bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward tourism-oriented community-based natural resource management for sustainability and climate change mitigation leadership in rural municipalities
Authors: Ramaano Azwindini Isaac
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The study aimed to outlay the substantial relationship to information and studies on sustainable tourism, environmental sustainability and local resource governance issues. It further contextualizes the essence of natural biodiversity, ecotourism and residents integrated subsistence. Meanwhile, delving into the community’s sustainability and climate change perceptions within the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province of South Africa’s Musina Municipality.

Design/methodology/approach

The municipality’s circumstances for managing its natural and tourism resources were investigated through a general review of the literature, document reviews, focus groups and field observations. The data analysis procedure was finished with manual sorting, central tendencies and frequency distribution.

Findings

It was discovered that there is a negative correlation between activities that have the potential to contribute to climate change and the environmental consequences of rural ecotourism. Sustainable ecotourism management can lead to sustainability accomplishments when tourism activities follow the principles of ethical and sustainable travel, enhancing public leadership and livelihood values.

Social implications

The possible and present effects of ecotourism and integrated rural livelihoods on local communities, pertaining to sustainability and climate change, are brought forth with notions for significant enhancement measures for social sustainability.

Originality/value

Within the municipality, the study compares ecotourism, conservation and environmental degradation in terms of sustainability, responsible tourism and sustainable tourism. Moving forward, the essence of tourism-based public leadership within the context of community-based natural resources management and community-based tourism that supports integrated livelihoods and strategies for environmental sustainability is highlighted and can be enhanced by the endorsement of various technologies within the emerging economies.
SUGAR cosmetics: empowering women through leadership
Authors: Singh Bhoopendra , Goyal Sonu
Published: December 2024

Research methodology

The authors used a secondary research methodology, using news articles, research reports and media interviews as significant sources of information. Renowned business news websites like Economic Times, Money Control and Bloomberg were referred to, along with relevant sections of Times of India, Business Standard, India Today and The Hindu. The SUGAR Cosmetics official company website provided valuable insights. Social media videos and industry reports were considered for diverse perspectives. Articles were accessed from May 1, 2024, to May 15, 2024. Throughout the case, various data sources, including financial reports and funding information, were used to support arguments and draw conclusions.

Case overview/synopsis

The case depicts the entrepreneurship journey of Vineeta Singh, the Co-founder and CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics and the protagonist in this narrative. It commences with a brief overview of Vineeta’s entrepreneurial spirit evident since her childhood. It also explores her academic accomplishments and alternative career paths, illustrating her entrepreneurial determination and decisiveness. Subsequently, the case outlines Vineeta’s challenges in establishing SUGAR Cosmetics from scratch with her husband Kaushik Mukherjee, now the company’s COO, and their journey to achieving a revenue of ₹500 crore in FY24 over 12 years. It then delves into SUGAR Cosmetics’ innovative strategies to overcome various challenges. In addition, the case emphasizes Vineeta’s principles and focus in managing and scaling the business toward profitability, showcasing her leadership amidst adversity. Expanding from D2C to offline retail, SUGAR strategically grew to 200 stores by June 2023, with a significant presence in the southern region. With US$87.5m in funding, a predominantly female workforce, and an annualized revenue of ₹500 crore, Vineeta led SUGAR into a prosperous era, highlighted by her role as a beloved judge on Shark Tank India. However, amidst ambitious expansion plans, questions emerged regarding sustainability, competition differentiation, global expansion and commitment to women empowerment practices. These challenges illuminated the path ahead for SUGAR Cosmetics as Vineeta endeavored to navigate toward sustained success and innovation in the face of formidable competitors.

Complexity academic level

This case is structured for undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA and management development programs, aiming to enhance learning in the Strategy field through real-world insights and challenges encountered in a dynamic business environment.
Exploring the relationship between vitamin C deficiency and protein‐energy malnutrition in adult hospitalised patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Golder Janet E. , Bauer Judy D. , Barker Lisa A. , Lemoh Christopher N. , Gibson Simone J. , Davidson Zoe E.
Published: December 2024

Aims

To explore the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency, ‘undetectable’ vitamin C status, and scurvy features, in adult hospitalised patients with protein‐energy malnutrition diagnosed using validated malnutrition screening and assessment tools commonly used in clinical practice.

Methods

This study included adult inpatients from four acute hospitals within a single Australian tertiary health service, over a 3.5‐year period. A medical file review activity retrospectively determined malnutrition risk and diagnosis, via Malnutrition Screening Tool, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, Subjective Global Assessment and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. Prevalence of vitamin C deficiency and scurvy features was examined in adult patients with plasma vitamin C levels <11.4 μmol/L and <5 μmol/L (‘undetectable’), respectively.

Results

In the final cohort (n = 364), prevalence of vitamin C deficiency was 30.2%. Malnutrition was present in 76.1% and 79.8% of patients via Subjective Global Assessment (n = 310) and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria (n = 342) respectively. Patients with high nutrition risk and those diagnosed with severe malnutrition had the highest prevalence of vitamin C deficiency, reported as 32.8% for malnutrition detected via Malnutrition Screening Tool (n = 244), 32.9% via Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (n = 222), 35.8% via Subjective Global Assessment (n = 106), and 34.2% via Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (n = 152). Scurvy features were associated with severe malnutrition in patients with ‘undetectable’ vitamin C status.

