bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data from GALAD Score for the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Validation Study in Ghanaian Patients
Authors: Nartey Yvonne Ayerki , Yang Ju Dong , Zemla Tyler J. , Ayawin Joshua , Asibey Shadrack Osei , El-Kassas Mohamed , Bampoh Sally Afua , Duah Amoako , Agyei-Nkansah Adwoa , Awuku Yaw Asante , Afihene Mary Yeboah , Yamada Hiroyuki , Yin Jun , Plymoth Amelie , Roberts Lewis R.
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide including sub-Saharan Africa. The GALAD score, derived from Gender, Age, Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha fetoprotein, Alpha fetoprotein, and Des-carboxy-prothrombin, has high accuracy in diagnosing HCC in Asia, Europe, and North America; however, it has not been validated in an African cohort. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the GALAD score in the diagnosis of HCC in sub-Saharan Africa. Clinical data from patients with cirrhosis (n = 93) or HCC (n = 78) from outpatient hepatology clinics at three teaching hospitals in Ghana were abstracted, and serum samples were analyzed. A logistic regression model predicting HCC status based on the GALAD score was constructed to obtain the ROC curve for GALAD. The AUC with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. The median GALAD score was higher among patients with HCC versus cirrhosis controls (8.0 vs. −4.1, P < 0.01). The AUC of the GALAD score for HCC detection was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.79–0.92). At a cut-off value of −0.37, the GALAD score had a sensitivity of 0.81 and a specificity of 0.86. The AUC (95% CI) was 0.87 (0.80–0.95) and 0.81 (0.67–0.94) in hepatitis B virus–positive and hepatitis B virus–negative patients, respectively. The GALAD score has a high accuracy for HCC detection. It has great potential to improve HCC surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa where imaging resources are limited.

Significance: The GALAD score or its relevant modifications have the potential to aid in improving HCC surveillance efforts in low-resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa. This could enhance early detection rates of HCC and potentially improve survival rates in resource-limited settings.
Harmonization of Jurisdictional and/or Choice-of-Law Rules: Introduction to the Asian Principles of Private International Law (APPIL) Project
Authors: Takasugi Naoshi
Published: October 2024

This article aims to introduce the Asian Principles of Private International Law (APPIL) Project, which endeavors to facilitate the exchange of ideas on Private International Law (PIL) among scholars and to harmonize PIL within the Asian region. The APPIL Project emerged from the longstanding scholarly exchanges between Korea and Japan, and Korean scholars and Korean law have significantly contributed to the APPIL Project discussions. Given the considerable diversity within Asia, the need for harmonization of PIL in this region is even more pressing than in Europe or the Americas. If successful, the harmonization experiment in Asia could serve as a model for the rest of the world.
Asian Private International Law and Hong Kong
Authors: Lui Wilson
Published: October 2024

This article explores the current opportunities and challenges in the development of Asian private international law. Reflecting on the experience of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Studies in Private International Law – Asia series published by Hart Publishing, this article argues that Asian private international law is currently thriving. However, there remain four practical difficulties in the further development of Asian private international law and the harmonisation of Asian states’ practices on cross-border issues. This article then considers potential contributions from Hong Kong in the development of Asian private international law, both as a facilitator for dialogues and collaborations among common law and civil law systems, and as an exemplar of interregional cooperation through developing and refining private international law frameworks within the Greater Bay Area and the Greater China.
ILA Guidelines on Intellectual Property and Private International Law
Authors: Yokomizo Dai
Published: October 2024

This paper aims to analyze the International Law Association’s Guidelines on Intellectual Property and Private International Law (hereafter referred to as the “Kyoto Guidelines”) and to examine their significance and future challenges. As the number of cross-border intellectual property (IP) disputes has increased since the 1990’s, issues of conflict of laws (private international law) in IP disputes have become the subject of worldwide discussion. One of the most notable outcomes of this discussion has been the creation of soft-law typed principles or proposals dealing with conflict of laws issues. After some principles or proposals were drafted, the International Law Association Committee “Intellectual Property and Private International Law” was established in November 2010, and, after long discussions, the Kyoto Guidelines drafted by the Committee were approved by the ILA 79th Biennial Conference held (online) in Kyoto on December 13, 2020. What is the significance of these Guidelines and what challenges remain for the future? This paper will examine these questions.
Political Economy of Skill Formation and Gender Bias in Skills and Employment in Hierarchical Market Economies: The Case of Thailand
Authors: Kim Jaewon
Published: October 2024

