bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Politicization of the Jewish and Muslim minorities in Poland
Authors: Dyduch Joanna , Skorek Artur
Published: October 2024

With Poland’s political transformation after 1989, religious minorities including Jews and Muslims gained more autonomy and support from the state authorities. At the same time, the liberal democracy principles of religious equality and the state’s neutrality have still not been fully implemented. The paper focuses on this problematic situation, using the concept of politicization to portray the situation of the Jews and Muslims in contemporary Poland, and their relations with the Polish state. It presents four instances of politicization of religious minorities (specifically, Muslims and/or Jews). The research is based on public surveys, interviews with members of the Jewish and Muslim communities, legal documents, and NGO reports. According to the hypothesis of the paper, Muslims and Jews are significantly politicized in the Polish public discourse, and both communities play significant roles in shaping the political identity of the Polish polity. Their roles differ in character due to historical factors and the contemporary international context.
Optimizing the bearing vertical offset of a marine propeller shaft system
Authors: Bsiso Riyadh Mohammed , Ripin Zaidi Mohd
Published: October 2024

The Vertical bearing offset is vital for the safe and efficient operation of marine shafting systems. The bearing offset is made relative to the shaft and must be tested for various operational conditions to prevent overheating, whipping, vibration, and wear that can lead to costly repairs and downtime. The offset of each bearing is achieved by minute adjustment of the bearing pedestal performed during dry-docking. However, the hull load variation can cause the preset bearing offsets to be inadequate resulting in potential bearing damage. Classification Society of ABS and DNV specifies the limit of bearing reaction force, shaft slope, and bending moment to ensure safe operation. These values are usually determined using a finite element model or experimentally using costly strain gauges. A more cost-effective solution is using the stiffness matrix of the bearing shaft system to derive the influence coefficients for the bearing reaction forces (BIC), shaft slope (SIC), and bending moment (MIC). This approach is validated with the existing model of a marine shafting system of a 50 DWT oil tanker that consists of one tail and intermediate shaft supported by stern tube bearing (STB), and intermediate bearing (IB) respectively along with six bearings at the engine shaft using the finite element method. Besides, the study applies the Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) technique to optimize the vertical position of bearings. It uses BIC, Slope SIC, and MIC to construct the objective functions and find a Pareto-optimal solution that satisfies the requirements of ABS and DNV in terms of bearing reaction forces, bending moments, and slope at the main stern tube and intermediate bearing. The optimal bearing offsets show improved shaft bending state for the operating condition under evaluation and reduced the slope at the STB by 34%, indicating its effectiveness in solving optimization problems.
The increasing investigations and prosecutions for illegal abortion in Britain: A case for decriminalisation
Authors: Tongue Zoe L
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a case for the decriminalisation of abortion in Britain in light of the increasing investigations into people experiencing pregnancy loss and prosecutions of those suspected of illegal abortion. This growing enforcement of the criminal abortion offences has coincided with the legal change to allow the home use of abortion pills through telemedicine, and comes in the context of global backlash against abortion rights. Framing abortion as a necessary healthcare service and human right, this paper demonstrates the harms caused by criminalisation and highlights how the law exacerbates socio-economic and other vulnerabilities. It is later illegal abortions that tend to be prosecuted, and while there are complex reasons as to why someone might require an abortion, the law prohibits abortion beyond 24 weeks except for narrow medical reasons, creating crisis situations for those that find themselves without legal access. Decriminalisation is necessary to move away from this culture of suspicion, hostility, and stigma that has been built around abortion.
Educating the ingenium: On Spinoza’s perfectionism and the pedagogical relation
Authors: Dahlbeck Johan
Published: October 2024

This essay (written in response to Steven Nadler’s article in this issue) seeks to interrogate the promise of Spinoza’s perfectionism for education. It does so by first establishing Spinoza’s perfectionism as a striving toward the intellectual love of God, occasioning an investigation of the relation Nadler sets up between Spinoza’s and Maimonides’ perfectionist schemes, and then evaluating the educational currency of such a striving. It is argued that while Spinoza’s highest good is difficult to construe as a widely attainable educational aim, it allows for two different educational pathways, where one focuses on the reeducation of passions via narratives adjusted to the ingenia of students and the other on attaining the highest good. At a glance, these two pathways come across as radically different in their setup, but they are aligned insofar as the stability of the community (agreeability) is a precondition for the striving for intellectual perfection. In parallel, this tracks how a pedagogical relation – being necessarily asymmetrical from the outset – can evolve into a relation of mutual friendship once the striving for perfection is identified and accepted as a common goal.
Clay 3D printed hydroponics: A paradigm to address global food insecurity
Authors: Arja Logman
Published: October 2024

