
Authors: Rafique Soomal , Bhandari Amit , Srinivas Pragna , Murthy Avinash
Published: January 2025

Drug-induced hypertension, though rare, often presents diagnostic challenges, particularly when the causative drug is not typically associated with hypertension. We describe a case involving a 55-year-old woman who presented with anxiety, confusion, and significantly high blood pressure unresponsive to standard treatments. Despite increasing medication doses, her blood pressure remained poorly controlled, leading to an investigation for secondary causes. Elevated plasma and urinary catecholamines were found. It was determined that the recent initiation of buspirone for anxiety was the cause. Discontinuation of buspirone normalized her catecholamine levels and improved blood pressure control. This case underscores the importance of considering drug-induced hypertension, particularly in instances of abrupt and severe blood pressure elevation, where elevated catecholamine levels may suggest conditions such as pheochromocytoma. It highlights the necessity for healthcare practitioners to be vigilant regarding the uncommon side effects of commonly prescribed medications, thereby ensuring accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Adolescents and young adults with social withdrawal in France: Sociodemographic characteristics and validation of the French version of the Hikikomori Questionnaire-25 (HQ-25)
Authors: Benarous Xavier , Guedj Marie-Jeanne , Lomelo Filomena , Mohamed Faizla , Teo Alan Robert , Pellerin Hugues
Published: January 2025

Background:

Clinical situations marked by severe social withdrawal in youths are increasingly recognized as an important public health issue in European countries, while the relation with the hikikomori syndrome initially described in Japan remains poorly investigated.

Aims:

This study aims to describe the sociodemographic features of adolescents and young adults with social withdrawal in French and to validate a French version of the Hikikomori Questiuonnaire-25 (HQ-25).

Method:

An online questionnaire was completed by 450 participants aged 13 to 25 years. In addition to socio-demographic features, participants were questioned about several aspects of social withdrawal behaviors and a version of the HQ-25 previously adapted in French by a group of patients and clinician experts.

Results:

A minority of participants was found ‘at-risk HKM’ (3.6%). They were approximately younger, and lived more frequently with their parents, with balanced sex ratio and no differences regarding the educational level. The level of distress and concern about physical/mental health did not discriminate between the two groups. Regarding psychometric properties of the HQ-25, Cronbach’s alpha of the total was .93, the ICC was .74, and the indices of fit found in the confirmatory factorial analysis of the original three-factor solution were robust.

Conclusions:

Considering the social invisibility and the barriers to care access of adolescents and young adults with hikikomori, the development of a self-assessment instrument with good psychometric properties is regarded as an important first step.
The Mediating Role of Commercial FOMO Between Adolescents’ Need to Belong and Psychological Distress: Advertising Implications on Mental Health
Authors: Huțul Tudor-Daniel , Mațcu-Zaharia Mara , Huțul Andreea , Karner-Huțuleac Adina
Published: January 2025

The present study was designed to investigate the impact of advertising on adolescents’ mental health. To achieve this, we sought to test the mediating effect of commercial fear of missing out (FOMO) related to gadgets and clothing items on the relationship between the need to belong and psychological distress. The research was conducted on a sample of 335 Romanian adolescents (54.9% female, 45.1% male), aged between 14 and 19 years old (M = 17.76; SD = 1.57). They filled out questionnaires that measured FOMO related to gadgets and clothing items, psychological distress, need to belong, and some socio-demographic data. The findings underscored the direct association between the need to belong and psychological distress, as well as the mediating effect of FOMO related to gadgets and clothing on this relationship. This study contributes to advancing understanding of the connections between commercial FOMO associated with gadgets and clothing, psychological distress, and the need to belong, while highlighting the negative impacts of advertising on adolescent mental health. Theoretical and practical implications of the current study are discussed.
Adolescent Impulsivity and Emotion Dysregulation: The Moderating Role of Parental Socialization of Negative Emotions
Authors: Friedman Grace , Mezulis Amy
Published: January 2025

This study investigated whether parental socialization of negative emotions moderated the relationship between adolescents’ low executive function or high impulsivity and their current or subsequent emotion dysregulation. Emotion dysregulation, characterized by difficulties in managing the intensity and duration of emotions, is a transdiagnostic factor linked to adverse outcomes. Youth with poor executive functioning and/or high impulsivity are at risk for emotion dysregulation; however, the role of parenting in influencing this trajectory warrants exploration. Self-report and parent-report measures were collected from 116 adolescents and their parents, assessing adolescent executive function (BRIEF), adolescent impulsivity (S-UPP-S), adolescents’ perceptions of their parent’s responses to negative emotions (CCNES-AP), and adolescent emotion regulation difficulties (DERS). Moderation analyses revealed that high levels of unsupportive parental responses significantly moderated the effect of high impulsivity on emotion dysregulation ( b = 10.27, p = .031) cross-sectionally.
Artificial bee colony optimization–based enhancement of output power generation in grid-connected photovoltaic systems
Authors: Dziri Samia , Bouallègue Soufiene , Mazen Alhato Mohammed , Siarry Patrick
Published: January 2025

