bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foucault, care of the self and the privileged status of old age
Authors: Gilleard Chris
Published: January 2025

This paper draws attention to Foucault’s  1981/82 lecture series on The Hermeneutics of the Self . These contain perhaps the only direct reference Foucault ever made to the topic of old age.  In them, he observes how, in the first and second centuries of the Common Era, Greco-Roman philosophy shifted its emphasis from ‘knowing thyself’ to ‘becoming one’s self’. While these writers saw the practice of the arts of living as desirable at every stage of life, they considered them most effectively cultivated in later life, when the individual is least constrained by the subjectifications imposed by the world.  Their focus upon the ‘arts of living’ was later replaced by what Foucault considererd a ‘rules of living’ approach,  evident in the early Christian church teachings, and later by the institutions of the state.  Foucault’s endorsement of the art of living in later life can in turn be contrasted with other modern thinkers who have perpetuated such ‘rules of living’ approaches.  Set against Foucault’s support for an aesthetics of lifestyle,   writers working largely within an ageing studies/gerontology framework have advocated what might be called a public health endorsed agenda to age actively or successfully or have prescribed other morally desirable pathways for older people to develop integrity, self-realisation and/or bodily transcendence.  Foucault’s advocacy of an art of living in later life has been neglected by those using his work to emphasise the governance, rather than the freedoms of old age. Drawing attention to these overlooked lectures may help re-balance this view.
Rab10-associated tubulation as an early marker for biogenesis of the assembly compartment in cytomegalovirus-infected cells
Authors: Mahmutefendić Lučin Hana , Štimac Igor , Marcelić Marina , Skočaj Matej , Lisnić Berislav , Omerović Alen , Viduka Ivona , Radić Barbara , Karleuša Ljerka , Blagojević Zagorac Gordana , Deželjin Martina , Jurak Begonja Antonija , Lučin Pero
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection reorganizes early endosomes (EE), recycling endosome (RE), and trans-Golgi network (TGN) and expands their intermediates into a large perinuclear structure that forms the inner part of the cytoplasmic assembly complex (AC). The reorganization begins and results with the basic configuration (known as pre-AC) in the early (E) phase of infection, but the sequence of developmental steps is not yet well understood. One of the first signs of the establishment of the inner pre-AC, which can be observed by immunofluorescence, is the accumulation of Rab10. This study aims to investigate whether Rab10-positive domain (Rab10-PD) is expanded during the E phase of infection.

Methods

We performed long-term live imaging of EGFP-Rab10 with epifluorescence imaging-enhanced digital holotomographic microscopy (DHTM), confocal imaging of known Rab10 interactors and identification of important Rab10 interactors with the proximity-dependent biotin identification assay (BioID). The accumulation of Rab10-PD was analyzed after knock-down of EHBP1 and Rabin8, two proteins that facilitate Rab10 recruitment to membranes, and after blocking of PI(4,5)P2 by PI(4,5)P2-binding protein domains.

Results

Our study shows the gradual expansion of Rab10-PD in the inner pre-AC, the association of Rab10 with EHBP1 and MICAL-L1, and the dependence of Rab10-PD expansion on EHBP1 and PI(4,5)P2 but not Rabin8, indicating the expansion of EE-derived tubular recycling endosome-like membranes in the pre-AC. Silencing of Rab10 and EHBP1 suggests that Rab10-PD expansion is not required for the establishment of the inner pre-AC nor for the expansion of downstream tubular domains.

Conclusion

The present work characterizes one of the earliest sequences in the establishment of pre-AC and suggests that subsets of EE-derived tubular membranes may serve as the earliest biomarkers in pre-AC biogenesis. Our study also indicates that the pre-AC biogenesis is complex and likely involves multiple parallel processes, of which Rab10-PD expansion is one. Our experiments, particularly our silencing experiments, show that Rab10 and EHBP-1 do not play a significant role in the later stages of inner pre-AC biogenesis or in the expansion of downstream tubular domains. A more comprehensive understanding of the tubular domain expansion remains to be established.
Clinical characteristics and the role of IL-6 in acute-on-chronic liver failure patients with or without COVID-19: a multicenter paired cohort study
Authors: Yao Ruoyu , Xu Guofen , Fu Xiujuan , Zhang Wenrui , Wang Han , Chen Yu , Yao Jia
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remains unclear. To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with ACLF complicated with COVID-19 in order to provide evidence for the precise treatment of this patient population.

Methods

A total of 34 ACLF patients with COVID-19 admitted to these three hospitals from December 2022 to August 2023 were included as the ACLF+COVID-19 group. Additionally, 34 age-, gender-, etiology-, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na) score-matched ACLF patients were screened from 286 ACLF patients as the ACLF group. From 382 COVID-19 patients, 34 were selected as the COVID-19 group, matching the ACLF+COVID-19 group in age, gender, and illness severity. Clinical features of these three groups were compared, with the primary measure being the 28-day mortality rate in the ACLF patients and the secondary measures including clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, comorbidities, and complications in three groups.