Conclusions

Severely malnourished adult hospital patients have a high prevalence of vitamin C deficiency, and scurvy features in those with ‘undetectable’ vitamin C status. Leveraging existing malnutrition screening and assessment practices may support early identification of patients with vitamin C deficiency during hospitalisation.
Effect of rapid maxillary expansion on nasomaxillary structure and sleep disordered breathing in children with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Pirelli P , Fiaschetti V , Mampieri G , Condo' R , Ubaldi N , Pachi F , Giancotti A
Published: December 2024

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of RME on upper airway structure and its relationship to improvements in sleep disordered breathing.

Methods

The study was carried out in 23 children with malocclusion and OSA. Clinical assessment visits, daytime sleepiness questionnaire, polysomnography and orthognatodontic examination were performed before (T0) and 4 (T1) and 12 (T2) months after RME. CB CT scans with 2D and 3D reconstructions were performed before (T0) and 12 after months (T2) RME. The relationship between airway changes and improvements in sleep disordered breathing were evaluated.

Results

In all cases, opening of the mid‐palatal suture was successfully achieved. Volume of the total upper airways, nasal cavity, nasopharynx and oropharynx increased significantly as well as the nasal osseous width. The increase in posterior suture, pterygoid process, maxillary, nasal cross‐sectional width were significantly correlated with total upper airway volume, nasal cavity volume, nasopharyngeal airway volume, and oropharyngeal airway volume.

The improvement in AHI was correlated with the increase in total upper airway volume at 12 months.

Conclusion

The study provides important details about the effect of RME on upper airway structure, including an enlarged posterior suture, pterygoid process, maxillary width and nasal cross‐sectional width and enlarged airway volume.
Outcomes of pregnant and post‐partum patients admitted to the intensive care unit with COVID‐19 in Australia: An analysis of SPRINT‐SARI Australia
Authors: Barnes Emma , Zhao Peinan , Udy Andrew , Nguyen Nhi , Burrell Aidan ,   the SPRINT‐SARI Australia Investigators
Published: December 2024

Background

Pregnant and post‐partum (collectively peri‐partum) women may be at increased risk of severe COVID‐19 disease.

Aims

To describe the characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of peri‐partum patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in Australia with COVID‐19.

Materials and methods

We conducted a prospective, multicentre observational study using the SPRINT‐SARI Australia database across 63 ICUs in Australia. All women <45 years of age, admitted to a participating Australian ICU, with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 between 1 March 2020 and 1 June 2023 were included. Participants were categorised as either peri‐partum, defined as pregnant or up to six weeks post‐partum, or non‐pregnant. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 737 eligible female patients were admitted to ICUs over the study period: 168/737 (23%) were peri‐partum, while 569/737 (77%) were non‐pregnant. The median age of peri‐partum women was 31 (interquartile range (IQR) 27–36) years old, and median gestation was 28.0 (IQR 4–40) weeks. When compared to non‐pregnant women, peri‐partum women had lower rates of comorbidities (1.8% vs 14.4% P < 0.001), lower vaccination rates (27.4% vs 45.2%, P < 0.001), similar rates of mechanical ventilation, and greater use of tocilizumab (29.2% vs 4.0%, P < 0.001). Complications were low in both groups. In‐hospital mortality was lower in peri‐partum patients: 1/168 (0.6%) vs 24/569 (4.2%); P = 0.04.

Conclusions

Peri‐partum patients made up ~25% of all women aged <45 years old admitted to Australian ICUs with COVID‐19, and nearly 30% required mechanical ventilation. Despite lower vaccination rates in peri‐partum patients, in‐hospital mortality was lower than in non‐pregnant patients.
Sounds of the future and past
Authors: Sidhu David M. , Peetz Johanna
Published: December 2024

We report evidence of sound symbolism for the abstract concept of time across seven experiments (total N = 825). Participants associated the future and past with distinct phonemes (Experiment 1). In particular, using nearly 8000 pseudowords, we found associations between the future and high front vowels and voiced fricatives/affricatives, and between the past and /θ/ and voiced stops (Experiment 2). This association was present not only among English speakers but also by speakers of a closely related language (German) and those of a more distantly related language (Hungarian; Experiment 3). This time‐sound symbolism does not appear to be due to embodied articulation (Experiment 4). In sum, these studies identify a robust time sound symbolism effect, along with tests of underlying mechanisms.
The Impacts of US State‐Level Economic Policy Uncertainty on US State‐Level Income Distribution: Asymmetric Approach
Authors: Gocer Ismet , Ongan Serdar , Karamelikli Huseyin
Published: December 2024

