bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sibling and best friend conflict resolution strategies among Mexican-origin youth
Authors: Padilla Jenny , Updegraff Kimberly A. , Umaña-Taylor Adriana J.
Published: October 2024

Sibling relationships evolve into a more egalitarian relationship dynamic resembling friendships during adolescence, potentially facilitating the transfer of interpersonal skills across relationships. This study investigates cross-relationship associations in conflict resolution strategies with siblings and friends. Research on family-peer linkages, largely focused on White populations, often overlook the role of siblings in other ethnoracial contexts. Drawing on social learning theory, we examined mean-level differences on conflict resolution strategy use with siblings versus friends and how conflict resolution strategies with siblings were related to those with friends. Participants were older ( M = 15.48; SD = 1.57) and younger siblings ( M = 12.55; SD = .60) in 246 Mexican-origin families. Adolescents reported on their use of solution-oriented, nonconfrontational, and controlling strategies with one another and their best friends, which reflect varying considerations for oneself, others, and their relationship. Multilevel ANOVAs suggest that adolescents typically use more adaptive strategies with friends than with siblings. Actor-Partner Interdependence Models revealed significant positive associations between actor-reported conflict resolution strategies with siblings and friends, even when accounting for relationship intimacy and conflict, expressive personality characteristics, and familism values, suggesting congruence across relationships. Cross-strategy analyses indicated that controlling strategies with siblings were correlated with all strategies with friends, while nonconfrontational strategies with siblings negatively related to solution-oriented strategies with friends. These findings highlight how sibling and friend experiences shape adolescents’ interpersonal skills and suggest avenues for future research on the enduring impact on social development.
Long term follow-up of bilateral internal thoracic artery use in young coronary artery bypass grafting patients: 29 year single surgeon experience
Authors: Chaubey Sanjay , Khan Habib , Desai Jatin
Published: October 2024

Background

Improved long term survival has demonstrated by grafting left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). This study investigated the prognostic benefits of BITA versus single LITA with common anastomotic configurations of BITA.

Methods

Elective patients age below 60 years, undertaken by a single surgeon, between 1992 and 2014 were explored. Cox regression models were fitted to investigate prognostic benefits of BITA. Specific comparisons were made with BITA subgroups who received LITA to LAD or RITA to LAD to establish long-term prognostic difference with the use of the RITA to LAD as compared to the LITA to LAD anastomosis. Comparisons were made with other BITA configurations to establish long-term difference in survival as a result of the actual targets bypassed with BITA grafts.

Results

Both groups had similar baseline patient characteristics. Following risk adjustment, the use of a second ITA conferred a significant 48% reduction in long-term mortality to BITA group [HR 0.52 (95%CI: 0.36–0.74) p < .001]. The use of the RITA to LAD, instead of LITA, resulted in no difference in the long-term prognostic benefit. The targets grafted with second ITA conferred a significant prognostic benefit for common configurations it was used in for bypass surgery.

Conclusions

The use of BITA confers long term prognostic benefit to patients. Grafting RITA to LAD instead of more common LITA to LAD made no difference in long term prognosis when compared to CABG patients with single ITA. The use of a second ITA conduit in common configurations for CABG confers prognostic benefits irrespective of distal target grafted.
Imaging in France: 2024 Update
Authors: Barat Maxime , Crombé Amandine , Boeken Tom , Dacher Jean-Nicolas , Si-Mohamed Salim , Dohan Anthony , Chassagnon Guillaume , Lecler Augustin , Greffier Joel , Nougaret Stéphanie , Soyer Philippe
Published: October 2024

Radiology in France has made major advances in recent years through innovations in research and clinical practice. French institutions have developed innovative imaging techniques and artificial intelligence applications in the field of diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology. These include, but are not limited to, a more precise diagnosis of cancer and other diseases, research in dual-energy and photon-counting computed tomography, new applications of artificial intelligence, and advanced treatments in the field of interventional radiology. This article aims to explore the major research initiatives and technological advances that are shaping the landscape of radiology in France. By highlighting key contributions in diagnostic imaging, artificial intelligence, and interventional radiology, we provide a comprehensive overview of how these innovations are improving patient outcomes, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and expanding the possibilities for minimally invasive therapies. As the field continues to evolve, France’s position at the forefront of radiological research ensures that these innovations will play a central role in addressing current healthcare challenges and improving patient care on a global scale.
Thermoplastic composite sandwich panels with recycled PET foam core: A manufacturing process assessment
Authors: Mandegarian Sepanta , Hojjati Mehdi , Moghaddar Hassan
Published: October 2024

