bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement Invariance and Cohort Trends for Social and Emotional Learning Measures Across Four Statewide Administrations: Conventional Fit Statistics Versus the RMSEAD
Authors: Abulela Mohammed A. A. , Nickodem Kyle , Rodriguez Michael C.
Published: November 2024

We assessed measurement invariance (MI) and cohort trends for five social and emotional learning (SEL) measures across four administrations (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022) of a statewide student survey including grades 5, 8, 9, and 11 ( n = 626,082). The MI models were compared using conventional fit statistics and the root mean square error of approximation based on the chi-square difference test (RMSEAD) for nested model comparisons with ordinal items. We found that MI held for all measures across years for each grade using both criteria. We then computed standardized mean differences to identify SEL trends for the 2013 and 2016 cohorts for each measure. Overall, there were declines in SEL skills across administrations for both cohorts. Specifically, commitment to learning, family/community support, and teacher/school support SEL measures had notable declines (i.e., large effect size) from 2019–2022 (i.e., before and after the COVID-19 pandemic) for the 2016 cohort. Education implications and directions for future research for evaluating MI and measuring SEL skills and supports were also discussed.
Death Causes Among Iranian Children With Leukodystrophies
Authors: Shiva Mahsa , Hosseinpour Sareh , Ashrafi Mahmoud Reza , Heidari Morteza , Rezaei Zahra , Zebardast Jayran , Mohammadpour Masoud , Bonkowsky Joshua L. , Tavasoli Ali Reza
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Leukodystrophies are a heterogeneous group of inherited neurologic disorders. These disorders are indeed progressive and debilitating conditions with limited treatment options and high mortality rates. There is a deficiency in available data concerning both the mortality rates and the most common causes of death in leukodystrophies. Methods: We investigated the mortality rates, mean age at death, and the most common causes of death in a retrospective cohort of 165 Iranian pediatric patients who were diagnosed with leukodystrophies. Results: Death was recorded in 64 of 165 patients (38.8%) with a mean follow-up of 4.7 ± 3.25 years. The mean age of living patients was 7.9 ± 4.8 years and the mean age at death was 5.2 ± 3.9 years. Mortality rate of the entire cohort was 18.1% (30/165), 24.2% (40/165), and 35.7% (59/165) at 3, 5, and 10 years’ follow-up, respectively. The mean age at death was 2.13 ± 0.68 years, 2.67 ± 1.14 years, and 4.33 ± 2.73 years, at 3-, 5-, and 10-year follow-up from first symptom onset, correspondingly. However, there was a significant difference in the mean age at death in years in hypomyelinating leukodystrophies compared with other leukodystrophies (2.19 ± 0.19 standard error [SE], confidence interval [CI] 1.81-2.56; and 6.65 ± 0.62 SE (CI 5.42-7.87); log rank P = .0001, analysis of variance P = .0001). The most common causes of death were cardiopulmonary problems (47%), seizures (11%), sepsis (9%), and miscellaneous (33%). Conclusions: We proposed that a significant majority of childhood leukodystrophy deaths occur within the first 5 years of life, with a notable concentration during the initial 3 years. Further, the results of this study suggest the potential for targeted strategies to address the specific causes of death in children with leukodystrophies.
Effects of Educational and Socio-economic Factors on Child Marriages in India: A Statistical Analysis
Authors: Shukla Shreyanshi , Upadhyay Ashwini Kumar , Tiwari Seema
Published: November 2024

Child marriage poses a significant threat to a child’s freedom, right to education, health and overall development potential. This study examines the influence of educational factors and socio-economic development on the prevalence of child marriage in India. Using reliable data sources, a Pearson product–moment correlation analysis and a two-tailed significance P test were conducted to reveal relationships between child marriage, education and socio-economic factors. Additionally, artificial neural network structures were employed to develop a regression model that further validates these associations. This study demonstrates that regions with strong educational systems, high enrolment rates (especially for girls) and increased educational spending significantly reduce child marriage prevalence. In contrast, high student-to-teacher ratios and dropout rates exacerbate the issue. The analysis reveals a strong negative correlation between child marriage prevalence and socio-economic factors such as urbanisation, life expectancy, per capita income and the Human Development Index. Conversely, factors such as Hindu population percentage and infant mortality rates show a significant positive association. These findings underscore the necessity of investing in education and promoting socio-economic development to combat the deeply harmful practice of child marriage. Targeted interventions in these areas have the potential to protect children’s rights and create a brighter future for generations to come.
The “Doing” of Compassionate Care in the Context of Childbirth from a Women’s Perspective
Authors: Vedeler Carina , Nilsen Anne Britt Vika , Downe Soo , Eri Tine S.
Published: November 2024