This study aims to expand Bahmani‐Oskooee and Hasanzade's research examining the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on income inequality in the US states. Our study differs from theirs as we use a newly calculated US state‐level EPU index, whereas they used the US country‐level EPU index in their previous work. While the linear ARDL model finds that the EPU has short‐run effects on GINI in 15 US states, the nonlinear model finds it in 22 US states. Similarly, while the nonlinear model finds that EPU has a long‐run impact on GINI in five US states, the linear model finds it only in one US state. However, when the CSD is allowed, the linear model finds that EPU impacts GINI in five US states in the long run. While our study finds that decreased uncertainty worsens income inequalities in Texas and Washington, Bahmani‐Oskooee and Hasanzade find that uncertainty does not have long‐run effects in these US states. Similarly, while we find that increased uncertainty improves inequality in Virginia, they also find worsening effects in this US state. Empirical findings reveal that state‐level analysis discovers some hidden impacts of the EPU on GINI that we could not find in country‐level analysis.
Keine orale Beteiligung in einer großen Kohorte von Frauen mit Lichen sclerosus der Vulva – eine multizentrische prospektive Studie
Authors: Corazza Monica , Salvini Camilla , Gaspari Valeria , Simonetti Oriana , Schettini Natale , de Magnis Angelina , Rapparini Luca , Rizzetto Giulio , Misciali Cosimo , Marzola Elisa , Borghi Alessandro
Published: December 2024

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung

Wir untersuchten die Prävalenz von oralem Lichen sclerosus in einer Kohorte von Frauen mit vulvärem Lichen sclerosus (VLS).

Patienten und Methoden

Diese prospektive Beobachtungsstudie umfasste erwachsene Patientinnen mit histologisch nachgewiesenem VLS, die zwischen Januar 2020 und Juli 2023 die Vulvakliniken von drei dermatologischen Abteilungen aufgesucht hatten. In diesem Zeitraum wurden alle Patientinnen mit VLS gebeten, ihre Mundhöhle untersuchen zu lassen, um Anzeichen für orale Erkrankungen erkennen zu können, die dann biopsiert wurden.

Ergebnisse

Dreihundert Frauen (mittleres Alter 64,5 ± 13,0 Jahre) wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen, von denen 21 (7%) gleichzeitig extragenitalen LS aufwiesen. Bei sechs (2%) Patientinnen wurden bei der oralen Inspektion weiße, nicht entfernbare Läsionen gefunden und biopsiert. In allen Fällen handelte es sich histologisch um Lichen planus. Es wurden keine anderen klinisch relevanten oralen Läsionen identifiziert. Bei den sechs Frauen mit histologisch nachgewiesenem oralen Lichen planus traten parodontale und Autoimmunerkrankungen häufiger auf als bei den anderen eingeschlossenen Personen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Unsere Ergebnisse bestätigen die absolute Seltenheit einer oralen Beteiligung bei Patienten mit VLS. Sie deuten darauf hin, dass die orale Mukosa, anders als die Genitalien, selbst bei prädisponierten Personen nur sehr selten Lichen sclerosus entwickelt.
Anatomical categorization of insulo‐opercular focal cortical dysplasia and the spatial patterns of stereoelectroencephalography
Authors: Yang Bowen , Luo Weiyuan , Zhao Baotian , Zhang Chao , Wang Xiu , Mo Jiajie , Zheng Zhong , Shao Xiaoqiu , Zhang Jianguo , Zhang Kai , Hu Wenhan
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study was undertaken to anatomically categorize insulo‐opercular focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) lesions according to their location and extent, and to summarize corresponding stereoelectroencephalographic (SEEG) patterns to guide preoperative evaluation and surgical planning.

Methods

Patients who underwent epilepsy surgery for insulo‐opercular FCD between 2015 and 2022 were enrolled. FCD lesions were categorized into insular, peri‐insular, opercular, and complex types based on their location and extent, as ascertained from electroclinical and neuroimaging data. SEEG signals from the seizure onset electrodes were collected for quantitative analysis. The normalized interictal spike counts, high‐frequency oscillation (HFO) counts, and ictal epileptogenicity index (EI) values of the insular and opercular channels were calculated. The spatial patterns of the spike counts, HFO counts, and EI values were analyzed. Cluster analyses utilizing spike counts, HFO counts, and EI values were performed for automatic categorization, and the results were compared with the manual categorization from the preoperative evaluations.

Results

A total of 53 patients were included, comprising 10 insular, 17 peri‐insular, 24 opercular, and two complex cases. Thirty‐eight patients were included in the quantitative SEEG analysis. Spike, HFO, and EI analyses indicated that in insular FCDs, the values of the three parameters were higher in insular channels than in opercular channels. In peri‐insular FCDs, the values in insular and opercular channels were comparable, whereas in opercular FCDs, the values were higher in opercular channels than in insular channels. The accuracies of the cluster analysis based on the spike counts, HFO counts, and EI values were 71.05% (27/38), 76.32% (29/38), and 86.84% (33/38), respectively. Surgical strategies were proposed according to the anatomical categorization, achieving a favorable postoperative seizure‐free rate of 84.91%.