This study attempts to modify two distinct lamination processes of double-belt and compression molding to produce environmentally sustainable full thermoplastic sandwich panels. A precise assessment of fabrication parameters was conducted to ensure the quality of sandwich panels made of glass/Polypropylene composite skin and 100% recycled PET foam core sourced from consumer waste bottles. Evaluations of the skin-to-core adhesion properties revealed that the PET foam density in conjunction with the fabrication approach can affect the layers’ bonding. The formation of satisfactory interlayer connection under controlled process parameters was confirmed by Peel-off and flatwise tensile test results. Moreover, complementary three-point bending analyses highlighted deviations in panel performance. Panels manufactured by the compression molding method exhibited superior load-bearing capacity compared to those made via a double-belt machine. These observations are attributed to the inherent nature of the lamination procedures, taking single or multiple thermal treatment phases to fabricate the sandwich panels. Finally, the findings suggest that despite potential slight quality degradation, the production continuity capability of the double-belt method makes it a viable option for meeting industry requirements.
Autism in April at public libraries: Shifting from awareness to acceptance
Authors: Anderson Amelia
Published: October 2024

Public libraries in the United States provide programs and services for their communities, including those focused on timely events, holidays, and public awareness campaigns. Formerly known as Autism Awareness Month, April is now recognized as Autism Acceptance Month and has been highlighted through presidential proclamations and campaigns from organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This paper explores what services public libraries in the US are providing about autism in the month of April, and what language they use to describe it. Results indicate that while few public libraries hold special events to celebrate autism in April, those that do share potentially valuable information about autism with parents, caregivers, educators, and members of the community at large. Some also provide important opportunities for autistic patrons to gather. However, many event descriptions use language that is not in alignment with autistic individuals’ preferences, and opportunities for autistic patrons of all ages are limited. Results from this study highlight gaps in public library programing, with implications for providing better services around Autism Acceptance Month.
Artificial Intelligence in Digital Marketing: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Research Directions
Authors: Khandelwal Yatika , Malhotra Sejal , Sharma Rattan , Sarin Gaurav
Published: October 2024

Digital marketing has changed the way companies do business due to the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has changed the way businesses talk to their customers by making it easier to create personalised content. Due to the industry’s growing research and development, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. A detailed literature review on AI in digital marketing looks at the research that has been done in this area. Additionally, the study stresses how important it is to investigate the moral effects of using AI in marketing. The focus of the study is on how AI affects privacy, fairness and accountability. The study says that marketers should focus on encouraging openness and giving users control over how AI technology is used. The study suggests that more research be done on how AI affects job loss and the job market. Bibliometric analysis for the last 10 years is done using the global research database. This research makes the case for doing research that uses ideas from different fields, such as marketing, computer science and social science. Researchers and industry practitioners who are interested in how AI and digital marketing work together can learn from this study.
Social Media Addiction and Its Consequences Among Youth:  A Developing Country Perspective
Authors: Hassan Md. Rakibul , Mahmud Md. Shahed , Hasan Md. Kamrul
Published: October 2024

This study investigates how loneliness and self-regulation affect social media addiction in young people in developing nations, as well as how this addiction impacts their personal family life and jobs. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used to gather data from 514 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was used to analyze the theories of addiction. The multivariate statistical analysis indicates that social media addiction is positively influenced by loneliness and self-regulation. Moreover, loneliness is a contributing factor to the development of social media addiction, while self-regulation affects personal and family conflicts, as well as academic or professional performance. Additionally, the personal and family conflicts that arise from social media addiction have a significant impact on academic or professional performance. The study has twofold implications. It expands addiction theories by integrating aspects of self-regulation and loneliness, thereby contributing to its theoretical implications. Essentially, the results assist policymakers in formulating plans to reduce social media addiction and harness the potential of young people for the progress of the nation.
Revisiting the Corporate Governance–Firm Performance Nexus in Vietnam: Does Capital Structure Really Matter?
Authors: Luu Thi-Minh-Ngoc , Nguyen Phuong Mai , Ta Huy Hung
Published: October 2024

In this article, we investigate whether the capital structure moderates the corporate governance–firm performance nexus of Vietnamese firms. This study uses data from state-owned joint-stock companies to test the proposed hypotheses in two phases. In the first phase, we adopted and adapted the corporate governance quality (CGQ) index for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) nations to design a questionnaire to evaluate the CGQ of state-owned joint-stock companies. In the second phase, we collected information from the company’s reports to assess CGQ, cross-check the data and finalise our evaluation. Then regression models were run to test two proposed hypotheses. Empirical findings show that CGQ exerts a positive impact on Vietnamese state-owned joint-stock companies’ performance. Moreover, our result confirms that firms’ capital structure moderates the CGQ–firm performance nexus. Our study implies that the government should promulgate legal frameworks and policies to establish superior legal infrastructure to build trust for investors and improve CGQ in state-owned enterprises.

