bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health-Related Quality of Life After Colorectal Cancer Surgery in Older Patients Compared to the Young: A Prospective Multicentre Observational Study
Authors: Pang Ning Qi , Lau Jerrald , Tan Ker-Kan ,   The Singapore Colorectal Cancer Research Group
Published: February 2025

Introduction: The impact of colorectal surgery on older adults’ (≥65 years) health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is rarely reported. Methods: This prospective multi-institutional cohort study involving 217 participants investigated factors affecting older colorectal cancer (CRC) patients’ HRQoL following surgery with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the HADS. Results: The trend of the global QoL and individual subscales show an overall dip in QoL from baseline to pre-discharge, before slowly rising until the 6-month mark. Baseline score of individual outcome measures was the only constant predictor of the outcome measure over time. Conclusion: Age was not found to be a significant predictor of HRQoL in older adults undergoing colorectal surgery, while baseline scores of individual outcome measures consistently predicted post-operative HRQoL scores. Interventions should be targeted at specific subgroups of older adults scheduled for colorectal surgery, such as those with lower baseline scores.
The Meaning-Making of Adult Sexual Assault Among Men: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Survivors and Therapists
Authors: Guter Michal , Einat Tomer , Gueta Keren
Published: February 2025

Male sexual victimization is more commonly examined in the context of child sexual abuse (CSA) rather than adult sexual assault (ASA). This qualitative study examines the meaning-making of ASA among men who have been sexually assaulted in adulthood (after age 18) by analyzing the ways they experience and narrate adult age and masculinity in this context. To gain a comprehensive understanding of male sexual victimization in adulthood, data were gathered through 40 in-depth interviews with 19 Israeli male ASA survivors and 21 sexual trauma therapists. This study found that survivors perceived the sexual assaults they experienced as adults through the dual lenses of adulthood and masculinity, which resulted in an identity where expectations of being an adult and being male became intertwined. This perspective deepened their sense of loneliness, driven by the belief that adult men should be self-reliant, and distinguished the meaning-making of ASA from that of CSA. In addition, ASA survivors negotiated the narrative of being an adult male survivor of sexual assault using three strategies: detachment from the experience, minimization of the experience, and hypersexuality. Accordingly, we conclude that the perception of the assault by ASA survivors is shaped by both their masculinity and their maturity.
The Characteristics and Circumstances of Fatal Interpersonal Strangulation in Australian Adults
Authors: Mullin Scotia P. , Hardiman Rita
Published: February 2025

Strangulation involves the application of force to the neck to restrict blood flow or breathing. It is often utilized in both homicides and non-fatal incidences of coercive control, interpersonal altercations, and sexual assaults. The intention of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of interpersonal fatal strangulation in Australian adults through the documentation and analysis of characteristics and circumstances involved in these fatalities. Currently, there is limited research within this field in Australia leading to a medico-legal knowledge deficit that needs to be rectified to ensure public health intervention and preventative death policies and initiatives. Researchers conducted a retrospective review of all closed interpersonal strangulation coronial cases within Australia between 2000 and 2021 using the National Coronial Information System online repository. Researchers identified 195 cases to be included in the study. Strangulation currently accounts for 1.1% to 5.8% of all assault fatalities in Australia per year. Most victims of strangulation are women (68.2%), under the age of 45 (52.3%), and Anglo-European (73.3%). Most individuals are killed by someone they know (89.2%), often in the context of intimate partner violence (52.3%). The leading cause of death within the sample is directly related to the strangulation (90.8%), and the leading manner of death is homicide (94.4%). The study is the first of its kind to utilize descriptive forensic epidemiology to explain the circumstances and characteristics of fatal interpersonal strangulation in Australia providing an Australia-specific medico-legal voice to aid in future research, policy development, and criminal prosecution. The findings within this study are foreseen to contribute to improvements in public health policy surrounding fatal and non-fatal strangulation and assist future medico-legal death investigations, and provide LGBTQ+ and Indigenous Australian representation, which has not been considered in previous studies.
Verbal Fluency Selectively Predicts Survival in Old and Very Old Age
Authors: Ghisletta Paolo , Aichele Stephen , Gerstorf Denis , Carollo Angela , Lindenberger Ulman
Published: February 2025

Intelligence is known to predict survival, but it remains unclear whether cognitive abilities differ in their relationship to survival in old age. We analyzed longitudinal data of 516 healthy adults (age: M = 84.92 years, SD = 8.66 years at Wave 1) from the Berlin Aging Study (Germany) on nine tasks of perceptual speed, episodic memory, verbal fluency, and verbal knowledge, and a general composite intelligence score. There were eight waves, with up to 18 years of follow-up; all participants were deceased by the time of analysis. We used a joint multivariate longitudinal survival model to estimate the unique contribution of each cognitive ability in terms of true (i.e., error-free) current value and current rate of change when predicting survival. Additional survival covariates included age at first occasion, sex, sociobiographical status, and suspected dementia. Only the two verbal-fluency measures were uniquely predictive of mortality risk. Thus, verbal fluency showed more salient associations with mortality risk than did measures of perceptual speed, episodic memory, and verbal knowledge.
Carbon entanglements: For a science education in the space of the sensible
Authors: Colucci-Gray Laura
Published: February 2025