Women who are giving birth need to be met with compassion and understanding from healthcare professionals. However, there are growing concerns about the perceived lack of compassion in the delivery of healthcare services in general and maternity care in particular. We conducted 15 qualitative interviews with women who had given birth in Norway within the previous year, asking them to describe their experiences of compassionate care. We aimed to explore what healthcare professionals “do” that is experienced as compassionate. The analysis was informed by Paul Gilbert’s theory of compassion and a concept analysis of compassionate midwifery undertaken by Ménage and colleagues. The compassionate caring actions of healthcare professionals that were identified in the women’s narratives generated five themes: attuning actions, validating actions, contextualizing actions, empowering actions, and small acts of kindness. The findings build on the prior theoretical concepts used for the study and provide a nuanced account of how women perceive compassionate care from healthcare professionals. They could contribute to understanding more of the meaning and nature of compassionate care during childbirth. The analysis indicates the importance of ensuring that compassionate care is at the very core of maternity care services.
Concurrent Hospice in a Veteran’s Affairs Dialysis Unit: A Single Center Experience and Lessons Learned over 4 Years
Authors: Magliulo Eric , Tendulkar Ketki , Samson Kaeli , Khan Saber , Birch Nathan
Published: November 2024

End stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients until recently have been effectively excluded from receiving hospice benefits unless they withdraw from renal replacement therapy. Policy change has allowed select populations to receive concurrent hospice and hemodialysis. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all deaths occurring from 2019 to 2022 among outpatient hemodialysis patients at our VA medical center. We compared clinical data and resource utilization between patients that were enrolled in concurrent hospice vs patients that were not enrolled in hospice. Our data suggests that among the hemodialysis population, enrollment in concurrent hospice services was not associated with increased healthcare resource utilization. This information may help increase enrollment in hospice among dialysis patients and promote optimal end of life care.
Incidence of Complications With Precontoured Allograft Wedges in Foot and Ankle Surgery
Authors: Boden Allison L. , El Masry Seif , DiGiovanni Grace M. , Demetracopoulos Constantine A. , Cody Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2024

Background:

Precontoured cancellous allograft wedges have gained popularity in foot and ankle procedures in recent years because of their ease of use and ability to decrease operative time. A high rate of resorption of such wedges was noted anecdotally by the senior authors, particularly in 2022. The purpose of this study was to identify the resorption and complication rates of precontoured allograft wedges over time.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of patients who had a precontoured allograft wedge from a single source implanted during foot and ankle surgery between 2017 and 2022 at a single institution. Patient demographics, indication for graft use, and fixation method were obtained from chart review, and differences between patients with and without nonunion were analyzed. Radiographic review was completed to identify patients with graft resorption and/or nonunion.

Results:

Of the 334 wedges implanted, 24 grafts (7.2%) resorbed and an additional 10 wedges (2.9%) developed a nonunion without resorption. Resorption was noted as early as 5.7 weeks postoperatively and as late as 36.6 weeks postoperatively. Older patient age, body mass index (BMI) >30, and the Lapidus graft type were significantly associated with greater risk of resorption or nonunion.

Conclusion:

We observed an overall radiographic complication rate of 10% with the use of precontoured cancellous wedges. Older age, BMI >30, and Lapidus wedge type were associated with increased risk of radiographic complication. Patients should be counseled on the risk of resorption and nonunion, and caution should be exercised when contemplating the use of precontoured allograft cancellous wedges in foot and ankle surgery.
From Interior Aesthetics to Perceived Indoor Air Quality: A Home Halo Effect
Authors: Durand François , Besson Théo , Bonnefoy Barbara , Meyer Thierry
Published: November 2024

Many odorless and invisible pollutants contribute to poor indoor air quality at home. Previous research has shown that subjective ratings of indoor air quality are biased by a home halo effect. This effect is characterized by the tendency to subjectively assess air quality based on pleasant aspects that are unrelated to its objective quality. We hypothesize that the pleasing aesthetics of a living room image will increase the perceived indoor air quality in the room and influence the intention to improve air quality. In three studies, participants ( n = 1,016) were exposed to an image of a low- or high-aesthetic living room. Perceived self-reported knowledge (SRK) of indoor air quality was surveyed. Results showed that indoor air quality was rated as better in a highly aesthetic living room. Participants with low perceived SRK were less likely to ventilate the low aesthetic living room. Practical implications for communications on indoor air risk and interior design are discussed, especially the integration of knowledge surrounding the aesthetic halo effect into the education and design processes of interior designers to heighten awareness among occupants and prioritize materials minimizing indoor air pollution. For occupants, a necessity for enhanced comprehension of indoor air quality and the adoption of proactive measures is examined through public health policies that address broader concerns surrounding indoor air quality and endorse initiatives for disseminating information related to indoor concerns.
Growth in Pennsylvania Hospital Administrators 1991-2020
Authors: Unruh Lynn , Joshi Aishwarya
Published: November 2024