JEL Classification: M10, M12, M48, N40
Online Parent-mediated Home-based Intervention for Children with Autism During COVID-19 Pandemic, Caregiver’s Experience
Authors: Dahake Urmila , Jain Shikha , Choudhary Abhijit , Bang Akash , Girish Meenakshi
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many caregivers of children with autism faced significant challenges when it came to providing interventions. Studies done so far have proven the efficacy of parent-mediated interventions in children with ASD. COVID pandemic forced to use online platforms for training parents in various parent-mediated interventions. Therefore, we conducted a study on the utility of online parent-mediated home-based intervention for children with autism.

Methodology:

This is a descriptive qualitative study design. Ten parents of children with autism were included in a series of online interactive meetings addressed by the disability experts. Sensory processing measures (SPM) and sensory profile questionnaires (SP) were used to prepare individualised home programmes. Ongoing support for implementing programme was provided via teleconsultation. Feedback was obtained 6 months after implementing parent-mediated interventions. The perceived utility of was analysed using qualitative data analysis.

Results:

Nearly all parents reported improvement in skills in language and play areas. 88% parents could administer the programme confidently. The overall teaching format was well-perceived by all parents. The home programme could be easily administered at home as reported by 85% of the parents. In the open-ended question, parents requested a need for more follow-up teleconsultation appointments.

Conclusions:

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated significant adjustments for caregivers in providing interventions for children with autism. While it posed challenges, it also spurred innovation in parent-mediated interventions and highlighted the resilience and adaptability of caregivers in supporting their children during uncertain times.
Comparative Evaluation of Minimal and Metabolic Flow Anaesthesia Using Desflurane
Authors: Khurana Gulbul , V Muralidhar , MV Jayalalitha , Mahajan Vikram , Kumar Sachin
Published: October 2024

Objective:

The aim of this study is the comparative evaluation of minimal and metabolic flow anaesthesia with regard to hemodynamic stability, trends of anaesthesia gases, problems during maintenance, time to recovery and the consumption of anaesthetic agent.

Methods:

A randomised controlled prospective study was conducted on 60 patients of ASA grades I and II between 20 and 60 years of age undergoing routine surgeries under general anaesthesia using the Dräger Primus workstation. Patients were randomly allocated to Group 1 (minimal flow) and Group 2 (metabolic flow). Anaesthesia consumption was calculated manually using Dion’s method and the Dräger Primus machine also using the Dräger algorithm.

Results:

The two groups were found comparable with regard to the above-mentioned objectives. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups.

Conclusion:

Metabolic flow anaesthesia is safe and feasible on a day-to-day basis with the judicious use of advanced anaesthesia workstations and newer lower solubility halogenated agents.
Unveiling the Role of Radiotherapy in Managing Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS): A Unique Case Analysis
Authors: Ajith Kesav , Thilak Lekshmi , Rathnadevi R. , Subathira B.
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims:

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is an uncommon but aggressive proliferative process affecting the synovium. Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (DPVNS) is a type that affects the whole joint and if left untreated, it can lead to joint destruction and osteoarthritis. Only surgical excision can lead to local recurrences in DPVNS. Postoperative radiotherapy can significantly lower the incidences of local recurrences and improve functional outcomes.

Materials and Methods:

Here we present a rare case report of a lady with biopsy-proven DPVNS where postoperative radiotherapy was given.

Results:

At a 48-month follow-up, the patient is free of disease with improved joint function.

Discussion:

Given the improved local control, low morbidity and remarkable improvement in joint functions, postoperative radiotherapy should be routinely considered in cases of DPVNS if complete excision is doubtful.
When Elections Wait: A Cross-National Analysis of Election Postponement During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lee Seonghui
Published: October 2024

During the first 2 years of the coronavirus pandemic, over 150 countries had scheduled elections, but approximately half of them had to be postponed due to the pandemic. Why were some elections postponed while others were not? Despite its impact on the election calendar and democratic accountability, election postponement has received surprisingly little scholarly attention. In this study, I investigate the conditions under which elections are more likely to be delayed. Utilizing a comprehensive cross-national dataset encompassing election schedules worldwide, COVID-19-related factors, and other societal and institutional characteristics, I provide the first systematic examination of election postponement during the first 2 years of the pandemic. The empirical analysis reveals that national elections are less likely to be postponed compared to second-order elections such as subnational and special elections. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the momentum of the pandemic plays a significant role, and effective pandemic management and robust healthcare infrastructures decrease the likelihood of election postponement. On the other hand, institutional constraints have little impact. By shedding light on the factors driving election postponement, this study enhances our understanding of how crises can shape democratic processes.
Hidden in the white matter: Current views on interstitial white matter neurons
Authors: Fischer Maximilian , Kukley Maria
Published: October 2024