Results

Compared with the ACLF group, the ACLF+COVID-19 group had significantly higher incidence rates of fever, cough, sputum production, fatigue, and hypoxemia (all p<0.01). Patients in the ACLF+COVID-19 group were more likely to have hepatic encephalopathy (p=0.015), lower platelet count (p=0.016) and elevated IL-6 level (p=0.026), and higher MELD-Na score (p=0.041) one week after admission, but without a significant increase in 28-day mortality rate (p=0.16).

Conclusions

ACLF patients with COVID-19 have increased risk for thrombocytopenia, more obvious inflammatory response, and rapid disease progression 1 week after admission, but the 28-day mortality rate is similar to that of ACLF patients without COVID-19.
Academics’ motivation to research: a study on public universities in Panama
Authors: Barsallo Gabisel , Mendoza Elisa , Arboleda Maritzabel , Torreiro-Casal Monica , Ordoñez Ciara
Published: January 2025

This article shows an analysis of the factors that motivate and demotivate Panamanian academics (professors and researchers) to carry out scientific research. A descriptive quantitative analysis based on data collected through the ENACT survey is presented. The study gathered data using an online self-administered questionnaire, employing a non-probabilistic and voluntary sampling design. A total of 921 academics from four public universities in Panama provided their consent to participate in the study. Multivariate interdependence methods such as the chi-square test and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to determine relationships between variables. The results showed that within the academics’ occupational landscape, the utilization of new technology, intellectual stimulation, academics’ contributions to society, science through problem-solving, and helping humanity are the key drivers of research motivation. Labor-related aspects, including class schedules and timetables, institutional bureaucracy, wages, lack of opportunities, and job stability, were identified as major demotivating influences. It is recommended that more specific policies need to be developed with an emphasis on the value of research sustainability as an educational model and tool that benefits both the nation’s current and future generations.
Blurred boundaries: exploring the influence of work-life and life-work conflicts on university teachers’ health, work results, and willingness to teleworking
Authors: Sobral Filipa , Dias-Oliveira Eva , Morais Catarina , Hodgson Julia
Published: January 2025

COVID-19 lockdowns forced organizations to rapidly shift from face-to-face interactions to online platforms, leading to unforeseen challenges. This study retrospectively examines the extreme conditions of teleworking, which blurred the boundaries between home and workspaces, providing a unique opportunity to assess perceptions of work-life and life-work conflicts and their consequences. Data were collected from university teachers through an anonymous online survey (N = 383). A path analysis using IBM SPSS AMOS software assessed the relationship between work-life and life-work conflicts, burnout, performance, and willingness to continue teleworking. Results suggest work-life and life-work conflicts produce different spillovers. Both conflicts significantly contributed to burnout, but only life-work conflict significantly related to perceived performance, and this relationship was negative. Burnout was negatively associated with perceived performance but had no significant relationship with willingness to continue teleworking after lockdowns. Conversely, the relationship between perceived performance and willingness to continue teleworking was significantly positive. These findings emphasize the interplay between work-life and life-work conflicts and their effects on workers’ perceptions. Organizations should consider these dynamics when designing remote work policies to mitigate burnout and enhance employee performance and satisfaction. It is crucial for leadership to take responsibility for prioritizing the well-being of workers and their working conditions, as their actions significantly influence work design, individual and team goals, and the overall organizational climate.
Depression-related innate immune genes and pan-cancer gene analysis and validation
Authors: Yang Yakun , Han Wei , Zhang Xiaoyu , Yuan Hao , Wang Ran , Yang Jia , An Cuixia , Huang Dongyang
Published: January 2025

Background

Depression, a prevalent chronic mental disorder, presents complexities and treatment challenges that drive researchers to seek new, precise therapeutic targets. Additionally, the potential connection between depression and cancer has garnered significant attention.

Methods

This study analyzed depression-related gene expression data from the GEO database. Using data normalization, differential expression analysis, WGCNA, and machine learning, we identified core genes strongly associated with depression. These genes were validated in depression patients through q-PCR and examined for expression patterns and potential roles across various cancers.

Results

We identified six core genes (GRB10, TDRD9, BCL7A, GPR18, KLRG1, and THEM4) significantly associated with depression and cancer. In depression, GRB10 and TDRD9, involved in cell growth and stress responses, exhibited elevated expression, while BCL7A, GPR18, KLRG1, and THEM4, linked to immune regulation and apoptosis, showed reduced expression, suggesting dysregulated cellular signaling and impaired immune function. In cancer, these genes displayed altered expression patterns across tumor types, influencing tumor progression, prognosis, and immune microenvironment modulation. Shared molecular pathways, such as immune dysregulation and apoptosis, highlight their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for both depression and cancer.