Clay 3D Printed Hydroponics is a novel, replicable, deployable, environmentally conscious urban farming solution, and architecture proposition. The model is posited to address broader concerns of food deserts and food insecurity in urban and rural areas in light of climate change, water scarcity, soil infertility, food supply chain issues, and civil unrest exacerbated by a growing population. Mitigating global hunger and increasing sustainability and resilience are among the greatest challenges and opportunities of our time. This paper introduces additively manufactured clay hydroponics as a promising soilless agriculture technique, fostering a dialogue on urban farming and food self-sufficiency and reporting on a pilot study conducted in Atlanta, Georgia. By harnessing the power of technology and innovation, the paper, the first in a series of technology implementations, integrates machinery, materiality, and ecology, aspiring to create deployable systems capable of addressing pressing challenges while deepening human connection to the natural world.
Exploring the political frontier in Australian schools: Bernsteinian insights on Civics and Citizenship education
Authors: Brett Peter , Casey Jennifer , Nicolson Lachlan
Published: October 2024

Contemporary liberal democracies face complex and disruptive challenges, such as toxic populism, culture wars, political polarization, religious fundamentalism, the climate emergency, global conflicts, and the influence of powerful social media platforms. This is the disconcerting world that young people are growing up in and need support in understanding and mediating. This paper critically analyses the Australian Civics and Citizenship education curricular response using the theoretical insights of Basil Bernstein to understand the types of citizens it aims to nurture. Through analysing the language of the Australian Curriculum, the processes and intellectual influences behind its creation, and specific curricular content descriptors, the paper illuminates the social and ideological assumptions embedded in its vision of educating for democratic citizenship. We argue that political education remains a domain that Australian curriculum framers, schools, and teachers have approached cautiously. The paper highlights the curriculum's inadequacy in addressing early twenty-first-century political imperatives related to democratic deconsolidation, falling short of Bernsteinian ideals.
Economic Evaluation of Prevention Interventions for Child Sexual Exploitation or Child Sexual Abuse: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wanni Arachchige Dona Sithara , Bloxsom Genevieve , Green Julie , Angeles Mary Rose , Humphreys Cathy , Gold Lisa
Published: October 2024

Child sexual abuse, including sexual exploitation, is a global issue, affecting 8% to 31% of girls and 3% to 17% of boys worldwide. This systematic review aims to synthesize economic evidence on the cost-effectiveness of community interventions to prevent child sexual abuse/exploitation to inform decision-making. A systematic search was conducted on eight databases for studies published until April 2023. Gray literature was searched using Google. The inclusion criteria were economic evaluation of interventions targeted at children, perpetrators/offenders, or professionals addressing child sexual abuse/exploitation. There was no limitation by country, but an English language abstract was required for non-English articles. Studies without a specific focus on child sexual abuse/exploitation, such as physical, emotional, and domestic violence-related abuse, were excluded. All costs were adjusted to US$ 2023. Reporting quality assessment was conducted using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022 checklist. Of 5,180 screened articles, 17 were included in the final synthesis, with most from the United States and focused on tertiary prevention delivered to offenders. While the intervention components varied across studies, all demonstrated promising and cost-effective results. The findings highlight a small but growing body of economic evidence for child sexual abuse/exploitation interventions. The existing economic evaluation evidence is dominated by tertiary prevention, which focuses on offenders and child victims and highlights the need for more research and action on primary and secondary preventative interventions for general and at-risk populations.
Tensile mechanical performance of natural/natural fiber reinforced hybrid bio-composite materials – A statistical approach
Authors: Hamdi Laouici , Asma Benkhelladi , Ali Bouchoucha
Published: October 2024

The main objective and the originality of this work are to create a hybrid natural/natural fiber bio-composite by Response Surface Methodology RMS technique based on statistical analysis of variance ANOVA by using the properties of the individual fiber bio-composites. Hybrid bio-composites are manufactured by combining two or more dissimilar kinds of fiber in a single continuous phase. In the first section, Response Surface Methodology using a Box-Behnken experimental design and the Analysis of Variance are applied to investigate the effects of the type of fibers, the type of chemical treatment, the volume fraction of fiber and the treatment time on the tensile properties namely, ultimate tensile strength and Young’s modulus in the tensile quasi-static loading when used two resins namely, epoxy and polyester. In the studied range, statistical analysis of the results showed that selected variables had a significant effect on the mechanical properties, except the treatment time that has a very weak significance effect on the mechanical properties. Then, to maximize the mechanical properties, the optimal conditions coded by RSM were found: the type of fibers of [−0.28 and −0.33], the chemical treatment of −1, the volume fraction of fiber of 1 and the treatment duration of [−0.97 and −1] for epoxy resin matrix. Similarly, when used the polyester resin matrix; the type of fibers of −0.26, the chemical treatment of −1, the volume fraction of 0.99 and the sinking time of [−0.94 and −0.93]. The obtained optimum parameters were confirmed experimentally in the second section.
Herbal Medicines for the Improvement of Immune Function in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cho Youngmin , Yoo Hwa-Seung , Kim Soo-Dam , Ko Mimi , Joo Han-eum , Jang Soobin , Jeong Mi-Kyung
Published: October 2024

