bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caring toward end of life through acute hospital and community partnerships: A scoping review
Authors: McIlveen Joanna , MacPhail Catherine , Fox Mim , Noonan Kerrie
Published: February 2025

Background:

Global health systems are currently socially and economically burdened. Public health palliative care is an approach to caring toward end of life that can create the innovative change needed to address this inequity. Guided by the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986), public health palliative care promotes collaboration among palliative care services, civic institutions, and communities to build capacity in all aspects of death, dying, caregiving, and bereavement. Despite growing evidence for the public health approach to palliative care, little is known about how acute hospitals and communities can work together to provide care toward end of life.

Aim:

To explore how acute hospitals and communities work together to provide care toward end of life.

Design:

Scoping review guided by Arskey and O’Malley framework.

Data Sources:

Scopus, Pubmed, CINAHL, and Informit as well as gray literature were searched. Citations were independently assessed against inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results:

Of the six included studies and reports, a priori themes of creating supportive environments; strengthening community action; reorienting health services; developing personal skills and building healthy public policy from the Charter were well represented. Additional themes of communication and language, culture and risk were also identified. Educational, arts health, community engagement initiatives were explored as well as clinical tools, psychosocial interventions, and the No One Dies Alone (NODA) program.

Conclusions:

This review offers policymakers, hospitals, and practitioners a framework for implementing hospital-community partnerships toward end-of-life. Despite challenges in acute settings, these initiatives can enhance end-of-life experiences for patients and families.
A flexible framework for accurate LiDAR odometry, map manipulation, and localization
Authors: Blanco-Claraco Jose Luis
Published: February 2025

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-based simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is a core technology for autonomous vehicles and robots. One key contribution of this work to 3D LiDAR SLAM and localization is a fierce defense of view-based maps (pose graphs with time-stamped sensor readings) as the fundamental representation of maps. As will be shown, they allow for the greatest flexibility, enabling the posterior generation of arbitrary metric maps optimized for particular tasks, for example, obstacle avoidance and real-time localization. Moreover, this work introduces a new framework in which mapping pipelines can be defined without coding, defining the connections of a network of reusable blocks much like deep-learning networks are designed by connecting layers of standardized elements. We also introduce tightly-coupled estimation of linear and angular velocity vectors within the Iterative Closest Point (ICP)-like optimizer, leading to superior robustness against aggressive motion profiles without the need for an IMU. Extensive experimental validation reveals that the proposal compares well to, or improves, former state-of-the-art (SOTA) LiDAR odometry systems, while also successfully mapping some hard sequences where others diverge. A proposed self-adaptive configuration has been used, without parameter changes, for all 3D LiDAR datasets with sensors between 16 and 128 rings, and has been extensively tested on 83 sequences over more than 250 km of automotive, hand-held, airborne, and quadruped LiDAR datasets, both indoors and outdoors. The system flexibility is demonstrated with additional configurations for 2D LiDARs and for building 3D NDT-like maps. The framework is open-sourced online: https://github.com/MOLAorg/mola .
Genetically determined physical activity levels, sedentary behaviours, and their association with the risk of age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Zhou Xiangpeng , Wu Jiang , Shen Yingjiao , He Shucheng , Guan Hanyi , Shen Lijun
Published: February 2025

Objective

To investigate the causal effects of physical activity and sedentary traits on risk of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to investigate the causal relationship between physical activity and risk of AMD. We used genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics from two publicly available biobank-scale cohorts: UK Biobank and FinnGen. Physical activity data were self-reported by 703,901 UK Biobank participants and sedentary behaviour data were gathered from 159,606 FinnGen participants. Our analysis primarily used the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method.

Result

Engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity significantly reduced the risk of AMD with an odds ratio of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66–0.89). However, leisure screen time showed a slight but non-statistically significant upward trend. Sedentary behaviour at work, sedentary commuting showed no causal effects on AMD risk.

Conclusions

This study used MR analysis to examine the causal relationship between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and AMD. It offers genetic evidence suggesting that physical activity may protect against AMD, emphasizing the significance of lifestyle factors in maintaining ocular health.
Analysis of fiber stresses during high-tension winding molding of thermoplastic composites
Authors: Xu Haojie , Wang Yutao , Song Hao , Li Kangmei , Hu Jun
Published: February 2025

