bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cavitation in blunt impact traumatic brain injury
Authors: Finan John D. , Vogt Thea E. , Samei Yasaman
Published: July 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses a major public health challenge. No proven therapies for the condition exist so protective equipment that prevents or mitigates these injuries plays a critical role in minimizing the societal burden of this condition. Our ability to optimize protective equipment depends on our capacity to relate the mechanics of head impact events to morbidity and mortality. This capacity, in turn, depends on correctly identifying the mechanisms of injury. For several decades, a controversial theory of TBI biomechanics has attributed important classes of injury to cavitation inside the cranial vault during blunt impact. This theory explains counter-intuitive clinical observations, including the coup–contre-coup pattern of injury. However, it is also difficult to validate experimentally in living subjects. Also, blunt impact TBI is a broad term that covers a range of different head impact events, some of which may be better described by cavitation theory than others. This review surveys what has been learned about cavitation through mathematical modeling, physical modeling, and experimentation with living tissues and places it in context with competing theories of blunt injury biomechanics and recent research activity in the field in an attempt to understand what the theory has to offer the next generation of innovators in TBI biomechanics.
Metabolic rate and saliva cortisol concentrations in socially housed adolescent guinea pigs
Authors: Nemeth Matthias , Fritscher Susanna , Füreder Klara , Wallner Bernard , Millesi Eva
Published: July 2024

An individual’s energetic demands and hence metabolic rate can strongly change during adolescence, a phase characterized by profound morphological, physiological, and endocrine changes. Glucocorticoid hormones (e.g. cortisol) are released in response to hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal–axis activity, modulate several metabolic processes, and can also be linked to increased metabolic rate. In domestic guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) housed in same-sex groups, cortisol concentrations increase during adolescence in males but remain stable in females, which was suggested to be related to different energetic demands by age. We therefore measured metabolic rate through oxygen (O2) consumption over 2.5 h in male and female guinea pigs housed in same-sex groups during adolescence at ages of 60, 120, and 180 days, which was paralleled by analyses of saliva cortisol concentrations before and after the measurement. The statistical analyses involved whole body metabolic rate (ml O2/h), body mass-corrected metabolic rate (ml O2/h/kg), and body mass-independent metabolic rate (ml O2/h statistically corrected for body mass). We found increasing cortisol concentrations with age in males only, but none of the three metabolic rate analyses revealed a sex difference by age. On the individual level, repeatability across ages was found in metabolic rate as well as in body mass and cortisol concentrations after the measurement, but not in “basal” cortisol concentrations. Our results suggest no sex-specific changes in metabolic rate and hence equal energetic demands in male and female guinea pigs during adolescence. Moreover, metabolic rate clearly represents a highly stable physiological trait already early in a guinea pig’s life irrespective of rather fluctuating cortisol concentrations.
Analysis of wound infections among pediatric patients following the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquakes
Authors: Yeşil Edanur , Tezol Özlem , Gokay Nahida , Sürmeli Döven Serra , Mısırlıoğlu Merve , Akça Mehtap , Özgökçe Özmen Berfin , Dikme Güldane , Durak Fatma , Alakaya Mehmet , Karahan Feryal , Kıllı İsa , Kuyucu Necdet
Published: July 2024

Purpose

On February 6, 2023, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 occurred consecutively in Turkey and Syria. This study aimed to investigate the predisposing factors for wound infection (WI) and the microbiological characteristics of wounds after earthquake-related injuries.

Methods

This descriptive study evaluated pediatric patients’ frequency of WI, and the clinical and laboratory parameters associated with the development of WI were investigated.

Results

The study included 180 patients (91 female). The mean age of the patients was 123.9 ± 64.9 months and 81.7% (n = 147) of them had been trapped under rubble. Antibiotic treatment to prevent WI had been administered to 58.8% (n = 106) of all patients. WI was observed in 12.2% (n = 22) of the cases. In patients who developed WI, the incidence of exposure to a collapse, crush syndrome, compartment syndrome, multiple extremity injury, fasciotomy, amputation, peripheral nerve injury, thoracic compression, blood product use, intubation, and the use of central venous catheters, urinary catheters, and thoracic tubes were more frequent (p < 0.05). The need for blood product transfusion was associated with the development of WI (OR = 9.878 [95% CI: 2.504–38.960], p = 0.001). The negative predictive values of not developing WI at values of white blood cell count of < 11,630/mm3, creatine kinase < 810 U/L, potassium < 4.1 mEq/L, ALT < 29 U/L, AST < 32 U/L, and CRP < 45.8 mg/L were 93.7%, 96.8%, 90.8%, 93.3%, 100%, and 93.5%, respectively. Gram-negative pathogens (81%) were detected most frequently in cases of WI. Seventy-five percent of patients were multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant.