The mammalian brain comprises two structurally and functionally distinct compartments: the gray matter (GM) and the white matter (WM). In humans, the WM constitutes approximately half of the brain volume, yet it remains significantly less investigated than the GM. The major cellular elements of the WM are neuronal axons and glial cells. However, the WM also contains cell bodies of the interstitial neurons, estimated to number 10 to 28 million in the adult bat brain, 67 million in Lar gibbon brain, and 450 to 670 million in the adult human brain, representing as much as 1.3%, 2.25%, and 3.5% of all neurons in the cerebral cortex, respectively. Many studies investigated the interstitial WM neurons (IWMNs) using immunohistochemistry, and some information is available regarding their electrophysiological properties. However, the functional role of IWMNs in physiologic and pathologic conditions largely remains unknown. This review aims to provide a concise update regarding the distribution and properties of interstitial WM neurons, highlight possible functions of these cells as debated in the literature, and speculate about other possible functions of the IWMNs and their interactions with glial cells. We hope that our review will inspire new research on IWMNs, which represent an intriguing cell population in the brain.
Treatment Continuity and Bone Marrow Suppression in Whole-Brain and Whole-Spinal Cord Radiotherapy for Medulloblastoma Patients
Authors: Li Zongtai , Lin Zhiyue , Liu Hui , Xiao Runnan , Lin Chuyan , Zhu Wenlong , Luo Jiaxiu , Xu Senku , Chi Feng , He Huilang
Published: October 2024

Background:

This study investigated the factors influencing treatment continuity and bone marrow suppression in whole-brain and whole-spinal cord radiotherapy for medulloblastoma, providing a clinical reference for mitigating the impact of hematological suppression on radiotherapy continuity.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with medulloblastoma who underwent craniospinal irradiation (CSI) radiotherapy at our hospital between August 2019 and December 2023. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 87 patients were enrolled. The bone marrow suppression status, clinical data, and radiotherapy dose data of the enrolled patients were recorded, and correlation analyses were performed. Based on the correlation results, further group comparisons were subsequently conducted.

Results:

Overall, 22.99% (20 out of 87) of the patients experienced treatment interruption (median duration, 6.5 [5, 8] days), typically during the 12th (7.5, 14.75) radiotherapy session. Treatment continuity was weakly correlated with age and treatment modality, and the timing of interruptions was weakly correlated with dosage and treatment modality. Bone marrow suppression severity was weakly correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), and treatment modality. Treatment modality and age were found to be independent predictors of treatment continuity and the degree of bone marrow suppression, respectively. Subgroup comparisons revealed differences in the severity of bone marrow suppression, grade of hematological toxicity, and timing of interruption depending on the treatment modality, dosage, and sex ( P < .05).

Conclusions:

Timely monitoring of hematological changes, especially in the middle and posterior segments after radiotherapy, is crucial. Treatment with helical tomotherapy, male sex, younger age, and lower BMI during radiotherapy are indicators of greater clinical attention.
Deep Learning-Based Detection of Impacted Teeth on Panoramic Radiographs
Authors: Zhicheng He , Yipeng Wang , Xiao Li
Published: October 2024

Objective:

The aim is to detect impacted teeth in panoramic radiology by refining the pretrained MedSAM model.

Study design:

Impacted teeth are dental issues that can cause complications and are diagnosed via radiographs. We modified SAM model for individual tooth segmentation using 1016 X-ray images. The dataset was split into training, validation, and testing sets, with a ratio of 16:3:1. We enhanced the SAM model to automatically detect impacted teeth by focusing on the tooth’s center for more accurate results.

Results:

With 200 epochs, batch size equals to 1, and a learning rate of 0.001, random images trained the model. Results on the test set showcased performance up to an accuracy of 86.73%, F1-score of 0.5350, and IoU of 0.3652 on SAM-related models.

Conclusion:

This study fine-tunes MedSAM for impacted tooth segmentation in X-ray images, aiding dental diagnoses. Further improvements on model accuracy and selection are essential for enhancing dental practitioners’ diagnostic capabilities.
Participant-selected music listening during pulmonary rehabilitation in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lee Annemarie L , Butler Stacey J , Jung Peter , Clark Imogen N , Tamplin Jeanette , Goldstein Roger S , Brooks Dina
Published: October 2024