This study describes trends in the number of administrators in Pennsylvania hospitals from 1991 to 2020, and in the proportion of administrators to other hospital staff. Data are from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the American Hospital Association. We find that between 1991 and 2020, the average number of administrators increased by 102% (60% when adjusted for patient volume). RNs, all nurses, and total hospital staff did not increase to the same extent, so the proportion of administrators to these staff increased by 24%, 33%, and 70% respectively. Common policies for reducing administrative costs may or may not apply to reducing administrator growth. Other policies should be explored as we discover specifics about this growth. Future studies should include data from other states and lower-level administrative staff. Studies should also examine the relationship between the number and proportion of administrators and nurse staffing, costs and quality of care.
Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease in adolescence with hearing and vision loss involvement: A multidisciplinary approach
Authors: da Silva Marina Gaglianone Teodoro , Cunha de Souza Eduardo , Jacobsen Inara Figueiredo , Assis Maria Nathália Vilela , Rodrigues Antônio Carlos Pondé , Rodrigues Murilo Wendeborn
Published: November 2024

Purpose. To report a rare case of Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes (RDD) disease in a teenage girl exhibiting mild fever, night chills, vertigo, and progressive bilateral vision and hearing loss. Method. Case report of a 15-year-old girl who underwent extensive ophthalmic multimodal imaging and a comprehensive workup evaluation. Results. Multiple choroid lesion masses in both eyes associated with systemic multifocal lymphadenopathy, involvement of the paranasal sinuses, and unusual intracranial manifestations well-shown by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and whole-body PET-scan. The PET-Scan and MRI imaging showed dural-based intracranial lesions, choroid-plexus signaling, and meningeal spread, as well as a focus on the paranasal sinuses, which helped determine the best biopsy location for a definitive diagnosis through immunohistochemistry. Conclusions. Here we describe a rare condition of RDD disease with bilateral visual and hearing loss associated with bilateral multiple choroid masses and neurological symptoms in an adolescent female patient. A definitive diagnosis relied on histological assessment, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary evaluation. RDD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of choroidal metastasis, tuberculosis, and other lymphoproliferative diseases.
Virtual discharge counseling: An assessment of scalability of a novel patient educational process across a multi-site urban emergency department
Authors: Leybov Victoria , Ross Joshua , Grabinski Zoe , Smith Silas W , Wang Yelan , Wittman Ian G , Caspers Christopher G , Tse Audrey Bree , Conroy Nancy
Published: November 2024

Background

Inadequate counseling at patient discharge from the emergency department can lead to adverse patient outcomes. Virtual discharge counseling can address gaps in discharge counseling and improve patients’ understanding of instructions.

Methods

A previously established virtual discharge counseling program was scaled across three emergency departments and expanded to 13 diagnoses. Utilizing a standardized protocol and script, counselors performed virtual discharge counseling via a remote, secure teleconference platform in the patients’ preferred language.

Results

Virtual discharge counseling was performed with 166 patients. COVID-19, back pain, and headache were the most frequent diagnoses. The median counseling time was 14 min. Median counseling time for English was 11 min, versus 20 min for other languages ( p < 0.001). Counseling times were the longest for COVID-19 and diabetes (18 min for each).

Conclusion

We demonstrate the scalability of a virtual discharge counseling program. Our findings can assist in targeting virtual discharge counseling resources for limited English-proficiency patients and specific diagnoses that require longer counseling times.
Implementation of a nationwide program for total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation in chronic pancreatitis: A Scandinavian single-center observational study
Authors: Waage Anne , Khan Ammar , Labori Knut Jørgen , Birkeland Kåre Inge , Scholz Hanne , Jensen Trond Geir , Tholfsen Tore , Line Pål-Dag , Hagness Morten
Published: November 2024

Background:

Tailoring surgical treatment is mandatory to optimize outcomes in chronic pancreatitis. Total pancreatectomy (TP) offers pain relief in a subset of patients. TP with islet autotransplantation (IAT) has the potential to reduce the burden of postsurgical diabetes. We present the first Scandinavian prospective study assessing outcomes following total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) in chronic pancreatitis. Our aim was to assess short- and long-term outcomes following implementation of a nationwide program of TPIAT at a tertiary reference center for pancreatic surgery in Norway.

Methods:

A prospective, observational single-center study enrolling consecutive patients undergoing TPIAT for chronic pancreatitis at Oslo University Hospital. The selection of potential candidates for TPIAT was based on discussions at multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, focusing on tailored surgery in chronic pancreatitis. Patients were finally evaluated in a dedicated TPIAT team. The outcome measures included pain relief, quality of life (QoL) assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30, complications, and glycemic control.

Results:

Between August 2017 and November 2022, 15 patients underwent TPIAT. The follow-up rate was 87% with a median follow-up of 26 months (range = 14–65). Pain relief was achieved in 92%. EORTC QLQ-C30 analysis revealed clinically significant improvements in 28 of 30 domains, particularly in pain and role- and social-functioning. The Clavien-Dindo ≥IIIa complications occurred in one patient. There was no 90 days mortality. All patients maintained C-peptide positivity, although none of the patients reached insulin independence.

