bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of midterm outcomes between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), diverted one-anastomosis gastric bypass (D-OAGB), and one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB)
Authors: El Masry Mohamed Abdul Moneim , Abdul Rahman Islam , Elshal Mohamed Fathy Mahmoud , Abdul Moneim Ahmed Maher
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Diverted one anastomosis gastric bypass (D-OAGB) is a new procedure that entails performing Roux-en-Y diversion during OAGB to preclude post-OAGB bile reflux. This study aimed to compare the mid-term outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and OAGB versus D-OAGB.

Methods

This is a retrospective study that encompassed the analysis of data from patients undergoing bypass surgeries from 2015 to May 2021. The patients’ data until 2 years of follow-up were compared.

Results

This study included 140 patients who underwent OAGB (n = 64), RYGB (n = 24), and D-OAGB (n = 52). In the OAGB, RYGB, and D-OAGB groups, complication rates were 3.1%, 8.3%, and 5.8%, respectively. At the 3-month and 6-month follow-ups, the OAGB and D-OAGB groups showed a statistically significant higher percentage of excess weight loss (EWL%). Otherwise, the weight measures and weight loss outcome were comparable among the three groups in the other follow-up visits (p > 0.05). There was a significantly lower number of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remission cases and a higher number of de novo GERD cases in the OAGB group.

Conclusion

D-OAGB demonstrated favorable outcomes, including lower early adverse events and superior weight loss results in the first 6 months post-surgery when compared to RYGB. The D-OAGB group also showed higher rates of GERD remission and lower de novo GERD occurrence than OAGB. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and expand our understanding of this innovative surgical approach.
Centor scores associated poorly with rapid antigen test findings in children with sore throat
Authors: Jääskeläinen Johanna , Renko Marjo , Kuitunen Ilari
Published: November 2024

The Finnish Current Care Guideline recommends rapid antigen tests as the primary diagnostic tool for both adults and children with Centor score ≥ 3. We aimed to analyze the association of Centor score and rapid antigen test positivity of group A streptococcal pharyngitis (GAS) in Finnish children. We performed a retrospective single-center study from July 2019 to June 2022. We included all children aged 0–15 years based on ICD-10 diagnostic codes for acute pharyngitis. We manually extracted the data from the electronic healthcare records. We extracted the information on Centor score signs and symptoms, rapid antigen tests, throat cultures, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Comparisons were made between different groups by calculating a difference of two proportions with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 464 children were included and rapid antigen tests were taken from 433 (93.3%). We did not detect any significant association between rapid antigen test positivity and Centor scores. Sensitivity of Centor score ≥ 3 for rapid antigen test positivity was 22.3 (95% confidence interval 17.3–27.9) and specificity 79.0% (72.4–84.8). Positive throat culture was found in 17.1% of the patients with negative rapid antigen test. Centor scores correlated positively with CRP levels, but elevated CRP did not predict positive antigen test results. Conclusion: The Centor score alone does not seem to be of any utility in guiding the diagnosis of suspected streptococcal pharyngitis. Microbiological testing remains necessary for accurate diagnosis and CRP should not be used to differentiate viral and bacterial pharyngitis cases.

What is Known:

• The Centor score is a clinical prediction model for differentiating Group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis from viral pharyngitis.

• Finnish Current Care Guideline recommends rapid antigen testing in patients with Centor score ≥ 3 for diagnosing GAS infections and antibiotics prescribed based on confirmed test results.

What is New:

• The Centor score alone does not seem to have any use in guiding the diagnosis of suspected streptococcal pharyngitis in children.

• Microbiological testing remains necessary for accurate diagnosis in patients with sore throat.
Five-year overall survival of early- and late-onset colorectal cancer in Medellín, Colombia: a comparative study
Authors: Ruiz-Grajales Álvaro Esteban , Correa-Cote Juan Camilo , Sánchez-Zapata Miguel Ángel , Orozco-Puerta Manuela María , Baena-García Juan Felipe , Castrillón-Martínez Esteban
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) (EOCRC, < 50 years) has distinct clinicopathological features from late-onset CRC (LOCRC, ≥ 50 years). However, evidence on survival outcomes is contradictory. We aimed to analyse the differences in 5-year overall survival (OS) between EOCRC and LOCRC.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted during 2018–2022. Individuals aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with CRC at two hospitals in Medellín, Colombia were included. Clinicopathological and survival data were retrieved from the medical records and a public government database. Patients were categorized into EOCRC and LOCRC groups. Five-year OS rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and prognostic factors for OS were identified through Cox regression models.

Results

Among 1022 patients, 52.5% were female, and 13.5% (n = 138) had EOCRC. Patients with EOCRC showed higher 5-year OS rates than LOCRC patients (54% vs. 32%). Univariable analyses indicated a 37% lower risk of death for EOCRC compared to LOCRC (HR: 0.633, 95%CI: 0.476–0.840, p = 0.002). After multivariable analyses, advanced staging and higher tumour grading were prognostic factors for worse OS (HR: 2.127, 95% CI:1.405–3.220, p = 0.0001; and HR: 12.896, 95%CI: 6.310-26.355, p = 0.000; respectively), and being in the EOCRC group remained as a prognostic factor for higher OS (HR: 0.482, 95% CI: 0.336–0.690, p = 0.000).