To evaluate the impact of participant-selected music listening as an adjunct to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in people with COPD. Adults with COPD referred to PR were randomly assigned to participant-selected music listening (intervention group, [IG]) or usual care (control group [CG]) during an 8-weeks PR program. Prior to training, the IG completed an interview with a registered music therapist to identify music preferences. IG participants listened to an individualised playlist; CG participants had usual care. Primary outcomes included end-6-min walk test symptoms (dyspnoea and exertion) and dyspnoea (Multidimensional Dyspnoea Profile [MDP]), measured pre and post PR and 6-months follow-up. 58 participants, FEV1 52.4 (25.9)% pd) were recruited. There were no between-group differences following the intervention ( p > .05 for all outcomes at all time points). Within-group differences following PR were significant for MDP sensory quality: IG mean difference [95% CI] −2.2 [−3.3 to −1.2]; CG −1.5 [−2.5 to −0.5] points; MDP emotional response: IG −3.2 [−4.2 to −2.3]; CG −2.2 [−3.2 to −1.3] points). Participant-selected music listening during PR offered no greater benefit to symptoms of dyspnoea or exertion compared to usual care. With the study limited by COVID-19 restrictions, the role of this adjunct remains to be clarified.
“Are You Still in Touch With Your Participants?”: The Implications of Asking Questions About Other People’s Research
Authors: Stiegler Sam
Published: October 2024

This article reflects upon the most common question I get asked after presenting my research with youth: Are you still in touch with your participants? On one hand, this question works to counter the long history of researchers leaving participants in the metaphorical dust after fieldwork; it is a history I endeavor to correct with my work, especially as a white male researcher. However, the question also seems to imply that staying in touch with participants is the pinnacle of being a successful ethical researcher. Pulling on critical methodological approaches, this paper thinks through how expecting, hoping, or requiring researchers to stay in touch with youth participants might reflect more about researchers’ (or research’s) desires than about the wants and needs of participants themselves. Moreover, I wonder what this question reveals about common assumptions about what it means to be a participant in a research study (and who it is commonly assumed that participants are), and if there is something to learn about being a “participant” from the study of young people.
Promoting Insider Action Research: A Practitioner-Scholar Perspective
Authors: Morales-Contreras Manuel F. , Bellón Carlos , Barcos Lucía
Published: October 2024

This paper aims to identify possible actions universities can undertake to promote Insider Action Research (IAR) in a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. DBA programs are an ideal setting for senior managers with intellectual curiosity willing to bridge the gap between academia and industry. These practitioner-scholars can benefit from using IAR, a methodology that fosters rigorous knowledge creation and practical relevance of management research conducted within the researcher’s own company or industry. We conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with a sample of senior executives enrolled in a DBA program at a Spanish university. This sample gave us an ex-ante perspective of practitioner-scholar perceptions of the methodology’s suitability and the four challenges to IAR identified in the extant literature (pre-understanding, role duality, managing ethics and politics, and community of inquiry). Based on the insights derived from these interviews, this paper proposes a series of actions universities can undertake to promote IAR in the context of a DBA, organized around three axes: education and training, the role of the dissertation advisor and other faculty, and communication. In this manner, we contribute to closing the gap between industry and academia. We also provide empirical evidence, analysis, and nuances of the interviewee’s perceptions of the abovementioned challenges.
The role of the general dental practitioner in the care of the implant patient
Authors: Clark Michael , Needham Chris
Published: October 2024

Introducing dental implants into a patient’s oral health plan requires a collaborative effort between all members of the care team, including the “implant dentist” and referring general dental practitioner (GDP), should the treatment be carried out in a referral practice. This article aims to discuss the pivotal role referring general dental practitioners (GDPs) play in preparing patients for dental implant placement, whatever the setting for the planned treatment. An overview of the patient referral process is outlined, as is the role of GDPs in the ongoing maintenance of the dental implants and the patient’s oral health. Furthermore, this article may be viewed as a road map for GDPs who refer patients to an “implant dentist” as part of their treatment plan.
An Investigation of Gender Differences in E-Commerce Shopping Frequency During COVID-19: Evidence From Türkiye
Authors: Tutar Gökhan , Küçükoğlu Hasan , Özdemir Adem , Alkan Ömer , Ipekten Osman Berna
Published: October 2024