Background: Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers worldwide. Conserving the immune system and reducing the adverse events associated with cancer treatment have become increasingly important. Our study aimed to investigate the immunological effects of herbal medicine (HM) alone, independent of conventional cancer therapies, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We searched 8 databases for articles published until March 2023. Bias risk was assessed using RevMan 5.4. Meta-analyses of CD4+ and CD8+ levels reported in the included RCTs were also performed. Results: A total of 610 patients from 5 RCTs were included in the analysis. Immune markers in the peripheral blood of patients treated with HM alone were compared with those in the control group. As a result of meta-analyses, CD4+ (three studies; mean difference(MD) = 5.21, 95 confidence interval (CI) [3.26, 7.27], I2 = 61%, n = 428) and CD4+/CD8+ (two studies; MD = 0.22, 95% CI [0.18, 0.26], I2 = 0%, n = 278) significantly increased in the treatment group, while CD8+ levels (three studies; MD = −3.04, 95% CI [−5.80, −0.29], I2 = 74%, n = 428) decreased in HM groups compared to comparison groups. In a single trial, IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a levels and the number of Tregs in the treatment group significantly decreased, while Th17 levels and the Th17/Treg ratios increased. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the immunological effects of HM in patients with NSCLC. Future studies should explore how the immunological effects of HM correlate with clinical outcomes, such as tumor response and survival rates.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42023459
Telehealth Lifestyle Pilot Study for Improving Occupational Performance in Older Adults
Authors: Leverentz Cortney M. , Salvati Brianne , Moore Cary , Shin Julia , Qi Yongyue , Jewell Vanessa D.
Published: October 2024

Occupation-centered lifestyle interventions improve health and delay age-related declines in older adults; however, little is known about the impact of a brief telehealth lifestyle program delivered individually. This pilot investigated the Holistic Occupational Performance Empowerment (HOPE) program on occupational performance and health-related quality of life. Twelve community-dwelling older adults completed six weekly lifestyle sessions to enhance behavior change toward individualized health goals. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and the Short Form 20-Item Survey (SF-20) were administered preintervention and postintervention to measure program outcomes. Among 36 health-related goals, 69.4% achieved or exceeded the expected level of attainment. A paired samples t-test revealed statistically higher posttest GAS scores compared with pretest scores, indicating significant improvements in occupational performance. SF-20 mental health scores increased postintervention, although not significantly. Preliminary findings suggest that HOPE could positively impact occupational performance in community-dwelling older adults warranting a future large-scale randomized controlled trial.
Perceptions of Cultural Adaptations and Other Characteristics of Weight Management Interventions among Hispanic/Latinx Immigrants
Authors: Carrera Seoane Montserrat , McVay Megan A.
Published: October 2024

Hispanic/Latinx immigrants have high obesity rates, yet they participate less in weight management interventions. This cross-sectional online study recruited Hispanic/ Latinx immigrants living in the United States (US). In a within-subject experimental crossover component, participants were presented with brief information about a hypothetical weight management intervention that was culturally adapted for Hispanics/ Latinx, or a standard intervention (not adapted) and asked about their willingness to enroll. Participants also reported their preferences for weight management intervention features. Participants (n = 54) were majority female (51.9%), aged 51 years or older (56.0%), American citizens (87.0%), and immigrated to US ≥10 years ago (81.7%), with a mean BMI 29.6 + 3.7 kg/m2. There was no difference in willingness to enroll in a culturally adapted (46.3%) compared to standard intervention (48.1%), though more participants preferred a culturally adapted intervention (68.5%). Preference for a culturally adapted intervention was greater among females (p = 0.008) and those with lower acculturation (p = 0.052). Use of non-evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine strategies was common and associated with greater willingness to enroll in a behavioral program (p = 0.007). Preferences for intervention features varied. These findings may inform efforts to increase the reach of weight management interventions for Hispanic/Latinx immigrants.
Consolidation of Higher Education in Upstate New York: The SUNY Chancellor Under Pressure to Set Priorities for an Integration Task Force
Authors: Tikhomirov Aleksey A.
Published: October 2024

A newly appointed SUNY Chancellor contemplated a proposal to integrate marketing, branding, and admissions of SUNY Broome Community College with Binghamton University. Their presidents asked the Chancellor to move the integration plan forward to the SUNY Board of Trustees and were waiting for a response. An educational leader profiled in this case was new to the job but was already hard-pressed to decide the fate of a high-stakes policy initiative. The Chancellor’s thinking on this complex issue evolved as his mind went through several decision-making options. There was much to ponder regarding the integration of distinct institutions.
Comparison of structure and aerobic disintegration of air-laid, foam-laid and carded biobased nonwovens
Authors: Rämö Virpi , Raipale Noora , Hiipakka Marita , Kamppuri Taina , Paunonen Sara , Tehrani-Bagha Ali
Published: October 2024