Skills are, in large part, the product of deliberate investment by various actors, including employers and states, rather than something coming into being spontaneously through individual choices and endeavors alone. The divergent political economy of skill formation has been rigorously examined, focusing mainly on advanced capitalist economies. However, both theoretical and empirical research on the political economy of skill formation of developing economies is surprisingly scarce. Examining the skill formation system of an emerging economy, Thailand, the author finds that the main actors, power distribution, and their dynamics for skill formation and governance are distinct from the economies outlined before but can be explained through the framework of the hierarchical market economy (hme) model. Drawing on recent studies highlighting gendered perspectives on skill regimes, this paper further examines whether and how Thailand’s hme-type skill formation system affects gender bias in skills and employment. The analysis shows that the dominance of conglomerates and multinationals intensifies the prioritization of general skills. The author claims that Thailand’s focus on promoting general skills that are portable and less vulnerable to intermittent labor market participation contributes to less occupational segregation by gender.
A Directed Content Analysis of Discussions Between Mothers and Pediatricians Around Feeding and Growth Topics During Infant Well-Child Visits
Authors: Savidge Meghan C. , Bean Melanie K. , Caccavale Laura J. , Wijesooriya Romesh , Adams Elizabeth L.
Published: October 2024

This study identified specific feeding and growth topics discussed during 2-, 4-, and 6-month well-child visits. Conversations between mothers (N = 20) and pediatricians (N = 5) during visits were audio-recorded. Conversation segments were classified as pediatrician-initiated guidance, mother-initiated questions/concerns, or updates using directed content analysis. Pediatricians and mothers completed surveys on perceptions of guidance delivered. Feeding clusters included introducing solids/drinks, breast milk/formula amount and timing, feeding in specific situations; and breast milk/formula preparation. Growth clusters included appropriate growth and growth tracking. There was considerable variability in specific topics discussed between and within families across visits. Mothers desired additional guidance around introducing solids (42.1%) and allergen foods (31.6%). Pediatricians (80%) felt the amount of guidance to deliver in a standard visit was too much, and additional guidance outside of visits would benefit caregivers. Future research should investigate strategies to further support families by offering additional guidance during or outside of well-child visits.
Exporting Processed Food: Sri Lanka’s Experience in the Asian Context
Authors: Athukorala Prema-Chandra , Weerahewa Jeevika , Kandangama Navaratne Bandara
Published: October 2024

In recent decades, there has been a palpable shift in the commodity composition of world agri-food trade away from the traditional (unprocessed) primary products towards processed food. This structural change in trade patterns and its policy implications have so far received scant attention in policymaking in most agricultural resource-rich developing countries. This article aims to draw attention to this oversight by examining the experience of Sri Lanka against the backdrop of the experiences in agri-food trade of other countries in the Asian region. The analysis uses a new dataset that systematically delineates processed food from the traditional primary good products. The analytical narrative of an inter-country pattern of export performance shows that, unlike primary commodity dependence, exporting processed food is positively associated with the stage of economic advancement of countries. The econometric analysis suggests that export success is determined by a combination of growth of world demand, the domestic agricultural resource endowment and the conduciveness of the policy regime for global economic integration.

JEL Codes: F13, F63, N45, O13, Q17
‘Thrown into a pit’: Early-career social workers’ preparedness for practice
Authors: Rentea Georgiana Cristina , Lazăr Florin , Munch Shari , Mihai Anca , Gaba (Niță) Daniela , Ciocănel Alexandra
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the perceptions of early-career social workers on their academic preparation for their social work employment in the context of the challenging road and ambitious comeback of social work in post-communist Romania. Results showed respondents felt ill-prepared in their transition from education to their employment and received limited resources from employers to support the application of knowledge and skills learnt at university to the realities of daily professional practice. A multi-pronged approach is needed to educate new social workers at both university and employer levels with the goal of providing quality social services to clients and their families.
Differences and Similarities in the Use of Nine Emotion Regulation Strategies in Western and East-Asian Cultures: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Song Hongru , Chan Jason S. , Ryan Christian
Published: October 2024

Differences in emotion regulation strategies usage between Western and East-Asian individuals have been shown to exist. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to synthesize differences and similarities of the spontaneous use frequency of nine emotion regulation strategies (suppression, reappraisal, acceptance, avoidance, rumination, mindfulness, distraction, expression, and self-compassion), in Western and East-Asian individuals. Quantitative comparison studies were identified through systematic and snowball searches. Meta-analysis was undertaken with the meta package from R. Nineteen articles involving 21 studies were included in the systematic review and 20 studies were included in the meta-analysis. These articles were published from 2002 to 2023. The results showed that East-Asian individuals use more suppression ( d = −0.29) and avoidance ( d = −0.57) compared with Western individuals, with a medium effect size. No significant difference was observed in reappraisal, rumination, and expression usage. Future comparison studies across Western and East-Asian cultures should consider focusing on the use of self-compassion, acceptance, distraction, and mindfulness, which are understudied in the field of emotion regulation. Moreover, to improve the methodology, address inadequacies in analyzing cultural measurement invariance, distinguishing between emotional valences, and reporting the ethnicity of participants.
A Deep Learning System to Predict Epithelial Dysplasia in Oral Leukoplakia
Authors: Adeoye J. , Chaurasia A. , Akinshipo A. , Suleiman I.K. , Zheng L.-W. , Lo A.W.I. , Pu J.J. , Bello S. , Oginni F.O. , Agho E.T. , Braimah R.O. , Su Y.X.
Published: October 2024