Conclusion

EOCRC is associated with significantly better 5-year OS rates and prognosis compared to LOCRC. Advanced stage and higher tumour grading are predictors of lower OS among all CRC patients. These findings highlight the importance of age-related risk stratification and personalized therapeutic approaches in CRC.
Role of dedicated port cleaning devices in laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Nagano Shinnosuke , Fujii Shota , Momose Kota , Yamashita Kotaro , Saito Takuro , Tanaka Koji , Yamamoto Kazuyoshi , Makino Tomoki , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Kurokawa Yukinori , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Doki Yuichiro , Nakajima Kiyokazu
Published: November 2024

Background

Various techniques have been used to prevent smudge on a laparoscope when inserting through trocars; however, there has been no standardized method. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of different cleaning techniques with or without using dedicated devices, and to evaluate the features of cleaning devices.

Methods

The smudge was created in the standard 12-mm and 5-mm ports using pseudo-blood, and port cleaning was attempted using 5 different methods: (1) a surgical gauze + surgical forceps, (2) a surgical gauze + laparoscopic forceps, (3) a small laparoscopic gauze + laparoscopic forceps, (4) a cylinder-type cleaner (Endo Wiper; Osaki Medical), and (5) a swab-type cleaner (Port Cleaner; Hakuzo Medical). The “port cleaning rate” was calculated by measuring the absorbance of remained pseudo-blood after single cleaning procedure using UV spectrophotometry. In addition, the port cleaning rate was compared between two dedicated devices after multiple (5 times) cleaning procedures.

Results

The two dedicated devices had a statistically higher cleaning rate for 12-mm port than the methods using surgical gauze (p < 0.05). Regarding the 5-mm port, a swab-type cleaner showed the highest cleaning rate than the gauze method and a cylinder-type cleaner (p < 0.05). After multiple cleaning procedures for 12-mm port, cleaning rate of a swab-type cleaner decreased by an average of 5.4% (p = 0.044), but cleaning rate did not decrease for a cylinder-type cleaner. Regarding the 5-mm port, cleaning rate statistically decreased for both two dedicated devices (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Higher port cleaning rates were observed in techniques using dedicated devices. A swab-type cleaner had better port cleaning rate in single use, especially for the 5-mm port. A cylinder-type cleaner showed higher durability in cleaning 12-mm port. The features of these dedicated devices should be well understood, and cleaning methods should be selected according to the environment and surgical techniques.
Inborn errors of metabolism in neonates and pediatrics on varying dialysis modalities: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Raina Manan , Doshi Kush , Myneni Archana , Tibrewal Abhishek , Gillen Matthew , Hu Jieji , Bunchman Timothy E.
Published: November 2024

Background

Some inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) resulting in aberrations to blood leucine and ammonia levels are commonly treated with kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Children with IEMs require prompt treatment, as delayed treatment results in increased neurological and developmental morbidity.

Objectives

Our systematic review in neonates and pediatrics evaluates survival rates and reductions in ammonia and leucine levels across different KRT modalities (continuous KRT (CKRT), hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD)).

Data sources

A literature search was conducted through PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for articles including survival rate and toxic metabolite clearance data in pediatric patients with IEM undergoing KRT.

Study eligibility criteria

Cross-sectional, prospective, and retrospective studies with survival rates reported in patients with IEM with an intervention of CKRT, PD, or HD were included. Studies with patients receiving unclear or multiple KRT modalities were excluded.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

Analysis variables included efficacy outcomes [% reduction in ammonia (RIA) from pre- to post-dialysis and time to 50% RIA] and mortality. The Newcastle Ottawa Risk of Bias quality assessment was used to assess bias. All statistical analyses were performed with MedCalc Statistical Software version 19.2.6.

Results

A total of 37 studies (n = 642) were included. The pooled proportion (95% CI) of mortality on CKRT was 24.84% (20.93–29.08), PD was 34.42% (26.24–43.33), and HD 34.14% (24.19–45.23). A lower trend of pooled (95% CI) time to 50% RIA was observed with CKRT [6.5 (5.1–7.8)] vs. PD [14.4 (13.3–15.5)]. A higher mortality was observed with greater plasma ammonia level before CKRT (31.94% for ≥ 1000 µmol/L vs. 15.04% for < 1000 µmol/L).

Conclusions and implications of key findings

Despite the limitations in sample size, trends emerged suggesting that CKRT may be associated with lower mortality rates compared to HD or PD, with potential benefits including prevention of rebound hyperammonemia and improved hemodynamic control. While HD showed a trend towards faster achievement of 50% RIA, all modalities demonstrated comparable efficacy in reducing ammonia and leucine levels.