The integration of photovoltaic systems to utility grids becomes a durable alternative for power generation in many countries. Given the recent advances in artificial intelligence, the performance in output power maximization can be further improved. This paper presents an intelligent control strategy of a grid-connected photovoltaic (GPV) plant based on an efficient artificial bee colony (ABC) metaheuristic. The motivation behind the use of such a design tool is to formulate and systematically solve the GPV output power maximization issue in comparison to empirical and traditional techniques. Such a competing ABC algorithm efficiently contributes to design cascaded proportional–integral (PI) controllers for the DC-link voltage and grid currents dynamics under rapidly changing conditions of irradiance and temperature. The tuning of PI controllers is formulated as a non-analytical optimization problem subject to the operational constraints of output power generation. An offline tuning approach is performed for all PI controllers operating across the entire modeled GPV system. Performance in terms of reproducibility capabilities, algorithmic convergence, and quality of solutions are compared to the most commonly used state-of-the-art algorithms. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) study based on the Friedman ranking and post hoc Bonferroni–Dunn tests is made and discussed. Demonstrative results in terms of output power maximization, harmonics mitigation, and robustness against irradiance and temperature changes are presented. Compared to traditional methods, the ABC-based tuning presents more advantages in system performance with 94.50% of power efficiency and 1.10% of harmonics mitigation, in addition to a benefit in terms of allocated design time and systematization of the control procedure.
BEV transformer for visual 3D object detection applied with retentive mechanism
Authors: Pan Jincheng , Huang Xiaoci , Luo Suyun , Ma Fang
Published: January 2025

Three-dimensional (3D) vision perception tasks utilizing multiple cameras are pivotal for autonomous driving systems, encompassing both 3D object detection and map segmentation. We introduce a novel approach dubbed RetentiveBEV, leveraging Transformer to learn spatiotemporal features from Bird’s Eye View (BEV) perspectives. These BEV representations form the foundational layer for further autonomous driving tasks. Succinctly, spatial features within regions of interest (ROIs) are harvested via spatial cross-attention, while temporal dynamics are integrated using temporal self-attention, enriching the BEV with historical data. Our spatial cross-attention is enhanced with a retentive mechanism, prioritizing information surrounding the focal points and enabling the decomposition of this attention mechanism to bolster computational efficiency. On the nuScenes data set test split, our approach achieves a nuScenes Detection Score (NDS) score of 60.4%, without additional training data, which is an 8.7% improvement over the baseline (BEVFormer-base), and is close to the current state-of-the-art method SparseBEV, which gets NDS 65.7% as of August 2024. On the Val split of nuScenes, our method achieves the performance of 55.8 NDS while maintaining a real-time inference speed of 25.3 FPS, and we are currently working on further accelerating inference using TensorRT on the existing basis (the specification of mAP and NDS would be illustrated by equations (12) and (13)). The integration of the retentive mechanism notably boosts the precision and recall in 3D object detection while also expediting the inference process.
Talk about shared money: Account pooling is associated with financial communication
Authors: Peetz Johanna
Published: January 2025

Couples who pool their financial resources tend to report more positive relationship outcomes. The present research examines whether more financial interdependence is linked to better and more frequent communication about financial decisions. Individuals who fully pool finances with their partner reported better financial communication quality and more frequent discussions about finances than individuals who partially pool finances or keep finances separate, even after controlling demographic differences and after controlling overall relationship satisfaction (Study 1). Financial account pooling was also strongly associated with greater likelihood to discuss hypothetical financial decisions with the partner (Study 2), and when experimentally assigned to focus on joint rather than separate financial accounts, this focus on pooled financial resources resulted in more willingness to discuss financial decisions with their partner (Study 3). Together, these studies show a novel aspect of how financial interdependence affect everyday interactions between partners: Couples who pool their financial resources talk more about money.
Assessing hazards of ancient landslide clusters in the Lancang river basin using multi-temporal remote sensing: A case study of Chaya county
Authors: Li Xude , Zhang Jiajia , Tian You , Zhao Yu
Published: January 2025

The reactivation of ancient landslides typically exhibits large scales, significant destructive power, and adverse consequences. This has long been a pressing issue for the planning and construction of major projects, and the safety of urban areas. Using high-resolution remote sensing images, SBAS-InSAR, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys, and rainfall data, we delved into the evolution, ongoing deformation, and damage of ancient landslide clusters in the Lancang River Basin on the Tibetan Plateau. Two high-precision remote sensing images from 1965 and 2019 were used to analyze the spatial changes of this landslide cluster. The examination of 292-scene radar images and rainfall data from 2018 to 2022 illuminated the spatio-temporal deformation characteristics and trends of the landslide clusters. Our fieldwork indicated that areas with deformation rates exceeding 20 mm/yr, as detected using SBAS-InSAR, have experienced various degrees of collapse and slippage in recent times. Particularly alarming is that areas with deformation rates of up to 68 mm/yr are on the brink of obstructing the river. Rainfall, river slope cutting, and human engineering activities constitute the factors driving continuous deformation failure, resulting in different slip patterns of the landslide cluster. We numerically simulated the hazard potential in susceptible areas using the Massflow software. The results suggest that areas subjected to slippage will pose significant risks to structures and a possibility of river blockage.
Measuring Reading Comprehension Processes of Students With and Without Reading Difficulties Through Eye Movement
Authors: Yoo Yongseok , Kim Woori , Shin Mikyung
Published: January 2025