Conclusion

This study leans empirical approach of our disaster circumstances. In cases with risk factors predisposing to the development of WI, it may be rational to start broad-spectrum antibiotics while considering the causative microorganisms and resistance profile to prevent morbidity.
Ultra-processed food consumption in UK adolescents: distribution, trends, and sociodemographic correlates using the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008/09 to 2018/19
Authors: Chavez-Ugalde Irazu Yanaina , de Vocht Frank , Jago Russell , Adams Jean , Ong Ken K. , Forouhi Nita G. , Colombet Zoé , Ricardo Luiza I. C. , van Sluijs Esther , Toumpakari Zoi
Published: July 2024

Purpose

We quantified levels of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and investigated consumption patterns in a representative sample of UK adolescents.

Methods

We used data from 4-day food diaries from adolescents in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) (2008/09–2018/19). UPF were identified using the NOVA classification. We estimated the percentage of Total Energy Intake (%TEI) and the absolute weight (grams). Linear regression models quantified differences in UPF consumption across survey years and its association with participant’s individual characteristics. This was an analysis of the repeated cross-sectional data from the UK NDNS Rolling Programme waves 1–11 (2008/09–2018/19). A total of 2991 adolescents (11–18y) with complete information on dietary intake were included.

Results

Mean UPF consumption was 861 (SD 442) g/d and this accounted for 65.9% (SD 13.4%) of TEI. Between 2008 and 2019, mean UPF consumption decreased from 996 to 776 g/d [ – 211 (95%CI  – 302;  – 120)] and from 67.7% to 62.8% of TEI [ – 4.8% (95%CI  – 8.1;  – 1.5)]. Higher %TEI was consumed by adolescents with lower socioeconomic status; white ethnicity and living in England North. A higher weight of UPF consumption (g/d) was associated with being male, white, age 18y, having parents with routine or manual occupation, living in England North, and living with obesity.

Conclusion

Average energy intake from UPF has decreased over a decade in UK adolescents. We observed a social and regional patterning of UPF consumption, with higher consumption among adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, from a white ethnicity and living in England North. Our findings suggest inequalities associated with UPF intake and factors that might lie beyond individual choice.
Lung Volumes in a Mouse Model of Pulmonary Allergic Inflammation
Authors: Rojas-Ruiz Andrés , Boucher Magali , Henry Cyndi , Packwood Rosalie , Soliz Jorge , Bossé Ynuk
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Air trapping, often attested in humans by elevated residual volume (RV) and ratio of RV on total lung capacity (RV/TLC), is frequently observed in asthma. Confirming these alterations in experimental asthma would be important for translational purposes. Herein, lung volumes were investigated in a mouse model of pulmonary allergic inflammation.

Methods

Eight- to 10-week-old male C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice were exposed once daily to intranasal house dust mite (HDM) for 10 consecutive days. All readouts were measured 24 h after the last exposure. Lung volumes were assessed with the flexiVent using a new automated method consisting of degassing the lungs followed by a full-range pressure–volume maneuver. The weight and the volume of the lungs were also measured ex vivo and a lobe was further processed for histological analyses.

Results

HDM exposure led to tissue infiltration with inflammatory cells, goblet cell hyperplasia, thickening of the airway epithelium, and elevated ex vivo lung weight and volume. It also decreased TLC and vital capacity but without affecting RV and RV/TLC. These observations were similar between the two mouse strains.

Conclusion

Alterations of lung volumes in a murine model of pulmonary allergic inflammation are inconsistent with observations made in human asthma. These discrepancies reflect the different means whereby lung volumes are measured between species. The invasive method used herein enables RV to be measured more precisely and without the confounding effect of air trapping, suggesting that changes in RV and RV/TLC using this method in mice should be interpreted differently than in humans.
Exploring the impact of the interthalamic adhesion on human cognition: insights from healthy subjects and thalamic stroke patients
Authors: Vidal Julie P. , Rachita Kévin , Servais Anaïs , Péran Patrice , Pariente Jérémie , Bonneville Fabrice , Albucher Jean-François , Danet Lola , Barbeau Emmanuel J.
Published: July 2024

The interthalamic adhesion (IA) is a structure that connects the median borders of both thalami. Its anatomical variants and functions remain poorly studied. The main objective of this study was to explore the role of the IA on cognition. 42 healthy subjects and 40 patients with chronic isolated thalamic strokes underwent a neuroimaging and a neuropsychological assessment. The presence, absence, or lesion of the IA and its anatomical variants were evaluated. 76% of participants had an IA, with a higher prevalence among women (92%) than men (61%). The presence or absence of an IA did not affect the neuropsychological performance of healthy subjects nor did the type of IA variant. Across all the tests and when compared to healthy subjects using a Bayesian rmANOVA, patients exhibiting more cognitive impairments were those without an IA (n = 10, BF10 = 10,648), while those with an IA were more preserved (n = 18, BF10 = 157). More specifically, patients without an IA performed more poorly in verbal memory or the Stroop task versus healthy subjects. This was not explained by age, laterality of the infarct, volume or localization of the lesion. Patients with a lesioned IA (n = 12) presented a similar trend to patients without an IA, which could however be explained by a greater volume of lesions. The IA does not appear to play a major role in cognition in healthy subjects, but could play a compensatory role in patients with thalamic lesions.
Development and validation of a simulation-based assessment of operative competence for higher specialist trainees in general surgery
Authors: Toale Conor , Morris Marie , Roche Adam , Voborsky Miroslav , Traynor Oscar , Kavanagh Dara
Published: July 2024

Background

Simulation is increasingly being explored as an assessment modality. This study sought to develop and collate validity evidence for a novel simulation-based assessment of operative competence. We describe the approach to assessment design, development, pilot testing, and validity investigation.