Significance

Insulo‐opercular FCDs can be categorized into insular, peri‐insular, opercular, and complex types. SEEG patterns can facilitate the automatic categorization of insulo‐opercular FCDs, thereby enhancing preoperative planning and surgical outcomes.
Interpretation of testicular biopsy for infertility: a practical guide
Authors: Al‐Hussain Turki , Borhan Walaa M
Published: December 2024

Testicular biopsies are often performed in men with unexplained infertility and azoospermia to ascertain the status of spermatogenesis. Testicular pathology is one of the primary causes of male infertility. However, infrequent exposure among pathologists and a lack of uniform reporting terminology pose diagnostic challenges and variability in interpretation. These issues may lead to inaccurate evaluations, potentially impacting clinical management. The goal of this review is to offer a straightforward, practical approach to interpreting testicular biopsies, thereby assisting pathologists who handle such rare samples. Accurate interpretation of testicular biopsy for infertility plays a crucial role in management of infertile men. In this review, we present a practical guide for reporting testicular biopsies.
Densification behavior of ultrafine WC‐based composites with AlxCoCrCuFeNi high‐entropy alloy binders
Authors: Luo Wenyan , Liu Yunzhong
Published: December 2024

Ultrafine WC‐based cemented carbides with 10 wt.%AlxCoCrCuFeNi high‐entropy alloy (HEA) binders were fabricated by spark plasma sintering, and the effects of HEA binders on the densification behavior of the WC‐HEA cemented carbides were studied. The densification of the WC‐HEA cemented carbide, as well as traditional WC‐Co, can be divided into the slow densification stage, rapid densification stage, and final densification stage. The densification behavior of the WC‐HEA cemented carbides largely depends on the performance of the HEA binder during the SPS process. The sluggish diffusion effect of HEA weakens the diffusion of W atom on the powder particle surface and inhibits the growth of WC grain. Consequently, the disappearance of pores in the sintered compact is hindered, which leads to a low relative density of the WC‐HEA cemented carbide. With the increase of Al content, the inhibitory effect of the AlxCoCrCuFeNi binder on the growth of WC grain is suppressed, and an Al‐containing phase with a low melting point is more likely to form. Therefore, the relative density of the WC‐10 wt.%AlxCoCrCuFeNi cemented carbide raises linearly with increasing Al content of the HEA binder.
Effect of patient‐contextual skin images in human‐ and artificial intelligence‐based diagnosis of melanoma: Results from the 2020 SIIM‐ISIC melanoma classification challenge
Authors: Kurtansky Nicholas R. , Primiero Clare A. , Betz‐Stablein Brigid , Combalia Marc , Guitera Pascale , Halpern Allan , Kentley Jonathan , Kittler Harald , Liopyris Konstantinos , Malvehy Josep , Rinner Christoph , Tschandl Philipp , Weber Jochen , Rotemberg Veronica , Soyer H. Peter
Published: December 2024

Background

While the high accuracy of reported AI tools for melanoma detection is promising, the lack of holistic consideration of the patient is often criticized. Along with medical history, a dermatologist would also consider intra‐patient nevi patterns, such that nevi that are different from others on a given patient are treated with suspicion.

Objective

To evaluate whether patient‐contextual lesion‐images improves diagnostic accuracy for melanoma in a dermoscopic image‐based AI competition and a human reader study.

Methods

An international online AI competition was held in 2020. The task was to classify dermoscopy images as melanoma or benign lesions. A multi‐source dataset of dermoscopy images grouped by patient were provided, and additional use of public datasets was permitted. Competitors were judged on area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) on a private leaderboard. Concurrently, a human reader study was hosted using a subset of the test data. Participants gave their initial diagnosis of an index case (melanoma vs. benign) and were then presented with seven additional lesion‐images of that patient before giving a second prediction of the index case. Outcome measures were sensitivity and specificity.

Results

The top 50 of 3308 AI competition entries achieved AUROC scores ranging from 0.943 to 0.949. Few algorithms considered intra‐patient lesion patterns and instead most evaluated images independently. The median sensitivity and specificity of human readers before receiving contextual images were 60.0% and 86.7%, and after were 60.0% and 85.7%. Human and AI algorithm performance varied by image source.

Conclusion

This study provided an open‐source state‐of‐the‐art algorithm for melanoma detection that has been evaluated at multiple centres. Patient‐contextual images did not positively impact performance of AI algorithms or human readers. Providing seven contextual images and no total body image may have been insufficient to test the applicability of the intra‐patient lesion patterns.
Reformulating the Critique of Human Capital Theory
Authors: Auerbach Paul , Green Francis
Published: December 2024

Despite criticism, human capital theory (HCT) has remained central for six decades to the teaching and practice of economics. This paper reformulates the critique of HCT, focusing on two aspects that are typically relegated to the margin. The first of these is the pervasive presence of the external effects of learning, which is paid lip service in formal expositions of HCT but marginalized in the bulk of empirical work and policy advice. Similarly, marginalized are the social determinants of education demand. We show that the embedding of HCT in methodological individualism makes impossible the incorporation of key, non‐peripheral factors that affect the demand for, and effects of education. The resultant tensions from the use of an individualistic methodology to explain inherently social phenomena have been accommodated within HCT by ignoring them. The outcome is problematic in important fields of socioeconomic inquiry, several examples of which are noted in this paper. We conclude by advocating a new research agenda and revised program for the training of economists concerned with learning that includes behavioral economics, applications to education of the capability approach, and an expansion of empirical research on the external effects of education in historical and contemporaneous contexts.
Re‐Purposing Business Schools: Potential, Progress, and Precarity
Authors: Kitchener Martin
Published: December 2024