Conclusion:

TPIAT was as a safe and effective treatment for a selected group of patients with chronic pancreatitis, providing substantial pain relief and enhanced QoL. Islet autotransplantation prevented complete insulin deficiency, reducing diabetes severity postpancreatectomy. Dedicated chronic pancreatitis MDT meetings were key factor in the success of the program.
A reliable technique for nonlinear evolution equations with applications in mathematical physics
Authors: Abdelrahman Mahmoud AE , Almatrafi Mohammed B
Published: November 2024

This study presents a reliable and precise solver for solving several kinds of nonlinear evolution equations. The subequation approach is the basic ingredient of this solver. In this regard, a solver is created to precisely resolve and depict the nonlinear evolution equations’ whole wave structures. This analysis offers the whole information obtained in the representation of solutions to these equations. The robust solver offers hyperbolic, trigonometric, and rational forms of solutions. A set of test problems drawn from the literature are provided in order to validate the accuracy of the proposed solver. The solutions that were discovered could be useful for a vital recent applied science observations. The method that was demonstrated is a tool that mathematics, engineers, and physicists can use as a box solver. Theoretical analysis and reported solutions show that the suggested solver is suitable and efficacious.
Does professional identity mediate the relationship between emotional labour and work engagement? A study with Portuguese police officers
Authors: Carvalho Carla Maria Santos , Pinto Ana Luísa Sousa , Oliveira Soraia Alexandra de Sousa , Graça Andreia Carolina Gil , Coelho de Moura Rui Filipe Resende Melo
Published: November 2024

Police officers work under demanding emotional, psychological and physical circumstances while interacting with victims, criminals and colleagues. They are faced daily with emotional demands to express positive emotions and, at the same time, are required to suppress negative emotions. Consequently, this influences the emotional regulation strategies (i.e., deep- or surface-acting) they choose to use, which impacts their professional identity and work engagement. We conducted a study to understand whether professional identity mediates the relationship between emotional labour (demands and strategies) and work engagement in a sample of Portuguese police officers. For this purpose, we used a set of four self-administered questionnaires: Emotional Work Requirements Scale (EWRS), Emotional Labour Scale (ELS), Social Identity Scale (SIS) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). 924 police officers from the Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP) participated voluntarily. Our results show that there is a mediating effect of professional identity on the relationship between surface-acting strategies, positive emotion expression and negative emotion suppression demands, and work engagement. Professional identity fully mediates the relationship between negative emotion suppression demands and work engagement. Nevertheless, there seems to be no mediating effect of professional identity on the relationship between deep-acting strategies and emotional variety and intensity demands, and work engagement. To the best of our knowledge, no other study has analysed the aforementioned variables in Portuguese police forces. Meaning that our study is ground-breaking, with clear implications. Further research is needed on this subject to understand better the relationship among these variables in the police population.
The coupling effects of split diesel injection multi-variables on combustion and emission characteristics of an ammonia/diesel dual-fuel engine
Authors: Zhang Fan , Yang Can , Wang Zhongxuan , Cheng Xiaobei
Published: November 2024

Pre-injection is an effective means of improving combustion and thermal efficiency while reducing uNH3 and N2O emissions in ammonia/diesel dual-fuel engines. However, the coupling effects of the multiple controlling variables such as PIR (pre-injection ratio), PIT (pre-injection timing), MIT (main injection timing), and diesel injection pressure on combustion and emissions remain to be investigated. To this end, experiments are conducted at 1200 r/min, IMEP 12 bar, and AEF (ammonia energy fraction) 50%, and the ammonia is injected into the intake manifold at -360 °CA ATDC. Results show that there are two ignition modes, called pre-injection-controlled ignition and main-injection-controlled ignition, depending on PIR and PIT. As PIR increases, ITE (indicated thermal efficiency) first increases and then decreases, and for different PIRs, delayed PIT is always good for ITE. When PIR is 60% and PIT is −50 °CA ATDC, ITE peaks at 50.7%. In terms of emissions, the pre-injected diesel mixes with the ammonia/air charge, increasing the chemical reactivity of the premixed gas and resulting in a significant reduction in uNH3 and N2O emissions. However, due to the wall-wetting and dilution effect, the pre-injected diesel is difficult to burn completely, resulting in increased THC and CO emissions. The variation rule of ITE is identical to that of N2O and uNH3 emissions, but opposite to that of NOx emissions.
Researching everyday geographies of caregiving youth: Versatile Everyday Emotion Mapping (VEEMethod)
Authors: Edmonds Leiha , Olson Elizabeth Ann
Published: November 2024