Methods

Eight procedural stations were generated using both virtual reality and bio-hybrid models. Content was identified from a previously conducted Delphi consensus study of trainers. Trainee performance was scored using an equally weighted Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) tool and a modified Procedure-Based Assessment (PBA) tool. Validity evidence was analyzed in accordance with Messick’s validity framework. Both ‘junior’ (ST2–ST4) and ‘senior’ trainees (ST 5–ST8) were included to allow for comparative analysis.

Results

Thirteen trainees were assessed by ten assessors across eight stations. Inter-station reliability was high (α = 0.81), and inter-rater reliability was acceptable (inter-class correlation coefficient 0.77). A significant difference in mean station score was observed between junior and senior trainees (44.82 vs 58.18, p = .004), while overall mean scores were moderately correlated with increasing training year (rs = .74, p = .004, Kendall’s tau-b .57, p = 0.009). A pass-fail score generated using borderline regression methodology resulted in all ‘senior’ trainees passing and 4/6 of junior trainees failing the assessment.

Conclusion

This study reports validity evidence for a novel simulation-based assessment, designed to assess the operative competence of higher specialist trainees in general surgery.

Graphical abstract
Data sovereignty requirements for patient-oriented AI-driven clinical research in Germany
Authors: Radic Marija , Busch-Casler Julia , Vosen Agnes , Herrmann Philipp , Appenzeller Arno , Mucha Henrik , Philipp Patrick , Frank Kevin , Dauth Stephanie , Köhm Michaela , Orak Berna , Spiecker genannt Döhmann Indra , Böhm Peter
Published: July 2024

Background

The rapidly growing quantity of health data presents researchers with ample opportunity for innovation. At the same time, exploitation of the value of Big Data poses various ethical challenges that must be addressed in order to fulfil the requirements of responsible research and innovation (Gerke et al. 2020; Howe III and Elenberg 2020). Data sovereignty and its principles of self-determination and informed consent are central goals in this endeavor. However, their consistent implementation has enormous consequences for the collection and processing of data in practice, especially given the complexity and growth of data in healthcare, which implies that artificial intelligence (AI) will increasingly be applied in the field due to its potential to unlock relevant, but previously hidden, information from the growing number of data (Jiang et al. 2017). Consequently, there is a need for ethically sound guidelines to help determine how data sovereignty and informed consent can be implemented in clinical research.

Methods

Using the method of a narrative literature review combined with a design thinking approach, this paper aims to contribute to the literature by answering the following research question: What are the practical requirements for the thorough implementation of data sovereignty and informed consent in healthcare?

Results

We show that privacy-preserving technologies, human-centered usability and interaction design, explainable and trustworthy AI, user acceptance and trust, patient involvement, and effective legislation are key requirements for data sovereignty and self-determination in clinical research. We outline the implications for the development of IT solutions in the German healthcare system.
Timely integration of palliative care. the reality check. a retrospective analysis
Authors: Adamidis F. , Baumgartner N. S. , Kitta A. , Kum L. , Ecker F , Bär J , Marosi C. , Kreye G. , Fischer C. , Zeilinger E. L. , Paschen C. , Wenzel C. , Masel E. K.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

A large volume of literature suggests that timely integration of palliative care (PC) enhances the well-being, quality of life and satisfaction of patients and their families. It may also positively impact clinical outcomes and healthcare costs throughout the disease trajectory. Therefore, reviewing clinical practice to reflect real-life situations regarding timely PC integration is essential.

Methods

This study, conducted at the Vienna General Hospital between March 2016 and August 2022, retrospectively examined PC consultation (PCC) requests. It aimed to assess the timeliness of PC integration by analysing the duration between diagnosis and the first PCC request, as well as the interval between the first PCC request and death.