With recent management studies of organizational purpose concentrating on the reactions of corporate elites to external change stimuli, little attention has been given to the emergent phenomenon of internally‐driven business school re‐purposing. Breaking with a tradition of incremental change in the field, re‐purposing denotes a transformational process that arises from business school leaders' attempts to focus their organizations on the pursuit of their purpose to enhance the public good, from management scholarship and the way that business schools operate. This paper frames business school re‐purposing as the endogenous enactment of a purpose logic, and it draws from early cases in the UK and France to present an analysis of the leadership activity involved. The potential for further business school re‐purposing is assessed critically with reference to general challenges of infusing purpose into organizations, and the specific threats posed by a field that is dominated by a countervailing logic of purpose, a conservative approach to management, and increasing financial pressures.
Tensile bond strength of soft relining materials to CAD‐CAM denture base materials
Authors: Li Rui , Al Mozayen Ahmed , McCluskey Tyler , Clark Wendy A. , Sadid‐Zadeh Ramtin
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the tensile bond strength between soft relining materials and different denture base materials.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in accordance with ISO 23401:2023. A total of 288 rectangular specimens (10L × 10H × 20W mm) were fabricated from various denture base materials, including a heat‐compression polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), two types of milled PMAA, and three types of 3D‐printed resins, with bonding using two chairside soft reline materials (Coe‐Soft and Lynal). Specimens were placed in distilled water for 24 h before applying tensile force at a 5 mm/min crosshead speed. The tensile bond strength values (MPa) were calculated at maximum tensile force (N) before failure. Two‐way ANOVA and post hoc multiple comparison tests were used to assess the effect of denture base and soft reline materials on the tensile bond strength (α = 0.05).

Results

A significant difference in the tensile bond strength was found among the different types of denture base materials (p < 0.001), regardless of relining material type. Lynal‐relined milled IvoBase demonstrated the highest tensile bond strength (0.5 ± 0.06 MPa), followed by Lynal‐relined milled Lucitone (0.44 ± 0.03 MPa), both of which are clinically acceptable as they are equal or greater 0.44 MPa. The lowest tensile bond strength was detected in Lynal‐relined 3D printed FotoDent (0.09 ± 0.02 MPa). Lynal exhibited significantly higher tensile bond strength (p < 0.05) than Coe‐Soft soft reline material when bonded to PMMA bases; however, there was no significant difference between Lynal and Coe‐Soft when bonded to 3D‐printed base materials (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The tensile bond strength between soft relining materials and denture bases is material‐dependent, influenced by both the type of denture base material and the type of soft relining material used.
Drill Cutting Samples Assessment for the Palynofacies Analysis and Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction: Codó Formation, São Luís-Grajaú Basin (Brazil)
Authors: Lima Lucas , David Vallejo Juan , Piovesan Enelise Katia , Carrino Thais Andressa
Published: December 2024

The Codó Formation has 170.000 km² of extension and represents part of the Cretaceous Supersequence of the São Luís-Grajaú Basin, located in the northeastern part of Brazil. This formation is composed of shales, siltstones, limestones, sandstones, and some anhydrite levels. The marine influence in the Codó Formation is still being discussed in terms its geographic extension and time interval. Previous palynological studies on the 2-ANP-5-MA well and other sections have shown the presence of dinoflagellate cyst (Subtilisphaera genus) and fresh-water algae (Scenedesmus, Pediastrum and Botryococcus). This research aims to classify the sedimentary organic matter in drill cuttings of the 2-ANP-5-MA well. The drill cutting samples are from 2469–2559 m depth, and 25 slides were made with 3 m intervals between them. We applied the usual palynological method of preparation to identify the sedimentary organic matter (SOM) groups. Through the distribution analysis of the main groups and subgroups of the SOM, and application of the APP-diagram, four palynofacies were defined, as well as the redox conditions, the principal kerogen type generated and the depositional paleoenvironment. In addition, a statistical treatment with multivariate techniques (PCA and K-means clustering) and Fuzzy logic was used, aiming a better application of the drill cutting samples to paleoenvironmental reconstructions. In this stratigraphic section, the Codó Formation record is interpreted as a closed lagoonal system to a fluvial system passing through a marine incursion. The statistical and Fuzzy logic approaches appear as automated tools for grouping drill cutting samples, with a proposition of the PARE (Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction Ratio) that shows a good relationship with SOM data and previous works done in this stratigraphic section.
El aprendizaje servicio como experiencia de formación ética: aprendizajes y desafíos en la formación en psicología. Un caso de estudio.
Authors: Sánchez-Reyes José Eduardo , Alomía María Fernanda , Moreno Fernando Andrés , Cantor Jackeline
Published: December 2024