Caregiving happens in time and place, but geographers’ methodologies to explore where care happens receive scant attention in the literature on caregiving. In this article, we explain our development of a methodological approach to recording and analyzing the dynamics of everyday family caregiving by children and adolescents and how caregiving produces places and spaces that are invested with experiences and emotions. The methodology, which we call Versatile Everyday Emotion Mapping (VEEMethod), draws on the philosophy of care ethics, theoretical frameworks from critical youth and feminist geography and feminist GIS, and participatory practices tailored to working with youth. Referring to data produced by young participants in a multiyear, single-sited study of the everyday experiences of caregiving youth in the United States, we review how VEEMethod offers a robust geographic method and critically consider the challenges of comparing and analyzing incongruous mapping outputs.
Globally positioned digital heritage objects: how geo-spatial technologies territorialise the multiplicity, mobility and mutability of digital heritage
Authors: Mackinnon Sterling
Published: November 2024

This article examines the use of geolocative technologies, methods and data in the production of digital heritage objects. Digital mediations of heritage have become pervasive, yet despite their increased circulation, they largely remain critically under theorised. The production of digital heritage objects is defined by the use of GPS instruments and the iterative processing of geospatial data. Despites this, however, they are rarely used in ways that could be described as cartographic. As such, this article explores the consequences of having so much of what is increasingly circulated, and consumed as heritage being now produced through the same tools and methods associated with maps, GIS or navigation. This article will use empirical data produced through an ethnography of The Cherish Project. Cherish is a multi-national research initiative centred around the objective of delivering a comprehensive baseline of 3D data for heritage sites currently threatened by climate change on both coasts of the Irish Sea. Building upon crucial literatures from the critical GIS and digital sectors of geographical scholarship, this article makes key contributions to how the theoretical orientations of the discipline might evolve towards new understandings of data and digital cultural objects. In both reorienting geographical literatures around theorists like Bruno Latour, Manual DeLanda and Yuk Hui – and contextualising such readings in the empirical work this paper volunteers – something unique and useful materialises. Namely, geospatial technologies, methods and geospatial data are revealed as agents of territorialisation and coding, the likes of which reconcile the situated, performative and thoroughly contingent nature of cartographic science with the derivation of discreet digital heritage objects.
Advancing condition-based maintenance of naval propulsion systems with ensemble learning techniques
Authors: Sahraoui Mohammed Amine , Rahmoune Chemseddine , Damou Ali , Gougam Fawzi , Afia Adel
Published: November 2024

In the field of industrial engineering, especially in the operation of Gas Turbine (GT) propulsion systems used in frigates, ensuring reliable and efficient performance is crucial. These propulsion systems enable ships to navigate quickly, respond swiftly to threats, and successfully carry out important missions. However, the harsh conditions at sea, such as saltwater corrosion and temperature extremes, cause significant wear and tear on these systems, which can threaten both their performance and the safety of the crew. This makes accurate fault detection in GT compressors and turbines essential. This research introduces a novel approach that combines machine learning (ML) with advanced ensemble learning techniques specifically tailored for diagnosing faults in GT propulsion systems. The key innovation lies in developing a hybrid framework that leverages both the strength of traditional ML classifiers and the robustness of ensemble methods, improving the accuracy of fault diagnosis while reducing the risks of overfitting. Unlike conventional methods that focus on one type of algorithm, our method integrates diverse models to achieve better generalization and stability under varying operational conditions. Through this analysis, we assess the performance and stability of different strategies, focusing on how well this hybrid ensemble approach works compared to standard ML approaches across a variety of classifiers. The research offers valuable insights and provides a solid framework for understanding the flexibility and effectiveness of this novel technique. By connecting theory with real-world applications, this study aims to significantly improve fault detection in vital naval propulsion systems, ultimately contributing to better performance and reliability in maritime defense operations.
Effectiveness and safety of first-line pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with advanced/recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China: a real-world multicenter study
Authors: Lin Yu , Shen Wenbin , Ye Jinjun , Luo Honglei , Zhang Xizhi , Xu Yuanji , Lin Qin , Liu Wenyang , Zhang Yingying , Xu Yujin , Jiang Wei , Zhao Lina , Liu Anwen , Wu Lei , Ge Hong , Xie Conghua , Zhao Kuaile , Chen Junqiang , Wang Luhua , Liu Qi
Published: November 2024

Background:

There are currently limited real-world data on the effectiveness and safety of first-line pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced/recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in China. This study was conducted to address this knowledge gap.

Methods:

This multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted at 17 hospitals in China and included adults (⩾18 years) with stage IV primary ESCC, or recurring 6 months after radical radiotherapy/surgery-based combination therapy, who had received first-line pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy. Data were collected from electronic medical records. Endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify patient characteristics and treatment patterns associated with treatment response.

Results:

In total, 202 patients who had received treatment from 2018 to 2023 were included: 125 (61.9%) newly diagnosed and 77 (38.1%) with recurrence, 181 (89.1%) were male. Pembrolizumab was most commonly combined with paclitaxel + platinum (69.8%) or fluorouracil + platinum (19.3%). After a median follow-up of 22.6 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 20.1–25.4), the ORR and DCR were 60.9% and 87.6% and the median PFS and OS were 10.8 months (95% CI 9.1–13.5) and 17.3 months (95% CI 14.9–19.9), respectively. OS was similar in patients with treatment-naïve and recurrent disease. Among the combination chemotherapy regimens, paclitaxel + platinum was associated with the longest median OS (18.2 months, 95% CI 16.1–22.5). Favorable survival outcomes were observed in patients with oligometastases. No new safety signals were observed.