Conclusion

This study integrates bioinformatics and machine learning to uncover key molecular pathways and targets for depression, introducing innovative therapeutic prospects that may enhance precision treatment for depression. Furthermore, by revealing shared mechanisms between depression and cancer, we have identified six core genes with significant functional roles in immune regulation, apoptosis, and cellular signaling. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the molecular overlap between these conditions but also lay the groundwork for developing dual-targeted therapeutic strategies. This study uniquely contributes to bridging mental health and oncology research, offering new insights and hope for improving patient outcomes in both fields.
Surgical interventions for simple phakic fovea-splitting rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a comparative study of scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy
Authors: Zhu Haiqin , Pan Qintuo , Zhang Zhaoliang , Zhang Zongduan , Ma Xiaoyin , Hu Xuting
Published: January 2025

Aims

To compare the efficiency of scleral buckling (SB) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with or without SB in patients with primary simple phakic fovea-splitting rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods

A retrospective case–control study included 101 patients aged <55 years diagnosed with phakic fovea-splitting RRD. The primary outcome was functional success, defined as achieving a postoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity of 0.3 or better at 6 months post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included primary and final anatomical success and postoperative complications.

Results

Fifty-one eyes underwent SB, and 50 eyes underwent PPV. In the SB group, 31 eyes (60.8%) achieved functional success compared with 22 eyes (44.0%) in the PPV group (p = 0.091). There was no significant difference in the primary anatomical success (SB = 94.1%, PPV = 94.0%) and final anatomical success (SB = 100%, PPV = 100%). The incidences of ocular hypertension, epiretinal proliferation, cystoid macular edema, and persistent subretinal fluid in the SB group were 37.3% (p = 0.059), 5.9% (p = 0.034), 3.9% (p = 0.051), and 74.5% (p < 0.001), respectively, whereas in the PPV group they were 56.0, 20.0, 16.0, and 22.0%, respectively. In multivariable analyses, PPV was significantly associated with epiretinal proliferation formation (OR: 4.000, 95% CI: 1.030–15.534, p = 0.045).

Conclusion

SB may offer comparable outcomes to PPV in managing phakic fovea-splitting RRD, and careful surgical technique selection is advised due to postoperative complications.
Plant growth promotion via priming with volatile organic compounds emitted from Bacillus vallismortis strain EXTN-1
Authors: Dutta Swarnalee , Balaraju Kotnala , Oh Soh-Young , Lee Mi-Hyun , Lee Se Weon , Lee Yong Hwan , Park Kyungseok
Published: January 2025

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by potential plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in plant interactions. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not well understood. Our findings show that the influence of VOCs from the PGPR strain Bacillus vallismortis (EXTN-1) on tobacco plant growth is dependent on the culture media used. The VOCs released from sugar-rich media such as potato dextrose agar (PDA) and King’s B (KB) media were highly effective. However, exposure to VOCs from nutrient agar (NA), tryptic soy agar (TSA), and Luria-Bertani (LB) resulted in chlorosis and stunted plant growth. This effect was caused by the discharge of a large amount of ammonia that altered the pH of the plant growth media. Seedlings exposed to VOCs for 10 days exhibited improved growth even after the VOCs were eliminated under greenhouse conditions. Priming of seeds with VOCs for 24 and 48 h induced higher growth than the untreated control, and seeds with 48 h exposure were better as compared to 24 h treatment. Chemical characterization of VOCs emitted by EXTN-1 in different media using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed the presence of 2,3-butanedione and monoxime in all spectra. However, 1-butanol was the prominent peak in VOC of EXTN-1 grown in KB and NA, while acetoin was highest in PDA, followed by KB. Heneicosane and benzaldehyde were exclusively produced in NA media, and these synthetic compounds improved growth in the I-plate assay. This work indicates that VOCs released from EXTN-1 are important for the growth-promoting effect of EXTN-1.
Who is WithMe? EEG features for attention in a visual task, with auditory and rhythmic support
Authors: Turkeš Renata , Mortier Steven , De Winne Jorg , Botteldooren Dick , Devos Paul , Latré Steven , Verdonck Tim
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The study of attention has been pivotal in advancing our comprehension of cognition. The goal of this study is to investigate which EEG data representations or features are most closely linked to attention, and to what extent they can handle the cross-subject variability.

Methods

We explore the features obtained from the univariate time series from a single EEG channel, such as time domain features and recurrence plots, as well as representations obtained directly from the multivariate time series, such as global field power or functional brain networks. To address the cross-subject variability in EEG data, we also investigate persistent homology features that are robust to different types of noise. The performance of the different EEG representations is evaluated with the Support Vector Machine (SVM) accuracy on the WithMe data derived from a modified digit span experiment, and is benchmarked against baseline EEG-specific models, including a deep learning architecture known for effectively learning task-specific features.

Results

The raw EEG time series outperform each of the considered data representations, but can fall short in comparison with the black-box deep learning approach that learns the best features.