Prospero registration

CRD42023418842.

Graphical abstract
Hyperkalaemic acidosis: blood pressure is the diagnostic clue
Authors: Zieg Jakub , Thomasová Dana , Libik Malgorzata , Sumnik Zdenek , Bockenhauer Detlef
Published: November 2024

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 2 (PHA2) is a rare inherited condition of altered tubular salt handling. It is characterized by the specific constellation of hyperkalaemic hyporeninemic hypertension, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and hypercalciuria. Molecular genetic testing confirms the diagnosis in the majority of cases. Thiazides constitute effective treatment. Due to its rarity, the diagnosis is often delayed. We here present two children with PHA2, who were initially treated with fludrocortisone and bicarbonate complicated mainly by exacerbation of their hypertension. Discontinuation of their previous therapy and commencement of thiazide diuretics led to normalisation of their blood pressure and electrolyte and acid–base status.
Ascorbate: a forgotten component in the cytotoxicity of Cu(II) ATCUN peptide complexes
Authors: Heinrich Julian , Siddiqui Elisa , Eckstein Henrike , Naumann Michael , Kulak Nora
Published: November 2024

In 1983, Linus Pauling and colleagues reported about enhanced antitumor activity of the Cu(II) complex of the simplest ATCUN (amino terminal Cu(II) and Ni(II)-binding motif) peptide (NH2-Gly-Gly-His-COOH, GGH) in the presence of ascorbate as an additive. In the following 4 decades, structural modifications of this complex were implemented, however, anticancer activity could not be significantly increased. This has led to neglecting the ATCUN motif and its Cu(II) complexes as potential chemotherapeutic agents. Furthermore, the addition of ascorbate with its positive effect on the anticancer activity has fallen into oblivion. In this work, we compared Cu(II) GGH with Cu(II) ATCUN peptides bearing β-Ala instead of Gly at the 2nd position of the peptide sequence regarding their in vitro complex stability and cytotoxicity (MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and annexin V-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) apoptosis assay) towards three cancer cell lines (AGS, HeLa and NCI-N87). Such an exchange of amino acids led to an up to three-fold higher cytotoxic effect in the presence of ascorbate. We thus achieved a significant increase in the otherwise moderate cytotoxicity of Cu(II) ATCUN-like complexes. Lipophilicity assays (n-octanol/water coefficient, log P values) of the studied complexes were used to evaluate differences in the antiproliferative activity.

Graphical abstract
Stimulant medication and symptom interrelations in children, adolescents and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: van der Pal Zarah , Geurts Hilde M. , Haslbeck Jonas M. B. , van Keeken Alex , Bruijn Anne Marijn , Douw Linda , van Rooij Daan , Franke Barbara , Buitelaar Jan , Lambregts-Rommelse Nanda , Hartman Catharina , Oosterlaan Jaap , Luman Marjolein , Reneman Liesbeth , Hoekstra Pieter J. , Blanken Tessa F. , Schrantee Anouk
Published: November 2024

Stimulant medication is effective in alleviating overall symptom severity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yet interindividual variability in treatment response and tolerability still exists. While network analysis has identified differences in ADHD symptom relations, the impact of stimulant medication remains unexplored. Increased understanding of this association could provide valuable insights for optimizing treatment approaches for individuals with ADHD. In this study, we compared and characterized ADHD symptom networks (including 18 ADHD symptoms) between stimulant-treated (n = 348) and untreated (n = 70) individuals with ADHD and non-ADHD controls (NACs; n = 444). Moreover, we compared symptom networks between subgroups defined by their stimulant treatment trajectory (early-and-intense use, late-and-moderate use). Stimulant-treated individuals with ADHD showed stronger associations between symptoms, compared with untreated individuals with ADHD and NACs. We found no differences in symptom networks between the stimulant treatment trajectory subgroups. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to disentangle whether the identified differences stem from treatment or pre-existing factors.
Neurological, psychological, psychosocial complications of long-COVID and their management
Authors: Narayanan Sareesh Naduvil , Padiyath Sreeshma , Chandrababu Krishnapriya , Raj Lima , P. S. Baby Chakrapani , Ninan George Abraham , Sivadasan Ajith , Jacobs Alexander Ryan , Li Yan Wa , Bhaskar Anand
Published: November 2024