In the face of current socio-environmental challenges, the linear logic of cause and effect that has been the pillar of modern Western science has proved insufficient to account for the differential and multi-levelled impacts that techno-scientific developments themselves have had and continue to make on the Planet. Questions of sustainability and equity and how to ‘live well’ in the world are calling for new imaginaries, and a renovated ethical attention for how we are tangled as beings-in-relation to and with others – not only humans. Responding to such provocation, this paper draws upon Primo Levi’s story of Carbon as a conceptual and ethical frame for exploring the human condition, and through an empirical investigation, it illustrates the methodological shift that occurs when involving prospective secondary science student teachers in first-person, aesthetic-imaginative inquiries. Taking Carbon not as an object of study but as a wordly medium that comes to life, this paper concludes with a radical departure from cognitivist traditions in science education, to advance a science education in the space of the sensible: an open invitation is offered for teachers and students to venture together into the textured and sentient web of Carbon transformations, where knowledge is situated, embodied and mutually accountable.
How Do Individual and Societal Factors Shape News Authentication? Comparing Misinformation Resilience Across Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the United States
Authors: Zhu Qinfeng , Peng Tai-Quan , Zhang Xinzhi
Published: February 2025

In an era of pervasive misinformation, equipping citizens to counter its spread is increasingly critical. This study examines news authentication—individuals’ proactive verification of news—as a key indicator of resilience to misinformation. Guided by the theory of planned behavior and the resilience model, we examine how individual characteristics and structural contexts interact to influence news authentication. To do so, we adopt a multilevel comparative approach, analyzing news authentication in three distinct societies: Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the United States. Drawing on a preregistered, population-based survey conducted in 2022 ( N = 6,082), we apply multigroup structural equation modeling to identify the influential factors. Our findings show that, at the societal level, news authentication is more prevalent in the United States and Hong Kong, where severe polarization and fragmented, low-trust media environments amplify misinformation risks. Conversely, the Netherlands exhibits lower levels of news authentication, potentially due to its relatively cohesive media environment and moderate polarization. At the individual level, political efficacy and institutional trust are consistent predictors across societies, underscoring the importance of political empowerment and trust in fostering resilience. Education significantly predicts news authentication only in the United States, where the complex information landscape necessitates higher cognitive engagement. Notably, conspiracy beliefs positively associate with news authentication in the Netherlands and the United States, reflecting a potential “dark side” of this behavior in contexts marked by growing anti-establishment sentiments. These findings highlight the interplay between individual capacities, political beliefs, and broader media and political environments in shaping resilience to misinformation.
Changes in Acute Care Use among People with Sickle Cell Disease after Adoption of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
Authors: McGee Blake T , Attell Brandon K , Marton James , Harris Adrienne , Alfrey Brett , Cohen Lindsey , Snyder Angie B
Published: February 2025

Many states require prescribers to check a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) database before prescribing controlled substances, which may affect access and health outcomes for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Our study objective was to examine acute care trends before and after PDMP implementation among people with SCD. We carried out a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of 13,698 individuals with confirmed or probable SCD in the Georgia Sickle Cell Data Collection program from 2010-2019. Primary outcomes were monthly rates of emergency department (ED) visits per 1,000 people with SCD; 3-day ED revisits per 1,000 visits; inpatient discharges per 1,000 people with SCD; 30-day readmissions per 100 discharges; and patient days hospitalized per 100 discharges. We observed that, at the start of the PDMP mandate, the volume of ED visits was 12.7% lower during the mandatory PDMP period (RR=0.873 [95% CI, 0.843-0.904]) compared to what pre-PDMP trends would have predicted.  Three-day ED revisits followed a similar pattern. No associations were observed with inpatient hospitalization rate. There was a 0.7% monthly increase in readmissions during the PDMP mandate (IRR=1.007, 1.002-1.013]) compared to 0.1% before the PDMP (IRR=1.001 [1.000-1.001]).  The volume of patient days was higher during the PDMP phase-in period but no different during the mandate. ED use by people with SCD decreased after PDMP implementation, and there was an uptick in the monthly rate of increase in 30-day readmissions after the PDMP mandate. Further research into the impact of opioid control policies on people with SCD is warranted.
Big data analysis of influenza vaccination and liver cancer risk in hypertensive patients: insights from a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Chiu Chun-Chih , Hao Wen-Rui , Lin Kuan-Jie , Chen Chun-Chao , Yang Tsung-Yeh , Fang Yu-Ann , Yang Tsung-Lin , Lai Yu-Hsin , Chen Ming-Yao , Hsu Min-Huei , Lin Cheng-Hsin , Hsiu Hsin , Chen Huan-Yuan , Cheng Tzu-Hurng , Chen Nai-Hsuan , Liu Ju-Chi
Published: February 2025

Background

previous studies have indicated that influenza vaccination may be associated with reduced risks of certain types of cancer. However, the protective effect of influenza vaccination against primary liver cancer in individuals with hypertension remains unclear.