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s daily lives, individuals’ shopping habits have begun to change. This study investigates factors associated with citizens’ e-commerce shopping frequency, taking into account gender differences during COVID-19. The study utilized the Household Information Technologies Usage Survey microdata set conducted by TurkStat in 2021. Various factors related to citizens’ e-commerce shopping frequency, specifically considering gender differences during the COVID-19 period, were examined using the generalized ordered logit model. According to the research results, the frequency of e-commerce shopping inversely decreases with age for both men and women. The number of e-commerce purchases made by individuals, regardless of gender, increases in direct proportion to their education levels. Additionally, as individuals’ incomes rise, their engagement in e-commerce purchases increases. Men who actively search for information about products and services are more likely to participate in e-commerce compared to those who do not. This dynamic differs for women based on the quantity of their intakes. Regarding gender distribution, it was determined that, moving from east to west, women make more e-commerce purchases than men. For both local governments and service providers, developing healthier, sustainable, and more predictable policies and strategies for extraordinary situations such as pandemics is crucial. Businesses are recommended to build customer and supplier portfolios, focusing on areas such as platform accessibility, inventory management, distribution, transportation, and payment methods. Strengthening infrastructure and keeping systems up-to-date are also crucial for effectively responding to consumer demands.
Exploring How Older Adult’s Gender Role is Associated with Studied Outcomes Following an Outdoor Exercise Structure Program
Authors: Araneda Evelyn , Leadbetter Brianna , Sénéchal Martin , Bouchard Danielle R.
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to describe the gender roles of people interested in an exercise program done on outdoor exercise structures and test if gender roles were associated with studied outcomes. Older adults aged 65+ who were not currently performing resistance training were invited to participate. Gender roles were quantified using the Bem Sex Role Inventory 30-item questionnaire (−60 [feminine] to +60 [masculine]). Outcomes included completing the 6-week intervention (Y/N) and changes in physical function (one leg stance, 30-s chair stand), strength (predicted maximal chest press and leg press, grip strength), power (knee extensor power), and overall health via the SF-36 questionnaire. Twenty-nine adults (65.5% female; median 72 years old) participated in the study, and 17 completed the intervention (58.6%). The median (interquartile) gender role score was −13.0 (−19.5 to −8.5), with no gender role difference ( p = .62) between completers and non-completers. These results suggest that older adults interested in such a program portray themselves as more feminine. No association was found between gender role scores and changes in any study outcomes. In this setting, gender roles did not seem to impact the study outcomes and therefore may not need to be considered when designing an outdoor exercise structure program.
Entrepreneurship Educators in an Age of Climate and Ecological Breakdown
Authors: Brentnall Catherine , Higgins David
Published: October 2024

It is stated, with increasing frequency and urgency, that Entrepreneurship Education should help society move past Business as Usual, the unsustainable development pathway which depletes communities and is driving climate and ecological breakdown. We agree with this ideal, but our lived experience suggests that the everyday philosophy and practice of mainstream Entrepreneurship Education means this shift will be challenging for many educators. Mainstream narratives of economic growth and tools such as Business Model Canvas erase social and ecological concerns, compromising the Entrepreneurship Educator in the way they prioritize economic concerns over un/sustainability. Our question is, given the demand for transformation in Entrepreneurship Education, how do we—educators—change ourselves and our practice? In this paper we blend action-based accounts of change with interpretations from a dialogic perspective to elaborate how Entrepreneurship Educators can, and already are, taking action in light of climate and ecological breakdown. We provide a way of thinking about how change happens—in and through relations and dialogue between people—and new conceptual directions—the metacrisis and time between worlds—which aim to contribute a source of agency for educators.
Between Humans and Machines: The social construction of the generative AI category
Authors: Grodal Stine , Ha Jaekyung , Hood Elizabeth (Liz) , Rajunov Micah
Published: October 2024

ChatGPT’s debut in 2022 heralded the entry of generative AI into mainstream public attention. The radical technology could do what no machine had done before: mimic humans’ complex linguistic abilities. The ghost had entered the machine. In their essay, Phillips, Kalvapalle and Kennedy (2024) argue that one of the important aspects of generative AI is that it participates in the social construction of categories. Many other technologies also participate in the social construction of categories, yet this process often goes unnoticed. Why? We argue that the degree to which technologies are perceived to participate in the social construction process depends on three elements: the degree to which we anthropomorphize the technology, whether its affordances allow for easy interaction, and the vested interests of powerful stakeholders. We agree that humans and machines co-construct categories, but we argue that this process is itself socially constructed through an iterative process among participating stakeholders.
Optimal lifestyle patterns for delaying ageing and reducing all-cause mortality: insights from the UK Biobank
Authors: Liu Ce , Yang Zhaoru , He Li , Xiao Ya , Zhao Hao , Zhang Ling , Liu Tong , Chen Rentong , Zhang Kai , Luo Bin
Published: October 2024

Background

With the rapid aging of the global population, identifying lifestyle patterns that effectively delay aging and reduce mortality risk is of paramount importance. This study utilizes the UK Biobank to analyze the associations of the Dietary Inflammatory Index, physical activity, and sleep on biological aging and all-cause mortality.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted using data from over half a million UK Biobank participants. Two datasets were created by subjective and objective measurements of physical activity: the Subjective Physical Activity (SPA) and Objective Physical Activity (OPA) datasets. Lifestyle patterns, including diet habits, exercise levels, and sleep quality, were assessed within these datasets. Biological aging was quantified using validated methods, including Homeostatic Dysregulation, Klemera-Doubal Method Biological Age, Phenotypic Age, and Telomere Length. All-cause mortality data were obtained from the National Health Service. Statistical analyses included weighted linear regression and Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for a range of covariates.