Discussion

The findings are limited to the WithMe experimental paradigm, highlighting the need for further studies on diverse tasks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of their utility in the analysis of EEG data.
Association between serum pyridoxal 5′-phosphate levels and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings based on NHANES 2005–2010
Authors: Liu Yanbin , Yan Jun
Published: January 2025

Objective

Vitamin B6 is involved in regulating a variety of biological reactions in cell metabolism, and possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biological functions. 5′-pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) is the main biologically active form of vitamin B6. There is currently no research on the correlation between serum PLP levels and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence. This study aims to explore the relationship between serum PLP levels and COPD prevalence.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included adult participants with complete data on COPD diagnosis and serum PLP levels from 2005 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Generalized linear model (GLM) was employed to analyze the association between serum PLP levels and COPD prevalence. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve and threshold effect analysis were used to explore the potential non-linear relationship between serum PLP levels and COPD prevalence. Subgroup analysis was carried out to assess the robustness of the relationship between serum PLP levels and COPD prevalence.

Results

A total of 11,103 participants were included in this study, of whom 830 were diagnosed with COPD. Higher PLP levels are associated with a reduced prevalence of COPD. GLM analysis confirmed that the groups with higher PLP levels (Q3 and Q4) had a significantly lower prevalence rate of COPD compared to the group of Q2. The RCS curves showed a non-linear “L”-shaped relationship between serum PLP levels and COPD prevalence. The threshold effect analysis found a critical point of 43.3 nmol/L. When serum PLP level is below 43.3 nmol/L, there is a negative correlation between serum PLP levels and COPD prevalence (p for overall <0.001, p for nonlinear <0.001). Subgroup analysis and interaction tests confirmed the robustness of the relationship.

Conclusion

This study is the first to discover a non-linear relationship between serum PLP levels and COPD prevalence. Higher serum PLP levels are associated with a reduced prevalence of COPD.
Case report: Intradural-extramedullary cervical spine clear cell meningioma mimicking a schwannoma in a child
Authors: Yang Xiang , Xu Chongxi , Richard Seidu A. , Jiang Yongliang , Wang Jiaxi , Xu Bin , Xu Jianguo , Li Hao
Published: January 2025

Clear cell meningioma (CCM) is an exceedingly rare subtype of meningioma, with spinal occurrences being even more uncommon. It predominantly affects children and is characterized by a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis, posing significant challenges for clinical treatment. Currently, gross total resection (GTR) is the best approach to reduce recurrence and improve prognosis in these patients. However, detailed descriptions of intraoperative findings, particularly for intraspinal cervical CCM, are scarce in the literature. Here, we report a rare case in which the upper cervical spinal CCM mimicked a schwannoma, detailing the surgical treatment strategy and prognosis. Additionally, we analyzed all previously reported cases of spinal CCM to investigate the clinical characteristics, optimal treatment strategies, and prognostic factors, which may be of particular interest to neurosurgeons.
Effect of taurine supplementation on preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in pediatrics under mechanical ventilation, a randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial
Authors: Shirzad-Yazdi Nasrin , Shorafa Eslam , Abootalebi Seyedeh Narjes , Heidari Reza , Hojabri Katayoon , Doostfatemeh Marziyeh , Masjedi Fatemeh , Vazin Afsaneh , Shafiekhani Mojtaba
Published: January 2025

Introduction

One of the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections in the pediatric intensive care unit is ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). VAP not only results in prolonged hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays but also imposes higher costs on patients and the healthcare system. Therefore, it is essential to implement preventive measures. The lung-protective properties of taurine are recognized, and this research focuses on assessing the impact of taurine supplementation in preventing VAP.

Method

This double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted at Namazi Hospital's PICUs. The study included pediatrics on mechanical ventilation for over 48 h. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the taurine and placebo groups. Alongside the standard care, participants from both groups were administered taurine or placebo capsules (30 mg/kg. day) in divided doses from the day of PICU admission through PICU discharge. The incidence of VAP through clinical and laboratory evidence was considered the primary outcome.

Results

Seventy-seven patients were included in the study, with 38 in the taurine group and 39 in the placebo group. VAP incidence was 7.9% in the taurine group and 64.1% in the placebo group. Taurine significantly reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital stay, and inotrope duration. The occurrence of septic shock was lower in the taurine group at 5.3%. Stepwise logistic regression showed that placebo receipt was the only risk factor for VAP, with placebo recipients being 20.8 times more likely to develop VAP. (P < 0.0001, OR 20.8, 95% CI 6.11–97.93) Taurine treatment also significantly reduced inflammatory markers such as CRP, pro-calcitonin, and interleukin-6 compared to placebo.

Conclusion

Our results showed that taurine supplementation can reduce the incidence of VAP and the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU, and hospital stay in critically ill pediatric patients.