Methods

In this cohort study, 37,022 patients over 55 years of age who received a diagnosis of hypertension at any time between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2012, were enrolled from the National Health Insurance Research Database. The patients were divided into a vaccinated and an unvaccinated group. Categorical and continuous variables were analyzed using the chi-square test and t test, respectively, and the correlation between influenza vaccination and liver cancer in patients with hypertension was analyzed using time-varying COX model. Propensity score method was performed to reduce selection bias.

Results

Compared with the unvaccinated group, the vaccinated group had a significantly lower incidence of liver cancer (hazard ratio = 0.56, 95% confidence interval = 0.46–0.64; p < .001). In addition, a protective effect was observed regardless of sex, age, or comorbidities. Besides, the association was dose-dependent which could be noted when patients were stratified based on the total number of vaccinations. The adjusted HRs for patients receiving 1, 2 to 3, and ≥ 4 vaccinations during the follow-up period were 0.60 (0.51–0.78), 0.48 (0.38–0.65), and 0.39(0.30–0.51), respectively.

Conclusions

In summary, influenza vaccination is linked to a decreased risk of liver cancer in individuals with hypertension. However, unmeasurable confounders may have been present in the analysis.
Evaluating the level of knowledge of HIV prevention methods and associated socio-demographic factors among adolescents before and after participating in health education in Nimule town of South Sudan
Authors: Bojo Samuel , Kokwaro Gilbert , Agweyu Ambrose
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Adolescents in conflict-affected settings often face limited access to health information and other prevention resources, making them more vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This study assessed adolescents’ level of knowledge of at least three HIV prevention methods and sociodemographic characteristics among adolescents and associated with this knwoledge before and after participating in health education in the town of Nimule, South Sudan.

Materials and methods

We collected and analysed baseline and endline data from 557 adolescents aged 10–17 aged recruited from HIV-affected households in Nimule town. The surveys were conducted between December 2020 and December 2022. Assent to participate for all participants was obtained from their caregivers while additional informed consent was obtained from adolescents aged 15–17 who were considered empowered minors by the South Sudan Ministry of Health. Adolescents were then recruited into 40 peer-led health clubs and completed a three-month comprehensive sexuality education curriculum developed by the South Sudan Ministry of Health. These participants were then followed up for 24 months, and an endline survey was conducted to collect comparabel data. Binay logistic regression analysis was used to assess the level of knowledge of at least three mIV prevention methods in line with UNAIDS conceptualisation of knowledge and associated sociodemographic factors. Associations were reported using adjusted odds ratios.

Results

Of the 768 adolescents enrolled, 557 were surveyed at baseline and endline with 301 (54.0%) being females and 276 (46.0%) males. The median age was 14 years (IQR: 11–16) at baseline and 15 years (IQR: 12–17) at the endline survey. The proportion of adolescents who knew at least three methods of HIV prevention increased from 465 (83.5%) at baseline to 556 (99.8%) at the endline survey. Unemployed adolescents had a 99% reduced chance of knowing at least three HIV prevention methods (aOR 0.01, 95% CI: 0.002–0.025, p < 0.001), whereas adolescents who self-rated their health as excellent had a 46% lower chance (aOR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.27–1.14, p < 0.025).

Conclusions

The increase in knowledge of at least three methods of HIV prevention at the endline survey highlights the important role peer-led health education programs plays in closing gaps in HIV prevention among adolescents in conflict-affected settings like South Sudan.
Serological and molecular analysis of henipavirus infections in synanthropic fruit bat and rodent populations in the Centre and North regions of Cameroon (2018–2020)
Authors: Mbu’u Cyrille Mbanwi , Gontao Pierre , Wade Abel , Penning Maren , Sadeghi Balal , Mbange Aristid Ekollo , LeBreton Matthew , Kamdem Sylvain Leroy Sado , Stoek Franziska , Groschup Martin Hermann , Mbacham Wilfred Fon , Balkema-Buschmann Anne
Published: February 2025

Background

Bats and rodents have been identified as reservoirs for several highly pathogenic and zoonotic viruses including henipaviruses, a genus within the Paramyxoviridae family. A number of studies have revealed the circulation of henipaviruses at the wildlife-human-livestock interface in Cameroon. In this study, we describe the molecular analysis as well as the development and evaluation of a Bead-based Multiplex Binding Assay (BMBA) using an in-house Indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to confirm the detection of henipavirus infection in wildlife species.