High-tension winding technology provides thermoplastic composite parts that can resist high centrifugal forces by applying radial compressive stresses. Based on the thick-walled cylinder theory of elastic mechanics and the principle of small deformation, mathematical model of the fiber stress distribution and radial compressive stress on the mandrel surface under the combined effects of tension and temperature field during the composite winding and molding process is established. A method for applying tensile forces to balance thermal stress is proposed. Results show that the thermal stress can reduce the relaxation effect of the inner layers of fibers during the winding process. With the increase in the number of winding layers under the three methods of tension application, namely, constant, constant torque, and taper tension, the fiber circumferential stress decreases layer by layer from the inside to the outside, while the radial compressive stress on the mandrel surface gradually increases. The equal stress tension provides the maximum radial compressive stress. When the stress per unit width of the fibers in each layer of the composite is 266.67 MPa, the radial compressive stress on the mandrel surface after 30 layers of winding is 15.52 MPa. The finite element simulation results show that the maximum error of composite circumferential stress and theoretical calculation is 6.7%, and the maximum error of radial compressive stress on the mandrel surface is 0.4%. These results verify the reliability of the mathematical model in this paper and provide theoretical support for the tension design in the high-tensile winding molding process of thermoplastic composite fibers.
Improvements in Asthma Control After Pharmacist Involvement in an Outpatient Pediatric Asthma Clinic
Authors: Anthony Lauren , Axtell Sandra , Nixon Bianca
Published: February 2025

Background: Asthma is one of the most common pediatric disease states. However, current literature about outpatient pharmacy appointment effectiveness on pediatric asthma control is not widely available. Objective: To determine whether outpatient pharmacist visits in pediatric patients with asthma result in a measurable difference in asthma control, utilizing the validated asthma control test (ACT) and childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) scoring tools. Methods: This study enrolled 16 children ages 6-17 years old at an outpatient primary care clinic (November 2023-April 2024). The patients visited the outpatient pharmacist 2 to 3 times over a 12-week period. The primary outcome was the change in the patient’s ACT or C-ACT from the baseline to the final study visit. Additional outcomes of interest included improvement in inhaler technique using a Vitalograph AIM® device, medication adherence rates, and change in emergent interventions from 6 months before enrollment compared to 3 months after the final visit. Results: The median improvement in asthma control test was 3 at the final study visit (4 or 12 weeks after counseling), which was statistically significant ( P = 0.0348). This was an improvement from 50% of patients controlled at baseline to 100% at the final visit ( P = 0.0053). Emergent interventions including oral steroid courses, emergency department visits, and hospitalization for asthma were less common after pharmacist intervention than before enrollment ( P = 0.0464). Improvements in technique were seen at the initial visit using Vitalograph AIM® to visualize counseling points. Conclusion: Our study supports that outpatient pharmacist visits can have a measurable impact on pediatric asthma control.
Design optimization of a four-wheeled robot chassis frame based on artificial neural network
Authors: Rebhi Lamine , Khalfallah Smail , Hamel Amani , Bouzar Essaidi Ahmed
Published: February 2025

Optimizing robotic structures to endure random fatigue conditions represents a critical challenge in robotic design. This paper introduces an advanced optimization strategy specifically for robotic structures subjected to random base excitations (RBE). The approach aims to enhance structural performance and reliability under unpredictable conditions. The proposed methodology features an efficient problem formulation and employs a meta-model-based optimization (MBO) technique, validated through the analysis of a robotic structure’s fatigue life under RBE. Structural vibration responses to RBE are assessed using finite element method (FEM), which includes the computation of participation factors to quantify each mode’s contribution to the overall structural response. A frequency transfer function is then developed to link input excitations with the resulting structural behavior. Experimental validation in the laboratory confirms the accuracy of the FEM predictions for structures under RBE. The MBO approach is applied to a robot chassis, aiming to minimize its total mass while respecting constraints on maximum equivalent stress and fatigue life. Random vibrations caused by road roughness are simulated to evaluate the chassis response in terms of power spectral densities (PSD) of Von Mises equivalent stress, calculated for different chassis elements. A database is generated through co-simulation with ANSYS and MATLAB, computing fatigue life using the Dirlik model for various design variables. This database supports the development of a radial basis function (RBF) based neural network meta-model for constraint evaluation in the optimization process. Two MBO strategies, sequential and adaptive, are tested. The sequential approach required a significantly large dataset yet failed to achieve target accuracy, showing an uncertainty of over 43%, rendering it unsuitable. In contrast, the adaptive approach achieved the desired accuracy with an uncertainty of less than 0.22%, using only 2% of the dataset required by the sequential approach. This adaptive strategy enabled a substantial reduction in chassis mass while maintaining fatigue life. Moreover, optimization results showed no significant changes when different optimization techniques are applied.
Comparison of reinforcing a natural mineral versus a synthetic ceramic on the thermal expansion behavior of LM13 alloy based composites
Authors: Gupta Rahul , Nanda Tarun , Pandey Om Prakash , Singhal Varun , Bansal Sandeep , Gupta Anu , Hazra Biplab
Published: February 2025