Objective. To offer empirical evidence that allows understanding how the experience of participation in a Service-LearningPlatform (APS) drives the development of ethical learning that links reection and action as part of the professional training inthree university students of Psychology who were doing their professional practice in a project called El Club de Amarú.Method. Design-based research was used to analyze the reections of the three students regarding the educational actions theyplanned and executed with a group of 30 children in third grade who participated in the club. Results. ey are presentedthrough three categories of analysis: (a) design of El Club Amarú and detection of social needs, (b) conguration ofresponsibility as educational agents, and (c) care in intervention. Conclusion. APS experiences can be considered scenarios fortheoretical disciplinary training and for the development and strengthening of principles of care ethics, which allows for theconsolidation of comprehensive learning that links values and citizenship training as fundamental axes in the professionaltraining of psychologists.
Developing a toolkit to support parents’ involvement in child death review: an experience-based co-design study
Authors: Garstang Joanna Jane , Spry Jenna , Routledge Gayle , Pease Anna , Shaw Karen L , Kenyon Sara
Published: December 2024

Background

Understanding why children die is important for grieving parents and for informing system improvements aimed at prevention and future care. Many countries have child death review (CDR) process, but little is known about how best to engage parents. The aim of this study was to use experience-based co-design to create a toolkit to support parental involvement in CDR.

Methods

A survey of English paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and palliative care services explored practices and identified a diverse sample of sites for professional interviews. Bereaved parents were recruited through charities, hospitals and social media. Semistructured interviews were held with parents and professionals followed by co-design workshops to develop the toolkit.

Results

There were 29 survey responses, 13 out of 21 from PICUs and 16 out of 34 from palliative care.

21 multidisciplinary healthcare professionals were interviewed.

23 bereaved parents of children who died aged 0–18 years in 2021–2022, either during hospital admission or under palliative care were, interviewed.

10 parents and 23 professionals participated in co-design meetings. Key emotional touchpoints identified from parents’ experiences were: becoming aware of CDR meetings, being asked for input, knowing the date and receiving feedback. All agreed on the importance of involving parents, with clear communication, and need for resources and training for key workers.

The toolkit includes training videos, a standardised pathway including template letters, feedback form, easy-read leaflet and an animation explaining the importance of involving parents.

Conclusions

Co-design has successfully supported the development of a toolkit of resources in a sensitive area. It required considerable support from bereavement support organisations and researchers. Future evaluation is required.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN14790455.
We should do better in accounting for multiple births in neonatal randomised trials: a methodological systematic review
Authors: Robledo Kristy P , Libesman Sol , Yelland Lisa Nicole
Published: December 2024

Objective

To conduct a methodological systematic review of multicentre trials of premature infants to (1) determine if and how multiple births have been considered in the design, analysis and reporting of recent trials and (2) assess whether there has been an improvement since the last review was conducted 10 years ago.

Design

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed on 28 June 2023 for articles published between June 2018 and June 2023. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they were a multicentre randomised trial of infants born preterm and reported the results of a primary outcome that was measured on an infant or could be attributed to an infant.

Results

We reviewed 62/74 trials (80%), after determining it was unclear if multiple births were present in the other 20%. 87% of trials (54/62) did not account for multiple births in their sample size calculations and 48% (30/62) did not account for clustering due to multiple births in their analyses. Problems were not limited to lower-ranked journals. No trials reported the intraclass correlation coefficient for any outcomes, indicating the degree of clustering present.

Conclusions

Persistent problems remain with the design and analysis of multicentre trials of premature infants due to ignoring the complexity that comes with the inclusion of multiple births, despite methods available to address this. Trialists should consider the impact of multiple births in their trial design and analysis. Readers of neonatal trials should be aware of these issues, particularly those who peer review papers.
Disparities in educational attainment and assault mortalities among Asian Americans in the USA, 2009–2021
Authors: Kawano Bradley , Shin Gi Jung , Grisel Braylee , Agarwal Suresh , Krishnamoorthy Vijay , Raghunathan Karthik , Fernandez-Moure Joseph S , Haines Krista
Published: December 2024

Background

In 2021, a spike in Asian American hate crimes resurged discussion on Asian health disparities. This study describes the association between education and assault among Asian Americans and their subgroups.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used individual-level data from the mortality multiple cause-of-death data from the National Center for Health Statistics from 2009 to 2021. Non-Hispanic Asians or Pacific Islanders age>25 years who died from assault (X85–Y09) were disaggregated into Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Indian, Korean and Vietnamese. The gross proportion of decedents who attained at least bachelor’s degrees was calculated for Asians or Pacific Islanders and each subgroup and compared with data from the National Center for Education Statistics reported in 2016.

Results

Based on US Census estimates in 2016, 55% Chinese, 52% Japanese, 50% Filipino, 56% Korean, 75% Indian and 29% Vietnamese>25 years held at least bachelor’s degrees. Between 2009 and 2021, there were 3495 assault mortalities involving Asians or Pacific Islanders, 22.3% of whom had at least attained bachelor’s degrees. On disaggregating the data, 35.6% Chinese, 27.7% Japanese, 33.2% Filipino, 43.0% Indian, 36.3% Korean and 15% Vietnamese decedents attained at least a bachelor’s degree.