Results

A total of 600 fruit bats and 600 rodents were sampled between March 2018 and June 2020. Samples were analyzed using a semi-nested RT-PCR assay followed by sequencing of the PCR fragments. Transudates (754) were screened for the presence of henipavirus-specific antibodies in a BMBA and confirmed by ELISA using Hendra virus (HeV), Nipah virus (NiV) and Ghana virus (GhV) glycoproteins expressed in Leishmania tarentolae, and commercially available HeV G and NiV G glycoproteins.

Henipavirus-specific antibodies were detected in 19/531 (3.6%) bat transudates screened by BMBA and confirmed by ELISA. Seroprevalence rates in the Centre and North Regions were 12/291 (4.1%) and 7/240 (2.9%) respectively. All rodents and shrews were serologically negative. Henipavirus RNA sequences were not detected in any of the samples screened in this work.

Conclusion

This study provides further data supporting the circulation of Henipaviruses in fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) which are roosting and reproducing in proximity to human and livestock populations in the Centre and North Regions of Cameroon. This also establishes the first detection of Henipavirus specific antibodies in Eidolon helvum populations in the North Region of Cameroon.
Ethical collection of animal cadavers for veterinary education
Authors: Louis-Maerten Edwin , Shaw David M.
Published: February 2025

The use of animal cadavers in initial and continuing veterinary education is widely accepted, but ethical considerations regarding how to obtain and use them are often lacking. It can be argued that the use of animal cadavers should be guided by principles similar to those regulating the collection of human cadavers for scientific purposes. In humans, the use of unclaimed cadavers from unknown provenance, cadavers from criminals or homeless people, or cadavers robbed from their grave no longer happens in most countries. Accordingly, body donation programs have been emphasized to be the sole acceptable source of cadavers for medical education. The purpose of this article is to argue that this should also be the case for domestic animals, contrary to the current practices of using unwanted animals or animals bred for this purpose. But having a body donation program is not enough to make it ethical: care should also be taken in order to include principles such as informed consent from the owners, the absence of commercial uses of the bodily remains and the respect for all parties involved in the process. Overall, the importance of maintaining respect towards the reception and use of a donated cadaver in all circumstances should be the ethical priority for students and practitioners. By applying such principles, we can better ensure that the use of animal cadavers in education and training is transparent, respectful and responsible.
Feasibility and reliability of an online version of the beat alignment test in neurotypical adults and people with stroke
Authors: Gregor Sarah , Mansfield Avril , Mochizuki George , Chen Joyce , Patterson Kara K.
Published: February 2025

Background

Rhythm-based rehabilitation interventions are gaining attention and measuring their effects is critical. With more clinical care and research being conducted online, it is important to determine the feasibility of measuring rhythm abilities online. However, some tools used to measure rhythm abilities, in particular the beat alignment test (BAT), have not been validated for online delivery. This study aims to determine the feasibility, reliability, and learning effects for online delivery of the BAT in adults with and without stroke.

Methods

Neurotypical adults and adults with chronic stroke completed the BAT online three times, with testing sessions separated by 2 to 4 days. The BAT includes a perception task (identifying whether tones overlayed on music matched the beat of the music) and a production task (tapping to the beat of music). Feasibility was evaluated with completion rates, technical challenges and resolutions, participant experience via exit questionnaire, and test duration. Reliability was measured using inter-class correlations and standard error of measurement, and learning effects were determined using a repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results

Thirty-nine neurotypical adults and 23 adults with stroke participated in this study. More a priori feasibility criteria for the online BAT were met with neurotypical adults than people with stroke. Most components of the online BAT were considered reliable based on an ICC = 0.60 cut-off, except for perception in the neurotypical group, and production asynchrony in the stroke group. There was notable variability in performance, but no learning effects in either group.

Conclusions

Online administration of the BAT is more feasible for neurotypical adults than people with stroke. Challenges with online administration for people with stroke may be partly related to the delivery platform. The BAT is a reliable tool with no learning effects and therefore is a promising way to assess for rhythm abilities online with careful consideration of user interface for people with stroke.
Soil drought thresholds of alpine grassland deceased rapidly under the influence of extreme low temperature in northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Du Yu , Zhao Wenzhi , Liu Hu , Jiang Jiachang , He Zhibin
Published: February 2025

Background

Droughts likely lead to the decrease of vegetation coverage and plant productivity. Due to climate change, more extreme climatic events, including soil droughts and extreme temperatures, may occur both independently and simultaneously. Therefore, it is important to understand the thresholds of soil drought in order to avoid various undesired transitions of alpine grassland.

Methods

Soil droughts were identified based on the change of soil moisture, and vegetation coverage decline events were identified by the abnormal decrease of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Three thresholds based on two curves of vegetation responses to soil drought illustrated the tipping points that reflected the rapid loss of ecosystem resistance (Tp1), the complete loss of ecosystem resistance (Tp2) and the amplified magnitude of NDVI decrease (Tm). The influences of legacy effects and extreme temperatures were also considered.