LM13 alloy is extensively used in automotive industry to make pistons. The high operating temperatures of pistons led to dimensional instability due to high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). This problem can be overcome by incorporating ceramic particles with lower CTE values, which also helps tailor the properties of aluminum matrix composite (AMCs) according to other applications (i.e. brake rotor). Hence, the present research investigated the effect of two different types of reinforcements (a natural mineral “ilmenite” compared to a pure synthetic ceramic “boron carbide”) separately on thermal expansion behavior of LM13 alloy-based composites. Stir casting was used to incorporate 5, 10, and 15 weight percent (wt.%) of reinforced particles in the LM13 alloy matrix. Thermal strain and CTE values were determined in the 50°C–300°C range. Thermal strain and CTE values reduced significantly with increased reinforced particle types. A maximum reduction of 45% over the base alloy in thermal strain and CTE value was obtained for IDP-15 composites (IDP-15: ilmenite reinforced composites with 15 wt.% reinforcement) in the operating temperature range of 50°C–250°C. Beyond 250°C, the maximum thermal strain and CTE value reduction was 52% for BDP-15 composites (BDP-15: boron carbide reinforced composites with 15 wt.% reinforcement) at an operating temperature of 300°C. The results signified that for low-to-moderately high-temperature applications like brake rotors, etc., IDPs are a suitable material, whereas, for high-temperature applications like pistons etc., BDPs are more appropriate. The changes in thermal characteristics of AMCs with operating temperature-reinforcement levels were due to variations in the strength of interfacial bonding and changes in the solubility of silicon in aluminum. Experimental values of CTE obtained in the present research were compared to several theoretical models. There was a close agreement in the experimental values and the predictions made by the “Reuss bound” model.
Design and experimental research of single-cylinder double-piston damping adjustable shock absorber
Authors: Zhang Guang , Zhang Jinning , Sun Min , Yu Yang , Wang Jiong , Zhang Zheng
Published: February 2025

A novel large-capacity, single-cylinder, double-piston damping adjustable shock absorber was designed to address the limitations of conventional shock absorbers, which have fixed damping characteristics that are inadequate for varying road conditions. This paper primarily contributes to the conceptual design and experimental dynamic characterization of the proposed shock absorber, which includes a built-in regulating valve for an external nitrogen tank. The feasibility of the proposed damper to achieve adjustable damping characteristics across a wide range of loading conditions was investigated. To facilitate this investigation, a test rig was developed for experimental characterization across various mechanical loading scenarios. Both qualitative analyses, such as force-displacement and force-velocity characteristics, and quantitative analyses, including dynamic range, were conducted as functions of loading velocity, displacement amplitude, and gear position. The results demonstrated a maximum dynamic range of damping force during the compression stroke of 2.16 kN and a maximum output damping force of 7.05 kN. Additionally, the maximum dynamic range of damping force during the rebound stroke was found to be 2.57 kN, while the maximum output damping force was 5.97 kN. These findings confirm the potential of the proposed single-cylinder double-piston damping adjustable shock absorber for off-road suspension systems and suggest that straightforward design modifications can enhance the scalability of damping force for various applications.
Design, simulations, and experiments of tube-making pultrusion process with glass fabric/PP composites
Authors: Liu Mingrui , Zhao Yuxin , Wang Yujiao , Tian Liang , Shuo Wang
Published: February 2025

To meet the rapid manufacturing requirements of fabric-reinforced thermoplastic composite tubes, this paper proposes a novel tube-making process that combines thermo-stamping and pultrusion forming methods. The process consists of four steps: material sending, stamping, drawing, and ultrasonic welding. Finite element simulation using the ABAQUS software is employed to analyze the entire process and determine the optimal process parameters. The stress distribution in the composite during feeding, thermo-stamping, and pultrusion processes is analyzed, and the feasibility of the forming process is verified using the Hoffman criteria. Additionally, the Mises stress distribution of the prepreg on the welded area is analyzed during the welding process, demonstrating minimal impact on the surface quality of the tubes. The simulation results confirm that the proposed pultrusion process can produce tubes with excellent surface quality, providing valuable insights for composite tube manufacturing. A prototype pultrusion system consisting of a perform mold, a transition mold, a forming mold, an ultrasonic welding device, a force tester, and an electric motor for dragging is constructed. Tube-making experiments are conducted with varying processing temperatures and dragging speeds. The experimental results reveal that the surface quality and maximum pultrusion force of the composite tubes are influenced by the processing temperature and pultrusion speed.
The Effects of Personal Attributes of Managing Directors on Startup Accelerator Performance
Authors: Wise Sean , Valliere Dave
Published: February 2025

Most research on accelerators to date focuses on the startups themselves. There has been limited research on the accelerators and their performance as the unit of analysis. Using the upper echelon theory, this article hypothesises the effects of individual attributes of managing directors on the startup accelerator’s performance and tests these by analysing data from 154 Techstars accelerator cohorts comprising more than 1,500 startups. Two personal attributes of managing directors, education and management tenure, influenced the accelerator performance. The education level of the managing director affects the proportion of the graduating cohort that is acquired, the speed of these acquisitions and the survival prospects of graduates that are not acquired. The tenure of the managing director affects the proportion of the graduating cohort that is acquired. These results suggest that certain attributes of an investor play a role in the future success of startups in their portfolio, extending the upper echelon theory from senior management to outside investors.
Emergence of hemorrhagic septicemia caused by MLST type ST64 Pasteurella multocida in a European fallow deer population in Hungary
Authors: Erdélyi Károly , Pintér Krisztina , Pollák Boglárka , Bakcsa Erika , Szeredi Levente , Lehotzky Pál , Magyar Tibor
Published: February 2025