Composting offers a potential sustainable end-of-life pathway for nonwoven products that may aerobically disintegrate and eventually biodegrade. Enhancing the biodegradation of nonwovens typically involves incorporating biobased biodegradable fibres. This study explores how nonwoven web formation and consolidation impact aerobic disintegration in composting. Laboratory-scale air-laid, foam-laid and carded sheets (40, 60, and 100 g/m2) with 80 wt% viscose and 20 wt% polylactic acid (PLA) fibres were prepared and thermally bonded. The sheets were characterised by physical and tensile properties, air permeability, water absorption, surface morphology, pore structure and aerobic disintegration in synthetic biowaste media. The nonwoven web formation process affected sheet density and air permeability, while tensile strength and elongation showed dependency on fibre length and orientation. Over 62 days, carded nonwovens showed the highest degree of aerobic disintegration (81%–88%) followed by foam-laid (64%) and air-laid (47%) nonwovens. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray tomography revealed less effective bonding within the carded sheets with 38 mm mono-component PLA fibres compared to the air-laid and foam-laid sheets containing 6 mm bi-component PLA fibres. Denser thermally bonded fibre clusters in air-laid and foam-laid sheets reduced degree of aerobic disintegration. These findings highlight the significance of fibre length, bonding and sheet homogeneity in aerobic disintegration, emphasising the importance of nonwoven web formation and consolidation processes.
Sedentary Lifestyles and a Hypercaloric Diets During Middle Age, are Binomial Conducive to Fatal Progression, That is Counteracted by the Hormetic Treatment of Exercise, Metformin, and Tert-Butyl Hydroquinone: An Analysis of Female Middle-Aged Rat Liver Mitochondria
Authors: López-Cervantes Stefanie Paola , Toledo-Pérez Rafael , De Lira-Sánchez Jaime Abraham , García-Cruz Giovanni , Esparza-Perusquía Mercedes , Luna-López Armando , Pardo Juan Pablo , Flores-Herrera Oscar , Konigsberg Mina
Published: October 2024

The world’s population continuous to shift towards older, less active and more sedentary lifestyles especially during middle age. In addition consumption of high-caloric diets, increases the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular afflictions. Developing clinical strategies to mitigate those health complications represent a difficult challenge. Our group has previously shown that combining metformin (MTF) and tert-butyl hydroquinone (tBHQ) treatments, in addition to exercise, partially prevents liver damage associated with obesity. Hence, we evaluated the role of exercise in combination with MTF and tBHQ (triple-treatment) to counteract mitochondrial damage in the liver from obese middle-aged female rats. Animals were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) starting at 21 days till 15 months of age. The treated groups performed a Fartlek-type exercise 5 days/week for 30 min/session. MTF and tBHQ were administered at a dose of 250 mg/kg/day, and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 7 days/month from 10 to 15 months of age. Triple-treatment therapeutic approach promoted animal survival, and increased AMPK and PGC1α expression. Treatments increased mitochondrial ATP synthesis and OXPHOS complexes activities, recovered membrane potential, and decreased ROS production. In summary, exercise in combination with intermittent tBHQ and MTF treatments proved to be an excellent intervention to prevent mitochondrial damage caused by HFD.
A Bold Vision for a Healthier World: Lifestyle-First Medicine
Authors: Cheema Sohaila , Mamtani Ravinder , Mechley Amy R.
Published: October 2024

A call to action from the recently published Doha Declaration, including guiding principles for Lifestyle Medicine integration as an evolution to Lifestyle-First Medicine for global healthcare.
Analysis of selective neurocritical care admission costs following elective endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Roth Steven G. , Ahn Seoiyoung , Liles Campbell , Velagapudi Lohit , Mummareddy Nishit , Ko Yeji , Hilvert Austin M. , Froehler Michael T. , Fusco Matthew R. , Chitale Rohan V.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

No consensus exists on the necessity of neurocritical care unit (NCU)-level care following unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) treatment. We aim to identify patients requiring NCU-level care post-treatment and determine potential cost savings utilizing a selective NCU admission protocol.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all UIA patients who underwent endovascular treatment at a single center from 2017–2022 was conducted. Data on demographics, preprocedural variables, radiographic features, procedural techniques, intra/postoperative events, and length of stay (LOS) were collected. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify patients requiring NCU-level care post-treatment. Cost analysis using hospital cost data (not charges/reimbursement) was performed using simulated step-down and floor protocols for patients without NCU indications following a hypothetical six-hour post-anesthesia care unit observation period.

Results

Of 209 patients, 179 were discharged within 24 h and 30 had prolonged LOS. In our analysis, intra- and postoperative events independently predicted prolonged LOS. In our subanalysis, 47 patients demonstrated NCU needs: 24 with intraoperative indications, 18 with postoperative indications, and five with both. Of the 23 with postoperative indications, 20 were identified within six hours, while three were identified within six to 24 h. The median variable cost per patient for the current NCU protocol was $31,505 (IQR, $26,331-$37,053) vs. stepdown protocol $29,514 (IQR, $24,746-$35,011;p = 0.061) vs. floor protocol $26,768 (IQR, $22,214-$34,107;p < 0.001). Total variable costs were $6,211,497 for the current NCU protocol vs. $5,921,912 for the step-down protocol (4.89% savings) and $5,509,052 for the floor protocol (12.75% savings).