Results

This study included 895 PCCs. The median time from diagnosis to the first PCC was 16.6 (interquartile range (IQR): 3.9–48.4) months, while the median time from the first PCC to death was 17.2 (IQR: 6.1–50.7) days. The median time from diagnosis to first PCC was 10.4 months in females (confidence interval (CI): 6.0–14.8) compared to 10.6 months in males (CI: 8.1–13.1; p = 0.675). There were no gender disparities in the time from first PCC to death, with a median of 23.3 days (CI: 15.6–31.0) for females and 22.3 days (CI: 16.2–28.4) for males (p  = 0.93). Fifty percent of patients died between 5 and 47 days after the first PCC.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the discrepancy between the clinical perception of PC as end-of-life care and the existing literature, thereby emphasising the importance of timely PC integration.
Comparing the risk of severe oral mucositis associated with methotrexate as graft-versus host-disease prophylaxis to other immunosuppressive prophylactic agents in hematopoietic cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Al-Jamaei Aisha A. H. , Epstein Joel B. , de Visscher Jan G. A. M. , Spielberger Ricardo T. , Nakamura Ryotaro , Raber-Durlacher Judith E.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study examines the risk of severe oral mucositis (SOM) in graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis (GVHD) compared to other agents in hematopoietic cell transplantation patients.

Methods

A comprehensive search of four databases, including PubMed, Embassy, Web of Science, and Scopus, was conducted to identify studies reporting frequency and severity of oral mucositis in association with GVHD prophylactic regimens. RevMan 5.4 was used to perform the meta-analysis. Risk of bias assessment was carried out using the Rob-2 tool for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and ROBINS-I tool for observational studies.

Results

Twenty-five papers, including 11 RCTs and 14 observational studies, met the inclusion criteria. The pooled results from eight RCTs showed a higher risk of SOM in patients receiving MTX or MTX-inclusive GVHD prophylaxis versus non-MTX alternatives (RR = 1.50, 95% CI [1.20, 1.87], I2 = 36%, P = 0.0003). Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (Pt-Cy) consistently showed lower risk of mucositis than MTX. Folinic acid (FA) rescue and mini-dosing of MTX were associated with reduced oral mucositis severity.

Conclusion

Patients receiving MTX have a higher SOM risk compared to other approaches to prevent GVHD, which should be considered in patient care. When appropriate, MMF, FA, and a mini-dose of MTX may be an alternative that is associated with less SOM. This work also underlines the scarcity of RCTs on MTX interventions to provide the best evidence-based recommendations.
On the credibility of threats to avoid the deployment of solar geoengineering
Authors: Finus Michael , Furini Francesco
Published: July 2024

We analyze how geoengineering in the form of solar radiation management (SRM), associated with the potential of high collateral damages, affects the governance architecture of climate agreements. We investigate under which conditions signatories to a climate agreement can avoid the deployment of SRM and implement a climate agreement on mitigation. We show that a climate agreement with all countries can be stable with the threat to deploy SRM in case a country free-rides. The threat is deterrent if collateral damages are perceived to be sufficiently high (lower threshold), but only credible if those damages are not too high (upper threshold). SRM deployment is the only threat available to signatories if they choose mitigation levels simultaneously with non-signatories (Nash–Cournot scenario). However, if signatories choose mitigation levels before non-signatories (Stackelberg scenario), an additional punishment option arises. Then if collateral damages are sufficiently large, signatories can reduce their mitigation levels and impose a heavier burden on non-signatories that would find it profitable to avoid the deployment of SRM. We show that our results are robust in two analytical frameworks frequently employed in the game-theoretic analysis of international environmental agreements.
Phosphorus and bioenergy recovery from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and corn residues with digested sludge: effect of HRT and pre-treatment methods
Authors: Khaita Chutarat , Chinwetkitvanich Sopa , Polprasert Supawadee , Polprasert Chongchin , Patthanaissaranukool Withida
Published: July 2024

Organic wastes from the human ecosystem including food waste (FW), agricultural waste and digested sludge (DS) from wastewater treatment can be utilized as valuable materials in anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) for the dual purpose of bioenergy production and phosphorus (P) recovery through a chemical precipitation process. In this study, AcoD using FW and corn residues (CS) with DS for simultaneous sustainable phosphate release and biogas production were investigated. Different hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 10, 20, and 30 days were investigated, and FW was grinded, while CS pre-treatment methods including physical (FWCS), chemical (FWCS-Chem), and thermal (FWCS-Temp) were considered. The substrates of FW and CS compositions were conducted with a total organic loading of 6 g volatile solids (VS)/L/d (5 FW/1 CS) with a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) of 24. The results indicate that FWCS-Chem showed the highest cumulative biogas production simultaneously with P release at HRT 20 days with 7279 L/m3 and 29.67%, respectively. Moreover, the effluent from all digesters exhibited a Mg/P ratio above 1, suitable for struvite precipitation without an external Mg source. Accordingly, FW, FWCS, and FWCS-Chem achieved P recovery rates of 63.64%, 69.75%, and 70.19% at 20-day HRT, with corresponding P contents in solids of 9.45, 9.43, and 8.29%, respectively. These values are comparable to commercial phosphate fertilizer containing 8.80% P. Moreover, incinerating the precipitating solids offers high-quality P concentrations in solids of up to 15.52, 16.32, and 16.31%, respectively. Hence, 20-day HRT was found to be the optimal condition for FW, CS, and DS for anaerobic co-digestion, resulting in the highest biogas production, P release, and maximum financial return for P recovery.