A sudden mass mortality involving 44 fallow deer ( Dama dama) occurred in September 2020 at a game management area near Budapest, Hungary. The die-off affected both sexes and all age classes equally. On postmortem examination of 2 subadults and 1 fawn, we found average body condition, diffuse subcutaneous edema, swelling of peripheral lymph nodes, marked hemorrhages in lymph nodes along the esophagus and trachea, and left ventricular dilation. We isolated Pasteurella-like colonies from spleen, liver, small intestine, lung, and brain samples of 7 animals, and identified them as P. multocida serotype B:2 by amplifying kmt1, toxA, and hyaC-hyaD genes, capsular typing by PCR, and serotyping by agar gel diffusion precipitation test, which established the diagnosis of hemorrhagic septicemia as the cause of the outbreak. By further analysis, we determined that all of our P. multocida isolates encoded ptfA, fimA, hsf-2, nanH, hgbA, and pfhA, but we did not detect genes encoding toxA, hsf-1, tbpA, or tadD. We identified our strains by RIRDC MLST as sequence type (ST)122, characteristic for strains causing hemorrhagic septicemia, while using multi-host MLST analysis we assigned these strains to ST64 clustering with P. multocida strains from the 2015 hemorrhagic septicemia outbreak of saiga antelopes in Kazakhstan. We concluded that increased population density and aggregation due to limited drinking water availability played a role in initiating the outbreak.
What Does Not Kill You Makes You Search: The Effects of Failure Threat and Self-Evaluation on Entrepreneurs’ Ego Networks
Authors: Chen Xi , Batjargal Bat
Published: February 2025

Social network theory suggests that social networks, particularly diverse ones, are crucial for entrepreneurial resource acquisition and success. However, previous research has found that entrepreneurs do not necessarily develop diverse networks but tend to associate with similar others and develop closed networks. Building on problemistic search theory and perceptual control theory, we propose that as developing diverse networks consumes cognitive and time resources, entrepreneurs are more likely to do so when they face failure threats and do not evaluate themselves as able to address the threats. An experiment with 155 entrepreneurs in China found that failure threat increases entrepreneurs’ network diversity and that this effect is attenuated by self-affirmation. A longitudinal survey of 153 entrepreneurs in China showed that entrepreneurs whose self-worth is contingent upon business success develop social networks rich in structural holes in the short term and dense networks in the long term, and these effects are attenuated by entrepreneurial self-efficacy. These findings highlight the motivational and cognitive factors driving entrepreneurs’ social networks and contribute to social network theory, problemistic search theory, and perceptual control theory.
Evaluating Immunotherapy Responses in Neuro-Oncology for Glioblastoma and Brain Metastases: A Brief Review Featuring Three Cases
Authors: Kertmen Neyran , Kavgaci Gozde , Akin Serkan , Coban Gokcen , Isikay Ahmet Ilkay , Yazici Gozde
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Recent advancements in immunotherapy have offered new possibilities for treating aggressive glioblastoma (GBM) and brain metastases. However, evaluating treatment responses remains complex, prompting the development of the immunotherapy-specific Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (iRANO) criteria. Herein, we present case reports illustrating the intricacies of interpreting imaging changes post-immunotherapy, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to assessing treatment effectiveness.

Case Reports

Case 1 discusses a 41-year-old male with GBM, highlighting the challenges of differentiating tumor progression from treatment-induced pseudoprogression. Case 2 discusses a 45-year-old female with brain metastatic malignant melanoma, presenting radiological evidence of progressive disease while undergoing nivolumab treatment. Case 3 discusses a 37-year-old male with GBM, where radiological evidence indicates progressive disease while receiving pembrolizumab treatment.

Management and Outcomes

In case 1, we discussed the challenges of distinguishing true tumor progression from treatment-induced pseudoprogression, leading to the continuation of the same treatment due to pseudoprogression. In case 2, post-surgery pathology revealed radionecrosis and treatment-related changes, guiding the continuation of nivolumab therapy. Case 3 involved a pathologically confirmed progression, and the patient received best supportive care due to his performance status.