Since it first appeared, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has had a significant and lasting negative impact on the health and economies of millions of individuals all over the globe. At the level of individual health too, many patients are not recovering fully and experiencing a long-term condition now commonly termed ‘long-COVID’. Long-COVID is a collection of symptoms which must last more than 12 weeks following initial COVID infection, and which cannot be adequately explained by alternate diagnoses. The neurological and psychosocial impact of long-COVID is itself now a global health crisis and therefore preventing, diagnosing, and managing these patients is of paramount importance. This review focuses primarily on: neurological functioning deficits; mental health impacts; long-term mood problems; and associated psychosocial issues, among patients suffering from long-COVID with an eye towards the neurological basis of these symptoms. A concise account of the clinical relevance of the neurological and psychosocial impacts of long-COVID, the effects on long-term morbidity, and varied approaches in managing patients with significant chronic neurological symptoms and conditions was extracted from the literature, analysed and reported. A comprehensive account of plausible pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of long-COVID, its management, and future research needs have been discussed.
Predictors of tolerability for postoperative adjuvant S1 plus docetaxel chemotherapy for gastric cancer: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Toyota Kazuhiro , Tanabe Kazuaki , Kano Mikihiro , Komo Toshiaki , Hotta Ryuichi , Yanagawa Senichiro , Saeki Yoshihiro , Tazawa Hirofumi , Ikeda Masahiro , Shishida Masayuki , Okano Keisuke , Ide Ryuta , Imaoka Yasuhiro , Takahashi Shinya , Ohdan Hideki ,   the Hiroshima Surgical Study Group of Clinical Oncology (HiSCO), Fujikuni Nobuaki , Misumi Toshihiro , Hihara Jun , Tokumoto Noriaki , Sugiyama Yoichi , Yamamoto Yuji , Suzuki Takahisa , Sakashita Yoshihiro , Fukuda Toshikatsu
Published: November 2024

Background

Adjuvant docetaxel plus S1 (DS) chemotherapy after gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection is the standard treatment for stage III gastric cancer in Japan; however, some patients are unable to receive adequate drug administration because of the deterioration of their conditions. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between tolerability for postoperative adjuvant DS chemotherapy and prognosis, and the factors affecting tolerability.

Methods

This retrospective study involved patients with stage III gastric cancer who underwent curative resection between 2018 and 2021 from a multicenter database. Patients with a cumulative dose of docetaxel and S1 greater than 120 and 8400 mg/m2, respectively, were considered tolerable. The prognostic impact and factors predicting tolerability were analyzed.

Results

Of the 103 patients, the tolerable group comprised of 63 (61%) patients and had a significantly better 3-year recurrence-free survival than the intolerable group (83% vs. 64%, P = 0.02). Among the preoperative factors, only performance status (PS, P = 0.04) was significantly correlated with tolerability in the univariate analysis. Among the postoperative factors, PS (P = 0.001) and perioperative weight loss rate (P = 0.02) were significantly correlated with tolerability in the univariate analysis. The multivariate analysis showed significant differences in the PS (odds ratio [OR]: 4.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79–14.98, P = 0.002) and weight loss rate (OR: 1.10, 95% CI 1.01–1.21, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Tolerance to postoperative adjuvant DS chemotherapy has a significant prognostic impact. Postoperative PS and perioperative weight loss rates were independent predictors of tolerability.
Change point detection in high dimensional covariance matrix using Pillai’s statistics
Authors: Cho Seonghun , Shin Minsup , Cho Young Hyun , Lim Johan
Published: November 2024

This research proposes a method to test and estimate change points in the covariance structure of high-dimensional multivariate series data. Our method uses the trace of the beta matrix, known as Pillai’s statistics, to test the change in covariance matrix at each time point. We study the asymptotic normality of Pillai’s statistics for testing the equality of two covariance matrices when both sample size and dimension increase at the same rate. We test the existence of a single change point in a given time period using Cauchy combination test, the test using an weighted sum of Cauchy transformed p-values, and estimate the change point as the point whose statistic is the greatest. To test and estimate multiple change points, we use the idea of the wild binary segmentation and repeatedly apply the procedure for a single change point to each segmented period until no significant change point exists. We numerically provide the size and power of our method. We finally apply our procedure to finding abnormal behavior in the investment of a private equity fund.
Exploring the interaction of design variability and stochastic operational uncertainties in software-intensive systems through the lens of modeling
Authors: Cámara Javier
Published: November 2024

In software-intensive systems, navigating the complexities that emerge from the interaction of design variability and stochastic operational uncertainties presents a daunting challenge. This paper delves into the dynamics between these two dimensions of uncertainty, offering novel insights about how modeling can contribute to the analysis of their combined impact upon system properties. By elevating the abstraction level at which probabilistic models are conceptualized, our approach enables an integrated analysis framework that considers both structural and quantitative dimensions of design spaces. Through the introduction of novel language constructs, our methodology facilitates the direct referencing of structural relationships within probabilistic behavioral specifications. Furthermore, the adoption of novel quantifiers in probabilistic temporal logic enables evaluating complex properties across diverse design variants, thereby streamlining the assessment of guarantees within the solution space. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach on four case studies, showcasing its potential to offer comprehensive insights into the trade-offs and decision-making processes inherent in managing different types of structural design variability and operational uncertainties in software-intensive systems.
A case study for automated attribute extraction from legal documents using large language models
Authors: Adhikary Subinay , Sen Procheta , Roy Dwaipayan , Ghosh Kripabandhu
Published: November 2024