Results

Alpine grasslands in northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau had mean Tp1, Tp2 and Tm of 1.25, 1.98 and 1.93, respectively, indicating low resistance and high vulnerability. Tp1 was low for the most study area, and Tp2 and Tm varied with elevation and vegetation types. Besides the low occurrence of soil droughts coupled with high temperatures, the extremely low temperatures decreased 36% Tp1, nearly all of Tp2 and 30% Tm. Different grassland types showed varying responses to soil droughts, with alpine sparse vegetation having the lowest resistance and alpine wetland having the highest. However, the responses according to soil types did not show obvious differences.

Conclusions

Alpine grasslands in northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were sensitive to soil droughts, and extremely low temperatures intensified the decrease of ecosystem resistance to soil drought. The identification of soil drought thresholds advances the understanding of how alpine grassland responds to soil droughts, and helps the restoration of alpine grasslands when faced with soil droughts and benefits climate adaptation.
Parameter regionalization of large-scale distributed rainfall–runoff models using a conditional probability method
Authors: Sayama Takahiro , Yamada Masafumi , Yamakita Ayato , Sugawara Yoshito
Published: February 2025

Given the evident impact of climate change, the frequency of severe flood events has increased worldwide. For various risk-reduction measures, covering all rivers in a country or regions including small-to-medium-sized rivers, flood risk assessment and real-time forecasting based on large-domain and high-resolution distributed rainfall–runoff models are fundamental. Due to limited observed records in such small-to-medium-sized rivers, the used distributed model must be robust and physically sound with the regionalized model parameters. Specifically, rather than optimizing parameters in many independent river basins, leading to a patched parameter distribution, regionalization should reflect the spatial distribution of hydrological signatures, such as soil and geology types. However, optimizing the parameters with existing methods incurs computational costs, posing difficulties in the parameter regionalization of large-domain and high-resolution distributed runoff models. To address this challenge, we propose a parameter regionalization method based on conditional probability. The key feature of this method is that the calibration phase calculation assumes spatially uniform parameter sets within the calibrating basins, significantly reducing computational costs. However, the resulting parameter sets are spatially distributed corresponding to the region’s pre-prepared soil or geological maps. It was achieved by introducing the Bayes’ theorem to estimate the conditional probability of the parameter set. The proposed method was applied to the distributed rainfall–runoff–inundation (RRI) model developed for Japan with a resolution of 150 m. The model performance in the validation phase, in which the performance was evaluated with 2723 flood events at 711 gauging stations, the median Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) being 0.87, comparable or even improved to the performance in the calibration phase (NSE = 0.83) with 525 flood events at 75 dam reservoirs. Overall, the obtained nationwide high-resolution model is robust with good performance, even in ungauged basins. Furthermore, the proposed regionalization is a simple and useful way reflecting spatially distributed hydrologic signatures in the model parameters, and it can be utilized for any distributed rainfall–runoff model.
Behavior of under-reamed piles under inclined uplift loads in sand
Authors: Sakr Mohamed , Nasr Ahmed , Khaffaf Mohamed , Basha Ali
Published: February 2025

Under-reamed piles are deep bored cast-in-situ concrete piles with single or multiple bulbs formed by enlarging the pile shaft. Such piles are best suited to soils with significant ground movement as a result of seasonal variations, filled up ground, soft soil layers, and loose sand. These piles also improve bearing and uplift capacities, as well as anchorage at greater depths. This paper aims to investigate and analyze the behavior of under-reamed piles under inclined tension loads, as well as to compare the results with regular piles. Single and double under-reamed piles with bulb diameter ratios of 2 and 3 were used as model piles. These piles were embedded in sand with relative densities of 30, 50, and 80%. The tension load was applied at zero eccentricity above the soil surface with inclination angles of 15º, 30º, 45º, 60º, 75º, and 90º with respect to the horizontal direction. The results indicated that the ultimate inclined tension capacity of the under-reamed pile increased as sand relative density, number of bulbs, and bulb diameter ratios increased. Furthermore, when the inclination load angle decreased, the ultimate tension capacity increased due to the generated passive earth pressure in front of the pile. The horizontal load component of the inclined load has more effect on the axial capacity; and this effect decreases with the increase in sand relative density. Finally, a theoretical equation was proposed to estimate the under-reamed pile’s ultimate inclined uplift capacity. This equation correlated well with the experimental results as R2 = 0.91: 0.96.
The concept of Tianyuan Difang and the evolution of single-sheet Tianxia Tu in ancient China (before around 1600 AD)
Authors: Gong Yingyan
Published: February 2025