Conclusion

Most patients requiring NCU-level care following UIA treatment were identified within a six-hour postoperative window. Thus, selective NCU admission for this cohort following a six-hour observation period may be a logical avenue for cost reduction. Our analysis demonstrated 5% and 13% savings for uncomplicated patients using step-down and floor admission protocols, respectively.
A thin line between consent and abuse - Reflections on sexual experiences among Swedish young adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Hart Anna , Löfgren Charlotta , Carlström Charlotta , Elmerstig Eva
Published: October 2024

Research shows that young adults with intellectual disabilities struggle to understand the social codes embedded in sexual situations. This may lead to an incomprehension of sexual consent, or when consenting to sex may lead to abuse. This qualitative study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of sexual experiences and perceptions about sexual consent among Swedish young adults with intellectual disabilities. The data comprise 22 semi-structured interviews with young adults aged 18-35 with intellectual disabilities, thematically analyzed using sexual script theory as a theoretical framework. Four themes emerged from the analysis: Setting the sexual scene, Sexual self-awareness, Sexual communication and the necessity of clarification and Striving for a balance. The results show that the participants had a variety of sexual experiences and challenges associated with sexual consent, but also an agency that favors sexual situations. Further research is necessary to understand the complexities of sexual consent in this population.
‘Sir, if I let you blow me, will you not put a behaviour point on?’ The working-class, gay teacher and the limits of neoliberal inclusion
Authors: Llewellyn Anna
Published: October 2024

This study examines social-class and sexuality in the context of being a teacher in a secondary school in England. It is pertinent as some levels of LGBT inclusion, are currently expected in English schools, however this varies within and across schools. This study explores the case of a single, gay, man from a working-class background, in relation to the homophobia and harassment he routinely experiences as a teacher, as well as the (in)active response of his institution. Findings suggest that the school is (re)produced as hostile for the gay teacher, through a combination of discourses where gay is positioned as subordinate by the students, and where gay is sublimated by the school and staff. Moreover, despite the teacher’s resilience, these problems are enhanced by the current individualized model of neoliberal inclusion, which may not be inclusive of all LGB people.
Preparation and performance of magnetic microspheres encapsulating Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Liyuan , Bai Xuewen , Zou Kai , Zhu Linlin
Published: October 2024

Magnetic polymer microspheres have attracted a great deal of attention due to their magnetic properties and good biocompatibility. In this study, novel magnetic cross-linked poly(divinylbenzene-co-acrylic acid) microspheres were successfully prepared via improved emulsion polymerization. The microstructures of nanocomposites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and saturation magnetization measurements. It was noteworthy that the nanocomposites displayed good water dispersibility, a rapid absorption rate, a high absorption capacity, and high magnetic separability, results that are promising in terms of these nanocomposites’ future application in biomedical fields.
The news values of fake news
Authors: Baissa Bashayer , Fuoli Matteo , Grieve Jack
Published: October 2024

Fake news poses a significant threat to society by undermining public trust and consensus on critical issues. Although there is a considerable amount of research on the linguistic features of fake news texts, a comprehensive understanding of how language is used to persuade and promote specific ideologies within them is still lacking. This study addresses this gap by analyzing fake news discourse through the lens of news values. We apply the Discursive News Values Analysis (DNVA) framework and key semantic domain analysis to a corpus of fake news stories on vaccination, climate change, and COVID-19. We identify a set of news values that differentiate fake from mainstream news discourse. Our findings reveal that fake news emphasizes negativity, unexpectedness, consonance, and facticity, while also relying on the previously undocumented news values of subversiveness, causality, religiosity, and historicity. These values form a powerful discursive toolkit exploited by fake news writers to craft compelling false narratives.
Remembering like a state: Surveillance databases, digital activist traces and the repressive potential of mediated prospective memory
Authors: Merrill Samuel
Published: October 2024

Departing from personal memories of protests in London and Berlin, in this article I make space within the memory-activism nexus to consider how contemporary activists are remembered by that which they conventionally target: the state. To do this, I first recount existing understandings of that nexus and the position of the state therein. I then emphasise how states remember activists via police surveillance databases before discussing the digital activist traces held in such databases via the concept of mediated prospective memory. Thereafter, I empirically ground these conceptual contributions via a discussion of the surveillance databases used in the United Kingdom and Germany and the growing adoption of automated facial recognition technology in these countries. This discussion relies on the work of police monitoring groups whose activism contributes, alongside the various actions of the state and its agencies that I foreground, to the complexity of the memory-activism nexus.
Commodification anxiety and the memory of Turkish revolutionary Deniz Gezmiş
Authors: Erbil Duygu
Published: October 2024