The escalating number of pending cases is a growing concern worldwide. Recent advancements in digitization have opened up possibilities for leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the processing of legal documents. Adopting a structured representation for legal documents, as opposed to a mere bag-of-words flat text representation, can significantly enhance processing capabilities. With the aim of achieving this objective, we put forward a set of diverse attributes for criminal case proceedings. To enhance the effectiveness of automatically extracting these attributes from legal documents within a sequence labeling framework, we propose the utilization of a few-shot learning approach based on Large Language Models (LLMs). Moreover, we demonstrate the efficacy of the extracted attributes in downstream tasks, such aslegal judgment prediction and legal statute prediction.
Exploring the Implications of Working Conditions for Corporate Sustainability in Last-Mile Delivery Platform Companies
Authors: Longoni Annachiara , Salas Sergio , Sancha Cristina , Sierra Vicenta , Wiengarten Frank
Published: November 2024

Last-mile delivery platforms have recently emerged as effective business models to match supply and demand, even though they have been criticized for potentially exploiting their workers. This paper investigates the corporate sustainability and socio-economic trade-offs of platform companies in relation to working conditions (i.e., work relationships, social subsystems, and technical subsystem). A survey of 392 paid-per-order workers from six food delivery platforms across Spain was conducted to validate our research framework. Our findings provide a nuanced understanding of the impact of working conditions on corporate sustainability in platform companies. On the one hand, there are positive implications for both social and economic sustainability in the presence of higher earnings, rights and protections, and empowerment for workers. Conversely, prolonged work relationships between workers and platform companies are negatively related to workers’ perceived stress and individual performance. Based on these insights, we advance our understanding of how platform companies can deal with conflicting objectives regarding working conditions by adopting an instrumental approach in the case of short-term workers and an integrative approach with long-term workers.
Students’ perceptions of ‘AI-giarism’: investigating changes in understandings of academic misconduct
Authors: Chan Cecilia Ka Yuk
Published: November 2024

This novel study explores AI-giarism, an emergent form of academic dishonesty involving AI and plagiarism, within the higher education context. The objective of this study is to investigate students’ perception of adopting generative AI for research and study purposes, and their understanding of traditional plagiarism and their perception of AI-plagiarism. A survey, undertaken by 393 undergraduate and postgraduate students from a variety of disciplines, investigated their perceptions of diverse AI-giarism scenarios. The findings portray a complex landscape of understanding with clear disapproval for direct AI content generation and ambivalent attitudes towards subtler uses of AI. The study introduces a novel instrument to explore conceptualisation of AI-giarism, offering a significant tool for educators and policy-makers. This scale facilitates understanding and discussions around AI-related academic misconduct, contributing to pedagogical design and assessment in an era of AI integration. Moreover, it challenges traditional definitions of academic misconduct, emphasising the need to adapt in response to evolving AI technology. The study provides pivotal insights for academics and policy-makers concerning the integration of AI technology in education.
Problems of the public good in higher education: building the common amid sovereign individualism, capital and the state
Authors: Marginson Simon
Published: November 2024

Anglophone societies in which the sovereign individual is primary vis and vis social relations, and policy focuses on economic competition and consumption in education, find it hard to grasp non-pecuniary outcomes in higher education. These include the self-formation of students as persons and collective goods like knowledge, technological capability, social inclusion, political connectedness, tolerance and global understanding. While other cultures generate insights into non-pecuniary outcomes, the paper focuses critically on meanings of ‘public’ in English: (1) public as state, (2) public good as universal well-being, (3) public as inclusive-communicative as in ‘public opinion’, (4) public and private goods in economics. None of these meanings of ‘public’ enables the resolution of the non-pecuniary outcomes of higher education. The paper tackles four central questions. First, why is there an undue emphasis on the individual and individualised pecuniary benefits, vis a vis social relations, in Euro-American and especially Anglophone societies? Second, can these societies strengthen public or common goods by augmenting the state in higher education? Third, what other practices of public and common might advance non-pecuniary outcomes? Fourth, how to advance collective outcomes beyond the nation-state? The paper finds that while Anglophone public good is constrained by the state in capitalist society, higher education’s role in the production and distribution of common good through primarily local networks, while also pressuring central states to provide support, offers a promising way forward.
Crystallization behavior and thermal properties of octa-phenyl-substituted silsesquioxane-modified polylactide (PLA)
Authors: Barczewski Mateusz , Paszkiewicz Sandra , Cañavate Javier , Aniśko Joanna , Hejna Aleksander , Piasecki Adam , Dudziec Beata
Published: November 2024