“Tianxia Tu,” the map of all under heaven, is a type of map created by ancient Chinese based on the cosmological concept of Tianyuan Difang (the round-shaped heaven and the square-shaped earth) in ancient China. These maps exist in two primary forms: single-sheet maps and book illustrations. Single-sheet Tianxia Tu appeared as early as the Han Dynasty, while book illustrations emerged during the Northern Song Dynasty. The evolutionary genealogy of single-sheet Tianxia Tu before around 1600 AD is as follows: during the Han and Tang dynasties, these maps were painted on silk by high-ranking officials; during the Song Dynasty, they were engraved on stone steles installed in government schools to serve the imperial civil service examination (Keju Kaoshi). Around 1550, woodblock-printed Scenic and Cultural Maps of All Under Heaven emerged as popular reading materials for the general public, created by grassroots intellectuals and disseminated through market networks. Ancient Chinese cartography developed its distinct characteristics in parallel with, rather than imitating, European models. It is worth contemplating how to incorporate its positive elements while adhering to scientific principles.
A combined feature selection approach for malicious email detection based on a comprehensive email dataset
Authors: Zhang Han , Shi Yong , Liu Ming , Chen Libo , Wu Songyang , Xue Zhi
Published: February 2025

In recent years, new malicious email attacks have emerged. We summarize two major challenges in the current field of malicious email detection using machine learning algorithms. (1) Current works on malicious email detection use different datasets and lack a unified and comprehensive open source dataset standard for evaluating detection performance. In addition, outdated data makes it difficult to detect new types of malicious email attacks. (2) There are limitations in feature selection and extraction. Relying only on static features or body textual features cannot satisfy the detection of both common phishing or spam email and new malicious emails that exploit protocol vulnerabilities. To address these problems, we propose the Exploiting Protocol Vulnerability Malicious Email (EPVME) dataset, which contains 49,136 malicious email samples. The EPVME dataset is constructed by summarizing and simulating the novel types of malicious email attacks that exploit email protocol vulnerabilities. In our dataset, the coverage of the types of malicious emails and the number of them are significantly increased. By collecting the currently available open source datasets, we build a large-scale dataset with 660,985 samples. Through two sets of comparative experiments on the dataset containing EPVME, we verify the necessity, reliability, and validity of the EPVME dataset. By using a large and comprehensive open source email dataset, we hope to help subsequent work on malicious email detection achieve comparative performance. Furthermore, we propose a new feature selection and construction method that combines both static features and textual features. We extract 79 static features from both the header and body parts of email samples, perform textual feature extraction on the pre-processed body parts, and combine various machine learning algorithms for detection model construction and experimental comparison. Our detection model can achieve an accuracy of 99.968% and a false positive rate of 0.099%.
Duplex ultrasound in patients with pelvic congestion syndrome in comparison to conventional venography
Authors: Abdelwahab Sarah Mohamed Mahmoud , Fouad Sherine Kadry Amin , Nasr Merhan Ahmed , Salama Asmaa Magdy Mohamed
Published: February 2025

Background

Chronic pelvic pain is defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists as chronic pain originates from the pelvic organs typically lasting more than 6 months caused by dilatation of the ovarian and/or pelvic veins (Hagag et al. in Egypt J Surg 41(3):1334–1344, 2022).

Results

Transabdominal and transvaginal duplex and leak points assessment ultrasonography were performed to fifty female patients with pelvic venous congestion symptoms referred by their physicians. Results were compared with conventional venography. It showed that transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) was highly concordant with the conventional method, while Transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) was less concordant with the conventional method, especially for the left side. As regards assessing the reflux of the right ovarian vein. The sensitivity of the test is 92.31%, and the specificity was 97.3%, indicating high diagnostic power of TVUS. As for detecting left ovarian vein reflux showed sensitivity (97.44%) and specificity (81.82%). Excellent diagnostic performance of assessing reflux of right internal iliac vein (IIV) with sensitivity and specificity 100%. The sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 97.22%, with outstanding diagnostic performance in assessing the reflux of left IIV. The sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 90.63%, indicating excellent diagnostic performance of US for perineal leak 88.89% and 92.68% for inguinal leak, 66.67% and 95.74% for gluteal leak, and 40% and 100% for obturator leak point.

Conclusion

TVUS is a very useful noninvasive diagnostic tool in treatment of pelvic venous congestion, with a very beneficial complementary TAUS, and assessment of pelvic leak points. Limitations in our study in patient preparation were compliance and operative machine quality.
Mycobacterium avium (MAC) lung disease in post-COVID-19 bronchiectasis: a need for caution as a potential risk factor for MAC infection
Authors: Oi Issei , Fujita Kohei , Fujimoto Naoki , Yoshimura Saiki , Ito Takanori , Imakita Takuma , Kanai Osamu , Tanizawa Kiminobu
Published: February 2025