Discussion

Despite aggressive treatment regimens, the prognosis for GBM patients remains poor, underscoring the necessity for innovative therapeutic strategies. Immunotherapy holds promise in reshaping the treatment landscape for GBM and brain metastases, but further research and refinement of assessment criteria are crucial. Throughout our cases, we discuss the iRANO criteria, developed to overcome the limitations of the RANO criteria in capturing immunotherapy responses, particularly pseudoprogression.
Physic-interpretation-based predictive control of a novel active dry friction damper for rotor vibration suppression
Authors: Jiang Minghong , Gao Xionghong , Zhang Peng , Zhu Changsheng
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a physic-interpretation-based predictive control scheme based on a novel electromagnetic active dry friction damper (ADFD) for rotor vibration suppression. First, the configuration of a novel rotor’s ADFD for rotor vibration control is introduced. A three-directional force sensor is embedded in the novel rotor’s ADFD, which can monitor the status of friction contact in real time. Then, the finite element method is used for dynamic modeling of the ADFDs-rotor system and modal truncation is applied for order reduction. The trajectory tracing method is reformulated to establish a unified algebra equation for the planar friction forces, in which case prediction on the frictional contact status can be performed. An augmented Kalman filter is integrated with the proposed predictive control scheme to estimate unmeasurable friction motions of friction pads. A model-free adaptive control method is further utilized to generate the required ADFD’s normal forces. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is examined experimentally. It is shown that the proposed predictive control scheme could regulate the ADFD’s normal forces according to real-time rotor vibration levels, and it performs much better than the traditional passive control schemes if the unbalanced level or operating speed significantly deviates from the design conditions.
Penetrating airgun spinal cord injury in 23 cats (1998–2022)
Authors: Sarpekidou Eirini , Svania Panagiota , Patsikas Michail , Polizopoulou Zoe , Kazakos George
Published: February 2025

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate and describe airgun spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in cats.

Methods

Records of cats presented at the Companion Animal Clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with neurological deficits associated with a 4.5 mm airgun projectile (AGP) SCI were included. Only cats with lodged projectiles in the spinal canal were included in the present study. Cats were categorised into groups according to the neurological grade, management, season of presentation and projectile location.

Results

A total of 23 cats were included in this retrospective study. There were one cervical (C), 17 thoracolumbar (T) and five lumbosacral (L) airgun SCIs. The presence of the projectile in the spinal canal was confirmed by radiographic imaging. Of the cases, 44% were presented in autumn, which was the most frequently presenting season. Surgical management was elected in 20/23 (87%) of the cats, 1/23 (4.3%) were managed conservatively and 2/23 (8.7%) were euthanased owing to poor prognosis without treatment. The neurological grades were V and III in 83% and 4% of the cats, respectively. The remaining cats (13%) had asymmetrical neurological deficits. Conscious movement was regained in 30% of surgically treated cats; spinal walking in 20% and 50% were unimproved. Micturition restoration was not observed in most of the cases.

Conclusions and relevance

Airgun spinal injuries result in severe mobility and micturition disorders in cats. As a result of the small sample size, it is uncertain whether the outcome may be influenced by surgical or conservative management.
Influence of Maternal Waiting Homes in Pregnancy-Related Complications: A Case-Control Study in Sipepa Ward 5, Tsholotsho District Zimbabwe
Authors: Ncube Sincerity , Mpofu Mqhele Wilfred , Moyo Perez Livias
Published: February 2025

Maternal waiting homes (MWHs) are structures built near the healthcare facility, which aim to reduce the distance to accessing maternal health services and bring pregnant women closer to the health facility, near the time of delivery. This reduces the risk of pregnancy complications which can cause maternal and neonatal deaths, or low birth weight. Tsholotsho district adopted the use of Maternal waiting homes as there was an increase in pregnancy-related complications and incidents of maternal death. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of maternity waiting homes in reducing pregnancy-related complications in Ward 5, Tsholotsho District. A 1:1 case-control study was used for the study, which recruited 248 women who attended Sipepa clinic. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analysis for frequencies, means, proportions and odds ratios at 95% CI was done using SPSS version 29. The study established that Maternal waiting home use was a significant factor for reducing pregnancy complications (AOR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.09-0.28). Number of antenatal care visits less than 4 was found to be the significant independent risk factor for pregnancy complications (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.2). The odds of adequate knowledge of the benefits of maternal waiting homes was 6.9 times higher among women who used MWHs than those who did not (OR = 6.9, 95% CI: 3.9-12.2). The study provides evidence that MWHs can significantly reduce pregnancy-related complications and improve maternal health outcomes in Sipepa, Tsholotsho. However, barriers to non-use of MWHs, such as lack of privacy, no food variety, and no cooking utensils, must be addressed to maximize the effectiveness of this intervention. There is a need for policymakers and healthcare providers to prioritize the implementation and expansion of MWHs in rural areas of Zimbabwe, where they can have the greatest impact on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.
Electoral and partisan consequences of sovereignty referendum outcomes: A comparative analysis
Authors: Rodon Toni , Guinjoan Marc , Ioannidis Nikandros
Published: February 2025