Oral leukoplakia (OL) has an inherent disposition to develop oral cancer. OL with epithelial dysplasia (OED) is significantly likely to undergo malignant transformation; however, routine OED assessment is invasive and challenging. This study investigated whether a deep learning (DL) model can predict dysplasia probability among patients with leukoplakia using oral photographs. In addition, we assessed the performance of the DL model in comparison with clinicians’ ratings and in providing decision support on dysplasia assessment. Retrospective images of leukoplakia taken before biopsy/histopathology were obtained to construct the DL model ( n = 2,073). OED status following histopathology was used as the gold standard for all images. We first developed, fine-tuned, and internally validated a DL architecture with an EfficientNet-B2 backbone that outputs the predicted probability of OED, OED status, and regions-of-interest heat maps. Then, we tested the performance of the DL model on a temporal cohort before geographical validation. We also assessed the model’s performance at external validation with opinions provided by human raters on OED status. Performance evaluation included discrimination, calibration, and potential net benefit. The DL model achieved good Brier scores, areas under the curve, and balanced accuracies of 0.124 (0.079–0.169), 0.882 (0.838–0.926), and 81.8% (76.5–87.1) at testing and 0.146 (0.112–0.18), 0.828 (0.792–0.864), and 76.4% (72.3–80.5) at external validation, respectively. In addition, the model had a higher potential net benefit in selecting patients with OL for biopsy/histopathology during OED assessment than when biopsies were performed for all patients. External validation also showed that the DL model had better accuracy than 92.3% (24/26) of human raters in classifying the OED status of leukoplakia from oral images (balanced accuracy: 54.8%–79.7%). Overall, the photograph-based intelligent model can predict OED probability and status in leukoplakia with good calibration and discrimination, which shows potential for decision support to select patients for biopsy/histopathology, obviate unnecessary biopsy, and assist in patient self-monitoring.
Ethical Frameworks and Global Health: A Narrative Review of the “Leave No One Behind” Principle
Authors: Oehring Daniela , Gunasekera Poorna
Published: October 2024

The “Leave No One Behind” (LNOB) principle, a fundamental commitment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizes the urgent need to address and reduce global health inequalities. As global health initiatives strive to uphold this principle, they face significant ethical challenges in balancing equity, resource allocation, and diverse health priorities. This narrative review critically examines these ethical dilemmas and their implications for translating LNOB into actionable global health strategies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Semantic Scholar, covering publications from January 1990 to April 2024. The review included peer-reviewed articles, gray literature, and official reports that addressed the ethical dimensions of LNOB in global health contexts. A thematic analysis was employed to identify and synthesize recurring ethical issues, dilemmas, and proposed solutions. The thematic analysis identified 4 primary ethical tensions that complicate the operationalization of LNOB: (1) Universalism versus Targeting, where the challenge lies in balancing broad health improvements with targeted interventions for the most disadvantaged; (2) Resource Scarcity versus Equity; highlighting the ethical conflicts between maximizing efficiency and ensuring fairness; (3) Top-down versus Bottom-up Approaches, reflecting the tension between externally driven initiatives and local community needs; and (4) Short-term versus Long-term Sustainability, addressing the balance between immediate health interventions and sustainable systemic changes. To navigate these ethical challenges effectively, global health strategies must adopt a nuanced, context-sensitive approach incorporating structured decision-making processes and authentic community participation. The review advocates for systemic reforms that address the root causes of health disparities, promote equitable collaboration between health practitioners and marginalized communities, and align global health interventions with ethical imperatives. Such an approach is essential to truly operationalize the LNOB principle and foster sustainable health equity.
Reinforced graph regularization fault diagnosis network integrating multisensor rolling bearing data
Authors: Qiu Xiaorong , Xu Ye
Published: October 2024

To address challenges such as difficulty in fusing multiple data sources and insufficient consideration of sample correlations, this paper proposes a reinforced graph regularization fault diagnosis network that integrates data from multiple sensors for rolling bearing analysis. Initially, a deep convolutional neural network with multiple input channels is constructed to facilitate the fusion and feature extraction of sensor data. Subsequently, a reinforced graph regularization term is introduced to augment the network’s ability to learn geometric features. Finally, a two-stage training algorithm is designed to enhance operational efficiency and recognition accuracy, achieving fault identification in rolling bearings under the influence of multiple sensor data. The proposed approach is validated using a high-speed aviation-bearing data set from the Polytechnic University of Turin and an aero-engine bearing data set from Harbin Institute of Technology.
A Case of Necrotizing Lymphadenitis Misdiagnosed as a Neck Abscess
Authors: Zhou Yan , Liang Qiuling , Yang Chun
Published: October 2024