Registration number of the clinical trial

This study received approval from the Iranian registry clinical trial, registered on 29 June 2023 (IRCT20120731010453N4, http://www.irct.ir/).
Understanding the bidirectional association between obesity and risk of psychological distress and depression in young adults in the US: available evidence, knowledge gaps, and future directions
Authors: Friedman Michael , Chang Ryan , Amin Zahir Malik , Rajan Tanuja , Singh Rahul , Yousefzai Samuel , Shahid Izza , Nasir Khurram , Javed Zulqarnain
Published: January 2025

While the physical health effects of obesity are well-characterized, an emerging branch of research has shown that obesity additionally plays a critical role in one’s mental health. Young adults, in a pivotal transition phase in their lives, may be particularly prone to the concurrent effects of obesity and adverse mental health outcomes. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively examine existing data regarding the connection between obesity and two widely validated measures of mental health: psychological distress and depression. The connection between mental health outcomes and obesity is mediated by a complex interplay between biological and sociocultural factors, which is explored in this review with particular focus on younger adults aged 20-39. Further, the impact of several demographic factors including race/ethnicity, gender, and immigration status are examined closely. To our knowledge, this review is one of the first efforts to integrate existing knowledge between obesity and mental health, with particular regard for young adults and the impact of other key sociodemographic characteristics. This review has important implications at the interface of two of the most pressing public health crises in the United States.
Scientific mapping of the nexus between entrepreneurial orientation and environmental sustainability: bibliometric analysis
Authors: Bulto Tadesse Weyuma , Chebo Abdella Kosa , Regassa Hailu Fufa , Werku Birhanu Chalchisa , Kloos Helmut
Published: January 2025

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and environmental sustainability (ES) has recently become the subject of extensive research. The objective of this paper is to comprehensively analyze of EO and ES by conducting a bibliometric network and systematic review analysis of over ten years of publications. A total of 390 articles were identified using the Scopus and Mendeley search engines. One hundred-eighteen articles published in 53 journals between 2012 and 2021 were identified for analysis. Association analysis was conducted by author, co-author, and keyword, as well as keyword analysis by title and abstract fields, abstract field, and title field words with the highest frequency and highest relevance score under the binary counting approach. Performance, entrepreneurial orientation, relationship, entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, and business keywords were the most dominant occurrences in the abstracts. Key topics included models for entrepreneurial orientation; environmental sustainability was potentially more comprehensive in understanding the review work. This comprehensive review holds substantial theoretical significance for advancing the agenda of ecological entrepreneurial orientation and environmental sustainability. The findings of the study will help academics and researchers to identify future research directions and subject areas.
Indigenous Maya-Mam leadership competencies: a grounded theory study
Authors: Lamino Pablo , Boren-Alpízar Amy E. , Headrick Jason , Burris Scott , Carpio Carlos
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This study explores the leadership competencies within the Indigenous Maya-Mam community, aiming to understand the specific skills and qualities exhibited by Maya-Mam leaders. The research seeks to address the gap in literature regarding Indigenous leadership practices, particularly focusing on how cultural values influence leadership behaviors.

Methods

Qualitative methods were employed for this study, including interviews and thematic analysis. Data collection took place in various Maya-Mam communities in Guatemala, where participants were selected based on their roles and experiences within the community leadership structures.

Results

The study identified several key competencies among Maya-Mam leaders, including leading by example, promoting inclusive leadership, valuing bilingual proficiency, and emphasizing community solidarity. These competencies underscored the leaders’ roles as both inspirations and facilitators of community development.

Discussion

The findings suggest that Maya-Mam leadership is deeply rooted in cultural values and community dynamics, influencing how leaders engage with their roles and responsibilities. This aligns with broader research on Indigenous leadership, highlighting similarities and unique aspects of Maya-Mam leadership practices. The study underscores the importance of understanding local contexts and cultural values in leadership development initiatives within Indigenous communities. Future research could further explore comparative studies across different Indigenous groups to enhance understanding and inform effective leadership strategies.
Cognitive dissonance as a reason for low perceived HIV risk among Black women
Authors: Hill Mandy J.
Published: January 2025

Existing HIV-related literature affirms that Black women in the US have a low perceived risk of HIV. Yet, Black women consistently experience higher HIV incidence than other women. The ability of HIV risk perception to influence HIV prevention behaviors remains unclear. Lack of knowledge is often described as the primary driver of a low perceived risk of contracting HIV. What if the primary driver is not lack of knowledge? Instead, it is possible and even likely, that cognitive dissonance became a commonly used coping strategy for survival among Black women whose social standing hinges, in part, on the independent ability to maintain romantic partnerships while doubling in purpose as a primary driver for low perceived risk of HIV. The three key points of this commentary are that underpinnings of low perceived risk of HIV among Black women exist, cognitive dissonance is a likely byproduct of reconciling cultural norms with self-identity, and there is a permanence in disconnect between actual and perceived risk of HIV among Black women. To achieve sexual health equity, researchers must enhance awareness into the nuanced reasons that low perceived risk of HIV persist.
Synthetic Hydrogel Dilutes Serratia plymuthica Growth— Promoting Effect on Brassica napus L. Under Drought Conditions
Authors: Dąbrowska Grażyna B. , Krauklis Daniel , Kulasek Milena , Nocny Magdalena , Antoszewski Marcel , Mierek-Adamska Agnieszka , Kaliska Beata
Published: January 2025