Graphical abstract

Phosphorus and bioenergy recovery from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and corn residues with digested sludge.
On the geometry and refined rate of primal–dual hybrid gradient for linear programming
Authors: Lu Haihao , Yang Jinwen
Published: July 2024

We study the convergence behaviors of primal–dual hybrid gradient (PDHG) for solving linear programming (LP). PDHG is the base algorithm of a new general-purpose first-order method LP solver, PDLP, which aims to scale up LP by taking advantage of modern computing architectures. Despite its numerical success, the theoretical understanding of PDHG for LP is still very limited; the previous complexity result relies on the global Hoffman constant of the KKT system, which is known to be very loose and uninformative. In this work, we aim to develop a fundamental understanding of the convergence behaviors of PDHG for LP and to develop a refined complexity rate that does not rely on the global Hoffman constant. We show that there are two major stages of PDHG for LP: in Stage I, PDHG identifies active variables and the length of the first stage is driven by a certain quantity which measures how close the non-degeneracy part of the LP instance is to degeneracy; in Stage II, PDHG effectively solves a homogeneous linear inequality system, and the complexity of the second stage is driven by a well-behaved local sharpness constant of the system. This finding is closely related to the concept of partial smoothness in non-smooth optimization, and it is the first complexity result of finite time identification without the non-degeneracy assumption. An interesting implication of our results is that degeneracy itself does not slow down the convergence of PDHG for LP, but near-degeneracy does.
Alternative therapies recently applied in controlling farmed fish diseases: mechanisms, challenges, and prospects
Authors: Elgendy Mamdouh Y. , Ali Shimaa E. , Dayem Ahmed Abdal , Khalil Riad H. , Moustafa Moustafa M. , Abdelsalam Mohamed
Published: July 2024

The aquaculture industry is suffering from significant financial setbacks due to an increasing frequency of disease outbreaks, posing a threat to the sector’s sustainability. Various bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal pathogens have led to massive mortalities in farmed fish worldwide. Throughout the years, the management of fish diseases has predominantly centered around the utilization of conventional antibiotics and chemicals. Nevertheless, their indiscriminate use has given rise to serious implications, including an increase in resistant pathogens, disruptions in the metabolic processes of fish, degradation of the aquatic environment, the presence of drug residues in aquatic products, and a potential threat to human health. Various effective bio-based and immunoprophylaxis alternative therapies have been developed to overcome these impediments. Recent alternative therapeutic approaches to fish diseases encompass a range of strategies, including phytotherapeutics, nanotherapeutics, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, phage therapy, vaccination, quorum quenching, antimicrobial peptides, biosurfactants, bacteriocins, stem cells, and diagnostic-based therapy. Advancements in biotechnology have significantly enhanced the efficacy of these therapies. However, additional research is essential to refine the utilization of these therapeutic approaches. Critical concerns, such as efficacy, cost, risks, availability, and adverse effects on fish and the ecosystem, need to be addressed to establish guidelines for their sustainable application in aquaculture. This review will increase aquaculturists’ awareness of recent therapies used in fish farming, their mechanisms, challenges, and impacts while promoting the sustainability of commercial aquaculture.
Interest in and Willingness to Use PrEP: A Cross-Sectional Study of Individuals with Problematic Substance Use Residing in a High HIV Prevalence Jurisdiction
Authors: Heads Angela M. , de Dios Constanza , An Kaixuan , Yoon Jin H. , Suchting Robert , Gilmore-Thomas Adrienne , Schmitz Joy M.
Published: July 2024

Although it is an effective HIV prevention method, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is underutilized in the Southern US. Many people who use drugs (PWUD) have increased susceptibility to HIV which could be lessened by using PrEP. Potential barriers to PrEP use include lack of awareness of PrEP, low knowledge about HIV prevention, low self-efficacy for HIV prevention, inaccurate risk perceptions, and anticipated stigma. The current study examined predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors that may predict interest in PrEP. The purpose of the current study was to explore factors associated with interest in and willingness to use daily oral and long acting injectable PrEP among sexually active adult PWUD. The data were collected from adult participants (n = 270) residing in Harris County, TX, who self-reported problematic substance use and who reported oral, anal, or vaginal sex in the six months prior to completing the survey. The survey was distributed and completed online via Qualtrics Panels in March of 2022 and included measures of PrEP and HIV knowledge, PrEP stigma, sexual health self-efficacy, experiences of discrimination, health literacy, and medical mistrust. The majority of participants reported circumstances or behaviors that increased their susceptibility to HIV. Findings indicated that PrEP user stereotypes and PrEP anticipated disapproval by others were associated with interest in using daily oral PrEP and willingness to use long acting injectable PrEP. These results provide insight into reasons for low PrEP uptake among PWUD who live in a high HIV prevalence jurisdiction. Implications for HIV prevention intervention are discussed.
Metal distribution in three organs and edibility assessment on Coptodon rendalli from the Umgeni River impacted by metallurgic industrial activities
Authors: Hlatshwayo Sanelisiwe Siphumelele Brightness , Bissessur Ajay , Selala Mapurunyane Callies , Takai Yuki , Lebepe Jeffrey
Published: July 2024