What are the electoral consequences of winning a sovereignty referendum? While some argue that these referendums increase the electoral power of pro-sovereignty parties or even put in motion a slippery slope towards more (radical) demands, others sustain that sovereignty-related referendums are a “once in a generation” event, decrease the salience of territorial politics and hence the electoral appeal of pro-decentralisation parties. We put these narratives to the test using the newly compiled CONREF dataset, which includes comprehensive information on the type of sovereignty referendums, the party electoral outcomes before and after the referendum and their policy position. Our analysis shows no relationship between winning a sovereignty referendum and parties’ electoral fortunes. It also shows that referendums do not affect the territorial position of the parties–irrespective of the referendum outcome. If anything, we observe that the main party in the winner’s block loses support when the referendum passes for a small margin and that the opposition benefits when their side wins. In addition, looking at the EU referendums, we observe that when the position of anti-EU parties wins they become less Eurosceptic. Overall, our article improves our understanding of the dynamics of the winner-loser effects in sovereignty referendums and its spillovers to elections.
Common and unique menopause experiences among autistic and non-autistic people: A qualitative study
Authors: Piper Martha A , Charlton Rebecca A
Published: February 2025

Autistic people face both similar challenges to non-autistic people as they navigate menopause and additional unique challenges. Semi-structured interviews with 15 autistic and 14 non-autistic adults (assigned female at birth), explored experiences of menopause. Thematic analysis was carried out for the autistic and non-autistic groups separately. Analysis yielded four overarching themes: information about menopause, experiences of menopause, medical support for menopause and backdrop to the menopause. Each of these contained subthemes which indicated both shared and unique experiences between the groups. Both groups reported a lack of information about menopause, endured negative psychological changes during menopause and experienced menopause alongside other important life events. Autistic people faced unique challenges during menopause, including medical professionals not accommodating autistic differences, uncertainty-induced anxiety and the lifelong impact of living without an autism diagnosis. This study highlights the need for tailored care for this group during the menopause transition.
Increased insulin resistance following switch from efavirenz to cobicistat-boosted elvitegravir
Authors: Pickering Richard Taylor , Asundi Archana , Olson Alex , Soden Katie , Kuritzkes Daniel R , Lin Nina H
Published: February 2025

Background

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have been associated with excess weight gain in people living with HIV compared to other antiretroviral agents. The mechanisms that underlie these effects are not well defined. Thus, we aimed to examine the effects of switching to INSTI-containing regimens on clinical metabolic parameters.

Setting

A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study in which people living with HIV on a stable efavirenz-based regimen were switched to a cobicistat-boosted elvitegravir or raltegravir-containing regimen. Participants remained on the NRTI backbone of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine.

Methods

Frozen plasma samples from 19 participants were used to determine concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, insulin and lactate at baseline and 8 weeks post-switch. Fasting lipids and blood glucose not reported in the initial study were obtained to examine metabolic changes. Anthropometric data including height and weight were abstracted from the medical record.

Results

Participants switched from efavirenz to cobicistat-boosted elvitegravir without change in tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine backbone showed a 20% increase in HOMA-IR after 8 weeks (1.84 vs 2.24, p < .05), due mostly to increases in fasting insulin. This increase occurred independent of weight gain in the cohort as whole (83.4 vs 85.9 kg, pre vs post, p = .04), but was linked to increases in circulating lactate.

Conclusions

Participants switched to an INSTI-based regimen tended to gain weight, and those switched to cobicistat-boosted elvitegravir had increases in markers of insulin resistance and elevation in plasma lactic acid compared to raltegravir, suggesting that elvitegravir may promote metabolic perturbations in people living with HIV.
Living in Limbo: Exploring the Lived Experience of University Post-Graduates with Precarious Jobs in Iran and Effects on Their Well-Being
Authors: Navabi Aida , Makki Alamdari Sara , Monavvary Nooh , Fakhri Abu
Published: February 2025

A big population in Iran, an oil-rich country in the Global South with a huge young population, struggles with precarious employment. This is also common among those with post-graduate degrees (master’s or doctorate degrees). In this article, the researchers explore how this population experiences insecure and temporary employment with an emphasis on their well-being and social life. The researchers conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 20 post-graduate degree holders in Tehran, Iran. The interviews indicated that precarious work negatively affects individuals’ well-being in many domains, including the mental health, occupational, financial, family, and social. A feeling of job insecurity, damaged professional identity, constant fear, a lack of control over one’s working life, financial difficulties, social isolation, and strained relations with families are some examples of its adverse effects on the interviewees. Women, participants from the Humanities and Social Sciences field, and those with PhD degrees reported the most damaging consequences of precarious work. To overcome these adverse outcomes, not only are individual-level strategies critical, but the government must also develop practical strategies to create more job opportunities through increased domestic production. Developing a collective agency among post-graduates with precarious work is also necessary for empowering individuals.
On the “Tantawy Technique” and other methods for analyzing the family of fractional Burgers’ equations: Applications to plasma physics
Authors: Almuqrin Aljawhara H. , Tiofack C. G. L. , Mohamadou A. , Alim Alim , Ismaeel Sherif M. E. , Alhejaili Weaam , El-Tantawy Samir A.
Published: February 2025