This study aims to understand the effects of adding octa-phenyl-substituted silsesquioxane (phSQ) on the crystallization process and thermal stability of polylactide (PLA). Nowadays, PLA is the most industrially used compostable polymer, but its uses are limited by its low crystallization and thermal degradation during processing. The possibility of introducing functionalized silsesquioxanes (SQs) to improve thermal stability and increase its crystallinity and ductility in a controlled way is desirable. The nanometric size of the Si-O-Si cage, coupled with the influence of the functional groups attached to its structure, enables it to function as a heterogeneous nucleating agent. In this work, a specially synthesized octa-phenyl-substituted SQ (phSQ) was added to the PLA in 0.5–5 wt%. Crystallization in non-isothermal and isothermal conditions was conducted and monitored using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); the course of the spherulite formation under identical conditions to DSC was also assessed using optical microscopy in polarized light. The results showed that phSQ increases the degree of crystallinity of PLA by introducing additional sites of heterogeneous nucleation but does not increase the spherulite growth coefficient. Additionally, the analysis of thermal properties indicates that the presence of phSQ could not have a positive impact on thermal stability. The agglomeration of the nanometric particles and changes in the main structural features of the polymeric matrix could be present in the samples, affecting the obtained results.

Graphical abstract
Learning to leverage teachers’ ideas: facilitators’ growth in moderation practices with simultaneously strong goal focus and participant focus
Authors: Pöhler-Friedrich Birte , Prediger Susanne , Schwarts Gil , Karsenty Ronnie
Published: November 2024

When novice facilitators start to lead teachers’ professional development (PD), they have been found to struggle to combine a strong participant focus (i.e., valuing and working with participating teachers’ needs and ideas) and goal focus (working toward the PD goals), whereas expert facilitators seem to be more able to integrate both focus. Empirical studies have identified these challenges across contexts and several situational demands, for example, when facilitators set goals, plan a PD activity, notice teachers’ ideas, and moderate video-based discussions. In this paper, we contribute to this line of research by investigating another situational demand in a longitudinal perspective: We studied how two novice facilitators moderated the discussion after the same PD activity several times. The qualitative comparative analysis of transcribed videos from PD sessions revealed that each facilitator used several practices with varying degrees of goal and participant focus. Over time, they learned to apply more practices that were, simultaneously, strongly goal and participant focused: By leveraging teachers’ ideas toward the PD content goals, they achieved integration of both focus, which have sometimes previously been experienced as conflicting. We discuss implications for facilitator preparation programs in terms of unpacking facilitation practices and explicitly working with the content elements for finer-grained goals.
When the past becomes future-like: A phenomenological study of memory, time, and self-familiarity
Authors: Ratcliffe Matthew
Published: November 2024

This paper sets out a phenomenological account of how the autobiographical past can, on occasion, assume certain future-like qualities. I begin by reflecting on the analogy of a bore wave, as employed in a novel by Julian Barnes. Building on this, I turn to Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre in order to address how our memories are revised in light of our current concerns and vice versa. Then, by adapting Edmund Husserl’s conception of temporal “protention,” I show how acts of remembering are integral to a process of ongoing reconciliation between our current orientation towards the future and the autobiographical past. They sustain, disrupt, and reconsolidate a non-localized, dynamic sense of who we are, in ways that are inseparable from how we experience time.
The Rise of Global Health Emergency Governance
Authors: Rabi Michael
Published: November 2024

In this paper I shed new light on contemporary developments in global health governance, policymaking, and knowledge production. Specifically, by investigating the historical roots and emergence of global health emergency governance. Drawing on the Foucauldian notion of “problematisation” and on Science and Technology Studies of disaster, I trace, examine, and elucidate three main axes through which, I argue, health emergencies became a problem of global governance. I show, first, the formation of emergency management as a distinct professional field. Second, the migration of emergency management into global health governance and its proliferation within it. And third, the move from global health emergency management to the global governance of health emergencies. Overall, I suggest the rise of global health emergency governance provides crucial context for understanding social, political, and epistemic tensions and controversies in health emergencies such as COVID-19. Through the analysis, I identify a particular rationale that is rooted in emergency management and had become embedded in global health emergency governance. A rationale that involves “temporal compression” and “structural plasticity.” I discuss possible implications of this rationale for global health governance, policy, and knowledge.
Future-Oriented Science Learning and its Effects on Students’ Emotions, Futures Literacy and Agency in the Anthropocene
Authors: Chan Jessica , Erduran Sibel
Published: November 2024

Science education bears the broader objective of nurturing students today to be scientifically-literate citizens of tomorrow who are able to foresee challenges, invent solutions and make responsible decisions for global issues. As a prelude to the new focus of agency in the Anthropocene, this paper presents an intervention on climate change with upper secondary students in a museum of natural history in England. Instructional strategies such as infusing scenarios and arts into scientific discussions were adopted to induce imagination, future-oriented thinking and emotional responses. Statistical results showed that the intervention significantly enhanced participants’ futures literacy, environmental agency and positive emotions. However, it did not increase their interests in learning science in out-of-school context. Implications of this study will shed light on futurising science and climate education in research and practice.
Education for Agonistic Democracy: Reclaiming the Political Insights of Agonism
Authors: Kråkenes Lars Ørjan
Published: November 2024

