bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro expression of genes encoding HIF1α, VEGFA, PGE2 synthases, and PGE2 receptors in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Nasry Walaa Hamed Shaker , Rodriguez-Lecompte Juan Carlos , Martin Chelsea K.
Published: February 2025

Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC) is an aggressive tumor with poor outcomes. Mechanisms of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-related inflammation and angiogenesis interact in human OSCC; however, this relationship has not been reported in FOSCC, to our knowledge. We aimed to characterize expression of genes encoding PGE2 synthases ( PTGES1–3), PGE2 receptors ( EP1–4), hypoxia inducible factor 1α ( HIF1A), and vascular and endothelial growth factor A ( VEGFA) in FOSCC cell lines (SCCF1–3) in vitro using reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Expression of PTGES1, PTGES3, EP4, and VEGFA were serum-inducible in SCCF2 cells; VEGFA was also inducible in SCCF1 cells ( p ≤ 0.05). Compared to other serum-treated cells, SCCF3 cells had the lowest VEGFA expression despite the highest HIF1A ( p ≤ 0.05) expression. PGE2 (5 µg/mL and 35 µg/mL) was added to SCCF2 cells for 4 different times (30, 60, 120, 240 min). Both doses of PGE2 stimulated expression of HIF1A and CD147 at 240 min ( p ≤ 0.05). PGE2 treatment stimulated cyclooxygenase 2 ( COX2) expression at 30 min, followed by suppression at 60 and 120 min and a sharp reduction in EP4 expression at 60 min ( p ≤ 0.05). Treatment of SCCF2 with PGE2 and EP4 antagonist L-161,982 increased COX2 expression, and L-161,982 (alone and in combination with PGE2) stimulated EP4 expression ( p ≤ 0.05). Genes for PGE2 synthase enzymes, PGE2 receptors, HIF1α and VEGFA were expressed in FOSCC cells in vitro. SCCF2 cells responded to exogenous PGE2 and EP4 antagonism, suggesting that EP4 activity in FOSCC deserves more study.
The effect of leisure involvement on happiness and successful aging in elderly
Authors: Ayhan Cihan , Dugenci Abdullah , Isik Ozkan , Gumus Hüseyin , Gungor Nuri Berk
Published: February 2025

Background

With the increase in the elderly population all over the world, researchers have recently focused on the importance of happiness and successful aging.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effect of leisure involvement on happiness and successful aging levels in the elderly.

Method

The personal information form, the leisure involvement scale, the Oxford happiness scale, and the successful aging scale were used in this study. The convenience sampling method was preferred in the current study. The data of the study were collected from individuals who performed leisure activities in recreational parks in Istanbul. The Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used for the analysis of obtained data. A total of 227 (MAge = 64.32 ± 2.74) elderly participated in the study voluntarily.

Results

There was a positive relationship between leisure involvement with happiness (r = .381) and healthy aging (r = .311). Moreover, when the results regarding the main hypothesis of the research were examined, it was observed that leisure involvement had a positive effect on happiness and successful aging (p < .001). Accordingly, it was determined that the participants’ leisure involvements predicted their happiness and successful aging levels by 14% (adj.R2 = .141) and 9% (adj.R2 = .093), respectively.

Conclusion

Elderly over the age of sixty with high levels of leisure involvement may feel better as physically and psychologically, they can become happier humans and achieve more successful aging.
What about neurodiversity among nurses? A cross-sectional exploration of work environment and health among nurses with ADHD and/or autism
Authors: Hedlund Åsa , Jordal Malin
Published: February 2025

Background

Employees who have ADHD and/or autism frequently encounter difficulties in their workplace and with their health. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of research focusing on nurses who have ADHD and/or autism, even though the nursing profession presents various significant organizational and social challenges that may potentially have an impact on nurses with ADHD and/or autism.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to describe and examine associations between work environment, perceived health and satisfaction with given care among nurses who have ADHD and/or autism.

Methods

Recruitment of participants took place through Swedish social media groups, and data collection was carried out via a web-based questionnaire. A total of 99 nurses who self-reported a diagnosis of ADHD and/or autism were included in the study. Descriptive statistics, binary correlations and linear regression analyses were conducted to analyze the data.

Results

The nurses reported high quantitative demands at work, low sense of social community and managerial social support, low perceived health and high satisfaction with given care. Regarding associations between variables, nurses with more inattention (ADHD trait) reported higher quantitative demands at work, and nurses with more social anxiety (autistic trait) reported lower perceived health.

Conclusions

Among nurses with ADHD and/or autism, the organizational and social work environment and health are challenging, and these challenges seem to be partly connected to the ADHD and autistic traits. However, patient care was perceived to work well. More research is needed to evaluate how the perceived health of nurses with ADHD/autism can be improved.
Impact of return-to-work pathway on vocational outcomes following severe acquired brain injury: A secondary analysis of the VIP1.0 trial
Authors: Gates Thomas M , McRae Philippa , Daher Maysaa , Simpson Grahame K
Published: February 2025

Background

Most research into vocational re-integration following severe acquired brain injury (ABI) has focused on returning to pre-injury employment. While there is significant demand for new employment post-ABI, much less is known about this return-to-work (RTW) pathway.