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (HNL), also known as Kikuchi disease, is a relatively rare sub-acute necrotic localized lymphadenitis. This benign, self-limiting condition is characterized by fever, painful lymphadenopathy, skin rash, and other systemic symptoms. Due to its nonspecific presentation, unclear etiology, and pathogenesis, HNL has a low incidence rate in clinical practice. Insufficient awareness among clinicians and pathologists can easily lead to misdiagnosis. This article reported a 27-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital with fever, neck pain, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. There were no special medical or personal histories, and postoperative pathology confirmed tissue necrotizing lymphadenitis. After treatment with steroids and symptomatic therapy, she recovered and was discharged from the hospital. Follow-up to date has shown no recurrence.
A Two-Step Q-Matrix Estimation Method
Authors: Köhn Hans-Friedrich , Chiu Chia-Yi , Oluwalana Olasumbo , Kim Hyunjoo , Wang Jiaxi
Published: October 2024

Cognitive Diagnosis Models in educational measurement are restricted latent class models that describe ability in a knowledge domain as a composite of latent skills an examinee may have mastered or failed. Different combinations of skills define distinct latent proficiency classes to which examinees are assigned based on test performance. Items of cognitively diagnostic assessments are characterized by skill profiles specifying which skills are required for a correct item response. The item-skill profiles of a test form its Q-matrix. The validity of cognitive diagnosis depends crucially on the correct specification of the Q-matrix. Typically, Q-matrices are determined by curricular experts. However, expert judgment is fallible. Data-driven estimation methods have been developed with the promise of greater accuracy in identifying the Q-matrix of a test. Yet, many of the extant methods encounter computational feasibility issues either in the form of excessive amounts of CPU times or inadmissible estimates. In this article, a two-step algorithm for estimating the Q-matrix is proposed that can be used with any cognitive diagnosis model. Simulations showed that the new method outperformed extant estimation algorithms and was computationally more efficient. It was also applied to Tatsuoka’s famous fraction-subtraction data. The paper concludes with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications of the findings.
Democracy, Freedom, and Justice after September 11 th: Rethinking the Role of Educators and the Politics of Schooling
Authors: GIROUX HENRY A.
Published: October 2024

In this article I illustrate the many ways in which life in post–September 11 America is both a rupture from some of the antigovemment politics that dominated before these tragic events and an uncanny continuity from the pre–September 11 worship of global capitalism and the virtual abandonment of any effort to create greater equality. In showing both these ruptures and continuities, I hope to help educators contemplate the role that public schools might play in facilitating an alternative discourse grounded in a critique of militarism, consumerism, and racism. Such an alternative discourse would redefine democracy as something separate and distinct from the hyper–individualized market-based relations of capitalism and the retrograde appeal to jingoistic patriotism.
What do lawmakers understand by ‘public transparency’? A longitudinal study of Brazil’s legislative production
Authors: Kniess Andressa Butture , Marques Francisco Paulo Jamil
Published: October 2024

This study aims to examine which conceptions of public transparency are present in bills of law introduced to the Brazilian House of Representatives. By combining content and document analysis to investigate 357 drafts proposed between 2003 and 2018, we scrutinize how often lawmakers propose transparency policies, what arguments and reasons they more recurrently use, the extent to which authoring proposals on public transparency is associated with their respective party ideologies, and the main characteristics of those bills passed into law. The findings reveal what we can be described as an ‘unproductive hyperactivity’ since the significant number of projects under consideration at the House usually adds little to existing transparency policies. In addition, the justifications underpinning many of the bills are marked by criticism toward political adversaries or evince the corporatist defense of lawmakers’ private interests – underlining the persistence of corruption and patrimonialism as characteristics of the Brazilian political culture.
Independent commission design and inclusion in Northern Ireland: Agonistic versus traditional approaches
Authors: Murphy Emma
Published: October 2024

Despite their proliferation in post-conflict societies, independent commissions represent an understudied area. Although recent studies have begun to address this gap, questions remain about best practice in commission design, particularly in terms of fostering inclusion. This paper contributes to a burgeoning literature on commissions by comparing two different approaches to commission design: agonistic and traditional. These two approaches offer competing visions for peace and inclusion in Northern Irish society. This paper compares the goals and aims and decision-making processes of two independent commissions: one (the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission) with a traditional design and one (the Commission for Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition) adopting an agonistic design. It then shows the implications of these differences for fostering inclusion. The paper illustrates that agonistic commissions have the potential to foster deeper, more transformative inclusion, whereas traditional commissions focus more on cohesion and reinforcing existing norms.
The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support and Health Literacy on the Relationship Between Decisional Dilemma and Participation in Shared Decision-Making Among Chinese Parents of Premature Infants
Authors: Ma Yanhui , Gao Junxiang , Zhang Chongyang
Published: October 2024

Purpose:

This research was conducted to explore the mediating effect of perceived social support and health literacy on the relationship between decisional dilemmas and participation in shared decision-making among Chinese parents of premature infants.