Conclusions

Higher educational attainment is correlated with fewer assault deaths across all Asians. Variation in the proportion of Indian and Vietnamese victims with at least bachelor’s degrees may be explained by significantly different rates of bachelor’s degrees. However, the variation in proportion of Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and Korean victims with at least bachelor’s degrees requires further investigation into underlying factors that contribute to assault disparities.
Youth-Led Participatory Action Research and Developmental Science: Intersections and Innovations
Authors: Ozer Emily J. , Abraczinskas Michelle , Suleiman Ahna Ballonoff , Kennedy Heather , Nash Amia
Published: December 2024

In this review, we provide a conceptual and empirical overview of youth-led participatory action research (YPAR) across disciplines. We consider the historical and conceptual contexts for the diversity of YPAR approaches and (a) the rationales underlying the rapid growth of YPAR in practice and research; (b) the relevance of YPAR for the study and promotion of healthy and equitable human development; (c) the state of the empirical evidence for YPAR impact on youth and environments, especially domains of social-emotional well-being and sociopolitical development; (d) challenges and opportunities at the intersection of YPAR and developmental science; and (e) important next steps for the field, including the further development of multimethod research and the need for stronger research and practice to support the capacities needed for YPAR integrity, impact, and sustainability.
Maintaining Immunizations for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in a Changing World
Authors: Baidya Anurima , Willens Victoria , Wonodi Chizoba , Moss William J.
Published: December 2024

Immunization has saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years since the launch of the Essential (formerly Expanded) Program on Immunization in 1974, representing 6 lives saved every minute, every year, for 50 years. But achieving and maintaining high immunization coverage have required sustained political and public commitment, financial resources, strong partnerships, research and innovation, and communication and advocacy. New and evolving challenges to maintaining high immunization coverage have emerged alongside long-standing stubborn obstacles. We review some of these key challenges to immunization in this dynamic, changing world and summarize some promising solutions. Success in some regions of the world in eliminating polio, measles, and rubella, and reducing morbidity and mortality from other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), should provide hope that progress can be made in achieving and maintaining high immunization coverage. We cannot afford to do otherwise.
Abstract A009: Genetic disruption of CAPNS1 impedes triple-negative breast cancer metastasis: A case for selective calpain-1/2 inhibitors
Authors: Harper Danielle , Shapovalov Ivan , Cockburn Samantha , Min Jenny , Gao Yan , Greer Peter A.
Published: December 2024

Calpains are a family of 15 calcium-activated cysteine proteases that have emerged as potential therapeutic targets in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). They regulate the function of their substrates via limited proteolytic processing and are involved in both pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, as well as membrane-cytoskeletal remodeling events associated with cell migration and invasion. The most well-understood members of the calpain family are the classical calpain-1 and calpain-2 isoforms, which are ubiquitously expressed heterodimers each consisting of a large catalytic subunit, encoded by the capn1 and capn2 genes, respectively, and a common small regulatory subunit encoded by capns1. Overexpression of calpain-1 and calpain-2 has been associated with shorter survival in HER2+ breast cancer and TNBC, respectively. We hypothesize that inhibition of calpain-1 and calpain-2 may be exploited to improve tumor response to cytotoxic chemotherapy and suppress metastasis. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockout of capns1 in AC2M2 mouse mammary carcinoma cells, which results in a loss of both calpain-1 and calpain-2 activity, disrupts migration and invasion in vitro and impedes lung metastasis in tail vein and orthotopic engraftment mouse models. Calpain knockout also sensitizes AC2M2 cells to the microtubule stabilizing drug paclitaxel, and preliminary results suggest that cancer cell intrinsic calpain depletion may prevent neoadjuvant chemotherapy-induced metastasis. To explore potential off-target effects associated with systemic calpain inhibition, we have established a novel transgenic mouse with conditional deletion of capns1 in its hematopoietic stem cell lineage. By comparing the immune profiles of wild-type and capns1 knockout mice, we aim to better understand how calpain inhibitors will affect various immune cell populations and their respective functions. We plan to extend this understanding to anticancer immunity by conducting tumor immunophenotyping experiments in syngeneic orthotopic engraftment models using wild-type and capns1 knockout mice. At present, no clinically relevant calpain inhibitors are available. However, using genetic approaches, we have validated calpain-1 and calpain-2 as relevant therapeutic targets in TNBC, providing rationale for the development of selective calpain inhibitors.