Objective

To compare and contrast the clinical profiles and outcomes achieved through vocational rehabilitation (VR) following severe ABI according to RTW pathway.

Methods

Secondary data analysis of the Vocational Intervention Program efficacy trial (VIP1.0). Participants with severe ABI undertaking a VR program were re-classified into two RTW pathway groups: return to pre-injury employment (Fast-Track; FT) or obtaining new employment (New-Track; NT). Competitive employment status (Yes/No) and clinician ratings of disability and participation were collected pre- and post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up.

Results

47 (46%) participants undertook a FT pathway and 55 (54%) a NT pathway. Compared to FT, NT participants were less educated, more likely to be single, further post-injury, already attempted to RTW unsuccessfully post-injury, and less likely to complete the VR intervention. For both pathways, employment rates improved from pre- to post-intervention and remained stable at follow-up. While FT was associated with high RTW success (post-intervention: 89%; follow-up: 88%), a significant minority of NT participants also achieved competitive employment (post-intervention: 34%; follow-up: 45%). FT participants were also rated as demonstrating greater improvements in work-related participation from pre- to post-intervention than NT.

Conclusions

Despite its challenges, VR interventions targeting new employment can lead to beneficial RTW outcomes for many individuals unable to return to their previous employer following severe ABI.
A narrative review on the application of Delphi and fuzzy Delphi techniques in the cement industry
Authors: Khorshidikia Samane , Rismanchian Masoud , Habibi Ehsanollah
Published: February 2025

Background

The Delphi technique and its fuzzy variant are widely employed across various sectors, including industrial applications, for eliciting expert consensus and identifying priorities. Despite its prevalence, there is limited literature on its application within the cement industry.

Objective

This review aims to explore and introduce the applications of the Delphi technique and fuzzy Delphi technique specifically within the cement industry context.

Methods

A narrative review was conducted focusing on studies between 2015 and 2024 that utilized the Delphi technique in the cement industry. The review included identifying primary areas of application such as assessing environmental impacts and prioritizing performance indicators crucial for industry stability and growth.

Results

The review revealed that the Delphi technique is predominantly used in the cement industry to assess environmental effects associated with the production process. Additionally, it serves to identify and prioritize key performance indicators that influence industry sustainability and development.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the significance of the Delphi technique and its fuzzy variant in facilitating consensus among experts in the cement industry. Future research should continue exploring these methodologies to enhance decision-making processes and address emerging challenges within the sector.
Salivary biomarkers as indicators of occupational fatigue
Authors: Mahdavi Neda , Shafiee Motlagh Masoud , Ranjbar Akram , Ghaffari Fateme , Faridan Mohammad , Tajik Leila , Mokhayeri Yaser , Heidarimoghadam Rashid
Published: February 2025

Background

To properly manage fatigue, it is essential to employ reliable evaluation techniques with little workplace involvement.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the applicability of salivary biomarker analysis as a tool for assessing weariness.

Methods

32 workers (15 office employees and 17 industrial workers) were included in this research after meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria and receiving informed permission from the participants. The levels of fatigue was then assessed using salivary biomarker analysis kits and a hand dynamometer.

Results

Except Grip Force (GF) at a significance level of 0.1 (p-value: 0.07), other variables had no significant alteration between two occupational groups. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and GF of both job groups had a non-significant downward trend, while the total thiol group (TTG) and lipid peroxides (LPO) of both groups demonstrated a non-significant upward trend. Biomarkers in saliva, such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Catalase (CAT), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), can potentially be considered as differentiators of fatigue between cognitive and physical occupations.

Conclusions

In sub-maximal activities, such as occupational tasks, alterations in some biomarkers, including LPO and SOD, may effectively indicate signs of physical fatigue.Obviously, this is only a preliminary study, and subsequent research should be carried out to acertain these basic findings.
Factors influencing sleep quality in healthcare workers: The mediating role of depression and anxiety symptoms
Authors: Luo Minrui , Chen Fengqiong , Liu Xiao , Ye Mengliang
Published: February 2025

Background

Numerous research has investigated the impact of depression and anxiety symptoms, occupational stress, work hours on sleep quality. Nevertheless, the interrelationships between these variables remain poorly understood.

Objective

The objective of this study is to examine the factors that influence sleep quality, to elucidate the relationships between them and to examine the extent to which depressive and anxiety symptoms act as mediators in the aforementioned relationships.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to obtain information about medical personnel in Chongqing, China. The Depressive Symptom Scale, Anxiety Symptom Scale and Sleep Quality Scale developed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention were used to assess the status of depression, anxiety and sleep quality, respectively. Structural equation modeling was employed to investigate the factors that influence sleep quality.