This paper explores some innovative and modern techniques for analyzing the family of fractional Burgers-type equations, which are extensively utilized in studying shock waves in plasma physics and marine environments. The most notable novel and effective technique employed in this study for the first time is the “ Tantawy Technique,” named after its creator, Prof. Samir El-Tantawy. Two other effective methods, known as, the Aboodh residual power series method (ARPSM) and the Aboodh new iteration method (ANIM), are also applied to analyze the suggested problems and compare them with the Tantawy Technique results. We employ these methods to address the complexities associated with fractional partial differential equations (PDEs), specifically using the Caputo operator for fractional derivatives. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the convergence and accuracy of the proposed methods through various numerical examples. All three proposed methods can effectively yield precise and rapid solutions for fractional Burgers’ type equations. We assess the precision of all derived approximations by comparing them with the exact solutions for the integer case and calculating the absolute errors for these approximations. This work contributes significantly to fractional calculus and nonlinear differential equations, offering practical tools for scientists and engineers to solve complex fractional PDEs with enhanced accuracy. The results will improve our understanding and investigation of several complex phenomena that occur in nature and different nonlinear media, such as optics fiber, fluid mechanics, and plasma physics. As real-world applications for this study, we will investigate various evolutionary equations, such as the Burgers and KdV–Burgers equations used in plasma physics, to explain the properties of fractional shock waves while considering viscosity.
The double intervention of world-centred education: Introduction to a book symposium
Authors: Biesta Gert
Published: February 2025

In 2022, I published a book with the title World-Centred Education: A View for the Present. In the book, a case is made for putting the world in the centre of educational attention. In this paper, I introduce a book symposium which consists of three papers in which the authors reflect on the significance of the idea of world-centred education and develop it further with reference to their own expertise and scholarship.
The Prevention Education Partnership: A Public–Academic Partnership to Expand Overdose Education and Naloxone Training in New York City Public Schools
Authors: Laskowski Larissa K. , Khezri Mehrdad , Bennett Alex S. , Lee Matthew , Walters Suzan M. , Allen Bennett , Bunting Amanda M.
Published: February 2025

There is an urgent need to ensure the opioid overdose reversal agent naloxone is available to protect youth given the increasing rates of overdose among this population. Through a public–academic partnership, overdose education and naloxone distribution training were provided to nonmedical public school staff in New York City. School staff were invited to a 90-minute in-person training. Consented participants took a pre- and post-survey to assess their overdose knowledge, confidence, and substance use stigma. A majority of respondents had never received training on how to identify an opioid overdose (70.7%) or how to administer naloxone (73.5%). Participants’ overdose knowledge, including recognition of the signs of an overdose, response actions, and confidence to respond, significantly increased pre- to post-training. Participants’ stigmatization of drug use significantly decreased following the training. Naloxone access and opioid overdose response training for nonmedical school staff is an acceptable and effective solution to expand overdose response. The significant reduction in participants’ stigmatization of drug use suggests overdose education and naloxone training that address stigma may help prevent unnecessary mortality among youth.
Axillary Artery Versus Femoral or Central Arterial Cannulation in Minithoracotomy Mitral Surgery: Is There a Difference in Early Outcomes?
Authors: Gaca Jeffrey G. , Zwischenberger Brittany A. , Carr Keith , Wang Andrew , Glower Donald D.
Published: February 2025

Objective:

Axillary artery cannulation techniques continue to improve and find application throughout cardiac surgery. Yet, early outcomes are poorly documented versus femoral or central arterial cannulation in right minithoracotomy mitral surgery.

Methods:

There were 3,044 consecutive adult patients undergoing mitral valve surgery via right thoracotomy from 1996 to 2022 examined from a prospectively maintained database. Propensity score matching was used to compare outcomes of axillary versus aortic cannulation in 241 matched pairs and axillary versus femoral cannulation in 356 matched pairs.

Results:

Arterial cannulation was axillary (770 of 3,044; 25%) versus femoral (149 of 3,044; 5%) or central aortic (2,125 of 3,044; 70%). Axillary versus aortic or femoral patients were older ( P < 0.001), more often redo ( P < 0.001), more urgent ( P < 0.001), and had more mitral replacement ( P < 0.001) and tricuspid procedures ( P < 0.001). After propensity score matching, cannulation groups did not differ in patient characteristics or concurrent surgical procedures. For matched patients, axillary artery cannulation was not independently associated with operative mortality ( P = 0.3), postoperative respiratory failure ( P = 0.3), perioperative stroke ( P = 0.7), renal insufficiency ( P = 0.4), pump time ( P = 0.6), clamp time ( P = 0.2), transfusion ( P = 0.5), perioperative length of stay ( P = 0.7), or survival ( P = 0.6). Axillary cannulation increased operative time by 14 ± 7 min ( P = 0.04) versus aortic or femoral artery cannulation.