Conclusion:

These real-world data indicate that the first-line treatment with pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy is effective and safe in Chinese patients with advanced ESCC and show that paclitaxel + platinum is the most commonly used and most effective partner chemotherapy in China.
Study on the Mechanism of Compound Zeqi Granule in Treating Psoriasis vulgaris Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Authors: Wu Min , Dong Tongtong , Zhang Ting , Wang Jiuxiang , Liu Taofeng , Wang Changzhong
Published: November 2024

Background

This study used a holistic network pharmacological approach to clarify the mechanism of Compound Zeqi Granule (CZG) in treating psoriasis vulgaris (PV).

Methods

The potential bioactive compounds and corresponding targets of CZG were collected and searched via the TCMSP database. Disease targets of PV were obtained from the GeneCards database. The targets of CZG and PV were standardized by the UniProt database. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database. Then, molecular docking verification was conducted using the CB-Dock database. Animal experiments were conducted to validate the effects of CZG on PV.

Results

This approach identified 99 bioactive compounds, 579 potential drug targets, 822 PV-related targets, and 108 potential target proteins. The biological processes were primarily related to regulation of defense response, regulation of inflammatory responses, and cellular response to lipid. The targets of CZG for treating PV were significantly associated with 20 pathways including JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Animal experiments confirmed that CZG exerted its therapeutic effects on PV by promoting the expression of IL-10 and JUN, and inhibiting the activation of STAT1 and STAT3.

Conclusion

The present study provides evidence supporting the efficacy of CZG for the treatment of PV through a multi-compound, multi-target and multi-pathway approach and lays a theoretical foundation for further experimental research in this field.
Legal geographies of capitalism beyond states and markets
Authors: Barkan Joshua
Published: November 2024

How do we understand the role of law and lawmaking in the geographical political economy of capitalism? Ilias Alami's article examines foreign investment screening mechanisms to gauge contemporary shifts, inquiring if these legal changes amount to a reworking of globalization or a post-neoliberal assertion of state power over the market. If lawmaking has always been necessary for capitalist economies, Alami's attention to the laws governing investment suggests other narratives of the present. Rather than a story about neoliberalism and its aftermath, we might think about a longer history of law as a tool shaping the geographies of investment.
The Benefit-Cost Balance of Chinese Adults’ Social Interaction Behaviors on Social Media: Social Capital, Privacy Concerns and Attachment Anxiety
Authors: Hu Hongchao , Shi Lin , Xie Xinzhou
Published: November 2024

Social media, whose core element is interactivity, has become an important tool for people to establish and maintain relationships. According to social exchange theory (SET), weighing costs and benefits in the context of online interpersonal interactions can also guide people to decide whether to make a connection with others. While there have been studies of social interaction, few have looked at specific behaviors, including sharing and responding, within the same framework. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the benefit-cost balance of social interaction behaviors on social media that involve self-disclosures and proactive interactions such as commenting, forwarding, and liking. Via an online survey of Chinese adults ( n = 2,767) and structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques, we found that social media users were at once motivated by bridging social capital and restrained by privacy concerns when making decisions regarding self-disclosure. However, users were not swayed by privacy concerns when engaging in proactive interactions; instead, they were encouraged by both bonding and bridging social capital. Moreover, the benefit-cost model was extended by investigating the moderating effect of attachment anxiety and found that the more anxious individuals were about attachment, the weaker the effects of bridging social capital and the stronger the effects of privacy concerns on their social interaction behaviors, which complemented the existing literature at the level of individual differences.
ESG Scores and Its Impact on Firm Performance: Study from Nifty100 Firms
Authors: Deb Rajat , Behra Anita , Dusmanta Karkaria
Published: November 2024

The study examines how environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores impact the operational, financial and market performance of firms indexed in the Nifty 100 index for short and long observation periods. Return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobin’s Q are employed as proxies to evaluate the firms’ performance. The longitudinal research design draws upon secondary data from Bloomberg for ESG scores and Prowess for Interactive Querying for performance indicators. It employs panel regression analysis, and the results indicate a significant difference in the short and long observation periods. ESG adversely affects firms’ operational and financial performance over an extended observation period and has insignificant effects over a short observation period. Conversely, it reports a statistically significant positive impact on market performance in short and long observation periods. It concludes by recognizing its limitations, discussing policy implications and sketching a roadmap for future research.