Results

The detection rate of poor sleep quality among healthcare workers in Chongqing was 57.9%, analyzed by structural equation modeling, the direct effects of anxiety and depressive symptoms on sleep quality were −0.328, −0.221 and fully mediated the relationship between socio-economic status, weekly working hours and occupational tension and sleep quality. Social support, demands and payments had higher effects on sleep quality of −0.167, −0.176 respectively.

Conclusions

The factors affecting sleep quality were identified as weekly working hours, working age, socioeconomic status, and occupational tension. The sub-dimensions of occupational tension that played a decisive role were social support, demands, and payments. The association between the aforementioned variables and sleep quality was fully mediated by depression and anxiety symptoms.
Investigation of the performance's effects on performance-related musculoskeletal pain, finger grip strength, finger dexterity, and hand grip strength in violinists
Authors: Kecelioglu Sule , Topdemir Turhan Ebru , Kaya Mutlu Ebru , Narin Aral Selnur
Published: February 2025

Background

Musicians are performing artists, and parameters such as strength and dexterity are required for their performance. In violinists, who the instrument group with a high prevalence of performance-related musculoskeletal pain (PRMP), the effects of performance on PRMP and these parameters, and the correlation between these parameters and PRMP are also intriguing.

Objective

To investigate the effects of performance on PRMP, finger grip strength, finger dexterity, and hand grip strength in violinists and also to provide perspective on parameters correlated with PRMP.

Methods

This study included 78 violinists (mean age: 22.50 ± 2.87, 55 Female-23 Male). Violinists were evaluated for PRMP with the Numeric Rating Scale, finger grip strength with the pinch meter, finger dexterity with the Purdue Pegboard Test, and hand grip strength with the hand dynamometer. Musicians were evaluated on two separate days: 1) during rest and one week later, 2) after playing the Concerto in B Minor (post-performance).

Results

Post-performance, there was an improvement in PRMP and finger grip strength and a decrease in finger dexterity. There was no change in hand grip strength. PRMP was only correlated with left-hand grip strength, and the explanatory power of left-hand grip strength was low.

Conclusions

Contrary to the literature, there was a decrease in PRMP post-performance in young violinists. It is noteworthy that finger grip strength increased while finger dexterity decreased. Left-hand grip strength may contribute to the reduction of PRMP. It is clear that more research is needed on musician health and that clear conclusions are still far off.
Effect of electroacupuncture for early ankle osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial using three-dimensional gait analysis
Authors: Jiang Cai , Xia Libin , Li Hai , Ke Xiaohua , Li Sicheng , Wang Jiaqi , Yao Zizhe , Huang Dunbing , Lin Zhonghua
Published: February 2025

Background

Ankle osteoarthritis (AOA) is a prevalent condition that affects joint function, often leading to pain, inflammation, and impaired mobility, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life.

Objective

This study explores the effects of electroacupuncture treatment on clinical outcomes and gait characteristics in patients with ankle osteoarthritis (AOA).

Methods

A total of 78 patients with AOA were randomly divided into a experiment group and a control group. The control group was treated with strength training, and the experiment group was additionally treated with electroacupuncture. The Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS), American Foot and Ankle Society's Ankle and Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS), and the 3D Motion Analysis System were used before and after the intervention to assess the clinical outcomes and changes in kinematic parameters in the AOA patients before and after therapy.

Results

After treatment, the differences in intra-group comparisons and inter-group comparisons of AOS scores, AOFAS-AHS scores, stride length, stride length, single-support phase, and gait variable scores (GVS) of ankle dorsiflexion-plantarflexion of the patients in the experiment group were statistically significant; the differences in inter-group comparisons of GVS scores of hip rotation of the patients in the experiment group were statistically significant; and the differences in the gait profile scores (GPS) and gait deviation indices of the patients in the experiment group were statistically significant. The differences in the intra-group comparisons were statistically significant. The within-group comparisons of AOS score, AOFAS-AHS score, GPS score and GVS score of ankle dorsiflexion-plantarflexion were statistically significant in the control group patients.

Conclusions

Electroacupuncture has shown promise as an adjunctive therapy for patients with AOA, offering a more holistic rehabilitation strategy. By improving joint mobility and optimizing gait mechanics, electroacupuncture can effectively reduce pain, facilitate the restoration of normal gait patterns, and enhance patients’ overall quality of life.
Effects of instrument-assisted manipulation and mobilization with movement in chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Erol Erkan , Burak Mustafa , Elbasan Bülent
Published: February 2025

Background

Low back pain is the third most reported complaint after headache and chronic fatigue, and more than 80% of the population will experience low back pain at some point in their lives.

Objectıve

We conducted this study to investigate the effects of instrument-assisted manipulation (IAM) and mobilization with movement (MWM) on joint range of motion (ROM), pain, proprioception, endurance, back awareness, and disability in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP).