Design and Methods:

This cross-sectional study recruited 225 Chinese parents of premature infants in a neonatal ward of a Chinese hospital through convenience sampling. Data were collected from August 2022 to February 2023 using 5 self-administered instruments. Structural equation modeling and multiple mediation tests were applied to explore the interplay among perceived social support, health literacy, decisional dilemmas, and participation in shared decision-making. The study is reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.

Results:

Decisional dilemmas were found to negatively impact participation in shared decision-making. Perceived social support and health literacy were identified as partial mediators in this relationship, collectively accounting for a mediation effect of −0.413, which represents 50.0% of the total effect.

Conclusion:

The findings elucidate a multifaceted model of factors influencing participation in shared decision-making among Chinese parents of premature infants. Prompt recognition of these variables can enable nursing professionals to incorporate tailored management strategies within patient-centered care frameworks, thereby enhancing decisional outcomes.
Navigating the need for accessible labelling through the narratives of consumers with visual impairment in India
Authors: Thadikaran Greeshma Benny , Singh Sandeep Kumar
Published: October 2024

This study aims to understand the strategies consumers with visual impairment (CWV) use in acquiring product information and explores preferences for accessible labelling and its benefits. This study employed the qualitative approach of thematic analysis. A snowball sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Data were collected from CWV through semi-structured interviews. The sample size of this study was 12. The data were analysed using NVivo software. The study revealed three strategies used by CWV to obtain product information, namely reliance on caregivers, staff, and technology. However, all the strategies employed have multiple drawbacks. The study reported a high preference for accessible labelling in braille and quick response (QR) codes. Implementing a combination of braille labels and QR codes on product packages was the most beneficial strategy for CWV. The Implementation of accessible labels ensures inclusion in the marketplace.
Using social media small-group communication to promote the marketing skills of art entrepreneurs
Authors: Okpara Chukwuemeka Vincent , Maidin Siti Sarah , Nawzad Abdullah Nabaz , Obichili Mercy Ifeyinwa , Ohaja Edith Ugochi , Ngozi Agujiobi-Odoh , Gever Verlumun Celestine
Published: October 2024

This study examined the impact of social media-supported small-group communication on the marketing skills of art entrepreneurs. The design that was used in this study was quasi-experimental. A total of 271 art entrepreneurs were sampled for the study and grouped into three social media ( n = 90), face-to-face ( n = 90) and control group ( n = 91). A structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data for the study, while data were analysed using multiple analyses of variance. The study showed that small group communication was effective in improving the marketing skills of art entrepreneurs in the areas of social media marketing, content management, data analysis, mobile advertising, design, video marketing, project management, creativity, interpersonal skills, leadership, time management, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills. The study also found that small-group communication on social media can be as effective as face-to-face small-group communication. Improving marketing skills also improves business performance in areas such as sales, return on investment, and net profit. Finally, art entrepreneurs in the social media-supported group had higher scores in satisfaction, convenience and quality of communication than their counterparts in face-to-face communication. This study has shown that social media-supported small-group communication is cost-effective in promoting the acquisition of marketing skills among art entrepreneurs.
Assessing journalists’ language tone and sources used in reporting HIV/AIDS information in Tanzanian newspapers
Authors: Kanyika Martin E , Siyao Peter O
Published: October 2024

This paper assesses the tone of the language and the key sources used by the journalists when reporting HIV/AIDS information in Tanzania's newspapers for six years between 2002–2004 and 2017–2019 respectively. Two leading broadsheets published on daily basis, the Daily News and Mwananchi were selected. Content analysis and discourse analysis were used as the data collection and analysis methods. Microsoft Office Excel 2010 was used to analyze quantitative data whereas NVivo was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings indicate that the language employed was offensive, discouraging, and laden with complex terminology. Additionally, the study uncovered an optimistic and positive tone in the messages, yet the structure of sentences lack persuasiveness. Moreover, the findings underscore a reliance on international sources for HIV/AIDS information. The research suggests that the overall language employed was inadequate. It asserts that despite the usage of positive tone, yet the language employed lack constructive, informative qualities and not suitably framed for the easy comprehension of their target audience. Furthermore, the findings advocate for journalists to consistently seek improved language tone for conveying HIV/AIDS information to the public. Moreover, the current study proposes that media outlets should provide training to the journalists on the good techniques of framing HIV/AIDS information covered in Tanzanian newspapers for awareness creation. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on the journalists’ importance of using positive language tones when covering and reporting HIV/AIDS information in the newspapers for awareness creation in Tanzania.
Features selection in a predictive model for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury
Authors: Li Qian , Shen Jingjia , Lv Hong , Chen Yuye , Zhou Chenghui , Shi Jia
Published: October 2024

Background

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is related to increased morbidity and mortality. However, limited studies have explored the influence of different feature selection (FS) methods on the predictive performance of CSA-AKI. Therefore, we aimed to compare the impact of different FS methods for CSA-AKI.