Fish is among the most affordable and readily available protein sources for communities residing near water bodies. However, the recent pollution status of aquatic ecosystems has rendered fish consumption risky for human health. The study evaluated metal levels in the liver, gill, and muscle tissues of Redbreast tilapia (Coptodon rendalli) from Inanda and Nagle dams in the uMgeni River system. Metals, Al, Sb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, and Zn were analysed using ICP-OES. Fish size showed no significant difference between the two dams (p > 0.05) whereas a descending trend liver > gill > muscle was observed for most metal levels at both dams. Moreover, there was a clear separation for metal levels in the liver, gill, and muscle between the two dams (p < 0.001) and a similar trend was observed for organs in each dam (p < 0.001). No relationship was observed between fish length and metal levels and no definite trend was observed for inter-metal relationships. Antimony, Cr, and Pb showed THQs greater than 1 at both dams which suggests health risks for consumers. Molybdenum has also shown a concerning THQs with some individuals exhibiting values ranging from 0.5 – 0.9. These findings suggest that consuming C. rendalli from the Inanda and Nagle dams could result in adverse health effects from Sb, Cr and Pb.
Culture War Complexity: How Contaminated Words and Heterodox Positions Challenge Traditional Dichotomies
Authors: Johansen Mikkel Bækby
Published: July 2024

This essay addresses some of the key terminological conflicts of the ongoing culture war between “wokes” and “anti-wokes” in many Western societies. In a public debate culture where words and labels are rapidly contaminated when appropriated by the “other side,” it is increasingly difficult to make sense of the key positions and battle lines to decode who is battling whom. The “culture war matrix” serves as a heuristic tool to contain some of the central culture war positions in an otherwise fragmented space of mediated discourse. Two intersecting tensions are suggested between woke and anti-woke and between cancel culture and free speech. While this two-dimensional understanding by no means exhausts the complex positionings in the culture war landscape, it represents an alternative to the one-dimensional dichotomy-thinking, which reduces the struggle to a matter of left versus right. In conclusion, a third way of understanding contemporary culture wars is suggested by focusing on heterodox impulses and alternative sources of intellectual authority.
Automatic transcription system for parliamentary debates in the context of assembly of the republic of Portugal
Authors: Nascimento Pedro , Ferreira João C. , Batista Fernando
Published: July 2024

The transcription of parliamentary proceedings is essential for democratic governance. Traditional methods are manual and time-consuming. This work introduces an Automatic Transcription System for the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal (STAAR) that uses an automatic speech recognition model and speaker diarization technologies. STAAR was developed after analyzing existing technologies and the Assembly’s specific needs, leading to an effective solution that integrates with current processes. STAAR stands out for its efficiency in transcribing debates and adapting to parliamentary language nuances. It significantly exceeded expectations by presenting a low transcription error rate, ranging from 1.7 to 11.3%, depending on the context and speech style, reducing the time required to produce the official parliamentary debates journal, and improving overall transcription efficiency. Additionally, STAAR enabled the transcription of previously undocumented parliamentary committee meetings, enhancing the documentation of parliamentary activities. This achievement marks a significant step in modernizing parliamentary processes, increasing transparency and accessibility of political information, and positions the Portuguese Parliament at the forefront of technological innovation in parliamentary debates transcription.
Male infertility is associated with differential DNA methylation signatures of the imprinted gene GNAS and the non-imprinted gene CEP41
Authors: Ozkocer Suheyla Esra , Guler Ismail , Ugras Dikmen Asiye , Bozkurt Nuray , Varol Nuray , Konac Ece
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To investigate whether the DNA methylation profiles of GNAS(20q13.32), MEST(7q32.2), MESTIT1(7q32.2), IGF2(11p15.5), H19 (7q32.2), and CEP41(7q32.2) genes are related to the transcriptomic and epigenomic etiology of male infertility.

Methods

The DNA methylation levels of spermatozoa were obtained from fertile (n = 30), oligozoospermic (n = 30), and men with normal sperm count (n = 30). The methylation status of each CpG site was categorized as hypermethylated or hypomethylated. Expression levels of target gene transcripts were determined using real-time PCR.

Results

The oligozoospermia showed a higher frequency of hypermethylation at GNASAS 1st, 3rd, and 5th CpG dinucleotides (66.7%, 73.3%, 73.3%) compared to the fertile group (33.3%, 33.3%, 40%, respectively). The normal sperm count exhibited a higher frequency of hypermethylation at the 3rd CpG of CEP41 (46.7%) than the fertile group (16.7%). Normal sperm count was predicted by CEP41 hypermethylation (OR = 1.750, 95%CI 1.038–2.950) and hypermethylation of both CEP41 and GNASAS (OR = 2.389, 95%CI 1.137–5.021). Oligozoospermia was predicted solely by GNASAS hypermethylation (OR = 2.460, 95%CI 1.315–4.603). In sperms with decreased IGF2 expression in the fertile group, we observed hypomethylation in the 2nd CpG of IGF2 antisense (IFG2AS), and hypermethylation in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th CpGs of H19. No significant relationship was found between IGF2 expression and methylation status of IGF2AS and H19 in infertile groups.