Methods

51 participants with CNSLBP were randomized to one of three groups: (1) MWM; (2) IAM; or (3) core exercise. Joint ROM, pain, proprioception, endurance, back awareness, and disability were assessed at baseline, week 2 and 6.

Results

Joint ROM and activity pain scores increased in all groups (p < 0.05). Both activity and resting pain improved in the MWM group (p < 0.001; p = 0.004). Most measures related to proprioception improved in the MWM group (p = 0.005; p = 0.016; p = 0.016). Endurance increased in all groups, but the flexor endurance increase was higher in the MWM group (p < 0.05). Back awareness and disability increased in all groups (p < 0.05), but disability increased most in MWM group (p = 0.022).

Conclusıons

MWM could effectively improve pain, proprioception, endurance, and disability.
Optimal Target Angle in Oblique Diaphyseal Osteotomy of the Fifth Metatarsal for Symptomatic Bunionette: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Ikuta Yasunari , Nakasa Tomoyuki , Kawabata Shingo , Ishibashi Saori , Sakurai Satoru , Moriwaki Dan , Adachi Nobuo
Published: February 2025

Background:

The effects of the osteotomy angle during oblique diaphyseal osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal on the clinical outcomes remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the clinical and radiographic outcomes of this procedure, with a focus on the intraoperative osteotomy angle.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 30 female patients who underwent oblique diaphyseal osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal with single-screw fixation for symptomatic bunionette (36 feet, mean age, 68.3 years; mean follow-up, 22.5 months). The angles between the osteotomy line and the fifth metatarsal and screw insertion axes were measured as the osteotomy and screw insertion angles, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the cutoff value for the osteotomy angle. The metatarsophalangeal angle (MTPA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) between the fourth and fifth metatarsals were measured on dorsoplantar images. The Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) scale was scored at the preoperative and final follow-up visits.

Results:

Screw backout was identified in 14 feet (38.9 %). The osteotomy and screw insertion angles were 35.9 and 62.2 degrees in the screw backout group and 24.6 and 71.2 degrees in the control group, respectively ( P < .05). The osteotomy angle >31.1 degrees was a cutoff value of postoperative screw backout (sensitivity, 0.79; specificity, 0.96; area under the curve, 0.92). The mean MTPA and IMA were 21.0 and 12.3 degrees preoperatively and 9.3 and 8.2 degrees at the final follow-up, respectively. The mean JSSF scale score improved significantly from 59.9 to 95.3.

Conclusion:

The osteotomy angle was greater and the screw was inserted more shallowly against the osteotomy line in the screw backout group compared with the control group. The optimal target angle of the osteotomy line to the fifth metatarsal axis should be <30 degrees intraoperatively for single-screw fixation.
Harnessing AI to Address Misinformation on Cultivated Meat: The Impact of Chatbot Expertise and Correction Sidedness
Authors: Ou Mengxue , Ho Shirley S. , Wijaya Stanley A.
Published: February 2025

This study conducted a 2 (chatbot expertise cues: high vs. low) × 2 (correction sidedness: one-sided vs. two-sided) between-subjects experiment to investigate the effects of chatbot features and output framing on misinformation correction and public perceptions of cultivated meat. Results highlighted the importance of chatbot expertise cues in shaping credibility perceptions of misinformation correction, with two-sided corrections from high-expertise chatbots perceived as more credible than those from low-expertise chatbots. Credibility perceptions mediated the interaction effect between chatbot expertise cues and correction sidedness on individuals’ attitudes and consumption intentions towards cultivated meat. Both theoretical and practical implications of these findings were discussed.
Geometric thermodynamics, non-equilibrium entropy and revision of B.D. Coleman’s thermomechanics
Authors: Goddard Joe D
Published: February 2025

This paper is a continuation with certain modifications of a previous work by this author involving a new theory for the continuum-mechanical entropy in non-equilibrium states. Treating internal energy as an essential coordinate in the thermomechanical state space, the theory provides a nominal calorimetric theory of materials with memory as an alternative to the widely accepted thermometric theory of Coleman which treats both entropy and temperature as ” primitives” without a compelling connection to experimental measurement. Following a brief review of the previous work, involving a generally defined topology of state space for higher-gradient continua, a revision of Coleman’s theory is proposed that specifies non-equilibrium entropy as the variational extremum of a functional of the forces that define the relevant cotangent bundle of the underlying state space. As a conjecture, the optimal cycle in state space is assumed to be a non-equilibrium generalization of the classical Carnot cycle.
Severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions including perforation, ulceration, hemorrhage, and obstruction: A fumaric acid ester class new safety risk
Authors: Kim Tiffany , Brinker Allen , Croteau David , Lee Paul R , Baldassari Laura E , Pimentel-Maldonado Daniela , Stevens Jessica , Phipps Christine , Hughes Alice , Lyons Erica , Finkelstein Laura H , Munoz Monica A
Published: February 2025

Background:

Although gastrointestinal (GI) adverse reactions (ARs) were commonly observed in registrational clinical trials of fumarate acid ester (FAE) drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, serious GI reactions were uncommon.