Methods

CSA-AKI is defined according to the kidney disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Both traditional logistic regression and machine learning methods were used to select the potential risk factors for CSA-AKI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the models. In addition, the importance matrix plot by random forest was used to rank the features' importance.

Results

A total of 1977 patients undergoing cardiac surgery at Fuwai hospital from December 2018 to April 2021 were enrolled. The incidence of CSA-AKI during the first postoperative week was 27.8%. We concluded that different enrolled numbers of features impact the final selected feature number. The more you input, the more likely its output with all FS methods. In terms of performance, all selected features by various FS methods demonstrated excellent AUCs. Meanwhile, the embedded method demonstrated the highest accuracy compared with the LR method, while the filter method showed the lowest accuracy. Furthermore, NT-proBNP was found to be strongly associated with AKI. Our results confirmed some features that previous studies have reported and found some novel clinical parameters.

Conclusions

In our study, FS was as suitable as LR for predicting CSA-AKI. For FS, the embedded method demonstrated better efficacy than the other methods. Furthermore, NT-proBNP was confirmed to be strongly associated with AKI.
Radiomic features on multiparametric MRI for differentiating pseudoprogression from recurrence in high-grade gliomas
Authors: Lin Jie , Su Chun-Qiu , Tang Wen-Tian , Xia Zhi-Wei , Lu Shan-Shan , Hong Xun-Ning
Published: October 2024

Background

Distinguishing between tumor recurrence and pseudoprogression (PsP) in high-grade glioma postoperatively is challenging. This study aims to enhance this differentiation using a combination of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics.

Purpose

To assess the effectiveness of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics in improving the differentiation between high-grade glioma recurrence and pseudoprogression after surgery.

Material and Methods

A total of 109 cases were randomly divided into training and validation sets, with 1316 features extracted from intratumoral and peritumoral volumes of interest (VOIs) on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Feature selection was performed using the mRMR algorithm, resulting in intratumoral (100 features), peritumoral (100 features), and combined (200 features) subsets. Optimal features were then selected using PCC and RFE algorithms and modeled using LR, SVM, and LDA classifiers. Diagnostic performance was compared using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), evaluated in the validation set. A nomogram was established using radscores from intratumoral, peritumoral, and combined models.

Results

The combined model, utilizing 14 optimal features (8 peritumoral, 6 intratumoral) and LR as the best classifier, outperformed the single intratumoral and peritumoral models. In the training set, the AUC values for the combined model, intratumoral model, and peritumoral model were 0.938, 0.921, and 0.847, respectively; in the validation set, the AUC values were 0.841, 0.755, and 0.705. The nomogram model demonstrated AUCs of 0.960 (training set) and 0.850 (validation set).

Conclusion

The combination of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics is effective in distinguishing high-grade glioma recurrence from pseudoprogression after surgery.
Epidemiology of Sjogren’s syndrome in a sample of the Egyptian population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ghalwash Dalia , El-Gawish Ayman , Ammar Ahmed , Hamdy Ahmed , Ghanem Rim , Ghanem Mazen , Abou-Bakr Asmaa
Published: October 2024

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and the associated factors in a sample of the Egyptian population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study obtained data by screening subjects from several hospitals in different governorates across Egypt. Demographic and health data were collected including symptoms and type of Sjögren’s syndrome, associated autoimmune diseases, the presence of specific autoantibodies and associated malignancies.

Results

The study analysed 7960 participants and 64 (0.80%) had SS. Of these, 22 (34.38%) had primary SS and 42 patients (65.63%) had secondary SS. For the total study cohort, the prevalence of primary and secondary SS was 0.28% and 0.53%, respectively. There was a higher prevalence of SS in females compared with males and SS was more common in the fifth and sixth decades. All patients with SS complained of oral and ocular dryness. The most common concomitant autoimmune disease was rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-SSA (Ro) and anti-SSB (La) antibodies were the most frequently associated autoantibodies. Only two patients had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Conclusion

This was the first study to describe the prevalence of SS in Egypt. SS is not a rare disease in Egypt, so raising awareness of SS in both patients and healthcare professionals is very important.
Dimensional and Morphometric Variations of the Sella Turcica in Adult South African Population: Sex, Age, and Ethnic-related Changes
Authors: Hlatshwayo Nondumiso Ngiphiwe , Olojede Samuel Oluwaseun , Magcaba Nomthandazo , Lawal Sodiq Kolawole , Rennie Carmen Olivia , Azu Onyemaechi Okpara , Naidu Edwin Coleridge
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The sella turcica (ST) is an important anatomical landmark occasionally filled with cerebrospinal fluid in a condition known as empty sella disorder (ESS). ESS occurs when the pituitary gland contracts due to issues with the contents inside the ST and has been linked with malocclusion, which remains less explored.