Bronchiectasis due to previous tuberculosis is known to precede Mycobacterium avium (MAC) lung disease. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease, and residual bronchiectasis following COVID-19 is common as well as tuberculosis. However, there have been no reports documenting MAC lung disease secondary to bronchiectasis post-COVID-19 until now. We present the case of an 84-year-old patient on steroid therapy for alveolar hemorrhage who developed COVID-19, resulting in residual bronchiectasis. Despite no evidence of chronic airway infection immediately prior to the COVID-19 infection, the patient developed pulmonary MAC disease 2 years later. This is the first report of MAC lung disease secondary to bronchiectasis following COVID-19. Similar cases are likely to occur in the future, necessitating caution.
Experimental evaluation of yield stress-thixotropy of waste fly-ash added drilling fluid: in context with HPHT/geothermal well drilling
Authors: Dewangan Satish Kumar , Nathwani Nishant , Kawade Ajay
Published: February 2025

Proper transportation of cuttings to the surface, prevention of various well-controlled issues, stability of wellbore, formation damage minimization, etc. are very important issues that depend crucially on properly designed and maintained rheology of the drilling fluids. Search and selection of suitable drilling fluid additives that can favorably alter its rheology has always been a challenge for oilwell drilling industries. On the other hand, disposal of fly ash, which is a waste of thermal power industries is a big time issue to resolve considering these two important aspects, i.e., drilling fluid rheology investigation as well as suitable disposal outlet of fly ash, the present analysis was aimed to investigate the effective application of fly-ash (a waste of thermal power plants) as possible favorable rheology altering additives of water-based drilling fluids for wellbore drilling industries. Various drilling fluid samples based on fly ash were prepared and experimentally tested for their yield stress and thixotropic behavior. Rotational rheometer MCR-102 (Make: Anton-Paar) was used for the rheological analysis. The investigation compared different drilling fluid combinations based on fly ash and oil additives. Various time-dependent rheological aspects, i.e., thixotropic characteristics like thixotropic area, loss modulus, and damping coefficient were experimentally explored. Additionally, yield shear stress values were investigated by controlled shear stress tests with MCR-102. At the outset, the comprehensive thixotropic analysis concluded that nearly 10% of the fly ash addition would optimally be beneficial to sustain the favorable yield-thixotropy to water-based drilling fluids. It was also concluded that fly ash addition did not affect the chemical reactivity of the drilling fluid. All the samples exhibited the desired shear thinning behavior. The damping factor was greater than unity which implied the dissipative nature of all the drilling fluid samples, however presence of oil in the sample reduced it.
Temperature-driven trade-off between mitochondrial activity and efficiency in live rotifers representing different thermal histories
Authors: Burzawa Agata , Potera Katarzyna , Sokolov Eugene P. , Sokolova Inna M. , Walczyńska Aleksandra
Published: February 2025

Mitochondria generate up to 90% of cellular ATP, making it critical to understand how abiotic factors affect mitochondrial function under varying conditions. Using clones of the rotifer Lecane inermis with known thermal preferences, we investigated mitochondrial bioenergetic responses to four thermal regimes: standard temperature, optimal temperature, low suboptimal temperature, and high suboptimal temperature. The study aimed to determine how mitochondrial parameters in intact organisms vary with temperature shifts and whether these responses differ across experimental populations. We assessed key bioenergetic parameters: routine respiration (representing overall metabolic rate), electron transport system (ETS) capacity (indicative of oxidative phosphorylation potential), and proton leak rates (reflecting the energetic costs of maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential). Our results showed that populations with different thermal preferences displayed distinct mitochondrial responses to temperature changes, particularly at suboptimal temperatures. In contrast, responses were more uniform under standard and optimal conditions. Our findings demonstrated that metabolic plasticity in changing environments often involves trade-offs between mitochondrial efficiency and maintenance. By studying mitochondrial respiration at the whole-organism level, we revealed the complex temperature dependence of bioenergetic traits, providing insights beyond isolated mitochondria studies. This research highlights how a cascade of plastic responses spanning from mitochondrial responses to overall growth patterns is triggered by temperature changes, offering a valuable perspective in the context of global warming and organismal adaptation.
Prevalence and factors influencing postpartum depression and its
culture-specific cutoffs for women in Asia: a scoping review
Authors: Moon Bora , Kim Hyun Kyoung , Nho Ju-Hee , Choi Hyunkyung , Chung ChaeWeon , Kang Sook Jung , Kim Ju Hee , Lee Ju-Young , Park Sihyun , Shin Gisoo , Song Ju-Eun , Lee Min Hee , Kim Sue
Published: February 2025

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in Asia is reported to range from
13.53% to 22.31%. However, there remains a gap in the identification of PPD,
particularly regarding cultural cutoff points. Therefore, the purpose of this
scoping review was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of PPD in
Eastern, South-eastern, Western, and Southern Asian countries and analyze the
cutoff points of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used across
these countries. Following Arksey and O'Malley’s five-step scoping
review framework, the population was defined as mothers, the concept as the
EPDS, and the context as the Asian region. A literature search was conducted
using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The data analysis
focused on demographic characteristics, EPDS cutoffs and features, PPD
prevalence, and its associated factors. Nineteen studies were selected. Most
countries used translated versions of the EPDS with demonstrated reliability and
validity. The cutoff scores varied, with most using scores of 10 or higher. The
prevalence of PPD ranged from 5.1% to 78.7%. Key associated factors for PPD
included cultural factors such as relationships with in-laws and preferences for
the newborn’s sex. To improve the accuracy of PPD screening in Asia, the
EPDS should be used consistently, and appropriate cutoff criteria must be
established. In addition, prevention strategies and programs that reflect the
cultural characteristics and social context of Asia need to be developed for the
early detection and prevention of PPD.
Management strategies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with
portal vein tumor thrombosis
Authors: Park Jeayeon , Yu Su Jong
Published: February 2025

Hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis presents a significant
therapeutic challenge due to its poor prognosis and limited treatment options.
This review thoroughly examines diagnostic methods, including imaging techniques
and classification systems such as the Japanese Vp and Cheng’s
classifications, to aid in clinical decision-making. Treatment strategies
encompass liver resection and liver transplantation, particularly living donor
liver transplantation after successful downstaging, which have shown potential
benefits in selected cases. Locoregional therapies, including hepatic arterial
infusion chemotherapy, transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial
radioembolization, and external beam radiation therapy, remain vital components
of treatment. Recent advancements in systemic therapies, such as sorafenib,
lenvatinib, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., atezolizumab plus
bevacizumab) have demonstrated improvements in overall survival and
progression-free survival. These developments underscore the importance of a
multidisciplinary and personalized approach to improve outcomes for patients
with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombosis.
Classification of shoulder diseases in older adult patients: a
narrative review
Authors: Lee Hyo-Jin , Kim Jong-Ho
Published: February 2025

This review classifies and summarizes the major shoulder diseases affecting older
adults, focusing on rotator cuff disease, frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis, and
shoulder instability. It explores each condition's pathophysiology, risk
factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies
to guide clinicians in optimizing patient outcomes and enhancing quality of
life. Age-related degenerative changes, comorbidities, and distinct etiological
factors contribute to the presentation of shoulder disorders in older adults.
Rotator cuff disease ranges from tendinopathy to full-thickness tears and is
influenced by genetic predispositions, inflammatory cytokines, and muscle
quality. Frozen shoulder results from fibroproliferative changes in the capsule,
leading to significant pain and restricted motion. Osteoarthritis involves
cartilage degeneration and bony remodeling, often necessitating surgical
interventions such as arthroplasty. Shoulder instability, though less frequent,
is complicated by associated injuries like rotator cuff tears and fractures,
requiring tailored management strategies. Advances in imaging techniques,
biologic treatments, and surgical procedures, particularly arthroscopic and
arthroplasty options, have improved diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic
outcomes. A thorough classification of shoulder diseases in older adult patients
highlights the complexity of managing these conditions. Effective treatment
requires individualized approaches that integrate conservative measures with
emerging biologic or surgical therapies. Future research should focus on
targeted interventions, standardized diagnostic criteria, and multidisciplinary
collaboration to minimize disability, optimize function, and improve overall
quality of life in this growing patient population. Multimodal strategies,
including patient education, structured rehabilitation, and psychosocial
support, further enhance long-term adherence and outcomes. Ongoing vigilance for
comorbidities, such as osteoporosis or metabolic disorders, is necessary for
comprehensive care.
Application of deep learning for diagnosis of shoulder diseases in
older adults: a narrative review
Authors: Rhee Sung Min
Published: February 2025

Shoulder diseases pose a significant health challenge for older adults, often
causing pain, functional decline, and decreased independence. This narrative
review explores how deep learning (DL) can address diagnostic challenges by
automating tasks such as image segmentation, disease detection, and motion
analysis. Recent research highlights the effectiveness of DL-based convolutional
neural networks and machine learning frameworks in diagnosing various shoulder
pathologies. Automated image analysis facilitates the accurate assessment of
rotator cuff tear size, muscle degeneration, and fatty infiltration in MRI or CT
scans, frequently matching or surpassing the accuracy of human experts.
Convolutional neural network-based systems are also adept at classifying
fractures and joint conditions, enabling the rapid identification of common
causes of shoulder pain from plain radiographs. Furthermore, advanced techniques
like pose estimation provide precise measurements of the shoulder joint's
range of motion and support personalized rehabilitation plans. These automated
approaches have also been successful in quantifying local osteoporosis,
utilizing machine learning-derived indices to classify bone density status. DL
has demonstrated significant potential to improve diagnostic accuracy,
efficiency, and consistency in the management of shoulder diseases in older
patients. Machine learning-based assessments of imaging data and motion
parameters can help clinicians optimize treatment plans and improve patient
outcomes. However, to ensure their generalizability, reproducibility, and
effective integration into routine clinical workflows, large-scale, prospective
validation studies are necessary. As data availability and computational
resources increase, the ongoing development of DL-driven applications is
expected to further advance and personalize musculoskeletal care, benefiting
both healthcare providers and the aging population.