Citation Format: Danielle Harper, Ivan Shapovalov, Samantha Cockburn, Jenny Min, Yan Gao, Peter A. Greer. Genetic disruption of CAPNS1 impedes triple-negative breast cancer metastasis: A case for selective calpain-1/2 inhibitors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Optimizing Therapeutic Efficacy and Tolerability through Cancer Chemistry; 2024 Dec 9-11; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(12_Suppl):Abstract nr A009.
Abstract IA002: Leveraging synthetic lethality for the development of novel cancer therapies
Authors: Briggs Kimberly
Published: December 2024

The concept of synthetic lethality has long held promise for the next generation of genetically targeted cancer therapies to follow the success of PARP inhibitors in the treatment of BRCA-mutant cancers. The classical definition of synthetic lethality arose in Drosophila with the observation that loss of either of two genes independently had little effect on cell viability but loss of both led to cell death. This definition has now been expanded to capture pairs of genes in which genetic alteration of one gene and pharmacological inhibition of the other leads to death of cancer cells while sparing the normal cells which lack the genetic alteration, leading to a broad therapeutic index. Functional genomics screening (using unbiased RNAi or CRISPR-based technology) has enabled the systematic discovery of novel synthetic lethal targets for drug discovery. The selective dependence of MTAP-deleted cells on PRMT5 is one of the strongest genetic interactions observed in early RNAi screens. Approximately 10-15% of all human cancer is MTAP-deleted, providing a large and diverse patient population. MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitors, which bind preferentially in the presence of MTA, have been developed by scientists at Tango Therapeutics and elsewhere to leverage the synthetic lethal relationship between PRMT5 and MTAP loss. MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitors inhibit PRMT5 in MTAP-deleted cancer cells and spare MTAP-expressing normal cells leading to clinically well-tolerated and efficacious therapies. MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitors have broad therapeutic potential both as single agent and in combination with other therapies.

Citation Format: Kimberly Briggs.Leveraging synthetic lethality for the development of novel cancer therapies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Optimizing Therapeutic Efficacy and Tolerability through Cancer Chemistry; 2024 Dec 9-11; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(12_Suppl):Abstract nr IA002.
Abstract IA023: Dual-drug ADC platform for effective and safe cancer treatment
Authors: Tsuchikama Kyoji
Published: December 2024

Breast tumor heterogeneity presents significant treatment challenges, particularly in overcoming drug resistance and tumor relapse driven by heterogeneous gene expression variability. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have demonstrated therapeutic success, yet intratumor heterogeneity remains a hurdle. We investigated dual-drug ADCs as a promising approach to address this clinical challenge. Our conjugates achieved potent and antigen-specific cytotoxicity, favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and high tolerability. In xenograft models with heterogeneous HER2 expression, our anti-HER2 dual-drug ADC significantly outperformed co-administration of two separate single-drug ADCs, demonstrating enhanced capacity to surmount tumor heterogeneity and resistance. Additionally, we developed a novel glutamic acid-glycine-citrulline (EGCit) linker, which enhances ADC hydrophilicity and stability in circulation. This EGCit linker also resists neutrophil protease degradation, a factor implicated in ADC-associated neutropenia. Compared to currently approved ADCs, our EGCit-based ADC exhibited reduced blood and liver toxicity, alongside superior antitumor efficacy in preclinical xenograft studies. These findings underscore the potential of our technology platform for advancing safer, more effective treatments for breast and other refractory cancers.

Citation Format: Kyoji Tsuchikama. Dual-drug ADC platform for effective and safe cancer treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Optimizing Therapeutic Efficacy and Tolerability through Cancer Chemistry; 2024 Dec 9-11; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2024;23(12_Suppl):Abstract nr IA023.
Applicability of the International Cytopathology Reporting System of Serous Fluids in a Brazilian City
Authors: dos Santos caio rodrigo , da Silva Daniel José , Camilo Junior Deolino Joao , Xavier-Junior José Cândido
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The International Academy of Cytology and the American Society of Cytopathology developed the International System of Serous Fluid Cytopathology (TIS) to standardize cytological reports. Effusions in pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial cavities are valuable sources of information for medical diagnosis, especially in oncological scenarios. The TIS classification is divided into five categories: non-diagnostic (ND), negative for malignancy (NFM), atypia of uncertain significance (AUS), suspected malignancy (SFM), and malignant (MAL). It facilitates global communication between specialists, aiming for future clinical management guidelines based on malignancy risk assessment. Methods: This quantitative analytical and retrospective study evaluated serous fluids (pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal) sent to the Instituto de Patologia de Araçatuba (IPAT), São Paulo, Brazil, from public and private hospitals between January 2017 and December 2022. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected from institutional files, including biopsies and immunohistochemical results. Results: The study included 719 patients with 763 serous fluid samples (pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal) analyzed over six years. The majority of samples were from pleural effusions (n = 438; 57.4%), followed by peritoneal (n = 293; 38.4%) and pericardial effusions (n = 32; 4.2%). Samples were classified using the International Serous Fluid Cytopathology System (TIS), revealing the following distribution: ND (0.41%), NFM (70.30%), AUS (0.95%), SFM (11.90%), and MAL (16.44%). The risk of malignancy calculated for each category were ND 66.67%, NFM 23.39%, AUS 28.57%, SFM 48.28%, and MAL 84.17%. Conclusion: The ROM was out of the interval proposed by the TIS in all categories. These findings suggest the applicability of TIS even outside of the cancer center environment, although the presented ROM frequencies were out of the recommended range.