This article examines the impact of commodification on the memory-activism nexus in relation to the cultural afterlife of Deniz Gezmiş. It reframes discussions of the ‘commodification’ of the revolutionary in terms of ‘celebrification’ and examines why this process generates social unease in Turkey. It shows that this anxiety emerges from the perception that once memory is brought into the circuit of exchange-value, it risks losing its use-value in activism. Cultural memory is indeed becoming increasingly mediated by market relations. Yet, this article calls attention to activist remembrance which occurs within the interstices of capitalist property relations and is therefore not necessarily dependent on the market. As such, it supports a shift from the ‘passive consumer’ paradigm to the recognition of the political and narrative agency of remembering subjects, demonstrating that people often contest processes of commodification, especially in the context of anti-capitalist activism.
Vascular-endothelial adaptations following low and high volumes of high-intensity interval training in patients after myocardial infarction
Authors: Aispuru-Lanche Rodrigo , Jayo-Montoya Jon Ander , Maldonado-Martín Sara
Published: October 2024

Background:

Determinants of coronary artery disease, such as endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, could be attenuated by high-intensity aerobic interval exercise training (HIIT). However, the volume of this type of training is not well established.

Objective:

To assess the impact of two volumes of HIIT, low (LV-HIIT, <10 min at high intensity) and high (HV-HIIT, >10 min at high intensity), on vascular-endothelial function in individuals after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Materials and methods:

Clinical trial in 80 AMI patients (58.4 ± 8.3 years, 82.5% men) with three study groups: LV-HIIT ( n = 28) and HV-HIIT ( n = 28) with two sessions per week for 16 weeks and control group (CG, n = 24) with unsupervised physical activity recommendations. Endothelial function (brachial flow-mediated dilation, FMD), atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness ultrasound, cIMT), and levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) as a marker of oxidative stress were determined before and after the intervention period.

Results:

After the intervention, in the exercise groups, there was an increase in FMD (LV-HIIT, ↑58.8%; HV-HIIT, ↑94.1%; p < 0.001) concurrently with a decrease in cIMT (LV-HIIT, ↓3.0%; HV-HIIT, ↓3.2%; p = 0.019) and LDLox (LV-HIIT, ↓5.2%; HV-HIIT, ↓8.9%; p < 0.001), with no significant changes in the CG. Furthermore, a significant inverse correlation was observed between ox-LDL and endothelial function related to the volume of HIIT training performed (LV-HIIT: r = −0.376, p = 0.031; HV-HIIT: r = −0.490, p < 0.004), with no significance in the CG ( r = 0.021, p = 0.924).

Conclusion:

In post-AMI patients, HIIT may lead to a volume-dependent enhancement in endothelial function, attributed to a decrease in oxidative stress, with added beneficial effects in reducing vascular wall thickness. An LV-HIIT program, with less than 10 min at high intensity per session, has proven enough efficiency to initiate favorable vascular-endothelial adaptations, potentially reducing cardiovascular risk among patients with coronary artery disease.

Trial registration:

INTERFARCT, ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02876952.
Clinical and ethical challenges in decision-making for patients with disorders of consciousness and locked-in syndrome from Chinese neurologists’ perspectives
Authors: Li Meiqi , Yan Yifan , Kuehlmeyer Katja , Huang Wangshan , Laureys Steven , Di Haibo
Published: October 2024

Background:

The diagnosis of and life-sustaining treatment (LST) for patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) and locked-in syndrome (LIS) have been the subject of intense debate.

Objective:

We aim to investigate the application of diagnostic knowledge, opinions about the administration of LST, and ethical challenges related to DoC and LIS.

Design:

A cross-sectional study.

Methods:

A survey was conducted among Chinese neurologists. Questionnaires included three vignettes (unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS); minimally conscious state (MCS), and LIS). They were randomly distributed among neurologists from August 2018 to December 2019.

Results:

A sample of 360 questionnaires was included (response rate: 78%). Overall, 63% of the participants chose the correct diagnostic category. The neurologists who received the MCS case chose the category more accurately than the neurologists with the UWS ( p < 0.001) and LIS case ( p = 0.002). Most neurologists preferred never to limit LST for their patients (47%, 63%, and 67% in UWS, MCS, and LIS groups, p = 0.052). A large group of neurologists believed UWS patients could feel pain (73%), with no difference from MCS and LIS patients ( p > 0.05). Deciding for patients in the absence of surrogates was rated extremely challenging.

Conclusion:

A large proportion of Chinese neurologists in our study didn’t apply the accurate diagnostic categories to the description of DoC and LIS patients. This calls for more education and training. Most Chinese neurologists were reluctant to limit LST for patients. This may indicate that there may be a need to emphasize the allocation of more resources toward long-term care in China.
Cerebral air embolism following a hemodialysis session successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen: a case report
Authors: Bousbaa Amine , Renou Marianne , Poulain Coralie , Laurent Pierre , El Esper Najeh , Choukroun Gabriel , Caillard Pauline
Published: October 2024