Objective:

The objective of the study is to describe the serious GI ARs that supported the post-market safety labeling change for FAE drugs.

Methods:

Review of the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) database and published medical literature was conducted to identify cases of serious GI events in patients taking FAE drugs.

Results:

Forty-nine cases of GI ARs with clinical events of perforation, ulceration, hemorrhage, or obstruction causally associated with FAE drug use were identified. Most cases occurred within 4 months of FAE drug initiation and required hospitalization. Ten of the cases required red blood cell transfusions, nine cases required surgical intervention, and two cases resulted in a fatal outcome.

Conclusion:

Review of postmarketing reports supported the identification of a class association between FAE drugs and serious GI ARs. As these reactions have implications for prescribing decisions and patient management, a safety labeling change was issued to add serious GI reactions to the Warnings and Precautions section of the prescribing information for FAE drugs.
Social cohesion and COVID-19 mortality in different periods of the pandemic: variable efficacy of trust in civil services
Authors: Chuang Ying-Chih , Chen Rong-Xian , HSU Hsueh-Wen , Lee Peng-Hua
Published: February 2025

Aims:

Social cohesion has been reported to influence various health outcomes positively. However, inconsistent results were reported regarding the effects of social cohesion dimensions on the COVID-19 mortality rate (MR). Most studies have indicated that trust in civil services but not participating in social activities reduces COVID-19 mortality, possibly because of the highly contagious nature of this disease. In this study, we investigated how the effects of various dimensions of social cohesion on COVID-19 MR vary across different phases of the pandemic.

Methods:

This study used data from 86 countries participating in the 2017–2020 World Values Survey. The measures of social cohesion were identified by aggregating responses to the country level. COVID-19 MR was calculated—using data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control—separately for three distinct periods during the pandemic: 13 January 2020–8 November 2020; 9 November 2020–5 September 2021; and 6 September 2021–20 June 2022. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to identify the dimensions of social cohesion, and negative binomial regression models were constructed to analyze data for each period.

Results:

The EFA results revealed three dimensions of social cohesion: social participation and inclusion, health service equality, and trust in civil services and democracy. COVID-19 MR was negatively associated with trust in civil services and democracy during the early two periods and with social participation and inclusion during the late period.

Conclusions:

Each social cohesion dimension uniquely contributed to reducing the COVID-19 MR in different pandemic periods.
The role of entrepreneurs’ attributes in early-stage investment decisions
Authors: Hoorvitch Lavi Adi , Yaniv Eyal
Published: February 2025

Access to capital is a critical step for early-stage entrepreneurial ventures such as start-ups but also constitutes a major hurdle since there is little available data to back up their product. The current paper proposes a theoretical early-stage investment decision-making framework that draws on dual process theory and signaling theory to suggest that investors’ intuition is composed of cues and signals that impact their overall perception of the entrepreneur and the venture evaluation. Four categories are shown to define the ways in which entrepreneur attributes contribute to angels’ and venture capitalists’ gut-feeling evaluations of funding potential: (1) attributes that investors look for in an entrepreneur as assessed during their early encounters, (2) pitch-related attributes that are indicative of entrepreneur motivation, (3) attributes related to venture performance that may point to the venture's growth potential and (4) entrepreneur self-efficacy. By proposing a theory of early investment decision-making based on System 1 and not only System 2 as is typically hypothesized, this framework contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial finance theory, individual decision-making, and theories of affective judgment under conditions of extreme risk and uncertainty.
Damage localization of aero engine blade based on Lamb wave theoretical propagation model and imaging algorithm
Authors: Du Daiyao , Hua Jiadong , Cui Chun , Lin Jing
Published: February 2025

Aero engine is the core component of the whole aircraft, and the blade plays a significant role in the aero engine. The working environment of the blade is often very harsh, so the probability of damage is high. Due to the variable cross-section characteristics of blade structure, traditional Lamb wave damage detection methods cannot be directly applied to blades. To locate blade damage efficiently and accurately, a detection method based on the Lamb wave theoretical propagation model of variable cross-section structure and damage localization imaging algorithm is proposed in this study. First, the propagation law of Lamb wave on the blade with variable cross-section is obtained through theoretical analysis, and the corresponding theoretical model is established. Subsequently, the damage location is identified and the image is generated by delay-and-sum algorithm and minimum variance algorithm. Finally, experiments on the blade are carried out, and the damage location is successfully identified, which verifies the validity of the proposed method in damage localization of variable cross-section aero engine blade.
Micro-KTNet: Microstructure knowledge transfer learning for fiber masterbatch agglomeration recognition
Authors: Zhang Xianqi , Wei Bing , Hao Kuangrong , Gao Lei , Xie Ruimin , Wang Huaping
Published: February 2025