Conclusion

The disappearance of the relationship between IGF2 expression and IGF2AS and H19 methylations in the infertile group provides new information regarding the disruption of epigenetic programming during spermatogenesis. A better understanding of sperm GNASAS and CEP41 hypermethylation could advance innovative diagnostic markers for male infertility.
The Relationship Between Psychological Pain, Spiritual Well-Being, and Social Support in Turkish Women Undergoing Therapeutic or Elective Abortion
Authors: Yılmaz Figen Alp , Avci Dilek
Published: July 2024

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between psychological pain, spiritual well-being, and social support among Turkish women undergoing therapeutic or elective abortion. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 342 women who were hospitalized in the gynecology and obstetrics service of a city hospital between March 2021 and December 2022 in Turkey. The mean psychological pain, spiritual well-being and perceived social support scores of women undergoing therapeutic/elective abortion were 26.96 ± 11.21, 110.72 ± 13.09 and 64.09 ± 15.62, respectively. There were a significant negative correlation between psychological pain with spiritual well-being and social support. According to linear regression analysis, spiritual well-being, social support, age, employment status, economic level, history of abortion, number of abortion, current abortion type, and gestational week were statistically significant predictive factors of psychological pain. Therefore, healthcare providers can provide individualized psychosocial-spiritual care and counseling services that decrease psychological pain in women after therapeutic or elective abortion.
Causal relationship between multiple sclerosis and primary Sjögren’s syndrome: a two-sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Shen Jie , Ye Qiao , Luo Fang , Yu Tianhang , Miao Jinli , Wang Wenmin , Yuan Hui
Published: July 2024

This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to provide insights into their common mechanisms and implications for therapeutic strategies. We utilized data from Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) for primary SS (1,290 cases and 213,145 controls) and MS (4,888 cases and 10,395 controls), restricted to European ancestry. Instrumental variables (IVs) were selected based on genetic variants associated with primary SS. The primary MR method was Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), supplemented by MR Egger, Weighted Median, Simple Mode, and Weighted Mode algorithms to assess the bidirectional causal relationships between MS and primary SS. Sensitivity analyses, including MR-PRESSO and leave-one-out analysis, were conducted to ensure the robustness of our findings. After excluding SNPs with pleiotropic effects, 42 and 5 SNPs were identified as robust IVs for primary SS and MS, respectively. Our analysis revealed a significant protective effect of MS on primary SS, with IVW showing an OR of 0.896 (95% CI: 0.841–0.954, P = 0.001). No significant heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was detected, supporting the reliability of the results. Our findings suggest a potential protective effect of MS against primary SS, indicating a negative causal association between these two autoimmune diseases. This adds valuable genetic evidence to the understanding of the complex interplay between primary SS and MS, offering new avenues for research and therapeutic interventions.
Wave propagation at nano-scale in coupled transport phenomena: application to thermoelectricity
Authors: Di Domenico M. , Carlomagno I. , Sellitto A.
Published: July 2024

The analysis of coupled transport phenomena is one of the most outstanding aspects of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. In this paper the attention is put on thermoelectricity, i.e., the coupling of heat and electricity. We propose a theoretical model which goes beyond the usual relations employed at macro-scale to describe thermoelectric effects. It introduces the non-local effects which should be taken into account in view of the possible applications of thermoelectric effects at nano-scale. The proposed model is here employed to investigate how non-local effects may influence the propagation of waves.
Toward a Responsible Fairness Analysis: From Binary to Multiclass and Multigroup Assessment in Graph Neural Network-Based User Modeling Tasks
Authors: Purificato Erasmo , Boratto Ludovico , De Luca Ernesto William
Published: July 2024

User modeling is a key topic in many applications, mainly social networks and information retrieval systems. To assess the effectiveness of a user modeling approach, its capability to classify personal characteristics (e.g., the gender, age, or consumption grade of the users) is evaluated. Due to the fact that some of the attributes to predict are multiclass (e.g., age usually encompasses multiple ranges), assessing fairness in user modeling becomes a challenge since most of the related metrics work with binary attributes. As a workaround, the original multiclass attributes are usually binarized to meet standard fairness metrics definitions where both the target class and sensitive attribute (such as gender or age) are binary. However, this alters the original conditions, and fairness is evaluated on classes that differ from those used in the classification. In this article, we extend the definitions of four existing fairness metrics (related to disparate impact and disparate mistreatment) from binary to multiclass scenarios, considering different settings where either the target class or the sensitive attribute includes more than two groups. Our work endeavors to bridge the gap between formal definitions and real use cases in bias detection. The results of the experiments, conducted on four real-world datasets by leveraging two state-of-the-art graph neural network-based models for user modeling, show that the proposed generalization of fairness metrics can lead to a more effective and fine-grained comprehension of disadvantaged sensitive groups and, in some cases, to a better analysis of machine learning models originally deemed to be fair. The source code and the preprocessed datasets are available at the following link: https://github.com/erasmopurif/toward-responsible-fairness-analysis.
The Logical Perspective in Pragma-dialectics
Authors: Marraud Hubert
Published: July 2024