While education for democracy has been heavily influenced by the deliberative perspective on democracy, a recent turn towards an agonistic perspective on democracy places a great deal of faith in the role of political emotion and conflict. Educational scholars have mostly interpreted agonism in relation to the emotional and conflictual experiences that occur within school. Some scholars draw general pedagogical insights from this perspective, while others use it to propose conflictual approaches to classroom discussions. Overestimating, however, the extent to which experiences of agonism within school applies to politically experienced agonisms beyond the school, is problematic. Such overestimations undermine the core political insights of agonistic theory, concerning the democratic potential of radical collective movements. Agonistic theory acknowledges the psychological need among disgruntled citizens for radical alternatives enabling them to oppose and rearticulate the established power dynamics in society. The purpose of agonistic democracy is to enable rearticulations of hegemony through the institutions of representative democracy, rather than as opposed to them. Important for this paper, however, is the argument that such rearticulations depend on the rhetorical force of collective movements. Emphasizing that we cannot assume the presence of such movements in everyday school life, the paper revisits the following question: What are the didactical implications of an agonistic perspective on democracy? The democratic potential of collective movements is not easily captured through experiences within the pedagogical context alone, but proposals are made as to how this potential can be grasped in other ways.
Exploring the Potential of Spray-Dried Blackberry Powder Enriched with Zinc and Folic Acid as a Nutritional Alternative for Children and Pregnant Women
Authors: Vega-Castro Oscar , Diego Vargas-Marulanda , Santiago Castro-Tobón , Laura Vallejo-Marulanda , Valentina Vanegas-Arboleda , Daniel Henao-González , Faver Gómez-Narváez
Published: November 2024

Currently, strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being sought worldwide. Accordingly, this study seeks to contribute to achieving SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by addressing nutritional deficiencies in pregnant women and children. These vulnerable populations worldwide have malnutrition problems associated with a lack of zinc and folic acid, causing them health problems. This research aimed to develop a blackberry powder fortified with zinc and folic acid obtained by spray drying as a nutritional alternative for children and pregnant women. The blackberry was characterized according to the AOAC, an optimization of the spray drying process with a central composite experimental design. The powder’s bulk and tapped density, solubility, and anthocyanin content were determined. The variation in zinc and folic acid content over a storage period was measured. The moisture content of the fresh blackberries was 89%. The solubility and anthocyanin content of blackberry powder were 86% and 0.263 mg cyanidin-3-glucose/g, respectively. The optimal spray drying conditions were: 23.6% solid content and an air inlet temperature of 167.92 °C. The bulk density of the powder did not change with storage time (p > 0.05); the zinc and folic acid content in blackberry powder was 144 and 90 (µg/100 g), respectively. A blackberry powder fortified with zinc and folic acid was obtained by spray drying, guaranteeing 30% of the daily nutritional requirement for pregnant women and children, in a 50-gram portion of powder.
Speed and Shape of Population Fronts with Density-Dependent Diffusion
Authors: Stokes Beth M. , Rogers Tim , James Richard
Published: November 2024

There is growing empirical evidence that animal movement patterns depend on population density. We investigate travelling wave solutions in reaction-diffusion models of animal range expansion in the case that population diffusion is density-dependent. We find that the speed of the selected wave depends critically on the strength of diffusion at low density. For sufficiently large low-density diffusion, the wave propagates at a speed predicted by a simple linear analysis. For small or zero low-density diffusion, the linear analysis is not sufficient, but a variational approach yields exact or approximate expressions for the speed and shape of population fronts.
High-precision MRI of liver and hepatic lesions on gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary phase using a deep learning technique
Authors: Kiyoyama Haruka , Tanabe Masahiro , Hideura Keiko , Kawano Yosuke , Miyoshi Keisuke , Kamamura Naohiko , Higashi Mayumi , Ito Katsuyoshi
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the high-precision magnetic resonance (MR) sequence using modified Fast 3D mode wheel and Precise IQ Engine (PIQE), that was collected in a wheel shape with sequential data filling in the k-space in the phase encode-slice encode plane, is feasible for breath-hold (BH) three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted imaging of the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in comparison to the compressed sensing (CS) sequence using Advanced Intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE).

Methods

This retrospective study included 54 patients with focal hepatic lesions who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Both standard HBP images using CS with AiCE and high-precision HBP images using modified Fast 3D mode wheel and PIQE were obtained. Image quality, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. p values of < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Scores for image noise, conspicuity of liver contours and intrahepatic structures, and overall image quality in high-precision HBP imaging using modified Fast 3D mode wheel and PIQE were significantly higher than those in HBP imaging using CS and AiCE (all p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the presence of artifact and motion-related blurring. There were no significant differences between the sequences in SNR (p = 0.341) or CNR (p = 0.077). The detection rate of focal hepatic lesions was 71.4–85.3% in CS with AiCE, and 82.2–95.8% in modified Fast 3D mode wheel and PIQE.