Fiber masterbatch production suffers from inherent agglomeration effect of high-concentration color masterbatches, negatively impacting color uniformity, particle dispersion, and thermal stability in fiber masterbatch, and ultimately the quality of fiber products. However, accurately recognizing and classifying the agglomeration in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images remain a challenge due to the complexity of agglomeration status, difficulty in distinguishing micro-size agglomeration, and limited data availability. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel microstructure recognition architecture, named Micro-KTNet, which is designed for segmenting SEM images of fiber masterbatch aggregation. First, Micro-KTNet leverages transferable microstructural features to initialize the proposed network, mitigating the impact of limited data. Then, to handle multi-scale features in the microstructure, an encoding-decoding structure is constructed and skip connections are used to transfer the output features of the encoding layer. Finally, the decoder incorporates a novel attention module to effectively process both global and local features. To evaluate Micro-KTNet, a unique fiber masterbatch SEM database is built as the benchmark for micro-size agglomeration recognition. Experimental results indicate that Micro-KTNet surpasses existing state-of-the-art methods and improves the recognition precision from 75. 37% to 87. 04%.
Perceptions, Attitudes, and Experiences Regarding Mental Health Care Among Young Black Men
Authors: VanHook Cortney
Published: February 2025

Mental health service research has insufficiently examined young Black men’s (YBM; ages 18–25) mental health care consumption patterns, obscuring their unmet mental health needs. Concurrently, the literature indicates YBM face unmet service needs that impede their ability to address numerous negative social determinants of health (e.g., high adverse childhood experiences, low socioeconomic status, etc.). Because preventing or treating mental health issues at or near onset can dramatically improve outcomes, this study utilizes thematic analysis to elucidate the factors most consequential to YBM’s experiences as mental health service consumers. Eight YBM ( Mage = 21.1 years) were purposively recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews to discuss attitudes regarding mental health care and cultural attitudes, gender-based attitudes, structural racism, and transition to adulthood. Of the eight participants, five had active health insurance, six had received mental health services before age 18 years, and three were currently receiving mental health services. Participants were attuned to their mental health needs and rejected stigmatizing attitudes about mental illness. Most participants reported hesitation about taking psychiatric medications. Participants had limited resources and encountered structural barriers to accessing mental health services. Most participants did not perceive racism as a source of mental distress. Culturally informed, consumer-oriented research is critical to tailoring and strengthening YBM’s mental health care. Future research should employ a population health approach to promote YBM’s mental health service uptake in adulthood.
Hierarchical Bayes Small Area Estimation for Rice Yield Using Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Rawat Pooja , Kumar Manoj , Airon Anurag
Published: February 2025

There is a growing interest in model based Small Area Estimation (SAE) techniques for providing reliable estimates for small areas. In this research, we apply Hierarchical Bayes (HB) SAE technique that borrow strength across blocks using remotely-sensed auxiliary variable to predict yield of rice crop in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. The HB method effectively handles complex small area models using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique to manage high-dimensional posterior integrations. The potential scale reduction factor [Formula: see text] was used to determine the success of convergence of the HB model. The efficiency of HB estimators is compared with the Fay Herriot (FH) and direct estimator. The study indicates that by borrowing strength from similar areas and incorporating a weakly informative prior for model parameters, HB estimators significantly reduce variance compared to traditional empirical based linear unbiased prediction (EBLUP) and direct estimator. Performance validation of the models is conducted using statistical metrics such as Coefficient of Variation (CV) and Bias plots. Assessments of potential bias introduced by HB estimators, in contrast to the direct and FH estimator, show minimal to negligible additional bias. This research underscores the advantages of employing SAE within a Hierarchical Bayesian framework, enabling more accurate inference at the block level and offering valuable insights for agricultural planning and decision-making.
Synthesis and characterisation of asbestos-free calcium silicate–based thermal insulating material using novel fly ash-based binder
Authors: Dhangar Manish , Chaturvedi Kamna , Srivastava Avanish K , Verma Sarika
Published: February 2025

Calcium silicate–based materials have been a long-time favourite in thermal insulation applications. This work emphasises synthesising calcium silicate–based thermal insulating material via solid-state reaction using silica, calcium carbonate and fly ash as binding material. The calcium silicate formulations were mixed into a ratio of 1:1:1 (CaO:SiO2:FA) and sintered at temperatures 800–1100°C for 2 h. The developed tailored powder and the sample with calcium silicate formulations were characterised by X-ray diffraction, IR, thermagravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-EDS and thermophysical properties (thermal diffusivity, heat capacity per unit volume and thermal conductivity). The synthesised samples are composed mainly of calcium silicate phases, that is, wollastonite with minor larnite and rankinite. The microstructure was evaluated by SEM. It was found that the developed calcium silicate material reached low thermal conductivity values, that is, 0.29 and 0.42 W/mK (for 2P1000 and 2P1100, respectively). The thermal constant analysis of the material shows the stability of the material at high temperatures. Thus, the present results suggest that in-situ calcium silicate–based material prepared is a good thermal insulation ceramic material.
A comprehensive review of urinary tract fistulas: the evolution of etiologies, surgical techniques, and contemporary outcomes
Authors: Nigro Noah , Shahinyan Gary , Lin Shujian , Bhalla Rohan G. , Flynn Brian J.
Published: February 2025