JEL Classification: Q51, Q56
One Health and Oral Health: A Scoping Review to Inform Research and Present Challenges
Authors: Huang S. , Li J.W. , Zheng L.W. , Qiao W.W. , McGrath C.
Published: November 2024

Background:

“One health” is an integrated, unifying approach that recognizes the interconnectedness between the health of people, animals, and the environment. Oral diseases are the most common diseases to affect humankind, and it is increasingly acknowledged that key determinants of oral heath are social and environmental. However, there is a dearth of information on the relationship between oral health and one health.

Aims:

A scoping review was conducted to examine how animal and environmental health affects human oral health and vice versa, to examine the interest in the field overtime, and to provide a synthesis of the literature concerning one health in the oral health context to date.

Methods:

A broad standardized search strategy was employed across 5 electronic databases. Screening of publications with defined inclusion and exclusion criteria followed PRISMA-ScR (the Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines.

Results:

The initial search yielded 345 articles; 163 remained after removal of duplicates. Nineteen articles were identified as “potentially effective studies,” and after consideration of the full text, 13 articles were identified as “effective studies” to inform this review. Most studies were published since 2020 (60.5%, 8/13), and there were reports from 5 of the 6 World Health Organization regions (except the Eastern Mediterranean region). Most studies were observation in nature and mostly of cross-sectional study design (84.7%, 11/13 studies). More than half of the studies (53.8%, 7/13) were concerned with how environmental factors such as chemical exposures affect human oral health. Studies involving animals (46.2%, 6/13) highlighted the risk of zoonotic infections from horses and livestock to humans.

Conclusions:

There is a recent and growing interest in “one health” in the oral health context. Qualitative synthesis of data highlighted the interconnectedness between the health of animals and environment with human health with implications for consideration and action by dentistry.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The results of this scoping review address the importance of dentistry in the “one health” concept. This scoping review will allow other researchers to be aware of and fill literature gaps with respect to the impact of animal health and environment on oral health and contribute to future research.
Assessment of carbon emission reduction potential in new-type urbanization policy: A perspective on carbon rebound effect
Authors: Wang Qiaoru , He Zhenghao , Liu Tingyu
Published: November 2024

In this research, we utilize a refined model for carbon emissions, known as the Stochastic Frontier Approach (SFA), to measure the extent of the carbon rebound effect across a sample of 231 urban areas in China, spanning the years 2011 through 2019. Additionally, the study explores the impact that policies associated with the advancement of new urbanization have had on the aforementioned carbon rebound phenomenon. The findings of this thesis indicate that this policy can reduce carbon emission volumes effectively; however, there is also a significant carbon rebound effect, making the reduction less efficient than expected. After several robustness tests, the main conclusions remain consistent and reliable. Our investigation into the underlying mechanisms reveals that policies aimed at fostering new urbanization may attenuate the carbon rebound effect by enhancing the efficiency and composition of industrial sectors. However, technological advancements and the degree of energy efficiency remain pivotal in potentially escalating the carbon rebound effect. The analysis of variations across different scenarios demonstrates that the policy’s impact on the carbon rebound effect is subject to variation depending on several factors, including geographical contexts like provincial boundaries, the administrative hierarchy of cities, transportation infrastructure, and the constraints imposed by resource availability. As a multi-target policy, although this policy has a carbon rebound effect, it also has a significant social welfare effect, which coincides with the development goal of China. Ultimately, some suggestions are offered to enhance the role of this policy in promoting carbon emission reduction and to foster a virtuous interaction between this policy and economic growth.
Research-to-Resource: Exploring Sound-to-Symbol Instruction in Beginning Band: Practical Applications of the 5E Model
Authors: Alsop Michael A. , Dunn Tarrylton , Howell Dane
Published: November 2024

This research-to-resource article proposes and supports the application of sound-to-symbol approaches within the 5E instructional model to teach musical concepts experientially in beginning band settings. Drawing upon insights from music education scholars and pedagogues advocating for a shift toward sound-first approaches, the article explores how the 5E model can foster active learning and engagement in beginning band instruction. Historical and contemporary perspectives on sound-to-symbol instruction are examined, highlighting its alignment with natural language learning processes and its potential to enhance music literacy skills. Each stage of the 5E model—engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate—is described in detail, with examples provided for teaching musical concepts such as dynamics, intonation, and compound meter. The article concludes by outlining implications for improving method book selection and usage, thereby promoting more meaningful learning experiences and tapping into the benefits of constructivism in beginning band.
Nanobody-based Naturally Selected CD7-Targeted CAR-T Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Lu Peihua , Zhang Xian , Yang Junfang , Li Jingjing , Qiu Liyuan , Gong Meiwei , Wang Hui , Chen Jiaqi , Liu Hongxing , Xiong Min , Liu Ying , Wang Lin
Published: November 2024

Approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients express CD7 on their myeloblasts. We have previously demonstrated that scFv-based "naturally selected" CD7 CAR-T (NS7CAR-T) therapy shows significant efficacy with a favorable safety profile in T-cell lymphoid malignancies. Here we derived dual nanobody-based dVHH NS7CAR-T cells that have superior CD7 binding specificity, affinity to their scFv-based counterparts and improved proliferative capability. In this phase I clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of dVHH NS7CAR-T cells in patients with CD7-positive refractory/relapsed (r/r) AML. A cohort of ten patients received dVHH NS7CAR-T cells across two dosage levels of 5×105/kg and 1×106/kg. Before enrollment, patients had undergone a median of 8 (range: 3-17) prior lines of therapy. Seven patients had prior transplants. Following NS7CAR-T cell infusion, 7/10 (70%) patients achieved complete remission (CR). The median observation time was 178 days (28-776 days). Among the seven patients who achieved CR, 3 who relapsed from prior transplants underwent a second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT). One patient remained leukemia-free on day 401, and the other two died on day 241 and day 776 from non-relapse-related causes. Three CR patients without consolidative allo-HSCT relapsed within 90 days. All the nonresponders and relapsed patients had CD7 loss. The treatment was well-tolerated, with 80% experiencing mild cytokine release syndrome and none had neurotoxicity. This trial underscores the potential promising treatment of dVHH NS7CAR-T in providing clinical benefits with a manageable safety profile to CD7-positive AML patients, warranting further investigation. NCT04938115
Antileukemia efficacy of the dual BCL2/BCL-XL inhibitor AZD0466 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia preclinical models
Authors: Kannan Sankaranarayanan , Li Yizhen , Baran Natalia , Yang Xu , Ghotbaldini Sanaz , Zhang Tatarata Qi , Yoshimura Satoshi , Li Zhenhua , Hsiao YuChih , Balachander Srividya , Andersen Courtney L. , Cidado Justin , Yu Jiyang , Jain Nitin , Yang Jun J. , Konopleva Marina
Published: November 2024

The upregulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and B-cell lymphoma–extra large (BCL-XL), 2 proteins in the BCL2 family of proteins, leads to a disproportional expression of prodeath and prosurvival proteins in favor of leukemia survival, tumorigenesis, and chemoresistance. In different subsets of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the proportion of these 2 proteins varies, and their potential as therapeutic targets needs detailed characterization. Here, we investigated BCL2 and BCL-XL, the genes that encode BCL2 and BCL-XL, and their expression differences between B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and T-cell ALL (T-ALL). We also evaluated the therapeutic potential of targeting these proteins with AZD0466, a novel drug-dendrimer conjugate of the BCL2/BCL-XL inhibitor AZD4320, and with BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax (ABT-199). Gene expression and activity analyses supported by the protein expression patterns in ALL cell lines and primary samples demonstrated increased levels of BCL2 expression in B-ALL, with high sensitivity to venetoclax or AZD4320. In contrast, strong BCL-XL expression and sensitivity to dual BCL2/BCL-XL inhibition was observed specifically in T-ALL samples. This observation was confirmed by BH3 profiling, demonstrating BCL2/BCL-XL codependence in T-ALL and BCL2 dependence in B-ALL. In a mouse model of T-ALL, AZD0466 but not venetoclax reduced leukemic burden and prolonged survival without significant toxicities. Our findings therefore suggest that the novel dual BCL2/BCL-XL inhibitor AZD0466 outperforms single BCL2 inhibition by venetoclax in T-ALL. These findings facilitate the translation of dual BCL2/BCL-XL inhibitors into ALL clinical trials, either alone or in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy and immune therapies.
CHIP away at the marrow-clot connection: inflammation, clonal hematopoiesis, and thromboembolic disease
Authors: Todorovski Angela , Wang Tzu-Fei , Carrier Marc , Xu Yan
Published: November 2024

Both the incidence and prognosis of arterial atherothrombosis and venous thromboembolism are strongly correlated with increasing age. Over the past decade, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) has been identified as a novel biomarker for cardiovascular disease. Driven by somatic mutations in the hematopoietic system, the epidemiology of CHIP is highly age dependent: among individuals aged ≥70 years in the general population, estimated prevalence of CHIP exceeds 10%. Several additional risk factors for CHIP have emerged in recent years, including smoking, receipt of anticancer therapy, and germ line predispositions. CHIP carriers consistently have higher risk of incident arterial atherothrombosis, even after accounting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. However, the magnitude of this association varies across studies. In addition, individuals with established cardiovascular disease and CHIP have higher risks of recurrence and all-cause mortality than their non-CHIP counterparts. An association between CHIP carriership and incident venous thromboembolism has recently been made, although additional studies are needed to confirm this finding. No approved therapy exists to modify the cardiovascular risk among CHIP carriers. However, canakinumab showed promise in a post-hoc analyses of patients with TET2-mutated CHIP, and other anti-inflammasome agents are actively under development or evaluation. In this review, we provide an overview of CHIP as a mediator of thromboembolic diseases and discuss emerging therapeutics aimed at intervening on this thrombo-inflammatory nexus.