Progressive climate change increases drought frequency, severely impacting crop growth and yield. New eco-friendly alternatives to chemical protection agents and fertilisers are needed to reduce pollution and enhance plant health. This study evaluated the effects of the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and the hydrogel (potassium polyacrylate) on Brassica napus L. during drought conditions. After in vitro and pot experiments, Serratia plymuthica was selected from six PGPR candidates based on its ability to enhance plant biomass, shoot length, and number of internodes. The seed viability test, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and SOD activity showed no adverse effects of applying hydrogel to canola seeds. Moreover, the hydrogel did not show toxicity towards tested bacterial strains. Field trials during the drought demonstrated that inoculation with S. plymuthica significantly increased the number of siliques (16.48%) and yield (19.93%), compared to controls. Plants grown from inoculated seeds were also taller (3.28%) and had more branches (39.99%). We also analysed seedling emergence, number of internodes, thousand seeds’ weight, and seed moisture. The hydrogel applied to the soil delayed seedling emergence and dampened the growth-promoting effect of S. plymuthica, resulting in reduced yield. Compared with plants inoculated with S. plymuthica, there was a decrease in the yield of plants treated solely with hydrogel and in plants treated with hydrogel and the bacterium of 23.61% and 27.79%, respectively. Our results indicate that S. plymuthica has a high potential for use in commercial canola farming, especially as an ingredient added to seed coatings.
Combination of Nitrogen-Enriched Zeolite and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis to Improve Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Sarmiento-López Luis G. , Matos-Alegria Arny , Cesario-Solis Mariana E. , Tapia-Maruri Daniel , Goodwin Paul H. , Quinto Carmen , Santana Olivia , Cardenas Luis
Published: January 2025

Zeolite, a microporous mineral with strong ion binding, can enhance nutrient availability and growth of plants, such as maize (Zea mays L.). Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis has also been shown to enhance nutrient availability and growth of plants, including maize. However, the interaction between AM symbiosis and zeolite is poorly understood. In this study, the effect on growth of maize was examined following soil treatment with N-enriched (ZN+) zeolite, which could retain 19.68% N, or N-free zeolite (ZN−), compared to N-enriched or N-free vermiculite (VN+ and VN−). There was a 2.7-times increase in the growth of maize under ZN+ treatment compared to ZN−, indicating that N could be released from zeolite for plant growth, and a 3.8-times increase with ZN+ treatment compared to VN− or VN+, indicating that zeolite was more effective than vermiculite in releasing N for plant growth. Subsequently, ZN+ and ZN− treatments were examined with non-AM (M−) and AM (M+) treatments using Rhizophagus irregularis. ZN+ M+ treatment led to higher AM colonization and development compared to M+ ZN−treatment, indicating an interaction of AM in roots with N from zeolite. PCA revealed improvements in leaf N content, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic performance, and secondary metabolites with M+ ZN+ treatment, which was also observed in comparison to M−ZN+ and M− ZN−treatments, further supporting the benefit of combining N from zeolite with an AM fungus. The combination of N released from N-enriched zeolite and AM symbiosis offers a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers to improve maize growth.
Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolates from Subclinical Mastitis in Danish Dairy Cows
Authors: Kløve Desiree Corvera , Strube Mikael Lenz , Heegaard Peter M. H. , Astrup Lærke Boye
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Although Staphylococcus epidermidis is a key cause of subclinical mastitis in Danish dairy cows, its sensitivity to antimicrobials remains unexplored. Here, we analyzed sixty S. epidermidis isolates derived from 42 dairy cows across six conventional dairy herds in Denmark. Methods: Phenotypic resistance was measured by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) analysis, and genotypic resistance was examined through whole-genome sequencing and identification of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Correspondence between phenotypic and genotypic resistance was then evaluated by Cohen’s kappa statistics. Furthermore, the presence of plasmid replicon genes and the strain diversity among the S. epidermidis isolates was investigated to associate these findings with the observed AMR patterns. Results: Results showed that 30/60 isolates (50.0%) were resistant to penicillin phenotypically, while 35/60 (58.3%) were positive for a corresponding blaZ gene (κ = 0.83, p < 0.01). A fosB gene, encoding fosfomycin resistance, was detected in all 60/60 isolates (100.0%), but fosfomycin resistance was not analyzed phenotypically. Based on MIC analysis, 3/60 isolates (5.0%) were multi-drug resistant, showing resistance towards penicillin, erythromycin, and tetracycline. However, in 11/60 genomes (18.3%), ARGs encoding resistance towards ≥3 antimicrobial classes (e.g., beta-lactams, phosphonic acid, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, macrolides, lincosamides, and fusidane) were detected. Eleven different ARGs were detected among the 60 isolates in total. No methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) were recorded. Results further showed that each herd had one primary sequence type (ST) and resistance profile associated with it, and plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer of ARGs was indicated This study underscores the importance of routine resistance surveillance and species-specific diagnoses to improve treatment outcomes and ensure prudent use of antimicrobials.
Movement of Overlying Strata and Mechanical Responses of Shallow Buried Gas Pipelines in Coal Mining Areas
Authors: Han Jiashu , Ma Zhanguo , Sun Junyu , Gong Peng , Yan Pengfei , Cai Chuanchuan , Xu Mingshuo , She Tianqi
Published: January 2025