Urinary tract fistulas (UTFs) are abnormal connections between the urinary tract and adjacent structures such as the bowel, vagina, or blood vessels. UTFs result in significant personal, social, and financial challenges to patients worldwide. This review investigates the various causes, risk factors, symptoms, and historical evolution of repair techniques of UTFs. This focuses on the shift from open surgery to minimally invasive techniques, particularly the growing utilization of robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) approaches. This review emphasizes the growing role of RAL surgery in treating UTFs, citing its advantages of reduced blood loss, low recurrence rates, and decreased postoperative complications while acknowledging challenges such as limited access to the RAL platform and longer surgical times. The study concludes with advocacy for more widespread access to the RAL platform as well as more research, including randomized controlled trials, to further refine the body of evidence and promote patient outcomes.
The statistical conference of the americas: Advancing the fundamental principles of official statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Mancero Xavier , Miranda Rocío , Ocampo Rolando
Published: February 2025

This article addresses some of the main means through which the Statistical Conference of the Americas promotes the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean. It describes regional guidelines generated by the Conference that have a direct role in driving compliance with the Fundamental Principles, such as the Generic Law of Official Statistics and the Regional Code of Good Practice in Statistics. The article provides a brief overview of the state of affairs in the region concerning basic elements for the implementation of the FPOS, such as the statistical legislation and access to administrative records and the challenges ahead.
Presenting the informal economy in the macroeconomic accounts
Authors: Gessendorfer Jonathan , Kludza Kossi Edem , Smith Herman
Published: February 2025

The informal economy is a highly important topic for macroeconomic accounting to provide better measures of economic well-being and to account for new informal types of economic activities facilitated by digitalization. At the same time, macroeconomic accounting is required to provide a comprehensive picture of the informal economy. Importantly, macroeconomic statistics on the informal economy can go beyond measuring production. They can, for example, include an analysis of informal labour in the labour accounts and in the earned income account. The paper proposes that countries compile indicators on the contribution of the informal (market) economy to household income and to use them as headline indicators on the extent of informality in the economy alongside the contribution of informal sector production to GDP. In addition, the paper aims to contribute to an increased understanding of the macroeconomic perspective on the framework for the informal economy among labour statisticians and national accountants by clarifying terminology used in the SNA and the 21st ICLS resolution concerning statistics on the informal economy.
E-Commerce price index prediction with time series mining and automated machine learning
Authors: Esclanda-Lo Carmelita , Ong Chelsea Anne , Masangkay Gabriel
Published: February 2025

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) serves as a critical economic indicator reflecting the overall prices of goods and services. While surveys of household consumption behaviors have been reliable to date, the survey-based method of compiling the CPI has recently been under strain. Price measurement has become more complex, thereby increasing demands on the data needed to attain accuracy, coverage, and timeliness. 1 This study introduces an integrated data pipeline incorporating a time-sensitive composite similarity model tailored for multivariate time-series correlation analysis to generate an alternative CPI utilizing price data from an e-commerce portal. The pipeline also offers an implementation of the preferred CPI forecasting model derived from an automated machine learning tool. The composite e-commerce index is 90.75% correlated with the official national food and non-alcoholic beverages CPI. Furthermore, ridge regression resulted in an R-squared value of 0.74 and an MAE of 1.269, hence proving that this novel approach can offer a robust complement to traditional methods for deriving a composite index and forecasting the CPI.
Economic burden of Huntington’s disease: A systematic review
Authors: Gokhale Pooja , Villa Zapata Lorenzo
Published: February 2025

Background

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease, characterized by progressive motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. The disease poses a significant social and economic burden.

Objective

This systematic review aims to characterize the global economic burden by analyzing the direct, indirect, and total costs associated with HD.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to June 2024. The titles and abstracts were screened independently by two reviewers and full-text, English-language articles assessing direct, indirect, and/or total costs of HD were included. The costs were converted to annual costs in 2024 United States Dollars (USD).

Results

Out of the initial 608 de-duplicated articles, 19 full-text articles were included. The articles spanned 44 years, from 1980 to 2024. The studies covered a total of 15 countries. Annual costs in 2024 USD ranged significantly by region: Americas ($2542-$90,515), Europe ($40,000-$215,020), Asia ($1915-$7132), and Oceania ($3678-$8721). The highest costs were reported in Norway ($171,842) and the UK ($215,020), while Asian countries reported substantially lower costs (China: $6469; South Korea: $6305; Taiwan: $1915-$7132).