Results

The findings indicate that, in most cases, maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet, engaging in at least moderate physical activity, and ensuring healthy sleep conditions are associated with delayed physiological aging (Cohen’s d ranging from 0.274 to 0.633) and significantly reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HR-SPA: 0.690, 95% CI: 0.538, 0.884; HR-OPA: 0.493, 95% CI: 0.293, 0.828). These effects are particularly pronounced in individuals under 60 years of age and in women. However, it was observed that the level of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization (600 MET-minutes/week) does not achieve the optimal effect in delaying biological aging. The best effect in decelerating biological aging was seen in the high-level physical activity group (≥ 3000 MET-minutes/week). The study also highlights the potential of biological age acceleration and telomere length as biomarkers for predicting the risk of mortality.

Conclusions

Choosing healthy lifestyle patterns, especially an anti-inflammatory diet, at least moderate physical activity, and healthy sleep patterns, is crucial for delaying aging and reducing mortality risk. These findings support the development of targeted interventions to improve public health outcomes. Future research should focus on objective assessments of lifestyle to further validate these associations.
Performance of Ag-doped CuO nanoparticles for photocatalytic activity applications: Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity
Authors: Mosleh Ahmed T. , Kamoun Elbadawy A. , EL-Moslamy Shahira H. , Salim Samar A. , Zahran Heba Y. , Zyoud Samer H. , Yahia Ibrahim S.
Published: October 2024

The auto-combustion method synthesized CuO NPs and Ag/CuO NPs. The Ag/CuO NPs were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy instrumental analyses. The energy band gap, as determined by DRS properties, decreases from 3.82 to 3.50 eV for pure CuO and 10% Ag/CuO NPs, respectively. The photodegradation efficiency of Rhodamine-B & Carmine by 10% Ag/CuO NPs was nearly 98.9 and 97.8%, respectively. Antimicrobial trials revealed that the antimicrobial efficacy of Ag/CuO NPs at several dosages (20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 µg/mL) against human pathogens was initially assessed using the agar well-diffusion method, and then the broth dilution method. Noticeably, the minimum inhibitory concentration of Ag/CuO NPs for all pathogens ranged from 100 to 120 µg/ml, was determined. Generally, the observed minimum microbicide concentration has a wide range of Ag/CuO NPs doses, ranging from 150 to 300 µg/ml, which helps kill (99.99%) all tested pathogenic cells. The largest relative inhibitory activities (%) were recorded against Escherichia coli (81.45 ± 1.39) at 120 g/mL of Ag/CuO NPs and 100 μg/mL (80.43 ± 0.59), followed by 80 µg/mL (72.33 ± 0.82). Additionally, the lowest relative inhibitory activities (%) were monitored versus fungal cells and Gram-positive bacteria at 120 µg/mL of Ag/CuO NPs as 52.17 ± 1.49 and 53.42 ± 1.71; respectively.

Graphic abstract
Advanced glycation end products promote ROS production via PKC/p47 phox axis in skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Suzuki Shinichiro , Hayashi Tatsuya , Egawa Tatsuro
Published: October 2024

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are risk factors for various diseases, including sarcopenia. One of the deleterious effects of AGEs is the induction of abnormal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in skeletal muscle. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate how AGEs induce ROS production in skeletal muscle cells. This study demonstrated that AGEs treatment promoted ROS production in myoblasts and myotubes while PKC inhibitor abolished ROS production by AGEs stimulation. Phosphorylation of p47 phox by kinases such as PKCα is required to form the Nox2 complex, which induces ROS production. In this study, AGEs treatment promoted the phosphorylation of PKCα and p47 phox in myoblasts and myotubes. Our findings suggest that AGEs promote ROS production through the phosphorylation of PKCα and p47 phox in skeletal muscle cells.
C-ziptf: stable tensor factorization for zero-inflated multi-dimensional genomics data
Authors: Chafamo Daniel , Shanmugam Vignesh , Tokcan Neriman
Published: October 2024