I argue that the logical perspective—the study of arguments as products—is not well integrated into pragma-dialectics. I show that the Validity Rule and the Argumentation Scheme Rule, despite being procedural rules, are, in a certain sense, “logical” rules. Subsequently, I distinguish and review three successive periods in the development of the logical dimension of pragma-dialectics: conventionalist, inferentialist and dualist, to reveal that none of them is completely satisfactory. I contend that, given the assumptions and conceptual apparatus of pragma-dialectics, the integration of the logical perspective, and especially of a suitable account of counterargumentation, requires the adoption of a conception of logic as a theory of reasons, as opposed to the traditional conception of logic as a theory of inferences. Understanding logic as a theory of the dialogical construction of reasons enables us to approach the study of the relationships between arguments and the weighing of opposing arguments.
Total nitrogen and phosphorus loads in surface runoff from urban land use (city of Lublin) under climate change
Authors: Szalińska Ewa , Jarosińska Elżbieta , Orlińska-Woźniak Paulina , Jakusik Ewa , Warzecha Wiktoria , Ogar Wioletta , Wilk Paweł
Published: July 2024

An expansion of impervious surfaces in urban areas leads to increases of nutrient loads discharged with the surface runoff to receivers. A study of a different density of urban development impact on total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP) loads from the city of Lublin (eastern Poland) with the use of the SWAT (Soil & Water Assessment Tool) model was performed. To distinguish between areas with high and low density of urban development (UHD and ULD), a special analysis of hydrological parameters has been proposed. Moreover, to investigate the impact of climate change, four variant scenarios were taken into account, combining the RCP (representative concentration pathway) 4.5 and 8.5 forecasts and the adopted time horizons (2026–2035 and 2046–2055). The results showed a much higher share of TN and TP from UHD compared to ULD (86%—32 022 kg/year and 89%—2574 kg/year, respectively). In addition, the variant scenarios showed that the forecasted increase in precipitation and temperature will result in increased loads of nutrients from UHD and ULD up to 30%. Furthermore, the current increase of inhabitant number, due to the Ukrainian war migration and the common tendency to convert agricultural land to residential areas, could contribute to further expansion of UHD and ULD areas and an additional increase of nutrient loads.

Graphical abstract
Hidden Transformation of Authoritarian Regionalism: Tracing Organizations’ Functions Through Officials’ Biographies
Authors: Libman Alexander
Published: July 2024

Authoritarian regionalism constitutes a challenging topic for empirical research due to a substantial gap between official mandates and the actual practices of regional organizations (ROs). While formally most authoritarian ROs “download” the global script of regionalism and imitate the European Union, in practice, they are used by their member states for different purposes than economic integration—in particular, to legitimize the nondemocratic regimes. At the same time, there are also examples of authoritarian ROs that go beyond simple autocracy-sustaining rhetoric and have actual policy implications. This paper argues that the differences between authoritarian ROs can be better observed if one looks not at the official mandates but at the background of their key officials. Using the case of post-Soviet Eurasia with its proliferation of authoritarian ROs, I show that a look at the biographies of officials clearly reveals the existence of two generations of ROs—one with primarily symbolic importance and one with actual economic integration ambitions.
Optimizing construction supplier selection in conflict-affected regions: a hybrid multi-criteria framework
Authors: Hallak Jamil
Published: July 2024

Conflicts and wars profoundly impact infrastructure, exacerbating the adversity already caused by natural disasters. Therefore, it is imperative that the reconstruction process be both effective and efficient to expedite a return to normalcy. This study aims to enhance the efficacy of reconstruction efforts through improved construction supplier evaluation and selection. It introduces an innovative hybrid multi-objective decision-making model that integrates a broad spectrum of economic, technical, and humanitarian criteria. The model is designed to optimally select and assign construction suppliers in regions affected by human and natural conflicts and crises. Fifteen criteria have been incorporated into the evaluation process to validate its effectiveness and maximize its contribution to local communities. This methodology streamlines decision-making and enhances transparency in conflict zones, aligning with the interests of all stakeholders. The study incorporates advanced methodologies, including Fuzzy Goal Programming (F-GP), Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Risk Assessment, and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP), leveraging real-world data and a case study. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis examines the impact of varying inputs on the model's output. The findings attest to the model's utility in conflict-affected regions and its potential applicability in stable settings.