Conclusions:

Right axillary artery cannulation is a safe alternative for right minithoracotomy mitral surgery. Advantages may include avoidance of the aorta in reoperations or older patients, avoidance of peripheral atherosclerosis in older patients, and a low incidence of limb ischemia or wound infection. Disadvantages may include longer access time and an additional chest incision.
Race, Age, and Allostatic Load Among Men in the Nashville Stress and Health Study
Authors: Thorpe Roland J. , Gutiérrez Ángela , Archibald Paul , Thierry Amy D. , Bruce Marino , Mills Corina , Norris Keith , Thomas Tobin Courtney S.
Published: February 2025

High allostatic load (AL), a measure of physiological dysregulation, has been linked with premature morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of research assessing AL among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) American men of various age groups. This study investigated racial differences in AL among NHB and NHW adult men and assessed whether racial differences in AL varied by age. Data were drawn from NHB ( n = 232) and NHW ( n = 246) men in the Nashville Stress and Health Study. AL was based on the sum of 10 biomarkers that was dichotomized as high AL (four or more high-risk biomarkers) or low AL (fewer than four high-risk biomarkers). Modified Poisson regression models were estimated to assess race differences in AL, adjusting for age, socioeconomic status (SES), and health behaviors. Interactions assessed whether racial differences in AL varied between young (22–49 years) and older (50–69) men. NHB men had a higher prevalence of being in the high AL group (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.54, confidence interval [CI] = [1.09, 2.18]), relative to NHW men in the total sample. Among young men ages 22 to 49 years, NHB men had a higher prevalence of being in the high AL group (PR = 2.09, CI = [1.25, 3.49]), relative to NHW men. Among older men ages 50 to 69 years, there were no racial differences in AL. Findings underscore the importance of identifying factors that are associated with high AL, which is critical to mitigate premature morbidity and mortality, among NHB men.
Energy analysis of tailor rolled blank rolling process based on a new velocity field and the unified yield criterion
Authors: Tian Wen Hao , Zhang Shun Hu , Li Yan
Published: February 2025

The upward rolling process is an important forming method of producing cold tailor rolled blank (TRB). In order to describe the flow rule of the deformation workpiece of the TRB accurately, a new three-dimensional (3D) velocity field is firstly obtained based on the weighting of two special velocity fields under extreme conditions. Upon this 3D velocity field, an analytical solution of the force-energy parameters of the above rolling process is strictly derived using the energy method in combination with the unified yield (UY) criterion. After the energy analysis, four kinds of deformation power consumed by upward rolling are solved respectively, and the analytical solutions of rolling torque, rolling force, and stress state coefficient are obtained according to the upper bound theory. Furthermore, the predicted rolling forces are compared with the measured data of upward rolling of CR340 steel. It indicates that the theoretical model using the Tresca yield criterion has the highest prediction accuracy, with an average error of 11.57%, which has demonstrated the importance of the selection of a yield criterion. Meanwhile, it is verified that the theoretical rolling model without considering spread will induce slightly higher results than those considering spread, with an average deviation of 9.80 kN. Finally, the variation of various rolling parameters over time is analyzed, and a reasonable selection range of the ratio of entrance speed to roller speed is obtained, which is around (0.51, 0.67). For the present research, it is seen that the parameter relationship in the present model is clear and the accuracy is reliable, which can be used for the design and optimization of the process parameters of the upward rolling process.
Behavioural mechanisms employed by adult black-winged Stilts to mitigate heat stress in the hot environment of the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlRashidi Monif , Shobrak Mohammed
Published: February 2025

The Black-winged Stilt ( Himantopus himantopus) is a widely distributed ground-nesting wader species found across most continents, except for the northern Nearctic and far eastern Palearctic. This species breeds in a variety of wetland habitats, from coastal marshes to inland lagoons. However, in regions with extreme climates, particularly during the breeding season, Black-winged Stilts may encounter some environmental challenges. This study focuses on the behavioural mechanisms employed by adult Black-winged Stilts to mitigate excessive heat stress on eggs at the Sabkhat Al-Fasl Lagoons, located on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The harsh climate of the study site, characterized by high ground temperatures, significant day-night temperature fluctuations, and intense sunlight during the summer months, presents challenges that may influence the incubation behaviours of the incubating adults. The results showed that nest attendance remained consistently high, averaging 95.18 ± 1.86% throughout the day. Black-winged Stilts maintained egg temperatures within a range of 31°C to 40°C. During the hottest parts of the day, incubating parents exhibited continuous nest attendance, rarely leaving the nest for even a minute. Moreover, the orientation of the incubating adults was influenced by the position of the sun. Specifically, parents tended to avoid facing the sun while incubating, likely to minimize the eggs’ exposure to direct sunlight and reduce the risk of overheating. By documenting these adaptive responses, the study enhances our understanding of how this species copes with extreme heat. Given the rising temperatures linked to global climate change, further behavioural data from other populations of this species—both within the Arabian Peninsula and across its broader distribution—would be crucial for understanding the species’ phenotypic plasticity and its ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.