Aim

This study intended to investigate morphological and morphometric variations of ST in terms of sex, age, and race as well as document the prevalence of malocclusions in a South African adult sample.

Methodology

ST scans of 32 patients and 21 dry and cadaveric skulls were investigated. Volume was measured using plasticine, and other parameters were measured using a sliding vernier caliper and 3D slicer software.

Results

The width is the only linear parameter that showed significant ( p < .05) variations against sex. The mean length, width, AP diameter, and volume variation between groups ages 31-50 and 51-70 were 0.54 mm, 3.60 mm, 1.48 mm, and 39.47 mm. The length of ST in Black people varied from that of White people by 1.58 mm. The width of ST in Black people was 10.90 ± 2.68 mm, and in White people, it was 12.99 ± 2.41 mm, which was statistically significant ( p < .05). Class I malocclusion was the most common type in this study, and bridging of the ST was common in class II.

Conclusion

This study revealed that the ST varies among different ethnic groups. Also, the width of the ST can be used to identify sex, but the size of the ST at various ages cannot be used to gauge an individual’s growth because there were no significant differences.
Application of crystallization additivity principle in continuous casting mould flux
Authors: Zhu Lilong , Jin Yuting , Chen Jinfeng , Yue Linhan , Wang Qian , He Shengping , Wang Hongdan , Ren Binzhi
Published: October 2024

Testing the isothermal crystallization of mould fluxes poses challenges due to their high critical cooling rates. As a result, isothermal crystallization can be estimated from non-isothermal crystallization using the principle of crystalline additivity. However, the relationship between the TTT (Temperature Time Transformation) and CCT (Continuous Cooling Transformation) curves for volatile mould fluxes remains chaotic. This research introduces precise measurements of both isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization of volatile mould fluxes under conditions that suppressed fluoride volatilization for the first time. The CCT curves derived using the additive principle closely match the experimentally observed patterns, with only minor discrepancies, thereby validating the effectiveness of the additive principle in slag studies. Mould flux BA3 displays a double C-shaped TTT curve, where the high-temperature and low-temperature C-shapes represent distinct crystalline phases. If the computed CCT curve, generated by combining the incubation times of the two C-shaped crystallizations from the TTT curve, significantly diverges from the measured value at temperatures below the partition temperature, segmenting the CCT curve calculations based on high-temperature and low-temperature C-shape data from the TTT curve leads to calculated values that align with experimental results. The study enhances understanding of mould flux crystallization kinetics, crucial for improving the surface quality of continuous casting slab.
Effectiveness of group analytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy in routine secondary-care practice
Authors: Story Giles W. , Dalton Florence , Selway Adam , Caparrotta Luigi , O’Reilly Jo , Colam Alan , Larney Alan , Ritchie Sheila , Hillen Thomas
Published: October 2024

Group psychotherapy has been shown to be effective across a diverse range of participants and settings. However, few quantitative studies have examined outcomes of Group Analytic Psychotherapy (GAP) specifically, or compared this with alternative treatments. In the present study we compare outcomes of weekly group analytic psychotherapy (GAP) and individual psychodynamic psychotherapy (PPT) at a psychotherapy service within the UK’s National Health Service. The service collected Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE) outcome measures between 2010 and 2020 as part of routine clinical practice, furnishing a large observational dataset (N=600 clients). We found that clients showed clinically significant improvement following either GAP (Cohen’s d=0.77) or PPT (d=0.68), and the rate of change during therapy exceeded that during a pre-treatment waiting period. There were no clinically significant differences in effectiveness between GAP and PPT, of either short-term (<1 year) or long-term (> 1 year) duration. These results support a conclusion that both GAP and PPT are effective in routine clinical practice. We consider the advantages and limitations of quantitative outcome measurement from a group analytic perspective and highlight the possible pitfalls of attempting to optimise therapy based on overly narrow criteria.
Biochar-based fertilizers from co-pyrolysis of algae and hazelnut shell with triple superphosphate: Physicochemical properties and slow release performance
Authors: Esmaeili Nazanin , Khalili Rad Maryam , Fazeli Sangani Mahmood , Ghorbanzadeh Nasrin
Published: October 2024