Conclusion

A high-precision MR sequence using a modified Fast 3D mode wheel and PIQE is applicable for the HBP of BH 3D T1-weighted imaging.
Large language models for generative information extraction: a survey
Authors: Xu Derong , Chen Wei , Peng Wenjun , Zhang Chao , Xu Tong , Zhao Xiangyu , Wu Xian , Zheng Yefeng , Wang Yang , Chen Enhong
Published: November 2024

Information Extraction (IE) aims to extract structural knowledge from plain natural language texts. Recently, generative Large Language Models (LLMs) have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in text understanding and generation. As a result, numerous works have been proposed to integrate LLMs for IE tasks based on a generative paradigm. To conduct a comprehensive systematic review and exploration of LLM efforts for IE tasks, in this study, we survey the most recent advancements in this field. We first present an extensive overview by categorizing these works in terms of various IE subtasks and techniques, and then we empirically analyze the most advanced methods and discover the emerging trend of IE tasks with LLMs. Based on a thorough review conducted, we identify several insights in technique and promising research directions that deserve further exploration in future studies. We maintain a public repository and consistently update related works and resources on GitHub (LLM4IE repository).
Empowering the Vulnerable: The Impact of SEL on Traumatized Children’s Academic and Social Outcomes in Crises
Authors: Al-Hroub Anies , Al-Hroub Rawand
Published: November 2024

Purpose of Review

This article critically reviews the impact of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) on traumatized children’s academic and social outcomes, focusing on studies from the past three years across diverse contexts. It emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive, trauma-informed programs that cater to various settings, while also exploring the critical roles of parents and educators in SEL implementation. Additionally, the paper highlights challenges in deploying SEL in crisis-affected regions and offers strategies to address systemic barriers.

Recent Findings

Recent studies show that SEL interventions significantly foster emotional regulation, resilience, empathy, and social integration, vital for personal well-being and successful social adaptation. However, the effect of SEL on academic performance, particularly in literacy and numeracy, remains inconsistent. Cultural adaptation of SEL programs is critical to their success, especially in non-Western settings, with a growing focus on trauma-informed approaches to address the needs of children affected by crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these benefits, challenges such as resource limitations, lack of policy support, and the need for educator training continue to impede effective SEL implementation.

SEL offers a vital framework for supporting traumatized children, particularly in crisis-affected regions. This review explores five key themes: the enhancement of emotional regulation and social integration, the necessity of cultural adaptation, the involvement of parents and educators, the challenges of implementing SEL in crisis contexts, and the importance of developing trauma-informed policies. The article also identifies future research directions, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms and culturally adapted SEL models.
Glutamatergic Circuits in the Pedunculopontine Nucleus Modulate Multiple Motor Functions
Authors: Huang Yanwang , Wang Shangyi , Wang Qingxiu , Zheng Chaowen , Yang Feng , Wei Lei , Zhou Xintong , Wang Zuoren
Published: November 2024

The functional role of glutamatergic (vGluT2) neurons in the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) in modulating motor activity remains controversial. Here, we demonstrated that the activity of vGluT2 neurons in the rostral PPN is correlated with locomotion and ipsilateral head-turning. Beyond these motor functions, we found that these rostral PPN-vGluT2 neurons remarkably respond to salient stimuli. Furthermore, we systematically traced the upstream and downstream projections of these neurons and identified two downstream projections from these neurons to the caudal pontine reticular nucleus/anterior gigantocellular reticular nucleus (PnC/GiA) and the zona incerta (ZI). Our findings indicate that the projections to the PnC/GiA inhibit movement, consistent with ‘pause-and-play’ behavior, whereas those to the ZI promote locomotion, and others respond to a new ‘pause-switch-play’ pattern. Collectively, these findings elucidate the multifaceted influence of the PPN on motor functions and provide a robust theoretical framework for understanding its physiological and potential therapeutic implications.
The Structural Origins of Racial Inequality and Attitudes Toward Redistribution
Authors: Christiani Leah , Kelly Nathan J. , Morgan Jana
Published: November 2024

A long line of research demonstrates that priming race undermines support for redistribution by activating negative racial stereotypes that tend to place blame for racial inequalities on individual members of minoritized groups and downplay the systemic causes of racial inequality. Here we suggest that information emphasizing the structural origins of racial disparities can disrupt these typical patterns and generate more positive attitudes toward redistributive policies because structural narratives run counter to individualistic racial stereotypes. To evaluate this possibility, we conduct a novel survey experiment that assesses how exposure to information about the structural underpinnings of racial inequality affects redistribution attitudes. Our analysis shows that support for redistributive policies increases after exposure to our treatment, with the effect most pronounced among White Republicans and those with high levels of racial resentment. These findings suggest that how we talk about racial inequality matters—focusing on structural accounts can bolster support for redistribution, especially among those groups least likely to support egalitarian policies overall.