In the past two decades, genomics has advanced significantly, with single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) marking a pivotal milestone. ScRNA-seq provides unparalleled insights into cellular diversity and has spurred diverse studies across multiple conditions and samples, resulting in an influx of complex multidimensional genomics data. This highlights the need for robust methodologies capable of handling the complexity and multidimensionality of such genomics data. Furthermore, single-cell data grapples with sparsity due to issues like low capture efficiency and dropout effects. Tensor factorizations (TF) have emerged as powerful tools to unravel the complex patterns from multi-dimensional genomics data. Classic TF methods, based on maximum likelihood estimation, struggle with zero-inflated count data, while the inherent stochasticity in TFs further complicates result interpretation and reproducibility. Our paper introduces Zero Inflated Poisson Tensor Factorization (ZIPTF), a novel method for high-dimensional zero-inflated count data factorization. We also present Consensus-ZIPTF (C-ZIPTF), merging ZIPTF with a consensus-based approach to address stochasticity. We evaluate our proposed methods on synthetic zero-inflated count data, simulated scRNA-seq data, and real multi-sample multi-condition scRNA-seq datasets. ZIPTF consistently outperforms baseline matrix and tensor factorization methods, displaying enhanced reconstruction accuracy for zero-inflated data. When dealing with high probabilities of excess zeros, ZIPTF achieves up to $$2.4\times$$

2.4
×

better accuracy. Moreover, C-ZIPTF notably enhances the factorization’s consistency. When tested on synthetic and real scRNA-seq data, ZIPTF and C-ZIPTF consistently uncover known and biologically meaningful gene expression programs. Access our data and code at: https://github.com/klarman-cell-observatory/scBTF and https://github.com/klarman-cell-observatory/scbtf_experiments.
The role of alcohol consumption in the lives of older Australian women: qualitative insights and an agenda for further research, policy and practice
Authors: McCarthy Simone , Pitt Hannah , Benjamin Kelli , Stafford Julia , Keric Danica , Arnot Grace , Thomas Samantha
Published: October 2024

Background

Alcohol consumption presents a threat to the health and wellbeing of women. The alcohol industry often pushes back at global efforts to prioritise the prevention of alcohol harms to women. Qualitative researchers have investigated how younger and midlife women conceptualise their alcohol consumption, but there is very limited research relating to older women (those 60 years and over).

Methods

Using data collected from an online qualitative survey, this paper explored the factors that influence how older Australian women drinkers (n = 144. 60–88 years) conceptualised the role of alcohol in their lives. The study used a ‘Big Q’ reflexive approach to thematic analysis, drawing upon sociological theories of risk and symbolic interactionism to construct four themes from the data.

Results

First, alcohol consumption was viewed by participants as an accepted and normalised social activity, that was part of Australian culture. Second, alcohol played a role for some participants as a way to cope with life changes (such as retirement), as well as managing stressful or challenging life circumstances (such as loneliness). Third, alcohol was part of the routines and rituals of everyday life for some women. For example, women discussed the consumption of wine with their evening meal as an important part of the structure of their day. Fourth, participants had clear personal expectancies about what it meant to be a ‘responsible drinker’. They had clear narratives about personal control and moral obligation, which in some cases created a reduced perception of their own risk of alcohol-caused harm.

Conclusions

This research provides a starting point for future public health research examining the factors that may shape older women’s alcohol consumption beliefs and practices. Public health activities should consider the unique needs and potential vulnerabilities of older women drinkers, and how these may be potentially exploited by the alcohol industry.
Optimization, purification and characterization of laccase from a new endophytic Trichoderma harzianum AUMC14897 isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica and its applications in dye decolorization and wastewater treatment
Authors: Salem Maha M. , Mohamed Tarek M. , Shaban Aya M. , Mahmoud Yehia A.-G. , Eid Mohammed A. , El-Zawawy Nessma A.
Published: October 2024

Background

Hazardous synthetic dye wastes have become a growing threat to the environment and public health. Fungal enzymes are eco-friendly, compatible and cost-effective approach for diversity of applications. Therefore, this study aimed to screen, optimize fermentation conditions, and characterize laccase from fungal endophyte with elucidating its ability to decolorize several wastewater dyes.

Results

A new fungal endophyte capable of laccase-producing was firstly isolated from cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica and identified as T. harzianum AUMC14897 using ITS-rRNA sequencing analysis. Furthermore, the response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to optimize several fermentation parameters that increase laccase production. The isolated laccase was purified to 13.79-fold. GFC, SDS-PAGE revealed laccase molecular weight at 72 kDa and zymogram analysis elucidated a single band without any isozymes. The peak activity of the pure laccase was detected at 50 °C, pH 4.5, with thermal stability up to 50 °C and half life span for 4 h even after 24 h retained 30% of its activity. The Km and Vmax values were 0.1 mM, 22.22 µmol/min and activation energy (Ea) equal to 5.71 kcal/mol. Furthermore, the purified laccase effectively decolorized various synthetic and real wastewater dyes.

Conclusion

Subsequently, the new endophytic strain produces high laccase activity that possesses a unique characteristic, it could be an appealing candidate for both environmental and industrial applications.