Damage to buried gas pipelines caused by mining activities has been frequently reported. Based on a case study from the Central China coal mining area, this research employs a scaled model experiment to investigate the movement of overlying strata in a room-and-pillar mining goaf. Distributed optical fiber strain sensors and thin-film pressure sensors were used to simultaneously measure the stress variations in the pipeline and changes in the soil pressure surrounding it. As the mining recovery rate increased from 50% to 86%, the maximum displacement of the overburden sharply escalated from 33.55 mm to 79.19 mm. During surface subsidence, separation between the pipeline and surrounding soil was observed, leading to the formation of a soil-arching effect. The development of the soil-arching effect increased soil pressure on the top of the pipeline, while soil pressure at the bottom of the pipeline increased on the outer side of the subsidence area and decreased on the inner side. Three critical sections of the pipeline were identified, with the maximum stress reaching 1908.41 kPa. After the completion of mining activities, pipeline collapse occurred, leading to a weakening of the soil-arching effect. Consequently, both stress concentration in the pipeline and soil pressure decreased. The probability integral method was corrected by incorporating the fracture angle, which enabled the determination of the location of maximum surface subsidence curvature, found to be close to the three failure sections of the pipeline.
Safety Autonomous Platform for Data-Driven Risk Management Based on an On-Site AI Engine in the Electric Power Industry
Authors: Lee Dongyeop , Lim Daesik , Lee Joonwon
Published: January 2025

The electric power industry poses significant risks to workers with a wide range of hazards such as electrocution, electric shock, burns, and falls. Regardless of the types and characteristics of these hazards, electric power companies should protect their workers and provide a safe and healthy working environment, but it is difficult to identify the potential health and safety risks present in their workplace and take appropriate action to keep their workers free from harm. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel safety autonomous platform (SAP) for data-driven risk management in the electric power industry. It can automatically and precisely provide a safe and healthy working environment with the cooperation of safety mobility gateways (SMGs) according to the safety rule and risk index data created by the risk level of a current task, a worker profile, and the output of an on-site artificial intelligence (AI) engine in the SMGs. We practically implemented the proposed SAP architecture using the Hadoop ecosystem and verified its feasibility through a performance evaluation of the on-site AI engine and real-time operation of risk assessment and alarm notification for data-driven risk management.
A Social Media Dataset and H-GNN-Based Contrastive Learning Scheme for Multimodal Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Peng Jiao , He Yue , Chang Yongjuan , Lu Yanyan , Zhang Pengfei , Ou Zhonghong , Yu Qingzhi
Published: January 2025

Multimodal sentiment analysis faces a number of challenges, including modality missing, modality heterogeneity gap, incomplete datasets, etc. Previous studies usually adopt schemes like meta-learning or multi-layer structures. Nevertheless, these methods lack interpretability for the interaction between modalities. In this paper, we constructed a new dataset, SM-MSD, for sentiment analysis in social media (SAS) that differs significantly from conventional corpora, comprising 10K instances of diverse data from Twitter, encompassing text, emoticons, emojis, and text embedded in images. This dataset aims to reflect authentic social scenarios and various emotional expressions, and provides a meaningful and challenging evaluation benchmark for multimodal sentiment analysis in specific contexts. Furthermore, we propose a multi-task framework based on heterogeneous graph neural networks (H-GNNs) and contrastive learning. For the first time, heterogeneous graph neural networks are applied to multimodal sentiment analysis tasks. In the case of additional labeling data, it guides the emotion prediction of the missing mode. We conduct extensive experiments on multiple datasets to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed scheme surpasses state-of-the-art methods by 1.7% and 0 in accuracy and 1.54% and 4.9% in F1-score on the MOSI and MOSEI datasets, respectively, and exhibits robustness to modality missing scenarios.
Computer Vision-Based Drowsiness Detection Using Handcrafted Feature Extraction for Edge Computing Devices
Authors: Owen Valerius , Surantha Nico
Published: January 2025