Conclusions

The global economic burden of HD varies substantially across regions, influenced by prevalence rates, healthcare systems, and reporting methodologies. Study limitations include heterogeneous cost reporting methods, potential underestimation in cost conversions, and lack of disease severity stratification. Standardizing cost-of-illness study methodologies and developing specific quality assessment tools would enhance cross-study comparability and improve resource allocation globally.
Resource Utilization and Cost Analysis of Pediatric Esophageal Foreign Bodies
Authors: Chen Tanya , Siu Jennifer M. , Madan Yasmine , Ma Gar-Way , Gill Peter J. , Carman Nicholas , Propst Evan J. , Wolter Nikolaus E.
Published: February 2025

Objective

Impacted esophageal foreign bodies (EFBs) are a common but preventable presentation in children, requiring prompt removal in the operating room by esophagoscopy. Our objective was to describe the overall cost of impacted pediatric EFBs and determine factors that increase resource burden.

Methods

A cost analysis of pediatric patients undergoing esophagoscopy for EFB removal from 2010 to 2021 was performed. Characteristics of each EFB, patient transfer, and hospital course were collected. Direct and indirect healthcare costs were calculated using hospital-specific costs and provincial fees. Amounts were calculated in Canadian dollars.

Results

Six hundred and eighty patients were included. The total amount spent on pediatric EFBs from 2010 to 2021 was $2,673,288. The mean total cost per child with an EFB was $3469. An extra hour of delay before Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) consultation at a tertiary hospital corresponded to an $816 cost [95% confidence interval (CI; 244.7–1287.4)]. On average, children requiring transfer to a tertiary care center cost $1965 more than those initially presenting to a tertiary care center ( P = .001). Higher-risk EFBs (n = 165, 24%) were associated with a longer hospital stay and greater complication rate and resulted in a $4095 increase in overall cost compared to lower-risk EFBs [$6829 (standard deviation (SD) $11,347) vs $2734 (SD $10,451), P = .02]. Button battery ingestions cost 8.8 times more than non-dangerous EFBs, such as coins. Longer distance for transfer was associated with a higher likelihood of having complications [odds ratios (OR) 1.5, 95% CI (1.1–1.8)].

Conclusion

EFBs pose a significant economic burden to the healthcare system, driven by transfer to a tertiary care center, delays in transfer to the operating room, and high-risk EFBs. It is critical to identify areas for improved efficiency such as increased parental education for primary prevention, early involvement of the OHNS team and improving the capacity of community hospitals to manage EFB to limit transfers when possible.
Operant Upconditioning of the Quadriceps Motor Evoked Torque as a Means to Improve Quadriceps Function After ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Rodriguez Kazandra M. , Palmieri-Smith Riann M. , Krishnan Chandramouli
Published: February 2025

Background:

Diminished corticospinal excitability is theorized to contribute to poor quadriceps function after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Operant conditioning of the motor evoked torque (MEPTORQUE) is a promising approach capable of improving corticospinal excitability. However, it is unknown whether increasing corticospinal excitability can improve quadriceps function after a short-term operant conditioning intervention in patients with reconstructed ACL.

Hypothesis:

After ACL reconstruction, patients would demonstrate increases in quadriceps strength, voluntary activation, and corticospinal excitability after a 2-week operant conditioning intervention.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Level of Evidence:

Level 1.

Methods:

A total of 22 patients with reconstructed ACL were randomized into 1 of 2 groups: group 1 received 2 weeks of operant conditioning training on the reconstructed leg to improve their transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-elicited MEPTORQUE responses (COND); group 2 received 2 weeks of TMS only (SHAM-COND). Quadriceps strength, voluntary activation, and corticospinal excitability on the reconstructed leg were evaluated before and after the 2-week intervention. Within-session changes in corticospinal excitability were also evaluated during the training sessions.

Results:

The COND group demonstrated a significantly higher within-session percent increase in MEPTORQUE during training compared with the SHAM-COND group, paralleled by a significant increase in corticospinal excitability after the 2-week intervention. In addition, quadriceps strength and voluntary activation improved on the reconstructed leg after the 2-week intervention, regardless of group.

Conclusion:

Operant conditioning training can elicit improvements in corticospinal excitability after ACL reconstruction; however, improvements in quadriceps strength and voluntary activation seem not to be attributed solely to operant upconditioning training.

Clinical Relevance:

Operant conditioning is a promising approach to improve corticospinal excitability after ACL reconstruction. However, optimizing the delivery of operant conditioning protocols by potentially increasing the dosage of operant conditioning and intervening earlier after surgery may be needed to translate these changes to improvements in quadriceps function.