We describe here the first case of cerebral air embolism (CAE) due to a dysfunctional long-term central venous catheter for hemodialysis in a 39-year-old woman with a history of lung transplantation. Air emboli are rare but potentially fatal complications of hemodialysis, in particular, when they involve the brain. Early management with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is critical to prevent deterioration of the patient’s condition. In this case, our patient presented her first symptoms, likely a seizure due to multiple cerebral air emboli, during her hemodialysis session. She was then monitored in the Nephrology Intensive Care Unit in accordance to the medical reference center (with HBOT). Twelve hours later, she experienced secondary deterioration, presenting with acute aphasia, left hemineglect syndrome, and hemiplegia. She was rapidly transferred to the medical reference center for HBOT. The patient fully recovered after receiving three sessions of HBOT. She also presented a seizure during each HBOT session, attributed to hyperoxia. She never experienced another seizure after the episode of CAE. This case highlights the importance of considering patients who have a lung transplant to be at increased risk for air emboli during hemodialysis and the need to rapidly recognize symptoms and start treatment, including HBOT, to optimize recovery.
Immune signatures of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer for efficacy prediction after immunotherapy
Authors: Luo Yung-Hung , Shen Chia-I , Chiang Chi-Lu , Chen Yuh-Min
Published: October 2024

Background:

Programmed cell death protein 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression alone may not be the optimal predictor of immunotherapy (IO) efficacy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Evaluation of circulating immune signatures using mass cytometry is a promising technique for predicting IO response and prognosis. The utility of circulating immune signatures for efficacy prediction after IO in advanced NSCLC remains to be elucidated.

Objectives:

To assess the feasibility of circulating immune cells and cytokines in predicting tumor response to IO in advanced NSCLC.

Design:

A prospective observational study.

Methods:

To investigate dynamic changes in immune signatures, blood specimens were prospectively collected from patients with NSCLC at baseline and following chemotherapy (C/T) and/or IO. Mass cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to characterize immune signatures and cytokine patterns to identify correlations between immune profiles and treatment efficacy.

Results:

The study enrolled 45 patients. The proportion of circulating natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells significantly increased after IO alone treatment. Cell levels of PD-1+CD8+ T cells, PD-1+CD4+ T cells, TIM-3+CD8+ T cells, LAG-3+ NK cells, and LAG-3+CD8+ T cells significantly decreased in patients with treatment response to IO alone. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels significantly increased after IO alone treatment. Patients with high PD-1+CD8+ T cells before IO alone treatment had lower overall survival (OS) compared to those with low levels. Patients with high LAG-3+CD8+ T cells before chemotherapy plus immunotherapy treatment had lower OS compared to those with low levels.

Conclusion:

Responses to IO in NSCLC were correlated with declines in specific exhausted T cells, suggesting that IO may exert therapeutical efficacy by decreasing circulating exhausted T cells, which were associated with poorer survival, while also increasing TNF-α. These results highlight the prognostic value of monitoring changes in circulating exhausted T cells to predict IO response and survival outcomes in advanced lung cancer.
Individualised cumulative cisplatin dose for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients based on induction chemotherapy response and tumour volume
Authors: Lin Jie-Yi , Lu Zi-Jian , Li Su-Chen , Luo Dong-Hua , Liu Ting , Zhang Wan-Ru , Yang Zhen-Chong , Mo Hao-Yuan , Mai Hai-Qiang , Liu Sai-Lan
Published: October 2024

Background and objectives:

To evaluate the prognostic value of an integrated model consisting of tumour response to induction chemotherapy (IC) and gross tumour volume (GTV) after IC in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and elucidate optimal cumulative cisplatin dose (CCD) in concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for different subgroups.

Design and methods:

This retrospective study enrolled 896 patients with NPC diagnosed from 2010 to 2017 receiving IC plus radiotherapy. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS). Cut-off points for GTV were combined with IC response to develop an integrated model. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for potential confounders. Survival outcomes and acute toxicity were compared between the different CCD groups.

Results:

Unsatisfactory IC response and large GTV after IC were correlated with poor survival outcomes; the AUC increased to 0.668 when these factors were incorporated. The integrated model classified patients into three groups. After PSM, radiotherapy alone and CCRT demonstrated similar efficacy in the low-risk group (complete response (CR)/partial response (PR) and GTV <68 cm3 after IC). In the intermediate-risk group (CR/PR but GTV ⩾68 cm3), CCD of >200 mg/m2 and 101–200 mg/m2 increased the 5-year DFS rates (83.7% vs 81.1% vs 65.3%, p = 0.042). In the high-risk group (stable disease/progressive disease and any GTV), the use of different CCDs did not result in significantly different survival outcomes ( p = 0.793). Additionally, high CCD was significantly associated with increased incidence of grade 1–4 acute toxicity.