Drowsy driving contributes to over 6000 fatal incidents annually in the US, underscoring the need for effective, non-intrusive drowsiness detection. This study seeks to address detection challenges, particularly in non-standard head positions. Our innovative approach leverages computer vision by combining facial feature detection using Dlib, head pose estimation with the HOPEnet model, and analyses of the percentage of eyelid closure over time (PERCLOS) and the percentage of mouth opening over time (POM). These are integrated with traditional machine learning models, such as Support Vector Machines, Random Forests, and XGBoost. These models were chosen for their ability to process detailed information from facial landmarks, head poses, PERCLOS, and POM. They achieved a high overall accuracy of 86.848% in detecting drowsiness, with a small overall model size of 5.05 MB and increased computational efficiency. The models were trained on the National Tsing Hua University Driver Drowsiness Detection Dataset, making them highly suitable for devices with a limited computational capacity. Compared to the baseline model from the literature, which achieved an accuracy of 84.82% and a larger overall model size of 37.82 MB, the method proposed in this research shows a notable improvement in the efficiency of the model with relatively similar accuracy. These findings provide a framework for future studies, potentially improving sleepiness detection systems and ultimately saving lives by enhancing road safety.
Decellularized Liver Matrices for Expanding the Donor Pool—An Evaluation of Existing Protocols and Future Trends
Authors: Morawski Marcin , Krasnodębski Maciej , Rochoń Jakub , Kubiszewski Hubert , Marzęcki Michał , Topyła Dominik , Murat Kacper , Staszewski Mikołaj , Szczytko Jacek , Maleszewski Marek , Grąt Michał
Published: January 2025

Liver transplantation is the only curative option for end-stage liver disease and is necessary for an increasing number of patients with advanced primary or secondary liver cancer. Many patient groups can benefit from this treatment, however the shortage of liver grafts remains an unsolved problem. Liver bioengineering offers a promising method for expanding the donor pool through the production of acellular scaffolds that can be seeded with recipient cells. Decellularization protocols involve the removal of cells using various chemical, physical, and enzymatic steps to create a collagenous network that provides support for introduced cells and future vascular and biliary beds. However, the removal of the cells causes varying degrees of matrix damage, that can affect cell seeding and future organ performance. The main objective of this review is to present the existing techniques of producing decellularized livers, with an emphasis on the assessment and definition of acellularity. Decellularization agents are discussed, and the standard process of acellular matrix production is evaluated. We also introduce the concept of the stepwise assessment of the matrix during decellularization through decellularization cycles. This method may lead to shorter detergent exposure times and less scaffold damage. The introduction of apoptosis induction in the field of organ engineering may provide a valuable alternative to existing long perfusion protocols, which lead to significant matrix damage. A thorough understanding of the decellularization process and the action of the various factors influencing the final composition of the scaffold is essential to produce a biocompatible matrix, which can be the basis for further studies regarding recellularization and retransplantation.
European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II and Liver Dysfunction
Authors: Ludusanu Andreea , Tanevski Adelina , Ciuntu Bogdan Mihnea , Bobeica Razvan Lucian , Chiran Dragos Andrei , Stan Cristinel Ionel , Radu Viorel Dragos , Boiculese Vasile Lucian , Tinica Grigore
Published: January 2025

Background: The importance of liver dysfunction in predicting mortality in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery is an important topic due to the general desire to improve current risk scores such as EUROSCORE II (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation), with EUROSCORE III being currently under development. The model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) Score has already proven its utility in predicting outcomes for patients undergoing abdominal, cardiovascular or urological surgery. In the present study, we want to see its usefulness in proving the postoperative mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: This was a retrospective study, and it included 185 patients, with 93 survivors being randomly chosen from a total of 589 surviving patients using age, emergency and the weight of cardiac procedures as criteria to match the 92 deceased patients during hospitalization in the postoperative period who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone or CABG and other concomitant cardiovascular interventions during a 10-year period of time. We calculated for all these patients, at the time of admission, the MELD Score and EUROSCORE II, and we analyzed the predictive performance of the two scores and their constituents. Results: In the multivariable model, patients with a MELD Score ≥ 5.54 had a 2.38-fold increased risk of death (95% C.I.: 1.43–3.96, p = 0.001), while those with a EUROSCORE ≥ 10.37 had a 8.66-fold increased risk of death (95% C.I.: 3.09–24.29, p < 0.001). After combining the two scores, the conditional scenario achieved a high overall accuracy of 84.32% (p < 0.001) in predicting mortality. Conclusions: Patients with a MELD Score ≥ 5.54, had good sensitivity and a very good specificity in terms of mortality prediction, but the conditional scenario, leveraging both risk scores, i.e., the MELD Score and EUROSCORE, offers the highest utility in terms of enhancing mortality prediction regarding these patients.