In this study, we examined the differences in reading comprehension processes between students with and without reading difficulties. A total of 72 third- and fourth-grade students in South Korea participated in the study; of these, 28 were identified as having reading difficulties and 44 were not. Multiple types of tasks were administered to evaluate the participants’ eye-movement behaviors, including reading different types of texts and answering questions. Nonparametric tests were conducted on the students’ responses, and the results indicated that students with reading difficulties fixated significantly longer and more frequently on both narrative and expository texts than those without such difficulties. Students without reading difficulties demonstrated significantly decreased reading comprehension processing times after a question-answering activity for all types of texts, whereas students with reading difficulties experienced decreased processing times only for a whole passage reading of narrative text. These results suggest that educators should be aware of differences in comprehension processes among students and develop differentiated instructional plans for students who struggle with reading.
Weapon Carrying and Brandishing Among Youth: A Call to Think Beyond General Strain Theory
Authors: Levine Ethan Czuy
Published: January 2025

Weapon carrying and brandishing among youth is a serious public health issue. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey suggests that as many as 1 in 15 male and 1 in 50 female students have carried a gun for nonrecreational purposes within the past 12 months. When examining weapon carrying more broadly, approximately one in eight adolescents report this behavior in the past 30 days alone. Within the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, several manuscripts have explored this topic in recent years in hopes of identifying causes and contributing to prevention. As a reviewer for the journal, and as a scholar and social services practitioner whose work focuses on interpersonal violence, I share these authors’ investment in preventing youth weapon carrying and brandishing, addressing related harms such as bullying, and creating safer and more affirming environments for youth. However, I have grown increasingly concerned by the dominance of general strain theory (GST) in this literature. In this commentary, I argue that overreliance on GST as a causal framework has produced an overemphasis on immediate and microlevel explanations and a corresponding neglect of root causes and systemic injustice. Such limitations may be addressed through adopting additional or alternative frameworks that will allow scholars to incorporate multilevel factors. This will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of weapon carrying and brandishing among youth, and thus more effective prevention measures.
A case report on azathioprine induced anagen effluvium, plica polonica, and bicytopenia in a patient of vitiligo
Authors: Gowda Shreya K , Rout Arpita N , Panigrahi Ashutosh , Sirka Chandrashekar
Published: January 2025

Background

Anagen effluvium is described as abrupt hair loss during the anagen phase due to reduced follicular mitotic activity. Chemotherapeutic medicines, toxic metals, and sporadically bismuth, levodopa, colchicine, and cyclosporine are often implicated in etiology. Plica polonica is a rare disorder that develops when the scalp hair mats completely and abruptly, resulting in an extended stiff mass of hair that resembles dreadlocks.

Objective

We are describing this case because it is unusual to see plica polonica linked with azathioprine-induced pancytopenia in the literature and since the source of the condition was cuticular damage to the hair shaft as a result of the medication rather than carelessness or excessive bathing of the patient’s hair.

Case description

A 32-year-old lady presented to dermatology OPD, with vitiligo over bilateral forearm and lips for 6 months. She was started on azathioprine 50 mg daily for the past 1 month, and then she complained of sudden onset of extensive hair loss on attempting to comb her hair associated with matting of rest of uncombable hairs, multiple oral ulcers, and mild grade fever for 15 days. The possibility of systemic lupus erythematosus and azathioprine-induced anagen effluvium and neutropenic ulcers was thought.

Results

We started on injectable granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for 3 days, and antibiotics and antifungals for 1 week. Improvement in clinical (oral ulcers, fever) and hematological profiles were noted.

Conclusion

Although azathioprine is not often associated with the development of anagen effluvium, it is probable that the patient’s abrupt pancytopenia caused damage to the hair shaft, which resulted in hair loss, and cuticular damage to the hair shaft, which led to the formation of Plica.
The value of responsibility, certainty, and child rights for supporting state intervention in the family – An empirical study of populations in six european countries
Authors: Loen Mathea , Skivenes Marit
Published: January 2025

This article examines the role individuals’ basic values about responsibility, uncertainty and child rights, have on willingness to accept state intervention in a family in a potential child protection situation. A key area within social sciences is how and when it is justified for governments to restrict individual freedom, for example allow authorities to intervene in the private sphere to protect a child from potential harm. In this article data from representative samples of the populations in six countries – Norway, Finland, England, Poland, Romania, and Czechia (total n = 6031) are analysed. Two main explanations are tested, first if individuals’ basic values explain willingness to restrict freedom, and second, if institutional context explains country differences. The results show that individuals who favour parental responsibility, accept uncertainty, and who have high ambitions on child rights, also favour interventions in the family to protect a child. However, sociodemographic variables nuance these findings. Institutional context sheds light on country differences. Our analysis show that people overall are positive to child protection interventions, and our findings accord with results within welfare state- and child protectionsystem research and provide increased knowledge about the relationship and connection between people’s value base and support for welfare policies.