Conclusion:

The integrated model incorporating IC response and GTV after IC demonstrates satisfactory value in risk stratification and the potential to guide individualised decision-making in CCD selection. Balancing toxicity and efficacy, RT alone seems to be the optimal treatment for patients in low-risk groups and 200 mg/m2 might be the optimal dose for intermediate-risk groups. Moreover, increasing CCD does not benefit patients in high-risk groups, and treatment options for these patients require further consideration.
Computed tomography—current status and future directions for arthritis imaging
Authors: Ulas Sevtap Tugce , Diekhoff Torsten
Published: October 2024

Applications of computed tomography (CT) in arthritis imaging have rapidly expanded in recent years due to ongoing technical developments. Dual-energy CT (DECT) has become indispensable in clinical practice, particularly for diagnosing gouty arthritis and assessing bony structural changes. Technological innovations such as low-dose CT and state-of-the-art reconstruction algorithms reduce radiation exposure while maintaining image quality and short acquisition times. This review explores the growing role of CT in arthritis imaging. Recent innovations have extended DECT’s utility beyond gout diagnosis to the detection of inflammatory changes in various arthritic conditions. Postprocessing techniques such as the generation of subtraction images and iodine maps provide valuable insights into tissue perfusion and inflammatory activity, crucial for arthritis management. DECT can distinguish calcium from uric acid crystals, facilitating the differential diagnosis of various crystal arthropathies in a variety of clinical settings. This ability is particularly valuable in distinguishing between different clinical conditions in patients with inflammatory joint changes within a single imaging examination. Moreover, the advent of four-dimensional CT promises a better assessment of dynamic joint instabilities and ligament injuries, especially in the wrist. Overall, DECT offers a comprehensive approach to arthritis imaging, from the detection of structural changes to the assessment of active inflammation in joints and tendons. Continuous advances in CT technology, including photon-counting CT, hold promise for further improving diagnostic accuracy and expanding the role of CT in arthritis imaging and therapy monitoring.
Acute Ischemic Stroke Presenting as Hemiparkinsonism: A Case Report
Authors: Al-Sibahee Essam , Al-Obaidi Mustafa Najah , Al-Sharee Asmaa
Published: October 2024

Parkinsonism, commonly associated with Parkinson disease (PD), can also arise from other neurodegenerative disorders or non-neurodegenerative causes such as vascular parkinsonism (VP). This case highlights the acute onset of VP following a stroke, contributing to the understanding of VP’s varied presentations and the challenges in its diagnosis. A 54-year-old male with a history of cerebrovascular disease presented with behavioral changes and reduced activity, initially raising the suspicion of a central nervous system infection. Clinical findings included agitation, decreased social interaction, mutism, drooling, immobility, and rigidity. Imaging revealed acute infarction in the left cortical parieto-occipital region, caudate nucleus, and putamen, along with old infarcts, confirming VP. The primary diagnosis was vascular parkinsonism and he was started on anticoagulation therapy and levodopa/carbidopa, which showed minimal improvement over 6 months. This case underscores the importance of considering VP in patients with acute parkinsonian symptoms and a history of cerebrovascular disease. It highlights the necessity for prompt evaluation and management of vascular risk factors to optimize patient outcomes. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach in treating VP, given the limited efficacy of traditional Parkinson disease medications.
Assessing contrast-induced nephropathy risk in older adults undergoing coronary angiography and intervention: The CV/GFR ratio versus Mehran score
Authors: Nguyen Tan Van , Quang Nhi Tuyet , Liu Weber , Kim Trinh Ngo Thi , Nguyen Tu Ngoc
Published: October 2024

Background:

Contrast-induced nephropathy is a prevalent cause of hospital-acquired renal insufficiency and increases adverse events in older patients undergoing angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. The Mehran risk score has been widely used in Vietnam to assess contrast-induced nephropathy risk in patients before coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. Recently, there has been a shift toward the adoption of simpler risk prediction models, such as the contrast volume-to-glomerular ﬁltration rate ratio. This study aimed to (1) determine the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in older patients undergoing coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention, and (2) compare the validity of the contrast volume-to-glomerular ﬁltration rate ratio and the Mehran score in predicting contrast-induced nephropathy.

Method:

This is a prospective cohort study conducted at a hospital in Vietnam from September 2019 to May 2020. Consecutive patients aged ⩾60 years who underwent coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention were recruited. The contrast volume-to-glomerular ﬁltration rate ratio and the Mehran score were evaluated for their predictive utility regarding contrast-induced nephropathy risk. The receiver operator characteristic was employed to calculate the area under the curve for both the contrast volume-to-glomerular ﬁltration rate ratio and the Mehran score in predicting contrast-induced nephropathy.

Results:

The study included 170 participants with a mean age of 70 years and 33.1% were female. Contrast-induced nephropathy was diagnosed in 9.4% of the participants. Participants with contrast-induced nephropathy exhibited a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease, anemia, and heart failure. There was no significant difference between the area under the curves of the contrast volume-to-glomerular ﬁltration rate ratio (0.79, 95% CI: 0.65–0.92), and the Mehran score (0.65, 95% CI: 0.51–0.82) in predicting contrast-induced nephropathy.

Conclusion:

Our findings indicate that contrast-induced nephropathy was prevalent among older patients following percutaneous coronary intervention. The contrast volume-to-glomerular ﬁltration rate ratio demonstrated a good prognostic value for predicting contrast-induced nephropathy comparable to that of the Mehran score. Further research is needed to identify optimal cutoff values for the contrast volume-to-glomerular ﬁltration rate ratio in older patients.