Phosphorus (P) is a vital nutrient for plant growth and food production. Excessive amounts of P fertilizers to a greater extent of crop P offtake are inevitably applied due to low utilization efficiency, causing environmental pollution. This study aimed to evaluate biochar-based fertilizers (BBFs) produced by co-pyrolyzing algae (A) and hazelnut shell (H) biomasses with triple superphosphate (TSP) at a ratio of 4:1 (w/w). The potential of the slow-release performance of BBFs was studied during kinetics experiments. The co-pyrolysis of biomasses with TSP yielded BBFs with significantly different properties, including electrical conductivity, pH, elemental ratios, functional groups, specific surface area and pore size characteristics. Phosphorus release from all biochars and BBFs followed the Elovich model, except for TSP and H+TSP. Kinetic studies revealed prolonged P-release times and slower release rates for BBFs compared to conventional TSP. So that, TSP released 100% of the total P, whereas H+TSP and A+TSP biochars released only 3.14% and 5.14% of the total P, respectively, during a 240-hour experiment. The slow-release performance of BBFs suggests their potential as promising alternatives to conventional phosphate fertilizers. BBFs have the potential to enhance P utilization efficiency, increase crop yield and mitigate the environmental impact of P fertilizer runoff.
Causal Interpretations of Correlational Evidence Regarding Violence
Authors: Nunes Kevin L. , Hatton Cassidy E. , Pham Anna T. , Blank Carolyn , Maimone Sacha
Published: October 2024

Inferring causation from correlation can lead to erroneous explanations of violent behavior and the development and implementation of ineffective or even harmful interventions and policies. This article explores the inferences that violence researchers draw from evidence related to violent offending. We invited authors of articles published in violence journals to complete an online survey in which they were asked to identify a factor that may be a cause of violence, cite a study that demonstrates the factor is associated with violence, and provide their inferences from that study. We read each study and coded its research design (description of a sample [ n = 9], cross-sectional/retrospective non-experiment [ n = 18], single-wave longitudinal non-experiment [ n = 10], multi-wave longitudinal non-experiment [ n = 0], or randomized experiment [ n = 5]) and the appropriate inferences (inter-rater reliability was adequate; κ = 0.73–1.00). Reassuringly, participants ( N = 42; 57.1% in United States; 59.5% women) rarely indicated that their identified study demonstrated that their factor was a cause of violence (0.0%–16.7%) when the study was not a randomized experiment. However, many participants failed to acknowledge any plausible alternate interpretations (e.g., reverse causality, third variable) of the results from non-experimental studies (50.0%–88.9%). Moreover, most participants incorrectly selected a causal implication as following from the results of non-experimental studies (77.8%–100%). Our results suggest that even among authors of articles published in peer-review scientific journals on violence, many appear to infer causation from correlation.
The Mediating Role of Rape Myths in the Relationship Between the Use of Hentai Pornography and Sexually Aggressive Strategies: A Study with College Students
Authors: Almeida Beatriz , Gomes Hugo , Carvalho Joana
Published: October 2024

The current study aims to test the hypothetical link between hentai pornography use, rape myths endorsement, and sexually aggressive strategies. Furthermore, it aims to capture if such a trajectory echoes across gender and human-realistic pornography. The work targeted a sample of 906 college students, of whom 533 were men and 373 were women, who completed an online survey to capture pornography use, rape myths, and sexually aggressive behavior. Participation criteria included being heterosexual, over 18, pursuing higher education, and using hentai pornography. The results revealed that the frequency of hentai pornography use predicts sexually aggressive behaviors in male and female participants. The endorsement of rape myths mediated the relationship between the frequency of hentai use and sexually aggressive behavior in both genders and the relationship between the intensity of hentai use and sexually aggressive behavior in men. When considering human-realistic pornography, it was found that the frequency of use predicts sexually aggressive behavior in female participants. The endorsement of rape myths mediated the relationship; no other relationship was found. This work aims to increase awareness about the implications of using hentai and human-realistic pornography and highlight the importance of sexual violence prevention in the college setting.
Consumer Responses to CSR News of Family Business Brands: An Experimental Approach
Authors: Jaufenthaler Philipp , Schroll Roland , Grewal Dhruv
Published: October 2024

Scholars and practitioners increasingly call for a more nuanced understanding of why and when family firm branding is more versus less effective. Across three studies, we find that, in general, communicating family ownership enhances consumer responses because it humanizes the company. Importantly, however, the effectiveness of this communication strategy depends on (a) the presence and (b) the source of positive corporate social responsibility (CSR) news. Specifically, we demonstrate that family firm branding is less effective when an external source informs consumers about the company’s CSR. It does offer a strong competitive advantage, however, when the company self-reports its CSR activities.